Amma’s tears solidified into a stone in her heart, so heavy that sometimes she could not breathe as he spoke. Poor Mama.
His news spread, and town officials and other notables arrived to hear it directly from Father. Amma had no choice but to invite them to join the feasting. They were dignitaries, after all, and their presence honored Mama.
On the final night, after a church service stuffed with as many curiosity seekers as family, feast talk was replaced with the clinks of forks on platters as men and children applied themselves to the succulent goat gravy from meats that had cost Amma all their remaining money. With the loss of even one week’s worth of fishing income, finances would be pinched for the remainder of the year. Nevertheless, guests must always be fed the best that could b
