“ Have you called your uncles? Is anyone willing to help?”
“ None for now. Uncle John complained of his children's school fees before I could say a word. Cletus explained his daughter is in the hospital. Paul, on the other hand, said I brought it up a little late. He has paid for a land in the village. Sylvester no longer takes my call. It feels like the end of the road for me.”
“I can understand you if you are angry at me. I have never been of much help to you.”
“ Papa, I was angry. Right now, I'm heartbroken. What's the point of having treasure caves that I can't access. Every time I call them, there's always an excuse. I'm tired of this cycle of disappointment. I don't want to call them for anything ever again.”
“ Nnamdi... just the fact that you singlehandedly saw yourself through school until now is a good reason for God to be gracious to you. Do not lose hope.”
“ How long should I wait, papa? My hope has ticked pass the time.”
“ Bekee m. All those dreams of you going abroad and working with the white man will not end like this. I will gather everything I can. Even if I have to sell every one of my wrappers, you will go back to school like your mates.”
“ Mama, I don't want you getting bothered about this. Your BP is still high. Right now, I don't have the confidence to hope for anything. It's three days to go. Will manna fall from heaven?”
“ Don't speak like that, Nnamdi. Let's hope for a miracle...”
“I had faith, Mama. But, for the past three years, no help or support has come. I beg for food. I squat. Sometimes, I share a little space with rats who persistently claim their territory. Where will this miracle come from?”
“ I can help...”
“ Jidenna, not now please. My mind is rioting.”
“ Then, let me help! Why are you always dismissive of me?”
“ You don't care about anyone but yourself. That's why?”
“ Well, I care about you completing what you started...yes, I'm not doing it for you. My friends will mock me if they learn you dropped out just before your final year in the university. I will not endure it.”
“ Fine, Jidenna. Tell me, how are you going to raise hundred thousand naira for tuition, and extra fifty thousand for hostel accommodation and books within three days? Does your mind read backwards? I'm drained of life right now. Your pride is of no consequence.”
“ I don't need three days. I can cover it...”
“ What?”
“ Here... I was saving this money to get myself a PS-5. All the menial jobs you have seen me doing, that's the proceed. Everything is there.”
“ Jidenna, do you really want your brother to have it?”
“Mama, the game console can wait. Nnamdi's education can't. Besides feeding, the money there should cover his expenses until graduation. It's over five hundred thousand. I needed eight hundred thousand.”
“ You surprise me. Tell me, what do you want in return? You are not a charity, so spill it.”
“ Just pack your bags and leave. You have overstayed.”
“ So, you are not expecting your money back? You want me to believe that a Sherlock won't want his pound of flesh?”
“ I don't need you to believe it! Maybe, that is what a miracle is. Just maybe, it can come from places we least expected.”
