The Bitter Side of Sweet

Khadija’s mother runs over, wrapping Khadija in a hug. Khadija’s mother, Mrs. Kablan, invites Seydou and Amadou inside, and Amadou can’t believe how big and beautiful the house is. The luxury surrounding him makes him feel out of place and reminds him how he is far from his home village. Mrs. Kablan feeds them a meal and then listens to the story of how they escaped from the cacao farm. The doctor arrives and gives Seydou new medicine, a fresh bandage, and a shot. Amadou talks to Khadija privately, encouraging her to tell her mother about the rape and get medical attention.

Amadou and Seydou shower, scrubbing their skin until the water runs clear. Amadou tries to rest but can’t fall asleep. He knows that Khadija was taken from this house, and he doesn’t feel completely safe. He thinks back to his home village where he and Seydou lived with Moke and Auntie. The reason he and Seydou left to find work in Ivory Coast was because they needed money. If they return home now, they won’t have any money to show for all their time away, and their financial situation won’t improve.