Tear Drops: Part 2

By Xlibris US

This is the story of a family and how they survived lifes perils. Chiwinke, the protagonist and the first son of Chimebele, was determined to succeed in life by bringing all his brothers to study and succeed in America in order to get his parents permanently out of poverty. Despite all the obstacles, calamities, trials, and tribulations that befell him in life, he kept his humor until he triumphed with the help of his God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499057058

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Gideon C. Mekwunye.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014914597

ISBN:   Hardcover         978-1-4990-5703-4

            Softcover            978-1-4990-5704-1

            eBook                 978-1-4990-5705-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Rev. date: 08/07/2014

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Contents

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Three

Part Four

Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Five

Chapter Twenty six

Chapter Fourteen

Chiwinke Omofor in United States

Swissair landed in New York City and Chiwinke had to go through immigration. One of the Officers was a lady who properly perused his passport making sure if he was really the one. A lot of Nigerians are very clever; and the immigration knows they can play tricks. She let Chiwinke go; but there was another section. The young male Officer rummaged his headset radio given as a wedding gift by Malinda in Ohio. But he damaged the head set by trying to open it to see if something against the law was intact. ‘It’s just a head set radio.’ Chiwinke said; looking so dejected because of the damage.’ Anyhow, the big dummy let him go. He is young and so stupid. Does he have to ruin ones headset radio? He use screw driver to break it open. Chiwinke felt like slapping the daylight out of him but he wouldn’t want the devil to make him lose the second chance.

He walked sad for a while and it occurred to him that he had a connecting flight. He went straight to the information desk and asked; ‘excuse me madam; ‘where do I connect the flight to Houston? ‘That’s the bus; and it’s about to leave; you miss it; you miss your flight.’ ‘You are going to LaGuardia Airport. ‘Oh No! Not another race again!’ Chiwinke exclaimed and ran to the bus. It was a shorter one this time. He flew into the long coach and people were smiling at his method of dashing in. But bus was not a free ride. He had no money to pay. The four fifty cents coin he had from his last visit to United States ten years ago was all he had. The white man he was sitting with chatted with and deciphered honesty. He paid the fare and gave his address to him to post the money to him when he gets it. Chiwinke was so impressed. Thank you so very much Sir; I promise I will send every dime that I owe you.’ ‘I know you will.’ The stranger concluded.

Anyhow, the airline which was an indigene was taking its passenger’s to Houston; but had to stop at Atlanta Georgia to off load and reload those going to Houston. Chiwinke inadvertently got off at Atlanta. He mistook Atlanta for Houston. He proceeded to the baggage claim as others do. He waited endlessly. His younger brother Chino wasn’t there either.’ ‘How can he not be here?’ ‘I don’t understand it.’ He questioned himself frustratingly. ‘How about asking question?’ He thought. He approached the attendant. ‘Excuse me sir!’ ‘Why is my luggage not here?’ ‘Your luggage is not here?’ He echoed for emphasis. ‘Yes; it’s not.’ ‘Where is your destination?’ He asked. ‘Houston.’ Chiwinke answered. The attendant blew a wild cowboy whistle; it was as if he’s saying you just made a booboo. ‘You got down too early my friend.’ He said; and quickly called the plane.’ ‘You got five minutes!’ The pilot announced. ‘Go quickly.’ He said. He gyrated for a minute, fazed. ‘Go quickly where?’ Chiwinke asked ready for action. He pointed the direction; and like a gazelle; he disappeared. A Police Officer was trying to intercept his speed; but he dodged the Officer who also quickly called on the radio to inquire of who he was and where he is running to? ‘He is missing his flight.’ The attendant replied on the Walkie-talkie ‘O Shit!’ The Officer cursed and turned around and yelled; ‘Go Kid!’ He got to a section where there were all kinds of demarcations; instead of stopping he did the hurdle through all of them just like an athlete will do in a competition. That was quite impressive. He approached the plane entrance and a flight attendant beckoned that he comes in. He did and everybody clapped that he made it. Obviously the airport attendants were watching him on the camera and were interpreting his advancement to the Pilot. ‘Amazing.’ The white man he was sharing sits with whispered sub consciously. Chiwinke took a deep breath and relaxed. You were great! he said.

He got to Houston and Chino and his wife Sally was waiting. She had a wild smile and was truly pregnant. ‘When are you due? Chiwinke asked. She showed four fingers. ‘Congratulations!’ Chiwinke greeted. He thought, what life is for me; ‘all my younger brothers are having babies before me. Chika had Paul and Priscilla. And now it’s Chino’s turn. Well it’s okay. When a man wakes up; that is his morning.’ He reasoned to encourage himself.

Houston was cold as New York was. Sally fixed him some pork chop white rice with butter. He waited for stew to come but it was not forth coming. He whoops his brother’s name. ‘Chino! Ko Si Obe Ni?’ (Is there no stew to eat rice with?) Chino replied in Yoruba dialect that Americans most times eat rice with butter, ‘What! That better not be a habit.’ He thought. ‘Who is going to get fat eating butter?’ He soliloquized. He ate his food with love. He enjoyed it after all; thanks to the pork chop that made the rice palatable. ‘I will teach Sally how to make stew if she so desires.’ ‘And I can also cook it if I get all the ingredients.’ Chiwinke concluded.

It took a week to get rid of his jet lag. He was often walking around and going to the complex’s warm swimming pool. He sat on his bench and called his former Boss Mr. Mosindi in Nigeria; whilst on the wireless big phone; he slapped a giant mosquitoes off his arms and that section of his skin was swollen. ‘What! They have mosquitoes here? He asked surprised. ‘What are my hearing; are there mosquitoes in America? Mosindi asked. ‘The one that just bit me is like a kite. And I hope I don’t catch typhoid fever? Chiwinke answered. They laughed; and he said; the good thing is that the mosquitoes here do not have malaria. ‘Please I would like you to make calling me a habit.’ Mosindi requested. ‘Okay you bet.’ Good bye; and please extend my warmth love and best wishes of the season to your family and the crew at work and Chris Orakwe in particular. I will always keep in touch.

