Avoiding Hunger

Tuesday (6-9am). Going to the farm seem to be so tiring and brings forth no money. "What will I do to earn money and prove that I am a grown up man in the family." James thought and kept wondering and thinking about what to do, then he complained to Jack. "Brother, I can't remain like this". Jack responded coldly: "Is that why you have been looking at the ceiling since you woke up? Instead of you to do something, you are complaining bitterly to my ears. I don't have strength for talks, remember, none of us ate to bed last night." Jack seems to be disinterested.

"Is that all you can say? You are just acting like everything is cool, in this house."

"You know things are not going on well in this family."

Jack defensively spoke: "Is that my fault? Is it not papa that does not know how to manage his money, except only on drinks, village girls and cigarette?" And in a serious sense they will be warning us against following girls around.

James cut in: "Oh is that why you decide to make friends with all this village girls you know nothing about?"

You said so! Jack said.

"Well, that does not concern me, and as such is non-of my business, if you like acquaint yourself with all the girls around and if papa likes he should smoke fire on grasses, it is none of my business." "What can we do now?"

The door slams opened as JUMMI, their younger sister enters the room without knocking , hunger-stricken and greeted them.

"good morning!"

Jack kept quiet. "Good morning!" James responded, "What about mama?" He immediately asked.

"She is in the parlour." "Is she praying or what? I hope she is not thinking!"

Jummi commented unhappily: "As usual!

She has started thinking again!!" She complained as she reported and sat on the floor.

"What meal are we preparing this morning? Because I am hungry, and I belief, that is why mama is worried." Ah, just what we were actually talking about. But....Jack after a long silence cuts in rudely and unconcerned: "Is mama not in the parlor? Or am I papa?"

"Please, let me be!" He turns

James got disturbed and looked away then kept quiet, after a while he spoke:

"Jack I think we have to, I have to go look for a job, no matter what?"

James sprang up, Jummi stood up, looking at him as he picked a shirt and trouser from the hanger.

She asked caringly : "Brother James, where are you now going to?"JACK intends to discourage him, he asked: "Like what kind of job, do you think you can find out there?"

"Brother there is no Job, in this village except if you want to lay blocks for builders."

"I don't mind! James cut him shot "It's still a job."

He wore a shirt, and left the room.

Jack closed the door and lazily laid back on the bed, telling Jummi to shut the door behind her if she moves to the parlour.

"Mum, good morning!" James said. "Morning, my son how are you?"

"Fine mama, mama I don't like the way you think this days oh!" James complained.

"I am not thinking my son," "I hope your brother is awake, and there was no fight in the room between you two": "Yes mama, No, no fighting mama!"

"Thank God, look come let me advise you, don't you ever under any circumstance make unnecessary, trouble with yourselves, nor allow money or any woman to separate the both of you." She warns.

"Ok, mama!"

MAMA continues: "See the both of you came out the same day, and as you know you are identical, as a result of your, monozygotic nature. Well, that's biology, let's leave that for now. One

may mistake you for him and vice versa, so please stay out of trouble." She exhorted

"Yes ma, understood mama!" James said.

"Where are you dressed, rushing to this morning?"

"Mama, to the Buka, that cafeteria, I wanted to tell you; Mama, I can't continue like

this." "Things are very hard for the family mama. I have thought it wise to look for

a Job." "So please, allow me go search for a job at that mama kitchen restaurant."

Where? She shrugs her shoulders. Calmly James quickly answered. "Anywhere

mama, don't make a fuse, because it is a food selling spot, or a restaurant." "All

we need is money, and since we are old enough to support you and Papa, then, let us play our part." "Or do you appreciate the way Papa beats you whenever you

ask him for money?" "Oh my son, may God bless you! But be careful I beg you."

"OK, Mama, I will."Mama called him back cautiously as he moved out. "Come, come come!" "Why are you not going with your twin brother?"

"He said, he was going to come along" "Are you sure?" "That will be fine!"

James disengaged himself without further delay and explanation as he walked away. "Bye mum."

"Bye, my son!"

As he walks down to 'mama kitchen's restaurant, he saw a sign board with the inscription "SALES BOY WANTED." and got distracted. He paused and said.

"Sales boy job, I hope this is not the type of job that will require me to carry products on my, head for sale." James advanced closer and met Baba, the shop owner outside washing cups: "Good morning Sir."

"Good morning son, yes, palm wine, fresh palm wine here."

"How many bottles my son?" He threw the water from the basin

"No baba," James smiled "I am not buying, I was passing by, and I saw what was inscribed on your sign board, so I came to indicate interest"

Baba's cup slipped from his hand to the floor. Easily and quickly James bent down and picked it up. showing sign of readiness to work

"Thank you." He collected it from him

"Okay, you are interested! I see! You are welcome."

"Yes Sir, thank you Sir." James smiled with enthusiasm,

"Should I have the opportunity, I shall put my very best Sir." He added enthusiastically.

"I really need the job!"

"The Job, are you sure? My son you look desperate."

James nodded his head concurring. "Ok, do you have any experience?" he asked me.

"Palm wine experience? No sir." He laughed

"No problem, if you work very well, for me, then I will pay you very well. With or without certificate, the truth is I can't even pay a WAEC holder, because sales in this, village is very minimal."

"No problem sir, I will manage whatever you give to me."

"Alright then, but you know my customers are the weight of your salary."

"Let me not talk much, I can only afford seven thousand naira. (7,000)."

"Oga no problem, is it not just to serve customers, collect the accurate money and wash the cups."

"No oooooo! You will have to go to fetch fresh palm wine even."

"Ok," He said and anxiously asked, "So when can I start?"

"Right away or tomorrow. Whichever is fine."

"Ok, tomorrow will be better for me." He excitedly walked home.