Her Love His Weakness

Hell No

Lizzy kept low at work and at home trying much to avoid people's scrutiny. Rumours had spread well of her new man, with a luxurious car, from the city and how she even was dropped home shamelessly at the disrespect of her parents. Of all the others, she avoided her father most. He was a man of few words, straight to the point, never argued with anyone and no one dared to provoke his silent zone. A well respected man in the church and community. He was included in all serious meetings that needed straight forward decisions. Everyone greeted him with awe and honor, just as he carried himself. Lizzy rarely held talks with him, especially after the death of her smaller brother. For once she had seen a little side of her father filled with affection. She had seen him laugh lightly and make small talks especially when her mother insisted that he hold the toddler. Those were the only moment her father playfully spoke, tickling his son. Then it all faded as it had come. Her brother just like the other one left them abruptly due to stunted growth. While her mother took refuge in the church, her father did too in his dark silent world. As for Lizzy, she found her solace in the coffee bar where the serene environs kissed her pain away. Lizzy had been prepared by her mother about her pregnancy issues, for she had experienced the loss in the previous pregnancies. They both watched her father lights dim and only discused it in low tones. Just when he was getting used to loss, the news of his daughter escapades, groomed his little faith and expectations.

Looking at his face now, he looked more old and angry. Sensing the reason behind, Lizzy avoided bumping into him at home by all means. The gossip must have reached her parents from passer by who had stared at her as she bid Ian goodnight on their last date. It was the second time he had dropped her home after picking her from work. They passed by their now favorite spot for coffee, forgetting about keeping time.

She found them both seated in silence, staring into blank space. Playing busy to avoid them, she tried rushing to her room but her mum's gesture blocked her way.

"Lizzy, there's nothing nor any decision you have had that ever dissatisfied or disappointed us. You are the typical good daughter, well behaved and we are completely proud of you."

Lizzy knew well where this would go. She had heard this before while in college, when a friend of her father reported her kind of friends.

"My dear" Her father calmly added, "the kind of man you will choose in your young age will always determine the future you create and that of your children. It is easier to marry from the village, someone known, their background, their behavior, than a stranger whose only thing we know is his money."

"What happened to the other boy you used to bring over for lunch?" Her mother always brought up Freddy into their conversation and all Lizzy would say was they were just good friend. How could she ever explain to her mother of how Ian boiled her blood and emotions whenever she thought of him or was near him.

"We, as your parent have been waiting here for you to express our discomfort in your recent behavior." Her dad now added with authority.

"We are condoning whatever you are doing with that man in the name of relationship. He even looks older than you and all he will do is misuse you then run. I cannot loose another kid."

Lizzy was almost burning up until she heard his last words and calmed with realization of what this was about. She sat staring at both of them each for a second. She didn't know who to reply the to first without appearing hard. She loved her parents deeply, had seen how hardworking they were to give her basics. Putting her hands together to look sure, she started with her dad.

"Papa,"

Calling him this always had positive impacts on his far soul.

"I am happy at how you dedicate your everything to give me everything. The way you would get late at the colleges queueing to get me positions. When you knocked on every office to find me employment and unsatisfied settled on what was available. I can never repay you! But papa, you were like a mother bird feeding its little one to get wings so that they could finally fly. You have given me my wings papa, and just like the mother bird doesn't limit it's young ones distance, don't limit mine. I want to fly and fly higher so that I can prove your efforts were not in vain. As I fly papa, love will be one one of my stages, and I know why him. I don't want another and I promise you will not lose me."

Raising from his seat, her dad somehow staggered to their bedroom leaving Lizzy with her mother. Somehow welling, Lizzy begged her mother to help talk her father into the current status.

"Please mum, I promise you to behave and he will not bring me home anymore. Kindly, don't tell me not to see him anymore, he is a good person that I like unlike any other that has ever been in my life."

Lizzy tried to beg her mother yet sensing defeat. Deep down one thing was clear, this was a battle every woman won on her own. She couldn't imagine finding someone in her circle here and settling. So far none had enticed her in any way, this satisfying her desire that she held for long. To date someone from far away from her communities, meet new people and new cultures. This was her chance and to make it better she deeply was into Ian. Watching her mother follow her father, she sat down in desperation. She had to do something about all their doubt towards Ian if this mood held. Heading to the dining she pretended to enjoy her meal in silence, later left to sleep. Quietly opening her window, she squizzed herself out with ease, something she had done since childhood.

Before she had escaped to just enjoy the moon and stars alone in the darkness, fantasizing about the future. Now whenever she did, she would catch a ride to the bar, chat with Joe until midnight when he closed. Later, Joe would drop him off, far where she creeped back to bed. Luck was always with her, for she was never caught, or they knew about her boyish ways but ignored it.

"Bad night?"

"Damn right." Hugging Joe sideways as she sat on the highest stool, her favorite whenever she disrupted him from work with petty talks. She knew what he would say and played about waiting.

"Are you even going to tell me about him or should I just keep waiting?" Joe pondered. "Lizzy, isn't he too much for you? Can you trust him even anyway?"

"Joe I have run to you from my parents scrutiny and now you are turning into them. Why can't you all see am now grown and ready to sort out relationship issues on my own. If I want advise, I will ask. Right now all am in search of is support, and a friend to drink with but its like I came to the wrong place."

Joe was just smiling as she expressed herself like believe she was there fighting to be loved. The same woman who had sung daily of how she not ready to love.

"Lizzy you are just trying to evade my questions. Something you know well I don't give up on. Can you trust him? He looks wiser than you."

"Oh Joe! Time will tell and please don't pester me or I'll ask about your secret lover."

This was all he needed to say to make him let go. He watched him disappear to his other customers laughing to avoid her. Lizzy had ignored any trust issues with Ian but everyone kept asking. On their first date when she asked, he genuinely answered and she didn't notice any lying unless he was really good at it.

Yes, he was far better than her in everything, maybe why she wanted him. Something challenging, something fun, something that needed work. She was not ready for normal things, but wanted extra. Staring at her drink, iced coffee a little lemon, her parents faces appeared again in her thoughts.

"What did they say Lizzy?" Joe concerned voice woke her.

"The usual, how am a good girl that deserves a good boy. Someone they know, that I should stop seeing Ian. That he's old and wants to misuse me then leave. Same as you here."

"Lizzy, are we all wrong?" Joe now sounded far.

"Yes" Lizzy replied weakly. "When you finally meet your one and only Joe, you will know. Am not leaving Ian. Am going to do this alone if needed."

"What if they disagree with your decision? Will you let go?"

"Hell no!"