Summary

The woman finds "a rusted tap" in the corner of the store (8). She tells Chika the stores on this street "were abandoned months ago" when the government declared them illegal (8). The women are surprised when the tap produces water.

The woman says she will wash and pray. When she smiles, Chika is surprised by her changed face. The woman removes her scarf. Chika turns away. The prayer is as private as the woman's crying. Chika wishes she could leave, or that she could pray. She has never believed in any god, but now longs for "an omniscient presence" (8). She plays with the rosary on her finger. Both she and Nnedi had one. Nnedi stopped wearing hers.

Later, Chika's family "will offer Masses...for Nnedi to be found" (8). During the Masses, Chika will remember the woman praying in the store. She will not tell...