CHAPTER TWO

Unusual July afternoon this was. The weather was hot. Dawson has just finished sending off some applications for a job on the Internet. Although he has applied for so many jobs online, he was yet to receive any invitation for a job interview. And with nothing more important to do, he went to his room to rest. Her was barely there when somebody came to knock on his door.

“Enter,” he said. It was his junior brother Hendrick.

“Daddy wants to see you”

“Daddy?”, Dawson asked with surprise.

“Yes Daddy”

“Where is he?,”

“He is in the library”

“Has he returned from Lagos?”,

“Yes, he came just now”,

“OK, l’ll go and see him. You run along, l am coming”, Dawson said stretching. However Hendrick stood still. “Anything else,” asked Dawson looking at his younger brother.

“Brother Dawson, promise to take me to the river to swim after you have seen Daddy.”

“Is that all?”, replied Dawson.

“Eh”.

“Okay go and wear your swimming pants and wait for me . When l have finished seeing Daddy, l will come and take you. l had actually planned to go and swim later in the day”.

Hendrick ran away happily. He was always fond of Dawson. Dawson was the third of five children of George Corridon. Mr. Corridon had three boys and two girls. The senior son lives in Kano, working as a secretary to the F.C.R Company Limited. The second child, a girl, Helen, is with her husband in Lagos. She was followed by Dawson who looked more like his father than his mother. Although he is fair in complexion like his mother, Dawson has a prominent nose, tall, slender and possesses a sensually wide mouth that made him the image of his father. Like all children of enlightened and medium rich families, Dawson had a good education. He had a Bachelor degree of Science in Agriculture, but because of the state of the economy, he has not been able to secure a job since graduation.

When he entered the library his father who was sitting behind the desk facing the door stood up and went to the window.

“Welcome Daddy”.

“Oh thank you,” replied his father who was wearing a navy blue long sleeve on a black pair of trousers.

“I saw your sister in Lagos,” he continued. “She sends you her greetings and promised to come home sometimes next month when she would be on leave”.

“That would be wonderful”, replied Dawson.”And l hope she is fine?”

“Yes,. How is your mother?”

“She is fine. She’s just gone down town for shopping”.

“Sit down Dawson. It looks as if l will be going back almost immediately, to Port-Harcourt. I was all set to leave Lagos when l got a telephone call from one of my distributors in Port-harcourt asking me to come over for some urgent business. But as l have already been booked for Warri and besides l longed to see you even briefly, l decided to come here first. It’s a pity l wouldn't be able to wait to see your mother before l leave. At any rate , if she is not back from town by the time l am ready to leave , you can tell her that l will be home for good when l return from Port-Harcourt. l have tried to call your mother but the number was not available. Now there are certain things l want you to do for me,” he continued, walking away from the window and coming to rest by the writing desk. “Take this cheque to Mr. Oyibo for the services he rendered concerning the air conditioners. Greet him for me and tell him that l promise to see him when l come back”.

As Dawson was taking the cheque, he continued. “You know your mother is mostly away in the afternoons when the children returns from school. As you are not doing anything for now, l want you to look after them, because allowing them to run free in the estate and around the woods could be dangerous. Okay?”

“Yes Daddy. What about your business with Mr. Juvwevwo? He has been calling incessantly while you were away”.

“Oh! That reminds me”. After a brief thought, he spoke again. “It’s impossible to see him now with everything so cramped. I want you to see him for me this evening. Tell him our ship is yet to berth and explain the circumstances why l could not see him now. However, give him the assurance that when the goods arrive, he will have his share of them. He should not worry. Please send these letters off at the post Office on your way to town,” he concluded. Deepening his hand into his right pocket he brought out two thousand naira and gave it to Dawson. “That will cover your transportation. l’m off, see you when l come back.”

Dawson was still sitting there looking like a school boy screwing up his courage to get up when his father left the room. He got to his feet feeling dizzy, as he walked out of the room.

At the main gate Mr. Corridon ran into his wife as she was driving in.

“Hello, am l glad to see you!”, she said wringing his hand.

“Where the hell have you been all this time . I miss you greatly”

“Suppose we skip all that for now, am off again. I‘ve got to catch the plane.” “Never mind that, come in quickly. I'll drive you to the airport later.” Mr. Corridon gave in and went back to the house. When he checked the time he discovered he still had some time before departure time. Soon they were in their bedroom kissing each other and establishing the fact that they still love each other.

“Darling you have been very busy for the past weeks traveling from coast to coast, today Lagos, tomorrow Port-Harcourt. You are not even thinking of me again.”

