Under the Udala Trees

Despite her dream, Ijeoma visits Ndidi, watching her grade assignments and listening to records. Ijeoma gazes intently at Ndidi, inwardly searching for a sign from God. On the sofa, Ndidi puts Ijeoma’s hand down her skirt, and Ijeoma brings her to orgasm. Being “able to connect intimately with [Ndidi] as if her pleasure was in that moment my own, ours, a shared fulfillment” makes Ijeoma feel elated (200).

That night, Ijeoma’s nightmares return: The voices of Adaora and God reprimand her. Ijeoma abandons sleep and in the early morning walks to church. She is unable to pray and cries. Remembering the Bible verse about only the sinless being able to cast stones, Ijeoma feels consoled.

One day while Ijeoma is restocking the store, Chibundu comes in to buy Guinness. Adaora is excited to see him—hugging and welcoming him. Ijeoma remembers moments from their childhood together in Ojoto. For many days after his visit to the store, Adaora praises Chibundu.

Ndidi tells Ijeoma that some of Adanna’s gay male friends have just been killed. Ndidi links this violence to the burning of the previous church/club.