Page 28 of Craving a King

The playing field is different now. I’m king and he’s in Atlanta making a shitload of money buying and selling businesses. It all worked out in the end, and thank God he’s not living in Ghana. At least I don’t think so. I was surprised to read in her texts that he has a home in McCarthy Hills, Accra’s most exclusive neighborhood. I’m not surprised by the neighborhood—Adom has always been posh. I’m surprised he wanted a home here. Well, he can have whatever he wants, including Ella—just leave me out of it. I don’t need the drama.

But damn! I already miss her. And the way she looked at me when I left her there, beautiful and naked at the bathroom door, wasn’t a look of,I just got caught. She looked genuinely hurt. Maybe she was just sad she wouldn’t have the pleasure I provide her body anymore now that the gig is up. I made love to her so properly last night that it is enough to last her the rest of her life. That’s hard to give up. Thinking about it makes it hard for me to give it up, too.

I have to face her and Adom at some point, so it may as well be now. I’ve run about eight miles from the house into the nearest village. I decide to call Akua and have Senya bring the car because I’m too tired to run back. When I call, she picks up on the first ring. Was she waiting for me to call?

“Maakye,” she greets in Twi.

“Maakye, Auntie. It’s Kofi. Can you send Senya to pick me up? I ran to Tafo this morning.”

She sighs heavily. “Senya is not here, your majesty. He has taken the American and Adom to Accra. She’s staying there for the rest of her trip.”

Her words hit like a dagger to my chest. Of course she left; I said some terrible things to her. But with him? How could she do that? She’s not who I thought she was. I also can’t believe Senya was complicit and took them to their lover’s nest.

“Well, let her be with him. I don’t have time for these games. Can you send Yao, then? He may become my right hand if Senya continues to show such disloyalty. I’m at Mama Yi’s having breakfast.”

Akua gasps. “Disloyalty. Anh-Anh. That’s enough, Kofi. This is all my fault.”

“Don’t defend him, Auntie. You’re always defending him! He’s taken my enemy and lover away. How is that befitting of a king’s right hand?” I yell. I regret losing my temper at the woman I think of as a mother.

“Your lover! Oh, my goodness. I knew that woman would be trouble the moment you brought her here. Now you listen to me, Kofi. Adom is not your enemy and Senya is not disloyal. You’re going off half-cocked about things you know nothing about. I’ll send Yao at once, and once you get here, I’ll explain everything.”

“Fine, you can present your defense of them. But I’m not inclined to hear it.”

“Nante yie,” she snaps her goodbye in Twi and hangs up.

When I arrive home, Akua is waiting in the den. She never sits in this room, so her presence startles me.

“Akua, why are you sitting here alone? Is there something you need? Do you feel OK?”

She clucks her tongue and dismisses my concern with a wave of her hand. “No, I am waiting for you. I wanted to talk to you about Adom and the American. I think you are handling this all wrong. Did you even listen to Adom and find out why he came?”

I shake my head. “Akua, I asked him and he refused to tell me. He thinks we are still two boys competing in the school yard.” She tries to stand and interrupt, but I gesture for her to stay where she is. “Akua, I have no desire to talk about Ella and Adom right now. I’ve had a long night and an even longer morning; I just want to rest. You will have to wait until later to say I told you so.”

She nods, knowing not to press me when I’m in this mood. “OK. Do you need me to bring you anything?”

I go over and kiss the top of her head. “No, I’m fine. I will find you a little later.” She looks at me like she has a world of worry. I wonder what is on her mind. After today, I do not have the energy to find out.

* * *

When I awake, it is dark outside. I pull out my phone, secretly hoping Ella called to confess and apologize. I need the closure. Or maybe, I just need to know she’s OK. Hungry, I walk downstairs toward the kitchen but hear Fela Kuti’s Hi-life music playing from my study. The only one who plays Fela is Akua. What is she still doing up? It’s almost 11 p.m.

“Auntie!” I yell as I walk down the stairs and to the den.

She peeks her head out of my study across the room. “I’m here in your office, your majesty. Waiting for you. Come!”

Akua only waits to talk to me in my study when it’s serious. As I approach her, I see that her eyes are damp, but obstinate.

“OK, Akua, what is it that you so desperately have to tell me?” I go over to the stereo and turn off the music. This, along with his record collection, are the only things of my father’s I kept after he died. It is over 40 years old, but still plays his records with quality sound. I take a seat behind my desk and motion for her to return to the couch she was undoubtedly waiting for me on. She looks up at me with a proud and defiant look. What is this about?

“Kofi. I know why Adom came this morning, and it isn’t why you think.”

I tense slightly and continue to listen. “Go on.”

Akua starts to fidget and look down at her hands. She’s nervous about something. She looks guilty. What has she been up to? “Auntie, if you have something to say to me, I’d advise you to get on with it. My patience is already worn thin from the events of this morning.”

“Let me start by saying everything I did, I did for you. For the Ashanti! I just saw you making a fool of yourself over that woman…”

“Her name is Ella,” I cut her off with a statement that sounds like a command.

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