Youma Faye
2 am Youma Faye drags her heavy suitcase through the empty train station. It has been a long, hard day, and she is tired and hungry. She sees a market and goes inside. A woman behind the counter smiles and says, “I LOVE your headwrap!” She is wearing a similar one in a different color. “Parles-tu français?” Youma asks the woman, thinking that she may know French. “Oui, mais parlez-vous anglais?” The woman speaks French but wants to practice her English. “Non, je ne parle pas anglais,” Youma answers, shaking her head from side to side. After a few moments of polite French chitchat, there is a heavy pause. The woman looks into Youma’s eyes and asks her name. “Je m’appelle Youma.” The woman reaches across the counter and touches Youma’s hand, whispering, “Youma, as-tu des problèmes?” This question takes Youma by surprise. Yes, she has problems—big problems—but Youma is unsure if she can trust this kind stranger. She decides to follow her heart. The woman takes a break from the market, and they walk to a bar, selecting a booth in the back corner. Youma has never been in such a luxurious place, and it overwhelms her. |
They order a drink and something to eat, and Youma tells her story: “Back home, my friends and I experienced too many instances of male misconduct from teachers and family members, including rape, sexual harassment, and exploitation. “With financial assistance from my cousin, I fled my homeland and came to America, hoping for a different life. I assumed that men would treat me better in my new home. “I met an older man in Manhattan who was very kind and generous and, after three weeks, we were living together. “Slowly, he changed the way he treated me. He started to drink heavily, stay out late, and be physically and verbally abusive. I caught him lying to me, and I smelled perfume on his collar. Of course, he denied it all. “I had travelled almost 4,000 miles, and history was repeating itself. Now, I am in Grand Central Terminal with my worldly belongings, trying to figure out where to go next.” After the woman listens to Youma’s tale, she sighs and whispers, “Je comprends, Youma.” They stroll back to the market, arm in arm. Before she leaves, the woman turns to Youma and asks gently, “Iras-tu bien?” Youma tells her that, yes, she will be alright. She knows that there are good men in the world, and she is determined to find one. From Carpet Creatures: Tales from the Deep Pile To join the Carpet Creatures project, please visit our TAE Gallery website. |
