Tee's Musings

Days following the event at dawn, Mama Augusta told me what she had heard about the incident. She heard Aunty Ìrètí had gone out with friends the night before...danced and partied all night long...and only returned at dawn.  She heard Mr. Atiládé had waited all night for her... and it was her entrance that woke him from the chair he had sat all night. She heard he became so angry... he lost control... so he beat her... but he regretted it...so he went out and bought her new clothes and bags to show how sorry he is... Aunty Ìrètí forgave and all was well again.

*Image by  Ben Rosett  via https://unsplash.com* Yesterday evening, Aunty  Ìrètí's  scream filled the air. We knew what it meant...Mr. Atiládé is beating his wife again. Mr. Atiládé is a man’s man... many would say he's a leader amongst men...it shows in every step he takes... Strong, Confident, and impressive. And Aunty  Ìrètí  is his ‘beauty queen’ wife.

Our walk to the house was slow… and quiet. I glanced at Augusta… she was looking straight ahead... the relief she felt after Aunty nurse gave us the report was long gone… and now replaced with foreboding... a feeling of doom she could not escape. I wished I could find the words to assure her but even I was not sure how her mother would react.

Earlier this morning, I asked Mama Augusta if Augusta could accompany me today when I go into town... I promised I would bring her back on time. “You know Augusta is your sister, just call her whenever you are ready” she had said. I smiled... yet worried that the information I would later bring will change this mother forever.