That leads to Joe's place. A lonely short cut, short enough to cut Prieto journey away from sight. He stayed away from sight, because he feels he has eyes on him.
He got to Joe's place. He went to the chief's compound and knocked at the gate, Joe answered the gate and Prieto was like; bro I can see you’re busy and Joe said am really busy. only trying to do some clean ups, chief called he said he would be around tomorrow.  Smartly, he asked Joe if he could help him do some jobs, and few tidy up for the man. Joe welcome Prieto in. Prieto packed his bicycle and quickly ask Joe what he want him to do to assist.  Joe said; you can take this pipe and open the water to every sandy region, from the compound entrance to damp the dust. Prieto was happy to do something for Joe. A man with no academic standard, an old guy. Old enough to be Prieto’s uncle. Somehow, the way he act matured makes Prieto respect him.
He’s humble and he respect Prieto in spite of their age difference. That was all to it. Prieto sprayed and wet the sandy region of the compound to the gate. He worked and did all he can, and  had a break that evening with  sips of gin with Joe. He remembered what Joe said, when he was helping him to fetch some water to wash the tiles of the toilet. Joe started talking about chief to Prieto. He said; chief is a wealthy man with 35 filling stations. Suddenly, he went to Joe and told him not to forget talking to chief about him. Joe told him to be patient and he should not try to rush things or he get all the plans mixed up, in such a way that won’t make things possible.
Prieto understood him. He counted himself at least lucky to be helpful. So he went home that day feeling happy with himself. Meanwhile, its hard to see what is truly in the hearts of men. One thing is for sure, anything worth doing is worth doing well. If the feelings is right.
Nzeribe on the other hand, at times makes Prieto believe that Joe happens to be a spiritualist. Saying; chief is nothing in his hands in manipulation. Am sure there must be trust beyond measures between them. Some times at the middle of the week, Prieto went to see Nzeribe and Nzeribe told him to meet with him at his wife’s mother’s place, a treckable distance. A stone throw away. Prieto told him he should keep going, that he would be coming behind. As soon as Prieto got to the block, it's a small space sitting room, beside to the adjacent, there is a barber shop. He knocked on the door, that had already been opened before him but covered with cotton. Pulling the cotton slightly, there he saw some women", three women sitting round a four corner table. Four women! plus Nzeribe’s mother’s wife. He greeted them the usual way, in their native dialect 'ootofe' and they all responded. Prieto passed beside a woman carrying a child, a fat woman sat at the other sit tightly to the corner where he was made to sit with Nzeribe. The fat woman has a suckable lips and exposed her cleavage. Prieto had his eyes swaying over her chest, fixing gaze on her big breast. He had to control himself. As a big boy, "act like you need it and act like you don’t need it".
It was like the lady was pushing forth her leg under the sit, as Prieto was trying to pull forth his own. You know! the body language thing. Nobody knows it but me style. Not to get himself caught  up in such charms too soon, he leaned beside a wall. The bench long  stretched to the wall, where he placed his back. Opposite Prieto and Nzeribe were this ladies. At Nzeribe's left hand side, there was a woman with the look of an occult grand mother, sipping on some gin, with a tribal mark darkly lined on her forehead. As she talked, her two front teeth were gaped. Beside her, opposite Prieto was this beautiful lady. She was charming beautiful and fair in complexion. They all came for a burial ceremony in the village from Lagos.
They had to stop over at Tina’s mother's place. Nzeribe brought three bottles of gin. This ladies except the one with a child, were actually having their cup refilled. Prieto was drinking as well. Been with them, Tina could interpret his behaviour.  She crossed her legs, and kept fidgeting on the chair. Prieto picked up the bottle of gin and poured more of the gin in to his glass cup. This time around looking into Tina’s eyes, but she acted in such a way that she still can’t get with Prieto’s eye contact. To let off the steam, Tina opened her crossed legs exposing her fair knees. Prieto knew he could have a chance with Tina. Though, she was a married woman with children, two of them in oversea. Tina married  a rich guy, who happen to be her husband. Right about now, he must be having his own nice time in Lagos.
She came to the village with a white car. An Honda brand. I didn’t really notice the car too much. The fairy tales was on. The lady with the child wasn’t bad, but she’s quite different from the rest of them, She doesn’t drink. She gesticulated in a certain way, that made her stand up. In some kind of way to flex her hips. Prieto uncontrollably, gazed at her low waist not minding if the  rest of the women were looking at him. Nzeribe kept ordering his wive's mother for more drinks. Has he collected his request, his left hand was caring his daughter Francis  and they kept on their conversation.