the little guy

the little guy : episode 2

Gideon, Josh’s father from the small town of Obaji, was known to Kenny, whom Josh called Uncle Kenny. Uncle Kenny had been waiting for him at the motor park when Josh arrived. Weak, exhausted, and crying, Josh stepped out of the car and sat beside a gutter, overwhelmed with grief.

Uncle Kenny approached him gently. “I met your father last month,” he said softly. “We talked, and I even showed him my new project. This is truly heartbreaking. No one would ever wish for this to happen.”

Taking Josh’s hand, Uncle Kenny led him home.

Josh was not familiar with this new environment. He had only met Uncle Kenny twice before, and everything felt strange. The town was nothing like the city he had grown up in, and he had never met Uncle Kenny’s family before.

Two weeks passed, and Uncle Gideon had still not come to pick him up, despite promising he would return after only two days. Josh grew increasingly anxious.

Why hasn’t Uncle Gideon come for me? he wondered. I can’t ask Uncle Kenny—he seems intimidating. His wife is not an option either; she clearly dislikes me. Did Uncle Gideon abandon me? No… he couldn’t have. I know him well. He is a good man. I just pray he is safe.

Another week went by before Josh finally gathered the courage to ask Uncle Kenny about Uncle Gideon.

“Oh, Josh,” Uncle Kenny reassured him, trying to put him at ease, “your uncle is fine. I spoke with him yesterday. He’ll come to see you one of these days.”

Relief spread across Josh’s face. “Really? Thank you, Uncle Kenny.”

As he turned to leave, he hesitated before asking, “Uncle, please… may I call him with your phone?”

Before Uncle Kenny could respond, Madam Mina shouted harshly, “What is wrong with you? Can’t you use your brain? He said your uncle is fine, so accept it! Why do you insist on calling him, you troublesome child? That’s how you killed your parents!”

“Shut up! Shut up, I said!” Uncle Kenny roared at his wife.

Josh, trembling and holding back tears, begged Uncle Kenny not to fight with Madam Mina because of him.

“Go back to your room,” Uncle Kenny instructed firmly.

Josh quickly obeyed.

Family troubles were already the greatest burden in Josh’s life, but the hostility within Uncle Kenny’s household only deepened his misery. Within just three weeks, Josh had begun adjusting to what felt like a living nightmare.

Uncle Kenny and Madam Mina had two children: Florida and Bison. Florida, their eldest, wanted nothing to do with Josh and made his life even more difficult. Bison, though younger at just twelve years old, was kinder but often rude. Still, Josh tried his best to endure their different personalities.

Through it all, he held onto one hope—that Uncle Gideon would one day return to rescue him.

But six months passed, and there was still no news. Life became unbearable. Despite living in Uncle Kenny’s house, Josh often went hungry. Madam Mina frequently beat him over the smallest mistakes, especially when Uncle Kenny was away.

One day, after Uncle Kenny had been gone for five days, Josh was starving. Desperate for food, he went into the kitchen while Madam Mina was out and found two slices of bread on the table. He ate them quickly.

When Madam Mina returned, Josh nervously approached her. “Madam, please… I ate the bread in the kitchen.”

Her face twisted with fury.

“You did what?” she screamed. “You ate my bread without my permission? You dared to enter my kitchen? You have the audacity to do whatever you like in my house? Who gave you that right?”

Madam Mina beat Josh mercilessly, leaving marks all over his body. As further punishment, she forced him to kneel under the scorching sun.