Telesa - The Covenant Keeper (24 page)

“
Sole
Danny! I wasn’t expecting you back this early. No game today?”

“Nah, games got suspended for a few weeks while they sort out the mess over the fight the other day. Too bad, cos we were ready to take on Avele College.” He turned to nudge me forward with one broad shoulder. “Sene, I want you to meet my friend, Leila. She just moved here from the States and I’m bringing her to meet Mama.”

The older man raised one bushy gray eyebrow as he looked me up and down. “I see. It’s nice to meet you Leila. This is something new. Danny doesn’t often bring friends home to meet his grandmother.” Sene wiped grease-stained hands on his overalls before reaching forward to give me a firm handshake.

I swallowed nervously. Was he meaning that ‘Mama’ was so scary that nobody wanted to meet her? Great. Just great.

“Well, I’m looking forward to it. What were you working on Mr Sene?”

Both Daniel and Sene smiled at my words.

“Just Sene will do fine. I’m fixing up a gate for a customer. Since Mr Rugby Star here has been too busy lately to get this order finished – but then he doesn’t know what he’s doing half the time anyways … he’d probably screw it up as usual.”

Daniel replied with a guffaw. “Ha yeah right! Leila, I taught Sene everything he knows and I’ve still got tons more in reserve. He can’t handle too much information at his age, can’t teach an old dog new tricks, you know.”

Sene waved him away with a good-natured grin. “Yeah, yeah – there goes the boss – mouthing off as usual. You better get Leila inside to meet your grandmother before she changes her mind about wanting to hang around a loudmouth who can’t weld half as good as he talks.”

I couldn’t resist jumping in. “Actually I’ve never been inside a welding workshop before. Do you think I could have a look around well, I guess later after I meet your grandmother of course?”

“Sure.” Daniel was surprised. “If you like, we can come back out here and check out Sene’s work. Only we’d better be careful, he’s not too steady on the arc welder and we might get our faces burned off.”

Sene’s only reply was to pull his helmet back down, turn the welder on and wave it at us threateningly. Daniel laughed his golden laugh and took my hand in his.

“Come on, let’s go in. Mama will probably be out back in her garden, where she always is.”

Loving the feel of his hand in mine, we walked around to the back of the house. I stopped short in amazement at the sight that greeted me.

“Ohmigosh. It’s beautiful.”

Gold green sunlight danced on the abundant garden before us. It was a slice of rainforest heaven – but with some semblance of order to its lushness. Coral rock pathways meandered through giant ferns and low-lying
tamaligi
trees. Everywhere, stunning orchids trailed their seductive branches. Rare purple, orange, white blossoms. Where Nafanua’s acreage was a vast expanse of green lushness, this was a far more compact but harmonious collection. It felt like every sprig had been handpicked, every leaf was known, every flower beloved. The earth spoke of love and closeness. Not since the nightmare reaction in Nigeria had I felt such a powerful emanation from a piece of land. This garden was speaking to me. Of serenity, happiness, and peace.

I turned accusingly to Daniel. “You never said anything about your grandmother’s garden!”

His reply was a casual shrug, his face somewhat puzzled by my excitement. “It’s no big deal. She loves plants. Uses them to make different medicines and stuff. People are always coming to her for help when their kids get sick and stuff.”

“Your grandmother is a native healer?”

His green eyes flashed warning fire. “Hey, we don’t take too kindly to being called natives you know.”

I hastily tried to explain. “I didn’t mean
that
kind of native. Sorry, I meant native as in she uses plants native to your land for healing. This kinda stuff is sort of what I was into back home. This is really big, Daniel. There’s tons of research being done nowadays on traditional medicines because Western science is finally opening their eyes to the fact that the answers to all sorts of disease could be found in traditional knowledge and - oh, look at that …”

I stopped short in my spiel, my eye caught by a green- and red-veined plant clinging softly to a coconut stump. Kneeling beside it, I gently touched it, hardly daring to breathe on it.

“Daniel, do you know what this is?”

His blank face and raised eyebrows were answer enough. I spoke in hushed tones.