“But you know that is not true,” Mr. Corridon protested. “I know that l have really sacrificed my family happiness for business and I intend to make up for it. Once I am home this time it will be for good. I assure you. You must believe me”.

“Hmm”, replied Sarah Corridon pressing her husband’s palm.

Mrs. Corridon, a woman in her early fifties was always putting her husband first. She was particularly healthy for a woman of her age and those who knew her always admire her and says she looked forty. And nobody would think she is the mother of her senior children. She is very generous, always throwing parties for her friends and neighbors all around. although she has a fastidious nature which makes it difficult for most people to get along with her.

“What have you eaten?” she asked.

“Well, it never entered my head to ask for food, but now l feel l could do with some food. What was it you had for lunch?”

“Very well, wait for me in the dining. I am sure you will like it,” she said as she went out of the room. She came back few minutes later into the dining room with a tray in her hands. She has changed into a gown and a wrapper which she usually wore when in the house. She set down the tray and opened the plates. It was Corridon’s type of rice.

Later in the afternoon when they had finished eating, Mrs. Corridon drove her husband to the airport where they parted with a brief goodbye. But she waited inside her car until the plane finally took off before she drove back home. On her way home, she stopped over at Ann’s place along the airport road to ask Justina to spend the night with them at the estate. Justina Edeamrigho was the girl she wanted Dawson to marry. She was tall for a girl, fair in complexion with good looks, slender with a small set mouth and sensual lips to match her small prompted nose. Added to this, she has a personality and appearance that easily attract people most especially those of the opposite sex. Her mother is apparently rich with a good family background and reputation. Her father had died when she was sixteen leaving her mother a considerable amount of money and property. That was when she was in class four. After her secondary education she was admitted into the polytechnic where she studied business administration. With her mother’s influence and connection, she was employed as a secretary to Volkswagen Motor Works, a renowned company in Warri.

As soon as Mrs. Corridon got home from town, she went straight to her room to change. A few minutes later she was in the kitchen preparing the things she brought from the town when she went out shopping in preparation for dinner to welcome Justina. She hoped Dawson would be in a better mood to accept and treat Justina more affectionately this time contrary to the last time Justina came to the estate. He had treated her like a total stranger. It wasn't until she suggested that Dawson take Justina out for swimming that he really showed more interest in her. She knew her son likes swimming and she quickly suggested it. But what followed after that was not what she really expected from Dawson. She was beginning to wonder if Dawson was seeing another girl. She was not sure. She was still in her thoughts when Hendrick and Avwerosuor ran into the kitchen.

“Mama, are you back? welcome”, Avwerosuor speaking first.

“Welcome Mama”, put in Hendrick.

“Thank you”.

“How are you my daughter?".

“Fine”, replied Avwerosuor.

“See the meat pie l bought for you from the market. And this is for you Hendrick. OK, you two run off and let me complete my work”.

“Thank you Mama”, they chorused as they ran out through the fire escape into the garden.

“Hendrick,” she shouted after them. “Where is Dawson?”

“Daddy asked him to go some errands for him before he left”.

“I see”, she said and returned to her work.

The first thing Dawson did when he got to town was to get those letters off by post, and as he was returning from the post office, he stopped at Mr. Juvwevwo’s place.

Mr. Juvwevwo’s flat was on the third floor of the most lofty building along the Warri Sapele road. Although Dawson had not met him before, he has heard a lot about him from his father and knew that he was formerly living at Oluku’s estate complex situated along the expressway leading to the Warri port. Behind the estate is an industrial area from which hazardous gaseous wastes which constitutes danger to public health are released into the atmosphere. Mr. Juvwevwo is a short fat man with a thick moustache, strong hairy hands and stumpy legs, He has a small sweet voice and a broad smile showing strong white teeth. He was an influential distributor to the Delta feed industry until it liquidated under bad management. He is now soliciting for distributorship under Mr. Corridon who owns a firm of importers and exporters with connections around the federation.

Dawson climbed the stairs to the third floor and rang the front door bell. Staircases are mostly used in Warri as elevators installed in building are rendered useless from lack of sufficient electricity supply. He waited and rang the bell a second time. He was about to ring the third time when he heard the clicking of keys indicating that someone was opening the door. The door opened and a woman stood in the doorway.

“Good afternoon Madam”, he said.

“Good afternoon Sir”, replied the woman.

“You are Mrs. Juvwevwo?”

“You can say that again”, she replied nodding her head at the same time.

