Looking at the traffic, it was almost 7 o’clock. She walked hurriedly towards the CMB building. She was late. Now everyone will be gone. Everyone but probably Papa Ali, and that was better than nobody. He is always the last one. Stingy old man.
Please let Papa Ali be there. Please She prayed silently. Today, she was willingly to believe in a higher power, anything to get food at the end of the day. As she rounded the corner, she saw Papa Ali standing there with his stick.
“Papa, Gudmorning”
“Maadwoa? Why are You now coming? You are late. Everyone has left.”
Briefly, she considered ditching him. But business was always better with a partner.They usually divide their proceeds at the close of day. Everyone knew Papa Ali was a cheat. But she didn’t have much of a choice. Plus she knew better now. Besides if she comes early tomorrow, she will get a better partner so its only for today.
“Papa, its already 7:30 oo. 60-40”
“No, 70-30″
Stingy old man.”30 is small. 35 final or I’ll go home oo”. Home was the front of a provision store in Makola, and won’t be ready till after 9pm.
“Here, take my hand”. Now that they had finished the ugly business of negotiating, they made their way down the busy road. She, skillfully moving them through the traffic, doing her best to avoid looking at the people in the cars, he putting on his most sorrowful face. He didn’t have his sunglasses on. It was on purpose. People need to be reminded of what they took for granted. He imagined he made people uncomfortable. That was good. The more uncomfortable they are, the more they give.
He felt Maadwoa, lean forward and tug at his hand. This was code for say thank you.
“May God Bless you, answer all your prayers and give you your heart’s desire. May this money that you have given me double so that you can do more good, May God shower his mercies on you. May…”
“Papa, they are gone, the light is green” She pulled him in the direction of the sidewalk.
“How much did we get?”
“2 ghana”, she said as she stuffed the 5 cedi note into her pocket. It was going to be a great day.
Chocolate, Cupcakes & Kola 