|
|
'Darryl had been
feeling stressed about the date with his impressive teacher.
He’d baked four tuna pies and burned them all. To
cover the smell of charred pastry he’d sprayed the
place with a heavy dose of Spring air freshener. Zukisa
started coughing as soon as she walked in.. ' |
' Bendu was silent. ‘But who could he be other than
my son,’ Bendu wondered. Has the army changed him
then? Changed him so much that he could barely recognize
her? Has he seen something he should not have seen? Death
perhaps?.' |
Faces
Vamba
Sherif |
 |
 |
|
'The governor
reacted to this story by dismissing it automatically when
he first heard it. It was impossible that such a boy,
so sincere, so open and so free, could be a spy. '
|
'
‘Do you think she will ever come?’ she asked
her mother, disheartened.
The older woman’s brow creased, only for a moment,
before she said slowly, ‘There must be a good reason.
I know my sister. I am sure she will come soon.' |
Mainini
Grace's Promises
Valerie
Tagwira |
 |
 |
One
Star for the General
Amatoritsero
Ede |
'
One never really knew how far gone the General was, Amadiora
thought. Just when you assumed he had burnt out his fuse,
he confounded the company with the renewed vigour of his
drinking. ' |
| '“I’ve
seen her,” Lubamba would tell people. “She’s
as wide and as tall as the door frame. Her massive breasts
nearly touch the floor. That day I saw her, she pulled
Eddie Fisher, gasping for air, out from under one of ‘em.”
. ' |
|
 |
 |
Moving
Forward
Ola
Awonubi |
'So they sat
and waited and Lanre talked about this job he had seen
advertised on the school gates down the road - they urgently
needed a janitor and he needed a job. “Maybe I should
see that Headmaster tomorrow. It’s not a permanent
thing…just to bring something in until I get a job
in the Government.”.' |
'“This office again,” Joy snapped. “Why?
We’ve got a visitor and you’re going to
the office?”
As though he had peeked at darkening clouds that would
soon pour down with rain, Titus quickly left the living
room through the backyard door.
'
|
Journey
Chielozona
Eze |
 |
 |
|
“I
am Frederick.” I extend my hand. The eyes do not
move. “May I sit?” She is vulnerable, but,
I see, also proud, also strong. So strong she does not
hide her fear.
"Lucy Hoang." She extends her hand back to me.
Quaint. Formal.' |
| “There
is blood on the driver’s seat. This
is the first thing Bunor notices as he pulls open the
door of his new car. A white,blood stained kaftan is
draped over the front passenger’s seat. Bunor
staggers back in horror.” |
|
 |
|
Bar Room Blues
Chuma
Nwokolo |
'
I used to be a small town solicitor...
‘small town solicitor’ - Is that a small
solicitor in a town or a solicitor in a small
town.
I was a small solicitor in a small town,
are you satisfied? |