He got in and asked Chino if he called his parents to tell them he got to Houston safely. He said he did that very night. ‘You were jet lagging and we thought not to disturb you.’ ‘I briefly heard you do that but I thought I was dreaming.’ Chino laughed; and said: eighteen hours of straight flight is no joke brother. ‘You are right. It is back, knee and joint breaking.’ ‘I had to sleep it off.’ ‘Well I will like to talk to them tonight and since they are eight to nine hours ahead; midnight would be about eight in the morning. ‘Okay Chino agreed ‘I would remind you by twelve midnight. ‘Good deal young man.’ Chiwinke ended.

News got to Lawrence Chukwu is friend and colleague in elementary school years ago. He called to say hello and promised to take Chiwinke out for dinner and go to some club to dance by weekend. Meanwhile, Chiwinke decided to give Thyncia a surprise phone call in Ohio. ‘Hello! Is this Thyncia? She said yes. ‘I’m here in my brother’s house in Houston.’ ‘Which of your brothers? She asked. ‘Chino; the fourth in line; remember.’ ‘Yes. I remember; you also mentioned David.’ She retorted. ‘Yes, David is my immediate younger brother; then there are Nwanne a girl, Chino, a boy, followed by another girl, Kameneuwa and next is another girl, Ifeanyi followed by a boy Ndaba and another boy, Nduka, the baby in the family.’ ‘I have a baby girl now; are you coming to visit me? She asked. There was a pause; but in a mellow but a mezzo tone; said: ‘They told me that you will never come back to America again.’ ‘Yeah; that’s what they thought but thoughts don’t come real sometimes.’ Chiwinke remarked. He added; ‘well I don’t know about coming to Ohio. ‘I’m here to represent some company that manufactures cleaning equipment called the Innovative System Inc. after which I intend to return to Africa. ‘Well I just want to say hello and extend warmth love and best wishes of the season. So you have a pleasant day. Chiwinke ended. ‘You too,’ She reciprocated in a monotone.

Lawrence Nwachukwu

Lawrence and Chiwinke were so happy to meet again to reminiscent about their youthful days. His plan was to take his friend out to dinner and from there to a club to hear music or noise; but Chiwinke was dumb founded to see women in bikini skiing in a square; perhaps looking for some top notch to discover them. And children were romping and gamboling all around. ‘It’s quite opposite in America men!’ He expressed. ‘The women are going naked curveting, while the men are covered up.’ ‘Who cares in Africa if part of a man’s pant is showing his butt? But they care when a woman starts showing off in Bikini; or anything above the knees.’ ‘She is considered naked and therefore a tramp.’ ‘Even by the beach, you are expected to be descent.’ ‘And that’s how they consider women who smoke.’ ‘That to them is loose conduct.’

They stood by the bus stop waiting for a bus going the direction of the restaurant where they want to eat; and a lady walked to them and asked: ‘Do you men want ‘p..sy?’ Lawrence who startled in words a little, looked at Chiwinke; and Chiwinke replied out of ignorance. He said: ‘Oh sorry; I have many pussies, ducks and dogs in Africa that I rear and I didn’t come to America to rear p..sy. But where is the p..sy? And the woman stood there looking at Chiwinke wondering if he was normal because she had no clue of what he was saying. Lawrence wanted to laugh so hard but held it. He knew that Chiwinke didn’t understand that when Americans say p..sy the mean a woman’s vagina and not the British ‘P..sy-Cat;’ which is short formed as p..sy and as used in Africa and Britain. He decided to tell the woman that they were not interested. And neither did he explain what it meant in America to Chiwinke.

The bus came and they went to all you can eat. He enjoyed it. They talked about business and Lawrence appeared quite erudite; and Chiwinke asked; ‘what were you privileged to study in United States? By that I mean what was your discipline or what did you major in.’ ‘I majored in Geo-Physics.’ He answered. ‘Great! ‘You are the rock and oil researching guys.’ Chiwinke congratulates and remarked. ‘Yes.’ I’m always in the field. ‘Good for you.’ Chiwinke acknowledged.

The Bus stopped at the vicinity of the club and they got down. They approached the club and saw Police cars and ambulances everywhere. Paramedics picked up a guy on a stretcher. Chiwinke asked; ‘Lawrence what happened?’ ‘Did someone lose consciousness?’ ‘No!’ Lawrence replied. ‘Somebody was shot.’ He said mildly. ‘What; do you mean; shot as with a gun? Chiwinke interrogated. ‘Yes.’ He rejoined. ‘Lets us go! What are we doing here?! ‘Is that the club you want us to go to?! Forget it Lawrence; take me home. What! What did you come to America to do; to become statistics? Your mother is out there in the streets of Nigeria selling oranges and my mother is killing herself tilling the ground. How are we going to get them out of poverty if we become history because of a noisy club filled with angry degenerates? Lawrence laughed and they caught a cab home. The crime scene scared the day light out of Chiwinke.

Lawrence dropped Chiwinke off in his younger brother’s apartment. He climbed upstairs like a pig. Boy! ‘This ‘all you can eat restaurants’ is surely a bad place to lose weight. He muttered laughing at himself. He found Sally was home from work and his brother was yet to come back from school. He opened the door leading to the balcony for oxygen although a cold weather. He was all dressed up in suit and wore insulators that is driving him crazy, Not only was it heating up is body it was also entangling his hairy or furry body. He noticed that anytime he opens the balcony, a woman in the next apartment will also come out to wink her eyes like Jezebel whilst smoking; whiffing and exhaling smoke from the mouth and nostrils and it looks like some were coming out of her ears from a distance. She was bluffing and to herself she thinks she looks cute. But to Chiwinke; she’s another Jezebel. ‘Who does she think she can lure by nictitating?

