EPISODE 4
1149 Words
Sophy rolled herself out from her bed and reached out to Lily's bedstand. She helped Lily pull her boots and pushed her legs inside the bed. Then she covered her with her bed spread.
Rest for now. I'll do your chores for you okay?
Lily still didn't respond.
Sophy left the room to begin the day's chores.
When she got out to the kitchen where her mom was, she greeted her mom only to receive no reply.
“Mom? I just greeted”, Sophy emphasized.
“I'm not deaf, Sophia”. Her mom coldly responded.
“What has Lily done this time?” She asked herself.
Mom, what's up with you? Why are you attacking me this morning?
“I can see you don't have anything doing this morning” Justina slammed.
Sophy left her mother there and went about her chores. She opened the store and locked the burglary proof against it for customers to know that they were open. Then she came in and continued her chores. Later she came around the kitchen and found her mom still seated where she was thirty minutes ago.
“Mom, are you okay?”
“Yes. I'm fine.”
“But you're sitted here for half an hour now.”
“Yeah I know. I'm busier now than you think.”
“Really? You're busy, while sitting down?”
“Of course. A lot are on my mind.”
“What kind of things are on your mind?”
“Well, it's for grown women. When you're grown, I'll tell you.” Justina humoured.
“Luckily for me, I'm grown. I guess you can tell me now.” Sophy said with a wink on her face.
“Who says you're grown? You're 22 and still under my roof. When you have your own house, I'll tell you.”
“Mom, you're taking this route again”, Sophy squealed.
“Alright. It's about Lily’, Justina admitted, changing the topic.
“What about her?” Sophy asked in a calm note.
“I'm worried. She's not doing too well.”
“What exactly is wrong with her?”
“Can't you see it? Can't you tell that she isn't alright?” Justina asked almost immediately.
“She's just been herself mom. I guess she needs time”, Sophy defended.
“Time? Did you just say time? She's 20 Sophia! Don't you get it? How else does she need time? Tell me, what would it take her to start behaving like you?”
“Like me? How?”
“You're calm and homely, but hers is just the opposite.”
“Mom! Stop comparing Lily to me. She's Lily and I'm Sophy. We can never be the same.”
“I know you two can never be the same, but she should work on her manners. It's getting out of hand!” Justina said with droopy shoulders, and worry written all over her face.
Sophy swallowed hard and with a soothing tone, she said, “Ma, she's being her best. That's her survival makeup. Trust me, whatever you think she's lacking at is not what she needs now. All she needs is love and attention.”
“Am I not trying my best in giving her love and attention, Sophia?”
“No, not at all. You don't care for her like you do care for me and Matt. It's obviously hurting her. She's your daughter…”
“Are you trying to tutor me on how I should raise Lily?” Justina said flaring up.
Sophy was cut off guard.
“No, of course not. I'm only trying to say…”
“You've had enough of my time. Go and continue your chores.” Justina interrupted, shoving her off.
Sophy squeezed her face and walked away.
The rest of the morning was passed in silence, Justina preparing breakfast, Sophy completing her house chores as well as selling at the shop, Matt sleeping, Lily sleeping as well.
Ken, Justina’s husband, came home in the afternoon.
“Hey my people. I'm back. Who missed me?” He announced as he came inside the house.
This has been his mode of greeting since he started staying off at work for days. He made his way to the equipment store and kept his work equipment there.
He announced again…
“I said who missed me?”
Matt, on hearing his father's voice, woke up and hurried to greet his dad.
“Hey buddy…”
“Dad! Good afternoon sir.”
“How are you doing today? Look at you! Are you just waking up since morning?” Ken asked while checking out Matt's face.
“Yes, I am”, Matt replied gigglingly.
“Really? And your mom allowed you? By the way, where is she?”
“She's in the kitchen”, Matt replied.
“I don't live in the kitchen. I'm inside now!” Justina corrected.
“Are you waiting for me to come inside and prostrate before you, Queen mother?”
Justina gave out a snicker.
“All hail the king!” She quipped. “Matt, go roll out the red carpet.”
“Roger that”, Matt piled on.
Ken stood in the hallway amused.
He called out, “Where are my angels?”
“Your angels are fine. Get inside and rest my dear”, Justina intervened.
“Do you want to continue from where I'll stop?”
“No…” Justina giggled. “Carry on. My energy is no match with yours.”
*Thank you. Lily? Sophy?” He reeled out.
“Dad Lily won't answer you”, Matt resorted.
“Why? Has she lost home training?”
“She's upset dad. Mom made her upset.” Matt continued.
“Reporter Matthew has volunteered a quick highlight on today's activity! Well done.” Justina criticized.
“Mom…” Matt called out with pouted mouth.
“Matt…!” Justina reeled.
“Enough!”
“Who made my Lily upset?” Ken growled, intensifying the atmosphere.
Justina made to escape inside, when she was halted by Ken's fingers pointing at her forehead like a gun.
“I'm innocent!” Justina shouted, laughing nervously and spontaneously.
“I ain't laughing! Who messed with my girl?” He asked again. His fingers still pointed at her head.
There was no response.
“Alright. I'm gonna go in there and find out myself, and whoa, when I do, I'll be sharing the prison with that person.” He said and went inside.
Justina gave Matt a disdainful look. “See what your porous mouth has caused”, she whispered.
Matt escaped to find Sophy wherever she was.
Ken walked into Sophy's room, leaned on the door and knocked.
Lily was asleep on the bed and wasn't ready to answer whosoever it was that was interrupting her sleep.
- Writer
