My Mother's Son (Paperback) | Released: 28 Nov 2023

About the Book

In the heart of Lusaka, Zambia, "My Mother's Son" delves into the compelling tale of twenty-one-year-old Andrew Michelo. Andrew, an adored and cherished only child, thrives in the warmth of his mother, April Michelo's unwavering love and pride. However, his world is upended when he learns that his nineteen-year-old girlfriend, Dailess Banda, is pregnant with his child.

Andrew finds the sudden discovery deceptive and has difficulty understanding why Dailess waited eight weeks to tell him about the pregnancy. The young man has internal struggles trying to figure out how to tell his mother. He cannot bear losing his mother's trust and respect.

As the story unfolds, Andrew and Dailess navigate a tumultuous journey filled with emotional upheaval and the harsh realities they must confront. April worried that her son might have a serious problem, calls on her sister to help figure things out.

Andrew tries hard to hold out on his parents and avoids Dailess for the most part. In addition, he withholds the good news about his scholarship award to study Climate Change in England. He seeks counsel from his unscrupulous friend David, who doesn't have the best advice to give. Eventually, Andrew presents the news of his scholarship to his parents and Auntie Francine, hoping to travel to England sooner than planned.

Dailess has her struggles and leans on her sister circle with Sally (whose mother is Dailess's mother's best friend), her childhood friend, Bridget, and Carol. Her friends are generally supportive, even though one sees underlying jealousy currents from Sally. Sally eventually lets the cat out the back and tells her mother that Dailess is pregnant. It leads to a fallout between the two young women.

Upset and uncertain that her daughter will get the redemption she deserves, Quietness, against her husband Radio's advice, engages her friends' support and forces Radio and Dailess to join to ambush the Michelo household. Unaware and in the dark about the pregnancy, Andrew's parents are shocked to find themselves in the middle of the worst nightmare. Andrew, who did not imagine that Dailess could show up at this house unannounced, is weak physically and emotionally-the experience is all too much.

In a bid to fast-track a marriage for her daughter and against the Michelo family's wishes, a chain of intimidation tactics follows. Quietness and her friends launch a Voodoo attack on the Michelos and proclaim ill fortune on Andrew and his family should there be no marriage for Dailess. To that end, Dailess is forced by her mother to remain in the custody of the Michelos, citing traditional and societal practices.

After the aggressive plot to get her son to marry Dailess, April and Francine get together to find a way to keep Andrew away from the Voodoo practices. While acknowledging that Andrew will have to face up to his responsibilities as a father, the scholarship to study in England is the only way to keep an initial distance between Andrew and Dailess, particularly her mother, Quietness.

"My Mother's Son" paints a poignant picture of the complexities of human relationships and the internal conflicts individuals face when confronted with life-altering choices. The story explores themes of love, sacrifice, societal expectations, and the resilience of the human spirit. It immerses readers in the vibrant setting of Lusaka, Zambia, capturing the cultural nuances and challenges faced by the characters.