Chinyere rushed and caught her before she could fall. Amarachi held her shoulders. The holding became a tight hug from them both. She held them, too. Their mother started keening and they grabbed and held her, too. Zelu shut her eyes, but for once, she did not go to space. She heard the breathing, sobs, and soft words. She smelled the spice that always clung to her mother’s skin, Tolu’s sandalwood-scented oil, Amarachi’s jasmine perfume, Bola’s bath soap, Uzo’s baby powder. She felt Chinyere’s long nails pressing her arm gently, keeping her here. She couldn’t fall if she tried.
