"...is that too much to ask? To monitor the boys. Mason why are you doing this to me? Why? Why? "
She couldn't bring herself to understand why this is happening to her. She had warned her husband earlier about their coming to Las Vegas. The Nevada state of all states...the great home of gambling and all sorts of crime. To make matters worse, Mason isn't monitoring the boys. "Is this meant to be a family cycle? " She and her brothers had lived in the state of Nevada. Today, her brothers are drug addicts and professional gamblers who frequent prison and rehabilitation centres. It was in this Las Vegas that she lost that innocence. Now her boys are doomed to walk in the pathway she and her brothers have gone. Mason doesn't see anything in what she's saying. He thinks everyone is responsible for their actions. To him, there is nothing like a cycle.
"You lived your childhood, let the children live theirs too. Stop crying about the past. Let the children also choose who they want to be.
Well, can Dora ever blame him. He didn't know too much about her. If only he knew what happened in 1965
Dec 19 1965
"Kokoroko!" That's the sound of the christmas chicken. It's six days to Christmas and chief Ndukwe does not joke with Christmas. He has bought the cock they would slaughter. The children are also more than excited. They are among the few privileged who have got the opportunity to buy hen and rice. Chief Ndukwe is really influential...
Dec 24 1965(In the kitchen)
Adaora: mama, is nnene coming tomorrow?
Mama: she is...the driver has been sent to pick her. She should be here by the first cock crow.
Dede ran into the house panting. "Mama, mama, mama, come see the sky outside... It's dark and smoke is coming out...it's a different kind of firework."
Mama wasn't too interested but she was persuaded to go out. Just before they got outside, they heard a shot. It isn't a gunshot but a bomb shot...the war continues even on a Christmas eve. Everyone was panicking.
Some minutes later, Mr Ndukw came in.
"Everbody, start packing, we're leaving to tonight"
Mama quickly packed a few things. there was no time for her to ask questions. She quickly strapped Nnamdi to her back and off they left the godforsaken country. That Christmas became a riceless and chickenless Christmas. A Christmas never to be forgotten in spite of its horrorful nature. Adaora, now Dora has not forgotten . it is forever green in her memory.
March 1997( Murtala Muhammed Airport)
" We're in Nigeria,boys"
" Whahu!" Exclaimed Shan
"When is dad joining us?" Asked George
Dora was lost in thought that and remembered that "dad" isn't going to ever join them. She was alone with her boys and no other family. Her marriage has gone but she's got back home. That's enough. It's enough to be home when the moon decides to come out at noon.
