[

7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#1

Thel oudmusi cwasn’ tloudenought osil

ence
Anay a’smi ser
ies,notl oudt osi l
enceherpainort he
voicei nherhead.Shest oodi nf r
ontofthemi rr
orin
thebat hroom wonder i
ngwhatwasgoi ngtohappen
toher .Shehaddr eams, onceuponat i
meshehad
dreams, dreamsshehadwor kedhar dtoful
fi
ll
.She
hadwentt ouni versi
tyf orfullfoury ear
sandt oday
shehadt urnedi ntooneoft hosepeopl ewhohad
theirdegreessi tti
ngathome.I fsomeonecoul dsee
hernow, noonewoul dev erguessshehadadegr ee
i
nAccount ancy .Noonewoul dbelieveshehada
degr eeinherhousej ustsi t
ting.Tear sfi
ll
edherey es,
i
thadt obebadl uck.Shecoul dn’
tthinkofanythi
ng
else.
Al oudbangonthedoormadeherquickl
ywipe
awayhertear
s.“Anaya,weneedtogo.
”Stacy
shoutedfr
om outsi
de,herf
ri
end.
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Shetookonelastlookathersel
font hemi r
ror,she
wasonlyinmatchingli
ngeri
e,Stacyhadbor rowed
her.Hermakeupmadeherl ookdifferentt
oo.She
tookadeepbreathandwalkedoutoft hebathroom.
“
Arey
ouok?
”St
acyaskedandshenodded.
“
Yeah,
let
’sgo.
”
“
Good.Let
’smakesomemoney
.”
Theywalkeddownstair
st owher
eev er
yonewas, the
ri
choldmen.Ther ul
ewasspot t
ingtherichonewho
coul
dgiveitout
,that
’swhatStacyhadtol dher.All
youneedistohaveagoodey eformoney ,shehad
sai
dandnowAnay a’
sey eswonderedaroundt r
ying
topoi
ntouttheri
chmenwhocoul dcashi tout.
“
Justr
elaxok,
Iam her
e.”
AnayalookedatSt
acyandsmi
led.Shehadtomake
money,sherepeat
edthemant
rainherhead.She
neededthemoney.
Theybot
hwalkedbetweent
her i
chpeopl
e,dr
essed
upinsui
tswi
thexpensi
vewatchesonthei
rwri
sts.
Allsippi
ngsomet hingfancy,St
acycall
edthem
exclusivepart
ies, wereallr
ichi
mpor t
antpeopl
etook
abr eakfrom t
hei rnaggingwives.Theywereot
her
gir
lslikethem, doingthesamet hingastheywere
doing.
“
Lookatt
hatone,
”
Anay
aimmediatel
yturnedtolookatwhatStacywas
l
ooki
ngat,i
twasar i
choldmansmi l
ingri
ghtatt
hem.
Anay
a’si
ntest
ine’
simmediatelyknot
ted.Thi
swasit
.
“
Let
’swal
ktowar
dshi
m.Hei
sourmeatt
oday
.”
Awor l
dofsi nl i
vedbeforeherey es,auniversefullof
wi ckedness.Herl i
psmov edsi l
entlyasshespoke
theunknown.Ast heywal ked,sher aisedherey es
andt heyf ellr
ightathim, standingint hemiddleof
thecr owd, himt ooinasui tonlyhissl i
mf i
t.Anaya’s
ski nshiveredashewat chedherwat chinghim.She
coul dfeel hi
spowerl azil
ycur l
ingitselfar
oundher .It
wasasi fhewassucki ngt helif
eoutofherwi thonly
hisey es,asifhewasf ull
yconsumi ngherandt her e
wasnot hingshecoul ddoabouti t.Het ur
nedaway
from herasi fint r
ance,givingherhi sbackandi t
wasov
er.
“HeyDaddy!
”St
acy’
sv oi
cestart
ledherandshe
l
ookedwhatwasbeforeher.Theyhadapproached
theol
dman.Sheforcedasmi l
eonherlips,
curvi
ng
hermouth.
“Pri
ncesses,sit…”Hemot i
onedt obot hofthem.
Anay aimmedi atel
yhatedhisv oiceandev eryt
hing
elseabouthim butt hebiggerpictur
eshewas
l
ookingatusher edhert ositonhi sl
ap, car
eful
enoughnott obr eakhisbones.Hei mmedi ately
gropedherassandAnay a’
shear tskipped,shehad
beent oldtoexpectthisbutnowasi thappened, she
couldn’tseem tobeabl etobreathepr oper
ly.
St
eadyAnaya,
youneedthemoney.St
eady.She
i
nwardl
ychast
enedher
selfandl
ethi
mf ondl
eher.
“
Whatareyougi
rl
sdrinki
ng?
”Hespokeont
opoft
he
musi
c,hi
svoi
ceharshanddist
urbi
ng.
“
What
every
ouar
edr
inki
ngDaddy
.”
Stacywasi nchargeofev
ery
thi
ng.Thi
swasher
usualthing,
whereshegotal
lhermoneytobeabl
e
toaffordthehouseshewasrent
ing,
sheevenhada
Run-
Xandshehadboughtal
lthatwit
hthemoney
shemadei
nthi
sexcl
usivepar
ties.
Soont heyhaddr i
nkscomi ngt othem,oneaf t
erthe
other
.Thet ri
ckwasnott odr inktoomuch, theyhad
todri
nkj ustenoughtobeabl et osati
sfytheoldman
andhav ehimt hankthem gener ousl
y.Hekept
fondl
ingher ,
touchingherandAnay afoughtnotto
pushhi shandawaybutj ustsatt her
est i
ff
.Stacy
wassoongr i
ndingonhim.Li ckinghisface.
“
Younaught
ygi
rl
s.Let
’sgetoutofher
e.”
“YesDaddy,
letusgoputonsomet
hingandt
henwe
areal
lyour
s.”
St
acygrabbedAnay
a’shandanddr
aggedherupt
he
st
air
sti
l
l t
heywerei
nabat hr
oom.
“
Anaya,whatareyoudoi
ng?
”Sheaskedanger
f
lashi
nginhereyes.
“
Not
hing.
”
“
Exact
lyAnay
a!I
fanyonehadtowalkin,t
heywoul
d
t
hinky
ouarebei
ngforcedi
ntoal
lthi
s.”
St
acywasr
ight
,shewasbei
ngf
orcedi
ntoal
lthi
s
andonl
ybyci
rcumst
ances.
“
Iam j
ustner
vous.
”
“
Youhav
enot
hingt
obener
vousabout
,Igoty
ou.
”
Anay
afor
cedasmi
l
e.“
Yes.
”
“
Good,
nowl
et’
sgo.
”
Theybothwalkedout ,Anayafoll
owingbehindSt acy.
Herheartwasbeat i
ngsof astshecouldsweari t
wouldleapout.Stacyledherinsi
dether oom they
hadleftt
hei
rbagsi n.Nothingwasinside,expect
coats.I
twasn’
tcol dButStacyhadexpl ai
nedput ti
ng
onacoatwasf armuchmor eeasi
erthanput t
ingon
cl
othes.
“
Ready
?”
Anayanodded.Shewasn’
tbutt
her
ewasnoother
wayout.Shewrappedherar
msaroundher
sel
fas
theywal
kedout.Theol
dmanwasal r
eadywai
ti
ng.
Heledthem out
sidei
nt henightt
owher ehiscar
wasparked.Asheopenedt hedoorforthem,
someoneapproachedthem.Abi gguywhoAnay a
suspect
edtobeabouncer .Hewhisperedsomething
tot
heol dmanwho’
snameshedi
dn’
tknow,
St acy
hadsaidknowi
nghi
snamewasn’
tasi
mportantas
makingmoney.
TheoldmanlookedatSt
acythenwhi
speredinher
ear,
nowAnay awasmorealar
medthannervous.
Somethingwasgoi
ngon.WhenStacyl
ookedather
agai
n,shewassureshewasn’
timagi
ningit
.
“
Naya,come,
”shesai
ddr
aggi
ngAnay
afewf
eet
f
rom t
hecar.
“
Iguesst
odayi
syourl
uckyni
ght
.”
Anay
afr
owned,
whatwasSt
acysay
ingnow?“
Huh?
”
“
Someonel
i
kedy
ou,
hewant
syoual
ltohi
msel
f.
”
Anayasnappedherheadtotheol
dmanwhowas
smili
ngatthem.“
ButIthoughtwewer
egoi
ng
toget
her
.”
“
Oh,
nothi
m.Someoneel
se.
”
Anay
a’sf
rowndeepened.“
What
?”
“Yes.Youaregoi
ngtogowithhim,don’
tforgetwhat
Itol
dy ou.Youdowhatev
erhewantsexpectdrugs.
Don’tdothatnomatt
erwhat.Ev
ery
thingelsedo,thi
s
guyappar
ent
lyi
sri
ch.Don’
tbeabor
e.”
Anayal
ookedatSt
acyt
ryi
ngt
oputonabr
avef
ace.
“Ok.
”
“Nothi
ngwill
happent oyou.Justrel
ax,r
emember
thatyourmotherisi
nhospitalr
ightnowfight
ing
cancerandAy anaandLethaboneedschool
unif
orms.”St
acyr emi
ndedher.“Youneedt he
money .
”
Shenodded.Sheneededthemoney.Hermotherhad
staget
hreecancer
,sheneededmoneyforher
tr
eatment.
“Good,
gowit
hthebouncerandcal
lmewheny
ou
gethomet
omorrowmor ni
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
Stacywal kedbackt otheoldmanandgoti nthecar
withhim whilet hebouncerledAnay atoanothercar.
ARangeRov er .Heopenedt hebackdoorf orherand
sheslidinhol dingherbreat
h.Noonewasi nthecar ,
shelookedar ound.Shewasal one.Shetri
ednott o
overthinkit,
may behewasst il
li
nside.Shetooka
deepbr eath,shewasi nacarwhi chshedidn’teven
knowwhoi
tbel
ongedt
owai
ti
ngt
obeusedf
or
money
.
Hadsomeonet oldhert hi
saf tershepassedher
form 5shewoul dn’thavebel i
evedit.Shehadgot ten
A’sineveryt
hingandwentt ouniver
sity.Hermot her
hadwant edhert ost udymedi cinebutshewasi n
l
ov ewit
haccount ing.Allshehadev erdreamtofwas
becominganaccount ant,that’
sallsheev erwant ed
andwhenshegott ouniversit
y ,
shewor kedhar der
thanbefore.Shenev ermi ssedanycl ass,nevergot
anythi
nglesst han4. 5GPA.
Shewor kedhar dallherl
ifeandt odayher eshewas,
waiti
ngt obetakent osomehot elroom.I tall
fel
tli
ke
adream t oher,adream shebadl ywant edt owake
upfrom.Tear sfil
l
edherey esasshel ookedbackat
thebighouse, shecouldst i
llhearthemusi cbutnow
onlyfai
nt.Stacyhadr eassuredhert hatifshedid
thi
sforacoupl eoft i
messhewoul dsaveenough
moneyf orhermot her’ssurgery.Justaf ewt i
mes
withtherightmen.At earrolleddownhercheekas
sheremember edthelastcompanyshehad
submi t
tedherCVt o, t
herecept i
onisthadn’teven
l
ookedather.Shehadjustl
eftherCVonherdeskin
hopet
hatjustmaybe,shewouldhanditov
ertothe
HR.
Thedr iver’
sdooropenedandamanshecoul dn’
tsee
properlysteppedi n.Anay awi pedhertearsandt ook
adeepbr eathsummoni ngt heconf i
denceshenev er
had.Hest artedt hecarandr eversedoutt i
l
lhewas
i
nt her oad.Shehel dont oherseatwhenhest epped
ont heaccel erator,shecoul dn’tseehim properl
y
especiallywitht hesungl asseshewasput ti
ngonbut
shecoul df eelhismy steriousener gyfrom him,the
power ,thedomi nance.I tallmadeAnay aswall
owa
l
umponhert hroat.May bet hiswast het y
peofman
Stacyhadsai dlikedbei ngi npower ,l
i
kedaut hor
ity,
thet y
peofment onev erquest i
onbutj ustsubmitto.
Hedr ov et
oahot elandsteppedout .Anay awasn’
t
sureifshehadt oremainbehi ndorfoll
owsui t,
she
choset helatter
.Shewal kedbehi ndhimt ryi
ngtoget
herselfundercont r
ol.Hewast all
andev eninheels,
hewasst i
llverymucht all
erthanher .Withtheheels
shewasatl eastfiv
ef ootfour.Hedidn’tspeaktothe
receptioni
stbutjustwal kedtot heel
evator.Nowshe
couldseehi m cl
ear
ly,hehadr emov edthe
sunglasses.Herheartcrushedagainstherchestand
breastboneandherbr eat hthatshehadbeentryi
ng
tocontrolquickl
yescalated.Suddenlyshefel
t
l
ightheadedasshewentdownf ort
hecount.
Hewaswhaty ouwouldseei naMen’smagazi ne,
thetypeofmanwomendr eamttohav e.Hewas
handsomeandheknewi t
.Hewasper fect
.Anaya
l
ookedathishaircutandsighedstandi
ngbesidehim.
Herlegsshook,shewasn’tsuretheycouldhol
dher
weight.
Whent helif
topened, hesteppedoutwhileAnay a
stagger edbehi ndhim.Shecoul dn’tst
opstari
ngat
hissexyback, hissexywal k.Heopenedadoorand
steppedi nsi
de.I nsidetheroom, shewatchedhim
takeof fhisjacketandt hrowitont hebedstarr
ingat
her .Anayast oodawkwar dlywhi l
eherheartranit’
s
ownmar at
hon.Hi sey esbrowney eswerecold,
i
nt enseandcl ear,
hewasdev astati
ngl
yattr
acti
v e.
“
Undress.
”Hecommandedwi
thar
aspysmoot
h
v
oice.
Shest oodst i
l
l,justst
aring,unabl
et opersuadeher
l
imbst ocooper ate.Herbrai
nhaddet achedf r
om her
body.Shewat chedhi m unbuttonhi
sshi rttil
lhi
s
massi vechestwasexposed.Herey eswentdownt o
historsoti
llhi
sV- li
ne.Raisi
ngherey esupt ohis
face,shefoundhi m star
ingather,thecol dnesssti
l
l
visi
bleinhiseyes.
Slowlyshereachedf orthebel tofthecoatt hen
l
oosenedt heknotbef oreunbut toningthebut tons.
Herhandsshookasshef inallyt
ookof fthecoat
l
eav i
ngheronlyint heblacklingerie.Whenhekept
onlookingather, sheknewshehadt ot akeof f
everyt
hing.Shereachedf orthel acepant yandst il
l
ed,
whatwasshedoi ng.Shehadhadsexbef or
ebutnot
l
ikethis.Hermot herwast hemot i
vationsheneeded
totakeoffherpant iesandbr a.Shest oodbef orehim
naked,herweav ef all
ingonhershoul ders.From the
drawerbesidethebed, het ookouthandcuf fs.She
fr
owned, shehadnev erdonet hi
sbef ore.
Hetookoutablackcl
oththenwalkedbehi
ndher
.
Herbreat
hhi
tchedinanti
cipat
ion,
shehadnori
ght
t
osayno.sheknewt hat
.Allshehadtodowas
submitt ohim.Heputtheclot
hov erhereyes
bli
ndfoldingher
.Hethenhandcuffedherhands
behindherl i
keapr
isoner.Heputhishandsonher
waist,hishandswerecol
dy ett
heybur ntherski
n.
Slowly,hepushedherbehindti
ll
shecoul dfeelt
he
bedbehi ndher.
“
Kneel
andopeny
ourmout
h.”
Sheknewwhatwascomi ng,sl
owlyshekneltand
openedhermouth.Hegr abbedmylacefrontweave
andpushedhimselfinmymout h.Herst
omachl i
fted
ashepushedmor eofhimselfinhermouth.Hewas
enormous,shedi
dn’tneedhereyestoseethat.

*
***
**

Lonelookedatthetimeandsi ghedt r
yingnottocry.
Itwasjustaft
ertwoearlymorningandhest i
l
l wasn’
t
back.Sheknewhewaswi thanot herwoman, her
i
nstinctt
oldherso.Shetri
edcal l
inghim agai
nbut
hisphonewasst i
ll
off,i
thadbeenof ftheent
ireday.
Shehadcal l
edhisoffi
ceearl
ier,hewasoutona
meeti
ngwit
hasharehol
der
,hi
sPAhadtoldher
.
Tear
sfil
l
edherey
esasshecall
edherf
ri
end.
“
Lone,
it’
slat
e.”Cour
tneyanswer
ed,
obv
iousl
ysl
eepy
.
“Heissti
ll
notback. ”Lonecri
ed.Shecoul dn’
t
underst
andwhathur tmore,
thef actt
hatsheknew
hewaswi thanotherwomant hatinst
antorthef
act
thathewasn’tt
alkingtoher.
“
Who?Mi
guel
?”
“
Cour
tneyIdon’
tknowwhatt
odoany
mor
e.”
“
Idon’
tknowwhatt
otel
lyou.It
houghty
ouwer
e
wi
thyourmot
her
.”
“
Icamei
nthemor
ning.Hedoesn’
twantt
oli
stent
o
me.”
“
Butweagr
eedy
ouwoul
dgi
vehi
m spaceLone.
”
“
IknowbutIf
eel
Iam l
osi
ngmyman.
”
“
Youneedtogi
vehim spacef
ri
end,
hei
sst
il
ldeal
i
ng
wi
thwhaty
oudid.
”
“
Whycan’thejustunder
standt
hatIwasscar
ed?I
wasscar
ed.”
“Yesyouwer ebutyouchosenottotel
lhimyouwer e
pregnantandthenwentandabortedthebaby,see
howt hatsounds?Howdoy ouexpecthimtofeel,
andeitherway,i
t’
sbeenwhat?Aweek?Gi vehim
ti
me.”
“Iam notgoingtolosehimt osomeskank.Iam
goingtofightformyman.Iwaswi thhim whenhe
hadnothing.Whennoonewant edhim.Imotiv
ated
himtostar tt
hatbusiness.
”
“
Lone,
justsl
eep.Wewi
l
ltal
ktomor
row.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Court
neyhungup.Loneknewhewascheat i
ngbut
shecouldn’tbl
amehi m.Shehadpushedhi mt oi
t,
hadshenotabor tedthebabythenhewoul dn’
tbe
cheat
ing.Shesilent
lyconvi
ncedhersel
f,sheknew
hi
mi nandout ,t
hiswashermanandsur el
yhewoul d
comear ound.
Timeseemedt obemov i
ngslowlyassleepdeserted
her.Shelayont hehugebedal onefeel
i
ngt he
coldnesscreeponher .Shecouldn’
thel
pbutwonder
whatkindofgirl shewas,maybehehadj ustpicked
aprost
it
uteonthesideoft
heroad.Shetr
iedcal
l
ing
hi
m againandsti
l
l,hi
sphonedi
dn’tgothr
ough.
“
JustsleepLone,
hewillcomeback.
”Shewhisper
ed
t
oher sel
fwil
li
ngt
obeli
ev ei
nherownwords.He
wouldsurel
ycomeback.Theyhadbeentoget
herfor
5years,hewasgoingt
ocomeback.

*
***
**

Ayana’
sheartthuddedasshehear dfoot steps
outsi
de.ShelookedatLethabowhowasl ooki
ngat
herwithtear
sinhiseyes.Hewast erri
fied.Anaya
hadtoldthem t
olockandnotletanyonei n.Her
handsshookasshehel dtheknif
et i
ghtlyinher
hands.Thedoorwasl ockedbutanythingcould
happen.
Sheknewal laboutselfdef
ense, Anayahadtol
dher
i
fitcamet i
met oprotectherself
,shehadtodo
every
t hi
ngpossibl
e.ShelookedatLet haboandput
herfr
eehandonherl i
ps.Heknewhehadt obe
si
lent.Theybothli
stenedcareful
lythenheardt
he
knockonthedoor
.SoftbutnotAnaya’
sknock.
Anayaknockedni
neti
mes, nev
eronce.
Thepersonknockedagai
n,Ayanaknewitwasan
i
ntruderwhensheheardsomeonetemperi
ngwit
h
thedoor.
“
Iam cal
l
ingt
hepoli
ceonyou,Iknowyou.Isaw
y
ou!
”Shescreamedthenwai
tedforaf
ewseconds.
“Hell
o?Ist histhepol i
ce?Ther eisamanont hedoor !
Hewant st obreaki n,pleasecome, hurr
y.”Shey ell
ed
sothatwhoev erwasout si
dewoul dhearher.
Lethabowassi lentl
ycry i
ngnowst ari
ngather .
Ayanabr avelyst oodbyt hedoorandl i
stened,i
twas
asiftheper sonwasr unning.Sheslidonthef l
oor
wit
hr el
ief.Shest ar
tedcryingloudl
ywithherhands
onherface.Let habogotof fthebedandsatbesi de
her.
“Don’
tcry,
Nayasai
dshei
scomi
ngback.Shewi
l
l
prot
ectus.”
AyanalookedatLethaboandtri
edtosil
enceher
cri
es.Anayahadreprimandedheraboutcr
yingi
n
fr
ontofLethabo.
“
Yes.Let
’ssl
eep.Tomor
rowi
saschool
day
.”
“
IsAnay
agoi
ngt
obr
ingf
ood?
”
Shenoddedwi
pingawayhert
ear
s.“
Yes.
”
Theygoti nt
hebedholdi
ngeachothert
ight
ly.They
werebot hhopi
ngAnayawouldcomebackwi th
somet hi
ngtomorr
ow,shehadjustl
eft
.Therewasno
foodlefti
nthehouse,
notevenmaizemealtocook
porr
idge.
“
Letuspray
.”Let
habosai
dthent
heybot
hcl
osed
t
hei
reyes.
“Godpl
easepr otectmymot herinhospi
tal
sot hat
shecomesbackandst aywi t
hushere.Hel
pAnay a
fi
ndajobsot hatshecanbuymet heschoolunifor
m
andshoesandal sosot hatshebuysAyanaher
school
uniform andshoes.Pr ot
ectAnay
asot hat
shecanprotectus.Thanky ou.”
“Amen!”Theybot
hsai
d,t
hei
rvoi
cesf
il
ledwi
th
nothi
ngbuthope.
“
Don’tcr
y,Godhashear
dus.
”Hesai
dandAy
ana
l
aughed.
“
Yes,
Iam notcr
yingany
mor
e.Anay
aiscomi
ng.
”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]
TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#2

Anayasl owlyopenedhereyes,i
twasst i
lldar k
outsi
debutherbodycl ocktoldheritwasj ustaf t
er
fi
ve.Shel ookedbesi
deher ,
themanwasgone.
Tearsf i
l
ledhereyesassher emember edlastni ght’
s
events.Sheslowlygotupandwal kedtot heensui te
wereshel ookedatherrefl
ecti
onont hemi rror.She
hadbr ui
sesev er
ywhere.Herneckwasr eddishf rom
wherehehadbeenchocki ngher.Herwristwer e
reddenandsowasev erypartofherbody .
Sheslowlywalkedundertheshowerandopenedthe
water.Shecouldsti
ll
feelhi
minhermout h,hehad
fuckedhermout h,
pushinghi
mselfdeeperwhil
eshe
cri
ed.Hedi dn’tcare,
ev enwhenshehadv omited,he
hadr athersl
appedheracr osst hefaceandt ol
dher
tocleanuphermess.Shef eltli
keasl ave.Hehad
fuckedheri nway sshenev erknew, hewasr ought o
apoi ntwhereshef el
thewant edtot earher.He
neverf r
eedherhands, nottil
lhewasdone.She
fi
nall
ybr okedownast hewat erhitherbody .She
couldn’tunderstandwhatshehaddonet odeser v
e
thi
s,whyGodwaspuni shingher .
Ittookheramomentt opickher sel
fupandwalkout
oft heshower
.Shelookedatthedr essi
ngtabl
e,
therewasanenv el
ope.Shetooki tandopenedit
.A
smi lebr
okeonherface,money .Therewasmoney .
Shest art
edcounti
ngeverynote.
“Yes!”Shescreamedt henquickl
ypickedherpant ies
from thefl
oorandputt hem on.Therewasal otshe
coul ddowit
h2kbutf irst
,shehadtogethome.
Ther ewasnof ood.Shedressedthenwal kedout
calli
ngStacy.Thephoner angunanswer ed.Anay a
sighedandputt hephonei nherpocketwal ki
ng
i
nsi detheel
evator.Assoonasshewal kedout
throughthegatesofthehot el
,shestoppedat axi
andj
umpedi
n.
“
Broadhur
st,
speci
al.
”Shesai
dandt
hemannodded.
Ast hetaximov ed,shedi dabudgeti nherhead, she
hadt obuyt hekidsuni formsandshoest henalso
buyf oodandl astl
y,sav etherestforthetreatment.
Thegov er
nmenthospi talhadref
erredhermot herto
thepr i
vatehospitalaftershedidthefirstsurgeryat
thegov ernmenthospi t
alandnoticedtherewer esti
l
l
cancerr emainsleft
.I fnotdonefastthecancerwas
goingt okeeponspr eading.Sheneededonl y10kt o
addonwhatwasal readyt here.
Thetaxi
soonstoppedinfrontherhouse,
hegav
e
hert
hefairt
henwaitedforthechange.
“Thanky ou. ”Shemut teredget t
ingof fthetaxiand
wal kedinsidethegat e.Theiryar dwasbi gbuther
mot herhadonl ymanagedt obui l
donl ytwor ooms
aftertheirfatherlef
tthem f i
vey earsago.Wi t
hno
qual i
fi
cation,allshecoulddowasgobackt obeinga
tai
lorandi tpai
dt hebil
ls,ifshedi dn’tgetsickthen
theywer egoi ngt ostartextendingt heirhouse.
Anay atookoutherphoneandcheckedt het i
me, i
t
wasquartertosix,
Ay anawasst i
l
l sl
eeping.She
usual
lywoket hem atsixsotheybat hbecauseshe
wouldhavelongwokenupt ostartthefir
eandheat
thei
rwater.
Sheappr
oachedt
hedoorandknockedi
nst
yle,
thr
ee
ti
mesatati
me.
“
Nay
a?”Shehear
dAy
anaask.
“
Yesopenup.
”
Secondslat
erthedoorwasopen.Ay
analookedat
heremptyhandsandsmiledsadl
ymovi
ngf r
om the
door.“
MmaLesegosai dwecancomeandgetf ood
fr
om her.
”
Anayawal
kedi
nsi
dethehouseandl
ookedat
Let
habowhowassit
ti
ngonthebedwit
hpuff
yey
es.
“
Let
habo,
what
’swr
ong?Whyar
ehi
sey
esl
i
ket
hat
?”
“
Athi
efcame.
”Heanswer
ed.
“
Athi
ef?
”Anay
aaskedl
ooki
ngatAy
anawhonodded.
“
Ithr
eat
enedhi
m andhel
eft
.”
“
It
’sok,
goandbat
h,wear
egoi
ngt
otheshops.
”
“
Butwi
thwhatmoney
?”
“
Iam goi
ngtost
artaf
ir
esoy
oucanbat
h.Goand
l
ookforf
ir
ewood.
”
Shewat chedhersibl
i
ngswal koutwhil
eherheart
pounded,whatiftheint
ruderhadmanagedtoget
i
nsidethehouse.Sheundr essedt
henputonadr ess.
I
nanhour ’
sti
me,hersibli
ngswerecleanandready
togo.
“Wear
enotgoingt
oschoolt
oday?”Let
haboasked,
hewasonl
ytenbuttoosmar
t.Anayasmil
ed.
“
No,
youwi
l
lgot
omor
row.
”
Theywalkedt
ot hemainroadwheretheygota
combietoGameCi tymall
.AyanaandLethabosat
besi
deherwithsil
entexci
tement,
ithadbeenti
me
si
ncetheyfel
tli
kethat.
“Anaya,ar
ewegoi ngt
obuytheschool
uni
for
m?”
Lethabowhisper
edinherear
.
“Yes.
”Shewhi speredback.Heclosedhi
smout h
withhishand,hi
sey essparkl
i
ngwi t
hhappiness.
ThroughoutthejourneyshewatchedAyanaand
Let
habowhi
spert
oeachandl
augh.
“
Anay
a,ar
eyoual
sogoi
ngt
obuymeshoes?
”
Theycrossedther
oadwalkingt
owardsthemall.
“YesLethabo,
Iam al
sogoingtobuyyourshoes.
”
“Ican’
twai
ttogot
oschool
andshowev
ery
onemy
newshoes.
”
Shechuckledast
heywal kedinsi
dethemallpassing
ni
cel
ydressedpeople.Sheheldhersibl
ing’
shands
andl
edt hem t
owardsPepst orewhereshegrabbed
abasket
.
“
Let
’sgett
heshoesf
ir
st.
”
Theywalkedovertotheshoesecti
onwher
eshegot
Lethabo’
sshoesizeandhandedittohi
m.“
Doyou
l
ikethem?”
Henoddedtry
ingthem on.“
Theyf
it
.”Hisvoice
tr
ail
edastear
srandownhercheeks.“Thankyou
Anaya.
”
Anayabl
inkedhert
earsandkneltbef
orehi
m.“I
boughty
out hi
sshoessothatyoucangotoschool
,
andpassandbeapi l
otl
ikeyouwanttobe.
”
“
Iwi
l
lfl
yyout
oAmer
ica.
”
Shelaughedasatearf
ell
butshequi
ckl
ywipedi
t.“
I
can’
twait.Nowl
et’
slookforAy
ana’
sshoes.
”
Shegotupandwalkedt
ot hegi
rl
’ssect
ionwher
e
shepi
ckedAyana’
sshoes.“Tr
ythem on.”
“
Wher
edi
dyougett
hemoney
?”
“
Huh?
”
“
WheredidyougetthemoneyAnay
a,y
oudi
dn’
thav
e
moneyyest
erday
.”
Shetookadeepbr eathandfacedhery oungersi
ster
.
“If
oundajobyesterday,asabartenderandsoI
askedmoneyfrom StacyandtoldherIwoul dpay
herbackendofmont h.”
Ayanasmi
ledwi
thr
eli
ef.“
Idon’
twanty
out
o
become…”
“
What
?”
“
Apr
ost
it
ute.
”Shewhi
sper
ed.
“Nomatt
erwhat,
Iwil
lneverbecomeapr ost
it
uteok?
Iwil
lwor
katthebarwai
ti
ngf oranyr
esponsefrom
t
hebanks.
”
“Ihear
dthebanksr
eal
l
ypaywel
l
.”Ay
anasai
dwi
tha
smile.
“
Yes.Now,
tryont
heshoes.
”
Shesai
dst
eppi
ngback.“
Itf
it
s?”
“
Yes.
”
“Ok,nowfortheuni
for
m.Let
habo,
youcanputt
he
shoesinbasket.
”
Theydidn’ttakelongi
ntheshop,
almosttwenty
minuteslatertheywer
ewalki
ngoutwithplast
icsi
n
thei
rhands.
“Iwi
l
lbuyyoubot
hjersey
sinsomet
imeok?Ri
ght
nowyoucanusetheoldones.
”
“
It
’sokAnaya,t
hanky
ou.”Ay
anasai
dast
heywal
ked
t
oChoppiessuper
market
.
“Il
i
kethismal
l
,it
’sbeaut
if
ul.
”Let
habopoi
ntedoutt
o
Ayana.
“
Iti
s.”
“
Grabat
rol
l
eyLet
habo.
”Anay
asai
dwal
ki
ngt
othe
par
celcount
erwher
eshehandedt
hel
adyal
lthe
pl
asti
cs.
“Wher
ey ourmot
heris,
shei
sproud.Iwoul
dbei
fI
hadsuchabeauti
ful
daught
erl
i
key ou.
”
Anayal aughedshy lythenwalkedawayaf terget
ting
herparcel card.ShejoinedAyanaandLet habo,all
theyneededwer ethebasicgoods.Onlybasi csthat
wouldlastt hem forawhi l
e.Whenshewassur eshe
hadev eryt
hingt heyneeded,shepushedt hetrol
ley
tothecashi erwheret heypai
dwhileAy anawentt o
gettheiruniformsf r
om theparcelcounter.
Herphoner
angast
heywal
kedout
.“St
acy
,It
ri
ed
cal
li
ng.
”
“
Hey
,ar
eyouhome?
”
“Iwentt
obuyt
heki
dsuni
for
msbutIam onmyway
back.
”
“Iam sogl
ady
ouar eok,
nowyousee?Ifyoukeep
onthenyouwi
llr
aisemoneyf
orthet
reatment.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Yeah.
”
“
Ihear
dther
eisanot
herpar
tyt
oni
ghtsowewi
l
lgo,
di
ff
erentpartybutsti
l
l,f
orr
ichpeopl
e.Iwi
l
lcome
ov
erandpi ckyou.”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupast heywal
kedoutofthemal
lwit
h
Let
haboinfr
ont.Hestar
tedrunni
ngandbef
ore
Anayacoul
dbeginrepr
imandinghi
m,hebumped
i
ntosomelady.
“Hey,
can’ty
ouwat
chi
t?”Shey
ell
edt
aki
ngof
fher
sungl
asses.
“Iam sosor
ry,
pleasef
orgi
vehi
m.”
Anay
aqui
ckl
y
apologi
zed.
“Yourchi
ldmademedi rt
y,whycan’
tyouholdhi
s
handifyoucan’
tcontr
olhim?Latenakwa!
.”The
l
adysaidsharpl
y.Anayalookedatt
hewomanand
smiledapol
oget
ical
ly.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shecl
i
ckedhert
ongueandwal
kedof
f.
“
Iam sor
ryAnay
a.”
Shelookedathi
m andsmi
l
ed.“
It
’sok,
justdon’
t
run.
”
*
***
**

“Hey
,youmadei
t,
”Court
neysai
dasLonesatdown
besi
deheri
nNando’
s.
“Yeah,
”Lonetookof
fhersungl
assesandsi
ghed.“
I
am sohungryandst
ressed.
”
“Yourprobl
em ist haty
oudon’tl
ist
enLone.You
shouldall
owt hatmant imetoheal
,yourpr
oblem i
s
thatyoudon’tli
stenhonestl
y.
”
Lonel
ookedatCour
tney
.“Youdon’
tunder
stand.
”
“Whydoyoual
wayssaythat
?Iunder
standandal
lI
am t
ryi
ngtodoi
shel
py ou.
”
“Sor
ryIam l
ate.
”Rachel
sai
dsit
ti
ngbesi
deLone.“
I
hadtosortoutafewthi
ngs.
”
“I
t’
sok,Ij
ustar
ri
ved.
”Lonegav
easemi
hugt
o
Rachel
.
“
Ok,
sowhatar
ewet
alki
ngabout
?”
“
Miguel
ischeat
ing.
”
“
Howsur
ear
eyou?
”
“Hecamebackhometodaysmell
ingsomecheap
per
fume,Ibeti
twasaprost
it
ute.
”
“
Youshoul
dgi
vehi
m somespace.
”
Rachel l
ookedatCourtneywithaf r
own.“Idon’
t
agree.Heischeatingonher,clear
lyhehaslost
respectfortherel
ati
onshi
p.Ithinkyoushould
confronthim andfi
ndway st
omendwhat ’sbroken.
Gof orcounseli
ng.
”
“Lonei
sallov
erhisspace,
hei
sst
il
langr
ybecause
sheabort
edhisbaby.
”
“Yes,Loneabor t
edthebabyandshei swr ongand
sheistakingresponsibi
li
tyforheractionsbutifI
remembercor rectl
y,youaret heonewhogav eher
thi
sabor t
ionpill
sandy ouaret heonewho
suggestedtheabor t
ionsopl ease,st
opt al
kingasif
shejustcameupwi ththeideaherself.
”
“
Arewear
gui
ng?
”
Rachel
lookedatCourt
neywi
thacalm smil
e.“
No
darl
i
ng,Iam j
ustt
ell
ingyouf
act
s.Thereisnoneed
t
ocr
yov
erspi
l
tmi
l
k,i
t’
sti
met
ocl
eant
hemess.
”
“Hecanceledthebri
depricenegot
iat
ions.
”Lonesai
d
quiet
lylooki
ngatherfr
iendswhil
emassagingher
temples.
“
What
?”Rachel
wasshocked.
“
Yes,
hesay
shecan’
tmar
ryamur
der
er.
”
“That’
swhyIam sayingheneedsspace.You
shouldn’
thavegonetohishouse.Youshoul
dgi
ve
him spacetocal
m down.”
Lonesi
ghedasCour
tney
’sphoner
ang.“
Ihavetogo,
i
t’
swork.Whenar
eyoucomingbacktoworkLone?”
“
Ist
il
lhav
eanot
herweek.
”
“
Ok,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
Theybot hwatchedherasshewalkedaway.“
Don’
t
worry,helov
esy ouandIam sur
ehewi l
lcome
around.”
“
Hewon’
tev
ent
alkt
omeRachel
.”
“Heisj
ustangr
y.MaybeCourtneyisright
,may behe
needssomespace.Iam sur
ehei sjusthurt
ing.”
“Iam notgoingany whereRachel,
Iam goingto
remindMiguel ofwhatheismi ssi
ng.Whyhel oved
mei nthefi
rstplace.Ican’
tlosehim,Ist
ay edwi
th
him whenhehadnot hi
ng,Iam goingtoreapthe
frui
tsofmyl abor.
”

*
***
**

Courtneywalkedpar kedhercarinfrontofMI GUEL

LOGISTICS.Shet ookoutherlipst
ickandr anitover
hi
slipsthensteppedout .Theglassdoor ssli
dopen
assheappr oachedt hem t
henwi t
hgr ace,walked
ri
ghttothereception.
“
Hi,
Iam her
etoseeMr
.Mokwena.Ms.Lopang.
”
“
Doy
ouhav
eanappoi
ntment
?”
“
Hei
sexpect
ingme,
cal
lhi
m.”
Therecepti
oni
stl
ookedatCour
tneymoment
ari
l
y
thencal
led.
“Rebaone,
ther
eisawomanhere,shesaidshei
sMs.
Lopang…ok.”Shehungupandputthephonedown
st
ari
ngatCourtneywhoseemedtobegetti
ng
i
mpatientwi
theachsecondt
hatpassed.
“
Youcango,
hei
swai
ti
ngf
ory
ou.
”
Shewalkedtowardstheelev
atorthenpressed3.
Theli
ftwhiskedheruptohisfol
low,st
eppingout
,
shewalkedtowardsthePAwhowav edhertowar
ds
thedoorwrit
ten‘
CEO, Mr.Mokwena’andknocked
soft
ly.
“
Comei
n,
”hesai
dandi
mmedi
atel
yCour
tneywal
ked
i
n.
Hi
soffi
cewasbi gandelegant.ShelookedatMiguel
whosatleani
ngbackonhi schairst
aringather
.She
smi
ledandwal kedf
urt
herinsi
det heoffi
ce.
“
Miguel
,
”
“
Cour
tney
,whatcanIdof
ory
ou?
”
Shesatdownopposi t
ehim andputherhandbagon
hi
schocol at
ecolor
edwoodent ablewhichshi
ned.
Everyt
hinginhi
soffi
cewasi norder,nofi
l
eslay
ing
aroundorpapersthr
eateni
ngtost epdownandwalk
outoftheoffi
ce.
“Ij
ustcamet otelly
outhatIam sor
ry,aboutt
he
baby.Ishouldn’
tbeherebutIj
ustthoughtIwoul
d
expl
ainaf ewthingstoyou.
”
“Shesenty
ou?”Heasked,
hisv
oicewasf
ull
of
nothi
ngbutaut
hor
it
y.
Sheshookherhead.“ No,shedoesn’ tevenknowI
am here.Miguelyouhavetounder standt hatLone
l
ov esyou,somuch.Shei sjustnotreadyf orkidsat
themoment .Orsettl
i
ngdown.Shef eelscor nered
i
nt othi
swhol et
hingbecauseshedoesn’ twantt o
disappointy
ou.Youguy shavebeent ogetherforso
l
ongandsher eal
lywantstomakey ouhappy .Sheis
j
ust …sheneedssomet imet ogetev eryt
hi ngin
order.”
Helookedatherf
orawhil
einsi
l
ence.“
Soy
oubot
h
deci
dedtokil
lmychi
ld?
”
“No, Iwasn’
tt her
ewhenshecommi t
tedtheabort
ion,
Imean, Iwoul dneversuggestkil
li
ngachi l
d,t
hat’
s
evi
l and…”Shesi ghedpursingherli
ps.“Iam j
ust
tr
yingt oexplaintoyouthatsheisnotready,gi
veher
somet i
met ogatherhersel
f .I
tseemsthiswasa
mistakeobv i
ously,Iwasjusttry
ingtohelpaf riend.”
Shest oodt ucki
ngherweav ebehindherear.“ She
l
ovesy ou,shemaymakemi stakesbutshel ov esyou.
Idon’tsuppor tkil
li
ngofinnocentsouls,GodknowsI
am alsoi napoi nti
nl i
fewhereIwantt osettledown
sother eisnowayIwoul dev ersupportsuch.
Goodby e.
”
Shewal
kedoutcl
osi
ngt
hedoorbehi
ndher
,asmi
l
e
onherf
ace.

*
***
**

Themi r
rorneverli
ed,butj
ustref
lectedt
hetruthr
ight
back.Itneverhidanysecretsbutalwaysexposed
everythi
ng.Ay anafel
tnakedstar
ingatherrefl
ect
ion
yetshewasf ull
yclot
hed.Shefel
thersoulwasbar e,
stari
ngatheront hemirr
or.Hereyesshowed
nothingbutmi sery.
“
Youhav
etodothi
s,onlyacoupl
emor
eti
mest
hen
i
t’
sov
er.
”Shewhi
spered.
“
Anaya,
Stacyi
sout
side.
”Ay
anasai
dwal
ki
ngi
nsi
de
t
hehouse.
Anayaputthemi rr
ordownandst oodup.“Ihaveto
gotowor k,
Ipickedthat
,”shesaidpoi
nti
ngatt he
metalrodebehindthedoor.“
Putitonthedoor.Don’t
openforanyone.Ifanyt
hinghappens,
blowt he
whist
le.Ok?”
Shenodded.“
Ok.
”
“Good.
”Let
habowalkedinasAnayapi
ckedher
phonefr
om thef
loor
.“Let
habo,
li
stent
oAy anaok?
”
Henoddedsadl
y.Shehatedl
eavingt hem butther
e
wasnothi
ngshecoulddo.St
acypr essedthehooter
andAnayasmil
edstari
ngathersibli
ngs.“Ok,bye,I
l
oveyou.”
Shewalkedoutwitht
hepl ast
icwithalunchboxand
wenttothecar.“
Anaya,youli
kedelayi
ng,Itol
dyou,
thi
sisatopclasspar
ty.Youwi l
lseeyourmotherfor
fi
veminutesthenweleave.”
ShejustnoddedasStacydr
oveoutoftheyardand
stoppedjustout
sidet
hegatewhil
eAnayastepped
outandlockedthegatewi
ththenewpadlockshe
hadboughtear
li
eron.Oncebacki
nthecar
,St
acy
spedofft
urni
ngontheradi
o.
“
Sol
astni
ght
,whowasi
t?”
Anayashrugged.“
Idon’
tknow,
wedi
dn’
ttal
kabout
anyt
hing.
”
“
That
’sok,
whatmat
ter
sist
hathepai
dyou.
”
Stacydr ovet
oPr incessMar i
naHospital
wer e
Anay a’
smot herwascur r
entl
yat
.Itwasbet t
ershe
stayedtherewhi l
et hedoctor
smoni t
oredherthan
stayi
ngathome.Shegotof fassoonasSt acy
parkedt henrushedi nsi
de.Oneofthenurses
recognizedher.
“Anay
a,Iwasbegi
nni
ngt
ogetwor
ri
edwhenIdi
dn’
t
seeyoutoday
.”
“
Icoul
dn’
tcomedur
ingt
heday
.”
Thenur
sesmi
l
ed.“
It
’sok,
sti
l
lnoj
ob?
”
Anay
anodded.“
Theynev
ercal
lfori
nter
views.
”
“Mysisteri
slooki
ngf oramai d,shehastwokids,
onedoingstandar
d6andt heotherform 2,t
he
youngestisonl
yay earold.Isuggestedyou,I
al
readygav
ehery
ournumberbutIt
hinky
oushoul
d
cal
lher.
”
Anayasmil
edandtookt
hesi
ster
’snumber
.“Thank
youNurseBot
shel
o.”
Shesmiled.“
It’
ssadwatchi
ngoury
out
hsuf
ferl
i
ke
thi
s,i
t’
stheleastIcando.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shewalkedt
ohermother’swar
d.Hermothersmi
l
ed
assoonasshesawher,thewomanwhohadbeen
Anaya’
shopewasri
ghtthereonherdeat
hbed.
“
Mama…”
“
HeyNay
a,”shecoughed.“
Youar
eher
e.”
“
Ibr
oughty
ouf
ood.
”
“
Theyal
readygav
eusf
ood.
”Shesai
dweakl
ytr
ying
t
obebrave.
“Ibr
oughty
ouwarmf ood.
”Anay
atookoutt
hel
unch
boxandopenedi
t.“
It
’sri
ceandbeef
.”
“
Wher
edi
dyougett
hemoney
?”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
Ifoundaj
ob.
”
Hermother
’sey
esfi
ll
edwitht
earsasshel
ookedat
her
,Anayal
ookedaway.“
Anaya,
lookatme.
”
Sheswal
lowedt
helumponhert
hroatandst
aredat
hermot
her.“
Iwi
llcomet
omorr
ow.”
Shegav
ehermot
hert
hel
unchboxandhuggedher
.
“
Anay
a…”Shecal
l
edagai
n.
“
Ilov
eyou,
that
’sal
lthatmat
ter
s.”
Herphonevi
bratedfr
om herpocket.Sheknewit
wasStacyget
tingimpat
ient
.“Ihavetogo.Bye.
”
Shewal kedoutofthewar dholdi
nghertears.Time
forcryi
nghadpassed.Asshewal kedtowardsthe
exit
,shesawherol dhighschool cl
assmatewal ki
ng
towardsherdirect
ion.Anayalookedaround
wonderingifsheshouldhideornotbutitwast oo
l
atebecauseTheodor ahadalreadyseenher .
“Anaya!”Shesaidast heygotclosertooneanot her
.
Anay acouldn’
thelpbutnoticehowshewassmar tl
y
dressedinabodyhuggi ngwhitedressthatreached
j
ustbelowherkneesandsi lverheelst
hatmat ched
withherwat ch.Anayalookeddownather sel
f,j
eans
andat-
shir
t.Shewi
shedforthegroundt
oopenup
andswal
lowherri
ghtt
hatinstant
.
TheodorahuggedherandAnay ainhaledherf
lowery
fr
agrance,shesmeltr
eallynicethatAnaya
wonderedifherNi
vearol l
onwasenough.Theodor a
steppedbacksmil
ingwhi l
stfixi
ngherspectacles.
Hermakeupmadeherl ookflawless,Anaya
wonderedjusthowshel ooked.
“
It
’sbeent
ime.
”
“
Yeah,
youl
ookni
ce.
”
Theodor
alaughed.“Whatcanwedo?Weneedt
o
l
ookthepart.Howareyou?”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Arey
ouwor
king?
”
Shesmiled,Anayahadnowgrownt
ohat
ethat
quest
ion.“No,st
il
lj
obhunti
ng.
”
“
Mybossi
sext
endi
nghi
shot
el,
Iwi
l
llookf
ory
ou.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Theyexchangednumber
sbef
oreAnay
aranout
side
t
oSt
acy
’scar
.
“Anayawear egoi
ngtobelate,youarealways
delayi
ng.
”Stacycomplai
nedassoonasAnay a
steppedi
nsidehercar
.“Wear egoingtobelate.
Wheny ouwantbigmoneyy oushouldlearnbeing
punctual
.”
Anay asilentl
ylist
enedasSt acystart
edt hecar,she
sti
llcouldn’tri
dTheodoraf rom herhead, t
hat
’swhat
shehadal way sdreamtof,havi
ngaj obanddr essing
smar tl
y.Shel ookedoutthrought hewindowas
Stacydr ovethroughthetraffi
c.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#3

Lonef
ini
shedwi
thhermakeupt
henst
aredather
refl
ectionont hemi r
roradmi ri
ngher self.Shest ood
upandputonherr ednumberandheel s, sheknew
helikedther eddr ess, i
talwaysdr ov
ehi m crazy
everytimeshewor eit.Shelist
enedcar efull
ytot he
gateopeni ngt hentookherper f
umeandspr ayed
herself.Walkingoutoft hebedroom, sher ushedt o
thekitchentomakesur eeveryt
hingwasi norder
thenwai tedtil
l hewal kedin.
Helookedmor ethanexhausted,sheknewhewas
worki
nghar dtosecureagreatdealatwor k.His
phonerangashewal kedpasst hechickenthen
pausedtaki
ngast epbackandl ookedather .Lone
smil
edpr ay
ingherplanwouldwor k.
“
Youar
est
il
lher
e?”
Shet ookadeepbr eathasshel ookedathi spissed
face.“Babe, It
houghtwecoul dt alk.Pleaselistent
o
me, Iam sosor ry.Ishouldn’thav et akenthatstepat
all
,mat t
eroffactIshoul dhavet oldy oufrom the
verybegi nni
ng.Ipani ckedbutthat ’snoexcuse.I
l
ov ey ou,youknowt hat.Ihavelov edy ouforf i
ve
years, Iwrongedy ou,Iam sorry.Pl ease,givemea
chancet omaket hingsr i
ght.
”
Hechuckl
ed.“
Loney
ouki
l
ledmychi
l
d.”
“
Iam sorr
yMi
guel
.Ican’
ttakei
tback,
ifIcoul
dI
woul
d.”
Heshookhi sheadandwal kedawayanswer inghis
phonewhi l
eLonef oughttokeephert ear
sf r
om
rol
li
ngdownhercheeks.Shel ookedupatt heceiling
beforefol
l
owi nghi mtot hebedroom whereshe
foundhim undressing.Shel ookedathisbroadchest
i
magi ngbeingt r
appedunderi t
.Hereyesmov ed
downt ohisbriefsashedi scardedhispants.She
pressedherlegst ogetherasherthoughtsranwi ld.
“
Miguel
,pl
ease,
babypl
ease…Iam beggi
ngy
ou.
”
“Iam donetalki
ngtoy ou.”Hesai dwalkingtothe
ensuit
ewher esecondsl ater,shehear dtheshower .
Lonesatont hebedst aringathi sphone.Shel ooked
atthebathr
oom doort henbackathi sphonebef ore
picki
ngitupandunl ockingi t
.Shewentt hroughhis
messagesthenWhat sAppmessages, therewas
nothi
ngsuspicious.Shescr olledthroughhi scal
llog
andsighednotf i
ndingany thi
ng.Fi nal
ly,shestood
upandundr essedbeforef oll
owi nghimi nthe
bathroom.Sheopenedt heshowercurt
ainand
walkedinhuggi
nghimf rom behi
nd.Het ensedather
touchbutshedidn’
tletgo.“Iam sor
ry,
Iloveyou.”
Hest
oodst
il
lthent
urnedtol
ookather
.“Yourl
i
ttl
e
f
ri
endcametomyoffi
cetoday
.”
Lonef
rownedasherhai
rgotwet
.“Who?
”
“
Cour
tney
,”
“
Whatdi
dshewant
?”
“
Tot
ell
mey
ouar
enotr
eadyf
oraf
ami
l
y.”
Sheshookherhead.“ That
’snottr
ue.YouknowI
havebeenwant i
ngt ogetmarri
edforawhilenow.
Courtneywast heonewhot ol
dmet oabortthebaby
becausey ouaregr owingt
obecomeav er
ybi g
successfulbusinessmanandababywoul djustpul
l
youdown. ”
Hel
ookeddownatherasLone’
sey
esf
il
ledwi
th
t
ear
s.“
IthoughtIwas…”
Heclosedtheshowertapattempti
ngtowalkoutbut
Lonestoodinfr
ontofhim.“Miguel
,Ihur
tyou.I
admitandIam taki
ngresponsi
bil
it
yformyacti
ons
butyouwalkingawayisnotgoingt ohelpus.Iam
notlosi
ngyoubecauseIlovey ou.Yes,Ihave
wrongedyoubutIdeserveasecondchance.Iam
notperf
ectandIam notsayingthattojusti
fymy
acti
ons,al
lIam aski
ngfori
sj ustyourforgi
veness.I
can’
tgobackandundowhatIdi d.”
Shestoodonhert oeswrappingherar msar oundhi
s
neckthenkissedhi m.Hestoodst i
l
l forawhi l
e
befor
ehef i
nallykissedherback,pickingherup.He
putheragainstthewal l
beforeherammeddeep
i
nsideher.Shescr eamedwi thpai
nandsur pri
se
di
gginghernailsintohisskin.
“Fuck!”hegroanedt henstartedthr
ustingi
ntoher
withsomuchpowert hatshescreamedwi theach
thrust.Hewasmer cil
ess,
relentl
ess.Sherel
axedher
bodyandl ethim havehert hewayhewant ed,she
didn’tcar
e,aslongashewaswi thher.Shewas
goingt of
ixherrelati
onshipandnot hi
ngwasgoi ng
tostandinherway .
Hepul
ledoutasshest ar
tedget
ti
ngusedtohis
i
ntr
usi
onandwi thherhair
,hedr
aggedherbackto
t
hebedroom,theirbodi
eswet.
“
Touchy
ourt
oes.
”
Shebendedalmostimmedi
atelytouchi
nghertoes.
Hethrusti
ntoherasLonel
ethertoesgoat t
empting
tost
andup.“Whatareyoudoing?Don’ttr
yme.”
Sheresumedt ouchi
nghertoes,
sheknewhewas
nottobequestioned.Wit
heachthr
ustshefel
tasif
hewast ear
ingher.Sheknewhewasn’tgoi
ngt o
stop,t
hiswasapuni shment
,oneshewaswi l
l
ingto
take.

*
***
*

Anay
afli
ppedherhai
rbehi
ndherwi
thasmi
l
e,she
l
ovedherl
ook.
“Headtall
,checkmynai
l
s,babyhowar
ey oudoi
n’?
”
Stacysangalongwi
thLi
zzowhowasblasti
ngfr
om
herradi
o.
“Youlookbeautif
ulr
ightnow.”Thegol dsi
l
kydress
huggedhercur v
esandexposedani cecl
eavage.I
t
stoppedjustbel
owhermi dthighs.Anayali
kedthe
pear
ldesi
gnchokert
hatwasonherneck.
“Il
ookdiff
erent
.”Shesai
d,Stacyhadt
akenti
me
doinghermakeupt henl
oanedheroneofherl
ong
curledweaves.
“
Youdodarl
i
ng,nowimaginewhent
hosemensee
y
ou,wai
tandwatch,
theyaregoi
ngt
odropt
oyour
f
eet
.”
Anayalaughedstar
ingatt
hesparkl
ingheel
sshe
wore,t
heymadeherf eetl
ookniceespeci
all
ywit
h
thenai
lpoli
shStacyhadappl
iedtoherfootnai
l
s.
“
Nowi
t’
sti
met
ogo.
”
Theywal ked,Anayaf oll
owingbehi ndSt acywhowas
putti
ngont heshort estdressAnay ahadev erseen.
Stacyspedt othev enue, t
heywer elatebutSt acy
saidtheywereokki ndoflate,andt hatwalkingin
l
atewoul dputt hem ont hespotli
ghtf orafew
minutes.Anay awassur pr
isedwhent heyarriv
ed
withnoticketforov erspeeding.
“
Let
’sgoandr
emember
,actcool
,sl
eekandsmar
t.
”
Theyst
eppedoutoft
hecar
,thepar
tywasi
nsome
l
odge.Fancyl odge.Anay al
ookedatt heexpensive
carsparked,onlyri
chpeople.TheRun- Xlookedout
ofplace.Theywalkedi nsi
dethev enueandt hi
stime,
theyweremor egirls.Peopl
eturnedt ol
ookatt hem
astheywal kedin,Anayaquickl
ylookedar oundher
eyessearching.Hewasn’ tt
here.
Theywal
kedtothebarandordereddri
nks.Soona
manwaswalkingtowar
dstheirdir
ect
ion.
“Notr
ichenough,remember ,l
ookf
orthehotmeat.
Keepeyecontactforatleastt
wosecondsandlook
away.Hewill
bey ours,l
etmedealwiththi
sone.”
Anayawatchedast
hemanappr
oachedt
hem,
he
l
ookedli
kehewasinhi
smidthi
rt
ies.
“
Ladi
es,
whatar
eyoudr
inki
ngt
oni
ght
?”
Anay al
ookedawayasSt acysmiledattheman.She
caughtsomeol dmanstaringather.Hewas
probablygoi
ngforhi
ssixtiesandshewaspr et
ty
surehewasr i
ch.Sheturnedbackt oSt
acyf or
guidancebutshewasalreadygone.Shel ooked
aroundinpanic,
whywoul dStacyjustl
eav eher
al
onel i
kethat
.Shelookedbackatt heoldmanwho
wasnowmot ioni
ngshecomest ohim.Shetookina
deepbreat
hbeforewalki
ngtowardshim,sl
owly,
l
etti
nghimtakeheri
n.Stacyhadalreadyt
oldher
whattodoinsuchsit
uati
ons.
AnayawasmadSt acyhadl eftherbutatt hesame
ti
me, shewasgl adshehadf oundDani el.Hewas
verycharming,wealthy,
f l
i
rtyandsixty.Itgrossed
Anayat hatshewasbusyf li
rt
ingwithamanol d
enought obehergr andfather.
Hewasconf i
dentandlikedboosti
ngabouthi
s
money,butdrankli
keaf i
sh.Shewasnowsi t
ti
ngon
hi
slapasheki ssedherneckrubbi
ngherthi
ghs.
“Weshoul
dgetoutofher
e.”Hewhi
sper
edt
oher
aft
erawhi
lebur
ping.
Anayasmil
ed.“
YouknowwhatIl
ove?
”She
whisper
edi
nhisearmaki
nghi
m gi
ggle.
“
What
?Tel
lDaddyandhewi
l
lhav
eitdonef
ory
ou.
”
“Il
ovearichol
dsexyman.
”Sherubbedhi
sbal
d
headthensmil
ed.“
Andmoney.
”
“
Howmuchdoy
ouwant
?”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
5k.
”
“
That’snothi
ng.Icangi
vey
out
hewor
ld.Iwi
l
ldot
he
t
ransacti
onrightnow.
”
“YesDaddy…”Shesaidwi t
hal i
tt
lemoant hatgave
him mot
ivat
iontodot hetr
ansactionqui
ckly.Usi
ng
cell
phonebanking,hedeposit
edt hemoneyt oher
bankaccount.Shesmi l
edthenkissedhi
m.
“
Nowwecangot
othehot
el.
”
Shel ookedaroundonelastti
mel ookingforStacy
whoshest i
ll
couldn’
tfi
nd.Theoldmanl edher
outsidetohiscar.Shegotinhiscarwhi l
etexti
ng
Stacy .I
fshedidn’
tknowbettershewoul dsaySt acy
hadwentof fwi t
hthemanshehadcal ledbroke.
May behewasn’ tasbrokeasshet houghthewas.

*
***
*

Rachel
shookherheadseet
hingwithanger.“
Iknew
ther
ewassomethingof
faboutthatgi
rl
.”Shesaid.
“
Ican’
tbel
i
eveCour
tneywoul
ddot
hist
ome.NowI
seewhyshedi
dn’
twantmet
ogoback.Shewant
s
myman.”
“
Goodthi
ngMiguelt
oldyou.Weshoul
dgoand
t
eacht
hatgi
rlal
esson.”
Lonenoddedlooki
ngatRachel
whi
l
etheysi
pped
thei
rdr
inksi
nar est
aur
ant.
“Callherandf
indoutwher
esheis.I
t’
sal
readyhal
f
six,
Iam suresheishomebynow.”
Lonet
ookoutherphoneanddial
edCour
tney
’s
numberwhi
chrangunanswer
edforawhil
e.
“
Lol
o,hey
,”
“
Heygi
rl
,ar
eyouhome?
”
“
Yes,
what
s’swr
ong.
”
“Youwer
eri
ght,
Ithi
nki
t’
sbestt
ogi
veMi
guel
space.
CanIcomeover
.”
“Yesyoucan.Don’
tworr
y,hei
syourman,
hewi
l
l
surel
ycomearound.”
“
Yes,
Iwi
l
lbet
her
eint
went
ymi
nut
es.
”
Shehungupandl
ookedatRachel
.“Let
’sgo.Thi
s
gi
rli
stest
ingy
ou.
”
Lonestoodupandwal
kedoutanddr
ovet
o
Court
ney’shouse.
“Hey
,Idon’
tknowRachel
wasalsocomi
ng.
”
Court
neysai
dassheopenedt
hedoor.
“
Can’
tIcome?It
houghtwear
eal
lfr
iends.
”
Cour
tneysmi
l
ed.“
Wear
e,comeoni
n.”
Theywal
kedi
nsi
deherhouse.
“
Iwi
l
lpouruswi
ne.
”
“Miguel
tel
l
smey ouwentt
oseehimyest
erday.
”
Lonesaidmaki
ngCour
tneytur
ntol
ookatthem.
“Yes, Idid.Iwenttotalktohim sothathedoesn’t
l
eav ey ou.Iwasonl ytryi
ngtohelp,Iwentthereto
explainwhathadr eal
lyhappenedbutr at
herIfound
him wi t
hawoman.YouknowIwasshocked, Itol
d
him Iwasgoi ngtotel
ly oubuthetoldmey ou
woul dn’tbeli
evehim becausehei sgoingtotel
lyou
thatIcameseduci nghim. ”
“
What
?”
Courtneysi
ghedwal kingbacktothecouchwer eshe
satdown.“Weal lknowhowy ouloveMiguel,Imean,
wewer ealreadypl anningforaweddingsoIwentt o
tel
lhim Iwast heonewhosuggest edtheabor ti
on
andthatheshoul dn’tpunishyou.Ievenpromi sedto
stayawayfr om youi fhetookyoubackbecausei t
real
lyseemsl i
keIam badi nfl
uencebutratherit
enededbadl y.
”
Lonel
aughedsi
tt
ingdown.“
Andher
eIt
hought
…
whowasthewoman? ”
Cour
tneyshr
ugged.“Idon’
tknow,shel
eftassoon
asIwalkedi
n.Iam sorr
yLone.”
“
It
’sok,
Iappr
eci
atey
ouhel
ping.
”
“
Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odonow?
”
Lonesmil
ed.“I
tdoesn’
tmatt
ernowbecauseMi
guel
andIhav
ef i
xedourprobl
ems.
”
Cour
tneysmi
l
ed.“
That
’sr
eal
l
ygood.
”
“
Yes,onl
yyouarel
yi
ngCour tney
.Ther ewasno
womanyoufoundatMiguel
’soffi
ce, youwentthere
i
nhopestorui
nLone’
srelat
ionship.Iknowgirl
slike
y
ou.
”Rachel
sai
dwi
thherhandonherwai
st.
“
Rachel
,whywoul
dIdot
hat
?”
“
Becausey
ouenv
yLone,
youcan’
tfool
me.
”
“
Rachel
…”
“NoLone, t
hisgi
rli
slyi
ng,can’
tyousee?Whyon
earthwouldyougot oMiguel
’soff
icesi
nthefi
rst
place?It
’sgi
rlsl
i
key ouwhomakeonet hinkt
wice
beforemakingfri
ends.Youareasnakeandyou
knowi t
.”
Court
neystoodup.“Youknowwhat
?Iam ti
redof
thi
snonsense,Loneify
oucametoaccusemeof
nonsensepl
easegetoutofmyhouse.
”
Lonestoodupblocki
ngRachelwhowasaboutt
o
att
ack.“I
t’
sfi
ne,
Iam sorr
y.Rachel
let
’sgo.
”
“Youaresnake,Iam goi
ngtoexposeyou.
”Rachel
screamedasLonepushedheroutofthehouse.
Courtneycl
osedthedoorassoonastheywalked.
“Rachel
cal
m down,youalwayswantt obefight
ing
andattheendoft
hedayIgetint r
ouble.Ift
hishow
youaregoi
ngtobeforrestofyourli
fethenIdon’t
t
hinky
ouandIcanr
emai
nbei
ngf
ri
ends.
”
Rachelst
eppedbacklaughi
ngwhi l
efi
xingherblazer
.
“Youarefunny,
areyoutel
li
ngmey oucan’tseethat
gir
lforwhoshetrul
yis?Sheisplay
ingyouandby
theti
mey ouopenyoureyes,shewouldhavelong
repl
acedyou.”
“Miguell
ovesmeRachel andCourtneyismyf r
iend.I
don’tthi
nkIcancont
inuewiththi
sf r
iendshi
pofour s.
It
’sprovi
ngtobetoxi
candIdon’ twanttobe
associat
ingwit
htoxi
cpeople.”
“
Wow!Ok, Iam t
oxi
c,thenyouareri
ght
.Idon’
tthi
nk
t
hisf
ri
endshipcanconti
nue.Bye.
”
Rachel
wal
kedoutoft
hegat
ewhi
l
eLonest
ared.
“
Hey
,comeoni
n,
”Cour
tneycal
l
edf
rom t
hedoor
.
Lonesmi
l
edandwal
kedbacki
n.

*
***
*

Anay
aputonhercl
othesst
ari
ngatt
heol
dmanshe
hadjustsl eptwith.Hewasn’ thardwor kli
ket heman
oftheot hernight.Ittookgi vi
nghi m abl owj oband
ri
dinghimf orthetwomi nuteshel ast
ed.Butst il
l,
it
wast hef actthatshehadnowt urnedintoa
prosti
tutet hatmadet earsburnherey es.Sher ubbed
hertearsput ti
ngonherheel sthenwal kedoutoft he
hotelroom.Shewal kedfastt i
l
l shewasi nacombi ,
shesatatt hefarbacki nt heempt ycombi e.She
tookoutherphoneandl ookedatt hetime, j
ustafter
halffi
ve.
Sheknewi fshedidi tonelastt
imeormay bet wi
ce
mor e,shewouldraisethemoney .Thir
tyminutes
l
ater,shewasget t
ingof ft
hecombi e.Shepaidthen
walkedt oherhousewher esheunlockedthegate
andwal kedin.
“
Ayana,
openup.
”
“
Nay
a?”
“
Yes,
open.
”
Secondslat
er,shewaswal ki
ngi
nsi
dethehouse.
ShelookedatLet habowhowassti
l
lsl
eepi
ngthen
beganundressing.
“
Iam goi
ngt
oheaty
ourwat
er.Youcansl
eep.
”
“
No,
Iwi
l
lhel
pyou.
”
Shenoddedthenwal
kedoutnowdr
essedi
nherol
d
j
eandress.
“
Youknowthel
adywhosell
sduringbr
eakt
ime
moved,
shenol
ongerst
aysaroundher
eanymor
e.”
“
Oh,
”
“Yes.Therei sabusi nessgap.I nourCommer ceand
Businessst udieslessonwel earntt hatift
hereisan
opportunityyougr abi t
.Wecanst artourownt abl
e,
youwi l
lsellfreshchi ps,fatcakes, atcherandother
thi
ngspeopl ebuydur i
ngbr eaktimeandl unchti
me.
Youcanev encomei nthemor ningandmaket eafor
thecombi dri
v er
s,ther ankwi l
lj
ustbecl osebyand
youwi l
lalsohav emar ketfrom theseni orschool
students.Thenatni ghtyouwi llgof orthebarand
makeext racash. ”
Anayasmil
edast
het
houghtoft
hei
dea.“
Youar
ea
geni
usAyana!
”
Ay
anal
aughedwat
chi
nghersi
sterj
umpi
ngand
downl
ikeshedi
deveryti
meshegot100%i
nhert
est
.
“Nowwhoisbehav
ingli
keat
eenager
.”
Anay
apickedAy
anaandt
wir
ledwi
thher
.“Youar
e
sosmar
t.”
“Thankyou,
Itakeaft
ermybi
gsi
sterwhopassedher
account
ingdegreewit
ha4.
9GPA.”
“Nowlet
’smaket
hef
ir
e.Iwi
llpl
andur
ingt
heday
andseehowmuchImayneed.”
“
Ok.Idon’
tli
keSt
acybyt
heway
.”
Anayalookedatheryoungersist
ershruggi
ng.“I
needhermor et
hansheneedsme.Don’ tworr
y,soon
youwon’tbeseeingherhere.Butfi
rst
,wesetupour
busi
ness.”
.
.
.
Li
keandcomment,yourf
eedbackismot
ivat
iont
o
me.Keepshar
ingt
ooandgoodni ght
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#4

Miguelwal
kedinhi
sofficel
atemiddaywhi
l
eonhi
s
phone.Hesatdownlooseni
nghisti
e.
“Igott
hedeal,Iwasthi
nki
ngthatIwoul
dextendthe
hoteli
ntoabiggeronewit
hvari
edenter
tai
nments.
Makingitafi
vestarhot
el.
”
“
Yes,
thatcanwor
k.I
twi
l
lbev
eryv
iabl
e.”
“Iam alsothinkingofbuyi
ngdouble-deckerbuses
andr epl
acingt heol
dones.Idi
dn’tthinkthepubli
c
transportsectorwil
lbri
nginmoneyl ikei
t’sdoi
ng.”
“I
t’
sbecausey ouaredoingsomethingri
ght.Thisis
yourthi
rdyearbutl
ookhowf aryouhav egone.
Anotherpersoni
salsodoingthesamet hingasy ou
buttheyarefaci
nglosses.Wit
hgoodl eadershi
pand
goodbusinessskil
l
sy ouwil
lgofar.Iam proudof
you.
”
“
Thanky
ou,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Whenar
eyout
alki
ngt
oyourbr
otherBoi
kany
o?Tel
l
t
hatboyt
ocomehome.
”
“
Papay
ouknowhowAgangi
s.Hewon’
tli
stent
o
me.
”
“
No,t
ell
thatboyt
ocomeback,
thatDj
nonsensehe
i
sdoi
ngmuststop.
”
“
Iwi
l
ltal
ktohi
m.Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Okmyboy
.”
Hehungupt
henopenedhislaptop.Asoftknock
er
upt
edonhisdoorandhelookedup.“Yeah?”
HisPAwalkedinandsmil
ed.“
Mr.Mokwena,
aman
cal
ledKennet
hisheret
oseeyou.
”
“
Lethimin,whatt
imei
smymeet
ingwi
thMr
.
Matshaba?
”
“
Int
went
ymi
nut
es.Iwi
l
llethi
min.
”
Shewal
kedoutasMi guel
beganopeninghi
semai
l
s.
Aminut
elet
terKennethwaswalki
ngin.
“Youlookl
i
key
ouhav
ebeenhi
tbyoneofy
our
buses.”
Mi
guel
laughedst
andi
ngup.“
Andwhendi
dyou
comeback?
”
“
Neverasksuchquest
ions,
whydoy
oul
ookl
i
kea
t
ir
edgori
ll
a?”
Miguel
walkedroundhi
stabl
eandfi
stbumpedwit
h
Kennet
h.“
Engli
shwatertr
eat
ingy
ougoodIsee.
”
Kennethl
aughed.“I
fyoubat
hyouwi
l
llookgood.
Let
’stal
kmoney .
”
Miguelwalkedbacktohi
schai
randsatdown
st
aringathisbar
efinger
s.“
Wherei
sEmi l
y?”
Kennet
hshookhi
shead.“
Wear
edone.
”
“
That
’swhaty
ousai
dthel
astt
ime.
”
“
Thi
sti
mef
orgood.Iam back,
Iam donewi
thUK.
”
Miguelcoul
dn’
thel
plaughi
ng.“It
oldyouy
ou
shoul
dn’tmarr
yher
,youdidn’
tli
sten.
”
“Ishoul
dhav el
i
stened,
youwi
n.Ineedaj
ob,
let
’s
startt
here.
”
“
Youknowyoucanalway
scomeback.Noonedoes
whaty
oudobett
er.
”
“
Good.Wher
eist
hat
-“
ThedooropenedandLonewal kedinsi
deinared
tr
enchcoat
.Miguelrubbedhislipsr
emember i
ngthe
gi
rlhehadmett woday sago,shetoohadbeen
weari
ngaredtrenchcoat,j
ustli
keLone’s.
“Oh,Idi
dn’tknowy
ou…”Shet
rai
l
edof
flooki
ngat
Kenneth.
“
Kennet
h?”
“
Lone,
goodt
oknowy
oust
il
ll
ookgood.
”
“
Idohav
eameet
ingi
nfi
ft
eenmi
nut
es.
”
ShelookedbackatMiguel
andsmi
l
ed.“
Ithoughtwe
coul
dgooutf orl
unch.
”
“
Iam busy
.”
Kennet
hst
oodup.“
Wewi
l
ltal
kBK.
”
“Letmecal l
theHRdepart
mentandhav
ethem dr
aw
upy ourcontr
act
.Youcanpassbysi
gni
ngit
.”
“
Ok.Sur
eboy
!”
Hewalkedoutl
eav
ingMi
guel
star
ingatLone.“
I
di
dn’
tknowhewasback.
”
Mi
guel
shr
ugged.“
Hej
ustcameback.
”
“Don’
tyouthi
nkhi
m wor
kingf
ory
oucancause
confl
i
ct?”
Hef
rowned.“
Ist
hatwhyy
ouar
eher
e?”
Sheshookherhead.“
No,
Iwasj
ust
-“
“
Gett
othepoi
nt,
Ihav
etowor
k.”
“Iwasthi
nki
ngwecangooutf ordi
nnertoday.
”She
saidsl
owlyuntyi
nghert
renchcoatti
l
l Mi
guelcoul
d
seeherredl
ingeri
e.“
Aft
eryouhav ethi
slunch.
”
Mi
guel
sighed.“
Iam wor
kingl
atet
oday
.”
“Babehowar
ewesupposedt
ofi
xthi
ngsi
fyoukeep
pushi
ngmeaway
?”
“Lone,
Iam busy.Wewillt
alkathome.
”Hesai
d
grabbi
nghi
sof f
icephone.
Loneslowl
yclosedhercoatt
hensmi
l
ed.“
It
’sok,
I
wil
lcookathome.”
“
Don’
twai
tup.
”
Shestar
tedcry
ingwhil
eMiguel
justst
aredather
,hi
s
facebl
ank.“
Miguelpl
ease,
”
Hedi
aledt
heHRdepar
tmentandl
i
stenedast
he
phoner
ang.
“Gohome,Iwil
lfi
ndyouther
e.”Hequi
ckly
dismi
ssedherwhil
etheHRansweredhiscal
l
.

*
***
**

Loneappr
oachedhercaral
readyunl
ocki
ngit
,one
coul
dswearshewasn’tweari
ngsixi
nchheel
swith
thewayshewaswalki
ng.
“
Runni
ngaway
?”Kennet
haskedf
oll
owi
ngbehi
ndher
.
Lonei
gnor
edhi
m andopenedt
hedoort
ohercar
.
“Youcan’tav
oidmef or
ever.YouandIar
egoi
ngt
o
beseeingeachotheralot
.”
Shet
urned.“
Whatdoy
ouwantKennet
h?”
Helookedathert
highst
il
lhert
oes.“
Youar
est
il
l
beaut
if
ul.
”
“
Stayawayf
rom me.
”
Hechuckl
ed.“
Youdoknowt
hati
t’
simpossi
ble
r
ight
?”
Shetookadeepbr eathst
ari
ngathisface,hesti
l
l
l
ookedgood.UKobv i
ousl
ywast r
eati
nghim good.
Thelasttimeshehadheardhewasmar r
iedbutnow
shenoticedhehadnoweddingbandon.Her anhis
handinhisheadandsmi l
edbit
inghislowerl
ip.
“
Mi guel
ismycousinandalsomyfr
iend.
”Hesaid
wi
thasl ysmil
e,hi
seyesgoingt
oherexposed
t
highsagain.
“
Kennet
hpl
ease…”Shebeggedhi
m.
“
Ok,hav
eity
ourway.”Helookedathi
swatchthen
mov
edback.“I
t’
sal
way sgoodtoseeyou,
Lone.”
Hegotinthecarbesi dehersanddr oveoffwhil
eshe
j
uststoodthere,herheartst
illbeat
ing.Shecoul
d
st
il
lsmellhi
scol ogne.Shefinall
ygotinhercarand
st
art
edt heengine.

*
***
*

Anay
alookedatherbudgetpl
anandsi
ghed.P500
wasnotbadt ospendont hecostbutshefearedthat
theideawouldn’tbev iabl
e.Hermot herhad
managedwi t
hasi nglemanual sewingmachine,
therewasnothingshecoul dn’
tdoifhermotherdi
di t
.
Shet ookt
heP500f rom themoneyshehadsav ed
from twoday
sagoandwal kedoutonlytomeet
LethaboandAy anabyt hedoor.
“Lethabo,
youarel
ate!
”Anay
asai
dlooki
ngathi
s
cleanunif
orm.
“
Iwaswait
ingf
orAy
ana.Iwant
edust
owal
k
t
oget
her
.”
Anayasmiled.“
Iwilll
etitgojustf
ortoday.Andgood
boy,youar
enott hatdir
tybutyouknowy ouwash
thesocksandshirtri
ght?”
Henoddedt
henwal
kedi
nsi
de.
“
Noonel
aughedatmet
oday
.”
Anayachuckl
ed.“
Whywoul
dthey
?Youl
ook
beaut
if
ul.
”
“
Igot100%i
nmymat
hemat
icst
est
.”
“
Iam pr
oudofy
ou.Iam goi
ngt
omal
l
,Iam goi
ngt
o
buyst
ock.Ial
readycooked.
”
“
Ok,
wewi
l
llock.
”
“
Ok.
”
Anay
awalkedt
owardsthegat
ewher
eshemet
Kgot
langwhowaspassi
ngby.
“
Naya,
hey
.”Hesaidsof
tl
ymaki
ngAnay
asmi
l
e.He
wasal
way
snice.
“
Hi.
”
Theybothstar
tedwal
ki
nginthesamedirecti
onin
awkwardsil
ence.“
Youlookbeaut
if
ul.
”Hefinal
lysai
d.
Anayasmiled.Hel
ivedfi
vehousesfrom hersand
workedatsomeattorneyoff
ices,
shehadf orgot
ten
where.Anayaknewhel i
kedherbutwasjustshyt o
tel
lher.
“
Thanky
ou,
howi
swor
k?”
“I
t’
sfine,Iwil
lbemov
ingoutendofmont
h.If
ounda
bachelorpad.
”
“
That
’sr
eal
l
yni
ce.
”
“
Yeah,
”
Theywal
kedt
owar
dst
hebusst
op.
“
Iam goi
ngnearbysobye.”Shel
i
ed.Shewasgoi
ng
t
owalktothenearbymall
.
“Anay
await
-Iwaswonder
ingi
fit
’sokt
ohav
eyour
number.
”
Anayal
ookedathi
scut
efaceandsmi
l
ed.“
Yeah,
it’
s
ok.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Iam badatt
his.
”
“
Yeah,
thatexpl
ainswhyy
ouar
esi
ngl
eatt
hisage.
”
“Anayadon’
tmakef
unofme.Iam shy
,someguy
s
areshytoo.
”
Theyl
aughed.“
Ok,
sor
ry.
”
“I
t’
sok.Andno,
Iam shybutt
hat
’snotwhyIam
si
ngle.
”
Shecockedherheadt
othesi
de.“
Real
ly?Theywhy
areyousi
ngl
e?Iam sur
eyouhavegi
rl
sthrowi
ng
themsel
vesatyou.
”
“YeahbutIam si
ngl
ebecausef
orayearnowIhave
beentr
yingtocomeupwithawaytoaskyouout.I
neverheardyout
alkbefor
et i
llt
hatti
meImetyouat
thecli
nicwit
hyourmother.Iexpect
edyoutonot
eventalktome,i
t’
snoteverydayguysli
kemehave
beauti
fulgi
rl
stal
ktothem.”
Anay alaughedsoft
ly,
recall
i
ngtheday .Aboutsix
mont hsagowhenshehadwentwi t
hhermot herat
theclini
cbecauseshewasi npain.Aft
erseei ngthe
doctor,shehadaskedf ordi
rect
ionstot henearest
tuckshopwher eshecouldbuyapacketofNi knaks
sohermot hercoul
deatbeforetaki
ngt hepil
ls.
“
Andsincethen,
all
Ihav ebeenwantingt
otel
lyouis
t
hatyouhaveabeautif
ulvoice.Sof
tandsoot
hing.
”
Hesaidwit
hasmal ll
augh.
“
Wel
lthanky
ou.
”
Acombicameandhei
gnor
edi
t.“
Canwegoout
somet
ime?”
Shelookedathi
m wi
thasmi
l
e.“
Yah,
Iwoul
dlov
e
that
.”
“
Ok,
”
Shel
aughedathi
ssi
l
lysmi
l
ethent
urnedandwal
ked
away.Acombipassedherami
nut
elat
ert
henshe
hear
dhisvoi
ce.
“Getin,l
et’
sgo.”Shelookedathi m ashecal
ledher
throughthewindow.Everyoneinthecombi wasful
l
andev er
yonewasl ooki
ngather .Hiseyesbegged
forhertojoi
nhimt hatshereluct
antlywal
kedround
thecombi andsatinthefrontseatwherehewas.
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
othemal
l
?”
Shenodded.“
Yes,
”
“
Iwi
l
lpay
.”
Sheopenedhermouthtotel
lhi
m nobuthespoke
fi
rst
.“Takei
tasathankyou,
forgi
vi
ngmey our
number.”
Shelookedi
nhi
sbr
ightey
esandbl
ushed.“
Thank
you.
”
“
Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odoatt
hemal
l
?”
“
Iwantt
obuyst
ockf
ormynewbusi
ness.
”
“
Whatki
ndofbusi
ness?
”
“
Str
eethawker
.”
“
Theny oushoulddef
ini
tel
ygotobusrank.Ther
ear
e
alotofshopsther
ewhichsel
lsuch.
”
“
Ijustneed-
“
Hegav eherP10.“Youcancomebackwi ththi
sP10.
Iam nottr
yingtobuyyouoranythi
ng,Ij
ustknowthe
str
uggleofnotfi
ndingajob.Youwil
lpaymeback
wit
hy ourf
irstpr
ofi
ts.
”
Shel
aughed.“
IfImakepr
ofi
t.
”
“No,
Iam sureyouwi
l
latl
eastmakeP50ev
eni
fyour
busi
nessfai
l
s.”
Theyl
aughed.“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”
“Youarewelcome.Iwasi
ny ourposi
ti
onayearago.
Istar
tedacarwashanditpaidbil
l
s.Weall
start
somewhere.
”
“Ial
readygaveuponf i
ndi
ngaj obt
hatrequi
resmy
qual
ifi
cati
on.SometimesIregr
etst
udyi
ng
Accounti
ng,IwishIhadstudi
edsomethingelse.
”
“
Wow!SoIam si
tt
ingwi
thanaccount
antr
ightnow.I
f
eel
speci
al.
”
Anay
alaughedshaki
ngherhead.“
Don’
tteaseme,
I
am anaccount
antbyname.
”
“
Don’
tbenegat
ive.Onedayy
ouwi
l
lfi
ndaj
ob.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Yah,
sowhatar
eyou?Al
awy
er?
”
“Yes,
butani
nter
n.Thebossi
sreall
ycoolsoIthi
nk
heisgoi
ngtohir
emeaftermyprobati
onperi
od.”
“
Goodf
ory
ou.
”
Hest
oppedt
hecombi
atabusst
op.“
Iwi
l
lcal
lyou.
”
Shegotof
fsothathecancli
mboutthencl
i
mbed
backi
nwhilehecl
osedthedoorf
orher.
“
Bye.
”
“Bye,
”shesaidwav i
ng.ShelookedattheP10inher
hands,shejustknewhimf r
om afarandhadonly
seenhim acoupleoftimestoknowhi sname.Her
phonev i
brat
edf r
om herpocketasthecombi
headedtobusr ank.
Iam pr
ayi
ngt
haty
ourbusi
nessi
deagi
vesy
oul
otof
money.
Anay
asmi
l
edr
eadi
ngt
hemessage.
*
***
**

Stacyclosedherpotsat
isfi
edwi t
hwhatshewas
cooking.Ever
ythi
ngwasgoi ngaccordi
ngtoplan.
Herphoner angandshet ookitoutf
rom herapr
on’s
pocketanswering.
“
Ricky
,”
“
Arey
ourgi
rl
sready
?”
Shesmil
edli
cki
ngt hespoonshehadbeenusi
ngt
o
st
eerherst
ew.“Yes,It
oldyou.
”
“Good,Idon’
twantanymi
stakes.It
oldy
ou,
thi
s
guyshaveabagofmoney.”
“
Youwor
ryt
oomuch,
thegi
rl
sar
eready
.”
“
Ok,
fine.Wewi
l
ltal
k.”
Stacywal
kedoutoft hekitchenassoonasRi cky
hungup.Shesatdownonhercoucht aki
ngthesmal l
phoneandputt hereadytousesim card.Herplan
wascomingt ogetherandsheknewsoon, shewoul d
bemakingloadsofmoney .
“Hey,
Tebogo, t
hisisMae,
Igotusagooddeal.
Ther
eisabachel orpar
tyt
oni
ght,
bigmoney.Ithi
nk
youwill
final
l
ybeabl et
orai
semoneytopayy our
mother’
sdebts.”
“
Thanky
ousomuchSt
acy
,sowhatshoul
dIdo?
”
“Iwi
llcomeoverandhel
pyouprepar
e.Don’
twor
ry
aboutclot
hes,
Ialr
eadyhav
eitcover
ed.
”
“Thankyousomuch,
someoft
hepeopl
esheowes
eventookthef
ri
dget
oday
.”
“
Don’
twor
rybabes,
Igoty
ou.Wewi
l
lmeetl
ater
.”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Afterthat ,
shecal ledtheot hergirlwhowasal so
desper ateformoney .Theywer ealldesper at
eand
whatSt acyunder stoodmor ethanany t
hingwast hat
desper atetimescal ledfordesper ate,measur es.I
t
wasn’ tgoingt obel ongtillsherecruitedmor egirl
s
andl etthem makemoneyf orher.Shel ookedather
wat chthensmi l
ed.Oneofherbi gclientswas
comi ngov er,shewaspl anni ngtointroduceAnay ato
thecl i
entinthenearf ut
ur e.Sheknewhewoul dwant
heri mmedi ately
,theyall want edher.Whowoul dn’t
wantapr
ett
yfacewi
thapet
it
ebody
.
Shewal
kedt
oherbedr
oom t
ochangecal
l
ingAnay
a.
“
Stacy
,”
“HeyNay
a,Igotusi
ntoabachel
orpar
ty.I
t’
sgoi
ngt
o
beli
t.
”
“
Idon’
tthi
nkt
oni
ghtIwi
l
lmakei
t.
”
“
What?Anay
adon’
tfor
gett
haty
ourmot
herneeds
money
.”
“Iknowbuttoni
ghtIam busy.Ihav
et ohel
pLethabo
withhisschool
workandeitherway,Iam t
aki
ngthe
kidstoseemama.”
“Iam sur
etheywill
seeherproperl
yoncesheis
dead.Iam onlyt
ryi
ngtohel
py oubutanyways,
it’
s
fi
ne.Iam sureyouwil
lmakeapl an.
”
“
StacyI
-“
“
No,
it’
sfi
ne.By
e.”
“
Wai
t,y
oucancomepi
ckmeup.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lcomebyar
oundsi
x.”
Shesmil
edhangi
ngupt
hent
hrewher
sel
font
hebed.
“Moneyher
eIcome!
”

*
***
*

“Lonedon’
ttel
lmey
ouar
ebackatt
hatman’
s
house.
”
“Mamay oudon’
tunder
stand,
ifIl
eav
ehei
sgoi
ngt
o
cheat
.”
“Lone,eveni fyoust ayt here,hewi l
lsti
ll
cheati fhe
wantst o.Didn’tItellyounott ogobackt here?You
arestayinginGabor onewi t
hhim buthehasn’ teven
mar r
iedy ou.Youhav et urnedintohiswifewhi leyou
arejustagi rl
fr
iend.Youhav ebeeni nGabor onefor
yearsnowbuty oust i
l
l hav enothingtoyourname.
Youar ehelpingsomeonebui l
dt hemselveswhi le
yourlif
er emainsst agnant .Soonhei sgoingtomar r
y
someoneel sewhi l
eal ly ouhavet oyournamei s‘ I
madehi m whohei s’
.”
“
MamaIj
ustcan’
tleav
e,Iwr
ongedhi
m.Pl
easel
et
mef
ixmyr
elat
ionshi
p.”
Sheheardhermothersi
gh.“
Ihav
enowordsf
oryou
anymore.Ihav
etri
edmybesttoadv
isey
oubuty
ou
arej
usthardheaded.
”
“
Miguel
isgoi
ngt
omar
ryme,
soon.Ipr
omi
sey
ou.
”
“
Ify
ousayso.
”
Sheputherphonedownt henhear dt
hehoot erby
thegate.Shesmiledrubbingherl i
pstogetherthen
rushedtothesit
tingroom andpr essedthegat e’
s
remote.Shewaitedpat i
ent l
yputt
ingonnot hi
ngbut
hisshi
rtwitht
hef ir
stthreebuttonsunbuttoned.
Whenhef i
nal
l
ywal kedin, shealmostscreamed.
“
Kennet
h!”
Shequi
ckl
ystar
tedbut
toni
ngt
heshi
rt
.
“
Whatareyoudoi
ngher
e?”
“
Don’
tfr
eak.Mi
guel
wentt
oMahal
apy
e.”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
What
?”
“Yes,
hewentforsomeimportantmeeti
nghehadt
o
att
endthenseehi
sparent
s.Ithoughty
our
rel
ati
onshi
pwasgoingwell
.”
“
Iti
s.”
Heclosedt
hedoorandwalkedfurt
heri
nsi
dethe
house.“
Ist
hatwhyhedidn’
ttel
lyouhewasnot
cominghometoni
ght?
”
“
Kennet
hpl
easel
eav
e.”
“No,Iam notgoinganywher
ebecauseyoureal
ly
don’
twantmet o.”Hesai
dclosi
ngthegapbetween
them whi
leshebackedaway .
“Kennet
h,Iam notpl
ayingt
hisgamewi
thy
ou
anymore.Whereisyourwif
e?”
“Di
vor
ced.Andyouknowy ouwanttopl
ay,
”he
shr
ugged.“
Idon’
tevenknowwhyy ouarebacki
ng
up.
”
Hetookthreestepst henpul l
edherinhi sarms.Lone
fr
ozeasheki ssedher .Hisli
psstil
ltastedthesame,
j
ustli
ketheyhadt hreey earsago.Shecoul dn’
t
bel
iev
eshewaski ssingMi guel’
scousin.He
unbut
tonedhert -
shirtthenkissedherneck.
“Youknowy ouwantmeLone.AndIam goi ngto
haveyou,likeIhadyouthreeyear
sago.”He
whisperedseducti
vel
y,hernippl
eshardened.Lone
stoodthere,havi
ngherbodycaressed,t
ouched,
kissedi nway sshecoul dn’tr
ememberwhenl ast
Mi gueldid.Nodoubti nhermi ndt hatsheloved
Mi guelbutwi thKennethshecoul dn’tseem to
cont r
ol her
self.Tearsfi
lledhereyesasKennet h
blessedherwi thwetkissesdownherst omach, her
nav elandf urt
herdown.Thef i
rstt
imei thappened,
threey earsago, sheknewi thadbeenami stake,one
shenev erwant edtorememberbutt henitkept
happeni ngt i
l
lhel ef
tforUK.
At earrandownhercheekasheputherl ef
tlegon
hisshoulderkneeli
ngbeforeherthenkissedher
ri
ghtonhersensi ti
vebud.Sheclosedherey esas
herhandmadei t
’swayt ohishai
r.Hekissedherin
way sthatwokenupt hesleepi
ngdesireinher ,
desi
re
shehadl ongburied.Herlegsbeganvibrati
ngashe
thrusthisf
ingeri
nsidehersoftwalls.
“OhKenny..
.”Shemoanedr el
easi
ngi
nhi
smouth.He
l
ickedhercl
eanbef or
estandi
ngupandki
ssi
ngher.
Shetast
edher sel
finhi
smout h.
“
Youcanal
wayshaveusboth,
youknowi
t.
”He
whi
sper
edagai
nstherl
i
ps.
“
Ken…”
“
Shhh.
”
Hepickedherupandplacedheronthecouch.He
sl
owlyundressedwhil
estari
ngather
.Hereyes
di
lat
edwithlust,
shewantedhiminsi
deheralr
eady.
Sheachedforhisgent
leness.
“
Condom.
”Shesai
dashegoti
nbet
weenherl
egs.
“
Don’
twor
ryaboutt
hat
.Rel
axandl
etmehav
eyou.
”
Thenhewassinki
ngdeepinherwar mthgroaning.
Shecouldn’
tst
ophim,hefel
tmor esweetwithout
thecondom.Shewrappedherlegsar
oundhiswai st
whenhewasf i
nal
lyburi
edtothehil
t.
“
Youf
eel
sogood.
”
Shemoanedashest artedtomov e.Hewasgent le,
l
oving.Shelovedhist ouch,lovedhowhet ookhis
ti
mewi thher.Goingfast ert
henslower .Pushi
ng
deepintoher,ki
ssingherev erywhere.Lonemov ed
beneathhim,meet i
nghi mt hrustf
orthrustandwi th
eachthrustt
ighteninghermuscl esaroundher .They
madesl owlovetot hesof tmusicthatplayedinthe
backgr
ound, f
ocusingonnothi
ngelsebutt
hei
r
pl
easure.Lonewishedhe’dneverst
op,t
hathewoul
d
goonforeverlovi
nghertender
ly.
.
.
.

Don'tf
orgett
ol i
keandcomment
,fol
l
owi
ngi
nser
t
fol
l
owsat22: 30.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#5

Anayawalkedwit
hStacyi
nsidet
hehot
el.They
walkedtotheel
evat
orandwenttot
hesecondfloor
wherethebachel
orpar
tywas.
“RememberwhatIt
oldyou.
”St
acysai
dfi
xing
Anaya’
sweave.“
Justdowhaty
ouaresupposedt
o
doandy ouar
egood.
”
“
Ok.
”
Theelevat
ordoorsopenedandt heybothstepped
outandwalkedtothesmallhal
l.Thepartyseemed
tohavebeenstar
ting,
theyweref ewpeople.Aman
metthem assoonast heywal
kedandki ssedStacy’
s
cheek.
“
Hey
,youhav
emadei
t.
”
“It
oldyouIwoul
dn’
tdisappoi
nt,
youshouldt
rust
me.”Shesai
dwithasmi l
e.Themanturnedt
olook
atAyanawit
hasmile.
“
Wow!Comein.
”St
acyandAnayawalkedi
nthent
he
manwhi
sper
edsomet
hingt
oStacy.
“Let
’sgochange.
”St
acysai
dast
heywal
kedout
alr
eady.
“
Thepar
tyhasn’
tst
art
ed?
”
“
Ithas,
wear
ejustabi
tlat
e.”
Theywalkedtoacer t
ainroom wheretheyqui
ckl
y
changed.Anayacouldhavequali
fi
edtobeingnaked,
shelookedatthethongandsighed.Stacyhadsai
d
todaywouldbri
nginmor emoneyt haneversoshe
hopeditwouldbeenoughtohaveenoughmoneyfor
thesurger
y.Shedi
dn’tt
ell
Stacyt
hattheol
dman
hadgivenherP5kall
becausehehadbeentoodrunk
tocare.
“Ok,wai
ther
e,Iam comi
ng.If
orgotmyout
fi
tint
he
car.
”
Stacywalkedleavi
ngAy anaaloneinthebigroom.
Shelookedaroundwi t
hherar msar oundherchest
.
ThedooropenedandAy anaturnedwonder i
ngifshe
hadalreadyarri
vedattheparkinglotandret
urned
buttohersurpri
seitwasn’tStacy.Threemen
walkedin,t
wohol di
ngcansofbeerwhi l
etheother
smoked.Herhear tski
pped.
“Anay
a? ”Theonewhohadwal kedi
nfi
rstaskedand
sheslowlynodded.Herhear
twasbeat
ingtoofast
.
“
Ithoughtt
heywer
etwo?
”Oneasked.
“
No,
it’
sonl
yherf
ornow.
”
“
No,
youwantt
oki
l
lthechi
l
d.”
Theylaughed.“
Whatar
eyousay
ing,
wepai
dfor
her.
”
Anay
afr
owned,
shecoul
dn’
tunder
stand.
Oneofthem wal
kedtowardsherwi
thawar
m smi
l
e.
“Don’
tworry
,wearenotgoingt
ohurty
ouok?I
promi
se.”
Ayanawantedtorunoutoft her
e,shewonderedi
f
shesaidnowouldtheylethergo.“Justdoaswesay
anditwil
lbefi
ne.
”Hewhi speredthenpull
edheri
n
foraki
sssli
dinghishandinsideherpanti
es.
“Shit
!”Hegr oanedagainstherl
ipsthentookast
ep
from hersippinghi
sbeer .Hemotionedshetwi
rl
ed
slowly.Anayaswallowedt hent
urnedround.
“Shei
sperfect
.”Thequietonefi
nal
lysaidt
hen
l
aughed.“
Whatdoy ousay?”Heaskedtheonewho
hadbeensmoki ng.
“
Apussyi sapussy,
justt
hisonehasapr
ett
yfacet
o
i
t.Iwantherass.
”
“Str
ip.YoucancallmeA.”Anay alookedattheman
whohadj ustki
ssedherthenstartedtaki
ngoffthe
thong.Sheundressedti
llshewasnaked.She
watchedAunziphi spant
swi t
hasmi r
kthenpushed
hertothecouchwher esheknelt.Hetookouta
condom f
rom hi
sbackpocketandcov
eredhi
sdick
befor
epushi
ngherchestdownandpushingi
ntoher
.
“
Ahfuck!She’
sti
ght
.”Ay
anar
aisedherheadt
ryi
ng
t
oignor
ethepain
Anotheronecamet oherfacethenforcedhisdickin
hermouth.Thisonehadar ingonhisfinger
,she
noti
cedtheothertwodidn’
t.Hepushedhi mselfdeep
i
nsidehermout ht
hatherinsidest
urned.Shegagged
mov i
ngherheadbackwhi l
eAcont i
nuedt hr
usting
fr
om behindher.
Hegr abbedherhai rroughl
ythenbeganthrusti
ngin
hermout h,tearsfi
ll
edherey esasshestr
uggledto
breathe.Hepul l
edoutf r
om hermouthjustasA
sl
appedherasscheekshar dgoingf
aster.Anaya
tr
iedmov i
ngf r
om him, t
her
ewasashar ppai nshe
couldn’tseem toignoreanymore.
“
Wherear
eyougoi
ngbeauti
ful
Anaya?Comeher
e…”
Apul
l
edherev
enclosert
oherthr
ust
ingmor
edeepl
y.
“
Stop!
”Shecr
ied.“
Pleasest
op.St
op!
”
Befor
eshecoul
dsayanyt
hingmore,adickwas
thr
ustbacki
nhermout
h,deepert
histi
mear ound.
Tear
swar medhercheeksasshet
ri
edtofr
eehersel
f.
Hert
earsseemedtoar ouset
hem,
theydi
dn’
tst
op
butr
atherbecamerough.
Shegaggedont hedickt
henfel
tvomi
tcome.She
pushedhim awayroughl
yandhurl
edonthef
loor
.
Theyall
laughed.
“Mister,don’
tbetooroughonthechi l
d.”Thequi
et
onewhohadbeenst andingadistancefrom t
hem
sai
dnowappr oachi
ngher .Apul
ledoutast hequi
et
onepi ckedherupli
keasackofpot atoesandputon
herthebed.
“
Please,
letmego.St
op!
”Shepleadedwi
thhi
m but
t
hesmokerwasquickorespond.
“
No,wepaidher
.Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
eti
l
lIf
uck
t
hiswhor
e.”
“
It
’syourbachel
orpar
ty,
fuckt
hisgi
rl
.”Asai
d
l
aughing.
Tear
srol
leddownashel
ookedathi
sfr
iendst
hen
madeherkneel
.
*
***
*

Miguelwalkedinsidehi
sparent’
shouseandwas
i
mmedi at
elymetbyasweetar oma.Hesmiled
walki
ngtowardst hekit
chenwherehefoundhis
mothersteeri
ngherpot .
“I
tsmel
lsgoodi
nher
e.”Hi
smot
hert
urnedwi
tha
smil
e.
“
Myboy.
”Shewal
kedt
owar
dshi
m andhuggedhi
m.
“
Imi
ssedyou.
”
“
Imi
ssedy
out
oo.Whatar
eyoumaki
ng?
”
“
Yourf
avor
it
edi
sh.Imadei
twi
thal
lmyhear
t.
”
Mi
guel
smi
l
ed.“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout oomyboy,youhav
edar
kspot
sunder
y
oureyes.Youshoul
drest.
”
“
Iwi
l
l.
”
“
Wher
eisLone?
”
“
Ilef
therbehi
nd.
”
Hi
smotherwal
kedbacktoherpotandcl
osedit
.
“
Whenareyoumarryi
ngthatgi
rl
,herf
ami
lyhasbeen
wai
ti
ngforawhi
lenow.”
“It
’sagoodt hingheisher esot hatwecandiscuss
thatissue.”Hisf at
herjoinedthem int
hekitchen.
“Youcan’ tjusttaketheirdaughterandmakeher
yourwi f
ewi t
houtmar ryi
ngher .Thati
svery
disrespectful.
”
Miguelwatchedhisf
atherwal
ktowar
dshi
smot
her
andkisshercheek.
“
Iwi
l
lmar
ryher
.”
“
When?It’
snotl
i
keyoudon’thav
emoneyt
odoi
t.
What
’sgoi
ngonwit
hyou.”
“
PapaIwi
l
lmar
ryher
,ri
ghtnowI
’
mjustt
oobusy
.”
Hi
smot hershookherheadt
urni
ngbackt
oherpot
.
“
Talkt
oy oursonplease.
”
Miguel
wal
kedoutwi
thhi
sfat
herandst
oodagai
nst
hi
scarout
side.
“
Whati
stheprobl
em?It
houghty
ouwer
esur
ethat
y
ouweregoi
ngtomarr
yher.
”
“
Iwasti
l
lsheabortedmychi
l
d.Shedi
dn’
tev
ent
ell
meshewaspregnant.
”
“
Shedi
dwhat
?”
“
Sheki
l
ledmybaby
.Twomont
hs.
”
“Iam shockedt osaythemost ,Inev
ert hought
…”He
sighed.“Butatthesamet i
meIdon’ tblameher .She
waspr obablyscared,nowomanwant st obegivi
nga
manwhoi sn’tmarryi
ngherkids.Youar etheone
withtheproblem,doy outhi
nkshewoul dhave
abortedthababyhady oubeenmar ri
edt oher?
”
“Nobutsti
ll
,shedi
dn’
tevenbot
hert
ell
i
ngmeshe
waspregnantbuti
nst
eadranof
fandkil
ledmy
chi
ld.
”
“Sowhatareyousaying?Don’
tforgett
hisi
sthe
samegirl
thatheldyourhandandlovedyoueven
whenyouhadnot hi
ng.Thisgi
rlst
ayedwithyou
whenthi
ngswer esti
llhar
dforyou.Peopl
emake
mist
akes.
”
“
Yesbutmur deri
snotamistake.Shecar
eful
l
y
t
houghtofi
t.Idon’
tthi
nkIcanforgi
veher.
”
Hisf
atherfol
dedhi
sarmsst ar
ingathi
m.“Soyou
don’
twanttomarryherany
mor ebecauseofone
si
mplemi st
akeshemade?”
“I
t’
sjustnotami
stake.I
t’
smychil
d.Howwoul
dyou
havefel
thadmamaabor tedme?
”
“Imarri
edy ourmot herbeforeIimpregnatedher .I
can’tt
ellyouwhatt odobutIj ustwanty outoknow
thatyouwi llnevermeetaper fectwoman, weall
makemi stakesbecausewear ehuman.Thatgi rlhas
l
ov edyouf ort helongestt i
mebutIcan’ tforceyout o
bewi t
hheri fyoudon’ twantt o.WhatIknowi sthat
wedon’ tleav ethepeopl ewhol oveus,
peopl ewho
canstandwi thuswhent heent i
reworl
dt ur
nsi t
’s
backonus.Thosepeopl earer aretofi
nd.”Hesai d
thenwal kedbacki nsidethehouse.
Hissist
erparkedhercarbesi
dehisthenst
eppedout
ofthecar.“
Andher eIt
houghtyouwouldn’
tcome
becauseyouar ei
nameet i
ngwithimport
ant
people.
”
Miguel
laughedasshehuggedhi
m.“
IthoughtI
coul
dcomeandseey ou.”
“You?Youst
ayonl
yanhourawaybuty
ounev
er
comehere.
”
“
Wher
eist
hat
-“
“Don’
tinsul
tmytobehusband.
”Shepoi
ntedafi
nger
athim.“Wheni
sLone?Imissedhersomuch.
”
“
Idi
dn’
tcomewi
thher
.”
Sher
aisedaney
ebr
ow.“
Why
?”
“Ididn’
tdri
vehomebutj ustcamestr
aighther
e.I
wasgoi ngtogotoMahal apye,
Ihadabusinessdeal
tosealthensl
eepov erathomebuttheperson
decidedtocancell
astmi nut
eandthenIheardthe
folkswerehere.
”
Coll
eenshrugged.“Theyini
ti
all
ywantedtocometo
yourhouse,sur
prisevi
sitbutIper
suadedthem
other
wise.Iam happytoseey ou,
it’
sfunnyhowwe
neverseeeachother.”
“
Iwi
l
limpr
ove.
”
“
Youhav
eto,
soonenoughy
ouwi
l
lbeanuncl
e.”
Helaughed.“Ican’tbel
ieveyoul
ett
hat-
“shegave
hi
m alook.“Ican’tbeli
eveyouar
epregnant
,ist
hat
whywear
eher
e?”
“
Yes,t
hereisnobestsupportt
hant
hatt
hatcomes
f
rom y
ourownf ami
ly.Ical
l
edAgangandhesai
dhe
i
scoming,nott
odaybutheis.”
“
Ist
il
lthi
nky
ouar
etooy
oungt
obeget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
”
“Boi
kanyo,
wespokeaboutthi
s.I
t’
snotourf
aul
tthat
youarethi
sol
dbutsti
l
lref
usetomarryyour
gir
lf
ri
endoffi
vey
ears.
”
“
Wher
eishe?
”
“
Athi
sbachel
orpar
ty.
”
“
Youknowwhathappensatbachel
orpar
ti
esr
ight
?”
“Boi
kanyo,It
rustIan,wear eget
ti
ngmarr
iedina
week’sti
me,youhav eplentyofti
metochangeyour
att
it
udetowardshi m.Can’tyouj
ustl
i
kehim?Forme?
Foryouryoungersist
er?”
“Myyoungersist
erwhois22yearsol
dandalr
eady
get
ti
ngmar r
ied?”Hehuggedher.“
Iwi
llt
ry.
”
“Thanky
ou.Let’
sgetinsi
det
hehouse,
tel
lme,
why
didyoul
eaveLone?”
“It
oldy ou.Howisy ourjob?Iam glady
ouare
working.”Hesaidast heywalkedtowardst
he
entr
ance.“ Youevenowny ourowncar.
”
“I
t’
stoosmal l
butanyways,that’
swhatIcoul daffor
d,
aHonda.”Shet ur
nedandlookedahi m bef
oreshe
couldopenthedoor.“
ButIam qui t
ti
ngandbef or
e
youpanic,
Iwanty out
oknowt hatIjustwon’tbe
sit
ti
ngathomedoi ngnot
hing.”
Mi
guel
shookhi
shead.“
Het
oldy
out
oqui
t?”
“
No,Boi
kanyo,
Ijustwantt
oenjoymypregnancy
wi
thnoworkstr
essoranypressur
e.”
“
Youwantt
otel
lmey
ouqui
tyourj
obt
obeahouse
wi
fe?
”
“
Ther
eisnothi
ngwronginbei
ngahousewi
fe,
that
’s
aper
sonal
choiceandIam gr
own.
”
“Youar
ebehavingli
keachi
l
d.Oncey
ouar
ejobl
ess,
hewon’tr
espectyou.
”
Sheshookherheadt
henopenedt hedoorand
wal
kedin.Miguel
’
sphonevi
bratedinhispocket
whil
ehefol
lowedaft
erhi
ssist
er.Hetookitoutthen
puti
tbacki
nhi
spocket
.

*
***
*

Anayaclosedherey
escr
yingasshegotonef
inal
thr
ust.
“Let
’sgo.
”Asaidalr
eadyzi
ppinghi
spant
swhi
l
ethe
smokersteppedawayfr
om her.
“Thankfory
ourser
vicesmam,
youar
easweetl
i
ttl
e
bit
ch.”
Theybothwal
kedleav
ingthegroom st
ari
ngather
.
“Yourf
ri
endwil
lgi
veyoutherestofthemoney.
”
Anayacov er
edherfacewithherhandscr yi
ng.He
walkedoutasAnayastruggledtobreathe.Shetri
ed
tocalm downbutshefeltasifshewassuf focat
ing.
Herheartwasbeati
ngt oofast,
shefeltli
ghtheaded.
“Anaya!
”Shefel
tar
msar oundherbody.“Look,
li
sten
tome, t
akeadeepbreat
hin.Rel
ax,focuson
breat
hing.I
nandout.Sl
owly.
”
Shefoll
owedinst
ruct
ionst
il
lthepai
nonherchest
eased.Shel
ookedatthegroom,hehadcomeback.
“
Dress,
Iwi
l
ltakey
ouhome.
”
Anaya’
sbodyshookasshedressed.Hehelpedher
totheel
evat
orandri
ghttot
heunder gr
oundparki
ng
l
otwheretheygoti
nhiscar
.Hedr oveoutasher
tear
srandownhercheekst
oherneck.
“
Yourf
ri
endsol
dyout
ous.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m.
“Shetol
dust hatyouknewwhatwasgoi
ngon.We
paidherP1200.”
Anayacl
osedherey
esasherheadached.Hert
highs
wereonfi
re,
shecouldn’
tev
enfeel
hervagi
na.
“Iknowsheisnotgoi
ngtogiv
ey ouany
thing.She
broughtot
hergir
lst
oo,f
ourmore.Sheusedy ou.You
shouldbecaref
uloft
hecrowdyoukeep.”
“Your
apedme.Isai
dno.Isai
dst
op.Ipushedy
ou
away.
”Shewhi
spered.
“
Wher
edoy
oust
ay?
”
“
Broadhur
st.
”
“
Ok,
”
Hecontinueddri
v i
ngsilent
ly.Af
terawhil
ehefinal
l
y
spoke.“Nooner apedyouAnay a,youbr
ought
yoursel
ftotheparty,noonef or
cedyou.Yougotpaid
fori
t.Andy oudon’tknowme. ”
Heparkedthecarbyt hemallcl
osertoherhouse.
“Don’
tthi
nkaf t
erthi
sy ouwil
lgotothepoli
ce,Iknow
poli
ceoff
ici
als,Iwil
lendyourli
feandnoonewi ll
everfi
ndyou.Tryitandsee.”Hetookhi
swal l
etthen
gavehermoney .“Getout.
”
Anayaopenedthedoorandst eppedoutofhi
scar
thenwatchedhi
m speedoff.Shetookoutherphone
andswitchedi
tonwhileshovingthefi
veP200notes
i
nherbra.Sheslowl
ywalkedal ongtheroaddi
ali
ng
Stacy
’snumber.
“
Nay
a,hey
,Ihadanemer
gency
,Ihadt
oleav
e.”
“
IknowyousoldmeandIwantmymoney
.Youpai
d
f
ormetogetraped.
”
“
Hey
,Idi
dn’
tfor
cey
oui
ntodoi
ngany
thi
ngandI
don’
towey
ounot
hing.
”
“Oh?Ok, Iam goi
ngt othepol
icer
ightnowand
report
ingyou.Idon’tknowwhattheyaregoingto
chargeyouwi thbutwhatIknowisthattheyare
goingtochargey ou.
”
Shelaughed.“
Youareful
lofj
okes,
soy
out
hinkt
hey
wil
ll
istentoaprost
it
ute?
”
“
Yesbecausey
outookmet ot
hepart
yStacyand
y
ousoldmeunknowingl
ytomenIdon’
tknow.”
“
YesIdi
dsowhat
?Got
othepol
i
cedar
li
ng.
”
Anayaforcedal
augh.“
Youjustadmitt
edtoit
,Ihav
e
beenrecordi
ngt
hiscal
l
.Iam goingr
ightnow.
”
Shesaidt henhungup.Shetri
edwalki
ngfasterbut
shewasi ntoomuchpain.Shesloweddownlooking
atthecarswhichpassedher.Shel
ookedaround
hopingtoseeacombi butt
herewasnot hi
ng.
Herphonerangandsheanswer
ed.“What
?Youar
e
di
sturbi
ngme,Iam wal
ki
nginsi
dethepol
ice
st
ation.
”
“
Fine,
Iwi
l
lgi
vey
ouy
ourshar
e.”
“
Ewal
l
eti
tri
ghtnow.I
t’
sP2000.
”
“
No,
thati
snot
-“
“Ok,
it’
sfi
ne.Iwil
lgladl
ytell
thepol
i
cewhaty
ouar
e.
Theyarecoming,youcan’tr
unaway.”
“
ButP2000i
sal
ot.
”
“Igotr
aped!Iam r
eport
ingyouandt hosemen,wait
andwatch,youthi
nkIam joki
ng.Ihavenot
hingto
l
ose.”
“
Ok,
fine.Iwi
l
lewal
l
eti
tri
ghtnow.
”
Anayahungupandl ookedatt heti
me.Itwasjust
aft
erten.Shetookofft
heheel sandstart
edwalki
ng
baref
ooted.Herphonev i
brat
ed,shelookedatthe
ewall
etmessageandsi ghed.
Sheputherphoneawaywhenshesawaboycr oss
theroadtoherside.Shelookedbehi ndher, t
wo
mor ewerecomingf r
om behindher .Herhear t
skippedasshelookedatt heempt yroad,therewas
nocarorany oneexpectfrom hercompany .They
wer ewal
kingtoofast,shecouldn’
tev enrunev enif
shewant edto.
Sheheldont oherhandbag.“GodIknowIam hav e
beenaskingf oralotf
rom y
oubuttodayIasky oufor
yourprotect
ion.YouknowhowmuchIhav esuffer
ed,
youknowwhat ’si
nmyhear t
,pl
easehel
pme. ”She
prayedloudl
yast heyappr
oachedher.Sherani nt
he
middleofther oadwhenshesawacarspeedi ng.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#6

Carti
resscreechedwhileAnayaclosedherey es
wait
ingfortheimpact.Sheslowlyopenedherey es
whensher eal
izedshewasst il
lst
anding.Thecar
hadstoppedani nchawayfrom her.Tearsgushed
fr
om hereyesast hedri
verpressedthehooterbut
shestoodthereparal
yzed.Shecouldn’tseem to
knowhowt owal kanymore.
Thedr
iverst
eppedoutoft
hecar
.“Whatar
eyou
doi
ng?
”
Sher
aisedherey
esandlookedathi
m shaki
ng.I
t
wasl
ikeshehadbeenpouredwit
hcoldwater
.
“
Getoutoft
her
oad!
”
Slowlyshemov edherlegswal ki
ngtotheotherside
oftheroad.Theboy swer egone.Fr
om thecornerof
hereye, shesawhi m getbackinhiscaranddriveoff.
Shest i
l
l coul
dn’tgetherf eett
omov efastortoeven
run.Herphonev i
bratedfrom herbr
abutsheignor ed
i
t.Ami nut el
ateracarst oppedbesi
deher ,
she
slowlyturnedandl ooked.
“
Geti
n.”
HehadcomebackbutAnayacoul
dn’
tfi
gurewhyhe
wasback.Di
dhewantmore?Shesti
l
lhadthemarks
f
rom t
hehandcuf
fs.Shesl
owl
yshookherhead
wal
ki
ng.
“Iam notgoi
ngtobegy
ou,
theyar
egoi
ngt
ocome
backandkill
you.
”
Shewi
pedhert
ear
slooki
ngi
ntohi
scol
dey
es.
“
Geti
n.”
Shesl
owl
yopenedthedoorandsl
i
dint
hebackseat
.
“Wher
ear
eyougoing?”
“
Neart
hechur
ch.
”
Hequiet
lydr
oveandfr
om t
hechur
ch,shedi
rect
ed
hi
mt oherhousewher
ehepar
kedinf
rontofthe
gat
e.
“It
houghtpr
ost
it
utesweresmar
t.”Hesaidwhen
Anayaopenedt
hedoor.Shel
ookedathim.
“
Iam notapr
ost
it
ute.
”Shewhi
sper
ed.
“
Thenwhatar
eyou?Whatdoy
out
hinky
ouar
e?”
“
Youdon’
tknowme.
”
“Idon’tneedtoknowyout oknowy ouarea
prosti
tute.Yousl
eeparoundf ormoneyi
nsteadof
fi
ndingar ealj
ob.I
t’
speoplel i
keyouwhopaintt
he
countryinabadway .Afterthat,
youvi
cti
mize
yourself
.Getoutofmycar .”
Shewipedhertearsthencli
mbedoutofhiscarwhil
e
hedroveof
f.Shest oodsti
ll
til
lshecoul
dn’
tseehis
tai
ll
ight
sanymor e.Brav
elyunlockedt
hegateand
wal
kedinsi
dethey
ard.Sheknockedonthedoor
cal
l
ingAyanawhoopenedalmostimmediat
ely
.
Anayapausedlookingathersweat
yfaceandher
eyesfi
l
ledwit
hnot hingbutt
err
or.“
Whatisit
?”
“
Theman,hewasback,
hewast
ryi
ngt
obr
eakopen
t
hedoor
.”
Anayal
ookedatthedoorwhi
chlookedtempered
wit
hthenwalkedi
nsi
delocki
ngbehindher.Let
habo
wassti
ll
awakeholdi
ngasmal l
knif
e.
“I
t’
sfi
nenow.Iam her
e.Not
hingi
sgoi
ngt
ohappen.
Youcansl
eep.
”
“WhatifhecomesbackNay
a?Iwil
lnotsl
eep,Iwi
l
l
prot
ectus.”Let
habosai
dmaki
ngAnayasmile.
“Iknowy ouwi
llbutyouhav
eschool
tomor
row.
Sleep.Let’
sal
lsleep.
”
Sheputherbagandshoesdownandt ookof
fthe
wigbefor
epushingtheki
tchenuni
tagai
nstt
hedoor
.
Herphonevibr
ated.
“
Let
’ssl
eep.Iwantt
obat
h.”
Let
haboputt
hekni
feundert
hepi
l
lowandcov
ered
hisheadwi thabl anketwhi l
eAnay abegan
undressing.Thef il
l
edt hedishwi thcoldwaterand
satinsidebat hing.Shescr ubbedherski nhard
hopingshewoul dfeel bett
erbutwhenshef inal
ly
steppedout ,i
tf eltasi ft
hewor ldwast oobigand
shewasal oneont hecor ner.Shefeltashamed, f
elt
dirt
y.Shet ookt hedr essandsquashedt hem before
throwingitoutt hrought hewi ndow.Shenev er
want edtot hedr essev eragain.Shesatont hebed
withat ornt owel aroundherbodyandl ookedather
l
ifeinthesmal l room shecal l
edhome, shelookedat
themoneyont hebed.Sheshoul dhavenev er
spokent oSt acyt hreemont hsagowhenshemether
i
nt hecombi andshoul dhav eneveragreedt osel
ling
herbodyf ormoney .
Tear sfel
lwithselfl
oathe, shehat edher sel
f,she
hatedherbody .Shewi shedshewoul dst op
breathingallt
ogether,
wi shedt hewor ldwoul djust
stop.Shef el
tdetachedf rom herbei ng.Slowly,she
crawledont hebedandl ayf arawayf rom her
si
blings.Shedidn’twantt ocont aminat ethem with
di
r t
iness.Shecriedsil
entlywi shingshecoul d
squasht hememor yofwhathadhappened.Nowshe
i
magi nedwhatitwoul dhavebeeni fhehadhi twi t
h
thecar ,t
hatwoul dhavebeenbet t
er .Awhilelater
shel ayonherbed, numb, f
loat i
ngindar knessand
empt iness.Hersadnessf r
ightenedherbutwhatwas
wor sewast hethoughtofcont i
nuingonl i
ving.
Sinkingdeepi nt
oi t
.Shefelttoodr ainedtobr eathe
ormov esoshej ustlayt
here, si
lentlyandlist
enedt o
thewi ndoutside.

*
***
**

“Idon’
tthi
nkyoushoul
dsl
eepher
e.”Lonesai
dly
ing
onKenneth’schest
.
“
Rel
ax,
hei
snotcomi
ngback.
”
Lonesatupri
ght.“
Whydoy ouwantt
oworkwit
h
Miguel
?Ithi
nkyoushoul
dlookforaj
obsomewher
e
el
se.”
“Ineedsomewher
etostar
tandei
therway,
hei
s
goingtopaymebigmoneysowhynot?”
“Idon’
tthi
nkIam comf
ort
abl
ewi
tht
hat
,whati
f
somethingsl
i
ps?”
“
SoyouthinkIam st
upi
denoughtot
ell
mycousi
n
t
hatIam sl
eepi
ngwithhi
sgir
lf
ri
end?
”
“No.Ij
ustdon’
twanty
ouwor
kingf
orMi
guel
,hei
s
smart.
”
“
Iam notst
upi
dei
ther
.”
Herheartski
ppedwhenshehear
dt hegate.“
It’
sonly
MiguelandIwhocan…”Shel
ookedatKennet h.“I
t
houghty ousai
dhewenttoMahalapye.
”
Shejumpedoffbedandrantothesitt
ingr
oom
wherethei
rcl
otheswer
e.Sheslight
lymovedthe
cur
tainsandl
ookedatMiguel
’sgrayi
shRangeRover
Vel
ar.Sheranbacktot
hebedroom almostsl
ippi
ng.
“
Dress,y
ouneedtoleav
e,Ican’
tbel
iev
et hi
s.You
l
i
ed,areyout
ryi
ngtorui
nmyr el
ati
onship?”
Hedr essedup.“Yourhappi
nessmat t
erstome.
Eit
herway ,IneedMiguelsobeingcaughtwit
hyoui
s
thelastthi
ngIneedr i
ghtnow.Ievenparkedmycar
bythatcarwashbecauseIknewany t
hingcan
happen.
”
Shetookof
fthesheet
soffthebedt
hrowi
ngthem at
hersi
deofthecl
osetandspray
edherper
fumeinthe
ai
r.
“Youneedtoleave,gototheguestroom,Iwill
dist
racthi
m whil
ey ouleav
e.“Sheheardthemain
doorclosi
ngthenrushedtothebathroom andstood
undertheshower.Shequickl
ylat
heredherbodywi t
h
soaptogetridofanysmel l
.
Shewashedthesoapof
fthengrabbedatowel
and
wrappedi
tonherwetbodywalki
ngout.
“
Heybaby
,”shesai
dsof
tl
y.
Hel
ookedathert
henatt
hebar
ebed.
“
Hey
,”
“Oh,Iwantedt
ochangethesheets.If
orgott
odoi t
earl
i
eron.”Shewal
kedtotheclosetasheundressed
andcamebackwi t
hcleansheets.
“
Howwaswor
k?”
“
Fine.
”
Shequi
cklymadet hebedherhear
tsti
llpounding
har
dagainstherchest
.Shewalkedbacktot he
cl
osett
hencamebackdr essedinanightdress.
“
Iwi
l
lgoandwar
myourf
ood.
”
“Iam nothungr
y.”Hesaidalr
eadywalki
ngtothe
bathroom.Lonewait
edforawhi l
ebefor
edashing
out.ShefoundKennethalr
eadywalki
ngoutthrough
themai ndoor
.
“
Youknowt
hisi
snotov
err
ight
?”
“Leave!”Shewhi speredpressingthegate’
sremot e.
Shewat chedhim walkoutthenwal kedbackinside
thehouse.Shel ookedaroundmaki ngsure
everyt
hingwasi ntheri
ghtfulstat
ebeforewalking
backt ot hebedroom andsatont hebedwai t
ingf or
him sot hattheymay betal
k.
“Iwast
hinki
ngwegoforcounsel
i
ng.
”Shet
oldhi
m
asheputonhissweat
pant
s.
“
Iam busy
.”
Heswi
tchedofft
heli
ghtandgoti
nbedswi
tchi
ng
of
fhi
ssidelamp.“
Iam sur
eyoucanmaket
ime
Miguel.Iloveyou,whycan’tyouseethat?
”Shecr ied.
“Isai
dIam sor r
y.Youkeeppushingmeaway .Ihave
givenmy selftoyouforthelastf
ivey
ears,Idon’t
deservethis.”
“
Lone,
Iwantt
osl
eep.Ihav
eamor
ningmeet
ing
t
omorr
ow.”
Shewal kedtohissideandknel tbef
orehim.“Miguel
Iam sorryIki
ll
edy ourchil
d.Iknowy ouarehurtbut
please…please.Iknowy ousleptwithsomeonea
fewday sagobutIam notsay inganythi
ngbecauseI
beli
eveIpushedt oit.
”
Heturnedgiv
ingherhi
sback.Shet
ookadeep
br
eathstandi
ngup.
“Ican’
tli
vewit
houtyouMiguel
.Ihavetri
edandI
seem tobefai
li
ng.Icanf
eelyousli
ppingfr
om my
hands.Idon’
tthi
nkIcanconti
nueli
vinganymor
e.”
Heremainedsi l
entthenshewalkedoutoft he
bedroom.Sheopenedt hedrawerwi t
ht heknivesi
n
thekit
chenandt ookoutthesharpest.Her
subconscioussil
ent
lywatchedherasshebr oughti
t
toherwrist.Shemoment ar
il
ylookedatherwr ist
wonderingwheretocut,sheknewitwouldtaketi
me
forhert
odi eandprobablybythenhewouldhave
takenhertothehospit
al.Shewonderedwhatwas
l
esspainfulandlessri
skybetweendrinki
ngpil
l
sand
cutti
ngherwrist
.
Sheneededsomet hingt
ocatchhi
satt
enti
on,maybe
him seei
ngherliei
napullofbl
oodwouldmakehim
comear ound.Shetookdeepbr
eathbr
ingi
ngthe
knif
et oherwri
st.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Shelookedathi m.“ Ican’tdot hi
sany more.Ihave
alwaysgivenmy selftoy ou, watchedyoubui l
dyour
empirewhi l
eIcheer edy ouon.Ist oodbyy ouwhen
everyonethoughty ouwer ej usttooambi t
ious.I
l
ov edyouwhennoonedi dandt odayIguessi tal
l
endsbecauseofonemi st akeImadeal lbecauseI
wasscar edandt houghty ouwer enotready.Ihave
forgi
veny ouforaloty ouwr ongedmebutIguess
becauseit’sme,Idon’ tdeser vebeingforgiv
en.”
“I
t’
snotthatIdon’
twanttoforgi
veyou,Il
oveLone
butIam hur
t.Youjustcan’
texpectt
ojumpbecause
y
ousayso.Pl
easet
hekni
feaway
.”
“
Whatdoy
ouwantmet
odot
hen?
”Shesobbed.
Hewalkedtowardsherandtookt
hekni
fe.“
Ithi
nk
weneedspace,Ineedspacetodeal
wit
hitandyou
needspacetofi
gureoutwhatyouwant
.”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Youwantabr
eak?
”
“
Yes,
Ithi
nksomet
imeapar
twi
l
ldousgood.
”
“
Thenwhydoesi
tsoundl
i
keabr
eakup?
”
Hekissedher
.“I
t’
snot.Il
oveyou,y
ouknowt
hat
,
not
hingisgoi
ngtochangethat
.”

*
***
**

Anayal ookedatt hesmallbucketful

loffatcakes.
Shesi ghedlookingtheniknaksshehadbought
togetherwi t
hsweet sandothersmal l
snacks
student sli
ked.Sheputthem inabigbagwhi l
e
Ayanat ooktheparaff
instoveshewoul dusetof r
y
thechi psandt hebucketoffatcakes.
“Iwil
lhel
pyouwit
ht hef
oldabletabl
e.”Lethabosai
d
picki
ngupthef
oldablet
able.Anayasmi l
ed.
“
Ify
oucancar
ryi
ttheni
t’
sfi
ne.Let
’sgo.
”
Theywalkedoutsidel
ockingbehindthem then
headedt
oschool .Anayali
stenedtoLethabospeak
ani
matedlyabouthisschooladventur
es.
“I
fyouguysdon’
twanttobeseenwi
thmei
t’
sfi
ne,
I
cantakei
tfr
om her
e.”
Shesaidastheyappr
oachedtheschool
.Ay
ana
shookherhead.“
Iam notashamedofmyfami
ly
hustl
e.”
Theywal kedneart
hewherethecombi spar
ked,a
spotinthemiddleoft
hepri
mar yschoolandjuni
or
school.Theysetupqui
ckl
yputti
ngev ery
thi
ngont he
tabl
e.
“
Ok,
youcanguy
scango.Iwi
l
ltakecar
eoft
her
est
.”
“
Okby
eNay
a,”Let
habosai
dhuggi
ngher
.
“
ByeLet
habo.
”
Shewat
chedt
hem wal
kawayt
hensi
ghed.
“Doyousell
fat
cakes?
”Ast
udentaskedst
andi
ngby
hert
able.
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Yes,
howmanydoy
ouwant
?”
“
Four
.”
Anayaqui
ckl
yser
vedhi
m ast
womor
est
udent
s
appr
oached.
“
Canwehav
efi
vef
atcakes?
”
“
Yes.
”
Sheworkedfastthenqui
ckl
yli
ghtedherpar
aff
in
st
ovebeforeputt
ingapotful
lofoil
.
“
Hel
l
o,canIhav
etwoNi
knaks.
”
“
Yesdar
li
ng.
”
Sheser
vedhert
hentookoutherpot
atoesand
qui
ckl
ypeel
edthem.
“
Doy
ouhav
efr
eshchi
ps?
”
“
Iam st
il
lcooki
ngt
hem,
youcanwai
tthough.
”
“
Ok.
”
Soonasmal
lcr
owdwasgat
her
edar
oundhert
abl
e
asshebalancedfryi
ngthechipsandservi
ng.Ev en
thedri
ver
swer ebuyingfr
om her.I
namat terofan
hour,
shenol ongerhadfatcakesnorthefreshchi
ps.
Whatwasl ef
twer ethesweetsandNikNaks.She
l
ookedatthet i
me, i
twasalreadyt
imeupf orthe
l
essonstostart.
“Youshoul
dconsi
dercomi
ngear
li
ery
ouknow,
you
havegoodmarket
.”
Shel
ookedupandsmi
l
edatKgot
lang.“
Hey
,”
“
CanIhav
eNi
knaks?Two.
”
Shet
ookt
hemoneyt
henhandedt
heNi
knakst
ohi
m.
“Todaywasasuccess,t
omorr
owwillev
enbea
bett
ersuccess.
”Hetol
dherasshebegi
npacki
ng
herthi
ngsintot
hebag.
“
Ihopeso.Ir
eal
l
ydo.
”
“It
houghtIwoul
dcomebyandseey
ouaty
ourf
ir
st
dayatwork.
”
Anayasmiledtr
yingnottobr
eakdown.Shehad
beenhol
dingiti
nev ersi
nceshewokeup,t
heurget
o
cry
.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“Ok,bye.”Hesai
dstoppingthecombiandjumpingin,
hewav edasitmoved.Shelookedaroundthen
sighed.Shecoul
dn’
taffordbeingweak.Shehadto
keepmov i
ng.
Shepackedalmostever
thy
ingint
hebagthenshe
tookoutherr
ingi
ngphone,i
thadbeenr
ingi
ngsince
l
astnight
.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Anay
acanwet
alk?Iknowy
out
hink-
“
“Neveri
nyourli
feev ercal
lme,i
fyoueverseeme,
tur
nbeforeIseey oubecauseIswear
,Iwil
lmopt he
fl
oorwithyouruglyfacethent
akeyoutothepoli
ce
wheretheywil
llocky ouupandthr
owawayt hekey.
Don’tt
ryme.”
“
Youarej
ustst
ressedr
ightnow,
Iunder
stand.Cal
l
wheny
ouhavecalmeddown.”
“Cal
lmeagainStacyandseewhatIwi l
ldotoyou.
”
Shehungupangril
ythenpi
ckedthebagput t
ingon
hershoul
der
,thestovei
ntheotherhandthenthe
bucketintheot herone.Tear sfil
ledhereyesasshe
l
ookedatt hef oldabl
etabl e.Awav eofdizzi
nesshit
herasf r
ustrat
ioncoileditselfaroundher.Sadness
washedov erherasshel ookedatt heprimaryschool
gate,shedidn’tknowhowmanyt imesshehad
thoughtofkill
i
ngher selflastnightbuteverysecond
shethoughtofhersi bli
ngs, thethoughtgotcrushed.
Herheartwasheavy,
shecoul
dn’
tev
enl
ookat
her
selfonthemirr
or.
“
Youcanl
eav
eyourt
abl
eher
e.”
Shelookedatthemanwi l
li
nghert
earsnottofall
.“I
dri
vethatcombi,Iam l
eavi
ngi
ntwentyminutes.You
canleavethebuckether
etoo,
Iwil
llookaf
terthem
ti
ll
youcomeback. ”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“Weareall
hustl
ers.Il
ikey
ourf
oodbytheway,you
shoul
dalsooff
ertea.Someofusl
eaveourhouses
wit
houteati
ng.
”
“
Iwi
l
l,t
hanky
ou.
”
Sheputt
hebucketdownt
henst
art
edwal
ki
ng.Her
phonevibr
atedasshearr
ivedhome.Sheput
ever
ythi
nginsi
dethehousethenanswer
edthecal
l
.
“Hel
lo?”
“Anay
a,i
t’
sNur
seBotshel
o.Mygi
rl
,It
hinky
ou
shoul
dcomeatthehospi
tal
.”
Herhear
tski
pped.“
Isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“
Justcome.Ri
ghtnow.
”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#7

Anayarushedinsi
det hehospit
al,
shecoul dn’
t
contr
olherthoughts.Shearr
ivedatherwar dthen
l
ookedatherempt ybed.Shef el
thersoul fi
ghtto
escapeherbodyassher emai
nedst andi
ng,frozent
o
beexact.Shecouldn’tt
hinkofanythingasshe
st
aredatt
heempt
ybed.
“
Anaya,
she’
sali
ve.
”Nur
seBot
shel
osai
dpul
l
ingher
i
nherar
ms.“Rel
ax.
”
Shedi
dn’
tevenreali
zeshewasshakingti
l
l shewas
i
nNurseBotshel
o’sarms.“Theyt
ookhertotheICU.
She…Anay
adoy ouhav ethemoney?”
ShelookedatNur
seBot
shel
ocr
ying.“
It
’snot
enough.It
ri
ed.
”
Thenur seshookherheadwi pingawayhert ears.
“Don’tcry.IwishIhadmoneybutr i
ghtnowIam
broke.Iboughtacarwi t
hal oan,Iam stil
lpayi
ngthe
debt.Iwanty out ot akewhaty ouhav eandgot othat
priv
atehospi t
al .Begt hem, giv
ethem whaty ouhave.
Wear er eadytot ransfery ourmot herther
e.Her
cancerhasspr ead, t
hisisj ustachancey ouare
taki
ng.Itmi ghtori tmi ghtnotwor k.”
Anayanoddedt henr anoutoft hehospit
al.She
j
umpedi nacombi t
hatwasatt hehospital’
sbus
stop.Shewishedt hedrivercoulddri
veal i
tt
lefaster.
Sheclosedherey est r
yingtopraybutshecoul dn’t
form asi
ngl
ewor dinherhead.I nthi
rtyminutes,she
wasget t
ingoffthecombi .Sheranhomeandt ook
allt
hemoneyshehadi ncludingherbankcar d.
Todayshej ustdi
dn’thavetimetowal ktot hemal l
thoughi twasonl ytwentyminutesaway .Arri
ving,
shequi cklydrewoutthemoneyi nheraccountand
alsotheP2000St acyhadsentt oher.Sheshov ed
themoneyi nherbagbef oregetti
nganot hercombi
thattookhert otheprivatehospit
al.
Timeseemedt obemov i
ngt oofastandshecoul dn’
t
seem t
oabl etodoany thingaboutitexpectf r
om
j
ustwat chi
ng.Shecoul dn’teventhi
nkofwhatwoul d
happenoncehermot herwasdead, thethoughtwas
tooheav yf
orher,i
tthreatenedt ocrushher.Her
phonerangf r
om herpocketandshet ookitoutand
answered.
“
Hel
l
o,”
“
Anay
a,i
t’
sAunt
yRose.
”
“
Oh,howareyouAunty
?”Herv
oicewasj
ustt
oo
weaktoshowemoti
on.
“
Iam f
ine,
howisyourmother
?Ihear
dhersit
uat
ion
i
sget
ti
ngworse.Iam goi
ngtocomether
einawhil
e
sothati
fany
thi
nghappenswestar
tplanningt
he
funer
ali
mmediat
ely
.Ihopeyourmotherhadmoney
savedupsomewhere.
”
“Mamai sfine,t
herei
snoneedfory outocome,
thankyou.”Shehungupandsighed.Shewasj ust
toodrai
nedt ocry.Whenshefi
nall
yarri
vedat
hospit
al,
shef el
tasifshehadspentagesinthat
combi.
“
Hi,
canIpl
easeseeDr
.Maj
e.”
Therecept
ioni
stsmil
ed.“
Doy ouhav
ean
appoi
ntmentwitht
hedoctor
.”
“NobutmynameisAnayaShat
o,Iam her
etosee
him aboutmymot
her
.”
“
Letmesee,
”
Anayawatchedhim callhimthensecondslatertold
hertogotohisoff
ice.Shedidn’ twast
eti
me, she
walkedri
ghttohi
sof f
ice.Thi
swast hesecondt i
me
shewasint hi
shospit
al,thef
irsttimehadbeent he
ti
met hepubli
chospit
alhadref err
edhermot herhere.
Sheknockedsof
tl
yonhi
sdoort
henwal
kedi
n.He
f
ixedhi
sspect
acl
esasshewal
kedi
nsi
dehi
sof
fi
ce.
“
Ms.Shat
o,”hemot
ionedshesi
tdown.
“Mymotheri
sv er
ysick.Imanagedt
oraisethi
s
amountonl
y.Shetookoutallt
hemoneyandhanded
i
ttohi
m.Hest art
edcountingi
tasAnayastoodther
e
wit
hweakknees
“
It
’snotenough.
”
“Iknowbutpl ease,Iam beggi ngy ou.Ther eisno
wher eIcangetmor e.Nor elativeisr aisi
ngthei
r
handt ohelp.Iam notwor kingandIhav etwo
sibl
ingslookingupatme.Ihav enot hing,what
shouldIdo? ”Shecried.“Please,please…Iam
beggingy ou,hel
pher .That’sallIhav ehav e.
”
Thedoctorsi
ghedlooki
ngatherdownonherknees.
“Anay
a,Iunderst
andyoursi
tuat
ionbut
-“
“Noyoudon’t
.Youdon’ tunderst
andmysi tuati
onat
all
.Youdon’
tunderstandwhatIhav ebeendoi ngto
rai
sethi
smoney .LastnightIwasraped,IknowI
wentther
ewill
ingl
ybutIsai dno.Andallthatfor
money.Youdon’tunderstandhowhar ditisfaci
ng
twopeopleeveryni
ghtwhoar enowf ull
ydepended
ony ou.Youdon’ tunderstandhowi tfeelsstaringat
yourmot herdy i
ng,sl
owl yandhav eherr el
ativescal l
tochecki fsheisdeadal ready.Youdon’ tunder stand
mysi tuati
on.Youdon’ tbecausei fyoudi d,theny ou
wouldunder standwhenIt el
lyout hisisallIhav e.If
youdidt henyouwoul dunder standwhyIneedy outo
helpherbecausei fyoudon’ t,
shei sgoi ngtodi e. ”
Helookedatherawhi lethentookoffhi
sspectacles
andrubbedhiseyes.“Ok,Iwillhav
ehertr
ansferr
ed
her
ebuty ouaregoingt ohavet omakeaplanon
howtopayt heremainingbalance.
”
“
Thanky
ou.Thanky
ousomuch.
”
Hestoodupandwal kedoutwhil
eAnay astoodup
wipi
ngawayhertearswiththehem ofhert-
shir
t.
Shewait
edfort
hedoct ortocomeback, whenhedid,
hehadsomepaper workforhert
osign.
“Shei
sonherwayher
e.Shei
sgoi
ngt
obef
ine,
I
promi
seyou.
”
Shenodded.“
Ok.
”
Shelookedatt
het
imesit
ti
ngonthewait
ingarea.
Herheadwasachi
ng.Shesatt
her
eforhours
wonder
ingwhatwasgoi
ngon.Dr
.Maj
ehadsai
dhe
woul
dupdateher
.

*
***
*

Lonelookedatherbachel orpadsighing.She
coul
dn’tshakeoffthefeelingthatherrel
ationshi
p
wasov er.Shehadmov edoutoncehel eftforwork.
Lastnightshehadn’tbeenabl etosleep,somethi
ng
hadchangedi nhim.Somet hi
nghadchangeddeepl y
anditscaredLone.Hedi dn’tl
ookathert hesame
wayheusedt oanymore.
Somehowsheknewhowmuchhel ov
edher,she
knewt heywouldbefine,
shewasgoi
ngtofi
ghtfor
them.Herphoner angandshei
mmediat
elyt
ookit
from herpocket
.
“
Amant
le,
”sheanswer
ed.
“
Lone,
Iam ar
ound,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
Shesi
ghed.“
Iam athome,
wecanmeetf
orl
unchat
Air
por
tJunct
ionmall
.”
“
OrIcanj
ustcomeov
er,
isMi
guel
around?
”
“Heisatwor
k,Iam leav
ingt
hehouser
ightnow,
I
havetoseeafr
iend.Wecanmeetin2hours.
”
“
Ok,
sui
tyour
sel
f.
”
Shehungupalr
eadypi
cki
nghercarkeys.Sheputon
herheel
sthenwal
kedoutl
ocki
ngbehindher.
Shepassedbyasal onwher eshedi dhernailsand
styl
edherhai rbefor
ef inall
ygoingtot hemal lwher e
shef oundAmant lealreadywai t
ing,heroldersister.
Asshel ookedather ,Lonesmi ledfeelingshaken.
Amant l
eal wayslookedgoodt hatLoneal wayshad
todot ent imesmor et olookherl ev
el.Shehad
alway sfeltli
kethatgrowi ngup.Sheal way sgot
compar edt oAmant le, wasitonbeaut y,education,
careerorr elat
ionshi
ps, itwasalway sacompet iti
on,
onet hatAmant l
ealway sdidbest .
“Youlookgood,
”Amantl
esai
dwithaslysmil
e
l
eaningbackonherchai
rwhi
let
akingoffher
sunglasses.
Lonesatopposi
teher
.“Idi
dn’
tknowy
ouwer
e
coming.
”
“
Idi
dn’
tknowt
oo,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
Amantlesl
owlyscruti
nizedhert
henfi
nal
lysmil
ed
rev
eal
ingherwhiteteethwhichwer
einli
ne.“
That’
s
good,
howi sMiguel?”
“
Hei
sfi
ne.
”
Amantl
echuckl
edtaki
ngasi
pofherwine.“
Iam
sur
pri
sedhesti
l
lhasn’
tmarr
iedy
outi
ll
now.”
“Heiscurr
ent
lysobusywithnewproj
ect
s,he
doesn’
twanttodothingshur
ri
edl
ysowedecidedt
o
waitt
il
lthi
ngsarebacktonormal
.”
“Ohreall
ynow?Ithoughtyouwer ehav
ingprobl
ems.
Ineverknewyouwouldbet hetypetokil
lababybut
then,y
ouarecapableofanythi
ng.”
Lonetookadeepbreathknowinghermotherhad
tol
dAmant l
e.Evenabli
ndmancoul dseethatt
hei
r
motherlov
edheroldersi
stermore.Shel
ookedat
Amantlecalml
y.
“
Mi st
akeshappen.
”Shesai
dwi
thashr
ug.“
But
MiguelandIar
etotal
l
yfi
ne.
”
“
Ipit
yyoul
it
tl
esi
ster
.AmanlikeMi gueldoesn’
t
wantawomanli
keyou,
youcan’thandlehim.”
“
Andwhodoeshedeser
ve?You?
”
Amant
leshr
ugged.“
May
be,
may
benot
.”
“Migueldi
dn’twanty oufi
veyearsagoandIcan
assureyou,hestil
ldoesn’twantyouevennow.You
mayhav ethebestcar eer
,tr
avel
ingal
lovertheworl
d
orthebeauty,butthatwon’tmakehim wantyou.
Youar esodesperateit’
ssad.”
Amant l
ewassi lentforawhi l
ebef or
eshest ar
ted
l
aughing.“ Me?Desper ate?Ohpl ease,theonly
persont hatisdesper atehereisy ou,cr
y i
ngfora
manwhocl earl
ydoesn’ twanty ouany more,buti
t’
s
fi
ne.Youhav ealway sbeenl i
kethisLone,it
’s
actual
lysadt haty out hi
nkIcanev erbedesperat
e
foramanort hatIcanev erbeli
key ou.Orderand
l
et’scelebratelif
e.”
Amantlerai
sedherhandcal li
ngthewait
er.Lone
wantedtostandupandl eavebutknewt hatwould
onlygi
vehersist
erthesatisfacti
onsheneeded.She
order
edhermeal thencarefull
ystudi
edAmant l
e’
s
f
ace.
“Soyoudi
dapl
ast
icsur
ger
y?”Sheaskedwi
tha
chuckl
e.
“
Ohwhynot
?Icanaf
for
dit
.”
“Youdon’
tneedaplast
icsurger
ytolookbeaut
if
ul
Amantle,
younosewasf i
nebutofcausewhatdoI
know?”Sheshr
ugged.“Ican’
taff
ordit
.”
Amantlepursedherli
psthenfinal
lysmil
ed.“Ihav e
noproblem per
fecti
ngmybeaut y.Youshouldtryit
someti
me, yourfl
atchestneedssomer eassessing
andbeingli
ghtincomplexiondoesn’tmakeyou
beaut
if
ul.”
Lonel ookedatherbr easts.Shehadal waysbeena
l
atebl oomer ,
byt heageof18herchestwasal most
fl
at,shehadt inyhipsandaf latbehind.I
twouldn’
t
hav ebotheredheri fshenev ergotcompar edtoher
voluptuoussister.Shest i
l
lwasn’ tthi
ck,shehada
petitefi
gureandshel ov edher sel
fmor ethanshedid
growi ngup.Mi guelli
kedherbody ,
hesai dshewas
portable.Hehadbeent heonet oteachhertolove
herbodyandheri mper f
ect i
ons.Hehadbeent he
onet
oteachhert
olov
eher
sel
f.
Lonestoodup.“Iact
ual
l
yl ovemyf l
atchest
,Iam
happywithmybodyandmy sel
f.Iam sor
rybutI
havetogo,cancelmyorder.Ci
ao!”
Shewal kedt
otheparkingl
otandsati nhercarfora
whil
et r
yingt
olocateherconfi
dence.Shenever
underst
oodwhysheal wayslethergettoherevery
si
ngletime.Shetookouthercompactmi rr
orand
star
edathersel
f.
“Youarebeauti
ful
,youarestrong,youaresmart.
”
Shewhisperedtohersel
f.Sheputthemi rr
oraway
andstart
edthecar.Herphoner angasshedr ov
eout
ofthemallandasmi l
ebr i
ght
enedherf ace.
“
Rachel
,
”
“Ihavejustsentyoual ocat
ion,comenow. ”Shesai
d
andhungup.Lonel ookedatthemessageandsped
towhereRachel hadsummonedher .Shehadbeen
wantingtocallhersinceshewokeupbutshewas
tooashamed.OfcauseCour t
neywasherf ri
endbut
shecouldn’tcompar etoRachel,theyhadbeen
fri
endssinceprimaryschool,theyweremor eli
ke
si
ster
sthanj
ustf
ri
ends.
Twentyminutesl
atershewassteppi
ngoutofher
cari
nfrontofsomehouse.Thegateopenedand
Rachelcameoutofthehouse.“
Come! ”
Shewalkedi
nthenstoodinfr
ontofher.“Iam r
eal
l
y
sor
ryaboutwhatIsai
d,Iwasjustst
ressed.”
Rachel
rol
ledhereyesanddraggedherinsi
det
he
housewhereCourt
ney’
sstepsisterwas.
“
Kel
l
y?”
Kel
lystoodupwithasmi l
e.“Hey,
”Shelookedat
Rachelwhonodded.“Ical
ledyourfri
endheretotel
l
youthatCourt
neyisaft
erMiguel.Ihavenoreasonto
l
ie,It
hinkyoudeserv
etoknowt het y
peoffri
ends
youkeep.”
“
What
?”
“
Shewantshim.Shehasbeenwant
inghimfora
whi
lenow.Ihear
dhertal
kingt
ohi
mt odaymorni
ng
whenIwasatherhouse.
”
Lonenodded.“
Oh,
”
“
IknowIdon’
tli
kehert
hatmuchandy
oumi
ghtt
hink
Iam afterrui
ningherf ri
endshi
pwi thherbutthat’
s
notthecase.Ij usthappent oreal
l
yl i
keyousoI
thoughtIwouldt ellherthenshewoul dtel
lyou.”She
saidpointi
ngatRachel .
“
See?It
oldy
ou.
”
Loneburntwit
hangerthi
nki
ngofhowCourt
neyhad
pushedforhertohav
eanabort
ion.Nowi
tmade
sense.
“
Thanky
ouKel
l
y.”
“I
t’
sok,
youguyscanl
eav
ebef
oremyboy
fri
end
comeshome.
”
Rachel
tookLone’
shandandt
heywal
kedoutt
oher
car
.
“Youshoul
djustcutherof
f,f
ight
ingdoesn’
tsol
ve
anyt
hing.
”
Loneshookherhead.“
No,itdoesn’
tbuti
t
str
aight
enspeopl
e.Sheisgoingtoknowmet
oday
.”
“Loneno,y
oudon’twanttogotojai
lforassaul
tor
evenloseyourj
ob.Justl
etherbe.
”
Lonegoti
nhercaral
readyst
art
ingt
heengi
ne.“
Iwi
l
l
cal
lyou.
”
Rachelopenedt
hedoorandgoti
nthepassenger
seat
.“Thisi
sabadidea.
”
Loneignor
edheranddr
oveheadi
ngt
oCour
tney
’s
house.

*
***
*

Courtneyr ubbedherr edlipstogetherli

st eni
ngto
Tanksi ng.Themoodwasset .Shegotupandputon
herheel s,sheknewMi guelwast oarri
vei nafew
minutes.Shehadcal l
edhi m earli
eronandasked
himt opassbyherhousebecauseshehad
somet hingimportantt otell
him.Shedi dn’ tf
eelbad
forly
ing, shewasgoi ngt ohav ehim onewayort he
other.Thegat ewasopen.Shel ookedar oundher
house, everyt
hinglookedgoodandi nplace.Itwasn’
t
herfaultLonecoul dn’
tkeephi m.
Shesmi
l
edwhensheheardacardri
vein.She
wal
kedt
othedoorandopenedi
thear
ingfootst
eps.
Herheartski
ppedasshecamef
acet
ofacewi
th
RachelandLone.
“Wow!Whoarey
ouexpect
ing?”Loneaskedlooki
ng
atherr
edsi
l
kygown.Cour
tneyti
edthebeltand
smil
ed.
“
Aspeci
alf
ri
end.Whatar
eyouguy
sdoi
ngher
e?”
Lonepushedherinsidethehousewalkingin.“
We
areheret
oseey ou.”Lonelookedattherosesall
overthef
loort
henbackatCour t
ney.“AndIseewe
aredi
stur
bing.
”
“
Yes,
may
bey
oucancomebackt
omor
row.
”
Lonenoddedtaki
ngof
fherheel
sthenearr
ings.“
I
thi
nkt omor
rowist
oofar
.Soyouarehere,
planni
ng
tosleepwit
hmyman?”
Cour
tneyl
aughed.“
Real
l
ynow?
”
“Yes.Youthi
nkIdon’
tknowwhaty
ouhav
ebeen
planni
ng?”
“
Youar
ecr
azy
,getoutofmyhouse.
”
LonewalkedovertoCourtneyandslappedher
acrosst
heface.Shegrabbedherbraidssl
appi
ngher
agai
n.
“Iam goi
ngtocleanseyout
oday
!”Lonesai
d
slappi
ngCourt
neyagain.
Court
neypushedLonehardthatshest
agger
edback
butshewouldn’
tlett
hebr
aidsgo.
“Leav
eme!”Cour
tneyy
ell
edki
cki
ngLonei
nthe
stomach.
Loneletgobreat
hinghard.“I
t’
snotmyfaultt
hatyou
coul
dn’tkeepachildandyes,i
fyoudon’
ttakecar
e
ofhi
m, wewi l
ldoitfory
ou.”
“
Youar
etheonewhot
oldmet
oabor
t.
”
“Idi
dn’
thol
daguntoy
ourhead.Youmadeachoi
ce.
Youaresodump,
nowonderhedoesn’
twanty
ouno
more.”
LonejumpedonCour t
ney,
withherpeti
tebodyshe
sti
l
l managedtolandt
hem bot
hont hefl
oor.Lone
satont opofCourt
ney
’sst
omachandpunchedher
i
nt heface.
“
Bit
ch!
”
Shet
hrewanot
herpuncht
henCour
tneypul
l
edher
hai
rthatLonescreamedwithpain.Wi
thoutt
hinki
ng
twi
ce,sheleanedoverandgrabbedCourt
ney’
s
cheekwithherteet
h.
Courtneypul
l
edLone’shai
rharderbutt
hemoreshe
pul
led,themoreLonesunkherteet
hint
oherf
lesh.
“
Lone,
letgo.St
op!
”Shecr
iedbuti
tfel
londeafear
s.
“
Loney
ouar
ehur
ti
ngme.Letgo.
”
“
Lone,
lethergo,i
t’
senough.
”Racheli
nter
vened
t
ryi
ngtopullherf
ri
endawaybutLonewouldn’
tletgo.
“Loneplease…”Courtneycri
edthenfinal
lyLonespat
hercheekoutst andi
ngup.Shewi pedbloodfrom her
mouthandki ckedCour t
neyhar
d.
“
Yout
hinkbecauseIam thi
nIcan’tf
ight
?Iwil
lbeat
y
ousohardyourancest
orswillcr
yforyoui
fIcatch
y
oust
aringatmyman.Doy ouhearme?”
“
Lone,
it’
senough,
let
’sgo.
”
“
Don’
ttestme,
letmeseey
ouwi
thMi
guel
!”
Racheldr
aggedheroutandpushedheri
nsi
dethe
carbef
oregett
ingt
othedriv
er’
ssideanddr
ivi
ngoff
.
“
Youknowshemi
ghtgot
othepol
i
cer
ight
?”
Lonecl
osedherey
es.
“Ihaveapolicefr
iend,letmecal lhi
m.May bewecan
gor epor
tthatsheattackedy ouwheny ou
conf r
ont
edherandsoy oudefendedyour
self.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ogot
ojai
l
.”
“
Ishoul
dhav
est
oppedy
ou.
”
Shetookoutherr
ingi
ngphone.Shelookedatt
he
unsavednumberf
orawhilethenanswered.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,it
’sme,
canwet
alk.
”
“
Ican’
tri
ghtnow.”Shesai
dhangingup.Rachel
l
ookedathersi
l
entlyt
henlookedatt
heroad.
Tearsfi
ll
edLone’seyesasshel
ookedoutthr
ough
thewindow.Rachelr
ubbedhershoul
derwhil
eshe
cri
ed.

*
***
*
Anayawatchedhersibli
ngseatwhil
etal
ki
ng.They
l
aughedandAnay aforcedasmileonherface.
“Naya,
whenar
ewegoi
ngt
oseemama?
”Let
habo
asked.
“
Aft
erIgetenoughmoneyt
henwewi
l
lgo.
”
Ayanasmi
l
ed.“It
oldt
hewhol
eschoolaboutyouso
tomorr
owyouaregoi
ngt
ohavealotofcustomer
s.”
“
That
’sgood,
todaywasal
soagoodday
.”
“
Iknow.Wear
egoi
ngt
ober
ich!
”Shesai
dlaughi
ng.
Anay astoodup.“Yes,uhhdon’
twor
ryaboutthe
dishes,star
twithyourhomeworks.
”Shelookedat
thesmal lcandl
ethatwasburni
ng.
“
Ifor
gottobuycandl
es,
Iwil
lgobuyonebyt
he
t
uckshop.Lockt
hedoor
.”
“Ok,”Let
habowasalr
eadyup.Anayatookafew
coinsandwalkedout
.Herheartski
ppedwhenshe
sawamal ef
igur
eapproachi
ngthegate.
“
It
’sme.
”
Shesighedwit
hreli
efhear
ingKgot
lang’
svoice.She
wal
kedt othegat
eandsmi l
ed.“
Hey,youscared
me.”
“
Iam sor
ry.Ihav
ebeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
l
.”
“
Iam sor
ry,
myphonei
sof
f.
”
“
It
’sok,
wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
Tot
het
uckshop,
Iwantt
obuycandl
es.
”
“
Iwi
l
lwal
kyou.
”
Theywal
kedsi
debysi
desi
l
ent
ly.“
Arey
ouok?
”
Shelookedathi
minthedarkandnodded.“
Yes,
just
st
ressedaboutt
hebusi
ness.”
“Youshoul
dn’tstr
essmuchyouknow,Ithi
nky
ouar
e
goingt
ogof ar.Youhav
egoodmar ket
.”
“
Yah…”
“WhenIst ar
tedthecarwash,busi
nesswasslow,I
nearl
ylosthopebutattheendoftheday,i
twas
success.Soy oudon’
tworry
,thi
ngsarel
ookingup.
”
“
Iguess.Mysi
bli
ngsar
esosuppor
ti
ve.Theykeep
megoing.
”
“
Youhav
eagr
eatsuppor
tsy
stem.
”
“
Iknow.
”
TheyapproachedthetuckshopandAnay
a
purchasedthecandl
ethent ur
ned.
“
Doy
ouwantt
obuysomet
hing?
”
Heshookhi
sheadno.“
No,
let
’sgo.
”
Theyst
artedwal
kingback.“
Ithoughty
ouwerea
combidri
ver,
Iswear,
Ioncesawy oudri
vi
ngone.
”
Kgot
langlaughed.“
Idi
d,ti
meswererough.Dr
ivi
nga
combiisnotaseasyastheyputi
ttobe.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.“
Youl
ookedoutofpl
ace.
”
“Andt
hatcombihadalotofprobl
ems.Thehoot
er
wasn’
tworki
ngproper
lyandIalwayshadt
oshout
sopeopl
ecancome.”
“
Icani
magi
ne.
”
“Ever
ytimeIwoul
dseemyol
dcl
assmat
es,
Iwoul
d
getashamed.
”
“
Icanunder
standt
hatone.Af
ewdaysagoIbumped
i
ntoanol
dclassmate,
shewasdr
essedupsmart
ly
wit
hlongheelsandmatchi
nghandbagandIlooked
l
ikedyi
ngthatmoment.Matteroff
act
,Ihadwanted
t
ohidebutshesawme. ”
“
Onedayy
ouwon’
thav
ear
easont
ohi
de.
”
Theyapproachedhergat
easacarparkedi
nfr
ontof
them.Anayatookadeepbreat
hasStacyst
epped
outofthecar.
“
Soyouar
enowlooki
ngt
osl
eepwi
thhi
mformoney
t
oo?
”Sheasked.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#8

Anayacaref
ull
ylookedatStacyastheheadli
ght
sof
hercarpr
ovidedli
ght.Shesi
ghedthenlookedat
Kgotl
ang.
“Thankyouforwal
ki
ngme.Youcancal
lmel
ater
aft
erIchargemyphone.
”
“
Ohnowy ouwon’
ttal
ktomebutwhenyouwere
l
ooki
ngforol
dermantosl
eepwi
thyouwerecr
ying
t
ome.”
“St
acy,pl
easel
eav
e,y
ouandIhav
enot
hingt
otal
k
about
.”
“Wehav
e!Didshetel
lyouthatshei
saprost
it
ute?
Didy
outel
lhi
mt haty
ousleeparoundf
ormoney ?
”
Kgotl
angl
ookedatSt
acyt
henatAnay
a.“
Whati
sshe
tal
ki
ngabout
?”
“
Ohsoshedidn’
ttel
lyou?Shesleepsar
oundf
or
money
.Yes,
sheisapr ost
it
ute.
”
“
Stacy
,Icanwal
ktot
hepol
i
cest
ati
onf
rom her
e.”
“
Don’
twor ry
,Iwasalr
eadyleav
ing.Ihopeyoutasted
f
orHIV/AIDS,Godknowswhaty oumaybecar ryi
ng
i
nyourblood.Youwouldn’
twanttoinfectt
hispoor
man.
”
Shegoti
nsi
dehercarthendrov
eoffwhil
eKgot
lang
j
ustst
aredatherhopi
ngforsomekindof
expl
anat
ion.
“
Icanexpl
ain,
”shest
art
ed.
“
Soy
oudosl
eepar
oundf
ormoney
?”
“
Yesbut
-“
“
Wow!
”
“
List
ent
ome,
Icanexpl
ain-
“
“Idon’
twantt
oheary
ourexpl
anat
ion.Ican’
tbel
i
eve
allal
ongIt
hought
…Wow!”
“Kgotl
ang,
wait,
Icanexplainplease.
”Shebegged
taki
nghishandint
ohers.“Iknowwhati tl
ooksl
ike
butIhadnochoice.
”
“That’
salameexcuseandweal lknowit.Youhada
choiceandinsteadyouchoset heeasywayout .You
arenottheonlyonewithstrugglesyouknow, there
areotherpeoplestr
uggli
ngoutt herebuttheydon’t
tur
nt hemselv
esi nt
oprosti
tut
est omakeends
meet .
”
“
IknowandI
-“
“
Bye.
”
Hewal kedawaywandshewat chedt i
llhe
disappearedint othedarkness.Sheblinkedawayher
tearsthenwal kedi nsi
dethegate.Insidethehouse,
shehandedAy anat hecandl
eandl ockedt hedoor
beforepushingt heki t
chenunitagainstthedoor.
“Anaya,arey ouf ine?”Let haboaskedandal lshe
coulddowasnod.Shet ookof fhershoesandgot
undertheduv etcl osi
ngherey esf eeli
ngtheurget o
cry,
thedesi ret obr eakdownbutshehel dit
.She
couldnotcryi nf rontofhersi bli
ngs, t
hatwast he
l
essonhermot herhadt aughther .I
nsuchcases, she
hadtobest r ong, hersiblingsdependedonher .She
tookadeepbr eathf i
ghtinghert ear
sandwhent hey
won, shecriedsi lentl
ynotmaki ngasi ngl
esound.
Shefelttoot ir
edandev erymi nut ethatpassed,itfel
t
asifsomet hingwast yi
ngi tselftoherneck.

*
***
*

Lonewaswokenupwithaloudknockonthedoor
.
Shest
il
ledasshehear
dfootst
eps.Awhil
elat
er
Rachelwal
kedi
nsi
det
heguestr
oom wher
eshe
sl
ept.
“
Lone,
dressup,
thepol
i
cei
sher
e.”
“
Sher
epor
ted?
”
Rachel
nodded.“
Yes,
dress.
”
Lonegotof ft
hebedwhi l
eRachel wal
kedtoher
room.Sheputonherdr essandshoesandwal ked
out.Rachelhaddressedtoo,
theybothwalked
outsi
deandgoti nthepoli
cecar.Lonetr
iedcal
li
ng
Miguelbuthisphonewasn’tgoingthr
oughandshe
fi
nall
ytextedKenneth.
Atthepol
icest
ati
on,t
heyfoundCourt
neywhohada
swoll
enfaceandbandageonhercheek.
Apoliceof
fi
cerapproachedt
hem thenl
ookedat
LoneandRachel.“
Arethesethel
adieswhoatt
acked
you?”HeaskedCourtneywhonodded.
“
Idi
dn’
tat
tacky
ou,
wef
ought
.”Lonesai
d.
“Shecametomyhouseandherf
ri
endwat
chedas
shebeatmeup.
”Herspeechwassl
owandanyone
couldt
ell
shewasi
npain.
“
Youaregoi
ngt
obechar
gedwi
thassaul
t,what
’s
y
ourname?”
“
LoneMonei
.”
“
Whydi
dyoubeather
?Lookhowshei
s?”
“Shebeatmebecauseherboy
fri
enddumpedher
andnowhewant sme.”
Rachel
shookherheadsi
l
ent
ly.
“Wearegoingtokeepyouhere,
yougoaround
beat
ingpeople,
youthi
nkthi
siswrest
li
ng?Let
’sgo.
”
Lonehandedherphonet
oRachel
.
“Iwillt
rybail
ingyouout.”Rachelwhi
sper
edt oLone
ast heytookheraway .Theyputheri
nnempt ycell
wher eshesatdownwonder i
ngwhatshewasdoi ng
withherlif
e?Fighti
ngpeoplewasnother .She
closedherey eswonder i
ngwhatshewoul ddoif
somehowAmant l
efoundout .Anhourl
aterafemale
policeoffi
cercamet ogether.
“
Yougotbai
l
.”
Theyappr
oachedthef
rontdeskwher
eshef
ound
Kennet
hwaiti
ng.
“
Hey
,ar
eyouok?
”
Shenodded.“
Yeah,
Iam f
ine.
”
Theywalkedoutandwentt
ohi
scar
.“What
happened?”
“
Ihadaf
ight
.”
Kennet
hlaughed.“
Youf
ought
?You?
”
“
Yes,
thanky
ouf
orbai
l
ingmeout
.”
“
Ican’
tbeli
evey
ouwer
efi
ght
ing?I
t’
sjusthar
dto
i
magine.
”
Lonechuckl
ed.“
Don’
tunder
est
imat
eme.
”
Helaughedevenhar
der
.“Iwoul
dn’
tdar
e.Iwoul
dn’
t
wantyoutochocksl
am me.”
“
Stopi
t.
”Shecoul
dn’
thel
plaughi
ngt
oo.
“If
eelsor
ryforwhoev
ersawy
ouf
ight
ing,
itmust
havebeensad.”
“
Mxm,
leav
emeal
one.
”
“
Sothatli
tt
lehandwas…”Helaughednotableto
f
ini
shhissent
ence.“
Wondersshallnev
erend.”
“
Takemehome.
”
“
Yourwi
shi
smycommand.
”
Heopenedt hedoorforherandshecli
mbedinwith
rel
ief
.Nowwhatwasl ef
tistoconvi
nceCourt
neyto
dropthecharges.Shehopedthenewswouldn’
tget
towork,shecouldn’
taff
ordtoloseherj
ob.
“
Don’
tworr
y,whatev
eriti
s,wewi
llf
igur
eitout
t
oget
her
.”Kennet
hsaidstar
ti
ngt
hecar.
“
Thanky
ou.
”

*
***
*

Anayawal
kedinsidet
hehospi
tal
andwal
kedov
ert
o
ther
ecept
ioni
st.
“
Hi,
Iam her
etosee-
“
“
Dr.Maj
e?Hei
sinhi
sof
fi
ce.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shebeganwal
ki
ngawaywhent
her
ecept
ioni
st
cal
l
edher
.“Anay
ari
ght
?”
Anay
anodded.
“Anay
a,Ij
ustthoughtIwoul
dtel
lyout
hatoneday
youwil
ll
ookbackatt hi
sdayandseehowfaryou
havecome.”
Anayamoment ar
il
ystaredatherbeforeshetur
ned
andwalkedaway.Herfeetmov edforwar
dt i
l
lshe
wasinDr.Maje’
soffi
ce.“Anaya,It
oldyou,Iwil
lcal
l
you.
”
Shelookedatthedoctorsi
tt
ingdown.“I
sshegoing
tomakei t
?”Sheaskeddefeated.Shej
ustwantedt
o
knowthet r
uth.Thi
sti
mewi thnosugarcoat
ing.
Thedoct orsighed.“Stage3br eastcanceri scur abl
e,
i
tneedsanaggr essi
vet r
eatment.Theonl yri
ski s
thatt hecancermaygr owbackaf t
ert reatment.We
aregoi ngt operform surgeryandr adiati
on.We
alreadyhav et hebestsur geonsandoncol ogists.
Thebr eastsurgeonwentt hr
oughy ourmot her’
s
biopsyr esult
si ndetailandshehascameupwi th
somer eall
ygoodsuggest ions.Iknowal l
thisis
over whelmingbutIneedy outobest rong.Her
tr
eatmentsaregoingtoi ncludeabout6roundsof
chemotherapyandwear egoi ngt
oputherona
cert
aindrugwhichtargetst hecancercel
lsf
orabout
18weeks.Radi at
iontreat mentwil
lbenextandit
wouldbeanev erydayt hingfor5weeks.Butfir
st,
wear egoingtohavetoper f
orm mastect
omyandi t
’s
scheduledfort
oday.Thi sisgoingtobeadraini
ng
j
ourney,oneIhopey ouar ereadyfor.
”
Anayanoddedt
henst
oodup.Sheheadedt
othe
door
.
“
Anaya,
Ihavet
herapistf
ri
end,y
ouneedsomeonet
o
t
alkt
oanditwi
llbeforfr
ee.”
Hest
oodupandhandedhert
hebusi
nesscar
d.
“
Dr.O.Rams.Shecanhelpyouthr
ought
hisdi
ff
icul
t
t
ime.All
youhavetodoiscall
her.
”
Anay at
urnedwiththecardinherhandandwalked
outofhisoff
ice.Outsidet
hehospit
alshesatonthe
groundburyi
ngherf acebetweenherl
egs.She
couldn’
tsummont heenergytoevencry.
“
Excuseme,
mov
e.Iwantt
odr
iveout
.”
Anayaraisedherheadandl ookedup.Hef r
ownedas
shestoodup.Shest art
edwal ki
ngtowardsthegate.
Shelookedupatt heskiesandstaredattheblack
cl
ouds.Itwasgoingt orai
n.
“
Iwil
ldr
opyouof
f.
”Hesai
dst
oppi
ngbesi
deher
.She
l
ookedi
ntohi
sey
es.
“
Iam f
ine.
”
Hetookoffhi
ssungl
assesandAnayast
aredi
ntohi
s
col
deyes.“Whydoyoualwayswantt
obebeggedto
behel
ped?”
Li
ghtrai
ndr
opl
etsf
ell
onher
.“Inev
eraskedf
ory
our
hel
p.”
Sher esumedwal ki
ngwhi lehecl osedt hewindow
anddr ov eoff.Shepassedt hegat eandwentt othe
busst opwher eshej ustsatdown.Li keshehad
predi cted,itstartedtorain.Shesatundert heshade
oft hebusst opal oneandwat chedt her ai
nasi tgot
mor eaggr essive.Acombi stoppedbyt hebusst op,
Anay ast oodupt hi
nkingofLet habo, hewas
probabl ynotgoi ngtowai tforAy anabutj ustcome
straighthome.Thel astthingshewant edwast ofind
him si
tt
ingi
nfr
ontoft
hedoorwhi
l
esocki
ngi
nthe
rai
n.
“Busr ank? ”Thedri
veraskedandshenodded.As
sheat tempt edwalki
ngtowardsthecombi ,aRange
Rov erpar kedbet
weenherandt hecombi .He
steppedouti nhi
scarunbuttoni
nghisjacket.He
openedt hepassengerdoorandlookedatherast he
rainravishedhim.
“
Geti
n.”
Theauthori
tyinvoicemadeAnaya’sheartski
p.She
rememberedt henighthehadhadher,hehadused
thatvoi
cethroughout.Shel
ookedathim ashis
stri
ppedcostumemadesui tgotwet.
“No,thankyou.
”Shesaidweaklythenwalkedinfront
ofhiscarandgotinsi
dethecombi .Almostever
yone
i
nt hecombi l
ookedather,t
heirey
esf ul
lofcuri
osit
y.
Shehuggedherchestshiveri
ngwhi l
ethecombi
mov ed.
AnayafoundLet
habosit
ti
nginfrontoft
hedoorl
i
ke
shehadguessedbuthewasn’twet.Hesai
dhehad
wentovertoMmaLesego’shouseandplayedwi
th
hergr
andsonunt
ili
tst
oppedr
aini
ng.
“
Iam sor
ry,
Iwentt
oseemama.
”
“
Ial
sowantt
oseemamat
ooNay
a.”
Sheunl
ockedthehouset
hensteppedi
n.He
fol
l
owedafterhert
aki
ngoffhi
sbag.
“Youwil
lseeher
,Ipromisebutr
ightnowshei sin
hospi
talget
ti
ngthedoctor
’shel
p.”Shelockedthe
doorandopenedthewindows.“
Ar eyouhungry?”
“No,Iat
eatschool.Youknowt heteachertaughtus
thati
fwewantsomet hing,wehavetogof orit.I
wantedalotoffoodsot hatIcanal
soeataf ter
schoolandIwentforit
.”
Anayal
ookedathi
mthenchuckl
ed.“
Yourt
eacheri
s
ri
ght
.”
“Shesai
dweshoul
dn’
tjustwai
tforthi
ngtohappen
butworkhar
dfort
hem.Liker
eadingsothaty
oucan
pass.
”
“
Andshei
sal
sor
ightaboutt
hat
.”
Shewat
chedhim ashet
ookouthi
sbooksand
pl
acedt
hem onthebedbef
oret
aki
ngabucketand
pouri
ngwat eri
nsi
de.Hetookthegreensoupandhi
s
uni
form andbendednearthedoorwashingi
t.
Anayalookedattheempt ypacketofsweets,t
oday
shehadsol dmorethanthepreviousday.Shetook
herphonef r
om t
hewar dr
obet henconnecteditt
o
thechargerwhi
chwaspl uggedinont hesolar
’s
batt
ery.
Sheswit
chedi
tonasitst
art
edchar
gingthen
bl
ockedanddel
etedSt
acyandKgot
lang’
snumber
s.
“Let
habotake,
”shegav
ehi
m aP10note.“Goand
buymeairti
meandcomebackfast
.Iwil
lwashyour
unif
orm.
”
“
Ok.
”
Heputonhi sfli
pflopsthenunlockedthedoor
befor
erunningoff.Shequickl
ywashedt heunif
orm
andhungitoutside.Inafewmi nutesLet
habowas
backbreathi
ngheav i
ly.Theygotbackinthehouse,
Anayarechargedherphoneandboughti nter
net
bundl
es.
OnYouTube,
shestar
tedpl
ayi
ngarti
fi
ci
alnai
ls
t
utor
ial
svi
deosthenmakeupt
utor
ial
swhileLethabo
pl
ayedapuzzl
eonanol
dmagazi
ne.

FOURMONTHSLATER
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#9

FourMont
hsLat
er…

Lonewal
kedi
nsi
det
hebankonherphonesmi
l
ing.
“
Iwi
llcomewi
thdi
nner
,youdon’
tneedt
ocook
t
oni
ght.
”
“
No,
Ifeel
li
kecooki
ngf
ory
ou.Al
lIneedi
syou.
”
“
Ok,
seey
ou.
”
Shehunguppassi
ngCour tneywhol ookedather
wit
hangerandhatr
ed.Shepl ai
nlyignor
edherthen
wentt
oherdesk.Shequicklysettl
edbeforecal
li
ng
i
nthenextcust
omer.
Shesmil
edassist
ingthecustomerfeel
ing
Court
ney
’seyesonher .Oncehercust
omerwal
ked
off
,shet
urnedtolookCour t
ney.
“
Am Ithatpr
ett
ythatall
youdoisstaremeallday
l
ong?”Sheaskedsoft
lyfi
xi
ngherfi
xingherweave.
“Youar
egoi
ngtopayf
orwhaty
oudi
dtome,
your
karmai
scoming.
”
Lonelaughed.“
It
’sbeenf
ourmont
hshunand
bel
iev
eme, i
fmykarmahadtocome,
itwoul
dhav
e
l
ongar r
ived.
”
“
Youar
eawi
tch!
”
“Ah-
ah,
loweryourvoi
ce,youdon’twantt
omakeour
cust
omersfeeluncomfor
tabl
e.”
Lonet urnedandcalledforthenextcust
omer.She
couldn’tcarelessaboutCourtney
’sangerwhichshe
neverhid.Afterthewarningsherecei
vedfrom t
he
authorit
iesbecauseCour tneyhadr epor
tedhertot
he
supervisors,shebyal l
meanst ri
edt opl
ayfaraway
fr
om Cour tneybutt hatwasafterKennethhadtopay
Courtneyacer t
ainamounther efusedtodiscl
oseso
shedr opst hecharges.
Shequi etl
yworkedtil
litwasti
meupanddr oveto
Rachel’shousefi
rst,shehadn’theardfr
om herfor
twoday sandwasget t
ingworried.Shehadev en
call
edherwor kplaceandwast oldRacheltooka
sickl
eav e.Anhourlatershewasst eppi
ngoutofher
carwalkingtowardsRachel’sapartment.She
knockedont hedooracoupl eoft i
mesbuti twas
sil
ent.Lonewalkedroundt hehouseknockingont he
windows.
“
Rachel
!”
Shewal
kedbackt ot
hedoorandknockedal
ready
di
ali
ngRachel
’snumber.Herphonewasof
f.Lone
si
ghedknocki
ngharder
.
“
Rachel
!”
Shewal
kedtohernei
ghborandknockedonthedoor.
Theowneropenedt
hedooraft
erawhilest
retchi
ng.
Lonelookedathi
sfl
abbyt
ummyt
henathi
sfaceas
hestr
etched.
“Hi
,isshear
ound?
”Sheaskedpoi
nti
ngatRachel
’
s
house.
“
YahbutIhav
en’
tseenheri
nawhi
l
e.”
Shenodded.“
Thanky
ou.
”
“Sharp!
”Hewal
kedbacki
nhi
shouseandcl
osedt
he
door.
“
Rachel
!”Shecall
edagai
nbangi
ngt
hedoor
,thi
s
t
imeharder.“
Rachel
!”
Shehadf ootstepssecondsl
aterwhi
leshest
ood
anxi
ouslybyt hedoor.Thedoorswungopenand
Rachelwalkedoutwear i
ngamor ni
nggownwitha
doekcoveringherface.
“
Rachel
?Ar
eyousi
ck?
”
Shenodded.“Yes,
it’
scont
agi
ous,
canyoucome
backt
omor r
ow.Ijustdr
ankmypil
lsandt
heyknock
meoutusuall
y .
”
Lonel
ookedatRachelcar
eful
lythenpushedher
asi
dewalki
nginsi
dethehouse.Shecouldn’
tignor
e
thesmel
lthatwascomingfrom Racheland
somethi
ngtoldhershehadn’
tbathedinawhil
e.
“
Lone,
Iam r
eal
l
ynotf
eel
i
ngwel
l
.”
“
Idon’
tcar
e,Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
eti
l
lyout
ell
me
what
’sgoi
ngon.
”
“
Lone,
pleasel
eav
e.”
Shewasst i
l
l l
ooki
ngdown.Loneappr
oachedher
thent
ookof ft
hedoek.Herj
awdroppedthegr
ound
asshelookedatRachel
’sf
ace.
“
Whathappenedt
oyou?
”
“
Not hing,
justanal
ler
gicreact
ion.
”Shesaidalr
eady
walkingtoherbedr
oom.Lone’ sheel
sechoedonthe
f
loorasshef oll
owedafterRachelt
othebedroom.
“
Whodi
dthatt
oyou?
”
“
Lonecany
oul
eav
e?”
“No!I
fyoudon’
ttel
lmet
henIam cal
l
ingt
hepol
i
ce.
Someonebeatyou.
”
Rachelgoti
nbedandcov eredherheadwit
haduv
et.
Lonetookoffherheel
sholdingherbr
eat
h.
Somet hi
ngwasst inking.Shewal kedov ertothe
windowandopenedi tt henst art
edpi ckingupt he
clot
heswhichwer eal lov erthefloor.Sheputt hem in
thelaundr
ybasketbef oreput ti
ngot hert hi
ngswhi ch
wereoutofplacei nthei rright
fulposi t
ions.Mor e
thananhourlaterthehousewascl ean, Lonetook
theblackpl
asti
cf ullofr ubbishthenwal kedout side
withit
.Backinthehouse, shespr ayedai rfr
agrance
thenwalkedtotheki tchen.Ther ewasnof ood, this
wassounl i
keRachel .Wi t
ht hewayshel i
kedfood,
therewasnowayshewoul dstaywi thoutfoodi nher
house.
Shetookoutherphonethencall
edf
ordeli
ver
y
bef
oregoingtothebathr
oom andfi
l
li
ngthebatht
ub
wit
hwater.Sheaddedthesalt
sandfoam bat
hthen
wentbacktoRachel’
sbedroom.
“
Rachel
wakeup,
Ihav
erany
ouabat
h.”
Shepul
l
edt
heduv
etsof
f.“
Wakeup!
”
“
LoneIsai
dleav
e,whatdon’
tyouunder
stand?
”
“
Wakeupandbat
h,y
oust
ink.
”
“
IfIst
inkl
eav
e.”
Shepul
l
edRachel
upf
orcef
ull
y.“
Comeandbat
h.”
“Whyareyouhar
assi
ngme? ”Rachel
askedt
ear
ful
l
y
asLonepull
edherof
fthebed.
“
BecauseIl
oveyouandy
ouar
egoi
ngt
obat
h,y
ou
l
i
keitoryoudon’
t.
”
Sheundidthegown’sbeltthentookitof
fher.Lone
gaspedstarr
ingatRachel
’swhiplashedbody
.
“
Whodi
dthi
stoy
ou?
”
“
Noone.
”Shewhi
sper
ed.
Lonehel
pedhertot hebat
hroom t
heninsi
dethe
warm wat
er.Shefli
nchedsi
tti
ngdown.Lonestar
ted
bathi
nghercaref
ulofherwounds.
“
Rachel
,youneedtot
ell
mewhat ’
sgoi
ngon.I
sit
t
hatguyyoumettwomonthsago?”
“
Itwasami
stake.
”Rachel
whi
sper
ed.
“
Whatwas?
”
“
Hej
ustl
ostcont
rol
.”
Lonepausedst
ari
ngatherf
ri
end.“
Rachel
,di
dyou
seewhatthi
sguydidt
oyou?Whatwasheusing?
”
“
Abel
t.
”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.
”
Lonebathedherf r
iendthenhel
pedherbacktothe
bedroom whereshet r
iedherbef
oretaki
ngthe
anti
sept
icspir
it.Shepourediti
nalit
tl
ebowelthen
di
ppedthecottoni nsi
de.
“
Weneedt or
epor
thi
m.”Shesai
dgent
lyt
reat
ingt
he
wounds.
Rachel
fli
nched.“
Ilov
ehi
m.”
“
No,
youcan’
tlov
eanabusi
veman.
”
“
Her
egr
etsi
tandei
therway
,Ipushedhi
mtoi
t.
”
“
Arey
oul
i
steni
ngt
oyour
sel
fri
ghtnow?
”
“Il
ovePri
nceandhemessedup,
justl
i
keanyot
her
human.”
Loneshookherheadhel
pingherdr
essacl
eanni
ght
dress.“
Whati
fhekil
ledyou?”
“Pr
incel
ov esme,Ishouldn’thavebeent
alki
ngt
omy
exboyfr
iendint
hef i
rstplace.”
“
Amanwhol
ovesy
ouwoul
dnev
err
aisehi
shandon
y
ou.
”
“
Idon’
texpecty
out
ounder
stand.
”
“Whatdoyoumean?Whyshoul
dIunder
standy
ou
bei
ngabused?
”
“Il
ovehim,
Iam notl
eavi
ngsamewayy oust
ayed
evenaft
eryouknewMiguel
longl
osti
nter
esti
nyou.
”
Lonerai
sedherey
ebr
ows.“
Miguel
nev
erhi
tmeand
helov
esme.”
“
Wakeupandsmel lt
hecoff
ee,i
fhedidt
henhe
woul
dbewi t
hyou.I
t’
sbeenfourmont
hs,howmuch
morespacedoesheneedt
of or
giv
eyou.
”
Lonetookinadeepbr eath.“Iwon’tl
ist
entothis,y
ou
aredepressed,youneedhel p.”Shesaidputt
ingon
hershoes.“Youhav eturnedintoapunchingbag,
onedayhewi l
lkil
lyou.”Shegr abbedherbagand
walkedtowardst hedoor.“Iordereddebonnair
s,eat
somethingandbr ushy ourteeth.”
Shewalkedoutgett
ingi
nhercar
.Herphoner
angas
shedr
ov etoherhouse.
“
Hey
,Iam onmyway
.Igotdel
ayed.
”
“
Ok,
Ihav
eal
readyar
ri
ved.
”
Shesteppedmor eontheaccel
eratorstari
ngatt he
ti
me.Inthi
rt
ymi nutes,
shewaswal ki
ngi nsideher
housewithKennethbehindher
.Hegr abbedher
waistandki
ssedhergr abbi
nghersmall breast
.
“
Imi
ssedy
ou.
”
“
Howwast
het
ri
p?”
“
Itwasf
ine,
Iwantt
oqui
tandst
artmyownt
hing.
”
Lonefr
eedher
sel
ffr
om hi
shandswal
ki
ngt
oher
bedr
oom.“Anddowhat
?”
Hesatont hebedassheundr essedandputon
short
sandal oosetop.“Andstartmyownthing.I
wasthinki
ngtotakeal oan.Iwanttost
artaproper
ty
devel
opmentcompany .”
Lonewalkedout.“It
hinky
oushoul dworkali
tt
lebi
t
more,Miguelhasconnect
ions.Theymightworkon
yourf
avor.”
“
IknowbutIdon’
twantt
obeunderhi
sshadow
f
orever
.”
“
AndIunder
standt
hatbuty
oust
il
lneedhi
m.Ti
l
lyou
don’
t,
Ithi
nky
oushoul
dkeeponwor
king.
”
Heshr
ugged.“
Itwasj
ustat
hought
.”
“
Iknow,”shekissedhi
scheekt
aki
ngoutt
hemeat
f
rom t
hef r
idge.
“
Needmyhel
p?”
Shesmil
edshakingherhead.“
No,Iwoul
dn’
twant
youtor
uintheenti
remeal.Youcangoandwat
chTV,
giv
emet wohours.
”
Henoddedandwal kedtohersmal lsi
tt
ingr
oom.She
quickl
ywor kedint hekitchenwonder i
nghowshe
wasgoi ngtotellhimt hatshewant sthem t
ostop
seeingeachot her.Shehadn’ theardfr
om Miguel
for
awhi l
eandsomet hi ngtol
dhert hatbynowhewould
havewor kedintof orgiv
ingher.
LonedishedthefoodandhandedKennethhi
splat
e
whil
eshesatbesidehim.Kennet
hputhisfooddown
thentookLone’
splateandal
soputitdown.He
l
ookedi nt
ohereyes.
“
Ihavebeenthi
nki
ngaboutusalot
.Iknowthi
swas
j
ustmindl
essgoodsexbutIknowyoufeel
something.I
thasbecomemor
ethanwhati
twas
supposedtojustbe.
”
Shenodded,atl
eastt
heywereonthef
ir
stpage.She
smil
edtaki
nghishandsi
ntohers.
“
Itgotoutofhandpr
ett
yqui
ckl
y.
”
Hechuckled.“Yeah,Ididn’tev
enseeitcoming.Iam
notproudthatIam sleepingwithmycousin’
s
gi
rl
fri
endbutwhat ’
sdonei sdone.Thetr
uthisthatI
l
oveyou,Lone.”
Lonef r
ozestar
ingathi
m,herbr
aint
ooklonger
processingt
hewordstofor
m anunder
standi
ng.
“
What
?’
“Il
ovey ou.Ican’tdenythat.AndIwanttodorightby
you.Iknowt hi
sisgoingtocausechaosbutIam
readytof i
ghtforus.”Hewentdownonhi skneeand
tookoutar ingfrom hispocket.“LoneMonei
,wil
l
youpleasemar r
yme, ”Hebegged.Sheputherhand
overhermout hinshock.Sheclosedheryeshoping
shewoul dwakeupi fitwasadr eam,butwhenshe
openedt hem, hewasst il
lkneel
ingbefor
eher,t
he
ri
nginhi sfi
nger.
“
Kenny
,you…”
“
Iknow,
andIam ser
ious,
Iam notgr
owi
ngany
y
ounger
.”
Sheshookherheadst
andi
ngup.“
Miguel
…hewi
l
l-“
Hest
oodup.“
Don’
twor
ryaboutMi
guel
.Iwi
l
ldeal
wi
thi
t.
”
“
KennybutIt
oldy
ou,
Ilov
eMi
guel
.Ij
ustcan’
t-
“
“Youthi
nkyoudobabebuty oudon’ t
.Youthi
nk
becauseyouhavebeent ogetherforfi
veyear
sy ou
needtobetogether.That
’snotit,youhappi
ness
shouldcomefi
rst.Youarenotv eryhappywithhim,
hehaschangedandy ouknowi t
.”
Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.“
Kenny
…”
“
Babe,
Icanmakeyouhappy
.Youdon’
tneedMi
guel
.
Hei
snotthesamemanyoumetfi
veyear
sago.
”
LoneknewKennet hwasr i
ght,Miguel
hadchanged
overtheyearsbutshest i
ll
hadhope.Shehadhope
thataft
ertheygetmar ri
edthingswouldchange.She
l
ookedatKennet h.“Ican’
tleavehim.Ideser
vetobe
partofhisempire,Ihel
pedhim buildi
t.
”
“
Iknowbutyoucan’
tsacr
if
icey
ourhappi
nessf
or
moneyandstat
us.
”
“Idon’
tloveyou.Thi
swassupposedtobejustsex.
Youaret heonewhoismessingever
ythi
ngup.I
don’tt
hinkweshouldseeeachother
.”
Hegr abbedherwai standki
ssedher.Shesighed
i
ntohi smout hashecl ai
medhermout h,car
essing
histonguewi t
hhis.Herlegsshookwhileshekissed
him back.“Tell
mey oudon’
tlov
emeandIwi ll
leave
youf orgood.”
Hewhisperedagai
nstherl
i
ps.“Tel
lmeyoudon’
t
f
eelanyt
hingformeLone,tel
lmeIam i
magini
ngal
l
t
hatisbetweenus.
”
Atearr
andownhercheekandhequi
ckl
ykissedi
t.“
I
l
oveyouandyoulov
eme, wecanbehappy
.You
don’
tneedhi
m.”
Shecoul
dn’
tdenyt
hebond,theatt
racti
on,t
he
chemi
str
ybut…Sheshookherhead.“Ican’
tdot
his.
”
“
Youcan’ tev
endenyit,whyareyoudoingt
hist
o
your
selfLone?Thatguydoesn’tl
oveyouanymore.
Heloveshisbusi
ness.”
Sheshookherhead.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Heputtheringbackinhi
spocketandwalkedout.
Sheheardhim dr
iveoutasecondl
aterwhil
etear
s
wethercheeks.

*
***
*

Anayawalkedi
nsi
dethehospital
room wi
thher
si
bli
ngs.Shesmil
edastheyrushedtohermother
’s
si
de.
“Mama,Anay
aboughtmenewcl
othes.
”Let
habo
qui
ckl
yrepor
tedt
aki
ngthei
rmot
her’
shand.
“Di
dyousayt
hanky
ou?
”Thei
rmot
heraskedwi
tha
smil
e.
“
Yes.Sheboughtcl
othesf
orAy
anat
oo.
”
Anayawal
kedcl
oserandl
ookedathermot
herwi
tha
smil
e.“
Mama,”
“
Nay
a,howar
eyoumygi
rl
?”
“
Iam f
ine.Thedoct
orsai
dhei
sgoi
ngt
odi
schar
ge
meforawhil
ebefor
eyoucomebackf
ory
our
r
adi
ati
ontr
eatment.
”
“
Iknow,
het
oldme.Howi
sbusi
ness?
”
Shetookhermot
her
’shandi
ntoher
s.“
Busi
nessi
s
fi
ne.
”
“Iam soproudofyouf ort
aki
ngcar
eofy
oursi
bli
ngs.
Iknowev enifGodtakesmetoday,
myki
dswil
lbe
safewithyou.”
Anayashookherhead.“Don’
ttal
kli
kethat
.The
doct
orsaidyouarereact
ingt
ot het
reatmentwel
l
.
Youaregoingtobefine.
”
“
Iwi
l
l.Ay
ana,
howi
sschool
?”
Anayast eppedbackandwat chedhersibl
ings
i
nteractwiththeirmother
.Thelastfourmonthshad
beenthehar destbutthedoctorhadassuredher
everyt
hingwasgoi ngtobef i
ne.Shewalkedtothe
windowandl ookedoutsi
dehermi nddri
ft
ingaway.
“Naya!
”Let
habost
art
ledher
.Shet
urnedandl
ooked
atthem wi
thasmi
le.
“
Nay
ayousai
dyouar
egoi
ngt
obuymeabook
r
ight
?”
Shenodded.“
Yes.
”
Anursewalkedin.“
Visi
ti
nghouri
sfi
nished,
she
needstor
est.”
Anayanoddedwalki
ngtothei
rmothert
henhugged
her
.“Iwi
llcomewhenthedoctorcal
lsmesoIcan
comecoll
ectyou.Il
oveyou.
”
Assheletgo,
hermot
herhel
dherhand.“
Naya,
when
Ifi
nal
l
ygetbackonmyfeet,
Ipr
omisetomakeall
thi
sri
ght.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Iknowmama,
Iknow.
”
Theywalkedout
.Anayaheldhersibl
ing’
shands.
“AyanaIhavecl
i
entstodaysoy ougohomewi t
h
LethaboandIwil
lseeyoulat
er.Remembertolock
thebaranddoor.
”
“
Ok.
”
Theywalkedtothebusstopwaiti
ngforacombi .
Anaya’
sheartski
ppedasshewat chedtheRange
Roverparkbythebusstop.Shehadlastseenhi
m
fourmonthsago,r
ightonthi
sbusstopwher eshe
l
efthi
m st
andi
ngi
nther
ain.
“
AnayawhenIgr
owup,
IwantaRangeRov
erVel
ar,
l
i
kethi
sone.
”
“
Howdoy ouknowt
henameoft
hecar
?”Ay
ana
t
easedl
aughi
ng.
“Iknowall
cars.Don’
tthi
nkj
ustbecausey
oudon’
t
know,ever
yonedoesn’t
.”
Ayanal
aughedhi
tt
ingLethabo’
sheadplay
ful
l
y.He
st
eppedoutandAnayalockedeyeswi
thhim.
Hewasdr
essedcasual
l
yandhesti
lll
ookedgood.
Anay
awonderedi
fhegotpai
dfori
t.
Heapproachedthem f
ixi
nghi
sblackbi
kerj
acket
.“Hi
,
Il
ikeyourcar
.”Let
habosaidf
reel
y,hewasover
confi
dent.
Helookeddownathi
m andsmil
ed,
forthefi
rstt
ime
ev
erAnay asawhi
m smil
e.Hehadabeauti
fulsmil
e.
“
Youdo?
’
“Yes,
Ili
keaVel
armor
ethanIl
i
ket
heRangeRov
er
Sport
.”
Hechuckl
ed.“
Met
oo,
whatel
sedoy
oul
i
ke?
’
“
Ili
keMer
cedesAMGC63,
it’
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
Anayali
stenedasLet
haboexpl
ainedt
hedetai
l
sof
thecari
nshock.Shewonder
edwhohadt ol
dhim al
l
that
.
“
Howol
dar
eyou?
”
Let
habof
oldedhi
sar
ms.“
Iam 10y
ear
sol
d.”
“
Youar
eonesmar
tchamp.
”
“
Iknow.
”
Hechuckl
ed.“
Iam Mi
guel
,
”
“
Let
habo.
”
Theyshookhands.“
Wel
l
,ni
cet
omeety
ouLet
habo.
”
Hegi
ggl
edast
heyf
istbumpedatl
ast
.
“
Youdon’
tdoitli
kethat
.”Hesai
dthentaughthi
ma
weir
dwayofshaki
nghands.Theyl
aughedseconds
l
ater
.
“Let
habo,
”Anayacal
l
edhim over
.Lethabomoved
overst
andi
nginfr
ontofheri
napr ot
ectiv
emanner.
Anay
atookadeepbr
eat
handlookedatMiguel
pr
ayi
ngandhopi
ngacombicoul
djustcome.
“
Geti
n,Iwi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
f.
”
“
Not
hanky
ou.
”
“
It
’shother
e,atl
eastf
ort
heki
ds.
”
“
Youknowhi
m Nay
a?”Let
haboasked.
Mi
guel
nodded.“
Yes,
wear
eol
dfr
iends.
”
“Youarel
yi
ng.Nay
adoesn’
thav
efr
iends.
”Heshot
back.
“Shedi
dn’
ttel
lyouaboutme.Wear
efr
iends,
ask
her.
”
Lethabot
urnedtoher
.“Ar
eyouf
ri
ends?
”Hesai
d
tr
yingtowhisper
.
“
Hei
sSt
acy
’sf
ri
end.
”
Ayanasmi
l
ed.“Youknowhi
m?Whycan’
thedr
opus
of
f?Heoff
ered.
”
“
Becausewedon’
tneedhi
mtogethome.
”
“
Buthei
sni
ce.
”Let
habosai
dsadl
y.
“Iknowbutwewi l
lgetacombi
.Wedon’tknowhi
m
thatwaysoheisasgoodasast r
anger
.Youdon’
t
getinst
ranger
’scars.
”
Theynoddedandturnedtohi
m.“Nayasai
dwecan’ t
gowithyoubecauseyouareastr
anger
.Anice
st
ranger
.”Let
habosaid,Anay
aignor
edhissadtone.
Miguel
lookedatAnay
aandsi
ghed.“
Iam notgoi
ng
t
okidnapyouorthem,Ipr
omi
se.
”
Acombi
cameandshei
mmedi
atel
yst
oppedi
t.“
Let
s
go.
”
Let
habowav
edatMi
guel
whi
l
eAy
anaj
ustsmi
l
ed.
“Iwoul
dappr
eci
atei
tifyoustay
edawayfrom my
sibl
i
ngsandI
.Letmev i
cti
mizemysel
finpeace.
”
Shel
ookedi
nhi
sey
es.“
Iam sur
ewear
eont
he
samepage.
”
Thecombit
ookof
fassoonasshegoti
nsi
de.“
Hei
s
ni
ce.
”Let
habowhi
sper
edminut
eslat
er.
“Yes,
”AyanarespondedwhileAnay
al ookedather
phone.Hercl
i
ent swerealr
eadywait
ingforher.She
hadalottoworryaboutthanamanwhohadcal led
herapr
ost
it
ute.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#10

Anayawalkedinsidethehousecar
ryi
nghermakeup
bagandar t
if
ici
alnailbag.Shesmi
ledl
ookingatt
he
housethenbackatt heladywhohadopenedthe
doorforher.
“
Hi,
Anay
ari
ght
?”
Anay
anodded.“
Come,
”
Anayawalkedbehi
ndhert
il
ltheyreachedt
hedi
ning
room wher
eothert
woladi
eswer e.
“OkAnay a,meetCol
l
een,
”shepoi
ntedatthe
pregnantlady
.“Andt
hati
sLebo,
”shepointedat
otherone.“
Iam Maggi
e.Wewantnai
l
sandmake-
up
forababyshower.
”
“Ok,Ithi
nkIwil
ldonat
ural
flawl
ess,
nott
oomuch
buteleganti
naway.”
“Iam cool
wit
hthat
.”Col
l
eensai
dwit
hasmile.She
waschubbyandsomehowAnayafel
tasi
fsheknew
herfr
om somewhere.
“
Met
oo.
”Maggi
erespondedt
hensatdown.
“
It
’sok.Iwi
l
lst
artwi
tht
henai
l
s.”
Anayasetherpr
oduct
sandequipmentont
hedi
ning
tabl
e.“
Sowhoam Istart
ingwi
thandwhatki
ndof
nail
sdoyouwant?”
“Startwi
thme,”Maggi
eresponded.“
Ihavetogoand
dot hefi
nal
touchupsofthepart
y.Iwil
lcomeback
forthemakeupafteranhour.
”
“
Ok,
youcansi
t,whatki
ndofnai
l
sdoy
ouwant
?”
“Iwantnatural
tipsusi
ngacr yl
i
c.Isawthem on
someonef rom I
nstagram.”SheshowedAnay at
he
pict
ure.“
Cany oudoi t
? ”
“
Yes.
”
Shet
ookouthersani
ti
zersprayandsani
ti
zedher
ownhandsbef
oreshesanit
izedMaggie’
shands.
“Soy
ourbr
otheri
ssi
ngl
e?”Maggi
easkedCol
l
eenas
Anay
astar
tedwit
hherwork.
“
No,
Itol
dyou,
hei
swi
thLone.
”
“Idon’
tunder
standwhyy
ouwon’ttel
lusthetr
uth.
Yourbrot
herisfi
neandl
ookscapabl
e.Iwanthi
m.”
“Handhi
mtous!”Lebosai
dlaughi
ng.“
Iam t
ir
edof
dati
ngsmal
lboy
s.”
“
Wer
en’
tyouwor
kingoutt
hingswi
thPat
ri
ck?
”
Maggielaughed.“
Phet
ir
iki
isapr
obl
em.Theybr
oke
upagain.
”
“
Ican’
twi
tht
hatmanany
mor
e.Hei
sal
ostcause.
”
“
Whatdoy
ouexpectf
rom amancal
l
edPat
ri
ck?
”
“
Maggi
est
op,
youcan’
tjudgeamanbyhi
sname.
”
Anayaworkedfast
.Anhourlat
ersheshi
ned
Maggie’
snail
sthenfi
nishedof
fwit
happly
ingcut
icl
e
oi
l.
“
Done.
”
Maggielookedatt
hem wi
thasmile.“Wow!Thi
sis
beaut
if
ul.Il
iket
heli
tt
ledi
amonds.Ilovet
hem.”
Anayatookoutherphone.“
Letmetakepict
uresf
or
mypage.”Shecli
ckedpict
urest
hensavedthem i
n
herphone.
“
Iwil
ldefi
nit
elyr
ecommendy
ou.Youar
esogood.I
l
ovethem.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Maggiest
oodupandLebosatwher
eshehadbeen
si
tt
ing.
“
Iwantf
rencht
ips.Ij
ustl
ovet
hem.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
l
luset
hegel
syst
em,
ist
hatokwi
thy
ou?
”
Shenodded.“
Idon’
tknowwhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ng
aboutbuty
es.”
Anay
asmi l
edthenstar
tedwi
thhernai
lswhil
e
Maggiewal
kedout.Lebowasbubbl
y,shenever
st
oppedtal
king.
“
Mybossi
saf
termeandt
hatmani
shot
.”
Col
l
eensi
ghed.“
Youdoknowt
hathei
smar
ri
ed
r
ight
?Hi
swi
femaysuey
ou.
”
“Iknowbuthei
sjustaney
ecandy
.Andwi
thagood
dick.
”
“
Arey
ousl
eepi
ngwi
thhi
m?”
“
NobutIdi
dgr
abhi
sdi
ck.
”
“
Wow!
”
“
Coll
een,
yourpr
obl
em i
sthaty
ouhav
eonl
ybeen
wi
thoneman,doyouev
encum? ”
“Iwon’
tdiscussmybedroom issueswi
thyoubuty
es,
Idocum.Idon’tunder
standwhyy oudumped
Rori
sang,hewasgoodt oyou.Hewaswi l
l
ingto
sett
ledown.”
“
Notev
ery
onewant
stoset
tl
edown.
”
Theycont
inuedtal
ki
ngwhileAnay
awor kedsi
l
ently.
Awhilel
atersheputLebo’
shandundertheUVglaze
tocur
ewhi l
emassagingcuti
cl
eoi
ltothehandthat
wasdone.
Shetookouttheotherhandfr
om theUVGlazewhen
i
tstoppedti
mingthenrepeat
edthesamepr ocedure
wit
hcuticl
eoil
.Shetookpict
ureswhil
eLebopraised
her
.
“
Youar
esogood,
Iwonderwhyy
ouar
enotf
amous
y
et.
”
“Well
ify
oupostmeony
ourt
imel
i
ne,
Iwi
l
lgai
n
popul
ari
ty.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Icanst
artwi
thy
ourmakeupi
fthat
’sok.
”
Lebogr
inned.“
Yes,
Iwantt
opi
cksomet
hingf
rom
myhouse.”
“
Ok.
”
BynowCol l
eenwasonherphone.Anayatookher
ti
mewor ki
ngonLebo’
sfacetr
yingtocoverevery
darkspotandacneonherface.Shefi
nishedoffwit
h
thesett
ingsprayandgav
eherthemi r
ror.
“
Doy
oul
i
kei
t?”
“
Wow!Il
ook…di
ff
erent
.Myacnei
snotshowi
ng.
”
“
Thepowerofmakeup.
”Anay
aresponded.
“
Youar
eri
ghtaboutthat
.Ican’
twai
tfort
he
i
nst
agr
am pi
ctur
es.
”
Anayasmi
ledt
aki
ngoutherphone.Shet
ookafew
pi
ctur
esandasmall
videoshowi
ngLebo’
sface.
“Iwil
lpayyou.”Shesaidalr
eadytaki
ngoutsome
notesfrom herhandbag.Shehandedthemoneyt
o
Anaya.“Keepthechangegi r
l.
”
Shest
oodup,
kissedCol
l
een’
scheekandwal
kedout
.
Col
l
eenst
oodupandsatnextt
oAnay
a.
“Hi
,youar
er eal
l
ygoodatwhaty oudo,
”Shesai
d
wit
hasmi l
e,Anayal
ovedherlef
tdimpl
e.“Whatki
nd
ofnai
lsdoyousuggestIdo?
”
Anay
alookedathernai
l
s.“
Ithi
nkf
ibr
egl
asswi
l
ldo.
”
“
Ok,
Fibr
egl
assi
tis.
”
AnayashapedCol
leen’
snatur
alnai
ls.“Sothi
sis
whatyoustudi
edatschool
?Beautytherapy?
”
Anay
ashookherhead.“
Ist
udi
edaccount
ing.
”
“
Wow!Butcoul
dn’
tfi
ndaj
ob?
”
Anay
anodded.“
Yes.
”
“Thatisthest
ruggl
ewi
thmostpeopl
e.Yougoto
univer
sit
ybutonlyt
okeept
hedegreei
nthehouse.
”
“
Yeah,
butIam sur
viv
ing.
”
“
Icansee,
soy
oudi
dacour
sei
nbeaut
yther
apy
?”
“
No.YouTubet
aughtme.
”
“
Youar
ely
ing.
”
“
Iam t
ell
i
ngy
ou.
”
“No,Imean,
youar
esogood.Youar
eagoodl
ear
ner
Iguess.
”
“
Yes,
”shelookedatCol
l
een.“
Ify
ouwantmoney
t
henyouhavetobegood.”
“
Whatel
sedoyoudo?Expectf
rom beaut
y
t
reat
ment
s.”
“
Iam ast
reethawker
.”
“
Youar
eahust
ler
.Iadmi
rey
ou.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Ist
udiedArchi
tect
ureandPl
anni
ngbutIam not
wor
kingri
ghtnow.”
“
Why
?”
Shepoi
ntedatherbump.“
Thatandhubbysai
dhe
coul
dtakecar
eofme.
”
“
Wow!
”
“Iknow,
Ineverdr
eamtofbecomingast ayathome
mom butIthi
nkIlov
eit
.Itget
’sbori
ngduringthe
daybutIknowassoonasZoei shere,
Iwillhave
company.”
I
tsur
pri
sedAnay
athatColl
eenwasgenui
nel
yhappy
wi
thbei
ngahousewif
e.“Zoeisani
cename.”
“
Iknow,
Ilov
eit
.Soanyr
elat
ionshi
ps?
”
Anayashookherhandwor kingonthenai
ls.“
No,I
wanttofocusonmy selfandmysibli
ngs,
Ihaveno
ti
meformenorr el
ationships.
”
“Why?Iknowt hatyouwantt
ofocusony our
sel
fand
stuf
fbutther
ei sal
waysareasonwhyyoudon’t
wantanythi
ngt odowit
hmen.Apainfulhear
tbr
eak?
”
Shegl
ancedatCol
leenthenbackatwhatshewas
doi
ng.“
NobutIdon’twantanyt
hingt
odowi t
hmen.”
“Youaresobeaut
iful
,i
t’
shar
dtoact
ual
l
ybel
i
evey
ou
arenotseei
nganyone.”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
Wel
lyoubet
terbel
i
evei
t.Whatki
nd
ofl
engt
hdoy
ouwant
?”
“
Wow, whataquest i
on.Idon’
treal
lycar
eabout
l
engthorthickness.Justthenormall
engthand
t
hicknesswilldoaslongasheknowshowt ousei
t.
”
Anayaslowlyl
ookedupandst ar
ed.I
ttooka
momentf orAnayat
ounderstandwhatshewas
sayi
ng.Shebursti
ntol
aughter.
“No,Imeanfort
henai
ls,whi
chl
engt
hdoy
ouwant
.
Long,medi
um orshor
t.
”
Coll
eengaspedputt
ingherhandov
erhermout
h
thenshej
oinedAnayalaughi
ng.
“OhmyGod!Iam soashamedrightnow,
inmyhead
Iam l
ikewhyissheaski
ngmesuchaquestionbut
thenshei
snicesoImightaswellt
ell
her
.”
Anay
alaughedhar
der
.
“
It
’sok,
yoursecr
eti
ssaf
ewi
thme.
”
“IguessItr
usteasil
y.
”Col
l
eensmi
l
edshaki
ngher
head.“Iwantmedium.”
Anay
agiggl
edther
educedt
hel
engt
hbef
oreshe
st
art
edshapi
ng.
“
Sowhatt y
peofdi
ckdoy
oupr
efer
,wemi
ghtaswel
l
t
alkabouti
t.
”
Anayashr
ugged.“
Idon’tknow.Ioncehada
boyf
ri
end,hewasshortandthi
ck.”
“
Didhedoi
tri
ght
?”
“
No.Idon’
tknowbutIt
hinknot
.Henev
erwai
tedf
or
me.
”
Anay athoughtofMiguel.Shestil
lcouldn’
tfor
get
thatnightnomat t
erhowmuchshet r
ied.She
orgasmedwi thhim.Hewasr oughbutshehad
reachedherpeak.Shet houghtofhisenormoussize
andcl osedhereyesbri
efly.Shehadtosquashhim
from herhead.
“
Ithi
nkmy -
“Coll
eenwascutshortwi
thherphone
r
ingi
ng.SheansweredandAnay
asuspecteditwas
t
hehusbandwiththewayshewasblushi
ng.
Sheworkedf
astti
l
lshewasdonewithhernai
ls.
Col
leenwassti
l
lonthephone,
giggl
i
ngandblushing.
“
HoneyIhav
etogo,
wewi
l
ltal
k.Il
ovey
ou.
”
Anay
atookouthermakeupwhi
l
eCol
l
eenhungup.
“
Ijustl
ovemyhusband.
”
Anay
astart
edwit
hherf
ace.“
Icant
ell
.Ihopey
ou
gr
owoldtoget
her
.”
“
Met
oo.Hewasmyf
ir
st.
”
“
Oh?
”
“
Yes.Iam happy
.”
“
Iam happyforyou.Yourmakeupsgoi
ngt
obea
l
i
ttl
edif
ferent
.”
“
It
’sok,
IknowIwi
l
llov
eit
.Il
ovet
henai
l
s.”
Coll
eenkeptqui etasAnay
awor kedonherface.
Aft
erthef acebeat,Col
l
eenaskedhertofi
xher
weavef orextr
acash.WhenAnay afi
nal
lyst
epped
back,shest ar
edatColl
eensat
isfi
ed.
“
Wow!Iswear,
Ilookl
i
keoneoft
hosecel
ebr
it
ies.I
l
ook…wow!”
“
Yesy
oudo.
”
Maggiewalkedintalki
ngonthephone.Shehad
al
readychangedintoapurpl
edressandheels.She
pausedtal
kingstar
ingatCol
leen.“
Wow! ”
Col
l
eengi
ggl
edwhi
l
eAnay
asnappedaf
ewpi
ctur
es.
“
Look,Ihavetogo.
”Shehungup.“
Gir
l,makeme
l
ookli
keRihanna.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Weai
mtopl
ease.
”
Maggiesatf oranhourbefor
eshewasdone.Anay a
packedhert hi
ngsastheladi
eswalkedofft
odress.
Awhi l
elaterColl
eenwalkedbacki
nal ongwhi
te
dressthathuggedherbump.
“Take,
”shehandedAnay ahermoney.“Iputacoupl
e
mor enotes,
youmadeusl ookbeaut
iful
.CanIhave
yournumber ,
fornex
tt i
me.Andyouwi l
lbecoming
tomyhousei nRamot swanother
einMaggi e’
s
house.”
Anayagavehert
henumberandwalkedoutonl
yto
bemetbyamanbyt hedoor
.Helookeddownather
thensmil
ed.
“
Hi,
”
“
Hel
l
o.”
“Ohhey
!”Col
l
eenhuggedthemanti
ght
ly.“
Iam so
happyt
oseeyou.Ihopey
ouarebackf
orgood.
”
Hesmi
rked.“
Yes,
final
l
yyougett
obehappy
.”
Col
leenchuckl
ed.“
Yes,
final
l
y.Pr
incechar
minghas
ar
ri
ved.”
TheylaughedandAnay
awonderedi
fhewasthe
husband.Hewashandsomebuthehadnoweddi
ng
bandonhi sf
inger
.
“
Oh,
Anaya,
thi
sismybrot
herAgangandAgang,
thi
s
i
smybeaut
ici
an,
Anay
a.”
Agangsmil
ed,t
herewassomet hi
ngabouthi
m,
somethi
ngshecouldn’
tputherfi
ngeron.
“
It
’sni
cet
omeety
ou.
”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Likewi
se.Il
i
key
ourname.
”
Anay
anodded.“
Ihav
etogonow.By
e.”
“Agang,whydon’tyoudr
iveAnayaatthebusstopon
yourwaytowher ev
eryouaresleepi
ngtonight
.You
knowy oucanalwayscomet omyhouse, wehave
space.”
Heshookhi
shand.“
No,
Iam f
ine.Iwi
l
lsl
eepi
na
hot
el.
”
Maggi
ewal
kedoutoft
hehouse.“
Agang,
”
“
Maggi
e.Let
’sgoAnay
a.”
“
Your
eal
l
ydon’
thav
eto,
butt
hanky
ou.
”
“
Iinsi
st.
”
“GoAnay
a,hewi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
f.
”Col
l
eenur
gedwi
tha
smil
e.
“Ok.
”Shehesi
tant
lyagr
eed.Agangt
ookherbags
andputt
hem i
nhisGolf7.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Shewalkedr
oundtothepassenger
’sseatandgoti
n.
Heimmediat
elyst
art
edthecarandreversedfr
om
they
ard.
“
Sowher
edoy
oust
ayAnay
a?”
“
Broadhur
st.
”
“
Oh,
ok.Iwi
l
ltakey
ou.
”
“
Your
eal
l
ydon’
thav
eto.
”
“Whywon’
tI?Abeaut
if
ulgi
rll
i
key oushoul
dn’
tbe
seenwal
ki
ng.I
fyouareabeauti
ci
an,whydon’
tyou
usemakeupony
our
sel
f?”
“
Ili
kemy
sel
fbet
terwi
thouti
t.
”
Hel
ookedatherwi
thaf
rown.“
Real
l
y?”
Shel
aughedshaki
ngherhead.“
No,
itt
akest
imeand
ti
meIdon’thav
e.”
Henodded.“
Igetyourpoint.Iam amechanical
engi
neerbyt
heway ,Iheardgirl
sli
ketohearyour
prof
essi
onsotodecidewhet hertotal
ktoyouor
not.
”
Theyl
aughed.“
Ireal
l
ydon’
tcar
ebutgoodf
ory
ou.
”
Hesmiled.“
Iknowri
ght?Ihopey oudon’
tmindi
fI
passbymybr ot
her
’shouse,Ineedaplacet
ocrush.
”
“
Whydon’
tyouhav
eyourownhouse?
”
“BecauseIdon’
tstayher
e.Iwasbasedi
nSA,
butI
havedecidedtocomebackhome.”
Shenoddedwhi
l
ehedr
ovet
ohi
sbr
other
’shouse.
“
Iwi
llbeonl
yami nut
e.”Hesai
dparkingi
nfr
ontof
t
hegatet
henjumpingofft
hecar.Anayal
ookedat
t
hehousebefor
etaki
ngoutherphone.Shel
oggedin
onfacebookanduploadedthepi
ctur
esofher
tr
eatmentsonherfacebookpage.
Sheraisedherheadandonl
ytofi
ndAgangst
il
l
st
andingbythegate.Shest
eppedout
.
“
May
behei
snotar
ound.
”
Heturnedandl
ookedather
.“Yeah,
Iwi
l
lcome
back.
”
Acarpar kedbehindtheGolfandAnayaturned.She
tookadeepbr eathwatchinghim st
epoutofhis
RangeRov ersti
lli
ntheclothesshehadseenhim
earl
ieronwearing.
“
Agang!
”
“
BK,
Iwasaboutt
oleav
e.”
Theyfi
stbumpedwhil
eAnay
awat
ched.Mi
guel
fi
nal
lyl
ookedather
.
“Oh,t
hisi
sAnaya,shei
sCol
l
een’
sbeaut
ici
anand
alsomyfr
iendnow.”
Heputhi
shandsi
nhi
spocket
.“Nay
a,y
oudi
dn’
ttel
l
meyouknewmybrot
her
.”
Agangl
ookedathi
sbrot
hert
henbackatAnay
a.
“Hol
dup!Youknoweachot
her?
”
“Yes.
”Miguelr
espondedpr
essi
ngt
hegat
e’sr
emot
e.
Thegateopened.
“
Youcanwai
tforme,
Iwi
l
ldr
opherof
f.
”
AgangtookAnaya’
sbagsfr
om hi
scarandhanded
them t
oMiguelbef
oredr
ivi
ngi
nsi
detheyar
d.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Helookedathert
henwalkedt
ohi
scarandputher
t
hingsintheboot
.“Geti
n.”
“Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thy
ou,
what
’sy
our
probl
em? ”
“
Ifyoudon’
tgeti
nthecartheny
ouwon’
tgety
our
t
hings,
youchoosewhatyouwant.
”
Hewasn’
treal
l
ygi
vi
ngherachoi
ce.

*
***
*
Heparkedinf
rontoft
hegat
eandswit
chedof
fthe
engi
ne.“Soar
ey ouf
ucki
ngmybrot
her
?”
“
What?Idon’
tevenknowyourbr
other
.”Shepaused.
“
AndevenifIwas,i
twoul
dn’
tbeyourbusiness.
”
“
Itwoul
dbe,Iwouldn’
twantmybr
othersl
eepi
ng
wit
haprost
it
ute.
”
Anayashookwi
thangerandsl
appedhim.Ittookher
afewsecondst
oregist
erwhatshehadjustdone.
“
Iam notapr
ost
it
ute.
”
Shegotoutofthecart
henwalkedtothebootand
tr
iedopeni
ngit
.Itwoul
dn’
tbudge.Shewalkedtohi
s
doorandopenedit
.
“
Giv
ememyt
hings,
Iwantt
ogo.
”
“
Aft
ery
ousl
appedme?
”
“Youcal
ledmeapr ost
it
ute!”Tear
ssurf
aced.“
Why
areyoudoingt
his?Idi
dn’taskforal
if
t.
”
Hest eppedoutoft
hecar
.“Iam notdoi
nganythi
ng
toyou.”Hewalkedtot
hebootandopenedit.Anaya
grabbedherthi
ngsandmarchedtothegat
e.
“
Wait.
”Hecalledoutaft
erhert
hent
ookherphone
f
rom herbackpocket
.
“
Giv
ememyphoneback!
”
Hepressedi
tforawhil
ebef
oreputti
ngi
tbacki
nher
pocket
.Shewatchedhi
m ar
rogant
lywal
ktowar
ds
hi
scaranddri
veof f
.

*
***
*

Miguel
walkedinsi
dehishouseandf
oundAgang
si
tti
nginf
rontoftheTV.
“
Idi
dn’
tknowy
ouwer
eback.
”
Heshr uggedstandi
ngup.“Itwasaboutt
ime.I
appli
edf orajobatKanyet
oEngineer
sandthey
cal
ledmef oranint
erv
iew.
”
“
That
’sgood.Papawi
l
lbehappyt
oheart
his.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Yeahei
therway
,it
’st
imet
ogr
owup.
”
“
Wher
eist
hatZul
ugi
rl
fr
iendofy
our
s?”
Heshookhishead.“
Soy oubr
okeupwi
thLone?I
t
houghtyoulov
edher.”
Mi
guel
satdown.“
Wedi
dn’
tbr
eakup.
”
“
SoAnay
aisy
oursi
de?
”
“
No.
”
“
Thenwhydidyougi
vemetheimpr
essi
ont
haty
ou
wer
einarel
ati
onshi
pwi
thher
?”
Miguel
puthi
sfeetontopofhisgl
asst
abl
eand
l
ookedathi
m nonchal
antl
y.“
Idid?
”
“Youdi
dbutmaybeImisr
eadtheenti
resi
tuat
ion.I
f
sheisnoty
our
sthenIwil
lhav
eher.”
MiguelshotalookatAgang.“
Sheisdeal
i
ngwi t
ha
l
otrightnow,t
helastthi
ngsheneedisst
ressi
ng
aboutyou.”
“Whywoul dshestr
ess,t
hosearethet
ypeofgi
rl
s
youtakehomet oyourmother
.Ili
keher
,shei
s
beauti
ful
,sexyandsoft
.”
“Howaboutyouj
ustst
ayawayf
rom herandf
ocus
onset
tl
ing.
”
“
Whydoy ousoundl
i
keaj
eal
ousboy
fri
end.Doy
ou
wanther
?”
“
Arey
oucr
azy
,thatgi
rli
stooy
oung.
”
“ThenIwi
l
l hav
eher
.Il
ikeherandshewi
l
lpr
obabl
y
bethemotherofmyki
ds.”
Miguel
’
sphoner
angbef
orehecanr
espondt
ohi
s
br
other
.
“
Kenny
,”
“
Miguel
,Ihav
esomet
hingi
mpor
tantt
otel
lyou.
”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#11

“
Whati
sit
?”Mi
guel
asked.
“
Wear
ecomi
ngov
ert
ogety
ou,
getr
eady
.Youcan’
t
behomeonaSat
urday
.”Pul
escr
eamedi
nthe
backgr
ound.
Mi
guel
laughed.“
Iam r
eady
.”
“
Sur
eboy
!”
Kennet
hhungandMiguelsli
dhi
sphonei
nsidehi
s
pocket
.“Pul
eandKennyarecomi
ngover
.”
Hest
oodup.
“
Soy
oudon’
tmi
ndi
fIgoaf
terAnay
a?”
Agangasked.
“
Dowhaty
ouwantbutf
orgetwi
nni
ngherov
er.
”
“
Ihav
emychar
m.”Agangboost
ed.

*
***
*

“TodayIhavetogetlai
d,Ican’
tany
mor
e.”Pul
esai
d
astheywalkedinsi
deaclub.
“
Wifeyi
sst i
l
linconf
inement
?”Kennet
haskedas
t
heyset
tled.
“
Yes,
Idon’
tthi
nkIcanpul
lthr
ough.
”
Mi
guel
laughedor
der
inghi
sdr
ink.
“
LikeIal
wayssay,pl
ayt
hegameanddon’
tleti
tpl
ay
y
ou.”Agangadvi
sed.
“
Whendi
dyoucomebackAgang?It
houghty
ou
wer
eaDJ.
”
“
He’sDJKhalidthi
sone,
bev er
yafr
aidofhi
m.”
Miguel
teasedandtheyl
aughed.
“
Youshoul
dseewhatcomeswi
tht
hecat
egor
y,It
ell
y
ou,t
heli
feisabl
i
ss.
”
Pul
elaughed.“
Thi
sone,
cel
ebr
it
y,bev
eryv
ery
af
rai
d.”
Agir
lpassedbythem andtheyall
tur
nedtolookat
herr
oundfigur
e.“Iam goi
ngtofuckt
hisone.”
Miguel
tur
nedtoPule.“
Gogether
.Becar
eful
,you
knowhowcrazyyourwif
eis.
”
“
Shei
sst
il
lcr
azy
?”Kennet
haskedr
ecei
vi
nghi
sdr
ink.
“Shepour
edhotwat
eronsomegirl
afewmont
hs
ago.”Mi
guel
tol
dKennet
hlaughi
ng.
“
Ilov
ehercr
azyass.Sar
onai
ssof
t,shewasj
ust
angry
.”Pulesai
dst andi
ngup.Hefi
xedhi
swat ch
thenwalkedtowardsthethi
ckgi
rl
.Theyal
lwatched
ashespoket oherandwhenshesmi l
edthey
cheer
ed.
“
Andyou?”AgangaskedKennet
h.“
Wher
eisy
our
whi
tewi
fe?”
“
Itwasn’
twor
kingout
.”
AganglookedatMiguelwhowastryi
ngtohol
dhi
s
l
aughter.“
Shelef
thimforherbabydaddy
.”
Agangchuckled.“Thefuck?That’
swhyIdon’
twant
awomanwi t
hachi ld,
IknowattheendIwil
lbe
hear
ingstori
esl i
kebabydaddysaidweshoul
dr ai
se
ourchil
dtogether.Mostoftheti
methebabydaddy
wil
lgiv
eheranot herchil
dthenl
eaveher
,fr
om there
shecomescr yingtoyou.”
“Whatdi
dMbalidotoy
ou?”Miguel
askedtaki
nga
si
pofhisdr
inkwhil
eAganggul
pedital
ldown.
“
Thi
sni
ggai
sst
ressed,
what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Theybot
hlookedatAgang.“
Shehadachil
dwhenI
mether,
thi
sniggawasn’
tevensuppor
ti
ngtheki
d
andhewasmar r
ied.Ipr
acti
call
yrai
sedhersonfor
ful
lthr
eeyearsthenthethanksIgeti
sherfucki
ng
thi
sniggabehindmyback.”
“
Soy
oudeci
dedt
ocomeback?
”Mi
guel
asked.
“Yes,ei
therway,Iwantedt
ocomeback, whatwas
holdi
ngbackwasher ,shewantedtofini
shher
degreefir
stbef
orewegetmar ri
ed,shoul
dhave
knownshewast aki
ngmef orari
de.”
Miguelf
ini
shedhi
sdr i
nklookedathissadbr ot
her.
“Youneedsomeplacetof i
gureoutyourli
fe.Any
womany ouaregoingtoseefrom here,
youar eonl
y
goingt
ouseher.”
Kennet
hnoddedi
nagr
eement
.“Youneedsomet
ime
outmyman.”
“
Whathappenedt
oLone?
”Agangaskedcur
iousl
y.
Mi
guel
shookhi
sheador
der
inganot
herdr
ink.

*
***
*
Rachelopenedt
hedoorf
orPr
inceear
lySunday
morning.
“
Heybabe,
”Hesai
dwal
ki
ngi
nsi
deherapar
tment
.
Rachel
turnedt
ol ookathi
m.Shehadmethi mt wo
monthsagoinasupermar ket
.Hehadbeent here
wit
hhisdaught
ershopping.Nowlookingathim she
sawwhatshehadseent hatveryf
ait
hfulday
.Itwas
hi
shandsomef aceandsexyli
ps.
“
Pri
nce,
”
Helookedather.“
Iam real
l
ysorryaboutwhat
happened.YouknowIloveyou.
”
“I
fyoul
ovedmet
heny
ouwoul
dn’
thav
erai
sedy
our
handonme.”
Helookedatherwi thregreti
nhi
seyes.“Youare
ri
ght,
Ishouldn’thaveraisedmyhandatyou.Ilov
e
youRachel,Ihaven’
tlovedanywomanl i
keIloveyou.
Youhav enoreasont otrustmewhenIsaythisbutI
promise,Iwil
lneverlaymyhandsony ouever
agai
n.”
At
earr
andownhercheekandshewi
pedi
taway
.
“
Youhur
tme.Emot
ional
l
yandphy
sical
l
y.”
“Iam sosor
ry,
Ican’
tbeli
eveIhi
tyou.Thatwas
nevermyint
enti
on.Ij
ustwantedyoutotel
lmethe
trut
h.”
“Iam notcheati
ng.Het
extedmeoutofnowher e
afterseeingmystat
usandItoldhimthatIwasi
na
rel
ationshipwi
thamanthatIlove.Thatwasal
l.
”
“
Iam sor
rybaby
,Iam sosor
ry.
”
Rachel
shookherhead.“
Idon’
tthi
nkIcandot
his
anymore.
”
“
Youcan’
tleav
eme,
Ilov
eyou.
”
Hest
art
edcr
yinggoi
ngdownonhi
sknees.
“
Pri
ncey
ou-
“
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shelookedathi
m.“
Itwi
l
lnev
erhappenagai
n,I
promise.
”
Sheknewbett
erthant
obeliev
ehi m butl
ooki
ngat
hi
m,helookedandsoundedsincer
e.
“
Ijustneedonel
astchance,
Iwi
l
ltr
eaty
oubet
ter
.”
“I
fyouraiseyourhandatmeev
ergai
n,y
ouandIar
e
done.Forgood.”

*
***
*

Anay atiedherbr aidsintoabunt henwashedher

handsbef orehelpingacust omer .Acoupl eoft axi
driv
erswer edrinkinghert eaf eetf r
om herwi thher
dumpl i
ngs.Shequi ckl
yser vedst udents, wor ki
ng
fastandmul ti
taskingbet weenser vingcust omer s
andcooki ng.Mor ningswer et her ushhourt hough
shedi dcomebackdur i
ngl unchhour ,withcooked
l
unch.I tusuallysol dfast
ert hatint went ymi nutes,
shewoul dbel onggone.Thet eacher s,drivers,
studentsandev enbypasser sboughtherf ood.She
l
ikedMonday smor e,t
heyf armuchmor ebusy .
“
Anay
a,canIhav
eacoupl
eoft
ea.
”
Acombi dr
iversaid.Shesmiledthenqui
ckl
ymade
himthecupoft eabeforehandingthedi
sposal
cup
tohi
m.
“Eversi
ncey oustar
tedcominghere.Iam growi
ng
fat
.”Ateacherfr
om thepri
maryschool sai
d
approachingher.
Anay
alaughedser
vinganot
hercust
omer
.
“
Real
l
ynow?
”
“
Yes,
didy
ouseehowt
hinIwas?
”
Shel
ookedathi
mthenathi
sroundbel
l
y.“
No,
I
di
dn’
tdothat
.”
Helaughed.“Youdi
d.Anyways,
mysist
erisget
ti
ng
marri
edandt heywer
elooki
ngforacat
erer
,I
suggest
edy ou.”
Sheswitchedof
fherparaf
fi
nstov
e.“
Youwantmet
o
cat
erforyoursi
ster
’sweddi
ng?
”
“Yes,Imean,
yourfoodi
sveryt
asty
.Noonewould
everbeli
evet
hatsomeofiti
scookedbyt
hefi
re.
”
“Thankyou,
youcantakemynumberandhaveyour
sist
ercal
lme.Iam goi
ngtor
egi
steracompany
.”
Theyexchangednumberslaughi
ng.Asherst
ock
fi
nished,
shestar
tedpacki
ngherthings.
“
Hey
,”
Sherai
sedherheadandl
ookedatKgotl
ang.She
hadn’
tseenhi
mi nawhil
eandhelookedsmarti
n
thesui
t.
“
Hi,
”
“
Needanyhel
p?”
“
No,
thanky
ou.
”
Shenowl ef
thertabl
eti
edtothet
reeshesol
don.
Shepickedherbagandthetwobucket
sandstar
ted
wal
king.
“
Canwet
alkAnay
a?”
Shedidn’
trespond.Hewal
kedbyherside.“
Iam
sorr
yaboutwhathappened,Ishoul
dhaveli
stenedt
o
you.
”
“
Itdoesn’
tmat
ter
.Iam ov
eri
t.
”
“Ireall
yli
keyou,Ishouldhavel
istenedtoyout
hat
day .Idon’
tknowy outhatmuchtoj udgey
ou,I
hav en’
twalkedi
ny ourshoesbefore.Canwesti
ll
be
fri
ends? ”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Ican’
tbef
ri
endswi
thpeopl
e
whoj
udge.”
“Iswear
,itwi
l
lneverhappenagai
n.Iev
engot o
churcht
hesedays.Pl
easeforgi
veme,Iam beggi
ng
you.”
Sheconti
nuedwal
ki
ng.“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lgodownonmy
knees.
”
Shetur
nedandf oundhi
m kneel
ing.“
Whatareyou
doi
ng?Youare…”Shelookedaround.“St
andup.Iam
l
eavi
ngy out
here.”
“
ThenIwi
l
lnotst
andup.
”
“
Shel
aughed.“
Fine.
”
Shepacedupwal
kingawayfrom hi
m,secondsl
ater
hewaswalki
ngbesidesher
.
“
Whyar
eyousoev
il
,can’
tyouf
eel
sor
ryf
orme.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Youar
edr
amat
ic.
”
“
Thanky
ou,
itusual
l
ywor
ks.
”
Theystoppedwal
ki
ng.“
Iwantust
obegooutsome
ti
me.”
“
Howlonghav
eyoubeenpr
act
ici
ngt
osayt
hatt
o
me?
”
“
It
’sbeenawhi
l
e.”Headmi
tt
edwi
thashysmi
l
e.
“
Wewi
l
lseewhenIam notbusy
.”
“
Ok,
andpl
ease,
unbl
ockme.
”
Shesmi l
edandwal kedaway .Ar
riv
ingatherhouse,
sheunlockedtheburglarbarandthenthedoor.She
hadthebarsinstal
l
edf orthesafet
yofhersibl
ings.
Shelockedthebarthent hedoorbefor
esitt
ingon
thebedtakingoutherphone.
Herphoner
angasshel
oggedi
nonf
acebook.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,it
’sAgang.
”
Shef
rowned.“
Oh,
hi.
”
“Idon’
tknowwhat ’
sgoi
ngonbet weeny ouand
Miguel,whatIknowist
hatIwil
lbeaty ourhousei
n
twentyminutestopi
ckyouup.Ialsoknowt hatwe
aregoingout.”
“
LookAgang,
Idon’
tknowy
ourbr
otherandIdon’
t
t
hinky
oushoul
dcomet
omyhouseei
ther
.”
“
Ihav
eal
readyar
ri
ved.Ican’
tgobacknow.
”
Shest
oodupandwentt
othewi
ndow.Hi
sbl
ackGol
f
wasal
readypar
kedt
her
e.
“
What
?Iam nothome.
”
“
Ijustsawy
out
hrought
hewi
ndow.
”
“Iam wit
hacl
ient,
it’
spr
obablymysi
ster
.”Shesai
d
steppi
ngawayfrom t
hewindow.
“Onyourbeautywebsi
te,
itspeci
fi
esthatyouarenot
busyandthatIcanbookforafacebeatorart
if
ici
al
nai
ltr
eatment.SoIneedyourserv
ices.
”
“
Agang,
Idon’
thav
eti
mef
ort
his.
”
“
SoIcan’
tgetafacebeatbecauseIam aman.Iam
t
aki
ngyouonli
ne,l
etpeopleknowhowr udeyouar
e.”
Het
eased.“
PleaseAnaya.Iam notMi
guel.
”
“Inev
ersai
dy ouare.Ij
ustdon’
twantany
thi
ngt
hat
hastodowiththatman.”
Shet
ensedhear
ingaknock.“
Agang,
goaway
!”
Hel
aughed.“
Youar
enotev
enagoodl
i
ar,
please
Anay
a.”
Sheunl
ockedt hedoorandl ookedathi
mthr
ough
thebur
glarbar .Hetookoffhiscapandsmil
ed.He
l
ookedlikeMi guelbutnotfull
y.Hiscut
esmi
lemade
Anayarollhereyes.
“Okfi
ne,
butjustf
orf
ivemi
nut
es.Ineedt
ost
art
cooki
nglunch.
”
Sheunl
ockedt
hedoorandwal
kedoutwi
thher
phonel
ocki
ngbehi
ndher.
“
Lunchf
orwho?Yoursi
bli
ngs?
’
Hel
edhert
othegat
e.
“
No,
mycust
omer
s.”
“
Yousel
lcookedf
ood.
”
“
Yes,
wai
t,If
orgotsomet
hing.
”
Shejumpedoutofthecarandrushedbackt
othe
houseandtookherdocuments.
“
What
’st
hat
?”Agangwhenshef
inal
l
ycameback.
“Iwantt
ogoregi
steracater
ingcompany
.Ihave
beenwanti
ngtodoitforawhil
ebutal
waysthought
ot
herwi
sebuttodayacust
omerofmi nesaidhe
want
smet ocaterathi
ssi
ster
’swedding.Iwant
st
rai
ghtt
hings.
”
Hesmi
led.“Well
luckyMondayf
ory
ou,
youhav
e
f
oundy
our sel
fanuber.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Iam anoppor
tuni
tyt
aker
.”

