Mrs. Fabiyi's House

In this captivating tale, we delve into the unlikely camaraderie between the narrator, Seth Michelin, a resident of Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, and his schoolmate, the spirited Samona Gemini. Both eleven and entrenched in fifth grade adventures, Seth's roots trace back to Haiti, while Samona is nurtured by her mother, a poetic soul and undercover journalist for a notorious magazine. After introducing how their paths intertwined two years prior, the narrative swiftly propels us into their first escapade. It all unfolds, as recounted by Seth, "last Wednesday," when Samona breathlessly approached him on the sidewalk, urging him to accompany her to the enigmatic Mrs. Fabiyi's abode. This peculiar Nigerian woman, infamous for dousing them with cold soup the previous Halloween, had been absent for over a week. Samona, under the guise of concern for Mrs. Fabiyi's well-being, admits her true motive—her cat has wandered there, and she wishes to ensure its safety. In a bid to entice Seth, she dangles the promise of unraveling the mystery of Mrs. Fabiyi's house, a feat that would surely crown them as "the coolest kids in the fifth grade."

Armed with food for Mrs. Fabiyi, they venture to her home, only to find it eerily vacant. As they traverse a shadowy, abandoned corridor, a secret panel slides open, revealing the eccentric elderly woman brandishing a stick. Samona hastily explains that they brought provisions should she be unwell, which elicits a chuckle from Mrs. Fabiyi. She clarifies that she had merely been visiting her sister in Nigeria, and the soup incident was harmless Halloween mischief. Inviting them inside, they marvel at her home adorned with African art and delight in spotting Samona's cat frolicking with Mrs. Fabiyi's own feline. As the second chapter concludes, Samona leaves Seth astounded with her declaration to compete in the Little Miss Dorchester pageant.

The Wake

Returning from the eccentric encounter at Mrs. Fabiyi's, Seth stumbles upon an unusual scene at home—a quiet gathering of his aunts and uncles in his parents' dimly lit living room. An aunt who never drinks, sips from a glass; an uncle known for his laughter is somber; and a devout aunt is deep in prayer. A wave of anxiety washes over Seth until he learns of the passing of his grandmother's sister, Matant Margaret, a distant relative he barely knew. Life carries on for his siblings, Jean-Claude and Chantal, particularly Chantal, who bemoans missing a date with her boyfriend Jerome due to the wake. However, Seth's grandmother, engulfed in grief, retreats to her bed. Seth is baffled by the depth of sorrow and unfamiliar with the concept of a wake, knowing only that it means missing school.

The following day, Samona regales Seth and his cousin Enrie with a tale of her brothers attending a wake for their Aunt Delia the previous year. When Seth points out Aunt Delia's continued existence, Samona passionately claims their fervent prayers resurrected her. Though skeptical, Seth remains vigilant at the wake, anticipating Matant Margaret might similarly stir and greet everyone.

During the wake, Seth observes relatives arriving from far and wide, their reverence for Matant Margaret touching him with a newfound sadness. The day after the funeral, he visits Samona's bustling household with leftover food, reflecting on the chaotic dynamic within the Gemini home. Discussing his observations with his father, he receives a gentle lesson: "Different doesn't mean bad. It just means different."

Jerome

The following Sunday unfolds with the familiar sound of discord between Seth's siblings. Jean-Claude is perturbed by Chantal's clandestine meetings with Jerome, without parental consent. Chantal resents being pigeonholed into traditional female...