d twelve, Baba

hursday and my school principal had just called h

didn't enter it thinking I'd win. I entered it because I had a story to tell - and because Miss Remi

ched her house burn down with her mother inside and had to rebuild her life in a new town.

sn't

. Miss Remi came in, holding a letter like it was made of gold leaf. She read it out loud in front of

ate. And a brown envelo

was tucked safely between my schoolbooks, my shoes worn and dusty,

eyes lighting up when she saw th

ney for WAEC," I whispered. "

f rice and cold Coke! Just for t

we stirred the pot, and I even danced when Chika sang an old P-Square song out of tune. We

sn't stay hi

burukutu and cheap cigarettes. We were clearing dis

o laughing about

tood slowly, my

" I said carefully. "From sch

narrowed.

under the mattress.

e slap explode against my cheek, followed b

irl like you money for writing lies? You think

I swear,

k. I hit the wal

xt, grabbing the br

r!" I yelled, l

ates. Only that when it ended, we were in our room, huddled together. Chika's

idn't know could ache. My mind wandered to the characters I had written - N

d my few books, a faded wrapper, and a p

n. I don't know how or when, but I w

from the only hom