-Shelley-

It's the 22nd of December, and since my unit is on a Christmas break, I've decided to take the opportunity to visit my folks. I moved to the capital after school for work and haven't visited home since. Avoiding my Dad is one reason for that, as I can't stand the man and hate him for breaking our family apart. Nevertheless, I've been away for far too long and must return, even if it's just for a few days.

As I picked up my travel bag to pack my things, I pondered: what else do I need for this journey? I need to pack light; it's just for a few days, and then I make my way back to my life. I believe I can survive that with my dad around.

As I move to the wardrobe, I draw out a few clothes and place them in my bag.

I made sure all my things were packed before closing my suitcase. As I was about to leave, I realized I couldn't find my phone. I tapped my back pocket but it wasn't there. I began searching through my suitcase and looked all around the house, from the bedroom to the kitchen and even the bathroom.

"Urrr!" In what place is it?" I moved back and forth. Pulling clothes all over the floor.

'Tring, Tring,' the phone rings. "Where could it be?" Upon retrieving the sheet from the bed, I discovered its presence.

On the screen, it flashes the caller ID to be an unknown number. You must be kidding me. I picked it up and said, "Hello! Who is this?"

"Good morning. Am I speaking to Miss Dickson?" Said the voice on the line.

"Morning, and yes, you are. Who am I speaking to?"

"How have you been?" The voice asks.

"Fine," I replied with a hint of annoyance in my voice.

'It's Adam.'

As soon as I heard his name, my jaw dropped, and my eyes widened in disbelief. I stood up abruptly. "How on earth did you acquire my number? What have you been up to? And why are you calling me?" All I could do was mumble anything that came to mind.

"It doesn't matter how I got your number, he says, but I am glad I did. This past month has been challenging, and to answer your question about how I am doing, I would say that I am not doing well."

"You see, I long to speak with you, but since you refused to give me your number, I couldn't do so, and please don't say I knew where you work. If I had shown up, you would have accused me of stalking you."

Sitting back down at the edge of my bed for the first time, I was speechless. "I am so sorry you had a rough month. I hope this month will be different."

"It will be if only you agree to meet me, he says."

"You mean now?"

He began by saying, "I would be happy if you could do so today, but if not, how about tomorrow?"

"I am sorry, I cannot. I am travelling. As a matter of fact, I was on my way out when you called. I am going to visit my parents in my hometown."

"When will you be back? he asked."

"'On the 25th of this month.'" I replied.

"I cannot believe I am losing you again." He says disappointedly.

Smirking, I reply, saying, "You say it as if you had me."

"Chuckling, he says, funny Miss Dickson."

'Shelley,' call me 'Shelley,' please.

"I will do so if only you call me by my first name as well." He states.

"I have to go, Mr, Have a good day."

***

Seated in the car, I stared out the window. It feels like I've been on the road for an eternity. The discomfort in this vehicle is unbearable. The cacophony of women gossiping, babies crying, and children shouting fills the air, drowning out any chance of a peaceful journey. To make matters worse, the driver is careening down the road at breakneck speed as if he's forgotten that he's carrying people, not animals.

After a long and exhausting ride, I am finally home. As I made my way inside, I called out, "Mom, Dad, am home," as I announced my entry.

"Is that my daughter's voice?" my mom asks as she enters the living room.

"Mom!" I exclaimed, wrapping her in a tight hug. "I've missed you so much." As she pulled away to look at me, she said, "Finally, my lost daughter returns."

"I was never lost, Mom; I just stayed away. Where is Dad?" Shrugging her shoulders, she said, "He must be somewhere here." As if on cue, he joins the room.

"Is that the melodious voice of my beautiful daughter I hear? Has no one informed you of how enchanting you look?" he exclaims, gazing at me with admiration as he approaches. "Surely you must have captured the heart of some lucky soul."

"Please, Dad, not now."

"What! I am only stating the obvious. Anyway, let's get you settled in your room." As we made our way to my room with my bag in my dad's hand, he looked back at me and said, "We kept it just the way you left it, your mom and I."

As we made our way through the corridors of the house, I pondered. It's such a wonderful feeling to finally be back home. Stepping through the front door, I'm greeted by a flood of memories from my childhood. The familiar sights of old furniture, the comforting wall decors, and the warm, loving smiles of my dear mother all make me realize just how special it is to return to the place where I grew up. There's something truly magical and heartwarming about being back home.

