MYOPIA

MYOPIA - TWO
    Tension was in the air as the air- condition tight living room of the Michealsons  suddenly  became hot,  and their Family lawyer Informed them about the 50-50 chances of winning Paul's case. Especially as the accused police man had now given a different account of the events that unfolded.  First he claimed that Paul couldn't provide his particulars and finally crowned it up with a claim that, he and the deceased had struggled for the possession of his gun,  and finally,  that the shooting was an accidental discharge. But Ben was confident that they would eventually make head way in the case as there were other witnesses present. Infact he felt that the chances of the accused winning were as slim as the chances of a man driving a car powered by kerosene.
        But that was not the reason for the Tension in the room; a Tension which Ben could not only feel but taste, as all eyes were on Paul's ex- girlfriend Natalia  and the little boy with her who was about three years of age,  and was holding tightly to her gown. She waited patiently for the legal discussion to be over before dropping the bomb on the entire family. “this little boy with me is the product of my relationship with Paul, four years ago” she said, with her voice full of confidence as she held onto the small hooded child. Ben's father,  william, soon cleared his throat before speaking “young lady” he began, “you do realise that Paul is dead right? So why did you  wait this long before bringing the child to us?”
Natalia was speechless for a while before explaining to the whole family in the form a tale, how she thought she could bring up the child alone until now. A tale which Ben thought sounded a lot like a soap oprah.
      The entire family were in a delicate situation especially after the death of Paul, which was why Ben found it odd that Natalia chose this  opportunity to come around. And like she must have predicted the doors to their mansion were  flung wide  open for Natalia and her child.  But that was not what provoked Ben's present thoughts.
      Firstly the child behaved  like a mute, I mean normal children make sounds once in a while, but most odd of all was the child's attraction to pink clothing, feminine shoes and Barbie dolls. This was definitely not a trait any of the youngmen in the family possessed.  Wait! Ben said within himself as he took a pause,  an obvious sign that a helpful key to the puzzle  has been unraveled.  “Paul broke up with Natalia some years back because she was on #team abstinence#” so this can't be,  Ben thought  as he made to rush to the study to find his uncle Tom who also found the fact that the child might be gay troubling.
      As Ben was walking past the living room he caught a glimpse of the child playing on the floor with some dolls, an obvious tea party; which was definitely a thing for a little girl and a strong wave of disgust blew past him. But the harsh breeze of the Hamattan held all the answers  when it blew down the little boy's hoodie. And that beautiful pair of barbie eyes turned to stare at the Intruder who was disturbing her tea party.
    “My God!  It's a girl” ... Ben thought aloud, “what is Natalia up to?"....