Chapter Twenty-three

Summary

• The narrator feels the need to apologize to Jo for something previously said and hopes for forgiveness without confrontation.
• When Jo and Cam return, the narrator apologizes to Jo who brushes it off as being said in shock and suggests moving on.
• The narrator describes an ongoing awkwardness between Jo and themselves, resulting in limited interaction and avoidance.
• The narrator attends a traditional Ghanaian libation ceremony for their deceased father, detailing the rituals and personal memories evoked.
• There are fragile reunions with relatives and a recognition of different forms of grief within the family, especially in Uncle Freddie.
• The ceremony leads to a discussion of funeral finances, revealing difficulties due to lost funds in Ghana.
• Uncle Kojo, a distant relative, expresses condolences, prompting the narrator to ponder the significance of familial titles.
• Dawoud, the father’s former caretaker, arrives and shares fond memories of conversations with the narrator’s father, sparking new revelations and regrets for the narrator.
• Dawoud’s recollections reveal the father’s pride and love for the narrator, contrary to the narrator's belief of emotional distance.