The Prodigal Renegade. Victor Fakunle

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      “Did you call for me, sir?”

      “Yes, I did, he replied.” Get your bags packed. You are moving out of this house to stay with your Uncle Jide.”

      That was unexpected. He still had to consider if suicide was still a better option.

      Uncle Jide was the General’s first cousin. A shrewd educator and a disciplinarian with a no-nonsense attitude. He lived at Fola-Agoro, a middle-class suburb on the outskirts of the slum of Bariga, on the east side of Lagos. Danny and his parents had visited Uncle Jide and his family often. A nostalgic feeling of boredom and uncertainty came over him. They had an old black & white television with an external antenna that reminded him of the Flintstones. The living room had lots of books on the shelves. This was not Danny’s ideal escape, but it beats another bout with the General.

      Danny and Evelyn arrived at Uncle Jide’s flat later in the evening. Evelyn was still sobbing. Danny had always hated seeing his mum cry. He felt a heavy burden of guilt and wished she was not there with him. Outside the flat was a sea of candles used by traders on the streets. The whole neighborhood was in darkness. This was not a surprise to Danny. The Nigerian Electric Power Authority was notorious in this regard. The lack of electricity for up to twenty hours a day was a common phenomenon, despite its officials harassing its customers for payment.

      Aunt Kemi opened the door, knelt briefly and stood to embrace Evelyn. She was tall, beautiful and elegant, and the reason Danny had been able to endure his visits there. It was obvious that Uncle Jide was not home; it was hard to miss the old green Peugeot 504 with the plate number KDA4077 siting outside. It had belonged to the General when they lived in Kaduna. Uncle Jide had bought it a few years back from his dad and fixed it up.

      Aunt Kemi eventually persuaded Evelyn to go home and assured her Danny was in good hands. It was late and getting dark.

      Around ten o’clock, Danny heard some commotion in the living room. Finally, he heard Uncle Jide call his name.

      “Danny, how are you?

      “I’m fine, sir.”

      “Have you had dinner?” he asked.

      “I’m not hungry, sir.”

      Uncle Jide was sitting in his favorite chair watching the NTA news channel, a habit he’d inherited from the General when he lived with them years ago before he got married.

      “Talk to me,” said Uncle Jide. “What is going on with you?” “Your dad called me and he is really disappointed in you.”

      That makes two of us, Danny thought.

      “What do you want to do with your life?” Uncle Jide asked.

      Danny was overwhelmed with emotions, tears rolling down his cheeks. He could not believe it. This is the first time anyone had asked his opinion. After gaining his composure, Danny

      decided to be upfront.

      “I don’t see myself in a lab coat, nor in a construction safety hat. I would love to study Social Science.”

      Uncle Jide smiled and motioned to his unpacked suitcase leaning in the door way. “Your room is ready, get some rest. You’ve had a long day.”

      Danny was surprised by the reception he got from the community of Fola-Agoro, especially the ladies. It had been two years since he’d been in the neighborhood, but he felt like he’d been there forever. It was a small community, and word got to the streets fast that a new kid had arrived from posh Victoria Island. Danny was happy to reap the benefits of people’s assumptions. Everyone wanted to be Danny’s friend and the feeling was mutual. He had always disliked the VI girls anyways. They were spoiled brats. In contrast, the people of Fola-Agoro were down-to-earth, hard-working straight shooters. Danny felt right at home.

      One day a year later, Uncle Jide came home from work looking agitated. He had told Danny and Aunt Kemi that Danny’s unofficial exam results would be ready before he left for work that morning. Danny had seen that expression before. Danny didn’t mind getting sad news, but he wondered why he had to get it unofficially, two weeks ahead of his classmates. Uncle Jide went straight to his bedroom and Danny was left wondering if school was not his forte. Maybe I should consider vocational training as an auto mechanic, he thought.

      Aunt kemi was gracious as always. Sweat poured down Danny’s face even though the weather was cool.

      “Don’t worry, Danny. I’ll check with your uncle and find out what is going on.”

      A few minutes later, she came out of the room with a big grin on her face and shook Danny’s hand.

      “You passed with flying colors,” she said. Your uncle was messing with you. Congratulations.”

      Goosebumps popped on Danny’s arms. He felt suddenly cool, and gave a big smile.

      Chapter 4

      IT HAD BEEN SIX MONTHS SINCE THE OFFICIAL GCE RESULTS were released to the public. Danny’s attitude changed. He strutted the streets like Tony Manero in Staying Alive. For the first time, Danny believed he was just as smart and book savvy as any other kid. He was ready to think about going to college, which he’d previously thought. An impossible feat.

      The week before, Uncle Jide had suggested it was time to talk to the General about going back to VI. Danny shrugged off the idea. Why would he leave Fola-Agoro where he was treated like a king, just to return to be a regular Joe in VI? Danny had no intentions of ever returning home. Though he missed Dexter, Christy and Sade, that was not enough motivation to return to VI.

      “Can I take a few days to think about it?” he asked. “I would just like to consider my options.”

      Uncle Jide agreed reluctantly. That would buy him some time to figure out his next move. At least, that’s what he thought until he heard his mum’s voice downstairs in the parking lot.

      Evelyn walked in with a big grin on her face. She looked peaceful and rested. He was happy for her. It has not been easy for her, not having Danny home for the past two years. Though, he was in exile, Danny had returned home to VI when Uncle Jide and his family joined his family for a Christmas trip to the village. Danny was left home alone in Fola-Agoro. Evelyn had always left a spare key with the neighbors next door. Danny had a blast with his friends. He hadn’t seen them for a while, but still had to be careful not to attract any attention to himself.

      Danny became worried when he saw Chief Ladi walk into the living room after Evelyn. He did not know what to make of his presence. Though Chief Ladi was a family friend and the General’s confidante, it was no secret that Evelyn relied on Chief whenever she needed to make a decision the General might disagree with. Chief was a master negotiator and his presence spoke volumes. “This has to be good,” Danny thought.

      Danny could see Uncle Jide and his aunt were also curious to find out what was going on. After much pleasantries, Evelyn thanked both of them for their support and taking care of Danny.

      “We are family. There is no need for that,” said Uncle Jide. Evelyn glanced at Chief, and he took the cue.

      “Danny will be going to the United States to further his studies.”

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