Behold the Dreamers

On Friday, Jende receives word that the judge has approved the request for the Jonga family's voluntary departure. Jende almost immediately purchases airline tickets for the family to return home in August. Neni is deeply unhappy. Jende gives her more money, a sum he had planned to use to buy items to take back home for others and to “preserve their American aura” (348). Neni also buys makeup and cremes she will need to preserve her youth in the eyes of Jende, who is now sure to be the target of gold-digging women back in Cameroon; with the funds they are bringing back to Cameroon, the Jongas will be affluent, and Jende can at last be a successful entrepreneur.

Eager to soothe his wife's sadness, Jende takes Neni out for dinner and then to Times Square, one of their favorite places. When Neni imagines all the aspects of American culture she will miss, she becomes even sadder, despite her best efforts.

With the exchange rate of American dollars to Cameroonian francs so favorable, the blackmail money and the Jongas’ savings will essentially make them millionaires back home in Limbe. Jende’s mysterious back pains disappear and he dives into plans to start many businesses on his return to Cameroon.