THE BROODER

28

THE BROODER

28.

***RICHARD***

We see her on call and she's pissed at the person on the other side. Her body movement expresses anger and frustrations.

King Banzi:" I wonder what she's up to. For years now I see her on the phone,outside the palace or in secret and I get this bad feeling. I have asked her who she speaks to on phone every now and then and it's always the same reply..if it isn't her father or sister or niece or it could be any other family member. My guts tells me it's something more and she's lying.,"

" I get that feeling too." That jezebel is up to no good, my instincts are always right.

King Banzi:" Mcebo, when are you leaving for your grandmother's stead?"

"That will be the next weekend."

King Banzi:"I will send your aunt Ruby with you. She's quite familiar with the house address."

"Okay pa"

The old man didn't stop talking. He goes from one topic to another tirelessly. And for the first time in a long time, I listened patiently.

CONNIE

JAMIE:" You are informed to resume work on Monday morning. We will leave together every morning. Isn't it great for siblings to work together in the same office? You will be seeing a lot of this handsome beard"

"Thank you so much for helping Lil Man."

JAMIE:" It's nothing big sis, I'm happy you came back to us and I want you very comfortable here at home. I even told your mother's husband (SANDILE) to stop visiting for a little while. I know he wants to take you away from us but it's too soon."

Exactly her point, it's barely three months of knowing the doctor and he wants the 'till death do us apart '

" I know you got me this job in your office to keep an eye on me Jamie. I overheard you and momma last Friday night and I must say, I didn't expect that y'all think that low of me. I didn't fake my death myself Jamie. I lost my life too. I lost thirty-six years of my life in confinement. I lost my dreams, my hopes and my future. I don't know how far I'd have gone in life but it will definitely not be this point of my life. I literally live off you and I don't like that. I am your elder and I have an aged mother who I am supposed to be caring for not verse versa. At my old age, I live with my mother, live off my little brother and I basically have nothing to my name. I am not running off Jamie and I don't know how or what proof to show you but I know that I won't run anywhere. I don't even know where to run to. So stop, thinking the worst and be free around me."

JAMIE:" I am so sorry sis. That's so childish of me to agree with momma, an eighty years old woman that you are running off. I guess the years we thought we lost you has affected our mindset. I am so sorry sis coco."

The name 'coco' originates from the toddler Jamie. He couldn't call her Connie but coco and everyone picked it up thus, coco became her pet name.

" hmmm, I need you to assure momma that I ain't going anywhere. I can't even go to the supermarket or tuck shop myself. She'll either come with or send precious to go with. It so unfair Jamie."

JAMIE:" I will talk to momma sis coco. Should I contact my connections in other firms for a change of workplace?"

" no don't, I like the free ride that comes with the job." They share a laugh.

***UNKNOWN LOCATION***

MADAM:"I don't care how long they are, I want everyone gone and the factory shutdown ."

MR SAVANNAH:" but ma'am,the other brooders are five and seven months . How can we send them off with the clients?"

MADAM:"Did you not hear anything I said? My movement are being tailed and it's only a matter of time and I will get caught up in the fire. I don't want any implications. Just get them out immediately."

"We also can't afford a refund ma'am. I will advise you let them be for now. I will handle the rest "

MADAM:"Do that and stop calling my phone. My husband is getting suspicious and my house is on fire right now. I don't need more stress please "

MR SAVANNAH: Alright ma'am.

MADAM:" what about the nonuplet mother?"

MR SAVANNAH:" The doctor confirmed that the babies are in good health. We just need to contact the client and deliver the babies."

MADAM:" Good do that."

MR SAVANNAH:" Should we permit weaning?"

MADAM:" You know what to do, there's no time. I don't want any implications. I've got bigger issues to think about "

MR SAVANNAH :" yes ma'am "

***ASHLEY***

The Doctor came in the morning and checked the twins. He also cross examines me and he advise I take a rest which I still couldn't. I told him I can't sleep and I don't know the reason so he gave me something to help sleep.

Two hours later,

I woke up later after a terrible nightmare. I saw some old lady taking my babies away while I was asleep. I heard them crying and I fought with her over custody of the twins. I kept trying to fight her off but she seems very strong and she made away with my twins. I cried so bad in the dream till I felt a hand consoling me. The voice told me to follow his lead as we both fought the woman again and I woke up...

"Where's my children?" I look for them immediately I woke up. Their cradle was empty. I don't understand the feeling I have but I know that I can't breathe well. It feels like there's a force pulling on my oxygen.

Nurse:" What's the problem Ashley? What's wrong?"

"Where's my chi...idren?"

Nurse:" oh that! They've been taken away to the client. You shouldn't worry yourself, they're at a safe space now"...the nerve of this witch to tell me that I shouldn't worry myself...I am their mother for Christ sake! I birthed those children myself. Why does life keep taking and taking? First it was Amara, Then thintiwe and now my twins. I am destined for doom.