ACT 1 SCENE 3
{It's been two days since the drama with mercy's father but the fact that he had the audacity to come to her and asked to take mercy back couldn't stop amusing her, when he also called her Rebecca a bastard the word hit her like a rock making her think back to where she got it all wrong,she is a very prayerful woman,she serves God in all ways,she always believes if she can't make it her daughters will,they are both her pride and joy ,her bestfriend,her lover ,her strength and overall her life.she will do anything for them, mercy couldn't help but notice her mother's behaviour and how she thinks and signs but act cheerful and happy when she and her sister is near)
(Mercy comes in from her friend place to see her mum seated on their two sitters court which is already torn all over and you can already see the foam)
MERCY
I'm home!(Sights her mom) I'm home mom,how was your day? sorry I'm late feyitola's younger sister asked me to assist with her homework (notice she wasn't responding)mom!,mom,mom!!!!
MOM
(Jolts up from her position and sits upright)Hm..what do you need?oh you're back?how was where you went, did you play very well? (checks the wall clock) and you came back quite early too (sarcasm dripping from her sentence)
MERCY
(Sits right next to her)Mom….are you okay? I've been noticing you since the day that man came to spit his nonsense(she said like it's poison on her tongue) you've been thinking about alot of things and I'm worried for you mom, whatever he might have said that that is making you to think this much please discard it and think of it as a mad man's words (she said more gently and soothing)
MOM
(Looks into her daughter's eyes) You're quite grown, speaking like an adult(she smiled softly) I'm not thinking about anything serious dear, it's just that what he said about your sister got to me a little, who would have thought I'll make the same mistake choosing idiots twice,but of course good things came from them, like my two beautiful and wonderful daughters
MERCY
(Smile) I'm flattered mama, thank you for the praise i know it myself I'm pretty, beautiful and strong just like you (holds her hands gently)but mum what happened was not a mistake, everything happened according to the will of God,the bible said in Jeremiah 29:11 – "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." so in anyway don't think of anything as a mistake but rather much a blessing
MOM
I know dear,i know everything that is happening is the will of God and that it's happening for a purpose but who would have thought that her father would act like that,he promised me everything,he was there for me , he acted like a father to you,he gave the hope that he will fill all my void,(a lone tear ran down her eye)he gave me hope,gave you hope it's true i know he was married but why bother doing all that when he knew that he doesn't want a child with me, only for me to be pregnant and him telling me he can't father her Ah!!!!!(She shouted out in emotional pain,while shaking her head, the memories still fresh like it's was yesterday she remembered his words)
FLASHBACK
(Lying on the bed with her lover, it's was weekend little mercy was with her maternal grandmother who she spends her weekends with,she got up and handed him an envelope)
LOVER
(Sits upright) What's this?(Opening the envelope)
You're pregnant?
MOM
(Smile brightly)Yes,i am pregnant
LOVER
(Shakes his head in denial)No,you can't be,why will you be now,why now of all time?
MOM
(Confused expression)What do you mean? what are you even saying?what do you mean by"now of all time", just so you know this pregnancy is staying
LOVER
No it's not!(Raise his voice a little) it's not dear, please just remove this one like you did the previous ones please ( says with a calm voice, hoping it will make her change her mind)
MOM
No! I said that no, we've already talked about this, we've agreed if I'm pregnant again you will take responsibility for it,i don't really care if you don't marry me but you will take care of this child and give him or her the love and care it's deserves (sits down with a thump,breath out softly)
LOVER
(Sits next to her) You need to understand me,my wife must not hear about this,i want to keep my marriage safe,if she gets to know about this i will be dead, you understand the crises going on in my house right now,you know everything going on,you know my business is not really going well, she's also heavily pregnant and providing for the family,she is proving to have changed her bad behaviours and making amends for them,i can't have two pregnant woman on me right now, please just remove the baby please (holds her hands pleading)
MOM
(Looks deep into his eyes,tears threaten to spill from her eyes)I don't want your money,you know i make enough to take care of this baby, I'm just asking you to be there and take responsibility once in a while,i don't want it to also grow up without fatherly love like it's sister, can't you do that much?
