The Blue Jay’s Daughter, Part 1: Commelina…Backwards

Friday 15th – Year of Elders, 1967 – The Village of Almado

I’ve been growing feathers again. Tiny ones between my breasts. Blue like a jay, and red like a cardinal. Why red? Perhaps because, like Pieter says, I’m becoming a woman now. I like the way he looks at me. I shouldn’t. He’s been married to Adeline for three months now.

I plucked them out whilst bathing. One at a time. Tiny stings. Needle-point pain, the same as when I crochet with nana. I’m so clumsy that I’m used to these small, sharp...