Saba and Elias got on like a house on fire, and within minutes they were in an intense conversation about the history of the fight for women’s rights in Ethiopia that lasted all through dinner.
While we all took bites from the amazing spread of food on the table, Saba paused to look at me, then turned to ask Elias a question. “So, Elias, what do you think is the role of men in the fight to end misogyny in our country?”
He took the bite of food he’d had in his hand and sat back, chewing and thinking.
“I want to challenge Ethiopian men to be a part of our liberation from all the harmful constructs oppressing women in this country. It isn’t right and it isn’t fair to expect them to once again carry the burden of fixing what they didn’t break.”
Saba beamed at me, then pointed at him. “Good answer.”
I smiled at her approval and sat there quietly, thinking about the certainty in Elias’s answer. I’d never felt so passionate about anything. Elias spoke with such fire, like he believed every word he said. He was certain he could make a difference. I couldn’t even tell my mom I didn’t want to take a job I knew I’d hate, and had no clue if my other plan was any better.
It was a privilege to do the work I did, yet I had never felt the passion with which Elias spoke. Never felt like I was an important part of it.
I noticed a pause in the conversation and Saba’s voice wrenched me out of my thoughts. “Desta, where did you go? I asked you a question.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, what did you say?” I sounded more than a little distracted.
She gave me a worried look. Elias did too. “Elias said you’re planning to hike up to Entoto tomorrow. That sounds like fun.”
That perked me up because another day with Elias sounded like everything I needed right now. “Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”
Elias squeezed my thigh under the table and turned to Saba, one of those perfect eyebrows raised. “So how was Desta as a kid? Was he always so excitable?”
I protested, trying to look put out. “Excitable? What am I, a puppy?”
He was having too much fucking fun torturing me. “No, no. It’s just you seem to get so happy about new things. It’s very cute.” He made the word cute longer than it needed to be and gave me a mischievous look.
Saba looked between us, her face in an expression which had me bracing to be utterly embarrassed. “He was always such an emotionally open child. Even as a teen when most kids are so prickly. I’d go to New York for a visit, and after a whole year, I’d be unsure if he’d be interested in this old friend of his mom. But the minute he saw me, he’d run right into my arms and tell me how much he missed me, and how beautiful I looked.”
Her eyes were so soft I actually felt a lump in my throat. “Desta always could share what he was feeling without shame. That is one of the many things that make him such a special man.”
I rolled my eyes at her, knowing she’d get a kick out of it, and she laughed, pointing at me. “See what I mean!”
Elias beamed at her and looked primed to ask more questions, but before he could, I put my hands up, desperately needing out of this conversation. “Time out. Please, let’s finish eating.” I waved my hand over the table. “We can’t waste all this delicious food.”
Elias leaned closer and ran his hand over my leg again, making my entire body heat up. “Eshi, I’ll stop asking questions.”
I sighed, working to keep my feelings under control. “Okay.”
Saba shook her head in amusement and went back to eating while I asked Elias about the hike to Entoto.
We finished dinner and went back to the living room to relax. While Elias and Saba talked Ethiopian politics some more, I got up to get a glass of water in the kitchen. I looked over my shoulder as I walked away, wanting to catch a glimpse of him as he talked. He took such care with what he said, and when he heard something particularly interesting, he would lean in and give his complete attention. Every once in a while, he’d grab the ends of his curls and squeeze like he was wringing out the emotion the words raised in him.
When I came back to the living room, Saba and Elias suddenly stopped talking. I tried to make a joke out of it as I sat down next to Elias. “Oh, don’t worry, keep going. I don’t mind people saying how handsome I am in front of me.”
To my surprise Elias put his arm around me, pulled me close, and kissed the tip of my nose, because obliterating me seemed to be his goal for the night. “You know you are, konjo.”
I blushed again and looked from him to Saba—who seemed completely unfazed by the display of affection—before opening my mouth. After a moment I asked, “What were you two talking about?”
Saba laughed and said, “We were just saying that it’s getting late and you two have a long day tomorrow.”
“Riiiight, and that’s all you said.”
Elias laughed and got up, pulling me with him. “I should get going, but I can drive you home.”
I nodded and moved to grab my bag from where I’d put it by the door. Saba got up to see us off. “Stay safe out there, my dear.”
Then she turned to Elias, squeezing his shoulder. “Take good care of him for me.”
He dipped his head, a serious look on his face. “Eshi.”
She gave him a kiss on each cheek and a really tight hug.
As Elias went to get the car started, I said goodbye to Saba.
