Page 40 of Possessing the Prince

Abena

When I drive into Tarkwa village, I smile at my childhood home. The people are busy and laughing in the unpaved streets. The children are playing without a care in the world. The businesses are booming, and the owners are welcoming. The center market is bustling, and I roll down my window to smell the fresh meat pies being cooked and sold. I’ve missed the sights and sounds over the years.

As I pull off the main road and drive up to my father’s compound, I am nervous. I have not seen my father in four months. If Senya knew I came here alone, he would blow his top. But I don’t need his permission to handle my business. I appreciate his support, but this is a chapter I need to close on my own. I have not heard my father’s voice or felt his strong hug in what sems like a lifetime now. He’s a bastard but he’s still my father. And though I hate him, I miss him, and I love him. And that is why I must hold him accountable.

After I left the doctor’s office, I told Maya that I needed to go. The look of worry on her face was heartbreaking, but I could not risk telling her my plans. I know Senya will call her when I do not come home, and I don’t want her in trouble with him or Adom. So, I told her to trust me and dismissed my driver with a $100 bill. Once he gave me the keys to the Range, I called my brother Thomas, and told him what I must do. He agreed and emailed me the information I needed. My brother and I were always close, it was only the past year or so that things got strained. But I think Thomas truly sees dad for what he is now. Plus, his new respect for Senya is unmatched. I can still hear his teary apology.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there Abena to rescue you from that hell hole. Forgive me, for not telling you the level of deceit the moment father told Senya and I what was really going on. But I never knew it was that crazy until it was too late. But that doesn’t matter, I let you down, and I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you and Senya if you let me”

I wipe a tear from my eye and remind myself I need to invite Thomas to my home soon. I want him and Senya to get along.

When I arrive at the glittering white house, I called home for a large portion of my life, I am underwhelmed. Everything about it seems so stale and tasteless now that I know what true warmth and wealth can be. My father’s status symbol no longer holds any weight with me.

I step out of the vehicle and I see the front door opens and my father’s large figure step out. He stands with his arms out expecting an embrace. His smile is wide, but it falters when I walk up to him and kiss his cheek before shaking my head at his embrace.

“I am not here for hugs father. I am here for reparations. Come.”

I walk past him into the house and do not look back to see if he has followed me. I know he has, because he knows he’s in deep shit with not just me and the council. But also, with Senya. And only I can save him from that wrath. Senya threatens to kill him weekly.

As I enter my father’s office, I take a seat on one of the many couches and watch him enter. My father looks tired and surprisingly thin. Could it be that he has been worried about me? Or is it more likely he is worried about himself? His Daishiki is to lose and baggy, and his pant hem pools at his feet. His jaw is not shaven, and his wrist and neck are not covered in gold.

“Abena, I thank Nyame you are here.” He claps his hands dramatically and lifts them up to praise God. It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes at the hysterics, but Africans are dramatic. And if this visit doesn’t call for dramatics, then I don’t know what does.

“Father, God has nothing to do with it.” Then I think about the miracle growing in my womb and I change my mind. “Well maybe he does, a bit, but I am here for a specific purpose, and it is not to make amends. I am here to make you pay.”

The hunter’s gleam in my father’s eyes returns. Ah…that’s the Kwabena Owusu I know. “What are you talking about girl? You must have that husband here with you to come in here and talk to your father and elder this way.”

I roll my eyes. “Oh. Father please, stop it! What are you going to do, hit me again?” I spit out my words with disgust.

His face crumbles and I see genuine remorse fighting to come through. But he quickly tucks it away. “I am sorry for that Abena, but I will not beg you to forgive me. As for the unfortunate business with the Apeagyeis….”

I shoot up from the couch. “Unfortunate business! Are you insane? They kidnapped me and attempted to turn m into a trokosi. Father, I was this close,” I inch my thumb and forefinger together to demonstrate,” to becoming some lunatic’s sex slave. How dare you try to paint it as some business deal gone wrong!”

Dammit!Now I am shrieking. I need to hurry-up and get out of here.

“You know what father, let’s just get right down to business. I don’t need Senya with me today, because I have all your financial records for the past twenty-five years in the palm of my hand. My dear brother sent them to me.

His large eyes appear even wider as his mouth opens in shock. He was not prepared to hear that.

“What… What have you done Abena?” He quivers nervously as I hold out my phone with the downloads of information and smile.

“Well, I haven’t done anything yet. But You are going to do something for me. I know you are hiding money in accounts in Switzerland. I also know that you are cooking the books here. If you do not want the details of your financial crimes to end up in the hands of my husband and brother-in-law then I’d advise you to do, as I say.”

He moves behind his desk and sits with his head in his hands. “My lord what have I done to deserve such ungrateful children.” He mumbles.

“Oh! I can answer that for you father. You’ve been a piss poor father.” He looks up at me, but he does not argue. He knows he can’t. He’s been awful since mother died. So, I twist the knife. “Mom would hate who you’ve become.”

That puts some fire in his eyes. “Do not talk about the love of my life. She would love me as she always did. You know nothing of true love and sacrifice. What your mother and I had was real.”

I shake my head. “You held her back. She was an artist and you stifled her!”

She slams his fist on the desk. “No, I protected her. I cared for her. Your mother was exactly where she wanted to be. Did she make sacrifices…yes? But, so did I. Sacrifices you will never know about because that belongs between a husband and his wife. I pray that you and Senya have an inkling of what we had. It was real.”

I walk over to his desk and whisper harshly. “That maybe true. But I seriously doubt she would appreciate how you’ve treated her children!” We stare at each other for a moment, before I walk away already tired from the discussion.

“Father, I am pregnant. I have not told Senya yet, but I will as soon as I leave here. I am only telling you now because the sixty-two million dollars you have hiding in Switzerland will now become a trust for your grandchild’s future and the abolishment of trokosi practice across Ghana. If you refuse, I will release your documents, in full, and you will go to jail. It is as simple as that. No one knows of this but Thomas and I. Not even Senya knows the full scope of your fraud and thievery. Which will stop! If it does, you can keep your dignity and your council seat... for now. But there is no room to negotiate. This is what I demand for your sins.”

He stays silent for a long time and then he sighs. “Very well. It will be done in the morning.” When he looks up, his eyes are wet with tears. I’ve never seen my father cry. “Abena! Is this true. Will I really be a grandfather?” The joy in his eyes cannot be mistaken and suddenly, I want it for him more than he even knows. But it will take time to trust him.

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