The phrase "about last night" always had a bad connotation and Liz felt so too. The humid Lagos weather that August evening had gone on into the night and that was the night she saw it.
Liz had woken up with a strong urge to use the bathroom, because she knew her way around she didn't bother putting on the light, trying to ignore the stomach pain she made her way to the bathroom switched on the light and as she sat was when she saw it, a brownish red colour all over her under wear... Mummy had told them about menstruation and she had waited two years to see it. Knowing what to do she quickly washed up, took care of herself and returned to bed.
It was August 1993 and Lagos seemed the perfect place for the long vacation. All five children had momentarily abandoned their mother in Kaduna and opted for the Lagos adventure. It was always fun being in Lagos and this time was no different.
That afternoon, Liz her two siblings and some kids from the neighbourhood had joined the tennis group, it was an Army barracks so sport facilities were operational.
the coach seemed tough but the kids were having the holiday of their life.
It was the way her stomach hurt that evening made her worried, dad had offered what pain medication he had handy and even given a hot water bottle (the kind pregnant women or very sick people used to warm themselves). She had some relief and did not think about it. Liz was going to resume school that October as a JSS 3 student and it was going to be her 12th birthday.
It did not occur to her or her older sister or her dad that the stomach ache was PMS.
When the telephone rang, Jess rushed to it knowing it was their mom calling, she always called around 7pm, "Liz?" 'No mum its Jess, Liz isn't feeling well". Liz had only shared with her two older sisters what had happened, both being experienced bought the pad and sorted everything out, daddy didn't need to know.
After speaking to the other 4 it was Liz' turn and she knew Suzy had told mummy but she still felt embarrassed, "Hello mummy" her soft voice was worrisome, she was the loud one, the tomboy, the playful one (middle child also) "my dear how do you feel, I hear it came today?" "yes mum".
"remember I told you what's going on in your body?, please rest if you feel the need to, also ask daddy for money to buy sanitary pads and bath at least twice daily" Liz was more shocked her mum had just told her to ask dad for sanitary pads "mum I can't ask daddy, can you tell him? I'm shy"
Mum laughed and eased any worry she had..."As for the stomach pain, no need to worry, its only PMS, premenstrual syndrome, it'll pass quickly".
---Liz counted the minutes till dad returned, she planned to ask quickly and not looking him in the eye. "Dad, I need money" between his bite of yam and egg sauce the slight frown told her she need to explain. "I want to buy...ehn....pad" he dropped his fork smiled and reached for his wallet, "I hope this will do?" she grabbed the money and ran.
That December, Liz will go on to help another girl in school (An SS2 Student)... It took another 3 months before the next one came and this time there was no pain...
Liz had woken up with a strong urge to use the bathroom, because she knew her way around she didn't bother putting on the light, trying to ignore the stomach pain she made her way to the bathroom switched on the light and as she sat was when she saw it, a brownish red colour all over her under wear... Mummy had told them about menstruation and she had waited two years to see it. Knowing what to do she quickly washed up, took care of herself and returned to bed.
That afternoon, Liz her two siblings and some kids from the neighbourhood had joined the tennis group, it was an Army barracks so sport facilities were operational.
the coach seemed tough but the kids were having the holiday of their life.
It was the way her stomach hurt that evening made her worried, dad had offered what pain medication he had handy and even given a hot water bottle (the kind pregnant women or very sick people used to warm themselves). She had some relief and did not think about it. Liz was going to resume school that October as a JSS 3 student and it was going to be her 12th birthday.
It did not occur to her or her older sister or her dad that the stomach ache was PMS.
When the telephone rang, Jess rushed to it knowing it was their mom calling, she always called around 7pm, "Liz?" 'No mum its Jess, Liz isn't feeling well". Liz had only shared with her two older sisters what had happened, both being experienced bought the pad and sorted everything out, daddy didn't need to know.
After speaking to the other 4 it was Liz' turn and she knew Suzy had told mummy but she still felt embarrassed, "Hello mummy" her soft voice was worrisome, she was the loud one, the tomboy, the playful one (middle child also) "my dear how do you feel, I hear it came today?" "yes mum".
"remember I told you what's going on in your body?, please rest if you feel the need to, also ask daddy for money to buy sanitary pads and bath at least twice daily" Liz was more shocked her mum had just told her to ask dad for sanitary pads "mum I can't ask daddy, can you tell him? I'm shy"
Mum laughed and eased any worry she had..."As for the stomach pain, no need to worry, its only PMS, premenstrual syndrome, it'll pass quickly".
---Liz counted the minutes till dad returned, she planned to ask quickly and not looking him in the eye. "Dad, I need money" between his bite of yam and egg sauce the slight frown told her she need to explain. "I want to buy...ehn....pad" he dropped his fork smiled and reached for his wallet, "I hope this will do?" she grabbed the money and ran.
That December, Liz will go on to help another girl in school (An SS2 Student)... It took another 3 months before the next one came and this time there was no pain...
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