Chapters (109)
- Part One
- ONE
- One day earlier
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- PART TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- THIRTY-NINE
- FORTY
- FORTY-ONE
- FORTY-TWO
- FORTY-THREE
- FORTY-FOUR
- FORTY-FIVE
- FORTY-SIX
- FORTY-SEVEN
- FORTY-EIGHT
- FORTY-NINE
- FIFTY
- FIFTY-ONE
- FIFTY-TWO
- FIFTY-THREE
- FIFTY-FOUR
- FIFTY-FIVE
- FIFTY-SIX
- FIFTY-SEVEN
- FIFTY-EIGHT
- FIFTY-NINE
- SIXTY
- SIXTY-ONE
- SIXTY-TWO
- SIXTY-THREE
- SIXTY-FOUR
- SIXTY-FIVE
- SIXTY-SIX
- SIXTY-SEVEN
- SIXTY-EIGHT
- SIXTY-NINE
- SEVENTY
- SEVENTY-ONE
- SEVENTY-TWO
- SEVENTY-THREE
- SEVENTY-FOUR
- SEVENTY-FIVE
- SEVENTY-SIX
- SEVENTY-SEVEN
- SEVENTY-EIGHT
- SEVENTY-NINE
- EIGHTY
- EIGHTY-ONE
- EIGHTY-TWO
- EIGHTY-THREE
- EIGHTY-FOUR
- EIGHTY-FIVE
- EIGHTY-SIX
- EIGHTY-SEVEN
- EIGHTY-EIGHT
- EIGHTY-NINE
- NINETY
- NINETY-ONE
- NINETY-TWO
- NINETY-THREE
- NINETY-FOUR
- NINETY-FIVE
- NINETY-SIX
- NINETY-SEVEN
- NINETY-EIGHT
- NINETY-NINE
- GLOSSARY
- Acknowledgments
- Continue reading
- Part One
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
Sorry to hear about the stomach upset. Hopefully you’ll feel better soon. Regarding the “quest,” you should do whatever feels right for you, Gordon, but I think if you could see the witch doctor guy Sana told you about, that could really round up the story and tie up some loose ends. If a lot of the sakawa boys go to consult this man, maybe he might know about who duped you in particular. Maybe he’ll let on if you offer him some serious money. Just think if you could nab the guy who did this to you! I get you’re tired and I agree you should come home soon. Just don’t give it up too prematurely. I’ve written up Part 1, and it looks great. I’ll send it to you once Marc has taken a look and you can make changes or additions if you see fit. Feel better, my friend!
SIXTY-NINE
SIXTY-NINE
June 21
On Sunday evening, Abena and Kojo visited Emma as they did most Sundays. Reproducible routine was important to Kojo, and this was one that he liked.
Emma welcomed them at the door. “Come in, come in. Kojo, how are you?” He didn’t respond or look up at Emma, but she sensed his acknowledgement instinctively. “I’ve started the nkontomire,” she said to Abena as they went to the kitchen.
Emma left the main door open while closing just the screen door to allow some air to circulate through the tiny house and release food fumes from the matchbox kitchen. Abena sat Kojo down on a mat in the corner. “I brought his tablet to keep him calm,” she said.
“Is that one from the Center?” Emma asked.
“No—Mrs. Akrofi gave him a new one.”
“That’s nice of her. When will you go to her house with Kojo to do the video?”
“I don’t know yet,” Abena said. “They want to film him at the Center first. I know they’re hoping Kojo will draw something again, but since the first time, he hasn’t done anything.”
“He will do it when the spirit moves him,” Emma said, beginning to grind fresh chilis on a large, flat stone. The fresh, piercing odor tantalized her. “My brother Bruno was asking about autism today. I told him he should visit this evening and meet Kojo. I wish I could get him interested in doing something good in his life—maybe volunteer to work with autistic kids.”
“That will be really great,” Abena said. She looked over at her son, who was sitting cross-legged on his mat.
“Have you ever had a full night’s sleep since Kojo was born?” Emma asked.
Abena pulled a face. “No, I don’t think so.”
“He can sleep on my bed when he’s ready,” Emma offered.
Late that afternoon, Bruno had asked Nii to take him to Emma’s house in Madina.