DAMAGED

WALLS SO HIGH⬆️⏫

"I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become "--Carl Jung.

The song for this chapter is " All I have" by EMO ft Oscar Cyms.

ZOE HAD BEEN BUSY in the weeks that followed, PTF ( PARENTS AND TEACHERS FORUM), work, Easter preparation, as if that was not enough, Chance's birthday was today.

" Mom, where is my spiderman cake? And I hope all my friends are coming?." Chance asked.

"I just spoke with their parents and I think they're not coming, they're at the Easter camping ground...

There was a camping program organized by his school every Easter and summer, but as the protective mother that she was, she's never allowed him to take part simply because she couldn't let him out of her sight.

Chance frowned. " So they're not coming? Why now?!...ohhohh God."

He walked away from her bedroom into the living room where Binta was eating a large chunk of cake.

" Mom said nobody is coming for my birthday!" Chance said as he sat on one of the couches as he sulked.

"So sorry dear...next year, I'm sure they will come." Binta tried to console him but he rolled his eyes.

" That's the same thing you said last year..." He shook his head and looked out of the window.

Binta knew there's no other way to console him because he was really upset. Like Mother like son, whenever they are upset, they exhibit the same attitude.

She walked to him with a concerned look on her face. Honestly, she pitied him, Zoe was so hard on him, she wanted a perfect child , a child that could rise up against the criticism of the Nigerian society.

" Chance, this won't happen next year, I promise."

He turned to her, and then she saw tears in his eyes. " Are you sure?"

" Yes. Next year, we will go to the Beach to celebrate, me, you, your mom and your friends"

He smiled. " And I can get ice-cream and popcorn and Martini?"

" Of course, but, no Martini. You're still a kid, wait for your time."

He chuckled. " I'm seven, I'll be eight next year, I still can't have Martini?"

" No." Binta simply said. " Your mom will be upset."

" I know, right?."

Chance looked out of the window as a car pulled out in front of Jordan's apartment. Jordan alighted from the car as he walked to the booth to get his luggage.

" Aunty Binta, look, Mr Jordan is outside!!"

Binta squinted. " Mr Jordan? Where?....oh oh I see him...

Before she could complete her statement, Chance ran out of the house barefooted.

" Chance! Chance!" Binta called out as she ran after him.

Chance ran towards Jordan who was struggling with his luggage. " Mr Jordan!!"

Jordan turned around to see Chance running towards him with a wide grin on his face.

" Be careful, you might fall." Jordan said as he dropped his luggage.

Chance stopped right in front of him, panting and at the same time smiling as Jordan couldn't help but wonder what was going on.