GOOD INTENTIONS

Chapter 1

Monday morning came with its usual nagging and longing for more bedtime, but Frank was already used to it. The shrill cry of the weird Chinese melody that was supposed to be his alarm tune never failed him. Now fully awake, he stood up, stretched his limbs and chuckled soon as he noticed his breakfast boner, reaching for the air-conditioner remote on his nightstand, he turned the cooling unit off, then walked across the room to switch on the lights.

After bathing, he got dressed for work and sat down on the bed. Opening one of the nightstand drawers he retrieved his daily devotional which he read before kneeling and praying for a little over ten minutes; fellowship with the Holyspirit was very important to him. After praying, he grabbed a particular notepad from the only table in the room and stuffed it into his backpack before exiting the house.

Frank got to his workplace a little earlier than usual, so he seized the opportunity to follow up on the names his choir director gave to him after service on Sunday.

"They are members of this choir, they just don't know it yet." his choir director would always say.

He sat at his table, reached inside his backpack for the notebook and started with the first name on the list, a few were switched off, some rang out and then:

"Hello..." a voice from the other end of his phone.

Frank quickly checked his notepad to be sure he had the right number.

"Kaffi?" he asked tentatively.

"Yes this is she, sorry who is this?" she said with a voice that held no resentments.

"Hi, this is Frank. You were in church yesterday and you indicated an interest to join the choir. So I just thought to call and know how you were doing today."

"Oh, that's quite thoughtful of you. You guys are really serious about this your choir matter...." she said with a little laugh.

"Yes, we are" Frank replied.

"So are you like the choirmaster or something?" she asked.

"Definitely not a choirmaster, nor am I the choir leader. I am one of the lead vocalists in the choir though."

"So you sing pretty well then...." she added.

"I try" he replied, now conscious of how much time he had to be on the phone. The office officially opened at 8 am and staff weren't allowed to use phones during work hours, but for some reason, he felt he should make Kaffi feel comfortable enough, before ending the call, that way he could gladly inform his choir director that he had one success story.

"Your address isn't on the form you filled yesterday. If it isn't a bother, can you give it to me?" Frank asked.

There was a pause on Kaffi's end.

"It's just routine, we usually visit our first-timers within twenty-four hours, after they have indicated interest to join the choir." He added.

"Okay...I guess that's alright. I stay at No. 16 Oladipo Close, just opposite the Farm Market, along Aba road."

Frank quickly scribbles the address on his notepad.

"Great, I'll most likely visit on my way back from work, the address shouldn't be too difficult to trace..." Frank said with excitement.

"Will you teach me to sing better?" Kaffi asked almost immediately.

"Ermmm... it's just a courtesy visit, although I could show you a few things when I get there. Have a beautiful day Kaffi."

"You too."

The excitement he felt as he ended the call was almost surreal, after calling all the names on his long list, this particular call was a win.