"Be good boys, always remember nobody's gonna help you except your brother" mum said as she gasped for breath. She held my hand and my elder brothers as we sat both sides of her sick bed watching her struggle to speak. The doctor stood behind me rubbing my back to console me. Mum had cancer and was in her last moments. As tender as I was , I knew she had no chances of surviving during the past few months. Although she had tried putting up this superwoman appearance by working on her computer day and night. Severally I asked her how she felt, she would give me a faint smile and reply that she was as strong as iron man who happened to be my favorite superhero character. She had grown so pale and deteriorated over the months. Always complaining of being weak. I wondered why she didn't accept to stay at the hospital as the doctor had insisted.
I looked over to Japheth, my elder brother. He was trying so hard to hold back tears. One could visibly notice the pain in his face. He stared back at me and gave me a nod. As if to console me that all will be fine. Well as a smart going boy I knew all wasn't fine and will never be fine as it is now.
I recalled how we struggled to feed over the years after dad had died. We stopped schooling at the private school downtown and enrolled in a public school. Mum had told us that it was only for the meantime. That she needed to cut down costs so she could be able to pay other bills at home. I watched my dad's lawyer come over to the house. And mum would ask me and Japheth to get to our rooms. She would banter with the lawyer for hours then I would stand at the window and watch as the lawyer would make his way out of our house into his car and zoom off. And all through that day mum will put up a sad look. I always wondered what the lawyer told mum that made her so sad. One time she had called us into her room and talked to us.
" Things are about to change a lot around here boys. We have to cut costs more than how we've already done until I get a job. But I don't want you guys to fidget or get scared. You boys are my strength and joy. You have to be strong for me, for us to survive at this point giving that your dad has nothing left in his possession apart from this house we're staying in. But I promise to give you boys my best. I just need your support now" Mum said in a teary voice. I looked up to her and she had tears in her eyes. I wiped them off with my hands. She looked at me and faked a smile. And held me tight.
"Mum, don't worry, we're going to be just fine. Trust me" Japheth had assured mum. I wondered how he got such courage. We stayed there with mum in her room until we fell asleep.
Mum had kept to her promise in her own little way. She made sure we didn't lack the basic things of life. She worked shifts at several jobs just so she could keep food at the table. I watchef mum go from the vibrant young woman she was to a haggly looking lady her fine skin shrinked like leather in harmattan. But she never relent until she started getting sick at intervals she lost some of her jobs cause she wasn't regular due to days she took sick leaves. Up until the moment she couldn't go out anymore. Her strength gradually deteriorated. She picked up a writing job that gave her the opportunity to write from home. And every day mum worked on her computer.
Japheth had also taken up a job at the paper factory just down the street to help support mum. And I'm my own little way I made sure mum didn't have to do much house chores as I helped her in the little way I could. What do you expect of a 7year old boy?.
Now here we are sitting by mum's bedside, praying she doesn't leave us with tears in our eyes.
" I've been able to save up some cash from my writing gigs. They will be enough to see you boys through highschool and if luck shines on you, college too. Japheth has my card already." She took a breath again and continued. " Stay in love and understanding with each other and most especially be strong you'll survive. You're my iron man and second husband" mum called us respectively with a smile. Then she shut her eyes.
"Mum" I called her but she didn't respond.
Japheth shook her and yet no reply. Tears dropped in my eyes. I knew it was time but I didn't want to believe it.
"Take your brother outside" the doctor commanded Japheth as he picked me up and we walked out of the room. That was the last time I saw my mum.
"We'll be fine," Japheth said to me as he held me close to his arms. He was the only thing I had left in this world.
