This post was written by guest blogger Yihun Stith ’22. Interested in guest blogging for WAM? Email wam@newarka.edu.
For the past few weeks the Intermediate Acting class, composed mainly of sophomores, have been writing their own 10 minute length plays. They all contain one motif that can be commonly found around most houses. The following piece is by sophomore Lucy Alaeto. This play follows a family dinner in which Chidozie, a gay 20 year old man of Igbo heritage, and his religious father, Chiemeka, break out into argument over Chidozie’s sexuality. The story tackles multiple issues, such as family, sexuality, and manhood. Besides the play’s ability to deal with mature topics, it also sporadically uses the Igbo language to increase the realism within the story. Later this month there is a possibility that this play will be performed over Zoom.
Late evening. Chidozie’s apartment. It is Christmas Eve. Chidozie is tidying up the apartment before his guests arrive. He is 20, a college student. He carries an air of premature maturity. Everything in his apartment is tidy. His appearance itself is also tidy. The doorbell rings and he startles. Before he answers the door, he checks himself over in his entryway mirror and makes sure he is as presentable as possible, fixing his hair and smoothing out nonexistent wrinkles.
CHIDOZIE. (Opening the door) Hello– oh! Nnenna!
He lets out a beaming smile, relief obvious on his face.
NNENNA. (Beaming as well) Chidozie! It’s so good to see you!
She pulls him in for a lasting hug. Chidozie squeezes her tightly. It is obvious he has missed her.
CHIDOZIE. (Pulling away) Come inside. You’re letting all the cold air in, stupid!
NNENNA. (Scoffs and playfully shoves his shoulder as she steps inside, no ill-will in the action) Is this how you treat all your guests?
CHIDOZIE. (Closing the door) No, just the ones I don’t like.
Nnenna shoots him a dirty look and he just laughs. They move further into the apartment, Nnenna taking her shoes off along the way.
NNENNA. I’m not sure who else in this world could handle being your sister, Chidi. The way you treat me!
CHIDOZIE. (Makes a show of rolling his eyes) I’m the best brother you could ask for.
Nnenna opens her mouth to respond but he quickly cuts her off.
CHIDOZIE. Don’t try to refute that! Biko, you will hurt my feelings.
NNENNA. (Lifting her hands in surrender) Okay-o. Abeg get me some water.
Chidozie briefly looks as if he will complain but decides against it and goes off into the kitchen to get her some water.
NNENNA. (Throwing herself on the couch) You wouldn’t believe it, I was so stupid–
CHIDOZIE. (Off) As usual.
NNENNA. Brat. As I was saying, I was stupid and finished my water within the first 2 hours of the drive over here. My tongue feels so dry. Like I ate sand for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack!
CHIDOZIE. (Entering) Abeg, abeg your story get k-leg.
He hands her a glass of water and Nnenna takes it with gratitude, quickly swallowing it down. She sighs in relief.
NNENNA. Thank you. (Looking around in amusement) You’re as anal about being tidy as you’ve always been.
CHIDOZIE. (Half-heartedly offended) There’s nothing wrong with–
NNENNA. (Picking something off the floor) Oh, you missed something. (Beat) Never knew you were into knitting.
CHIDOZIE. (Stares at the ball of yarn) Oh. (Beat) Well. No, not actually. I haven’t gotten around to learning yet.
NNENNA. Oh? How come?
CHIDOZIE. Just..been busy. Junior year of college and all.
NNENNA. (Groaning) Don’t remind me. That was terrible. I would say it gets better, but as a good sister I won’t lie to you.
CHIDOZIE. I’m sure it’s not that bad. You have a laziness problem. I don’t.
NNENNA. (Bristling) Lazy! Come here so I can wack you on your head! I’ll show you lazy.
They descend into a fit of laughter as they playfully wrestle around. They’re like children again. The yarn tumbles away amidst the argument, unraveling as it goes.
NNENNA. (Untangling herself from CHIDOZIE and settling back on the couch) Okay, okay, I surrender! I surrender!
