David Omaroe stared at the large wall clock hung at the far left corner of the sitting room. His eyes blinked several times as if struggling to figure out what the time was. Suddenly his thought shifted and focuses on Victor who had become rude in his financial demand. The more he thought about Victor the less he still cannot understand why he acted the way he did two days ago.

Two days ago, David could remember Victor was desperate, so desperate to have twenty thousand dollars for nothing. He got no business plan. No investment ideas and David knew he was going to gamble it all out and never consented to his demands. And that was completely frustrating for Victor. And David could see that in his eyes—the anguish, everything. 

David's thoughts soon vanished as the walking footsteps of his son Ade caught his attention. Turning around from the chair he sat, he smiled and stood up. “Behold my son, Ade Omaroe. I can see you are all dressed for the occasion, but your tie—let me do that for you.”

Ade Omaroe put on a smile and watched his father adjust his tie to position carefully. Immediately he was done. Ade waited for him to say something.

“I have waited for this day son, and I am glad it finally came. I am quite sure the zoo will be full of guests from all over the country–hmm. I am sure you will like to see the Lion and Gorilla?”

Ade nodded carefully, still eager to listen to his father say more.

David pulled him to the armchair behind him and looked into his eyes. He could see his face on Ade but his eyes looked different—fearless but calm. Look like those of his mother, Cynthia. 

As his eyes caught the wall clock again for the second time, he wondered what Cynthia was still doing upstairs. His thoughts again faded but his awakened mind powered his eyes on Ade.

 He just celebrated his sixth year birthday a fortnight ago.

“My son don’t you ever forget the words of the Lord that say, my son, attend to my words. Incline thine ears unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes. Keep them in the midst of thine heart for they are life unto those that find them and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.”

Ade nodded with a smile and then adjusted himself on the armchair he sat still gazing at the face of his father. And had never stopped wondering why his father will always put him in remembrance of God’s words.

As silence hung above them for minutes, Cynthia stepping down loudly from the staircase got their attention and they turned to stare. The heel on her shoe was astonishing.

“Wahoo, Mom you look good. And I am sure the monkeys will never stop jumping in their cage. When they see you—”

Cynthia quickly interrupted, “Monkeys?” She laughed and then sat down as she adjusts her shoes.

Suddenly, their attention was drawn again. This time to the phone on the center table that was ringing out loud. David stood up to answer it. 

Barely one minute later Cynthia and Ade could hear his voice, he was on top of it now but the words that followed gave them a hint of who the caller was after all. 

“Are you out of your mind? Two days ago you walked out on me and now you are just being ridiculous—” 

 David noticed the phone gone dead perhaps Victor had dropped angrily.

“Darling, who was that?” Cynthia whose eyes were fixed on David ever since he picked up the phone demanded calmly to be certain her hunch was right.

David spun around, still in shock. “It was Victor. I think he is acting like a lunatic. He is asking for what I cannot give him. He wants to squander everything in smoking, alcohol, and gambling. And I won’t let him do that because it is my hard earn money and not his.” He dropped down the phone with his right hand still drumming nervously on his trouser. He looked at Cynthia, then at Ade, just wondering if he noticed anything. And when he was sure he didn’t he walked up to him and spoke to him rather thoughtfully.

“That was your uncle Victor, don’t be like him.” 

Ade watched his father straighten up but still wondering what he meant. And when his words came again, his thoughts dropped.

“It is time; we must be on our way now.”

They held their hands as they walked to the car. 

“One we are and one we will always be,” Ade whispered Cynthia’s fun song for the family, as he walked closely behind his parents.