I walked around my new home. It seemed strange to be calling it a home without Daddy. The two boys continued weeding. They ignored me totally, which was just fine by me. I wondered if they were our neighbours. Our lawn had been weeded.

There was a patch of burnt grass at the back where I assumed the cut grass had been burned. There were two mango trees behind the building. Both of them were in bloom and bore inflorescences of little greenish pink and yellow flowers and very tiny green mango fruits. The air smelled heavenly. I wondered if they’d be saloon mangoes or regular mangoes. I hoped they would be the saloon type but I wasn’t holding my breath. Drying lines had been strung between the two trees. An army of red ants marched up and down the rough bark. I went closer to the trees hoping to catch a better whiff. There was an angry cackle and a flock of guinea fowls came flying down the tree and began running helter skelter. I was so scared I screamed then immediately regretted it. The two boys in the adjacent yard looked at me. The older boy said something to the younger one and they both laughed. I felt so stupid. He had probably said something like “Silly city girl afraid of guinea fowls”. I went back to the front and sat down in a corner of the veranda wondering what was taking Mama so long. Had she got lost? As if she could read my thoughts she called.

“They‘re making everything from scratch. Can you believe that? I asked how long it would take before I placed my order, and the waiter said ‘O, not long, like ten minutes’ and I believed him. Turns out they are now grilling the fish and boiling the rice!”

I could imagine her at the eatery. Probably drumming her fingers impatiently on the table top. My mother hated to be kept waiting. It drove her almost insane.

“Do you want me to come get you?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Okay, see you soon.”

I was still waiting when a blue Nissan Sunny drove up to our yard. The car had barely come to a stop before the driver got out and came running to the veranda.

“I am so so sorry. You must be Yayra, I am Wonder Dugbenu, the administrator.

I hope I haven’t kept you waiting long. Where is Dr Sarpong?” To his credit he

Didn’t stare at me longer than was necessary.

“She went to get us lunch . . . or supper,” I said looking up. The sun had begun setting.

“O, this is not good. Not good at all. First impressions and I forget the key! I am so sorry,” he said, moving towards the door with the key. He opened it and I followed him in.

“This is the hall, over there is the kitchen. Store room there, master bedroom and two bedrooms down the corridor. There’s only one bathroom and toilet, though, and no dining area, I’m afraid,” he said looking at me. Like it mattered to me whether or not there was a dining room.

“It’s okay. I usually eat in my bedroom.”

“Good, good. Now let’s get these things inside before Dr Sarpong gets back. Just tell me where you want them to go.”

We moved the living room furniture in first. Then he went outside and grabbed a box. Mama being Mama she had labeled all the boxes. The label on it said ‘kitchen’. I followed him in with my overnight bag and my vase which I placed on the centre table. I went to check out the two bedrooms. They were both the same size, both had a double wardrobe and a full length mirror. I chose the one farther away from the master bedroom so that I could truthfully say I didn’t hear Mama when she called.

I was going back outside when I met the younger boy in the hall. He didn’t see me at first so he lost his balance and let out a scream when he did see me. He bumped into the centre table and my vase crashed to the ground.

“What happened? What broke?” I heard Mama call. She stood in the doorway with two white polythene bags in her hand. I could see the outline of the takeout packs in the bags. She placed the bags on one of the sofas.

The boy looked from her to me. He was scared. “I’m sorry. It was an accident.”

Mr Dugbenu and the older boy appeared behind Mama. They were carrying the fridge.

“We just got that!” Mama screamed. “Yayra just picked that on our way here and you broke it!”

The younger boy cowered in fear. The older one scowled. Mr Dugbenu looked like he’d rather be anywhere than where he was right then.

“I’ll replace it,” the older boy said looking from Mama to me. I felt his gaze travel over my face and settle on the left half. I looked away.

“How?” Mama asked. “They said that was the last one left; that they get the clay from some faraway place.”

“Mama, it’s okay. It’s just a vase,” I said.

“No, it’s not okay,” she screamed. She looked at the broken pieces on the floor and said softly, “What are we doing here? Why did I bring you here? What was I thinking?”

I almost felt sorry for her. Almost. She exhaled and covered her face with her hands. Then she walked past me and went out through the back door. The room went quiet. Mr Dugbenu and the tall boy put the fridge down. All three of them looked at me. I know they expected me to go after her but I did not. I went to my room and shut the door hard letting her know that the fact that she was having second thoughts about bringing us here did not absolve her of anything.

***

Tell us what you think: Do you think Yayra and her mother will be able to make a good new life in their new home?