“Same here,” she said. “We must definitely set something up. Listen, I’m in a hurry to an appointment, but can we meet later?”

Josephine expected to be in Achimota, another mushrooming suburb of Accra, until about five, and then she would be free.

“Meet me at the Achimota Mall around then,” she suggested. “There’s a coffee shop called ‘Second Cup’ that I like.”

“Great,” he said. “I can’t wait to see you.”

Second Cup really was a nice coffee place—popular and packed to capacity with Ghanaians and expatriates. The background buzz and the music gave it the right atmosphere. Gordon had arrived before Josephine did and had bagged a table. He waited only about ten minutes more before she came in looking around to see if he had arrived. He waved and she smiled and hurried to the table. In a formfitting turquoise-and-black dress, Josephine’s hourglass shape was a study in perfection. Gordon still had plenty reserves in his lust storage tank.

“It’s so good to see you,” she said as they embraced lightly. “Welcome to Ghana.”

“Nice to see you too,” Gordon said. “You look amazing.”

“Thank you so much.” She was glowing as they sat down, and Gordon noticed her brand- new short haircut with the hair tucked behind each ear to show off a single pearl.

“We have some catching up to do,” he said. “But first, can I get you anything?”

She wanted a mochaccino. Gordon stuck with a more ordinary café au lait. Once they had their drinks in front of them on the table, they began to talk.

“So, I’m dying to know what brings you across the pond our way,” Josephine said eagerly. “What a surprise I got when you called this morning.”

“I figured you would be,” Gordon said. “At the moment, I’m just enjoying a few weeks of vacation.”

“All by yourself?” She was surprised.

“I’m afraid so, yes.” Gordon’s mood was moving toward the negative column. He felt gloomy.

“Did you suddenly get nostalgic about Ghana?” She smiled and winked at him. “Did I cause that?”

They had a small laugh, but Gordon said, “In some ways, yes. I suppose I remembered how wonderful the company of a Ghanaian woman can be.”

She inclined her head. “Aw, that’s so very sweet. Are you enjoying yourself? Where have you been so far?”

“Just Accra, really.”

“I see.” Concern came to her expression. “Is everything okay, though? You don’t seem as happy as I remember you.”

“Josephine, I wanted badly to see you,” he said, “but at the same time, I’ve been dreading this meeting because of what I’m going to tell you.”

“Oh,” she said, looking both curious and worried.