“Yes, Kofi promises not to draw it out. He wants to get back to Ella. He may leave before we all do; the village women will present gifts well into the night, so you should prepare to stay. Whatever you planned to do with Maya tonight will probably not happen.” He’s laughing, but I’m not. He has no idea how badly I want her.
I slap his back and grab him in a hug as we walk toward the drums playing outside. “We will see what is yet to happen. You don’t have to worry about how I spend my nights; I’m not concerned about how you’re spending yours…alone.”
Senya chuckles. “What makes you so sure I’m alone? Maybe I’m just not as free as you are to make out with the woman I love anywhere I please.”
I step back from him and put my hands up in surrender. “I was not sure of anything, but now I am intrigued. You talk like a man with a lover. Who are you hiding, Senya?” I expect him to laugh and shake off my question, but he pauses, and a flicker of pain crosses his face. Surprisingly, he does not rush to hide it. Instead, he exhales and looks at me, weighing whether or not to tell me his secrets.
“I have more than a lover. I have the woman that will complete me. I have loved her in secret.” The drums get closer and he looks toward the doors. Soon, I will have to follow them out, greet my village, and be anointed chief. His words come out in a rush. “Look, Kofi doesn’t know, and I am only telling you because I actually think you can help me.”
I nod slowly. “Of course. If there is anything I can do for you, I will. But why do you have to love her in secret? I would think any woman and her family would jump at the chance to be publicly tied to the right hand of the king. You have an immense amount of power and influence.” I hear the drums at my door and the servants come to lead me out. Senya tips his head back in a huff. He comes closer to me and speaks in a harsh whisper as I begin to walk out behind my passing contingent. “Yes, Chief, any family would…except the Owusus… I’m in love with Abena.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Facilitation
Maya
“Beyfu,” Adom’s mother sucks her teeth as she spits the word out and looks on derisively at the latest in the long line of guests that have approached us. We are standing at the end of Adom’s procession near the stools of the ten chiefs who will appoint him to his chieftain stool. The wait wouldn’t be so bad except Adom’s mother seems to dislike everyone here. People stop to speak out of respect, and then as soon as they leave, she sucks her teeth and says, “aboa,” or “beyfu.” I don’t speak Twi, but I’m pretty sure neither of those are nice words. As a matter of fact, beyfu sounds a lot like bitch when she says it.
The tall woman approaching us has a determined look on her face. When she comes closer, I realize it is Abena Owusu. She’s wearing a kente-printed baby doll dress with impossibly high gold heels and lots of gold necklaces and bracelets. I like her look. She’s sharp. The high ponytail she wears swings when she walks. It is obvious she relishes the effect. The extra vinegar in Afia’s latest insult directs my attention to their exchange.
The mystery woman takes Afia’s hand. “How are you, mother? I haven’t seen you since the Akwasidae ball. You must be proud today.”
Afia nods with a tight smile. “Abena, allow me to introduce you to Adom’s better half, Dr. Maya Taylor.” Abena Owusu. The woman that tried to come between Kofi and Ella’s marriage. Although, from the way Ella described it to me after the gala, she was manipulated by both her father and Akua. However, Ella still does not trust her.
I smile at Abena. “Afia, Abena and I met at Kofi and Ella’s charity gala a couple of weeks ago. I am also acquainted with her brother, Thomas.” I recall my visit to the jewelry shop. Thomas made me feel like royalty and calmed my shaking hands. He recognized my withdrawal symptoms, but graciously greeted me with kind eyes and a steady hand. He whispered, “I know.I have a sister.” That was all he could say before Adom broke up our conversation. I know, even if no one else here does, that the woman standing in front of me is a wreck, and despite Ella’s dislike for her, I feel an overwhelming kinship because of our shared experience.
“Abena, it is wonderful to see you again. The dress you’re wearing is absolutely magnificent.”
She smiles a full smile that reaches her eyes. “Thank you. You also look lovely. I love to see kente cut into formal silhouettes. I am not surprised, though. Even when you modeled, youalwayswore the designs—the designsneverwore you. I see nothing has changed.”
Afia cuts in and pushes me back a bit. I’m annoyed at her gesture, but also intrigued to watch the train wreck I am sure is about to unfold. “Your flattery will get you nowhere with Maya. What is it that you want, Abena?”
