The Supernatural Private Detective

It's a brisk morning in Birchwood. The sun bathes the birch forests as the moist winds rustle through the trees carrying the scent of salt. The hums of cargo ships echo from the docks and harbors as sailors, fishermen, and dockworkers begin their day. Sea lions and puffins dot the beaches, while seabirds fly gracefully over the forests and streets. The bears and otters hunt for salmon in the rivers, while the foxes hunt the hares and ducks, and the deer eat the twigs, grasses and leaves. Even the bees are abuzz, diligently gathering pollen to craft honey for the queen. But somewhere in Birchwood, in a middle-class suburban area known as SilverBirch estate, a man sits on the porch of his home, wearing a flannel shirt and jeans. His posture relaxed as he flips through the Birchwood chronicles newspaper. This man's name is Herald Bassey.

The sound of children plaing fills the air from the lawn.

"I, the pirate king, have hidden my treasure, and none of you scrubby dogs can find it! Arrr!" declares young Victor, sporting a pirate hat and an eye patch tilted slightly on his head.

"That's mean! Don't call me a scrubby dog," protests Nora, crossing her arms and pouting.

"Don't worry, Nora," Rob chimes in. Draped in a makeshift cape, he strikes a heroic pose. "I'll find this joker's treasure and become the new pirate king!"

"Not so fast! You'll have to defeat me first!" Victor challenges, grabbing a stick from the ground and brandishing it like a sword.

Rob scans his surroundings until he spots another stick lying nearby. Picking it up, he points it at Victor with a triumphant cry. "En garde!"

As if nature itself were drawn into their game, a gust of wind sweeps dramatically through the yard before the two boys charge at each other. Their sticks clash in a flurry of playful combat, echoing the sounds of imagined swords in their epic pirate duel.

"Go Rob, go, you can do it!" Nora cheers for Rob as they play.

"Hey, don't play rough!" Uche scolds, wearing a simple black T-shirt and cargo shorts as he walks out through the front door with his arms folded.

"Sorry, Dad," Victor responds.

"Sorry uncle." Rob and Nora say in unison.

"Your dad's kinda scary." Nora whispers to Victor as he and Rob drop their sticks.

"Come on, Obongowo, let the kids have a little fun." Herald teases, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Obongowo" is the nickname he always calls Uche. In Ibibio, the language from Herald's ethnic group in Nigeria, it means "my king."

"No, dey whine me. It's all fun and games till someone gets hurt," Uche responds. The phrase "No dey whine me" roughly translates to "Don't mess with me" or "don't tease me" in pidgin English. A form of slang in Nigeria.

"You're not always on patrol, you know; you gotta relax sometimes."

A smirk appeared on Uche's face. "Maybe you're right."

"I see you boys are getting along," says Antonia, wearing a casual short-sleeve blouse and straight-leg jeans as she walks out through the front door. She held a tray in her hands, the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the air. "I see you boys are getting along," she remarked with a warm smile. "Mama Tinuke made cookies. Do you want some, honey?" she asked, addressing her husband.

"Those are for the kids," Uche responded firmly, though his tone hinted at playfulness.

"I'll have one," Herald chimed in, setting his newspaper on the table.

"Oh, Herald, but your blood sugar."

Herald chuckled, brushing off her concern. "I'll be fine," he said, grabbing a cookie from the tray.

Antonia shook her head with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "I still find it hard to believe you two get along; you don't act alike at all," she said, watching the two men interact.

"We both left our homeland," Uche said simply.

"And we both married thick white women." Herald added, causing both men to break into laughter.

Antonia chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Maybe you two are more alike than I thought," she muttered. Then she turned toward the lawn. "Kids! Cookies!" she called, her voice cutting through the playful shouts of the children.

"Yay!" They rushed to the porch and began to devour the cookies.

"Have as much as you want; Mama Tinuke is still baking."

"Hehe, my Mama is the best cook in the world." Nora giggled.

"That she is dear." Antonia responded.

"Hey, do you guys want to play pocket critters?" Rob asks.

"Yay! pocket creatures." Nora cheers with her mouth full.

"Now, Nora, don't talk with your mouth full." Herald scolds.

"Sorry."

"First beat me at Highway Brawlers, then we play pocket critters."

"You're on," Rob says with a mischievous grin on his face. Both boys run into the house.

"Hey! I thought we were playing pocket critters!" Nora yells as she follows them, two cookies in hand.

The children had finished the cookies, so Antonia walked back into the house to return the tray.

"Why do you buy your son so many video games? It rots the brains." Uche remarked without looking up, his tone sharp but casual. When no answer came, he turned to find Herald staring off into space. "Something bothering you?" He asks.

"That's the neighbor washing his car, isn't it?" "That's the neighbor washing his car, isn't it?" Herald replied, pointing toward a man by the driveway. The man noticed Herald's gesture, and when Herald waved, the man waved back. "I can't even see that far clearly anymore; it's all blurry. My eyes just get worse every day."

Herald turns to look at Uche, who remains silent, listening.

