The Dragons, the Giant, the Women: A Memoir

Satta spits on the ground in front of Gus and announces that she’s arrived to collect him and the girls. Gus is skeptical and defensive. He says that he has no money for her. She assures him that she doesn’t want money. In fact, she’s brought food—palm oil, rice, greens, and meat—to nourish the family for their journey.

Gus orders the children to go into the house, but they’re frozen in place. Satta becomes frustrated with trying to convince Gus that Mam really sent her. Finally, she remembers to show him the photo. For the first time, he sees his son: Augustus Moore, Jr. Born October 7, 1990. He gleefully exclaims his delight at seeing the picture of the boy and Mam sitting beside him. The girls are delighted too. The villagers come out of their houses to see what the commotion’s about and pass around the photo.

Wayetu asks when they will see Mam. Satta says that, to get to her by evening, they must leave right away. She tells Gus that Mam is waiting in Bo Waterside. Gus finally agrees to leave. Before leaving, they eat “rice with gravy and chicken” (235).