It occurred to me that I was unhappy. And it didnโt feel so very terrible. No urgency, nothing. I could slip out of my life on a slow wave like thisโit didnโt matter. I donโt have to be happy. All I have to do is hold on to something and wait.
Helen OyeyemiPlease tell me a story about a girl who gets away." I would, even if I had to adapt one, even if I had to make one up just for her. "Gets away from what, though?" "From her fairy godmother. From the happy ending that isn't really happy at all. Please have her get out and run off of the page altogether, to somewhere secret where words like 'happy' and 'good' will never find her." "You don't want her to be happy and good?" "I'm not sure what's really meant by happy and good. I would like her to be free. Now. Please begin.
Helen Oyeyemi