Jailbird
Episode 27
Chris gets out of the taxi and pays off the driver.
He takes a deep shuddering breath for the umpteenth time as
he stands and surveys Effe’s residence.
The image of Steve hand all over Effe, his lips on hers,
comes back to haunt him.
He grits his teeth and his hands ball up into massive fists.
He is so jealous and in so much pain that he feels a deep
ache in his head like a migraine.
The security men recognize him this time, and they radio the
house.
A moment later the bolts are drawn back and the small gate
opens.
Chris enters the compound, and soon the main doors are
opened by Ken Kedem.
KEN KEDEM
(smiling)
Hello, Chris. We haven’t met since you came back. You are
welcome.
He pumps Chris’ hand effusively.
CHRIS
Thank you, Sir.
They exchange a few pleasantries as Chris follows him to the
living-room.
Ken Kedem had been watching the GojuFist fight live on
television, and when they enter Chris looks on the screen
and sees the cameras zooming in on an elated Mike Crankson.
KEN KEDEM
(sadly)
Crankson knocked Wailer Vroom out. Third round… aha,
they’re showing the slow-up again. Watch!
On the screen Chris is now watching a slow motion of the
knockout.
Wailer Vroom, shorter but powerfully built, is advancing on
Mike Crankson, who is bobbing around with a contemptuous
grin on his face, making no attempt to cover up.
Vroom Wailer suddenly throws a straight right, but Crankson is
leaping into the air, turning in mid-air as his right foot comes
round in a vicious turning kick.
The kick catches Wailer Vroom flush on the temple.
The older man wobbles and he begins to go down, already
out of the fight.
Chris watches, sick to his stomach, as Crankson steps in and
delivers a cruel blow into Vroom’s kidneys.
The older man’s mouth opens in a cry of pain, his eyes
almost popping out of his head as he crashes helplessly to
the canvas.
KEN KEDEM
(shaking his head)
I was backing Wailer. That Crankson is a cruel man. Someone
needs to put him down!
CHRIS
He’s younger, stronger, faster, more skilled. Wailer is old.
I wonder why he took the fight in the first place.
KEN KEDEM
Wailer owns the IRON FIST GOJU CLAN. He introduced
Crankson and trained him. Crankson used to fight for the
IRON FIST, until Afful lured him away.
CHRIS
I see. So Wailer wanted to prove a point, and got badly
beaten.
On the screen Afful and Steve and some other men are
standing behind a jubilant Crankson.
The camera zooms in on Crankson as a fight interviewer
thrusts a microphone into his face.
INTERVIEWER
Wow! Wonderful! Amazing! Incredible! That turning kick was
quite a beauty, Mike!
CRANKSON
(laughing)
Vroom is old and as slow as a pregnant tortoise. He should
stick to being a trainer. It was an insult for him to come out
against me!
INTERVIEWER
You’re now undefeated in ten title defence fights, Mike.
You have equalled the record held by Chris Bawa. Any takes
on that?
CRANKSON
(chuckling)
Yeah, yeah, I’ve got takes on that alright. I’ve heard
people saying that Chris is the best, you know. That’s crap.
In his time the fighters were old and inexperienced. I’m tired
of hearing that all the time. Know what, I saw him in the
corridor before entering the ring. I told him he has the option
to meet me in a fight!
There is a sudden uproar from the audience. Ken Kedem looks
at Chris suddenly.
INTERVIEWER
(excitedly)
Heeeey!! You don’t mean it!
Jonathan Afful steps forward with a plastic smile on his face.
AFFUL
No, no, no! The champion does not mean it!
CRANKSON
(angrily)
What do you mean I don’t mean it? You think I’m scared of
that dude? I want Chris Bawa! He got ten undefeated title
defence, and I’ve got ten. Now is the time to find out
who’s the all-time greatest. He’s out of prison. Make that
fight happen!
AFFUL
(uneasily)
Come on, Mike. That fight will never happen.
