AFTER DARK
Night fell slow. The street was quiet. Only dogs and wind made sound. Boma led the way back to the old gate. Amara held Zahra’s arm. `Stay close,` she said. A woman stood by the gate in shadow. `You are late,` she said. Her voice was low. `I am Mama T.` Amina stepped out from behind Zainab. `You knew me before?` Mama T looked at her hard. `Yes. You came here with a baby. Crying. No money.` Amina’s eyes filled. `That baby is her.` She pointed to Zahra. Mama T stared at Zahra’s face. `You grew up.` She took a deep breath. `The papers are not here. They moved them years ago. To a*****e room near the market.` Boma frowned. `Who has the key?` Mama T looked around. `One man. He does not talk to strangers. But he owes me.` She pulled a small key from her cloth. `This opens the back door.
- Writer
