Escaping

Chapter 9

When I got home mother was on the verandah smoking and talking to Mr. Fagan.

'Good evening Mother, Good evening Mr. Fagan'. I hurried pass them to avoid Mr. Fagan's eyes. He gives me the creeps and I hate when he stares at my body.

'Mia', mother called. 'Look here'.
I stopped short at the door, turning to face her. She sat on an old sofa, one leg over the handle.
'Chrissy, invite you somewhere for your birthday?' She blew a mouthful in my direction.

'Yes Mother'. I was always fearful of her. Her voice, her presence, her whole demeanor. 'She ask at school today but I told her I need permission'. Mr. Fagan was smirking at me. Staring at my chest.

'Yeah, she ask. You sure you want go Ms. Fagan church?'. Mother sat up.

'Cccchurch?', I stammered. I was totally clueless.

'Yeah, outta har Pentecostal church in Half Way Tree'. Her eyes bore into my as if to search my thoughts. I didn't know what she was referring to, but the voice in my head told me to play along.

'Yes, mother. Since i got no plans I would just go enjoy myself and come back'. I felt like a pig sweating up a storm.

'Make she go man. Dem nah over till 11pm. Me would pick them up'. When he spoke a bolt of lightning hit me. His voice was very familiar and I tried shaking off an eerie feeling.

'Ok, you can go. Just make sure 12am not catch you else it nah go pretty'.
Mother lit a spliff and dismissed me with her hand like a maid.

Wow. I thought. I get to go out. As o race to my room and undress, my excitement returned. I finally get to leave this hell hole to be around my peers. Peers who didn't know me.

Tap tap tap
Chrissy stood at my window. I gestured for her to go at the back and within seconds she was at my door.

'Wah she say?' She asked looking more excited than I was. She sat on my bed, watching me for a response.

'Me can go but must be back by 11'. I stood at my door checking to be sure we were alone. Mother was on her phone by the gate.

'Yessss', she sprang up to high five me and stopped when I didn't met her hands.

'Why u tell har is church? Me convince you wah get me in trouble enough'. I point my finger at her, waving it like I was scolding her.

'Me can't just tell her is a party. We dress up like church then go the fish fry instead. We change our clothes when we get there'. She sat on the bed again looking cool.

'Besides, I know you mus wah leave this place'. She spoke confidently.

'Hhmmm, yes, but, wait, what you mean?'. I sat on the bed next to her growing sick with anxiety by the minute.

'Me know what she do to you enu. Cause one a me big man frend tell me.
Chrissy looked at me with pity. Her eyes glisten with tear. 'Me neva tell nobody's.

I didn't say anything. Not because I couldn't, but I didn't know what to say.

'Me nah tell nobody either. Just use this chance fi be free'. She took my hand and I stiffened. The words build up in my throat and my head felt like it was swelling to burst.

'Thank you Chrissy'. That's all I found the courage to say.