Another silence. Ammani had been watching this exchange with the attention of a child who understands something important is happening even without knowing the details.
She pulled on Rene’s hand. She said, “Mama, who is that man?” Renee looked down at her daughter.
She said, “That is your grandfather, baby.” Ammani looked at Eugene with wide, serious eyes.
She said, “Grandpa?” He said, “Yes.” She considered this with the gravity a 5-year-old brings to important discoveries.
She said, “Why are you at work?” He said, “Because I have a job to do.”
She said, “What kind of job?” He said, “I help people with their numbers.” She said, “I know numbers up to a 100.”
He said, “That is impressive.” She looked around the office. Then she walked past Renee, past Eugene, straight to the wall behind his desk, and stood on her toes to look at the frame.
She said, “What is that?” Eugene came and stood beside her. He said, “$2.” She said, “Why is it on the wall?”
He said, “Because a kind woman gave it to me on a very hard night.
And when I used it and it was not enough, she found me the next morning and helped me find my way back.
She said, “So you keep it so you do not forget?” He said, “So I do not forget.”
She thought about this carefully. She said, “My teacher says we should not forget important things.”
He said, “Your teacher is right.” She nodded, satisfied. She turned around and walked back to Renee and took her hand.
Renee was looking at her father. Her eyes were wet. She was not hiding it.
She said, “I am not going to pretend 3 years did not happen. I am not going to pretend it was not what it was.”
He said, “I know.” She said, “But I am here.” He said, “I know.” She said, “I am going to need some time.”
He said, “I have time. I am not going anywhere.” She said, “Mom would be glad.”
He said, “I know she would.” Ammani looked up at her mother. She said, “Mama, can we come back?”
Renee looked at her father. He looked at his daughter, at the small girl in the yellow coat, at the $2 on the wall.
He said, “Yes, you can come back.” Ammani said, “Good.” She looked at the frame one more time.
