Fighting My Demons

My dad is a gambler

 My Dad Is A Gambler

I was in the kitchen when I heard the front door bang and my mum screaming. I ran to the parlor only to see my dad in a drunken state holding my mum at gunpoint.

"Give me the new house document before I blow your head out"

That's strange. What's my dad doing with a gun and drunk... He has never been drunk since I knew him.

"Dad... what are you doing? do you want to kill mum?"

 I asked quizzically and quite terrified

" Shut up Boma! Stella you better give me the house document! the new house documents !!"

he emphasized and stressed "the new house"

My mum was not ready to give in even at gun point. Before we could say Jack Robinson, my dad fired the pistol in the air causing it to hit the ceiling. I've never heard the sound of a gun so close before. I mean, my ear drums... It jarred me and my mum causing us to shake uncontrollably. I even thought my ears started bleeding from the sound effects. 

" Fine Michael. fine! I'm going to get it"

she said calmly

I was surprised that my mum still managed to maintain her calm in this catastrophic situation. 

She staggered to her room with me and my dad behind us . She threw open the Treasury cabinet and

Oh my god!...the last document was the one for the new house. I caused inside me. Why didn't I remind

Mu? She brought out the document and Dad snatched it out of her hand and used me as  bait out of the house

He pushed me inside the house and bang the door when he got outside. I shivered to my bone marrow. Is that man really my dad? Who pocessed my dad? What exactly is going on? 

Mom got up, dashing for the door

"Boma stay at home. I'm going after your father." she said 

I struggled to steady myself and shouted

"No! mum no!. I'm coming with you. I won't stay at home and I'm tired of being in the dark. No! " I scrambled to her side ready to follow her. Yeah.. I'm a stubborn one

I

"Alright. fetch your jacket and my car key. I ran the stairs twice a round.

"I've got it "I said breathlessly

"Let's go .it's difficult to get a taxi around here we should be able to get to your dad before he get into one"

We got to the car, mum started it and we zoomed off 

We arrived at the roundabout at Houston Street. A lonely street. I still wonder why my parents picked the out sketch of town to live in. we saw him boarding a taxi

There he is! " I pointed at my dad who already rented a cab. I copied the car plate number and snapped it while mum  kept close watch on the cab at the same time, closely following it . The cab made a u-turn at the Houston's street round about taking a narrow route. I heard tires scretch.. and  we followed suit .

It came to a stop and my dad highlighted from the.cab

" Oh my! A gambling house" I gasped and felt my heart constricting.can this man be called my dad. If he is, I'm disappointed. .

It was boldly written "My Gamble" 

Mum stopped the car and said to me 

"stay here, I'll be back"

" No Mum! I'm going in there with you." 

I stubbornly said unlocking my seat belt ready to open the car door

" Well, if you're going with me then let's go prepared"

mum brought out a medium box and opened it causing me to gasps again.

"A gun? 

But mum didn't say anything, she loaded it and pocketed it behind her shirt

We came out of the car. When we reached the door,she mum put her hand on the door knob and hesitated before she opened it. I had to close my mouth from screaming. The smell of stale drinks, cigarettes, smokes, body odour and heat out of the claustrophobic room hit my nose. I almost fainted from the horrible stench when we got I'm. 

" this is where one finds evil . A clear den of thieves. "

I cursed in between breath. I and mum used our eyes to search for dad without moving an inch from the door. 

I pointed at the the table surrounded by people including dad. 

"I've brought it!!( he half screamed trying to be heard above the noise)  now let me play and win back all my money" I heard my dad say

" Mr Michael if you lose, we gain everything including these  your house"  the overly fat man who seemed like the boss said while pointing at the house document. He laughed making everyone standing by the table to join in his laughter

" mom do something! Create a distraction"

I begged her. But mum just shook her head.  mum just shook her head.

" its's too late and your dad has started the game"

I held my breath praying silently, wishing that my dad wins. 

It was useless. His last card was rubbished and made useless by the so-called boss or dominant figure there

" No! that's not possible" my dad was just saying when he saw us. I couldn't stand it so I ran out

"Boma" my mum ran after me and my dad after mum

" Stella! boma! I'm sorry..

mum said nothing. She dragged my hand and sholved to the front seat. Fastened my seatbelt. I was already crying. my mum got inside the car handed me a handkerchief and drove out. so many things struck me that instance

( My dad is a gambler. the more I thought of it,  the more it dawned on me. everything came into place. He lied about the car. He gambled it away. he had given out the only thing that we can hold onto. if we were to be kicked out of our house. He has turned us homeless within 10 minutes. my mum parked the car. I ran to my room. Mum called after me

"Boma! Boma! come back."

But I was mad at them. they all lied. the're all liars. mum ran after me but I slammed my room door close.

She knocked but I locked the door. She went back downstairs. I sat down on my bed crying. my life was Turning upside down before my very own eyes. I heard the front door open.

"honey..please I'm sorry. I open my door and went to get the better look. but what I saw terrified me

My mum...my mum shattered the plates on the dining table. she picked up a glass cup and threw it. She screamed. 

"I hate you . I'm fed up of all this. I've tried my best to protect you but all you do is tear everything apart. you know what! ( my mum bent her head causing her hair to cover her face).

"I want an annulment. I need a divorce and you better give me that. if not (she quickly picked up a gun from the counter and pointed it at my dad. I was shocked)

I'll blow your head out. pick your things and get out"

( she turned again and pulled out a plate and threw it at the wall)

" every time I see you, I can only think of murder. I feel  like strangling you. get out before I'm accused of killing you!!

My Dad turned to me to speak but I turned and went to my room. 

My Dad left that night. My mom slept off on the coach.  I came out of my room later that night to check on mom. Her condition was beyond any I've seen her in. It's very shocking to see my perfect family torn apart like this. I dot even know how to start consoling my mum. I switched on the heater and got her bathing water ready. I slowly guided her to the bathroom.

" Mom take your bath"

She just nodded. Leaving her I went to tidy up the mess she created in the kitchen. Starting with the broken plates and everything my mum broke .

I've never seen my mum like this. Throwing a fit. my dad broke her. For the first time in 15 years I saw my mum scream, shout, break and scatter things. Above all, I saw her cry and very weak.my mum was in a trauma. I tried not to be too. Because mum Needs  Me Now more than ever. he broke my absorbent mum. She was never seen sad. Even if things aren't going well, she still smiles. To me she always pretended that all was well. But today, the facade and wall she built around herself for some unknown reason has been shattered.