The Marriage Transaction

The Outing

Mr. Asare almost dropped his newspaper in surprise when Kwabena asked to take Joyce out.

"She agreed to go out?", he asked incredulously.

"I promise she won't be out too late." Mr. Asare chuckled at that comment.

"Young man, she hasn't left this house on a weekend for months. Please, take her out". He leaned forwrad slightly to whisper into Kwabena's ear. "She has been driving me nuts with all this healthy food and exercise nonsense. She has too much time on her hands, and she focuses it on me. Keep her out for a while, so I can get some peace."

Kwabena smiled at Mr. Asare, and stuck out his hand for a handshake. Just as Mr. Asare clasped his hand, Joyce walked into the living room. Kwabena and Mr. Asare sat back quickly in guilt. Joyce looked back and forth between their faces, while they both studiously ignored her.

"What is going on ..", she started to ask. Kwabena jumped up quickly, and turned to Mr. Asare.

"Thanks for your hospitality. I will return her safe and sound."

Mr Asare grinned at him. "Yes, son, you will. Remember, I know where you live. And your parents." Kwabena smiled back at him, while Joyce looked at both them, perplexed. Before she could ask any questions, Kwabena took her by the elbow and led her out.

"I hope this works", Kwabena muttered as he lifted his hand to knock on Arnold's door.

"Relax Kobs, it will." After two hours of looking through children's stores, Joyce and Kobs were close to admitting defeat when Joyce came up with a splendid idea. If Kobs took the boys to the Westwood Mall for a few hours, their parents would get some alone time, the boys will get some play time, Kwabena would be the favorite uncle, and the day would be saved. 

Kwabena instantly recognized the brilliance of the idea, but he feigned concern. He wasn't sure if Arnold would let him take the kids, if the kids would enjoy the activities, if he could entertain them for any amount of time, etc. He was very inventive and thorough with his excuses. When Joyce tried to reassure him, he pretended to be struck by inspiration. Joyce could come along and help him out, since she seemed to know all about kids. 

He proceeded into guilting her into agreement. After all, she couldn't provide such a brilliant suggestion and not help out with the implementation. And it wasn't fair for her to allow him to be so disgraced in the eyes of his nephews. And he was willing to bribe her. So there they were, at Arnold's house in Amasaman, knocking on the door, with Joyce still reassuring him about the soundness of their plan.

"He is here. Uncle Kwabena is here", they heard a yell from behind the door. In a few moments, the door opened to reveal Arnold with two boys wrapped around his legs.

"Young man, you took your sweet time getting here. These boys have been driving me crazy with their questions", he boomed, pulling Kwabena into a hug.

"Well, I was ...", Kwabena started to explain.

"Ah bulu bulu bulu bulu", Arnold yelled out, interrupting him.

"Abru bru bru bru!", Kwabena, Arnold and the boys yelled, and burst into laughter. The boys rushed out pretend-tackled Kwabena. As he stumbled back to catch his footing, he noticed Joyce staring at them with wide eyes. Crap, he had forgotten her for a second. Arnold also noticed her for the first time.

"Young lady, forgive our rudeness. Our parents tried to civilize us, but as you can tell, they were unsuccessful. And these boys take after their father." Kwabena saw Arnold's demeanor and words visibly relax Joyce.

"I can't say I have ever seen anything like this", she commented, shaking Arnold's hand. "I am Joyce". Arnold nodded.

"I am Arnold, this mumu's brother", he said, cocking his head to the side. "Your name sounds familiar. Have we met before?"

Kwabena jolted out of his reverie. "This is Mr. Asare's daughter", Kwabena said.

"Aaah, I remember now. You told me about ...".

"Is Salome here?", Kwabena quickly interrupted. He couldn't have Arnold blabbering about their private conversations.

Once inside the house, Salome joined them, and became fast friends with Joyce. As she gave Joyce a tour of the house, Arnold attempted to press Kwabena for details on his relationship with Joyce. Kwabena was however able to hold him off, and secured the boys for a few hours.

The mall passed in a blur of activity. The boys run unto all the slide, rode every single ride, and pushed Joyce into one of the water spout. Yelling with mock outrage, she chased the boys around the park until she caught them and threw them into a ball pit. 

Kwabena jumped in after them, and dragged them back in when they attempted to get out. That is, until he asked by security to get out since it was only for kids. Kwabena threw a small temper tantrum for kids' benefit and trudged out. 

Then he stealthily crept up behind Joyce and yelled "Boo!". She yelped, jumped around and fixed him with a deathly glare, while the boys roared with laughter. And through it all, Kwabena caught glimpses of the personality that he had seen a year ago.