Mike Crankson snatches the microphone from the interviewer
and approaches the ring.
He shouts loudly into the microphone.
CRANKSON
DO YOU WANT TO SEE ME FIGHT CHRIS BAWA???
AUDIENCE
(in a massive voice)
YESSSSS! YESSSS! YESSSS!!!
Crankson smiles and turns.
He looks straight into the television cameras, and his face is
zoomed in, and now it seems he is speaking directly to Chris
through the television.
CRANKSON
Chris Bawa! Are you watching and listening? Are you man
enough to face me in the ring? Come and let me show you
how real men do it! If you stay away then we’ll all know
you’re just a coward!
Chris turns away from the television.
KEN KEDEM
Chris? Are you going to take him on?
Chris shakes his head.
CHRIS
No, sir. I’m retired.
KEN KEDEM
That’s guy is saucy, arrogant and a downright imbecile. He
has no respect for anybody. You can take him down a peg or
two, you know.
CHRIS
No. It’s over for me, Sir. Please where is Junior?
KEN KEDEM
Oh, yes. Come with me. He went to his room, giving me
orders to call him as soon as you get here.
They both laugh as they ascend the stairs.
They enter Junior’s room. He is lying on his bed, in his
pyjamas, asleep.
Chris leans against the door jamb and looks at his son, and
a deep love spreads over his pained face.
CHRIS
He fell asleep. It is late. Best not to wake him up. I’ll see
him tomorrow.
KEN KEDEM
No, no, Chris. That boy wanted to see you. He said even if
he’s asleep I should wake him up. I came to baby-sit. I’ll
wait a little while for Effe, and then I’ll leave. You stay
and baby-sit for a while too. I’m too old to be baby-sitting
anyway.
Junior suddenly opens his eyes and turns on his stomach.
He yawns sleepily and rubs his eyes.
JUNIOR
(sleepily)
Daddishh.
Chris moves forward.
CHRIS
(tenderly)
I’m here, Champ.
With an effort, Junior sits up on the bed. He reaches under
his pillow and brings out a little box wrapped in gift paper.
He holds it out towards his father.
JUNIOR
I called your phone early in the morning. I even told Mommy
to send me over to you, but you were not around.
CHRIS
(gently)
Sorry, Champ. I went out for a while. My phone was off.
But what is that? Is it a gift?
JUNIOR
(smiling sleepily)
I wanted to give it to you in the morning. That was why I
was calling. Happy birthday, Daddy.
Chris stops suddenly, stunned.
CHRIS
What’s today’s date?
JUNIOR
Third of May, Daddy. Your birthday.
CHRIS
(hoarsely)
D–n.
Indeed it is!
Five years in prison and he has never celebrated his
birthday.
No one had come to him, and no one has ever reminded him.
He has almost totally forgotten about his own birthday.
It seems everybody has forgotten about his birthday too.
But not Junior. Not his son. He has never forgotten.
Ken Kedem shakes his head numbly as he sees the tears in
Chris’ eyes.
He sees the big man sitting down on the bed and taking the
gift from the little boy.
He unwraps it, and sees a black box inside. He opens the
box. Inside it is a beautiful silver watch.
JUNIOR
I was the first in my class, Daddy. I got hundred percent in
all subjects except Twi. Mr. Abbiw, the headmaster, said he
would give me a prize, but I told him my Daddy’s birthday is
coming up, and I needed a gift. He took me out and I
selected that watch. Hope you like it Daddy.
Ken Kedem watches as the man silently slips the watch across
his wrist.
He watches as Chris takes his son in his arms and kisses him
on his forehead, and then he buries his face in his son’s
shoulder.
CHRIS
Thank you, Champ. I adore it!
JUNIOR
I love you, Daddy.
Chris tries to speak, but his emotions are choking him, and
so he just holds his son tighter.
Ken Kedem, overcome by the blast of pity and passion
assailing him, goes out quietly and shuts the door.
JAILBIRD continues
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