Tara I hear that. But . . . I want to marry you. I want to mention you to people I’ve just met and call you ‘my wife’ and I want people to know what you mean to me. ‘Girlfriend’ just doesn’t cut it anymore.

Leah Well, you can still call me your wife! If it’s just the title . . .

Tara No babe, I want all of it. The whole thing! I want to wear the rings and wear the dresses and throw a party that celebrates us. Who we are and all we’ve been through and how well we take care of each other. I want to take both your hands in mine and vow, before the whole world, that it is my intention to love you forever. I really want that.

Beat.

Do you?

Leah (beat) I do.

They kiss. It starts tentative, then becomes rapturous.

Above them the Ancestors begin the ritual.

Yetunde We bless this union in the mighty names of our forefathers,

Babatunde We bless your union with the wisdom of our foremothers,

Yetunde We grant you both favour from the hands of our great forebrothers and foresisters

Adebisi Our foresiblings and our forebearers.

Teju All of our ancestors behind you. Each day.

Yetunde We pull the planets into alignment, by the power of the gods.

Babatunde We place each star above you to gaze kindly upon your love.

Teju We bless you.

Adebisi We bless you.

Babatunde We bless you.

Yetunde Amin.

*

Babatunde I think our work here is done.

Yetunde Until next time.

Babatunde May I say, it’s been a pleasure working with you all.

Yetunde It has?

Babatunde Of course now! What’s a little bickering amongst family?

Adebisi Nothing.

Yetunde Well, I hope we meet again. In service to our descendants or in Aiye itself.

Adebisi Whichever, suits me.

Yetunde We should take Teju to his rest. To Orun-re-re.

Teju (beat) Do you think I will like it?

Babatunde Yes. It’s a place of perfect peace.

Yetunde It’ll get you ready for your return.

Adebisi Next time, it will be better for you. I’m sure of it.

Beat.

Come on!

Babatunde I will guide his right arm.

Adebisi I will guide his left.

Yetunde And I will order his footsteps. Across the spine of the sky.

Babatunde The so-called ‘milky way’ –

Adebisi It’s the well-treaded path to eternity Teju –

Yetunde We’ll walk it with you, like we did your father before you.

He turns around. He looks forward. They go.

Epilogue

Tara steps outside. She is in full Nigerian wedding regalia. In Aso Ebi and gele.

The wedding reception is still going on indoors. She seems to have come outside for some air.

She looks up at the sky. Takes a moment. With her drink in hand, she lifts it up to the Ancestors.

Pours a libation. Smiles.