I knocked on the door, not once but thrice at interminable intervals. There was no response. In the background, I could hear some voices and laughter. Somewhere in the house a radio was switched on and I could hear some gospel music playing.
Was the address correct? I checked the piece of paper I had torn from Maidei’s old writing exercise book. The address was correct. I stood on the doorstep patiently for another two minutes. Nothing happened. I decided to count one up to ten and if no one answered in that time, I would take my leave. The sky was overcast.
It had just rained that morning and looked set to have another downpour anytime. I did not want to be caught outdoors, what with thunder and lightning.
I had also promised Mai VaMaidei to be back soon and help carry her wares to the market.
As I counted ten, the door was partially swung open, someone peeped at me and shut the door again before I could identify the person. Then I heard a voice shout, ” There is someone standing outside the door!”
I waited a full sixty seconds before the weather-beaten door was finally swung wide open. A that time, there was silence except music which was playing in the background. This time, the door was opened by a man who looked forty but was actually bidding the forties goodbye. He had a jovial face and his eyes looked like he wanted to laugh all the time.
Our eyes locked for a second or two and then he spoke.
“What can I do for you?” He said.
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He sure looked like the homeowner.
“I heard you are looking for a painter,” I said hopefully.
He looked over his shoulder and called out to someone who was in the house,.
“There is a visitor for you,” he said.
Other footsteps approached the door and another man joined us. They were identical twins and I looked from one to the other in fresh surprise. The newcomer also had a pleasant face which made him likable.
“I am a painter and I was informed that you need someone to paint your house,” I said once more.
“Oh sure, come in, I am Mike, this is my twin brother Mark,” said Mike.
At last we were getting somewhere. As I entered the sitting room, I noticed there were already many people. It was overcrowded. It was a family gathering. There were two women, and an elderly woman who was likely the mother of the twins, all grown up now with their own children. There were several children, both boys and girls.
“I should not be here,” I thought to myself. The sitting room itself was small, probably six metres by three metres but it was cosy.
“This is our mother, it’s her birthday today, we brought her grandchildren for the occasion, “ said Mike.
Both Mike and Mark then accompanied me outside.
“This is our parents’ house, we grew up here and we want to have it painted both the inside and outside,” said Mark.
“Are you aware that artisans like you are in demand in Canada?” Said Mike.
I shook my head from side to side.
“You must take a trade test, maybe get Journeyman Class 1 or Class 2, you will thank me later. I know of an agency which can assist you to go and work overseas,” said Mike.
That was good news for me. I had heard that some of these countries were taking plumbers, bricklayers and boilermakers. There was no harm in trying.
“Go and do a quotation for us, bill of quantities and your labour costs, here is my contact number,” said Mike.
When I left the house, I was filled with great hope. It’s not everyday that you are given a ray of hope. Many people were going overseas so that they could have a better life for their families. Big lesson is, it’s not always your circle of friends and relatives that give you valuable information and assistance, but oftentimes perfect strangers display more willingness to help.
*Onie Ndoro
OnieX@90396982
