announces itself with fireworks, but the kind you only notice w

rminals. I was learning to sleep without fear, t

riting - mo

ed by a women's foundation in Surulere. It was a regional summit - young women sharin

e centre," she said, slidin

ce cracked w

s,

ed storytellers will perform

rmer," I mumbled

ce is more than ink, Ezinne.

ost her mother and was told to stay silent, but found her words hidden inside broken memories. I read i

to hear thi

wed dress and borrowed courage. The hall was bright and filled with people - mentors, donors, co

my name, my knees

alking a tightrope. The spotlight wa

began t

ama's lullabies. Miss Remi's red-ink encouragement.

oice

read about dreams hidden beneath mattresses. I read about how silence

room was silent. No

ame ap

se. The kind that wraps around your chest a

e her card. A university student who said my story felt like hers. A yo

e, my story carri

spotlight c

loors during chores, Joy came r

e," she panted. "He s

art d

look like?" I

. Greying beard. He asked for '

oded my

y the gate when I approached, carefu

but it was some

The one who'd once brought us akara on C

his eyes were the s

flatly. "So this i

n't a

he continued. "Your father has been s

through me at once - gu

ere?" I asked.

. But you? You're reading stor

e's under my care now. If anyone harmed

eyes. "This is f

firmly. "This i

Ezinne. Your voice may carry now, but not

rned and w

dn't b

yond the walls, but inside, I was quiet. Torn. I had found saf

e me, handing me a bottle

make you silent

nd was already spin

ik