Meanwhile, a colorful ‘P..sy-Cat’ came out of the flowers downstairs and it was so pretty. That was his first time of seeing a p..sy-cat since he surfaced on United States soil. ‘Sally! Sally! He yelled twice. ‘What is it brother?! Sally asked from the Bedroom. ‘Come and see a beautiful p..sy!’

‘It is a colorful p..sy.’ He invited. At first Sally was reluctant; but the drag was not because she was pregnant; she was wondering if there was a naked woman in the open. She came out to see what it was anyways. And she said: ‘Oh; cat.’ ‘Yeah! He rejoined angrily; p..sy or cat. ‘The British call it p..sy or p..sy-cat.’ ‘Must you correct my English all the time?’ ‘What is wrong with you Americans? ‘You think you speak English more than Britons who are the owners.’ ‘Nigeria was unfortunately colonized by Britain; so as a Nigerian, I’m bound to speak British English.’ ‘Sally smiled wild and said. ‘Okay brother; we call it ‘cat’ here.’ She was not going to explain to her husband’s brother what p..sy was in America. That would be very inappropriate and indecent. She would rather prefer to wait for Chino her husband to return and explain it.

It wasn’t too long and Chino came back from school and she told him that Chiwinke was upset and she asked Chino to explain to his brother what p..sy meant in America. Chino did not waste any time; Brother! Brother! He yells as if urgent. ‘Obo’ Ni Won Npe Ni P..sy Ni America.’ (A woman’s vagina is what the Americans call p..sy) ‘Aba! Abajo!’ He cried out in Yoruba dialect. ‘No wonder Sally was reluctant.’ Really! He blurted out, still amazed. He checked the dictionary and there was no such interpretation. P..sy was a cat. So, it’s street English. Chino laughed and he also started laughing at his ignorance.

He then explained to his brother about the lady that approached them at the square asking if they want p..sy; so she was a prostitute. Chino laughed and said yes she’s looking for money brother. ‘I told her that I didn’t come to America to rear pussies, ducks and dogs that I have many in Africa. Chino laughed so loud to the bedroom and told Sally the story. She also screamed laughing. ‘What an irony.’ Chiwinke ended.

He picked up the phone and called Lawrence to thank him for the dinner. He then asked him; ‘Lawrence! When that woman approached us asking if we wanted p..sy, was she a tramp? ‘Yes she was.’ He answered. ‘But why didn’t you explain to me what p..sy meant?’ ‘You could have at least explained it in Yoruba dialect.’ ‘Instead you let me make a fool of myself.’ He laughed so loud; and asked how did you figure it out then? Chiwinke related the incident between him and Sally; and that it was Chino that just explained it to him. He took off laughing loud again. He explained the incident to his wife also. She also started laughing so loud. ‘That is so weird man!’ Chiwinke concluded facetiously.

Employment in Houston Texas

Chiwinke became a receptionist for three Christian Elders in the congregation; Jimmy, Larry and Benson. You can be our receptionist for the time being until further notice Jimmy Cox said. Was this the innovative System Inc. who was supposed to train Chiwinke for their cleaning products and equipment? He hung in for a while. There was no salary discussed and no stipend, He expected something but nothing came. It was then he learned that it was designed by his brother Chino and his father in law Jimmy Cox to get him into United States.

Going out to the field with them on a contract someday instead of sitting in the Office like a Robot; he learned how to clean gasoline tankers and their chemicals turned an old looking tanker brand new. It was a nice product that could have taking of if properly managed. But there was division and dissention among them, because their wives came to cause confusion and Chiwinke was in the middle of it. One blames the other for misappropriating fund. The accusation began with Larry’s wife. ‘Jehovah did not gather us for business.’ Chiwinke told Jimmy Cox. ‘Look at it this way; we do very well when we are building halls or auditorium for assemblies. But when it comes to business where money is involved; then there is no more brotherhood.’ ‘Money becomes the root of all evil.’ ‘Many of my very good friends wanted me to team up with them in business; I bluntly refused. I told them we will lose our friendship and I’m not in the mood of taking my Christian brothers to court.’ Jimmy listened and said; ‘you could be right; but we will keep trying and see how it goes.’

They got another contract to clean the glass windows of the tall buildings in downtown Houston; Chiwinke and a young and newly married man called John Hughs were assigned to clean it. John was good in that he was not afraid of heights; but Chiwinke was. ‘At first he was doing pretty fine cleaning when the crane took him to the heights; he soon developed cold feet when he looked down. He started shivering. He began earnest prayers whilst spraying the glass windows with hot water mixed with cleaning chemicals. They finished the job for the day only to continue the next day. John offered to take Chiwinke out for dinner. They were eating and he asked Chiwinke How much they were paying him. ‘They have not discussed salary or stipend. What Jimmy did last time was to give me some transport money. Chiwinke answered. After the dinner he asked Chiwinke to contribute half of the cost. Chiwinke said: ‘I don’t have any money. You invited me to come and eat dinner. In my culture when you are invited to a dinner you are not requested to contribute a dime. Unless it’s potluck. It is called love and hospitality. But if you had said; let’s go and eat everyone is paying his or her dinner; I would have told you I had no money. Anyhow, John; you can pay it. I will pay you back when I get a stipend.’

The next day they were there doing the same scary thing. That was quite a height. Chiwinke made up his mind and complained that he was quitting after that very day. He thought that John who was always asking jealous questions as if Chiwinke receives a special treat can have it all. ‘I quit Brother Cox. I can’t handle heights. I get so nervous; it seems I might have heart attack.’ They laughed so loud. They can laugh all they want but Chiwinke was as serious as the heart attack.

