FORGOTTEN SON

I watched silently as dad gulped down the remaining drops of liquor in his glass and belched loudly. I swallowed hard trying to take my eyes of the empty glass. I heard him cough and jerked. "Dad.." my eyes met his cold eyes. I was too scared to look him straight in the eyes. He coughed slightly. I lowered my head. "Dad...you haven't talked about my education for a while now." He said nothing but I knew he was listening. "I want to write the state scholarship exam this year. " I paused, scared of his reaction. Seeing nothing unusual, I continued. "I know we have really disappointed you but I'm ready to make it up. I feel taking the examination will be a new phase in our family.." "A new phase?" He chuckled. "How sure are you?" He asked rhetorically. "Daniel.." I raised my head and our eyes met. I quickly looked away. "What do you want?" "I want to go back to school." He nodded, stood up and went out. I sadly walked into the kitchen and met mum just by the kitchen door. From the look on her face, I could tell that she was evesdropping on our conversation. I closed my eyes and walked right past her saying nothing. She patted my back. Dad wasn't like this. Though he was a disciplinary but he never brought us up to fear him but many things happened along the way. Dad was so proud of his boys. Jones was my elder brother whom I loved and cherished so much. I so much admired him and had always wanted to be like him. Dad was ready to do anything to give him the best education. Jones got admitted into a Commercial High school in the state. It was one of the best and biggest school which was mainly for the rich. That day was really the most memorable day in my family as we watched Jones go. "He is gradually becoming a man." Dad said admist tears, patting mum's shoulder. "He'll be back for holiday" Jones came back home for his first holiday and dad organized a party to welcome his first son home. I was the happiest of them all. Dad was so busy boasting of how matured his son had become but I noticed something off about him. I knew mum noticed it too but she brushed it away saying it was a result of school stress and he needed enough bed rest. Days turned into weeks and weeks into month. Jones was all set to go back to the domitory. Dad made sure he had more than enough to last him and waved him good bye. Mum pecked him lightly on the cheeks. He rubbed mum's portruding stomach lightly. "Take care of my baby sister for me" and mum smiled. "Be good." I whispered to him and he winked, smiling devilishly. After a month in school, Jones came back home. Mum and I was alone in the house as dad had embarked on one of his numerous business trips. "Jones?" He brushed past mum and walked into his room slamming the door. I followed him inside. "Bro..." "I want to be alone Dan" he collapsed on his bed. "What happened? You aren't supposed to be back yet." He sat up on his bed." Those teachers are fool. They are all fools! f**k 'em!" "You're using the f-words bro." He hissed. "You won't understand. Thank God you'll also be in High school by next year" "You aren't going back to school?" He nodded stretching himself on the bed. "What are you going to tell Dad? He'll be back tomorrow evening." "Who cares?" I froze. "You don't mean that? What about mum?" "I owe no one any explanation Dan." "You've change bro" "Because I'm now a man" I sighed. This was unlike my brother. I nodded my head sadly."I don't want anything bad to happen to you. I want you to always be happy" He looked at me. Really.......... Dad came back home and found no one home. He brought out his cell phone and dialled mum's number. Just then, he perceived something coming from the back yard of the house. He was certain about that smell but wasn't sure why it was coming from his house. He walked towards the farm house at the back of the house when he spotted Jones with a wrapped substance. Wait! What?! He lit the substance and placed it in between his lips. He began puffing at the substance. Jones? Smoking? Dad wasn't sure what he saw. He moved closer to Jones. Sighting him more closely, dad let out a shrilled cry. "No no no no!" He held his head painfully. Jones stood up throwing the substance in his hands."welcome dad. Good to see you home" Dad gave him a disdainful look. "What have you done?" He asked breathing heavily. Jones scratched his head. Mum could feel the tension. She said nothing as she wept silently. I held her in my arms trying my best to console her. This drama wasn't good for her condition now. "I'm sorry pop for what you saw. But sincerely speaking it's a nice way of relaxing from all those f*****g teachers." "Shut your mouth Jones!" Mum yelled at him. I squeezed my eyes shut still holding mum in my arms. Dad said nothing. "What Happened at school Jones? Why do you suddenly hate your teachers? Why were you smoking!" "I've been expelled from school." Mum raised her head slowly. Expelled? Just then, a knock was heard from the door. "Open the door. It's the police!" Police? What's going on? Dad rushed towards Jones holding him tight by the collar."what have you done? Why are they here?" "No-nothing. I did...." Dad pushed him away and made for the door. "Is this the residence of one Mr Jones Bakely?" One of the officers asked. Dad nodded. The officers brought out their ID card and showed it to dad. Mum rushed towards the two officers. "What's going on officers? He's my son." "I'm sorry ma'am but he's wanted at the police station for investigations on the death of one Miss Cooker Andrew." Death? "But my brother is not a murderer. He can be anything but not a murderer." I tried defending my brother. "She was raped to death by your son and his notorious friends." They revealed. Dad gasped, breathing heavily. Mum collapsed on the floor. I kept staring at Jones who said nothing as our eyes locked. Was he really the Jones I've always admired and wanted to be?