Nocturnal Issue IV | Page 64

mother was pregnant."

Gogo has told me sje never got to sit on her mother's lap as a child, which is no surprise because she is the eldest of 11 kids. Gogo is also brilliant storyteller, and this is one of my particular favourites:

G - My mother left me to look after the kids when she went into town and my sister got a plant pot holder stuck on her head.

Y - How old were you?

G - I was about 9 or 10

Y - So how many brothers and sister were you looking after?

G - So I was looking after 7

Gogo's sister got an ornate plant pot holder stuck on her head. She was inspired by Carmen Miranda, who dances with fruit on her head - no really! Her younger sister is dancing around and then can't get it off her head. Gogo and her sisters begin to panic. If Mama (their mother) came home from town and found them, then they would all get whooped, especially Gogo as responsibility for kids was on her. So afraid of Mama's response they have to trail through the streets explaining the situation to neighbours and asking for their their Aunt's house and manage to pop it off so they legged it home talking about; 2 young girls and a plant pot wandering the neighbourhood!

Whenever I have heard about Gogo's education, the 3 things she talks about are: how they learnt everything out of a textbook, failure to do so would get you caned and that she has not forgotten word of it - and is able to recite it when I couldn't sleep as a child, it's thrilling!

"GOGO NEVER GeTting TO LIVE HER DREAMS OR EVEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY IS DEFINITELY A FACTOR WHEN I THINK ABOUT MY FUTURE"