The Second Job

He quit the following morning and did not return. ‘I’m not going to have a stroke from phobia of heights.’ He murmured. But news came from around the building that a Brother needed someone to assist him in a painting contract for many of the renovated and vacant apartments. Chiwinke who had never painted in his life became a painter using common sense. He was taught the easier way by the Brother. He worked so hard for the day but looked funny; It was as if he swam in paint. He got home and he heard a voice that said: ‘Brother! Sally exclaimed. It looks as if you were the one painted.’ He went to the mirror to look at himself. He laughed so loud. ‘What is this?!’ He asked himself. ‘A painter indeed.’ He said. He ran in the bath room and took a warm shower. He was there for quite a while trying to scrub off all the paints in his body and hairs. He got better the next day because he used the roller brushes. And he learned not to blast the brushes with paint on the walls spilling paints all over the floor. It was little application of paint to roll on the walls smoothly. He soon developed expertise and the Brother kept him until the contract was finished. He did not receive any money because the management has to pay the contractor first before he can pay his worker. So, Chiwinke was stuck for about three months and no pay. He needed his money to move into his own apartment. He likes to cook his own food and not that check into recipe food that Sally cooks for him. He missed some of his African cooking; but ate whatever he’s giving with grace, Sally was young and inexperienced but she learns quickly and was smart. She was always assisting Chino with homework and from their conversations Chiwinke assessed her as an intelligent girl.

The Third Job

He was thinking about the third job when Sally brought her friend ‘Cola’ who showed interest in marrying Chiwinke. She was alright a young Lady and had a baby girl. ‘No! Not again;’ was the answer. ‘Bad things will not happen twice to me.’ He said. ‘No woman at the moment; and I don’t care if she’s as pretty as Lucifer or a mermaid. My illusions to succeed this time around will not be thwarted or disenchanted by any woman.’ He affirms.

The Art of Filling Application for

Jobs in America

He collected forms from Wendy’s and McDonald’s Fast food restaurants. Chino saw the application and told him that there is an art of filling forms in America. ‘Do not tell them that you are from Nigeria.’ What! God forbids! I’m a Nigerian to the last drop of my blood.’ Chiwinke protested. ‘Brother you will learn the hard way or die of hunger.’ ‘Brother I’m telling you now fill that you are from U. S. Virgins Island or you will not be employed. You don’t have Green Card and they know that you are from Africa the managers have to protect their own ends.’ Chino advised. Chiwinke thought about it and decided to fill that he was from the Virgin Island. Two weeks later he was called for an interview; McDonald’s employed him as a maintenance man and Wendy’s employed and trained him on how to do everything from the grill stand, to fries, maintenance and counter service. He bought a bicycle; and that was his means of transport to work. A check came from the man he painted for although was short paid; he used the money to rent his own apart- ment. He bought a bed and a table and that was all he could afford for the house. And he didn’t care. His new apartment was a walking distance to Wendy’s. He checked his schedule for work every week and requested that working from seven p.m. to three a.m., should be stabilized. Later he got a newspaper route; ‘the ‘Houston Tribune.’ He now has three jobs. In the morning he leaves his apartment at five a.m., to resume work at five thirty a.m., at McDonalds. He cleans the premises, water down windows, plants and flowers. Then he comes into the restaurant and cleans the tables and windows from inside. Since he was a fast and detail worker he is used to unload trucks that bring in food items and all the paraphernalia’s needed in the restaurant. There was this manager called ‘Jerry’ who is on reserve in the military who enjoys working Chiwinke to death. Why? Nobody knows. He’s a control freak acting more like a drill seargent. When the truck comes to deliver he leaves Chiwinke to unload the whole truck alone. He was paid three dollars fifty cents an hour. And the job he does is twenty dollars an hour. He had a mission; and that is; he must at the moment do anything except steal to accomplish it. Sometimes when he goes to clean the garbage area he rummages into dumpster to check bags of the garbage collected from the dining tables to find money. Many times he finds paper money and coins that people forget and dump after eating. He finds money from quarters, dollar, five and ten dollars.

Every now and then a District Manager comes for supervision. He had observed Chiwinke many times that he works and does detail cleaning. He wrote his recommendation for a raise. A letter of acknowledgement for hard work was written and a raise of twenty fires cents was given. Chiwinke hissed and said ‘nonsense’ at reading the letter. ‘Twenty five cents; is that what these blood suckers call a raise?

At another day the truck came again; and Chiwinke knew that his suffering had come. He joined up courage and went to the basement. Jerry was doing nothing as a manager. After all, his African slave was there and he is happy to have a job. The truck driver had a rolling ladder that is used to roll down boxes. He rolled everything down to the basement for Chiwinke to stack. Unfortunately for Jerry the district manager came and he saw Chiwinke working hard. ‘Are you working down there alone?’ He questioned. But his facial expression was; ‘I hope not.’ Chiwinke said, yes Boss; I’m working alone as always.’ He dashed to Jerry and said; ‘you left him alone to unload a whole truck?’ ‘Are you out of your mind?’ ‘Go and help him right now!’ Jerry came and picked the boxes and started helping. Chiwinke was smiling and laughing. Jerry turned to him and asked; ‘are you laughing at me men? ‘Oh No! Boss! How can I? Chiwinke answered. But in his mind he said: ‘you bloody drill sergeant fool.’ They finished and he went upstairs to help flip burgers; and Chiwinke resumed his maintenance job.

The following day another lady manager on duty called Maria; he loved the way Chiwinke works. He was not too tall but had muscles and looked strong like a bull. Maria went down to the basement and loaded all she needed in one pile for Chiwinke the muscular man to carry upstairs. Chiwinke came and heard her request; ‘can you take this upstairs please? What! ‘You stacked all these for me to carry; are you my mother? Do you want to kill me? She answered no to the questions. ‘Common divides it up into two! He commanded with a strong voice. She quickly obeyed like a baby. Chiwinke took the items upstairs. She went upstairs and thought about how Chiwinke commanded her to divide the items and how she quickly obeyed. She started laughing and the Indian Assistant Manager asked her; ‘what was funny?’ She related the incident; and the Indian said: ‘What! You are the manager and he’s commanding you like that? ‘Yeah I love him he is quite a man. He became Chiwinke’s friend.

