The Sword called Divorce (Episode 3)

                

“What did you say?” Nike asked when she’d recovered.

                “I know what daddy did.”

                Nike buried her head in her hands, praying that the next words that left her mouth were not a mistake.

                “What did he do?” She asked.

                “You know. I know. I still think you can forgive him.” 

                Nike sat up, and took her daughter by the shoulders: “Look here young lady, when you’re thirty and married and your husband does to you what your daddy did to me…then we can have this chat. So, don’t you dare judge me.”

                Marie looked away. There was nothing more to be said. It was obvious her mother’s mind was made up.

                Nike stood up and left the room without a word.

               

Nine days later, Marie found out the identity of the other woman by chance.

                It was a Wednesday and she’d just returned from school, she’d come home a little earlier because she’d faked sickness in school. It was no use hanging around classes when she couldn’t concentrate on a word being said.

                As she neared the front door, she heard the voices. Her mother’s voice and another voice that sounded very familiar to her.

                “…get out.” Her mother was saying.

                “Don’t do this ma. Please I beg you.” The second voice belonged to a woman.

                “You still dare ‘ma’ me? Eh…Izie? If you respected me enough you would have stayed away from my husband!”

Marie almost fainted. Sister Izie! She was the one who’d broken her family apart! Oh Lord…

                “It was the devil’s handwork ma. I beg you. Please forgive him.” Izie was weeping now.

                “So, you’re here to advocate on behalf of my husband? That is the level we have reached abi? Ingrate! Get out of my house now before I throw you out!”

                Marie wasn’t fast enough this time and before she could move, the front door swung open and she found herself looking into the face of a teary Sister Izie and her mother right behind her.

                “You! Get inside now!” Mum shouted.

                Marie opened her mouth to say something vile to Sister Izie. But she couldn’t seem to think of something to say to the woman who was weeping openly before her.

                “Get inside Marie! I will deal with you later.” Her mother said again.

                “Why, Sister Izie?” Marie asked and without waiting for an answer, ran into the house.

                “I don’t want to see you anywhere near my family again.” Nike said with calculated calm as her daughter left.

                “Please ma, I’m sorry. You know I love the children.” Izie was still crying.

                “Well, obviously I made a mistake. You loved my children and decided to extend it to my husband. You have no right to love them anymore. You just destroyed our lives.”

                Nike watched with unblinking eyes as Izie walked away with her head bowed.

                Why had God allowed this to happen to her? Her own husband and Izie! The thought of it still repulsed her.

                Izie; the girl she’d taken under her wing. The girl she’d loved because she reminded her so much of her younger sister. Izie; her own convert…yes, the only soul she’d say could be credited to her account in heaven.

                Izie, that she’d let into her home and given access to everything. She could still remember her words to Izie when she’d brought her to the house for the first time.

                “My home is your home, Izie darling. Feel free whenever you’re here.” She’d said, feeling generous. The women leader with influence.

                “Oh ma! You’re so kind! God bless you!” Izie had gushed with gratitude.

                “You know we are put on earth to bless others. So, my dear…feel free to come around. My home is your home and God’s love is here in abundance. Oya, come let’s enter the kitchen and get you something to eat.”

                And so it had begun. Six whirlwind months of having Izie in their lives. Six months she’d thoroughly enjoyed, she couldn’t deny it now. Izie had been wonderful. The kids loved her. Nike did too. And apparently, Joe had loved her…only, he’d taken his love too far.

                Forgive? Ha!

                The thought made Nike shudder. Two people she loved very much had betrayed her. How and where did forgiveness come in? Even God will understand how she hurt. Judas Iscariot had, after all betrayed Jesus. And he’d paid.

                As she turned to go back inside the house, she thought of her daughter who’d overheard the conversation. Marie loved Izie…they’d gotten along well together. What would this do to her?

                Marie was lying face down on the bed when her mother entered her room, she didn’t stir. She didn’t want her mother to see the tears in her eyes.

                “Sweetheart?” Nike called softly.

                There was no answer.

                The bed creaked as Nike sat on it and put a hand around her child.

                “She’s the one, isn’t she?” Marie’s voice was muffled by the pillow.

                Nike inhaled deeply. How was she to answer that question?

(To be continued…)