A minute later I’d found an article on the net. “It’s a term used to describe a total lunar eclipse. When the earth casts its shadow on a full moon and eclipses it, the moon may get a red glow because of . . .” I was still reading when Naadu walked in. For the first time I saw the ring on her finger. It was a huge diamond. No doubt she now felt free to show the world she was engaged.

“Buerki, I came here to talk to you,” she said walking over to where we sat at the table.

She shouldn’t have wasted her time. “I have nothing to say to you.”

Nene looked from me to Naadu.

“I love your father.”

I wished I could take the vase on the table and smash it on her head.

“And I’m not trying to take your mother’s place.”

“Then leave us alone. We’re a family. We don’t need you.”

She ignored me. “All we want is to be happy. I definitely do not want to replace your mom. Neither your dad nor I want to be alone. We make each other happy and I just want you to give us a chance as a family.”

“My mom made him happy and she was his best friend. He said so himself. Ask him. She deserves more respect than this. It’s not even been three years and you want him to forget her.”

“He’ll never forget her. None of you will but he’s ready to move on. He’s not asking you or Nene to move on and that’s fine. You’ll move on in your own time. We don’t want to rush you or anything.”

She was unbelievable. Who was she to lecture me on grief? What did she know about grieving and moving on?

“I think we should try to get along for his sake. Buerki, I don’t know why but you make me feel like I’ve committed a crime, like I’m doing something wrong.”

“You are doing something wrong and even if you aren’t, your timing is off. Way off. It’s too soon.”

“We don’t need your permission to get married but it would make him happier if you gave us your blessing.”

I got up, walked past her and onto the beach. I just kept walking. My blessing? What was Pope thinking? How could he do this to us? To Mama? Didn’t he care about us anymore? I called Aseye and got through to her.

“Aseye, you were right. He’s really going to marry her. She’s already pregnant. They’ve done the knocking and engagement and it’s just left with the wedding. He even gave her an engagement ring. The diamond is larger than the one that was on Mama’s ring,” I sobbed. I couldn’t help myself. Everything felt so raw.

“Buerki, calm down, all is not lost yet.”

“How can you say all is not lost?” I wept. “She’s wearing his ring, she’s carrying his child . . . what more do you want? And what’s worse is that everyone is happy about it. About them being together. Even Nene and Mantse.”

“A ring doesn’t mean marriage. I have a plan. All you have to do is make Naadu’s life so miserable that no one will tell her to leave you guys alone. If you gave her a taste of what life would be like when she becomes your stepmother, she would think twice about going on with the wedding.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. Why would she want your wahala when she can have her peace of mind? I’ll think of things you can do to make her miserable and call you later this evening. Do the same too.”

I thought it was great advice and spent the rest of the day thinking of exactly what I’d do to send Naadu packing.