*
***
*

Lolofi
xedhersungl
asseswalki
ngtowardsMokwena
Logist
icsl
ateMondaymor ni
ng.Sheapproachedt
he
recept
ioni
stwholookednew.
“
Hi,
Iam her
etoseeMr
.Mokwena.
”
“
Doy
ouhav
eappoi
ntment
?”
“
No.
”
Sherecept
ioni
stsmil
ed.“
Iam af
rai
dMr
.Mokwenai
s
cur
rentl
ybusyatthemoment.
”
Shel
ookedatherwat
ch.“
Howf
ari
shi
smeet
ing
fr
om endi
ng?
”
Sheshr
ugged.“
Idon’
tknow.
”
“
Iwi
l
lwai
t.
”
Shesatbythewaitingareawit
hherhandbagonher
l
ap.Thir
tyminuteslater
,shest
oodupandwal ked
backtotherecept
ionist
.
“MynameisLone,
Iam Mr.Mokwena’sgir
lf
ri
end,
cal
landt
ell
whoev eri
tist
hatIam her
e.”
“
Iam sor
rymam butIcan’
tdot
hat
.”
Loneturnedandwal kedtowar dstheli
ft
.Shegot
i
nsideandt hedoorclosedast herecepti
onistran
aft
erher.Shesighedf i
nall
ysteppingoutthen
walkedpastthePA’sempt ydeskandr i
ghtintohi
s
off
icewithoutknocking.Heraisedhiseyesf r
om his
l
aptopandl ookedather .
“
Hi,
”shesai
dsof
tl
y.
HisPAwalkedinsecondsl
ater
.“Iam sosor
rysi
r,
”
sheapol
ogizedl
ookingatme.
“I
t’
sok.”Hewavedherawayt
henl
eanedbackonhi
s
chai
rrubbi
nghi
slips.
“
Idi
dn’
tknowy
ouwer
ecomi
ng.
”
Shetookoffhersungl
asses.“
IthoughtIwoul
d
sur
priseyou.
”Shesmi l
edandwalkedtohisdesk.“
I
wasthinki
ngwecant al
k.”
Hest
oodup.“
LoneI
…”
“Canwepl
easeputever
ythi
ngthathappenedbehi
nd
usandmoveonwithourli
ves.
”
Hestoodinf r
ontofher.“Youarethemostbeautif
ul
andint
ell
igentgir
lIhaveevermet.Iknowt hi
ngs
haven’
tbeenliketheyusedtoinawhi l
e.”
“
Yesbutt
hatwi
l
lchange.
”
“Idon’
tthi
nkIst
il
lwantt
obeinthi
srelat
ionship.A
l
othashappened,al
otandIknowit
’snoty ourfaul
t.
Ithi
nkweshouldgooursepar
ateways.”
“Miguel,wecanfixthi
s.”Shetookhishandand
placeditonherchest.“
Myhear tbeatsfory
ou.Il
ove
youMi guel
.Youknowy ouaretheoneforme.Iam
will
ingtodoanything.
”
“I
t’
snotyou.Lone,
Iknowyoucanf
eel
itt
oo.Thi
ngs
arenol
ongerthesame.”
“
Theyar
enotbutwecanf
ixt
hem.
”Tear
sfi
l
ledher
ey
es.“
Pleasedon’
tleav
e.Il
ovey
ou.
”
Hehuggedher .“
Youareabr i
ghtwoman,Iam sur
e
youwill
findsomeoneelse.Idon’
twantt
okeepon
hurt
ingyou.”
Shestaggeredback.“
Ist
her
esomeoneel
se?
”She
thoughtofCourt
ney.
“
No,
ther
eisnoone.
”
“Thenwhati
sit
?Youjustcan’
tdumpme, youar
e
notleav
ingmeMiguel
.That’
snothappeni
ng.
”
Hewal kedbackt ohi schairandsatdownwhi l
eshe
cri
ed.Itj
ustwasn’ tthefactthatshehadknownt he
rel
ati
onshipwasl ongov erbutthethoughtof
anotherwomanbenef i
ti
ngwhatsheshoul dbenefi
t,
thethoughtofanot herwomanl iv
ingthelif
eshe
shouldbeliv
ing.Herbl oodboi l
ed.“Iam notleavi
ng,I
am goingtofightforus.Youcan’ tj
usttossmeout
ofyourlif
enowt haty ouar eri
ch.”
“
Lone.
”
“
No,youusedmeallt
hisyear
s,i
fyouthoughtIwas
j
ustgoi
ngtoleav
eyouarewrong.That
’snotgoi
ng
t
ohappen.
”
Shet ookherbagandwalkedoutputt
ingonher
sunglasses.Herl
egsshookasshegotinthe
elevator
.Thedoorscl
osedwhilet
earsrandownher
cheeks.Shecaref
ull
ywipedthem awaytoavoi
d
ruini
nghermakeup.
Shecal
l
edRachel
get
ti
ngi
nhercar
.
“
Lol
o,”
“
Miguel
isbr
eaki
ngupwi
thme.
”
“
What
?”
Shetookoffhersunglasses.“
Rachelwhatshoul
dI
do?Aftereveryt
hingIhavedonefort
hisman?Idon’
t
deser
vet hi
s.”
“
Cal
m downandt
ell
mewhathappened.
”
“
Iwentathi
sworkpl
acesowecantal
kandhesai
d
weshoul
dgooursepar
ateway
s.”
“
Iwi
l
lcomeaf
terwor
k.Wewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
olosemymanRachel
.”
*
***
*

PulewalkedinsideMiguel
’sof
fi
cehol
dingt
wo
takeawaysduringlunchhour
.
“
What
’sgoi
ngonwi
thy
ou?
”
“Not
hing.
”Mi
guel
closedhi
slapt
opwhi
l
ePul
esat
down.
“No,Idon’
tbel
i
evet
hat
.Youhav
ebeenof
f.Keene
Lone?”
“
Idon’tthi
nkIst
il
lwanttobewi
thher
.Ij
ustl
ost
i
nter
est.Wambor ahel
a.”
Pul
ehandedhi
m hi
smeal
.“Tel
lhert
hen.
”
“
Idi
d,shewascr
ying.
”
“
Letmetel
lyouonet
hing,
thel
astt
hingyouwanti
s
t
obestuckwit
hsomeoneyoudon’
tlov
e.”
“
Ther
eist
hisgi
rl
…”
“
Iknewi
t!
”
Theyl
aughed.
“
Sheisbeauti
ful
butherbackgr
oundtur
nsmeoff
.I
metheratoneofthosepar
ti
es.Shei
sacal
lgi
rl
.”
Pul
epausedeat
ing.“
Apr
ost
it
ute.
”
“
Isl
eptwi
thher
.Andpai
dher
.”
Pul
eshookhi shead.“
Thatt
ypeisnott
obet
rust
ed,
I
am t
ell
ingyou.Onceaprost
it
ute,
alway
sa
pr
osti
tute.
”
“
IknowbutIj
ustcan’
tgetheroutofmyhead.
”
“Sheprobabl
yhasAIDS.I
maginehowmanymenshe
hassleptwit
hformoney.St
ayawayfr
om her
.”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#12

Lonest
eppedoutofhercarwhi
l
eKennet
hpar
ked
behi
ndher.Shewalkedtowardst
hedoorand
unl
ocked.Insi
deherhouse,
shetookof
fhershoes
wait
ingforhim.
“
Canwetalk?
”Heaskedwal
ki
ngi
nsi
deandcl
osi
ng
t
hedoorbehi
ndhi
m.
“
Yes.
”
“Ican’
tkeepdoingt hi
swi t
hy ou.Chasi
ngafteryou
whileyouchaseafterMiguel.IloveyouandIam
readytostar
taf amilywithyou.Iam notgoi
ngt o
keeponbeggingy out olovemebecauseIt hinkI
haveprovedmy selftoyouov erandoveragain.
”
Shefol
dedherar
msonherchest
.“Iam notgoi
ngt
o
l
eaveMiguel
.”
“
Hedoesn’
tlov
eany
mor
e,Ihopey
ouknowt
hat
.”
“Youdon’
tknowany
thi
ng.Mi
guel
andIaregoi
ngt
o
getmarri
ed,
wearegoi
ngtobeafami
l
y.”
“
Keeplyi
ngtoyoursel
f,Iam notgoi
ngt
obepartof
t
hisequat
ionany
mor e.Iam goingt
owalkoutf
rom
t
hishouseandfr
om you.Wear edone.
”
“
Thedoori
snotl
ocked.“Shepi
ckedhershoes
walki
ngtoherbedroom.“
Don’
tfor
gett
ocl
oset
he
doorbehi
ndyou.”
Shetookaquickshowerandwhenshefi
nall
ycame
backtothesi
tti
ngroom,shef
oundRachelsi
tt
ingon
thecouch.
“
Hey
,whatt
imedi
dyoucome?
”
“
Ijustcame.Thedoorwasnotl
ocked.
”
“
Ithi
nkIknowwhatt
odot
ogetMi
guel
back.
”
“
What
?”
“
Ishoul
dgetpr
egnant
.”
Rachel
frowned.“
What
?”
“
Yes.Hewantsachi
l
dsobad,
ifIgetpr
egnantt
henI
wi
ll
gethi
m back.
”
“
Andhowdoy
oupl
ant
odot
hat
?”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ogetsomepi
l
ls.
”
“
Youwantt
odr
ughi
m?”
“
Ihav
enochoi
ce.
”
Rachel
frowned.“
Youdo.Yout
hinkhewi
l
lev
ert
ake
y
oubackaf
tert
hat
?”
“
May
benoti
mmedi
atel
ybuthewi
l
lcomear
ound.
”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evey
our
ightnow.
”
“
Whatshoul
dIdo?Iam notgoingtoj
ustwal
kaway
f
rom myrel
ati
onshi
pjustl
i
kethat.
”
Rachel
’
sphoner
ang.
“
Hey
,”
Lonel
ookedatherasshetensed.“Iam comi
ng,
I
wentt
oseeLone,myfri
end.No, Isai
dIam comi
ng.
”
Shehungupandstoodup.
“
Ihav
etogo,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Whati
fhebeat
syou?
”
“I
tonl
yhappenedonce,andwehav
efi
xedt
hings.
Pri
ncei
snotgoingtohurtme.
”
“Iam goi
ngtocal
l y
oui
ntwohour
s,i
fyoudon’
t
answerthenIam comi
ngov
er.Wi
ththepol
i
ce.You
cantakemycar.”
Rachel
pickedt
hecar
skey
sandhur
ri
edout
side.
*
***
*

Rachel
parkedLone’
scarinfrontofherhouseand
i
mmedi at
elyst
eppedoutofthecar.Shewalkedto
theunl
ockeddoorandwalkedin.shescreamedas
Pri
ncewelcomedherwit
hasl apacrosstheface.
“
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
”
Shelookedathi
m withherhandonhercheek.Her
earr
angashel ookedatherboi
li
ngwit
hanger .
“
Iaskedy
ouaquest
ion,
wher
ear
eyoucomi
ng
f
rom?”
“
Iwaswi
thLoneIswear
.”
Hetookast
ept
owar
dsher
.“Soy
out
hinkIam
st
upid?
”
“Pri
nceIswearIwaswi
thLone,
youcancal
lher
.She
evenborr
owedmehercar.
”
Helookedatherasshebegancr
ying.Shehad
knownhewasst i
ll
goingt
obeatherbuthadchose
tobel
i
evehi m.Shecoul
dseeherf
atheri
nhim and
shewasn’tsurei
fitwasst
il
ll
ovet
hatsheremained
wit
hhim orjustf
ear.
“Iam sor
rybabe,It
hought…”Hesi ghedpull
ingheri
n
hisarmsandheldhertight
lyasshet ri
edtohushher
sobs.Hetil
tedherheadandkissedher ,r
avi
ngher
l
ips.Sheheldontohim whenhet oreherdress.
“Youli
tt
lewhore!”Awomanscr eamedwal
king
i
nsidethehouse.Rachelmovedbackfr
om Pri
nce
star
ingatt
hepr egnantwomanholdi
ngaphone.
“
Iam goi
ngt
osuey
ou,
youar
eahomewr
ecker
.”
Rachelheldhertor
ndr esscover
ingherbodyi
n
confusi
on.“Babe,wait
…”Pr i
ncesaidsof
tl
ytothe
woman.“ Icanexplai
n.”
“
Womanlikeyouaresoevi
l
,outher
ebreaki
ng
f
ami
li
es.Iam goi
ngtofi
xyou,wai
tandwatch.
”
Rachelshookherhead.“
Ididn’
tknowhewas
marri
ed.Iswear.Iwoul
dn’thav
etalkedt
ohi
m hadI
known.”
“
Wai
tandwat
ch!
”
Shewalkedoutpushi
ngherst
omach.Pr
incel
ooked
atRachel
.
“
Iwi
l
lfi
xthi
s,don’
twor
ry,
Ilov
eyou.
”
Hetri
edtoki
ssherbutshemoved.“
Pleasel
eav
emy
houseandneverev
ercomeback.
”
Heranaft
erhi
swif
e.Rachelr
ubbedhercheekasher
phoner
ang.Shet
ookitoutf
rom herhandbagand
answer
ed.
“
Didhebeaty
ou?
”
“
No,
buthi
swi
fecame.Shei
sgoi
ngt
osueme.
”
“
Hei
smar
ri
ed.
”
“
Iguess.
”
“
Thi
smani
sadog!Thenont
opofi
thebeat
syou?
”
“Idon’
tknowwhatIam goi
ngt
odoLone.I
t’
sli
keI
havebadlucki
nlove.
”
“
Fri
end,
don’
tsayt
hat
.Youj
usthav
en’
tmett
heone.
”
Rachell
aughed.“Iam t
ir
ed.Iam goi
ngt
obei
n
newspapersforhomewr ecki
ng.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Aknocker
upt
edf
rom t
hedoor
.“Wewi
l
ltal
k.”
Sheputherphonedownandhurr
iedt
oherbedroom
wheresheputonhergownbef
orewalki
ngbackto
thedoor
.
Shesmi
l
edst
ari
ngathernei
ghbor
.
“
Hi,
”
“
Hi,
Iam aski
ngf
oracondom.
”
Rachel
lookedathi
mthenf
inal
l
ylaughed.“
What
?”
“
Acondom.
”
Shelaughedevenmor
elooki
ngathi
sser
iousf
ace.
“Ok,
Iam coming.”
Shewalkedbacki
nsi
deherhouselaughi
ngthen
camebacksecondsl
aterandhandedhim aboxof
condoms.
“
Iwi
l
lret
urnt
hem i
fther
eissomet
hingl
eft
.”
Shebur
sti
ntomor
elaught
er.“
Ok.
”
Hewalkedawaywhi
l
esheshookherheadi
n
amusement.

*
***
*

Agangwal
kedar
oundt
hehouset
hent
urnedt
o
Anay
a.
“
Whatdoy
out
hink?
”
Sheshr
ugged.“
Ithi
nki
t’
sfi
ne.
”
Hel
ookedt
hel
andl
ord.“
Youhear
dthel
ady
.”
Thel
andl
ordsmi
l
ed.“
Theni
t’
syour
s.”
“
Iwantt
opayt
womont
hsr
ent
,ist
hatok?
”
Thel
andl
ordgr
inned.“
Yes.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
ldeposi
tthemoney
.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”Theywal
kedout
.
“Iwi
l
lmovei
ntomorr
owaf
terIbuysomepr
oper
ty.A
bed,
andacouch.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Whydi
dn’
tyouj
ustcomebackwi
th
y
ourf
urni
tur
efr
om Pr
etor
ia?
”
“
Ilef
tinahur
rybuty
oumayhav
epoi
ntt
her
e.Iwi
l
l
makeaplan.
”
Shenodded.Thel
andl
orddr
oveoutandMi
guel
drov
ein.
“
Ihopeyoudon’
tmi
nd,Ihadi
nit
ial
l
yaskedCol l
een
t
ohelpmechooseahousebutsherespondedlat
e.”
Anayawat chedMi
guelst
epoutandopenthedoor
forColl
een.Shest
eppedoutandwal
kedtowards
them awithasmil
e.
“
HeyAnay
a.”Theyhugged.
“
Hey
,”
“
Everyonel
ovedmymakeupandnai
l
s,t
hanky
ouso
much.”
“Ihopey
outol
dyourfr
iendst
ocomet
omei
fthey
needtol
ookli
keyoudi
d.”
Col
l
eenlaughed.“
Idid,
Iev
engavethem y
ourdetai
ls.
Iwi
shIhadknowny oubef
ore,
Iwouldhaveusedyou
onmyweddingday.”
Anay
asmil
ed.“
Met
oo,
Iwoul
dhav
emadel
oadsof
money.
”
“
Iknow,
heyAgang.”Shehuggedherbrot
her
.“Isee
y
ouhavehi
jackedmypotenti
alf
ri
end.”
Aganglaughed.“
Ithoughtofst
rengt
heni
ngy
our
rel
ati
onshi
p.”
“
Iam goi
ng,
Ihavet
obei
nameeti
ngi
nafew
minut
es.
”Mi
guel
sai
dmaki
ngCol
l
eenhughi
m.
“Thankyoufordisr
upti
ngyourschedul
eand
choosingtopickmeupanddr opmeof f
.NowIam
notsureifAgangsti
ll
needsmeornot .
”
“
Anayaalr
eadyhel
pedmechooseahouse.Shel
i
kes
t
hisone.
”
“
Idi
dn’
t,
Iwasj
ust
…”
“Shhh…it’
sok.”Col
leenquickl
ysaidwit
hahuge
smileonherface.AnayalookedatMiguelwhowas
l
ookingather.Theylockedeyesforawhilebef
ore
shelookedbackatCol l
eenwhowasl aughingwi
th
Agang.
“
Iowey
oul
unch,
wecanal
lgo.
”Agangsai
dthen
l
ookedathi
sbr
other
.“Iwi
l
lcomeov
erf
ordi
nner
l
ater
.”
Mi
guelbr
ief
lysmi
l
ed.“
Youar
efi
nishi
ngmyf
ood.I
wi
l
lseeyou.
”
Hewalkedtohi
scart
hendr
oveof
fwhi
l
eAnay
a’s
phonerang.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Hi
,am Ispeaki
ngwi
thAnay
aShat
o?”Amal
evoi
ce
sai
d.
“
Yes,
howcanIhel
pyou?
”
“Mygi
rl
fr
iendhassomewheretobeinthreehours
ti
meandsheneedshermakeupandnai l
sdone.She
sawyousawy oui
nst
agram.Canyoucomeov ert
o
myhouseorshoul
dshecomet oyou?”
Anayasmil
edlooki
ngatt
heti
me,i
twasj
ustaf
ter
fi
ve.“
Iwil
lcome,wher
edoyoust
ay?”
Shel
i
stenedcar
eful
l
yatt
hedet
ail
sthenhungup.
“
HeyAgang,
Iam gladIhel
pedandgoodluckon
y
ourf
ir
stdayatworktomorrow.I
twasniceseei
ng
y
ouColl
eenbutIhavetogo,dut
ycal
ls.
”
“
Icandr
opy
ouof
f.
”
“No,t
akeyoursist
eroutf
orl
atel
unchandIwi
l
l
att
endtomyclient.
”
Shewav edthenwalkedawaycalculat
ingtheti
me
shewoul dt
aket ogobackhome, coll
ecther
product
sbef or
egoingtothecl
i
ent ’
shouse.She
neededanhourorso.

*
***
*

Anay
awal
kedi
nsi
det
hecl
i
ent
’shouse.
“
Hi,”t
hemansaidt
henledhert
owherehisgi
rl
fr
iend
was,i
nthesi
tt
ingr
oom busyonherl
apt
op.She
t
urnedandsmil
ed.
“
Hi,
Iam Rebaone.
”
“
Anay
a.”
Sheputherl
apt
opasideandstoodup.“Iam goi
ng
toacompanyevent
.”Shetookoutherphonethen
handedi
ttoAnayawholookedcaref
ull
yatthe
pi
ctur
e.
“
Iwantexact
lyl
i
ket
hat
.”
“Ok,
Icandoi
t.Butt
hisl
adydoesn’
thav
eey
elashes
on,y
oudon’
twanteyel
ashes?
”
“
No.Iwantexact
lyl
i
keher
.”
Theboyfri
endsati
nf r
ontoft heTVwhi l
eAnaya
workedontheRebaone’sface.Shetookherti
me
per
fecti
ngher,wi
ththepublicit
yshewasearning,
it
wasimperati
vetoal
way sdoherbest .Aft
ert
he
makeupshedidhernails.
“
Thanky
ousomuch,
Ilov
ethi
s.Il
ookl
i
keBey
once.
”
Anayatookoutherphoneandsnappedaf
ew
pi
ctur
es.
“Iam gl
adyouli
kei
t.Iwi
l
lgoandchangequi
ckl
y.
Babe,payher
.”
Shewal
kedoutwhi
l
eAnay
apacked.
“
Howmuchwi
l
lthatbe?
”
“
Thef
acebeati
sP360andnai
l
sP190.
”
Het
ookouthi
swal
l
etandcount
edt
hemoney
bef
oregi
vi
ngi
ttoher
.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“Youarebeauti
ful
.”Hesai
dbit
inghi
slowerli
p.
Anay al
ookedathim andwher
ehisgi
rl
fr
iendhad
disappear
edto.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Doy
ouwantt
ogooutf
ordr
inkst
oni
ght
?”
Shechuckl
edwit
hdisbel
i
ef.“
No,
Idon’
twantt
ogo
anywher
ewithy
ou.”
Shesteppedbackt
hencont
inuedpacki
ngher
product
s.
“
Icanpayy
ou,
Iknowy
ou.
”
Sheangr
il
ygl
aredathi
m.“
Leav
emeal
one.
”
“Youaret
hegi
rlMarcusandhisfr
iendssl
eptwi
th.
Look,wecanmeetupatahoteland-“
“
Iam notpr
ost
it
ute,
don’
tmakeme-
“
“BabycallAna-oh,
sheisst
il
lhere.
”Rebaone
approachedthem wit
hasmileofrel
ief
.
“
Ihav
ethought
,Iwantey
elashes.
”
“
That
’sok.
”
Shelookedattheboyfri
endwhowasnowbackat
watchi
ngTV.Itwasf unnyhowhewasbehav ingasi
f
hehadn’tbeenaski
ngf orsexjustsecondsago.
AnayalookedatRebaone’sbondagey ell
owdress
thatr
odeabov ehermidthighs.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmi l
ed.“
Ihavet
o,i
fIdon’
tthenIwi
l
lbe
ref
lect
ingabadimageformyboss.”
Anayaputtheeyelashesonthenf i
nall
ywal kedout
.
Sheglancedatthetime,i
twasget ti
nglate.Shehad
pl
annedt ogoseehermot her,
thedoct orhadn’t
di
schargedheryet.Nowitwasj ustlat
etogoseeher .
Shegotacombi
homeandwhenshear
ri
ved,
Ayana
andLet
habower
eal
readyeat
ing.
“
Heyguy
s,”Shesatont
hebedunt
yinghershoes.
“
Ther
eisr
epor
tcol
l
ect
iont
omor
row.
”
Anay
asmi
l
edatLet
habo.“
Iwi
l
lbet
her
e.”
“Al
somine.
”Ay
anaadded.“Ipassedmor
ethan
anyonei
nmygradeatschool
.”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
Good.Iwi
l
lbuyy
ousomet
hing.
”
“
Ial
sogotanA!
”
“
Iwi
l
lgety
ousomet
hingt
ooLet
habo.
”
Shegotherpl
ateandst
art
edeat
ing.Shef
rownedat
theknockont
hedoor.
“Whoisit
?”Lethabowhisperedwhil
eAnayastood
upandpeepedbyt hewindow.Herfrowndeepened
assheunlockedthedoor.Shewalkedoutcl
osing
thedoorbehi
ndher.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
eMi
guel
?”
“
Ist
haty
ourwayofgr
eet
ingv
isi
tor
s?”
“
Youar
enotwel
comeher
e.Leav
e.”
“
Andwhosai
dIam her
efory
ou?
”
ThedooropenedandLet
habol
aughed.“
Youcame!
”
Theydi
dthei
rhandshakewhi
leAnayajustst
ared.
Ayanawal
kedoutandgreet
edMiguel.
“
Wet
houghty
ouwer
ely
ing.
”
“
Idon’
tli
e.”Hesai
dhandi
ngAy
anaaboxofpi
zza.
“
Thankyousomuch.Idi
dn’
teatal
otsav
ingspace
f
orthepi
zza.
”
“
Liar
,hef
ini
shedal
lhi
sfood.
”Ay
anasai
dlaughi
ng.
“
Ayana,
giv
eitback.
”
Hersi
bli
ngssadl
ylookedather
.“Butuncl
eMi
guel
-“
“
Let
habodoy
ouhav
eanuncl
ecal
l
edMi
guel
?”
Hel
ookeddownandshookhi
shead.
“Giv
ei tbackAy
ana.Iam di
sappoi
ntedi
ny ou,
what
didIsayaboutstranger
s?Doyouevenknowthis
man? ”Sheshouted.“Gi
vei
tback!
”
Ayanaquickl
yhandedMiguel
thepi
zzat
hentook
Lethabo’
shandandwalkedbacki
nsi
dethehouse.
“Whyareyoushout
ingatt
hem?Theydi
dn’
tdo
anyt
hingwrong.
”
“
Stayawayf
rom myf
ami
l
y!”Shewhi
sper
ed.
Hel
ookedatherasi
tgotdar
k.“
Arey
ousl
eepi
ng
wi
thAgang?
”
“NoIam not.Iam notgoi
ngt o.Yourbrot
herj
ust
happenstobev er
ystubborn.Nowl eav
e.”
“
Good.
”
Heturnedandbeganwal kingawaybutonlytotur
n
back.“Iam sorryforcal
li
ngy ouaprost
it
ute…”He
si
ghed.“ Iam sorr
ybutpleasegivethi
stothem.”He
str
etchedhishands.“ Iwi
llnevercomebackhere
again.
”
Taki
ngadeepbreath,
shet
ookt
heboxf
rom hi
m.“
I
woul
dappreci
atethat
.”
Sheopenedt
hedoor
.“Ihopet
hisi
sthel
astt
imeI
seeyou.
”
“
Ican’
tcont
rol
that
,thewor
ldi
sasmal
lpl
ace.
”
Shewal
kedi
nsi
deandlockedbehi
nd.Ayanaand
Let
habower
epagi
ngthroughamagazine.
“
Take.
”
Thei
rfacesl
i
ght
edupast
heyl
ookedatt
heboxof
pi
zza.
“
Thanky
ouNay
a.”
“I
t’
sokLethabo.Idon’
texpectt
hist
ohappenagai
n.”
Anayasai
dlookingatAyana.
“
Itwon’
t.
”
“
Good.
”

*
***
*

Miguel l
ookedatherhousesi t
ti
nginhiscar.He
couldn’tunder
standhimself,
thi
swasunlikehim.
Usuallyheknewj ustt
herightwordstosaytoa
womanbutwi thAnayahismoj oseemedtof l
yout
thr
ought hewindow.
Hisphonerangpul
l
inghi
sey
esf
rom t
hesmal
l
house.“
Yes?”
“Mr.Mokwena,
theout
fi
thasar
ri
ved,
whoshoul
dI
senditt
o?”
“
Takei
ttot
heof
fi
ce.
”
“
Yessi
r.
”Hi
sPAhungupwhi
l
ehesummonedt
he
confi
dencet
oaskherout
.Howhar
dcoul
dthat
possi
blybe?
Hecl
i
mbedoutoft hecarandwalkedbacki
nsi
de
t
hegateandknocked.Hesawthecurt
ainmove.
“Whatar
eyousti
ll
doi
ngher
e?”Sheaskedassoon
assheopenedt
hedoor.
“
Ihav
eacompanyev
entIhav
etoat
tendt
o.”
Sher
aisedherey
ebr
ow.“
So?
”
“
Iwantt
otakey
ouwi
th.Iwi
l
lpayy
ou.
”
“
Not
hanky
ou.Idon’
twanty
ourmoney
.”
“Pl
ease…”Hef
inal
lybegged.“IsaidIwassor
ry,
I
don’
tgetwhyyouaresti
llangry.
”
“
Iam notangr
y.”
“Youar
e,ify
ouwerenotangr
ytheny
ouwoul
dn’
t
haveaprobl
em wi
thme.”
“Areyouhi
ghory
ouj
usthappent
ohav
eament
al
probl
em?”
“Idon’
tgetwhatyouaresoangr
yabout,y
ouareli
ke
anangrybir
d.ButwhatcanIdo?Theysayshor
t
peopl
ear
eal
way
sangr
y.”
“
Idon’
twantt
ogoonadat
ewi
thy
ou.
”
“
Ineversai
dweshoul
dgooutonadat
e.Idon’
twant
y
ou!”
“
Thenwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
“
Iwanty
out
oescor
tmet
oacompanyev
ent
.”
“
No!
”
Sheclosedt
hedooronhi
sface.Het
ookouthi
s
phoneandcall
edher
.
“
Hell
o?”Sheanswer
edt
houghhecoul
dhearher
f
rom out
side.
“Nnammagakegobatl
e,Ij
ustwantsomeonet
o
accompanymet
owork.
”
“
Del
etemynumberandnev
ercal
lmeagai
n.”
“
Whydoy
oual
way
swantt
obebegged?
”
“
Goawaybef
oreIcal
lthepol
i
ce.
”
Miguel
heardsomeoneopeni
ngt
hegate,
het
urned
andwatchedsomeski
nnyboywal
kover.
“Hel
lo,
”theguyacknowledgedhi
m whileMiguelj
ust
star
edsilentl
ywonderi
ngifhewastheboyfri
end.
Anayaopenedt hedoorwhil
eMiguell
ookedatthe
boytry
ingt ofi
gur
eoutwhohewas.
“
Kgot
lang,
hey
,Idi
dn’
tknowy
ouwer
ecomi
ng.
”
“
IthoughtIwoul
dsur
pri
sey
ou.
”
Hedefinitel
ywantedherfr
om thewayhelookedat
her.Miguel wat
chedhisey
esgodownAnay a’
sbody
andthat’swhenhet oonot
icedshehadchanged
fr
om thej eansi
ntosomeshortswhichexposedher
yel
lowt hi
ghs.
Shewal
kedoutwhil
etheboylookedatMi
guel
who
wasst
il
lassessi
ngt
hesit
uati
on.
“
Hei slost
.”Anay
asaidtotheboywhot hensmil
ed.
No,theywerenotdat
ingbuthedef
ini
telywantedher
.
Miguel’
sheadached,
hecouldn’
tgethimselft
ojust
l
eave.
“
Ok,
Iwasthi
nki
ngwecangooutf
orasmal
lwal
kif
y
ouarecomf
ort
abl
e.”
“
Anay
aismygi
rl
fr
iendandy
ouar
enott
aki
ngher
anywher
e.”Mi
guelsai
dget
ti
ngbet
weent
hem.
“Knowyourpl
aceboy.
”
Migueltur
nedtoAnay athengrabbedherwai stand
ki
ssedher.Hefelthertensebuthedidn’tpullaway
.
Hekissedherevenmor ehopingKgotlangwoul d
walkaway.Shepushedhi m awaysecondsl ater
br
eathinghar
d.
“
UmmhIbet
tergetgoi
ng.
”Kgot
langwal
kedaway
.
“
Kgot
langwai
tI…”
Hewal
kedev
enf
ast
er.
SheturnedtoMiguel
,hecoul
dn’
tseeherpr
operl
y
now,ithadgot
tendarkandther
ewasnoelect
ri
cit
y
atherhouse.
“
Whatdoy outhi
nkyouar
edoi
ng?
”Sheangr
il
yasked
t
hroughgr
itt
edteet
h.
“
Pleasebemydate.”Hebeggedcal
mlywi
thahusky
y
etbreathyv
oice.
“
Youcal
l
edme-
“
“
Iam sor
ry,
pleasef
orgi
veme.
”
Heputhishandsonherwai
st.“
IknowIam aj
erk
butpl
ease.
”
“
Youar
enotmyt
ype.
”
“Thenwhoisyourtype,
Anaya.
”Hernameroll
ed
easil
yoffhi
stongue.Heknewshewasgl
aringat
him eveni
nthedark.
“
Noonei
s.”
Hekeptquitecontemplati
ngheranswer
.Hehadn’
t
fact
oredherresponse.“Inev
ersai
dweshoul
ddate.
Iam justl
ooki
ngf orsomeonewhocanaccompany
met owork.”
“Iam sureIam nott
heonl
ygi
rly
ouknow.
”Shewas
nowcal m.
“
Youar
e.Iwi
l
lret
urny
ouear
ly.
”
“Idon’
thavecl
othes.
”Shewasgraspingforany
excuseshecoul
duse, hecoul
dsenseit
.
“
Itdoesn’
tmat
ter
.”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#13

Anay awal kedwi t

hhiminsidetheelevat
orand
closedherey eswonderi
ngwhyshehadagr eedt o
hisrequest .Shecouldhavejustsaidnoandl ethi
m
l
eav e.Thedoor sandopenedandt heysteppedout
thenwal kedi nsi
dehisvastoff
ice.
“
Whatdoy
ouwor
kas?
”
Helookedather.“For
getthat
,ther
eisyourdress.
”
Hehandedhert hegownbagwhi chsheunzipped
andcaref
ull
ylookedattheskybluejumpsui
t.
“
It
’saj
umpsui
t.
”
“
That
’sok.
”
“
Howmuchi
sit
?”
“
Don’
twor
ryaboutt
hepr
ice.Ihi
redi
t.
”
Sher
anherhandsont
hesof
tfabr
ic.
“
Youcanputi
ton.Her
ear
etheshoes.
”
Hepointedattheboxonhi sdeskandwal kedout .
Anayatookoffherjeansandt -
shir
tandputt he
j
umpsuiton.Ithuggedherfigureli
keagl ove, i
talso
hadacapet hattr
ail
edbehind.Shewal kedt owards
hisdeskandtookoutt hesparkl
ingsandals.Thi s
werethekindofheelsshenev erdaredtolookati n
theshops.Sheputthem onandsmi l
ed.Hert oes
l
ookedbeaut i
ful
.
Shesatont hecouchthatwasi
nsidetheoffi
ce
openingherhandbagandtookoutthebasicmakeup
shehadcar r
iedal
ongthenstar
tedwithherface.
Therewasnowayshewoul dwearanexpensive
j
umpsui tandnothavemakeupon.
Miguelknockedont hedoorassheputonher
l
ipst
ick.“
Hey ,st
il
lnotdone?”
Shequickl
yhel
dherbraidsandmadeabunbef ore
sty
li
ngherbabyhai
rs.Hewal kedi
n,obv
iousl
yhis
pati
encehadwornoff.
“
Canwego?Wear
egoi
ngt
obel
ate.
”
Anayastoodupandl
ookedathi
m.Heslowl
ylooked
atherf
rom headt
otal
l.“
Wow…y oul
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Mybr
aidsar
eal
i
ttl
ebi
tol
d.”
“
Youst
il
ll
ookbeaut
if
ul,
wecangonow.
”
Hest
ret
chedhi
shandandAnay
aputherhandi
nhi
s.
“
Idon’
tknowhowdesper
ateyouar
etoact
ual
l
ytake
apr
osti
tut
etoanev
entasyourdat
e.”
“
Howl
ongdoIhav
etoapol
ogi
zef
ort
hat
?”
Shenar r
owedhereyes.“
Youshoul
dn’
tcar
eabout
thatbecauseaf
tert
his,y
ouandIar
egoodas
stranger
s.”
Herphonerangandshet
ooki
toutf
rom her
handbag.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
HiNay
a,”
Sheturnedhear
inghermother’
svoice.“
Mama…how
areyou?Ihavebeeneasy,
IthoughtIwouldcome
todaybutIhadacli
ent.
”
“
It
’sf
inemybaby
,letmespeakt
oAy
aandLet
habo.
”
“
I…uhhIam onmywaybackhomer
ightnow.
”
“
Oh,ok,becar
eful
.Ibor
rowedanur
se’
sphonesi
nce
minei
soff.
”
“
Iwi
l
lcomet
omor
rowi
nthemor
ning.
”
“
Ok,
takecar
eofy
our
sel
f.
”
“
Iwi
l
l,Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Anay
ahungup.
“
Isy
ourmot
hert
heonei
nhospi
tal
?”
Shenodded.“
Yes,
wecangonow.
”
Shepi
ckedupherhandbag.
“
What
’swr
ongwi
thher
?”
“
Cancer
.”
“
Soshe…-
“
“
Shei
sdoi
nghert
reat
ment
.Shewi
l
lbef
ine.
”
“
Isshet
her
easonwhyy
ouwer
e-“
“
Sleepi
ngar
ound?Yes.Idon’
twantt
otal
kaboutt
his.
Canwepl
easej
ustgo?
”
“
Yeah.
.”

*
***
*

Anayawassur pr
isedatthepeopl ewhower eatthe
event,peopleofclassdressedel egantl
y.Al most
every
onewasst ari
ngatt hem ast heywal kedin,
Anayapr ayedshewoul dn’tsteponhert rail
ingcape
andfallmakingaf oolofher sel
f.Awai t
ercameand
gavethem champagnewhi chAnay atookasi ptryi
ng
tofi
tin.
“
Arey
ouok?
”
Shel
ookedatMi
guel
andnodded.“
Yes,
Iam f
ine.
”
Therewasnowayshewoul dt
ell
him howscar
ed
andinti
midatedshewas.Amanwalkedov
erto
them andgreet
edMiguel
.
“
Mr.Mokwena,
congr
atul
ati
ons.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Heshookhandswi
thacoupl
eofpeopl
ewhi
l
eAnay
a
j
ustsmil
edbesi
dehi
m.
“Whatdi
dy ousayyouworkasagai
n?”Sheaskedas
soonastheywerealone.
Every
one’satt
ent
iont
urnedtotheMCwhowasnow
holdi
ngthemic.“
Goodev eni
ngandwel
comet
oC-
SKYHOTEL, ”
AnayaturnedastheMCcont i
nuedwithhi
sspeech.
ShecaughtRebaonest ar
ingatherwithaconfused
l
ook.Peoplestart
edclappingstar
tl
ingher
.Miguel
walkedtothestageaspeopleclappedmore.
“Goodev eningandwel comet other eopeningofC-
SKYHOTEL.Iwasn’ tgoingtodoal aunchpar t
ybut
myi nv est
or swereadamant .”Hesmi l
edwhi lepeople
giggl ed.“Ijustwantt othankt hosewhohav e
believ edinme, i
ff i
veyearsagooneofy ouhadt ol
d
meonedayIwi l
l beatthisleveli
nl i
fe,Iwoul dhave
probabl yignoredy ou.
”Hecont i
nuedwi thhisspeech
whi l
eAnay astaredinshock.Whenhef i
nallycame
backt owher eshewasst anding,shecl earedher
throat .
“
Soy
ouownt
hisbi
ghot
el?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iam sur
eev
ery
oneher
ethi
nksIam gooddi
gger
.”
“
Whydoy
oucar
eaboutwhatpeopl
ethi
nk?
”
Sheshookherhead.“Idon’tbutdon’tyouseet
he
posi
ti
ony ouhav
eputmei n?Iam nott het
ypeof
womany oushouldbeseenwi th.Ihatehowpeopl
e
keeponlooki
ngatme. ”
“
Thendon’
tlookatt
hem.
”
“Baby…”Awomansaidappr
oachi
ngthem i
nared
eveni
nggown.Sheki
ssedhi
scheeksmil
ing.“
Iam
sorr
yIam l
ate.
”
Anayal
ookedathi
m andsmil
ed,
sheknewpeopl
e
werest
ari
ng.Thel
adytur
nedtol
ookather
.
“
Hi,
”
“Hel
lo,youmustbeMrs.Miguel
.It
’sapleasur
e
meetingyou.
”Shesai
dgivi
ngawai terwhowasjust
passingbyhergl
asst
henturnedandwal kedout
.
Shet
ookoutherphoneassoonassher
eached
outsi
de.Shehadtogetoutofher
ethoughher
handbagwasstil
li
nhiscar.
“
Anay
a!”
Shel
ookedathi
m asheapproachedher
.“Whydi
dn’
t
yout
ell
mey ouhadagi
rl
fri
end?”
“
Idon’
t.Webrokeupmont
hsago,
Idon’
tev
enknow
whysheisher
e.”
Anayalaughedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef.“
AndIshoul
dbel
i
eve
that
?”
“
It
’st
het
rut
h,Iswear
.”
“What’
sgoingonher
eMiguel?
”Thel
adyasked.She
soundedangryandt
hel
astthi
ngAnay
awant edwas
afight
.
“
Idi
dn’
tknowhehadagi
rl
fr
iend.
”
“Howmanyt i
mesdoIhavet
osayshei
snotmy
gir
lf
ri
end?Lone,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
“
Soy
oual
readyr
epl
acedme?
”
“
Lone,
Iam notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thy
ou.
”
Shegr
abbedhi
sjacket
.“Whatdoy
oumeany
ouar
e
notdoi
ngt hi
swithme?Af
terev
erythi
ngy
outhi
nk
youarejustgoi
ngtodumpmef orsomewhor
e?
Whoar eyou?”
Anay
alookedather
.“Mynamei
sAna-
“
“
Whoar
eyout
omyman?
”
“Sheismygirl
fr
iendandy
ouar
egoi
ngt
orespecther
.
Don’tyoudar
etryme.”
Het
ookAnay a’
shandandbeganwalki
ngt
ohi
scar
.
“
Iam notgoi
nganywher
ewithyou.
”
“AnayaIwasn’
taski
ngyouorbeggi
ng.Wearegoing.
Iwill
putyouovermyshoul
deri
fyoutryany
thi
ng
funny.
”
Lonewasjustst
ari
ngatthem.Anayal
ethi
mt ake
hert
ohiscar.Heopenedthedoorf
orher
.“Getin.
”
Shecareful
lycl
imbedin.Hecl
osedt
hedoorf
orher
thenwalkedroundtohisdoor
.
“
Whathappenedbet
weeny
ouandher
?”
“LoneandIst
art
eddatingf
ivey
ear
sagoandwe
brokeupmonthsback.Thi
ngsl
ongchanged
betweenusandIguesswewerebothtooscar
edt
o
sayanythi
ngt
il
lfourmont
hsagowhenwehadaf al
l
outaft
ersheabort
edourbaby.Lonei
smyex
gir
lf
ri
endandthat’
sal
lsheisevergoi
ngt
obe.Tr
ust
me.”
Shelookedathi
mforawhi
l
e.“
Ijustdon’
twant
drama.”
“Lonei
sthelastthingyoushoul
dwor ryabout.Can
westayalit
tl
ebitlonger?Ij
ustcan’
tleaveli
kethis.
Theinv
estorsareinside.
”
“
It
’sok,
wecangoback.
”

*
***
*

Lonewat chedast heywalkedbackinwi t

ht earsi
n
hereyes.Hehadr epl
acedher.Herhearttwistedina
pai
nfulmanner ,shewasr eal
lybeauti
ful
.Notonl y
wasshebeaut ifulbutshewasy oung.Lone
wonderedwher ehehadgot t
enherfrom, shelooked
downonherdr ess.Shehadbeenwear i
ngabeaut if
ul
j
umpsui t
, somethingsheshouldhavebeenwear i
ng.
Shehadbeenst andingwher eLoneknewsheshoul d
havebeent heonest anding.Shesl owlywalkedto
hercarandgoti n.Shecoul dn’tbringher sel
ftothink
ofany t
hingbuthowhehadhel dherwai stashel ed
herbacki nsidethehot el
.Itwast hatmomentt hat
shemi ssedherman, shemi ssedhi stouch, hi
ssmi l
e.
Shemi ssedhowheki ssedherandhowhemade
l
ov etoher .Shepr essedhert highst ogetherastears
blurr
edherv i
sion.
Secondsl
atershewascal
l
ingRachel
.
“
Lol
o,”
“
Her
epl
acedme.
”
Rachel
wassi
l
entf
orawhi
l
e.“
Iam sor
ryLone.
”
“
Sheisactuall
ybeaut
if
ul,
cany
oubel
i
evei
t?Shei
s
r
eal
lybeauti
ful.
”
“
May
bei
t’
sti
met
omov
eon.
”
Sheshookherhead.“Migueli
smyman, hei
sgoing
tobemyhusbandandwear egoingtobeafami l
y.
I
t’sjustanewpussythati
sdrivi
nghim mad,once
he’sfuckedherhei
sgoingtotossherli
keaused
condom.Cany oubel
ieveheactuall
ytookhertot
he
off
ici
alre-
openingofC-SKYHot el?Iknowmakeup
candeceive,yessheisbeauti
fulbutsheisan
opport
unist.Youshouldhaveseenheroldbrai
ds.
”
“
Thenyoushoul
djustr
elax,
hewi
l
lcomebackt
o
y
ou.”
“
Yah,
Iwi
l
lcal
l
.”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandwai
ted.

*
***
*

Hourslat
erMiguel
parkedi
nfr
ontoft
hegat
eand
swi
tchedofft
heengine.
“
Thanky
ouf
orcomi
ngwi
thme.
”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
Itwasni
ce.
”
“
Suchevent
sar ealwaysawayofnet
worki
ng.I
i
nit
ial
l
ywasn’tgoingtodoany
thi
ngbutmyPA
t
houghtot
herwise.”
Anay anoddedthentookofftheseat
beltand
reachedforherhandbagatthebackseat.
“
Sheorhei
ssmar
t.Ihav
etogo.
”
“
CanIcal
lyout
omor
row?
”
“
No.Thi
sisi
t.
”
“
That
’sbei
ngev
il
.”
Anayasmil
ed.“
Don’
tcal
lmei
nthemor
ning,
Iwi
l
lbe
worki
ng.
”
Heswi t
chedonthelightt
henpull
edherinforakiss.
Anayaputherhandonhi scheekki
ssi
nghim back.
Shefelthi
shandonhert hi
ghgoingbacktoher
exposedback.Hisli
psweresoftandcol
d,shecould
tast
ewi nefr
om hist
ongue.
“Ihat
ejumpsui
ts.
”Hewhisperedagai
nstherli
ps.
Anayasmil
edthenopenedthedoorandsteppedout
.
“
Itwasni
ceknowi
ngy
ouMr
.Mokwena.
”
Shewal
kedt
owardst
hegat
eandt
urned.Sheknew
hewasl
ooki
ngather
.
“
Thanky
ouf
ort
hej
umpsui
tandshoest
oo.
”She
shout
edthenr
ushedt
othedoor.Heonl
ydr
oveaway
onceshewasinsi
det
hehouse.
“
Youl
ookni
ce.
”Ay
anasai
daf
terl
i
ght
ingt
hecandl
e.
“
Thanks.
”
“
Ishey
ourboy
fri
end?
”
Anyalookedatsl
eepi
ngLet
habot
henbackatAy
ana.
“No.Sl
eep.”
“
Hei
syourboy
fri
end.Isawy
ouki
ss.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Sleep!
”
Shechangedi
ntoadr
essandf
oldedt
hej
umpsui
t
ni
cel
y.
Aknockonthedoormadehersmi
le.Sheunlocked
t
hedoorgi
ggli
ngbuttoonl
ystopl
ookingatLone.
“
Hi,
”
“
Canyoustepout
.Iwanttotal
ktoyouwomant
o
woman.
”Shewasstil
lweari
nghergown.
Anay alookedbackinthehousebefor
eunlocki
ngt
he
burglarbarandsteppi
ngoutsidecl
osi
ngthedoor
behindher .
“
Mynamei
sLoneMonei
,Iam Mi
guel
’
sgi
rl
fr
iend.
”
Anay
anodded.“
Ok.
”
“Yes,MiguelandIhavebeendat i
ngformor et han
fi
veyears.Iknowthemoneyexci tesy ou,mymani s
ri
ch,goodlookingandeverythi
ngbuthei smi ne.You
aregoingtostayfarawayfrom him orelseyouwi l
l
knowmev erywell
.Don’
ttryme, doy ouhearme? ”
Anayacoul
dsenseangeremi
tt
ingf
rom herv
oice.
Shenodded.“
Yes.
”
“
Giv
emet
hecl
othesmymanboughtf
ory
ou.
”
“
Thosecl
othesar
emi
ne.
”
“Lookherel
it
tl
egirl
,Iwi
l
lslapyousohar
dyouwon’
t
beabletospel
lyourownname.Isai
dgivemet
he
clot
hesmymanboughtf oryou.
”
Anayawal
kedinsi
dethehousewit
hLoneri
ght
behi
ndher
,tookthej
umpsuitandhandedi
ttoher
.
“
Theshoest
oo.
”
Sheswal l
owedt
henpi
ckedt
heshoesandhanded
them t
oherwhil
eshel
ookedar
oundthehousewit
h
poordisgust
.
“Youthi
nkyoucansleepwithMiguell
ivi
ngi
nthisdir
t?
Icansmellpoor
nessfrom y
ou,allheseesi
swhat’s
betweenyourl
egs.Youarenothi
ngbutahoodrat.
”
“
Cany
oupl
easel
eav
e.”
“
Iwonderwhatheev
ensawi
nyou,
youar
esopoor
i
t’
ssad.
”
ShewalkedoutwhileAnayalockedt
heburgl
arbar
thendoor.Sheshookherheadasherhear
tthrobbed
painf
ull
y.
.
.
.

[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#14

Lonel
aughedal
onedr
ivi
ngt
oherhouse.She
couldn’tbeli
eveshehadbeeni nt
imidatedbya
hoodr atwhosleptinastinki
nghole.Sheprobabl
y
hadf ailedherf
ormf i
veandsleptwithmenf or
money .Shecouldn’
tevenbeli
eveMi guel
had
resortedt osl
eepingwit
hher.
Shepar kedinfrontofthegateandpressedthe
hooter.Awhi l
elater,t
hegateopenedandshe
parkedbehindhi sRangeRov er.Shet
ookadeep
breaththensteppedoutofhercarandwal kedtothe
door.Ami nutelateraft
ersheknocked,heopened
thedoori nonlyhissweatpants.
“Hey,Ijustwantedtoapologizeforcausi
ngascene.
Ishouldn’thaveevencomet here,Ij
ustthought
may bewecoul dfixthi
ngsbutnowIsee.Il oveyou
andit’
sgoi ngtobehardt oacceptthatyouandIare
nevergoingt obetogether.
”
Miguel
sighedandopenedthedoorfor.Shewal
ked
i
nandst oodi
nthemiddleofhi
ssitt
ingroom.He
cl
osedthedoorandlookedather
.
“
Iknowt
hismustbepai
nfulbutIt
hinki
twi
l
lbebest
i
fwegooursepar
ateways.
”
Lonenoddedbli
nki
ngawayhert
ears.“
Iunderst
and.I
messedup,it
’smyfaul
tandIwi
l
ltakeresponsi
bil
i
ty
formyacti
ons.”
Hehuggedher .“I
t’
snotyou.Iam atfaul
ttoo.The
reasonyouabortedwasbecausey ouwereunsur eof
ourfutur
e.Iunderst
andwhyy oudidwhaty oudid.”
“
Yeah,
event
houghi
tcostmet
hemanIl
ove.
”
“Youshoul
dst
opblamingyour
sel
f.Ei
therway
,you
havebeenmycheer
leaderf
orawhil
enow.Even
whenIhadnot
hing.
”
Lonesmiled.“
It
’sok,IguessIj
usthav
etowat
chy
ou
fr
om thesidel
i
nes.”
“
Iboughty
ouahouse.Theoney ouwantedusto
moveinaf
terwegotmarr
ied.Youdeser
veit
.”
Tearsfi
nal
lyfel
lfr
om herey
es.“
Idon’
twantt
he
house.I
t’
sjustahouse.
”
“
No,
it’
syour
s.”
Hewi
pedawayhert
ear
s.
“
Imi
ssy
ouMi
guel
.
”
Shesteppedbackandt
ookoffherdress.“
Justone
l
astti
mef ort
hesakeoftheol
dtimes.”
“
LoneI
-“
“
Please.Af
tert
ear
s?”
Shekissedhi
m put
ti
ngherhandi
nsidehi
spants.
Sherubbedhi
sdicksl
owlyandsmil
edashegrew
har
dandbi gi
nherhands.
Migueltookherhandout
.“Lonecany
oupl
easenot
dothis.
”
“
Miguelplease,
onelastt
ime.
”Shebeggedsof
tl
y
t
henkissedhim agai
n.
Hepickedherupt henlayheronthecouchpul
li
ng
outherpant
ies.Het ookouthisdi
ckfr
om hispant
s
andpushedinsideher.
“
Shi
t!Condom.
”
Shelockedhim withherlonglegs.“I
t’
sonlybeenyou
andIt r
ustyou.Iwil
ltakethemor ni
ngafter
.”She
assuredhimt henhesighedandst ar
tedfucki
ngher.
Shemoanedmov i
ngherwai st
,meetinghimthrust
fort
hrust.
*
***
*

Anayaopenedhereyestoaknockonthedoor.She
tookherphoneandcheckedtheti
me.I
twasjusta
fewminutesbefor
esix.Shegotof
fbedandpushed
thecurt
ainasi
depeepingbefor
eopeni
ngthedoor.
“
Kgot
lang.
”
“
Canwet
alk?
”
Sheunl
ockedt
hebur
glarbarandst
eppedout
side.
“Hi
.”
Herubbedhi
shandst
oget
her
.“I
shey
ourboy
fri
end?
Icoul
dn’
tsl
eep.
”
Shel
ookedi
ntohi
sey
es.“
No.
”
“
Soy
ouar
enotseei
nghi
m?”
“
NoIam not
.”
“
Thenwhydi
dyouki
sshi
m?”
“
Idi
dn’
tki
sshi
m.Hef
orcef
ull
yki
ssedme.
”
Kgot
langsi
ghed.“
Ok.That
’sal
l
.”
Anayal
ookedatKgotl
angbuthekeptqui
et.“
Okt
hen,
Ihav
etostar
tprepar
ing.
”
“
Ok.
”
ShewalkedbackinsidethehouseandwokeAyana
up.I
tusual
lydidn’
ttakeherlongtopr
epar
etogoto
theschool
.Anhourlatertheywerewal
ki
ngoutof
thehouseheadedtoschool .
“TodayIam goi
ngt
oeatmypi
zzai
ncl
ass.
”Let
habo
saidwit
hagr i
n.
“Met oo.Iknowtheyaregoi
ngtoaskfori
tandIam
goingtorefusej
ustli
ketheyref
usewhentheyhav
e
nicefood.”
Theyhelpedhersetuphertabl
ebefor
eheadingto
thei
rrespect
fulschool
s.Herphonevi
brat
edaft
era
whil
eandshet ookitout.
Kgot
lang:
Ireal
l
yli
key
ou.Iwaswonder
ingi
fwecan
goout.
Shest
art
edt
ypingherresponsewhenacarhooted
maki
ngherr
aiseherheadputti
ngherphoneaway.
Almostever
yonewasst ari
ngathisRangeRover
.
Sheignor
edhim ashest eppedoutoft
hecarand
cont
inuedserv
inghercustomers.
“
Isi
tmeory
ouar
eal
way
sangr
y?”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Iam busyr
ightnow.
”
“
Iwi
l
lwai
t.
”
Shel
ookedathi
sex
pensi
vesui
t.“
No.Goaway
.”
“
Iwantt
obuy
.”
Het
ookoutt
woP200.00notesandgav
ethem t
oher
.
“
Iwoul
dli
ket
obuyeveryt
hing.
”
Sheignoredhim andser vedstudentswhohad
crowdedhert able.Hestoodthereti
llal
lthest
udent
s
haddisappearedt othei
rschools.Shestart
ed
packi
nghert hings.
“
Whyareyouangry
?Idon’trecal
ldoi
ngany
thi
ngt
hat
mayhav
eupsetyoulastni
ght.”
“
Yourgi
rl
fr
iendcameby
.”
“
Lone?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Didshehar
assy
ou?
”
Anayalookedathi
m.“No.Idon’
twantanydr ama,I
al
readyhavealotgoi
ngon.Iam aparenttomy
si
bli
ngs,aguardi
antomymot her
.Idon’tneedthe
dr
amat hatcomeswithyou.
”
“
Iwi
l
ldeal
wit
hLone,
Ipr
omi
se.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Idon’
twantheratmyhouse.
”
Shepickedherbi
gbagt henputonebucketi
ntot
he
otherbef
oreputt
ingherparaf
fi
nstov
einside
“
Iwil
ltakeyouhome.
”Heof
fer
edt
aki
ngt
hebag
f
rom her.
“Migueldon’
tyouhav
efancygi
rl
stobechasi
ng
aft
er?”
Heopenedhi
sbootandputherbagi
nsi
de.
“
Putt
hatbucketi
nsi
de,
Ihav
etogot
owor
k.”
Shesi
ghedthenputthebucketi
nthebootandhe
cl
osedit
.Shefol
dedherarmswhenheopenedt he
doorf
orherandcli
mbedin.
“
Youneedt
oseesomeone,
youar
eal
way
sangr
y.”
Hesai dcl osi
ngherdoor .Anay awat chedashe
walkedr oundtoherdoor ,thi
swast hetypeofaman
shecoul donlydream about ,t
het ypeofamant hat
neverl ookedather .Hewast al
l,sexyandat t
racti
ve.
Anay awonder edwhyhekeptcomi ngbackt oher,
surelyhecoul dhav ebetterwomen.Womenl ike
Lone.Womenwi thoff
icejobs.Shewat chedhim as
hest arteddrivingandcouldn’thelpbutnot i
cejust
howhedr ovewi t
honehandl eaningbackonhi sseat.
Hehadonanexpensi vewat chthatshonet othe
mor ningsun.
Minutesl
aterheparkedinfr
ontofhergatethen
j
umpedof fthecar
.Wi t
hgraceonlyhecouldhave,he
openedtherust
ygat eandgotbackinsi
dethecar.
Hedroveinheryardparki
ngjusti
nfrontofthedoor.
Sheopenedherdoorandgotoutoft
hecar.He
openedthebootwhi
lesheunl
ockedtheburgl
arbar
anddoor.
“Iwi
llt
akethatinsi
de…”Shestretchedherhandsso
togetthebagandbucketsbutr atherhewalkedpast
hergett
inginsi
dethehouse.Shewal kedinafterhi
m,
i
twasonl yoneroom butAnayaal waysmadesur eit
wascl ean.Helookedatthewellmadebedt henat
thedressingtabl
ewhichwasagai nstt
hewal l
.On
theotherside,i
twasthebluekit
chenunitandgas
stove.Behindthedoorther
ewast hebigdishthey
usedt obathinandawashi ngbasketf
ullofdir
ty
clot
hes.
“Youdon’tgetinsidepeopl
e’shousesuni
nvit
ed.”She
tookoffhershoesandst eppedont hebl
acksoft
carpett
akingthebagf rom hi
m.Sheputitbesidethe
kit
chenunitandt urnedtol
ookathim.
“
What
?Notusedt
osuchpoorcondi
ti
ons?
”
“Ihav
ebeenhere.Foryear
sIbathedi
nadi
shand
usedacandl
e.Atleastyouhav
eagasstov
e,Iused
fi
rewood.
”
“
Whenwast
hat
?”
“
Year
sagoaf
terIf
ini
shedwi
thmydegr
ee.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Youhav
edef
ini
tel
ycomesof
ar.
”
Het
ookof fhi
sbrownshinyshoesandsteppedon
t
hecarpetwit
hhissocks.“
Idid.Whydon’
tyouuse
t
heotherroom t
oo?”
“
Mamausesi
ttosew.
”
Shetookadeepbreat
hlooki
ngdown.Miguelrai
sed
herchi
n.“
Idon’
tknowhowy oudoitbutalotof
peopl
ewouldn’
thavemanaged.
”
“
Don’
tyouhav
etogot
owor
k?”
Heleanedoverandki
ssedher.Anaya’shear
t
poundedasthei
rli
psmov edt
ogether.Shepull
ed
awayandlookedupathim.
“
Ist
hathowy
ouki
ss?
”Sheaskedwi
thasmi
rk.
Hegr
inned.“
Iam notdoi
ngi
tri
ght
?”
“
No,
Iknowadi
ff
erentwayofdoi
ngi
t.
”
“
Youcant
eachmet
hedi
ff
erentwayofdoi
ngi
t.
”
Shest oodonhert oesinchingclosert
ohisli
ps.She
brushedherl i
psagainsthisthenfinal
l
y,ki
ssedhim
tenderly
,softl
yandslowly .Sheti
lt
edherheadabi t
teasi
nghi sli
pswi t
htonguewhi l
eheputhi sarms
aroundher .Shesli
dhert onguebetweenhisli
psinto
hismout handt ent
ati
velycoercedhistonguewit
h
hers.Shemov edawaywi thasmi l
e.
“
Okay
.”Hegr
inned.“
Ili
kedt
hat
.”
Herteet
hsankinherlowerl
ipashegazedather
wit
hhalfcl
osedeyes.Thebulgei
nhi
spantswas
vi
sibl
ehedidn’
teventryt
ohideit
.
Hegrabbedherwai standkissedherunzi ppi
ngher
j
eandressfrom behind.Hel eti
tfal
ltotheground
anduncl
ippedherbr atakingitoff
.Freei
ngherlips,
hecuppedherfullf
irm breaststhatf
ithisbighand.
“Wow! ”Hemut t
eredbendingoverandpul l
inga
nippleinhismout h.Hertoescurledwhileshehel d
hisheadar chingherback.Hernippleshar denedas
herpant i
essoakedwi t
hwetness.Hepul ledthe
othernippleinhismout handshemoanedsof tl
y
rubbinghishead.Sl owly,
helethernipplegoand
droppedf eather
ylikewetkissesdownherbel l
y
buttontil
lhewaskneel i
ngbeforeher.Hehookedher
pantieswithhisthumbt hendraggedi tdownher
l
egs.
Shecuppedherbr eastwhenheputheronel egson
hi
sshoul derandstar
tedli
ckingher.Herlegsshook
aspleasurev i
brat
eddeepinsideher.Hedrov et
wo
fi
ngersinsideherwit
hhismout honhert hrobbi
ng
cl
itandshemoanedsqueezi ngherbr easteven
mor ewi t
hherey esclosed.Her elentlessl
ysucked
herwhi l
edr i
vi
nghi sfi
nger sinandoutofher .Her
breathhitchedasheri nnerwal l
sclenchedonhi s
fi
ngers.Thiswasherf i
rstt i
met ohav esomeonedo
thattoherbutsheknewhewasgoodatwhathe
wasdoi ng.Shel etherbreastgoandputherhandi n
hishead.Shef r
ozethenl etoutsoftwhi mper swhil
e
herbodyconv ul
sed.Her oseupandt ookoffhi s
j
acket .Withshakinglegs, Anayahelpedhi m
unbuttonhi swhitecri
spyshi rtt
henl oosenedhi sti
e
taki
ngi toffhi
sneck.Het ookof fhisshirtwhile
Anay atookof fhisbel
tthenunzi ppedhi spant s.
Miguelpickedherupandlayheronthebedkissi
ng
her.Shesilent
lycur
sedwhentookouthisdi
ckand
rubbeditgentl
yonherwetness.
“
Condom…”
Helookedatherst
il
lteasi
ngherent
rancewi
th
r
aggedbreathi
ng.
“Miguel
,weneedtouset
ouseacondom.Idon’
t
knowmyst at
us.
”
Hepushedi
nthet
ip.“
Fuck!
”
“
Miguel
!”
Helookedinherey
es.“
Ican’
tst
opnow,
Idon’
twal
k
ar
oundwi t
hcondoms.”
“
Wehav
etost
op.
”
“
From her
ewewi
l
lgot
est
ing.
”
“
Miguel
…”
Hepushedhal
fhi
sdi
ck.“
Ican’
tst
op.
”
Anayamoanedashepushedti
llhewasburi
edtot
he
hi
lt
.Sheputherhandsonhi
swidechestashe
begangi
vi
ngherslowstr
okes.
“Shit!She’ sti
ght .
”Hegr oanedi ncreasingt hespeed
ofhi sst rokes.Hepushedherkneesupshi fti
nghis
wei ghtt ohiselbows.Hi swei ghthel ddownbur yi
ng
herunderhi sbr oadchest .Hespedup, poundingint
o
herasshesunkhernai lsintohisbar eback.Hi s
thrust sbecamer elentl
ess,unapol ogeti
c.Anay a
coul df eelsomet hi
ngbui l
dingdeepi nher .She
mov edherwai stmeet i
nghi mt hrustforthr ust
shittingherey escl ose.
“
Arr
g!”Shegr
oanedasshest
if
fenedf
oll
owedbyher
bodyexplodingint
ocli
max .Hepull
edoutand
draggedhert ot
hecornerofthebody.Hefl
ippedso
thatshelayonherfront
.Sheknewwhathewant ed,
withthestrengt
hshehad,shekneltthr
ust
ingher
assupi ntheair
.
Heputhishandsonherwai stwhi l
etheother
pressedherchestt othebedt henr ammedi nsideher.
Shescreamedi ntothebedf eelingasifmetal had
sli
cedint
oher .Shecoul dswearhewaspocki ngher
cervi
x.Hestartedf uckingherhar danddeep.She
tri
edrai
singherheadbuthepr essedherdownev en
mor emov i
ngfast erandev endeeper .Shegrabbed
thesheetstakingi tli
keabiggi rl
.Hepoundedi nt
o
heroverandov ertil
lhetappedsomet hi
ngsweet
deepinsi
deher .Hert oesbegancur li
ngasshe
mov edherassagai nsthim.
Shegr i
tt
edherteethashet appeditevenmor e.She
begancummi ng,pulli
ngt hesheetsmor e.I
tfeltl
ike
i
twoul dn’
tst
opast hepl easureint
ensifi
ednot
stoppi
ng.Sheclosedherey esti
ghtl
y,shehadnev er
fel
tthatmuchpleasur ebefore.Hedril
ledherasshe
suffer
edorgasm afterorgasm.
“Gaddd…oww…”Shemeowedt earsf il
li
ngherey es.
Hepul ledoutt henpul l
edherof fthebed.Anay a
buriedherf aceonherneckashepi ckedherupand
heldheri nt hemi ddl
eoft her oom wi thherl egs
hookedonhi sarms.Hebr oughtherdownt ohis
wai t
ingdickt henbegant hrusti
ngi ntoher .Herwal l
s
clenchedar oundhi m ashewenthar der.Sheknew
hewasnowchasi nghi sownpl easurey etherbody
stil
lresponded.Ov erandov erhet hrusti ntoher ,
she
couldf eelhimt hrobbingdeepi nsideher .Af ewmor e
thrustheshothi sloaddeepi nsideherasAnay a’
s
bodyspasmed.Hesl oweddownr i
dingt heir
aftershockst henf i
nall
yputherbackont hebed
slowlypullingout .Hewat chedhi sjuicesl eakfrom
herpussyl ipsgoi ngbet weenherasscr ack.Anay a
closedherl egsshy l
ythencl osedherey es.
Sheheardhi
m chucklebef
oreshefel
thi
sli
pson
hers.“
Don’
tbeshy,youwerenotshyafewseconds
ago.”
Sheopenedherey
essmi
l
ing.“
Youar
eabeast
.”
“
Youhav
en’
tseenany
thi
ng.
”
Hebabykissedherasshewipedthesweatof
fhi
s
f
orehead.Aknockint
err
upt
edt hem.
“
Anay
a!”Agangshout
edf
rom out
side.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#15

Anay
alookedatMi
guel
’
sfr
ownashest
oodup.
“
Whati
sit
?”
“
Hewant
syou.
”
“
Whatmakesy
out
hinkt
hat
?”
“
Iknowmybr
otherAnay
a.”
Shegotof
fbedbutherkneesshookthatshesat
downforawhi
le.Minut
eslat
er,sheopenedthedoor
andst
eppedout.Aganghadhiscarparkedbesi
de
Mi
guel
’
s.Hest
eppedoutt
aki
ngof
fhi
scap.
“
Hey
,Idi
dn’
tknowMi
guel
bor
rowedy
ouhi
scar
.”
Anay
atur
nedt
othecart
henbackathi
m.“
Uhh…”
“
Orisi
tColl
een?Shespokeabouti
nvi
ti
ngy
ouf
or
l
unchy
ester
day.”
Anayaspeechlessl
ylookedathim notknowi ngwhat
tosay.Shehadsuspectedhewasi ntohertheday
heescortedhersosher egi
ster
shercompany .
Miguelsteppedoutofthehousedr essed,helooked
sexyandabi tofamess.Agangl ockedeyeswi thhi
s
brot
herwhi l
eshesteppedback.
“
Soy
ouar
efucki
ngher
?”
Mi
guel
thr
ewhi
sjacketi
nhi
scar
.“Agang,
”
“Iaskedyoui
fyouwantedAnay
aandy
out
oldme
no.”Agangsai
dangr
il
y.
“
Iwasj
usti
ndeni
al.
”Mi
guel
respondedcal
mly
.
“
Wow!Real
l
ynow?
”
“
AgangIknow-
“
“
Youdon’
tknowany
thi
ng.Iguessy
oucoul
dn’
t
stomachherwi
thany
oneel
se,
whathappenedt
o
Lone?”
“
Webr
okeup.
”
“
Ican’
tbel
iev
ey ou.YouknowIl
i
keher
,coul
dn’
tyou
j
usthol
dyoursel
f?”
Agangt
urnedt
oAnay
awhowasf
rozent
oherspot
.
“Look,IknowIcannevergi
v eyouwhatmybrother
probablypresent
edtothet
ablebutyouandIhave
chemistry.I
t’
snotli
keIam broke.
”
“
Agang,
that
’smygi
rl
fr
iend.
”
AgangglaredatMiguelboil
i
ng.“Si
ncewhenwasshe
yourgi
rlf
ri
end?Yousleepingwit
hherdoesn’
tmake
heryourgir
lf
ri
end.
”
“
Anay
a,goanddr
essup.
”
Shel ookedatMi guelwhonoddedandqui cklyturned
walkinginsidethehouse,shehadn’ ti
magi nedt he
dramat hatwasgoi ngon.Shet r
iedbl ockingt heir
voicesbutAgangwasget t
ingangrier
.Shet ookher
wett owelandwi pedbetweenherl egst hent ookof f
thedi r
tydressshehadpi ckedfrom thef l
oor .She
grabbedherj
eanandwhit
et-shi
rt
,putonherpumps
andwalkedoutwit
hherhandbag.Agangwasdri
vi
ng
off.
“
Idon’
twanty
ouf
ight
ingy
ourbr
other
.”
Heki
ssedher .“Hewil
lcomear ound,ei
therway,he
i
ssti
lldeal
ingwi t
haheart
break.Heisnotr eadyfor
anyr
elati
onshipatthemoment .Hejusthappenst o
best
ubborn.”
Anay
ast oodstil
lmesmerizedbyhiscal
mness.He
di
dn’
tlooklikehehadjustbeeninanalt
ercat
ionwi
th
hi
sbrother.
“
Getin,
wewill
goandt estri
ghtnow.Fr
om t
her
eI
wi
ll
dropyouatthehospit
al.
”
“
Ihav
etocol
l
ectmysi
bli
ng’
srepor
ts.
”
“
Wewi
l
lcol
l
ectt
her
epor
tsf
ir
st.
”
“
Don’
tyouhav
etogot
owor
kMi
guel
?”
“Iownt
hecompany
.”Hesai
dopeni
ngt
hedoorf
or
her.
“Miguel
,youshouldn’
tmissworkf
oragirly
oubarel
y
know.Wear egoingtocoll
ectt
herepor
tsbecauseI
can’
taf
for
dnottothenwegofort
esti
ngandfr
om
ther
eyouwil
lgotoworkwhi
l
eIgot ot
hehospi
tal
.”
“
Anay
a-“
“
Iwasn’
taski
ngy
ouorbeggi
ng.Iwast
ell
i
ngy
ou.
”
Asmi
l
efl
i
ttedacr
osshi
sface.“
Ok.
”

*
***
*

Lonewasecst
ati
casshespoket
oRachel
.
“
Iam notevenworri
edanymor
e.Idi
dn’
tev
enuse
t
hosepil
ls,
hejustcametome.”
Rachel
laughed.“
Iguesshei
sst
il
lnotov
ery
ou.
”
“IknowbutIhav edeci
dednottofi
ghttoomuch.It
willmakemel ookdesper
ate.Letmeleavehi
mfora
whi l
e,lethi
m seethatwit
houtmehei sheadedf
or
disaster.YouknowImadet hatmanRachel.Heis
mi ne.
”
“
Yesgi
rl
!Youar
ewi
thi
n.”
Theylaughed.“Iam thegirl
.Heputt hehousewe
weregoi ngtobuyasaf ami
lyhousei nmyname.He
sai
dIdeser veitsoIwi l
lmovingthere.Inthe
morninghesai dIshouldgoandpi ckt hepropert
y
andhewi l
lhav
eev eryt
hingpaidfor.Hepr obabl
y
doesn’tknowhowt otel
l mehewant sust ofix
thi
ngs.”
“Menareli
kethat.Atl
eastthi
sti
menolist
eni
ngt
o
crazyadv
ise.I
t’
stimetofocusonbui
l
dingahome.
Behaveli
keawi f
e.”
LonelookedatCourtneyasshewal
kedpastherin
herformalwear.Shesti
ll
hadasmallmarkonher
cheek.Shecl
ickedhertonguemaki
ngLonelaugh.
“Thi
ngsIseeher
e,Iswearthi
sgi
rlwi
ll
oneday
drownmeinthetoi
let
,thewayshehat
esmeisnot
evennor
mal.”
“
Who?Cour
tney
?”
“
Yes.
”
“Isawherpostonfacebookyest
erdayandlaughed.I
want edtocommentbutfi
guredshewaslookingfor
attenti
on.Tal
ki
ngaboutdesper
atewomen.”
Lonelaughed.“Isawbutdecidedtol eaveher.You
knowIam t r
eadingonthiniceatwor k.Idon’twant
tomakeami st
ake,Iknowhowf i
ndingaj obishard
andalsoinabigbankl i
kethis.Ei
therway ,Miguel
wouldn’
tbehappy ,youhowhel ovesi ndependent
women. ”
“
Hey,Ihav
etogo,
thebossj
ustwal
kedi
n,wewi
l
l
t
alk.
”
“
Ok,
mybr
eakhasendedt
oo.
”
Lonehungupbef orewalki
ngtoherchair
.Itwasa
l
azyMondaymi dmont h,thebankwasalmostempt y.
Shesatdownput ti
ngherphoneaway.Sheknew
peoplegossi
pedherbecauseofwhatCour tneyt
old
them butshedi
dn’tcar
e.Whattheysaidabouther
neverbother
edher.
“
Hi,
”
Sheputonherwor
ksmi l
e.“Hel
l
o,howcan-
“She
pausedl
ooki
ngatKenneth.
“
Iwantt
oopenasavi
ngsaccount
.”Hesai
dwi
thout
t
hesmil
eheusual
l
ygaveher.
“
Ok,
”
Sheatt
endedtohim wait
ingforhimtoaskt hem to
fi
xthi
ngsbuttohersurpri
se,
immedi at
elyaftershe
hadassi
stedhi
m, hewalkedout.Shesadlysighed,
sheknewhowmuchshehadhur thi
m butthent her
e
wasnothi
ngshecoulddo.Shewant edMi guel.
Shesnappedoutofi
tsummoni
ngt
henextcust
omer
.
Afterwork,shewalkedt
ohercarpul
li
ngdownher
formalskir
t.Assoonasshegotinsi
de,herphone
rang.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,guesswho’
sbacki
ntown?
”
Shelaughed.“
Agang,t
heprodi
gal
sonhasf
inal
l
y
foundhiswaybackhome.”
“
Unf
ort
unatel
yyes,wher
ear
eyou?Ineedt
otal
kto
y
outhi
seveni
ng.”
“
Iam onmywayhome,
isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“
Yes,
wher
edoy
oust
ay?
”
“
Phaset
wo,
Iwi
l
lsendy
out
headdr
essj
ustnow.Ar
e
y
ousur
eev
ery
thi
ngi
sok?
”
“
Yah,
sendi
tnow,
Ial
readydr
ivi
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shesenthi
m heraddressthendroveheadedhome
wonderi
ngwhatpossiblyMiguel’
syoungerbrother
wouldwanttotal
kt oherabout.I
nthir
tyminutes,
shewasparkinghercarandami nuteaft
er,acar
par
kedbehindhers.Shesteppedoutandsmi ledat
Agangwhowasal readywalki
ngtowardsher.
“
Lookaty
ou!Al
lbuf
fed.
”
Agangl
aughed.“
Youdon’
tlookbady
our
sel
f.
”
“
Thanks,
comei
n.”
Theywal
kedi
nherhouseandsatdown.
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?I
sev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“
Yah,
what
’sgoi
ngonbet
weeny
ouandMi
guel
?”
Shesi
ghed.“
Wehadal
i
ttl
efal
lout
,butwear
efi
ne
now.
”
“
Soy
ouguy
sar
est
il
ldat
ing?
”Hequest
ioned.
“No,buty
ouknowMi
guel
andI
.”Shesmi
l
ed.“
What
’s
goingon?”
“
Hei
ssl
eepi
ngwi
thsomeoneel
se.
”
Lonekickedof
fherheel
s.“
Iknow,
buthewi
l
lget
overi
t.
”
“
Iwoul
dn’
tcar
ebuthei
ssl
eepi
ngwi
tht
hegi
rlIl
i
ke.
”
Lonef
rowned.“
Youl
i
ket
hatl
owcl
assgi
rl
?”
Hesi
ghedr
ubbi
nghi
sface.“
Ineedy
ourhel
p.”

*
***
*
Colleenputherpl at
eont opofherbell
yputt
ingon
herNet f
lixshow.Shet ookabiteofherspi
cymeat
withherat t
entionfocusedontheTV.Herphone
rangandshel ookedatthecall
erIDdebati
ngwith
herselfonwhet hertoanswerornotbutknowing
Maggi e,sheknewshewoul dn’
tstopcal
li
ng.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Coll
eenyouar
eawi
tch.Awi
tchwi
thhor
ns,
anda
broom.”
Col
l
eensi
ghed.“
Whatdi
dIdo?
”
“
Soy
ouhookedt
hatmakeupgi
rlwi
thMi
guel
?”
“
What
?”
“
Yes,
thatpl
aingi
rl
.”
“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
“
Iwenttot
heof
fi
cialopeni
ngofC-
SKYhot
eland
Miguel
waswi
thher.
”
Col
l
eenputherpl
atedown.“
YoumeanAnay
a?”
“Yes.YouknowIreall
ythoughtwewerefr
iends.Do
youknowhowmanyt imesIbeggedyoutohookme
upwi t
hyourbr
other.Youarenotfai
rCol
l
een.”
“
No,It
hinky
ougotitmixedup.It
hinkshewasther
e
wi
thAgangnotMi
guel.Miguel
isdati
ngLone.
”
“YousayLone?Thatwomani spastt
ense.Shecame
andkissedMi guelt
henAnayawalkedout.He
fol
lowedaf terherwithLonebehi
nd.Minutesaft
er,
yourbrotherwal kedbackinwi
thAnayaandt hey
werealll
ov eydov ey.
”
Col
l
eenshookherhead.“
Thatcan’
tbei
t.Agi
ist
he
onewhol
i
kesher
.”
“Youdon’
tknowany
thi
ng.Iam hear
tbr
oken.Wher
e
canIeverf
indamanli
kethat
?”
Coll
eenfor
cedalaugh.“
Youwi
l
lbef
ine,
lookIhav
e
togo,I
anisher
e.”
“
Ok,
letmegodr
ownmy
sel
finmymi
ser
ies.
”
Coll
eenhungupandcal l
edMiguel
,i
twasunl
i
kehi
m
nottotel
lherwhathappenedi
nhisli
fe.
“
Col
l
een,
”
“
Boi
kany
o,howdi
dtheev
entgo?
”
“
Itwentwel
l
,act
ual
l
ybet
tert
hanIexpect
ed.
”
“
Good,
hey
,Iwant
edt
oask,
rememberAnay
a?”
“
Yes,
shei
smygi
rl
fr
iend.He’
sal
readyr
ant
orepor
t?”
“
Buty
ouknowAgangl
i
kesher
.”
“
Imetherf
ir
st.
”
“
Whatdoy
oumean?
”
“
ImetAnay
amont
hsago.Hewi
l
lgetov
eri
t.
”
Sher
ubbedherf
orehead.“
Hei
spr
obabl
yhur
t.He
r
eal
l
yli
kedher
.”
“
Hewi
l
lgetov
erher
.”
Sheheardacaroutsi
de.
”Ij
ustdi
dn’
tthi
nky
ouwoul
d
goforsomeoneli
keher.
”
“
What
’swr
ongwi
thAnay
a?”
“Wel
l she…therei
snothi
ngwr ongwithherasper
say,
justthatshedoesn’
tlookli
keyourtype.
”
“
Iknowbuti
tiswhati
tis.
”
Col
l
eenhear
dnoi
sei
nthebackgr
ound.“
Wher
ear
e
y
ou?”
“
Iam outwi
thAnay
aandhersi
bli
ngs.
”
“
Youareal
readyspendi
ngmoneyonhersi
bli
ngs
t
oo?”
“
Col
l
een,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
Hedr
oppedthecal
lasIanwalkedinsi
dethehouse.
“
Heybaby,
”Hewalkedoverandkissedher.
“
Hey
,Imi
ssedy
ou.
”
Hesmi
l
edsi
tt
ingbesi
deher
.“Imi
ssedy
out
oo,
how
ar
eyou?
”
Shest
oodupr
ubbi
ngherst
omach.“
Wear
efi
ne.
”
Shewalkedtotheki
tchenthencamebackwi
tha
di
shofwat erandhi
splat
e.Hestaredatt
hef
oodfor
awhil
ethenathers.
“
Babywhyar
eweeat
ingdi
ff
erentmeal
s?”
Shesmi
l
ed.“Iorder
edthi
sbecauseIwant
edsome
spi
cywi
ngs.Icookedt
hatfory
ou,Ihopeyouwi
l
lli
ke
i
t.”
Hewashedhishandsandtookaforkwit
hasmil
e.
“
Wheredidyougetthereci
pe?I
tlooksgood.
”
“
Igoti
tfr
om YouTube.I
t’
smacar
oni
cheese.
”
“
Oh,
”
Shewatchedanxi
ousl
yashel ookedatheranddug
i
nthefood.Heputiti
nthemout hwit
haf unnyf
ace.
Sl
owlyhechewedthenswallowed.Hetookherglass
ofj
uicewhichwasnexttoherfoodandgulpedi
tall
down.
“
Wowbaby
!Itt
ast
es…wow.
”
“
Iknewy
ouwoul
dli
kei
t.Eatup.
”
Helookedatthef
ood.“
Uh,l
etmetakeabat
hfir
st.
”
Hestoodupandwalkedawaywhi
l
eshelookedat
hi
splatewit
haproudsmil
e.

*
***
*
Rebaonewalkedinar est
aur
antchat
ti
ngwit
hher
col
leaguesduri
nglunchhourasTheodor
astoodi
n
fr
ontofthem.
“
Hey
,youwor
katC-
SKYhot
elr
ight
?”
Theodor
atur
nedbackandsmi
l
ed.“
Yes.
”
“Wow!Youruni
formisni
ce.Youhav
eev
ery
day
uni
for
m orisi
tforyouonl
y?”
Sheshookherhead.“No,it
’sforeveryemployee
thougheachdayhasit’
sownuni form.”Shefi
xedher
blazerwi
ththeC-SKYhotelemblem.Herslacks
coveredherheel
sleav
ingonlythetipshowing.
“Thi
suni
for
mi ssexyhonestl
ybutIdon’tthi
nkusat
MokwenaLogist
icswouldsurvi
ve.Thatcompanyis
big,
wewon’tmanagewear i
ngunifor
m.”Rebaone
sai
datTheodor
abefor
eturni
ngaway
.Thequeue
movedandTheodor
amov ed.
“
Thisgirli
sonlyamakeupar ti
st .Shehadev endone
mymakeupt hatday.Icall
edhert omyhouseand
t
hatgirl
isbelowthewor daveragei tsel
f.Shecame
t
omyhousewear i
ngsomeol ddi sgusti
ngdr essand
wornoutpumps.Inev erknewt hatwer eMr .M’s
t
ype.”Rebaonetol
dthet wootherl adiesandt hey
l
aughed.
“
Iwasshocked.Thatgi
rli
soutofhi
sleague,
it’
sjust
t
hecomplexi
ononly.
”Anotherl
adyr
esponded.
“Anyonecoul
dseethatev
enthoseexpensive
clot
hesweredeny
ingher.
”Theylaughed.“
Hername
i
sAnay aappar
ent
ly.
”
“Youknowwhat ,somemot her
’sdeser
vetobein
j
ails.Somenamesar emeantforcert
ainpeopl
e.No,
youcan’thaveanAnayali
ke.Thatoneshouldbe
Goitsemodimo,t
hosearethenamesf orher
.”
Theyl
aughedevenmoreandTheodor
afoughtt
he
edget
oturnandsaysomethi
ng.Thel
inemovedand
i
twashertur
n.
“Hi
,canIpleasehav
efr
iedr
ice,
chi
ckenandt
he
beet
rootsalad.
”
“
Yesmam.
”
Rebaonekeptonl aughi ngwi thherfriends
thoroughl ybashingAnay a.Theodor agotherf ood
andwal kedt otheempt ytable.Shewat ched
Rebaonet il
lshewal kedoutt hentookof fher
spect aclesrecalli
ngt hedayAnay ahadst oodupf or
herinf r
ontoft heent i
reclassbacki nhi ghschool.It
hadbeeny earsagobutTheodor arecalledit
perfect l
yandgui lt
yseet hedi nherasshewonder ed
whyshehadn’ ttoldRebaoneof forwhyshehadn’ t
toldthepeopl eatthehot elwhospokeofAnay at
o
stop.I twasnosecr etthatAnay awaspr ett
yandno
mat terwhatt heysai d,thatfactdidn’tchangeexpect
thattheywer ejustagr oupofbi tt
erandj ealous
humans.
Shelookedatherphonef
eel
ingmor
elonel
ythan
ever
.Itrangandshesmil
ed.
“
Mama,
”
“
Theongwanaka,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
inemama,
you?Howi
sthebusi
ness?
”
“
Businessi
sfi
ne,
howar
eyou?Ihopey
ouar
e
r
est
ingwell
.”
“
Iam.
”
“
Good.Howi
sthej
ob?
”
“
Thej
obi
sfi
ne.
”
“Iam happyy
ouaredoingsomethi
ngfory
oursel
f.I
wishIhaddonewhatyouaredoingwhenIwasyour
agebutnowIgettowat chmydaught
erdoit
.There
i
snothingmoresat
isf
yingthant
hat.
”
Theodor
asmi l
edf
ixi
ngherspect
acl
es.“
Okmama,
wewillt
alk.
”
“
Byengwanake.
”
Shehungandheldt
hephonemomentari
lyi
nher
handsthenfi
nal
l
ydeci
dedtocal
lher
.Itr
angfora
whil
ebeforei
twasanswer
ed.
“
Anay
aShat
o,hel
l
o?”
“
HiAnay
a,i
t’
sTheodor
a.”
Ther
ewassi
l
encef
orasecond.“
Hey
,Inev
er
t
houghty
ouwoul
dcal
l
.”
“BecauseIwasscar
ed.Youknowhowawkwar
dI
am.”
Anayalaughed.“
Youar
enol
ongerawkwar
d.Youar
e
act
uall
ybeautif
ul.
”
Theodorasmi
led.“
Thankyou.Af
tercol
l
egeIwentt
o
Franci
stownt
omypar ent
s.”
“
Iwoulddot
oo.Yourauntwasn’
tthebestaunti
nthe
wor
ld.
”
“Yah,Iknow.It houghtIwouldf i
ndaj obsoonaf ter
coll
egebutIguessIl i
edtomy selfsoIcamebacka
yearagoandbyl uckgotaposi ti
onasar ecepti
onist
.
Gaboronei sjusttoomcuormay beit’
sjustmebutI
haven’tmadeaf ri
end.
”Shet ri
edt obrushof fher
embar rassmentwi t
hal augh.“Iam inseriousneed
ofafriendandIt houghtofoneper sonwhowas
nevermyf r
iendbutalway shadmyback. ”
“
OhhhhhIseenow.Bei
ngl
onel
yisser
iouspr
obl
em.
”
Theyl
aughed.“
Thedoct
orsai
dImi
ghtdi
e.”
“
Don’
twor
ry,
Anay
aisher
efort
her
escue.
”
“
Asal
way
s.Di
dyouf
indaj
ob?
”
“
Iempl
oyedmy
sel
f.Iam hust
li
ng.
”
“Il
i
kethat
.Isawyouri
nst
agram andf
acebookpage.
Therei
salotoff
oll
owi
ngthere.
”
“Yes,Ial
soopenedmyowncat er
ingcompany
.Naya
ShatoCaters.Youcantel
lyourworkmatesi
ncase
theyeverneedcater
ingser
vices.
”
“Wow!That
’sr
eal
l
ygr
eat
.Youhav
eal
way
sbeen
dri
ven.
”
“
It
’st
hecircumst
anceswef
indour
sel
vesi
n,t
heycal
l
f
ordi
ffer
entmeasures.
”
“
IKnow,
doesy
ourmom st
il
lsew?
”
“
Yesbutr
ightnowshei
ssi
ck.
”
“Oh,Ir
ememberwhensheoncesewedmeaskirt
backinhi
ghschool
becausemyauntwoul
dn’
tbuy
meanewone. ”
“IknowbutIam sur
eyourauntcanseeshedi
dn’
t
breakyoutoday
.”
“
Idon’
tknow,
Ilongst
oppedt
alki
ngt
oherorher
ki
ds.
”
“
Look,Iwoul
dlov
etochar
tmor e,butIhav
etogo,
mycustomer
sarepi
li
nghereattheschool.
”
“
School
?”
“
Yes,
Isel
latt
heschool
.”
“
Igeti
t,wel
ll
etmel
eav
eyout
omakemoney
.”
“
Ok,
thanky
ouf
orcal
l
ing.
”
Theodor
achuckl
ed.“
Iam goi
ngt
ocal
lev
ery
day
.”
“
Idon’
tmi
nd.By
e.”
“
Bye.
”
Theodoraputherphoneawaywi t
hasmi leonher
face.Shequi
ckl
yateherlunchandwentbackt o
work.Shesatonthefrontdeskputt
ingherhandbag
away .
“Hey,
”hercowor
kersai
dsit
ti
ngbesi
deher.The
phonerangandTheodor
areachedf
ori
t.
“Goodaf
ter
noonandwel
cometoC-SKYhot
el,
how
canwehelpyout
oday
?”Shecheer
ful
l
ysai
d.
“Af
ternoon,connectmet oMont
he.”Adeepmal e
voi
cesaid,Theodoratookadeepbreath.Itwasn’
t
j
ustthatthevoiceint
imidat
edherbutalsomadeher
ski
nhot .
“
Iam sor
rybutwhoam Ispeaki
ngt
o?”
“
Mr.Mokwena.
”
Shealmostj
umpedoutofherchair
.Thiswasthe
fi
rstt
imeshewastalki
ngtohim.Shehadn’tev
en
seenthemanexpectofcauseonpict
ures.
“OfcauseMr.Mokwena,pl
easedohol
donasI
connectyoutoMr.Mont
he.”Shet
ri
edfort
he
prof
essional
voi
ce.
“
Ok.
”
Theodoraconnect
edhimthenputt
hephonedown.
“Youspoketothebosshi
mself
?”
“
Yes,
wow!
”
“
Don’
twor
ry,
hehast
hatef
fectonal
mostev
ery
l
ady
.”
Theodor
alookedathi
mt henshookherhead.“
No,
I
am j
ustshaken.I
t’
snotever
ydayyoutal
ktothe
owneroft
hehot
el.
”
Thecoworkershruggedandlookedatherphone.
Theodoralookedathershaki
nghands,herheart
wasstil
lpoundingagai
nstherchestshethoughther
ri
bcagewoul dburst
.

*
***
*

Anayawalkedinsi
dethehouseandputthebag
down.Thelunchhourwasusuallymoreexhaust
ing
becauseofthesun.Shefrownedhear
ingacar
outsi
deandstoodbyt hedoorst
ari
ngatAgang’scar.
Hest
eppedoutandwal
kedt
owar
dsher
.“Hey
,you
l
ookexhaust
ed.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Iam.
”
“
Imov
edi
n.”
“
That
’sgood.Atl
eastnowy
oucanset
tl
e.”
“
Yah,
canwegof
orashor
tdr
ive.
”
“
AgangIdon’
tthi
nk-
“
“
Come.
”
Sher
eluct
ant
lyl
ockedt
hedoort
henf
oll
owedhi
mto
hi
scar.
“Idi
dn’
tknowMi guel
wasint
oyou.
”Hesai
dassoon
assheclosedherdoor.
Shesi
l
ent
lyl
ookedathi
m wor
dsf
ail
i
ngher
.
“
HadIknownIwoul
dhav
emademymov
equi
cker
.”
Shesi
ghed.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Youhav enothingtobesorr
yabout.Iknowhow
Miguel
is,doesn’tt
akenoforananswer.”
Shel
ookeddownonherhandsf
iddl
i
ngwi
tht
hem.
“Iunderst
andbabe.Youdon’
thav
etomakea
decisi
onrightnow.
”
Agangpul
ledherchinupandleanedover.Anay
a
fr
ozeashegotclosertohert
il
lshecouldbreat
hei
n
hi
sbreat
h.
Herphoner
angmakinghersnapoutofi
t.She
qui
ckl
ytooki
toutofherpocket
.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
am Ispeaki
ngt
oNay
aShat
oCat
ers?
”
Anayaputherhandoverherchestt
ocalm her
fr
anti
cal
lybeati
ngheart
.“Yesmam, howcanIbeat
yourser
vices?
”
“Mybrothersuggestedyoutome, hesai
dyoucook
greatf
ood.Ineedy ourser
vicesf
ormywedding,i
sit
okifwemeetupt omorrowanddiscuss?
”
“
Yes,
tel
lmet
het
imeandpl
ace.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lsendy
ouawhat
sAppmessage.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandl ookedatAgang.“ Look,Iam not
goingtobej umpingbet weenbr others.Idon’tknow
what’sgoingonbet weenMi guelandIbutwhatI
knowi sthatIam notgoi ngtodot histohi m.You
shouldn’
teither
,aft
eral l,
hei syourblood.Iwon’ tbe
thereasonwhyy ouf i
ght .I
t’
ssadt oact uall
yknow
thatthi
sishowy out hinkofme. ”Sheopenedt he
doorandst eppedout .“Iam gladthatwehav e
clear
edthis.Bye.”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#16

Rachel lookedatt hecourtpaper ssit

ti
nginsideher
offi
ceandsi ghed.Somehowshehadbeenpr ayi
ng
thatPrince’swifeletsitgo.Shehadsl eptwithher
husbandbutunknowi ngl
y .Hadsheknownhewas
mar ri
edshewoul dhav enev erl
ookedathim.She
didn’twantt obet hewomanwhowast hereason
anotherwomansl eptintears.Shehadwat chedher
mot hercrysosheknewhowi tfelt
.
Sheputthecourtpaperswonderingwher
eshe
wouldgetP50K.Shealreadyhadabankloanshe
wassti
llpayi
ngfor.Herphonevibrat
edandshe
answered.
“
Hi,
”
“
Hel
l
o,y
ouar
espeaki
ngt
oLeanoSebel
e,Ihopey
ou
hav
erecei
vedthecour
tpaper
s,Iam Mr
s.Davi
dson’
s
l
awyer
.Wear ewil
l
ingt
osettl
ethi
soutofcour
t.
”
Rachelclosedhereyes.“
Idon’thav
ethi
skindof
money .ItookabankloanwhichIam st
il
lpayi
ngf or
.
WhenImetPr incehenevert
oldmehewasmar r
ied,
matteroff act
,Idi
dn’
tknowhewasmar ri
edtil
lhi
s
wif
ecamet omyhouse.”
“Iam sorr
yIcan’
thel
pyou,
wewi
l
lmeeti
ncour
tI
guess.”
Rachelt
ookadeepbreath,shedidn’
tevenknow
whatshewasgoingto,thelastt
hingshewanted
wastoseeherfacei
nt henewspapersandsocial
mediaplat
for
mslabeledasahomewr ecker
.
“Hey,
Iam goi
ng,
wantal
i
ft?
”Sadi
askedpassi
ngby
heroff
ice.
Rachel
stoodup.“Yesbutcanyoujustdr
opmeby
themall
,Iwantt
obuysomet hi
ng.”
“
That
’sok.
”
Theybot
hwalkedout
.“Howarey
ou?Youhav
ebeen
awful
l
yquiett
hesel
astday
s.”
Sadi
workedatt heHRdepar tmentwhi
leRachelwas
j
ustagraphicdesign.Theyhadbondedaft
erfinding
outt
hattheystaytwost r
eetsawayfr
om eachot her
.
“
It
’snot
hing.Justoneoft
hoset
imesy
ouknow.
”
Sadi
smi
l
edunl
ocki
nghercar
.“Iknow.
”
Theygoti
nandSadidr
oveoffheadedt
othemal
l.
“Howisyourf
ri
end,
Ihaven’
tseenheri
nawhi
le.
”
“
YoumeanLone?Shei
sther
e.I
thasbeenhect
icat
t
hebank.
”
“Igeti
t.Ihav
etohur
ryhome,it
’smyhusband’
s
bir
thdayandwearethr
owinghim asur
pri
separ
ty.
”
“
Youar
emar
ri
ed?
”
Sadi
laughed.“
Yes,
Idon’
tli
kewear
ingmyr
ing.
”
Rachel
frowned.“
What
?Why
?ThedayIgetmar
ri
ed
theywi
llknowme.”
Sadil
aughed.“Idon’tt
hinkari
ngmeansany t
hing,
i
t’
sjustar i
ng.IknowIam mar r
iedandthatIlovemy
husband,Idon’tneedaringt
opr ov
ethatfact
.Al ot
ofpeopleactuall
ydon’
tknowIam mar ri
ed.”
“
Andwhatdoesy
ourhusbandt
hink?
”
“Well
atfir
stithur
thim buthehasgr
ownto
underst
and.ThefactthatIl
ovehi
misenough,
ari
ng
i
sjustforshowoffattheendoftheday
.”
“
Wow,
Icannev
erbey
ou.
”
Sadi chuckl
edpul
li
ngupbythemall.“
Iwil
lseeyou
tomor rowRachel
.Andpl
ease,
trygett
ingsome
sleep.”
Rachelsmil
edandst eppedoutofthecar.She
walkedtowardsSparsupermarketandwalked
aroundtheshopthrowingafewt hi
ngsi
nt hebasket
beforegoi
ngtothet i
l
l.Shepai
dandwal kedout
headingtothebusstop.
“
Hey,youdroppedsomething.”Amal
evoicesai
d
f
rom behi
ndherthatsheturnedandl
ooked.
“
What
?”
Hehel
doutheridenti
tycard.“
Itf
ell
int
heshopwhen
yout
ookoutyourcreditcar
d.”
“
OhmyGod!Thankyousomuch.
”Shethankf
ully
t
ooki
t.“
Thanky
ou.Idon’
tknowwhatIwasgoingto
do.
”
“
Iguessi
t’
sagoodt
hingpeopl
eli
kemeexi
st.
”
Rachel
smiled.“
Idon’
tknowwhatIwasgoi
ngt
odo.
Thankyou”
“Iam Kenneth,i
t’
snicemeeti
ngyouRachel
.NowI
am beginni
ngtot hi
nksomethi
ngiswrongwit
hthe
camera’stheyusebecauseIswearnoonewould
everbeli
evethatthegir
lont
hatident
it
ycar
disyou.
”
Rachell
aughed.“
Iam soembar
rassedoft
his
pi
cture,
it’
ssougl
y.”
Kennet
hlaughed.“Iam gl
adyouseeit
.Iwoul
dn’
t
wantyoutofeelasifIam bul
l
yingy
ou.”
“
Iknow,that’
swhyInevert
akei
toutunl
essi
t’
s
i
mportantthatIdoso.
”
“
Iunder
standy
ourst
ruggl
e.Wher
ear
eyouheaded?
”
“
Tot
hebusst
op.
”
“
Wher
edoy
oust
ay?
”
“
Block6.
”
“
Icandr
opy
ouof
f.
”
Sheshookherheadstar
ingathi
sbarefi
ngers.“
No
thanky
ou,andthankyouonceagai
nforthi
s.”She
rai
sedheri
denti
tycar
d.
“
Rachel
that
’snothowy outr
eatgoodSamari
tans,
wearet
heclosestpeopl
etoJesusHimsel
f.
”
Rachelchuckl
ed.“Idon’
twantdrama, Ir
ecentl
y
foundoutthatmyboy fr
iendi
smar ri
edandr i
ghtnow
Iam beingsued.Idon’
tliker
epeat
ingmi st
akes.
”
Kennet
hlaughed.“
Soal
lal
ongy
oudi
dn’
tknowhe
wasmar r
ied?
”
Rachel
shookherhead.“
No.Iguesshewassmar
t.
”
“
Yeah,
butl
uckyyouIam notmar
ri
ed.ButIdowant
t
ogetmarr
ied.
”
“
Idon’
ttr
usty
ou.
”
Kennethsmil
edthengav
eherhi
sphone.”
Go
thr
oughitandtel
lmewhenyoufi
ndsomethi
ngt
hat
i
mpl i
esIam amarri
edman.
”
“
Kennet
htakey
ourphoneandl
etmego.
”
Heturnedandbeganwalki
ngtothepar
kinglot
wherehiscarwaspar
ked.Rachelst
oodsti
ll
watchi
nghi
m conti
nuewalkingaway.Shewal
ked
af
terhi
m af
tergl
ancingatherwatch,i
twasget
ti
ng
l
ate.
“
Kennet
h.”
Heunlockedhiscarf r
om adi stanceignor
ingher.
Whenhef inal
l
yappr oachedhi scar,hegotinand
cl
osedthedoor .Rachelwalkedupt ohiswindow
andsoftl
yknockedbutr atherhest art
edtheengine.
Shewalkedr
oundtot hepassengerdoorand
st
eppedinsi
de.“
Pleasetakeyourphone.”
Hesmi
l
edt
henr
ever
sedf
rom t
hepar
kingl
ot.
“
Wher
einbl
ock6doy
oust
ay?
”

*
***
*

Anayadishedforhersi
bli
ngslat
eri
ntheev
eni
ng
thenhandedthem thepl
ates.
“
Eat
.”
Let
habobr
oodi
ngl
ytookhi
spl
ateandbeganeat
ing.
“Let
haboIam notgoingtotal
ktoyouaboutthi
s
agai
n,todayi
sthelastdayIheart
hatyouwere
fi
ghti
ng.Doyouhearme?Youdi dsowellatschool
,
youshouldn’
tbefi
ghtingok?”
Henodded.“
Yes.
”
“
Good.
”
Carli
ghtsbri
ghtenedthehouse,t
heseday
sshewas
gett
ingmorev i
sit
sthanever.Shest
oodupand
sl
ightl
yopenedthecurtai
n.
“
Isi
tuncl
eMi
guel
?”
Anay
alookedathi
mthensi
ghed.“
Yes.
”
Shewalkedtowar
dst hedoorandunl
ockedi
t
toget
herwit
hburglarbar
sashesteppedoutofhi
s
carwit
htwoplasti
cs.
“
Hey
,”heki
ssedhercheek.
Shelookedatt
hepl
ast
ics.“
Youdi
dn’
thav
eto.We
havefood.
”
“
Iknow.Ar
eyougoi
ngt
oletmei
n?”
Shesmi
l
edmov
ingf
rom t
hedoorl
ett
inghi
m wal
kin.
Sheclosedthedoorbehi ndandwatchedAy anagive
hi
m amet al
chair,t
heonl ychairt
heyhad.Hesat
downasAnay atookt heplasti
csfr
om him befor
e
di
shi
ngup.Shewasgl adshehadleftsomef ood
behi
ndt hatthekidswer egoingtoeatinthemorning.
Shetookadi shandj ug.
“
Washy
ourhands.
”
Hel
ookedi
nherey
eswashi
nghi
shands.
“
What
?”
“
Idon’tr
emembert
hel
astt
imeIgott
hiski
ndof
t
reat
ment .
”
Shehandedhim acl
eandi
sht
owel
todr
yhi
shands.
“Youar
einsane.
”
Hesmi leddr y
inghishands.Shehandedhim his
plat
eaf tergett
ingthedisht
owelback.Themoodi n
thehousehadal r
eadychanged.Thekidsseemedt o
getmor et al
kati
vewhenhewasar ound.Shecoul d
seefrom t hei
reyesthathemadet hem happy
.Just
hispresencewasenough.
“
Idi
dn’
twantt
ohi
thi
m buthehi
tmef
ir
staf
ter
st
eal
i
ngmypenci
lsoIpunchedhi
mthathebl
ed.
”
“
Iknowhowbul l
iesare.Iam notsay
ingyoushould
f
ightbutt
rustme,aft
erthisnoonewi l
lev
ertease
y
ou.”
Let
habosmil
ed.“Hewascr
ying.Thet
eacherbeat
bot
hofusthough.”
“
Becauseshedoesn’twantyout
obecomeabull
y
l
i
kehim.Fornow,justl
aylow.Pl
usgi
rl
sdon’
tli
ke
v
iol
entboys.
”
Ayanalaughed.“
Thereisthi
sboyatschoolwho
beatst
heent i
reschool
s,weareal
lscaredofhi
m.”
“Youseechamp?Youdon’ twanttobethatki
ndof
person.Di
dyounai
lthatexam Ayana?”
“Yes.Iam sur
eIgot100%.Iwantt
obesmar
tli
ke
Anaya.”
Mi
guel
lookedather
.“Whatdi
dyoust
udy
?”
“
Account
ing.
”
Hef
rowned.“
Arey
ouser
ious?
”
“
Yah,
guy
s,wedon’
ttal
kwi
thourhands,
let
’seat
.”
“
Met
oo.Iwantt
obeapi
l
ot!
”Let
habochi
ppedi
n.
Mi
guel
smi
l
ed.“
That
’sgood,
why
?”
“BecauseIwanttobeupinthesky
.Iwil
lal
sotake
AnayatoHawaii.Shesai
dshewantstogotoHawaii
oneday .
”
Theyconti
nuedchatti
ngwhilsteat
ingthoughAnaya
fel
tMiguel
’seyesonhermostoft hetime.When
theyweredone,Ayanacoll
ectedal
l t
heplatesas
AnayawalkedMiguelout.Heopenedt hedoortohi
s
carandshegotin.
“Youdi
dn’
ttel
lmeyouar
eanaccount
ant
.”Hesai
d
assoonashegoti
nhiscar
.
Anay
ashr
ugged.“
Younev
erasked.
”
“
Icangi
vey
ouaj
ob.
”
Sheshookherhead.“ No.Iwantaj obbutnotl i
ke
thi
s.Iwanttogetaj obbecauseIdeser veitnot
becauseyoupul l
edi nforfavorsandei t
herway,I
wouldn’
tfeelcomf ortabl
ewor kingwithyou.Notthat
ther
eisanythingwr ongwi t
ht hatbutthat’
snothow
yourunabusi ness.Pleasureneedst obekeptaway
f
rom busi
ness,
theydon’
tmi
x.”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Nowondery
ouar
esmar
t.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Iwasbor
nsmar
t.
”
“
Howi
syourmot
her
?”
“Sheisfi
ne.Icall
edherdoct
orinthemor ni
ng.He
saidsoonenoughhewi l
lberel
easingherasshe
takesthepil
lsbutshewil
lgobackf ort
he
radiot
herapy
.”
“
Iam sur
eshei
spr
oudoft
hewomanshegav
ebi
rt
h
t
o.”
Anay
ashookherhead.“
Iwoul
dn’
tbei
fIwer
eher
.”
“Why?Weal
l havedonet
hingsweneverthoughtwe
woul
ddoallbecauseoft
hecircumst
anceswef ound
our
selv
esi
n.”
“Ayanasai
dshedoesn’
twantaprost
it
uteofasi st
er.
Iknowshewasjustsay
ingbutev
erynight
,ithaunts
me.”
“
Anay
ayoushoul
dn’
tlett
hisaf
fecty
ou.
”
“
Peopl
ewi
l
lal
way
sknowmef
orbei
ngapr
ost
it
ute.
”
“
Comeher
e.”
Hepul
l
edherf
orahug.
“Peopl
ewi l
lal
wayst
alkbecauset
hat
’swhatpeopl
e
dobest.Iam her
enow.”
Heloosenedhishol
donherandki
ssedhergent
ly,
thewayshehadkissedhi
m.Whenhepull
edaway
sheblushed.
“
Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.
”
Shet
uckedherbr
aidsbehi
ndherear
.“Thanks.
”
“
Whatar
eyoul
ooki
ngf
ori
naman?
”
Sheleanedbackonherseatandl ookedatthehouse.
“I…”Shesighedandgl ancedathi
m.“ Ihav
ealway s
wantedaf ait
hfulman.Amanwhoi ssmar tand
thoughtf
ul.Amanwhoi sabl
etoputmyf eel
ings
beforehi
s, amatureandconsiderat
eman.Al oy
al
manwhodoesn’ texpectmet ochangewhoIam. ”
“
What
’sy
ourbr
eaki
ngpoi
nti
nar
elat
ionshi
p?”
“
Cheati
ng.Iwill
leavef ast
erthanhowy
oucanspell
t
heword‘leav
e’ i
ncorrectl
yfortwomar
ks.Andal
so
l
i
es.Ibel
ieveintransparency.
”
“Iam lookingforamatur i
tyinawomant oo,a
womanwhocanmakeherowndeci sionswi t
hout
beinginfluencedbyanyone.Awomanwhocan
makei ndependentdecisions.Someonewhohas
values,af or
givi
ngwomanwhoi sal
sol oyal
and
fai
thful.NnababeIam t oooldtobepl ayi
nggames,I
wantsomeonewhoi sserious.Someonewhoi s
understanding.”
“
Yourbr
othercamebyt
oday
.”
Hef
rowned.“
Whatdi
dhewant
?”
“Hewant edt otell methathel i
kesmeandhet ri
ed
tokissme.It ol
dhi m Iam notthatki ndofgirl,Imay
makemi st akesi nlif
ebuttherei snowayIam goi ng
tojumpf rom br othertobrother.Iam nott el
li
ngy ou
thi
ssot haty oucangof ightyourbr other,
Iam not
goi
ngt ober easonwhyy oudon’ tgetalongwi thhim.
Iam tel
li
ngy oubecauseIbel i
eveint ransparency
andalsobel ievet hatyouaregoi ngtohandl ethisin
amat ur
eway .
”
“Doyouknowy
ouar
esexywheny
ougetal
l
ser
ious?
”
Shesmir
kedhi
sshoul
derpl
ayf
ull
y.“
Youar
e
st
art
ing.
”
Hepull
edherf
orahotki
sst
hatl
eftherpant
ies
soaki
ng.“
Nnammakeagorata.
”
Sheblushedl
ookingi
ntotheey esthatonce
di
splayednot
hingbutcol
dnessbutnowj ust
sof
tness.Shel
ovedhissmileort hewayhelaughed.
Oreventhewayhespoket oher .I
twastoosoont o
befeel
ingwhatshewasfeelingbutshecouldn’
thelp
i
t.
“
Doy
ouhearme?Mi
guel
wagor
ata.
”
“
Go,
it’
sget
ti
ngl
ate.
”
“
Whatam Isupposedtodot
hisnow?
”Theybot
h
l
ookedathi
sborner.
“
Yourhandcanfunct
ionproper
ly.If
eel
nauseas,
it’
s
t
heeff
ectsoft
heemer gencypi
ll
.”
“
Tomor
rowwewi
l
lgety
ouoncont
racept
ives.
”
“
Ok.
”Sheopenedt
hedoorbuthegr
abbedherhand.
“
Iam ser
ious,
Ilov
eyou.
”
Shesmil
edandjumpedoutoft
hecar
.“Go,
Anay
a
l
ovesyoutoo.
”
Shewalkedtothedoorashestar
tedthecar
.The
bri
ghtli
ghtsmadehernarr
owhereyes.Heslowl
y
droveoutoft
hegatethendrov
eoff.
“Imisshi
m alr
eady.
”Lethabowhisper
edast
hey
bothwatchedhist
aill
i
ghtsdisappear
.
“
Iknow,
met
oo.
”

*
***
*

Lonescrol
l
edthroughAnay a’sfacebookpage.She
hadtoadmitit
,thegirl
’smakeupwasonpoi nt.She
wenttoAnaya’
spersonal accounthopingtofi
nd
somethi
ngbutev er
ythingwaspr i
vati
zed.Herphone
rangandsheanswer ed.
“
Rachel
,
”
“
Hey,
Igotser
vedwi
thcour
tpaper
stoday
.Pr
ince’
s
wi
fei
ssui
ngme.”
“
Howmuchdoesshewant
?”
“
50K.
”
“
Atleasti
t’
snot100K.Ihear
dsomewomanchar
ge
t
il
l100K.”
“
Idon’
tknowwhatIam goingt
odo.May
beIshoul
d
t
akeanotherl
oan.Ormay
besalet
hecar
avan.
”
“
Theoney
ourmot
herl
eft
?”
“
Yes.I
t’
sst
il
li
ngoodshape.
”
“Atthi
smomenty oushoul
drej
oicey
ouaret
heonl
y
chil
dy ourmotherhad,y
oudon’
tneedany
one’
s
permissiont
osellit
.”
“YeahbutIwant
edt
osel
litsoIcanbuyacarbutI
guessthat
’sgoi
ngt
ohav
et owait
.”
“Iknow,maybey
oushoul
dnegot
iat
ethaty
ouset
tl
e
outofcourt
.”
“That
’swhatIwasthi
nki
ng,t
hewi f
e’slawy
ercall
ed
whenIknockedoff
.Iwil
lcal
lherback.NowIjust
needabuyer.
”
“
Iwi
l
lhel
pyoul
ook.Agangcamebyl
astni
ght
.”
“
Agang?Mi
guel
’
sbr
other
?”
Lonestoodupandwal
kedtot
hekit
chen.“
Yes.
Apparentl
yMi
gueli
ssl
eepi
ngwit
hthegir
lhe
wanted.”
“
What
?”
“
Yah,
shechoset
her
ichbr
otheri
nst
ead.
”
“
Shesoundsl
i
keagol
ddi
gger
.”
“
Becauseshei
s.”
“
Sowhatdi
dAgangwantf
rom y
ou?
”
“Hesaidhewant edmet otell
herthatsheshould
stayawayf r
om mymani nascarywaybutt henI
fi
guredthatwouldmakemel ookli
keabitterex.SoI
toldAgangthati
naf ewmont hstime,Miguelwill
comebackt ome.Iwon’ tevenfor
cehim because
wear egoingtobeaf amil
y.
”
“
Yah,
ther
eisknockont
hedoor
.Wewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Itbet
ternotbet
hatgoodf
ornot
hingbast
ard.
”
“
Idoubt
.”
Lonepour
edher
sel
fwat
eranddr
ankwi
thherhand
onherf
latt
ummy .Shecoul
dn’
twai
ttohav
eherman
wher
ehebelonged.

*
***
*

Rachel
stoodbyt
hedoorst
ari
ngathi
m.
“
Coul
dn’
tyouwai
ttobei
nvi
ted?
”
Kennethsmiled.“
Iwaspat
ientf
ort
wohour
s.I
broughtpopcornandamovie.
”
Rachel
laughedr
oll
i
ngherey
est
henwal
kedi
nsi
de
wit
hhim behi
ndher.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#17
Anayawalkedoutofthehousewi thamonkeysmile
onherface.Sheheldherhandbagt i
ghtl
yasshe
steppedoutofthegat
e.Shewal keddowntheroad
taki
ngoutherphonefrom herhandbag.Acar
hornedfr
om behindmakingAnay aturn.
“
Hi,
canIgi
vey
oual
i
ft?
”
Anayalookedatthemanandshookherhead.“
No,
I
am f
inethankyou.”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Iam har
mless.
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Youar
etoobeaut
if
ult
obewal
ki
ng.Iam Andr
ewby
t
heway.
”
“Anaya.
”Shesaidsti
l
lwal
ki
ng.Shetext
edTheodora
aler
ti
ngherthatshewasonherwaytothesmall
rest
aurantt
heyweregoi
ngtomeetat.
“
Ok,IguessIwil
lseeyouaround.
”Andrewsai
dwith
asl
ysmi l
e.Anay
ajustnoddedandwatcheddr
iveoff
.

*
***
*
TheodorawavedatAnayaassoonasshegotinside
therest
aur
ant.Anay
atookadeepbr eat
hsi
tti
ng
opposit
eTheodorawholookedcl
assyasusual.
“
Howdi
dthemeet
inggo?
”
Anayasmi
led.“Igoti
t.Theweddi
ngistwoweeks
awaysoIam goingtomakesampl edi
shesofshe
want
sduri
ngt heweekendandlethert
aste.
”
“
Youmakehust
li
ngsoundsoeasy
.
Anayalaughed.“
NoIdon’t
.It
’sact
ual
l
yhar
dbuti
t’
s
al
laboutdetermi
nat
ion”
“Youaretheki
ndofpersonIwantt
ohangoutwith,
a
personwhomot i
vateme.Ihav
ealway
swant edt
o
sellper
fumesbutIhaveal
waysfel
tdi
scour
aged.
”
“
Why
?”
“
Ial
way
sthi
nki
twoul
dn’
twor
kout
.”
“I
nbusiness,youshouldn’
thavesuchanattit
ude, i
f
youwantt hi
ngstoworkoutt henyouhavethink
posi
ti
vely.Ial
way sworkhardbecauseIneedt he
moneymor ethananyt
hing.I
fy our
eal
lyneedt he
money ,
youwillgetri
dofthatat
tit
ude.Ifi
nished
schoolat22andt odayIam 24,
noj obofmy
quali
fi
cati
onbutpushingmyhust l
emakingmoney
becauseIreal
l
yneedi t.
”
“
Youar
eri
ght
.”
“Everyti
meIlookaty
ouIwi
sht
oonedaybe
dressingl
ikeyou.
”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Don’
tbetempted.Mostofthe
peopl
eyouseewear i
ngf
ormalearnpeanut
s,just
l
ikeme,whoknewat24Iwoul dbeearni
nglessthan
3k?”
Anay
a’sphoner
angandshequi
ckl
yanswer
ed.
“Mi
guel.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“Iam wit
hafri
endatsomer
est
aur
ant
.Fr
om her
eI
am goinghome.”
“
Whichrest
aurantareyouin?Iwil
lcomeandcoll
ect
y
ou.Iam al
readyleavi
ngtheoffi
cewit
hlunch.
”
Shetol
dhi
mt henhungup.“
Iam sor
ryourl
unchi
s
goi
ngtogetdi
srupt
ed.
”
Theodor al
aughed.“I
t’
sok,It
hinki
t’
sagoodthi
ng
thatIhavebefr
iendedtheboss’
sgir
lf
ri
end.Who
knows, Imi
ghtgetabonus.”
“
Youwor
kathi
shot
el?
”
“
YesthoughIwi
shIwor
kedatMokwenaLogi
sti
cs.
Whycan’
tyouaskf
oraj
ob?”
“
IguessbecauseIl
oveget
ti
ngj
obsf
airandsquar
e.”
Theybothwalkedout.I
nminutes,
theRangeRov er
stoppedi
nfr
ontofthem astheychatt
ed.Theodora
huggedAnayabeforeshewalkedaway.
“
Iwantust
opassbysomewher
e.”
“
Ok.
”
Anayaputonherseatbel
tasMiguel
drov
e.His
phonerangandheignoredi
twhil
eAnayast
aredat
theunsavednumber.
“
Whyar
eyounotanswer
ing?
”
“Idon’
tanswerunknownnumber s,
mostoft he
peoplewhocal lar
eei t
herlooki
ngforjobsorsome
sortofmot i
vat
ion,somet i
mestheyareaskingfor
money .Ihaveeveryone’snumbersaved,i
fIdon’t
hav
eyour
sitmeansIdon’
tknowyouandyouwi
l
l
hav
etocal
lthecompanyorsomet
hing.
”
“
Whatifi
t’
syourmom orsomeoney
oucar
eabout
?
Whati
fit
’sanemer
gency?”
“Iam sureIam nottheonlypersonsavedinmy
mother’sphone.Shewill
callsomeonewhowi l
lal
ert
meifit’sreal
l
ythatimport
ant.Baby ,
Irunabig
busi
nessandpeopl eknowt hat.Ihavetoavoi
d
opportuni
stsatall
cost.
”
“
Ok,
Iheary
ou.
”
“Whatdidyoudotoday
?”Heaskedwi t
honehandon
hert
high.“
Youlookbeauti
ful.Iam sur
eyoudi
dn’
t
j
ustdressuptomeetaf r
iend.”
“No.Iwenttomeetmyf
ir
stNay
aShat
oCat
ers
customer.
”
“
Youwantt
ost
artacat
eri
ngcompany
?”
“
Ial
readystar
tedi
t.Thecompanyi
sal
ready
r
egi
stered.
”
“
Ihav
ecomet
oaconcl
usi
ont
haty
oul
ovemoney
.”
Anay
agi
ggl
ed.“
Atf
ir
stal
lIcar
edaboutwast
hatmy
si
bli
ngswereeati
ngandt hatIcoul
dpaymy
mother
’shospi
talbi
l
lsbutnowIj ustwanttomake
money,ext
endthehouse,buymy selfacarandj
ust
maybe,openasmallrest
aurant.
”
“
Ili
key
ourspi
ri
t,weal
lst
art
edt
her
e.”
Asongpl
ayedonther
adioandAnayasmil
ed
i
ncr
easi
ngthevol
ume.“Il
ovethi
ssong.
”
ShesangalongtoCar
ri
eUnder
wood-t
hechampi
on
whil
eMiguelstar
edwi
thasmil
e.
“Yourv
oiceishorr
ibl
e.Inev
erknewpeoplewit
h
smoothvoicescanbesuchhorri
blesi
nger
s.”
Anayalaughed.“
Myv oi
cedoesn’tmatter
,what
matt
ersisthemessagebehindthesong.Thissong
andSiaunstoppabl
earemyf av
or i
te.“
“
Youalmostbr
okemywi ndowswit
hyourvoi
ce
t
houghIam st
il
lnotsur
eifyouwer
esingi
ngor
t
alki
ng.
”
Anayal
aughedhar
der
.“Iam nott
alki
ngt
oyou
anymor
e.”
Hepar
kedt
hecari
nfr
ontofsomehouset
hen
steppedoutt
aki
ngof
fhischecker
edjacket
remaini
ngwit
hthewai
stcoat.“
Iam coming.
”
Shewat chedashet ookagl anceathi swatch
approachingthegat ewhi chwasal r
eadyopeni ng.He
hadasexyki ndofwal kandshewonder edhow
manywomendr ooledov erhim.Shet ookhisjacket
i
nherhandsandi nhaledhisi nt
oxicati
ngscent .She
j
ustcouldn’tbeli
ev ethatoutofal lwomenhecoul d
havegonef or,hehadchosenher .Sheputherhands
i
nthepocket ,therewasnot hingexpectf r
om apen
andpockethandker chief
.Mi nuteslaterhewas
walki
ngbackt ot hecar .
“
Whatdoy
ouwantt
oeat
?”
“
Any
thi
ngi
sfi
ne.
”

*
***
*

Agangtr
iedAnaya’snumberashest oppedhi
scar
byther
edtraf
fi
clight.I
trangunanswered.He
coul
dn’
thelpi
tbutt hi
nkthatshewaswi t
hhim.Al
l
thought
sofwhatshecoul dpr
obabl
ybedoi ngwith
him madeithardforhi
mt obr
eat
he.Hecoul dn’
t
underst
andhowhecoul dfeel
sostrongl
yabout
someonewhohehadj ustmetafewdaysago.He
call
edheragainandthi
st i
mesheanswered.
“
Agang,
”shesai
dsof
tl
ymaki
nghi
shear
tski
p.
Hecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.“Hey
,Iwant
edt
otal
ktoy
ou.
”
“
Ok.
”
“Iam sorr
yaboutwhathappened.Iwantyout
o
knowt hatIwoul
dneverthi
nklowlyofyou.
”
“
It
’sok,
it’
sal
lfor
got
ten.
”
Heswal
lowedabigl
umponhi st
hroat
.“Thanky
ou.I
r
eal
lyl
oveyouandit
’shar
dformeto-“
HeheadMigueli
nthebackgroundt
houghcoul
dn’
t
r
eal
lyhearwhathewassaying.
“Agang, Ihavet
ogo.By e.”Shehungupandcover
ed
hisfaceast ear
sfil
ledhiseyes.Hecoul
dn’
teven
beli
ev ehewascr y
ingforhery ett
heywer
eneveri
na
rel
ationship.
“
FuckAgang!Geti
ttoget
her
.”
Hel ookedupt henatthecarbyhi sside.Ther ed
l
ightchangedandt hecarsur gedf orward.Agang
steppedont heacceleratorandf ollowedaf t
eritti
ll
it
stoppedinf r
ontofal odge.Ianst eppedoutwi th
somegi rlwhil
eAgangf oll
owedaf t
erthem.He
grabbedIan’shandt urninghimthenswungaf i
st
thathadIanlosingbalanceandf alli
ngtot he
pavement .Thegirl
scr eamedput tingherhandov er
hermout h.
“
Youar
efucki
ngcheat
ingonmysi
ster
?”
“
Nowai
t,l
etmeexpl
ainAgang.
”
Agangsatonhim andpunchedhi
m har
der
rel
ent
lessl
y.I
an’
snosebledashetri
edtopush
Agangoff.“
Youpieceofshi
t!
”
Somemanint
erv
enedandusi
ngal
lhi
sstr
ength
managedt
opushAgangof
f.“
Heisbl
eedi
ng,l
ethi
m
go.
”
AgangkickedI
anwhocov er
edhi
sf aceprotect
ivel
y.
“Af
terevery
thi
ngshe’sdoneforyouincl
udingquiti
ng
herj
ob,thi
sishowy ourepayher
?Iam goi ngtofuck
youup.”
Helookedatthegirlwhost
eppedbackobv
iousl
y
ter
ri
fied.Hecl
ickedhist
ongueandgoti
nhiscar
dri
vingoff.

*
***
*

Anayadi
shedthepizzai
nthepl
ateswhi
l
eMi
guel
pour
edthem j
uice.
“
Yourhousei
sbeaut
if
ulandcl
ean.
”
“Ihav
eacl eani
ngl
adywhocomesev
eryTuesday
s
andFriday
s.”
Hesatnexttoheronthekit
chenstool
swit
hthei
r
foodonthekit
chenisl
and.Hisphoner
angagai
nand
thisti
meheanswered.Sheslowl
ytookabi
teofher
pizzaashespokeonthephone.
“
Agang,
”
“
IjustbeatupI
an,
Icaughthi
m wi
thanot
her
woman.”
“
What
?”
“
Idoubthe’
sgoi
ngt
opr
esschar
ges.
”
“Hewouldn’
tthi
nkofit
.Ihaveknownthathewas
nothi
ngbutapieceofshi
t.Ihopeyoutookof
fhi
s
teet
h.”
“
Hewasbl
eedi
ng,
Ilef
t.
”
“I
t’
sok.Iwi
llt
ell
papat
henwetakei
tfr
om t
her
ebut
hebett
erhopewedon’
tmeet
.”
“
Okby
e.”
Mi
guel
puthi
sphonedownseemi
ngangr
y.
“
Whoi
sIan?
”
Heturnedlooki
ngather
.“Icouldheart
heent
ir
e
conversat
ion.I
sev
eryt
hingalr
ight
?”
“
Yeah,
don’
twor
ry,
eaty
ourf
ood.
”
“
Miguel
what
’sgoi
ngon?Tel
lme.
”
“
Anay
acany
ouj
ustdr
opi
t?”Hesnapped.
Shenoddedt
henst
oodup.“
Ithi
nkIhav
etogo.
”
Hesi
ghed.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shegr
abbedherhandbagandwal
kedout
.
“Soareyougoingt
oleav
eev
eryt
imewehav
ea
disagr
eement?
”
“
NobutIwi
l
lleav
ewheny
out
alkt
omel
i
ket
hat
.”
Hepulledherbyherwai
st.“
Iam sor
ry.I
t’
sCol
l
een’
s
husband.”
“
Wear eal
lfr
ustrat
edbutthatdoesn’
tgi
vey
out
he
r
ightt
otakeitoutonme,Idon’tl
ikei
t.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.I
twon’
thappenagai
n.”
Heleanedoverandki
ssedheralr
eadyopeningher
zi
pper.Hepushedherdressdownti
ll
itwasont he
fl
oor.Anay
asteppedbackcatchi
ngherbreath.
“
Miguel
youar
eagi
tat
ed,
wai
t.
..
”
Hepul l
edhercl
oseruncl
i
ppingherbr
aandt aki
ngit
offher.Hecuppedherbr
eastski
ssi
ngherroughly
.
Anayaputherhandsonhischestashesqueezed
herbreast
s.
Hepickedherupandwal kedtothekit
chenwherehe
putherovertheki
tchenisland.Anayatookoffhi
sti
e
thenunbutt
onedthef i
rstthr
eebuttonsofshir
twhil
e
heunzippedhispants.Shecaressedhisbaresexy
chestf
eel
i
ngherpant
ies.
Hetookhisdickthenpull
edhertotheedgepushi
ng
herpant
iesaside.Anayascreamedint
ohisshoul
der
ashepushedr oughl
yintoher.

*
***
*

Meanwhi leAgangdr ovei nsidetheopengat eand

parkedbehi ndhisbrother’scar.Hehel dhisblood
stainedt-
shirtsteppi
ngout .Hereachedf orthedoor
thenhear dloudmoansandgr oans.Hegent l
y
openedt hedoorsl i
ghtlypeepingt hroughthesmall
space.Hishear tbrokeashewat chedhisbrother
thrustint
oAnay awhowasmoani ngsoft
lywi t
heach
thrust.MigueltookAnay a’slegandputov erhis
shoulderandpoundedi ntohermor e.
Agangt urnedaroundandqui cklywalkedt ohiscar.
Hedr oveofftry
ingsohardt okeepi ttogether.Wit
h
tear
si nhiseyes,hedroveinthewr ongl ane.An
oncomi ngcarsuddenlyappear edandhesway edt
he
cartother i
ghtf
ullanemissingt heoncomi ngcar
withjustfewinches.Theblackgolfspunintheroad
withitsti
resscreechi
ng.I
tfinall
ystoppedfaci
ngthe
oppositedir
ecti
onhewasdr iv
ingfrom.Theownerof
thecarhehadmi ssedhadpar kedfeetf
rom him.
Shest eppedoutthenrantowar dshiminherlong
heelsandwhi t
ecoat .
“Areyouok?”Sheaskedknocki
ngonhiswindow.He
groanedunabl
etomov ehispai
nful
neck.Thelady
openedthedoorandfreedhi
mf r
om theseat
belt.
“
Hi,
arey
ouok?
”
“
Myneck.
..
”Hesai
dwi
thacr
oakedv
oice.
“
Justrelax,
Ithi
nkyouhavest
rai
nedy
ourneck.Does
i
thurtsomewhereelse?
”
“
No.
”
“Ok.Iam goi
ngtotakey out
othehospi
tal
.Come.”
Shehelpedhim outhercart
henl
edhimt oher
s.
“
Becar
eful
,
”shecaut
ionedashegoti
nsi
det
hecar
.
“Iwi
l
l par
kyourcarbyt
hatdr
ivi
ngschool
.Iam
coming.”
Shewal
kedt
owar
dshi
scaranddr
ovei
ttot
heopen
groundwher
ether
ewasadriv
ingschool
.Whenshe
fi
nall
ycameback,
shespedofft
othenearestcl
i
nic.
“
What
’sy
ourname?
”
“
Agang.
”
Shenoddedpar ki
nghercar.“Iam Ol
erat
o,Iwi
llwai
t
whilethedoct
orattendst
oy oubutIdoubtyouare
thathurt
.”
Theywalkedi
nsidet
hecl
i
nicandsheexpl
ainedt
o
thenur
sewhot henl
edhi
mt owher
ethedoctorwas.

*
***
*

Olerat
osati
nthewai
ti
ngar
eaal
readydi
ali
ngher
si
ster’
snumber
.
“
Wher
ear
eyou?Ihav
ebeenwai
ti
ng.
”
“
Iam sorr
y,Ial
mosthadaheadonacci
dent
,Iam at
t
hecl
inicri
ghtnow.
”
“
Arey
ouhur
t?”Thesi
steraskedpani
cki
ng.
“No.Butt
heper
sonfr
om ot
hercari
s.Hewasdr
ivi
ng
onthewrongl
ane.
”
“
Youmeanhei
stheonewhowaswr
ong?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngatt
hecl
i
nict
hen?
”
“
Ijustcan’
tleav
ehi
m.”
“Yesyoucan.Heisast
rangerwhowaspr
obabl
y
drunk.Whati
fyouhadanaccident
?”
“
Boi
tumel
o,Iam f
ine.
”
“
Comenow.Imi
ssyou,Iam sogl
ady
ougot
t
ransf
err
edt
oGabor
one.”
“
Soam I
.Iam onmywaynow.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shetookoutapieceofpaperi
nherhandbagand
scr
ibbl
eddownamessagewhi chshegav et
othe
nur
seattherecepti
on.
“
Pleasegi
vehi
mthi
swhenhecomesout
,thanks.
”
*
***
*

“Yourneckjustsuff
eredatinysprai
nsoIam not
goingtogiv
ey ouaneckcol l
ar.Youwil
lbefi
ne.Iam
goingtogiv
ey ousomepai nkil
ler
s.Fr
om her
ejustgo
homeandr est.”Thedoct
ort ol
dAgang.
“
Ok.Thanks.
”
Hewalkedoutoft
heoffi
cet
othewai
ti
ngar
eabut
shewasalr
eadygone.
“Hey,t
heladyIcamewi
th…wheredi
dshego?
”He
askedthenurseont
her
ecept
ion.
“
Shel
eftbutgav
emet
his.
”
Hetookthenot
eandwalkedout
.Hereadt
henot
e
andchuckl
edavoi
dingmovi
nghi
shead.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#18

“Acaravanbigli
keyoursisveryexpensive.Youneed
tofi
ndtherightf
ulpersontobuyit,especiall
ythose
peopl
ewhot r
avelalot.
”Kennethsaidstaringat
Rachel.
“
Itcancostov
er50K?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
ThankGod,
Iwantt
oset
tl
ethei
ssueoutofcour
t.
”
“It
hinkthatwi
ll
begoodforyou.Howdi
dyouev
en
datethi
sguyifhewasabusi
ngy ou?
”
“
Itwasmor
eoff
eart
hanany
thi
ngel
se.
”
“
Youshoul
dhav
erepor
tedhi
m.”
“
Ishoul
dhav
e.Sowhat
’sy
ourst
ory
?”
Kennet
hlaughed.“
Ihav
enost
ory
.”
“
Trustmey
ouhav
e,ev
ery
onehas.
”
“
Ijustbr
okeupwi
thmy
…Idon’
tknowi
fitwi
l
lbe
appropriatetosaygir
lfr
iendbecausewewerej
ust
fucking.Icaughtfeel
i
ngsbutt hefeel
i
ngwasn’
t
mut ualsoIwalkedaway .
”
“
Youwer
eal
onei
nther
elat
ionshi
p?”
“Yes.Iam j
ustgl
adImanagedt
owal
kawaywi
thmy
pri
de.”
“Whati
fshecomesbackandsaysshewant
sto
star
tal
loveragai
n?Whatwi
l
lyoudo?”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
ogobackbecauseIam al
ready
movi
ngon.”
Rachelsmil
edt
henst
eppedoutofhi
scar
.“Thanks
fordr
oppingmehome.
”
“
Iwi
l
lcal
lyoul
ater
.”
“
Ok.
”
Hedroveoffwhileshewalkedinsi
dehergate.She
exhaust
edlythr
ewher sel
fonhercouchassoonas
shewalkedin.Shealmostscreamedattheknockon
thedoorbutsti
llf
orcedhersel
fup.
“Hi
,
”Shesaidtohernei
ghborwhoofcausehadnot
-
shi
rtexposi
nghi
sfl
abbytummy .
“
Hi,
Iam aski
ngf
oracondom.
”
Rachel
chuckl
edt
henwalkedbacki
nsi
dethehouse.
Shecamebackwit
hfourandgavet
hem t
ohim.
“
Thanky
ou.
”Hesai
dandwal
kedaway
.

*
***
*

Colleenst
aredatthel
aptopasaYouTubecooking
tutori
alpl
ayed.Shel
ookedattheYouTuber
’sdough
thenherdough.
“Toot hi
n.”Shemut teredaddingmorefloort
oit.She
mi xeditwit
hherhandl i
keitwasbeingdoneont he
video.Awhi l
elatershewasput ti
ngiti
nt heoven.
Shet imedherov enthenwashedherhandsbef or
e
sitti
ngscroll
i
ngonherphone.Shehadt heurgeto
callAnayabutt henshedi dn’
twanttogetinvol
vedin
herbr ot
her’
sfights.Shefinal
lycal
l
edherandt ooka
deepbr eathwaitingforhertoanswerthephone.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
HiAnay
a,i
t’
sCol
l
een.
”
“
Oh,
hey
.”
“
Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine,
your
sel
f?Howi
sthebaby
?”
“
Iam f
ineandt
hebabyi
sgr
owi
ng.
”
Shehear
dsomeonetalki
ngint
hebackgr
oundand
fi
gur
editwashersi
bli
ngs.“
Sor
ryaboutt
hat
.”
“
It
’sok.Ihear
dabouty
ouandMi
guel
.”
“
Itj
usthappened.
”
Col
leenshookherhead.“
Ther
eisnothi
ngli
kethat
Anaya.It
houghtyouweregoi
ngtodateAgang.
”
“
IlookedatAgangasaf
ri
end.
”
“
Ory
ouj
ustwentt
othebet
terr
icherbr
other
.”
“
That
’snott
rue.
”Anay
arespondedof
fended.
“
Howar
ewesupposedt
oknowt
hat
?”
“
IrespectyousoIam goi
ngt
ohangupandpr
etend
y
ounev ercal
led.
”
“
Miguell
ovesLoneAnay
a.Iam j
ustt
ryi
ngt
ohelp
y
ouhere.Theyal
waysfi
ghtbutt
heyal
waysfi
ndthei
r
waybacktoeachot
her
.Idon’
twanty
oucr
yingata
l
aterst
age.
”
“Thankyouf orcari
ngandthankyouforcal
li
ng.Bye.
”
Shedroppedhecal l
andColl
eenlookedatt
hephone
i
nf r
ustr
ation.Thedooropenedandshewal kedout
ofthekit
chenbutonl yt
obemetbyaswol l
enface,
cutli
pIan.Hel ookedwel
lbutcher
ed.
“
Whathappened?
”
“Ial
mostgotmugged.Theyt
ri
edt
ost
eal
myphone
andwall
etbutIf
oughtthem.
”
Herheartskippedassheledhimtothei
rbedroom.“
I
am sor
ry,nexttimedon’
tfightt
hem .Whati
fthey
ki
ll
edyou? ”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Noy
ouar
enot
.”
Hesatdownont
hebed.Shehel
pedundr
ess.
“
Iam r
eal
l
ysorr
yforwhathappened.
”Shesmi
l
ed.
“
Youarer
eal
l
ybrave.
”
“
Thanky
oubaby
.”
Thebabymovedandshet
ookhi
shandandputi
ton
herbel
l
y.“
Feelt
hat?
”
“
Wow!Doesi
thur
t?”
Sheshookherheadl
aughi
ng.“
No.I
tdoesn’
t.
”
Tear
sfi
l
ledhi
sey
es.“
Ilov
eyouCol
l
een.
”
Shekissedhiscutl
i
psgent
ly.“
Ilov
eyout
oo.Iam
cooki
ngpizza.”
Hesmiledi
gnoringthepai
n.“
Ok,
Ihav
eaheadache.I
am goi
ngtojustli
edownforabi
t.
”
“
Ok.
”
Coll
eenst oodupandwal kedbackt othekitchen.
Shewai t
edforal i
ttl
ewhi l
ethentookouther
supposedl ypizza.Shelookedatt hev i
deof ol
lowing
i
nstructions.Anhourl ateshewasdi shi
ngherpi zza.
Shetookbot hplatestothebedroom wher eIanwas
sl
eepi ng.Sheputt heplatesdownt owakehi m up
buthisphonef l
ashed.Shet ookitandunl ockedit
andfr ownedopeni ngamessagef r
om hisex
gir
lf
riend.
“
Ian!
”Sheshookhi
m boi
l
ingwi
thanger
.
“
Arey
oual
readydone?
”Heaskedwaki
ngup.
“
Whydoy
oust
il
ltal
ktoy
ourex?
”
“
What
?”
“
Youhear
dme.
”
I
anlookedathi
sphoneinherhandsthensighed.
“
Shetextedme,Iwasj
ustbeingpol
it
e.It
’snothing
t
rustme.”
“I
tdefi
nit
elyi
ssomet hingbecauseIt
houghtyouhad
del
etedhernumber .Wasshet heoneyousl
eptwit
h
onyourbachelorpart
y?”
I
angotof
fbed.“
Col
l
een,
arewest
il
lont
hat
?”
“Iknowyousleptwithsomeonethatni
ght
,Icoul
d
smellheral
loveryou.Wasshetheone?”
“
Iam notcheat
ingony
ou.
”
“Thenwhatdoesthi
smessagemean? ”Shereadi
t
out.“
Iam sor
ryforwhathappenedear
li
er,
Ihopeyou
arefi
ne.
”
“
Thet
rut
hist
hatsheaskedwecoul
dmeetandt
alk.
”
Col
l
een’
shear
tshat
ter
edasshel
ookedathi
m wi
th
t
rembl
i
ngl
i
ps.
“IonlywentbecauseIj ustwant edtocleartheair
.
NowIseei twaswr ong, Ishouldn’
thavedoneit.Iam
sorry.Wet al
kedandIt oldhert onevertextmeagain.
Shei sactual
lyengagedt obemar ri
edtoo.Shethen
askedmet odropherof fatt helodgesheis
current
lystayi
ngwi thherf i
ancébecauset heydon’t
stayhere.WhenIgott here,Agangsawmeand
thoughtIwassl eepingwi thher.Heattackedme.”
“
Youar
ely
ing!Youar
esl
eepi
ngwi
thher
,Iknowy
ou
I
an.
”
“
Iam not
,whywoul
dIi
fIhav
eyouandt
hebabyt
o
f
ocuson.
”
Shecl
osedhereyescr
ying.“
Iknewyouweregoi
ng
togobackt
oher.Whyam Inotsurpr
ised.
”
“
Col
l
een,
Iwoul
dnev
erhur
tyoul
i
ket
his.
”
“Youj
ustdid.
”Shethr
ewthephoneathi
m.“Nota
yeari
ntoourmarr
iageandy
ouarealr
eady
cheat
ing?
”
“
Babel
i
sten…”
“Iam notl
ist
eni
ngt
oyourli
es.IwonderwhyIam
surpr
ised.
”Shewal
kedt
ryi
ngt ohol
ditinbutas
soonasshegotint
hekit
chenshebrokedown
cryi
ng.

*
***
*

Pul
eandMi guel
walkedi
nsi
deAgang’
shouse
hol
dingsi
xpacksofbeer
.
“Howisyourneck?
”Miguel
askedAgangwhowas
sit
ti
ngonthecouch.
“If
eelbett
er.Idr
ankt
hepai
nki
l
ler
sandIcanmov
e
butonlysl
owly.”
Pulel
aughed.“
Ican’
timagi
nebei
ngi
nyourposi
ti
on
ri
ghtnow.Thegameisstar
ti
ng.
”
Miguelsatbesi
deAgang.“
Arey
ousur
eyouar
e
good?”
“
YeahIam f
ine.Ihopet
hisdoesn’
tmaketheboss
t
hinkot
her
wiseofme.I’
veonlystar
ted.
”
“Iam sur
ehewon’
t.
”Mi
guel
openedacanofbeer
andhandeditt
ohi
m.
“
Thegamehasst
art
ed.
”Pul
esai
dsi
tt
ingdown.
“Iam r
ightonti
me!
”Kennethwal
kedi
nhol
dingan
openedbottl
eofHennessy
.
“Don’tshouttoomuch,Agangi
snotsupposedt
o
mov ehisneck.”Pulet
easedl
aughingbef
ore
answer i
nghisringi
ngphonewal
kingout.
Whenhecameback,
hegul
peddownhi
sbeer
.
“
What
’sgoi
ngonwi
thy
ou?
”
“Ican’
tgetabr
eak.Saronai
sonmycase.Shei
s
alwayscal
li
ngaccusi
ngme.”
“
Shehasever
yri
ghttobeworr
ied.I
maginebei
ngso
f
arawaydeal
i
ngwithababy.
”Kennethpoi
ntedout
.
“Iam alsof
rust
rat
ed,Imi
sshertoobutIam not
accusingherofsl
eepi
ngaround.
”
“Becauseyouknowsheisnot,
shehassti
tchesso
obviousl
yshecan’
tbecheat
ingbutasf
ory ou…”
Pul
elookedatMi
guel
.“Iam notcheat
ing,
Iam j
ust
t
aki
ngcar
eofmyneeds.
”
“Iagr
eewithPuleonthi
sone.I
fyourgir
lcan’
ttake
careofyourneeds,
youfi
ndherhel
p.”Agangsaid
l
aughing.
“Idon’tbel
i
eveincheat
ing.I
fshecan’
tcat
erformy
needsbecauseofsomet hi
ngshecan’
tcontr
olthenI
willbepati
entwit
hher.
”
“
Ihav
etoagr
eewi
thKenny
.”
“
BKyouarenottheonet
ot al
k.Howmanyti
mesdid
y
oucheatonLone?Youevensleptwi
thy
ourPA.
”
“
Wear
enott
alki
ngaboutme.
”
Pul
elaughed.“
IloveSarona,
nodoubtaboutthatand
Ir
espectherbecausesheismywifebutatthe
moment,Ihavefoundherhelp.
”
“I
fyourespectedherenoughthenyouwouldn’
t
cheat
.Idon’tcheatandneit
hercanIbewit
ha
womanwhocancheat .”
“Iknewit
!Youarebangi
ngamar
ri
edwoman
Kenneth,
BK,It
oldyou.”
“
NoIam not
.Shewasnotmar
ri
edbutj
usti
ndeci
si
ve.
RightnowIj
ustmetsomeoneandshei
swaybet
ter
thanthei
ndeci
siv
eone.
”
“
BK,
whyar
eyouqui
et?
”
“
Pul
eIam t
ryi
ngt
owat
cht
hegame.
”
“
Whowast
hatgi
rly
oubr
oughtwi
tht
otheev
ent
?”
“
Ihav
ebeenmeani
ngt
oaskt
o,shei
sar
eal
beaut
y.”
Pul
ewhi
stl
ed.“
Thatgi
rli
spr
ett
y.”
“
It
’sst
il
lnew.Idon’
twantt
oji
nxi
tyet
.”
“Li
ar,y
ouhav
eal
way
sbeensecr
eti
ve,
Iwantt
omeet
her.
”
Theycont
inuedchat
ti
ngwhi
l
stwat
chi
ngt
hegame.

*
***
*

Anay
acar
ri
edherst
ocktoschool
thefol
l
owingday
i
nthemor
ningwi
ththehel
pofAyanaandLethabo.
“
Whydi
dn’
tuncl
eMi
guel
comey
est
erday
?”
Anay
alookedatLet
habo.“
Becausehewasbusy
.”
“
Ishegoi
ngt
ocomet
oday
?”
“
Idon’
tknowLet
habo.
”
Henoddedt
hencont
inuedonwal
ki
ng.
“
Doy
out
hinkhel
i
kesus?
”
Anayafrownedatthequesti
on.“
Yes,It
hinkhel
i
kes
usbuthecan’tal
waysbet her
e.Hehastogotowork
andalsobewithhisfr
iendsandfami
ly.
”
“
Butwear
ehi
sfr
iendst
oo.
”
“Wearebuthealsohasotherf
ri
endsLethabo.”
Ayanaexpl
ained.“
Likehowyoudon’
tplaywithThat
o
ever
ydaybecauseheisinanot
hercl
ass.”
“
OhhhbutIal
way
ssayhi
toThat
oev
ery
day
.”
Anayasighedreal
izingitwasn’
tonl
yherwhowas
gett
ingatt
ached,hersibli
ngsweretoo.Herphone
rangandshetooki toutquickl
y.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
HiAnay
a,i
t’
sDr
.Maj
e.”
Herhear
tski
pped.“
Isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“
Yes.Iam r
eleasi
ngy
ourmom t
oday
.”
Anayacl
osedherey
esasr
eli
efwashedal
lov
erher
.
“Real
l
y?”
“
Yes.It
hinkshewi
l
lbef
ineathome.
”
“
Ok,
thanky
ousomuch.
”
“Iwi
ll
giveyouherdi
et.Youdoknowthatshewi
l
l
havetocomebackforcheckupsri
ght?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lseey
ou.
”
HehungupasAnay
afoughtt
heedget
ojumpup
anddown.
“
Mamai
scomi
nghomet
oday
.”
“
Yes!
”Ay
anascr
eamed.
“
Iam goi
ngt
oshowmamaal
lmyt
est
s.”
Wit
hexci t
ement
,Anay
asetupandquickl
ystart
ed
ser
vingherawai
ti
ngcust
omers.Sheworkedfast
,
mult
itaski
ng.
“
Anay
aify
oust
oppedcomi
ngIwi
l
ldi
e.”Af
emal
e
secondar
yschool
teachersadasAnay
aser
vedher
.
Shelaughed.“
Don’
twor
ry,
that
’snotgoi
ngt
ohappen
anyt
imesoon.”
“
Don’
t.
”
Anayalookedatherchi
ppednai
l
s.“
NoMr
s.O,
those
nai
lsno.”
Theteacherlookedatherchi
ppednai
lsandlaughed.
“Iam f
rom confinementAnay
a,don’
tlaughatme.”
“Iam notevenl
aughing,Iam f eel
ingsad.”Shesaid
l
ookingatherplainfaceandbushyey ebrows.“You
needamakeov er.Iwill
doy ournai l
s,shapeyour
eyebrowsandtintthem ifyouwantt odayafter
school.Tomorr
owmor ningIwi l
lcomeanddoy our
makeupbef or
ey ougot owor k.Letthem bewowed. ”
Mr
s.Ol
aughed.“
Andhowmuchwi
l
lthatbe?
”
“
Beaut
yiscost
lyMr
s.O.
”
“Ok,Iguessyouareri
ghtandPeggy’sdadi
scoming
backtomor r
ow.Iheardyoudoreall
ygoodmakeup.I
wil
lhavetolookreal
lyamazingtomorr
ow.Youknow
Ineverhavetimebecauseofthebaby.
”
“
Don’
twor
ry,
Anay
aisher
efory
ourr
escue.
”
“
Icanseewhaty
ouar
edoi
ngAnay
a.”Shesai
d
l
aughi
ng.
“
It
’scal
l
edhust
li
ng.
”
Anaya’
sphonev
ibr
atedassheat
tendedt
oanot
her
cust
omer.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
am Ispeaki
ngt
oAnay
a?”
“
Yesmam howcanIhel
pyou?
”
“Yes,
Iwantt
odomymakeupbefor
eIf
lyoutt
oday
andalsodomynai
l
s,cany
oucometomyhouse?”
“
Yes,
whatt
ime?
”
“
Int
wohour
s.”
“Ok,
Iwil
lbet
her
e.Youcansendt
hedi
rect
ionsand
addr
ess.
”
“
Ok.
”
Sheputherphoneawayandconti
nuedworking.I
n
anhour’
sti
me, shewasal
readywal
kingbackhome
wit
hnot hi
ng.Ever
ythi
nghadsol dout,
incl
udingthe
sweets.Atherhouse,shechangedandwalkedout
wit
hhermakeupbagandAr t
if
ici
alnai
lbagjustas
Miguelparkedi
nfrontofhergate.
Shewal
kedoutoft
hegat
ewhi
l
ehest
eppedouti
n
hi
ssui
t.
“
Youhav
eacl
i
ent
?”
“
Yes.
”
Hekissedherthentookherbagsandputt
hem at
thebackseat
.“Mamai sget
ti
ngdischar
gedtoday
.”
Shetoldhim ashestar
teddri
vi
ng.
“Icanbor
rowyouthecar
,Idoubtcombi
swi
l
lbe
comfort
ablef
orher.
”
Shel
ookedathi
minhor
ror
.“What
?No!
”
“
Whynot
?”
“Mi
guel
t hat
’sj
ustnotr
ight
.Andbesi
des,
Idon’
t
hav
ealicense.
”
“Youneedtogetal
icense.Youcan’
tbethisbr
ight
anddon’tknowhowtodriveyour
sel
f.Ican’
tal
ways
bedri
vingyou.
”
“
That
’swhyt
her
ear
ecombi
sandt
axi
s.”
“Youwon’
tst
ruggl
ewhil
stIhav
eacar.Youar
e
goingt
ohavetogetal
i
cense.Wher
eareyougoi
ng?
”
I
nmi nutes,
hewaspar kedinf
rontofthegate.Anay
a
gotoffgett
ingherbagsfr
om thebackseat
.She
walkedtohisopenwindow.
“Iwi
llbebusytoday,
Ihav
eacl
i
entl
ateronsodon’
t
bot
herwit
hlunch.”
Hekissedt
hrought
hecar
’swindow.“
It
’sok,
her
e,f
or
l
unch.”Hepul
ledmoneyf
rom hi
swall
et.
“
P100?No,
that
’st
oomuchf
orl
unch.
”
“
Takeit,
youaremi
nenowandIcanspoi
lyoui
fI
wantunl
essyouar
efi
ne.
”
Anayaqui
ckl
ytookt
hemoney
.“Thankyou,
Iam
goi
ngtousethi
smoneyt
odomyhai r
.Bye!
”
Shewalkedawayashecalledher.Shewavedand
rangt
hegatebel
l.Secondslat
ershewalkedinsi
de
asMigueldr
oveaway .
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#19

LoneandRachel wal
kedinsi
detheFrenchrestaur
ant
duri
nglunchhourtal
ki
ng.Awaiterapproachedthem
andledthem t
oanempt ytabl
ewher etheysatdown
andorderedt
heirmeals.
“
Ithi
nkIam pr
egnant
,Ihav
ebeenf
eel
i
ngf
unny
l
atel
y.
”
Rachel
frowned.“
Alr
eady
?”
“
Yes,
Iknowmybody
.Ican’
twai
tti
l
lIam showi
ng.
”
“Ar
eyouexci
tedaboutt
hebabyorget
ti
ngMi
guel
back?
”
“Bothact
ual
ly.Iwonderwhatki
ndofmot
herIam
goingtobe.
”
Thewait
erbroughtt
heirf
oodandRacheltookher
gl
assofjui
ceandsippedwiththest
rol
l
.“Iknow
whatki
ndofAuntIam goingtobe.Acoolone.
”
Theyl
aughed.
“ImetthisguyLone, IknowIsaidIam goingtotake
abreakf r
om therelati
onshipsbutthi
sguyis
everyt
hingIhaveev erwantedinaman.Hei s
seri
ousandst ri
cttoo.Helikesstr
aightt
hingsbutat
thesamet imehei sfunny.Andheisnotmar ri
ed
neit
herdoeshehav eachild.”
“
Iyeshi
m.”
Rachel
giggl
ed.“
Ihav
eagoodf
eel
i
ngabouthi
m.”
“
Doy
ouhav
ehi
spi
ctur
e?”
“
Yes.
”
Rachelf
orherphoneandscr
oll
edforawhil
ebef
ore
handi
ngitt
oLonewhot ooki
tcuri
ousl
y.She
fr
owned.“What’
shisname?”
“
Kennet
h.Hei
shotr
ight
?”
Lonefor
cedasmi
l
eonherf
acegi
vi
ngRachel
her
phoneback.
“
Yeah,
sohowl
onghav
eyoubeendat
inghi
m?”
“Wearenotyetdat
ingbutit
’sgoi
ngt
ohappen.Imet
hi
m aboutt
woday sago.”
“
Ithi
nkyoushoul
dholdoffr
elat
ionshi
ps,
hel ooks
l
i
keaplayerandIdon’
twantyourhear
tbroken.”
“Iknowbuthei sdiffer
ent
.Thisguyskeepstal
ki
ng
aboutset t
lingdown.Hewasbasedi nUKforthe
pastfewy ear swherehewasmar r
iedt
osomel ady
forcit
izenshi pt
hroughmar r
iaget
houghitwasan
openmar r
iage.Afteryear
sofbeinginalovel
ess
openr el
ationship,shemetsomeoneandt heyfi
led
fordivorceandt hat’
swhenhecameback.He
missedhi sf amil
y.
”
“Hesoundsmy ster
ious,It
hinkyoushoul
djustst
ay
awayfrom hi
m, whatifheonlywantsouseyou?”
“Heismy steri
ousandthat
’swhatmakesev er
y t
hing
i
nterest
ing.Iunder
standyourconcer
nbutIthinkhe
i
splanningt omarr
ymeLone.Ihav efinal
l
yfoundt he
one.Godhasanswer edmypr ayer
s.”
Lonef
orcedasmi
l
eandsi
ppedonherj
uice.
*
***
*

Anayahelpedhermotheroutofthetaxiwhi
chhad
parkedi
nsidethei
ryard.Hedroveawayassoonas
shegavehim hismoney .Theywal
kedslowlyi
nsi
de
thehousewher eshehelpedhermothersi
tonthe
bed.
“
Idon’tknowwhyy
oukeepst
ressi
ngaboutme.Iam
f
ine.
”
“
Yes,Iwi
llmakeyousomethingtoeatandl
ater
whenIfi
nishupwit
hmyclientIwil
lgoandbuythe
t
hingst
hedoctorsai
dIshouldbye.
”
“
Thehousel
ooksni
ceandcl
ean.
”
Anayasmi
l
edasshest
art
edcooki
ngont
hegas
st
ove.
“St
ayi
nginoner
oom doesn’
tmeani
thast
obe
unt
idy
.”
“
Sowhoi
she?
”
Anay
alookedathermot
her
.“Whoi
swho?
”
“Hi
m.Theonewhomakesy ousmi
l
ewi
thy
our
phone.Icanseei
tiny
ourey
es.
”
“
Mamat
her
eisnoone.
”
“Iam ol
dbutIcanseewhat
’sgoi
ngon.Iwantt
osee
him.Today
.”
Panicki
ngAnay
arespondedqui
ckl
y.“
Hewi
l
lbeat
work.”
“
Ithoughty
ousai
dther
eisnoone.
”
Shel
ookeddownshy
ly.
“
Iwantt
oseehi
m.”
Hermot herl
aydownandclosedhereyesasAnaya
cont
inuedcooking.Awhi
l
elatershehandedher
mothertheplat
eandputonhershoes.
“Ihav
eacl ient
.Shewantssomenail
sandt
oshape
andtinthereyebr
ows.AnayaandLet
habowil
lbe
heresoon.Callmewheny ouneedme.”
“
Ok.
”
Shewal
kedoutcl
osi
ngt
hebur
glarbart
henhur
ri
ed
tothet
eacher
’squar
ter
s.Sheansweredherr
ingi
ng
phoneasshestoodi
nfrontMrs.O’
sdoor.
“
Kgot
lang,
”
“
Hey
,youhav
en’
trespondedt
omymessage.
”
“Kgotl
angyouareani
ceguybutIt
hinky
ouandIcan
onlybefr
iends.
”
“
Oh,
ok.i
t’
sfi
ne.
”
Mrs.OopenedthedoorandAnay
ahungupwi
tha
smil
e.“
Iam her
e.”
Mrs.Osmi
l
edopeni
ngt
hedoorwi
der
.“Comei
n
chi
ld.
”
Shelookedaroundt
hehouse,
not
hingfancybutyet
chi
ldfri
endly
.Thenannygr
eet
edhertaki
ngthebaby
fr
om Mr s.O.
“
Sowhatki
ndofnai
l
sdoy
out
hinkIshoul
ddo?
”
Theybot
hsatdownwhil
eAnayatookherhandt
o
checkt
hecondi
ti
onofhernai
l
s.
“It
hinkIwi
l
lgiv
eyousomeshor
tFr
encht
ips.You
canworkwitht
hem.
”
“
Ok.
”
Anayadidhernai
l
st henshapedandt i
ntedher
eyebr
ows.Shesmi l
edaftertaki
ngpictur
es.“
You
l
ookbeautif
ul,
waitunti
lItouchonthatface
tomorr
ow.Theywon’ tr
ecognizeyou.”
Mrs.Osmiledl
ooki
ngathernicel
yshapedand
t
int
edeyebrowsonthesmallmirr
or.“
Thankyouso
mychil
d.”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Shegotpai
dandl
eft
.
Shewonderedwhatexcuset
ouset oavoidinvi
ti
ng
Miguel
overbutevenasshewalked,shecouldn’
t
thi
nkofanythi
ng.Shet
ookoutherphoneandcal l
ed
him.
“
Nay
a,”
“
Hey
,mamai
sathomeandshewant
stomeety
ou.
”
“
Ok,
Iam goi
nghomet
ochanget
henIwi
l
lpassby
.”
“Pl
easedon’
tfeel
pressur
ized,
Icant
ell
hery
ouar
e
busy.
”
“Iam comi
ng,
Ialsowantt
omeetmymot heri
n-l
aw
andyouknowfir
stimpr
essi
onsl
astl
onger.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Mot
heri
n-l
aw?
”
“
Yes,Iam comi
ng.Shoul
dIbringany
thi
ng?Ican’
t
j
ustcomeemptyhandedright
?”
“
No,
don’
tbuyany
thi
ng.Justbr
ing-
“
Thecal
lcutdueinsuf
fi
cientcr
edi
t.Hecal
l
edher
backi
mmedi at
ely.
“
Iam say
ingdon’
tbr
ingany
thi
ng.
”
“
Ok,
Iam goi
ngt
orechar
gey
ourphonej
ustnow.
”
“
Youdon’
thav
eto.
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Sheputt
hephoneawayashehungup.Minut
eslat
er
shewaswal
kingi
nherhead,
shefoundhermother
si
tt
ingwi
thMmagweLesego.
“Goodev
eni
ng,
”shegr
eet
edsi
tt
ingont
hedoorst
ep
nextt
ohermot
her.
“
HiAnay
a,y
ourdaught
erhasbeenscar
cef
ort
he
l
astf
ewmonths.
”
Anaya’
smot
herl
aughedsof
tl
y.“Shehasbeen
hust
li
ngal
otsi
nceshecan’
tfi
ndajob.”
“That
’sgood.Mostofheragematescr
ysitt
ingat
homenotev enwanti
ngtostar
tasmallbusi
nessto
survi
ve.
”
“
Iam happythatAnayaisdoi
ngsomet hi
ngwhi
l
eshe
wai
t,si
tt
ingdoingnot
hingisexhaust
ing.
”
Anay astoodupandwal kedinsidetheempt yhouse.
Sheknewwi thhermot heraround,theki dswer eout
thereplayi
ng, t
heyhadnot hi
ngt owor r
yabout .She
toohadnot hingtowor r yabout,shef el
tthebur den
decreaseonhershoul derswi t
hhermot herback
home.I twast heeffecthermot herhadont hem, t
he
mot her
lyeffect.Anayat ookthel i
stthedoct orhad
givenherandcar efull
yr ead.Shehadt of ol
l
owa
certai
ndiet,thedoctorhadbeenst rictaboutt hat.
Shet ookoutherphonetocheckherbankbalance
onli
nebutitwasof f
.Shequickl
yconnectedi
ttothe
chargeronthesatel
li
tebat
teryandwalkedout.Her
mot
herwasnowal
oneenj
oyi
ngt
hedusk.
“MamaIam goi
ngt
obuyaf
ewt
hings,
Iwi
l
lbe
back.
”
“
Didy
out
alkt
ohi
m?”
“
Yesand-
“
Shestoppedt al
kingstari
ngatt heRangeRov erasit
parkedinfrontofthegate.Anay a’
sheartski
ppedas
hesteppedoutandopenedt hegateinhiscasual
cl
othes.Itwashar dtoknowhewast heownerofa
bi
gcompanyandhot eli
nt hoseclot
hes.Hej umped
backinhiscaranddr oveinandpar kedunderthe
tr
ee.Hewal kedtowar dsthem holdi
ngaGamest ore
pl
asticbag.
“
Goodev
eni
ngmam,
”hegr
eet
edherr
espect
ful
l
y.
“
Son,
sit
,”shepoi
ntedatt
hemetal
chai
rwher
e
MmagweLesegohadbeensi
tt
ing.
Hesatdown,hedidn’
tlookner
vousorscar
ed,
rat
her
hewasactual
lycal
m.
“Ibroughty
ousomefrui
ts,
Anayatol
dmet
hedoct
or
saidyoushoul
deatheal
thfood.
”
“
Thankyousomuchson,
Anay
adon’
tjustst
and
t
her
e.”
Anayatooktheplast
icbagf
rom hi
mthenwal
ked
backinsi
dethehouse.Whenshecameback,
she
foundthem t
alki
ng.
“
Sowhatdoy
oudof
oral
i
ving?
”
“
Irunmyownbusi
ness.
”
“Ok,asy oucanseemydaught erisnotfrom ari
ch
backgroundbutsheissmar t.I
fy outhinkbecauseI
am sickandy oucangetawaywi thmistreati
ngher,
youar ewrong.Mybrotherisinthemi l
itary,
hewill
haunty oudownandfindy ou.Ihopey ouhear dme.”
“
Ihear
dyoumam.
”
“
Good.
”
Shestoodupandwal
kedi
nsi
det
hehousel
eav
ing
AnayawithMi
guel
.
“
Ithi
nkshel
i
kesme.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Oh?
”
“
Yes.
”
Helookedaroundbefor
est
andi
ngupandki
ssi
ngher
br
iefl
ywhisperi
ng.“
Imissy
ou.”
“
No,youli
kesext
oomuchtoomuch.
”She
whi
sper
edbackandhecr
ackedupl
aughi
ng.
“
Whywon’
tI?Youar
etoosweetf
ormenott
o.”
“Idon’
tknowwhatyouar
egoi
ngtodobecauseI
havetogotothephar
macyt
hencomebackand
cook.”
“Wecanpassbymyhouse,hav
eaqui cki
e,t
hengo
tothephar
macy,Iwi
ll
bever
yquick.
”Hewhi sper
ed
squeezi
ngherbut
t.
“Uncl
eMi guel
!”
Lethaboscreamedrunni
ngt owar
ds
them.Anayasteppedbackandwat chedthem gr
eet
eachotherwit
ht hei
rweir
dhandshake.
“
Champ!
”
“
Youdidn’
tcomey est
erday
.”Let
habowhi
sper
ed
l
oudenoughforAnayatohear.
“
Iknow,
butIam her
enow.
”
“
Imi
ssedy
ou.
”
“
Imi
ssedy
out
oochamp.
”
Let
habohuggedhi
mti
ght
ly.
“
Iwi
l
lmakei
tupt
oyouchamp!
”
“
Ithoughty
ouwer
enotcomi
ngback.
”
Mi
guel
laughed.“
Iwi
l
lal
way
scomeback.Ipr
omi
se.
”
Theyspokef
oraf
ewmi
nut
est
il
lLet
habowas
l
aughing.
“
Iwi
l
lseey
ouchamp!
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Miguel
knockedgent
lyonthedoor
.“MaIam goi
ng,
i
twasnicetomeetyou.”
Anay
a’smot
herwal
kedoutandsmi
l
ed.“
Goodby
e
myson.”
“MamaMiguel
wil
ldr
opmeof fbyt
hemal
lsoIcan
buywhatt
hedoct
orsai
dIshoul
dbuy.
”
“
Ok.
”
Anay
arushedinsi
dethehouseandgotherphone
fr
om t
hechargerbef
orewalki
ngoutswi
tchi
ngiton.
“
See?It
oldy
ou,
shel
i
kesme.
”
Anayalaughedget t
inginsidethecar .Hedrov eout
oftheyardandj oi
nedt hemai nroad.Anay asilent
ly
watchedhim ashedr ov et
ohi shouse.Hedr ove
i
nsidehisyardandcl osedt hegateast heystepped
out.I
nsidethehouse, Miguelthrewhi scarkeyson
thecouchandki ssi
ngAnay aalreadyunbuttoningher
j
eans.Shest eppedbackandsi ghed.
“MiguelIl
ovey ou.Idi
dn’
tthinkIwouldloveyouin
suchashor tperi
odoftimebutIdo.Andy oumake
mehappy .Youmakemysi blingshappy.Theyhave
becomeat t
achedt oyou.Pleasedon’thurtme,don’
t
hurtus.
”
“
Iwon’t
,Il
ovey
out
oo,
andIl
ovet
hem.Youneedt
o
t
rustme.”
Anayasmi
ledl
ookinginhi
ssincer
eeyes.Herphone
vi
brat
edfr
om herbackpocketandshetooki
tout.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Hi
,Anay
aShat o,wear
ecall
ingfr
om C-
SKYhotel
,
canyoupleasecomebyforanint
erv
iewtomor
row
morni
ngateight.
”
Shefr
ownedlooki
ngatMi
guel
whogav
eheran
i
nnocentl
ook.
“
CanIpl
easegetbackt
oyou?
”
“
Youcaneit
hershowupfort
heint
erv
iewornot
,it
’s
y
ourchoi
ce.Haveagoodday.
”
“
Whowasi
t?”
“Miguelwhatdi dIsay?IknowIam inneedofajob
butIdon’tneedy oupull
inginf
avorsforme.I
t’
s
i
mpr operatev eryl
evelandyouknowi t
.What
happenst hedayy ouandIhavea
misunderstanding?”
“Anayat heonlyt hi
ngIam goi ngtoadmi tt ois
steal
ingy ourCV.IaskedAy anaforitandhadi t
submi t
tedanony mousl y.Thehotelhasj ust
extended, wehav eaddedal otofthingsandwhen
youextendi tmeanswehi r
emor ewor kersbecause
theloadi t
selfhasincr eased.Therear epost sopen,
theyaret her
eev enint henewspaper .Wehav eput
j
obappl icati
onst othepubl i
candIguessy oudidn’
t
seeitbecausey ouar eal waysbusy.Ididi tbecauseI
careabouty ouandt hedayy ouandIhav ea
disagreement ,t
hecont r
actwil
lpr
otectyou.Idi
dn’
t
pullanyf avorsforyou,i
fyoufai
lthei
ntervi
ewthen
that’
st hat.Idon’tmixbusi
nesswithpl
easureandI
am v er
yst ri
ctaboutthat.
”
Shelookedathi m moment ar
il
ybefor
eshestarted
j
umpi ng.“Iam soexcit
ed!YouknowIhav enever
beencalledforaninter
view.OhGod!”Shehugged
hi
mt ightl
y.“Thankyousomuch. ”
“
Yougott
his.Youar
esmar
t.
”
Tear
sf i
l
ledherey
es.“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.Ihav
ean
i
nter
view.”
“Thi
scal
lsforacelebr
ati
on.
”Hesai
dreachi
ngfor
herj
eansagain.Shesl
appedhi
shandsaway.
“
Iwantt
otel
lmama.
”
Shesatdowndial
inghermother
’snumberwhi
l
eher
phonebeepedbecauseofbat
ter
ylow.
“
Mama,
Igotcal
l
edf
orani
nter
view.
”
“
Godi
sgr
eat
!”
“
MamaIcan’
tbel
ievethi
s.Ihav
ebeenprayi
ngf
ora
whi
l
eforabr
eakt
hroughandGodhasfinal
l
y
answer
edmypr
ayer
s.”
“Indeed, l
etmepr ayforyour i
ghtnow.FatherIwant
tot hanky ouforyourloveuponmyf amily
, f
oryour
blessingsandy ourmer cy.IputAnayainyourhands,
tomor rowasshegoesf orherinter
viewhelpher
wr i
tet hecorr
ectanswer stheyneed,hel
phersecure
thej ob,bethereholdi
ngherhandt hroughthe
i
nt ervi
ew.I nt
henameofJesusChr i
stAmen. ”
“
Amen.By
e.”
“
Bye.
”
Sheputherphoneawayandsi
ghed.“
IhopeIgett
he
j
ob.”
“Youneedtodor esear
chonthecompany.I
rechar
gedy ourphonesoyoucanbuyi
nternetand
studytoni
ght.”
“
Youar
eri
ght
.”
Hesatbesideherandki ssedherpicki
ngherupfrom
thecouch.Anayakissedhim backashewalkedto
hisbedr
oom wherehel ayheront hebedgett
ing
betweenherlegs.
*
***
*

Anayasteppedoutoft
hetaxitaki
ngouthersmal
l
pur
sefrom hermother
’sv
intagehandbag.
“Mysistertheyaregoingtohi
reyou,youl
ookt
oo
beaut
ifulforthem notto.
”Thedr
iversai
dasAnay
a
gavehimt hemoney .
“
Thanky
ou,
Iam soscar
ed.
”
“Youhavenot
hingtobescar
edabout
.Theyar
e
goingt
oloveyou.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Shewal kedawayf eeli
ngal it
tleconfi
dentinherred
highwai stf
lar
edskirtthatreachedjustabov eher
kneeswi thinv
entedpleats.Hermot herhadwor ked
overni
ghtsewi ngit
.Shef ixedhermot her’
sred
formaljacketassheappr oachedt heglassfront
doors.Theyaut omati
callyopenedandshewal kedin,
herheelsechoingont hegl ossywhiteti
les.She
walkedt otherecepti
onandsmi led.
“Goodmorning,Iam her
eforaninter
view.Iam
AnayaShato.”Shetol
dtherecept
ioni
stwhowas
busyscr
ibbli
ngsomet hi
ngdownonast i
ckynote.
“Goddmor ningAnay a-
“Shepausedandrai
sedher
head.Theodor a’
sfacebrokei
ntoabigsmil
e.“Ohmy!
Youareher e.”
Anay
asmi
l
edsur
pri
sed.“
Yah.
”
“Iwantedtot
ell
y outoappl ybutt henIthought
maybey oudi
dn’twantwor kher ebecauseof …butI
am happytoseey ou.Everyonewhoi sbeing
i
ntervi
ewedisont hefourthfl
oor.Youwi l
lfi
nd
peoplewhoarealsowai ti
ngf ortheiri
ntervi
ews.
”
Theodorasai
dgiv i
ngherav i
sit
orbadge.“ Good
l
uck.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Anayawal kedt otheelevat
orandsteppedinside
wit
ht hr
eemor epeople.Shet ookadeepbreath
tr
yingtocalm down, shehaddoneherr esearchso
shehadnot hingt oworryaboutbutherheartwas
sti
l
l i
namar athon.Sheswallowedhardasshe
walkedinsidet hewait
ingar oom wher
ealmostt en
peopl
ewer
esi
tt
ing.Al
lseemi
ngl
yol
dert
hanher
.
Shi
t!Iam goingtof ai
l
.Shethoughtsi
l
ent
lysit
ti
ng
down, shewassur eever
yonewhowassitti
ngther
e
hadexper i
ence.Shehadonlyworkedasan
i
nternship.
Aladyapproachedthem withasmi l
e.“CanIplease
havethefol
lowingpeopl
ef ol
lowme. ”Shecalledout
namesandsi xpeoplest
oodupandf oll
owedher .
Anayaremainedwiththeremai ni
ngfour.Minutes
l
aterthesameladywasback, shemotionedthey
fol
lowher.
Astheysatdowni nwhatl ookedlikeaboardroom,
theywerehandedquest i
onnaires.Anayatookout
herpenandst ar
tedanswer i
ngt hequesti
onswhich
seemedt ogetharderastheywentandal lforan
assist
antaccountantposi
tion.
“Howdiditgo?”TheodoraaskedasAnay
awal
ked
pastherdeskawhilelat
er.
“
Idon’
tknow,
theysai
dtheywi
l
lcal
lme.
”
“
Iam pr
ayi
ngf
ory
ou.
”
“
Thanky
ou,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
Shewalkedoutandwal
keddownt
hemai
nroadt
o
thebusstop.

THREEMONTHSLATER…
.
.
.
[
7/13,
14:
20]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#20

Thr
eeMont
hsLat
er…

Thebr i
dedancedholdi
ngherwhit
egownwi t
ht he
restofthebr
idemaidsandgroomsmensmi l
ing.
Camer a’
sfl
ashedaspeopletookvi
deosand
pict
ureswhil
escreaming.Hernewhusbandheldher
handastheydi
dacertai
ndancemove.Ast
hesong
cametoanend,herhusbandl
edhert
othei
rseat
s
wheret
heysatdown.
“Ladiesandgent lemen,arewehav i
ngf un?”TheMC
askedst andinginthemi ddl
eoft henicelydecorat
ed
hall
.“Thisdayhasbeenbeaut if
ul r
ightfrom the
beginning,wenowhav eMr .andMr s.Mokwena.
Everyoner aiseyourgl
assandl et’
st oasttothe
couple’sjourneytoget
herwhi chisaboutt obegin,
l
et’stoastt othei
rhappiness.”
Thecrowdr
aisedthei
rgl
assesst
ari
ngatt
heMC.
“Cheer
stoMr.andMrs.Mokwena.
”
“
Cheer
s!”Ev
ery
oner
esponded.
Thebri
delookedatherhusbandwi
tht
ear
yey
es.
“Thi
sisbeaut
iful
.”
“
Notmor
ethany
ou.
”
Heleanedoverandki
ssedher
.“Il
ovey
ouMr
s.
Mokwena.”
“
Ilov
eyou,
Mr.Mokwena.
”
“
Sot
hebr
idemai
dsandgr
oomshav
easkedf
ora
l
astdancef
rom t
henewcoupl
etoseal
thedeal
.”
Thecr owdcheer edandt henewcoupl estoodup.
Theirfavori
tesongpl ayedastheyslowlymov ed
together.Thesongpl ayedsoftl
yasev er
yone
watchedadmi ri
ngt hem.Whent hesongfini
shed,
theywalkedt owher etheMCwas.Hehandedt he
bri
det hemi cassheshookl ikealeafstar
ingatthe
bigcrowdbef oreherey es.
Takingadeepbr eathshespoketothemic.“Ijust
wantt othankev ery
onewhodeci dedt
ojoinuson
thi
sf ai
thfuldaytocelebr
atethi
swonderfuldaywi t
h
us.
”Herhear tpoundedashereyesscannedt hehall
ful
lofpeople.Herhusbandt ookthemicfrom her.
“Mywi f
eisshy,”hesaidandt hecr owdlaughed.
“Thishasbeenawonder fuldayt omywi f
eandIand
wecan’ tthanky ouenoughf orj oini
ngussot o
celebrate.Wear eextr
emel ygr atefult
oev eryone
whocont ri
but
edt omaket hi
sawonder f
ul day.We
alsowantt othankourdancer s.”Hechuckl ed
pointingthebridemaidsandgr oomswhower e
sitt
ingont hei
rownt able.“Theyhav emadet hi
s
entiregatheri
ngf unandexci t
ing.Thanky ou. ”
Theywal kedbackt otheirseatssmi l
ing.Lat eron,
thebr i
desatinar oom fullherauntsandot her
mar r
iedwomenbei ngadv i
sedaccor dingl
y .She
carefull
yli
stenednodding.Ev ery
thi
ngst il
l f
el tsurr
eal
toher ,
shecoul dn’
tbeli
evei twashappeni ngort hat
shewasact uall
ysomeone’ swife.Hergl i
ster i
ngr i
ng
broughttearsofhappinessi nherey es.Shecoul dn’
t
waittobei nherhusband’ sarmsasshel istenedt o
thenev erendingadvi
ses.
Aft
eral lt
hepr ocedureshadbeenf ol
lowed, she
fi
nall
ywal kedinsidethewel lmadebedr oom and
si
ghedwi thr el
ief
.Atlast ,itwasov er.Sheundr essed
andwal kedt othebathr oom wher eherbat hhad
al
readybeenpr epared.Thewat ersmel lednice.She
sl
owl ygotinsidethewar m waterandt ookasl ow
bath.Shet ookhert i
mer elaxi
ngherbodyi nthe
water.Whenshef inal
lyst eppedout ,shedr i
edher
bodyt henwr appedher selfwithaf l
uffywhi t
et owel
walkingoutoft hebat hroom.Shef oundherhusband
si
tti
ngont hebedwi thhi sjacketandshi r
toff.
“
Mr s.Mokwena.”Hesaidstandingup.Shebl
ushed,
i
tfeltgoodbei
ngaddressedlikethat
.
“Hey,”hewhi sper edbef orekissingherdroppi ngt he
towel t
ot hef loor.Hel aidheront hebedt henki ssed
herneckgent l
ysucki ngoni t.Shemoanedashe
wentdown, kissingherchestt henhernippl es.Her
bodyv i
brat edasshemoanedsof tl
y.Hewentf urther
downt il
lher anhi st ongueonhersweet ness.He
l
ickedher ,t akinghi st i
meandt asti
ngher.Hesl i
di n
afingerinsi dehert hensl owlyandgent l
y,tappedher
upperplat eswhi l
est i
llgivi
nghercl itat
tention.She
mov edherwai stfeel i
ngherj uicesdr i
p.Headded
anotherfingerandshesunkhernai l
sonhi s
shoulderbl adesf eelingt hedesper ateneedt ocum.
Shewascl ose, shecoul dfeel i
t.
Shewhimperedashepul ledoutofherandkissed
herl
ips.Wi
thunexplai
nableneed,shepull
edhis
pantsdownwithherfeetthenheldhi
mi nherhands
di
recti
nghi
mt oherwet ness.Sl
owlyanddeli
ciousl
y,
hesankdeepinsi
dehert i
llhebott
omedout .
“Fuck!”Hegroanedgentl
yeasingoutthenpushi
ng
backi nsi
deher.Hewasaslowl overandshelov
ed
everysecondofit.Hetookherti
mewi thher,
attendingtoherever
yneedwithouthurr
y.She
mov edherwai st,meetinghismov ement
s.She
wrappedherl egsar oundhiswaistasshefel
t
pl
easuretravel f
rom hertoesupt ohercent
er.
Togethert
heymov edasone, t
ouchingandkissi
ng
ti
l
ltheyfel
l aparttogether,
drai
ningoneanother.

*
***
*

Lonelookedatt heweddi ngpi

cturessi
tti
ngonher
couchwhilescr oll
i
ngt hroughfacebook.Thebride
l
ookedbeaut if
ul i
nherf i
tandf l
aredwhitedressand
sodidthegr oom.Shecar eful
l
ylookedatthebr i
de
maidswithabor edexpression.Shezoomedi nthe
maidofhonorandr ol
ledhereyesbeforescroll
i
ng
downherf acebookt i
meline.I
tseemedl i
kealmost
ever
yonesheknewhadj ustbeenshari
ngt he
weddingpictures.Herphoner angandsheanswer ed.
“
Lone,
hi,
it’
sMer
cy!
”
“
Hi,
”shef
akedsi
cknessl
ower
ingherv
oice.
“
Hey
,Ihear
dyouar
enotf
eel
i
ngwel
l
.”
“
Yes,
Ihadt
ogot
othehospi
tal
.”
“
Ohok,Iwaswonder
ingwhyy
ouwer
enotatt
he
weddi
ng.
”
Loneroll
edherey
es.“
Iam sosad.Iwi
shIwas
ther
e.”
“Don’
tworry.I
twasfunbutwetookloadsofphot
os
andvi
deos.Youwon’tfeel
thatmuchleftout
.Iwi
ll
sendthem onWhatsAppnow.”
“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come,
andgetwel
lsoon.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Shehungupandputherhandov erherst
omach
whil
estar
ingatherpr
egnancycardonthetabl
e.A
smil
espreadonherface.Shecoul
dn’twai
ttomake
hermove.

*
***
*

Theodor
awal
kedt
oat
axi
shehadf
laggedhol
ding
herhandbagti
ght
ly.Acarst
oppedbet
weenherand
thetaxi
blocki
ngher.
“
Hi,
youwer
eatt
heweddi
ngr
ight
?”
Shelookedatthedri
ver.Hewascuteandyesshe
hadseenhim atthewedding.Hehadbeenoneof
thegroomsmen.Hewasst i
ll
weari
nghissui
twhi
ch
l
ookedl i
keGodhimselfhadmadeitforhi
m.She
l
ookedathiswatchthenbackathisface.
“
Yes.
”
“
Wantar
ide?
”
“Uhh…”Sherai
sedherheadt
ofi
ndt
het
axi
shehad
stoppedgone.
“
Come,
Iwi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
f.
”
Shegotinthepassengerseatandcl
osedt
hedoor
ashestart
eddriv
ing.
“
Sowhat
’sy
ourname?
”
“
Theodor
a.”
“Theodora,Il
i
key ournamemainl
ybecausei
tcanbe
divi
dedintotwo.Icancall
youTheoorDora.
”
Theodor
asmi
l
ed.“
Ili
keTheomor
e.”
“
Guesswhat
?Il
i
kei
ttoo.So…di
dyouenj
oyt
he
weddi
ng.
”
“
Yes,
itwasabeaut
if
ulweddi
ng.
”
“
Iam sur
eyoul
ovedmydancemov
est
oo.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Ilov
edev
ery
one’
sdancemov
es.
”
“Ohplease!WeallknowIwasabetterdancet
han
ever
yonet her
e,bytheway
,Iam Agang.”
“Ni
cetomeety ou.”Shesai dshy
ly.Shehadnev er
hadamanl i
kehi m approachher.Shesecret
ly
l
ookedathim ashedr ove,heprobablyj
ustwas
bei
ngnicetoheranddi dn’twantanythi
ngelse.She
fi
xedherspectacl
eslookingoutthroughthewindow.
“
Sowher
edoy
oust
ayTheo?
”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Tlokweng.
”
“
Ok.Iwantt
ogetsomet
hingbyt
hatsuper
stor
e.”
“
It
’sok.
”
Hepar
kedbytheparki
ngl
otthenst
eppedoutoft
he
car
.Mi
nutesl
ater
,hewasbackandalr
eadydri
vi
ng
offt
houghhehadnot
hingi
nhishands.Shesmi
l
ed
whenhefinal
l
ypar
kedinfr
ontofherseven’
s
quar
ter
s.
“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”
“
It
’sok.Iam nowr
egrett
ingnoteat
ingatt
he
weddi
ng,nowIam hungry.
”
“That
’swhathappenswheny
oubehav
eli
kea
cheeseboy.
”
Helaughed.“
What?TheoIam wayoldert
hanyouto
betal
kingtomeli
kethat
.Whatcheeseboyar
ey ou
tal
ki
ngabout?”
“Whatshoul
dIsay?Youwerebehav
ingl
i
ket
he
beyonceofdest
iny
’schi
l
d.”
Hel
aughedev
enmor
e.“
Stopof
fendi
ngme.
”
“Oh,nooffensebutt
hat
’st
het
rut
h.Don’
ttakei
t
personal
l
y.”
Helookedatherwithacharmingsmi
l
e.“
Ial
ready
hav
e,matteroffact
,Iam angr
y.”
Shel
aughed.“
That
’snotmyi
ssue.By
e.”
Shegotof
fhi
scarandunl
ockedherhousedoor
.
“
Youcan’
tjustwal
kawaywhi
l
eIam st
il
langr
y.”
Shelaughedandgoti nherhouse.Secondslatershe
heardthecardoorclosi
ngbeforehewal kedinsi
de
herhouse.Hesmi l
edlookingatherbeautif
ul
bedroom decor
atedinburgundyandwhi te.
“
Wow!
”
Sher
oll
edherey
eswi
thasmi
l
eonherf
ace.“
What
?”
Hesatonherbedl
ooki
ngatherf
latscr
eenmount
ed
ont
hewall.“
Youhaveani
ceroom.”
“Thanks.Youshouldst
opi
nvi
ti
ngy
our
sel
fin
people’
shouses.”
Heshrugged.“I
t’
stoolat
enow.”Hetookof
fhi
s
shoesthenlayonherbedpushi
nghersmal
lpi
ll
ows
asi
de.
“
Agangy
ouar
edi
srespect
ful
.”
Helaughedswit
chingontheTV.“
Iam nott
alki
ngt
o
youbecauseIam angr
y.”
Theodor
achuckl
edt
henst
art
edcooki
ng.Af
ter
taki
ngherti
memakingt hedi
sh,shegavehi
m aful
l
plat
e.Heimmediat
elyduginandstar
tedeati
ng.He
gobbleddownt
hefoodandshepour edhim agl
ass
ofjui
ce.
“
Don’
tchoke.
”
Sheshy
lysatbesidehi
m.Forthefir
stti
meev er
,she
waswit
hamani nherhouse.Herhear
tpoundedas
shel
ookedathissexytoes.
“
Thanky
ou,
youar
enotbadcook.
”
“
Sayst
hecheeseboy
.”Shetookhi
spl
ateandpl
aced
i
tdownashewashedhishands.
“
Thankyouf
orf
eedi
ngt
hischeeseboy
.”Hegotof
f
t
hebed.
Theodor
ashookherheadwi
thasmi
l
e.“
Bye,
Agang.
”
Het
ookof
fhi
sjacket
.“Whosai
dIwantt
ogoy
et?
”
Hepull
edhercloserandkissedher
.Shekissedhim
backunsureofwhattodo.Agangtookoffherdress
thenhelookedatherhal
fnakedbody.
“
Hav
eyouev
erhadsex?
”
“
Twi
ce.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hekissedheragainandt
hist
imetakingoffher
pant
ies.“
Iknowy ouarel
yi
ng.Youareshakingl
ikea
vi
rgi
n.”
Shebl
ushedl
ooki
ngdown.
Hepul
l
edherchi
nup.“
Don’
twor
ry,
Iwi
l
lbegent
le.
”
*
***
*
Col l
eenwal kedi nsideherhousehol di
ngabottl
eof
wat er.Shepausedf eeli
ngapai nstr
ikeheroverand
ov eragainhol di
ngherst omach.Shet ooknumer ous
deepbr eat
hsst andi ngagainstthewall.Awhil
elater
theyhaddi eddown, shetookoffhershoesand
wal kedt ot
heki tchenbar ef
ooted.Shehadbeen
feelinghepai nsf orawhi lenow.Herphoner ang
from herhandbagandshet ookitout.
“
Mom,
”
“Coll
een,wher
edi
dyougo?It
houghtyouwer
egoing
towaitformeatt
heweddi
ng.It
oldyou,
youcan’
tbe
alone,y
ouareduei
ntwoweeks.
”
“
Mom,Iam f
ineandyouweresti
ll
tal
ki
ngt
oot
her
l
adi
es,
Idi
dn’
twanttodist
urbyou.
”
“
IsI
ant
her
ewi
thy
ou?
”
Col
l
eensi
ghed.“
Yes.Hei
s.Iwi
l
lbef
ine.
”
“
Youhavetocomewi t
hmet
oMahal
apy
e,Iam not
l
eav
ingwit
houtyou.
”
“Butmamadi
dn’
twet
alkt
haty
ouwi
l
lconf
ineme
here?
”
“
NoCol
l
een,
wear
egoi
ngt
odot
hingspr
oper
ly.
”
Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.“
Whati
fIancheat
s?”
“Coll
een,amanwil
l cheati
fhewantsto.Youbeing
ther
ewon’ tst
ophi
mf r
om doi
ngso.Youhaveto
comehomeandl etmehel pyou.Thi
sisyourfi
rst
chil
d,youneedal
lthehelpandcareyoumayget .
”
“
Iam scar
ed.
”
“
Col
l
een,
ist
hatmancheat
ingony
ou?
”
“
No.
”
“Thenyouhav
enothi
ngtoworryabout
.Youare
goingt
ocomewithme,Iam goingt
ohelpyouwit
h
t
hebaby
.Hewi
l
lal
way
svi
sit
.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Good.Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Ok.
”
Sheputthephonedownt akingoutacontai
nerofice
cream f
rom t
hef r
idge.Shewal kedwit
hittot
he
sit
tingr
oom whiledial
inghisnumber.Asusual,i
t
rangunanswered.Sheputt heicecr
eam contai
ner
downdiali
nghernumbert histimearound.
“
Col
l
een,
howcanIhel
pyou?
”Sheanswer
ed.
“
Otengst
ayawayf
rom myhusband!
”
Shel
aughed.“
Sweet
y,cal
myourt
it
sdown.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
osuey
ou.
”
“
Goahead,
yourhusbandi
sgoi
ngt
opayf
ori
t.
”
Tearsstr
eameddownhercheeks.“
Hei
smar
ri
ed
Oteng!Wearehav
ingababy!
”
“
Puty
ourdogonal
eash,
yourdogi
stheonesni
ff
ing
aft
erme.Doyouseemer unni
ngaf
terhi
m?Putyour
dogonthel
eash,
ifyoudon’twewi
lldoi
tfory
ou.
”
Coll
eenputherhandoverhermout
h.“
OtengIam
pregnant
,can’
tyouunder
standt
hepai
nyouare
causingme?”
“Idon’tunderst
andanyt hi
ng, y
ouar et
heonewho
mar r
iedhim knowingfullythathewasmi ne.Andoh,
don’tloseourdaughter.Hei sleavingyouaftert
his
andIam goi ngtotakecar eoft hatchi
ld.
”
“
Godi
sgoi
ngt
opuni
shy
ou!
”
Shel
aughed.“
Wewi
l
ltal
kti
l
lthen.
”
ShehungupasColl
eenhel
dherphonei
nherhands
cr
ying.Thepai
ncameagai
n,t
hist
imest
ronger
.
“Ahhh!
”Shescr eameddr oppingthephone.Shef el
t
asifsomet hi
ngwasslashingherabdomeni nto
smallpieces.Sheknel
tont hefloorreachi
ngforher
phonethencal l
edhim again.Shegroanedclosi
ng
hereyes.Hisphonewasst i
llof
f.
Shetri
edherbrot
her’
snumberbutitwoul
dn’
tgo
t
hrough.Shel
astl
ycal
ledherl
asthope.
“Col
leen,Iam onmywayt oy ourhouse,
y ouf
or got
thefood.Ihopeyoudon’tmind,yourmotherinsist
ed
Ibri
ngit.Iam al
mostthere.
”Sheanswer ed.
“Iam i
n…ahhhhh!
”Shescr
eamed.“
Thebabyi
s
comingAnaya.
”
“
What
?Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam home.Iam goi
ngt
odr
ivet
othecl
i
nic.
”
“
OhmyGod!Iam comi
ng.
”
Colleendroppedt hephonest andi
ngupt henpr essed
thegat eremot e.Shegrabbedt hecarkey sand
slowlywal kedoutoft hehouset othecar.Herwat er
brokeasshef el
ttheneedt opush.Shepushed
herselfbackt othehouset akingoffherpantiest hen
l
aydownonherf luff
ycarpet.Thepainseemedt obe
i
ncreasing.Sheopenedherl egsfeel
i
ngt heneedt o
push.Acardr ovei nasshepushed.Secondsl ater
Anay awasr unni
ngi nsi
dethehouse.
“
Col
l
een!
”
“Thebabyi
scomingAnaya!
”Shesai
dthr
ough
gri
tt
edteet
hwhil
epushi
ng.
Anayaknel
tbeforeshaki
ngnotknowi
ngwhatt
odo
orwheretotouchscreamed“
PUSH!”
Col
l
eenpushedev
enhar
der
.Shef
elther
sel
fopenup.
“
Icanseet
hehead.Push!Pushhar
der
!”
Coll
eenpushedev
enhar
derbutst
art
edf
eel
i
ngher
ener
gysli
p.
“
Col
l
eenPush!
”
Shetri
edagai
nbutitwasi fhersoulwasfi
ght
ingto
l
eaveherbody.“
Colleen,l
i
stentome, t
hebaby’s
headisst
uck.Iwanty out
opushy ourheadupwi t
h
yourel
bowscoughing.”
“
Anay
a…”
Anayasl
appedherthi
ghhard.“
Doit!Youarenot
goi
ngtokil
lthi
sbaby!Rai
seyourheadwithyour
el
bows.Supporty
oursel
fwit
hyourelbows.Dothat
andpush.
”
Coll
eenputy ourelbowsont hefl
oorthenraisedher
headcoughing.ShepushedasAnay aslappedher
thi
ghagainscreami ngforhertopush.Shepushed
thr
icemorethent hefinalt
imefeltt
hebabysl idout
.
Shel
aybackont
hef
loorf
eel
i
ngexhaust
ed.
“
Anay
a…t
hebaby
…”
Anay
aheldt
hepal
ebabyi
nherhands.Shewasn’
t
movi
ng.
Col
leen’
shear
tski
pped.“
Anay
a,shei
ssupposedt
o
cr
y.”
Anayaslappedthebaby’
sbackbutsti
l
lnothi
ng
happened.Col
leenstar
tedcr
ying.“
No.GodNo.”
Anayasl
appedthebabyevenhardert
henheldherby
onelegt
urni
ngherupsi
dedown, headdown.She
sl
appedthebaby’
sbackhardthenshegaspedand
cri
edweakly
.
Anayagav et
hebabytoCol
leenshaki
ngast
ear
swet
hercheeks.“
Sheisf
ine.
”Shewhisper
ed.
“
Iam goi
ngtocal
lanambul
ancebutf
ir
st,
wher
eis
t
hebaby’
sbag?”
“
Godownt
hehal
l
,fi
rstr
oom t
oyourl
eft
.”
Shestoodupandquicklyrushedwhi
leColl
eenhel
d
hercry
ingbabyinherhands.Anayacamebackwith
thebagthenhandedColleenasmallbl
anket
.“Cov
er
her
.”Shesai
dal
readycal
l
inganambul
ance.

*
***
*
AnayawatchedCol
leenwi
thherbabyly
ingont he
hospi
talbedwit
hherpar
entsandbrot
heraroundher.
Thedoctorwrot
esomethi
ngonthecardthenlooked
atAnayawithasmil
e.
“
IfIdi
dn’
tknowbet
terIwoul
dsayy
ouar
ea
midwi
fe.
”
Shesi
ghed.“
Idi
dwhatIhadt
odo.
”
“Yousav edmygranddaught
erandIwil
lfor
everbe
grat
eful.”MmaMokwenasai dtaki
ngAnaya’
shands
i
ntoher s.“
Youhavedoneusahugef avorwecan
neverrepay.
”
“Sheisablessi
ngindeed.
”Thedoct
orsai
dthen
smiledatAnayaonelastt
imebefor
ewalki
ngout.
Colleensmil
ed.“Youar
emor ethanablessi
ng.You
areanangel.Ifel
tsoweakIthoughtmybabywas
goingtodiebut…”Shelookedathermother
.“Mama
Anay asl
appedmyt hi
ghshardtel
li
ngmet orai
semy
headsupport
ingmybodywi thmyel bowswhi le
pushi
ng.Thebabyjustsl
idout .Thi
nki
ngt he
ni
ghtmareisover
,thebabywasn’ tmov i
ng.Ithought
shewasdead.Anay adi
dat hi
ng, hol
dingthebaby
upsi
dedownandsl appi
ngher .Shestart
edcry i
ng.”
MmaMokwenal aughed.“Sheshoul
dhav
esl
apped
t
hoset
highsev
enhar der.
”
“Thetr
uthisAnayaisourangel
.”Mokwenasmi
led.
“Andalsoourf
utureMrs.Mokwena.Whendidy
ou
sayyouaregoingtomarryherBoi
kanyo?”
Miguel
pul
l
edAnay
ainhi
sar
mski
ssi
nghercheek.
“
Soon.”
“Il
oveyoualr
eady
.Iam r
eadyt
owel
comemy
daught
er-
law.
”
“Metoo.Mysist
eri
n-l
aw,Ihav
ecall
edherAngel
becauseoft
heAngelwhosavedherli
fe.
”
Anayasmil
edasMmaMokwenat ookherfr
om
Miguel
.“Wear
egoi
ngtogetyoufoodfr
om thecar
.
Letmehaveamomentwit
hthisbeaut
if
ulsoul
.”
Theywal
kedoutheadi
ngt
othepar
kingl
ot.“
You
knowi
nal
lthey
earsIhaveli
ved,Iwoul
dn’
tknow
whatt
odoi
fIam present
edwithawomani nl
abor
.”
Theylaughed.“
Mygr andmot heroncehel pedthi
s
woman.Ihadv isi
tedherf orholidays,shewasa
l
ov el
yladyandlovedhergr andkids.Onedayt his
womanwaspassi ngbyourhousescr eaming.No
onewashel pi
ngher ,Iremembermygr andmother
walki
ngt owar
dsherandhel pingherinsidethe
house.Iwasdoingf orm 4byt hen.Iwat chedher
helpherandinallthesey ear
sIhav eal waysthought
theentir
eexperi
encet raumat i
zedmeandIhav e
beentryi
ngtoforgetit.Ineverknewi twoul dcomein
handyoneday .
”
MmaMokwenast oppedwal
ki
ngandhuggedAnay a
t
ight
ly.“
Youhav
emademehappy .Ican’
texpl
ainmy
j
oy.”
Theycol
l
ect
edthefoodfrom Mokwena’
scarand
camebackchat
ti
ng.Angelwasalr
eadysl
eepi
ng.
“
Iam sur
eevery
onehereisti
red.I
t’
sbeenalongday
.
Mom,Iam goi
ngtobef i
ne,
youwillcomeback
t
omorrow.Youtoopapa.
”
MmaMokwenahuggedherdaught
er.“
Tomor
row,
if
t
heydi
schar
gey
ouwear egoi
ng.”
“
Yes.Mi
guel
,thanksf
orcomi
ng.
”
“
Don’
tgeti
ttwi
sted,
Icamef
ormyni
ece.
”
Col
leenlaughedrol
li
ngherey
es.“
Andt
hanky
ou
Angel’
sGodmot her
.”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
Youar
eal
way
swel
come.
”
“
Ever
yonecannowgo.Angel
andIar
esaf
eher
e.”
Theywal
kedoutasMokwenaandhi
swi
fel
edt
he
way.
Miguel
escort
edhert
owher eshehadparkedhis
RangeRoverashi
sparent
swalkedtothecarthey
hadcomewi t
h.
“Youaregoingt
odri
veyoursel
fhome,
papal
osthi
s
spect
aclesandhecan’
tdri
ve.”
“
Ok.
”
Hehuggedhertight
ly.“
Thanky
ouforwhatyoudi
d
f
orColl
een.I
tjustmademel ov
eyoumore.”
“
Idi
dwhatany
onei
nmyposi
ti
oncoul
dhav
edone.
Noneedt
othankme.
”
Heki
ssedherf
orehead.“
Ther
eis,
Ilov
eyou.
”
Het ookthecarkey
sfr
om herandunl
ockedt hecar
beforeopeni
ngthedoorf
orher.“
Iwil
ltakethecar
onMonday ,tomorr
owmymot heri
ssurelygoingt
o
dragmet ochurch.
”
“I
t’
sok.”Sheleanedoverandki
ssedhi
m.“Youwer
e
pret
tyamazingtoday.Idi
dn’
tknowyoucoul
d
dance.
”
Hegaveheracockysmil
e.“
Ast
hebestmanIhadt
o
showoffmycapabi
li
ti
es.
”
Shelaughedt
hengoti
nthecaranddr
oveawayi
n
thenight
.
.
.
.
Let
'skeepl
i
kingandcomment
ing.Ournexti
nser
t
wil
lcomeat22:30.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#21

Theodor apouredcol
dwat eri
nsidethedi shwit
hhot
watert hendippedinherhandt ocheckthe
temper atur
e.Sheaddedsomebat hsaltsbefore
undressingandsi t
ti
nginsi
det hewater.Shesighed
feel
ingt hewatersootheher.Herphoner angand
sher eachedforitontheedgeoft hebed.
“
Nay
a,”
“Hey,
youj
ustl
efty
est
erday
,Iwasgoi
ngt
odr
opy
ou
off
.”
“
Youwerebusyandhey,t
hefoodwasamazi ng.
Nay
aShatoCater
sisthebest
,that
’sal
lIcansay.
”
“
Iam sohappy
,yest
erdaywasasuccess.
”
“
Iam sur
eev
ent
hebr
idewi
l
lacknowl
edget
hat
.”
“
Idoubt
,youknowshesecr
etl
yhat
esme.
”
“
Sheshoul
dknowy
ouar
enotgoi
ngany
wher
e.”
“
Iwasact
ual
l
ysur
pri
sedt
hatherbestf
ri
endwasn’
t
t
her
e.”
“
Youknowhowsomef
ri
endsar
e.”
“Tel
lmeaboutitbutIam sat
isf
ied.Icoul
dhav e
donehermake-upincl
udi
ngherbr i
demai dsbutof
causesher
efusedthatonecompl et
ely.
”
“
Atl
easty
ouwer
eont
hef
ood.
”
“
Yeah,
Iam soexhaust
ed.Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam athome.
”
“
Iam comi
ngov
er,
Iam bor
ed.
”
“
Ok.Ihav
etot
ell
yousomet
hing.
”
“
Whati
sit
?”
“Imetthi
sguyf rom theweddi
ngyest
erday,
heis
cuteandall
.YouknowIhav enev
erhadahotman
approachme, Ididn’
tknowhowtoact.Heoffer
edto
dropmeof fathome.Hecameandchar medme.”
“
Theodor
a,don’
ttel
lmey
ousl
eptwi
thhi
m.”
“
Idi
dbutnowIfeell
ikehet
oreme.Hedidt
hingst
o
meAnaya.Hewentonandonandonnotgi
vingme
abr
eak.Andhehasabigdi
ck.It
oldhi
mtostopbut
t
hatseemedt
otur
nhi
m on.
”Shet
ear
ysai
d.
“
Iam comi
ng.Wher
eishenow?
”
“WhenIwokeup,
hewasgoneandcany
oubel
i
eve
heactual
l
ylef
taP200not
e?”
“
Don’
tcr
y.Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupr
ubbi
nghert
ear
s.
*
***
*

Thenewcoupl
ewal
kedi
nsi
deSSKai
rpor
tdr
aggi
ng
thei
rbags.
“
Babywher
edi
dyousaywear
egoi
ng?
”
Kennet
hchuckledl
ookingather
.“Rachel
,Inev
ert
old
youanyt
hing.St
optr
yingtoactsmart.
”
“
Youdon’
tunder
stand,Iam socur
ioust
oknow.
Wher
earewegoing?”
Hel
edhi
swifetowher
etheycheckedi
nbef
ore
wal
ki
ngt
otheirt
ermi
nal
.“Wearegoingt
o
Maur
it
ius.
”
Rachelexci
tedl
ylookedathi
m.“
Wai
t-ar
eyou
ser
ious?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ican’
twaitt
ogett
here,
Ihaveal
way
swant
edt
ogo
t
oanyplacewit
habeach.”
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
olov
eit
.”
Rachel
tookoutherphoneandcal
l
edLone.
“
Rachel
.”
“
Hey
,howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”
“
Iwi
l
lbef
ine,
howwast
heweddi
ng?
”
“
Itwasamazi
ngbutofcausenott
hatmuchbecause
y
ouwerenotther
e.”
“
Iam sor
ryf
ri
end.Ir
eal
l
ywi
shIcame.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oMaur
it
ius.
”
“
Wow!Havef
un.OhGod!Ihav
etogo,
Ifeel
li
ke
v
omi
ti
ng.”
“
Ok,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
ShehungupandlookedatKennet
hwithasmi
l
e.“
So
whatwasherr
easonf ornotcomi
ng?
”
“
Shei
snotf
eel
i
ngwel
l
.”
Kennet
hnoddedandki
ssedher
.“Howar
eyouMr
s.
Mokwena?”
“
Iam f
ineMr
.Mokwena.
”
Theyki
ssedwhi
l
esomepeopl
est
ared.

*
***
*

Anayadrovei
nsidetheyardtotheseven’
squar
ter
s
thenjumpedoutofthecarwalkingt
owards
Theodora’
sdoor.Sheknockedsoftl
ybefor
ewalki
ng
i
nside.
“
Hey
,wow!Youl
ookl
i
key
oudi
dn’
tsl
eepatal
l
.”
Theodor
asatupr
ightonherbed.“
Idi
dn’
t.
”
“
Didheuseacondom?
”
“
YesbutIdi
dn’
tkeepcount
.”
“
Letmesee.
”
Theodoratookoffherpant
iesandpull
edupher
dressopeningherl
egs.Anayalookedatherr
eddi
sh
vagina.
“Theoitlooksbruised.Ithi
nkweshouldgot othe
hospit
alandgety oucheckedandalsotested.And
alsogety ousomeemer gencypi
l
ls.Justtobesure.
Putony ourpanties.”
Theodor
aqui
ckl
ydr
essedt
henwal
kedoutwi
th
Anaya.
“
Ny aaAnayammal er
agol eo!Ngng.Kanaoj ani
ce
l
if
ekakwa, otsenyaweighthela.{
NoAnayay ouass.
No.Youareenjoyi
ngtheniceli
fe,yougai
ning
weight
.}
”
Anayalaughedpull
i
ngdownherredt-
shi
rtt
ocov
er
herbum.“Butthi
sismyweight,y
ouknowwhenyou
arenotworkinghowthi
ngsare.
”
“Anayathatt
rouserlooksli
keit
’saboutt
obur st
.
Yourassisfat,
itwasn’tthi
sfatwhenIfi
rstsawy ou
atthehospit
althatday.
”
Theygoti
nthecarwhil
eAnayaconti
nuedl
aughing.
Shegaveamilkshaket
oTheodoraasshetookhers
andsi
pped.“
WhatshouldIdoifsomeone’
ssonis
adamantonspoil
ingme.”
“
Ifyoul
osehim,
Iam goingt
ocry,
kanamalastia
i
bil
egakerekel
unch.{
Thisday
sIdon’
tbuylunch.}
”
Anayastart
edthecarl
aughi
ng.Sher
eversedout
thendr
ov etot
hehospi
tal
.“Sowhoisthi
sguy?”
“
Hei
stheguywhowasdanci
ngnaught
il
y.
”
Anay
afr
ownedt
ryi
ngt
orecal
l
.“Who?
”
“
Agang.
”
“
What
?”
“
Youknowhi
m?”
“
Yeah…he…i
sMi
guel
’
sbr
other
.”
“
Whydoy
ouhav
ethatf
ace?
”
Anay
aglancedather.“Becausethereisaroadblock
andwearebeingst
opped. ”Shepulledthecart
ot he
si
deoftheroadasthesoldierwalkedtoherwindow.
Sherol
l
editdownalreadytakingherpurse.
“
Mam,
li
censepl
ease,
”
Shehandedhim herl
icense.Hel
ookedather
.“You
wereoverspeedi
ng.”
“
Iwas?
”
Thesol
diersmi
led.“
Yes.Thespeedl
i
miti
s40km/
hr
andyouweregoingat50km/hr
.”
“
Real
l
y?Idi
dn’
tnot
ice.
”
“
Iam char
gingy
ou.
”
“
Please,
Iam af
ir
stt
imeof
fender
.Can’
tyouf
orgi
ve
me?”
Helookedatherlicenseandchuckl
ed.“Anayaweh,
keagocharger,
or obil
emol ao.{
AnayaIam char
ging
you,y
ouhav ebrokent hel
aw.}”
Sheputherhandstogetherinaprayi
ngmanner.“I
am beggi
ngyou,itwi
llneverhappenagai
n.Ihave
l
eantmylesson.”
Helookedatherbeggingf
aceforawhil
ethen
l
aughed.“Iam l
ett
ingi
tsli
dthi
soneti
me.ButIam
goi
ngtot akey
ourdriv
er’
sli
censenumberandyour
number.”
“
Ok.
”
Shegav ehim hernumberwhil
eheret
urnedher
l
icense.“Youcango,fol
lowtheroadl
aws.”
“
Iwi
l
l.
”
Shest
art
edt
hecarandj
oinedt
her
oad.
“Hey!Iwassoscared,
sol
dier
sar
escar
y.”Theodor
a
sai
dbr eat
hingout
.
Anayalaughed.“Metoo.I
maginebeingchargedwi
th
someoneel se’
scar
,dosoldi
ersevenchargepeopl
e
though?”
“
No,
Idon’
tknow,
younev
err
eal
l
yknow.
”
Awhi l
elatert
heywal kedinsi
dethehospi tal.Anaya
remainedinthewai t
ingareawhileTheodor awal ked
tothegynaecologist
’soff
ice.Sheloggedi non
facebookandsawCol l
een’sbabypi ct
ures.Sheliked
thepict
uresthencont i
nuedscroll
ingmi ndlessl
y.
Afterawhile,
sheloggedoutandl ookedatAgang’ s
numberf orawhilewonder i
ngifsheneededt ocall
him ornot.
“
Hey
,Iam done,
let
’sgo.
”
Theyst
oodupandwalkedoutwhi
l
eAnay
aputher
phonei
nherpocket
.
“
Whatdi
dthedoct
orsay
?”
“
Hesai
dit
’sj
usti
rr
it
ati
on,
not
hingi
stor
n.”
“
ThankGod.
”
“
Ifeel
soused.Butatl
eastIam negat
ivef
orHI
V.”
“
Good,
nowwegety
out
hepi
l
l.
”
“
Yes.
”
Anayaunlockedthecarandopenedthedoor
.“And
wheredoy outhi
nkyouaregoinginmyman’scar?
”
Loneaskedapproachingthem.
Anayal
ookedatherandsi
ghed.“
HowcanIhel
p
you?
”
“Nana,
Idon’
twantt
ofi
ghtwi
thy
ou.Handmet
hose
carkey
s.”
Anayalaughed.“
Youaref
ull
ofjokes.Tsenamo
kol
oingTheodora.{
Geti
nthecarTheodora.
}”
“Honey
,Iwi
l
lmopt
hegr oundwit
hyourass,Isai
d
giv
ememyman’scarkeys,whodoyouthinkyou
ar
e?”
Anayagotinthecarandcl osedthedoorlocki
ngit.“
I
am Miguel
’sgirl
fr
iend,Iknowit’
shardacceptinghe
doesn’
twanty ouany morebutdon’tt
hinkIwill
watchyouharassme.Tr ymeandy ouwillseewhat
happens.
”
Shest
art
edt
hecarput
ti
ngonherseat
bel
t.
Lonelaughed.“
Ok,enj
oyt
hiswhil
sti
tst
il
ll
ast
s.
MiguelandIarehavi
ngababy,
heisgoi
ngtocome
backtome. ”
“
Youar
edesper
atei
t’
spat
het
ic.
”
Shedr
oveof
fleav
ingst
andi
ngLoner
ightt
her
e.
“
Wow!Somuchdr
amai
noneday
.”
Anayashookwi
thangerasshedr
ove.“
Shei
str
ying
me.”
“Don’tl
ethergetyouworkedup.Sheisoneoft hose
bit
terexgir
lf
riendsandyouknowhowt heyare.Did
youseeherf l
attummy ?Shei
snotpregnant,
shei s
j
ustmaki ngitup.”
“
Idon’
tev
enknowwhyIam angr
y,mxm,
shei
snot
ev
enwor
thmyt
ime.
”
“Yousee?Shei
ssobi
tt
er.Youdon’
tknowwhat
bit
ter
nesscandot
oyou.
”
Theylaughed.“
Sheisl
ookingforatt
enti
on,Iam not
goingtogivei
ttoher
.It
’sSunday,Iwil
lgi
veall
my
att
enti
ontoGod. ”
“
That
’st
hespi
ri
t.
”
Theypassedbythephar
macybeforeAnayadropped
offTheodor
abackatherhouse.“
Iwil
lseeyou
tomorrowatwor
k.”
“
CanIhav
eAgang’
snumber
?”
Anayalookedather
.“Yes.Ofcause.Letmesendi
t
ri
ghtnow.”
Shetookherphoneandsentt
henumbert
o
Theodor
a.
“
Thanks.Andt
hanky
ouf
ort
oday
.”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”

*
***
*
Coll
eenwatchedherbabysucki
ngonherbreastwi
th
herphoneonherear.Shel
ist
enedasI
an’sphone
rang.
“
Col
l
een.
”
“
Igav
ebi
rt
htoourdaught
er.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Whati
sthatsupposedt
omean?
”
“
Col
l
een,
Iam atwor
k,wewi
l
ltal
klat
er.
”
“I
anIgav
ebirt
hinsi
dethehouse.Thebabyal
most
di
edand‘oh’
isal
lyoucansaytome? ”
“
Whatdoy
ouwantmet
osay
?”
“
Comeandseey
ourchi
l
d.”
“
Iwi
l
lcomel
ater
.”
“
Ok,
Ilov
eyou.
”
Shehear
dhi
m si
gh.“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
“Bri
ngus-
“Herphonebeeped.Hehadhungup.She
bli
nkedawayhert
earsbutshewasfai
l
ing.Atearf
ell
onherdaught
er’
scheekandshecar
eful
l
ywi
pedi
t
away.
Colleenqui
ckl
yrubbedhert
earswhenshehear
da
knockonherdoorthenputherboobbacki
nher
dress.“Comein!
”
Agangwal
kedi
nhol
dingbal
l
oonsandf
lower
s.
“Hey!
”
Col
l
eensmi
l
ed.“
Youar
eher
e.”
“
Iam.
”Hehandedhert
hebal
l
oonsandf
lower
s.“
For
y
ouandAngel
.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Shei
ssot
iny
.”
“
Thedoct
orsai
dshei
sbi
g.”
Agangshookhi
shead.“
Shel
ooksl
i
kea…”
Col
l
eeney
edhi
m.“
Don’
tinsul
tmybaby
.”
“
Iwon’
t.Shei
sbeaut
if
ull
i
kehermot
her
.”
“
Thanks.
”
“
Ihear
dwhathappened.
”
Coll
eentookadeepbr
eat
hinthenexhal
ed.
“Yest
erdaywasj
ustdr
ama.”
“
Atl
eastAnay
awast
her
e.”
“Yes.AndtothinkIkindofdisl
i
kedher .
”Sheshook
herhead.“Andf orcomplet
enor eason.Shehas
beennicetomeev ersi
ncethedayshef ir
stmetme.
Ifeelsoguil
ty.
”
“
Whydi
dyoudi
sli
keher
?Anay
aisl
ovel
y.
”
“Ij
ustthoughtshewasoneofthosegirl
s.It
old
Miguelthr
eemont hsagoandhejustl
ookedatme
sadl
y,henev eri
ntr
oducedmetoher.”
“YouknowhowMigueli
s.Ti
ll
helosesitofcause.
Butyouhav
enoreasontohateNaya.
”
“
Iknow.Ial
soknowt
haty
oust
il
lwanther
.”
Agangf
rowned.“
NoIdon’
t.
”
“
Yesyoudo.Isawhowy
ouwer
elooki
ngather
y
est
erday
.”
“
Idon’
t.Shei
smybr
other
sgi
rl
fr
iend.
”
“
Ihopeso,
any
way
sIam hear
ingKennywentt
o
Maur
it
ius.
”
“
Hedi
d.”
“
That
’s-
“
“
Knockknock…”Anay
ast
oodbyt
hedoor
.
“
Hey
,comeoni
n.”Col
l
eenwav
edheri
n.
TheybothwatchedAnay aasshewalkedin,i
twasn’
t
hardt
onot i
cehervolupt
uousbodyandsmal lwai
st.
Shehadherbr ai
dsti
edintoabunexposingher
beaut
if
ulface.Shewasanat ural
beauty
,even
wit
houtmake-upshest i
l
l l
ookedwonderful
.
“
IhopeIam notdi
stur
bing.
”
“
No.
”Col
l
eenr
espondedwi
thasmi
l
e.“
Ist
hatf
or
me?
”
Anay
agav
ehert
hef
rui
tyoghur
t.“
Yes.
”
“
HeyAnay
a,”
AnayalookedatAgang.“
Hi.Iwasdr
ivi
ngbyand
thoughtt
oseey ou.
”
“
Thanky
ou.Unf
ort
unat
elyy
ourAngel
issl
eepi
ng.
”
Anayalookedatt
hebabywhowassl
eepi
ngon
Col
leen’
schest.“
Shei
ssocute.
”
“
Iknow.
”
“
Iwi
l
lleav
eyouguy
snow.
”
“
Thanky
ouf
orcomi
ngby
.”
“
It
’sok.
”
Anay
awal
kedoutwhi
l
eCol
l
eenopenedhery
oghur
t.
“
Look,
Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Ok.Thanks,
fort
hef
lower
sandbal
l
oons.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come,
staysaf
e.”Hewal
kedout
.

*
***
*

“Anay
a!Wait
!”Agangcal
ledfrom behi
ndAnay
aas
shegoti
nthecarattheparki
nglot.
“
Hi,
”
“
Hey
,youl
ookedbeaut
if
uly
est
erday
.”
“
Thanks.Yout
oo.
”
Henoddednotsur
eofwhatt
osay
.“Andt
hef
ood
wasdel
ici
ous.
”
“
Iam gl
ady
oul
i
kedi
t.
”
Helookedathersof
thandswit
hshortnai
l
sholding
thest
eeri
ng.“Doyouwanttogooutf
orlat
elunch?
Asfri
ends.
”
“
Agangl
astni
ghty
ousl
eptwi
thmyf
ri
end.
”
Hef
rowned.“
Who?
”
“
Theodor
a,i
fyouar
enotseri
ousIwoul
dappr
eci
ate
i
tify
oustay
edawayfr
om her.
”
“
Why?
”Hel
ookedi
ntoherbr
owney
es.“
Whyshoul
d
I
?”
Herpinkishlipswerecall
ingforhi
m,shepart
ed
t
hem slightlythenranhertongueonherl
owerli
p.He
l
eanedov er
,closi
ngthedistancebet
weenthem
whil
einhal i
nghersweetscent .
“
Tel
lmewhyAnay
a.”
.
.
.
Goodni
ght
..
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#22

Anay
alookedatAgangt
hensi
ghedsadl
y.
“Agang,Theodoraismyf r
iend,matteroffact
,sheis
myonl yfr
iend.Iknowshemaycomeof fnaïv
ebutI
wil
lnotletyouuseherbecausey out hi
nkIam
j
ealous.Iam notjeal
ous,matteroffactIwouldbe
happyifyouwer eactual
l
yser i
ous.Pleasemov e,
I
wanttogo. ”
“
Inev
ersai
dyouar
ejeal
ous.
”
“Good,becausei
twoul
dhav ebeenr
eal
l
ysadand
disappoi
nti
ngify
outhoughtso.
”
Hesteppedbackandshecl
osedthedoor
.She
st
art
edt hecaranddr
oveof
f.Herphoner
angasshe
dr
oveheadedbackhome.
“
Miguel
,
”
“Hey
,wher
ear
eyou?Comepi
ckmeupf
rom
chur
ch.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Youar
est
il
latchur
ch?
”
“Yes,
itdoesn’
tend.Thepast
ori
sst
il
lpr
eachi
ng.I
am ti
red.
”
“
No,
youneedGod.St
ayt
her
eandgetpr
ayedf
or.
”
“
Babepl
ease,comeandgetme.Nnammakel api
l
e
i
bil
eket
swereketl
ala.{
Iam t
ir
edandhungr
y.}
”
“
Sendmet
hel
ocat
ion,
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Bri
ngmef
ood.
”
Shehungupt
aki
ngadi
ff
erentdi
rect
ion.
Almostthir
tyminuteslater
,sheparkedbythesideof
theroadjustaf
terthechurchgateandwat ched
Miguelwalktowardsthecarinchinopants,awhite
tur
tl
eneckandabr ownj acket.Hewalkedtothe
passengerseatandjumpedi n.
“
Chur
chboy
.”Anay
ateasedhandi
nghi
m hi
sfood.
“
Eish,
Iwasaboutt
odi
e.”
Shesmil
edthenstar
teddri
vi
ng.“
Ihav
ebeen
wonder
ingaroundalott
oday.
”
Hetookoutadr
umst
ickandt
ookabi
te.“
Whatwer
e
youdoi
ng?”
“IhadtotakeTheodor
atothehospital
andfrom
theredr
opheroffatherhouse.IwenttoseeAngel
andColleentoo.
”
Herphonerangandhet
ooki
tandanswer
edput
ti
ng
onloudspeaker
.
“
Anay
ayouknowy
ouowemer
ight
?”
Miguel
’sf
acechangedasAnay
afr
owned.“
Whoi
s
t
his?”
“
It
’sBame.Wemetearl
i
erwhenyouwer
ebr
eaki
ng
t
helaw.Ishoul
dhav
echar
gedyou.
”
“Ar
epoli
ceoffi
cersall
owedt otakepeopl
e’
s
numbersoryoujustusey ourt
it
letohi
tonwomen?
”
Miguel
askedclearl
ypissed.
“
Ist
hisAnay
a’sphone?
”
“
Yes,
whatdoy
ouwant
?”
“
IwantAnay
a,whyar
eyouanswer
ingherphone?
”
“
Iwi
ll
fuckyouup,youcal
lmywi
fe’
sphoneandt
hink
y
oucantal
knonsense.
”
“
Sheisnoty ourwifeandeveni
fshewas,that
woul
dn’tst
opme.Gi v
etheownerherphone,Idon’
t
wantt
ot al
kt oyou.IwantAnay
a.”
“Youmustpr obablythinkbecausey ouar eapol
i
ce
offi
ceryouar euntouchable,Iwillmakey ouregr
et
thi
s,youliketesti
ngpeopl ebutIam notpeopl e,
Iwill
makey ouanexampl e.
”Hecl ickedhi stongue
hangingup.Anay ashookwi thf earwithhereyes
focusedont heroad.Mi guelputhi sfooddownand
satsil
entl
ymaki ngAnay awonderwhathewas
thi
nking.Thiswast hefirstt
imesomet hingli
ket
hat
happenedandshecoul dn’tstopt hi
nkingofwhathe
wasgoi ngtodot oher.Awhi lelater,shewasdrivi
ng
i
nsidehisgat e.
“
Par
kthecari
nsi
det
hegar
age.
”
Anayal
ookedathi
m br
ief
lyt
hendroveinsi
dethe
opengar
age.Hest
eppedoutandclosedthegar
age
gat
easshecl
i
mbedoutoft
hecar
.
“Imethim ataroadblockandhesaidIwasover
speeding.HewasgoingtochargemebutIbegged
him nottothenhetookmylicensenumberand
phonenumber .”
“
Washet
raf
fi
ccop?
”
“
Asol
dier
.”
Miguellookedatherf
orawhi
le.“Heisnotat
raf
fi
c
cop,heisnotevenapoli
ceof
ficer
,howwashe
goingtochargeyou?”
“
Iwasscar
ed.Iwi
l
lbl
ockhi
snumber
.”
“
Anay
a?”
Shel
ookedathi
m herhear
tpoundi
ng.
“
Babe?
”
“
Miguel
..
.”Sher
espondedshaki
ng.
“
Ilov
eyou,Idon’
twantt
ogot
ojai
l
.”Hewal
kedt
o
t
hedoorunlocki
ngi
t.
Anayaqui
ckl
yblockedtheBame’
snumberand
walkedi
nsi
dethehouse.Hewasn’
tint
hesit
ti
ng
room.Shewalkedtohisbedroom whereshecoul
d
heartheshowerrunni
ngthenstr
ippedandjoi
ned
him wrappi
ngherarmsaroundhiswaist.
“
Arey
oumad?
”
Hetur
nedandl
ookedathercuppi
ngherf
ace.“
Iam
annoy
ed.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedherpushi
ngheragai
nst
t
hewall
.
“Hebetterhopewedon’
tevermeet.”Hemenaci
ngl
y
whisperednibbl
i
ngherl
i
ps.“Becauseifwedo,
heis
goi
ngt oregreti
t.
”
Anayastoodonhertoesandki
ssedhim,wrappi
ng
herhandsaroundhi
sneck.Hepickedherupand
ai
medatherent r
ancebefor
epushingi
n.

*
***
*

Thef
oll
owi
ngdayi
nthemor
ning,
Lonewal
kedi
nsi
de
MokwenaLogist
icswi
thconf
idenceheadi
ngt
othe
r
ecept
ioni
st.
“
Hi,
Iam heret
oseeMr
.Mokwena,
it’
sver
y
i
mport
ant.
”
“
Youdon’
thav
eanappoi
ntment
?”
“
Yesbuti
tisi
mpor
tant
.”
“
Hei sbusyanddon’
tthi
nkyoucandowhatyoudid
l
asttime,Iwi
ll
cal
lsecur
it
yfory
ou.”Ther
ecept
ioni
st
warned.
Lonetookoutherphonesteppingawayfr
om the
recept
ionthendi
aledMiguel
’snumber.I
trangfora
whilebef
oreitwasanswered.
“Lonewhatdoy
ouwant
?”Hi
svoi
cewascol
dand
harsh.
“Ihavesomethingimpor
tantIhav
etot
ell
you.Iam
attherecept
ion.”
“
Tel
lmenow.
”
“Miguel,
it’
sfi
nei
fy oudon’
twanttoknowabouty
our
chi
ld.”Shehungthenstar
tedwalki
ngawaybutas
shereachedthedoors,t
herecepti
oni
stcal
l
edher
back.
“
Youcangot
hrough.
”
Lonewalkedbackandsmil
ed.“
Bev
erycar
eful
,you
aret
readi
ngont hi
nice.
”
Shewal kedtotheelevatorandgotinfoingov erher
words.Shest eppedoutsecondslaterandhi sPA
mot i
onedshegoest hrough.Lonewal kedinsidehi s
offi
ceandf oundhim sit
tingonhischair.Shecl osed
thedoorbehindhert aki
ngoutasmal l envel
opef rom
herhandbagandwal kedtowardshim.
“
Sur
pri
se.
”
Sheputi
tonhisdeskandwatchedhi
m openi
t.He
readt
hepaperthenl
ookedather.
“
Lonedi
dyoupur
posel
yfal
lpr
egnant
?”
“
What
?”
“
Youhear
dme,don’tt
hinkIam af
ool
.”Hest
oodup.
“
Didy
ouplant
his?
”
“Idi
dn’
tpl
anthi
sandifyoudi
dn’
twantababyy
ou
coul
dhaveusedpr
otect
ion.
”
“
Soy
ouar
eadmi
tt
ingt
haty
oudi
ditonpur
pose?
”
“Miguel
Iam pregnantwi
thy
ourson,
thebabyi
s
al
readyher
e.”
Helookedatherf
latstomachthenl
aughed.“
Inev
er
knewyoucouldbethisconni
vi
ng.”
“MiguelIloveyou.Afterallt
heyearsIhaveinvest
ed
my sel
fintoyou,youjustdecidedtotossmel i
kea
usedcondom.Youhav ehurtmebef orebutIf
orgave
you.Ilovedyouev enafteryouhurtmeMi gueland
becauseofonl yonemi stakeyoujustpret
endedasif
Iwasnot hingtoyou.Yes!Ididitpurposel
ybecauseI
l
ovey ou.Iloveyouwi thallmyheartandIam not
goingtolosey outosomey ounggir
l.”
Mi
guel
lookedatherspeechl
essl
y.
“Ist
ruggledwithyouMiguel,y
ouhadnot hing.Ilov
ed
you.Todayy ouwalkaroundwi t
hAnay alikeIdon’t
evenexist.Doyoureal
izehowmucht hathurtsme.
Hadt hi
sgi r
lmetyouwhent heonl yt
hingy ouknew
howt odrivewasawheel bar
rowdoy outhinkshe
wouldstickaround?Youdidn’tevenhav eboxer
short
s.Ipickedyou,washedy ouandcl othedy ou.
Every
thingbecauseIl oveyou.Todayyouarer i
ch
youdecidey oudon’tneedthisbankadministr
ator.
Thisstupidgirlwholovedyouwheny ouwer eatyour
l
owest .Miguelifyoudon’twantmychildtel
lmenow
sothatIcanl eave.Iam donebeggingyou.It
’seit
her
meandt hi
schildorAnay a.
”

*
***
*

Anayawal
kedinsi
deherof f
iceandsatdown.She
l
ookedatherphone,
Mi guelhadn’
tcal
l
edy etorev
en
text
edasusual
.Shesighedputti
ngherphonedown.
“
Naya,hey,
”hercol
l
eagueknockedonherdoor
wal
ki
ngi n.
“
Hi.
”
“Look,
ther
eisameeti
nginthi
rt
yminut
eswit
hthe
bossesandthebi
gboss.Heiscomi
ngher
e.”
“
What
’st
heagenda?
”
“
Idon’
tknowt
oo.Iwasj
usti
nfor
medr
ightt
his
morni
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
“Mr.Bwon’tbein,
heisonsickleavesoIhavebeen
tol
dtotel
lyouthatyouwi
ll
fill
i
ngf orhi
mtil
lhe’
s
back.
”
“
Ok,
thanky
ouf
oral
ert
ingme.
”
ShewalkedoutasAnayaswit
chedonhercomput
er.
Shelookedi
ntothecompanybookschecki
ngi
f
ever
ythi
ngwasinorder
.
Thirt
ymi nuteslatershewaswal kingwithherother
coll
eaguesi nsi
det heconferenceroom.Once
everyonesat ,
Mi guelstr
odeinandsatdownl ooki
ng
atthem.Hewasn’ ttheMi guelwhowasbr eathi
ngon
herneckl astnight,t
hiswast hebusinessman
Miguel,f
ocusedandi ncont r
ol.
“Goodmor ning,fi
rstl
yIwoul dl
iket
oapologi
zefor
thesuddenmeet i
ngbutIam happyev er
yoneishere.
Thereasony ouar eallhereist
hatIwanttoknowthe
progressofthehot el
.Wear egoingtost
artwit
hthe
number s.
”Hel ookedar ound.“
WhereisMr.
Bernards?”
“
Hei
sonsi
ckl
eav
e,Ms.Shat
ohast
akenov
erhi
s
of
fi
cet
il
lhei
sback.
”
“
Shecanst
art
.”
Anayashookwi thfearbutkeptapokerf aceon
standi
ngup.Shewal kedinf rontofev eryoneand
tookadeepbr eathinbeforesummar izingthe
company ’
sbooksofnumber s.Shewasgr atef
ulto
haveMr .Bernar
dsashersuper visor
.Sheanswer ed
allt
hequest i
onswithconfidencebef oret aki
ngher
seatwhilesomeoneel setookov er.Ov ertwohours
l
ater,t
heywer ewalkingoutoft heconf erenceroom.
Anayawal kedtoheroffi
ceandsatdownasher
phonerang.
“Canwemeetupf
orl
unch?
”Mi
guel
askedassoon
asshepi
cked.
“
Yes.
”
“
Comet
omyof
fi
ce.
”
“
Ok.Ar
eyouok?Yousoundabi
tof
f.
”
“
Yah,
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
*
***
*

I
anwalkedinsi
deOteng’
shousewhil
eshest
oodi
n
t
hemiddleofthehousecl
ear
lynothappy
.
“
Babe,
what
’swr
ong?
”
“
Ithoughty
ousai
dyouwer
edi
vor
cingher
.”
“
Iam butr
ightnowshei
sst
il
l-
“
“Sheisst
il
lwhat?Yourwife?Ishouldhaveknown
thatyouwereusi
ngmeal lalongIan.Ij
ustcan’
t
beli
eveIchosetofal
lfori
t.”
“
Babe,
that
’snott
rue.Il
ovey
ousomuch.
”
“
Thendi
vor
ceher
.”
“
Iam,
it’
sjustwemar
ri
ed-
“
“Signoveryourthi
ngstomei fy
ougotmar r
iedi
n
communi tyofproper
ty.Iwi
ll
keepthem whi
leyou
divorceherthensi
gnthem backwhenyouar ef
inal
l
y
singl
e.”
“No,wearenotmarr
iedincommuni
tyofpr
oper
ty,
i
t’sj
ustt
hatherbr
othercanmakemylif
eali
vi
ng
hell
.”
“
Makeapl
anI
anbecauseIcan’
tcar
ryonl
i
ket
his.
”
Hekissedher
.“Iwi
l
ldoi
t.Don’
twor
ry.Inev
erl
oved
Col
l
een. ”
“Goanddivor
ceher.Youknowshecal
l
edmet
he
otherdayhar
assi
ngme.”
“
Shedi
dwhat
?”
“
Shehar
assedme.Iam t
ir
edoft
his.
”
“
Ott
ie,
Iwi
l
lsor
titoutmyl
ove,
Ipr
omi
se.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hekissedherunt
yingherr
obexposi
ngherthi
nbody
.
Hi
sphoner angandshereachedf
ori
t.Theybot
h
l
ookedatthecall
erID.
“Hell
o?”Sheanswer
edhi
sphonewhi
l
eheki
ssedher
nippl
es.
“
Oteng,
letmet
alkt
omyhusband.
”
“
Sweet
y,wear
ebusy
.Takecar
eofourdaught
er
ok?
”
“Ot
engGodi sgoi
ngt opuni
shyou.Mytear
swil
lnot
gosil
ent
ly.Youwil
lrememberthi
sday.Letmetal
k
tomyhusband,Ineedmoney .
”
Otengl
aughed.“Sorr
ysweet
y,youarenotgoi
ngto
getacentf
rom myman, andheisnevergoi
ngto
comebacktoy ou.Ci
ao!
”
Shehungthenwentdownonherkneestakingout
I
an’sdi
ckandputital
li
nhermouthwithoutgaggi
ng.

*
***
*

Coll
eenheldthebedfeeli
ngsharppai nonherchest
.
Sheslowlysl
idtothegroundfail
i
ngt obreat
he.Her
eyeswateredasshegaspedf orair
.Itfel
tasift
he
painwasblocki
ngheroxy gen.
“Hi
,canyouhearme?”Shehear
dav
oicey
eti
t
soundedsofaraway
.
“Hey,
rel
ax.Justf
ocusonbreat
hingok,cal
m down.
Breat
he,y
ougotthis.Youar
egoingtobefi
ne,you
hav
enot
hingt
owor
ryabout
.Rel
axandbr
eat
he.
”
Coll
eenhel
dthelady’
shandfoll
owinginst
ruct
ions
ti
l
lshecoul
dfinal
lybr
eatheproper
ly.Thel
ady
hel
pedherup.
“
Arey
ouok?
”
“
Yes,
IthoughtIwas…”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Don’
twor
ry.I
t’
snot
hing.Si
t.
”
Coll
eenlookedatherbabywhowasl
yingonthe
courtbesi
deherbedthensatont
hebed.“
Thank
you.
”
“
Don’
twor
ry,
it’
sfi
ne.
”
Shel
ookedatherwhi
tecour
tthenatherbadge.
“
Thanky
ouv
erymuchDr
.Rams.
”
“
Don’
tsweati
t.What
’sy
ourname?
”
“
Col
l
een.
”
“
Coll
eenyouarebeaut
if
ulandsoi
syourbaby
,
what
’shername?”
“
Angel
.”
“I
ndeedshedoesl
ooklikeanAngel
.Justl
i
keher
mother.Newmom? ”Dr
.Ramsaskedlooki
ngatt
he
bal
loons.Col
l
eennodded.
“
Yes.
”
“
Congr
atul
ati
ons.Whyar
eyoucr
ying?Ar
ethose
t
ear
sofjoy,
Coll
een?”
Shet
ri
edt
ospeakbutr
athert
ear
sfel
l
.
“Cr
yifyoufeeltheneedto.Ialwayswonderwhat
peoplemeanwhent heysaycr yi
ngmakesy ouweak.
Cryi
nghelpsyoudeal wit
hy ouremoti
ons.Ofcause
nothi
ngwiththesit
uationyouarecurr
entl
ygoing
thr
oughwi l
lchangebutyouremot i
onswill
calm
down.”
Coll
een’
sli
pst
rembledasshebegantocr
y.She
sobbedwit
hherhandoverhermout
h.
“
It
’spai
nful
.”
“
It
’snev
ernotpai
nful
.”Dr
.Ramshuggedher
.
“Ikeeppr
ayi
ngthathewoul
dsnapoutofi
tbut
…”
Sheshookherhead.
“
Sit
uat
ionschangeusbutdon’
tlett
hem r
educey
ou.
Ial
wayssayt
hatthesi
tuat
ionsthathurtusaret
he
l
essonst
hatwil
lmakeusdiffer
entinthefut
ure.
”
“
Hei
scheat
ing,
wit
hhi
sex.
”
Dr.Ramsgav eheracardwithhercont
actdetai
ls.
“Yest
erdaymayhav ebeenabadday ,t
odayisworse
butnomat terhowbaditmayseem, l
if
ewi l
lal
ways
goonan, tomorrowmightbebett
er.Gi
vemeacal l
,I
wouldsitandchatbutdutycal
l
s.Sayhi t
oAngel f
or
me.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Thedoctort
urnedandsmi
l
ed.“
Youar
ewel
come
Col
leen.
”
.
.
.
Keeponl
iki
ngandcomment ing,
yourf
eedback
keepsmegoing.Goodni
ght
..
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#23

Therecept
ioni
statMokwenaLogist
icslaughedwith
hert
woco- worker
seat
ing.Anayawalkedinandthey
al
lst
aredatherassheapproachedthem.
“
Goodaf
ter
noon,
Iam her
etoseeMr
.Mokwena.
”
Therecepti
oni
stsmil
ed.“Letmecal
lhi
sPA.
”She
tookthephoneandcall
edRebaone.
“
Yes?
”
“
Ther
eisal
adyher
etoseeMr
.Mokwena.
”
“
Whoi
sit
?”
Therecept
ioni
stl
ookedatAnay
a.“
What
’sy
our
name?”
“
Anay
aShat
o.”
“
Shesay
sshei
sAnay
a.”
Rebaonecli
ckedhert
onguemaki
ngt
her
ecept
ioni
st
l
augh.“Letheri
n.”
“
Ok.
”
Sheputt
hephonedown.“
Youcango,
thel
astf
loor
.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Anay
atur
nedandwal
kedt
owar
dst
hel
i
ft.
“
Thisgir
lisglowi
ng,moneyi
streat
ingherwel
l
.”The
r
ecepti
onistsai
dtohercowor
kers.
“Ihear
dshei sahardwor keratthehot
elanddoesn’
t
evengetfavorsbecauseshei sdati
ngtheboss
himsel
f.”Acoworkerresponded.
“Shedoeslookli
keahardworkerandsheist
oo
pret
ty.Il
oveherbody
.”Anot
hercoworkerchi
ppedi
n.
“
Rebaonesai
dshewasn’
tbeauti
ful
,It
oldy
oushe
want
edthebossandnowsheisbit
ter
.”
Theyl
aughedandcont
inuedchat
ti
ngwhi
l
eeat
ing.

