Enyeto returned to the river the next day when he saw Angie praying.
“I want to ask more questions about this God of yours who can do all things,” he said as he sat down beside her.
“I don’t know if I can tell you everything you want to know,” she told him, “but I will tell you what I know about Him. I had a book once that told all about Him, but I lost it in the river. I wish I had it now.”
They spent the next several hours discussing spiritual matters, and Angie was surprised how easily the answers came to her. The words of scripture from her father and mother came flooding back into her memory.
“We shall discuss this further,” Enyeto said as he rose to his feet, “I want to know more.”
As Enyeto walked away, she was surprised to see Kimana coming to the river with her washing.
“Kimana,” Angie smiled. “It has been a long time since we talked.”
“Yes it has,” Kimana agreed, and the two girls hugged each other.
“Are you alright?” Angie asked, concerned for Kimana’s welfare.
She nodded her head and then confided, “I wish I had not married Dyami.”
“What has happened?” Angie asked, and looked intently into Kimana’s eyes.
“He is mean to me,” Kimana answered, “He hits me if I try to talk about things that bother me. Takhi is also mean to me. I think she has a jealous nature and does not like me.”
“Maybe we should talk to Chief Nahele about this,” Angie suggested.
“No,” Kimana shook her head, “that would not be wise. A woman does not complain about her husband. It would be disrespectful and I will bring shame to my camp.”
“How can I help you?” Angie asked her.
“You cannot help,” Kimana smiled at her friend, “Do not marry, Angie. Only marry for love, as you told me. You are much wiser than me.”
“Kimana,” Angie said, touching her friends arm. “you can come stay with me. You don’t need to be with them.”
“Thank you, my friend,” Kimana said, “but I will stay where I belong. I will soon have a family with Dyami and my children will need their father.”
“Oh no,” Angie warned her. “Do not have any children with him. If he is mean to you, he might be mean to your children also.”
“It is too late,” Kimana looked sad, “I am with child now.”
“Oh Kimana,” Angie tried to keep from crying and put her arms around her friend.
“Dyami will not hurt the child.” Kimana explained, “To have a child is his heart’s desire. A child will bring him pride, more than a wife will. To give him a child may be the only way I can obtain his approval, as long as Takhi poisons his mind against me.”
“I’m sorry she has not accepted you,” Angie told Kimana.
“Now that I am pregnant, she is bitter and feels that I am her enemy,” Kimana confided, “Angie, I am not her enemy. I want to be her family, but she will not allow that to happen.”
“I will pray for you.” Angie said gently, “I will pray for you and your child.”
Kimana nodded her head, “Yes, I am thankful for your prayers.
Angie helped Kimana wash her clothes and the girls talked about earlier days. They laughed and rejoiced in being together again.
“Kimana, come!” Dyami was standing behind them. “You have been away too long.”
Kimana got immediately to her feet and grabbed her wet clothes.
Angie smiled to Dyami and greeted him, but he only motioned for Kimana to leave with him. As they walked back to their camp, Kimana turned and smiled at Angie. She returned her smile and waved to Kimana. She wondered if it would be a long time before she saw her again.