OZOEMENA 1 Yetty and I formed a friendship that felt like a miracle, one that grew stronger because of our parents’ closeness. Our mothers were both teachers at the community school, while her dad was a bus driver and my father a policeman. The connection started with our mothers, and from then on, we bonded…

“Take this food to your father and be back before this spit dries up,” my mum ordered, spitting on the ground for emphasis. She wanted me to deliver lunch to my father, a well-known carpenter in our small community. Today’s meal was akpu na olugbo—fufu with bitter leaf soup, garnished with the head of stockfish,…

When I was five years old, Uncle would often tell me to sit on his lap, and I would eagerly climb onto his leg to swing with it. At the time, I perceived it as innocent play, unaware of his ulterior motives. I first met Uncle in my parents’ house. Even though he was a…