“I am not a child dreaming in my bedroom,” Za explains. “I am going to do what I love, whether you approve of it or not.”
“And you will come back with what?” Mum demands. “Any savings? Security? Or more stories?”
Za’s eyes gloss over but she refuses to cry.
“I will come back with experience. If I come back at all.”
If she comes back at all?
“Za…”
“And if it doesn’t work?” Mum presses.
“Itwill.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
Za’s voice shakes but doesn’t break. “Then at least I tried.”
Mum’s lips press together tightly.
“I leave in three weeks,” Za says again, this time like a declaration instead of information.
Za looks at me then back at Mum.
“I’m going,” she says. “With or without your blessing.”
And that is the moment the room splits for real.
Dad finally speaks. “I will be proud. Do what you want,Chinasaokwu.”
Za sighs, “and Mum?”
Nothing.
“I’m proud too, Za.” I say. “I know you're still mad at me, but I just wanna say I love you and wish you the best.”
“Jabari,” She closes her eyes. “I don’t know if you noticed, but I'm trying my best to be cordial. Please.”
“Zee,” I say.”We gotta unpack what’s going on with us.”
“Do we?”
“Yes.”
“You have been having sex with my friend for months, so I think that bridge is burnt.”
“Hello!” My mum and dad are in sync.
“Who have you been sleeping with?” my Mum asks.
Well… Why not say it now?
“Frankie. We are together now.”
Za rolls her eyes.
“Aht Aht! Is that the real issue Chinaza?” mum presses.