*
***
*

Anayawalkedi
nsi
deMi guel’
soffi
cewhi
lehespoke
onthephone.Heglancedupleani
ngbackonhis
chai
r,l
ooki
ngincharge.Shesatdownputt
ingher
handbagonherl
apwhi
l
ehewr
appeduphi
scal
l
.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shebl
ushed.“
Thanks.
”
“
Ihav
esomet
hingIhav
etot
ell
you,
Ionl
yfoundout
t
oday.
”
Herhear
tst
art
edr
aci
ng.“
Whati
sit
?”
“
Lonecameby
.”
Al
lbl
ooddr
ainedfr
om herf
aceasshewai
tedf
or
hi
mtocont
inue.
“
She…shei
spr
egnant
.”
Anay aremainedsti
ll
,i
tfeltasifshehadjustbeen
slappedacrosstheface.Her ubbedhi
shandsi na
nervousmannert henstoodupwal ki
ngroundhis
tableti
l
l hewasrighti
nf r
ontofher.
“
Ijustwant
edt
otel
lyout
hisf
ir
st.
”
“Howf ari
sshe?Whenwemety out
oldmeyouhad
brokenupfourmont
hsbacksoaccordi
ngt
ologi
c
sheissomewherebetweensev
enmonthsorso.
”
“
Shei
sthr
eemont
hspr
egnant
.Isl
eptwi
thhert
hree
mont
hsagobutt
hatwasbef
oreus.
”
Shel
ookedinhi
sey
es.“Whydidn’
tyoubot
hert
ell
i
ng
methatyouwer
est
il
lfucki
ngherwhenemet?”
“
Babe,
thi
sdoesn’
tchangeany
thi
ng.
”
Anay
ast
oodup.“
Ist
hatwhaty
out
hink?
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“Ican’
tbel
ieveyoudeci
dedtotel
lmethi
sheresoI
wouldgolookinghear
tbr
okenandhav
ey ourwor
ker
s
gossipaboutme.”
“
Wecangot
oget
her
.”
“
Iam hur
tBoikanyo,
givemesomespacebutt
hank
y
ouforyourhonesty
.”
Hegr abbedherhand.“ Il
ovey ouandIknowi t’
s
painf
ul butIswearIdi dn’
tsleepwi t
hLonewhi leI
waswi thy ou.Ididn’
tplanthis.Canwepl easedeal
withittogetherasacoupl e.Wewi llgoandseeLone
todaytoget her.Youarepartofmyl ifeandit’
sonl
y
fai
rIincludey ouinsuchmat ter
s.”
“ImetLoney
est
erday,
thatwomanisful
lofdrama
Boikany
oandIt
oldyoufrom t
hev
erybeginni
ngthat
Ial
readyhaveenoughgoingonforme.Soonenough
mymot herwil
lbestar
ti
ngherradi
ati
ontr
eatment
andnowIhav etodealwi
thyourbabymama.”
“
Wewi l
ldealwit
hev er
ythi
ngtogether.
”Hepul
l
edher
i
nforakiss.“
Ipromiseyou.Anayakanakeagorat
a,
omosadi wame.{AnayaIl
ovey ou,youar
emy
woman.}
”
“
Ihav
etogobackt
owor
k.Ihav
eal
ott
odo.
”
“
Iwi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
f.
”
“
Iam f
ine.By
e.”
Shewalkedoutandsmi ledatRebaone.Shegoti
n
thel
i
ftandletitwhiskherbacktothegroundfl
oor
whereshesteppedoutheadingtowardstheexi
t.
Shefl
aggedat axiwhichwasdroppingoffsomeone
andhurr
iedtowardsit.
“
C-SKYhot
el?
”
“
Geti
n.”
Shegotatt
hebackandcl
osedthedoor
.Herphone
rangt
hedri
verst
art
eddr
ivi
ng.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
”amal
evoi
cer
esponded.
“
Whoi
sthi
s?”
“
Wher
eisy
ourboy
fri
end?
”
Sherecogni
zedthev
oiceimmediat
ely
.“Bame,
you
hear
dmyboy fr
iendyest
erday
.”
Hel
aughed.“So?Youarenotmarri
edt
ohim andas
f
arasIam concer
ned,hedoesn’
townyou.
”
“
Irespect
-“
“
Youar
ejustscar
edofhi
m.Look,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam atwor
k.”
“
Iwantustogoout
,younev
erknow,maybeIam
y
ourhusbandandt
hatguyi
sjustbl
ocki
ngus.
”
“
Bamey
oushoul
dst
op.Iknowy
ouar
easol
dierbut
-
“
“Butnot
hing.Yourboyf
ri
endcan’
tdoanyt
hingt
ome,
Iam notyourregul
arsol
dier
,hewoul
dn’
twantt
o
messwi t
hme. ”
“
Ihear
dsol
dier
ski
l
lpeopl
e.”
Hel
aughed.“
Wholiedtoyou?Don’
tli
stent
orumor
s,
t
heywil
ll
eadyouastr
ay.”
Shechuckl
ed.“
Ial
sohear
dyouar
eli
ars.
”
“
Anay
adoIsoundl
i
keal
i
ar?
”Heaskedsof
tl
y.
“
Idon’
tknow.
”
“Youarebeauti
ful
,nowonderyourboyf
ri
endwas
angry
.Noonewoul dwanttolosesucharar
e
diamondandsomeofusf eelwecantakecareofit
waybetter
,it
’safai
rgame.Let’
sdodinnert
onight
.”
“Iam busyby
e.”Shehungupandputherphonei
n
herhandbagwithasmil
e.

*
***
*

Theodor
acal
ledhisnumberwi
thapoundi
nghear
t.
Shewasshaking.
“
Yah?
”Heanswer
ed.
“
Hi,
it’
sTheodor
a.”
“
Beaut
if
ul,
hi,
”
Shet
ri
edhar
dnott
obl
ush.“
Soy
ouj
ustl
eft
?”
“Ilefti
nahurry
,Idi
dn’
twantt
owakey
ouup.My
sisterhadgi
venbir
th.
”
“Andthemoney
,wasi
tsupposedt
opaymef
ormy
serv
ices?
”
“
Comeon,no.Isawt
hatyouhadcookedyourlast
meatsot
ofeedme.Thatwastor
eplacet
hat.”
“
KanaAgangomaaka.{
Agangy
ouar
eal
i
ar.
}”
“Babey ouar
eov ert
hinki
ngthi
s.Howaboutwedo
dinneratmyplacetoday?”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Thedoct
orsai
dIhav
eani
rr
it
ati
on.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Arey
oust
il
lsor
e?”
“
Justabi
t.
”
“Iwi
llf
ixt
hatf
ory
ouok?Daddywi
l
lmakey
ouf
eel
bett
er.
”
Shebl
ushed.“
Ok.
”
“
Wher
edoy
ouwor
k?”
“
C-SKYhot
el.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lpi
cky
ouupaf
terwor
k.Howi
sthat
?”
“
It
’sok.
”
“
Shoul
dIbr
ingy
ouany
thi
ng?
”
Shef
ixedherspect
acl
es.“
Achocol
ate.
”
“
Yougoti
t.Seey
ou.
”
Shehungupsmi li
ng.Shecouldn’
thav ei
maginedher
fi
rstrealrelati
onshi
pwi t
hamanl i
keAgang.He
l
ookednaught yandimpul si
ve,t
otal
lytheopposit
eof
hisbrother.Theodoragiggledal
onet henl
aughed
feel
ingcrazy .Thephoner angandsheanswer ed.
“
C-SKYhot
elgoodaf
ter
noon,
howcanwehel
pyou
t
oday?”
Sheattendedt
oacl
i
entcheer
ful
l
ythi
nki
ngabout
l
ateron.

*
***
*
Coll
eenwatchedashermot herpackedherbags
hol
dingthebabywhowassucki ngonherbreast
.
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyesasshet houghtofOteng’
s
words.Shecoul
dn’tunderst
andwher eshehadwent
wrong,hadshefal
lenpregnanttoosoon?
“Coll
een,whati
swr
ong?Youar
ecry
ingwhil
eIam
here.Iam y
ourmot
her,
tel
lmewhat
’sgoi
ngon.”
Col
leenlookedathermothertry
ingreal
lyhar
dto
hol
ditinbuttear
sstil
lfel
lnonet
heless.
“
Wher
eisI
an?Ev
ersi
nceIcameIhav
en’
tseenhi
m.”
“
Hei
satwor
k.”
“Youarely
ing.Sincewhendoy ouli
eColl
een?Your
brot
her’
stoldust hathei
scheati
ngbutIthoughtI
wouldwaitti
lly
oucamet omebuti tseemslikeyou
arenotgoingtocomeouti nt
heopen.”
Shecover
edherf acecryi
ng.MmaMokwenast ood
upandtookthesleepingbabyfr
om Coll
een.Shelay
heri
nherbedt hentookherdaught
er’
shandleading
hert
othesit
tingroom.
“
Iknowy
ouar
ehur
ti
ngbuti
fthi
smanl
ovedy
ou
enoughhewoul dn’tbedoingt hi
s.Iam nottelli
ng
yout oleavey ourhusbandbutr i
ghtnow, hewon’ t
l
istent oyouandt hereisnothingyoucandoabouti t.
YouandIar egoi ngtogoandwheny oucomeback
i
nt hreemont hs, youwi l
ldecidewhaty ouwantt odo
butIt hi
nkyougoi ngbackt owor kshouldbet hefir
st
step.Todayl ookaty our
self
,y oudon’tevenhav e
moneyt obuyy ourchi l
dasimpl ediaper.Wel earn
fr
om ourmi stakesandIam sur eyouar egoingto
l
ear nfrom your s.Iwanty out ostopcr yi
ng,chil
dren
sensesucht hings. ”
Shewi
pedawayhert
ear
s.“
Ilov
ehi
m.”
“Iknow.Comeandtakeabat
h.Yourf
atherwi
l
lbe
hereanyminut
e.”
Shetookabat handputonhert rackpantsand
hoodie.Shel
ookedatherweddi ngpi ct
ureframe,
shecouldalmostremembert hatday ,t
hewayshe
wayshehadbeensohappy .Shecl osedherey es
l
ookingaway .Herfat
herdr
ovei nandst eppedout.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Het
ookt
hei
rbagsandputt
hem i
nthecar
.Col
l
een
satatt
hebackseatholdingherbabywhi
leher
mothertookthefr
ontseat.Herfat
herdr
oveoutof
heryar
dasshest aredoutthr
oughthewindowand
si
ghedast hecardroveawayleavi
ngherhouse
behi
nd.

*
***
*

Theodorasmi
ledget
ti
nginAgang’
scar.Heki
ssed
herhandi
ngheraboxofFer
reroRocher
.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Yourspect
acl
esmakey
ousexi
er.
”
“
Peopl
eusedt
oteasemef
orwear
ingspect
acl
es.
”
“
Theywer
ejeal
ousofy
ou.
”
Shel aughedl ookingatherchocolate,shehadnever
eatenFer reroRocherbef oreandnowshecoul dn’t
wai ttotasteit.Sheopenedt heboxof24andt ook
outt hewr appedchocol ateunwrappingit
.Shetooka
biteandsi ghedcl osi
ngherey esasthechocolate
dissolvedonhert ongue.
“
Theyneedt
ohi
rey
out
odot
hei
radv
ert
s.”
TheodoraopenedhereyesandlookedAgang.“
Don’
t
saythat
,Ihavenevereat
enit
.I’
sdelici
ous.
”
“
Sowher
edoy
ouknowAnay
afr
om?
”
“
From hi
ghschool
.For
mfourandf
ormf
ivewewer
e
i
nthesameclass.
”
“
Real
l
y?”
“Yesbutwewer enotfr
iends.Anay awasf r
iendly
witheveryonethoughshedi dn’
thav eafri
end.I
alwayswant edtobeherf r
iendbutInev ergotthe
courage.Afterthat
,wejustwentt odif
ferent
univer
sit
ies,Ineversawhert i
ll
recentl
y.”
Hi
sphoner
angandheanswer
ed.“
Yah?
”
Shewatchedhi
m ashel
i
stenedt
owhoev
ert
hathad
cal
ledhi
m.
“
Ok.
”Hehungupandcaughtherst
ari
ng.
“
What
?”
Sheshookherhead.“
Not
hing.Soy
ouwor
kwi
thy
our
brot
her
?”
Heshookhi
shead.“
No.
”
Sheconti
nuedeat
ingherchocol
ateashedrov
e.A
whil
elat
erhewasparki
nghiscarinfr
ontofa
bachel
orpad.
“
Thi
sisme.
”
Theodor
asmi
l
ed.“
It
’sni
ce.
”
“
Comeoni
n.”
Shesteppedoutofthecarandf ol
l
owedhimtothe
door
.Het ri
edunlocki
ngbutitseemedasift
hedoor
wasalreadyunl
ocked.Hefrownedopeni
ngit.
“
Didsomeonebr
eaki
n?”
Heshookhisheadastheywalkedi
nhiscl
eanhouse.
Theodor
alookedatt
hechildwhowasbusydrawi
ng
somethi
ngonabook.Hel ookedupandhi
sfacel
it
up.
“
Daddy
!”
Theodor
awatchedasAgangpi
ckedupt
hechi
l
d.
“Hey,
wherei
smommy ?”
“
Righther
e.”Al
adyst
oodbyt
heki
tchendoor
holdingawoodenspooninonl
yhotpant
sanda
spaghetti
top.Shef
li
ppedherl
onglacef
rontweav
e
behind.
“
Didn’
tIt
ell
yout
oleav
emyhouseMbal
i
?”
“Iam notgoingany whereAgang.
”Shewal ked
towardsTheodor a.“Youbet
terl
eavemymanal one,
youcanseewear eafamil
y.Iam notyourregul
ar
gir
landy oudon’tknowme.Youwoul dn’
ttotryme
l
itt
legir
l.Getout.”
Theodoral
ookedatAgangwhosighedshaki
nghi
s
head.Shewai
tedforhi
mt osaysomethi
ng.
“Whatarey
ouwaiti
ngf
or?Ifyouarewai
ti
ngf
orhi
m
tosaysomethi
nghewon’
t.Thisi
smyhouse,
Iam
hiswoman.”
“Youarefullofnonsense.Theodor
atake,gohome,
wewi ll
tal
k.”Hehandedhert hecarkeys.Shebegan
towalkoutbutMbal igrabbedherf
rom behindthen
snatchedthekeysfrom herhands.
“
Withwhatcar
?Iwil
lbeaty
ousohardi
fIcat
chy ou
wi
thmymanagain.Whodoy out
hinky
ouare?”
“
Letgoofme!
”
Mbal
isl
appedheracr
osstheface.“Letmeseey
ou
wi
thmyman, Iwi
ll
doworsethant hat.
”
“
Iam goi
ngtorepor
tyouf
orassaul
t.Theyaregoi
ng
t
odeportyoubackt
owherev
eryoucomef rom.”
“
Letmeseey
out
ry.
”
Theodor
alookedatAgangwhowaswal kingaway
thenwal
kedoutofhishouse.Tear
sbl
urredhersi
ght
asshewalkedoutofthegate.

*
***
*

Anay
alookedatMi
guel
ashedr
ovet
oLone’
shouse.
“
Doessheknowy
ouar
ecomi
ng?
”
“
Yes.It
ext
edher
.”
“
Ok.
”
Shelookedoutthr
oughthewi
ndowasMiguel
gl
ancedather.Sheknewhewantedt
osay
somet hi
ngbutdi dn’
tknowhow.Shedi dn’
tmake
thi
ngseasyf orhi
m bykeepingquietbutshedidn’
t
haveany thingtosay.Heparkedinfrontofagatea
whil
el at
erandAnay alookedatthebi ghouse.She
hadn’tpicturedLonestayi
nginsuchabi ghouse.
Thegat eopenedandMi gueldr
oveinandpar ked
behindhercar .
Theycl
imbedoutofthecarandwalkedtoherdoor
whereMiguel
rangthedoorbel
l.Loneopenedthe
doori
nwhiteli
nger
ie.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os

#24

Lonef
rownedandcl
osedt
hedoor
.
“
Wow!
”Anay
amut
ter
ed.
Aminut
elat
ersheopenedthedoori
nadress.“
I
di
dn’
tknowyouwerecomingwithher
.”
“Idon’tneedtot
ell
youIam comi
ngwit
hmy
gir
lfr
iend.Arewegoingt
otal
korwhat
?”
Shemovedfrom thedoorandtheywal
kedin.Anay
a
l
ookedatherfancyfur
nit
uresi
tti
ngdowninthe
l
ounge.
“
Anay
awi
l
lbepar
toft
hisj
our
ney
.”
“
Idi
dn’
tmaket
hischi
l
dwi
thAnay
a.”
“YesbutAnay
aandIar
egoodasonesoy
oubet
ter
accepti
t.
”
“
Whatexact
lyar
eyoudoi
ngher
eMi
guel
?”
“
Tosett
heboundar
ies.
”
Lonel
aughed.“
Ididn’
tknowyouhadboundar
ies
wheni
tcamet oyourson.”
“
Til
lhei
sbor
nthent
her
ewi
l
lbeboundar
ies.
”
“Coul
dn’
tyouhavesai
ditt
hrought
hephoneorwas
shetooi
nsecur
ethatshehadtobether
e?”
“
Iam goi
ngt
otal
ktomyl
awy
er,
Iwi
l
lbegi
vi
ngy
ou
moneymont
hlysot
haty
out
akecar
eofy
our
sel
fand
t
hebaby.
”
“
Whatel
se?
”
MiguellookedatAnayawhoshrugged.“Shei sri
ght,
Ididn’
tmaket hi
sbabywithhersoanything
concerningthechi
ldt
il
lheisborncanbedi scussed
betweeny outwo.Asl
ongasLoner espectsthef act
thatyouhav emovedonthenIhavenoi ssue.”
Miguel’
sphonerangandhet ooki
toutst
ari
ngatthe
scr
een.“Ihavet
ot aket
his,
”hestoodupandwalked
outsi
de.
“
Iam goi
ngt
ogethi
m backhun,
justwai
tand
wat
ch.”
“Youaresodesper ateit’
ssad.NowIcanseet hat
youfall
ingpregnantwasy ourplan,
y ouprobably
emotionall
yblackmailedhimintosleepingwithyou
sothaty oucangetpregnantthinki
ngt heminutehe
seesyouar epregnant,hewil
ljumpbackt oyou.
”
“
It
’sgoi
ngt
ohappenbecauseIam car
ryi
nghi
shei
r.
”
“
Hewi
l
llov
ehi
ssonbutf
orgeti
twi
thy
ou.He
doesn’twantyouanymore,Idon’
texpectyoutoget
thatbecauseyouseem demented,Iam notgoingto
fi
ghtwi t
hyouLone.Youprobablyexpectedmet obe
fi
ghti
ngy oubutIwil
lnotdothatbecausey ouare
notwor t
hit.
”
Miguel wal
kedbacki nandAnay astoodup.“ Iknow
thatpregnantwomenhav ecravings,themoney
Miguel wi
llgiveyouthr
oughhi slawy erwi l
ltakecar e
ofit,wewoul dappreci
ateifyoudon’ tmake
unnecessarycall
satoddhour sandi fithasnot hi
ng
todowi ththebaby,don’tatallcall
.Ibelievet hat’
sit
,
i
st hereanythi
ngelseyouwantt oaddonbaby ?”
Mi
guel
puthi
sar
m ar
oundAnay
a.“
No,
that
’si
t.
”
“WellIbel
ievethi
smeetingwasfr
uitf
ul,
stay
heal
thy.”Anayasaidwi
thasmilethenwalkedout
wit
hMi guelbehindher
.
Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
“
Iam gl
adwear
edoi
ngt
hist
oget
her
.”
Anayalookedathim.“Ijusthopeyourespectme
enoughtorespectourrelat
ionshi
p.”
Her
ubbedhert
high.“
Ilov
eyou.Thewayy
out
alked
t
oLonewasaturnon.”
Shel
aughedpushi
nghi
shandaway
.“Youar
ecr
azy
.”
“
Iam st
ressed,
Iani
sst
il
lcheat
ingonCol
l
een.
”
“
Didshesayt
hat
?”
“NobutbabeIcanreadbetweentheli
nes.Whatkind
ofahusbandisunavai
labl
etoseehisownchild?
Coll
eenal
readywenttoMahalapy
eandt hisbast
ard
doesn’
tevenknowhowhi schi
ldl
ookslike.
”
“If
eelatthi
sst agethereisreal
lynothi
ngy oucando
butbetheref oryoursist
er.Whateverdecisi
onshe
wil
lmake, youwi l
lhavetobeabi gabr othert
hatyou
areandsuppor ther.Youcan’ttel
lhertoleavehimif
shedoesn’twantt oorbeatupI antoo.Iknowy ou
wanttobutj ustwaitforwhateverdeci
sionColleen
wil
lmakeaf terthreemont hsandtakeitfrom t
here.
”
“Iknewhewasapi
eceofshi
tthef
ir
stt
imeIsaw
him.”
“Iam sur
esheseesi
tnow.Ir
eal
l
ywantt
omeet
him.”
“Therei
snothi
ngspeci
alabouthim,hei
sjustshor
t
shit
.WhenIknockyouup,Iwouldn’
twantyoutogo
staywit
hyourmotherf
orthreemonths.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Iwouldn’
twantt
hatt
oobuti
t’
s
tr
adi
ti
onwecan’tav
oid.”
Migueldr
ovet
ohi
shousewer
ehepar
kedbyt
he
gate.
“
Iam goi
ngonat
ri
ptomor
rowt
oSout
hAf
ri
ca.
”
“
Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?
”
“
Aft
ert
hreeday
s.Iwi
l
lleav
eyouwi
tht
hecar
.”
“
Ok.
”
Heleanedoverki
ssi
ngherput
ti
nghi
shandunder
herski
rt
.“Iam onmyper
iod.
”
“
Arey
ouser
ious?
”
“
Yes.Sor
ry.
”
“
Arey
oui
npai
n.”
“
Idr
ankpai
nki
l
ler
s.”
Hesi
ghedt
henbabyki
ssedher
.“I
t’
sgoi
ngt
obet
he
l
ongestf
iveday
s.”
Shel
aughed.“
Youwi
l
lbef
ine.
”
Hegotof fwhileAnay amov edtothedr i
ver’
sseat.
Mi guel ki
ssedheronel astti
mebef oreshedr ove
away .Hecoul dn’tshakeoffthefeeli
nghehadbeen
feelingev ersincet hesol
diercal
ledhery ester
day.
Openi nghisgat e,hewalkedinandunl ockedthe
doorwal kinginsidehishouse.Hewal kedt othe
kitchenwher ehet ookabot tl
eofbeerandsati n
frontofhi sbigTVdi al
ingPule’
snumber .
“
BK!
”
“
Ifeel
li
keAnay
aisgoi
ngt
ocheatonme.
”
“It
oldy
ounottodat
ethatgi
rl
,wi
thherhi
stor
yshe
candoany
thi
ng.”
“
Iwantt
obuyheracar
.”
“What?Misteremapel
e.Kanakegoreobuiswake
str
esshela.{Wai
tabit
,it
’sst
ressmaki
ngyoutal
k
l
ikethi
s.}
”
“
Anayaisnotmat
eri
ali
sti
c,shedoesn’
tev
enaskf
or
money.
”
“
Shewon’
tbecausethenitwi
l
lbeeasyf
ory
out
osee
t
hatshei
sagolddigger
.”
“Anayaisnotagolddigger
.It
’sjustthatwi
thLone’
s
nonsensegoingon,shemayf eelit
’stoomuchfor
her.
”
“
Loneneedstobedi
scipl
i
ned,Imaynotl ikeAnaya
t
hatmuchbutLoneneedstorespecther.Sheisjust
y
ourgi
rl
fri
endbutst
il
l,
sheneedst orespecther.
”
“Idon’twanttousephy si
calf
orceonher,Imightki
ll
her.Sheannoy smesomuchandt hefactthatshe
plannedthiswholepregnancyanger
smet othe
full
est.Shekeepstal
kingabouthowshemademe
asifshegav ememoneyt ostar
tmybusiness.”
“
Shet
alksl
i
ket
hatbecausey
ouar
eleni
entonher
.”
“
Iam justhappythatAnayaknowsandshet ooki
t
wel
l.Thereissomesoldierwhocal
ledher,
thatguy
wasrudeandf ul
lofhimself
.Theymetata
r
oadblockandhet ookhernumberther
e.”
“That’
stheprobl
em withbeauti
ful
girl
s,theywil
l
stressyou.Anay
aisjusttoobeauti
fulandatthe
otherhandshehasthatbody.Iam notlusti
ngafter
yourgi
rlbutyouknowwhatIam t al
ki
ngabout,
how
manypeoplet urntolookatherwhenshewalksby
?
Thatgi
rlwil
lkill
y ouwithst
ress.
”
Miguelr
ubbedhisfacewit
hfrust
rat
ion.“Pul
eIam
str
essedandyouarenotmakingitbett
er.NowIam
thi
nki
ngmay beIshouldl
etsomeonegof orthet
ri
p.”
“
Thatt
ri
pneedsy
ou,
youknowt
hat
.”
“
IfAnay
acheat
sonmeIwi
l
lki
l
lhert
henki
l
lmy
sel
f.I
l
ovehersomuch.
”
“
BK,
don’
ttal
kli
ket
hat
,not
hingwi
l
lhappen.
”
“
Myheadi
sbangi
ng,
Iam goi
ngt
osl
eep.
”
Pul
elaughed.“WhoknewIwoul dseethi
sday ?Di
d
youthi
nktheyweretal
kingrubbi
shwhent heysai
d
goforthepart
nerwholovesyoumor e?”
“Mxm, obuamasepayaanong.{
youar
etal
ki
ng
nonsenseri
ghtnow.
}Sharp!
”
Hehungupthengul
peddownhisbeerl
ookingathi
s
phone.Hi
sscr
eensaverwasAnay
asleepi
ng.
Hewenttohi
scont
act
sandcl
i
ckedonacer
tai
n
number
.
“Hel
lo,
it’
sMi
guel
Mokwena,
Iwantt
opur
chasea
car.
”

*
***
*

Anay aparkedthecarinfrontofherhouseand
steppedoutwi t
hherhandbag.Shel ookedathow
thehousewasbei ngextendedandsmi l
ed.She
couldalreadypict
urejusthowi twasgoingt obe
afterthebuil
dersweref i
nished.Shewalkedinsi
de
thehouseandt ookof fhershoes.
“HeyAnaya,
”Let
habosaidthoughl
ookingattheTV
mountedtothewal
l.Thathadbeenthefir
stt
hing
sheboughtwhenshefir
stgotpai
datC- SKYhotel
.
“
Higuy
s.Wher
eismama?
”
“
Sewing.
”Ayanarespondedsi
tt
ingont
hebed
f
li
ppi
ngthroughadrum magazi
ne.
“Ihopeyouguy
shav
edoney
ourhomewor
ksand
haveread.
”
“
Yes.Igot90%onmyt
estAnay
a.”
“
Goodj
obLet
habo.
”
Shewal
kedt
othenextr
oom wher
ehermot
herwas
sewi
ng.
“
Mamay oushoul
drest
,tomor
rowwear
egoi
ngt
o
t
hehospi
tal
.”
“
Iam almostdone.Mycli
entwi
ll
becollect
ingthi
s
t
omorrow.Miguelbor
rowedyouhiscaragain?
”
“
Yes.
”
Hermotherpausedst
ari
ngather
.“Inowseet
hat
t
hisboyisactual
l
ynotbad,
helovesyou.
”
“
Ilov
ehi
mtoobuthi
sexgi
rl
fr
iendi
spr
egnant
.”
“
Howl
onghasshebeenpr
egnant
?”
“Heclaimshef oundoutt odayandshei sthree
monthspr egnant.Thatwomani sfullofdrama.He
saysithappenedbef orewegotinar elati
onshipand
Iunderstandthatbutthisenti
resi
tuationjustbor
es
me.”
“
Whatdoy
oumean?
”
“
Idon’
twantst
ress.Iam al
readyst
ressedabout
y
ou.
”
“Anay a,don’
tmaket hemi st akeoflosingamant hat
l
ov esy ousoonl yyouregreti nthefuture.This
woman, sheisnonofy ourbusiness.Youshoul dn’t
focusonher ,shei
sexpect ingy outocausehav ocso
thattherecanbehav ocbet weeny ouandMi guel.I
f
Miguel respectsyourrelat
ionshiptheny ouhave
nothingt owor r
yabout.”
Shesi
ghed.“
Ok.Iam t
ir
ed.Iam goi
ngt
oeatand
sl
eep.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lbet
her
ejustnow.
”
Backinthebedr
oom,
shet
ookof
fhershoesasher
phonerang.
“
Your
sisst
ubbor
nnessorwhat
?”
Hel
aughed.“
Anay
ast
opmaki
ngmer
uni
nci
rcl
es.
”
“
Noonesai
dyoushoul
d.St
opcal
l
ingmeBame.
”
“Look,wehavedinnert
omorr
owt
heni
fyoust
il
l
don’twantme,Iwil
lbackof
f.
”
“
Youl
i
keat
tent
ion,
Iam hangi
ngup.
”
“I
fyouwant edtohangupthenyouwoul
dhavedone
sowithoutinf
ormingme.Iwil
lsendy
outhel
ocati
on
andti
me. ”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
ocomi
ng.
”
“
Youarelyi
ng.Youar
egoi
ngt
ocomebecausey
ou
wantt
o.”
Hehungupbef
oreshecoul
dsayany
thi
ngel
se.

*
***
*

Coll
eendi aledI an’
snumberf orthe20t htimebuti t
wasst i
lloff.Tear sfi
ll
edherey esasshel ookedat
herinnocentbabysl eepingpeacefullynexttoher .
Thet houghtofOt engraisingherdaught ermadeher
cryev enmor e.Sheputherhandov erherchest
feel
ingexcr uciati
ngpai nshehadnev erthoughtshe
couldf eel.Ther ewasnowayshewoul dletanother
womanr aiseherdaught erwhil
eshewasst i
llali
ve.
Shescr olledt hroughherweddi ngpicturesast ears
droppedont heski n.
“
Godi
t’
stoopai
nful
l
.”Shecr
ied.
Shelookedatt hepill
owf oramomentt henatAngel
whowasst i
llsl
eeping.Hert houghtswirledinher
headasshel ookedatt hepi l
low.Suddenl y,shefel
t
unexplai
nablehatredtowar dsherdaught er
.Ifit
wasn’tforhermay beshewoul dsti
llhav eher
husband.Nowsher egret
t edgetti
ngpr egnant ,
had
shenotgot t
enpr egnantthenOt engwoul dnothave
takenherhusbandf rom her.
Sheslowlyreachedf ort
hepil
l
owandhelditi
nher
handsstari
ngatt hebaby.Thedoorswungopenand
hermotherwal kedin.
“
Ibr
oughty
ouf
ood,
issheok?
”
Coll
eenputt
hepil
l
owdownandsmil
ed.“
Yes,I
thoughtmay
beIcanputt
hepi
l
lowonhersi
dein
casesherol
l
s.”
“
Ok,Ij
ustspoket
oBoikanyo,
hewil
lsendmoneyso
t
hatwecanbuythecoatbedandot
herthi
ngs.
”
“
Ok.
”
MmaMokwenahandedhert
hepl
ateand
i
mmedi at
elythebabyst
art
edcr y
ing.Shet
ookheri
n
herar
mswhi leColl
eenpr
etendednottohear
anyt
hingeati
ng.
“
Ithi
nkshei
shungr
y,f
eedher
.”
“
Ithi
nksheshoul
dst
artdr
inki
ngf
ormul
a.”
“
Coll
een,
sheisjusttwodaysol
d.sheneedsbr
east
mil
knotfor
mula.Feedher.
”
MmaMokwenahandedhert hebaby.Colleent
ook
outherbreastandgav
ei tt
oAngel whoi mmediat
ely
star
tedsuckli
ng.Shelookedatherwi t
hsomuch
angershewant edt
oyankherandt hrowheragainst
thewall
.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#25

Theodor
awal
kedi
nsi
det
hehot
elwi
thherhead
down.Shesatdownonthefrontdeskfi
xingher
gl
asseswhil
eherheadached.Shelookedather
watchwit
hasigh,shewasri
ghtont i
me.
“Goodmorni
ng.
”Av oicesai
dmaki
ngherr
aiseher
head.I
twasadeli
veryguy.
“
Mor
ning,
howcanIhel
pyou?
”
“
Iam her
etodel
i
vert
heset
oMs.Anay
a.”
Theodoralookedatthebigbouquetofr oseswhich
weretiedbyar edri
bbonwithP200not eswr apped
aroundeachrose.Twowor ker
swal kedpastt hem
thenstopped.“Suchabigbouquet!
”Oneoft hem
comment ed.
“Theonl
ythi
ngIam seeingchomaist
hemoney .
That’
salot
.Whoeverthesefl
ower
sarefori
slucky,
whenarewegoingtomeetmenwhocandot hi
s?
Theodor
a,aret
heyyours?”
Theodorashookherheadst il
lst
ari
ngattheflowers.
Mor eworker
swer egatheri
ngaroundthem l
ooking
atthefl
owerswi t
htheirphonesouttaki
ngpictur
es
andv i
deos.Theodoracouldswearthemoneycoul d
reachuptoacoupl eofthousands.
Anayawal
kedinwhil
eTheodorast
il
logl
edatt
he
fl
owerswear
inghernav
ybluesui
t.
“UmhNay a,
youhavet
hat
,”shepoi
ntedatt
hehuge
bouquetoff
lower
s.
“
Oh?”Anay
awalkedov
erput
ti
ngandl
ookedatt
he
f
lower
swrappedwi
thmoney
.
Shecuri
ousl
ysmil
edtaki
ngt
hem f
rom t
hedel
i
ver
y
guy.“
Whoaretheyfr
om?”
“
Mr.Mokwena.
”
Anay
a’ssmi
l
ebr
ight
ened.“
Ist
hismoney
?”
Thedeli
ver
yguyl
aughed.“
Yesandi
t’
sal
ot.I
count
ed.”
“
Somepeopl
earesol
ucky
!That’
swhaty ouget
wheny
oudatet
heri
ght
fulpeopl
e.”Someonesai
d.
“
Thankyou.
”Anay
asaidt
othedel
i
ver
yguyt
hen
t
urnedt
oTheodor
a.“
HeyTheo.
”
“Youaresoluckyshame.Someofusharekopa
air
ti
memot howacompl ai
na.{
Someofuswhenwe
askforai
rt
imehecompl ai
ns.
}Itwil
lev
enseem asi
f
welovemoneyt oomuch.}
”Acoll
eagueaddedas
ev
ery
onel
ookedatAnay
a.
Shegi
ggl
ed.“
Ifeel
li
keagi
rli
nar
omant
icmov
ie.
”
“
Iknow,
lookatt
hatsmi
l
e!”
Shel
aughed.“
Theodor
ast
opmaki
ngmeshy
.See
youl
ater
.”
Shewalkedawaywi
tht
hef
lower
swhi
l
eev
ery
one
st
aredather.
“NowIseewhygir
lsdon’
twantust
hepoorguy
s.”
Themanagercommentedpassi
ngby.
Theodor
alookedathi
m andl
aughed.“
Itwi
l
lbef
ine
oneday.
”
Thephoner
angwhil
epeopl
edi
sper
sed.“C-
SKY
hot
elgoodmor
ning,
howcanwehelpyou?”
“
Didy
oubl
ockme?
”
Shelookedaround,
noonewascl
oseby.“
Youdo
real
i
zet haty
ouarecal
l
ingt
hecompany
’sphone
ri
ght?”
“
Iwantt
otal
ktoy
ou.
”
“
Agang,
pleasest
ayawayf
rom me,
youl
ety
our
gir
lf
ri
endharassmey
est
erday
.Idon’
twantany
thi
ng
todowithyou.”
“
Iwi
l
lcomepi
cky
ouupt
odayaf
terwor
k.”
“Gotoy ourgir
lf
riendandstayawayf
rom meorel
se
Iwil
lreportherforassul
t.
”
“
Youwil
lfi
ndmei
nthepar
kingl
ot.Don’
tkeepme
wai
ti
ng.
”
Theodor
alookedatthecordl
essphoneaft
erhe
hungupherheartt
hudding.Hercowor
kersett
led
besi
deherassheputthephonebackoni t
’scr
adle.
“Hey,Iam solat
e,mysongotsickandIhadtoget
himtot hehospi
tal
.IhopenoonesawthatIwasnot
here.
”
Theodor
ashookherheadsor
ti
ngf
il
es.“
No.
”
“
ThankGod!GodknowshowmuchIneedt
hisj
ob.
”
Theodoralookedather,shehadgot tenhiredthe
previ
ousmont h.“
Tsohle, Ihavebeenmeani ngtotalk
toyou.Peoplearegossipingaboutyou, Iknowy ou
aresti
ll
newbuty ouneedt olookthepar t
.Wewor k
atthefr
ontdeskandwel comeourcust omer s,
we
shoul
dlooki
nvi
ti
ng.
”
“
IknowbutIbar
elyhav
eti
met
ogetmyhai
rdone.
”
“Beautytakestimeandmoney .Youneedtodoyour
hairordoal adiescutifyouar esobusy.Doyour
nail
s.Myf ri
end, Anay
a, shedoesnailsbutonl
y
duringtheweekendi fshei snotbusy,sheal
sodoes
eyebrowshapi ngandt i
nting.Shecanmakey oul
ook
nicethoughit’
scost l
y.
”
“
Youmeant
heaccount
antl
ady
?”
“
Yes,
that
’sAnay
a.”
“
Isi
ttr
uet
hatshei
sdat
ingt
heowneroft
hishot
el?
”
Theodorapausedforabit.“Youshouldstop
l
isteni
ngtogossip.Thesamepeopl ethatshare
gossipwit
hy ouaretheverysamepeopl ewho
gossipaboutyouwheny out ur
nyourback.Just
focusonyourmakeov erandy ouwil
lbefine.
”

*
***
*
Theodoralookedattheti
measshewal kedoutof
thehotelaf
terhershi
ftended.Herey
esfel
lonhis
carandshewonder edifshecouldgobacki nsi
de
andaskf orari
defrom Anayaormay bejustdeal
withAgangonceandf orall
.Shetookadeepbr eath
thenwalkedtowardshiscarwithconfi
dence.He
steppedoutandlookedather.Hefixedhiscap
openingthepassengerdoorforher.
“Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thy
ou.It
oldy
ou,
Iam
donewi t
hyou.”
“Theodorakekopaotsenemokol
oing.{
Cany
ou
pleasegeti
nthecar
.}
”
Shefoldedherarms.“Sothatwhat
?Youtakemeto
yourhousewher eyourbabymamaandchildar
e?
Youwat chedhersl
apme, youevenwal
kedaway.I
am notthatdesper
ateforyou.
”
“
Shei
sgone,
Ipr
omi
se.
”
Theodorashookherhead.“Idon’
ttrustyou.Aft
er
yester
dayyouseem li
kethetypeofmanwhol oveit
whengi r
lsfi
ghtf
orhim.Youar enotasmat ureasI
thoughtyouwouldbe.Imightnothav et
hatmuch
experi
encebutIcer
tai
nlydon’twantyoubecause
youareweakandy ouareal i
ar.
”
Shewalkedof
ftot
hebusst
opl
eav
inghi
m st
andi
ng
ther
e.

*
***
*
Lat
erint heev eningLonewat chedafacebookvi
deo,
shestaredatAnay aholdi
ngabunchoff l
owerswit
h
moneyr oll
edoneachr oseandl ookedatthe
comment sreadingthefir
stfew, ev
eryonewas
envy
ingher .Shewentbackt othev i
deowonderi
ng
whyMi guelnev erdidthatforher.
Sheboil
edwi t
hangerasAnayasmil
ed.Thevi
deo
cont
inuedplayi
ngwhil
esherubbedherst
omach.
Tear
sburnedhereyesbefor
eshecall
edRachel
usi
ngWhat sappcal
l.
“Hey
!Youwon’ tbel
iev
eaf ewhoursagoIwaslyi
ng
onalaunchersippi
ngcocktai
l
.”Rachel
sai
dlaughi
ng.
“
That
’sr
eal
l
yni
ce.
”
“Iknowandhubbyistaki
ngmetothi
sbeaut
if
ul
placef
ordi
nner,Il
oveMauri
ti
us!
”
“
Itol
dMi
guel
aboutt
hebaby
.”
“
Whatdi
dhesay
?”
“Hewasangr yatfir
stbutthenhecamet omyhouse
wit
hhi sli
tt
legi r
lf
ri
end.Ihatethatgir
lsomuch,she
wandersar oundwi t
hhiscaractingli
kesheist
he
boss.Iswear ,shedidn’
tgetthatjobfai
rand
square.”
“Idon’
tknowbutIt
hinky
ouar
eri
ght
.Doessheev
en
haveadegree?
”
“Idoubt
.Iam notgoi
ngt
oloseMi
guel
tot
hisgol
d
diggi
nghoe.
”
“
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
”
“Iwil
lseebutaft
erIam donewit
hher ,
shewill
regr
et
setti
nghereyesonMiguel.Shet
hinksIam her
eto
playgames.”
“Look,
justholdthatthoughtt
il
lIcomeback.We
needtocareful
lyplanthis.
”
“
Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?
”
“
Dur
ingtheweekend.Kennyhastogobackt
owor
k,
wewanttost
artourownbusiness.
”
“
Ok,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
Shehungupt ryi
ngt oi
gnor ethepai ninherhear tbut
remember ingall thememor i
essheshar edwi t
h
Miguel madet ear sburnherey es.Anay adi dn’
t
deserveMi guel,shenev erwentt hroughanyst r
uggle
withhim butwasj ustenjoyi
ngt heendr esul tf
ruit
s.
Atearr ol
l
eddownhercheekandshequi cklywiped
i
tof f
.Shedeser v edtobet heoner eceivingt he
fl
ower snotAnay a.Anothertearrolleddownher
cheekandshedabbedi tcareful
lynottor ui
nher
makeup.
Shestoodupandpacedar oundthehousethen
fi
nall
ydial
edMi guel
’
snumberbuti twouldn’
tgo
thr
ough,foramomentshel ether
sel
fbreakdown
cry
ing.Thepaininherheartwastoomuch.
Moment slat
ershewasdi ali
nganumber .
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
ist
hisDr
.Lov
er?
”
“
Yes,
howcanIhel
pyou?
”
“
Iwantsomethi
ngt
hatcanmakemyboy
fri
endcome
t
ome, Isawy
ourpostonf
acebook.
”
“
Comet
omyhouseandIwi
l
lpr
epar
esomet
hingf
or
y
ou.
”
“
Rightnow?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok.Wher
edoy
oust
ay?
”

*
***
*
Lonedr ovethroughthesmallgateandparkedin
frontoftheunfini
shedhouse.Shelookedaround
start
ingtobeli
ev eshehaddri
v enforoveranhour
forascam.Aknockonherwi ndowstartl
edher.She
l
ookedatt hemanhol di
ngaphonet henroll
eddown
herwi ndowjustabit.
“
Iam Dr
.Lov
er.
”
Sherel
uctantlyst
eppedoutofhercarandl ookedat
themidforti
esman.Hel ookednot
hinglikeshehad
i
magined.Hehel dali
tt
lebottl
eofredsubst ance.
“Youputthisinhi
sfood.Eveninhi
sdrink.”Nowshe
wasdefini
telysur
ehewasf orei
gn.
“
Thent
his,
”
Heheldoutabott
lef
ullofwaterandstonesatthe
bot
tom.“Thi
s,y
oupouritinyourbath,
y oucal
lout
hi
snameasy oubaththendeclar
ewhat every
ou
wantt
ohappen.”
Hehandedt hem t ohert hentookouttwobot t
les
ti
edtogether.Oner edandtheothercolor
less.“You
wil
lputyourpi ctureinthiscol
orl
essonethenhi sin
thi
sredoneandt hrowinar i
veroroceanandl eti
t
bewashedov er.Oncey ouhav edoneallt
hat,hewill
comebackt oy ou.”
Loneputt
het
hingsi
nhercar
.“Ar
eyousur
eitwi
l
l
work?
”
“I
fyoudoubtitthenitmightnotwor k,y
ouneedt o
bel
ievet
hatitwillworkandi twil
l.Hewil
lbey our
s.I
can’
tdoapr operconsultat
ionbecauseit’
slateat
ni
ght,Ij
ustdidyouaf avorrightnow.Andifthefood
ordri
nkyouputt helovepotionisnoteatenbyhimit
wil
lnotwork.”
“
Ok.Howmuchi
sal
lthat
?”
“
P3000.Butr
ightnowyoucanpayP2500andwhen
t
hejobi
sdoney oupayt
heremai
ningbal
ance.
Ewal
l
eti
t.
”
Lonelookedathimforawhil
ebefor
efinal
l
ytaki
ng
herphoneandsendi
nghimt hemoney.Shewatched
hi
m disappeari
ntot
hedarknesst
hengotinhercar
anddroveoff.

*
***
*
Anayalayonthecouchshehadboughtandturned
i
ntoherbedwat chi
ngaacti
onmovieonMi guel
’s
l
aptopwhi l
eeati
ngSimbachi
ps.Herphonerang
fr
om besideherandshecar
eful
l
ytookitanswering.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Soy
oui
gnor
edmycal
l
s?”
Shel
ookedatt
hel
apt
op.“
Bame,
Isai
dst
opcal
l
ing
me.”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
ost
opunt
ilwemeet
.”
“
Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?Iam i
nar
elat
ionshi
p.”
“
Inev
ersai
dany
thi
ngabouty
ourr
elat
ionshi
p.”
“
Thenst
opcal
l
ing.
”
“
Anay
aweh?
”
“
What
?”
“
Anay
a?”
“
Bame,
pleasest
op.
”
“Iam waiti
ngattheNapsrest
aurant.Iam gi
vi
ngyou
thi
rt
ymi nutest
oar r
ive,
ify
oudon’tthenIam goi
ng
totr
acky oudown.Remember ,
thir
tymi nut
es.
”He
hungup.
Anayaputdownherphoneandt r
iedcont
inui
ngwit
h
hermov iebutshejustcouldn’thelpt
owonderwhat
hewant ed.Hewassoper si
stentandcharmingina
way.Shecal l
edTheodoracl osingthel
aptopand
gett
ingup.Sheunlockedt hedoorandt heburgl
ar
barsteppingoutsi
de.
“
Hi,
”
“Theodorathatsol
dierguyhasbeencall
i
ng.He
call
edinfrontofMigueltheot
herday,
hewasupset.
Iblockedhimthenhecal l
edwit
hanothernumber
.”
“Youmanthecutescar
yonet
hatl
ooksl
i
ke
ColombusShor
t?”
“
Yes.Nowhesaysi
fIdon’
tmeethi
m hei
sgoi
ngt
o
t
rackmedown.
”
“
What
?”
“Thi
sguycandoit.Idon’
twanttoseehi
m pul
li
ngup
i
nf r
ontofmyhouse,hewill
neverl
eavemealonei
f
heknowswhereIstay.Andhedoesn’
tgi
veup.”
“
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odonow?
”
“Iam thi
nki
ngImeethim,warnhim st
ernl
ywhile
recordi
ngtheent
ir
ethi
ngsot hati
fhepersi
st,
Ican
reporthi
m.Iwil
lgotosol
dier
scampi fthepol
ice
can’thel
pme.”
“
Whati
fhet
ri
est
ohur
tyou?
”
“
Hei
sinapubl
i
cspace.
”
“Don’
tyouthi
nky
ouneedt
otel
lMi
guel
sot
hathe
sort
sitout
?”
“
Hewentf
orhi
str
ip.
”
“
Idon’
tthi
nkt
hat’
sagoodi
deabuti
fyout
hinki
twi
l
l
wor
kthenmaybedoi
t.
”
“
It
’snotagoodi
deabutIhav
enochoi
ce.
”
“
Ok,
tel
lmewheny
our
etur
nhome.
”
Anayawalkedbackinsidethehouseandfoundher
motherawake.“Youareawake,itwasTheodora,
she
i
snotf eel
ingwell
.It
hinkIshoul
dgoandt akeherto
thehospit
al.
”
“
Shei
sst
il
lnotf
eel
i
ngwel
l
?”
“
Yes.It
hinksheneedsser
ioushel
p.”
“
It
’sok,
youcangobutpl
easebecar
eful
.”
“
Iwi
l
l.
”Sheputherbl
ackbondagedr
essandpumps.
“
Iwi
l
lbeback,
bye.”
Shewal
kedoutwi
thherphoneandcarkey
s.

*
***
*

Anayaparkedatt
herestaurant
’sparki
nglotand
cl
imbedoutofthecar.Herheartpoundedasshe
l
ockedthecarandsteadil
ywalkedtowardsthe
ent
rance.
“
Soy
oucame?
”Av
oicesai
dfr
om behi
ndherand
shej
umpedst
art
led.
“Sorr
y,come.”Bametookherhandandledhert
oan
emptytable.Hewasn’
tinhisuni
for
m andshehadto
agreewithTheodor
a,hedidremi
ndherofColombus
shot.
“
Youar
ever
ybeaut
if
ul,
doy
ouknowt
hat
?”
“
Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
Hechuckl
ed.“Andtothinkthi
ssoftv
oiceistheone
al
waysthr
eateningme.Doy ouknowy outhr
eateni
ng
i
sacrime,Iam evenscaredformyli
feri
ghtnow.”
“
Bamey
ouar
enotbei
ngf
unnyr
ightnow.
”
“Iwasn’
tbei
ngfunny
,maybey ouar
eat er
ror
ist
becauseGodknowsyourbeautyt
err
if
iesme.”
Sher
oll
edherey
esashel
aughed.
“
Don’tyouwanttoorderany
thi
ng?
”Heaskedasa
wai
terappr
oachedthem.
“Iam f
ine,
Iwanty
out
osayy
ourpi
ecesot
hatIgo
home.”
“
Iwi
l
lor
derf
orust
hen.Twogl
assesofy
ourbest
wi
nespl
ease.
”
“
YesSi
r.
”
Thewaiterwal
kedawayleavi
ngAnayaf
eel
ing
anxi
ous.“Canyoupl
easestopcal
l
ingme.Ihavea
boyf
ri
end.”
“
Sowhat
?Wear
enott
alki
ngabouty
ourboy
fri
end.
”
“
Ok,
Idon’
twanty
ou.
”
“Ineversai
dIwantedy oubutnowt hatyouhav e
mentionedit
,yesIwanty ouAnay aandIam goingto
getyou.Ihopethatboyyouar erunni
ngaroundwi t
h
hasenought i
ssuesbecausehei sgoingtocryand
probablyki
l
lhimself
.”Hesaidarrogantl
ythen
fl
ashedacut esmil
e.“Nowt hat’
souttheway, we
candiscussothert
hings.
”
Thewai tercamebackwi t
ht hei
rdri
nksandputthem
i
nf rontoft hem.Anayastoodupast hewaiter
walkedaway .“Idon’
tknowwhatgamesy ouare
playingbutIl ovemymanandy ouaregoingtostop
harassingmeorel seIwil
lreporty
outoyour
super v
isors.”
Shewal
kedoutalmostr
unni
ngandunl
ockedt
hecar
fr
om adi
stance.
“Anayayouar
edenyingt
heinver
ti
ble.”Hegrabbed
herhandandpushedheragai
nstthecarkissi
ngher.
Anayafr
ozeashekissedherhar
dt hatherbody
spasmedonit’
sown.
“Anay
a!”Av oi
cecall
edandshequickl
ypushed
Bameof fl
ookingatPul
e.Herbodyshookwithf
ear
andconfusi
on.
“
Pul
e…”
“
Whatareyoudoi
ng?Notev en24hour
ssi
nceBK
l
eftandy
ouareal
readycheati
ng?”
“
It
’snotwhati
tlooksl
i
ke,
Icanexl
ain.
”
“Iknewy ouweregoingtodothi
s.Outherewhori
ng
withhiscar.Youaresodisr
espect
ful
,Iknewyou
woul ddothistohi
mt hemomenthetoldmey our
professi
on.”
“Don’ttal
ktoherl
i
ket
hat
.”Bamechippedi
n
standingbet
weenPul
eandAnaya.
“
Andwhot
hef
uckar
eyou?
”
“
Someoney
oudon’
twantt
ocr
oss.
”
Pulel
aughed.“ Youmustbet hesoldierguy.Youare
sofull
ofyour sel
f.Idon’
thavet ot
alktoy oubecause
Ihavenobusi nesswithyou.Ican’
tbelievethi
sand
tothi
nkMi guelreal
lylov
esy ou.It
oldhim nottogo
forpr
osti
tutesbecauset hi
sishowt heybehav e.You
arealosepant yandonlyusinghim asy ourl
adder.”
Bameangr i
l
ypunchedPul eont hefacewho
punchedhim back.“
Youthinkbecausey ouar
ea
sol
dieryoucandoany t
hingy ouwant,wanyel
at l
e
mona!WenaAnay ayouwillexpl
aintoMiguel
.”He
walkedawaywi pi
nghisbleedingnose.
Anay
aputherhandsov
erhermout
h.“
OhmyGod!
”
Bamet
urnedandl
ookedather
.“Hey
,don’
tcr
y.”
Shesteppedback.“
Goodni
ghtanddon’
tev
ercal
l
me!”
Shegoti
nthecarandspedof
f.

*
***
*
Latemorning,Col
l
eenlayonthebedscrol
li
ng
thr
oughherphonewatchingYouTubeprankvi
deos
whil
elaughing.MmaMokwenabur sti
nherroom
andlookedatColl
een.
“
Col
l
eendon’
tyouheart
hebabycr
ying?
”
Sheputthephonedown.“
Idon’
tknowwhyshei
s
cr
ying.
”
“Thatdoesn’
tmeany
oujustignor
eher.
”Mma
Mokwenat ookt
hecr
yingbabyandcheckedher
diaper
s.
“
Didn’
tIt
ell
yout
ochangeherdi
aperawhi
l
eago?
”
“
Idi
dn’
theary
ou.
”
“
Can’
tyoujustt
hinkf
oryour
sel
f?Whenlastdidyou
f
eedher?
”Sheaskedalr
eadychangi
ngt
hedi aper
.
Coll
eentookherphoneandresumedwat
chi
ngbut
hermothersnat
chedthephoneaway.
“Iam notgoi
ngtogi
veyout
hisphoneback.Feed
thi
schild,
what’
sgoi
ngonwit
hy ou?”Sheasked
angri
l
y .
“
Iam t
ir
edt
oo.
”
“
Achil
disti
ri
ng,y
oushoul
dknowthi
s.Yourmot
her
i
n-l
awiscomingt
oseeheri
nafewdays.”
“
Whycan’
tshegoandseehercheat
ingson?
”
“
Coll
eenIknowyouarehur
ti
ngbutt
hisi
snott
he
waytogoonabouti
t.
”
Shetookoutherbr
eastandgavetot
hebaby.She
st
oppedcryi
ngimmediatel
y.Col
l
eentookadeep
breat
h.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“It
’sok,Iwi
ll
tal
ktoherwhenshecomes, Miguel
sentthemoney.Yourfatheri
sgoingtoescortmet o
theshopstobuyevery
t hi
ngri
ghtnowi nt
hemor ning
beforei
tstar
tsget
ti
ngt oohot.Iwil
lbeback.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Angel
looksl
i
key
ouwheny
ouwer
eyoung.
”
Col
l
eenf
orcedal
augh.“
Iknow.
”
“
Iam goi
ng.
”
Hermot
herhandedhert
hephoneback.“Don’
t
i
gnor
eherhopi
ngshewillkeepqui
etonherown.
Sheisababyandsomet
imesshej
ustwant
syou
att
enti
on.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Good.
”
Colleenwat chedherwalkoutt henwaitedforabitti
l
l
shehear dthecardrivi
ngof f
.Shel ookedatAngelfor
awhi l
ethenputbackherboobi nthebrawhilethe
babysear chedforthebreastwi t
hhermout h.She
startedcryi
ngasecondl ater.Coll
eenstoodup
holdingherasshecr i
edhy steri
call
y.
“
Shutup!
”Col
l
eenscr
eamedsl
appi
ngher
.
Angelcri
edev enmorewhil
eColl
eenwalkedwithher
tothebathr
oom.Shel ai
dheronthef
loorthen
walkedoutclosingt
hedoorbehi
nd.

*
***
*

Anayawalkedtot
hehotel
’
sr est
aurantwi
th
Theodor
aduringl
unchhour.Theysatdownlooki
ng
atthemenus.
“
Whathappenedexact
ly?
”
Anayasighed.“Iwentt oseeBame, Igetthere,It
ell
hi
mt okeephi sdistanceandst opcalli
ng.Hei s
arr
ogantsoIleav etherestaurantandgot ot hecar.
Hegrabsmeandki ssesme.Idi dn’
tkisshim back,I
j
ustfr
ozeandt hencomesPul e,Miguel’
sfriend.He
getsi
nitwithBameandcal l
smenames.Iam sur e
hehasalreadyt ol
dMi guel
.Hehasn’ tcall
ed. ”
“
Youshoul
dn’thav
ewentt ot
her
est
aur
ant
,doy
ou
t
hinkMi
guelwil
lunder
stand?
”
Sheshr
ugged.“
Ireal
l
ydon’
tknow.
”
“Justcal
lhi
m andtel
lhi
mt hetrut
hbeforePul
e
doesandifhehasdoneital
ready,expl
ainy
our
sel
f.
”
“
Iwi
llaf
terwor
k,hewi
l
lbei
nSout
hAf
ri
caf
ort
wo
mor
eday s.
”
“
Yesbutt
ell
himt
oday
.”
“
Iwi
l
l.Inev
erasked,
didy
ouev
ert
alkt
oAgang?
”
“Yes,het
ookmet ohishousewherehisgi
rl
fr
iend
was.Anayathatgi
rlsl
appedmeandy ouknowwhat
hedid?Hewalkedawaycarryi
ngthei
rson.
”
“
Hisgi
rl
fr
iend?
”
“
Yes,
hernamei
sMbal
i
.”
“
That
’shi
sexasf
arasIam concer
ned.
”
“Seemsli
kenotanymor
e.Thatwomani svi
le.Iwi
l
l
notbepartoft
hat,
Iam nott
hatdesper
ate.
”
“
Wow!Thatchi
l
disnotev
enhi
s.”
“
Hei
snot
?”
“
No.Appar
entl
yhefoundherpregnant
.Monthsback
t
hebabymamawentbackt othebabydaddyand
t
hat
’showtheybr
okeup.”
“
Iam sogl
adIwal
kedawaywi
thmydi
gni
tyst
il
l
i
ntact
.”
“
Youwi
l
lfi
ndsomeonebet
ter
.”
Anay
a’sphoner
angasaswai
terappr
oachedt
hem.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Iam onmywayback, Ibet
terfi
ndyouhomewhenI
arri
ve.”Miguelsai
dt hendroppedthecal
ll
eav
ing
Anay a’
sintest
inestwisti
ngpainf
ull
y.
*
***
*

Coll
eenjumpedhear i
ngthecarout si
defollowedby
thedoorsopeningandclosing.Sheswitchedof fthe
TVandwal kedtothebathroom whereAngel was
l
y i
ng.Shepickedherupthensi ghed,
ithadbeen
hourssinceshelef
therthere.Shewassl eeping.
Coll
eenwal kedwit
hherbackt oherroom andl ayher
withheront hematt
ressjustashermot herwal ked
i
nherr oom.
“
Shei
ssl
eepi
ng?
”
“
Yes.
”
MmaMokwenar eachedtofi
xherproperl
ythen
frowned.“Whyi
sshe…?”Shetouchedherli
ttl
e
forehead.“
Hert
emperatur
eistoohigh.What
happened?”
“Not
hing,
Ifedhert
henplay
edwit
hher.Shewas
awakeforawhil
ebefor
eshefi
nal
lysl
ept.
”
“
Weshoul
dgi
veherpar
acet
amol
.”
“
Ok.
”
MmaMokwenapi ckedherupandwal kedoutwi t
h
herwhil
eCol l
eenremainedbehi
ndtryi
ngtohideher
boredexpressi
on.Shetookherphonecall
ingIan.
Hisnumberwasst il
lnotget
ti
ngthrough.Tear
sf i
ll
ed
hereyes,sheknewhewaswi thher.
Hermotherwalkedbacki
nsi
det
her
oom.“
Col
l
een,
whathappenedtothechi
l
d?”
Col
leenlookedathermothert
henthebabywhowas
st
il
llyi
ngunconsci
ousinherarms.Herhear
tski
pped.
“
What
’swr
ong?
”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#26

“Sheseemst
ooweak.Tr
yfeedi
ngher
.Shel
ooks
drai
ned.
”
Col
leenl
ookedathermot
her
.“ButIf
edherj
ust
bef
oresheslept
.”
“
Feedheragai
n.”
MmaMokwenahandedhert hebaby.Col
leentook
outherbreastandgav ei
ttothebabywholooked
tooexhausted.Sheputherni
ppleinhermouthas
hermotherwat ched.
“
Yousee?It
oldy
ou.Shemusthav
esl
epthungr
y.”
Angelsuckedont
heni
ppl
ewi
thherey
escl
osed
whil
eMmaMokwenasatonthebedandwat
ched
wit
hasmi le.
“WhenIhadBoikany o,Iwasal soscaredtofeedhim.
Butaft
erawhileIreali
zedt hattherewasnothingto
bescaredabout.Youbr eastfeedi
ngy ourchi
l
dhelps
youbondwithher.Itformst hemot her-
daughter
l
ove.”
“
Ok.
”
“DoyouhaveAnaya’
snumber
?If
orgott
oaskf
ori
t
befor
eIl
eftGabor
one.”
“
Yeswhy
?”
“
Shei
sav
erygoodgi
rl
.”
Coll
eenrai
sedaneyebr
ow.“Shei
sbuty
oudon’
t
needtohavehernumber.
”
“
Ili
keherandwhenBoikany
ofi
nal
l
ymar r
iesher
,I
wantustoal
readyhav
eagoodrel
ati
onship.
”
“Whatifhedoesn’
tmarryher?Didyouknowthat
Agangalsowantedheratfi
rstbutshechoseMiguel
becauseheisri
cher?
”
“
What
?”
“IknowthatAnayawasther
etohelpmebutIdon’t
thi
nkyoushouldrai
seyourhopesonher
.Kenneth
saidBoi
kanyosaidshewasonceaprost
itut
e,she
usedtosleepwit
hmenf ormoney.
”
“
Idon’
tbel
i
evet
his.
”
“Askhim,Anayaisachancer
.Al
lshewant
sist
he
greenerpast
ures.
”
“Ican’
tbel
iev
ethatIwasev
ent
hinki
ngof
…Looks
deceiv
e.”
“ButIam notsay
inghat
eher
,may
beshehasr
eal
l
y
changed.
”
“No,
ajezebelwi
llalwaysbeajezebel
.Shewantshi
s
moneyonly,t
hat
’swhyshedr i
veshiscar.Letmego
andtal
ktoyourfatheraboutt
his.
”
“
Pleasedon’
ttel
lthem t
hati
t’
smewhot
oldy
ou.
”
“
Iwon’
t.Feedher
.Iwi
l
lbr
ingy
ouy
ourf
ood.
”
“
Ok.
”
*
***
*

Anay apulledupbyt hegatetry

ingtocal m down.She
wentt hroughwhatshewoul dsayagai nasshe
pressedt hespar egateremotet henthegat eopened.
Shedr ovei nandpar ked.Onceoutoft hecar ,
she
steppedoutwal kingtowardsthedoor .Herpalms
sweat edwhi l
ef earrandownherspi ne.Godknew
whatPul ehadsai dbutsheplannedt otellMiguelt
he
wholet r
ut h.Sheopenedt hedoorandwal kedin.The
housewassi lentshewonder edifhewasar ound.
“
HowcanIhel
pyou?
”
Anayal
ookedatt
hegi
rlcomi
ngf
rom t
hebedr
ooms.
“Whoar
ey ou?
”
“
Mynamei
sEv
e.”
“
Youar
ethecl
eaner
?”
“
Yes,
mymot
hercoul
dn’
tcomesoshesentme.
”
“Ar
eyoudone?
”Anay
aaskedl
ooki
ngathershor
t
pant
s.
“
Yes.
”
“
Theny
oucanl
eav
e.”
Anayawatchedhertakeherbagfr
om thecouchand
walkout
.Sheknewhehadn’ tar
ri
vedyetbuthewas
def
ini
tel
yaboutto.
Shesatdownont hecouchst
ari
ngatt
hecl
ock
watchonthewall
.Takingadeepbr
eat
hshecl
osed
hereyesf
all
ingasleep.
“
Anay
a!”
Shesl
owlyopenedherey esconfusedthenbli
nkeda
coupl
eofti
mes.Mi guelwashere.Shelookedathim
i
nhiscasualcl
othesthenathisface.Hedidn’
tshow
anyemoti
on,shecouldn’
treadhim.
“
Hey
,youar
eher
e.”
“
Anay
aar
eyoucheat
ingonme?
”
“
NoI
-“
“Ifyouli
etomeIam goi
ngtoslapyouhard.”Hi
s
ey esnowbur
ntwit
hanger.Sherubbedherhands
together
.
“Hewouldn’
tst
opcall
ingme,
withadiff
erent
number.It
houghtIwoul
dmeethim andtel
lhi
mto
stop.
”
“
Int
heeveni
ng?Youwentt
omeetanot
hermani
n
t
heeveni
ng?
”
“
IknowIshoul
dn’
thav
e,Idon’
tknowwhatIwas
t
hinki
ng.
”
“
Ithi
nkyouknewex actl
ywhaty
ouwer
ethi
nki
ng.
Whathappenedaf
terthat?
”
“Ireal
i
zedwhatIwasdoi ngwaswr ongandwalked
out.Hefollowedaftermeandkissedme.Ididn’
t
kisshim back,Iswear.
”
“
Andnei
therdi
dyoupushhi
m away
.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Whatar
eyousor
ryabout
?”
“
Babepl
ease.
”
Herubbedhisfaceandlookedatherwi
thpai
nhe
coul
dn’
thide.Guil
tysmother
edherastear
ssurf
aced
i
nhereyes.
“
Anay
awhatam Inotgi
vi
ngy
ou?
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Anay
aweh?
”
“
Rra?
”
“Ihaven’
tbeat
eny
outhat
’swhyyoubehavel
i
kethi
s,
kooreAnayawantl
wael
a.{Youar
efucki
ngwit
h
me.}”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Isai
dwhatam Inotgi
vi
ngy
ou?”
Tear
srol
leddownhercheeks.“Iam sor
ryIwentt
o
seehi
m atnight
,Iam sor
ryIl
ethim ki
ssme.Iam
j
ustscar
ed.”
“
Scar
edofwhat
?”
“Miguelwhat ’sgoingt ohappent ome?Iknowa
chil
dbr i
ngspar entst ogether,youandLonewer e
togetherforfiveyearsandwehav eonlybeen
togetherforthreemont hs.Iam scaredbecauseI
feelIam goingt oloseei therwaybackt oy ourex
gir
lfr
iend.Andmay beIdoubt edthatbutlastnight
madei tsocl ear.Youar egoi ngaroundtell
ingyour
fri
endst hatIam pr osti
tute,alosepanty.Whyon
earthwoul dyouwantal osepantyasy our
gir
lfr
iend?”
Hechuckl
ed.“
Soy
ouar
ereal
l
ytur
ningt
hisar
ound?
”
“Nobutyoushoul
dhav ebeenhonestwithyourself
.
Youknowy oudon’
twantaprosti
tut
ef oragir
lf
r i
end,
whystr
ingmealongwhenal ly
oudoi sshameme
wit
hyourfr
iendsoverbeer
?”
“
Youknowt
hat
’snott
rue.
”
“
Thenwher
edi
dPul
egett
hatMi
guel
?”
“It
oldhim beforeyouandIstarteddati
ng,i
fIdi
dn’t
wanty outhentrustme,Iwouldn’tbeherewi
thyou.I
wil
ltalktoPule.AnayaIam notgoi ngt
ogoroundin
cir
cleswithyouandgot ojai
lfornonsense.I
t’
s
eit
hery ouarewi thmeory ouar enot .Ify oucan’tbe
fai
thfulthengetoutofmyhouser i
ghtnowand
nevercomeback.I fyour emainandt hinkyoucan
alwaysgetawaywi thitIwi l
lstaby ou100t i
mest o
deaththenbur ny ouandt urnmy selfint othepolice.
Iam notgoi ngtol oseany t
hing,myf ami l
ywi l
ltake
careofbusi nessbutasf ory ou,y ourmot herwil
l di
e
andy oursibli
ngswi l
lturnintoor phans.Whoknows
whereandwhot heywi l
lendupwi t
h, theywi l
l
probablygetmol est edandabused. ”
Anayashiver
edwithf
earasshelookedi
nhi
scold
eyes.Helookedl
i
keadeadlyki
ll
erandsomet
hingin
herguttol
dherhewasbeingser
ious.
“Sorightnowchoosewhaty ouwant ,Icert
ainl
ydo
notwantt ocat chamurdercase, Ihav eachildon
thewayandt hatchil
dneedsme.Thedoori sopen,
youcant aket hecarandIwi l
lsendsomeonet o
coll
ectittomor rowatC-SKY.Anay aify oudon’twal
k
outthatdoorandt hi
nkyoucandosuchnonsense, I
wil
lburyy ourashesmy self
.”Hest oodupand
walkedawayl eav i
nghersit
tingont hecouch.Her
heartpoundedasshest oodupandwal kedtothe
doorl
ocki
ngt
hedoorbef
oremaki
ngherwayt
ohi
s
bedr
oom.
Shecouldhearhimintheshowerasshesatonthe
bedandlookedatherref
lect
iononthehugemir
ror
hehadinhisbedroom.Minutesl
aterhecameout
withatowelaroundhi
swaist.Hel
otionedt
hent
ook
offthet
owel andgoti
nbed.
“
Arey
ouj
ustgoi
ngt
osi
tther
e?”
Shel
ookedathi
m andt
ookof
fhershoes.“
Iwi
l
ltake
aqui
ckshower.
”
“
Comeher
e.”
Shenoddedandt ookoffhertopandski
rtbef
ore
crawl
ingbesidehim.Heki ssedheruncl
i
ppingher
braandtakingitoff.Hesqueezedherbr
eastki
ssi
ng
herharder
.
“Miguel
Iam onmyper
iod.
”Shewhi
sper
edpul
l
ing
back.
“
And?
”
Sheshookherheadandki
ssedhi
m.Shecoul
dtel
l
hewasangryandwasprepar
edtomakehi
mf eel
bet
ter
.Hepushedherdownget
ti
ngbet
weenherl
egs.

*
***
*

Miguel
walkedi
nhisof
fi
cethefol
lowingdayand
l
ookedatReba’
semptydesk.Hesatdownpicki
ng
hi
soffi
cephone.
“
Meme,
wher
eisRebaone?
”
“
Mor
ningsi
r,shecal
l
edi
nsi
ck.
”
“
Whatdoy
oumeanshecal
l
edi
nsi
ck?
”
“
Shesai
dshei
snotf
eel
i
ngwel
l
.”
“Whereismyschedul
e?ItoldherIwantt
odoa
conf
erencevi
deocallwit
hthepeoplei
nSA,i
tshoul
d
bestart
ingi
ntenminutes.
”
“
Shedi
dn’
ttel
lmeany
oneany
thi
ng.
”
“Whatwasherpr
eviousexcuseagai
n?Shei snot
ser
ious,
giv
eherhertermi
nationl
ett
er.Andgetmea
newPA.Andgetthosepeopleontheline.
”
“
Yessi
r.
”
Heputt hephonedownconnecti
ngtheof
ficel
inet
o
theBluetoot
heardevi
ce.Heopenedhisl
aptopand
quickl
yrepli
edtohi
semailsbef
oreMemewal kedi
n.
“Ij
ustcall
edthepeoplei
nSAandy ouwi l
lbe
connectedinjustaf
ewmi nut
es.Anordercamei
n
foryou.Coff
eeandamuf fi
n.From Anay
aShato.
”
Shewalkedr
oundhistabl
eandpl acedthemuff
in
car
eful
l
ybesidehi
slaptoptoget
herwiththecof
fee.
“
It
’shot
.”
“
Thanks.
”
Hetookasipoft
hecoff
eebefor
ehandi
ngheraf
il
e.
“
Giv
et hi
stoMasaka,
Iappr
ove.”
Heheldoutt
hefi
leforherandasshetooki
t,she
mist
akenl
yti
ppedhiscoff
eeanditspi
l
tonhishand
ashepushedhi
slaptopaway.
“
Iam sosor
ry.
”
“
Fuck!
”Hest
oodupst
eppi
ngawayf
rom t
hemess.
“
Iam sosor
ry,
arey
ouok,
thatwasr
eal
l
yhot
.”
Helookedathi
sbur
ninghandal
readybecomi
ng
r
eddish.
“
Youshoul
dtaket
hatt
othedoct
or.
”
“
It
’snot
hing.
”
“Thecoff
eewasreal
l
yhot,
youaregoi
ngt
ogeta
bli
ster
.Pl
easegoandgeti
ttr
eat
ed.
”
“
Shi
t!Ok,
post
ponet
heconf
erencecal
l
.”
“
Yessi
r.
”
Hest
oodupandwal
kedoutwi
thhi
scarkey
s.
Anay asatonherdeskwi thherphoneonherearas
Miguel’sphoner angunanswered.Shet r
iedagain
butitstil
lrangunanswered.Shewasn’ tsurei
fhe
j
usthappenedt obebusyorjustdidn’twanttot al
k
toher.Sheputt hephonedownandpi ckedapen
tr
yingtokeepbusy .Shel
ookedatt hetime,shewas
mor ethansur ehehadbynowr eceiv
edherpi ece
off
ering.
Asof
tknockonherdoormadeherr
aiseherhead.
“
Comein,
”
ThedooropenedandSt
acywal
kedi
n.
“
HeyAnay
a.”
Anayal ookedatherpregnanttummywonder i
ngwhy
peoplewer egetti
ngpregnant.ShelookedatStacy
’s
face,shelookedmuchol derthanthel astt
imeshe
hadseenher .Matt
eroffact
,forapr egnantwoman,
shelookedt hin.
“
Stacy
,whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
“
Ihear
dyougotar
eal
job.
”
“
Idi
d,so?
”
“
Ijustwant
edt
oapol
ogi
zef
orwhathappenedt
he
l
astti
me.”
“
Youmeanwheny
ousol
dmet
othr
eemen?
”
“
Iam sor
ryAnay
a.Iwasn’
tthi
nki
ng.
”
“
Igotmysel
fintothatmessandIgotmy
sel
fout
.By
t
heway,
congr at
ulati
ons.
”
“
Ineedy
ourhel
p.”
“
Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom meSt
acy
?”
“
Ineedmoneyf
oranabor
ti
on.
”
“
What
?Doy
ouseehowbi
gyourt
ummyi
s?”
“
YesbutIcanst
il
ldoi
t.
”
“Youar
einsane,Stacyther
eisachi
ldi
nyourwomb
growi
ngandy outalkaboutki
ll
i
ng?”
“
Ihear
dit
’snothumany
et.
”
“
Whicheducat
ionl
evel
didyoureachfory
out
obe
t
hisdump?Therei
sachil
dinthere.
”
“Iam desperateAnaya.IwentbackhomeandIcan’ t
conti
nuest ayingther
e.Themanwhowast aki
ng
careofmest oppedbecauseIam pr
egnant.Ihav
en’t
paidmyr entinthreemonthsandIcrushedmycar .
”
“Wel
lIam sor
ryyouwastedyourti
me.Iam not
goi
ngtobepartofyourevi
lways.Goki
llyourown
babyal
oneanddon’tmakemepar tofi
t.
”
“
Anay
apl
ease…”
“
Getout
.Andnev
ercomeback.
”

*
***
*
Miguelwatchedt
hedoctorcl
eanhi
swoundhi
sface
t
wistedint
oagr i
mace.
“Can’
tyoubegent
le?Inev
erknewnur
sescanbet
his
evi
l.
”
Shelaughed.“
Iam bei
nggent
le,i
t’
snotmyfaul
tyou
areacrybaby.Howdidyouevengetbur
nt?
”
“
Hotcof
fee.
”
“Nextt
imebecar
eful
Miguel
,youseehowpai
nful
a
burnwoundi
s?”
“
Iwi
l
lbev
erycar
eful
.
”
“Iam goi
ngtobandagethi
stoavoi
di nf
ect
iont
hen
giveyousomepainki
ll
ersandant
i-
bioti
cs.
”
“
Ok.
”
Sheappl
iedadressingofgauzeandhandedhi
mthe
pai
nki
ll
ersandanti
-biot
ics.
“Avoi
dusingthathandf
ornow,
leti
trest
.Atl
easti
t’
s
notyourr
ighthand.”
“
Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osaydoct
or?
”
Shepauseddot
ti
ngsomet
hingonhi
smedi
cal
car
d
andlookedathimlaughi
ng.“Idon’tknowwhatyou
arethi
nkingbutIam say
ingatleastyouwil
lwri
te
withyourri
ghthand,
answercallsandeat.
”
“
Ihear
ddoct
orsl
ovet
easi
ngpat
ient
s.”
Shegr
innedstar
ingathi
m.“Iam sor
ry.Youar
e
goi
ngtobefinei
naf ewweeks.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”Hest
oodup.“
What
’sy
ourname?
”
“
Why
?Wannar
epor
tme?
”Sheaskedgi
ggl
i
ng.
“
No,
Iwantt
oknowwhot
othank.
”
“
Mar
ang.Butt
oyouIam Doct
orSet
so.
”
“ThankyouMarangf
ortaki
ngthet
imef
rom y
our
busyschedul
eandtr
eatme.”
“
It
’smyj
ob,
Miguel
.Takecar
e.”
Hewal kedoutofheroff
iceheadedt ohiscar
.He
touchedhispocket
sgettinginsi
de,hehadlefthi
s
phone.Hespedbackt otheof fi
ceandfound
Rebaonebyherdesk.Somet hingwasgoi ngonwith
her.Hesummonedhert ohi soffi
ceashesatdown
taki
nghisphoneonhi sdesk.Fivemissedcall
sfrom
Anaya.
“
Mr.Mokwena,
”
Hel
ookedup.“
Sit
.”
Shesatdown,shehadlostweight
.Hewonder ed
whatwasgoingonwi t
hher,hehadn’
treal
izedthat
’s
howbadshelooked.Thiswasnotthegirl
hehad
metayearago,vi
brant,
ambiti
ousandactive.
“Youareahardwor ker,
wit
hy ouIknowIcannever
gowrongbutthel astt
womont hsyourworkhas
beenquesti
onable.Iwasgoingtofi
reyoubutyou
havecomef ar
.Iam notatherapi
stbutIknow
somethingi
swr ong.”
Shewi
pedat
eart
hathadf
all
en.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Don’tbe.Doyouneedaleave?Iwil
lst
il
lpayyou.
May beyoucanseekmedi cal
care,t
hecompany
alwayshandlesthecost
s.Iwantthegi
rlImetayear
ago,willIseeheri
ntwomont hs?
”
“
Yessi
r,
”
“
Good.Yourl
eav
est
arti
ntwoday
s,getmea
r
epl
acement.
”
“
Yessi
r.
”
Hi
sphoner
angwhi
l
eshewal
kedout
.
“
Yes?
”
“
GoodmorningMr.Mokwena,
howsoondoy
ouwant
t
hecardel
i
vered?
”
Hepausedthought
ful
l
yforasecond.“
Assoonas
possi
ble.
”
“
Ok.Thanky
ou.
”
Heint
entl
ystar
edatAnay
aonhisscr
eenforawhil
e
andli
kesheknewhewasthi
nki
ngabout
,shecal
led.
“
Babe,
Ihav
ebeencal
l
ing.
”
“
Ibur
ntmyhandIhadt
ogot
othehospi
tal
.”
“
Howbadi
sit
?”
“
Nott
hatbad,
Ihadabl
i
sterbutIam goodnow.
”
“
Ok,
Ithoughty
oudi
dn’
twantt
otal
ktome.
”
“Whathappenedi swaterunderthebr
idge,Iam
par
tl
yatf aul
t,Iknowwhat ’
sgoingonwithLoneis
har
dony outoo.Il ov
ey ouandLoneisinthepast
.
Youdon’thavet oworryabouther.
”
“Itr
usty ou.Anyway sIsawagov ernmentt ender,
theyneedacat eri
ngcompanyt hatwillbecooki ng
forpeopl ewhowi llbeworkingonsomegov ernment
projectstart
inginamont h’stime, If
orgotthename.
Iam goingt oappl y
.IknowIam asmal lbusiness
withonlyf i
vewor kersbutifIgetitIwil
l hi
remor e
workers.Iam goi ngtotrytoji
ggleNay aCat ersand
myj ob.Ineedt hem both.”
“Goandapply
,youwil
lmanagethoughy
ouneeda
properpl
anonhowthingswi
ll
run.”
“
Yes,Ihav
eal
readyst
art
edwor
kingoni
t.Ican’
tqui
t
myjob.
”
“
Iwi
l
lhel
pyoupl
an”
“
Thanks,
andIwi
l
lcookdi
nnerf
ory
out
oday
.”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Ok.Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
HeputhisphoneawayasRebaonewal
kedbacki
n
hi
soff
ice.
“Yourconf
erencecal
lst
artsi
ntwominut
es.Your
appoint
mentwi t
hMr.Tafi
rast
art
sinanhour
’sti
me.
”
“Ok,bookmear oom i
nKasanef rom Fridayni
ghtti
ll
Sunday.Andgetfl
owersforAnay a,l
iketheonesshe
gotadayago.Letitgowiththi
snot e.”Hetooka
sti
ckynoteandquickl
ywrotesomet hingonit.“Wr
ite
i
tonani cecar
dandhav eitdel
iveredwi thacake.
“
“Yessi
r.Shoul
dIli
stAnay
aasy ourpl
usoneatt
he
Char
it
yeventnextweekonSat
urday?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Lonecal
led,shesai
dsheneedst
ospeakt
oyouand
t
hati
tisurgent.
”
“
Tel
lherIwi
l
lcal
lher
.”
.
.
.
Thisisl
astni
ght'
sinser
t,i
tdoesn'
taf
fectour
schedul
e.Themorninginser
twil
lcomeabi tl
ate,
i
apologi
zeinadv
ance.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#27
Impat
ient
ly,
Theodor
astoodbyAnay
a’sdoor
wai
ti
ngforhert
ofini
shupwhatshewasdoing.
“
Anay
abequi
ck,
peopl
ewi
l
lfi
nishmypot
s.”
Anay
alaughed.“
Iam done.Let
’sgo.
”
Shestooduptaki
ngherhandbag.“
Howmuchar
e
thosepot
sagain?
”
“
P120,
theyar
eusual
l
yP250,
Iwantt
hem sobadl
y.
”
Theywal
kedoutofheroff
icebumpingi
ntoMrs.
Moses,t
heHRmanager .“
AnayaIwouldli
ketosee
youinmyoff
icei
mmedi at
elyaf
tery
ourlunchbr
eak.
”
“
Yes.
”Shewal
kedwhi
l
eAnay
ast
ared.
“
Doy
out
hinkIam i
ntr
oubl
e?”
“
No,
Idoubt
.Let
’sgo.
”
Theyappr
oachedt
herecept
ionar
eawher
eadel
i
ver
y
guywasholdi
ngfl
owers.
“
Oh,
Good!
”Hesai
dtur
ningt
oAnay
a.“
Adel
i
ver
yfor
y
ou.
”
“Thanky
ou.
”Shet
ookt
hef
lower
sandasmal
lgi
ft
box.
“Iwi
shIcanf
indamanl
i
key
our
s,t
hisguyi
sfi
ght
ing
now.”
Anay
alaughed.“Letmedr
opt
hesei
nmyof
fi
ce,
Iwi
l
l
seet
hem lat
er.
”
Shetur
nedandhurri
edbacktoheroff
icewhereshe
pl
acedherfl
owersonherdesk.Sheopenedthegift
boxandsmil
edstari
ngatthecakesal
ivat
ingthen
deci
dedtoeati
talongt
heway .
“ThankGod!Isuspect
edi
twasacake.
”Theodor
a
saidseei
ngAnayawalkbackwi
tht
hecake.
Anay
alaughed.“
Theodor
a!”
“
Don’
tcal
lmynamel
i
ket
hat
.Ial
sowant
.”
Theybot
hat
ethecakewal
ki
ngout
.
“
Sowhatdi
dhesay
?”
“Hefor
gaveme.Iwassoscar
ed,
het
oldmei
fI
cheatt
henhewouldst
abmea100ti
mesandbur
n
mydeadbody.
”
Theodor
afl
aggeddownapassi
ngt
axi
.“Iwoul
dhav
e
peedmysel
fifIwer
eyou.
”
“Iwassoscar edandhewasl ooki
ngatmeinascary
way .Ir
eal
lythoughthewasgoi ngtobeatme.He
fuckedmehar dl astni
ght,
itwasasweetpainf
ul
punishment.Afterhewasdonewi thme,Icoul
dn’
t
feelmypussy ,i
tf el
tasifi
twantedtodr
opdown.”
“
Nowy
ouwon’
tdoi
tagai
n.”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ogetanewsi
m car
d.”Anay
asai
das
t
heygoti
nsi
det
hetaxi
.
“
Buther
eal
l
ylov
esy
ou.
”
“
Ilov
ehi
mtoo.
”
Anay
atookadeepbr
eat
hfeel
i
ngal
i
ttl
efai
nt.
“
Arey
ouok?
”
“
Yea-
…”Shegaspedst
ruggl
i
ngt
obr
eat
he.
“
Anay
a!”
I
tfel
tasifsomethi
ngwasbl
ocki
ngherthroat
.Her
bodybegantoi
tchasshef
oughtt
obreathe.
“
Takeust
othehospi
tal
!”
Anay
acl
osedherey
esf
eel
i
ngasi
fshewasdy
ing.

*
***
*

Theodor apacedupanddownatthehospital
wait
ing
areashaking.Herhear
twassti
l
lraci
ng.Shestopped
seeingMi guelwal
ktowar
dsherwit
hhisjacket
unbuttoned.
“
Whathappened?
”
“Shejuststar
tedgaspi
ngli
keshewashavi
ngan
asthmaticatt
ackasherfacet
urnedr
ed.
”
“
Wher
eisshenow?
”
“
Thedoct
ori
swi
thher
.”
“
Ummhhi
,
”adoct
orappr
oachedt
hem.
“
Howi
sshe?
”
“Shejusthadanutreacti
on,
sheisal
ler
gict
onuts.
Didsheeatanyt
hingwi t
hnutsornut
sthemsel
ves.
”
“
Sheat
eacake,
webot
hat
eit
.”
“
Maybei
thadnuts.Sheisst
abl
ebutwewi
l
lkeepher
t
oni
ghtf
orobser
vati
on.”
“
Canweseeher
?”
“
Yesbutshei
ssl
eepi
ng.
”
Thedoctorwal
kedaway .Theodor ahadseenhima
coupleoft
imeswhenhecamet othehotelandwhen
hecamet ocol
lectAnayabutshehadnev erspoken
tohimfacetoface.Bei
ngrightnexttohim madeher
shiv
er,t
herewasjustsomethingabouthimt hat
madeherbloodrush.Shecouldn’tlookathiminthe
eyesasshebreathedinhi
si nt
oxicati
ngcologne.
“
Youcangoandseeher
,Ihav
etogobackt
owor
k.”
“
Icandr
opy
ouof
f,t
hanksf
orbr
ingi
ngherher
e.”
Shewat chedhi m wal ktowhereAnay awasasshe
remainedst anding.Closinghereyes,shechastened
herthoughts.Shehadnot i
cedhiszipper,
something
tol
dherhewast hety peofmant ofuckherhardand
good.Hewast al
lerthanAgang, bett
erlooki
ngtoo.
Minuteslater,t
heywer ewalki
ngt owardshiscar.
Shesatwher
eAnay
ausual
l
ysatwhi
l
ehegoti
non
t
hedr
iver
’sseat
.Hest
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveof
f.
“
Youar
eTheodor
ari
ght
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shel ookedathiswat cht henhiscleanbighands.
Shepr essedhert hi
ghst ogetherasway ward
thoughtsswirledinherhead.Shest oleagl
anceat
him ashef ocusedont heroad,shecouldtel
lhewas
stressed.Shewonder edwhatt osaytohimt omake
himf eelbett
er,somet hingappropriat
e.
“Youdon’
thavet
oworryt
hatmuch,
shewi
l
lbef
ine.
”
Shesoft
lysai
dandhenodded.
“
Yeah.
”
“
Ithi
nkit
’st
hecake,
that
’st
heonl
ythi
ngsheat
e
t
oday.
”
“Iwi
llaskmyPA.Idi
dn’
tknowshewasal
l
ergi
cto
peanuts.
”
“
Theset
hingshappen.Butshei
sst
rong,
she
woul
dn’
twantyouthatworri
ed.
”
“
Iam gl
ady
ouwer
ewi
thher
.”
Shesmi ledandl ookedoutthroughthewindowashe
drove.Therewassomet hingaboutsit
ti
ngnextto
him, br
eathi
ngi nhisscent.Shewonderedhowi tf
elt
kissi
nghi m orhowhi stouchfeltl
i
ke.Heparkedin
frontofthehotel whil
eshestil
lwaslostinher
thoughts.
“
Thanky
ou,
agai
n.”
Shesmi l
ed.“I
t’
sok,t
hankyou.
”Shegotoffthecar
withherhandbagandwalkedt
owardstheentrance
sit
ti
ngbesideTsohl
ewhowaseat i
ng.Herphone
rangfr
om herhandbagandshequi
cklytookitout.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Sonowthatyouaresuccessf
ulyoudon’tr
ecogni
ze
meany
more,aft
erevery
thingIdi
dforyou?”
Shepausedf
orasecondt
henl
aughed.“
Yaone?
”
“Heylover,
Iwasgoingthr
oughmycontactsthenI
sawy ournameandIthoughtwow!Dist
ancecan
real
l
yst r
ainarel
ati
onshi
p,tothi
nkyouandIusedto
beclose.Iusedt
obuyy oufoodwit
hmyal l
owance
money
.”
“
Ineverknewdistancecoulddest
royarel
ati
onshi
p
t
il
lImetyou.It
riedkeepingusali
vebutyounever
metmehal f
way.”
Yaonel
aughed.“
Iam atf
aul
t,sohowar
eyoucuzy
?”
“Iam fi
ne,howisyourmot
her.Iwi
llneverf
orgethow
yourmot herhat
edme.SometimesIjustwonderwhy
auntydisli
kedmebutshehadbeentheonet o
volunt
eertostaywit
hmeinGaboronewhi l
eIwent
toschool.”
Yaonecontinuedl
aughing.“
Idon’tt
hinksheliked
anyoneincl
udingherownkids.Theonlyreasonshe
tookyouinwasbecauseoft hemoneyy ourmot her
senteverymonth.
”
“Sowhatarey
oudoi
ngwi
thl
i
fe?Ar
eyoust
il
li
n
Jwaneng?”
“
No,
Imov
edt
oDebswanai
nGabor
one.
”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Wow!
”
“
Youknowme,
weshoul
ddodr
inkssomet
ime.
”
“
Iwoul
dlov
ethat
,Ist
ayi
nTl
okweng.
”
“Iwi
llv
isityouoneoft hedays,maybetomorrow,are
yousti
lldump?”Shel aughed.“
Youusedt obeso
dumbt hat’
swhyt heyalwaysbull
i
edy ouatschool.I
wouldalway sf
indyoucr y
ing.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.“
No,
Iam nowgr
own.
”
“
Ihopeso,l
ookIhavetogo,sendmedirect
ionsto
y
ourhouseorworkplaceandIwil
lpassby,bye.
”
Theodor
aputherphonedownwi
thasmi
l
e.

*
***
*

LaterintheeveningLonepour edthewatershehad
beengi v
eninsidethebathtubtogetherwit
hthe
stones.Herheartpoundedasshest oodther
e,
stari
ngatthewat er.Shegotinsi
det hebatht
ub
nakedandsatdown.
“Miguelcomebacktome.LeaveAnayaandcome
backt ome.”Shesai
doverandoveragai
nasshe
bathed.Shefi
nall
yst
oodupexpecti
ngtomay befeel
i
tchinessorsomethi
ngbutshewasjustfi
ne.She
steppedoutofthet
ubandputat owelaroundher
bodydraini
ngthewater.Shetookthestonesandput
them backint
hebottl
ebef or
eshestoodupand
walkedouttoherbedroom.
Shedi
aledMi
guel
’
snumbersi
tt
ingont
hebed.
“
Lone,
ist
hebabyok?
”
“Ifeelal
it
tl
epain,Iam sur
eit
’snot
hingser
ious.The
doctorsai
dIshouldgetsomesupplementsandI
forgotal
labouti
t,i
twasbusyatthebank.Cany ou
pleasegetthem i
fyouarenotbusy
.”
“Sendt
hel
i
standIwi
l
ldr
opt
hem of
fonmyway
home.”
“
Ok,
thanky
ou.
”
Shesmi l
edandquicklychangedbeforetexti
nghim
thel
istandputti
ngaKr usherattheendofit.She
wait
edpat i
ent
lyrubbi
ngherst omachandt wenty
minuteslat
er,
hehooted.Sheopenedt hegat e
putt
ingthesmallbott
lewiththeredsubstanceinher
bra.
“
Hey
,”shesai
dassheopenedt
hedoorf
orhi
m.He
l
ookedr
atherdr
ainedandexhaust
ed.
“
Ist
hisal
l
?”
Shet
ookt
hepl
ast
icandl
ookedatev
ery
thi
ng.
“
Yes,
thanky
ousomuch.
”
“
Andher
eisy
ourKr
usher
.”
Shet
ooki
twi
thasmi
l
e.“
Thanky
ou.AndIam sor
ry.
”
Hesighed.“
It
’sf
ine,
ther
eisnot
hingwecando
abouti
tnow.”
“
Yes…aahh!”Shescr
eamedrubbinghert
ummy
.She
i
mmediat
elysawpanici
nhiseyes.
“
Arey
ouok?
”
“Justthepai
n.Thedoct
orsai
dit
’snor
mal
.If
eel
dizzy.
”
Heputhi
shandar
oundherwai
st.“
Youshoul
dsi
t
down.
”
Hehel
pedhert
ohercouch.“
Ithi
nkIneedsome
wat
er.
”
Sheat
tempt
edst
andi
ngupbuthepushedherdown.
“
Iwi
l
ldoi
t.
”
Hewalkedtot hekitchenandcamebackwit
ha
gl
assofwat er.Shedr ankhal
fandputt
hegl
ass
down.“If
eel bett
er.It
’snormalf
orthef
ir
stt
ri
mest
er.
Youlookdrained.”
“
Iam f
ine.Ishoul
dgo.
”
“No.Iknowy ouprobabl
yhatemebutl etmepour
youjuice.
”Shestoodupandwal kedtothekitchen
whereshepour edhimtheguavajuiceaddingher
specialmixt
urewhil
emut t
eri
ngsilentwords.She
mixedi tt
henwalkedoutofthekit
chen.
“
Hav
ejui
ce,
youwi
l
lfeel
bet
ter
.”
“
LoneIam f
ine.
”
“
It
’saf
ri
endlygestur
e.Buti
fyoufeelIam har
myou
t
henIwil
ltast
eit
.”Shetookasi
p.“See?”
Hetookt
heglasst
hengul
pedi
tal
ldown.“
Iam
goi
ngnow.”
“
Ok.
”
Hewalkedoutwhi
l
eshebeamed.Nowwhatwaslef
t
wer
ethebottl
eswhichwer
etobethr
owni
nariv
er.
“
Wat
choutAnay
a,Iam get
ti
ngbackmyman.
”
Shewhisperedwatchi
ngMi guel
reversi
ngfrom her
yar
dint
ot heroadthendri
vi
ngof f
.Sheturnedtothe
emptyglassandtookitt
othekitchensingi
ng.

*
***
*

Thehousewassosi l
entCol l
eenwassur eher
parentswer esl eeping.Shel ookedatAngel sleeping,
shehat edhersomuchev enl ooki
ngatheranger ed
her.Every t
hingt hebabydi dannoy edher,theway
shebr eathedorcr i
ed.Shel ookedatheri nnocent
faceast earsfilledherey es.Shef eltrobbedofher
happinessandal l
byababy .It’
sli
kesomet hingdeep
i
nsideherhadsnappedandshecoul dseet hi
ngs
properly.Itwashar dt olookatt hepersonshe
blamedf orherunhappi nessev erydayandev en
harderthatshehadt opret endt ocarewhenal lshe
wantedwasst ompherunt i
l shewasdead.
Tear
sfinal
l
ycascadeddownhercheeksgoi
ngtoher
chi
n.Shewasinpainandnoonewassy mpat
hizi
ng
withher
.Noonecaredonhowshef el
tbutonly
caredaboutt
hebaby.Shetookadeepbreaththen
l
ookedatthebabyonelastti
mebefor
egr abbi
ngher
pil
l
ow.
“
123…”
Sheputthepi
ll
owont hebaby
’sf
aceandheldit
ther
e.ThebabythrashedbutCol
l
eenpressedher
downharderti
l
ltherewasnomov ementatall
.
“Col
leen!
”MmaMokwenascr
eamedbur
sti
ng
thr
oughthedoor
.Col
l
eenqui
ckl
ythr
ewt
hepil
low
down.
“OhGod!
”MmaMokwenatooktheunconsci
ous
babyi
nherhands.“
OhmyGod!
”
Sher anoutofandsecondsl atershehearddoor s
openi ngandcl osingt henthecarst art
inganddrivi
ng
off.Shehadnev erfel
tsosat isfi
edinherlif
e.Now
Angel coul dfeelwhatshef el
ttoo.Colleenwas
prettysur ethatshewasdead.Shegotof fthebed
andwal kedt othekitchen.Shel ookedatthegas
tankmoment aril
ythenr eachedf ori
t.Sheopenedi t
thenst artedsear chi
ngf orthemat chesasshe
coughed.
Shef el
thandsgr
abherassheopenedt hekitchen
drawers.Sheimmediat
elyr
ecogni
zedtheneighbor’s
20y earol
dson.“Whatthef
uckareyout r
yingtodo?”
“Letmego!”Sheyell
edashehel dbothherhands
withonehandandclosingthegastankwiththe
other
.Hedraggedoutoft hehousethr
oughthe
kit
chendoorleav
ingthedooropen.
“Ifyouaret r
y i
ngt okil
l yourselfwhydon’ tyoudoi t
somewher eelsenoti nsomeone’ shouse?Andwhy
destroythehouseandf urniturewheny oucan
alway sstaborbur ny our selfout sidethegat e?The
streetisthere,it’
sgov ernmentpr opertybutIam
suret heywon’ tmind.Youcangot oabushor
somewher ewher enoonewi llasky ouanyquest i
ons.
Iam sur eyourpar entswor kedhar dbui l
dingthis
houseandbuy ingthef urnit
ur einsi defory outojust
comeandbur ny ourselfinthei rhousedamagi ng
theirpropert
y .
”
Shel
ookedathi
minshock.
“
Don’
tlookatmewi
thashockedexpr
essi
on,
answer
me, whycan’tyoukil
lyoursel
fsomewher eel
se?Why
choosetotraumat i
zeyourparentsbecauseIam
prett
ysurenoonewant stostayinahouse
someoneki l
ledthemselvesin.Icer
tainlywon’
t.You
ki
lli
ngyourselfi
snottheissue,theissueiswhydr ag
otherpeopleinitt
o?Goanddoi toutsidethegate,
doy ouknowwhatt imeitis?”
Sheshookherhead.
“I
t’
spastmidnight.Hady outriedtokill
y ourselfand
yourl
it
tl
ebabyout sidet hegat e,Iwouldbesl eepi ng
butno!Youjusthadt odoy ourbullshi
tinside
someoneelse’shouseandnowIam awake.Your
mothercall
edmymot hersot hatshekeepsaney e
onyoubecausey ouj ustt r
iedtokillaninnocentbaby .
Mymot herisnothereandnowIhav etobaby sitand
dumpandst upidmur der er.
”
Col
l
eensl
owl
ysl
i
dtot
hegr
oundcr
ying.“
Ihat
eher
!”
“
Whocar
esbecauseIdon’
tgi
veaf
uck.
”
“
Sher
uinedev
ery
thi
ng.
”
“
Tellt
hatt
opoli
ce,
y ourf
olkscal
ledthecops.I
wonderwhatt
imetheyarearr
ivi
ng.Icoul
dbe
smocki
ngr
ightnow.
”Hecl
i
ckedhi
stongue.
Shehear
dpol i
cesirensthenstoodup.“Goandt ur
n
your
sel
finplease.Andtellt
hem youwer etr
yingt o
damagesomeone’ spropert
y.Thatshouldgety ou
l
ockedupf oralongperi
odoft i
me.”Hesaidt hen
j
umpedov erthewalltotheotheryar
d.
“Col
leen,
comeout !
”Thepol
i
ceyel
ledfr
om i
nsi
de
thehouse.Shewalkedi
nwit
hherhandsup
surr
enderi
nghersel
f.

*
***
*

Agangl ookedatAnay a’
snakedbodyl yi
ngont he
bed.Shehadf ullfi
rm breastt hatst
ood.Hi sey es
wentdownt ohertinywai stthenherbellybut t
on.He
wantedt oli
ckitsobad.Herhi pswerefullandher
cookiewasshav ed.Shehadsexyt oes.Heki ssed
herfrom hertoes,droppingwetki ssesuphert hi
ghs,
i
nnert hi
ghs.Het easedhercooki ewit
hhi stongue
asshemoanedsof tl
ycallingouthisname.He
spreadherlegsev enmor eandopenedherf olds.
Shewasbeaut i
ful
andpi nk.Hel
ookedathertiny
holethenki
ssedhercl
it.Shecall
edhisnameashe
l
ickedhersl
owlydippi
nghi spi
nkyfi
ngerinsi
deher.
Hetookhi sti
me, pl
easur i
nghert i
l
lsher el
eased
cl
osinghert highsonhi shead.Shet astedsweetand
smeltamazi ngt oo.Sher el
axedherlegst henki
ssed
hersoftlipscaressingherbody .Hereleasedher
wantinglipsthenki ssedherneckt i
ll
hewassucki ng
hernipples.Everysinglepartofherwassweetand
hewant edt okissherev erywhere.
“Makelov etomeAgang, ”shewhi speredinhisear
.
Shedidn’tneedtotellhi
mt wice,heknewhewoul d
doany t
hingshewant edhimt odo.Hepul l
edhero
theedgeoft hebedsteppingdownt henslowlysl
id
i
nhi ssupertight
ness.Shewast ootightandsweet
thathefeltl
ikeexpl
odingrightthereandt hen.
“Fuck!”Hegroanedpushi nghi mselfti
l
l hewas
burieddeepinsideher.Heki ssedhert henst
arted
thrust
ingint
oher .Shemoanedr ubbi
nghisback.
Withev er
ythrustshegotsweet erandmor ewet .She
cuppedherbounci ngbreastandmassagedt hem as
shemoanedhi snamecl osingherey es.
“HarderAgang…”Shewhi speredandhechanged
pacethr usti
nghar der.Shesqueezedhi m making
him groan.Hewascl ose.Hemov edhiswai stasif
mov i
ngt osomeexot icsongmaki ngherv i
br at
e.He
knewhehadherr ightwherehewant edher.Her
bodyst artedconv ul
singasshescr eamed.He
mov edev enf ast
erfeelinghi
sdi ckt wit
chinsideher.
Afewmor ethrusthewasr eleasing.
“
Ilov
eyousomuchAgang.
”
“Ilovey
ouNay
a.”Het
hrustonemor
eti
meand
sighed.
“
Agangwhoi
sNay
a?”
Hesnappedandpul
l
edoutst
ari
ngatMbal
iwho
l
ookedangry
.Shest
oodup.“
WhoisNayaAgang?
”
Het
ookof
fthecondom wal
ki
ngt
othet
oil
et.
“Youhaveaner
ve!Cal
l
ingawhor
e’snamedur
ing
oursex.
”
Hegotundert
heshowertr
yingt
oridAnay
af r
om his
head.Whenhest
eppedout,hef
oundMbalisi
tti
ng
onthebed.
“Ar
eyougoi
ngtoanswerme?WhoisNaya?Ican’
t
bel
iev
eyousai
danotherwoman’
snamewhil
ewith
me.Youar
esuchabitchAgang.
”
Hel
ookedather
.“Thenl
eav
e.”
“
Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
e,Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Iam sl
eepi
ng.
”
Hegotundercoversandclosedhi
seyes.Hi
sphone
rangandhequickl
yreachedfori
twhi
l
eMbal iwal
ked
outcry
ng.
“
Papa?
”
“
Yoursist
ertri
edkil
li
ngAngelwit
hapi
ll
ow.Shehas
j
ustbeentransf
err
edtoMarina,
wearecoming
t
here.
”
“
What
?”
“Thepoli
cetookherandapsy chi
atr
istandanal
yzi
ng
her.Theysayshemayhav ebeensufferi
ngfr
om a
l
otofst r
essduetohercheati
nghusbandandalso
postmot al
depressi
on.
”
“
Postnat
aldepr
essi
on?
”
“
Yes!That
.”
“
IsAngel
goi
ngt
obeok?
”
“Idon’
tknow,
thedoctorspoket
oyourmot
her
.I
havetogo,wewil
ltal
k.”
“
Ok.
”
Agangputhisphonedownandchangedbefor
e
walki
ngoutpassi
ngMbaliwhowassleepi
ngonthe
couchdi
ali
nghisbrot
her.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#28

Thedoctorwalkedi
nAnay
a’sr
oom andf
oundher
al
readydressed.
“
Goodmor
ning,
howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”
“
Ifeel
ok.Pl
easet
ell
mey
ouar
edi
schar
gingme,
I
havetogot
owor
k.Ihav
eani
mpor
tantmeet
ingat
10a.
m.”
Thedoct
orsmil
ed.“
YesIam di
schar
gingy
ou.Di
d
youknowyouar
eall
ergi
ctonut
s?”
“Yes.It
hinki
twast
hecake,
that
’st
heonl
ythi
ngI
ateyest
erday
.”
“
Ok,
letmef
il
li
nyourdi
schar
gef
orms.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Sheputonhershoesandti
edherhai
rasthedoct
or
fi
l
ledt
heforms.Awhilel
atershewaswal
kingout
wit
hherphoneonherear.
“Anay
a,Miguelpassedbyt
ell
i
ngusy
ouwer
ein
hospi
tal
,ar
ey ouok?”
“Yes.Iam onmywayhomemama.Cany ouplease
i
ronmynav ybl
uepi
naf
oreandwhi
tel
ongsleeved
shir
t.
”
“
Ok.Somepregnantwomanal
socamet
oseey
ou
y
ester
day
.”
Shef
rowned.“
Whodi
dshesayshewas?
”
“
Stacy
.”
“
Ok.Iam comi
ng.
”
Shehungupst
oppi
ngacombi
.

*
***
*

Detecti
veMi chael
swalkedinsidet
hehousef
ixi
ng
hisgloves.Helookedatthescene.Awomananda
manbot hdead.Helookedthemanhangingf
rom the
roofthenthewomanont hefloorl
yi
ngi
napool of
blood.
“Man,IanMathabela,age31,adoct
or.Woman,
OtengSolomon,27y earsol
dandnotwor ki
ng.
”An
off
icersai
dasDet ecti
veMichael
skneltbef
orethe
woman.
“
Whathappened?
”
“Themanmusthav estabbedherthenkill
edhimsel
f,
passionkil
l
ingi
fyouaskme.Theypr obablyhada
fi
ghtbecausethefurni
tureisoutofplace,br
oken
glasses.
”
Detect
iveMichael
slookedatt
hewoman’
sbr
uised
neck.“
Signsofstr
uggle.
”
“
Yes,andwejustf
oundoutt
hatthemanIact
ual
l
y
marr
ied.Butt
hewif
eisi
nMahalaype.
”
“
Whendi
dshegot
her
e?”
“
Wear est
il
lchecki
ngt
hatbuti
tseemst
ohav
ebeen
acoupl
edaysnow.”
Thedetecti
vestoodupthenl
ookedatt
heman
hangi
ngf r
om thecei
li
ng.
“
Didt
henei
ghbor
shearany
thi
ng?
”
Theof
fi
cershookhishead.“
No,
timeofherdeat
his
bet
ween1a.m and2a.
m.”
“
No, preci
sel
ybetween0145hoursand0200hour
s.”
Aladysaidappr
oachingthem.“Hi
,mynameis
MariahJohane,
from thefor
eni
cs.
”
Shekneltdownbeforethewomanwi thacamer aon
herneck.“Youmightthi
nkshewasst abbedtodeath,
butno.Shewasnot .Shewasstrangl
edt odeath
beforef
inall
ybei
ngstabbed.Shelostherart
if
ici
al
nai
l t
oo,musthavebeenabi gst
ruggle.Wefoundhis
f
ingerpr
int
sontheknifebutt
hat’
sal
l.Ther
eareno
f
ingerpri
ntsonhernecktoprov
eitwashim.”
Thedetecti
velookedatt
hemanagai n.“
Hisknuckl
es
arebr
uised.Doesitshowthatshewaspunched?”
Mari
ahstoodup.“No.Butwedi
drecor
dahi
ghcount
ofal
coholi
nhisbody.”
“Isee.Ithi
nkwehav eamur dercase.Whoeverkil
l
ed
them wantedust ot
hinkIankil
ledhissi
dechick.I
wantt ospeaktothehospit
alstaffwhowereclose
tohim, t
heneighbor
st ooandhiswife.Shemight
havesentsomeonet okillt
hem, whoknows.”
Theof
fi
cernoddedwal
ki
ngaway
.

*
***
*

Withotherwor
kers,
Anayawal
kedoutoft
he
boardr
oom hol
dingherwat
erbot
tl
e.
“Yest
erdayIwaswor
ri
ed.Ar
eyouok?
”Acowor
ker
asked.
“
Iam f
ine,
justanal
l
ergi
creact
ion.
”
“Iam gl
adyouar eok,Iwasact
uall
ysurpri
sedwhenI
sawMr .Mokwenadr oppi
ngoffTheodorawhil
eshe
wasinthefrontseat.
”
Anay
alookedather
.“Oh?
”
“Yes.Look,Iadmireyourfr
iendshipwi
thTheodor
a
butatthesamet imethereshouldbeaboundaryli
ne
wheni tcomestoy ourrel
ati
onship.Mysi
stert
oday
i
scr yi
ngallbecauseofaf r
iendwhobetrayedher
.”
“
Thanky
ouf
ort
headv
ise.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come,
letmegobackt
owor
k.”
I
nherof
fi
ceAnayamassagedhert
emplest
hen
f
inal
l
ycal
ledhi
m wi
thapoundi
nghear
t.
“Iam abouttogetinameet i
ng,Iwil
lcall
y ouback. ”
Hehungupbef oreshecoul
dgetawor dacr oss.She
slowlyputthephonedownandst ar
edatherdesk
top.Shehadn’tseenTheodorasincemor ningnor
hadTheodor aevencall
edtocheckuponher .The
thoughtofherfri
endwithhermanmadei thar df or
hertobreathe.Cl
osinghereyes,shepull
edher self
together
.Shedecidedtobeopti
misti
c,remindi
ng
herselft
hatTheodorawasherfri
end.Sofarthei
r
fri
endshipwasrunningsosmoothlyAnayahadno
reasontosuspectanythi
ngbutanundyingthought
remainedlur
kingatthebackofherhead.

*
***
*

MmaMokwenal ookedatt hebabyconnect edt othe

machineswonder ingwher eshewentwr ong.Of
causeshehadseenhowoddCol l
eenhadbeen
acti
ngbutt oheritwasnor mal .Shehadf eltthatway
whenshegav ebir
tht oMiguel,shehadf eltscar ed
anddisconnectedt oherchildbutshehadnotgone
asfarastryingtokillherchil
d.Shestil
lcoul dn’tri
d
whatshehadseeni nColl
een’seyes.Shehadbeen
settokil
lthebaby ,shewonder edwhatcoul dhav e
happenedhadshenotwal kedinthemomentshedi d.
“MmaMokwena,
Ibroughtyoufood.
”Herhusband
sai
dwal
ki
nginwit
hat akeaway
.
“
Whatdi
dIdowr
ongMokwena?It
ri
edmybestt
o
r
aiset
heseki
ds.
”
Heputthef
ooddownandhuggedher
.“Nothi
ng.
Howtheynowchoosetobehav
ehasnothi
ngtodo
wi
thus.Wedidourpar
t.
”
“
Col
l
eenwant
edt
oki
l
lherchi
l
d.Herownchi
l
d.”
“Godlov
est hisl
itt
legir
l andt
hat’
swhyhehas
managedt oprotecther.Sheisonlyaf
ewdaysold
buthassof arbeenthroughal ot
.Weshoul
dthank
Godforthat.”
“
Idon’
tknowany
mor
e.Di
dyoucal
lBoi
kany
o?”
“Yes.Hewillcomebyl
ateron.Atleasthearr
anged
forthebabytomovedi
nt hi
spriv
at ehospi
tal
.He
saidit
’sgood.”
Thenursewalkedi
nandsmil
edattheol
dcouple.
“Thedoctori
scomingt
otal
ktoyou,howisourl
it
tl
e
fi
ghterdoi
ng?”
Shecheckedt
hebabyasthedoctorwal
kedi
n.She
smil
edatthem t
henl
ookedatthebaby.
“Goodaft
ernoonma,
Iam Dr.Set
so,ourAngel
is
stabl
eatthemomentbutshemightbebrai
ndead.
Shewasdepri
vedofoxygenf
oral
ongt
imeand
suf
fer
edasphyxi
a.Att
hemoment-
“
“Doct
or,
wai
t,pl
easeexpl
ainsl
owl
y.
”Mokwenacut
herof
f.
Shesmi l
ed.“Ok,whatIam sayingcoul
dn’tbr
eat
he
foralongtimeandt hatmighthaveaff
ectedher
brai
n.Butwewon’ tknowforsur et
il
lsheisawake
andrightnowit’
shar dtot
elli
fshewillev
erwakeup.
Shealsosuffer
ed-“
“Youmeanshemaydi
e?”MmaMokwenaasked
standi
ngup.
“WhatIam say
ingi
sthatri
ghtnowit
’shar
dtot
ell
if
shewil
lwakeup,westi
llhavemore-
“
MmaMokwenaputherhandov erherchestdueto
thesharppai
n.Shegaspedthenslowlymeltedtothe
fl
oor.Thedoct
orrushedtohersideandputt he
stet
hoscopeonherchestli
steni
ng.
“Nurse!
”Shecal
l
edoutast
henur
s.Mokwenaknel
t
beforehi
swif
e.
“
What
’swr
ongwi
thher
?”
Anotherdoctorburstthr
oughfoll
owedbymal e
nurses.Theypickedherupandputheront he
str
etchbedbef orerushi
ngoffwithher.Dr
.Set
so
l
ookedatt heoldmanwhocoul dn’
thidehi
s
confusion.
“Si
r,Iam goingtoasky outobestrong.Iam goi
ngto
doev eryt
hinginmypowert oensurethatyourwif
e
andgr andchi
ldareok.Ipromise.
”
Sherushedoutf ol
lowingbehi
ndhiswi f
e.Wit
h
shakinghands, hetookouthisphoneanddialed
Miguel’
snumber .Hisphonerangunanswered.With
apoorv i
sion,hecal l
edAgangwho’ sphonedidn’
t
ri
ngatall.Losinghope, hefi
nal
lycall
edMiguel’
s
off
ice.
“Goodaft
ernoon,
MokwenaLogi
sti
cshowcanwe
helpyou?
”
“
Mychi
l
d,pl
easel
etmespeakt
oBoi
kany
o.”
“UhhIam sor
rybutwehav
enoonecal
l
edBoi
kany
o
here.
”
“
Miguel
…”
“
Oh,Iam sorr
ybutMr
.Mokwenai
sinanimpor
tant
meeti
ngatthemoment,
woul
dyouli
ketol
eavea
message?”
Thephonecal
lcutof
fandheheldt
hebat
ter
ydead
phonei
nhishandswit
hasigh.

*
***
*

Ayanawal
kedwithherf
ri
endfrom schoolast
hey
chart
edl
oudl
ylaughi
ng.Acarslowlydrov
epast
them.
“
Lal
ah,
thatbl
ackcari
scr
eepi
ngmeout
.”
Herfri
endlookedaheadandl
aughed.“
It
’snot
hing,
ar
ey oualr
eadyimagini
ngwhatmam wassayingin
cl
ass?”
“Nobut…”Sheshookherheadthenfrownedas
Lal
ahtookoutapacketofNikNaksfrom herschool
pant
s.“NyaammaLalah,wankulutammewaj a.{No
Lal
ah,youowingmeyetyouareeating.
}”
“
Ayanannammaket
swer
eket
lal
a,ket
lagoduel
a.
{
AyanaIam hungr
y,Iwi
l
lpayy
ou.
}”
“
Youcan’
tbeeat
ingwhi
l
sty
ouoweme.
”
“Sheh!Ayanaaausiwagagoojol
alebathobadi
RangeRov ermarawenaobusyobat l
agoduelwa
P2.00?{Anayayoursi
steri
sdati
ngpeoplewhoown
RangeRov erbutyouar
ebusyaskingt
obepaid
P2.00?}
”
“
Lal
ahtomor
rowi
fIcat
chy
oueat
ing,
Iam goi
ngt
o
t
akei
t.
”
“Ayanannammakemohumanegi ,t
swamogonna
mot howamodi mo,kenkgalechonohela.Gakena
madi mma.{ AyanaIam poor,
leavemeal one,
Ist
ink
brokenness.Idon’
thavemoney .
}”Lalahl
aughed.
“Areyounotashamedaski ngforP2.00?”
“
Iam not
,samewayyouwer
enotashamedwhen
y
ouaskedformymoney.
”
“
Gir
lsar
etr
ickyshame.
”
“No,don’
tsaygi
rl
saretri
ckywhi
l
styouoweme.I
t’
s
beenweeksandy oudon’
twantt
opayme.”
Lal
ahl
aughedmor
ethenputherar
m ar
oundAy
ana.
“
Don’twor
ryf
ri
endooo!Iwi
l
lpayy
ou.Wai
tand
wat
ch.”
“
Somet
imesy
ouar
eannoy
ing,
canIhav
e?”
Lalahstoodstil
ll
aughingsohardti
ll
herri
bshurt
.
“Thisgirl
!AyanaifIgi
veyouthenIam goi
ngto
subtractfr
om themoneyIowey ou.OneNikNakcost
10t hebe.LetmecounthowmanyIshoul dgiv
eyou.”
Thegi
rl
slaughedst
andi
ng.Thebl
ackcarr
ever
sed
andamanopenedhiswindow.
“
Higi
rl
s!”
Theyturnedtol
ookatt
hemanasAnay astepped
back.Therewassomet
hingabouthi
m shedidn’
tli
ke.
“
Howcanwehel
pyou?
”Lal
ahaskedl
oudl
yasusual
.
“Iam aski
ngfordi
rect
ions,
Iam l
ooki
ngf
orBBSmal
l
butseemsl i
keIam l
ost.
”
“Uhhyougobackt
owhereyouar
ecomi
ngf
rom and
geti
nthe…”Lal
aht
urnedt
oAyana.
“Yougobackusi
ngt her
oadyoucamewi t
h,youar
e
goingt
oseearoadheading,t
akethatr
oadandand
tur
nlef
t.Youwil
lpassChoppi
esthengett
oaT-
Juncti
on.Youtur
nri
ghtandgost
raightt
il
lyou
reacharobot
.Youwoul
dhavearr
ived.
”
“Maybey
ougi
rl
sshoul
descor
tme,
Iwi
l
lbr
ingy
ou
back.
”
Ay
anapul
l
edLal
ah.“
No,
wear
egoi
nghome.
”
Hest eppedoutoft hecarandAy anastartedrunni
ng
pull
ingLalahwith.Theyran,feetmov i
ngf astwhil
e
thei
rheartspoundedhar dandf astagainstthei
r
chests.Theystoppedast heyreachedLal ah’
shouse
whichwasal ongwaygoi ngtoAy ana’shouse.
“Iam sur
ehei
sgone,weal
mostgotki
dnapped!
”
Lalahsai
dcat
chi
ngherbr
eathwi
thherhandsonher
knees.
“
Hei
sgone.
”
“
Youcancomei
nforawhi
l
e.”
Ayanashookherhead.“
Ihav
et ogohome,Ihav
e
homewor kandIwanttowatchmyIndi
anshow.”
Lal
ahl
aughed.“
Ihav
efor
got
teny
ouar
eIshi
ta.
”
Theypar
tedasLalahwalkedi
nsi
det
heirgat
ewhil
e
Ayanawalkedhome.Herhear
twasst
il
lbeati
ngf
ast.
“
Mama,
”
Hermotherst
oodup.“Ihav
etogoandseet
he
motshel
oladi
esi
naf ewminut
es.
”
Shenoticedt
heshoesAnayahadbeenweari
ngt
he
prev
iousdaytowork.“
IsAnay
abackfrom t
he
hospit
al?”
“
Yes,
shewasr
eleasedi
nthemor
ning.Shei
sfi
ne.
”
Shesi
ghedwi
thr
eli
eft
hrowi
ngher
sel
font
hebed.
“
Ayanagetof
f!Seehowdust
yyouar
e.”
Shest
oodupandatt
emptedtosi
tont
hecouch
wher
eAnaya’
sbl
anket’
swere.
“
Anay
awi
l
lki
l
lyoui
fyousi
tther
e.”
“
MamaIam sot
ir
ed.
”
“
Iunder
standbutbat
hfi
rstt
hensi
tont
hebed.
”
“Ican’
twaitforAnay atofi
nishthehousethenIwil
l
havemyownr oom. ”Shemumbl edashermot her
walkedout.Sheputherbagdownt aki
ngouther
homewor ksandpl acedthem ont hebed.Bendi
ng,
shetookoffhershoest henf ol
l
owedbyherski r
tand
shi
rt.Sheputheruni
for
minanempt ybucket
swit
chingontheradi
o.Herfav
ori
tesongplay
edand
herhipsmovedaccordi
ngtobeatasshesangal
ong.
Shespuntot hedooropeni
ngreadytohearitfr
om
hermotherbuthermouthwentdrywhileherey es
l
ockedwithst r
angemanf r
om t
heblackcar.She
stoodst
il
l,
frozentoherspotashermindwor ked
overt
imetounderstandwhatwasgoingon.
“
Wow!Youar
esobeaut
if
ul.
”
Shemov edbacki
nst
inct
ivel
y.Ani
ntr
uderwasin
thei
rhousegapi
ngatherl
ikeali
ongapi
ngit’
sprey
.
“
Don’
trun,
todaywear
egoi
ngt
ohav
efun.
”
Shelookedaroundpanicki
ng,shehadt ogeta
weapon,somethingbutshefoundher sel
funableto
movewi t
hshock.Shockandr eal
izat
ionofwhatwas
abouttohappen.Sheopenedhermout htoscream
butnothi
ngcameout ,t
earsrandownhercheeks.
“
Socute…”Hewhi speredthenclosedthebetween
t
hem.Hegr abbedherhandasshef i
nall
yletouta
l
oudscream.Wi t
hangerhesl appedherhardagainst
t
hefacethatshelostbalanceandfellonthefl
oor.
Forawhi
l
e,herearl
osthear
ingasshesawst
ars.
“
Makenoi
seagai
nandIwi
l
lki
l
lyou.
”
Hepul l
edherupfr
om thefl
oorandthr
ewheront he
bed.“
Ifyoutr
yanyt
hingIwil
lst
abyou.”Hetookouta
kni
feandpointedi
tather.“
TodayIwil
lcutyour
thr
oat.”
Shel ookedathi m andscr eamedev enlouder
standingup.Themanpul ledherl egt henshesl ipped
offthebedhi t
tingherheadont hechestofdr awer
beforef all
ingtot hegroundwi thal oudt hud.The
manl ookedatherbodyt henatt hebl ooddr ippi
ngon
thechestofdr awer .Hesl owlywal kedov ermaki ng
herlieonherf r
ontt ryi
ngt ofeel herpul se.Hisey es
wentt oherl it
tl
ebr eastinabr athenherHannah
Mont anapant ies.Hi sdickgr ewhar di nhispant s,he
l
ookedar oundunzi ppi
nghi spant sandt ookouthi s
blackdi ck.Hepul ledherpant i
esdownherl egsand
openedherl egs.Hi sbloodr ushedwi thhisey es
fi
xedonherpoor lyshav edv agina.
Wit
houthesi
tat
ion,
hegotbet
weenhisl
egsand
f
orcedhi
sdickinsi
deherwhi
l
eshelayunconsci
ous
ont
hef
loor
,bl
oodpool
i
ngar
oundher
.

*
***
*

Theodor
awalkedtowardstheblackVol
volookingat
thenumberpl
ate.Sheopenedthepassengerdoor
withasmil
ewhileYaonelaughed.
“
Gir
lhopi
n,st
opl
ooki
ngunsur
e.”
Theodor
alaughedandgoti
nsi
de.“
Youhav
eani
ce
car
.”
Yaonepul
l
edherf
orat
ighthug.“
Imi
ssedy
ouso
much.”
“
Imi
ssedy
out
oo.
”
Yaonemov edbackast
ear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.“I
tfeel
s
l
ikejusty
ester
daywhenweusedt
olaught oget
her.
”
“
Itdoes.Andhowy ouusedt
osneakoutandhav
e
mecov eryourback.”
“
Youwer
esuchagoodl
i
ar.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.“
Yout
aughtmet
hat
.”
“
Ihadt
o,youwereali
tt
lebackwardt
hoseday
s,
t
odayl
ookatyou,y
oulookgood.”
Theodor
alookedatheri
nherredj
umpsuit
.“Iwor
k
asarecepti
oni
st.Af
terf
oury
ears,
thi
sisal
lIam
today
,arecept
ioni
st.
”
“
Don’twor
ry,
thi
sisjustaphase,Ir
emember
wor
kingasawaitert
hisot
hertimebutt
odayl
ook.
”
“
Youarereal
lygoi
ngf
arwit
hlif
e,nowIam
wonder
inghowmuchtheypayyoufory
outoaf
for
d
t
his.
”
“
Don’tbef
ooled,Iam st
il
lpayi
ngthedebt.TodayI
wi
ll
takeyouout.Therei
sar est
aurantatGameCit
y
mal
lthatr
ecentl
yopened.”
“
Ok.
”
Yaonestar
tedt
hecaranddr
oveof
f.“
Howi
syour
mom? ”
“
Shei
sfi
ne.
”
“
Andherhusband?Ineverl
ikedthatman,i
fIwere
y
ouIwouldhaveneveracceptedastepfat
her.
”
“
Ihadnochoi
cebutt
heyar
efi
ne.
”
Yaonestoppedt
hecaratat
raff
icl
ightchuckl
i
ng.“
I
wouldhavemadehi
slif
eali
vinghell
.”
Theodoralaughedlooki
ngoutt
hroughthewindow
thenpausedstari
ngatAganginhiscarbesi
des
thei
rs.Yaonelookedtoo.
“
Wow!Whoi
sthatf
inebr
other
?”
“
Agang,
heusedmeandl
eft
.”
“
Thatguy
?”Yaonepoi
nted.
“
Yes.Iregr
etgi
vi
ngmyvi
rgi
nit
ytohi
m.Hecer
tai
nly
wasn’
tworthi
tnowt
hatIl
ookbackati
t.
”
“Helooksli
keaplayer
.”Thetr
affi
cli
ghtchangedand
Yaonesteppedontheacceler
ator
.
“Idon’
tdorelat
ionshi
ps.Idon’twantmyheart
broken,
mat t
eroffact,
Ijustdon’tt
rustmen.If
uck
andleave.
”
Theodor
alookedather
.“What
?”
“Yes.Hitandrun.Youthoughtonlymencoul
ddoit
?
Idoittoo.Isl
eepwi t
hwhoev erIwantandl
eave
af
tert
hat
.Ij
ustl
osei
nter
esti
nyoumat
teroff
act
.”
“
Whathappenedtot
hatguyy
ouwer
edat
ingwhenI
wasi
nformfive?
”
Shelaughed.“Theodor
a,Imethisbr
other
.His
brot
herwaswayf i
nersoyouknowwhatIdid.I
twas
worthitbecausethesexwasalwaysonfi
re.
”
“Il
ikeAgang’sbrother.Idon’tknow,Inev erdidbut
yester
day …Idon’tknow.Ihav ebeent r
yingt opull
my sel
ftogetherbutIkeept hinki
ngabout .Hei sso
att
racti
ve,mat ur
eandi ncont rol
.YaoneIf eelbadfor
eventhinkingabouthim.”
“Why?Cuzy
,youdidn’
tev
endatet
hisAgangguy
.
Youaredoi
ngnothingwr
ong.
”
“
Hei
smyf
ri
end’
sboy
fri
end.
”
Yaoneglancedather.“
So?Whatifheissomeone
whohast omar r
yyou?Wil
lyouletf
ri
endshipbethe
reasonwhyy ouarenotwi
ththeper
sony oureal
l
y
want?”
“
Ican’
tbetr
ayAnayali
kethatbutatthesametime,I
f
eelhedeserv
esbett
er.Anayacheatonhim whi
lehe
buysherf
lower
swrappedwithmoney,buy
sher
breakf
ast
,hedoesev
eryt
hingforher
.”
“
Arey
ousur
eyoul
i
kehi
m orj
ustenv
yyourf
ri
end?
”
“
Ili
kehim somuch.Lastni
ghtIcoul
dn’
tsl
eep.Ikept
t
hinki
ngabouthi
m.”
“
Thengoforit
.Anayaisnotyoursi
stersodoi
t.I
fI
wer
emeIwoul dhavelongsmashed.Idon’
tdo
f
ri
endshi
psforsuchreasons.
”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Youar
esuchachar
act
er.Il
i
ke
Anaya.
”
“
Sowhat
?Youwi
l
lloseoutbecauseofsuch,
trust
me.
”
Shesil
ent
lyl
ookedatYaonethi
nkingoft
hePA
post
erRebaonehadcal
ledheraboutl
astni
ght
.
.
.
.
Goodni
ght
..
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#29

Miguelwal
kedinsi
dehi
smot her’
swardandsighed
sadl
y.Hewasnotusedtoseeingherliket
hat,
his
motherwasalwaysact
ive.Helookedathi
sfather
.
“
Thedoct
orsai
dshewi
l
lbef
ine.
”
“
Iam sor
ryIwasn’
tav
ail
abl
ewheny
oucal
l
ed.
”
“I
t’
sokson.Didyoucal
lthosepeopl
etoenqui
re
abouty
oursist
er?”
“
Theyar
etaki
nghertoapsy
chi
atr
isthospi
tal
.She
wi
ll
gethel
pther
e.”
“
Atl
eastt
heyar
enotar
rest
ingher
.”
“
Yeah,
youshoul
dgohomeandr
est
.”
“
Ican’
tleav
eSethunyahere.Iknowi
fitwer
eme
l
yi
ngthere,
shewouldn’
tleaveme.It
’sagoodt
hing
y
oubroughtwit
hfood.”
“
Yes,
Iwi
l
lgoandcheckonAngel
then.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hewal kedoutandwentt oAngel
’sward.Ot
her
mot her’swer ewit
hthei
rbabi
es.Foramomenthe
thoughtoft hetraumatheli
tt
legi
rlmusthave
sufferedf r
om.Itwashardtoimaginehowitmust
havef eltbeingsuff
ocat
ed.
“
Shewi
l
lbef
ine.Shei
sonest
ronggi
rl
.”
Mi
guel
spunar
oundandsmi
l
edl
ooki
ngatt
hedoct
or.
“
Mar
ang,
”
“
Hey
,youar
etheuncl
e?”
“
Yes.Shei
smyni
ece.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Whatagr
eatuncl
eyouar
e.”
“I
t’
sthel
eastIcando.Ij
ustcan’
tbeli
eveany
onecan
hurtt
hei
rownbaby,especi
all
yColl
een.”
“Mostpeoplehav eneverheardofpostnat al
depressi
on,someev enthi
nkit’
ssomet hingforrich
orwhitepeopleonl y
.Thisisrealanditshoul dbe
takenseri
ously.It
’snotnormal t
of eeldisconnect ed
toyourbaby,thesooneroursoci etyreali
zest hatany
kindofdepressionisreal,
thebetter.Youwi l
l be
surpri
sedofhowmanyPNDcaseswer ecordi na
y
ear
.”
“
Youar
eri
ght
.”
“Iknowanditwi l
lbeevenbetteri
fwehad
organi
zati
onst hathel
pandassistinsuchmat t
ers.I
am sadforthisli
ttl
esoulbutIam happyyoursist
er
i
sget t
inghelpandy ouhavealsolear
ntathingor
two.Onedayy ouwi l
lbeabletoteachsomeonet oo.
”
Mi
guel
smi
l
ed.“
Ican’
twai
t.
”
Shelaughed.“Sheisstable,Iexplai
nedtoyour
par
entst hatshemaysuf ferbraindamage.Fornow
i
t’
shardt otelli
fshewillmakei tbutIbel
ieveinGod
andhei sgoingtosaveherl i
fe.Shehasal otahead
ofher,Godwon’ tr
obheroft hat.”
“
Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.
”
Sheshookherheadwi
thasmi
l
eonherf
ace.
“Thanks.
”
Hewal
kedoutwi
thher
.“Howi
smymot
her
?”
“Shesuf
fer
edami ldhear
tatt
ackbutshewil
lbefi
ne.
Itol
dyourf
athernottoworr
ythatmuchashisBPis
alr
eadyhi
gh.Iwouldn’
twanttoadmitt
heenti
re
f
ami
l
yher
e.”
“
Iwoul
dn’
tmi
nd.
”
“
Iam sur
eyourgi
rl
fr
iendwoul
d.”
“I
sthatyout
ryi
ngt
ofi
ndouti
fIam i
nar
elat
ionshi
p
ornot?
”
Shel
aughed.“
No.Iam j
ustsay
ing.
”
Heshrugged.“
Shecheat,
Ican’tseem togetoveri
t.I
woul
dn’twanttoendanotherr
elati
onshipbecause
ofasi
llymist
ake.
”
Mar angputherpeni nherpocket.“
WhatIloveabout
mostmeni st hattheyknowtheirwort
h.Theynever
settl
ef orbull
shitunli
keusladi
es.Iam nota
therapistbutwhatIcant el
lyouisdoy ouwanttobe
stuckwi thsomeoney oucan’
ttrust
?”Shetur
nedand
startedwalkingaway .
“
Ilov
eher.”Hesaidwal
kingsi
debysidewit
hher.
“
ButIam notsur
eifthi
ngsgethar
dinthenear
f
utur
e,wi
llshestay.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Ilov
ethaty
ouar
ehonest
.”
“
AndIl
ovet
haty
oueasyt
otal
kto.I
sthaty
ourr
eal
hai
r?”
Shelaughed.“
Miguel
,no,
it’
saweav
e.Myhai
ris
act
uall
yshort.
”
“
Itl
ooksl
i
key
ourr
eal
hai
r.
”
“
Yes,
it’
stheki
ndofweav
e.”
Theywal
kedinsi
deheroffi
ce.“
Soyourmom wil
lbe
fi
ne,t
omorr
owshewi l
lbeawake.Moretest
swedid
onAngelwi
llcomebacktomorrowandIwil
lbeabl
e
tomaybeshedsomelighti
ntosomepoint
s.”
“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”
“
Justdoi
ngmyj
ob.
”
Hel ookedatherforawhile.Somest randsofher
weav ewereonherbeautifulface.Hegent lytooki
t
offherfaceandstaredatherl i
psassher anher
tongueont hem.Heleanedov erandki ssedher
softl
y.Shesighedandkissedhi m backput ti
ngher
armsar oundhisneck.Hepulledandr ubbedherl i
ps.
“
Whendoesy
ourshi
ftend?
”
Sherol
ledherey
es.“
Miguel
,l
eav
e,y
ouhav
ea
gi
rl
fr
iend.
”
Hesmirked.“
Andwhendoesmygi
rl
fr
iendcomei
n
al
lthi
s?”
“
Idon’
twantdr
ama.
”
“Mygir
lf
ri
endi
smybusi
ness.Whendoesy
ourshi
ft
end?
”
Shesatonherchai
rcr
ossi
ngherl
egs.“
Iam donef
or
theday
.”
“
Thenl
et’
sgo.
”
“
Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thy
ouMi
guel
,Iam-
“
“
Okf
ine.
”
Hewalkedoutl
eav
ingheri
nsi
det
heof
fi
ceandwent
backt
owherehisfat
herwas.
“
Iam l
eav
ing,
Iwi
l
lpassbyt
omor
row.
”
“Okmyboy
.Ij
ustspoket
oAgang,
hesai
dhei
s
comi
ng.
”
“
Cal
lmei
fyouneedany
thi
ng.
”
Hemadehiswaytot hepar
kinglotwher
ehe
unl
ockedhi
scarandclimbedin.Hedroveof
f
answeri
nghi
sri
ngingphone.
“
Babe…”
“
Miguel
…”Anayacri
ed.Hi
shear
tski
ppedasal
lthe
muscl
esinbodyt
ensed.
“
Babewhat
’swr
ong?
”
“
Ayana…”
“
What
’swr
ongwi
thher
?”
Allhecoul
dhearwashercr
yingt
il
lsomeonet
ook
thephonefrom her
.
“Hel
l
o,mynamei sBotshelo,
Iam withAnayaand
hermotherandbrot
her.Hersi
sterwasassaul
ted,
uhhisi
tpossibl
eifyoucomeby ?”
“
Yes,
Iam onmyway
.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Hesteppedontheaccel
erat
orovert
akingcars.Al
l
hecouldhearwasAnaya’
scriesandtheykept
ri
ngi
ngatthebackofhishead.

*
***
*
Anay awatchedhermot herweep, thesamewoman
whohadscol dedheraboutcr yi
ngi nf r
ontofher
si
blingswascr y
ingri
ghtinf r
ontofher .Hertears
haddr i
ed,shewantedt ocrysobadbutl ookingat
Lethabowhol ookedlost,sheheldt hem back.She
l
ookedathermot her
’sreddress, al
l st
ainedwith
bloodandshewonder edhowbadt hei nj
urywas.Her
kneesshookasshest oodbyt r
yingt ocomeupwi t
h
whatt osay.
NurseBotshel
owal
kedbyandhuggedheragai
n,
t
ightl
y.“
Sheisgoi
ngtobefi
ne.
”
“
Ifshedoesn’
tIam goi
ngt
oki
l
lmy
sel
f.
”She
whisper
edthewords.
“
Don’
ttal
kli
ket
hat
.Let
’spr
ay.
”
“
Idon’
twanttopray.IwanttoknowwhyGodwoul
d
l
etsomet
hingli
kethishappen.
”
“
Godhashi
sreasons.
”
AnayaturnedtoNur
seBotshel
o.“Hav
en’
tmyf
ami
l
y
beenthroughsomuchal
ready?”
Shel
ookedatAnay
asadl
y.“
Iam sor
rynana.
”
Anayanoddedlooki
ngatLethaboandt
heki
ndof
fut
urethatwai
tedforhi
mi fhi
swholel
i
fewasf
il
led
nothi
ngbutmisfor
tunes.
“UncleMiguel!
”Hescr
eamedget
ti
ngupandr unni
ng
toMi guel
whowasmaki nghi
swaytowardsthem.
NurseBot shel
owal
kedawaywhi
leMigueland
Lethabohugged.
“
Heychamp!
”
“Iwal
kedinsi
dethehouseandAyanawasbl
eedi
ng
naked.Ther
eisbloodal
lovert
hehouse.
”
“
Shewi
l
lbef
ine,
Ipr
omi
se.
”
Helookedatherbef
orehuggi
nghert
ight
ly.“
Iam
sor
rybaby.
”
Anayabitherbottom l
iptry
ingtonotcrybutasob
rat
herescapedherlips.Shecri
edt i
l
lherri
bshurt
.
Herheadwasbangi ngnowandshewasshi v
eri
ng.
Hetookoffhisjacketandputitaroundher
shoul
ders.
“
Ever
ythi
ngi
sgoi
ngt
obef
ine.
”
“Ev
ery
thi
ngi
sfal
l
ingapartMi
guel
.Ever
ytimeIt
hinkI
am maki
ngpr
ogr
ess,It
ake100stepsback.
”
“
Wewi
l
lov
ercomet
his.Ipr
omi
se.
”
Anur
seappr
oachedt
hem.
“
Ayana’
sfami
l
y,t
hedoct
orwoul
dli
ket
oseey
ou.
”
Anayal
ookedatLet
habowi
pingawayhert
ears.For
thef
ir
stti
meevershedi
dn’
tknowwhattotel
lhim.
“
Iwi
ll
stayher
ewi
thLet
habo,
yougowi
thy
our
mom.
”
“
Ok.
”

*
***
*

Theodoral
ayonherbedt hi
nkingofwhatYaonehad
beentel
li
ngherabout .Shet ookherphoneand
l
oggedinonf acebook.Shesear chedforhim and
scrol
l
eddownhi stimel i
ne.Hedi dn’
tpostpi
ctures
thatmuch,ther
ewasonl yonepictureofhiminasuit
,
shesaveditinhergaller
ywi thasmi l
e.Sheknewshe
wasaboutt
oputheronlyf
ri
endshi
ponlinebut
Yaone’
swordsr
angatthebackofherhead.
Shecont i
nuedscr oll
i
ngt hroughf acebooktil
lshe
cameacr ossamedi areleasemadebyt heBot swana
PoliceSer vi
ce.Sher eadt hr
ought hepostwi thher
hear tbeati
ngf ast
.Sheputt hephonedownshaki ng.
Itcoul dbeany15y earoldinbr oadhurstwhowas
rapedwi t
hheadi njurythoughshecoul dn’tshakeoff
thef eeli
ngthatmadechi llr
undownherspi ne.
Anay ahadl eftwor kinahur rybutthatcouldn’t
possi blymeanany t
hing.Theodor apouredher sel
fa
glassofwat eranddr ankitall.
Shereachedf orherphoneagai
nandcal l
edAnay a.
Herphoner angunansweredtil
lthecal
lcut.Shetri
ed
againt
histimepaci ngupanddownhersmal lr
oom.
Itr
angtil
lthecallcutit
sel
f.
“
JustbecauseAnaya’
ssist
eri
s15year
sol
ddoesn’
t
t
heyounggirlr
aped.Rel
axTheo.
”
Shelayonthebedcleari
ngherheadbutshecoul
dn’
t
ri
dAy ana’
sfacefr
om herhead.ShehadmetAnaya’
s
si
bli
ngsoncet oknowtheywerefunnyki
dswho
neverst
oppedlaughi
ngorchat
ti
ng.Herphoner
ang
andshequickl
yanswered.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Hey,todaywassomuchf un.Ihadbeenwant
ingto
cal
l y
ouf orawhi
lebutIdi
dn’tknowwhattosayto
youespecial
lyaf
terwhathappenedwithmama
beforeyouwentforuni
versi
ty.
”
“Yaoneyoudi
dnot
hingwr
ongandt
obehonest
,Iam
overthat
.”
“
Idon’
tknow,
Ist
il
ldof
eel
gui
l
ty.
”
“
Youdon’
thavet
o.Tr
ustme.Hey
,If
orgott
oask,
wher
eisSi
si?
”
“
Shei
shomewi
thmom,
wit
htwof
ather
lesski
ds.
”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Youl
i
e!Thewayyoursi
sterwas
sosurewit
hlif
eyouwoul
dthi
nkshemadeit.
”
“Madeitwher
e?Theonl
ythi
ngshemadear
ethe
ki
ds.”
“
Wow!
”
“
Iknow.Shest
il
lhasanat
ti
tudef
orsomeonewho
doesn’
twor
k.Ihav
ecompany
,wewi
l
ltal
kcuzy
.”
“
Ok!
”
Theodoraputherphoneawayandcr
awl
edonthe
bed,sheclosedherey
esthi
nki
ngofMokwena
Logi
stics.

*
***
*

“Thankyouforever
ythi
ngtoday.
”Anay
atol
dMi
guel
astheywalkedinsi
dehishouse.
“
Ilov
eyou,
ther
eisnot
hingIwoul
dn’
tdof
ory
ou.
”
“Yourhouseisbeauti
ful
.ManifIst
ayedhere,
I
wouldn’tl
eav
e.”Lethaboadmir
edthehousewitha
smile.“
Canwest ayfortoni
ght
?”
“Yahchamp!Toni
ghty
ouwil
lsl
eepher
e.Ior
der
ed
pizza,
sowecaneatandt
hensl
eep.
”
“
Iam nothungrybutthankyou.”Hehuggedhim.
“
Youcanshowmemyr oom t
hough.Iwi
llt
ell
Ayana
whenthedoctorsaysshecangohome. ”
“
Okchamp.
”
Miguelki ssedAnay a’
scheekbef or
ewal kingaway
chat
tingl oudlywi thLethabo.Anayasighedhear ing
thei
nter com r ing,i
twaspr obablyt
hepi zza.Shet oo
wasn’thungr y .Allshewantedt odowasputher
achi
ngheaddownandt hi
nkofawayf orward
tomorrow.Shet ookoffhershoeswal kingtot he
doortogett hepi zza.Openingthedoor, shetooka
deepbr eathl ookingatLone.
“
Iwantt
ospeakwi
thMi
guel
.”Shesai
dshar
ply
.
“
Iwi
l
lgoandcal
lhi
m.”
“Thisishi
shouse,Iwil
lwai
tforhiminthesitt
ing
room.Iam surehewouldn’
twanttodistr
esshi s
preciouscar
go.”Shesai
dpushinghersel
finsi
det he
house.
Anayacl
osedt
hedoorandjoi
nedheri
nthesi
tt
ing
room.“
CanIgety
ouwater?
”
Lonelaughed.“
Soy
oucanpoi
sonmeandki
l
lmy
baby?
”
“
What
?Iwoul
dnev
er-
“
“Iknowgirlsli
keyou.Youareprobabl
ywonder i
ng
whattodot ogetri
dofmebutsweet y,
Iam hereto
stay.I
fIwer eyou,Iwoul
dleavealr
eady.Youthi
nk
youcanr eapthefrui
tsofmyhar dl
abor?Stoplyi
ng
toyourself
.Thisismyhouse.”
“
Ok.Iam notgoingt
oar
guewi
thy
ou,
itwon’
tbenef
it
meinanyway .
”
LonesmiledasMiguel
joi
nedt
hem.Hef r
owned
star
ingather
.“Whatar
eyoudoingher
e?”
“Miguel
Iwait
edforyouatthescantoday
.”Shet
ook
outscanpi
ctur
esfrom herhandbag.
“
What
?”
“
Iguessy
ouwer
etoobusy
,it
’sf
ine,
Ithoughty
ou
woul
dwantt
oseet
hat.
”
Hetookt
hephot
ographsandl
ookedathi
m.“
Ist
hat
my…”Hesmil
edsit
ti
ngdown.
“Ibr
oughtyouthistoo.
”Shepressedherphonethen
somethingst
artedplay
ing.Shegavehimthephone
asav i
deooftheliv
escanpl ay
ed,thehear
tbeat
muchlouder.
“
That
’soursonMi
guel
.”
“Wow!Ican’tbeli
evet
hatI…”Hesmi l
edemot i
onall
y.
“Idon’tknowhowIforgot
, Idon’
tevenr emember
youtelli
ngmebutIam sorr y
.Iwil
ltal
kt oyourdoct
or
andhav ehim gi
vemeallthedatesoft he
appointments.
”
“That
’sok.Iwil
lgi
veyouhisnumber.Iam soexci
ted,
Ican’
twaitforhi
m.”Lonesai
dtouchinghi
shand.
“
Met
oo.
”
Lonemoanedr ubbi
ngherstomach.“ Thedoct
orsaid
allthisisnormal
.Themorni
ngsi cknessandthe
dizziness.Theonl
yprobl
em isIcan’tkeepanythi
ng
i
n.Idi dn’tev
engotoworktoday.Ihav ebeenfeel
ing
verysi ck.
”
Anay aturnedandwal kedtotheguestr oomsl eavi
ng
them talking.Shegotinthefi
rstguestroom and
sighedst ari
ngatLethabosleepingwi t
hhisshoeson.
Shecoul dunder st
andhisexhaustion.Shetookof f
hisshoesbef or
etucki
nghim undert heblankets.
Shecl osedt hedooronherwayoutandgoti nsi
de
themai nbedr oom wheresheundr essedbefore
gett
ingundertheshower.Thewatercascadeddown
herbodywhileshestoodsti
llwi
thherhandsonthe
wall
.
Minut
esl
atershewaswal
ki
ngoutwi
thaf
luf
fyt
owel
ar
oundherbody.
“
Arey
ouok?
”Mi
guel
askedsi
tt
ingont
hebed.
Shenoddedsi
l
ent
ly.
“
Youdon’
thav
etof
eel
insecur
ebecauseofLone-
“
“Mysi st erwasr apedt odaybypossi blyanHI V
i
nfect edman.Thedoct orsdon’ tknowwhatel sewas
i
nhi sbl ood, itcouldhav ebeensy phil
isormay be
gonor rhea.Shesuf fer
edi nternal bleedingand
tr
auma.Shehascut sbecausehewasr oughonher .
Hest oleawayheri nnocence.Shemaynev erbet he
sameper sonagai n.Ileftmymot herinhospi talwho
can’tst opbl amingher selfforwhathappened.Ihav e
a10y earol dbr ot
herwhosawhi ssi sterlyi
ngi na
pool ofbl oodandhi slitt
lemindi sst i
llt
ryi
ngt omake
senseofwhati shappeni ng.SoMi guel,t
helastthing
Iam wor r
iedabouti sy ourbabymama.Ihav ealot
goingont oev enthinkabouther .Idon’ tevenhav e
theener
gyf
orher
.”Shewi
pedhert
ear
sashest
ood
up.
Shemovedbackwhenhet
ri
edt
ouchi
ngher
.“Iam
ti
red,
Iwantt
osleep.
”

*
***
*

Theodor awal kedoutofMokwenaLogi st

icsbui l
ding
holdinghercont ractlett
erthef ol
l
owingdayi nthe
mor ning.Shehadgot tenthejobbutwaswel l awar e
i
twast empor aryjob.Thepaywasgood, itmadeher
smile.Mi guelhadnotmethery et
,matteroffacthe
hadnotbeeni nwhenshewasi nt
ervi
ewed.Shegota
taxibackt othehot elandar r
ivedasAnay aarriv
ed.
Shedi dn’tl
ookl i
ket heAnay asheknew, thi
sAnay a
l
ookeddr ainedandt ir
edandl atetoo,Anayanev er
camet owor klate.
“
Hey
!”
Sheweakl
ysmi
l
ed.“
HeyTheo.
”
Theywal
kedi
nsi
det
hehot
elt
oget
her
.“Howar
eyou?
Whatdi
dthedoct
orsayaboutt
heal
l
ergy
?”
“
Hesay
sIam f
ine.Thanks.
”
Shecont
inuedwalki
ngwhi
l
eTheodor
aset
tl
ed
besi
desTsohle.
“
Acal
lcamei
nfory
ou.
”
“
Me?Whowasi
t?”
“
Yaone.Shesai
dyoushoul
dcal
lher
.”
“
Ok.
”
Shetookherphoneandi
mmedi
atel
ycal
l
edher
.“Hey
,
whatdidyouwant?”
“
Didy
ougett
hej
ob?
”
“
YesbutnowIam notsur
eif
-“
“Leavethatat
ti
tudebehind.Ididmyr esear
chand
gir
lyouwi l
lbeworkingast hePAt ot
heeMi guel
Mokwena.Youcan’ thonest l
ybeunsureofyour
decisi
ons,yougett
ingthatjobisthebestthi
ngthat
canhappent oyou.Imaginewor ki
ngtosuchaman
everyday,y
oushouldupgr ade.”
“
Youar
eri
ght
.Imean,
thatcandowonder
stomy
r
efer
ence.
”
“
Yousee?Goanddoy
ourt
hing.Secur
ethebag.
”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Yes,
lookl
et’
schatl
ater
.Iam
worki
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
ShehungupasTsohl
ejustst
aredatheri
nsil
ence.
Thehotel
phoner
angandTsohleanswered.
“Goodmorni
ng, t
hankyouforcal
li
ng-yesy
oudo,
Mrs.Moseslef
tsomef il
eforyouher
e.Iwi
llbr
ingi
t
up.Youarewelcome.”
Tsohl
est
oodup.“
Iam t
aki
ngt
hist
oMs.Shat
o.”
“Iwil
ltakei
t.
”Shet
ookthefi
l
efr
om Tsohl
ethen
stoodupandwentwit
hit.
ShefoundAnay
aresti
ngherheadont
het
abl
e.“
Hey
,
arey
ouok?Ibroughtt
hefi
le.
”
Shesatupr
ight
.“Yeah,
thanky
ou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Theodoraputthefi
l
eonthet
ablet
hentur
nedto
walkoutbutforsomer
easonshest
oodsti
ll
.
“
Igotanewjob.
”Shesai
dtur
ningt
olookatAnay
a
whorai
sedaneyebr
ow.
“
Youdi
d?”
“Yes.I
tpaysbett
erthanher
ebutit
’stemporary
.Iwil
l
berepl
acingaPAwhoi sgoingonasickleavebut
shewillbebackaft
erawhil
e.Iwi
llcomebackhere
whenshecomesback. ”
“
Wow!Youspoket
otheHR?
”
“
No,
thepeopl
ether
edi
d.”
“
Dot
heyhav
eanyr
elat
ionwi
thC-
SKY?
”
“
Yes.Iwi
l
lbeatMokwenaLogi
sti
cs.
”
“
Isee,
whowi
l
lyoubewor
kingunder
?”
“
Mr.Mokwena.
”
“
Miguel
?”
“
Yes.
”
Sheshookherhead.“
Andy
ouseenot
hingwr
ong
wit
hthat?
”
“
Whywoul
dIseeany
thi
ngwr
ongwi
tht
hat
?Mr
.
Mokwenaist
heownerofthebusi
nessandal
soy
our
boy
fri
endwhoIr
espect
.”
“
Idon’
tfeelcomf or
tabl
ewiththesetup.Ihear
dthat
t
hedayIgott heall
ergi
creacti
on,
Migueldropped
y
ouoff,whydi dn’
tyouevertel
lmethat?”
“Anay
a,heoffer
edbecauseIwaslat
eforwor k.So
younowlist
entorumors?Idon’
tunder
standy ou,
for
sureyouknowthesepeopl
egossipaboutyou,can’
t
youseetheyaretr
yingt
omakeusf i
ght?”
Anay
asighedl
eani
ngbackonherchair
.“Idon’
tfeel
comfor
tabl
ewi
thyouworki
ngforMiguel
.”
“Thisi
scompletelyworkAnay a,GodknowsIneed
themoney.Youar eanassi st
antaccount ant,y
ou
haveahighsalary,y
ouar ebuildi
ngahouse.Ial so
needtodothingsinlif
eandt hemoneyIwi l
lgetat
MokwenaLogi sti
cswillhel
p.Isn’
tf r
iendshipabout
l
ift
ingandempower ingeachot her.IlookatMi guel
asmyboss, nothi
ngmor e.
”
Sherubbedherface.“
Iknow,Idon’tknowwhatIam
thi
nking.It
rusty
ou.Iam j
ust…”Tearsr andownher
cheeks.Theodorawal
kedroundhert ableand
huggedher
.
“
ItwasAy
anawhoIsawont
hepol
i
cemedi
arel
ease
r
ight
?”
Anay asobbed.“
Idon’tknowwhatIdi
dtoGodt o
deservethi
s.Sheistooy oung,
whycoul
dn’
titbeme
atleast.
”
“
Iam sor
rychomi
.”
Sher ubbedAnay a’sbackasshecr i
ed.Fora
momentt here,gui
ltf
ill
edherhear t
.ThiswasAnay a,
herfriend,heronlyfr
iendbutYaone’ swordsf i
ll
ed
hermi nd.Sheneededt hej ob.Shecouldalreadysee
herselfowningasmal lHonda.Thet houghtofbeing
wit
hMi guelsweetenedt hedeal.Shewasn’tbacking
away .
“
Iam r
eal
l
ysor
rychomi
.”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#30

TwoMont
hsLat
er…

Kennet
hsteppedoutoftheshowerwit
hatowel
ar
oundhiswaistandl
ookedatRachelwhowas
si
tt
ingi
nfrontofthemir
rorputt
ingonhermakeup.
“Babe,Iknowy ouhaveali
ttl
ethinggoingon
betweeny ou,
SaronaandMbal i
.Don’tyout hi
nkthat
may beyoushouldinvi
teAnaya,Ihaven’tseenyou
guyswi t
hherbefore.Sheisgoi
ngt hr
oughal ot,
somecompanywon’ thurt
.”
Rachelputhermakeupbr ushdownst andi
ngup.
“Anayaistheonewhodoesn’ twanttohangoutwi t
h
us.West artedmot shel
oandweaskedhert ojoi
n
butsheref used.Ican’
tfor
ceher.”Shestoodonher
toesandki ssedhim.“Andbesides,Ial
readyhave
enoughfriends.”
“
Ist
hisbecauseofLone?
”
“
No.I
t’
snotaboutLonebutAnay
adoesn’
twant
f
ri
endshi
p.”
“
Shedoes,
shedoesn’
tknowhowt
oappr
oachy
ou.
”
“Pul
edoesn’twantSaronahangi
ngoutwi
thAnay
a
becauseofherhist
ory
.”
“
Wow!Sothisi
syourr
eason?Ev
enaf
terknowi
ng
whyshedi
dwhatshedi
d?”
Rachelshr
ugged.“
Babear
ewer
eal
l
ygoi
ngt
oar
gue
aboutAnaya?
”
“
No,
Iam j
ustsur
pri
sed,
that
’sal
l
.”
Heopenedt hecl
osetanddressedup.“
Iwi
llseey
ou
l
ater.
”Hekissedhercheekandwalkedout
.She
r
olledhereyescal
li
ngLone.
“Canyoubel
ievehubbywast
alki
ngaboutme
befr
iendi
ngAnaya?”
“
What?Ev
enaft
erAnayastol
emymant heysti
ll
wanty
outobef
riendswi
thher?Theyar
ecrazy
.”
“
Iknowr
ight
?”
“
Mxm y
ouknowIam soannoyed.Thatmanstol
e
mymoney
.Hisnonsensedi
dn’
tevenwork.Imean,
t
woweeksafterIt
hrewt
hosebot tl
esinther
iver
,
Miguel
buyst
hatgir
lmydream car.ThatMer
cedes
GLECoupeshoul
dhavebeenmi ne!”
“Iunderst
andy ourannoy
ancebuthowcoul dyou
trustt
hoset hi
ngs?Theydon’twork,
thosepeopl
e
arescams, nowseey ougavehim P2500andyou
can’tevenreporthi
mt othepol
ice.
”
“
Iknow,
Iwasj
ustdesper
ate.
”
“
Atl
easthei
spr
esenti
nthi
spr
egnancy
.”
“HeisbutIwantmor
ethant
hat.Idon’
twantmy
daught
ertogrowupwit
hsepar
atedparent
s.”
“
Miguel
wil
lcomeback.
”
“Idoubt,
Ican’twai
tti
ll
Igiv
ebir
th.Iam sougl
yand
dark.Ievenhaveacnecanyoubeli
evei
t?”
“Thati
showpregnancyis.Don’
tworr
y.Any
waysI
havetogo,
Iam meetingSaronaandMbali
.”
“Oh?ThankGod!Thi
sSundayisboringme,
wher
e
areyouguysmeeti
ng?Iwi
lldr
ivethere.
”
“
Youdon’
thav
eto,
Iwi
l
lcomeseey
ouaf
ter
war
ds.
”
“
Noi
t’
sok,
it’
sbeent
imesi
nceIwentout
.”
“
Ohok…uhhIwi
l
lsendy
out
hel
ocat
ion.
”
“
Ok.
”

*
***
*

Theodoral
ookedather
sel
font
hesal
onmi
rr
orwi
th
asmile.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Herhai
rdr
essersi
ghedwi
thr
eli
ef.“
Ithoughty
ou
di
dn’tl
i
keit
.”
Shel
aughed.“
Ilov
eit
.Andt
heweav
eissoshi
ny,
I
l
ovet
hecurls.
”
“
Iam gl
ad.Comebackagai
nnextt
ime.
”
“
Shi
t!Lookatt
hat
!”Anot
herhai
rdr
esserwhi
sper
ed.
“
Ohnkosi
’
yam!
”
Theodor
acur
iousl
ytur
nedherhead.Herhear
t
ski
ppedasAgangspoket
oabar berhol
dingMbal
i
’s
son’
shand.Helookedmoreatt
racti
vet
hanthel
ast
ti
meshehadseenhi m.Sheswall
owedhar
dasev er
y
l
adydrool
edoverhim.
Shesatst
il
lashewal
kedoutanswer
inghi
sphone
l
eavi
nghissonwit
hthebar
ber.
“Thatmanistheki
ndofmanIwantinmyl
i
fe.
”A
customersai
dmakingev
ery
onelaugh.
“
Idotoo,
heissohandsome,he’
sli
kethosemeni
n
Men’
smagazine,
justt
hewayhewalks…”
“Iam wet.Iwouldn’
tmi ndevenifhehasagirl
fr
iend.
Wewi llsharehi
m.Iwi l
ltakecareofhi
sson,love
him hard.
”Anothercustomercomment ed.Theyall
keptquietashewal kedbackintryi
ngsohardnotto
showt hattheywerelookingathim.
Theodor
ast
oodupandpai
d.“
Seey
ounextt
ime.
”
“
Yesdar
li
ng!
”
Shet
ookherbagandwal
kedpastAgangwho
i
mmediat
elysawher
.
“
Theodor
a!”
Shesmi
l
edashewal
kedoutwi
thher
.“HeyAgang.
”
Helookedatherhai
rthenherf
lar
eddr
ess.“
Youl
ook
good.
”
“
Sodoy
ou.Iseey
ouar
est
il
lwi
thMbal
i
.”
“Iam sorr
yaboutwhathappenedlastti
me.Ireal
i
zed
Iwaswr ong,
Ishoul
dhav edefendedyouthatday.
”
“
Ohno,
don’
twor
ryabouti
t.
”
“
Youl
ookr
eal
l
ybeaut
if
ul.
”
Shebl
ushed.“
Thanks.
”
“Maybewecangooutsomet
ime,
asf
ri
endsof
cause.
”
“
Yeah…”
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
Iam goi
nghome.
”
“Take,
”hehandedherhi scarkeys.“Goandwai tfor
mei nthecar.Iwil
lberightt
here.
”Hepoi ntedathis
golf
.Shesmi ledwalki
ngawaywhi lehedashedback
i
nsidethesalon.Shegoti nt
hecarandsi ghedsit
ting
onthef r
ontseat.Sheknewt heenti
resalonhad
beenstaringanditgavehergreatsati
sfact
ion.
Minut
esl
aterhewalkedoutwi
ththeli
tt
leboyand
wit
hmatchi
nghair
cuts.Heopenedthebackseat
doorf
ort
helit
tl
eboybeforehecli
mbedinfront.
“
Youl
ookgor
geous,
Iregr
etl
ett
ingy
ougo.
”
“
Mxm,
youar
ely
ing.
”
“
Iam t
ell
i
ngy
ou.
”
“
Daddy
,ar
ewegoi
ngt
omommy
?”
“
Nomyboy
,wear
egoi
ngt
ogetsomef
ood.
”
“
Ok.
”
Theodor
astar
edathi
m ashestar
tedhi
scar
.“Why
areyoust
il
lwi
thher
?Thischi
l
disnoteveny
ours.
”
Agangtur
nedtotheli
tt
leboybefor
ehefi
nal
l
ylooked
ather
.“HeisnotminebutIst
il
ll
ovehi
m.”
Sheroll
edherey
es.“What
’sgoi
ngt
ohappent
heday
hi
sfathercomesback?
”
“
Arewer
eal
l
ytal
ki
ngaboutt
his?
”
“For
getit
.Ihopeshedoesn’
tcomeoutofnowhere
andharassesme.Thi
stimeIam goi
ngtorepor
t
her.
”
“
Iknow,
shewon’
t.Whatwoul
dyoul
i
ket
oeat
?”
“
Nando’
sisf
ine.
”
“
Ok.
”
Minuteslat
erheparkedthecarandt heyal
l st
epped
out.Heheldherhandandt hekidwiththeotherand
walkedinNando’ swer
et heysecuredatableatthe
farend.Awaitercameandt ooktheiror
ders.
“Ihav
epassedbyC-
SYhot
elaf
ewt
imesandInev
er
sawy ou.
”
“
Inol
ongerwor
kther
e.”
“
Wher
edoy
ouwor
know?
”
“
Why
?Soy
oucancomeandhar
assme?
”
“
No,
Iwoul
dn’
tdot
hat
.”Hesai
dwi
thasi
l
lyl
augh.
“
Youl
i
ar!
”
“
Ican’
tgetov
ert
hef
actt
hatIl
etgoofsuchbeaut
y.”
Sher
oll
edherey
es.“
Youhav
est
art
edAgang.
”
“Boy,
closeyoureyesforasecond.
”Hetol
dtheki
d
befor
eleani
ngov erandki
ssingher
.Heputhi
shand
onherbar
ethi
ghast
heyki
ssed.
“
What
’sgoi
ngonher
e?”
Theyquickl
ybrokei
tof
fandf
acedMbal
iwhowas
breat
hingfi
re.
“
Hey
,whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
ShelookedatAgang.“Whatam Idoi
ngher
e?You
can’
tbeseri
ous.Arethesetheboys?
”
“
Youar
emaki
ngascenei
nfr
ontoft
hechi
l
d.”
Shetri
edgett
ingt
oTheodorawhonowl ooked
ter
ri
fi
ed.Aganggr
abbedherhand.“
Stopit!St
op
behavi
ngsoghett
o.”
“Agangyouar echeat i
ngandIcaughtyou!Youar
e
goingtoregrett
hisy oubi
tch!
”Shescreamed
thr
owingherhandbag.Theodor adodgedandstood
up.“Agang,Iam going.Contr
olyourpi
tbull
.”
Shewalkedoutl
eav
ingMbal
iscr
eami
ngandhur
li
ng
i
nsul
ts.

*
***
*
Rachel
cringedasMbaliscr
eamedatAgang.She
hadneverseenherbehavi
ngli
ket
hat.
“Idi
dn’tknowshewasl i
kethis,
Iguessthat’
swhat
yougetf orhangi
ngoutwithnonmar r
iedpeopl
e,
theydon’thavedigni
tyi
nthem.Saronalet
’sgo.
Thereisanotherrest
aur
anthere.
”
Theywal
kedt
oanot
herr
est
aur
antandset
tl
ed.
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
hatgi
rli
ssoghet
to.
”
Saronashrugged.“
Iam notsurpr
isedbecauset
hat
i
showgi rl
slikeMbalibehave.Wi
ththewayshetal
ks,
Icantel
lthat’
shercharacter
.”
“
Ishoul
dhav
eknown.
”
“
Iam hungr
y,l
et’
sor
der
.”
“
Myf
ri
endi
sgoi
ngt
ojoi
nus,
Ihopey
oudon’
tmi
nd.
”
“
No,
it’
sok.
”
Rachelpressedherphonewhil
eSaronaorder
ed.A
secondlater,
Lonejoi
nedthem.Rachelf
rowned
l
ookingathowbi gLone’snosewasandhowdar k
shewasincomplexi
onnott
omentiont
hepi
mples
thatmadeherwantt
opuke.Shef
akedasmi
leand
huggedLone.
“
Heyfri
end,Sar
onameetmyf
ri
end,
LoneandLone
meetPul
e’swif
e.”
Lonechuckl
ed.“
HeySar
ona,
howar
eyou,
it’
sbeen
ti
me.”
Sar
onasmi
l
ed.“
Hey
,youl
ookgr
eat
.”
“
Thi
sismywor
st,
Ilookl
i
keazombi
eedi
ti
on.
”
“
Youshoul
dhaveseenmewhenIwaspr
egnantwi
th
Mapul
a.Il
ookedwor
se.
”
Thewaitercamebackwi
thSarona’
sgreensal
adand
Rachel
’
swi ne.“
Youcanor
derLone.”
“Gr
eat
,Iwoul
dli
keavelv
etcakeify
ouhav
eand
somechi
psandbur
ger.Ext
ralar
ge.
”
Rachelt
ookasipofherwinel
ooki
ngatLone.
“Shoul
dn’
tyouwatchwhatyoueat
?”
“
Crav
ings,
Ican’
tescapet
hem.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Icansee.
”
“Ihear
dKensay ingthattheyar
eplanni
ngagetaway
tri
pforal
lofus.Girl
webet t
ermakeaplanofhow
yougetMi guel
backf ast
.DidPulesayany
thi
ng
Sarona?”
“
No,
hehasnot
.”
“
Lookwhatt
hecathasdr
agged!
”
Theyall
turnedtoAnay
awhowaswalki
ngi
n.Lone
l
aughed.“Whydoesshelookl
i
keasexwor
kerwho
hasn’
thadabr eaki
ndays.
”
“
Ihear
dherl
i
ttl
esi
sterwasr
aped.
”
Lonelaughedev enharder
.“That’
swhatyougetfor
taki
ngthingsthatarenotyours,
whoeverrapedher
shouldhavealsokil
ledher,Iam sur
ethatwould
havedonet hetri
ck.
”
“Ormay beevenrapedherhersel
f.Sheusedtothink
highl
yofherself
,li
fehashumbledher.Apparentl
y
sheisdepressed,Iam j
ustwaiti
ngforhert
oki l
l
hersel
f.
”
Sar
onalookedatRachelandLonelaughatAnayat
o
apointwher
esheturnedandlookedbackatthem.
“
May beyoushoul
dn’
tmakef
unofsuchsensi
ti
ve
i
ssues.
”
Theybothlookedather.“Youdon’tknowwhatt hi
s
gi
rliscapableof,
sheisapr ost
it
ute,maybeitwas
oneofhermenwhor apedherlit
tl
esisterortheyar
e
bothinbusinessandtodaytheycryrape.Ihopeshe
di
es!”
Saronasl
owlyputherfor
kdownasAnay awalked
outwithatakeawaywhil
etheyl
aughedather
.
“
Thatfatassi
sgone.NowonderMiguelal
ways
l
ooksunhappy,
Icantel
lhei
slosi
nginter
est
.”
Saronast
oodup.“
Ifor
gott
henannyi
shav
ingahal
f
daytoday
,Ihav
etogo.”
Rachel
smi
led.“
It
’sokl
ove.Weshouldalsodeci
de
whatwear
egoingtodowitht
hatghett
ogirl
.”
Saronawavedandwal
kedout.Shelookedaround
thensawAnayafr
om adi
stance.Movingfast
,she
wentaft
erhert
othepar
kinglotwhereAnayawas
gett
ingi
nhercar.
“
Hey
!Anay
a!”
Shesl
owlyt
urnedandl
ookedatSar
ona,thesadness
i
nhereyeswasenought
obreakSarona’
sspir
it
.
“
Hi,
Iam Sar
ona,
Pul
e’
swi
fe.
”
Shenoddedsi
l
ent
ly.
“
Iwant
edt
otel
lyout
hatIunder
standhowy
ouf
eel
.”
Anay
alookedi
nherey
es.
“Iknowhowy oufeel.Iknowmor ethanhowy oufeel
.
Iknowi tallbecauseonceuponat i
me, Iwasi nyour
l
ittl
esister’
sposi t
ion.Forthreef
ull
y earsthatwas
myl i
fe.Ili
vedi nithopingandprayi
ngt hatonedayI
wouldnev erwakeup. ”Tearswethercheeksandshe
smi l
ed.“EverytimeIl ookedatmyselfinthemi r
ror,I
sawacor pse.Awal kingdead.Iwasempt y,Idi
dn’
t
haveany thi
ngt olivefor.
”
Anay
a’sl
i
pst
rembl
edast
ear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.
“ThepainIseeinyourey
esi sbett
ert hanthepain
minethatref
lect
edinmine,Iwasbr oken.SoIdon’t
carewhatpeoplesaybutIwillal
way sstandwith
womenwhohav ebeenaffecteddir
ect l
yorindi
rect
ly
byrape.
”
Saronapul ledAnay aoutoft hecarandhuggedher
ti
ghtl
y .Shebr okedownhol di
ngont oSar onaandf or
thefi
r stti
mei nawhi l
e,Sar onaf oundher selfcrying
asthepai nshehadbeent ryi
ngt odeal wi thcame
backf reshal loveragai n.Itfeltasi fshewasbacki n
thatroom, cr y
ingandbeggi ng.Shecoul dv ividl
y
remembert hepr egnancyandhowshehadwal ked
away .Shehaddonesoandwi thoutl ooki ngback,
notev enonce.I thadseemedeasi erasshedr agged
herfeet ,t
hewei ghtf eltheav ierandmor eheav i
er.
Anyonecoul dsayshedi dnotcar eandper hapsshe
didnotbutf eeli
ngasi fshehadnochoi ce,she
conti
nuedwal ki
ngandgotawaywi theachst ep.She
knewt heywoul dannouncet omor rowt hatababy
wasf ounddeadi nthepi tlatrineandsur e,they
wouldi nsultandcur seandswearbutt heywoul d
neverunder stand.Soshehadkeptwal king, the
baby’scr i
esget tinglouderandl ouder , ri
ngi ngi nher
head.Shewast hatgi rlnow, thatgi rlwhot hrew
i
nfant sawaywi thoutcar ebutdeepdownsheknew
thi
swast heonl ywayf orshecoul dnev erbondand
l
ov eachi ldconcei vedt hroughr ape.Shecoul dnev er
l
ov esuchachi l
dwhowoul dbet heev erydayr eason
ofherpai
n.
Godwoul dunderstand,
hehadt ounderst
and.He
hadunder st
oodhergetti
ngraped,sur
elyhe
underst
oodwhyt hatmomentshehadwal kedaway.
Hermot herneveraskedwherethebabywasandl i
ke
that
,nooneev erspokeaboutit
.
Aft
erawhi l
eAnay awasquiet
.Saronaledhertot
he
passengerseatandopenedthedoorforher.
“
Iwi
l
ldr
ivey
out
oyourhouse.
”
Saronacl
osedherdoort hencl
imbedinthedri
ver
’s
seatandstar
tedthecar.Sherever
sedoutofthe
parki
ngspaceslowlyt
hent ur
nedthecartotheexi
t.
“
For
giv
eme,
Ihav
enev
erbeeni
nsuchani
cecar
.”
“
It
’sok.
”Anay
arespondedweakl
y.
Saronagent l
yputherfootontheaccel
erat
orandthe
carslowlyeasedforward.Wit
hbothherhandson
thesteeringwheel
,shedroveAnayatoherhouse
l
isteni
ngt othelowvoiceddi
rect
ionsAnayawas
givi
ngtillshewasparkedinfr
ontofthegateofa
halffi
nishedhouse.
Shedroveinthr
oughtheopengat
eandparked
underthebi
gMor ul
atreebesi
det
hehouse.
“
Greatwor
k,ar
eyout
heonebui
l
ding?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Anay
aIknowy ouaregoi
ngthroughal ot
,tr
ustme,I
under
standbuthowisyoursi
stersupposedtoheal
whenallsheseesi
sthepaini
ny oureyes?”
“
Shedi
dn’
tdeser
vei
t.
”
“Shedidn’t
.Nogi r
lchi
lddoes.Butheali
ngisv ery
i
mpor tantbecauseifyoudon’theal
,shewon’tt oo.
Shewi l
lprobablysweepitunderthecarpetandt rust
me, t
heemot ionswill
buil
dupandexpl odeint he
futur
e.”
“HowdoIl ookatherev
erydayknowingIfail
edher
.
Shecan’tevengotoschoolproper
lybecause
student
sgossipher.
”
SaronawipedAnaya’
stearthathadr undownher
cheek.“
Youlookatherwithstrength,l
ove.That’s
whatyoulookatherwit
h.It’
snowt i
met oheal.Iam
sureyourent
ir
ehouseholdissad, nooneev ertal
ks
aboutwhathappened.
”
“
Shewon’
ttal
kabouti
t.
”
“Andit’
snormal.Butthatdoesn’tmeany ouwatch
herdiebefor
ey oureyes.”Saronatookoutherphone.
“Takethi
snumberandcal lthi
slady.Sheist
heone
helpi
ngme.Thej ourneytoheal i
ngisaprocess.I
t
cantakemont hsandev eny ear
sbutwhatmat ter
sis
thatweareactuall
yhealing.
”
AnayahandedSaronaherphoneandshesav edthe
number.“Cal
lher
,foryou,
foryoursi
ster
,foryour
l
itt
lebr
otherandforyourmother
.Youallneed
ther
apy,youal
lneedtoheal,
toforgi
veyoursel
ves.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“I
t’
sok.Andoh,
Pul
etel
l
smey
ourf
ri
endi
sMi
guel
’
s
PA.”
“
Yes.
”
“Nott
hatIwanttocausechaosi
ny ourl
i
feor
somethi
ngli
kethatbut…”Shesi
ghed.
“
Iknow.Theodorawantshim.Idon’
thav
etheener
gy
t
oevenconfronther
,orforany
thi
ng.”
Saronehuggedher
.“Iunder
stand.Iwil
lcal
lmycab
guytocomeandpickmeup.Ihav etogohome.”

*
***
*

Miguelsatdownwi
thasi
ghwhi
l
ePul
eshookhi
s
head.
“
Youl
ookl
i
kehel
l
.”
“
Howi
sAnay
a?”Kenasked.
“
She…Ihonest
lydon’
tknow.
”
“
Youneedt
ogetl
aid,
that
’swhaty
ouneed.
”
Kenlaughedl
ookingatPul
e.“
Doesev
ery
thi
nghav
e
tobeaboutsex?
”
“I
tdoes.Trustme,
itdoes.Ast
arv
edmancan’
tthi
nk
proper
ly.
”
“IdogetwhatAnayaisgoi
ngthr
ough,Iunder
stand
butshehastot
all
yclosedher
sel
fup.Sheis
pract
ical
l
ypushi
ngmeaway .
”
“Sheisgoi
ngt
hroughal
ot.
”Kensai
dsi
ppi
nghi
s
beer.
“Iknowthatbutshedoesn’ twanttogethelp.When
sheiswithme, sheisquiet
.Shedoesn’ tsayaword
orsometimesshej ustcri
es.Shecriesmor ethan
Ayanadoessur pri
singl
yso.Wehav en’thadsexin
twomont hsandatf ir
stIunderst
oodbuthel l
!We
AREallgoingthroughsomeshi t.
”
“Youneedtogetlaid.Iknowandunderstandthat
youloveAnayabutshei snotat
tendi
ngtoy our
needsandyouser i
ouslyneedtogetl
aid.Theenti
re
worldcanseethat.
”
“MaybewhatBKcandoi
stal
ktoAnay
a,t
ryget
ti
ng
hert
ounderst
and.
”
“Ken,t
hisguyneedst
ogetlai
d.Justonenight
,some
seri
ousfucki
ng,comebackwit
hacl earheadt
hen
dealwit
hAnay a.
”
Fr
om Mi
guel
’
sbacky
ardt
heyhear
dacardr
ivei
n.
“
Iam t
ell
i
ngy
ou,
getl
aid.
”
“
Idon’
tbel
i
evei
ncheat
ing.
”
“
Youwerechowingsomeone’
swomanbef
orey
ou
metRachel
.”Pul
epoi
ntedout
.
“IwasbutnowIam not
.Il
oveRachel
andIseeus
gett
ingol
dtoget
her
.”
Agangj
oinedt
hem secondsl
aterwi
thabeeral
ready
i
nhishand.Hesatonthecampchai
r.
“
Iser
iousl
yneedabr
eak.
”
Kenl
aughed.“
Whathassi
s’
Mbal
idonet
hist
ime
ar
ound?”
“
Shef
oughtagai
n.”
“Thi
sisthesecondt
imethi
smont
h,shei
sgoi
ngt
o
gotojai
loneoftheday
s.”
“Iam st
il
ltr
yingtofi
gureoutwhyy ouarewi t
hthat
gir
l.I
sitbecauseofthatboy?Hisfatherisgoi
ngto
comeandcl aim hi
m andhiswhore.”Miguelsai
d
l
ookingathim.“Sheisusingyou,can’tyousee?”
“
Idon’
twantt
obr
eakhi
shear
t.
”
“
Youar
enothi
sfat
her
.”
“
Iknowt
hatBKbut
…”
“Nobuts.Today,sheisgoi
ngt ol
eaveyourhouse,
I
am giv
ingyouachancet okickherout,
ifshei
ssti
ll
ther
ebyt omorr
ow, Iwil
ldoi
tforyou.”
“Goodr
iddance,
Idon’twantherpoi
soni
ngmywif
e.
Canyoubeli
eveSaronaistal
ki
ngaboutget
ti
nga
j
ob?”
“Andwhat’
swrongwiththat?Idon’tunderstandyou
two,KenwhenyoumetRachel shewaswor kingand
todayshei
sahousewife.Asf oryouPule,Sarona
hasacerti
fi
cat
e,shecangetaj ob.Honestlya
womanwhodoesn’ tworkturnsmeof f.Il
i
kean
i
ndependentwoman.”
Agangbumpedfist
swi
thhi
sbrot
her
.“Idon’tknow
yourwomanP-manbutI
fshei
snotworking,shewil
l
suckyoudr
yandawomanwhodoesn’twor konly
knowstospend.
”
Miguell
aughed.“
Whatelsecanshedoifal
lshe
doesissl
eep.Shemightaswellspendmoney.
”
“Sar
onadoesn’
twor kbutIam tel
li
ngyou,t
hat
womanplansbetterthanIdo.Sheknowshowt o
handl
eourhousehold.Myclothesareal
wayscl
ean
andi
roned.Ial
way
sgetwar
mfood.Thehousei
s
al
waysclean.
”
“
Andit
’sal
waysexci
ti
ng.Icangohomedur
ingl
unch
t
ogetsome.”
Kennet
hadded.
“WhenImetAnay a,
shewasnotwor ki
ngatafixed
sal
aryj
obbutsheusedt osel
lattheschoolandshe
hadacateri
ngcompanygoingon.Thatoni t
’own
wasaturnon,sheisnotdependent,shecansurvi
ve
wit
horwithoutme.Shedoesn’tevenaskformy
moneyandshei ssmartmoneywi se.”
“Youarenotmarri
edt hat’
swhyy ousaythi
s.
Imagineaft
eryoumar ryherthenall
shedoesis
work,shedoesn’
tevencookorcl eanthehouse.
Yourfoodiscookedbyt hemai d,
yourcl
othesar
e
washedbyt hemaid,everyt
hingthemaiddoes
becauseyourownwi feisalwaysbusyatwork.
”Pul
e
saidl
ookingatMiguel.
“IfAnayacanhandl
ehersickmot her
,twosibl
ings,
andani nf
ormalsmallbusi
ness,shecanhandle
mar r
iageandfamil
y.Nothi
ngismor eofaturnon
thanawomanwhowor ksandcanstandforhersel
f.
Yourpr obl
em Puleisy ouareinsecurebecause
Saronai spr
etty
.Youdon’ twanthert ohaveherown
standbecausey ouar escaredandj eal
oussoy ou
ratherkeepheriny ourhousesot hatshespendsthe
entir
edayei t
herkeepi ngt
hehousei nor
dertoget
her
withthekidsorthinkingabouty ouonlyandhowy ou
provideforher.
”
“
BKIl
ovemywi
feandIam noti
nsecur
e.”
“
Whyar
ey ouget
ti
ngdefensi
vethen?Iwantt
osee
y
ourwi
feP-man.
”Agangsaidlaughi
ng.
“Youdon’ ttalktomet i
llBrookLesnerisoutofy our
houseori si tRomanRei gns?BKl ist
en,awor ki
ng
womant urnsy ouon, shedoesn’ tturnmeon.
Wor ki
ngwomenar efull
oft hemsel v
esandar e
control
li
ng.Theyt hinkbecausesheget spaid,she
doesn’tneedy ou,theyaret ooproud.Idon’twant
thatinmywi fe,Il
ov eherthewayshei sandIcan
takecareofmyf ami l
ysor eall
y,shedoesn’tneeda
j
ob.”
“Rachelwasworki
ngbutshewasgett
ingpaid
peanuts.WhenIsuggest
edshequi
therjob,
she
agreed.Ther
ear
ebenef
it
sthatcomeswi
thherbei
ng
athome. ”
“
Likewhat
?Chowingmoney
?”Agangwasi
nst
it
ches.
“
Ya’l
lar
efuckedup.
”
Amanappr
oachedt
hem wi
tht
wopol
i
ceof
fi
cer
s.
“
Gentl
emen,Iam Det
ect
iveMi
chael
s.IwantMi
guel
MokwenaandAgangMokwena.”
.
.
.

[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#31

Miguelst
oodup.“
Isev
erythi
ngok?Iam Mi
gueland
t
hat’sAgang.
”Hepoi
nted.“What
’sgoi
ngon?”
“
May beyoushouldcomewitht
ot hepol
i
cest
ati
on.I
wanttogetyourstat
ement
sagain.”
Thishadnotbeent hemanwhohadi nterr
ogat
ed
them thelastt
ime.Miguelwasmoresurpri
sedthat
theIan’scasewasstil
lal
iv
eev enaf
tertwomonths.
“
Yes,
ofcause.Wewi
l
lfol
l
owbehi
ndy
ou.
”
Thedetect
ivenoddedandwalkedawaywhi
l
eAgang
andMiguelfol
lowedbehi
nd.
“
Whatdoyouthinkthi
sisabout
?”Agangaskedas
t
heydr
ovebehindthepoli
cecar
.
“
May
bepr
ocedur
e.”
“Doyout
hinkt
heyf
oundoutt
hatwet
hreat
ened
him?
”
Miguel
shookhishead.“Idoubt
,wedi
dn’
tev
enmeet
hi
m athishousebutatalodge.
”
“Doyouevert
hinkthatmaybesomeoneki
ll
edhim?
Thelastt
imewesawhi m hewasmorethanhappy
bei
ngsuckeddry.
”
“No,It
hinkhekil
l
edheraf
terhefoundoutshewas
play
inghim.Hemusthavelosti
t.Ei
therway,t
her
e
werenof i
nger
pri
ntsf
oundexpectfr
om his.
”
“
Youar
eri
ght
.”
“Don’tt
ell
them t
hatwemethi mthatmorni
ng,
they
arelooki
ngforanyt
hing.Theyar
egraspi
ngat
str
aws.”
“
Yeah.Hav
eyouspokent
oCol
l
een’
sdoct
or?
”
“Yes.Sheisdoingbet
ter
,It
hinktheywil
lrel
easeher
butsheisnotgetti
ngAngelback.Butshewon’tbe
goingtojai
l,
that’
ssomethi
ng.”
Heparkedatthepoli
cestat
ionandtheybot
h
st
eppedoutfoll
owingthepoli
ceoff
iceri
nsi
de.
“Letmetalkt
oy ouf
ir
st.
”Detect
iveMi
chael
spoint
ed
atMiguelwhonoddedandfoll
owedhi
mt othe
i
nterr
ogati
onroom.
“Youki l
ledhi m.”Detectiv
eMi chaelssaidsi t
ti
ng
opposi t
eMi guel.“I
anwascheat ingony oury oung
sist
er.Thi ngis,y ouneverli
kedthismanf rom t he
beginning.Youcoul dseehewasnotgoodenough
foryoursi sterbutshel ovedhim soy ouhadno
choicebutt oaccepthim.Hemar r
iedhert henafew
mont hsl ater,y
oury oungerbrothercatcheshi m
cheating.Hel osesi tandpunchesI ansev eralt
imes
outofanger .Bot hofyoulovehersomuch, sheis
theonethatkeepsev ery
onet ogether .Sheisthe
gluebetweenallofyouandi thurtst hatshehasa
doucheofahusband.Ofcauseshedoesn’ ttelly
ou,
sheknowsherbr othersandhowov erprotecti
ve
theyareofher.Thesmal lbr
othert ell
sy ouwhat
happenedandy outellhi
m, wewi lldeal wit
hit.You
gotothehospitalwherehewor ks,conf r
onthim and
punchhim.Yousay ,andIquot e,‘I
fy ouhurther
again,
Iwillf
ini
shyouof f.
’That’swhaty outellhi
m.”
Mi
guel
fol
dshi
sar
msl
ooki
ngatt
hedet
ect
ive.
“ButIandoesn’ tt
akey ouser i
ously,t
ohi m, heisi n
l
ov ewi t
hhi smi stress.Shef eedshi mt helieshe
want stohear .Andhekeepsonhur t
ingy oursister.
Youwat chfrom t hebackseatbecausey ouseej ust
howmadl yi
nl ovey ousist
eris.Itanger syout hat
shel ovessuchaman.Thr eemont hslater,your
sist
ergi vesbirthandI anisstil
lcheating,onlynow
i
t’snotasecr et.Ev eryoneknowsbutbecausei t
’s
Colleen,shekeepsst rong,makesexcusesf orthe
douche, thatanger sy ouev enmor e.Thenf i
nally,
yoursisterreachesabr eakingpointandi t’
sal l
becauseofI an.Shehasgonecr azyal lforaman
whodoesn’ tevenloveher.Thesmal lbr
ot herfinds
outf i
rstthenal ertsyou.Yout ell
himlet’sgoand
hav eanot hertalkwithhim.Youhav eapl anbutt he
youngbr ot herdoesn’tknow.Youar ecaref ulabout
thisplanofy ours.YoumeetI ani napubl i
cspace, at
thelodge, y outalktohim ni
cel yinfr
ontofsome
witness,someonet ovouchf oryou.Yout el l
him, if
youdon’ tlov eherany morethenf reeher.Heagr ees
theny ouwal kaway .Youpassbyt hefil
l
ingst ation
closet oyourhouseandst r
ikeaconv ersat i
onwi th
someone.Someonewhowi l
lremembery ou. ”
“
Arey
oudescr
ibi
ngamov
ie?
”
Det ectiveMi chaelslaughedbr i
efl
y.“
Itget’sbetter.
Youact uallygetbackhomebuty ouleavet hehouse,
andt hist ime,withouty ourcarandwi thchanged
clothes.Adi sgui
se.Youmakeapl anandgoI an’s
house.Youknowhei st herebecausewheny oulef
t,
yout oldhi mt oindirectl
y .Yougettoy oursister’
s
house, breakinunnot i
cedt henwalkinonhi s
mi stress.Shei sint hekitchenorsitt
ingr oom but
shei sal one.Shet ellsyout oleaveandy ougr abher
neck.Buty ouarev erycar eful
becausey ouhav e
disposabl egl oveson.Shet riesf ighti
ngy ou,breaks
hernai l whileatitbuty oudon’ tletgot i
l
lshei sdead.
Andt hat’swhenI anwal ksin.Hest artsfi
ght i
ngy ou
butbecausey oudon’ twantt ot aket i
me, yougof or
hisneck.I anis5, 6f eetthel east ,youarea6, 2.You
aret all
, muscularandmor epower f
ul.Hest ruggles
butatt heend, heisgone.Yout aket hekni f
eint he
kitchen, makehi mt ouchital lov erthenst abhis
mi stressbef oretyinghi mt ot hecei li
ng.Makei tlook
l
ikepassi onki l
l
ingandsui cide.Youcr eateamessi n
thehousef orevidenceofast ruggleandl eav e.
”
Miguelstar
tedclappi
nghishands.“Goodone
detect
ive.I
fIdidasyouri
mpr act
icalst
oryofy
our
s
says,whycan’tyouarr
estme? ”
“Withsucht hi
ngs,t
herear eal
waysti
nymi stakes
youmakeunknowi ngly.Ianhadcontusions,I
an
didn’tdiebecausehetiedhi msel
ftotheceili
ng,
rather,someonestrangledhi mtodeath.Andt he
reasonwhywecoul dn’
tf indanyfi
ngerpri
ntsisthat
youwer eweari
ngglovest heenti
reti
me. ”
“Idon’
thav
etobehere,
am Iunderar
restorwhat
?
DoIneedtocal
lmylawyer
?”
Thedetecti
veshookhisheadno.“ Youarev ery
dangerous,
youareli
kesnake, quietinthegr asst
il
l
yousteponit.Youar
eapr ofessional ki
ll
er.Andone
day,onedayyouaregoingtogot oprisonandIam
goi
ngt omakesureofit.
”
Miguelstoodup.“Iwil
lgladl
ywaitf
orit
.Inthemean
ti
me,pleasegetjusti
ceformybrotheri
n-l
awand
stopchasingaf
terme, Iam begi
nni
ngtothinkyou
aregay.
”
Hewal
kedoutbangi
ngt
hedoorbehi
ndhi
m.
“Hehasnothi
ng.
”Miguel
toldAgangashe
appr
oachedhim.“
Iwil
lwaitfory
ouint
hecar
.”
I
nthecarMi
guel
tookouthi
sphoneandcal
l
ed
Anay
a.
“
Hel
l
o,”
“
Babe,
canIpi
cky
ouupt
oday
?Imi
ssy
ou.
”
“
Miguel
Ican’
tleav
ethehouse,
Ayananeedsme.
”
“
Iknowbutshewi
ll
haveyout
omorr
owandbesides,
i
t’
snotl
i
kesheisal
one,y
ourmot
heri
sther
e.”
“
Youdon’
tunder
standbecausey
ouhav
enev
erbeen
i
nthi
ssi
tuat
ion.
”
“Anay
aIam alsopartofy
ourli
feandIam aff
ect
ed
bywhathappenedtoyoursi
sterbutIal
soneedyou.
Whataboutme?”
“
Areyoumaki
ngmechoosebet
weenmysi
sterand
y
ou?”
“
Noonei
saskingyout
ochoose,
Iam sayi
ngcan’
t
y
oudi
vi
deyourti
me?Ihav
eneedstoo.”
“
Thelastt
hingIam t
hinki
ngaboutissex,jutcont
rol
y
oursel
fMiguel
.Youcan’tl
etsexrul
ey ourli
feli
ke
t
hat
.”
“Sexdoesn’trul
emyl if
ebecauseIhav ebeen
celi
bat
ef orthelasttwomont hs.Babepl
ease,ok,
I
will
ret
urny outodayifit
’sbecauseyoucan’tsl
eep
awayfrom Ay ana.Iwil
lpickyouupnowanddr op
youofftonight.
”
“
Iam busyr
ightnowMi
guel
.”
“Youareal
waysmaki ngexcuses,Iam begi
nni
ngto
feel
Iam al
oneinthisrel
ati
onshipandtrustme,I
havebeensounderstandi
ngandpat i
entwithyou.
”
“I
fyoudon’
twantmeanymor ejustsayso,
youar
e
gi
vingmeunnecessar
yst
ress.”
“WhosaidIdidn’
twanty
ouany more?Youknow
what?It
’sfi
ne.Thi
sconver
sat
ionisprovi
ngtobe
usel
ess.”
HehungupasAgangappr
oachedt
hecar
.
“
Thatguyi
scr
azy
!”
Miguelst
art
edtheigni
ti
on.“
Hei
sdesper
ate.Hei
s
wasti
nghisti
me.”

*
***
*

Anayawal
kedbacki
nsi
det
hehousehol
dingher
phone.
“
Arey
ouf
ight
ingwi
thhi
m?”
Shelookedathermothert
henAyanawhowas
sl
eeping.“
Heisjustbei
ngtoomuch.
”
“
Youshoul
dfi
ndbal
ance.
”
“
Ayanaismypr
ior
it
yatthemoment,i
fhecan’
tdeal
wi
thitt
henwemightaswel
lbr
eakup.
”
Shecal
l
edt
henumberSar
onahadgi
venher
.
“
Hel
l
o?”Af
emal
evoi
ceanswer
ed.
“
Hi,youarespeaki
ngtoAnayaShat
o,afr
iendof
minegavemey ournumbersay
ingyouar
ea
t
herapi
st.
”
“
YesIam,
ifImayask,
whati
sthenameofy
our
f
ri
end.
”
“
Sar
ona.
”
“
Oh…Isee,
howcanIhel
pyou?
”
“Ihav
easimil
arcase,
wher
ecanIbookan
appoint
ment
?”
“Cal
lmyoff
icet
omor
rowandbookasessi
on.Iwi
l
l
sendyout
henumber
.”
“
Ok.Thanky
ou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
*
***
*

LaterthatdayMarangwalkedinsi
deMiguel
’shouse
wit
hhi m behi
nd.Shelookedattheemptycansof
beerthenathim.
“
Idi
dn’
tpi
ctur
eyouassomeonewhodr
inkst
his
much.
”
Helaughed.“
Idon’
t,
Ilef
tmyf
ri
endsher
edur
ingt
he
dayandtheyhadaparty
.”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Real
l
ynow?
”
“
Yes,
Idon’
tli
e.Iwi
l
lsor
titout
.”
Hewalkedtotheki
tchenwherehecamebackwit
ha
bl
ackplast
icandst
artedt
hrowingt
hemessinsi
de.
“
Iwi
l
lhel
p.”
Sheputherbagdownthenstart
edpi
cki
ngupt
he
emptycans.Mi
nutesl
ater
,theywer
edone.
“Youcall
edmesayingyouwil
lcookformebutyou
haveanempt yf
ri
dge.
”Shesaidholdi
ngthedoor
sof
thefr
idge.“
Doyoueverdoshopping?
”
Shel
ookedathi
sgui
l
tyf
ace.“
NobutbecauseIam
al
waysbusy
.”
“
Youarejustl
azy.Maybeweshoul
ddoshoppi
ng
f
ir
storj
ustordersomethi
ng.
”
“
Let
’sshop.Iam t
ir
edofeat
ingt
akeaway
s.”
“
Ok.
”
Theywalkedouttohi
scaranddrovetothenearby
mall
.Hepushedt het
rol
leyar
oundwhil
esheputt he
i
temstheyneededinsi
de.Soon,
theywereatthetil
l
payi
ng.Theywalkedoutandonl
ytomeetLonewho
wasstandingbesi
deshiscar
.
“
Oh,
anot
herone?
”
“Lonewhatdoy
ouwant
?Isev
ery
thi
ngokwi
tht
he
baby?”
Mar
angl
ookedatherbi
gstomacht henatherf
ace
whi
chdi
spl
ayednot
hingbutat
ti
tude.
“Yes,Iam j
ustsurpri
sedy
ouhav eanewgi r
lf
ri
end.I
real
lythoughtAnayawoul
dl ast
.”Lonel
ookedat
Mar ang.“
Hewi l
lrepl
aceyousoonenough,don’
tbe
sosur e.
”
Theywat
chedherwal
kaway
.
“
Iam sor
ryaboutt
hat
.”
Theyputt
hegr
ocer
yint
heboott
hengoti
nthecar
.
“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
meabouther
?”
“
Iwasgoi
ngt
oandei
therway
,remembery
oudon’
t
wantme.
”
Maranglaughed.“
Youar
ecr
azy
,sot
hat
’sy
our
baby?’
“Yes,mont hsagobefor
eAnay a,
webr okeupand
sheemot i
onal
lybl
ackmailedmeint
osl eepi
ngwi t
h
her.Ishouldhaveusedacondom butt houghtshe
wouldt aketheemergencypil
l
.Shedidn’tbecause
herplanwasget ti
ngpregnant
.”
“Shedidi
tpurposel
ysothaty
outakeherback.I
knowhowt hatgoes.Shei
sconfi
dentthatyouwi
ll
,
mightnotbenowbutsheissureoncet hebabyi
s
hereyouwil
lhaveachangeofheart
.”
Mi
guel
lookedather
.“IguessbutIam ov
erher
.”
Hedrovebackhomewher etheyunpacked
ev
ery
t hi
ng.Hewatchedherasshestartedcooki
ng.
“Forsomeonewhowant
edt
ocookf
orme,
you
standi
ngtoofar
.”
Hegr
abbedacanofbeeri
nthef
ri
dge.“
Idon’
tknow
howt
ocook.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Ok,
thenhel
pmeout
.”
“
Pleasedon’
tsendmear
ound,
Iam l
azy
.”
Theybothl
aughed.“Iwi
l
lwaitf
ory
oui
nthesi
tt
ing
room.Iam notf
eel
ingwell
.
”
“Nowonderyoueatj
unkfood,
youaretool
azyto
cook.Wher
edoesithur
t?Iam adoct
orsoIcanhel
p
you.
”
Hechuckl
ed.‘
Thisi
sseri
oussi
ckness,
youcan’
t
handl
eit
.Famil
ythi
ngs”
Sher
oll
edherey
es.“
Liar
.Youcango,
it’
sfi
ne.
”
“Thankyou.
”Hewal
kedoverandki
ssedhercheek
beforegoi
ngtot
hesi
tt
ingroom.
Mar
angt
ookoutherphoneandcal
l
edherf
ri
end.
“
HeyMar
ang,
”
“
Lei
l
a,r
emembert
hatguyIt
oldy
ouabout
?”
“
Thebusi
nessone?
”
“
Yes.Hecal
l
edmet
odayandIdi
dn’
tref
usel
i
ket
he
l
astt
ime.
”
“
Wow!And?
”
“AndIam athi
shouse.Thi
sguyi
sev
ery
thi
ngIhav
e
everwant
edinaman. ”
“
Butdi
dn’
tyousayhehasagi
rl
fr
iend?
”
“HedoesbutIt
hinktheyarehavingproblems.Heis
makingj
okesbutIcanseehei sstressed.Idon’
t
wanttobehisr
eboundt hennextthingIknow,heis
backtoher
.”
“Iknowpeopl ethi
nkt hatuswhi t
epeopledon’t
under standthesethingsbutt r
ustme, wedo.Iwoul d
advisey outowai ttil
lheissingl
ebutchancesar e
that,hewon’ teverleave.Menal sobehavelikeus
somet i
mes,hewi llstayhopi
ngwhat everproblems
hehaswi thhisgirlgetfi
xed.Iknowt hi
swi l
lsound
somehowbutst ri
kewhi l
ethei r
onisstil
lhotifyou
real
lyl i
kehim.”
“
Yout
hink?
”
“Yes.Wear eal lwantgoodguy sandsomear e
mar ri
edort akensoi fyoufi
ndoneandanot her
womani snott reati
nghimr i
ghtknowingyoucan
treathim better,gofori
t.Youknowt hesaying,
someoneel se’sstonesisanotherperson’
s
diamond.”
“Heisperf
ectLayla,Ihav
ebeenprayi
ngf
orsucha
manorawhi lenow.Iswearifhegiv
esmeachance
Iwil
ltr
eathimright.
”
“
Yesbutbecar
eful
wit
hyourhear
t.
”
“Iknow,shemi ghtwalt
zbackinhi
slif
eifshe
chooses.Iam justgoi
ngtolovehi
m, i
fitdoesn’
t
wor koutthenIwill
accepti
tandmov eon.Notallof
usar edesti
nedforhappyendi
ngs.Letmecook,
greetRyanf orme.”
“
Okl
ove,
seey
ouatwor
k.”
Sheputherphoneawayandf ocusedoncooki
ng.A
whil
elat
er,shehaddishedupandwast aki
ngt
he
pl
atestothesit
ti
ngroom.
“
Atl
ast
,Iwasaboutt
odi
e.”
Shesatnextt
ohi
m ast
heyat
ewat chi
ngsome
for
ensi
cshowhehadbeenwatchi
ng.
“
Howi
syourmot
herandni
ece?
”
“Theyar
efine.Mymom i
sact
ual
lymorethanfi
ne,I
guessshehasfoundanewmeani
nginli
febecause
ofAngel
.”
“Wel
lAngel
isblessedtohav
eagrandmotherl
i
ke
her
.Yourmotherisreal
l
ygoi
ngt
oheav en.
”
“
Iknow.Shei
samazi
ng.
”
“
Soy
ouar
etheonl
yki
dsi
nyourf
ami
l
y?”
Henodded.“
Yes.You?Youl
ookl
i
key
ouar
etheonl
y
chi
l
d.”
Mar
angl
aughedeat
ing.“
Whydoy
ousayso?
”
“
Behav
ior
.”
“Youri
ght.Iam theonl
ychi
l
dmymot herandfat
her
have.I
t’
sbor i
ngbeingt
heonlychi
l
d,Ialwaysenvy
thosewit
hsiblings.
”
“
Youshoul
d.”
Theyl
aughed.Whent
heyf
ini
shedeat
ingMi
guel
off
eredt
owasht
hedi
sheswhil
eshewat
chedTV.
Hecamebackmi
nut
eslat
erhol
dingt
womugsof
coff
ee.
“
Thankyou.
”Sher
eachedf
ort
hemugandt
ooki
t
f
rom hi
m.
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Shetookasipbutt
hehotnessmadeherspiti
tout
al
mosti mmedi
atel
yandspil
lonher
sel
finthe
process.
“
Ahh!
”
Shequi
ckl
yputt
hemugdownandst
oodup.
“
Takei
tof
f!
”
Shequi
ckl
yt ookoffhershi
rtandfannedherchest
.
“I
twasn’
tthathot.Iwi
llbef
ine.”
Mi
guel
sil
ent
lywat
chedhert
henst
art
edl
aughi
ng.
“St
oplaughi
ngatme.Iam scar
edofhott
hings.I
usual
l
yaddwaterinmycoffeeort
ea.
”
“
Whydi
dn’
tyouaskmet
oaddwat
er.
”
Shesatdown.“
Idon’
twantt
olookchi
l
dish.My
mot
herhat
est
hatIputwat
eri
nmyt
ea.
”
“
Youshouldn’
tpr
etendt
obesomeoney
ouar
enott
o
i
mpressanyone.
”
Shel
ookedathi
mthenatherbr
a.“
Iwi
l
lputt
hison.
”
“
Letmewashi
tfory
ou,
it’
sst
ained.
”
“
No,
it’
sok.Icandoi
t,wher
eist
hebat
hroom.
”
“
Downt
hehal
l
.”
“
Ok.
”
Mar angstoodupandwal kedwithherwhi teshir
t.
Sheclosedthebathroom doorandl ookedather sel
f
onthemi r
ror.Sherubbedherl i
pstogetherfixi
ngher
str
aightweavethenreachedf orthebathingsoup
andrubbeditonthest ai
nasaNi ger
iansongpl ayed.
Shewashedt hestainoffandr i
nsedbefor ewalki
ng
out.
“
Ithoughty
ouhaddr
ownedi
nthesi
nk.
”
Shewal kedtothekitchenandputherwetshirton
thekitchenstooltodry.Whenshewalkedback, she
bumpedi nt
oMi guelbytheki
tchenentr
ance.He
kissedherandsheki ssedhim backhol
dinghis
wai
st.Hepickedherupandshewrappedherl
egs
ar
oundhiswaist.Maranghel
dontohim ashe
wal
kedtothebedroom wherehel
ayherdown.
Heuncli
ppedherbraandt ooki
toff.Wit
hhisbi
g
hands,
hecuppedbreastsqueezing.Marangl
ooked
i
nhishungryeyesandkissedhi
m pulli
nghisf
ace
downtohis.Shepushedhim of
fherthensatonhis
tummy.
“Rel
ax,l
etmet
akecar
eofy
ou.Fi
rstl
et’
stakeof
fthe
barr
ier
.”
Hehel pedhertakeof fhist -shir
tbef orelyingont he
bedf latonhisback.Sheunbut tonedhi sjeansthen
unzippedt hem.Hi sbul gemadeherhear tskipbut
bravelyshepul l
edhi sjeansdownt ogetherwi t
hhi s
bri
ef s.Shetookt hem al loffbef oretakingof fher
j
eansandsi tti
ngonhi m.Sl owly ,shegraspedhi s
harddi ckinherhands, hewasbi gbutshewas
deter minedtosat i
sfyhi m.Sher ubbedhi m slowly
andwat chedthepr e-
cum sur face.Leani ngov er,
she
l
eakedt heheadmaki nghi m gr oan.Openi ngher
mout hwide,shet ookhi minhermout hl etti
nghim
hi
tt hebackofhert hroat .
“
Fuck!
”
Withonehandsti
llrubbi
ngthebaseofhi sveined
di
ck,shemassagedhi sbal
lswit
htheot her
.She
bobbedherheadfasterwhil
ehegroaned, t
akinghim
deeperi
nherthr
oat.Runningoutofbreath,she
pul
ledawaythenclosedherwarm mout honhi s
bal
lsandsuckedthem.
“
Shi
t!Whatt
he…shi
tbabe!Wai
t!
”
Sheknewhewasclose.Sheputhi
sdi
ckbackinher
mouthsucki
nghi
ml i
kealoll
i
popwhil
ehelost
cont
rol
.
“Babeplease…fuck!
”Hebeggedbutshewas
rel
entl
ess.Sheknewamanl i
kehim needednot
hing
butthebest.Tear
sfil
ledhereyesasherstomach
tur
ned.
“Shi
t!MarangIam goi
ngt
ocum,
pleasewai
t…”He
begged.
Shet ookhim outofhermouthandsankdownon
him,taki
ngall ofhi
mlikeabiggir
lignori
ngthesharp
paininherabdomen.I thadbeentwof ul
lyear
ssince
thelastti
meshehadhadsex.
“
Shi
tbabe!
”
Shesl owl yeasedhi m outt i
l
l t
hetipwasl eftthen
sankagai nlookingathi sface.Sher odehim hard,
clampi ngherbodyonhi s.Heheldherwai stand
fuckedherf rom beneathsqueezi ngherass.
Suddenl y
,her ol
ledthem thenstar t
edfuckingher
uncont roll
ably.Mar angtightenedhermuscl es
aroundhi m witheacht hrustmaki nghim groanli
ke
aninjur edani mal.Hepul l
edoutt hendraggedher
outofbedt ot hebat hr
oom wher eshehel dt hesink
whilehepushedhi mselfin.
“
Fuck!Whyar
eyousot
ight
?”
Heputhi shandsonherwaistandpoundedint
oher.
Shecl osedherey
esstandi
ngonhertoesand
thrust
ingherassathi
mf eel
ingthepl
easur
esipin
from hertoes.
“
Lookaty
our
sel
fasIt
akey
ou.
”
Heopenedherey esandl ookedatherr
efl
ecti
onon
themir
ror.Hehitsomethingdeepinherthatmade
herf
reezeall
togetheropeninghermouth.Hehiti
t
agai
nandshecr iedout.Stari
nginhi
seyes,shesaw
nothi
ngbutlustashefuckedherhar
danddeep.He
puthishandonherneckchockingwhil
ehedr
il
led
her.
“
Feel
thatbaby
?”
Marangmoanedl oudlyfeel
ingherkneesweaken.
Witheachthrusthet ookherst r
aighttoheaven
whereshest art
edcummi nghard, herbody
convul
sing.Hequi ckenedhisspeedpul li
ngher
weaveandf i
lledherupwhi leherpussyhuggedhim
ti
ghtl
y.Theybot hlookedatthemi rr
orpanti
ngwhi
le
hepumpedhi scum insideher.Slowlyhepull
edout
ofherkissi
ngherneck.
Shehel
dont
othesi
nkwat
chi
ngf
il
lthet
ubont
he
mir
ror
.
“
Come.
”
Shetri
edwalkingbutherlegsfel
tjel
l
yt hatshe
almostfel
lbutheheldher.Hehelpedhert othebed
whereheplacedheronherkneesandhandsatt he
edgeandpushedherchestdown.Her ubbedhisdick
thenpushedinsi
deherti
ghtpussywhi l
emoaned
grabbi
ngtheduv et
.Hertoescurl
edasMi guel
pushedhi sdicktothehi lt,f
eelingev erycor nerofher
.
Holdingherwai st
,hepoundedi nt oherhar dand
deep, notgi
vingheranysi nglebr eak.Shecl osedher
eyest i
ghtl
yast heinsanepl easuret ookov erashe
fuckedherhar derwit houtinterrupti
on.Herpussy
wallstight
enedclosi nghimi nasshet hepleasure
worsened.Herpussyspasmedcoat inghim withher
cum ashef uckedherwi t
hsomuchi ntensetil
lhe
fi
ll
edherup.Hepul ledouthi sdickleav ingher
dri
ppingwi t
hhi ssemen.
“
Come…”
Hepi
ckedherandledhertothebathr
oom wher
e
t
heysatwhi
lethewaterf
il
ledthetubsl
owl
y .
“
Whenwast
hel
astt
imey
ouhadsex?
”
Heaskedsi
tti
ngbehi
ndher
.Sher
est
edherheadon
hi
swidechest.
“
Twoy
ear
sago.Wi
thmyex.
”
“
Whathappenedwi
thhi
m?”
Shesi
ghedrelaxi
ngasheputhi
sar
msar
oundher
.
“Hegotmar
ried.”
“
Whi
l
ewi
thy
ou?
”
“Yes.Wehadbeent oget herf oray ear.Wewer efine,
Ithoughtwewer eany way s.Thenhet ell
smehehas
tovisithismot herinGumar e.Hegoesandnext
thi
ngIseehi sweddi ngpi ct uresonf acebook.I
call
edt oconf r
onthi m andhi swi feanswer edt he
phoneandt hreatenedt osueme.Iwashur t,Icr i
ed,
beggedt henhat edhi m andi sfami lyprayingf or
karmat ohithim.Hi slifeact uall
ychangedf ort he
betterandhet ur
nedoutt obev er
ysuccessf ul,fora
yearIwasbi tter,waiti
ngf oranapol ogybutwher e?
Heal readyhast woki dswi thhi swifeandl ifekeeps
favori
ngt hem.SoIf i
nallyj ustletitgo, Ihadl ost
weight .Iwasdepr essed.Buther eIam…”
“
Thatwassad.
”
Mar anglaughed.“I
twasbutnowIdon’ tfeel
anythingwhenIseehi m andhisfamil
yatNando’
sor
j
ustany where.Imov edon.ThatyearIspent
moppi ngaround,Iwastedmyt i
meandnowIam
focusedonmyf utur
e.”
“
Andt
hati
s?”
“Ihavedreams.Ij
ustfini
shedpayingtheloanItook
whenIboughtmyhouse.Ihav emycar ,
acart hatI
boughtmy sel
f.Ev
erytimeIgetinsidei
t,Ifeel
proud.
Irenovat
edmypar ent’
shouse.Nowwhat ’
snextis
openingmyowncl ini
c.”
“
Ilov
ethat
.”
“
Idot
oo.
”
“
Whataboutmar
ri
age?
”
“Ist
oppedt ry
ingt oworkar oundgett
ingmarri
edata
cert
ainclock,Ialwaysthoughtby25Iwoul dbe
mar r
iedwithmyownchi ldandtodayIam 29years
oldwi t
hnochi l
d,nomar ri
age,notevenaseri
ous
rel
ati
onshipthatlookspromi si
ng.Iwanttoget
mar r
iedbutIwanti ttohappenonGod’ sti
me.After
all
,God’sti
mei st hebestti
me.AfterIgetmarr
ied,I
will
hav emyf i
rstchil
d.”
Shecl
osedt
hewat
er.“
Whatabouty
ou?Mar
ri
age?
”
“Iwantt
osettl
edown. ”Hesai
dwit
hthatvoi
cethat
madeherblush.“ButIwantt
odoitwit
hsomeone
whoisalsoreadyto.Someonewhoisdonewit
h
games.”
Shelookedathimthenki
ssedhi
m.“
Myf
inger
sar
e
begi
nningtoprune.
”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Letmewashusf
ir
st.
”
MinuteslaterMar angwalkedbacki nsidehis
bedroom andsatdownwi t
hat owel aroundherbody
whil
ehebr ushedhi st
eeth.Sheknewhewasst i
ll
confusedabouthi scurrentrel
ationshi
pbutt hat
wasn’tgoingt ostopher.ThiswasaGodsentman
andshewasn’ tgoingtolethim sli
pfrom herhands.
.
.
.
TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#32

Theodorawal kedinsi
deMokwenaLogi st
icsinthe
morningwithherheadheldhighinasshor tmini
for
mal skir
t.Shegotinsi
detheli
ftwit
hot her
workers.Reachingherworkstat
ion,
shewi pedher
deskbeforesitti
ngdownputti
nghercof f
eedown.
Herphoner
angwhi
l
esheswi
tchedonherPC.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,canwet
alk?
”
Sherol
ledherey
es.“
AgangIam atwor
k,unl
ikey
our
pi
tbul
,someofusactual
l
yworkforali
vi
ng.”
“
Iam sor
ryabouty
est
erday
,canImakei
tupt
o
y
ou?”
“
No,whoknowswhatt
hatbi
gbodi
edgi
rlwi
l
ldot
o
me.Iv
aluemyl
if
e.”
“
Ibr
okeupwi
thher
.”
“
Goodf
ory
ou.
”
“
Canwenowt
alkaboutus?
”
Shehear
dtheel
evat
ordoor
sopeni
ng.“
Ihav
etogo,
bye.
”
Miguel
walkedi
nsecondsl
aterwhi
l
esheputher
phoneaway.
“
Goodmor
ningSi
r,
”
“
Mor
ning.
”
Hegoti nhisoff
icewhi
leherheartpounded.A
minutelater,
hecall
edher
.Shest oodupandf i
xed
herblazerbefor
eshewalkedinsidehi
soffi
ce.
Miguelraisedhi
seyesfr
om hislaptopandlookedat
her.
“Sendamemot oev eryoneaboutt heendofy ear
evaluati
onf ort
omor r
ow.ThenonFr i
dayIwantust o
discusswhatwewi lldot hisy eart
omar kourending.
Sendt hatalsotoC- SKY.Cal lWame, Iwantto
discussthatwor kshop.Ial sowantt oseeMr .
Bernardsfrom C-SKYaf t
erl unchshar p.Sendan
emai lt
oC- SKYmanager ,theirendofev al
uat
ionisa
dayaf t
ertomor r
ow. ”
“
Yessi
r.
”
Shetur
nedandwalkedout
.Backatherdesk,she
cal
ledWame’sof
fi
cebefor
eshebegant y
pingthe
memo.

*
***
*
Marangat
tendedtoapati
entwithanur sebyher
si
de.Aminutelat
ershewalkedheadingtoheroff
ice,
shewasdonewi t
hhermorningrounds.Alongway,
shemetLayl
a.
“
Morningsweet
y,Iam sogl
adIbumpedint
oy ou.I
want
edtocalll
astni
ghtbutIdi
dn’
twantt
odisturb.
”
Theywalkedinsi
deherof
fi
ceandsatdownwhi
l
e
Marangsmiled.
“
Youar
egl
owi
ng.
”
“Lastni
ghtwasamazi ng,Ican’
tdenyt hatLayl
a,thi
s
mor ni
ngwasev enmor ewonderfulbutIcan’tr
eally
i
gnor ethefactthathehasagi rl
fr
iend.That’
sallI
havebeent hinkingsi
ncehedr oppedmehomet hi
s
mor ni
ng, hi
sgirl
fri
end.Idon’
tevenknowherbut
alr
eady, Iam scared.
”
“Maybeyoushoul
djustaskwhereyoust
andwi
th
him.I
t’
sbett
erknowingthanpl
ayi
ngguess.
”
“
IknowbutIdon’
twantt
oseem pushy
.”
“
Ther
eisnothi
ngwr
ongwi
thwant
ingt
oknowwher
e
y
oustand.
”
“YesbutLay
la,
ithasjustbeenaday.It
hinkIshoul
d
givei
taweekorso,that’
sifhecal
lsmet henIwil
l
ask.”
“
Your
eal
l
ygoti
tbaddon’
tyou?
”
Theylaughed.“ Heisamazing.Iwassosur et
hathe
wasgoi ngt ofuckmet hewholenightbutwewere
j
usttalking.Itwasn’tawkwar
d,itf
eltli
kewehave
knowneachot herforyear
s.Heunder st
andsme.”
“
Hei
stheone.
”
Marangl
aughed.“Yeah,
butImaynotbehi
sone.I
don’
twantt
ohav ehighhopes.
”
“
That
’sasmar
tmov
ebutdon’
thol
dof
ftoof
ar.
”
“
Iam j
ustscar
ed.
”
“Andit
’sokt obescar ed.Justgi
veitaf ai
rchance.
Notallsuccessfulr
elati
onshipsstartoffwit
ha
dreamynot e.Nowenoughaboutt hat,RyanandI
havedecidedt oadopt.”
“
OhmyGod!Iam happyf
ory
ou.
”
“Iam soexci
ted.Iknowit
’sathr
il
lhavi
ngyourown
chil
dandIhav ealwayswant
edthatbutaf
terourl
ast
t
est
,wer eal
izedi
t’
snotgoingtohappen.Adopt
ioni
s
t
helastopti
onandIam excit
edalr
eady.”
“Youshoul
dbe.Iwi
shalotofpeopl
ecanr eal
i
zethat
adopti
onisal
soanopt
ion.I
t’
salongprocessbutit
works.
”
“
Metoo.
”Shest
oodup.“
Ihav
eto,
Ihav
easur
ger
yin
t
went
yminut
es.
”
“
Okmommyt
obe.
”
Lay
lalaughedandwal
kedoutl
eav
ingMar
ang
smil
ingalone.

*
***
*

Lonewalkedinsi
detheempt yrestr
oom andgot
i
nsidethetoi
let
.Ami nutel
atershewalkedoutand
washedherhandsst ar
ingathersel
fonthemirr
or.
Shehatedhowshel ooked,evenmakeupdidn’
t
bett
erthesit
uati
on.Shejusthadtobeuglyontopof
thefat
ness.
“
Hi,
”Cour
tneysai
dst
eppi
ngoutofat
oil
etand
washi
ngherhandsbesi
deshersi
nk.
Lonelookedathert
hent
ookoutherf
acepowder
fr
om herhandbag.
“Iam sorr
yLonef orwhathappened.Iam sor r
yfor
betrayi
ngy ou,Iwasj ustenvi
ousofy ou.IknowI
shouldn’
thav ebeenandIam sor r
y.Thel asttwo
mont hsIreflectedonmyact ionsandIr eali
zedIwas
neveragoodf ri
endt oyou.Ihopeonedaywecanbe
fri
endsagai n,youwer eoneofmyt ruefriendshere
atwor kandImi ssyou.”
Lonel
ookedather
.“Iam gl
ady
our
eal
i
zei
t.Il
ong
for
gav
ey ou.
”
Cour
tneysmi
l
ed.“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Yes,
butt
hatdoesn’
tmeany
ouandIar
efr
iends.
”
“
Itot
all
yunderst
and.Any
way
scongr
atul
ati
onson
y
ourpregnancy.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Theyfixedthei
rfacesandwalkedouttothei
rwork
st
ations.Lonetookoutherl
emonandst rawber
ry
waterandt ookasipwhil
eCourtneyappr
oachedher
wi
thami
l
kshake.
“Apieceoffer
ing,
Ireal
i
zedy
oudr
inkmi
l
kshakesl
i
ke
crazythesedays.
”
Lonel
aughed.“
Thecr
avi
ngsar
eamess.
”
“
Icansee,
youmakebei
ngpr
egnantsoeasy
.”
“
It
’snot
,tr
ustme.
”Shet
ookt
hemi
l
kshake.“
Thank
y
ou.”
“I
t’sok.That
’sthel
eastIcando.Any
way
swewere
planni
ngtothrowyouababyshowerbef
orey
ougo
foryourmaterni
tyl
eave.
”
“
Iwoul
dlov
ethat
.Youcangoaheadandpl
ani
t.
”
“
Ok.
”
Cour
tneywalkedawaywhi
l
eLonedr
ankt
he
mil
kshake.

*
***
*

Anay
awal
kedi
nsi
deMokwenaLogi
sti
cst
othe
r
ecept
ion.
“Af
ter
noon,Iam her
etoseeMr.Mokwenafr
om C-
SKYhotel
.AnayaShatof
orMr.Ber
nards.
”
“Amoment,
”Therecept
ioni
stt
ookt
hephoneand
cal
l
edwhil
eAnayasighed.
“
Ok,
youcangor
ighti
n.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shewal kedt othestai
rsandcl imbedupt i
llshewas
i
nhisf l
oor .Shewalkedtowar dshi sPA’sempt ydesk
wonder ingi fsheshouldjustwal kr i
ghtint
ohi soffi
ce
ornot .Asecondl at
ershewaswal kingtowar dshis
door.Sheknockedopeni ngt hedoorandst epped
ri
ghtin.Theodor awasbendedov erhisbookshel f
onherr ightandAnay acouldal mostsweari f
Theodor areachedforthelastshel f,shewoul dsee
herpant ies.Shet ur
nedherat tentiontoMi guel who
wasl ooki ngatherthenbackatTheodor awhi leher
heartpounded.
“Oh,Anay
a.”Theodorastoodupri
ghtstari
ngather
withasmile.Anayafr
owned,shel
ookeddiffer
ent.
Thiswasnott heTheodor
asheknew,thisonedidn’
t
havespect
acl
esonandsheev
enwor
eshor
tski
rt
s
towork.
“
Hi,
Theodor
a.”
“UmmhIwillgi
veyouspace,
Mr.MokwenaIwi
l
l
ordert
hebookin,
Ican’
tseem t
ofi
ndit
.”
“
Ok.
”
Shewal
kedoutswayi
ngherhi
psf
rom si
detosi
de.
Anay
alookedatMi
guelboi
l
ingwi
thanger
.
“Soyoul
ety
ourempl
oyeesdr
essupl
i
ket
hatori
sit
onlyf
ory
ou?”
“
Ican’
tcont
rol
whatt
heywear
.”
“
Butt
hatisjusti
nappr
opr
iat
e.I
t’
sei
thershewant
s
y
ouorshe’salr
eadyhady
ou.”
“
Iam notsl
eepi
ngwi
thy
ourf
ri
endAnay
a.”
“
Thenwhyar
esocomf
ort
abl
ewi
thherdr
essi
ngl
i
ke
t
hat
?”
“
Idon’twanty
ourfr
iendhenceIhav
enor
easont
o
f
eeluncomfor
tabl
e.”
“
Wow!
”
“
Whatdoyouwantmet
osay
?Iam notsl
eepi
ngwi
th
y
ourf
ri
end.
”
“Idon’
tbeli
evey
ou.Di
dy ouseehowshewast
ryi
ng
sobadt oshowyouherass?”
“
Babecomeon…”
“
No, di
dy ouseethatori
sitonl
ymewho’
sseei
ng
t
hingsthatarenotther
e?”
Hestoodupandwalkedt
owar
dsherwhi
l
eshe
f
oughtthet
earsaway.
“
Iam notsl
eepi
ngwi
thTheodor
a,Iswear
.”
“Thef actthatshewantsyouandy oujustdon’ tcare
i
shur ti
ngme.I si
tbecauseIam notsl eepingwi th
you?Iam sor rythatt
helastt hi
ngIam t hinki ng
abouti ssexbecauseIam t hinki
ngaboutmyr aped
sisterandmymot herwhoi shav i
ngherr adi ati
on
treatment.Al oti
sgoingonf ormeandi nst eadof
standingbymysi del
ikeIwoul dify ouwerei nmy
posi t
ionyouhav ecompletelyturnedawayf rom me.
Youaccusemeofpushi ngy ouawayy etyoucansee
Iam i nthemudandIam suf focating.Andnowy ou
entertainsomeoneIusedt ocal lmyf ri
end.”
Shesteppedbackandunzi
ppedherdr
essl
ett
ingi
t
poolt
oherf eet
.
“
Ifi
t’
ssexy
ousobadwant
,takei
t.
”
Hel ookedatherforawhil
estari
ngatherbody
beforepull
ingherinhi
sarmskissinghersogood
Anay afel
thercli
tthr
ob.Hepull
edawayandl ocked
thedoorbef or
eleadi
nghertothecouchwher ehe
pulledoutherpanti
esandtookoffherbra.He
kissedhernecktil
lhewassuckinghernippl
es.She
threwherheadbackmoani ngwhilerubbi
nghishead.
Hest
eppedbackt
aki
ngof
fhi
sbel
t.
“
Kneeont
hecouch.
”
Anayatookoffherheelsthenkneltonthecouch
withapoundingheart.Mi
guelpulledherpant
iesto
thesideandrubbedhisdickonherent r
ancebefor
e
pushingi
nsideher.Shetr
iedrai
singherheadbuthe
heldherdown.
“
Ify
oumov
eIwi
l
lfucky
ourass.
”
Anayaclosedhereyesashepushedstret
chi
ngher
evenfur
ther.Shef
eltasi
fhewast ear
ingherand
knewev enifhewas, hewoul dn’tstopti
llhewas
donewithher.Shebi therl owerl i
pwithherchest
downwhi l
est ar
tedthr usti
ngi ntoherslowly.The
gentl
etappinghadherr elaxing, shemoanedsof tl
y.
Sheclosedherey esashei ncr easedhisspeedand
depthwhilehertoescur l
edashesentherst r
aight
i
ntoecstasy.Hermuscl esst iffenedassheexpl oded.
Miguelpoundedi nt
oherandf il
ledherup.Hepul led
outwhil
eherpussycont acted.Shegotof fthecouch
andtookoutsomewi persf rom herhandbag.She
handedhim oneandwi pedher self
.
“
Cant
oyoucomeov
ert
oni
ght
?”
Sheputonherpant i
esandpickedupherdressfr
om
thefl
oor
.“Ican’
t.Iam sorr
y.Todayi
t’
sAyana’sfi
rst
sessi
onwiththetherapi
standIhavetobetherewit
h
her.
”
Hesi
ghed.“
Ok.
”
Sheputonherdressashefixedhi
msel
fandsaton
hi
schair
.Shetookadeepbreathandsatopposi
te
hi
m sl
ippi
ngbackintobusi
nessmode.
*
***
*

Theodoraf
rownedst
ari
ngatt
hedoorwhi
l
eli
steni
ng
toYaone.
“
Shelookedatmeinacer
tai
nway
,Iwonderi
fshe’
s
t
ell
i
nghimt ofi
reme.
”
“Thatmani samanofpr inci
ples,Iam surehe
woul dn’tj
ustf
ireyoubecausehi sgir
lfr
iendsai
dhe
shoul d.Andbesides,
thereisacont r
act.Hejust
can’tf i
reyoufornoreason.”
“Iknowbutyouknowthatwasat womonths
contract
,hi
sol
dPAi scomingbackandi
fshe
doesn’tcomeback,
hemightnotrenewmine.
”
“
Thenmakeamovealr
eady
,youar
ewast
ingt
ime.
Makeamove,
gethi
m.”
“Youareri
ght,i
t’
sjustt
hathei
sscar
yandhedoesn’
t
playatwork.
”
“Youhav
et obesmar
tTheodor
a.Menl
i
kehi
m ar
e
hardt
ofind.Makeamove.
”
“
Iwi
l
l,mxm y
ouwon’
tbel
i
evewhathappened
yesterday,
Ibumpedint
oAgangandstupi
dmel et
himt akemeoutwi t
hhi
sgir
lf
ri
end’
sson.Aft
erwe
ordered,hi
spit
bulcameoutofnowhereget
ti
ngall
vi
olentandcrazy.
”
“
What
?”
“
Ijustl
eft
…Ihav
etogo,
she’
scomi
ngout
,by
e.”
ShehungupandputherphonedownasAnay
a
appr
oachedher
.
“
HeyNay
a…”
“Iknowy ouwantMi guel Theodor a.Ican’tli
e,Iam
hurt.Ireall
ythoughtwewer efriendsbutIguessI
waswr ong.Theseday ssnakesdon’ thiss,theysay
choma.Goodl uckonwi nningmymanov erand
don’twor ry
,Tsohlehaskepty ourr ecepti
onistpost
warm.Andt ryusingsomet hingf ory ourblackknees,
youar eembar rassi
ngy oursel f.
”
Shewalkedinsi
detheelevat
orwhi l
eTheodora
gl
aredather.Anayawavedast heelevat
ordoors
cl
osed.MiguelopenedhisdoorlookingatTheodor
a.
“
Comeher
e.”
Shestoodupl ooki
ngatherknees,shehadl
osther
confi
dence.Shepull
edhershortskir
tdownabit
befor
ewal ki
nginsi
dehisoff
ice.
“Yourcont
ractiscomi ngt
oanendt hi
sweek,
Rebaonewillbecomi ngbackandso,yourcont
ract
wil
lnotbeget t
ingrenewed.”
Herhear
tsankasshet
angl
edherf
inger
stoget
her
.
“That’
sall
.Andonemor
ethi
ng,
trydr
essi
ng
appropri
atel
y.
”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#33

Li
ghtr ai
ndroplet
shitthewindowhitthepanand
cascadeddown, thecloudsheldadarkfogmaki
ngit
darkerthantheusual.Theweatherwasgloomyand
sowast heatmosphere.Anaya’
seyeswerefi
xedon
thedoorasshef oughtdashingoutoft heoffi
ceand
notturningback.Shesl owlyturnedtoAyanawho
wasjustsi tt
ingsi
lentl
y,shelookedl i
keastatueand
Anayawonder edwhatwasgoi ngoni nherhead.She
desperatelywantedt ohelphersisteri
nanyway
possiblebutshedi dn’
tevenknowwher etostart
.
Dr.Ramsof fi
cewast heopposi t
eofwhatshehad
expected,itwasnott oobigbutitwaswar m.The
l
ightswer eabi tdi
m, i
twasacomf or
tabl
eoffice.
Therewasadeskt henfrom t
hedeskont heleftwas
thecoucht heysatonwi thcolorfulcushi
ons,
oppositeitwasachai r.Anayalookedatt hechair
wonder i
ngi ft
hat’swherethedoct orsatasshe
recei
vedpeopl esecretsandpr oblems.
JustasAnay a’
seyesfellonthedoctor’
s
quali
fi
cationsf
ramedont hewal l
,Dr
.Ramswal ked
i
nwi t
hapol ogi
esforkeepingthem l
ate.Anay
a’s
speechflewoutasshel ookedatherroundfacewit
h
awar m andwelcomingsmi l
e.
“Anay
aShato.”Shesai
dstretchi
ngherhand.“
Dr.
Rams,it
’sni
cemeetingyou.”
“
Likewi
se.
”
Shel
ookedatAy
ana.“
YoumustbeAy
ana,
hi.
”
Ay
anagav
eheranod.
“Ok.”Shesatdownont hechair.Shedidnothav e
stri
kingkindofbeauty,herbeautywast hatwhich
j
ustsui t
.Shewor eabusinesssui twit
hperfectly
mani curednail
sandheels.Defini
telynotwhatAnay a
hadhadi nmind.Shecouldn’
tbesur eofherage, her
beaut ywasthekindthatnevertoldtotheey e.She
hadanot epadandpeni nherhandst ogetherwitha
recorder.
“Yourecor
dthesessi
ons?”Thequesti
onf
lewoutof
Anaya’smouthbef
oreshecouldt
hink.
“YesbutsoIcangot hrought hem l
ateron.Ido
respectcli
ent -doctorconf i
dent i
ali
ty.Noneedtoget
uncomf ortable.Whatwesayher eremainshere.
”Dr.
Ramsl ookedatbot hoft hem.“ Icansense
depressionanddi straughtf rom bothofyou.Iwould
l
iketohel py oui fyoucanl etme.”Thecar eandlove
thatref
lectedi nherey esmadeAnay acomfort
able.
Thedoct
orl
ookedatAy
anawhowasst
il
lsi
l
entand
di
dn’
tlookl
i
keshewoul
dtal
kanymi
nut
e.
“
Ayana,
whatabeaut
ifulname,
uni
que.Doy
oul
ove
y
ournameAyanabecauseIdo.
”
Sheshr
uggedi
nresponse.
“That’
sok.Itmeansyouarebetween.Mynameis
Olerat
o,canwebef r
iends?Iwoul
dliket
obeyour
fri
end.
”
Ay
anakeptherey
esont
hef
loor
.
“
Doy
ouhav
efr
iendsAy
ana?
”
Shenodded.
“Oh!Great
.What ’
sthenameofy ourfr
iend.Idon’t
havemuchf r
iends,expectf
rom mysister
.Shei s
crazybutIst
il
lloveher.What’
sthenameofy our
fr
iend?”
“
Lal
ah.
”
Anaya’
shear
tski
pped,
shewast
alki
ng,
shebar
ely
tal
ked.
“
Lal
ah,i
sthatani
ckname?Theycal
lmeOl
emostof
t
heti
mebutmysister,
shecal
lsmeHerDy
nami
te.I
s
Lal
ahwhatev
ery
onecal
l
sher
?Ist
hathername?
”
“
Lynn.
”
“
Wow!Iwasthi
nki
ngmay
beLaone,
howdi
dLy
nn
makeLal
ah?
”
“
Wear
eteasi
ngher
.”Shewhi
sper
edt
ir
edl
y.
“
Oh!Isee.I
sLal
ahy
ouronl
yfr
iend?
”
Sheshookherhead.
“
Ok.Whoel
sei
syourf
ri
end?
”
“
Let
haboandNay
a.”
“
Let
haboandNay
a,y
ourbr
otherandsi
ster
?”
Shenodded.
“Ok.It
hinkwehav emadeagr
eatst
art
.Wearegoi
ng
todosomething.Butf
ir
st,
Nay
a,maybeyoucanwai
t
outsi
deforamoment .
”
Anayastoodup.“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lbeout
sidei
fyouneedme
Ayana.
”
Shewalkedoutandcl
osedthedooronherwayout
.
Herphonerangasshesatonthewait
ingar
ea.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
Anay
ait
’sSar
ona.Howar
eyout
oday
?”
“
ItookAy
anat
othedoct
or.
”
“
Oh?That
’swonder
ful
.Iam happyy
oudi
d.”
“
Met
oo.
”
“
Any
way
s,Ihear
dthaty
ouownacat
eri
ngcompany
.”
“
Yeahbutr
ightnowbusi
nessi
sdown.
”
“May beit’
sbecausey ourmainf ocusisnott he
companyatt hemoment .Ihaveacer t
ifi
catein
Culli
naryAr t
s.Youcanhi r
emeandwecanwor k
together.Iam averygoodcook, Ihavewor k
experienceandagoodr ef
erencet oo.Ifyouwantto
doat asting,Iam morethanokt oshowcasemy
tal
entt oyouany t
ime.Youdon’thav etopaymet hat
much, youcanev enputmeonpr obati
oni fyouwant
.
AllIam askingforisajob.Iknowt hi
sis
unprofessionalbutIam desperate.”
Anayasmil
ed.“
It
’sok,
Irecent
lyl
etgoofal
lmy
worker
s.Ri
ghtnowallIhav
eisaname.”
“
Wecanbepar
tner
s.Ofcausey
ouar
ethebossbutI
mean…”
“Youaretal
ki
ngt oof
ast.
”Shechuckl
ed.“
Ithinkus
beingpar
tnerscanwork.Wecanmeetandt alk.
”
“
That
’sokwi
thme,
when?
”
“
Howaboutmay
bedur
ingt
heweekend?
”
“
Ort
omor
row.Icancomeov
eraf
tery
ouknockof
f.
”
“
Ok,
that
’sst
il
lfi
ne.
”
“
Ok,
thanky
ou,
andIhopei
tgoeswel
ltoday
.”
“
Met
oo.
”
Shehungupt hencal
l
edMi guelbuthi
sphonewas
off
.Withasighshesatquiet
lywonderer
edwhatwas
happeni
nginsidet
heoff
ice.

