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At 31 years of age, Claire Ishi Ayetoro has lived enough lives to fill an ensemble cast. In this, her first memoir, no topic is off-limits as she paints portrait after portrait of her triumphs and her battles with bipolar disorder, religiosity, and that ever elusive cure-all: love. A vividly compassionate depiction of psychosis, Ayetoro weaves words of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration into every layer of her storytelling. Journey with her through the mountains and valleys of manic depression, guided by that singular spirit of flight: the black raven. You never know, it may even be calling to you.
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Extract
At 9 pm that evening, still in my work attire, I grabbed my wallet, got into my Toyota Solara and headed down the interstate toward the refinery.
I drove out of the apartment complex and took a left. I lived less than a minute from the interstate. I approached the first exit, and suddenly, I lost control of myself and the vehicle. My brain failed to connect with my limbs, and I could not understand how to drive. I could not stop, and was quickly approaching a red light.
I rolled past the light and my exit, and I lightly ran into the next car in front of me. The driver of the car in front was a Caucasian lady. Upon my running into her, she exited her vehicle and slammed the door; she was livid. She approached my door, and unleashed a stream of profanity and threats in my direction.
I was unable to fully react. I was unable to speak, as the disconnect was still occurring in my brain. I proceeded to make awkward facial and hand gestures to get her to understand my sympathy with her for what happened, but I was not effective in getting my intended message across. She stated
adamantly that she would call the cops, and returned to her car.
I sat, not knowing what to do in this situation. After a few moments, I regained some control over my body. I opened the door and got out of my vehicle. I walked up to her car and did something even I did not expect: I proceeded to undo my pants, and I dropped them, standing at her window. I then shrugged my shoulders in a gesture as if to say, “Yeah, I have no clue why that just happened.”
At this gesture, her attitude did a 180. She appeared stricken with shame, and possibly fear. She seemed unsure, apologized, and drove away.
With this strange maneuver, I successfully avoided the cops. I returned to my vehicle, baffled, but not deterred. I was still bent on getting to work to meet with Victor.
Thank you, Claire Ishi Ayetoro and RABT Book Tours
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About the Author
Claire is an African-American author and a creative at heart. Born in the southern hills of Mississippi, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and has been re-designing and re-defining her world to live her best life ever since. She is an advocate for human rights and helps others to find freedom of mind through her coaching. When she is not writing, she can be found catering to Rupert (the family cat), daydreaming about warm spring days and cool fall nights, and whistling (a favorite pastime taught to her by her beloved “Papa Ray”).
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Author Links
Website: http://www.ishiayetoro.com (Sign up for her email list and receive a free gift)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ishiayetoro
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ishiayetoro
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ishiayetoro
Publisher Links
Website: http://www.equalageco.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/equalageco
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/equalage
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Giveaway
T-shirt and Signed Copy
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/408264011380/
B for Bookreview 