“I am Dawson Corridon. I would like to see your husband. Is he in?”

“Oh! You are Mr. Corridon’s son?

“You are right”.

“Like father like son. You look every inch of your father. Do come in”, she remarked as she stepped aside to make way for him to enter.

‘Sit down and make yourself comfortable,” she said when they were in the sitting room. “My husband is in the bathroom. He will be with you in a moment. While Dawson was taking a seat she went to the liquor cabinet and brought out a bottle of gin with a glass and set them down on a stool beside him.

“Keep yourself busy while he is coming. I hope you don’t mind if l leave you now. I was doing certain things in the kitchen.”

“Its alright. Thanks for the drink”. Dawson poured himself a shot, took a deep sip and set the glass thoughtfully on the stool as if it was made of eggs. From where he sat, he could see the traffic moving slowly down below on the Warri Sapele road. This road is considered the busiest road in town with an average traffic jam of six hours everyday. This fact is indisputable as it is the only major road leading to and from the town. He got up and went to the window. He stood there peering down the main street filled with people moving swiftly to their various destinations.

“How are you”, a voice said from behind him.

“Fine sir,” he said turning .

“Sorry I kept you waiting”.

“Its alright sir”.

“How is your father!”.

“He is fine sir”.

“How I wish I had the opportunity to see him”.

“Yeah!, The coming home was so brief. He knew you badly wanted to see him. That is why he earnestly desired that I see you to explain the situation to you. He said you should not unduly worry , that when the ship finally berth you will receive your share of the goods.

“Incredible”, replied Mr. Juvwevwo clasping his hands. “You see, I have known your father to be such a good man, a man of his words. When he told me he would try and help me find a place in his business, I knew he meant it. Now see what you are telling me. This is enough good news to celebrate”

He quickly went to the cabinet for another glass and poured himself a big shot ‘. Seeing that Dawson has already poured a shot, he raised his glass. “Safe landing for you and good business for me”, and both men drank from their glasses. Later when Dawson looked at his wrist watch, it was almost five o clock

“Sir, I am sorry I have to go now. Its a pity I couldn’t stay much longer. I have been in town for sometime and I must run along. I hope to find time to visit you another time.

“That would be my pleasure”

“Thanks for the drink and greet your wife for me”, he said as he stepped outside. On his way home a thought struck him about dropping at Daniel’s place opposite the Eldorando hotel but he decided against it when he remembered he had promised to take Hendrick out for swimming this evening. Before he went to their house he decided to visit Mr. Oyibo to give him the cheque his father had given him. Fortunately, he saw him as he was about to go out and handed the cheque to him.

“My children told me they saw your father this afternoon. How is he?”

“He is fine. He was in this afternoon, but he has traveled again. He promised to come and greet you when he comes back”.

Without waste of time, he went back to the house and changed into his swimming outfit. When Dawson was coming out of his room, Hendrick, who was already in his swimming pant and waiting was telling his mother.

”I am going to swim with Dawson”.

”You like it, don’t you?”, replied his mother who patted him in the back. Dawson called to him and together they ran towards the river. They swam for some meters or so up stream, then turned and headed back for the beach. The water was cool and calm. After the first rush, they swam to the shore and sat down on a big block they had brought to the beach.

Very far ahead of them, almost lost in the vastness of the river was an approaching motor boat. Hendrick was the first to spot it, and pointed it to his brother. Dawson looked in the direction and saw the tiny speck of the boat. It was approaching fast and they could now hear the sound. Dawson dived into the water again but this time swimming steadily inward for about a fifty feet from the shore before he turned and came back to the shore gasping for breath. Hendrick was busy splashing water against his body and shouting joyously. He later came to rest by his brother. Soon the boat came past sending its waves lashing across the sandy beach. Both brothers continued to look at the boat until it disappeared into oblivion. As soon as the waves died out, Dawson made another move into the water. When he finally came out of the water the sun was already setting, sending bright red colors reflecting on the river.

Just then they heard voices coming from the garden path and wondered who would be coming to swim at this time. When they turned round, they saw Augustine and his siblings coming down to the river. Dawson had known them from the time they came to the estate three years ago. They were quiet people. The only person, though that Dawson never saw frequently was their mother Mrs. Oyibo, but he had had frequent contacts with the children. They have played together both in the estate’s sport ground, in their residence and right here on the beach. Here again they were coming to swim as usual. But Dawson was dumbfounded by what he saw. This evening, coming to swim with them was a girl. She was about five feet seven in height, fair in complexion, with wide set dark brown eyes and heavy black lashes. She wore a tight green skirt reaching her knees and a sparkling white blouse. He had never seen her before. He wondered if she was also one of Oyibo’s children. He was soon to find out.

