Hope

Prologue Walking down the driveway on a beautiful night, a man, a woman and a little boy enjoy a fresh breeze of air. Woman: What would you like to become when you grow up Joshua? Joshua: Mummy I want to sing and preach in church. Man: Th at’s my boy. Why sing and preach? Joshua: When I sing people will cry and receive Jesus and when I preach they will learn about Him. Man: Who taught you that? Joshua: Aunt Helen at church. I like church. We pray, we sing and we learn about Jesus. Woman: Yes Joshua and only good boys who listen to God and His word will get closer to Him. Joshua: Yes mu . . . . (Th ere is a sudden bang and a car rushing towards Joshua.Th e man pushes Joshua out of harm’s way Takudzwa Shumba - viii - and he is run over instead. Th e car continues out of control lifting the woman into the air fi nally crashing unto a nearby tree.) Dad? (Crying) Dad stand up please!!!!!!!! Man: (Faintly gasping for air with tears in his eyes) . . . . I . . . . Lo.lo.love you son - 1 - Chapter One Joshua: April we cannot keep up like this. April: Like what if I may ask? Joshua: Like strangers. I am trying my best to get your dad to like me. I am not wild the way he says I am. It’s just that a lot has been going on lately. My mom hasn’t been well since dad had the hospital scare. I got Chad and Drew to protect as well. April: You got a son and a daughter. I have tried my best to cover for you but I can’t anymore. My dad is the church Bishop; I’m an unwed mother of two at 22 years of age with an undecided fi ancé who is not committed to settling down. What do you want me to do? I’ve humiliated my family enough don’t you think? Joshua: Look I’m sorry, I’m trying okay. At the moment I’m just trying that’s all I can do. (Someone enters the room) Victoria: Oh my . . . . I’m sorry did I interrupt something? Joshua: No mom it’s okay we were just leaving. Takudzwa Shumba - 2 - Victoria: Don’t leave on my account. April: Th ank you Mrs Jones but we were leaving. Victoria: Okay dear. Greet your parents for me. Bless you dear. Josh pick up your father’s letters at the offi ce for me. Joshua: Sure thing mom. Let’s go April . . . (Th ey leave) MEANWHILE . . . Tina: Abel what’s wrong? Abel: I don’t know. I’ve been having a weird dream lately. I see a young man without anything crying hopelessly. When I get closer to him, he drifts away. I try talking to him and all he says is he’s sorry he killed his dad. I’ve been praying lately and my spirit keeps leading me to pray for this young man. He’s troubled Tina. I don’t know what that has got to do with me but we will wait on the Lord. Tina: I know it’s confusing but the Lord knows and He will provide the answer. Abel: I know my dear; it just seems a burden too big but no need to worry. I got to go to work and I will pass by the church for a few minutes to drop the minute book. Tina: Okay dear. I will see you later. Hope - 3 - Sally: April your father is the church Bishop of hundreds of people and I’m his wife. For how long will you embarrass us? What are people going to say? April: For once can you be just my mum and dad. I got pregnant to get your attention but it doesn’t seem to have worked. Sally: Do you know we’ve worked so hard to be where we are and we can’t aff ord to have your childish tantrums mess it up. You know how we feel about that boy. We will take care of your children. Th at boy has issues. You need to stay away from him. April: Oh like you did with me. Spend all my years in the hands of church members so you can build your church. No thank you very much. I want love for my children and I will give them that believe me. If you wanted to build your church so much you shouldn’t have had me and I thought judging was for God. You do not know Josh and you do not even try to know him. He is my fi ancé and my children’s dad. For goodness sake I’ve got enough problems mother. Sally: I am not having this conversation again April Anders. You will talk to your father next time maybe he will put some sense in you. April: He could try and we will see . . . . (A little boy runs in) Jojo Jojo: Hi mummy! Where is dad? April: He is outside waiting for us. Takudzwa Shumba - 4 - Jojo: Bye Nana (Running outside) Sally: Bye Jo. Please minimise the family embarrassment and be home early with the kids. April: Whatever appeases you mother. (She leaves and her phone rings); Joey? Joey: Hi! You didn’t reply my messages April: Th ere wasn’t anything to reply to. Joey: I actually do care April. I want to be a part of you and your kids. Th ey like me and I do like them too. I go to church, I serve the Lord and your dad really likes me and I respect him. What more do you want? April: Look I do respect you and all that but I’m sorry I don’t need anyone new in my life at the moment. I got to go and please stop calling or texting. I’m sorry but just stop. (She hangs up and gets in the car) Joshua: Everything alright? April:Yes. Just need some fresh air. Joshua:Me too. Peter: I cannot die without telling him the truth Victoria. I killed his father and mother. I have lived with that for 21years. I want to die in peace. Hope - 5 - Victoria: He should know you are not his father. I agree with you. Peter: Your father dies saving your life and your mother is lifted off the ground into the air and crashes to her death when you are just 5 years old and you see these things right before your eyes. You suppress those memories and they become just nightmares so you can move on. I’m the father he knows but justice needs to be done. Victoria: You overcompensate for it by rejecting your sons. Peter: I didn’t do such a thing. I have loved the 3 of them equally. Both of us know you aren’t his super fan. Victoria: I admit it. Joshua isn’t my fl esh; he is your charity case. He doesn’t deserve a dime of that wealth and I will make sure he doesn’t get it. Peter: It was never about the money Vicky. It’s about what I owe that boy I left in the driveway 21 years ago. Victoria: I don’t care what you think you owe him. I just want my boys to get their father’s love they miss and deserve not some stranger orphan. Peter: One day you will know what I’m talking about Vicky. If I die I pray the Lord changes your heart because if anything happens to that boy due to your hatred towards him you shall never fi nd peace. Remember this conversation Vicky. As much as I love you, God’s will comes fi rst. Victoria: I’m a Christian remember. Takudzwa Shumba - 6 - Peter: You are a church goer, people pleaser and know it all religious individual. Th ere is a diff erence. Victoria: How dare you say spiteful things about your wife Peter Jones? Peter: Because it’s the truth. When you are dying Vicky your life fl ashes before your eyes and there are things which happen which are inexplicable. When the time comes you will understand . . . . (Joshua enters the room with April and the kids) Jojo: Papi . . . . Peter: Oh my boy! Come here. Joshua: Mom, they send the letters home. Victoria: Okay I will check the mail when I get home. I was just leaving. Joshua: Alright mom. Hi dad! How have you been? Peter: Breathing. Could I have a word? (April leaves) Th is is hard for me but I got to say this. Joshua I’m not your father.