He is lucky not to have fallen on any hard parts. His mom does an alarmed inspection of him, realizing that he is going to have a scar from this incident, she gives him a look of “I hope you have learnt your lesson,” while his siblings burst out in laughter. Payback time. The next few minutes, Joojo is shepherding his siblings towards their bedroom, mediating a small quarrel between them, and they are obeying like faithful lambs. Children are funny like that; one minute they are enemies, the next minute, friends. Joojo is a joker and a tease, but he is captain of the trio, and they adore him. A very responsible big brother. For the family of five, who moved from Ghana to Liberia a few years ago, Liberia is a wonderful place, surrounded by good friends, assisted by maids, gardeners, chauffeurs, placed in great schools; from Hilton-Van E, J. J. Roberts, and then to St. Patrick’s High School; a proper middle income family. But when it comes to family, it is just them five. Always them five; no uncles or aunties, or cousins, or even grandparents. But they are happy. The challenges of being an immigrant in America are real. Many missed opportunities but with his parents’ encouragement, guidance, and support, Joojo forges on Second Decade Thirteen-year-old Joojo and his family are making another significant move. This time to the United States of America. America sounds exciting at first; all of a sudden he is the coolest dude in St Patrick’s High School, Liberia, the others looking at him in envy. Like, he should be excited. Like, he is excited, until it is going away day. Then… Apprehension. What is the point of moving away when all your f riends are here? Who does that? But there is the prospect of comics in America. And comics. And even more comics. He would read all the comics in America, and still call for more. 6 The Birthday Journal
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