Chapter 9

Sophia was awake staring at the intricate carvings on the ceiling above her.

The constant noise of the crickets from outside her window was the only sound heard at such a dead hour while her mind traipsed.

She painstakingly sat up on her bed and sighed dejectedly. One look at her stiff legs the depression would seem to come back in full force.

Nobody would ever imagine waking up to discover their limbs had become numb, docile, and forever lose the privilege to walk.

Freda her help wasn't around anymore to help her to her wheelchair, So she decided to do it herself.

Sophia struggled to get on her chair and fetch a glass of water from the kitchen since the one kept on her bedside was finished.

She drank a lot of water whenever she was nervous and she was nervous because today Stanley and Maureen had insisted on seeing the investigation to its end. After all, the police found the culprit.

She wasn't bent on punishing anyone for putting her in such situations. She felt it was more of what she deserved for being a burden to everyone she ever knew.

Since her birth mother Cecilia took ill and was diagnosed with cancer, Sophia had felt she was an extra hand to feed to her late parents.

Though they never made her feel so she could at least understand that even the best medical treatment wasn't given to her mother because they wanted to save up for Sophia's future.

Now, whenever she remembered her so-called future she'd laugh at herself. "Now where's the so-called future" She'd think.

She thought her stepmother and Stanley must have perceived her as a burden too. She didn't want to become more to the person behind her confined state.

And with those thoughts twirling in her disarrayed mind she pleaded with her opinionated stepmother who insisted on seeing the investigation to its last bits.

Sophia knew that being compassionate wasn't a sign of weakness as people perceived but she didn't want to become baggage anymore.

After her parent's death, people especially her classmates pitied her. They looked at her like some fragile glass and she hated it. And now it became worse.

Being pitied was what she'd avoided after her mother Cecelia died but it seemed fate kept throwing ill lucks at her and she would recall ceaseless times she woke at night to cry in sheer agony and flare for her hopeless predicaments and all her lost loved ones.

She felt so alone in this world. she missed her happy childhood so much. The nostalgia was choking and unbearable.

While her thoughts ran wild, she ventured into the kitchen and opened the fridge,  took a bottle of water, and gulped it down in an attempt to clear her clogged up throat and suppress her desire to wail in anguish.

She would forever be grateful to Stan for his kindness. But her only fear was that she might be disrupting his youthful life. he had a lot to live for than harboring a cripple. She knew.

The thought of suicide came to her many times especially when she recently returned from the hospital but she had no guts.

While she was still in the kitchen, Stanley walked in surprised at seeing Sophia all alone in the kitchen.

"Hey... Couldn't sleep?" He asked taking out bottled water from the fridge.

"No... I came to get a drink. You?."

"I couldn't, am nervous about today. Do you know? The whole investigation and what the outcome would be. I bet you're more nervous than I am" He asked folding his arms inadvertently flexing his biceps that were well accentuated by the sleeved shirt.

Stanley was a good-looking guy and a quiet one. Sophia admired the fact that he was so good with his job and was very hardworking.

"Yes, I am. But I still think you and mum should let it go" She made a pity face.

"No! Not happening. We already talked about this and you know Maureen would never let it go. Am just sad she might make a rash decision you know? " he shrugged knowing how impetuous Maureen could be.

"Yeah... Me too, but can't you stop her?."

"I would've loved to but she's your legal guardian. So I have little or no say at all" He finished still staring down at her.

"I know it's so difficult for you Sophia but I promise if you need anything at all just tell me. No one who put you here deserves to be happy while you're sad."

Sophia smiled shyly at him and nodded in affirmation. Stan was at it again and she wasn't forgetting that she was still a young girl who hardly knew what it was like to be attracted to the opposite sex.

Stanley was the only male figure close to her and showered her with so much care.

Countless times she thought of Stan and wanted him to look at her with much more intense feelings, to make her feel desirable and young but all she saw in those distant black eyes were kindness and a flicker of pity in them.

Her hopes dashed and crushed to the muds as quickly as the thoughts occurred. The uncertainties around her were draining her emotionally but she wouldn't say.

"Who am I deceiving? I mean nobody wants a cripple! Stan is a good man, he's not for someone like me" She thought.

He always treated her as a doctor would to his patient. She wasn't going to complain because she was grateful at least.

"Yes... thanks, I'll always remember that" She assured him, shivering internally from the turmoil of her mind.

Stan returned the smile and helped her back to her room while telling her the importance of getting a good night's sleep.

***

At the station.

Maureen and Stanley arrived very early and were waiting for God knows who. Maureen was impatient. The officers were always slacking in one way or the other. She hated places like this and now she was forced to stay here more.

"Can't we get on with this already?... I mean who exactly are we waiting for and why isn't he here?" She complained to Stan.

"I think it's the family of the culprit, the police want them here before anything happens."

"Well, they should put a call through to them because I can't spend my whole day in such places."

"Officer!" She called one of them who just finished on the phone.

"Yes madam?."

"What or who the hell are we waiting for? We've been here for like twenty minutes and yet nothing."

"Ma... Uhm... you see..." he was interrupted when the other officers stood to greet someone.

