It was Christmas Eve in Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, and the air was buzzing with festive vibes. Red and green decorations were everywhere. I was in the kitchen, elbow-deep in cooking prep with my stepmom, when Dad called out to me. “Hey, let’s roll! We’re getting drinks for the house!” He was taking me alone, leaving my siblings behind. I bounced out to the car, excitement bubbling inside me. It was 7:30 in the morning, and the sun was bright.
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But as we drove, I got confused. I knew the road to the mall, and this was not it. We pulled into the Ghana National Fire Service yard at Hotel Junction. My eyes widened in shock. This was not the grocery shop. Dad signalled for me to stay put, saying he would be back. Next thing I knew, we were in the GNFS office.
The officers there… if you should see their faces, eh. They looked like they had sucked on sour lemons. Even on Christmas, they had no joy at all. They frowned hard. One said to me, “We’re going to eat you for Christmas!”
If you knew my dad, you would understand. He was the “no-nonsense” type, with a reputation for being strict. We were the infamous “Cat and Mouse” duo in our neighbourhood. He would chase, and I would run. Punishments were usually canings or slaps. Everyone knew better than to mess with us.
The night before, I had been out gallivanting. I was a teenager in love with a boy, obviously. Dad had stopped by my room and found it empty because I had slipped out to see him, the love of my life at the time. Unbeknownst to me, my punishment was already booked.
Those officers? They were going to “drill” me. For my punishment, I had to kneel, crawl through broken palm kernel shells, and get whipped too. Trust me when I tell you, it was my nightmare. I crawled, sobbing, for thirty minutes, with sores forming on my knees. And my dad watched, showing no mercy. He did not give a hoot.
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Afterward, I staggered, limping to the car, completely humiliated. We did not go to buy the drinks we were supposed to get. Nobody asked why. My guess is they were already part of the plan. It was not my Christmas vibe.
Now, it is Christmas, and I have a newborn. I am happy. But when I think of Dad, I can only shake my head and laugh.
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