“come on in” Adisa groaned as the knock on his door persisted. It had roused him earlier but as he

“I am a Nigerian”.

“We do not die”.

Okay, let us paraphrase that.

“You seem to be very high on managing your emotions” “yes, I have a very high emotional quotient” “and I see it is helping you a lot on this journey” “somehow” I whispered across the lines “care to explain?” he prodded “Well, I choose to see the pluses in my situation because there are a lot of good” I then went on to list some of the good for him “you have a good perspective about this whole thing and that is helping to keep you grounded” he praised “but I am right now floundering more than feeling grounded” “be kind to

“I am sorry.  I know you are trying to help but my head views you as an enemy although I keep reminding it that you are on our team”  I muttered in exasperation while glaring at the fear seated on her head    “it is totally okay; I get it” the nurse brushes aside my apologies with a smile while I mentally kicked myself I was trying.  Trust me I am.  Unfortunately, my head adopts a combat stance once my feet enter a hospital – a residue from my early teen years when I attempted a vacation job in a hospital. Usually