SC: The Company We Keep

THE_COMPANY_WE_KEEP
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(WRITTEN BY: KENNEDY C. KATONGO)
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I tapped Monica on the hand and gave her the phone to read the message.” I will be leaving now but will be back to get Monica.” Monica’s dad said. He stood and gave Monica a hug. I watched mum smile as she looked at them. “Come, let me also give you a hug.” She said with a smile. That meeting didn’t seem as much but great work had been done. We all stood as we escorted him to his car which was parked outside the gate. As we walked I thought about what stunt Mutale was trying to pull on me, I dialed Norah’s line so as to let her know I had received her note and was going to read it as soon as I had some time on my hands. However, it wasn’t going to be any time soon that was for certain.
Monica’s dad got into his car, it was an X5 I froze as I stood there in awe. “Why didn’t you tell me your dad has an X5?” I whispered to Monica. She looked at me and laughed. “By the way, Jane you need to come and visit your friend at home one of these days. It’s going to be lovely having you over.” He said as he drove off. Mum didn’t stay with us at the roadside as we stood there like kids watching as the car was no longer visible.
“You have a Mutale case, stop looking at the poor car like that. Besides, I thought you saw it when he came that’s why I didn’t say a word about it.” Monica spoke followed by a laugh that made me look silly. “I’m positive Mutale is just being a good guy, besides I’m not the only one with a male friend situation here.” I busted out in laughter as she walked back inside. That’s when it got to my mind that Monica called me on a private line earlier that same day. I didn’t want to go ZP (Zambia Police) on her so I let it slide. “I think you are officially on dad’s list of good girls.” Monica said with a smile. I stood amazed as I waited for her to close the gate.
We decided to clean the house as we waited for her dad to come back. I felt so light and calm, I realized I didn’t have to be someone else to be loved or to be accepted. “Father, I am sorry for not realizing how much you care about me. Thank you for loving me and thank you Holy Spirit for bringing me to this place where I have realized.” I whispered to myself as I mopped the floor. Pastor would always say, “there is no right place where you can talk to Jesus because every place is right.”
Monica’s dad was back within an hour. “Don’t forget to keep a seat for me tomorrow” she said. “I almost forgot, Norah sent me her note and I would like for you to read it also.” I got my phone, with a few touches I sent her the note. “Bye!” mum and I waved as they left. The day ended without notice, I spent most of it catching up with mum. It had been way too long since we had a mother daughter moment.
After supper, I wasn’t in the mood of watching TV, I decided to just head straight to my room. I got my laptop and transferred Norah’s note, it was titled “Person In Me: Identity” unlike Monica I was never a fan of soft copy books but I had a strong feeling about this one, unusual interest if I may add. With every page I read I got more interested, by the time I was finishing the note it was already 01am. I switched off my laptop and didn’t have the desire to check my social media accounts. That wasn’t me, if I was up at this hour then it was either WhatsApp or Facebook.
“Jane!” I opened my eyes and mum was there. “It’s Sunday dear, I hope you haven’t forgotten,” and she walked out of my room. I swear I can remember being awake just a few minutes ago and now it was already 7am. I got up and started preparing myself while Mum was in the kitchen making tea with her favorite Abel Chungu CD playing in the background. My mum was the sing along type, so her voice echoed in every room of the house, she made my bathroom singing skills sound horrible. After one good hour mum and I were on the road and on our way to church for another life changing service. What made it special this time was the new atmosphere and relationship between us. She was actually preaching to me; this was something she used to do a lot when Dad was around. I had no clue what happened yesterday but I was thankful it did.
We arrived at church and the first person I saw was Monica, she barely had makeup on. To cut the story short she looked young, happy and determined. We hugged and took the lead as Mum and her Dad followed us behind.
“Kennedy called to check up on me again”, she said. “That’s romantic, what did you tell him?” I asked, I knew she had more to say. “I told him lunch is okay and that I was on my way to church. Can you believe he shouted “Amen!”, she giggled. I didn’t know what to say, I had a smile on my face that’s for sure.
Once we were inside, Monica asked me if we could sit in the middle of the room and not at the back. I wasn’t going to ask why but it sounded just right. That moment was a dream come true for me. Sitting and standing side by side in church with my friend.
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