The Ghost Fields by Preston William Child

Author:Preston William Child [Child, Preston William]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-01-20T05:00:00+00:00

Ogbomosho, Oyo State

Southwest Nigeria

When Femi heard the door close as his last visitor exited the house, he turned to Dr. Benjamin Ibeh. “My friend, you still haven’t explained to me the reason for your visit. And don’t think you can fool me with the delay tactic. Say it: Did anything happen to my son?”

Benjamin shook his head again. “Baba, I’m telling you not to worry. As soon as he sees my calls, he will call back. He probably has his hands full.”

Still, Femi was unsatisfied. “I’ve had close to eight visitors in one day. You see, that last man left. We are not even that close, which means they must have heard something and were subtly trying to confirm for me. Please, tell me, I can take it.”

“Baba, wait, I’m calling him again.”

“Hmm… May God not let us be shamed. I’m telling you that I can take it. If something happened to Michael, tell me now. Tell me now, otherwise, if another visitor walks in here—” Femi paused when the door opened.

Tolani walked into the sitting room in the company of a middle-aged female.

Tolani knelt before her father. “Baba, good evening, sir.”

“Ah, Tolani. You too, you heard?”

The official that accompanied Tolani also curtsied before Femi in greeting. Femi responded and then turned to his daughter. He spoke in their native dialect, forgetting that Benjamin had spent his entire life in the Southwest. There used to be times when he communicated with his friend’s father in the dialect. However, old age was beginning to take its toll.

Femi asked his daughter to respond to him in their dialect as he inquired about Michael. Tolani told him precisely what he had been expecting to hear. Femi became very quiet all of a sudden.

Tolani was a little surprised that he was just getting to know them. She recognized Benjamin. She had seen him a couple of times in Michael’s room back then on campus.

Tolani took a seat close to Benjamin while her handler sat on a different cushion.

“Ben, how’s family?”

“They are fine. Nice to see you again, Tolani.”

“Likewise. So, why are they not here yet?” Tolani asked.

Benjamin understood her question. He, however, approached the subject with subtleness. He asked if he could see her and her handler outside. It was there he explained that Michael was still alive despite the report circulated by the media. After they had reached an understanding, Tolani led the way to the sitting room. She screamed when she saw her father on the floor. She swooped in to help him up. Benjamin also hurried in to assist her.

Femi was trying to get up from his chair unaided. He still suffered from a partial stroke, but he sometimes forgot the state of his health.

Femi continued to speak to his daughter in his local dialect. He instructed Tolani to bring Michael’s body home. Tolani agreed but asked to get permission from her handler. To make it easier on them, Benjamin promised to take them in his car. He knew that the handler wouldn’t let Tolani walk independently yet.

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