*
***
*

Marangincaut
iousl
ydancedt oDiamondPlat
num
andRickRosssingingalongwhil
esti
rr
ingherpot
.
Thesongblastedthroughoutt
hewholehousewhil
e
asweetaromaf i
l
ledherent
ir
ehouse.Shecl
osed
herpotandtookoutaplat
e.
Feeli
ngeyesonher,shet
urnedandsmil
edlooki
ng
atMiguelt
henwalkedtothesi
tt
ingroom wher
eshe
reducedt
hevolumeonhersubwoofers.
“
Youshoul
dlear
ntoknock.
”
“
Thedoorwasnotl
ocked.
”
Shegr
inned.“
Hi.
”
“
Hey
,youl
ookbeaut
if
uli
nthoseshor
ts.
”
Shelookedatherexposedt
highst
henbackathi
m.
“Cal
my oureyesdown.”
“
Lastnightwedi
dn’
tusepr
otect
ion,
arey
ouonany
methodofcont
rapt
ion?
”
Sheshookherhead.“ No,
Ihavenotbeenhav i
ngsex,
IneversawtheusebutIam goingtogetan
emergencypill
.IwasbusytodaysoIcouldn’
tbutI
didcall
myfriendatapharmacy,sheisgoingto
passbygivi
ngt hem t
omebutwecangogett hem
ri
ghtnowifyouwantt omakesure.”
“
Yeah,
Iwi
l
lbr
ingy
ouback.
”
“
That
’sokwi
thme.Letmegoputonsomepant
s.”
Shewalkedawayandcamebackami
nut
elat
eri
n
sweat
pants.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
“
Wer
eyoudonecooki
ng?
”
“
Yes,
Iwasal
readydi
shi
ng.
”
Theywal kedoutandshel ockedherdoorsbef
ore
j
umpi nginsidethecar.Hedroveoutofhergat
eand
st
raighttothemal l
.Theybothsteppedoutand
walkedinside.Marangsmi l
edatherfr
iend.
“
Neo,
hey
.”
Neol
ookedathert
henatMi
guel
wit
habl
ush.
“
Youar
eher
efor
…”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shetooktheli
tt
leboxfrom t
heshel
fbeneat
hher
andhandedittoMarang.
“
Thanks,
Iwi
l
lsendt
hemoneyt
hroughor
ange
money
.”
“
It
’sok.
”
Theywal
kedoutbackt
ohi
scar
.
“
Iwi
l
ldr
inkathome.
”
Mi
guel
smi
l
ed.“
Yeah.Youar
ereal
l
ypr
ett
y.”
Shesmi
l
edashel
eanedov
ert
oki
ssher
.
“
What
’sgoi
ngonher
e?”
Hepul
l
edawayandMarangl
ookedatthewoman
whost
oodbef
oret
hem l
ooki
ngdefeat
ed.
“
Babe…”
“
Miguel
,whoi
sthi
s?”
“
Icanexpl
ain.
”
“Whatdoy oumean?Whoist
his?
”Tear
sspi
l
ledf
rom
hereyes.“
Whoareyou?”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Don’
ttel
lmey
ouar
esor
ry.Whoar
eyou?
”
Mar
anglookedathersadly.Sheclear
lyhadnot
i
maginedi
tgoingdownlikethis.
“
Iam sor
ryIki
ssedhi
m,Idon’
tknowwhatIam
t
hinki
ng.
”
“
Anay
a,babeIcanexpl
ain.
”
“
Whoi
sshe?
”Shescr
eamed.
“
ShewasAngel
’
sdoct
or.Weonl
yjustki
ssed.
”
Herey
esburntwi
thanger
.“Soyouhav
ebeen
sl
eepi
ngwit
hherall
thi
swhile?
”
“
Ihav
enev
ersl
eptwi
thher
.”
“
Youarel
yi
ng.Idon’tbel
iev
eyou.Youar
esucha
whor
eandIhateyou!Fuckyou!
”
“
Babe…”
“Don’
tevercall
me!Ihateyou!
”Shehithischestwi
th
herfi
st.Marangst
eppedbackasAnay agotviol
ent
andgotinsi
dethecarlocki
ngthedoors.
“Anayalet’
sgo. ”Marangwat chedasagi rl
approachedt hem andpull
edAnay aawayasshe
cri
ed.Shegoti nacarbesi destheRangeRov erand
droveaway .Shequicklyunlockedthedoorsashe
approached.Hecl i
mbedi nsideandr est
edhishead
onthest eer
ing.Soonhest artedthecaranddrove
backt
oherhouse.
“Thanks.
”Marangsai
dgetti
ngof ft
hecarassoonas
heparkedinf
rontofherhouse.Hedrov
eoffleav
ing
herstandi
ngt
here.

*
***
*

Anay
acri
edonhermother’
schest.Shel
ether
sel
f
br
eakdowni
nfrontofev
eryone.
“
Iam sor
rymybaby
.”
Sheputherhandoverhermout
htosi
lencehercri
es.
Hermotherwipedawayhert
earswi
thherjacket
.
“
AnayaIwi
llnev
ermakey
oucr
y.”Let
habosai
d
r
ubbi
ngherback.
“
Iknow,
that
’swhyIl
ovey
ou.
”
“
Iwi
l
lleav
eyousomeofmyf
ood.
”
Asl i
ghtchucklef
rom Ay
anamadet
hem tur
natthe
samet i
met oherasshesatont
hecouch.“
You
fi
nishedallyourf
ood.
”
Let
habol
aughed.“
Iwasj
ustsay
ingi
t.
”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
Ther
eisal
way
stomor
row.
”
“
Yes,
Iwi
l
lleav
eyousomet
omor
row.
”
Herphoner
angandshewal
kedoutanswer
ing.
“
Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
Hefl
ashedthel
ightsatthegat
e.Shehungupand
wal
kedoverget
tinginsi
de.
“
Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Youar
esor
ryy
ougotcaught
?”
“Il
ovey ou,Iwasjustl
onely.Anayayouhav ebeen
goingthroughalotlat
elyandIgetthat.Iunderst
and
thatbutyouhavecompl etel
ythrewmeont heside.
Wedon’ tspendti
met ogetheranymore.”
“Youwantmetoleavemyf
ami
l
yinat
imeofneed
andhavesexwi
thy ou?
”
“I
t’
snotaboutsext r
ustme,Ialsoneedyou.Iwantto
holdyou.Ialwayshavetobegandnotthatyouwill
sayyes.Ithonest
lyfeel
sasifIam i
narelat
ionshi
p
al
one.
”
“
Didy
ousl
eepwi
thher
?”
“
No.
”
“
Whyareyoul
yingBoi
kanyo?Iknowyouhadsex
wi
thher
.Didy
ouatleastuseacondom?”
“
Nay
a…”
“
Didy
ou?
”
“
No.
”
“Wow!Arey ounotscar
edofdi
seases?Whatifshe
get’
spregnantormaybeyouj
ustlovehav
ingkidsal
l
over?
”
“
Iboughthert
heemer
gencypi
l
l.Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Idon’
tthi
nkIcandot
hisany
mor
e.”
“Igett
hatIhavehur tyoubutcan’
tyouatleast
acceptyourl
it
tl
er esponsi
bil
it
yinal
l thi
s?AnayaI
havebeenstarvedfortwomont hs,Ihaveneeds.
”
“
Youcheatonmey ety
ousti
llwanttotur
nthison
me,youdon’
trespectt
hisr
elati
onshi
pthat’
swhy
yousl
eeparoundnotevenusingacondom.Whatdo
y
ouwantmet odoBoikanyo?Yousl
eepwithherr
aw
t
henyoucomebackt omeandsleepwit
hmewi th
t
hesamedir
tydickputt
ingmyhealt
hatri
sk.”
“IknowIwaswrong,
tomor
rowwewill
goandtest
.I
l
ov eyousomuchandImadeamist
ake.Il
oveyou
babe.”
“
Iwi
l
lgobymy
sel
f,Ineedsomespace.
”
Shegotoutoft
hecarandwalkedbackt
othehouse
andl
ockedthebur
glarbaranddoor
.

*
***
*

Lonesighedt ouchingherstomach.The
uncomfortablefeeli
ngpai nli
kewasback.She
sighedgetti
ngupandwal ki
ngtothekitchenwere
shepouredher selfaglassofwat eranddrankallof
i
t.Rubbingherst omach, shewalkedtot hesi
tt
ing
room gett
ingherphone.Shedi al
edhisnumberand
waitedasitrang.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Soy
oumar
ri
edmyf
ri
endt
ospi
teme?
”
“
Lonewhatdoy
ouwant
?”
“
Kennet
hyouar
esopat
het
ic.
”
“
Iam notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thy
ou.
”
“I
t’
sfunnyhowy oumarri
edRachel
aft
erIt
urned
downy ourpr
oposal
.Iknowyouloveme.
”
“
Iam ov
ery
ouandpl
ease,
losemynumber
.Iam
wi
thmywif
eorwoul
dyouli
ketot
alkt
oher?
”
Shecli
ckedhertongue.“
Iwantnothi
ngtodowit
h
youeit
her.If
eelsorr
yforRachel
,Iwonderwhyy
ou
marr
iedher.Youalwayshaveagendaswhen
marr
ying.
”
“Yousoundbitterandl
onely
,Iactual
lyfeelsor
ryf
or
you.Yourplandidn’
twork,
youthoughty ouwould
gethim back,i
t’
sashameIr eal
lydidloveyou.
”
“Iam goi
ngt
ogetbackwi thMiguelanddon’tthi
nk
youaresmart
,Iwil
ltel
lMiguelwhatyouweredoi ng
behi
ndhisbackandwat chyouloseyoursourceof
i
ncome. ”
“
Unf
ort
unat
elyf
ory
ou,
mywi
feandIar
egoi
ngt
o
l
aunchourbusinessinawhi l
e,Idon’tneedMiguel
butgoahead,goaheadandt ellhi
m, Migueli
sgoing
tof or
gety
ouev erexist
ed,hewill
forgiveme
becausewearer el
atedbutyouwon’ tevenhavea
fr
iendbyyoursi
de.Rachelwon’tev enwanttosee
you.”
“
Fucky
ou!
”
Shehungupt henrubbedherst omachwor r
iedl
y.She
wasn’ tsureshewassupposedt obef eel
i
ngl i
kethi
s.
Goingongoogl e,shesearchedi ffeel
i
ngpai nduri
ng
pregnancywasnor mal.Ther esult
smadeherhear t
skip,panicki
ngshecall
edMi guel .
“
Lone,
”
“
Iam i
npai
n,si
ncey
est
erday
.”
“
What
?”
“
Ithoughtitwasnot
hingbutmay
beIam aboutt
o
miscar
ry.Comeandgetme. ”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Shewal kedovert
oherbedroom andchangedint
oa
dress.Shesatinf
rontoft
hemi r
rorandstar
ted
apply
inghermakeupfini
shi
ngitoffwi
thared
l
ipsti
ck.Shest
ooduphear i
ngthehoot
erandpaced
tothesit
ti
ngroom wheresheopenedthegat
efor
him.
Shesteppedoutoft
hehouseandl
ockedashe
st
eppedoutofhiscar.
“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
met
hisy
est
erday
?”
“
Idi
dn’
tthi
nki
twasser
ious.
”
Heopenedthedoorf
orherandshecl
i
mbedin.Soon
hewasdri
vi
ngoutandspeedingt
othehospi
tal
.
“
Cany
oudr
ivecar
eful
l
y?”
“Don’ttalknonsense, i
fany t
hinghappenst omychild
youar egoingtoregr etit
.”Heclickedhistongue
overtakingothercars.Lonehel dont oherseatbel
t
feel
inghi sbadmood.Mi nuteslatertheywere
steppingoutandwal kinginsi
deGPH.
“Weneedt oseeadoct or,sheisinpai
n.”Miguelt
old
therecepti
onwhowassmi l
ingathi
m.Loner ol
led
hereyesfeeli
ngdisgusted.Sheheldhersel
ffi
ghti
ng
nottotell
therecepti
onistwheretogetoff.
“
BK? ”Amanapproachedt
hem i
nawhitecoat
.
Miguelbumpedf
istwit
hhi
m astheyl
aughed.
“
FatAl
ber
t!Idon’
tbel
i
evet
his.
”
Themanl aughed.“
Don’
tcal
lmet
hat
,youwi
l
lscar
e
peopl
e.”
“
Youwer
esof
at,
whathappenedt
oyou?
”
Lonelookedatt
hemuscul armanfai
li
ngtobel
iev
e
hewasoncef at
.Shecouldn’tev
enimagi
nehimfat
asFatAlbert
.Hewasjusttoocuteandsexy
,she
coul
dn’tdenyhi
mthat.
“
AfterIwenttoCuba,
Ideci
deditwasn’
theal
thsoI
l
ostallofi
t.I
t’
sgoodseei
ngyouman.”
“Iknow.”Mi
guelt
urnedt
oLone.“
Thati
sLone,sheis
carry
ingmychil
d.Weneedtoseeagynecol
ogi
st.
”
“Sayshei
syourbabymama!Hi,Iam VincentandI
am thi
smoron’
sfri
end.Youar
ebeautif
ul.”
Lonelookedathi
shandsomef
aceandbl
ushed
l
ookingdown.
“
Mist
ergetusagy
necol
ogi
st.
”
Vincenttur
nedt oMiguellaughing.“
BKeket l
e.
{Relax.
}”HeturnedbacktoLonewi thacute
charmingsmile.“Iwi
llgety ouhelp.
”Hecalleda
nursepassingbyandi nst
r uct
edhert oescortLone
toagy necol
ogist.
“
Don’tworryBK,shewil
lbef
ine.Wher
eisKen?Ya’
l
l
wer
et hebaddestbacki
ntheday.
”
Lonewal
kedawayast
heyl
aughed.

*
***
*

Col l
eenwal kedinsideherpar ent
’syardandwent
straighttothedoor .Shepausedknocki ngheari
ng
Angel cryi
ng.Herhear tskippedwi t
hjoyasshe
l
istenedcar eful
ly.Withshakinghands, sheknocked
andwai t
ed.Secondsl ater
,thedooropenedandshe
facedherf atherwhol ookedshocked.Hest aredat
herf orawhi l
eandCol l
eenstoodst i
ll
notknowi ng
howt oactorwhatt osay.
“
Papa…”
“
Col
l
een.
”
Heengul
fedherinhi
sar mshuggi
ngherti
ght
ly.She
hel
dontohim ashertearswethi
sshi
rt
.
“
Iam sohappyt
oseey
ouCol
l
een.
”
“
Imi
ssedy
ou.
”
“
Mokwena,
whoi
sthat
?”
Col
l
eenl etgoofherfat
herandl
ookedather
mother
’swho’sfaci
alexpr
essi
onquickl
ychanged.
“Whatar
eyoudoi
ngi nmyhouse?Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Youareher
etofi
nishherof
f?Getout
.”
.
.
.
TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#34

Col
l
eenl
ookedathermot
herast
ear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.
“
Mama…”
“
Don’
t!Yout
ri
edki
l
li
ngt
hisi
nnocentbaby
.”
“MmaMokwena,
can’
twet
alkaboutt
hisl
i
ke
adul
ts?
”
“NoMokwena,thi
swomant r
iedkil
l
ingherdaught
er.
Shesmother
edherwit
hapi l
l
ow, whoknowswhat
shemaydothisti
mearound!”
“
MamaIwassi
ck.
”
“Iam notgoingtolety
ounearmygr andchi
ld,
forget
aboutthatone.”Shewalkedbacki
nsidethehouse
l
eavingColleenstandi
ngwithherf
ather.
“
Comei
n,shei
sjustangr
y.”
Coll
eennoddedandwal kedinsi
det hehouse, i
tsti
ll
l
ookedt hesame.Shelookedatthebaby ’sbottl
eon
thecoff
eetablethenatthesmallblanketonthe
couch.Shecouldsti
ll
remembert hatfait
hfuldayand
shecouldn’
tunderst
andwhathadgot t
eni nt
oher .
“
Ther
emustbef
oodi
ntheki
tchen.
”
Shelookedatherfat
herwi
thaf
orcedsmi
l
e.“
Iam
nothungry
,justt
ir
ed.
”
Bef
orehecoul
drespond,
shehear
dhermot
her
cal
li
nghi
m.Col
leenqui
etl
ywalkedt
oherr
oom and
satont
hebedcall
i
ngMaggie.
“
Col
l
een,
hi.
”
“
Hey
,Ihav
ebeendi
schar
ged.
”
“
ThankGod!Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“Mahal
apye,It
riedcal
l
ingLebobutshedi
dn’
tpi
ck
upthephone.”
“
Mxm,
don’
twor
ryabouther
.Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Lookf
ri
endIhav
etogo,
wewi
l
ltal
kok?
”
“
Ummhok.
”
“
Ciao!
”
Shehungupbef oreColleencoul drespond.She
heardAngelcry,herheartskippedwant i
ngtotake
herdaughterinherarms.Put tingherhandsonher
face,shebursti
ntouncont r
ollabletear
s.

*
***
*
Agangslowlyopenedhi
sey esandstr
etched.He
pausedfeel
i
ngabodybesi dehim.Helooked
caref
ull
yatherfaceandsi
ghed,theyneverl
ooked
thesamewithoutmakeup.Heshookher .
“
Wakeup!
”
Sheslowl
yopenedherey
esandsmi
l
ed.“
Mor
ning
babe…”
“
Hey,Ihavet
ogot owork.
”Hesai
djumpi
ngof
fbed.
“
ShouldIcal
lyouacab?
”
“
No,
Iwi
l
lsor
tthatout
.Iwi
l
lcl
eany
ourhouse.
”
Helookedather
.“Uhhmysist
eriscomingint
oday
babeandshewill
beherei
naf ewmi nut
es.
”
Shesmil
edevenmor e.“Notav er
ymat urewayto
meetyoursi
sterbuti
t’sok.Iwil
lstar
tcleani
ngnow.
Youcangotakeabat h,Iwil
li
ronyourclothes.
”
Agangchuckl
edindi
sbeli
ef.“
Babe,
Ithi
nkIshoul
d
j
ustdropyouoff
.Iwi
llt
akeashowerwhileyou
dr
ess.”
Shecl
i
mbeddownt
hebedl
ett
ingt
hesheetf
all
to
herf
eet.Hel
ookedathert
hickcur
vyboybei
ng
remi
ndedwhatatt
ract
edhi
mt oher.
“Pearl
,youareonesexythangbutIt hi
nkyoushould
dress.Iam al
readylat
eforwork.”Hequickl
ywalked
tothebathroom.Af ewminuteslat
erhewaswal ki
ng
backin,shewasal r
eadydressedandsitt
ingonthe
bed.
“Soy ouonl
ywant
edtousemeAgang?Iwonderhow
yourbosswouldf
eel
withyouf
ucki
ngthe
customers.
”
Hesmi ledthrowingthet
owelonhiswai stdown.
“Areyouser i
ousbabe?Goaheadi fi
tmakesy oufeel
better
.”Hewal kedtowar
dsherandputhi shand
aroundherneckandsof tl
ysqueezed.“Iwould
squeezey oursouloutwi
thmydi ckinsi
dey ou.”
Herf
ear
fuleyesmadehimr
eleasehert
henbaby
ki
ssher
.“Letmedress.
”
Hequicklydressedupandwalkedoutwithher.He
spedtoherhousewher ehedroppedheroffthen
drovetohiswor kpl
ace.Hegl
ancedathiswat ch
i
ncreasingthespeed,hehadameetingwiththe
authorit
ies.Acarcameoutofnowher egoinginf ront
ofhis.Hest eppedonthebreaksbutst i
ll
hititfrom
behind.Hest oppedandgotoutoft hecarslammi ng
thedoor .Helookedbackwher ethecarhadt urned
from thenatt hedamagetohiscar.Itwasn’tthat
muchbutpi ssed,hewal
kedtot hedriv
ersdoorand
openedt hedoor .Thel
adysteppedoutshaki nglikea
l
eaf.
“
Youhi
tme.
”
Agangfrownedangr i
l
y.“
Areyoucr
azy?Di
dn’
tyou
seethatgi
vewaysi gnorar
eyoubli
nd?Wher
edid
yougetyourl
icense?”
Shel
ookedbehi
nd.“
Idi
dn’
tseey
ou.
”
“Howareyousupposedtoseemewheny oudi
dn’
t
evenwaitwhenyouweresupposedto?Howst
upi
d
areyou?Seewhatyouhavedone?”
Car
shadsl
oweddowncausi
ngt
raf
fi
c.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Womenareannoyi
ng!”
Hecareful
lyl
ookedatt
he
damageonbothcars,
itwasn’
tthatmuch.“
Howare
y
ougoingtof
ixmycar
?Doy
ouev
enhav
ea
l
i
cense?”
Shesl
owl
yshookherhead.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Agangl
aughed.“
NowIseebecauseifyouhadone
youwoul
dn’
tbedoingsuchf
ooli
shness.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Aganglookedatheraboutt oopenhi smout hbut
rat
herclosedit.Hewasnowl ookingathercareful
ly.
Shehadanov albeauti
fulface,hiseyesskipped.Her
beautywasst art
li
ng,hewonder edhowshel ooked
whenshesmi l
ed.Hisey esslowl ywentdownt oher ,
shewaspet i
tewi t
hrightfulhi
psandasst hatwer e
exposedbythebodyhuggi ngdr essshewor e.Fora
momentt here,heforgotwhathadj usthappened.
“Iwon’
tcall
thepol
iceony
oubutwewi
l
lhav
etot
alk
ofawayf or
ward.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shelookedathercarwi
tht
earsi
nhereyes.Atear
soonrandownhercheekbutshequi
ckl
ywi pedi
t
away.
“
Whyar
eyoucr
ying?Iam sur
eyoucanf
ixt
hat
.”
“
Myhusbandi
sgoi
ngt
obeupset
.”
Hiseyesfellonherr
ingt henhelookedather
beauti
fulf
ace.“Iam surehewillunder
stand, i
fhe
canunderstandyoudrivi
ngwi t
houtalicense,hewil
l
defi
nit
elyunderst
andy ougetti
nginanacci dent.
”
Sheshookherhead.“
Hedoesn’
tknow.
”
Hesighedt
hinki
ngt
wiceabouthi
sdeci
si
on.“
Look,
fol
l
owme, Iam amechani
c,Iwi
ll
beabl
etoworkout
somethi
ng.
”
“
Real
l
y?”
“
Yesorar
eyougoi
ngsomewher
e?”
“
I…y
esbuti
tcanwai
t.
”
“
What
’sy
ourname?
”
“
Sar
ona.
”
Henoddedget
ti
nginhi
scarthenr
ever
sedbef
ore
dr
ivi
ngwit
hherbehi
ndhim.
*
***
*

Lonest
eppedoutofhercart
alki
ngont
hephone.
“
Soyouareact
ual
l
yser
ious?Youar
enotgoi
ngback
t
owork?
”
“No.MyhusbandandIar
egoi
ngt
ost
artal
i
ttl
e
somethi
ng.
”
“
Whatl
i
ttl
esomet
hing?
”
“
Abusi
ness.
”
“Rachelbutyouknowt hatwil
lbehisbusi
nessnot
yoursri
ght?Thedayy oudivor
ce,youwill
nothave
anyshareofthatdiv
orce.”
“Lonewearebuil
dingsomet
hingf
orourf
ami
l
yandi
t
needsusboth.
”
“Iknow.WhatIam say i
ngisthatwhenhel eavesyou,
youwon’ thaveanyshar einthatbusiness.Ireal
ly
don’tunderstandwomenwhoqui tthei
rjobs
i
mmedi atel
yafterget
tingmar r
ied.Rightnowy ouare
tal
kingaboutabusi ness,abusinesshei sgoingto
startwithhi
sownmoney .Hewon’ tevenputy our
namei nthatbusinessandy ouwi l
lworklikeaslave
wit
ht hement ali
tyof‘wearebuil
dingal egacyforour
chi
ldren’
.Whycan’ tyoubuil
dy ourownempi reand
l
etyourkidsal soinheri
tsomethingthatisfrom you.
Thedayhel eav esyou,youwil
lbel ef
tupanddr yI
tel
lyoumyf ri
end. ”
“Lonecany oustopsayingmyhusbandwi l
ll
eaveme
becausehewon’ t.MyhusbandandIarebuildi
nga
l
egacyf orourki
dsbutofcausey ouwill
not
understandthi
s.Iwonderedwhattheymeantwhen
theysaidunmarriedwomenwi l
lneverunder
stand
mar r
iage,nowIseeit.Yousoundsobitt
erri
ght
now.”
“
Bit
ter
?Me?BecauseIam notmar
ri
ed?
”
“Yes!Youthoughtbynowy ouwoul
dhavewon
Miguelbackbutheisnotcomingbacktoyou.You
needtoacceptthatandmov eonwit
hyourli
fe.St
ick
toyourbusinessandstayoutofmar
ri
ageissues.
”
“
Iam notbi
tt
eraboutany
thing,
Iam t
ryi
ngt
omake
y
ouseehowf ool
ishyousound.”
“
Fool
i
sh?Theonl
ythi
ngf
ool
i
shher
eisy
ou.Wai
ti
ng
foramant hatwil
lnevercomebacktoy ou.Iheard
Miguelt
ell
ingKenthatyoubor ehi
mt odeath.Idon’t
evengetwhyy ouarealwaysonhisfacewithyour
uglyf
ace.YoulooklikeShrekbutonl
ythisonewi t
h
bigdi
sgustingpi
mplesandanosebi gasmyf i
st.
”
Lonehungupf eeli
ngdizzy.Shetri
edt opret
endas
Rachel’
swor dsdi dnothurtherbutitwashar d.
Tearssur f
acedandshet urnedgoingbackt ohercar
whereshel eti
tal lout
.Minuteslat
er,shetookout
hercompactmi r
rorandfixedhermakeupbef ore
confi
dent l
ywalkinginsi
det hebank.Shewal kedto
herchairandsatdownwhi leCourtneyapproached
herholdingami l
kshake.
“Hey!
”Shehandedhert
hemi
l
kshake.“
Youl
ook
beaut
iful
.”
Lonesmi
l
ed.‘
Thanks.
”
“Noseri
ous,youmakepregnancyl
ookamazi
ng.I
gotyouthat
,Ijustr
ememberedyouonmyway
here.
”
“
Youdi
dn’
thav
etobutt
hanky
ou.
”
“
It
’sok,
Iwi
l
lseey
ou.
”
Court
neywal
kedawayasLonet
ookt
hedr
inki
nher
hands.
“
Hey!”Acol
leaguesaidsit
ti
ngbesidesher
.Lone
f
oughtnott
or ol
lhereyes,Godknowsshenever
l
i
kedt hi
swomansi nceherfi
rstdayatt
hebank.
“
Hi.
”Lonerespondedlooki
ngawayal
readywant
ing
t
odri
nkthemi l
kshake.
“
Wai
t!
”Shesnat
chedt
hemi
l
kshakef
rom her
.
“
Whatdoy
out
hinky
ouar
edoi
ng?
”
“
Iam sor
rybutIcan’
tlety
oudr
inkt
his.
”
Lonel
ookedatheri
nconf
usi
on.“
Why
?”
“
IsawCour t
neyputsomet
hingi
nsi
det
his
mil
kshake.
”
“
Huh?
”
“
Yes.Iswear
.”
Lonel
ookedatt
hemil
kshake.“
NowIseewhyshe
hasbeenni
ceal
lov
erasudden.”
“
Iam sor
ry-
“
“Shi
t!
”Shet
ouchedherstomach.“Yest
erdayshe
gavememilkshakeagai
n,whati
f…?”
“
Idon’
tknow.
”
Lonestoodupgr
abbingherthingsi
ncl
udi
ngt
he
mil
kshakeandwalkedoutofthebank.

*
***
*

Sar
onat
ookoutherphonet
ocheckt
het
ime,
itwas
al
mostl
uncht
ime.
“
Howf
arar
eyou?
”
“
Iam al
mostdone.
”Agangr
espondedl
ooki
ngather
.
Shef
rowned.“
Ihav
eani
nter
view.
”
Hechuckl
ed.“Youshoul
dhavethoughtofthat
bef
oreyoudecidedt
odrivewi
thnolicense.
”
“
Isai
dIam sor
ry.
”
Hesteppedawayfr
om t
hecarandst
oodi
nfr
ontof
her
.“Iam done.
”
Shesmi
l
edwi
thr
eli
ef.“
ThankGod.
”
“
Don’
tgett
ooexci
ted,
youoweme.
”
“
Howmuchdoy
ouwant
?Idon’
thav
emuchmoney
.”
“
Kissme.
”
“
What
?Iam mar
ri
ed.
”
“Thenpaymethebi
llofget
ti
ngmycarf
ixedand
alsothebi
l
lofmefi
xi
ngy ourcar
.”
“
Howmuchi
sit
?”
“
’P6000.
”
“
What
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
That
’sal
otofmoney
.”
“Iam act
ual
lymaki
ngi tcheapforyou.Paymeor
elsef
rom here,
Iam goingtothepoli
ce.Your
husbandwill
comeandgety oufr
om there.
”
“
Iam mar
ri
ed.
”
“
Iknow,Idi
dn’tsaysleepwi
thme.Iwast
edmyti
me
f
ixi
ngyourcarallt
hishour
s,i
fmybosscomesi
n
r
ightnowIam goi
ngt
olosemyj
obSar
ona.
”
“
Look,
Iappr
eci
ate-
“
Heki ssedheri
nter r
upt
ingherspeech.Herli
pswer
e
softashehadt hought,heputhishandsonher
waistFrenchkissingher.Sheki
ssedhim back
maki ngAganggr oanashef el
therhardni
pples
againstherchest.Shepulledaway.
“
That
’senough.CanInowgo?
”
Hesmi
l
edt
hensnat
chedherphonef
rom herhands.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Heswipedthescr
eenandpagedhi
msel
fbef
ore
handi
ngthephoneback.
“
Youshouldgoorel
sey
ouwi
l
lbel
atef
ory
our
i
nter
view.
”
Sheglar
edathi
m befor
egett
inginsi
dehercarand
dri
vi
ngoffl
eavi
nghim wit
hasil
lysmile.

*
***
*
Anayawalkedinsi
detherest
aurantatAir
por
t
Junct
ion.Sar
onaraisedherhandsignal
i
ngher.
“
Hey
,”Anay
asai
dsi
tt
ingopposi
teher
.
“
Hi.
”
“
Ihav
eameet
ingi
nanhour
.”
Saronasl
idherCVt
oAnay
awhoopenedi
tand
pagedthr
ough.
“Thisisgood.Nay aShatoCat ershavenotbeeni n
businessthought her
eisagov ernmenttenderIsaw
i
nt henewspaper .Thiswil
l bethesecondt enderI
am applyi
ngf or
,ifwegeti tthenourpar t
nershi
pwill
takeoffimmediat el
ybutifnot,Idon’tknowwhatwi l
l
happen.”
“
Wewi
l
lmakei
twor
k.”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
Ili
key
ourspi
ri
t.
”
“
So,
par
tner
s?”
Anayastr
etchedherhandandshookSar
ona’
s.“
Yes.
Iwil
ldr
awupapar tnershi
pdeed.
”
“
Ok.Nowt
hatbusi
nessi
soutoft
heway
,howdi
dit
goy
est
erday
?”
“
Itwentwel
l
,shechuckl
edy
est
erday
.”
“
Iam happyt
oheart
hat
.Ol
erat
oisr
eal
l
ygood.
”
“
Shei
s.”
“NotthatIam bei
ngnosyandifIam Iam sor
ry,
but
Puletol
dmet hatyouandMiguelar
ehav i
ng
probl
ems.”
Anay
asi
ghed.“
Miguel
cheatonme.
”
“
Iam sor
ry,
sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
”
“Idon’
tknow,whatIknowi
sthatri
ghtnowIdon’t
havetheener
gytobedeali
ngwithhisnonsense.
”
“Idogetwher ey ouar ecomi ngfrom butdon’tyou
thi
nky ouarebei ngt ooharsh?Imean, Miguel has
beenpatientwithy ou,hehasbeensuppor ti
veand
l
ov i
ng.Youhav en’ tbeengivinghim att
enti
on,
i
magi neiftheroleswer eexchanged,ofcausey ou
wouldsy mpathizewi t
hhim buthowwoul dy out ake
i
tifhewasshut tingy ouoff?”
“
Butcany
oubl
ameme?
”
“No,noonecan.Anaya,heunderst
andswhatyou
aregoi
ngthroughbuttr
ustme, whenyoupushhi
m
awayli
kethat,hei
sboundtocheatt r
ustme.And
youmaysayy oudon’
tcarenowbutIt el
lyou,
asyou
goony ouwil
lregr
eti
t.”
“
Iam hur
tSar
ona.
”
“
Iknowbuthejustdi
dn’
tcheatbecausehewant
ed
t
o,hewassexuall
yst
arv
ed.”
“
Hedoesn’
tev
enuseacondom.
”
“Amanisachi l
d,yout eachhi m howt obehaveand
howhetreatsyou,Mi guel i
shandsome, everyone
canseethat.Heissuccessf ul,heisri
ch,every
womanwant st
hattrustme.Theyar egoingtot hr
ow
themsel
vesathim, don’tletthem takehimfrom you.
Forgi
vehim andwor kthroughy ourissues.
”
Anayasighed.“
Ilov
ehi
m somuch,i
treal
l
yhur
tsand
youshouldhaveseent
hatwoman.
”
“For
getaboutthatwoman,Miguel
isy
ourman.That
manlovesyou,ifhedi
dn’
tthenhewouldn’
thav
e
boughtyouthatcar
.”
Anayasmi l
ed.“Il
ovemycarsomuch, whenhe
boughtitIwasjustfeel
ingdownbutwhenIwoke
thatni
ght,Icr
iedtearsofjoy
.”
“
Yousee?Don’
tloset
hatt
osomewomanoutt
her
e.”
“
Iwon’
t.Youar
eri
ght
,Ihav
eabandoni
nghi
m.”
Theyl
aughed.“
Nowy
ouar
eget
ti
ngmypoi
nt.
”
“Hehasbeenbeggingmef orawhi leandIdon’t
ev enwanttothi
nkabouthowIhav ebeenpull
ingthe
victi
m car
dtoomuch.Iam t aki
ngchargeofmyl i
fe.
Todaywhenheget shome, hewillf
indmethere.I
cani magi
nehowLonehasbeenf eeli
ng,
sheisov er
themooncel ebr
ati
ng.
”
Saronacr
ackedup.“
Thatwomanjustrubsmethe
wrongway ,
nowimaginei
fRachel
isthereandMbal
i
.
I
twasadi sast
er.
”
“
Iknow,
Lonei
sjustherowncase.
”
“Sheisbi
tt
erandshedragsRacheli
ntoi
t.Now
enoughaboutthoset
wo,yourhai
rmma!Nooo, y
ou
areworse.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Ihav
ebeendepr
essed.Iwi
l
lgodo
somethi
ngabouti
t,t
omorr
owwhenIwal ki
ntothat
eval
uati
onmeeti
ng,t
heywon’
trecogni
zeme.”
“
That
’swhatIwantt
ohear
.”
“
Ihav
etogo,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Ok.
”
Anayastoodupandwal kedoutwit
hherhandbag.
Sheunlockedhercarf
rom adist
ance.
“
Thi
sisapl
easantcoi
nci
dence.
”
Shet
urnedandl
ookedatBame.“
Hi.
”
“
Soyour
eject
edmebef
oreIcanpr
ovemy
sel
fto
y
ou?
”
“
Nnakeaj
olar
ra.{
Iam i
nar
elat
ionshi
p.}
”
Helaughedwalkingbesi
deher
.“Youar
est
il
l
beaut
if
ul.Iam goingawayf
orawhil
e.”
Sheappr
oachedhercarandopenedt
hedoor
.“Good
l
uck.
”
“
Omaaka,kot
engwaremodi
mokengasaswehel
a
t
engko.{
Youarel
yi
ng,y
ouarepr
obabl
ywi
shi
ngIdi
e
t
her
e.”
Anay
alaughed.“
Youarecrazy
.Isaidgoodl
uck,t
seo
aket
segoreodi t
sakae.{
Idon’tknowwher
ey ou
ar
egett
ingthatf
rom.
}”
“
BoMoghel
ebat
ri
ckykana.{
Gir
lsar
etr
icky
.}”
Anay
alaughedev
enmor
e.“
Bamel
eav
emeal
one.
”
“WhenIcomebackaf ter6mont hs,
Ibetterf
indyou
single,wealsowantchances,
y oucan’tbewithone
personf ormorethanoneyear.That’
sbeingself
ish.
Ler onarebatlagojol
alewenamma!{ Wealsowant
todat eyou.
}”
“
Ihav
etogo,
Iam l
ate.
”Shesai
dgi
ggl
i
ng.
Heki
ssedhercheekandwal
kedof
f.“
Bye!
”
Shesighedshaki
ngherheadbef
oreget
ti
ngi
nsi
de
hercarandheadi
ngtowork.

*
***
*

Lonesati
ntheboss’
sof
fi
cewhi
l
eCour
tneycr
ied.
“
Iwoul
dnev
ert
ryt
ohur
therbaby
,Iwasj
ustt
ryi
ngt
o
bef
ri
endl
yaf
terwhathappened.
”
“Cour
tney,Loneherehasev i
dencethatyouput
somethinginhermilkshake,her
eisthedoctor’
s
repor
t.Youputpil
lsinsideheretohurtherbaby.
”
“
Shei
str
yingt
ofr
ameme.
”
Lonel
ookedatCour
tneyi
nstun.“
Ihav
eawi
tness,
someonewhosawyoudoi t
.”
“I
fyoudi
dn’
tdoitthenwewillchecktheCCVTVand
checkev
ery
thi
ng,howisthatCourtney?
”
Shecriedevenmore.“
Iwouldneverhur
tani
nnocent
baby,Idi
dn’tknowt
hatthosepi
ll
swheregoi
ngto
hurtherbaby.”
“
Soy
oudi
ddowhatshe’
saccusi
ngy
ouofdoi
ngi
t?”
Lonekeptherey
esonCour
tney
.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
ThankGodyoudi
dn’tpoi
sonyester
day’
smi
l
kshake,
whoknowswhatwouldhavehappened.
”
“
Iam sor
ryLone.Mywif
eispregnantandIwoul
dn’
t
wantany
thi
nghappeni
ngtoourbabyoranyone’
s
chi
ld.CourtneyIam r
eleasi
ngyouwi
thimmediate
eff
ect.Lone,youcantakethi
sdayof
f,Iam sor
ryfor
al
lthedistr
ess.”
Lonestoodupwithasmil
eandwalkedoutofthe
off
ice.Shewentbackt
oherdeskandtookher
handbagandwaterbef
orewal
kingoutofthebank.
Sheslowlyt
ookdownthestai
rs.
“
Youmustbehappyr
ight
?”
Lonet
urnedwit
hasmileandlookedatCour
tney
whowasboil
ingwi
thanger.
“
Goodl
uckonf
indi
ngaj
ob.
”
Court
neywalkedtowardsher
.“Yougavemeascar
onmyf aceal
lbecauseamandi dn’
twanty
ou
anymore.”
Lonelaughedlooki
ngatherteet
hpri
ntedon
Court
ney’scheek.“
Butyoulookgood.
”
“
Youbi
tch!
”
Court
neyangri
l
yshovedLonewhot r
ippedf
all
i
ng
androl
leddowntheremai
ningst
air
s.Peopl
ewho
werewatchi
ngscreamedcomingcl
oserwhil
e
Court
neyst
oodstil
l
,fr
ozent
oherspotshaki
ngas
shestar
edatLonewhowasbleedi
ng.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#35

“Whathappened?
”Al adyaskedcr
ouchi
ngbef
ore
Lonewhohadf ai
nted.
“Isawt hatwomanpushi
ngher
.”Amanpoint
edat
Courtneywhowasstil
lst
andi
nginshock.
“
Weshoul
dtakehert
othehospi
tal
,shei
sbl
eedi
ng.
”
Courtneywatchedasapassingambul
ancestopped.
Itwaslikeamov i
ebefor
ehereyes.Asecondlat
er,
shesawsomel adyt
alki
ngtoapoli
ceoffi
cer
point
ingather.
Thepol
i
ceof
fi
cerwal
kedt
owar
dsher
.
“
Dumel
ang,
whathappened?
”
“
Idi
dn’
tmeant
o.”
“
Youwi
l
lexpl
aint
hatatt
hest
ati
on,
let
’sgo.
”

*
***
*

Sar
onawal
kedinsideherhouseandf
oundt
henanny
pl
ayi
ngwi
thherkids.
“
Mam,
”
“
HiTr
y.”
“Youar
eback,Imadeyoufood.”Shesai
dst
andi
ng
upandwal
kingtotheki
tchen.
“
Oh,
thanky
ou.
”
Shesatont
hecouchpicki
nghersonandputti
ng
hi
m onherl
ap.Sheki
ssedhischubbycheeks
smil
i
ng.
“
Juni
ormommyi
sback!
”
Herdaught
erst
oodupandsatbesi
desher
.
“
Mommy
?”
Shel
ookedather
.“Yes?
”
“
Iwantt
owat
chMoana.
”
Sar
onasi
ghed.“
No,
it’
sti
met
osl
eep.
”
“
ButIam ol
d,Juni
ori
ssmal
l
,hecansl
eepnotme.
”
“
Mapul
a,no.
”
“
Iam t
hreey
ear
sol
d.Iwantt
owat
chMoana.
”
“
No!
”
“Iwanttogot
oschoolt
omorrow.Iam notsi
ck
anymore.Imi
ssmyfri
ends.
”
“
Youar
eonhol
i
dayMapul
a,y
ouwi
l
lgoi
nJanuar
y.”
Sar
ona’
sphonerangandsheputJuni
ordownand
wal
kedoutansweri
ngthephone.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Iwantt
oseey
ou,
let
’shav
edi
nner
.”
“AgangIam marr
iedwoman!
”Shesai
dcl
osi
ngher
bedroom door
.
“
Iknow,
ory
ouwantt
obr
ingy
ourhusbandal
ong?I
sai
dIwantt
otakey
ouf
ordi
nner
.”
“
Ican’
t.
”
“
Sar
ona?
”
“
Agang,
cany
oust
opt
his?
”
“
No,
Iam y
ett
ost
art
.Iwantt
oseey
ou.
”
“
Wel
lyoucan’
t.
”
“
Wher
edoy
oust
ay?
”
Shesatont
hebed.“
Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his?
”
“
BecauseIl
i
key
ou.So?Wher
edoy
oust
ay?
”
“
Phase4.
”
“
Wher
einPhase4?
”
“BehindLetl
habil
e.Agang, Iam mar r
iedandIl ove
myhusband.Wehav ekids,pl
easest optry
ingt o
destroythat
.Iam beggingy ou.Idon’tl
ikeyou
alr
eadybecausey oukeeponpest eri
ngme, next
thi
ngIknowy ouwillbecalli
ngmei nmyhusband’ s
presence.Stopit
,respectmymar r
iage.”
“
Sar
onaweh?Iam nott
ryi
ngt
odest
royany
thi
ng.I
r
espectmarr
iage,
myparent
shavebeenmar
ri
edf
or
y
ears.Ij
ustwanttoseey
ou,t
hat
’sal
l.
”
“
Iam busy
.”
Helaughed,hehadthi
slaught
hatmadehersmi
l
e,
shecouldn’
tevenunder
standwhy.
“
So,
whencanwemeet
?Iwoul
dpr
efert
oni
ght
.”
“
Ican’
t,
hewi
l
lbebackf
rom wor
k.”
“
Don’
tyouhav
efr
iendst
ovi
si
t?”
“
No.
”
“
Wher
eisher
ightnow?
”
“
Wor
k.”
“
Good,
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Iam wi
tht
heki
dsandnanny
.“Shewhi
sper
ed.
“Idon’
tknowwhyy
ouar
ewhi
sper
ingbutIam st
il
l
coming.”
“
Whataboutwor
k?”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
HehungupandSar
onabi
therl
owerl
i
pthi
nki
ng
aboutt
hekiss.Sheputherfingeronherl
ipsand
l
aughed.Somehowshef eltexcit
ed.Shestr
ipped
andchangedintoashortdress.
Al
mostt
went
ymi
nut
esl
ater
,herphoner
ang.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Iam Let
lhabi
l
e,wher
edoy
oust
ay?
”
“
Letmesendt
hedi
rect
ions.
”
“
Ok,
don’
tdel
ay.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandqui
ckl
ysenthi
mthedi
rect
ions
wal
kingbackt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom.
“
Theyar
esl
eepi
ng,
letmegety
ourf
ood.
”
“Don’
tworr
yTryphena,
Iwi
l
lmanage,
todayy
oucan
knockof
fearl
y.
”
“
Oh?Thanky
oumam.
”
“
No,
yout
hanky
ou.Youar
egoodwi
tht
heki
ds.
”
“
Theyar
elov
elyki
ds.Seey
out
omor
row.
”
Tr
yphenawal
kedoutaf
terpr
essi
ngt
hegat
e’s
remot ewhil
eSar
onalookedaroundthehouse, her
heartwasnowpounding.Itwasn’tj
ustthefactthat
sheknewAgangpr obabl
ywant edtofuckherbutt he
factthatshewasbri
ngi
nghimt ohermar i
talhouse.
Herphoner angi
nherhands.
“Ihav
earriv
ed.Iam par
kingt
wohousesf
rom y
our
s
underthi
sbigtr
ee.
”
“
AgangIdon’
tthi
nkt
hisi
sagoodi
dea.
”
“
Babe,
Iam comi
ng.Rel
ax.
”
Hehungupandshest eppedoutofthehouse
walkingtotheopengate.Shesawhim walktowar
ds
herwearingblacksungl
asses.Hetookthem of
f
walkinginsi
detheyardandthenaughti
nessshesaw
i
nhi seyesmadehersqui r
m.
“
Ili
ket
hatdr
ess.
”
Shesilentl
yledt
hewayi nsi
dethehouset
hen
pressedthegateremotewhilehet
hrewhi
s
sunglassesonthecouch.
“
Nicehouse.
”
“
Iam st
il
lmar
ri
ed.
”Shesai
dst
andi
ngagai
nstt
he
wal
l
.
Hechuckl
ed.“
Iknow.Ir
espectt
hat
.”
Hecl
osedthedist
ancebetweenthem t
henhel
dher
wai
stpul
l
inghercloser
.“Soyouhavenothi
ngt
obe
wor
ri
edabout.
”
Hekissedherhar dherbodyvibr
atedattheeff
ect.
Hepulledhershortdresstoherwaistandsl
idhis
handinherpantiestouchi
nghercookie.The
momenthef eltherwetness,hegaveheracocky
smil
e.
“Stopfi
ghti
ngthi
sbabe.Youknowy ouwanti t
.”He
putherhandinsi
dehi
spant sandshesuckedi nai
rin
herlungs.Hewasbi
g,biggerthanherhusband.He
steppedback.
Saronawatchedhi mtakeoffhi
sleat
herj
acketand
casuall
ythr
ewi tonthecouchwhilesheindi
screet
ly
checkedhim out,hehadtheperf
ectbody
, t
all
and
cal
m.
“
Likewhaty
ousee?
”Heaskedwi
thal
azysmi
l
e.
Shebl
ushedt
aki
ngherey
esof
fhi
m.
“
Don’
tbeshyt
olook.I
t’
sal
lyour
s.”
Agangt
il
tedherchi
nandstar
edint
ohereyes.“
Iam
goi
ngtofuckyousohardt
hatIam al
lyouar
egoing
toseei
nyourdreams.
”
Hetookoffherdresst
henbr
aandt
hongr
eveal
i
ng
hernakedbody.
“
Fuck!
”Hegr
oaned.
Shecoul df eelhersel ffal
lweak, hegent lygrazedhi s
thumbonherni pplesmaki ngherputherl egs
together .Hecuppedherbr eastsandsqueezedt hem
maki nghermoanwhi l
eplanti
ngwetki ssesonher
chestt henf i
nall
ycl osinghislipsonherni pple
sucki ngherhar d.Shewasnowdr ipping.Hedr opped
tohi skneesandgent lyranhistongueonher
throbbi ngcl i
tmaki nghermoan.Noonehaddone
thatt oher .Shet hrewherheadbackashebegan
torturingherwi thhi st ongue.Heputonel egonhi s
shoul der sandwenti nforthekil
l withhist ongue.
Herbodybeganv i
br ati
ngasshel ookedatt heceil
ing.
“Lookatme. ”Het
oldherwi
thhist
onguesti
l
lonher
.
Saronalookeddownandfeel
inghi
stonguei
nsi
de
herandli
keav i
olentv
olcano,sheblewint
osmaller
pi
eceswhileherbodyshuddered.Aganggotupand
ki
ssedher,makinghertast
eher sel
fonhim.Shehel
d
ontohim asherlegstr
embled.
Het
urnedhermaki
nghert
oucht
hewal
l
.
“
Agang,
let
’st
akei
ttot
hebedr
oom.
”
“
Nobabe,
Irespectyourmarr
iage,
Iam notaboutt
o
makey
ouscream insi
deyourbedr
oom.”
Shecouldhear tthecondom tear
ingwhilebither
l
owerl i
pwant i
ngt ostophim howeverherbody
foughtagainsttheideawithwant.Shefelthi
sdick
onherent r
ancebef oreheshovedhimselfinsi
deher
sli
dingall
thewayi nside.Shescreamedandhe
quickl
yputhishandov erhermouth.
“
Shhhbabe,
wher
ear
etheki
ds?
”
“
Sleepi
ng.
”
“
Good.Let
’skeepi
tdown.
”
Hebitbybitpul
ledoutasshef eltev
eryi
nchthen
pl
ungedinsideheragain.Shestoodonhertoesas
hegri
ppedherwai stconti
nui
ngpoundingdeep
i
nsideher.Shemoanednotabl etocontroli
t
anymore.Heincreasedthespeedofthet hr
ustand
sheclosedherlegsfeel
i
ngt hepl
easure.Itwastoo
sweetshewantedt okeepitdeepinsi
deher .
“
Doy
ouf
eel
thatbaby
?”
Shecl
osedherey
esasshecl
i
mbedherpeak.
“
Answerme,
doy
ouf
eel
that
?”Hegr
owl
ed.
“
Yes!Ohy
es!
”
“
That
’si
t.
”
Shehadneverhadadicki
nhert
hatf
eltsogood,
she
l
ovedever
ymoment .
“
Fuck!Whatapussy
!Whyar
eyousosweet
?”
Herkneesshookashesmackedherasshar
d.
“
Whyar
eyousosweet
?”
“
Ahahah…”Shemoanedr eachi
nghercl
imax.He
r
odehercl
imaxasherel
eased.Final
l
yhestopped
t
henpul
ledoutl
eav
ingherempty.
“It
hinkIam goi
ngt
olov
ethi
s.”Hewhi
sper
edi
nher
ear.
Theypausedast
hegat
eopened.Sar
onapani
cked.
“
Fuck!Myhusbandi
sher
e.”
Hewalkedtowardsthewindowtaki
ngof ft
he
condom andsl
ight
lypul
ledthecurt
ains.
“
Shi
t!
”
“
What
?Youneedt
oleav
e.”
Hetur
nedt
oher
.“Yourhusbandismybr
other
’s
f
ri
endmaki
nghi
m alsomyf r
iend.
”
“
What
?Mi
guel
?”
“
Yes.Fuck!
”

*
***
*

Meanwhil
ePulesteppedoutofhiscarandwalked
towardst
hedoor.Heopenedthedoorremember i
ng
thefl
owersi
nthecaralr
eadygoingback.Hetook
thefl
owersandwalkedbacksteppi
nginsi
dethe
house.Heknewshewaspr obablyi
nthebedroom
readi
nganovelorsomethi
ng.Withasmi l
e,he
wal
kedtowardsthebedr
oom andf
oundhercomi
ng
f
rom t
hebathroom.
“
Heybabe,
”Shesai
dwi
thasmi
l
ehel
ovedsomuch.
“
Hey
,Ibr
oughty
ouf
lower
s.”
“Thanks.
”Shet
ookt
hef
lower
ski
ssi
nghi
m.“
Youar
e
earl
ytoday.
”
“
Yeah,Ihadmeeti
ngoutsi
detheof
fice,Idi
dn’
tseea
r
easontogoback.AnywaysIwasthinki
ngthatthi
s
t
imefortheDecemberhol
iday
s,wegot oZanzibar
.
Wit
houttheki
ds,j
ustus.
”
“
Iwoul
dlov
ethat.AndIam sur
eyourmot
herwoul
d
l
ovet
obabysi
t.
”
“
Theni
t’
sal
lset
.Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.Letmegi
vey
oul
atel
unch.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shewal kedoutleavi
nghimt akingoffhi
st i
e.Pul
e
remember edsomet hi
ngthenf oll
owedafterherbut
gett
ingtot hesi
tti
ngroom,hisey esfel
lonblack
sunglasses.Hetookthem andcar ef
ull
yscanned
them.
“
Sar
ona,
who’
ssungl
assesar
ethi
s?”
Shewalkedinsi
dethesi
tti
ngroom hol
dinghisplat
e.
“Oh?Theyaremine.Iwentoutt
odayandlikedthem.
Takeyourfood.
”
Heputt
hem downsi
tt
ingdown.“
Thanks.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”

*
***
*

Lonel
ookedatt
hedoct
or.
“
Ismybabyok?
”
Heslowl
yshookhi
shead.“
Iam sor
ry,
thebaby
coul
dn’
tmakeit
.”
Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
esassheshookherhead.“
No.
”
“
Iam sor
rymi
ss.
”
Hewal kedoutlef
tLonecryi
ngloudly.Thepaincut
deepinsideherhear
t.Shehadfeltherkick.She
steppeddownt hebedcryi
ng.Miguelwal kedi
na
secondl
aterandhuggedher
.
“
Ourbabyi
sgoneMi
guel
…”
Hehel
dhert
ight
lyl
ett
inghercr
yonhi
m.
.
.
.
Don'
tfor
gett
oli
keandcomment
.Goodni
ght
.

[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#36

Mi
guel
wal
kedoutoft
hehospi
tal
andsati
nhi
scar
.
“Fuck!”Hegroanedputt
inghishandsov erhi
sface.
Hecoul dn’
tunderst
andwhyt hepainfeltsophysi
cal
.
Het ookouthisphonefrom hispocketanddial
ed
Anay a’
snumber .
“
Hel
l
o,”
“
Hey
…”
“
Mi guelIam att
het
her
api
st’
sof
fi
ce,
canwet
alk
l
ater?”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungt
hencal
l
edMar
ang.
“
Miguel
…”
“
Hey,Inev
erapol
ogi
zedf
orwhathappenedt
hel
ast
t
ime.
”
“
It
’sok,
nowor
ri
es.It
ookt
hepi
l
lsso…y
ah.
”
“
Thanks.
”
“
Hey
,ar
eyouok?
”
“
Yeah,
justt
ir
ed.
”
“
Youarel
yi
ng,
yousounddown.Youcant
ell
me.
What
’swr
ong?
”
“
Lonel
ostt
hebaby
.”
“
What
?How?
”
“
Shewashavi
nganargumentwit
hherfr
iend,the
f
ri
endl
osti
tandpushedherdownthest
airs.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Howi
sshe?
”
“
Cry
ing.
”
“Iam sosor
ry,
Ican’
tbegi
ntoi
magi
newhatshei
s
goingthr
ough.
”
“
Iwasn’
tthatt
hri
l
ledwitht
henewsthefi
rstt
imeshe
t
oldmebut…”Heclosedhi
seyes.“
Itf
uckenhur
ts.
”
“Iam sorr
y,Iknowy
ouwer
epr
obabl
ybegi
nni
ngt
o
getexcit
ed.”
“
Yah,
afewweeksagoIboughtt
hisl
i
ttl
ethi
ngs.
”
“
Miguel
,wher
ear
eyour
ightnow?
”
“
Att
hehospi
tal
.”
“
Ok,
doy
ouwantmet
ocomeov
erorsomet
hing?
”
“
Iam comi
ngt
her
e.”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lcook.
”
Hehungupanddr ov
et oherhouse.Halfanhour
l
ater,hewasget t
ingoffhiscarandwalkingi
nside
herhouse.Hewaswel comedbysomeDi amond
Plat
numzj amsanddelici
ousaroma.Shewal kedout
ofthekitchenandsmi l
ed.Shewasn’tthat
curvaceous,shehadasl i
m peti
tefi
gureanda
f
lawl
ess.Hel
ovedherbeaut
if
uli
nnocentf
ace.
Si
lent
lyshewalkedt owardshim andhuggedhim.
Shesmeltsweet,hel ov
edherf r
agrancethatheput
hi
sarmsar oundherpul l
inghermoreinhisarms.
Forawhiletheyst
oodst ill
huggingfi
rmly
.Hef i
nal
ly
l
ethergoandsmi led.
“
Itsmel
l
sdel
i
cious.
”
Shemovedherweav
efr
om herf
ace.“
Iam done,
I
wil
ldi
shup.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shewal kedtothekit
chenwhi l
ehef oll
owedbehi nd
herst ar
ingatherbuttcheekswhi chwer eexposed
byhershor t
s.Shebendedov ertheov enchecking
what evershehadcookedwhenMi guelwalked
behindher .Foll
owinghi sdi
rtythoughtshepul l
edher
shortsandpant i
estoherankl eswhilesheclosed
theov enbutr emaini
ngbentf orhim.Mi guel
unzippedhi spantsandt ookouthi sharddick.He
partedherassandpl ungedhi mselfi
nsideherand
fuckedherwi t
hquickdeepst rokeswhi l
eshe
moanedandwhi mper ed.Minuteslaterhewasf il
li
ng
herpussyupandwat chedhisdickashepull
edout .
Withsati
sfact
ion,hepulledhershort
sbackin
posit
ionandwal kedoutf i
xi
nghispants.Hesatin
fr
ontofherTVchangi ngt hechannelt
oaspor t
s
channel.
Marangwalkedi nwithhi
splat
eoffoodandadishof
water
.Hest aredinhereyeswashi
nghishandswhi
le
sheblushedlookingdown.
“
Mar
angweh?
”
“
Rra?
”
“
Lookatme.
”Hecommanded.
Sher
aisedherhandandl
ookedi
nhi
sey
es.
“
Ont
shabang?{
Whyar
eyouscar
edofme?
}”
“
Iam notscar
edofy
ou.
”
“Yaanongkengosant
ebemomat
long?{
Thenwhy
don’tyoul
ookinmyey
es?}
”
Shesmiledhandi
nghi
m adi
sht
owel
.“Dr
yyour
hands.
”
Het
ookt
hedi
sht
owel
anddr
iedhi
shandsbef
ore
gi
vi
ngitbackandt aki
nghisfoodwi t
hasmi le.There
wassomet hi
nghel i
kedabouttherespectshegav e
hi
m,tr
eatinghimli
keaki ng.Hewatchedherwal king
awaybeforehetookhisfir
stbi
te.
Shecamebackwi
thherpl
ateandsatbesi
dehi
m.
“
Doyouhav
eacr
ushonDi
amondPl
atnumzor
what
?”
Shelaughed.“
Don’
tteaseme.Il
i
kehi
smusi
c,hei
s
good.”
Hel
ookedatherassheat
est
ari
ngdownatherpl
ate.
“
Whati
sit
?”
Shelookedathi
m.“
Idi
dn’
tthi
nky
ouwoul
dev
er
cal
l.
”
“
Why
?”
“
Ithought
…”Sheshr
ugged.“
Youwentbackt
oher
.”
Hesilent
lycont i
nuedeatingwonderingwhatt otel
l
her
.Shedi dn’tdeservehowhewast reat
ingherbut
hesti
llcouldn’thelpi
t.Assoonashef i
nishedeati
ng,
shetooktheirplatestothekitchenandcameback
wit
hthedi shofcl eanwater.Hewashedhi shands
anddr
iedt
hem andshetookt
hedishbackt
hen
camebackwi
thaglassofwater
.
“
Ilov
ethi
s.”Hesai
dtaki
ngt
hegl
asswat
er.
“
What
?”
Hedr
ankhi
swaterandgavehert
hegl
assback.
“
Bei
ngtr
eat
edl
ikeaKing.”
Shel
aughedputt
ingthegl
assdown.“Ki
ng?Ler
ata
di
lot
leboMiguel
!{Youli
kethi
ngs.
}”
“
Ili
ket
hist
reat
ment
.”
“Takeof
fyourj
acketandt
ie.Ar
eyounot
uncomfor
tabl
e?”
“
Asy
ouwi
sh.
”
Hetookoffhi
sti
eandjacketthenshel
eanedov
er
andunbut
tonedt
hefi
rstthreebutt
onsofhi
sshi
rt.
“
DidyouknowIgiv
eoneofthebestmassages?
”He
whi
sper
edholdi
ngherwai
st.
“
Youdo?BecauseIt
hinkIhav
emuscl
epai
n.”She
whi
sper
ed.
“
Yeah,
shoul
dIshowy
ou?
”
“
Yes.
”
Hestoodt henpi
ckedherupthr
owingheroverhi
s
shoulderandwal
kedtowardsherbedr
oom asshe
giggl
ed.

*
***
*

Anay awal kedi nsideMi guel’

shousehol di
ngher
handbagandwentt ot hebedr oom wher eshesaton
thebeddi al i
nghi snumberf orthefif
thtime.Hi s
phonest il
l rangunanswer ed.Notwant ingt ospoil
thesur pr
ise, sheputawayherphoneav oiding
texti
nghi mt henwal kedbackt ot
heki t
chen.She
frownedopeni ngt hefridgefulloffood.Sheopened
thef i
tt
edki tchenuni t,i
twaspackedwi thf ood.
Mi guelnev erboughtgr ocery,
hewoul dr at
hersurvive
ont akeaway sthanbuygr ocery.
Therewasnodoubti nhermindthattheladyhehad
cheatonherwi t
hhadboughtthegrocery,t
herewas
nootherexplanat
ion.Shewal
kedbackt othe
bedroom andtookherphonedial
inganumber .
“
Anay
a,hey
!”
“
Sar
ona,
isMi
guel
ther
ewi
thPul
e?”
“
No.What
’swr
ong?
”
“
Hei
snoty
ethome.
”
“
May
behei
shel
dupatwor
k.”
Anay
acl
osedherey
es.
“
Hey
,don’
tov
ert
hinki
t.
”
“Thereisgr
ocer
yint
hehouse,
Miguel
nev
erbuy
s
grocery
.”
“May beitwasthemai d.Hewaspr obabl
yti
redof
takeaway sanddecidedtojusthav
eherbuy.Youare
stressi
ngov ernot
hing.”
“
Iam j
ustscar
ed,
whati
fhei
swi
thher
?”
“
Hei
snot
.Justr
elax
.Don’
tlett
hisspoi
lyourmood.
”
“
Youar
eri
ght
.Ok,
thanks.
”
“
Byel
ove.
”
Anay
ahungupandwal
kedbacktotheki
tchen.She
st
art
edcooki
ngi
mmedi
atel
y,obv
iousl
yhewas
alreadyonhi swayhomeandt hegrocerysav edher
from get ti
ngf oodf rom arestaurant
.Twohour sl ater
,
shesett het abl
eper f
ectl
ythenlightedupcandl es
bef oretakingabot tl
eofwi neandput ti
ngitint he
mi ddle.Sheswi tchedoffthelightsandhur r
iedt ot he
bedr oom wher eshet ookaqui ckshowerbef ore
takingoutherl ingeriefr
om herhandbag.Sheputi t
onl ookingather selfonthemi rr
orknowi nghewas
goingt ol osehismi ndassoonashesawher .She
satdowni nfrontoft hemirrorandtouchedl ight l
yon
herf aceadmi ri
nghernewcur lyweav eandt he
per fect
lyst y
lededges.
Looki ngatthetimeshesighed,i
twasalmosthalf
nine.Anay awonder edwhatwasholdi
nghim but
chast enedherselft
obepatient
.Shewentbackto
thesit t
ingroom andsatdown.Anhourlat
er,she
tri
edcal li
nghim pouri
nghersel
fthewi
ne.Hisphone
stil
lrangunanswer edthendeci
dedtocall
Agang.
“
Nay
a,”
“
Hey
,hasMi
guel
arr
ivedt
her
eyet
?”
“
What
?No,
what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“Oh,hewantedtogi
vey
ousomet
hing,
Iwasj
ust
gett
ingworr
ied.
”
“
No,
hehasn’
t.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
“
Anay
awai
t.
”
“
Yah?
”
“
Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Arey
ousur
e?”
“
Yes.Iam f
ine.Ihav
etogo.
”
Shehungupt
aki
ngasi
pofherwi
ne.

*
***
*

Thefoll
owi
ngmor ningMar angwokeupinMiguel’
s
arms.Shelookedathim,helookedi
nnocenti
nhi s
sl
eep.Sheslowlygotoffbedandputonherclothes
befor
ewalkingtothekit
chen.Shestar
tedmaking
hi
m aqui
ckbr
eakf
ast
.
“
Hey
,”
Shet
urnedandl
ookedathi
m al
readydr
essed.
“
Sit
,Iam done.
”
Hesatontheki
tchenstoolwhi
leshedishedf
orhim
andputt
heplat
ebeforehim.Shepouredhim cof
fee
andputi
tbesi
detheplate.
“
Eatory
ouwi
l
lbel
ate.
”
“
Thanks.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Shewal kedoutleav
inghi
m eati
ng.I
nherbedroom,
wit
hqui ckswif
tl
yundressedandwalkedouttothe
bathroom.Shetookashowerandwhenshef i
nall
y
walkedbackinherbedroom,shefoundhim si
tt
ing
onthebed.Hel ookedatherdr
ippi
ngwetnaked
bodyandshesmi l
ed.
“
Youar
enotget
ti
ngany
,got
owor
k.”
“
Aft
erwor
kthen?
”
Mar
angr
oll
edherey
es.“
Go!
”
“Ok,aft
erworkthen.
”Hestoodupandki
ssedher
backingheragai
nstthewal
l.“
Ormaybenow.
”
“
No!Got
owor
k.”
Hel
aughedt
henbabyki
ssedherandwal
kedout
.
Marangsighedhear i
ngthemaindooropeni
ngt
hen
cl
osing.Shereachedforherphoneonthe
headboardandcalledLayl
a.
“
Mar
ang,
hey
.”
“
Hey
,hecameback.
”
“
Hedi
d?”
“
Yes.Butheissti
l
lwit
hher
.If
eel
sogui
l
tyr
ightnow.
Hespenttheni
ght.
”
“
Whati
shesay
ing?
”
“
Not
hing.
”
“
Theny
oushoul
djustaskhi
m,t
akey
ourchances.
”
“
Iam scar
ed.
”
“Iknowbuty
oushoul
dask.Bei
ngasidechi
ckisnot
somethi
ngyouwantt
odof ort
her
estofyourl
i
fe.”
“Iknow.Iev
enknowhowbei
ngcheatedonf
eel
sli
ke.
Iam goingt
osendhi
m amessage.
”
“
Dot
hat
,seey
ouatwor
k.”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandl
ookedatherphonebef
oreshe
beganty
ping.

*
***
*

Anayawokeupwi thastar thear

ingt
hecardri
vingin.
Shelookedatt
het i
mest andingup.Shehadslepton
thecouchandthankful
l
y, herneckwasnotpai
nf ul
.
Hewal
kedinasecondlat
erandpaused,
star
ingat
her
.Cl
ear
lyhehadn’
texpect
edtoseeher.
“
Babe…”
“
Hi.
”
Hewalkedfur
theri
ntothehouseandl
ookedatt
he
setupbef
oremeetinghereyes.
“
Iam sor
ry,
Isl
eptatt
heof
fi
ce.
”
“
Ical
l
ed.
”
“
Myphonewasonsi
l
ent
.”
Shewalkedt owardshi
m andhuggedhi
minhal
ingi
n
thefemalescent.Sl
owlyshemovedback,
tear
s
fi
ll
inghereyes.
“
Youwer
ewi
thher
?”
“
No.
”
“
Icansmel
lherony
ouMi
guel
!”
Hecl
osedhi
sey
es.“
Anay
a…”
Sheshookherheadast
ear
srandownhercheeks.
“Di
dyouuseacondom?”
“
Babe…”
“
Didy
ouuseacondom Mi
guel
?”
“
No.
”
Sheputherhandov
erherchestasherhear
tbr
oke.
“Mi
guel…”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Whati
fshegetspregnant
?Orwhati
fshei
ssi
ck?
Can’
tyoujustuseprot
ecti
on?
”
Hi
sphoner
angf
rom hi
spocket
.
“
Isthatthephonethati
ssupposedt
obeonsi
l
entor
whereyoujusti
gnori
ngme? ”
“
Itwasonsi
l
ent
.”
“
Giv
eitt
ome.
”
Helookedatherbef
orehetooki
toutandhandedit
overt
oher.Shecall
edatt
hecall
erIDthenanswer
ed
Agang’
scallput
ti
ngitonl
oudspeaker
.
“
BK,
Anay
acal
l
edy
est
erday
,wher
ewer
eyou?
”
“
CanIcal
lyouback?Iam i
nthemi
ddl
eofsomet
hing
i
mpor
tant
.”
“
Ok,
mom cal
l
ed,
Col
l
eeni
sathome.
”
“
Iwi
l
lcal
lyouback.
”
Anayahungupthenunlockedhisphoneasa
messagereport
edin.Shecli
ckedonitandread
si
lent
lyf
ight
ingbreaki
ngdowni naloudsob.
“
Mar
angwant
stoknowwhat
’shappeni
ngbet
ween
youbecauselastni
ghtl
eftherconf
used.Shesays
youforgotyourwat
chandtiebutshewil
lkeepthem
saf
ef oryou.
”
“
Babe,
it’
snot
hing,
Ilov
eyou.I
t’
sjustsex.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
ltel
lhert
hat
.”
Shecal
l
edMar
angandputt
hephoneonherear
.
“Hey,
don’
twor
ry.Yourbel
ongi
ngsar
esaf
e.”She
sai
dsoft
ly.
“HiMarang,youar espeakingtoAnaya,Miguel’
s
gir
lf
ri
end.Iappr eci
atethatyouhavebeentaking
careofhim sinceIhav ebeenunavai
labl
ebutit’s
enoughnow.Iam her eandIwill
takecareofhi s
needsfrom todayonwar ds.Hopeful
l
ywewon’ thav
e
thi
sconv er
sationagain.”
“
Ofcause.Iam sor
ryAnay
a.”
“I
t’
sok.Doyoursel
fafavoranddelet
ehisnumber
.I
wil
lper
sonal
lycoll
ecthi
sbelongi
ngsfrom y
our
house.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandi
mmedi
atel
ybl
ockedanddel
eted
hernumber
.
“Nowt
hatMarangisoutofthepi
ctur
e,wear
egood.
Goandbat
h.Didyoueat?”
Hel
ookedatherandsl
owl
ynodded.
“
Ok,
goandbat
h,y
ouar
eal
readyl
ate.
”
“
Yes.
”
Hewalkedawayl
eavi
ngherst
andi
ng.Slowlyshesat
downandsobbedsi
l
entl
yasherhear
tthrobbed
pai
nful
l
y.
Herphoner
angf
rom besi
deher
.
“
Hey
,di
dhecome?
”
“
NoSar
ona,
hewaswi
thher
.”
“
Didheconf
ess?
”
“
Yes,
myhear
thur
tsSar
ona.
”
“
Iam sor
ryl
ove.Whatwi
l
lyoudonow?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Il
oveMi
guel
,andi
t’
smyf
aul
t.
”
“Miguell
ovesyouandsucht
hingsi
narel
ati
onship.I
don’tt
hinkyoushoul
dthr
owinthet
owelasyet.She
i
sprobabl
yhopi
ngy
oul
eav
ehi
m sot
hatshecan
t
akeover.
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Hedi
dn’
tuseacondom,
agai
n.”
“
Draghimt
othecli
nicandtest,
thenbuythatgi
rla
morni
ngaf
ter
.Youcan’taf
fordanot
herLone.”
“Youareri
ght
.Ineedtobat
hthengohomet
o
change.Wewil
ltal
k.”
“
Ok,andsi
thim downandt
alk.Heshoul
dbescar
ed
t
ocheatonyou.
”
“Thi
sist
helastt
imeIf
orgi
vingcheat
ing.NextI
knowIwil
lbeHIVposi
ti
ve.
”
“
Okl
ove.
”
Shehungupstandi
ngthenwal
kedt
othebedr
oom.
Hewasalreadydr
essi
ngforwor
k.
“Onlunchtimewearegoi
ngt
otestf
orHI
V.Wher
e
doesMar angst
ay?
”
“
Babe,
Iam nev
ergoi
ngt
oseeheragai
n.”
“
Goodbecauset
hisist
helastt
imeIam f
orgi
ving
y
ou,i
fyouthi
nkthi
sissomesortofaj
oke,tr
yit,
I
wi
lll
eaveyou.Youar
enott
heonl
ymani
nBot
swana.
Wheredoesshestay
?”
“Bl
ock9.
”
“
Wor
k?”
“Anay
a,cany
oul
eti
tgo.Iam notgoi
ngbackt
oher
,I
promi
se.”
“Iwantt
oknowwhereshewor ksorel
se,
Imightas
wellwal
koutoft
hisr
elat
ionshi
p.Ial
sowanther
houseaddr
ess.
”

*
***
*

Marangf
ini
shedatt
endi
ngtoherpat
ientthenwal
k
out
.Onthedoorshebumpedint
oanur se.
“
Dr.Set
se,ther
eisvi
sit
orheretoseeyou,
shesay
s
i
t’
simport
ant.Shei
sattherecept
ion.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shewalkedt
owardstheli
ftwhi
cht
ookhert
othe
groundl
evel
.Herhear
tski
ppedasherey
esfel
lon
Anayawhowasdr essedsmart
lyi
nherf or
malwear
.
Shehadneverseensomeonewhol ookedsogood
andsexyt
hatshef el
tint
imi
dat
ed.
“
Anay
a.”
“Marang.
”Shetookoutasmallboxandhandedi
tto
her
.“Ihopeyoudon’
tmindtaki
ngthat.
”
“
Ofcausenot
.”
“Good.Ihopet
hisisthel
astt
imewemeetunder
suchcir
cumstances.
”
Shet
urnedandwal
kedoutl
eav
inghert
her
e.
“
Wow!Whowast
hat
?”
Shet
urnedt
oLay
la.“
Anay
a.”
“
Whatdi
dshewant
?”
“Togi
vemet
his?
”Sheshowedhert
heemer
gency
pil
l
s.
“
Wow!Shei
ssobeaut
if
ul,
issheev
enr
eal
?”
“
Shei
s.”
“
Ok,
nowIknowhei
snotgoi
ngt
oleav
eher
.”
“
Iknow.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok,
Ican’
tev
enbegi
ntocompar
etot
hat
.”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#37

Lonewalkedf
rom t
hebathr
oom andlayonthebed
l
ooki
ngupatthecei
li
ng.Amant
lewalkedinandshe
si
ghed.
“
Ify
ouar
eher
etogl
oatt
henpl
easel
eav
e.”
“Lone,Iam nother
ef ort
hat
.Iknowy ouandIhave
ourdif
ferencesbutyouaresi
sterandthatcannev
er
change.”
Lonel
ookedatherast
ear
sfel
lfr
om herey
es.
“
Shhcomeher
e…”
Amantl
ehuggedhert
ight
lyandt
oget
hert
heycr
ied.
Af
terawhi
letheywer
equiet.
“Iwantustoputwhat
everwearefi
ghti
ngabout
behi
ndandmov eonwithli
fe.Li
fei
sshortt
oalway
s
befight
ing.
”
“
Whathappenedt
oyou?
”
Amant l
elaughed.“
Lif
ehappenedandIreali
zedyou
ar
et heonlyoneIcantur
nto.Bloodi
sthickert
han
water.
”
“
Whathappened?
”
“
Ilostmyj
ob.
”
“
When?
”
“Aweekbefor
eIcameback.Ihavebeensur
vivi
ng
onmysavingstr
yingt
ofi
ndanotherj
obbuti
t’sdry
.”
“
Wow!
”
“IknowandIhav ebeenashamedtoaskf
orhelp.
Youknowl if
ehasawayofhumbl i
ngyouthaty
ou
willbel
eftdry.Ihadtosell
mycar.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Whoknewt
hisdaywoul
dcome.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.
“
Noone.Iam sor
ryf
orhowIt
reat
edy
ou.
”
“
Iam sor
ryt
oo.
”
“
Canwest
artov
er?
”
Lonesmi
l
edemot
ional
l
y.“
Yes.
”
“
Any
way
s,howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”
“
Iam numb.Ist
il
lcan’
tbel
i
evemybabyi
sgone.
”
“
Iam r
eal
l
ysor
ry.
”
“
IhopeCour
tneyr
otsi
njai
l
.”
“
Shewi
l
l.Shei
sev
il
.Wher
eisRachel
?”
“Shedoesn’
twantt
oassociat
ewithmebecauseI
am notmarri
edandIdon’
tunder
standmar
ri
ed
peopl
eissues.
”
“
What?Ihaveal
way
sdespi
sedpeopl
ewhot hink
mar
ri
ageissomeki
ndofachi
evementbecausetr
ust
me,
it’
snot.
”
“
Itol
dhertogobackt
oworkbecauseshehas
t
urnedher
sel
fint
oahousewi
feandshetol
dmeto
st
ayoutofmar
ri
edpeopl
e’
sissues.
”
“
Sheiscr
azy.Shewil
lunder
standsucht
hingswhen
t
hatmanleavesher
.”
“Iknow.Likeshehast
otal
lyst
oppedli
vi
ngherl
i
fe
andallforaman.Iwil
lnev
erdothat.
”
“
Iknow.I
sitoki
fImov
einwi
thy
ouf
orashor
t
whi
le?
”
“
Yes.I
t’
sok.
”
Thedoct
orwal
kedi
n.“
Ithi
nkwewi
l
lbedi
schar
ging
yout
oday.
”
“
ThankGod.
”
Amant
lel
ookedatLone.“Hey,l
etmehav
ethehouse
key
ssothatIcanst
artshi
ft
ing.
”
“
Ok.
”
Lonehandedhert
hehousekey
sandshewal
kedout
star
ingatt
hedoct
or.
“
Whowast
hat
?”
“
Mysi
ster
.”
“
Sti
l
lrememberme?
”
Lonebl
ushed.“
Yes.Vi
nce.
”
“
Good.Iam sor
ryabouty
ourbaby
.”
Shenodded.“
Thanks.
”
“Af
tery
ougohome,
canwegooutf
ordi
nner
?Let
’s
sayonFri
day
?”
“
Buty
ouar
efr
iendswi
thMi
guel
.”
“Sowhat
?AsfarasIam concerned,y
ouar
esi
ngl
e
andsoam I
.Ar
eweonf orFriday?”
“
Yes.
”
“Awesome.
”Hehandedherhi
sphone.“
Sav
eyour
number.
”
Lonet
ookt
hephoneandsav
edhernumber
.
“Vi
nce,
whatar
ey oudoi
ngt
omypat
ient
?”Lone’
s
doct
orsai
dwalki
ngin.
“
Iam say
inghi
,herei
nGPHwegr eetourpat
ient
s.”
Hesai
dlaughi
ngtaki
ngbackhi
sphone.
“
GetoutVi
nce,
youar
edi
stur
bingmypat
ient
.”
“
Iam goi
ng.Don’
tfor
gett
odischar
geher
.”He
wi
nkedatLonebefor
efi
nal
lywalki
ngout
.
“
Don’
tmi
ndt
hatmor
on,
howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngt
oday
?”
“
Bet
ter
.”
“
That
’sgood.Iam di
schar
gingy
ou.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”

*
***
*

Mi
guel
spokeont
heear
pieceashedr
ovet
oC-
SKY.
“
Shedi
dn’
tev
enshoutKen,
thi
swor
ri
esme.
”
“I
fshecatchesyouagai
n,shei
sgoi
ngt
oleav
eyou.
Orsheisplanni
ngto.
”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
oev
ent
ry.Iam done.
”
“
Good,don’
tli
stentoP-man,
youwi
l
lloseagood
womanchasingstones.
”
“If
eel
guil
ty,
shehaddoneasetupt
osur
pri
seme
andIr
uinedital
l
.”
“Andyouknowonceshedoesn’
ttr
usty
ou,
itwi
l
lbe
easyf
orhertol
eaveyou.
”
“
Youmakemer
emembert
hatsol
dier
.”
“Yah,
vultur
eswill
alwaysbethereespeci
all
yongir
ls
l
ikeAnaya.Shelooksli
keacelebri
tyfr
om over
seas,
shewill
leaveandyouwi l
lcr
y.”
“
Ithi
nkwhatweneedi
sav
acat
ion.
”
“
Youarer
ightaboutthat
.Look,
Ihavesomet
hingI
wantt
odi
scusswi t
hy ouwhenyoucomeback.”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lseey
ou.
”
“
Shar
p!”
KenhungupasMiguelpar
kedhiscaratC-
SKY.He
st
eppedoutoft
hecarandwalkedinsi
de.
“
Wel
comeMr
.Mokwena.
”
Hegav eherasl i
ghtnodacknowledgingher
presencebeforeheproceededtotheelevat
or.He
walkedinsidetheconfer
enceroom andsatdown
unbuttoni
nghisjacket
.ThedooropenedandAnay a
walkedinwi t
hamal ecoll
eague.Shelooked
di
fferentandmor ebeauti
ful
.Henoticedhernew
hai
rdowonderi
ngwhyhehadn’ tnot
icedint
he
morningordi
dshegetittoday
.Themal ecol
league
pul
ledoutachai
rforherandshesmi l
edsit
ti
ng
downwhilehi
shearttwi
stedpainf
ull
y.
“Ri
ght!Ibel
ieveev eryoneishere,wecanpr oceed.”
Hesai dst
il
llookingather .Shestaredbackt hen
l
ookedaway .Hesi ghedandcar r
iedonwi t
ht he
meetingsli
ppingi ntoseri
ousness.Anhourl ater
,he
wrappedupt hemeet i
ngandev eryonewalkedout
almostimmedi ately.Hechattedwiththemanager
astheybothwal kedout .
“Goodjob,
Ili
kehowev
ery
thi
ngi
srunni
ngsmoot
hly
here.
”
“
Thanky
ouMr
.Mokwena.
”
“
Good-
bye.
”
TheypartedwaysandMiguel
wal kedt
oAnaya’
s
off
ice.Hewalkedi
nandsheraisedherheadf
rom a
fi
l
eshewaspagi ngthr
ough.
“
Hey
…”
Shel
ookedathi
m si
l
ent
lyandMi
guel
wonder
ed
whatshewast
hinki
ng.
“
HowcanIhel
pyou?
”
“
Col
l
eenwasr
eleased.
”
“
That
’sgood.
”
“Iam goi
ngtoMahal
apy
ethi
sweekend.Cany
ou
pleasecomewit
hme?”
“
Yes,
it’
sok.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Yah.
”
Thet
ensi
onhewasf eel
i
ngwast
hreat
eni
ngt
obr
eak
hi
mintosmal
lpi
eces.
“
Anay
aIam r
eal
l
ysor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Hewal
kedr
oundhert
abl
e.“
Babe…”
“Miguel,Iam atwork.Idon’
twantpeopl et
hinki
ngI
am takingadv ant
ageofthefactthatIam dati
ngyou
sothatIdon’ tdomywor k.Mr.Bernardswil
lbe
report
ingf orworktomorrowandIhav etohave
ev
ery
thi
ngi
nor
der
.Hei
sst
ri
ct.
”
“
Ok,
Ilov
eyou.
”
“Yah,
met oo.”Shesai
dshif
ti
ngherattent
ionbackt
o
herwork.Miguelwal
kedoutfeel
i
ngwor sethanhow
hehadfeltbefor
eenter
ingherof
fice.

*
***
*

Coll
eenwalkedoutofherr oom tothesi
tti
ngroom
wherethebabywascr yi
ng.Shecoul dhearher
motherinthekitchenpr
obablycoll
ecti
ngherbott
le.
Sheslowlypickedherdaughterupandheldherin
herarms.
“
ShhhAngi
e.”
Sheputheronherchestgentl
yrubbi
ngherback.
SoonAngelwasquietsucki
ngherthumb.
“
Pleaseputt
hatchi
l
ddown.
”
Col
l
eent
urnedandl
ookedathermot
her
.“Mama…”
“
Col
l
een,
putt
hatchi
l
ddown.
”
Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.“
Mamapl
ease.
”
Hermot
herwal
kedov
erandt
ookt
hebabyf
rom her
.
“Idon’
twanttoseeyouany
wher
eneart
hischi
l
d.”
Shewalkedtoherbedr
oom.
Coll
eenslowl ysatdownandcr i
ed.Shecoul dn’
t
real
lyblamehermot herandatt hesamet i
me, she
wishedhermot hercouldbemor eunderstanding.
Shewasn’ therselfbackthen.Shestoodupand
walkedbackt oherbedr oom takingherphoneand
call
edMaggi ebuti tdidn’
tgothrough.Shefinall
y
decidedtocallAnay a.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
whoi
sthi
s?”
“
It
’sCol
l
een.
”
“
Oh!Hey
,Mi
guel
tel
l
smey
ouar
ehomenow.
”
“
Yes,
theyl
etmego.
”
“Iam happyforyou.Iam sureyoumustbehappyt
o
seeAngel now.IdidmyresearchonPNDandI
real
i
z edalotofusareignorant
.PostNatal
Depressi
oni sr
eal.
”
“
Iknow.Iam f
inenow.
”
“
Good.
”
“
Mamawon’
tletmenearher
.”
“
Iam sor
ry,
shei
spr
obabl
yjustscar
ed.
”
“
Iknow,
andIcan’
tbl
ameher
.”
“
Youneedt
opr
ovet
ohert
haty
ouar
efi
nenow.
”
“
Myownf
ri
endsdon’
twantmeany
mor
e.”
“
Thent
heywer
enev
ery
ourf
ri
endst
obegi
nwi
th.
”
“
Ifeel
li
keev
ery
onej
ust
…theyhav
ecer
tai
nat
ti
tude
t
owardsme.
”
“
Idon’
t.Don’
tmi
ndpeopl
e.Howar
eyoucopi
ng?
”
“Idon’
tknowreal
l
y,Istil
lcan’
tbelieveIanisgone.
Youknowhewasnev erav i
olentperson.Idon’
t
beli
eveheki
ll
edherorev enhimsel f
.Hehadal ott
o
l
ivefor.
”
“Iknowit’
shardtobel
i
evebuti
thappened.Iam j
ust
gladitwasn’
tyouhehurt
.”
“
Howi
sMi
guel
?Ihav
en’
ttal
kedt
ohi
myet
.”Shesai
d
wi
thasmi
l
e.
“
Hei
sfi
ne.Wear
ecomi
ngov
erdur
ingt
heweekend.
”
“
Ican’
twai
ttoseey
ou.
”
“Metoo.Look,
Ihav
etogo.Iwantt
ofi
nishupwhatI
am doi
ngthengohome.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
“
Bye.
”
Anay ahungupandacl oudofgui
lt
yweighed
Colleen’
sshoulder
s.Sheknewhermotherprobabl
y
hatedAnay abecauseofwhatshehadtol
dher,now
allshewishedwast ochanget
hehandsofti
meand
takeital
lback.

*
***
*

Saronafi
nishedupplait
ingMapul
a’
shai
r.Shesmil
ed
atherhar
dwor k,shelovedpl
ayi
ngonherdaught
er’
s
head.
“
Mapul
ababy
?Mommyi
sdone.
”
WhenMapul ar
emainedstil
l,shesi
ghedpi ckingher
up.Shelayherdowni nherroom andpeakedi n
Junior
’sroom.Hewasst il
lsleepi
ng.Shel oved
aft
ernoonsbecausethat’
swhent hehousewas
mostquiet.Shewalkedtoherbedr oom andl ayon
herbedtakingthenovelshewasst il
lreading.Her
phonerangbesideher.
“
Agang…”
“
Babe,
Iam onmywayf
orsomel
unch.
”
“
Agang,wecan’
tdot
his,
whatwi
l
lhappeni
fPul
e
f
indsout
?”
“
Hewon’
t.Tr
ustme.
”
“
Agang,
Idon’
twantt
olosemyf
ami
l
y.”
“
Andy
ouwon’
t.Youhav
etot
rustme.Babe?
”
“
Agang…”
“Iwantyoutotrustme.Ifwear
ecar eful
,noonewi
l
l
fi
ndout.Justrel
ax.Eit
herway,
Ididn’tknowyou
werehiswifeandnowi t’
stool
ate,t
hedamagehas
alr
eadybeendone. ”
Shesi
ghed.“
Doy
ouhav
eagi
rl
fr
iend?
”
“No,Iam comingther
eforaqui
cki
e.Putonasex
y
night
dress.I
tbett
erbeshor
t.
”
Shebl
ushed.“
Ok.
”
“
Nopant
ieson.
”
“
Ok.Bequi
ckwhi
l
etheki
dsar
est
il
lsl
eepi
ng.
”
“
Iam onmyway
.”
Sheputt hephonedownandgotof fthebed.Inher
cl
oset,shet ookoutherl acenightdressthatPul
e
hadboughtheraweekago.Sheundr essedthenput
i
tonwi thnopant ies.Minuteslater,
herphone
vi
brat
edandshewal kedbackt ot hesitt
ingroom
wheresheopenedt hegat eforhim.I nseconds,he
waswal kingin.Thewayhel ookedathermadeher
wet.
“
Heybaby
…”
Heclosedthegapbetweenthem andki
ssedher
bef
orepicki
ngherupandt aki
nghertot
hekit
chen.
Heplacedheronthekit
chencounter
salr
eady
put
ti
nghishandbetweenherlegs.
*
***
*

Theodor apackedhert hi
ngsassoonasMi guell
eft
fortheday .Thi
swasherl astdayatMokwena
Logisti
csandaseachsecondpassed, shef el
tmore
andmor edepr essed.Shecomf or
tedherselfbyt
he
factthatshestil
lhadherjobatC-SKY.Takingher
handbag, shewalkedout.
“
Heygi
rl
!”Acol
l
eaguesai
dwal
ki
ngbesi
deher
.
“
Hey
,howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam good.Iam goi
ngt
omi
ssy
ouar
oundher
e.”
Theodor
asmi
l
ed.“
Iwi
l
lmi
ssy
out
oo.
”
“
Oh,
myboy
fri
endi
sher
e.By
e!”
“
Bye.
”
Theodoracontinuedwalkingt
hinki
ngofAgangfrom
thefir
stdayshehadmethi m.I
thadalwaysbeena
disast
erfrom t
hef i
rstdayandshewasgladwhat
happenedt hel
asttimehadhappened.
Herphoner
angasshej
oinedt
hemai
nroadwal
ki
ng
al
ongt
her
oadt
othebusst
op.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Theo,
didy
ourcont
actgetr
enewed?
”Hermot
her
asked.
“
No,theol
dPersonalAssist
anti
sback.Todaywas
myl
astdaybutatleastIsti
l
lhav
emyr ecept
ioni
st
j
ob.
”
“Isawanopeni
ngofajobthatneedsy
our
quali
fi
cat
ionsi
nanewspaper.
”
“
Real
l
y?”
“
Yes,atDi
amondEv
ent
s.Youshoul
dappl
y.Thepay
i
sgood.”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lappl
ytomor
row.
”
“Theysai
dyoucanappl
yont
hei
remai
l
.Iwr
ote
every
thi
ngdown.”
“
Ok,
youcansendi
t.
”
“
Iwi
l
ldoi
tnow.Iam pr
ayi
ngf
ory
oumygi
rl
.”
“Thanky
oumama.Ihavebeensav
ingmoney
,It
hink
soonIwil
lbuyasmal
lcar
.”
“
That’
smygi
rl
.Weserv
ealivi
ngGod.Thi
ngswi
l
l
wor
koutf
oryou,
Ipr
omise.
”
“
Irecei
ve.
”
“
ByeTheo.
”
Shehungandputherhandoverherf
orehead
bl
ockingt
hesun.AwhiteToy
otaFortunerst
opped
besi
deher.
“
Hi,
canIgi
vey
oual
i
ft?
”
Theodor
aturnedandlookedatmanint
hecar.She
openedhermouthtoturnhi
m downbuthesmiled
andsheimmediatel
ykeptqui
et.Hewasarealcat
ch.
“
Iam goi
ngov
ert
hatbusst
op.
”
“
So?Letmedr
opy
oubyt
hatst
op.
”
“
Iam f
inet
hanks.
”
“Iwi
llnotasky
ouout
,Ipr
omi
se.Geti
n.Mynamei
s
Chri
stian.
”
Hehadachocol
atecompl
exi
onandapant
y
dr
oppi
ngsmil
e.
Shewal
kedr
oundt
ohi
sdoorandgoti
n.
“
Sowher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Theodorashy
lysmil
ed.Hehadadeepr aspyv oi
ce
thatmadehercli
tvi
brat
e.Shefel
tembarrassed,t
his
wasat ot
alst
ranger
,shedidn’
tev
enknowhi m.
“
Byt
hebusst
op.
”
“
Wher
edoy
oust
ay?
”
Sheshookherheadmakinghi
mlaughadeep
l
ethar
gicki
ndoflaugh.
“
DoIscar
ey ou?Ithoughtaft
ert
ell
i
ngy
oumyname
y
ouwouldfeelcomfortabl
e.”
“
Idon’
t.
”
“
Ok,
Iwon’
tpush.Sowher
ecanIdr
opy
ouof
f.
”
Theyhadal
readypassedt
hebusst
op.
“
Aft
ert
her
obot
.”
“
Ok,
soIam st
il
lwai
ti
ngf
ory
ourname.
”
“
Theodor
a.”
Hedrov
ethr
oughthegreentr
aff
icli
ghtandstopped
ont
hebusstop.“
Well
,nicemeeti
ngy ouTheodora.
”
Shegotof
fthecar
.“Thanky
ou.
”
Shewat chedthecardri
veofffeel
ingstupi
dfornot
tel
li
ngjustwhereshestays.Atinyvoi
ceattheback
ofherheadr emindedherofAgangasacombi e
stoppedforher.Shewalkedtowardsitandputon
herearphoneslist
eni
ngtoherfavori
tesongs.
Assoonasshegothome,shetookalongshower
bef
orechangi
ngi
ntoherpaj
amasandget t
ingunder
cov
erswatchi
ngTV.Herphonerang.
“
Yaone,
”
“
Heylove,t
her
eisasmal
lbusi
nesspar
ty,
wher
ear
e
y
ou,Ineedcompany
.”
“
Iam homei
nmywar
m bl
anket
s.”
“
Sti
l
lcr
yingf
ort
hej
ob?
”
“
No.
”
“Li
ar.Thi
swil
lcheery
ouupthoughi
twi
l
lbev
ery
bori
ng.Getr
eadyIam comi
ng.”
Theodorapull
edt heduvetoverherheadforafew
secondsandscr eamed.Shegotof fbedandopened
herwardrobe.Shewassur eeveryonewasgoingto
bewear i
ngelegantclothes.Shetookoutherblack
eveninggownwi t
hav entthatst
artathermidthigh
withsomebl acksti
l
et t
os.Sheputt hem ont
hen
brushedherweav ebef or
eslowlydoinghermakeup.
Yaonearriv
edasshespr ayedthesetti
ngsprayon
herface.
“
Hey
!”
Theodor
agr
abbedherpur
seandsmi
l
ed.“
Am Iok?
”
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.Let
’sgo.
”
Yaonewal
kedoutl
eadi
ngTheodor
atohercar
.
“
Iam l
ate.
”
Shemut teredalr
eadyrever
sing.Shegoti
nt heroad
thenspedof fwhil
eTheodoraputonhersi tbelt
.A
whil
elater,Yaoneparkedthecarandsteppedoutof
thecarwi t
hTheodora.Togethertheywal
kedi nsi
de
thevenue.Anushergr eet
edt hem gi
vi
ngthem each
aglassofchampagne.
“
Wow!
”
YaonesmiledasTheodor
alookedatt
heel
eganceof
thepar
ty.
“
Staywi
thmeandy
ouwi
l
lseet
hewor
ld.
”
Theodoratookasipoft hechampagnelooking
around.Hereyesstoppedonhim,sheknewhi m,hi
s
smile.Hewast al
ki
ngt oothermeninchicsuit
s.
“Oht
hat?Thati
sChri
sti
anMwanza.Hei
sfr
om
Zambi
aandohi shegoodl
ooki
ng!
”
“
Hest
aysher
e?”
“
Yes.Hewor
ksher
e.Mr
.Bi
gshot
.”
Hetur
nedandthei
reyesmet.Theodoraquickl
y
l
ookedawayandtur
nedgiv
inghim herback.
“Ohshi
t!Heiscomingher
e.DoIl
ookok?Ihave
beendyi
ngforthi
smomenteversi
ncehestar
ted
worki
nghere.
”
“
Yeah.
”
Theodor
aqui
etl
ydr
ankherchampagne.
“Soy our
efuseaf r
eeli
ftonlyt
ocomet oapartyI
am? ”Hewhisperedfr
om behindTheodor
a.His
breathhi
therneckmaki ngherni
ppl
esharden.She
closedhereyesashemov edcl
oser
.
“
Wemeetagai
n,Theodor
a.”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#38

Theodor
asummonedallherconf
idenceandt
urned
wit
hasmi l
e.Shei
nhal
edhiscol
ognesmi l
i
ng.
“
Hi.
”
“
Hi,
Iam notgoi
ngt
orunar
ound,
Iam happyt
osee
y
ouher
eTheodora.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Youar
easmoot
htal
ker
.”
Hel
aughed.“
Ist
hatacompl
i
ment
?”
Yaonecl
ear
edhert
hroatmaki
ngTheodor
atur
nto
her
.
“
Mr.Mwanza,
”shesai
dwi
thasmi
l
e.
“
Hi,
Ihav
eseeny
ouar
ound.
”
“
Yes,wehav
epassedeachot
hermor
ethanmany
t
imes.
”
Hesmi l
ed.“HadIknowny ouhadsuchabeaut
if
ul
fr
iend,
Iwouldhavetalkedtoyou.
”Hetur
nedto
Theodora.“
Wannagot otherooft
op?”
“
Um y
eah.
”
Hetookherglassofwi neandhandedi ttoausher
whowaspassi ngthent ookherhandintoher
s
l
eadinghertotheelevator.Theodor
aturnedt
olook
atYaonewhowasj uststari
ngatthem.Theygotin
thel
iftandt
hedoor sclosedwhi l
eheturnedt
oher.
“
So…wher
edoy
oust
ay?
”
“
Tlokweng.
”
“
Ist
ayi
nTl
okwengt
oo.
”
“
Real
l
y?”
“
Yes.Icoul
dhav
edr
oppedy
ou.
”
“
Wher
einTl
okwengdoy
oust
ay?
”
“
TlokwengVi
l
lage.
”
Theel
evat
ordoor
sopenedandt
heyst
eppedout
.He
l
edhertoadoorandopeni
ngi
t,t
heyemer
gedont
op
oft
heroof
.
“
Wow!
”
“
Youcanseeal
mostev
ery
thi
ngf
rom upher
e.”
“
Yes.Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
So,
whoi
sTheodor
a?”
Theodorasi
ghedputt
ingherarmsaroundhersel
f.
Chri
sti
antookoffhi
sjacketandputi
toverher
shoul
ders.
“Theodoraisadaughterofsingl
emot herMasedi
Mathare,sheisjustarecept
ioni
statC-SKYhotel
and25y earsold.”
“Ar
eyousingl
e?Thi
sshoul
dhav
ebeent
hef
ir
st
quest
iont
oask.”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Why
?”
“
SoIdon’
tgetmyhopesupf
ornor
eason.
”
“Yes.Iam si
ngl
e.Whataboutyou?For
eigner
s
usuall
yhavewivesbackathome.”
“
No,
Idon’
t.Idon’
thav
eawi
feorachi
l
d.I
t’
sjust
me.
”
“
Ok.Ibel
i
evey
ou.
”
“Good,nowthat
’soutoft
heway
.Doy
ouhav
ea
passport
?”
“No.Ihavenev
erbeenout
sidet
hef
enceof
Botswana.”
“Thatshoul
dbefi
xed.Anyways,
Ihaveaf
riend
getti
ngmarri
eddur
ingtheweekend,
canyoubemy
date?”
“
Wher
e?”
“
InKasane,
wil
lyoucomewi
th?Wewi
l
lbef
lyi
ng.
”
Shesmil
edsl
i
dingherf
inger
sint
hepocket
sofhi
s
j
acket
.
“
Ok.
”
“Good.Theweddi
ngi
sonSatur
daybutyouandIwi
l
l
l
eaveFridayev
eni
ngandcomebackSunday
eveni
ng.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Ili
key
ouTheodor
a,andwear
egoi
ngt
ouset
hat
ti
metoknoweachotherbet
ter
.AndIam goi
ngt
o
ki
ssy
our i
ghtnow.
”
Hecl earlywasaski ngherbutt el
li
ngher.Shecoul
d
tellhewasamanwhol i
kedbeingincontrol
.She
l
ov edhowhedi dn’trunaroundt hebushbutjust
wentst raightt
othepoi nt.Pull
ingherbyherwaist
,
hemov eddownt oherandki ssedher.Shestood
frozenwonder ingwhathewasdoi ngtohermouth
becauseshehadn’ texperiencedsuchbefore.Helet
hergosecondsl aterleavi
ngherwant i
ng.
“
Ithi
nkIam goi
ngt
olov
edoi
ngt
hat
.”
Theodor
alookedathi
m wi
thasmi
l
e.“
Youdon’
t
haveanaccent.
”
Hechuckled.“NoIdon’
t.MamakeMotswanahel
a
wakoGhanzi .{Mymotheri
saMotswanafr
om
Ghanzi
.}
”
“
Yourf
atheri
stheonewhoi
sfor
eign?
”
“Yes.Istay
edher
eful
lti
megr owi
ngupbutwas
alwayswenttoZambi
aev er
yschool
hol
idayatt
he
vil
lage.
”
“
Yourf
athermustbest
ri
ct.
”
“
Hei
s.Doy
oust
il
lwantt
ost
ay?
”
Shelookedaroundandnodded.“
No,
Ihav
etogot
o
worktomorrow.”
Het ookherhandandledherbacki
nsi
de.Ast
hey
j
oinedt hecr
owd,Theodora’
seyesr
ummaged
aroundsearchi
ngforYaonewhowasnotanywher
e
tobef ound.
Outsi
detheygoti
ntheFor
tunerandheimmedi
atel
y
drovet
oherhousewherehedroppedheri
nfr
ontof
thegate.
“
Thanky
ouf
ordr
oppi
ngmeof
f.
”
“Youar ewelcome,Iwil
l pi
ckyouuponFr i
day.”He
saidleaningoverandkissi
ngherchin.Theodora
steppedoutoft hecarandpushedthegat eopen.
Christi
anonlydroveawaywhenshecl osedthegate.
Wi t
hahi ghschoolgir
lsmileshewalkedtoherroom
wher eYaonewasst andinginfr
ontofhercar.
“
Ihav
ebeenwai
ti
ngf
ory
ou.
”
Theodor
alookedatYaone.“
Hey
,youl
eftear
ly.
”
“
Yes.Canwet
alk?
”
“
Ofcause.
”
Yaonest
oodup.“
Doy
ouwantChr
ist
ian?
”
“
Hei
sni
ce.
”
“Pl
easest
ayawayf
rom Chr
ist
ianbecauseIl
i
ke
him.
”
Theodor
apaused.“
What
?”
“
StayawayChr
ist
ianbecauseIl
i
kehi
m.”
“
YaoneIl
i
kehi
mtoo.Imethi
m ear
li
eron.
”
“Can’
tyoudothi
sonethi
ngforme,
pleaseIam
beggingy
ou.Cal
lhi
m andtel
lhi
mtostayawayfr
om
you.”
“
Idon’
thav
ehi
snumber
.”
“St
oplyi
ngTheodora.Il
ovehi
m,can’
tyou
under
standt
hat?”
Theodor
alookedi
ntohert
ear
ful
eyessadl
y.
“
Iam sor
ry.Idon’
thav
ehi
snumber
.”
Yaonesnat
chedTheodor
a’spur
se.“
Yout
hinkIam
j
oking,Theodor
ay ouar
egoingtodelet
ehisnumber.
IhaveknownChr i
sti
anforovert
womont hsnow,I
don’tcar
eifyouhavemetearli
eron.
”
YaonetookoutTheodor
a’sphonef
rom t
hepur
se
andtr
iedunl
ockingi
t.
“
Giv
ememyphoneYaone.
”
“
No!
”
Theodor
atri
edgr
abbi
ngherphonebutYaone
pushedher
.
“
Yaone,
giv
ememyphone.
”
“
Delet
ehisnumber,whyarey
ousuchawhor e?But
whatcanIsay
?Likemotherl
ikedaught
er.
”
Theodoraangr i
lysl
appedYaonehar
dacrossthe
face.“Nextti
mey ouinsul
tmymother,
Iwil
ldomore
thanjustslapyou.”
“
Tryi
t.Tr
yitandsee.
”
Theodorat
ri
edsl
appingheragai
nbutYaonehel
d
herhandandsl
appedher.“
Theodor
adon’tt
ryme,I
sai
d,del
etehi
snumber.”
“
Letgoofme.Hedoesn’
tev
enwanty
ou.
”
“Youmustt
hinkIam Anaya,
todayIam goi
ngto
showyouIam not.Isai
ddel
etehi
snumber.”
YaonepushedTheodor
ahardthatshel
ostbal
ance
fal
l
ingandsprai
nedherankl
e.Shegotontopof
Theodor
aandslappedheragai
n.
“
Whati
sthepasswor
d?”
“Tl
hemmaYaonewampol
oya.{
Yaoney
ouar
e
hur
tingme.
}”
“Monyana,passwor
dkemang?{
Gir
l,whati
sthe
password?
} ”
“
IswearIdon’
thav
ehi
snumber
.”
Yaonesl
appedheragaint
hengotof
fher
.“Youdon’
t
knowwhoIam Isee.”
Shet hrewTheodor a’sphoneagai nstonthe
pavementhar dt hatthebatteryandphonecov er
cameof fasthescr eencracked.Shegotinhercar
anddr oveoffleavingTheodor astruggl
i
ngtost and
whilehernosebl ed.Shepi ckedherphonefrom the
groundt oget
herwi thbatt
er yandphonecov erand
walkedi
nsi
det
hehousehol
dingt
hebr
idgeofher
nose.
Awhi l
el atert hebleedinghadst opped, shewashed
herf acebef orecleaningherbloodont hepav ement
outside.Herheadachedt hatitf el
tasi fi
twas
crackingi nt ot wohalves.Shest illcoul
dn’tbeliev
e
Yaonehadbeatherandwor sef oramanwhowasn’ t
evenher s.Get t
ingbackinsidet hehouse, shesaton
herbedput tingbackt hebatteryi nherov erly
crackedSamsung, shewonder edi fitwasgoi ngto
funct i
onpr oper l
y.Sheswi t
chedi tont henswi ped
thescr eenacoupl eoft i
mesbef oreitunlocked.She
patientlyty pedamessage.
Theodor
a:Iam goi
ngt
orepor
tyouforbreaki
ngmy
phoneandbeat
ingmeupthentel
lChri
sti
an.Youar
e
goi
ngtosleepi
nacell
fort
heweekend.*
Sheputherphonedownt henlai
dherachi
nghead
onthepi
ll
owcl osi
nghereyes.Herphoner
anga
secondl
aterandsheanswered.
“
Whatdoy
ouwantYaone?Iam goi
ngtorepor
tyou
t
omorr
owmor
ning.Iam goi
ngt
owai tf
ormyfaceto
swel
lthenreporty ou.From thereIwi
llt
ellChri
sti
an
andhewill
r eportyouf orharassi
nghisgir
lfr
iend.
Youaregoingt olosey ourli
ttl
ejobtr
ustme.”
“Iam sorr
y.TheodoraIjustwantyoutost ayaway
from hi
m.Please,Iam beggingyou.Ilov
ehi m.
”She
beggedtearful
ly.“
IknowIshouldhav enotharassed
you,Iam sorry
.”
Theodor
asadl
ykeptqui
et.
“
Please,
justst
ayawayfrom hi
m.Ilovehi
m.Hei
s
t
heoneIhav ebeent
ell
i
ngy ouabout.
”
At
earr
andownhercheek.“
Ili
kehi
mtoo.
”
“
Iknowbutplease,
can’
tyouj
ustdot
hisonet
hing
f
orme, pl
ease.Iwi
l
lbuyyouanewphone
t
omorrow.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Wil
lyoust
ayawayf
rom hi
m?”
Shekeptqui
etf
oracoupl
eofseconds.“
Yes.
”
“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”
“
Bri
ngmyphonet
omor
rowonl
uncht
ime.
”
“
Ok.
”

*
***
*

Sar
onawatchedherhusbanddr
essi
nthemor
ning
whi
leshesatonthebed.
“
Pul
e,
”
Hel
ookedatherf
ixi
nghi
sti
e.
“
Ilookedf
oraj
ob.
”
Hef
rownedl
ooki
ngather
.“Youwhat
?”
“
Ilookedf
oraj
ob.
”
“
Wher
e?”
“
AtNay
aCat
ers.
”
“
Whyam If
indi
ngaboutt
hisnow?
”
Shest
oodup.“
PuleIam ti
redofst
ayingathome.I
wantt
oworkli
keotherwomentoo.”
“
Am Inott
aki
ngcar
eofy
ou?
”
“
Youar
ebut
-“
“Butwhat
?Icant
akecareofmyf ami
l
y.Ther
eisno
needfory
outoworkbecauseIcanaf
for
dmywi f
e.”
“
IknowbutIwantt
owor
k.Iwantt
odoot
hert
hings
f
ormysel
ftoo.
”
“
Iam notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thy
ou.
”Hegr
abbedhi
sjacket
.
“Pule,Idi
dn’
tgotoschool
formet
osi
tdoi
ng
nothingtheent
ir
eday.”
“Youtakecar
eofourf
ami
l
ySar
onawhi
l
eIwor
kfor
us.”
“
Pul
e…”
“Youwil
lwor
kwhenIam dead!Til
lthenthisi
sthe
l
astti
mewear edi
scussi
ngthi
s.Idon’tneedany
helpt
aki
ngcareofmywife.
”
Heki
ssedher
.
“
Iwi
l
lseey
oul
ater
.”
HewalkedoutwhileSaronasatont
hebedhol
ding
hert
ears.Herphonerang.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Ishegone?
”
Shebr
okedowni
ntoal
oudsob.
“
Babe?What
’swr
ong?
”
“
Hewon’
tletmewor
k.”
“
Shhh,
Iam comi
ng,
wher
ear
etheki
ds?
”
“
Sti
l
lsl
eepi
ng.
”
“
Ok,
Iam comi
ng,
stopcr
ying.Ok?
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungupandsherubbedhertear
s.Shepat
ient
ly
wai
tedandwhenshefi
nall
ylethi
min,hewas
hol
dingt
hreer
oses.
“
Take,
”
Shet
ookt
hem andsni
ff
edt
hem.
“
Theyar
efr
esh,
wher
edi
dyoust
eal
them?
”
“Ij
umpedthewal
landst
olet
hem f
rom my
nei
ghbor
.”
Thewayhesai
ditmadehersmi
l
e.
“
Thanks.
”
Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
.“Il
i
key
oursmi
l
e.”
Sar
onabl
ushed.“
Come.
”
Shel
edhimt
otheguestr
oom wheret
heysatont
he
bedwhi
l
eshetol
dhi
m whatPulehadsai
d.
“Ifeel
li
keonl
yaweakandi nsecuremanwi l
ldeny
hiswifefr
om wor
king.Imean,Iper
sonall
ypref
eran
i
ndependentwoman.WhenIsawy ou,t
hatsmart
dressandheelst
urnedmeon.”
“Idon’
tknowwhatIshoul
ddo.Anay
asaidIshould
dropbyherof
fi
cetodayandpi
ckupthepart
nershi
p
deed.”
“
Anay
a?”
“Yes.Shesai
dwecanbebusi
nesspar
tner
sinher
cateri
ngcompany
.”
“
Thatwasni
ceofher
.”
“
Iknow.Ij
ustwantt
owor
kanddot
hingsf
or
mysel
f.
”
“
Thendoi
t.
”
“
Pul
ewi
l
l-
“
“Babe,doit
.Wheny oudie,y
ouwilldi
ealoneandyou
wil
lleavenothi
ngbehind.I
fyouwanttodoi t
,doi
t
now.Pulewillbemadbuthewi l
lgetoverit
.
Remember ,youar
enotdoingthi
sf orPul
ebutfor
yoursel
f.I
fhecan’tsuppor
tyouthenheisadouche
ofahusband. ”
“
Iam scar
ed.
”
“
Youhavenothi
ngt
obescaredabout.Remember
,
t
hisi
sforSar
onanotPul
e.I
t’
sforyoubabe.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Iam goi
ngt
obeabusi
nesswoman.
”
“
That
’smygi
rl
.Ihav
etogonow.
”
Shelookedathi spant
sandsqueezedherl egs.She
hadbeenhopi ngforali
ttl
esomethingbutnowhe
wasleav i
ng.Shewantedhim sobadespeci al
l
yaf t
er
thehalfjobPulehaddonewhenshewokeup.Hi s
phoner angandshewat chedhi
mt akeitoutofhis
pocketthensli
deitback.Sheburnedwithcuriosi
ty
wantingtoknowwhohewasi gnoring,
wasi this
gir
lf
ri
end?
Heki
ssedherhar
dthenopenedt
hedoor
.
“
Agang,
wai
t.
”
Hetur
nedtoher
.Hewasonlyfucki
ngher,
sheknew
t
hatbutherj
eal
ousydi
dn’
tunderst
andt
hat.
“IknowyouandIarejusthav
ingsexbutIwantt
o
knowify
ouar eseei
ngsomeone.”
Hecl
osedt
hedoorl
ooki
ngather
.“Andwhywoul
dI
dot
hat?
”
“
Formyownsaf
ety
.”
“
Ify
ouarewor
ri
edaboutdi
seases,
rel
ax.Condom i
s
mymiddl
ename.
”
Sheknewt
hat
,heev
encar
ri
edonear
ound.
“
Soy
oudohav
eagi
rl
fr
iend?
”
Hesmi l
edthenkissedheropeni
ngherrobexposi
ng
hernakedness.Hepushedheronthebedunzippi
ng
herpantswhil
esheopenedherlegswide.

*
***
*
Anayasmil
edasshewal
kedar
oundt
hehousewi
th
thel
andl
ord.
“
Ireal
l
yli
kei
t.
”
Thelandl
ordsmiled.“Iam glad,Ihavejustrenovat
ed
i
twiththeint
ent
iont ostayinitbutIgott r
ansferr
ed
toMolepsandIwi l
lbest ay
ingint hecompany ’s
house.
”
“Iloveit
.Iwi
l
lbeher
ewi
thmyMot
herandt
wo
sibli
ngs.”
“I
t’
sok, si
nceyouhavealr
eadysentt
hemoney,I
broughtyouthi
s.”Thel
andlor
dhandedhert
he
housekey s.
“
Thanky
ouMr
s.Mol
efe.
”
“
Noy
out
hanky
ouAnay
a.”
Theybot
hwalkedoutwhil
eAnay
alockedbehindher.
Mrs.Mol
efegoti
nhercaranddr
oveoffwhil
eAnay a
goti
nhercarwit
hherphoneonherear
.
“Hel
l
o?”Afemalevoi
ceanswer
eder
asi
ngAnay
a’s
smil
eimmediat
ely
.
Shepausedt
hencheckedt
heCal
l
erI
Dbef
ore
put
ti
ngt
hephonebackonherear
.
“
Whoam Ispeaki
ngt
o?”Anay
aaskedcal
mly
.
“
Rebaone,Mr
.Mokwena’
sPA,heiscur
rent
lyi
na
meet
ing,y
oucanl
eaveamessage.”
“Si
ncewhendoy
ouanswery
ourbossesphone
cal
ls?
”
“Iam sor
rymam butIam v
erybusy
,ify
ouhav
e
nothi
ngtosayIwil
lhangup.”
Shesaidthenhungup.Anay al
aughedlooki
ngather
phoneinsurpr
ise.Sheputherphonebetweenher
l
egsstart
ingtheenginethendrov
eout.Herphone
rangaminutelater
.
“
Hey
,Iwasi
nameet
ing.
”
“
YourPAnowanswer
syourcal
l
s?”
“
Shedoesi
tmostoft
het
imewhenIam busy
.”
“
Tel
lhert
onev
eranswermycal
l
s.”
Hel
aughed.“
Babe,
it’
shar
mless.
”
“
Idon’
twantheranswer
ingmycal
l
sMi
guel
.”
“
Ok.Any
thi
ngel
se?
”
Sher
oll
edherey
es.“No.If
oundahouse.Iam onmy
wayt
obroadhur
stnow.”
“
Wher
edi
dyouf
indt
hehouse?
”
“
Phaset
wo.I
t’
sat
hreebedr
oom house.
”
“
Whendoy
ouwantt
omov
e?”
“
Today,
now.Ical
l
edFur
nit
uresandt
heywi
l
ldel
i
ver
l
atet
oday.
”
“
Iwil
lar
rangef
orat
ruck.Any
thi
ngel
sey
ouneed
f
rom me?”
“
Idon’twantAIDS,t
odaywast helastt
imegoingto
t
hecli
nictotestal
lbecauseyoucan’tseem t
ohold
y
ourself
,apartf
rom t
hat,no,
thereisnothi
ngIwant
f
rom you.”
Hesi
ghed.
“Canwegooutf
ordi
nner
,toni
ght
.”
“
Okay
.”
“Iwi
l
lpickyouupf
rom t
henewhouse,
sendmet
he
addr
ess.”
“
Shar
p.”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
“
Mhmm.
”

*
***
*

Rachellookedatherphonef eel
ingtheur getocal l
Lone.Theirlastconv ersat
ionmadehercr i
nge,she
knewsheshoul dn’
thav etalkedtoheronl yfri
endl i
ke
thatbutatthesamet i
mef elti
twast imeshet old
her.Hernegat i
vit
ygott oomucht hatRachel couldn’t
dealwithitanymor e.Shelookedatherphoneone
mor eti
mebef orepi cki
ngitupanddi ali
ngLone’ s
number .
“
Rachel
.”
“
Hey
,Ihear
dwhathappened.Iam r
eal
l
ysor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Rachel
keptqui
etnotknowi
ngwhatt
osayany
mor
e.
“
RachelIam sor
ryaboutwhatIsai
d,i
t’
sonl
ythatI
wantyoutobecaref
ul.
”
“
Iknow,
Iam sor
ryt
oo,
forwhatIsai
d.”
“Nowthatweareov
erthat
,canyoucomeby?Iam
homeandy ouwoul
dn’
tbel
ievewhoisst
ayi
ngwit
h
me.”
“
Who?
”
“
Amant
le.
”
“
What
?”
“
Shel
ostherj
ob.Iwasassur
pri
sed.
”
“
Wonder
sshal
lnev
erend.
”
Theyl
aughed.“
Iknow.
”
“
Iam onmywayr
ightnow.
”
“
Ok.
”
Rachel
hungt
hencal
l
edherhusband.
“
Ken,Iam goi
ngt
ovi
sitLone.It
hinkIwi
l
lbet
her
e
t
heentir
eday.
”
“
Ihav
esomet
hingt
otel
lyou.
”
“
What
?”
Hesi
ghed.“
Isl
eptwi
thLone,
waybef
oreImety
ou.
”
“
What
?”
“Wewer esleepi
ngtoget
herf
orawhil
ethenwe
brokeup.Ididn’
tev
enknowy ouwer
efri
endswi
th
her.
”
“
Thenwhydi
dn’
tyout
ell
me?
”
“If
oundoutafterawhi
letooandwhenIdi
d,I
panicked.Wewereget
ti
ngmar r
ied.
”
“
Aft
ert
hat
?”
“
Idi
dn’
tthi
nki
tmat
ter
edaf
tert
hat
.”
“
Soshewascheat
ingony
ourcousi
nwi
thy
ou?
”
“
Yes,
sor
tof
.Theywer
enott
oget
her
.”
“
Ican’
tbel
ieveyoukeptt
hisawayfrom me.It
hought
weweretr
ansparentwi
theachother.May
bewe
madeamistake.
”
“
Rachel
…don’
tsayt
hat
.”
Tear
ssur
facedwhil
ehervoicebroke.“
Whatdoy
ou
wantmetosay?Ican’
tbel
ievethi
s.”
“
Ilov
eyousomuch.
”
Rachelhungup.Sheputonhershoest hengrabbed
hercarkeysandwal kedt ohercar.Wi t
hherhear t
poundingandherphoner i
nging,shespedt oLone’s
house.Arri
ving,shepressedherhoot erthenthegate
opened.Shedr oveandimmedi atelygotoffheading
tothedoor.Loneopenedt hedoorwi t
hasmi l
eas
Rachelapproached.Lookingather ,Rachelfel
tanger
escal
atingrecall
ingHowLonehadbeensonegat iv
e.
”
Soy
ousl
eptwi
thmyhusband,
Lone?
”
.
.
.
TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#39

“
Ithappenedl
ongt
imeagoRachel
.”
Rachelchuckl
ed.“
Andy oudi
dn’
tfeel
itwas
necessaryf
ormet oknow?”
“
Idi
dn’
twantt
orui
nthi
ngsf
ory
ou.
”
“
Youareawi
tchLone!Andher
eIt
houghtwewer
e
f
ri
ends.
”
“
Weare,Idi
dn’
twantt
orui
nthi
ngsfory
ouandei
ther
way
,Kennet
handIwereamist
ake.
”
“
YoucheatonMi
guel
wit
hhi
scousi
n,y
ouar
ea
whor
e!”
“
Rachel
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Mxm, whyam Iev enbothered?Kennet
hi smy
husband,letmecat chyouany wher
enearhim, Iwil
l
sueyou.Nev ercal
l meagain!NowIdon’tblame
Miguelfornotwant i
ngyouback.Nowt hatyourlit
tl
e
dir
tisgone, hewi l
lneverlookatyouagain,f
orget
himtakingy ouback. ”
Shet
urnedbackt
ohercaranddr
oveof
f.

*
***
*

Theodor
aknockedonAnay
a’sdoorj
ustaf
terl
unch.
“
Comei
n.”
Shetookadeepbreathandwalkedi
n.Anay
alooked
upfr
om thecomputerandst
aredather.
“Thi
scameinfory
ou.
”Sheputt
hepackageon
Anaya’
stabl
e.
“
Thanks.
”
Theodor
anoddednotl
ooki
ngi
nherey
es.
“
Whathappenedt
oyourf
ace?
”
“
Ihadaf
ightwi
thYaone.
”
Anay
afr
owned.“
Youaunt
’ssecondbor
ndaught
er?
”
“
Yes…”Shesi
ghedr
emor
sef
ull
y.“
Anay
aIam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Theodor anoddedandwal kedout.Shewasmor e
thanashamedoft hefactt
hatshehadwant edto
sleepwi thherfr
iend’
sman.Nowt hatshet houghtof
i
t,ev enifMiguelhadtocheat
,itwouldn’
tbewi tha
girlherstat
us.Shewentbackt othefrontdeskand
satnextt oTsohle.
Twoworker
swalkedpastt
hem l
aughi
ng,Theodor
a
wasnowsuret
heywerelaughi
ngather
.Shehad
not
icedt
hest
areswhenshewal
kedi
nthemor
ning.
“
Whyarepeopl
elaughi
ng?I
sitbecauset
heyt
hinkI
wasf
ir
edorwhat?”
“
Arey
ouont
hewhat
sappgr
oupt
heycr
eat
ed?
”
Theodor
alookedatTsohl
einconf
usi
on.“
No.
”
“
Theyar
esayi
ngthatyouwant
edMr
.Mokwenaand
t
hat
’swhyhef
iredyou.
”
“
What
?That
’sst
upi
d.”
“Iknow.That
’swhyIl
eftt
hegroup.It
’sfunnyhow
grownuppeoplecanbebehav
inglikethis”
“
Thanksf
ort
ell
i
ngme.
”
“Nobi
ggi
e,Imean,youworkingforMr
.Mokwenawi
l
l
dowonder
sforyourref
erence.
”
“
Iknow,
itwasagoodexper
ience.
”
Shestart
edsorti
ngoutsomef il
estry
ingnott
oget
bother
ed,itwasasil
lymatteraf
teral
l.Shej
ust
hopedshewoul dgetthenewjobshehadappliedf
or.
“
Hel
l
o,”
TheodoralookedupandYaonesmil
ed.“
Ibrought
youthi
s.”SheputtheSamsungpl
asti
cinfr
ontofher
.
Theodoraopenedi
tandtookoutt
hebox.Itwasn’
t
herphonebutaevenbet
terandexpensi
veone.
“
Tsohl
ecov
erf
orme,
Iwi
l
lbebacki
nasecond.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shestoodupandwalkedoutt
oYaone’
scarwher
e
theybot
hsteppedi
nside.
“
Thi
sisnotmyphone.
”
“
Iknow,Iam r
eal
l
ysorr
yforwhathappened
y
ester
day.I
twasver
ychil
dishofme.”
“
It
’sok.
”
“
YouandIar
erel
ati
ves,
weshoul
dn’
tfi
ghtov
erpet
ty
i
ssues.
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Andt
hanky
ouf
oragr
eei
ngt
okeepy
ourdi
stance.
”
“
Ihav
etobackt
owor
k.”Theodor
aopenedt
hedoor
.
“
Ofcause,
Iwi
l
lcal
lyousot
hatmay
bey
oucancome
ov
ert
omyhousedur
ingt
heweekend.
”
‘
Ok.
”
Theodorast
eppedoutandqui
ckl
ywal
kedback
i
nsidethehot
elandsatdown.
“
Thi
sisar
eal
l
yni
cephone.
”Tsohl
esai
dadmi
rabl
y.
“Yesi
tis.Howdoy
ousetar
est
rai
ningor
deragai
nst
someone?”
“Justgotot
hepol
i
ce,
Iam sur
etheywi
l
ltel
lyout
he
procedur
e.Why
?”
Theodor
at ookouthersi
m car
dandputi
tint
henew
phonebeforeswit
chingi
tonandbl
ocki
ngYaone.
“
Iwantsomeonet
ost
ayf
arawayf
rom me.
”

*
***
*

Anayasubmi
tt
edherr
esumeatt
hebankemai
l
addr
ess.
“
Lor
dpl
easel
etmegetcal
l
edf
orani
nter
view.Thi
s
myt
ent
hti
meappl
yi
ng.
”
Sheclosedthetabthenshutdownt hecomputer
standi
ngup.Shestoleatgl anceatherwatchand
quickl
ypackedherthings.Mi guel
wasgoingto
comeatsev en.Shewal kedoutandmadeherwayt o
theparki
nglot.
“
Hey
,”
Anayatur
nedtoaman,shehadseenhim ar
oundt
o
knowheworkedi
nthehotelbutdi
dn’
tknowhis
name.
“
Hi.
”
“I
’
m Alan,
youdr
oppedt
his.
”Hehandedhera
busi
nesscar
d.
Anayacaref
ull
ylookedatitandrol
l
edhereyes,
l
ookingup,hewasal r
eadygett
ingi
nhiscar.She
thr
ewhisbusinesscardonthegroundandunlocked
hercar
.Getti
ngin,shestar
tedthei
gnit
ionandsped
tothenewhouse.
Minut
eslat
ersheparkedhercarinf
rontoft
he
houseandexci
tedl
ywalkedinsi
de.
“Anay
a!Ihav
emyownroom.
”Let
haboscr
eamedas
soonasshewal
kedi
n.
“
Yeah,
doy
oul
i
kei
t?”
“
Ilov
eit
.Ihav
emyownbed!
”
Anayasmi l
edl
ookingatt hefullsi
tt
ingroom.She
hadfinal
l
yboughtthef ur
nitureshehadbeensav i
ng
for
.Shequickl
ywalkedt otheki t
chenandsi ghed
l
ookingatthedoubledoordi spensaryf
ridge,the
microwaveandfourplatestove.
“
Thankyoumygi
rl
.”Hermot
hersai
djoi
ningheri
n
t
hekit
chen.
“
MamaIdi
dit
.”
“
Yesy
oudi
d.”
“
DoesAy
anal
i
kei
t?”
“
Yes,
shedoes.Iwil
lbesl
eepi
ngwi
thher
.Youneed
y
ourownpri
vacy.
”
“
Iwi
l
lsl
eepwi
thher
,Idon’
tmi
nd.
”
Hermothershookherhead.“
No,youaretoool
dto
beshar
ingrooms.Andy ouwil
lbeusi
ngthemain
bedr
oom,
nonegot
iat
ions.
”
“
Ok.
”
Anay
awal kedoutoftheki
tchentoanot
herr
oom
andfoundAyanasit
ti
ngont hebed.
“
Hey
,howdoy
oul
i
ket
hehouse?
”
Ayanasmi
l
ed.“
Ili
kei
t.Lal
ahsai
dshei
sgoi
ngt
o
vi
sit
.”
Anayasatbesi deher.“Shecanvisi
tifshel
ikes.I
wast hi
nkingthatItr
ansf ery
ou.Youknow, t
o
anotherschool.Apri
v ateschool
.Nextyearin
Januaryyouwi ll
gotoanewschool .Wouldyouli
ke
that
?”
Ay
anashr
ugged.“
Isn’
titexpensi
ve?
”
“Yesiti
sbutIcanaf
fordi
t.It
hinkanew
envi
ronmentwil
lbegoodforyouandLethabo.
”
“Youcant r
ansferme, butnottoapr i
vateschool.I
knowt hi
shousei sexpensiveandy ouarest i
ll
buil
dingbackhomet ooandont opoft hat,
y ouhave
mama’ shospit
albil
lstopay .Youwi l
lbeleftwith
nothi
ngifyoutransfermet oapr i
vateschool ,
eit
her
way
,Il
i
kegov
ernmentschool
s.”
“Ialsowanttogot oagov ernmentschool
.”Lethabo
chippedinwalki
ngi nsi
de.“IwanttogotoMasa
PrimaryschoolbecauseOar abi
lei
stransf
erri
ng
there.
”
“Ok,t
henit
’ssor
ted.Ther
eisaschoolnexttoLegae
Academy.Ajuni
orschool
.Iwi
lll
ookforplacement
ther
eAyana.”
“
Ok.
”
Anay awalkedoutt oherroom andsi ghed.Itfel
tli
ke
adr eam hav i
ngherownr oom wi thanensui te.She
l
ookedatherbagsont hefloorandpushedt hem i
n
thecloset.Shewoul dhir
esomeonet oorgani ze
everythi
ngt omor r
ow.Anay al ookedatt het i
met hen
bathedbef oretakingoutthedr essandshoesMi guel
hadboughther .Sheputont helonggr eenof fthe
shoulderssi l
kydresswi t
hav entthatstartedabov e
hermi dthighwi t
hgr eensandal sthatboost edher
height.Si
ttinginfrontofthemi rror,shefixedher
babyhai r
sandmake- upperfecti
ngherl ook.
Let
habobur
sti
nassheputonherear
ings.
“
Uncl
eMi
guel
isher
eandhebr
oughtmet
his!
”
Anay
alookedatt
hebi
gtoyandsmi
l
ed.
“
That
’sni
ce.
”
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Anay
ast
oodup.“
Thanksmyboy
.”
Shegr abbedherpurseandwalkedout.I
nthesit
ti
ng
room, Miguelwaslaughi
ngwithhermother.He
turnedtoherandhi smouthdroppedopen.Anaya
smi l
edandt wir
ledashestoodup.
“
Mama,
seey
oul
ater
.”
“
OkNay
a.Takecar
e.”
Mi
guel
tookherhandandl
edherout
sidet
ohi
scar
.
“
Youl
ookmor
ethanbeaut
if
ul.
”
Heopenedt
hedoorf
orher
.
“
Thanks.
”
Shegotint
hecarandfixedherdressbeforehe
cl
osedherdoor.Shewatchedhi
m wal kr
oundtoher
doorandcl
imbedinsi
de.Hestart
edt hecarand
r
ever
sedt
hendr
oveof
f.
“
Thi
sisabeaut
if
ulhouse.
”
“
Iti
s.Theki
dsl
ovei
t.
”
“
Youar
eamazi
ng,
didy
ouknowt
hat
?”
Shel
ookedathi
m andsmi
l
ed.“
No.
”
“
Youar
e.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Hedrovetoarest
aur
antandpar
kedbyt
hepar
king
l
otbefor
eleadi
ngheri
nsi
de.
“
Iti
sempt
y…”
Anayawhisper
edast
heywal
kedi
n.Awai
termet
them hal
fway.
“Goodev eni
ngMr
.AndMr
s.Mokwena,
rightt
hisway
please,
”
Theywalkedbehi
ndt hewai tertothepr
ivat
elounge
whereroseshaddecor at
edt heentir
efl
oor.Atabl
e
wassetinthemiddleoft her oom wi
thabottl
eof
wineinthemiddl
eoft het abl
e.Thewaiterwal
ked
awayleavi
ngthem alone.
“
Wow!
”
“
Come,
”
Hel
edhert
othet
abl
ewher
ehepul
l
edoutt
hechai
r
f
orher
.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shesatdownfeeli
ngli
keamoviest
ar.Shehadonl
y
seent
hisinmovies.Mi
guel
satopposi
teher.
“
Ipr
epar
edal
lthi
sfory
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eit
.”
Twowaiter
scamebackwi t
hthei
rfoodandputit
bef
oret
hem.Anay al
ookedatthesushiforami
nute
whi
leMiguelpour
edthem t
hewhitewine.
“
Boi
kany
oyouwantmet
oeatr
awf
ish?
”
“
Iwanty
out
otr
yit
.”
Anayashookherhead.“
Youwantmet
oeatr
aw
fi
sh?
”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Babe,
justr
elaxandt
ryi
t.
”
Shel
ookedatt
hechopst
ickst
henatt
hesushi
agai
n.
“
Nyaar
ra.{
No.
}”
“
Babe…”
“
Heeel
amonnakewena,
war
engner
ra?{
Whatar
e
y
ousayi
ng?
}”
Hest
art
edl
aughi
nghar
d.
“
Don’
tlaugh.Youwantmet
oeatuncookedf
ish?
”
“
Tryit,
Ipromi
seyou,
youwil
ll
ovei
t.Thatwasmy
f
ir
streacti
onwhenIf
ir
stcameacr
ossit,
butaf
terI
t
asted-“
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
otast
ethi
s.Thi
sisuncooked!
”
Helaughedev
enmor
ehi
tt
ingt
het
abl
e.“
Babey
ou
ar
er ur
al.
”
“
Iwoul
drat
herber
ural
thaneatt
his.
”
“Ok,tr
yonet
heni
fyoudon’
tli
kei
t,wegetsomet
hing
else.
”
“
Miguel
Ihaveworkt
omor
row,
whati
fIhav
ea
r
unni
ngstomach?
”
“Youwi
ll
getasickleav
e.”Hegotthechopst
icks
andonesushi
bringi
ngittohermouth.
“
Trustme.
”
Sheswal
lowedhardandslowl
yopenedhermouth.
Heputi
tinsi
dethemouthandslowly
,Anayachewed.
Sheswal
lowedthentookahugesipofherwi
ne.
“
And?
”
“
It
’sf
orwhi
tepeopl
e.”
Miguellaughed.“
Babe,ther
ear
egoingt
obeti
mes
wheny ouwi l
lhavetoescor
tmetosomeev
ents,
whatiftheyservesushi
?”
“Youtel
lthem mygi
rl
fr
ienddoesn’
tli
kei
t.Pl
easeget
usproperfood.
”
“
Ok.
”Hesai
dtr
yingnott
olaugh.

*
***
*

Coll
inwalkedi
nsi
deherparentsbedroom, theywere
bothoutsi
detal
ki
ngtotheneighbors.Shewal kedto
Angel’
scoatbedandslowl
ytookhersl eepi
ng
daughteri
nherarms.Shesmiledasshei nhaledher
sof
tscent
.
Shewalkedoutoft
heirr
oom andstrai
ghtoutsi
de
thr
oughthefr
ontdoorandgotinherfat
her’
s
unl
ockedcarwit
hthekeysinherhandsthenputthe
keyint
heigni
ti
onlocki
ngthedoors.

*
***
*

Bamescroll
edthroughherti
mel i
newit
hasmile.
Shewasreal
lybeauti
ful
.Heclickedonacer
tai
n
pi
ctur
eandsaveditinhisphone.
“
Whoi
sthi
s?”
Hi
syoungerbr
othersnat
chedt
hephonef
rom hi
m.
“
Shi
t!Whoi
sthi
s?”
“Anaya.Whydon’
tyouev
erknocki
npeopl
e’
s
houses?”
“
OhhhAnaya!Wow!Shei
sreal
l
ybeaut
if
ulandoutof
y
ourl
eaguetoo.
”
“
Iwanther
.”
“Shei
stoobeauti
ful
,gi
rl
sli
keherar
est
ressf
ul.She
l
ooksyoungtoo.Shewil
lki
l
lyouwit
hst
ressthisone
Bame.”
“Shejustneedst
obetamedSkar
a.I
fIgether
,Iam
goingtomar r
yherwi
thi
mmediat
eeff
ect.
”
“
Shei
sobv
iousl
ynotsi
ngl
e.”
“
Iknow.Iam goi
ngt
otakeherawayf
rom whoev
eri
t
i
s.Idon’
tcar
e.”
“
Youar
estil
lgoi
ngf or6months.Ther
eisnoway
y
oucanescapethatone.Andnothi
ngguarant
ees
y
ouwil
lcomebackexact l
yaft
er6mont hs.
”
“
Thi
sisst
ressi
ngmeout
.”
“
Youwi
l
lbef
ine.Doy
ouknowherboy
fri
end?
”
“
No,
Idon’
tcar
eabouthi
m.”
Skar
agav
ebackt
hephoneandl
ookedatt
heTV.
“Thegameisst
art
ingwhi
l
eyouar
est
il
lst
ressi
ng
overAnay
a.”
Bameputhi
sphonedownandt ookasi
pofhisbeer
wit
hAnayal
oomingoverhi
sthought
s.Hecoul
djust
fuckher,l
eaveherpr egnantthenwhenhecomes
backhewoul dgethisgi r
l.Hi
ssubconsci ous
remindedhimt hatshehadaboy fri
endbutwi t
hthe
wayhewasbur ningforherhef earedhewoul ddo
j
ustany t
hingtogether ,maybeev eneli
mi nat
ethe
boyfri
end.All
itneededwascar efulpl
anning.

*
***
*

Anay
asmi
l
edasMi
guel
ledheroutoft
her
est
aur
ant
.
“
Ilov
edt
hef
ood.
”
Mi
guel
’
sphoner
ang.Het
ooki
toutandanswer
ed.
“Hel
lo?What?Didyoutr
ylooki
ngforher
?No,don’
t
cal
lthem y
et.Justl
ookforher
.”Hehungupwhil
e
Anayastar
ed.
“
Whati
sit
?”
“
Col
l
indi
sappear
edwi
tht
hebaby
.”
“
What
?”
“
Iam cal
l
ingher
.Appar
ent
lyshei
snotanswer
ing
t
hei
rcal
l
s.”
Hepressedhisphoneforafewsecondsthencal
led
herput
ti
ngt hephoneonloudspeaker
.Sheanswered
aft
erawhile.
“
Boi
kany
o.”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam out
side,
int
hecar
.”
“
Mamai
slooki
ngf
orAngel
.”
“Iknow,Ijustwantedaf ewminut
eswi t
hher.She
won’tletmet ouchmyowndaught eryetsheknowsI
wasn’twell.Thedoctorsai
dIam fi
ne.Ijustwantmy
daughter.
”
“
Iknowbuty
ouhav
etogi
vei
tti
meCol
l
een.
”
“Ij
ustwantmychi
ldBK!Ican’
ttouchherorgo
anywher
enearher
.Ican’
tevenseeher.Mamawon’
t
l
etme!”
“Iwi
ll
talkt
omama, butf
ornow,
goi
nsi
det
hehouse.
Theyareworr
ied.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Iwi
l
lcal
laf
teraf
ewmi
nut
es.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungupwhi
l
eAnay
asi
ghed.
“
Whywon’
ttheyl
ethergetcl
oset
oherdaught
er?
”
“
Theyar
epr
obabl
yjustscar
ed.
”
“
Butshei
sfi
nenow.
”
“
WhenCol l
eenat
tempt
edt
oki
l
lAngel
shel
ooked
j
ustf
ine.
”
“Thati
sint
hepastMi
guel.Shewassick.I
fthe
doctor
ssayshei
sfi
nethensheisfi
ne.”
“
Wej
usthav
etobecar
eful
.
”
“Thi
sistoomuch.Imagi
necomingoutandfi
ndi
ng
yourhusbanddeadandyourownfami
lywon’
teven
havefai
thinyou.
”
“Babe,
mypar ent
sar
edoi
ngwhat
’sbestf
orAngel
andColleen.
”
“
Ok.Canwego,
myf
eethur
t.
”
Theygoti
nthecarandhei
mmedi
atel
ydr
oveof
f
headi
ngtoherhouse.Awhi
l
elat
er,
hepar
kedbyt
he
gateandki
ssedher.
“Iwil
lcomepickyouuptomorrowaft
erIknockof
f.I
alr
eadyaskedyourmotherandshesai
dy es.
”
Anay
asmi
l
e.“
Ok,
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Shegotof
fthecarandopenedt
hegat
ewhi
l
ehe
drov
eaway.

*
***
*

Miguelparkedhiscari nhisgaragestar
ingathis
phonethenf i
nall
yr ever
sedanddr ovetoherhouse.
Halfanhourlater,heparkedhiscarinfrontofher
gateandgotoutoft hecar.Heopenedt hegateand
walkedinsi
det hey ar
d.Softl
y,heknockedonher
door.Hewai t
edf orami nuteortwobeforeshe
fi
nall
yopenedt hedoor .
“
Miguel
…”
“
Hey
,canwet
alk.
”
Shesl
owl
ynodded.“
Yeah,
youcancomei
n.”
Sheopenedthedoorf ur
therf
orhi m.Miguel
wal ked
i
ntry
inghardnottonot i
cetheov ersi
zedshi
rtshe
waswearingthatexposedherlegs.
“
Iam-
“
“No.Iam thesorryone.Ishoul
dhavestay
edaway
.I
hopeIdidn’tcauseconfl
ict
sbetweenyouand
Anaya.”
“No,
AnayaandIar
efi
ne.Ishoul
dbet
heone
apol
ogi
zi
ng.”
Mar
angsmi
l
ed.“
Idon’
tfor
giv
eyou.
”
Mi
guel
laughed.“
Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
“
Comeandsi
tdown.
”
Theywal
kedt
oherl
oungeandsatdown.
“
Iwantachi
l
d.”Shesai
dlooki
ngi
nhi
sey
es.
.
.
.

[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#40

“
What
?”
Shelaughed.“Lookaty ourface!Iam j
oking.Ineed
youtotreatAnay ari
ght.Sheisbeautif
ulandifyou
don’
ttreatherri
ght ,
gir
lslikeherwil
ll
eave.They
won’
tev enhesitateandy ouwilll
iv
etoregretitfor
ther
estofy ourlif
e.Youar eabigshotbutshewi l
l
l
eaveifyoudon’tt r
eatherr i
ght.
”
Hesmil
ed.“
Iknow.Iam goi
ngt
opr
oposeonher
bi
rt
hday
.”
“
When?
”
“
27December
.”
“Good.Sheisagoodwoman.Shecamet omywork
placeandwascivi
lwit
hme.Iwassoshamed
wonderinghowcouldIev
ert
hinkIcancompar
eto
t
hat
.”
“
Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.
”
Maranglaughed.“Iam not
hingbesi
deAnay a.ButI
hopeyouhear dme.Wheny oufaceissues,
don’t
cheat
,solvethem toget
her
.”
“Youarer
ight
.”Hechuckl
ed.“
Whoknewy
ouwoul
d
everbeacounsel
or?
”
Mar
angst
oodup.“
Leav
emyhouseandst
opt
easi
ng
me.
”
“
Thanks.
”Hesai
dst
andi
ngup.
“
Youarewelcome.Letmegi
vey
out
hisf
ri
endl
yhug.
Agoodbyehug.”
Mi guelpul
ledherpetit
ebodyinhisarmsandt hey
heldeachot herf
orawhi le.Hesl
owlyletgothenshe
stoodonhert oesandki ssedhi
m.Shesneakedher
handi nsi
dehispantsandgent l
ymassagedhi m.She
slowlywentdownonherkneesandt ookhi sdickout .
Per pl
exedofwhatt osayordo,Miguelstoodf rozen
tohi sspotasMarangputhi minhermout h.Slowl y
shesuckedhi m,takinghim morei
nhermout ht i
llhe
tappinghert hroat.Mi guelgroanedcl osi nghisey es
grabbingherweav ethenst artedfucki nghermout h,
fastanddeep.Secondsl ater,hepulledherupand
toretheshirtmaki ngthebut tonsscat terallov erher
fl
oor.Hisbr eathcaughtasher eali
zedshehadno
pantieson.Shet urnedandbendedt ouchi nghert oes
withherlegst oget herexposi ngherpussy .Mi guel
closedhisey esf orasecond, itwouldn’ thurtfucking
herforthel asttime.Mar angst oodupandwal kedto
thekitchenandl i
keal ostpuppy ,Miguel fol
lowed
behindher.Shehoppedont hekitchencount ersand
puthersor esont heedgeoft heki t
chencount ers
withherlegswi delyspr ead.Slowlysher ubbedher
pussymoani ng.Hef orasecondt houghtofAnay a
butlookingatMar ang’ spussy ,hisdickgr ewev en
mor eexcit
ed.
Mi
guel
wal
kedov
erandpushedhi
swayi
nsi
deher
.
“
Hol
yfuck!
”
Helookedinhereyesandpoundedi
ntoherwi t
h
deepunfor
givi
ngthrust
.Shebi
therl
owerl i
p
cl
ampingherpussylipsonhi
m.Miguelgroanedas
herpussybecamemor eandmoresweet.He
i
ncr easedhisspeedasMar angbeganshaki ng
screami nghi
snamewhi l
eherey estur
ned.His
phoner angfrom hi
spocketwhi l
ehisbodybegan
tensing.ThethoughtofAnayacal l
i
nghadhi m
slowingdownandt aki
ngitout.Marangstopped
maki ngsoundsasheanswer ed.
“
Babe?
”
“
Hey
,ar
eyouhomeal
ready
?”
“
Yes.Iam home.
”
“Iam comi
ngov
er.Ihav
easur
pri
sef
ory
ou.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lbewai
ti
ng.
”
“
Arey
ouok?Youar
epant
ing.
”
“
Yeah,
Iwaswashi
ngt
hecar
.”
“
Alr
ight
,Iam onmyway
.”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyoumor
e.”
ShehungupandMiguelputhi
sphonedownand
fuckedMar
angforacoupl
esecondsbef
orehef
il
led
herupwhil
eshesoft
lymoaned
“
Wow!
”
Miguelquickl
yst
eppedbackhear
ingAnaya’
svoice
fr
om behindhim.Hetur
nedandlookedatherwhil
e
sheshookherhead.
“
Miguel
,goandwai
tformei
nthecar
.”
Heputhi
sdi
ckbacki
nhi
spant
sandwal
kedout
.

*
***
*

Anayashookwit
hangerasshestaredMarang
getti
ngof
fherki
tchencount
erswit
hMiguel’
ssemen
runni
ngdownherthighs.
“
Howmanyt
imesshoul
dIt
ell
yout
ost
ayawayf
rom
myman?
”
Marangcal
mlysighed.“Anaya,yourmancamehere
onhisown.Idi
dn’tcal
lhim nei
therdidIf
orcehi
mto
sl
eepwithme.Hedi dal
l t
hatonhi sown.
”
Anay
achuckl
ed.“
Youar
eawhor
e!”
“
Inst
eadoff
ight
ing,
Ithi
nkweshoul
dgetal
ongf
or
thesakeofourman.Amanl
i
kehi
m needsnot
hing
butthebest
.”
Anayawal
kedtowar
dsherandsl
appedherhar
d.“
I
tol
dyoutost
ayawayfr
om myman!Howmany
ti
messhoul
dIsayit
?”
Marangtr
iedtoslapAnayabackbutAnay
ahel
dher
handandslappedherevenharder
.
“Today!Iam goi
ngtobeaty
ousohar
dnextt
imey
ou
seehim, hewil
lnotev
entur
n.”
Marangst
eppedback.“
Look,
wear
eal
lgr
ownups
her
eand-“
“
AndIam goi
ngt
obeaty
ou.
”
Marangtr
iedtorunbutshesl
i
ppedandfel
l
.Anay
a
satonhernakedbodyandpunchedhar
donherf
ace.
“Stay.
!”Shepunchedheragai
n.“
Away !
”Marang
blockedherfaceasAnayatri
edtopunchheragai
n
thenpulledherhai
rhar
dthatAnayascreamed.
“
Anay
ast
opi
t!
”
Anayahel
dMarang’sheadandr
epeat
edl
ybanged
herheadont
hefloor.
“
Anay
ast
op!
”
“
Letmyhai
rgo.
”
“
Ok!St
op!
”
Mar
angqui
ckl
yletgoandAnay
agotof
fher
.
“Mi
gueli
snoty
our
sandwear
enotgoi
ngt
oshar
e
any
thi
ng.
”
ShegrabbedMarang’
sweav
ethenst
art
edpul
l
ing.
Marangcriedget
ti
ngup.
“
Anay
apl
ease…y
ouwi
l
lgot
ojai
lfort
his.
”
“
Jai
l
?Mi
guel
wil
lgetmeout
!”
Anayaconti
nueddraggingMarangtothebathr
oom
whereshefoundat ubful
lofwater
.Without
hesit
ati
onsheputMar angwhoseemedweaknow
i
nsidethewaterwhilesheki
ckedtry
ingtofi
ght
.
Secondslat
er,shepull
edherout.
“
Letmecatchyouwi
thmymanagai
n!Iwi
l
lsl
i
tyour
t
hroat
.Bi
tch!
”
Anayapushedherdownandwalkedoutoft
he
bat
hroom l
eavi
ngMar angont
hefloor
.Whenshegot
out
sideMi
guel
qui
ckl
yst
eppedoutoft
hecar
.
“
Babe…”
“
Getbacki
nsi
de.Let
’sgo.
”
Hel
ookedatt
hehouset
henather
.
“
Ok.
”

*
***

AtMi
guel
’
shouse,
Anay
asatont
hebedst
ari
ngat
hi
m.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Tearsf
il
ledherey
es.“
IfIasky
ouwhywi
l
lyou
answerme?”
Hesi
l
ent
lyl
ookedather
.
“
Arey
oual
l
ergi
ctocondoms?
”
“
No.
”
“
Thenwhywon’
tyouuseone?Ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
ogi
ve
meAIDS?
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Anay
ast
oodup.
“Ican’
tdothi
sanymore.Mi
guelwhydoy oukeep
doingthi
s?It
houghtwewerefi
xingt
hings.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Il
ovey
ou.
”
Anayabrokedowncrying.Shef
eltasifaknif
ewas
beingtwi
stedri
ghti
ntoherchestdeeperanddeeper
.
Miguelpul
ledheri
nhisarmswher esheinhal
edher
scent.
“
WhatdoyouwantmetodoMiguel
?Whati
sitt
hat
y
ouwant?Youar
esti
nki
ngher
.”
Hest
eppedbackandt
ookof
fhi
st-
shi
rt
.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Heki ssedhertear
sawayt henfinall
ykissedherwet
l
ips.Het ookoffherpaj
amasl ayingheront hebed
fol
lowedbyherpant i
es.Shecr i
edev enmor eashe
partedherlegsandsunkintoher .Hercri
essl owl
y
tur
nedi ntosof
twhimpersashemadesl owl ovet
o
her.
*
***
*

Theodor
awalkedinsi
deC-
SKYinthemorni
ng
feel
i
ngconf
ident
.Shesatdownandputherhandbag
down.
“
Hey
,youl
ookni
ce.
”
Shesmi
l
edatTsohl
e.“
Thanks.
”
Shesethertabl
ethenswi
tchedonherdesktop.The
phonerangandsheanswereditwhi
l
eTsohleprint
ed
somethi
ng.
“C-
SKYhotel
,goodmor
ning,
howcanwebeaty
our
ser
vice?
”
“
Goodmor
ning.
”
Theodor
a’shear
tski
pped.“
Chr
ist
ian?
”
“
Hey,
soIreali
zedIneveraskedf
ory
ournumber
.Ar
e
west
il
lonfortoday
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Great
!Lastni
ghtIcoul
dn’
tsl
eepwonderi
ngif
maybeyouchangedyourmi
nd.Ial
readyt
oldpeopl
e
Iam br
ingi
ngadat
e.”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Wel
lnowy
oudon’
thav
eto
worrymuch.
”
“
Yes.Icancomepi ckyouupf
rom workorj
ustmeet
y
ouaty ourhouse,
whichdoyoupref
erthemost?
”
“
Youcancomeandpi
ckmeup.
”
“
Whatshoul
dIbr
ingy
ou?
”
Theodor
asmi
l
ed.“
Any
thi
ngi
sfi
ne.
”
“
Ok,
seey
oul
ater
.”
“
Seey
ou.
”
Sheputthephonedownsmil
ing.Shehopedbynow
Yaonehadrecei
vedther
est
raini
ngorder
.
“
HeyTheodor
a,hasAnay
aal
readycomei
n?”
Theodor
alookedatSame.
“
No,
Idoubt
.Tsohl
e,i
sNay
ain?
”
“
No.
”
“Whenshecomes,t
ell
herIwantt
oseeher
.She
ownsacater
ingcompanyri
ght
?”
“
Yes.Iwi
l
ltel
lher
.”
Samewal
kedawayandTheodor
aanswer
edanot
her
cal
l
.

*
***
*

Anayawalkedt
othekit
chenholdi
ngthemor
ning
af
terpi
ll
wi t
hherphoneonherear.
“
Didy
ouunder
standt
hedeed?
”
“
YesIdi
d.”
“
Good.What
’sl
efti
soursi
gnat
ures.
”
“
Iknow,
Ial
readysi
gned.
”
“
Good.
”
“
Howi
syouandMi
guel
?”
“Miguelsl
eptwit
hMarang,agai
n!Iam sohear
t
broken,
Ievencall
edi
nsick.Ihavepuf
fyeyesfr
om
al
l t
hecryi
ng.”
“
Whendi
dhesl
eepwi
thher
?”
“
Yest
erday
.Thenhegotont
opofmeaf
tert
hat
.”
“
Iam sor
ryAnay
a.”
“
Ijustwanttoleavehi
m.Ican’
tbewi
thaper
son
whocan’tbefait
hfult
ome.”
“Ifyouleavet henMar angwi l
lreplaceyou.Men
cheatAnay abutnotbecauset heyloveyoul ess.She
i
spr obablyt aki
ngadv antageoft hefactthathei s
nicetoher .Howwi l
lyouhandl emar ri
ageify oucan’
t
ev enhandlear elati
onship.Youwi lll
eavehimt oday
thenhest artsact i
ngrightwiththenextwoman.You
needt otoughenup, GodknowswhatIhav ebeen
throughwi thPulebutt hereisnowayIwi l
lleavemy
husbandbecausehecheat .
”
“
Sar
onaMi
guel
doesn’
tev
enuseacondom.
”
“Youneedt osithim down.Relat
ionshiparenot
wal ksinthepark.It
’snotabedofr oses,t
hereare
alsot hor
ns.Miguellovesyouandwi thamanl i
ke
Mi guelyouhavet obereadyforanything.
”
“If
eell
i
kei
fIst
ayIam goi
ngt
olosey
our
sel
f.Peopl
e
aregoi
ngt
omakefunofme.”
“I
fyouliv
ebywhatpeopl esaytheny ouwi ll
never
accomplishanyt
hinginli
fe.Youshouldn’tcareabout
peopleandfocusonwhatmakesy ouhappy .Miguel
i
sy ourmanandhewi lldowhat everyouwanthi mt o
do.Nowt hatLoneisnotpartofthepicture,youhave
contr
olonhim.Trainhim.”
“
Whatdoy
oumeanLonei
snotpar
toft
hepi
ctur
e?”
“
Imeanhermiscar
ri
age.Ther
eisnot
hingconnect
ing
Miguel
toher
.”
Anay
afr
owned.“
Lonehadami
scar
ri
age?
”
“
Yes,
Miguel
didn’
ttel
lyou?
”
“No.Look,
canIcal
lyouback?Ther
eisani
ncomi
ng
cal
l.
”
“
Ok.
”
Anay
ahungupandanswer
edt
hecal
l
.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Hel
lo,
thi
sisFNBB,
am Ispeaki
ngt
oMs.Anay
a
Shat
o?”
Anay
a’shear
tski
pped.“
Yesmam,
youar
e.”
“
Youhav ebeencal
ledf
oranint
erv
iewon
Wednesdayteno’
cl
ockshar
p.”
“
Iwi
l
lbet
her
e,t
hanky
ou.
”
“
Hav
eagoodday
.”
Anay aputherphonedownwi thherhandonher
mout h.Shecouldn’
tbeliev
eit,theyhadnevercal
led
herbackbefore.Notev enonce.Shel ookedatt
he
pi
llinherhandforawhi lethenclosedhereyes
beforeshethrewitinthesinkandwal kedout.

SI
XMONTHSLATER.
..
.
.
.

[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#41
Si
xMont
hsLat
er…

Coll
eenst
oodbyt
hesal
onent
rancecal
l
ingf
or
cust
omers.
“
Col
l
een!
”
Shetur
nedtothevoi
ceandsmil
edasMaggi
e
appr
oachedher.“
Maggi
e,hey
!”
“
Idi
dn’
tknowy
ouwor
kinasal
on.
”
“
Ido,
don’
tyouwantt
odot
odoy
ournai
l
s?”
“
Iwoul
dlov
eto.
”
Theybothwal
kedbacki
nsi
det
hesal
onandsaton
hert
able.
“Howar
ey ou?YouknowIl
ostmyphoneandal
lthe
number
s.”
Col
l
eensmi
l
ed.“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Whyareyouworkingher
ewhil
eyouhav
ebr
other
s
whomakeloadsofmoney.”
“
It
’st
hei
rmoney
,notmi
ne.Ei
therway
,inor
dert
o
hav
emydaught
erback,
Ihav
etopr
oveIcanst
and
onmyowntwofeet
.”
“
Buty
ouhav
eadegr
ee.
”
“
Jobsarer
aret
ofi
nd.Whatki
ndofnai
l
sdoy
ou
want
?”
Maggielaughed.“
It’
sfunnyalmostayearagoitwas
yourbr
other’
sgirl
fr
ienddoingthi
sandnowi t
’syou.
”
“Shei
stheonewhoi
nspi
redme.Whatki
ndofnai
l
s
doyouwant?”
“
Anyt
hingy
our ecommend.So,
isy
ourbr
otherst
il
l
wi
tht
hatgi
rl?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Wow!Sher
eal
l
yscor
edher
sel
f.Ar
etheymar
ri
ed?
”
“
No.
”
“Menli
keMiguelwouldn’tmarrysosoon.Isshest
il
l
worki
ngatC-SKY?Weal l knowshegotthatj
obby
sl
eepi
ngwithyourbrother.”
Col
l
eenblockedherv
oiceasshewentonandon
whi
lesheworkedonhernai
ls.Anhourandhal
flat
er,
shewasdone.
“Look,l
et’
sexchangenumber
s.May
bewecanhang
outli
ketheoldti
mes.”
“
Ok.
”
Theyexchangednumberst
henshewalkedout.
Coll
eensighedwi
threl
i
efwhil
eherphonerang.
“
Nay
a…”
“
Hey
,ar
eyoust
il
lcomi
ng?
”
“
Yes,
Iam packi
ngmyt
hings.IsawMaggi
etoday
.”
“
Maggi
e?”
“
Yes,t
hatfakef
ri
endofmi ne.Thosegi
rl
sli
kedme
whenl
ifewasgoingwel
lforme. ”
Anayalaughed.“
Iknowbuty
oudon’
tneedt
hem.
Soonenoughy ouwil
lhav
eenoughmoneyt
ostar
t
yourownbusiness.
”
“
Yes.Any
way
sIam onmyway
.”
“
Ok,
byel
ove.
”
Col
l
eenputherphoneawayandpackedhert
hings.
Shewal
kedoutandmadeherwayt
othet
axi
s.

*
***
*

Anay
ast
oodi
ntheki
tchenf
ixi
ngsal
adswi
thSar
ona.
“
Ili
kehowy
out
int
edy
ourhai
r.
”
Sar
onasmi
l
ed.“
Idi
ditonmyown.
”
“Youlookbeauti
ful
,youalwaysdo.It
houghty
ou
wouldbemi ser
ablesincePulet
ransf
err
edtoKasane
butforthel
ast6mont hs,youhaveprov
edme
wrong.”
Shelaughed.“
Ican’
tbemoppi
ngf
loor
ssul
ki
ng,
I
havetokeepmov i
ng.
”
“
That
’st
hespi
ri
t.I
fIwer
eyou,
Iwoul
dbecr
ying.
”
“Mi
guelwoul
dn’
tleav
e,hei
sobsessedwit
hyou.
Anyways,
howistheweddi
ngpr
eparati
onscomi
ng
al
ong?”
“Wear
eontr
ackandei
therway
,west
il
lhav
eti
me.
Fi
vemont
hsisal
otoft
ime.”
“
Butdoyouthi
nktwomonthsaft
ergivi
ngbir
thyou
woul
dhavealr
eadygot
tenr
idofthebabyfat
?”
“
Iam goi
ngtowor
kharderthanBey
once.Ican’
tbe
l
ooki
ngfatonmyweddingday.
”
“
Youar
eri
ghtaboutt
hat
.”
Theyheardl
aughingoutsi
deandSar
onapeaked
thr
oughtheki
tchenwindow.
“
Agangbr
oughtt
hatbi
mboofhi
s.”
“
Idon’
tgetwhyy
oudon’
tli
keOsi
.Shei
sni
ce.
”
Sar
onarol
ledhereyes.“
Shet
hinkssheisall
that
whil
esheisanoldwoman.Wear edone,l
et’
sgo
wit
hthesalads.
”
Theycar
ri
edt hecasser
olesout
sidewher
ethemen
wherebr
aaing.
Osi
huggedAnay
a.
“
Hey
!”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
Hey
,youmadei
t!
”
“Idi
d.Af
terIhadtoconvinceAgangforalongt
ime.
Anywayscongrat
ulat
ions.Take…”ShehandedAnay
a
abox
.
“
Ihav
eneverheardofababyshowerl
i
ket
hisbutI
l
ovei
t.Iwi
l
lputthi
sinsi
de.
”
“
Ok.
”
Anayawalkedbackinsidethehouset othebedroom
andputtheboxwher eallothergi
ftswere.Whenshe
gotbackoutsi
de,KennethandRachel hadarri
ved.
Soonthegazebowasf il
ledwi t
hlaugher
.Anayasat
wit
hMi guelwhowasr ubbingherstomachwhi l
e
ki
ssingherneck.
“Ladi
esandgentl
eman,
todayi
salsomylady
’s
bir
thday
.”Agangsai
dki
ssi
ngOsi’
sfor
ehead.
“
Howol
disshe?35?
”Sar
onaaskedsi
ppi
ngherwi
ne.
“
No,
Iam not35,
Iam 33.
”
“
Wow!Youarereal
l
yold.Howdoesi
tfeel
dat
inga
many
oungerthanyou?
”
Osir
aisedaneyebr
ow.“
Itf
eel
sok,
doy
ouhav
ea
pr
oblem wi
thit
?”
“No,notatal
l
.Sugarmamasar
eat
hingt
heseday
sI
guess.”
“
Pul
ecany
oucont
rol
yourwi
fe?
”Agangsai
dpi
ssed.
“
Babe,
cany
oudr
opi
t.
”
“
Iam sor
ry!
”
Anay
asi
l
ent
lysi
ppedonherj
uice.
“Hey
!”Col
leenwalkedi
nsi
det
hegazebowi
thahuge
smil
e.ShehuggedAnaya.
“
Mygi
fti
scomi
ng.Justwai
tfori
t.
”
“
Iwi
l
l.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thanks.Iam sohungr
y.”
Shewalkedwherethefoodwasanddishedf
or
her
sel
f.Aminutelater
,Vi
ncewal
kedin.
“
Gent
s!”
“
FatAl
ber
t!
”Pul
escr
eamedandt
heyal
ll
aughed.
“Thisi
sther
easonwhyIam st
il
lsi
ngl
e,who’
sfat
Albert
?”
Saronawhi
sper
edsomet hingt
oPul
ebefor
e
standi
ngupandwalki
ngt owar
dst
hehouse.Vi
nce
handedAnayaavoucher
.
“Idi
dn’
tknowwhattobuybutIam sur
ethi
sist
he
bestgi
ftyouhav
erecei
vedsofar
.”
Anay
alaughed.“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
BabeIam comi
ng.
”Mi
guel
whi
sper
edst
andi
ngup.

*
***
*

Miguelwalkedinsi
dethehouseandenter
edroom by
room sear
chingtil
lhegott
othelockedbat
hroom
door.
Heknocked.
“
Agang!
”
“
Yeah?
”
“
Comeout
.Iwantt
otal
ktoy
ou.
”
“
Giv
emeami
nut
e.”
“
Agangcomeoutnow!
”Hehangedont
hedoor
.
Agangunl
ockedt
hedoort
henst
eppedout
.
“
What
’sup?
”
“
Tel
lSar
onat
ocomeout
!”
“
What
?”
“Iknowsheisi
nsi
debecausey
ouar
efucki
ngher
.
Tellhert
ocomeout.
”
“
Cany
ouj
ustcal
m down?Shei
snother
e.”
MiguelpushedAgangfr
om thedoorandst
eppedi
n.
Saronawasbehindthedoorcr
ying.
“
Soy
ouar
echeat
ingony
ourhusbandwi
thAgang?
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Miguel
angri
lywal
kedoutt
henpunchedAganghar
d
t
hathefel
l.
“
What
’swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
”
“
Letmeexpl
ain.
”
Mi
guel
pul
l
edhi
m upt
henpunchedhi
m agai
n.
“
Aret
her
enotenoughwomenoutt
her
e?”
“
Gent
s!”
Pulerushedandgotbet
weent
hem.Agangwas
al
readybleedi
ng.
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“Yeah,
BK,
what
’sup?
”Kennet
haskedpul
l
inghi
m
back.
“Youareter
ri
fyingtheladi
esBK,wecanhearyouall
thewayoutside,can’
tyoudealwi
ththi
slat
er.
”Vince
saidj
oini
ngthescene.
AganglookedatMiguelwhowasstil
lseet
hingwi
th
anger
.Aphoner angfr
om thebat
hroom.
“Whoisi
nside?
”Vinceaskedcur
iousl
ylooki
ngat
Agang.“
Areyoucheati
ngonOsi?”
Pul
eletAganggothenwal
kedi
nsi
det
hebat
hroom
wit
hVincebehi
nd.
“
Sar
ona?
”
Miguelr
ubbedhi
sfacewhi
l
eSar
onabegansobbi
ng
l
oudly.
Pul
ewalkedoutwi
thhi
swi
fe.
”What
’sgoi
ngon
her
e?”
Kennet
hlookedatSar
onat
henatAgang.
“
Sar
onawhat
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Sar
onacr
iedev
enmor
e.
Pulel
ookedatAgangundonepantsthenatSar
ona.
Hedidn’
tneedanyonetel
li
nghi
m anythi
ng,i
twas
qui
teobvi
ous.Pul
elaunchedhi
mselfatAgangand
punchedhi
m.
“
Youar
efucki
ngmywi
fe?
”
“
Her
apedme!
”Sar
onascr
eamed.
Pul
eat
temptedtopunchAgangagai
nbutMi
guel
hel
dhi
m back.
“
Stop!I
t’
senough.
”
“Yourbr
otheri
sfucki
ngmywi
fe,
howl
onghast
his
beengoingon?”
Miguel
stoodinf
rontofhi
sbrot
her.“
Youshoul
dask
yourwi
fethat
.Noonerapedher.
”
“
Soy
ouar
epr
otect
ingt
hisl
i
ttl
epi
eceofshi
t?”
“
Viol
encewon’
tsol
veany
thi
ng.
”
Saronagotbacki
nsi
det
hebat
hroom l
ocki
ngt
he
door.
“
Didshej
ustsayshewasr
aped?Women!
”Vi
nce
chuckl
edwi
thdi
sbel
i
ef.
Pul
ebangedont
hedoor
.“Sar
onaopenup!
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Comeout
!”
“
Pul
elet
’sgo.
”
Kennet
hpul
l
edPul
efr
om t
hedoor
.
“Iam notgoi
ngany wher
ewi t
houtmywife.Sarona
babe,comeout.IfherapedyouthenIbeli
eveyou.
From herewearegoingtothepoli
ce.If
orgiv
ey ou.
Let’
sgohome. ”
“
Iam scar
ed.
”
“
Ilov
eyou,
let
’sgohome.If
orgi
vey
ou.Let
’sgo.
”
Shesl
owlyopenedt
hedoor.Pul
etookherhandand
l
edheroutwhil
eshecr
ied.
“
Hei
sgoi
ngt
ohur
ther
.”
Theyal
ltunedt
oAgang.
“That’
shiswi
fe!Ev
enifhedoes,
it’
snonofy
our
business.
”Mi
guelsai
dwalki
ngaway .
*
***
*

Meanwhi
l
eCol
l
eenwal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouse.
“
Whatisgoi
ngon?
”SheaskedMi
guel
whowas
wal
ki
ngout.
“
Not
hing,
arey
ouok?
”
“
BKIam notachi
l
d.Wher
eisAgang?
”
“
Insi
de.
”
“Pul
elef
twi
thhi
swi
feandOsi
lef
ttoo,
what
’sgoi
ng
on?”
“
Hewassl
eepi
ngwi
thSar
ona,
wher
eisAnay
a?”
“
Eat
ing.
”
Shewalkedf
urt
heri
nsi
dethehouset
owher
e
Kennet
hwaswithVi
nce.
“
Wher
eisAgang?
”
Theypoi
ntedi
nsi
dethebat
hroom.Shewalkedi
n
cl
osingt
hedoorbehi
ndherandwatchedherbr
other
washi
ngof
fbl
ood.
“
Arey
ouok?
”
“Yeah.Iam good.
”Het
ookof
fhi
st-
shi
rtandwi
ped
hisface.
“
DidBKbeaty
ou?
”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
No.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.“
It
’sbeent
imesi
nceheputhi
s
handsonyou.
”
“
Iam good.Hei
sjustangr
ybutwewi
l
lbef
ine.
”
“
Ihat
eitwheny
ouf
ight
.”
“
Wear
enotf
ight
ing.Iam f
inebutIam goi
ngnow.
”
Shewal
kedoverandhuggedhi
m.“
Staysaf
eand
awayf
rom t
hatwoman.”
“
Oksi
s.”
“
Iam ser
ious.Pul
ecansuey
ou.
”
“
Iknow,
Iwi
l
lst
ayaway
.By
e.”
“
Bye.Iwi
l
lcl
eanup.
”
“
Cool
.
”
Hewalkedoutwhil
eColl
eencleanedt
hesinkhehad
messed.Shefi
nall
ywal
kedoutandwenttothe
ki
tchenwhereshepour
edherselfagl
assofjui
ce.
“
Hey
,”
Shet
urnedt
oVi
ncewhowassmi
l
ingather
.
“
Hi.
”
“
CanIpl
easehav
ewhaty
ouar
edr
inki
ng.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
It
’sj
ustj
uice.
”
“
YeahIknow.
”
Shesmi
l
edandpour
edhi
minagl
ass.“
Ther
e.”
“
Thanks.
”Het
ookt
hegl
assandsi
pped.
“
WhenIl
ookatyouIfi
ndithar
dtobeli
eveyouare
t
hesamegi
rlwhousedtorunaft
ery
ourbrother
s.”
Col
l
eenl
aughed.“
Whoel
secanIr
unaf
ter
?”
“
Theyr
eal
l
yspoi
l
edy
ou.
”
“Ican’
tbeli
ev eyoul
ostall
thatweight
.Youusedt o
besof at
.Iremembert heti
meIhadv isi
tedBKwith
mom atUBt henhesentyoutopickusup, Iwasso
shocked.Youusedt
owal
kinaf
unnyway
.”
Vincelaughed.“
Iknow.ButonceIwentt
oCubaI
real
izeditwasn’
theal
thy.
”
“Iam gl
ad.Youusedt
ohav
edr
eadl
ockst
hose
days.
”
“
Ihadt
ocutal
lthatof
f.Andgr
owup.
”
“
Indeed.Youl
ookr
eal
l
ygood.
”
“
Youhav
ereal
l
ygr
ownbeaut
if
ul.
”
Col
leenl
aughed.“
Whatdi
dyouexpect
,thatt
eny
ear
ol
dy ouwer
eusedt o?
”
“
No.IguessIneverexpect
edy
out
obl
ossom i
nto
t
hisbeaut
if
ulf
lower.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“Yourbr
otherwi
l
lpr
obabl
ycutoffmyneckf
ort
his
but…canwegoouttoni
ghtort
omorrow.
”
Col
l
eensmi
l
ed.“
Yeah.
”
“
ThankGod!Ithoughtyouwer
egoi
ngtor
ejectme.
Womendon’tunderst
andhowpai
nful
anois.”
“
Wedo.
”
Theyexchangednumber
sthenshewal
kedout
hol
dingherglass.
“
Hey
,Iam t
ir
ed.Iam l
eav
ing.
”Shet
oldAnay
a.
“
Sosoon?
”
“
Iam sor
rybutIhav
etor
est
.Wewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Icandr
opy
ouof
f.
”Mi
guel
off
ered.
“Rachel
andIar
eal
readyl
eav
ing.Wecandr
opher
offal
ongway.
”
Kennet hst
oodupwi thRachelandtheyallwalked
towar dshi
scar.Col
leengotinthebackasVi nce
steppedout.Shesmi l
edwhileKennethdroveout.He
droppedRachel att
hemal l
fir
stthenproceededwith
Colleen.
“
Jumpi
nfr
ont
.”
“
No,
Iam goodher
e.”
Kennet
hsmi
l
ed.“
Col
l
een,
comesi
ther
e.”
Shel
aughedasshej
umpedt
othepassengerseat
.
“
Howi
sbusi
nessgoi
ng?
”
Sheshrugged.“
NotasgoodasIwanti ttogo.NowI
seeImadeabl andergett
ingmarri
edwithout
anyt
hingofmine.Ian’
sfamilyt
ookevery
t hi
ng.The
onl
ythingIhadwast hecarwhichIsol
d.NowIwant
tosaveupforbusiness.
”
“
That
’sgood.St
art
ingy
ourownbusi
nessi
str
ulyt
he
wayt
ogo.”
“
Iknow.Yourcompanyi
sdoi
ngwel
l
.”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
IknowandIcan’
tbel
i
evei
t.
”
“
Youshoul
d.”
“
It
’sadr
eam comet
rue.
”
“
Iam pr
oudofy
ou.
”
“
Thankssi
s.”
Hepar
kedinf
rontofherhouset
henhandedher
somenot
esofmoney .
“
Buysomemeat
.”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Thanks,
Iwon’
tsaynot
omoney
.”
Kennet
hlaughed.“
Youwoul
dn’
twi
tht
hewayy
ou
l
ovemoney .
”
Shesteppedoutoft hecart
henhedr oveoff
.She
walkedinsidet hegatebutf
rownedlookingatt
heold
l
adywhost ay ednextdoorl
yi
nginthemi ddl
eofthe
yar
d.Shequi cklywal
kedoutoftheyardtoher
nei
ghbor ’
sy ard.
“Mme?”Sheshookhergent
lyandt
heol
dwoman
sl
owl
yopenedhereyes.
“
Ngwanake,
nthuse.{
Mychi
l
d,hel
pme.
}”
“
Ehhnkuku.{
Yesgr
anny
.}”
Shehelpedherupt
henwal
kedwi
thherinsi
deher
house.Shehel
dherbr
eat
hasshesmeltfecesi
nsi
de
thehouse.
“
Keal
ebogongwanake.{
Thanky
oumychi
l
d.}
”
“
It
sok.
”
“
Godwi
l
lbl
essy
ou.
”
Shewal
kedoutbutst
oppedatthegat
e.Thehuman
i
nherhadhergoi
ngbacktothesti
nki
nghouse.
“Mme,l
etmecl
eant
hehousef
ory
ou.Hav
eyou
eat
en?
”
“Nomychi
ld,
Iwaslooki
ngformygl
asses.Ican’
t
seepr
oper
lywit
houtt
hem.”
“
Ok.Iwillcl
eanandcookf
ory
out
hensear
chf
or
y
ourglasses.”
“
Thanky
oumychi
l
d.”
Colleentookadeepbreaththenstar
tedcl
eaning.
Shecoul dsmell
uri
nealloverthehouseand
suspectedthatt
heoldwomansomet imesspoil
ed
herself
.
Shebr avelycleanedeverycorneroft hehouset i
ll
shecameacr osstheshitshehadbeensmel li
ngal l
al
ong.Shecl osedherey esholdingherbreathand
cl
eanedt hemessup.Anhourl at er
,shesighed
enteringt hefreshsmel l
inghouset hentookoutt he
oldwoman’ sclothes.Withl
it
tl
ewashi ngpowdershe
had, Colleenwashedal l
herclothesandhungt hem
ont hel i
ne.Atl astshecookedt heoldwomansof t
porridge.
“
Mme,
Ihav
emadey
ousof
tpor
ri
dge.
”
“
Thankmychi
l
d.MayGodcont
inuebl
essi
ngy
ou.
”
Shegav eherthepl
atethenwalkedoutsearchingfor
herglasses.Shespottedthem feetfr
om thedoor
andpi ckedthem up.AFordWildTrakdroveinasshe
wi pedtheglasseswit
hherdress.Itparkedunderthe
treebesidethehouse.Coll
eenwal kedbackinside
thehouse.
“Mme, herear
eyourgl
asses.Icl
eanedt
hem.”She
sai
dhel pi
ngherputt
hem on.Theoldwomanheld
herhand.
“
Iam f
orev
eri
ndebt
edt
oyou.
”
“
Ify
ouneedme,Iam r
ightnextdoor
.Ther
oom at
t
heback.Mynamei
sCol l
een.”
“
Thanky
oumychi
l
d.”
Amanwalkedi
nsi
deasCol
l
eenst
oodup.Het
ook
of
fhi
scap.
“
Mama…”
“
Tshepo,
mysoni
sthaty
ou?
”
“
Mama…”Heknel tonthefl
oorandhuggedhi
s
mot
hert
ight
ly.Coll
eensi
lent
lywal
kedoutandwent
backt
oherhouse.
Shethr ewherbagont hebedandt ookof fhershoes.
Feel
ingbey ondexhausted,sheputherfeetont he
bedlyingherheadont hepill
owandcl osedherey es.
Assoonasshest art
edt osli
paway ,aknock
di
sturbedher .Col
l
eenlaysilent
lyhopingtheperson
wouldgoawaybutt heknockper si
sted.
Shegotof
fthebedandopenedthedoor.Tshepo
smil
edatherexposi
ngt
hatdimplehehad.
“
Hi,
Ijustwant
edt
osayt
hanky
ouf
orhel
pingmy
mot
her.”
“
It
’sok.Any
onecoul
dhav
edonet
hesamef
orher
.”
“
No.Notever
yone.Thanky
ouv
erymuch.HowcanI
t
hankyou?
”
“
Youdon’thav
etodoanythi
ng.Youarewel
come.
Maybey
oushouldfi
ndherahelperi
fyoucan’
tst
ay
wi
thher
.Sheneedsassi
stance.
”
“
Ihadl
eftherwi
thmyexwi
fei
nmyhouse.
”
Coll
eenfrowned.“
Thatunf
ini
shedhousei
syour
house?”
“No.I
nPart
ial
.Wearegoi
ngthroughadivorceso
sheki
ckedherout
.Iam f
indi
ngouttoday
, Iworki
n
Maun.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Heshookhi
shead.“
Thanky
ou.Byt
heway
,Iam
Tshepo.
”
“Col
leen.Ihav
eseenasmal
lgi
rlwi
thher
,isshey
our
daughter?”
“Yes.Buthermotherabandonedheri
mmedi
atel
y
aftergi
vi
ngbir
thtoher.That’
swhenImet
…”He
shookhishead.
“
Sheki
ckedy
ourmot
heranddaught
erout
?”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Thecour
tgav
ehert
hehouse?
”
“
Noy
et.
”
Col
l
eensmi
l
ed.“
Wel
lgoodl
uck.
”
“Ar
eyousureyoudon’
twantmet
opayy
ouor
somet
hing?Iwil
ldoany
thi
ng.
”
“
No.Takei
tasagi
ftf
rom God.Ni
cemeet
ingy
ou
Tshepo.
”
“
Daddy
!”Asmal
lki
dscr
eamedr
unni
ngt
owar
ds
t
hem.
Tshepot
urnedandpi
ckedherupi
nherdi
rt
yst
ate.
“
Angel
!”
“
DaddyImissedy
ou.Ar
ewegoingt
omyreal
mommy ?Mommysaidshei
snotmymommy .
”
“
Imi
ssedy
out
ooAngel
.”
“
Whatdidy
oubri
ngme?Nkukulosthergl
asses,
are
y
ougoingt
obuyhernewones.
”
“
Yes.Iwi
l
lbuyhernewones.
”
Theli
tt
legi
rll
ookedatColl
eenwi
thasmi
l
e
rev
iewi
nghertwomissingfr
ontt
eet
h.
“
HiAngel
,
”
“
Hi,
”sher
espondedshy
ly.
“
Ihav
eadaught
er,
hernamei
sal
soAngel
.”
“
Real
l
y,mynamei
sPeoAngel
Obakeng.
”
“
Thosear
ereal
l
ybeaut
if
ulnames.Mynamei
s
Col
l
een.
”
“Let
’sgohome, wearetaki
nggrannytothe
hospit
al.
”Tshepolookedather
.“ThanksColl
een.
”
“
Shecanst
aywi
thmewhi
l
eIdoherhai
r.I
tlooks…a
mess.
”
“
Ok.
”Heputherdownt
hencr
ouchedbef
oreher
.
“
Angel
,Iam l
eavi
ngy
ouwi
thAunt
yCol
l
eenandshe
wi
ll
doyourhair
.”
“
Ok.Il
i
keher
,shei
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
“Goodgi
rl.
”Hestoodupandt
urnedtoCol
leen.“
How
aboutIt
akeyournumberi
ncaseIdel
ay.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shewalkedbackinsi
deherhouseandhandedhi m
herphone.Hesavedhisnumberbeforegivi
ngher
backthephoneandwalkedaway.ColleentookPeo’
s
handandledheri
nsidethehouselookingathi
s
number,hehadpagedhimself
.
“OkAngel
,wearegoi
ngtobathf
ir
stthenwashyour
hai
r,bl
owdryandfi
nal
lypl
ait
.Woul
dy oul
i
kethat?
”
“
Yes.
”
Col
li
nlaughedlooki
ngathersmi
l
e.“
Whathappened
toy
ourteeth?
”
Shegi
ggl
ed.“
Ifel
l
.”
Coll
eenlaughedharder.“
Youf
ell
?Nextt
imebe
car
eful.Youwouldn’
twanttol
oseal
lyourt
eet
h.
Peoplewill
laughatyou.”
“
Iknow.
”
“
Good.Let
’sbat
h!”
.
.
.
NextI
nser
tat22:
30hr
s..
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#42

Lat
ert
hataf
ter
noonMi
guel
handedAnay
aherf
rui
t
sal
ad.
“
Babedoy
out
hinkSar
onai
sgoi
ngt
obeok?
”
“
Yeah…Pulewouldn’
tdoany
thi
ngt
hatwi
l
lrui
n
t
hingsf
orhim atwor
k.”
“Ist
il
lcan’
tbel
i
eveSar
onahasbeensl
eepi
ngwi
th
Agang.”
“
Isuspect
edi
tbutIj
usthadf
ait
hinhi
m.”
“NowthatIam thi
nki
ngaboutit
,fort
helastfi
ve
monthsSaronahasreal
lybeenhappy,Iam 100%
conv
incedit
’sbecauseofAgang.PoorOsi.
”
“Enoughaboutt
hat
,Iwantt
oshowy
ousomet
hing.
Let’
sgo.”
“
Ok.
”
Theywalkedoutandwentt ohiscar
.Migueldr
ov eto
Mmokolodi andparkedinfrontofahugeemptypl ot
.
Anayaputherempt yplateonthedashboardwhi l
e
Miguel
openedherdoor .Hehelpedheroutandled
heri
nsi
det heplot
.
“
Iboughtt
hisf
orus.
”
Anay
alookedatt
hehugepl
ot.“
Wow!
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ost
artbui
l
dingourhouseher
e.”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
That
’sagoodmov
e.”
“Iknow.
”Hekissedherput
tinghishandoverher
stomach.Thebabyi
mmedi atel
ykicked.
“
Babe,
didy
ouf
eel
that
?”
Anay
alaughed.“
OfcauseIdi
d.It
hinkhei
sexci
ted.
”
“
Soam I
.”
“
Canwegonow?Myf
eetar
eswol
l
en.
”
“
Yeah,
let
’sgo.
”
Heledherbacktothecarandhelpedheri
nsi
de.He
walkedroundt
ohisdoorandjumpedin.Anaya’
s
phonerangasMiguelst
arteddr
ivi
ng.
“
Sar
ona…”
“
Comehel
pme!Hewant
stoki
l
lme.
”
“
Ok,
wher
ear
eyour
ightnow?
”
“
Insi
det
hebat
hroom,
hei
swant
stobr
eakt
hedoor
.”
“
Wear
ecomi
ng.
”
Anay
ahungupandl
ookedatMi
guel
.“Sar
onaand
Pul
ear
efi
ght
ing.
”
“
What
?”
“
Weshoul
dgot
othei
rhouse.
”
Hespedtophase4usingshort
cuts.I
nashortwhil
e,
hewaspackedinf
rontofthehouse.Anayaputher
handov
erhermouthasshewat chedthehouseon
fi
re.
“
Miguel
…”
“
Shi
t!St
ayher
e.”
Hest eppedoutandr ushedinsi
det heburninghouse
whileAnaya’shear tpounded.Peopl esoonst ar
tedt
o
comei nnumber s.Shegotof ft
hecarr ubbingher
stomachast earsfil
ledhereyes.Herchi l
d’sfat
her
wasi nsi
det hathouse, shecouldn’
tevenbegi nto
i
magi nelif
ewi thouthim.Moment slat
er,shesaw
Saronacomi ngoutoft hehousecoughi ngand
behindherwasMi guelandPule.Saronar ushed
towardsAnay aandhuggedher .
“
Hey
,whathappened?
”
Sar
onast
art
edcr
ying.Agangpul
l
edup,
par
kinghi
s
carbehindMiguel
’s.Hest
eppedoutandhur
ri
ed
towardsSarona.
“
Hey
,ar
eyouok?
”
“
Shei
sfi
ne.AgangIdon’
tthi
nky
oushoul
dbeher
e.”
HelookedatAnay
athenhi
sbr
otherwhowas
appr
oaching.
“
Ijustwantt
omakesur
eshei
sok.
”
“
Shei
sfi
ne.
”
“
May
bey
oushoul
dcomewi
thme.
”
Sar
onal
ookedathi
m wi
pingawayhert
ear
s.
“
Sar
onaPul
eisgoi
ngt
oleav
eyou.
”
“
Iam goi
ngwi
thAgang.
”
“Sar
ona!”Pul
ecal
ledasSaronawal
kedawaywi
th
Agang.Theygoti
nthecarandspedof
f.
Pul
efacedMi
guel
.“Cany
out
elly
ourbr
othert
ostay
awayfr
om mywif
e,wear
eafamil
y.Wehaveki
ds.”
“Iwi
l
ltal
ktohim.Agangisgoingf
arnow.Ijusthope
shedoesn’
trepor
tyouf
ortryi
ngtoki
llher
.Youknow
t
hatpr
omot
ioncandowonder
sfory
ou.
”
Pulecoveredhi
sfacewit
hhishands.“Ican’
tbel
i
eve
sheisdoingthi
stous.Af
terev
erythi
ngwehav e
beenthr
ough.”
“
Iam goi
ngt
otal
ktoAgang.Wast
hehouse
i
nsur
ed?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Atl
east
.”
Mi
guel
’
sphoner
angandhef
rownedanswer
ing.
“Hel
lo?What ?
”Hel ookedatAnayawhowasst
ari
ng
athi
m.“ Look,Iwi
l
l cal
lyouback.
”Hehungupand
puthisphoneinhispocket.
“Iam goingtotakeAnay ahome, got
oal odgeor
somet hi
ng.Don’tgoaf t
erher
,lookatthebigger
pictur
e.Anythi
ngy ouwilldot
hinkofyourkids.They
stil
lneedyou.Iwillt
alktoAgang.”
“
Ok.
”
Miguel
openedthedoorforAnayawhi
leshefought
t
onotaskhim whowasont hephone.Shegotinsi
de
t
henheclosedherdoorandcli
mbedinthedri
ver’s
si
deanddr
oveof
f.
“
Whocal
l
ed?
”
Miguel
lookedather
.“Oh,
thatwasmyfat
her.He
sai
dhecan’tfi
ndsomecows.Iwil
lcal
lhi
m back.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hedr
ovehert
ohi
shouset
henhel
pedherout
.
“
Iam goi
ngt
ohel
pPul
ecl
earouthi
smess.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Hekissedherandwalkedout
.Soonsheheardt
he
cardri
vi
ngoff.Shet
ookherphoneandcal
ledSarona.
“
Anay
a…”
“
Whatdoy
out
hinky
ouar
edoi
ng?
”
“
Ilov
eAgang.
”
“Youhaveafamil
y.Howl
onghav
eyoubeen
sleepi
ngwi
thhim?”
“
Anay
a…”
“
Howl
ong?
”
“
Sixmont
hsandmor
e.”
“
Wow!Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.Whatabouty
ourki
ds?
”
“Pul
eisther
e.Hewil
ltakecar
eofthem.Iam f
il
ing
fordi
vor
ce.Aft
ert
hat,AgangandIaremovi
ngto
Tanzani
a.”
Anayal
aughedindi
sbel
i
ef.“
Soy
ouar
ejustgoi
ngt
o
l
eaveever
ythi
ngbehi
nd?”
“
Pul
ewon’
tst
opbot
her
ingus.
”
“
Whataboutourcompany
?”
“
Iam sor
ryAnay
a.”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evey
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eAgangandhel
ovesme.Iam goi
ngwi
thhi
m.”
“
Ireal
l
ycan’
tbel
i
evey
ou.
”
“
Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Ihopey
ouknowwhaty
ouar
edoi
ng.
”
Anay
ahungupshaki
ngherhead.
*
***
*

Miguel
droveinsidehergat
eandparkedhi
scar
behi
ndhersthenclimbedout.Hewalkedt
othedoor
andknocked.Sheopenedafterawhi
leandhe
i
mmedi at
elylookedatherbi
gbell
y.
“
Iam si
xmont
hspr
egnant
.”
Heranoutofwor
dst
osayasshei
nnocent
lyl
ooked
athi
m.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Mar
angwhydi
dn’
tyout
ell
me?
”
“
Idi
dn’
twantt
orui
nyourr
elat
ionshi
p.”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.Anay
aisal
sopr
egnant
.”
“
Whatarey
ougoi
ngt
odo?Myuncl
eswantt
oknow
whodi
dthi
s.”
“Anayaisgoingtobehurt
.”Herubbedhisface,he
knewshewoul dprobabl
yleav
ef orgoodthi
stime
around.HelookedbackatMarangasshet earf
ull
y
l
ookedathim.
“Iam sosor
ry.
”Tearscascadeddownhercheeks.“
I
didn’
tmeanforthi
stohappen.”
“
Don’
tcr
y.Iwi
l
lmakeapl
an.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hesl
i
ght
lysmi
l
ed.“
Youar
echubby
.”
Shel
aughedwi
pingawayhert
ear
s.“
Ieatal
ot.
”
“
Whati
sthebaby
’sgender
?”
“
It
’saboy
.”
“
Twoboy
s!Wow!
”
“
Anay
aisal
socar
ryi
ngaboy
?”
“
Yes.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Iguessy
ouar
elucky
.”
“
Iguess.Ar
eyoust
il
lwor
king?
”
Shenodded.“
Yes.
”
“Ok,
Iam goi
ngt
ostar
tsendingyoumoneyf
ort
he
baby.Howmuchdoyouneed?”
“
Ithi
nkP4000wi
llbeenough.Idocheckupstwicea
monthandal
sopurchaset
hesupplementsIneed.
”
“
It
’sok.Iwi
l
lsendi
t.I
sthatal
l
?”
“Wewi l
ltal
kaboutever
ythi
ngelse.Fornowj ustgo
anddigestthi
s.Iknowi
t’sashocktoy ou.Ihope
Anayadoesn’tatt
ackme.”
“
Shewon’
t.Don’
twor
ryabouther
.”
“
Ok.Iam eat
ing,
shoul
dIdi
shf
ory
ou?
”
“
No,
Iam good.CanIt
ouch?
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Yes,
youcan.
”
Het
ouchedherst
omachandgent
lyr
ubbedi
t.
“
Daddyi
sher
emyboy
.”
“Iwassoscar
ed,
Ithoughty
ouwer
egoi
ngt
odenyi
t
orsomethi
ng.
”
“
Iwoul
dnev
erabandonmyownbl
ood.
”
Heki
ssedherst
omachandst
eppedback.
“
Iwi
l
lcal
lyou.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hel
ookedatherchubbyfaceonelastti
mebef
ore
wal
ki
ngbacktohiscaranddri
vingoff.
*
***
*

Coll
eenf i
nishedplaitingPeoasshelayonherthi
ghs
sl
eeping.Shepi ckedherupandputheront hebed
coveri
ngherwi thaf leece.Aknockonthedoorhad
herlooki
ngatsl eepingPeot hensheopenedthe
door,Tsheposmi led.
“
Hey
,wemanagedt
ocomebackqui
ckl
y.
”
“
Howi
syourmot
her
?”
“Sheisfi
ne,t
hedoct
orsai
dIshoul
dbuyhersome
adultdi
aper
s.”
“
Ok,
wel
lyourl
i
ttl
eAngel
issl
eepi
ng.
”
“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”
“
Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odonow?
”
“Iam taki
ngthem tomyf r
iend’
shouse,hei
snot
here.Wewi l
lstayt
hereforawhilewait
ingf
ort
he
divor
cet obefi
nali
zed.
”
“
Ok.Youcancomei
nandgether
.”
Shemovedfr
om t
hedoorandlethi
m wal
kinher
l
it
tl
esanct
uary
.HelookedatPeowit
hasmile.
“
Wow!Youar
ereal
l
ygood,
arey
ouahai
rdr
esser
?”
“
No,
Itr
y.”
“
Shel
ooksbeaut
if
ul.
”
Heatt
empt edpicki
ngherupbutsheopenedher
ey
es.“Daddy!”
“
HeyAngel
.”
“
AuntCol
l
eenpl
ait
edmeni
cel
y.
”
“
Youl
ookr
eal
lybeaut
if
ul.Sayby
etoAuntCol
l
een,
wear
egoi
ng.
”
“
Canshecomewi
thus?
”
“
Idon’
tknow,
askher
.”
Col
l
enl
aughed.“
Icanheary
ouTshepo.
”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Aunt
yCol
l
een,
cany
oucomewi
thus?
”
“
Aunt
yCol
l
eenhast
odogr
ownupt
hings.
”
“
It
’sonl
yforawhi
l
e,wear
egoi
ngoutf
orpi
zza.
”
“
Ok,
youwi
l
lret
urnmer
ight
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok.Letmeputonmyshoes.
”
“
Wewi
l
lwai
tfory
ouout
side.
”
“
Ok.
”
Theywalkedoutwhileshetookherhandbagand
sear
chedf orherpowder
.Shepowder edherface
andputonhershoesbef or
eshewal kedouttohis
carwherehef oundhi
smot herandPeoalreadyat
thebackseat.
Shet ookthefrontseatthenhedr oveawaywhi l
e
Don’tletgobyEnVoguepl ayed.Withasi gh,Coll
een
l
eanedbackonherseatandl ookedoutt hroughthe
window.Mi nuteslat
erhewaspar ki
ngatRi verWalk
Mall.Theyallgotoffandwal kedtowardsDebonai rs
whil
ePeoconv ersedloudlywithhergrandmot her.
“
Mamagoandsi
t,Col
l
eenandIwi
l
lor
der
.”
“
Okmyson.
”
Col
l
eensighedast
heywal
kedt
othet
il
landwai
ted
i
naqueue.
“
Sowher
eisy
ourdaught
er?
”
“AfterIgavebi r
thtoher,Idon’tknowwhathappened
butIjuststartedresenti
ngher .Myhusbandwas
cheatingbyt hen,Ifel
tsomehowshewas
responsibl
ef oritandtri
edhur ti
ngher .Igot
diagnosedwi thPostNat alDepression.Theytook
meawayt oseekhel pandIgoti t.WhenIcameback
mymot herrefusedt ogivemebackmydaught er.I
don’tblameher ,
shesaidshewi ll onl
ygiveherback
onceIam backonmyf eet.Idogot oMahalapyeto
seeherev erymont h.”
Col
leenwi
pedawayaway
war
dteart
hathadr
an
downhercheek.
“Iunder
standify
oudon’
twantmeany
wher
enear
Peoanymor e.
”
“No,Ithinkthat’swhatIsuf f
eredfrom whenPeo
wasbor n.Ihat edherbecauseIbel i
evedshewast he
causeofhermot her
’sdisappearance.Mymother
actuall
yr ai
sedherwhi leIstayedfarawayandnever
botheredwi thher.Ti
llshewast woy earsol
dsotrust
me, Igety ou.Sowher eisyourhusbandnow? ”
“
Heki
l
ledhi
smi
str
esst
henhunghi
msel
ftheday
af
terIt
ri
edhur
ti
ngmydaught
er.
”
“
Wow!
”
“Iknow.NowIdon’
tthi
nkIev
erwantt
ogetmar
ri
ed
again.
”
“
Notev
erymani
sli
ket
hat
.”
“Idon’tknow.Hehur tmesomucht hatIdon’tthi
nkI
willeverbethesameCol l
eeneveragain.Ihadgiven
myal l t
ohim andhedest r
oyedmet oashes.I
remembercal li
nghismi st
ressandaskinghert o
stayawayf rom myhusbandandshewoul dsay
what evershewouldwantt osay.IfeelGodshould
havel etherl
ivesothatmay beonedayaf tershegot
mar ri
edsomeonewoul ddoherthesame. ”
“
Iam r
eal
l
ysor
ryf
orwhaty
ouwentt
hrough.
”
Sheshookherhead.“
It
’sok,
li
kemyf
atheral
way
s
say,
it’
sal
ll
if
e.”
“Ij
ustdon’
tunder
standhowsomeonet
reat
sa
beauti
ful
gir
lli
keyouli
kethat
.”
Col
l
eenl
aughed.“
Youwi
l
lbesur
pri
sed.
”
Thequeuemov
edandTshepoor
der
edal
arget
ri
ple
decker
.Her
eceiv
edhisor
dernumberandt
heysat
onanemptydesknear
by.
“
Soy
ouar
etheonl
ychi
l
dyourmot
herhas?
”
Tsheposhookhishead.“No.Wear
efi
ve,
Iam t
he
fi
ft
hone.Thelastborn.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyourot
hersi
bli
ngst
hen?
”
“Wedon’ tsharethesamef ather
s.Mymot herhad
threekidsinherfir
stmarri
age, t
hef i
rstbor nisinSA
andhedoesn’ tcare.Thenthesecondbor n, she
mar r
iedsomer i
chNigeri
anandhassi ncelef tf
or
Nigeriayearsago.Iseeheronf acebooksomet i
mes.
Thet hir
donei sinj
ailf
ormur der.Shediv orcedher
fi
rsthusbandbecausehewasabusi ve,thengotr e-
mar r
iedandhadmyl atesist
erandI .
”
“
Whendi
dyoursi
sterpasson?
”
“Year
sago,Iwassomewher
ebet
weensi
xandsev
en.
Shewashitbyacar.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok,
Ihav
edeal
twi
thi
t.
”
Thei
ror
dernumbergotcal
l
ed,
Tshepost
oodupand
gotthepizzabef
oretheywalkedtot
hetablewher
e
hismotherwas.Theyatethepizzal
i
steni
ngtoPeo
tal
ki
ng.Awhi l
elater
,hedroppedPeoandhismother
athisfr
iend’
shouse.
“
Daddy
,canAunt
yCol
l
eenbemymom?
”
“
YeahAngel
,shecanbey
ourmom.
”
Col
leensmil
edlooki
ngatTshepowhogav
ehert
he
i
nnocentl
ook.
“
Ilov
eyoumom.
”PeohuggedCol
l
een.
“
Ilov
eyout
ooPeo.
”
“
Wil
lyouv
isi
tusi
nournewhouse?
”
“
Yeah,
Iwi
l
l.
”
“
Pinkypr
omi
se?
”
Col
l
eensi
ghed.“
Pinkypr
omi
se.
”
Shewal
kedof
fwi
thasmi
l
eandgoti
nsi
det
hehouse.
“
Let
’sgo.Iwi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
f.
”
Theygoti
nthecarandhest
art
eddr
ivi
ng.
“
Sowher
edoy
ouwor
k?’
“
Atasal
on.Idonai
l
s.ButIdohav
eadegr
ee.
”
“
Youcan’
tfi
ndaj
ob?
”
“
Yeah.
”
“
GiveyourCVandIwill
helpy
oul
ook.Icomeacr
oss
alotofbusi
nessowner
s.”
“Oh,Iwoul
dappr
eci
atet
hatmor
ethanany
thi
ng
else.
”
Mi
nut
esl
aterhepar
kedi
nfr
ontofhergat
e.
“
Thanky
ou,
forev
ery
thi
ng.
”
Col
l
eensmi
l
ed.“
Youar
emor
ethanwel
come.
”
Theyhuggedbr i
efly.Tshepol
ookedatherl
i
psand
swall
owedwhi leCol l
eenranhert
ongueonherli
ps.
Tshepobr i
efl
yclosedhiseyesthenl
eanedoverand
babykissedher.
“
Iwi
l
lcal
lyou.
”
“Ok.”Shewhisper
edthenj
umpedoutoft hecar.She
wav edathi
m ashedroveaway.Acarimmedi at
ely
parkedwhereTshepohadparkedhi
scar .Vi
nce
steppedoutandColl
eensi
ghedwithrel
ief.
“
Iwasaboutt
orun.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Ifi
ndi
thar
dtoi
magi
net
hat
.”
“
Idon’
tremembert
ell
i
ngy
ouwher
eIst
ay.
”
“
Itr
ickedy
ourbrot
heri
ntot
ell
i
ngmeaf
ewday
sago.
Whowast hat
?”
“
Who?
”
“
Theguywhodr
oppedy
ouof
f.
”
Col
l
eensmi
l
ed.“
Why
?”
Vincegotclosert
oher
.“Iwantt
oknowmy
competit
ion.”
“
Miguel
wil
lbeaty
ousohar
d.”
“
Trustme,
Iam r
eadyf
orhi
m.”
Hel eanedoverandki ssedherpull
inghercl
oserby
herwai st
.Shekissedhi m backwrappi
ngherarms
aroundhim.Shef elthim growinghar
dandpulled
back.
“
Idon’
twantany
thi
ngser
ious.
”
Vi
ncel
ookedi
nherey
esandnodded.“
Okay
.”
Shet
ookhi
shandandl
edhi
mtowar
dsherhouse.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#43

Aknockont hedoorwokeTheodor aup.She

grabbedherphonef rom t
hedr essi
ngt abl
eand
l
ookedatt hetime.Itwasjustafterfi
ve.Shegotup
wonderingitcouldbeonanear l
ySundaymor ning
andmadeherwayt othedoor.Sheopenedt hemai n
doorandlookedatt hewomanwhost oodbyt he
doorwithtwoki ds.Shesmil
edatTheodor a.
“
Hi,
howcanIhel
pyou?
”
“
Hi,
Iam Mel
ody
.Iam Chr
ist
ian’
scousi
n.”
Theodorasmiled.“
Oh, comeinpl
ease.”Sheopened
thedoorwider
.Mel odywalkedi
nwi t
hherdaughter
andtheotherchil
donherbackdr aggi
ngherbig
sui
tcase.
“
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
”
“
Zambi
a.IhopeIdi
dn’
tdi
stur
byoursl
eep.
”
“
It
’sok.Youmustbeexhaust
ed,
pleasecomet
his
way.
”
Shel
edt
hem t
oaguestr
oom.
“
Ok,
youcanresther
e.Ar
eyouhungr
y,canImake
y
oubreakf
ast
?”
“
No,
it’
sok.Thanky
ou.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
l
lleav
eyout
orest
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Theodor
awalkedoutandwentbacktoherbedr
oom.
Shetookherphoneandcal
l
edChrist
ian.
“
HeySunshi
ne.
”
“
Babe,
yourcousi
nisher
e.”
“
Mycousi
n?”
“Yes,
Melody.Youshouldhavetol
dmeshewas
coming,
Icouldhavepickedherupfr
om t
her
ank.
”
“
UhhIf
orgot
.Wher
eisshe?
”
“Sheisi
ntheguestr
oom.Iam goi
ngt
orunhera
bath,
whenareyoucomingback?”
“Theworkshopi
sendi
ngt
oday
.Iwi
l
lbet
her
eint
he
eveni
ng.Whatdi
dshesay
?”
“
Not
hing.It
hinkshei
sti
red.Shei
swi
thherki
ds.
”
“
Ok.Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Shehungupandwal kedtothebathr
oom wher
eshe
fi
l
ledthetubwit
hwat erbef
oreshewentbackt
othe
guestroom.Melodywasstil
lsi
tt
ingont
hebed.
“
Hi,
Irany
ouabat
h.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Ihav
enev
ermetanyofChr
ist
ian’
srel
ati
ves.
”
Melodysmil
ed.“
Youarebeaut
if
ul,
howl
onghav
e
youbeenseei
ngChri
sti
an?”
“
Sixmont
hsnow.
”
“
Whendi
dyoumov
ein?
”
Theodor
asmi
l
ed.“
Thr
eemont
hsago.
”
“
Ok,
thanky
ouf
orr
unni
ngmeabat
h.”
“
Iwil
lmakeyousomet
hingt
oeat
,IknowZambi
ais
f
ar,
youmustbehungr
y.”
Theodor
awalkedoutandwentt
otheki
tchenwher
e
shestar
tedmaki
ngbreakf
ast
.

*
***
*

Rachel satontopofthetoi
l
etseatstar
ingatthe
pregnancyt est
.Ther
ewasonel i
ne.Sheclosedher
eyesfighti
nghertears.
“
Babe,
arey
ouok?
”Kennet
hknocked.
“
Yeah,
Iam f
ine.Gi
vemeami
nut
e.”
Shestoodupt
henthrewt
hepr egnancyt
esti
nsi
de
thewashi
ngbasket
.Shef
lushedandwalkedout
.
“
Hey
,ar
eyouok?
”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Yes.TodayIwantt
ocat
cht
he
masspr
ayeratchur
ch.
”
“
Oh,
ok.
”
Shest
oodonhert
oesandki
ssedhi
m.
“
Iam ov
ulat
ing.
”
“
Babedi
dn’
tweagreet
hatwewi
l
lhav
eachi
l
dwhen
t
heti
meisr
ight
?”
Shesteppedbacktearf
ull
y.“
It
’sbeenmonthsKen,
nothi
ngishappeni
ng.Thedoctorsai
dIhaveagood
chanceoffal
li
ngpregnantwhenIam ov
ulati
ng.
”
“
Thedoct
oral
sosaidsomecoupl
est
aket
imeand
wehav
etobepati
ent.
”
Tearsfi
ll
edherey esasshel ookedatherhusband.
Hedidn’tseem tounder st
andhowbadl yshewanted
achil
d.Shenoddedt henwal kedt otheclosetand
chosetheirchurchclothes.Shet ookadeepbr eath
wit
hherhandsonherf ace.Tearsr andownher
cheeksuncontroll
ablyandshesi lentlycri
ed.She
wasbegi nni
ngtot hi
nksomet hi
ngwaswr ongwit
h
her,t
herehadt obesomet hi
ngwr ong.
Shecr
iedf
orawhi
l
ethenf
inal
l
ywi
pedawayher
t
ear
sbef
oreshest
eppedoutoft
hecl
oset
.
“
Iam goi
ngt
obat
h.”
Hewasbacki
nthebl
anket
s.
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lsl
eepf
orf
ivemi
nut
es.
”
“
Ok.
”

*
***
*

Atthechur ch, Rachel walkedinwi thherhusband.

Thechur chwasal r
eadyhal ffull
.Theysatinthe
middlejoiningi nthepr ayerwhilethechurchchoir
sangsof tl
yf rom thest age.Tear sf
lewdownher
cheeksasshesi l
entlyprayedpour ingherheartto
God.Allshewant edwasachi ld.Awhilelat
er,the
entir
echur chwasf ullandt hechurchchoirhad
takenov er.Shesangal ongt othesongs.Rachel
watchedasKennet hcl appedhi shandsmov i
nghi s
bodyf r
om si det oside.
Whenshefi
rsttol
dhim aboutt
hechurchshedi
dn’t
t
hinkhewouldagreebutnowthreemonthsi
ntothe
chur
chhewaswar
mingupt
oit
.
Theybot hl i
stenedcareful
l
ywhent hepastorst
art
ed
preaching.Assoonast hesermonwasf ini
shed,t
he
choirtookov eragainsingi
ngImbewubyZaza
Mokhet hi.Everyonedancedalongtohowt hechoir
wasdanci ngwhi l
ethepastorwal
kedr ol
lbyrol
l
prayi
ngf orev eryone.Whentheyfi
nall
ywalkedout,i
t
wasj ustaf t
erlunch.
“Tomor
rowi
t’
swomen’sni
ght
.Iam comi
ng.Wewi
l
l
bewit
hpast
or’
swi
fe.
”
“
Any
thi
ngt
hatmakesy
ouhappy
.”
Theygoti
nsi
det
hecarandKennet
hdr
ovet
hem
backhome
“
Ihav
etogoandseePul
e.”
“
Ok.Iwi
l
lpr
epar
elunch.
”
Hekissedhercheekandwalkedout
.Shewalkedto
theki
tchenandpreparedl
unch.Twohour
slater
,she
wassitt
ingi
nfrontoftheTVwatchi
ngsomegospel
channel
.Shetouchedthescr
eenwhenthepastoron
theTVbeganpraying.
*
***
*

Lonesati
nhersi
tt
ingr
oom l
aughi
ngwi
thAmant
le.
“
Youshoul
dseeheratwor
k,shet
hinksshei
sal
l
t
hat
.”
“
Justi
gnor
eher
.”
“Ist
il
lcan’
tbeli
eveMi
guel
gotherpr
egnantassoon
asIlostourbaby.
”
“
Ihav
ethi
sfr
iendIknow.Shesel
l
sabor
ti
onpi
l
ls.
”
LonelookedatAmant
le.“
Idon’
twantt
olosemy
j
ob.”
“
Howwi
l
lyoul
osey
ourj
obi
fyouar
ecar
eful
?”
“No.Idon’
ttoendupl
i
keCour
tney
.Howi
sthej
ob
hunti
nggoing?
”
“Youknowhowi ti
sbutIwi
llkeepapply
ing.
”She
stoodup.“
Iam goi
ngtodri
nkwat er
.”
Shewal
kedt
otheki
tchenwhi
l
eLoner
elaxed
watchingTV.Amant l
e’sphonebeepedandLone
curiousl
ylookedov erit.Shemov edcloserandtook
thephone.Herhear tpoundedassheswi pedthe
phone’sscr eenandopenedherwhat sApp.She
openedt heunsav ednumber ’smessageand
frownedr eadingthrough.Hear i
ngfoot st
epsshe
quicklyswitchedthephoneof fandmov edbackto
wher eshewassi t
ti
ng.Amant l
ecamewal kedin
holdingtwogl assesofj ui
ce.Shehandedonet o
Loneanddr anktheot herhersel
f.
“
Thanks.
”
Lonelookedatherj
uicet
henst
oodup.“
Iwi
l
ldr
ink
thi
sinmybedr oom.
”
“
Buty
ouwer
est
il
lwat
chi
ng.
”
“
No,
Ihav
ephonecal
l
stomake.
”
“
Oh,
ok.
”
Shewalkedtoherbedroom thengotinherpri
vat
e
bathr
oom andspil
ledthej
uicewhileherheart
pounded.Shewalkedbacktoherbedroom andheld
herphone.Sheswall
owedherpr i
deanddi al
edher
number.Herphonerangforawhilebeforeshe
answer
ed.
“
Lone,
”
“
Rachel
,howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
Theybot
hkeptqui
etnotsur
eofwhatt
osay
.
“Iam sor
ryfornottel
l
ingy
out
hatIknewKennet
h,I
shoul
dhav etol
dy ou.
”
Rachelsi
ghed.“Yesyoushouldhav
ebutIfor
giv
e
you.Iam sor
ryaboutal
lthethi
ngsIsai
d.Ij
ustf
elt
betr
ayed.
”
“
Idon’
tbl
amey
ou.It
oowoul
dbeangr
y.”
Theawkwar
dsi
l
encecr
epti
nagai
n.Rachel
laughed.
“
Thelastti
methingswereli
kethiswasthatti
me
whenwewer edoingourf
ourthyear
,mycr ush
want
edy ouandIwassobitterandangr
y.”
Lonel
aughed.“
Youdi
dn’
tev
enwantt
oseeme.
”
“
Iwassoangr
y.”
Theyl
aughed.
“
Imi
ssy
ou.
”Rachel
whi
sper
ed.
“
Imi
ssy
out
oo.
”
“KenandIhav
ebeent
ryi
ngf
orababybutnot
hingi
s
happeni
ng.
”
“
Didy
ouseeadoct
or?
”
“
Yesandnot
hingi
swr
ong.
”
“
Somepeopl
ejustt
aket
imet
oconcei
ve.
”
“
Iknowbutt
hisi
sbr
eaki
ngme.
”
“
Justl
eti
thappenoni
t’
sown.
”
“
Yeah.Howi
sAmant
le?
”
“Iwentthr
oughherphoneandIfoundmessages
from t
hisunsav
ednumbertal
kingaboutift
hepil
ls
aresupposedtoki
ll
andhowl ongitwoul
dtake.Next
thingshecomestr
yingtogi
vemej ui
ce.”
“
Hey
!Isshet
ryi
ngt
oki
l
lyou?
”
“
Shei
s.Shepr
obabl
ywant
smyt
hings.
”
“
Isshest
il
li
nyourhouse?
”
“
Yes.Idon’
tev
enknowwhatt
osayt
oher
.”
“
Iam comi
ngt
here,
Godwi
l
lunder
stand.Iam goi
ng
t
oki
ckherout
.”
“
Comebecauser
ightnowIam bey
ondshocked.
”
“
Justwai
t,Iam comi
ng.
”
Rachel hungupwhi l
eLonesi ghed.Af t
erever
ythi
ng
shehadbeendoi ngforAmant le,i
twashear t
breakingtof i
ndoutt hatshewast r
yingtokil
lher
.
Nowt hatLonet houghtaboutit,shehadbeenact i
ng
strangelyforthelastcoupleday s.Rachelmessaged
herawhi l
elaterinf
ormi ngthatshewasatt hegate.
Shest oodupandwal kedtothesitti
ngroom,
Amant l
elookedather .
“
Hey
,ar
eyouok?
”
“
Yes.
”
Lonepressedthegat
e’sr
emot
eandwaitedfora
minutebefor
eRachelwal
kedi
n.Amant
lelookedat
Rachelsurpr
ised.
“
Uhu!Wedon’
tknock?
”
“
Bit
chpl
ease!Packy
ourbagsandgett
hef
uckout
.”
“
Whodoy
out
hinky
ouar
etal
ki
ngt
o?”
“
Whoel
sei
nthi
shousei
sav
isi
tor
?Isai
dgetout
.”
Amant
lel
ookedatLone.
“
Youar
elet
ti
ngt
hisgi
rlt
alkt
omel
i
ket
hat
?”
“
Whoarey
outryi
ngt
oki
l
lwi
tht
hepi
l
ls?Youput
t
hem i
nmyjui
ce?
”
“
What
?”Amant
leaskedpani
cki
ng.
“
Iknowy ouar
etr
yingtopoi
sonme.Iam goi
ngt
o
r
eporty
out ot
hepoli
ce.”
“I
nthemeanti
me, packyourbags,t
akeroadand
makedust
.”Rachelsai
dwalkingfur
theri
nsi
dethe
house.
Amantlel
ookedatLone.“
LoneIwoul
dnev
erhur
t
you.Youar
emysi st
er.
”
“Ireal
lythoughtIwasbutnowIseey ouhaven’
t
changedonebi t.Ify
outhoughtIwasgoingtodi
eso
thatyoucant akeovermythings,
youarewrong.Get
outbef or
eIcallthepol
i
ceony ou.”
“Youwil
lremembert
hisdayLone!Ipr
omi
sey
ou.
Youarecursi
ngyour
sel
f.
”
“Bi
tchgett
hefuckout!Iknewy ouwer
eplanni
ng
somethi
ng.
”RachelgotinfrontofAmant
le.“
Butyou
fai
l
ed!”
Amant l
ecl
ickedhert
onguewal
ki
ngt
owar dsthe
bedrooms.Shecamebackminut
esl
aterwit
hher
bags.
“
Iwi
l
lcomebackf
ormypr
oper
ty.
”
“
Don’
twor
ry,
wewi
l
lsendi
twher
every
ouar
e.Bi
tch!
”
Theywat
chedherasshewal
kedout
.
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
hatbi
tcht
ri
edki
l
li
ngy
ou.
”
“
Iam st
il
lshocked.
”

*
***
*

Anayafi
nishedt
ypi
ngherbusi
nessplant
hent
ook
outherphoneanddi
aledanumber.
“
Hey
,Ij
ustf
ini
shedwi
tht
hebusi
nessi
dea.
”
Donal
dlaughed.“
See?It
oldy
ou.
”
“Iknow.It
hinkst
art
ingaf
arm wi
l
lbet
hebestt
hingI
haveeverdone.
”
“I
tis,butwest artatt
helowestlevel
.Chickensar e
bi
gi nthemar ketespeci
all
yifyoukeepbot hbr oi
lers
andlayers.Afteracoupleofmont hsifbusinessis
good, y
ouwi l
lhav eabigpoult
rytheny oucanst art
pl
oughi ng.Getintost
atefar
mi ng.Alotofbl ack
peopledon’tdoi t,
mostlyi
t’
swhi t
epeopl e.
”
“Ihopeitworksout.Iam movi
ngmyf amil
ybackt
o
BroadhurstsoIwil
lbesav i
ngmoremoney.Iam
putti
ngalmostallmysavingsi
ntothi
s.”
“
Goodt
hingy
ourmot
herhasapl
ot,
howbi
gisi
t?”
“I
t’
sbig,itwasmygr andmother
’s.Whenshepassed
on,shehadal r
eadyputiti
nmymot her’
snameto
avoidconfl
ict
sbetweenherothersibli
ngsfr
om t
he
otherhouse.”
“
Wher
eisi
t?”
“
Ser
owe.
”
“
Good.Iam sur
ethatwi
l
lsav
eyoual
otofst
ress.
”
“
Yes.Ihopei
tal
lwor
ksout
.”
“
Itwi
l
l.Don’
twor
ry.
”
Shehear
dacardr
ivi
ngi
n.
“
Look,
Ihav
etogo.Thanky
ou.
”
“
Whatar
efr
iendsf
or?
”
“
Byewor
kmat
e.”
“
Mxm atl
eastf
ri
endzoneme.
”
Anay
alaughedhangingup.Sheputherphoneaway
asMiguel
walkedin.
“
Heybaby
,howdi
ditgo?
”
“
Agangi
sst
ubbor
n.Hewon’
tli
stent
ome.
”
“
WhataboutSar
ona?
”
“Shedidn’
tev
encomeout.Pulesai
dshei
sfi
l
ingf
or
divor
ce.Shei
sgoi
ngtoregrett
his.
”
“Shei
squi
tt
ingt
hecompanytoo.Ihav
etof
ind
someonewhowil
lmanagei
t.
”
Hesatbesi
deher
.“Busi
nesshasi
t’
sownupsand
downs.
”
“
IknowbutIwi
l
lnev
erpar
tneri
nbusi
ness,
Ihav
e
l
earntabi
glesson.Iam goi
ngt
ochanget
he
company’
sname.”
Helookedatherl
apt
op.“
Youwantt
ost
arta
poul
try
?”
“
Yes.Ihav
eagoodf
eel
i
ngabouti
t.
”
“
Iam f
ull
ybehi
ndy
ou.Il
ovehowy
out
hink.
”
“
Thanks,
Imadel
unch.
”
Shest
oodup.
“
Nay
a,Ihav
esomet
hingt
otel
lyou.
”
Shel
ookedathi
sner
vousf
acet
henf
rowned.
“
What
’swr
ong?
”
“
Mar
angcal
l
edmey
est
erday
.”
Shef
oldedherar
ms.“
Whatdi
dshewant
?”
“
Shei
spr
egnant
.”
“
Shei
swhat
?”
“
Shei
spr
egnant
.”
“
Soshedi
dn’
tgetamor
ningaf
ter
?”
“
Yeah.Idr
ovet
oherhouset
oseef
ormy
sel
f.
”
Anay
aputherhandsonherwai
st.“
Wit
houtt
ell
i
ng
me?”
“
Ijustwant
edt
omakesur
ebef
oreIt
oldy
ou.
”
“Youseenow?Whatyougetf
ornotusi
ngacondom.
Sheprobabl
ydi
dal
lthi
sonpurpose.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Anayasi
ghedbl
inki
ngawayhert
ear
s.“
Miguel
see
whatyoudi
d?”
“
BabeIam sor
ry.
”
Shewalkedtotheki
tchenandcover
edherf
ace
cr
ying.Miguel
huggedherfr
om behi
nd.
“
YouandIaregoingt
ogetmar
ri
edbabe,
wewi
l
ldeal
wi
thi
ttoget
her.
”
“Ican’
tbel
iev
ethi
sishappeni
ng.Mi
guel
yousee
howy oukeeponbreaki
ngmyheart
.”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“Youdon’t
.Ifyoudidy
ouwouldhav
eusedacondom.
Ifeel
stupi
dr i
ghtnow,Iknowy
ouaregoi
ngt
osleep
wit
hhernowt hatt
her
esomet hi
ngconnecti
ngyout
o
her.Idon’
tev
enunder
standwhyIamar ryi
ngyou
becauseIdon’
tthi
nkyoulov
emeenough. ”
“Il
oveyou,Iknowmyact i
onscont
inuehur
ti
ngy
ou
butIam pastcheat
ing.
”
“
You….GodwhydoIst
il
ll
ovey
ou?
”
Shecal
meddownandwi
pedawayhert
ear
s.
“
Let
’sgot
oherhouse.
”
“
Ok.Any
thi
ngy
ouwant
.”

*
***
*

Miguelpar
kedbyMar ang’
sgateandAnayafrowned
l
ookingatthecarpar
kedinfr
ontofhergarage.
“
Ist
hather
s?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Shehasacarl
i
kemi
ne?
”
“
Shepr
obabl
yboughti
trecent
ly.That
’snott
hecar
shewasusi
ng.
”
Theygotoffandwalkedinside.Miguelknocked
whil
eAnayalookedatMar ang’scarannoy ed.
Marangopenedthedoorasecondl aterandsmiled
atMiguel
.Hersmiledisappearedasshel ooked
Anayawhowasl ooki
ngatherst omach.
“
Oh,
hi.
”
“
Canwet
alk?
”
Shel
ookedatMi
guel
.“Yeahsur
e.Comei
n.”
Theywalkedi
n.Anay
alookedatherni
cepr
oper
ty
si
tti
ngdown,i
twasnotbad.
“Iam nother
etofightyou.Youcanrelax.
”Anaya
saidputt
ingherhandbagdownst ar
ingatMarang’
s
uneasyface.
“
Ok.
”
“
Good,y
oucanr
elax
.Mi
guel
andIar
epr
act
ical
l
y
mar
ri
ed.”
“
AndIr
espectt
hat
.”
“
Ofcausey
oushoul
d.Si
nceIam hi
swi
fe,
what
ever
y
oumayneed,
yout
alkt
ome.Iwi
l
lhandl
eit
.”
ShelookedatMiguelwhohel
dAnay
a’shandsi
l
ent
ly
thenbackatAnaya.
“
Ok.
”
“
Howmuchdoy
ouneedmont
hly
?”
Marangclearedherthr
oat.“MiguelandIagreedon
P4000.I
twi l
lcoverf
oreverythi
ngincludingmy
hospi
tal
checkups, buyi
ngthebaby ’sprepar
ati
on,
mysupplement sandfood.”
Anayarai
sedherey
ebrow.“
P4000?That’
salotof
money.Howmuchwi l
lyouneedoncethebabyi
s
born?
”
“
Idon’
tknowbutmor
e.”
Anayalaughed.“Youmustbesmoki ng.Wear egoing
togiveyouP1500.I t
’senough.Thereisnot hing
speci
alabouty ourpregnancy.Wewi l
lincreaseitt
o
P2500oncet hebabyi sborn.Iam surey ougetpaid
atthehospit
al.Doy ouhaveamedi calaid? ”
“
Yesbut
-“
“
Butnot
hing.Yourmedi
cal
aidwi
l
lcov
ery
ourcheck
ups.Youwill
buyfoodwi t
htheremai
ningmoney.”
Anayastoodup.“
Myhusbandi snotanATM, and
pl
ease,don’
tcal
lhim becausei
fyoudo,youwouldn’
t
wanttocrossme.Let’
sgobabe. ”
“
Miguel
?”Mar
angquest
ioned.
“
Hehasnot
hingt
osayordoy
ou?
”
Mi
guel
shookhi
shead.“
No,
ifwear
edonel
et’
sgo.
”
Theywal
kedoutandwentt
ohi
scar
.
“Whyonear
thwoul
dyouagr
eet
othatr
idi
cul
ous
amount
?”
“Shehadsai
dthat
’swhatsheneeded.
”Mi
guel
sai
d
dri
vi
ngoutofheryar
d.
“That
’scrazy.Shewi
ll
got oagovernmenthospi
tal
if
shecan’taff
ordapri
vatehospi
tal
.Iam sur
eshe
boughtthatcaronpur
posetocopyme.Iwantanew
car.
”
Miguel
lookedatherwit
hasmil
e.“
Why
?Because
sheboughtacarli
keyours?
”
“Yes.Andst
art
ingfr
om t
odayIwil
lcar
ryy
ourbank
cardsandIwil
lper
sonal
l
ygivehert
hatmoney
.”
“
Babecomeon…”
“NoMiguel
.Iam goi
ngt
ocar
ryt
hecar
ds.Youar
e
nott
obet r
usted.
”
“
Ok,
what
evert
hatmakesy
ouhappy
.”
“
AMer
cedesG63AMGwi
l
lmakemehappy
.”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Ilov
eyou,
yourwi
shi
smycommand.
”
“Iam annoyed.Yourcheati
nggotushere,youhave
melookingli
keaf oolforev
enstayi
ngafterever
y
l
oadofcr apyouhav eputmethrough.
”
“
WhatcanIdot
omakey
ouf
eel
bet
ter
?”
Shesmiledroll
i
ngherey
es.“
Iwantsomehotwi
ngs,
Iam cr
av i
ngthem.
”
Hestoppedbyt
het
raf
fi
cli
ghtandl
eanedov
er
ki
ssi
ngher.
“
Iam st
il
lannoy
ed.
”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#44

Anayasati nf
rontofthemi rrorfixinghermakeup,
shefixedherl i
psti
ckbef oreshest ooduplovingthe
factthatshewasn’ tthatmucht hick,goi
ngtot he
gym pr ovedtobewor ki
ngthoughshedi dgett ir
ed
tooqui ckly
.Shesmi l
edl ookingatt hemi r
rorinher
whitef ormaldressthathuggedherbel landfigure
withherr edbottoms.St eal
ingagl anceatherwat ch,
shepi ckedherhandbagandl aptopbackwal kingout.
Herphoner
angassoonasshegoti
nthecar
.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Goodmor
ningmam,
”
“
HiBont
le,
”
“
UhhSar
onahasnotar
ri
vedandshehast
hekey
s,
wear
eal
lout
sideaswespeak.
”
“
Letmecal
lherandIwi
l
lgetbackaty
ou.
”
“
Yesmam.
”
Anayastart
edthei
gni
ti
onandr
ever
sedoutt
hen
di
aledSarona’
snumber.
“
HiAnay
a,”
“Look,IgetthatyouwanttoquitbutIdi
dn’
tknow
youwant edtodoi tassoonaspossibl
e.Myworker
s
arestandingoutsideal
lbecauseyouarenott
her
e
withthekeys.”
“
OhGod!If
orgot
.Iwi
l
lgonow.
”
“
Good,gi
veBont
lethekeystoget
herwithyour
r
esi
gnati
onl
ater
.Iwil
lgetthem f
rom herl
ater
.”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungt
hencal
l
edBont
leback.
“Look,
Iam r
eal
lysorr
y.I
twon’
thappenagai
n.Shei
s
comingwit
hthekeys.
”
“
Okmam.
”
“
Cal
lmeonceshear
ri
ves.
”
“
Yes.
”
Sheputherphoneawayasapoli
ceoff
icerwav
ed
hert
ostop.Shebri
efl
ycl
osedherey
es.
“
Shi
t!
”
Anayastoppedthecarbyt
hesideoft
heroadand
rol
leddownherwindowwhilet
hepoli
ceoff
icer
approachedher
.
“Goodmorni
ng,
youaredri
vi
ngpastthespeedl
i
mit
andalsousi
ngy
ourphonewhil
edri
vi
ng.”
Shel
ookedathi
m,“
Iapol
ogi
ze,
pleasef
orgi
veme.
”
“
Iam notGodwhofor
giv
es,st
epout,
Iam writ
ing
y
ouat i
cket
.AndcanIpl
easeseey
ourli
cense.
”
Shelookedatt hepol
i
ceof
fi
cerwi
thpl
eadi
ngey
es
thathelaughed.
“Justgetof
fthecar,thatl
ookwon’
twor
kwi
thme.
Comewi thyourl
icense.”
Hewal kedbacktothepolicecarwhichwasparked
behindher.Anay
ast eppedoutwithherl
icenseand
walkedtowardshim.
“
Iam char
gingy
ou.Letmeseey
ourl
i
cense.
”
Shehandedi
tov
erandwat
chedashewr
otehera
ti
cket
.
“
Ther
ewego,
Iam sur
enextt
imey
ouwi
l
lfol
l
owt
he
r
oadl
aws.
”
“
Iwi
l
l.
”
Hehandedhert het
icketandherbeforeshewalked
backt ohercaranddr ov
eof f
.Atthebank,she
steppedinandpassedLonebyherdeski gnor
ingher
compl et
ely.Sheset
tledinheroff
iceandtookouther
l
apt opsit
ti
ngonherchai r.
“Hey!
”Donal
dwalkedi
nholdi
ngt
wocof
feesi
nhi
s
handsandachi
ckenwrap.
“
Onef
ory
ouandonef
orme.
”
Anayasmil
edatherworkmateasheputt hechi
cken
wrapandcoff
eeinfr
ontofher
.“Thanks.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thanks.
”
“
Thatguyi
sreal
l
yluckyt
ohav
eyou.
”
“
Iknowr
ight
?”
Theybot
hlaughed.Donal
dlookedathi
swat
ch.
“
Ihav
etogobutIsetupameet
ingbet
weeny
ouand
t
hisf
ri
endofmi
ne.He’
safarmerandhei
smor
e
t
hanhappyt
ogi
veyoupoi
nters.
”
“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”
“
Soi
slunchok?
”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Ok,
Ihav
etogett
owor
k,hav
eagoodday
.”
“
Yout
oo.
”
Hewal
kedoutwi
thasmi
l
eleav
ingAnay
aeat
ing.

*
***
*

Mi
guel
shookhandswi
thabusi
nessassoci
ate.
“
Pleasur
edoi
ngbusi
nesswi
thy
ouMokwena.
”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Likewi
se.
”
ThemanwalkedoutasMiguel
resumedhi
sseat
.
Rebaonewal
kedi
nsecondslat
er.
‘
Sir
,ther
eisawomanher
etoseey
ou,
hernamei
s
MarangSetso.
”
“
Letheri
n.”
“
Ok.
”
Shewal
kedoutasMarangwal
kedi
nherf
lar
eddr
ess.
Shesmi
ledcl
osi
ngthedoor
.
“
Hi.
”
“
Hey
,isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“
No.Canwet
alk?
”
“
Yeah.
”
Shesatdownputt
ingherhandbagonhi
sgl
assdesk
thencal
mlyl
ookedathim.
“MiguelP1500isnotenough.Icouldbediscussi
ng
thi
swi t
hAnayabutshewon’ treasonwithme.I
knowIam wor ki
ngbutIhaveot herpr
oject
sIam
doing.Pl
easeunderst
andwher eIam comi ngfr
om.”
Hel
ookedatherf
orawhi
l
eleani
ngbackonhi
schai
r.
“Sheisnotgoingtounderst
andwhereIam st
andi
ng
from becausesheisnothappy
.Iam beggi
ngyou
please.
”
“
Ihur
tAnay
aandt
hat
’swhyshei
sbehav
ingl
i
ket
his.
ButIgety ou.Iwasgoi ngtogiveyouthemoneyy ou
requestedini
tial
l
ybutIam al r
eadywal ki
ngont hi
n
i
ce.Iwi l
lmakeapl an,shehasallmycards,Iwill
speaktomybr other.Anayawil
lcalm down.Shei s
hurti
ngr i
ghtnow, may beaft
erawhi l
ewewi ll
discussthisbutfornowdon’ tprov
okeher .
”
Mar
angsmi
l
ed.“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Youhav
egr
ownt
hick.
”
Mar
anglaughed.“
It
’sy
ourchi
l
d.Ihav
etogett
o
wor
k.”
Hest
oodupandwal
kedt
owar
dsher
.
“
Iwi
shy
ouhadt
oldmesooner
.”
Mar
angsmi
l
edst
andi
ng.“
Iam sor
ry.Iwasscar
ed.
”
“
Ipr
omi
sey
ou,
Iwi
l
lal
way
ssuppor
tmyson.
”
“
Mynextcheckupi
stomor
row.Youcancomewi
th
i
fyouwant
.”
“
Iwi
l
l,whatt
ime?
”
“
Att
wo.
”
“
Bokamoso?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iwi
l
lbet
her
e.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shesmil
ed.“Ir
eal
l
ywantt
ohugy
oubutIf
eel
it’
s
i
nappr
opri
ate.”
“
Iti
s.”Hesai
dt henhuggedherbr
ief
ly.“
Thanky
ou
f
ornotabort
inghim.”
“
Iwoul
dn’
thav
edr
eamtabouti
t.
”
Hel
ethergo.
“
Bye.
”
Shewal
kedoutl
eav
inghi
m si
ghi
ng.

*
***
*

Theodor
awal
kedi
nsi
deherof
fi
cet
alki
ngt
othe
phone.
“Youshoul
dtreathi
srelati
veswit
hrespectmygi
rl
butIam st
il
lagai
nsttheissueofyoustayi
ngwi
th
t
hatmanwhi
l
sthehasn’
tmar
ri
edy
ou.
”
“
MamaIdon’
twantt
oputpr
essur
eonhi
m.Ei
ther
way
,wej
ustmet
.”
“
Yesyoudonotwanttoputpressur
eonherbutdo
y
outhi
nkhewil
lmarryyouify
ouar eal
readyawi
fe
t
ohim?”
“
Iam notawi
fet
ohi
m.”
“Youare.Youcookforhi
m, youwashf
orhim,i
ron
forhim,cl
eanforhi
m.Allt
het hi
ngsawif
eshouldbe
doing,y
ouaredoingthem.”
“
Ist
ayf
orf
reei
nhi
shouse.
”
“It
’snotl
ikeyoucan’
taff
ordstay i
ngony ourown.I
thoughtyousaidt
henewj obpay swel
l?You
shouldn’
tbehavel
ikethi
s.Nothingwil
lmot i
vat
ehim
tomar r
yy oui
fyoualr
eadyhavemadey oursel
fhi
s
wife.Youshoul
dmov eouttoy ourownhouse.”
”
Iheary
ou.
”
“Noyoudon’tbecausei
fy oudi
d,wewouldn’
tbe
havi
ngthisconver
sati
on.Ihavebeentel
li
ngyouthi
s
formonthsnow.Iam tr
yingtohel
py ou,
Theodor
a
si
ncey ougotyourselft
hatjob,whathavey ou
achiev
edsof ar?Youdon’tevenhavey ourowncar
oranythi
nginy ourname.Hav eyoulookedatyour
agemat es.Youbuymakeupsot hatyoulookli
ke
MissBot swanayetyoudon’thaveanythingofyour
s
i
ny ourname.”
“
MamaIhav
etogo.
”
“I
t’
sok.Ihopeyoudosomethi
ngtochanget
he
di
rect
ionofyourl
if
e.Youdon’
twantt
oendupli
ke
me.”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungupandputherphoneaside.Shesmi l
ed
l
ookingatt
heflower
sthathadjustbeendel
i
v er
edto
herandsmil
edsmelli
ngthem whil
ereadi
ngthenote.
Herphonerangassheputthefl
owersdown.
“
Babe,
Ilov
ethef
lower
s.”
“
Iknewy
ouwoul
d.Iam ar
ri
vi
ngi
ntheev
eni
ng.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lpi
cky
ouupf
rom t
heai
rpor
t.
”
“
Ok,
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
*
***
*

Col
l
eenf
ini
shedupwi
thacl
i
ent
.
“
Doy
oul
i
ket
hem?
”
“
Ido,
thanks.
”
Hercl
i
entpai
dherbef
oreshewal
kedout
.
“Yourdayl
ooki
nggoodr
ight
?”Ahai
rdr
essersai
d
smili
ngather
.
“Yes,
youcansayso.I
fitkeepsl
i
ket
his,
thi
swi
l
lbe
oneofmybestdays.
”
“Todayit
’sabusyday.Endofmont
hisal
way
s
dri
ppingwit
hcash.”
Shel
aughed.“
Iknow.
”
Herphoner
angandshesi
ghedl
ooki
ngatt
hecal
l
er
I
D.
“
Vince,
”
“
Hey
,wher
edoy
ouwor
k?”
“
AtRai
lpar
kMal
li
nasal
on.
”
“
Don’
tyouhav
eadegr
ee?
”
“
Idobutj
obsar
ehar
dtof
ind.
”
“Howaboutyouhandmey
ourCV.Iknowacoupl
e
ofpeopl
e.”
“
Thatwoul
dbegr
eat
.”
“
Youshoul
dn’twor
kingi
nasal
on.Youar
esmar
ter
t
hant
hat.Youshoul
dquit
.”
Col
l
eenl
aughed.“
Howwi
l
lIeati
fIqui
t?”
“
Iwi
l
ltakecar
eofy
ou.
”
“
Boypl
ease!
”
“
Iam ser
ious.Iknowwhaty ousai
dlastni
ghtbutI
wantsomethi
ngser i
ous,
that’
swhyIdidn’
tsl
eep
wi
thyoulastnight
.”
“
Ify
ouarelooki
ngforseri
oust
hingst
henIam not
t
hegir
lyoushoul
dbeey ei
ng.
”
“Il
oveyouandIam notgi
vi
ngup.Iam comi
ngat
RailPar
ktocol
l
ectyou.Youar
equitt
ing.
”
“Vi
nce,Ij
ustcan’
tqui
tmyjob,matt
eroff
act
,it
’smy
hust
lebecauseIam r
ent
ingthi
stabl
eint
hesalon.
”
“
Howmuchdoy
oumakei
namont
h?”
“
Itdepends.
”
“
Ok.Iam sendi
ngy
ousomemoney
.”
Hehungupwhil
eColl
eenr
oll
edhereyes.Afew
minut
esl
ater
,amessager
eport
edfrom +13622
Sheputherhandoverhermouthl
ooki
ngatt
he
amountthenherphonerang.
“
Iam comi
ngt
opi
cky
ouup,
ist
hatenough?
”
“
Yes.
”
Shel
aughedhangi
ngup.Anot
hercal
lcamei
n
al
mostimmediat
ely
.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Hey,
it’
sTshepo,
IhopeIam notdi
stur
bing
anyt
hing.
”
“
Youar
enot
.”
“
Arey
ouf
reef
orl
unch?May
bewecoul
dgoout
.”
“Iwoul
dlovetobutonlyasf
riends.Nnar
rahake
batt
legojol
a.{
Idon’twantt
odat e.
}”
Helaughed.“
Ineversai
danythi
ngaboutthat
.Ij
ust
wanttosaythankyouforwhatyoudi
d.”
“
Ial
readysai
dit’
sfi
nebuti
fyour
eal
l
ywantt
othank
me,
y oucansendmoney.
”
“Fi
nal
ly!Ir
eallyf
eltgui
l
tyf
ornotev
engi
vi
ngy
ou
anyt
hingafteral
lthaty
oudid.
”
“
Sendt
hemoney
.Iwi
l
lwai
t.
”
Helaughed.“
Youaresuchachar
acter
.Iam sendi
ng,
butwearesti
llgoi
ngoutf
orl
unch.”
“
It
’sok,don’
texpectany
thi
ngf
rom met
hough.Iam
warni
ngyou.”
“
Iwon’
t.
”
Shewait
edafewminuteswaiti
ngforthemessage.
Whenitf
inal
l
yrepor
tedinherphone,shequi
ckl
y
openedt
heewall
etmessage.
Ahugemonkeysmi
lepast
edi
tsel
fonherf
aceas
shel
ookedatt
heamount.
“Tsi
tsi
,Iam knocki
ngof
fear
lyt
oday
,Ihav
ean
emergency.
”
Thehai
rdr
esserl
ookedatherwi
thasmi
l
e.“
Okl
ove.
”
Coll
eenqui
cklypackedherthi
ngsandwal
kedoutof
thesal
on.Minut
eslater
,shewasgett
ingi
nVince’
s
car.
“
Youqui
t?”
Shesmil
ed.“
Iam notqui
tt
ingmyjobVi
nce.Ij
ust
rewar
dedmysel
fwithadayoff.
”
Hest
art
edt
hecaranddr
ovef
rom Rai
lPar
k.
“
Youshoul
dmov
e,Bont
lengi
snotsaf
e.”
Shelookedathi
m.“
Iknowbutt
hat
’st
hepl
aceIcan
aff
ord.
”
“
Iwil
lrentyouahouse.Abet
terhouse,
wher
edoy
ou
wantt
ost ay?
”
“
Arey
oubei
ngser
iousr
ightnow?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok,
Ithi
nkbl
ock10i
sfi
ne.
”
“
Letmemakeaphonecal
l
.”
Col
leenwatchedhim ashespokeonthephonewi
th
asmile.Asfarasshewasconcerned,
shewasn’
t
doi
ngany t
hingwrong.
“
Ok,t
her
eisahousei
nBl
ock10,
atwobedr
oom.I
s
i
tok?
”
“
Howmuchi
sther
ent
?”
“
Wewillseet
her
e.Thel
andl
ordi
sgoi
ngt
omeetus
t
her
e.”
HedrovetoBlock10andi nminut
es,hepar
kedin
fr
ontofthegate.Coll
eensmil
edlooki
ngatthe
housefr
om outside.I
twasbeauti
ful
.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Theyst eppedoutoft
hecarandwal kedi
nsi
de.Vince
greetedthelandl
ordwhi
leColl
eenjustsmil
ed,she
couldn’
tseem tobeabletocontr
olherexci
tement.
“
Comei
nsi
deandsee.
”
Theywal
kedi
nsi
dethehouseandshei
mmedi
atel
y
fel
li
nlov
ewit
hthehouse.
“
Ilov
eit
.”
“
Ok,
wewi
l
ltakei
t.Iwantt
opayf
ivemont
hsr
ent
.”
“
That
’sokwi
thme.
”
Vi
ncesort
edthi
ngswi
tht
helandl
ordwhil
eColl
een
movedfr
om r
oom tor
oom wi
thherphoneonherear
.
“
Hey
,”
“
Arey
oubusy
?”
Anay
alaughed.“
No,
ever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
Therei
sthi
sman.”Shewhi
sper
ed.“
Hesay
she
l
ovesmebutIdon’
t.
”
Anay
acr
ackedup.“
Whyar
eyouwhi
sper
ing?
”
“Becausehe’
sher
e,l
ist
en,
heisrenti
ngahousef or
meandhegav ememoneyearli
er.Iexpl
ainedt
ohim
thatIdi
dn’
twantany
thi
ngser
iousbuthedoesn’t
care.
”
“
Andy
ourquest
ioni
sthat
?”
“
Isi
twr
ongt
olethi
m spendmoneyonme?
”
“
Whatdoy
out
hink?
”
“It
hinkifGodtr
iestohel
py oui
ndif
fi
cultsit
uati
ons,
hewi l
lbri
nganyonetodoitandoneshouldn’
tref
use
God’shelp.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.
“I
fheof fer
edtopaytherentmay bey oushouldgo
fori
tandsav eal
lyourmoneyf orthebusinessbut
youneedt obecaref
ul.Sometimest heset hi
ngs
haveawayofendi nginthewor stmanner .Wheny ou
fi
nall
yfindthemany oulove,
leavingthisonewillbe
abittr
icky.
”
“Idon’
tthi
nkIwi
lleverf
all
inl
ove,
notaf
terwhat
happenedwit
hIan.”
“
Youaresti
ll
young.Youhavealongwayt
ogoand
y
oushouldn’
tpai
ntallmenwit
hthesamebrush.
”
“
Idon’
tknowaboutt
hatbutIam ov
erl
ove.
”
“
Ihav
etogo.Remember
,sav
efory
ourbusi
ness.
”
“
Okby
e.”
Shewalkedoutoft
hehouseandstoodwi
thVince
asheshookhandswit
hthelandl
ordwhogav
ehi m
thekey
s.
“
Ther
e.Hav
eani
cest
ayher
e.”
Hewal
kedawaywhi
l
eCol
l
eensmi
l
ed.
“
So,
whencanImov
ein?
”
“
Today.Ihav
eaf
ri
endwi
thal
orr
y.Hewi
l
lhel
pyou
move.
”
“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”Shehuggedhi
m.
“
Youar
emostwel
come.
”
Herphoner
angandshel
ethi
m got
aki
ngi
tout
.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,st
il
lupf
orl
unch?
”
“
No,
Iam mov
ingIcan’
t.Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyoumov
ingt
o?”
“
ToBl
ock10.
”
“
Oh,
may
beIcanhel
pyouset
tl
e?”
“
Iwi
l
lgetbackaty
ou.
”
“
Ok,
Bye.
”
“
Bye.
”
Sheputherphoneaway
.“Acl
i
ent
.”

