Gold Coast Dilemma: A Novel

by Nana Malone

Ofosua Addo was going to obey anyone. I had a mouth. Sometimes it said things. I

“This isn’t over. Trust me. Everything will work out. You’re twenty-five,

still plenty of time to find you someone better. He will see.”

Destiny doesn’t happen by accident. It needs a nudge from your mother.

“What kind of men are you going to find in a library?” “You know, ones who read.”

“Right. She’s actually amazing at her job. Just because she irritates me isn’t cause enough to fire her. After all, you’re still here.”

When it comes to women… men are always fools.

Because normally, to avoid an argument, I would give in to her, but I was tired of giving people their way. I was very tired of making myself small so everyone else could feel comfortable.

“Mum, if you keep on doing this, I’m going to use the full breadth of my English-language vocabulary that you paid handsomely for.”

She studied me. “You know I am proud of you. But I know you can do better.”

And God help me, but I was not falling into the trap and idea that Black women’s stories had to be pain. I hated that narrative.

We weren’t doing that at my imprint. I wanted to publish compelling stories that at their core were full of joy. Though at our first acquisitions meeting, I could already tell that that was not Mr. Drake’s vision.

More than once, I’d had to remind everyone that there was no unilateral Black experience. There was room for Nene Leakes, Kennedy Ryan, Jasmine Guillory, and Michelle Obama.

I forced myself to take a deep breath and be even and placid.

I’d never seen him like that, waving his proverbial dick around. He was usually far more measured.

knew her pissed-off face too. That one I liked to think was reserved for me.

“Careful now, Cole Drake, someone might actually call you a decent guy.” “Oh, well, at least you’ll always be there to remind them that I’m not.”

Men are hardheaded. They will use all their gasoline before they realize you were born from fire.

Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe he was just very Afrocentric. Maybe there was a chance he wasn’t a Hotep.

But it wasn’t looking good. I mentally ran through my Hotep checklist.

“Heh, a domina-what?!” my mother shouted. I laughed. “Kukua…”

LMFAOO

Help me and let me help you. HELEN ADDO: Marriage is helping a man to learn how to help himself.

A couple of weeks after my Hotep adventures,

Somewhere in Ghana, my ancestors were rolling around in graves and calling the spirits to torment me.

“Mum, no. I know you’re not used to hearing that word from me, but you’re about to start hearing it a lot more. No. I don’t care what you say to Daddy. I don’t care what you tell your friends.

“Black people don’t have the luxury of whining about their problems, especially not Black women. If we don’t fix them, we won’t survive. And let’s be clear on how difficult it can be to find someone culturally sensitive, who gets it, isn’t racist, and won’t dismiss how you feel.”

Spend less time listening to what you should do and more time listening to your instincts and you’ll be fine.

“And you look fantastic.” His voice dropped an octave. “Good enough to eat. So let’s go show you off.”

blinked owlishly at him. “They let white boys play basketball?” “Sometimes. Let’s go have some fun.”

LOL

“Eh, you look good. You tried for once.” Not exactly a compliment.

My mother blinked, took his hand, and then stared at me as if to ask, What the fuck?

LOL omg

From the moment I saw you, you have been plaguing my mind, and I can’t walk away. I can’t pretend that I don’t feel this anymore.”

I woke to the scent of coconut and hibiscus on the soft satin pillow and a warm, curvy female beside me. With a moan, I snuggled in further. Ofosua.

periodtttt

had no idea what time we’d actually gone to bed, but I didn’t want to wake up. If I could just live in this space, I could be happy forever.

Cole is so down bad LOL

watched her carefully. “You thought that I was Mr. Hit It and Quit It?” She wrinkled her nose. “That doesn’t even sound right coming out of your mouth.”

LMFAO COLE PLS

She lifted a brow and I realized I’d done that thing again where my privilege was massively on display.

“One more thing, this is the last time I sneak out. You’re going to have to find a way to deal with that.”

Periodt, hold her accountable

When dealing with men, don’t repeat your mistakes.

I was acting like a lovesick puppy. I knew it. But, fuck, I was having a good time. I couldn’t help it.

Gone was the soft, sweet Ofos. Now she was in badass mode.

“You’re not listening, Cole. Who says I haven’t already? But there is no way to anonymously lodge a complaint. I’m the only Black woman here. Then I become the angry one again, putting an even tighter strain on me. And for fuck’s sake, some days I’m just exhausted from having to deal, so for survival’s sake, I duck and avoid so that I can get on with my day.

Some days I fight, but all I can do is put it in my little notebook, for if I ever need it, and move on. We talk about inclusion and respect here, but it’s a joke. I stay because this is my dream job.

do that. I can put up with the Jesses of the ...

could truly count on in the office was myself.