31/08/2020
Still working on the perfect book-cover for my book, 'The Travails of Dorcas: The Missing Years.'
(Excerpt of the book (unedited))
“Phew. I’m glad to hear this news. I intend to travel to fishing port for a week or two after the Easter. I will return on time for their visit.” His face brightened up with excitement.
“Papa, I thought, we’ve asked you not to be going to the fishing port anymore. You’ve been fishing long before I was born. It’s time to retire from that drudge.”
“My daughter, that activity you think is an enormous work, is an exercise to me these days. You do not expect me to be sitting down in town attending to burial ceremonies. I will die of boredom in no time.”
“Anyway, I’m sure we’ll work out something to keep you engaged while you’re staying in town here. We have asked you to stay with us either in Port Harcourt or Yenagoa, but you have refused.”
“I have asked you to come and stay sometime with me; even Brother James has also invited you, but you’ve always had an excuse not to stay more than a few days.”
“I’m the family Elder. If I stay away from home for a long time, there will be no one to run the family rite here,” he answered with a shrug, and looked around the room.
“Well, let me secure my room at the guesthouse,” I said, standing up. “I will meet James if he’s still there. Papa, whenever they’re ready to come, I’ll inform you for you to make all arrangements.”
“I’ll be waiting for that day I’ve been praying for.” He looked over at me. “I wish your mother was alive for this meeting,” his voice sounded faint, and a line crossed his brow.
“Papa, I’ll see you in the evening,” I answered sharply, and left the room.
I have evaded any reflection about my mother whenever I am with my father. The dark memories of her toiling, seated on the helm of her fishing canoe haunts me painfully, and if I could change the hand of the clock, I would have rewound it for her to avoid death.