On his off day Jerry called him to come to work. He said no I’m occupied today and I can’t make it. ‘Okay, Chiwinke fired. He said mildly. ‘Fired!’ Chiwinke echoed. ‘Is that how to fire somebody? Wow! Jerry you are a very funny Boss.’ He hung up. Chiwinke laughed loud and said; ‘this drill sergeant is surely out of his mind. He needs to go back into the army. He doesn’t belong in fast food men.’

The next morning Chiwinke rode his bicycle to work and Saw Maria. How are you Maria? ‘I’m fine darling. She answered. The jealous Indian said; ‘why are you here?’ ‘I thought Jerry fired you?’ ‘Fire me for what? He called me when I was in the middle of something important and I know I won’t make it; and besides, I wasn’t on schedule.’ Maria checked and found out that Chiwinke wasn’t on schedule. She called Jerry and asked; ‘did you fire Chiwinke yesterday?’ He’s here to work today and besides he wasn’t on schedule yesterday.’ ‘Yeah, tell him to work.’ Maria was happy. But Chiwinke was mad inside. ‘Fire me for no reason and see if I won’t get a lawyer on your behind. He had just finished saying that and remembered that his visa was about to expire; he humbled himself and commenced duty.

The Three Jobs

He got home and called his brother Chino to find him an immigration lawyer to extend his visa for another six months. Lawrence was contacted about it and he offered to take Chiwinke to his attorney who does things for him. The attorney said that it was easy to get an extension for six months for him. He paid her for the charges.

And now he has to work harder to save money for a car and school fees so as to change status from business visa to student visa. His three jobs entailed working at McDonalds from early morning to 1:30 p.m. And at 7 p.m. he works at Wendy’s from seven p.m. to three a.m., and from Wendy’s he goes to pick up his newspapers for delivery; and finishes around 4:30 a.m., he come home and rushes an hour sleep and repeats the same routine until his off day. It was tedious and scary. And no manager better call him on his off day; or they’ll be talking to the answering service.

He worked like a bull for three more months and save about a thousand five hundred. He needed to buy a truck and dreamt of depositing that amount for it. He learned how to drive. Sally taught him a little bit. And in Nigeria he had practiced driving before coming into the U.S. so he wasn’t quite naïve.

Driving Test

Texas was a no nonsense place for a driver. You can drive anything and even pilot a plane; if you don’t pass the parking test you are flunked. He booked an appointment for driving test after passing the written test. They drove around and he passed all the signal, stop signs, and neck to shoulder turning to check for blind spot and changing lanes on the freeway. He came back to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicle) Office; and two drums where kept and he was asked to park the car in the middle. He had the technic quite alright but he hit the back drum. ‘Ooops! You flunked right there; come back another month.’ She said. Chiwinke was so angry; but he didn’t give up. He got home and practiced by placing two buckets and parked without hitting the buckets and he made it tighter and tighter and practiced until he gained perfection.

It was a month and he went for the test and passed. He was so happy. He went to Mitsubishi car dealer to buy a truck; he came up with a thousand five hundred dollars deposit. And since no credit was built he needed a cosigner. Sally his brother’s wife cosigned for him. He drove his truck home. Getting to job was easier; but he got accustomed to his bicycle which he rode occasionally to show off his athletic thighs.

At Wendy’s every two or three month, two or three black boys come to rob the restaurant. They jump over the counter and say; ‘we are here again; let no body move.’ ‘They command the girls on the cash register to open it or be shot. It’s opened and it’s cleaned up. They jump over again and disappear. The police was called to take report and nothing is done after that. At Wendy’s Chiwinke did his job diligently. He always knows what to do without been told. Yet, there is one Indian Brat who likes to disrespect Chiwinke by flexing seniority. He would shout at Chiwinke snapping a knife on the table. ‘What is wrong with you? You better stop; or I’ll kick your Indian raggedy butt one of these days.’ ‘Who do you think you are?’ ‘This is America and not New Delhi men.’ Chiwinke would tirade. He would listen and at another day he snapped a knife on the table and Chiwinke picked the skinny object along with his knife and was heading towards the hot fries; he called on all the gods of India and spoke Punjabi. He thought that Chiwinke meant it. He took the knife from him and said; ‘it’s not over yet,’ when we are off duty, I will kill you in the bush over there.’ ‘If you were that tough why didn’t you scare the armed robbers? You bloody Punjabi. It was not ten minutes when he made a booboo around the big grill and electricity sparked fire. He flew out from the window and the rest of the crew disappeared. Chiwinke looked for a dry broom stick and switched the circuit off. He looked at all of them including the manager from the window and shook his head. ‘Everything is alright! You can all come in now. ‘Why didn’t you run? They asked. What is there to run from? When there is a problem the first thing to do is to ask; what is the cause of the problem? If you find the cause of the problem, then it is solved by fixing or changing the cause to avoid repetition.’ Ann the white manager began looking at him with admiration from then on.

A Dangerous Sandwich

Out on the drive-through passengers were waiting for ordered food. But one military looking white dude was losing patience. He cursed the cooks and got them angry. The Nigerian guy called Ajayi and the Mexican guy called John on the grill and prep spat and coughed into his food; they mixed it up in ketchup in his hamburger. Chiwinke stood dumb founded. He was in shock and didn’t believe his eyes. As they attempted to serve him he bolted like lightening and snatched the poison from the two demons and tossed it into the garbage. He went to the window and pleaded with the Guy that there has been a mistake and that he should be patient that he was going to be compensated for his endurance. He made him another sandwiches. Although he ordered for one, he made two for him. He handed him the sandwiches and said; ‘it’s okay now partner.’ The client sensed something was wrong, but could not figure it out. He gave Chiwinke a thumb up and left in peace.

Chiwinke now turned to the two demons and said; ‘May God render his adverse judgment of death on you guys.’ You are both nothing but devil incarnates. The man paid! He Paid! I don’t care if he cursed your mother and father; he paid for Christ sake! If he decides not to eat it and take it to the laboratory both of you will be in jail for a long time and that will cost Wendy’s millions. I’m so disappointed in you guys.’ He left them to continue his work. The Mexican guy was remorseful but the stupid Nigerian kept mute and had no remorse. ‘Devil worshiper; bloody wicked Ijebu Man.’ Chiwinke called him.

