Page 95 of Cursed Daughters
“I see you’ve found your voice.”
“I see you’ve lost your sense of shame.”
“Enough!” Ebun cried, startling everyone in the room. “Enough.” There were tears running down her cheeks and Mo was genuinely surprised. Perhaps the hormones were getting to her. “Mo has said she is keeping the baby. I think you both should leave.”
Mrs. K was already standing. Amara followed her gracefully—an angel with two broken wings. Once they had gone, Ebun came to Mo and wrapped her up in a hug. Mo tried to recall the last time she and her cousin had embraced; too long ago.
—
“Did you know your people stopped by?”
Kalu was quiet. She could hear him breathing down the phone. “I’m sorry,” he finally said. “They didn’t tell me where they were going.”
“They asked me to abort your child.”
“I’m sorry about that too.”
All the man knew how to do was apologise. She didn’t want to hear any more. She hungup.
XI
“Mo?”
It was eight p.m. and she was trying to force herself to sleep. She craved that infinite abyss, but it evaded her. Ebun opened the door wider and slipped into the room.
“I’ve been thinking.”
“Hmm?”
“I think. I think I am…I’m not going to go through with the pregnancy.” Mo didn’t move, didn’t breathe. She wished Ebun away. She wished herself away. “I can’t do it. I thought I could. But…it is too much.” Ebun’s voice was low, as though she were talking to herself. “I’m only twenty. And we both know how hard it was for us without a father in our lives. I wouldn’t wish that on this…on anyone. I am going to go to a place a friend told me about tonight.”
“Isn’t it too late?”
“I don’t think so…They say you can…umm…up to four months.” They were both talking to their hands, the table, the bed. They couldn’t look one another in the eye.
“Okay.”
“Maybe you should come.”
“No.”
“No?”
“This is mine and Kalu’s…”
Ebun sighed. “Whoever you thought Kalu was, he is not that person. You do not want to be tied to that drama for the rest of your life.” Judging Mo’s situation had given Ebun’s voice a base it hadlacked just moments ago. How easy it was to solve the problems of others.
“I love him.”
“Does he love you? And if he does, where is he? Maybe we can do this together, and help each other through it.” Mo didn’t say anything. “Okay. Look, I am leaving at ten p.m. sha. Let me know if you want to join me.”
Then Ebun was gone. And the room was quiet again, and Mo could go back to not sleeping.
At ten p.m., she was waiting in the hallway for Ebun. Their mothers were asleep and Tolu was in his room; she could hearCalifornicationdrifting towards them. They would be back before anyone noticed they were gone—that was the plan anyway.
Ebun was wearing a bubu, one that looked as if it belonged to Aunty Kemi. She was smaller in this light, and Mo thought she spotted her shivering. They didn’t have to do this. She didn’t want to do this; but she said nothing.
“Let’s go,” Ebun said without meeting her eyes. Her voice sounded brash. Mo followed her younger cousin out of the house and to the main road.
