HEDGED
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Episode 10
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Mama was gracious enough to bring me an additional dish of food. I sat down to eat while listening to Mama tell a joke.
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I was choking up laughing at Mama’s amusing story before we both heard the creaking sound of the parlor door opening.
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Tricia stepped in with two large carry-on bags in each hand, followed by the youngster who was staying with Mama.
“Daddy Greg, good morning!” Priscilla (the little girl) exclaimed as she ran towards me in the buildup to a hug.
I immediately secured the future of my delectable plate of food, preparing myself for the “incoming hug” before Priscilla arrived.
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Tricia entered the kitchen without saying anything. I couldn’t tell if she’d said hello to Mama while I was wrapped in that hug with Priscilla, but I knew Tricia hadn’t said anything to me.
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At first, I didn’t make much sense of what was happening. Not until I had finished my second dish of food and Tricia had still not returned.
I excused myself and went into the bedroom to look for my wife. I entered our bedroom, looked around, and shouted out to her when she was nowhere to be seen, but I received no response.
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I strolled by the kitchen (after hearing an exploration in there) on my way back to the seating area to discover Tricia slicing onions.
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I walked into the kitchen and grabbed Tricia by the waist.
“Good morning, baby. How was your night?” I asked.
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No response.
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“I awoke from my sleep and couldn’t find you anywhere. If I hadn’t had Mama’s company, I would have reported you missing.” I proclaimed, hoping to make Tricia smile, but I had no idea that the more I spoke, the more things I let out that exacerbated my condition.
“So this company was the reason you couldn’t have at least dialed my number to make sure I was fine, yeah?” Tricia inquired, her tone devoid of emotion.
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Then it struck me.
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I didn’t make any effort to find Tricia after I awoke to discover her nowhere to be found.
I honestly didn’t think that was necessary.
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I don’t know what to think or say now that I’ve connected Tricia’s manner when she stepped in, her quietness and refusal to respond to my welcome moments before, and her impersonal display of thoughts.
I knew that defending my actions would only enrage Tricia further, so I did the only rational thing I could think of at the time. I apologized for not exploring all possible avenues to locate my wife (even though I didn’t believe she was absent in the first place).
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I smothered Tricia with kisses until she burst out laughing.
Tricia playful slapped me and shoved me away from her. She then hurled a slice of the onions she’d cut at me. I jumped over it and ran towards her in a playful, aggressive manner. Tricia pretended to be nervous; she stood still, screaming “baby Nooo!” and attempted to duck for shelter.
I hugged Tricia and kissed her on the lips before whispering “I’m sorry” into her ears.
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“Baby, you have to try what Mama prepared for us for breakfast.” I stated it with zeal. “I’m sorry; I wanted so badly to eat with you.”
Mama came in just as I was about to finish my thought, plates in hand.
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Tricia turned towards Mama with a smile.
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“Mama! Greg was just raving about the breakfast you made.” “Thank you so much, ma, for fixing him while I was away.” Tricia expressed it in the sweetest way possible.
He’s my child!” “YOU DON’T HAVE TO THANK ME FOR HIS BREAKFAST, TRICIA.” Mama blurted it out.
“I apologize, Mama; I didn’t mean it that way.” Tricia said, turning her gaze towards me while I hurriedly looked the other way.
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“I’m not sure exactly how you intended it, but I’m sure that you comprehend how I meant mine perfectly.”
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Mama dumped the plates she was holding in the sink and walked out the door.
To be continued…
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Moshood Avidiime The Writer
