Routes of Narration: romance
Second, Ricky’s rendezvous with Marva at her soul food restaurant is initiated by Fatima telling Ricky she is pregnant. As a consequence, he then goes to Marva’s for “comfort and nourishment” (80). In other words, because Ricky is feeling anxiety about the possibility of being a father, he decides he needs “comfort food.” While at her restaurant, Ricky figures he will ask Marva about Serena. The novel states, “it occurred to him that a visit to Marva’s place could also help in his ‘detective work’” (80). The word also shows that investigating Serena’s whereabouts was not the primary reason for Ricky’s visit, and “detective work” in quotes calls to question Ricky’s work and efforts as a detective. Here, Ricky’s rendezvous with Marva is not focused on finding Serena; his focus is Fatima. This is the “case” consistently.
Third, the final meeting is at the carrefour between Ricky, Fatima, Cash, and Serena, and the carrefour is Ricky and Fatima’s lover’s lane. The carrefour is “the secluded, cobblestone, intersection of rue Saint Vincent and rue des Saules” (248). Ricky and Fatima call the street “our carrefour,” and it has been their name for the intersection since their first time together at the location. Initially, the rendezvous is set up for Cash and Serena. Cash states, “She [Serena] told me what she told you [Ricky] this afternoon. About the secret. Said she wants to meet in some neutral location so we can discuss a divorce settlement. Semipublic so that she feels safe. And she wants you and Fatima there as witnesses” (290). Ricky agrees to meet with Cash and Serena because Fatima is held hostage by Serena. He goes to their carrefour to protect Fatima. It is there that he protects her from gunfire the second time. This rendezvous, which is the climax of the novel, is another example of how Ricky’s actions pertaining to the detective case are motivated by his love for Fatima.