Extract 2
“Sabata says I am pretty,” Phapo said, moving closer to her grandma who
smelled of snuff. Grandma looked at her for a long time. When she talked,
her voice was as comforting as a blanket when you were cold. “Come and
sit with me so that I can braid the sun into your hair.”
Phapo sat cross-legged in front of her grandma. “Child who is the apple
of my eye, today you must know. I will tell you. I will tell you about the
perfect fruit.”
“A fruit?” Phapo asked.
“Yes. Inside you is a precious fruit, the fruit of virginity. You
alone can decide to cherish the fruit inside you. You alone can
decide to destroy the fruit inside you.”
