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Ola
She thought of the way Odenigbo had said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," with an edge of impatience, as if he felt entitled to her forgiveness. He must think that if she could be forgiving of what happened around Baby's birth, she could be forgiving of anything. She resented that. Maybe it was why she didn't tell him she was going to Umu
She drove over the bumpy dirt roads lined by tall grasses and thought how interesting it was, that villagers could tell you something like Umu
She would speak in a clear voice and look down at the white chalk lines all over the floor, some faded from years, some simple straight lines, others elaborate curves, still others plain initials. As a child, she had watched her grandfather present the piece of nzu to his guests, and she would follow every movement of the men as they drew on the floor and the women as they smeared it on their faces and, sometimes, even nibbled it. Once, when her grandfather stepped out, Ola
Her grandfather, Nweke Udene, would have led this meeting if he were alive. But Nwafor Isaiah would lead; he was now the oldest member of their umu
It was mostly what happened. The only thing Ola
"Do not lie, Ola
Her son Dozie led her away. He had grown so tall, Dozie, since the last time Ola
Odinchezo broke off a large leaf from the ede plant and gave it to her to use as a makeshift umbrella. But Ola
"Do you want me to get you water to drink?" Ugwu asked.
Ola
18
Ugwu was the first to see people trooping on the dirt road that ran through Abba. They were dragging goats, carrying yams and boxes on their heads, chickens and rolled-up mats under their arms, kerosene lamps in their hands. The children carried small basins or pulled smaller children along. Ugwu watched them walk past, some silent, others talking loudly; many of them, he knew, did not know where they were going.
Master came home from a meeting early that evening. "We'll leave for Umuahia tomorrow," he said. "We would have gone to Umuahia anyway. We're just leaving a week or two sooner." He spoke too fast, looking at a point in the distance. Ugwu wondered if it was because he did not want to admit that his hometown was about to fall, or if it was because Ola
She looked just as quiet now. "Please pack our clothes and food for tomorrow, Ugwu." "Yes, mah."