#26

I am on my bed. I look to the side. I see the moon keeps coming closer and bigger. I see a
giraffe come in with a suitcase sitting on the moon. It moved closer to me slowly and I
couldn’t move the bed. It felt like I was sticking it. I looked right and I could see I was so
far from the floor. I could fall if I leave my bed. The giraffe riding on the moon came and
lassoed itself to the edge of the bed. Stared at me for a second, then shook its head in
discontent.
“Tis...Tis...tis… you are not ready”. Rolls over to the side where the cloud ends.
“Wow that's going to be a heavy fall” he tiptoes to the edge of the cliff.
I wanted to shout “don’t fall “but no words came out of my mouth. He went towards me and
came on top of the bed and started bouncing on the bed and laughing goofy. I was panting
because I could die if the bed falls from that great height. Finally, the bed gave way. I fell
with my hands in the air. I could see the giraffe did not fall with me. It Just floated while I
fell. To my surprise, I fell on my back and Made a splash. I was sinking into the water. I
kept going down and down In the water. Then someone swims in the water moving closer
to me slowly, slowly reaching my side, and drags me ashore from the water. I felt like a
dummy because it felt like I could not move or talk.
I was just watching myself being dragged around. It was like I was in a movie but I could
not do anything about it.
I woke up from bed. I looked around for minutes. “Come down for dinner” my mom
shouted from downstairs to come to sit with the family. As I get down to sit in the dining
room. Hey Only so plates I only saw plates set up for just me and my mom.
“Where is dad?”
“not yet gotten back he will be back later tonight”
I didn’t know whether to be upset or Relieved that I most likely will not see my dad tonight,
all the chances of me getting scolded by him Tonight slims.
“Come on, sit down. I made you stirred fried chicken and eggs with fried rice.”
“How is school?” She looked at me while tearing the legs of the chicken.
“Hope you’re doing well? hope you’re not flunking out”
This is the only conversation we had most of the time about grades and family
expectations.
“It’s fine mom, I’m doing OK”
“Just OK you’re supposed to be doing better than OK”
“With the money we pay and spend on your head. you do great!”
After that, the dining table felt so dry like a desert with your sun and no rain. I could hear
the sound of the fork scraping the plates and my mum slurping her juice from her cup.
“You should come to church one of these times. The pastors me asking about you”
Sometimes I hate my mother's friends knowing about me. They can get very intrusive and
don’t mind their business. I don’t want to be in on church gossip and be a topic of their
gossip.
One day the pastor preached about me and the faults I had because my mother told the
pastor when I got suspended from school.
I could remember his words.
“Even though schools can suspend students like young master James right in the
audience. God will never suspend his love on you”
my mother had probably run to the pastor to pray to God to change me into a better son
for her. I was so embarrassed throughout the service Because my name was said a lot. I
felt she was also punishing me for getting suspended. My mother was so petty Jesus!
“Please come to church this Sunday. The pastor will be preaching about drugs”
“Oh God, he is probably going to preach about me again” I am so sure she influenced the
sermon again.
“Alright Ma” I didn’t want to argue with her so I agreed
“And I want to see this girl you have been talking about.”

“Alright mum”
I was silent till my food was done. I will go to my room, think about tomorrow, maybe play
games and call Emma to see how she’s doing.
When we were done I cleared up the plates into the kitchen. And immediately stayed
further away from my mom's sight.
I decided to call Emma but when I called, the call was missed. I was feeling a bit lonely
and I needed Emma to talk to before I proceeded to play games.
So I just decided to play games instead.

I came downstairs to the living room and it was still morning. I looked to the end of the
room. I saw my dad sitting on his favorite couch with the newspaper in his hand as he read
the daily news updates. This was a Saturday. I know this is one of my dad‘s favorite days
to relax. And probably in the afternoon he will go play golf with his buddies in the country
club so by time he will soon get a bottle of this favorite Scotch.
“James! get me my scotch and come back to the living room we need to talk”
I went to the fridge to get him his favorite bottle and a tumbler. Said it in firm words so I
knew that I was going to be given a talk about my life.
“Pour it in the Tumbler and put it on the table beside me”
Shit now my hands are shaking pouring the scotch in the Tumbler.
So what is wrong with you boy why do you keep doing stupid things like this? I heard this
is because of a girl this time” he sighs in a sunken breath. I could sense how deeply he
was upset and probably tired of the things he has to fix that I get in trouble for.
“I am sorry sir, for the trouble that I Caused”
I’m standing by his couch holding the tray stiff and not able to move. I just stiffen as a
normal reaction to when my parents scold me.
“Being sorry is not enough, do right for once in your life boy”
“What if you had gotten shot! don’t you use your brain boy” scolded me for about an hour
plus
“Do you know how much I had to pay the lawyer to get you out of there”
He was at some point just making random exclamations to express how disappointed he
was. It’s to talk from this shit I started pacing back-and-forth on the same spot.
“Did I fail as a father” now he is looking into my eyes for a reaction
“Tell me if she is that important that you want to throw away your life”
“She better be that important for you to want to get in trouble like this. cause I don’t know
are you doing drugs now, boy”
Instantly a little smile appeared on my face. I was not sure whether to tell my father I was
in love with her.
“I just wanted to protect her from getting in trouble. I do not sell drugs Daddy nor do I take
drugs” I said swiftly cause I wanted to say as few words as possible to not anger him
more.
“are you the police or are you… what is wrong with you boy”
“Next time weigh your options very well. are you risking your life for your love? Why are
you thinking about love? I sent you to school to get a degree not to fall in love”
“Next time please be careful, I am not in the market for a dead son”
Shook his head and went back to sit on the seats on the couch and pick up his newspaper
And started reading again.