10
Kerina
‘Kerina, I want you to meet a special friend of mine. This is Janoah. She is someone I would trust with my life.’
Janoah reaches for my hand to shake. It’s a formal greeting normally used by strangers and authority figures. Members of the community who are friendly with one another adopt a more relaxed squeeze of the shoulder in greeting. I hesitate to shake the outstretched hand.
Janoah bows her head. ‘Do not be afraid of me, child. I mean you no harm and wish only to help.’
I’m struck by the beauty of this woman before me. Her straight white hair hangs so long, she must be able to sit on it.
‘You are very pretty,’ I blurt out.
‘That is kind of you to say.’ Her lime green eyes twinkle. ‘But I am sure you have seen others prettier than I.’
I try to conjure up faces of oth
