Escaping

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

6am

I know the time without looking at the clock. Every Saturday Ms. Fagan woke up the yard with her praying shinigans. Her alleluias and speaking in tongues were the loudest every week. Old hypocrite!! The whole avenue knows she acts holy on Saturdays because on Sundays she goes to church. One day Christian the gossipers call her. 

I sat up, stretching as the warm sun peep through my curtains. Forcing my mouth open in a yawn, I gather my caddy and towel to beat the bathroom rush.

I hate this yard. Everyday the tentants raced or argued over the bathroom made of zinc. Or who is to sweep the yard. Who leave the gate open for neighbouring dogs to come in and mess it up. All these antics remind me of the empty void the country and grandma filled.

The house was still. No tv, no radio on and there was no noise in the yard. Mother was somewhere in her room as customary for her to sleep in on Saturdays. I am yet to find out why because she doesn't work. Atleast not as much as i did Friday nights.

I hiss my teeth at that thought and head to the back yard. As I unbolt the door, i saw Chrissy at the door brushing her teeth vigoursly and watching the bathroom door at intervals. She didn't look at me so I sat on a bucket realizing  someone else was showering.

'Mawning Ms. Mia'.
It was Ms. Fagan. She would always address me as Miss when she wants to start an arguement, say something sarcastic to me or about Mother.

'Good morning Miss Fagan', I responded with a wide smile, diverting my eyes to Chrissy.

'Hhmmmmm'. She stared at me with her bulging eyes. She stood akimbo in a night dress that was way too tight for her fat figure.

'Where you was when all sort a man man coming in the yard?'

Lord, you know I'm not into it this morning. I thought. This woman is so nosey. Watching everybody's business, except hers and Chrissy.

'And they all seem to head over your side'. She continued while I search my mind for a defence.

'Dem come in one by one, and same way dem come in dem come out'. She grabbed a broom and started to sweep.

'I was asleep in my room. You know mummy nah let me out after 8'.
That was all I could say as I noticed Chrissy's appearance. Bra and a shorts short enough to be a panty.

I rush to the pipe to brush my teeth and avoided her stares and her mother's wagging tongue.

'Hhhmmmm'. That's all she said, focusing on sweeping.

Mr. Fagan ran pass me as Chrissy head into the bathroom. I force myself not to laugh because he was the opposite of his wife and I wondered how he managed her.

'Why you a question me daughter so fa'. I jumped. Mother's voice frightened me. I didn't know she awoke and I didnt know how long she was at the door.

'Every week is the same thing. Mind your business. Any man come here is my man them'. Mother sat on the same bucket I was on, lighting up a cigarette.

We could pass for twins, except for the weave on her head. People said we are cut from the same cloth. Same complexion. Same walk. Same body type. Same voice.

'Good morning Tanya', Ms. Fagan sounded cold. Then she began to sing, ignoring mother.

Mother was in charge of the yard. She collected unbehave of Mr. Ritchie the landlord who lives at a place called Stony Hill. I often wondered how mother was able to pay her rent or remain chargie of the yard. A question that may never be known to me.