“Hi Dawson”, said Augustine interrupting his thoughts as he came near.

“Hi Augustine,” he replied. “I was at your place this evening but was too much in a hurry to stop and say hello to you. How is everything, including the tricks of life”.

“Well you know how the town is. Everywhere is very tight. Dawson, I want you to meet my younger sister Candida. Candida, this is Dawson.”

“How are you Candida", Dawson greeted.

“l am fine”, replied Candida.

“I must say this is a surprise,” Dawson stressed. “I never thought you had another sister.”

“Oh!, laughed Augustine. He changed into his swimming suit and ran into the river swimming with strong strides. Again motivated, Dawson joined in and so were the children except Candida who stood watching and admiring the way her brother swam.

Later in the evening they all returned home, Dawson feeling more refreshed than when he went to swim, but his mind was busy. His thoughts kept streaming to his meeting with Augustine’s sister. Little did he know prior to that meeting that Augustine had another sister apart from his two siblings Janet and Ejiro. He tried to figure out just how old she will be. Since Augustine was her immediate senior, she could not be more than twenty-two and probably took more resemblance of the mother than her father. But from where did she inherit those heavy black lashes that fascinates him. Well, he reasoned that that must be nature’s gift for her.

“Dawson,” his mother called emerging into his room. “I forgot to tell you. When I was coming from town I asked Justina to come over for dinner and she will be spending the night here.”

“Mama, why did you not tell me you were going to ask Justina down here tonight?”

“I forgot Dawson”

“But eh.. I thought eh.., he could not finish it before his mother interrupted him.

“What is it this time, Dawson?

“Well nothing”, he shrugged after a brief thought.

“At any rate, you must behave decently to Justina this time unlike what you did the last time she came.”

He made no reply. To him Justina was a nice girl with good looks and manners, beautiful in her own way, but not just the type of girl he had always dreamed of. Although his mother kept pressuring him to marry her he just couldn’t make up his mind. He felt he was not in love enough to take such a lifelong step. He felt marriage was in the individual’s mind and when he had found the right girl, nobody would tell him to marry before he does so.

Arrived just before dark, Justina went straight to Dawson mother’s room to drop her things. There she found Mrs. Corridon preparing for the small dinner party she had arranged for the weekend. “So you’ve arrived at last”

“Yes. How is little Avweruosuor?”

“Fine, you look sweet in that your skirt”, replied Mrs. Corridon

Justina laughed mildly embarrassed. She had taken some pains to make herself presentable for this occasion.

In his room, Dawson was sitting on the his divan attempting to wear his shoes when Justina knocked on the door.

“Come in,” he said. “Gee,” he exclaimed admiringly as he saw her enter.

“Good evening”, she greeted.

:Good evening”, he replied and took her hand. After the initial greeting, he momentarily returned to wearing his shoes.

“Are you not pleased to see me,” she asked.

“Why yes. Since Mom told me you were coming, l have been in expectation. She walked further into the room moving towards him. There was a warm expression in her eye, an expression that usually comes whenever she sees Dawson. There was no doubt that she was really in love with him. Even that he realized. He stood up, swept her off her feet and later dropped her, kissed her slowly on her hair, then on her lips.

“I missed you”, she said. “You don’t know how much l miss you”

“What about me. I missed you too. How did you make out at work today?”

“As usual, very monotonous and boring”.

Well, don’t let waste time, we are almost late for dinner,” said Dawson holding and leading her out of the room.

Mrs. Corridon considers it bad habit to talk while eating. According to the Urhobos tradition which she imbibes, talking during meals could make the food go the wrong way. So during the meal hardly did anybody talked except for when request for more food is made. Later, after dinner Mrs. Corridon left with the children leaving the couple behind. She took the children to their rooms and prepared them for their home work and studies and left for her husband’s room. Much later when Sarah Corridon was preparing the children for bed, Dawson was watching a National Network program, “Science In Action” with Justina in the parlour.

A little after ten pm, Dawson himself left for his room after he had said goodnight to Justina in her room.

Back in his room, Dawson tried to recall the things he was discussing with Justina. He could see from what she said that she was really in love with him. But the question was: Was he equally in love with her? Well, he reasoned that that was a question that will not take him time to answer. Although he was fond of her he was barely in love with her, and this worried him. Sleep finally took him away in his thoughts.