The Jailbird Episode 1 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman The sweetest music he has ever heard is the creaking sounds of the twenty-foot metallic gates of the prison sliding open. The tall well-built man steps outside, leaving the four heavily armed and muscled prison officials who have accompanied him at the gate. He stops just outside as the gates slide shut behind...
The Jailbird Episode 2 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Barbara joins the main road towards Achimota, and she keeps casting furtive glances at Chris. Chris is reclining in the seat, head back, eyes closed, hands lying limply on his thighs, obviously lost in his inner conflicts. Barbara sighs with great compassion for him. A man cooped inside that horrible place for five...
The Jailbird Episode 3 and 4 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Episode 3 The taxi stops in front of a very beautiful two-story building. It is located in a beautiful neighbourhood. The streets are well-demarcated and the addresses, precise. The houses are neat and well-arranged, testifying to the affluence of the rich people living in the neighbourhood. The lawns and hedges are...
The Jailbird Episode 5 and 6 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Episode 5 Junior, weeping uncontrollably, takes faltering steps after the sedan, making his shattered mother reach out for him. “My Prince,” Effe whispers sadly. “Please, don’t!” Junior shies away from her, his gaze fierce and accusing, and then he runs past her into the house. Steve bends and picks up the...
The Jailbird Episode 7 and 8 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Episode 7 Steve slips an arm around Effe’s stiff shoulders protectively and speaks with a chuckle to help ease the horrible friction that has sprung up between the two friends. “Hey, hey, hey, Elaine! That’s enough! Look we’re all a bit stressed here! Why don’t we call it a night, huh?...
The Jailbird Episode 9 and 10 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Episode 9 Chris sits down and quickly signs the spaces Joshua points out to him. Effe feels the emotions building up uncontrollably within her as Chris’ hand flies over the sheets as he appends his signature quickly. This is it then, finally. He is signing the divorce papers, cutting off the...
The Jailbird Episode 11 and 12 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Episode 11 It is Sunday, and the Central Auditorium of the Golgotha Heights International Church is filled to capacity, as usual. It is a huge church, a sprawling three-story edifice that rises majestically into the air with its finery and proud lines. It also has an underground pool area for baptismal...
The Jailbird Episode 13 and 14 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Episode 13 Junior gets down from Steve’s car and runs straight into the house. Steve stares after him, and then he looks over at Effe who is unstrapping her seatbelt. “Seems your son is really fighting for his father, sweetheart,” he says calmly enough, but there is an underlying tone of...
The Jailbird Episode 15 and 16 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Episode 15 Chris slides dejectedly to the floor, his breathing laboured and frantic, his expression beset with deep emotional pain. Trembling, he reaches for his glass of water and drinks thirstily, and all the while he keeps his eyes away from her. She sits up slowly, her eyes tearing into him...
The Jailbird Episode 15 and 16 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Episode 17 Chris swings Barbara’s car through the gates of the gigantic Eden Hospital. He swerves into the parking lot with the tires screeching in protest. He had torn off the sleeve of his shirt and tied it around his arm where Barbara stabbed him, and now it is soaked with...
The Jailbird Episode 19 Episode 19 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Effe bites her lower lip and begins to tremble. She clamps her hands to her temples and rubs them hard. “Damn you, Chris! I won’t allow you! Do you hear me? I won’t allow you!!” she says desperately. On the television screen, Elaine is walking forward again. “That was not the...
The Jailbird Episode 20 Episode 20 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman The main yard of the Central Police Station is crawling with the press and a sizeable crowd. The previous evening’s episode of Elaine’s popular GIRL VIBZ talk show which featured Mr. Chris Bawa as “The Beast” has made the press besiege the police station that early, eager to grab a good...
The Jailbird Episode 21 Episode 21 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman The Commander turned to Chris, who is still holding Cuger up by the neck. “Listen carefully, Mr. Bawa,” he says harshly. “In five seconds if you’re still holding Cuger, I’m going to lock you up for assault on an officer of the law, and believe me I’m going to make sure...
The Jailbird Episode 22 Episode 22 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Effe’s defences come up, and she glares at him defiantly through the sharp pain his words have opened in her heart. She detests the fact that she suddenly feels so guilty. She remembers how she behaved at the hospital when she heard the police were coming for Chris. Knowing that Chris...
The Jailbird Episode 23 Episode 23 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman The Eden Hospital Staff Residential Hub, known as the ERSH, is a sprawling beauty. It has many entry gates manned by armed security men. The bungalows are well-demarcated and range from simple but beautiful one-bedroom blocks to fully-detached five-bedrooms and Boys’ Quarters detachments. Eyram’s compound reeks of serenity from its splendid...
The Jailbird Episode 24 Episode 24 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Rupert is dressed in an impeccable black suit, and looks quite handsome as always, but he has a subdued and almost worried look on his face as he approaches them. His bungalow is down the incline, a short distance from Eyram’s place. “Just heard on the news that the lady lied...
