The Kaya Girl by Mamle Wolo

Author:Mamle Wolo [WOLO, MAMLE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2022-07-28T00:00:00+00:00

I had breakfast alone with Dad the next morning. We video-called Mom and saw my new brother in real time. I loved his baby noises. Mom looked tired and couldn’t move much because of the operation, but Auntie Adjoa was fussing over her, taking the phone and making sure we got to see the baby properly. There was something about the way she took charge that reminded me of Auntie Lydia. These my aunties! I felt suddenly lucky to have them. And a momentary stab of envy. Mom and Auntie Adjoa reminded me of Faiza and me. How wonderful to be sisters and best friends at the same time. It must have been something like that for Faiza and Asana.

Uncle Frank and Auntie Sarah came into the frame and said hi. Dad thanked them for taking such good care of Mom. “You must come to Ghana and let us ‘retaliate!’”

Everyone laughed, and Uncle Frank pulled my cousins Kobby and Kojo to come say hi too. “Aw, Dad, no!” I heard their London accents in the background, but as I knew only too well, there was no escaping family greetings. They came and said their awkward hellos. “Hey, Abs!” Their smiles came to life when they saw me. “How’s Ghana?”

Mom asked to see me again. “Sure everything’s okay, baby girl? All still well at your aunt’s? ’Cause with your cousins there now—”

“I’m fine, Mom, don’t worry.”

“Well, if you’re sure…”

I wished I could tell her about Faiza. I knew she’d be shocked at first, but when I explained how we were like her and Auntie Adjoa, she’d understand. But not right now, with everyone listening. Uncle Frank probably wouldn’t even remember what a kayayoo was. Auntie Adjoa would be horrified. And terrified I would expose her precious Tiff and Brit to my market life.

“Totally, Mom. Honest!” I smiled my warmest so she’d believe me, because it was true, and because I needed her to save all her energy for getting better and for my baby brother.

She smiled my favorite smile, and I felt relieved. “I love you, Mom.”

The picture went funny, and I realized she was hugging the phone. A wave of longing washed over me. We ended the call, and I loaded my plate with pancakes and drizzled over one of the syrups Brit and Tiff had brought. It was so yummy.

“Dad, you can deliver babies, can’t you?” I asked.

“Of course!” he laughed.

“Then why couldn’t Mom have stayed?”

“Doctors aren’t supposed to treat their own family. You know that, Abee.”

“But you have a whole clinic! Couldn’t Dr. Ampiah do it? He delivered me! And there are other hospitals in Ghana.”

“I know all that, sweetheart, but it was your Auntie Adjoa who talked her into going abroad.”

“Auntie Adjoa thinks there’s nothing good in Ghana.”

Dad had that stifled smile on his face that adults got when they agreed with you but couldn’t say so. “You know what you women are like. When one talks another into something, no one else stands a chance!”

I thought of me and Faiza and the things we’d put each other up to.

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