On Monday Of Last Week
Kamara begins her days standing before mirrors, obsessing over her body, then moves to the bathroom where Josh, her seven‑year‑old charge, asks “Pee‑pee or a poopy?” in a baby voice. She watches him refuse the green spinach juice she covertly pours out, a habit that started when he first tasted it. After preparing a simple chicken‑and‑rice dinner, she notes Neil’s obsessive focus on nutrition and his detailed rules about the household. Kamara reflects on how “half‑caste” was a privileged label in Nigeria but a slur in America, recalling her awkward job interview with Neil, where he pressed her about her education, his mixed‑race marriage, and his non‑violent discipline philosophy. She accepts the $12‑per‑hour cash job despite feeling uneasy.
During the three months of babysitting, Kamara learns Josh’s routine: homework, Read‑A‑Thon practice, watching Rugrats, and his polite, quiet demeanor. She hears Neil’s constant phone calls, his “NO TO GUNS” and “PROTECT OUR ANGELS” stickers, and his anxiety about Josh’s upcoming spelling competition. She also hears the distant, unseen presence of Tracy, who works in the basement and rarely appears. On “Monday of last week,” Tracy finally emerges in leggings and a paint‑stained sweater, greeting Kamara with a smile and a hand on Kamara’s chin. Their brief conversation includes remarks about Kamara’s master’s degree, Tracy’s recent time in Ghana, and the meaning of Kamara’s Igbo name. Tracy’s demeanor shifts when she quietly asks Kamara, “Would you take your clothes off for me?” Kamara replies, “Yes,” but Tracy postpones the act, saying “Today isn’t a good day.” The encounter leaves Kamara breathless and hopeful.
Later, Neil returns home in a dark suit, greets Josh, and discusses the competition, giving Josh a Shabbat card he made for Kamara. Neil’s behavior oscillates between affectionate and controlling, asking Kamara to reassure him that Josh will be fine. When the French teacher Maren arrives, Neil introduces her to Tracy, who comments on Maren’s violet eyes. Tracy again probes Kamara about modeling, hinting at a possible sexual or artistic collaboration. Throughout, Kamara balances cooking, cleaning, and soothing Josh while grappling with her own strained marriage to Tobechi, who remains in Nigeria. She continues to nurse her desire for acceptance, body image concerns, and the ambiguous power dynamics with both Neil and Tracy. The chapter ends with Kamara sitting at the table, eating a cookie, while the household’s tension hums beneath the surface.