Shoes in the Dust | Chapter 3

 

Chapter 3: Aunt Ifeoma Moves In

Aunt Ifeoma arrived unannounced, dragging a battered suitcase and a scowl that could curdle milk.

“Chioma! Sister! I’m here o! I couldn’t stay in that face-me-I-face-you anymore. God has blessed you — so your own is my own too.”

Mama Chioma forced a smile. “You’re welcome, Ifeoma. You know you’re always welcome.”

But Emeka knew better. Aunt Ifeoma never liked his father. She called him “that street tout playing big man.” She blamed him for “dragging Chioma into gutter life” even though he pulled them out of it.

From the first night, Ifeoma claimed the sitting room as her throne. Her words dripped poison at dinner.

“Emeka, so you’re still wasting time with that ball? Chioma, you better beat that nonsense out of him before he becomes useless like his father’s brothers.”

Mama Chioma just lowered her eyes. Emeka stared at his cold eba, his appetite gone.

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