𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄

CHAPTER THREE

                      

At home, Hudson strides into the house before i can voice my thoughts. I get out of the car. Joy comes out.

"Hey, June! We've closed school! Mum and Queen and I are travelling this night to join Dad!" she says excitedly.

"But, Joy, how about Hudson and I?" I ask.

"Dad said you guys still have school, but you will join us a week later, 2 weeks before school starts" she says.

I walk into the house. Up stairs Grace is packing things into two suitcases.

"Oh, hi June!"

"What's going to happen to Hudson and I? Why are you abandoning us?" I ask.

"Abandoning you? Far from it! You guys can take care of yourselves! I t will be the star of independence that you need!" She reaches into her bag. Hudson comes in and stands beside me.

"Hi, Mum!" he says.

"Hi, Hudson, this 20,000 Naira is for you to buy fuel and diesel." Hudson takes the money.

"June, this 25,000 Naira is to buy food and anything else, okay? You guys have to be responsible adults. After all, you both are going back to America together next year!" says Grace.

"We are going by taxi, so the cars are safe. Okay?"

"Okay" we both say. I take the money, and I go to my room, where I do my homework. Today we have been given some IGCSE and SAT. I do both just for the record.

At 6:00, I carry Queen outside, where Joy and Grace are waiting. Hudson is watching television inside.

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine." I say pleasantly.

"I will miss you" say Grace and Joy. Queen smiles, waving her pudgy fingers at me "Tee u June! A miss u!" she says. The boxes are loaded. The driver starts the car.

"Bye!" I say as I close the gate. Trudging back into the house, I see that Hudson is still watching TV.

"Hudson, they've left." He does not answer me.

"What do you want for dinner?" He still does not answer me. I stand in front of the TV.

"What, June?" he asks.

"What do you want for dinner?" I ask. "How about moving from the TV?" he asks sardonically. I plop down beside him.

"Hudson, listen." I turn his head to face me. "We hav a weekend and a week to get through before we go to America. So I suggest you listen."

"Okay,okay. Sorry. Now, if you could make plantain and egg-stew, I'd appreciate it."

"That's better. "I say, getting up. I go to the kitchen. I quickly cut up a bundle of plaintain. As the oil heats up in the pan, I dump the plaintain in it, causing some oil to splash on my hand. I scream. Hudson runs in. He breaks an egg and pours it on my hand.

"Sorry, June," he says.

We both make the plaintain and egg-stew after that, Hudson controlling the plaintain. I set out the plate and we have dinner. Then, in the kitchen, Hudson washes and I dry. We then go to watch television. "You know, June, this is sort of fun, not having Joy or Queen around to hassel us." Hudson says.

"You got that right. I could get used to this. So, any plans for Operation Shake off Barta?" I ask delicately.

"Not yet" he replies. I look at the clock. It says a quarter to 11.