All Child be child!

Friday

Where's your child? he asked

She's over there, washing dishes.

No, not her. Your other child. The male child. Where is he?

Oh him...He's not here.

He's not here? He didn't come for the funeral?

Yes, he's not here. She replied, looking annoyed.

On his face, you could tell he wasn't satisfied with her answer. He stared at her quizzically. Then said; "Okay" and left.

Lamisi witnessed this interaction between this stranger and her mother on a hot afternoon in her grandfather's compound. She and her family had travelled from Accra to Bawku for her late grandfather's (father's father) funeral. She was in the compound washing the never-ending dirty dishes from the first day of the funeral rites.

"Ah!" Which male child are they talking about? She soliloquised. Try as she could, she couldn't figure it out because as far as she knew she was an only child. Perhaps she had a brother that she didn't know about? She made a mental note to ask her mother why she had simply not told the man that there's no male child. She also planned to tell the man off if he harassed her mother ever again.

Sunday

Lamisi was up early. Sweeping the compound and helping to get it ready for the last day of the funeral rites. She was filling the wheelbarrow with the refuse gathered so her cousin could go dump it. There came this man, same man from Friday.

Hey you, come here. He ordered.

What does this man want koraa? Lamisi said to herself? Good morning.

Good morning. She replied

Where is your brother? Where is he?

My brother?

Yes, your brother. Where is he?

You mean Kwaku? referring to her mother's friend who so generously drove them all the way to the North. He's asleep, she said.

No, not him. I mean your brother, your mother's son?

My mother's son? My mother doesn't have a son.

You mean your mother didn't give birth to a son?

Yes, she gave birth to me. Just me

Just you? okay and he walked away.

Lamisi felt uncomfortable. She didn't like this man. This shabbily dressed man who asked too many unnecessary questions. He looked bad. His teeth looked like they had never been brushed. He looked unhealthy. Sickly. She disliked him.

She completed her chores and quickly went indoors to find her mother.

Ma, who's that man?

Which man?

The one that was asking you about a son the other time?

Oh that one. Don't mind him

Do you owe him a male child? Why does he keep coming here to ask questions?

Calm down and forget about him. He's one of your father's cousins.

Ah, he makes me uncomfortable. Why does he keep asking about your son? Why did you tell him your son is not here the other day? Or I have a brother and I don't know?

Calm down, you're only a child. There are so many things you don't understand.

Okay make me understand. I'm listening.

Hmmm Lamisi, your father's family has always wanted a male child. In their culture they place high value on male children. They are considered heirs. If you had a brother, he would inherit your father's property should anything happen to him. Now, if he doesn't have a son, who do you think his properties would go to if, God forbid, he dies?

You and I?

No my dear. His family.

Ah, I don't understand.

That's how it works dear. It'll go to his family

But you supported him to obtain all these things. The houses, the cars, you contributed, didn't you?

Yes, I did. But do you think they care about that? To them, it's all their brothers doing. My contribution is insignificant. Sad, but true.

So what? They'll kill him and take the property? Is that why you told the man your son is not here? To protect him?

Kill him, I hope not. I pray not. But the heart of men my dear, one can never tell. So yes, I lied to protect him.

And what do you mean by "they place high value on male children?" All children are children? Am I not Dad's child?

Yes you are my dear. But unfortunately they don't think so. A woman might as well be barren than give birth to only female children.

Ah. This is fucked up!

Watch your words young woman!

Sorry Ma. I need to go fetch water to fill the barrels. Later!

As Lamisi left, she thought to herself... I'm human, I'm my father's child. Same blood. I have a good education but I'm still not enough just because I'm a girl?

This short story was first written and published on September, 17, 2018.