The overall manager of the Branch came and learnt of Chiwinke’s bravery in shutting off the circuit and hence saved the company lots of money. She was also informed about the confrontation of the Indian guy who thinks he’s threatening Chiwinke by snapping his knife on the table constantly until he was almost roasted alive. The manager laughed when they told her he spoke foreign language at the sight of death. ‘That serves him right; he has met his match.’ The manager expressed. ‘you need to start respecting your fellow workers Sanjay.’ Chiwinke did not mention the spitting into a man’s sandwich for they will both be fired. But at home he warned all his friends and family members never to argue or curse at any time the chefs serving them food; for they will spit and cough into it. And let the whole world learn that there are still demons in human form roaming around the vicinity of the earth.’ ‘What goes into one’s stomach might be too late.’ ‘My recommendations are that all fast food owners put a video camera on the hot line.’ And anyone caught spitting or coughing into people’s food should be summarily dismissed and prosecuted in the court of law. Such ones are pathogens and degenerates among humans.

A New restaurant was opened at the developing end of Westheimer road in Houston called ‘Red Lobster.’ Chiwinke went there to apply for job. He used the same method in filling his application and was employed. He had to quit McDonalds. They started him with four dollars fifty cents an hour. He worked on the grill. It was fun for him. Meanwhile he continued with Wendy’s based on the schedule of Red Lobster. But he quit Wendy’s when the robbers came again. They jumped across the counter and asked everybody to lie down. Chiwinke was on the fries and he continued bringing out the fries whilst everyone was lying on the floor. They were waving the gun at him; he told them to take their money and leave that nobody was going to interfere. Insurance will pay Wendy’s for the loss. With the gun on the managers head she looked at Chiwinke; she was scared to death. Chiwinke told her to give them the money and let them go. The two vagabonds had the gun but they were shaking like soldier ants because Chiwinke was fearless and could blind them with hot oil. But he wouldn’t dare to hurt anyone like that. They made away with all the money. The police came after they disappeared to take reports. Chiwinke was asked if he could identify them. He said yes, even in the next twenty years. They were here almost two months ago. They are the same boys.

They caught the thieves as they were a match to the description. Chiwinke got home and was called to come to the Police Station to identify them. He said, ‘No way!’ Who is going to protect me when they come out of jail?’ He told them that he quit. What is more was that he thought of the waste of life in going to court to be a material witness. He said to himself; ‘forget it.’ He kept his job in Red Lobster and continued delivering his newspapers. In summer he added another job of delivering pizza.

At Red Lobster restaurant he worked diligently. He was evaluated by the manager called Steve and another lady manager called Lisa who recommended a raise for him for his outstanding hard work. And according to their write up which says: Mr. Omofor is a conscientious worker that looks into details. He would do well if he owns his own business etc.; He became a favorite in the grill room where he flips burgers with style and steak’s attractively placed on the grill. Kids hang around the glass windows to watch him flip burgers, fish, kabobs and steaks; fancifully demonstrating a very neat way of cooking. It was a busy restaurant and all those on the hot line kept him busy. He is tormented with ‘where is my fish, my steak and my burgers? ‘I got to have it.’ I got to have it!’ Its work until ten at night and everything used including all the frames in the chimney is soaked and washed down.

He was on his way home someday when a Police Officer off duty was driving about five miles an hour on a thirty five miles an hour road. He held the traffic for no reason. Chiwinke drove past him and made a right turn to get out. But he pulled him over. ‘What did I do Officer? It’s a thirty five miles an hour road and you are going on five miles an hour and you are also inadvertently holding traffic and what is more you are off duty because you are in your private car.’ The Officer got irritated and asked for his license. He went to his car and called from his walkie-talkie. He delayed Chiwinke for thirty minutes; because he went to sleep. Chiwinke wondered; ‘what could he possibly be checking on him for thirty minutes? ‘I’m not a criminal and I don’t have records.’ He got out of his car and found the useless and arrogant power thirst Officer snoring. He kicked his car and he jumped up. ‘I have waited for thirty minutes! Give me a ticket and let me go!’ Chiwinke cried. ‘Go to your car!’ The buffoon yelled. After five minutes, the Jack-Ass Police Officer brought an annoying speed ticket of seventy five miles an hour for him to sign. Chiwinke signed and got a copy and drove away angrily. ‘What! Are there racist Police Officers in Houston? Just the other day he was riding with his younger brother and two officers in a Police car followed them for about a mile before pulling them over. Chino asked ‘What did I do? The Officer said: ‘you ran the red light.’ Chiwinke Yelled; ‘that is not true! He attempted to come out to speak with the Officer and the other lady Officer commanded him to ‘stay in the car!’ He obeyed to avoid confrontation. He has heard of crooked Officers killing black people and covering up their acts with made up stories. Chino was out there with him and he asked him. ‘What kind of job are you doing to have this kind of car? Chiwinke spoke the Yoruba dialect to his brother to ask him; ‘how is that your business? (Bi Pe Bawo Ni Iyen Se Kan?) Chino did and he couldn’t answer. He wrote the ticket and Chino was angry. ‘I’m just going to pay it off.’ He said. ‘No! ‘You are not going to do that.’ ‘We will go to court and fight it; with only one question which is; if you were sure that we ran the light; why did you follow us for one mile before pulling us over? ‘You should have pulled us over right away.’ ‘I’m sure that the judge would listen.’ Chiwinke admonishes.

