Chapter Four: The Land Is About to Be Sold

Balarabe was working on the roof of the main grain silo, applying a fresh layer of mud to seal it against the coming heat. It was a tedious, necessary job, and he felt the quiet satisfaction of a man who finishes what he starts. His mind, however, was no longer in the mud; it was fixed on the sweet, hopeful promise of Rukayya. He was still reeling from his father’s refusal, but he was preparing to wait, to endure the silence until Malam Isa finally signaled the season was “clean. . .