Page 92 of The Black Flamingo

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anyway, why not live it up?

Once we’re all moved in,

I don’t see much of my flatmates,

since we all have our own

bathrooms and no one has

any food in the kitchen but me.

There are four of them:

Kerry, Kevin, Luke, and Sam,

who introduces herself as

Samantha and then says,

“But you can call me Sam.”

I introduce myself as Mike.

Mike feels right for this new chapter.

Michael is what Mum calls me.

Mikey is for Granny and Uncle B.

Mike is the man I am at university.

This will be my first

meal without Mum supervising.

My flatmate Kevin hovers

around the kitchen.

I’m making ackee and saltfish,

rice and peas,

and baked plantain.

There’s space for Kevin

if he wants to cook, too.

Not that he has any food.

I’m only using two burners

and one shelf in the oven.

“Smells good, Mike.”

“It’s ackee and saltfish,”

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