All Give, All Take

never

ple shouting, generators humming, horns b

by the small window of their flat in Ikeja, st

n the glass, young, beautiful, tired

other called from

from the window. The sitting room was small. Ol

folded like she was holding bad news inside her chest. H

asked. Her mother looked at her f

Cynthia-Rose's heart skipped. "There is a man,"

rowned. "What

citement flashing in his eyes. "Big man in Lagos

me ta

n't tell me another story of one uncle or polit

mother said quietly. "His n

ip, had heard that name. Everybody in Lagos knows he was into real estate,

a-Rose asked

"He wants to see you."

ynthia-Rose

wha

dropped. "He want

stood up imme

"I said no"

e to meet any old rich

arply. Cynthia-Rose froze. Her

ining. "You think I don't know what people will say? Bu

uggling in school. Look at the debts. Light b

enc

ressing on her chest. The one she carri

me," she said softly

d fo

hia-Rose asked. "Because

at, Cynthia. Nobody is forcing you. The m

y. "Likes me? He do

er said. "Your pictures. Yo

aw me and decided he wants me."

r whispered. "

"Wife?" Her legs felt weak

this man?"

her hes

warned. "Fifty-five

aughed loud, s

ive" she

Papa would have been." Her mot

et again. "And since he died" her mother continue

emples. "So what exactly

ooked down.

se said firmly.

even met him

rying a man old enough to be my father beca

u. He said he wants t

e, lined, tired, desperate. For the fir

morrow evening" her mother sai

e's stomach

*

the car the next evening, she felt small. The building was glass and steel

e muttered under her breath.

calm. Tal

The doors opened into a space so bi

disappeared

oking out at the city like a king surveying his land. He turned slowly. Tall, broad

greeted them, voi

Cynthia-Rose.

, sir." He sm

kept quiet, hands folded. Cynthia-

your time" Chief

honesty." Sh

ed your journey

d beautiful. Lagos has many beauti

dn't r

" he said. "And I know the kin

w tigh

" he said. "Protection. A

t him. "In exc

hers. Sharp

rria

art po

dded. "Not at first. It is an

wallo

ntinued. "Your family will be settled. Yo

ed. He leaned forward slightly. "Loyalty

ough to be yo

he said

o decide." The wo

ge women. But I do not pretend either. This li

decision is hers" Chief Mba in

lt something tw

time" he said t

hole life" she replied bi

er works, my dea

eed

d. "Of c

t beneath her. Lights, cars. People struggling, h

offers like this never came without a price. Beh

say yes"

f forcing choices. And th