NAKED COIN

my muse

ave t

es me

ken our baths, and come down to hear him tell his tale. Yes, tales. Sometimes they were nothing but fictions told from the figment of his imagination, at least so they seemed. Like when he told us of how ‘Odegwu’, their village champion, wielding just a machete faced a group of soldiers with guns that came to harass his mother who advocated fo

what was being discussed, I was only their ear. I was the boy everyone knew would listen no matter how busy I was. Sometime, it was reprieving for some to know that someone out there was willing and ready to listen to them talk, poised, not contradicting their thoughts, or arguing with them. We were growing up in a world where everybody had something to say, felt li

n on the wall and motion Igbane to come over. He would then sit on Nne’s lap all t

e killed over a land tussle between their village and the neighboring town. I one time overheard Nna say grandfather had willed the land to the family and Igbane’s dad being the first born kept the land all to himself. It didn’t surprise me that even after much family quarrels as who to build upon the land, Nna didn’t turn away from his brother and family. He didn’t join in the fight though, he supported in many other ways like when he was begged to take Igbane under his care just in cas

ained weight. Our new compound was wide enough for Nna to build two mini-flats for rent and a month after; we had our first new neighbor. Nna’s new job had some strong financial backing; he was recommended by someone, to occupy one of those big positions left vacant by the

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ton and peeped at them through the window pane of my room. Mr. OyIgbo’s visage was respectful. I was more fascinated at Nna’s countenance. It was firm and well-founded, didn’t budge even though his views were the contrast of Mr. OyIgbo’s. I smiled a

almost on her knee. She was too

nation. Many years away from one’s native land co

our daughter for an in-law, y

, seemingly not flattered

would be lucky to marry a handsome young man as

rs while Igbane did justice to Nna’s car then would join Nne in the kitchen. Sometimes he’d take it upon himself to rid the compound of grasses. Al

lazy as this. What are you a man for? You better stand up or your peers would take you for rags”. Those

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d trek several miles threatened with dust before we got to the stream. Coming back, our feet’s would look clean, because we had been drenched by the same water on our head from the stream. Those weren’t good times; they were times ne

empty and wanting wear, trees spread their green leaves with pride, and the palm trees, singing, maybe to the wind or probably to the god’s. Tale of palm trees singing to the god’s at one point in time were told by elderly men, at moonlight, but that was c

oice. Today was the same as other days, worse actually, the red sands reaped mo

s and rice to sell. I watched Nne Price the bags, her bargaining technique had improved over night. She called her prize in full co

heavy. We would spend time in the market, moving from store to store comparing the prizes of the same commodity, and then finally we’d settle for the one that was lesser, and by lesser it was

_____

e fate would never grace him with such luxury again, but he was wrong. The air that morning was pleasant; I guess more pleasing as a result of Nna’s perfume tha

jade that often smile on those that need her the most”, he used to say those words with no luster, now they had become his apothegm. Nne’s view on the subject of fortune was somewhat rational yet none wanted to believe her when she said: “Fortune smiles and then betrays”

a asked as he kept on with his suave firm

his comforting look. I could guess what he was g

now what

and said “No, but

to what I was about to say. “The business you have been ho

part was that I don’t know who recommended the job for me. All I was told wa

epiphany as if I hadn’t eavesdropped on

rnment building contractor, importin

you have always prayed for, less wor

if she were here. Her words were “You better not be lazy like your father! How wou

e, safe to say he was lazy an

Nna asked perceiving the

For some reasons, I had

pass, or don’t you

it’s

indisputably. “Osaro our neighbo

ake me laugh. Nna did good to use her for jokes. I didn’t laugh even

o church in awkward silence. Ev

s awk

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the air. Nna had left for work already, Igbane too. He left with Nna so as to meet the morning les

ould hear Ndidi rummaging her room, she was probably searching for her apron again, if she went to school without it that would make the third time this week she had gone without it. Ndidi was through with school, but Nna wasn’t ready to sponsor her education, his opinion

d she was saying. But I wasn’t going to mind, I actually never minded any of those times she gave me such inauspicious moot gaze. I loved my body, how burly I was, but most of all my height,

the chair opposite her. She gestured that I come sit

eone was only worsening, or you had done her proud. In this case it was the former, no action of mine in recent time had made

uture plans?” sh

difficult to predict, It'd be hard to tell her reaction. I couldn’t imagine telling her I wanted to be a baskiball player, b

grow up

you grown already? Or where else do

s possible. She wasn’t just aski

uld pierce through anyone and make you rethink your life again and again. Growing up, we preferred she

ighed in disappointment.

sity of Ibadan soonest.” I answered proudly, but the loo

s been years since you wrote your a

The result i

e would take another seven to eight years, and that would waste her son’s life. I understood, but my still being at home at this time wasn’t my fa

provide for the family, but there’s no need for that anym

ng feet ascended down the stairs. She was fully

ow do

ne replied with a smil

the kiss and let out a wide grin. “Nwanna

here that occupied the dining room. From t

Why don’t you tell your father to give you money to start up a bu

like to

ou’re able to stand on your own, you pay h

the difference betwee

I still want to be a doctor

big in Enugu with their trade business, and you are here telling me doctor. You better

f in Enugu than here, the ancient Benin kingdom. It’s been twenty-one years now since they left Enugu to pitch their tent here, Nne had still not found l

much that he wanted to change our surnames to Benin names, if not f

he door and saw two men standing in well-dressed outfits. Both were manly, beards well shaved and fine raiment’s. The taller was putting on a brown Kaftan, and the other, a white cotton native. They

mornin

ller of the two replied che

fine

ther, Mr. O

he’s gone

when he is home.” They left

_____

ocuments would be faster by post. I admired Uselu market as we drove past, though the market had gotten busie

lmost fell having missed my step for my incessant gaze at her. The drubbing in my heart eased as she entered the post office, it was as if we were meant to have come across each other. I went into the office confident of fate, she didn’t look b

o. I swiftly got to the counter and picked mine, standing just beside her. I took a peek and sa

ind the counter. He was on brown khaki short,

ded to ignore me. I hurried my writing and we both submitted at the same time. The man had noticed my

come togethe

I was so glad she did. I felt like jumping on the man to thank him f

he said nothing, but I kept on, with the words “Women love to be conquered” resonant b

lly at the first meeting.” She tried sounding not too harsh but did a p

for Medicine,

wilderment on my face, she returned her gaze to t

though gorgeous were her tresses, it was dark and natural. I didn’t mind, and w

y to judge but I do f

she retorted, but

hopefully in a better place so

ve a fiancé.” She said i

s one not so pleasing. My thumping paused, goose on my skin stood firmly still, my mout

e. May I kno

and said “You’ve known enough for tod

n’t know your name nor have your c

to leave then swiveled back. “

don’t care,” I bite b