The Monster & The Conspiracy (BWWM)

25. The Woman In The Picture

C H A P T E R
T W E N T Y - F I V E  

"Foolishness...utter foolishness, my child." Vanessa scolded her daughter for what seemed like the hundredth time that afternoon.

"I know Mama, everyone keeps telling me that." Lin mumbled as she carefully applied eyeliner on her lower eyelid.

"No...this is beyond foolishness. This must be why our ancestors are displeased with this family!" Vanessa fumed whilst pacing around Lin's tidy room. The windows were opened and the curtains were drawn, allowing fresh air to circulate in her bedroom.

"Mama, what are you talking about?" Lin grumbled. She placed her eyeliner pencil back on her dressing table and faced her mother. Vanessa scowled at Lin's nonchalant expression.

"I'm talking about the bad luck that has befallen us all. Your father won't stop falling and Liam is eating too much!" Vanessa explained a little too quickly. "I swear it's because of that stupid decision you made. How dare you leave that little boy?!" The woman hissed.

"Mama, calm down. What I did has nothing to do with Baba falling or my nephew eating too much. We all know Baba is clumsy and Liam eats like there's no tomorrow!" Lin defended herself before rising to her feet.

"Hmmm." Vanessa hummed. "Abandoning him is shameful and horrible. Have you been possessed by a spirit of cowardice? If so, Mlimo* take me now!" Vanessa yelled as she looked heavenwards.

Lin rolled her eyes. "Mama you're being dramatic."

"I am not! You've lost your damn mind. Should I take you to a nyanga*?!" Vanessa deliberated.

"Hayi* bo*! Mama, yehlisa* umoya*!" Lin advised, calmly.

"Don't tell me to calm down! And why are you getting all dressed up?" Vanessa demanded as she looked her up and down skeptically.

"I'm going to see Charlie." Lin replied. She opened her shoe closet and grabbed a pair of ankle boots. There was a brief moment of silence.

"Oh." Vanessa muttered simply.

"Yes." Lin chuckled.

"Why didn't you say that in the first place before I started yelling? Now I'll have to drink that awful zumbane* broth for my throat. " Vanessa grumbled as she caressed her throat.

"Hmm." Lin hummed. "I don't know, maybe because you stormed into my house warning me that our ancestors are angry, yadayadayada that I've disgraced the family name, yadayadayada...something about me being a little coward. And how if I don't fix this mess you and Gogo will join forces and hit me." Lin explained airily whilst she put on her shoes.

Vanessa's expression morphed into one of annoyance. "Don't get cute with me." She snapped.

Lin sighed warily. "Mama, you asked me to explain and I did!"

"I didn't like your tone though. Let's go, you're dropping me off at Church. You better make it up to Charlie or I'll send the whole family after you." Vanessa instructed her with a warning. Vanessa made her way downstairs, all the while muttering to herself.

"Unbelievable." Lin scoffed.

°°••♤••°°

"My child, you're a Zimbabwean." Vanessa began.

"I'm well aware of my nationality Mama." Lin muttered.

"That tone of yours will get you smacked." Vanessa narrowed her eyes at Lin.