Chapter 4: Bruise and Prayer

Me and mama go Palm Grove Estate first. Na our small house with papa. She run bath for me. Inside bathroom wey hot, I see mark for her neck. Papa beat her.

I no expect to see bruise for my mama body. As I dey rub soap, I dey peep the mark. Mama just look mirror, dey act like say nothing dey happen. My hand dey shake, but I no talk.

I come realise something. Maybe papa love for her na just acting. For my class, Bashir papa dey form good man, but e dey beat him wife. For PTA meeting, she go wear big glasses, but bruise still show. Na still my mama help her find lawyer. I think say dem understand each other.

I remember the day my mama dey tell Bashir mama say, 'No dey hide. If man beat you, talk am out.' But now, na her own body dey carry mark. Life get as e be.

I press my mouth, no wan cry. Bite mark still dey her collarbone. Red spot and mark full her chest. E for pain well. No wonder she dey cry for night. Dem think say I dey sleep, but I dey hear. Papa go talk say e wan bite her, mama go cry hard. But for day, dem no dey quarrel. Papa sabi act. Nonsense man.

That kind pain no be ordinary. Night time, I go hear low sob, sometimes my pillow go wet. I dey pray God go help us, but my faith dey shake small small.

I use my small hand rub balm for her back, whisper one short prayer for her ear, "Mama, God dey your side." Her eyes close small, she nod, as if hope still dey.

But for my mind, I dey beg—make God just show us mercy, even if na small.