Page 41 of Choosing the Chief

I lean my head into my hand and shake it back and forth. “Nooo, Adom, nooo,” I moan.

“I’m afraid it is actually yes, Adom yes.” She chuckles, but I can tell the ordeal was no laughing matter. “Adom told Senya he can have the prince’s crown because it is only good for catching his piss. He then told both Senya and Kofi not to ever ask him for another thing as long as they breathe. Adom advised that if they do not have royal business in Tafo not to deign to talk to him, and to keep his name out of their mouths. I honestly thought Senya would fight him when he told Kofi he is not worthy of Ella’s love because he is a lying jackal that will do anything to keep his power. Kofi was heartbroken and Senya could not stand to see Kofi like that. It was bad. I do not think the three of them will ever be the same.”

The story is depressing. Adom has gone into full damage mode. He is actively trying to sever any and all relationships because he trusts no one. He is the warden of his own self-imposed prison, and I do not have the key to let him out. I also do not have the energy. I have my own doors to unlock. “Well at least your father will approve the marriage. So that’s good right? At least someone’s love survived this mess.”

Abena takes a drink from her glass and swallows hard before looking down and releasing a breath. “Can I tell you a secret?”

I lift my hands in protest. “Please don’t. I do not want to deal with any more secrets.”

She nods. “I understand, but I have to tell someone, and I know I can trust you.”

I exhale. “All right, what is it?”

She adjusts in the chair, ensuring her posture is perfect, and flicks her ponytail over a shoulder, before fixing her eyes on mine. “Senya and I are not in love. We are simply two friends who care very much about each other. This will be a marriage of convenience. Senya will help me out by staying married to me for a year, and then we will quietly divorce. By then, I will be seen as damaged goods, and my father will not be able to pawn me to the highest bidder.”

My mouth drops open. I can’t believe that Senya would agree to a fake marriage. He seems way too conservative. I also can’t believe I jeopardized my real relationship for a fake one. I mean, I’m glad Abena will be free and that Adom finally knows the truth, but damn! “Hold on, what does Senya get out of all of this?”

Abena shrugs. “Honestly I don’t exactly know. At first, I thought he was just really interested in helping me. I confided in him over the years because he used to be the clean-up man when I had binges. Kofi always kept an eye on me. Then a couple of weeks ago, I almost called the whole plan off because he looked at me like he wanted me. I can’t explain it, but he just stared and smoldered. I cannot afford for him to actually fall in love with me. That will not do. I have no desire to ever marry again after our divorce. I want to be alone and free to do what I want without reservation or my father dictating my moves. After I confronted him about it, he denied any feelings and explained that he really wants to be an acknowledged member of his family. I think he is using my situation as a vehicle to finally get all of this drama out in the open so he can take his rightful place.”

Abena is fooling herself.I have not known Senya long, but I have known him long enough to know he cares little to none about that title. He must want Abena, and the title is just a way for him to get her.I hope he does not get heartbreak instead.I look down at my watch to take note of the time. I realize the watch is a part of the set of matching vintage Cartier tank watches Adom gave Ella and me for Christmas. I allow myself to miss him for a moment, and then let the thought go. “It’s getting late and I have quite a bit of life planning to do. I might not be in Ghana past tomorrow, but I would love to be able to connect again.”

Abena nods. “Of course! I will be here for a while, and you can call me anytime.”

“Thank you, Abena. I don’t want to trouble Ella right now and I can’t talk to Adom. I feel alone, but surprisingly not lonely.”

Abena reaches over and grabs my hand again. “Trust me Maya, I understand. I am here if you need anything.” She releases my hand and stands. I admire her army green jumper and gold heels.She is fierce. “You can live your life clean, sober, and on your terms. I am rooting for you!”

I also stand to leave. I walk over and embrace Abena before asking one more favor. “Please say that to me one more time. I think I’m starting to believe it!”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Reunion

Adom

“Thank you for our new school, Chief Annan. Do I really get to come here every day and learn for free?”

I look down and smile at the handsome village boy grinning from ear to ear. The excitement in his voice almost moves me to tears. This is my favorite part of the work, making lives better. I kneel down so that we are face to face. “Yes, you do! You will come here every day, Monday through Friday, for six hours and learn all sorts of things.”

“But who will work the farm if I am in school? I do not think my father will let me come.”

I shake my head. “You leave your father and your farm to me. You will be in school. That I promise.” I look over my shoulder at my newly appointed assistant, Mensa, and he knows to gather the boy’s name and his family’s circumstances. It will not do to have brand-new, state-of-the-art schools if all cannot attend. That is why I am out here today, visiting families and telling them that I expect every child in school next week, especially the girls. Maya used to always remind me that it is the girls who are often kept from education. It has been six months since I have seen her, and generally, I do not allow myself to think about her. But that memory slipped through, and now I will have to work to forget it.

“Chief,” I welcome the interruption and turn toward Mensa. “We have a special request to visit the next home. They say they know you very well. Of course, the entire village thinks they know you, so I’m not sure how much weight that should carry.” I laugh. It is true, I have only been chief for a short while and I have managed to endear myself to every family I come across.

“It is no problem. I will visit with them. Come, you lead the way.” I follow him until we reach a small home, constructed of mud walls and a tin roof. It is like many others here—they are surviving with only the bare necessities. When we enter, we are greeted by an old woman and her husband. They both look to be at least 80 years old. The man strikes me as extraordinarily tall. They offer me a seat and I take it. Mensa hangs back, outside the door. He is not as comfortable in this element.We will work on that.

I reach my hand across the arm of my chair and touch the woman’s arm.

“Auntie, your chief is here. Tell me what I can do for you.”

“I am your auntie indeed. For I am your grandfather’s sister, Amma.”

I give her a wary look. We call our older women auntie as a term of endearment. But her actually being my aunt is impossible. “My grandfather had no sisters that I knew of.”

She laughs. “Well that was by design, dear. I did not marry who your grandfather thought I should, and he never accepted my Okyin. After our father died, your grandfather, Yao, thought it was his duty to control my life. I did not allow him to, and I have spent 60 happy years out here with the man I love.” She turns and smiles at the old man sitting next to her; he is the color of a cinnamon stick. His smile comes easy and he reaches out to touch her cheek. The love between them is palpable, even if her claim is incredible.

I clear my throat. “Why have I not heard of you before now?”

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