Hi, I say back, practicing my English, even if a bit nervously.

You do not have to be afraid to speak Twi with me. I do not have a cane.

…

That is a joke, Kofi.

I know.

How is your arm?

Better. It does not burn in the water anymore.

Well, that is a good thing.

…

Well, I must go now.

WAIT, DO NOT LEAVE, Ebo shouts.

What is it?

Kofi has something to say to you, he says, nudging me.

It is… nice… to see you.

Kofi, it is nice to see you. Thank you for the nuts.

…

…

That girl really smashed the one from Lower, my cousin squawks, coming from out of nowhere with his herd of rowdy mates.

I hope she is okay, Ama answers.

Our village won. That is all that matters.

What matters is that she be okay, Ama says, turning away from him, toward me. Well, goodbye, Kofi.

Bye, Ama, I answer, wishing my cousin was the one leaving.

That is not his name, says my cousin.

Of course it is his name, Ama replies, turning back to face him.

I am Kofi first.

You can both be Kofi, she says.

Ei! But not THE one and only Kofi Katari, doer of all things great. That is me. Am I right? he says, turning to his mates.

KOFI! KOFI! KOFI! they chant, pointing at him, like the followers they are.

OFFIN! OFFIN! OFFIN, they whisper, pointing at me and laughing.

Tell him, Ebo says.

Tell me what? my cousin replies, now standing in my face, his hot, rank breath piercing everything pleasant inside me.

It is nothing, I say, letting fear own me again.

I did not think so, Little Kofi, he says as Ama shakes her head and leaves.

NAMES

My youngest sister was born

on a Sunday, so she is Esi.

My brother is Sunday too,

so he is Kwasi.

Ama means Saturday-born.

My uncle is Kobbie

for Tuesday,

but everyone addresses him

as The Mayor

since that is his job.

You see, we are each given

first names

for the day

we came

into this world,

and extra ones

for the spirit

we brought along.

My cousin and I

were both born

on a Friday,

so we are both Kofi, but

since he is slightly older

two inches taller

and a promising tyrant

who thinks he is the sun

and everything revolves

around him because

his father is the Mayor,

and his maame, the Queen Mother,

he often gets his way,

which includes calling me Offin

or Little Kofi

and tormenting

everyone else

into doing the same.

THE DUEL

Just as he starts

to walk away,

Ebo hollers,

KOFI KATARI! WE CHALLENGE YOU!

My cousin turns around,

tilts his head to the side.

What is it you say, Ebo?

To the big rock and back. He challenges you to a swim contest, Ebo says, nodding toward me.