A writer's haven

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger May you never take one single breath for granted God forbid love ever leave you empty handed I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens Promise me that you'll give fate the fighting chance And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance I hope you dance I hope you dance -Lee Ann Womack "You say?"  Itoro asked Pelumi beaming with laughter. "I got it!" Pelumi exclaimed. "Say what?" "When did you find out? Who called you? Did they call you? Is the salary good?" "I-t-o-r-o! One question at a time now!" "Sorry, I'm just overjoyed for you." " I know." Pelumi replied while taking off her shoes and rubbing her aching feet. "Someone from HR called me this morning. I am starting at Ferguson and Fletcher next week."

"Badt guys!" Kene yelled on seeing Ivan and Liyel. "Waiter!" Kene signaled to the slim mixed race guy who had been assigned to their table. The guy walked over and took their orders. "A bottle of Budweiser for me please!" Ivan said. "Same.." Liyel told the waiter. He looked at his name badge. It read 'Khan'.  "Tequila and vodka for the three of us!" The waiter looked confused for a little bit. "Go!" Kene waved him off smiling. “Forget the Budweiser..." Ivan shook his head. "Kene, you know you can never change right? I just wanted something light so I can drive home in one piece." "Omo, calm down jor! You can like to para anyhow. This is not America where some bloody cop will arrest you for DUI. How many years have you been back now and you'll still be getting anxious over a few glasses of alcohol?" "It's just not about DUI or no DUI you know. I think ev

"Kevwe"! "Kevwe, what is it now"? Pelumi yelled at petite Kevwe who had been banging on their door repeatedly in the last five minutes. "Is Itoro at home"? Kevwe eyed Pelumi who had just opened the door to their flat. "Kevwe, it's a Saturday morning for crying out loud. And 7am for that matter!". "Is whatever you want from Itoro that urgent that you have to come and be banging so loudly on our door"? "Emm, Pelumi, I did not come for you today". "Is Itoro at home is my question"? Pelumi shook her head unwilling to let Kevwe into the 2 bedroom flat that she and Itoro shared.  "Itoro is asleep". "Then wake her lady. I don't have time for this today Pelumi". "I just need to speak with Itoro".  "Why don't you go ahead and call her mobile phone?" "I would do that but I'm already here. What's the point?" "Please go and wake h

"I didn't do it". "I swear, I didn't". "No, it wasn't me". Pelumi sobbed hard even as the strokes of cane landed on her back burning her skin. Her step father did not stop hitting her despite her pleas. Her mother stood by the side, too weak to defend her. She looked at her mother who had hugged herself tight where she stood. Her head was bowed and she wasn't looking at what was unfolding before her. When Ada Opara couldn't take it anymore, she ran over to her husband and held the cane in her hands. "Emeka, it is enough". "Emeka, it is enough o". "Do you want to kill my daughter"? Pelumi writhed on the floor where she had fallen. Her back was burning and pain wracked her body. For the first time in the 13 years her mother had gotten married to Emeka Opara, she had actually stood up to him.  "You will destroy this girl's life,Ada". "Why don't you let me discipline her&quo