Madam Minister (part 6)

Ekaite had been part of this escapade for months. She knew what would happen. Waiting on her Madam to jaunt, and then would tiptoe back into the room to clean up any mess.

She got there on time. And pulled Madam up to the bed. Covered her in blankets. And began tidying up.

Kate could not sleep too. Those sirens, the retinue of attendants, and Ndi coming back home in the dead of night gave her goose pimples. She had removed the blankets, and was lying on her back, gazing at the dark ceiling. Then she heard scampering footsteps. Who would that be, parading up and down the stairs for this long, she wondered.

She came down the bed, and went into the corridor. The noise was coming her left direction. She followed it, and came to a big engraved wooden door. It was open a little. She pushed it further apart, and went in. A girl came out of the lavatory, carrying bowl and mop, tears flowing down her cheeks.

“Ekaite…! What is the matter,” Kate asked.

She jumped back, dropping the things in her hands.

Kate went close, and held her.

“What is happening here,” she asked, glaring at the scene, pointing at bottle and stains.

Ekaite started sobbing.

“She drinks.”

Ekaite nodded her head.

“How long has she been on it.”

Ekaite shook her head. Then whispered, “I don’t know.”

Kate stared at her.

“You don’t remember.”

“No, Auntie.”

“Months…years.”

Ekaite nodded her head.

“Let me help you,” said Kate. She took the mop on the floor, doused it in water, and began to wipe the stains. Ekaite picked up the strewn things. And put them back on stands. She walked to the bed, and pull blankets over Madam.

Then a cry went off. It was in the direction of the children’s room.

“Who is it?”

“Nene! Just a minute,” Ekaite said, and ran out.

Kate looked around. It was a wide room. The walls were cream. The drapes on arch windows were light pink. A two door fridge was opposite the bed. An air conditioner, high up on the wall, was humming little by little. A large wardrobe was besides the door to a lavatory. The bed was very wide with fluffy blankets and pillows. Ndi, her sister in law, was lying across it on her tummy, breathing noisily.

Where will I begin to placate Soso? How will I bring them together? I’m sure he knows all about this than I do. Lot of questions to ask. And Ekaite seems the key, she thought. Then she took the mopping things into the bathroom to washed up.

“Nene, Nene, my little girl,” said Ekaite. She lifted her from the bed to her laps. And began rocking her.

“Mom, mom, where are you?

Gone to shop to buy some dolls.

Whose dolls are those?

Dolls for my little girl, Nene…Nene.”

She sang over and over again, moving the child back and forth. Then both slept.