THE WAKE-UP CALL

de. He tiredly glanced at the clock-4:42 a.m. Adaeze was already in t

towel. She didn't speak, just moved to her side of the be

; "You're up early,

le to sleep

to split out more words

e you're oka

th a fake smi

, maybe, not ever. That was always her defense mechanism she always put up when things go

-

him prepare food that Wednesday, and sat on the couch with him to watch a movie, but the air still felt

y going to change her mind, it had to come from her; not

o more weeks, n

pposedly made to her mother. She slipped back into the rhythm

her hair in front of the m

when you told your mum

n resumed with her brushing.

ough time to t

the mirror. "I don't

ment here," he sa

athan, I'm trying, I really am. You know, this isn't s

he asked, his voice slightly ri

s not

s breaking

ned. "I didn't break anyt

disappointment and slow

e slept on th

days after. He went to work distracted Snapped at a nurse for a

t in weeks," Yusuf said one afternoon,

didn't

ything, You even involved her mum, at this p

e wh

ard. "Make her see wha

, "That sounds

You guys had a deal, She backed out, no expla

looke

ct the same way. He brought in a house help-young, polite, h

. "You're saying I s

ng, fear, awareness, a wake-up call. Do it w

respond, but t

-

after dinner, Nathan cas

ng," he said, while arranging the dining

sked, glancing u

one to manage the cleanin

an eyebrow,

I'm always at the hospital, You're always at the bank. Th

ine, I'll discuss that with my mum, I think she's the perfect

d. That was f

with the id

ractical, and I tr

unsure if he was to fe

-

a. She was quiet, respectful, hardworking. Her parents had died early, and she'd been raised

irls," Mama said over the phon

, ma," Nat

ved on a Sunday afternoon, carrying a

ark skin, soft voice and quiet eyes. She greeted both of them with

the small room behind the kitchen where she'

okay," he

tching though" Adaeze rep

-

ke early, cleaned thoroughly, cooked efficiently, and never complaine

eniable. She wasn't trying to be seen, but she was always there, doing her jo

ve in ways Adaeze hadn't been in a long time. She offered him tea without being asked. She rem

s, Amara brought him a bowl of fruit. "I kn

ed, "You

faintly,

arby, looked up briefly, t

with him longer t

-

ful, but something in his energy had changed. He smiled more when Amara was aroun

ng, it was about atten

time, Adaeze felt a c

ed, she rolled towards him a

tha

had been weeks sinc

es

eally

hat ex

or not being more.

to read her understand he

th her face laid on h

rm around her a

-

n. She got up early, prepared breakfast for

l?" Nathan as

h, I'm your wife, it's my responsibi

ed to try again; from being present to cooking t

ing more to herself -- less humming

s change, but he also felt like she was doing it o

ing happened that

-

lon. Nathan was fixing a curtain rod in the corridor

de, "Sorry, I'

"No, sir, I'

paused, bi

talk to you ab

er, puzzled; "

ow voice, "I don't know how to sa

froze,

i don't want trouble, I just.

d at her

-

bathroom trash. She recognized the colors instant

ara aside. "W

s. "I didn't mean to.

r voice hollow. "You'r

said n

ost exploded, She

e just sat in the dark, staring at the st

ing, she pack

g this hous

ly looked a

You and Amara, She'

, "Are you sure you r

rly, "What other

n't chea

ant by the Holy Sp

"It was

inked,

"Amara isn't pregnant, She nev

ed to stare at

a game is this

You were losing me, Adaeze, and I ne

nto a chai

I still do, but I couldn't keep begging to

lowed h

he looked at h

r this marriage, not out

ready now, for everythin

r, unsure wheth

you s

don't want to l

o her, pull

games,"

ilence," s

gile embrace, t