Battered

The whole room is neat and tidy thanks to Madam Shola's strict upbringing. Madam Shola or mom is actually Debbie's mother, Debbie by the way is my bestfriend from childhood. Her mom n mine used to be good friends, they were our neighbors from when I was 4 years old, they moved to another place not too far away from us a year before my mom passed away due to cancer of the blood. Before her death, my mom was the nicest person I know. She and my dad sometimes behave like bestfriends, sometimes like siblings and other times like two teenage lovers. They were admired and envied by many. My dad was completely broken when she died. He works in Canada, he used to come visit my mom and I in Nigeria, but after her death he couldn't stay in the house anymore because there was so much memories of her. My dad moved to Canada alone after I insisted on being left behind in Nigeria to complete my education since is what my mom had wanted. According to her, I was too young to be exposed to life abroad. She said I still needed to know about my country and I needed to become more stronger in my belief that is, my religion. Mrs. Shola and Debbie were able to attend the funeral, and while there she convinced my dad to leave me in her care. My dad decided that I will remain in the house with a maid while Shola will come over thrice a week to check up on me, which she did so well, she even prepared varieties of meal for me to keep in the fridge and eat. I was ten years old when my mom died, my dad used to come visit as usual. Along the way his visits became less frequent, he sends a lot of money each month instead. I was in my first year in jinior High school then.