Page 44 of Choosing the Chief

Kofi nods. “I should have told you that Senya was our brother as soon as I found out. Instead we decided to cover it up. After thinking about it, we realized how fucked up that was. We thought we were protecting the family. I thought I was working in all of our best interest. We did not think about how you might feel…we should have made all these family decisions together. We neglected you, and that is not what brothers do. I am truly sorry.”

I swallow and look down at little Kumaa and my heart swells.This is my nephew.We share the same blood.Nothingshould come between blood. I don’t want another generation of Ajyei men to be at odds with each other over a previous generation’s grievances. “Senya, I am honored that you will be prince. If I will not fulfill the role, I’m glad it is going to you. I’m also glad you will be able to marry the woman you love.” Then I turn to Kofi. “I apologize for not hearing you out so many times over our lives. Sometimes my anger gets the best of me.”

Ella laughs and snorts. “Sometimes?Adom, your temper is crazy, and when you mix that with your self-righteousness and easily hurt feelings, you’re a volcano.” She shifts a bit on the couch and helps Panin re-latch to her breast. “But you are also the most loyal and loving man I have ever known. Now that you three are fine, please tell me how you plan to get Maya back here in Ghana with me where she belongs! You fucked that all up, and you need to fix it before it is too late.”

I shake my head. “Ella, it has been six months since Maya left. We have not had one word of communication. I think that ship has sailed. I would not even know how to start. I was pretty harsh.”

Ella sucks her teeth. “Oh, I know! She gave me the play by play. But I know you love her, and she still loves you. Though, I think her love may be waning by the day.”

I snap my head back up and pierce Ella with an icy stare. “What is that supposed to mean?” Ella looks down at the baby and fusses with the blanket. She gives me a sly smile and looks at me from the corner of her eye. “Ella, just tell me. Is Maya seeing someone?”

“Well…let’s just say she is finally back to who she was before the accident. As a matter of fact, she is in an even better place than she was before the accident. She is…umm…dating.”

The fuck!I knew it was possible, but hearing Ella actually say that Maya could be going out with men who are not me is unsettling. Men who think she may become theirs. The idea of another man near her and touching her makes me sick to my stomach and flips a switch in my mind.This has gone on long enough.It is time to face the music and go get my woman. However, now that I am a chief, I cannot go alone. I hand Kumaa to Kofi and stand up. I slap Senya on the shoulder.

“Brother…”

Senya smiles. “Atlanta? Of course…but we will need security.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Grand Gesture

Maya

My favorite part of teaching a class is the beginning. When I stand in front of a room of 100 or so graduate students, eager to learn and ready to make their mark in the field of African studies, I get goosebumps.

I admit that I also love the idea of all those young ears waiting eagerly to learn something new. I’ve been back on campus teaching for three months now and it has been going well. Today's lecture reminds me of my time in Ghana with Adom because we are discussing the Ashanti and Ewe tribal conflicts, along with their impact on the American and European slave trade. The topic makes me think of Senya and his mixed heritage. His mother was Ewe and found herself entangled with an Ashanti king. Senya’s desire to be acknowledged as an Ashanti prince is a noble one, and I hope it happens for him.

My lecture also makes me think of Kofi, his dedication to the Ashanti, and his undeniable love for his brother Senya. I am also reminded of Adom’s station and how he makes decisions as chief. I wonder how he would have fared as a decision-maker and leader during the colonization of Ghana. I do not believe he would ever make any decision that would bring harm to any person. Adom is rough around every edge that composes him, but he is also a compassionate man. It’s too bad that compassion no longer extends to me. Too bad…for him.He missed out on the love of a lifetime because he allowed anger and insecurity to rule him.

I thought I would never get over Adom. But I finally made a step away from my desire for him. I am going on a third date with an old flame of mine, Dr. Michael Singleton. One of the doctors who saw me at my worst right after the accident. When I went in for a routine follow-up appointment, we began to talk and reminisce about the times we had together in the past. He is a nice, successful, and handsome man who would never make me question my own safety or sobriety.He is safe.Sure, my skin doesn't light up at his touch and my heart doesn’t move at the speed of light whenever I hear his voice. I definitely do not think that he would take a bullet for me and I am not sure if he could beat any man we encounter in a fight. Those were things that I thought I needed, but those needs got me Adom. Adom got me a broken heart.

Once the last few students settle in, I start my lecture by delving into the history of both tribes. When I start to feel the students’ attention waning, I shift gears by asking a discussion question.

Do you believe tribal boundaries are real, or are they imagined socio-political structures?

“Well, that’s easy,” I hear a familiar and booming voice teeming with sensuality answer me. “Though the people come from all different regions, the boundaries are imagined. We are one Africa.”

I look across the room and my heart skips a beat. “Truly, you do not mean to disregard thousands of years of history and customs within multiple African cultures. I and countless other scholars have dedicated our lives to studying it.”

He shakes his head. “I do not intend to disregard anything. As a matter of fact, I intend to regard everything you say, very, very highly.”

I swallow hard.Adom is here.Adom is in my classroom, talking to me, and looking like a god. His six-foot-seven muscular frame is clad in a tailored black linen day suit. He adorned the suit with a large piece of kente wrapped over and around his right shoulder. Imagining what is under that suit is rendering me mute. When I come back to myself, I continue.

“Good. You should regard what comes from my mouth with great respect. I am an expert at what I do.”

He rumbles. “Dr. Taylor, I am very familiar with your level of expertise. I’ve missed it.”

Students start to shift in their seats in response to the heat that is bouncing between Adom and me. I hope they haven’t yet caught on that we are no longer talking about Africa but our personal relationship. I decide to put everyone out of their misery. I clear my throat a little too loudly. “All right, everyone, why don’t we take the rest of this time period to catch up on research and writing. We have discussed enough for today. Class dismissed.”

As the students file out of the lecture hall, Adom never takes his eyes off of me. When the last student has left, he stands up and walks to the door to lock it.

“Adom,” I finally manage to spit out, “What are you doing here?”

He walks toward me. “I am here to retrieve you and take you home to Ghana. I hope I am here in time to save you from whatever jackal you are currently dating.”So that’s what this is about.He’s jealous. Jealous enough to hop on a plane and fly across the world. That shit turns me on.What is wrong with me?

I laugh. “Adom, I am home, right here in Atlanta. I have not heard from you in six months and you think you can just waltz back in my life and command me back to Africa? No sir.”

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