The Rising - Ennead 2

Scene 12.1 - Through the Looking Glass

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
all mimsy were the brogoves,
and the mome raths outgrabe

- Lewis Carroll, Jaberwocky

What's real and what's false? How can I know if I fell through the looking glass or had a very vivid daydream? I hope, maybe, by putting this down in black and white, my mind will finally start to sort out what's real from what's not.

It started from that trip. The one I might not have gone on if I hadn't been so stubborn. Kwame, my friend, used to tell me that my nature was a hindrance more often than it was an asset. He's way smarter than people think he is.

I called my boss to get a day off as soon as I convinced Kwame to take me along on his weekend trip. She was grumpy when she picked, which made sense, it was almost midnight.

"Hello. This had better be an emergency," she growled, "There's going to be hell tomorrow if it's not."

I amped up the sugar whilst trying to sound professional. I couldn't let work get in the way of what I wanted. I had hoped the trip would be my chance to convince Kwame that we could still be friends.

"I'm very sorry. I really am Ms. Hassan. I didn't really think you'd be asleep when I called. My mistake. We can talk tomorrow."

"Oh cut the sugar Ewuresi, I'm already up. You might as well continue..." she yawned, and then, with fewer cobwebs in her voice she quipped, "I am human you know. I also sleep."

I still doubt her, about being human. My Boss was a beast. Not in the bad way; in a bad-ass way. Below that stern-professional façade, I also knew she was a softie, especially after my sob-fest in her office (definitely not going to write about that).

"I'm not going to be in Saturday to help research on Adzaglo case like I promised. I need to take the weekend for something. I knew you wouldn't be in tomorrow so..."

I let that hang and prayed with my fingers crossed. My boss barely gave it a minute.

"Thank God! You spend far too many weekends in-office anyhow. Leave with my blessing child. As a matter of fact, good riddance!"

I barely caught myself from squealing "Thank you!" when I hung up. I made a mental note to get her something, not like a bribe or anything, just something small.

I spent the next day walking on air. It was nice to have something to look forward to on a weekend. A welcome change from the monkey chain of weddings and naming ceremonies that were my usual.

I was glad I didn't have to look forward to the usual questions from my mum. You know that offhand way mothers bring up the subject even when the topic isn't on the table?

"So your classmate's wedding eh? What colors did they use? Would they be nice for your wedding?" or, "But I thought that girl was your junior in school. Hmmm. Time flies really fast, before you know it we're all old."

Or even one of my favorites, "I'll look to Kuuku for the first wedding. As for you, I know you already. Official madam eh?"

Wait, what was the one she tried the last time? Yes, she went like, "These your friends scooping up all the good looking men! Don't they know I also want beautiful grandchildren? Ah well!"

All the while, as she spoke, she had on this o-lord-why-hast-thou-forsaken-your-faithful-servant look. The one she does so well when she's trying to drum up guilt or pity.

Ma would do better talking to the air. I mean, seriously! This isn't her time. I just want to take my time to find the kind of guy I want. A partner not a director, you know what I mean?

Somehow, my annoying kid brother found out about the trip. Like a (not) champ, he wormed his way into coming along. In no dimension did I think that was a good idea. But hey, he's Kuuku, he was born to give me migraines, and he did that pretty well.

#

I thought it would be fun, you know? I don't like backing down, at all. I've had to fight for a lot of things. Opportunities that were handed to others, I've had to steal. This was no different. Basic plan? Get back into the game with Kwame. Of course, he wouldn't know that.

#

When I met his foreign guests that morning, I knew it would be too easy. The tall one with the thick accent, I forget his name, he looked like he had a problem with everything. He probably would have hated air if he didn't need it to stay alive. The other one though, he was promising.

He was cute, that one. He introduced himself as Patrick but insisted I call him Trip. I was probably a bit younger than I was. But yeah: those eyes, perfect 3-day movie star stubble plus the way he was all gentlemanly? I don't like to think I'm shallow, but, hot damn!

Even smiling, when Trip spoke to me, we got a reaction from Kwame. Call me petty, but yeah, Ewuresi fights dirty when she has to.

Author's Note

Background music on this one is Simply Falling, by Iyeoka. ©2017 Underground Sun