The policemen greeted Ernest Bestman once he stepped in alongside his wife Olivia both exuding authority and respect.

"Good morning sir and madam."

"Officer Richmond, I apologize for my lateness. How is my son?" Ernest spoke in his deep authoritative yet polite voice.

"He's safe sir. But the victim's family has been here for a while now and almost riled up."

"I must see them and apologize. Where are they?" He asked the officer.

His wife held unto him while on his way.

"Darling, what of our son? We should see him first, those people can wait!" She said.

"Dear we're here for him but don't forget he is the reason a young girl's life has taken a different direction and her family too. At least let's tell ourselves the truth" Ernest walked with the officers to where Maureen and Stanley sat.

"Good day sir and madam, I apologize deeply for keeping you waiting, I'm Mr. Ernest Bestman and my wife Olivia" He introduced.

"Oh no worries sir, I know who you are the pleasure is all mine" Maureen claimed cheerfully surprising the officers.

Stan wasn't at all surprised at how she softened, once she saw the senator with his wife.

He shook the man and they all took their seat.

So officer Richmond continued.

"Mrs. Moore, your daughter was hit by his son on his way back from a nightclub. And he fled the scene. And sir. Your son never cared to look back and attend to the victim. He made his statement yesterday he agreed to be the one behind the wheel."

"I want to hear it from my son's mouth, I don't trust you people at all" Olivia said bitterly.

"I should be the one bitter here madam!" Maureen added.

"My daughter is crippled! And has no chance of getting better. Now you sit here to defend your irresponsible son?!" She barked taking Stan and the rest by surprise.

Olivia stood up from beside her husband

"My son isn't irresponsible. Rather it's your daughter who is. What will a young girl like her be doing outside her home at such devilish hour?!."

Ernest held his wife and encouraged her to sit.

"Please, let's not banter now it wouldn't help the situation" Ernest pleaded.

"Of course not sir, because my daughter is the faulted one here. I could sue him you know? But I want to respect you sir" Maureen said with well-plotted emotions.

Ernest nodded in submission. While Olivia was still fuming with anger.

The officer brought in Jason later, his mother rushed to him and engulfed him in a tight hug.

"How are you Jason, Did they beat you up? have you eaten?" She asked in a breath.

"No mum am fine" He smiled painfully.

"Nothing happened just the mosquitoes" He tried a joke which Olivia didn't catch.

"Jason, you took my car for a night club and on your way home drunk you hit a girl, and instead of helping her to the hospital, you sped off. Isn't it true?" Ernest asked.

"Yes sir."

"You shouldn't apologize to me but them" He pointed at Maureen and Stanley.

"Am sorry madam and sir. I regret my actions and I know it won't in any way repair what happened."

"Of course it won't" Maureen interjected.

"My daughter was in the ICU for weeks on life support. She was in comatose struggling for her life and I was to run around for the bills. I have nothing since my husband is dead. And left us with nothing!..." She paused to wipe the tears from her eyes.

Then continued.

"The doctors in charge wanted to pull the life plug off her if I didn't get the full payment. My Sophia almost died... But thanks to almighty God, she is a fighter, and very lucky, Dr. Stanley here" She said pointing at him.

"He saved her life by accepting to pay all the bills for us. He even took us in because I sold my house and all my properties just to mop up the bills. And was left with nothing" She cried, Stanley, rubbed her back to soothe her.

"So if you think your son was a victim of circumstance and I'm just here to get your money, then I think you have to switch positions with me and my daughter, I swear I'd pay you any amount you want, but lemme tell you something. Even if you were me. You wouldn't take any amount I give you because it won't bring back your son's legs. It won't bring back his full energetic self!" She barked atop her voice.

By then Olivia was wiping her tears, Jason too wept like a baby. Ernest was very touched but tried not to cry.

Maureen wiped her tears and breathed out heavily.

Everyone there kept calm and recollected, no one dared to break the silence. So Stanley spoke up for the first time since he came.

"We don't mean to spite you, but since it has happened we don't want to cause more problems especially now she can hardly remember her old self."

Ernest spoke up "We're very sorry doctor and madam. We never would have wished for such things on anyone, not even us" Olivia nodded beside him.

"I'd love to visit your daughter with my family, this apology should be given to her directly. I and my family will visit and apologize. Is it okay ma?" Ernest asked.

His wife wasn't so pleased but she kept to herself. Jason watched in shock, the last thing he wanted to do was see the face of the girl he hit. It would haunt him for life.

"It's alright sir. Sophia would love that. You know she isn't even a disturbing child. Always on her own. But I guess bad things always find good people no matter how far they run from it."

"Maureen don't say things like that, it's depressing" Stanley cautioned.

But she shrugged.

"And I insist on paying double the bill and extra compensation. At Least for her regular check-up that's the least, we can do."

Stanley thanked Ernest and his wife and excused himself, saying he was on duty at the hospital soon. So he left with Maureen.

Officer Richmond made sure Jason signed the necessary paperwork for discharge. So he left with his parents.

Ernest didn't speak to his son on their way home and Jason failed to meet eyes with anyone. The guilt was eating him up. He just wanted a hot bath and nice sleep to forget for a while.

Don't forget to vote, thanks.