On a Cold Evening

Chapter Fifteen

The following week came by in a breeze, but Mandy kept feeling like there was something entirely wrong with her life. Before she stepped out for school that morning, she was called into her mother's room. Mrs. Agnes had observed her daughters transition for too long, and she believed it was high time she spoke out about the demonic possession or influence her daughter was under.

"I am sure you are wondering why I have called you hear this morning, my daughter," Mrs. Agnes said, observing that her daughter had opened a few more buttons than she usually did on her shirt, putting her ample bosom in full view. Even her trousers were tighter than she usually liked it, sculpting her large derriere for anyone to see. Mandy was indeed curious but she remained silent, preferring to hear it from the horse's mouth, rather than jump to conclusions.

"I have watched my lovely daughter transform before my very eyes in the last few weeks, and not in a good way. As a mother, it saddens me, but I kept quiet because I assumed you were dealing with a broken heart. Chinemerem, you are a lovely girl. I love you regardless, but I need you to understand that this is not a good change." Mrs. Agnes continued. Her heart ached because for the first time, she sensed insolence and disrespect from the daughter she believed she had raised so well.

"Mummy, please, please..." Mandy replied, rolling her eyes irritatedly.

"Don't mummy me! Do you think I don't know anything about life? I lived even before you were born. This wayward life will not take you anywhere!" Her mother yelled, shocked that her daughter had the nerve to talk back at her so mannerlessly. All through her twenty-three years and nine months on earth, her daughter had never disrespected her so openly.

"Mummy, I don't understand why you are making such a fuss. Is it bad that I decided to take charge of my life? For once, I have decided to live and enjoy my life, and now everybody has something to say. If it is bad, then leave me let me make my mistakes and learn from them." She replied hastily.

"I told your aunty that I needed to address this thing before it got this far, but she told me it was a phase, but at this point, it is obvious that my enemies are working against me. They will not claim my only daughter." Her mother cried, tears already streaming from her eyes as she spoke. The older woman stood from her bed and picked up a bottle of anointing oil from her vanity. Without a single word, she dipped her finger in it and made the sign of the cross on her daughter's forehead.

Mandy felt a twinge at the sight of her mother's tears but ignored it. She hated that everyone was acting like she was soing something terrible. These are things that girls her age were doing everyday, and it was considered the norm. It's not like she was standing by the roadside, collecting pennies to sleep with every man that could afford her price.

"Lord, please give me my daughter back. Jehovah Jireh, please release my daughter from the devil's grasp." Mrs. Agnes continued to beseech the lord, and didn't even noticve when her daughter slipped out of her room and headed for school.

She would have shared that encounter with her friends, but she was certain she wouldn't enjoy the turn out of that conversation, so she kept her peace. She met with her friends at their usual spot but found Drea hunched over a plastic bag, wretching for all her life was worth.

"The baby?" She asked, and Flora nodded in response, her eyes filled with pity as she rubbed their friends back continuously. When Drea was done, Mandy offered her a bottle of water to wash her mouth.

"Do you feel better now?" Flora asked and Andrea gave a weak nod in return. None of the girl's even noticed that Mandy had an insane amount of cleavage in view, which was of course out of character for her. The young ladies headed for class and were caught up till past noon.