Chapter 34
34
Wale_Memoir_Draft1.doc
Target word count: 22,000
Current word count: 23,062
Just under three weeks to go …
The next day, I’m slightly more peaceful than before the meeting with Dionne and have even made good progress on Wale’s memoir. With the help of Wale’s podcast and radio interviews, I’ve managed to draft another chapter. I’ve titled it:
People assume that I’m a bad boy
The truth is I just look like one
The words came very quickly. It helps that I know him. It also helps that I have a new working laptop.
Now that I have heard from Dionne’s own mouth that I can edit anything in my manuscript that I’m uncomfortable with, I feel a lot more prepared to have the talk with Wale. He’ll demand to read my manuscript, I know. I’m just going to have to keep telling him that it’s not the final version.
I put my playlist on pause. Scrolling down the document, I give it a quick skim. Given everything I’ve dealt with in the last few weeks, I’m pretty impressed with how much I’ve done. I’ve written about how Wale’s overuse of the word ‘fine’ stems from childhood – he was sensitive and not so great at standing up for himself, unlike his bonus family. I’ve been able to interweave the stuff he told me about his physical transformation to write the new chapter about the assumptions people make about him based off his physical appearance. I’ve written about his first love and his first heartbreak, and how quick some are to write him off as a cheater when, in fact, he’s experienced the painful devastation of being cheated on. I’ve also written about how his job at ACE charity was not merely a stopgap until he found something fancier and more high-paying.
But still, there’s something missing: context. The backdrop to how and why he’s become the person he is today. And I know what the missing thing is. I need to somehow get Wale comfortable enough to share his experience as a carer.
Grabbing my phone, I ring Wale. I haven’t spoken to him directly since our conversation at Camden Market. Instead, we’ve been exchanging voice notes, mainly for him to clarify things thrown up by the writing process. He picks up straight away.
‘That’s crazy. I was just thinking about you,’ he says. ‘I mean, I was just about to call you to talk about work.’
‘Oh. What a coincidence. I’m calling to talk about work too.’
Silence.
‘Do you wanna go first?’ he says.
‘Yes, right.’ I clear my throat. ‘First off, you’ll be pleased to know I’m making really good progress with your memoir.’
‘Nice.’
‘But I feel like there’s something missing. Your home life. Wale, I know I can’t interview your parents—’
‘That’s why I was calling. What are you doing later today around seven?’
‘I’m free,’ I say softly. ‘Anansi Books will be closed, though.’
‘Actually, I was thinking we could talk at Fonzo’s. I stayed at his place last night.’
‘Perfect.’
‘I’ll text you the address now … anything else?’
The Ultimate Payback floats to mind. But if I tell him now, he won’t open up later on. And I need him to.
‘Not that I can think of. See you at seven.’
I end the call and lower my phone. On the one hand, I’m touched that Wale is now in a space where he is mentally ready to talk about his family but, on the other, must our interaction be so stiff? Now that I’ve spoken to Dionne, I hope we can pick up from when we last kissed.
I’m replaying the soft brush of his lips on mine when my phone vibrates. It’s an email from Dionne.
Tuesday 10 Sept, 15.08 p.m.
From: Watts, Dionne
To: Li, Mayee; Ojo, Temi
Subject: Press release
Temi, not sure if you’ve seen but the press release is out! Feel free to retweet!
Mayee – thanks for finalizing and sending it directly to Books Today and co yesterday.
D x
I check Twitter.
@DionneWattsOceanBooks
Excited to be the lucky editor to snap up The Ultimate Payback ! Can’t wait to publish this HOT debut by @TemiOjoWriter next year!
@BooksToday British Nigerian author lands high five-figures deal with Ocean Books after writing book inspired by ex. Read more here
I balk.
Fuck! Why the heck did Mayee pick that title? Did she really have to mention my ex?!
And then I remember. Although I was partially honest with Dionne, I’ve been nowhere close to that with Mayee.
I stare at the Tweet. Wale is not on Twitter, so I can technically get away with reposting.
@TemiOjoWriter
Can’t believe my dreams have come true!
@BooksToday British Nigerian author lands five-figures deal with Ocean Books after writing book inspired by ex. Read more here
Twenty minutes later, I have a change of heart.
I delete the Tweet.