Chapter 5

Ife, Northwest Africa

The cool air kissed her skin as she sat and drank a cup of water. Her father watched her closely. Her friends watched her too. Samba rubbed her shoulder, “Are you all right, sister?” he asked in Portuguese.

She nodded. Going into another realm took a lot of energy, and she still was not proficient at using her gifts.

Her mother approached, “How do you feel?” she asked with wide eyes.

“I am well. I just needed some air.” She looked up. Her uncle and his wife stood by the door, glaring at her. She looked away.

Joaquin turned to his wife, “I have never interfered with things that you and Yande believe, but I don’t like this. I don’t want her to get hurt.”

Aminata sighed. It wasn’t her first time listening to him express his concerns. “She is fine. Nothing happened.”

“Today, nothing happened. She can’t do these things.”

“And she can’t stop being what she is. Nor can your son or me.”

He huffed, “Your situation and Samba’s situation are different. These things that exist in Yande, you said you don’t even understand it.”

“Let’s not argue,” said Yande sweetly.

“We aren’t arguing. We are having a passionate discussion,” said her mother smartly.

“My friend, why don’t you and I go for a walk? There is a good spot nearby that has the best drinks,” Kalu mentioned with a smile.

Aminata watched them walk off. Adefolake sighed, “Perhaps we could consult with a Babalawo while we are here.”

Aminata nodded, “We can. But first, I need to speak with Yande alone.”

Yande went with her mother. They walked until they were out of hearing range of everyone. “What happened?” her mother asked.

Her face glowed, “I saw great-grandmother; she was talking to grandfather.”

“Is he?”

“No, but if I don’t help him soon ... he will pass over.” She looked over her mother’s shoulder and saw her uncle still eyeing her, “How much do you trust Uncle Enofe?”

She shrugged, “I have been away many years. Enofe and I don’t have a close relationship. We hardly ever had one. He’s always been an angry person. He feels like the world owes him something.”

“Grandfather wants me to try again. When no one is around, I will do it tonight after everyone falls asleep.”

“I want to be there.”

Yande shook her head, “I have to do it alone.”

“What if you pass out again?”

“Trust me. I can do it.”

Her mother touched her face. Suddenly, a cloud formed in front of her that only she could see. It was her mother holding a baby boy.

Adefolake had just walked up to see if everything was okay. She saw how Yande stared.

The women recognized that pause. They had experienced it many times before. “What is it, Yande?” her mother asked.

Yande smiled, “I don’t know exactly. But I saw you holding a baby boy.”

Adefolake smiled, “Congratulations,” she said happily.

Aminata shook her head. “She didn’t say whose baby it was.”

Yande made a face, “Well, I’ve never been with a man, but you and Father are constantly all over each other. I’ve heard you many times.”

Adefolake chuckled. Aminata kissed her teeth, “Go over there with your brother and the other children and play or something.”

Yande sighed as she walked away. Aminata kissed her teeth once more. She saw Yande standing with the other children. She and Adefolake walked toward the house. “Are you pregnant?” Adefolake asked eagerly. She smiled from ear to ear.

“I don’t think that I am. I have not seen this. Each time I was pregnant with Yande and Samba, I knew almost immediately. Why would the Gods withhold this vision from me and show it to my daughter?”

She shrugged, “That is a good question. But you know when we don’t spend as much time using our gifts ... they tend to hide from us. I wouldn’t worry,” she said as she held her hand, “I’m sure if you are pregnant, Joaquin will be overjoyed. He loves being a father.”

She smiled, “He does.”

Their walk took them to an old hang-out spot of Kalu’s. The food was good, and the drinks were even better. Kalu stepped through the door first. His eyes caught the eyes of the woman who owned the establishment. Her skin was the color of bronze, and her head was covered in a bright red and black head wrap. “Kalu, welcome,” she said to him in Yoruba.

The place got quiet as the patrons looked at Joaquin and his friends. They stood out in a room full of brown faces. Some of the people murmured. And at one table, a group of shady-looking fellows scowled at them.

Kalu hugged her, “Ayo, it’s so nice to see you again; how is your husband?” he asked.

She kissed her teeth, “Ah, you know him. He’s doing this thing and that thing for the King. I haven’t seen him in days. Since Mobo has been sick, that son of his has done nothing to address the men causing chaos in the village. People are ready to take it to the King.”

Kalu nodded.

“But, I’m sure you didn’t come to hear about my sad marriage. Or about the scoundrels here. You came to drink. I see you brought friends.”

“Yes, yes, this is Joaquin and his men. They are from—”

“Portugal,” she said with a smile, “Olá e bem-vindo.”

They were impressed, “You speak our language,” Joaquin replied happily.

“Yes. My husband frequently does business with men from Portugal for the King of Ife. Sometimes they come to our house. I have picked up a little bit of the language. Just enough to be dangerous, she joked, “Come, sit. I’ll bring you all some drinks and some of my famous soup.”

Joaquin smiled, “I like her. She’s friendly.” He looked around the room and realized that not everyone was as friendly as her. The men at the table across the room continued to eye him and his men. Perhaps those are some of the scoundrels she mentioned, he thought as he looked away from their hateful glares.

The drinks arrived. Joaquin attempted to pay. He pulled out a sack that had gold coins. Ayo shook her head, “Your money is no good here. You are my guests for today.”

He placed his coins back into his trousers. He tasted the soup; his heart smiled, “Ummm, I love this. I miss the food here. I’m hoping to bring back a few things with us to Portugal.”

“I can help you with that, my friend. We can go to the market before you leave.”

As they ate and chatted, the men from across the room grew bolder and decided to act on their aggression. They walked over to the table where Kalu, Joaquin, and the other three men sat. The one with the face of a grizzly bear barked, “Why do you bring strangers to our village?” he asked Kalu menacingly.

Kalu threw down his napkin and stood, “These men are not strangers. They are my friends.”

He shoved Kalu. His shoulder went back, “You are trying to provoke me, and by the strength of my ancestors, I am trying to spare you the worst beating of your life.”

Joaquin stood, “Gentlemen, there’s no need. We will take our leave. All will be well.”

“Shut up, place-faced fool,” he sneered and spat on Joaquin.

He wiped his face with a napkin; it fell on the man’s foot. He looked down and then into Joaquin’s eyes. Swiftly, Joaquin slammed his head to the man’s head. The man screamed in pain. Utter chaos ensued as men brawled like wild beasts.

Ayo appeared with several of her men. They each had a sword that looked like a machete. Joaquin held the man in a headlock. Ayo pointed the blade at his scrambled face, “Let him go,” she commanded Joaquin.

Joaquin slowly released the man and held his hands up.

The man adjusted his clothes. His men stood by him. She eyed them, “If you ever return to my place again, I will chop off your sack and feed it to the dogs.”

They gulped. Slowly, they left.

Ayo’s men went back to their duties. She sighed, “I am so sorry. Those idiots are becoming bolder.”

“How do you mean?” asked Kalu.

“He and several others belong to a group. I don’t know who the leader is, but they have terrorized people throughout the town. Robbing families, taking the innocence of young girls, and some say they have killed.”

“That’s awful,” said Joaquin. He looked around at the mess that was made, “We’d love to help you clean.”

She chuckled, “Nonsense. I have people to take care of that.”

“Then you must allow me to gift you this,” he said as he pulled out a silk scarf. He opened it and showed her the precious stones. I received these when I visited Morocco. It’s a beautiful place.”

“Thank you.”

“You are most welcome. Thank you for your hospitality. If you ever find yourself in Portugal, please visit my wife and me.”