TAKEN

[32]

"The past, the past, blah blah!" A gritted teeth followed the sing-song mockery. "That's all you want to talk about?" My mom questioned, bridging the conversation. "Gladys, what about the present?"

Her fingers waved furiously in Mama's face. "What about all you put me and my daughters through? And for what?... all because of that bitter-leaf heart of yours? "Your inability to lose!"

"Lose? Did you say lose?" Mama slowly rose to her feet, wincing at the pain from the cut in her toes. My dad was quickly by her side, holding her still. "No!" Her left palm was up. "I can manage!"

Her body tensed as we all watched her limp towards my mother, pointing too closely to her eyes. "You came into my home, stole my husband, took my son and you accuse me of being bitter?"

The other woman was ready for her, her eyes blazing like a fiery furnace. A glow of disdain washed over her face. "I'm no longer afraid of you Gladys. I'm not!"

"Are you seriously going to deny what happened?" Mama asked. Something in her eyes was begging for an honest answer, an answer only my mother could give.

My mom scoffed and hissed at the same time. "What happened?" Mom asked left hand wedged the tipping of her head.

"Like seriously? You are going to deny what happened to Dozie?"

"Oh please, give me a break!" She waved her off, hissing so loudly. "Don't rope me into your confusion."

"Accept it!" Mama kinda pleaded while staying strong in her words. Instead, my mom's hissed at her angrily.

While that ruckus was going on, Dima's tiny device vibrated. And because I was standing next to her, I heard it as well. From her expression, I knew not to speak. But when our eyes met, there was hope in them.

"Any help?" I mouthed under my breath.

Although fear reeked through her expression, she took in a long breath and shut her eyes. My eyes washed over her torn clothes, bruised face, and arms, I half prayed for an end to this terrible night.

The sky was gray now, mixed with the fumes of the now-dying flames. Humidity from the heat of the fire was also dispelling, letting in a bit of coolness into the atmosphere.

While Dima and I were engrossed in our silent conversation, the sound of slaps and punches came into the air and it startled my friend and me.

"You stole my son, kidnapped and destroyed him!" Mama screamed, kicking my mother was suddenly on the floor writhing in pain. From the corner of my eye, Ifediora was on her quickly, grabbing her off my mom and pointing a gun directly at her.

My father didn't wait for explanations, his footsteps briskly rushed over to my mother like the speed of lightning. He grabbed her and placed her in a chokehold just as Ifediora held Mama. "You will let my woman go or I will strangle your mother with one twist!"

I watched as his tall body hovered over my mom's who stood only five feet tall.

The veins on my mother's face were protruding and pulsating. Her eyes grew wider and wider while she battled to pull his hands off my father.

"Please!" I screamed, hands raised in the sky. My plea came off as water splashed over a rock. It did not affect this man's hardened heart.

He lifted my mother into the sky, griping her only by her neck. "No!" This time, it was Ifediora's broken voice. "Please put her down this very minute!"

He let out a croaked laughter. "Let her go?" His hand shook his my mom around in the air like a rag doll and a loud frantic wail followed that action.

"Shut up!" He barked at her. "You and your stupid daughters want to destroy my business and family!"