When they entered they could hear laughs and talk of the witches.

Ruth grabbed the thigh and started to eat the flesh. She loved raw meat more than cooked meat. They would return before dawn. She was going to sleep the whole morning since her sons were home with a new daughter-in-law.

She arrived early, the night was becoming brighter even the sun was not in sight yet. It was so quiet, only the animal sounds and birds chirping in the trees. She wrapped her shawl around her shoulders for warmth. It was cold that night but inside the grave was warm. She went inside her hut quietly. She left it open because the chain would have made noise while others were sleeping. She slept peacefully with a full stomach.

Dennis woke up with his wife, Samartha. She started to sweep the leaves on the yard, cleaning. She went into the kitchen while Dennis and David sat in the sun for warmth. The weather was cloudy and cold.

“Where is Ma?” asked David, curiously.

“You know, sometimes, she wakes up late, maybe she is tired,” Dennis answered.

“Maybe I could serve a good breakfast for her in bed,” Samartha said after overhearing them.

“That would make her happy,” Dennis said with a smile.

Samartha washed all the dishes and the black pots. When they were squeaky clean she put them back in the kitchen. She made the fire and cooked peanut mealie meal, porridge and some eggs. She buttered the bread. She made strong tea with milk. She called Dennis and his brother, who sat and washed their hands before eating. She went to Ruth’s hut. Samartha found the room smart, Ruth lying on the bed silently sleeping.

“Ma, morning. I brought you breakfast,” she said softly with a smile. Everyone wanted to be a good daughter-in-law, even if the mother-in-law was terrible. Ruth sat up while Samartha put the tray on her legs.

“Thank you, my daughter, I am not feeling well today,” Ruth pretended.

Samartha went and joined her husband and his brother. They laughed at jokes. Ruth preferred to stay in bed, she was feeling tired. Samartha cleaned the rooms while her husband took a walk. David stayed behind, feeding the hens and goats. The cows were out with the herder, Henry, Ruth’s husband paid.

Dennis heard people wailing. He waited and saw some people entering the homestead.

“Excuse me, who died?” he asked.

“It’s the chief’s son,” a woman answered and left him standing.

Dennis walked back home and saw Ruth sitting by the fire in the kitchen. Samartha was cooking.

“Son, you have a good mannered wife, the food was delicious,” Ruth said with a chuckle.

Dennis left with David to the city for work and Samartha was left behind with her mother-in-law, who needed help for some weeks.

“I want you to accompany me to see a friend tonight,” Ruth said quietly.

“OK, I will,” she answered.

In the afternoon, Ruth visited Muchaso. She had urgent matters. Samartha was cleaning the homes.

“I can allow my daughter-in-law to join,” she said smiling.

“We want your sons, this will backfire,” he replied sadly.

“It won’t backfire, she is close to me now,” she said happily.

Muchaso shook his head and went inside his home. Ruth went home, her husband had arrived.

“My husband,” she greeted loudly.

Henry sat on a stool with his daughter-in-law by the ground. Samartha stared at the ground with her hands on her legs.

“My wife, we need to talk,” Henry said.

Ruth sat down and stared at Henry. The spell was vapouring.

***

Tell us: What do you think Henry will say?