I SMELL GAS

source

I have a little brother, who loves making troubles and looking for a fight he can't win. Though I still love him.
I was eight when Dad left Mom, she begged him to take us back, but Dad hardened his heart towards us, just because his family members don't seem to like my mother. They accused her of witchcraft practices, saying she bewitched him to marry my mother. Dad didn't want to hear her out or consider his own children, he drove us out, saying we are products of devilish trees. Mommy has to raise us by herself.

Living in the street of Chicago is not easy, you have to be bold and brave. Also be ready to run. Mommy had me and my six years old brother (Kenny) indoors, even when she was up for her night shift. she would always hire a nanny, not because I can't take care of everything when she's gone, but my little brother is a pain in the ass. At home we are like cats and dogs or like Tom and Jerry in the animated cartoon. Always fighting.

Kenny is just a little child filled with lots of energy, he has that mean look and rough brown hair. Oh God! He's so stubborn. He just derives joy in looking for fault's and also when you are so pissed. Well, Mom has tried her best in disciplining him. But still, it's only making it worse. She kept saying with time, he will change. Sometimes, I feel like packing him into a carton and waybilling him somewhere else. But I just can't do it.

One Saturday afternoon, Mom came back home with lots of shopping bags. She went to buy foodstuffs that will serve us throughout next week. She was about to prepare today's meal, when she forgot to get an item at the nearby supermarket. So then she called out my name.
"Timi.. Timi..." She yelled

"Yes Mom" I ran towards the direction of her voice. As my little brother followed, always poke nosing.

"Timi... Good as your little brother is here. I'm going back to the nearby supermarket to get an item. Please don't touch anything in this kitchen. I will be back soon."

"Yes Mom" I replied, giving her that look of assurance.
Just as she stepped out, my plan to make myself a creamy hot tea, would soon be actualized. But my little brother interrupted.
"Mommy said not to touch anything."

"Shut up, I know what I'm doing." I told him as I turned the knob of the gas cylinder valve.

"Mommy said, don't touch!" My younger brother picked his slipper and threw it at me, I ducked just in time. It sailed past me and struck the valve of the cylinder knocking the hose off.
In a rage, I ran after my brother as he scampered off, forgetting the gas I had just opened. I didn't even notice the gas seeping out from the opened valve. At the moment, I felt like beating the hell out of him. He was screaming for help and I did shut him up.

Suddenly we heard a knock at the door, my little brother vowed to report to Mother what I did to him, but I knew he wanted something in return. So I agreed to his terms. I ran towards the door, to welcome mom. But her face looked perplexed, like her nose was trying to pick a smell. Just as she was searching for that pungent smell. My mind ran towards the gas I left on. But I was scared now to talk.

She stepped into the kitchen to drop the item she bought, as she discovered the smell was coming from there and it was so strong.

"Oh My God, the gas is leaking." She shouted
She quickly turned off the cylinder valve. Now my heart was skipping, "what have I done?" Her eyes turned towards me.

"Open all the windows immediately, so that the smell would let out" she ordered.
She ordered us outside. I know I was at fault, but I was too scared to talk. I was waiting for her to ask, that I would have no choice but to give an answer. I couldn't read her face, her mood wasn't calm neither happy, because we almost set the house on fire. Her face was expressionless. Like it was set in stone.

"Who turned on the gas cooker?$ she asked. Her face was hard this time.

"Mommy, it was Timi"
I couldn't believe that stubborn little brother of mine, sold me out, so fast . I was speechless

"Yes! Timi is that true" she inquired

"Mom, I'm so sorry. It's my fault, please forgive me"
Mommy always had a big heart, but this time I would be disciplined. I can't escape this.
She looked at me. Slowly her anger went away.

"Timi, do you want to make us homeless? And destroy everything I have built? Henceforth no video games, no Television. You both are grounded for a week."
My joy was she included my little brother into my punishment. The little snitched deserved it.