*
***
*

Theodoradroveinsidetheyar
dandparked.Chri
sti
an
steppedouttal
kingont hephonet
hentookthe
pl
asticbagsofgr ocer
yfrom t
hebackseatbefor
e
headingi
nsidethehouse.
Shetookherhandbagandcl imbedoutoft hecar
fol
lowingbehindhimi nsi
dethehouse.Shewasmet
byasweetar omaatt heent r
ance.Shewal kedt ot
he
kit
chenwher eChrist
ianwast alki
ngtoMel odyina
forei
gnlanguage.Shet ookast epbacktry
ingt o
fi
gureoutwhatt heywer etal
kingabout.Christ
ian
tur
nedandt heireyesmet .
“
Isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“
Yeahbabe,i
t’
sbeensol
ongsi
nceImether
.Wear
e
j
ustcat
chi
ngup.”
Theodor
asmi
l
ed.“
Igety
ou.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
otakeashower
.”
“
Iwi
l
lbet
her
einami
nut
e.”
Hewal
kedaway
.
“
Thanky
ou,
forcooki
ng.I
tsmel
l
samazi
ng.
”
Mel
odysmi
l
ed.“
It
’sok,
justdoi
ngmydut
y.”
“Ok,
Iam goi
ngt
ofr
eshenup,
ithasbeenal
ongday
atwork.
”
Theodor
afoll
owedChr
ist
iant
othebedr
oom wher
e
hewasundressi
ng.
“Sowherei
sherhusband?
”Sheaskedt
aki
ngof
fher
shoes.
“
Hei
sbacki
nZambi
a.”
“
Oh,howl
ongwill
shebeher
e?Idon’
twanthert
o
f
eel
uncomfor
tabl
eher
e.”
“
Foraf
ewday
s,shehast
ogoback.
”
“
Butshej
ustcame.
”Shet
ookof
fherdr
ess.
“
Yeahbabebutshehasahusbandt
ogobackt
o.”
“
Isshegoi
ngt
oseey
ourf
ather
?”
“
No,
shej
ustwant
edt
ovi
sitme,
youknow,
it’
sbeen
t
ime.Weusedt
obecl
ose.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hewal
kedt
owar
dsherandki
ssedher
.
“
Imi
ssedy
ou.
”
“
Imi
ssedy
out
oo.
”
Heki
ssedherpul
l
ingoutherpant
ies.
Halfanhourlater
,theybot
hwalkedoutandwentto
thediningr
oom.Mel odyhadal
readydishedfor
everybodyandherkidswereal
readyeati
ng.The
olderonestoodupassoonashi seyesfell
on
Christi
an.
“
Daddy
!”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#45
Theodor
alookedatChr
ist
ianast
heboyr
ani
ntohi
s
arms.
“
Heyboy
!”
“
Imi
ssedy
ou.
”
“
Imi
ssedy
out
oomyboy
.”
Theodor al ookedatMel odywhowassmi li
ng,i
twas
asi fshewasmi ssingsomet hingbutj
ustdidn’
t
knowwhat .Chri
stiansatdownwi thTheodoranext
tohi m.Theyst ar t
edeat i
ngt houghTheodora’
s
attenti
onwasf ocusedonMel ody.Thetabl
ewas
sil
entandTheodor a’
sheartpoundedhar dagai
nst
herchest .Immedi atel
yafterdinner
,Melodytookthe
platestot hekitchen.
“
Youcooked,
Iwi
l
ldot
hedi
shes.
”
“
Ohno,
don’
t.I
t’
sok.Iwi
l
ldoi
t.
”
Theodorawal
kedoutl
eavi
ngherbythesi
nk.
Chri
sti
anwasnowsitt
ingwit
hMelody’
ski
ds.The
smalloneonhi
slap.
“
Iam notf
eel
i
ngwel
l
,Iam goi
ngt
olaydownf
ora
whi
l
e.”
Chr
ist
ianl
ookedather
.“Ok.
”
Shenoddedandwal kedaway .I
nthebedr oom she
tr
iedtoshakeof ft hewei rdfeel
ingthatwasst artl
ing
her.Shet ookherphoneandscr ol
ledthroughher
contacts, i
tdawnedt ohert hatshereall
yhadnoone
tocall.Shehadn’ tspokenwi thYaoneev ersinceshe
fi
ledther est r
ainingor derandherr elati
onshipwi t
h
Anay ahadj ustdi ed.ShewentonWhat sAppand
vi
ewedhercont act ’
sst atuses.Yaone’scamef i
rst,it
wasapi ctureofher selfatthebeach.Thenext
statuswasAnay a’s,itwasherhousei nBr oadhurst.
Hermot her’swor dsr angi nherheadasshesi ghed.
Shedi dn’thav enot hingtohername.Notev ena
smal lcary etheragemat eshadser iousthingsgoi ng
i
nt heirli
ves.
Shequi ckl
ycheckedherbankbalancethensmiled
searchi
ngf orcarsshecanaff
ord.Shelookedatthe
pri
ceofaGol f5withasmil
ebutthenthoughtof
Anay a’
shouse.May beacarwouldwaitwhileshe
buil
tahousef i
rst
.
*
***
*

Coll
eenlookedar oundherhousef i
ll
edwi t
hpr oper
ty
shehadbought .Herhousewasf ul
l.Shewal kedto
herbedroom andopenedherwar drobe.Al
l hernew
expensiv
eclotheshaddecor atedtheentir
e
wardrobe.Shesighedhappil
y .Herphoner angas
sheclosedthewar drobedoors.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Hey,si
ncewehadt
ocancel
lunch,
howabout
dinner
?”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Dinneri
sfi
ne.
”
“
Ok,
Iam comi
ng,
wher
einbl
ock10doy
oust
ay?
”
“
NearAi
rpor
tJunct
ion.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lcal
lwhenIam atAi
rpor
tJunct
ionMal
l
.”
Sheputherphoneawaywhenhehungandwal ked
backtothesit
ti
ngroom.Sheswi tchedonthehuge
TVmount edonthewal l
andsatdown.Mi nut
eslat
er
Tshepocall
edagain.Shedir
ectedhimfrom t
hemal l
toherhouseandinfewmi nuteshehadarri
ved.
“
Youbr
oughtpi
zza?
”
“
Yeah,It
houghty
oumightbehungr
y.Af
teral
lthe
movi
ng,youmustbeexhaust
ed.
”
“
Trustme,
Iam.
”
Theysatdowni
nfr
ontoft
heTVeat
ing.
“
Thi
sisani
cehouse.
”
“
Iti
s.”
“
Nodi sr
espectbutyousai
dyouwor
kedatasal
on,
i
sn’
titali
tt
leexpensiv
e?”
“I
tis,
Iam notpayingt
herent.Mybr
otheri
s.It
hink
mymot herwil
lgiv
ememydaught erbacksoon.
”
Shesmiled.“
Ireal
lymissher
.”
“Youwil
lgetherback.Igaveacoupl
eofpeopl
eyour
CV,Iam sur
esomet hi
ngwi l
lcomeupandyouwil
l
beablet
opayy ourownr ent
.”
“
Ican’
twai
t.
”
Amovi
estar
tedt
oplayandt
heyl
eanedback
wat
chi
ngwhil
eeati
ng.
*
***
*

Anayasatwi
thhermothereat
ingwhi
l
ehersibl
ings
watchedTVwit
hLalahwhohadcomef orasl
eep
over.
“Shesleptwit
hMiguelknowingthathehada
gir
lf
ri
end.Iknowshegotpr egnantonpurpose
thi
nkingthathewi
llcometohert henshehast he
audacit
ytodemandP4000asi fsheiscarr
ying
Obama’ sson.”
“
Youarejustbi
tt
er.Mi
guelcanaf
for
dthatP4000,
whynotj
ustgiv
eittoher
?”
“
MamaIwi l
lnotbecontrol
l
edbyababymama,
Miguel
ismyhusband.WhatdoessheneedP4000
f
or?Sheisadoctoranddoctor
sgetpai
dgood
money.”
“Anayamychil
d,sometimesinli
feyouhaveto
chooseyourbatt
lescar
eful
ly
.Youdon’twanttol
ose
yourhusbandbecauseofpett
yissues.
”
“
Mama,
P4000i
sal
otofmoney
.Ifshewant
sP4000
thensheshouldt
akei
tfr
om herpay.Myhusbandi
s
notherATM.Ifshet
houghtIwasgoingtobow
downt ohercommands,
sheiswrong.”
Hermot
hersi
ghed.“
Ok,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Iam openi
ngapoul
tr
y.Iwantt
ousey
our
f
arm.
”
“
It
’sok,
Ilongputi
tiny
ournamewhenIwassi
ck.
”
“Thankyou.It
hinki
fitgoeswel
l
,itwi
l
lbeahuge
success.
”
“Ibel
iev
einyou.Youaredest
inedf
orgreatert
hings.
Didyouseethetenderi
nthenewspaperfora
cater
ingcompany?”
“Idi
d,Iappl
i
edj ustbefor
eIknockedoff
.Iknowthey
havebeenrejecti
ngmeal lal
ongbutnowIhav ef
ait
h.
Thecompanyi sal i
tt
lebi
gnow.Iam suretheywil
l
consi
derme.”
“
Iwi
l
lpr
ayf
ory
ou.
”
Anayasmil
ed.“Ihav
esomanydr eams.Iwantto
ful
fi
ll
all
ofthem andmakeAyanabeli
evethatshe
canbeanursebecauseshebel
ievesi
nherself
.I
wantLet
habotobel
i
evehecanbeapil
otaf
ter
seei
ngmebeingwhatIhaveal
way
swantedto
become.Iwantt
obethei
rrol
emodel
.”
Hermot herhel
dherhand.“Youarealreadythei
rrol
e
model.TodayIam cancerfreeal
lbecauseofy ou.
Anay
aIam sopr oudofyou.Howiswor k?”
“Worki
sfi
ne.Iam wor
kinghar
d,may
beIwi
l
lbe
promot
ed.
”
“That
’sgood,
youar
eahar
dwor
ker
,theywi
l
l
promoteyou.
”
Herphoner
angandshequi
ckl
ypi
cked.
“
Heybabe,
”
“
Hey
,wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam atphase2butIam onmyway
.”
“
Ok,
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Shehungupt
henst
oodup.
“
Ihavetogo.Miguel
ishome.Ihavespokenwit
hthe
mover
stomov ebacktobroadhur
st,
theywil
lbe
her
eint
hemor
ning.
”
“
Ok,
remember
,choosey
ourbat
tl
es.
”
“
Yesbutt
hatwomani
sst
il
lnotget
ti
ngP4000.
”
Shewal
kedt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom andhuggedLet
habo.
“
Iam goi
ngnow.Iwi
l
lseey
oudur
ingt
heweekend.
”
“
Ok,
wil
lUncl
eMi
guel
comet
oo?
”
“
YesLethabo,hewil
l.Keepdoi
ngwellatschool
,I
l
oveyourresul
ts.
”Sheturnedt
oAyana.“Yourst
oo.”
“
Iam passi
ngt
oo.
”Lal
ahsai
dmaki
ngAnay
alaugh.
“Yes,yout
ooLy
nn.Iwi
l
lgety
ouguy
ssomet
hing.
Bye.”
ShewalkedoutwithAyanabehi
ndher
.Shegoti
nher
carandlookedathersi
ster
.
“
Isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“
Yes,
Iam aski
ngf
orP100.
”
“
Forwhat
?”
“
Iwantt
obuyanewphonecov
er.
”
“
Real
l
y?”
Shesi
ghed.“
Myphonescreencr
ackedandi
t’
s
embarr
assi
ngtowal
karoundwit
h.It
’sal
sool
d,
maybeyoushoul
dgetmeanewphone. ”
“
Ayanat
hatphonei
snotol
d.Iboughti
tlasty
ear
.”
“I
t’
saSamsungJ3, myclassmat
esusereal
lyni
ce
phones.Agi
rlatschool
usesaniPhone11.
”
“Fi
rstofall,
ther
eisnot hi
ngwr ongwit
hthatJ3,alot
ofpeoplecan’tevenaffordi
t.Appreci
atewhatyou
haveandl earntobecontentwi t
hit
.Youarenotthat
gir
latschool whousesani Phone,youareAyana
andatAy ana’shouse,hersi
stercanonlyaf
fordwhat
shegets.Idon’tevenuseani Phone11.”
“
It
’snotf
air
.”
“
Lif
eisnotf
airAy
ana.
”
“
Yesbecausei
fitwas,
Iwoul
dhav
enev
ergot
ten
r
apped.
”
Anayasi
ghedlooki
ngather .“Yes.I
fli
fewasf ai
r
thenweall
couldbewher ewewantt obewithli
fe.
Wecouldallbehappy.Peoplewhoar estar
vingout
ther
ewouldbeeatingevery
day .Ifl
i
fewasfair,a
childthatisgetti
ngr apedev er
ydaywouldnotbe
gettingraped.Whathappenedwast r
aumat i
cbutwe
allgotaffected.IloveyousomuchandIwor khard
fory ou.Butit’
sfineifyouwantani Phonebecausea
gir
l atschool wantsani Phone.Iwil
lbuyitandf or
get
aboutabusi nessIwantt ostartsomethi
ngt hatwil
l
ensur eyourfuture,somethingthatwil
lensure
Lethabo’sfuture..
”
Ayanal
ookeddownast
ear
srandownhercheeks.“
I
am sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok,
comeher
e.”
Theyhuggedf
orawhi
l
e.
“Let
’smakeadeal
,Iwi
llgety
out hatI
phone11y ou
wantifyougi
vemeall
A’sony ourfor
m 3resul
ts.
Deal?”
Ay
anaexci
tedl
ylookedathersi
ster
.“Real
l
y?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok,
deal
!
”
Theyshookhands.
“
Also,
ifIgi
vey
ou48poi
ntsf
ormyf
orm 5t
heny
ou
shoul
dgetmeaMacbook.
”
“
Deal
!”
Ay
anaj
umpedexci
tedl
y.
“
Yes!
”
“
Ok,
Iam goi
ngnow.
”
“
Whataboutt
heP100?
”
Anayalaughed.“I
fyoupassyourendofmont
htest
thenIwil
lfi
xy ourphone’
sscr
een.”
“
Ok.
”
Anay
ast
art
edt
hecar
.
“
Nay
a?”
Shel
ookedathery
oungersi
ster
.
“
Yes?
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyoumor
e.Iwi
l
lseey
ou.
”
Ayanawav edasshedr oveout
.Shelookedatt
he
ti
meandi ncreasedthespeeddri
vi
nghome.She
stoppedbyAi r
portJunct
ionmall
andgotina
rest
aurantwheresheboughtherspi cymeal.She
handedthecashiermoneyandwai tedforthe
change.Anotherworkeri
ntherestaurantstood
besi
deherandAnay ai mmedi
atelyrecognizedher
.
“
Stacy
?”
St
acyt
urnedandl
ookedatAnay
a.
“
Oh,
hey
!”
Anay
acaref
ull
ytookheri
n,shedidn’
tlookasbadas
shel
ookedwhenshecamet oheroff
icepregnant
.
“
Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.Youl
ookwow!Congr
ats.
”
“
Thanky
ou,
wher
eisy
ourbaby
?”
“
Ilef
therwi
thmymot
her
.”
“
Oh?Ok.
”
Anay agothert
akeawayandwalkedout
.Whenshe
ar
ri
v edhomeshef oundMiguel
withhi
slapt
opi
nthe
si
tt
ingr oom.
“
Hey
,Ibr
oughtf
ood.
”
“
Oh,
Ial
readyat
e.”
Anay
apaused.“
Youat
e?Wher
e?”
Miguel
lookedather
.“Myl
unch,
Idi
dn’
tgett
imet
o
eati
tatwork.
”
Sher
elaxed.“
Ok.ThenIwi
l
leatony
ourbehal
f.
”
Hel
aughed.“
It
’sok.
”
Anayawalkedt
ot heki
tchenwhil
eheanswer
edhi
s
ri
ngi
ngphone.Shedishedforher
sel
fandwal
ked
backtot
hesitt
ingroom.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Hewasput
ti
ngonhi
sshoes.“
It
’sPul
e,hei
sdrunk.I
needt
omakesur
ehedoesn’
tdoanyt
hingst
upid.
”
“
Ok.
”
Heki
ssedhercheekandwal
kedout
.

*
***
*

Col
l
eenopenedherey
eshear
ingacardr
ivei
n
outsi
de.Shel ookedatTshepowhowassl eepi
ng
thenslowlyraisedherheadfrom hischest .She
l
ookedatt hecl ockonthewall,
itwasj ustaf t
erten.
Shewonder edwhent heyhadslept,
thel astthi
ng
sheremember edwast hataf
terplayi
ngmonopol y,
theystar
tedwat chi
ngsomeNet fl
ixseries.
Shegotuphear i
ngadooropeningandcl
osingthen
rushedtothedoorandl
ocked.Sheopenedthe
curtai
nsli
ghtl
yandherhear
tskippedasshelooked
atVince’
scar.
“
Hey
…”
Tshepowokeup.Col
l
eenst
oodst
il
lnotknowi
ng
whattodo.
“
Isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“No,mybrot
herisher
e.IknowIam grownwoman
butIdon’
twanthimtothi
nkIhavealr
eadyst
art
ed
bri
ngi
ngment othehouse.
”
Tsheposmi
l
ed.“
He’
sov
erpr
otect
ive?
”
“
Hei
smor
ethant
hat
.”
Vi
ncet
ri
edopeni
ngt
hedoorwhi
l
eCol
l
een’
shear
t
poundedev
enmor
e.I
twasj
ustt
ooear
lyt
obe
caught
.
“
Openup,
Iwi
l
ltal
ktohi
m.”
“
What
?”
“
Col
l
een!
”Vi
ncecal
l
edf
rom out
sideknocki
ng.
“
Justopenup.Iwi
l
ldeal
wit
hit
.”
Sheunl
ockedt
hedoorwi
thasmi
l
e.
“
Hey
,Iam sor
ry,
Iwasi
ntheki
tchen.
”
Hewal
kedi
nsi
deandf
acedTshepo.
“
Whoar
eyou?
”
Tshepost
ret
chedhi
shand.“
Iam Col
l
een’
sfr
iend,
youmustbeherbr
other
.”
Vi
ncel
ookedathi
shandt
henatCol
l
een.
“
Whoi
sthi
s?”
“
Hei
saf
ri
end.
”
“
Coll
een,t
ell
thi
sni
ggat
ogett
hef
uckoutbef
oreI
l
oseit
.”
Shel
ookedatTshepo.“
Pleasego.
”
“
Youar
enotherbr
otherar
eyou?
”
“
No,
Iam herboy
fri
end,
gett
hef
uckout
!”
Tshepol
ookedatCol
l
een.“
Ify
oudon’
twantmet
o
go,Iwi
ll
notgo.
”
Vinceshookhi
sheadangr
il
y.“
Don’
ttr
yme.Isai
d
getout.
”
“Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
eunl
essshewant
smet
o
go.”
Coll
eenlookedatthetwomeninherhouse,t
all
and
muscularasherli
tt
lehear
tthr
eat
enedtoleapout
fr
om herchest.
Vincet ookast epcloserandpunchedTshepowho
returnedt hepunch.VinceswunghisfistatTshepo’s
stomach.Tshepospear edVinceandt ogetherthey
fellonhernewgl asstabl
eanditshutteredintoti
ny
pieces.Shescr eamedt ry
ingtogetthem tost opbut
i
twasl ikeanactionmov i
e,noonewashear ingher.
Theystoodupandnowheadi
ngtowar
dsherTV.She
rushedovert
ryi
ngt
ogetbet
weenthem.Sheyel
ped
asshegotpushedbyVi
nce’
sbigbody
.Shesl
ipped
andf
ell
righti
ntot
hegl
assesont
hef
loor
.
Theybot
hstoppedasshescr
eamedi
npai
nand
l
ookedather
.
“
Col
l
een!
”
Theyknel
tbef
oreher
.
“Ar
eyouok?”
Vinceaskedhel
pingherup.Helooked
att
hefewti
nypiecesofgl
asssti
ckingfr
om herski
n.
“
Weneedt
ogett
hatout
.”
“
Ormay
bej
ustt
akehert
othedoct
or.
”
“
NiggaIam doct
or,
justgett
hef
uckoutofher
e.”
“
Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
e.”
“Tshepo,
it’
sfi
ne.Youcuty
ourhand,
gohome.Iam
sorry
.”
“
Youdon’
thav
etobescar
edofhi
m.”
“
Iam warni
ngyoufort
helastt
ime.”Vince
t
hreat
enedandTshepocomplet
elyignoredhi
m.
“
Doy
our
eal
l
ywantmet
oleav
e?”
Col
l
eenbl
i
nkedhert
ear
saway
.“Iam sor
ry.
”
Henoddedthenst
oodupglari
ngatVince.Seconds
l
aterhewal
kedout.Vi
ncetookhi
sfi
rstaidand
pl
uckedoutthepi
ecesofgl
ass.
“
Dri
nkt
hispai
nki
l
ler
.”
Col
l
eendr
ankt
hepi
l
ls.
“
Arey
ouseei
ngt
hatguy
?”
Shelookedathi
m angr
il
y.“
Heisaf
ri
end,It
houghtI
tol
dyou.Seehowy oudest
roy
edmytabl
e?”
“
Hedoesn’
tlookl
i
kehe’
sjustaf
ri
end.
”
“Wellheis,
Iam begi
nningtothi
nkImadeamistake
movinginhere.Iam sur
emyhouseissti
ll
empty,I
am goingtogobacki ft
hisi
showit’
sgoi
ngtobe.”
Vincesi
ghed.“Iam sor
ry,
Ijustdon’
tli
kehi
m.Iwi
l
l
repl
acethetable.
”
“I
tdoesn’
tmat
ter
,myheadi
sachi
ng.Iam goi
ngt
o
sl
eep.”
Vi
nceti
l
tedherchi
n.“
BabeIsai
dIam sor
ry.For
giv
e
me,y
oucan’tr
eall
ybl
ameme.”
“
Iam notseei
nghi
m.Iam j
ustt
ryi
ngt
obeni
ce,
his
motherwasmynei ghborandIhelpedtheold
womanbecauseshest ayedalonewithhisdaught
er
whil
ebli
nd.Heisjusttr
yingt
ot hankme.Iwouldn’
t
sl
eepwithastrangemani nyourhousebutIam
sor
ry.Tomorr
owIam goi ngbackt omyhouse.”
“Iam sor
ry,
IguessIshoul dhaveli
stened.Thi
sis
yourhouse,thel
easeisiny ourname.Iloveyou,
I
guessIam justi
nsecure.Iam sorr
yok? ”
Shesmil
ed.“
It
’sok.Youhav
enor
easont
ofeel
i
nsecur
e.”
Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#46

Theodor
atur
nedtoChr
ist
ianl
atert
hatni
ghtassoon
ashejoi
nedheri
nbed.
“
Whydoherki
dscal
lyouDaddy
?”
Hesmi l
edpull
i
nghercloser.“
Theycallthei
runcl
es
daddy,It
hinki
t’
swhattheirmothertaughtt
hem so
theycanbeabletor
especttheirel
ders.
”
Shesi
ghedi
nrel
i
ef.“
That
’ssmar
t.
”
“
Yeah.
”Heki
ssedher
.“Il
ovey
ou.
”
“Il
oveyout
oo.Iwantost
artbui
l
dingmy
sel
fa
house.
”
“
Wher
e?”
“
InFr
anci
stown,
Iwi
l
lrenti
tout
.”
“
That
’sgoodbutIwantust
ogetmar
ri
ed.
”
Theodor
asmi
l
ed.“
Youdo?
”
“
Yeah,
Ilov
eyouandIknowIwanty
ouasmywi
fe.
”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.
”Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.
“
Sowewill
bui
l
dthathouset
oget
heraf
terweget
mar
ri
ed.
”
“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”
Shehuggedhi
m ast
ear
swethercheeks.Shecoul
d
al
readyseeher
sel
fasMr
s.Mwanza.

*
***
*

Anayalookedattheti
meandsighed.Itwasalmost
el
evenandhewasst i
l
lnothomeneitherwashe
answeri
nghisphone.Shetookherphoneaboutto
cal
lhim agai
nwhenshehear dt
hegat eopeni
ng.She
wait
edf orawhi
lethenhefi
nall
ywalkedin.
“Hey
,IhadtogetPulefr
om aclubt
hentakehi
m
home.Thi
sthi
ngwi t
hSaronaismessi
ngwithhi
m.
Hewasservedtoday.
”
Shef
oll
owedhimtothebedr
oom wher
ehet
ookof
f
hi
st-
shi
rtandgoti
ntheshower
.
“
Whywer
en’
tyouanswer
ingmycal
l
s?”
“
Iwasdoi
ngsomet
hing.
”
Anay
ashookherheadpi
ckinghi
st-
shi
rtf
rom t
he
fl
oor
.Hesnat
cheditf
rom her
.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
“
Ishoul
dbeaski
ngyou,youl
efther
ehour
sago,
wher
ewereyouMiguel
?”
“
Itol
dyou,
Iam notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thy
ou.
”
“
Giv
emet
hatT-
shi
rt
.”
“
Youar
eact
ingi
nsecur
eri
ghtnow,
it’
snotf
unny
.”
“I
t’
snotsupposedt
obef
unny
.Wher
ear
eyou
comingfr
om? ”
“
Ial
readyt
oldy
ou.Youwantust
ofi
ghtr
ight
?”
“Iwanttoknowwhereyouar
ecomingf
rom.Mat
ter
offact
,howaboutIj
ustcal
lPul
e,y
ouwerewi
thhi
m
sohehasnot hi
ngt
ohide.
”
Shewalkedtothebedandpickedherphone.She
thought
ful
l
ylookedMiguel
’
sphonet hentookit
.
“
Anay
a,whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Sheignor
edhim andunl
ockedthephonebuthe
snat
cheditbef
oreshecoulddoanyt
hing.
“
Wher
eyouwi
thher
?”
“
Iwasn’
twit
hanyone.What
’swr
ongwithyou?
Wher
eisthi
scomingfr
om?Ihavebeentr
anspar
ent
wi
thy
ouonev
ery
thi
ng.
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edherey
es.“
Thenletmeseey
ourphone,
youhav
enothi
ngtohi
deri
ght?”
“
Thi
sisst
upi
d,Iam goi
ngout
.”
Hewal
kedoutwi
tht
het
-shi
rtandhi
sphone.
“
Miguel
!”Shescr
eamedf
oll
owi
ngaf
terhi
m.
“
AnayaIneedsomespace,
Ican’
tdeal
wit
hyou
whenyouarel
iket
his.
”
“Likewhat?Ar
ey ousl
eepi
ngwi
thMar
ang?Thatgi
rl
clearl
ydoesn’
tknowme.”
“Youwil
lst
ayawayfrom her,
shei
scarr
yingmychi
ld
andtr
ustme,youdon’twanttomakemechoose.
”
Hewal
kedoutandgoti
nhi
scart
hendr
oveof
f.
Sheheldherbr eat
htry
ingtopullhersel
ftogetherbut
shesoonbr okedowncr y
ing.Awhi l
elat
er ,
she
walkedoutofthehousewi thhercarkeysanddr ove
out.Herheartpoundedasshedr oveinMar ang’
s
str
eet,shesloweddownpassi ngherhouse.He
wasn’tther
e.Sheshookherheadanddr oveback
home.Hi scarwasback,shepar kedbehindhim and
st
eppedoutoft
hecar
.
“
Wher
edi
dyougo?
”
Shel
ookedathi
swor
ri
edf
ace.
“
Outf
orsomeai
r.Iam goi
ngt
osl
eep.
”
“
Babe…Iam notseei
ngMar
ang.Iwenttot
heclub,
t
ookPul
ehomeandchi l
l
edwit
hhimf orawhi
l
e.”
“Thenwhydi
dyour
efusewi
thy
ourphoneandt
-
shir
t?”
“BecauseIwantyout
otr
ustmewhenItel
lyou
something.Thepr
obl
em i
sthaty
oudon’
ttr
ustme.
”
“Canyoublameme? ”Herl
i
pstrembledasshe
l
ookedathim.“ Boi
kanyocanyoublameme?Iam
tr
yingbutyoumademet hi
sperson.Howdoy ou
expectmet obeli
evewhatyousaywheny ourst
ory
doesn’tmakesense?”
“
Ilov
ey ousomuch,
Iam notcheat
ing.Wear
epast
t
hatstage,
wearepr
act
ical
lymarri
edAnaya.
”
“Iam goingt
osleep.Ihav
eal ongdayt
omor r
ow.
”
Shewal kedt
othebedroom andlayonthebedas
tear
sf el
ltot
hepil
low.
*
***
*

Pulelookedatthedivorcepaper
searl
yinthe
morningwonder ingwhathadhappened.Hesti
ll
couldn’
tunderstandit
.Hestoodupandwal kedout
wit
hhi scarkeys.
AtAgang’shouse,
Pulepar kedi
nfrontofthegate.
Hehadpr omisedhi
msel fhewouldn’tcomebutt he
pai
nonhi schestwast oomuch.Hebr ief
lyknocked
onthedoor,aminutelaterAgangopenedt hedoor
shi
rtl
ess.
“
Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
“
Iwantt
otal
ktomywi
fe.
”
“
Shedoesn’
twantt
otal
ktoy
ou.
”
PulepushedAganghardandgoti nsi
dethehouse.
Hewentst r
aightt
othebedr oom wherehefound
herlyi
ngnudeont hebed.Shequickl
ycover
ed
hersel
f.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
ePul
e?”
“
Soy
ouar
efi
l
ingf
ordi
vor
ce?Whataboutourki
ds?
”
“
Idon’
tlov
eyouany
mor
ePul
e.”
“
Weareaf
amil
y,whatdoyoumean?Whatdon’
tIdo
f
ory
ouSar
ona?Il
oveyou.
”
“
Idon’
t.Pl
easel
eav
e.”
“
Youhear
dher
,getout
.”
PulelookedatAgangthenathi
swi
fe.“
Babepl
ease.
Let’
sgohome.Wewi l
lfi
xthi
s.Wewil
lseea
counselor.
”
“
Idon’
twanty
ouany
mor
ePul
e.Leav
e.”
“
Babepl
ease…comeon,
wewi
l
lfi
xthi
s.”
“
Idon’
twantt
ofi
ghtwi
thy
ou,
leav
emyhouse.
”
Hel ookedatAgangfi
ghti
ngtohithim hardt
hen
turnedandwalkedout.Hegotinhiscaranddrov
e
offast ear
sfi
ll
edhiseyesbl
urri
nghisview.He
wonder edwhatAgangdidforhert
hathecouldn’
t
possiblydo.
Hepar
kedbyt
hesi
deoft
her
oadanddi
aledMi
guel
.
“
P-man!
”
“BKcanyoupleaset
alkt
oy ourbr
other
.Sar
onaandI
haveafamil
y.Wehavekids.Il
oveher.
”
“
Agangisst
ubborn,hewon’tl
i
stenbutIhav
espoken
t
otheoldman,heiscoming.Maybethenhewi
ll
l
i
sten.
”
Pulecl
osedhi
sey
est
ryi
ngt
oswal
l
owt
hepai
non
herthr
oat.
“
P-man,
arey
ougood?
”
“
Yeah.
”Hi
svoi
cewasf
aint
.
“Ok,l
ettheki
dsr
emai
nwi
thy
ourmot
heraswet
ryt
o
sortt
hisout.
”
“
Yeah.
”
MiguelhungupandPul erubbedhi
sey esbefore
start
inghiscar.Aschoolgi
rli
naunifor
m passedhis
car.Hiseyesfell
onherschoolski
rtwhichcovered
herhips.Heslowlydrovebesi
deher.
“
Hi,
”
Shelookedathim andquickenedherpace.Shewas
beauti
ful,
beaut
if
ul andi
nnocent.Helookedather
l
onghai rwhi
chwashel dinapony t
ail
anddrove
besi
deher
.
“
Hi,
canIgi
vey
oual
i
ft?
”
Shecrossedtheroadal
mostrunning.Hetooka
goodlookatherandcursedr
ecognizingher
.He
parkedthecaronthesi
deoftheroadandcr ossed
theroad.
“
Ayana,
it’
sPul
e.Mi
guel
’
sfr
iend.Rememberme?
”
Shesl
owl
ytur
nedwhi
l
ehesmi
l
ed.
“Don’
tbescar
ed,Iam har
mless.Wehav
emeta
coupl
eofti
mes.”
Sher
ecogni
zedhi
m atl
astandsi
ghedi
nrel
i
ef.
“
Iam sor
ry,
Ithoughty
ouwer
e…”
“
It
’sok,
Ili
kewhatyoudi
d,r
unni
ngf
rom st
ranger
sis
agoodthi
ng.Come,Iwi
l
ldr
opyouoff
.”
“
No,
Iam f
ine.
”
“Letmecall
yoursi
steri
fyoudon’
tfeel
comf
ort
abl
e,
Iwill
nothur
tyou.
”
Shel
ookedathi
mf orawhil
ebeforetheyfi
nal
ly
wal
kedbacktohi
scar.Sheputherseatbel
tashe
st
art
edt
hecar
.
“
Sowher
edoy
ouschool
?”
“
Mosel
ewapul
aJSS.
”
“
For
m 3?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Wow!Sohowisschool?WhenIwasyourage,I
r
eal
l
ydidn’
tcar
e.Iact
uall
yst
art
edreal
l
ystudyi
ngin
myfor
m 5.
”
”
Iwanttopasssot
hatIcandoscienceswhenI
r
eachfor
m 4Idosci
ences.Iwanttobeanurse.
”
“
That
’sni
ce.Il
i
kei
t.
”
Shesmi
l
edashest
oppedbyherschool
gat
e.
“
Itwasni
ceseei
ngy
ouAy
ana.
”
“
Thanky
ouf
ort
hel
i
ft.
”
Hewatchedherst
epoutandwalkinsi
detheschool
.
Pul
eshookhisheadashelookedatherhi
ps.
“She’
sachi
l
d,stopi
t!
”Hewhi
sper
edt
ohi
msel
f
befor
ehedrov
eoff.
*
***
*

Theodorawalkedoutofthebedr
oom alr
eady
dressedforworkandfoundChri
sti
analr
eadyeat
ing.
Hest ooduppushinghi
splat
eawayt henki
ssedher
cheek.
“
Ihav
etogo,
Ilov
eyou.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Hewal
kedoutwhi
l
eshewal
kedt
otheki
tchenwher
e
Mel
odywas.
“Mel
ody,
y oudon’
thav
etowor
ksohard,
ther
eisa
cl
eani
ngladywhocomesher
ethr
iceaweek.
”
“
No,
it’
sok,
Iwi
l
ldoi
t.
”
Theodorasmil
ed.Shewaspr obabl yusedtoalway s
worki
ng.WiththewayMel odydr essed,Theodora
guessedherhusbandwaspr obabl ynotfi
nancial
l
y
stabl
ebecauseshedressedlikeanol dwoman.The
doekinherheadmadei tall
wor se.
“Youknowwhat ,duri
ngtheweekendwewillgoto
thesalon.Wewilldoournai
l
sandhair.Chr
isti
an
saidyouaregoingbackinafewdays,Iam goi
ngto
makey oulooknice.Al
sogetyousomenew
clot
hes.”
Mel
odyl
ookeddownonher
sel
f.“
ButIam f
ine.
”
“Nohun,y ouaregoi
ngtol
ooksuperfi
ne.Youare
beauti
fulbutnowwithhowyoudress,
Ican’
teven
tel
lyourage.”
“
Thi
sishowawi
feshoul
ddr
ess.
”
“
No,youareamoder nwif
eMel,y
ouneedt odr
ess
t
hepart
.WhenIam donewi t
hyou,youwil
lbe
l
ooki
ngfantast
ic.Letmegotowork.By
e.”
Shewalkedoutwit
hasmilewhi
leideasofhowt
odo
Melody
’smakeoverswam i
nherhead.

*
***
*

Sar
onasatonthebedstar
ingatAgangwhowas
get
ti
ngdressedf
orwork.
“
Whataboutmyki
ds?
”
Helookedather.“
Hewi l
ltakecar
eoft
heki
ds,we
ar
enott aki
ngthem wi
thwhenwemov e.Maybe
af
teracoupleyear
s.”
Shesighed.“Idon’
twantmyki
dsget
ti
ngabusedby
astepmot her.
”
“Pulewon’tl
ethi
skidsgetabused.Look,Sar
onait’
s
eit
herwear edoi
ngthisornot
.Thewhol eworldis
againstus,i
t’
susagainstt
heworld.Areyouready
forthi
sbecauseyouknowy oucanalwaysgoback
toyourhusband.Iwon’tst
opyou.”
“
Whatar
eyousay
ing,
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Good,wecan’
ttakethekidsri
ghtnow.Wewi l
ltake
t
hem aft
erwesett
le.Whenwegett her
e,y
ouwi llget
ajobandwor
kacoupl eofyear
sthenwewi l
ltake
t
hekids.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Ok.
”
Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
.
“
That
’sthesmil
eIwantt
osee.Don’
tst
ress,
Iam
wi
thyouaren’
tI?
”
“
Youar
e.Il
ovey
ousomuch.
”
“Il
oveyoumorebabe,
nowl etmegotowork.Iwi
l
l
cal
lyou.
”Hegaveherhiscard.“
Goanddosome
shoppi
ng.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Hewal kedoutandami nut elatersheheardhim
dri
vingaway .Shei mmedi atelygotoffthebedand
wentt othebathroom wher eshet ookaqui ckbath.
Steppingout,sheputonaj eanandt -shi
rt,
she
hadn’tbroughtanyclotheswi th.Shewasn’ tgoi
ngto
gobackt othehousebutj ustgetanewwar dr
obe.
Shecal l
edacabandt enmi nut eslat
er,t
hecabwas
parkedinfrontofthegat e.
Shesteppedoutofthehouselocki
ngbehindherand
walkedovertothecabwhichdroppedheratGame
Cit
yMal l
.Shewentfrom shoptoshoppurchasi
ng
cl
othesti
llshebumpedintoColl
eeninFoschini
.
“
Hey
!”
Sar
onasmi
l
ed.“
Hey
,ar
en’
tyousupposedt
obeat
work?
”
“
Iam,
you?
”
“
Iqui
t.
”
Col
l
eenrai
sedabr
ow.“
Wer
en’
tyouwor
kingwi
th
Naya?
”
“
Iwas.
”
“Idon’
tbeli
eveyouloveAgang,i
tmustbet he
excit
ementofsomet hi
ngnew.Pulel
ovesy ou,God
knowswhatIwoul dhavedoneforafai
thfulman.
Don’tloseagoodmanf orsex,
youwill
regreti
t.He
i
sy ourhusband.
”
“Col
leenIappr
eci
atey
ouradv
icebuti
tisnot
needed.”
Coll
eenlaughed.“
Sui
tyour
sel
f.Soonmybrotherwil
l
getti
redofyouandhewill
mov eontobet
terthi
ngs.
”
“
That’
swher
ey ouar
ewr
ong.Agangl
ovesmeandI
l
ovehi
mtoo.”
“
Ok,
let
’sseehowf
ary
ouget
.”
Coll
eenwalkedoutleavingSar
onaroll
ingherey
es.
Shewasn’tgoi
ngtol i
stentopeopl
ewhower e
agai
nstherrel
ati
onship.Herphonerangasshe
wal
kedar
oundt
hest
ore.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Sar
onawhatam Iheari
ng?Youar
eleav
ingy
our
husband?
”Heruncl
er oar
ed.
Shesi
ghed.“
Soher
ant
oyou?
”
“
ThatmanIi
syourhusband,
don’
tembar
rassme.
”
Shelaughed.“Embarr
assyou?Youdon’thav
eany
ri
ghtinmylife.Wher
ewerey ouwhenyourbrot
her
’s
wifegotmer apedbyherhusband?
”
“
Sar
onamychi
l
d,y
ouar
emaki
ngagr
avemi
stake.
”
“Youmadeagravemist
akecal
l
ingme,
mindy
our
ownbusi
nessoldman.”
Shehungupandi
mmedi
atel
ybl
ockedhi
m.

*
***
*

Anayat
ookoffhershoesar
oundlunchandfl
exed
hert
oes.Herf
eetwereswoll
en.Shesl
owlyat
eher
str
awber
rieswhi
lest
ari
ngatherl
apt
opscr
een.A
knocker
uptedonherdoor
.
“
Comei
n!”
Adel
i
ver
ymanwal
kedi
n.
“
Aft
ernoon,
Anay
aShat
o?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Mam pl
easesi
gnher
e.”
Shesi
gnedt
henhehandedherabox.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Hesmi l
edandwal kedoutl eavingAnay aopeningt he
box.Insidet hebox, therewer et womor eboxes.She
openedt hef i
rstboxandgr i
nnedl ookingatthesmal l
pieceofchocol atecake.Sheknewhewasbr i
bing
herintofor givi
nghi mf orlastnight.Shereachedf or
theforkinsi detheboxandt ookabi telet
tingthe
cakemel tinhermout h.Shesl owlyatesav ori
ngthe
chocolatet aste.Oncedone, sheopenedt heother
boxandt ookoutcarkey swi t
haf rown.Sheshook
thebigboxwhi chhadt hesmal lboxesandnot efell.
Shet ooki tandr eadoutl oud.
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Shelookedatt hecarkey sasasmi l
estar
tedatt he
cornerofherlips.Sheputonhershoesandwal ked
outoftheofficeheadedout si
de.Shesawi tf
ir
st
beforeshecoul dseeany thi
ngelse.TheblackG-
Wagonwi thredr ibbons.Peoplewerestari
ngatt he
car.Shepressedt hekey sanditbeeped.Slowlyshe
putherhandov erhermout h.Whenshehadsai dit
shehadn’tbeensur ehewoul dgetthecarforher.A
col
leaguesmi ledlookingatherasshewal kedov er
tothecar.
“Wheredoyougetsuchmanwhobuycar s!Someof
ourboyf
ri
endwon’tevengetusai
rt
ime.
”
Peoplegather
edwiththeirphonesoutasshe
openedthedoor,r
edballoonsfelloutoft
hecar
.She
steppedbacktear
srunningdownhercheeks.

*
***
*

Mar
angwat
chedt
heFacebookv
ideosi
l
ent
lywai
ti
ng
forMi gueltoshowupi nthedoctor
’soff
ice.The
videost oppedasAnay agotinsidethecarwhileher
colleaguescheer edheron.Shescroll
eddownt othe
comment s.Somewer efunny,t
heywerecalli
nghera
president,somewer enegat i
veandsomej ust
posi t
ive.Sheturnedwhent hedooropened.The
doct orwalkedin.
“
He’
sst
il
lnother
e?”
“
Uhh…”
“Sor
ryIam l
ate.
”Mi
guelsai
dwalki
ngi
n.Mar
ang
smil
edandputherphoneaway
.
“
Let
’sst
art
.Ihav
eanot
herpat
ientaf
tert
his.
”
Marangl ayfl
atonthesmal lbedpull
i
nghertopto
herbreast.Thedoctorputthecoldgelonherbel
l
y
andandmov edapi eceofobjectonherst
omach
whil
et heyallst
aredatthescreen.
“Her
earethelegs…t
hehands…t
hef
ace.Cany
ou
seethat
?He’sabigboy
.”
“
Yeah…”
Mi
guel
lookedatt
hescr
eenwi
thasmi
l
east
he
doctormovedtheobjectonandaboutforawhile.
Whenhewasdone, hegaveMarangawi pertoclean
hersel
fandpri
ntedapictogr
aphforMiguel.Awhi l
e
l
ater,t
heywerewalkingout.
“
Thanky
ouf
orcomi
ng.
”
“
Iwoul
dn’
thav
emi
ssedi
t.
”
Theygott
othepar
kingl
ot.“
Nicecary
oubought
her.
”
Miguelsmiled.“ Thanks.Itst
il
ldoesn’tamountt othe
l
oveIhav ef orher .Thi
stimeIam doi ngev er
ythi
ng
r
ight,
Andy eah, Iam onlygoi
ngt oincreasethat
moneyabi t.Idon’ twantanythi
ngt or uinmy
r
elati
onship, Ihopey ouunderstand.By e.”
Shel
ookeddownbr
ief
ly.
“
Bye.
”
Hegoti
nhiscaranddroveoffwhi
l
eshest
oodt
her
e
t
ryi
ngtoswal
lowherjeal
ousyandpai
n.

TWOMONTHSLATER.
..
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#47
TwoMont
hsLat
er…

Ay anasati nherr oom whichwasdecor atedi nblue

andwhi te.Shelookedatherr evi
sionbooksl isteni
ng
toRachel Platt
enf i
ghtsong.Tearsf i
ll
edherey esas
shet houghtofthatfait
hfulday.Shehadnotf elt
any thingbuthadj ustwokenupi nt hehospi tal.Her
sister ’
stearstoldherwhathappened, herinnocence
wasgone.Someonehadr obbedheri nnocence.She
closedherey esast ear
srolleddownhercheeks,
Olerat ohadsai ditwasokt ocry,shesai dcr yi
ngwas
anot herwayofheal i
ng.Shewasbackatt hehouse
wher eithadallhappenedbuti tdi
dn’tlookt hesame
any mor e.Shewi pedawayhert earsandqui cklyput
onhersi ster
’sfavori
tesongandsangal ongt oCar r
ie
Under
wood’
sly
ricsr
evi
sing.
Sheknewt hatoneday ,onedaywhenshewasol der
shewoul dmaket hatmanpay .Herphonev i
brated
andshei gnoredi t,shestil
lhadt enminutesleftof
reading.Shenev ercompr omisedherreadingt i
me,
allshecouldthinkofwast heiPhone11.Ten
minut esl
ater,shecl osedherbookst henpacked
them inthebookshel fAnay ahadbuiltforher.She
stoodupandwal kedoutcal l
ingLalahback.
“
Moghel
,Iam att
hegat
e,openupf
orme.
”
“
Ok.
”
“Mat
teroff
act
,justcomeandgetmef
rom t
he
gat
e.”
Ayanalaughedhangingup.Shewal kedtothesit
ti
ng
room andgrabbedthegateremotewal ki
ngoutsi
de.
Shewal kedt
owardsthegatealreadypressi
ngthe
remoteandLalahwal kedi
nwithasmi le.
“Il
ovecominghere,y
ourhousef
ri
endi
sbeaut
if
ul,
I
can’
tgetenough.Il
ovethel
awn,t
hefl
ower
sand
thi
spavement.”
Theylaughedandwalkedi
nsidet
hehouseast
he
gateclosed.Lal
ahsatont
hecouchswit
chi
ngont
he
hugeplasmamount edonthewal
l.
“Kerat
aAnay
awai t
se.{
Ilov
eAnay
a.}Iwi
shy
our
sist
erwasmysi
ster.
”
“
Anay
aisst
ri
ct,
youwoul
dn’
tsur
viv
e.”
“Iwould,
Iwouldbehavemysel
f.Kanagakedumele
goreGontleoneatsenacl
assleAnaya.{
Idon’
t
beli
eveGontl
ewasi nt
hesamecl asswi
thAnay
a.}
”
“
Why
?”
“Sheisathome, sitt
ingdoingnothingexpect
poppingbabi eswi t
hdiffer
entmenwhi l
eherage
mat esbuildnicephakalanehouseswi tht hetal
l
est
wallsIhav eeverseenandel ectri
calgates.Anaya
staysinPhakal anewi t
hherf i
ancé,shedrivesa
Mer cedesGLEandG- Wagon.Shewor ksatt hebank
andwear ssmar tl
y.Shetakescareofher self
.
Somet imesIwi shGont l
ewasn’ tmysister,motho
yolekedi sappointmenthela.{Thatpersonisa
disappointment .
}”
“
Peopl
edi
ff
erLal
ah.
”
Lalahshookherhead.“ Iwantt obedi f
ferentli
ke
Anay a.Yoursi sterownsacat er
ingcompany ,Itol
d
Gont l
ethatsheshoul dappl yforaj obt heremay be
Anay awi ll
consi derherbecauset heyknoweach
otherbutshesai dshewoul dnev erwor kf orAnaya
becauseAnay at hinkshighlyforher sel
f.Kar eyes,
Anay athinkshi ghlyofher sel
fbecauseshei sa
personofhi ghst at
usgapeoj ol
al ebat hobaser i
ous
hela.{Plusshedat esseriouspeopl e.}Shemaynot
bet hatrichbutsheachi eveshergoal s.”
Ayanalaughed.“Youar
eri
ghtaboutthat
.She
openedapoul t
rytwoweeksago,Ihaveafeel
i
ngi
t’
s
goi
ngtot ur
nintosomethi
ngbig.
”
“
Yousee?Yoursi
steri
sgoal
s.Any
who,
howi
sbae?
”
“
Heel
awar
emang?[
Who?
}”
“
Bae!Ny
aamonnay
oleomont
le.{
Thatmani
shot
.}
”
“
Monnay
oleomot
onahel
a,ebi
leony
etswe.{
That
mani
sol
dandhei
smarri
ed.
}”
“
Iknow,
Iam j
oki
ng.Hashecal
l
ed?
”
“
Cal
l
ingf
orwhatLal
ah,
stopscar
ingmewi
thy
our
tal
k.Pul
eisUncl
eMi
guel
’
sfr
iend,
hei
swayol
d.You
are16year
sold.
”
“
Iknowbutcan’
tweadmi
rehel
a?”
“
No,
wecan’
t.
”
“
Mxm, wabor
awena,
mamaokae?{
Youar
ebor
ing,
wher
eismom? }
”
“Sheopenedanof
fi
ceatBBSmal
l
,shei
sther
e
sewing.
”
Lalahchangedt hechannel andstoodupdanci ngto
ForeverbySithelo.ShedraggedAy anaupand
togethertheydancedsingingalong.Twohour sl
ater
,
LalahleftasAyanast ar
tedt ocook.Lethabowas
backf r
om thestreetswherehewaspl aying.Her
phoner angassheputherl asagnai ntheov en.
Sher
eachedf
ori
tinherpocketandanswer
ed.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Hey,ar
eyouusi
ngtheappsIdownl
oadedf
ory
ou
sothatyoucanr
ead?”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Yes,
theyar
ever
yhel
pful
.”
“
Good,Iam sur
etheywi
l
lbemuchhel
pfory
our
mockexams.”
“
Yes.Thanky
ou.
”
“No,youdon’thavetothankme.Weallwantyout
o
pass.Inthr
eey ear
s,youwil
lbeatuni
ver
sit
y,t
hat’
s
themai ngoal
.”
“
Iknowbutst
il
lthanky
ou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Ther
ewassi
l
encet
henhel
aughedmaki
ngherbl
ush
shyl
y.
“
Iwi
l
lcal
lyou,
bye.
”
“
Bye.
”
Achi
l
dcr
iedi
nthebackgr
ound.
“
Ihav
etogo.Ist
il
lhav
en’
tfoundaf
ull
timemai
d.”
“I
fyouwerenotworki
ngf
arIwoul
dhel
pwi
th
babysi
tt
ingandmakesomemoney.
”
Helaughedwi
thhi
sdeepsex
yvoi
cet
hatshel
oved
somuch.
“
Youl
ovemoneyAy
ana.
”
“
It
’si
nmybl
ood.
”
“Well
Ithinkyourwishmaycometopass,Iam goi
ng
tobetransfer
redbacktoGabor
onei
fIgetthe
promotion.
”
“
Iam sur
eyouwi
l
lgeti
t.
”
Ay
anapausedhear
ingt
hedooropeni
ng.
“
Ihav
etogo,
mamai
sher
e.”
“
Ok,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Shar
p.”
Shequi ckl
yhungupandputherphonebackinher
pocket.Aninnocentsmil
epastedi
tsel
fonherl
i
psas
hermot herwalkedint
hekit
chenholdi
ngsome
pl
asticsofgrocery.
“
Ayana.
”
“
Howwasy
ourday
?”
“
Tir
ing,
wher
eisLet
habo?
”
“
Hei
sbat
hing.
”
“Howlonghashebeenther
e?Hei
saf
isht
hatone,
assoonashegetsint
hebatht
ub.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.
“
Iam goi
ngt
oli
edownf
orawhi
l
e.Iam sot
ir
ed.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hermotherwal
kedawaywhil
eshesmiledwit
hrel
ief
.
Godknewwhatwouldhappenifany
onefoundout
.

*
***
*

Lonewal kedi nar estaurantatMol apocr ossingMal l

tocoll
ectheror derthatshehadmadeov eranhour
ago.Herey esf ellonCol l
eenwhowassi tti
ngwi th
Vinceeating.Shecoul deasilyseesomet hingwas
goingon, Vincehadsl eptwithheraweekaf tershe
l
eftthehospi talthet i
meshehadami scarriageand
nevercall
edherev eragain.Lonelookedaway
approachingt het ell
er.Shegotheror derandwal ked
outwithoutgl ancingatt hem.Wi t
hr el
iefshewal ked
outandst raighttot heparkinglot
.Sheunl ockedher
carandcl
i
mbedi
nimmedi
atel
yst
art
ingt
heengi
ne.
Shef
rownedwheni
twoul
dn’
tst
artt
hent
ri
edagai
n.
“No…”Shemut ter
edasshecont i
nuedtr
yingbuti
t
wouldn’tst
art.Shesteppedoutandopenedthe
bonnet.Shelookedatev er
ythi
nginconf
usionnot
sureofwher etotouch.
“
What
’swr
ongwi
tht
hecar
?”
Shetur
nedt
oamanwhowasnowst
andi
ngbesi
de
her
.
“
Itwon’
tst
art
.”
“
CanIl
ookati
t?”
Shenoddedandst
eppedaway
.Het
ouchedaf
ew
thi
ngs.
“
Goandt
ryst
art
ingt
hecar
?”
Shegoti
nsi
dehercarandt
urnedt
hekey.The
engi
neimmedi
atel
ycametolif
eandshesmil
ed.
“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”
Hel
aughedandcl
osedt
hebonnet
.
“
Youshoul
dtakei
tforser
vici
ng.
”
“
Iwi
l
l,t
hanky
ousomuch.
”
“
Byt
heway
,Iam Tshepo.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Lone.
”
“
Lone,
tomor
rowt
aket
hecarf
orser
vici
ng.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Iwi
l
l.
”
“Iwanty
ournumbersot
hattomorrowIcal
lto
confi
rmyouhavet
akeni
tforser
vicing.
”
Shegav ehim hernumberbeforeshedroveaway .
Arr
ivi
ngatherhouseshef r
eshenedupandsati n
fr
ontoftheTVwat chi
ngherfavorit
esoapeati
ng.
Shelookedatt hebighousethatmadeherfeelextra
l
onelythensighed.Sheknewi fsheweretorentit
out,
itwouldbr i
nghermoney .Shewasgoingtogeta
newcar ,maybeaLandRov erDiscover
ySport.She
wouldgetal oanandpurchaseit.Shecoul
dalready
seeherselfi
nt hecaratwork,maybethenAnay a
wouldn’
tfeelsobig.
Shel
ookedatherr
ingi
ngphoneandanswer
ed.
“
Hey
,ther
eisaFr
idayser
viceatchur
ch,
comewi
th
me.Kennethisstil
li
nGoodhopeandIdon’twantt
o
goalone.Idon’
twanttofeell
eftoutwhi
l
epeoplesi
t
wit
ht hei
rpart
nersandfr
iends.
”
“
Ok,
youcancomepi
ckmeup.
”
Rachel
laughed.“
Iam al
readyonmyway
.”
Lonechangedint
oadr essandsomepumps.
Minutesl
ater
,Rachel
dr ovein.Shewal
kedoutwi
th
herhandbagandgotint hecar.
“
Hey
,thanky
ouf
oragr
eei
ngt
ocomewi
thme.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Agospelsongpl
ayedasRacheldr
ov et
othechur
ch.
Lonecl
osedhereyeswhi
leRachelsangal
ong.
“Il
ovet
hissongsomuch,
mat
teroff
act
,Ij
ustl
ove
TashaCobbs.
”
“
What
’sl
efti
sfory
out
obeapast
or.
”
Rachell
aughed.“
Kennet
hloveschurchthi
sdays.I
am notgoi
ngtochurchbecauseIwantsomethi
ng
fr
om Godany more.
”
“
Whyar
eyougoi
ng?
”
“Iam goi
ngbecauseIl ovechurchandIam
beginni
ngtofalli
nlov
ewi thGod.Thepr obl
em with
mostofusist hatwegot ochur
chonlywhenwe
needsomethi
ngf r
om God, andwhent hingsdon’t
happenwhenwewantt hem tohappen,west op
goingorwhenwhatwewanthappenswest op
prayi
ng.Somet i
mesyouj ustgottopraiseGod, ar
e
thi
ngsgoingwel lf
oryouornot .
”
Lonel
aughed.“
YeswenaMamf
undi
si!
”
Rachelhi
therar
m pl
ayful
lyt
henparkedt
hecar.
Theycoul
dheartheprai
seandworshipf
rom out
side.
“Iam soexci
ted,t
hefounderoft
hechur
chwhoi
s
basedinUKi sher
ewi t
hhiswif
e.Hi
swifewi
l
lbe
preachi
ng.Let’
sgo.”
Theysteppedoutandwal kedinsi
det hebuildi
ng
wheretheywer egreetedbyushersbyt hedoor.They
sett
ledinthemi ddleseatsandjoi
nedev er
yonein
si
nging.Lonelookedatt hechoirsi
ngi ngli
kethe
JoyousCelebrationchoir
.Rachelscreamedwi t
h
otherpeoplewhent heystart
edsingi
nganot hersong.
“
Ilov
ethi
ssong!
”Rachel
sai
dont
opoft
henoi
se.
Theentir
echurchwassinginganddancing.Awhil
e
l
ater,t
heysatdownasthef emalepast
orstart
ed
preachi
ng.Afewminut
esi ntotheser
monLone
yawned.
Thepast orcont inuedtopr eachwhi l
eshetri
edto
fi
ghtof fhersleep.Shel ookedaroundtofind
everyonel i
steningt henlookedatt hepast
orfora
fewmi nutest ry
ingt oconcent rat
ebutshestart
edto
doze.Cat chingher self
,shet ookoutherphoneand
discr
eet l
ywentonsoci almedia.
Overanhourl at
er,
thepast
orgotoffthestageand
thechoirtookover
.Ever
yonestoodupandsang
happil
ywhi l
etheymovedaroundsoci
alizi
ng.Alady
approachedthem wit
hawar m smi
le.
“Si
sterRachel
,howar
eyou?Wher
eisbr
other
Kenneth?”
Rachel
smil
ed.“
Sist
erMal
ebogo,
Iam goody
our
sel
f?
Kennet
hisi
nGoodhopewit
hwork.”
“
Oh,
Isee,
Iam bl
essed.Youbr
oughtaf
ri
end?
”
“
Yes,t
hisi
smyf
ri
end,
Lone.Lone,
thi
sisSi
ster
Mal
ebogo.
”
Lonesmi
l
edast
hel
adyhuggedher
.
“Welcomesi
sterLone,
Ihopet
oseey
ouagai
n.St
ay
blessed.
”
Shewal
kedawayandLonel
ookedatRachel
.
“
Whowast
hat
?”
“
Ourpast
or’
swi
fe.
”
“
Oh…”
“
Let
’sgo.
”

*
***
*

AnayapackedherbagasMi
guel
wat
chedhert
he
fol
l
owingmor ni
ng.
“
Iam goi
ngt
omi
ssy
ou.
”
“
Met
oo,
buty
oucanal
way
scomeov
er.
”
“
It
’snott
hesame.
”
Anayal
ookedathi
m wi
thasmil
e.“
IknowbutIhav
e
tobewi
thsomeoneatt
hisst
age.
”
“
Whenar
eyougoi
ngf
ory
ourmat
erni
tyl
eav
e?”
“
Int
woweeks.
”
“
Whycan’
tyougoaty
ourhousei
ntwoweekst
hen?
”
“
Babe,
wedi
scussedt
his.
”
Hesi
ghed.“
Idon’
tunder
standwhyy
ouhav
etogo
now.
”
“
Youwil
lbef
ine.I
nthreemonthsyouandIwi
l
lbe
mar
ri
edandwewi l
lbetoget
herfor
ever
.”
“
Ican’
twai
t.
”
Shefini
shedpacki
ngthenputherbagsnearthedoor
befor
ejoini
nghiminbed.Hespoonedherkissi
ng
herneck.
“
Iwentt
oseet
hehouset
oday
.”
“
Oh?And?
”
“
Ithi
nki
nthr
eemont
hs,
itwi
l
lber
eady
.”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
Itbet
ter
.Iam soexci
ted.
”
“
Soam Ibabe.
”
Hi
sphoner
angandher
eachedf
ori
t.
“
Hel
l
o?”
Anay
ali
stenedcl
osel
y.
“Miguel
,mywat
erbr
oke.
”Mar
angsai
datt
heot
her
end.
“What?
”Hesatupr
ight
.“I
sn’
tthatsupposedt
o
happeninamont
h?”
“
Iti
s,ohmyGod!Mybaby
.”
“
Rel
ax,
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandj
umpedof
fthebedwhi
l
eAnay
a
st
ruggl
edt
osit
.
“Howcomeshei si
nlaboratpossi
bly35weeks?
BecauseIknowsheprobabl
yconceivedt
hedayI
did.
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Iam goi
ngt
ogether
.”
“
Iam comi
ngwi
th.
”
“
Thenl
et’
sgo.
”
Shegotof
fbedandsl
i
ppedherf
eeti
nherf
li
pfl
ops.
I
nthecar
,hedr
ovel
i
keamadmant
oherhouse.
“
Stayher
e.”
Heclimbedoutandraninsi
dethehouse.Seconds
l
aterhecameoutcarryi
ngher.Heputherintheback
seatandimmediat
elygotint
hecaranddroveof f
whil
eshescreamed.
“
OhhGod!Hur
ry.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hesteppedontheaccel
erat
orandthecarsurged
f
orward.Anay
aroll
edhereyeslooki
ngoutthr
ough
t
hewi ndowasMarangscreamed.
“
Miguel
,thebabyi
scomi
ng.
”
“
Iam al
mostt
her
e.”
Anay awatchedasheov er
tookfi
vecarsandr an
througharedt raf
fi
cl i
ghtthenturnedtotheback
seat,Marangwast akingoffherpantsdoingthe
breathi
ngexer ci
ses.Shepushedherl egsapar tand
beganpushi ng.Anay alookedawaywi t
hasi ghthen
turnedagain.
“
Mar
ang,
openy
ourl
egswi
derandpushr
eal
l
yhar
d,
wear
eal
mostt
her
e.”
Mar anggroanedast hebaby ’
sheadcameout .
Anay atookofft heseat bel
tandr eachedbehindin
ordertocatcht hebaby .Mar angpushedt wicemore
andt hebabycameoutwi t
hal ouddeepcr y
.
Meanwhi leMiguel parkedt hecarattheemer gency
sectioncall
ingforhel p.Mar angreachedforthebaby
whileAnay asteppedoutoft hecarandopenedt he
passengerdoor .
“
Arey
ouok?
”
“
Yeah…If
orgothi
sbabybag.
”
“
Miguel
andIwi
l
lgeti
t.
”
Thenur sesarri
vedwi t
habedmaki ngAnay amov ed
awaytogi vethem space.Theyt ookMar angandthe
babyinside,Miguelpacedbehi ndthem gett
ing
i
nside.Wi t
hasi gh,Anayaclosedthebackdoorand
gotinthedr i
versseat.Shedrov etotheparkingl
ot
andparkedbef oregetti
nginsidethehospital.
Minut
esl
ater,
shereachedforthedoortotheroom
whereMar
angwasbutt hegiggli
ngshewashear i
ng
madeherpause.Thr
oughtheslight
lyopeneddoor,
shewat
chedt
hem.
“
Hei
ssot
iny
.”
Marangl
aughed.“
Heweighed2.
5kg.Hei
sa
pr
ematur
ebutheisfi
ne.
”
Mi
guel
smi
l
edl
ooki
ngathi
ssoni
nMar
ang’
shands.
“
CanIhol
dhi
m?”
“
Yeah,
sur
e.”
Hetookhimfrom herandhel
dhim gent
ly.“
Hei
s
beaut
if
ul,
Ican’tbel
i
eveIam adad.
”
“
Youbett
er.Whatshoul
dwenamehi
m?Iwas
t
hinki
ngMiguel
Junior
.”
Miguelsmil
ed.“
Yeah,ofcause.Il
ikeit.Thanky
ou
fort
hiswonderf
ulgi
ft
.Icannev erthanky ou
enough.”
Marangr
ubbedhisshoulder
.“No,
yout
hanky
ou.I
am amom becauseofyou.”
Hel
ookedatherthenki
ssedhi
sson’
sfor
ehead.
“
Youdi
dwelltoday.”
“
Iwassoscar
ed.
”
Anayawal
kedawayastheycont
inuedchat
ti
ng
bl
inki
ngawayhert
ear
s.
.
.
.
Let
scommentandl
i
ke,
goodni
ght
..
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#48

Anay asati
nt hecarwithathrobbingheart
.Shehel
d
hertear
srefusingtocryandwai t
edforhim.More
thanthi
rt
ymi nuteslat
er,hecl
i
mbedi nsi
dethecar
.
“
Hey
,Ihav
ebeencal
l
ing.
”
“
Myphonei
sathome.
”
“Iwi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
fbef
oreIgoandpi
ckupMar
ang’
s
bag.
”
“
Whydi
dyounamehersonwi
tht
henameIwant
ed
t
ogi
vemine.
”
Hel
ookedather
.“If
orgot
.”
“
Thengoandchangei
t.
”
“Anay
aist
hatnecessar
y?Wewi
l
lgi
vehi
m anot
her
name.”
“
Youj ustgav
ethenameIhadkeptf
ormysonaway
Miguel!
”
“
Theycanbot
hhav
ethesamename,
nobi
gdeal
.
”
“Whatdoy
oumeant
heycanbot
hhav
ethesame
name?”
“
Anay
a,canwenotdot
his?
”
“
No,
wear
edoi
ngt
hisnow.Goandchangei
t.
”
Hestart
edthecarcompl
etel
yignor
ingheranddr
ove
herbacktohi
shouse.
“Youseehowyouar
ebehav
ingr
ight
?Nextt
hingy
ou
sayIdon’
ttr
usty
ou.
”
“
Anayayouar
elooki
ngf
oraf
ightandIwon’
tgi
vei
t
t
oyou.”
“Idon’
twantt
ofi
ght
.Ij
ustwanty
out
ochangethe
name.Youaremaki
ngmesoundasi
fIam ov
er
react
ing,y
ouj ustgavethenamewewer egoi
ngto
giveourchil
dt oyourot
herchil
d.Whycan’
tyousee
thi
sfrom wher eIam st
anding?
”
“
Ican.Wewi
l
lnamehi
m wi
thmysecondname.
”
“
Idon’
twantmysont
ohav
eyoursecondname!
”
Hepar
kedi
nfr
ontoft
hehouse.
“
Wewi
l
ltal
kaboutt
hiswhenIcomeback.
”
“
Miguel
,i
t’
sei
thery
ouwi
l
lchanget
hatnameornot
.
Whi
choneisi
t?”
“
Wewi
l
ltal
kaboutt
hiswhenIcomeback.
”
Shel ookedathi mf orawhi l
et hengotof fthecar.
Tearsr andownhercheeksashedr oveoff.She
couldn’tunderstandwhyhecoul dn’tseethingsfr
om
herpoi ntofvi
ew.Thi swast henameshewasgoi ng
togiveherownsonandhehadgi venittoMar ang’s
sonasi fshedidn’tmatter.Shewal kedinsidethe
houseandsl i
dont hef
loorcr yi
ng.Hewasn’ t
cheat i
ngbutitfeltasifhewas.Thepai nwasal most
thesame.Shef eltbetr
ay ed.
Shet
ookherphoneandcal
l
edhi
m.
“
Anay
a,Iam dr
ivi
ng.Canwet
alkwhenIgetback?
”
“Pl
ease,
changethatname.YouknowIwant
edt
o
cal
lmysonthat.Iam beggi
ngyou.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lseewhatt
odo.
”
Hesaidthenhungup.Shewi pedawayhertearsand
st
oodup.Shewal kedtothebedroom andcrawled
onthebedfeel
ingsleepcatchi
ngupwi t
hher.

*
***
*

Theodor
asmil
edwalki
nginsi
detheki
tchen.Mel
ody
wasasusual
,donewit
hcooking.
“
Heymor
ningbi
rd.
”
Mel
odyt
urnedwi
thasmi
l
e.“
Mor
ning,
Imadef
ood.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shegotherpl
ateandbeganeat
ing.
“
Iam sogl
ady
oudi
dn’
tgoback.Ir
eal
l
yneededa
f
ri
end.”
Melodysmiledandcont
inueddoingwhatshewas
doi
ng.Theodora’
sphonerangandsheanswered
wal
kingwithherplat
etothesi
tti
ngroom.
“
Mama…”
“
Wear
est
il
lwai
ti
ng.
”
ShelookedattheTV,Mel
ody’ssonwaswat chi
ng
car
toonswhil
eherdaughtercrawledonthefl
oor
.
Shegotherplateandwal
kedtot hebedr
oom.
“
Mama,hesaidtheyarecomi
ng.Ri
ghtnowhewent
t
oSAonbusiness,hewill
bebacki
naweek’
sti
me.
Wewi
l
ltakeitfr
om there.
”
“
Ok,
Ihopei
tgoeswel
l
.”
“
Met
oo.Il
ovehi
m.”
“
Ihav
etogo,
youwi
l
ltal
ktome.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandsatonherbedeat i
ng.Alit
tl
ewhil
e
l
ater,
sheheardv oi
cesandshewaspr et
tysurei
t
wasn’tMelody’
skids.Shest
oodupandwal kedt
o
theki
tchenwheret henoi
sewas.Shelookedat
Melodytal
kingtosomewoman.
Thewomant
urnedt
olookatherwi
thal
ookof
di
sgust
.
“
Ist
hather
?”
“Yesmom.”Mel
odyrespondedwhi
l
eTheodor
a
stoodi
nconf
usi
on.
“
Doy
ouknowt
hatChr
ist
ianhasawi
fe?
”
Thewomanaskedandi mmedi at
elyTheodor
aknew
whoshewas.ShewasChr i
stian’
smot her
.The
questi
onlef
therspeechl
ess.Shel ookedatMel
ody
who’seyeswereful
lofanger.Angershehadn’t
knownexist
ed.
“
Ma?
”
“
Isai
ddoy
ouknowt
hatChr
ist
iani
smar
ri
ed?
”
Theodora’
sheartpoundednotsur
eofwhattosay
,
notevensureofwhatshewasbeingasked.
“MelodyisChri
sti
an’
swife.Youthinkyoucanj
ust
comef rom nowher
etoruinsomeone’shome?It’
s
gir
lsli
keyouwhower enevertaughtmannerst
hat
areparasi
testomarri
ages.”
Theani
mosi
tyshesawi
nthet
wowomen’
sey
es
scaredher.Shet ri
edtogr aspwhatt heywer esay i
ng,
tri
edtounder standitbutshecoul dn’
tunder st
anda
singl
ewor d.Chr i
sti
anwasmar ri
ed?Mel odywashi s
wife.ShelookedatMel odyasshet houghtof
everythi
ngt hathasbeenhappeni ng.Mel odycleaned
thehouse, shecooked, shewashedt hedi shes,she
washedt hecl ot
hes,shei r
onedthecl othes.Shedid
everythi
ng.Tear ssurf
acedi nTheodor a’
sey esthen
sheslowlyshookherhead.
“Iwantyoutomakewhat everthati
syoursandleave
from myson’shouse.Idon’
tunderst
and,whydidn’
t
yousayanythingMelody?Thisboyistr
yingus.Iam
call
inghi
sfather.
”
Theodorasl
owlywal
kedbackt
ot hebedr
oom asshe
tr
iedtofi
ghtof
fthef
ogofconfusi
onthathad
possessedher
.Shet
ookherphoneandcalled
Chri
sti
anshaki
ng.
“
Babe,
Iam busyr
ightnow.
”
“
Yourmot
heri
sher
eChr
ist
ian.Mel
odyi
syourwi
fe?
”
“
Shi
t!
”
“
Theyar
eki
cki
ngmeout
.Wher
eshoul
dIgo?
”She
askedcr
ying.
“
Iwil
ldeal
wit
hthi
s.Locky
our
sel
fint
hebedr
oom
whi
l
eIdealwi
thit
.”
“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
mey
ouwer
emar
ri
ed?
”
“Idon’
tloveher
.Ijustpaiddamagesforher.Shegot
pregnant,
Iwasn’teveninarel
ati
onshi
pwi t
hher .
”
“Ican’
tbel
ievey
ou.Iam goi
ng.Iam notgoi
ngt
o
stayfort
his.
”
“
Babe,
please,
Iwi
l
ltr
ycomi
ngbackear
li
er.
”
Shehungupandqui ckl
ylockedthedoor.Herheart
wassti
llpoundi
ng, shethought
full
ylookedatthecar
key
sont hedressingtablebutthoughtofwhereshe
wouldgo.ThankGodshewasn’ tgoingtowork.She
i
gnoredthebangingont hedoorandl ayonthebed.

Maranglookedatherbabywhi
l
ehesuckedonher
ni
pple.Shesmil
edlooki
ngathi
sti
nyf
inger
s.
“Hey
…”Miguelwalkedi
nwi
thaf
oodl
over
spl
ast
ic
bagandputi
taside.
“
Ibr
oughty
ouf
ood.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Howi
she?
”
“Juni
orisf
ine.Theyar
edi
schar
gingmet
his
after
noon.
”
Hesmi
l
edl
ooki
nghi
sson.
“Heisfi
ne.Mymot heri
sarr
ivi
ngt
hisaf
ter
noon
fr
om Shakawe.Sheisgoi
ngtohel
pmewi t
hthe
baby
.”
“Myparent
sar
eal
socomi
ng.Iam goi
ngt
opay
damages.”
Marangputbackherbr
easti
nhert
opwhi
l
eJuni
or
sl
ept.
“
Ok.
”
“
Canwet
alk?
”
“
Yah?
”
Hecl
earedhist
hroat
.“ThingisAnay
awant
sto
namethebabyMiguelJunior
.”
“Iam notchangi
ngmyson’
snamei
fthat
’swhaty
ou
areasking.
”
“
Mar
ang…”
“
No!Iam notdoi
ngt
hat
.Juni
ori
shi
sname.
”
“
Please.
”
Tearssurf
acedinhereyesasshest ar
edathim.“No
Miguel
.Myson’ snamestays,Idon’
tknowwhaty ou
wil
ltel
lherbutIdon’
tcare.Juni
orisnotchangi
ng
hi
sname. ”
Atearr
andownhercheekandshequi
ckl
ywi
pedi
t
of
f.
“
Pleasedon’
tcr
y.”
“
Iam notcr
ying.Juni
ori
shi
sname.
”
“Ok.Wewon’tchangei
t.
”Hesai
dwi
thasmi
l
e.“
Why
areyoucr
ying?”
“
Iam notcr
ying.
”
“
Isawt
ear
s.”
Shesmi
l
edembar
rassed.“
Stop.
”
Hel
i
ftedherchi
n.“
Youar
eacr
ybaby
.”
“
Iam not.It
houghty
ouwer
egoi
ngt
ofor
cet
he
mat
ter.
”
“
Iwoul
dn’
t.
”
Hisphonev
ibr
atedf
rom hi
spocketandhet
ooki
t
out.
“
Mypar
ent
sar
eal
mosthome,
Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Bye.
”
“Call
mewhenyougetdi
schar
ged,
Iwi
l
lcomeand
pickyouup.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Hewal kedoutpr
essinghisphone.Maranglookedat
hersonpeaceful
lysl
eepingasanothertearr
andown
hercheek.Herphonerangandsheanswer ed.
“
Lay
la,
”
“
Hey
,Ij
ustsawy
ourmessage.Iam sohappyf
or
y
ou.
”
“
Iam amom Lay
la,
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.
”
“
What
’shi
sname?
”
“
Miguel
Juni
or.
”
“
Younamedhi
m af
terhi
m?”
“Yes.Il
ovehim Lay
laandIknowther
ecanneverbe
anythi
ngmor et
hanwhat’sal
readyt
herebet
weenus
butIlovehi
m.”
“Iam sor
rysweety
,youwi
l
lfi
ndy
ourmanoneoft
he
daysIpromise.
”
“Idon’
twanttoendl
i
keoneoft
hosewomenwho
gethungoveramanfory
ear
s.”
“Youwon’
t.Any
waysIwil
lcomebyi
ntheaf
ter
noon,
Ican’
twai
ttoseey
ourli
tt
leman.
”
“
Iam sendi
ngpi
ctur
es.
”
Shehungupandtookapict
ureofJuni
orandsendit
toLay
labef
oreposti
ngi
tonherfacebookaccount
.

*
***
*
Anayaputatr
aywit
hjuicebef
oreMi
guel
’
spar
ent
s
wit
harespect
ful
smile.
“Thankyoumydaught er.
”Mr.Mokwenasaidwi tha
smilewhil
ehiswifelookedasidesi
l
entl
yholding
Angelinherhands.Anayacouldtel
lshedi
dn’tli
ke
herandshecouldn’tunder
standwhy.
“
Youar
ewelcome,
Iwi
l
lcal
lMi
guel
andaskhi
m how
f
arhei
s.”
“
Okmydaught
er.
”
Anay awal kedbackt othekitcheninherl
ong
mat ernit
ydr esswhereshehadl ef
therphoneand
call
edMi guelwho’sphoner angunanswered.She
tri
edtwi cemor ebutstil
l,i
trangunanswered.Hehad
saidhewasgoi ngtowatchagamewi thPuleand
Kennet h.Shescr ol
ledthr
oughhercont act
sand
pausedst ar
ingatPule’
snumber .Notwanti
ngto
seem i nsecure,sheputherphonedownandwal ked
backt ot hesitt
ingroom asMi guelwal
kedinthrough
thefrontdoor .
“Mama,
”hesmil
edthentookAngelwhowassucki
ng
hert
humb.Hesatbesi
deshisf
athergr
eet
inghi
m.
“Whatti
meisvi
sit
inghour?Iam anxi
oustomeett
he
baby.
”Mrs.Mokwenasaidwithasmile.
“Sheisget
ti
ngdi
schar
ged,
Iwi
l
ltakey
out
oher
house.”
“
Whowi
l
lbehel
pingher
?”
“
Hermot
heri
scomi
ng.
”
“
Whydidyounotsayany
thi
ngaboutheral
lal
ong?
”
Hi
sfat
herfi
nal
l
yasked.
“
Shecamet
omet
womont
hsago,
Idi
dn’
tknow.
”
“Yousl
eptwit
hherwithoutprot
ect
ion,
obviousl
yyou
knew.Let
’st
alkout
side,youhaveembarr
assed.”
Hehandedhismot
herAngelandwalkedoutwi
thhi
s
fat
her.Anay
awal
kedtothecouchandsatbesi
de
her.
“
CanIhol
dher
?”
Mrs.Mokwenal
ookedather
.“Wi
thy
ourpr
ost
it
ute
hands?
”
Anay
a’shear
tski
pped.
“
Don’
tactsur
pri
sed.Iknowy
ouar
ewi
thmysonf
or
hi
smoney .Youar eagolddigger!Ipi
tythewoman
whogavebirtht oyou.Noonewant st ogi
vebir
tht
o
adaught
erwhodoesnot hi
ngbutsleepwithmenfor
moneyandj obs.Youmi ghthavefooledever
yone
buty
ouwillnev erf
ool me.”
“
I-
“
“Don’
ttal
kt ome.Leavemysonal one.Iknowy ou
aretr
appinghim wi
ththatchil
d,demandingcarsyou
can’
tevenbegintodriveeveninyourdreamsand
stayi
nginhishouse.Youdisgustme.Iam sureyour
motherplannedthi
swithyou.”
Anay at ookadeepbr eathandst oodup.Shewal ked
awayl eavi
ngMr s.Mokwenawhohadbegan
shushi ngAngel whowascr yi
ng.Shesatont hebed
forawhi l
est ar
ingatt hewal l
s.Shecouldn’
tdenyt he
factt hatshewasonceapr ost
it
utebutsheknewno
onewoul dunder standwhyshehaddonewhatshe
did.Shest il
lhatedher selffori
teventhough
circumst anceshadf or cedher.Fi
nall
y,shestoodup
andwal kedtoherpackedbags.Shedr aggedher
suitcaseout .Mr s.Mokwenawat chedherasshe
wal kedpasthergoi ngout si
de.
Miguelf
rownedassheputthebagont hepavement
.
Shewalkedbacki
nsi
dethehouseandgother
sui
tcasewit
hherworkmateri
alandlaptop.Mi
guel
walkedinasshet
ri
edwalki
ngout .
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Iam goi
nghome.
”
“
Now?
”
“
Yes,
Ihav
etogo.
”
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Not
hing.
”
“
Don’
tsaynot
hing,
Icanseesomet
hingi
sgoi
ngon.
”
“
Miguel
pleasegetoutofmyway
.”
“
Whatdi
dIdo?I
sthi
saboutMar
ang?
”
“
No,
it’
snot
.Now,
getoutofmyway
.”
“Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
eti
l
lyout
ell
mewhat
’s
goingon.”
Shetookadeepbreath.“Soyout
oldy
ourpar
ent
s
thatIwasonceaprosti
tute?
”
Hesi
ghed.“
Whosai
dthat
?”
“Yourmotherj
ustcall
edmeapr osti
tut
eandinsul
ted
mymot herwhil
eatit.Whoelsecouldhavetold
them i
fitwasnotyou?YourfriendsknowIam a
prost
it
uteandsodoesy ourf
ami l
y.Whatdoyou
wantfrom meifIam aprost
itute?”
“AnayaIhonestl
ydon’
tknowwhot ol
dthem.The
onlypersonIt
oldwasPuleandthat’
sit
.Myfr
iends
don’tknowanythi
ngaboutt
hat.
”
Tear
sgushedf
rom herey
es.“
Imustl
ookst
upi
dto
you.
”
“
Babe…”
“No, Imustreal
lylookstupidtoy ou.Youhav ehurt
meMi guelbuti
t’sok.Youar enott hefi
rstmant o.
Myownf atherdid.Goaheadandt ellt
heent i
reworld
thatIam prosti
tutebutplease,whileatit,t
ellt
hem
whyIdi dit
.Tellthem mymot herwasdy ingandmy
sibl
ingswer estarvi
ngtodeat h.Iam donewi thyou.I
don’twantt ogetmar r
iedanymor e.Youkeephur ti
ng
, i
tsenough.”
“
Anay
a,pl
easedon’
tleav
e.Letust
alkaboutt
his.
”
Shetr
iedpushinghim of
fbuthewouldn’tbar
ge.
Fi
nal
lyshesteppedbackandcriedputt
ingherhands
onherface.Miguel
huggedher.
“
Iam sor
rybabe.
”
“
Why
?”
“
Idi
dn’
ttel
lany
one.Don’
tcr
y.”
Shecal
meddown.
“
Ihav
etogohome.
”
“
Iam notl
ett
ingy
oul
eav
eli
ket
his.
”
“
Miguelpl
easel
etmego.Takey
ourpar
ent
sto
Marang.
”
“
Isai
d,Iam notl
ett
ingy
oul
eav
eli
ket
his.
”
“
Youdi
dn’
tchanget
henamedi
dyou?
”
Hesi
ghedsi
l
ent
ly.
“Andyouhav
ebeengi
vi
ngMar
angmoneybehi
ndmy
back.
”
“
Sher
eal
l
yneededi
t.
”
“
Coul
dn’
tyouhav
etol
dme?Al
lthi
swhi
l
e,y
oumade
melookst upi
dinf
rontoft
hatwoman.Whatisi t
aboutMarang?Ican’
tdothi
sanymore.Ican’
t,It
ried
andfai
led.Letmego,gotoyourpr
eci
ousMar ang.”
“Iwil
lcomebackwheny ouarecal
m.Iloveyou.”He
walkedoutt
akingthekeyst
henlockedheri
nside.
Sherushedt
ot hedoorandbangedonit.
“Miguel!Letmeout .”Shescreamedhopi ngher
parentswher eint hehouse.Ift heywer et hent hey
couldeasilyhearher .Shebangedt hedoorhar der
whiletearsr andownhercheeks.Asmi nutespassed,
shesuspect edt hatshewasal lalonemov i
ngback
fr
om thedoor .Shewal kedov ertot hecur tainand
openedi texposi ngt hesli
dinggl assdoorpr otected
bythel ockedbur glarbarwithapadl ockbot hupand
down.Herhear tpoundedasshewal kedov ertothe
dressi
ngt abl edrawer s.Sheopeneddr awerby
drawert i
llshecameacr ossthem.Thekey st othe
padlocksandt hegl assdoori tself.Sheunl ockedt he
padlockdownt henl ookedupatt her emai ning
padlock.
Shedraggedt
hedressingt
ablestool
tot
heburglar
barandgotontopofitcar
eful
ly
.Sheunl
ockedthe
padlockthensmi ledget t
ingoff.Hersmil
equi ckl
y
disappearedasshest eppedonherl ongdresst r
ying
togetdownl oosingbal anceandf al
li
nghardonher
backwi t
hal oudy elp.Shecr i
edinexcruci
atingpai n
asshef el
tasi fherbackhadbr okenint
opieces.A
secondlater,shef el
tcont r
act
ionsasshelay
helpl
essont hef l
oorunabl etomov e.
“Godpleaseno…”Shewhisper
edcr
ying.Shewas
bleedi
ng,shecoul
dfeel
it.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#49

Miguelsmil
edlooki
ngattherearvi
ewmi r
rorstari
ng
athi
sson.Somehowhef el
tmor el
ikeamanev er
y
ti
mehel ookedathi
m.Hel ookedbackattheroad
andparkedinfr
ontofhergate.Hermotherstepped
outwit
hMar angatthebackseatwhil
eheremai ned
wi
thhi
sfat
her
.
“Iam proudofy ouson,havi
ngachil
disabig
achi
ev ement.Ij
usthopey ouar
ereadyfori
t.Whati
s
Anaya’sreacti
ontoallofthi
s?”
“
Shewashur
tbutwear
egood.
”
“Youshouldn’
tmakei tahabitt
ohurtthewomany ou
l
ov e,
onedayy ouwil
lwakeupandrealizeshei
s
gone.Itwil
lhauntyouforev
er.Youshouldkeepyour
pri
ori
tiesst
raight.
”
Mi
guel
lookedathismotherl
aughi
ngandsmi
l
ing
wi
thMarangwal
kinginsi
deherhouse.
“
Ijustwi
shmamacanacceptAnay
a.”
“Youknowhowy ourmotheris.Ipersonal
lyli
kethat
girlf
oryou,shei
sstrongandsmar t
.Weal lhave
donet hi
ngswear enotpr
oudofatsomepoi nti
nour
l
ives.Accordi
ngtowhaty outoldme, shehadno
choiceandshechoseherf amilyineveryt
hingshe
did.Sheisthebestyouhaveev erpi
cked.”
“Canyoutal
ktomama?Iam nothappywi
thhow
shespoketoAnay
a.”
“
Iwi
l
l,don’
twor
ry.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Ihavespokent
oy ourunclesaboutpayi
ngdamages
t
othisdoct
orgi
rl
.Everyt
hingisset.Weneedto
i
ntr
oducehimtothefamily.WhereisAgang?
”
“
Tanz
ani
a.”
“
Thatboywi
l
lki
l
lme!Hei
sst
il
lwi
thsomeone’
s
wi
fe?”
“
Yeah,
hewon’
tli
stent
oany
one.
”
“
Thatboyhumili
atedme.Idon’
tev
enknowwher
eI
wentwrongr
aisi
nghim.”

*
***
*

Ayanal ookedathersel
font hemi r
rorwearinga
dressandAnay a’
sheels.Shemov edtheweav eback
thrusti
ngherchestoutt r
yingtolooklikeanadult
.A
whi l
elatershetookoffherheels,putonherjeans
andat opwi thherpumps.Sher emov edthewigand
hel
dherhai rint
oat i
ghtbun.Shetookherphone
fr
om thebedandwentonWhat sAppandstrai
ghtto
hi
spr ofi
le.Hewashandsomeandt al
l,
sheclosed
hereyesbr i
efl
ytryi
ngtoshakeherthoughtsaway
buthisfacewasal lshecoul
dsee.Hehadacut e
smil
et hatshelovedsomuchandwhenev erhe
spoket oherwiththatdeepvoi
ceofhis,sheal
ways
melted.
Shelookedathispictureonceagainandbl ushed.
Shecouldn’
tunderstandwhyshef el
tthatwayf oran
ol
derman, hehadn’tsaidanythingthatcouldmake
herthi
nkli
kethatorev endoneany thi
ng.Hesol el
y
behavedli
kehowaf atherwould.Shestoodupand
wentbacktothemi rror.
“
Arey oureadi
ngAyana?
”Shei
mit
atedhi
m onthe
mirr
or.“I
fyouwanttobeanur
se,
youhavetor
ead.I
l
ikegirl
swhoaresmart.
”
Shegi
ggledput
ti
ngherhandsonherface.Herdoor
swungopenandhermotherwal
kedinwithafrown.
“
Whoar
eyout
alki
ngt
o?”
Shet
urnedt
ohermot
her
.“Ma?
”
“
Whoar
eyout
alki
ngt
o?Ihear
dyout
alki
ng.
”
“
Oh,
Iwaspr
act
ici
ngmypr
esent
ati
on.
”
Hermot
herlookedatt
heweav
eandheel
s.“
Are
t
hoseAnay
a’s?”
“
Yes.
”
Shechuckl
ed.“Don’
tbreakal
eg.Iam goi
ngt
oaf
ew
thi
ngsfr
om themall
.”
“
Ok.
”
HermotherwalkedoutandAyanasighedwit
hrel
i
ef.
Herphonerangandquickl
yreachedfori
t.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,Iam i
nGabor
one,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Iam athome.
”
“
CanIseey
ou?Justf
oraf
ewmi
nut
es?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lbet
her
einaf
ewmi
nut
es,
getr
eady
.”
Sheputherphoneawayandappl
i
edaredli
psti
ckon
herl
i
ps.Herphonevibr
atedaf
ewminutesl
aterand
shetookitalreadywalki
ngout.LethabowasGod
knowswher epl ayi
ngandsheknewhewoul dbe
backonlylater.Shepr
essedthegat eremote
approachi
ngt hegateandwalkedoutt ohiscaras
thegateclosed.Shegotinthefrontseatandhe
i
mmedi atelydroveoff
.
“
Hey
,Ibr
oughty
out
his.
”
HehandedheraNando’
sbag.Shet
ooki
twi
tha
smi
le.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Helookedsmar tandcleanasusual
,shewondered
howshel ookedinsimplej
eansandt-shir
tnow
regr
ett
ingnotwear i
ngthedressandsti
lett
os.
“Youcandrinkthat
.”Shelookedattheopenedcan
ofcoke.“
Iforgottogetyouadr i
nk.
”
Sheimmedi at
elyt
ookt
hecanandt
ookasipwett
ing
herdrythr
oat.Hesmel
tgoodi
tmadeherhear
tbeat
uncontr
oll
ably.
Hewassil
entallt
hewaytoahousewher
eheparked
t
hecarandsteppedoutbef
orehecamet
oherdoor
andopeneditforher
.Shegotoffwi
thherfoodthen
heledheri
nside.Shewonderedwho’
shouseitwas
becauseasfarasshewasconcerned,
henol onger
hadahouseinGabor oneashehadsoldi
t.
“Thi
sismyfr
iend’
shouse.Hei
scurrent
lywit
hhi
s
gir
lf
ri
endf
ortheweekendsoIwil
lbestayi
ngher
e.”
Shesatont
hecouchshyl
y.Shehadnev
erbeena
l
onewithamanli
kethi
s.
“
Ayanacomeher
e.”
Shesl
owl
yfol
l
owedhi
mtot
hebedr
oom.
“
Arey
oushy
?”Heaskedcl
osi
ngt
hedoor
.
Sheshookherheadno.
“
Ili
key
ou,youar
easmartgi
rl
.”Hepul
l
edhercl
oser
.
“
Whenisy
ourbir
thday
?”
“
Ital
readypassed.
”
“
Ok.Iam goi
ngt
oki
ssy
ou,
ok?
”
Shenoddedlooki
ngathim.Heleanedoverand
ki
ssedherl
ips,hehadafreshmintbr
eat
h.Hekissed
hersl
owlywhil
eshestoodther
enotsureofwhatto
do.Hest
eppedbackwi
thasmal
lsmi
l
e.
“
Youhav
enev
erki
ssedany
onebef
ore?
”
Sheshookherheadno.
“Good.Justr elax, Iwon’ thurtyou.Relax.”He
whi sper edagai nstherl i
psbef oreheki ssedher
agai n.Het hr usthi st onguei nhermout hr eall
y
kissing.Wi thherey escl osed,shekissedhi m back,
slowl yasheassaul tedhermout hwi t
hhi s
exper iencedt ongue.Shef el
therpant i
eswetwhi l
e
shest oodt her ewi thhersmal lhandsonhi schest .
Hepul ledawayandt ookof fhertopandbr abef ore
hecuppedhert ennisbal lsizedbreastsqueezi ng
them gent l
y .Ay anagaspedashepi ckedherupand
l
ayheront hebed.Herhear twasbeat ingsof astshe
thoughtshewasgoi ngt ohav eahear tattack.He
unbut tonedherj eanspul l
i
ngt hem downatt hesame
ti
met oget herwi thherpant i
es.Het ookof fher
pumpsandpul ledof fthej eansandpant i
est hrowing
them ont hef loor .
Ayanaputherhandoverherchestshy
lyashe
l
ookedathernakedbody.
“
Youar
ebeaut
if
ul,
don’
tbeshy
.”
Hegotont opofherandbabyki ssedherlipsthen
kissedherjawanddownt oherneck.Ayana’
s
nippleshardenedasheki ssedherneck.Hedr opped
wetki ssesdownt oherchestthenhersensiti
ve
nipples.Hepulledonei nhi
smout handgent l
y
sucked.Shewhi mperedsoftl
ypressi
ngherlegs
together.Heputt heotherni
ppleinhismouthand
didthesameashehaddonewi ththefi
rstone,
somet hingwasgoi nghappeningtoherandshe
l
ov edev er
ymi nuteofit.
Hekissedhergoi
ngfur
therdowntoherbell
ythen
hershavedvagi
na.Hepul
ledherl
egsapartexposi
ng
her.
“Fuck!”Hegroanedopeni ngherfoldsexposi ngher
pink.Ayana’
sbr eat
hhitched,shewant edt otel
lhim
tostopbutatt hesamet imeshef earedhewoul dn’t.
Shesuckedi nashar pbreathwhenher anhistongue
onher .Hediditagain,
thistimenotst opping.Ayana
closedhereyesatt heinsanepleasure,shehadn’t
expectedthat.Hertoescurledashel ickedand
suckedhertil
l shewasv ibr
atingmoani ng.Herbody
spaspedasshelockedhisheadbetweenherthi
ghs.
Shefinal
l
yrel
axedthenheopenedherlegsf r
eei
ng
hi
shead.Hetookof fhi
st-shi
rtt
henunzippedhi
s
j
eans.Hepull
edhert ot
heedgeoft hebed.
“
Closey
ourey
es.
”
Sheslowlycl
osedhereyesthenshefel
tsomet hing
rubhersensi
ti
vepussy.Sheknewwhati twasbut
kepthereyescl
osed.Shedidn’
twanttodisrespect
himinanyway ,
shefeltt
heneedtosatisfyhim.
Hecont i
nuedr ubbingherwhi lethepleasureshehad
feltearli
ercameback, t
histimeev enmor esweet.
Sher elaxedmov i
ngherwai stmoani ngsof t
ly.He
kissedherst il
lrubbinghisdickonhert henslowly
,
hepushedhi msel fi
nherent rance.Shemov edher
l
ipsf rowningatt heuncomf ortablefeel
ing.He
cont i
nuedt ry
ingt opushinwhi lesheshookwi t
hfear
,
i
tf el
tbi gthoughshecoul dn’tbesur e.
Final
ly
,withoneforcefulpush,herammedinsi
deher
breaki
ngt houghthebarri
er.Shescreamedi
npain.
Puleopenedherlegsev enmor ewideandpushed
furt
herinsideher
.
“
OhGodwait!Wai
t!I
t’
spai
nful
.”Shesai
dwi
tht
ear
s
i
nherey
es.
Hesl owlyeasedoutt hent hrustbacki nagai nasshe
groanedt ryi
ngt orelaxherbody .Someonehadsai d
i
fy our elaxedy ouwoul dn’tf eel t
hepai n.He
cont inuedwi tht hesl owst r
okesasshepul ledt he
sheet s.Slowl yshest artedf eelingt hepleasur eshe
hadn’ tfeltbefor e,allmi xedwi tht hepai n.Hert oes
curledashet appedsomet hingsweeti nsideher .She
openedherl egswi derashecont i
nuedt ot api tnow
reall
yf uckingherwi t
hal lhisdi ck.Herbodyt ensed
ast hepl easur emul t
ipliedwi t
heacht hrust.She
mov edherwai standhi psr hy thmi cally.Heputhi s
elbowsont hebedsuppor tinghi swei ghtthen
poundedi ntohersendi ngherst raighttoheav en.She
closedherey esbr iefl
yandwi del yopeni ngt hem as
herbodyconv ulsed.Shef eltasi fshewashav i
nga
seizur eofpl easur e.
Het hrusti
ntoheracoupleoftimesbeforeheshot
herloaddeepinsideherandfrozeinsi
deher.He
slowlypull
edoutasAy anawinced.Heclosedher
foldsthenherlegsandseal
edi twi
thababykisson
herl
i
ps.

*
***
*

Miguel parkedhi scarbehi ndAnay a’

sG-Wagonat
hishouse.Heknewshewaspr obablyst i
llmadbut
hopedshehadatl eastcal meddown.Hest epped
outoft hecarwi ththehugebouquetofr osesand
walkedi nsidet hehouse.I thadonl ybeenanhour
andhal fsincehel eft
.Hewal kedi nsi
det hehouse
andwentst r
aightt othebedr oom.Het ookouthi s
keyandunl ockedwal kinginsi de.Hef rozeatt he
doorl ookingatAnay al yi
ngi napool ofbl oodsi lentl
y.
Hedr oppedt hef l
ower sandr ushedov ertoher .She
wasunconsci ous,heputhi sshaki nghandonher
neckt ryi
ngt of eelherpul se.Hi shear tskippedashe
fel
tnot hingthenhepi ckedherupandqui ckly
walkedt ot hecar .Hej umpedi nt hefrontseatand
droveof f.Allhecoul dt hi
nkwast hathehadki lled
her,hadhenotl ockedheri nsidet hebedr oom,
nothingwoul dhappenedt oher .
Att hehospi tal
,thenur sestookheri nasmal l
bed
andr ushedwi t
hheri nside.Nowhet houghtof
ever ythi
nghehadbeenput t
inghert hr ough.Shehad
forgav ehi scheat ingt houghshehadbeenhur t
.
Insteadofshowi nghert hesuppor tsheneeded
whenshegr eatl
yneededi t
,hehadt ur nedtoanot her
womanwhowasmor ethanwi l
l
ingtosubmi ttohim.
Ithadn’ tbeenl ov e,thatheknewbutj usthowshe
waswi t
hhi m.HeknewhowMar ang’spr egnancy
washur tinghery ethechoset ogobehi ndherback.
Hecl osedhi sey eswai ti
ngfort hedoct orwhowas
busywi thher .Shehadbeggedhi mlastni ghtto
changeMar ang’
sbaby ’
snameandhehadn’ tdone
j
ustonet hingshebadl ywant edhi mt odo.Het ooka
deepbr eathwonder inghowshemusthav ebeen
feeling, shemusthav ebeenr eall
yhur t.
Vi
ncewal
kedoutwhi
l
eMi
guel
stoodup.
“
Howi
sshe?Thebaby
?”
Vi
ncesighed.“Iam sor
rymanbutthebabydidn’
t
makeit
.Shehadabadf al
l,
may behadshebeen
br
oughtearl
ierthebabywouldhavesur
viv
ed.”
Her
ubbedi
sface.“
Andher
?Howi
sshe?
”
“Shei
sstabl
efornow.Shespr
ainedherankleand
kneet
hough.Wearegoingtomonitorher
.”
“
CanIseeher
?”
“
Shei
srest
ingbutok.
”
Vincerubbedhisshoulderandwalkedaway .Miguel
madehi swaytowher eshewas, hishear
tbrokeas
shelayunconsciousont hehospi
talbedlooki
ngpale.
Heheldherhandandki ssedi
t.
“
Iam sor
rybabe…”
Anur
sewal
kedi
nwi
thasmi
l
e,shel
ookedathi
m.
“
It
’spastv
isi
ti
nghour
.”Shesai
dsof
tl
y.
Hel
ookedatherandsi
ghed.“
CanIhav
eacoupl
e
mor
emi nut
eswit
hher?
”
ShelookedatAnay
athenathi
m.“
Justaf
ew
minutes.
”
Heturnedhi
sat
tent
ionbackt
oAnay
aandki
ssedher
f
orehead.
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Hewatchedheri
nsi
lenceforacoupl
emoreminut
es
andf
inal
lywal
kedout.Hebumpedintot
henur
se.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shesmi
l
edwal
ki
ngaway
.“Youar
ewel
come.
”
Heheadedt
ohi
scart
aki
ngouthi
sri
ngi
ngphone.
“
Yah?
”
“Wherearey
ou?Theel
classi
coi
spl
ayi
ng.
”Kennet
h
shr
il
led.
“
Shi
t!I
ttot
all
ysl
i
ppedmymi
nd.
”
“Howcanyouf
orgetwhenBar
caandReal
Madr
idi
s
play
ing?
”
Mi
guel
unl
ockedhi
scarandcl
i
mbedi
n.
“
Ican’
tmakei
t.Iwi
l
lwat
cht
hehi
ghl
i
ght
s.”
“
What
?Comeon.
”
“
Anay
alostt
hebaby
,Ineedt
obeal
one.
”
“
Shi
t!Whathappened?
”
“Let
’st
alkl
ater
.”Hehungupanddr
ovet
oal
i
quor
stor
ebefor
ehef i
nal
l
ydrovehome.
Hesatinthesitt
ingr
oom dri
nki
ngHennessyfr
om
thebot
tl
egoi ngtohi
scontact
sandpressi
ng
Anaya’
smot her’
snumber.

*
***
*

Acarst oppeday ardfr

om Ay ana’sandshequickl
y
j
umpedof fwhil
et hecardroveoff.Shewalkedtothe
gatepressingthesparegater emote.Shewalked
i
nsidethey ardandwentst rai
ghttothedoor.She
walkedinandal mostfaint
edst ari
ngatthemanshe
neverthoughtshecoul dseeagain.Tearsfi
ll
edher
eyeswhi l
eherkneesi mmedi atel
ygotweak.
.
.
.
Li
keandcomment
.Ournexti
nser
tfol
l
owsat
22:
30hr
s.
[
7/13,
16:
13]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#50

Tearsfi
l
ledAy ana’
sey esasshestaredattheman.
Hetoolookedathersadl y,hel
ookedthin,shecoul
d
al
mostnotr ecognizehim.Hewor eoversi
zed
cl
othes,hischeeksboneswer eall
out.Hecould
al
mostr esembletheskeletoncharti
nherscience
cl
assthatwasont hewall.
“
Ayana…”Hi
svoi
cecr
acked.
Shelookedathi m astearsrandownhercheeks.She
hadonlybeen8y earsoldwhenhel eftbutshecould
sti
l
lremembert heday.Herparentshadf oughtthat
daylouderthant heyeverhad.Shecouldheart hei
r
voi
cesev enwhenAnay aputherhandsonherear s.
Herfatherhadt hrownthei
rbagsout si
det hehouse
whil
ehermot hercri
ed.
“Getout!”Hehadscr
eamedatthem andt
hatwas
thelastdayshesawhim.Today,
ther
ehewas,
star
ingatherandall
shecoulddowascrysi
lent
ly.
“Ayanamydaught
er…”Hetookast
eptowardsher
butshest
eppedback.Shedi
dn’
twanthi
m anywher
e
nearhersel
f.Lethabodi
dn’
tev
enknowhi
m.Hehad
onlybeentwoy earsol
dwhenhel
eft.
Hermot
herwal
kedi
nasshest
aredatt
heman.
“
Mogomotsi
,youar
escar
ingmyki
ds,
Isai
dleav
ea
l
ongt
imeago!”
Het
urnedbackgoi
ngdownonhi
sname.
“
Mywi
fe,
pleasef
orgi
veme.
”
“
Tswamont
lungy
ame![
Getoutofmyhouse.
}”
Heslowlystoodupandwal kedout
.Ayanaputher
handoverhermout hsil
enci
nghersobs.Ther
ehad
beenti
messhehadwi shedhecamebackbutt hose
ti
meshadl ongdieddown.
“
Don’tcr
y.Ever
ythingwil
lbealr
ight
.”Hermother
wi
pedawayhert ears.“
Iam goi
ngtothehospit
al.I
wi
ll
seey ou.
”
“
Arey
ouok?
”
“
Yes.
”
Shewal
kedoutl
eav
ingAy
anast
andi
ngconf
used.
*
***
*

Justbef
oredawn,Lonestar
tedhercarandsmi
led.
Thesmallsoundsshehadbeenhearingwer
enow
gone.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Themechaniclookedather
.“Justdoi
ngwhatyou
paymef orbutyoushoul
dbri
ngi tf
orser
vici
ng
regul
arl
y.
”
“
Iwi
l
l.Ok,
bye.
”
Sheclosedherdooranddr
oveoutoft
hegarageas
herphonerang.Shesi
ghedst
ari
ngRachel
’
snumber.
“
Heyboo.
”
“Lone,arey
oubusy
?Ther
eisal
adi
esni
ghtoutat
church.”
“
Yeah,Iam l
i
ttl
ebusyt
oni
ghtf
ri
end,
may
benext
t
ime.
”
“
Whatar
eyoubusywi
th?
”
Lonet
ri
edcomi
ngupwi
thanexcuse.“
Iam
unpl
ait
ing.Ihav
eal
readyst
art
ed.
”
“
Oh,
ok,soar
eyoucomi
ngf
ort
heSundayser
vice
t
omorr
ow?”
“Nnammagobuannet ehel
a,keaot
sel
a.{
Tobe
honest
,Igetsl
eepy
.}”
“Iusedtobeli
keyouthef
ir
stday
s,i
tgoesaway
afterawhi
le.Pl
easecometomor
row.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Thanks.By
e,Iam al
readyl
ate.
”
“
Bye.
”
BoredLonehungup.I twasbor i
nghangi
ngoutwi t
h
Rachelbecauseall shedidwast al
kaboutGod.Lone
wasbegi nni
ngtot hinkmaybeshewasJesus’ sfi
rst
cousinwiththewayshebehav ed.Shehad
completelychangedt osomeonewhowor el
ong
ski
rtsandhel dabiblewitheverywher
eshewent .

*
***
Theodora’
sdishedforher
selfi
ntheki
tchent
hen
pouredhersel
faglassofj
uicewhil
eMelodystar
ed
ather.
“
Chri
sti
ani
smyhusbandandheisgoi
ngt
oleave
y
oubecausenomanwil
leverl
eav
ehiswi
fefora
t
rampli
keyou.
”
Theodor
atwist
edherf or
kinherspaghet
tismil
ing.
“Real
l
y?Saysthepersonwhohasbeencl eani
ng
aft
ermeforthelastt
womont hs.
”
“Ihaven’
tbeencl
eaningaft
ery
ou.Ihav
ebeen
cleani
ngaftermyhusband.
”
Theodor
aputthefor
kwit
hthespaghet
tii
nher
mouthstar
ingatMel
ody
.
“Heisgoingtol
eavey ou,t
rustmeonthat.Hehas
beenusingyoual
l t
hiswhile.Wehaveki
dsandtrust
me,thatmanwillneverabandonhi
skids.
”
Theodor
achewedsl
owl
ythent
ookasi
pofherwi
ne
wit
hasmi r
k.
“That
’swhereyouarewrong.Yout
alkal
lthi
s
nonsensebecauseal
lyouknowishowtosquander
moneyy oudon’twor kforandpopoutbabi eslikea
babymakingmachi ne.Iact
uall
ypityyou,youhav e
beenhereworkingl i
keamai dallbecausey outhink
heisgoingtoleaveme?Honey ,
that’
swher eyouar e
wrong.Youwillalway sbeamai d,adirt
ymai d
becausethat
’sallyouknow.Don’ tevercompar e
yoursel
ftomebecausehun, Iam adi amondandy ou
areadirt
ystone.Chr i
stiani
sgoingt omarrymet rust
me, hei
sgoingt ogivemeawhi teweddingandIam
goingtowearar i
ngandbeMr s.Mwanzawhi leyou
barkbecausethat’sallyouknow.”
Mel
odyangr
il
ywal
kedupt
oher
.
“Ah-ah,don’tevent hinkabouti t.Iwi l
lreportyouand
youwi l
lbedepor tedf asterthanhowl ongy outaketo
spellyourname.Yout houghtbr i
ngingy our
Christi
an’
smot herwoul dbenef i
ty ouonmi ssi
onget
ri
dofher ?Iam sor ryi tdidn’
twor kout .Iam not
goingany where.Af terChr i
stianandIgetmar r
ied,I
wil
l showy ouwho’ st hebosst rustme.Buti nthe
meant i
me, howabouty oust artpackingy ourbags
becausey ouaregoi ngt oZambi adarling.Yourli
tt
le
dir
tykidsar ecomi ngt oo.”
Shewal kedawayhol di
ngherpl
ateandwi nel eavi
ng
Mel odyshaki ngwi t
hanger.Shesatinthel ounge
switchi ngthechannel f
rom Car
toonnet wor kt oa
dif
fer entchannel .Shequietl
ywatchedKeepi ngUp
WithTheKar dashianswhileMelodywal kedpasther
goingt othebedr ooms.Ami nutelater
,Theodor a
hear dacardr ivi
ngin.Shestoodupandwal kedto
thewi ndowwher eshepeaked.Chr i
sti
anwasback.
Hegotof fthecarandwav edathiscoll
eagueashe
reversedout .Shesatbackont hecoucheat ing,
Christianwal kedi nasecondlaterwithhisbag.He
l
ookedatherwhi leshekeptherattenti
ont ot heTV
seemi ngunbot heredbyhispresence.
“
Babe,
”
Shei
gnor
edhi
m andcont
inuedeat
ing.
Heputhi
sbagdownandwal
kedt
owar
dsher
.
“
Babear
eyouok?
”
“
Tomor
rowmor
ningIam l
eav
ing.
”
Hesatbesi
deher
.“Letmesor
tthi
sout
.”
“
Sor
titoutony
ourown,
Iwi
l
lnotbehar
assedby
y
ourwif
e.Youmademebel
i
eveshewasy
ourcousi
n
l
yi
ngtome.”
“
Idi
dn’
tknowhowt
otel
lyou.Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Idon’
taboutt
hat
,whatIknowi
sthatIam l
eav
ing.
”
“Noonei
sleav
ing.
”Hepul
l
edherchi
nandki
ssed
her
.
“
Idon’
tknow.
”
Hest oodupandwal kedtowar dsthebedr ooms.
Theodor awentafterhim andf oundhi minaheat ed
argumentwi t
hMel odywhowascr ying.Shet ooka
stepbackasChr isti
anslappedher .Thewomani n
hertensedasMel odyr eceivedanot hersl
apbut
recal
linghowMel odyhadt r
eatedhert heprev i
ous
dayandwal kedaway .Melody’scri
esgotev enlouder
andTheodor aincreasedtheTVv olumesi ppingher
wine.

*
***
*

Anay
awat
chedhermot
herwal
kinherr
oom l
ater
t
hatev
eni
ngasshef
oughtt
het
ear
sinherey
es.
“
Nay
a…”
“
Mama,
”
At
earr
andownhercheek.
“
Ijustspoket
oyourdoct
or,
Iam sor
rymychi
l
d.”
Anothert
earrol
l
eddownhercheek.Hermother
huggedherwhil
eshebr
okedown.Shestil
lfel
tasi
f
i
twasadr eam,onet
hatshebadl
ywantedtowake
upfrom.
“I
twillbefine.
”Hermotherwhi
sper
edfighti
ngher
ownt ears.Awhilel
ater
,shewascalm andjust
star
ingintotheceil
i
ng.
“
Miguel
cal
l
edme.
”
Anaya’
smemorywasi nt
act,
hehadlockedherinthe
bedr
oom togoandplayhappyf
amilywit
hMar ang.
Sheblamedhi
mf ort
helossofherchi
ld.
“
Idon’
twantt
ogetmar
ri
edany
mor
e.”
Hermot
herf
rowned.“
What
?’
“
Iwantt
ocancel
theweddi
ng.
”
“Anay
ay oul
osi
ngthebabydoesn’
tmeany
oudon’
t
havetogetmar
ri
ed.Al
lthi
sis-
“
“Idon’
twantt
ogetmarri
edanymor
emama.
”She
sobbed.“
Cancel
thewedding.
”
“
Anay
a!”
Shet
urnedgi
vi
nghermot
herherback.
“
Idon’
twantt
ogetmar
ri
edany
mor
e.Pl
easecancel
t
heweddi
ng.”
“
Wewi
l
ltal
ktomor
row.Goodni
ght
.”
Hermotherwal
kedout
,shecov
eredherf
aceand
cr
ied.

*
***
*

Migueldrankhi
shangov err
emedyintheki
tchen
earl
yinthemorning.Mokwenawalkedinwhil
ehe
thr
ewt hecupinthesink.
“Yourmot
herwasupsety
est
erday,
younever
bother
edt
ocomeback.Marang’
smothercame.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Whathappened?
”
Mi
guel
tur
nedt
ohi
sfat
her
.“Anay
alostt
hebaby
.”
Mokwenasi
ghed.“
Iam sor
ryson.
”
“
Andi
twasbecauseofme.
”
“
Miscar
ri
agesar
enoone’
sfaul
t.
”
“
IlockedAnay ai
nsidet hebedroom y
ester
daybefor
e
weleft.Wehadanar gumentandshewant edto
l
eave.Itol
dherIwon’ tletherl
eaveangryandthat
wewoul dtalkwhenIcomeback.WhenIdi d,she
waslyingi
napool ofblood.Shefel
lofft
hestool
t
ryi
ngt ounlockthebur gl
arbarsint
hebedroom.”
Mokwenal ookedathi
m si
lentl
yforawhil
e.Mi
guel
coul
dseehewasdi sappoi
nted,hi
mt oowas
di
sappoi
ntedinhimsel
f.
“Weneedt ogomeethermot herandpl
anaf unerali
f
ther
ewi l
lbeany.Sheisourdaught
eri
n-l
aw, wewi l
l
dothingsri
ght
full
y.Iwil
lgoandinf
ormy ourmother.
Weal soneedtogoandseeAnay ainhospit
al.
”
Mi
guel
noddedwhi
l
ehi
sfat
herwal
kedaway
.Hi
s
phoner
angf
rom t
heki
tchencount
er.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Hey,younev
ercamebacky
est
erday
.Mymot
her
arr
ived.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Heheardthebabycryi
nthebackgr
ound.“
It
’sok,
are
youcomingwit
hy ourmot
hertoday
?”
“
Idon’
tknow.Iam busyMar
ang.
”
“
Miguel
isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Icant
ell
somet
hingi
sof
f,what
’swr
ong?
”
“
Anay
alostt
hebaby
.”
“
Ohmy
…whathappened?
”
“
Shef
ell
.”
“
Iam sor
ry.Howi
sshe?
”
“Shei
sinhospi
tal
.Idon’
tthi
nkIwi
l
lcomet
oday
.
Sheneedsme.”
“
Iunder
stand.Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Hehungupandwal kedt
ohi
sbedr
oom wher
ehe
f
reshenedandl
eft
.

*
***
*

Theodorastoodi nt
hekit
chenmaki ngEngl
ish
breakf
ast.Melodywalkedinandlookedather.
Theodoraturnedwithaboredexpressi
on,Melody
’s
facewasswol lenbutt
hatdidn’
tseem tomoveher.
“
Whati
sitnowMel
ody
?”
“
Youmustbehappy
?”
“
Who?Me?
”
Melodyslowlyshookherhead.“
Youf l
auntbecause
youareprett
ybuty oudon’
tknowChr i
sti
an.You
t
hinky ouknowhim butyoudon’
t.Youarenotthe
f
irstgi
rlhe’
shadanaf fai
rwit
handy ouwon’tbethe
l
ast.”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Iam goi
ngt
obehi
swi
fe.You
canbetoni
t.
”
At
earr
andownMel
ody
’scheek.
“Whyar
eyoudoingt
his?Thi
smanhasaf
ami
l
y.
Leav
ehim al
one.
”
“Youmustsaypleaseandei therway,
”shetur
ned
backtoherpot.“Yourmanist heonerunni
ngafter
me.IfIwereyou,Iwouldtaket heev
eningbusback
home.Yourkidshav ebeensitti
ngnotgoi
ngto
school
.Whatf ut
ureawaitsthem?Orwhat ?You
werehopi
ngy ouwi l
lli
vehere?”
TheodoralookedatMelody.“Thati
snotgoi
ngt o
happen.Youareretar
dedifthat’
swhatyouthought
.
Takeyourkidsandgobackhomedar l
i
ng.”
“
Godwon’
tfor
giv
eyouf
ort
his!
”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Wewi
l
lsee.
”
ShedishedforChr
isti
anthenpour
edhi
m hi
steaand
putev
er y
thi
nginat r
ay.
“
Youshoul
ddosomethi
ngabouty
ourf
ace.Youl
ook
l
i
keabutcher
edani
mal.
”
Shewal
kedt
othebedr
oom wher
eChr
ist
ianwasst
il
l
sl
eepi
ng.
“
Baby
…”
Hesl
owl
ywokeupandl
ookedather
.
“
Imadey
oubr
eakf
asti
nbed.Si
t.
”
Chr
ist
iansmi
l
ed.“
Thanks.
”
Shegavethet
raysi
tt
ingbesi
dehim.“
Wheni
s
Melodygoi
ngback?Don’
ttheki
dshavet
ogoto
school
?”
“
Shei
sgoi
ngt
oday
.Don’
twor
ryabouther
.”
“
Iam st
il
lupset
.Youl
i
edt
ome.
”
“
Iam sor
ry,
whatcanIdot
omakei
tupt
oyou.
”
“Youhavebeensayi
ngwewi llgetmarr
iedfora
whil
enowbutIam starti
ngtolookli
keaf ool
.AndI
canseewhyy ouar
epr ocr
ast
inati
ng,i
t’
sbecause
youalr
eadyhaveawife.”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ospeakt
omyf
athert
oday
.’
“
Iwanttogetmarr
iedi
ntwomont
hs.Idon’
tseewhy
wehavetowait
.Ij
ustwantt
obeMrs.Mwanza.
”
Hesmi
l
edandki
ssedher
.“Iwi
l
ltal
ktomyf
ather
.”
“
Ok,
eat
.”
Shegrabbedherphoneandst
art
edsear
chi
ngf
ort
he
i
dealweddingshewanted.

*
***
*

Coll
eensmiledashermotherhandedherAngel
in
Miguel
’shouse.Shehadcomeassoonasshecal l
ed
her.
“
Who’
scarar
eyoudr
ivi
ng?
”
“
Afr
iend’
s.Wow!Shei
sbi
g.”
“Iam giv
ingyouy ourdaught
erbutIwi
ll
beher et
o
helparoundsinceIam alsohel
pingMarang’
s
mot herwit
hthebaby .
”
Col
l
eenlookedathermot
her
.“Mar
ang?Thewoman
whoshoweduptwomonthsagopregnant
?”
“
Yes.I
t’
saboy
.”
“
Whati
fit
’snotMi
guel
’
sbaby
?”
“
Iti
s,Isawhi
m.Hehast
hebi
rt
hmar
k.”
Col
l
eenl
ookedar
oundt
hehouse.“
Wher
eisAnay
a?”
“
Shel ostherbaby.Iknewthatchi
l
dwasnot
Miguel’
s.Idon’
tli
keher .
”
“
Anay
alostt
hebaby
?”
“
Yes,
Idon’
tli
kethatgir
l.Idon’
tev
enl
i
keherf
ami
l
y,
t
heyl
ookli
keopportuni
st.”
“
Anay
a’sf
ami
l
yisnotl
i
ket
hat
.”
“
Theyar
e,Icanseer
ightt
hrought
hem.
”
“
Mama,
Anay
aisahar
dwor
ker
.”
“Shei
sagolddiggerandIcanseeri
ghtt
hroughher
.
Idon’
twantheranywherenearmyson.
”
Col
l
eensi
ghedandl
ookedatherdaught
er.
“
Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odowheny
ougot
owor
k?”
“
Iwi
l
lhi
reananny
.”
“Whatmuchdoyouear
natt hesal
on,Idon’
t
under
standwhyy
oucan’tgetaproperj
ob,y
ouhav
e
adegr
ee.
”
“Iappl
i
edbutnot
hinghascomeupy
et.Thesal
on
givesmegoodmoney.”
“
Youshoul
dappl
yatMiguel
’
scompany
’s,
Iam sur
e
y
ouwil
lgetsomet
hing.
”
“
That
’snepot
ism andei
therway
,Iwantt
owor
kfor
myownmoney .Ihavet
ogo.”
“
Iwi
l
laskMi
guel
todr
opmebyl
ater
.”
“
Ok.
”
Coll
eenr eachedforherdaught er
’sbagandwal ked
out.SheputAngel i
nacarseatshehadboughtf or
herthenjumpedi nthedri
v er’
sseatanddr oveoff.
Minuteslatershewasdr i
vingintoheryard.Shetook
Angelfrom thebackseattogetherwithherbagand
walkedinsidethehouse.Vi ncewassitt
inginfrontof
theTVwat chi
ngsoccer.
“
Hey
,”
Vincet
urnedt
oher.“
Hey
,It
houghty
ouwer
ejust
goingt
oseeher.
”
“
No,
Iam t
aki
ngher
.”
“
Younev
ert
oldmet
hat
.”
“Iam sor
rybutshewi
l
lbestayi
ngwit
hmef
rom now
on.DidyouknowAnayal
ostthebaby
?”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
me?
”
Het
ookasi
pofhi
sbeer
.“I
tsl
i
ppedmymi
nd.
”
“
Howi
sshe?Whatdi
dMi
guel
say
?”
“
Shewi
l
lbef
ine.
”
Angel
wokeupandst
art
edcr
ying.
“Hol
dher.
”Shehandedhimt
oVi
ncet
hent
ookout
herbot
tl
efrom t
hebag.
Col
leensatdownandtookherfr
om Vi
nce,shetr
ied
gi
vi
ngherthebott
lebutsheref
usedcr
yingeven
har
der.
“
Whyi
sshecr
ying?
”
“
Idon’
tknowVnce,
may
beherdi
aperi
swet
.”
Sheputthebott
leofmi
lkdownandl
aidheront
he
couchchecki
ngherdi
aper
.
“
Shei
sfi
ne.
”
“
Shei
sloud.
”
Col
leenstoodupandtr
iedshushi
ngherbutshewas
get
tingev
enmor el
ouder.
“
Ithi
nki
t’
sbecauseshei
snotusedt
ome.
”
Vincesighedincreasi
ngt heTVv olume.Col
l
een
pacedar oundtry
ingtoshushher .Shetri
edof
thi
nkingofwhatt odobutal lshecouldremember
wast hedayAngel cri
edthishardwhi l
eonthe
bathr
oom f l
oor.Tearsfi
l
ledherey esasshelooked
atherphone.Sheknewi fshecalledhermothert
hen
i
twoul dlookli
keshedoesn’ tknowhowt ot
akecare
ofherbaby .
“Shhhbaby
…”Sheputheronherchestr
ubbi
ngher
back.
“Coll
eenmaybey oushoul
dretur
nher.Angeli
snot
usedtoyou.Sheshouldgetcomfor
tablewit
hyou
thenyoufi
nall
ytakeher.
”
“Vi
ncemymotherwon’
ttakecar
eofmychi
l
dwhi
l
eI
am ther
e.”
Hest
oodgr
abbi
nghi
scarkey
s.
“
Iam goi
ngt
owat
cht
hegamewi
thOnkar
abi
l
e.”
Colleenwatchedhim walkoutthenl
ookedather
daughter.Shepickedthebott
leagai
nandtri
ed
feedingher.Shemov edherheadcry
ingevenmore.

*
***
*

Anay aclosedherey eswithtearsr

unni ngdownher
cheeks.Thepai ninherheartcouldn’tcompar et
o
anything.Asobescapedherl i
psandshebr oke
downcr y
inghyster
icall
y.All
shewant edwasher
baby,whydi dGodhav etoall
owher st odi
e.
“
Babe…”
ShelookedatMi
guelwhohadj
ustwal
kedi
n.she
wipedawayhert
earsst
ari
ngathi
m.
“
Whatyoudoi
nghere?Don’
tyouhav
etobewi
th
Mar
angandyourson?”
“
Ibr
oughty
ouf
ood.
”
“
Idon’twantf
ood,
Iwantmychi
l
d,cany
ougi
veme
t
hat?
”
Heputt
hef
ooddownandl
ookedather
.
“
Iknowy
ouar
eangr
yand-
“
“Youdon’
tknowanythi
ng.Youlockedmeinsi
deyour
bedroom!Hadyounotlockedmeinsidemybaby
wouldhavenotdi
ed.
”
Heswal
l
owedhar
d.“
IknowandIam sosor
rybabe.
”
“Don’
tcal
lmebabe.Ihat
eyou.Youki
l
ledmybaby
!
Leave.
”
“
Anay
a…”
“Isai
dleav
e.Ineverwanttoseeyouagain.You
prbobal
ydiditonpur
pose,nowIam surey oucango
andplayhappyfamil
ywithMarang.
”
“
Iam hur
ti
ngt
ooNay
a.”
“Gobewi thy
ourotherchil
d,Iam sur
eMarangis
ecstat
ic.Mat
teroffactyoubothmustbehappy,you
bothwantedthi
s.Leavemeal one.YouandIar
e
done.”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Idon’
t.Getout
!”
Heturnedandwal
kedout
.Shecov
eredherf
aceand
cr
ied.

*
***
*

Ayanal
ayonherbedsmil
i
ngwithherphone.She
repl
i
edtoamessagegi
ggli
ng.
“
Ayana!Mamai
scal
l
ingy
ou.
”Let
habosai
dwal
ki
ng
i
nsi
de.
“
Ok,
Iam comi
ng.
”
Shedel etedherwhatsapphi
stor
yandwal
kedout
.
Shef oundhermot herwit
hMr.Mokwenaandshe
respectfull
ygreet
edhim.
“Anayajustcal
l
edme,shehasbeendi
scharged.I
wil
lbegoi ngwi
thMr
.Mokwenat ocol
l
ecther,cl
ean
herroom.”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok.
”
Theybot hstoodupandwal kedout .Ayanawal kedt
o
Anaya’sbedroom andst artedcl eaning.Shecouldn’
t
i
magi newhathersi sterwasgoi ngthroughbut
knowingitwasAnay asheknewshewasgoi ngtobe
fi
ne.Anay acouldhandleany t
hing,hersisterwasa
superwoman.Shequi cklycleanedt henchangedt he
beddingputtingonanot herone.Sheal sochanged
thecurtai
nst hensprayedabi tofherper f
umeand
walkedout .
Shewalkedt
otheki
tchenandst
art
edcooki
ngear
ly
l
unch.
“
Ayana,
soNay
aisnol
ongergoi
ngt
ohav
eababy
?”
“
Yes,
butshewi
l
lhav
eanot
herone.
”
“
Isshesad?
”
Ay
anal
ookedatherl
i
ttl
ebr
other
.“Yes,
shei
ssad.
”
“
Idon’
twantAnay
atobesad.
”
Shesmi
led.“
Ial
sodon’
twantAnayat
obesad.
Whenshecomes,wewil
lbehav
e.”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
oMompat
i’
shouse,
Iwi
l
lst
ayi
nthe
houseandcl
ean.
”
“
Good.
”
“
Shei
sgoi
ngt
ost
ayher
ewi
thuncl
eMi
guel
?”
“
No,
uncl
eMi
guel
wil
lst
ayathi
shouse.
”
“
Yester
dayIsawy
ouget
ti
ngi
nacar
,who’
scarwas
i
t?”
Shefrozeandl
ookedatherbr
otherwi
thherhear
t
pounding.
“
Uhh…y
oudi
d?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Itwas…i
twasmyf
ri
end’
ssi
ster
’scar
.”
“
ButLal
ahdoesn’
thav
easi
sterwi
thacar
.”
“
Myf
ri
endf
rom school
.’
“
Ok.Iam goi
ngt
owat
chTV.
”
Shesi
ghedwi
thr
eli
efandcont
inuedcooki
ng.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#51

Anayawal
kedinsi
dethehousewit
hhermot
herand
Mr.Mokwena.Shewassurpr
isedt
hatMma
Mokwenahadnotbother
edtocome.
“
Iwantt
oli
edownf
orawhi
l
e.”
“
Ok.
”
Shewalkedtoherr
oom butpausedpassingAyana’
s
room.Withasi
gh,sheopenedthedoorwalki
ngin.
Ayanatur
nedandquickl
ycoveredherbodywit
hher
head.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Anayawal
kedinclosingthedoorbehi
ndherand
l
ookedathernudesisterhol
dingaphone.
“
Whoar
eyousendi
ngt
hosepi
ctur
est
o?”
“
Iam notsendi
ngany
thi
ng.
”
Anay
awal kedoverandsnatchedt
hephonef
rom her
.
Shetr
iedunlocki
ngbutther
ewasapassword.
“
Whati
sthepasswor
d?”
Ay
anakeptqui
etasshefear
full
ylookedatAnay
a.
Pi
ssed,
Anayasl
appedheracrosstheface.
“
Isai
dwhoar
eyousendi
ngt
hesepi
ctur
est
o?”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Ayanaweh?Nkar
abe.{
Answerme.
}”
“
Noone.
”
“
Ayana,
youwantmet
obeaty
ou?
”
Tear
sranddownAy
ana’
scheeks.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Anayamov edbackandtr
iedapasswordbutit
ref
used.Shetr
iedagai
nbutsti
l
l,wrongpassword.
“
Iam taki
ngthi
sphonef r
om you.For
geti
Phone,
f
orgetMacBook.Iam notgoi
ngtobuyyouthose
t
hings.
”
“
Anay
aIam sor
ry.
”
“
Isai
dwhoar
eyousendi
ngt
hispi
ctur
est
o?Next
y
eary
ouar
egoi
ngt
oaboar
dingschool
.”
“
Iwassendi
ngt
hem t
omyboy
fri
end.
”
“
Towho?
”
Ayanamovedbackfear
ful
l
y.“
Hesai
difIl
ovehi
mI
shoul
dsendthem.
”
Anayachuckl
edwi
thdi
sbel
i
ef.“
Soy
oudeci
det
o
sendthem?”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Why
?”
“
Ilov
ehi
m.”
“Yousendi nghi m nudesmeansy ouar echeap.He
willneverr especty our atherhei sgoi ngt oshow
them t ohisf ri
ends.Ev eryonewi llseey ournaked
body .Ther ewi l
l benothingspeci al abouty ouafter
that.Yournakedpi ctur
eswi llbeshar edinsocial
medi agr oupsandnextt hing,youwi l
l betrendi
ng.Or
Ihav eabet teroutcome.Af t
ery ousendhi m nudes,
nextt hi
ngy ouknow, youar ehav i
ngsex, youget
pregnantandki ssIHSgoodby e.Ki ssbei nganur se
goodby e.Youwi ll
justturnintoanobodyandwhi le
youragemat
esgofarwi
thl
i
fe,
youwi
l
lbest
uckat
homewi t
hababy
.”
Ay
anaputherhandov
erhermout
hcr
ying.
“Youar
egrounded.Nomorephone,
nomoreTV.I
am goi
ngtoputyouinLet
habo’
sschool
bus.No
moreVoll
eybal
l.
”
“
But
-“
“
Butnot
hing.
”
Sheturnedandwalkedoutwi ththephone.She
swit
cheditoffgett
ingi
nherbedr oom.Shest ood
agai
nstthedoorforawhi l
etryi
ngnottocrybuther
hear
tthrobbed.Shewalkedbackt oAyana’sroom
andlookedatherasshedr essed.
“Iam t
ryi
ngt
omakeli
febett
erforyou.Iwor
khardto
makesureyouhav
eagreatfut
ure,
isthist
hethanks
Iget?
”
Ay
anal
ookedather
.“Iam sor
ry.
”
“Youarenotsorr
y,y
ouareonl
ysorr
yy ougotcaught
.
Youhavedisappoi
ntedmesomuchi t
’sevenpai
nful
.
Inevert
houghtyoucoul
ddothi
s.Justknowifyou
getpr
egnant
,Iwi
l
lnotsuppor
tyou.
”
Shewalkedoutandwentbackt oherbedr
oom
wipi
nghertears.Shesati
nherbedroom f
eeli
ngasif
theworl
dwascl osingi
nonher.Herphonerangand
shetookitoutfr
om herhoodi
epocket.
“
Donal
d.”
“Hey
,Itri
edcal
l
ingy
ouy
est
erday
,howAREt
he
chi
ckens?”
Shet ookadeepbr eath.“Theyareok,t
helastbadge
allsold,r
ightnowwehav ethosewhichwil
lbeready
forselli
ngnextweek.Imanagedt oget50mor e
l
ay ersmaki ngthem 120.Ihave100eggsreadyfor
sale.”
“
That
’sgood,
forast
arty
ouar
edoi
ngwel
l
.”
“
Thet
wopeopl
eIhi
redar
edoi
ngwonder
ful
jobs.
”
“
Andt
heCat
eri
ngcompany
?”
“Thegover
nmenttenderi
sputti
ngusont hemap.
Rightnowwehavethreeevent
swear egoingt
obe
doingint
hefol
l
owingt woweekends.
”
“
That
’sgood,
butt
hat
’snotwhyIcal
l
ed.Ther
ear
ea
fewjobsopen.Insi
deFNBbutatthemain
headquart
ersinSouthAf
ri
ca.Youqual
i
fyforoneof
thejobsanditwil
lmeananincr
easeonyoursal
ary
.”
“
InSout
h?”
“
Yes.Youshoul
dthi
nkabouti
t.
”
Anay
alookedatherengagementr
ing.
“Iknowyouaregett
ingmar
ri
edbutIt
hinky
ou
shouldt
hinkabouti
t.”
“
Ilostt
hebaby
.”
“
What
?When?
’
“
Yest
erday
.”
“
Hey
,Iam sor
ry.
”
At
earescapedherey
e.“
It
’sok.
”
“
Doy
ouwantmet
ocomeby
?”
“
No.Iam f
ine.
”
‘
Icomi
ng.Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
InBr
oadhur
st.
”
“
Ok,
Iam onmyway
.Fr
iendsal
way
sshowsuppor
t
t
ooneanot
her
.”
“Cal
lmewheny ouhav
ear
ri
vedt
houghy
oudon’
t
havetocome.
”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Donal
dhungupandAnay
asi
ghed.

*
***
*

Lonesatinthechurchboredast hepast
orpr
eached.
Hehadbeenpr eachingforyear
sandshewas
al
readyhungry.ShelookedatRachelwhowas
pagi
ngthebible.
Herphonevibr
atedfrom herhandbag.Shetooki
t
outdi
screet
lyswipedthescreen.Sheopenedher
message.
Tshepo:
Didy
out
aket
hecart
othegar
age?
Shesmi
l
edandqui
ckl
ywr
oteherr
epl
y.
Lone:
Yes,
it’
sfi
nenow.
Tshepo:
Whydon’
tIbel
i
evey
ou?
Lone:
Idi
d.
Tshepo:Ok,
fine.Ibel
i
evey
ou.Whatar
eyoudoi
ng
ri
ghtnow?
Lone:
Iam chur
chbutIam al
readyl
eav
ing.
Tshepo:
Lunch?
Lone:
Yeah,
wher
e?
Tshepo:
Any
wher
eisf
inewi
thme.
Lone:
Myhouse,
Iam sendi
ngt
hedi
rect
ions.
Shesentthedi
recti
onsthenputherphonebacki
n
herhandbagl
ookingatRachel
.
“
Hey
,Ihav
etogo.
”Shewhi
sper
ed.
“
Wher
e?”
“
Home,
Iam meet
ingsomeone.
”
“
Can’
tyougoaft
ert
hepast
or’
sdone?
”Rachel
whi
sper
edback.
“
No,
Ihav
etogo.
”
Shesmi
l
edt
henst
oodupi
gnor
ingt
hest
aresshe
wasgetti
ngandwal kedout.Shesighedwalki
ngto
whereshehadparkedhercarl ooki
ngatthecars
whichwereall
over.Inhercar,sherever
sedthen
droveof
f.Shepassedbyasupermar ketwhereshe
boughtafewgrocerybeforeheadinghome.

*
***
*

Anaya’sphonevibr
atedandshewal
kedoutofher
room hol
dingit
.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?Ihav
edi
shedf
ory
ou.
”
Shelookedathermot
her
.“Awor
kfr
iendofmi
nei
s
her
e,Iam coming.
”
ShewalkedoutasAy anaav
oidedherey
es.Out
side,
shesatinDonal
d’scar.
“
Hey
,howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”
Shesi
ghed.“
Ital
lfeel
sli
keadr
eam,
oneIbadl
ywant
towakeupfr
om.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shecov
eredherf
acewi
thherhands.
“
Iam i
npai
n.”
“
Iknow.
”
Donaldpul
l
edhercloserandhuggedherforawhi
l
e.
Heslowlyl
ethergoandstaredi
nhereyes.
“
Youar
est
il
lbeaut
if
ul.
”
Anay
asmi
l
edweakl
ymov
ingback.“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Ibr
oughty
ousomet
hing.
”
“
What
?”Shecur
iousl
yasked.
Hegav
eheranenvel
ope.Shet
ooki
tandopened
t
aki
ngoutt
hefor
msi nsi
de.
“
Appl
i
cat
ionf
orms.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Itwi
l
lbeagoodoppor
tuni
tyf
ory
ou.
”
“
Ihav
eal
ott
othi
nkabout
,mybusi
nesses.
”
“
Youcanhi
reamanagerf
ort
hose.
”
“
Iknowbut
…”
“
Takey
ourt
imeandt
hinkabouti
t.
”
“
Ok.Thanky
ou.
”
“Youar
ewelcome.Ibr
oughty
ouadr
ink.
”Hehanded
heranappl
eti
zer
.
“
Thanks.
”
Helookedatherthenhi
seyeswentdownt oherlips.
Heleanedoverandsoft
lyki
ssedher.Theyslowl
y
ki
ssedinuni
son.AsecondlaterAnayamov edback.
Sherubbedherli
ps.
“
Iam get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
”
“
Iknowbutar
eyousur
ehei
stheone.
”
Sheswal
l
owedst
ari
ngathi
m.
“
Ilov
ehi
m.”
“
Somet
imesl
oveal
onei
snotenough.
”
“
Youdon’
tunder
stand.
”
“
Hedoesn’
tdeser
vey
ou.Youknowi
t.
”
Anaya’
sheartski
ppedwhent
heRangeRov
erpar
ked
i
nfrontoft
hem.
“
God…”
Donal
dlookedatMiguelst
epoutoft
hecar
.Anay
a
qui
ckl
ysteppedoutofthecar
.
“
Who’
sthat
?”Mi
guel
askedget
ti
ngcl
oser
.
“
Awor
kmat
e.”
Mi
guel
openedDonal
d’sdoor
.“St
epout
.”
Donaldcli
mbedoutofhiscarandstoodbefor
e
Miguel.Anay
a’shear
tpoundedasshelookedat
Miguel’
sbigbodycomparedtoDonald’
sli
thebody
.
“
Whoar
eyou?
”
“
Iam Anay
a’swor
kmate,
wewor
ktoget
heratFNB.
”
Her
espondedcal
mly
.
“
Andy
ouv
isi
tyourwor
kmat
esatt
hei
rhomes?
”
“
NobutAnay
aisal
somyf
ri
end.
”
“St
ayawayfrom herandthi
sbet
terbethel
astt
imeI
seeyouher
e.Taket hatasawar
ning.
”
Donaldl
ookedatAnay
athencl
i
mbedbacki
ntohi
s
caranddrov
eoff.
Mi
guel
closedt
hegapbet
weenhi
msel
fandAnay
a.
“
Babewhat
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Hecametogivemet hi
swor
kdocument
s.”She
r
aisedt
heenv
elope.
“
Andhecoul
dn’
tdoi
ttomor
row?
”
“
Hewast
ryi
ngt
obeni
ce.
”
“
Hewant
syou.
”
“
Hei
saf
ri
end.
”
“Idon’
tli
kehim.Hewant
stobemor
ethanf
ri
ends
andIdon’tl
i
keit.
”
“
SamewayMar
angwant
smor
ethant
obey
ourbaby
mama?
”
Hesi
ghed.“
Anay
aIl
ovey
ou.
”
Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.
“
Ineedsomespace.
”
“
Babecanwepl
easef
ixt
hings.
”
Sheshookherhead.“
Ineedsomespace.Some
spacet
omour nmyson.Timetofi
gureoutmyfut
ure.
Iam notsur
eofmyf
utur
ewi
thy
ou.
”
Hecuppedherf
ace.“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Youcankeept
hecar
s.”
“
Iboughtt
hosef
ory
ou.
”
Sheshr
ugged.“
Iknowbutkeept
hem.It
hinkIwi
l
lbe
fi
ne.
”
“
Ist
hisaboutmymot
her
?”
“
It
’saboutal
otoft
hings.
”
Sheturnedandwalkedbacki
nsi
det
hegat
eleav
ing
hi
m standingt
her
e.

*
***
*

Loneopenedt
hedoorf
orTshepowi
thasmi
l
e.
“
Ithoughty
ougotl
ost
.”
Hel
aughed.“No,
Ihadtogoandpickmydaughter
f
rom t
heladywhodoesherhai
randdropherhome.”
Sheopenedt
hedoorwi
derf
orhi
m.Hewal
kedi
n
wi
thherbehi
nd.
“
Youhav
eadaught
er?
”
“
Yes,
shei
s5.
”
“
Andhermot
her
?”
“
She’
slat
e.”
“
Iam sor
ryt
oheart
hat
.”
“
It
’sok,
Iam ov
eri
t.
”
“
Iam st
il
lcooki
ng.
”
“
Letmehel
pyou.
”
“
Ok.
”
Theybot
hwalkedtot
hekit
chenwheretheystar
ted
cooki
ngtoget
her
.Awhil
elat
ertheysati
nfrontof
theTVeati
ng.
“
Whereisyourwi
fe?
”Loneaskedst
ari
ngathi
s
weddi
ngbandmark.
“
Wear
edi
vor
ced.
”
“
Whendi
dyoudi
vor
ceher
?”
“
Itwasf
inal
i
zedt
womont
hsago.
”
“
Whydi
dyoudi
vor
ce?
”
“Shej ustchanged, shewasn’ tt
hewomanImetandI
thoughtmay bei twasj ustaphase.Wewer eboth
stayinginMaunbecauseIst aythere.Shesaidshe
want edtost ayi nGabsandsoIl ethermov ewi t
hmy
mot heranddaught er.Ourcommuni cationdied.
WhenIv isi
ted, shewasj ustcol
d.Itri
edev erythi
ng
butnot hingwaswor kingt il
lshefi
ledfordivorce.I
didn’tfi
ghtherbecauseshesentmeal ongmessage
sayingshedi dn’tl
ovemeany more.Irespectedher
andwhenIv i
sitedtwomont hsback,Ifi
ndt hatshe
hadki ckedmysi ckmot heroutofthehouset ogether
withmydaught er.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok,
Iam nowwor
kingf
rom her
e.Whatabouty
ou?
Wherei
she?”
Lonesighed.“Imethim whenhehadnot hing.I
str
uggledwithhim,Il
ovedhim.Somucht hatIknew
Iwoulddoany thi
ngforhim.Ithoughthewoul d
marrymeoncehemadei tbuthedidn’t
.Fivey ears
downthel i
ne,Igetpr
egnantandpani c.Itellafri
end
ofmi neandmakeherseemyf ears.Ididn’twantt o
becomeababymamaandatt hesamet ime,Ididn’
t
wantt odisappointhim withget t
ingpr egnant
becausewehadnev erdiscussedi t.Iabor t
edt he
babyandhef oundout .Hej ustlostinterest.I
thoughtwewoul dwor koutt hi
ngsbuthemov edon.
Hel oveshisnewgi rl
fri
end.”
“
Iam sor
ry,
arey
ouov
erhi
m?”
“Obv
iousl
yhewil
lal
wayshav
easpeci
alpl
acei
nmy
hear
tbutIam ov
erhi
m.”
“
Soy
ouwantt
ogetmar
ri
ed?
”
Shel
aughed.“
Yesbutnotnowandatt
hesamet
ime
nott
oolat
e.Maybei
ntwoy ear
sti
me.”
“Ri
ghtnowIalsodon’twanttogetmar
ri
ed.If
eel
marri
agekil
lsthesparkbet
weenacouple,
onceone
get
smar r
ied,theyst
opdoingthi
ngst
heyhavebeen
doi
ngbefore.”
“
IthoughtIwast
heonl
yonewhot
houghtso.
”
“Idon’
twantt
oendupl
i
ket
hatagai
n.Soy
ouar
ea
churchgi
rl
?”
Lonelaughed.“
No.Myf
ri
endf
orcesme,
Ial
way
sfal
l
asl
eep.”
Hel
aughedwi
thher
.“Youar
egoi
ngt
ohel
l
.”
“Heela,
kar
ehamor ut
iasimol
l
agor ut
ahela,
bor
oko
barengmogonna!{Whenthepast
orstar
ts
preachi
ng,
Igetsl
eepy.
}”
“
Idon’
tremembert
hel
astdayIwentt
ochur
ch.
”
“Myfriendi
sint
ochurch,shefor
cesmet ogo.Today
Iwalkedoutwhil
ethepastorwaspreaching.You
shouldhaveseenhowpeoplewerelookingatme.”
Hechuckled.“Icanimagi
ne.WhenIwasgoi ngup,I
wasachur chperson.Mymot hernev ermisseda
servi
cebutonedayshej uststoppedgoi ng.Iguess
thatwasthelastdayIwenttochur ch.”
Theyfini
shedeati
ngandwashedt hedi
shesst
il
l
chatt
ing.Awhil
elatertheysati
nfr
ontoft
heTV
watchingacomedyl aughi
ng.
.
.
.
Don'
tfor
gett
oli
keandcomment
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#52
AFewWeeksLat
er…

Miguell
eanedbackonhi schai
rst
ari
ngathi sphone.
Helookedathernumberf orawhi
lebeforehe
t
appedit.Helist
enedasherphonerang,hisheart
r
acing.Hehadn’tspokentohersi
ncethesmal l
f
uneraltheyhadforthei
rson.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Canwehav
edi
nnert
oget
her
.”
“Di
nneri
sfi
ne.Iwantt
otal
ktoy
ouabout
somethi
ng.
”
Hesmil
edwit
hhope.“
Wher
edoy
ouwantmet
opi
ck
youf
rom?”
“
Athome.Iam al
readyonmywayhome.
”
“
Ok,
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Shehungupl eav
inghim wi
thasmi l
e,hehad
expect
edhert or
esisthi
soff
er.Miguelst
oodupand
packedhi
st hi
ngsbeforehewalkedoutofhisof
fi
ce.
Hisphonerangassoonashest eppedinsi
dehiscar
.
“
Ken,
”
“
CanIwat
cht
hegameaty
ourhouset
oday
?”
Miguel
chuckl
ed.“
No,
Anay
aiscomi
ngov
erf
or
di
nner.
”
“
Shef
inal
l
ycamear
ound?
”
“
Iam hopi
ngso.
”
“
Ican’
tdeal
wit
hRachel
theseday
s.”
“
She’
sst
il
li
nthechur
cht
hing?
”
“She’
salway scarry
ingsomewatersay
ingit’
shol
y
water.Thatshiti
sbeginni
ngt
of r
eakmeout .Okar
e
dil
otsaboloi hel
a.{I
t’
sli
kewi
tchcr
aftt
hings.
}”
“
Ammeoj
asengwet
ota?
{Ar
eyouget
ti
ngsome?
}”
“Webar
elyhav
esexbecausesheal
way
shav
esome
chur
cht
hinggoingon.
”
Mi
guel
laughed.“
Youshoul
dtel
lher
.”
“
Shewon’
tli
sten,
nnakel
api
l
e.{
Iam t
ir
ed.
}”
“Vi
ncei
sprobabl
yathi
shouse.Mocheke.{
Check
onhim.
}”
“
Sur
e.”
Miguelpassedbyashoppingmal l
wherehebought
afewthingsanddrovetoAnaya’shouse.Heparked
bythegateandsteppedoutwithshoppingplast
ics.
Hepressedtheint
ercom andsecondslater
,hewas
walki
ngtowardsthedoor.
“Uncl
eMi
guel
!”Let
haboscr
eamedr
unni
ngt
owar
ds
him.
“
Champ!
”
“
Younev
erv
isi
tthi
sday
s.”
“
Ihav
ebeenbusyatwor
k,butIbr
oughtyouyour
f
avor
it
epi
zza.
”Hehandedhimtheshoppingpl
ast
ics.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Anaya’
smot hersoonwal
kedouthol
dingherbi
ble.
Herespect
full
ygreet
edher.
“
Howar
eyoumyson?
”
“
Iam f
inema,
your
sel
f?”
“
Iam good,
Anay
aisi
nsi
de,
Iam goi
ngt
ochur
ch.
”
“
Icandr
opy
ouof
f.
”
“
Ohno,
it’
sjustar
oundt
hecor
ner
.”
“
Ok.
”
Anayacameoutinaf l
areddressandpumps.She
hadl
ostthebabyfatsoquickormay bej
ustgot
ten
moresexy,
hewasn’tsure.
“
Hey
,”
“
Hi.
”
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Shewal
kedinf
rontofhi
m giv
inghim achanceto
l
ookatherr
oundbuttwhil
eherhipsmov edfr
om
si
detosi
de.
Theygotinthecarandhei mmediatel
ydroveoff.He
stol
eglancesather,itwaslikeshehadgot t
enmor e
beauti
fuli
ntheweekshehadnotseenher .He
l
ookedbackatt heroadwi thasmileonhisfaceand
whenhegl ancedatheragai n,
sheblushedlooki
ng
outthr
ought hewindow.Mi guelst
oppedthecarat
theredtr
affi
candr eall
ylookedather.
“
What
’sup?
”
Sheshy
lyl
ookedathi
m.“
Not
hing.
”
“
Keagor
atawaut
lwanana?{
Ilov
eyou.
}”
Her eachedforamugnum atthebackseatandgave
i
ttoher .Shelookedathi
m andsmil
ed,shehadthat
twinkl
einherey es,
thetwi
nkl
ethatal
way sgott
o
him.
“
Thanks.
”
Sheopenedi tandstart
edeat ingashedrov etohis
house.Anayawalkedbehi ndhi minsi
dehishouse
andhenot i
cedherlookingatherhugepi ctureframe
onthewall.Shehadbeenl aughingatsomet hi
ng
completel
yunawaret hatsomeonewast akinga
pi
cture.
“
Iam goi
ngt
ochangeandcookf
ory
ou.
”
Shesmi l
edsi tti
ngonthecouchandswi tchi
ngont he
TV.Hequi cklywenttohisbedroom andf r
eshened
upbeforehewentbackt othekit
cheninsweat pants
andat-shirt.Hepreparednoodl
esandt wenty
minut
esl ater,heserv
edherbowl ofnoodleswith
j
uice.
“
Bonappet
it
.”
“
Ist
hiswhaty
ouhav
ebeeneat
ing?
”
Hesatbesi
deher
.“I
t’
swhatIcancook.
”
Shetastedthenoddl
esandsmi
l
edeat
ingev
enmor
e.
“Notbad.”
“Iam expectwhenitcomestonoodles.Isur
vivedon
thosewhenIwasst i
l
latUB.Idi
dn’tst
ayoncampus,
Irent
edar oom withKenandVince.Mostofthetime
wedidn’thaveelect
ri
cit
y,Iwoul
dsoakt hem i
ncold
waterandeatthem cold.
”
Theyl
aughed.
“Iam ser
ious.I
twasroughbackthen,
westayedi
n
TlokwengandlatermovedbecauseVi
ncecl
aimed
hesawaghostintheroom inthemiddleoftheni
ght
aft
erthel
andl
ordhadthreatenedustheprev
iousday
becausewewerelat
eonr ent.”
Anay
alaughedev
enhar
der
.
“
Youar
emaki
ngt
hatup.
”
“Iam not
,Vi
ncedidn’
tsl
eepthatnight
.Heeven
star
tedpray
ingwhil
eli
steni
ngtogospelsongs.We
hadtomov einwi
thKen’sgir
lf
ri
end.”
“
Wher
ewasy
ourgi
rl
fr
iend?
”
“Oneadumpile.{Shehaddumpedme.}Iwasbr
oke
backthen,
shesaidshedidn’
twantabr
oke
boyf
ri
endandleftme.”
“
Whydon’
tIbel
i
evey
ou?
”
Helaughed.“Heelamma!Mony anaoleonea
dumpile,
{Thatgirl
haddumpedme, }shediditi
n
fr
ontofmyf riendsar
eeneobat l
abannababa
seri
ous.{
sayingshewantsseri
ousmen. }Kanaebi
le
nakoyatengkenekemor eket
si cur
dburrykamadi
ameabohel o.{Ihadboughtheracur dburr
ywithmy
l
astmoney ”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Youmusthav
ebeenhur
t.
”
“
Iwasebi
l
ekenal
est
ressgor
e.{
Iwasst
ressed.
}”
Het
ookAnay
a’sempt
ypl
ateandhel
dherhands.
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Shelookedi nt
ohi seyes, herssparkli
ngwi thtears.
Shelookeddownasat earr andownhercheek.He
pull
edherchi nupandbr ushedwayt hetearbef ore
l
eaningov erkissingher.Gent l
yhel ai
dheront he
couchpul l
ingoutherpant i
eswhileherdr essrodet o
herwaist.Heunzi ppedhispant sanddr oppedhi s
di
ckonherbr eathingheav il
y.Get
tingbetweenher
l
egsher ubbedt het i
pofhi sdickonhercl itthen
fi
nall
ypushedhi mselfi
nsi deher.
“
Fuuck!”Hegr
oanedwhil
eshemoanedsof
tl
y
wrappi
ngherl
egsaroundhi
swai
st.

*
***
*

Theodoracl
osedherey
esli
steni
ngtohermot
heron
thephonewhil
eshesatint
hebedroom t
he
f
oll
owi
ngmor
ning.
“
Whydi
dyounotsayany
thi
ngabouthi
swi
fe?
”
“
Idi
dn’
tthi
nki
tmat
ter
ed.“
“
TheodoraIdon’tev
enknowwhatisgoingonwi
th
y
outhisdays.Thismanal
readyhasafamil
y.
”
“
Hej
ustpai
dherbr
idepr
iceonl
y.
”
“Sheishi
swi f
e.Nooneint
hatfamil
yappr
ovesof
thi
smar r
iage,
nnammaIcan’tkeepthi
smoney
becauseIfeelasi
fIhav
esoldyouofft
othe
wolves.
”
“
Mama,Ilov
eChri
sti
anandwear
egoi
ngt
ohav
ea
whi
teweddi
ng.
”
“
Theodor
aIdon’
ttr
ustthi
sman.Whatifhedoesn’
t
marr
yyou?Maybeheisapol
ygami
st,wil
lyou
manage?
”
“Mamaplease,
Christ
ianmakesmehappy
.Pl
ease
behappyforme.”
“
Iam but
…Iam wor
ri
ed.
”
“
Iwi
l
lbef
ine.Wear
enotgoi
ngt
ohav
eabi
g
weddi
ngatt
hemoment
.”
“
What
evermakesy
ouhappy
.”
Theodorahungupandsi ghed.Shemassagedher
temples,Chri
sti
an’sparentsdidn’tapprove,
shehad
overheardhi
m ont hephonewi thhi sfat
herwho
seemedl i
keav erystr
ictman.Thenegot i
ati
onshad
beenledbyChr i
stian’
sunclest houghallwit
h
hesit
ance.Nowherbr idepr i
cehadbeenpai d,she
didn’
tfeelasexcit
edasshehadbeenbef or
e,al
lshe
couldthi
nkaboutwasj usthowChr ist
ian’
sparents
wereagainsttherelat
ionship.
Herphoner
ang.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Cousi
e!”
“
Yaone,
whatdoy
ouwant
?”
“
Ihear
dChr
ist
ianpai
dyourbr
idepr
ice.
”
“
Yes,
howcanIhel
pyou?
”
“Hel
pme? ”Shel aughed.“Darl
ingIdon’
tneedany
hel
p.Ifeel
sorryf oryou,Iam sogladIdodgedt
hat
bull
et.I
magine,beingasecondwi fe?”
“
Ist
hatal
l
?”
“
Yes,l
i
fewill
showy ou.Youthoughty
ouwer esmar
t,
wai
tunti
lChri
sti
anshowsy ouwhoher eal
l
yis.
”
“
Youknowwhat
,Idon’
thav
eti
mef
ort
his.
”
Yaonelaughed.“
Ihopehetakesy
ouwi
tht
oZambi
a
andleavesyouther
einthefar
m.”
“Keephopi
ng.
”Shehungandalmostt
hrewher
phoneangr
il
yagai
nstthewal
l
.

*
***
*

Marangt r
iedMiguel’
sphoneagainthef
oll
owi
ng
morninglookingathersonasshesuckedonher
br
east.Itrangunansweredyetagai
n.
“Whoarey
oucalli
ng?
”Hermotheraskedhandi
ng
herabowlofsof
tpor
ridge.
“Juni
or’
sfather
.Iam wor
ri
ed.Hehasn’
tbeenpi
cki
ng
upmycal l
s.”
“
May
behei
sst
il
lsl
eepi
ng.St
opbot
her
ingt
hatman
Marang,
hehasawi fe,weren’
tyoutheonet hatt
old
metheyaregetti
ngmar r
iedinafewweeks?I fIwere
youIwouldbehaveproperl
ywiththatgi
rl
.”
“
Anay ai
sful
lofhersel
f,i
fshewon’
ttakecar
eof
Miguelt
henIwil
l.
”
Hermot herclapped.“Letusseewhereyouendup.I
f
hewant edyout henhewoul dbemarryi
ngyounot
her.Therearewomenoutt her
ewhodon’ tl
i
ke
shari
ngt hei
rmenwi t
hanotherwomanorev enhi
s
chi
ld.Hewi l
l abandonJuniort
omakeherhappyand
for
getaboutmai nt
enance.Youwil
lgetP500and
shewon’ tevencare.”
“
Miguel
woul
dnev
erabandonhi
sson.
”
“
Fory
oursake,
Ihopeso.Gi
vemet
hebabyandeat
.”
Shesatproper
lyashermot
herwal
kedoutwi
th
Juni
orthencal
ledhi
m agai
n.
“
Hi.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Hey
,Iwaswor
ri
ed.Ihav
ebeencal
l
ing.
”
“
IsJuni
orok?
”
“
No,
Iwantt
ost
artgi
vi
nghi
mfor
mul
a.”
“
Arey
ourbr
eastnotpr
oduci
ngenoughmi
l
k?”
“
Theyar
ebutIwanthert
ogetusedt
ofor
mul
a.”
“
Thatchi
l
dist
ooy
oungf
orf
ormul
a.”
“Rr
agweJuni
or,
Idon’
twanthi
mtost
ruggl
ewhenI
gobackt
owork.”
“
Mar ang,youwill
pumpmi l
kwheny ougobackt
o
work.Idon’twantmychi
lddri
nkingfor
mul
awhen
youproduceenoughmilkforhi
m. ”
Shesi
ghed.“
Ok.
”
“
Wast
hatal
l
?”
“
Yes.
”
Hehungandshel
ookedatherphone,shehadn’
t
expect
edt
heconv
ersat
iont
ogot hatway.

*
***
*

AnayalookedatMi
guel
ashepar
kedi
nfr
ontofher
house.
“
Shewant
stost
opbr
east
feedi
ng?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iwantt
oseehi
m.”
“
Real
l
y?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iwi
l
lpi
cky
ouupf
rom t
hebank.
”
“
Ok.”Shesteppedoutofthecarandpr
essedthe
i
ntercom.Thegateopenedandshewalkedi
nsideas
Migueldr
oveoff.
“Di
dy ouf
ixt
hingsl
i
keIt
oldyouto?”Hermother
askedassoonasshewal
kedinsi
dethehouse.
“
Yes.
”
Anayawentt
oherr
oom andprepar
edf
orwor
k.Her
phoner
angassheputonherheel
s.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,di
dyout
ell
him?
”
Shesi
ghedf
ixi
ngherl
i
pst
ick.
“
No,
noty
et.
”
“
Why
?”
“
Donal
d,Ij
ustcan’
tdot
hat
.Wear
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
”
“
Soy
ouwentbackt
ohi
m?”
“Ilovehi
m, Ican’
thelpthat
.Ifl
ovehadamanual
thenIwoul dhavelongfoundthechapt
eronhowto
wal kaway.IwouldhavelongchangedthewayIf
eel
.
Ilovehim andithurt
sthatIdowhenallhedoesi
s
fuckup.”
“Youdeservebetter.Youlostyourchi l
dbecauseof
him,hegavey ourbaby ’
snamet ohi sot herwoman.
Whatelse?Wheni shegoi ngt
ost opt earingyou
down?Iusedt othinky ouwerebet terthanallthi
s,I
real
lydi
d.Butofcause, y
ounev erfailtosurpri
seme.
Ipit
yyou,yousettleforlessyetyouknowy oucan
alwayshavethebest .”
“
Wear
eal
readymar
ri
ed.
”
“Youcanalwaysl
eave,i
t’
spoi nt
lesst
ostickwi
th
someonewhowi l
lneverrespectyouorputyouf
irst
.
Youwill
alwaysfi
ghttheotherwoman.”
“
Youdon’
tunder
stand.
”
“
Youl
osty
ourbabybecauseofhi
m.Hecheaton
y
ou.
”
“
Iam par
tl
yatf
aul
t,hadInotshuthi
m-“
“Ther
eyougo,defendi
nghi
mf orcheati
ngony ou.
ComeonNay a,youarebet
tert
hanthis.Youdon’t
needhim.
”
At
earr
andownhercheek.“
Hei
s…Il
ovehi
m.”
Hesighed.“
Somemarri
agessur
viv
elongdi
stance,
goingt
oSouthAfr
icawi
llbet
hebestthi
ngt
o
happentoyou.
”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
ogeti
nal
ongdi
stancemar
ri
age.
”
“
Isher
eal
l
ywor
thi
t?”
“Wewil
ltal
kwhenIgett
owor
k,Ihav
eani
ncomi
ng
cal
l
.”
Shehungupandpi ckedherhandbagandl
apt
op
backwalki
ngout.AyanaandLethaboweresi
tt
ing
havi
ngthei
rbreakf
ast.
“
Whi
chexam ar
eyouwr
it
ingt
oday
?”
Ay
anaputherspoondown.“
Engl
i
shcomposi
ti
on.
”
“
Ihopey
ouar
eready
.”
“
Iam.
”
“
Good.Goodl
uck.
”
Shesmi
l
edatLethaboandwalkedoutt
oherat
axi
.
Hewasalr
eadypar
kedoutsi
de.
“
Mor
ning.
”Shesai
dget
ti
ngi
nsi
de.
“
Mor
ningNay
a.”
Shesatsil
entl
ytil
lthetaxidr oppedheroffatthe
bank.Shegotoffandconf identlywal
kedinside.No
onestaredatherany moreliketheydidthefi
rst
weekaftershelostthebaby .Shewalkedt oher
off
iceandsatdown.Shet ookoutherl apt
opand
checkedheremai l
swhileDonal dwalkedin.
“
Cof
fee?
”
“
Thanks.
”
Shef
rownedst
ari
ngatanemai
lthensmi
l
ed.
“
Whati
sit
?”
“
Remembertheschool
Itoldyouabout
?Theone
t
hatwasl
ookingf
orachickensuppl
ier
?Theyj
ust
r
espondedandIam i
n!NAYACHI
CKENS.
”
“
Wow!
”
“
Iknow.Idi
dn’
tthi
nkIwoul
dgeti
t.
”
“
Soony
ouwi
l
lbesel
l
ingt
osuper
mar
ket
s.”
“
Ican’
twai
t.Ismel
lmoney
.”
Shet
ookt
hecof
feeandsi
pped.
“
Ifeel
Ishoul
dst
ickwi
thy
oubecausey
ouar
egoi
ng
t
obesuperri
ch.
”
Shel
aughedr
oll
i
ngherey
es.“
Iwi
sh.
”
“Youshoul
dbeli
evei
nyour
sel
f.Seehowf
ary
ou
havemadeit?
”
“
Thanky
ou,
foral
lyoursuppor
t.
”
Hesmiled.“
Let
s’sgot
oSAt
oget
her
.Leav
e.St
art
anew.
”
Shel
ookedi
nhi
sey
es.“
YouknowIcan’
t.
”
“Yesyoucan.Howl ongdidyoustaywi
thoutajob
Anaya?Howl ongdidyousuffer
?Andnowy oustand
achanceofget t
inganevenbetterj
obposi
ti
on.You
wil
lbeworki
ngatt
heheadquar
ter
sinSout
hAf
ri
ca.
Thi
nkaboutit
.”
Hewal kedout .Shetookhel et
tershehadrecei
veda
fewday sagoandr eadthroughit
.Asmi l
estart
ed
from t
hecor nerofherlipsbuttherewasjustalot
shecouldn’tleavebehind.
Ther estofherdaywentsmoot hl
y.Shesteppedout
ofthebankwi thherbags.Sheimmediatel
yspott
ed
theRangeRov er.Shewalkedtowardsitwhil
ehe
steppedoutopeningthedoorforher.
Heki
ssedherassoonassheappr
oachedhi
m.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Shegotinsidet hecarwhil
eheclosedthedoor .She
tur
nedtot hewi ndowasMi guel
walkedr oundthecar
andlockedey eswi t
hLone.Shehadn’tseenmuchof
herlat
ely.Lonegoti nt
heLandRov erDiscover
yt hat
wasbesideMi guel
’sRangeRoveranddr oveaway .

*
***
*
AtMar ang’shouse,
Anay sst
oodbesideMi
guel
ashe
knockedont hedoor.Secondsl
ater
,themot
her
openedt hedoorandsmi l
edatt
hem.
“
Son,
”
Miguelsmi l
edwithMar ang’smotherexchanging
pl
easantries.Sheletthem insi
dethehouseandsat
ont hecouchwhi l
eshewentt ocollectherdaughter
.
MinuteslaterMarangwal kedhol
dinghersoni na
dresswithpinkli
pstic,shehandedhi mt oMiguel
whileAnay awonderedwhenshef oundt het
imeto
putonhermakeupandev enputonal acefr
ont.
“
Hei
ssl
eepi
ng.
”
Mi
guel
smi
l
edst
ari
ngathi
mthenl
ookedatAnay
a.
“
Youwantt
ohol
dher
?”
“
No!
”Mar
angbar
ked.“
Hedoesn’
tli
kest
ranger
s.”
“
Hei
ssl
eepi
ng.Ij
ustwantt
oseehi
m.”
“
Idon’
twantst
ranger
stouchi
ngmychi
l
d.”
Anay
alookedatMi
guel
whogav
ebackt
hebabyt
o
Mar
ang.
“
Goandputhi
m down,
Iwantt
otal
ktoy
ou.
”
Anay awatchedasMar angwalkedawayf eel
i
ngher
angerretur
n.Shetoocouldbeholdinghersont hi
s
moment .Shetookadeepbr eathwantingtojust
l
eav ealr
eady,Marangwasf ul
lofitt
hatAnaya
consider
edconvincingMiguelt
oletthem rai
sethe
l
itt
leboy.
Mar
angcamebackandsatopposi
tet
hem.
“Idon’
tli
kethatat
ti
tudeofy our
s.Anayaismywife
andwhenJuni orv
isit
s,AnayaandIwillt
akecar
eof
him.Sheisnotastrangerbutmywi f
e.”
“Mychil
disnotgoi
ngtovisi
tyou.I
fAnayawant sa
chi
ldsobad,l
etherhaveherown.Anayahatesme,
whoknowswhatshemi ghtdotomychild.Closet
he
dooronyourwayout.
”Shestoodupandwal ked
backtoherr
oom.
Anayarubbedherey
esandst
oodupf
ixi
ngher
bl
azer.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Mi
guel
stoodupangerf
lashi
ngi
nhi
sey
es.
“
Leav
eheral
one.I
t’
sfi
ne.
”
TheywalkedbacktohiscarwhileAnayatr
iedhar
d
nottocr
y.Shewasn’tgoingtoletMarangmakeher
cry
.Notev er
.Thi
swast helastti
me.
“Idon’tli
kethef actt hatyougi vehermorepowerbut
Iguessshebehav esl i
ket hatbecauseneit
herdoyou
respectourrelationshi p.Iwill
notbelookeddown
uponbyy ourmi stressorbedi sr
espectedbyher
.
Thisbet t
erbet hel astt i
meshet al
kstomel i
ket
hat,
putyourf atroadr unneri nherplace.Idon’
twantto
fi
ghtwi thyoubecausehonest l
yit’
snotworthmy
energy.”Shesai dcal ml y.
“
Itwon’
thappenagai
n.”
“
ForyoursakeIhopenotbecauseIam notscar
edof
wal
ki
ngoutonourweddi ngday.Ihav
enothingto
l
ose.
”
Helookedatherandki
ssedhercheek.“
Iwantt
o
showyousomet hi
ng.
”
Theygoti
nthecarandMi
guel
drov
eheadeda
di
ffer
entdi
rect
ion.Anay
a’sphoner
angf
rom her
handbag.
“
Col
l
een,
”
“Hey,
whenarewegoi
ngtostar
tpr
act
ici
ngt
he
dancemovesfort
heweddi
ng?”
“
Idon’
thavealotofbr
idemai
ds,
Ijustdi
dn’
tthi
nki
t
wasnecessar
y.”
“
Howmanyar
ewe?
”
“
Thr
ee,
wit
hAy
ana.
”
“
No,
beser
ious,
don’
tyouhav
efr
iends?
”
“
Idon’
tdof
ri
endsany
mor
e.”
Coll
eenl
aughed.“
Igetyoubutwecan’
tpossi
blybe
thr
ee.Wher
eareyourcousi
ns?”
“
Idi
dn’
twantabi
gweddi
ng.
”
“Nyaamma,call
yourcousinsandworkcol
leagues,
I
am sur
ether
eisoneper sonyouar
eingoodbooks
wit
h.Andyouknowhowourcousi nswil
lbewaiti
ng
tobether
eatthewedding.”
Anay
asi
ghed.“
Iwi
l
ltal
ktosomecol
l
eagueswho
l
ikeme.Theyar
eonl
ytwoandtwomor ecousi
ns,
andmaybemymother’
sfr
iend’
sdaught
er.
”
“Andme.Meani
ngwear enownine.TheMokwena’
s
areahugef
amily
,sonatural
l
yit’
sgoi
ngt obeabi
g
weddi
ng.WhataboutRachel
?Isshepartoft
he
team?”
“
Inev
eraskedbecauseIdon’
twantdr
ama.
”
“
Igety
ou,
wewi
l
lgetKennet
hsomeone.
”
“
Ok,
thanky
ou.
”
“I
t’
sok,Ihopey
ourweddi
ngpl
annerknowswhat
she’
sdoing.
”
“
Shedoes.
”
“
Nowt
heout
fi
ts.
”
“Thethr
eepeopl
ewhoIwassur
eofal
readyhav
e
outf
it
s.”
“Ok,
sendmet hepict
uresandevery
one’
snumber
.
Thebri
demaids,Iwil
lcreat
eagroup.It
hink
ever
yoneshouldbuyherowndress.
”
“
Iwi
l
lsendt
hem butaf
terIaskt
hem.
”
“
Iwi
l
laskt
hem,
youj
ustsendt
henumber
s.”
“
Ok.Thanky
ou.
”
“
That
’swhatsi
ster
sar
efor
.Isy
ourdr
essr
eady
?”
“
Yes,
Iam seei
ngi
tonSat
urday
.”
“
Ok,
Iam goi
ngt
otal
ktoKennet
haboutt
hei
rsui
ts.
”
“
Thatwoul
dbehel
pful
.
”
“
Ican’tbel
i
eveinafewweeksy
ouwi
l
lbeget
ti
ng
marr
ied.If
eelsoex
cit
ed.
”
“
Wewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Sendt
henumber
s.”
Shehungupandsental
lthenumber
stoCol
l
eenon
what
sapp.
“
Shei
saboutt
ohi
j
ackal
lthepl
anni
ng.
”
“
Sheishel
pingme,Iam sobusyatwor
k,Ineedal
l
t
heassi
stanceIcanget
.”
Miguel
parkedi
nfrontofthei
rpl
otinMmokolodi
.
Thehousewastakingshapeanditwashuge.
“
Isi
tadoubl
est
orey
?”
“
Yes.
”
Anay
asmi
l
edast
heyst
eppedoutoft
hecar
.
“
Ilov
eit
.”
Mi
guel
lookedather
.
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Anayalookedbackatt hehouse, t
hiswast hehouse
sewasgoi ngtol
iveinonceshegotmar ried.She
wasgoingt obeMrs.Mokwena, shelookedat
Miguelwantingt
otellhim aboutthejobbuthis
smil
ehadherkeepi ngquiet,r
athershehuggedhi m
ti
ghtl
y.

*
***
*

Kennet
ht y
pedonhiscomputerfocusedonwhathe
wasdoing.HisPAwakedinholdi
ngherhandbag
obvi
ouslyreadyt
oleav
e.
“
Sir
,Iam goi
ngnow.
”
“
OkGor
ata,
seey
out
omor
row.
”
Goratawalkedoutbutst oppedasshewal kedoutof
theoffi
ces.Hewor kedlatet hisdaysandcamei n
earl
y.Shecouldseehewasexhaust edwhichmade
herwonderwhatwast hepr oblem.Shehadseenhi s
wifeonceandt hatwasmont hsago.Shelookedok,
may beshewascheat i
ng.Shewal kedtot
henear by
rest
aurantandboughtat akeawaywi t
hasof tdr
ink
beforeheadi
ngbackt otheof fi
ces.Shewal kedi
n
andhewasst il
l t
yping.Her aisedhisheadand
l
ookedather .
“
Youf
orgotsomet
hing?
”
“Yes.
”Shepl
acedt
het
akeawayandsof
tdr
inkbef
ore
him.
“
Youneedt
oeat
,youwer
eoutdur
ingl
unch,
Idoubt
y
ouate.
”
Kennet
hsmi
l
ed.“
Youdon’
thav
etobot
hery
our
sel
f.
”
“Iam notbot
heri
ngmy sel
f,Iam j
ustdoi
ngmyjob,
youwor khar
derthananyoneandIhavetomake
sureyouareeati
ngproperl
ywhileati
t.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Hestartedeati
ngwhileshest aredathim.Hewas
cut
e,shebar el
ysawhimt alktoomuchexpectwhen
i
tcamet obusi
ness,t
herehewasr uthless.She
l
oveditwhenhewast al
kingt oimportantpeople,
he
nevergotint
imidat
edandi tturnedheron.
“
Youcango.
”
“No,
Iwantt
omakesurey
oufi
nishthef
ood,
you
can’
twor
konanemptyst
omach.”
Hel
aughed.“
Ok.
”
Hef
ini
shedeat
ingwhi
l
eshet
ookof
fherhi
ghheel
s.
“Iam goi
ngt
oleav
eti
l
lyoudo,
whatcanIdot
o
help?
”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
ogi
vey
our
aisei
fthat
’sy
ourpl
an.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.
“
No,
Idon’
twantar
aise,
Ijustwantt
ohel
p.”
“
Ok.
”
Hegaveheraf ewthi
ngt odoandtogethert
hey
workedsi
lent
ly.Gor
atastolegl
ancesathim,
obv
iousl
yhiswi f
ewasn’ttaki
ngcareofhim.I
twas
hardthesedayst
ofi
ndsuchaman.Awhi
l
elat
er,
theyweredone.
Shestoodbehi
ndhi
m andst
art
edmassagi
nghi
s
shoul
ders.
“
Youar
etense,
youshoul
drel
ax.
”
Kennet
hsi
ghed.
“
Thanks.
”
Goratacont
inuedmassagi
nghi
m,squashi
ngt
he
knotsonhisshoul
der
s.Shemovedbackawhi
le
l
ater.
“
Ithi
nky
ouar
egoodnow.Youshoul
drest
.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shepickedherhandbagputti
ngonhershoesand
walkedoutwithsomef i
l
eswhi chsheputonher
desk.Shewantedtogobacki nhisoffi
ceandboldly
ki
sshim butknowingtheki
ndofmanhewas, she
knewhewoul dprobabl
yrej
ectherandev enf
ir
eher.
Godknowshowmuchsheneededherj ob,wi
tha
si
ghshewal kedheadedtothebusst op.
*
***
*

Kennet
hlookedatt
het
imecal
l
ingRachel
.
“
Heybabe,
Iam get
ti
ngi
nsi
det
hechur
ch,
wewi
l
ltal
k
l
ater
.”
“
Chur
chagai
n?”
“
Yes,
Ican’
tmi
sst
oday
.”
“
Doy
ouev
ermi
ssanyser
vice?
”
“
Don’
tbel
i
ket
his.
”
“If
eell
ikeyouaremor efocusedonchurchthanyou
areathome.Wewer esupposedt oberunni
ngour
companytogetherbutyouarealwaysatchurch.
”
“Kennet
h,i
t’
snotmyf
aul
tthaty
oudon’
tli
kechur
ch,
I
do.”
“Myissueisnoty
ouliki
ngchurch,myissueisthat
youcam’tseem t
omaket imef orme.Youarenev er
athome,youarealwaysatchurch.Wecan’thavea
normalconver
sat
ionwithoutyouputti
ngchurchinto
i
t.”
“
SoIshoul
dst
opgoi
ngt
ochur
ch?
”
“
Andy
ouar
eyetagai
nmi
ssi
ngt
hepoi
nt.
”
“
Idon’
tgety
ourpoi
nt,
youwantmet
oqui
tchur
ch?
”
“
Iwantyoutomaketi
mef orme.Whenwasthel
ast
t
imewejusthadarel
axedeveni
ng?Whenwasthe
l
astt
imewehadsex?”
“
Kencanwet
alkl
ater
,Iam ent
eri
ngt
hechur
ch.
”
Heangr
il
yhungupandwal kedoutofhisoff
ice.I
n
hi
scarhedroveheadedhomebutst oppedatabar
st
opwhereGoratawasstanding.
“
Jumpi
n,Iwi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
f.
”
Shesmiledandgoti n.Herskirtrodeexposingher
thi
ghsandhequi cklylookedawayt ry
ingtounsee
whathehadj ustseen.Hewasherempl oy eeandhe
hadtomaintainacer t
ainlevelofprof
essionali
sm.A
whil
elat
erKennet hstoppedt hecarinfrontofa
house.
“
Ist
ayher
e,t
hanky
ou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Sheopenedthedoorbutthencloseditandkissed
him.Herbol
dmov etookhim abackbuthewas
quicktor
espondbeforeshecouldstop.Hishand
wenttoherexposedthi
ghsandf ur
therinsi
deher
skir
t.
“
Ther
eisal
odge.
”Shewhi
sper
edagai
nsthi
sli
ps.
Hestart
edt hecaranddr ovetoalodgewherethey
bothgotoffandcheckedi n.Assoonastheygotin,
theyki
ssedr oughl
y,cl
othesdroppingont
hef l
oor.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]
TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#53

Peopl egatheredinMi guel

’
sy arddancingtoSho
Madj o’ssongf ol
lowingthechoregrapher’
s
i
nstruct i
ons.Formi nutest
heydi dt
her outi
ne,
repeatingwhent heymessedupandt r
y i
ngagain.A
whilelatertheytookashor tbreakwhileKenneth
r
emai
neddanci
ngal
onei
naf
unnymanner
.
“St
opembarr
assi
ngyour
sel
f.
”Vinceshout
ed
dri
nki
nghi
swatermaki
ngever
yonelaugh.
“
Idancewaybet
tert
hananyofy
ou.
”
“Waybett
ert
hanwho?Youknowy
ouar
ethewor
st.
”
Pul
eteased.
Miguel
walkedinsi
dethehousedi
ali
nghernumber
buti
tsti
ll
rangunanswered.
“
Hey
,wher
eisNay
a?”
Het
urnedt
olookathi
ssi
ster
.
“
Shei
spr
obabl
yonherway
.”
Col
l
eenheadedt
otheki
tchen.
“
IsAganggoi
ngt
ocome?
”
“
Yes.Hei
smybestman.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Iwaswor
ri
ed.It
houghthewasn’
t.
”
“
Whoi
sAngel
wit
h?”
“
Hernanny
.Ihadtofi
ndsomeonewholookaf
terher
whi
l
eIgotowork.Ihaveani
nter
viewt
omorr
ow.”
Miguel
smi l
ed.“
Atl
easty
ouwi
l
lbeabl
etopayy
our
ownrent.
”
Sher
oll
edherey
es.“
Cal
lheragai
n.Peopl
ear
eti
red.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shewal kedoutashet riedhernumberagainand
sighedwhenshedi dn’tanswer.Outsi
detheystood
i
nl i
ne,Anaya’scousi
nsandwor kmateswithhis
owncr ew.Hedancedwi thoneofhercousinswho’s
namehehadf orgott
en.Aboutt hi
rt
yminuteslat
er,
theywer edoneandall hiscousi
nslef
t.
“
Ihav
etogot
owor
k.”Vi
ncegr
abbi
nghi
sphone.
“
Thanksf
orcomi
ng.
”
“Iwouldn’
tmi
ssthi
sfort
heworld.Yourweddi
nghas
beenlongawai
tedfor
.Wewil
ltalk.
”
“
Vince,canyoudropmeal
ongway
?”Col
l
eenasked
walki
ngtowardshim.
“
Yeahsur
e.”
Theywalkedt
ohi
scarandl
eftwhi
l
ePul
edr
ove
behi
ndthem.
Kenappr
oachedhi
m hol
dinghi
sphone.“
Ihav
etogo
too,
maybeRachel
isbackfr
om chur
ch.
”
“
Youshoul
dbar
nthewhol
echur
cht
hing.
”
“
Thatwoul
dmakemel
ookl
i
keaheat
hen.
”
“
Thenbeaheat
henandgety
ourwomanback.I
t’
s
t
hingsl
i
ket
hist
hatpusht
ocheat
ing.
”
“
Shesay
sshel
ovesGod.
”
“Shedoesn’
tneedtogotochurcht
ol ov
eGod.Let
herprayathome.Youneedtoputyourfootdown.
”
“
Iwi
l
l,seey
ou.
”
Kenneth’
sphoner
angfr
om hishandsandMi
guel
caughtagli
mpseoft
hecal
lerID.
“
Gor
ata?YourPA?
”
“
Itpr
obabl
yhast
odowi
thwor
k.”
Miguelshookhishead.“
Youshouldn’
tfuckyour
worker
s,that’
stheworsethi
ngtodo.Itwil
ltur
nsour
.
Ir
egret
tedf ucki
ngRebaonethet
imeshest art
ed
worki
ngasmyPAbecauseshehadanat ti
tude.”
“
Rebaone?Thatt
all
thi
ngi
rl
?”
“
Yeah…”
“
Shei
snotev
enpr
ett
y,whatdi
dyouseei
nher
?”
Theybothl
aughed.“
Stopf
ucki
ngy
ourPA’
s.I
t’
s
wrong.
”
Kennethlaughedgett
ingi
nhiscar
.OneofAnaya’
a
cousinswalkedoverandl
ookedatKennet
hinhis
car.
.
“
Hi,tl
her
rawenakekopal
i
ft.{
Iam pl
easeaski
ngf
or
ali
ft
.}
”
“
Yeahsur
e.”
Mi
guel
shookhi
sheadatKennet
hasshegoti
n.
“
Don’
tdot
hat
.”
“
Iam notdoi
ngany
thi
ng.Sur
e.”
Hedr oveoffwhi
leMiguelchuckl
edindisbel
ief.
Anothercarwit
hAnay a’
swor kmatessoondr oveout
withtwomor eofhercousins.Heknewshewasn’ t
closewitht
hem butjustci
rcumstancespushingher
toinvi
ti
ngthem.
Backi
nsi
det
hehousehef
oundt
hecousi
nhehad
beendanci
ngwi
thtal
ki
ngtot
hephone.Shehungup
assoonasshesawhim.
“
Hi,
Iam sor
rybutIwassupposedt
ogowi
thAnay
a.”
“
Youar
etheonest
ayi
ngatherhouse?
”
“
Yes,
shei
snotpi
cki
ng.
”
“
What
’sy
ournameagai
n?”
“
Neo.
”
“
Iwi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
f.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Thanky
ou.
”
Miguel
walkedt
ohisbedr
oom andt
ookhi
scarkey
s.
Ashewalkedout
,Neowalkedi
n.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Shesmiledandtookoffherdressr
emai ni
ngnude.
Shesqueezedherbreastl
icki
ngherli
ps.Shesli
d
onehandbetweenherlegsandgentlyrubbedhersel
f
moaning.
“
Anay
aisnother
e.”
ThedooropenedandAnay
awal
kedi
nwi
thasmi
l
e
hol
dingabox.Hersmil
eslowl
ydi
asapear
edasshe
l
ookedathernakedcousi
nwhonowlookedt
err
if
ied.
“
What
’sgoi
ngonher
e?”
“
Shei
scomi
ngont
ome.
”
Neoqui
ckl
yshookherheadcr
ying.“
Nay
a…”
Anay
asl
appedNeohar
dacr
osst
hef
ace.
“Koor
eontlwaet
swakeng?Whatdoy
out
hinky
ou
aredoi
ng?
”
“
Hesai
difIsl
eepwi
thhi
m hewi
l
lpayme.
”
Anay
aslappedNeoagai
nthenki
ckedherhar
dthat
shef
ell
.
“Soy outhi
nkyoucangeti tonwithmyman? ”She
grabbedNeowi thherheadandbangedher
count l
essti
mesont hefloor
.Miguelpul
ledherof
f
whileshebreathedhard.NeoranoffnakedasAnaya
tearf
ullyst
aredatMiguel.
“
Arey
ounowsl
eepi
ngwi
thmyr
elat
ives?
”
“
Babecomeon,
shecameont
ome.
”
“
Andy
oul
ether
!Youwer
ewat
chi
ngher
.”
“
Iwasonl
yshocked.
”
“
Fuckyou!Yout
hinkIwi
l
lbel
i
evet
hat
?Ican’
tbel
i
eve
t
his!
”
“
Anay
a..
-“
“Don’
tyoudar eAnayame!Mi guelyoumustt hi
nk
youarespecialbutyouarenot.Idon’tneedyou.I
cansti
llmakei twit
houtyou.YouthinkbecauseIl
et
yourcheati
ngsl i
deinthepastIam desperatef
or
you?Iam notandwi ll
neverbe.Fucky ou!Busy
taki
ngallsort
sofSTD’ sfr
om whoresi nthestr
eet
s.”
“
Iam notsl
eepi
ngwi
thy
ourcousi
n.”
Tear
sbur
nedherey
esasshef
umed.
“Fuckyou!Busyspr eadi
ngy ouweaksexar ound, you
arenotev ennice.Iam leavingy oursorryass, let’
s
seewhoy ouwi l
lmar rybecausei t
’snotme.Iwi l
lnot
bestuckwi thast r
eetwhor ewhocan’ tcontr ol
himselfyetcan’tdishoutgoodsex.I fitwasn’ tfor
thefactthatyouhav emoney ,nobodywoul dwant
you,youthinky oucanbi t
char oundal lbecausey ou
arenowr ichyetyoucan’ tevendoi twi thpeopl ewho
arewor t
hi t
.Youar eanembar rassmentt ot heent i
re
nat
ion.
”
“
Anayast
opt
alki
ngt
omel
i
ket
hat
.Iam war
ning
y
ou.”
“
Orwhat
?”Shescr
eamed.
“
Anay
a…”Hewar
ned.
“
Fucky
ou!Pi
eceofshi
t!
”
Mi
guel
slappedheracr
osst
hef
ace.
“
Saythattomeagain,Iwi
llbeaty
ousohardify
ou
t
alkmelikethat
.Fort
helastti
me,Idi
dn’
tsl
eepwit
h
y
ourcousin.
”
Sher
ubbedhercheeksi
l
ent
lycr
ying.
“
Ihat
eyou.Youar
eadog!
”
Hesmi
l
edandgr
abbedherhai
rpul
l
inghercl
osert
o
hi
m.
“
Iam goi
ngtofuckt
hatatt
it
udeoutofy
ou,
clear
ly
weneedtodosomefixi
nghere.
”
Heki
ssedherhar
dputti
nghi
shandi
nsi
deherdr
ess
andt
ouchedherf
lash.
“
Wher
ear
eyourpant
ies?
”
“
Iwantt
ogo.
”
“Youwill
,af
terIam donewi
thy
ou.Anayayouar
emy
wifeandIhaveeveryri
ghtt
oever
ypartofy
our
body.”
Her ubbedhercl i
tskissingher .All ofasuddenhel et
hergoandr ippedherdr ess.Shegaspedl ookingat
him.Hecuppedherbr eastbef orehet ur
nedher
around.Anay ayelpedashet wistedherni pples.He
wentdownonhi skneesspr eadingherl egsapar t
buryinghi sheadbet weenherl egs.Shemoaned
closi
ngherey eswhi l
ehol di
nghi shead.Heat etil
l
shest artedvibrati
ngmoani ngl oudl y.Hedranki nall
herjuicesandgotupunzi ppinghi spants.Anay a
heldont ohi m ashepi ckedherupandpl acedheron
thecor neroft hebed, herlegsonhi sshoulders.
Slowlyhesl idintil
lhewasf ull
ybur ieddeepi nside
herwhi leshegr unted.
Anayafr
ownedashest ar
tedpushingi
nandoutof
herst
ari
nginhereyes.Hewatchedhimsel
fashe
thr
usti
nsideherandout,
str
etchi
ngher.The
sweetnesshadhim goingevendeeperinsideher
tappi
nghergent l
y.Shemoanedsof t
lyenjoyi
ngthe
gentl
etapping.Hepickedherwaistupandchanged
hispace,f
uckingherhard.Helovedthemer ci
ful
l
ookonherf acet
hathewentev enharderand
deeper.
Hepul
l
edoutt
henpul
l
edherof
fthebed.
“
Touchy
ourt
oes.
”
Shesl owlyreachedforhert
oesashepushedher
l
egsapar twit
hhisknee.Hesmi r
kedhi
shardheavy
dickonherbut tandrammedi nsi
deherfor
ceful
ly
thatshescr eamed.Shequickl
ytri
edst
andingbut
Mi guelspankedherhard.
“
Isai
dtouchyourt
oes,
ify
oudon’
tIam goi
ngt
o
f
uckyouass.
”
Shefearful
lytouchedhertoesthenhebegan
poundingintohermercil
essly
.Shebravel
yst
oodstil
l
butnotabletoignorethepainanymoreshetooka
stepgett
ingawayf rom hi
m.
“Whereareyougoing?Yout
alkshi
ttomey ety
ou
can’
thandlether
esult
sofyouract
ions?Comeher
e.”
Hefollowedherf uckingherevenharder
,destroyi
ng
herli
ttl
epussy .Hefinall
ypull
edoutthenpickedher
up.Shewr appedherl egsaroundhiswaistholdi
ng
himtightl
y.Slowlyhepushedi nt
oherbur y
inghis
enti
redickinsideher.Anayaclosedhereyestryi
ng
togetusedt ohisdick.
“LookatmeasIdi sci
pli
neyou.Youthi
nkIam your
agemat e,
Iam yourhusbandAnaya.If
uckupand
yesIhurtyou,
Iam notanywherecl
osetoperf
ect.
ButIlov
ey ou.
”
Hedr i
lledherasshesunkhernai lsi
ntohi sback
moani ngr ightintohi searwhi l
eherboobsbounced.
Shecl osedherey esf eel
ingpl easureradiate
throughoutherbody .Mi guel walkedov ertot hebed
stil
l f
ucki nghert henpul l
edoutandpl acedheron
thebedi nakneel i
ngposi tion.Hepushedherchest
downsl i
cingt hroughherf oldsunapol ogeticall
y
fuckedher .Anay agr abbedt hesheet s,hermuscl es
cont acting.Sheexpl odedwhi leherbodyshook
violentlyasi fshewashav i
ngasei zure.Miguel
fuckedherev enhar der,ri
dingherwav eofor gasm
thenf il
ledherup.Theybot hpant edloudlybreathing
har
d.
Miguel pull
edoutandwat chedAnay a’
spussy
contractwhilehissemenleaked.Shelayonher
stomachandcl osedhereyesinexhaustat
ionl
azi
ly
openingt hem asecondlater
.Helookedatherhai
r
fanningherf acethent
uckeditbehindherearl
yi
ng
besideher .
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Shebl
ushedbur
yingherf
aceonhi
schest
.
“
Iam hungr
y.”
Hegotupfr
om t
hebedandputonhissweatpant
s
bef
orepi
cki
ngherupandhel
pingherputonhi
st-
shi
rt
.
“
Wher
ewer
eyou?
”
“Ihadtogotothecateri
ngcompany .Wehad
clushi
ngcli
ent
ssoIdi v
idedthestaffandhadtoj
oin
theothergr
oup.Icoul
dn’tanswerthephone.
”
Helookedattheboxshehadbeenhol
dingand
pi
ckeditup.
“
Whati
sthi
s?”
“
Iboughti
tfory
ou.
”
Heopenedtheboxandt
ookoutt
heGucci
sneaker
s
shehadbought
.
“
Ior
der
edt
hem onl
i
ne.
”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Noonehasev
erboughtmeany
thi
ng.
”
Anay
agr
inned.“
Idi
d.”
“
Thanks.
”

*
***
*

Coll
eenwal
kedi
nsi
dethehousewi
thasmi
l
e.The
nannywasf
eedi
ngAngel
.
“
Iam back!
”
Angeltur
nedtohermotherandsmil
ed.Sheno
l
ongercri
edany mor
e,shewasgett
ingusedto
Coll
een.Col
leenpi
ckedherupassheraisedher
hands.
“
Heybaby
…”
“
Shei
sref
usi
ngt
oeat
.”
“
It
’sok,
Iwi
l
ltakei
tfr
om her
e.Youcangohome.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shestoodupandtookherback.Vi
ncewal
kedi
nas
Col
leenbegangf
eedingherdaught
er.
“Whydi
dyoul
ett
henannygo?Iwant
edust
ogo
out
.”
“Nal
edihastogo,
Ican’
tkeepherher
e.Wewi
l
ltake
Angelwit
h.”
“Col
leenwecan’
t,i
t’
sjustf
orust
wo.It
hinki
twil
l
bestify
ourmotherst
ayedwit
hherf
orawhil
e.”
”
“Vi
ncewhydoIf eel
li
key
oudon’
tli
kemydaught
er?
Becauseifyoudon’
t,
Iwi
l
lgl
adl
ytakemydaught
er
andleave.
”
“
Inev
ersai
dthat
.”
“Angel
isnotgoi
nganywhere,sheismydaughter
andIam goi
ngtostaywi
thher .I
fyoudon’
tfeell
i
ke
theset
upisworki
ngforyou,t
ellme.”
Shecont
inuedf
eedi
ngherbabyal
readybor
ed.She
hadlosti
nterestinhi m andnowshewonderedif
evershehadbeeni nterest
edinhi
mint hef
ir
stplace.
Vincewalkedtot hebedr oom t
ochangeandlef
tf or
work.Coll
eensilentlyfedherdaught
erwhowas
fal
li
ngasleepandcl eanedherupbef or
elay
ingherin
hercoat.
Shewal
kedoutofthebedr
oom wi
thherphonei
nher
handst
hencal
ledhim.
“
Hel
l
o?”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
HeyTshepo,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Who’
sthi
s?”
“
It
’sCol
l
een.
”
“
Ohhey
,Iam goody
our
sel
f?”
“
Iam f
ine,
howi
sAngel
?”
“
Shei
sfi
ne.
”
“
Canwemeet
?”
“
Ican’
t,
mygi
rl
fr
iendi
scomi
ngov
er.
”
“
Yourgi
rl
fr
iend?
”
“
Yes.
”
Coll
eentookadeepbr
eat
handswal
l
owedal
umpon
herthr
oat.
“
Oh.
.”
“
Yeah,
itwasgoodt
alki
ngt
oyou.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Shehungupt
ear
sfi
l
li
ngherey
est
hendi
aledAnay
a.
“
Hey
!”
“
AnayaIlostagoodman.Idon’
tev
enknowwhatI
wast
hinking.
”
“
Slowdown,
whathappened?
”
“IchosethewrongmanAnay a.Hedoesn’
twantmy
chil
d,hesaysIshoul
dtakeherbacktomymot her
.I
can’tbel
i
eveIdidn’
tchooseTshepo.Hewasagood
man. ”
“
Ther
eisnoneedf
orcr
ying,
it’
sal
readydone.
”
“Iam goingf
orani
nter
viewt
omorrow,i
fIgett
hej
ob
Iam goingtomoveouti
mmediat
ely.
”
“That
’sast
art
,Idi
n’
tknowy
ouwer
est
ayi
ngwi
th
him.”
“NoIam notbuti
t’
shishouse.Vi
ncerent
edi
tforme
becausehedidn’
tl
ikewher
eIstay
ed.”
“
Wai
t-Vi
nce?
”
“
Shi
t!
”
Anayalaughed.“
Youbett
ermakesur
ey ourbr
other
doesn’
tfindoutorel
sesomeonei
sgoingtodie.
”
“
Iknow,
Ijustwantt
oleav
ehi
m.”
“
Goodl
uck.
”
“
Tshepohasagi
rl
fr
iendal
ready
.”
“
Youshoul
dmov
eon.
”
“
Iknow,
wher
ewer
eyou?
”
“
Ihadt
ogot
othecat
eri
ngcompanyandhel
pout
.”
“Someti
mesIforgety
ouownacat
eri
ngcompany
.
Youinspi
reme.”
“
Yourprobl
em i
sthatyouarel
azy
,ify
ouwerenot
l
azyyouwouldhavelongst
art
edsomethi
ngsmal
l
f
ory
our
sel
f.
”
“
Notev
ery
onehasbusi
nessski
l
lsi
nthem.
”
“
Youar
ejustl
azy
.Ihav
etogo,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
Colleenhungupt hi
nki
ngaboutwhatAnay ahadsaid
butt hethoughtofstar
ti
ngabusinesst hatwill
tur
n
i
nt oasuccessseemedt oof
arfetchedt hatshe
shookherheadandwal kedtot
heki tchenwher eshe
startedcooking.

Ay anast
eppedinsi
dethecarholdingtheboxofher
newphonewi t
hasmi le.Itwasbigandbeautif
uland
expensiv
e.Shecouldalreadyseehersel
ftaki
ng
pictur
eswit
hit.
“
Youshoul
dmakesur
eyoursi
sterdoesn’
tseei
t.
”
Shelookedathi
m.“Shewon’t
,af
tertheweddi
ngshe
wil
lbemov i
ngsoshewon’tseei
t.”
“
Good.
”
Hestart
edthecaranddroveoffheadingtohi
s
f
ri
end’shousetheyusual
lywentto.Hisphonerang,
t
heybothlookedatthecall
erI
Dbef or
ehehung
swi
tchi
ngof
fthephone.
“
Whoi
sthat
?”
“
Noone.
”
“
Thenwhydi
dyouhangupPul
e?”
Pul
elookedather
.“I
sthatj
eal
ousyIam sensi
ng?
”
“
Whoi
sYaone?
”
“
Isai
dnoone.
”
“
Arey
oucheat
ingonme?
”
“
Ayanast
opannoy
ingme.
”
“
Youar
echeat
ing.
”
Pul
epar
kedt
hecari
nfr
ontoft
hel
odge.
“
Thatwasmycol
l
eague.
”
“
Thenwhydi
dyouanswerhercal
l
?”
“
BecauseIdi
dn’
tthi
nki
twasnecessar
y.”
Shet
hrewhi
mthephoneandst
eppedoutoft
hecar
.
“
Idon’
twantt
odot
hisany
mor
e,Iam done.
”
“
Ayana!
”
Ayanawal
kedtowar
dst
her
oadangr
il
y.Pul
e
gr
abbedherar
m.
“
Stop!
”
“
LetgoofmeorIwi
l
lscr
eam r
ape.
”
Pulesi
ghed.“
Iam sor
ry,
it’
sagi
rlImetcomi
ngher
e.
Igaveherali
ft
.”
“
Andy
ournumber
?”
“Iwast
ryi
ngtobeni
ce.
”Hewipedateart
hathadrun
downhercheekwi
thhi
sthumb.“
Iam sor
ry,
for
giv
e
me.”
Shesul
kedst
ari
ngatt
hegr
ound.Pul
epul
l
edupher
chi
n.
“Iam sor
rybabe,
itwi
l
lnev
erhappenagai
n.I
promise.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Ok.
”
Pul
etookherhandandl
edheri
nsi
det
hehouse.

TWOWEEKSLATER…
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#54
TwoWeeksLat
er…

Anayasatinfr
ontoft
hemirrorast
hemakeup
ar
ti
stfi
nishedwit
hhermakeup.
“
Wear
edone.
”
Anayal
ookedatherr
efl
ect
ion,
simpl
eyetf
lawl
ess.
Shesmil
ed.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Justdoi
ngmyj
ob.
”
Hermot
herwal
kedi
nwi
tht
heweddi
ngpl
anner
.
“
Mybaby
…”
Anayasmi l
edlookingathermotherthr
ought
he
mir
rortr
yingtoblinkawayhertears.
“
Mama…”
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ulmybaby
.”
“Weshouldgetgoi
ng.It
’saboutt
ostar
t.
”Tsit
sisai
d
withasmi l
e.“
Thi
sisthebestweddi
ngIhaveever
planned.
“
Iti
s.Nay
aIam happyf
ory
ou.
”
Ayanawal
kedi
nherbeaut
if
uldr
ess.Shedi
dn’
tlook
16.
“
Wow!
”
Theyal
ll
aughedst
ari
ngather
.Shel
ookedatAnay
a
andsmil
ed.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul,
uncl
eMi
guel
isgoi
ngt
ofai
nt.
”
“
Hei
s.Mydaught
eri
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Ok,
weshoul
dgetgoi
ng.
”
“
CanIhav
eamoment
?”
Theyall
lookedatAnay abefor
etheywalkedout .She
wasabouttowal kdownt heai
sleandstil
lhad
doubt
s.Herphonev ibr
atedandshet ookital
ready
swipi
ngthescreen.Sheopenedt hewhatsapp
messageandcl
ickedont
hevideo.Herhear
tski
pped
ast
hev i
deost
artedpl
ayi
ng.

*
***
*

Anaya’sandMi guel’srelat
ivesfi
lledthechair
satt he
eventgardenchat t
ingwi thoneanot her.Mokwena
andhiswi f
ewal kedt otheirseats.Soonev er
yone
wassitted,Miguelwal kedinwi t
hhi steam dr
essed
smartl
y.Alltheladiesst ar
edast heyst oodatthe
fr
ont.
“I
fBKwasn’tmycousi
nIswearIwoul
dhavefucked
hi
m.”OneoftheMokwenarel
ati
vesai
dtohersist
er
andt
heylaughed.
“Ihaveal
wayshadacrushonhi
m butnev
ergott
he
chancetogetcl
oset
ohim.”
“
Ihear
dthegi
rlhe’
smar
ryi
ngi
shot
.”
“
Shei
s,Thaboshowedmeherpi
ctur
e.”
Theycont
inuedtal
ki
nglaughi
ngwhileadmiri
ngthe
men.Yaonewalkedinwit
hafriendandtheysatat
t
heempt
yseat
s.
“Wow!Al
lthi
speopl
eareher
ejustforthe
weddi
ng?”
Sheaskedherf
ri
endlookingatthecr
owd
si
tt
ed.
“
Yes,
theMokwena’
sar
eabi
gfami
l
y.”
“
Andt othinkmyot
hercousi
nthoughtshewoul
dget
Miguel
,i
t’sashame.
”
Theybothl
aughed.“
Haveyouseent
hatman’
swi
fe
tobe?Thatgi
rli
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Iknow.Idon’
tev
enknowwhatshewast
hinki
ng.
”
“If
eelspeci
albei
ngher
e,If
eel
li
keat
opcl
ass
person.
”
Yaonelaughedthentur
nedasTheodor
awal
kedt
oa
si
tinf
rontofthem andsatdown.
“
Cousi
e!”
Theodor
atur
nedandl
ookedatYaonewi
thaf
rown.
“
Yaone.
”
“
Howar
eyou?
”
Theodorasmi l
ed.“ Iam good. ”Shet ur nedher
att
entionbackt othef r
onttakingoutherphone
boredbyYaone’ spr esence.Shel ookedatt heti
me, i
t
wasal moststarti
ng.Shel ookedatt hef ancy
decorati
onsandsi ghed.I twasanexpensi ve
weddingandonl yf i
lledwi t
hfancypeopl e.Everyone
l
ookedonpoi nt,shet uckedherweav ebehi ndher
earlooki
ngatt heel egantlydressedpeopl e.Hereyes
fel
lonMi guel
,shesuckedherbr eath,hewasev en
mor eatt
racti
veandshecoul dt el
l everyf emalewas
l
ookingathim pr obabl yenvyingAnay a.
Agangstoodbesi
dehi
sbrot
herst
ari
ngatt
hecr
owd.
Hesighedchecki
ngt
heti
me.
“
Sheisprobabl
ydoinghermakeup.”Agang
whi
sper
edt oMiguelandt
heylaughed.
“
Knowi
ngher
,shepr
obabl
ydi
dither
sel
f.
”
“Ican’
tbel
i
evey
ouar
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed,
it’
shar
dto
beli
eve.
”
“
Youshoul
dlear
nfr
om t
hebest
.”
Meanwhi
l
eKennethlookedintot
hecrowdsear
chi
ng
f
orhiswi
fe.Shewasprobablyst
il
lathomeormay
be
atchurch,hecoul dn’
tbesureany more.Asecond
l
ater,Rachelwal kedini
nabeaut if
ulreddr essthat
huggedhercur ves.Kennethadmi r
edherasshe
smil
edwear ingherr edl
ipsti
ck.Itmadeherev en
morebeaut i
ful
, heremember edthefirstdayhemet
her,
shehadbeenwear i
ngthesamer edlipsti
ck.
Theylockedey esandshesmi l
edathi m.Behi ndher
wasLone.Hewat chedthem chatt
ingast heysat
down.
“
Yout hi
nkshewi
l
lcauset
roubl
e?”Vi
nceasked
Miguel.
“
No.
”

*
***
*

Mar angscroll
edthr
oughf acebookandcameacr oss
afacebookf ri
endwhohadpost edapictureof
herselfatt
heweddi ngalready
.Shecl i
ckedont he
pi
ctureandl ookedathehugecr owd.Shecouldt el
l
fr
om t hedecothatitcostanarm andal eg.Tears
fi
ll
edherey esbutshecoul dn’
tunderstandwhyshe
wascryi
ng.Hehadnev erbeenherstobei
ginwi
th.
Sheputherphonedownl ooki
ngatherson.Atl
east
shehadhersonwith,
shesmi ledandki
ssedhis
for
ehead.
“Mamalov
esyouok?Shel
ovesy
ou.YouandIar
e
goi
ngtobehappy
.”
Sheki
ssedhi
m agai
n.

*
***
*

Anay a’sheartpoundedassher e-
watchedthesex
tapeagai n.Tearsfel
ldownonhercheeksasshe
thoughtoft heemebr assingMiguelwouldbeput
through.Someonehadsenthert hevideoofher
getti
ngr aped,itwasalsoonf acebookanditwas
cir
culating.Shewonder edhowmanypeopl eatthe
weddi nghadseeni tsof ar.Herenti
rebodyshook
withfearwhi l
eherhear tpoundedhar dagai
nsther
chest.Sheknewi twasSt acy.
Shesl
owl
ysatdownandcr
ied,
hewasgoi
ngt
o
l
eaveher,shewassureofitandmaybeatthealt
er.
Justthi
nki
ngofitweakenedhercomplet
ely
.The
knockonherdoorwasget t
ingmoreandmor e
l
ouder.

*
***
*

Miguell
ookedattheti
meandsi ghed.Shewas
al
readytwent
ymi nut
eslateandpeoplewere
begi
nningtotal
k.AgangleanedovertoMiguel
putt
inghi
sphonei nhi
spocket.
“
Ther
eisapr
obl
em.
”
“
Whati
sit
?”
“Ther
eisav
ideoci
rcul
ati
ngar
ound,
appar
ent
lyi
t’
s
Anaya.
”
“
What
?”
“
Asext
ape.
”
Mi
guel
lookedatt
hecr
owd.
“
Iwantt
oseei
t.
”
“
It
’sbl
urr
y,Ican’
tev
enmakeoutasi
ngl
efacei
nthat
v
ideo.
”
Mi
guel
puthi
shandov
erhi
schest
.
“
Iwantt
oseei
t.
”
Agangsighedandt ookouthi
sphone.Heunl ocked
thescr
eenandhandedhi sbrotherthephone.Miguel
play
edthev i
deoandnar r
owedhi seyestr
yingto
makeoutt hefaces.
“
Idi
sabl
edsound.
”
Mi
guel
focusedont
hev
ideof
orawhi
l
e.
“
Shei
sresi
sti
ng?
”
“
Yes,
it’
sagangbang.Iheardmamasay
ingAnay
a
wasaprost
it
ute,
isthatt
rue?”
MiguelhandedAganghisphoneandwalkedawayas
peopletur
nedtolooktohi
m.KennethandAgang
fol
lowedbehindhim.
Hewal
kedt
othepar
kingl
otandj
umpedi
nhi
scar
.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
Shewon’
tcomebecauseshei
sscar
ed.
”
“Scaredofwhat
?Whati
sgoi
ngon?
”Kennet
hasked
confused.
“
Anay
a’ssext
apei
sgoi
ngar
ound.
”
Mi
guel
glar
edatAgangwhoi
mmedi
atel
ykeptqui
et.
“I
t’
snother
,doyouseeherf acether
e?Gobackand
keepor
derofthi
ngs.Iam coming.”
Hest
art
edt
hecarasKennet
hjumpedi
n.
“
Iam comi
ngwi
th.
”
Her
ever
sedf
rom t
hepar
kingl
otanddr
oveof
f.

*
***
*

Anay
aopenedt
hedoor
.
“Anay
a!”Hermot
hersai
dassoonasshesawher
.
Shehadtakenof
fthedr
ess.
“
Nay
awhati
sgoi
ngon?
”
Anayalookedathersi
sterast
ear
srandownher
cheeks.
“
Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Anaya!Iwil
lsl
apyour
ightnow,peopl
earewai
ti
ng,
whydoy ouwantt
oembarrassmeliket
his?
”
“
Iam sor
rymama.
”
“
Whati
sgoi
ngon?
”
Anay
alookedatTsi
tsi
whol
ookedper
plexed.
“
Iam goi
ng.
”
“Anayaifyougo,consi
deryourselfdisowned.Doyou
real
izet
hedamagey ouarecausing?Thatf amil
yis
waiti
ngforus.MyGod…”Hermot herputherhand
overherchest.“
Doy ouwanttokillme?Getback
andputony ourdress.
”
Anayashookherhead.“
Iam sor
ry.Tsi
tsi
bor
rowme
yourcar
.”
“Anay
awhatarey oudoi
ng?Ever
yoneiswai
ti
ng.You
can’
tleav
e,whataboutuncl
eMiguel
?”
“
Ihav
etogoAy
ana.
”
Shetookt
hecarkeysfr
om Tsi
tsi
andr
ushedtoher
car
.Shedrov
eoffheadi
nghome.Apartofher
wantedtocallhim butatthesamet i
me, shedidn’t
wanttoknowwhathewoul dt hinkofher.Tear s
burnedhereyesasshedr ov e.Itfeltasi
fshewasi n
amov ieandshewast hegirlaboutt obeki l
led.Her
phonev i
brat
edf r
om herpocketl i
keithadbeen
doi
ngf orawhile.Sheignoredi tdri
v i
nginsidethe
gateinBroadhurst.
Therel
ati
veswhohadstayedbehi
ndl
ookedather
asshesteppedoutoft
hecar.
“
Anay
a,whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
Sheignor edthem andrushedinsidethehouse.She
tookoutherhugesui tcaseandt hrewherwork
clot
hesi nsi
deandshoes.Shecl osedthebagonceit
wasf ul
landgr abbedhertravel
ingdocument sand
workdocument sbeforewalki
ngout .Sheput
everyt
hinginsidethebootanddr ov eoutoft
heyard
l
eavingdusti ntheair.

*
***
*
Miguelpar
kedthecari
nfr
ontofl
odgetheyhad
bookedandgotoff
.HemetAyanabythedoordoor
whowascr yi
ng.
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Nay
alef
t.
”
“
Lef
ttowher
e?”
Sheshr
uggedst
il
lcr
ying.Hewal
kedinsi
dethelodge
andwenttot
heroom wheret
heyhadbeenprepari
ng
i
n.Hergownwasonthebed.
“
Mr.Mokwena,
”theweddi
ngpl
annerwal
ked
t
owardshi
m.
“
Wher
edi
dshego?
”
“
Shej
ustl
eft
.Isi
taboutt
hev
ideoci
rcul
ati
ng?
”
Heignor
edherandwal
kedoutanswer
inghi
sri
ngi
ng
phone.
“
Papa,
”
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Anay
aismi
ssi
ng.
”
“
Wher
edi
dshego?
’
“
Idon’
tknow,
Iam l
ooki
ngf
orher
.”
“
Whatsor
tofgamesi
sthi
sgi
rlpl
ayi
ng?
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ofi
ndher
.”
Hehungandapproachedt
hecarwher
eKennet
hwas
t
alki
ngonthephone.
“
Anyl
uck?
”
“
No.
”
Theygoti
nthecarandMi
guelt
riedhernumber
agai
n.Thi
sti
mesheanswered.
“
Babe,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok,
comeback,
let
’st
alkaboutt
his.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Theyar
egoi
ngt
oshamey
ou.
”
“
Idon’
tcar
e,Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Iam goi
ng.Iam att
heai
rpor
t.
”
“
Anay
a.”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Shehungupbef or
ehecouldsayanot herword.He
putawaythephoneandsteppedont heaccelerator
headedtotheai
rport
.Minuteslat
erheparkedhi s
carandstepedoutunbut
toninghisj
acket.Helooked
aroundwalki
ngtocheckpoint.
“
Hi,
aret
her
eanf
li
ght
swhi
chj
ustf
lewout
?”
“Yes,
oneleftminutesagotoSout
hAfr
ica,
anot
her
oneisleav
ingintenminutest
oNamibi
a.”
“
Canyoupl
easecheckacer
tai
npassengeront
he
l
i
st.
”
“
Iam sor
ry,
Ican’
tdot
hat
.It
’sconf
ident
ial
i
nfor
mati
on.”
“
Iam beggi
ngy
ou.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.Iwantt
ohel
pyoubutIcan’
t.
”
Miguel
steppedawaydi
ali
ngAnayaagai
nbutthis
t
imeherphonedidn’
tgothr
ough.Hewalkedoutand
satont
hepav
ementandl
aughedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef.
“
Hi,
arey
ouok?
”
Hel
ookedupt
oawomanwhowassmi
l
ingathi
m.
“Youl
ookedlostint
her
e,wedon’
twanty
ou
committ
ingsuici
desoarey
ouok?”
Hesmil
edandshookhishead.“
Myf
iancéj
ustl
eft
andi
t’
sourweddi
ngtoday.
”
“
Wow!Idi
dn’
texpectt
hat
,wher
edi
dshego?
”
“
Idon’
tknow,
bet
weenSAandNami
bia.
”
Shesatont
hepav
ementbesi
deherandsi
ghed.
“
Whathappened?
”
“
It
’sal
ongst
ory
.”
“
Iam sor
ryforwhaty
ouar
egoi
ngt
hrough.Byt
he
way
,Iam Refi
lwe.
”
“
Miguel
.”
.
.
.
TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#55

Miguelwal
kedi
nsidethehousel
atei
ntheev
eni
ng,
Coll
eenimmedi
atelyst
oodupandhuggedhi
m.
“
Hey
,wewer
ewor
ri
ed.
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
Mrs.Mokwenastoodupandintr
ospect
edhi
m.
“Wher
eisthatgi
rl
?Iam hear
ingther
eisavi
deo
goi
ngaround.
”
“
It
’snother
.Iam t
ir
ed,
Iam goi
ngt
obed.
”
“Wearegoi
ngtotal
ktoherf
amil
ytomorr
ow,what
happenedt
odaywasthewor
stembarr
assment
.”
Mokwenasaidst
andi
ngup.
“
Iam goi
ngt
obed.
”
Mi
guelwal
kedtohi
sbedroom andsatont
hebed
wi
thhi
sfacei
nhishands.
“
Didy
out
alkt
oher
?”
Mi
guel
lookedatAgangwal
ki
ngi
n.
“
Yes.
”
“What
’sherexcuse,
Iam sur
eifi
twasn’
thert
hen
shewouldn’
thaveareasont
ohide.
”
“Agangonemor
ewordagainstAnayaandIwi
l
l
punchhardy
ouwil
lfl
ybacktoTanzani
a.”
“
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odonow?
”
“
Iwi
l
lfi
ndher
.Ij
ustneedt
orestr
ightnow.
”
“
Ok.
”
Agangwal kedoutasMi gueltookouthisphone.He
checkedherlastseenonwhat sappandithadbeen
i
nt hemor ni
ng.Somehowhecoul dunderst
andwhat
shemi ghthavebeengoingt hrough,t
hehumi l
iat
ion
andembar assment.Shemi ghthav efel
tasifshe
didn’
thaveachoice.Hev iewedherpr ofi
l
epictur
e,it
waspi ct
ureofbothofthem.Tear sfi
l
ledhiseyesas
het r
iedtothi
nkofwhathecoul dhavedonet oavoi
d
herfleei
ng.
“
Shi
t!
”Hegr
ant
edat
earf
ell
.
Hi
sphoner
angandhequi
ckl
yanswer
ed.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hav
eyouf
oundher
?”Vi
nceasked.
“
No.
”
“
Whoeverpost
edt
hatv
ideowant
edwhathappened
t
ohappen.
”
“Ican’tthi
nkofany
onewhowoul
dwantt
ohur
t
Anay a.”
“
Thatvi
deoshowedr
apeandi
thasbeent
akendown
f
acebook.
”
Mi
guel
sighed.“
Ineedt
ofi
ndher
.”
“
Thereist
hisdudeIknow,
hei
sapr
ivat
e
i
nvest
igat
or.
”
“Gi
vemehi
snumber
.Sheei
therwentt
oNami
biaor
SA.
”
“Orshedidn’
tleaveatall
,shehastwocompani es
thatneedherandherjobt oo.Fr
om whatyoutold
meIdon’ tt
hinksheskippedthecountr
y.Sheis
probablyhi
didngsomewher eandifsheactual
l
y
skippedthecountr
y,sheisgoingtocomeback.”
“Youar
eri
ghtbutIneedtoknowwher
eshei
s.I
don’
twanthert
oactstupi
d.”
“
Iwi
l
lsendhi
snumberj
ustnow.
”
“
Ok.
”

*
***
*

Anaya’
smot
herputherphonedownshaki
ngher
head.
“
Whathasthi
schi
l
ddone?Howam Igoi
ngt
oface
t
heworl
d?”
“Thosepeoplear
egoingtodemandt hei
rmoney
back,Ihopeyoudidn’
tsquanderi
t.
”Hersist
er
responded.
Anaya’
smot herdi
aledherdaughter
’snumberagain
buti
tsti
ll
saidthenumberwasunav ai
l
able.She
coul
dn’
tsleepnotknowingwher eherdaughterwas.
“
Mama,
youshoul
dcomeandl
i
edownf
orawhi
l
e.”
Ay
anahel
pedhermot
heroutoft
hesi
tt
ingr
oom
wheret
heot
herr
elat
iveswher
eandl
edhert
oher
bedr
oom.
“
Ayana,
wher
edi
dyoursi
stergo?
”
Ay anasadlywatchedhermotherweep.Shewant ed
tot el
lhershehadseenAnaya’sjoblet
ter,shehad
beent ransf
err
edtoSAbutatt hesamet imeshe
didn’tknowiftel
li
ngwastherightdeci
sion.Surel
yif
Anay awantedpeopletoknowshewoul dhav etol
d
them.
“
Mama,
sleep.Anay
awi
l
lbeback.
”
“
Godwhathav
eIdonet
odeser
vet
his?
”
Ayanabli
nkedawayhert earsashermot hercried.
Nowshewonder edwhyAnay ahadleft
,wasi t
becauseofthevideoonf acebookbutthenatt he
samet i
me,thatvideowasbl urr
y,shetoocouldn’ t
tel
lwhowasi nthepictur
e.Shehel pedhermot hert o
bedandwalkedoutcl osi
ngt hedoorbehindher .She
unl
ockedherbedr oom doorandwal kedin,Lethabo
wasstil
lawake.
“
Whyar
eyouhi
dingt
hef
oodi
nmyr
oom?
”
“
Becausesomepeopl
est
eal
food.
”
Shetookoffhershoesandsatont
hebedst
ari
ngat
herphone.
“
IsAnay
agoi
ngt
ocomeback?
”
“
YesLet
habo.
”
“
Theysai
dsher
anaway
.”
‘
Shei
scomi
ngback.
”
“
Imi
ssheral
ready
.”
“
Shewi
l
lbeback.Youneedt
osl
eep.
”
Herphoner
angandshej
umpedanswer
ing.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Actnormal
andwal
kawayi
fyouar
esur
roundedby
people.
”
Sheclear
edherthr
oatandwalkedoutgoingt
othe
bat
hroom wher
eshelockedhersel
finsi
de.
“
Nay
a,mamai
scr
ying,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Ihav
etogoawayf
orawhi
l
e.”
Tear
sfi
l
ledAy
ana’
sey
es.
“
Whatwi
l
lwedo?
”
“
Youhav
emama,
youwi
l
lbef
ine.
”
Tear
srol
l
eddownhercheeks.
“
Butweneedy
ou.
”
“
AyanaIknowandIwi
l
lbet
her
ebutnotcl
oset
o
y
ou.”
Sheclosedhermouthsobbi
ng.Hear
ingherv
oice
tr
igger
edeveryt
hing.
“
Pleasecomeback.
”
“Iwi
ll
,butnotnow.Iam wor
kingsoIwi
l
lkeep
prov
idi
ngforyou.”
“
Whatabouty
ourbusi
nesses?
”
“Iam ontopofevery
thi
ng.Idon’
twantyoucry
ing.
Youar enowthebiggir
landyouhavetokeepaneye
onLethabo.Am Icl
ear?”
Shenodded.
“
Ican’
tseey
ou.
”
“
Iheary
ou.
”
“Good.Ifyoudot hingsthatyoushoul dn’tbedoing,
youwillber ui
ningyourownf ut
ure.Idon’tknow
whatwillhappent oy oubuty ouwi l
lpeobablyendup
l
ikeGont l
e,Lalah’ssi
ster.Iwanty outofocuson
school,
got ohi ghschool andpasst hengoand
studynursing.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Good.Don’
ttel
lany
oneaboutt
hiscal
lam Icl
ear
?”
“
Yes.
”
“Good.Ilovey ouallsomuchandIknowIam not
alwaysthebestsi ster,Isometi
mesmakebad
decisi
onsbuti t’
sbecausemostoft heti
meIdon’ t
hav eachoice.Ilovey ouallandev ery
thi
ngIdo, Ido
i
tf oryou.Idon’twanty oumaki ngbaddeci sionsi
n
l
ifebecausey oudon’ thav eachoice.Iwanty outo
l
iveanor mal happyl i
feandIwi l
ldoev er
ythinginmy
powert omakesur ethathappens.”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
“
Ok,
bye.Del
etet
hisnumber
.Iwi
l
lcal
lagai
n.”
“
Arey
ouok?
”
“
Yes,
Iam f
ine.By
e.”
Ayanaputherphonedownandsighedwi
thr
eli
ef
befor
ewalki
ngoutofthebat
hroom.

*
***
*

Lonewal
kedi
nsi
deherhouset
alki
ngont
hephone.
“
Ican’
tbel
i
eveshedi
dn’
tshowup.
”
“
Appar
ent
lyshei
smi
ssi
ng.
”
Lonelaughed.“That
’sMi guel
’
skarmaaf t
ertheway
hetreatedme.Andal soAnaya’s,
shelostthatbaby
ofhers.Theythoughttheycouldbehappyont opof
mytears.”
“
Iact
ual
l
yfeel
sor
ryf
orAnay
a.”
“
Idon’tRachel
,Idi
dn’
tknowshewasaprost
it
ute.
Wit
ht hewaysheusedtoact
,onewoul
dswearshe
wasinnocent.
”
“
Wedon’
tknowt
hatf
orsur
e.”
“I
tis.Ifitwasn’tt
ruesheshoul
dhav eshowedupfor
herownweddi ng.NowIdoubtthatbabywas
Miguel’s.Shemusthav ebeenwhori
ngar oundt
hen
sai
dt hebabywashi s.
”
“
Idon’
tknowaboutt
hat
.”
“Iknow,shei
saliar
.Hewasfool
edbyherbeaut
if
ul
face.Ial
waysknewshewasasnake.Nowheis
goingtocomebacktome.”
“
WhataboutTshepo?
”
“Rachely
oucan’
tex
pectmetoletgoofmyman.
ThisisGodgi
vi
ngusanot
herchance.
”
“
Ithi
nky
oushoul
dletgooft
hatt
hought
.”
“Whyshoul
dI?Hei
sgoi
ngt
ocomebackonhi
s
own.
”
“
Ihav
etogo,
tomor
rowIam goi
ngt
ochur
ch.
”
“
Okl
ove,
bye.
”
Shehungupandwal kedinsi
dehersit
ti
ngroom wit
h
asmile.Shecoul
dn’
tstopthinki
ngabouthav
ingher
manback, Godknewshemi ssedhi
sbadass.She
putherbagdownassomeoneknockedonherdoor .
I
twasbeyondl
ate,
shewonder
edwhoi
twal
ki
ng
t
owardst
hedoorandopeni
ngi
t.
“
Tshepo!
”
Hesmil
ed.“Yourgatewasopen,
youshoul
dmake
sur
eyoucloseitatal
lti
mes.
”
“
Ifor
got
.”
Shelethi
mi nsi
dethehouseandsighedtr
yingt
o
comeupwi thwhattosay.Shecoul
dn’tr
eall
ysay
theyweredati
ngorwherethey?
“
Ibr
oughtusf
oodandal
sodownl
oadedy
ourser
ies.
”
“
TshepoIdon’
tthi
nkIcandot
hisany
mor
e-
what
everi
tis.
”
Hest
oppedsmi
l
ing.
“
What
’swr
ong?
”
“
Nothi
ng,
myexandIaregoi
ngt
ofi
xthi
ngs.Idon’
t
wantt
ostr
ingy
oual
ong.”
Hesighed.“
IguessIshoul
dbegl
adt
haty
ouar
e
honest
.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok.Thanks.
”
Hewalkedoutaft
erput
tingt
hef oodandUSBstick
down.Lonesadl
ywatchedhim walkoutbutshe
knewMiguelhat
edshari
ngorfeelingasi
fhewas
shar
ingsoshehadtogetheractright
.

*
***
*

Sar onast oodint hemiddleofthehousest ar i

ngat
not hi
ngt hef ol
lowingdayinthemor ning.Shewasal l
alonei naf or
eigncountr
y,shefeltmor elonelythan
bef ore.Hermi ndwonder edofftoherki ds,shehad
l
ef tthem al lal
one.Tearsfil
l
edherey esasshe
thoughtofJuni orandMapul a.Theywer etooy oung
tober ai
sedbyanot herwoman.Shedi dn’twanther
kidsgr owi ngupnotr emember i
ngher.Shet ookher
phoneanddi aledPule’
snumberwi ththel i
ttl
e
airti
meshehad.
Hi
sphoner
angforawhil
eunanswer
edt
hena
f
emal
eanswer
edatlast
.
“
Hel
l
o?”
Sar
onapausedandcheckedi
fitwast
her
ight
number
.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
canIspeakt
oPul
e.”
“
Who’
sthi
s?”Thef
emal
erespondedwi
that
ti
tude.
“Hi
swife,i
fyouknowwhat
’sgoodfory
ou,y
ouar e
goi
ngtogivemyhusbandbackhi
sphonebecauseI
wil
lsueyou.”
Shehear
dPul
eint
hebackgr
ound.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Soy
oual
readyhav
eabi
tch?
”
“
Whatdoy
ouwantSar
ona?Tanzani
atoobor
ingf
or
y
ou?”
“
Iwantt
ost
aywi
tht
heki
ds.
”
“
Youarecrazy
,youar
enott
aki
ngmyki
ds,
for
get
t
hatone.
”
“
Pul
e,t
heyneedme!
”
“Theydon’tneedyou,
Iwil
lrai
semyki
dsalone.I
don’tneedyou.St
aywithAgangandmakeyourown
ther
e.”
“
Pul
eyouar
enotbei
ngf
airr
ightnow.
”
“Unfair
?Ar eyouseri
ouslygoingtotal
kabout
unfair
ness?What ’
sunfairisyouleavi
ngyourown
kidsfordick.What’
sunfairisyoubreaki
ngaper f
ect
familyandnowmyki dshav etogrowupwi t
h
separatedparent
s.Doy our eal
izehowunfai
rthat
i
s? ”
“SojustbecauseIdon’
tlov
eyouany
mor
eIshoul
d
suff
er?Youar epat
heti
cPule.
”
“Youar
estil
lnotgett
ingthekids.Takemet ocourti
f
youwantto,Iknowyouar eunemployed.Andeit
her
way,t
hecourtwon’tgruntyoufull
custodysogo
aheadandtr
yi t
.”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.
”
“
Lif
eisnotf
air
.”
Hehungandshesi
ghedt
ear
ful
l
y.Al
lshecoul
dthi
nk
ofwer
eherki
ds.
*
***
*

Stacy
’sneighborwalkedi
nsi
dehery ar
dholdingan
emptybowl lat
einthemorni
ng.ShepassedSt acy
’s
RunXwhi chwasdamagedpr oceedingtothedoor
wheresheknockedont hedoor.Shecouldhear
musicplayi
nginsi
de.Sheknockedagain.
“St
acy!I
t’
sMmagweT,
Iam aski
ngf
oracupof
sugar
.”
Therewassilence.Shecall
edagainev enl
ouderbut
thesil
encehadhert ur
ning.Shelookedatthedoor
agai
nassomet hi
ngpushedhert otrythedoorknob.
Shelookedaroundandt ri
edopeningthedoor ,
it
openedandshewasi mmedi at
elymetbySt acy
hangingfr
om theceili
ng.
Shescr
eamedr
unni
ngout
.

