Matika and the River Lion by Latrice Simpkins

Author:Latrice Simpkins [Simpkins, Latrice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, United States, African American, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Women, Contemporary Fiction
Amazon: B00C7CPEWS
Published: 2013-04-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

“I must go!” I called, running off without a goodbye. Suda had called at an inconvenient time, but I was very thankful. Honestly, I don’t know what I was going to say to Lutalo. He had caught me completely off guard. On one hand, I felt I knew him to be the perfect husband, and on the other, I felt I didn’t know him at all. I knew I owed him something for his kindness to me, for risking his life, and what better way to show my gratitude than a lifelong partnership devoted to be his loving wife?

With conflicting feelings, it was hard to know what to say when approached with such a question. One thing I knew was that Lutalo valued and respected my feelings. He wouldn’t want me to make a decision under obligation or duress, but he wanted me to come to him freely and honestly. Was I ready for that?

“Where were you?” Suda asked impatiently.

“Just around the corner,” I stammered. “Why, what’s happened?’

“Come, we must go before Mama notices that we’re late.”

We ran home. Suda, stressed and perturbed, didn’t speak the whole way. When we arrived home, Mama was waiting for us.

“You’re late,” she said sternly, handing us water buckets. “Get the water and hurry back because I need to start the evening meal.”

How I wished for the game roasting over the fire that Lutalo was attending. It was a much better option than the gruel Mama made, which was nothing more than spices, grain, vegetables and animal fat that created the illusion of meat. I wondered whether Lutalo was able to eat the meat he prepared.

I didn’t tell Suda about Lutalo, afraid she might be jealous because of his intent on marrying me, thinking it best to wait until Baba approved of Walyam.

Over the next few months I saw Lutalo about once a week for an hour or so. We always spoke of a future that we would one day share together. He brought me little things to eat, such as pieces of fruit or bread. Every now and then we would share a kiss but nothing more.

I was uncomfortable every time he asked to see Baba. He always pressed me for the location of our hut but I stood fast. I wasn’t ready. So much had changed in my life and I didn’t know how best to respond. Besides, I couldn’t get married before Suda, and Baba had not mentioned a proposal for her at all.

“I see you’ve been speaking to a boy,” Walyam whispered hotly in my ear.

I was behind the hut, sanding the pots to get them clean, while Suda and Mama were at her friend’s place helping with chores. Walyam always had a way of sneaking up on me, finding every opportunity to touch me where he shouldn’t.

“Why are you watching me? It’s none of your business who I speak to,” I said shrugging him off my shoulders, turning to face him. He knew I hated it when he spoke in my ear; the chills that ran down my spine when he did that were insufferable.

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