From the award-winning author Asali Solomon, The Days of Afrekete is a tender, surprising novel of two women at midlife who rediscover themselves-and perhaps each other-inspired by Mrs. Dalloway, Sula, and Audre Lorde's Zami. "I didn't feel like I was reading this novel-i felt like I was living it. " -Ann Patchett, author of The Dutch HouseLiselle Belmont is having a dinner party. It seems a strange occasion-her husband, Winn, has lost his bid for the state legislature-but what better way to thank key supporters than a feast? Liselle was never sure about her husband becoming a politician, never sure about the limelight, never sure about the life of fundraising and stump speeches. Then an Fbi agent calls to warn her that Winn might be facing corruption charges. An avalanche of questions tumbles around her- Is it possible he's guilty? Who are they to each other, who have they become? How much of herself has she lost-and was it worth it? And just this minute, how will she make it through this dinner party? Across town, Selena Octave is making her way through the same day, the same way she always does-one foot in front of the other, keeping quiet and focused, trying not to see the terrors all around her. Homelessness, starving children, the very living horrors of history that made America possible- these and other thoughts.