Tearing Off My Skin [COMPLETED ✅]

| The Tragic Life of N |

Albemarle County, Charlottesville, Virginia

Thursday, October 17th, 1996

1 am

N's POV

"Njau... Njau! Where is this pikin?" My mother is calling my name.

I am in the middle of watching cartoons. But whenever my mom yells my name, it fills up the entire house, and it's inescapable. Plus, my mom gets irritated if I don't respond or see why she's calling me.

"Njau, if you don't come downstairs, I will make sure you find the tallest stick so that I can give you a good whipping." She warns me, sucking her teeth afterward.

I sigh and roll my eyes. I love my mom and dad, but they are strict. Also, they can be annoying, especially with their lectures. They treat me like a kid anytime they give me a lesson, even though I am a little boy. But I can't do anything about it; I don't have power over them. So I turn off my television and leave my room.

"Look who decided to leave his room finally." My dad said, giving me a sly smile.

"It's time to eat Njau!" She excitedly tells me.

I run downstairs; not even the flash can see me. I love it when my mom cooks; she makes the best Sierra Leone dishes I ever tasted. On the kitchen table, she made Cassava Leaf, seafood tola, and mango ebbeh. For the drinks, she made ginger beer and bought vimto. My stomach is begging me to feed it.

"Topeh sekeh?" My dad is asking me how I am doing, speaking in Temne.

In Sierra Leone, there are plenty of languages spoken. There's Kono, Kissi, Kuranko, Limba, Fula (Pular), Mandingo, Susu, Mande, Krio, and English. But my family mostly speaks English and Temne. I understand the Temne language, but I was never taught how to express it. I can say some of the words, but not everything. So I mostly speak English around my family.

"I'm doing well. I was busy watching cartoons." I respond, taking my seat in the process.

"Soree ang-yoka," She tells me to pull the Cassava, signaling me to eat.

I grab a plate and start scooping some white rice. I love white rice; especially when they are sticky, it gives out the best flavor. Then, I add in the Cassava.

My parents made sure that they brought the Salone culture to America. There are a lot of Sierra Leone artifacts. Our green, white, and blue flag is hanged on the wall. Right now, my parents are playing "Siahuna Maraidee" by Amie Kallon on our boombox. She is one of the most well-known musicians in our country.

Even my parents right now are dressed up in our nation's outfits. My Dad is wearing a gold and black African print Dashiki shirt with black pants, black shoes, and his gold wedding ring as his only jewelry. My mom is wearing a colorful Dashiki dress with red flats. She has on a red and golden colored necklace, earrings, and her diamond-encrusted wedding ring. She has brown and blonde dreadlocks, light makeup on her face, and blue fingernails. At the same time, I'm just wearing a Buffy T-shirt with some shorts and black shoes.

"Njau, how are you enjoying the food?" She asks. I was way too distracted by my thoughts that I almost forgot I had food to eat. I take a bite, and it tastes spicy but good.

"It tastes great, as always. You are the best cook in the world, mom." I tell her.

"Aww, Njau, don't make me cry now, or else I have to slap you." She said, and we all chuckled.