As usual, Clark’s car woke me up. I couldn’t stand up, i was very tired. I just lay down there staring at the ceiling until i remember what peter said yesterday. i wanted to tell Clark but something inside me said i shouldn’t. what if he’s a rapist and he wanted to use this opportunity to rape me? What if he’s insane? many questions popped in my head within a short period of time, I later agreed on not telling Clark. I finally got off my bed at 9am, i brushed my teeth and headed for the kitchen.
“what’s for breakfast” Clark shouted from his room
“Rice and Stew” I shouted back
Rice and stew was Clark’s favourite, I prepare it almost every week. I finished cooking and i dished the food and placed them on the dinning table.
“Twinkle toes, Breakfast is ready” I shouted
“Be down in a sec” Clark shouted back
“Make sure you brush” i said jokingly
After few minutes, Clark came down and joined me at the table.
After eating, I went to my room to collect some fashion magazines and headed to the living room to watch TV, Clark on the other hand went to the basement to tidy one or two things. I dozed off while watching TV.
I slept for three hours, when i woke up i took my time to make up my mind if i was still going to see peter, i thought about it for thirty minutes until i made up my mind; i will go.
I went upstairs to shower, after which i wore the tightest and toughest Jean trousers i had and to make sure he doesn’t try any thing stupid, i took Sammy with me.
“And where are you going”
i turned around, i saw Clark leaning on the door frame looking very tired
“ I’m taking Sammy for a walk”
“Again” he asked
“Yeah, Again! i took him yesterday and he seem to like it, i think we should be taking him out often”
“Okay suit yourself, am going upstairs and come back before night fall”
“Ok big bro” I said.
I took Sammy and left the house.
I got to the lake exactly 3 o clock. I sat on the rock close by the lake and started replying texts on my phone. Irene my friend was asking if i could hang out with her tomorrow at the beach, i smiled and told her okay. She tried to tease me, she said they’ll be lot of boys because her brother is coming with his friends. i smiled.
“Sorry for coming late”
I heard a voice from behind
“Oh peter, you scared me”
“Oh i am very sorry, i didn’t mean to startle you”
“It’s okay, hmm you’re so early” i said sarcastically
“Sorry, i had to tidy of some stuffs before coming”
“Its okay” i said as i inserted my phone inside my pocket
“So you said you wanted to tell me something? Benson is not my father? what does that mean?”
“Yeah, My name is Peter Paprika, my father was a farmer in this neighbourhood. he died when i was a kid”
“Oh, I’m sorry”
“Its okay, he died inside his yam barn with my mother; someone locked them inside and set the place ablaze”
“Oh, did they find out who did it?”
“Nah, the police couldn’t find the people that killed them. I was two when they died.”
“I’m so sorry. But i don’t see how this concerns Benson not being my father”
“Oh yeah you are right, the truth is that i don’t really know if he is truly your father, i had to say that in the letter in order to make you come here”
“I don’t understand” i said as i brought Sammy closer
“See, when i was a kid, i saw you once and the man i saw you with wasn’t Benson”
“Meaning?”
“The man i saw you with, his name was Mr. Woods, and he introduced you to me and my dad as his daughter. That was two days before my father died. After that day, i didn’t see you again until the day you came outside to pay a guy that worked on the glass window at your basement”
“How did you know about that? Like you live at the end of the street, you mean you heard it from there?”
“Hahaha, no. I was in my friend’s room when i saw him working on the glass”
“You mean our neighbour? That freak is your friend?”
“Olu is not a freak, its just that he is not use in associating with people”
“Okay” i said, rubbing Sammy’s head
“I just thought i should tell you, i couldn’t recognize you at first but i took my time to look at you then i knew it was you”
“Hmm okay, all this stuff you’re saying to me is just funny and confusing, Like i don’t remember a thing from my childhood”
“Okay, maybe Clark knows something. Don’t tell him what i told you but just ask him if he know’s Mr. Woods”
“Really? he may want to know why i am asking then what should i tell him?”
“Umm just tell him that we were talking about agriculture then i said Mr. Woods was the best cattle rearer in this neighbourhood”
“Hmm okay, and then what?”
“Just hear what he has to say”
“Okay, Hmm so can i go now because he said i should come back before nightfall”
“Sure, lets go”
I took Sammy and we started heading back home, he said goodbye and took the left road, that was the short cut to the end of the street.
When i got home Clark was watching TV.
“Hi Clark”
“Hey Twinkle-toes, you finally came back”
“Hahaha, No i am still there” i laughed as i climbed the stairs
I took a shower and came down with my Nighties, Clark was still watching Tv so i joined him
“Clark can i ask you something?”
“Sure baby, what is it?”
“Do you know any Mr. Woods?”
Clark froze, he didn’t say anything for some seconds
“Clark?”
“Ummm.. No! who is he?” he said as he turned to face the TV
“A friend told me that he was the best cattle rearer in this neighbourhood”
“A friend?”
“Yes Peter, I mean Peter Paprika”
“Peter Paprika?” Carl said with his eyes wide open…
Clintonspel 