Summary

Over the ensuing days, Konko receives more rain that prevents Blade from leaving. He spends most of his time in the village playing with Sia, though Joy implores him to teach her the alphabet and read her a story instead. Blade learns that Joy cannot afford to complete high school and apologizes for her misfortune. Rather than wallow, Joy reassures Blade that plenty of work is available for everyone in Ghana. When Blade attempts to kiss Joy after telling her about his family, she insists that Blade “can’t come kiss a girl because [he] miss[es] a girl” (298). Once Blade explains his shattered relationship with Chapel to Joy, the pair parts ways for the evening.

After four days of constant rain, the sun finally emerges, and Blade pounces on his opportunity to shower in the city. Before he can depart, a massive bus...