*1. 3:47am. Abuja Tower. Year 41* The building was quiet. It was always quiet at this hour, before the generators kicked in and before the first shift buses arrived. Elma was 57 today. 10 years older than her father ever got to be. 41 years since he died at 47 in Plant 1. She unlocked her office with the same key she’d had since she was 22. Made coffee in the same mug. Sat in the same chair. On the wall: 4 photos behind anti-glare glass. 1. Daniel Okonkwo. Age 47. Faded at the edges. 2. The PA. Name on a small brass plate now: `Chinedu Okoro. 38.` 3. The first safety glove. Stitching yellowed. Framed. 4. Plant 52 opening. 14,600 people. All wearing gloves. Under them, a new line added last month in her handwriting with a black marker: `WE KEPT GOING.` She didn’t cry. She hadn’t in 20 years. She just sat and listened to the building breathe. The AC humming. The distant traffic on Ahmadu Bello Way. Her phone buzzed. Willa: `Trucks left Kano 20mins ago. On schedule
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