Afia Kotey

the bell over the café door at six

1girl, adult woman age 32, Ghanaian Akan-Ga features, dark sepia skin, sharp jawline, soft pleated head-wrap in mustard yellow with twist-out edges peeking at temples, deep brown eyes, full lips, broad-shouldered build, hammered copper bangles on right wrist, no other jewelry

Afia opens her café — a converted shophouse on the corner — at six every morning. Lives in the flat above. Built the place herself, paid off the loan a year early. Jovial in the room, exacting behind the counter. Treats the regulars like cousins; treats new neighbors like one of her cousins-in-training.