Page 83 - The Woven Tale Press Vol. IV #2

Concussion...broken ribs. studies instead of chasing white women.”
He closed his eyes because it hurt to keep them open. His eyes closed. “I knew it. You people can never mind
The next day a nurse came along to dress his wounds.
She brought along a student nurse to observe her
ministrations. Oyedeji’s eyes narrowed with recogni-
tion as the student nurse’s eyes met his. It was the
girl from the party who had served him bean cake. Beatrice was contrite. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to....” The plain one with the kind eyes. A needle grazed his
arm and he hardly felt it before he drifted off to sleep.
He sighed. “It’s ok. I am a bit tired.”
She came back to see him later in the afternoon. Her hair packed into a white cap, her blue-striped uniform and white-crisp apron like her manner, professional and direct. Her tribal marks stood out like question marks on her young face.
“I will come and check on you tomorrow.”
She was silent as she checked his temperature.
She shook her head and moved towards the door and heard him groan again.
He groaned. “Come to say I told you so, have you? I deserve to be here, lying on this bed in pain.....go on, say it.”
“Are you ok?”
She shook her head. “I saw her when they brought you in. Why do men like to look for trouble?”
“That would really get me in hot soup.” She shook her head again. “I will come to see you tomorrow.”
Oyedeji tried to laugh but stopped because it hurt so much. “What’s your name? My name is Oyedeji.”
“I will look forward to it. Thanks Beatrice. You are very kind.”
Her lips loosened into a smile and he saw the gap
in between her teeth which he found curiously ap- pealing. “It’s Beatrice. Beatrice Adigun.” She looked around and bent over him to straighten the covers. “I can’t stay because if Matron sees me talking to you for too long–l will get into trouble.”
She went to the next patient while Oyedeji watched with amused interest as she spoke to the man, checked his temperature and leaned over to tuck him into bed.
He returned the smile and whispered, “A nurse. I’m impressed.”
Oyedeji wished she had done the same for him.
“I was sent to this country to study and that is what I have come to do. Maybe you should focus on your
your own business. I can go out with whomever I like....that doesn’t mean I have to get beaten to a pulp. I thought this was meant to be a bloody civilized country.”
“What – and kill me with your nagging?”
“If you do decide to come tomorrow ....try and smug- gle some proper food in before I die in this place.”
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