LORD CLIFFORD

Blackstone England, 1825 It was a serene view of the sunset in the small village of Ridgewood Moor which was located in the south of Blackstone. A young dark skinned man sat on a rock while reading a book about literature and at the same time raring a flock of sheep. So drowned in the book's contents he didn't realize that the sheep were going astray, until when a little girl's voice broke the spell. "Clifford don't you see that the sheep are going astray into the woods." Startled by the girl's words Clifford stood up real quick and sprinted to the front of the sheep and guided them back to the feeding grounds. " So you couldn't help me push them back?" he asked the girl and she replied." Me, Claire Senderlone, to go around chasing sheep, over my dead body." she said her voice laced with disdain and Clifford nodded his head in disappointment. Claire turned around to head back home and said," By the way hurry up mummy said you are washing the dishes for supper." Clifford raised his brows in wonder and said," Me, Clifford Senderlone, to wash those dishes, over my Dead body." And Claire giggled with mirth and said," Well I hope you tell mummy the same thing." "I'll not wash them, when you are around, no no no I can't." Clifford protested as he guided the flock back home." You will my dear." Claire insisted as she giggled in mockery towards Clifford. When they arrived home at their simple cabin worn smooth by the elements of nature, Clifford put the sheep in their pen and as soon as he was done his mother came out of the kitchen and said, " Cliff you are back, I want you to help me wash the dishes for supper tonight." as she wrinsed a plate with water. Clifford's brows furrowed and he asked" But for all the time Claire was here, couldn't she wash them?" his voice laced with exhaustion and his mother said, " My dear I tried to tell her but she ran to her friend's place to play, now just help me wash them before your father gets home." she requested looking straight into Clifford's eyes and he said," But mummy am tired today." His mother said, " My dear you see me Aiyaana Senderlone, am exhausted, but you know what do it for me and I'll give you a big piece of chicken tonight." her voice persuasive with a smile on dancing on her lips. Clifford's eyes narrowed to slits and he said " Those tricks don't work anymore but I'll do it." hesitantly he moved to the kitchen and Aiyaana said " I'll give you two big pieces don't worry." as she giggled and Clifford shouted," And I want the thighs and a lot of rice." Aiyaana laughed heartily and said " You see they still work." as she joined Clifford in the kitchen. Suddenly from the front door they heard Claire screaming and Aiyaana said " Cliff go see what is wrong with that lass." and Clifford moved slagishly to the front only to see that his father had returned, he nodded and said "Wow!" When Claire and their father arrived at the front door Clifford greeted him " Welcome back home father. " and Catoh Senderlone said, "Thank you, how was your day son?" he inquired with a stern expression and Clifford replied his voice tinged with disdain," Good." and Catoh passed by him and entered the house. Claire teasingly said, " Learn to smile with daddy." and she entered the house. Clifford nodded his head and scratched his bushy Afro hair and entered the house. Later that evening at the dinner table, while everyone was eating silently, Claire broke the ice, " Mummy can I have a baby sister?"The question made all eyes turn to her and Aiyaana inquired with curiosity "Why...Why do you want one?" and Claire replied with a smile on her face," Jane has a baby brother and he's so cute and I also want to have a baby sibling but I want a sister, so can I have one?" Catoh said replying to her question " Yes we shall get you a baby sister but not now." Unwavering Claire inquired" When shall I have one?" Catoh's eyes shifted to Aiyaana and then back to Claire and said " It's a surprise." and Claire giggled and said " I love surprises." And then dinner went on silently again. Later that night as Claire and Aiyaana cleared the table, Clifford got up to head to his room and Catoh called him," Clifford can I have a word with you, outside." Surprised by the request Clifford's brows furrowed and he said " father am exhausted." Unyielding, Catoh said " It'll not take long." Clifford exhaled heavily and he moved outside to the balcony and sat on the chair. Catoh joined him and sat next to him. The two sat there silent for a minute or two until when Clifford set the ball rolling," What is it that you want to say to me?" he inquired his eyes cast at the clear dark sky above. Catoh shifted his eyes to his son and spoke" What is your plan for the future?" his question dug deep into Clifford's soul "Or do you intend to remain here looking after my sheep." Catoh added, his eyes directed to Clifford who still looked at the skies as though looking for an answer. "Clifford am talking to you son, what is your plan?" Catoh asked again raising his voice and Clifford replied with defiance in his voice, " Father please, I told you that I want to be a pianist." his voice rising to a near shriek and Catoh countered," Clifford how many times should I tell you to think of ways to get money not waste time on simple hobbies." He explained Clifford already disgusted with the conversation said" That is my passion, father that's what I want to do with my life." and Catoh nodded his head in dissatisfaction and said," Clifford this world is not a fantasy, to sustain yourself and your family ahead you have to work to earn money, not play a piano on the streets for two to five pence a day." Clifford stood up from his chair and said" Father, I'll live my dreams and become an aristocrat one day." Catoh still in his chair said" But to be an aristocrat you have to work other jobs to get such money and really hard, no aristocrat played piano to get where they are, they worked their way there, maybe if you want to become a pianist for an aristocratic family for the rest of your life." " Father you know what, sleep well am exhausted." Clifford stated as he walked into the house and Catoh shouted," You will realize it one day and it will be too late for you." Clifford hastily made his way to his room and slammed the door behind him. Catoh got up from his seat and walked inside only to find Aiyaana standing right in front of him " You are being too hard on him Catoh." she said her voice laced with sympathy and Catoh said " Aiyaana you are pampering him too much, he is 25 years of age now with nothing to offer but playing piano on the streets." Aiyaana placed a gentle hand on Catoh's shoulder and said " He will be okay, maybe his time hasn't come yet but just trust him." Catoh still bothered by his son's future said " I don't know if I can do that, everyday that passes by time passes him by." " It's okay, Clifford will make it in life, no matter what comes his Way." Aiyaana reassured him." Now let's go and see what to do for Claire's request." she added with a smile on her face." Catoh said" That girl, I don't know but I'm tired." "Mmhh, we shall see if you really are tired tonight." Aiyaana whispered in his ear and the two giggled together and went to their room.