The Man for a Missy (ON HOLD)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

She had been out of sorts since she left the house. This deep unsettling feeling kept niggling at her, distracting her from work. Even now, while preparing test questions Genevieve tried ignoring the weight lodged in her chest. The last time something of this nature occurred, her husband had collapsed. Unable to withstand the torment any longer, she dialed the house phone for Jachy. I must be overreacting, she told herself. It went unanswered.

"Auntie," someone said.

Genevieve looked up at the timid voice, phone on an ear. Before her was a scrawny, fidgety little boy she knew as Tojah who always sat quietly at the back of the class. He'd never approached any teacher or related with his classmates—he was that reserved. Sometimes, he reminded her of Jachy.

"Hey, Tojah," She said, mildly surprised. For the moment, she suspended the call, smiling as she gave him her full attention. "How can I help you?" She saw that he had his note with him and he brought it forward, opening it on her desk and pointing to a particular problem.

"The answer is wrong. It should be thirty-five." He then went on to explain the solution. Right or wrong Genevieve couldn't tell as her brain scrambled but Tojah was a brilliant student, so she didn't doubt his stand. She glanced around. Luckily for her, the staffroom was empty. It would have been utter embarrassment. She'd been changing mathematics help because of one issue or the other: apart from being brain dead in math, it was either the individual was also brain dead, wanted more money, or wanted to have sex with her.

"Well done," Genevieve gave a smile too bright, high fiving the clueless boy, "You're the only one who figured it out. I'll make the correction later, all right?" She said, wondering how long it would take to fine a new help before the management found out and fired her. "Just don't tell---"

"Genevieve,"

She looked away from the boy, startled by the sudden mention of her name. One of the teachers had appeared at the door. "You're needed in the office."

******

Kingsley had his elbows on his knees, eyes staring into space. He'd taken off his tie and loosened some buttons of his shirt. Beside him, Chinonye worried her fingers, gaze lowered. They'd been waiting for hours, and when the doctor ambled towards them, Kingsley shot to his feet while Chinonye remained seated, wishing she were somewhere else, her face guilt-ridden.

"She dislocated an arm," answered the doctor in response to Kingsley inquisitive questions about the situation, "but she'll be fine." That was all the man could divulge since he wasn't a relative.

Relieved regardless, Kingsley blew out air."What about the mother? Were they able to reach her?" One of the nurses had found a phone on the girl and gotten the parent's number.

"Yes. She's on her way. Now, if you'll excuse me, Mr King........."

"Of course, thank you," Kingsley cordially shook the doctor's hand, thinking of chastising his sister after, except that when he turned, she was gone. He glanced around, nonplussed. "That brat," he muttered. She'd slipped past him without him knowing.

Once inside Jachy's ward, Chinonye placed one palm on her racing heart, rested her back against the door, and closed her eyes briefly, expelling a sigh. She had successfully escaped her brother's wrath. For now. It had been wise to take advantage of the doctor's presence, knowing that some form of rebuke awaited her. He just might kill her this time.

There she was. The little girl she'd almost run over on the bed with an arm in a cast across her body. They'd changed her out of the wet clothes, and into a hospital gown. Chinonye became somber as she stared at the result of another impulsive action. "Why did you have to come out of nowhere, huh?" She took off her wig, revealing plaited hair. Then she placed fisted hands on slender hips, fumed. "Do you know how much trouble I'm in because of you?"