*
***
*
Lateron,t
hepol
iceaskedt
henei
ghborafew
questi
onsthenwalkedi
nsi
det
hehouselooki
ngat
thescene.
“
Sheki
ll
edherself
.”Anoffi
cersai
dpicki
ngupher
l
ett
erf
rom t
hefloorthenbeganreadi
ngitl
oud.
“MamaIam sorr
yfordoi
ngt
his,
Iam t
ir
edofthi
sli
fe.
Pleaset
akecar
eofmydaughter
.Il
oveyou.
”
Anot
herof
fi
cel
ookedatt
hechai
ront
hef
loor
.
“
Itwaspr
obabl
ybecauseofaman.
”
“Thisday sthat’
sall t
heydo, kil
l t
hemsel vesf aki
ng
depression.Ther eisnothi
ngl ikedepressi on,theydo
thi
st othemsel ves.Howdoy ougeti nar el ati
onship
withaper sonwhowi l
ldonot hingbuthur ty ou?”The
offi
cersshookt heirheads.Theyl ookedar oundt he
houseandf oundnot hingatal l
.Thenei ghborwho
hadwi tnessedherwasst i
llcrying.Acrowdhad
alr
eadygat heredar oundthehouse.Thet eam f r
om
theforensicswal kedinwithadet ecti
veandgot
i
nsidet hehouse.
*
***
*

Miguel
wal
kedoutofhi
sbedroom tal
ki
ngt
othe
phonewhi
l
eholdi
ngsomeclothes.
“
Iwi
l
lfi
ndher
,tr
ustme.
”
“
Ok,
thanks.
”
“
Sur
e.”
Heputhi sphoneawayandwal kedt
ohisbacky ar
d
wherehet hrewthecl
othesonthegroundand
pouredpetrolov
erthem bef
oreli
ght
eningthem up.
Hewal kedbackinsi
dethehouseandsatinfrontof
theTV.
Col
leenhadwentbackt oherhouseandherpar ent
s
wereatAnay a’
shouse.Hehadspokent ohisfat
her
onhowt ohandlethesit
uati
on,thel
astthi
nghe
wantedwast oscareheroff
.Theint
ercom rangand
hepressedgate’sr
emote.Secondslat
er,Puleand
Vi
ncewal kedinholdi
ngsixpacksofbeer.
“
Youneedi
t.
”Vi
ncesai
dsi
tt
ingdown
Hi
sphoner
angandhet
ooki
toutal
readyopeni
nga
canofbeer
.
“
Yah?
”
“Hi
,it
’sRef
il
we,
Ijustwant
edt
omakesur
eyouar
e
sti
l
lali
ve.
”
“
Iam f
ine,
thanks.
”
“
Idi
dn’tsl
eeplastni
ghtt
hinki
ngmay
bey
ouki
l
led
y
oursel
f.ThankGod!”
Mi
guel
laughed.“
Iam good.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Shehungasbot
hPul
eandVi
ncest
aredathi
m.
“
Alr
eadyr
epl
acedAnay
a?”
“
No!
”

*
***
*

Col
leenst
aredatherphoneforawhilet
henf
inal
l
y
cal
l
edhim whil
eherheartpounded.
“
Col
l
een?
”
“
Hey
,canwet
alk?
”
“
Yeah?
”
Shesighed.“
Iknowy oudi
dn’thaveashif
tlastni
ght
butchosetofi
lli
nforyourcoll
eague,
Vinceareyou
avoi
dingme?”
“
Nowhywoul
dI?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Youhav
ebeendi
stantl
atel
y.
”
“Col
leenIfeelli
keIcan’tvoi
ceouthowIfeel without
youmaki ngitaboutyou.Youdon’
tevenconsi dermy
feel
i
ngssoIhav edecidedtogi
veyouabr eak.We
needabr eakplusthi
nkingofMiguelmakesmet i
red.
Idon’twanttofight
.”
“
Ist
hisbecauseofmydaught
er?
”
“
No,
lookIam atwor
kand-
“
“I
fy ouwanttobreakupwit
hmesayso,Iam not
goingtofor
cey outost
ickwit
hme.Ihat
ethi
srun
around.
”
“
Weneedabr
eakf
rom eachot
her
.”
Col
l
eensatdownherbed.
“
Okf
ine.
”
“
Bye.
”
“
Doy
ouwantmet
omov
eoutofy
ourhouse?
”
“
No,youcanst
aytil
lyourleaseends.I
fyouwantt
o
moveouti
t’
syourchoicebutIam notgoi
ngtopay
r
entanymor
e.”
“
Ican’
tbel
iveIagreedt
omov
ingf
rom myoner
oom
t
hatIcoul
daffor
d.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
What
ever
.”
Shehungupandt hrewherphonedownf eel
ing
down.Shehadn’tgottenthej
obanditwasbeginni
ng
tofrust
rat
eher.ShelookedAngelpeacef
ull
y
sleepi
ngandremember edPeo.Whatabubblychil
d.
Shet
ookherphoneandcal
l
edTshepo.
“Hi
,it
’sCol
leeni
ncaseyouforgot.CanIpl
ease
speaktoPeoforafewsecondsifit’
sok.
”
“
Yeah.Andy
es,
Idor
emembery
ou.
”
Hewai
tedf
oracoupl
eofseconds.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
HeyPeo,
it’
sme,
aunt
yCol
l
een.
”
“
Momma?
”
“
UhhI
-“
“Imi
ssedyouory
oudon’
twantt
obemymommy
anymore?
”
Coll
eensi
ghedsadl
y.“
Ido,i
fyourdadall
owsy
ou,
youcancomeovertoseemyAngel her
einmy
house.
”
“
Real
l
y?I
sshebi
g?”
“
No,
shei
sjustababy
.”
“
Ili
kebabi
es.
”
“
Iam sur
e.Ij
ustwant
edt
osayhi
,howi
sgr
anny
?”
“
Daddyt
ookhert
othef
arm wi
thanur
se.
”
“
Oh,
ok.
”
“
Youshoul
dvi
sitme,
Daddyandaunt
yBonno.
”
“
Aunt
yBonno?
”
“
Yes,
shet
akescar
eofmeanddaddy
.”
Col
l
eenexgal
ed.“
Ok,
wel
l
,wewi
l
ltal
kagai
n.’
“
Ok,
Ilov
eyou.
”
Col
l
eenfr
ozeoverwhel
medt
henf
inal
l
yfor
cedt
he
wor
dsoutofhermouth.
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Coll
eenhungupwonder i
ngwhatkindofper
sonwas
Bonno,shecouldn’
thel
pbutlaughather
sel
f,she
wasfeeli
ngjeal
ousitannoy
edher.Amessage
repor
tedinherphone.
Tshepo:
Bonnoi
sthenanny
.Thanky
ouf
orcal
l
ing.
Shereadthemessageandf
orsomer
easonsi
ghed
wit
hreli
ef.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#56
FourMont
hsLat
er…
Theri
ngi
ngphonewokeMi
guel
.Hesl
owl
ygotup
andanswer
ed.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Mr.Mokwena,y
ouhav eameet
ingwi
tht
he
sharehol
der
sintwent
yminut
es.
”
“Shi
t!
”Hejumpedofft
hebedl
ooki
ngatt
het
ime,
he
hadover
slept
,agai
n.
“Iam comi
ng,
ifIdon’
tar
ri
veont
ime,
stal
lthem.I
am onmyway .
”
“
Yessi
r.
”
Hethrewhisphoneonthebedandrushedtot
he
bat
hroom.Het ookashowerbef
orechangi
ngi
nto
hi
ssuitandwalkingout
.Hi
sphonerangassoonas
hegotinhi
scar .
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Whereareyou?Ij
ustpassedbyy
ourof
fi
ce,
I
want
edtoseeyou.
”
Hest
art
edt
heengi
net
henr
ever
sedoutoft
hegat
e
bef
oredr
ivi
ngof
fheadedt
owor
k.
“
Iam r
unni
ngl
ate.
”
“
What
’sgoi
ngonwi
thy
ou?
”
“
Kencanwet
alkl
ater
,Iam dr
ivi
ng.
”
“
Ok,
weneedt
otal
k.Youcan’
tcar
ryonl
i
ket
his.
”
Miguelhungandputhisphonedown.Hesteppedon
thebreaksashealmostdrovethr
ougharedtr
aff
ic
l
ightandthattoo,
almosthit
ti
ngapersonwhowas
crossi
ngtheroad.
“Shit
!Getyoursel
ftoget
herMi guel
!”Hemumbledt
o
himselfr
oll
ingdownt hewindowt olookatt
he
person.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Hegavehim athumbsupandcr ossed.Minuteslater
,
hewaspull
ingupatwor kandhewasl ate.Quickl
y
hegotof
fhiscarandwal kedi
nsi
det hebuil
ding
passi
ngbytherecept
ion.
“Mor
ning,
”Hegr
eet
edandsher
espondedwi
tha
smil
e.
Hest
eppedinsi
deandt
heel
evat
orandi
twhi
sked
hi
mtohisfl
oor.
“
Goodmorni
ngsir
,”Rebaonegr
eet
edwhi
l
ehe
wal
kedi
nhisof
fi
ce.
“
Aret
heshar
ehol
der
sready
?”
“
Yes.
”
Hereachedf
oraf
il
eandheadedoutwi
thRebaone
behi
ndhim.

Marangwalkedinsi
deheroffi
cewit
hhercoaton.
Shesmiledl
ookingatherson’
spict
ureframeand
satdown.Layl
awalkedinasecondlater
.
“
Heygi
rl
,”
“
Hey
.Youar
eback?
”
Layl
asmi
l
ed.“
Ilov
edt
hatv
acat
ion.Wer
eal
l
yneeded
i
t.”
“
Youar
egl
owi
ngt
oo.
”
“
Iam soexci
ted.Wear
eget
ti
ngt
hebaby
.”
“
Ohhh,
that
’sgr
eat
.Iam happyf
ory
ouLay
la.
”
“
Iam mor
ethanexci
ted.
”
“
Youdeser
vet
his.
”
“
Iknow,
howi
sJuni
or?
”
“
Hei
sfi
ne.Imi
sshi
m al
ready
.”
“
Hashecomey
et?
”
Marangsighedandshookherhead.“
No, Iam
worri
edabouthim.Thi
swholeAnayathingis
st
ressinghi
m out.Hehasl
ostweight
.”
“
Ithi
nky
oushoul
dmov
eonwi
thy
ourl
i
fe.
”
“
Ihav
e.”
“Noy ouhavenot.Youlovehim Icanseei tbutyou
needt omov eon.Youcan’tbeont hesideli
nes
forever
.Ifeelsor
ryforwhoeverisgoingtodatehim
atthisti
mebecauseshewi l
lonl
ybear ebound.
WhenAnay acomesbackf rom whereversheis
hidingfr
om, hewil
ljumpbackt oher.”
Marangsi
ghed.“
IknowbutGodknowsIjustwantt
o
r
aisemychil
dwithmybabydaddy.Iwantust
obea
f
ami
l
y.”
“Iknowhun,
mostbabymamaswantthatbuti
t
doesn’
tmeanthat
’swhatwi
l
lhappen.
”
“
Iknow.
”
Lay
lasmi
l
ed.“
Iwi
l
lseey
oul
ater
.”
Shewal
kedoutasMarangtookoutherphone.She
l
ookedathi
snumberforawhil
ethenfi
nall
ycall
ed
hi
m.Sheheldherbr
eat
hasitrang.
“
Mr.Mokwena’
sphonehel
l
o?”Hi
sPAanswer
ed.
“
Hi,
canIspeakt
oMi
guel
,i
t’
sMar
ang.
”
“
Hei
sinameet
ing,
youcancal
laf
teranhouror
t
wo.
”
“
Ok,
thanky
ou.
”
Shehungandr
ubbedherey
es.

*
***
*

Col
l
eenwal
kedoutoft
hebui
l
dinghol
dingherl
ett
er
wit
hahugemonkeysmi l
e.Shecoul
dn’tbeli
eveshe
hadfinall
ygott
enajobafterayearofl
ooking.The
paywasn’ tmuchbutitwasenoughforher.her
phoner angasshestoppedaRunXt axiandgot
i
nside.
“
hey
,”
“
Didy
ougeti
t?”Tshepoasked.
“
Yes!Iwantt
oscream r
ightnow.Ir
eall
ythought
t
heywerenotgoi
ngtocallmeback.”
“
Iam pr
oudofy
ou.
”
“Youknowt hefir
stper
sonIwant edtocallwas
Anaya,Iknowwhatshewoul dsay.KanaNayaor at
a
madi,{
Nay alovesmoney }shewil
lsay,‘
congrat
s
Coll
eenbutr emember,save.’
”
Theybot
hlaughed.“
Sheissmar
t.Idon’
tknowher
butshei
ssmar tf
rom whaty
out
ellme.”
“
Shei
s.Imi
ssher
,shewasmyonl
yfr
iend.
”
“
Iam al
soy
ourf
ri
end.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Ofcause.
”
“
PeoandIcancomeov
eraf
terIknockandcel
ebr
ate
wi
thy
ou.”
“
Iwoul
dlov
ethat
.Angi
epr
obabl
ymi
ssesher
.”
“
Ok,
wewi
l
lbet
her
e.”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungandsmi l
ed.Finally
,shehadaj ob.Minut
es
l
ater,shest
oppedthetaxi byabusstop,paidand
steppedout
.Shetookof fherheel
sandputonf l
ip
fl
ops.Thedist
ancetoherhousewasn’ tlongbutthis
wereherfavor
it
eheels,shehadstolenthem from
Anayaonetime.Acarst oppedbyherside.
“
Hi,
”
Shel
ookedatt
hedr
iver
.
“
Hel
l
o.”
“
CanIgi
vey
oual
i
ft?
”
“
Not
hanky
ou.
”
“
Abeaut
if
ulgi
rll
i
key
oushoul
dn’
tbewal
ki
ng.
”
“
Ihaveamanandt
woki
ds,
Idon’
tneedal
i
ftf
rom
y
ou.”
“
Ok,
byt
heway
,Iam Kar
abo.
”
Shelookedatthedr
iversfacecarefull
y,hewas
handsome.Shehadn’texpectedthat.Hereyeswent
tohisexpensi
vewatch.Ar ol
ex.Hewasdef ini
tel
ya
manwi thtast
e.
“
Nicemeet
ingy
ou.
”
“
Youwon’
ttel
lmey
ourname?
”
“
No.
”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Ok,
Ihopewemeetagai
n.”
Hedroveof fwhil
eColl
eenwal kedinsi
dethegate.
Shewav edatherlandl
ordwhowaswat eri
ngher
fl
owersandwentt otheseven’squarter
s.She
openedthedoorandwal kedin,shecouldn’
tseem t
o
ri
dKarabo’sface.Hewasdef i
nitel
yacharmeranda
pl
ayer.Shecouldseeitfr
om thatslysmilet
hat
l
ookedper manentonhisface.
“
Didy
ougeti
t?”Nal
edi
askedqui
etl
yasAngel
slept
.
“
Yes,
Iam st
art
ingt
omor
row.
”
“
Iam sohappyf
ory
ou.Someofusar
est
il
ll
ooki
ng.
”
“
Iknowt
hestruggl
e.Iam notgoi
ngt
othesal
onso
y
oucanknockoff.
”
“
Ok,
thanky
ou.
”
Col
leent
ookoutaP20not
einherpur
seandhanded
i
ttoher.
“
Transpor
t.
”
Nal
edi
smi
l
ed.“
Thanky
ou.
”
Coll
eenwatchedherputonhershoesandgr abher
handbagbeforeshewal kedout .Shechangedand
l
ayont hebedscroll
ingt hroughf acebook.She
checkedAnaya’saccountbuti tst i
llwasn’
tther e,she
hadprobabl
ydeactivatedi t.Col leent r
iedthinkingof
howAnay amusthav ef eltandsi ghedsadl y.She
knewshewoul dhavedonet hesamehadshebeen
i
nAnay a’
sshoesormay beev endonewor se.Her
phonerangandsheanswer ed.
“
Mama,
”
“
Col
l
een,
howi
sAngi
e?”
“
Angi
eisf
ine,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine,
justl
onel
y.
”
“
Iwi
l
lvi
siti
nsomet
ime.
”
“Howisy
ourbr
other
?Hedoesn’
tcal
lmet
hese
days.
”
“
Hei
sfi
ne.
”
“If
eelbadforeveryt
hingIsaidtothatbr
ightgi
rl.I
fI
knewtheent i
rest
oryIwoul dn’
thavecal
ledher
names.HadIaccept edhermay beshewouldn’thave
fel
tthereasontorunaway .Sheprobabl
ythoughtwe
weregoingtoembar rassheronherweddingday .
”
“
It
’sal
li
nthepast
,Ihopeshecomesback.
”
“
Ihopesotoo,IknowMi
guel
doesn’
tlov
emeas
muchanymore.”
“
Mamat
hat
’snott
rue.
”
“
Iti
sbecausehet
alkst
ohi
sfat
herbuthedoesn’
t
t
alktome.”
“
Heisgoi
ngthroughalotsi
ncet
hePIdi
dn’
tfi
nd
Nay
a,hewil
lcomearound.”
“
Ihopeso,
Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
*
***
*

Karabodrov
einsi
dehisbr
other
’sy
ardandpar
ked
besidehi
scarandst
eppedout.
“Bame!”Heshoutedwalki
nginsi
dethehouse.He
pausedlooki
ngatthehandbagandpassportonthe
couchandlaughedsit
ti
ngdown.Hechangedt he
channelandstar
tedwatchi
ngsport
schannel.
“Whenwil
lyoulearnt
oknockandwai
tfort
hedoor
tobeopenedforyou?
”Bameaskedsi
tt
ingbesi
de
him.
“
Whenyoust
artl
ocki
ngy
ourdoor
.Who’
sbagi
s
t
his?
”
“
Nonofy
ourbusi
ness.Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
“I
sitAnaya?Shedidn’
tgetmar
ri
edbutjust
di
sappeared,nooneknowswhereshewent,ev
en
herfi
ance.”
Bamest
oodupandwal
kedt
othedoorandopenedi
t.
“
No.Youneedt
oleav
e.”
Karabosuspi
ciousl
ylookedatthehandbagthenat
thepassagel
eadingtohisbrot
her’
sdoor.Hepicked
upthepassportbutBamesnatcheditfr
om him.
“
Leav
e!”
“
Whoi
sit
?”
“
Skar
aleav
e.Iwi
l
lcal
lyou.
”
Karabosl
owlyst
oodupandl
ookedatt
hepassage
onceagai
nincuri
ousi
ty.
“
Ok,
butt
ell
me,
isi
tAnay
a?”
“
No,
nowl
eav
e.”
Karabowalkedoutandlookedbackatt
hehouseas
Bameclosedthedoor.Hewal kedt
othecarand
droveof
f.

*
***
*

Bame’
scompani
onwal
kedoutoft
hebedr
oom i
na
t
owel
secondsl
ater
.
“
Ishegone?
”
“
Yes,
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shelookedatherpasspor
tandgr
abbedi
t.“
Didhe
openit?
”
“
No,
babe,
youhav
etor
elax
.”
“BamehowdoIr
elaxwhen…”Shesi
ghedandsat
down.
“
Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Youar
enotgoi
ngany
wher
e.”
Hepul
ledherupandkissedherundoi
ngt
het
owel
andl
ett
ingi
tfal
ltoherfeet
.
“
Iam goi
ngt
ofucky
ousensel
essl
y.
”
“
Idon’
tli
ket
his,
youshoul
dlockt
hedoor
.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shesi
ghed.“
Ishoul
dgo,
whati
fhecomesback?
”
“
Youarenotgoi
nganywhere.”Hepi
ckedherupand
l
edhert
othebedroom wherehelai
dheronthebed
get
ti
ngbet
weenherl
egswhi
l
eki
ssi
ngher
.

*
***
*

Theodor
awal kedi
nsi
deheroff
icecar
ryi
ngherlunch
andsatdown.Herphonerangasshestar
tedeati
ng
andshepicked.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Emmanuelhavebeensentbackhomebecause
t
hei
rschool
feesst
il
lhasn’
tbeenpai
d.”
“
Mel
ody
,youshoul
dlear
ntogr
eetme.
”
“
Iam sor
rybutEmmanuel
needst
ogot
oschool
.”
“
Yourpr
obl
em i
sthaty
oudon’twor
k,maybei
fyou
wer
eworki
ngyouwouldhel
pwithy
ourson’
sschool
f
ees.
”
“
Iwor
kbutt hemoneyImakei snotenough.Ihave
t
opayrentandbuyfood.Iwanttotal
ktoChristi
an.
”
“
Youarenotgoi
ngtotal
ktomyhusband.Cal
lyour
mot
herin-
lawsi
nceshelov
esyousomuchorr at
her,
y
ourf
atheri
n-l
aw.
”
“
Theodor
apl
ease,
”
“
Isthereanythi
ngelse,Iam atwork,
wor
kingfor
moneyt hatIwi
llusetohelparoundmyhousehol
d
wi
th.”
“
Estheri
snotf
eeli
ngwel
l
,Ineedmoneyt
otakeher
t
othehospi
tal
.”
Theodorasi
ghed.“Iwillsendsomethi
ngbutyou
havetounderst
andt hatwedon’thavemoneyatt he
moment .Wearebuildingatmymot her
’shouse.But
fortheki
ds,Iwi
llsendmoneyt houghyouhavet o
respectme.
”
“
Thanky
ousomuch.Thanky
ou.
”
“
It
’sok,
bye.
”
Shehungupandputherf
eetont
hedoorcal
l
ingher
mother
.
“
Theo,
”
“
Mama,
howf
ari
sthehouse.
”
“
Iam sohappy
,thi
sboy
sar
eal
mostdone,
theyar
e
al
readypai
nti
ng.Thanky
oumychi
l
d.”
“
It
’sok.
”
“
Howi
syourhusband?
”
“
Hei
sfi
ne.Ihav
etogo,
Iwasj
ustchecki
ngupon
y
ou.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Shehungupandconti
nuedeati
ng.Acoll
eague
wal
kedinsi
deherof
fi
ceholdi
ngherlunch.
“
Wher
edi
dyougett
hoseshoes?
”
“
Oh?Iboughtt
hem atWool
wor
ths.
”
“Isel
lthesame,f
rom Tanzani
a.Ihav
ealadywho
suppli
esmef r
om ther
e.Howmuchdi dy
oubuy
them?”
Theodor
aputherf
eetdown.
“
P650.
”
“
Isel
lthem atP200.
”
Theodor
asmi
l
ed.“
Real
l
y?”
“
Yes.
”
“Ihavetoseey
ourst
ock,
GodknowsIneedmor
e
shoes.”
“
Youcancomeov
erbymyhouset
oday
.”
“
Ok.
”
Theodor at hought full
yl ookedathercol league,a
smal lbusinessont hesi dewoul dn’
thur t
.She
i
nnocent lygav ehercol l
eagueasmi leasshe
thoughtoft heideawi thasmi le.Sheneeded
somet hingshecoul df allonsinceshest il
lwasn’t
sureifhercont ractwasget ti
ngr enewedornot .
Christ
ianwasnott obet rusted,shest il
lcouldn’
tget
overhowhehadbeat enMel odyorhowhedi dn’
t
sendhermoneyal l becauseshet oldhim notto.He
wast het ypet odoi ttoheri ftheyev erbrokeupand
thefactt hatt heywer emar r
iedoutofcommuni tyof
properthadl ongt urnedherof f.Awhi l
elaterher
coll
eaguewal kedoutasshedi aledhim.
“
Heybabe,
”
“
Chr
ist
ian,
arey
ougoi
ngt
ocomeandpi
ckmeup?
”
“
Yes.
”
Shesi
ghed.“
Ihonest
lyneedmyowncar
.”
“
Wewi
l
lgety
ouonesoon.
”
“Youhavebeensay
ingt
hatf
orawhi
l
e,any
way
s,i
t’
s
ok,by
e.”
“
Ipr
omi
sey
ou,
Iam goi
ngt
ogeti
tfory
ou.Il
ove
y
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Shehungupwithasmi
l
eal
readyseei
ngher
sel
fina
brandnewcar
.

*
***
*

Miguel
walkedi
nsi
dearest
auranttal
ki
ngont
he
phonewit
hAgangaft
erworkhours.
“
Ithinkyoushouldst
opmaki
ngtheenti
reAnaya
i
ssuey ourpr
ior
it
y.Shewi
l
lcomebackifshewants
t
o,ifshedoesn’
twanttot
henyouwil
lmov eon.
”
“Ij
ustfeell
i
keshei
soutt
her
eandneedsmyhel
por
something.
”
“Youhonest
lythi
nkshewouldabandonhersi
bli
ngs
andmother?Theyknowwheresheisandofcause
theywon’
ttel
lyou.Youneedtomoveon.”
“
Iheary
ou.Howi
sSar
ona?
”
Agangl
aughed.“
Ist
hatagenui
nequest
ion?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Shei
sfi
ne,
sher
ecent
lyst
art
edasmal
lbusi
ness.
”
“Youaregoi
ngt
ogetboredwi
thher
,Iknowy
ouand
sheisgoi
ngtor
egr
etit
.”
Agangl
aughed.“
Ilov
eher
,cany
oubel
i
evei
nme.
”
“No,becauseIknowyouandIknowwhatyouare
goingtodo.Sheisgoi
ngtocr
ybecauseofyou.
”
“
Wear
eexpect
ing.
”
“
What
?”
“Yes,Iam goi
ngt
obeaf
ather
.Iam goi
ngt
omar
ry
her.
”
“
Iwi
l
lbuyy
ouasweeti
fyoudo.
”
Agangl
aughedev
enhar
der
.“Wai
tandwat
ch.
”
“
Look,
Iwi
l
ltal
ktoy
ou.By
e.”
Hehungandorder ed.Ami nutel
ater
,hegothi
s
t
akeawayandwal kedoutonl ytobumpint
osome
l
adybythedoor.Shel ookedupandf r
owned.
“
Hi.
”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Arey
oust
alki
ngme?
”
Shel
aughed.“
Ohpl
ease!
”
“
Isweary
ouar
e.”
“
Miguel,getov
ery
oursel
f.Wow,y
ouhav
eal
ost
wei
ght.KeeneAnaya?{I
t’
sAnay
a?}”
“
TswamogonnaRef
il
we.{
Leav
emeal
one.
}”
Shelaughed.“
Str
esssabol
aa!Bot
sanna.{
Str
ess
ki
ll
s.Askme. }
”
“
Wena?
”
Shesmil
ed.“Ial
mostdiedbecauseofst
ress.You
aresot
hinit
’sscar
ry.
”
“
Doy
ouhav
eacar
?Icangi
vey
oual
i
ft.
”
Ref
il
wesmi
l
ed.“
Not
hanks.
”
“
Iwi
ll
besav
ingy
oumoney
.Let
’sgo.Wewi
l
lshar
e
myf
ood.
”
“
Iwor
kher
e.”
Helookedbackatt
her
est
aur
ant
.“Thenwhydi
dn’
tI
seeyou?”
“Iwentout.Bye!”Shewalkedinsi
delaughingwhi l
e
hesmi l
ed.Hewal kedtohiscaranddr ovetohis
housebutonl ytocomeback.Hegotof fthecarwith
hisfoodthenwentbackt otherestaurantwherehe
satonanempt ytabl
e.Helookedatt hecounterand
sawherser vi
ngacust omer.Thei
rey esmetandhe
wavedsmi li
ng.

*
***
*

Col
leenopenedt
hedoortoTshepoandandPeo
smil
ing.Peoi
mmediat
elyr
aninsi
dethehousegoi
ng
toAngelwhowasonherwalker
.
“
Hey
.”
Tsheposmi
l
ed.“
Mrs.Empl
oyed.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Youar
elooki
ngatt
heoneandonl
y.
”
Sheopenedthedoorwiderl
ett
inghi
m wal
kin.They
watchedPeoassheplayedwit
hAngelwhi
letheysat
onthebed.
“
Ihav
eal
readycooked.
”
“
ThankGod,
Iam sohungr
y.”
Shesmi
l
edst
andi
ngupandwal
kedov
ert
oherpot
s.
“
Mama,
Angi
ecant
alk!
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
me?
”
Coll
eenlaughedatPeo’squest
ion.“
Iwaswai
ti
ngf
or
youtoseef ory
oursel
f.
”
“Shei
ssoheavy.
”Peowhi
sper
edt
ryi
ngt
opi
ckAngel
upwhowasgiggli
ng.
“
Pri
ncess,
justpl
aywi
thher
,don’
tpi
ckherup.
”
“
ButIwanthert
osi
tonmyl
ap.
”
Col
l
eendi
shedandgav
ePeoherpl
ate.
“
Howabouty
oumakehersi
tony
ourl
apaf
tery
ou
eat
?”
“Ok.
”Shet
ookherpl
ateandsatdownont
hecar
pet
eati
ng.
Aknockerpt
edatthedoorasCol
l
eenhanded
Tshepohi
splat
e.
“
Iwi
l
lseewho’
sthat
.”
Shewal
kedt
othedoorandopened.
“
Hey
,”
Col
l
eenl
ookedatVi
nce.“
Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
“
Canwet
alk?
”
“
No!Iam busy
.”
“
Iam sor
ryf
orshowi
ngupunannounced.
”
Tshepost
oodbehi
ndCol
l
eenhol
dingherbyher
waist
.
“
Ever
ythi
ngok?
”
Vi
ncel
ookedatTshepot
henatCol
l
een.
“
Wow!
”
“
Vince,
youshoul
dleav
e.”
“
Arey
oudat
inghi
m?”
“Yessheisi
nar el
ati
onshi
pwi
thme,
doy
ouhav
ea
probl
em wit
hthat?
”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#57

Vi
ncel
ookedatTshepo.
“
No,
andIam nott
alki
ngt
oyou.
”
“Vincecany
oust
opi
t?Youar
edi
stur
bingmypeace
please.
”
“
Ijustwantt
otal
ktoy
ou,
inpr
ivat
e.”
“Wehavenot
hingt
otal
kabout
.Pl
easel
eav
eme
al
one.
”
“Col
leenImadeamistake,
thei
deaofstay
ingwi
tha
babyscaredmebutnowIam real
i
zingImadea
mi
stake.Iam sor
ry,
canwepl
easewor
kthi
ngsout
.”
“Ican’
t,
Iam sor
ry.Iwoul
dappr
eci
atei
tify
oudon’
t
evercomebackher e.
”
Vi
ncelookedatheronelastt
imet
henwal
kedaway
.
Col
leentur
nedtoTshepo.
“
Iam soor
yaboutt
hat
.”
“
It
’sok.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Idi
dn’
tknowwewer
einar
elat
ionshi
p.”
Tshepol
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
.
“
Nowy
oudo.
”
Col
l
eenbl
ushed.
“Iwantsomethi
ngseri
ous.I
fyouknowyouarenot
goingtobeseri
ous,
tellmenowbecauseIdon’
t
wantmydaughterhurtatt
heendoftheday.
”
Col
l
eenst
oodonhert
oesandki
ssedhi
m.
“
Youcant
rustme.Il
ovePeoandAngi
elov
esy
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Theysmil
edwalki
ngi
nsi
dethehouseweret
hey
foundPeohandi
ngAngi
eherdr
umstick.
“
P,she’
sonl
yababy
.Shedoesn’
teatmeat
.”
Angi
esuckedt
hemeatt
henl
i
ckedherl
i
ps.
“
Leav
ethem,
shewon’
tswal
l
owi
t.
”
Tsheposhr
uggedl
aughi
ng.“
Ok.
”

*
***
*

Vincedrovehiscarasjeal
ousburnedhim.He
couldn’
tbeli
eveshehadwentbackt ohim andthat
shewasal r
eadyplayi
nghappyfami l
i
es.Het ookout
hi
sphoneandcal ledMiguelashestoppedthecar
bytheredtraff
icl
ight
.
“
Mr?
”
“
BK,doyouknowthaty
oursisterisdat
ingsome
f
unnyl
ooki
ngguy?Idon’tt
rusthim.”
“
Idon’
tknowwhoshedates.Shedoesherbestnot
t
oletmeseeherboy
fri
ends.
”
“Youshoul
dser
iousl
ytal
ktoher
,Idon’
ttr
ustt
hat
guy.
”
“
Iwi
l
lbutshewon’
tli
stent
ome.
”
Thet
raf
fi
cli
ghtchangedt
ogr
eenandhedr
ove.
“Idon’
tthi
nky ouunderstandme, thatguylooks
shady.Thereissomethingof fabouthim.Yoursist
er
i
smysi sterandIam genui nelyworri
ed.Especi
all
y
forAngie,hel
ookssuspi ci
ous.”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
ltal
ktoher
,yousoundbey
ondwor
ri
ed.
”
Vincef
orcedalaugh.“
OfcauseIam,sheisbr
ight
,
shedeservesagoodguynotanot
herIan.
”
“
Thanksf
ort
ell
i
ngme.
”
“
Cool
.
”
Hehungupjustasapoli
cecarwai
ledbehi
ndhi
m.
Hestoppedt
hecaronthesi
deoftheroadandgot
out
.
“
Mor
ena,
”
Thecopappr
oachedhi
m.“Youwereoverspeedi
ng
andthatt
oo,
tal
ki
ngonthephone.Iam char
gingyou.
Thi
sisnoty
ourmot
her
’sr
oad.
”
Vincesmi
led.“
Iam sor
ry,
canwewor
kout
somethi
ng.”
Thecopl
ookedathi
m.‘
Idon’
twor
kli
ket
hat
.”
“
Iknowbutyoualsoneedadri
nkaf
tert
hisl
ongday
.”
HetookoutP200andhandedi
ttot
hecopwhotook
i
t.
“
Nextt
imeIwon’
tspar
eyou,
bewar
ned.
”
“
YesSi
r!
”
Hegoti
nhi
scaranddr
oveof
f.

*
***
*

Miguel
lookedattheti
methenattheempty
rest
aur
ant.Refi
l
wehaddisappear
edsomewhereand
hecoul
dn’tseeheranymor
e.Hestoodupaboutt
o
l
eavewhenshecameoutal r
eadychanged.
“
Youar
est
il
lher
e?”
“
Yes,
Iwaswai
ti
ngf
ory
ou.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Ohpl
ease!
”
“
Iam t
ell
i
ngy
ou.Let
’sgo.
”
Theybot
hwal
kedoutandwentt
othepar
kingl
ot.
“
Youdon’
thav
etodr
opmeof
f.
”
“
Iwantt
o.”
Heopenedthedoorforherandshest
eppedi
n.Wi
th
asmilehewalkedr
oundtohisdoorandj
umpedin
st
art
ingthecar.
“
Ithoughty
ouwor
kedatt
heai
rpor
t.
”
Shesmi
l
edwhi
l
eher
ever
sedanddr
oveof
f.
“
Ido,t
hisi
sapar
tti
meIt
hingIdowhenIam not
f
lyi
ng.
”
“
Youar
eanai
rhost
ess?
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Yes.Howdi
dyouknow?
”
“
Youhav
ethatwel
comi
ngsmi
l
e.”
Refi
lwelaughed.“
It
’spar
tofmyjob.Iwasf
il
li
ngi
n
forafr
iendactual
ly,
shehasanupsetst
omachand
askedherbossi
fitwasokf
ormet
ofi
l
linf
orher
.”
“
Youar
eagr
eatf
ri
end.
”
“
Itr
y.”
“
Sohowdoesi
tfeel
bei
nganai
rhost
ess?
”
“Ihonest
lyl
ovemyjob.I
tmakesmehappy
.Pl
ust
he
benefi
tsIget
,Ij
ustl
ovethem.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Igett
hef
eel
i
ngy
oudo.
”
“IdoandIam notashamed.Iguessy
oucansayI
am inlov
ewit
hmyj ob,Igett
omeetnewpeople
everyday.
”
“
Ican’
twai
ttot
rav
elwi
thy
ou.
”
“
Iam f
lyi
ngoutt
omor
row,
jumpi
n.”
Theybot
hlaughed.
“
Imi
ghtj
ust
.”
“
Sowhatdoy
oudof
oral
i
ving?
”
“
Irunmyowncompany
.MokwenaLogi
sti
cs.
”
“
Ihav
eseeny
ourt
rucksar
oundbef
ore.
”
“
Yeah.
”
“
That
’si
mpr
essi
ve.
”
“
Itr
y.”
Migueldrov
etohi
shouseandpar
kedt
hecari
nthe
garage.
“Miguel
,youneedtodropmeof
fathome,
Iam f
lyi
ng
outtomorrowmorning.
”
“
Trustme,
Iwi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
f.Di
dyoueat
?”
“
No.
”
“
Thencomei
n,Ihav
elastni
ght
’sl
eft
over
s.”
Shelaughedandcli
mbedoutofthecar.Theygot
i
nsidethehouseandhesmil
ed.Thecleaningl
ady
hadcleaned.
“
Nicehousey
ougot
.”
“
Thanks.
”
Miguel
wal
kedtothekit
chenandopenedt
hef r
idge.
Shehadal
socooked.Hesmil
edtaki
ngoutthefood.
“
Youcook?
”
Het
urnedt
oRef
il
we.
“
Asknoquest
ionsandhearnol
i
es.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Ok.
”
“
Youcanwar
mthef
oodwhi
l
eIgoandchange.
”
“
Ok.
”
Miguelwalkedtothebedroom andchangedi nto
sweappantsandat -shi
rt
.Hel ockedhisclosetthen
wenttothesitt
ingroom andswi tchedonther adio
connect
ionghisphonet oitusingtheBluetooth.He
pl
ayedMr .Eazi
’ssongsandt hesubwoof erstarted
pl
aying,
thebassset ti
ngthemood.
Ref
il
wej
oinedhi
mint
hesi
tt
ingr
oom.
“
Ilov
eMr
.Eazi
.”
Mi
guel
smi
l
ed.“
Irecent
lydownl
oadedhi
ssongs.
”
“
Youwer
elef
tbehi
ndt
rul
y.
”
Hetookabi
tef
rom herpl
ate.Shesmi
l
edsi
tt
ing
down.
“
Iexpect
edt
ofi
ndy
ourhouseamesshonest
ly.
”
“
Ihav
eacl
eani
ngl
adywhocomesi
n.”
“
Tel
lhert
hatIl
oveherf
ood.
”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Iwi
l
l.
”
“
Hav
eyouf
oundher
?”
“
No,
Iam goi
ngt
oleti
tgo.
”
“
Arey
ousur
e?”
Hesi
ghed.“
Yes,
it’
sdr
ani
ngme.
”
“
Igety
ou,
youl
ookr
eal
thi
n.”
Theyl
aughed.
“Iknow.It
hinkIhav
egrownt
oacceptt
hatshei
snot
goingtocomeback.”
Refi
lwesmiled.“
Iam r
eal
l
ysor
ryf
orwhat
happened.
”
“
It
’sok.Wear
eal
lnotl
ucky
.”
Ref
il
weputherpl
atedown.“
Iam r
eal
l
ysor
ry.
”
Miguelleanedoverandkissedher.Shesl owl
y
respondedputti
ngherhandonhi schest .Hepushed
heront hecouchpull
ingdownherj eans.Hethrew
them onthefloorandputhishandi nsi
deherpanti
es
fl
icki
nghercli
t.Hekissedhercapturi
nghersof t
moansasshemov edherwaist.Her emov edhis
handfrom herpant
iesandhelpedhert akeoffher
topandbra.Miguelbreat
hedhardst ari
ngather
breast
,hesqueezedherboobspi nchingthenippl
es.
Miguelki
ssedheragai
nandtookoutdi
ckpul
li
ngher
panti
estothesi
de.Heimpal
edinherasshecr
ied
out.
“
Godwai
t!
”
Helookedatherbr
eat
hinghar
dwhi
l
eshet
ear
ful
l
y
st
aredback.
“
Condom…”
Hepoundedintoherasshet
ri
edt
ospeak.Her
muscl
estight
enedaroundhi
m.
“
Fuck!
”
“
OhGod!Hei
sbi
g.”
Hepickedherupandledhertothekit
chencounter
s.
Heheldherlegsasshesatonthecounter
sand
f
uckedherhar dwhi
leshebeggedformercy.Her
t
earsseemedt obeturni
nghi
m onandt hel
ookof
painshehadonwasj
ustacherr
yont op.Hethr
ust
hi
sent i
redi
cki
nsi
deherandwatchedherst
omach
l
ift
ing.
“
He’
ski
l
li
ngme…”
Hepull
edoutandr ubbedhercli
t.Refi
l
wemoaned
soft
lyr
elaxing.Whenshest at
edv i
brati
ng,he
rammedi nsideher
.Shecriedoutandcl osi
ngher
eyescomi nghard.
Migueldroveintoheroverandov erasshemoaned
screamedsquat ti
ng.Hi
sdi cksli
ppedinandoutof
herasher eached.Hepulledoutlastminut
e
spl
ashinghiscum onherst omach.
“
Fuuuck!
”
Hepul l
edoutasRef i
lwecl osedhereyes.Hel ooked
atherf oramomentr eal i
zi
ngshehadbl ackedout
thenpickedherupandl edhertot hebedroom.He
caref
ul l
ylookedatherf ace,shewasdar kin
compl exionandbeautifuli
nherownway .Heraf ro
wast hickandblack.Slowlyhest r
etchedhercoar se
hairwhi chwasoil
y.Hehadnev erseennat ur
al hai
r
solong.Wi thasmilehel aybesidesher.Anaya
cr
ossedhi
smindbuthetri
ednott
ocompar
ethem.
Thi
sweretwodi
ff
erentwoman.

*
***
*

Thenextmor ni
ngRef il
wegotwokenupwi thher
alarm.Shesl owlyopenedhereyesf eeli
ngar ms
aroundhert henfrowned.Shelookedbesi deherand
l
ookedatt hehandsomemanwhowashol dingherin
hisar ms.Hewast oohandsomeforherandy etshe
washer e,l
yi
ngrightnexttohi
m.Shecl osedherey es
remember i
nglastnight,
shehadcum bef orebutnot
l
iket hat.Hehadshookherent i
rewor ldthatshe
didn’tevenrememberwhathadhappenedbecause
l
astt hingsheremember edwasbeingont hat
kitchencountercomi ng.
Sheopenedherey esandl ookedathimt r
acingher
fi
ngeronhisface.Forawhi leshewonderedwhathe
sawinher.Heslowlyopenedhi sey esandlookedat
herwit
hthatlazylook.Herclitt
hrobbedasheput
hi
shandbet weenherl egs.
“
Soy
ouf
aint
edonme?
”
Ref
il
webl
ushed.
“
Iwasn’
tdonewi
thy
oul
astni
ght
.”
“
Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Whatt
imei
syourpl
anel
eav
ing?
”
“
Atei
ght
.”
Hegr
abbedhi
sphoneandl
ookedatt
het
ime.
“
Good,
west
il
lhav
ethr
eehour
stogo.
”
Hegotontopofherki
ssi
ngher.Hepushedherlegs
wi
deapartandsl
owlypushedi
ntoherwarmth.

*
***
*

Colleenlookedather
sel
finherf
ormalski
rtandshi
rt
tuckedin.Hermakeupwasonpoi nt
.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Col
l
eentur
nedandlookedatNal
edi
whowassi
tt
ing
ont
hebedstar
ingather.
“
Thankyou.Ihav
etogo.Idon’
twantt
obel
atef
or
myfi
rstday.
”
ShekissedAngelwhowasst il
lsl
eepi
ngandwalked
outofthehouse.Shelookedattheti
mewalki
ng
downt heroadt
ot hebusstop.
“
Hi,
”
Shel ookedatt hecarwichwasdrivi
ngslowl
ybeside
herandsi ghed.Itwasthehandsomeman.From just
l
ookingathi m shecouldsmellt
rouble.
“
Hi.
”
“
CanIgi
vey
oual
i
ft?Rememberme?Iam Kar
abo.
”
“
NoIam f
ine,
thanks.
”
“
Comeon,
int
hoseheel
syoushoul
dn’
tbewal
ki
ng.
”
Shel
ookedathi
ssl
ysmi
l
ethenhi
scut
eface.“
Iam
fi
ne.
”
“
Look,howaboutIpayy
ouf
orl
ett
ingmegi
vey
oua
f
reel
if
t.”
Shel
ookedathi
mthenl
aughedwhenhedi
d.
“
See?Gooddeal
.Geti
npl
ease.
”
Shesi
ghedt
henwal
kedr
oundhi
scarandgoti
n.
“
Hist
ranger
,wher
ear
eyouheaded?
”
“
Wor
k.”
Hechuckled.“
Ok,canIpl
easedr
opof
fsomet
hingby
mybrother’
shouse?Afewminut
esaway.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Hedrov etohisbrother’
shouseandpar kedinside
thegate.Hesteppedoutandt ookaboxf r
om the
bootbeforeknockingonhi sbrother
’sdoor.Seconds
l
aterthedoorwasopenedandhewaswal kingin.
Coll
eent ookoutherphoneandcheckedher
whatsappmessages, sheviewedTshepo’sstatus
anditwasapi ctur
eofl astnightassheplayedwith
theki
ds.
“
Iam back!
”
Col
leenl
ookedathi
m andputherphoneawayashe
st
artedt
hecar.
“
Whyar
eyousmi
l
ingl
i
ket
hat
?”
Hechuckl
ed.“
Am I
?”
Heeasedt
hecaroutofhi
sbr
other
’sgat
eanddr
ove
of
f.
“
Yes,
li
key
ouj
ustwonl
ott
ery
.”
Hef
lashedacutesmil
eather
.“Iam j
usthappyf
or
mybrot
her,
that
’sal
l.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shelookedathisfacesuspici
ouslythenl
ooked
aheaddirecti
nghimt oherworkplace.Awhi
lel
ater
heparkedt hecarneartheent
rance.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come,
what
’sy
ourname?
”
Shegotof
fthecarandshr
ugged.“
Findout
.”
Shemodel
edherwayt
otheent
rancel
eav
inghi
min
hi
scarst
ari
ng.

*
***
*

Ref
il
wewal
kedi
nsi
det
heai
rpor
tbr
avel
ywi
thasmi
l
e
on.Hercowor
kercaughtupwi
thherandsmi
l
ed.
“
Hey
,”
“
Hey
,”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
eveIam f
lyi
ngout
.Myboy
fri
end’
sbaby
mamaisathome.
”
“
Whati
sshedoi
ngt
her
e?”
“
Shesai
dshedoesn’
thav
eany
wher
etogo.
”
Ref
il
wefr
owned.“
Issheoneoft
hosebi
tt
erbaby
mamas?
”
“
Yes.If
eel
li
kehe’
sgoi
ngt
osl
eepwi
thher
.”
“Youcan’
tcont
rolwhathedoesespeci
all
yifhe
hasn’
tmarri
edyou.”
“
IknowFi
fiandi
tst
ressesme.
”
Refi
l
we’sphoner
angandshet
ookast
epback
answer
ing.
“
Hey
,”
“
Fif
ithanky
ouf
ory
est
erday
.”
“
It
’sok,
howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”
“
Bet
ter
.Iam nol
ongerr
unni
ngt
othet
oil
et.
”
“
ThankGod!
”
“
Yeah,
butwhathappenedy
est
erday
?It
houghty
ou
wer
egoingt
opassbymyhouse.”
Ref
il
wel
ookedatherwr
istwat
chandsi
ghed.
“
ImetaguyDi
ane.
”
“
Youdi
d?”
“Yes.I
twasforthesecondt
imeandGod!Seei
ng
him madetheenti
rethi
ngworseDi
ane,
nowIcan’
t
stopthi
nki
ngabouthim.”
“
Youshoul
dgety
ourman!
”
Ref
il
welaughed.“
IwishbutIhav
eaf
eel
i
nghei
sst
il
l
st
uckonhisexgir
lfr
iend.
”
“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“
Idon’
tknow.Nooner
eal
l
yknows.
”
“
Thenhemustbehear
tbr
oken.
”
“
Hei
s.”
“
That
’sy
ourchance.If
eel
li
kei
t’
shar
dmeet
inggood
guy
sthi
sday
s,mostoft
hem ar
eusual
l
ymar
ri
edor
gay
.”
“Hei
sper
fectbuthecanf
uck.If
eel
asi
fmypussyi
s
goi
ngtof
allout
.”
Di
anel
aughed.“
Whatdoy
oumean?
”
“Thatmanknowswhathedoes, hewi l
lfuckyouso
hardy ouwil
lfaintandhehasabigdick.Ifeel
li
keI
crackedalit
tl
ebi t.Hel
ookedmeintheey ewiththat
l
ookt hatsays‘Iam goi
ngtofuckyousohar dyou
willhatedi
ck’thenhefuckedmypussy .
”
Di
anel
aughedev
enhar
der
.“St
opi
t,y
ouar
etur
ning
meon.
”
“Heisdomineer
ing.Thismangrabbedmyneckand
str
angledmewhi l
efuckingme.IneverknewIcoul
d
exper
iencesuchpleasure,
Iam i
nlove.”
“
Iwantt
oseehi
m.”
“Idon’
thavehi
spict
uresandIdon’
tknowi
fhei
s
goingtocal
lornot
.”
“
Hewi
l
l,Iam pr
ayi
nghedoes.
”
“
Any
way
s,Ihav
etogo,
bye.Iwi
l
lseey
out
omor
row.
”
Shehungupandwal
kedbackt
ohercol
l
eague.

*
***
*

Lonesatbyherdeskwai t
ingforthenextcustomer
i
nl i
ne.Shelookedar oundt hebankwi t
hasi gh.I
t
hadbeeny earshere,yearsofherl if
ebeinginthe
samepl ace.Forthefirstt
imeev er,shefel
toutof
placeinthebank.Shewasn’ tsurewhyhermood
wasdown.Shehadbeenwai t
ingforMigueltomake
amov ebuti tseemedhehadmov edon.Shehad
seenhimi nthemor ningwi thaladyinhiscarand
theywerekissing.
“
Iam sor
ryf
orwhat
every
ouar
egoi
ngt
hrough.
”
Shelookedupembar
rassed.Thecust
omerwas
al
readysit
ti
ng.
Hel
aughed.“
Youwi
l
lbef
ine.
”
Shesmil
edpol
it
ely
.“Goodmor
ningandwel
comet
o
FNB,howcanIhel
pyou?”
Hel
ookedi
nherey
esmaki
nghershy
.
“
Todayi
smyday
.Icanf
eel
it.
”
“
Why
?”
“Meet
ingabeaut
if
ulwomani
sabl
essi
ngoni
t’
s
own.”
Shel
aughed.“
HowcanIhel
pyou?
”
“
Ok,
backt
obusi
ness.
”
Shehelpedhim wi
thwhathehadcomef
orat
en
minut
esl at
er,
theywer
edone.
“
Thanky
ou,
youwer
esoef
fi
cient
.”
Shelaughedrol
li
nghereyes.“
Sir
,pl
easemov
e,I
havecustomerswai
ti
ng.”
“Icani
magi
ney
oucal
l
ingmeSi
rwhi
l
eIf
ucky
ou
hard.
”
Lonef
rownedembar
rassed.“
Pleasel
eav
e.”
Hesmil
ed.“
Scaredy
ou?Sor
ry,
byt
heway
,youcan
cal
lmeBame.”
“
Goaway
!”
Hel
aughed.“
Nott
il
lIgety
ounumber
.”
Hewashugeandhandsome, her
emi ndedherof
ColombusShotsomehow, t
hefactthathewasa
soldert
urnedheroff.Shewonderedhowmany
womanhef uckedpermonthandshewoul d
probabl
ybeoneoft hem.
“Nextcustomerpl
ease!
”Shecal
l
edoutandhe
smiledstandi
ng.
“
Iam goi
ngt
ogety
ou,
Lone.
”
“
Go!
”
Hewal
kedoutwi
thasmi
l
e.
.
.
.
Let
'sl
i
ke,
commentandshar
e..
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#58

Anay
a’smot
herst
eppedoutoft
heG-
Wagonhol
ding
herhandbagduri
ngl unchhour .Shewalkedinside
thenewlyopenedrestaurantstari
ngatthesilver
boldlet
ter
satthefrontwr i
ttenNayaCat er
ingAnd
Restaur
ant.Bont
leappr oachedherwithasmi le.
“
Goodmor
ningmam,
”
“
Howar
eyou?Iseei
t’
sful
l
.”
“Thi
slocati
onwasbest,
therei
snomuch
competit
ion,wear
etheonlyones.
”
“
Isee.Icamet
olookar
ound.
”
Shesmiledatt
hecustomersandtheywal
kedtot he
ki
tchenwhichwasspotl
esswhil
ethechef
swor ked.
Bontl
eledhert
oheroffi
cewrit
tenManagerandthey
satdown.
“
Ist
il
lcan’
tbel
i
eveIam amanager
.”
Anay
a’smot
hersmi
l
ed.“
Anay
asai
dshet
rust
syou.
”
“Iam goi
ngt oworkext
rahard.Ial
readyemail
edthe
bookstotheemai ly
ougaveme. ”Bontl
ehanded
overtheaccounti
ngbooks.“
Iknowi t’
sonl
ybeena
mont hsi
nceweopenedbutIam goi ngtopush
my sel
fharder.
”
Anaya’
smotherl
ookedatthebookscar
eful
lypagi
ng
onebyone.Awhil
elat
ershehandedthem backto
Bont
lewit
hasati
sfi
edsmile.
“
Ilov
ehowy
ouar
edet
ermi
ned.Youwi
l
lgof
ar.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Anaya’
smot herst
oodupandwal
kedout
.Shegoti
n
thecarasherphonerang.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Glor
ia,
canwepl
easet
alkmywi
fe.
”
“Iam notyourwif
e.Youl eftmewi ththeki
dswi th
nothingandwenttoMozambi que,Ihadtomake
way sformykidsandI .Todayyoucomebackwi t
h
nothingandyouthinky oucancomebackt oGloria
becauseshei safool
?Youar ecrazy.If
orgiveyou
forthepainyoucausedmyki dsandIbutt hati
sall.
Stayawayf r
om myki ds.”
“
Anayaismychil
dtoo,
youcan’
tbeeat
ingher
moneyalone.
”
“
Thent
alkt
oher
.”
Gl
ori
ahungupandsi
ghed.Shecoul
dst
il
l
rememeberhowhehadl eftherforherfri
end.The
painsti
llf
eltfr
eshwhenshet houghtabouti t.She
bli
nkedawayhert earsandst art
edt hecarput ti
ngon
herseatbel
t.Shecar eful
lyandsl owlyreversedf r
om
herparki
ngspacet hendr oveintoroadheadedhome.
Almostthir
tymi nuteslater,sheparkedthecarunder
thetr
eebesi detheot herMecer des.Shetookouther
phoneanddi aledaf orei
gnnumberst eppingoutof
thecar.
“
Mama?
”
“Anaya,
Iam f
rom t
her
est
aur
ant
.Ev
ery
thi
ngi
sin
order
.”
“Isawt
heemailBontl
esentme.Ij
ustspoket
o
Thusoandboughtt
hecalf
s.”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lar
ranget
obuyt
hef
eeds.
”
“Ihavesentyout
hemoney.Canyoupleasegotot
he
farmtomorrowandcheckthepr
ogress.The
cabbagesandtomatoesar
ealmostreadyfor
harvest
.”
“
Ok,
sot
hesuper
mar
ketagr
eedt
obuyf
rom y
ou?
”
“Yes.Wewil
lbesuppl
yi
ngacoupl
eofsuper
markets.
Iam sur
einawhil
e,wewil
lhav
emore.Wejusthav
e
tobepati
ent
.”
“Whataboutt
heschool
?Di
ditr
enuet
hechi
cken
cont
ract
?”
“
YesandIsignedtwomor eschoolsforthechi
ckens
t
hat
’swhyIwantt ohiremoreworkers.Iam j
ust
wor
ri
edthatwithoutconst
antsuperv
ision,
some
wor
kersmaysteal.”
“
Don’
twor
ry.Iwi
l
ltakecar
eofi
t.
”
“
Butwhatabouty
ourwor
k?Idon’
twanty
out
oqui
t
whaty
oulovedoi
ng.
”
“
Iwi
l
lemploytwopeopl
etohel
pmeoutwhi
l
eIr
un
t
hef
arm.Iknowhowthi
sthi
ngsrun.
”
“Iam sohappytohaveyou.Iam goi
ngt
ousethe
enti
refar
m becauseIwanttoploughmor
ethi
ngs.
”
“
Ok.It
hinkt
hat
’sagoodi
dea.
”
“
Howi
sLet
haboandAy
ana?
”
“
Theyar
efi
ne,
Ayanai
shappy
.”
“
Iam gl
adshewentSt
.Joseph,
it’
sagoodschool
.”
“
Iti
s.”
“
Okmama,
Iwi
l
lcal
lyou.
”
“
Ay anawhenareyougoi
ngtotal
ktoMi guel
?That
manpaidyourbri
depri
ce.Youcan’
tbehaveli
ke
t
his.”
“Mama,Iam embarrassment
.Iam notgoi
ngto
comebackandhav epeoplet
alkaboutme.The
humil
i
ati
onwi l
lki
l
lme. ”
“
Thent
alkt
ohi
m.Runni
ngawayi
snott
heopt
ion.
”
“
Iwi
l
lcomeback.Justnotnow.
”
Anay
ahungupbef
oreGl
ori
acoul
dsayany
thi
ng.

*
***
*

Anayaputherphonedownandsi ghedstar
ingdown
att
heJoburgst r
eet
sfrom heroffi
ce.Donaldwal
ked
i
nsideherof
ficeasecondl
ater.
“
Hey
,Ibr
oughtusl
unch.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Thanky
ou.Iwassohungr
y.”
“
Theseday
syoueatal
ot!Youar
ethi
ckt
oo.
”
Anayabr
iefl
ysmi
l
edf
ixi
ngherbl
azer
.“I
t’
sthenew
di
etIam on.
”
Donal
dpeakedatherbudgetandgr
inned.“
Youar
e
al
waysonbudget.
”
“
Ihav
eto.
”
“Anaya,noonewouldbeli
eveyouar eafinanci
al
accountantatFNBheadquart
ers.Youliv
ei na
simpleonebedroomedapartmentwi t
hnocar .When
will
youenjoythemoneyy oumake? ”
“Iam goi
ngtosel
ltheGLECoupeandbuyasmal
l
carandthesavet
her estoft
hemoney.
”
Donal
dsl
owl
yshookhi
shead.“
Youneedt
oloosen
up.
”
“Iwi
l
l.Butaft
erIam nol
ongerwor
kingf
orany
one
butmyself
.”
Donal
dsmi
l
ed.“
Youar
esexyandi
ndependent
.It
’sa
maj
ort
urnon.
”
“
Iam.Any
way
s,t
hanky
ouf
ort
hel
unch.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
“
ThereisaladyIsaw.Shewaschecki
ngy
ouout
.I
t
hinkyoushouldgi
veherachance.
”
Donal
dsmi
l
edbr
ief
ly.“
Iwi
l
l.
”
“
Your
eal
l
yshoul
d,pl
usshei
spr
ett
y.”
“
Yeah…”
Hesmi ledandwal kedout .Anayal ookedather
budgett henbackatherl aptopwher et hecompany ’s
shewant edt obuyshar esinwher elisted.Shecl osed
thetabandopenedanewoner esear chingabout
OsWor ld,ar ecentbr andi nSAwhi chsol dfood,
beverages, kitchenpr oductsandper sonal skin
products.I tdi dn’
thav emuchat tenti
on, i
nthepast
yearthati thadopened, i
twasn’tmaki ngmuch
moneybecauseofcompet i
ti
on.Shet houghtof
buyingitasaf r
anchise.Ifshecoul dhav eitthenshe
woul dhav eal otofmar ketconsideringt hefactthat
therewasnot hingl i
ket hati
nBot swana.Sheknew
shewouldgeti
nvest
orsifshepl
ayedhercar
dsright
,
all
sheneededwassomeonewhocoul dconnecther
tothepeopl
esheneededandmoney .

*
***
*

Miguel par
kedbythegateandst eppedoutofthecar
.
Hewal kedinsi
detheyar
dheadi ngtoColleen’
s
seven’squart
erswher
eabl ackshinyWildTrackwas
parked.Gentl
yheknockedont hedoor.
Mi
guel
steppedbackwhenamanopenedt
hedoor
.
“
HowcanIhel
p?”
“
Cal
lmysi
ster
.”
Coll
eenopenedt
hedoorwiderst
eppi
ngoutoft
he
househol
dingawoodenspoon.Shesmi
led.
“
BK.
”
“
Ithoughtwecouldgooutandcel
ebrat
eyourj
ob.
”
Miguell
ookedatTshepo.“
Who’
sthis?
“
UhTshepomeetmybr
otherBoi
kany
o,BKt
hisi
s
Tshepo.
”
Angelcr
iedinsi
dethehouseandCol
l
eenqui
ckl
y
walkedbackinsi
dethehouse.
“
Whatdoy
oudof
oral
i
ving?
”
“
Iam al
awy
er.
”
“Col
leenismyonlysi
ster
,hur
therandIwi
l
lgl
adl
y
escortyout
odefendthedevi
li
nhell
.”
Tsheposmi
l
ed.“
Under
stood.
”
“
Ist
hisy
our
s?”
Tshepol
ookedathi
scar
.“Yeah.
”
“Ni
cewheel
s.”Mi
guel
compli
ment
edalr
eadywalki
ng
away.Hi
sphoner
angassoonashegoti
nhiscar.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Pleaseputonyourseatbel
t,t
hepl
aneisaboutt
o
t
akeoff.Swi
tchoffyourmobil
ephonesandput
t
hem away.”
Miguell
aughedlist
eni
ngtoRef
il
we.“Youl
ooked
sexyinyouruni
forminthemor
ning.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“Iwi
shyouwerehere.
”Hesaidwi
thasmi
l
e
genui
nel
yreal
i
zinghemissedher
.
“
Wel
l
,whati
fIt
ell
youIcanbet
her
e?”
“
Don’
tpl
aywi
thmel
i
ket
hat
.”
“
Iam ser
ious.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“Attheai
rpor
t.I
tseemsl
i
keIgotmyf
li
ght
smi
xed
up.”
“
Iam comi
ngt
opi
cky
ouup.
”
Shegi
ggl
ed.“
Ok.
”
Miguel smil
edonhi sownashedr ov
et ot
heair
port
.
Minuteslatershewaswal ki
ngt owardshi
scarwhil
e
hewat chedher .Shegoti
nthecarwi thasmi
lethat
al
way sbr i
ghtenedherent
ireface.
“
Hey
,”
“
Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.
”
Ref
il
wesmi
l
ed.“
Thati
sthef
ir
stt
hingIt
ell
mysel
f
ev
erymor
ning.
”
“
Whatdoyouwantt
oeat
?Wecanpassbya
r
est
aur
antand-
“
“
Iwi
l
lcook.
”
“
Ok.
”
Heleanedoverandti
l
tedherchi
nki
ssingher
.He
pull
edawayasearlymorni
ngmemoriesswam i
nhi
s
head.Shel
ookedathim wi
thasmil
e.
“
What
?”
“
Not
hing.
”
Hestartedt hecaranddrovetohishousewhileshe
i
ncreasedt hevolumeonhi scarradi
o.Mr.Eazi’
s
supernovapl ay
edaswi ndshookherbigafrowhile
sherelaxed.Therewassomet hingaboutherthat
madehi m smi l
e.Sheturnedandlookedathim.
“
What
?”
“
Can’
tIst
areabeaut
if
ulwoman?
”
Shegi
ggl
ed.“
Youar
elosi
ngi
t.
”
Awhi
l
elat
erhewasdr
ivi
ngi
nsi
dehi
sgat
ewhi
l
ea
carpul
ledupbehindhim.Hedr oveinsi
dethegar
age
andsteppedout.HewalkedroundtoRef i
l
we’ssi
de
andopenedherdoor.Shesteppedandhe
i
mmedi atel
ytookherhandleadinghertoKennet
h’s
car.
Vi
nceandKennet
hst
eppedoutoft
hecarand
l
ookedatRef
il
we.
“Gent
s,meetmywoman,
Ref
il
we,
babet
hisi
s
KennethandVi
nce.
”
Ref
il
wesmi
l
ed.“
Nicemeet
ingy
ou.
”
“
Likewi
se.
”Kennet
hrespondedwhi
l
eVi
ncej
ust
waved.
“
Iwi
l
lgoandst
artcooki
ng.
”
Theyal
lwat
chedherasshewal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouse.
“
Youal
readyr
epl
acedNay
a?”
Mi
guel
lookedatKennet
h.“
Anay
aisnother
e.”
“
Youl
oveAnay
a,y
ouar
egoi
ngt
ohur
tthi
sgi
rl
.”
“Ref
il
wei sher
eandAnayai
snotKen,st
opbei
ng
upti
ght.Congr
atsBK,
she’
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
“ThanksVince.KenAnayai
snothere,
myl
i
fecan’
t
stopjustbecauseshei
snother
e.”
“
Whati
fshecomesback?Youknowshei
sgoi
ng
t
o.”
“
That
’sagi
veni
fandIl
i
keRef
il
we.
”
“Someonei
sgoi
ngt
ogethur
t,y
ouknowi
t,weal
l
knowit
.”
Vi
ncel
ookedatKennet
h.“Youneedt
ocal
m down.
Youar
esti
ll
fucki
ngyourPA.”
Miguel
lookedatKennet
hinshock.“
Ithoughty
ou
sai
ditwasover?”
“
Wear
enott
alki
ngaboutme.
”
Vincel
aughed.“
Wear enow,Rachel
isgoingtobur
n
youwhenshef i
ndsout.Ken,
weshouldleave,
BK
hascompany.”
Miguelwal
kedinsidehishouseasKennethdroveof
f.
HecheckedforRef i
l
wei nthekit
chenbutshewasn’
t
ther
e.Hewalkedtohi sbedroom wher
ehehadthe
showeron.Quickl
yheundr essedandjoi
nedher
.
Heki
ssedherneckst
andi
ngbehi
ndherandcl
osed
thewaterl
i
fti
ngherbut
t.Hecurv
edhisbackand
pushedthr
oughinsi
deherwhi
leshesof
tl
ymoaned.

*
***
*

Marangf
ixedherredl
i
psti
ckandputonherheel
s.
Shewasal adyonamissi
onandnot
hingwasgoing
tost
opher.
“Iam goi
ngbutImaynotcomebacktoni
ght
.”She
kissedJuni
or’
sfor
eheadandl
ookedathi
snanny.
“
Cal
lmei
fther
eisanemer
gency
.”
“
Yesmam.
”
Shewalkedoutandgoti ntohercar.Asmilebroke
onherfaceasherf avor
it
esongpl ayedwhil
eshe
drov
e.Shesangal ongtothelyri
csnoddingherhead.
Herheartpoundedwhenshepar kedhercari
nf r
ont
ofhi
sgat e.Shecouldn’
tseehiscarbuttheli
ghts
wereon.Shet ookouthercompactmi rr
orand
l
ookedatherr efl
ecti
on.
“
Youcandot
his.Gogety
ourman,
hei
syour
s.”
Marangst eppedoutofhercarwithconfidenceand
walkedt hr
oughtheopengat e.Musiccouldbeheard
fr
om out si
deandshewonder edwhathewasdoi ng
al
lalone.Wi t
hasigh,sheknockedont hedoorf i
xi
ng
hercleavage.Herdr
esswasshor tandsheknewt hat
wasgoi ngtodothetrick.Heprobablyhadn’thad
sexsinceAnay al
eft.
Shesmil
edast
hedooropenedbuthersmi
l
equi ckl
y
di
ssol
vedasawomanlookedatherwit
hafrown.
“
Hi,
”
Mar angswall
owedl ooki
ngatherwear i
nghi
sshir
t
thatreachedj
ustbelowhermi dthighs.Shewas
tal
lerthanherthatMarangfel
tinti
mi datedt
hough
shewaswear i
ngheels.
“
Hel
l
o,i
sMi
guel
in?
”
“
Yes,
whoar
eyou?
”
“
Iam hi
sson’
smot
her
.”
“Mi
guel!”Shecall
edsti
llst
ari
ngather.Secondsl
ater
hestoodbehindherputti
nghishandsonherwaist
whi
lekissingherneck.
“
Thi
sladyi
sher
etoseey
ou.
”
Miguel
rai
sedhi
sheadandl
ookedatMar
angwi
tha
f
rown.
“
Isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
Marangwetherdr
ythr
oat
.“Yes,
canwet
alk?I
n
pr
ivat
e?”
“
Youcansayi
tinf
rontofRef
il
we.
”
MaranglookedatRef
il
weagai
nthenbackatMi
guel
.
“
Please.
”
Hesi
ghedandki
ssedRef
il
weonhercheek.
“
Iwi
l
lbebackj
ustnow.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Shewal
kedbacki
nsi
det
hehouse.
“
Youhav
eal
readymov
edon?
”
“
Whywon’
tI?
”
“I
t’
sjusttooearl
y.Youshoul
dleav
eherbef
orey
ou
breakherheart
.”
“
Mar
angwhatdoy
ouwant
?”
Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.“
Whyar
eyouwi
thher
?”
“
BecauseIcan,
why
?”
Atearr
andownhercheek.“
Youdon’
tlov
eher
,tel
l
hert
oleav
e.”
Mi
guel
smi
l
ed.“
Arey
ouj
eal
ous?
”
“
Iam notj
eal
ous!
”
“
Thenwhat
’st
hepr
obl
em?
”
Shecl
osedhereyes.“
MiguelIj
ustwantmysonto
haveast
ablehome.Pleaset
ellhert
oleav
e,Iam
beggi
ngyou.
”
Miguel
closedt
hedoorandcl
osedt
hegapbet
ween
hi
mselfandMarang.
“
Don’
tcr
y.”
“
Whycan’ty
oujustt
ell
hertoleave.Yougrewup
wi
thbot
hparent
s.Juni
ordeservesthesame.”
“
Ili
keher
.”
“
Iloveyou.Thi
nkaboutourchi
l
dpl
ease.Wecanbe
afamil
y.”
Mi
guel
rubbedhi
sface.
“
Mar
angy
ouar
eput
ti
ngmei
nadi
ff
icul
tposi
ti
on.
”
“Weareaf amil
y.Il
oveyou.Icant akecareofy ou.
Oursonneedshi spar
entstogether.Don’tdenyhim
that
.Kidswhogr owupwithsepar atedparentsdon’
t
gettoenjoyt
hefulll
oveoftheirparents.
”
Helookedatherforawhi
l
e.”
Idon’
twantt
ohur
tyou.
Youdeserv
ebetter.
”
“Iwantyou.IloveyouMiguel,Idoandthereis
nothi
ngIcandoaboutt hat.Itri
edbutIcan’t
anymore.Pleasetell
hertoleave.”Sheknel
tdown
cryi
ng.“
Ilovey ou,
giveusachancepl ease…”
Miguell
ookedatherwithgui
ltt
henhel
pedherup.
“
It
’slat
erightnow,
Ijustcan’
tki
ckherout
.”
“
Thendr
opherof
fatherhouse.
”
“
CanIcal
lyout
omor
row.
”
“
Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
eti
l
lshel
eav
es!
”

*
***
*
Ref
il
wehel
dherphonet
ohereari
ntheki
tchen.
“
Idi
dn’
tev
enknowhehadababymamaDi
ane.
”
“
Whatdi
dyouexpect
,ofcausehehasachi
l
d.”
“
Ilov
ehi
m.”
“Thendon’
tleave.Iam surethi
sbabymamai s
taki
ngadvantageofthefactthathisexfi
ancéisnot
here.Hewasn’twithherforareason.Fi
ghtforyour
man. ”
“
Idon’
tknowwhatt
odo.
”
“I
fyouleav
ehim,whereelsewil
lyougetamanl i
ke
him?Youcan’
talwaysleave,
youwil
lregr
ett hi
sin
year
stocomewheny oucan’tfi
ndamanl ikehim.
Youarebeaut
if
ul,t
hereisnoneedtogetstressed.
”
“
Whati
fhechoosesher
?”
“Hewil
lonlychooseheri fy
ouwalkout.Ther
eisno
Mr.Perf
ectoutthere.Ify
ouwantaper f
ectmango
andbuyflourandbakingpowder.Bakehim.Youwil
l
l
eavethennextthinghemar ri
esher
.Sti
ckwithhi
m,
heisabrokenman, fixhi
m andhewilll
oveyou.
”
“
Iheary
ou.
”
“
Good.Now,
goandgety
ourman.
”
Ref
il
wel
aughed.
“
Yesmam!
”

*
***
*

Mi
guel
lookedatMar
ang.
“
Idon’
tknowwhaty
ouwantmet
odo.
”
“
Tel
lhert
oleav
e.”
Ref
il
wewal
kedout
.
“
Arey
oudone?
”
Miguell
ookedatherthenbackatMar
angwhowas
st
aringathi
m wait
ing.
.
.
.
What sapp+26775447725t
osponsoraninser
t.
Don'tforgett
oli
ke,
commentandshare,
let'
sgrow
thepage.
TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#59

Ref
il
wecal
mlyl
ookedatMi
guel
.
“
Mar
angwasj
ustl
eav
ing.
”
Hewalkedpastherandgoti
nsi
det
hehouse.Ref
il
we
l
ookedatMarangcareful
l
yandsmi
ledcal
mly.
“
Pleasel
eav
e,Iwantt
ocl
oset
hegat
e.”
Marangshr
unkherey
es,
angerf
lar
ingi
nthem.“
You
don’
tknowme.”
“
Idon’tneedto.Youarej
ustababymamaandt here
i
snothingspecial
aboutt
hat,
trustme.Sav
eyoursel
f
t
heembar rassment.
”
“
Whodoy
out
hinky
ouar
e?”
“
Iam t
hewomani
nhi
sli
fe.Goodni
ght
.”
Refi
l
wewal kedinsidethehousecl
osingthedoor
behi
ndher.Miguel wasalr
eadywatchingTV
seemingunbothered.
“Youdidn’
ttellmeyouhaveachild,
nott
hatIhavea
probl
em withitbuti
twouldhavebeenni
ceifyou
tol
dme…unl essthi
sisj
ustsex.
”
Mi
guel
smi
l
ed.“
Iam sor
ry,
Ishoul
dhav
etol
dyou.
”
“
Arey
ouandherf
ixi
ngt
hings?
’
Hest
oodupandheldherwai
st.“
IfIwast
heny
ou
woul
dn’
tbeher
e.”
“
Idon’
twantasit
uati
onwher
eIfindmyselfi
nalove
t
ri
angl
ebecauseIhaveat
endencyofl
ovinghar
d.”
Mi
guel
leanedov
erandki
ssedher
.
“
Youhav
enot
hingt
owor
ryabout
.”
“
Ok.Iwi
l
lst
artcooki
ng.
”
Hekissedonel
astt
imebeforeshewal
kedof
fand
st
art
edcookingi
ntheki
tchen.

*
***
*
Mar angsati nhercarcr y ing.Herhear twasbr eaki
ng,
shecoul dn’
tunder st
andwhyshel ovedhimt his
much.Shest ar t
edhercaranddr oveoffastears
blur
r edherey es.Thepai nshewasf eel
ingwast oo
much, shewipedawayhert earst r
yingtodri
v e
proper l
y.Whenshef inallypar kedinf r
ontofher
houseshebr okedowncr y i
ng.Shecoul dn’t
under standwhathesawi nher ,shewasn’tthat
beaut i
ful,matteroffact, shewasn’ tbeaut
if
ul atal
l
,
j
ustdar kincompl exion.Herphoner angandshe
tookadeepbr eathpicking.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Ihav
ebeencal
l
ing,
howar
eyou?
”
Herfat
her
’sv
oicebr
oughtt
ear
sinherey
es.“
Iam
f
ine.
”
“Howi
sJuni
or?YourmotherandIwil
lcomet
her
ein
somet
ime,t
oseey ouandthebaby
.”
“
Iwoul
dlov
ethat
.”
“
Isol
dacoupl
eofcowssot
haty
oucanbuyapl
ot
f
orJuni
or.
”
“Papa,
youshoul
dn’
thav
edonet
hat
,Ihav
ebeen
savi
ng.”
“I
twil
lnotbeenough.Youar egrowingMar angand
youneedtostar
tplanningforyourkids.Whatwil
l
happentodayi
fsomet hinghappenstoy ou?”
Shekeptqui
etast
ear
sdr
opped.
“
Idi
dthi
sbecauseIl
ovey
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oopapa.
“
Yourmot
herwant
stot
alkt
oyou.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shewai
tedf
oraf
ewsecondst
henhear
dhermot
her
.
“
Mar
ang?
”
“
Mama.
.”
“
Howi
sJuni
or?
”
“
Hei
sfi
ne.Howar
eyou?
”
“Iam f
ine.Youfatherdi
dn’
ttel
lyout
haty
ourcow
hasacal f
.Iam goingtobr
ingyoumil
kwhenwe
comet
her
e.”
“
Iwoul
dlov
ethat
.”
“Howist
henanny
?Idon’
ttr
ustt
heseGabor
one
gir
ls.
”
“
Shei
sfi
ne.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
“
Bye.
”
Mar anghungupandgotof fhercar.Shewalked
i
nsidethehouse,itwasqui et
.Shesuspect edthe
nannywasal r
eadysleeping.Shepassedbyherson’s
room checki
ngonhi m beforeheadingtoher
bedroom.Themor eshet houghtofRef il
we,the
mor eherheartt
hrobbed.Sheundr essedand
draggedherbodyt obedf i
ghti
nghert earswhil
e
try
ingtoblockherthoughts.

*
***
*

Ay
anasl
owl
yti
ptoedf
rom herbedr
oom.Shewentt
o
thebackdoorandunl ockedit.Asoundf r
ozeher,
shesti
ll
edf oracoupleofsecondst henfinall
y
openedthedoorandwal kedout.Shewalkedt othe
gateandunl ockedt
hesmal lgate.Pul
eflashedhis
l
ightsassoonasshegotoutmaki ngherr ushov
erin
hershortpajamashorts.shecli
mbedi nsidewhil
e
herheartraced.
“
And?
”
Ay analookedathi
mthengav
ehi
mthepr
egnancy
test.“
Whatam Igoingt
odo?”
“
Wewi
l
labor
t.
”
Sheputherhandsov
erherf
acecr
ying.
“
Babecomeon.
”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.
”
“
Wewi
l
ldeal
wit
hthi
s.”
“
Pul
ewhati
fsomet
hinghappenst
ome?
”
“Doyour
eali
zewhatwi
l
lhappeni
fyoudon’
thav
ean
abor
ti
on?”
“
Yes!
”Shescr
eamedcr
ying.“
Ireal
i
zewhat
’satst
ack.
Myf
utur
eisont
hel
i
ne.Ican’
tbel
i
eveI
…”
“
AyanaIl
ovey
ou.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m angr
il
y.“
Idon’
tlov
eyouany
mor
e.”
Shesteppedoutofhiscarandrushedbackinsi
de
thegate.Slowl
ysheclosedthesmall
gateand
l
ockedi t.I
nsi
dethehouse,shel
ockedthebackdoor
andwal kedbacktoherroom.
“
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
”
Shelookedathermot
hercomingoutofherr
oom
shaki
ng.Sheputherl
egstoget
hert
ryi
ngtoholdher
pee.
“
Theki
tchen.Iwast
hir
sty
.”
“
Ok,
goandsl
eep.Youhav
eschool
tomor
row.
”
Shequi
cklywalkedi
nsi
deherroom andcl
osedt
he
doorwi
threl
ief
.Herphonevi
bratedfr
om t
hebed
andshetookit
.
P:
Iwi
l
lbr
ingabor
ti
onpi
l
lst
omor
rowmor
ning.
Shequickl
ydel
etedhi
smessageandlayonthebed
astear
sgushedout.Shecoul
dn’
timagi
nehow
Anayawoul
dbedisappoi
nted.Sheputapi
l
lowov
er
herf
acecry
ing.

*
***
*

Theodor
av omi
tedint
hetoi
l
etkneel
i
ng.Shest
ood
upandwashedhermouthovert
hesinkasChr
ist
ian
st
oodbehindher.
“
Arey
ouokbabe?
”
Shewipedhermout
hlooki
ngatherr
efl
ect
ionont
he
mir
ror
.
“
Yes.Ihav
etogo,
Ihav
eamor
ningmeet
ing.
”
“
Hasy
ourcont
ractbeenr
enewed?
”
“Noty
et,Iam meet
ingmybosssohewi l
ltel
lme.
”
Shewalkedtowar
dshim andki
ssedhi
scheek.
“
Youar
ewor
kingf
rom homet
oday
?”
“
Yes.Mel
odycal
l
edme.
”
Theodor
api
ckedherhandbagandt
heFor
tuner
’s
key
s.“
Sheshoul
dbepat
ient
,It
oldherIwi
l
lsendt
he
money
.”
“
Ok,
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Shewal kedoutgoingt othecaranddr oveof
f
glancingatt heti
me.Shest oppedbyt heredtraf
fi
c
l
ightr ubbingherli
pst ogetherthenl ookedbesideher.
Anay a’sG-Wagonmadeherhear tskipbutwhenshe
l
ookedi nsideshereali
zedi twasAnay a’smother
drivi
ng.Shesmi l
edimagi ningitwasherownmot her
drivi
ng, i
twouldserv ehergr eatj
oy .Thet r
aff
icli
ght
changedandt heG- Wagonspedof f.
Theodorasteppedontheaccel
erat
orcontinuingher
j
ourney.Minutesl
atershepar
kedintheparkinglot
andsteppedoutofthecar.Wit
hherhandbagi nher
hands,shemadeherwayi nsi
dethebuil
ding.
“
Mor
ning,
”Shesai
dtot
her
ecept
ioni
stwhosmi
l
ed.
“
Youar
epr
egnant
.Icanseei
t.
”
Theodoral
aughedandignoredher
.Shedroppedby
heroff
icebef
oreshefi
nall
ywenttoherboss’
soffi
ce.
“
Goodmor
ningMr
.Medupi
.”
Hesmi
l
edst
ari
ngather
.
“
Howar
eyouTheodor
a.”
“
Iam f
ineSi
r,y
ou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
Hehandedheranenv
elope.
“
Yourcont
racti
scomi
ngt
oanendt
hismont
h.”
Herhear
tpoundedassheopenedtheenvel
opand
t
ookoutthelet
ter
.Shesl
owlyreaditandsmi
led.
“
Youar
erenewi
ngmycont
ract
?”
Hesmi l
ed.“
Andalsopromot
ingy ou.Fort
hepast
yearyouhaveprov
edtobeav eryhardworkerandI
don’twantt
oloseyouasawor ker.
”
Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.
”
“
Youhav
eto.Yournewof
fi
cei
swai
ti
ng.
”
“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”
“
Good.Don’
tmakemer
egr
eti
t.
”
“
Ipr
omi
sey
ou,
Iwi
l
lwor
kext
rahar
d.”
“
That
’swhatIwant
.”
Shestoodupandwalkedoutt
oherof
fi
cewher
eshe
foundKamowait
ing.
“
And?
”
“
Ihav
ebeenpr
omot
ed.
”
Kamosmi l
ed.“
ThankGod!Iwassowor
ri
edt
hinki
ng
Ihav
elostmyonlyfr
iend.
”
“
Ididn’
tsl
eeplastni
ght.
”Theodorasaidsit
ti
ng.“I
wassoscared,youknowhowdiffi
culti
tistofi
nda
j
ob.Idon’
twanttobeahousewi f
e.”
“Metoo,Idon’
thaveamanbutwhenIfi
nal
lygethi
m,
heneedstounderst
andt
hatIl
ovemyjob.”
“Ibr
oughttheshoessoy oucanseet
hem si
ncey
ou
coul
dn’tcomeoverthatday.
”
“
Ok,
comeandcol
l
ectmedur
ingl
uncht
ime.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Kamowal
kedoutwhi
l
eTheodor
are-
readherl
ett
er
wit
hasmi
le.
*
***
*

Racheltookadeepbr eathlooki
ngatherclothes.
Shecouldn’
tfi
ndany t
hingsexyexpectfrom thelong
ski
rtsanddressesshewor e.Nowsheunder stood
whyKennethnev erl
ookedathert hatmuch.Shehad
tur
nedintoagrannyallbecauseshecouldn’t
bal
ancebetweenchur chandherself.
Shet ookoutt hebet terlookingdr essshehadanda
pairofpumpst henwal kedoutoft hehouse.She
goti nthesmal lVitsKenhadboughtf orhert wo
mont hsagoanddr ovet othemal lwher eshewal ked
fr
om st oretostor eshoppi ng.Shehadgi venawayal l
herni ceclothes.Shepassedbyasal onanddi dher
hairbef oreheadi ngbackhomehour sl ater.Aft
er
changi ngi nt
oasexynumber ,sheshookherboot y
playfull
yi nfrontoft hemi r
ror.Withamat chi
ng
handbag, shewal kedoutoft hehouse.Shehad
mi ssedt hispartofher , sheguessedi tal lcamewi th
stayingathomedoi ngnot hingandt hatwasaboutt o
change.
Shestar
tedthecaranddroveheadedt othe
companywithahugesmi l
e, shewouldhithi
m wi
tha
bi
gsurpri
se.Awhilel
atersheparkedhercarand
cl
imbedoutheadedinsi
det hebuil
ding.
“
Hi,
”Shesai
dtot
her
ecept
ioni
stwi
thabr
ightsmi
l
e.
“
Goodmor
ning,
howcanIhel
p?”
“
Iam her
etoseemyhusband,
theboss.
”
“
Oh,
wel
comeMr
s.Mokwena.Hei
sin.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shewal kedtowar
dsKenneth’
sof fi
ce.Shesmil
ed
walkinginsi
debuthersmil
eslowlydissol
vedasher
heartpoundedhardandfaststar
ingatthem.
Gorat
astoodupasKennet hquickl
yputhisdi
ckin
hi
spants.Itwasl
ikeamov iesl
owlyplayi
ngbefor
e
hereyesandshecoul
dn’tevenreact.Shel
ookedat
Gorat
aasshef i
xedherdress.
“
Youar
esl
eepi
ngwi
th…”
Shet
ookast
epf
orwar
dfeel
i
ngweak.
“
Youar
esl
eepi
ngwi
thmyhusband.
”
“
Babe,
Icanexpl
ain.
”
Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
esasshel
ookedatKennet
h.
“Expl
ainwhat
?Iam goi
ngt osuey
ou,
yout hi
nky ou
canjustsl
eepwit
hamar r
iedman?Waitunti
lyour
faceinTheVoi
ce.”
“
Iam sosor
ryMr
s.Mokwena.
”
“
Iam st
il
lsui
ngy
ouandy
ouar
efi
red.Getout
!”
Gor
ataqui
ckl
ywal
kedoutasRachel
fumed.
“
Canwet
alk?
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
osueher
.Icannotbel
i
evet
his.
”
“
Iam sor
ry,
youhav
ebeenf
ocusedonchur
chal
ot.
”
“
Soy
ouf
oundanot
herwoman?
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Tear
srandownhercheeks.“
Isshebet
tert
hanme?
”
“
Babe…”
“
Isshe?Nextt
hingshewi
l
lbepr
egnant
.”
“
Ihav
eusedpr
otect
ional
lthet
ime.
”
“
Youwantmet
oqui
tchur
chKennet
h?I
sthatwhat
y
ouwant?”
“
No.
”Hehel
dherhands.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shenoddedt
henwi
pedawayhert
ear
s.
“
It
’sf
ine.If
orgi
vey
ou.
”
“
Babe…”
“
Ifor
giv
eyou.Letmego,
getbackt
owor
k.”
Hel
ookedi
nherey
esasshest
aredathi
m bl
ankl
y.
“
Ifor
giv
eyou.Letmego.
”
“
Justl
i
ket
hat
?”
“
Yes.Justl
i
ket
hat
.”
Shet urnedandwalkedoutpassi ngGor at
awhowas
shakingbyherdesk.Herl i
pst rembl edasshegotin
hercar.Shelookedbackatt hebui ldingholdi
ngher
tear
st hendroveaway .Minuteslater,shewas
walkinginsi
detheempt ychur ch.Theguar dshadlet
herin.Shekneltatthefrontandcr i
ed.
“Lordpleasehel
pmefi
ghtthisbattl
e,gi
vemethe
strengt
hIneedtodeal
wit
ht his.Iputmymar
ri
agein
yourhandsforIam fail
ing.I
fthi
sismeanttobe,
thenl
etitbe.Givemet hehearttofor
giv
eandf or
get
.
Havemer cyonme, r
emembermewheny ou
rememberot her
s.I
nt henameofJesusIpr ay,
Amen.”
Shestoodupandsatont hefr
ontr ol
lwit
ht ear
sin
hereyes.Shecouldstil
lseeGorataonherkneesand
shewonder edifeverhermarr
iagewasgoi ngto
surv
iveit
,ifevershewasgoingt osurvi
veit.

*
***
*

Hourslat
erRachelwalkedi
nsideherhouse.She
coul
dsmel l
somet hi
ngdeli
ciousbythedoorasshe
wentfurt
herinsi
dethehouse.
“
Hey!
”Kengr
eet
edherwi
thasmi
l
e.“
Icookedy
our
f
avor
it
e.”
“
Iam nothungr
y.Goodni
ght
.”
Shewalkedtothebedroom wheresheshower
ed
andcr
awl edonthebed.Shelookedatt
hewalland
cl
osedherey
esasherheadached.
“
Babe,
canwet
alk?
”
Shepr
etendedt
obesl
eepi
ngwhenheshookher
.
“
Canwet
alk?
”
Shet ri
edthi
nkingofherpar ents,shehadhadagood
rel
ationshi
pwi t
hherf ather.Shehadbeendaddy ’
s
l
itt
legirlt
il
lonedayt heywer ebothjustgone.They
coll
idedwithadr unkard,fi
vepeopl ediedthatday
andt woofthem wer eherpar ent
sandt heotherher
youngerbrother.Shehadonl ybeen17t henitwas
over.
Tear
sf el
ltothepi
ll
owasshet houghtofwhator
howherpar ent
swoul dcomfor
ther.Shehadtr
usted
hi
m, t
rustedherheartwit
hhim andhehadbrokenit
.
Shecri
edsilent
lyti
l
lshedissol
vedintomeani
ngless
sl
eep.

*
***
*

Ay
anacl
osedherey
esf
eel
i
ngt
heexcr
uci
ati
ngpai
n.
Shehadt akenthepil
ls,shehaddrankoneandthe
othershehadinsert
edi nhervagi
na.Herhear
t
throbbedwithgui
lt
y,shewascommi t
ti
ngamur der
.
Shewaski ll
i
ngababy .
Herphoner angandshet ookitl
ooki
ngathis
number .Shewai t
edtil
l t
hephonestoppedri
ngi
ng
thenblockedanddel etedhisnumber.Thepai
n
slashedagai nandshest oodup.Bl
oodrandownher
thighsthroughherpajamashor t
s.Shetookher
phoneanddi al
edLalah.
“
Iam wat
chi
nggener
ati
onsAy
ana,
whatdoy
ou
want
?”
“
Iam dy
ing.
”Shesai
dgr
oani
ng.
“
What
?”
“
Come,
Iam bl
eedi
ng.
”
“
Ayanawhatar
eyousay
ing.
”
“
Come…God! ”Shecr
iedput
ti
ngherhandov
erher
mout
h.“
Please.”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Ay
anasl
i
dtot
hef
loorwi
thbl
oodt
rai
l
ingdown.
Almosttenminut
es,t
herewasaknockont
hedoor
fol
lowedbythedoorknobmovi
ng.
“
Ayana,
it’
sme,
open!
”
Shesl
owlyst
oodupandopenedthedoorf
orLalah
whowalkedi
nlooki
ngatt
heblood.Lal
ahl
ockedthe
door
.
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Ay
anal
ayont
hef
looragai
ngr
oani
ng.
“
Abor
ti
on.
”
“
What
?”
“
OhIam dy
ing.
”
“
Youar
ehav
ingsex.
”
Anurgetopushoverwhel
medherandshet ookoff
hershor
tsandpushedwhil
eLalahstaredinhorror
.
Ayanapushedagai
nthenfel
tsomethingcomeout
thr
oughhervagi
na.Shesi
ghedexhaust edl
ylayi
ng
backdown.
“
It
’sasmall
…”Lal
ahtrai
ledof
flookingatAy
anawho
wasbl
inki
ngsl
owlyhereyescl
osing.
“
The…it
’sdead.Youneedt
obat
ht henwewi
l
lcl
ean
t
heroom andthr
owawaythet
hing.”
Lal
ahgr abbedAy ana’
sshor t
sandpickedt heti
ny
baby.Herhear tpoundedasshecov eredthedead
babywithtinylimbs.Shethrewitunderthebedand
walkedoutoft hebedroom checki
ngt hecoast.
Ayana’
smot herandbrotherwerewatchingTVi nt
he
si
tti
ngroom.Sheduckedbacki nsideAy ana’
sroom
andhelpedherup.
“
Youhav
etobat
h.”
Theyslowlywal kedtothebathroom.Lal ahl eft
Ayanasitti
ngi nthet
ubaswat erfi
ll
editandr ushed
backtoherbedr oom whereshet ookof ft hebloody
sheetsont hebed.Withquickmov ement s,she
wipedthebl oodonthef l
oorwi t
hthesheet sand
walkedoutwi ththem.Ayanasati nthetubwi thher
eyesclosed.
“
Ayana,don’
tsl
eep.Bath,
weneedt
othr
owaway
t
he…thatthi
ng.Bur
yit.
”
Lalahputt
hesheet
sdownasAy
anaopenedher
eyes.
“
Lal
ahIam dy
ing.
”
“Tsek!Shutup!
”Lal
ahbat
hedAyanaassheweakl
y
satinthetubwit
hthewat
erwhi
chhadturnedr
ed.
“
Whoar
eyousl
eepi
ngwi
th?
”
“
Pul
e.”
Lalahpaused.“
Shameony ou!Yousai
dIshould
stopadmiri
nghim becausehewasol dsothatyou
canhavehim al
ltoyoursel
f.Kooreomoloimony ana
kewena!{Youareawi tch.
}”
ShehelpedAyanaupandwr
appedacl
eant
owel
aroundherwetbody
.
“
Gotoy ourr
oom andputonapad.Iwi
l
lcl
eany
our
mess.
”
Ayanawal
kedoutasLal
ahcl
eanedt
het
ub.She
thr
ewthebl
oodysheet
sint
hewashi
ngmachineand
tur
nedi
tonbefor
ewalki
ngout
.
InAyana’
sroom,shefoundheralreadydr
essedi
n
paj
amapant sandshi
rt.Shereachedundert
hebed
andtooktheshor
tsbundledup.
“
Wear
egoi
ngt
obur
nthi
sthi
ng.
”
Ayanaslowl
ynodded.Usi
ngthebackdoor
,they
walkedoutt
othebackofthehouse.
“
Iki
l
ledababy
.”
Lal
ahl
ookedatherf
ri
endsadl
y.
“
Gobacki
nsi
det
hehouse,
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Wehav
etobur
rymybaby
.”
“
Iwil
ldoi
talone,gobacki
nsi
det
hehouse.Wewi
l
l
t
alkt
omorr
ow. ”
Ay
anaputherhandsov
erhermout
hcr
ying.
“Shhh!Whyar eyoucrying?Youwantpeopl etohear?
Didany onefor
cey outoabort?Osekawabat l
ago
ntenaAy ana!{
Don’tannoyme. }Isaidgobackinsi
de
thehouse, r
etlabuakamoso.Ont senyastr
essebil
e
tl
okoy amey aopa.{Wewi ll
tal
kt omorrow.Youare
stressi
ngme, myheadi sevenachi ng.
}”
Ayanaturnedandwalkedbacki
nsi
dethehouse
l
eavingherfri
endatt
hebackofherhouse.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#60

Chr
ist
ianwat
chedasTheodor
apr
epar
edf
orwor
k.
“
Whatdoy
oumeany
ougotapr
omot
ion?
”
“
Idi
d.Iwassoscar
edy
est
erday
.”
Chr
ist
iansi
ghedandsatont
hebed.
“
BabeIcanaf
for
dyou.Youdon’
tneedt
owor
k.”
Theodoraputonhermascar
ast
ret
chi
ngher
eyel
ashesthenst
oodup.
“
IknowbutIneedt
owor
k.Il
ovewor
king.
”
“
Butyouarepr
egnant
,don’
tyout
hinky
oushoul
dbe
r
est
ing?”
“Iwill
takemymat ernit
yleav
ewhenIam due.
”She
kissedhischeek.“
By e!
”
Shegrabbedherhandbagandwalkedoutofthe
house.Hercabwasalreadywai
ti
ngoutsi
dethegat
e.
shegoti
nanswer
ingherr
ingi
ngphone.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Goodmor
ning,
Iam st
il
lwai
ti
ng.
”
“
Iam sendi
ngt
oday
.”
“
Please,
Emmanuel
isst
il
lnotgoi
ngt
oschool
.”
“
Iam sendi
ngt
oday
.”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupr ol
li
nghereyes.Shedi dn’tunderst
and
howMel odycoul
djustbesit
ti
ngdoi ngnot hing
expectingtobefed.Nowsheunder stoodwhyt hey
saidsomei n-l
awsjustdon’
tcare.Itwasf unnyhow
Christi
an’smotherhadsupport
edMel odywhenshe
want edtokickheroutnowbutnowshecoul dn’
t
evenpayhergr andkid’
sschoolfees.
Awhilelat
ershest eppedoutofthecabandwalked
i
nsidethebuil
ding.Shewenttohernewof fi
ceand
satdownwi t
hasmi l
e.Itdamnfeltgood!

*
***
*
Ay analookedather selfont hemirror
.Sheknewshe
hadt ogetov erwhathappenedl astnightandmove
onwi thli
fe.Shewasgoi ngt obeanur seandwas
goingtof orgetPuleev erhappened.Sheputonher
school bl
azerasCar rieUnder wood-Thechampion
played.Asmi lestart
edatt hecornerofherli
pswhi
le
thelyri
csoft hesongmov edher.
Wal ki
ngoutofherroom,shewentt
othekitchenand
satdowneat i
ngthesoftpor
ri
dgehermotherhad
dishedforherwhil
esheopenedherwhat
sapp
messagesonheri Phone.
Let
habojoi
nedherasecondl
aterandsatbesi
deher
eat
ing.
“
Ial
sowantaphone.
”Hegr
umbl
ed.
“Nayasai
dshewi
l
lbuyoneaf
tery
oupassy
our
grade7.
”
“
Iwantonel
i
key
our
s.”
Ayanal
aughed.“
Youonl
ygett
hisoneaf
tery
our
for
m 3.
”
Thei
rmotherj
oinedthem dr
essed.Ay
anasmi
l
ed
st
ari
ngathermot heri
nherfavor
it
esuit
.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
Towor
k,can’
tIl
ookgood?
”
Ay
anachuckl
ed.“
Youl
ookr
eal
l
ybeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thanky
ou,
dof
ast
,yourschool
busi
sal
mosther
e.”
“
Iwantt
ost
artt
aki
ngacombi
toschool
.”
Hermot
herl
ookedather
.“Why
?”
“
Iam t
oool
dforaschool
bus.
”
“Il
i
ketheschoolbusbecausei
ttakesyoutoschool
ontimeandalsobri
ngsyoubackont i
me.”
“Idon’
tli
ket
heschool
bus,
cany
oupl
easet
akeme
offit
.”
“
Iwi
l
lthi
nkabouti
t.
”
Ayanastoodupandtookherpl
atet
othesi
nkasher
school
bushooted.
“Ayanayouarebl
eedi
ng.
”Let
habopoi
ntedather
bloodyschool
ski
rt
.
Shequi
ckl
ytur
nedandsawabi
gst
ain.
“
Iwi
l
lchange.
”
Sherushedbacktoherbedroom andquickly
changedint
oanotherski
rtandpanti
es.Hermot her
walkedinasshepickedherstai
nedski
rtfrom t
he
fl
oor.
“
What
’shappeni
ng?
”
Anay
apani
ckedl
ooki
ngathermot
her
.
“
Ma?
”
“
What’
shappeni
ng?Whyar
eyoubl
eedi
ngt
his
much?
”
“
It
’smyf
ir
stday
.”
“
Ok,l
eav ethat
.Youwi
l
lwashi
twheny
oucomeback
f
rom school.
”
Sheswit
chedoffherphoneandputi
tinher
wardr
obebefor
ewal ki
ngout.

*
***
*
Marangwalkedi
nsi
deLay
la’
sof
fi
cet
alki
ngwi
th
Lay
lainf
ront.
“
Shehasanatt
it
ude,
Idon’
tthi
nkIwi
l
lev
ert
rusther
wi
thmychi
ld.
”
“
Marangy
oudon’
thav
eto.Shei
sjustagi
rl
fr
iend
r
ight
?”
“
Yesandshei
ssosur
eofher
sel
f.
”
“
Wel
l
,that
’showsomegi
rl
sar
e.”
“
Ist
il
lcan’
tbel
i
eveMi
guel
choset
hatugl
ytal
lgi
rl
.”
Lay
lasatdown.“
Arey
ouj
eal
ous?
”
“WhywouldIbe?Iam justsay
ingamanofhi
s
stat
usshoul
dn’tbeseenwithsuchagi
rl
.”
“Yousoundbitt
err
ightnow.It
oldy
ou, y
oushoul
dn’
t
havehighhopeswhenitcomestothatman.
”
Shesi
ghed.“
Ijust
…”
“
Youjustt
houghty
ouwer
efi
nal
l
ygoi
ngt
obea
f
amil
y?”
“
What’
swr
ongwi
tht
hat
?Imean,
Juni
ordeser
vesas
much.
”
“
Youl
ovehi
m.”
Mar
angshookherheadt
ear
ful
l
y.“
Am Iwr
ongt
o?”
“
No,
butyoushoul
dn’thavesomuchhope,
youneed
t
omoveonwithyourli
featsomepoi
nt.
”
“Ij
ustcan’
tbel
ieveheissl
eepi
ngwi
tht
hatdar
kgi
rl
.
Sheisnoteventhatpr
ett
y.”
“
Amanl
oveswhohel
oves.
”
“
Heispr
obabl
ygoi
ngtot
osshert
othesi
dewhenhe
meet
sbett
ermeat
.”
“That
’shi
schoi
ce.Don’
tgi
vehimt
hesat
isf
act
ionof
knowinghehasaholdonyou.
”
“
Yeah,
any
way
swewi
l
ltal
klat
er.
”
MarangwalkedoutofLayl
a’
soff
icesandbackto
her
s.Shetookoutherphoneandcall
edMiguel
.
“
Mar
ang?
”
“Ican’
tbel
i
eveyou.Outofev
ery
thi
ngwomany ou
cangetinthewor
ld,y
ouwentandchoseher
.”
Hesi
ghed.“
IsJuni
orok?
”
“Hei
sfi
ne.Ican’
tbeli
eveyou.Whatexact
lydoyou
seei
nher?Youdisappoi
ntedmeinyourchoice.
”
“
Arewedone?
”
“
Mychil
disnev ergoi
ngtocometoyourhouseas
l
ongasthatcharcoal
gir
list
her
e.”
“Canyoust
opinsul
ti
ngher
?Shehasaname.You
begi
nningt
oannoyme.”
“Foramanyourstat
us,youhavedef i
nit
elywentf
ar
belowyourl
evel
.Ipi
tyyou,i
fthisiswhataheart
breakcandotoyou,youdef
init
elyneedhelp.
”
“Don’
tev
ercal
lmei
fathasnot
hingt
odowi
tht
he
baby.
”
“Whatever
.Idon’tev
enwanty ou,
notaft
eryouslept
wit
hthatcharcoalgi
rl.Sies!
”Shehungtry
ingt
o
cont
rolheranger.Anur sepagedherandshestood
upandwal kedout.

*
***
*
Kennet hrubbedhi sf
oreheadstaringathiswedding
pi
ctur eframe.Rachelstil
lhadn’
tsaidany t
hingandit
bother edhim.Rathershehadwokenupear l
y
mor ninganddr essedinasexydr essbeforeleav
ing.
Shel ookedsexyandnowhewonder edwhereshe
hadgonet o.Goratawalkedinhisofficeandhe
l
ookedatherbor ed.
“
Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
“
Ken,
Iam scar
ed.
”
“
Canyouleavemyof
fi
ce,
didn’
tyouhearmywi
fe
y
est
erday
? ”
“
Yourwi
fe?Wher
ewasy
ourwi
fewheny
ouwer
e
f
ucki
ngme?”
“YouknewIwasamar
ri
edman.Getoutofmy
offi
ce.
”
Gor
atawi
pedawayhert
ear
s.“
Shei
sgoi
ngt
osue
me.
”
“
That
’snotmyi
ssue.
”
Gor
ataputherhandov
erhermout
handwal
kedout
.
KennethtookhisphoneandlookedatRachel
’
s
pict
ures.Shewasbeauti
fulandGodhewasscared
toloseher.Hescrol
ledt
hroughthecont
actsand
call
edthepastoratchur
ch.

*
***
*

Refi
l
wewal kedinsi
deherhouselateintheaf
ter
noon
andsighedlooki
ngatthedir
tyhouse.Sheopened
thewindowsandstart
edcleani
ng.
“
HeyFi
fi
,”
Shetur
nedandl
ookedathersi
ster
.“What
’sgoi
ng
oninmyhouse?
”
“
Iwasgoi
ngt
ocl
ean.
”
Sheboi
l
edwi
thangerst
ari
ngatOshadi
.
“
Myhousei
samessOshadi
!”
“
Iwasgoi
ngt
ocl
ean.
”
“Iam t
ir
edofthi
s.Myhousel
ooksli
keapi
gstyandI
can’
tdealwi
thitany
more.Gobackt
oAunty
becauseIcan’ tdeal wi
ththisany more.Ihavetr
ied
tobepatientwi thy ou,
Ihav e,
Itooky oubackto
schoolsot haty oucanf ai
lagain.Which21y ear
sold
wouldfai
l BGCSE?Ihav ebeenwast i
ngmymoneyon
youyetal i
ttl
er esponsibil
i
tyofkeepingmyhouse,
thehousey oust ayisj
usttoohar dforyou.”
“
Soy
ouar
eabandoni
ngmet
oo?
”
“Nooneisabandoni
ngy ou.Theworlddoesn’
towe
youanyt
hing.Youhaveanat t
it
udeforsomeonewho
wantst
obet akencareof.Nowondermamaand
papadi
sownedy ou,i
t’
sthisrott
enbehavi
or!
”
“
Iam y
ourf
ami
l
y.”
Refi
lwelookedatOshadi’
spinkhai
randsighed.
“Mma,kel ekel
e,gopadil
e.{
Ihavetr
iedandfai
led.
}
Packyourbags, youar
ecatchi
ngthenextbusto
Shakawe.”
Oshadiwalkedt
oherbedroom bangingthedoor
behindher
.Refi
l
wequiet
lycleanedherhouseand
whenshewasdone,shepi ckedherphoneand
cal
led.
“
Fif
i…”
“Mama, Ihavetri
ed.Yourdaughteri
shar dt
odeal
wit
h.NowIunder st
and.Peoplel
ikehermakest ep
parentsl
ookbad.Iam sureev er
yonethinksyou
don’twanttotakecareofher.Theyjustdon’
tknow
her.
”
“Iam sorrysheisgi
vi
ngy ouahardtime.Ir
eal l
y
don’tknowwher eIwentwrongwithOshadi.She
alwaysremi ndsmethatIam nothermother.Itook
bothofy ouinwhenmysi st
erdiedandhavel oved
youequal l
y.
”
“Iam sendingherbackt
oAunt
y.Ican’
tdeal
wit
hher
anymor e.
”
“
Ok,
howar
eyoumygi
rl
?”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“Ial
waysgetwor
ri
edwheny
ouar
efl
yi
ng.Myhear
t
doesn’
trel
ax.
”
Rachel
laughed.“Don’
twor
ryt
hatmuch.Howi
syour
bl
oodpressure?”
“
It
’sok.Youshoul
dn’
twor
ryaboutme.
”
“
IdobecauseIl
ovey
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oochi
l
d.”
Shehungupandwal
kedt
oOshadi
’
sroom.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Ami
nut
elat
er,
shewal
kedoutwi
thherbag.
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evey
ouar
edoi
ngt
hist
ome.
”
“Ihopewheny ougett here, youre-
eval
uateyourli
fe.
Youar enotget t
inganyy ounger.Youragemat esare
i
nuni versi
ti
espushi ngwhi ley outi
ntyourhairt
oall
sortsofcolorsandwal kar oundinthefacebook
street
sal l
daydoi ngnot hingofv al
ue.It
’sashame
reall
y,Ihopeyouwakeupandsmel lt
hecof f
ee
beforeit’
stoolate.Let’sgo. ”

*
***
*

Lonel
ookedatRachel
incompl
etesur
pri
se.
“Inev
erthoughtKennet
hwoul
dbet
het
ypet
o
cheat.
”
“
Andwi
thsomet
hingi
rlt
oo.
”
“
Iam sor
ryf
ri
endbutwhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
”
“Sheexpect
smet oleavemyhusbandbutthatisnot
goingtohappen.IlovemyhusbandandIam not
goingtol
eavehim.Iam suingher,
shethi
nkst he
ri
ngonKennet h’
sfingerisf
orj
okes.”
“
Areyoureadyt
ohav
eyourbusi
nessal
lov
ersoci
al
medi
a?”
“Yes.I
fthat
’swhati
twill
takethenyes.Thatgir
l
thi
nksmar r
iagei
sajoke,Iam goi
ngtofixher.Iwant
P150k.
Lonel
aughed.“
Youar
eaboutt
omakemoney
.”
“
Sheisgoi
ngt
opaythatnextt
imesheseesa
mar
ri
edman,shewi
l
l r
un.”
Rachel
’
sphoner
angandshet
ooki
tout
.
“
Hel
l
o,”
“
Hey
,wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam hangi
ngoutwi
thLonebutIam onmyway
.”
“
Ok,
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungupandsi
ghed.
“
Ihav
etogo,
Ili
ket
hissmal
lhouse.
”
“
Idon’
t,
Iwasusedt
othebi
gonebutnowIhav
ea
l
oantopay
.”
“
Forhowl
ongwi
l
lyoupayi
t?”
“
Foury
ear
s.”
“What?Iunder
standy
ourcari
sni
cebutwasi
t
necessar
y?”
Lonesighed.“
No.IboughtitbecauseAnayawas
dri
vi
ngaG- Wagon.Iwashur t,Mi
guelnev
erspoi
l
ed
mewhenwewer etogetherthenAnayacameand
gottwoexpensiv
ecars.
”
“
Soy
ouwer
ecompet
ing?
”
“
Yes,
Iregr
eti
tbutnowt
her
eisnot
hingIcando.
”
“
Don’
tyouthi
nky
ouhav
ewor
kedatt
hebankf
or
l
ongenough?
”
“
Iam al
readylooki
ngf
oranot
herj
ob.Ihav
ebeen
wor
kingatthesameposi
ti
onfory
ears.
”
“
Iagr
ee.Any
way
s,l
etmegetgoi
ng.
”
“
Bye!
”
Rachel
walkedoutanddrovet
oherhouse.She
st
eppedinsi
dethehouseandclosedt
hedoor.
“
Icooked.
”
Shel
ookedatKennet
h.
“
Ok.
”
Hel
edhert
othedi
ningt
abl
ewher
ethei
rpl
ateswer
e.
“BabeIknowIhavehurtyouandnoamountof
excusecanjust
if
ywhatIdid.Il
oveyousomuch,I
don’twantt
oloseyou.It
alkedtothepast
orandhe
saidweshouldcomeforcounseli
ng.”
Shesatdownandst
art
edeat
ing.
“
Ok.
”
Hesl owlyatdownandwat chedherassheate
probablywai t
ingf
orhert
ol ashorsomet
hingbut
thatnev ercame.I
mmediatelyaft
ershef
ini
shed
eating,shewenttothebedroom,tookashowerand
slept.
*
***
*

Ref
il
wel
aughedhol
dingherphone.
“Youar
ecrazy
,myt
highshur
tandsodoesmypussy
.
Ineedabr
eak.”
“
Ok,Iwil
ljustcomeov
erandwat
chTVwi
thy
ou.I
won’
ttouchy ou.
”
“
Youar
ely
ing.
”
“
Ok,
may
beIwi
l
ltouchbutIwon’
thav
esexwi
th
y
ou.
”
Ref
il
wegi
ggl
ed.“
Ok.
”
Shepausedasacardr
ovei
n.
“
Hol
don.
”
Shewalkedt
othewindowandsl
ight
lyopenedt
he
cur
tai
ns.Achuckl
elef
therl
i
ps.
“
Soy
ouar
eher
e?”
“
Yes.
”
Sher
esumedhersi
tput
ti
ngherphonedownand
wait
ed.Miguel
wal
kedi
nsecondsl
ateri
nhi
scasual
cl
othes.
“
Hey
,”
Ref
il
wesmi
l
ed.“
Iam wat
chi
ngmyf
avor
it
eshow.
”
Miguelsatbesi
desher
ont
hecouchpul
l
ingher
cl
oser.
“
Iwi
l
lwat
chwi
thy
ou.
”
Shelookedathi
sli
psandsighed.Shewasf
all
i
ng
fast
erthannor
mal,i
tscar
edher.
“
Iam scar
ed.
”
“
Ofwhat
?”
“
Ofbei
ngwi
thy
ou.
”
Miguelsmi
l
ed.“
Youhav
enot
hingt
obewor
ri
ed
about.
”
Sheki
ssedhi
m.“
Ibel
i
evey
ou.
”

*
***
*
Thefoll
owingSaturdaymorningLoneappli
edf
ora
fewjobsshequalif
iedforonl
inewhil
esheateher
earl
ybreakfast
.Aknockont hedoorpushedupon
herfeet
.Sheopenedt hedoorandfrowned.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
Bamesmi l
ed.Helookedevenmoresexieri
nhis
unif
orm.Hewashugeandsexy ,heprobabl
ywentt
o
thegym ev
eryday
.Hewasoneoft hosemeny ou
wouldn’
tmindbeingfuckedby
.
“
Lone,
hi.
”
Sheopenedtosaysomethi
ngbuthepushedher
i
nsideherhouseandcl
osedthedoor
.
“
Youl
ookev
enmor
ebeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
Helookedatherthenchuckl
ed.Shetookadeep
br
eathchasteni
nghersel
f.Shehadtorel
ax,
ofcause
hewashotbutshehadt orelax.
“
Iam her
et of
ucky ouandl eav
ey oudri
ppi
ngwit
h
mycum thencomebyl aterandfuckyouagai
n
l
eav
ingmychi l
dinsideyou.”
Herheartpounded,hewasprett
yseri
ous.Heputhi
s
handonhernecksl i
ght
lychocki
ngher.“
Iam goi
ng
tofucky ousohar
dbecausey ouar
enowmi ne.Am I
clearbabe?”
Shaki
ngl
i
keal
eafshenodded.
“
Good.
”
Heleanedov erandkissedher.Lone’scli
tthrobbed
asheki ssedherrealgoodwit
hhi shandst i
llonher
neck.Sheknewshewasi nshitandt herewasno
wayshewasgoi ngtoescapeit.Bamel ethergoand
unbutt
onedt hebuttonsofhershirtbeforetaki
ngit
offher.Helookedatherredbrat henpushedt hebra
cupsdownst ari
ngathernipples.
Heletgoofthebr aandturnedherar ound.He
unzi
ppedherskirtandpulleditdownonherf eet
.
Shehadonar edthongthatmat chedherbr a.He
smirkedherassbeforehuggingherf rom behind
sl
idi
nghishandi nsi
deherpant i
eswhi leki
ssingher
neck.
Lonemoanedhel
plessl
y,shehadnowher
eto
escapet
o.Hecont
inuedwi t
hthet
ort
uret
il
lshe
cl
osedherey
est
ight
lyduet
othest
imul
ati
on.
Bamepushedhertowardst
hewallt
henpull
eddown
hert
honganduncl
ippedherbr
a.Sheshookhear
ing
hi
m unzi
ppi
nghispants.
“Don’tpushmewhenIenj
oywhat
’smi
ne,
am I
clear
? ”
Shequi
ckl
ynodded.
“
Good.Idon’
twantt
ofucky
ouhol
dingagun.
”
Lone’ shear
tskippedhear i
ngt hewor dgun.Shet ook
asi l
entprayerbutshest oppedmi dwayasBame
pushedhi sdickinsideher.Shehel dherbr eathashe
stretchedherbey ondmeasur e.Itwasl ongsi ncethe
l
astt imeshehadamanpoundi nginsideher .She
tr
iedmov i
ngashef il
l
edev er
yspacei nsideherbut
Bameputhi sbighandar oundherwai stkeepi ngher
i
npl acewhi l
epushi nghi
shugedi ckinsideher .
Sheclosedhereyeswhenhebeganf ucki
ngher.She
closedhereyesti
ghtlyashismassdest ructi
on
weapondest r
oyedherlitt
lepussy.Shemoanedwi th
everyfor
cefult
hrust.Minutesl
ater,hepull
edout
turni
ngherthenpickedherup.Shel ookedinhis
eyesashesunkherdownonhi shar
ddickand
fuckedheruncont
roll
abl
yasherhai
rwavedfr
om
sidetosi
de.Withthesoundshewasmaking,
she
knewhewasenj oyinghi
mself
.
Hernailsdugint
ohisbackashef uckedhergood.
Thepainwasgoneandt hemor epushedhi sdi
ck
i
nsideher,themoreshef el
tthepleasure.I
tbur
ned
hercore.Hepull
edoutjustbeforesheexplodedand
putheronhercouch.Hehel donel egsinki
ngdeep
i
nsideher.
“
Ohhh…”
Hel ookedinherr i
ghtint
ohisey esandpoundedher
hardwi t
hhisot herhandchockingher.Herbody
twistedassher oll
edhereyestot hebackfeeli
ng
everythrust.Sheroaredcummi ngwhilehereyes
tur
ned.Bamel etherneckgoandgav eheronelast
thr
ustf r
eezinginsideherwhil
eheshothi sload
i
nsideher .Hef i
nall
ypull
edoutandf i
xedhimself.
“
Seey
oul
ater
.”
Shepant
edashewal
kedoutl
eav
ingherl
yi
ngt
her
e.
.
.
.
Don'
tfor
gett
oli
ke

[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#61

Anaya’
smot
heransweredherr
ingi
ngphonestar
ing
att
hecomputerAnay
ahadinsi
stedshebuy.
“
Idon’
tknowhowt
ouset
hist
hingNay
a.”
“Call
theshopsot
heycansendsomeonet
ohel
pyou
out.Didy
ougotothef
arm?”
“
Yes,
Idi
dn’
tknowy
oupl
oughedt
hatmuch.
”
“Ihadto,
Iam goingtosignadealwi
thanot
her
supermarkett
hatjustcal
ledme.
”
“I
t’
sbeauti
ful,
Iam notsurpri
sedsuper
mar
ketsare
cal
li
ng.Isentyout
hepictures.I
t’
sli
kewhi
tepeopl
e’s
f
arms.
”
“Iknow,i
fIkeepupIshoul
dbeabl
etof
ulf
il
lthe
plansIhavefort
hef
uture.
”
“
Iam sopr
oudofy
ou.
”
“
Thanky
ou.Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandsi ghedstaringatthecomput erin
confusi
on.Awhi l
elatershewaswal ki
ngoutoft he
house.ShegotintheG- Wagonpr essingthegate’s
remote.EventhoughAnay ahadn’tboughtthecar ,
shestil
ll
ovedit.Shestart
edt heengineanddr ove
outbutstoppedasanot hercarstoppedinfrontof
hers.Amanpr obablyinhislatefi
ft
iessteppedout
andlookedather.
“
Dumel
ang,
”
“
Dumel
ang.
”
“Nekekopagobot
sa,
kel
atl
egi
l
e.{
CanIpl
easeask,
Iam l
ost
.}
”
“
Youcanask.
”
“Iam goi
ngtoPhakal
ane,
Ihear
dther
eisar
oadt
his
sidet
hatgoesther
e.”
“
Yes.
”
Shesl
owl
ydi
rect
edhi
mtot
her
oadhehadt
ojoi
n.
“
Thanky
ousomuch,
Iam Mor
ganSei
tsher
o.”
“
Youar
ewel
come,
Iam Gl
ori
aShat
o.”
Morganfr
owned.“
Arey
out
heownerofNay
aShat
o
Far
m? ”
Gl
ori
asmi
l
ed.“
No,
it’
smydaught
er’
s.
”
“
Notson?
”
Glor
ial
aughedpr
oudl
y.“
No,
daught
er.Idon’
thav
ea
son.
”
“
Whyam If
indi
ngi
thar
dtobel
i
evey
ou?
”
“
Youshoul
d.Ihaveav
erybr
ightchi
l
d.Shei
sgoi
ng
t
obeami l
l
ionai
re.
”
“
Iact
uall
ywant
edt
obuychi
ckens.Doessher
unt
he
f
arm?”
“
No,
Ido.Shei
sinSout
hAf
ri
ca.
”
“Iwill
takey ournumberandcall
you.Iwant100li
ve
chickens,somecabbages,tomatoesandgreen
peppers.Doesshehav eOnions?”
“
Shehasev
ery
thi
ng.
”
Theyexchangednumber
sandGl
ori
adr
oveof
f.

*
***
*

Refi
lwemadebr eakfastanddi
shedforMiguel
.He
walkedinthekit
chenasshehummedt oasongthat
wasplaying.Hestar
edatherforawhilet
henshe
fi
nall
yturnedandlookedathim wi
thasmile.
“
Imadebr
eakf
ast
.”
“
Ilov
eweekend.
”
Ref
il
wel
aughed.“
Sit
.”
Hi
sphoner
angandheanswer
edst
ari
ngather
.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?Wear
eaty
ourhouse.
”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Hur
ry!
”
Heputhi
sphonei
nhi
spocketst
ari
ngather
.
“
Mypar
ent
sar
eatmyhouse.Ihav
etogo.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
It
’sok.
”
Her eachedforhi
splat
eandkissedherbef ore
walkingouteati
ng.Heputtheplateonthe
passengersitanddrov
eoff.Secondslat
erhedr ove
i
nsidehisgatewhilehi
sparent’
scarthatwaspar ked
besidetheroadpull
edupbehindhis.Hefinished
eati
ngandst eppedoutgoi
ngtot hedoor.
“Wherewer
eyou?
”MmaMokwenaaskedandhe
smil
ed.
“
Iwasataf
ri
end’
shouse.
”
MmaMokwenalookedathi
mforawhi
lebefor
e
wal
ki
ngi
nsi
dethehouseshaki
nghi
shead.
“
Youknowy
ouar
est
il
lmar
ri
edt
oAnay
ari
ght
?”
Miguell
ookedathi
sfat
hercl
osi
ngt
hedoor
.“I
know.”
“
Doy
ouwantust
ocancel
?Wecani
fyouwant
.”
“
No.
”
Mokwenal
ookedathi
m.“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“Idon’
tknow.SheneedssomespaceandIam goi
ng
togivei
ttoher.Shewil
lcomeback,
shei
smywi fe
andIwillwai
tforher
.”
“
Ok.Wher
ewer
eyou?
”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Ataf
ri
end’
shouse.
”
“
Youshoul
dn’
tgoaroundhur
ti
nggi
rl
sify
ouknow
y
ousti
ll
wantAnay
a.”
“
PapaIam nothur
ti
ngany
one.
”
“Iam goi
ngtot
alkt
othatShatofami
l
yagai
n.We
needtohaveanunder
standi
ng.”
“
Don’tbot
herthem.Il
oveherandIdon’
twanthert
o
t
hinkIam har
assi
ngherfamil
y.
”
Hi
sfat
hersi
ghed.“
Ok.I
fyousayso.
”
Theyst
oodout
sideandchat
tedev
enmor
e.
*
***
*

Kennet
hwalkedinsi
dethepast
or’
soffi
cewithhi
s
wif
e.Thepastor’
swif
ewasalsother
e.Theybothsat
downexchanginggr
eeti
ngswit
hthepastor
.
“
Mywif
eandIusuall
ygetsuchcasesandweal
way
s
t
ryt
odoourbestt
ohelp.
”
Kennethsi
ghedlooki
ngatt
hepast
or.“
Thanky
ouf
or
agreei
ngtoseeus.”
“
Whati
sthepr
obl
em?
”
Rachel
lookedatKennet
h.
“
Icheat
edonmywi
fe.Wi
thmyPA.
”
“
Why
?”Thepast
or’
swi
feasked.
“Forthel
astfewmi nut esIhavebeenf eel
i
ng
abandoned.Itallstar t
edwhenwest ar
tedtry
ingfora
baby.Oursext urnedi ntoanobligat
iontomakea
baby,amission.Af terthat,t
hat’
swhenwest art
ed
comingtochur ch.Atf i
rsti
twasbecausewewer e
seeki
nghelpbutast imewenton, Iguesswebot h
foundhappinessi nt hechurch.Rachelhassince
shi
ftedherenti
reatt
enti
ononchurch.Sheisfor
ever
atchurch,
sheattendseverysi
ngl
ethingatchur
ch.
Shedoesn’thaveti
mef orus.
”
Theyal
ll
ookedatRachel
.
“Thechur chmakesmehappy .Itgivesmet hepeace
Ineed.Ev ersinceIlostmypar ents,Ihav eneverf el
t
suchpeace.Kennet hshoul dhav esatmedownand
explainedhowher eall
yfeltaboutchur chwithme
l
iket hisbecausehowheappr oachedi tinthepast
mademef eelasifhewant edmet oqui tchurch,
that’
swhyIwasdef ensive.Ididn’texpecthi mto
cheatonmeorev enhur tme.Iknowt hisaffai
rhas
beengoi ngonf orawhi lewhi chmakesmebel i
ev e
thatifher eal
l
ywant edust ofixthingshewoul d
havedoneso, hefoundhappi nessi nhissidedi sh.”
“Ok,Ithi
nkmay beweshoul dseparatenowt hatthe
problem isout.Youbot hhaveissues, i
ssuesy ou
needt otackleony ourownt henwef inall
ydeal wit
h
themai nissue.Rachel andIaregoingt ogot omy
offi
ceandwewi l
ltal
k.”Thepastor’
swi festoodup
andtookRachel ’
shandl eadi
nghert oheroffice.
Rachel
satdowni
nthesmal
lof
fi
cewi
thpast
or’
s
wif
e.
“Rachel
right
?Mynamei
sTshir
elet
so.Iknowyou
areusedtocall
i
ngmeMrs.Mogapi
.”Shesmil
ed.
“
Iwanttotel
lyoualit
tl
estory
, aft
erthatt
henIwant
y
outothinkcaref
ull
yofyourfuture.
”

*
***
*

Kennet
hsatwi
tht
hepast
ort
ell
i
nghi
m aboutGor
ata.
“Idon’
tlov
eher ,
itwasjustsex.ButIhavehur
ther.
Sheisnotsayi
ngany t
hingbutIcanseet hepai
nin
hereyesever
yt i
meshel ooksatme.Shesay sshe
forgi
vesmebutIknowshei shurt
ingandIhateit
becauseIam theonebehindthepain.”
“Youareher ebecauseyouwanttofixt
hings.That ’
s
astar
t.Mar ri
ageisnotajoke,whenyougotmar ried
youknewt hecommi t
mentyouweregetti
ngy ourself
i
nto.I
t’
sall aboutalotoft
hing.Wit
hmar r
iage
comest r
ust ,l
oyal
ty,
compassion,f
orgi
veness,and
l
ov e.Ihavelearntt
hathurti
ngt heper sony ouloveis
notgoingt ohelpyouinanyway .Wheny oucheat ,
youdest r
oysomet hinginyourpartner .Youmayf i
x
thingsbuttrustme, t
hingswill
nev ergetbackt o
nor mal
.Ther ewil
lalwaysbedoubt , mistrustanda
l
ot .Sheisgoingtolookaty ouandshewi ll
rememberhowy ouhurther.Thememor ywi l
lnever
l
eav eher,shewoul dhaveturnedint osomet hing
else.Somet hi
ngshewasn’ twheny ouf i
rstmether .
”
Kennet
hsi
ghed.“
Iknow.
”
“Backt henbef or
eIwasapast or ,Iusedt ocheat.I
wasy oungl ikeyouandIhadf reedom.Isl eptwit
h
mywi f
e’ssister,
til
ltodaytheydon’ tspeakal l
becauseofme.Icheatonherwi t
hdi ff
erentpeople
andsheal waysforgav emebecauseshedi dn’
twant
thecommuni t
ytolookatherasadi vorcee.Oneday
shejustwokeupandsai dshewasl eav i
ng.She
packedherbagsandourchi l
dren’st hingsandl eft
.
Younev erreal
izewhaty ouhav etill youlosei t
.She
hadf orgivenmef oral otandshej ustcoul dn’t
anymor e.Ittookmeawhi l
etor ealizet hatsaying
sorrydidn’tmeanany t
hing.WhenIwentaf t
erher,I
knewwhatIwant ed.Iwant edourlovethoughIknew
i
talreadyhadcr acksandt hatitwil
lneverbet he
sameagai n.Wechoset of i
ghtforourlove,forour
fami l
yandourchi l
dren.Ittookalot,t
herewasal ot
ofpai nandangerandwehadt odeal wit
ht hat.But
thedamagehadal r
eadybeendone.Cheat i
ngi sa
drawbackbecauseacoupl ewhodeal wit
hcheat ing
willal
way sfightov erdif
ferentgi
rl
sev eryti
me.Now
thatIlookbackIr eali
ze,Icouldhavedoneal otwith
myf ami l
ywhenIchoset ocheat.Wewoul dbef ar
withlifer
ightnow. ”

*
***
**

Lonesatonherbedt hinki
ngaboutBame.Shecoul d
sti
l
lf eel
him poundi ngdeepi nsi deherwit
houtcare.
Sheputherl egst oget her,
hel ookedsexyinthat
uni
for m.Shesof tl
ybi therlowerl ipwit
hasmal l
smile.Hewasdef initelyworthit,sheknewsolders
couldnev erbetrust edsoev eni fall
hewantedtodo
wasuseher ,shedi dn’tcarethatmuch.Shehad
missedthefeel
ingofdi
cki
nsi
deherandhehad
sati
atedherenough.
Shet ookoutherphonetocall
Rachelbutshewasn’
t
readyforthejudgmentsosheputherphonedown
l
ay i
ngbackr ecal
li
ngearl
i
erinthemorni
ng.Aknock
onherdoormadeherl eapoutofbed.Sherushedto
thedoorandopened.
“
Whatdoy
ouwantAmant
le?
”
Amant
lesmi
l
ed.“
Igotaj
ob.
”
“
Sowhat
?”
“Youthoughty
ouwer ebet
tert
hanmebutasusual
,I
am ontop.Iam goi
ngtoGermany.
”
Lonesi
ghed.“
Ok,
youwantmet
oul
ulat
e?”
“
Youmi
ghtaswel
l
.”
“Ican’
tbeli
eveyou,evenafterallt
hisyearsyoustil
l
beli
eveIam inacompet i
ti
onwi thyou.Iam not,li
ve
yourownlifeandletmelivemi ne.Congratul
ati
ons
ony ourj
ob,nowleavemyhouse. ”
Amantletur
nedandlookedatLone’
sDi
scov
ery
.
“Youboughtthatwi
thaloan?
”
“
Myl
oan.Pl
easel
eav
e.”
Astheystoodt her
e,acardroveinsidetheyardand
par
kedbehi ndtheDiscover
y.Theybot hwatchedas
Bamest eppedoutofhiscarholdingapl ast
icbag.
Theuniform wasof f
,hewasnowi nhissimple
cl
othesbutitstil
ltur
nedheron.Amant l
esmiledas
heapproached.
“Hey,
”hekissedherwit
hhist
onguemakingherwet
herpant
ies.Hepull
edawayandwalkedinsi
dethe
housecompl et
elyi
gnor
ingAmant
le’
spresence.
“
Sav
etr
ipt
oGer
many
.By
e!”
Lonewal kedbacki
nherhouseandclosedt
hedoor
.
Bamel ookedathershor
thotpant
sthenher
spaghettit
op.
“
Ify
oudressli
kethat,
Iwill
fuckyou.Thati
sone
t
emptat
ionIam notgoingtoresi
st.
”
God!Thatvoi
ceofhist
urnedheron.Shewant
ed
hi
m all
nightbef
orehecouldgobacktohi
swhores.
“
Shoul
dIchange?
”
Hel
ookedatherbar
ethi
ghsasshest
aredathi
s
di
ckpr
int
.Shewant
edhi
mri
ghtt
henandt
her
e.
“
Undr
ess.
”
Shequi
cklytookoffherpant
sandpant
iest
henher
topr
emainingnude.
“
Comeher
e.”
Hetookouthisbigblackdickandr ubbedi
tlooki
ng
ather
.Loneranhertongueonherl i
psapproachi
ng
hi
m.Hepul l
edhercloserandpi ckedheronelegand
beganrubbi
nghisdickonher .Lonemoanedsof t
ly
gri
ndi
ngagainsthi
m.Wi thoutwar ni
ng,hepushed
hi
swayi nsi
deherpussywhi l
eshegasped.
“
Condom?
”
Helookedri
ghti
ntohereyes.“
Iam put
ti
ngmychi
l
d
r
ightther
e.Wher
edoesy ourmotherst
ay?”
“
Mahal
apy
e.”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ospeakt
omyuncl
es,
Iwantt
omar
ry
y
ou.
”
Lonel
ookedi
nhiseyest
ryi
ngtofocusonhi
swor
ds
wit
hhi
sdickpl
ungeddeepinsi
deher.
“
Arewecl
ear
?”
Shequi
ckl
ynodded.
“
Good.
”
Bameeasedoutandt
hrusti
nagai
nasshey
elped.

*
***
*

Marangwalkedi nsideGamest or
epushi ngatrol
ley.
Shedidhershoppi ngwithherearphonespluggedin.
Shewalkedov ertot hepamperssectionsandpicked
acert
ainbrandt hrowingitint
hetrol
ley.Hereyesfel
l
onthemanwhowashol dingt
wodi f
ferentbr
ands
wit
hconfusion.
“Takethatone,Iusethem t
oo,
theyaregood.
”She
point
edatt heotherbr
andhewasn’thol
dingt
aki
ng
offherearphones.
Hesmi
l
edl
ooki
ngather
.“Thanky
ou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Shewal
kedt
othet
il
landst
oodi
nthequeue
pressi
ngherphone.Shemovedwit
hthequeueand
paidbefor
ewalki
ngoutcar
ryi
ngthepl
asti
cbags.
“
CanIhel
pyou?Youhel
pedmeear
li
eron,
nowi
t’
s
myt
urn.
”
Marangsighedashetookthepl
ast
icbagsf
rom hi
m.
Shelookedathi
sblackli
ps.
“
Yousmoke?
”
Hesmi
l
edast
heywal
kedt
othepar
kingl
ot.“
No,
not
any
mor
e.”
“
Good,
smoki
ngki
l
ls.
”
Mar
angunl
ockedhercarf
rom adi
stance.
“
Iknow,
that
’swhyIqui
t.
”
Theyapproachedherandsheopenedtheboot.He
packedhergrocer
iesandsi
ghedwithasmile.
“
Mynamei
sBer
nar
d.”
“
Marang,
thankyouBer
nar
d,y
oubet
tergowi
th
t
hosepampers.
”
“
Yeah.By
e!”
Het
urnedandwal
kedawaywhi
l
eshegoti
nhercar
.
“
Wait
,canIhav
eyournumber,
incaseIneedhel
p
wi
tht
hepampersnextt
ime.
”
Mar
angl
aughed.“
Real
l
ynow?
”
“
Yes,
please.
”
Hehandedherhisphoneandshequi ckl
ypunched
hernumberbeforegi
v i
ngthephonebackanddr i
vi
ng
off
.Atherhouse,sheunpackedthegrocer
iesand
fi
nal
lytookhersonfrom t
henanny.
“
Hist
emper
atur
eishi
gh.
”
“
YesbutIgav
ehi
m par
acet
amol
.”
Mar
angsi
ghed.“
It
’sok,
seey
out
omor
row.
”
“
Ok.
”
Marangwat chedherwal koutthenl
ookedatherson
worri
edl
y.Shepi ckedhiscarseatandwalkedout
wit
hhimt henstrappedhim atthebackseatonhis
carseat
.Shet ookoutherphoneal r
eadydriv
ing
headedtothehospi t
al.
“
Mar
angwhatdoy
ouwant
?”
“
Juni
ori
snotf
eel
i
ngwel
l
.Iam onmywayt
oGPH.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lmeety
out
her
e.”
Shehunganddr ov
eev enfaster
.Arri
vi
ng,shewalked
i
nwi thhersonsotogetattended.Awhil
elater
,she
waswal ki
ngoutofthedoctor’
soffi
cehol
dinghis
prescri
pti
oncar
d.
“
Isheok?
”Mi
guel
askedt
aki
nghi
mfr
om her
.
“
Yes,
it’
snot
hingser
ious,
whatt
ooky
ousol
ong?
”
Maranglookedbehi
ndhi
m wher
eRef
il
wewas
st
anding.
“
Youj
usthadt
obr
ingherdi
dn’
tyou?
”
“
Iam notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thy
out
oday
.Don’
tev
ent
ryi
t.
”
“
Whydi
dyoubr
ingher
?”
“
Mar
angy
ouar
ebegi
nni
ngt
oannoyme.
”
“
Soist
hishowit
’sgoi
ngt
obe?Youal
way
sbr
ingi
ng
y
ourgi
rl
fr
iendst
omyson?”
Mar
ang’
sphoner
angandsheanswer
ed.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey ,
it’
sBer
nard.Justchecki
ngi
fyougav
emet
he
r
ightnumber
.”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Idon’
tli
e.”
“Ili
kethat,
any way
s,canItakey
ououtf
ordi
nner
tomor r
ow?Byt heway ,
thepamper
sweref
ormy
sister
’schi
ld.Iam si
ngle.
”
ShelookedatMi
guel
andt
ookaf
ewst
epsback
tur
ning.
“
Oh?
”
“
Yes.ButIdohav
eason.
”
“
Ihav
eadaught
er.
”
“
Per
fect
.Sot
omor
row?
”
Shel
aughed.“
Letmet
hinkabouti
t.
”
“
That
’ssoanci
entMar
ang.
”
“
Iwi
l
lthi
nkabouti
t.
”
Shehungupandwal
kedbackt
oMi
guel
.
“
Whowast
hat
?”
“
Giv
ememyson.Yourchar
coal
gir
lf
ri
endi
swai
ti
ng.
Iwonderwher
eyougotherf
rom.
”Mar
angt
ook
Juni
or.
“
Whowast
hat
?”
“Notyourbusi
ness.
”Shel
ookedatRefi
l
wewhowas
star
ingatthem.“
Yourugl
ygi
rlf
ri
endiswai
ti
ng.
”
“
Mar
ang,youarenottaki
ngmysont
osomenegr
o
t
opl
ayhappyfamil
ies.
”
“
SoIshoul
dremai
nsi
ngl
efort
her
estofmyl
i
fe?
”
“
Idi
dn’
tsayt
hat
,Iwantt
ost
aywi
thJuni
or.
”
“Youarecrazy.I
t’
sei
theryoudumpthatchar
coal
gir
l
ofyoursandletusbeaf ami
lyorImoveon.Weboth
mov eon.
Mi
guel
angr
il
yst
aredatherasshewal
kedaway
.

*
***
*

Migueldr
oveRef
il
wet
oherhouseandpar
kedbyt
he
gate.
“
Iwi
l
lcal
lyou.
”
“
Iam f
lyi
ngoutt
omor
row.
”
“
Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?
”
“
Tuesdaymor
ning.
”
“
Ok.Cal
lmewheny
oul
eav
etomor
row.
”
Shenoddedandsteppedoutofthecarandwalked
toherhousewhi
l
eher emai
nedinthecar
.Hetook
outhi
sphoneandcalledhisf
ather
.
“
Isi
toki
fIst
aywi
thJuni
or?
”
“
Why
?Hei
sfi
newi
thhi
smot
her
.”
“KanaPapaMar angwajol
a.{
Marangisdat
ing.
}I
don’twantcaseswher
emychildget
sabused.”
“
Buty
ouar
eal
sodat
ing.
”
“
Ifeel
hei
smor
esaf
ewi
thme.
”
“
Youarej
ustjeal
oust
hatthereissomeonewho
want
sherandshewil
lst
opr unningaf
tery
ou.
”
“
That
’snott
hecase.Iam notj
eal
ous.
”
“
Yesy
ouar
eandIam sur
eshewon’
tint
roduceher
boyfr
iendt
ohersonbecauseoft
hesamereasons
shedoesn’
tfeel
comfort
ablei
ngi
vingy
ouandy our
gir
lf
ri
endherchi
ld.
”
“I
fIgot
ocour
t,wi
l
ltheygi
vemeJuni
or’
sful
l
cust
ody
?”
“Don’tbestupi
d,notheywon’
t.Leav eJuniorwit
hhi s
mother ,
ifhegetsabusedwewi l
ltakeitfr
om there.I
don’tunderst
andwhyy ouwon’tsettl
ewi t
hMar ang,
sheisonewomany ourmotherseemst olove.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.
“
Howwast
hej
our
ney
?”
“I
twasfi
ne,
wehav
ejustar
ri
ved.I
twasgoodseei
ng
Angel
.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lcal
lyou.
”
“
Areyousur
eyoudon’
twantust
alki
ngt
otheShat
o
f
amil
y?”
“No,
justl
eav
eit
.Shei
sgoi
ngt
ocomeback,
Iknow
shewil
l.
”
“Ok.Ihopeso.Youcan’
tst
opl
i
vingy
ourl
i
febecause
ofher.
”
“
Iwon’
t.
”
Hehungupandgotoutofthecar.Hewalked
t
owardsRefi
lwe’
sdoorandknocked.Sheopened
t
hedooraft
erawhil
einhertowel.
“
CanIspendt
heni
ght
?”
Shesmi
l
edopeni
ngt
hedoorwi
der
.

FI
VEYEARSLATER
.
.
.
Let
'commentandl
i
ke,
yourf
eedbackmot
ivat
esme.
Goodni
ght
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#62

Fi
veYear
sLat
er…
Refil
westeppedoutofhercarpushi
ngherweav
e
back.Shewalkedinsi
det
herestaur
antandwent
overtowhereDianewassit
ed.
“Ev
eryti
meIseey
ouIf eel
li
keIam notdoi
ng
anyt
hingwit
hmyl
ife.Youaregl
owi
ngandgetti
ng
marri
ed.”
Refi
lwel
aughedsi
tt
ingdown.“
Ist
il
lcan’
tbel
i
evei
t
too.
”
“Bet
terdo.Youareget
ti
ngmarri
edi
ntwoday
s.Iam
soexcit
edforyou,mydressi
samazi
ng.
”
“Iam exci
tedtoo,
someti
mesIwakeupinthemiddl
e
ofthenightandpinchmy
sel
f.I
tfeel
sli
keadream.”
“
Mma,yougotar
eal
l
ygoodman.Wher
eishi
sbaby
mama?
”
“Mar
ang?Sheisthere.Shehatesme,herbit
terness
canki
ll
.Youshoul
dseehowangr yshegetswhen
shedr
opsoffJunior
, i
t’
sli
keshewantstokil
l meor
somethi
ng.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.“
Ili
kehowy
oudeal
wit
hher
.”
“
Iwor
kwi
thr
ules,
it’
sei
thery
out
akeory
oudon’
t.I
am Mi
guel
’
swi
fe.
”
“
Mrs.Mokwena!Yesmoghel
!
”
“
Sowhatareyougoi
ngt
odowi
thwor
ksi
ncey
our
i
nter
nshi
pended”
“
IappliedatOsWorldandIwill
begoingformy
i
ntervi
ew.Fif
iIam soexci
ted,l
astni
ghtIwasdoi
ng
aresearchonthi
sindust
ry,Iwantt
onailthe
i
ntervi
ew.”
“
Iam sur
eyouwi
l
l.Ihear
dit
’sabi
gcompany
.”
“
Iti
s,i
t’
ssobi
g.”
Awai
terwal
kedov
ert
hei
rtabl
eandt
ookt
hei
ror
der
s.
“
Wher
eisQui
ncy
?”
“Hei
swit
hhisgrandmot
her
,Mi
guel
’
smot
hert
ook
himl
astweek.
”
“
Isti
ll
don’
tunder
standwhyy
ouar
ehav
ingasmal
l
weddi
ng.
”
Refi
l
wesighed.“
Afterwhathappenedthelastt
ime,
thefami
l
yisnottakingri
sks.Doyouknowhow
muchmoneyMi guel l
ost
?Itwasalotsothisti
me
he’
splayi
ngitsaf
e.Idon’
tbl
amehi
m,Iact
ual
l
y
under
stand.
”
Ref
il
we’
sphoner
angandshepi
cked.
“
Hey
!”
“Hi
,didyougett
hef
lower
syouwant
ed?
”Rachel
asked.
“
No,
noty
et.
”
“
Ihav
eaf
ri
endwhocanor
gani
zet
hem f
ory
ou.
”
“
Iwoul
dappr
eci
atet
hat
,thanky
ou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Shehungast
hewai
terbr
oughtt
hei
ror
der
s.
“
Whowast
hat
?”
“
Rachel
,shesai
dshehasaf
ri
endwhocanor
gani
ze
t
hefl
owers.
”
“
That’
sgood,atl
easty
oudon’
thav
etost
ressabout
t
hatanymore.
”
“
Yeah,nowmyonl
ywor
ryi
sthedr
ess.I
t’
snoty
et
r
eady.
”
“
Itwi
l
lber
eady
.”
Theyatechat
ti
ngaboutRefi
l
we’
sweddingdetai
l
s.
Aft
ertheyweredoneRef
il
weset
tl
edthebil
landthey
walkedout
.
“Iam meet
ingupwi
thsomeone,
wewi
l
ltal
kok?
”
Dianesai
dhuggi
ngRefi
l
we.
“
Ok,
bye!
”
Refil
wet urnedandwal kedt
ot hecar.Af ancycar
parkedbesi deshersassheunl ockedhercaranda
beautif
ul womanwi thlongheelssteppedout .
Refil
wesi ghedadmi r
ablyasthewomancl osedthe
doorandopenedt hebackdoorf orasmal lgir
lwho
hadlonghai rli
kehersheldinapony tai
l+.
“Mommy ,ar
ewegoi ngtoseegranny?”
Thesmall
gir
l
askedasshewalkedinsi
dethemal l
withhermot
her
wholookedmorelikeabeautyqueen.
“
Yes.
”
Ref
il
wesi
ghedandgoti
nhercar
.

*
***
*
Vi
ncespokeont
hephoneashewal
kedi
nsi
dea
j
ewel
ler
ystor
e.
“
Idon’
tknow,
isher
eadyf
ort
his?
”
“HesaysheisbutIknowifeverAnayacomesback,
heisgoi
ngtogoback.”Kennethrespondedwhi
l
e
Vincel
ookedatthedif
fer
entwatches.
“
Iknow,
Ipi
tyRef
il
we,
shegenui
nel
ylov
eshi
m.”
“
Ili
keAnay
aforMi
guel
.”
Vincel
aughed.“
Anay
aisnother
e.Ev
ery
oneshoul
d
getoverher
.”
“
Look,
let
’sj
ustpl
ant
hepar
ty.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
ltel
lPul
e.”
“
Sur
e.”
Vi
nceputhi
sphoneawayandpoi
ntedatawat
ch.
“
Iwoul
dli
ket
hatone.
”
Theshopassi
stantservedandmi
nut
eslat
erhewas
wal
kingoutoft
hest or
ewi t
hanewwatchonhi
s
wrist
.Hepassedbyacl ot
hingst orethenpaused
andtookstepsbacklooki
ngi nsi
det heshop.His
heartski
ppedashelookedather ,
hewasmor ethan
sureitwasher.Hewalkedinsidethest or
eandright
towardsher.
“
Iknewi
twasy
ou!
”
Sheturnedstar
tl
ed.Theyl
ookedateachotherfora
fewsecondsbeforeshefi
nall
ysmil
ed.Hisheart
beatabnormall
yashelookedatherbeauti
ful
face.
Shelookedfarmuchbeauti
fulandsexy.
“
Vince…”
“Mommy ?
”Asmal lgir
lgr
abbedherhand.Vi
nce
l
ookedatthem putt
ing1and1together
.Hedidn’
t
needany
onetelli
nghim,i
twasprett
ymucheasyt o
see.
“
Youhav
eachi
l
d.”
“
Uhhi
twasni
ceseei
ngy
ou,
Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Wai
t!Iam sor
ry,
am Iscar
ingy
ou?Iam sor
ry.
”
“
No,
wer
eal
l
yhav
etogo.
”Shespokesof
tl
y.
“
Ican’
tbel
i
eveIam seei
ngy
ou.Af
teral
lthi
slong
andy
oul
ookhot
.”
Shechuckl
ed.“
Okby
e.”
“
What
’shername?
”
“
Tel
lhi
myournamesweet
y.”
“
Mynamei
sIv
yLei
gh-
AnneShat
o.”
Vinceputhi
shandsov
erhi
smout
h.“
Wow!Ni
ce
name.”
“
Niceseei
ngy
ou.
”
Shewalkedoutwi
thherdaught
er.Vi
ncequi
ckl
ytook
outhi
sphoneandcall
edMiguel
.
“
BKguesswho’
sback!
”
“
Who?
”
“
Anay
a.”
Ther
ewassi
l
ence.
“BK,cany
ouhearme.Anay
aisbackandshehasa
chil
d.”
“
Wher
edi
dyouseeher
?”
“
Air
por
tJunct
ion.Shel
ooksr
eal
l
yhot
.Herbeaut
y
hasmul
ti
pli
ed.
”
“
Arey
ousur
eit
’sher
?”
“Thereisonl
yoneAnayaShat
o.Herdaughter
’s
namei sIvyShat
o.Shel
ooksl
ikey
ou,anyonecan
see.”
“
Anay
awant
lwael
a.”
“
Mr!Don’
thar
assher
.”
Mi
guel
cli
ckedhi
stongueandhungup.

*
***
*

Anayadrovethr
ought
hegateandparkedbesi
des
theG-Wagonwithasmil
e.Shest
eppedoutofthe
carwit
hIvy.
“
Mommy
,whenar
ewegoi
ngbackhome?
”
“Wearegoi
ngt
ogot
omommy
’shouseher
eand
stayt
her
e.”
“
ButIwantRose.
”
“
Youwi
l
lmakenewf
ri
ends.
”
Theywal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouse.
“
SURPRI
SE!
”Herf
ami
l
yscr
eamedasshel
aughed.
“
Whati
sthi
s?”
“Welcomehome!
”Ay
anahuggedherwhi
l
eLet
habo
pickedupI
vy.
“
Mama…”
Theyhuggedforawhilethent
heyf
inal
l
ywal
kedt
o
thesi
tt
ingroom andsatdown.
“WhenIf
ini
shmyf orm 5,Iwanttocomewor kat
OsWorl
dwhilewait
ingformyr esult
s.Theindustryi
s
t
rendi
ngonfacebookandIam dy ingtot el
lthem
t
hatmysist
erownst hefranchi
se.”Lethabosaid
wit
hadeepmanl yvoi
ce.
“
Don’tt
ell
them yet
,ev
ery
onewill
knowonMonday
whenwelaunch.Themediawi
l
lbether
e.”
“Youareami l
li
onair
e,peopleatI
HSrespectme
becauseIhavear i
chsisterwhoownsahugefarm.I
am thatgir
lwho’sst
udyingtobeanurseandhasa
ri
chsistert
oo.”
Anayalaughed.“
Fini
shatI
HSandal
sobea
mil
li
onaire.
”
“Iam happyyouarebackf
orgood.
”Gl
ori
asai
d
star
ingatherdaught
eremoti
onal
ly
.
“
Iam t
oo.
”
“
Iam onl
yhappyy
ouboughtt
heAudi
RS7.
”
“
GoodnessLet
habo!Whataboutmeory
ouni
ece?
”
“Youweregoi
ngtocomebackei
therway
.”Hesai
d
kissi
ngI
vy’
scheek.
“
Howi
sfor
m 4?
”
“Theteacherssti
llr
ememberAy ana,Ioft
enget
compar ed.”Hesai
dr ol
l
inghiseyes.“
Everyt
imethey
tal
kabouthowAy anahad5A* ’
s.Itol
dmymat hs
teacherthatmyoldersist
erhad8A* ’
s.”
Ay
anal
aughedr
oll
i
ngherey
es.“
Youar
ejeal
ous.
”
Let
habost
oodup.“
Iam goi
ngt
ocheckuponJi
m.”
“
Vee,comebaby.
”Ayanacal
l
edherandshesmi
l
ed
wal
ki
ngtowardsher
.
“
Mommysai
dwear
egoi
ngt
ost
ayher
e.”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oSer
owe,
Iwantt
oseehowt
hingsar
e.”
Gl
ori
ast
oodup.“
Youcangot
omor
row.
”
“
Iwi
l
lcomebackt
omor
row.
”
Shest
oodupandwal
kedt
oherol
droom,
itst
il
l
l
ookedthesame.
“
UncleMiguel
isgetti
ngmarr
ied.
”Ay
anasai
dwal
ki
ng
i
nsi
dethebedroom andcl
osi
ngthedoor
.
Anay
asi
ghedandt
ookof
fherheel
s.
“
Iknow.
”
“
Whycan’
tyouf
ixt
hings?
”
“Ay
anai
t’
snotaseasyasy
ouputi
ttobe.Ei
therway
,
hehasmovedon.
”
“
Buthi
sfami
lynevercancel
l
edanyt
hingwi
thour
f
amil
y.Pr
act
ical
l
yy ouarest
il
lhi
swif
e.”
Anay
aputonhersneaker
s.
“I
tdoesn’
tmatt
er,
hei
sgoingtomarr
yherandmake
herhi
slegal
wif
e.Howisschool
?”
“
School
isf
ine.SoonIwi
l
lbegoi
ngf
ormy
at
tachmentatMar
ina.
”
“
Iam pr
oudofy
ou.
”
Ay
anasmi
l
ed.“
Iam pr
oudt
ohav
easi
sterl
i
key
ou.
”
Anayagrabbedanov
erni
ghtbagandt
hrewi
naf
ew
cl
othes.
“
Ihav
etogo,
wewi
l
ltal
kwhenIar
ri
ve.Wher
eis-
“
ThedooropenedandLal
ahwal
kedi
n.shescr
eamed
andhuggedAnaya.
“
Bat
hongLal
ah!
”
“
Iam sohappyt
oseey
ou,
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Sodoy
ou,
mynur
ses!
”
Lal
ahlaughed.“
Iam sohappyyouareback,f
orgood.
Thankyouforhi
ringGont
leaty
ourrest
aurant.
”
“
It
’sok,
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.Youbot
h.Iwi
l
lseey
ou.
”
Shewal
kedoutast
heygi
ggl
edt
hencameback.
“
Getoutofmyr
oom,
youguy
sst
eal
.”
Theylaughedwal
ki
ngoutt
henAnay
alockedher
door.
Shewal
kedtohercarwhi
l
ehermot
herf
oll
owed
behi
ndher
.
“
Isy
ourhousef
ini
shed?
”
“
Yes,
Iam goi
ngt
opassbyt
her
ethenl
eav
e.”
“
Ok,
youhav
ecomesof
ar.Iam pr
oudofy
ou.
”
Shesmil
ed.“Al
lbecauseofy
oursuppor
t.Iwi
l
lcal
l
whenIar
riv
e.”
Shegoti
nhercaranddr
oveof
f.Herphoner
angand
shesi
ghed.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,howi
sitgoi
ng?
”
“Donal
dIam scar
ed.Ibumpedi
ntoMi
guel
’
sfr
iend
andIam sur
ehealreadycal
l
edhi
m.”
“Look,i
fyouexpl
aini
ttohi
m Iam sur
ehewi
l
l
underst
and.”
“Howwill
Iexpl
ainhi
dingachi
l
dforf
ivey
ear
s.Hei
s
goingt
okill
me.”
“
May
bey
oushoul
dtal
ktohi
m,maket
hef
ir
stmov
e.”
“
Rightnowheisprobabl
ytooangr
ysoIam goi
ngt
o
waitt
il
ltomor
row.
”
“
Goodl
uck.
”
“
Ket
sogi
l
egor
e.{
Iam soscar
ed.
}”
“Don’
tbe.Onthebright
ersi
de,
howdoy
ouf
eel
?You
areabigper
sonrightnow.”
“Iam wor
ri
ed.Thi
sfr
anchi
seshoul
dbri
ngmemoney
becauseIputal
otofmoneyi
ntoit
.”
“Don’
twor ry.It
’sgoingtobeasuccess.Mostofthe
thi
ngsthecount r
yimpor t
swil
lnowbeboughtfrom
you.Ican’tbeli
evey ouarethi
sbigwhil
eIam st
il
l
workingatFNB.Iusedt oadvi
seyoubecauseI
wantedy out oli
kememor ebutnowIseeIshould
haveusedt hosei deasformysel
f.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Sor
ry.I
t’
snott
ool
atet
hough.
”
“Iguess.Mypar
tnerandIwi
l
lbev
isi
ti
ngi
nacoupl
e
ofweeks.”
“
Mar
ti
n?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Howi
syourf
ami
l
ygoi
ngt
otakei
t?”
“
Idon’
tknowbutwhatevert
heysaywon’
tchange
t
hefactt
hatIam gay
.”
“
Cal
lmewheny
oucome.
”
“
Iwi
l
l.
”

*
***
*

Chri
sti
anlookedathi
sret
renchmentlett
er.He
coul
dn’tbel
iev
ehehadjustlosthi
sjob.Hetookout
hi
sphonet ocall
hiswi
fe.
“
Hey
,”
“
Hey
,whatt
imewi
l
lyoubehome?
”
“
Iam wor
kingl
ate,
isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
Hel
ookedatt
hel
ett
erandsi
ghed.“
Yeah.
”
“
Howdi
dthehear
inggo?
”
“
Wewi
l
ltal
kwheny
ougethome.
”
“
Ok.By
e.”
“Il
ove-
“shehungup.Hesi
ghedandwalkedtothe
kit
chenwonder
ingwhatwasgoi
ngtohappentohim
now.Hetookouthi
sphoneandcal
ledhisf
ather.
“
Chr
ist
ian,
whatdoy
ouwant
?”
“
Ilostmyj
ob.
”
“
Itol
dyouwhaty
ouwer
edoi
ngwasgoi
ngt
oend
y
ou.”
“Idon’
tevenknowwhatIam goi
ngtodo.Iwasst
il
l
payingt
hemor t
gagef
orthehouse.
”
“
Theodor
aiswor
king,
Iam sur
eshewi
l
lhel
pyou.
”
“Idon’
twantmywifedoi
ngt
hingsIshoul
dbedoi
ng
asamanoft hehouse.
”
“Thatisyourproblem, youaret
oopridef
ul.Thatgi
rl
i
sgoi ngtoleaveyoubecauseshel ovestheli
feyou
givehermor ethany ou.Thehouseyouliv
ein,thecar
shedr i
vesandt heclothesshewears.Sheisnotwife
mat er
ialandyouar efinal
lygoi
ngtoseeit.
”
“
Iknowy oudon’
tlikeTheodor
abutther
eisnoneed
f
ory outosayal
lthat.WhenImethershewas
working,
shehasalwaysbeenworki
ngunli
keMelody.
Theodor
acantakecareofourf
ami
lybutIjustdon’t
wanthertodoi
tbecauseitwi
ll
makemef eelless
thanaman.”
“Okthen,
nowl
ookf
oraj
ob.
”Hi
sfat
hersai
dand
hungup.
Christ
ianlookedathiscontact swonder i
ngwhot o
call
.Hedidn’thav eanyfr
iend, Theodoradidn’
tli
ke
them anymor e.Helookedatt hefri
dget hencal
led
heragain.Thistimeherphoner angunanswered.He
puthisphoneawayandst artedcooki nghiswif
e’s
favori
temeal.

*
***
*

Coll
eenshookhandswit
hasati
sfi
edcustomert hen
hewalkedoutasshesatdownHerphoner angand
shequickl
yanswer
edlooki
ngatabluepr
intthatwas
bef
oreher.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Goodaf
ter
noon,
wear
ecal
l
ingf
rom Peo’
sschool
.
Wetri
edcal
l
ingherf
atherbuthi
sphonei
snotgoi
ng
t
hrough.
”
“
Iam hermot
her
,isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“
Uhh…ther
eisawomanher
e,shecl
aimst
obePeo’
s
mot
herand-
“
“
What
?”
“
Yes,
may
bey
oushoul
dcomedownher
e.”
“
Ok,
don’
tgi
vehermychi
l
d.”
“
Ok.
”
Colleenstoodupcal l
ingsomeonebef oreshewalked
outr ushi
ngtohercar .Shetri
edTshepo’snumber
butitwouldn’
tgot hrough.Mi nut
eslatershewas
parkingatPeo’sschool .Shegotoffandhurri
ed
i
nsidet otheadministrati
on.
“
Goodaf
ter
noon,
Iam l
ooki
ngf
or-
“
“
Ms.Mokwena?
”
Shet
urnedt
othepr
inci
pal
.
“
Yes.
”
“
Please,
rightt
hisway
.”
Theybothwal
kedtot
heof
fi
cewher
eCol
l
eenf
ound
someladysi
tt
ing.
“Thi
swomansayshernameisThat
oModi
sane,
she
saysshei
sPeo’
slegal
mother.
”
Coll
eenl
ookedatherf
rowni
ng.“
Excuseme,
whoar
e
you.
”
Thatast
oodup.“
Iam Peo’
smot
her
.Igav
ebi
rt
hto
her.
”
Col
leenl
aughed.“
Wow!Sowhatar
eyoudoi
ng
her
e?”
“
Ihav
epar
ent
alr
ight
sonPeo.
”
“Wherehaveyoubeenfort
hel
astf
ivey
ear
s?You
abandonedthi
schi
ld.
”
“Thatdoesn’
tmat
ter
,whatmatt
ersist
hatIam back
andIam heretot
akemybaby.Tshepowil
lcome
over.
”
“
Youarecr
azyify
outhi
nkIam goi
ngt
olety
out
ake
mydaught
eraway.
”
Shelaughed.“
Ohhunnyyouarecr azyifyout
hought
youcouldli
vehappi
lyev
eraft
erwi thTshepo.That
mani smineandsoisourchi
ld.Idon’twanttobri
ng
thepoli
ceint
othi
s.Letmetakemychi l
dinpeace.
”
Col
leent
ookoutherphoneandt
ri
edTshepo’
s
number.
“Ohsweet
y,hei
sincour
t,don’
tdi
stur
bmyman.
Pri
nci
pal
,pl
easedon’
twastemyti
me.School
isout
,
Iwantmydaught
er.
”
Thepr
inci
pal
lookedatCol
l
eendef
eat
ed.
“
Ok.
”
That
owal
kedoutasCol
l
eenf
oll
owedbehi
ndher
.
“
Tshepoi
sgoi
ngt
odeal
wit
hyou.
”
Thatot
urnedt
oColl
eem.“
Ohy
eshewi
l
l.Mypussyi
s
readyt
obedealtwi
th.
”
Coll
eenswal l
owedhar dthenshesawhertwobabi
es
sit
ti
ngt oget
herlaughi
ng.Herheartbr
okeatt
he
thoughtofbeingfarfr
om Peo.Thatwasher
happiness.
“
Mom!
”
Peoscreamedlooki
ngatColl
eenthent
ookAngel’
s
handandrantowardsher
.Shehuggedthem t
ight
ly.
“
Heyguy
s.”
“
Peo?
”
PeolookedatThat
owi
thaf
rownt
hengr
abbed
Col
leen’
shand.
“
Peo,
comet
omommybaby
.”
“
Youar
enotmymom!
”
“
Mommy
,ar
ewegoi
nghome?
”
Col
lenl
ookedatAngelandnodded.“
Yesbaby.
”She
l
ookedatThat
o.“Youarenott
akingmychil
d.”
“
Iwi
l
lcal
lthepol
i
ce.
”
“
Youcan’tt
akeherwi
thoutt
heper
missi
onofher
f
ather
.”
“YesIcan,
Idon’
twantt
orepor
tyouf
orchi
l
d
abducti
ng.
”
That
opi
ckedupPeowhoimmedi
atel
yst
art
edcr
ying
andwal
kedawaywi
thher
.
“Mama!”Peoscr
eamedcr yi
ng.Tear
sfil
l
edColl
een’
s
eyesasPeocri
edevenlouder.Shet
ri
edcal
li
ng
Tshepoagai
nbutst
il
lthephonewasn’tgoi
ng
thr
ough.
“Mom…”Angel
pul
l
edhercr
ying.“
Mom l
et’
sget
Peo.
”
“
Stopcr
ying.Wear
egoi
ngt
ogether
.”
Thepri
nci
pleexhal
ed.“
Iam sorr
ythi
sishappening
butt
hefat
herisalwyer
,Iam surehewil
lsor
titout.
”
“
Yeah.Thanky
ouf
orcal
l
ingme.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Colleent
ookAngel’
shandandl
edhert
othecarst
il
l
tr
yingtocal
lTshepo.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#63
Lonewatchedasthenai
ltechni
ci
anmassaged
cuti
cleoi
lonhernai
lswhi
leherdiamondr
ingshone.
“
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul,
Ilov
emynai
l
s.”
Thenailt
echni
ci
ansmi
l
ed.“
Ili
key
ourr
ing,
it’
sso
beaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Lonetookoutmoneyfr
om herpurseandgav
ethe
nai
ltechni
ciant
henwal
kedoutdiali
nganumber.
“
Lone,
Ihav
egoty
ouacl
i
ent
.”
“
Real
l
y?”
“Yes,shewant
sfl
ower
sforherweddi
ng.I
t’
s
Refil
we.”
“
Ok,
giv
ehermynumber
.”
“
Iwi
l
lsendher
s.Ihear
dAnay
aisback.
”
“
Youl
i
e!”
“
Shei
sbackandshehasachi
l
d.”
“
Arey
ouser
ious?
”
“Yes.Ij
usthear
dfr
om hubby
.Mi
guel
cal
l
edhi
m and
heisangry.
”
“
Waai
i
,hei
snotangr
y,hei
shappy
.Hel
ovesher
.”
Rachel
laughed.“
Hel
ovesRef
il
we,
eit
herwayt
hey
haveachil
d.”
“
Youdon’tknowMiguel
.Anay
amakeshi
m gocrazy
.
I
magineheboughthert
wocarsi
nashor
tperi
odof
t
ime.
”
“
Ref
il
wei
scool
wheny
ougett
oknowher
.”
“
Nnawant
ena.{
Sheannoy
sme.
}”
Rachel
laughedev
enl
ouder
.“St
opbei
ngj
eal
ous.
”
“
Iam notj
eal
ous,
Ilov
emyhusband.
”
“
Ok,
hei
sst
il
lnotback.
”
“
Iwi
shsomeonewar
nedmeaboutsol
der
s.Imi
ss
myman.
”
“
Hewi
l
lbeback.
”
“
Kanai
t’
sthi
ngsl
i
ket
hiswhi
chpushust
ocheat
.”
“
Lonedon’
tev
ent
hinkabouti
t.Hewi
l
lki
l
lyou.Iam
sacr
edofyourman.Anddon’
tfor
gety
ouhav
ea
chi
ldtot
hinkabout
.”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
ocheat
,Iam j
ustsay
ing.
”
“
Met
oo.Iam headedhome.
”
“OsWor
ldcal
l
edmef
orani
nter
view.
”
“
Iam st
il
lwonder
ingwhoownsi
t.
”
“
Idon’
tknow,
Iam cr
ossi
ngmyf
inger
s.”
“
Theywi
l
lhi
rey
ou.Ihav
etogetbackt
owor
k.”
“
Bye.
”
Lonegotinhercarandputonhersungl
asseson.
Thedriv
eroftheredJeepCher
okeebesideshercar
rol
leddownhiswindow.
“
Hey
,”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Hel
l
o.”
Hesmil
ed,
hewashandsome,
shehadt
ogi
vehi
m
t
hat.
“
Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.
”
Lonesmi
l
ed.“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Whoev
ermar
ri
edy
oui
slucky
.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Hestartedhiscaranddroveof
fleavi
ngherblushi
ng.
Sheclosedherey esr
epri
mandinghersel
f.Shewas
marr
iedf orcr
yingoutl
oud.

*
***
*

Ayanasatont
heout
doorgar
denchai
rswi
thLal
ah
dr
inki
ngwine.
“
Gont
lehasAI
DS.
”Lal
ahbl
urt
ed.
“
What
?”
“Yes,probablygoti
tfr
om oneofherbabydaddi
es.I
don’thaveapr obl
em wit
hpeopl
ewhohav eAIDS,my
problem star
tswhenonewon’tgoandtestsotoget
pil
ls.
”
“
Shei
sref
usi
ng?
”
“
Waganahelamonyana,
ebil
ewant
ena.{
Shei
s
r
efusi
ng,
sheannoy
sme.}”
“
Whydon’tyoufor
cehert
othecl
ini
c,shei
spr
obabl
y
j
ustscar
ed.I
t’
soktobescar
ed.
”
“Sheisnotthelastpersononear tht ogetAIDS.
KanaAy anaifyouarenotcar efulyouwi l
lgetAIDS.I
don’tunder
standwhyshehast obehav eli
kethis.
Sheisbusydr i
nkingsmellythings.Ifshedies,her
kidsaregoi
ngt oburdens.”
“
Youneedt
otal
ktoher
.”
“Ihavetried,Iwil
l notbeghert
otest,
ifshedi es,her
kidswillgot otheirbabydaddi
eswheret heywi l
l
probablyber apedandwhat ever
.Idon’tcare.Gontle
i
sj ustadi sappointment.
”
Lalah’sphonevi
bratedandshest
oppedtalki
ng
takingitout
.Shereadthemessageandstoodup.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
“
Wher
e?”
Lal
ahdraggedheri
nsi
det hehouseanddumpedt
he
gl
assesofwineint
hesink.
“
Youwantf
reel
atel
unchr
ight
?”
Ay
anar
oll
edherey
es.“
Who’
schi
l
dar
eyouchowi
ng
t
hist
imear
ound?
”
“
Thi
sot
herguy
,Imethi
myest
erday
.Hei
shot
.”
“
Ok.
”
Theydr
essedupandl
eftl
eav
ingLet
habowat
chi
ng
foot
bal
lwit
hIvy
.
“
Anay
a’schi
l
disr
eal
l
ycut
e.”
“Socut
e,Il
ovehersomuch.Youshoul
dhav
eseen
herwhenshewasababy.
”
“
Sot el
lme,
whati
sAnay
agoi
ngt
odoabout
Miguel
?”
“
Idon’
tknow.I
fheget
’smar
ri
edIam goi
ngt
obe
r
eal
lyhur
t.
”
Theywal kedpastLalah’
shouseandwalkedt owards
thetaxiwhichwaspar kedahouseaway.Lalahgot
i
nt hefrontseatwhil
eAy anaset
tl
edattheback.she
l
ookedatt hetaxidri
ver,hewasn’
tbadbuttherewas
nothingtowritebackhomeabout .Hewasplainshe
couldn’
tlabelhim.
“Uhht
hisi
smyf
ri
end,
Anay
a,Anay
athi
sist
heguy
,
Bri
ght
on.”
Ay
anasmi
l
ed.“
Nicet
omeety
ou.
”
“
Likewi
se.
”
Ay anacoul
dtel
lBri
ghtonhadn’
texpectedLalaht
o
bringcompany,
shelookedatLalahthenatthequiet
taxidri
ver
.Hedidn’
tknowherfri
endwel l
,Lal
ahwas
probablygoi
ngtochowallhismoneythenblockhim.
Awhi l
elaterheparkedinf
rontofHungr
yLionand
theygotoff.Br
ight
onhandedLalahP100andshe
star
edatitforawhile.
“
Ist
hisf
ormyl
unch?WhataboutAy
ana’
s?”
“
Ohno,
it’
sok.Wewi
l
lshar
ethatone.
”
“
ButIdon’
twantt
oshar
e.”
“
Thati
stheonl
ymoneyIhav
e.”
Lal
ahrol
l
edhereyest
henpul
l
edAyanai
nsi
de
Hungr
yLionasBr
ight
ondr
oveof
f.
“
Mxm.
”
“
Lal
ahmma!
”
“
What?Iam goi
ngt
obl
ockhi
m.Ican’
tdat
east
ingy
man.
”
Ayanaslowl
yshookherheadnotamusedbyt
he
behavi
or.
“
Iam nothungr
y,l
et’
sgeti
nsi
det
hemal
l
.”
“Ican’
tbeli
evehebroughtustoRailParkmal
l,
i
magi newalki
nginsi
detherebumpingintoal
lthe
peopleIschool
edwith.Mxm, IwonderwhyIcan’
t
everatt
ractser
iousman.”
“
Let
’sgo,
youar
emaki
ngnoi
se.
”
“Iam bl
ocki
nghi
m,whatam Isupposedt
odowi
th
P100?”
“
Keepi
t.
”
Theywal
kedi
nsi
dethemallandwi
ndowshopped
forawhi
l
ebefor
etheyf
inal
l
ywenttothecombi
s.
“
Iwantt
ogeti
nthatshop.
”
“
Iwi
l
lwai
tfory
ouher
e.”
Ayanast oodbythecombisasLalahwal kedtoa
chineseshop.Ayanatookoutherphoneand
browsedt hr
oughinst
agram.Herheartskippedwhen
someonesnat chedherphone.Shelookedupand
thethiefwasrunni
ngawaywhi l
eshescr eamed.No
onebot
heredr
unni
ngaft
erhim andhedi
sappear
ed
bet
weenthecar
sandcombis.
“
Hest
oley
ourphone?
”Acombi
dri
veraskedher
.
“
YeahI
…-“
“
Ist
hisy
ourphone?
”
Shel
ookedupt
osomemanhol
dingupherphone.
“
Yes.Wher
e-“
Hepoi
ntedatt
het
hiefast
hepol
i
cedr
aggedhi
m.
“
Youcaughthi
m?Butnooner
anaf
terhi
m.”
“
Ihi
thi
m wi
thmycar
.”
“Thankyousomuch. ”Shehel
dherphoneshaki
ng.
Tearsfi
ll
edhereyes,shest
il
lcoul
dn’
tbel
iev
ewhat
hadjusthappened.
“
Rel
ax,
it’
soknow.
”
Tear
srandownhercheeks.Hewi
pedhem of
fand
smil
ed.
“
Ithi
nkIshoul
ddr
opy
ouof
faty
ourhouse.
”
“
No,
it’
sok.Iam t
aki
ngacombi
.”
“
Youar
eshaken,
Iwi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
f.
”
“
AreyouokAyana?Ihear
dsomeonet r
iedst
eal
ing
y
ourphone.
”Lal
ahheldherhand.“
Areyouok?”
“
Yes.Just
…”
Lal
ahsighedwi
thr
eli
ef.“
Iam sor
ryfri
end.Will
you
befi
ne?Ihavet
omeetupRicardo,heisinsi
dethe
mall
.”
“
Ithoughty
oubr
okeup.
”
“Hesai
dhewantstot
alk,
wil
lyoubef
ine?Icanask
himtodropusof
faty
ourhouse.
”
“
NoIam f
ine.Youcango.
”
Lal
ahhuggedhert
henl
eft
.Ay
anal
ookedatt
heman.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
It
’sok.Iwi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
f,come.
”
Hetookherhandandledhertohi
scarwherehe
openedt
hedoorforher.Shehesi
tant
lygoti
nwhi
le
heheldt
hedooropen.Heclosedthedoorand
j
umpedin.
“
Wher
edoy
oust
ayAy
ana?
”
“
Broadhur
st.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hest
art
edhi
scaranddr
oveof
f.
“
Byt
hewayIam Kar
abo.
”
“
Ayana.
”
“
Youcant
aket
hatdr
ink,
Ihadboughti
tformy
sel
f.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shet
ookt
hecanofcokeandopenedi
t.
“
Buttel
lme,
whohol
dst
hei
rphoneatstati
on?Kana
otswamasi
momma?{Ory
ouarefrom thefar
ms?}
”
Shel
ookedathi
m andl
aughed.“
No.
”
“Kengkesagodumel e?Becauseevery
oneknows
thatst
ati
onetletsemagodu.Okat swaol ebari
nyana.{
Whydon’ tIbeli
eveyou?Becauseever
yone
knowsthatst
ationisfulloft
hugs.Youmustbe
dump.}”
Shelaughed.“
Idon’
tknowwhatcameov
erme,
I
neverusemyphoneatstat
ion.
”
“Ebi
leotsamayakaiPhone,{
YouuseaniPhone,
}he
wasgoingtosel
litwit
hsickmoneywhi
leyou
boughti
tfort
housands.”
“Eishwenar r
a,Iam sohappyyougoti
tback.My
sisterboughti
tformet woyear
sagoandIhave
beent aki
ngcareofitl
ikeanegg.Youshoul
dseeme
whenIam atschool .
”
“
Whendoy
ouschool
?”
“
IHSatSer
owe.
”
“
Youar
eanur
se.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Iam al
mostt
her
e.”
“
Wow!
”
Shesmi
ledsippi
ngonherdrink.Awhi
l
elat
erhe
par
kedi
nfrontofherhouse.
“
NnammaIl i
key
oubutnotf
orany
thi
ngmor
ethan
t
hefactt
haty
ouareanur
se.
”
Shel
aughedr
oll
i
ngherey
es.“
Gat
wengnar
e?”
Hetookherphoneandpagedhi
msel
f.“
Itwasni
ce
meeti
ngyouNurseAyana.
”
“
Bye.
”
Shesteppedoutwi
thherdr
inkandpr
essedt
he
i
nter
com ashedroveaway.

*
***
*

Anayawalkedwi
ththeherdmanaroundthefar
mj ust
befor
edawn.Shelookedoveratt
hecabbagesthen
thepotat
oes.
“
Howmanybagscancomeoutoft
hepot
atoes?
”
“
Mor
ethan10K.
”
“
Howmanyheadsofcabbagesar
ether
e?”
“
10K.
”
“Ok,Iwil
ll
ookatev
ery
thi
ngpr
oper
lyt
omor
row
beforeIl
eave.
”
“
Yesmam.
”
Anayat
urnedandwalkbackt
othefar
m houseshe
hadbui
l
t.Itwasn’
tany
thi
ngbi
g,j
ustasingl
eone
bedroomed.Hermot herhadsuggestedi t
,shegot
i
nsidethesighedstar
ingatthefurnit
ure.Shetook
herphoneoutbutthenetworkwasl ow.Undr essi
ng,
shetookawar m showergladthatthefarm had
el
ectri
cit
y.
Awhilelat
ershehadchangedintoherpajamasly
ing
onthebedwonderingwhyshehadl eftherl
apt
op.A
knockwokeheruphourslater
,shefiguredi
twas
oneoftheworker
sbutsolate?
“
Soy
out
houghtofr
unni
ngaway
?”
Herheartskippedasshest aredatMi guel
andGod
di
dhel ookat t
ract
ivewithhisfreshcut.Shel ooked
athisl
ipsandswal lowed.Heputhi shandsi nhis
pocketstar
inginherey eswhileherheartthudded.
“
Miguel
…”
“
Youj
ustl
over
unni
ngdon’
tyou?
”
Shebl
i
nkedacoupl
eoft
imes.“
Hi.
”
“
IsI
vymi
ne?
”
Shest
aredathi
mforawhi
l
e.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Isshe?
”
Hewascalm anditscar
edher.Godknowswhathe
wasgoingtodotoherinthisf
arm,noonewoul
d
hearher
.Tear
sfil
l
edherey es.
“
Yes.
”
“
Whydidn’
tyout
ell
me?Igett
hatmay
beyoudi
dn’
t
wantt
omarrymebutt
odenymemychil
d?”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Hepushedherinsi
dethehouseandclosedthedoor
behindhi
m.Hiseyestoldhersomet
hing,shet
ooka
stepbackasashiverr
andownherspine.
“
Koor
eAnay
aont
lwaet
swakeng?
”

*
***
*

Refi
lwetr
iedhi
sphoneagai
npaci
ngar
oundt
he
house.
“Thi
sisaf r
eeannouncementf
rom Mascom,the
subscr
iberyouhavedial
edi
snotavai
labl
e,pl
ease-
“
Shehungupsi
ghi
ngt
ear
ful
l
y,shecoul
dn’
thel
p
get
ti
ngwor
ri
ed.Thi
swasunl
i
kehi
m.
Shesatdowninthemiddleoft
heni
ghtt
ryi
nghard
nort
othinkabouti
tbutsomethi
ngi
nhergutt
wist
ed.
Shefi
nall
ycal
ledRachel
.
“
Hel
l
o?”Rachel
answer
edsl
eepy
.
“Hi,Iam sor
rytowakeyouupi
nthemiddl
eofthe
nightbutMigueli
snoty
ethomeandIam real
l
y
wor r
ied.
”
“
Wai
t,l
etmewakeKen.
”
Racheltookadeepbr
eat
hasRachel
spoket
oher
husband.
“UhhRefi
lweit
’sKennet
h, Mi
guelhadtogot
oan
emergencytr
ipinSA,hethoughthewoul
dcome
backbutIguesshewillcometomorrow.
”
“
Oh,
thanky
ou.Iwassowor
ri
ed.
”
“
It
’sok,
goodni
ght
.”
Shehungupandl
ayont
hebedr
eli
eved.

*
***
*
Rachel
lookedatherhusband.
“
Ishe?
”
“
Yes.Let
’ssl
eep.
”
“
Whyar
eyoul
yi
ng,
weal
lknowhei
swi
thAnay
a.”
“
Wedon’
tknowt
hat
.”
“
Iknowi
t.
”
Kennet
hlookedather
.“Babecanwel eti
tgo,
what
Miguel
doesisnonofourbusiness.
”
“
Iwon’
ttel
lher
,ishewi
thher
?”
Kensighed.“
Idon’
tknowbabe.Idon’
tknowwher
e
heis.
”
“
Heisget
ti
ngmarri
ed,
Iam sur
ehecan’
tst
opal
l
t
hatj
ustf
orAnay
a.”
“
Idon’
tknow,
let
’ssl
eep.
”
Rachell
ookedathimforawhil
eandsighedthi
nki
ng
ofRefi
l
we, shedi
dn’
tknowthestor
mt hatwas
comingforherbuti
twasgoingtohi
thard.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#64

Anayalookedaroundt
hehouset
henatthebedroom
doorcalcul
ati
nghowshewouldr
unther
ewithout
bei
ngcaught .
“Soy ouar
egoi
ngt
okeepquiet
?Ketl
agobula
mol omokampamakana.{
Iwil
lmakeyout
alkwi
tha
slap.}
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Sofi
veyearsal
lgone,
fiv
eyearsIcoul
dhave
bondedwithmydaughter
,Anayadoyoureal
i
zewhat
drawbackyouhavecaused?”
Shelookedathimthenmadear unfori
tbuthe
grabbedherhandmakinghersl
i
pt othefl
oor
.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
Miguel
Isai
dIam sor
ry.Leav
emeal
one.
”
Hepi
ckedherupandst
aredi
nherey
es.
“
Why
?”
“Iam sor
ry.Iwasscar
edandei
therway
,youwer
e
busywhoring.
”
Hercheekbur
nedhotassher
ecei
vedahotsl
ap.
“
Sayt
hatagai
n.”
Sheshookherheadcr
ying.
“Wecouldbesomewherewit
hli
fet
odaybuty
ou
chosetofuckt
hatup!Wecoul
dhavebeenmarri
ed.
Thenyourunoffwi
thmychil
d.I
ssheevenmine?”
“
Yes,
shei
syour
s.”
Het ookastepbackasshecr i
ed.Shefr
ownedwhen
herphonerang,wasthenetworkbacknow?Miguel
walkedtothebedroom andtookthephone.
“
Whot
hef
ucki
sDonal
d?”
“
Hei
saf
ri
end.
”
Heanswer
edput
ti
ngonl
oudspeaker
.
“Hey,Ihav
ebeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
l
,If
orgott
oaskear
li
er
on,how’smybaby
?”
Anay
afr
ozeasMi
guel
glar
edather
.
“
Nay
a?Ar
eyout
her
e?”
Mi
guel
hungupandt
hrewt
hephonedown.
“
Whoi
she?
”
“
Hei
saf
ri
end.
”
Hewal
kedt
owar
dsher
.
“
Anay
aket
lagobet
sa.[
Iwi
l
lbeaty
ou.
}”
“
Iswear
,hei
saf
ri
end.
”
“Youwantmetobel
i
eveyouweren’
tsl
eepi
ngwi
th
anyonewheny
ouwerewherev
eryouwere?
”
“
Iswear
,Ihav
enev
ersl
eptwi
thhi
m.Hei
sgay
.”
Miguelsl
appedhersohardshesawst
arsasherear
r
ang,shestagger
edfeel
ingdizzy
.
“
Whyar
eyoul
yi
ngt
ome?
”
“
Miguel
please…”
Hegr
abbedherneckandbeganst
rangl
i
ngheras
shetriedf
ight
inghim.Herheartpoundedwhil
eher
ai
rwaycompl etel
yblocked,t
earsrandownher
cheeks.Helethergoleavinghercoughi
ngand
gasping.
“
Whoi
she?
”
Shecri
edgoi
ngonherknees.“
Hei
saf r
iend.Leav
e
mealone,
youar
ehurt
ingme.Iam goi
ngtoreport
you.
”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
oasky
ouagai
n.”
“
Miguel
please.
”
Hedraggedhert othebedroom wit
hherhai rand
thr
ewheront hebed.Her oughlyt
ookof fherpajama
short
st ogetherwit
hherpant i
esandf or
cedhi s
fi
ngerinsideher.Shefrownedholdinghishand.
Mi
guelsl
appedherthatshei
mmediat
elylethi
m go
wi
tht
earsfl
owing.Shewasaboutt
ober aped,agai
n.
“
Pleasedon’
tdot
his.Iam beggi
ngy
ou.
”
“
Touchmeagai
n.”
Hepull
edouthi
sdi
ckpul
li
nghertothecor
nerofthe
bedbyherl
egandf
orcef
ull
ypushedhisdi
cki
nside
herpussy .Anay ascreamedf eel
ingasifhewas
tearingherpussy .Shepushedhi m backonlyforhi
m
tor espondbygr abbingherneckagai n,t
histi
me
fucki ngheratt hesamet i
me.Hishandswer eti
ght
onherneck, shefeltasifshewasdy ing,she
coul dn’tbreatheorev enmov e.Shestopped
strugglingt henhel etgo.Shegaspedf orairwhi
lehe
toreherpussywi t
houtmer cy.
“
Miguel
stop!
”
Hepull
edoutthenpull
edheruppushingtwof
inger
s
i
nsideher
.Tearsfel
lfr
om hereyesasshe
hopel
essl
ystar
edathim seethi
nginpai
nand
di
scomfort
.
“Koorewant lwaelaAnay
a,al
lIeverdi
dwasl ov
eyou.
Ididever
ythingforyouandyoujustembarr
assed
mel i
kethat.Doy ouknowhowmuchy oucostme?”
“
Miguel
please,
let
’st
alk.Pl
easest
op.
”
Heturnedheraroundpushingherchesttobed
completel
yexposingherswoll
enpussy .Hepushed
thr
oughherpussyl i
psthr
usti
ngdeepi nsideher
whil
eherpussygr abbedhi
mt i
ghtl
y.Anay acri
ed,i
t
fel
tasifhewaspoki nghercervi
x.Witheachthr
ust
camet hepainandallshecoulddowascr yi
nhope
thathertearswoul
dt ouchhi
m.Hef uckedhereven
harderwhileshecr
iedlouder
,may besomeone
wouldhearher .
Mi
nutesl
ater
,hepull
edout
.Sher
ushedt
othe
wi
ndowscreaming.
“
Hel
pme!Hel
pme!Hei
ski
l
li
ngme.
”
Mi
guel
grabbedherhai
r.
“
Scr
eam agai
nandseewhathappenst
oyou.
”
Shel
ookedinhisey
essearchi
ngfort
hemanshe
hadfal
l
eninlov
ewith.Hewasn’tt
her
e.Hedr
agged
hert
othebathr
oom whereshehel
dthesi
nkstar
ing
athi
mt hr
oughthemirr
or.
“
Youtakey
ourey
esof
fthatmi
rr
ori
twi
l
lbey
ourown
f
uner
al.
”
Hest retchedhiswayinti
llshef el
theri
ntest
ines
l
ift
ing.Hef uckedhergroaningenjoyi
ngev er
y
secondwhi l
esqueezi
ngherbr eastshardand
painfull
y.Shemoanedaspl easureki
ckedin,she
wasn’tsurewhatwashappeni ngtoherbodybut
witheveryroughthrust,shetensedwit
hpleasur
e
andclosedherey estightl
yclosi
ngherlegswhil
e
standi
ngonhert oescummi ng.
Miguelpul
ledoutandrubbedhi
sdi
ckonher
asscr
ack.Shetensed.
“
Miguel
…”
Hepi nchedhernippl
eshavingheryel
pingi
npain.He
dippedhisdicki
nsideherwetpussythenheldher
asscheeksapar tpushi
nginherassroughl
y.Anaya
tr
iedpushinghim offbuthewouldn’
tbudge.
“
Whatdoy
out
hinky
ouar
edoi
ng?
”
“
It
’spai
nful
.St
op!
”
Hefuckedherassignor
inghercr
iesandpl
eadi
ng.
Hehadt ur
nedint
oacompl et
emonst er
.
“
OhGodpl ease…Godhel
pme.Mamahei
skil
l
ing
me.”Shecri
ed,t
hepai
nwast
oomuchandhejust
wouldn’
tst
op.
Hefinal
lypull
edoutandpushedt
othef
loorwhi
l
e
herasscrackbur
nedhot.
“
Sucky
ourdi
rtof
f.
”
“
Miguel
please…”
Hesl
appedher
.“Isai
dsuckof
fyourdi
rt
.”
Sheslowlyopenedhermout hthenhet hr
usthi sdick
i
nsidehertastingbitofhershi tthathadcoat editself
onhisdick.Herstomacht urnedandshepushedhi m
backvomi t
ingalloverthef l
oor.Mi guelpull
edherup
wit
hherhai randledherbackt ot hebedroom wher e
hepushedheront hef l
ooragai nandpushedhi sdick
i
nhermout htappingherthroat .Shebithim andhe
pul
ledoutgi v
ingheroneoft hehot testsl
aps, herear
bl
ockedasoneey el ostvi
sion.
“
Ifyoubi
temeIwi l
lkil
lyouandburr
yyouinthi
s
f
arm,noonewillev
erfindyou.Yout
hinkyoucan
j
ustdoal
lthaty
oudi dandgetawaywi t
hit
?”
Hepushedhi
sdi
cki
nhermout
hagai
n.
“
Suckt
hisdi
ck.
”
Sheslowl
ybobbedherheadt aki
nghi sdi
ckinand
outofhermouth.Heheldherhairandfuckedher
mouthnotgi
vingherti
met obreathe.Sheclosedher
eyesfeel
i
nglightheadedwhil
ehegroanedgoing
evenfast
eranddeeper.Shefel
tthef
irstshotatthe
backonherthroat.Hefi
ll
edhermouthandpul l
ed
out.
“
Swal
l
owi
t.
”
Shesl
owl
yswal
l
owedandmel
tedt
othef
loor
bl
acki
ngout
.

*
***
*

Theodorawalkedi
nsideherhouseandtookof
fher
heel
s.Shelookedaroundthenwalkedt
oher
bedroom.
“
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
”
ShelookedatChr
ist
iancalmly.“
Ihadtosl
eepat
work,Ihav
eabigprojectIam worki
ngon.
”
“
Itr
iedcal
l
ingy
ou.
”
“
Myphonewasof
f.
”
“
Ist
hishowamar
ri
edwomani
ssupposedt
obehav
e?
Youhaveadaught
erwhom bar
elyseesy
oubecause
youar
eforev
erbusy.
”
“Whatdoyouwantmetodo?Ihav
epr
oject
sthat
needme,Ican’
tlosemyj
ob.
”
“
Maybeifyoupai
datt
enti
ont
othisfami
lyyou
woul
dn’
tneedmet ot
ell
youwhatyoushoul
ddo.
”
“
Iam exhaust
ed,
Ihav
eat
ri
ptomor
row.
”
“Areyouseriousr
ightnow?Whenl
astdidyousee
ourkids?Thenannycan’tal
way
sbedoing
every
thing.
”
“Iam busyChri
sti
an,oncet
hispr
ojecti
sdone
ever
ythingwil
lgobacktonormal
.”
“
Can’
tyouj
ustcompromi
seTheodor
a,whenl
astdi
d
weev
enhavesex?”
Shel
ookedathi
mfeel
i
nggui
l
tyt
henhuggedhi
m.
“Iam sor
ry,
ifImessupt
hispr
ojectt
henmyj
obi
s
over.
”
Heputhi
sarmsaroundher
.“Iknowbutcany
ou
pl
easeputal
it
tl
eeffor
ther
eathome?”
“
Ok,
Iwill
tel
lmybossIcan’
tgof
orthet
ri
p,
t
omorr
owwewi l
ltaket
heki
dsout.
”
Hesmi l
edandkissedher.Shepushedhimtothe
bedandt ookof
fherdress.Get
ti
ngontopofher,she
tookouthisdi
ckpull
ingherpanti
estothesi
deand
l
ethim si
nkinsi
deher.
“
Wow!Youar
esowet
.”
Shebouncedonhi m ashegroanedsqueezi ngher
butt.Shestaredathi
sf aceasitugli
fi
edandmov ed
evenmor efaster
.Hegr abbedherwai standt hrust
fr
om t hebottom.Shemoanedsof t
lybeginningt o
enjoyherself
.Sherubbedherclitasherwal l
sbegan
squeezinghim.Hepumpedi nt
oheronel asttime
andf i
ll
edherupwhi l
eshespasmedwhi mper i
ng.
“
Fuck!Il
ovey
ou.
”
Shesmi
l
edandgotof
fhi
m whi
l
ehi
ssemendr
ipped.
“
Met oo.Iam goi
ngt
otakeabat
h,Ihav
etogot
o
wor
k.”

*
***
*
Miguel staredatAnay aasshesl ept .Helookedat
herfacet ryingtofigureoutwhatshehadbeen
thi
nkingt hatday .Hetriedtolookati therwaybut
fi
vey earswasj ustalongt i
me, hehadl ongstopped
hopingshewoul dcome.Gui lt
yst ruckonhi m ashe
l
ookedatherswol lenfaceandbr uisedneck.Slowly
sheopenedherey es,shest i
ll
remai nedthemost
beaut i
fulgirlhe’
dev erseen.Hel ookedather
reddishleftey ewonder ingi
fhehadt akenitt
oof ar
.
“
Wher
ewer
eyou?
”
Shebli
nkedacoupl
eoft
imesast
ear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.
“Jobur
g.”
“
Nicewheel
s.”
“
Thanks.
”
Hesighedandgotoffthebedr
ubbi
nghi
sface.“Why
didyouleavet
hatday?Wecoul
dhaveworkeditout
toget
her.”
Shesl
owlygotoffbed.“
Iam sor
ry.Iwasj
ustscar
ed
andembarr
assed.Icoul
dn’
tfacetheworl
dnoryou.I
didwhatIt houghtwasbestatt hatmoment.Iam
sorryforkeepingIv
yaway ,
Iam sor r
yforal
lIputyou
through.Iam sorr
y.”Shecoveredherfacecryi
ng.
Hisheartthrobbedashest ar
edather ,f
uckAnaya!
Wecoul dhav esort
editouttogetherbabe.
Heshookhi sheadstari
ngather.“Iwouldhavenever
l
etyoudown.Anay aI…Iloveyou.Idon’tthi
nkyou
underst
andhowmuchIl oveyou.Ilovemorethan
anyt
hinginthi
swor l
d.”Hepausedaspai nchocked
him.“Iwoul
dhav edoneanythi
ng.IknowIwasn’ t
perf
ectthenbutIwaswor ki
ngoni t.Iwi
shy ou
tr
ustedmebackt hen.Ihadyourback.Whydi dn’
t
youwaitforme?”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Wecouldhav
ebeenf
arwi
thl
i
fet
oday
,doy
ou
r
eal
i
zethat
?”
Sheputherhandsov
erherf
acecr
ying.
“
Kegor
eAnay
ayouseewhaty
oudi
d?”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Mi
guel
satont
hebedwi
thhi
shandsonhi
sface.“
I
am sorr
yaboutl
astni
ght
.Youprobabl
ythi
nkyou
deserv
eitbutnowomandoes.Iwasjustt
ooangr
y.I
am sorr
y.”
Shelookedathim cr
yingsi
l
entl
y.Hehadmessedup
andhewonder edwhatshethoughtofhim.Didshe
hat
ehi m now?Hehurtherl
astnight
,fuckMigueli
f
onl
yy oucantakebackthehandsoftime!
“Iam sor
ry,Ishoul
dn’
thave…”Hesighedasatear
escaped,hequickl
ywipeditof
f.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Canwef
ixt
hings,
tel
lmewhatt
odo,
Iwi
l
ldoi
t.
”
“
Iam get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“Anayadon’tdot hi
s.Iam get
ti
ngmarriedt
omor r
ow.
Youjustcan’tcomebackandt hinkt
hingswil
lj
ust
happen.Ican’tkeepmov i
nginonecir
clewit
hy ou.A
l
othashappened. ”
“
Youl
oveher
?”
“
Shei
smywi
fe.
”
“
Iam st
il
lyourwi
fet
oo.
”
Hel
aughedamused.“
Iam sur
pri
sedy
our
emember
t
hat
.”
Shesmi
l
edsl
i
ght
ly.“
HowcanIf
orgett
hat
.”
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
IdoubtIdor
ightnow.
”
Heleanedov erandkissedher.Shekissedback
hugginghim.Ofcausehewasget t
ingmar ri
edbut
thi
swasherman.Hehadbeenhermanf i
rst.She
l
ovedhowhesof tl
ycaressedherbodyunl i
kehehas
donet heprevi
ousnight.Herbodywasst i
llaching
andherpussyt hr
obbedpai nf
ull
ynottoment i
onher
ass.Shesuspectedtherewasr ealdamagedone
downt here.Shemov edback.
“
Iwi
l
lrunusabat
h.”
Shewal kedt othebat hroom slowlyandf il
ledthetub
withwat er.Shefeltstupidf oreventhinki
ngabout
havinghim backaf terallshehadt rainedherselffor
.
Imean, itwasst upidtogetbackwi thhim, shehad
tofocusonbusi nessandherdaught erbutseei ng
him here,hearinghimt ellherhest i
l
l l
ovedher ,t
hat
gentlekiss,thatbackr ub,itbroughtitall
backt hat
shewonderedhowot herwomandi dit
.Shehad
promisedhersel
fshewoul dn’
tfal
lforthetr
apbut
hereshewas, br
uisedandi npai
nbutst i
l
linl
ove
withhim.I
fonlylovehadamanual ..
.Backinthe
bedroom Miguelgothisphone.
“
Ther
eisnonet
wor
kher
e?”
Shenodded.“
Yes,
whodoy
ouwantt
ocal
l
?”
“
Ihav
eappoi
ntment
s.”
Sheswall
owedalumponherthroat
.God!Hewant
s
togobacktoher
.“Youwantt
oleave?”
“
Thi
sent
ir
ejour
neywasunpl
annedAnay
a.”
“
Youwantt
ocal
lheri
sn’
tit
?”
“
Shei
smywi
fe.
”
Shitfor
medatt het
ipofhertongueandsheopened
hermout h.“Thengetoutandgot oher!Whatdoy ou
thi
nk?Iam goi ngtobegy ou?Ifyoudon’twantme
getthefuckoutandnev ercomeback.Youmust
thi
nksohi ghlyofyour
selfifyouthinkIam goingto
beinsomeki ndofcompet i
ti
onwi thyourwif
e, Iam
not.Lastnightwasthelastnightyouev ersl
eptwith
me.Youareacowar
dyoupi
eceofshi
t.
”Sheangr
il
y
spi
l
ledbur
ningwi
thr
age.
“
Anay
ast
opi
t.
”
“What?Youar egoingtohitmeandr apeme?You
areweak, amanwhohi t
sawomani sweakbutwhat
canIsay ,t
hat
’sall
y ouaregoodat.Youcan’
thandl
e
meei therway,got
owhoev eryouar
emarri
edto,
nxla.Getoutofmypr opert
y.”
“Anay
a…”Hewar
ned.Sheknewt
hatv
oice,
thatl
ook
butst
il
l…
“Getoutyouspi
nel
esscow!Ny
esmyny wi
fe,
shei
s
probabl
yugly
.Idon’
tneedt
oseehert
omakesure.
”
Hesi
ghedandputhi
sphonedown.
“
Fine,
let
’sbat
hbef
oret
hewat
ert
urnscol
d.”
Het ookherhandandl edhert othebathroom where
theysatint hewarm wat ersil
entl
y.Sherestedher
headonhi schestbr eathingsoft
ly.OkAnay a,
lear
n
tokeept hatmouthshut .Don’truinthi
s.Ofcausehe
mov edon, takei
tli
keal ady ,r
ememberwhatwe
practi
ced,ifhemov edont henwel ethi
m be,her
subconsci
ousr
emi
ndedher
.
“
Whot
oldy
ouIwasher
e?”
“
Let
habo.
”
Sher
aisedherheadandl
ookedathi
m.
“
Arey
oust
il
lgoi
ngt
omar
ryher
?”
“Sheisagoodwoman,wehav
eachi
l
dandshei
s
pregnant
.Shel
ovesme.
”
“
Doy
oul
oveher
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Youar
ely
ing.
”
“Ilov
eher,wehav
ebeent
oget
herf
ory
ear
s,ofcause
Iloveher
.”
“
Whataboutus?
”
“Anayayoucan’tt
alkaboutus,youleftnottheother
wayround.Youarebehav ingasavicti
m whi l
stIam
thevi
cti
m.Al othashappenedwhi l
ey ouwer ein
SouthAfri
ca.Iam notgoingtoleav
et hewoman
whopickedmeupwheny oulef
tme, dustedmeand
fi
xedme.Shehasi nvestedalotint
othisrelati
onshi
p,
Iam notj
ustgoi
ngtodr
opherallbecauseyouhav e
fi
nal
lydeci
dedtocomeback.Il
oveher,itmightnot
beasmuchasIl ov
eyouIadmitbutIloveher,Iam
marr
y i
nghertomor
row.
”
Anayawipedawayhertear
s,itf
eltasi
fhewas
st
abbingherr
ighti
nthecenterofherhear
t.Ov
erand
overagai
n.
“
Miguel
…”
“
Pleasedon’
tmakeherli
feal
iv
inghel
l,Iwil
lsi
de
wi
thherbecauseshei
smywife.Iwi
ll
talktomy
l
awyerandRefil
weaboutI
vyt
henwewi ll
takeitf
rom
t
here.
”
“
Whywoul
dyoudi
scussmydaught
erwi
thher
?”
“Becausesheismywif
eandwhenI vycomesov
er
Refi
lweistheonewhowil
ltakecar
eofher.
”
“I
twil
ltaket
imeforhert
ovi
sitbecauseshei
sst
il
l
notusedtoyou.
”
“
Who’
sfaul
tist
hat
?”
“Idon’
tknowwhyyouar
einsi
sti
ngonmar ry
ingher
becauseyouar
egoingt
oleav
eher.Iam goi
ngtoget
youbackandIwil
ldoev
ery
thinginmypowertodo
so,don’
tgi
vehert
oomanykids,Ial
sowantone
more.”
Mi
guel
lookedatherasshegotof
fthet
ub.
“
Iam goi
ngtoseemyf
arm,
youcangoandcont
inue
l
yi
ngtoher.
”

*
***
*

Col
l
eenfol
dedherarmsst
ari
ngatTshepot
hat
morni
ngwhil
etheyst
oodi
nthei
rbedroom.
“
Ical
l
edy
out
heent
ir
eday
!”
“
Babe,
youknewIwascomi
ngbackt
oday
.”
“
Sti
l
l!
”
“Col
leenIdrovehereearl
yinthemorni
ngcomi ngto
you,Iam sorr
yIcouldn’
tansweryoucal
lsbecauseI
wasst uckincour
tdeali
ngwithaseri
ouscaset hatI
havetowi n.
”
“
That
otookPeo.
”
“
What
?”
“
Shesai
dshehaspar
ent
alr
ight
stoher
.”
“
That
’snonsense.Iwi
l
lcal
lher
.”
Coll
eenrai
sedaney
ebr
ow.“
Idi
dn’
tknowy
ou
tal
ked.
”
Heturnedtoher.“
Wedon’t
.ButnowIwi
l
lhav
eto
becauseshetookmychi
ld.
”
“
Whydoesshehav
epar
ent
alr
ight
stoPeo.
”
“
Shedoesn’
t.Shesi
gnedt
hem t
ome.
”
Col
leenshookherhead.“Shewascr
ying,
TshepoI
j
ustwantmydaughter.”
“
Iwi
l
lgether
,Ipr
omi
se.
”
“Idi
dn’
tsl
eepl
astni
ght
.”Shesatdown.“
Justgoand
gether
.”
“
Iwi
l
l.
”
Col
l
eenl
ookedathi
m.“
Iwantt
ogetmar
ri
ed.
”
Tshepof
rowned.“
What
?”
“
Iwantust
ogetmar
ri
ed.I
t’
sbeenl
ongov
erdue.
”
“
Col
l
een,
wespokeaboutt
his.
”
“
Thatwasagesago.It
hinkwear
emat
urenow.
”
“Iam notr
eadyformar
ri
ageespeci
all
yaf
terwhat
happenedwithmyexwife.
”
“
ButIam noty
ourex.
”
“
Col
l
eenIj
ustneedspace.
”
“
Spacef
orwhat
?”
“Idon’twantt
omar r
yy oubecausey ouhav e
pressuri
zedme.Idon’twanttogetmar ri
ednow,I
don’tthi
nkIcanhandleanotherdi
vor ceandIdon’
t
wantt oputPeoorAngel t
hroughthat .
”
“Iwasal
somar
ri
ed,
butit
’sbeenf
ivey
ear
s.Peopl
e
areget
ti
ngmar
ri
edand-
“
“
Youwantt
ogetmar
ri
edsot
opl
easepeopl
e?”
“
No,ofcausenot
.Iwantt
ogetmar
ri
edbecauseI
l
oveyou.
”
“Wel
l Ianotready.Lookbabe,l
et’
swai
tacoupl
eof
year
st hengetmar r
ied.Maybenowwecantr
yfora
baby.Angeli
sol dnow.”
“
Idon’
twantachi
l
dwi
thoutmar
ri
age.
”
“
Arey
oubei
ngser
iousr
ightnow?
”
“Yes.TshepoIam notgoi
ngtobethatwomant hat
popoutbabieswithoutar
ingonherfinger
.Iat
tend
yourfamil
yevent
sandwor khar
dy etIdon’
thavea
ri
ngonmyf i
nger
.”
“
Aringdon’tmeananythi
ng.Ifi
tdidthenwe
wouldn’
thavealotofdi
vorcecases.
”
“
Iwantt
ogetmar
ri
ed.
”
Tshepowal kedt othebathroom l
eavi
ngherthere
wit
htearsfill
ingherey es.Shetookadeepbreath
andstoodupgr abbingherhandbagthenwalkedout
.
Thedrivetowor kseemedl onger
.Herphonerangas
shesteppedi nsideheroffi
ce.
“
Mama?
”
“
Whatt
imear
eyoucomi
ng?
”
Shesi
ghed.“
Aft
erwor
k.”
“
Wil
lyoubecomi
ngwi
thBoi
kany
oandRef
il
we?
”
“
No.Wher
eist
heweddi
ngbei
nghel
dagai
n?”
“
Inmybacky
ardgar
den.Iam sogl
adRef
il
weagr
eed
t
othi
s.”
“Mamaevenifshedi
dn’
twantt
o,ther
ewasnoway
shecoul
dsaynotoyouradv
ances.
”
“
Miguel
shoul
dbemarr
yingJuni
or’
smot
her
,that
womanisf
itt
obecomehiswif
e.”
Col
l
eenr
oll
edherey
es.“
Hedoesn’
twanther
.”
“
Hei
sconf
used.
”
“
Mama,
Iam dr
ivi
ng.Wewi
l
ltal
k.”
Shehungupandputherphonebet
weenhert
highs.
Herphoner
angandsheansweredannoy
ed.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
!”
Shepaused.“Anay
a?”
“
Howar
eyou?
”
Col
leenl
aughed.“
OhmyGod!Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his,
you
ar
eback?”
“
Yeah,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
“Iam onmywayt owork,Ican’
tbeli
evet
his.I
missedyou.Alothashappened,ebi
leMi
guelwa
nyal
a.{Miguel
isgett
ingmarri
ed.}
”
“
Imi
ssedy
out
oo.
”
“
Youshoul
dcomefortheweddi
ng,
honest
lyIam i
n
t
hemoodforsomedrama.”
Anay
alaughed.“
Stopi
t!
”
“
Iam ser
ious.
”
“
Idon’
twantt
hatki
ndofpubl
i
cit
y.”
“
Iwantt
oseey
ou.
”
“TodayIam busyandev
enMonday
,howabout
Tuesday?”
“
Sunday,
thedayaft
ertomorr
ow.Iam comingback
t
omorrowimmediat
elyaf
tert
hewedding.
”
“
Ok,
that
’scool
wit
hme.
”
“
Youshoul
dcomef
ort
heweddi
ng.
”
“
Col
l
een.
”
“
Please,
forme,
come.Iwi
l
lbesobor
ed.Pl
ease.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lbr
ingy
ourni
ecewi
th.
”
“
Thi
sget
sev
enmor
eexci
ti
ng.
”
“
Bye!
”
Anay
ahungupasCol
l
eensmi
l
ed.

*
***
*

Saronalookedatherpl
anet
icketsmi
l
ingl
atei
nthe
aft
ernoon.
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evewear
egoi
ngback.
”
Agangsmi
l
ed.“
Wear
e.Mi
guel
say
sAnay
aisback.
”
“
Iknewshewasgoi
ngt
ocomeback.
”
“
Met
oo.
”
“
Whati
shegoi
ngt
odonow?
”
“Heisst
il
lget
ti
ngmarri
ed.Appar
ent
lytheyhavea
daught
erwhom shekepthi
ddenal
lthi
syears.
”
“Shemusthavebeenscar
ed.Ican’
twai
ttoseemy
kids,
doyouthi
nkMapulasti
l
lremembersme?”
“
Idon’
tknowbuti
fshedoesn’
t,
wewi
l
lremi
ndher
.”
“
Daddy
!”Aar
onscr
eamedr
unni
ngi
nsi
det
hehouse.
“
Iwi
l
lfi
nishpacki
ng.
”
Shestoodupupl eavi
ngAgangt al
kingwi t
hhi sson.
Shepackedtheirbagsthenfinall
ysatdowngoi ng
thr
oughherphone.Onf acebookshecheckedPul e’
s
account
,histi
melinewasf ul
lwiththeirchildren’s
photos,
shescr ol
l
edthroughsear chingforaf emal e
butcoul
dn’tf
indone.Downonhi st i
meline, t
heir
weddingpict
ureswerestil
lthere.Shesmi ledf ora
secondthensighed.
Agangwal kedi nthebedr oom
assheputherphoneaway .
“
Thecabi
sher
e,l
et’
sgo.
”
Agangpi
ckedt
hei
rbagsandwal
kedoutwhi
l
eshe
fol
l
owedwitht
her
est.
.
.
.
Nexti
nser
tat22:
30.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#65

Miguellookedatt
hetimest
andinginhi
sroom i
nhis
parent’
shouse.Agangwal
kedinclosi
ngthedoor
behindhim.
“
Ithoughty
ouwoul
dn’
tmakei
t.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Iwoul
dn’
tmi
sst
hisf
ort
hewor
ld.
”
Mi
guel
fixedhi
ssui
ttaki
ngouthi
sphone.
“
Whydoy
oul
ookdi
sappoi
nted?
”
“
No,
it’
snot
hing.Weshoul
dgetgoi
ng.
”
“
Arey
ousur
eyouwantt
odot
his?
”
“
Ilov
eRef
il
we.
”
“
Whoareyouly
ingt
o?Don’
tsayIdi
dn’
ttel
lyouwhen
y
oudi
vorce.
”
“
Ilov
eRef
il
we.
”
“
WhataboutAnay
a?”
“
Anay
aandIwi
l
lrai
seourdaught
ert
oget
herbutt
hat
doesn’
tmeanweshoul
dbet
oget
her
.”
“Keeply
ingt
oyoursel
fandmaybeyouwil
lact
ual
l
y
beli
eveit
.Weal
lknowy oust
il
ll
oveAnay
a.”
“
Let’
sgo,wedon’
twantt
obelat
eatthechur
ch.
”
Mokwenashout
edopeni
ngt
hedoor.
“
PapamaybeyoushouldaskBoikany
oifher
eal
l
y
want
stodothi
s.Anay
ai sback.
”
Theirf
atherpausedandst
eppedi
nsi
det
her
oom.
“Anayaisback?”
“Yes,
gat
weoneai l
eSouthAf
ri
ca.{
Appar
ent
lyshe
hadwenttoSout
hAfri
ca.
}”
“Thi
sgirlembar
rassedourf
amil
y,Ihopey
ouar enot
thi
nkingofgoi
ngbacktoherbecauseIwi
llnev
er
accepther.
”
“Papayaanongwar
eng,kanaBoi
kany
oorata
Anaya.
{Whatareyousaying,
Boi
kany
olov
es
Anaya.
}”
“Af
tereveryt
hingshedidy
ouloveher?She
embarrassedy ou,
sheembar
rassedtheMokwena’s.
Youlostalotofmoneybecauseofthatgi
rl
.Idon’
t
wantt
ohearany
thi
ngabouther
.”
Mokwenawal
kedoutasMi
guel
rubbedhi
sface.
“
Ist
il
lthi
nkt
hisi
sabadmov
eyouar
emaki
ng.
”
“
Ilov
eRef
il
we,
let
’sgo.
”
Theyf
oll
owedaf
tert
hei
rfat
her
.

*
***
*

Ayanawalkedoutofthegat
einhershor
tfl
oral
dress
hol
dinganumbrell
a.Herphoner
angasshebegan
walki
ngtothebusstop.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
CanIseey
ou?
”
Ay
anasmi
l
ed.“
Iam busyKar
abo.
”
“
Whatar
eyoubusywi
th?
”
“
Iam hel
pingmysi
sterwi
thsomet
hing.
”
“
Aft
ery
ouar
edonet
hen.
”
“
Iwi
l
lbebusy
.”
Helaughedt
henhungup.Ay
anahel
dherphone
st
ari
ngatthescr
eenwhenacarpul
l
edupbesideher
.
“
Geti
n!”
Shecl
osedherumbr
ell
aandst
aredatKar
abo.
“
Ayanageti
n.”
Shelookedar
oundt
hencli
mbedi
nsi
de.Hedr
oveof
f
whil
esheputonherseat
bel
t.
“
Whatdi
dyousayy
ouar
ebusywi
thagai
n?”
Shesmi
l
edembar
rassed.
“
Icaughty
ou.
”
“Iam goingt
ogetmyhai
rdone.Iam goi
ngbackt
o
schoolinaweek’
sti
me.”
“Iwillt
akeyout her
e,butcanIpassbysomewhere
fi
rst.Ihavemysmal lbrot
herwhoi salsodoi
ng
nursingthere.Heismyst epbr
other,hestay
swit
h
hismot her.
”
Shef
rowned.“
What
’shi
sname?
”
“
ThabangTi
ragal
o.”
“
Idon’
tknowhi
m.”
“
Youwoul
dn’
t,hei
sthemostqui
etper
son.Ibr
ought
y
oufoodi
nthebackseat
.”
Shelookedathi
mthenr
eachedf
ort
hej
uiceand
Nando’spaper
bagwi
thasmil
e.

*
***
*

Themake-
upar
tistf
ini
shedRefi
lwe’
smakeupt
hen
re-
appl
i
edl
ipgl
ossonherlips.
“
Ok,
youar
egoodt
ogo.
”
Di
anewal
kedi
nherdr
ess.
“
Ever
yonei
ssi
ted,
let
’sgo.
”
“Wearedone.”Themakeupar
ti
str
esponded
packi
ngherthings.
Ref
il
west
oodupandDi
anef
ixedhergown.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thanks.
”
“Ican’
twai
tfort
hereal
par
ty,
Miguel
’
sbr
otheri
s
here.Hei
ssohot.”
“
Hehasagi
rl
fr
iemd.
”
“
Sowhat
?Hei
sst
il
li
nthemar
ket
.”
Theywal kedoutoft hechur
chroom t
owhereher
fatherwaswai ti
ng.Hemayhavenotbeenher
biologi
cal f
atherbutwit
hthewayhelovedher
,one
couldnev ertel
l.
“
Fif
i…”Hesmi
l
edt
aki
ngof
fhi
sst
yli
shhat
.
“
Papa.
.”
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.Thatboyi
sluckyt
ohav
eyou.
”
Refi
lweemoti
onal
lyl
ookedatherf
atherfi
ghti
ngher
tear
s.Hebl
inkedacoupl
eofti
mest henputhi
shat
backon.
“
Myli
tt
legi
rlhasgrown,
arey
our
eadyt
obecomea
mar
ri
edwoman? ”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Mor
ethanr
eady
.”
“
Leti
tbedoneasy
ouwi
shmychi
l
d.”
Herfatherl
inkedt heirar
mst ogetherandsl owly
walkedinsi
det hechur chdownt heredcar petwith
herwhileaslowsongpl ayed.Miguellookedather
asshegotcl oserandcl oserwit
heachst ep.They
arr
ivedandRef il
we’ sfat
hersharedaqui ck
handshakewi t
hMi guelbefor
ewal ki
ngt ohissit
.
Miguelhel
dherhands,shelookedinhisey
esand
smil
ed.Shecouldn’
tbeli
eveit
.shewasmar ryi
ngthis
perf
ectman,thi
smanwhoshowedherconsi stent
l
ove.Thismanwhoal waysmadesur eshewas
smil
ing.Shewasmor ethaninlov
ewi t
hhim and
knowinghewasnowgoi ngtobeher sandhers
al
onegav ehersat
isf
acti
on.
“Beloved,wear egatheredheretowitnessthis
beautifuluni
onbetweenMi guelMokwenaand
Refil
weNgwat o.Everyt
hingthathasGodi nitalway
s
prosper ssowewi l
lstartwithaprayer.Let
’sbowour
headsandpr ay.
”
Ev
eryonebowedthei
rheadswhil
ethepastorpr
ayed.
Aminutel
atert
heyrai
sedthei
rhandssayi
ngAmen.
Thechur
chdooropenedandev
ery
onet
urned.Hush
mumbl i
ngeruptedasabeaut i
fulwomanwear i
ngthe
mostbeautif
ulandel egantdressshe’deverseen
walkedinholdi
ngasmal lgi
rl
’shand.Ittookhera
secondtorecallwhereshehadseenher ,atthemall
.
Refi
lwelookedatMi guelashiseyesr emainedon
thewomant il
lshesatdowni nt hecrowdwi thher
daughter
.
“
Ok,
let
’scont
inue.
”
Thepast
orcarri
edonwit
hhisl
it
tl
espeecht
il
li
twas
ti
meforthem t
otaket
heirv
ows.
Miguel lookedatt hecr owdt henbackatRef ilwe.
“Thef i
rsttimeIsawy ou, IknewIhadf oundt heone,
theoneIwoul dl ovefort herestofmyl if
e.Iny ouI
foundpeace, Ifoundlov e.Youf oundwhenIwasat
myl owestandf ixedme, showedmewhatl ov eis
andIwi llforeverloveyou, andbeony oursideand
cheery ouonwheny ouneedmet o.Iv
owt ol oveyou
throughhappi nessandhar dshi
ps.Tobef ai
t hfuland
uplif
tyou.Iv owt obet hebesthusbandt oy ouand
fathertoourson.Il ov ey ou.”
“
Ref
il
we?
”
Shesmi ledt
earfully.“
Ididn’tthi
nkIwoul dbehere
thefir
sttimeImety ou.Youhav einthepasty ear
s
broughtasmi l
et omyf ace.Youhav emadesur eI
am happyatal lti
mes, youhav egivenmeasonand
forthatIwil
lforeverbegr ateful
forthat.Il
oveyou
andwor dscan’tev enbegint oexpl
ainjusthowdeep
myl overunsfory ou.”
Thepastorsmil
ed.“
Withthepoweri
nme,I
pronounceyouashusbandandwif
e,youmayki
ss
thebri
de.”
Peoplecheer
edasMi guell
i
ftedhervei
landkissed
her.Sheshyl
ykissedhim backwhileherhear
t
poundedwithhappiness.Fi
nall
y,shewasMr s.
Mokwena.

*
***
*

TheChevr
oletCol
oradoZR2Bi sonsurgedforward
whil
eAnayaslept
.Karaboglancedatherpretty
i
nnocentf
aceandsighedf i
ghti
ngoffhisguil
t.He
gl
ancedattheti
mecal cul
ati
ngifhewouldmakei t
backontimeornot.Ayanasl
owlyopenedherey
es
l
ookingahead.Shehaddozedoff,
shelooked
aroundt
ryi
ngtof i
gur
eoutwhereshewas.
“
Hey
…”
ShelookedatKar
abo.“
Wher
ear
ewe?Wher
ear
eyou
goi
ng?”
“
Jwaneng.Ihav
esomet
hingIneedt
osor
tout
.”
“
Jwaneng?ButIt
oldy
ouIwant
edt
odomyhai
r.
Whatdoyoudoforal
ivi
ng?
”
Karabosmiled.“
RelaxAy ana,
Iam noti
ntoanyt
hing
i
ll
egal.Ij
usthavetoseesomeonef oracoupleof
minutesandwel eave.Yousnore.
”
Shef
rowned.“
Youar
ely
ing.
”
“Iam t
ell
ingyou,
ebi
lekeneketsogi
l
ekeipot
sagor
e
ammekeenet ot
a.{
Iwasscar
edwonderi
ngifi
twas
real
l
yy ou.}
”
“
Youar
ely
ing,
Idon’
tsnor
e.”
Karabol
aughed.“Iam t
ell
ingyou,
yousnor
e.I
al
readyf
eelsorr
yf orwhoeveri
sgoingt
omarryy
ou.
”
Shesmi
l
edt
ryi
ngnott
olaugh.“
Idon’
tsnor
e.”
“
Ishoul
dhav
erecor
dedy
ou.
”
Shel ookedoutthroughthewindowwi t
hasmi l
ethat
slowlydisappeared.Shewasi nJwanengwithaman
shedi dn’
tevenknow, whatifsomethi
nghappened
toher ?Shelookedathim againbutheinnocentl
y
smiledather .
Shebl ushedl ooki
ngaway.Therewassomethi
ng
abouthi m, somethi
ngshecouldn’
tfi
gur
eoutjusty
et.
Hedr ovef orawhi l
ethenf
inal
lypar
kedinf
rontofa
cert
ainl odge.
“
Iam comi
ng,
Iwi
l
lbegonef
orj
ustaf
ewmi
nut
es.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hegrabbedabackpackf rom t
hebackseatand
wal
kedinsidethelodge.Shelookedaroundhiscar
wonderi
ngwhathedi df orali
vi
ng,hedefini
tel
yhada
hi
ghpayingjobifhecoul daf
fordthi
skindofcar.
Herphonerangstartl
ingher.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Heybabe.
”
“
Modi
egi
,whatdoy
ouwant
?”
“
Canwet
alkaboutus.
”
“
Webr
okeup.
”
“Iwantt
ofi
xthi
ngs,
Iam sor
ryf
orhowIbehav
edat
school
.”
“
Youcheatonme.
”
“IknowandIam sorry.Ay
anahonestl
yIwas
sexual
lyfr
ustr
ated.Wehavebeentogetherfort
wo
full
yearsyety
oudon’twantmetotouchy ou.You
arenotevenav i
rgi
n.”
“
Iwantt
ogetmar
ri
edf
ir
st.
”
“
Babecomeon,
ber
eal
i
sti
c.”
“
Iam sav
ingmy
sel
fformyf
utur
ehusband.
”
Modiegi
sighed.“
Ok.Fine,Iwi
ll
wai ti
fthat
’swhati
t
wi
ll
take.Ireal
lyl
oveyou,nextyearwewi l
lget
marr
ied.
”
“ModiegiIdon’
tthi
nkIsti
l
lwantt
obewi
thy
ou
especial
l
yafterwhatyoudid.
”
“
Iam sor
ry,
canwepl
easewor
koutt
hings.Ir
eal
l
y
l
ovey
ou.
”
“
Let
’st
alkl
ater
.”
“
Ok,
Ilov
eyou.
”
ShesawKar
abowal
ki
ngbackt
othecar
.
“
Bye.
”
Shehungandputherphoneawayashej
umpedi
n.
“
Done?
”
“
Almost
,onel
astt
hingt
henwel
eav
e.”
Ayana’
sphonerangandshelookedatt
hescreen
whil
eKarabostar
tedt
hecar.Herhear
tski
ppedthen
sheanswered.
“
Hel
l
o,”
“
Babe,
youst
il
lst
ayinBroadhur
st?Icancat
chabus
t
ocomeandseeyou.”
“
LookIam busy
.By
e.”
Shehungupfeel
ingKarabo’
sey esonher .Hedrove
awaysil
ent
lyandshewonder edifshehadt oexpl
ain
her
sel
forsomething.Shesecret
lylookedathim,he
washandsome,shecoul
dsensesometypeofbad
vi
bearoundhi
m butcoul
dn’
taskhi
m.Shefearf
ull
y
watchedashedrov
einagravel
goingawayf
rom the
t
own.
“
Kar
abo,
wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
”
“
Youwi
l
lsee.
”

*
***
*

Ayanal ookedforwardwhil
eKarabosloweddown.
Hest oppedinfrontofahouseanddr oveinsi
det
he
gate.Ay anal
ookedatthetime,shestil
lhadtogo
backhome.Kar abowalkedtoherdoorandopenedi
t.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
“
Whatar
ewedoi
ngher
e?”
Hef
reedherf
rom t
heseat
bel
tandhel
pedherdown.
“
Come.
”
Theywalkedt
owar dsthedoorandheunlocked
befor
etheywalkedinsi
de.Shelookedar
oundthe
houseast
heywal
kedf
urt
heri
nsi
de.
“
Who’
shousei
sthi
s?”
“
Mine.
”Hesmi
l
ed.“
Whyar
eyouscar
ed?
”
“
Iam notscar
ed.
”
Hechuckled.“Youar
e.Iwoul
dnev erhur
ty ou.Iwant
todosomet hi
nghere,Iwi
l
lbeintheotherroom.You
canwaitforme, t
her
eisnoTV,youcanpl aywith
yourphone.”
Hewal
kedout
sideandcamebackwi
thhi
sbackpack.
“
Whatdoy
ouwantt
odo?
”
“
Somet
hing,
it’
snotwi
tchcr
aft
,youcanr
elax.
”
“
Doy
oudoi
l
legal
thi
ngs?
”
Hesmi
l
edcut
elyandki
ssedhercheek.“
Rel
ax.
”
Shewatchedhim wal
kfurtheri
nsi
det
hehouse
di
sappeari
nginthepassage.

*
***
*
Miguelsmil
edgreeti
ngalltheguestthatcamet o
thei
rtabl
e.Hiseyesmov edaroundashel ookedf or
her,
hewasn’tsureifshecamef orthecelebrat
ion.
Hehadseenhi sdaughter,
shewashi s,ther
ewasno
needtomakesur e.
“
Babe,
arey
ouok?
”
Het
urnedt
ohi
snewl
yweddedwi
fe.“
Yeah.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Todayi
sthebestdayofmyl
i
fe.
”
Theiri
n-l
awsapproachedthem andt
heyexchanged
greeti
ngs.Assoonastheywalkedawayhestoodup.
“Iam coming.
”
Hewal
kedinsi
dethecr
owdsmil
i
ngthengr
abbed
Col
l
eenandpull
edheri
nsi
det
hehouse.
“
Wher
eisNay
a?”
Sher
oll
edherey
es.“
Shel
eft
.”
“
What
’supwi
tht
heat
ti
tude?
”
“
Yousai
dal
lthatt
oembar
rassher
,soshel
eft
.”
“
Wher
edi
dshego?
”
“
Shesai
dshewasgoi
ngt
odr
ivebackt
oGabs,
do
y
ouknowOsWor
ld?
”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Youknowi
t’
sopeni
ngi
nGabsr
ight
?”
“
Yah.
”
“
Anayaownst hefranchi
se.Sheismakingal
otof
money,nowitreal
lydoesn’
tmattert
hatyougot
marr
ied.Shewillj
ustfi
ndarichbusi
nessmanand
moveon.”
“
Don’
ttr
ytoannoyme.Iwanthernumber
.”
“
Letmesendi
t.
”
Shet
ookoutherphoneasKennet
hjoi
nedt
hem.
“
Youruncl
eisl
ooki
ngf
ory
ouout
side.
”
Col
leenlaughed.“Thi
sist
hemostbor
ingweddi
ngI
hav
eev erseen.”
Kennet
hlookedatMi
guel
.“Wher
eisAnay
a?”
“
Idon’
tknow.Di
dyousend?
”
“
Yes,butdon’
ttel
lhery
ougott
hatnumberf
rom
me.
”
Miguel wal kedbackout si
deandt hecel ebrations
conti
nuedt ill
lateri ntheev eningwhenhi suncles
tookhi m sot oadv isehim.Het ri
edlisteningbutal l
hecoul dt hinkwaswhatCol leenhadsai d,shewas
nowr ichandwoul dprobabl yfindarichmanwho
wouldt akecar eofher .Theent ir
eideasi ckenedhi m,
heknewmostoft hoser i
chmenl ovedawomani n
control,ani ndependentwoman.Shewasgoi ngto
runabi gbr andt hatalreadyhadempl oyedal otof
l
ocal wor kersbef oreitevenst artedoper ating.He
thoughtofherf arm, shehadcomesof ar.He
remember edwhenshest i
llusedt osell f
atcakes
andsweet sundert hesun.Shehadwor kedhar dto
thetop.
Hewonder edwher
etheywoul
dbehadshenotl ef
t
thatf
ait
hfulday
.Theycoul
dhavebeenhappybut
shelef
t.
“
Didy
ougetal
lthat
?”Anuncl
easkedandhenodded.
“
Good,
don’
tembar
rassourf
ami
l
y.”
Theycont
inuedf
orali
tt
lewhi
l
ebefor
ehewentto
wherehi
snewbridewas.Hef
oundhersi
tt
ingont
he
bedlot
ioni
ngwithatowelaroundherbody
.Shewas
get
ti
ngmor echubby
, shel
ookedathim wi
thasmil
e.
“
Hey
,”
Miguel
tookof
fhi
sjacketandpul
l
edherupki
ssi
ng
her.
“Babe…wai
t.Miguel
Idon’tfeelcomf
ort
abl
ehav
ing
sexwhil
eever
yoneisoutside.
”
“
Comeonbabe…”
“
Can’
tyouj
ustwai
t?”
Helookedinherey
esandsmiled.“Yeah,Iwantto
t
alkwithAgangaboutsomet
hing,Iam coming.”
Hewal
kedoutl
eav
ingheral
one.

*
***
*

Lonepickedherdaught
erwhohadfall
enasleep
pl
ayingandlai
dheronherbed.Shesi
ghedwal ki
ng
backtothesit
ti
ngroom.Herhusbandwasonat r
ip
andhewasgoi ngtobegoneformonths.She
missedhim,t
heysaidshewoul dgetusedtohis
absencebuti
twashar d.Shemissedhowhewoul d
l
aughwi t
hthem orhowhewoul djustfuckheras
shecooked.Matteroffact
,shewassexuall
ystarv
ed.
Tearsfi
lledhereyesasshet houghtofwhenhe
wouldbeback, allshewant edwast ohav eher
husbandbyhersi de.Shet ookherphonet odist
ract
hersel
fandopenedt heweddi ngpict
uresRachelhad
senther.ShelookedatMi guel wonderi
ngwhyhe
l
ookedsadorsomet hing.Shet henzoomedonhi s
bri
de’sfacelooki
ngf oranyf l
aw.Shedi dn’
tfi
ndone,
themake- upsurecov eredev eryt
hingthoughshe
wasnott heprett
iestper sonoutt her
e.
Sheanswer
edherr
ingi
ngphone.
“
Whyi
sMi
guel
looki
ngsad?
”
Rachel
laughed.“
Mma!Anay
acamewi
thher
daught
er.
”
“
Real
l
y?”
“Yes,Ithoughtshewouldcausedramabutno,she
wasj ustrel
axed.Thatgi
rll
ooksri
chandbeauti
ful
,
Refil
wedoesn’ tevencomecloseebi
lekanaAnaya
key
ell
owbone.{
Anay
aisay
ell
owbone.
}”
“
Hepr
obabl
yst
il
lwant
sher
,Isweart
oyou,
thatgi
rl
f
edhi
m.”
“Waai,hewasn’
tfedany t
hing.Anay
aishot ,
youcan’
t
denythat.Theweddingwasbor i
ng,i
tlacked
exci
tementorthatfeel
ingtoshowit’
saweddi ng.
”
Lonel
aughed.“
Whatar
eyousay
ing?
”
“Ever
y t
hingwasj ustcold.Peoplewer egenui
nel
y
bored,eventhegr oom himself.Therewasno
dancingorany t
hinglikethat.Eventhebridewat
eng,
ahh.Theentireweddi ngwasj ustboring.
”
“
Bat
lai
kgol
egaboBoi
kany
o.”
Thewomenl
aughed.
“Iwantt
ogohomenow,Idon’
twantthi
sbor
ing
thi
nganymor
e.Agangi
shere,
Iwonderwher
ehelef
t
Sarona.
”
“
Hei
sback?
”
“
Yes,
Icansmel
ldr
ama.
”
Lonel
aughed.“
Keeponupdat
ingme,
Iam bor
ed
her
eathome.Imi
ssmyman.
”
“
Youwi
l
lbef
ine.
”
“
Ijustwantsomef
ucki
ng.
”
“
Lonei
fyoucheatBamewi
l
lfr
yyou,
hei
sasol
dier
.”
“
Iknow,
let
’st
alkl
ater
.”
“
Ok.
”
Aknockont hedoormadeherputherphonedown
andwalkedtothedoor
.Sheopeneditandfr
owned
star
ingatt
hemanshehadmetear li
eron.
“
Whatacoi
nci
dence.
”

*
***
*

Anay
asati
nthehot
elroom t
ypi
ngonherl
apt
opas
I
vyplay
edgamesonherphone.
“Hel
l
o?”I
vysai
dsof
tl
yput
ti
ngt
hephoneonherear
.
Anayat
urnedt
oher
.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngVee?Br
ingmommy
’sphone.
”
I
vyhandedhermot
hert
hephoner
est
ingherheadon
herl
ap.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
Shesi
ghed.“
Miguel,whatdoy
ouwant
?Shoul
dn’
t
youbecel
ebrat
ing?
”
“
Canwet
alk?
”
“Idon’ttalktomarr
iedmen.Wewil
ldi
scussVee
afterItalktomylawyer
,matt
eroff
act
,lethi
m bet
he
onet otalktoyou.
”
“
Anay
apl
ease.Ij
ustwantt
otal
ktoy
ou.
”
“
Iam atMaj
est
ichot
el.
”
“
Iam onmyway
.WhatcanIbr
ingy
ou?
”
Shecl
i
ckedhert
ongueandhungup.
“
Mommy
?Ar
ewegoi
ngbackhomet
ogr
anny
?”
“
Tomor
rowbabe,
todaywewi
l
lsl
eepher
e.”
“
Ili
keGr
anny
,Let
aboandAy
ana.
”
“
SayLet
habo.
”
“
Le-
thabo.
”
“
Good,
theyar
eourf
ami
l
y.”
“
Likeuncl
eDonal
d?”
“
Yes.Youwannat
akesel
fi
es?
”
“
Yes,
butIwantal
i
pst
ick.
”
Shewalkedtohermother’
shandbagandopenedit
taki
ngoutAnaya’
sli
pbalm.Sheslowl
yappli
editto
herli
psbefor
eshepausedwithhermothert
aking
countl
esssel
fi
esandvideos.
“
Ili
ket
hisone.
”Iv
ysai
dcl
i
cki
ngt
hrought
hephot
os.
“
Ivy
,rememberwhatIt
oldy
ouaboutdaddy
?”
“
Yes,
thathei
satwor
kbuthewi
l
lcome.
”
“
Yes,
he-
“
Herphoner
ang.
“
Ihav
ear
ri
ved.
”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Shehungupandst
oodup.
“
ButDaddyi
sbacknow.
”
“Oh.
”Shegr
abbedhermot
her
’sphoneopeni
ngt
he
camera.
“
Ivy
,Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
Anay aqui
ckl
ywalkedoutandst
raightt
othe
recepti
onwhereMiguelwashol
dingateddybear
andchocolat
e.
“
Come.
”
Sheledhim backtoherr
oom.I
vylookedatMi
guel
in
conf
usionwhent heywal
kedi
nsi
detheroom.
“
Ivy
,thi
sisdaddy
.”Anay
asai
dpi
cki
ngherup.
Herdaught
erl
ookedatMi
guel
thenhi
dherf
aceon
Anaya’
sshoul
der
.
“
Sweet
y ,
thisi
sdaddy ,
don’
tyouwanttotal
ktohi
m.
Hei
snice,hebroughtyouateddybear
.”
Anayaputherdownandwat
chedasMi
guel
knel
t
bef
oreher.
“
Wow!I
sthaty
ourr
eal
hai
r?”
“
Yes,
mommycur
ledi
t.
”
“
Ili
kei
t,y
oul
ookl
i
keapr
incess.
”
I
vysmi
l
ed.“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Ibr
oughtyout
his.
”Hehandedherat
eddybear
.“Do
y
ouli
keit
?”
“Yes,
thankyou.
”Iv
ytur
nedt
ohermot
her
.“Mommy
,
shoul
dItakeit
.”
“
Yes,
youcant
akewhatdaddybuy
syou.
”
“
Hei
smyr
eal
dad?
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Yessweet
y.Youcanhughi
m.”
“
Ok.
”
Iv
ymov edcloserandhuggedMiguel
.Shel
etgo
secondsl
aterandpickedthephone.
“
Mommyl
et’
smet
akesel
fi
es,
youwantone?
”
Anayawat
chedt
hem chatandt
akesel
fi
eswhi
l
eshe
smil
ed.
“
Mommy
!Come!
”
Anayawalkedcl
oserandjoi
nedint
hesel
fi
es.
Minut
eslater
,Mi
guelstoodwit
hAnayawatchi
ngI
vy
pl
aygames.
“
Shei
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Congr
atul
ati
ons.
”
Hel
ookedather
.“Thanks.
”
“Iam gladi
tall
happenedbef or
emyey es.Im sorr
y
forhurti
ngyou,i
ttookmet odaytoreal
i
zet hat
.It
probablymessedwi t
hyourself
-est
eem because
todayyoumar r
iedanuglywomanpr obablybecause
youthinkbeaut
ifulwomenar eful
lofst
ress.”
“
Ref
il
wei
snotugl
y.
”
“Cont
inuelyingtoyoursel
f,darkski
nnedwomenar e
beaut
ifulbutyourwifeisuglyandbeingdark
ski
nnedmakesi tal
lworse.Iwonderhowy ourson
l
ookslike.”
“
Youj
usthat
eher
.”
Anayalaughedfl
ippingherl
onghairback.“Hateher
?
Forwhat?Becausey ouchoseher?Idon’t
,Idon’t
hateonuglypeople.Shehasabignose,isit
becausesheispregnantorwhat?Thoser ol
lsonher
neckarenotevenf unny
,shewassweat i
ngmaki ng
hermakeupl
ookf
unny
.Any
who,
that
’snotmy
busi
ness.
”
Miguel
lookedatherf
orawhi
l
ethenl
aughed.“
You
soundbit
ter
.”
Shel
aughed.“
Ok.Iam bi
tt
er.Sowhat
?”
“
Shei
sbeaut
if
ul,
inherownway
.”
Anayashr ugged.“Andt
hat
’sok.Iam tr
ulysorryf
or
every
thing.Ihopeonedayyoufindi
tiny ourhear
tto
for
giveme.Iknowwecan’ tbetogethernow, t
hat
shipsankt oday.
”
“
Ihear
dyouownOsWor
ld.
”
“Col
leenandherbi
gmout
h.Buty
es.Iam t
aki
ngup
space.”
Mi
guel
lookedatherandsmi
l
ed.“
Iam pr
oudofy
ou.
”
“
Yeahsodon’
tbebi
tt
erwhenIf
inal
l
ymov
eonwi
th
myli
fe.
”
Shestoodonhert
oesandkissinghi
m.“Youcoul
d
spendti
mewithherbuty
ouar emarr
iednow.Go
homeandbeabet t
erman..
”
Shemov edtothedoorandopenedi
t.
.“Youwi
l
lsee
heraf
teryouhavespokentoyourwi
fe.
”
“
Anay
adon’
tdot
hat
.”
“
Dowhat?Iam l
ett
ingyougo,t
hosevowsyoumade
t
oherj
ustmademer eali
zesomethi
ng,
sobye.
”
Theybot
hlookedatI
vywhowasnowsl
eepi
ng.
“
Ok.
”
“
Ihav
etogobackso.
..
”
Miguelwalkedoutandshei
mmedi
atel
ycl
osedt
he
door.Herphonerang.
“
Hey
!”
“
And?
”
“
Idr
ankt
hepi
l
landHegotmar
ri
ed.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“I
t’sokDonal
d.Ofcausehemovedon.Hecoul
dn’
t
stopli
vi
ngall
becauseofme.Ti
mewedot hesame
ri
ght?”
“
Right
.Andt
her
eisnot
hingwr
ongwi
thst
il
ll
ovi
ng
him.Al otofpeopl
earestil
li
nlovewit
hpeopl ethey
knowt heyshoul
dn’
tlove,i
t’
sall
partofli
fe.Love
doesn’
thav eamanual.Ifi
thad,weallcoul
dbe
expert
s.”
.
.
.
Goodni
ght
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#66

Refi
lwelookedatthet
imeandsighedtear
ful
ly
.She
gotofft
hebedandwal kedout
sidewhereafew
rel
ati
veswere.Shebumpedint
oCol l
een.
“
Hi,
hav
eyouseenMi
guel
?”
Col
l
eensmi
l
ed.“
Hei
snother
e?”
“
No.
”
“
Don’
twor
ry,
hewi
l
lbeback.Justbeagoodwi
fe
andwai
tfory
ourhusband.
”
Ref
il
wesighed.“
Whydon’
tyoul
ikeme?Imean,
just
behonestwi
thme,whydoyouhateme?
”
“
Ohpl
easehun,
Idon’
that
eyou.
”
“
Thenwhat
’sy
ourpr
obl
em wi
thme?
”
“
Ihav
enoi
ssuewi
thy
ou,
getov
ery
our
sel
f.
”
Ref
il
wetur
nedbackt
oherr
oom andsatont
hebed
di
ali
ngDi
ane.
“
Fri
end!
”
“
DianeMi
guel
isgone.
”
“
Wher
e?”
“
Idon’
tknow.I
t’
sbeenhour
sandhe’
sst
il
lnotback.
”
“
Ihear
dthebeaut
if
ulwomanwhocamei
shi
sex.
”
“
Anay
a?”
“
Yes.
”
Ref
il
wecl
osedherey
es.“
Andherdaught
er?
”
“
Ishi
s.”
“
Wher
edi
dyougett
hat
?”
“
Ihear
dKennet
handAgangt
alki
ng.
”
Tear
sbur
nedherey
es.“
Yout
hinkhe’
swi
thher
?”
“Inev
ersai
dthat
,youneedt
ocal
m down,
hei
s
coming.
”
“Myhearti
sbr
eaki
ng,
didy
ouseeher
?Shei
s
beaut
if
ulandr
icht
oo.
”
“
Look,shemaybebeaut
if
ulandr
ichbuty
ouar
ethe
wi
fe.
”
“I
fthatgi
rli
sMi
guel
’
sthenshewi
l
lfor
everbepar
tof
ourli
ves.
”
“
Trusty
ourhusbandFi
fi
.”
“
Iwi
shIwasn’
tpr
egnant
.”
“
Don’
tsaythat
,Mi
guel
lov
esyou.Youhear
dhi
s
v
owsright
?Thatmani
syour
s.”
“
Ok,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Ok.
”
Sheputherphonedownsi
tt
ingont
hebedf
ight
ing
hert
ear
s.

