CHAPTER 7

Michael went back to work at the city to his job and by the weekend he was back. He returned to a silent home where his mother and her sister had teamed up against him. As he sat down to a cold meal he thought that Diana would prepare a better meal and she would be pleasant. Her face was radiant when she smiled, she had smiled at him last time they met. “You'll come over on Sunday, Michael?" She had asked. So he would look the part the following day and go to her and ask her to marry him. But right now he wanted to go to Amelia, to give her the news and ask from her something, for only one time.

Dusk was approaching when he approached their house, which bordered a public park. The park itself extended all the way to the river, where it bordered the expansive ranch of Mr Edwards.

He was lucky to find her seated outside the house, as if she was waiting. Grandma was inside the house with the kids and there was no sound from them.

Before he parked his truck she rose and went to meet him, then they walked together around the park.

“How is Thomas?" He asked.

“He's now fine. The fever's gone and now he sleeps all day. I like it that way because now I can read a few books."

“I thought you were looking for a job?" He looked at her eyes in the diminishing light.

“I can't find any, but I'm trying."

“Anyway I came to remind you that Willis can continue with his education, for free, as I have talked with Mr Brown." He did not say that to get this scholarship he had bonded himself to Diana for life. He saw in the dim light that Amelia's eyes were full of tears and he had the desire, stronger than he ever had in his life to take her in his arms.

When her hands came out to him, he took them both and pressed them against his chest and she said in a low tone, “Oh Michael! I have no words to thank you."

He drew her closer and looking down into her eyes he said, “You'll hear something something in the next few days that might upset you, but it's something I have to do, something I must do. I have looked for a way out but failed, there isn't any. But I want you to know that my heart belongs to you and as long as I'm alive it'll remain that way." He paused and asked, “Can I kiss you?"

She didn't answer, instead she closed her eyes. When his mouth touched hers their joined hands kept their bodies apart, until suddenly his hands went around her. He pressed her to him and his kisses covered her face.

Then it was over abruptly. She was alone standing in the park and he was running towards his truck and she knew the news she would hear next was about his marriage to Diana Brown and she knew also that Willis's scholarship had settled the matter.

A week later the schools opened and sure enough Willis went on without a single penny. Mr Brown, with his love for money, didn't question him and Amelia was a bit relieved.

One evening when Willis came from school he had some news. “Did you know that Michael is getting married to miss Diana, the daughter of the merchant?" He asked his sister as they did some household chores together.

She said quietly, “Yes, I knew about it."

“I thought he liked you?"

With some wisdom, she said, “well, how could he, with all of us? Besides, he also has his own problems, with his mother and aunt to look after."

He walked a few steps away from her, then announced, “today we're going fishing, once it's completely dark."

She was impressed by the sudden change of topic. “When did you learn to fish? And who will you be fishing with? And where are you going to do the fishing?" The questions came in quick succession.

“We'll be sneaking through the fence into Mr Edwards fence, then down to the river on his side where the fish have taken refuge after excessive fishing on the park. Only a few minutes with my friend Duane and we'll be out with enough for us to last a week." He replied.

“What if you get caught?" She asked.

“That part is largely neglected. Besides, we can detect someone coming from far away and even if they chased us away we'd easily creep through the small hole we've made by the fence. The hole is only enough for us to creep through, an adult will have to go round and use the gate which is far away." He emphasized.

“I don't want you to get into trouble Willis." She said, looking at him.

“I'll be fine Amelia, don't worry about me. Now it's time. Duane is coming with the lines, we'll be gone immediately he comes."

Duane, a boy the same age as Willis, was standing outside their house a few minutes later and they left towards the river.

“You two better be careful, because if you get caught it may get ugly. I have come to know that Mr Edwards is not the man I thought he was. His children are even worse, and I hear they've come home a few days ago." Amelia's warning was still fresh in their minds as they walked away.

Amelia's grandma had narrated to her about some information about the Edwards that she hadn't known for all the time she had known them.

She found it hard to believe that Mr Edwards had stolen most of the property he held, and he had even killed some people in order to disinherit them of the large swathe of land he held.

Her grandma made sense, because at his office he'd witnessed him turning into an animal, a beast ready to devour her.

Her only wish at the moment was that the boys came back safe.