Page 8 of Choosing the Chief

We walk to his black Range Rover. Senya joins us and gets behind the wheel. With that, we are on our way to Kumasi.

I need a drink. Without one, I decide to use this time to gather information. “So how long has the old man been sick?”

Kofi turns to me. “We’ve only known for a month. But I suspect he’s known longer than that. I forced him to Accra for testing. He has stage IV lung cancer. He refuses treatment. You know how these elders are about so-called Western medicine. He won’t take it.”

“Humph. I’m surprised you even got him to a doctor.”

Kofi chuckles. “I do not take the credit. Ella did it. He has developed a soft spot for her. She convinced him that he could prove the doctors wrong and show that Nyame is supreme. I think his ever-increasing senility helped her campaign.”

I nod. My grandfather has never believed in anything Western. He doesn’t respect their medicine, Gods, or culture. However, their money is a different subject altogether. As long as I can remember he has prayed to Nyame, the powerful Ashanti god. But when it came to material concerns, he used every scheme and trick to fill Tafo’s coffers. “Does he know you called me to come?”

Kofi gives me a wide-eyed look. “That is all the old man has talked about since he called me to Tafo to tell me the ancestors are calling him. He wants to ensure you will serve. He refuses to die until you take the seat. He says Nyame will keep him here for the day. You know his temperament. He just screams over and over again that an Asante will always sit as chief.”

Of course. The old man has never concerned himself with me. But now that he is dying, he wants to ensure his legacy is secure. Fuck him. He should have had more sons or perhaps treated me like one. My grandfather is archaic. He always hated that he could never be Kumasi’s Asantehene. So instead, he groomed my Aunt Akosua to be queen and tried influencing the throne through her. It worked for a while, until the king scandalized him by having an affair with his wife’s own sister. Instead of being concerned with the well-being of his daughters, my grandfather was ashamed. He threw himself into being Tafo’s chief and completely ignored his duties as a father.

He never wanted outsiders influencing the matters of Tafo. Ruling with an iron fist, he turned down millions of dollars in aid from the UN and our cocoa industry all but collapsed. He always said it was in the interest of tradition and security. But I know it was all about control and his ego. I went away and stayed away. But Kofi went back to serve as king. I admire that he has been able to hold off Yao’s endless mindfucks all these years. He is his own king.

I reach in my pocket and take my gold tribal bracelet out. I have to wear it while I am here. I place it on my arm and release a deep breath. “We will see how happy he is to actually see me when I get to the village. I can imagine my mother is excited for my arrival. She likes to shake me down for money whenever she is in my presence. Our whole family is fucked up.” I turn back to Kofi and am surprised to see him studying me intently. I do not shrink under his stare. “How do you deal with them and reign at the same time? I know they never let you rest.”

He breaks his stare and rolls his eyes toward the ceiling. He rubs the back of his neck. “Cousin, it is easy to do when I have at least 20 people they have to get through before they can get to me. Having a wife makes it even easier. Ella is the ultimate bodyguard.” We both laugh. I know he’s telling the truth. Ella is fierce about those she loves. “Speaking of wives, where is Maya? Ella and I were sure she would be with you; Ella will be disappointed.”

That means Maya has not talked to Ella. That’s not good. If she’s isolating herself, there’s no telling what she’s doing to ease her pain. I’m starting to regret leaving her. “Unfortunately, she is not quite up to the long trip.”

“Are you two still…um, friendly?” The question is loaded. I know what he’s asking, and it is none of his business.

“Well…we are very close. She is just trying to get back to herself.” I hope that will close the subject. It does not.

Kofi arches one eyebrow. “Without you?”

I raise my voice in exasperation. “Yes! It is what she says she needs!”

Kofi smirks. “And you believe her?” He cocks his head to the side. “No…I think not. You gave up. No wonder you answered my call to come so quickly. You are running. After all, it is still your best skill.”

I swallow hard. “You may be king, but you do not get to tell me why I do or why I don’t do the things I do. You don’t know me.”

He nods. “No, I do not really know you. But I know enough to know you are running away from Maya and whatever is going on in Atlanta. I am glad you are here to serve. But remember,A woman is a flower in a garden; her husband is the fence around it.Hopefully, she is still where you left her.”

I am seething when I start to speak. Kofi raises his hand and shakes his head.Fucking asshole just told me not to speak! Senya eyes me from the rearview mirror, willing me to let it go. Deep down I know there is nothing else to say and leave it…for now. We spend the rest of the ride without a word to each other. Kofi handles business on his phone. I stare at mine wondering if Maya will call. It is 7 p.m. in Atlanta, so she is preparing to eat dinner.I hope she is eating in our home and not hers.

When we arrive at Bonbiri, Ella is waiting outside. We envelop each other in a tight hug, and I pepper kisses on her cheeks. Kofi stares at us with the heat of a thousand arrows. He knows better than to say anything. He made an ass of himself over our friendship last year and it almost cost him his happiness. So, I can torture him all I want with no repercussions tonight. I count it as revenge for him shutting me down earlier.

Despite the late hour, Ella and I catch up. After her initial disappointment that Maya is not with me, she doesn’t ask much more. I decide to fill her in anyway. It’s apparent she knows the severity of Maya’s situation. But Ella is pregnant and decided to give Maya space. Her pregnancy calls for no extra stress. Finally, we are exhausted from reminiscing and bid each other good night.

One of Kofi’s housekeepers shows me to a spacious room with a Sahara desert theme. I take a shower and crash into the bed. It’s only 10 p.m. in Atlanta. I wonder what Maya is doing. Is she thinking of me? I stroked my cock in the shower thinking of the little pink dress and heels she wore at our last dinner. I know she was wearing a matching thong underneath; she always does. I imagine biting that ass and licking between her thighs. My hand finds its way to my cock once more. The phone rings as my release comes. I ignore it. It rings again and this time I answer.

“Hello?”

All I hear is screaming intermixed with sobs. It’s Maya! “Adom! Please.” She pleads over and over. I panic.

I get out of bed and pace the room. “Maya, what’s wrong? Where are you? Is someone in the house? Do you need me to call the police?”

The sobs continue for a minute before they taper off into whimpers. “No, I just had such a terrible dream, and I needed you. In the dream I was running after you, but I could never catch you . Then I was in that damn car again…crashing…and flying…I…I…can’t live like this anymore, Adom. I can’t do it.”

I pause. What is she saying?What does she mean she can’t live?Fuck! “Maya, you listen to me. Pack your bags. I’m calling my pilot. I’m sending a car; you will take off for Accra in less than two hours. Do you understand?”

She continues to cry softly.

“Maya. Tell me you understand!”

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