“This is the
mamala
plant. There’s a lab in the States studying this right now because initial trials show it inhibits the cells that cause HIV. Can you just imagine? This tiny plant right here, from an island in the South Pacific that most people have never heard of, could be the cure for several million people worldwide. And yet, native Samoan healers have been using this plant for centuries in their medicines. There’s just so much Western science has to learn from native healers in all cultures.”

Daniel’s face was quizzical as he stood looking down at me. “Leila, just when I think I have you figured out, you go and add another piece of you to the mix and I have to start all over again.”

“What do you mean?” I was suddenly embarrassed by my response to his grandmothers garden. Seeing myself through his eyes. Kneeling in the dirt, fussing over plants, ranting about science and medicine.
Good one Leila, now he’s gonna think you’re a freak.

“Well, as far back as I can remember, Mama has taken care of her plants and I gotta say I never really paid much attention to it at all. Was just real thankful for her garden when she cooked me up nasty concoctions every time I got sick. I remember this one time. It was real bad. Just about everybody in the village was sick with a real bad stomach virus … ugh … you did NOT want to be anywhere near us then! Anyways, Mama made a special drink for everyone that worked almost right away. I had never been so grateful for her garden as I was that night. Then, not only that, she also took some plants to grow by the side of the water spring where most of us get our drinking water. Said they would disinfect the water so we wouldn’t get sick again. And it worked. “He paused to shake his head at the memory, then continued.

“But like I said, I don’t pay much attention to Mama’s plants. Just help her when she needs it. Then I bring you here and you make me think about curing HIV and native healers and all that and well, you just make me open my eyes a bit that’s all.” As if sensing my disquiet, he smiled reassuringly at my hesitant stance. “I like it. Go on, tell me some more. How about this plant? Don’t tell me this ugly thing has some use?” He poked with his foot at a prickly cluster of red leaves.

Before I could answer, a quiet voice spoke from behind us. “Daniel. Who is this?” Guiltily, I jumped up, brushing the dirt from my knees, hoping I didn’t look too dishevelled. Daniel turned to greet the grey-haired woman who stood motionless behind us.

“Mama, this is my friend Leila that I was telling you about. She was just admiring your garden. She loves plants too.”

There was an edge to the air as I moved to greet the old woman. She was a lean, imposing woman, almost as tall as I, wearing a man’s grey buttoned shirt and slacks, a woven ribbed hat, and chunky boots. She shook my hand lightly, almost unwillingly, as if she couldn’t wait to release it. She had searching brown eyes that regarded me with questions. With unease? I shifted my feet apprehensively. Without even speaking a word, I knew this woman didn’t like me. She didn’t want me here. Daniel seemed oblivious to the tension though as he continued.

“Leila’s mother just gave her a car so she was trying it out, I had her give me a ride. Thought we could check out your kitchen, see what treats you cooked up this morning?” His teasing tone was hopeful and the old woman’s face softened in response.

“Daniel, always thinking of food. Will things ever change? You’re in luck. I made some coconut buns this morning. Leila, why don’t you take a seat out here while Daniel helps me with some refreshment?”

The two walked into the house while I moved to sit on the wrought iron bench beside a honeysuckle bush. Through the open window, however, I could hear them in the kitchen as they moved about with plates and cutlery. There was no mistaking the old woman’s statement.

“Tanielu. She is not for you.” The words were spoken with finality.

“Mama, what do you mean? Leila’s my friend.” Daniel’s answer was puzzled.

“Tanielu. I mean exactly what I say. She is not for you. You would be wise to stop this friendship before it goes any further. Before it’s too late. No good can come from it.”

“Mama, you speak in twists and turns. You’ve always trusted my judgment. Why not now?”

“Because there are things I know that you do not. Things I can sense that you cannot. I speak not to hurt you, my son. Nor to cast doubt on your judgment. I tell you with a clean heart, Tanielu. That girl is not for you.”

A typical teenage boy would probably have stomped and muttered. Ranted and raved. Thrown a tantrum. Sworn and smashed things. Stormed out. Leaving a parent shaking their head at the rashness and ignorance of youth. But Daniel was no typical teenage boy. And clearly, his relationship with his grandmother did not follow ‘normal’ societal rules on parent-teenager interaction.