CHIDOZIE. Hmm, that’ll be what? My millionth victory?
NNENNA. (Huffing) More like hundredth, don’t get a big head.
There is a brief moment of respite where Nnenna and Chidozie simply sit and enjoy each other’s company. Nnenna turns to look at her brother imploringly, worry settling over her face.
NNENNA. Chidi…are you–well– (a pause to gather her thoughts) Are you happy right now?
CHIDOZIE. (A long moment of silence) I suppose so. At least, right here, right now, right at this moment…yes, I’m happy. I’ve missed you a lot, big sister.
NNENNA. (Nodding) I know. I’m sorry I can’t be around more–
CHIDOZIE. Oh, come on, don’t even– It’s fine. We both know why you can’t visit as often as we’d like.
Nnenna nods and purses her lips. The next time she speaks her tone is serious.
NNENNA. Chidozie…will you be okay?
CHIDOZIE. Hm. (Pause) I suppose that depends on how they act. (Beat) I am trying to avoid confrontation. But, we both know how that always goes.
Nnenna lets out a humorless chuckle. A tense silence falls over them. The doorbell rings. Chidozie and Nnenna turn to look at each other apprehensively. Nnenna reaches out a comforting hand but Chidozie quickly shoots up and begins to smooth down his clothes once more.
CHIDOZIE. Don’t worry. I’ll answer.
He heads to the front door and quickly pulls it open before the bell can ring out again. He tries his best to put forth his most welcoming smile, but it comes out awkward and tense. On the other side, his parents stand. His mother smiles like a radiant sun. His father’s face is schooled into a familiar stiffness; he always seems to be judging your every move.
CHIDOZIE. Mama!…Father. Come in, Nnenna is already here. How have you been? Let me take your coats.
His mother easily allows him to take her coat. His father refuses and takes off his own. His mother begins to chatter nonstop.
IFEDIMMA. Oh, my precious son! Anyi adi nma. Kedu ka ị mere? I hope you have been eating a lot, you look like bones. I bet you’ve been eating all that oyibo junk! Aish..
CHIDOZIE. (Smiling easily and going along) Adị m mma, nne. I don’t eat “oyibo junk”. I cook!
His mother pauses and looks up at him, a bit shocked.
IFEDIMMA. Na so? No play me wayo, abeg. I go land you slap.
CHIDOZIE. No, really! I cooked the entire Christmas dinner already!
IFEDIMMA. (With pride) Chineke! That’s my boy.
CHIEMEKA. (With force) That’s not a man’s job.
Ifedimma turns to quietly scold her husband. She looks embarrassed.
IFEDIMMA. (Quietly) Abeg-o, be civil. It’s Christmas.
Chiemeka puffs out his chest and shoots a scalding look at his son. Clamping his lips shut, he walks further into the house, inspecting the living room for mistakes. His eyes spot the now fully unravelled ball of yarn which lays a mess in the middle of the living room. He scrunches his face up in disgust.
CHIEMEKA. Living in a pigsty as well. To think I got stuck with a son like you.
IFEDIMMA. Jesus! Can we have a nice family dinner? Why you dey give me wahala, Chiemeka? Why? Ekwensu!
Chidozie quickly steps in to diffuse the situation. He grabs his mother by the shoulders and pulls her away from his father, trying to calm her down.
CHIDOZIE. Mama, no…it’s fine. We’re all already here, let’s just sit down and eat.
Ifedimma takes a big breath to calm down. When she’s regained her composure, she pats Chidozie’s hand on her shoulder to ease his mind. Then she gestures to him and Nnenna to enter the kitchen. Understanding the silent cue, they both leave. Whirling on her husband and wagging her finger, she begins to berate him.
IFEDIMMA. Chiemeka, I have had it up to here with your (with a growl) nasty attitude. I don’t care what problems you have with my son, but it is Christmas dinner. You will not ruin it or thunder fire you! I will curse you, o! I mean it. (Grabbing her own ears for emphasis) Open your ears and listen well well. If you can not learn how to talk to my son properly, I go land you slap and turn your ass back home. Abi?
