The Family Secret

The New Neighbors

It was a hot summer after the school break; I was happy to be out of school for a whole month! I was planning to have great adventures, just like last summer, but I didn't know it would turn into a nightmare! I woke up as usual and did my stretches for 30 minutes before going out to greet my family. We started morning devotion just as always. This was mandatory as my father was a Catholic. So, why not?

After finishing some chores, we hoped to visit the supermarket to buy a birthday present for my cousin, whose birthday was in a week. I also wanted to get personal items that would help me survive the summer.

It was 3 pm when we were ready to go shopping. I peeked through a window and saw a car parked in the next compound. Our last neighbor left the house three months ago due to some issues she claimed were personal.

"Everybody come here," Dad called out to us. “Let’s go greet our new neighbors," he continued with a smile. “Must we greet every new neighbor?” That was my brother; he is an introvert and hates gatherings and the likes of them. We all went out to greet the new neighbors.

“Hi, this is my wife, Cynthia, our daughter Rose, our son Jacob, and I am Mr. Hunter," Dad said, introducing us. “I am Ben, and my wife goes by Glory, and this is our son Alex, and nice to meet you," our new neighbor introduced his family.

After a while, we went inside, and Dad continued talking to the new neighbors.

“I hope we go to the supermarket," I said. "Oh, sweetie, we will go; your Dad will be done in a few minutes," Mum assured.

I was starting to get annoyed when my Dad told us to get ready for shopping. It was 3:45 when I looked at the clock hanging on the wall.

Dad also told us that we would help the neighbors set up their home the next day. It was annoying, but my dad doesn't go back on his word. We came back home by 7 o'clock, and...

"Darling, come here. Let's play cards; your mom will join soon when she is done in the kitchen,” Dad called.

"Must you write everything down?” Mom added as she came out of the kitchen. I just smiled and went to play cards with Dad as Mom joined almost immediately.

"How do you see our new neighbors?” Dad asked with a broad smile. “They are normal," I said.

"Darling, must you act nonchalant?” Mom said, looking at me. "I like the new neighbors; I like Mr. Ben’s wife; she's cheerful…” Mom kept saying until I paid no attention.

"Rose! Rose!" Dad jolted me out of my imaginary world. That is something I do to stop myself from listening to my parents' conversation, especially when it gets boring. “Sir!” I said, almost shouting.

“Rose, Alex will be joining your school after the summer break is over," Dad said.

"Who is Alex?” I asked.

"Our neighbor's son," That was my Mom; she was looking at me with her eyebrows raised, saying, “Stop acting dumb, child." I get that look a lot, so I was used to it.

"Oh, nice," I added, forcing a smile. I rolled my eyes, imagining the schoolgirls swooning over him.

"Rose! Rose! What are you thinking about?” Dad asked.

"Nothing," I said.

"Go get your brother; food is ready," Mom said as she walked to the kitchen.

I woke my brother while Mom dished the food. Dad said the prayers, and we ate supper.

It was 9:30pm when I finally retired to my room. But even as I lay in bed, Dad’s words kept replaying in my mind; I still felt disgusted when I thought of my class girls' actions when he finally joined.

Rose, wake up! Wake up! Daddy is calling us

“Calling us”, I groan, trying to figure out why Dad would disturb my sleep

“Dad said we should go help the neighbors”, my brother added

“Ooooo, why is Dad like this? It's just 7:30. I need my sleep”, I said, still groaning

“I know, right?” My brother said, looking at me

“Children, your Dad has been calling you. What's the matter?” Mom said, shouting from downstairs

“Mom, I’m having cramps!” I shouted back

Now my brother was staring at me. “But you are not,” my brother said to me “I can't go there alone”, my brother added

Ok then, let's go, but I hate the thought of it, though

As we walked down the stairs, Mom looked up at us “Ohh, my darling, I hope the pain isn't much like last time. You can use your medicine; you will feel much better after that”, she said, looking very concerned

“No worries, Mom, I got this one”, I said, assuring her. “We would like to go help our new neighbors”, I said, trying not to show disgust in my tone.

“Ok then, breakfast will be ready by 9:00”, Mom said as we walked out of the house.

“I was afraid she would invite the new neighbors for breakfast”, my brother said. “I wouldn't like that at all”, I said

“Children, come greet the new neighbors” That was Dad. After the greeting ceremony, as my brother and I would call it, we started work. After working for 30 minutes or more, I decided to rest. I stretched from side to side, then I looked back. “He was staring at me” My neighbor's son was staring at me; it was creepy. I know other girls love the feeling, but the feeling of someone staring dumbly at me made me ask if I urinated on my shorts, which I clearly didn’t

After about an hour, we finally finished, and I was happy we finished the task even though I didn't want to start in the beginning

“My parents want me to attend your school”, Alex said to me

“Yeah, I know”, I replied

“I hope I would love it there; my former school was …” That was the last I heard from him before I walked to my brother

“Let's go bathe,” My brother said to me

“Yeah, that's the only way we can eat breakfast”, I said, smiling, remembering Mom’s rules

At the table, Dad thanked us for the cooperation; we all ate breakfast happily without Dad forgetting to pray before and after the meal