"I can still read though, even though I gotta strain my eyes a bit." Herald continued, picking up the newspaper again before dropping it. "Sometimes I wish Helen was still here." His smile faltered as he concluded.

"Everyone has to die someday," Uche said bluntly, his tone devoid of sentiment.

His smile rises again. "You don't hold back, do you?"

"Gotta tell my brother the truth," Uche responded, his expression firm but not unkind.

Herald chuckled slightly. Though they weren't actually brothers but distant cousins, the bond they shared with each other was as strong as a bond between brothers.

"Obongowo, you only speak wisdom," Herald teased.

Uche allowed a small smirk to cross his face. "If I was so wise, I would have escaped the wrath of my village people by now."

"Sure, blame all your problems on innocent people you've never met in a village you've never been to," Herlad responded before laughing.

Uche chuckled. "I tell you; they are using charms to hinder me from being a millionaire."

"They don't even know you, you paranoid fool."

Both men burst into laughter.

"Ha! I win again!" Victor's voice echoes so loudly that they could hear it all the way from Rob's room.

"Your son sure can play a lot," Herald comments.

"Yeah, you'd think it affects his studies, but it doesn't. That boy's a genius, always straight As."

"Rob's pretty smart too, you know; he gets As and a few Bs."

"He'd do better if you bought fewer videogames and comic books."

"You're only ever a child once; let him enjoy his youth." Herald says.

They both remain silent for a moment.

"Uche, if something were to ever happen to me, would you promise to take care of Robert?" Herald asked, his voice carrying a weight that immediately drew Uche's attention.

Uche turned, surprised by the sudden seriousness. "Where did that come from?" he asked.

Herald sighed deeply. "Rob is my only son, and I've already lost Helen. If I'm gone, I want him to still be happy, to keep that smile on his face. That's all I ask."

Uche studied Herald's expression, the quiet worry etched into his features. He could see the depth of love and concern for his child in Herald's eyes.

After a moment of silence, Uche nodded firmly. "I promise."

Herald smiled faintly, his shoulders relaxing just a little. "Thank you, brother."

In that moment, the bond between them felt unbreakable.

Just then, Antonia sticks her head out the door. "Boys, the food is ready," she declares.

"Took you ladies long enough," Uche remarked.

Finally, what's on the menu?" Herald asked as both men stood up and walked into the house.

"It's a whole buffet; Mama Tinuke really is amazing; she made white soup and afang soup to choose and eat with either garri or semovita. The soups are rich with stockfish, chicken and so many other vegetables and spices." Antonia explains as they all walk into the house.

"That sounds great." Uche comments.

"It smells great too." Herald's nose twitched as he took a whiff of the air. "I believe the correct term for white soup is Afia Efere." He added.

"It's called Nsala soup in Igbo though." Said Uche.

"The Ibibio name is better." Herald shrugged.

"Does what we call it really matter, boys?" Antonia pitched in. "Kids, the food is ready!" She calls out for the children who rush down the stairs soon after.

"Last one to the dining table is Nora's gaming skills!" Victor yells as he and Rob run past the adults.

"Don't be mean, you guys; I wanted to play pocket critters." Nora follows while pouting with her hands folded.

"Hey, you rugrats, don't run in the house!" Uche scolds.

Rob and Victor stop in their tracks and walk quietly to the dining table, Antonia setting the table as they do.

"You didn't have to call them rugrats though." Herald comments.

Mama Tinuke walks in from the kitchen, using her cane to get around. "I worked extra hard to make this one, so please eat as much as you can." She says.

"Mama, let me help you get to your seat." Antonia rushed to her aid.

"Unhand me! I can walk on my own." She retorted, startling Antonia, who watches her as she walks to make sure he doesn't have an accident.

Now everyone was seated around the dining table, the aroma of Mama Tinuke's cooking filling the room.

"Robert, say the grace so we can start eating," Herald called to his son.

"Okay, Dad," Rob said as he rose to his feet. Closing his eyes, he began to pray. "Lord, bless this meal, which we are about to receive, from your bounty, through Christ our Lord, Amen."

"That's good, Robert. Your father teaches you well," Mama Tinuke complimented with a proud smile as everyone began to dig into their plates.

"Everyone, thank Mama for the meal," Antonia said, walking in from the kitchen with a tray of glasses and a jug of water.

"Thank you, Mama!" The children and Herald chorused cheerfully, but Uche remained silent.

"I was talking to the children, though," Antonia teased with a raised brow.

"Just showing some respect," Herald replied with a playful grin.

"Enjoy the food, everyone! My mama's food is the best food in the world!" Nora declared with a smug expression, earning a round of laughter.

"Oh, yes, it is!" Victor added enthusiastically.

"Thank you, children," Mama Tinuke said, her voice warm with gratitude.

The table buzzed with conversation, laughter, and the clinking of utensils. Smiles stretched wide on their faces as they enjoyed the meal, savoring the food and each other's company. In that moment, they weren't just neighbors, people who knew each other, or relatives—they were one big, happy family.