Fosuwa greeted her parents, went for a shower and joined them at the dinner table.                  

‘So how was work today’, Mama asked. ‘Are your employers enjoying some peace now?’     ‘Unfortunately not. I think that Sandra complained to Abeeku yesterday that she shared her family’s sentiments that Abeeku was not pulling his weight as a man, and Abeeku replied that he was happy with his progress at work, and did not care what someone else thought about him. He told her that her family had far bigger problems to deal with, and he was surprised that they were concerned about him. And Sandra apparently went and reported it to her mum, because as soon as she entered the house she charged at Abeeku, who was talking to two visitors. She demanded to speak to him, but Abeeku said he was busy. That infuriated her, so she told Abeeku to remember that he was living in her house, but Abeeku corrected her, that he had paid rent to her two sons, and had evidence to prove it. Mrs. Anderson went away claiming that Abeeku was lying. But it does not look as if the back and forth will continue, because Abeeku and Sandra seem to have agreed to go their separate ways’.                                                                              

 ‘O dear’, Mama said. ‘In such cases separation seems the best option, even though Mrs. Anderson seems to be the one stoking the fire. I won’t be surprised if she’s like that at home’.    

‘Probably her husband is terrified of her, so she has walked over him, and is trying to do that to everybody’.                                                                                                                                     

‘Anyway, Fosuwa’, Mama continued, ‘we have a little challenge. Your dad ran out of medications a week ago, so we need about GH₵ 200 to buy another set. Do you think your new employers will agree to lend you the money?’                                                                                   

‘On the basis of what I have seen in the last few days, I don’t think so, But I will still ask. Dad, why didn’t you alert us that you were running out? Maybe we could have started finding money’. 

‘Well, I didn’t want to cause further problems, knowing the situation at home. I have been praying that either some miracle happens, that I would not face any problems’.     

‘Well, I will ask them, but realistically I think they will refuse. Let’s stay hopeful, though’.        

Fosuwa hoped to discuss her problem with Sandra before her mother arrived, but she entered the hall to find them both seated, deep in discussion. She greeted them and went about her morning duties. After some 20 minutes, she approached them’.                                                              

‘Auntie Sandra, Mum, I have a little problem and I would like to request some help. I need a loan of two hundred cedis for my father’s medication. You can take it from my pay at month’s end’.   

‘Sorry’, Mrs. Anderson said emphatically. You have not been here for even a week. What if you do not come to work tomorrow? It’s way too early to do this. Find the money from elsewhere’.  

She walked away to the kitchen and stood by the window, wondering what to tell her parents. She was so deep in thought that she did not see Abeeku come in.                                               

‘Good morning Sandra. How are you today?’                                                                                

 ‘Good morning Brother Abeeku. I’m fine, thank you.                                                                      

‘I would like to have a word with you when you can spare a minute. I will be in my room.         

Sandra and her mother left for work some 15 minutes later, so she knocked on his door.       

‘I heard a small part of your conversation with Sandra and her mother, and from the look I saw on your face this morning something is wrong. Can you tell me?’                                               

‘Well, my dad ran out of his medications last week, and he told me and my mum only yesterday. So I said I will ask them for GH₵200 to buy the drugs, which they could deduct from my pay at the end of the month. But they refused’.                                                                          

‘What drugs does your dad take?’                                                                                                     

They are for his blood pressure, and to stabilise his heart rate. He takes three tablets everyday’.  

‘Okay. Has he ever gone through any diagnostic tests in the last few months? And has he been involved in any natural treatments? These days there are some good natural prescriptions.’        

‘No. He attends clinic every six weeks with the National Health Insurance Card. That’s all’.    

‘Okay. I will speak to somebody, and your dad can go and see him. I think he will be able to help him. So first write your dad’s phone number for me, and let’s talk when you close. Take my number, and call me if I’m not in when you close’.                                                                          

‘I am very grateful Brother Abeeku. Really grateful’.                                                                      

‘No problem. So don’t call home till later. Just take it easy’.

Fosuwa was dozing in the couch when her phone rang. It was her dad.                                            ‘Fosuwa, something very strange has happened. A man called me and asked if I was your dad, and he said he was sending a car to take me to his centre to check on my health.They did several tests, and said they would confirm tomorrow, but they did not think there was anything to worry about. Then David and I had a long chat, and he gave me some information about diet and exercise. So I will start tomorrow. And ei! I nearly forgot. They brought me some very nice food to eat. But this David, where do you know him? When I asked him about the bill, he said everything has been taken care of. I don’t understand’.                                                                   

‘Well Dad, let’s just say that God has heard our prayer. But we will talk when I get home’.

By Ekow Deheer, the author