BEHIND THE FINE FACE
EPISODE 10
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“That spiritual father was right the first time.” Uncle T began, turning towards me in a manner that clearly suggested that he was talking to me. “What your wife needed was to have simply had her head washed, like he had said, but the same evil forces after Rachael wouldn’t let it, so they came through her mother, as a distraction.”
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The way and manner Uncle T had turned towards me sent my heart racing. It was as though a bag containing “the huge cat” had just been let loose. The cat is obviously just moments away from being out, at this point.
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Upon these utterances, I could clearly see confusion, splattered all over Bobby’s face. He must have assumed that Uncle T mistaken, but again, something must have told him that Uncle T hadn’t, and that he was the one missing out on something, at this point.
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Bobby turned to look at me after staring at Uncle T with his mouth agape for what had seemed like “forever”, to probably see how I’d respond to this, but then, I didn’t even know how to respond.
I threw my face away and tried to ask a question that could be that much-needed distraction at this point, but Bobby was not ready to let this slide.
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“Wait, what?” Bobby spurted, with a facing expression on, clearly depicting that he needed to hear all the clarifications there were.
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I tried to talk over Bobby; bringing up something we’d rather talk about, but Uncle T was not even helping matters.
Uncle T stopped mid-way into attempting to answer a question I’d thrown at him. He turned to lock eyes with Bobby, then returned the gaze to me before he went on to ask what I rather he hadn’t (not in the manner in which he’d asked, anyway).
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“You already know that my son was once married to the same woman, right?” Uncle T asked, giving Bobby “the look”.
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I could see the disbelief in Bobby’s demeanor. His mouth was agape for what I could have sworn was “a lifetime”.
The disbelief on Bobby’s face soon turned into disappointment and then betrayal. He opened his mouth, probably attempting to ask me to verify what Uncle T had just said, but he somehow couldn’t find the voice either.
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Bobby’s mouth parted ways again for words, but just like the first time, nothing was uttered.
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Uncle T, having been seated, staring at both Bobby and me for being in such an awkward situation, decided to come to my rescue. He is old; wise; spiritual and, above all, my father, after all.
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“There was no way he could have told you, my son…” Uncle T began, now clearly addressing Bobby. “All he can really do, as a true friend, is exactly what he is currently doing. What you need right now is a total redemption. My son respects you, enough to have given your wife the opportunity to make the big reveal, if she’d wanted to. As a true friend and a brother, it was only wise of him to have held back, not wanting to risk being the rift in your marriage; not knowing what your wife might have told you about her past or about my son, since the last time you were all in the same room…”
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Uncle T went on and on, giving very deep and reasonable explanations as to why it was indeed, a terrible idea to have revealed my past affiliations with Rachael, nor everything I’d suspected about her to Bobby; a woman we both share something in common with.
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Surprisingly, Bobby saw a great deal of sense in what Uncle T had explained. “Oh! This is most likely what Rachael has been hinting to me about, ever since she saw you in that spiritual father’s hut. But until this very moment, she has not been able to find the words to tell me this.” Bobby said, with a facial expression I couldn’t really make anything out of.
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“I…I am very sorry, man. If I ever have a need to, this is definitely not how I planned to tell you about my time with Rachael. But I am glad we finally have that out of the way, though. I am so relieved, and truly sorry.” I said, as I stretched out my hand to hold Bobby’s, in a firm grip; a handshake.
I felt lighter, at that moment. This secret had been weighing me down and now that it was out, I couldn’t have felt any better.
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Now that all of it was out of the way, we decided to settle for what had brought us to Uncle T’s house in the first place; to find solutions.
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“You’ll have to come with Rachael in a fortnight.” Uncle T said.
“In a fortnight? Ha! Uncle, why do you sound exactly like the spiritual father? Is there something special about these fortnights that tomorrow won’t cut it?” Bobby asked, seeming impatient and scared at the same time. “Uncle, please, I beg you. Let me borrow my guy’s phone to call Rachael right this minute. She can be here within the hour. If you know how I used to be, in comparison to how far I’ve fallen, you’ll understand my impatience, sir. Please, help me.”
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Uncle T busted into a laugh. “Poor boy. Did you just say if I knew?” Of course, I know. I have seen exactly what you used to be; when you started deviating from your true path, and where you’ll be if nothing is done in no distant time. Remember I revealed to you earlier that the Grace you were told to go and wait for, is actually your death and not Grace, as in, the Grace of God.” Uncle T said, with a smile. “Come back in a fortnight, my son, with your wife and from there on, you can be rest assured that everything the evil ones has stolen from you shall be restored in folds unimaginable.”
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Bobby and I, left Uncle T’s house that day having been given a new energy.
I didn’t need to be told; Bobby counted down the days leading up to this fortnight by its second.
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I was equally excited for my guy and, even more so, for Rachael.
Besides what trailed Rachael, she has never been any less of a wonderful soul during our time together. If anyone deserves the very best out of life, I wouldn’t really have thought of anyone better.
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But Uncle T died just the night before our scheduled return.
To be continued…
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Moshood Avidiime
Ooh what a tragidy
Damn