Page 58 - Obruni In Ghana | Amber Lockridge
P. 58
56 EPISODE 7: WHITE
“When did she come?”
“August,” I suddenly answer in English and the woman stares.
“O te Fante a (does she hear Fante)?” she asks my sister.
“Enyo,” Ama replies, yes. “O te Fante.” The woman stares me down.
“O--h—t—e—n-- d—e--n (how are you)?” She stretches her lips and scrunches her face, slowing the words to sub-infant speed. Embarrassed, I answer quietly with my head down.
“Bo ko (Fine).”
“E—t--e--- Fan---te---a?” Her over-bright eyes drill into me. Everyone is laughing. I nod my head miserably. Then the woman rattles off a high-speed soliloquy full of elision, slurring and slang. She speaks through her laughter like rocks are rattling in her cheeks. She waits a couple of seconds. My furrowed brow induces a renewed round of hysterical glee.
