“Every time you told me you cheated on me I didn’t kick you out. I was doing that for her, I was her father and was really wishing you would chang... your ways and be a mother.4 years I put up with you going out with your friends and not coming home,sometimes for days on end.Even then who was there when Jenny was crying for mommy . From the day she was born I cradled her in my arms hoping she was mine and not some fucking guy you had sex with. For two years she had my heart and in 4 years you. ”“Well its time for us to go. We’ll see you at the gathering.” with that they took their leave.I could hear Uncle coming up the stairs. He came into the room and sat a bowl of ice down on the table beside the bed. He pulled a towel out of the drawer and laid it on the bed. “Baby up.”I got up and walked over to him at the bed. “Baby for now on no speaking unless your told too. Especially at the gathering. Do you understand me?”“Yes Sir. I’m sorry.”“Lay down on the bed, on the towel.”. Lucy got up and with shaking legs went to the washroom to clean up. She cried silently at her fate. Then slowly came back and climbed on the other side of the bed and after some time fell asleep.Next day he was late for the classes. He shouted at her for not waking him up. Once he had gone to the class, she had to clean up the room, wash his clothes and help Mary in the kitchen. After lunch there were no classes. The boys could sleep for an hour or two and go to play football. All the boys. It'll take him a couple of weeks, but then we'll sit down for a heart to heart, but only when he has something to say." And your mother?" Ah. She's a bit more of a problem. She's happy to talk about it. In fact she talks about little else when we're alone. But I don't mind that, because I'm thinking of nothing else anyway. But she's promised not to interfere, but she would love to. So she sort of prowls round the edge looking for a place to jump in and help. She has a great belief that she can.