SLIPPERY WATER

The book, Slippery Waters … too early for unguarded choices was organized into Sixteen Chapters of neatly connected narrative story weaved around two young girls, Ema and Anita. Chapter One opens the story in a thought provoking curiosity while unraveling the destination of the writer. This exposé continues in Chapter Two where the writer uses both adjectival and proverbial expressions to drive home the points through his unique stylistic and poetic fashion. The story continues to its destination in Chapter Three through Chapter Four by tactically blending other characters that were introduced into the scene namely; the taxi driver, the bad boys, Ema's mother and Frank - the wealthy bachelor Good Samaritan whom God used to save Ema's mother from the menacing hands of the bad boys. Chapters Five and Six clearly showed some deliberate effort by parents, school authorities, colleagues and the community to keep Ema and Anita on the right track. Chapter Seven chronicles the climax of the escapades that landed Anita and her notorious boyfriend Dave, deep into the Slippery Waters while unveiling the fate that shall befall Ema. The writer consequently makes a narrative incursion into Ema's horrifying experiences in Chapter Eight when nemesis caught up with her after she witnessed Anita's murder trial. Chapter Nine subsequently brings very painful memories with regrets for Ema, as well as the situation leading to her invitation, arrest and trial. Sequel to the foregoing, Chapters Ten and Eleven succinctly documented the conclusion of Anita's murder trial and its concomitant 75 years jail sentence that finally immersed her in the Slippery Waters. Ema was seen trying to recover, after a frail effort at running away from herself. The following Chapter Twelve, unveils Anita's journey to prison and the new life in the prison yard, while her friend Ema was lucky getting married to Frank, who later made moves to improve her (Ema's) life. The extent to which Ema's 'luck' could shine was now unveiled in introducing her (Ema's) shaky marriage to Frank which culminated in Chapter Thirteen which also presented side by side, Anita's travails in the prison yard. Ema's problematic and disappointing marriage to Frank now came to the fore and public glare. Chapters Fourteen, Fifteen and Sixteen are the climax and recapitulation of the past escapades, rough, bad and delinquent lives of Anita and Ema which inadvertently, finally delivers the writer's message. Slippery Waters …too early for unguarded choices is a prophetic warning to everybody, especially the youths who may have, because of the new found freedom in schools, and new/latest ultra-modern tele-communication discoveries, lost focus and subsequently be lured into the destructive Slippery Waters of the outside world and the society.