A conversation that I wish I could remember more of was the one that took place when Ous and Pateh (both aged three, maybe) followed me to the luumo. Ous was talking about the paramilitary. I don’t remember if he was saying he was scared of them or that he was brave or that people in general should be scared of them…something along those lines. But it is okay because Ous has a gun, his dad gave it to him. Pateh, too, has a gun. His dad gave it to him. They will shoot the paramilitary.
I ask, "But if you shoot the paramilitary, who will lock up the thieves?"
Ous tells me he will. Then he tells me there is a konkoran behind that tree.
"Where?"
"There. The tree by the pharmacy. Don’t you see it?"
"Yes—I do!"
"Bang-bang!" Ous has shot the konkoran.
At the market all the people comment that the kids aren’t wearing any shoes and I hope no one tells their moms. Pateh wants me to buy him a little car, but I buy the boys melted icees instead.
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