l went upstairs later on into Dad's room and gazed round the room. Nothing seemed to have changed; everything was still properly arranged, just as Dad had left them. Dad's laptop was on his bed jus like the last time l had entered into his room. l switched on the laptop, and, as expected, it was pornography that l saw. Dad was probably addicted to watching porn videos and would hibernate the laptop to resume from where he had stopped when he came back from work. "Was he actually a doctor or a quack?" l murmured. It was as if l didn't know who my father was anymore. My mind flashed back to Dad's words when l was still in JSS 3 and the conversation l had with him came to me like a playback.
"My son, run away from pornography, flee from it, for it is a sin," he had told me calmly.
"Dad, l watch them in school; my friend, James, has a lot in his Blackberry phone," l said to him innocently.
Dad, arrested by the shock of what l had said, widened his eyes in disbelief and continued.
"Pornography is a spirit. You can't stop if you are addicted to watching it, unless the grace of God is upon you," Dad said, tapping me on the shoulder.
That was the last time l remembered ever being taught morally by Dad. He was already drowning in; perhaps, he was talking from his experience. "But why was Dad not truthful or even faithful?" l muttered bitterly to myself.
Blessing ran into the room, few minutes later panting heavily.
I shuddered in fear, looking behind her to see if anyone was after her. "What is the problem?"
l queried anxiously, shutting down the laptop.
"William m, you wouldn't believe what l just saw,"
Blessing replied, still panting.
"William m who? When did that one start? Don't ever call me that again in your God forsaken life.
Now, what did you see that made you go crazy?" l fumed.
"You haven't seen anything yet. l have graduate oh."
"You must be sick upstairs for coming into this room."
"Jew man, l saw madam and one white man downstairs. They arrived in one big car like that."
"Wounders shall never end; is that the reason ghost? May the Lord have mercy on you," l said, walking out of the room. immediately, l received a text message from James saying "Meet me at MCC junction by 6:00pm for a sure deal." l sighed; l wasn't sure if l wanted to be involved again with James and his plans.
"Hey, what's up," l heard an unfamiliar voice say and l was surprised to find out that Blessing was actually serious.
I stood mouth agape staring at the white man that sat just instantly on the sofa as he came in, as though he owned the house.
"Hey, dude, l was talking to you," he further said, probably astonished at the expression on my face.
"Good day, sir," l replied casually and left the living room in search of Mum. l met Mum just right downstairs as she was about climbing the stairs.
"So, who is the young man upstairs?" l asked Mum rather seriously. Mum looked intently at me and sighed.
"William, watch your mouth. Come with me, so l can introduce you to our family lawyer," Mum said as she walked up the stairs.
I seemed not to hear what she had said. "A family lawyer? What was Mum up to?" l murmured.
"Did you see the American l was telling you about? This new boss is more handsome than the other one that has died," Blessing said to me as l got upstairs.
"May thunder strike your buttocks! Useless thing," l bawled at her. l walked briskly into the living room. Mum had given the visitor a glass of water and had sat close to him. "Mum, you didn't even wait for your husband to died before you started sharing his property? Are you sure you are not the one who is HIV positive?" l thundered. Perhaps, l considered it too early for Mum to think of sharing Dad's property.
"Is this the boy you were telling me about?
He is wilder than you had said," the lawyer stated.
"Yes, dear, that's why he doesn't need to know much about his father's property. He is not yet ready," Mum replied, looking away.
"So, you discuss me as a topic wherever you go, Mum? Well, your evil plans cannot stand in this house," l shouted.
"William, stop! Your father knew Mr Robert here very well; he has been, not just our lawyer, but a family friend of ours for some years now. And, besides, your father's brothers intend sharing your father's property among themselves; that is why I'm doing this for you and you alone."
"You are unbelievable; so you want to tell me you are going to be in charge of Dad's property till l come of age, eh?
"No, till you start reasoning like a man and acquiring a little more knowledge. You are already of age and, besides, his private hospital and other ventures require that you have to go back to school.
Your father was a graduate; so you should aspire to be one," Mum said.
Going back to school? That was impossible, something l never dreamt of. "Why would Mum want me to go back to school when l can handle these things myself?" l mused. "That is impossible, Mum! l can't go back to school after all these years."
"My son, you are not going to school here; besides, we would be leaving for Dubai in the next three days. l hope you drop everything you are involved in here before then. You can only make it if you are out of this city that has corrupted you."
"That is preposterous! For God's sake, travel out? This is the craziest thing l have ever heard you say," l shouted and stormed out of the house.