Ifedimma doesn’t give him a chance to respond and turns away from him, fixing her face into a bright smile and entering the kitchen. Chiemeka clenches his hands into fists, steam practically coming out of his ears. After a few moments he has managed to gather his anger enough to join his family in the kitchen. They are already sitting at the dinner table, prepared to have their meal.
IFEDIMMA. (Tight-lipped smile) There you are. Chidozie was just telling me about how well he did on his finals.
CHIEMEKA. (Sitting down) I would expect that he did. I don’t pay for his education for nothing.
IFEDIMMA. (Rolling her eyes) Oh come on, Meka, would it kill you to be proud?
CHIEMEKA. (Gruffly) Good work, Chidozie.
CHIDOZIE. (Nervously) Thank you, Father.
NNENNA. (Claps hands once) Okay! I wan chop and this looks like a feast fit for a king.
CHIDOZIE. Exaggerating again.
NNENNA. Let us eat, abeg.
A sound of assent passes through the table and, after a brief prayer, they begin to eat and settle into easy, light conversation. The tension has almost mellowed out when Ifedimma suddenly asks:
IFEDIMMA. (Hopefully) So, Chidozie, have you started seeing anyone lately?
A sudden silence. The temperature seems to drop several degrees and a certain coldness takes over. Chidozie shoots his mother a pleading look.
NNENNA. Mama, perhaps now is not–
IFEDIMMA. Oh nonsense! Can I not ask my son when he will finally bring someone home?
Nnenna and Chidozie both glance at their father and see he has stopped eating, almost frozen in place. Chidozie picks his words carefully.
CHIDOZIE. I’ve been too busy to think about…that right now.
IFEDIMMA. Well you better start thinking! You’re already 20, you won’t stay young forever. (Passionately) This is your youth, abi? Don’t all the oyibo people say this is the time to take risks, you know, have your adventure?
CHIDOZIE. I’ve never been very adventurous.
IFEDIMMA. Humph! You don’t get that from me, I will tell you now.
Chidozie and Nnenna both chuckle.
IFEDIMMA. (Reaching out to grasp Chidozie’s hand) But, really, Chidi, you can enjoy yourself, you know? Go out, meet people. And, when you’re ready, maybe you will even bring a man home one day–
CHIEMEKA. (Interrupting) Ifedimma, have you lost your mind?! Do you know what you’re encouraging? (Voice raising) Have you no faith in God?
IFEDIMMA. (Firmly) My faith in God is as strong as it has always been. In fact, it is stronger than it has ever been. I know my God and I know he has a plan for everything.
CHIEMEKA. (Now shouting) And that plan involves a gay son?! A homosexual! The same homosexual the Bible forbids!
IFEDIMMA. (Shouting over him) YES! Our son is gay! (Slamming her hands on the table) He is gay, Chiemeka, and he is never going to change! (Pause) Make peace with it.
CHIEMEKA. I will never make peace with it. I will not accept a- a- a faggot in my household even after I die! God forbid it!
Chidozie flinches and visibly recoils into himself. Nnenna quickly gets up from her seat and grasps Chidozie’s hand, pulling him up and out of the room, whispering quietly to him as they leave. Ifedimma watches it with rage swirling in her eyes. When her children are gone she rounds on her husband in a fury.
IFEDIMMA. (Mockingly) Oh clap for yourself! Man of God, na so? You would rather lose your son than learn to have love in your heart!
CHIEMEKA. Yes, o. I know what the Bible tells me. And it tells me that I can never accept a homosexual son.
IFEDIMMA. (Irritation ringing clear in her voice) Have you forgotten the second greatest commandment? Thou shalt love thy neighbor as yourself, Chiemeka. (Beating on her chest) Love! Thou shalt love! Where is the love in your soul?
CHIEMEKA. (Resolutely) It died when he dared to confess to being a queer in my own home!
IFEDIMMA. Jesus! (Falling down) Una no go kill me o!