*
***
*
AyanalookedatKar aboashedrovebackto
Gaborone,itwaslateandherwasphonewasof f.
Sheknewhermot herwasalr
eadylooki
ngforher,
whatwasshegoi ngt osaywhenshegothome?
Whatexcusecouldshepossi bl
yuse?Shetooka
deepbreath.Almostanhourlat
er,hepar
keday ar
d
befor
etheirsinBroadhurt
s.
“
Iam sor
ryaboutt
oday
,Idi
dn’
tthi
nkIwoul
dtake
t
hatmuchlong.
”
“
It
’sf
ine.
”
Shetr
iedopeningherdoorbutitwaslocked.Turni
ng
backt
ohim, hepull
edherinforakiss.Shekissed
hi
m backwithasoftwhimper.Hemov edbackand
l
eanedovertoherdooropeningit.
“
Iwi
l
ltakey
out
othesal
ont
omor
row.
”
“
It
’sf
ine,
Iwi
l
ldoi
tsomeot
hert
ime.
”
“
Ongadi
l
e?Sor
ryt
lhamma.{
Arey
ouangr
y?Iam
sor
ry.
}”
“
Whatdoy
oudof
oral
i
ving?
”
“
Iownapawnshop.
”
“
Ist
hatal
l
?”
Hegaveherasoftki
ss.“
That’
sally
ouneedt
oknow
f
ornow.Iwil
lcal
lwhenIarr
ivetomorr
ow.
”
Shelookedathissmi
l
e,hepr
obabl
ynev
ert
ook
anyt
hingseri
ously
.
“
Bye.
”
Shegotof fhi
scarandwal kedt
ot hegateand
pressedtheint
ercom.Secondslater,shewas
walkingi
nsidethehouse.Hermot herwassit
ti
ngon
thecouch,Ayanatookadeepbr eath.
“
Goodev
eni
ngmama,
Iwas-
“
“Idon’
tli
kehowwhenyouar
ewit
hLal
ahy
oudon’
t
bothercommuni
cat
ing,
Iwaswor
ri
ed.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sf
ine.Lockup.
”
Hermot herstoodupandwal kedawaywhileshe
thr
ewher selfonthecouchwithasighofrel
ief.A
minutelatershestoodup,l
ockedthedoorsand
wenttoherr oom.Sheconnectedherphonet othe
chargerandcalledLal
ah.
“
Soy oudon’tal
ertmewhenyougoGodknows
where?Yourmothercal
l
edandhereIwaswonder
ing
whatshe’
stalki
ngabout,
wherewerey
ou?”
“
Iwentoutwi
tht
hemanwhosav
edmyphone.
”
Lal
ahl
aughed.“
Youl
i
e!”
“Iam t el
li
ngy ou,Iwasonmywayt ot hesal oninthe
mor ningwhenhej ustpull
edov erandsai dgeti n.Ka
gorer onaboAy areratadil
oebeket senamo
koloing.{BecauseIlikethi
ngsIgoti nt hecar .}He
thensai dIhav etodosomet hingthenhewi l
ldrop
meof fatthesalon,guyhadev enboughtmef ood.
Thennextt hing,
wear einJwaneng.Iswear ,heisa
criminal.Hewasbehav i
nginashadyway .Wegett o
thisotherni cehouseinasecl udedplaceandhe
say sIwantt odosomet hi
ng,justrel
ax.Thenhe
disappear ssomewher eandt akeagest here.Iam
upsetbuthegi
vesni
ceki
sses.
”
Lal
ahl
aughed.“
Ba-
nya-
na!{
Gir
ls!
}
“Iam t
ir
ed,Ijustwanttosl
eep.Heboughtmefood
onourwayback, Iam soful
l.Kej
elekengadi
l
e.{I
ateupset.
}”
“
Ili
kehi
m al
ready
.”
“
Modi
egi
cal
l
ed.
”
“
Mxm,
whatdi
dhewant
?”
“
Hesay
shewant
sust
ofi
xthi
ngs.
”
“Tel
lthatbor
ingugl
yni
ggat
ogot
ohel
l
,wehav
ea
newbae. ”
“
Isuspecthei
snaught
y.”
“
Ili
kehi
mfory
ou,
atl
easthef
eedsy
ou.
”
“Any
wayst
hanksf
orcov
eri
ngupf
orme,
Iwasso
scar
ed.
”
“
Nextt
imeal
ertmebef
orey
oudi
sappear
.”

*
***
*
Lonel ayonherbedr estless,allshecoul dt hink
aboutwasMar cus.Itwasapur ecoi nci
dencet hathe
hadshowedupatherhousebecausehehadbeen
l
ooki ngforherneighborbutnowshecoul dn’tstop
thinkingabouthim andhi svoice.Hej usthada
certaineff
ectonher .Shet ookherphoneand
openedoneofherexpl icitvi
deos.Sheputherhand
bet weenherlegsandr ubbedher selfwat chingt he
video.Shesanki ntwof ingersandt appedherupper
wal l
smoani ng.Shecl osedherey esasherbody
stiff
enedthenshebeganshaki ngr eachingherpeak.
Shesi ghedclosi
ngherey es,nowal lshewant edwas
adi ckinsi
deher.
Thedoorbellr
angandshefrozet
henquickl
ystood
up,maybeBamewasback.Shequi ckl
ygotofft
he
bedandrushedtothedoorandopened.
“
Hey
,Icoul
dn’
tsl
eep.
”
ShelookedatMarcus.“
Whatareyoudoi
ngher
e?My
husbandisasol
derandhewill
kil
lusbot
h.”
“
Hedoesn’
thav
etof
indout
.”
Shelookedathi
mthenunlockedt
heburgl
arbar
l
ett
inghimin.Hecl
osedthedoorbehi
ndhim.
“
Wher
eisy
ourcar
?”
“
Downt
hest
reet
.”
“
I-
“
Marcuspull
edhercl oserandkissedher.Lone
ki
ssedhim backwant ingmor e,
damnt hiswasbad
butherbodyfel
titwasr ight.Heledhertothecouch
andlayherdownt akingoffhergown.Hel ookedat
hernakedbodywi t
hnot hingbutlust
.
“
Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.
”
Loneopenedherl egswantinghimt odoi tal
ready.
Mar cusquickl
ytookouthi sdickandLonel i
ckedher
l
ipsasshel ookedathiscassav a.Het ookouta
condom andputi tonbef or
eget t
ingont opofher
thrusti
ngintoher.Shefl
inchedatt hepainashe
startedmov i
ng.
“Wait
!”Shetri
edpushi
nghi
m buthekeptj
abbi
nghi
s
dicki
nsideher.
“
Fuck!Youar
esosweet
!”
Hegroanedmov i
ngfasterandLonetr
iedtorel
axbut
thepai
nwasjusttoomuch.Mar cuscursedi
nher
earcummingthenstoppedmov i
ng.
Lonepushedhi
m offi
ndi
sgustandanger
.How
coul
damanwi thsuchadi
cknotknowhowtofuck?
“
It
’sbeent
ime.
”
Lonel
ookedathi
m ashet
ookof
fthecondom.
“
Iusual
l
ydon’
ttaket
his-
“
“
It
’sok,Ihavet
ogot
obedbef
oremydaught
er
wakesups.”
“
Ok.
”
Hequicklywalkedoutwithhi
scondom andshe
l
ockedthedoorannoy edandirr
it
ated.Nowshe
regr
ett
edi t
,shesti
l
lcouldn’
tunderst
andwhathad
happened.

*
***
*

Ref
il
wewokeupf
rom hersl
eepf
eel
i
ngMi
guel
’
s
ar
msar
oundher
.
“
Wher
ewer
eyou?
”
“Sorry
,Ihadtomeetupabusinessassoci
ate.I
couldn’tl
ethi
ml eav
ewi
thoutseei
nghim,heisfly
ing
out.Iam sorr
y.”
Shesi
ghed.“
Ihear
dAnay
awasatt
heweddi
ng.
”
“Don’
tworr
yabouther
,shei
sint
hepast
.Let
’sf
ocus
onourfamil
y.
”
“
Andherdaught
er?
”
“
Whot
oldy
ouaboutt
hat
?”
“
Isshey
our
s?”
“
Yes,
Anay
asay
sshei
smi
ne.
”
“
Andwhati
fshei
snot
?”
“
BabeIdon’
tknowanythingforsur
enow,
Idon’
t
wantust
odiscussAnaya.”
“
Ok,
butwewi
l
lneedt
odi
scussabouti
t.
”
Mi
guel
kissedher
.“Wewi
l
l.Iam t
ir
edl
etssl
eep.
”
Shel
ookedathi
m ashecl
osedhi
sey
es,
shenow
want
edhi
m buthewasal
readyasl
eep.

*
***

Colleendroveinsidetheyardjustaft
eronei nt
he
mor ning.Angelwasal r
eadyasleep.Sheparkedthe
carandgotof f
,sheknockedont hedoorandwent
backpi cki
ngAngel from t
hebackseat .Shepressed
herlipstogethercarr
y i
ngheavyAngel tothedoor.
Thedooropenedaf terafewsecondsandTshepo
quicklytookAngel f
rom her.
“
Hey
,It
houghty
ouwer
ecomi
ngbackt
omor
row.
”
“
No,
Icoul
dn’
tst
ayt
her
e.”
Theywalkedinsidethehouseandshel ockedbehi
nd
herashetookt hei
rdaughtertoherbedroom.
Coll
eenwalkedt othebedroom whereTshepo’s
phonewasr i
nging.Shetookitfr
om thebedand
l
ookedatthecal l
erID.Wit
hapoundi ngheart,
she
answeredthecall.
“
Tshepo,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
Tshepowalkedi
nandfr
ozestar
ingatCol
l
een
hol
dinghi
sphonetoherear
.
“
Tshepoi
sathomewi
thhi
sfami
l
y.”
“Hel
atl
ammagi
vet
heowneroft
hatphonehi
s
phone.
”
“
Thatot
hisshoul
dbethelastt
imey
oucal
lmyman
i
nthemiddl
eoftheni
ght.
”
Thatolaughed.“Yourman?Dar l
i
ngTshepoi smine.
Tel
l hi
mt ocallme.”ShehungupandCol leenst
ared
atthephoneshaki ng.Shecoul
dalmostremember
whatshehadwentt hroughwit
hOteng.Tearsfi
l
led
hereyesassheputTshepo’ sphonedown.
“
Tshepodon’
tyoujustthi
nki
t’
sfai
rforyout
odump
meifyouwantyourex?Il
oveyoubutIwon’
tfor
ce
yout
obewithme. ”
“
Babewhatar
eyousay
ing?
”
“
Youar
ebr
eaki
ngmyhear tTshepo,
ify
oudon’
twant
meany
mor
ejustsayso.
”
“
Col
l
eenwhatar
eyouonabout
?Whatdi
dshesay
?”
Col
l
eenwi
pedawayhert
ear
sandwentt
othe
bathr
oom.Itf
eltasi
fhi
stor
ywasrepeat
ingit
self
.
Thepainwastoomuch,shecl
osedhereyessil
entl
y
cry
ing.
“
Babe…”Tshepoputhi
shandsonherwai
st.
“
Idon’
twanther
.”
“
Justt
ell
mei
fyoudon’
twantmeany
mor
e.”
“Col
leen…Idon’
twantThatoIcal
l
edherdi
scussi
ng
Peo,shesai
dshewant stopl
ayarol
einPeo’
slif
e
that
’swhysheiscal
li
ng.”
Tshepowi
pedawayhert
ear
sandki
ssedher
.
“Babe,Il
ovey
ou.Iwouldn’
tcheatonyou,
especi
all
y
notwit
hThatoaft
ereveryt
hingshedi
d.She
abandonedmeandourdaught er
.”
Hehuggedhert
ight
ly.“
Ilov
eyou.Tomor
rowwewi
l
l
goandseehert
ogether.
”
“
Idon’
twantt
ogot
hrought
hatpai
nagai
n.”
“
Trustme,y
ouwon’
t.
”Heki
ssedher
.“Youhav
eto
t
rustme.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Howwast
heweddi
ng?
”
Col
l
eenst
eppedbackwi
pinghert
ear
s.“
Bor
ing.
”
“
Arey
ousay
ingt
hatbecausey
oudon’
tli
keher
?”
“
No,
itwasgenui
nel
ybor
ing.
”
“Yourbr
otherchoseher
,may
bey
oushoul
dtr
y
gett
ingal
ongwi t
hher.
”
“
Iwi
llt
ry.
”Shet
ookof
fherdr
essandst
eppedunder
t
heshower.

*
***
*

Lonewalkedi
nRachel’
shousethefol
l
owingdayl
ate
aft
ernoonandfoundherbaki
ngint
hekit
chen.
“
What
’st
hatf
or?
”
“Ther
eisthi
sorgani
zat
ionthatsupport
sorphans,
thechur
chisdonati
ngtothem soIthoughtwhynot
bake.
”
Loneputherbagdown.“
Icanhel
p.”
“
Taket
hemuf
fi
ntr
ayf
rom t
heov
en.
”
“
Ok.
”
Lonet
ooki
tandhandedi
ttoRachel
wit
hasi
gh.
“
IcheatonBamel
astni
ghtandIhav
enev
erf
elt
moreangryi
nmyl
if
e.”
“
What
?”Rachel
lookedather
.“Ar
eyouj
oki
ng?
”
“No.Imett hi
sguyear l
ierduringt hedayy ester
day
thenhecameov ermyhouse, itwasst il
lcoinci
dence
buthet hencamebackatni ght.Iwashor nyandIlet
him,thisni
ggat ookami nuteandhecame.Mmake
boregil
emogomasweebi l
eket enegil
ehela.Mot ho
oneakuny apahelaadi r
anonsense.{ Iam sobor ed,
mat t
eroffactIam angr y
.Hewasdoi ngnonsense. }
Hehadagooddi ckbuthedi dn’tevenknowhowt o
useit,Isweartheyshouldgiv elessonst othese
peoplebecauseny aabathong.Ompol ayaar et
his
neverhappens.”
Rachelt
ri
edtokeepaseri
ousfacebutt
hewayher
fr
iendwasexpl
aini
ngmadeherbursti
ntol
aught
er.
Shehitt
hetabl
elaughi
nghar
d.
“
Mxm don’
tlaugh,
Iwasi
npai
nthewhol
eti
me.
”
“I
maginecheat
ingthenyougetser
vedwithpoor
perf
ormance,i
tshouldt
eachyoualesson.
”
“IhopeInev erbumpi nt
ohi m,whenIsawhi sdi
ckI
wasl iketodayistheday,hedidn’tevent aketwo
mi nutesatleast
.Hewasmov i
nghist ensebody,I
didn’tevenenjoymy sel
f.Idon’
tunder standhow
someonel i
kethatwalksaroundwi thsuch
disappointmentpackedi nhispants.
”
Rachel
putherhandonherachi
ngr
ibsl
aughi
ng.
“St
op,youwi
llki
l
lme.”
“Andtheguyiscutet
oo, Iam nev
ercheat
ingagai
n.
I
magi nehadBamecaughtmeandIwoul ddiefor
badsex.Menwi t
hbigdicksbutdon’
tknowhowt o
usethem shoul
dbearrested.
”
“
Justdon’
tcheatonBame.Hel
ovesy
ou.
”
“Thi
sdi
stanceismessi
ngwithme,Imisshim so
muchRachelIwanttocr
y.Ibl
amehimf orthi
s,had
hebeenherethenIwoul
dn’
thavecheated.
”
“
Hewi
l
lbeback.Don’
tpl
aysuchgames,
Bamei
snot
t
het
ypey
oudot
hatt
o.”
“
IhopeIgett
hejobt
omor
row,
stay
ingathome
makesmesick.
”
“
Buty
ouhav
ebeenhomef
ory
ear
snow.
”
“
IknowandImi
ssmybusyl
i
fe.
”
“Wareguyoneai r
ang?
{Whatwast
hatguydoi
ng?
}”
Rachelaskedl
aughi
ng
“
Mxm,
don’
tgetmest
art
ed.
”
Kennethwalkedintheki
tchentaki
ngoffhist-
shir
t.
Lonelookedathischestthendownathis
sweatpants,
shecouldseet hedi
ckpr
int.Sheputher
l
egst oget
herlooki
ngawaybef or
eRachelcould
catchher.
“
What
’swr
ongwi
thy
ourt
-shi
rt
.”
“
It
’sdi
rt
y,hi
Lone.
”
Lonegavehim abr
iefsmil
eandlookedawaywhile
Rachelwal
kedawaywi t
hherhusband.Shetook
bott
ledwat
erfrom t
hefri
dgeandgulpeditdown.
What
’swr
ongwi
thy
ouRachel
!Forcr
yingoutl
oudhe
i
syourfr
iend’
shusband!Shei
nwar
dlyr
epri
manded
her
sel
f.Rachelcamebackaminut
elat
er.
“
Hey
,canIusey
ourbat
hroom?
”
“
Yeah.
”
Lonewalkedoutandl ockedherselfinthebathr
oom
taki
ngdeepbr eat
hsthenf i
nal
l
ypul leddownher
dressanddownherg- str
ingpeeing.Shet ooka
ti
ssueandwi pedher
selfbefor
est andingup.The
doorburstopenandKennet hwalkedi n.
“
Shi
t!Sor
ry.
”
Shequicklypul
l
edherg-str
ingupwhi lehewalked
outclosi
ngthedoor.Shefi
xedherdr essand
washedhershakinghands.Asecondl ater
,she
walkedoutandwentt ot
hekitchen.Rachelwasnot
ther
e,Lonetookherhandbagheadingt othedoor
.
“
Hey
…”
Lonet
urnedt
oKennet
h.“
Yes?
”
“
Rachel
wentnextdoor
,shewi
l
lbebackj
ustnow.
”
Shelookedathi
mthenathi
sring,
hadsheagreed
thatt
imehewouldhavemarr
iedherandal
lthi
s
coul
dhav
ebeenher
s.Shewonder
edhowl
i
fewoul
d
be.
“
Ihav
etogo,
tel
lherIwi
l
lcal
lher
.”
“
Whyar
eyour
unni
ng?
”
“
Ihav
eadaught
erwhoneedsmeathome.
”
Kennet
hwalkedclosert
oherandsi
ghed.“
Arey
ou
ok?Ifi
t’
sabout
-“
“
Iam f
ine.
”
Kennethl ookedatherl ipst henswal l
owed.Herhear t
waspoundi ng, suddenl yhewassocl oset oher.He
pull
edherchi nupandsof tlykissedher .Shekissed
backput ti
ngherhandonhi schest .Kennet hpulled
hercloserandki ssedherr ealgoodt hatshemoaned
softl
y.Slowl yshesl ippedhi shandi nsidehi s
sweatpant sandr ubbedhi sdi ckwhi chi nstantl
ygrew
hard.Shest oppedki ssi
nghi m andwentdownonher
kneestaki nghi mi nhermout h.Shesuckedhi m
whilemassagi nghi sballs.Kennet hgr oanedasshe
keptongoi ngforaf ewmi nutestillhef inal
lyshothis
l
oadi nhismout h.Lonef rozeasf ootseps
approachedf ollowedbyt hedoorknobmov i
ng.
.
.
.
Tot hosewhoar enew, pleasedon' tbeshyt o
commentandl i
kebutdor efrainf rom attackingor
mocki ngtheauthorortheaut hor '
swayofwr i
ti
ngif
thest or
yisn'
tgoingthewayy ouwanti tto.ifyou
feelthestoryi
snotf oryou, youcanki ndlyleaveand
may becomebackwhenwest artanewbook.Ipost
twiceaday ,morningat10: 30andev eningat22:30.
Incasey ouwantabonuswhat sapp+26775447725
tosponsorone.Goodmor ning
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#67

Lonequickl
ygotupandwi pedhermouthwhi l
e
Kennet
hwalkedway,asecondl at
erRachelwalked
i
nlooki
ngdownonherphone.Lonef ixedherselfand
smil
edwaiti
ngforRachel
tor ai
seherhead.
“
Hey
,Ihadt
oseemynei
ghbor
.”Rachel
puther
phonei
nherj
eanpocket
.
“
It
’sok,
Ihav
etogo,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
Rachel
smi
l
ed.“
Ok,
sayhi
toLesedi
.”
Lonewal
kedtohercarandsi
ghedwonderi
ngwhat
shehadj
ustdone.Whatwashappeni
ngtoher
.

*
***
*

Anayaparkedhercaronherdesignat
edparki
nglot
thefol
lowingmorni
ng,i
nboldlet
tersasignpoint
ing
tothatspacer
eadCEO, youj
usthadtolovethatti
tl
e.
Shelookedatherwatchandsteppedoutofhercar
asherphonerang.
“Hey.”Sheansweredlocki
nghercarwalkingawayi
n
herpowersuit.Herheelsechoedwhil
eherass
vibr
atedwitheachstepshet ooki
ntheslacks.
“
Arey
out
her
eal
ready
?”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Ijustar
ri
ved,
Iam ner
vousandexci
ted.
”
“
Youhav
enor
easont
obener
vous,
youknowy
ou
gott
his.
”
“Donal
d,Ican’
tbel
i
eveIam her
e.Thi
sisl
i
kea
dream.
”
Donaldl
aughed.“I
tdamnisnot
.Ithi
nkyoucando
thi
s,mat
teroffact
,Iknowyoucandothi
s.”
“Thankyouf orbeli
evinginme,toni
ghthappeningsi
s
therealdeal,r
ightnowIam goingt oint
roduce
my sl
eft
,it’
sapr ocedure.Tomor
r owtherealwork
start
s.Ijusthopetonightgoeswell.
”
“I
twi
ll
.Didyoutal
ktoMi
guel
aboutI
vy?If
orgott
o
asky
esterday
.”
“
Idi
d,het
ooki
twel
l
.”
“
Hedi
d?”
“No,heslappedmeacoupl
eoft
imes.Andf
orced
himsel
fintome.”
“
Hewhat
?”
“Butit
’sok,If
eell
ikeIdeservedit,Iknowwhaty ou
arethinki
ngbut…It hi
nkwewi llco-parentpeaceful
ly
nowt hathegothi
scl osur
eorwhat ever.Iam
meet i
nghim andhiswifetodiscussmychi l
ddur i
ng
l
unch.
”
“
Arey
our
eadyt
ofacet
hem?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Arey
ousur
e?”
“Yes.Whywon’
tIbe?Hi
swif
ecan’
tev enbegi
nto
comparetome,t
hatgi
vesmesati
sfacti
on.
”
Hecr
ackedup.“
Youar
etoomuch.
”
“Mxm y
oushoul
dhaveheardhisvows,
itwasasif
hewasatt
acki
ngme.Iam gladhesai
diti
nfrontof
me,nowIknowwer
eIfall
.”
“Don’
twor
ryabouthim,youar ebeaut
if
ul,
y ouwil
lget
someoneel
se.MatteroffactIcan’
twaitforyouto
meetsomeoneelse.Maybet oni
ght.
“
Stopi
t,Iwantt
ofocusonbusi
nessf
ornow.
”
“
Andgetoutt
her
e.Iam soov
erMi
guel
.”
“Iam annoyedst
il
l.Look,Iam gett
ingin,t
hiswil
l
onlytakeanhourorso.It
’snothingbig,i
t’
sjustthe
shareholder
sandmedi aandthewor kstaff
.Lateron,
i
t’sgetti
ngdown.By e.
”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungupapproachi
ngt
hesli
dingdoor
sand
wal
ked.Shesmil
edatther
ecept
ionist
.
“Goodmor ni
ngandwel
comet
oOsWor
ld,
howcanI
helpyou?
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
otheboar
droom.
”
“Thi
rdf
loor,
seconddoort
oyourr
ight
,ar
eyoua
shar
eholder
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ok,
gor
ightup.
”
Anay awalkedt ot heli
ftmoreconf i
dent
ly.Thiswasit
.
I
nt hethir
df l
oor ,shewentr i
ghtstrai
ghttothe
boardroom andwal kedin.Everyonetur
nedt olookat
herassheset tl
eddownatt heheadoft helongtabl
e
ful
lofmor et hant wentypeople.Theyalll
ookedat
her,somewi thshockandsomewi thsmil
es.Damn
yes!Youdi dn’texpectthisdidyou?Shesmi led.
“Goodmorni
ngandwelcomet oOsWorl
d,Iam
AnayaShat
o,theowneroft
hisfr
anchi
se.
”
*
***
*

Saronatypedherbusi
nessideasi
tti
ngont hebed.
Shere-r
eadwhatshehadwr i
tt
enthensavedthe
document .Awhi
lelat
ershetookherphoneand
cal
ledPule.
“
Hel
l
o?”
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Hey
,it
’sme.
”
Hewassi
l
entf
orawhi
l
e.“
Sar
ona?
”
“Yes,Iwast
hinki
ngmay
bewecant
alkaboutt
he
kids.
”
“Andwhatmakesyouthi
nkyouandIcantalkabout
thekids?Theki
dst
hatyouabandoned?Ar
ey ou
seri
ous?”
“
Pul
e,Iknowyouareangr
yandy
ouhav
eev
eryr
ight
t
obebutIwanttostepi
n.”
“Youarenotgoi
nganywherenearmykidsSarona.
Youneverevenbother
edtocommunicatewit
ht hem
orevenseethem.”
“
Ical
l
edbuty
oudeni
edmet
alki
ngt
othem.
”
“Maybeify
ouneverl
eftthem t
obegi
nwit
hwe
wouldn’
tbeher
etoday.Don’
tcall
meagai
n.”He
hungup.
Sar
onasighedt
ear
ful
l
ycal
l
inghi
m back.“
Pul
e
pl
ease…”
“
Youar
ebegi
nni
ngt
oannoyme.
”
“
Ijustwantt
oseet
hem.
”
“
Theydon’
tknowy
ou.
”
“
Pul
e…”
“
Doyouunderst
andwhaty
ouputt
hem t
hrough?You
t
aket
hingsl
ight
ly.
”
“
Ijustwantt
oseet
hem.Pl
ease.
”
“
Don’
tcal
lme.
”
Sheputherphonedownashehungup.She
wonderedifMapulawouldatleastr
ememberher .
Tearsblurr
edhervi
sion,
may besheshouldhavenot
l
eftherkidsbehi
nd.Shescroll
edthr
oughher
cont
actswonderingwhoshewoul dcal
l,shepaused
onMi guel
’
snumber .Maybeshecoul daskhi mt o
talkt
oPuleforherbuthepr obablyhatedher .She
conti
nuedscrol
li
ngf orawhilethenrealizedshe
didn’
thaveanyonetocallexpectAnayabutwi ththe
wayshehadl ef
t,shewonder edifAnay astil
lhated
her.
Sar
onagotupandputonhershoest
henwal
kedout
oft
hehousewit
hherhandbag.

*
***
*

Theodor
apickedherphonet
hatwasr
ingi
ngand
angri
l
yanswered.
“
What
?”
“
Babe,
canwepl
easet
alk.
”
“
NoChri
sti
an,
howcoul
dyounott
ell
mey
oul
ost
y
ourj
ob?”
“
Iwasgoingtotelly
ou,wewerehavi
ngawonder
ful
weekendandIdidn’
twantt
oruini
t.
”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his,
howcoul
dyoul
osey
ourj
ob?
”
“
Iwi
l
lfi
ndanot
herone.
”
“
Wher
e?Doy
ouknowhowhar
diti
stof
indaj
ob?
”
“
Iwi
l
lmakeapl
an.
”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his,
whataboutt
hehouse?
”
“
Iwi
l
lsor
tital
lout
.”
Shehungupandalmostthr
ewherphoneagai
nstt
he
wall
.Michel
l
ewalkedinasTheodor
acover
edher
facewi
thherhands.
“
What
’swr
ongl
ove?
”
Shetookoffherhandsof
fherf
aceandl
ookedat
Michel
le.
“
Chr
ist
ianl
osthi
sjob,andhedi
dn’
ttel
lmet
il
lIsaw
t
hel
ett
erthi
smorning.
”
“
What
?”
“Ican’
tbel
iev
ethi
s.Wehavemortgagewearest
il
l
payingandhedeci
dest
ojustl
osehisjob.
”
“
Andamanwhodoesnotwor
kisannoy
ing.Hewi
l
l
becli
ngyandcont r
oll
i
ng.Theyof
tenevent
urni
nto
abusersbecauseoffr
ustr
ati
onofhavi
ngawoman
takecareofhim.”
“
Icannotbel
i
evet
his,
Iact
ual
l
ywant
edanot
hercar
.”
“
Iagr
ee,
youcari
sol
d.”
“Ican’
tdealwi
thaj
obl
essmanhonest
ly,
hiswif
e
alsodependsonmenowtoget
herwi
thhisot
hertwo
kids.
”
“Thatisnotyourresponsi
bil
i
ty.Youf
ocusshoul
dbe
ony oursonandleavetherest.
”
“Iam goingt
ot akehimtomymot her.Shewi l
lstay
withhim whi
leItrytofi
ndasoluti
ontothis.Hesay s
hewi l
lfi
ndanotherjobasifhedoesn’
tseej usthow
scarcejobsare.Iam sotur
nedoffri
ghtnow. ”
“
Don’
tbet
ooangr
y,don’
ttheygetpackages?
”
Theodor
asmiledsl
owly
.“It
hinktheydo,maybewe
canusethatt
opayofft
hemor tgageandgetmea
newcar.
”
“
Yesgi
rl
!”
Mi
chel
l
est
oodup.“
Let
’tal
klat
er.I
sOsi
sti
l
lsel
l
ing
secondhandcl
othes?
”
“Yes,
Ilongst
oppedbuyi
ngthose.Ican’
tbewear
ing
somethingwhi
chhasbeenusedbefore.
”
Mi chel
l
el aughedandwalkedoutwhileTheodor
a
plannedf orChri
sti
an’
spackage.Herphoneranga
secondl aterandshesmil
edanswering.
“
Yes?
”
“
Babe,
comenow.Imi
ssy
ou.
”
Shegi
ggl
ed.“
Iam wor
king.
”
“
Justcome,
foraf
ewmi
nut
es.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shegotupandwal
kedoutofherof
fi
cewi
thasmi
l
e.

*
***
*

Bamewal
kedi
nsi
dehi
shouset
alki
ngt
othephone.
“
Whywoul
dyout
akehert
her
e?”
“
Ithoughti
twoul
dbeaf
ewmi
nut
est
hingbutIwas
ther
etheent
ir
eday,
nowshei
smad,
shei
snot
answeri
ngmycal
ls.
”
“
What
’ssospeci
alaboutherSkar
a?”
“Ever
ythi
ng,
shehasthebody
,thef
aceandshei
s
studyi
ngtobeanurse.
”
“Youpr
obabl
yscaredher
.Youneedt
obecar
eful
abouty
ouract
ionssometi
mes.
”
“
Iknow,
Iregr
eti
t,soy
ouar
eback.
”
“
Yes,
Iam pl
anni
ngt
osur
pri
seLone.
”
“
Ok,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Don’
thar
asst
hatgi
rl
.”
Kar
abol
aughed.“
Iam notgoi
ngt
o.”
“
Good.
”
Hehungupandt hr
ewt heshoppingbagshewas
carryi
ngonthebed.Hisey esfel
lonLone’sbras
whichwereonthebed, sheusuall
yt ookti
me
prepari
ngandalwaysleftherthi
ngsl y
ingaround.He
smiledsni
ff
ingherbra,hecouldn’twaitf
orherto
comeback.Het ookaqui ckshowerandchanged
i
ntohiscasual cl
othes.Wal ki
ngoutofhi
sbedr oom,
heheardav oiceintheot herr
oom.Hewal ked
towardstheroom andst eppedinsi
de.Hi
sey esfel
l
onawomansi t
ti
ngont hebedapplyingl
otionnaked.
Shelookedupandpani ckedgrabbi
ngatowel onthe
fl
oor.Shewrappedi taroundhersel
f.
“
Mr.uhh…Mr
…”Shest
ammer
ed.
“
Whoar
eyou?
”
“
Mynamei
sConst
ance,
Iam t
hehel
per
.”
“
Whendi
dyoust
art
?”
“
Awhi
l
eago.
”
“
Wher
eismywi
fe?
”
“
Shewentt
oani
nter
view.
”
Bamewalkedoutt
aki
ngouthi
sphoneanddi
ali
ng
hernumber
.
“
Heybabe,
”
“
Hey
,wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iwentf
oraj
obi
nter
view.
”
“
Whendi
dyouappl
y?”
“
Twoweeksago,
Iam t
ir
edofst
ayi
ngathome.
”
“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
met
his?
”
“Iwasgoingtot
ell
you,
whenar
eyoucomi
nghome?
Imissyou.”
Hesi
ghedget
ti
ngi
nhi
scar
.
“
Idon’
tknow.BabeIdon’
tgetwhyy
oufeel
youneed
t
owork,i
sn’
tyourgar
dendoingwel
l
?”
“Bame,thi
siswhyIdidn’
ttellyou.I
tisabackyar
d
garder
nanditisdoi
ngwell butIam ti
redofstay
ing
athome.Itget
’sbor
ingwhenIam al lalone.
”
Herubbedhi
sface.“
Wewi
l
ltal
kaboutt
his,
howi
s
Lesedi
?”
“
Shei
sfi
ne.Wemi
ssy
ou,
Imi
ssy
ou.
”
“
Iwi
l
lbebacki
nnot
ime.
”
“Butyouj
ustsai
dyoudon’
tknowwheny
ouar
e
comingback.
”
“
Iknowbutsoon.Il
ovey
ouandImi
ssy
ouguy
s
t
oo.”
“
Isweari
t’
sli
key
oul
ovet
het
ri
ps.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Comeonbabe.
”
“
No,don’tl
augh.Youar
ebar
elyt
her
eandwear
e
f
orev
erlonel
y.”
“
Ipr
omi
sey
ou,
Iwi
l
lbebackf
ast
ert
hany
out
hink.
”
“
Wil
lyout
alkt
oyoursuper
ior
s?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo,
Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungupwit
hasmil
e,i
fsheonl
yknew.Hest
art
ed
t
hecaranddr
oveof
f.

*
***
*

Marangdi schar
gedapati
entthenwalkedoutoft
he
room goingbacktoheroff
ice.Shewasdonewith
herrounds.Inherof
fi
ce,shesatdownwhileshegot
paged.
“
Yes?
”
“
Dr.Setso,Dr
.Khanneedsy
our
ightnowatt
he
t
heaterroom.”
“
Ok,
Iam comi
ng.
”
Shegotupandrushedout
.Get
ti
ngtot het
heat
er
shefoundDr
.Khanwithabadl
yinj
uredpati
ent
.
“Hewasinv
olvedi
nacaracci
dent
.Hi
slegsar
e
damagedbeyondr
epai
r.
”
Mar
angputongl
ovesandassessedhi
slegs.
“
Yeah,
weneedt
oamput
atet
hem.
”
“
ThatwaswhatIwast
hinki
ng.
”
Shemovedt
ohi
sfaceandgasped,
shecoul
dn’
t
bel
iev
eit
.
“
Arey
ouok?
”
Marangl
ookedatDr
.Khanandnodded.“
Yeah,
Iam
f
ine.
”
*
***
*

HourslaterMar
angshewal kedinsi
deheroff
ice
drai
ned.Shewonderedifshehadt obetheoneto
call
hisfamil
yornot.Theyweregoingtobebroken,
shewassur eofi
t.Sheclosedhereyesti
ghtl
y.
“
Mar
ang,
lunch?
”
Shel
ookedatLay
lawhol
ookedmor
ethanchubby
.
“
Wow!Youar
egai
ning.
”
Layl
alaughed.“
Idon’
tevenknowwhat
’sgoi
ngon
wit
hme.Ihav efunnyappet
it
e.”
“
May
bey
ouar
epr
egnant
.”
“No.
”Shesatdownt hensmil
ed.“
Butwear
egoi
ngt
o
haveababy,
throughsurr
ogacy.
”
“
Ohmy
!Iam happyf
ory
ou.
”
“
Iam soexci
ted.
”
“
Yououghtt
obe.
”
“
Howi
sJuni
or?
”
“
Hei
sfi
ne.Justmi
sseshi
sdad.
”
“
Didhegetmar
ri
ed?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Howar
eyout
aki
ngi
t?”
“Il
onggotoveri
t,Iactual
l
ylikeRef
il
we,shet
akes
goodcareofmyson.Whenmysoni swi
thher
,I
knowIhavenothi
ngt oworryabout
.”
“
Ili
ket
hat
.”
“
Iknow,
amanIoncel
ovedi
sher
e.”
“
Who?
”
“Thi
sothercr
eat
urewhogotmarri
edbehindmy
back,wehadtoamputat
ehi
slegs.Iact
uall
yfeel
bad
forhi
m andhisf
amil
y.
”
“Maybet
hat’
shi
skarma,
leav
ethattoDr
.Khan,
Iam
sur
ehewill
havehi
sfamil
yal
ert
ed.”
“
Ok,
any
way
sIam goi
ngoutonadat
etoday
.”
“
Wit
hwho?
”Lay
laaskedcur
iousl
y.
“
Thi
sman,
Iwi
l
ltel
lyouabouti
ttomor
row.
”
Lay
lal
aughed.“
Ili
ket
hatsmi
l
eony
ourf
ace.
”
“
Iam exci
tedaboutt
hisone,
hei
sreal
l
ygood
l
ooki
ng.”
“
Wel
l
,al
lthebest
.”
Theyst
artedeat
ingst
il
lchat
ti
ng.Mar
ang’
sphone
rangdi
sturbi
ngt
hem.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Hey,i
t’
sRef
il
we,Igotyourmessage.Youcandr
op
him of
f.Mi
guelmisseshi
mt oo.
”
“
Ok,
thanky
ou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.UhhcanIasky
ousomet
hing?
”
“
Ok.
”
“
WhatwasAnay
ali
ke?
”
Mar
angf
rowned.“
Anay
a?”
“
Yes.Shei
sback.
”
“
Anay
aisback?
”
“
Yes.Andshehasachi
l
dwi
thMi
guel
.”
“
Shei
sful
lofher
sel
f.Youshoul
dn’
tlethergett
oyou.
Sheisinsecureandviolentandt
hinksshecandoas
shepleases.Shewillprobabl
ytr
yusingthechi
l
dt o
herownadv antage,
wi t
hAnay ayouhavetohavea
stand.Thatwomant hinksshecanjustpushover
anyone.”
“
Thanky
ou,
Iwi
l
lkeept
hati
nmi
nd.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Layl
alookedatMar
angcur
iousl
y.“
What
’s
happeni
ng?”
“
Anay
aisback.
”
“
Wow!
”
“IhopeRef
il
weisst
rongbecausei
fshei
snot
,shei
s
goingtocr
y.”
“
Yout
hinkMi
guel
sti
l
llov
esAnay
a?”
“Idon’
tknow,forRef
il
we’
ssakeIhopenotbecause
i
fhedoes, sheisgoi
ngtol
osehi
m slowl
ybut
surel
y.
”

*
***
*
Sar
onasmi
l
edatPul
e’
sPA.
“
Hi,
Iwantt
oseey
ourboss.
”
“
Youar
e?”
“
Sar
onaMot
sei
.”
Hi
sPAl
ookedatherf
orawhi
l
e.“
Youar
ear
elat
ive?
”
Sar
onasmi
l
ed.“
Yes,
ishei
n?”
“
Yes,
youcangor
ighti
n,Mr
.Mot
sei
isi
n.”
Shewal
kedtothedoorandst
eppedi
n.Pul
erai
sed
hi
sheadandlookedather
.
“
Whatdoy
ouwanther
e?”
“
Canwepl
easet
alk?
”
“Sar
ona,
Idon’
twantt
oki
l
lyou,
youar
ebegi
nni
ngt
o
getonmynerv
es.
”
“Ij
ustwantustotalk.IknowImessedupourfamil
y
andyouwillpr
obablynev erfor
giv
emefori
tbutIj
ust
wantustotalkabouttheki ds.
”
“
Wedon’
tgett
otal
kaboutt
heki
ds.Ihav
eful
l
custodyofthekidsandIhavepr
ovedt ot
hecour t
thatyouarenotaf i
tmothersof
orgetabouti
t,my
wifeandIwillt
akecareofourki
ds.Stayawayfrom
us,Iam warni
ngy ou.”
Sar
onaf
rowned.“
Youar
emar
ri
ed?
”
“
Yes,
anypr
obl
em?
”
Thedooropenedandshet
urned.Awomanwal
ked
i
ndressedsmartl
y.
“Babe,
thi
si sSarona,andSar onathisismywi fe,Mrs.
PuleMotsei.Themot herofallmyki ds.Thisi
st he
womanmyki dscallmama, theonlymot hert
hey
know.Don’tmaket hi
shar derthanitalreadyi
s.”
Sar
ona’
seyestearedup,herki
dscal
ledanot
her
womanmama.Shet r
iedtohol
diti
nbuttear
sran
downhercheek.
“
Ijustwantt
ohav
ear
elat
ionshi
pwi
thmyki
ds.
”
“
Babe,
canIt
alkt
oher
?Al
one.
”
Pul
enoddedt
henwal
kedoutofhi
sof
fi
ce.
“
Idon’
tknowyou,
Idon’
twisht
o, t
heonlyt
hingI
wantf
rom y
ouist
orespectmyfamil
y.You
abandonedy ourkidsandr anoffwithaman.If ound
them brokenandpi ckedthem up,buil
tthem.Ipit
y
you,youthinkt hi
si ssomesor tofgamebutt elly
ou
what?Iwi ll
teachy out hati
t’
snot.Mapul aandJay
aremyki dsandmyki dsonly,gonearthem andIwi l
l
havey outhrowni nj ai
l
.GonearmyhusbandandI
will
stepony ou,Iam sur ewehav eanunderstanding.
Andy es,thi
sshoul dbet helastti
mey oucallor
comet omyhusband’ soffi
ces,Iwil
lnottol
eratethat.
Nowt urnandl eave.”
“Look,Iknowt hatyouhavebeentaki
ngcareofmy
kidsandIappr eci
atethatbutIj
ustwanta
relat
ionshipwiththem.Imessedup,IknowandI
wantt ofixthat
.”
“
Hunny
,leav
e,y
ouar
eembar
rassi
ngy
our
sel
f.
”
“
Youcan’
tst
opmef
rom seei
ngmyki
ds.
”
“Ohwaitandwat ch,Iknewy ouwer egoingtodot hi
s
andIhavebeenwai tingforthismoment .Iam Yaone
andIam goingtoshowy out hatonl
yJesuscanwal k
ontopofwat er
.Yout hinkthisisajoke.Youlefthi
m
tobeawhor eandt hinkyoucancomebackandpi ck
upf
rom wher
eyoul
eftof
?Youmustbesmoki
ng.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ofi
ghty
ouwi
thev
ery
thi
ngIhav
e.”
“
Iwi
l
lbewai
ti
ng.
”
Sar
onawal
kedoutasherhear
tsank.

*
***
*

Anay awalkedinsi
detherest
aurantsti
l
linhersuit
.
Shelookedar oundandspottedhi
mt henwalked
over.Theybothturnedt
oherasshesatdown, her
expensiveperfumeengul
fingthem.Shelookedat
herwatchandsmi l
edatMiguelandhiswife.
“
Iam sor
ryIam l
ate,
Iwasst
ucki
nameet
ing.
”
“
Youcanor
der
.”
ShesmiledatMiguel
,shel
ovedhowhewasi n
uncomfort
able.“
Ohno,Iam i
nahurr
y,Iam hav
inga
busyday.”
“Ok,weareheret
odi
scussyourdaught
erwit
hmy
husband.Ihav
eawayIdothingsandal
sorul
esI
thoughtwewoul
dputt
hatdownbef
orewedo
anythi
ngel
se.
”
“
Rul
es?
”Anay
asmi
l
edamused.“
Let
sheart
hem.
”
“YoucancommunicatewithmeaboutI v
y,Iam al
so
l
ikeamot hert
ohersoit’
sbestyout alktomeabout
herneedsandwants.Idon’
texpecty outobecall
i
ng
myhusbandunnecessari
lyunl
essy oucouldn’
tget
holdofme.”
Anayal
ookedatMiguelwhowasavoidi
ngeye
cont
actt
henshif
tedheratt
ent
ionbacktohi
swif
e
“Fi
rstofall,
Idi
dn’
tmakeababywi t
hyouhenceI
havenot hi
ngtosaytoyou,Idon’
ttal
ktoyoubut
rat
hert othemanwhof uckedmeandl ef
thisbaby
i
nsideme.Secondly,Idon’
tneedpermissi
ontocall
thefatherofmychil
d.”
“Iknewyouwoul dr
eactli
kethi
s,whatyoudon’t
underst
andAnay ai
sthatIam Miguel
’swif
e,whatI
saygoes.I
vyishisdaughtermakingherminetoo.I
n
myhousehold,thi
ngshappenaccordi
ngtohowI
wantthem t
o,youarenotgoingtocallmyhusband
whenIam therebecauseIam theonewhowi l
ltake
careofIvywhenshev i
sit
s.Iwil
lwashherclothes,
cookforherandcleanafterher
.Iseey
out hinkyou
canjustsaywhat
ev eryouli
kebutyoudon’
tknow
me.”
Anay
apur
sedherl
i
psl
ooki
ngatRef
il
we.
.
.
.
Fol
l
owi
ngi
nser
tat22:
30.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#68

Anay
alookedatMi
guel
.
“
Youagr
eet
othi
s?”
“Fi
fii
sright,
Ithinksheshoul
dbet heoneyou
communi catewithbecausesheistheonewho’
s
goi
ngt obedoi ngthemostforIv
y.”
“
Iam notdi
scussi
ngany
thi
ngwi
thher
.”
“
AnayaRefi
lweismywi f
e,y
ouhavebeenmissi
ng
f
oryear
s,Iam notgoi
ngtobowtoyouall
because
y
oudecidedtocomeback.”
“
Whocaresi
fsheisy
ourwif
e?Iam notdi
scussi
ng
I
vywi
thacomplet
estr
anger
,Idon’
tevenknowher.
”
“
Youwi l
lknowmeast
imegoes.It
hinkwedoneor
whatbaby?”
“
Yeah.
”
Theystoodupandwal kedoutwhi l
eAnayabur
ned
wit
hanger.Shecoul dn’tbeli
eveMiguel
hadlet
Refil
wetal
kt oherl i
ket hat.Shetookamoment
gatheri
ngherselftogetherbef or
eshefi
nal
lywalked
outoftherestaurant.

*
***
*

Theodoralookedatthet
wol i
nesandsighed.She
reachedforherphonesi
tti
nginheroffi
ceanddial
ed
anumberst i
llst
ari
ngatthepregnancytest
.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
Ineedsomeabor
ti
onpi
l
ls,
Igoty
ournumber
f
rom f
acebook.
”
“
Whendoy
ouwantt
hem?
”
“
Todayi
fpossi
ble.
”
“
P800.
”
“
Iwi
l
lgi
vey
out
hecashwheny
ougi
vemet
hepi
l
ls.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Gabor
one.
”
“Ok,l
et’
smeetatmai
nmal
li
nfr
ontofNandos.Say
atfi
ve?”
“
Iwi
l
lbet
her
e.”
Shehungupwi t
hasmil
ethent
hrewt
hepr
egnancy
testi
nherhandbag.
“
Hey
,”Osi
sai
dwal
ki
ngi
n.
“
HeyNono,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam good,
wannagooutf
orl
unch?
”
“
Nope,
Iam st
ayi
ngi
ntoday
,Ihav
eal
ott
odo.
”
“
Ok,
seey
ouar
ound.
”
Osi
wal
kedoutasTheodor
a’sphoner
ang.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Theo,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
inemama.
”
“
Arey
oupr
egnant
?”
“
Huh?
”
“
Areyoupregnant?Ihear
danawf
uldr
eam andy
ou
wer
epregnantbleedi
ng.”
“
Mama,
Iam notpr
egnant
.”
“Maybey
ouareaboutt
obe,youneedtoprayand
puty
ourmar
ri
ageandfamil
yinGod’shands.
”
“
Iwi
l
l.
”
“
Good,
howi
syourhusbandandLoago?
”
“
Theyar
efi
ne.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lcal
lagai
n.By
e.”
“
Bye.
”
Theodorahungup,
shewasgoingtogetr
idofthe
baby,att
hemomentshedi
dn’tneedababy.She
di
aledChr
ist
ian.
“
Babe…”
“
Hey,Iam sor
ryf
orwhatIsai
d.Iwasj
ust
f
rust
rated.
”
“I
t’
sok, Iunderst
andyou.Idon’twanty outowor r
y
becauseIpr omiseyou,
Iwill
getanot herjob.You
don’thavetowor r
yaboutanything.Il
ov eyou.”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo,
didy
our
ecei
vey
ourpackage
t
hough?
”
“
Yes,
itwi
l
lsust
ainust
il
lIf
indaj
ob.
”
“
ThankGod.Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Theo…”
“
Mhhm?
”
“Il
oveyousomuchIwoul ddoany thi
ngfory ou.I
knowal otofpeopleareexpecti
ngust obreakup
butwear egoingtoprovethem wrong.Ibeli
evein
ourlov
e, IknowIhurtalotofpeoplebybeingwi t
h
youbutIwi l
lconti
nuetostandbyy ounomat t
er
whatbecauseIl ov
ey ou.
”
Theodor
asi
ghedt
ear
ful
l
y.“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
“
Ok,
wewi
l
ltal
k.By
e.”
“
Bye.
”

*
***
*

Anayawalkedi
nsi
deMiguel’
soff
icei
gnori
nghis
PA’spl
eas.Heshookhandswit
hamanl ooki
ngat
her
.
“
Wewi
l
ltal
k.”
Themanwal
kedoutandgav
eherasmi
l
ewal
ki
ng
out
.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
“
Whathappened?
”
Heleanedbackonhi
schai
rlooki
ngather
.“Wi
th
what?”
“
Youexpectmet
odi
scussmychi
l
dwi
tht
hatugl
y
woman?”
“Neverev ertalkaddressmywi f
eli
ket hat.”Hestood
up.“Youwast edyourchance, youandIar enolonger
together.Iam mar r
iedandIl ovemywi fe.Youare
goingtor espectheranddowhatshesay ssothat
weco- parentourdaught erpeacefull
y.IseeIallowed
youtohar assRef i
lwebuti tstopstoday .Havesome
digni
tyandbehav eli
keawoman.Youl ookpatheti
c
ri
ghtnow. ”
Shebl
i
nkedast
ear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.
“Thi
sshoul
dbethel
astt
imeyoucomet omyoff
ice
i
fithasnot
hingt
odowit
hIvy
.Iwil
lsendyouFi
fi
’s
number.
”
“
Miguel
…”
“Don’
tembarrassyoursel
f.Idon’
twanty ou.You
needtorespectyour
selfAnaya,Iam notgoingto
l
eavemywi feforyou.Iwil
lneverleaveherforyou.
WhenIvowedt oloveherImeantev er
yword.”
“Ar
ey ousayingal
lthi
sintenti
onal
l
ytohur
tme?
Becauseifso,i
t’
sworking.”
“
Iam t
ell
i
ngyout
het
rut
h.Ihav
eacompanyt
orun,
y
ouarewast
ingmyt
ime.
”
Atearr
andownhercheekandshequi
ckl
ywi
pedi
t
of
f.
“
Ok,
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shetur
nedandwalkedout.I
nhercarsheclosedher
eyesfi
ght
ingnott
ocry.Herphonerangandshe
pi
cked.
“MmaI v
yhasbeencryi
ngnonst
op,shesaysshe
wantshermot
her.Ebi
l
ekanawagowahel aoeme
kont
le.{
Shei
sscreamingst
andi
ngoutsi
de.}
”
Anayalaughed.“Ihav
eameet
ingIhav
et oat
tendto
thenIwil
lcomehomebeforegoi
ngforthepart
y,she
will
keepquiet.
”
“
Itri
edeverytr
ickinthebook,ny
aamony anaareene
obatl
amama.{ Shewantshermother
.}Ican'
teven
t
hinkaboutthelaunch.
”
“Sheget’
sli
kethatsometi
mes,Iwi
l
ltryt
ocome
i
mmedi atel
yaft
erIwrapupthemeeti
ng.Tomor
row
shewil
lbegoingtoschool.
”
“
Ok,
wear
ejustgoi
ngt
owat
chmov
ies.
”
“
Iwi
l
lcal
l
.”
Shehungupandst
art
edhercar
.

*
***
*

Ay
anawal
kedout
sidet
oIv
ywhowasst
il
lscr
eami
ng.
“Vee,Ij
ustspoket
omommy
,shesai
dshei
s
coming.”
Iv
yturnedtoherhushi
ngherscr
eams.“
Shei
s
coming?”
“
Yesbuty
ouhav
etost
opcr
ying.Wewi
l
lwatchy
our
f
avor
it
emovi
ewhil
ewewai
tformommy.”
“
Ok.
”
Ayanasmiledatt
hecutenessdisplayed,shelooked
l
ikeaminiAnaya.I
tact
uallyamazedAy anahowI vy
wouldl
ooksomuchmor elikehermot herthanher
fat
herbutshecoul
dsti
llseeMi guel’
searsonher .
Theywalkedbackinsi
det hehouseandsatdown
watchi
ngacartoon.Ayana’sphonerangandshe
si
ghedlooki
ngatthecallerID,
shewasav oi
dinghi
m.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,soy
ouar
eignor
ingmycal
l
s?”
Ayanarol
l
edherey
es.“
ItmeansIdon’
twantt
otal
k
toyou.
”
“
Whyar
eyouangr
ywi
thme?
”
“
Iam notangr
ywi
thy
ou,
justl
eav
emeal
one.
”
“
CanIseey
ou?Justf
oraf
ewmi
nut
es.
”
“
Iam busyKar
abo.
”
“
Justf
oraf
ewmi
nut
es,
Iam comi
ngt
her
e.”
Shesi
ghed.“
Ok,
sui
tyour
sel
f.
”
“
Kegot
lel
eeng?[
Whatshoul
dIbr
ingy
ou?
”
“
Not
hing.
”
“Omaaka,or
atadi
jo,obatl
akegot l
eleeng?[You
arel
yi
ng,y
ouli
kefood,whatshoul
dIbr i
ngyou?”
Shechuckl
ed.“
TswamogonnaKar
aboi
j
a.{
Leav
e
mealone.}
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
ljustbuy
.”
Hehungup,
Ayanal
ookedatI
vywhohadf
all
en
asl
eepthenpickedherupl eadi
nghertothe
bedr
oom.Mi nutesl
aterherphonevibr
atedandshe
goti
twalki
ngout si
deinherpajamasandf l
i
pflops.
Shegotinhi
scarandf oldedherarms.
“
Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?
”
Helookedatherandchuckl
ed.“
Thatat
ti
tude
doesn’
tsui
tyou.”
Shesi
ghed.“
Karabowhatdoy
ouwant
?Ihavea
chi
ldi
nsi
dether
ewhoneedsmyatt
ent
ion.
”
“
Who?
”
“
Myni
ece.
”
Hereachedfort
hebackseatandgav
eherr
edr
oses.
Shesmeltthem,t
heywerefresh.
“
Iwant
edtosayIam sor
ry,Ishoul
dn’
thavet
aken
y
ouwit
htoJwanengandt akentheent
ir
edayther
e.”
“
Whatdoy
oudof
oral
i
ving?
”
“I
fItel
lyouitthenmakesyoumygir
lf
ri
endbecauseI
won’tshar
et hatwi
thyoui
fyouar
enotmy
gi
rlf
ri
end.”
Hel
ookedatherwai
ti
ng.
“
Idon’
twantany
thi
ngt
odowi
thy
ou.
”
Kar
abosmi
l
ed.“
Why
?”
“
Becausey
oudoar
eacr
imi
nal
.”
“
Whatmakesy
ousosur
e?”
“Youar
eshady,pl
easedon’tcall
meagain.
”Shegot
outoft
hecarandwalkedinsidethegat
e.

*
***
*

Lonedrovehomewi thasmi l
e,shecoul
dn’
tbeliev
e
shenowhadaj ob.Agoodj obforthatmat
ter.Now
shecouldn’
twai
tf ort hepar
tytoni
ghtwherethe
ownerwouldber eviewed.Sheparkedminuteslat
er
andsteppedout.Insidethehouseshefound
Const
ancecooking.
“
HiConst
ance,
wher
eisLesedi
?”
“
Shei
spl
ayi
ngwi
thYar
onanextdoor
.”
“
Ok.
”
Herheartski
ppedasshel ookedattheshopping
bagsont opofthebed.Sheslowl
yt ookoutthe
clot
hes,heel
sandnewM.A.Cmakeupset .Asmi l
e
brokeonherfaceasshet ookouttheli
ngeri
e.She
tookherphoneandcalledhim.
“
Mrs.BameDav
id,
”
Lonebl
ushed.“
Youar
ehome?
”
“
No.
”
“
Stoppl
ayi
ngl
i
ket
his.
”
Herbedr
oom dooropenedandhewal
kedin.Lone
dr
oppedthephoneandhuggedhimti
ght
ly.
“
Imi
ssedy
ousomuch.
”
“
Met
oo.
”Heki
ssedherunzi
ppi
ngherdr
ess.
“
Igott
hej
ob.
”
Bamepaused.“
Youdi
d?”
“Yes.Theyhiredmer
ightt
hereandthen.Tomor
rowI
am start
ing,t
hecompanywil
loff
ici
all
ystar
t
operati
ng.”
“
Iam pr
oudofy
ou.
”
Hekissedheragainthi
stimepeel
ingherdressdown
thenpoppedherbra.Heslidhi
shandinsi
deher
panti
esfeel
inghermoist.Lonemoanedsoftl
ywhil
e
herubbedhercli
t,wi
ththewayhewasbr eathi
ngshe
knewhewasaboutt ofuckherhard.
Het urnedhermaki nghert oucht hebed.He
unzippedhispant sandt ookouthi shardmass
destructi
onholdingherwai standr ammedi nsi
deher
withagr oan.Lonemoanedf eel
inghisdickdeep
i
nsideher ,f
uckshemi ssedthis.Wi t
hhishands
ti
ghtlyonherwai st,hefuckedherwhi l
eshemoaned
standingonhert oes.Hegr abbedherweav emaking
herarchherbackr ai
singherhead.
Herpussygreasedhisdickashewentev enf aster
.
Hepulledoutthenlayonthebedpul li
ngheront op
ofhim.Loneheldhisdickandwentdownoni t.She
heldherbr
eatht i
l
lhewasf ul
lyinsi
deher .Putti
ngher
handsonhischestshest artedmov ing.Hehel dher
waistawhil
elaterandthrustf r
om beneat h,hardand
fastt
il
lshespasmed.Het hrustint
oheraf ewmor e
ti
mesandf i
nallyshothisl
oadi nsideher.
Lonecol
lapsedontopofhi
m pant
ingwhi
l
ehi
sdi
ck
soft
enedinsi
deher
.
“
Whydidn’
ttellmeyouarehi
redamaid?”Heasked
awhi
l
el at
er.Shegotof
fhim dr
ippi
ng.
“
Idi
dn’
tthi
nki
twasi
mpor
tant
.”
“
Idon’
tfeelcomf
ort
abl
ehav
ingt
wowomeni
nsi
de
t
hehouse.”
“
Ineedherhel
p,especi
all
ynowt
hatIwi
l
lbegoi
ngt
o
wor
k.”
“
Andshe’
stooy
oung,
howol
disshe?
”
“18yearsold,
sheisoldenoughandei
therway
,
Lesedial
readybondedwithher
.”
“Idon’
tli
kehavi
ngtwowomeninsi
dethehouseor
haveamai ddothi
ngsIwoul
dwantyoutodo.”
“Bamewhatar
eyousay
ing?Shewi
l
lbehel
pingwi
th
Lesedi
.”
“
Buti
tlooksl
i
keshei
saf
ull
timemai
d,Idon’
twant
t
hat
.”
Shesi
ghed.“
Ok,
shewi
l
lknockof
fwhenIcome
back.
”
“AndIalsodon’
tunder
standhowy ousayshehel
ps
withLesedi
,i
t’
salmostfourandLesedii
ssti
l
lnot
home.”
“
Iwi
l
ltal
ktoher
.”
Bamegotupandki ssedher
.“Ij
ustwantust
obe
caref
ul,
that
’sal
lbabe.Youneverknowwho
mistr
eatski
dsthesedays.
”
Shesmi
led.“
It
’sok,
Iunder
stand.Wannaj
oinmef
or
aqui
ckshower?”
Herphoner
angBamer
eachedf
ori
tont
hebed.
“
Whyi
sKennet
hcal
l
ingy
ou?
”
Lone’
shear
tski
ppedasshel
ookedatherscr
een.
“I
-Ithi
nki
t’
sRachel
, shepr
obabl
ywant
stoknow
aboutmyjobi
nter
view.”
Hegaveherthephoneandsheanswer
edwhi
l
ehe
ki
ssedhernecksoft
ly.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,howar
eyou?
”
“Iam f
ine,youcantel
lRachelt
hatIgotthej
ob.
Lesedi
’sfathercamesotell
herIwil
ltal
ktoher
tomorr
ow. ”
Kennet
hpausedf
orasecond.“
It
’sok,
matteroffact
shehadaskedmetoaskyouhowitwent
.Iwill
tell
her
.Bye.”
“
Bye.
”
Lonehungupandcal
mlysmi
l
ed.
“
Irespectyourf
ri
endshipwit
hRachelbutIst
il
ldon’
t
l
i
ket hefactt
hatherhusbandisy
ourex.”
Loneputherphonedownandpul
l
edBamet
othe
bathr
oom.
“
Igety
oubuty
ouhav
enot
hingt
obewor
ri
edabout
.”
“
Iknow,
Ijustdon’
tli
kehi
m.”
Shesmiledandki
ssedhi
m sil
encinghi
m standi
ng
onhertoes.Hepi
ckedhersl
i
m bodyandl edher
undert
heshowerwhil
eshegiggled.

*
***
*
Marangparkedhercarbesi
deRefi
l
we’
satMiguel
’
s
house.ShesteppedoutasJuni
orj
umpedof
f.
“
Mommy
,Iam st
ayi
ngher
etoni
ght
?”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Yes,
Daddysai
dhemi
ssesy
ou.
”
“
Imi
sshi
mtoo.
”
Shegothisbackandwal
kedtot
hedoor
.Seconds
aft
erknocki
ng,Ref
il
weopenedt
hedoor
.
“
HeyJay
!”
“
Aunt
y,i
sDaddyhome?
”
Refi
l
wesmil
ed.“
No,buthe’
saboutt
ocomeback,
soonhewi
l
lbehere.
”
“
Ican’
twai
t.Qui
ncy
?”
“
Hei
sinsi
de.
”
“
Yes!
”
Hehuggedhismotherandrushedi
nsi
det
hehouse
whi
leMaranghandedRefi
lwehisbag.
“
Iwi
l
lpi
ckhi
m upt
omor
row.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
“
Wow!Youar
egl
owi
ng,
ist
hatbabynumber2?
”
Ref
il
webl
ushed.“
Yes.
”
“
Yougogi
rl
.Congr
atul
ati
ons.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Howdi
dtheAnay
aissuego?
”
“Youwereri
ght,
she’
sdef
ini
tel
yful
lofher
sel
fbutI
am readyf
orher.
”
“
That
’si
t.Any
way
s,seey
ou.
”
Shetur
nedandwal
kedt
ohercart
hendr
oveof
fas
herdat
ecal
led.

*
***
*

Gl
ori
agoti
nanunf
ami
l
iarcarandl
ookedatt
heman
wi
thasmil
e.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Thanky
ou,
Ithoughty
ouwer
est
il
lat
t
hef
arm.
”
“Ihadtocomebackandseey ou.Ther
eis
somethingi
mportantIwantt
otelly
ou.”Theman
tookherhandandkissedi
t.
“Iwanttogetmar r
ied.Thiswholesneakingt
hingi
s
notworkingformeany mor e.Iam growi
ngol
dandI
needawi febymysi de,notagirl
fr
iend.Wearetoo
oldtobeplayingsuchgamesmyl ove.”
Gl
ori
aswal
l
owed.“
Whatwi
l
lmyki
dst
hink?
”
“Yourkidsaregrown, theywil
lunder
st and.Idon’
t
wantt odiealone,Ineedy oubymysi de.Iwantto
marryy ou,Ihavealreadyspokentothenecessary
people.”
Gl
ori
asmil
ed.“
Ican’
tbeli
evet
his,
Inev
ert
houghtI
woul
dgetmarr
iedagai
n.”
“
Yourl
uckhascome.
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Themansmi
ledandbabyki
ssedheronherl
i
ps.“
I
l
oveyout
oo.
”
*
***
*

Lateintheevening,thehugeconf erencehal lint he

fi
fthfl
oorwasf i
lledwithpeopl e, all
inel egant
dressesandsuits.Camer a’sflashedaspeopl e
mingledaround,importantinf
luent i
al peoplemi xed
withthenewwor ker
sofOsWor ld.Downst air
satt he
foyerwastheredcar pet,t
hemedi aandr eporter s
snappedpictur
est ry
ingtogett hebestpi cturesf or
tomorrow’scovers.Lonesmi ledasshepausedf ora
fewpictur
eswi t
hanot herladyshehadr eali
zedhad
gottenajobtoo.Theywal kedt owar dst heelev ator
chatti
nginthei
rbeaut i
fuleveninggowns.
“
Wow!
”Lonemur
mur
edast
heel
evat
ordoor
scl
osed.
“
Youcansayt
hatagai
n,byt
hewayIam Di
ane.
”
“
Lone.
”
OutsideablackS63Mercedesparkedbyt he
ent
r anceandacertai
nMPst eppedoutwithhiswif
e.
Theybot hhel
dhandsandwal kedi
nsidetheglass
andmet albui
ldi
ng,st
oppi
ngf orafewpictur
es
beforeanusheraccompaniedthem t
otheelevator
.
Alotmorepeopl
ear r
ived,i
twasli
ketheGrammy ’
s
orOscarsi
nAmerica.Thewayt hevenuehadbeen
decor
atedmadeitfeelli
ketheywereaboutt
oenter
Oscarawar
dsinAmer ica.
Backi ntheconf erencehallpeopl eslowlysettl
edon
thetablessetf orthem, t
hei nvestorsand
shareholdersandt hei
nvestorst ogetherwithsome
ofthepar l
iamentmember s.Acamer aroll
edgiving
l
ivebroadcastont heOswor l
dwebsi tewhi chhad
over45Kwat cher sandmor epeopl est i
l
ltuningin.
Everyonewasf il
ledwithcuriosit
y ,t
heireyesmov ed
aroundt r
yingtoguesswhot heownercoul dbe.
TheMCt ookoveri
nanbeaut
if
uldressandsmi
led,
thehugeTV’ satt
hecor
nerwhichwerealso
broadcasti
ngshowedherf
ull
beautif
ulf
aceasshe
smiled.
“Whatahuget urnout
.Icanfeeltheexcitementfrom
everyone.Themediawhichwasinearli
eronwas
cauti
onednottoexposet heper
sonoft hemoment
whomadei tal
lpossi
ble,
whohav eempl oyedovera
thousandpeople,t
hepersonwhoi sgoi
ngt oli
ftthe
countryupbecausewewer esavi
ngherf orthi
sbi g
hugemoment
.Wor
kingOsWor
ldIam Kel
l
y!”
Ev
ery
onecl
appedhol
dingupt
hei
rgl
assesofwi
ne.
“Wear eliveonourwebsi t
e,liv
eonal lofoursocial
medi apages,wear eproudt ointroduceOsWor l
d.I
wouldl i
ketofirstobservepr otocol.Wehav eour
minister
sher eandsomemember soft heparli
ament
togetherwiththeshar eholdersofOsWor ld.Ladi
es
andgent lemenpl easelet’
sgi v
et hem the
acknowl edgementt heyneed. ”
Ev
ery
onecl
appedast
hecamer
a’sf
lashed.
“From therewewoul dl
iket othankall themedi a
housesher et oday,t
othankal ltherepor tershere
andt oallthosewhohav esponsor edt hislaunch,
togetherwi t
hal l
radi
ost at
ionsher e,bloger sand
onlinemagazi nes.Wegr eatlyappreciatey ou.Savi
ng
thebestf orthelast,wehav eav eryimpor t
ant
personi nourmi dst,
Ladiesandgent l
emenIwoul d
l
ikef oryout ostandandcl aphandsf orouroneand
onlyFirstLadywhoi salsoher ef ort
hiswonder ful
i
nspi ri
ngev ent.
”
Thef
ir
stl
adywav
edsi
tt
ingwi
thasmi
l
east
he
camera’scapt
uredt
hemomentwhi
l
epeopl
est
ood
uptoclap.
“Sheistheonl
yper
sonwhohassatprivat
elywit
h
thepersonwhoownsOsWorldanddranktea.
”The
Fir
stLadysmil
edaspeopl
elaughed.
“Ihadanoppor t
unityt obumpi ntoherandIt r
iedmy
l
ucksay ingjustwhi spertomeandy ouknowwhat
shet oldme, shesai dwai tti
llyoumeett hisperson,
youwi llbeamazedj ustl
ikeIwas.Ogannekadat a
mmehel a{Sher efusedwi t
ht hedatabut}Iam st i
ll
thankful shedidn’ttellmebecauseIam al sody i
ng
wi t
hcur i
osity.Sonowwehi redaf ewar t
istt
o
entertai
nus, ourownf avor
it
el ocalart
ist
sandat wo
from SA! ”
Kel
lymovedfrom thest
ageasanar
ti
stt
ookov
er
wit
hpeoplecheer
ing.
Meanwhileatthebackstage,themake-upar t
ist
touchedsli
ghtl
yonAnay a’
sf ace,shehadont he
simpleeveni
ngmakeup, herhairwasheldina
Beyoncestyl
e,asmallpony t
ailandtherestfall
i
ng
onherback, t
heext
ensionsmadei text
ralong.She
woreawhitelongsleeveshi
ghsli
pf or
maleveni
ng
dr
esswithatail,
ithuggedherfi
guresowell
asifit
wasaglove.Acoupl eofcamera’
swhichhadbeen
al
lowedatthebackstageconti
nuedsnappi
ng
pi
ctur
es.
“
Iam soner
vous.
”
Glori
asmil
ed.“Youhav
enor easont
obe,
youhave
takentheworl
dwithastor
m.Thismomentt
akesme
backtotheti
mey ougr
aduated.
”
Ayanalaughed.“
Iwil
lneverforgetthatday,
mama
youranfrom t
heterr
acetothest agescreaming“
Ke
ngwanake”{“t
hat’
smydaught er”}Iam sur
e
ever
yoner emembersyou.”
“IrememberitbecausethatdayAnayamademe
proudandtodayhereIam, aboutt
oscream down
thi
sconfer
encehal l
becauseIam proudmother.
”
“
Iam al
sopr
oudt
ohav
easi
sterl
i
key
ou.
”
Shelookedatbot
hoft
hem andsi
ghedr
egai
ningher
conf
idence.
Asar
ti
stsf
ini
shedper
for
ming,
Kel
l
ytookt
hest
age
andnowi
nadi
ff
erentdr
ess.
“WOW!That ’sall
Icansay ,t
hatwasamazi ng.NowI
knowmostofy outhinkOsWor ldi
saf r
anchi se
boughtfrom themainbr unchi nSA, butno.Tocl ear
that,
OsWor ldwassol dandnowi t’
saf ranchi se
ownedi nBotswanaandt heownersay sonedayi t
will
compet ewithbigbr andslikeUnili
ver.Isn’tthat
j
ustamazi ng?Sonowgoi ngt othemai nr easonwe
arehere.Ourushersar egoingt opreparet her ed
ri
bbonwhi l
eourpersonget ’
sready.”
Theushersqui
ckl
yputar
edri
bbonacrosst
hestage
thenevery
onewai
tedi
ncompl
etesi
lencest
ari
ngat
thestage.
“Andl adi
esandgent l
emen,wel
comi ngtheownerof
OsWor l
d!Sheownsahugef arminSerowewhi ch
suppliesalotofbi
gshopsandschool s,al
soa
restaurantandcat
eringcompany!Let’
swelcomeher
withar oundofapplause!
”
Ther
edcurtai
npull
edbackandAnay asmil
edwitha
mici
nherhands.Shewalkedinthemiddl
eofthe
st
ageasthebackgroundchangedcol
orsbei
ng
contr
oll
edbythecomput
ers.Camerasf
lashed
uncontr
oll
abl
yasmayhem star
ted.
“Goodeveni
ng,
Iam Anay
aShat
oandIi
ntr
oduce….
OsWorld!
”
Fi
reworksexplodedatt hebackgroundt i
ll
thewor d
OsWorldformed.Somepeopl eclappedintotal
shock,
somei ndel i
ghtandsomej usthappytobe
employed.TheFirstladyrai
sedhergl assofwineat
Anayagivi
ngherat humbsup, Anayasmi l
edst ar
ing
atever
yone,herfaceont heTV’ satthecorners.
Lonestar
edatheri
nshock,
hermout
hwi
deopen
wit
hdisbel
ief
.
“
Wow!Ok…”Dianewhi
sper
edwi
thasmi
l
e.“
Gosh
y
ougott
oloveher.
”
“Iwoul dliket owel comeal lOsWor l
dwor kers,
shar eholders,investors,supporter
sandmanymor e.
”
Anusherwal kedt owar dsAnay aandhandedher
scissor .Wi t
hasmi leshewal kedov ert
ot heribbon
ashermot her,sister,
theshar ehol
dersandi nvestors
i
ncl udingt hefirstladyandmember soft he
parliamentj oinedheronst age.AyanaandGl ori
a
hel
dAnay a’
sshoul
dersandtheli
nebehi
ndt hem
hel
dt hei
rshoul
der
stooti
llever
yonehadtheirhands
str
etchedholdi
ngashoul
derinfront
.
Tearsfil
l
edAnay a’
seyesasshehel
dthescissor
withonehandandt hemicwit
htheother
.“I
nThree…
two…one. ”Shecutther
edri
bbonandevery
one
clapped.
“Thanky ou.Iwoul
dn’thav
edonethi
swithout
everyone’ssuppor
t.Il
ookfor
wardtothi
sjour
ney
withallofyou.”
Shehuggedafewpeopl
ethendi
sappear
edatt
he
backstagewi
thhermot
herandsi
sterwhi
le
ever
yonewentbacktot
hei
rseat
s.
“SheisourownBey once!”Kell
ysaidtakingov erthe
stagenowi nasuit.“Ourownbl ackAfricanwoman
kindaBil
lGates.Sowear egoingtohav eaf ew
speechesf r
om ourimpor tantpeopl
e,don’twor ry
,
theBossLadyi sstil
laround.Uhmmm whatt osay !
It
’sablast.Ther
ei sgoingt obeanaf t
erpartybut
shemayormaynotbeher eany more,gatwelonaba
OsWor l
dlesekal atlal
atekamoso, kaboi kokobet so,
HR!{OsWor
ldworker
sdon’
tcomel
atet
omor
row,
your
sfai
thf
ull
y,HR!
”
Ever
yonelaughedandthecel
ebr
ati
onwentonas
Lonestoodupandwalkedaway.
LateronAnay amov edi
nthecrowdt alki
ngt opeople
hereandt here, shecoul
dn’tseem tofi
ndt heright
momentt osl ipandgohome, shecoul dfeel
exhausti
oncat chingupwithher.Amani nasui t
approachedherasshespoket oabusi nessman
withaflabbyt ummywhowast ryingtosellhera
dealthatdidn’tmakesenseput t
inghishandonher
waist.
“Hey
,ther
eissomeonei
mpor
tantwai
ti
ngf
ory
ou
downstai
rs.
”
Anayal
ookedathim andfrowned.Shelookedatthe
manwithafl
abbytummyandsmi ledapologet
ical
ly
andwal
kedwiththestrangeman.Hewal kedwi t
h
heri
nsi
detheel
evatorandt hedoorscl
osedasshe
si
ghed.
“
Whoi
swai
ti
ngf
orme?
”
“
Yourcar
,mom andsi
ster
.Youl
ookl
i
key
ouar
e
aboutt
ofal
lasl
eepr
ightt
her
eandt
hen.
”
Anayasmi
l
ed.“
Thanky
ousomuch.I
sthemedi
a
gone?”
“
Theyar
eal
lupst
air
s.”
Theelev
at ordoor
sopenedandhewalkedwi
thhert
o
herAudithatwasparkedbyt
heent
rance.
“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”
Hesmil
ed.“
Idi
ditf
oryourmotherwhoalr
eadyli
kes
me,Iwi
l
lmakeagreatsoni
n-l
aw.Don’tdi
sappoi
nt
her
.”
Anay
alaughed.“
Thanks.
”
“
Iam Lef
a.”
Anay
asmi
l
edopeni
ngt
hebackdoor
.“Anay
a.”

*
***
*

Thefol
lowingmorni
ngMiguel
par
kedatt
heschool
par
kinglotandsmil
edathi
sson.
“
Jay
,wear
eher
e!”
Junioropenedt
hedoorandcl
i
mbedoutoft
hecar
togetherwi
thhi
sfat
her.
“
Iwi
l
lseey
oul
aterr
ight
?”
“
Yes.
”
Theyf i
stbumpedbef oreher anofftootherstudents
walkingtowar dstheclasses.Lookingup,hisey es
fel
lonAnay awhowaswal kingf r
om the
admi ni
strati
oninbondagedr essandblazerwithher
kil
l
erheel s.Helookedatherexposedf i
gure,she
wasi nsanelybeautif
ulit
.Herhi psswayedf r
om side
tosidewhi leherhairwashel dinapony t
ail
.She
unlockedhercarf rom afarsteali
ngaglanceather
watch.Thei reyesmetasshegoti nhercar ,
thiswas
thegirlwhousedt osellf
atcooksf orali
ving.She
wasnowsomet hi
ngbig,sheownedherwor ld.
Sheclosedhercardoorst
art
inghercaranddr
ove
offwhil
ehewatched.

FI
VEMONTHSLATER…
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#69

Fi
veMont
hsLat
er…

Rachel
wal
kedi
nsi
det
hechur
chwi
thasmi
l
e.
“Hey
,wear
eabouttostar
t.
”Shel
ookedatt
he
past
or’
swi
feandsmil
ed.
“
Iam soner
vous.
”
“
Don’
twor
ry,
youwi
l
lgetusedt
obei
ngapast
or.
”
Theywal
kedt
othepul
pitasev
ery
onecl
apped.
“
Goodeveni
ngandwelcometoourTuesdayser
vice,
t
odaywehaveournewpast
or,Past
orRachel
Mokwena.
”Thepast
or’
swif
eintr
oduced.
Rachel
smi
l
edandst
oodi
nfr
ontofev
ery
one.“
Good
Ev
eni
ng,
doy
ouf
eel
blessedt
obeher
e?”
“
Yes!
”
“No,Ican’
ther
eyou.Isai
ddoy
ouf
eel
blessedt
obe
here?”
“
Yes!
”
Shesmiled.“
Doyoufeel
blessedt obeher
e?Over
ther
eatthebackdoyoufeelblessedtobeher
e?To
beinthehouseoft
helord?
”
“
Yes!
”Thecr
owdscr
eamed.
“
Iwi
l
lst
artt
hisser
vicewi
thapr
ayer
.Let
’spr
ay.
”
Shepr oper lyheldthemi c.“Fatherwet hankyouf or
thi
sday ,wet hanky oufory ourloveuponus, we
thanky ouf oryourmercy ,
yourbl essingandy our
unendingki ndness.Wear eher etoday ,may
whatev ert hatwilll
eavemyl ipsbefrom y ou,gi
veme
thestrengt ht obeabletost andi nfrontoft hi
scrowd
andleadt hem inthewayy ouwantmet oleadthem.
Letthehol yspiri
tleadust odayandl ettheheartsof
thepeopl eher ebeopent ot hemessageIam about
togivet hem, i
nthemi ghtynameofJesusChr i
stwe
pr
ay,
Amen.
”
“
Amen!
”
Shesmiledcatchi
ngKennethsitatthefr
ontbeside
herseat
.Herconfidenceevenrodehigh,
therewas
j
ustsomet hi
ngabouthavingherhusbandthere
support
ingher.

*
***
*

Ref
ilwedishedforQui
ncyandJuni
orandplacedt
he
pl
atesondi ni
ngtabl
e.Shewal
kedtothei
rroom
wheretheywer epl
ayi
ng.
“
Guy
s,i
t’
sti
mef
oreat
ing.
”
“
Isdaddycomi
ng?
”
Ref
il
wesmiledl
ooki
ngatJuni
or.“
YesJay
.Daddyi
s
coming,
comeandeat.
”
Theywalkedtothedi
ningtabl
ewhil
eRefil
wet ook
outherphone.Shedi
aledhisnumberandli
stenedto
i
tri
ng.
“
Hey
,”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“Iam wit
habusinessassoci
ate,
heaskedwe
discusssomet
hingduri
ngdinner
.”
“
ButMi
guel
whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
me?
”
“Iam sor
rybabe,
Ijusthappent
obesobusyt
his
days.
”
“
Nextt
imet
ell
me,
whatt
imewi
l
lyoubehome.
”
“
Int
wohour
smaxi
mum.
”
“
Ok,
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Shehungupandsi ghedr ubbi
ngherbi gbel
ly.Her
i
nsti
nctsmadeherquest ionhim butknowingthathe
wasrunningabigbusi nessmadehercal m down.
Thi
ngswer eprobablyhect i
c.Shejoinedtheboys
andateli
steni
ngtot heirschoolstori
es.Awhi l
elat
er,
shebathedthem thent uckedthem inbed.
“
Goodni
ghtguy
s.”
“
Goodni
ghtAunt
.”
“
Goodni
ghtmom.
”
Shewalkedoutt
aki
ngoutherphonet
henwentt
o
herbedr
oom cal
l
ingherf
ri
end.
“
Fif
i…”
“Hey
,doyout
hinki
t’
sokforMarangt
obetell
i
ngher
sontocal
lmeAunt
,Imeanam Iaski
ngf
ortoo
much?”
“Idon’
tknow,
youshoul
dpresentthatt
oMiguel.
Somewomandon’twantthei
rkidscall
i
nganother
womanmom. ”
“
Iguess.
”
“
It
’st
hehor
mones,
don’
twor
ryt
oomuch.
”
“
Iam car
ryi
ngagi
rl
.”
“
Wow!
”
“
Iam soexci
ted.
”
“
Youshoul
dbe.Iwi
shIwer
eyou.
”
“
Howi
swor
k?”
“
It
’sgr
eat
.Anay
aisacool
bossIt
ell
you,
that
womani nspi
resme.Youshoul dseeheri nmeet i
ngs,
sheissofocused.It’
sfir
sttimeIseeawomanwho
candowhatmencandot oo.Thewayshedr esses
wil
lmakey ouquestionyoursel
f,kanashehast hat
bodyli
kethelikesofBusi Samuels,Iam ev
en
thi
nki
ngofstar t
inggoingtothegy m.”
Ref
il
werol
ledhereyesbor
ed.“
Iknowshei
spr
ett
y,
noneedt
ot el
lme.”
“
Iam sor
rymylove,
it’
sjustt
hatIf
eelli
keIwast
ed
myti
me,Anay
ai s30butlookwheresheiswi
thli
fe.
”
“
Ihav
etogo,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
“Fi
fiIam sor r
y,Iam nott r
yingtobor eyou, Iam just
sayi
ngshei nspiresme.May beweshoul dstarta
smallbusinesst ogethersincey ouarelonger
working.Iam sur eMi guelcanfinancey ou,Ialready
havemoneysav ed.Ispoket othisotherlady,she
wantst ostartabout ique,i
t’
sagoodi dea,Iwasev en
thi
nkingofpar tneringwithherbutwecanst artour
own.”
“
Migueli
sher
e,by
e.”Shehungupandcl
i
ckedher
t
ongue.
Shelookedatthet i
me, itwasthreehoursalready
si
ncetheirphonecall.Shemov edt othesit
tingroom
andstart
edwat chingamov i
e.Twohour slaterthe
moviefi
nished,shecalledhim againbutthisti
mehe
di
dn’
tpick.Shest art
edt ypi
ngamessage.
Refil
we:Doy outhinki
t’
sfai
rforyoutostayoutthi
s
l
ate?Iam wor r
iedaboutyou,t
hekidsaresleepi
ng
withoutseei
ngy ouagai
n.Cany oupl
easeanswer
yourphone.
Shesentt
hemessagebuthedi
dn’
trepl
y.
Refi
lwe:Mi
gueli
t’
salmosttwel
veandy ouaresti
l
l
nothome,Iam worr
iedabouty
ou,ar
ey ouok?What
doyouwantmet othinkwhenyoubehaveli
kethi
s?
Ordoy out
hinki
t’
sokf oramarr
iedmant obe
stay
ingoutl
ateti
l
lthisti
me?
Herheartpoundedast
het
imemov
edwhi
l
ehest
il
l
di
dn’tshowup.
Shecal
ledhim buthi
sphonewasnowof f.Tear
s
fi
l
ledhereyesasshethoughtofcal
l
inghermother
i
n-l
aw.
Ref
il
we:
Miguel
pleasecomehome,
Iam pani
cki
ng.
Wher
ear
eyou,
arey
ouok?
Shel
ookedatherphonet
henf
inal
l
ycal
l
edKennet
h.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,i
t’
sFi
fi
,Migueli
snoty
ethome,
doy
ouhav
eany
i
deaofwhereheis?
”
“
No,
Idon’
t.Letmet
rycal
l
inghi
m.”
“
Hisphonei
sof
f.
”
“
Oh,
sor
rybutIdon’
tknow.Iwi
l
laskar
ound.
”
“
Ok,
thanks.
”
“Don’twor
ry,
Miguel
lov
esy
ou.I
tmustbewor
k,hei
s
addictedt
owork.
”
“
Yeah,
bye.
”
Shehungast ear
sgushedout.Herhear
tskippedas
sheheardthegateopeni
ngfoll
owedbyacardr i
vi
ng
i
n.Shestoodupandwai t
edforhim.Secondslat
er
hewalkedin.
“
Hey
…”
“
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
”
“
Didn’
tIt
ell
you?
”
“MiguelIam notst
upid,whereareyoucomingf
rom.
I
t’spastmidnight,
whi chbusi
nessassoci
atewi
ll
discussbusi
nesstil
lthist
ime?”
“
Babecomeon.
”
Hewal
kedt
othebedr
oom whi
l
ehef
oll
owedaf
ter
hi
m.
“
Miguel
,wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
”
“
Ref
il
wecany
oust
opi
t?”
“
Arey
oucheat
ingonme?
”
“
No,
howcany
ouev
enaskt
hat
?”
“
Thenwher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
”
Shepi
ckedhi
sjacketandsni
ff
edi
t.
“
Whyi
syourj
acketsmel
l
ingaf
emi
nineper
fume?
”
“
Babe,
aft
erdi
nnerhewantedt
ogotoacasi
nosoI
t
ookhi
mt oC-
SKY,Il
ostt
rackoft
ime.
”
Tearswethercheeks.“
Areyoucheati
ngonme
Miguel
?Thisjacketsmel
lsofafemini
neexpensi
ve
per
fume.
”
“
Ipr
obabl
yrubbedagai
nstsomeonewi
thawoman.
Wewerei
nacasino.
”
Ref
il
wecov
eredherf
acecr
ying.Mi
guel
huggedher
.
“
Babe,
Iam notcheat
ing,
Iswear
.”
Heki
ssedherandshesecr
etl
yputherhandi
nsi
de
hi
spant
sandrubbedhisdi
ck.
“
Iam t
ir
edt
oni
ght
.Ihadal
ongday
.”
“
ButImi
ssy
ou,
whenl
astdi
dwehav
esex?
”
“
Wewi
l
ldoi
ttomor
row.
”
“Youhavebeensay
ingt
hatf
ormont
hsnow.Ihav
e
needs.
”
“
Ref
il
we,
comeon.
”
“
Ijustwanttohavesex.
”Shel ookedathi
szipper
i
maginingthatbi
gdicksqueezingthr
oughherwall
s.
“
Wewi
l
ldoi
tint
hemor
ning.
”
Shecov
eredherf
acecryi
ngthenwalkedoutoft
he
bedr
oom goi
ngtothesi
tt
ingroom.Minut
eslat
erhe
wal
kedi
nsi
det
hesi
tt
ingr
oom.
“
Ok,
comel
et’
shav
esex.
”
Shestoodupsni ff
ingandwal kedtowardshim.
Migueltookherhandandl edherbacktothe
bedroom whereheki ssedherpassionat
elylay
ing
heronthebedwi thhersev enmont hsbel
ly.He
pul
ledupherdr essthent ookherpanti
esandr ubbed
hercli
ttaki
ngouthi sdick.
Sheopenedherl egswi derinanti
ci
pati
on.He
pushedhi sdickinsideherandst r
okedherwithhalf
hi
sdi ck.Shemoanedcl osinghereyeswishi
nghe
wouldj ustfuckher.Shewant edtobefuckedoutof
hermi nd,shewant edtohav ethatdomineer
ing
characteroutofhi m butknowinghewoul dpossi
bly
stopall t
ogether
, shekeptquiet.

*
***
*

Ayanascr
oll
edthr
oughherphonewhi
lsteat
ingher
br
eakfast
.SheopenedKar
abo’sWhat
sappstatus
andshr unkhereyesstar
ingathi
ssocal ledgi
rl
fri
end.
Hercompl exionwastheonlythi
ngt hatmadeher
better
.Shezoomedi nherbigforeheadthenface,he
probablyjustsawherbigass.
“St
resski
l
ls.
”Lal
ahsai
dsnat
chi
ngt
hephonef
rom
her
.
“
Thatgi
rli
sugl
y.
”
“Shemaybeugl ybuty ouarebitt
er.Kegorelerat
a
gorapelwamoAy ana.{Youlovebeingworshi
pped.}
I
t’snotevencute,thi
sguyist oooldtobeplayi
ng
gameswi thyou,y
oubehav edchildishl
y,y
ou
probabl
yturnedhim off.
”
“
Whatdi
dyouwantmet
odo?
”
“
Youcouldhavebehavedli
keawoman.Youwi
l
l
r
egrett
hiswhenhefinal
l
ymarri
esherandy
outur
n
i
ntoabit
terper
son.
”
“
Iwasj
ustscar
ed.
”
“Scar
edpfwhat?Hadhewantedtohurtyouhe
wouldhavedoneitwhenyouwereal
onewithhi
min
Jwaneng.Kegorebomatl
abagagobantena.[
Your
st
upi
dit
yannoy
sme.
}”
“
Idoubtheev
enl
ovedme.
”
“Whendi
dhesayhelovedyou,hewantedtogett
o
knowyouandwhatdi
dy oudo?Youblewthebir
d
away.
”
Ayanat
ear
ful
l
ylookedatLal
ah.“
Whatshoul
dIdo
now?”
“Idon’tknow,i
fIwereyouIwoul
dhavelonggonet
o
getmyman.Youar esoslow,
thi
sguyishandsome
andy oujusthadt
or ui
nit
.”
“Iwi
l
lleavenow.Thencomebackt
omor
rowbuti
f
Anayafi
ndsout…”
“Howwillshefi
ndout
?Ev
eni
fshedoes,
hav
eyour
stor
ytogether
.”
“
Ok.Letmechange.
”
“
Wheny
ougett
her
ebeser
ious.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ogethi
m.”

*
***
*
Anay
adr
oppedof
fIv
yatschool
.
“
Mommy
,isSmuf
fybeargoi
ngt
opi
ckmeup?
”
“Nohun,t
hecabwi
l
l.Youwi
l
lseeSmuf
fybearat
home.”
“Ok.”Iv
yki
ssedhermothert
hengotofft
hecarand
slowlywal
kedtowar
dsherclassf
li
ppi
ngherhai
r
back.Anaya’
sphonerangasshedrov
eaway.
“
Youshoul
dseey
ourchi
l
d,shei
sbusyf
li
ppi
nghai
r
l
i
kesheisi
nmovi
es.
”
Hel
aughed.“
Leav
emyf
abul
ouspr
incessal
one.
”
“
Thi
schi
l
disgoi
ngt
obet
roubl
e.”
“
Didy
our
egi
sterherf
ort
hebeaut
ypageant
?”
“
Doy
out
hinki
t’
sagoodi
dea?
”
“
Whynot
?Letherbe.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
ltal
ktohert
eacher
.”
“
Good,
howi
swor
k?”
“
Donal
dIam l
ovi
ngmyspace.
”
Helaughed.“Youshoul
d.Thatl
aunchmusthav
e
gi
venyoual otofbusi
ness.
”
“
Itdi
d.Wear
emov
ingatast
eadypace,
Ilov
eit
.”
“
Andy
ouknowwho?
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Who?
”
“
Theman.
”
“
Hei
sst
il
lmar
ri
edi
fthat
’swhaty
ouar
easki
ng.
”
“
Howar
eyouwi
tht
hewi
fe?
”
“Donal
dmychi l
dwon’
tgot ohishouse,Iam not
goingtochangemymind.Idon’ttr
ustherforthe
factt
hatshehatesmeforcompl et
elynoreason.
”
“
Shedoeshav
ear
eason,
”
“I
fIwant
edMi
guel
,real
l
ywant
edhi
m Iwoul
dhav
e
hi
m.”
“
That
’swhyshehat
esy
ou.
”
“
Idon’
twantt
otal
kaboutt
hatwomanhonest
ly.
”
“
Iwon’
tbesur
prisedi
fyouar
ebusysneaki
ngaround
wi
thhi
m,whenitcomestohi
m Idon’
tknowfr
iend
but
….”
“
What
?”
“
Youdon’
tthi
nkpr
oper
ly.Iam sur
ehef
edy
ou.
”
Anay
alaughedst
oppi
ngbyt
her
edt
raf
fi
cli
ght
.“You
ar
ecrazy
.”
“Iam tell
ingyou.Iact
uall
yfeelli
keyouaresneaking
withhim becauseifnothim,it’
sLefa,t
heMP’sson.
Ifyouar ebackwithMiguelIam goingtof
ightyou,
notaftereveryt
hinghedidtoy ou,t
he
embar rassmentandabuset hatIsti
ll
don’
t
understandwhyy ounormalizedit
.Evenallmy
advises.Iwil
lpunchyou.”
“Iam not
!”Thet
raf
fi
cli
ghtchangedandshedr
ove
off.
“Sowhoarey ousleepi
ngwith?Youar ehiding
somethi
ngfrom me.Ijustdon’
texpecty out ogo
backtoMiguelbecauseeit
herway ,heismar ri
ed.I
am sur
eafterwhathappenedtoy ourparent’s
marri
ageyouwoul dn’
tbethereasonanot herwoman
cri
es.
”
Anay
asi
ghed.“
Donal
dpl
ease,
howi
sMar
ti
n?”
“Hei
ssweet,
Idon’tunder
standhowIact
ual
lynev
er
expl
oredmyreal
selfwhenIwassti
ll
young.
”
“
Thaty
ouar
ewhat
?Gayorbi
?”
“
Iam notbi
sexual
,Iam gay
.”
“
Soci
ety
?”
“
Iguess.Look,
Iwi
llcal
lyoulat
er,
sayhi
tomy
f
abul
ousdaughter
.Ilov
ey ou.
”
“
Okboo.Il
ovey
out
oo.
”
“Soreall
yyouwon’ttellmewhomy st
eri
ousmani s?I
meanev enIvyknowsandIdon’ t
?Nowshehasl i
ke
twof at
her’
s,Anayajusttel
lme.Iam dyi
nghere.I
sit
Lefa?Ili
keLefathoughhe’sbuil
tli
keMiguel
,Iam
start
ingtothi
nkthat’
sy ourty
pe.
”
Anayalaughed.“
Iwi
l
ltel
lyou,
it’
snotwhaty
out
hink
though.
”
“
Ok.
”
Sheputherphoneawayandparkedhercarat
OsWorl
d.Shesteppedoutoft
hecarandwal ked
t
owar
dst
heent
rancei
nherwhi
tesui
t.
“
Morni
ngTshepisoandTi
na.
”Shegr
eet
edt
he
r
ecept
ioni
sts.
“
Mor
ningMs.Shat
o.”
Shewal
kedawayashersti
l
ett
osmadenoiseand
goti
nsi
dethel
i
ft.Herey
esfel
lonLone.
“Ms.Shato.”LoneacknowledgedandAnayasmi l
ed.
Shedefi
nitelynevert
houghtshewouldhaveLone
worki
ngforher .Thel
iftopenedonthenextf
loorand
Lonewalkedout .
“Ili
keyourshoes.”Anayacompli
mentedasthe
elevat
ordoorsclosed.Theli
ftwhi
skedherupt
oher
fl
oorandshest eppedout.
“
Mor
ningMs.Shat
o,”
HerPAst
oodupandwal
kedwi
thheri
nsi
det
he
of
fi
ce.
“
Kel
l
y,mor
ning.
”
“
Youhav
eapackage,
Isi
gnedi
tfory
ou.
”
“
Ok.
”
AnayalookedupasKel
lypl
acedahugebouquetof
fl
owersonherdeskwit
hmoneyrol
ls.
“
That
’smi
ne?
”
“
Yes.Butt
her
eisnocar
d.”
Anay
asmi
l
edknowi
ngl
y.“
It
’sok,
thanks.
”
Kell
ywalkedoutasAnay
asmi
l
edl
ooki
ngatt
he
fl
owers.

*
***
*

Theodoraslowlypeedf eeli
ngt heburni
ngsensation.
Itwasgetti
ngt oomuchnow, andthesmelltoo.She
wipedherselfcleanandwal kedoutfrom heroffi
ce
andstr
aighttoherboss’ soffi
ce.Softly
,sheknocked
onthedoort henwalkedi nsi
de.
Herbossl
ookedatherwi
thasmi
l
e.
“
Hey
,”
“Isaac,
Ihav
eabur
ningsensat
ion,
what
’sgoi
ngon?
Ithi
nkweshoul
dgoandtest.
”
“
Theodor
awet
est
edt
hreemont
hsback.
”
“
IknowbutIthi
nkweshoul
dtestagai
n.Somet
hing
i
swrongwit
hme. ”
“
Butbesi
desy
ouandmywi
fe,
ther
eisnooneIsl
eep
wi
th.
”
“Wel
l,
maybei t
’syourwif
ebecausei
t’
sdefi
nat
elynot
me.Youyourselfsai
dshewashangi
ngaroundthe
gar
denboytoomuch. ”
I
saacstoodupthi
nking.“
Yester
dayIf
oundhi
s
j
acketi
nthehouse,shesaidhefor
goti
t.
”
Theodor
acl
osedherey
es.“
Ican’
tbel
i
evey
ouar
e
doi
ngthi
stome.”
“
Babecomeon…”
“
NoI
saac!Whati
fIhav
eAI
DS?
”
“
Ilov
eyou,
wewi
l
ldeal
wit
hitt
oget
her
.”
“
Youlongsai
dy ouwil
lbuymeahouseandacarbut
y
ouarestal
li
ng.Iam t
ir
edoft
his,
maybeweshould
j
ustbr
eakup.”
‘
’
Iwi
l
lsi
gnov
ermyhouseandcart
oyou.
”
“Good,l
et’
sgoandtestnow.Iam goi
ngt
otakemy
bag,l
et’
smeetatthecli
nic.
”
Shewalkedoutandwentbacktoherofficewher
e
shegrabbedherhandbagandwalkedout.She
passedbytherecepti
onwheret
heywhispered
star
ingatherandlaughed,
shepl
ainl
yignoredt
hem.
Minutesl
atershewasatt
hecli
nic,
shewait
edbyt
he
entr
anceandsawhiscarpar
kbesidesher
s.
Wal
ki
ngovertoher
,het
ookherhandandt
oget
her
t
heywal
kedin.
Tenmi nutesl
ater,Theodor
a’sheartpoundedasshe
satintheoffi
cebeingcancell
edwhi l
ewaiti
ngf ort
he
resul
ts.Shecouldn’tst
opthi
nkingaboutChristi
an,
whatifshehadgi venhimthevirus,woul
dhef orgi
ve
her?
“
Ok,
yourr
esul
tsar
eback.
”
Theybot
hlookedatt
henur
se.
‘
Theodor
awhatwi
l
lyoudoi
fyouar
enegat
ive?
”
Shel
ookedatI
saac.“
Iwi
l
lfi
ndawayt
odeal
wit
hit
.”
“
Whatabouty
ouI
saac?
”
“
Iwi
l
lfi
ndawayt
oaccepti
tandmov
eonwi
thl
i
fe.
”
“
Ok.
”
Thenurseopenedt
helidstoeachot
herresul
tsand
Theodora’
sstar
edathersastear
sfi
l
ledhereyes.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#70

Theodora’stear
sdr
oppedt
oherhandasshest
ared
atherresult
s.
“
Theodor
a,Whatdoesi
tsay
?”
“
Posi
ti
ve.
”
“
Isaac?
”
Hesi
ghed.“
Posi
ti
ve.
”
“Havi
ngHI
D/AIDSi
snottheendoft
heworl
d,alotof
peopl
esur
viv
ebecauset
heytaket
hei
rmedi
cineon
t
imeandeatheal
thyf
ood.Theyl
i
veheal
thyl
i
ves.
”
Theybothl
ist
enedasthenur
secounsel
edt
hem.A
whil
elat
er,
Theodoragoti
nhercar
.
“
Babe,
canwet
alk?
”
“Ican’
tbel
i
evey
ougav
emeAI
DSandpossi
bly
STD’s.
”
“Theodor
ayouknowIwoul
dnev
erdot
hatt
oyou
purposel
y.
”
Sheclosedherdooranddr oveoffl
eavi
nghim
standi
ngthere.ShethoughtofChri
sti
an,hewasn’
t
goingtofor
giveher.Tearswethercheeksasshe
drove,
howwassheev engoingtobegintel
li
nghim?
Shedr
ovet
oapr
ivat
ecl
i
nict
ogett
est
edf
orSTD’
S.

*
***
*

Hourslat
er,
Ayanasteppedoutofthepri
vat
eli
ftshe
hadtakenatBusRank.Shetookherphoneoutand
cal
ledhim.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
Iam atbusr
ank.
”
“
Who’
sthi
s?”
“Kar
abo,
comeandpi ckmeup, Iam atbusranknear
theFNBATM.Iam givi
ngyoutenmi nutes.
”She
hungupandputherphonebackinherhandbag.
“Wakaeausi ?{Whereareyougoingsi st
er?}”Abus
conductoraskedandsheshookherheadsi gnali
ng
shewasn’tgoinganywhere.Minuteslatershesaw
theRedChev rol
etparkbesidesher.Shewal ked
roundthecarandjumpedi n.
Karabodrov
eawaysilent
lyasshet r
iedtogett
he
wordsshehadpract
icedoutofhermout h.Hi
s
phonerangandheimmedi at
elyanswered.
“
Babe…Iam comi
ng.Il
ovey
ou.
”
Ay
anal
ookedathi
m.“
Whowast
hat
?”
“Mygir
lf
riend,
wher
edoy
ouwantmet
odr
opy
ouof
f?
Atyourhouse?”
“
No!Iwantt
otal
ktoy
ou,
whowast
hat
?”
“
Ayanat
hatwasmygi
rl
fr
iend,
youandIhav
enot
hing
t
otal
kabout
.”
“
Wehav
eal
ott
otal
kabout
.”
“Iwanttopickupmygi r
lfr
iend,Iwi
l
l dr
opyouof
fat
yourhouseaftert
hat
.”Hepar kedhiscari
nfr
ontof
hungryLionandgotoffthecar.
Shet
ookoutherphoneandcal
l
edLal
ah.
“
Moghel
,hav
eyouar
ri
ved?
”
“Heissocol
dLal
ah,
hei
sev
ent
alki
ngabouthi
s
gir
lf
ri
end.
”
“
Whatdidyouexpect
?Thathewi
l
ljustaccepty
ou
wi
thopenarms?”
“Idon’
tknowbuti
tfeel
sli
keIam f
orci
ngmy
sel
fon
him.”
“HeelaAy ana,
monnaokewagago, t
seotsabo
gir
lf
riendgasedi issuetsagago.Tswamogoeneo
i
ketlehela.{Ayanat hatmanisyours,hi
m havi
nga
gir
lf
riendisnoty ourissue,
justr
elax.
}”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lupdat
eyou.
”
“Don’
tbeapushover.St
andy
ourgr
ound,
heshoul
d
seethaty
ouareser
ious.
”
“
Ok.
”
“Good,i
fyoudon’
tgethi
m,don’
tbot
hercomi
ng
back.
”
Ay
anal
aughed.“
Youar
ecr
azy
.”
“
It
’snotbei
ngcr
azy
,youar
ejustannoy
ing.
”
“
He’
scomi
ng.
”
Shehungupandputherphoneawayasheclimbed
i
nhiscarholdi
ngwit
haplasti
cwithsomesweet
snacksandachocol
atemil
kshakeontheot
herhand.
Hisphonerangagai
n.
“Igotyourfood,
Iam coming…di dy
oudri
nkthepai
n
kil
ler
s?..
.ok,Iwi
llbet
herejustnow…Il
oveyoutoo.
”
Heputhi
sphonedownandst
art
edt
hecar
.Ay
ana
l
aughedwit
hdisbel
i
ef.
“
Heelatl
her
ral
esagoakel
angwanaomongwe!
{
Stoply
ingt
oher.
}”
“
Ayanay
ousai
dyoudi
dn’
twantme,
Imov
edon.I
am overy
ou,
Idon’
tev
enknowwhaty
ouwantr
ight
now.”
“IknowwhatIsai
d,Iwasj
ustbei
ngchi
l
dishbutnow
Iwantyou.Il
oveyou.
”
Hecl
i
ckedhi
stongueandcont
inueddr
ivi
ng.
“
Youar
enotgoi
ngtogi
vet
hatgi
rlany
thi
ng,
what
y
ouboughti
smine.
”
Shegr abbedthemilkshakeandst ar
teddrinki
ng.He
plai
nlyignor
edherasshedr ankthemilkshaketi
ll
ther
ewasnot hi
ngleft.Minut
eslaterhewaspar ked
i
nf r
ontofahouse.Agi rl
steppedoutoft hehouse
andwal kedtowardsthecar .
Karaboreachedf
ort
hepl
ast
icofsnacksbutAy
ana
snatchedit
.
“
Itol
dyou,
youar
enotgi
vi
ngherany
thi
ng.
”
“
AyanaIam notpl
ayi
ngwi
thy
ou.
”
“
Iam notpl
ayi
ngwit
hyout
oo.Youar
enotgi
vi
ng
t
hatgi
rlany
thi
ng.
”
Thegir
lopenedt
hepassengerdoorandlookedat
Ayanawhowasrelaxedatt
hefrontseat
.
“
What
’sgoi
ngonKB?Who’
sthi
s?”
“
She’
saf
ri
end.Ay
anacany
oumov
etot
heback.
”
Ayanalaughedandr
elaxedont
hesi
tseemi
ngnot
bother
ed.
“
Ayana!
”
“Thi
smani smine,
youbett
erwal
kwhi
l
eyoust
il
l
haveyourpri
deanddi
gnit
yint
act
.”
Thegi
rll
aughed.
“
Obual
emang?{
Whoar
eyout
alki
ngt
o?}
”
“
Whoel
secanIbet
alki
ngt
oifnoty
ou?
”
“
Kar
abo,
tel
lthi
swhor
etost
epout
.”
“
Ayana,
cany
oust
opt
his?
”
“
Isai
d,no.
”
“
Kant
ener
ragoi
ragal
aeng?[
What
’sgoi
ngon?
}”
“
Tshepangnot
hingi
sgoi
ngon,
Anay
acany
ou
move?”
Tshepangdr
aggedAnay
aoutoft
hecar
.“Isai
dget
outofmymanscar.
”
“
Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
odo?
”
Tshepangsl
appedAy
anaacr
osst
hef
ace.“
Youdon’
t
wanttotr
yme.”
Ayanabitherl
ipangr
il
ythenpunchedTshepangt
hat
shelostbal
anceandfel
l.
“
Nextt
imey
ouputy
ourhandsonme,
Iwi
l
lki
l
lyou.
”
Kar
abogotoutoft
hecarandr
ushedt
oTshepang’
s
si
de.
“
Whatt
hef
uckar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
“
Shehi
tmef
ir
st.
”
“
Idon’
twanty
ouAy
ana!
”
“
Mxm y
ouar
epl
ayi
ngwi
thme.
”
Ayanagoti
nthedr
iver
sseat
,st
art
edt
hecarand
dr
ov eof
f.

*
***
*

Bamewal
kedi
nsi
dehi
shouset
ypi
ngonhi
sphone.
“
Goodaf
ter
noonSi
r.
”
Hel ookedupatConst ancewhowaswear i
ngthe
shortestdr
essofal l
time.Shewasthick,hecoul
dn’
t
helpbutnoticehershorthotpant
sandt anktop
whichexposedhersi deboobs.Hisey
eswentt oher
prettyi
nnocentface.
“
Hi.
”
“
Shoul
dIser
vey
oul
unch?Ihadcooked.
”
“
Yeah.
”
Shet
urnedandwal
kedtotheki
tchen,hecould
al
mostseeherr
oundass.Hesatinthesi
tti
ngroom
andaminut
elat
er,
shecamebackwi thhi
sfood.
“
Thanks.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Hest
art
edeat
ing.“
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
ost
udy
?”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Law.
”
“
That
’swi
sebutdon’
tyout
hinkl
awi
scr
owded?
”
“
Ihav
eadr
eam ofst
art
ingmyownl
awf
ir
m.”
“
Isee.Howmanypoi
ntsdi
dyougetagai
n?”
“
42.
”
Het r
iedgett
inghi
smi ndoffthoset hi
ghsbutshe
wassi tt
ingt
hereandtheywer eallexposed.Awhi l
e
shest oodupandwalkedawayl eavi
nghimr el
iev
ed.
Heputhi semptyplat
einthesi nkandwal kedtothe
bathroom.Whenhecameout ,hebumpedi ntoherin
thepassageinatowel dr
ippi
ngwet .
“
UhhIam goi
ng.
”
Shesmi l
ednaughtily
thentookof fthetowel
exposingthebodyhehadn’ tbeenabl etogetr
idofin
thelastmonths.Sheclosedt hegapbet weenthem
thenstoodonhert oessoftl
ykissinghim.Bameput
hishandsonherbar ebackt henslidthem t
oherass.
Shebr av
elyputherhandinsidehispant sand
strokedhishar
ddick.
“
Iwanty
out
ofuckmehar
d.”Shewhi
sper
ed.

*
***
*
Ayanaeyesfi
l
ledwi t
ht earswhi
leshedr
ove,her
cheekwassti
llhotfr
om t hesl
apshehadreceiv
ed.
Herphonebeganringingandshesloweddown
answeri
ng.
“
Babe,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
“Iam goi
ng,
don’
tcal
lmebabe.Youwat
chedy
our
gir
lf
ri
endassaul
tme.
”
“
ComeonAy
ana…”
“
Iam donewi
thy
ou.Iam goi
ngbackt
oschool
.”
Shehear
dhi
m si
gh.“
Wher
edi
dyoul
eav
ethecar
?”
“Iam taki
ngitwi
th.Iwastedmyt i
meandmoney
comi nghere,mi
ssedlessonssoIam taki
ngyourcar
with.Iwil
ldropi
toffatthepol
icestat
ionatSer
owe.”
“
Babe,
wher
ear
eyounow?
”
“
Iam gone.
”
“
Ayana,
yousti
l
ldon’
thav
eal
i
cense.Beser
ious?Do
y
ouwanttogetar
rest
ed?
”
“
Karabol
eav
emeal one.Andforyourown
i
nfor
mati
on,Idohaveali
cense.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Breakupwi
thher
.”
Shest
oppedt
hecarbyabusst
op.
“
Shedoesn’
twantmeany
mor
esoIam si
ngl
e.”
“
Breakupwi
thher
.”
“
Ok.Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Phakal
anet
urnof
f.
”
“
Ok,
Iam comi
ng.
”
Shetooktheplast
icandopeneditt
akingoutthe
magnum.Shesl owlyateitwhi
l
eeyei
ngt heother
snackshehadbought .Aknockonherwindow
star
tl
edher.Sherai
sedherheadandlookedathim
thenunl
ockedthedoor .Hesmil
edopeningthedoor
.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Iam nott
alki
ngt
oyou,
Iwantt
ogoback.
”
“
Obat
lagont
ena.[
Youwantt
oannoyme.
}”
“
Youhaveagir
lf
ri
endandIam notgoi
ngtobe
f
ight
ingf
ory
ouinthestr
eet
s.Iam goi
ngback.
”
“
Got
otheot
hersi
de.
”
Shejumpedof ftheothersidethenhegoti
nand
star
tedhi
scar .Hemadeau- turngoi
ngtotheother
l
aneandst ar
teddr i
vi
ngback.Sheat ehermagnum
taki
ngoffherpumpst henputherfeetont
he
dashboar
d.Mi nuteslaterheparkedhi
scarinf
ront
ofahouse.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Theyst
eppedoutt ogetherandwalkedt
owar dst
he
doorwhichheunl ocked.Shewalkedinfi
rstand
l
ookedar ound,notbad.Karaboclosedt
hedoorand
tookof
fhi st-
shir
t.
“
Whyar
eyounotatwor
k?”
“
Adv
ant
agesofbei
ngy
ourownboss.
”
Heputhi
sar
msar
oundherandki
ssedher
.
“
Whenar
eyougoi
ngback?
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Tomor
row.
”
“Good,youbehav
eli
ket
hatbecausey
ouar
enot
gett
ingdick.
”
Herphoner
angf
rom herhandbagandshet
ooki
t
out
.
“
Nay
a,”
“
Ayanawher
ear
eyou?
”
Sheswal
l
owed.“
Iam atschool
.”
“
No,
Imean,
arey
oubusyt
oday
?”
“
No,
why
?”
“Canyoupassbythef
arm andchecktheherdmen
formethenthefar
mit
self
.Ihaveafeeli
ngtheyar
e
notdoi
ngtheirwor
kpr
operly.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lgo.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Shesi
ghedwi
thr
eli
efput
ti
ngherphonedown.
“
Whowast
hat
?”
“
Mysi
ster
,Anay
a.”
“
Anay
a?CanIseeher
?”
“What?Youknowher ?”Ay
anat ookherphoneand
gavehim herphone,
herscreensaverwasAnaya.
“
That
’sher
.”
“
Yeah.Youknowher
?”
“
No,
Ijust
…thenamei
sfami
l
iar
.”Heki
ssedher
.

*
***
*

Bamepulledoutandtookofft
hecondom.Hesighed
wit
hreli
efandwalkedoutofherr
oom, gui
lt
y
cat
chingupwithhim.Hewalkedi
nsidehisbedr
oom
andtookouthisri
ngi
ngphone.
“Canyoubeli
eveIam act
ual
l
yinar
elat
ionshi
pwi
th
Anaya’
ssist
er?”
Bamef
rowned.“
What
?”
“
Yeah…t
her
eisAnay
aandAy
ana.
”
“Ihopeyoudon’
tpl
ayher
.Youneedt
ogr
owup,
you
are31.”
“Iam goingtomarr
yherwhenshef
ini
sheswi
th
school.Thisonei
stheone.
”
“
Wher
eisTshepi
so?
”
“
Tshepang,webrokeup.Wai
t,weren’
tyousl
eeping
wi
thAnayathatt
imeIcametoy ourhouseandfound
ahandbag?
”
“
Howmanyt
imesshoul
dIsayno.
”
“
Whyam If
indi
ngi
thar
dtobel
i
evey
ou?
”
“
That
’sy
ourowni
ssue.Shi
t!Isl
eptwi
tht
hemai
d.”
“
Isn’
tsheunder
age?
”
“
Shei
s18.
”
“
Howwasshe?
”
“
Ifeel
gui
l
ty,
Lonedoesn’
tdeser
vet
his.
”
“Areyouserious?Whataboutt
hatgir
lyousleptwi
th
theotherti
me?Whydi dn’
tyoufeel
guil
ty?Youwere
sti
llcheat
ingonLone.”
“That’
sdi
ff
erent
.Idi
srespectedLonet
hist
ime
aroundandworsedoi
ngi ti
nherhouse.
”
“
IhopenotonherbedbecauseIam t
ell
i
ngy
ou,
that
l
i
lwhorewil
lst
artact
ingup.
”
“
Idon’
twantherher
eany
mor
e.”
Karabolaughed.“
Tel
lLonebutbet
terhav
eagood
reason.
”
“
Iwi
l
ltal
ktoy
oul
ater
,andt
reatt
hatgi
rlr
ight
.”
Hehungupandsighed.Hecoul
dalmostfeel
the
painhi
swifewasgoi
ngtogothroughi
fsheever
foundout
.
Hechangedandwal
kedout
.
“
Bame…”
Heturnedt
oConst
ance.“
Sincewhendoy
ou
addr
essmewithmyname? ”
Sheslowl
yst
oppedsmi
l
ingandcl
ear
edhert
hroat
.
“Sor
ry.
”
“
Thatwasj
ustsex,
stayi
nyourl
ane.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Het
urnedandwal
kedoutdi
ali
ngLone’
snumber
.
“
Heybabe…”
“
Hey
…”
“
Iam br
ingi
ngy
oul
unch,
howi
swor
k?”
“
Worksf
ineandIwoul
dlov
esomel
unch,
thank
y
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Shegi
ggl
ed.“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”

*
***
*

Mi
guel
smi
l
edasRef
il
wewal
kedi
nsi
dehi
sof
fi
ce.
“
Ibr
oughty
oul
unch.
”
“
Thanks,
Ihav
en’
teat
eny
et.
”
Shewalkedf
urt
heri
nandpl
acedt
hel
unchonhi
s
tabl
e.
“Iwasthi
nki
ngthatmay
beweneedav acat
ion,y
ou
havebeenworki
ngsohardt
hepastmonths.”
“IknowbutIcan’
t,
Iam goi
ngt
oUKonFr
iday
,on
business.
”
“
Wecancomewi
th,
Ipr
omi
sey
ou,
wewon’
tdi
stur
b.”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Iwoul
dlov
ethat
.”
“
Ok,
nowIam exci
ted.
”
Shechuckl
ed.“
Iam exci
tedt
oo,
Ithi
nksomef
resh
ai
rwil
ldousgood.
”
“
Youar
eri
ght
.”
Hetookhisf
oodandbeganeat
ing.Hi
sPAknocked
andwalkedi
nsi
de.
“
Sir
,ther
eisapackagef
ory
ou.
”
“
Oh?
”
Shehandedhi
m aboxofCLI
VECHRI
STI
ANper
fume.
“
Youboughtt
hat
?”
Hel
ookedatherandsmi
l
ed.“
Yeah.
”
Hi
sphoner
angandheanswer
edwhi
l
eshest
ared.
“
Hell
o…y esIgotit
…Iwi
l
lbet
her
e.”Shewat
chedhi
m
l
augh.“
Ok, by
e.”
Hehungup.
“I
t’
sVi
nce,
hewant
sustomeetfordr
inks.
”Hestood
upandwal
kedr
oundt
oher.“
Iam sor
ryforyest
erday
,
IknowIhavebeensobusywi
thworklatel
yandhave
notbeenpayi
ngatt
enti
ontoy
ou.Iam sorr
y,It
hink
goingtoUKisgoi
ngtohel
pus.Il
oveyouandour
unbornbabygi
rl
.Youaremyworl
d.”
Refi
l
wetearf
ull
ysmil
ed.“
Someti
mesIf eell
ikey ou
don’
twanttobewit
hmeMi guel
,youbarel
yt ouch
methesedays.
”
“
Iam sor
ry,
it’
sjustt
hatbabeIf
eel
li
keIam pocki
ng
t
hebaby.
”
Shepausedt
henl
aughed.“
What
?”
“
Iswear
.Ial
way
sfeel
li
keIam poki
ngt
hebaby
.”
“
Idi
dn’
treal
i
zet
hat
’showy
ouf
elt.
”
Heki
ssedher
.“Yout
hinkIdon’
tmi
ssf
ull
yfucki
ng
t
hatpussy
?”
Sheblushed.“It
houghtmay
beIam unat
tract
ive,
I
am r
eallyfatt
hisdays.
”
“
Ilov
eyouandy
ouwi
l
lal
way
sbeat
tract
ive.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
“
Ihav
etogoandpr
epar
elunchf
ort
heboy
s.”
“
Ok.
”
Theykissedbef
oreshewalkedoutthi
nkingof
gett
ingsomesexynightdr
essforthetr
ip.

*
***
*

Const
ancehel
dherphonet
alki
ngi
nherbedr
oom.
“Menlikehi
m arerar
etofind,hewil
lspoi
lyou,j
ust
behaveyoursel
f,mat
teroffact,
pret
enditnever
happened.”
Shesi
ghedl
i
steni
ngt
ohercousi
n.“
Hei
sjustcol
d.”
“Ofcause,heoughttobecol
d,j
ustrel
ax.Somemen
areli
kethat,
attheendofthedayhewill
surel
ycome
back.
”
“
Iam scar
edofhi
swi
fe.
”
“
Hewi
l
ltakeouty
ourf
ami
l
youtofpov
ert
y.”
Shecl osedherey es.“
Idon’
twanttol
osemyjob,I
feell
ikehe’ sgoi
ngt ohavemefir
ed.Hewastur
ned
off,
Ican’ tbel
iev
eIhadsexwi t
hamar r
iedman,he
shoul
dhav
eseent
het
hingshedi
dtome.
”
“Iam sorr
ybutyouhavenochoice.Hei
sasoldi
er,
hebuy shiswi
feni
cethings,
imaginewhathewi
ll
buyyou.”
“
Ijustcan’
twai
tforv
arsi
ty,
IknowIwi
l
ldoal
otwi
th
t
hatP1600.”
“
Wellwhenisthatgoingtobe?I
twil
lbemont hs
f
rom now.Yourmotherneedsyou,
sinceyouruncl
e
l
osthisl
egs,youhavebeensuff
eri
ng,hashiswif
e
v
isi
tedther
eev enonce?”
“
Shel
efthi
m andt
ookev
ery
thi
ng.
”
“
Yousee?Yourbrot
heri
soutther
eget
ti
ngdr
unkso
j
ustbepat
ientandl
uret
hisman.”
“
OkGaut
a,by
e.”
Constancehungupandsighedsadly.Tear
sfil
l
edher
eyesasshethoughtoft
hesi t
uati
onbackathome.
Thiswasnotwhatshewant edtobe.Shethoughtf
or
awhilethenfi
nal
l
ycall
edhermot her
.
“
Conni
e,
”
“
Mama,
yousai
dIhav
esi
ster
s.”
“Yes,y
ourf atherhadanot herwomanandIdi dn’t
know.Ihady ourbrotherandy ouandt hat’swhenI
foundouthehadanot her.Hiswi f
ewascr azysoI
j
ustdecidedt ol eav
ehi m alone.Hisnamei sRi chard
Setso,Iknowwear est ruggli
ngatt hemomentbut
thi
ngsar elookingupatt hefarm soy oushoul dn’t
thi
nkabouthi m.Soony ouwillgotouni versit
yand
getadegr eet henwor k.Youwi ll
beabl et olookaf t
er
me.”
.
.
.
TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#71

Anay
awal kedinsi
deherhouselaterthatday
.Ivy
waslyi
ngont hewhit
ef l
uff
ycarpetstari
ngatthe
i
Padsolvi
ngsumsont hekid’
slearni
ngapp.
“LookwhatIdr
ewmommy…”Anay
atookt
hepi
ece
ofpaperwit
hapoordr
awi
ng.
“
That
’sni
cesweet
y,i
sthi
syou?
”
“
Yes.
”
Hermothercamef
rom t
heki
tchenandAnay
asmi
l
ed
sur
pri
sed.
“
Mama…”
“
Isenty
ournannyhomeear
ly.
”
“
It
’sok,
isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“Yes,
Ivywast el
l
ingmeaboutherf at
herbutwhat
surpr
isesmei sthatshesaysherf
atheri
salways
hereyetMigueli
smar ri
ed.”
Anay
asi
ghed.“
Shedoesn’
tmeanMi
guel
.”
“
Whodoesshemeant
hen?
”
“
Myboy
fri
end.
”
“
Yourboy
fri
end?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iwantt
oseehi
m.”
“
Mamawear
etaki
ngt
hingssl
owatt
hemeant
ime.
”
“
What
’ssoi
mpor
tantabouthi
m?”
“
Hei
slov
esme,
that
’swhatspeci
alabouthi
m.”
“
Whendi
dyoumeethi
m?”
“
Imethi
m awhi
l
eago.
”
“ButIt
hinki
twil
lbegoodi
fImeethi
m,j
ustsot
o
knowthekindofper
sonheis.
”
“
Iwi
l
ltel
lhi
m.”
“Ial
mosthadahear
tatt
ackt
hinki
ngy
ouwer
e
sneaki
ngwit
hamarri
edman.”
Shel
aughed.“
Miguell
oveshi
swi f
e,Idon’
tthi
nkI
l
ovehi
m anymore,t
omehei sjustI
vy’
sfather
.”
“
Iwant
edt
otal
ktoy
ouaboutsomet
hing.
”
Theysatdown.
“
Whati
sit
?”
“
Ihav
eagoodf
ri
end,
hei
sav
erygoodman.
”
Anay
auncomf
ort
abl
yst
aredathermot
her
.“Ok.
”
“Yes,
wehavebeentoget
herf
orf
ivey
ear
snowand
hewantst
osett
le.
”
Anay
acl
ear
edhert
hroat
.“Youwantt
ogetmar
ri
ed?
”
“Yes,Il
ovehi
m.Butaf
terLet
habof
ini
sheswi
th
school.
”
“
Wher
edoeshest
ay?
”
“
Hei
sfr
om Kany
e.”
“
Soy
ouwi
l
lbemov
ingi
nwi
thhi
m atKany
e?”
“Yes,that
’swhyIam say
ingwewi l
lgetmarr
iedaf
ter
Lethabofini
sheswi
thschoolbecauseheneeds
supervisi
on.
”
“Youhavegi
venupalotforus,
ify
oufoundyour
self
anoldmanwhomakesy ouhappythenIsaygofori
t.
Iwil
lst
aywit
hLethabo.
”
“
Idon’
twantt
obur
deny
ou.
”
“Lethaboismybr
othernotabur
den.Iwi
l
ltakei
n
Lethabo.”
“
Arey
ousur
e?”
“
Yes.
”
Hermot
hersmi
l
ed.“
Thanky
ou.
”
ShestoodupandwalkedtotheG-Wagonthendrov
e
offwhil
eAnay
asighed.Shecoul
dn’texpl
ainher
emot
ions.
“
IsSmuf
fyBearst
il
lcomi
ng?
”
Shel
ookedatI
vy.“
Yes,
hei
s.Iam goi
ngt
ochange.
”
Anhourlaterafamil
i
arcarpar
kedinsi
deAyana’
s
garage.I
vyjumpedupanddowni nherapr
oninthe
ki
tchencookingwit
hhermother.
“
Mommy
,it
’sSmuf
fybear
.”
“
Goandmeethi
m hal
fway
.”
Sheranoffwhi
l
eAnay at
ookoutherhomemade
pi
zzafrom t
heoven.
“
Mommy
,lookwhatsmuf
fybearboughtme!
”
Anayatur
nedtoIv
yint
heman’
sar
mshol
dinga
gl
it
ter
ingti
ara.
“
Wowbaby
,that
’sbeaut
if
ul.
”
I
vyki
ssedt
hemanandgotof
fgoi
ngt
oherr
oom.
“
Hey
…”
Hehuggedherki
ssi
ngherneck.“
Hey
,Imi
ssedy
ou.
”
Hi
sphoner
angandshemov
edbackst
ari
ng.
“
Hey
…yes…met
oo.Ok,
bye.
”
Heputhi
sphonei
nhi
spocket
.“Ihav
etol
eav
eear
ly
t
oday.
”
Anay
atookof
ftheapr
onandt
ookoutpl
ates.
“
Nay
a…”
“
Arey
ougoi
ngt
oeat
?”
“
Babe…”
Shetur
nedt
ohim.“
Howl ongwi
ll
Idot
his?Youar
e
put
ti
ngmydaught
erthr
oughalot
.”
“Il
oveyou,nodoubtaboutt
hatbuty
ouknowIj
ust
can’
tleav
e.”
“
Idon’
tli
ket
hishi
ding!
”
“
Ihat
eitt
oo,
youknowt
hat
.”
“
Sohowl
ongwi
l
lthi
sgoonf
or?
”
“
Itwi
l
lsoonbeov
er.
”Heki
ssedher
.“Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Iwantt
ogot
oMal
div
esi
slands.
”
“
Why
?”
“
Ichangedmymi
nd,
eit
herwayIt
hinkwehav
ehad
enoughofEurope,
lastt
imewewentt oPari
s.They
l
oveditbutIthi
nktheywil
ll
ovet
heI sl
andevenmore,
IoncetookIv
ytotheHawaaiani
slandandtrustme,
shehadablast.
”
“
Ok.What
every
ouwant
”
Shedi
shedf
ort
hem andhandedhi
m hi
spl
ate.
“
Vee!
”
Anaya’
smouthdroppedopenasIvywal
kedback
wear
ingadressandhermother
’sheel
swit
hmake-
upon.
“
What
?”
“
Ilookl
i
keapr
incessmommy
…”
Anayatr
iedtohol
ditinbutshebur
stoutl
aughi
ng
l
ookingatIv
y’sf
ace,shelookedmor
eli
keazombie
thanahumanbeingtheleast.
Themanli
ft
edI
vyup.“
Isn’
tshetooyoungt
obe
put
ti
ngonmake-
up?Sheevenhasredli
pst
ick.
”
Anay
alaughedev
enmor
eti
l
lherr
ibshur
t.“
Ohmy
God!
”
Hewal kedtothebat
hroom car
ryi
ngherassomeone
knockedont hedoor
.Anayacalmeddownand
openedt hedoor
.
“
Hi,
Iwant
edt
otal
ktoy
ou.
”
Herhear
tpoundedwhi
l
eshel
ookedatRef
il
we.
“
About
?”
“
CanIcomei
n?Iam nother
etof
ight
.It
’saboutI
vy.
”
Anayaswal
lowedandopenedthedoorwider
.She
walkedi
nandAnayafol
lowedaft
erher.
“Ij
ustwantedtosaydon’tyouthi
nkyouare
punishi
ngyourdaughterbyref
usi
nghertovisi
ther
fat
her?Shecan’tevenbondwithherbr
other
’s
becauseofthi
s.”
“
Ivywi
l
lvisi
tbutnowshei
ssti
l
lnotusedt
oMi
guel
t
hatmuch,maybeaft
erawhi
l
e.”
“I
fshevi
sit
sthenshecangetusedt
ohi
m.Idon’t
knowwhat’
syourprobl
em wi
thmebutIdon’
tthi
nk
i
t’
sfai
rforI
vyorMiguel
.”
Refi
lwe’
sey
esf
ell
ont
hej
ackett
hatwasont
he
couch.
“
Who’
sjacketi
sthi
s?”
Anay
atookt
hej
acket
.“Ihav
ecompany
.”
“
Thati
sthesamej
acketMi
guel
waswear
ingt
oday
.”
“So?Yourhusbandi
snott
heonl
ymanwhoowns
suchajacket
.”
Ref
il
wecl
osedhereyesthenopenedt
hem.“
Anay
a
whati
smyhusband’
sjacketdoi
ngher
e?”
“
Idon’
tknowwhatel
sey
ouwantf
rom me.
”
I
vywal
kedbacki
nwi
thnowacl
eanf
ace.
“
Mommy
,smuf
fybearsai
dIdon’
tneedmake-
up.
”
“Sweety
,goandpl
ayi
nyourr
oom,
letmet
alkt
o
Aunt.
”
“
No,
Ivy
,wher
eissmuf
fybear
?”
“Refil
westopharassingmydaught er,
it’
snotmy
faultyoudon’t
rustyourhusband.Thisjacket
belongstomyf ri
end,mydaught ercal
lshimthatpet
name, Idon’
tneedtoexplainthattoyou.”
“
Anay
athatj
acketbel
ongst
omyhusband!
”
“
Ivy
,goandpl
ay.
”
Shet
urnedandr
anbackt
owher
eshehadcome
fr
om.
“
Tel
lMi
guel
tocomeout
.”
“
Miguel
isnother
e.”
Ref
il
wesatdownfol
dingherar
ms.“
Iam notgoi
ng
any
wher
e,Iknowheishere.
”
“
Babe…”
Anay
atur
nedt
othef
oyerandsi
ghed.
“
Hey
,”
Refi
l
welookedatt
hemanandf
rowned.“
Oh…Idi
dn’
t
knowyou…”
“
HiRef
il
we.
”
Ref
il
wel
ookedatAnay
athenatt
heman.
“
Vince…Idi
dn’
tknowy
ouandAnay
awer
e…does
Miguel
know?”
“
It
’snonofhi
sbusi
ness.
”
Vi
ncewal
kedov
erandki
ssedAnay
a.“
Buty
oucan
goandt
ell
himi
fyouwi
sh,
thatwon’
tst
opme.
”
“
Shesay
sMi
guel
alsoownsaj
acketl
i
ket
his.
”
“Becauseweboughtt
hem t
oget
heront
hesame
day.”
“
Oh…Iam sor
ry.Ihav
etogetgoi
ng.
”
Shewal
kedoutcl
osi
ngt
hedoorbehi
ndher
.

*
***
*

Theodoracov eredhisfacecryingsit
tinginhercar .
Shesti
llcouldn’tbel
ieveit
,shewasHI Vposi ti
veand
al
sohadSTD’ s.Shewi pedawayhert ear staki
nga
deepbreaththenst eppedoutofhercar .Shemade
herwayinsideherhouseandsmi l
edst aringat
Loagosingingwi thhisfat
herwhi l
edanci ngaround.
Atearrandownhercheek, hewaspr obabl ygoi
ngto
l
eaveherandgobackt oMel ody.Thet houghtalone
ki
ll
edher.
Chr
ist
iant
urnedandl
ockedey
eswi
thhi
swi
fe.
“
Mama!Wear
edanci
ng.
”
Loagopull
edhermother
’shandandshejoi
nedin
si
ngingwit
hthem.Theymov edar
oundthehouse
l
aughingandsi
ngi
ng.
“
Youguy
sar
ehor
ri
blesi
nger
s.”
Chri
sti
anpi
ckeduphi
ssonlaughi
ng.“
Youdon’
t
soundanybet
tery
our
sel
f.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ochanget
henst
artondi
nner
.”
“No,t
odayIam t aki
ngy ouguysout,Iknowthi
ngs
havebeenhar dforyou,ofcausethepackagehas
beenhelpingaroundbuty ouareworkingsohardto
keepourlifest
ylegoi
ng.Buttodaylook…”Hepicked
upanenv elopefrom t
hetableandhandedittoher.
Shecuri
ouslyopenedi
tandtookoutt
hel
ett
er.Tear
s
fi
l
ledhereyesasshereadi
t.
“
Yougotaj
ob.
”
“
Yes,
Ihav
ebeenappl
yi
ng.
”
Theodor
acov
eredhermout
handcr
ied.Chr
ist
ianput
hi
ssondownandhuggedhi
swif
e.
“
Wear
egoi
ngt
obef
ine.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Don’
tapol
ogize,
youdidnot
hing.Iam goi
ngt
obuy
y
outhecaryouwanted.
”
Shest
eppedback.“
Idon’
tdeser
vey
ou.
”
“Iam t
heonewhodoesn’
tdeservey
ou,everyone
t
houghtyouweregoi
ngtoleav
emebuty oust ay
ed.
Goandchange,
Iam taki
ngourfamil
youttoday.
”
Theodor
awal kedtot hebedroom andl ookedather
ri
ng,nowall
shewant edwast otur nbackthehands
ofti
meandt akedifferentwisedecisi
onst hant
he
onesshehadt aken.Shet houghtofthebabyshe
hadabort
edandbr okedowncr ying.

*
***
*

Ayanafini
shedcooki
nganddishedupherdeli
cious
food.Sheputthepl
atesont
hecof f
eetabl
einthe
sit
ti
ngroom.Someoneknockedont hedoorandshe
l
ookedatt hebedr
oomswhereKarabowasdoi ng
somet hi
ngonhi sl
aptop,shemadeuphermi ndand
walkedtot hedooropeni ngi
t.Shelookedattheman
asherhear tskipped,shecouldst
il
lrememberhis
face,smellhisscent.Sometimesshedr eamtofit
,
herthroatcloggedast earsf
il
ledhereyes.
Helookedi
nhereyes,nowal
ert
.Heremember
edher
,
Ayanacoul
dseeinhiseyest
hathedi
d.
“
Babewhoi
sit
?”
Kar
aboopenedt
hedoorwi
derandsmi
l
ed.
“
Mal
ome…{
Uncl
e.}
”
Ay
anal
ookedatKar
abot
henbackatt
heman.
“Babet
hisi
smyuncleandmalomet
hisi
sAy
ana.
Shewil
lbethenextMr
s.Dav
id.
”
Theywalkedi nsidethehousewhileAyanawalkedto
thekit
chen.Herhear twaspounding,shenever
thoughtshecoul dmeethim againandseeinghim
fuel
edtheangershehadbeenhol di
ngdeepinsi
de
herheart.Shedishedonemor eplateandlookedatit
forawhile.May beshecouldpoisonhimtodeat h.
Sheopenedt hecar dboar
dstil
lshecameacr ossrat
poi
son,
itwouldn’
tki
ll
him,hewouldpr
obabl
yget
hel
pbut.
..sheputabi
tthenmixedt
hefoodt
oget
her
.
Shewal kedwi t
htheplatetothesi
tt
ingroom wher
e
theywer echatti
ng.Hesecretl
yeyedherasshesat
down.Fi nall
yshecouldn’
tdoitanymore,shest
ood
upsil
ent lyandwalkedtoKarabo’
sbedroom.She
tookoffhi st-
shi
rtandshortsashewalkedin.
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?Ar
eyouok?
”
“
Ijustr
emember
ed,
Ihav
eanexam t
omor
rowear
ly
i
nthemorni
ng.
”
“
What
?It
houghty
ousai
d-“
“
Ifor
got
.Ihav
etogo.
”
Shepickedherj
eansbuthesnat
chedt
hem.“
Youar
e
notgoinganywher
e.”
“
Kar
abost
opi
t.
”
“Isai
dyouarenotgoi
ngany
where.Youar
enot
goingtopl
aymindgameswithme.”
“
Idon’
twanty
ouany
mor
e.”
“
Stayt
hatonemor
eti
meandIwi
l
limpr
egnat
eyou,
andtr
ustme,
Iwi
l
ldoi
t,t
her
eisnot
hingst
oppi
ng
me.”
Hel
ookedt
hedoorandsl
i
dthekeyi
nhi
spocket
.
“
It
’seit
heryout
alkorImakey
out
alk,
Iseey
ouar
e
f
ullofj
okes.
”
Shecoveredherfaceandbr okedown,shecoul
dn’
t
beli
eveshewasi nlov
ewi t
hamanwho’ suncl
ehad
stol
enherinnocencefrom her.Kar
abohuggedher
ti
ghtl
y.
“
Babewhat
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Sheshookherheadt
ryi
ngt
ohol
ditt
oget
herbutshe
wasjustbr
eaki
ngapart
.
“
Ithur
ts…”Shecr
ied.“
OhGod…”
Sheputherhandoverherchest,
shewas
suf
focati
ng.Ther
oom hadsuddenlybecomet
oo
smallf
orher,t
hewall
swer ecl
osingi
nonherand
shewasdesperat
elytr
yingtokeepal
oft
.
“
Babe…”
Sheclosedhereyesasasharppai
nslashedthr
ough
herchest,
itwasasifhersoul
wasfight
ingi
t’
sway
outofherbody.Sl
owl
yshemel
tedi
nhi
sar
msf
all
i
ng
i
ntoadarkhole.

*
***
*

Theodorasmi ledasChr ist

iandrovehomewhi l
e
Loagopl ayedv i
deogamesatt hebackseatwi t
ha
hugegr i
n.Mi nut eslat
erChr i
sti
anparkedi nsidethei
r
yardandt heyal l st
eppedoutoft hecar.Insidethe
house,Chr i
stiansatwi thhissonwat chingspor ts
whileshewentt ot hebedroom.Shet ookof fher
heelsthenherphoner ang.
“
Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
“
Iam sor
ryaboutwhat
’shappeni
ng.
”
“
Myf
ami
l
yisgoi
ngt
ofal
lapar
t.
”
“Iam sorry,
mywi f
eandIhav
edeci
dedt
owor
kon
ourrelat
ionshi
p.”
“
Idon’
tgi
veaf
uck!Idon’
twanty
out
oo.
”
“
Good,
andshedoesn’
twanty
ouwor
kingatt
he
company
.”
“
Youcan’tj
ustf
ir
emewi
thoutanappr
opr
iat
e
r
eason.
”
“Iwi
llf
indareason,y
ouarethereasonmymarriage
hasfal
lenapartandi
fIremoveyoufrom t
he
equati
onmywi feandIwil
lbeabletomovefor
war d.
”
Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.“
Youcan’
tfi
reme,
Ineedmy
j
ob.”
“Ij
usthave.Iam goi
ngtodeleteandbl
ockyour
number,dot hesametoo.
”Isaachungupand
Theodoralaughedwit
hdisbeli
ef.
“
Theo,
arey
ouok?
”
Shet
urnedandl
ookedathi
m.
“
Ihav
esomet
hingIhav
etot
ell
you.
”
Hest
oodinfr
ontofher
.“What
?Itsounds
i
mport
ant
.”
“
Iti
s.”
“
Whati
sit
?”
“
I…Iam HI
Vposi
ti
ve.
”
Hel
ookedatherwi
thoutanyexpr
essi
on.
“
Itest
edt
oday
.”
“
Arey
ouser
ious?
”Hi
svoi
cewasf
lat
.
Theodoranoddedasat
earr
andownhercheek.“
I
am sorr
y.”
“Idon’
tcheat
,wher
edi
dyougeti
tfr
om?Ar
eyou
cheati
ng?”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Chri
sti
anmov
edbackshaki
nghi
shead.“
Youar
e
cheat
ing?
”
“I
twasami
stakeandi
tshoul
dn’
thav
ehappenedat
al
l.
”
Her
ubbedhi
sfaceast
ear
sfi
l
ledhi
sey
es.
“
Babecomeon…”
“
Iam sor
ry,
pleasef
orgi
veme.
”
At
earf
ell
andhet
urned.“
Why
?”
“
Ijustwant
edt
okeepmyj
ob.
”
“
Soy
oucheatwi
thy
ourboss?
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Mor
etear
sfel
lfr
om hi
sey
es.“
Theodor
a…”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Hewalkedoutofthebedr oom whi
leshesatonthe
bedcryi
ng.Chri
sti
anwalkedbackinsidet
her oom a
secondlat
erhol
dingakitchenknif
e.Shequickl
y
stoodup.
“Igi
veyoumyal l
,Idoev
erythingforyou.I
abandonedmykidsforyou,l
ef tt
heotherwomanf
or
you,wentagai
nstmyfamilyforyou.”
Sheputherhandst
oget
her
.“Iam sor
ry,
wecanwor
k
thi
soutbabe.
”
“
Isthatwhyy ouhavebeendist
ant
?Allt
heworking
l
ateshit
,itwasaliewasn’
tit
?IsLoagoevenmine?”
“
Loagoi
syour
s,Iswear
.”
“
Howl
onghast
hisaf
fai
rbeengoi
ngon?
”
“
Chr
ist
ianpl
ease…”
“
Howl
ong?
”Heshout
ed.
“
Sixmont
hs.
”
Chr
ist
ianr
aisedt
hekni
fewal
ki
ngt
owar
dsher
.

*
***
*

Anay alayonthecouchwatchingaNetf
li
xcomedy
showwhi l
eeati
ngherpopcorn.Shel
aughedstar
ing
atthescr eent
henherphonerang.Shel
azil
yreached
foritandanswered.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Anayahel
pme!Hei skil
l
ingme!Hel pme!”
Theodorascr
eamedt hent hecallcutoff
.Shef ell
off
thecouchpanicki
ng,hermi ndwor kedoverti
meas
sheranoutsi
dewi t
hhercarkey s.Shegoti nhercar
dial
i
nghernannywhi lepressi
ngthegat eremot e.
“
Hel
l
o…”
“Tat
enda,canyoupleasegotomyhouse,Ihavean
emergencyandIjustl
eft
.Veeisal
onesl
eeping.
”
“
Yes,
Iwi
l
lgonow.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
ShedroveoffheadedtoTheodora’shouse,shehad
cal
ledheracouplemonthsbackj ustchecki
ngupon
herwhenTheodorahadinv i
tedhertoherhousef or
l
unch.Halfanhourlat
er,
shepar kedthecarinfront
ofTheodora’
sgateandsteppedout .Ther
ewer etwo
pol
icecarsandanambul ance.Anayarantoapol i
ce
off
icer
.
“
Hi,
myf
ri
endwasi
nsi
det
her
e,i
ssheok?
”
Thepoli
ceof
fi
cerl
ookedather
.“Whoi
syour
fr
iend?
”
“
Theodor
a,t
hef
emal
ewhost
aysher
e.”
“
Oh,shehasbeenr
ushedtoPr
incessMar
ina
Hospi
tal
wit
hstabwounds.
”
“
Howbadi
sit
?”
Thepoliceoff
icersighed.“
It
’sbadmysi st
er,her
husbanddidapar tyonher,heslashedheracross
thefacewithaknife.”
“
Whatabouthi
m?”
“Hehunghimsel
f,t
heyhavetakenhimtot
he
hospi
tal
,bot
hareincr
it
icalcondi
ti
ons.
”
“
Ther
eisachi
l
d.”
“Oh,t
heneighborwhocal
ledt
hepol
i
cehashi
m.I
am surey
oucant akehi
m.”
“Iwi
ll
comebackf
orhi
m,r
ightnowl
etmegot
othe
hospi
tal
.”
“
Okmysi
ster
.”
Anayagotinhercaranddr oveheadedt ot he
hospi
talwit
hapoundi nghear
t.Shewasf eeli
ng
anxi
ous,l
ikesomet hingbadwasgoi ngtohappen.At
Pri
ncessMar inashesati nthewaiti
ngar eawai ti
ng
fort
hedoct or.Shet ookoutherphoneandt hought
ofcal
li
nghermanbutr ememberi
ngt hatshehad
vowedtoher selft
hatshewoul dn’t
,sheputher
phonedownandsi ghedwai ti
ng.Overanhourl at
er
thedoct
orf i
nallycameoutoft hetheaterr oom.
Anayaquicklystoodup.
“
Theodor
aMwanza’
scl
osef
ami
l
y?”
“
Yes,
howi
sshe?
”
Thedoctorsadlyl
ookedatAnay
aassheshookwi
th
fearandanti
cipat
ion.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#72

“Theodorasuff
eredaseverestabwound,shewas
bleedi
nginter
nall
ybutwehav emanagedtostopthe
bleedi
ngbutsher emai
nsinacr i
ti
cal
condit
ion.We
aregoingtoobservehert
hroughthenight
,sheisi
n
coma.”
Anayasighedwi
thr
eli
ef.“
ThankGod!Whatabout
herhusband.
”
“
Hei
sfi
ne.
”
“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”
“
It
’sok,
justdoi
ngmyj
ob.
”
“
CanIseeher
?”
“
Yes,
shehasbeenmov
edt
oawar
d.”
MinuteslaterAnayawasl ooki
ngatTheodor awho
waslayunconsci ous.Thebandageonherf ace
madet earsfil
lhereyes,shewonderedwhathad
happenedf oritt
ogett othi
s.SheheldTheodora’
s
handandsi ghed.

*
***
*

Theodora’
sneighborlookedatLoagowascry
ingf
or
hisparent
s.Shedidn’
tknowwhatt odowit
hhimjust
yet.Herhusbandwalkedinandpausedst
ari
ngat
Loago.
“
Whati
sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Ther
ewasaf
ightnextdoor
,thi
sist
hei
rson.
”
“
Whati
shedoi
ngher
e?”
“It
ookhim whenthepoli
cecame,hewasj
ustcr
ying.
Thehusbandstabbedthewif
eandhunghi
mself
.”
“
Andwhatdoest
hathav
etodowi
thusMar
aledi
?”
“
TebogoIcoul
dn’
tjustl
eav
ehi
m.”
“Whatdoyoumeany
oucoul
dn’
tjustl
eav
ehi
m?I
s
heyourchi
ld?
”
Maraledi
shookherhead.“
Cany
oust
opi
t,y
ouar
e
scar
ingtheboy.
”
Loagocri
edev enharderannoyingTebogothathe
walkedoverandgavehim ar esoundi
ngslapthat
thr
ewhim strai
ghttothegroundwi t
haloudthud
whil
epeeingonhimsel f
.
“
Tebogo!
”
Loagoscr
eamedasMar
aledi
putherhandov
erher
mouth.
“
Tebogo,
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Sher
ushedov
ert
ohi
m andpi
ckedhi
m up.
“
Bot
hofy
ou,
getout
!”
Maraledi
tear
full
ylookedatherhusbandandqui
ckl
y
walkedoutknowingwhathewascapabl eof
.She
st
oodbyt heroadholdingLoago’
shand.
“
Loago,
Iam sor
ry,
stopcr
ying.
”
“
Ma-
ma…”Hesobbed.
Sheclosedhereyesnotsur
eofwhattodonext
expecttaki
nghi
mt othepol
icest
ati
on.Acarpar
ked
i
nf r
ontofthem andshehel
dLoago’
shandsteppi
ng
back.Aladyst
eppedout.
“Hi
,mynameisAnaya,Iam Theodor
a’sf
ri
end,
I
cametocol
l
ectherson.”
“
ThankGod!
”
“
Thanky
ouf
ort
aki
ngcar
eofhi
m.”
“
It
’sok.
”
Anayat
ookLoago’
shandandledhi
mtothecar
whil
eMaral
ediwal
kedbacki
nsidet
hehouse.
.
“
Loago,
stopcr
ying…”
“
Mama…”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
ltakey
out
omama.Onl
yify
oust
opcr
ying.
”
Theli
tt
leboyputhi
shandoverhi
smout
htr
yingt
o
hol
dhissob.Anayasadl
ysmil
ed.
“
Good,
nowgeti
n.”
Sheopenedthebackdoorf
orhi
m andhecl
i
mbedin.
Shenoti
cedhiswetpant
sthencl
osedt
hedoorand
gotinthefrontseat
.Shedrovetoherhouseandin
minutes,sheparkedandhelpedLoagoout.They
walkedinsidethehouseandfoundTatenda
watchingTV.
“
Hey
,thanky
ouf
orcomi
ng.
”
Tat
endasmi
l
ed.“
It
’sok.
”
“Iwi
llpayyouf
orover
ti
me. ”Shetur
nedandl ooked
atLoagowhonowhadhi ccups.Herheartski
pped
asshelookedatt
hehandpr i
ntofherface.
“
Loago,
whosl
appedy
ou.
”
“
Theman…”
“
Whatman?Daddy
?”
Heshookhi
shead.“
Juj
u’
sdad.
”
Anay
aputherhandov
erherwai
st.
“
Tat
endacany
oupl
easebat
hhi
m.”
“
Yes.
”
Tatendatookhishandandledhimt othebat
hrooms.
Anayaknewi twastheneighbor
’shusbandand
thoughtofrepor
ti
nghim butshedidn’
twanttobe
i
nvol
vedi
nsuchdr
amas.Hepr
obabl
ybeathi
swi
fe
t
oo.

*
***
*

Rachelsatonthetoi
l
etseatstar
ingatthepregnancy
testwhil
eherhear
tpounded.Shelookedattheone
l
inethenthefai
ntl
inethatsl
owlyappeared.Shetri
ed
standi
ngbutherkneesweakenedast earsdropped.
“OhGod…Iam pr egnant…”Shesupport
edhersel
f
wit
ht hewall
sandwal kedoutofthebathr
oom tothe
bedroom whereKennethwassleeping.
“
Ken…”
Sheshookhi
m.“
Kenwakeup.
”
“
Rachel
whati
sit
?”
“
Iam pr
egnant
.Iam pr
egnantKen.
”
Heopenedhi
sey esandlookedatherasshehanded
hi
mthepregnancytestst
ick.Heswit
chedonhis
si
del
ampandst aredatthetwoli
nes.
“
Babe…ar
eyouf
orr
eal
?”
Shenoddedcr
ying.“
Iam pr
egnantKen.
”
Hejumpedof
fbedthenswi
tchedt
hemai
nli
ghtand
st
aredatt
hetwol
inesagai
n.
“
Shi
t!Wear
ereal
l
ypr
egnant
.”
“
Yes…”
Hepul
l
edheri
nhi
sar
mswhi
l
eshecr
iedt
ear
sofj
oy.
“
Mymom i
sgoi
ngt
obeov
erj
oyed.
”
Rachelsi
lent
lycr
ied,
whatshehadbeenpr
ayi
ngf
or
wasfinal
l
yhappening.Godhadanswer
edher
pray
ers.

*
***
*

Thefol
lowi
ngmorni
ngRefi
lwefixedcoffeefor
Miguelast
heboy
satethei
rbreakfastchatt
ing
l
oudly.
Mi
guel
wal
kedi
nsecondsl
ateri
nhi
ssexysui
tand
fi
stbumpedhi ssons.Ref i
lwel ookedathisbroad
chestt henhisshoul der
s.Thewayhewal kedturned
heron, itwasn’tjustawalkbutawal kt
hat
demandedat tention.Hefl
ashedasmi l
eatQui ncy
whof istbumpedwi t
hhim,fuckitwasthatsmi leof
histhatalway sweakenedher .Shewasinlovewi th
thi
sman, hewasherhusbandbutal sohercrush.
Shef eltmoret hanluckyhavinghim ashers.He
turnedt oherbutshequi ckl
yl ookedawayblushing.
Hehuggedherf
rom behi
nd.“
Hey
…”
“
Hey
…Imadey
oucof
fee.
”
Shet
urnedandhandedi
ttohi
m.
“
Thanks.
”
“
YesterdayIwentt
oseeAnay aconcer ni
ngIvy,I
wantedtomakeherunderstandt hatIwoul
dn’thur
t
I
vyinanyway .I
twi
llbegoodi fshecamewi thtoUK,
i
twouldgiveyouti
met oreal
lybondwi thher
.”
“
Idon’twanttof
ightAnaya,
IseeIvydur
ingsome
weekends,i
t’
sbett
erthannothi
ng.
”
“
Yeah,
any
way
sIf
oundVi
ncet
her
e,I
vycal
l
shi
m
somef
unnyname.
”
Mi
guel
lookedather
.“What
?”
“
Theyar
einar
elat
ionshi
p.”
Mi
guel
puthi
scof
feedown.“
Whatdoy
oumean?
”
“
Isawt
hem t
oget
her
,heev
enki
ssedher
.”
“
Anay
ali
kesunder
mini
ngme.
”
“
Look,l
et’
sdeal
wit
hherwhenwecomeback.Ther
e
i
snothi
ngwrongwi
thhermovi
ngon.
”
“
Wit
hmyf
ri
end?
”
“Ofcausenotbuty oucan’
tcontrolwhoshedecides
tomov eonwith.Unlesssheisdoingittogetbackat
youforareasonunknown.Tal ktoVince,heisa
goodguysoatl eastyoudon’thavetowor r
yabout
anyonemolesti
ngy ourdaughter
.”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.
”
“Iknowi tprobablyhurt
st hatIvymi ghtcal
lanother
manDaddybuti feverAnay ahast ogetmar r
iedto
Vince,Iseenot hingwrongwi thit.Weshould
approacht hismat t
erwithcare,ifVinceisinforthe
l
ongruntheni
twil
lbewi
sei
fyouandhi
m ar
ein
goodbookswi
theachot
her
.”
Mi
guel
kissedhercheek.“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Hebidtheboysgoodbyeandwalkedout
.Shet
ook
herphoneandcal
ledherf
ri
end.
“
Dianeyouwon’tbel
iev
e,Anay
aissleepi
ngwit
h
Miguel
’
sfri
end.Iam pr
ett
ysureshethi
nksbydoi
ng
t
hatMiguelwi
llcomebacktoher.
”
“
Whatev
ert
hecasemi
ghtme,
itshoul
dn’
tbot
her
y
ou.
”
“
Iam notbot
her
ed.I
vyev
encal
l
shi
m smuf
fybear
.”
“Wow!Ok,
Ididn’
tex
pectt
hat
.Sowhati
sMi
guel
goi
ngtodo?”
“
Idon’
tknowbutIwantustodeal
wit
hthei
ssue
whenwecomebackfrom t
heUK.”
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
oUK?
”
“
Yes,
Iam soexci
ted.Ihav
en’
tfl
ownouti
nawhi
l
e.”
Di
anel
aughed.“
Idon’
tknowhowapl
anel
ooksl
i
ke
wi
thmyowney
es.
”
“
Don’
twor
ry,
onedayi
soneday
.”
“IknowandIjustcan’
twait
.Sodi
dyouspeakt
ohi
m
aboutthebusi
nessidea?
”
“
Ifor
got
,Iwi
l
ltel
lhi
mtoni
ght
.”
“Ok,
don’tf
orget,
Saronaal
readyf
oundapl
acet
o
openthebouti
que.”
“
Sar
ona?
”
“Yes,t
heladyIwastel
l
ingy
ouabout
,Iam meet
ing
herforl
unchtoday
.”
“
Ohok.
”
“Pl
easepleasedon’
tfor
get.It
hinkthi
swi
l
lwor
kout
,
Ihaveareall
ygoodfeel
ingaboutit
.”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungupast
heschool
bushoot
edout
side.
“
Guy
s,l
et’
sgo,
graby
ourbags.
”
*
***
*

Col
l
eenparkedhercarbythef
il
li
ngstat
iont
alki
ng
ont
hephonethenswitchedof
ftheengi
ne.
“Ij
ustwanttogetmarr
iedNaya,
IfeelIhavebeen
wait
ingfort
oolongandTshepojustdoesn’
twantto
doit.
”
“Iknowlov
ebutIthi
nkyoushoul
dsi
thi
m downand
explai
nhowyoureal
lyf
eel
.”
“Ihav
eexplai
nedtohi
mf ort
helastf
ivemonths,he
saysheseesnothi
ngwrongwit
hourar r
angement.
”
“
Doesheev
enseey
out
womar
ri
edi
nthef
utur
e?”
“
Idon’tt
hinkso.Hisexcuseisthathi
sexwife
t
reatedhim badandhedoesn’twanttogothr
ough
t
hatagain.Igethi
spoint,
Ireal
lydo,I
anputme
t
hroughal otbuty
oudon’tseemehol di
ngback.
”
“
Iam sor
ryl
ove,
whatdoy
oupl
ant
odonow?
”
“Idon’tknow.”Shesteppedoutoft
hecarast
hef
uel
attendantapproachedher.
“
P300pet
rol
.Swi
ping.
”
Shel
ookedathert
ir
esl
i
steni
ngt
oAnay
a.
“Ireall
ydon’ tknowt hebestwayt oadv isey oubut
thear rangementofcohabi ti
ngi sof f
, youar e
practicallyraisinghisdaught er,mat teroff act,y
ou
arebehav i
ngashi swife,doingev erythingf orhi
m.
Somemangener al
lytaketimet omar ryandsome
doi tther eandt her
e, y
ounev erreall
yknow.May be
thef i
rstt hi
ngy oushoul ddoi smov eout ,andstart
yourownt hing.Col l
eenhowl ongdoy oui ntendto
wor kforsomeoneel se?It’
sbeenf i
vey earsandy ou
arest i
ll workingi nthesameof f
ice.Star taside
hust l
e, Tshepoopenedal awf i
rm.St artsomet hing
smal l
, i
twi llgrow. ”
“
Notev
ery
onei
sgoodatopeni
ngbusi
nesses.
”
“
Howwi
l
lyouknowi
fyounev
ert
ri
ed.
”
Col
leengotbacki
nhercarasthefuel
attendant
gav
ehertheswipi
ngmachine.Shepushedhercard
i
nandputherPIN.
“
Iam scar
edoff
ail
ure.
”
“
Weal
ll
ear
nfr
om ourf
ail
ures.
”
Thef
uel
att
endantsmi
l
edandgav
ebackt
hecar
d.
“
Anay
ayourbusi
nessnev
erf
ail
s.”
“Doyouknowhowmanyt i
mesIappliedforatender
withmycat eri
ngcompanyandgotreject
ed?ButI
nevergaveup.I fIt
ell
youIwasaFinance
accountantmanagerbutli
vedinasimplebachelor
padwoul dyoubel i
eveme?Someti
mesy ouhav eto
makesacr i
ficesandtaker
isks.
”
Shesi
ghedst
art
inghercar
.“Iheary
ou.
”
“
Howi
sAngel
?”
“Sheisfi
ne,
shei
slonel
y,y
oushoul
dbr
ingI
vyt
ovi
si
t
again.
”
“
Iwi
l
l,l
ookIhav
etogo,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Ok.
”
Sheputawayherphoneandeasedt hecartot
he
shopentranceandst eppedoutrushi
nginsi
de.She
pickedsomeCl or
etst henpai
dandwal kedout
.She
foundtwocar sparkedbehindherashercarblocked
otherscr
eatingtr
affi
c.
“Sorry…”Sheshout edandjumpedinhercaralr
eady
driv
ingof f.Shejoi
nedtheroadanddrovetothe
traf
ficlightwhichchangedtoredt
henstopped.A
carstoppedbesi deshersandthedri
verrol
l
eddown
hiswi ndow.
“
Hi,
excuseme!
”
Coll
eentur
nedandlookedattheman, herheart
ski
ppedasshelookedatthewhitemanwhol ooked
l
ikeChri
sEvans.Hi
sAmer icanaccentmadeher
nerv
ousl
ysmile.
“
Hi.
”
“
UhhIam l
ost
.”
Coll
eensmil
ed.“Ther
eisabusst
opaf
tert
her
obo-
tr
aff
icli
ght
.Let
’sstopther
e.”
“
Ok.
”
Assoonast hetr
affi
cli
ghtt
urnedgr
een,shedrove
tothebusstopandheparkedbehi
ndher.Whilehe
steppedoutofhi
scarwalki
ngtowardshers,
Coll
een
brushedherEngl
ish.
“
Hi,
Iam sor
rybutIam v
eryl
ost
.”
“
Wher
ear
eyouheaded?
”
“
Kal
evi
ew.
”
“Ohhok.”Shest
eppedoutofhercaranddi
rect
ed
himtr
yingtomakethi
ngsassimpleasshecould.
“
Arey
ousur
eyouwi
l
lgett
her
e?”
“
Icer
tai
nlyhopeso.
”
Shelookedathi
shandsomeface.“
May beyou
shoul
dt akemynumber,j
usti
ncasethenyoucanal
l
me.”
“
Thatwi
l
lber
eal
l
yhel
pful
,thanky
ousomuch.
”
“
It
’sok.Youar
enotf
rom her
ear
eyou?
”
“No,Iam actual
lyvi
sit
ingmybr ot
her
,hej
usthadhi
s
secondbaby .Iwantt
osur pr
isehi
mthat’
swhyI
didn’
ttel
lhim Iwascomi ng.
”
Shechuckl
ed.“
Isee,
buti
sity
ourf
ir
stt
imeher
e?”
“No,
it’
sactual
lymyfour
thti
met hat
’swhyIt
houghtI
coul
dgettherewit
houtanyhel
p.”
Theybot
hlaughed.“
It
’sok,
youcansti
l
lsur
pri
se
hi
m.”Shetookoutherbusi
nesscar
d.
“Youcancal
lmeont
hisnumber
.Byt
heway
,Iam
Coll
een.
”
Hesmiledandshesuckedashar
pbreathf
ight
ing
nott
oaskhimifbychancehewasrelat
edtoher
cel
ebri
tycr
ush.
“
Bry
anHender
son.Thanky
ousomuchCol
l
een.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Shegotbacki
nhercarandimmedi
atel
ydr
oveof
f
tr
yingt
ogether
sel
ftogether
.

*
***
*

Ayanaslowlyopenedherey
esandlookedar
ound
thehospit
alroom,herey
esfel
lonKarabowhogave
herasweetsmi l
e.
“
Hey
…”
Shebl
inkedacoupl
eoft
imes.“
Howl
onghav
eIbeen
her
e?”
“
Twoday
s.”
Herey
espoppedout
.“What
?”
Kar
abosmi
l
ed.“
Justl
astni
ght
.”
“
ThankGod.
”
“Thedoct
orsai
dyouj
usthadasev
erepani
cat
tack
butyouar
eok.”
Shelookedathi
mremember
inghi
suncl
e.“
Ihav
eto
go.
”
Shegotofft
hebedandst
art
edsear
chi
ngf
orher
cl
othes.
“
Cany
ouwai
t…r
elax
.Ispoket
oyourl
oudf
ri
end.
”
“
Kar
aboIhav
etogo.
”
“
Ayana,
Iwi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
f.
”
Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.“
No.no…st
ayawayf
rom me.
”
Karabograbbedher.“
Iam notplay
inggameswit
h
you,youaregett
ingonmyl astner
veswit
hyour
chi
ldishbehavi
or.
”
“Youruncl
erapedme!
”Shescr
eamedpushi
nghi
m
off.
Kar
abof
rownedconf
used.“
What
?”
“
Herapedme, Iwasonl
yachild.Stayawayf r
om me,
y
ouandt her
estofyourf
amily
, stayawayfrom me!
I
fyoutouchmeagainIwil
lcal
l thepol
ice.
”
.

[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#73

ADayLat
er…

Refi
lweturnedeverythi
ngupsi
dedownsearchi
ng
forherpasspor
tSaturdaymorni
ng.Herhear
t
poundedasshel ookedthr
oughthecl
oset.
“
Babehav
eyouf
oundi
tyet
?”
ShelookedatMiguel
andshookherhead.“
Itst
ays
wit
hmyt rav
ell
i
ngdocuments,Idon’
tknowwherei
t
i
s.”
“
It
’sbeent
imesincethel
astt
imey
ouusedi
t,may
be
y
oujustmispl
acedit
.”
Shesi
ghedt
ear
ful
l
y.“
Ican’
tfi
ndi
t.
”
“
Didy
oucheckundert
hebed?
”
“Idi
d,t
her
eisnothi
ng.Iev
encheckedt
heboy
sroom.
Therei
snothi
ng.
”
“
Int
hest
udy
?”
Shewalkedoutheadedtothestudythenst
art
ed
l
ookingthr
ough.Minut
eslatershesatdownastear
s
randownhercheeks.Miguelwalkedi
n.
“
Ourpl
anel
eav
esi
nthi
rt
ymi
nut
es.
”
Shecov
eredherf
acebr
eaki
ngdown.
“
Hey
,don’
tcr
y…”
Hehuggedher
.“Wecancancel
.”
“Butt
hisisabusi
nesst
ri
p,y
ouhav
etogo,
theboy
s
areexci
ted.
”
“
Wil
lyoubef
ine?
”
Shewi
pedawayhert
ear
sandf
orcedasmi
l
e.“
Yes,
I
wi
l
lthor
oughl
ylookf
ori
t.
”
“
Ilov
eyou,
arey
ousur
eyouwi
l
lfi
ne?
”
“
Yes.Iwi
l
lbef
ine.
”
Hekissedher.“
Iam sorry
, Iwi
l
lmakeaplanforus,
whenIcomebackIwi l
lorgani
zeourownpriv
atetri
p.
Wenev erwentforourhoneymoon.Wewillgothen.
Youcanchooseanypl aceofyourchoi
ce.
”
“
Iwi
l
l.Youguysshoul
dgetgoi
ng.Won’
ttheybot
her
y
outhough?
”
“
No,
wewi
l
lbef
ine.It
ookt
hem wi
thl
astt
ime.
”
“
Ok.Iwi
l
lsi
gnanaf
fi
dav
it.
”
Minut
eslater,shestoodbythedoorasMi guel
packedthei
rbagsi ntheboot.Shelookedathissexy
backtr
yingnott ocry,
shehadpl annedalotfort
hem.
Shecouldalreadyfeelthel
oneli
nesscreepin.
Theboysj
umpedinthecarasMiguel
wal
ked
towar
dsherandgav
eherabr i
efki
ss.
“
Iwi
l
lcal
lyouoncewel
and.
”
“
Ok.Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Lov
eyout
oo.
”
Het ur
nedandgoti nthecarthendroveof
f.She
walkedbackinsidethehouseputti
ngherhandover
hermot hcr
ying.Shehadbeenl ooki
ngfor
wardto
thi
st r
ipsomucht hatthepainshewasfeeli
ngwas
toomuch.Herphoner angandsheanswered
sobbing.
“
Fif
i,whyar
eyoucr
ying?
”
“
DianeIcan’
tfi
ndmypasspor
t.
”
“
What
?”
“Ican’
tfi
ndi
tandMi
guel
isgone.Godwhydoest
his
hurtsomuch…”
“
Don’
tcr
ylov
e,Iam onmywayt
her
e.Iwi
l
lhel
pyou
l
ook.
”
“
Thepl
anel
eav
esi
nat
hir
tymi
nut
es.
”
“
Iam coming,
looki
ntheki
tchencardboar
ds,
Ihav
e
ahabi
tofputt
ingmythi
ngsther
e.”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandl
ookedi
ntheki
tchencar
dboar
ds
buttherewasnot
hing.Shelookedundert
he
couchesagai
nandgotupf i
ndingnothi
ng.Mi
nut
es
l
aterDianewal
kedinsidet
hehouse.
“
Hav
en’
tfoundi
t?”
“Yes,
Isweari
twaswi
thmyot
hert
rav
eli
ng
document
s.”
“
Didy
oucheckundert
hemat
tress?
”
Theybothwalkedtoherbedr
oom andlif
tedher
heavymatt
ress,notfi
ndi
nganyt
hingtheywenttot
he
boy’
sroom andlif
tedeachmatt
ress.
“OhGod!Ther
e!”Ref
il
wer
eachedf
ori
tunder
Juni
or’
smattr
ess.
“
See?Nowl
et’
sgot
otheai
rpor
t.
”
Ref
il
welookedatthet
ime.“
Theboar
dingt
imeends
i
naf ewminut
es.”
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Dianegr
abbedRefi
lwe’
sbagwhil
eRefil
wetookher
handbagandtheybot
hwalkedoutl
ocki
ngbehind
them.
Theygotinthecarandimmedi
atel
yDi
anespedof
f
whil
eFif
idialedMiguel
’
snumber.
“
It
’sof
f,dr
ivef
ast
er.
”
Dianesteppedev enmor eontheaccel
erat
or.
Minuteslatertheyrushedinsi
det heai
rpor
t,
Refil
we’sey esfel
latthescreens.Theboardi
nggate
forherplanewer ealreadycl
osed.Tearsfi
l
ledher
eyes.
“
Theboar
dinggat
eisal
readycl
osed.
”
“
Can’
twebegt
hem orsomet
hing?
”
Fi
fishookherhead.“
No,oncet
heboar
dinggat
eis
cl
osed,ther
eisnothi
ngy
oucando.”
“
Youcangetanot
herpl
aner
ight
?”
Shenoddedthenr
ushedtot
heinf
ormati
ondesk.
“Goodmorni
ng,whenist
henextf
li
ghtt
oSA?”
Thel
adysmi
l
ed.“
Atni
nei
ntheev
eni
ng.
”
Di
anepul
l
edherf
ri
endi
nherar
mswhi
l
eshecr
ied.
“
Fif
i,don’tcr
y.Look,Iam sur
eMiguelwoul
dhave
l
ongar r
ivedwiththekids,
hewil
lcal
landarr
angefor
yourf
li
ghtti
ckets.Iam surehewillbedel
i
ghtedto
fi
ndthatyoufoundy ourpasspor
t.Let’
sgoback
home,noneedt ocry.”
“
Ok.
”
Ref
il
wewipedawayhert
ear
sandt
oget
hert
hey
wal
kedoutoft
heair
port
.

*
***
*

Coll
eensetupbreakfastwi
thasmi l
e.Ev
er yt
hing
l
ookedperfect
.Shelookeddownatherdr ess,she
l
ookedbeautif
ul,
herheartpoundedasshet hought
ofwhatshewasaboutt odo.AngelandPeoj oined
hernowinsimil
ardressesashers.
“
Mommy
,shoul
dwedoi
tnow?
”
“
Yes,
goandwakehi
m up.
”
Theybothr
anoffwhil
eshewal kedtothespeakers
andplay
edEdSheeran-t
hinki
ngoutloud.Shesmi l
ed
whenTshepowalkedinwit
haconf usedexpressi
on.
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?Wher
ear
eyouguy
sgoi
ng?
”
Coll
eencl
osedherey
esandwentdownonherknees
taki
ngoutt
heri
ng.
“I
t’
snotev erydayt hi
shappensandt odayIreall
y
don’tcareifthismakesmel ookdesper at
e.Ilove
you,thelastfiveyearshav ebeent hebesty earsof
myl i
fe,youar ethecenterofmyl i
feandIcan’ t
i
magi nemyl i
fewithouty ou,Iknowy ouhav ebeen
hurtbefore,Ijustwanty outol etmei n,l
etmel ove
you.Iam Col l
eenandy ouhav enev erbeenmar ri
ed
tome, Iwantust otakeal eapoff ai t
h,wil
lyoudo
met hehonorofmaki ngmeMr s.Obakeng? ”
Tshepolookedatthekidswhowerewai t
ingi
n
anti
cipat
ionforhi
sresponsethenf
inal
lysmil
ed,
Peo
wasev enholdi
ngaphonet aki
ngavideo.
“If
eelembar
rassedr
ightnow,
Ihav
ebeenholdi
ng
back.Thi
swassupposedtobemeproposi
ngnot
you.
”
Coll
eenstaredathim whi
l
eherheartpounded,
she
hadn’
treal
lythoughtofwhatshewasgoingtodoi
f
hesaidno.Sheswal l
owedalumponhert hr
oat
t
ryi
ngnott
owor
ryaboutt
hat
-fornow.
“Iwil
lmarr
yyou.
”Hef
inal
l
yrespondedandshe
sighedget
ti
ngup.
“
Gody
ouscar
edme.
”
Hekissedhertaki
ngt
her
ingf
rom hert
henputi
ton
herf
inger.“
Ilovey
ou.
”
Thegi
rl
scheer
edast
heyki
ssed.
“
Ok,
Imadebr
eakf
ast
.Comel
et’
seat
.”
Theywal
kedt
othet
abl
eandset
tl
ed.
“Ev
er ythi
ngl
ooksdel
i
sh!
”Peosai
ddi
shi
ngf
or
herself
.
“
Wil
lyouf
ini
sht
hat
?”
Col
l
eenl
aughed.“
Letherbe.Eatbaby
.”
“
Mommy
,canIal
sohav
eev
ery
thi
ng?
”
“
YesAngi
e.”
Thefami
lyat
ehappil
ychatt
ing.Afterdi
nner
,Tshepo
cl
ear
edevery
thi
ngupwhileColleenansweredher
ri
ngi
ngphonewalki
ngtothebedroom.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,It
’sBr
yan.
”
“
Ohhi
,di
dyoumanage?
”
“Yesthanky
ou.Uhhmybrot
heri
shav
ingasmall
part
y,Iwasthi
nki
ngmay
bewecangot oget
her
.”
“
OhIcan’
t,
myf
iancéandIwi
l
lbebusyt
oday
.”
“
Youar
eengaged?
”
“
Justgotengaged.
”
“
Congr
atul
ati
onsi
nor
dert
hen.
”
“
Thanky
ou,
Ihopey
ouenj
oyy
ourt
imeher
e.”
“
Iwi
l
l,by
e.”
Hehungupandshesi ghedlooki
ngattheri
ng.She
snappedaf ewpict
uresandupdatedherstat
uson
What sAppthenupdatedherprof
il
epi
ctureon
facebook.
Herphoner
angi
mmedi
atel
y.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,congr
atul
ati
ons!
”
“
ThanksMaggi
e.”
“
Weshoulddol
unchsomet
ime,
reki
ndl
eour
f
ri
endshi
p.”
“
Iguess,
Iwi
l
ltel
lyouwhenIam f
ree.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
ShehungandopenedherWhat
sAppmessages.
Kesa:Tsenawenamoghel!Yaanongreemetse
l
enyal
o.Ican’twai
ttoseeyouonMondayatwor k
{Yougogirl
,nowwearewaiti
ngforthewedding.
}
Col
l
een:
Thanksl
ove…
Resego:
CousiIam sohappyforyou,
final
l
yyouget
towearthatbl
uegermandress.
”
Col
l
een:
Ican’
twai
tfort
hatmoment
.
Refi
lwe:Congrat
ulat
ions,
youar
egoi
ngt
obea
beauti
fulbr
ide.
Col
l
een:
Thanky
ou.
Sher
epl
i
edmor
emessagessmi
l
ing.
*
***
*

MarangsatinfrontofherTVwithheri
cecream t
ub
watchingTheRiverepi
sodesshehadrecor
ded
duri
ngt heweek.Herphonerangandsheanswered
star
ingattheTV.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Hey,
soRy anthoughtwecoul
ddoal
i
ttl
e
cel
ebrat
ionforNeil
.”
“
Butheonl
yaf
ewweeksol
d.”
“IknowbutRy
na’
sbr
otheri
sher
eandhehast
ogo
back.”
“
Oh,
Isee.
”
“
Canyoucomeover
.Thel
i
ttl
epar
treal
l
ysuckswhen
wear
ejustf
our
,”
Mar
angsmi
l
ed.“
Ok.Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Thanks,
youcanbr
ingJayal
ong.
”
“
Hewentwi
thhi
sfat
hert
oUK.
”
“
Ohy
es,
ok,
Iwi
l
lwai
tfory
ou.
”
“
Shoul
dIbr
ingany
thi
ng?
”
“
No,
justy
our
sel
f.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shegotupandwentt oherbedroom whereshe
changedintoajeanandt-shi
rtt
henwentout .A
whilelat
ersheparkedhercarbehindLayl
a’sand
steppedout.
“
Hey
!ThankGody
ouar
eher
e.”
Mar
angsmi
l
edandhuggedher
.
“
Thanksf
ori
nvi
ti
ngme.
”
“
Come…”
Layl
aledhertothebacky
ardwhereherhusbandand
brot
herwheretoget
herwit
hthei
rsixyear
sold
adoptedReese.
“
Babel
ookwho’
sher
e.”
Ryantur
nedandsmi
ledatMarang.“
Hey
,sogl
ady
ou
coul
dmakeit.
”Hehuggedher
.
“
Wel
l
,coul
dn’
tmi
sst
hishugepar
tyf
ort
hewor
ld!
”
Theybothlaughed.“
Thi
sisourf
riendandLayl
a’
s
workmate,MarangandMarang,
that’
sBryan,
my
youngerbr
other.
”
Marangshift
edherey
est oBry
anandsuckedina
br
eath.Fuck!Di
dhehavet ol
ookli
keChri
sEvans?
Getitt
ogetherMar
ang,actnormal
.Shesmil
ed.
“
Nicemeet
ingy
ou.
”
Heshookherhandandshegaspedatt
hespar
k.She
bl
inkedacoupl
eofti
mesandsteppedbackwi
thher
hand.
“
Likewi
se.
”Hi
svoi
cewaswar
m.
“
Aunt
y!”
MarangturnedtoReeseandpi
ckedherupmov
ing
hercur
lyhairf
rom herf
ace.
“
Heyl
ove…”
“
Thebabyi
shuge!Hel
i
kescr
ying-al
ot.Hei
stoo
l
oud.
”
Mar
angchuckl
ed.“
Becausehei
sababy
,babi
escr
y
al
lthet
ime.
”
“
Hedoesn’
tli
kepl
ayi
ng.
”
“
Soonenoughhewi
l
llov
epl
ayi
ng.
”
“
Real
l
y?I
vysai
dbabi
esdon’
tpl
ay.
”
“
Whoi
sIv
y?”
“
Mybestf
ri
end.
”
“Don’
tlethergetontheI
vyi
ssue,shewil
lnev
er
stop.
”Laylawhisper
edandshelaughed.
“
Ok,
wel
ltel
lIv
yIsai
dhi
.”
“
Iwi
l
l.
”
Mar
angputherdownandr
ecei
vedagl
assofwi
ne
f
rom Lay
la.
“
Thanks.Whydoeshel
ookl
i
keChr
isEv
ans?
”
Layl
alaughed.“Ir
eal
l
ydon’
tknow.Hei
sagoodguy
andheloveskids.
”
“
Doeshehav
eone?
”
“No,
notatthemoment
.Hejuststar
tedasof
twar
e
company,
heisreal
l
ysmar
ty ouknow.”
“
Noneedt
osel
lhi
m outt
ome,
Iam r
eadysol
d.”
Sheturnedt
ohim andcaughthi
m st
ari
ng,
embarr
assedshel
ookedaway .
“
Ishesi
ngl
e?”
“Yes,
hisl
astr
elat
ionshi
pwast
woy
ear
sagowi
th
someghettowhore.
”
“
Sohest
aysi
ntheUSf
ull
time?
”
“
Yes.Ther
ear
ejobst
her
etoo.
”
Maranglaughed.“
Youareamazi
ng,
ohGod,
hei
s
comingover,doIl
ookok?”
Lay
laki
ssedhercheek.“
Youl
ookwonder
ful
lov
e.”
Shewal
kedof
fasBr
yanappr
oachedher
.
“
Howdoesitf
eel
bei
ngadoct
or?Ihav
eal
way
s
wonder
ed.
”
Shesmi l
ed.“Ithasit’
sdaysIguess.Somet i
mesi t
feelsamazing,wheny ousav eal i
fey
ougett hi
s
feeli
ng,t
hisjoy,Ican’
tevenexpl ai
nit
,thenwhen
tragedyhappens,it’
sdepressingbutIhavelear
ntnot
toblamemy sel
f.Myment oral wayst
oldmei fyou
di
dyourbestthenyoushoul
dn’
tfeelmuchgui
l
ty,
it
wasprobabl
ybeyondyourcont
rol
.”
“
Wow!That
’sdeep.
”
“
Iknow.Sav
ingpeopl
eismypassi
on,
what
’sy
our
s?”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Pai
nti
ng.
”
“
Youar
eanar
ti
st?
”
“
It
’sapar
tti
met
hingbuty
es.
”
Mar
ang’
sphoner
angandshet
ooki
tout
.
“
Mama?
”
“
Mar
ang,
yourf
ather
…”
Mar
ang’
shear
tski
pped.
“
Whathappenedt
ohi
m?”
“
Hei
sgone.
”
“
Mama…”
Hermot herbrokedownasMar anghel
dthephone,
emoti
onless.Shecouldn’
tmakeoutasingl
ethi
ng
any
mor e,t
hewor dsrepeat
edthemsel
vesinherhead
asheentir
ebodyshiv er
ed.
*
***
*

Theodor
a’sey
esf
il
ledwi
thtear
sasshest
aredather
motherwhowasweepi
ng.
“
MamaIam f
ine.
”
“
Thi
smanal
mostki
l
ledy
ou.
”
“
Idi
dthatt
ohi
m.”
“
Hewant
edt
oki
l
lyou.
”
“
Mama,
please,
wher
eisLoago?
”
“Anursesai
dshewoul
dwai
twi
thhi
m,hei
snot
al
lowedinhere.
”
“
Isheok?
”
“Anayai
st heonewhoboughtmeati
ckety
ester
day
sothatIcancomehere.Shewast
aki
ngcareof
him.”
“
ThankGod.
”
Twopol
i
ceof
fi
cer
swal
kedi
nandhermot
herst
ood
up.“Goodaft
ernoon,
wear
eher
etoasky
ouaf
ew
questi
ons.
”
“
Mama,
youcanwai
tout
side,
letmet
alkt
othem.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shewal
kedoutasTheodor
afacedt
hepol
i
ce.
“
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Ok,
whathappened?
”
“
Ithi
nkmyhusbandandIwer
eat
tacked.
”
Thet
wopol
i
ceof
fi
cer
slookedather
.“What
?”
“
Ithi
nkwer
eat
tacked.
”
Oneoft
hepol
i
ceof
fi
cerchuckl
ed.“
Ishet
hreat
eni
ng
you?
”
“
What
?”
“I
she?Ifso,youdon’
thav
etobescar
ed.Wear
e
heret
oprotectyou.
”
“
Wher
eishe?
”
“
Inpol
i
cecust
ody
,hewon’
ttal
kbuty
ourst
atement
al
onewi
l
lsendhi
m st
rai
ghtt
ojai
l
.”
“
Ithi
nkwewer
eat
tacked.
”
“
Lookmam…”
“Wehadjustgott
enbackfr
om celebrat
ingmy
husband’
sjobandwejustrel
axed,that
’sal
lI
remember,ther
esti
sblur
ybutIthinkwewer e
att
acked.
”
“
Sot
heyhunghi
mtot
her
oof
?”
“
Hewashungont
her
oof
?Isheok?
”
“Youar enotmakingsense,doyoureali
zethatwe
canact ual
lyarr
estyouformisl
eadi
nginformati
on
andwi thhol
dingcruci
ali
nfor
mationforthe
i
nv est
igati
on.”
Theodorasi
ghedandlookedatthem.“
Look,Idon’
t
rememberwhathappened,every
thi
ngi
ssti
ll
blurry
butmyhusbandwouldnev erhur
tme.Weloveeach
otherandwearever
ymuchhappy .
”
“Whatifheactual
l
yki
l
lsy
ouaf
tert
his?Iknowhe
stabbedyou.
”
“
Idon’
tknowwhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ngabout
,Ial
ready
t
oldy
oual
lIknow.
”
“
Hav
eyouseeny
our
sel
f?”
Shelookedatthepoli
ceoff
icerastearsdropped.“I
l
ovehim, hei
smyl i
fe,hewouldneverhurtme, Iam
tel
li
ngyou,It
hinkwewer eatt
acked.Idon’t
rememberanythi
ng.”
Thepol
icejot
teddownherst at
ementandwal
ked
out
.Shereachedforherphoneandcall
edal
awyer.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
am Ispeaki
ngt
oTshepoObakeng?
”
“
Yes,
who’
sthi
s?”
“MynameisTheodor
aMwanza,myhusbandhas
beenar
rest
edandweneedalawyer
.”
“
Ok,
wecansetupanappoi
ntmentf
orMonday
.”
“
Hecan’
tsl
eept
her
eforanot
herni
ght
.”
“I
t’
sweekend,theyar
enotgoingt
orel
easehi
m.We
canmeett omorr
owanddiscusst
hecasebutIdo
chargeconsul
tat
ionf
ee.
”
“
It
’sok,
Iwi
l
lpay
.”
“
Ok,
howaboutt
omor
rowat9a.
m?”
“
Finewi
thme.
”
“
Ok,
wewi
l
ltal
kMr
s.Mwanza.
”

*
***
*

LaterthateveningRef il
wesighedsi tt
ingonthebed,
shewasst il
l wai t
ingforhi
scall,shehadalready
spokent othet ravel
ingagent,shewasgoi ngto
l
eav etomor r
owmor ni
ng.Shecoul djustpi
ctur
ehis
happiness,thinkingaboutitshebl ushedal
one.
Herphoner
angandshej
umpedanswer
ing.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Fif
i,comeandopent
hegat
e,Iam al
readywai
ti
ng.
”
Shef
rowned.“
Mama?
”
“
Yes,
comeandopen.
”
Shewalkedtothesi
tt
ingroom andopenedthegate.
secondslat
erhermotherwal
kedinwithherbag.
“
Fif
i…”
Theyhuggedf
oramomentt
henwal
kedt
othe
couches.
“
Mama,
isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“Icametolookaft
eryou.Ispoketoy ourhusbanda
weekagoandhehadal r
eadyarrangedtransportf
or
me.Youar e8monthspr egnant
,youshouldn’tbe
alone.Wherear
ethekids?”
“
Theyt
rav
ell
edwi
tht
hei
rfat
her
,Iam al
sogoi
ng
t
omorr
ow.”
“Youar
eeightmonths,
thi
sisacruci
alst
age,y
ou
can’
taf
for
dt obetr
avel
li
ngatthemoment.”
“
Mama…”
“
Showmet omyr oom,Iam t
ir
ed, Iwasdeal
ingwit
h
y
oursi
ster
’spr
egnancy.Shei
spr egnant
,againand
y
ettoanot
herfat
herl
essbaby.”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#74

Anay aslowl yopenedherey esandsi ghedl istening

tot hewav es.Slowlyshegotof fbedandwal kedt o
thebal conyopeni ngt hesl i
dedoor s.Shel ookedat
theendl esst urquoisebl uewat erf rom thepav i
l
ion
builtinwat er.Itwassopeacef ul andser ene.She
wal kedbackt oherphonewhi chwasconnect edt o
theWi Fi andsnappedaf ewpi ct uresoft heskybl ue
wat er.Mi nuteslatershewal kedoutoft heshower
andchangedi ntoherbl uebi kini andsnappedaf ew
mi rrorsel fi
es.Sheputonherdr essandsandal st hen
wal kedoutt othebui ltwoodedpat hwhi chwentt o
theshor e.Shel ookedatt hebi cy cleandgr abbeda
not ewhi chwasont hecar r
ier.Wi t
hasmi lesher ead
i
tt henl aughed.Ok, shewasn’ taboutt ot aket hat
ri
sk, shehadnev erlov edbicy cl esf rom thatone
singl eti
meshef ell
inherchi ldhood.She
remember edjusthowshehadbl edcr yi
ngi npai n
thenl ookedatt hebi cycleonel astt i
me.Shewal ked
backt ot hepav i
li
onandt ookoft hedr ess.Aknock
ont
hedoormadehersmi
l
e.
Sheopenedt
hedoor
.
“
Yourbr
eakf
astMsAnay
a.”
Shelett
hestaf
fwalkinwit
hherbr
eakf
ast
,she
si
ghed,whatabreakf
ast
.
“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”
“
Enj
oyt
hef
ood.
”
“
Cer
tai
nly
.”
Sheclosedthedoorandtookamuff
inbeforet
aking
apictur
e.Sheuploadedacoupl
eofpi
cturesonher
whatsappstat
ust henr
ecei
vedawhatsappcal
lfr
om
Col
leen.
“
Hey
…”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Iam sur
roundedwi
thbl
uewat
ers.
”
“
Iwi
shIwer
eyou.
”
“
Keepwishi
ngdar
li
ng,maybenextt
imey
ouwi
l
lfi
nd
y
oursel
fint
heMaldi
vesI
slands.
”
“
Ipr
oposed.
”
“
What
?”
“
Yeah,
Ipr
oposed.
”
“
Arey
oubei
ngser
iousr
ightnow?
”
“
Yeah.Hesai
dyes.
”
“
Iam sohappyf
oryou.Ir
eall
yam.Somet
imesy
ou
j
usthav
etodoityour
self
.”
Coll
eenlaughed.“
Iknowwhaty
oumean.Iwasso
scar
ed.”
“
Wel
lnowwewai
tfort
heweddi
ng.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oleav
ether
estupt
ohi
m.”
“
Iam pr
oudofy
ou.
”
“
Iam pr
oudofmy
sel
ftoo.
”
Shehear
dthedooropeni
ng.
“
Hey
,Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Miguel
trav
ell
edwi
tht
heki
dssur
pri
si
ngl
y.
”
Anay
afr
owned.“
Oh.
”
“Yeah,
toUK.Hecalledmebeforeheleft
.Ar
ey ou
surehedidn’
tgetl
ostandmist
akenlywentwit
hy ou
toMaldiv
es.YouknowIam all
foryou.”
“
No!Not
hingl
i
ket
hat
.Iam wi
thI
vyandmynew
man.
”
“
Oh,
youmov
edon?
”
“
Yeah,
yourbr
otheri
smar
ri
ed.Ihadt
oacceptt
hat
.”
“
Isi
tser
ious?
”
“
Iam happy
.”
“Iwon’
tli
e,Iam adisappoi
ntedbutatt
hesamet i
me,
Iam happyforyou.Ij
usthopewhoeveriti
sisnot
taki
ngadvantageofyou.”
“
No,
Ilov
ehi
m.Ihav
etogo,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Ok.
”
Anayahungupf
eel
i
nghandshuggi
ngherf
rom
behi
nd.Shesmi
l
edknowi
ngl
y.
“
Whowast
hat
?”
“
Afr
iend.
”
“
Who?
”
Shel
aughed.“
Myex
’ssi
ster
.”
“
Youhav
est
art
ed.
”
Shel
aughedev
enmor
e.“
Iam bei
nghonest
.”
Hewassi
l
entf
orawhi
l
eki
ssi
ngherneck.
“
Youl
ovei
t?”
Shetur
nedandsmi l
ed.“
Imor
ethanl
ovei
t.I
t’
s
beaut
if
ul.Thanky
ou.”
Hepul
l
edheri
nforaki
ss.“
Ilov
eyou.Iam sor
ry.
”
Shelookedinhiseyes,
hewasconf
li
cted.“
Iam
scar
edt oo.Iwonderwhathewi
l
ldowhenhef i
nds
out.
”
Heki
ssedherfor
ehead.“
Iwil
lhandl
eit
.Iam scar
ed
f
orwhatIam wil
l
ingtodoforourl
ove.
”
“
Soam I
.”
“
Imanagedtogetussometi
meal
one,
Iam gl
ad
t
her
eisplayar
eaforki
ds.
”
Hepi
ckedherupwhi
l
eshewr
appedherl
egsar
ound
hiswai standki ssedherheadi ngtot hebathr oom.
Heputherdownsl idinghishandunderher
night dressandt ouchedhershav edsmoot hpussy .
Hecur sedf eeli
ngherwar mth.Her ubbedhercl i
t
kissingherasshemoanedsof tl
yslidingherhand
i
nsi dehi ssweat pantsandsl owlystrokedhi m.He
pausedandt ookof fhernightdresst henturnedher,
shet ouchedt hesinkst i
ckingoutherbut t.Het ook
outhi sdi ckandpushedt hroughherpussyl ips
sinkingdeepi nsi
deher .Anay aclosedherey es
feelinghi sdickeverywher e,shestoodst i
lltakingli
ke
abi ggi r
l.Hegent lytappedherwhi leshemoaned
l
ooki ngatt hemi rror.
Hegr abbedherhairmakingherlookupatt hecei
li
ng
thenstart
edreal
lyfuckingherwiththatfl
exi
blewaist
ofhis.Anayacouldfeeleverydeepstrokeashe
dri
ll
edher ,
shewasn’tgoingt omove,shecouldn’
t
knowingwhatwoul dhappeni fshepushedhim back
j
ustabi tsoshecanbr eathe.Sl
owlysheclosedher
eyesfeeli
ngthepleasure.
Hepulledouthi
sdi
ckandtur
nedheraroundpi
cki
ng
herup.Helookedi
nherey
esashefil
ledherup
agai
nwhi
l
eshewhi
mper
edsof
tl
y.
“FuckIl
ovey ouwoman! ”Hegruntedinherearthen
poundedintoher.Anay adughernailsonhisbare
backashet appedt hesweetspotdeepi nsi
deher.
Shemoanedev enlouderasshebegancummi ng.
Miguelf
uckedherf orsev er
alminutesthenfi
nall
y
rel
easedinsi
deherf il
li
ngherupwi thhisthi
ckload.

*
***
*

Ayanalayont
hebedhol
dingherbookreadi
ng.Lal
ah
walkedwit
hfr
eshchi
psandfatcakes.
“MafreshlemagwinyaaMmaJamonat i,ebi
l
e
gompi enoker
eki
leamansi.{
MmaJ’sfr
eshchipsand
fatcakesaredel
i
cious,
todayIev
enboughtalot
.}
”
Ayanalookedatherwi
thafaintsmi
l
e.“
Iam not
hungr
y,youcanputmineinthemicr
owave.
”
Lal
ahgrabbedt
hebook.“Iam sur
eyourbr
aini
sti
red.
Youhav
ebeenr eadi
ngnonstop.”
“
Idon’
twantt
ofai
l
.”
“
Iknowbuty
ouneedt
oeat
.”
“
Iam nothungr
y.”
Lal
ahsighed.“
Whathappenedtoyouwast ragi
c,I
can’
tsayIunderst
andwhatyouwentthroughbut
youcan’
tgoonl i
kethi
s.Weneedtoreportthi
s
man.”
“
Ijustwantt
oputi
tbehi
ndme.
”
“
Whatifher apesanothergi
rl
?Heisar api
standhe
won’
tstop.Hedeser vestohav
ehisdickcut.I
fyou
r
eporthimtheny ouarenotonl
ygett
ingjusti
cefor
your
selfbutforothergi
rl
stoo.
”
Ay
anasi
ghedt
ear
ful
l
y.“
Ithur
ts.
”
“IknowandIam her
efory
ou.Putony
ourshoes,
we
arerepor
ti
nghi
m.”
Ayanadr
essedupandwalkedoutwi
thLal
ah.
Toget
hertheywal
kedt
othepoli
cest
ati
on.
“
IjustsawAnay
a’sst
atus,
wher
eisshe?
”
“
ShewenttoMal di
veswi
th…“shepausedand
l
ookedatLal
ahwhowasl ooki
ngatherwit
hher
mouthwideopen.
“
What
?”
“
Wit
hIv
y.”
“
Ihear
dyou.
”
“
ButIdi
dn’
tsayany
thi
ng.
”
“
Iknowwhatyouwereaboutt
osay
,whydi
dn’
tyou
t
ell
metheygotbacktoget
her
?”
“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
“
Iam notgoingtotel
lany
one,y
ouknowIam all
for
t
hatr
elati
onship,
butwhendidtheygetback
t
oget
her?”
“
Anayaisnotbackwi
thMi
guel
ift
hat
’swhaty
ouar
e
t
hinki
ng.
”
Lalahtookoutherphoneandopenedal
lAnay
a’s
status.
“
Wow!
”
“
Shehasanewboy
fri
end,
stopt
alki
ngnonsense.
”
Mi
nut
esl
atert
heyar
ri
vedatt
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
*
***
*

Kar
abodr
ovei
nsi
dehery
ardt
alki
ngont
hephone.
“
Arey
ousur
eshest
aysher
e?”
“
Yes,
shest
ayst
her
ewi
thherf
ri
end.
”
“
Okt
hanks,
Iwi
l
lewal
l
ety
out
hemoney
.”
“
Sur
e.”
Hehungandst
eppedoutoft
hecar
.
“Ok,Ay
anaIswearIdidn’
tknow, Il
oveyouandI
wouldneverhur
tyou.Asformyuncl e,
heisgoi
ngto
getwhathedeservesandIwill
makesur eofi
t…fuck!
SoundslameKarabo.”Herubbedhisface.
“Ayana,Il
ovey ou.Ididn’tknowthatyouwereonce
viol
atedorthatitwasmyuncl ewhodi dit
.Il
oveyou
somuchIwoul dnev er….GreatKarabo!Yout
alki
ng
toyoursel
fnow.Justgr eat!
”
Helookedatthedoorthenwal
kedtowardsi
tand
knocked.Somethi
ngtoldhi
mther
ewasnoone.He
knockedagainandwaitedf
orawhil
ethensi
ghed
andgotbackinhiscar
.Hewoul
dwai
tev
eni
fit
meantwait
ingforthewhol
eday
.
Karabotookouthi sphoneandst art
edplayi
ng
AsphaltSteetst
ormt opasst i
meby .Overanhour
l
aterhehear dchatti
ng,heputawayhi sphoneand
steppedoutoft hecar.Helookedathisgirl
,shewas
beauti
fulespecial
lywiththatcor
nroll
,heradress
thathuggedherf i
gure.Shelookedathim with
i
nnocencet hatalwaysweakenedhi m.
Herf
ri
endl
ookedathert
henhi
m.
“
Wil
lyoubeok?
”
Ayananoddedthent
hefri
endwalkedt
othedoor
whichsheunl
ockedandsteppedi
ntheone
bedroomedapart
ment.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
Helookedatherandsi
ghed.“IswearIdi
dn’
tknow,
hadIknowIwouldn’
thavebroughthimtomy
house.
”
Sheshr
ugged.
“
Babecomeon,
don’
tbel
i
ket
his.Ay
anaIl
ovey
ou,
I
underst
andy
ourr
eacti
onandheisgoingt
opayf or
whathedidt
oyou.Canyounotpuni
shmef orwhat
hedid?”
Shefol
dedherarms.“Iam notpuni
shi
ngy
ou,
go
backtoyourgi
rl
fr
iend.
”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Arewest
il
lont
hat
?”
Sherol
l
edhereyes,heratt
it
udewasj
ustat
urnon
andhefoughtt
okeephisdickinl
i
newhenal
lhe
want
edwast ofuckher.
“
Idr
oveal
l t
hewayheref
ory
ou,
pleasedon’
ttel
lme
i
twasal
lfornot
hing.
”
Shelookeddownsil
entl
yandheputhi
shandson
herwaistpul
l
inghercl
oser
.
“
Babe…”
Her ai
sedherchinandlookedinhereyesfil
l
edwi th
tear
s.Hertearsweakenedhim completel
y,t
hepai n
i
nherey eswasv i
sibl
e,hecouldalmostfeeli
t.He
huggedhertight
ly,
hewi shedtherewassomet hi
ng
hecoulddot omakeherf eelbet
tert
hanwhathehad
alr
eadydone.Onceshewasqui ethepull
edherin
t
hecarandst
art
edt
heengi
ne.
Shesni
ff
edwi
pingherf
ace.“
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
”
“
Foradr
ive.
”
Her
ever
sedoutoft
hey
ardanddr
oveaway
.
“
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
Pol
i
cest
ati
on.Ir
epor
tedhi
m.”
“
That
’sgood.CanIgety
ouI
ceCr
eam?
”
Shesmi
l
edabi
t.“
Yes.
”
Heparkedt
hecarbyahawkerandst
eppedout
.
Minut
eslat
erhest
eppedbacki
nthecarwi
thher
cone.
“Youshoul
dhaveboughtt
heonei
nacup,
Ihat
ethi
s
one,i
tmelt
stoofast
.”
“
Thenl
i
cki
t.
”
Shebl
ushedt
aki
ngheri
cecr
eam.
“
Oshyy
aanong?{
Youar
eshynow?
}”
“
No.
”Shel
ickedheri
cecream andhi
sdirt
ymind
i
magi
nedt
hattongueonhisdi
ckwiththosesof
t
handsonhi
m.FuckKar
abo!Cont
rol
it.
Kar
abo’
sphoner
angandheanswer
ed.
“
Yah?
”
“
Didy
ouf
indher
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Takei
teasywi
thher
.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Elegor
eot
engho?[
Isshet
her
e?}
”
“
Yes.
”
Bamelaughed.“Whydidn’
tyousayany t
hing?
Anywayswewi l
ltal
klat
er,onemorething,your
uncl
ewasf ounddead.Withhispr
ivat
esmi ssing.I
t
seemsasifhewast ort
uredsomucht hathedi ed.
”
“
Oh…”
“
Ihopey
oucl
eanedt
hatcar
,Idon’
twantst
ori
es.
”
“
Wewi
l
ltal
k.”
Heputhisphonedownandfl
ashedAy anaan
i
nnocentsmil
e.Awhil
elat
erheparkedunderabi
g
t
reeandl
ookedather
.
“Idon’twanttoplaythi
sratandmousegame
anymor e.I
t’
seitheryouar
ewi t
hmeornot,i
fyouare
thennomor erunni
ngaroundinci
rcl
esort
hatfunny
shit
.Itstopstoday.I
fyouarenotl
etmeknowsoI
cangiv eup.
”
Ayanalookedathi
m andsi
ghed.“
Arey
oua
cr
iminal?
”
“Dependsony ourdefi
nit
ionofcri
minal
.ButIam not
goingtodiscussthatwit
hy ouunl
essyouaremy
gir
lfr
iend.
”
“
Don’tyouthi
nkIneedt
oknowwhatIam get
ti
ng
myselfi
nto?”
“
Youwi
l
lknowoncey
ouar
eini
t.
”
“
Iam scar
ed,
youseem t
obei
nshadybusi
ness.
”
“
Whati
fIam?
”
“
Idi
dn’
tsayany
thi
ng,
Ionl
ywantt
oknow.
”
Hechuckledatherchil
dishnesswonderi
ngifi
twas
wort
hit.Hecouldgroom herbutwasi tr
eal
l
yworth
i
t?Hisphonerangagainandhepi cked.
“
Babecanwet
alk?
”
“
Iwi
l
lcal
lyoul
ater
.”
“Karabopl
easedon’
thur
tme,
Ilov
eyou.Whatam I
doingwrong?”
Hesi
ghed.“
Iwi
l
lcal
lyou.
”
“Il
oveyouandIam notgoi
ngany wher
e.Wewi
l
l
shareyouift
hat
’st
hecase,Iam notgoi
ng
anywhere.
”
“
Wewi
l
ltal
k.”
HehungandlookedatAy
anagi
vi
ngup,
thi
swasj
ust
t
oodrai
ningnow.
“
Whower
eyout
alki
ngt
o?”
“Youarenotmywomansoy oucan’
tbeaski
ngme
suchquesti
ons.Iam dr
oppi
ngyouatyourhouse,
I
havetogoback?”
“
Whyar
eyousoi
mpat
ient
?”
“BecauseIam sickandt
ir
edoft
hisgames.Iam t
oo
grownf ort
hatshit
.”
Shel
eanedov
erandsnat
chedt
hecarkey
sfr
om t
he
i
gni
ti
onthengotoutoft
hecarandthr
ewt hem away.
Hel
ookedatherindi
sbel
iefget
ti
ngoutofthecar.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
“
Youwantt
ogobackt
oyourwhor
e?”
“
Anay
aoskabat
lagont
ena!{
Don’
tannoyme.
}”
“Youarenotgoingany whereandIam notgoi
ngt
o
l
etyoucontrolmear ound.Iwil
laskquest
ions
becauseIcanandy ouwi l
lanswerme!”
Hechuckl edlookingatherthengrabbedherar m
andpushedheragai nstthecarwithherbackonher
thenpushedupherdr esswhil
etakingoutacondom
from hisbackpocket .Hetookouthi sdick,sli
dt he
condom onandpushedherl egsapar twit
hhi sleg
pul l
ingherpanti
esasi deandrammeddeepi nside
her .Shescreamedandhei mmediat el
yputhi shand
ov erhermout h.
“
Youar
emaki
ngnoi
se.
”
Heeasedoutandpushedinsi
deheragai
nasher
l
it
tleti
ghtpussyhuggedhi
mti
ghtl
y.Hegroanedi
n
herearenj
oyingherwarmt
handtheti
ght
ness.Thi
s
hadtobethebestpussyev er
.Hepull
edoutand
bendedherexposingt
hatenclosedf
atpussy.He
point
edhisdi
ckatherentranceandsqueezedin,
str
etchi
ngherti
llhewasbur i
eddeepinher
.
“
OhGod…Kar
abo…i
thur
ts…”
Heignor edherthenbeganwit
hslowstrokes
watchingherpussyt akeal
lhi
sdick.Ay
anatri
ed
str
aighteningherbackbuthepushedherdown
enj
oy i
ngt hevi
ew.
“
Kar
abo,
let
’st
akeabr
eak…Iam t
ir
ed.
”
Hercut ev
oicewasamaj ortur
nonandt hef actthat
shewasscar edofhi sdick.Hewasgoi ngtogi veit
tohergoodt hatwhenhewasdonewi thher,she
woul dbebeggingforit.Withdeli
berat
eslowness, he
blessedherwi t
hgentlestrokesthatshestarted
moani ngi
npl easur
er el
axing.Herjui
cesgreasedhi s
dickthenheincreasedt hespeed.Sheclosedher
l
egssqueezinghi mint henhehel dherwaistand
reall
ypanelbeatthatpussywhi l
eshemoaned.
Ayanacl
osedhereyesf
eel
ingthepl
easure,
she
pushedagai
nsthi
m.Herkneesweakenedasher
bodybeganv
ibr
ati
ng.
“
Awwwwwshi
i
it…”
Shemeowedasherbodyspasmed.Her
odeher
wavet
henpul
ledoutandopenedt
hebackdoor
.
“
Geti
nandl
i
edown.
”
Sheweakl yst eppedi nsi
dehiscarandl ayont he
seatbreathinghar d.Karabogr abbedherlegst i
l
lonly
herupperbodywasl y i
ngont heseatwhi l
eherass
wasint heai r
.Heputherl egsonei t
herofhis
shoul
dert henpr essedhi sdickinsi
deherst r
etching
heragainasshemoanedsof tl
y.Hecompl et
elyfil
led
herandbegangi vingherunapol ogeti
cr el
ent
less
thr
ust.Hef eltbeyondgood, tearsfi
l
ledhereyesas
hemov edhi swai st.Herskini t
chedwithpleasure,
shesqueezedherbr eastaspl easuretookover.
Karabolookedatherasherey estur
nedtotheback
whileherbodyconv ulsedasisshewaspossessed.
Herpussywal lsclampedhi mt hathegavehera
coupleofthrustmor ebefor
egi v
ingthef
inalt
hrust
andf r
ozedeepi nsideherf i
l
lingherupwithhi
scum
grunti
ngli
keawoundedbul l.Hetappedherweakly
thenpul
ledoutandtookoffthecondom.Hewiped
himsel
fonherthighthencl
osedherlegsl
ooki
ngat
her.
“
Babe…”
Ayanaremainedstil
lwi
thhereyesclose,
Karabo
knewshehadbl ackedoutt
hengentlyputtherestof
herbodyinsi
dethecarandclosedthedoor.
Hepackedhi sdickinhispantsandwal kednearby
searchingfortheshininessofhiscarkey s.Minutes
l
aterhepi ckedthem upf eetfr
om t hecarandwal ked
back.forawhi leaft
erhej umpedi nsidethecar,he
staredatthatfaceandsi ghed.Nowhewasmor e
attachedtohert hanthebeginning.

*
***
*

Saronaparkedhercarinfr
ontofPule’sgateand
steppedoutrubbingherl
i
pstogether.Shepressed
theinter
com thenthegat
eopened.Wal ki
nginside
shef i
xedhersunhatandknockedont hedoor.
Secondsl
ater
,Yaoneopenedt
hedoor
.
“
Hi,
canIhav
emyki
ds.
”
“
Soy
out
hinkj
ustbecausey
ouwonatcour
t-
“
Saronashushedherr
aisi
ngherhand.“
Don’
tst
art
,go
getmykids.”
Yaonesmi
led.“Youdon’tdeserv
ethiskidsespeci
all
y
aft
erhowyouleftt
hem allfordi
ck.ButIwil
lalways
bether
ewheny ouleav
ey etagain.
”
“Iam backandforgood.Mr
s.Mot
sei
,goandgetmy
kids.Thankyou.
”
Yaonet
urnedandwalkbackinsi
dethehouse,
she
camebackwithMapulaandJunior
.
“
Mama!
”Mapul
ascr
eamedandj
umpedi
nherar
ms.
Saronal
aughedhuggi
ngher.“
Guesswho’
sspendi
ng
theweekendwit
hmama? ”
“
Imi
ssedy
ou.
”
“
Imi
ssedy
out
oo.ComeJuni
or.
”
Juni
orhuggedhi
smot
her
.
“
DoIgett
opl
aywi
thAar
on?
”
“
YesJuni
orr
,hemi
ssesy
oual
l
.Let
’sgot
othecar
.”
Theyranov
ert
ohercarparkedbyt
hegat
ethenshe
tookt
hebagsf
rom Yaone.
“See,nothingcaneverrepl
aceamot her
’sl
ove,not
eveny ou.ButIappr
eciatehowyoutakecareofmy
kids.May beit
’st
imey ouhaveyourown.Bye!
”
Shet
urnedbackt
ohercaranddr
oveof
f.
“Mommy ,i
suncl
eAgangandAar
onathome?
”
Juni
orasked
Sar
onasmi
l
ed.“
Yes.
”
“
Ican’
twai
ttopl
ayv
ideogameswi
thhi
m.”
Theki dscontinuedchat t
ingasshesmi l
ed.Agang
hadhi redalawy erforhertofightfor50/50custody
andshehadwon.Shel ookedatt herear
-vi
ewmi rr
or
feel
ingempt onal ,
herkidswer eherlif
eandshewas
will
i
ngt omakeupf orthelostti
me.Herphoner ang
andsheanswer eddr i
vinginsidethegate,sheparked
andt hekidsjumpedouti mmedi atel
y.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Whatmakesy
out
hinky
oucant
alkt
omywi
fel
i
ke
t
hat
?”
“Pul
eIam notfi
ght
ingwi
thy
ou,
Idon’
trecal
lsay
ing
anyt
hingt
oy ourwi
fe.
”
“
Thatwomant
ookcar
e-“
“
Blahbl
ahblah!Isai
dthanky
ou,
whatmor
edoy
ou
wantf
rom me?”
Hesighed.“
Youdon’tevenseeanythi
ngwrongwi
th
whatyoudid.Youdestr
oyedourfamil
y,y
ou
dest
royedusy ety
outhi
nkyoucansaywhat ev
ery
ou
want.
”
Saronacalmeddown.“ Pulehowmanyt imesmustI
apologi
ze,Iam sor
ryIhurtyou,Iam sorr
yIl
eftand
destroy
edourf ami
ly,
Iam sor r
yIhurtourki
ds,Iam
sorryIl
eftyou.Pl
easeforgiv
eme…”
“Someti
mesIt rytounder
standwhy
.Wasitt
hesex?
Wasn’tIsat
isf
y i
ngyouorwasInotspoi
l
ingyou
enough?Wasi twork?”
“I
twasn’ty
ou,
”shesighed.“
Iam sor
ryyouhav
et o
quest
ionyour
sel
f.Youareanamazingsexpar
tner
andy ouspoi
ledmeenough.Event
uall
yy ouwer
e
goingtoletmework,
Iam sorr
yIactedlikeamad
teenagerandputy
ouandthekidsthroughalot
.”
“Ormay
beyouj
ustneverlov
edme?WhenImety
ou,
youwer
ebr
oken,If
ixedyou,may
bey
oufel
t
compel
l
edt
obewi t
hme. ”
“No,that
’snott
rue.Il
ovedyoubecauseyouwere
you.Ifel
linl
ovewithyounotbecauseyouhel
ped
mebutbecausey ouwerespecial
.Youmademe
happy.”
“YaonehasaPol ycy
sticOv ari
anSy ndrome,wecan’t
havekidsatallsopl
easeav oidthatt opi
c.Mapula
andJuniorareherstoo,sher aisedt hem andshedid
awonder f
ulj
ob.Don’tmakeherf eel small
because
youpushedthem out.Inthel asty earsIgottol
earn
thatyoudon’
tneedt opushoutababyt obea
mot her
.Thekidsloveher,pleasedon’ ti
nsti
gat
e
them agai
nsther.
”
“Iam sor
ry,Ididn’
t,
Iam sosorryandy ouarer
ight,
theyareherstoo.Shedi
dmor ethanawonderfuljob,
Iappreci
ateit,
wordscan’tbegintoexplai
nandtrust
me,
Iwon’
tdoany
thi
ngt
orui
nthei
rrel
ati
onshi
p.”
Agangwalkedout
sidet
hehouset
henshesmi
l
ed
openi
ngthedoor.
“
Ihav
etogo,
bye.
”
“
Bye.
”
Shegr
abbedt
hebagsandhandedt
hem t
oAgang.
“
Whower
eyout
alki
ngt
o?”
Shekissedhim.“Thel
adyIwantt
ost
artt
he
busi
nesswith.”
“
Ok.
”
Theywal
kedi
nsi
det
hehousewhi
l
eshedel
etedt
he
cal
l.
.
.
.
Nexti
nser
tat23:
30.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#75
 I
vysubmergedherheadunderwat
erf
oracoupl
eof
secondsandsur
facedlaughi
ng.
“
Thatwasonlyf
orfourseconds.
”Juni
orsai
d
l
aughi
ngwit
hher.
“
MommyIwantt
odot
oo.
”
AnayalookedatQuinsyastheyswam i
nthesea
ri
ghtnexttothei
rpavil
i
on.
“That’snotni
ce,Iknowsomet hi
ngev
enmoreni
cer.
”
Shet ookhimfrom Miguel
andt hr
ewhimi
ntheai
r
catchinghim.Helaughedloud.
“
Wow!Hei
ssoheav
y!”
Miguel
tookhi
mfrom herandthr
ewhi
m ev
enhi
gher
i
ntheairmaki
nghimlaughevenmor
e.
“
Yourmom can’
tcar
ryy
ou.
”
Anayahithisshoulderplayful
l
ythenswam backt o
thevi
ll
ainthewat erandt ookthestairsoutofthe
water
.Shef i
xedherbi ki
ni bot
tom grabbi
ngat owel
bytheloungeronthedeckandwi pedher sel
fdry.
Shepickedherglassofr edwineandt ookasi ply
ing
ont
hel
oungerenj
oyi
ngt
hesun.
Minutesl
atertheyj
oinedher,t
heki
dst
aki
ngt
hei
r
j
uicesandgulpingt
hem alldown.
“
Weshoul
dri
det
hebi
cycl
esagai
n.”
Anayal
ookedatJuni
or.“
Yesbabybutnowmommy
i
stir
ed.
”
“Howabouty
ouguy
spl
aygamesi
nsi
det
henwewi
l
l
golat
er?
”
I
vysmi
l
ed.“
Ichooseagamef
ir
st!
”
“
No,
youchoseagamey
est
erday
.”
Theywalkedi
nsi
dewhil
eQui
nsyt
rai
ledbehi
ndthem.
Miguel
laybesi
deAnay
apull
i
ngherontopofhi
m.
“
Youwer
eri
ght
,thi
sisexact
lywhatweneeded.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Iknow.Di
dyougett
hedeal
?If
orgott
o
ask.
”
“
Yes.TheNi
ger
ianmanmeansbusi
ness.
”
“
Iam happyf
ory
ou.
”
“
Iam doi
ngal
lthi
sforus.Sowhatdi
dyourex’
s
si
sterwant
?”
Anay al
ookedathim andl aughed.“
Sarcasm isonly
forme, doesn’
tsuityou.Butanyways…whatI
discusswithmyex’ ssist
erisnotyourbusiness.I
willnev
erforgethowy ouspoket omet hatti
me. ”
Mi
guel
kissedher
.“Iwasangr
y.”
“Whatdoyouthi
nkhewi
l
ldowhenhef
indsout
?”
Sheaskedser
iousl
y.
Miguell
ookedather
.“Cal
ltheenti
refamil
yonme
butdon’
tworry
.Itol
dyou,Ican’
thandlemyfat
her.
Heismyf at
herandwhobestcanhandl ehi
mifnot
forme?”
Anay alookedinhiseyes,Godshest il
ll
ovedthis
mant hesamewayshedi dagesago.Hewasnow
mor esexyt hanbefor
e,thefactthathewasnow
closertofortymadehim allsexy.Sheputherhead
onhi swidechestandsighedhappi ly
.Ift
imewas
reversed,sheknewshewoul dchoosehim allov
er
again.Heputhi sbighandonherbackki ssingher
forehead.
I
vywal
kedbackhol
dingAnay
a’sphonewi
thJuni
or
andQui
nsy
.
“
Let
’st
akesel
fi
esmommy
.”
Anayasmil
edasQui
nsysatonherlapthentheyal
l
smil
edasIvyt
ookcount
lesssel
fi
escoaching
ever
yoneonhowtopause.

*
***
*

Ayanasl
owlyopenedherey
es,
shebl
inkedacoupl
e
ofti
mesandreali
zedshewasi
nherr
oom then
l
ockedeyeswit
hLalahwhowashol
dingtheremot
e
contr
oli
nherhands.
“
Kooreogojel
eti
l
loi
dibal
a?{
Sohef
uckedy
out
il
l
y
oufaint
ed?
}”
Ayanasteppedoutofthebedf
eel
ingherwetpanti
es.
Sheclosedhereyesforamomentrecal
li
ngKarabo
andthathardcor
efucki
nghegaveher.
“
Onkgamor
obal
ohel
a.{
Youar
esmel
l
ingsex.
}”
“
Leav
emeal
one,
hedr
oppedmeher
e?”
“
Yes,
Ithoughtsomet
hinghadhappenedt
oyou,
that
mani
srude.”
“
Andar
rogant
.Iam sur
ehewentbackt
ohi
swhor
e.”
“Ok,nowIthi
nky
ouar
eov
err
eact
ing,
Imean,
he
boughtfood.
”
Shereachedf orherphoneonthedressi
ngtableand
call
edhim wal kingtothebathr
oom.Shepull
edher
dressupt hent ookoffherwetpanti
esandsaton
thetoi
letsit.Shej umpedasherpeewentonher
sensit
ivepussyt hensl
owlypeedtaki
ngsmallbreaks.
“
Ayana,
final
l
yawake?
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Iam al
mosti
nGabs.
”
“
Didy
ouuseacondom?Iam notoncont
racept
ives.
”
“
So?Iwi
l
lsuppor
tmychi
l
d.”
“Whatar
eyousayi
ng?Ican’
taf
for
dachi
l
dri
ghtnow,
Ist
il
lhav
eschool
.”
“Whosaidi
fyouar
epr
egnantt
heny
ouwon’
tgot
o
school
?”
“
Mysi
sterwi
l
lbedi
sappoi
ntedi
nme.
”
“It
hinkachil
di swhaty
ouneedt okeepyourst
inking
att
it
udeoncheck.Ihateanindeci
sivewoman,i
fy ou
arewithme, Ishoul
dn’
tquest
ionthatandi
fyouar e
not,youshouldn’
twast
emyt i
meei t
her.
”
Shekeptqui
etl
i
steni
ng.
“Somay
bet
hatbabywi
l
lmakey
ouseehowser
iousI
am.”
Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
”
“
No.
”Herv
oicewasbar
elyaudi
ble.
“Iwil
lsendyout
hemoney
.Iam si
ckoft
his.Don’
t
evercallme.
”
“
Whyar
eyoubei
ngr
udet
ome?Il
ovey
ou.
”
Hesi
ghed.“
Ayanamay
beweshoul
d-“
“
Ify
ouwantmet
okeept
hechi
l
dit
’sf
ine.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lcal
lyou.
”
“
Thanky
ouf
ort
hef
ood.
”
“
Sur
e,any
time.
”
Shehel
dherphoneonherearandwai
ted.
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Shesmil
ed.“Il
ovey
out
oo.Whywasshecal
l
ingy
ou
ear
li
eron?”
“
Who?
”
“
Thewomany
ouwer
esl
eepi
ngwi
th.
”
“
Idon’
tknow.
”
“
Yousai
dwoul
dtal
ktoherl
ater
.”
“
Arewedoi
ngt
his?Iwi
l
lcal
lyouback,
Iam dr
ivi
ng.
”
“
Ify
ouhangup,don’
tbothercal
li
ngmeagai
n,t
his
t
imeIdon’
tcar
e,youar
enott heonl
ymanoneart
h.”
Hewassilentf
orawhi
l
ebef
orehef
inal
lyl
aughed.“I
wonderhowit’
sgoi
ngt
obeaft
erwegetmarri
ed.”
“
Ist
il
ldon’
ttr
usty
ou.
”
“
Iwi
l
lcal
lyouwhenIgethome.
”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungupandt
ookat
issuewi
pingher
sel
fbef
ore
shewal
kedout
.
“
Ilov
eKar
abobutIam notr
eadyf
orachi
l
d.”
“
Youdi
dn’
tuseacondom?
”
“
Idon’
tknow,
Iwasj
ust
…”
“Youdon’tev
enknowthatmanenoughtobehav
ing
unprotect
edsex,
wer
en’tyoutheonewhosai
dhe
wasf ucki
ngsomewoman? ”
Ayanasi
ghedtear
ful
l
ysi
tt
ingont
hebed.“
What
shoul
dIdo?”
“Don’tevencryAnay a,
what ’
swr ongwithyou?You
wantt ogot ointer
nshi
pwi thahugebelly?Who’s
goingtot akecareofyourchildbecauseyourmother
i
sget ti
ngmar riedinafewweeks, Anayaisbusy
runni
nghercompanyr aisingherchil
dtogetherwi
th
yourbrother?What ’
swr ongwithyou?”
Tearswethercheeksasshel
ookedatLal
ah
shouti
ng.
“
Youarenotevenscaredofdiseases.Pl
ease
f
reshenup,wearegoi
ngt ogetyouamor ningaf
ter
.
Howcany ounotknowifheusedacondom ornot ?
Whatar
eyou?10?
”

*
***
*

Refilwev i
ewedAnay a’sstatusandpausedl ookingat
herlayingonal auncherwear i
ngbl uebi kini’
s.
Refilwezoomedi nt hepi ctureandst aredather
roundf i
gur e,shewasbeaut i
ful andshepr obabl
y
knewi t.Thenextpi cturecameandnowshewasup
onherf eetwear i
ngahugesunhatwi thherdaught er
whowasi nmat chingbi kini
s.Thenextpi cture
openedandt hi
st i
meshepaused, Anay ahadherl eg
upobst ructingaman’ sf acewi thacapt ionof‘I
woul dchoosey oual lovergai n’.Shezoomedt he
picturelookingatt heman’ schest .Hewaswear inga
t-
shirtbutsheknewhermanandt hatwashi m.She
tookascr eenshotoft hepicturet hent appedt he
screensl i
dingt henextpi ctureonherst atus.Itwasa
man’ shandonhery el
lowt high.Shet ookanot her
screenshott henst oodupdi alingDi ane.
“
Fif
i…”
“
Miguel
iswi
thAnay
a.”
“
What
?”
“
Iswear
,theyar
etoget
her
.”
“
Howdoy
ouknowt
hat
?”
“Sheputhi
m onhisst
atus,
shecover
edhi
sfacebutI
knowmyman, Iknowhishands.
”
“Fi
fi
,whati
fit’
snothi
m,di
dn’
tyousayshewas
seei
nghisf
riend?
”
“I
twasasetup.Iknowwher
eVi
ncest
ays,
Iam
goingt
her
e.”
“Fi
fi
,youar
epregnant
,youneedtocalm down.You
don’
twantany
thinghappeni
ngtothatchil
d.”
“
DianeAnay
aissl
eepi
ngwit
hmyhusband!Shei
s
t
herewit
hmykidspl
ayi
nghappyf
ami
li
es.”
“
Evenift
hat’
struedon’
tyouthi
nkyoushouldt
hink
f
oryourbaby?Youshoul
dn’tbest
ressi
ng.
”
“Itmakessense.I
tmakessenseDiane,
theotherday
hecamesmel li
ngherexpensi
veperf
ume.He
recei
veda$5000perfume!Hehasbeensleeping
wi
thher
.”
“
Ok,It
hinkIshoul
dcomeov
er,
wher
eisy
our
mot
her?”
“
Cooki
ng.Iam goi
ng.
”
Shehungupandgr abbedt hecarkeyswal kingout
thendroveoffheadedt oVince’shouse.Herhear t
poundedassheputev erypieceofthepuzzl e
together
.Sheparkedthecari nf r
ontofhisopened
gatethensteppedout.Hewal kedoutholdingacan
ofbeertalki
ngont hephonet henpausedst aringat
her.Refi
lweapproachedhim wi thherphonei nher
hands.
“Look,
letmecal
lyouback.
”Hesai
dtot
hephone
andhungup.
“
Fif
i…”
“
Soyoupl
ayedal
ongwi
thy
ourf
ri
endt
hatdayt
ofool
me?
”
“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
“IknowyouarenotAnay
a’sboyfr
iend,Miguel
has
beensleepi
ngwit
hAnayaallt
hiswhile.
”
“Ref
il
weIr
eal
l
ydon’
tknowwhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ng
about.
”
“YouknowwhatIam t
alki
ngabout
.Ifyouaredat
ing
Anayathenwhyar
eyounotwithherri
ghtnow?”
“
Webr
okeup.
”
Ref
il
welaughedwi
thdisbel
i
ef.“
Wow!Soy
ouar
e
goi
ngtokeeponly
ing?
”
“
Idon’
tknowwhaty
ouwantmet
osay
.”
Shelookedathimtry
ingtobestrongthenbither
l
owerl i
pbutasobescapedthr
oughherl i
p
nonethel
ess.Shecover
edherfacecryi
ng,shesli
dto
thegroundandsatdowncryi
ngwhi l
eVincestared
athersadly
.
“
Rif
il
wepl
easest
opcr
ying,
nowIf
eel
bad.
”
Shecri
edforawhi
l
ethenf
inal
l
yst
oodupwi
pingher
facecl
ean.
“
Iam sorr
ybutIt
hinky
oushoul
djustgohomeand
wai
tforhi
m.”
Refi
lwet
urnedandwal kedbacktohercart
hen
drov
eoff
.Allthought
sf i
ll
edherheadasshetr
iedt
o
comeupwi thaperfectexplanati
on,sheknewhe
wassleepi
ngwi t
hherbutj usthadnopr oof
.Minutes
l
atersheparkedthecarint hegarageandtookher
phone.Anayahadremov edal l
thepictur
esfrom t
he
stat
us,Ref
il
weangr i
lytext
edher .
Refil
we: Anayapl easeleavemyhusbandal one,heis
mar ri
edandwehav eaf amil
y .Youhadhi m andl ost
him, Ipickedhi m upwhenhewasbr okenand
mendedhi sheart.Whyar eyouput ti
ngmyf ami l
y
throughal lthi
s?Kekopeot swemomonnengwame.
Onet segobul elamonaony wet sengdiropi,yaanong
keai pot sagoreor ut
angwanawagagoeng.Hake
battl
egol wal ewena, stopit.{Pl
easestayaway
from myman.Youar ebusyopeni ngy ourthighsf or
amar r
iedman, nowIwonderwhaty ouar et eaching
yourchi ld.Idon’twantt ofi
ghtwi t
hy ou,stopi t
.}
”
Shest
eppedoutoft
hecardi
ali
ngherf
ather
-l
aw.
“
Ngwet
siy
ame…{
Mydaught
er-
law.
}”
”
Goodev
eni
ng,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine,
howar
emygr
andki
ds?
”
“
Theyar
efi
ne,
Iwant
edt
otal
ktoy
out
houghIdon’
t
knowi
fit
’sappr
opr
iat
eornot
.”
“Youknowyoucant
alkt
omeaboutany
thi
ng.I
s
ever
ythi
ngok?
”
“No, Miguelt
oldmehehadabusi nesstri
ptoUKand
wewer eal l
goingtogobutmypasspor twent
mi ssi
ng.NowIam f i
ndi
ngoutthathetookMmagwe
I
v ywithtoUKandt heyarehav
ingfun.Isuspectt
hat
hehasbeensl eepi
ngwi t
hherforawhile.
”
“
Hei
sbackwi
tht
hatev
ilwoman?
”
“Ineedtheelder
shel
pbecauseAnay awon’tleave
myf amil
yandsheisbreakingusapart
.Miguel has
changed,henowcomesl ateathomesmel l
ing
perfumes,heseesI
vybehindmyback.”
“Youhav
edonetheri
ghtthi
ng,
assoonashecomes
backwewil
ldi
scussthi
s.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Goodby
e.”

*
***
*
Lonewal
kedinsidet
hevenuei
nherev
eni
nggown,
shesmil
edst
aringatBamewhowaswalki
ng
towar
dsher
.
“
Hey
…”Heki
ssedher
.
“
Iam sor
ryIam l
ate.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Hetookherhandandl edhertohi
sfr
iends.She
smil
edgreet
ingthem befor
eshewalkedofftothe
ot
herwiveswhower echatt
ing.
“
Ladi
es…”
“
Heygi
rl
!”Kat
iehuggedher
.
“Hi,
”Amerespondedwi
thasmi
l
ewhi
l
eshehel
da
glassofwi
ne.
“
Ononnemma, {
Youhav
egained.
}Ist
her
eabuni
n
t
heoven?
”Kat
iecommentedl
aughi
ng.
“AndhereIthoughtIwast
heonlyonenot
ici
ng,
ther
e
i
sabuni ntheov en.
”AmebackedKati
eupmaking
Lonelaugh.
“
Youguy
s,t
her
eisnot
hing.
”
“
Nyaatsal
a,{
Nof
ri
end,
}thi
sti
meIhav
etoagr
ee
wi
tht
hem.Youar
egaini
ng.
”
“
Mmekanagasesepe.{
It
’snot
hing.
}”
“Youcan’tsayt
hat
,Iknowapr
egnantwomanwhenI
seeone.”Kati
epoi
ntedout
.
“Any
wayscongrat
ulat
ionsKati
eony ourcompany
.
Suchanachi
evementdeservesthi
s.”
Kat
iesmi
led.“
Thanks,Phenyoinsi
stedont
hispar
ty,
hesai
dit
’sgoodforsoci
alnetworki
ng.”
“Tel
lmeladies,
isi
tfai
rthatThabisogiveshi
sbaby
mamamor emoneythanwhatweagr eedon
becauseshesaysthechil
disdiabeti
c.”Ame
complai
ned.
“
Pheny
owoul
dnev
ert
ryt
hatnonsensewi
thme.
”
LonelookedatAmet hensi
ghedfeel
ingoutofpl
ace,
sheneverfi
tintobeginwit
h.Herphonevi
brat
edand
shetookitout.
“
Ladi
es,
letmet
aket
hiscal
l
.”
Shewalkedthr
oughthesmallcr
owdt
il
lshewas
out
sideansweri
ngherphone.
“
Hey
!”
“
Iam pr
egnant
.”
Lonepausedt
henscr
eamed.“
Real
l
y?”
“Yes!If
eel
li
kecr
ying,
Ist
il
lcan’
tbel
i
evei
t.
”Rachel
sobbed.
“Ihav
ebeenchanged,heal
ed,f
reed,
del
i
ver
ed,
”Lone
sangRachel
’
sfavori
tesong.
“Ihav
ef oundj
oy,peace,graceandfav
or,
”Rachel
sangalongandtogethertheysang.
“
Rightnowi
sthemoment
Todayi
stheday
Ihav
ebeenchanged,
Ihav
ebeenchanged
Ihav
ewai
tedf
ort
hismomentt
ocome
AndIwon’
tleti
tpassmeby
,”
Rachell
aughed.“
Whoknewonedayyouwoul
dbe
si
ngingthi
ssongwit
hthewayyouhat
echur
ch.”
“
Ilov
echur
chbutIhat
ethesuperl
ongser
vices.
”
“
Iam sohappy
,Ist
il
lcan’
tbel
i
evet
his.
”
“
Iam happyf
ory
ou,
weshoul
dcel
ebr
ate.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“Atapar
ty,oneofBame’
sfr
iend’
swifeopenedher
company,t
hereisasmal
lpart
yforher.
”
“Ok,t
hentomorr
owdur
ingl
unch?Kennet
hwentt
o
Kasaneonatri
p.”
“
Ok,
mybossi
sal
sonotar
ound.
”
“
Wher
edi
dshego?
”
“Idon’
tknow,
shej
ustannoy
sme.Shet
hinksshe’
s
allt
hatmxm.”
Rachell
aughed.“
Don’tgi
veheratt
it
udewheny
ou
workinhercompany.Shewil
lfi
reyou.
”
“
Iknowbutshest
il
lbor
esmet
odeat
h.”
Herphoner
ang.
“
Ther
eisani
ncomi
ngcal
l
,wewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Ok.
”
ShedroppedRachel
’
scal
landpi
ckedt
hei
ncomi
ng
cal
l.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Iam sor
rytodi
stur
byoubutLesedi
isnotfeel
i
ng
wel
l
,hertemper
atur
eishi
ghandshev omit
edthe
f
ood.”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Shehungupandwalkedbacki
nsi
det
hev
enuegoi
ng
overt
oherhusband.
“
Sedi
isnotf
eel
i
ngwel
l
,Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Let
’sgot
oget
her
.”
“
No,wecan’
tal
ll
eave,i
twi
ll
looksomehow.Iwi
l
l
i
nfor
myouonceIgethome,l
oveyou.
”
Shet
urnedgoi
ngoutt
ohercaranddr
oveof
f.

