A friend to remember

8: Rage and promise of destruction.

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"And we all done, Miss Denise. You seem in perfect health." the doctor said with a smile.

"Hum... Sir?" Denise started. "I wanted to ask about my sister, her name is Dunni, I am sure she must have been brought here with me. She was... Hum shot, in the stomach..." The doctor's expression turned sour. She looked hopeful, thinking he would give her a positive reply.

"I am... I think it would be better if you talked to your parents first." Denise stiffened. She did not forget what her mother did, the only reason she was in that hospital was br has of her. To think that her mother was capable of trying to kill her and her sister. Her mother was like any other average African mother, maybe with a little more anger issues but it was nothing Denise could fault Grace for.

Denise was a stubborn child, even she knew it. She fucked around and of course, Grace thought her a lesson. Maybe sometimes she went overboard but it was not uncommon to be disciplined.

But a gun? Trying to kill her? Shooting her daughters?

That was a level of crazy nobody would think Grace was at. Maybe she did know her mother as well as thought she did. The things she and that strange man were talking about. They talked like they knew each other.

Soon the man that had saved her and her sister entered with the woman of the rich girl. The principal of Bellrich also entered with another man. They were staring at her with soft expression. She remembered how he dismissed her in the police station and how Mr Wale slapped her hard in front of the man. He threatened her never to come near him or his family.

Sheila walked toward her with a smile, "Hi Denise," she gave a little wave, Denise narrowed her eyes at them, she watched them closely. Wondering why they were in her hospital room. At least they not trying to arrest her again for being an imposter, something even Denise could not understand.

"My name is Sheila, Sheila Arabowale and this is my husband Shettima."

"Yeah, I know you. I see you on the news all the time. Why are you here?" she did not want to get into trouble with the law again. She did not care what was between them as her mother, approaching her in the hospital was not appropriate.

"I... Hum... My husband saved you from... From Grace, do you remember that?" Sheila said softly, not knowing where to begin.

"Yeah, I also remembered her arresting me and Mr Wale slapping me hard in front of him. He also threatened to lock me behind bars permanently if I ever approached you or his family again. That is why I am asking what you people are doing here. I don't want any trouble... I am already in much trouble as is it." she muttered the last past, looking at her bandaged arm.

"Oh no! You are not in any trouble. I just... We need to tell you something really important."

"Where have you taken my mother?" Denise interrupted turning to Shettima. Who watched the interaction silently. He did not know what to say. His heart was riddled with guilt just looking at her state. When he heard the question, his heart pounded and he remembered what Grace said before he left the hospital.

"Grace is behind bars where she is supposed to be." He answered, with a hard expression. "What? Jail! You told me not to approach you and you are punishing her for what?"

"She shot you! Is that not enough?" Shettima pointed out. "She is still my mother! You came into our house and started intimidating us! What do you think any reasonable person would have done?"

"I don't know maybe not shoot someone she claims to be her child!" he snapped, getting agitated. "Shettima!" Sheila snapped.

"Look, Denise, the only reason Shettima got Grace arrested was that she kidnapped you when you were four years old, well her brother did. It was an act of revenge against us. We... We have been searching for twelve years."