CLAWS

Love Family Reunion

The word family is more than just a word, it is this powerful strong thing that unites people together. The word is precious by itself but if you add Love to it you have my beautiful hardworking family. My mother used to always tell me "You cannot be selfish in a family small or big but your ruthless actions can actually tear down a family"

Bang! Bang! Bang! We all got up quickly as mother rushed to the door screaming.

"Kwame did you lock the door all the way?"

Kwame got up from the floor and flew out of the room "Yes, mother, I did"

Then it was silent for a few seconds then it began again. Bang! Bang! Bang!

Mother came into the room and tears pouring out of her eyes. She sat on the torn sofa with the forms coming out of it. We didn't know who it was. I thought of the landlord maybe mother forgot to pay the rent or the water and electricity bill again.

Kofi went to mother, rubbing her back as she sobs in silence for a few minutes then a voice spoke.

"Why is the door lock. Afia let me in. What the fuck is wrong with you"

That was all it took for Kwame to rush out to "beat up" his own father.

Mother stopped him, rubbed her rough fingers around her eyes and walked to the door.

"I'll not let you in Isiah Kofi Love you are not coming in here" She went to the kitchen and picked up a frying pan.

Mother really wasn't going to open the compound door. He was just standing behind the rusted bars looking up at all of us as we stared deep into his eyes with our head lowly tilt to the side watching as it unfolds.

"I live here too you know"

Mother gave a quick scoff and looked at him up and down.

"You do not pay rent, water or electricity bill so you do not live here. Matter of fact I packed your bag for you and I will bring it to that little girl you are with"

I can tell mother was hurt. she really loved father, but he never seems to show his love for her. I really cannot tell him apart from a good husband or father.

I walked closer to the door and just sniffed him as soon as the nasty cigarettes smell hit my nose I started clapping my hands together... unbelievable.

"You should be ashamed. Ashawo husband"

"You are a disgrace" Kofi added

"Go to church for once and pray... you are an adulterer" Kellie spit down on him

Mother grabbed all of us back and shook her head.

"Come on that's enough. Off to bed"

We all groaned

I tap mother on the side and notion her to bring her ears as she does so I whispered

"Do not let him in"

she nods at me.

As we all go around the corner to eavesdrop on their conversation. Mother was not having it. There was no way she was letting him in. He smelled foul.

She turned her back to dad and looked at us.

"Now I said go to bed- Go now"

"Aww man!"Shantel stomped her feet as we all went back to the room

As we lay down I had to ask,

"Do you think dad even loves mom?"

They all smacked their teeth and answered "No!"