A lizard scurried across Eyob’s compound and up the wall of the kitchen hut. Saba gathered her hair and tied it into a knot at her nape. Her silhouette curved against the bundle of coloured clothes she’d yet to wash. She dipped her hands into the bucket and washed Eyob’s gabi. The goat bleated. It jumped and kicked. Tedros stormed out of his hut, with the white cloth still tucked into his shirt pocket. He screamed at the animal: Shut up, I need to sleep.
The goat continued its bleating. Tedros flung himself towards it and knocked it to the ground with a punch. Saba jumped over the bucket and rushed to the animal. Tedros grabbed her by her arm and dragged her inside the latrine.
Remember the spit on my face because of that goat? You will now pay for it. I am going to spoil you before my father even touches you.
Do it. The wedding night will be interesting when the white cloth you carry remains white and your guests have nothing to celebrate.
I always knew you were a slut. Just like my mother.
I will be your stepmother in days.
So you are happy to marry an old man for his money. Here, have a look at this, he said, pulling down his trousers. You will never see its equivalent.
I have seen it, Saba said. Masturbating while you scream my name.
Tedros spat at her.
We are even now, said Saba. Let me go, stepson.
Stop calling me that.
And you stop holding my neck.
Tedros turned her around. Now, I can have your other hole and nobody, not even my father, will know I had you. I heard you girls love doing it before your wedding, anyway. It’s probably as big as your mouth.
It is for your small dick.
I am not small.
Saba laughed.
Tedros pushed Saba aside and stormed out of the latrine. When she hurried outside, Saba saw Tedros approaching the goat, a knife in his hand.
Fuck your wedding, I will kill it now, he said.
He wrestled the goat to the ground. The animal’s cries fell to gurgles as Tedros slit its throat. Blood splattered everywhere. The white cloth in his pocket turned red. He turned the goat on its back and cut off its testicles and said, his voice rising so that his father, inside his hut, would hear every word: Here, feed these to Hagos so he can get some balls on him.
Tedros threw the bloodied white cloth at Saba and said, Wash it and iron it properly. I want it back as good as new for your wedding night.