Kenya Brawn drove around the arrival area of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, waited several seconds, and would have driven on had Shakira not seen her blonde-dyed hair in time. When she sent messages online to her family and friends the week before, she’d noticed Kenya’s new hair.
She waved with all her strength, dragging her luggage with her. “Kenya!” She doubted her sister would hear, but she saw her.
Kenya found a parking space just as a shuttle bus pulled out. She left the engine running, as she could only be there for a few minutes.
The two sisters ran into each other, crying and laughing. Kenya smacked her butt. “How could you Shakira Graham Smith? You nearly killed all of us.”
Shakira sobbed. “I’m sorry. So sorry.”
“Come on. Here. Give me your bags.”
Kenya put her suitcase and hand luggage into the trunk of her Ford C-Max. The sisters hugged once more inside the car before Kenya drove off.
Shakira beamed. “I see you got yourself a new car too!”
“New hair, new car.” Kenya waved her left hand and a glittering diamond engagement ring. “New man!”
Shakira screeched. “Oh! You go gurl!”
“Yeah. I can’t believe it all worked out.”
“Who is he? Someone I know?”
Kenya giggled. “No. Well, I met him in church.”
“Tell me something. In church. You now go to church, Kenya?”
“You drove us all to church, Shakira. Mom was devastated. Deon near killed hisself! We all ran to God A’mighty for help.”
Shakira chuckled. “And you came out with new hair, a new car, and a new man?”
“Yeah, right, babygirl! And new faith too. I accepted Him right into my heart.”
Kenya’s words broke Shakira down. Her sister must have been the toughest to crack in the family. She’d been married thrice and divorced just as many times. Never believed in anything but herself and what she could get out of life. If Shakira had thought she was selfish, Kenya was egotistically so. The only times Kenya did anything for anyone was if she feared for her life, gained from it, or Shakira was involved. Otherwise, Kenya Brawn lived only for Kenya Brawn.
“I’m so happy for you, Kenya,” Shakira sobbed. “I know I was mean and stupid to leave, but I found God too.”
Kenya grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Oh, it’s alright. I mean, you were gone for a year, but now you’re back. Like the prodigal child.”
“A year! I didn’t stay away for all of six weeks.”
“Like forever. Come on, Shakira. We thought you’d died.”
“Thank God I’m alive, and I’m back home.”
“We give Him praise. Hallelujah.”
Shakira sniffed. “Tell me about everyone. How’s Deon?”
“Great. He moved out of the house into a condo downtown.” Kenya shrugged. “Thought it was useless to stay alone in the house with such memories.”
“I’d do the same, I guess.” Shakira inhaled. “Does he call you?”
“I make it my duty to call him once a week. Check him out.” Kenya shrugged again. “He seems okay.”
“Aww, thank you so much, Kenya. You’re the best sister in the world.”
“Your only sister. I’ve watched over you since the day ya crawled outta Mom’s body, all eight pounds of cuteness.”
“Thank you.” She pressed her lips together. “Deon doesn’t want me no more, right? He sent divorce documents.”
Kenya groaned. “He told me about it. I was confused, though. He said he got to speak with a man you were with. Dele? And he spoke to you once?”
“Yes.” She sighed. “I don’t know what to think. Does he want to see me? He sent five hundred dollars when I asked him for money to return.”
“A man’s money is where his heart is. But until you see him, I don’t know what’s on his mind, dear. He has said many things.”
“Many things like what?”
“He wanted you back so bad at a time, then he told me he was done. Then he sends you money. I don’t get it too.”
Shakira covered her face. “I will do anything to get him back. I was foolish, but I’ve learned my lesson.” She wiped tears off her face. “I don’t want to cry so much.”
Kenya smirked. “Oh, you will cry a lot in the next few days. Get ready for it.”
Both ladies laughed, and Shakira threw Kenya a playful punch. “Yeah, right.” She sniffed. “At least I’m home.”
“This Dele guy—who is he?”
Shakira explained the whole ordeal. She was done playing games and didn’t hide her foolishness in going along with people she knew nothing about. Her life at the time was on a verge. She wanted to die or die trying.
Kenya exclaimed at her audacity. “Are you sure he didn’t abuse you in any way?”
“Yes.” Shakira exhaled. “He was a gentleman. In the end he treated me with kindness.”
“So no one has been caught. Not the robbers at the airport, not the other ones, not the kidnappers? And not Florence Odu?”
“No one.”
“Do they catch criminals in this country at all?”
“The police force seemed busy. Not sure what they’re doing, though.” Shakira shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”
“You should write a book. Sojourn of a Mermaid to Nigeria, the Land of Nowhere!” The two sisters laughed. Kenya drove up to her apartment block. “I thought it’d be better if you stayed with me till you can sort out what next.”
“Thank you, Kenya.”
She parked in her space, and they took out Shakira’s bags. “Mom will be here later in the evening. I haven’t told Deon you’re back today.”
“I sent him a message but didn’t get any reply.”
“He’ll come through, I pray.”