The Jailbird Episode 25 Episode 25 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Two days later, Eyram drives into her yard and parks the car near the Boys’ Quarters. Behind her car is a white U-Haul. She gets down and looks across at Chris, and her face closes in a look of extreme displeasure at what she sees. Chris is at the far end...
The Jailbird Episode 26 Episode 26 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman There is an uncomfortable silence for a little while, and then the man of God takes a step closer to his last son. He clears his throat before speaking. “Listen, son, I think we went through a hard time as a family when this whole thing happened five years ago. You...
The Jailbird Episode 27 Episode 27 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman The following morning Eyram knocks on the door and hears his deep voice from inside. She turns the handle and breathes with relief when the door opens, and she enters. She is dressed for the office, and she walks briskly into the kitchen. He is sitting at the plastic table with...
The Jailbird Episode 28 Episode 28 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman The Reverend Brand Bawa stands at the upstairs window of his house looking out across the beautiful green expanse of his backyard garden and recreational area. He can see Stan and his family near the man-made lake with Diana and her family. He closes his eyes for a moment, forcibly trying...
The Jailbird Episode 30 Episode 30 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman It is fight night. Rupert is driving and Eyram is sitting by his side. Chris is in the back seat. Rupert is wearing an excellently-tailored black suit, white shirt and maroon tie. Eyram is in a dark green dress that shows off her stunning beauty. Chris is making do with one...
The Jailbird Episode 29 Episode 29 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Chris feels a rush of love, the same strong blast of love he had felt the very first time he took his son into his arms when he was born. He wraps his arms around Junior’s little body, and a while later the boy’s rhythmic breathing tells him he is asleep....
The Jailbird Episode 31 Episode 31 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Afful glares at Chris and his face is filled with hatred, and venom spill out of his mouth. “Fuck you, motherfucker! There’s no job for you here. Now get the fuck out of my face before I have you arrested! This section is for authorized people only!” he says disdainfully, hatred...
The Jailbird Episode 32 Episode 32 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Chris gets out of the taxi and pays off the driver. He takes a deep shuddering breath for the umpteenth time as he stands and surveys Effe’s residence. The image of Steve’s hand all over Effe, his lips on hers, comes back to haunt him. He grits his teeth and his...
The Jailbird Episode 33 Episode 33 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Effe gets out of Steve’s car, murmurs her thanks, and flees into the house. She meets her startled father in the living room, and he holds her as she tries to go upstairs. “Hey, hey, Princess. What’s it?” her father asks anxiously. “Why do you look so upset?” “I need to...
The Jailbird Episode 34 Episode 34 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Chris is standing in Junior’s doorway, smiling, but when he sees his naked ex-wife and her new lover he looks into the room with terrible pain on his face. “Stay there, Champ,” he says sharply. “Don’t come out now.” Junior’s happy voice comes from within the room. “Is it Mommy? Is...
The Jailbird Episodes 35 and 36 Episode 35 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman It is very late when Chris approaches the Boys’ Quarters. He is still running. He ran from Effe’s house all the way here, and he is out of breath. His T-shirt is soaked and plastered to his skin. His breath come in wheezes, and his huge frame is still...
The Jailbird Episodes 37 Episodes 37 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman The music is loud. An all-girl band is playing, and revellers are dancing and having a good time. In lighted glass booths at vantage points around the club are beautiful girls wearing only G-strings and high boots, dancing and gyrating and showing off their bare breasts and derrieres. The bar is...
The Jailbird Episodes 38 Episodes 38 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Effe comes down the stairs slowly, almost lethargically. She is wearing a terrific dark blue skirt suit that fits her like a dream and holding her bag and a file. When she gets to the living room, Junior emerges from his room and calls down to her. “Mom! Wait! I’m coming...
The Jailbird Episodes 39 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Chris nods because at that particular moment his heart is so full with love for his son that he does not trust his voice. He takes the smaller helmet and tries to put it on his son’s head. “No, Chris. We’re going in my car. You can leave your motorbike here. I want...
The Jailbird: Episode 40 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Junior’s face suddenly crumbles. The happiness vanishes, and his face is the epitome of dejected despair. Effe stands beside her son and puts an arm around his neck. “My Prince, what you have done is really amazing! It’s the most amazing show of love I’ve ever seen a child make, but we must...
The Jailbird: Episode 41 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Effe quickly walks out to the car again, and she feels elated that Chris is with Junior. Her mother follows her to the car, and there is a look of great concern on her face. “Listen, Ef, my darling, I don’t want to be the overbearing mother, but I believe you’re making a...
The Jailbird: Episode 42 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Chris, standing beside his son, looks up, and he giggles, and Junior laughs, Ken Kedem also laughs, and Effe smiles as she serves her father. Ivy Kedem looks on, and she is deeply disturbed because suddenly the scene looks just like it used to be. The easy camaraderie between Chris and her...
