Dear Red

Thirteen

My father wasn't home when I got there. He was late from a meeting with the Bishop. My mother was in the living room, reading. She looked up as I walked in and came to hug me. We sat in the living room to talk.

"Good evening, mum."

"How are you, son?"

"I'm fine."

"Your father has been worried about you. That phone call you made-" she began. I lay a hand over hers and spoke softly yet firmly. "I'm fine. Thank you."

"That cut on your forehead seems to dispute that. What happened?" she asked.

"I got into a fight, mum. I'm fine now."

"That doesn't answer my question," she said firmly.

"It's been a long week. I prefer not to discuss this." Thankfully, Josephine came in and hugged me excitedly. 

"You seem to be hanging out here more often. If I didn't know better I would guess you miss it here," she teased.

"Josie, make your brother feel welcome by pouring some juice for both of us," mum told her. With a demure nod, she left the room. Mum picked up the tail of our previous conversation.

"Your father is going to be pleased to see you. We're excited that you're going to campus. You have potential to succeed."

"Can we discuss campus another time? I'd rather talk about something else."

"Alright. How about some food? Are you hungry?"

"Yes. Let's cook dinner...together."

She smiled. "I've missed cooking with you. The househelp misplaces everything and has no idea which spices go where and sings stupid love songs and...you're my son."

I gave her a hug and then we went to the kitchen. An hour and a half later, dad walked in with his briefcase doing something on his phone.

"There's nothing in this world like siblings," he said, laughing. I met him in the entry hall.

"Who are you referring to, dad?" I asked casually.

"Aniche. Look at his message." He handed me the phone and turned to mother. I scrolled through the text.

Aniche: I'm unavailable next week. We're taking the Form Three class to Sipi Falls and there's need for drivers and adult supervisors. I'll be in church the Sunday after this one..

A slow smile spread across my face. The Form Three class including Bagaine Tina...on the way to Sipi Falls...for a week...and I had the perfect excuse to be there...driving.

"Ken are you coming? We're going to serve dinner," mum called to me. She was entering the dining room.

"Yes. I'm right here." I followed her.

"Your dad wants his phone charged," she said as we entered the kitchen.

"Okay. I'll plug it in," I said, taking the chance to call my uncle.

"Hurry back, dear. I can't do this all on my own," she said. I pushed my plans to the back of my mind till later.

Dinner was long and interesting. We chatted and ate. After, dad led prayers. When we finished prayers, mum served late night cups of tea. I drank quickly while the wheels in my head turned and plotted. Kirumira could use a week without seeing my face to plaster back together his ego and Bagaine could use a week with me exclusively to make up for 2 weeks of absence and a ditched date. That is, if she even wanted to talk to me. Knowing her pride, I was definitely in the number one position on her Black List.