Kelvin Joseph

“Race of Life” by Kelvin Joseph

The sun evaporated anything on its path, drying leaves and grass. Those who worked under it felt their skin peel off as the day grew older. However, under a shade provided by the government – a boda boda shade – the sun’s hostility wasn’t as brutal. The iron sheets above blocked the unforgiving scorch, baking those who were under it. The boda boda riders were trying every way they could to scratch the earth for a penny t...

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“The Interview” by Kelvin Joseph

The Interview The only sound permeating the room was the soft hum of the ceiling fan spinning overhead. A collective hush had fallen over the candidates seated on uncomfortable wooden benches, their faces fixed on the nondescript floor, each lost in their own thoughts. In this expansive room, measuring fifteen feet by ten, a table occupied a corner, accompanied by a dispenser on one side and a door on the...

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“Ratu's Coffee” by Kelvin Joseph

"I don’t know," Safari said, briefly studying the steam rising from the coffee on the table. The sun cast a warm glow on their faces, though the road below had already succumbed to the evening shadows. Ratu’s Coffee, a four-story haven, allowed patrons to bask in the sunlight like tourists, overlooking the city below. “I think that’s strange,” Ogolla affirmed, his disbelief evident. “I don’t think the gov...

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“Pass me the Hammer” by Kelvin Joseph

"Pass me the hammer," Ndugu's deep voice commanded, breaking the silence in the carpentry workshop. I looked at the hammer, lying just three feet away from the door I was working on. Without a word, I picked it up, glancing at Ndugu briefly, silently signaling my intention to throw it to him. In the next moment, the hammer soared through the air, landing perfectly on the floor beside him. "Where are your ma...

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“Clockwise” by Kelvin Joseph

Same time, same place; every day! The siren yawns for twenty minutes each morning, waking the entire neighborhood as yellow boxes pick students from their homes, driving them to school. It’s the kids I’m worried about most of the time. Mornings are cold, the air is freezing, and they don’t have any choice but go to school. Nonetheless, everyone needs to do what they must. That’s why I wake...

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“Breaking Free” by Kelvin Joseph

The surface vaporized, tar melting under the scorching sun. While inside a GTR, hand on the steering and gearbox; a mirage on the horizon set the pace for his heart. A steady beat filled with rejuvenating efficiency. A race. The cracking blue sky scattered with cloud buds, several other cars; Ford Mustang, Mitsubishi Lancer, and a whole lot vibrating under the sound from their exhaust pipes. Cheer and ba...

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“Attention Deficit” by Kelvin Joseph

Three-thirty, three-forty; three-fifty. Five-thirty, five-forty; five-fifty. Two hours. Two clean hours of nothingness and serendipity. She didn’t do anything except think about a lot of nothingness. She even didn’t realize it yet until the phone rang; her friend asked if she was free later that day. “No,” she replied, quick with her tongue, silent with her intention. She’d realized the job she ought to have completed h...

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“The Office” by Kelvin Joseph

[verbal violence, sexual content] I need a change. I’m growing old of all this noise. Screaming, shouting, deadlines, and pressure. I’m tired of it all. My brain fries each time I come to work. I’m always aware of the oven I’m about to step into, and it’s frustrating. Why do we work anyway? Why do we wake each morning and meet a boss of a man who cannot distinguish the four Ps in marketing? Where did he e...

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“un~DECIDED” by Kelvin Joseph

Ah! Five hours to go. There’s still time. I already know what I’m going to wear; I know the shoes that’ll match the pair of jeans, and everything is perfect. I won’t be late this time. I made a promise that I’ll turn a new leaf. The old me is gone, and in five hours; if my math is right, I’ll cook a meal, eat comfortably, cycle slowly, and arrive just in time. Without breaking a sweat. There’s still time....

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“The Night Club” by Kelvin Joseph

Three in the morning. A perfect time to link up. “Ninja,” texted Bernard, “Remember to sleep,” he joked, addressing Frank who only saw a notification from the status bar. The sender’s name popped up, and immediately, a smile formed on his face, conquering an invading enemy; sleep. “Not until I’m done with this video,” he replied, his eyes hovering on the other screen where his project lay...

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“Pitch Black” by Kelvin Joseph

Pitch Dark{Sexual content. Physical violence, gore, or abuse}Revenge is a must.First, you were never to take matters into your heart. You were never supposed to look and save that memory. You didn't have to look, to begin with. What did you hope to find? Love? Be serious for a second. You didn’t think you’ll find love in her. And if you did, what a surprise!You were supposed to be stronger than that. It doesn...

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“The Session” by Kelvin Joseph

The Session “Speak now.” “Okay. I hate myself.” “Why have you come to that conclusion?” “Well, first things first. I never thought I would be sitting on this chair, with you on the other side.” “And why is that?” “Who thinks of seeing a therapist!? Not me!” “Yet here you are.” “Yeap. Life, right?” “How’s life?” ...

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“Sheila's Sam” by Kelvin Joseph

“I’m not even joking! You need to understand the rules of the game unless you want out.” Her flowing anger burst its banks. Sheila ranted, lamenting about why there was no food in the house. “I get tired when I come from work,” she added, smashing her forehead with a sigh. “I don’t think you even understand.” It had already gotten late. The night was old enough to be half its age. That day, their man...

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“Deja Vu” by Kelvin Joseph

[Story is multilingual, featuring Swahili, translations in endnotes] It’s funny. Coincidental at best. In fact, I wasn’t expecting it to happen that way. It just did, and that’s when I believed what a friend always said – once you see it, it never goes away. It had seen it, and instead of going away, it became more apparent. Deja vu. Travelling was at the core of my to-do list; Tanzania b...

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“Limited Brotherhood.” by Kelvin Joseph

Submitted to Contest #136

Contains Abusive Language. “What do you take me for…” “What …” “Don’t bullshit me Ryan. What do you take me for?” “Bro … what’s … what’s this about?” “Was she worth it?” “Oh … um … you know how it goes man.” “No I don’t! In fact, I have no idea! What’s wrong with you!?” “… You know… sometimes things just happen… it’s never my fault.” “Was she worth i...

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