It had been just over a month since David had moved back into the house, and already, subtle traces of his old behavior began to resurface like a persistent shadow refusing to fade with time. The early charm he had tried to wear like a mask started to crack. He came home later than usual on some days, claimed the money Mercy gave him wasn't enough, and when frustrated, he snapped easily at the children. Still, Mercy tried to convince herself that maybe this time, things would be different.
It was a calm Sunday morning. Birds chirped just outside the window, and the sun cast a warm golden hue across the modest living room. Mercy was just finishing with breakfast preparations when her phone buzzed beside her. She wiped her hands and reached for it. The caller ID flashed Grace.
Her heart warmed. It had been a while since her elder sister called. Smiling, she answered, "Hello, Sister Grace."
"Mercy!" Grace's voice was excited and breathless. "You won't believe it! Lucky is back! He just arrived from London yesterday!"
Mercy froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Lucky? My Lucky? He's back?"
"Yes!" Grace laughed joyfully. "He's been asking about you since he got in. He said the first person he wants to see is you. He's coming over today to visit."
Tears welled up in Mercy's eyes. Her hand trembled as she clutched the phone tighter. "Oh God... Grace, I... I don't even know what to say."
"Just be happy," Grace replied softly. "You gave him everything he needed when he wanted to travel. If not for you, Lucky wouldn't have made it. He hasn't forgotten."
After the call ended, Mercy turned toward the kitchen, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand. She rushed to the bedroom where David was lying on the bed, scrolling through his phone.
"David!" she called with a spark of excitement. "You won't believe it—Lucky is back! Grace just called me. He came back from London, and he's coming to visit us today."
David looked up lazily, his expression unreadable. "Lucky? From London?" He frowned slightly. "What does he want?"
Mercy ignored the tone in his voice. "He just wants to see me. He said I'm the first person he wants to visit."
David sat up, tossing his phone to the side. "Well, let's hope he's not coming to ask for more money."
Mercy's heart sank slightly at the comment, but she said nothing. She left the room and gathered her children, telling them the exciting news.
"Faith, Anita, come here," she called.
The girls came running, and when they heard who was coming, their faces lit up.
"Uncle Lucky is back?" faith asked with wide eyes. "The one who went to London because of you?"
"Yes," Mercy replied proudly. "He's coming here today."
Daniel, who was sitting in the corner with a book, looked up quietly. He had heard the stories about Uncle Lucky—the boy his mother had helped travel abroad when he had no hope. Daniel, even at his young age, had always admired his mother's selflessness.
They quickly cleaned the house, dusted the windows, and Mercy prepared one of her special dishes—jollof rice with peppered chicken and fried plantains. It was a dish she used to make during celebrations when things were still bright in their lives.
By 2 p.m., there was a knock on the door.
Mercy wiped her hands on her apron and ran to open it.
Standing at the door was a tall, well-built young man dressed in a navy-blue suit with a trimmed beard and an expensive-looking wristwatch. He had the kind of presence that turned heads.
"Aunty Mercy," he said, smiling broadly.
"Lucky..." Mercy whispered, stunned. Her eyes filled with tears. She flung her arms around him.
He laughed and hugged her back tightly. "I told Mama the first place I'm going is here. I haven't forgotten who gave me the wings to fly."
David emerged from the sitting room, looking slightly uneasy. The children gathered near the doorway, peeking curiously at the uncle they had only heard about in stories.
Lucky entered the living room, taking in the surroundings with a mixture of nostalgia and quiet sadness. He turned to Mercy. "You still live here? After everything you did for me?"
Mercy gave a small smile. "We manage."
"I'll fix that," Lucky replied firmly.
They sat together, and Lucky narrated his journey. He spoke about the struggles, the cold nights, the hard jobs, and eventually, how he found an opportunity that changed his life. He had now become a manager at a tech firm and had plans to return home permanently to build something meaningful.
David sat quietly through the conversation, occasionally nodding but mostly keeping to himself.
Lucky turned to him. "Uncle David, good to see you again. I hope you've been treating Aunty Mercy better now."
David smiled tightly. "We're managing."
There was a moment of uncomfortable silence before Lucky turned back to Mercy. "I've already made up my mind. I'll be relocating back soon, and the first thing I want to do is make sure you don't lack anything again. You saved my life."
Mercy tried to protest, but Lucky held up his hand. "Please, don't say anything. Let me do this for you. It's my way of thanking you."
The children beamed with pride. Faith and Anita wiped away silent tears. Daniel, sitting by the edge, stared at Lucky with wonder. That night, he wrote in his diary: Maybe life gives back when you least expect it.
As the visit ended and Lucky left, promising to return the next weekend with gifts, Mercy stood at the doorway, her heart full but her thoughts restless.
Later that night, David sat on the veranda drinking cheap gin, his eyes dark with thought. Mercy approached him.
"You didn't say much," she said softly.
David turned to her, his voice sharp. "He comes back once and acts like he owns the world."
Mercy blinked in confusion. "He's just grateful. That's all."
David scoffed. "You helped someone else's child and see how he's shining. But your own children—look at us now. Do you think Lucky will carry us forever?"
Mercy stared at him. The old bitterness had never left him. It had just been hiding. And now, with Lucky's presence, it was crawling back to the surface.
"I didn't help him for gain," she whispered. "I helped him because it was right."
David flicked his cigarette away. "Don't get used to it. People like him forget fast."
She didn't reply. She returned to the room and sat beside Daniel who was now asleep. She touched his forehead and sighed.
But in that moment, Mercy knew something for sure—no matter what life had taken from her, she would never stop doing good. Even if the world disappointed her, she would never disappoint herself.