There were the sounds of glasses rattling as Daniel continued preparing the lemonade. The silence was not one of seething angry resentment, but of careful consideration. Numb with shock and anger at the exchange happening in the kitchen, I realized Daniel was thinking over his grandmother’s words, thinking what to say. What to do? About me?

I clenched my fists, willing myself not to get angry. What had I done to make this old woman hate me? What did she see that I didn’t? What could she sense that I couldn’t? For a brief moment, I didn’t care what Daniel’s answer would be. I felt a rush of familiar heat and all I wanted to do was storm out of the garden and get as far away as I could from Daniel AND his grandmother. It seemed that I would never have any luck with grandmothers the world over.

They came out to the garden before I could act on my impulsive thought. Daniel carefully balancing a tray of glasses, chock-a-block with ice, a glass jug of clear lemonade. Mama had a platter of coconut buns, napkins. Daniel sat beside me on the crowded seat while Mama served the afternoon tea. I was subdued, frostily polite.

“So Leila, tell me about your parents?”

“My father is American. He died last year from cancer. My mother is Samoan. I’ve been visiting with my aunt and uncle and only just met my mother a few days ago actually. I’m staying with her for a little while but I plan to go back to the States in a few months.”

“Oh yes, and who is your mother?”

I paused, realizing I didn’t actually know her surname, “Her name is Nafanua.”

The shattering glass had both Daniel and I on our feet. Mama had dropped the glass of lemonade. It lay on the ground, the scatter of glass fragments like glistening teardrops on the cement.

“Mama, are you okay?” Daniel was full of concern but the old lady waved him away.

“Yes, yes, I’m fine. Don’t worry. So clumsy of me, the glass just slipped right out of my hands. Perhaps I’m a little tired, a bit too much sun. If you’ll excuse me, I might go in and take a little rest.” Mama stood and turned to me. “Leila, it was a pleasure to meet you. I always enjoy meeting Daniel’s friends.”

With that, she walked back into the house, leaving Daniel and I to clean up the mess. I was shell-shocked. I just knew that the woman had dropped that glass because she heard me say my mother’s name. She hated me. She warned her grandson to stay away from me. She knew something about me, about my mother, that I didn’t. My hands were shaking as I helped Daniel pick up the glass and take the dishes inside. In the cool dimness of the kitchen, we worked together to wash the cups. My appetite had vanished, so Daniel consumed four of the coconut buns while I dried everything and put them away. I looked around. It was a comfortable kitchen. Baby pictures of a chubby little boy with cheeky green eyes smiled at me from the fridge door. A baby held by a distinguished silver-haired man in blue overalls.

“Is this you and your grandfather?”

Daniel smiled. “Yep, that’s us.”

“You’re lucky, to have such good parents. A good home. It feels so … complete here. Thank you for bringing me. I’m sorry that your grandmother didn’t like me.” My tone dared Daniel to contradict me.

He shrugged easily. “Hey, isn’t that classic though? Your parents are never supposed to like the girl you bring home! I bet your dad absolutely despised the boys you took home.”

The laughter spilled out before I could stop it. The idea of boys wanting to go home and meet my dad was ridiculous. The thought of boys wanting to go anywhere with me was even more funny. Daniel looked at me curiously but I just shook my head and declined to offer any explanations. It was quiet in the house. And too close for comfort in the kitchen. Daniel was too tall, too big – he filled the air, every breath I took tasted of him. And while I thrilled to be alone with him, I was conscious of his grandmother somewhere in the house. Probably seething at my presence. My eyes flashed,

“Hey, can we check out the workshop now?”

“Sure. What time do you have to be home though? Don’t you have a super tight curfew?”

I waved my hand airily at him as we strolled out to the shop. “Nah. That’s the one bonus of staying with my mother. She doesn’t mind me being out late. She’s a little more in tune with the 21st century.”

The rest of the afternoon whiled away in fascinating fire and sparks. Sene was working on a set of wrought iron gates in the far corner, so Daniel and I donned helmet and overalls. He then proceeded to walk me through some of the welding basics. It was hot, humid work but enthralling as the blue fire alternately cut through and joined pieces of metal. Daniel left me to practice welding a straight line on a scrap piece of metal while he helped Sene to solder two frames together. It was with a jolt that I realized the sun was setting, as Daniel turned off the welder.