Snakepit

Free Snakepit by Moses Isegawa

Book: Snakepit by Moses Isegawa Read Free Book Online
Authors: Moses Isegawa
Tags: Fiction
to be a meeting of kindred spirits. Marshal Amin needed support as his friends became fewer and his paranoia swelled to the size of a cathedral. Robert Ashes got the Anti-Smuggling Unit draft because of his knowledge of boats, and he advised the Marshal to build a navy. They discussed weapons, whisky, music. In due time he honed the Marshal’s paranoia and told him which general to demote, or send abroad as ambassador or place at the head of a phantom coup plot. He married a black woman and settled.
    VICTORIA WAITED TWO MONTHS before breaking the news: the miracle had happened; she was pregnant. They were at the lake walking side by side on a Sunday afternoon. The sun was shining brightly, and apart from the noise of the birds in the trees the place was quiet. She held Bat’s hand, turned her head to look him in the eye and broke the news. He looked like somebody woken from a dream-laden sleep, the eyes slightly unfocused, the mouth a bit ajar, the brow creased pensively. His face wore a puzzled look, then relaxed into a neutral expression, neither happy nor sad, as if saying, What do you expect me to say?
    â€œPregnant.” The word seemed to stay in the air for a long time.
    â€œYes, I am two months pregnant,”she said cautiously, valiantly trying to dam her ecstasy.
    â€œWhy did you wait this long to tell me?”
    â€œI wanted to make sure.”
    â€œWhat do you want to do with it?”
    â€œTo keep it, of course.”
    â€œAbort.” His voice seemed to come from afar, slightly tremulous, as if calling back his university days, when he had given such an order and it had been obeyed. His heart was pumping hard and he felt slightly out of breath.
    â€œI want to keep the child.” Victoria’s voice was high, plaintive, her face troubled.
    â€œThe situation is too hot. People are getting killed every day. Can you guarantee the safety of the child?”
    â€œYou talk like a mathematician. There are no guarantees in life.”
    â€œI want to limit the risks. I don’t want to be at the office and at the same time wondering if my child is safe.”
    â€œI want to have the baby.”
    â€œIt would be best for you to return to your home. I will give you financial support.” Bat’s heart was beating even harder; not only was he facing rebellion from the person closest to him; he did not know what would come of all this.
    â€œI want to stay with you. I have no family,” Victoria said, infusing her voice with genuine desperation.
    â€œYou have friends. You can always hire help.”
    â€œIt is not the same thing. I want to be with you, cook for you.”
    â€œI already have a cook. All I need is space to concentrate on my work. If you insist on staying, well, it is a big house. You will get bored to death. If you decide to leave, inform me.”
    It was not terribly romantic, but she wanted a foot in the door. Some dreams needed a little pushing along the way. “It is fine with me. I want to stay and share God’s blessing with you.”
    A WEEK LATER Bat received news that the Professor’s brother had been found dead near his home. He drove to the Professor’s home located on one side of Makerere University Hill. The journey brought back memories, his university days, the post-independence political situation, especially the bombardment of the king’s palace in 1966 by Colonel Amin on the orders of President Obote. It was the longest and most frightful gun battle he had ever heard. At one time he thought the whole city had been bombed to the ground.
    He parked outside the Professor’s house, took a long breath and got out of the car. His friend came out to meet him, his teary eyes red. As he hugged him, he felt the Professor’s arms shaking. They sat down on the veranda and looked into the distance.
    â€œIf things continue this way, I will seriously consider emigrating. What sort of country is this where people get

Similar Books

Star Wars - Kenobi

John Jackson Miller

All Roads Lead Home

Mary Wasowski

The Spy on Third Base

Matt Christopher

18th Emergency

Betsy Byars

tantaliz

Isaac Asimov ed.

The Canal

Lee Rourke