S. Bhattacharya-Woodward is a journalist and writer living in London who’s working on a short story collection. Her story “Zolo” placed third in the 2019 Bristol Short Story Prize, and has also placed in other competitions.
“Zolo” Summary
Zolo, a ten-year-old boy, walks steadily on the edge of his tower block roof wall which is twenty-five floors high. He keeps his eyes fixed on the other tower block rather than looking down. He hates heights; even when climbing the stairs at school he won’t look out a window. He’s sure he won’t fall, which would make people think he intentionally jumped off.
Zolo feels a pull from the earth and sky, as if he could go either way. Teenagers walk the raised rail near the edge to show off, and kids walk the inside of the meter-wide wall. Zolo has no audience as he walks the raised rail. He had climbed the wall in one of the dirty corners. He was dizzy at first but then started walking steadily.
Halfway across the first side wall, a pigeon flies right by Zolo but he recovers from the diversion. He remembers how Zakky, his little brother, liked to chase pigeons. That was when Zakky’s dad was still around and his mother didn’t confine him to a buggy facing the wall. Their mother doesn’t clean him up or pay any attention to him.
A man named Big Ray would come around to drink and smoke with Zolo’s mom. They’d stay in for days. Tired of getting teased at school for his stinking clothes, Zolo would wash them in the bathroom sink. He had to close his eyes when hanging them out on their top-floor balcony. He’d give Zakky a bottle and tried to change his nappy sometimes.
After Big Ray left, their electricity was shut off. Zolo’s mom didn’t have money to pay it. Over the next few days, the terrible smell of rotting meat developed. It eventually seeped into the hallway, which made a neighbor ask about it. A man from Social Services came by later that day, which his mom blamed on him. After that, Zolo felt the pull of the sky and knew he had to make the walk.
Zolo turns the first corner of the wall and sees the city skyscrapers in the distance. He thinks of Spider Syd, a daredevil from the next building over. Syd would go to his cousin’s balcony on the seventh floor and drop down balcony to balcony to the ground. Syd would also walk the edge to show off. Zolo imagines he’s Syd but can’t replicate his confidence.
Three quarters across the second wall, Zolo feels like his body is drifting and swaying. He’s nauseous but recovers his focus and keeps walking steadily. He wishes it was over as he turns the second corner.
The Social worker is coming back tomorrow with a colleague. Zolo’s mom had convinced him that she had been sick; that’s why the place was in such bad shape and Zakky was neglected. She got the electricity back on, cleaned up the fridge and cleaned Zakky. Zakky looked limp and willingly went back into the buggy.
Zolo rounds the third corner and feels he will make it all the way. A few people have gathered below and are watching, but he doesn’t notice. He keeps his eyes straight ahead.
Zolo reaches the final corner and stands there with his eyes closed. Although he doesn’t know whether he and Zakky will be taken away tomorrow, he feels satisfied right now. He opens his eyes and sits with one leg on each side of the corner, dangling over a falling world.
I hope this summary of the short story “Zolo” by S. Bhattacharya-Woodward was helpful.