Page 87 of Cursed Daughters
“It’s all right. You don’t have to say anything.” This was all incredibly sad. She jumped out of the car. “See you later, alligator.”
“Wait.”
“What?”
“You’re not going to ask?”
“Ask what?”
“What I’ll give you before I go.”
She blinked slowly, then held out her hand. He leant over, popped open the glovebox and rustled around in a bag. In the centre of her palm he placed a Haribo heart. And as she gazed at it, he started the car and drove away.
III
After a few days, it was as though she had imagined the whole thing. She didn’t bother telling the women of the house that she had bumped into Golden Boy. They would have tainted the experience with their judgement and their abrupt conclusions. Thankfully, they were distracted by Ebun’s pregnancy. This way, she could keep the memory pure, replay what he said, his nervous smile and his gaze. She didn’t expect to see him again, so there was no harm init.
But two weeks later, as she was taking the rubbish outside of the compound, she spotted him beside his car, pacing. She tossed the bag in the bin and then walked over to him.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m…I just wanted to talk. I…You see, the thing is…”
“Spit it out, GB.” She cared too much about what he was going to say next, otherwise why could she hear her heartbeat inside her head?
“I’ve missed you. You were my girlfriend, Mo, but I didn’t realise at the time that you were my best friend too. I…I’ve missed just talking to you.” She melted. Whatever fences she had built up over the years were hastily falling around her.
She should have asked him about his wife. She should have asked him if his wife knew where he was right now; but she simply let him in. Her mother and aunt were out at work, Ebun was on some mystery outing and only God knew where Tolu had scampered offto.
She let Kalu lead the way to the east living room, then she wentto wash her hands. She eyed herself in the mirror, adjusted her hair, and when she returned, she stood across the room. They stared at each other.
“How…how have you been?” he finally said.
“I’ve been good.” She placed her hand on her hip, hoping it gave her an air of impatience, but also hoping it kept her from falling into his arms.
“Good. Good.”
“Thanks for the other day, by the way. The groceries.”
“Please. Don’t mention it.”
More silence, then they both spoke at once:
“How’s your mum?”
“Do you want some water?”
He laughed. “Sorry,” he said. “You go.”
Why was he here? She could pretend all she wanted, but she could see his wedding ring winking in the sunlight, and it could not have been more solid. “Okay. How is married life treating you?”
“Is that a sincere question?”
“Take it how you want to.”
He sighed. “I know this is a weird thing to say to you, but marriage is…complicated.”
“Is that why you’re here? You’re going through some kind of rough patch?”
