C10: You Can Bring Shame to him…

Seated by her husband’s side on the reed mat under the mango tree, Amy looked up from her task, a frown marring her facial features.

“Honey, do you think it’s a good idea for Ysabelle to take this job?”

“What are you so worried about?”

Amy chuckled, amused. She turned her head to look at her husband and caught a tiny smile on his face.

Ysabelle was married and he was happily playing matchmaker.

“I don’t think the poor girl can take much more pain. I know you are doing this for the good of her, but what if she still loves her husband?”

Even though Ysabelle’s marriage could at most be described as nominal, Amy was sure Ysabelle still loved the man.

He might have been a cheating scum, but he was a cheating scum who the young girl loved.

Shawn looked up from his Bible. “We should invite both of them to church this Sunday,” he said instead.

His wife laughed. “Oh, you are impossible. You do know something, don’t you? Otherwise, you wouldn’t be setting up a married woman with a single man?”

Old Man Bowa chuckled, a knowing look in his eyes, though he said nothing.

Amy couldn’t understand why a pretty and intelligent girl like her had stuck around in a marriage that was going nowhere. Though she partly understood that Vernon and his family were her only family. At some point, the poor girl had convinced herself that this was the best safety net, and she still believed that this was the best she could do. She still believed walking away might not have been in the girl’s best interest.

But instead of wanting something better for herself, she had settled. As someone who had come across cases like Ysabelle one too many times, she had lived for over two generations.

“Why does anyone stay?” Old Man Bowa threw the question back at her.

Before she could answer, the sound of a car honking outside cut their conversation short.

Old Man Bowa stood up and went to open the gate.

He stepped out and welcomed Derek and Ysabelle. They followed him in. Derek grabbed a spare stool and joined the old man under the tree. Amy served both men some cool munkoyo.

Amy held onto Ysabelle’s hand as they chatted and headed into the house.

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽

Amy watched the young woman as she took a sip of her mildly fermented traditional drink.

Watching her closely, the corner of Amy’s mouth quirked into a subtle smile. “So how do you like your new job at the mansion?”

Ysabelle widened her eyes in surprise.

Ysabelle chuckled. It had only been six hours. She didn’t know how the elderly woman expected her to respond to that. “It’s okay so far.”

“It will be well. I promise you Derek won’t treat you unkindly; you will see.”

Ysabelle could only hope so.

Amy stood to her feet. “Come, I have something for you.”

Ysabelle placed her glass of munkoyo down and rose to her feet.

“It’s nothing. I can manage,” Amy replied and placed the box on the table.

“Is that the present for Aunt Grace?”

Amy nodded. “It’s a water dispenser. I will have to trouble you to wrap it up for me and take it to her place.”

Grace and Amy went way back, ever since they were in their youths. They had been through thin and thick together. Their friendship had turned into sisterhood.

This coming Sunday, Grace’s eldest son was getting married; however, Amy couldn’t make it, as she would be traveling for a church conference in another town. The wedding would also take place in another town.

“You are an angel. Don’t worry about the traveling expenses. I have already talked to Derek; he has agreed to drive you there.”

✽ ✽ ✽ ✽

She took her into one of the bedrooms. Ysabelle looked around the little but beautiful pink-themed room. “It’s a very nice room.”

“Thank you. It belonged to one of your sisters.”

“How are they?”

“Oh, they are fine. This is from them.” Amy pointed in front of her.

On the bed, Ysabelle noticed three large suitcases filled with clothes and shoes.

“You have visitors?”

“No, we don’t. This is for you,” she told her as the girl looked at her, confused. “Your three sisters got married within three years, one after the other. As per tradition, they left their clothes behind. I have been meaning to take this to the charity drive, but I think most of them will suit and fit you just fine.”

“Oh.” She was lost for words as she stared at the clothes and shoes. She had never owned so many clothes before, not even when her father was still alive and she lived with her family. “This is too much. I will just pick one or two clothes…”

“No, no, no, my child. It’s all yours. You don’t need to feel guilty about anything. Besides, you are now working for one of the most important men in the country. You need to look your best even if you are just the maid,” she said to her, when what she really wanted to say was: you need to look attractive at all times for the young man.

There was no doubt she was a natural beauty, but a few enhancements here and there wouldn’t hurt. He receives important people at his house and, at times, he will send you to his office where you will run into his employees; it wouldn’t sit well to see his house help dressed in rags, no offense.”