The Jailbird: Episode 43 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Chris sighs deeply, and for a very fleeting time, a look of deep shame spreads across his face. He shakes his head sadly, and then he looks at Effe. “Alright, Effe. If that’s how you want to play it, we’ll play it your way. But I must tell you something I couldn’t tell...
The Jailbird: Episode 44 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Steve drives for a while, and then he stops the car and gets out. He slams the door with fury and kicks at one of the tires. His head is thudding with pain as he recollects the sight on the floor. He sees Effe, so aggressive as she strains passionately on top of...
The Jailbird: Episode 45 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Chris is sitting on the metallic examining bed in Eyram’s home consulting room. She has shaved off a small area in his scalp and stitched the nasty cut the rock had opened. Now she dresses the pulpy mess in his right temple and expertly winds a bandage around his head. Finally, she gives...
The Jailbird: Episode 46 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman It is deep night, well past midnight. A police sedan is parked by the side on a secluded stretch of road. Parked behind it is a sleek Toyota Tundra. Three men are standing in the dark shadows. They are Chief Inspector Dan Cuger, Sergeant Ato McBaiden, and Jonathan Afful, who hands over a...
The Jailbird: Episode 47 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman It is a Saturday. Grand opening of JUNIOR’S. A month has passed like a whirlwind. Madam Didi had begged Chris to take on some of her dedicated staff. Chris retained three counter girls, four waiters, two waitresses and four chefs. Eyram had graciously advanced him some money to design the white, blue and...
The Jailbird: Episode 48 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Chris waits for Junior to take a bath. Junior is so tired that he is almost asleep on his feet as he struggles into his pyjamas. Chris carries him to the bed, puts him down, and pulls the sheet over him. He sets the air-conditioning to room temperature. Chris kisses him on the...
The Jailbird: Episode 49 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman It is fight night, two months exactly after Mike Crankson knocked out Wailer Vroom to retain his GojuFist Grandmaster title. He is making his eleventh defence against an opponent from Kenya, JACK SHARK. It is the fifth round. Crankson has systematically torn Shark apart from the first round, exhibiting an awesome array of...
The Jailbird: Episode 50 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman There are a lot of people milling around the private parking park below the Ghana International GojuFist Arena. The excitement from the fight is still raging fiercely. There are some who are thrilled with the brutal display by Mike Crankson, and there are some who are saying he is too mean. Some are...
The Jailbird Episode 51 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Effe closes the back door of her car after making sure Junior is strapped in and goes around to the driver’s seat. School is over and she has come to pick up her son. Normally either her Mom or Dad picked him up, and when Effe closes from work she passes through and...
The Jailbird Episode 52 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman The huge Waiting Lounge of Eyram’s Consultancy is filled with anxious people. The glass doors slide open for the umpteenth time. Steve and Jonathan Afful enter, and Elaine is behind them. Steve pauses with mild surprise. Effe is present, together with her parents. Some of their friends are present as well, and a...
The Jailbird Episode 53 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman When Effe enters the ward, everybody steps aside. Junior is sitting up on the bed, a bandage around his head, and on his face is the saddest expression Effe has ever seen on his face. She walks to him and takes him in her arms and hugs him gently. Junior hugs her back,...
The Jailbird 54 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman The upcoming GojuFist fight, coming up in two weeks, is dominating every other topic in the country. The Crankson camp has accepted the challenge but extended the one week demanded by Chris to two weeks to hype up the event. Crankson is now back to his bragging best. He is on all platforms on...
The Jailbird 55 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman The old man bites his lip, and his face takes on a pained look. “I owe Shapiro a lot of money, kid. Drug money, before I was imprisoned. I knew he was gonna kill me. There was no way I could hide from him. I used to work for him, you know, before I...
The Jailbird 57 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Chris is sitting on the edge of the bed. Effe is sitting behind the small glass-topped desk she uses for late-night edits. Chris has just finished telling her the most horrifying story ever, and she is shivering. She is so scared. She realizes just how close she and Junior had come to losing him...
The Jailbird Episode 59 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman The bell tinkles. Crankson moves to the centre quickly. Chris moves slowly. Referee Odamten holds down a stiff hand, and then slashes it sideways in the air. The bell tinkles again. “GojuFists, fight, trust!” The two men stare at each other. “I’m gonna retire you forever, old man,” Crankson says with mean eyes....
The Jailbird Episode 61 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman The family is in the living room having a family discussion. Reverend Brand Bawa, Mrs. Lois Bawa, Diana, Stan and Ruben Essel are present. They are thinking about their next meeting with Chris, a move Stan is strongly opposing. The huge television is on, but the sound has been muted as the family...
The Jailbird Episode 62 by Aaron Ansah-Agyeman Effe’s office door opens. Her office is huge, replete with all the modern gadgets that a state-of-the-art office should have. Her desk is U-shaped and made of polished mahogany. The view out of the window is an exquisite sight of the beachfront. There is a door that leads to a finely-furnished sleeping quarters....
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