Outcasts and Angels by Edna Edith Sayers

Author:Edna Edith Sayers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallaudet University Press
Published: 2016-04-05T04:00:00+00:00

The Sexton’s Deaf Son

Rasheed A. Gbadamosi

Nigeria, 1969

Joshua Keino’s parents had no objection to his bringing the boy home to Sunday lunch. But Auntie Roda’s indignation was ill-concealed. She shrugged indifferently everytime Mrs. Keino offered her the next course. She spoke very little. She took it out on the electric fan. “The awful thing doesn’t work efficiently,” she said. Perhaps it was in the wrong angle. She got up a few times to fix the fan. She really would like to tell her stories now, her exaggerated rumours about various individuals at the church. But all the attention was taken up by the guest and Mr. Keino was probably relieved he would not have to endure Auntie Roda’s blabbing.

Mr. Keino ate voraciously. Mrs. Keino made signs to the deaf and dumb boy to check if he had enough to eat. Joshua was exhilarated. He had now acquired a new playmate. He had met the boy earlier in the day at the junior church service. They had roamed in the huge park together after the service. The boy made incomprehensible sounds by way of speaking. Joshua felt attracted in a curious way to the chubby, unspeaking boy. They had climbed the guava tree together and, finding no fruit, they had sat on the branches looking at the lake and the coastline beyond. It was cool in the shade of the leaves and now and again the breeze rustled the leaves permitting the sun to pierce through. On the lake, two paddling boats were racing towards a tiny island on which there stood two coconut trees. A fishing net was fastened to the trunks of the trees. The fishermen soon loosened the cords and they rolled up the dry net and shoved it into one boat. Then they anchored the other boat and paddled off in the one with the net.

It was time to go home and Joshua indicated to the boy he had to go home. The boy’s face tightened in disappointment. Joshua beckoned to him to come. The boy uttered something indiscernible. Joshua climbed down the tree and gesticulated to the boy to come on. And so they came home.

After lunch, Auntie Roda went to her room for what she called “her health rest.”

“Now Joshua,” Mr. Keino said, “where did you meet your friend?”

“At the church. He is the new sexton’s son.”

“What is his name?”

“I don’t know. He couldn’t tell me.”

“I see. I suppose you’ll take him back soon. His parents must be looking for him now.”

“Can I show him how to ride my new bike?”

“If you wish. Don’t go out into the street. Stay in the garden.”

“All right, dad.”

But they sneaked out into the street. Joshua’s intention, really, was to show off his new friend to the other boys in the neighbourhood. Presently they came to a group of three boys who were leaping over bamboo make-shift high jumps. The idea was to progress from a low height, and taking turns, everyone had to make a clean jump. Anyone who fell the cross bar was flogged by the others and you dropped out after three unsuccessful tries.

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