On a beautiful hot summer day in August 1974, Tom and his family sat around a table and enjoyed their lunch at their home, in Sandy. They ate and talked excitedly about making a visit to Aunt Jane’s home, in the evening. Cindy and Katherine hungrily munched their sandwich in a hurry, in excitement to meet their friend Joan at Aunt Jane’s place. While mother planned to return Aunt Jane’s Sewing machine, she had borrowed a week ago.
Father checked the Car, to ensure that she has enough water ,oil and diesel before they left home. As mother packed the machine in a small container, girls excitedly played jumping games and waited. Mother looked at her watch and warned the family, it was getting late. They must leave quickly. Hurry, father shouted at the girls, “get in the car.”
As Cindy ran to the Car ,she noticed a dark tall man standing near their Duplex house. Taking deep breaths, she whispered,mum, look at the corner of our Duplex .There is a dark tall man looking at us, a stranger. “Look, look he is walking towards us.”
Tom walked over to the stranger and asked him, “Who are you ? What are you doing here?”. My name is Joe Aspako, l am looking for a friend who lives on this street. I am sorry, this is a private residence. Don’t come here again, go away!
On their way to Aunt Jane, Katherine told the family about the police’s awareness to school children, the other day. There are more youths on our streets smoking drugs and involved in crimes. “Yes”, father agreed. “The local NEWS paper also released warnings, that police will arrest anyone caught taking harmful drugs. That is a serious matter. Taking harmful drugs damages Brain, and affects people’s behaviors. Anyone, caught taking illegal drugs would be jailed.”
Katherine was curious and asked her father, “do you think Joe could have taken harmful drugs ? I don’t know, darling, he replied, as he drove into Aunt Jane’s yard.
Good afternoon Mrs Tom, come in. I’m so glad to see you. Mother took the Sewing Machine in and placed it on the table .Thank you for the machine. Where are Cindy and Katherine? They’re in the car with their father. Call them in for a tea before you leave. Thanks, “but we won’t be here much longer with you”. Is something wrong ? Yes, we had an incident today.
We saw a stranger standing near our Duplex, as we were leaving. We need to get home early. Sorry to hear about that. Did you alert the police ? No. “Make sure you contact police, if you suspect anything unusual”. “We will,“ they agreed, as they drove away and arrived home, at 5 pm.
Shsss, Mother hissed, and stopped washing dishes. “Someone is knocking at our door.” Which door ? Father asked quietly. “The Front door.” Listen a stranger, whispered mother, her body shaking. The girls heart beat faster, as they yanked to the corner of the kitchen. Mother, rang the police.
The stranger continued his knock and family panicked. Tom wore his shirt to walk down the stairs to meet the stranger. No, mother pleaded, don’t go to the door. The girls trembled, and cried, “No, father don’t go”
Mother, did you call the police ? “ Yes, I did, “They’ve promised to be here shortly”. But none of the police have arrived yet. Fear, anxiety and helplessness filled the air as the stranger continued his knock. He is desperate. Tom thought to himself as he tiptoed down the stairs to meet the stranger.
Tom took deep breaths and pushed the door open. Just in time, he saw the stranger picking a stone to smash the door open. Hey, is that you, Joe!. Stop it!. What on earth are you doing here? .“ Are you questioning me ? Joe replied , angrily .“Tell me why you kept me waiting?” Joe shouted, his eyes fuming in anger like fire.
“You are trespassing. You are at a wrong house. This is not your friend’s house. Get out of here , or I’ll get police on you”. Just then, Mr. Jerry, a neighbor arrived and shouted, “cool down both of you. Don’t argue here, take your complaints to the police.”
The next day Cindy visited her friend Lisa; and Lisa spoke highly of a new restaurant on the seventh street. The restaurant was newly built, with a nice balcony overlooking the sea, and the food there are cheaper. Good place for family to relax and enjoy the evening. “That restaurant sounds a perfect place for any family to enjoy. okay.” I will ask mum and dad, if they could take us there for a dinner.
“Mum, I’ve got to tell you about something nice, I am sure you’ll love it.”. Cindy whispered, as she read her English assignment.” Yesterday, Lisa told me about a new restaurant on the seventh street. Foods there are cheaper, and it is a nice place for family outing. “We haven’t taken dad out for a dinner since he had the confrontation with Joe. “ No, we haven’t, good thinking . We’ll plan an evening for family to have a dinner together “. Oh, I am so excited and looking forward to eat at that restaurant .
The next evening, family were at a new restaurant on the seventh street. Wow!, the steak is so delicious father commented, as he hungrily ate his meal. I am enjoying it too”. Mother smiled. This place is so peaceful and safe; we have nothing to fear.
We’ve made a right choice to come to this restaurant to enjoy our meal. Whoops! a glass fell on the floor and broke with a loud crash! , “Oh , no, lamented” Katherine . As she turned around to pick the broken glass, she saw Joe sitting on the opposite table. Terrified , she whispered to her father. “Joe is here, sitting on the opposite table, look, dad, he is staring at us”.
Tom turned to Joe with a quick smile; and stood up and walked across to him. Tom! whispered mother, “be careful”. I will be alright, honey.” .The family panicked and stopped eating when Joe stood up with his two big eyes fuming in anger. Father moved closer to Joe’s table, and confidently walked direct to Joe . “Brother, this is not a place to settle any matter.” “Bull-shit, a liar and pretender” Joe shouted, moving closer and tightening up his muscles and body shaking.
“Why are you hunting me down like an animal,? I am not a robber,” Tom shouted. “Yes, you are”, replied Joe, throwing heavy punches at Tom. “Do you want to fight”,? Tom shouted back, throwing wild heavy punches at Joe , injuring his face. Joe, fought back, shouting, you are a liar, your false smiles have always hurt me, punching Tom again on his head and Tom fell on the floor.
He bled from his head. “Oh no, Tom is dead. “Mother trembled and cried. Tom was breathing but didn’t move . Children shouted in shock, help, help!” Please , someone help dad”. Fear and screams filled the restaurant, and Guests fled as two men fought .
Restaurant Manager was alerted, and he walked into the restaurant and stopped the fight. Just then the police and the ambulance arrived , and Tom was taken to the hospital, where his wounds on his head would be stitched and commenced on medications.
Joe escaped, and police chased him but couldn’t catch him.
Father was in hospital for a week and things at home felt different without him. Children could not concentrate in class. Family felt insure and there was feeling of emptiness. The three wondered, what would have happened if father had died.
One evening after school, mother informed the girls about the good news that their father had recovered and that he would be picked. The next day, the girls completed their home work and helped their Mother prepared dinner, before the three went to the hospital.
As they drove to the hospital, Cindy whispered, mother, do you remember that awful day, Joe fought with dad ? “ Yes, Cindy, mother replied, as they approached the hospital. I am thankful father was not seriously hurt.
“But we hope too, that Joe was arrested and taken to a hospital to get a medical treatment,as he was injured as well.
Father was sitting on his bed when the three arrived. Wow,! Great to see you dad,” the girls shouted, hugging their father. “We’ve come to pick you”, mother whispered .Yes, I am ready to leave the hospital, my bags are packed. Let’s go home“.
As family drove home , they recalled the happiness and joy shared eating lunch together as family, the day they visited Aunt Jane .And, most stunningly, the emotions and frustrations of the stranger that distracted family gatherings, and father’s calm defense, as a hero, were remembered.