Chiwinkes court day came first and Chino went with him. The Officer lied. He said that Chiwinke was speeding at the rate of seventy five miles an hour on Westheimer Road. The judge asked if he had any question for the Officer; he said no that he only had a statement to make. ‘Very well then, you may proceed.’ ‘I was going home from my job and noticed that this officer present in court was going ten miles an hour on thirty five miles an hour road in his private car. He obviously was driving tired. I then overtook him because he was inadvertently holding traffic. I signaled and made a right turn. Like a Lion charging at a prey, he all of a sudden rushed me to the corner as if he said; ‘how dare you overtake a Police Officer? I have not read in any constitution of the world that you have to tail a Police Officer off duty in his private car endlessly until he’s out of sight. Anyhow, he pulled me over and delayed me for thirty minutes. I got out of my car and found him sleeping. I kicked his car to wake him up and protested that he gives me a ticket to let me go. He ordered that I return to my car; and after five minutes slapped me with a speed ticket of seventy miles an hour.’ Your honor! I have only one question to ask now since I have finished telling my story. ‘Is it possible to be speeding at that rate on Wertheimer road at five p.m.? ‘The hold-up on that road is hectic all the time; and he said seventy five miles!’ ‘That is impossible your honor.’ The judge thought for a while; she knew that Chiwinke was telling the truth. She dismissed the Officer and asked Chiwinke to wait. After the Officer had left she dismissed Chiwinke’s ticket with some fifteen percent discount in insurance.

Next was Chino’s court day. They were both there. The Officer showed up and told his stories. Chino realized that his elder brother would do a better job; he requested that the judge allow his brother to tell the court what he saw. Chiwinke got up and said: ‘Your honor, the Officer said he saw us run the light. The question is why did he follow us for a mile before pulling us over? If we were wanted criminals or car thieves, it could be understood that he was checking for a stolen car or a fugitive on the run. But that wasn’t the case.’ And to worsen the situation when he pulled us over; he asked my brother; ‘What kind of job are you doing to be driving this kind of car? My brother asked him; ‘how is that your business? ‘Your honor the Officer insulted our intelligence by this question. What he is saying in order words is that there are no descent blacks who are well placed and who could be driving a good car or new car. He has to be a dope seller or a person who traffics drugs. He is therefore biased and has therefore displayed a racist demeanor. If we ran the light; I’m perfectly sure that he would pull us over immediately. But we didn’t.’ ‘You should be a lawyer.’ The judge says; and turning to the Officer; she said: ‘I’m afraid this is a very difficult situation; I’m going to dismiss it; and you may leave now.’

Outside the court Chino said; Brother I think you should study law.’ ‘Isn’t that what Papa wanted? Why did you think when he quarrels or have disagreement with Mama, he calls me to be the Judge? ‘It was his style of training me. You know one of his hobbies aside from chess and draft game is to frequent courts to hear cases. But the poor man has no money to send me to college. Since I do not know what my future yet holds; I will just have to wait to see.’ If what is desirable is not available; what is available becomes desirable. I made that quote up and I loved it. And my friends in Nigeria know me for that. They all so said I made up the word ‘Yama-Yama; which mean and African Mumbo-Jumbo or an object of a senseless veneration.’ Aba! Brother! Lexicon! Chino eulogizes.

As they both headed home they began to reminiscent about what they left back home. They plan on how to bring the remaining two boys Ndaba and Nduka. Chino said; ‘Brother you came back from the U.S. when Thyncia messed you up and reorganized the family to be educated in order to get out of poverty. Don’t you think you should be in school yourself? ‘Yes, that is what I’m working so hard for; to save money to begin school. I bought a truck in order to be able to deliver newspapers and I have a route. ‘I called my friend in San Jose California Jonadab Ogbulie that I’m visiting him next month on the 18th of March. He said that California school system was cheaper than Texas. It’s one hundred and thirty five dollars a unit in Houston Texas for foreign students whilst it is fifty dollars in California. ‘Wow! That is cheaper.’ Chino exclaimed and agreed. ‘Yeah that reminds me of the lawyer Lawrence took me to.’ What happened to the six months visa extension I paid for? I will call Lawrence tomorrow to find out. I intend to change status from business visa to student visa when I find a school. I believe if I’m in school immigration will not border me.’ Chiwinke solemnly assumed.

Newspaper Delivery

In the early morning hours at about 3:30 to 4:00 a.m., Chiwinke goes to pick up his two hundred and fifty newspapers. He rubber-binds them and goes through his route for two hours. After a month of practice he developed speed and gained mastery. Delivery was often completed in an hour. He had and interesting immediate supervisor and an overall Boss.

The first fun he had was with an irate pit-bull, any time he tosses a newspaper at its owners door, the bloody pit-bull gets so angry and tears the paper up. In the morning he calls in and complains that he did not get his newspaper. This was becoming too much and Chiwinke slipped him a note to curb his dog that it was destroying his newspapers. But he disregarded the advice. On one Sunday morning and Sunday newspapers are heavier because of all the advertisement and TV programs, groceries and business ads. etc. The pit bull wasn’t leashed. The stupid animal chased Chiwinke and Chiwinke ran looking for a tree; but there was no tree. He asked himself; have I been Americanized so as to be afraid of an ordinary pit bull. He backed his heel into the mouth of the pit-bull and slammed the heavy Sunday paper on its head knocking his jagged teeth together with its tongue. The dog squirmed and cried pain. ‘Common let me make pepper soup and Chow-mein out of you! You bastard!’ He cursed. He was sure the owner heard him and also his dog’s cry. That did it. He curbed his dog from then on. He must have heard Chiwinke’s African accent and realized that those Tarzans don’t play. There were no complaints of a missing newspaper anymore; and as for the pit-bull the sight of Chiwinke scares the dark night out of it.