Nnenna rushes into the room at her mother’s shout. Gasping at the state of her mother on the floor she crosses over, no longer able to stay out of the argument.
NNENNA. Mama! Are you alright?
IFEDIMMA. Chineke… (Getting on her knees and raising her hands imploringly to God) Have I done something wrong? Have I failed as a mother? What will it take for my family to return to what it was before?
NNENNA. (Turning her head away, unable to look at her mother in such a state of weakness) Oh, Mama…
IFEDIMMA. (Still questioning God, voice breaking as a sob catches in her throat) Will I have to die for this family to come together? Will my son? I don’t know what I should do, what should I do, God? Nye m ike, Chukwu!
Nnenna looks at her father, staring at him intensely.
NNENNA. (Quietly but firmly) I think you should go.
They gaze at each other for a tense moment. Ifedimma continues to pray. Eventually, Chiemeka leaves the room and grabs his coat, preparing to leave. He returns to the kitchen doorway and stares at his wife and daughter for a long moment.
CHIEMEKA. This family is the biggest disappointment in my life.
He shakes his head and finally leaves the apartment, slamming the door behind him. Nnenna breathes out a defeated sigh. Choosing to focus on her mother, she immediately pulls her up and helps her into a chair.
NNENNA. Nne, I am so sorry.
IFEDIMMA. (Shaking off her sadness to look at her sharply) Sorry? What do you have to be sorry for? This is no fault of yours, my daughter. Don’t be sorry for me! Be sorry for your father. At this rate, he will die a bitter man.
Ifedimma laces her fingers together on the table and looks off somewhere far away.
IFEDIMMA. (Pause) You know, I can understand your father. I was raised in the church too, after all. And Nigeria definitely isn’t the most accepting country when it comes to homosexuality. I will admit when Chidi came out as gay…I didn’t know what to do with myself. For days I was lost, questioning God. I found myself thinking: why me? Where had I failed? How could I end up with a gay son? I looked to the Bible for answers and saw the overwhelming message of love to be found in its pages. (Finally coming out of her daze) What your father fails to realize is that the greatest thing God wants from us is to love one another. That is our purpose. If it is His will that my son is gay, who am I to tell Him no? Judgement belongs in His hands after all. When judgement day comes, I believe He will judge us based on our ability to spread love in our lifetime, not hate. I have raised you and Chidi with as much love as I could find to give you. If I suddenly stopped loving my son simply because he was gay, what kind of Christian would that make me in His eyes?
Chidozie appears silently in the doorway.
CHIDOZIE. (Wryly) Not a very loving one, I’m sure.
He crosses over to slump down on a chair, almost defeated. Nnenna and Ifedimma shoot him matching looks of sympathy.
CHIDOZIE. (Beat) If only Father was able to see things the way you do, Mama.
NNENNA. I am sure he will come around eventually.
CHIDOZIE. What if he never does?
Silence reigns. It is a very real question, a very real possibility.
CHIDOZIE. (Voice trembling) I don’t want to live as a disappointment for the rest of my life.
IFEDIMMA. (With strength) You are not a disappointment.
She gets up so that she can take the seat to the right of Chidozie. Nnenna follows and sits at his left. Ifedimma grasps her son’s hands and forces him to look into her eyes.
IFEDIMMA. Chidozie, you have grown to be such a fine young man. You are so hardworking, always on top of your studies, juggling work and school at the same time. You never ask us to help with anything other than your tuition even though you know we can give it. You paid for this apartment and keep it clean. (Overwhelmed with pride) You’ve even learned how to cook! I am amazed at the way you can carry yourself, the maturity you continue to show every day. I could not have asked for a better son.
NNENNA. (Resting her hand on his shoulder) Even if our father can’t recognize that right now, we do. We see you, Chidi.
Chidozie sends them a wobbling smile before breaking down completely, burying his face in his arms. Understanding his need for comfort without words being spoken, the women in his life simply gather him into their arms, offering him silent patience and love.
END.