Susan ekerete - Season 1 - Episode 10

Episode 5 years ago

Susan ekerete - Season 1 - Episode 10

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As the jeep roared off, Susan felt a mixtureof embarrassment, anger and despair. She could feel the eyes of her neighbours, gauging her short red dress and the tall man standing beside her as they weighed her ex-husband’s accusations. But more importantly, she was appalled at the thought of a custody battle for her daughter. Asuquo had come back into her life and had already begun to turn everything upside down.She didn’t know if she could handle all thisnew drama without losing her mind.

The last thing Cherish needed was to have her parents fighting over her. The ensuing nastiness would be mentally unhealthy forthe little girl as well, but she knew Asuquo didn’t care about that- he just wanted to have his way.

Nancy returned to her house, after a few reassuring words from Susan, and normalcy returned to the neighbourhood, but Susan could see the curtains in her neighbour’s houses twitching. She knew what that meant.“My neighbours heard all that trash Asuquo was saying. Oh God, they probably heard me shouting like a market woman.” she muttered worriedly to Michael as they stood at her doorstep. “I’ve managed to live a drama-free life since I left Asuquo, but he has managed todestroy my reputation in my neighbourhood in just one day.”The distress in Susan’s voice made Michael want to hold her in his arms and comfort her, but he was too aware of the twitching curtains behind which curious neighbours were still watching.“It’s probably not that bad.” He comforted lamely. “By tomorrow, this will have blownover. They may not remember.”Susan smiled wanly at him and he felt a spurt of concern. She looked wrung out, as though all the emotion she had used upin the past hour had pushed her to exhaustion.“You need to go rest.” He said softly. After a brief hesitation, he thoughtto hell with the neighboursand rested a palm against her cheek. “You don’t look so good.”Susan closed her eyes at the feel of his warm touch and tears pricked the backs of her eyelids, but she blinked them away and stepped back from him. “Gee, thanks for the compliment.”He started to protest and she waved it off, smiling to show she had been joking. “You’re right, Michael. I need to rest. And forgive me if I don’t invite you in. Neighbours watching and all that, you understand?”Michael nodded. “Should I still come tomorrow for Cherish’s usual class? I could stay away for a few days…”“No.” Susan cut in firmly. “The lessons areimportant and I will not let Asuquo’s behavior affect our daughter that much. You’re always welcome here.”“Always?” Michael asked, his gaze heavy with something she recognized.

She looked back, past those full lashes, and knew he was asking for something deeper than a parent-teacher relationship. She looked away, remembering the pale band of flesh around his finger.“As long as Cherish needs you, you’re always welcome of course.” Susan said with a strained smile. “Thank you again for today.”Michael stared at her for a few moments, and then nodded with a smile before walking over to his car. She watched as heslid behind the steering wheel of his Honda and tooted a farewell note form hiscar horn as he left. Her smile disappeared as his car went out of sight and she sighed, thinking of how she would explain the shouting to Cherish. The little girl would be upset her father left without saying goodbye.Susan felt hate for Asuquo blossom in her heart. She hoped she would never have to see him again.** **The next two weeks were uneventful and Susan was relieved.

Her neighbours seemed to have forgotten the ugly incidentof Asuquo’s’ visit and her ex-husband hadnot returned or informed her that he was instituting any court case for custody of Cherish. The little girl had accepted Susan’s honest explanation that her fatherand mother had gotten into a quarrel without getting upset, and simply expressed a desire to see her father again when her ‘mommy and daddy were friends again’.Susan sincerely doubted that would happen, but she did not tell her hopeful daughter that.Michael had kept up his usual thrice-a-week class with Cherish and though Susan had tried her best to keep things between them formal, she had begun to have pleasant conversations before Michael left each time.

It became a routine; after the math lesson was over, the two adults would sit on the small stepsat her front door and talk idly about anything and everything. Susan convincedherself she was just being friendly and kept their discussions light and short.“Do you think they’re watching?” Michael asked during one of such evenings, using his chin to point at the windows of Susan’s nearest neighbour.

She laughed. “Definitely. In their shoes, I would.”“I wonder what they think of us.” He said wistfully. “Do you think they believe I’m a strange man, as Asuquo put it? Or do they think I’m your boyfriend?”Susan laughed again, but the sound was strained this time. She had been careful tokeep a proper distance from the handsome man every time they sat on the steps, but every time they mistakenly touched, sparks flew between them. Even her neighbours would see it.“I hope not.” She blurted.Michael turned to her. “And why not? Would I make such a bad boyfriend?”She shrugged in answer, then stiffened as he leaned towards her and took her palmsgently in his.“I’m serious, Susan.”She stared at his hands, at the band of pale skin that was always mocking her, and then pulled her hand away. It was time to face the truth squarely, time to stop the charade and establish boundaries.“Michael, I cannot date a married man.