Seventeen

The next day, Cassidy had called to give me info on the new buildings she could get ahold of. I requested that she sent it to my mail.

After the day's work and a meal of sadza, I sat in the porch of the hostel building, smoking and watching the dark sky dotted with bright stars. The moon shone at a distance, illuminating the courtyard.

"I have never seen a woman who enjoy smoking this much," Jide invaded my thoughts.

I butted the end of my cigarette stick and replaced it between my lips. Jide shoved it out of my mouth and crumbled it in his palms. I watched him in wonder. How could he do that when it was still lighted?

"Can you let me enjoy my stick? This helps me relax," I told him.

He bent his head at an odd angle and questioned me. "I thought painting helped you relax?"

"I stopped doing that three years ago. Grandma thought it was a waste of time. But she did not have issues with my smoking," I shrugged.

"Who does that? Complain about painting but not smoking," he boomed.

"Ca