Abena smirks. “Your acerbic remarks do not scare me, Afia.” She steps closer to Afia and flicks her ponytail over her shoulder in a manner that exudes raw power. Afia shirks back slowly as Abena continues. “And secrets do not confine me as they do you.” Abena turns and points toward Adom, who is now approaching the council. I was so busy watching these two that I missed him passing us. I need to pay attention to this ceremony, but I want to hear what the hell is going on.What secrets? The last thing Adom needs right now is secrets popping up. His whole life has been a shit show of secrets. For once, my baby deserves to know what everyone else in the room knows when he enters a room full of family and childhood acquaintances. “There is no more time to wait. You had plenty of time to tell Adom about Senya before today.”
The anger on Afia’s face melts into furrowed brows and pursed lips. The worry is palpable. “Abena, you dare not discuss such matters on the day of his installation. It can wait.”
Abena crosses her arms and gives Afia a hard look. “Afia, you know my father—maybe better than I do, since your acquaintance with him is in the biblical sense.”Oh shit! “Tell me, Afia…has my father ever struck you as the type of man that waits? When you two were galivanting across Ghana breaking my poor mother’s heart, did he ever come across to you as a man that puts his family’s needs above his own? Maybe you think a man that sleeps around on his wife, makes shaky investments, and treats his children like currency to be traded on the open market is a man that will do what is right and best for his only daughter, but I know better. I am not waiting any longer. You told me you would tell him and recruit him to my cause weeks ago when you found out he was in Accra. What happened?”
I step forward. “I think I happened. Afia came to the house looking for her son and found me also. However, I do not think Afia is the one to convince Adom of anything. He would never be convinced to do anything by Afia.” I look over at Afia and shrug. “I’m sorry, but we both know that is true.” Afia raises her hands and exhales.
“This is all wahala. No one will be able to convince Adom to intervene on your behalf. The moment he finds out about Senya, he will shut us all out.” Afia’s voice carries and curious eyes start to look our way. I don’t want to miss Adom’s installation, but since every chief gets to address the people and Adom, I know we are nowhere near the installation part of the evening.
“Ladies, why don’t we step away for a moment and discuss this. We can walk back to Adom’s compound for a moment. Come.” I turn and start to walk away, and I catch the two of them following me from my peripheral. They move in silence, and I am beyond curious about what all this is about. Once we reach the compound, I usher them in and attempt to close the door behind me—however, the door is topped by a strong hand…Senya.
“What are you all doing in here while Adom is out there becoming a chief?”
I smooth down invisible wrinkles in my dress before looking up to roll my eyes at Senya. “There are still nine chiefs that need to salute the village and bless Adom. Apparently, this is an all-night affair. We won’t miss the main event. Plus, it seems you are at the center of a very heated debate between Afia and Abena. I moved the three of us here because I don’t think Adom wants the entire village of Tafo to know his mother’s business.”
I walk past the three of them and find a seat at the head of the large dining room table set up in the compound’s front room. They look at me in awe. I move like a queen. “OK you three, start from the beginning. What is it that Adom does not know? And how do you want him to help you?” They look around at each other. The furtive glances tell me they are trying to deduce whether telling me will hurt or harm their cause.All this hemming and hawing is exasperating.“Well… go on…I may be your best shot at getting what you want. He only gives half a damn about each of you—” I point at Afia and Senya before looking over at Abena. “—and Abena, I don’t think you are even on Adom’s radar. The way I look at it, y’all need me.Spill it.”
Abena steps away from the group and joins me at the table. I can tell she makes boss moves; she does not cower under pressure or fear. “My father is determined to marry me off to an old man: Chief Apeagyei of Aboso’s son, Michael. The man is 54 and never married. I bet you can guess why.”
I arch my eyebrows. “I take it he’s a monster?”
Abena nods. “In personality and form. But he is also rich and very influential. He has tried to marry me since I was 17! The only thing that has kept my father from entertaining him all these years was my betrothal to Kofi. Once Kofi settled his father’s debt and married Ella, my father immediately offered my hand in marriage to the highest bidder.
I drum my fingers on the mahogany wood of the massive table. “So that is why you tried to enforce that betrothal contract with Kofi. It had nothing to do with Akua, Ella, or Kofi; you were trying to avoid a forced marriage.” She exhales and her eyes lower. I can’t tell if it’s shame or regret clouding her face. No matter what it is, I feel for her. I know what it is like to feel like you have no control over your life. I know what it is to turn to substances or to hurt people just to survive. Abena just wants to live life on her terms.