The door in the living room went open and Kelsey entered the house. She had wished her parents were gone to bed, but even her 13 mwaka old sister was still awake.
“You’re nyumbani early” Amber noted, looking at the clock. “It’s not even midnight yet”
“What’s on your head?” Gabe pointed at Kelsey’s head. Kelsey, who had forgotten there was blood on it, tried to wipe her head. “Oww” she groaned.
“What is it?” Gabe repeated. Kelsey shot a glance at her sister and Rachel understood what she was trying to say. “Amber, go to your room. It’s bedtime”
It was as if Rachel had ordered her to chop her feet. “What? No! I want to stay up. I want to hear what’s going on” Amber protested.
“It’s none of your business” Kelsey alisema snarky.
“Amber, please go to your room” Rachel said.
“No!” Amber yelled. Gabe grabbed her arm and dragged her upstairs. They heard Amber crying; they knew how violent their father could get. He came back downstairs soon enough.
“Now what happened?” he asked in a tone that required a straight answer.
“Car accident” Kelsey answered quickly. “I didn’t see the red light”
“Any other victims?” Gabe asked and Kelsey noticed how his angry voice now had an undertone of fear. She didn’t answer, but the tears in her eyes spoke louder than words. “Oh God” Gabe said. He lifted his hand and hit his oldest daughter. Kelsey gasped and touched her cheek, looking shocked at her father. “Didn’t I tell wewe to be careful? Didn’t I tell wewe to stay out of trouble?” he asked, grabbing and shaking her. “Dad, please, don’t” Kelsey cried. “Gabe, let go of her” Rachel demanded and Gabe let go. “Pack your bags” “What?” Kelsey alisema confused. “Pack your bags” Gabe repeated. “You’re leaving” “What?” Kelsey exclaimed. “Gabe, come on, don’t be ridiculous” Rachel tried to bring reason to her husband.
“You can’t do this” Kelsey alisema upset.
“Watch me” Gabe said. He grabbed Kelsey the way he’d done with Amber, but Kelsey jerked her arm. “I can walk myself” she snapped and she ran upstairs, passing Amber who had clearly eavesdropped their fight. Amber got up as Kelsey walked into her room. “You hit someone?” she asked, eager for details, but Kelsey slammed the door in her face. “Oh come on, I always have to tell wewe everything” Amber complained. The door went back open and Kelsey came outside with her suitcase. She walked passed Amber and ran downstairs. She grabbed her kanzu, koti and opened the front door.
“Kelsey, please stay here” Rachel begged. Kelsey turned around. “I thought you’d support me, but wewe two are a pathetic excuse for parents”
That being alisema she walked outside and walked away.