LOVER
I can't!!(He yell)i can't,this is my marriage we are talking about here,i can't take responsibility for this bastard in you,look my wife has changed,she is now a wonderful person,if you still want to be with me get rid of that thing,and do it in the most quiet way possible my wife or anyone close to her must not hear about this
MOM
(Looks at him in disbelief)How dare you talk to me like this?like I'm nothing to you again,in case you've forgotten when your so called wife was making your life a living hell it's me! you're always running to,me!! Now it's this same me you're treating this way, remember i told you the last time i terminated my baby i told you the doctor said if i do it again the chances of me having anymore children is close to non,you promised me to take responsibility if i get pregnant again, we're no longer kids,you have three children already I'm pregnant with my second one which is for you, your wife is also grown if she knows I'm pregnant with your child she has no other choice but to deal with it, I'm not coming to take her place in your home, I'm not asking to be your second wife as well all I'm asking for is for you to be apart of the baby's life (she signs)
LOVER
I don't want this baby darling, don't you get it?i don't want anything to do with this baby,or your little mercy (signs, turns around like he was confused, wipe the non existent sweat of his face,sits down and gets up again)look,i…i…I've been thinking it's time we call it quits
MOM
(Looks at him like he was some crazy man)Are you serious?no….no…no talk to me are you really serious?call it quits?you mean that you want to dump me?why? because of the baby?you want to throw me away like some used doll?!
LOVER
(Signs warily)Look, it's not like that please, I'm not throwing you away,we can still be friends that is if the baby is not in the picture,he or she might grow up looking like me,we can't risk that, and it's not something i just thought about, I've been thinking about it for a while now i just don't know how to present it to you yet,but now…..
MOM
(Laughs bitterly)You…..you..are crazy(laughs)are you sure you've taken your drugs today? because to me it's seems you need to go back to the psychiatrist hospital(her voice change immediately as she yells at him)i took you in,i showered you with love,care and attention, respect!!! Everything your wife wasn't i made sure to do more and what are you leaving me with? all i ever asked for is your love,you being there for this baby!our baby!!!!(As she talks tears rolls down her eyes like river) you are a very mad man,you are the human version of ungratefulness,you are a mockery to manhood (cleans her tears harshly, accepting her faith)get out (she squaks out)
LOVER
(Tries to touch her) Let's settle this peacefully,i know what I've said came out shocking to you and truth to be told,you are really a great woman, you're a fighter,you offered me peace when i craved it but my wife has changed,i don't want to spoil my marriage than i have already,i want to fill the cracks before it's turns to a hole and swallows me whole, please understand this and like I've said we can still be fri...
MOM
(Cuts in) If you utter that word, I'll slap you so hard the doctors won't be able to find any cure for your ear, nobody on the earth would not even an herbalist, pastor,or imam (she said calmly but cold)to hell with you and that friendship you're offering (stands up)i want you out this instant!(Points towards the door)just so you know I'm keeping this baby and I'm glad you know I'm a fighter,when this baby becomes someone in life, I'd expect NOT to see you near us,now out!
FLASHBACK ENDS
MERCY
But i still remember Rebecca's naming ceremony, it's was a blast and in style (laughs going through the memory lane) I'm glad she's my sister mom,and I'm sure you're also happy to have her as your daughter,so please do not think about anything okay?
MOM
(Smile back at her) Ofcourse i am, I'm glad to have you both in my life (hugs her)thank you mercy this means alot
MERCY
You're welcome mom, now get up and let's cook something, I'm starving
MOM
And why wouldn't you,played with all your stomach and came home late
MERCY
Mom!!!!!
(Someone knocks on the door,mercy opens the door)
VISITOR
Hi dear, I'm asking of your mother
MOM
(Comes to the door) Who is that mercy?(Eyes
the visitor and asked coldly) and what are you doing here?
LIGHTS OUT