My Last Letter 

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Dear Ama,
I am sorry to send you this note but I do hope that you understand me someday. I can't ask for your forgiveness because I know I don't deserve it. My phone will be off by the time you read this and hopefully, it will be too late by the time you get here, to try and save me. Thank you for checking on me frequently for the last few years. You are the one amongst our mates who does that.

You are aware of my results after junior high which has denied me entrance into the senior high school. I've sat for the exams 4 times since then but I continuously fail. Mum has taken me to meet psychologists and therapists but nothing seems to be changing. I understand whatever is taught in class but I still fail exams. Someone suggested to mum that it could be spiritual so mum took me to see a prophet before my last 2 re-sits but therewas no improvement.

Dad is always taunting me about my results and that makes it even worse. I can't step out of the house without a neighbor asking about when I will go to school. Dad is on retirement and it's pretty difficult to avoid him since he's always home. Whenever he sees me eating, the look in is eyes is more than any hurtful words he could say. I can't even go to church, the one place I'm supposed to find comfort without someone asking when I will be going to school.

I can't stay home, I can't go to see my mates, and I can't even go to church. I'm too young to get a job, and I even doubt there's anything I can do well. The money being spent on me to rewrite the senior high school entrance exams, or to pay for the experts I've been seeing can take care of Joe and Ama, my junior siblings. I've decided to end it all to save mum and dad the little money they have left.

Dad has an appointment at the Social Security office and mum went to escort him. It will all be over by the time they return. Do tell them I'm sorry, but I hope you don't let them see this note. Tell them not to waste any money on my funeral, they can just bury me like the Muslims do and save money. Thank you for being my friend and checking on my all this years. You are now in the university and I hope you school for the two of us. Make us proud.

Your loving friend,
Adjo.