Stepping out

nd finally stuck out a long, pink tongue. 'I must be serious , ' he said to himself, looking down at the blank, white sheet of paper before him. Swiftly he pencil - sketched the ova

heir parents had points to their noses. Mother was sure that his nose came from somewhere back in th

lt voices. high in cheerful greetings. Some more of my parents 'mates dropping by, h

he closed his sketch book, jumped out of the bed and into his fur - lined slippers --- a reminder of his London home. He hid his pad under a small table just ou

hat in the tangle of the bedsheets. All of them were snoring softly in the way of children, all fully satisfied with the huge rich meal they had gobbled up earlier . Now they had occupied since arriving at Ikeja air

nny. he thought, they are all well educated, professional people. But if I had been introduced, professional people. But if I had been introduced to them tonight,

wing - pad, he would paint them in the bright, bold colors of Nigeria. She smoothed a broad sm

barrister will help, won't it?

bele -- and owning your own hospital too!' I am a

I hardly know of any one of us who reg

u know, it used to be people like us who we're idealists. We became doctors and lawyers in order to serve our natio

ay things are now. You two are a Doctor and a Barrister Mrs. That will not only put chicken in the soup. It can help you one day to put the same important titles in front of your

shall. I say.unrewarding experience to have a child.. a son. After you have him a fi

gave a little - giggle saying, ' Now john, no one just deci

s! ' Ebele Okeke pressed her husband's arm g

Were we wrong to expect that with a bit.. quite a bit... Of an investment of time and plenty of money, he too would join us? We ne

t the outburst from a man he had always known to be so calm.

it's not bad to have this boy, our son, declare to us that he won't fill our shoes? He's already taken the best education, food and clothing in Nigeria,

child, so this problem is years away for you. And so it was with Emeka but he's grown up to break our heart... We're really the ones at fault. We should have s

ession. ' dropped in to welcome you back. It's just that no matter wh

. But this is a happy occasion after all and both Amos and my self are delighted to be back. so please stop all the apologies. Both of you are our friends!' But her cheerfulness wa

and Ebele by their shoulders. ' cheer up. Our children an

zled faces of his wife and friends. ' If

larmed! ' Dr Amos Nwoze sat on his bed fingering the pages of a medical journal. Ye

a word to the wi

great tomorrow . Now get some sleep , Amos, and stop ben

ou"all join me in attacking this thing now, while we have time on our side. Th

e! He's only twelve years old, for goodness ' sake, and he's never so much as looked twice at a guitar. Believ

I guess their boy's too dull to have his own. Emeka'

rected, Amos. Good

operates one room. beauty parlours all over the city to the embarrassment of her great father. And don't interrupt, Rose what of the judge's boy, settling f

. a hair stylist. Two, there's no evidence that he is at all set in the direction of primary education. And three, all except the case of t

e Reverend didn't confirm the stories. ' tonight but that doesn't make these repo

little bed at this moment, of hiding some rebellious thought of betraying you? D

es he wants to do beside being polite, obedient, and staying by himself ---- neglecting his juniors, I say. Prove to

His wife just sat calmly. She looked some where into space acro

than I could af

e be president? Can yo

e at least to fill our shoes...to be a doctor or a barrister! He could become misguided

at

ho can live for ever in literature. Remember when. when we were courtin

ing verses won't get you a cup of gari! Don't be so simple. Some careers just don't belong here. T

this luxury hotel, I hear we'll probably be calling an electrician more often t

least.. at least, I say.. fill our shoes! He must at least be wha

rmer, Amos. Did you tr

shocked, finally bending his

king for a cure. Meanwhile, all round them were farmers who hadn't a clue how to save or how to prolong life. And still in some areas, things haven't changed! But Sunday owes this to us, Rose. If his country no longer needs him to be a

' time like the Okekes.Let's begin now to keep Sunday on the right path. We won't regret it, and neither will he, one day. Sunday will fill our shoes, Rose,

he's going to get on wrong track. Just as you say, he stays by himself a lot and leaves Chuba and the rest to be noisy and trouble - making. He likes books. He a

s the perfect answer from

rom London and sighed again heavily. Then he reached towards the little lamp between the beds and turned