PA JOSH'S TALE

"...Do not take things too hard on your self. Just believe in yourself. It's a matter of time, things shall fall into place." Pa Josh lifted himself from the chair that had bore his light weight for about two hours. Almost every vein in his trembling right hand could be seen as he held tight to his walking stick which was obviously his only support.

Dennis, who sank his chin in the hollow of his palms, looked at Pa Josh but didn't really see him struggle to lift himself up. His wont would have been to support him, but he was immersed in his thought.

"I can't hear your footsteps behind me." Pa Josh said after taking about six steps away.

Everyone knew Pa Josh to be a garrulous old man. He got worse as the day went by. Some people attributed it to his old age. 

"Pa Josh, what would happen if you don't talk for a day?" Mercy, Pa Josh's third grand child, had once asked innocently in the presence of her parents. The question sounded embarrassing to her parents, but not to Pa Josh, who laughed raising his face up like the laughter would spill off his mouth.

The only time Pa Josh didn't talk was when he always played old skool music through his old radio set, which his children tried to convince him to no avail to change. The last time was quite a rage,  when Adanna came back from Australia with her family. But they settled it by agreeing to respect Pa Josh choice as long as it wasn't not having negative effect on his health.

"Good things don't come easily. If it comes easily, then it's not worth it."
Pa Josh was looking into Dennis' eyes filled with uncertainty through the rear mirror. They met their gazes for a few seconds before Dennis ignited the engine of the car. The drive back home wasn't as lively as it used to be.

Dennis was Pa Josh's driver for two years before the ghastly accident that claimed the lives of his wife and only son two weeks ago occurred. He attempted murder four days back when Pa Josh was away for a family meeting in the village. Pa Josh's children kicked against him driving their father to the village because of his condition. He was really acting strangely, that Pa Josh stopped him from going back home. A room was prepared for him in Pa Josh's mansion.

"You are already a member of this family, and nobody can deprive you of that right." Pa Josh closed the door behind him after speaking with Dennis when he newly parked into his mansion.

There was a sudden tension that shook life out of everybody that was in the mansion when Kaite, Pa Josh's cleaner, screamed with every joule of strength in her. All road led to her direction as she screamed out Pa Josh's name. The tension grew. Some ran towards Pa Josh's room, but saw him already closing his door.

"Dennis is gone!"

Life became lonely for Pa Josh, who rarely came out of his room. For fear, Chibuike, his first son was contacted and told about their father's development. Chika and Dozie, the last daughter and son of Pa Josh flew into the country the following week. Pa Josh was flown out of the country two weeks later for treatment.

Pa Josh's tale unfolds in the next episode.