Twice Beaten, Once Destroyed

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'Goal! Goal!! Screamed the boys in excitement. Frank had just scored his second goal for his team, defeating their opponent. They had just continued playing when one of the boys watching tried to give a signal to Frank.

'Frank, your Mummy is coming. Run! run!! But Frank was enjoying his game and he did not hear.

It was 6 pm. Mama Frank stood watching him in anger. 

'Frank! She shouted. Everywhere suddenly became quiet. For everyone knew what was going to follow.

'Have I not told you to stop playing once it's 5'0 clock? I'll kill you today. Get inside, idiot!

She dragged Frank's ears to the house. What followed was the sound of whips on his bare back. The child's screams could be heard all over the compound.

This was the normal way Mama Frank punished her son. With whips all over his body. No one bothered to intervene as they didn't want to be embarrassed by her.

'Abeg mind your business. Na your pikin? And the insults that follow, were her usual response.

Some neighbours blamed her for being too harsh. While others felt that it wasn't her fault. She was a single mother left with two energetic boys to cater to. 

Papa Frank was an incurable flirt and could not be tied to one woman. Frank and his younger brother, Harrison, were the fruits of their co-habiting. 

Harrison was calmer. Which was also a problem for his mother. He earned his beating for crying after being scolded.

The next day, Frank had scars all over his body. The pain he felt would not let him concentrate in class. His teacher saw the marks and asked what happened.

Frank told her everything and she decided to speak with his mother. One Saturday, she paid a visit to the house.

'Knock, knock'. It was Mrs. Essien.

Mama Frank opened the door. 'Ah, Teacher, hope no problem?

'No ma. I just came by  to talk to you

Ok. Go ahead, replied Mama Frank'.

'I have noticed the frequent cane marks on Frank's body. He says that you always beat him. I was just curious to know what might be causing it.

'Hmmm. Teacher, I don't see how this is your business but I will tell you.

I'm a single mother and market woman. It's not easy to take care of two boys who eat a lot. Their father is a foolish man, who left me. I have to hold them with an iron hand so that dem no go spoil. I want them to be better men.'

'I understand you ma. Boys can be tough to handle. I have one myself, and I have to talk a lot. But take it easy on them. 

Advice them more than you beat them. Because caning is not always the solution. Times have changed, they might become rebellious instead' Replied Ms. Essien.

'Thank you, teacher. That one na your own o. I no get time to talk too much. For me, the language wey I understand na cane.'

And so she continued. Always raining insults when Frank or Harrison makes a little mistake. Flogging came at the slightest provocation. She used a belt, whip, stick, or anything she could lay her hands on.

Indeed, the boys feared her. She was rarely available and unapproachable. Whenever she was home, it was constant yelling and whipping.

As far as she was concerned, Frank was a stubborn 8-year-old child who needed to be kept in check. And Harrison a weak 5-year-old boy who needed to learn to behave like a man. 

She would scold him, 'Keep quiet my friend. Look at you…crying like a woman. Men don't cry o. People will laugh at you'.

Unknown to her, feelings of resentment were already growing in the boys.

Another time, she hit  Frank with a belt head close to his eyes, for misplacing his water bottle. He nearly went blind, unable to see for days. That incident affected the young child psychologically.

He eventually got to boarding school for his secondary education. He was arrogant and unafraid. He was caught in every mischief because he was never scared of punishment. 

He would say 'I no dey fear anybody'.

It was so bad, he was referred to the Guidance and Counseling unit. The staff interviewed him and discovered that he had suffered from a lot of physical and verbal abuse growing up and had developed tough skin.

He lacked a fatherly role model and motherly love. There, Mr. Fadeyi counseled him and took him as a son.

Gradually, Frank turned a new leaf.

He was a great football player. And after secondary school, he tried and was selected to play for a local team. He aimed to become a world-class footballer.

Harrison soon finished secondary school, and Frank took him in. He became the big brother who helped Harrison out of low self-esteem.

Today, Frank fends well for himself and his brother. He takes very good care of his mum too, providing for all her needs. 

But neither he nor Harrison ever wants to be with her because of the physical and emotional abuse they suffered throughout their growing years. 

They visit her sometimes but are unable to connect with her emotionally. Mama Frank regrets her actions. But she could not turn back the hands of time. She stays all by herself in a 2 bedroom flat in Festac town.

They have taken Mr. Fadeyi as their Father, and his wife, who also became like a mother to them.

So yes, Mama Frank provided for her boys financially, she neglected an equally important aspect of their lives, love, and support.

Do you blame her?