June 16

June 16

I woke up early the next morning to find myself alone in the hospital bed. Mrs. Uju was already up and pacing by the window with her thumb between her teeth as if she was thinking about something. I watched her, admiring the patience on her face and the lines that stood out on her ebony skin, which looked as if it had grown fairer in the past few days.

"You are still sick," Mrs. Uju informed me.

"No, I am not," I turned to her and urged her to touch my skin for signs of heat. She declined.

"Did you pray to God as your slept on your sick bed today?"

"I told you I don't believe in God. Why are you saying something that has to do with him?"

"Nothing, Perer." She turned to me and sat down on the bed. "We made a bet concerning your health. I told you that I was confident you wouldn't last a day, you said otherwise. I will give you time to think about your loss."

After she left, I