Taking Advantage of Mama

"Baby, I'm home," cried Ikem Ngwu as he deposited his briefcase on the floor of the sitting room.

"We are in the kitchen," came Nkoli's reply.

'We? Damn, that bitch is here.' thought Ikem. He was referring to Nkoli's mother, mama Ifeanyi(that’s the name of her first child, Nkoli’s older brother). She had made no secret of her dislike of Ikem and she never missed an opportunity to give him a hard time. He went into the kitchen and kissed his heavily pregnant wife. "Sorry I'm late sweetheart..."

"So you should be. Nkoli's very tired. She shouldn't be on her own."

"Stop it mum," said Nkoli as the tears began to flow from her eyes.

Ikem held his wife as she wept on his shoulder. "I think you should go mama, before we both say something we regret."

Mama Ifeanyi looked at her son-in-law with a combination of anger and hatred. She then kissed her daughter. "I'll see you tomorrow, love," she said and left without another word.

"Oh Ikem, I'm so sorry about my mum. I just don't understand why she is like this."

"Now Nkoli. You know what your dad and the other doctors said. You are not to get stressed. Besides, mothers-in-law are supposed to be nasty," he laughed.

"Oh I do love you Ikem."

"And I love you sweetheart. Now what's for dinner?"

Despite making little of the incident with his mother-in-law, Ikem was beginning to despair of the constant arguments. He found it amazing the contrast between Mama Ifeanyi and her husband, chief Ukaegbu. Chief was a total gentleman. He was a medical doctor at the federal medical centre, but preferred to be called chief because of his traditional belief. Both Ikem and Chief got on well together. They partnered each other frequently in golf at the sports club.

Ikem and Nkoli had been married for just over a year. He was twenty-seven and Nkoli was twenty-five. Ikem was an accountant and Nkoli worked in the local government council until her maternity leave.

***

A few days later, while he was working in his office, Ikem received a phone call from his very good friend, Olamide Daniels. Olamide was manager of the Electronics factory in Surulere area of Lagos State. It was also where Mama Ifeanyi worked as part time bookkeeper. Olamide asked Ikem to come to the factory on his way home. Ikem noted the concern in Olamide's voice but couldn't get anything out of him. When he arrived at the factory the receptionist led him to Olamide's office. "Thank you Yetunde. You can go now. I'll lock up."

"Ok sir." came the young woman's reply.

Ikem sat in the seat offered. "So what's so urgent you had to call me Olamide?"

Olamide took a deep breathe and sighed. "I really don't know how to tell you this Ikem..."

"Look Olamide, we have been friends a long time. Just spit it out."

"Ok. There's a discrepancy in the accounts and I just can't reconcile the figures."

For a moment Ikem was silent and finally spoke. "You mean my mother-in-law has been dipping her hand in the till?"

"I didn't say that Ikem. I just don't know," said Olamide defensively.

"Take it easy Mide. How much of a discrepancy?"

"Well so far it's about five million but that's only going back a few months."

"Do you mind if I have a look?"

"I don't know Ikem. The books are confidential."

"Guy, I'm an accountant. What ever goes on here is accountant- client confidence."

Olamide got up and went to the next room. He returned with the books and handed them to Ikem. After phoning Nkoli to let her know he would be late Ikem meticulously went through the accounts.

After several hours of scrutiny, Ikem raised his head and lay back in the big leather chair. He rubbed his eyes as he looked skywards. Then he looked at Olamide. "Ok. This is the situation. The total shortfall is just over 2.5 million Naira."

Olamide looked at Ikem in shock. "I know it's not a great deal of money Ikem, but..."

"It's still embezzlement," finished Ikem.

"Well, what are we going to do?"

"What would you normally do?"

"We would fire her and have an investigation that would likely lead to prison."

"Then that's exactly what you should do."

"But Ikem, she's your mother-in-law."

"Ordinarily I would say just go ahead Olamide but with Nkoli expecting I don't want anything to cause her stress. Her father is a good man too. I don't want his name dragged through the mud."

Ikem thought for a moment. "I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll issue a cheque for the difference. I'll also take the books and work on them over the weekend. What do you say?"

"Mrs Ukaegbu can't come back here Ikem."

"No problem. I'll take care of her. I'll send someone over from the office to look after your accounts until you replace her Ok?"

"That's fine Ikem. Thank you."

"No Olamide. Thank you."

Ikem placed the books on the back seat and drove home with a smile of triumph on his face.

***