Next was a Police Officer who intercepted Chiwinke in a building complex and condemns him for speeding through the neighborhood. He said; ‘you Niggers that deliver newspapers disturbing the people in the night ought to know there is security in this neighborhood.’ He went on and on rattling; and Chiwinke looked directly into his eyes and the rubbish that he is vomiting from his ugly Mouth; an illiterate with a southern accent. ‘Have you finished?! Chiwinke asked him fearlessly. He said yes. ‘First of all I’m not speeding; if I did I will not get the doors. And besides, nobody speeds delivering newspapers; you made that up. Secondly, I can see that you are prejudiced. Third, it’s okay if you call me Nigger because I’m from Nigeria. So that makes me a ‘Nija, or Niger; a word coined out from River Niger. But if you mean the ‘Profane’ one used by your ancestors on Blacks in this country; I’m sorry sir you can shove it. I do not blame you. Racism has eaten deep into the fabrics of your system. It is there a silent cankerworm. You will have a lot of purgative to take to purge it out. Have a Good Morning Sir!’ Chiwinke left him and continued delivering his newspapers. The tall fool stood there for ten minutes like a redwood tree. He probably had not met a fearless African all his life. But he met a tough cookie that morning. He was six feet four. Chiwinke have worked with some white people and have learned never to tolerate anyone that talks down on him or assumes a position of superiority.

A Flower Pot

Another experience was when Chiwinke tossed a Sunday newspaper on somebody’s flower pot and broke it. The owner wanted compensation for his pot and flower. His immediate supervisor informed him. Chiwinke said; ‘okay I will pay.’ ‘People are funny these days.’ He muttered. The overall Boss came and was barking like a dog. He said that the man was angry and wants his money. ‘You go and pay him his money. You hear me! When I’m talking to you; you look at my face!’ In Africa it is customary to look down listening to an elderly or someone in superior position. It was a sort of respect. But when Mr. Hartman said; ‘when I’m talking to you, I want you to look into my eyes.’ Chiwinke raised his face and open and twisted his eyes looking at him wild as if crossed. An art he developed in Africa which he uses to scare wild animals in the woods. Mr. Hartman went cold and left him silent and went straight to his office to tell his workers that Chiwinke was the craziest African he had ever met in his entire life. As for his immediate supervisor Mr. Roberts; he laughed and laughed and the next morning resumed laughing when he saw Chiwinke. ‘Well he told me to look into his eyes and I did.’ He began laughing again. ‘What nonsense; as if I damaged the pot on purpose; am the one that will pay the damage and am the one to hear an hour lecture.’ ‘Respect does not mean fear.’ Chiwinke grumbled.

He got the phone number of the guy and asked how much he wanted for the damage. He said; ‘ten dollars.’ Chiwinke took it to him and apologized. And that ended the drama.

A Sunday Trouble

The following Sunday he decided to end the complaints of a lady upstairs in another complex. The supervisor complained to him that he should find a way to stop the complaints. He took it to heart. When he got to her door he climbed some steps and flung the heavy newspapers to the door. His intention was for the lady to hear and feel that a newspaper hit the door. But unfortunately the newspaper hit the glass window; shattered it; went through it; and landed on the couch in the living room. ‘Oh No!’ Chiwinke exclaimed. He thought someone was home for him to apologize and probably pay the damage. But there was nobody home. On the side of the balcony where the flower pot was kept were all the newspapers she claimed not to receive. That was weird. In the morning as early as 8 a.m. Chiwinke called the management of the complex to correct matters. They promised to fix it at no cost. ‘You didn’t do it on purpose.’ The lady said. He then called his immediate supervisor who laughed and said; ‘she can’t deny that one.’ ‘It’s right on the couch in her room.’ They both laughed heartily.

He waited until noon to call the lady whose apartment he had violated. She answered the phone and Chiwinke apologized. ‘Apologies accepted; but you will have to pay the management to fix it.’ She explained. ‘It’s okay; I have called them up this morning, they said that it would be fixed before evening. And she said at no cost. ‘She said that?’ She asked. ‘Yes she did.’ Chiwinke affirmed.

Later, Chiwinke called his friend Lawrence to contact the lawyer to find out if she had extended his visa for six months. Lawrence said that he himself needed the lawyer for something he did not divulge but have been calling her with no success. He even went to her office and she was not there. ‘What happened?’ ‘And what could possibly happen?’ ‘And where did she disappear to?’ Chiwinke wondered endlessly with no solution.

Well, at weekend after job on a Friday Chiwinke travelled to see his friend Jonadab Ogbulie in San Jose California as promised. Chino took him to the airport and he flew from Houston to Denver where passengers were collected before heading to San Jose. Denver was so pretty from the air, and the pretty snowy mountain did impress him a lot. What an outstanding natural beauty. He admitted. His admiration doubled also at seeing the natural beauty of California’s mountains. He loved it whilst on air and when on land. At the airport Jonadab and his wife Gwendolyn came to get him. They were so happy to reunite after so many years. He saw them last when Gwen came to Africa on a convention which is actually where she met him. He was also like Chiwinke a missionary worker in Nigeria. Anyhow, Chiwinke fell in love with California and decided that that is where he would school. By Monday at the beginning of the week he was back to Houston Texas.

Back to Houston

With his sprit now pumping he spoke to his manager of the possibility of transferring to the Red Lobster in San Jose adjacent to his friend house. Although he had a truck he parked it for the restaurant was a stone’s throw. Steve his Boss said the touring manager is here, and he is from that Red Lobster restaurant in San Jose.’ This is surely a small world. This touring manager had been eulogizing Chiwinke’s style of work and wished that he had a worker like him in San Jose. He was informed about Chiwinke’s desires. He approved it without hesitation. ‘What do you know? I was just thinking of it. I said I wished that I have a fast and accurate worker like him and it came just like that.’ The manager confessed. ‘Oh praise Jah you people! Chiwinke rejoiced that his prayers and wishes had been answered by God Almighty. Whatever your hands find to do; do it with your very heart and your very might; for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave or hell or sheol where you are going. He quoted the Bible.

Adventure

Since the lawyer was nowhere to be found. He bid his brother Chino and his wife Sally that he was going to find a way to get into school in California. ‘Jehovah has worked out a plan for me. I will be working at the Red Lobster near Jonadab’s house. He revealed. He called his friend Lawrence and spilled his intention. ‘When you find the lawyer please find out about my visa extension; I hope she is