Dating : Consumption

Written by Aishat Kolawole

Veronica, my stepmother, is the goddess Nike disguised as human because she fell in love with my father. My father Claude didn’t have a clue about her, but always thought she was one of a kind. I asked Veronica, “What is your name?” She said, “Well my real name is Nike, Goddess of Victory but since we’re family, Lisa you can call me Veronica.” I kept this secret from my Dad and Troy, my younger half-brother, because it was better they didn’t know. I always thought being named after a show was pretty hilarious considering it is sold by corporate America. Nike is the Goddess of Victory, but right now my father and she are working constantly for tremendous hours of the day. Finding someone to watch us in Miami, Florida, is not easy. A 10-year-old girl and 6-year-old boy home alone doesn’t sound promising, so Veronica and my father hired Helga.

Helga loved me and my little brother but spited Veronica when Father and Veronica weren’t around. Helga would say “your stepmother is so ugly that all the mirrors in the world would shatter,” and “I don’t see how your stepmother is intelligent and hired someone like me to watch ordinary children like you.” When Helga said that statement, I was curious and a deep fear sank into the unknown of her response as Troy was watching TV and not paying attention to us, I then asked her, “What do you mean, someone like you?, Is there something special about you?” Helga replied cynically. “I may not look it, but I’m old as dirt and have seen and done terrible things. People who understand my world are people like Veronica. I tried to wrap around the fact that she would know about Veronica being a goddess. That troubles me to think what is she? I thought. Is she human? What is goal? It was 8 pm and it was time for me to get ready for bed. “Goodnight.” I said. Helga replied with a grimace look “Sleep well Lisa.” I then proceeded to go walk up the stairs, into the hallway and into my bedroom and pondered about what Helga had said. I then was too tired to think so I’d fallen asleep.

A few days later Veronica got off of work early and came home. She came home through the living room. Lets just say teleportation is her forfeit. Veronica told Helga that Helga could go home for the day. Helga said, “I will not leave until I get what’s mine. You Nike should know what I am saying” Nike replied “What are you and what is your purpose here?” “I am the infamous incubus,” Helga said proudly. “ I consume children’s souls when they say my name in my presence or when I’m hungry. Once they know the horror of me, that must never be revealed” “ I can’t believe I trusted you,” Veronica exclaimed “I didn’t even look thought your illusion.” Veronica said unceasingly “All I want Veronica-” “NIKE IS HOW YOU WILL RESPOND TO ME. Helga said in a disturbing voice “Whatever, I don’t care if you’re goddess of Victory. I just want to eat the children and GO ON TO MY NEXT MEAL!” As I sat in my room and heard what Helga said, fear shot through me like a lighting bolt. I got down on my knees and institutionally and prayed to Athena out loud, “Give Nike wisdom, power, strength to get rid of Helga the…” “Say it Lisa” Helga hissed. “Lisa, no don’t do this I will win this fight alone. Just get you and your brother out of the house.” Veronica screamed impatiently. I ran to Troy’s room and told him that “We were going on a trip.” Troy and I ran outside through the side door, but when we got outside it was dark. I thought this must be one of Helga’s tricks. We tried to get inside through the back door of the patio , the door would not open. Now we are stuck out here in the dark and had no way of reaching Veronica with my dad still on his business trip in New, York.