How you sold your phone to help me with her hospital bill back then? God must have sent you here at the right time.
Johnson fell on his knees, tears pouring from his eyes. Thank you. Thank you. God will bless you, my brother.
He will reward you richly. You don’t know what this means to me and my grandson.
Wait,” Simon added. I’m not done. I also have some small money I saved for emergencies.
You can use it to start another shoemaking stall. It should be enough to buy the leathers you need for a start and for Andrew’s school fees, too.
Johnson broke down. He held his friend’s hands and said, “You don’t know what you’ve done for me.
Just yesterday, I had nothing. Now I have a roof and a new start. God will bless you, my brother.
He will reward you richly. You will never lack. Simon smiled softly. That’s what friends are for.
You helped me once when I was in need. It’s my turn now. Andrew smiled for the first time in days.
Thank you, sir, he said. I’ll study hard and make you proud. 3 days later, Naomi reminded her mother about their plan to go and thank the kind man who helped her.
Mom, we promised to thank him. Let’s go today. Her mother nodded. Yes, my daughter.
Let us go. A person like that deserves our thanks. They took a bus to the street where Naomi had met the man.
But when they got there, they were shocked. The whole row of small stalls and sheds by the roadside was gone.
Everything had been demolished. The land was now empty. Broken wood, scattered baskets, and torn umbrellas were all that remained.
It was quiet, and there was no one around to ask questions. Naomi’s heart sank.
Mom, this is where he sat. This is his shed. What happened? Her mother looked around.
It must be the government demolition we heard about. They have sent all of them away.
But how do we find him now? Naomi looked left and right, hoping to see someone who knew him, but nobody was there.
Sadly, they turned and walked back home. As they stepped into the compound, Naomi’s stepfather was already standing at the door with his hands folded.
“Where are both of you coming from?” He asked sharply. Naomi’s mother answered calmly. “We went to look for the man who helped Naomi pay her school fees.”
“What man?” He asked frowning. Naomi’s mother explained, “Naomi lost her school fees. A poor shoemaker helped her.
He gave her his last money. We went to thank him, but we couldn’t find him.”
The man burst out laughing. What a nice story. And you expect me to believe that you left this house since morning to go thank a man?
Are you not ashamed? Naomi stepped forward. But it’s true, sir. He really helped me.
Shut up, he shouted. Your mother is cheating on me with that man. That’s why she went there this morning.
Look at you both. Like mother. Like daughter. Naomi’s mother was shocked. How can you say that?
I’m telling you the truth. He helped your own step-daughter. Why are you thinking like this?
Leave my house, he screamed. I’m tired of taking care of two foolish people. Both of you are a liability to me.
You and your liar of a daughter should just go and live with that your shoemaker boyfriend.
Before they could say anything else, he went inside and started throwing out their clothes and bags.
Out. Out of my house. They stood there confused, ashamed, and speechless. Naomi’s mother carried their bags slowly.
She didn’t want to argue. They walked down the street looking for where to rest.
Finally, they found a small store with a bench outside and sat down. The shopkeeper, a kind man, allowed them to rest there.
As they sat quietly, a man dressed almost like a madman walked up to Naomi’s mother.
“Mama, you fit find me something to buy water,” he said calmly. But all that was left with her was just 500 naira and she gave him 200 naira from it.
“Thank you, mama,” he said, cheering her. “Is see, I get something for you.” He pulled out a small squeezed piece of paper.