Once in my room, taking in the surroundings, I realized he was right. Everything looked exactly as I had left it. Nothing was moved or rearranged. Although it was clear that it had been cleaned recently for my arrival.

The moment I let my luggage fall to the ground, my mother looks at me and says...

'You must be hungry." Pulling me along, she said, "Come, my daughter. I have prepared your favourite meal. Waakye and wale with salad."

"You shouldn't have bothered to cook, Mom," I said. Waving me off, she added, "Don't be a silly child. I am glad to do this for you. Now sit while I serve you."

Seating myself at the dining table, I inquired about the whereabouts of my little brother. "Wasn't he supposed to be here for Christmas before me?" I asked. Glancing up at me, my mom replied, "He was here, but he just left a minute ago. He said he's off to visit a friend."

"Ah, I see," I said. In the middle of eating, I glanced over at my mom and asked, "So, how have things been? You know, with Dad." She replied, "You know how it's always been with your father-being your father."

"What is that supposed to mean," he says as he walks in on our conversation. "Haven't I been going out less? You know, retirement could be very boring. Staying home all day doing nothing. Is not one of my strong suits. I have been trying. I am even drinking less now. "

"Really. You have?"

"Don't start with me, woman! It's too late for this." My dad warns.

"Are you going to get that, Shelley?" Mom asked.

"Get what?"

"The phone, it has been ringing," she says. "Ow! Sorry, I did not hear that. Excuse me, I have to take this."

Leaving the room, I slowly make my way to my bedroom. After answering the call, I closed the door behind me. "Hello! I thought I would never say this, but boy, am I so happy you called when you did."

"What happened?" says the man at the other end of the line.

"Nothing of importance. Mr. Adam, you called. What seems to be the issue?"

"I'm just calling to check up on you. To find out if you got home, save." He says.

I responded, "Yes, I have."

How was your trip? he added.

"It was awful. I am sore all over and tired. What I will give is to have someone bathe me." Laughing, he said, "Can I sign up for that?"

Mr. Adam, are you being funny or serious? "

'Can I be both?' Besides, we did agree that we were going to call each other by our first names."

"I don't recall ever agreeing to that," I say.

"Is that so?" he asked.

"Ow yes."

"Miss Shelley, stop being difficult."

"I'm not."

"You know, with the little I have learned about you, I am beginning to think you are difficult to reason with."

"That isn't true?" I protested.

"If not, then please agree to call me by my first name," he stated. Lying in bed, I replied, "I am not used to doing what men want. I am used to doing things my way."

"Can't you make an exception here, Shelley?"

"You don't give up easily, do you, Mr. Adam?"

"I'm afraid not. You and I both know you want to. So why not do so?"

I responded, "Doing so will mean accepting you into my life, and I'm afraid I can't do that."

"Is it so bad to be friends with me?" he asks. Just when I was about to answer that, my little brother entered my room, throwing himself on my bed.

"What do you think you're doing?" His eyes twinkled with mischief as he said, "I'm trying to annoy you, and it looks like I'm succeeding."

'Is everything okay, Shelley?'

"Sorry, that wasn't meant for you. It was my little brother who stormed into my room without even knocking."Seriously, Sam, what if I was naked?"

"Then you are. What is wrong with that?" he said. I hit him with my pillow and asked him to leave. He replied, "You're only asking me to leave because you're on the phone with your boyfriend and you don't want me in on your conversation."

Being irritated by my brother's behaviour, I responded, "It's none of your business who I'm talking to. Just leave."

"Alright, I'm leaving, but do tell him he shouldn't worry. I don't mind sharing you with him." Laughing, he closes the door behind him.

'What a jerk!' "Hello, are you there? I'm so sorry you heard that," Chuckling, he said, "never mind. Your brother seems interesting."

"No, he is not. He is a thorn in my side," he replied, "Most of them are, my dear."
Intrigued by his statement, I asked, "How do you know? Do you happen to have a younger brother of your own?"
He responded, "Something like that." Then, he went silent for a moment.

"Well, Ben, it has been nice talking with you, but I must be going. I am tired, and I need to rest up." Chuckling, he says, "Finally, you called me by my first name. It wasn't hard, was it?" Laughing, I bid him goodbye as I hung up the phone.

As I get ready to crash for the night, I saunter over to the restroom to wash up.