*
***
*
Vi
nceheldhi
sphonephonet
alki
ngwhi
l
edr
ivi
ngt
o
hi
shouse.
“Iam j
ustsaying,
ifBKwant sAnayawhichIknowhe
does,t
henheshoul dleaveRefi
l
we.Thiswoman
cri
edinfrontofmet odayandIfeelgui
l
ty.
”
“Iknowbutatt hesamet imeIseehi spoi nt
,Imean,
Refil
weispregnantandt helastthinghewant si
sfor
hertolosethatbaby .Anayashouldn’thaveposted
thoseincr
iminatingpict
ures,sheisasi dechickand
shouldbehavel i
keone.”
“Pul
e,Refi
lwecametomyhousecr y
ing,Idon’
tthi
nk
thi
sishowheshouldbedoingit
.ImagineifIwasn’
t
seei
ngsomeonenearAnaya’shousewhenhe
almostcaught
.”
Hesl oweddownatthesuddent r
aff
icthennot
iceda
parkedcarwhichhadthebonnetopenwi t
halady
starr
ingatt
heenginewithacluel
essfacetal
ki
ngon
thephone.
“
Mist
er,
let
’st
alkl
ater
.”
“
Sur
e.”
Hehungupandst
oppedhi
scarbyt
heclosebybus
st
opthenj
umpedoutofhi
scar
.Hewentbacktothe
l
adyandsmil
edst
andi
ngbesi
deher
.
“
Isi
tmeory
ouj
ustdon’
tknowwhaty
ouar
edoi
ng?
”
Shetur
nedtohim andsmiledner
vousl
yasherhai
r
fel
lonhershoul
ders.“
Itj
ustst
opped.”
Vincel
ookedatt
hecart
hent
ouchedacoupl
eof
thi
ngs.
“
Tryst
art
ingi
t.
”
Shegoti
nsi
det
hecarandt
ri
edst
art
ingi
tbutt
he
engi
newoul
dn’
tst
art
.
“
Ok,theprobl
em i
swi
thy
ourbat
ter
y,Iwi
l
ljumpst
art
i
tforyou.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Vi
ncesmi
l
edather
.
“
Iam goi
ngtopushittothatbusstopwher
emycar,
y
ouarecausi
ngtraf
fichere.Geti
nandcontr
oli
t.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shewentbacki
nhercarasVi
ncepushedbackhi
s
sleev
esgoingtotheback.Wi
thforcehest
art
ed
pushingwhenamanj oi
nedher.Theybot
hpushedi
t
tothebusstop.
“
Thanks!
”
“Sur
esur
e!”Themancr
ossedt
her
oadandwal
ked
away.
Vincewalkedtohiscarandt urneditsothati
tnow
facedthelady
’scar.Minuteslater
,thecarwas
runni
ngandhepackedhi sequipmentintheboot.
“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”
“
Youshoul
dtakei
tforser
vici
ng.
”
“
It
’snotmi
neact
ual
l
y.I
t’
smymot
her
’s,
shel
oves
t
hisol
dthi
ng.
”
Vincesmil
edst ari
ngather
.“Thenbeagoodgi
rland
haveitser
viced.”
Hegoti
nhi
scarasshest
oodbyhi
sdoor
.
“
Iam Ol
erat
o.”
“
Vince.
”
Shenoddedandt
urnedbackt
otheol
dNav
ara.By
hismir
ror,hewatchedherwalkawayinthat
j
umpsuitwhi l
eherassshook.Shepausedbyhercar
thenwalkedback.
“
Iwantt
ocal
lyoul
ater
.”
Helookedinhereyes,
shewasconfidenti
tact
ual
ly
tur
nedhim on.Shehandedhi
m herphonethenhe
savedhisnumber.
“
Bye…Vi
nce.
”
Hechuckl
edasshel
aughedwal
ki
ngaway
.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#76

AWeekLat
er…

Mar
angsi
l
ent
lycr
iedasherf
ather
’scof
fi
nsl
owl
y
wentdownaccompani edbyasadhy m.Hermot her
wasbesideherrubbinghershoul der.Realityhad
nowsankinthatherdearf at
herwasgoneandnev er
comingback.Shet r
iedt oremembert hel asttime
shehadspokent oherbutherbr aincouldn’ tcome
upwithanyt
hing.Herfat her’
ssisterstartedcr yi
ng
l
ouderthaneveryoneel sewhilesomer elativesjust
star
edather,shewaspr obablydr unk.
Hercousi
ncamebyandhuggedher
.
“
Sor
ryabouty
ourdad,hewasagoodman.I
ndeed
t
hegoodonestendt
ogofir
st.
”
“
Thanky
ou.Hewasagoodman.
”
Hercousi nhuggedhermot hert
oot henwal kedaway
sniff
ing.Mar angburiedherheadonhermot her’
s
chestt r
yingsohar dnott obreakdownbutt hepai n
cloggedhert hroatmaki ngithar
df orhertobr eathe.
Hermot herhuggedhert i
ghtl
yandt ogetherthey
sil
entlysobbedf orthemanwhol ov edthem
uncondi t
ionall
y,themanwhowasal waysther e
standingbyt heirsi
de,thatmant heycoul dalway s
turnto.Menf i
ll
edthegr aveandMar angburstintoa
l
oudcr y
.Relati
vessadlylookedatherwhi l
eher
mothersqueezedherar m.Awhi l
elatertheyall
bowedast hepastorprayedthenpeoplest ar
ted
di
spersi
ng.Mar angtur
nedwi thhermot herand
fr
ownedstaringatBryanwhowasdr essedi nasli
m
fi
tsui
t.Hesmi l
ed.
“
Hey,sor
ryabouty
ourfather
.”Helookedather
mot
her.“
Mycondolencesgoov ert
oy out
oomam.”
“
Thankyoumyson,
Iwill
seeyouathome.Hurr
y,
y
ourfat
herwr
oteawil
l
,it
’sgoi
ngtoberead.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hermot
herhuggedheronel
astt
imet
henwal
kedof
f.
Br
yansmil
ed.
“
Isi
toki
fIhugy
ou?
”
Shenoddedthenhepul l
edhergentl
yintohi
sarms
hol
dinghert
ight
ly.Sheinhal
edhiscologneand
si
ghedrel
axi
ngherheadonhi schest
.Secondslat
er,
shemovedbackfeelingeyesonher.
“
Ihav
etogohome.
”
“
Icant
akey
ou.
”
“
Ok.
”
Theybot
hwal
kedt
oRy
an’
scarandgoti
n.
“Lay
lasendsherregar
ds.Shei
ssadthatshe
coul
dn’tsuppor
tyouinthi
ssadti
mes.”
“
It
’sok,
howi
sthebaby
?”
“
Theyr
ansomet
est
s,shei
swor
ri
ed.
”
“
Hewi
l
lbef
ine,
hehasast
rongmom.
”
Bryanstar
tedt
hecarandr
ever
sed.“
Idrov
etoyour
housebutwastol
dyouhadalr
eadycametothe
gravey
ard.
”
“
Whodi
rect
edy
ouher
e?”
“
Icamewi
thsomeboy
.”
“
Thanky
ouf
orcomi
ng,
Iappr
eci
atei
t.
”
Hedr
ovebackt
oherhouse.
“
Icanor
gani
zey
ouf
ood.
”
“Ohno,Iate.Butt
hanky
ousomuchf
ort
he
hospi
tal
it
y.”
Shel
ookedathi
sli
psandl
i
ckedherl
owerl
i
pthen
st
eppedoutoft
hecar
.
“
Uhhy
oucanwai
ther
eformei
fyouwant
.”
“
Yes,
Iwi
l
lwai
t.Iam i
nnohur
ry.
”
“
Ok,
letmeher
ewhatt
hewi
l
lsay
s.”
”
Ok.
”
Shewalkedinsidethehouseandsatbesi
deher
motherwhil
eot herrel
ati
vessatont
hecouches
st
ari
ngatthel awyer.
“Ok,thisi sthelastwi ll
wr i
tt
enbyRi chardSet so,in
thecaset hatyouar ehear i
ngt his,itmeansIam no
mor eandsoIl eavemyf ar
mi nmywi fe’
sname.Hal f
ofev erythinginthef arm goest omywi f
ef orsheand
Ididt hattogether.Ther emai ni
nghal fwillbeshared
betweenmyt wodeardaught ers,namel yMar ang
SetsoandConst anceKgar i
.IknowInev ertal
ked
aboutherbutshei st hereandIbel ieveshewi l
lbe
foundt ogetwhatr ightfull
ybelongst oher.Ther est
ofwhati snotment ionedgoessol elytomywi f
e.”
Thelawyerl
ookedatt
hef
ami
l
yput
ti
ngt
hewi
l
lint
he
envel
ope.
“That’
sall
,Iwi
llhavetheprocessi
ngofownershi
p
going,t
hankyou.”Hewalkedoutleav
ingMarang
l
ookingathermot her
.
“
Ihav
easi
ster
?”
“
Yourf
athersai
dthepr
egnancywasn’
thi
s.”
“
Whati
fit
’snothi
sdaught
er?
”
“Thenshewi llnotgetanyt
hing,t
hewillsays
daughters.Iam surewecandoDNAt estst
o
confi
rm.Ican’tbeliev
eRicharddidthi
st oyou.Half
ofthatfarm belongstoyoualone,Iworkedhardso
thatyoucanhav esomethi
nginlif
enotf oryouto
shareitwithsomechi l
d.”
“
It
’sok,
ifi
t’
smysi
sterIhav
enopr
obl
em wi
thi
t.
”
Hermothershookherheadangr i
l
y.“Every
thingis
your
sandy oursalone.Mychil
dwill
notber obbedof
heri
nher
itance.Iam cal
li
ngthatl
awy er
.”
Marangsighedandhuggedhermother
.“Iwi
l
lbe
back,cal
lmewheny ouneedme,Iwil
lcomeback.
”
“I
t’
sokmychi
ld,Iam f
ine,atl
eastt
hereisawi
ll
,
savesmef
rom notdeal
ingwithyoufat
her’
smoney
hungr
yrel
ati
ves,
Iam sur
etheyar
eal
lboi
l
ingwi
th
anger
.”
Marangkissedhermother
’scheekthenwal
kedout
ofthehousetothecarwhereBryanwas.Helooked
ather.
“
Howdi
ditgo?
”
“
Every
thingi
sinpl
ace,
Ijustneedt
ofindmyl
ong
l
ostsi
sterwhoIhadnoideaabout
.”
“
Wannagof
oradr
ive.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Iwoul
dlov
eto.
”

*
***
*

Miguelsatsur
roundedbyhi
suncles,auntsandhis
parent
s.Thetensi
onwasenought okil
l.Hiseyesfel
l
onhiswifewhowassi t
ti
ngbesi
deoneofhi saunt
s.
“Wearegatheredherebecauseyourwif
eisnot
happy.
”Theelderunclestar
ted.“
Youarebusy
chasi
ngaft
ersomewomanl eavi
ngyourwi
febehi
nd,
t
aki
ngheroverseaswhi l
ey ourwif
ecries,expl
aint
o
mewhatsortofbehavioristhat?Ist
hatwhyy ou
mar
ri
edher?Isthathowamar r
iedmani ssupposed
t
obehave?
”Heangr il
yasked.
Mi
guell
ookedathi
m.“
Iam notcheat
ingonmy
wi
fe.
”
“SommagweQui nsyi
sly
ing?Youwantto
embarrassheri
nfr
ontal
lthi
speopl
e?”Hi
sfat
her
shout
ed.
“Letusgivehimt hechancetoexplai
nhi
mself.I
t
doesn’thel
pt hatweonl yhavemmagweQui nsy’
s
sideofthestory .Letusheartheboy.
”Theyoungest
unclesaidlookingatMi guel
.“Boi
kanyo,
whatis
goingon?Wear eal lher
etohelp.
”
“IwenttoUKwi t
hthekids,i
nit
iall
yIwant edustogo
togetherwithmywi febutshecouldn’tfi
ndher
passport.Iaskedherifshewasokwi thusleav
ing
withoutherandshesai dyes.Ilef
tandcomi ngback
sheisaccusi ngmeofseeinganot herwoman.Iam
notcheating,Iwouldneverdoany thi
ngthatwil
lput
herormyunbor nchil
dindanger .
”
“MiguelIsawthepict
ures,
youwerewi
thherandI
nowy ouspendt i
meatherhouse,
canyoustop
l
ying.”Refi
lwesai
dcryi
ng.
Helookedathert
ear
sgui
l
tstri
ken.“
Ilov
eyou,
I
don’
tknowwhatyousawbutIwasinUKon
busi
ness.
”
Ref
il
wecov
eredherf
acecr
yingandhel
ookeddown.
“Soyouar egoingt okeepdeny i
ngit?Whathast hat
gir
ldonef oryou?Not hing.Sheanawayony our
weddingdayl eavingy oupay i
ngahugesum of
money .MmagweQui nsyhel dherhandwheny ou
cri
edf orthatevi
lwoman, shehasgi venyoukids,
whydoy outreatherlikethis?Isthi
swhatIhav e
taughtyou?Youdi sappointme!”Hisfatherangril
y
shouted.
“Ebi
l
ekeenemony anawagosi akal
etsat
sil
a
l
enyalo?[
It
’sthegi
rlwhor anawayontheweddi
ng
day?}
”Theelderuncleasked.
“Yes!It
’st
hesamewoman.Youarebusywit
hher
sayingyouhaveachi
l
dwi
thher,
achildyounev
er
tol
dusabout .
”
“
Youhav edisappoi
ntedusBoikany
o, howdoyou
makeyourwi f
ecrywiththesamewomanwhohur t
youbef
ore?Sheembar r
assedourfamilyi
nfr
ontof
t
heworld.”Anotheruncl
esaid.
“Thi
sboyi smaki ngusf ools!Nosonofmi newill
evermar ryaShat owoman, Idon’
twanttoseethat
womani nmyhouseMi guel, i
fyougoaheadand
continuesleepingwi t
hhert henIwi l
ldi
sowny ou.I
havenosonwhowi l
lseeaShat owoman!That
familyembar rassedus, theystoleourmoneyandl et
thei
rdaught errunof f
.Idon’ twanttoeverhear
anythingabouther .”
“Andwear enotgoi ngt orecognizethatchil
dshe
has.From todayonwar dy ounol ongerseethat
woman.Youar egoi ngtot r
eatmmagweQui nsyri
ght.
Shei syourwife!Themot herofyourkids.Don’
tyou
feelashamedst ressingherinhercondi t
ion?Kegore
oirwakeengmoshany anakewena?{ Whatmakes
youbehav eli
ket hi
sboy }Amandoesn’ tbehaveli
ke
thi
s.Ineverwantt ocomebackher ebecauseof
you.”Theelderunclesai dangril
y.
“
Don’
tyout
hinkwear
ebei
ngt
oohar
sh?Thechi
l
dis
i
nnocenti
nal
lthi
s.”Anauntsai
d.
“I
fthatchil
dwasi nnocentt
henBoikanyocoul
dhave
l
ongt oldusthathehasachi l
doutther
e.”Theel
der
unclerespondedsharply
.
“Wear eallangr
yatt hemomentandt odaywear e
heretodiscussBoikany o’
smar i
talproblemsnotthe
chi
ld.Thisisnotthewayt ohandl eit
,wewi llcome
backagainanddi scussawayf or wardforthechil
d,
attheendoft heday, t
hatchil
disaMokwena, we
l
ikeitorwedon’ t
.”They oungerunclepoi nt
edout
andtheaunt snodded.
“No!Fr om her ewear egoingt otheShat o’sandask
them tokeept heirdoginal eash.”Mokwenasai d
standingup.“ Ther ewewi l
lfini
sht hi
smat teronce
andf orall.Idon’ ttrustt
hatev i
lfamily
.Thei r
daught erwasasexwor ker!Shet ookadv antageof
myson, theysayshehasasext apeallov erint
ernet
.
Shewi llnev erbewel comeher e.
”
“Mokwena,Idon’
tthi
nkal
lthatisnecessar
y.Ourson
hashear
d.”MmaMokwenaf inal
lyi
nterj
ect
ed.
“
No!Hei
sst
ubbor
n!It
oldhi
m nott
oev
ergonear
t
hatgi
rlbuthest
il
lwent
.Wear
egoi
ngt
oseeher
f
amil
y.
”
Thescoldingwentforawhil
ewhileMiguelsat
si
lentl
y,awhil
elat
erhewalkedtohiscarwhilehi
s
auntsspoketoRefi
lwe.Theyoungeruncl
e
approachedhi
m.
“Son,ify
our eal
l
yl ovethatwoman,f
ightforher.
Everyoneisangryr i
ghtnowandIdon’tapproveof
youcheatingony ourwife,i
fyounol
ongerl ov
eher,
divor
ceherandmov eon.”
“
Sheispr
egnant
,Idon’
twantany
thi
nghappeni
ngt
o
t
hebaby.
”
“Thenaf
tershegi
vesbi
rt
h.Youcan’
tst
ri
ngboth
womanal ongunl
esst
heywantapol
ygamousset
up.”
Mi
guel
shookhi
shead.
“
See?Youcan’
tkeepbot
hoft
hem.Youhav
eto
makeachoi
ceandaplan.
”
HewalkedawayasRefil
weappr oachedthem.
Miguel
openedthepassengerdoorforherandshe
smil
edget
ti
ngi
n.Hewal
kedroundt
ohisdoorand
cl
imbedi
n.Hest
art
edt
hecaranddrov
eoff.
Awhilel
aterRef
il
wef
inal
l
ylookedathi
m.“
Arey
ou
angr
y?”
Miguelsi
ghedtryi
ngtocont
rol
hist
emper
.“No,but
j
ustdisappoi
nted.It
oldy
ouIwasn’
twi
thAnaya.
”
“
Miguel
Isawy
ouonherst
atus.
”
“Andy etyoucan’tevenproveitwasme.Idon’ t
knowwhatIhav etodot oprovethat.Youalr
eady
beli
evewhat ev
ery ouwanttobel i
eve,youdon’twant
toli
stentomyr easoning.Idon’tevenknowwhywe
arestil
ldoingt
hisbecauset hereisnotrust
.”
Refi
l
wetear
ful
l
ylookedathi
m.“
Miguel
IknowwhatI
saw.”
“No,
youar
econvincedofwhatyouwantedtosee,
youhav
ebeenwant i
ngtoaccusemeofbeingwith
Anayaf
ort
helongesttimeandyouknowit.What
j
usthur
tsi
sthefactthaty
ouarenotreadytol
ist
en.”
“Whyareyoumakingmeseem st
upid?Youhidmy
passpor
tandcal
l
edmymot hersothatshecan
comehomeandkeepmef rom comi ng.Iknowal l
thi
sMiguel.WhatdoesAnay ahavet hatIdon’thave?
Isi
tbecausesheisli
ghtincompl exion?Whatam I
notgi
vingyou?”Shecoveredherf acecryi
ng.“Ijust
wantyoutogiveourmarri
ageachance, Iloveyou.”
“
Iam notdi
scussi
ngt
hiswi
thy
ouany
mor
e.”
Shelookedathi
m asherhear
tbroke,
wasthiswhat
theymeantwhentheysai
dmar r
iagewasn’
tawalki
n
thepark?

*
***
*

Let
habofixedhimselfonthemir
rort
henwal
kedout
ofhissi
ster
’shouseleavi
ngIv
ywhowasbusyonher
ki
d’sapplyi
ngont hecouchwhil
eeati
nganappl
e.
“
Arewegoi
ng?
”
Hetur
nedtoher,
shewasnowup.“NoVee,
Iam j
ust
goi
ngtosi
toutsi
de.Wher
eisTat
enda?
”
“I
roni
ngmommy ’
scl
othes,soy
ouar
egoi
ngt
osi
t
outsi
dedr
essedl
i
kethat?”
“
Yes,
what
’swr
ongwi
thi
t?”
“No,not
hingi
swr
ong,
justy
ouwant
ingt
osee
Claudi
a.”
Heroll
edhiseyesandwal kedoutside.Hel ookedat
thetal
lwall
sandwalkedoutt hrought hesmal l
gate.
Hisheartski
ppedashissister
’sneighbor’sgateslid
open.Secondslat
erthei
rshinySUVNi ssanreversed,
thewomani nthecarsmil
edandwav edathim.He
rai
sedhishandandwav edback.Shest oppedthe
carandroll
eddownt hewindow.
“
Hi,
wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?Icangi
vey
oual
i
ft.
”
Shi
t!Let
habomutt
eredbeneat
hhisbr
eath,
nowhe
di
dn’twantt
oseem r
udetohispot
ent
ial
mot her
-l
aw.
“
UhhIam goi
ngt
oAi
rpor
tJunct
ion.
”
“
Great
,Iwi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
f,hoopi
n!”
Heopenedt
hebackdoor
.
“
No,
comej
oinmeher
e.”
Heclosedthedoorandwentr
oundt
othepassenger
seatt
henjumpedin.
“
Goodaf
ter
noonmam.
”
Shesmil
eddr
ivi
ng.“
Cal
lmeAnnel
i
se,
what
’sy
our
name?”
“
Uhhmynamei
sLet
habo.
”
“
Nicename,
howol
dar
eyou?
”
“
17y
ear
sol
d.”
Shelaughedput
ti
ngherhandonhi
sthi
gh.“
Wow!
Looksdeceiv
e.Whodoyoustaywi
th?”
“
Mysi
sterbutr
ightnowIam j
ustv
isi
ti
ng.
”
“
Isee.
”Sherubbedhi
sthi
ghgi
ggl
i
ng.“
Youar
ea
r
eal
lyhandsomeboy.
”
Hisheartskippedasshemov edherhandf ur
therup
hi
sthigh.Ok, noneedtopani cLet
habo,sheisold
andwon’ teverfi
ndint
erestinachild.Ei
therway,she
i
scolored,theybehavelikewhitepeopleandwhite
peopl
ear ejustoverfr
iendlypeopl
e.
“So…”Shel
ookedathi
m andgi
ggl
ed.“
Myhusband
staysi
nSA,per
manentl
y.
”
“
Oh,
ok.
”
“YesandI …itget sl
onely.Ij
ustmissaman’ s
presencei nmyl i
fe.
”Shemov edherhandr i
ghttohis
dickandhi sragingteenagehor monesleaped
stir
ri
nghi sdick.Hehadnev erhadany onetouchhis
dick,expecthimself
.Hef rozeassheunzi ppedhis
j
eansandt ookouthi sharddick.
“
Wow!Justhowol
dar
eyou?
”
Heopenedhi smouthtosaysomet hi
ngbuthe
couldn’tgetasingl
ewor dout.Sheslowlyst
roked
hisdickwi t
hhereyesfocusedont heroadwhilehe
breathedheav i
l
y.Shecont i
nuedstroki
nghim making
him grunt,f
uckit!I
tdamnwel lfel
tbetterwi
thher
doingit.Sheparkedthecarbyanempt ybusstop
thendippedherheadt akinghiminhismouth.
“Fuck!”Hegr oanedf eeli
ngherwarm mouth.
Annal i
sesuckedhi sdi ckmassagi
nghisballs.He
unconsci ousl
ygrabbedhersof tbrownhairand
thrustfrom beneatht appi
ngthatwarmness.He
mov edev enfasterthenshothisloaddeepinher
mout h.sheslowlygotupandwi pedhermout hsti
ll
holdinghi sdi
ck.
“
Youar
esuchagoodboy
.”
Heswal lowedhard,
whathadjusthappened?He
packedhi sdi
ckinhispant
swhil
eshewi pedher
mout h.Hehadjustgott
enablowjobfrom his
crush’smotherwholookedcl
osetohismot her’
sage.

*
***
*

Col
leensi
ppedonherjui
ceandsighedst
ari
ngat
Anayawhi
letheysati
nherhouse.
“
Ijustt
ookt
hemat
ter
sinmyhandsandpr
oposed.
”
“
Icanneverhavet
hatamountofconf
idence,
wer
en’
t
y
ounervous?”
“
Iwas,
GodIwas!
”
“
Isal
utey
ou.
”
“NowallIam wai
ti
ngf
orhi
mtospeakt
ohi
s
uncl
es.
”
Anaya’
sphonevibr
atedandshetookitoutf
ora
secondandreadhertextt
henputi
tbackinherbag.
“
Ihav
etogo.Wher
eishebyt
heway
?”
“
Hewentt
oseeacl
i
ent
.”
“
Ok.wewi
l
ltal
k.”
Theyhuggedbef oreAnayawal kedoutanddr oveof
f
headedt oamal l
.Sheparkedmi nut
eslaterand
steppedout.Fewmi nut
eslatershewalkedback
holdi
ngapl asti
cful
lofIv
y ’
ssnacksbutappr oachi
ng
hercar,hereyesfel
lonKgot l
angwhowasal so
l
ookingather .
“
Anay
a…”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Hi…”
Theysharedabri
efhugandshel
ookedathim,
he
act
uall
ylookedgoodandcl
eanandalsohadari
ng.
“
Wow!I
t’
sbeenages.
”
Shel
aughed.“
Iknow,
youl
ookgood.
”
“
Sodoy
ou.
”
Shel
ookedatt
hef
ourchi
l
dreni
nthe7seatcar
.
“
All
your
s?”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Yes.
”
“
Heybaby…”Awomanappr
oachedt
hem i
nanwhi
te
f
lor
alf
lar
eddress.
Anay
acar
eful
l
ylookedatherandsmi
l
ed.“
Gont
le!
”
“
OhAnaya.Wow!It
’sbeenages.Babe,
meetAnay
a,
myhi
ghschoolcl
assmate.
”
Anayasighedremember ingj
usthowr udeanddumb
Gontlewas,thecenterofatt
racti
onforal
lbad
reasons.Gontl
elookedatAnay aglowi
ngandradi
ant
withashini
ngr i
ngonherf i
nger.
“Meetmyf ami
lyAnay
a.”Gontl
esai
dwi
thasmi
rk
star
ingatAnay
a’sbar
efinger
s.
Anayalookedatt
heki
ds,
thetwool
deroneswere
her
s,theonesshehadmadeaft
erf
ail
i
ngherfor
m 5.
“
Yout
woknoweachot
her
?”
Anay
alookedatherandsmi
l
ed.“
No,
act
ual
l
yno.
”
“
Sost
il
lnotmar
ri
ed?
”
“
Well
,youknowhowl i
fei
s…al
lbusyandst
uff
.”She
t
ookoutherbusi
nesscar
dwit
hthewordCEOinked
i
nboldlett
ersandhandedi
twit
hasmil
e.
“
Congratul
ati
ons,docal
lmesomet
ime.
”
Herheel sechoedasshewal kedtowardshercarand
gracefull
ysheclimbedinwi t
hasmi l
ethendroveoff
l
eav i
ngt hem t
here.Shesighedsadlyaminutelat
er,
i
tstil
l hurtt
hatthemanshel ovedatthemoment
wast ieddownt oanotherwoman.Shet houghtof
thefighti
ngthatwasgoi ngtohappenandgoodness,
thethoughtdrainedher.
Herphoner
angandsheanswer
ed.
“
Mama…”
“
Ijustr
ecei
vedaphonecal
l
.”
Anayapausedathermot
her
’st
one.“
Isev
ery
thi
ng
ok?”
“
TheMokwena’
sarecomi
ngt
omor
rowt
oseeme,
whati
sgoi
ngon?”
Herhear
tski
pped.“
Ma?
”
“Anayawhati
sgoi
ngon?Mi
guel
’
sfat
hersounded
angry
.”
“
UhhIdon’
tknow,
may
bet
heywantt
odi
scussI
vy.
”
“
Ift
hat
’st
hecaseIam cal
l
ingy
ouruncl
es.
”
“
Cal
lpapa.
”
“
What
?”
Anayacl
ear
edhert
hroatandspokel
oudl
y.“
Cal
l
papa.
”
“
Anayasoyouhav
ebeencommuni
cat
ingwi
tht
hat
manbehi
ndmyback.
”
“MamaIunder standheabandonedus, hehurtusbut
heissti
ll
myf ather,Ican’
tdenyhimt hatrol
eifhe
wantstoactup.Ial soknowyoukepthi mf r
om
communi cat
ingwi t
hmewhenIwasi nSA.I
under
standthepai nweal l
wentthroughbuthi smy
fat
herandIlov ehi m.”
“It
houghtIwaspr
otect
ingy
ou,
whati
fhel
eav
es
again?
”
“
Theni
t’
sfi
nebutf
ornowhei
sher
e.”
“
Ishet
heoneatt
hef
arm?
”
“
No.Justcal
lhi
m.”
“
Ok.
”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#77

Oler
atopacedar oundi nherof f
icestari
ngathis
numberwonder ingifsheshoul dcallhim ornot,
she
hadnotst oppedthinkingabouthimf orthepast
weekt hatshewasev endr eami
ngabouthi m,it
wasn’tnormal.Shesatdownandl ookedatthefil
es
onherdesk, hereyesi nchedtoherphone.Wi tha
si
gh,shet ookherphoneandpr essedhi snumber.
Sheputt hephoneonherearandwai tedasitrang.
“
Yah?
”
“
Hi,
”
“
Hi,
”
“
Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Doy
ouknowwhoy
ouar
espeaki
ngt
o?”
“
Ihav
eaf
eel
i
ngIam aboutt
oknow.
”
Shel
aughedl
eani
ngbackonherchai
r.“
It
’sOl
erat
o.”
“
Damn!Tooky
out
hisl
ongt
ocal
l
.”
Olerat
osmi
l
edopeni
ngaf
il
e.“
Wel
lmai
nli
nei
sthatI
call
ed.”
“
Iam happyy
oudi
d.Tookt
hatcarf
orser
vici
ng?
”
“
Yes,
it’
snowr
unni
ngsmoot
hly
,thanky
ou.
”
“
Iregr
ett
ednotbei
ngt
heonet
otakey
ournumber
t
hatday.
”
Shet
ookadeepbreat
h.“
Youdi
d?Youdi
dn’
tseem
l
ikey
ouwantedt
o.”
“
Idi
dn’
twantt
oseem somehow.
”
“
Youwoul
dn’
thav
e,Doct
or.
”
“
Wai
t,howdoy
ouknowt
hat
?”
“
Isawy
ourcoat
.”
“
Incaseyouar
enotfeel
ingwel
l
,Iam y
ourgot
oguy
.
Wanttogooutfordi
nner.
”
“
Yeah,
ofcause.
”
“
Icanpi
cky
ouup.
”
“
That
’sst
il
lok,
Iwi
l
lsendy
out
hedi
rect
ions.
”
“
Ok.
”
“
Ihav
etogo,
bye.
”
Hechuckl
ed.“
Bye.
”
Shehungandi ghedwithherheadov erherchest
.
Shelookedattheti
me, hernextpati
entwasup.She
walkedtoherchair
,theonesheusual l
ysatwithher
cl
ients.Asof
tknocker upt
edont hedoor.
“
Comei
n!”
Shewat
chedherpat
ientwal
kinandsi
tont
hecouch.
“
Dr.Rams.
”
“
Yaone,
”
Oler
ato’sphonerangandshequi
ckl
ygotup.“
Sor
ry
aboutthat,
Ifor
gottoswit
chitof
f.
”
Shewalkedovert
oherphoneandreadt
hetext
bl
ushi
ngt hent
ypedherr
esponseandswi
tchedi
tof
f.
“
Sor
ryaboutt
hat
.”
Sher
esumedherseat
.
“
Ifeel
li
kePul
ewant
shi
sexwi
feback.
”
“
Whydoy
ousayso?
”
“Eversinceshecamebackhei sjustdistant.We
barelygetinti
mat e,heissay i
nghei sthinkingt o
mov etheki dspermanent lytoherhouse.If eelli
ke
noonecar esaboutmyf eeli
ngs,Irai
sedt heseki ds,
l
ov edthem.Il ov
et hem buthedoesn’ tconsi dermy
feeli
ngs.Theyar ealsomyki dsbutit’
sasi fhe
doesn’tcareanymor e.Hisparentskeeponaski ng
whenwear egoingt ohav ekidsandIdon’ tknow
whatt osayany mor e.Ijustwanttohav eki ds.”
Ol
erat
ohandedherat
issue.“
Hav
eyoudi
scussed
t
hiswit
hhi
m? ”
“
Itr
iedtobuthebrushesmeoff
.Iheardhi
mt al
ki
ng
t
ohertheotherdayaski
ngwhathedidwrongforher
t
oleavehi
m.”
“Havey ouconsi
der
edot
herway
stohav
eki
ds?Ev
er
discussedthat
?”
“Pulesaidhewon’tadopti
fhecanmakeababy ,
he
saiditbutdi
dn’
treali
zehowoffensi
vei
twastome.I
am scaredheisgoingtoimpr
egnatesomeone.
”
“
Whataboutsur
rogacy
?Hav
eyout
houghtabouti
t?”
“Ihav
ePCOS,
Ican’
thav
eki
ds.
”
“Sometimesinlifetherear ethingsfarbeyondus,
thi
ngswecan’ tchange, thingswecan’ tmani pul
ate.
Withthosethings,allt
hat ’
slefttodoisaccepti t
.
Themomenty ouaccepti t
, t
hemomenti tstops
hurt
ingyou.Ifyoucan’ tchangei tthenwhycr y?How
l
ongwi l
lyoucr y?Forther estofy ourli
fe?”
Yaonecoveredherfacecr
ying.Ol
erat
osatbackand
watchedsi
lentl
yti
ll
shewasqui et
.
“Yourl
ifewil
ltur
ni ntonothingbutasadbal l
,isthat
whatyouwant ?Howmanyt imeswi l
ly oucr y?Or
remainsad.Youwi llneverenjoythegoodt hingsin
l
ifeti
ll
youtakey ourlastbreath.Nothingwi l
lmake
youhappy.Youcan’ thaveki ds,youcan’ tchange
that
,noonecan, soIwanty out ogobackhomeand
thi
nkofhowl ongy ouwi l
lmour n.Howl ongwi l
lyou
besadwheny oucanbehappy ?Happinessi sa
choi
ce.Andontopofthat
,goandwr
it
eal
lyour
i
nsecuri
ti
es,
Iwanttoseethem.
”
Yaonenoddedt
henwal
kedout
.

*
***
*

Anayaparkedhercarandsteppedouthol
ingher
handbag.Shetookadeepbr eathandwal
kedinsi
de
thehousewhichwasf i
l
ledwi t
htheMokwena’
sand
herownunclesandoneaunt .
“
Dumel
ang.
”
“
Sitmydaughter
,”Herf
athermot
ionedandshetook
asitbesi
dehermother
.Nowherheartwaspounding.
“
Doy
ouknowt
hem Anay
a?”
“
Yes.
”
Shel
ookeddownandr
ubbedherhandst
oget
her
.
“
Thesemensayy ouarehav
inganaf
fai
rwi
tht
hei
r
mar
riedson.I
sthatt
rue?
”
Anay
ashookherhead.“
No.
”
“Oithayagorer et shil
egonehagoy aka?Rener e
didi
met sefangwanawal onat shabi
lelemang
gari
tse,oretlhabi sit
seditlhongmment segala
i
kopamai t
swar elo.Yaanongot l
hagot lagosenya
l
elwapal asetlogol osame.{ Soyouthinkwehav eto
l
ie?Wekeptqui etwheny ourdaught erranof fwi
th
Godknowswho, sheembar rassedourf amil
ybut
neverhasy ourfami l
yapol ogizedforthat.Nowshe
comesbackandi sdetermi nedtoruinmynephew’ s
family.
}”Miguel’suncl esaidangr i
ly.
“Kegor emony anaogaanamai tseo, {
Thi
sgirlhasno
manner s.
}Youhav efail
edtogui dey ourdaughter.
Wear eheretot ellyoutotellyourdaught ert
ost ay
awayf r
om ourson.Wewi l
l neveracceptherinour
fami l
y,notafterthenonsenseshehasdone.The
embar r
assmentoursonwentt hroughwi t
hthisgirl
willneverbeer ased, sheputhimt hr
oughal ot,he
hadt opayt housandsofmoneyandnott oeven
ment ionhowy our anoffwiththemoneyhehadpai d
forherbr i
depr ice.Thisisthelastt i
mewecome
here,sopl ease, t
aket hi
sasaweddi ng.Wedon’ t
wantt
oseey ourdaughteranywherenearourson,
nownow,notinthefuture.
”Theotheruncl
esaid.
Anayal
ookeddownast
ear
sfi
l
ledherey
eswhi
l
eher
hear
tpounded.
“Youcan’ tcomeher eandaccusemydaught erof
runningaf t
ery ourson,i
fy oursonr espectedhi s
fami l
yt henhewoul dhavest ayedathomewi thhis
wife.IfAnay asaysshei snotseei nghimt henshe’s
not.Youar enotgoi ngtocomet ot hi
shousewi th
streetat t
itudet otal
knonsense, ifthi
si swhaty ou
doi ny ourf amili
es,keepitthere.Thisisnoty our
mopt her ’
sy ard,gotieyourdogonal eashaty our
housebecausei tissnif
finginthewr ongpl aces.
Now, t aker oadandmakedust .”Anay a’sfather
shout edst anding.“Andifitisthebr i
depricey ou
want ,Iwi l
lpersonallypayitallback.Getout .”
“Thi
sfamil
yisful
lofoppor
tuni
stsowewil
lnev
er
comebackhere.”TheMokwena’sst
oodupand
walkedout
.
“
Iam sor
rymychi
l
d…”
Anay
alookedatherf
atherr
ubbi
nghert
ear
s.
“
Don’
tevenapol
ogizetoherMogomotsi
,sheknows
whyt
hisfami
lyi
shere.Iaskedy
ouandyouliedto
meAnaya!Whyareyouseeingt
hisman?”
“
Mama-
“
“AnayaIwi l
lkil
lyouwi thmybar ehands!Thatmani s
married,y
ouar enotev enashamedl y
inginfrontof
yourelders!Busyplayinghappyf amil
ieswit
ha
marriedwomanwhi leanotherwomancr ybecause
ofyou!Howdoy ousleepatnightknowi ngyouare
thereasonanot herwomancr ies? ”
Anay
asi
l
ent
lycr
ied.“
Ilov
ehi
m.”
“Hady oul ovedhi mt henyouwoul dn’
thaver
anof f
onyourweddi ngday!Youhumi l
i
atedme!You
humi l
i
at edev eryone!Yousayy oul ov
ehim?Youlove
him nowt hathehasawi f
eandkids?Huh?But
couldn’tlovehi m enought omarryhim?Peopleput
meony ourfacebookt hingstaunti
ngmewhyy ou
rej
oicedhappi ly
!”
“
Glor
ia,
cany
oucal
m down?
”
“
Don’ty
oudaret
ell
metocalm down,hadyounot
l
eftmaybet
henshewoul
drespectmarri
age!Your
an
offwithsomewomanwhi l
emar riedthat’
swhyshe
thi
nksit’
sf i
netor unaroundwi t
hamar riedmanj ust
becauseshecl aimst olovehim.Youar ejustli
ket he
womanwhomademecr y,t
hewomany ourfather
ranoffwith.Thereisnot hi
ngdiff
er entabouty out wo
becausey ourejoi
cewhenanot herwomancr i
es.You
rej
oicewhenanot herwoman’ skidssuffer!Asl ong
asIvyishappyandy ouar ehappyy oudon’ tcare.”
Tear
sgushedoutofAnay
a’sey
esasshel
ookedat
hermot
her.
“
SoIcan’
tbewi
thhi
m becauseofami
stakeI
made?
”
Aresoundi
ngslapfr
ozeher
,hermotherhadjust
sl
appedher.Shesl
owlyr
ubbedhercheekfeeli
ngthe
bur
ningsensati
on.
“Todayy
ouaregoi
ngtochosebet
weenei
therme,
AyanaandLet
haboort
hatMokwenaboy.
”
“
Glor
ia,
weallunderstandbutshei
sachild,
letus
t
alkt
oherandtrylett
ingherunder
stand.
”
Glor
ialookedatherex-
husband’
ssist
erandlaughed.
“Weren’ty
ourejoi
cingwhenyourbr
otherl
eftme?
Weren’
tyourej
oici
ngasIl
ayonthedeathbed
cal
li
ngmykidstryi
ngtof
indouthowfarIwasfr
om
dyi
ng?”
“
Glor
ia!
”
“Don’
tGlori
ame!IraisedAnayaalone.Anaya,make
achoice.I
fyouchooseMi guel
thennev ercome
backhereorevencallme.Iwil
ltakeLethaboandhe
wil
lnevercomethereneit
herwillAyana.Choose
now!”
Anay
asl
owl
ywentdownonherknees.
“Iembarrassedy
ou,Iwi
shIcant
urnbackthehands
ofti
mebutIcan’t.MamaIl
oveBoikany
o,pleaset
ry
underst
andingme.”
“
Iam notgoingtounder
standanyt
hingexpectt
he
f
actt
hatMi guel
ismarri
ed.Areyounotashamed?”
Shelookeddesper
atel
yatherf
atherwhol
ooked
hel
pless.Ther
ewasnothi
nghecouldsay.
“
Iwil
lst
ayawayfr
om hi
m.”Shesai
dqui
etl
ythen
t
ookherbagandwal
kedout.
*
***
*

Theodoracaref
ullyfixedherbandageandsi ghed.
Shewasnev erevergoi ngtolookt hesame,notwith
ascaracrossherf ace.Tearsf i
l
ledhereyesasshe
l
ookedatt hebandages, shehadl ostherj
obt oo,
howwasshegoi ngt orai
semoneyf oraplasti
c
surger
y?ShestoodupasChr isti
anwalkedinsidethe
bedroom.Heputpai nkill
ersont hedressi
ngtable
andsteppedback.
“
Ibr
oughty
oupai
nki
l
ler
s,f
ory
ourheadache.
”
Shenoddedandst
oodst
il
l.Forawhil
etheyj
ust
l
ookedateachot
her,
wasitreal
l
yover?
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“Ial
soboughtyout
his.
”Hetookoutachocol
ateand
putitbesi
det
hepil
l
s.“Ior
deredpi
zza.
”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Hesmi l
edslightl
yandwalkedout.Theodorat
urned
backtothemi rr
or,shepi
ckedherspectacl
esand
putthem on.Theinsecur
it
ieswereback,now
accompani edbyashadowshecoul dn’tseem t o
escape.Shel ookedatthepill
sf orasecondt hen
walkedout .Shewasr esponsibleforeverythingthat
washappeni ng.TodayherhusbandwasHI Vposi t
ive
allbecauseofher ,
hehadSTD’ sallbecauseofher .
Hadshenotcheat edhewoul dn’thaver eactedthe
wayhedi d.Shet ookadeepbr eathandwal kedt o
thesitt
ingroom butpausedst aringatMel odywho
washuggi ngChr i
sti
an.
Shesl
owl
yletgoandsmi
l
ed.“
Iam sohappyy
ouar
e
ok.
”
Melody
’seyesf
ellonTheodora.“
Soyoucheaton
hi
m?Ithoughtyousai
dy oulovedhi
m.”
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmyhouse?
”
“
Myhusbandcal
l
edme.
”
TheodoralookedatherMelody’
sfl
awlessf
ace,
her
makeupwasper f
ectl
ydone,shewasevenwear
inga
beaut
ifuldresswit
hheel
s.
“
Chr
ist
iant
ell
hert
ogetout
!”
“
Theodor
acany
oucal
m down,
shei
sher
eforaday
pl
usi
t’
slat
e.”
“
Soy
ouar
egoi
ngt
owat
chhert
alkt
omel
i
ket
his?
”
“
Youbroughthi
m di
seases!Ihaveal
waysknownyou
wer
egoingtobri
ngbadnews, nowIwonderhow
l
ongyouhavebeencheati
ngonhi m.
”
TheodoralookedatChrist
ianexpecti
nghimtosay
somethi
ngbutnowhewasl ooki
ngatt heTV.She
slowl
yturnedcaref
ullyofherwoundsandwentback
tothebedroom whereshesatont hebed.She
wouldn’
tletMelodytakeawayherf amily
.
Chri
sti
anwal
kedi
nsecondsl
aterandcl
osedt
he
door.
“Iam sor
ryf
orwhatIdi
d.Iknownoamountof
apologi
eswil
lev
ermakeany t
hingr
ight
.”
“
It
sok,
youonl
yreact
ed.
”
Hehandedheranenv
elope.
“Il
oveyoubutIdon’tt
hinkIcanbewi thyou
anymore,youhavehurtme,Idon’tthi
nkIwillever
getoveri
t.Yougavemedi seases.Yourathercheat
thansupportmeatmyl owest.
”
Theodor
atookoutt
hedi
vor
cepaper
sandr
ead
car
eful
ly
.
“
Whatar
eyousay
ingChr
is?
”
“
Ican’
tdot
hisany
mor
e.”
“
Soy
ouwantt
ogetbackwi
thher
?”
Hesighedandtookherhand.“No,
Iguesssheheard
whathappenedanddecidedtocome.That
’snott
he
poi
nt.Iwantadiv
orce.
”
“ButIloveyou,t
ellmewhatt odoandIwi lldoit
.”
Sheslowl yst
oodup.“ Tel
lmehowt ofixthisandI
wil
l.IloveyouChristi
anandli
keanyotherhuman
beingImadeami stake.Pl
easelet
’sf
ixthis,wecan
fi
xt hi
s.Iam wil
l
ingt odoanythi
ngsowecanf ix
thi
s.”
“
Ther
eisnot
hingy
oucando.Iam done.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
ofi
ghtf
orus!
”
“
IwantDNAonLoago.
”
“
Loagoi
syour
s!”
“
Ijustwantt
obesur
e.Tal
ktoy
ourl
awy
eri
fyou
hav
eone,mylawy
erwoul
dli
ket
ogetst
art
ed
i
mmediat
ely
.”

*
***
*

Rachelwalkedi
nsi
deherhouseexhausted,
thisday
s
shefel
tti
redmostoft het
ime.Sheputherbags
downasherphoner angandtookitout
.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Ihear
dyouar
epr
egnant
.”
Shepausedt
henl
ookedatt
hecal
l
erI
D.
“
Itol
dyounottocal
lme.I
t’
sover
,gett
hatt
hrough
y
ourthi
ckskul
l
,Iam amarr
iedwoman.
”
“
Ift
hat’
smychi l
dthenIwanthi
m.Youarenotgoi
ng
t
ogiveyouri
nfert
il
ehusbandmychi
ld.
”
“
Thi
sisnoty
ourchi
l
d.St
ayawayf
rom me!
”
Shequickl
yhungupthenbl
ockedthenumber.Her
hear
tpoundedwhil
efearr
andownherspine.Slowl
y
shesatdownandputherhandstoget
heri
na
pr
ayi
ngf
orm.

*
***
*

Ref
il
weateawat
ermel
ont
alki
ngt
othephonei
nthe
morni
ng.
“
Soher
eal
l
ydeni
edi
t?”
“Appar
ent
lysheal
sodeniedi
tbutIam notst
upi
d.I
knowmymanf rom anyangl
e.”
“Idon’
tknowreal
l
y,doyouthinki
twasagoodidea
i
nv ol
vi
nghisf
amilyi
ntothi
s,don’
tfor
gethi
smother
doesn’tev
enl
ikeyou.
”
“WhatwasIsupposedt
oDi
ane,
Miguel
wasnot
bei
nghimsel
f.
”
“
Wel
lIhopenowt
hingswi
l
lbedi
ff
erent
.”
“Theyarealreadydi
ff
erent
,hesentmef
lowerst
oday
aft
erblessingmewi t
hthebestIhav
eeverhadi
nthe
mor ni
ng.”
“
Wow!
”
“
Iknow,
Iam soi
nlov
e.”
“Any
way s,di
dyout
alkt
oMi
guel
aboutt
he
bout
ique.”
“
God!I
tsl
i
ppedmymi
nd.
”
“Fi
fii
fyoudon’twantt
odothi
stel
lme,Saronahas
beenwaiti
ngformyanswerandshedoesn’
tli
ke
del
ays.”
“Ij
usthat
ethef
actt
hatSar
onai
sfr
iendswi
th
Anaya.
”
“What
?Thi
sisbusi
ness,
whatdoesAnay
ahav
eto
dowit
hthi
s?”
“
Iwantnot
hingassoci
ati
ngmet
othatwoman.
”
“What?Soj ustbecause…wow!Ireal
lycan’tbel
iev
e
yourightnow.Youar egoi
ngtoletalif
etime
opportunit
ygof orsomeonewhodoesn’ tevencar
e
abouty ou?Thatwomani ssuccessf
ul,sheisri
ch
andshecanaf f
ordhersel
fanexpensivethi
ngsinli
fe!
Don’tyouwantt obeliket
hat?”
“
No, Idon’
twantt
obelikeAnaya.Di
anedon’
tyou
t
hinkit’
sali
tt
lei
nsensi
ti
vethatyouwantmetodo
busi
nesswi
thawomanwhoi
sfri
endswi
thawoman
whowantst
odest
roymymar
ri
age.”
“
Irestmycase.
”
“
Ijusthopey
ouunder
stand.
”
“
Yeahby
e.”
Di
anehungupandRef
il
wesi
ghed.

*
***
*

Coll
eensmi ledlooki ngattheweddi nggownssav ing
herfavori
te.Shecameacr ossacer tai
ngownt hen
smiledwidely,thiswast heone, theoneshewant ed.
Shesav editthensenti ttoAnay a.Herphone
vibr
atedwi t
haf acebooknot i
fi
cat i
on,shetappedon
i
tandwai tedasf acebookopened.Hercousi nhad
ment i
onedheronapost .Sheslowl yreadthrough
thepostshaki ngwhi let
ear sf
il
ledherey esand
droppeddownhercheeks.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#78

Re-
readi
ngthepostwit
hapoundinghear
tandtear
s
i
nhereyes,Col
leen’
sphoner
ang.Sheanswer
edand
smi
ledtear
ful
ly
.
“
Hey
…”
“Il
ovey ou.Ididn’tt
hinky
ouwer egoingtopostme,
I
wasal r
eadyt hinki
ngmay beIshoul
dn’thav
e
posted.
”
“Il
oveyou,Ishoul
dhav ebeent
heonet
opr
opose
nottheotherwayround.”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.Ihav
etogo,
Iam ent
eri
ngt
hecour
t.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandlookedathisfacebookpostwitha
pi
ctur
eofbothofthem l
aughingatthecamera.See,
herpr
oposi
ngwassomet hingshejustt
houghtof
l
astmi nute,shedidn’teventhi
nkofwhatshewas
goingtodohadhesai dno,shedidn’tf
ractur
ethat
part,
shehadj ustgonewi t
hherinsti
nct.Now
readi
nghi spostappr eci
ati
ngher,tearsfil
l
edher
eyes.God!Whenwast helastt
imeshef el
tsuch
happiness.
Herphoner
angagai
nandshequi
ckl
yanswer
ed.
“Hedoesn’tl
oveyou,
ifhedi
d,t
henhewoul
dhav
e
proposedonhisown.”
Col
l
eenl
aughed.“
That
o,whatdoy
ouwant
?”
“
Hei
sgoi
ngt
oleav
eyou.
”
“
Thenl
ethi
m butIam goi
ngt
oenj
oyhi
m now.
”
“Youaresodesperateit
’ssad.Whot
oldyouwoman
propose?Hedoesn’twanttogetmar
riedandy
ou
blackmail
edhi
mi ntoit
.”
“Ohhunnyy
ouarethedesper
ateone,wher
edidyou
evengetmynumber?Youaresopather
ti
cyouneed
help.
”
Col
leenhungwit
hasmi
l
e.Shewasn’
tgoi
ngt
olet
any
oneruinherday
.
*
***
*

Miguelwalkedi
nsidehi
shouse,
hisf
atherwas
si
tti
nginthesit
ti
ngroom wi
thhi
sunclesandt
wo
aunts.
“
Boy
!”Theel
destuncl
esai
d.
Mi
guel
satdownst
ari
ngatRef
il
we.
“
Wearefr
om t
heShato’
s,nowthatthatevi
lwoman
i
soutoft
hepi
ctur
e,y
oucanf ocusony our
mar
ri
age.
”
Mi
guel
tur
nedt
ohi
sfat
herandl
aughedsof
tl
y.“
Yes.
”
“Good,
thecondit
iony
ourwifeisini
sv er
ysensit
ive.
Youshoul
dbel ovi
ngheri
nsteadofrunni
ngafter
somewoman. ”Theel
destuncleadded.
Miguel
lookedathi
sy oungestuncl
eandt
he
r
eassuranceheneededwast here.
“
Ok.Pl
easeexcuseme.
”
Hest
oodupandwal
kedt
ohi
sbedr
oom wher
ehe
qui
ckl
ychangedandgr
abbedhi
scarkey
s.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Het
urnedt
oRef
il
we.“
Ihav
etoseesomeone.
”
“
Who?Anay
a?”
Mi guelcal mlyl ookedather .“Iam goi ngt obe
honestwi thy ou,”Het ookherhandsi ntohi sand
smi l
ed.“Thef irsttimeImety ouIwasbr oken.I
didn’tknowwhatt othi nk.Ihadj ustlostawomanI
wasseei ngmyf uturewi th.Shel eftmeont heal t
er
andy ouwer er i
ghtther eforme.Youpi ckedmeupat
myl owest ,Ididn’tthinkIwoul dlovey ou, mat terof
fact,atfirstitwasonl ysexandcomf ort.ThenI
reali
zedy ouwer eamazi ng,yourwayoft hinkingand
doingt hings.Youwer enotl ikeAnay a, withy ouI
l
ear ntever yday .Ilearnthowt olov ey ou, wehadour
fi
rstbor nandIknewIhadt obei nf ort hel ongr un.
Formyst abil
ityandf orourki ds.Youl oveal lmyki ds
andi t’
samazi nghowy oudidn’tneedt otryhar dfor
that,itgav emepeace.That ’swhyImar ri
edy ou.
BecauseIl ov edy ou,y ouhadal r
eadyi nvest edal ot
i
nmeandourf ami l
y.ThenAnay acameback. ”
Refi
lweputherhandov erhermout hast ear
swether
cheeks.Shet r
iedt
oholditi
nbutr athershebr oke
downsi tt
ingonthebed.Shecri
edt i
llhisownhear t
wasbr eakingl
eavi
nghim conf
li
ctedandnot
knowingwhatt osay.Hesatbesi
deherhuggi ngher
thenkissedherfor
ehead.
“Shet r
iedi twithmebutIknewt hewomanIwas
mar ry
ing,knewwhatIwasf eeli
ng.Iwentaheadand
mar ri
edy oubecauseIl ovey ou.Iworksohar dso
thatyoucankeepl iv
ingthislif
e.Buty oukeepon
doubtingme.Youal way ssuspectme.AsmuchasI
understand, Imeany ourhormonesmi ghtbeallover
theplace, Ifeelit’
snouset obewi thyouifyoudon’t
trustme.Youar enothappywi t
hme, Icanseeitin
yourey es.Youar ealwayscr yi
ng,todaymyf amil
y
hasbannedmef rom seeingmydaught erwhoalso
deservesaf airchancewi thherfather.Babemay be
weshoul dj usttakeabr eak.”
Refi
lwest
oodupandsmi l
edwit
htear
srunni
ng
downhercheeks.Thepainhewasseei
nginher
eyeswasbreaki
nghimy ethedi
dn’
tknowwhattodo.
“
Ilov
eyou,
whatcan’
tyouunder
stand?Il
ovey
ou.
”
Heki
ssedherf
orehead.“
Met
oo.
”
“
Iam notl
osi
ngy
out
oAnay
a.Iwoul
drat
herdi
e.”
Hest
oodup.“
Wewill
tal
kwhenIcomeback.Agang
i
shavi
ngafi
ghtwi
thPul
e.”
Hequikl
ywal
kedout
,hi
sfat
herandt
heuncl
eswer
e
st
il
li
nhissi
tt
ingr
oom.
“
Iam goi
ngt
ocol
l
ectAgang.
”
Hi
sfat
herst
oodup.“
Wear
eal
readyl
eav
ing.
”
“
Ok,
saf
ejour
ney
.”
Miguelproceededout
sideanddi
aledhernumber
gett
inginthephone.I
thadbeenri
ngingawhil
eago
butnowi twasjustof
f.
Her
ever
sedt
hendr
oveof
fheadi
ngNor
th.

*
***
*

Let
habodi
shedf
orI
vyandhandedhert
hepl
ate.
“
Thi
sisnothowmommycooks.
”
Let
habosi
ghed.“
Ivy
,justeat
.Mommyi
snother
e.”
“
Issmuf
fybearcomi
ng?
”
Let
habol
ookedatI
vyandsmi
l
ed.“
Yes,
tomor
row.
”
“Imisshi m,Iwanttogobackt othewater
.Itwasso
nice.Iwasswi mmi ngwit
hJayandQ.Mommysai d
wewi llhaveanotherbaby.Iam goi
ngtotel
lReese,
myf ri
endatschool .”
Lethabowal kedwithIv
ybackt othesitt
ingr oom as
shecont i
nuousl ytal
ked.Shenev erst
opped, he
changedt heTVchannel andsighedwat chinghis
favori
teTVshow.Hecoul dn’
thelpbuttot hinkof
Annalise.Asmuchasshewasgoodwi t
hhermout h,
hewasn’ texper i
encedwithsuchbutheknewwi t
h
whathef elt
,shehadt obegoodati t,
butwi thallthat
hef el
tabused.
Thei
nter
com r
angandLet
habowal
kedout
side.
“
Hi,
myki
tchenpi
pej
ustbur
st,
cany
oupl
easehel
p
me?”
LethabolookedatAnnal
i
sethenl
ookedbackatthe
house.Tatendawasgoneandhewasleftwi
thIv
y
si
nceAnay
awasn’
tcomi
nghomet
oni
ght
.
“
UhhIam wi
thmysi
ster
’sdaught
er…”
Annal
i
sesmiled.“
Youcanbri
ngher.Iwi
llbewai
ti
ng,
pl
easehur
ry,
thereiswat
erever
ywhere.
”

*
***
*

Lethabowal kedinsi
dethehousemi nuteslat
erwit
h
Ivynexttohim.Hi seyesfel
lonClaudiawhowasi n
thelounge,shewasbeaut if
ulandyoung,Lethabo
couldseether esemblance.Nowthathewasl ooki
ng
atherfrom acloserange,shelookedabi tol
dert
han
him.
“
Hi,
”Shewhi
sper
edwav
ingwi
thacut
esmi
l
e.
“Thisway…shecanst aywit
hCl audi
a.”Annal
i
se
pointedatherdaught
er.I
vylookedaroundand
Lethaboknewshewasaboutt oopenhersmar t
mout h.
Lethabofol
lowedaft
erAnnal
i
sewit
hapounding
heart.I
nthekit
chen,
thepi
pehadn’
tbur
stedbutwas
l
eakinguncont
rol
l
abl
y.Hel
ookedati
tthenbackat
Annali
se.
“
Doy
ouhav
eanel
ast
icband?
”
Shenoddedt henopenedoneofthedrawerswhere
shetookitout.Lethabot
ooktherol
landcutabit
wit
hakni f
ebef orekneel
i
ngbefor
ethekit
chenpipe.
Hetiedtherubberbandtothesmallcr
ackandstood
up.
“
Youshoul
dcall
apl umberandhav
eitf
ixedbutf
or
t
oni
ght,
itwi
ll
befine.”
Heturnedtol
ookatAnnali
se,
shesmiledt
akingoff
herdr
ess,Let
habolookedatt
heki
tchendoorthen
backatAnnal
ise.
“
Iknowy
ouwantt
his,
hav
eyouev
erhadsex?
”
Hel
ookedather
,shewassl i
ml i
ket
hosewhite
womanhesawonmagazi nes.Shedef
ini
tel
ydidn’
t
l
ookl
ikeanol
dwoman, notlooki
ngli
kethat
.
“
Itakei
tyouar
eav
irgi
n.Come.
”
Sheopenedt
hekit
chenbackdoorandwalkedout.
Hismouthdr
oppedopenasAnali
sewalkedoutsi
de
naked.
“Rel
ax,
mywal
l
sar
esohi
gh,
noonewi
l
lseeme.
Come.”
Hewal kedwi thhertot hebacky ar
dwher epushed
hispantsdownandknel tbefor
ehim.Sheopened
hermout handst artedwor ki
ngonhi sdick.Lethabo
closedhisey esgrunti
ng.Hegr abbedherhai rli
ke
theydidont hepor nvideosthenstartedfuckingher
sweetmout h.Helookedupatt heheavensf ucki
ng
hermout hhar d.Hismuscl esti
ghtenedashef el
t
himselfreaching.Hegav eheronest rokethenshot
hisloadinhermout h.
Annali
seslowl
ystoodupandpushedhi m ononeof
thecoucheswhichwereonherbackyardpati
o.She
gotontopofhim openingacondom t
henpushedit
downhislengt
h.Slowlyshesatonhi
m.
“
OhGod!He’
swor
thi
t.
”
Shestar
tedbounci
ngonhi
m whi
l
ehegr
oanedand
grunt
ed.
*
***
*

Anayacl eanedthehousel i
steningtosomeol dhits.
Acarsoundmadeherpause, whowasi tsolat eat
ni
ght?Herf at
herwasn’ there,shewal kedov ertot he
windowandpeaked.Herhear tskippedwi t
hj oyas
shestaredathi scar,shest eppedawayf r
om t he
windowandwai tedforhi m.Secondsl aterhe
openedt hedoorandwal kedi ntakingoffhisbl ack
cape.Het ookof fhi
scapeandshesuckedi nher
breat
h,hewasamuscul arbeastandal lshecoul d
i
magi newasbei ngundert hathugechest .She
l
ookedi ntohissoftey esremai ningrootedtot he
fl
oor.
“
Soy
our
an?
”
Anay
alookedathi
m andsi
ghed.
“
No.
”
“
Whatdoy
oucal
lwhaty
oudi
d?”
“
Miguel
Ijustneededsomef
reshai
r,y
ourf
ami
l
y
wer
eathome. ”
“Youknewt hi
swoul
dhappent hemomentwe
decidedwearedoi
ngthi
s.Butwhyam Inot
surpri
sed?Youar
ealwaysrunning.
”
“
That
’snotf
air
.”
“What’
snotfai
rist
hatyousayonethi
ngthenthe
nextmomentyouaredoingsomethi
ngel
se.Ialway
s
havetobechasi
ngafteryou.
”
Anaya’
seyesf
il
ledwi
tht
ear
sasshel
ookedathi
s
angr
yface.
“Iam tr
yingtofightforuswhileyourunoff.Iam
beginni
ngt ofeelthi
sr el
ati
onshi
pisonesided.
May beweshoul dn’tevenbedoingthisbecausewho
knowswhaty ouwi l
ldoaf t
erIl
eavemywi fe?Ican’t
dependony outohav emybackAnay aandt hat
’sthe
trut
h.”
Anayaswall
owedhardaspai
nchockedher
.She
wipedawayatearwhi
chhadrol
l
eddownhercheeks
tr
yingt
odigesthi
swords.
“Iknownomat t
erhowmanyt i
mesIapol ogi
zei
twil
l
neverchangeanyt
hingbutIam sor
ry.Iam sorr
yfor
l
eav i
ngyouonourweddingday.Iwil
l keep
apologizingt i
llyougenui nelyf orgiveme, maybeIdo
deser vey oui ntenti
onal l
ysay ingt hingst hatwill
hurt
myf eelingsbecausenot hingwi llevercompar eto
thepai nIputy out hrough.Il ovey ouandIwanty ou
allt
omy self.Iam notgoi ngt odenyt hatbutifyou
feelli
key oucan’ ttrustmet henf eel freetowor kout
thi
ngswi thy ourwi fe.”Shet ookadeepbr eat
has
tearsfell thisuncont roll
ably.“ I
fyouf eel Iam notthe
onepl easet ell
me, Iam notgoi ngt oputupdr ama.
Yourf ami lyshamedmymot hertodayandal l
becauseofme.Ihav ehumi l
iatedhersomuchIwi ll
neverf orgi v
emy selfforit.Ilov eyoubutIknowy ou
beingwi thmewi l
lhav eev er
y onet urningtheirbacks
ony ou.Idon’ twantt hatf ory ou,Ialreadyhav eput
yout hroughsomuch. ”
Miguel closedthegapbet weent hem andhugged
her.Anay acriedonhischest ,i
twashar dpr et
endi
ng
hiswor dsdidn’thurther
,itwasev enharder
pretendinghewasn’ tmarried.Hehadhi sringonhis
fi
nger ,
thatweddi ngbandt hatclai
medhi m as
anotherwoman’ spropert
y.Thepai ncloggedher
throatasshesobbedl oudly.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Sheputherhandoverhermout htr
yingtosi l
enceher
sobs,awhi
lelat
ertheywer ebot
hsitti
ngont he
couchhol
dingeachot herwhi
leshebat t
ledwithher
hi
ccups.Aknockont hedoorhadherr aisi
ngher
head.
“
Itmustbeoneofthewor
ker
s,”shewhi
sper
ed
weakl
y.“
Iwil
lgeti
t.
”
Anay
astoodupandst
agger
edf
eel
i
ngawav
eof
di
zzi
ness.
“Areyouok?”Miguel
puthi
shandsar
oundher
steadyi
ngher.
“
Iam f
ine.Justt
ir
ed.Ihav
eaheadache.
”
“
Iwi
l
lgett
hedoor
.Si
t.
”
Shewatchedhi
m wal
ktot
hedoorwhil
esi
tti
ngdown.
Miguel
walkedbackmi
nut
esl
atercl
osi
ngthedoor
behi
ndhim.
“
Isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“
Theyj
ustki
l
ledasnakewhi
chki
l
ledagoat
.”
Anayaputherhandov
erherchestpani
cki
ng.“
A
snake?
”
“
Theyki
l
ledi
t.
”
“
May
bet
her
ear
eot
hersnakesoutt
her
e.”
“Babecomeon,
it’
saf
arm,
obv
iousl
yther
ear
eaf
ew
snakes.
”
Sheshookherhead.“
Idon’
twantany
thi
ng
happeni
ngtoanyone.
”
Anay
astoodupandst
aredathi
sri
ng.“
Arey
ou
st
ayi
ng?
”
Miguel
tookof
fhi
sri
ngandsl
i
diti
nhi
spocket
.
“
Yes.”
Hekissedherputt
inghishandi
nsideherpaj
amat op
andcuppedherbreast.Anayaf
rownedatthesudden
pai
n,herbreastf
eltt
enderli
ketheyusual
l
ydidwhen
herperi
odcame.
“
Arey
ouok?
”
“Yes,mybreast…t
heyar
esensi
ti
ve,
myper
iodi
s
approachi
ng.”
Mi guelkissedheragai n, hesl i
dhi shandi nsideher
pajamapant st heni nsideherg- stringandt ouched
herpussy .Hesl i
dhi sf ingersbet weenherf ol ds
rubbinghercl i
t.Anay ahel dont ohi sbi cepsas
Mi guelkissedherneckweakeni ngherev enmor e.
Shewhi mper edsof tlyashesl i
dhi sf i
ngeri nsi deher
tappingherg- spotimmedi atel
y.Hesl idi nanot her
fi
ngerandr epeat edlyt appedt hatsweetspott hat
hadhersi nki nghernai lsintohisbi cepsr oll
ingher
eyes.Heror gasm cr ushedhermaki ngherv i
br ate
withpleasur ewhi l
emoani ngwithherey est ight l
y
closed.Mi guel slowlypul l
edouthi shandsand
crouchedbef oreherpul l
i
ngherg- stri
ngandpant s
down.Heputheronel egov erhisshoul derst hen
bur i
edhisf acebet weenherl egs.Anay agr i
ndedher
pussyonhi smout h, shecl osedherey esf il
li
nghi s
tonguei nhercar essingherwal ls.Herknees
weakenedasshecameonhi smout hwi thsof t
moans.
Miguelgotupandpi
ckedherupleadi
nghertothe
bedroom wher
ehelayheronthebedtaki
ngoffher
paj
amat op.Hegent
lymassagedherswoll
en
breastskissi
ngherwhi lerubbi
nghiser ecti
ononher .
Anayahel pedhi mtakeoffhisT-shi
rtthenunzi pped
hi
spant sandpushedt hem downwi thherl egs.
Miguel’
sdi ckfellr
ightonherpussy,shel ookedin
hi
sey esashesqueezedhi msel
fintil
lhewasbur ied
deepinsideher .Miguelgr
oanedandsl owl ymade
l
ov etoher .

*
***
*

Refi
lwest aredatherweddi ngpictureframewi th
tear
sbl urr
ingherview.Shewonder edifshewas
rui
ningherownmar r
iage,eversinceshest art
ed
accusinghi mthi
ngswer ediff
erent,t
heywer ealways
fi
ghting.Refil
weknewshewasn’ timaginingthi
ngs,
sheknewhehadwentt oMal di
veswi thher,knewhe
wassl eepingwit
hher .Shet ookherringingphone
answer i
ng.
“
Hey,l
ookIthoughtaboutwhatyousaid,
Iknow
maybei
t’
sinsensi
ti
veexpecti
ngyoutobemor ethan
wi
ll
i
ngtostartabusinesswi
thSarona.HowaboutI
pl
ayfrontroleandyoubeasi lentpart
ner?Youwont
havetoassociatewit
hher,Iwi l
lbeinthefr
ontrol
e.
Tomor r
owIam meet ingSarona,wear efi
nal
izi
ng
ever
ything.
”
“Di
aneIt oldy
ou,Iam notgoi
ngt omakemy sel
flook
l
ikeaf oolworki
ngwithAnaya’
sfriend.Mymar r
iage
i
sf al
l
ingapartbecauseofAnayaandy oukeep
tel
l
ingmet oworkwithherf
ri
end.Myki dsaregoing
tosuffer.Myhearti
sbreaki
ng,Idon’tev en
understandhi
m anymore.Hehaschanged. ”
Di
anewassi
l
entf
oramoment
.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Refi
l
weputherhandoverhermouthtry
ingnott
ocr
y
butasobescapedherl
i
pseitherway
.
“
Hei sst
il
ldenyingit
.Nowhej ustlef
t,hesai
dhe
wenttoColl
ectAgangbutIcalledAgang,heisnot
t
here.I
tfeel
slikeIam f
ighti
ngal osi
ngbattl
eandI
f
eelli
keIam losingmymi nd.
”
“
Iam sor
ryf
ri
end.
”
“
Ijustwi
shIcanhav
emyMi
guel
back,
thatmanwho
alwayswor kedhardtomakemesmi le,
themanwho
heldmybodyl ikenoonedi d.Il
ov ehim somuch
Diane,IevenfeelasifhefedmebecauseIl ovehi
m
toomuch.Ican’ thandl
elosinghim,Ican’tseemy
l
ifewithouthim.HowdoIbegi nto….”Shestopped
andstartedcryi
ng.Thepainf el
ttooraw.
“
Fif
iyouar
ebreaki
ngmyhear
t.Shoul
dIcomeov
er,
wherei
she?”
“Hewenttoher.Iknowhei swit
hher ,Icanf
eel
it.
Shelef
thim andIwasthereforhim andnowsheis
backheisbackwithher.Shehurthi
m. ”
“
Didn’
tthef
ami
l
ywar
nAnay
a?”
“
Sheisnotgoi
ngt
oli
sten.Iam goi
ngt
oteachhera
l
esson.
”
“
Fif
i…j
ustst
ayt
her
e.Iam comi
ng.
”
Refi
lwehungupandmarchedtotheki
tchenwhere
shegrabbedakni
feandwalkedoutwi
ththecar
keys.

*
***
*
Lethabol ayont hecouchst aringattheTV, hestil
l
couldn’tbelievewhathadj usthappened.Hehadj ust
gotf uckedbyhi scrush’smot herandact ual
ly
enjoy editthoughhef eltsomehow.Hesi l
entl
y
wonder edifshehadmol est
edhi m butthenhedi dn’
t
refuseher ,whatdidt hatmakei t
?Hegr abbedhi s
phonet ocallhisfr
iendbutthent houghtotherwise
andputt hephonedown.Hi smi ndswi r
ledwith
thought s.Hest ooduphear i
ngt heinter
com ring,
may bei twasher .
Hewal
kedout
sidewi
tht
hegat
eremot
e.
“
HiLet
habo.
”
Let
habof
rownedatt
hef
ami
l
iarwomanatt
hegat
e.
“
Hi.
”
“
UhhhIam Mi
guel
’
swi
fe,
isy
oursi
sterher
e?”
Heshookhi
shead,
right
!Her
emember
edher
.The
womanuncl
eMiguelhadmar
ri
ed.
“
Oh?
”
“
Icanpassonamessage.
”
“
UhhMi
guel
sentmet
ocol
l
ectI
vy.
”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#79

Let
habo’
sfr
owndeepened.“
Vee?
”
“
Yes,
heal
readyspoket
oAnay
a.”
“
Anay
adi
dn’
ttel
lmeany
thi
ng.
”
“
Oh?May
beshef
orgot
.”
“Veei
salreadysleepi
ngandAnay
adi
dn’
ttel
lme
anyt
hing,
Ican’tgiveyouI
vy.
”
Shelookedathi
mforawhil
ethensmiled.“
No,it
’s
ok.Iwil
lcomebacksomeothert
ime.Staysaf
e.”
Henoddedandwalkedbackinsi
dethehouse.
Taki
nghisphonehetri
edhissi
ster
’snumberbutit
woul
dn’
tgot hr
ough,j
ustl
i
keheexpect ed.Hel
ocked
al
lthedoor
sthensati
nfr
ontoft
heTVt
ryi
ngt
oget
hi
smi ndof
fAnnel
ise.

*
***
*

Oler
atotookadeepbreathl
ooki
ngaroundherhouse
thenfi
nall
yopenedthedoori
nhernewcasualthi
n
eveni
ngmaxi dr
ess.Shesmil
edstar
ingatt
he
fl
owersVinceheldi
nhishands.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Oleratobl ushed, t
heshoppinghadpai dof f,includi
ng
thenewhai rdo.Vincehandedherthef lower swhi l
e
swiftlypullingheri nhisar
ms.Shei nhaledhi smanl y
cologneput tingherheadonhi sbuffchest .Vince
fi
rml yhuggedhersqueezi ngheral i
ttl
ebi tthenl et
go.Shest agger edbackandwal kedbacki nsideher
house, hehadast rongeff
ectonher .Oleratot ook
outt heflower si
nherv aseandthrewt hem int hebin
replacingt hem witht hesweetsmelli
ngr edr oses.
Shewal
kedoutl
ocki
ngt
hedoorbehi
ndhert
hen
Vincet
ookherhandandl edhertohiscar.He
openedthedoorf
orherandshebl ushedgetti
ngin,
nonofherexboyf
riend’
sev eropenedthedoorfor
her.Vi
ncecl
imbedinthendr oveout.
Asongpl ayedandshesmil
ed,i
twasthesamesong
shesleptli
steni
ngtothepr
evi
ousni
ght.Shenodded
herheadatt hebeat
.
“Iknowy ou’
retheone,Iknowourti
mewi l
lcome, I
feeli
tinmyhear t
,Iseeyouinmydr eams,Ikeepyou
i
nmypr ayer
s…”Sheunconsciousl
ysangoutl oud
andVi ncechuckl
edassheputherhandov erher
mout h.
“
Don’
tbeshy
,youact
ual
l
yhav
eani
cev
oice.
”
Ol
erat
olaughed.“
Iusedt
osi
ngatchur
ch.
”
“
Whydi
dyoust
op?
”
“
Iwenttovarsi
tyl
eav
ingmychurchbehi
ndandnowI
j
ustl
ostint
eresti
nsi
ngi
ngl
ikethat
,butIdosi
ngin
myshower.”
Theybot
hlaughed.
“
Soy
ouar
eadoct
or?
”
“Iam apsy
chologi
st.At
herapi
st,
Ihav
emyown
offi
ce,myl
itt
lecompany
.”
“Wow!Don’
tyoust
ressov
ersomecasesofy
our
pat
ient
s?”
Sheshr
ugged.“
Somet
imes,
somet
imesnot
.”
“
Whatifyoueverr
eceiv
edapati
entwhoconf
esses
t
oki
llsomeone,wil
lyoutel
l
?”
“Apar tofmyj obistokeeppati
entandtherapi
st
confidenti
ali
ty,butsomecasesincasesofmur derI
am allowedtor eportt
houghIhavenevercame
acrosssuchacase. ”
Vinceparkedthecarinf r
ontofaFr enchrestaurant
.
Hest eppedoutandopenedt hedoorf orher.She
smiledsteppi
ngoutandt ogethertheywalkedi nsi
de.
Awai termetthem bytheent ranceandt ookthem
upstairst
otheirV.I
.Pt able.
“
Ihav
enev
ergot
teni
nthi
srest
aur
antbef
ore.
”
Vincepul
l
edoutachai
rforher
.“Todaywi
l
lbey
our
fi
rst.
”
“
Thanks.
”Shesatdownl
ooki
ngatt
hewhi
tepeopl
e
whowereonthetabl
ebesi
desthei
rs.Thet
wol adi
es
smil
edatherandshesmil
edbackturni
ngbackto
Vi
nce.
Herphoner
angandshet
ooki
tout
.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
Herhear
tski
pped.
“
Don’
tletmef
indy
ou.
”
Shequi
ckl
yhangupandputt
hephonebacki
nthe
pur
se.
“
Arey
ouok?
”
Shef
akedasmi
l
e.“
Yes.Iam f
ine.
”
“
Youl
ookl
i
key
ouhav
ejustseenaghost
.”
“
Uhhi
t’
snot
hing.
”
Vincepressedhi
sli
pstogethermoment
ari
ly.“Iam
anhonestpersonandIlovepeopl
ewhoare
tr
ansparent.Wecan’
texactl
ystar
twhat
everthisi
s
onal i
ecanwe? ”
Shelookedinhisser
iouseyes,herheartpounded
evenmor e,
Godnowshewasaboutt olosetheman
shecouldn’
tstopthi
nkingabout.Atearrandownher
cheekandshequicklywipedit
.
“
It
’smyex.
”
“
Whatdi
dhewant
?”
“He…heusedtobeatmewhenwewer est
illt
ogether
,
Ibrokeupwit
hhimthenheharassedandrapedme.
Irepor
tedhi
m andhehasbeeninjai
lsi
ncethen.He
j
ustcameout.”
Vincesi
ghed.“That
’swhatyoushoul
dhavesaid,I
am nottheonetojudge,
Ialsohavehi
stor
y,matt
er
offactweallhavehi
stor
y.”
“
Iam sor
ry,Ij
ustdi
dn’
twantt
orui
nthi
swi
th
Mor
apedi’
snonsense.
”
“
Youcanonl
yrui
nitwi
thli
es.Ihav
ekids,
twi
nsbut
t
heyst
aywit
hthei
rmotheri
nMaf i
kengwher
eshe
wor
ks.
”
“
Howol
dar
ethey
?”
“
3.Doy
ouhav
eki
ds?
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
No.
”
“
Ok,anyt
hingel
sey
out
hinkIshoul
dknowory
ou
wantt
oknow? ”
“
Whathappenedbet
weeny
ouandt
hemot
her
?”
“
Shemetsomeonebet
terandl
eft
.”
“Doyouthi
nkther
eisachanceofy
ouev
erwor
kingi
t
outwit
hher?”
“
No,
shei
smar
ri
ed.
”
Ol
erat
osmi
l
edr
elax
ing,
nobabymamadr
ama.
“
Ok.
”
“
Shoul
dweor
der
?”
“
Yes.
”

*
***
*

Meanwhil
eAgangwal
kedi
nsi
det
heV.I.Psect
ion
wi
thSarona.
“
Thi
spl
acei
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
Agangl
edhert
othei
rtabl
e.“
Yeah…”
“
Oh,
Vince!
”
Agangtur
nedtowhereSar onawasl ooki
ngthen
fr
ownedstari
ngatOlerat
o,itwasheranddamn!She
wasbeauti
ful
,morebeautif
ulthanthelastti
meshe
sawher.Hepausedstari
ngasVi nceleanedoverand
ki
ssedherwit
hhishandonherchi n.
“
Let
’sj
oint
hem.
”
Agangl
ookedatSar
ona.“
No,
weshoul
djust
-“
“
Agangcomeon,
let
’sgo.
”
Shepul
l
edhi
mtowar
dst
hecosycoupl
e.
“
Heyguy
s…”
Vi
ncer ai
sedhisheadandsmi ledwhileOlerat
o
bl
ushed.Agangstaredather,hermake- upmadeher
l
ookflawlessandthescarl
etli
pst i
ckshehadon
madeherl i
psevenmor esexi
er .Ol
eratostopped
bl
ushi
ngast heylookedateachot her.
“Mi
ster
!”Vincest
oodupandshoul
derbumpedwi
th
Agangbeforesi
tt
ingdown.
“
Canwej
oiny
ouguy
s?”
“
Babeno,
Idon’
tthi
nkt
hat
’sagoodi
dea.
”
Vinceint
erj
ect
ed.“It
’sok,
youguy
scanjoi
n.Hi
Sarona,t
hisi
sOl er
ato,mywomanandbabe,
that
’s
AgangandSar ona.
”
Theyallsatdownexchangi ngpleasantri
es,Agang
besideOler
ato.Shebri
efl
yl ookedathi m before
smili
ngatVince.Agangst olegl
ancesatOl erat o
wonderingwhyhenev erbot her
edt ocallherthe
ti
mehehadmether ,nowhecoul dn’tunderstandhis
j
ealousy,heneverdat
edt hedamnwomani nt hefi
rst
pl
ace.
Oler
atost
oodupandwal kedt
owardstherest
rooms
l
eavingal
lofthem ont
hetabl
e.Agangtookouthi
s
phoneandstoodup.
“
Iwi
l
lbeback.
”
Hewalkedtowardstherest
roomsdisappeari
ngin
t
hepassagethatledtothesepar
atebathrooms.He
wai
tedforherther
e,inf
ewmi nut
esshewal kedout
i
nthatdressthatl
oosel
yhuggedhercurves.
“
Hey
…”
Shel
ookedathi
m andsmi
l
ed.“
Hi.
”
“
Youar
eseei
ngVi
nce?
”
Sher
aisedaney
ebr
ow.“
Yes.Imeannoty
etbut
al
most.”
Theanswert
wistedhisheartpai
nfull
yaspain
j
abbedonhischest,
fuck!Hecouldn’tbethat
aff
ect
ed.Helookedatherfaceli
ckinghisli
ps.
“
Ihopet
hat
’snotapr
obl
em.
”
Hequi
ckl
yshookhisheadfor
cingasmi
l
e.“No.Iam
act
ual
l
yhappyformyfri
end,y
ouareagoodperson.
”
Sheshy
lysmi
l
ed.“
Thanks,
seey
ou.
”
Shewal
kedawaywi
thherassshaki
ngi
nthatdr
ess.
“
Fuck!Getyourshi
ttoget
herAgang!
”Hewhi
sper
ed
t
ohimself
.

*
***
*
Laterthatev eningVincewal kedwi t hOl er
atotoher
door.Shel ookedathi m wi t
hasmi let henhel eaned
overandki ssedher .Sheputherhandsonhi s
shoulder sasVi ncesli
dhi stonguei nhermout h.
Witht hewayhewasbr eathing, sheknewwhathe
want edandsodi dshe,shemi ssedaman’ stouch.
Sti
llkissinghi m shesear chedf orthekey sinher
purset henpul l
edawayandqui cklyunl ockedthe
door.Vi ncepi ckedherupasherdr essr odetoher
waistwhi lesheputherl egsar oundhi m kissi
nghi m.
Hewal kedi nsidethehousecl osingt hedoorwi t
hhis
foot.Shepul ledawayherl ipsashel ai
dheront he
couchget t
ingbet weenherl egs.
“Oleyouar eba-“Vi
ncegotoffherwhil
eOl er
ato
quickl
yfixedherdressstar
ingathersist
erwitha
facemuskont hefaceandat owelar
oundherbody
exposingherlongsmoot hl
egs.
“Oh,Idi
dn’
tknow…”Boi
tumel
omut
ter
edasOl
erat
o
gotofft
hecouch.
“
UhhVincet
hisi
smysi
ster
,Boi
tumel
oandBoi
,thi
s
i
sVi
nce.”
Boi
tumelosmil
edandwav
ed.“
Iam sor
rywehav
eto
meetli
kethi
s.”
Vi
ncechuckled.“
It
’sok.
”Heturnedt
oOl
erat
oand
ki
ssedhercheek.“Iwi
ll
cal
lyou.”
“
Ok.
”
Hewal
kedoutandBoi
tumel
onaught
il
ygi
ggl
ed.“
He
i
sacat
ch!”
Ol
eratosmi
l
edandsatdown.“
Iknow,
Ithi
nkIam i
n
l
ove.”
Boi
tumelowal
kedoverandsatbesi
deher
.“I
wouldn’
tbl
ameyou,
hei sr
eall
yhandsomebutbe
car
eful.
”
“Iknow,
remembert
hatt
imeamanal
mostcr
ushed
onmycar ?
”
Boit
umel
ofr
ownedt
ryi
ngt
oremember
.“Whi
ch
one?”
“
TheoneIt
ookt
othecl
i
nic.
”
“
Ohhh!Yes.
”
“
Theyar
efr
iends.
”
“
So?
”
“No,
heaskedi
fIwasseeinghi
sfriendandIsai
dyes,
heseemedhur
tyethehadagir
lfr
iendwithhi
m.”
“Mxm,don’
tev
enent
ertai
nhim,Ihopey
out
old
Vincet
haty
ouknowhisfr
iend.
”
Ol
erat
oshookherhead.“
No.Iwasscar
ed.
”
Herphoner
angandshetookitout.Herhear
tst
art
ed
poundi
ngasshest
aredattheunsavednumber.
“
Whoi
sit
?”
“
Mor
apedi
.”
“What?Giv
ethatt
ome, thi
smani sgoingf
arnow.If
hethi
nksyouareunprot
ected,hehasanot
herthi
ng
comingforhi
m.”Boi
tumelograbbedthephoneand
answeredput
ti
ngonloudspeaker.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“Youcal
lagai
nnextti
meandIwi l
lsl
ity
ourthr
oat,
don’
tfor
getyouhaveadaught
er,shewil
lgetr
aped
thesamewayy our
apedmysisteranddon’
t
under
est
imat
eme, Iam anSSGandIwil
lmakesur
e
yougobackt
ojai
l
.”ShehungasOlerat
osmil
ed.
“
Wher
eisKago?Whatt
imedi
dyoucome?
”
“Theyareathome,Kagoi
sannoy
ingmesoIcame
hereforsomespace.
”
“
Whatdi
dyoudo?
”
Boi
tumelochuckledwi
thdi
sbel
i
ef.“
Whatdi
dIdo?I
di
dn’tdoanyt
hing.”
“
Boi
…?”
“
Idi
dn’
tdoany
thi
ng.
”
“Kanaol
eSSGkontlekwaesengkol
apeng.{Youare
anSSGoutther
enotathome.}If
eelsorr
yforKago,
heissocal
m buthi
swife…soheiswiththeki
ds?”
Boi
tumel
oshameful
lyl
ookedathery
oungersi
ster
.“I
cal
l
edhisAuntnamesdaysago.
”
“
What
?”
“
Ithoughti
twassomebi
tch.
”
“
ButKagodoesn’
tcheat
.”
“Idon’
tknow,
Iwasjustbei
ngcr
azyandnowhi s
Auntandmothercamehometoday.Iam scar
edof
going.
”
Theypausedatt heknockont hedoor.Boitumelo
stoodupwal kedt othedoor ,fear
lessasusual .
Oleratosmiledr ecal
lingt het i
meshersi st
erhad
al
way spr ot
ect edher.Howshewasal way sthebrave
one, t
heonenotscar edofr isks,i
twasn’tasur pri
se
whenshedeci dedt obeaSpeci alSupportGroup, i
t
wasal readyinherchar acter.Shet ur
nedherheadas
Boitumeloopenedt hedoor .Herhusbandwal kedin
asBoi l
umel ost oodst i
l
l atthedoor .Oler
atost oodup
andsmi l
edatKago.
“
Hi,
”
“
Hey
,goodt
oseey
ou.Icamet
ocol
l
ectmywi
fe.
”
“
Iwi
l
lbr
ingherbag.
”
“
No,
Ican’
tgol
i
ket
his.
”
“Wearegoi ngbabe, y
oucanbri
ngherbagOl e.”
Kagosaidt henpickedBoit
umeloandwalkedwi t
h
herout
side.Oleratomadeherwayt oherbedroom
whereBoitumelohadl ef
thert
hingsal
lover,asusual
.
Shegrabbedhersi
ster
’shandbagandphonethen
walkedoutwi
ththem handi
ngthem t
oheroverthe
window.
“
Bye.
”
Boit
umel
oroll
edherey
esroll
ingupthewindow.
Kagodr
oveoutandshewalkedbackinsi
dethe
housel
ocki
ngbehi
ndher.

*
***
*

Theodorawokeupwithastart
,shepatt
edbesi
de
herandfel
tthecol
dness.Wit
hasighshecli
mbed
outofbedandwalkedoutofthebedr
oom.Hereyes
fel
lonMelodywhowaseat i
ngbreakf
astwi
thher
husbandandLoago.
“
Mommy
!LookatwhatAunt
ymade!
”
“Soshecooksmyf oodnow?
”Theodor
aangr
il
y
star
edatthesetup.
“
Youcanj
oinus.
”Chr
ist
ianr
espondedcal
mly
.
“
Iam notj
oini
ngy
ou,
tel
lthi
swomant
ogetoutof
myhouse!
”
“
Yourhouse?Si
ncewhen?
”
Theodoral
aughedst
ari
ngatMelody
.“Hunny
Chri
sti
anandIaremarr
iedi
ncommuni t
yofproper
ty.
Wechangedourmarri
agestat
us.Soyes,my
house.
”
“I
fIwereyouIwouldj ustl
eavewithmydigni
tyst
il
l
i
ntactl
ookingatt
hef actthatyouarenol
onger
beauti
ful
,notwi
thAidsandt hatscar.
”
Theodora’
seyesfi
ll
edwit
htear
sasshelookedat
Chri
sti
an.“Soyouaregoi
ngtol
ett
hiswoman
di
srespectme?”
Christ
ianstoodup.“
Iam notar
guingwithyou.
Pleasesignthosedi
vor
cepapaers,Iam t
aking
Loagoout .
”
Hepi
ckedhissonupandwalkedoutwit
hhi
m.
Mel
odystooduptucki
ngherweavebehi
ndherear
.
“Chr
ist
ianismyhusbandandwi
llal
way
sbemy
husband.Yourr
eignhascomet
oanend,Iwi
l
lno
l
ongersufferbecauseofyou.Myki dswil
lnolonger
suff
er,nowt her
oleshavechanged.Youarenot
worki
ng, l
et’
sseehowy ouwillsupporty
ourson
becausetrustme,hisdaysareli
mited,t
hesameway
youtreat
edmewi l
lbethesamewayIwi l
ltr
eatyou.
”
Theodor asighedandl ookedatMel odywi thasl y
smile.“ Isee, whaty oudon’trealizei sthat,
every t
hingt hatmanowns, halfofi tismi ne.Icanbe
j
oblessbutIwi llnotsufferbecausey ousee, unli
ke
you, Ihav eadegr eeandcanal way sgetaj ob.My
bestf ri
endownsOsWor ldandIam goi ngtowor k
there.Don’ tblowy ourownhor n, Chr i
stianismy
husbandandasusual ,
wehav eourownupsand
downs.Whenwef i
nall
yfixthi
ngs, Iam goi ngtotake
thoseki dsf rom y ouandt heywi l
l staywi thme, you
won’ tev erreceiveacent .Bettert r
eatt hatf ake
Peruv i
anr ight,youmi ghtwantt osel litinthefuture
whent hingsar ehar dandr ough.”
Sheturnedandwalkedbackt oherbedroom where
shetookoutherbusinessidea.Theodora
rememberedwhenshehaddr aftedi
tthi
nkingher
cont
ractwasnotgoingt oberenewed.Sher ead
t
hroughitt
hinki
ngofoneper
sonwhosheknew
wouldl
ovetoinvest
.

*
***
*

Lonegotof ft
hecarl eavingitrunningandr ushed
i
nsidethehouse, shehadf or
got tenafi
leandshe
wasal r
eadyl ateforwor k.Herey esscannedt he
si
tti
ngr oom, itwasn’tthere.Shewal kedtoher
bedroom butpassi ngt heroom Const anceusedwi t
h
herdaught ershepausedhear ingsounds.Herhear t
pounded, Bamehadl eftforwor kearlyinthe
morningmeani ngConst ancehadbr oughther
boyfri
endi nherhouse.Sheseet hedwithangernow
understandingwhyBamehadn’ twantedthem hir
ing
herfullt
imebutbecauseLonewaswor ki
nglateshe
hadinsisted.
Sheheldthedoorknobandpushedthedooropen
walki
ngin.Herhear
tskippedasshestar
edather
husbandpoundingi
ntoConstancepussywhileshe
hel
dhertoes.Bamet ur
nedandpanickedlookingat
Lonethenpull
edoutwhil
eConstancepi
ckedher
dressfr
om thefl
oorandqui
ckl
yputiton.Lone
chargedtowar
dsherandpunchedher.
“
Inmyhouse!
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Lonepunchedheragai
n,Bamepul
l
edherbackas
shegrabbedConst
ace’
sbrai
ds.
“
Inmyhouse!
”
Bamepul
l
edherhar
dert
hatshel
etgoofConst
ance.
“
Putmedown!
”
“
Canwet
alk?
”
“
Putmedown.
”
Slowl
yheputherdown,LoneranovertoCnst
ance
andgrabbedherdr
essandslappedherher
.
“
Inmyhouse!
”
Bamet r
iedtoholdherbutLonetur
nedandpushed
hi
m withallt
hestrengt
hinhermuscles.Shet
urned
backtoConstancewhowast ryi
ngtodressupthen
walkedoverpunchingher
.
“
Youl
i
ttl
esl
ut!
”
Lonegothol
dofherneckandst
rangl
edherasher
angercompl
etel
ytookover
.
“
Lone!
”
Constancetr
iedpushingheroffbutLonewasn’t
l
etti
nggo.Constanceslowlyfel
ltothefl
oorand
Lonewentdownwi t
hher,handsonConst ance’
s
thr
oat.Bamepulledherbackandshel etgoleavi
ng
constancegaspi
ng.
Loneswall
owedhar dst
ari
ngatherhusband.She
qui
etl
ytur
nedandwal kedoutgoingt
oherbedroom
whereshepickedherfi
l
efrom t
hedressi
ngtable.
Bamewal
kedinsidethebedr
oom asshet
urnedt
o
wal
kout
.“Iam sorr
y.”
Lonenoddedandwalkedpasthi
m.Shegotinher
carandrev
ersedt
hendroveoffheadi
ngbackt
o
work.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#80

Anayawalkedi
nsi
deOsWor l
dtal
kingonthephone,
shesmil
edattherecept
ionpr
oceedi
ngtotheli
ft
.
“
Soy
ouwantt
ost
artabusi
nesswi
thhi
m?”
“
It
’sf
orourki
ds.
”
Donaldlaughed.“
Isee,
welli
t’
sabi
gpr
oject
,one
thatneedsalotofmoney.
”
“Iknow,
wearegoingt
ostar
tinaf
ewmont
hs,
right
nowwear est
il
lpl
anni
ng.
”
“
Ok,anyways,
guesswho’
scomi
ngt
her
ethi
scomi
ng
weekend?
”
“
ThankGod!GoshImi
ssedy
ou.
”
Anayagotofft
hel
if
tatherfloorandwal
kedpasther
PA’smarbl
edeskenter
ingherownoffi
ce.Sheput
herbagsdownandsatdown.
“
Met
oo,
Iam br
ingi
nghubby
.”
“
Wel
lgoodl
uck.
”
“
Thanks,
lookwewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Okby
e.”
ShehungasKell
ywal
kedinwi
thhercof
feeanda
bl
ackgif
tbox.“
Morni
ng.
”
Anayasmil
edtakinghercof
fee.“
Youarealif
esaver,
Iam sot
ir
ed.I
st hatf
orme? ”Shepoi
ntedatthegi
ft
box.
“Yes,
asusual
.Iwi
shIhadamanl i
keyour
s,Imean
hebuysyousomet
hingev
eryweek.”
Anayalaughi
ngput
ti
nghercof
feedownandt
aki
ng
thegi
ftbox.
“
Whosay
sit
’saman?
”
“Iknowit’
saman,eventhewayy ousmi
l
eeveryt
ime
agiftcomest
hrough.Anyways,
Theodor
acal
led,
she
saidshewant
stotalktoyou.
”
“
Iwi
l
lcal
lher
.”
Kel
l
ywalkedoutasAnay
aopenedthegif
tbox,she
smi
ledatthedi
amondneckl
acet
hentookitout.
“
OhmyGodMi
guel
…”
Shest oodupandwal kedtoherpr iv
atebathroom
andst aredatthefl
oortoceili
ngmi r
rorputt
ingiton.
Itfeltdel
icat
eonherneck.Sl owlyshecaressedit
thenf i
xedherblackbl
azerstaringathergreenpants
andbl acksti
lett
os.Wit
hal aughshet wi
rl
edand
wal kedout,whatamor ni
ng!

*
***
*

Constance’shear
tpoundedasshepackedher
thi
ngsshov ingt
hem int
hebag.Sheclosedthebag
andwalkedoutoft hehouse.ShebumpedintoBame
bytheentranceandsteppedback.
“
Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Iwi
l
lsendy
ourmoney
.”
“
Ok.
”
Helookedatherter
rif
iedfacet
hensi
ghed.“
Iwi
l
l
dr
opy ouoffatbusrank.”
Shenoddedandt heybothwalkedtohi
scar.He
droveouthandingherthephonehehadpromised
her.Tear
sfell
asshel ookedati
t,abr
andnew
i
Phone8s.
“
Thanky
ou.
”Shewhi
sper
ed.
Mi
nut
esl
aterhepar
kedatbusr
ank.
“
Thanks.
”
Shequickl ygotof fhi scarandwal kedt ot hebusses
writ
tenRamot swaandgoti n.Shesatatmi dseat
ri
ghtbyt hewi ndowshov ingt henewphonei nher
bag.Shecoul dn’ tbelieveshehaddonef ormoney ,
shewoul dn’thav esl eptwi thhim againifhedi dn’
t
promisehermoney .Mi nuteslaterthebusst arted
mov i
ng, shesi l
entlycr i
ed, shehadr uinedaf ami l
y,
shetearfullythoughtofLesego, shedeser ved
growingupwi thbot hpar ent s.Shetookoutherol d
phoneandl ookedatLone’ snumbermoment ari
ly
,
shecoul dcall apologizingbutwhati fLoner ecorded
thecallandsuedherf orhomewr ecking, shedi dn’
t
havethemoneyt opay .
Awhi
l
elat
ershegotof
fthebusandwal
kedheaded
toherhouse.Herphonevi
brat
edandshetookitout,
hehadjustewall
etedhermoney.Shesi
ghed,at
l
eastshecouldusethemoneylookingf
oranother
j
ob.

*
***
*

Refi
lwewalkedtowar dsOsWor l
d’sentr
ance,
she
l
ookedatthet al
lhugeglassbuildi
ngwithasigh,
therewegoRef i
lwe.Thedoubledoor ssli
dopenand
shewalkedinthespaciouslobbypassinganindoor
fountai
ngoingstrai
ghttotherecepti
onwherea
womansatwi that agonherbreastwr i
tt
en
KOKETSOMOWANENGi nboldletter
s.
“
Goodmor
ning,
Iwoul
dli
ket
oseeMs.Shat
o.”
Koket
sosmiledpol
it
elyather
.“Mor
ning,
doy
ou
haveanappoint
ment?”
Theodor
asmi
l
edback.“
No,
butpl
ease,
it’
simpor
tant
Iseeher
.”
“
Letmecal
lherPA.
”Shet
ookt
hewi
rel
essphone
andcal
l
ed.“
Kel
l
y,Ihav
e…”Koket
sol
ookedather
.
“
Ref
il
weMokwena.
”
“Ihav
eRefil
weMokwenahere,shewantst
osee
Bosslady
…ok.”Koket
soputthephoneonit
’scr
adl
e.
“Youcangor
ighti
n.Sev
ent
hfl
oor
.Youwi
l
lfi
ndher
PA.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eyourhai
r.
”
Ref
il
wesmi
l
ed.“
Thanks.
”
Shewal kedinsidetheli
ftpressi
ng7andsi ghed
star
ingatherr efl
ecti
onattheshinysilv
erelevat or
wall
sast heelav ot
arwhiskedherup.Secondsl ater
shesteppedoutandwasmetbyanot hermar bl
e
desk.Behinditwasapr ettywoman, shebriefl
y
wonderedi fpartofthej
obdescr i
pti
onwasl ooking
beauti
ful.
“
Hi,
Ms.Shat
oiswai
ti
ng,
gor
ighti
n.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shewal
kedt
owar
dst
hedoorandwal
kedi
n,herey
es
goi
ngr
ightt
oAnay
awhowassi
tt
ingonherchai
r.
“
Ref
il
we.
”Anay
acal
mlyacknowl
edgedher
.
Refi
lwewal
kedfur
theri
nsi
detheof
fi
ceandputher
handbagonthewhi
tetabl
e.
“
Iam nother
etof
ight
.”
Anay
agest
uredt
othechai
r.“
Sit
.”
Shesatdownandsi ghed.“ Iam her et otalkt oyou,
tobegy ou.Iknowy ouar edeny i
ngi tbutIknow
Anay a.Quinsyi sy oungandi nnocent ,het oldme.I
knowy ouandMi guel havehi story,Ihav eaccept ed
thatbutpl ease, pleasel etmeenj oymymar ri
age,it
hasn’tbeenay earandIhav en’tenjoy edmymar r
iage
asy et.Miguel i
smyhusbandandmybestf ri
end.I
havel ovedt hismanf ort helastf i
vey ears,Ihave
overlookedhi sfl
aws, l
ickedhi swound, mendedhi s
brokenhear t .Igav ehim kidsal lbecauseIl ov ehim.I
don’tthinky ouunder standhowmuchIl ov ehim and
Isweari fIcoul dst op, Iwoul dhav eandwal kedaway .
Iwoul dhav el ongwal kedawaybecauseev erynight
heisnotwi thme, hismi ndandsoul arewi t
hy ou.”
Refil
wecov er edherf acecr ying.“Please, pleaselet
meenj oytheri
ngonmyf i
nger
,letmeenj oymy
husband,l
etmeenj oymyf amil
y.Icannev er
compar et
oy ouAnaya,youarebeaut i
fulandsexy
andindependentandri
ch,Ican’
tev ercompareto
thatsoIwon’teventr
y.AllIam askingforismy
husband.Iwantmyhusbandback.Iwantmyf amil
y
back.”
Anayast
oodupandt
ookat
issuewhi
chshehanded
toher
.
“Refi
lweIdon’ tknowwhaty outhinkbutIam not
seeingy ourhusband.Iknowy ouar econv i
ncedit’
s
him andIknowal levi
dencepoi nttohi m butIam not
seeinghi m.Butifitmakesy ouf eelbetter,
Iam
compl etelygoingtostayawayt oget herwithmy
daught er.Iam eventhinkingofmov ingbecauseev er
sinceIcamebacki t’
sbeendr ama.Iwasseei ng
Vincebuthei snotthemanIwentwi t
ht oMaldi
ves,I
wasi nMal di
vesnotUK. ”Anay agr abbedherphone
andshowedherapi cture.“Thisishi m, hi
snamei s
Donald, Icancallhimrightnow, hehasnor easonto
l
ie.”
Ref
il
wewi
pedherf
ace.“
Ok.
”
Anayadial
edDonal
dandputt
hephoneonl
oud
speaker
.
“
Babe…”
“Hey,soIt
hinkIam comi
ngi
ntoni
ght
,comeand
coll
ectme.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
l.Imi
ssedy
ousomuch.
”
“
Whataboutmybut
ter
fl
y?Imi
ssmybabysomuch.
”
“
Iknow,
shemi
ssesy
out
oo.LookIhav
etogo,
Ilov
e
y
ou.”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
DonaldhungupandAnay alookedatRefi
lwe.“
I
knowy outhi
nkyousawMi guelbuti
twasn’thi
m.I
t’
s
al
linyourhead.Yourhusbandlongr
eject
edmeandI
mov edon,tr
ustme.”
RefilwelookedinAnaya’seyes,shecouldn’treall
y
tell
ifshewasl yingornotbutDonaldhadnor eason
tolie.Shetookoutherphoneandl ookedatt he
pictureofAnay ainMaldi
veszoomi ngiti
n, may beit
wasn’ thi
m butwherehadhegonel astnight?He
saidhesl eptattheoff
icebut…
“
Wher
ewer
eyoul
astni
ght
?”
“Ifl
ewoutandcamebackl at
eintheeveni
ng.Iwent
homeandt ookmybrot
herandIvytomymot her’
s
housewhereIsl
ept
.Lethabotol
dmey oucameby,I
won’tbegivi
ngy
ouorMi guelmychil
d,Idon’
twant
problems.
”
RefilwelookedatAnayaconfused,
shedidn’
teven
knowwhatt obeliev
eanymore.Qui
nsyhadsaidhe
didn’tknowAnay awheshehadshowedhi mthe
picture.Juni
ortoo.Nowhewonder edi
fmaybeit
washeraccusat i
onswhi
chwer epushi
nghim away
maki nghim staylat
eatwork.
“
Ok,
thanks.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Refil
westoodupasAnay asteppedbackinher
greenpantsandbl
ackblazer
.Shest i
l
llooked
beautif
ulwit
hnomake-up,Refil
welookedaway.
“
Bye.
”
Shewalkedoutcl
osi
ngthedoorbehi
ndher
.Backat
thef
ir
stfloor
,Di
anest
oppedher.Ref
il
weswal
lowed
hardlooki
ngatherfr
iendinhersl
imfi
tsui
t,
every
onei nt
hisbui
l
dinglookedgoodt
hatshef
elt
outofplace.
“
Hey
…”
“
Hi,
youwer
eher
etoseeAnay
a?”
Shenodded.“
Yeah.
”
“
Arey
ouok?
”
“
Yes,
bye.
”
Shewalkedoutandsatinhercarf
orawhi
l
etr
yingt
o
pi
ecethepuzzl
etogether
.

*
***
*

Rachelangri
lywalkedtothedoorandroughl
y
knocked.Theseniorpast
or’ssonopenedinonlyhi
s
greysweatpants.Heopenedthedoorwiderforher
andshewal kedin.
“Canyoust
opcal
li
ngmeMalvi
n?!Whyar
eyouso
convi
ncedt
hatt
hebabyi
syour
s?”
Malvi
ncl osedt
hedoorandl ookedatRachel.“Ar
e
youreal
lygoingtoaskmet hat?Youhavebeenwi t
h
yourhusbandforhowmanyy earsnow?FiveifIam
notmistakenandy ousti
ll
don’ thaveachil
dt hen
suddenl
yy ouarepregnantaf t
eryouandIfuck?You
mustthinkIam stupi
d.”
“
Thi
sisnoty
ourchi
l
d,pl
easel
eav
emeal
one.
”
“
Iam notbuy
ingt
hatnonsense.
”
“
Malv
inplease,
doy oureal
izemymar
ri
agei
sont
he
l
i
ne?Oryoujustdon’tcar
e?”
“Iam notgoi
ngt
oall
owanothermantoraisemy
chil
d.Webothknowyourmanisinf
ert
il
e.”
Hecaressedherf
ace.“
Wecanr
aiseourchi
l
d
t
ogether.
”
Rachel st
eppedback.“ Thisbabyi snotyours,don’t
youdar ethinkyouruinmymar ri
agebecausei fthat
happens, yourdearfatherwi l
lkickyouf rom hi
s
companyandl et’
sseewher ey ouwi l
lgetajobwi t
h
thatpatheticdegreeofy ours.KenandIcanal ways
fi
xthingswi ththehelpoft hechur chbutasf oryou,
yourright
eousst epbrotherwi l
l agai
nt akethatCEO
t
it
lef
rom y
ou.Don’
tfor
gett
hat
.”
Shewalkedovert
othedoorbutMalvi
ngr
abbedher
hand.“
Youaregoingt
oregrett
his.
”
“
Notmor
ethany
ouwoul
d.”
Heglaredather.“Iwi
llcomeformychi l
d,andwhenI
do,notonlywi
llyouloseyourfuckingi
nfer
ti
le
husband,buty
ouwi lll
oseyourrespectt
oo,your
reput
ati
on.Iwil
lmakesur eofit,t
rustme.”
Shepul l
edherhandawayandwal kedouttohercar
whenshet ookamomentgat heri
ngherthoughts.It
reall
yhadn’tcrossedhermindthatKennethcouldbe
i
nf er
ti
le,shewor r
iedl
ystar
edatMal v
inwhowas
standingbyt hedoorsmokingablunt.Amomentof
weaknesshadl edtothi
s,t
hatonenightofpassion.
“
Godpl
easef
orgi
veme…”

*
***
*

Yaonesmil
edatTheodor
aast
heysati
nar
est
aur
ant
duri
ngl
unchhour.
“
Inev
ert
houghty
ouwoul
dcal
l
.”
Theodor
asmiledsl
ight
ly.“
Iguesswedi
dletaman
comebetweenus.”
“Yourhusband.Iwaschil
dish,
til
ltodayIcan’
t
beli
eveIdidallt
hatf
oramanwhodi dn’
tevenwant
me.Wedi dn’teveni
nvi
teeachot hertoour
weddings.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Iam t
oo.”Yaoner
ubbedherhandst
oget
her
.“How
i
syourfamil
y?”
Theodoral
ookedatYaoneandsi
ghed.“
Iam get
ti
ng
adivor
ce.”
“
What
?”
“Icheat
,broughthi
m AI
DSandsohewant sadi
vor
ce.
EvenbroughthisZambi
anextoourhouse.
”
“Wow!Hedi
dthat
?”Yaonepoi
ntedt
othebandage
onherf
ace.
“
Yes.Idon’tevenf
eel
beaut
if
ulany
mor
e,Ican’
tev
en
l
ookatmy selfont
hemir
ror
.”
“Chr
ist
iani
syourman,
Iwoul
dn’
tbepushedawayby
anex.”
“
Hel
ets’
her
.”
“Sowhat?Theodoradon’tbeslow,Iam surei
fhe
hadbeentheonet ocheatyouwouldber equi
redto
for
giv
ehim, peopl
echeatallt
hetime,fi
ghtforyour
marri
age.Thatgir
lshoul
dgobackt oZambi a.
”
“
Shewon’
tleav
e.”
“Theodor
akaremony anaopagamabasi hel
a
gompieno,watsamaya.{TheodoraIam sayi
ngthat
gir
lisget
ti
ngont hebustoday,sheisgoi
ng.}Let
’s
go.”
Yaonestoodupandset t
ledthebil
l bef
orethey
walkedout.Theygoti
ntheirseparatecar
sheaded
toTheodora’
shouse.Theodorasighednotseeing
Chri
sti
an’
scar .
“
Hei
snother
e?”
“
Shei
sher
e.”
“Ehe,ebi
l
eotir
il
eMrs.Mwanza?[
Shehasmade
hersel
fMrs.Mwanza?
}Sheisgoi
ngfar
.”
Theybothwal
kedi
nsidethehouse,
Mel odywasin
thesit
ti
ngr
oom wat
chingTV.Sheturnedandlooked
atthem.
“
Ifyouareheret
oatt
ackme,youwil
ll
osehimfast
er
t
hanhowy ouweregoingt
olosehi
minit
ial
l
y.Sotr
y
i
t,Idar
eyou.”
Yaonelaughed.“Youaresofull
ofyoursel
f,mogheli
f
IwereyouIwoul djustl
eav
e.Idon’
twantt ofi
ght,
I
al
readyhaveissuesandIdon’twanttotakethem
outonyou.”
Melodyt urnedtotheTVcalmlythenYaonewal ked
towardsherandpul ledherfr
om thecouchf or
ceful
l
y.
Yaoner aisedherhandtoslapMel odybutsheheld
Yaone’shandandsl appedherhard.
“
Idon’
twantt
ofi
ghtei
therofy
ou,
don’
ttr
yme.
”
Yaonelaughed.“Youbeatme,exactl
ywhatIwant ed.
NowIam goi ngtorepor
tyouforassault
.Iam going
totel
lthem youweretry
ingtokil
lmeafterIasked
youtoleavemyf ri
end’
shusbandalone.Ihopeyou
knowy oucanbesuedf orhomewr ecki
ng.Theodora
l
et’
sgo. ”ShelookedatMelody
.{Ketlal
emapodi si,o
nkemel ehelayalo.{Iam comingwit
hthepoli
ce,j
ust
waitforme. }Youthi
nky oucanjustcl
imbthe
Zambi anbuscr ossi
ngbor der
sandcomehere
l
eav i
ngy ourkidstoruinsomeoneelse’
smarri
age?
Thinkagain.”
Theladi
eswal kedoutanddr
oveheadedt
othe
pol
icestat
ion.Theywalkedi
nsi
deasTheodor
a’s
phonerang.
“
Hey
,”
“
SoyouambushedMelodysothatshecanj
ustr
eact
t
henyout
akeadvant
ageofthat?
”
“
Chr
ist
ian…”
“
IwonderwhatIsawi
nyou.
”
“Ij
ustwanthert
ogo,
wecanal
way
ssol
vet
his
baby.
”
“Iam notsolvi
nganythingwithyou.Youdon’teven
real
izetheimpli
cati
onsofy ouracti
ons,yourui
ned
thi
sfami l
y.IwonderifIwasn’tenoughforyou
becauseGodknowsTheodor aIlovedyou.Iwas
readytodoany thi
ngforyou.”
“
Chr
ist
ianwecanst
il
lfi
xthi
s.”
“
Signt
hosepaper
s.Iwantnot
hingt
odowi
thy
ou.
”
Theodor
atookadeepbreat
happroachi
ngYaone
whowasatthefr
ontdeskalr
eadyfi
li
ngacase.
“
Ever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
Yes.
”

*
***
*

Laterint heev ening,Miguelwal kedinsidehishouse

andpausedatt hesetupi nthel ivi
ngroom.The
l
ightswer edimmedandt herewer eaf ewr ose
petalsont heflooraccompani edbyat ableinthe
middlewi thfood.Refil
west oodbesi det hetablei
n
herreddr essthatstret
chedwi thherst omachand
afro.Hesmi ledremember i
ngt hedress, thi
swast he
samedr essshehadbeenwear ingatt heairportt
he
fi
rstdayhemether ,
shehadsatwi t
hhi m whilehe
tr
iedt ofigureoutwhathadhappenedt hatday.The
afro,every t
hingwast hesameexpectnowshewas
pr
egnant
.
Ref
il
wesmi
l
edathi
m andgui
l
tywashedal
lov
erhi
m.
“
Ist
il
ll
ovey
oursmi
l
e.”
Shebl
ushed.“
Youdo?
”
“
Yeah.Andy
ourhai
r.
”
Hewal
kedcl
oserandt
ouchedhersof
thai
r.
“
Youar
est
il
lbeaut
if
ul.
”
“TodayIr eali
zedev ersi
ncewegotmar ri
ed,Ihaven’t
enjoyedmymar ri
age,notevenonebi t.Ihavebeen
unhappy .TodayIam choosi ngt obeli
eveandt rust
you.Ifyousayy ouarenotseei ngAnay athenyou
arenot.Ibel i
evey ou.Iwantallthisf
ighti
ngtost op.I
wantt oenjoymyhappi l
yev erafteri
npeace.Iwant
toenjoyt hi
spr egnancywithmyhusbandont heside.
Iam choosi ngt obehappy .
”
Miguel huggedherki
ssingherfor
eheadnotsayi
nga
word.Ref i
lwehel
dhim, shehadmissedthi
sfeel
ing,
thefeelingofbei
ngsafe.Inhi
sarmsshealwaysf el
t
safe.Shesmi l
ed,nomor eAnaya,
nowshewoul d
j
ustf ocusonherfamil
y.
*
***
*

Lonewal kedinsideherhousewi thherl aptopbag

andhandbag.Thehousewascl ean,ev er y
thingwas
i
npl ace.Shepassedt hedi ni
ngr oom andpaused
staringatthediningtable,therewer ecasser ol
esset
.
Shepr oceededt othebedr oom wher eBamewas
si
ttingont hebed.Shequi etl
yundr essedt hen
steppedundert heshower .Moment slat ershe
steppedoutwi t
hat owel aroundherbody .
“
Babecanwet
alk?
”
Shet
urnedt
oBame.“
What
?”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Sor
ryforwhat?Forsl
eepingwit
hthemaidi
nmy
houseorforgett
ingcaught?
”Sheaskedcal
mly
.
“
Babe…”
“
Iam notgoodenouhf
ory
ouandi
t’
sok.
”
“
Lol
o…”
Shelot
ionedherbodyt
hent
ookoutherev
eni
ng
gown.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?Icooked.
”
“
Rachel
andIar
egoi
ngt
ocel
ebr
ateherpr
egnancy
.”
“
Wher
e?”
Sheputonherdr
esst
henheel
sbef
oreshet
ouched
onherface.
“
Lonei
fyoucheatonme…-
“
“Atchurch.Theladi
esatchur
char
ethr
owi
nghera
surpr
iseparty.
”
“
Const
ancel
eft
.”
Sheshr
uggedandgr
abbedherpur
se.“
Iam goi
ng.
”
“
LoneIl
ovey
ou.Not
hingcanj
ust
if
ymyact
ions.
”
“
Don’
twai
tup.
”
Shewalkedoutandpeakedinherdaught
er’
sroom,
shewassleepi
ngwithherteddybear
s.Lonesi
ghed
thengent
lycl
osedthedoorandwalkedouttoher
car.
*
***
*

Anayal
ookedatthebluepri
ntscar
eful
l
ywhil
e
si
ppi
ngonherwi neinherbedr
oom.Herphoner
ang
andshereachedfori
t.
“
Hey
,”
“Naya,Iwasinv i
tedtoRachel’
sparty
,shei
s
pregnantandherchur chmember shavedeci
dedto
throwheral i
ttl
ecelebrat
orypart
y.Si
nceIam a
rel
ati
ve,theyinvi
tedme, Idon’
tevenknowwhere
theygotmynumber .”
“
YouknowRachel
doesn’
texact
lyl
i
keme.
”
“
Rachel
isapast
ornow,
shel
ovesev
ery
one.Pl
ease
l
et’
sgo.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lcomeandpi
cky
ouup.
”
“Ok,
Iam r
eady.Andoh,
pleasewearanev eni
ng
gown.I
t’
sgoingtobecl
assythingatthev
iceseni
or
past
or’
shouseorsomethi
nglikethat
.”
“
Ok.
”
Anayastoodupandwal kedinsideherwal kincloset.
Sheputonherlongsleevedsat i
npurpledresswi tha
hi
ghneck.Shelookedatt heventthatbeganj ust
bel
owhermi dthighwonderingifitwashol yenough.
Shaki
ngherheaddi smi
ssivelysheputont hebl ack
pumpswhi chmadeherabi ttall
erthenranal ip
gl
ossonherl i
ps.Shewalkedt othesit
tingroom wi t
h
herpur
seandcarkey s.
“Iam goi
ngout
.”Shet
oldLet
haboandI
vy.“
ButIwi
l
l
beback.”
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
Anayal
ookedatLethabo,henowhadadeepv oice
andabeard,
hewast all
too,hebar
elyl
ookedhisage.
Itwasf
unnyhowt i
mef l
ew,theaut
hori
tyi
nhisvoice
madeherchuckl
e.
“
Iam goi
ngt
oaf
ri
end’
spar
ty.Lockup.
”
“Am Igoi
ngtost
aywit
hy ouf
ull
timeaf
termama
get
’smarri
edonFri
day?
”
“
Yes.
”
“What’sgoi
ngtohappent
oourhousei
n
broadhurst
?”
“Iam ext
endingi
tandput
ti
ngaswi
mmi
ngpool
.Iam
openi
ngal odge.
”
Hegr
inned.“
Canwecal
li
tLTLodge?
”
Anayal
aughed.“
Anayawant
sustocal
li
tAy
aLodge,
maybewecangowi t
hLeYaLodge?
”
“
Mommywhataboutme?
”
“
LeYaVeLodge.
”Let
habosuggest
edandAnay
a
l
aughed.
“
Ili
kei
t,ok,
seey
ouguy
s.”
Shesteppedt
ohercaranddr
oveoutheadedt
o
Col
leen’
shouse.

*
***
*

Refi
lwelayonMi guel
’
schestsmil
ingcover
edwit
ha
fl
uff
yf l
eece.Thi
shadt obeoneofhermost
happiestdays,
shecouldn’
trememberthel
astt
ime
shewast
hishappy
.
“
Iwantt
ost
artabout
iquewi
thSar
onaandDi
ane.
”
Miguelki
ssedherforehead.“Whycan’
tyoustar
t
yourownbusiness?Whathappenedt oyourt
ravel
andtouragencybusinessidea?Someti
mesin
busi
nessyouhav etodoi tal
one.
”
Shesi
ghedt
hought
ful
l
y.“
Yout
hinki
twi
l
lwor
kout
?”
“Youhavetobel
i
evei
nyouridea.Iam sur
eBi
llGat
es
didn’
tknowMicr
osof
twi
llbeabi gthi
ngwhenhe
start
edit
.”
Refi
l
we’sphoner
angandshesatupr
ightr
eachi
ng
fori
t.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Hi
,youmustbeRef i
lwe,
youarespeaki
ngtoRut
h,
wegoty ournumberfr
om br
otherKen,y
ouare
Rachel
’sfri
endri
ght?
”
“
Yes.
”
“Wellwearethrowingheral
it
tl
esurpri
separtyto
celebr
ateherpregnancy,
youshoul
dcome.I t
’sonly
thechurchl
adiesandsomeofherf r
iends.
”
“
Ok,
Iam onmyway
,youcansendt
hedi
rect
ionst
o
t
hevenue.
”
“
Ofcause.By
e.”
Ref
il
west
oodup.“
Ihav
etogof
orRachel
’
spar
ty.
”
“
Ohshi
t!If
orgott
otell
you,Iam al
sogoingoutwit
h
t
heboy
s,Kenisover
lyexci
ted.Iwi
lldr
opyouoff.
”
“
Thanks.
”

*
***
*

AnayaparkedinfrontofColl
een’sgat
eandpressed
thehoot
er.Ami nutelat
erColl
eenwalkedoutwit
h
Saronai
nt hei
rlongdressesholdi
ngwinegl
asses
andgotinthecar.
“HeyNay
a,Ihopey
oudon’
tmi
nd,
Sar
onat
oohas
beeni
nvi
ted.
”
Anayatur
nedtothebackseatandsmi
l
edatSar
ona.
“Hey
,youlookgood.
”
“
Thanks.
”
“
Ilov
eyourshor
tbl
ondpi
xi
ecut
.”
“
GodIwassoscar
ed,
Ithoughty
ouhat
edme.
”
Anayalaughedst
art
ingthecar.“
Idon’
tbuty
oujust
taughtmetonevergeti
nbusinesswit
hanyone,
expectreal
busi
nesspeople.
”
“Nowthatisoutoftheway,Tshepooduel
amagadi
kaweekend.{Tshepoispay
ingmybr i
depr
icedur
ing
theweekend.
}”
Anayal
ookedatCol
l
eenbesi
desher
.“Iam sohappy
fory
ou.
”
“
Agangi
snotsay
ingany
thi
ngaboutmar
ri
age.
”
“
May
behewant
stohav
eadoubl
eweddi
ngwi
thBK.
”
“
Doubl
eweddi
ng?Mi
guel
isget
ti
ngmar
ri
edagai
n?”
“
NoSar
ona,
whenheget
’smar
ri
edt
oNay
a.”
“
Marr
ywho?Yourbr
otheri
shappi
l
ymar
ri
ed,
leav
e
meal
one.
”
“MamasaysyouandMi guelarehavi
nganaff
air.
ShesaysshesawitinBK’seyesgorengngpeloe
tsamai
l
eleAnaya.{t
hathishearti
sgonewit
h
Anay
a.”
“
Iam notdat
ingy
ourbr
other
.”
“
Denyi
tal
lyouwant
.”
Coll
eendir
ectedAnayatothehouseandalmost
twentymi
nuteslat
ertheywereparki
ng.Theywerea
l
otofcarsthatAnayaparkedt
wohousesf rom t
he
house.
“
Ok,
let
’sdot
his.
”
Theyst eppedoutandwal kedt owardsthehouse
chatti
ng.Theyappr oachedt hegateasacarst opped
i
nt hemi ddleoftheroad,Anay atur
nedandl ookedat
Refil
west eppingoutofMi guel’
scarinherlongone
arm blackflor
aldress.Shel ookedawayandwal ked
i
nsidet hehugey ardweret heywerewelcomedwi th
aLadyZamahi t
.
“
Welcome!”Al
adyhandedthem gl
assesofwi
neat
t
heentr
anceofthehouse.
“Ladi
es!
”TheMCsai donthemi cast
hemusi cgot
cutoff
.“Theladyoft
henighti
salmostheresoher
e
i
swhat ’
sgoingtohappen,t
odaynochurch,no
holi
ness,t
odaywear ehav i
ngfun!Todaywear e
l
ooseningup,wedon’tknowoft hosewhoar egoing
toworktomorrowbutt odaywear ehav i
ngfun.Soas
soonasourgirlcomes, weenjoyt hi
st othefull
est.
Someofusar egoingthrought hemost ,
wear e
str
essed,i
t’
sroughoutt her
esowear egoingto
l
oosenup.TonightIam notsisterMal ebogo,Iam
Lebza!Ketl
abonaker ekekamoso.{ Iwil
lseechurch
tomorrow.
}Soshhhhh!Shei sher e.”
Theyall
tur
nedtothedoort
heni
topenedandLone
walkedi
nwithRachel
.
“SURPRISE!”Ev
eryonescreamedasRachel cover
ed
hermouth.Therewer ebal
loonsever
ywherewritt
en
‘
MUMMYTOBE! ’.Anayasippedonherwinestari
ng
atRefi
l
wewhowasl aughi
ngwi t
hsomeladies
dri
nki
ngj ui
ce.
“
Ladi
es…”
Anay
atur
nedt
oaf
ami
l
iarf
ace.
“
Bossl
ady
.”Anay
asmi
l
edr
ecogni
zi
ngher
.
“
Youwor
katOsWor
ld?
”
“
Yes.Di
ane,Iam gat
ecrushi
ngthepar
tyandIsee
myboss,It
houghtIwouldsayhi
.”
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Ok,
don’
tgett
oodr
unk.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.“
Iwon’
t!
”
Shewal
kedawayasColl
eenj
oinedindanci
ngwhi
le
si
ngi
ngtothesongt
hatwaspl
ay i
ngwit
hevery
one.
“
Ohhe’
ssay
inghel
ovesme
Say
ingIshoul
dleav
emyman
Nev
erunder
standi
t
It
ry,
Itr
y
Tomakehi
m seet
hel
i
ght
Doesn’
theknowhowmuchIl
ovehi
m
Doesn’
theseethathet
ri
es…”Col
l
eensangal
ready
j
oini
ngtheotherl
adi
eswhoweredanci
ngwi
ththei
r
gl
assesrai
sedhigh.
Saronapull
edAnay
aint
hecr
owdandt
heyal
l
dancedsingi
ng.
Tobet
hebestmant
ome
Het
ri
es,
het
ri
es
Iwant
edhi
mtohav
e

AndIwanthi
mtoknow
Deepi
nsi
de
Thi
sisl
ove
WhatIf
eel

6MONTHSLATER
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#81

Si
xMont
hsLat
er…
Inherclassyl aceweddi ngdr ess,Colleendanced
withalongl ineofbr idemai dsandbesi desher ,her
husbandandhi slongl i
neofgr oomsmen.Some
l
adiesululatedast heydancedt oBujoMuj o-mar ry
me.Camer a’scont i
nuousl yflashedast hedanci ng
conti
nuedi ntot hebi ghal lfanci l
ydecor ated.The
songdieddownandanot hersongst artedpl ayi
ng.
Peoplecheer edast heydancedev enmor e,mov ing
tothebeatwi thAgangandCol l
een’swor kmat eat
thefr
ontdanci ngbet terthanev er
yoneel se.Sar ona
dancedwi thKensmi li
ngandl aughingast heydi d
thecompl i
cat eddancemov es.Thecr owdscr eamed
astheyturnedar ounddr oppi ngdoi ngav osho.
Anayalaugheddanci ngbehi ndt hemar riedcoupl e
withTshepo’ sf r
iend.Maggywasbehi ndwi t
h
Tshepo’sot hercousi nandVi ncewi thOl eratothenat
l
astTshepo’ sf ri
endwi t
hCol leen’scousi n.
Theirl
astsongcameupbyAmar aBrownandMr .
Eaziandtheydancedapai
reachbefor
egoingtosi
t
down.Eachpairdancedal
it
tl
edancetheyhad
prepar
edthensatdown.TheMCt ookt
hemi cas
peopl
eset
tl
eddown.
“
Whataweddi
ng!
”
Every
onescr eamedwi t
hjoy.Anaya’
sphonev i
brat
ed
andshet ookitoutstaringatthescreen.Shesmi l
ed
andwhi sper
edsomet hingtoSar onaandt heyboth
l
aughedbef orestandingupandwal kingoutintheir
beauti
fultur
quoisedresses.
Thephot ographer
ssnappedpict
uresmovingaround
thehallwhileColl
eengi
ggledwit
hherhusband.At
theothertable,MmaMokwenasatwi thherhusband
andotherr el
ati
veswhil
etheyall
recei
vedthei
rfood
from t
hewai ter
sandushers.
“I
sn’
tthatt
hegi
rlwhol
eftBoi
kany
oont
heweddi
ng
day?
”
MmaMokwenat urnedtoAnay aandSaronawho
werewal
kingoutandsmi led.“Shei
stheone,
mmagweI vy
,butthesethingshappen.Ithappened
whenMiguelwasst i
ll
playful
,hewasn’treadytoget
marri
edbackthen.Nowl ookingbackIdon’tbl
ame
her
,shewastooy oungtoo.”
“
Wher
eishi
swi
fe?
”
“Idon’
tknow,gat
weoi
l
eSout
hAf
ri
ca.[
Shewentt
o
SouthAfi
ca.}
”
“
Gir
lsoft
oday
!”
“
Iknewthatshewouldn’
tlast
,Miguelwasi
nahurr
y
t
omarryhertodayheisbusysneakingwi
th
mmagweI v
ybecausehecan’tfr
eelybewit
hher
.”
Oneoftheyoungeruncle’
swifeleanedover
.“I
fwe
keepdenyi
ngthem theywil
lrunoff.Asafamil
ywe
needtosi
tdownandl ookintotheissue.
”
“Itol
drragweBoi kanyo, hedoesn’ twantt o
understand.Theyar ehol dingagr udgeont hat
beautif
ulwomanbutwon’ tlookintot hef actthat
Boikanyoal sopl ayedar olei ntoherleav ing.Iused
tohatehert ill
Ir ecentlysatdownwi thhermot her
andsheexpl ainedev er y
t hi
ngt ome.MmagweI v
y
hasbeent hroughal ot,i
fy ouseehert odayy ou
wouldn’tbelievet heper sonshewasy earsago.
That’swhyIl etIv yvisitmeal ot,
shei sj ustachild,
sheshoul dn’tbepuni shedj ustbecausepeopl ehave
grudges.”
Meanwhi
l
eatt
heot
hersi
deoft
hehal
lsatt
heki
ds,
thephot
ographersmi l
edsnappi
ngapi
ctur
eofI
vy
posi
ngli
keamodel .Shel
ookedmorel
i
keher
motherwhensmi l
ing.
“
Guys,
sofoodiscoming,
”Oneoft
hewor ker
sat
Nay
aCater
ingsai
dgrabbi
ngtheki
d’sat
tenti
on.
“
Idon’
twantkidsfood.Iwantgrownupsf ood.
MommysaidIdon’thav et
oorderfrom t
hekid’
s
menuany
mor e.”I
vyvoicedoutboldl
y.
“
Ok,Iwil
lgety
ougr
ownupf
oodt
hen.
”Thewor
ker
r
espondedwit
hasmil
e.
“
Idon’
twantt
osi
thereany
mor e,t
hechil
drenar
e
maki
ngnoi
seandIhaveaheadacheal
ready.
”
“
Uhm howaboutIgi
veyougr
ownupsf ood,
youeat
t
henyougoandeatwit
hthegrownups.”
“
Iwantt
ogoandsi
twi
thdaddyorLet
habo.
”
“Youcan’
tsi
twit
hdaddybecausehei
sbusyand
Lethaboi
sbusytoo.
”
I
vytur
nedtoherbrother.“
Juni
orshushit
!”She
t
urnedbacktotheworkerandsmiledsweetl
y
f
lat
ter
ingherl
ashes.“So,canIgotodaddynow?”
*
***
*

Anay
awal
kedt
owar
dshercarwi
thSar
ona.
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evewef
orgoti
t.
”
Anayaunlockedhercarandgrabbedthegif
tbag
whichshehandedtoSar ona.“
Met oo,
itcompl
etel
y
sl
ippedmymi nd.
”
Anaya’
sphoner angasSar
onawal
kedaway
.Shegot
i
nsidehercaransweri
ng.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
“
Forhowl
ongwi
l
lyour
ejectme?
”
Anay
alaughedr
oll
i
ngherey
es.“
Leav
emeal
one.
”
“
Ijustf
lewi
n,Iwantt
oseey
ou.
”
“
Lef
a,Iam busy
.”
“
Wher
ear
eyou,
Iwi
l
lcomet
her
e.”
“
Iam ataweddi
ng.Ican’
tjustl
eav
e.”
“
Nay
awher
ear
eyou?
”
Shesmil
ed,ther
ewassomethi
ngabouthim she
coul
dn’
tresi
st.“
Ataweddi
ng.GreenGar
dens.”
“
Iam comi
ng.Iwil
lbet
her
einaf
ewmi
nut
es,
wai
t
f
ormeoutsi
de.”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungupandst eppedoutofthecarwitha
monkeysmi l
e.Moment slat
eraMercedesAMG
GT63sparkedbesidesherAudi andhesteppedout
i
nsimplejeans,
t-shirtandadenimjacket
.Het urned
hi
sMer cedeswhiteflatcapbackwardsapproaching
her
.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul,
asusual
.”
Shelookedathim car
eful
ly,
hewashugeand
fucki
ngsexy,shehadtogivehi
mt hatandthosel
i
ps,
sheshookoffherdirt
ythought
skeepingcalm.
“
Thanks.
”
Hepul
l
edherinhi
sarmshuggi
ngher.Anayaputher
ar
msaroundhi
minhal
ingi
nhiscol
ogne,hesmelt
good.Hi
stouchspar
kedsomet
hingi
nher
,itchar
ged
her.
“
Imi
ssedy
ou.
”
Hesteppedawayasshebl
ushed.“
Ihav
etogoback
i
nthere.
”
“
Iam goi
ngwi
thy
ou.
”
Het
ookherhandandt
oget
hert
heywal
kedbackt
o
t
hehal
l
.

*
***
*

Miguel
satbesi
deVi
ncewhowasl
aughi
ngwi
th
Agang.
“
Who’
sthat
?”
Miguelrai
sedhi sheadandf r
ownedstar
ingataman
walki
ngwi thAnaya.Shelaughedwit
hhim asheput
hishandsonherwai st.Theybothwal
kedtoher
tabl
estil
ltalki
ngandsmi l
ing.
Mi
guel
qui
ckl
yty
pedamessageandsenti
tthen
star
edatAnayawhowasstil
ltal
ki
ngtotheman.
Jeal
ousytookoveral
lhi
ssensesasheangr
il
y
star
edatthem.
“
Anay
aist
est
ingme.
”
“Whatdoyouexpecthertodo?Sheissi
ngl
e,you
don’
twanttol
eavey ourwif
e,whati
sshesupposed
todo?”
Mi
guel
tur
nedt
oAgang.“
Doy
out
hinki
t’
sal
leasy
?”
“
Wel
l
,nowy
oul
osther
.”
Miguel
studiedt
hem thi
nkingofanot hermanwi t
h
hi
swoman.Thet houghtalonethreatenedtoexplode
hi
m.Hest oodupandwal kedoutsidedial
ingher
number.I
trangunansweredheighteninghisanger.
“Hey
…”Hest oppedawait
erwhowaswalkingpast
himthentookoutaP50notefr
om hi
spocket.“
Go
andcall
Anaya,youknowher?
”
Thewai
tersmi
l
ed.“
Myboss,
yes.
”
“Good,callher
,tel
lherther
eisanemergencybut
don’
ttellherIam theonecall
i
ngforher.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shetookthemoneyandwalkedinsidethehallwhi
le
Miguelwait
edanxi
ousl
yforher.Minutesl
atershe
walkedoutandheimmediat
elygrabbedherhand
l
eadinghertohi
scar.
“
Miguel
stopi
t!
”
Hepushedheragai
nsthi
scar
.“Whatdoy
out
hink
youar
edoing?”
“
Pleasel
etmego.
”
“
Who’
sthat
?”
“
Hei
snonofy
ourbusi
ness.
”
Helethergo.“
Babepl
easedon’
thur
tme.Don’
tdo
t
his.
”
“Miguelyouwon’tl
eaveyourwif
e,shel
onggave
bir
th,whatam Isupposedtodo?Iam t
ir
edof
beggingyou,bei
ngthesidedi
sh.”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“Iam movingonwi t
hmyl i
febecauset
his
arrangementisnotwor
kingforme.Wewi l
ltal
konce
youar edi
vorced.
”
“Anayay
ouhav
etounder
standwhyIam hol
ding
off
.”
“
Ido,butyoual
sohav
etounder
standhowIf
eel
Miguel
.”
Hel ookedatherbeauti
fulf
ace,
hehateditwhen
othermenadmi redherbuthavi
nganotherman
repl
acehim waswor se.Thepai
nwasuni magi
nabl
e.
“
Iwi
l
lfi
l
efordi
vor
ce.
”
“
Youhavebeensayi
ngt
hatf
oragesnow.Ican’
twai
t
f
oryouany
mor e.
”
Shewal
kedof
fgoi
ngbackt
othehal
l
.
“
Whatdi
dshesay
?”
Miguell
ookedatAgangfai
l
ingt
ohi
dehi
spai
n,i
t
waslit
eral
l
ychocki
nghim.
“Anayaisyourgir
l,j
ustst
artwit
hthedivor
ceand
takeitf
rom ther
e.Youaremar r
iedoutofcommuni
ty
ofpropert
y,i
tshouldbeeasy.”
“
Fuck!
”
Hebendedonhi
scarf
ight
inghi
stear
sbutt
hemor
e
hefoughtt
hem themorehecoul
dn’
tevenbreat
he.I
t
wasasifsomethingwassi
tt
ingonhi
sthroat
.

*
***
*

Laterduri
ngthedayasmar ri
edwomanwentto
advisethenewbride,Sar
onasatst
ari
ngatAgang
chatti
ngwithalady.Shestoodupandwal
ked
towardsthem t
ryi
ngt okeepcal
m.
“
Hey
,”
Theybothtur
nedandlookedather
.“AgangIam
ti
red.Canwepleasego.
”
Thel
adyl
ookedawaywhi
l
eAgangst
oodup.
“
Ican’
tleav
enow,
youcango.
”
Shelookedi
nhiseyes,
justthethoughtofhi
m and
thatwomanhurther
.Shecouldn’ti
maginehim
actual
l
ycheati
ngonher.“Canwepl easegohome
Agang.”
“
Sasacomeon…”
“
AgangIcanseey
ouar
efl
i
rti
ngwi
tht
hatwoman.
”
Hesmi
led.“
Babeareyoubeingser
iousr
ightnow?
WhywouldIf
li
rtst
ari
ngatyou?”
“
Idon’
tknow.Yout
ell
me.
”
“SaronaIloveyou,i
fyouareti
red,”hetookouthis
carkey sandhandedthem toher.“Youcandriv
e
home, Iloveyou.
”Hekissedherasshej ustst
ared.“I
trustyouasmuchasy outr
ustme, Iam notgoi
ngt o
cheatony ou,Ipr
omise,Il
oveyou.”
Shesighedandlookedatt
hewomanwor
ri
edl
y.“
Can
wepleasejustgohome?”
Hesi
ghed.“
Ok,
Iam comi
ng.
”
Wit
hasmi l
eshetur
nedandwal
kedouttot
he
par
kingl
otwher
eshebumpedint
oRefi
lwe.
“
Hey
,”
“
Hi,
youmadei
t.
”
Ref
il
wel
aughed.“
Idi
d,wher
eisMi
guel
?”
“Idon’
tknowbutwher
everhei
s,hei
swi
thVi
nceor
Pule.
”
“
Ok,
thanks.
”

*
***
*

I
nChi cago,Mar angstoodbythewindowst ari
ngat
theviewt wentyfl
oorsupwithhercoffeemugi nher
hands.Ev enthoughshehadbeent herefortwo
mont hs,shecouldn’
tseem t
obeabl etogetov ert
he
view.Thedoorbel lr
angandshewal kedtot hedoor
.
“
Hi,
”
Thedel
i
ver
ymansmi
l
ed.“
Mrs.Hender
son?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Del
i
ver
yfory
ou.
”
Shequi
ckl
ysi gnedthentookherpackageback
i
nsidet
heapar tment.Wit
hasmi l
esheopenedt he
boxandstaredathernewl apt
op.Herphonerang
andshequicklyanswered.
“
Babe…”
“
Doy
oul
i
ket
hel
apt
op?
”
“
Ilov
eit
,wher
edi
dyougo?
”
“Iwasf
ini
shi
ngof
fthemur
al.Iam onmywayback
home.”
“
Ok,
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Shehungupasaknocker
uptedonthedoor
.
Openi
ngthedoor
,shesmi
ledatherj
oggi
ngbuddy
al
soneighbor
.
“
Hey,Dar
cyandImadesomeext
raf
oodf
ory
ou
t
oo.
”
Marangtookt
hecasser
olewi
thasmi
l
e.“
Thanks
Chl
oe.”
“
Youar
ewel
come,
greetBr
yanf
orme.
”
ShewalkedawayasMar angcl
osedt hedoorandput
thecasserol
eatthekit
chen.Shelookedatherri
ng
andsmi l
ed,shesti
l
lcouldn’
tbel
ieveshewas
marri
edandnowwor kedasadoct orinChi
cago,i
t
hadtobeadr eam.
*
***
*

Ay
anaf
ixedapat
ient
’ssheet
sandsmi
l
ed.
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
obef
ine.
”
Thepati
entrubbedhert
earsandsighed.“
Thanky
ou.
Iam sor
ryIam bei
nganuisance.
”
“Ohno,it
’smyj obt
omakesur eyouarecomf ort
able.
Asocialworkerhasbeenreferr
edf oryou,
shewi l
lbe
heretomorr
owmor ni
ng.Don’thesit
atetocallwhen
youneedsomeonet oat
tendtoy ou.Myshifthas
ended.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Shegrabbedherbagandwal
kedouti
nherwhi
te
dress.
“St
ati
on!Watsamay aausi?Etl
etse,
aretsamay e.
{Ar
eyougoing?It’
sful
l,l
et’
sgo.}
”Thecombi dr
iver
shout
ed.Shecrossedtheroadandgotinsidethe
combiatthefr
ontseat.
“
Bathongmmaomont l
ehela,
ebil
eketsabal
ego
l
eba.{Youar
esobeaut
if
ul,
Iam evenscar
edof
l
ooking.
}”
Ay
anal
aughedatt
hedr
iver
.
“
Iam ser
ious,
Iwishyouweret
het
ypeofnurseswe
metever
yday,Iwoul
dalway
scomebackeveryday
.”
Shesmi l
edashedr ovetostat
ion.Minut eslat
er,
she
steppedoutandwentov ertothecombi sthatledher
toKarabo’
shousewher eshest oodinaqueue.Soon
i
twashert urn,shesatatthef
rontrollbythe
windowandt ookoutherearphoneslisteningtoa
song.Shelookedatthetimethensighedt exti
ng
Lalahonapp.
Ay
ana:
Iam goi
ngt
oKar
abo’
shouse,
cov
erf
orme.
Lal
ah:
Ok,
Ihav
ejustar
ri
vedatwor
k.Myf
avi
sal
so
her
e.
Ay
ana:
Leav
eDr
.Shawn.
Lal
ah:
Hel
i
kesmet
oo.Wel
i
keeachot
her
.
Ay
ana:
Hedoesn’
twanty
ou.
Lal
ah:
Jeal
ousyout
!Int
henameofJesus!Fi
re!
Ayana:Hi
swifei
sgoingtomopt hef
loorwit
hyour
face,
don’
tfor
getyouareal
ltal
knoaction.
Sheputherphoneawayandst oppedt hecombibya
busstopthenpaidonherwayout .Withquick
str
ides,
shewalkedtowardsKarabo’shousethen
pushedthegateopenclosingi
t.Shetookouther
sparekeysandunlockedthedoorwalkingi
nlocki
ng
behindher.
Withasmi l
eshewalkedt ohisbedr
oom wher eshe
undressedandtookaqui ckshowerbeforeputti
ng
onhist-shi
rtwhi
chstoppedonhermi dt highsand
headedt ot
hekit
chen.Shest ar
tedwit
hdi nner,
she
pausedattheknockont hedoor.
“Uhhhi
,mybr
other
…”Hi
svoi
cet
rai
l
edst
ari
ngat
Ayana.
“
Modi
egi
?Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
Thegat eopenedandtheChevrol
etli
ghtsbumped
ont hem.Karabodrov
ei nt
henparkedhiscarand
steppedout.Ayanaheldhi
sbreat
hashewal ked
towar dst
hem andputhishandaroundherki
ssing
herneck.
“
Thabang!
”
Modiegi
slowlysmil
edstar
ingatAy
anathenhi
s
br
othermakingsenseofwhatwashappeni
ng.
“
Babethi
sismyy
oungerbrot
herThabang,
Thabang
t
hisi
smywoman,Ayana.
”
“
Iknowher
.”
Ay
anahel
dherbr
eat
hst
ari
ngatModi
egi
.
“
Youdo?Ohy
eah!Youbot
hschool
atI
HS.
”
“
Til
lIt
ransf
err
edhere.
”Thabangsmi
l
ed.“
Nice
meeti
ngyouAyana.
”

*
***
*

Anayast
eppedoutoft
hecarasLefaparkedbehi
nd
her
.Hegotoffhi
scarandwalkedt
owardsher.
“
Wher
eissmar
tmout
h?”
“Shewentt
oMahal
apyewithhergr
andmot
her
.Iwi
l
l
sendsomeonet
ocol
lecthert
omorrow.
”
Lef
aleanedov erandki
ssedher,
Anay aputher
ki
ssedhim backasherbodyshookwi thwant.Acar
par
kedbehindLef a’
sandAnayasteppedback.
“
It
’sI
vy’
sdad.
”
Miguelwal
kedt
owar
dst
hem angr
il
y.“
What
’sgoi
ng
onhere?”
“
Miguelwhatdoy ouwant?Iam sur
eev
ery
thi
ngt
hat
I
vyneedsisatyourhouse.
”
Hel
aughedwi
thdi
sbel
i
ef.“
Anay
adon’
ttr
yme.
”
“Youar
enotgoingt
otel
lherwhatshedoesorwhat
shedoesn’
t,
notwhenIam her
e.”
Mi
guelst
eppedi
nfr
ontofLef
a.“
Arey
out
alki
ngt
o
me?”
“
Miguel
stopi
t!Cany
ougobackt
oyourf
ami
l
y?”
Lefal
aughedchi
l
led.“
Hewon’
tdoany
thi
ngNay
a.
Lethi
mjusttr
yit
.”
Miguelturnedshaki
nghi sheadt henswunghisfist
atLefapunchinghim hard.Anayaputherhandov er
hermout hasLefawipedhi sli
psandchar gedat
Miguelpunchinghim back.Frozen,Anayawatched
asf i
stfl
ew,shecouldn’
tevenopenhermout hto
scream.AnothercarparkedatthegateandAgang
steppedout,Anayawordlessl
ypoint
edatMi gueland
Vince.AgangpushedMi guelandgotbetweenthem.
“
It
’senough!
”
“
Anay
atell
himtogo.Babeplease,
Iam al
readyf
il
ing
f
ordi
vor
ce,pl
ease.
”Miguel
begged.
Lefaspatonthegroundandt ookof fhi
sjacket.
MigueltookAnay
a’shandsi nt
ohi s.“Il
oveyou,Iam
notperf
ectbutIl
ovey ouAnay a.Iam goingtofi
le
fordi
vorcetomor
row, Ial
readyspoket omyl awyer
.
Babeplease…”
Shel
ookedi
nhistearyey
es,
thepai
ninhi
sey
es
madehersi
ghsadly
.
“Ican’twaitany mor e.Ihavewaitedforl
ongenough.
Youar egoingtosayonet hingandexpectmet o
under standtomor rowwheny outell
mei t’
snotthat
easy .Iam tir
edoft his,i
t’
snotev enproducti
veinany
way .Iam wal kingawayf rom thi
sbecauseev en
thoughIl ovey ou,Iknowmywor th.”
“
Babepl
ease,
don’
tdot
his.Il
ovey
ou.
”
Anayabli
nkedawayhert
ear
s.“
Pleasego,
Ref
il
wei
s
wait
ing.
”
“
Youhear
dher
.”Lef
atookAnay
a’shand.“
Leav
e.”
“Kant
ewenawar eomang?{Whoarey ou?
}Oska
batl
agontena.[
Don’
tannoyme.
}”Agangsaid
pushi
ngLefa.
“Iam notgoi
ngt
ofi
ghtwi
thy
out
oday
,noti
nfr
ontof
her.
”
“
Lef
acome,
theywi
l
lleav
eont
hei
rown.
”
Shegr
abbedhi
shandandl
edhi
minsi
det
hehouse.
“
Iam sor
ryaboutt
hat
.”
Heclosedt
hedoorandsmil
ed.“I
t’
sok,
Iwantt
ogo
backandpunchhimi
ntot
omor r
ow.Nxl
a,whot
he
heckdoeshethi
nkhei
s?”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”Shetookoutmi
xedv
eggi
esf
rom her
f
ri
dgeandhandedittohi
m.
“It
’sok.AnayaIneedt
oknowi fwear edoi
ngthi
s,I
don’twantacasewherebyIinvestmyfeel
ingsi
nto
thisandnextthi
ngyouarebackwi t
hhim.”
Shestoodonhertoesandkissedhi
sli
ps.“Heisi
n
thepast
,heisnevergoi
ngtoleavehi
swifeandIam
ti
redofpray
ingforanot
herwoman’sdownfal
l.
”
Lefaputtheveggi
esdownandkissedAnaya,hi
s
breathwasfr
esh,hetongueki
ssedherassheput
herlegst
ogetherf
eel
inghercl
itt
hrob.
“
Wher
eisLet
haboandAy
ana?
”
“Let
habowentt
oKanyebef
oretheweddi
ngcamet o
anendandAyaissl
eepi
ngoveratLal
ah’
shouse.
”
“
Ok.
”
Heki ssedheragainunzippingherdr essfrom
behind.Thedresssli
ddownherbodyandhe
uncli
ppedherbr aandt onguedherni pples.Anaya
whimper edi
nhi smout hasherbl oodr ushed,she
couldn’twai
tany more.Lefapickedherupandshe
pointedtoherbedroom wher ehel ai
dheront hebed
pul
lingoutherpanties.Helookedathershav ed
pussyandcur sedbeneat hhisbreath.
Hekissedhercl
i
tasshemoanedgr abbingher
sheet
s,hesli
dafingeri
nsi
deherandstrokedherg-
spotwithhi
smout honhercl
i
t.Hertoescurl
edas
shegr abbedhisheadmov i
ngherwai st.Herorgasm
creptonherasshemoanedsqui r
mingwi t
hherey es
closed.Shev i
bratedwithpl
easur easheswi rl
edhis
tongueonhercl itwit
hhisfingerstappingthatsweet
spot.Openingherey eswidly,shescreamedt hen
ti
ghtlyclosedthem detonat
ingi nt
otheunforgivi
ng
pleasure.
Lefasteppedbackandtookof fhi
st-shir
texposi
ng
thattat
tooonhislef
tbreast
.Anay agatheredher
energyandsteppedoutofbedt henunzippedhis
j
eanspul l
ingt
hem downwi t
hhi swhitebri
efs.Hi
s
dicksprungoutandsheswallowedhar d.
“
God…”
Shef
ear
ful
l
yst
aredathi
sdi
ckt
hent
ookast
epback.
“
Kneel
.”
Shelookedathimthensl
owlygotonherknees,he
pushedhisdi
ckinhermouthandgentl
yfuckedher
mouthenjoyi
ngherwarm mouth.Hei
ncreasedhis
pace,t
apingherthr
oat
.
“
Fuck!
”
Anaya’
sey
est
ear
edupandshesof
tl
ypushedhi
m
back.
“
Gety
ourhandsof
fme,
don’
ttouchme.
”
Shebli
nkedathimthenher
ubbedhsdickonherl
ips
befor
epushi
nginhermouthagai
n.Shesuckedhi
m
goodmassaginghi
sball
s.
“
Fuckt
hat
’si
t!
”
Hegrabbedherhai rcl
osinghi
seyes.Shesucked
evenharder,swir
li
nghertongueonhisdickhead
whil
ehegr unted.Hefuckedhermouthharderthen
shothi
sloaddeepi nhermout hgr
oaning.
Hesl owl
ypull
edoutasAnay astoodupf eeli
ngher
i
ntersti
nestur
n.Sherantoherbathroom andt hrew
upinsink.Shewalkedoutsecondslaterwipi
ngher
mout handfoundhimreadil
ywaiti
ngforherwi tha
condom on.
“
Comeher
ebabe…”
Sheslowlywalkedtowardshimthenheturnedhert
o
thebedandlethertouchthebed.Hepushedher
buttandpushedhisdickinsi
deher,
inchbyinch
st
ret
chi
ngherup.
“
Fuuuuck!
”Hegr
oanedi
nherear
.
“
UhhhohGod!
”
“
Feel
thatNay
a?”
“
Ohy
es.
.ohoh…”
Hepushedhimselfallthewayinthengentl
yeased
outandstr
etchedhiswayback.Sl owl
ythepainshe
wasfeel
ingdissol
vedintopleasur
eandsher el
axed.
Lefagr
abbedherwai stgri
ndingdeepinherenj
oying
her.
“
Anay
aIam goi
ngt
ofucky
oubabeok?
”
Shenoddedbr acingherself.Hesmashedi ntoher
overandov eragaininar el
ent l
essmanner ,not
givi
ngherabr eakt oevenbr eathe.Anayagaspedat
thepleasur
ehekeptgi vi
ngher ,dri
vingherstrai
ght
toheavenwhi l
egr unt
ingclearlyenjoyingher.
Hepul
l
edoutandhel
pedherst
andst
andi
ngbehi
nd
her
.
“
Hol
dyourbut
tcheeks.
”
Shepant edhol dingherbut tthenhepushedi n
buryi
nghi mselfdeepi nsideherpussy .Anaya
gaspedt r y
ingt of reeherpoorpussybutLef a
grabbedherwai standt hrustint oher,
poundingdeep
i
nsideherl i
keanani mal .Anay acl osedherey es
feel
ingt hepl easur ecur lupdeepi nher,herskin
i
tchedwi ththepl easur eashet appedthatsweet
sweetspotdeepi nsideher .Herkneesshookas
eacht hrustpushedhert otheage.Sheputherl egs
togethert r
yingt ohol ditinbutt hepleasurewast oo
much, shecoul dn’tev enunder standherownbody .
Lefa’
sdi ckhi tev erycor ner,ever yspotfi
ri
ngherup.
Shescr eamedshut t
ingherey esassheexpl oded
i
ntot hepl easur esqui tt
ingonhi sdick.
Lefatur
nedherandki ssedhert henhepickedherup.
Anayawr appedherlegsaroundhi swaistthenLefa
pushedinsideherpussy.Hef uckedherstandingin
themiddleoftheroom whileherhairwav edaround.
Herbodyt ensedatthebuil
dinguppl easure.
“
OhGod…”
Lefawalkedt
oherdressi
ngtabl
ewhereheswept
every
thi
ngonthegroundandplacedhert
her
ewit
h
herlgsonhi sshoulders.Hehammer edherhard,
panel beat
ingher.Allhersensesfl
ewoutasthat
pleasurethatshecouldn’thandl
estart
edbuil
dingup,
chargingher.Hisdickexpandedinsi
deherwhile
throbbing.
“Takeitbaby ,
there…”Hewhispereddi
ggingdeeper
i
ntoher .Anayaclosedhereyesasherbody
spasmed, taki
ngwi tht
helastounceofenergyshe
had.Lefafrozeinsideherassheslowl
yclosedher
eyessli
ppingi nt
oaf or
geofdarkness.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#82

Mi guelsati
nhiscarlaterthateveni
ngt hi
nkingof
Anay awhil
estari
ngatherpi ctur
es,heclosedhis
eyesaspai nblockedhisthroat,j
ustt
hinkingof
anothermanhav ingherbrokehisheart.Hethought
ofhowcockyt
hatguyhadbeen,hewasprobably
fucki
ngher
.Aknockonthewindowst
art
ledhim,he
l
ookedupatRefi
l
wethenopenedthedoorsteppi
ng
out.
“
Arey
ouok?
”
“
Yah.
”
Hewalkedi
nsi
det
hehouseandbumpedf
istwi
thhi
s
sons.
“DaddyI
vysai
dwear
egoi
ngt
ouhh…t
oCapeTown
anddo…bunji
.”
“
Bunj
ij
umpi
ngQ.
”Juni
orqui
ckl
ycor
rect
ed.
Miguelsmil
edl
ooki
ngatQui
nsy
.“Wewi
l
lgo.Iam
coming.”
Hewentt
othebedr
oom wher
ehequi
ckl
ychanged.
“
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
”
Hel
ookedatRef
il
we.“
Ihadt
odr
opof
fAgang.
”
“
Ical
l
edSarona,
Agangl
eftwi
thher
.Youl
eftmeat
t
heweddi
ng.”
“
Youwer
est
il
ldoi
ngsomet
hing.
”
“
Andy
ouwer
eignor
ingmycal
l
sMi
guel
.”
“
Myphonewasonsi
l
ent
.”
“
Wher
eyouwi
thAnay
a?”
Miguelangri
l
ylookedather.“Whyareyoualways
accusi
ngmewi thoutevi
dence?Youar ebegi
nningt
o
annoymewi thyouraccusati
ons.Idon’
tevenknow
whyIam doingthiswit
hy ou.Ican’
tdothi
s
anymore.”
Refil
wel ookedathimthenwalkedtothebedcryi
ng.
Wi t
hguiltyweighi
ngheavi
lyonhisshoulder
s,he
restr
ainedhimselffr
om hol
dingher.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Sherubbedhertear
sandst
oodup.“
It
’sok,
Iam
goi
ngtobath.”
Miguelsi
ghed,hedidn’tev
enknowhowhewas
goi
ngtotellheraboutthediv
orce,
shewasgoi
ngt
o
beserv
edi nafewday s.

*
***
*
Theodorasmil
edl ooki
ngatherselfonthemirr
or
earl
yinthemorning,shetouchedherfl
awlessface
notgett
ingenoughofi t
.Shereachedforherphone
andcall
edYaone.
“
Hey
,whenar
eyoucomi
ngbackf
rom SA?
”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Myf
li
ghtl
eav
est
oni
ghtatsi
x.”
“
Ican’
twai
ttoseey
ouf
acet
oface.
”
“Myscari
sgone,i
t’
sli
keInev
erhadi
tbef
ore.That
doct
orissogood.
”
“
Itol
dyou.Ar
eyour
eadyf
ort
omor
row?
”
Theodorasi
ghed.“
Iguessi
t’
sti
met
oacceptmy
defeat
.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“I
t’
sok,Imessedup,
not
hingcanev
erj
ust
if
ythat
,I
gavehi
m HIV.”
“
Yah,
anyway
sIhav
etogo,
it’
sRachel
’
sbabyshower
t
oday
.”
“
Ok,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
Theodor
ahunganddi
aledAnay
a.
“
Anay
aShat
o,hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
it’
sme.Theodor
a.”
“
Oh,
hey
.”
“
Uhhdi
dyoul
ookatmypr
oposal
?”
“YesIdi
d.I
t’
sact
ual
l
yagreati
dea,
may beyoucan
passmyoffi
ceonMonday
,wecandiscussthi
s
furt
her
.”
“
Iwi
l
l,t
hanky
ou.
”
“
Howdi
dyoursur
ger
ygo?
”
“
Itwentwel
l
.Il
ookl
i
kemyol
dsel
f.
”
“
Iam gl
ad.Nowy
oudon’
thav
etohi
dey
our
sel
f.
”
Theodor
alaughedashamed.“
Iwast
ir
edofl
ooki
ng
l
ikeamusli
m. ”
“
Nowy oudon’thavet
oanymor
e.Iam r
eal
lyhappy
f
oryou.JustcomeoveronMondaymorni
ngandwe
wi
ll
talkbusi
ness.”
“
Ok,
thanky
ou.
”
“Don’tt
hankmey
et,
wai
tti
l
lthebusi
nessact
ual
l
y
prospers.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.“
Ok,
byeNay
a.”
“
Bye.
”

*
***
*

Ayanadishedforthet wobrotherssi t
ti
nginfrontof
theTV,shestil
lhadn’tsummonedt heconf i
dencet o
tel
lKarabothatheknewhi sbr other.I
t’snotl
ikeshe
hadhadsexwi thModi egibutshef earedthatmay be
Karabowouldbet urnedoffbyt hethoughtofher
withhi
sy oungerbrother
.
Shetooktheplatest
othem andhandedt
hem eacha
pl
atebeforegoingbackf
orthei
rcoff
ees.
“
Youcant
akemycar
.”
ShelookedatKaraboashehandedherhi
scarkey
s.
“I
t’
sok.Youdon’thavet
o.”
“
Takei
t,Iwi
l
lcomecol
l
ecti
tlat
er.
”
“
Ohok.
”
ShecaughtModiegi
star
ingathert
henqui
ckl
y
grabbedt
hekey
sandherbag.“Bye.
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Wit
hqui
ckstr
idesshewalkedoutt
ohi
scarand
dr
oveof
ftaki
ngoutherphoneandcal
l
ingLal
ah.
“Godit’Sundayear
lyi
nthemorni
ngAyanaIam
sleepi
ng,whatdoyouwant?Youaredi
stur
bingme.
”
“
Modi
egi
isKar
abo’
sst
epbr
other
.”
Lal
ahy
awned.“
What
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Didy
out
ell
him?
”
“
No,
howshoul
dIst
art
?”
“Sokeepi
ngitf
rom hi
misthebesti
deayoucan
possi
blycomeupwi t
h?Whati
fModiegial
readyt
old
him?Whatifheisj
ustwai
ti
ngtoseeify
ouar e
honest
?”
“
Lal
ahIam scar
ed,
Idon’
twantt
olosehi
m.”
“
Wel
lnowy
ouar
eaboutt
o,t
rustme.
”
Ayana’
seyesfel
lonthepol
icecaraheadofherthen
qui
cklydr
oppedherphonegrabbi
ngtheseatbel
t
wit
hapoundingheart
.
“
God!
”
Shesteppedont hebreaksreal
izingshewasr unni
ng
aredtraf
ficli
ghtbutitwastoolat e,
shehitt
he
poli
cecarfrom behindwithastrongimpactthatshe
hi
ttheairbagwithforce.Sl
owly
, sheclosedhereyes
sl
ippi
ngintounconsciousness.

*
***
*

Agangjoinedt
heguy
shol
dinghi
sbeeri
nthe
af
ternoon.
“
Sur
e!”
Hef
istbumpedwi
thKent
henVi
nce.
“
Wher
eisBK?
”Vi
nceaskedsi
ppi
nghi
sownbeer
.
“
Hedr
oppedof
fRef
il
weatt
heai
rpor
t.
”
“
Whowast
hatwi
thAnay
ayest
erday
?”
“
Ken, t
hatwassomeMP’ sson,ri
chmother
fucker.I
t
oldMi guelheisgoingtoloseherandhedidn’t
l
i
sten.Anay aisjustnotsomewomanoutt here,she
i
saf orcetober eckonedwith.
”
Agangsi
ghed.“
Youarer
ight
,andt
hatmot
her
fucker
i
sfull
ofhi
mself.Hei
scocky
.”
“
IhopeBKdoesn’
tki
l
lhi
msel
f.
”Kenv
oiced.
“
Orki
l
lshi
m.”
KenandVincet
urnedt
oAgangashequi
etl
ydr
ank
hi
sbeer.
“
What
?”
“
Hewi
l
lgot
ojai
l
.”Kenpoi
ntedout
.
“
Noti
fhepl
anst
heper
fectmur
der
.”
Vi
ncel
aughed.“
Wewi
l
lcr
emat
ehi
m.”
“That
’snotsuchabadi dea.Butwewil
lgotojai
l,
bannalebuadil
odisele.{
Youaretal
ki
ngnonsense.}
”
Kensaidlaughi
ng.“Rachelsai
dOler
atoisni
ce,when
ar
eyoumar
ryi
ngher
?”
Vi
ncesmi l
ed.“Sheisperf
ectbutwearenotinarush.
Pr
incessi
sbr i
ngingtheki
dsandOleisgoingto
meetthem.”
“Shefinall
yagreed?Ijustdon’
tunderstandthat
woman, howcanshecompl ai
nabouty ourgir
lf
ri
ends
whenshei smarri
edt osomemanoutt here,I
wouldn’tletRacheldenymemychi ldifwehadt o
separate.”
“IwanttomarrySarona,Icanseehowhar diti
sfor
hertofacepeoplebecausetheykeeptaunti
ngher
forwalki
ngoutofhermar ri
agejustt
obest uckwit
h
meunmar ri
ed.”
“
Final
l
y!”Kencl
apped.
Aganglaughed.“
Eit
herway,wear
ehavi
ngour
secondchil
d.Iwantaproperf
ami
ly.
”
Vi
ncesmi
l
edpr
oudl
y.“
Youknockedherup?
”
“
Idon’
tshootbl
anks.
”
“
Iwaswor
ri
edforamomentt
hatmaybet
heprobl
em
waswi
thme,i
fIwasmyegowasgoi
ngtobe
cr
ushed.
”
VincelaughedatKen.“
Iwasal
sowor
ri
edabout
you.”
Theycont
inuedchat
ti
ngast
hegamest
art
ed.

*
***
*

Marangcheckedthevital
sofherpati
enti
nsi
dethe
pati
ent
’sroom.Hehadbeeni nI
CUforawhil
enow,
ever
yonewasbegi nni
ngtolosehope,hi
sfamil
yhad
tomakeadecisiononwhet hert
okeepthemachines
onornot.Shelookedathim andsi
ghed.
“
Hi,
it’
smeagai
n.”Shehel
dhi
shandandsmi
l
ed.
“Idon’tknowaboutt herestbutIsti
llbel
ieveyouare
goingt omakei t
.Ithi
nky ourdaughterbeli
evestoo.
Youar eaf i
ghterandyouar egoingtomakea
diff
erenceinthisworldoneday .Soplease,keepon
fi
ghting,youcandot his.Keepfight
ingforyour
daught er
,thatl
it
tl
ecutegi r
lneedsy ou.
”
Shepausedf
eel
i
ngasqueezed,
probabl
yref
lex.She
l
ethi
m goandwal
kedoutgoi
ngt
oherof
fi
ce.
“
Hey
!Dr
.Hender
son,
”
Laurabyther
ecept
ionst
oppedherasshepassedby
.
“Yeah?”
“
Thi
scamei
nfory
ou.
”
Mar
angsmi l
edatt
hef
lower
sthent
ookt
hem.
“
ThanksLaura.
”
“
Youar
ewel
comeDr
.Hender
son.
”
Marangwalkedt
oheroff
iceinhal
i
ngthef
lowers.
Shesatdownasherphonerangandshegiggl
ed
answer
ing.
“
Babe…Il
ovet
hef
lower
s.Whatdi
dIdot
odeser
ve
t
hem?”
“
Whatf
lower
s?”
Shel
aughed.“
TheonesIj
ustr
ecei
ved.
”
“
Idi
dn’
tsendy
ouanyf
lower
s.”
Mar
angpaused.“
Youdi
dn’
t?”
“
No,
may
bet
heyar
efr
om apat
ient
.”
Shelookedatt
hefl
owersandsi
ghed.“
Ok,
Ireal
l
y
thoughtt
heyweref
rom y
ou.”
“
Wel
lIcangety
ousomef
reshones.
”
“
No,
it’
sok.
”
“
Any
way
swegott
hedeal
.
”
Mar
angshr
il
ledwi
thexci
tement
.“Wedi
d?”
“Yes,nowwecangoont
hatt
ri
pyouhav
ebeen
cryi
ngfor.
”
Mar
angr
oll
edherey
es.“
Iwan’
tcr
yingf
orany
thi
ng.
”
“
Yesy
ouwer
e.Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Shehungupt henshel ookedatthefl
owersfora
momentt ry
ingtofigureoutwhichpati
entcoul
dhave
possibl
ygivenhertheflowersbuthermindwas
bl
ank.Amomentl atershetookthefl
owersand
i
nhaledthem asthemy st
erycur
ledit
sel
faroundher
.

*
***
*
Colleensl owl yopenedherey esandsi ghedwi tha
smi le,shehadn’ tsleptlastnight.Sheraisedher
handadmi ri
ngherr ing,fi
nallyshewasMr s.Obakeng.
Herphonev ibrat
edandshegotof ft
hebedr eachi ng
forit,itwasj ustaftermi dafternoon,shehadr eally
sleptt hroughtoutthedayt houghshest il
lfelt
exhaust ed.Sheopenedhermessagesopeni ngt he
picturest hephot ographerhadsenther .Quicklyshe
repliedt oaf ewmessagest henputherphonedown
walki ngt othesitti
ngr oom.Thehousewassosi lent,
alltheki dshadl eftwithhermot herj
ustaf t
ert he
weddi ng.
Acardr oveinandshesmi l
edwai ti
ng,shecoul
dn’
t
waittogof orherhoneymoon,amuchneeded
vacati
onwasexact l
ywhatsheneeded.She
wonderedwhatTshepohadpl anned,shehopedit
wast heisl
ands,may beBal
iorev enbett
er,
Bora
Bora.Tshepowal kedinandsmiledstari
ngather.
“
Heybabe…”
Shewal
kedt
owar
dshi
m put
ti
ngherar
msar
oundhi
s
neck.“
Heyhusband.
”
Heki
ssedhersof
tl
yandl
ookedr
ighti
nherey
es.“
I
l
oveyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyoumor
e,Ican’
twai
tforourhoney
moon.
”
“
Ihav
etot
ell
yousomet
hing.
”
Coll
eensl
owlyst
oppedsmil
i
ngstari
ngi
nhi
sser
ious
eyesandst
eppedback.“
Whati
sit?
”
“
Remembermysi
sterwhowentt
oNi
ger
ia?
”
“
Yes,
whati
sit
?”
“
Herexhusbandpassedonyest
erdayandIhav
et o
t
akei
nheryoungestdaught
erwhoisdoingf
orm 5.
”
“
What
?”
“Yes,
Idon’twanthert
ogetabusedoutt
her
e,she
needstofocusonschool
soIwi l
lbet
aki
ngherin.
”
“Andy
oudidn’
tthi
nkmay
beweneedt
odi
scusst
his
asacoupl
e?”
“
Doy
ouhav
eapr
obl
em wi
thi
t?”
“
No,
Idon’
t.Ihav
eapr
obl
em wi
tht
hef
actt
haty
ou
ar
emaki
ngdeci
sionswi
thoutme.Iam y
ourwi
fe.
”
Hesmiled.“
Iam sor
rybaby
.Buti
twasl
astmi
nut
e
t
hing.
”
“
Idon’tcar
e,i
am y
ourwi
feandy
oushoul
dhav
e
i
nfor
medme. ”
Hehuggedherki
ssi
ngherneck.“
Itwi
l
lnev
erhappen
agai
n.”
“
Ok.Sowheni
sshecomi
ng?
”
“
Shei
sal
readyher
e.”
Thedooropenedandagi r
lwalkedi
ndr aggi
ngher
bagwhi lechewingagum.Col eenfr
ownedather
dressing,thel
eatherskirtwastooshir
tshecould
sweari fshebendedherpant ieswouldbeoutther
e
andt hatcroptopwasj usttoo…exposingespeci
all
y
becauseshewor enobr a.
“Babethi
sisShantel
l,
Shant
ell
thi
sismywife,
Coll
een.BabeShantel
lwi
llr
emainwit
hthekids
whenwegof orthehoneymoon.”
Col
leenlookedatTshepothenbackatShant
ell
st
aringatthemil
li
onpieci
ngsonherface.
*
***
*

Anayar
ushedi
nsi
det
hehospi
tal
andbumpedi
nto
Lal
ah.
“
Wher
eisshe?
”
“
Shei
sfi
ne,
let
’sgo.
”
Theybot
hwalkedtoherr
oom wher
eshewasaway
wit
hacoll
erneck.
“
Hey
…”Anay
ahuggedher
.“Ar
eyouok?
”
“
Iam f
ineNay
a.”
“
Whathappened?
”
“Iwast
alki
ngonthephonet
henpani
ckedwhenI
sawthepoli
cecari
nfr
ontofme.
”
“
Who’
scarwer
eyoudr
ivi
ng?
”
Thedooropenedbefor
eAy anacoul
dansweranda
manwalkedin.Anay
a’sheartski
ppedast
heirey
es
met.
“
Hel
l
o.”
Shelookedathi
mthenbackatAy
anaf
igur
ingout
whatwasgoingon.
“Iam Kar
abo,
”Hestr
etchedhi
shandather
,Anay
a
bri
efl
yshooki
twit
hat i
nysmil
e.
“
Hi.”Shetur
nedbackt
ohersi
ster
.“Iam goi
ngt
o
t
alktoyourdoct
or.
”
Shewal
kedoutandcl
osedherey
esf
oramoment
.
“
Iwoul
dnev
erhur
tyoursi
ster
.”
Anay
atur
nedandl
ookedathi
m.“
Skar
a…”
“
Nay
a,y
oul
ookgood.
”
Sheroll
edherey
esput
ti
ngherhandsi
nher
sweatpant
s.
“Mybrotherwoul
dhavemar
ri
edy
ou.I
fgi
vent
he
chance,
hest i
l
lwoul
d.”
Anayalaughed.“KaraboIdon’tdomar r
iedmEnand
yourbr
ot herhappenst obemarri
ed.Iam goi
ngto
seemysi ster
’sdoctor.Don’
tyouthi
nkmysi st
eri
sa
bitt
ooy oungforyou?”
Hesmi
rked.“
No,
shecanhandl
emydi
ckj
ustr
ight
.”
Anayagotcloset
ohim andlookedri
ghtint
ohiseyes.
“Car
eful
,watchyourst
ep.Jail
isreal
,butIam sur
e
youunderst
andthi
s.”
Sheturnedandwal kedawayleavi
nghim shakinghi
s
headwi t
hasmi l
e.Mi nut
eslat
er,
Anayawal kedout
ofthedoctor
’soff
iceheadedbackt oAyanawher e
shefoundherwithKar abo.
“
Ispoketoy ourdoctor,youaregoi
ngt
obefi
ne,he
i
srel
easingy ou.Iam goinghometopr
epar
eyour
r
oom, Iwil
lcomeandpi ckyouup.”
“
Iwi
l
ldr
opherof
f.
”
AnayalookedatKar
aboandsmi
l
edsl
i
ght
ly.“
Iam
sur
e.”
Shewalkedoutt
othepar
kinglotanddr
ovehome.
Herphonerangassheparkedoutsi
det
hegarage.
“
Lef
a,”
“
Howi
sAy
ana?
”
Shecli
mbedoutofhercarandwalkedtothedoor.
“Thedoct
orsay
stherei
snot hi
ngwrongthoughthey
aresti
l
lrunni
ngsometest
.NowIam wai
ti
ngt
ohear
thechargesshei
sfaci
ng.
”
“
Don’
twor
ryaboutt
hat
,Iwi
l
ltakecar
eofi
t.
”
Sheunlockedherdoorandwal
kedi
n.“
Thebenef
it
s
ofbei
nganMP’ sson?”
Lef
alaughed.“
Iwi
l
l t
akecar
eofi
t,Iam comi
ngov
er,
whatdoyouwantforl
unch?
”
“
Any
thi
ngi
sfi
ne.
”
“
Ok,Iwil
lbet
her
einanhourorso,
Iam meet
ingmy
f
ather
.”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupasherdooropened.Herhear
tskipped
asshelookedatMi
guelwhoclear
lyl
ookedpissed.
“
Miguel
…”
“
Soy
out
hinkal
lthi
sisaj
oke?
”
Shetookast
epback.“
Miguel
pleasel
et’
snotdo
thi
s.”
“
Iny
ourey
esImustbeaf
ool
.”
Shequi
ckl
yshookherhead.“
No.
”
“
Hadyounotr
unof
fwewoul
dn’
tbeher
etodaydo
y
ouknowthat
?”
Hewasdr unkandGodknowswhathecoul
ddoi
n
t
hisst
ate.Shebrav
elyst
oodst
il
l.
“
Gobackt
oyourwi
fe.
”
“
Anayaket
lagot
hubakampama.{
Anay
aIwi
l
lsl
ap
y
ou.}
”
“
Miguel
stopi
t,y
ouar
escar
ri
ngme.
”
“
Didy
ousl
eepwi
thhi
m?”
Shequi ckl
yshookherhead.Miguel
grabbedherarm
bri
nginghercloser.“
Thenwhat’
sthatonyourneck,o
i
tagor ekesemat l
aAnaya?[Doyouthi
nkIam a
fool
?}”
“
Stopi
t,y
ouar
e-“
Heslappedheracr
ossthefacet
hatshesawst
ars
st
aggeri
ngbackalmostfal
l
ing.
“
DoIl
ookl
i
keaf
ool
toy
ou?
”
Anay
acov
eredherf
acecr
ying.
“Youaremakingnoi
se.”Hegrabbedherhai
r.“
Take
offyourhandsof
fyourface.
”
“
Miguel
pleasel
etgo,
youar
ehur
ti
ngme.
”
Heforcef
ull
ytookherhandsof
fherfaceand
sl
appedheragain,
thi
stimeherearr
angasher
cheekburnt
.
“Miguelyouarehur
ti
ngme.”Anayacr
ied,
she
couldn’
teventel
lhowfarhewoul
dtakeit
,he
seemedpi ssedahel
landdrunkt
oo.
“
Didy
ousl
eepwi
thhi
m?”
Sheshookherhead,
shwassurehewasgoingt
o
beatherupev
enmor ei
fsheadmit
tedt
oit
.
“KanaAnayaket
lagobol
aya.{
Iwil
lki
l
lyou.
}Iam
notplay
ingwi
thyou,
koor
eobatlagontl
wael
a.”
“Mi
guely
ouaremarri
ed,y
ouwon’
tleav
eyourwi
fe,
I
am t
ir
edoft
hisar
rangement
.”
“
Didy
ousl
eepwi
thhi
m.”
“
No-
“
Hesl
appedheragai
n,t
hist
imeshef
ell
losi
ngher
heari
ngforaf
ewsecondswhilebl
oodgushedfr
om
hernose.Mi
guel
draggedherupwit
hherhair
.
“
Miguel
stop…pl
ease…”
Hercryi
ngdidn’tseem t
omov ehim,notevenonebit.
Hedraggedhert otheki
tchem.“ Washoffthatdi
rt
y
f
rom herface.Andstopcrying,wantlodi
a.{Youare
makingnoise.
}”
Anayasl
owl
ywashedherf
acet
hendr
iedi
tgent
ly
wit
hadisht
owel
.
“
Didy
ou?
”
Shel
ookedathi
m.“
No,
Idi
dnot
.Pl
easest
op.
”
Miguelcov
eredhi
sfaceandshel
ookedathim
br
eakinddowninfr
ontofher
.Helookedatherf
ora
whil
e.
“
Ilov
eyou.Idon’
tevenknowhowt
oexpl
aint
hatt
o
y
ouAnaya,Il
oveyou.”
Anayaopenedhermout htospeakbutinsteadshe
st
artedcry
ing.Miguel wal
kedoverandhel dherin
hi
sar ms.“
It’
sbeensi xmonthsMiguel,
Ican’ tdothi
s
wit
hy ouanymore.Iloveyoubutyouaret akingmy
l
ov eforgrant
ed.Youkeeponhur ti
ngme, Iknowy ou
areinadi f
fi
cultsi
tuationbutIcan’
ttakei tanymore.
”
Shemov edback.“Pleaseleave,
Iam goi ngtoreport
youtot hepoli
ceforhi tt
ingme.Iwon’tletyoukeep
onabusi ngmel i
kethis.Iam humant oo.Leave.”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#83

Lonet urnedinherafter
noonsl eepputt
ingherhand
ont hesideofthebedandf el
tnoone.Shewokeup
andsi ghed,t
hef i
rstdayswereal wayshard.I
t
alwayst ookti
mef orherandherdaught ertoadjust
tohim beinggone.Nowt hatshewasusedt o
sleepi
ngwi thhimi nSundayafternoonsjustr
elaxi
ng
i
nt hosear ms,shehadt oadjusttohisabsence.
Slowl
yshegotoffbedandstr
etched,
asoundf r
oze
hertothegr
oundthenshequi
cklywalkedoutgoi
ng
totheki t
chenwher eshewasmetbyasmoke.She
l
ookedatherdaught ercoughi
ngstandingont he
kit
chenst oolthenthebur ni
ngpot.Withquick
mov ement s,shegrabbedt hedi
shclothandt ookthe
burningpotbef or
er ushingwit
hitoutsi
de.Shet hr
ew
i
tont hepavementandwal kedbackinsidethe
houseopeni ngallthewi ndowsandswi tchi
ngoffthe
stove.
Fi
nal
lyshel
ookedatherdaught
erf
ail
i
ngt
oev
enbe
angr
y.
“
Lesedi
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
“
Iwascooki
ngf
ory
oumommy
.”
Loneshookherhead.“
Nev
ert
oucht hest
ove,
you
wil
lbur
n.Goandsitdown,
Iwi
llcook.”
Shequickl
ymadequi
ckl
unchanddi
shedf
orher
daught
er.
“
Take,
”
Lesedi
lookedather
.“Wheni
sdaddycomi
ngback?
”
“
Soon.Hewentt
osav
ethewor
ld.
”
“
Daddyi
sasuperher
o?”
Lonesmi
l
ed.“
Yes,
noweat
,wear
egoi
ngt
othespa.
”
Shewalkedtoherbedroom l
eavi
ngLesedi
wat
chi
ng
Spongebob,herphonerangandshequi
ckl
y
answered.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,ar
ewest
il
lgoi
ng?Onl
ythi
rt
ymi
nut
esl
eft
.”
Lonesi
gheddisappoi
ntedasRachel
spoke.“
Yesbut
Iam br
ingi
ngSedi.
”
“
Ther
eisachi
l
dren’
spl
aygr
ound,
bri
ngher
.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Hubbyi
sgone?
”
Lonesatonherbed.“ Yeah,i
t’
sal wayshardwhenhe
i
sgone.Ev er
ytimehel eavesIjustreal
i
zehowmuch
Ilovehim.Thatmanshower smewi thsomuchl ov
e
that’
shardt oadjustwhenhei sgone.Whenhecheat
Ididn’tev
enknowwhatt odo, i
ffeltasifIwasn’
t
destinedtobehappybutt hewayhehasbeen
behav i
ng,RachelIjustl
ovemyman.Noonehas
everlovedmel i
ket hat.
”
Rachel
laughed.“
Ifev
erymant
ooky
out
oDubai
af
tercheat
ing,It
hinkal
lwomenwoul
dwantt
hei
r
mentocheat.”
“Ienj
oyedmysel
f,Dubaii
sagot
opl
ace.Any
way
s
howwast hewedding?”
“Don’
ttel
lany
onebutappar
entl
yAnayai
sseei
nga
newman.Sheevenbroughthi
m att
heweddi
ng.”
“
Shei
s?”
“
Yesandhei
sri
chandst
uff
,Mi
guel
ishur
t.
”
Lonelaughed.“
Ther
egoeshiskarma,
IknewAnay
a
wasgoi ngt
oshowhimflames,t
hatgi
rli
s
dangerous.
”
“
Idon’
tblameherformov
ingon,ImeanMi
guel
won’
tleaveRef
il
wesowhat’
stheuse?”
“Shewill
probablycr yi
fhel ef
ther.LadieslikeAnaya
don’tpl
ay,youshoul dseeheratwor k.Thatwoman
dealswit
hser i
ouspeopl e,busi
nessmen,
i
ntimidat
ingmenandshei snotshaken.Idon’ tl
ike
herbutIadmi r
eher .Thewayshewal ks,she
demandst hatrespectwithoututter
ingasi ngleword,
sheisstri
ct.Sheisopeni nganotherbusinessand
weareappl
yi
ng,i
fIgethi
redt
her
eIwi
l
lbeear
ninga
whol
enewsalar
y.”
“
Sheopenedt
hatcompanywi
thMi
guel
.”
Lonel
aughed.“
Let
’sseehowt
hisonepl
aysout
.”
“
Look,
wewl
ltal
k.Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Ok.
”
Lonehungupandi
mmedi
atel
yrecei
vedanot
hercal
l
.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
am speaki
ngt
oLone?
”
“
Yes,
who’
sthi
s?”
“MynameisBoemo,Ij
ustf
oundy
ourmot
heri
nher
houseal
one,
sheisdyi
ng.
”

*
***
*

Ayanaatesi
l
entl
ywat chi
nghersist
erintheeveni
ng,
shewassoquiettodaythatshehadn’
teven
bother
edwatchi
ngLov eandHipHop,herfav
orit
e
show.Shewonderedifmaybei
twasbecauseofher
acci
dent,
ithadshakenherupt
oobutno,t
hiswas
unli
keAnaya.
Ay
anasmi
l
ed.“
NeedsomesHer
osav
ing?
”
Anay
atur
nedt
olookather
.“What
?”
“
Isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“
Wit
hwhat
?Ar
eyoui
npai
n?”
Ayanachuckl
ed.“
Whati
sit?Youcantellme.”She
gotcl
oserandhel
dAnaya’
shand.“Iam her
e,allf
or
you.
”
Anayalookedatherforawhil
eandlookedawayas
atearescapedhereye.Shequi
ckl
ywipeditbut
Ayanahadalreadyseenit
.
“
Isawt
hat
,pl
easet
ell
me.Letmehel
pyou.
”
Anayasighedsqueezi
ngherl
it
tl
esist
er’
shand.“
It
’s
ok,Iam ok.Howareyoufeel
i
ng?”
“
Iam f
ine,
buty
ouar
enot
.What
’swr
ong,
pleaset
ell
me.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Iam f
ineAy
a.”
“
Youarenot,y
ouhavebeenquiet
,youdidn’teven
wat
chyourfavor
it
eshow.Tel
lme,please,Ijustwant
t
ohelpyou.
”
“Ijust
…someti
mesIfearIam notwhopeoplethi
nk
peopleIam,If
eart
hatonedayIam goingto
disappoi
nty
ouwhenIdon’tl
iv
eupt othischar
acterI
hav emadeyoubel
i
eveisme.”
Ay anachuckl edast earsf i
l
ledherey es.“Idon’t
knowwhoy out hinky ouar ebuty ou…”Shepaused
andl aughedt earfully.“Youaremyher o.Ilookupt o
you.Youmademet hiswoman, beforemamagot
sick,youal way smadesur eIwasok, t
hatLethabo
wasokwhi lemamawor keddayandni ghttoput
foodont het able.Thi ngswer ehar dbutev eryday
youst il
lsmi led, mot ivatedme.Youpassedatschool
asi feverythingwasf ineathome.Youhadgoal sand
youal way sachi ev edt hem.Mamagotsi ckandy ou
fullytookther oleofbei ngapar ent
.Youdi dn’thav e
aj obbuty oual way shadapl an.”Ayanapausedas
pai nchockedher .“Yousl eptwithmenf ormoneyt o
buyLet haboandIschool unifor
m.Youl earnt
makeupt hroughy outubeandy oumadeanamef or
your self.Youst artedacat eri
ngcompanyi nt he
mi dstofy ourst ruggles.Youmetuncl eMi guel ,
Iwas
stil
l youngt hent ounder standbuthehur tyou.I
knowhedi d, youl ostyourbabybuty oust i
ll
managedt ogoon.Theyembar r
assedy ouonsoci al
medi abecausey ouwer er apedbuty oust i
llrose.
Todayher ey ouar e,owni ngy ourownhouse, your
ownbusi nesses, y
oudr ivet hatexpensi v ecarwe
alway ssawonmagazi nes.Theyaskmewhoi s
Anay aShat oandy ouknowwhatIsay , Isayshe’ sa
topdog…Theal phai nstilettos.SoIdon’ tcarewhat
peopl emayt hinkbuty ouar emyHer o, youar ean
alpha, youhav ef oughtat housandbat tlesandy ou
arest i
llstandi ng, youhav ecr iedandy oust il
l
managet osmi le,youhav ebeenbr oken, betrayed,
l
aughedat ,rejectedbutst ill
,y ouwal kwi t
ht hat
crowni ny ourhead, proudl y.Youar ebeaut i
ful,you
aret ruet oy our selfandy eah, youmessupandmake
baddeci si
onsj ustl i
keanyot herhumanbei ngout
ther ebecausey ouar enotper fectbuty ouar e
conf ident ,i
nt elli
gent,opini onat ed,passi onat eand
fi
er ce, y
ouar eapr owomanandIbel iev einy ou
mor ethanany one. ”
Anay
ahuggedhert
ight
ly.“
Ilov
eyou,
whatwoul
dI
dowit
houty
ou?”
Ayanalaughedcr
ying.“
Youwoul
dremai
nsadt
hat
’s
forsur
e.”
Anay
amov edbackandwi pedawayhertears.“
You
ar
eright
,Iam analpha.Theyunder
esti
mat emet oo
much.”
“
Wel
l
,ti
met
oshowt
hem whoy
our
eal
l
yar
e.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
No,
yout
hanky
ou.
”
“
So…Kar
abo?
”
Ayanal
aughed.“
Iwaswai
ti
ngf
ory
out
oask.Il
ove
hi
m but
…”
“
Butwhat
?”
“Ij
ust
…heis…Idon’tknowbutt
her
eisj
ust
somethi
ngabouthi
m. ”
“
What
?”
“
Somet
hing,
hei
sbad.
”
Anay
anodded.“Well
,thehear
twi
l
lal
way
swantwhat
i
swants.Justbecar
eful.
”
“
Iknow.
”Ay
anat
urnedt
otheTV.“
Sowho’
smaki
ng
y
oucry?
”
Anayalaughedl
i
ght
ly.“
Don’
twor
ry,
it’
snot
hingI
can’
thandle.
”
“
Ok.Byt
heway
,Il
i
keLef
a.”
“
Youdo?
”
“
Yeah,
hehast
hatt
hing.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Whatt
hing?
”
“
Thatt
hing,
thatgr
rrr
r!
”
Theybur
sti
ntouncont
rol
l
abl
elaught
er.“
Ayay
ouar
e
cr
azy.
”
“
Iam t
ell
i
ngyou.Gapeolebegaal
enaught
yny
ana.
{
Andheseemsnaughty
.}”
Ayanacaref
ull
ylookedatAnayalaughi
ng,hercheek
wasswollenandshehadabr ui
seonherwr ist.Not
wantingt
ospoilthemoodbyaskingshesmi led
thoughsheknewwhohaddonet hatandChrist!She
wasbegi
nni
ngt
ohat
ehi
m.

*
***
*

Abl ackMaseriti
Levantepul
ledupi nfrontof
MokwenaLogi st
icsandMiguel steppedout .He
wal kedinsi
dethebuil
dingandpassedbyt he
receptionandgotinsi
detheel evator.I
nhisf l
oor,
he
strodepasthisPA’sdeskwal kinginsidehisoffi
ce.
“
Goodmor
ningMr
.Mokwena,
cof
fee?
”
Hel
ookedupatherandshookhi
shead.Hi
sphone
r
angandheansweredsi
tt
ingdown.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Dumelamor
ena,kebual
eMiguel
Mokwena?[
Am I
speaki
ngtoMiguel
Mokwena?
}”
“
Yesy
ouar
e,who’
sthi
s?”
“Thi
sisconst
ableMoatsheatcentral
pol
i
cestati
on,
ther
eisaladyherewhocamet olodgeacomplai
nt
becauseyouhi
ther.
”
“
Shi
t!
”Mi
guel
mut
ter
ed.
“Pleasecomeher
esowecanheary
oursi
deoft
he
story.
”
“
Ok,
Iam onmyway
.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Mi
guel
dial
edAgangi
mmedi
atel
y.
“
Hi,
”
“
Ihi
tAnay
ayest
erday
,sher
epor
tedme.
”
“
What
?Why
?”
“Anayacan’
tjustfuckaroundasi
fIam not
sacri
fi
cingal
otf orher
.”
“
Doesshehav
ebr
uises?
”
“
Idon’
tknowbutobv
iousl
y,shebr
uiseseasi
l
y.”
“NowIdon’tknow.Anay agaveyouachancebuty ou
j
ustwouldn’tl
eaveRefilweandnowthatsheis
mov i
ngony ouharassher.Youhavealottolose,t
he
syst
em favorswoman.Justgoandapol ogi
zet oher.
Youhavehugedeal stosignandyouarethere
star
ti
ngfir
es.Idon’tevenunder
standwhyy ouwere
beati
ngher
,kanaAnay aosingl
ehaokakewamo
shapahel
akagoreomov i
l
eonBK.[Anayaissi
ngl
e,
youcan’
tbeatherbecauseshehasmov edonBK.
}”
“
Ijustl
osti
t,sheknowshowmuchIl
oveher
.”
“Goandapologi
ze.Thatl
oveofy
our
sisst
art
ingt
o
getdanger
ous.”

*
***
*

Miguelwal
kedi
nsidethepol
i
cest
ati
onwher
ehe
wasledtoanof
fice.
“
Miguel
?”
“
Yes.
”
HelookedatAnay
awhowassi
tt
ingdownt
hen
si
ghedsit
ti
ngnexttoher
.
“Thi
sladyisheret
olayacompl
aint
,shesay
syou
beatheryest
erday
.”
Miguel
tur
nedtoher
,shewasn’
tevenlookingathi
m.
Hewonderedi
fnowshehatedhi
m, t
het hought
t
wist
edhi
shear
tpai
nful
l
y.
“BabeIam sorry
,pleaseforgiveme.Ij
ustlostit
yester
daybutthatdoesn’tgivemetherighttohav e
l
aidmyhandsony ou,youar ethemotherofmychi ld
andIloveyouAnay a.Il
ovey ousomuch, Ijustwish
youunderstoodthat.
”Hef acedtheconstable.“
Iam
alsosorr
ythatyouhav etowi t
nessthi
s,Ihav ea
daughtert
ooandi twouldmaddenmei finthefuture
someoneputhishandsonherwhenIdon’ tev en
raisemyhandsonher .Ipromiseitwon’thappen
again.
”
Theconst
abl
elookedatAnay
a.“
Doy
ouaccepthi
s
apol
ogy?”
“
Yes.
”
“Thisshoul
dn’
thappenagain,don’thesi
tatet
ocome
backifhedoesitagai
nandt histi
meIwi ll
notbe
l
isteni
ngtoanythi
ng.Iwi
ll
per sonall
ylockhim up.
”
“Thankyouconstable.”Shestoodupandwal kedout
.
Miguelqui
cklyfol
lowedaf t
erheroutsidewhi
leshe
rockedhersuperl
ongpi nkstil
ett
os,shehad
beauti
full
egsandall hecouldimginewasthoselegs
ar
oundhi
swai
st.
“
Nay
a…”
Shepressedhercarkey
stur
ningt
henherRS7
beepedfl
ashi
nglight
s.
“
Canwet
alk?
”
Shefli
ppedherlongweav ebackandsmil
edgetti
ng
cl
osertohim.Hisheartskippedasshegotcl
oser
makinghiminhaleherperfume.
“Youunder estimatemeMi guel buttr
ustme, Iknow
my selfandIknowhowt of i
ght,howt oshieldmy
heart,Iknowwhatpai nis,whatst r
uggleis,you
continuetodoubtmet hi
nkingy oucanbr eakmebut
sweet heartIam boss.Iam t hebesty ouhav eever
had,Iam st rongandIknowwhatIwant .Iam afir
e
youcan’ tputoutsodon’ tev entry,y
ouwi llmakeme
chuckle.Youshoul dknowIdon’ trespondt opeople
whodi ctatemeort r
ytopul lmedownsodon’ t
mistakenmyqui etnessorcal mnessf orweakness,
hunnyy oucan’ thandleme.Idr oppedt hechargesall
becauseofI v y,
nexttimeIwi l
lmakesur eyougot o
j
ailwher etheywi l
lfucky ourass.”
Anayaturnedbacktohercarandopenedthedoor.
Shesteppedinhercarandclosedt
hedoor.Star
ti
ng
herengi
neshesl owl
ydrovepasthi
m openingher
window.
“Yest
erdaywast helastyouputyourhandsonme
andalsot hel
astdayy oucomet omyhouse
unannounced.Stickwithyourwif
e,Iam wayabov
e
youMi guelsopl
ease, st
ayinyourlane.
”
Sher
oll
edupherwi
ndowspeedi
ngof
f.

*
***
*

Lal
ahwal
kedinsi
deheroneroom earl
yinthe
morni
ngandsatdownexhaust
edl
y .Herphoner
ang
andshel
ookedatthecal
l
erID.
“
Hi,
”
“
Hey
,cany
oubor
rowmeP500?
”
“Gontl
eIborrowedyouP1000t
hel
astt
ime,
you
neverbroughti
tback.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
opayi
tal
lback.
”
“
When?It’
sbeenmont
hs,
yourhusbandi
sal
awy
er
f
orcr
yingoutl
oud!
”
“
Lal
ahwear
est
il
lpay
ingourdebt
s,wer
arel
yhav
e
money
.”
“NoGont l
e,yourpr
oblem isyouarenotworki
ng,
Kgothatsodoesevery
t hi
ng,may bey
oushouldlook
forajob.Youragemat esarefarwit
hlif
e.Anayais
makingmi l
li
onsbutshewasy ourcl
assmate.
”
“It
hinkImadeami
stakecal
l
ingy
ou,
Iam not
Anaya!”
“
Yesyoudi
d,nextt
imedon’
tcal
lme.Idon’
thav
e
money
.”
Shehungupandsi
ghed.Herphoner
angagai
nand
fedup,
sheanswer
ed.
“Gontle,Idon’thavemobeytobebor rowingmar ri
ed
peoplewi thfamili
es.Youandyourhusbandar e
beginningtobecomeapr obl
em.Idon’ tworkfor
yourfami l
y.Ifthi
sishowbeingmar ri
edislikethen
tr
ustme, Idon’twanttogetmarr
ied.Idon’thave
money
!”
“
Hi,
”adeepmal
evoi
cesai
d.
Lal
ahpausedthenlaughed.“
Sor
ry,
Ithoughty
ou
weresomeoneelse.
”
Shawnl
aughed.“
It
’sok,
youdosoundf
edof
f.
”
“
Iam.Iam j
ustannoy
ed.
”
“
WellIam sor
ryaboutt
hat
,caughty
ouatt
hewr
ong
t
ime?
”
“
No,
Dr.Lecha…”
Shawnl
aughed.“
Real
l
ynow?
”
“
HowcanIhel
pyou?
”
“
Iwast
hinki
ngmay
bewecangooutsomet
ime.
”
Lal
ahsmil
edbutkepthercool
.“Andyourwi
fe,
I
don’
twantt
obeatpeoplefort
heirmenoutt
here.
”
“
Letmewor
ryaboutt
hat
.”
“Il
ovemoneyShawn, amanwhospoil
sme.Iwon’
t
beasi decheekt
oabrokemanbecauseIknowy
ou
arejustusi
ngme,ther
eisnowayyouaregoi
ngt
o
l
eaveyourwi
fesoatleastl
etmespendmoneyi
n
casewegetcaught
.”
“
Youar
efor
war
dLal
ah,
whatdoy
ouwant
?”
“Mysidechickal
lowance,
Ial
sowanttostayi
na
bet
terhouse,atwobedroom apar
tment
.”
“
Ok,
wher
ear
eyour
ightnow?
”
“Sendmydeposi
t,af
tert
hatIwi
l
ltexty
oumy
dir
ecti
ons.
”
“
Ok.
”
HehungupandLal ahfrowned,maybesheshouldn’
t
havesaidall
thatbutthen…hewasmar r
iedandso
themoneywasgoi ngt obeherreassur
ance.There
wasnot hi
ngwrongwi ththat
.Surel
y…shesmi l
ed
standi
ngupandl ookingatherfaceonthemirr
or.
Yes,shedefi
nit
elydeservedthatmoney.

*
***
*

Ay
anawal
kedi
nsi
deKar
abo’
shouseaf
terunl
ocki
ng
wit
hherspar
ekeys.Shepausedst
ari
ngatModi
egi
whowassitt
ingonthecouchpl
ayi
nggamesonthe
TV.
“
Hey
,Ihear
dyougoti
nacarcr
ushy
est
erday
,ar
e
y
ouok?”
Ayanalookedathi
m moment
ari
l
ythennodded.
“Yeah…”
Modi egismi
led.“Look,youandIhadlongbrokeup,
thereisnoneedf orustobeawkwar dwitheach
other.Youar
ebr other’
sgirl
fr
iendandthat
’sal
lyou
willeverbet
ome. ”
Ay
anat
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Youar
eri
ght
.”
“
See,
youaremysi st
erin-l
aw,Iwoul
dneverhi
ton
y
ou,t
rustme.Thatchapterisl
ongover
.”
“
Thanky
ou.May
beweshoul
djustt
ell
him.
”
Modi egi
shookhi shead.“ No, Iwasnev erclosewit
h
them, wejustr
ecent l
ygotcl oset oeachot herandI
don’twantthatruined.Ididn’teventhinkKar abo
wouldonedayl etmest aywut hhi
m especi al
lywi
th
thewayhehat esmymot her.”
Ayananodded.“
It
’sok.Iunder
stand.Wher
edi
dhe
go?”
“
Oh,
hewentt
owor
k.Letmemakey
oucof
fee.
”
Modiegistoodupandwal kedtotheki
tchenwhil
e
Ayanasatdown.Shel ookedattheTvconfused,
Modiegiwalkedbackinmi nut
eslat
erholdi
ngaplat
e
ofbreakf
astandcoffee.
“
Lucki
l
yIl
eftsomef
ory
ouher
e.”
“
Thanks.
”
Shet
ookt
hef
oodandbeganeat
ing.
“
Wow!I
t’
sgood.
”
Modi
egi
smi
l
ed.“
Iam agoodcook.
”
“
Icansee.
”
“
Sohowi
sMar
ina?
”
“Mar
inaisfine,
abitti
ri
ng.It
rul
ygetj
eal
ouswhenI
seet
hest udentdoct
orsandwonderi
fmaybeImade
ther
ight
fuldecisi
on.
”
“I
t’
saphase,i
thappenstoever
yone.Second
guessi
ngyour
self
,Iusual
l
yremindmy sel
fthatbei
ng
anursewasal
lIhavedr
eamtof.Yeahbei
nga
doct
orisni
cebutIl
ovemyfi
eld.
”
Ayanasmil
ed.“Iknow,
Ial
sol
ovemyf
iel
dbutj
ust
thatsomet
imes…-“
“Nobuts.Justappr
eci
atebei
nganur
ce,
it’
syour
passi
on.”
Shef
ini
shedeat
ingandputev
ery
thi
ngdown.
“
Kar
abowil
lbebackl
ater
,wecanwat
chamov
iei
n
t
hemeant
ime.
”
Ay ananoddedget ti
ngcomf ort
ableont hecouch,
may beshehadbeenov erreact
ing.Shesmi l
edas
Modi egiconnectedamov ieandt heybothr el
axed
wat ching.Themov i
egott oapar twher etheywer e
kissing,Ay anauncomf ortablymov edherey esfrom
theTVwi l
l
ingforthepar ttopassbuti tgotmor e
i
nt ense.Ay anaraisedherey estoModi egi andhe
wasst ari
ngbackather .Herheartpoundedbutj ust
thinkingaboutKar aboandhowshadyhewas, she
mov edbackandst oodup.
“
Iwi
l
ltr
ycal
l
inghi
m.Thanksf
ort
hebr
eakf
ast
.”
Shepickedherpl
ateandmugthendroppedthem i
n
thekit
chenbefor
eshewenttothebedroom wher
e
shelockedt
hedoorandthr
ewher sel
fonthebed.

*
***
*

Anayawalkedinsi
deherof
fi
ceandputdownher
handbagsit
ti
ngdown.Herphonerangandshe
pi
cked.
“
Anay
ahel
l
o?”
“
Ihav
efil
edfordi
vor
ce.Ref
il
wewi
l
lpr
obabl
yrecei
ve
t
hepaper
sinadayortwo.”
Anayaleanedbackonherchaircr
ossingherlegs.
“MiguelIdon’
tcare,
Ihav
elostint
erest.Ican’
tbe
seenwithamar ri
edman.It
’sembarrassing.
”
“
AyanaIl
ovey
ou.
”
“Besi
desthecompanyandIvy,wehavenot
hingto
tal
kabout.Sortouty
ouraf
fai
rsonyourown,Iam
notyourf
riend.
”
ShehungupasKel
l
ywal
kedi
n.
“
Bossl
adycanyouhookmeupontheki
ndofmen
y
oudat
ebecausethi
sist
hel
if
e.”
Kell
yplacedagif
tboxaccompaniedwi
thr
oseson
thetabl
e.Anay
alaughedgrabbi
nganotei
nthe
fl
owerandopenedit.Shebl
ushedwhil
eKel
ly
l
aughed.
“
Youar
emyi
dol
!”
“
Kel
l
ygo!Don’
tyouhav
esomet
hingt
odo.
”
Kel
lyl
aughedwal
ki
ngoutwhi
l
eAnay
a’sphoner
ang,
shebl
ushedandpi
cked.
“
Hey
…”
“
Youandsmar
tmout
hupf
oranadv
ent
ure?
”
“
Lef
awhati
sthi
s?”
“
Somet
hingIt
hingwebot
hneed.So…?
”
Shelookedatnot
eagai
nandgi
ggl
ed.“
Iwoul
dlov
e
togoforsomeadvent
ure.
”
“
Good,
getr
eady
.Fr
idaywear
eleav
ing.
”
“
Okl
over
boy
.”
Shehungwi
thahugesmi
l
eandspunonherchai
r
l
aughi
ng.
.
.
.
TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#84

Theodorawal
kedoutofcour
tlat
ert
hatmor
ningand
confi
dentl
ywal
kedtohercar
.
“
Theo…”
Shet
urnedandl
ookedatChr
ist
ian.“
Hi.
”
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Thanks.Howi
sMel
ody
?”
“
Iam notwi
thMel
ody
.”
“
Oh,
wel
lseey
ouar
ound.
”
“
CanIcol
l
ectLoagodur
ingt
heweekend?
”
“
Ofcause.
”
Sheopenedhercardoorandst
eppedi
n.
“
Theodor
a…ar
eyousadt
hatnowwear
edi
vor
ced?
”
Theodorasighed.“
Wheny oufil
edf ordivor
ceIr eal
ly
thoughtmyl i
fewasover.Itri
edf i
ghtingforusbut
youpushedmeaway .Youhat edmeandIdon’ t
blamey ou.TodayyouaredrinkingARV’ sallbecause
ofme.NowIhav eacceptedthaty ouandIar eov er
andit’
st i
met omoveon,y ouarenowf reefr
om t hi
s
bondage.”
“Iwasjustangr ybutnowaf terIspoketosomeoneI
reali
zedIalsocont r
ibut
edt oyourcheati
ng.IfIwas
takingcareofmyf ami l
ytheny ouwouldn’thavefel
t
theneedt osleepwi t
hy ourbossjusttoreserv
ey our
j
ob.Iam sor ryabouthowIr eacted,Il
ovey ouand
todayithurtsthatIcausedy outhatmchphy sical
pain.Youdidn’tevenhav emesentt ojai
l.”
“
It
’sok.Iam pit
chi
ngmybusi
nessi
deat
oan
i
nvest
orsowi shmeluck.
”
“
Heorshewi
l
llov
eit
.”
“
Ihopeso.By
e.”
Shest
art
edt
hecarandsmi
l
edathi
m dr
ivi
ngaway
.

*
***
*

Ref
il
wegotof fthetaxiandpressedthegat
eremote.
Shetookoutthehousekey sandunlockedbef
ore
wal
kinginsi
deherqui ethouse.Shef
rownedheari
ng
noi
seatthekitchenthenquicklymadeherwayther
e.
“
Whoar
eyou?
”
Thewomandoingthedi
shest
urnedt
oher
.“Iam
Onamet
si,
thehel
per.
”
Refi
lwelookedathershortdr
essthenather
exposedthi
ghs.“Whohiredyou?
”
“
Mr.Mokwena.
”
“
Soy
oust
ayher
e?”
“
Yes.
”
Ref
il
wewal
kedt
oherbedr
oom cal
l
inghi
m.
“
Ref
il
we.
”
“
Soy
ouhi
redamai
dwi
thoutl
ett
ingmeknow?
”
“Ref
il
wewhatwasIsupposedt
odo?Youar
eal
way
s
busy.
”
“
Weren’tyout
heonewhowant
edmet
obe
i
ndependentMiguel
?”
“Idi
dandIsti
lldobutIdi
dn’
tsayabandony ourki
ds.
Youbarel
yspendtimewiththeki
ds,ourbabyiswit
h
yourmothert
herebutsheshoul
dbewi thus.Ican’
t
copeal
onesoIhi r
edOnatohelpme.”
Ref
il
weshookherhead.“Wow!Buty ounev
er
complai
nwithAnaya.Iam sur
eifi
twasheryou
woul
dn’tbecomplai
ning.
”
“Whydoyoual
wayscompareyoursel
ftoAnay
a?
Anayai
sAnayaandyouar
ey ou.
”
“Idon’
tli
keherandshei
sgoi
ng.Iwi
l
lhi
resomeone
else.
”
“Youar
eunbeli
evabl
e.Youarenotf
ir
ingher,sheis
notgoi
nganywherebecauseyoudi
dn’thi
reher.
”
MiguelhungupandRefi
lwelookedatherphonewi
th
di
sbeli
efthencal
l
edDiane.
“
Fif
i…”
“Youwon’ tbeli
evehir
edsomesl utasourmai d,
Ican
seethrought hatgi
rlt
hatshewant stosleepwit
hmy
man, Icanseei t
.Sheisalmosthalfnakedexposing
herthighs.
”
“
What
?”
“
Iam f
ir
ingher
,thatmani
smyhusband.
”
“Butt
henFi
ficanyoublamehi
m?Imean,youare
notal
waystheref
oryourfami
l
y.Theki
dsarej
ust
toomuch.
”
“
Iwi
l
lhi
resomeoneel
se,
nott
hissl
ut.
”
“
Ireal
l
ydon’
tknow,
can’
tyouj
ustwai
tforhi
m?”
“Idon’
tevenunderstandwhytherei
sapr oblem
becauseIam working,heist
heonewhosai dI
shouldstar
tacompany ,nowthatIhav
eit’ssuddenl
y
aproblem.Ibeti
fitwasAnay ahewouldn’tbe
complaini
ng.”
Di
anesi
ghed.“
Her
ewego,
youi
nvol
vi
ngAnay
a.That
womanisnotev
enwor r
yingabouty
ouy
etshei
s
al
waysonyourmind.
”
“
Dianey
oudon’
tunder
stand.
”
“Idon’
thavet
ounder standanythi
ngFi
fi
,youarenot
Anaya,st
opcompetingwi thherandj
ustbeyou.
Maketimeforyourkids.”
“Ihavetogo,
thi
sconv
ersat
ioni
spr
oof
ingt
obe
useless.
”
“
Ok,
hav
eity
ourwayt
hen.
”
DianehungupandRefil
wewalkedoutofher
bedroom goi
ngtotheki
tchenwher
eOnawasnow
packingt
hedishes.
“Canyoupleasetakeypurthi
ngsandl
eav
e,y
our
serv
icesar
enol ongerneeded.
”
Onatur
nedandl
ookedather
.“Youdidn’
thi
reme,
Mr.
Mokwenaist
heonl
yonewhowi ll
fir
eme.”
“
Lit
tl
egirl,
Isai
dgetoutofmyhousebef
oreImop
t
hisgroundwit
hyourugl
yface.
”
Onalaughedshaki
ngherhead.“
Ugly
?Hav eyou
l
ookedaty our
sel
fonthemirr
or?Youlookl
ike
char
coal
.”
“Ihav
eandhunny ,j
ustbecausey ouar eli
ghtin
complexiondoesn’tmeany ouarepretty
.Thereare
manylightincompl exi
onpeopl ewhoar euglyand
youhappent obeoneoft hem.Iam beaut i
fuli
nmy
darkskinandIknowi t
.Nowl eave,Idon’twantto
fi
ghtwithyouneitherdoIwantt ocallt
hepoliceand
repor
tyouf ort
respassing.”
Onaputt
hepl
atedownandwal
kedpastRef
il
we.
“Andnevercomebackhere.I
fyoudo,
itwil
lgetv
ery
uglyyouwil
lunder
standt
hatwordmorethananyone
i
nt heworl
d.”
“OhIwi l
lcomeback, andIam goi ngtorepl
acey ou.
Bytheway ,yourhusbandisaf reak!Heisdeli
cious
andIam sur eIam goingtocomebackf ormore.
Especial
lythewayhef uckswhi l
stchockingyou,the
waythatdickhitseverycorner,t
hewayhedi shes
outorgasm li
kerunningwat er
…aar rg!Whataman. ”
Refi
l
wef umedashewat chedhergrabherhandbag
fr
om thecouchandwalkout.Tear
sf i
l
ledhereyesas
sheslowlybecameweak.Shebli
nkedawayhert ear
s,
shewasn’ tgoingtoallowher selft
ocrybutthepai n
overwhelmedherandshebr okedowncr yi
ng.Al l
her
l
ifemenhadj ustusedherandwal kedaway ,f
inal
ly
shehadonewhoj ustwantedherf orwhoshewas.
Shedi dn’
thav etopretendtobesomeoneel sewi t
h
hi
m, shedi dn’thav
et oputthel ongweavesort r
ya
dif
ferentshadeofmakeupt omakeherl ookl i
ghtin
compl exi
on.Shehadmett heoneaf t
eralong
str
uggl e,
al otofpainandtear s.
Shecover
edherf acecryi
ng,whycouldn’tshejustbe
happy?Godknewt hat’
sallshewanted.Shewor ked
hardtol
ookindependent.Shedidwhathel iked,
wherewasshelacking?Painwrappeditselfaround
herli
keavi
neandshecr i
edloudl
y.

*
***
*

Sar
onasteppedoutofoff
iceinsi
deherbout
iqueand
smil
edatoneofherworkers.
“
It
hut
eng…”
“
Boss.
”
Sar
onal
aughed.“
Itol
dyounott
ocal
lmet
hat
.”
“
Buty
ouar
etheboss.
”
Sheshookherheadwit
hasmi
l
e.“
Iam goi
ngf
or
l
unch,seey
oulater
.”
Outofthebout ique,
shegotint
hecaranddrov
eof
f.
Minuteslatershewaswalkingi
nsi
deacosy
r
estaurant.Shesmi l
edsi
tt
ingopposi
teAnay
a.
“
Hey
…”
“
Hey
,howi
sthebout
ique?
”
“
It
’sdoi
ngwel
l
,wej
ustst
art
edsoi
t’
srel
ati
vel
yok.
”
Anayasmi l
edsadlysi
ppi
ngherdri
nk.“
Don’
ttel
l
Coll
een,Idon’
twanttoputheri
naawkwardposit
ion
butMiguelisabusi
ngme.”
“
What
?”
“
Ifeel
…abused.
”
“
Yououghtt
obe!Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.Why
?”
“
Hedoesn’
twantmemov
ingon.
”
“
Thisman!Imeanhewon’tl
eav
eyouknowwho,
whatarey
ousupposedt
odo?Remainhi
ssi
dechi
ck
f
orever
?”
“
Iam soangr
ywit
hmysel
frightnow.Ishoul
dhave
r
epor
tedhimforr
apet
hefi
rstti
me.Ireport
edhi
m
f
orhi
tti
ngme.”
“
Hebeaty
ou?
”
“
Hesl
appedme.
”
“
Sowhatnow?Hei
spr
obabl
ygoi
ngt
opayf
ineand
wal
koutofi
t.
”
“If
orgavehi
m becauseIknowt
hat
’swhathewas
goingtodo.
”
“Youshouldn’
thavedroppedthosecharges.Matt
er
offact,
nextti
mejustreporthi
mt otheKgotla,
he
wil
lrecei
vethosestr
okesandt hatwil
lfi
xhim.”
Anay
alaughed.“
Youar
eri
ghtaboutt
hat
.”
“
So…howi
sLef
a?”
“
Well
hewant
stot
akeMsknowi
tal
landIona
v
acat
ion.
”
Saronaguggled.“
Towher
e?Lookatmeget
ti
ngal
l
excit
edforyou.”
Theybothl
aughed.“
Wear egoi
ngtoVi
ctori
afal
ls.I
am soexci
ted,
Ihavebeenwanti
ngtogotheref
ora
whil
enow.”
“
Besi
desTanzani
a,Ihav
enev
erbeenany
wher
e.”
“
Don’
twor
ry,
thet
imewi
l
lcome.
”
“Iprayso.
”Shesighed.“
Ifeel
li
keIam get
ti
ngt
oo
old.Iwanttogetmarri
ed.
”
“Iam nothur
ryf
ormarri
agerightnow,Ihavealr
eady
havemyhandsf ul
lwi
thIvy
,thatchil
disjustt
oo
much.”
“
Iam pr
egnant
.”
Anayagaspedputt
ingherwel
lmani
cur
edf
inger
son
herl
i
ps.“Youli
e!”
“Iam andAgangi
sexcit
ed.Ijustdon’
twanttobea
babymakingmachine,
imaginebeingmarri
edaft
er
fourf
iveki
ds.”
“
Wel
l
,si
thi
m downand-
“
“
Sor
ryIam l
ate.
”Col
l
eenj
oinedt
hem.
“
Gir
l!Thegl
ow!Thespar
k!”Anay
asai
dlaughi
ng.
“
Yourweddi
ngwassobeaut
if
ulCol
l
een,
Idi
dn’
twant
i
ttoend.
”
Col
l
eenbl
ushedl
ooki
ngatt
hem.“
Iam sohappy
.”
“Sowhenar
eyougoi
ngf
ort
hehoney
moon?
”Anay
a
asked.
“Tomorrow.Iam leav
ingmyki dswit
hhissist
er.I
feel
souncer tai
n,t
hatgi
rlistr
oubleIt
elly
ou.Sheis
j
usttrouble.Shehasmill
i
onpi eci
ngsand…Ifeel
anxi
ousl eavi
ngmykidswi thher.
”
“Justhi
reanannywhowi
l
ltakecar
eoft
hem.
”
Saronasuggest
ed.
Anay
a’sphoner
angandshepi
ckedupwal
ki
ngaway
.
“
Sowher
ear
eyougoi
ngf
ory
ourhoney
moon.
”
“
TshepoandIt
houghtwecangot
owal
vesbay
.I
j
ustwantt
oski
nnydip.
”
“
GuysIhavet
ogotowork,t
hereisanemergency
t
hatneedsme.
”Anay
asaidtaki
ngherhandbag.“
We
wi
l
ltal
k.”
Theybot
hwatchedherwal
kingawayassherocked
herpi
nkheel
sconfi
dent
lyt
henconti
nuedchatt
ing.

*
***
*

Lalahsmi
ledgett
ingi
ntot
hecarasShawnl
eaned
overtoki
ssher.
“Ihavetogosomewhere.
”Hehandedherhisbank
card.“
Youcandr awoutmoneyf
oryourhouseand
anythi
ngelseyoumayneed.PI
Nis0987.”
Shesmi
l
edandt
ookt
hecar
d.“
Thanks.
”
“
Iwi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
fatt
hemal
l
.”
“
That
’sok.
”
Shawndr ovetothenear
bymallt
henkissedher
againsl
idinghi
shandsinsi
deherbodyhugging
dresstoherg-st
ringt
ouchi
nghercooki
e.
“
Fuck!Iwi
l
lbebackl
ater
.”
“Cal
lme.”Shewi
nkedt
hengotoutoft
hecarwhi
l
e
hedrov
eof f
.
Shet
ookoutherphoneanddi
aledAnay
awhi
l
e
wal
ki
nginherredbott
oms.
“
Aya,
howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
”
“
Iam f
ine,
Ireal
l
ydi
dn’
tneedt
hisdayof
f.
”
Lal
ahl
aughed.“Wel
lgoodforyoubecausegi
rlher
e
hasabankcardandshei
sr eadyt
ospendsome
money.
”
“
All
owanceet
sene?{
Ist
heal
l
owancei
n?}
”
“
Nodarl
ingbutDr
.Shawndeci
dedt
ofi
nal
l
ymakea
mov
e!”
Ay
anal
aughedwi
thdi
sbel
i
ef.“
Youl
i
e!”
“
Iam not.ComemeetmeatMasaSquar
e.Iam
r
eadyforsomeshoppi
ng.
”
Ay
anacr
ackedupev
enmor
e.“
Hei
smar
ri
ed.
”
“
That
’snotmybusi
ness.
”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lst
art
.”
“
Don’
tspendt
oomuch.
”
“OhhoneyIam goi
ngtospendspendspend!Thi
s
pussyist
opclasspussy
.Hawaaianpussy
.
Presi
dent
ial
pussy.Don’
tpl
aywit
ht hi
spussy.
”
“Gi
rl
,wait
, Iam coming.KanaModiegiokwanoebel
e
keboregi
le.{Modiegii
shere,Iam ev
enbored.
}”
“
Justcome.
”

*
***
*

Olerat
ofini
shedwithherl
astcl
i
entj
ustaft
ersixt
hen
quickl
ypackedherthi
ngsbefor
ewalki
ngout.She
gotinhercarthenspedhome.Herphonerangas
shesteppedoutofthecar.
“
Hi,
”
“
Hey
,sopi
zzaorNandos?
”
Oler
atosmil
edwalki
ngtoherdoor
.“Bri
ngthem bot
h.
Iam hungr
y,Idi
dn’
tgett
oeatduri
nglunch.
”
“
Iknewit
,Ial
readyboughtt
hem,
Iam al
mostt
her
e.I
missy
ou.”
Sheunl
ockedherdoorandwal
kedi
n.“
Imi
ssy
ou
too.
”
“
Youdo?
”
Sheswit
chedontheli
ghtcl
osingthedoor
,herhear
t
ski
ppedwhil
eshedroppedherphone.
“
Thoughty
oucoul
drunaway
?”
“
Mor
apedi
,whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmyhouse?
”
Hest oodupholdingthebigki
tchenkni
fe.“
Soy
ou
andy ourbi
tchsistert
houghtyoucoul
dsendmeto
j
ailandIletitgojustl
iket
hat?
”
Olerat
oswall
owedhar
dt aki
ngastepback.“
Youar
e
goingtogobackt
ojai
lifyouhur
tme.”
“
Jai
li
smysecondhome.
”
Shet r
iedopeningthedoortomakearunforitbuthe
grabbedherarm andthrewheronthefl
oor.
Mor apedigr
abbedherwi t
hherhai
rsothatshe
st
andst henslappedherhardacr
osstheface.
“
Yout
hinky
ouar
esmar
thuh?
”
Tear
sbur
nedherey
esasshel
ookedathi
m.“
Please
l
etmego.Don’
thur
tme.
”
Morapedislappedheragain.“Doyoureal
i
zehow
muchy ouruinedmylife?Nowy ouareMrsrich,
wherecouldIhavebeen?Il ostmyjobbecauseof
youandnoonewi l
leverhir
emeagai n.Ol
eratoyou
aregoi
ngt opayforit
.”
“
Please…”
Morapedil
ethergoturni
ngthensmackedherwitha
backsl
apthatshef
ellontheground.Hestar
ted
ki
ckingherasshecurl
edherbodypr ot
ect
ingher
stomachcryi
ng.
Suddenlyhest oppedast hedooropened.Olerat
o
rai
sedherheadandl ookedatVincewhowas
chargingatMor apedipunchinghi
m hardthathefel
l
ont hegroundwi t
hal oudthud.Sheslowlygotupas
Vincepunchedhi m againandagain.Morapedi
pushedVi nceoffthenstooduppi cki
ngtheknife
aimingitatVince.
Ol
erat
oqui
ckl
ypi
ckedherphonef
rom t
hef
looras
Vincestruggledforthekni f
e.Shecalledthepoli
ce
shakinglikealeaf.Withhiswhor ebodywei ght
,
VincepushedMor apedi andheslippedfall
i
ngwhi l
st
droppingt heknif
e.Vincesatonhi sstomach
punchinghi m hardwhileOlerat
ot al
kedtothepolice.
Secondsl atersheputherphonedownandst aredat
Mor apedi ashebled.
“
Babe…i
t’
senough.Youar
egoi
ngt
oki
l
lhi
m.”
“
Thi
s…bast
ard!
”Hepunchedhi
m ev
enhar
der
.
“Vi
ncepl
ease,
stop,
Iam pr
egnant
.St
op,
youwi
l
lki
l
l
him.
”
Vincepausedlet
ti
nggoofMor apedi
’
sunconsci
ous
bodythenlookedather
.“Youarewhat?
”

*
***
*

Laterthatnight
,Agangparkedhiscaratafil
l
ing
stati
onroll
ingdownhi swindow.Afuelat
tendant
approachedhi m andsmil
ed.
“
Ful
ltank.Swi
ping.
”
“
Sur
e.”
Thefuelattendantattendedt ohiscarwhilehetook
outhisphonechecki nghi smessages.Mi nut
eslater
thefuelat
tendanthandedhi mt heswipi
ngmachi ne,
hetappedhi spasswor dt henthefuelat
tendantgave
backthecar dwithther eceipt
.
“Cany ouwipemywi ndshield.”Agangsai dhandi
ng
him aP20not e.Thef uelattendanttookitand
start
edwiththewi ndscreenasAgangl ookedat
blackMercedest hathadj ustpull
edupnextt ohi
m.
Thedooropenedandpi nkheel ssteppedout.
“
Fuck!
”
Anay asteppedoutandt alkedtot hefuelattendant
foraf ewsecondsbef orewalkingt owardstheshop
i
nacat walkstyl
e,herhipsrockingf r
om sidet oside
whi l
eherl ongcur
ledweav ewav ed.Henot iced
everyonewasst aringatherandf oraminutet here
hewonder edwhatwoul dhavehappenedhadAnay a
chosenhi m.Thef uelatt
endantst eppedfrom hiscar
aftercleaningt
hewi ndshi
eldandAgangqui ckly
drovet otheshopent r
ancepar kingtherethen
steppingoutofthecar .Hewalkedinsi
detheshop
andl ookedaround,shewasl asti
nthequeue
holdingapackofDor i
tos.Hegrabbedthecl
osest
thinghecouldgethi shandsonandqueuedbehi nd
her .Anayat
urned,pausedt hensmil
ed.
Fuck!Shewasbeaut i
ful
,maybetoobeautif
uland
shesmel ttoogood.Nowthathethoughtaboutit
,if
hewer ehisbrot
herhewouldhaveleftRef
il
wet he
dayAnay acameback.
“
Agang…”
“
Hey
,”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Goodseei
ngy
ouar
ound.
”
“
Yeah,
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Sheopenedhermout htorespondbutaman
approachedthem,t
hatmanshehadbeenwi that
her
house.Hekissedherasifstaki
ngcl
aim andAgang
chuckled.Wi
thawomanl ikeAnayayoucouldn’
t
stakeclai
m,shecouldl
eav eatanyt
ime.
“
What
’st
aki
ngsol
ong?
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Pat
ience.
”
Hewhi speredsomet hi
ngt oherearandtheybot h
l
aughedsof t
ly.Thequeuemov edandAnay a’s
compani onpai dthenwal kedwithhishandonher
waist
.Agangputt hechocolat
ehewashol dingon
thecount erandpai dbeforewalkingoutfi
ndingthe
Mercedesdr ivi
ngof f.
Hegotinhi
scaranddrov
ehome.Hi
sphoner
angas
hepar
kedthecarathi
shouse.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,Igoty
ournumberf
rom oneofy
ourcousi
n.”
Agangf
rownedatt
hef
emal
evoi
ce.“
Who’
sthi
s?”
“I
t’
sFai
th,
from t
heweddi
ng.Iwast
hinki
ngay
bewe
canmeetandtal
k.”
Agangsmi
l
ed.“
Iam mar
ri
edmanFai
th.
”
Fai
thl
aughed.“
Idi
dn’
tseet
her
ing.
”
“
BecauseIdon’
tweari
t.
”
“Youarenotmarr
ied,
Iknow, socome,
Iam atAv
ani
hotel
waiti
ngfory
ou.Don’tkeepmewaiti
ng.
”
“
Don’
tbot
herwai
ti
ng.Il
ovemywi
fe.
”
Hesteppedoutofhi
scarhangi
ngupandwal
ked
i
nsidehi
shousewhereSaronawascooki
ngi
nthe
ki
tchen.
“
Hey
…”
Hewalkedoverandkissedhercheekhandi
ngher
t
hechocolat
e.“Hey,
”
Sar
onabl
ushed.“
Thanks.
”
Nowt hatsmi
l
ewasenoughf
orhi
m,shewas
enough.

*
***
*

TearsdroppedasRachel staredatthebabyclothes
Kennethhadbought .Alotwasgoi ngoninherhead,
Kennethwasexci ted,moret hanjustexci
ted.Hewas
abouttohav ehisfir
stchil
donl ythiswasn’thi
schil
d.
Shecouldn’tevenf i
gureoutwhatshewoul ddoif
everhefoundouthewasi nferti
l
e.Hewoul d
probabl
ykil
l her.Shebrokei ntoaloudcry.
“
Godf
orgi
veme!Ij
ustwant
edababy
…”
Ever
ydaythegui
ltgott
oomuch.Shetookherphone
cal
li
nghim.Hisphonerangasshewai
ted.
“
Babe,
guesswhatIbought
?”
Rachel
putherhandov
erhermout
hcr
yingsi
l
ent
ly.
“Iboughtthi
sbabycot,It
hinkIshoul
dstar
t
decorati
ngthebaby’
sroom, Imean,hei
salmost
here.
”
“
Ihav
esomet
hingt
otel
lyou.
”
“
Whati
sit
?”
Rachel
’
shear
tpounded.“
Thi
sbaby
…”
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#85

“What’
swrongwi
tht
hebaby
?”Kennet
hasked
pani
cking.
Rachel
bur
sti
ntoal
oudsob.
“
Rachel
what
’swr
ong?
”
Shehungupandcov er edherfacecryi
ng.Thebaby
mov edandshepausedcr yi
ngput t
ingherhandon
herstomach.Acardr ovei
nout si
deandshequickly
wipedawayhert earswonder i
ngwhatshewasgoi ng
tosay,defi
nitel
ytel
l
ingt hetr
uthwasnoanopt i
on,
shewoul dlosehim,loseherfamily.Shecoul
dn’t
takethatri
sk.
Kennet
hbur
gedi
nsecondslat
erandl
ookedather
.
“What’
swr
ong?I
sthebabyok?”
Shenodded.“
Yeah…Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Whywer
eyoucr
ying?
”
Shebl
ushedembar
rassed.“
Not
hing.
”
Kennet
hpul
l
edheri
nhi
sar
ms.“
Youscar
edme.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok,
it’
sthehor
mones.Ibr
oughty
ouy
our
mashmall
ows.”
“
Ok.
”
Racheltookt
hemashmal l
owst henwal
kedtothe
kit
chenwhereshegrabbedthejarofmayonnai
se.
Shewalkedbackandsatdownnextt ohi
m opening
theli
dthendi
ppedamashmal lowinsi
debefore
eati
ng.

*
***
*

Yaonecar eful
lytuckedinJuniorandwal kedouthi s
room car efull
yclosingthedoor.Shewentov erto
Mapul a’sroom andsmi l
edwat chinghersl eepthen
walkedov erandt ookthebookonherbedcl osingit.
Shepl acedi tonthebedsi deandf orasecondj ust
watchedher ,someonehadsai dshel ookedl i
keher
daught erear l
i
eronwhenshehadpi ckedMapul a
from school .Asmi lecoveredherf ace,Mapul awas
nother sbybi rthbutshehadr aisedt hi
slit
tlesoul.
Thisli
ttlesoul call
edhermamaandt hatwasenough.
Shewal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoort
henwentt
othe
bedr
oom.
“
Final
l
y!Whatwer
eyoust
il
ldoi
ng?
”
Yaonel
aughed.“
Iwaschecki
ngonthekids.
”She
tookof
fhergownandgotinbednextt
ohim.
“BabeIhav ethi
sfri
endofmine,
Anaya’
snew
boyfr
iend.Ihonestl
ymetthi
sguyayearagoandwe
havebeencool .Lef
a.”
Yaonesmil
ed.“
BabeIknowLefaandIal
sohear
d
aboutAnay
a.What’
swrong?Youarei
nadil
emma?”
“Yeah,thi
sguyi
ssnat
chi
ngmybestf
ri
end’
s….
gir
lf
riend.
”
“Idon’tli
keget ti
ngi nvolvedinsuchmat tersbutPule
Anay aisnotMi guel’sgir
lfri
end,weal lknowt hat.
Mi guelismar ri
ed, Iam sur eAnay agott iredof
playingthesi dechi ckrole.Youcan’ tblameher ,
she
gav ehim achancet ol
eav ehiswi feandhedi dn’t
wantbecausehei sapeopl e’spleaserandnowhe
l
osthert oabet terman.I t’
sl i
fe,
f ul
lofi nter
secti
ons.
YouneedLef aforourNGO.Hei sal soav erygood
fri
end, sojustbehonestwi thMiguel .Iknowy ou
hav ecomef arwi t
hhi m buty ouneedt odot his.
”
“Heist
aki
ngAnay
awi
tht
oVi
ctor
iaf
all
sandi
nvi
ted
us.
”
Yaonesmi
l
ed.“
Weshoul
dgo.
”
“
Yout
hink?
”
“
Yes.”Sheslowlygotontopoghim andmov edher
wai
stonhi spackagej
erki
ngit
.“Iwanttogo.Please
t
ell
himy es.”
Pul
elaughed.“
Ok.
”
Sheleanedov
erkissi
ngherasPul esli
dhishand
bet
weenherlegstouchingherpussy.Hetookout
hi
shar ddi
ckthenpushedinsi
deherwar m wet
ness.

*
***
*

Lonefrownedstar
ingatLesedi’sbeddinginthe
morningwhil
eshebat hed.Shekneltandlooked
underthebedthenpulledoutthewetsheet sand
wait
ed.Lesediwalkedinsecondslaternudedrippi
ng
wet.
“
Sedi
whati
sthi
s?”
Lesedi
lookedathermot
herwi
thascar
edf
ace.
“
Sedi
!”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Ar
ey ouwet
tingt
hebed?Howl
onghav
ethi
sbeen
happeni
ng?”
Sheshookherhead,Loneangr
il
ygrabbedherhand
thent
ookoffherfl
ipfl
op.“
Sothisi
swhyy oualways
removethebeddi
ng?”
“
Sor
ry.
”
Loneshookwi
thangert
henstart
edbeat
ingher.
“Howoldarey
ou?Kidsyouragedon’
twetthebed,
areyouababy?
”
“
Sor
rymama!
”Lesedi
cry
ingl
oudl
y.
“
Arey
ouababy
?”
“
Sor
ry!
”
“Iwi
llki
l
lyoui
fIcat
chy
ouwet
ti
ngt
hebed!Dr
ess
up.”
Shewalkedoutandwentbackt
oherbedroom
wheresheputonherheel
sandfi
xedhermakeup.
Secondslat
ershewal
kedoutofherbedr
oom wi
th
herbagsandpassedbyLesedi’
sroom,shewassti
ll
dressi
ngwhil
ecryi
ng.Loneputherbagsdownthen
helpedherdr
ess.
“Want enamonna!Sutladiotseo,ket
lagobet sa
Lesedi.Okil
ewabonamot hohel aomot onaarotel
a
modi kobong?{Youareirr
it
atingme.Wi peawaythat
nonsense,Iwil
lbeatyou.Havey oueverseeagrown
upper sonwett
ingthebed?}”
Lesedi
tightl
ycl
osedhermouthbatt
li
ngnott
ocr
y.
Lonefi
nishedupthenhel
dherbrai
dsint
oabun.
“
Let
’sgoandeat
.Br
ingy
ourbag.
”
Theybot hwalkedt othekitchenwher eLonedi shed
softporri
dgeforherdaught erandhandedhert he
plat
e.Lesedi walkedt othedi ni
ngt ableandat e
sil
entl
yasLonedr ankherpr oteinshaket henpacked
bothofthem lunch.Mi nuteslatertheywal kedoutt o
hercar,Lonereversedout .Herneighbordr ov
eout
toothenwav edatLoner oll
ingdownhi swindow.
“
Hi,
”
Lonesmi
l
ed.“
Hel
l
o.”
Heclosedhiswi ndowaf terfl
ashingthatcutesmi l
e
ofhisanddroveof f.Lonejoinedtheroadheadedt o
Lesedi’
sschool.Shest oppedatt heparki
ngl otnear
Lesedi’
scl
asswher eLesedi’steacherusuall
ywai t
ed
forall
herstudents.Thet eacherwalkedov erwitha
smileasLesedi j
umpedof f.
“
Hi,
”
Lonesmi
l
ed.“
Ms.B!
”
“
Hey
,howi
smyangel
?”
“
Shei
sfi
ne.Howi
sshe?
”
“Sheisfi
ne,j
ustaslowl ear
nerbutoncesheget
s
something,
shewillneverfor
getitt
hat’
swhysheis
thebestinmyclass.”
“
Ok,
thanky
ou.
”
Theteachersmi
l
ed.“
Justdoi
ngwhatIl
ove.See
you.
”
Lonerever
sedthendroveoff.Shest
oleaglanceat
theti
meanddr oveev
enf aster
,shehadameet i
ng
withAnayaandshedidn’twanttol
ookincompetent
,
notaft
ershehadappliedatthenewcompany .
Awhilelat
ersheparkedhercarandsteppedoutof
hercarwalki
ngtowardstheentr
ance.
“
Lol
o…”Ther
ecept
ioni
stgr
eet
edher
.
“
Hey
.”
Lonewalkedtothespir
alglassst
airsandmadeher
wayupt othesecondfl
oor.Shesteppedintheof
fi
ce
whichshesharedwithtwoothercoll
eagues.
“
Mor
ning.
”
“
Hey
,readyf
orbossl
ady
?”Kenanawoasked.
“
Yeah,
letmego.
”
Shewalkedoutgoi
ngtoAnaya’
soffi
ce,herheart
poundedasshetri
edt
othinkofwhatshemi ght
havedone,Anay
acoul
djustfi
reheri
fshewant ed.
Shesmi
l
edatKel
l
y.“
Hey
…”
“
Shei
swai
ti
ng,
gor
ighti
n.”
Lonetookadeepbr
eat
hthenwal
kedi
nsi
deAnay
a’s
off
ice.
“
Goodmor
ning.
”
“
Mor
ning,
youmaysi
t.
”
LonesatdownasAnay
alookedather
.
“
Idounder
standy
ouappl
i
edf
ort
henewcompany
.”
“
Yes.
”
ShehandedLonealet
ter
.Lonekni
thereyebr
ow
readi
ngthr
oughthenl
ookedatAnayawit
hdisbel
i
ef.
“
Wow!
”
“
Look,
youar
eav
aluabl
ewor
kerandt
hat
’swhy
-“
“
Youar
efi
ri
ngme?
”
“Iam l
etti
ngy ougosot haty oucanaddmor eon
yourstudies,LoneIdidy ouahugef avorgettingy ou
thatposit
iony ouwor kas, otherwise,youar enot
quali
fi
edf orit
.Youjusthav eadi plomai nbusi ness
administr
ation.Iwantyout ogoandf urtheryour
studi
es,getanMBA, Iwillhav eajobr eservedf oryou
wheny oucomeback.Iam wi ll
i
ngt opayf ory our
studi
es.”
“Ican’
tbel
iev
eyou.”Lonestoodupfuming.“
Iknew
youweregoingtodothis,
Ijustknewit
.Youare
pathet
icAnaya,
it’
ssadreal
ly.Mxm.”Shetur
nedand
wal
kedout
.

*
***
*

Agangsati
nhi
sbr
other
’sof
fi
cest
ari
ngathi
m.
“
Youl
ookdead.
”
Miguelsi
ghed.“
Ihaveaheadache.Ref
il
wewas
cr
yingnonstopyest
erday
.”
“
Why
?Hassher
ecei
vedt
hedi
vor
cepaper
s?”
“
No,Onatol
dherwef
ucked.Ihav
enev
ersl
eptwi
th
t
hatgi
rl
.”
“Ican’
twaitf
oryoutol
eav
eher.Thi
swomanis
emot i
onal
l
yblackmai
li
ngyoui
ntost
ayi
ngwi
thher
.”
“No,shel
ovesme.Shereal
lydoes,l
astnightshe
saidshewasgoingt
oquitbei
nganai rhostesssoto
spendmoreti
mewi t
hme.Ikeephur t
ingthiswoman
yetshehasdonenot
hingexpectfr
om lovi
ngme. ”
“
Youcan’tstaywit
hsomeonebecauseyoupit
yt hem,
y
ouarelosingthewomanyoulovebecauseofthis
nonsense.Isawhery ester
day, shewaswi thhi
m
and…”Hesi ghed.“Anay aistoobeaut i
fuland
i
nti
mi dat
ing,sheiseducat edanddoesnotneed
anyt
hingfrom amanexpectdi ck,heisinsecur
eand
wil
lprobablytrymarryingherqui ckl
y.Ifhedoes,y
ou
wouldhav elostherforgood. ”
“Don’
tyouthi
nkIknowthat
?Refi
lwewil
lrecei
vet
he
div
orcepaper
ssoon.Maybeeventoday
.”
“Good.Yourbi
rt
hdayiscomi
ngi
ntwoweeks.Wear
e
doingsomethi
ngbig.
”
Miguel
’sphoner
ang,
hsi
shear
tski
ppedashest
ared
atthecal
lerI
D.
“
Hey
…”
“Hey,Iwantt
otr
avel
wit
hIv
y,Ineedy
ourl
ett
erof
consent.
”
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
Vicf
all
s.”
“
Iwi
l
lpassbyl
ater
.”
“
Ok,
thanks.
”Shehungup.
“
Anay
a?”
“
Yeah,
shewant
stot
rav
elwi
thI
vy.
”
“
Shepr
obabl
ygoi
ngwi
thhi
m.”
Miguellookedathisbr
otherf
oramomentt hen
stoodup.“DidSaronasayanyt
hing?Iknowtheyar
e
bestfr
iends.”
“
No,shedoesn’tdi
scussAnayawithme,some
f
ri
endshipcodetheyhave.Shev
aluest
hatfr
iendshi
p
morethananyt
hing.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
otal
ktoher
.”
Hest
oodupandwal
kedoutasAgang’
sphoner
ang.
“
Didn’
tIsayIsaydon’
tcal
lme?
”
Fait
hchuckl
ed.“
Comeon,
whathappened
yester
day
?”
Agangl
aughedwi
thdi
sbel
i
ef.“
Doy
ouhav
eachi
l
d?”
“
Yeswhy
?”
“
Focusont
hat
.”
Hehungupannoy
edandi
mmedi
atel
ybl
ockedher
befor
ewal kingoutofhisbrother’
soffi
ce.Hisey
es
fel
lonthePA, shewasbeaut i
ful
,probabl
yyoungtoo.
Sheblushedcat chi
nghim stari
ngthenlookedaway.
Agangbattledwi t
hhisconsciousthenwalked
towardsher.
“
Hi,
youar
e?”
“
Vanessa.
”
Hesmiledwat
chi
ngheri
ndi
scomf
ort
.“Youar
e
beaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Hewi
nkedandwal
kedaway
.

*
***
*

Anay
aleanedbackonherchai
rst
ari
ngatherl
awy
er.
“Youarecomplet
elysaf
e,t
hatdocumentyouboth
signedensur
esyoursaf
ety
.Youhavenothingt
o
l
ose.”
Shesi
ghed.“
Kickmenextt
imeIt
ryt
orepeatt
he
samemi
stake.
”
Tyr
esest
oodupl
aughi
ng.“
Youar
egoi
ngt
omake
goodmoney
.”
“
Ihopeso.
”
TyresewalkedoutandAnay al ookedatthe
documentbeforeher.Sheraisedherheadwhent he
dooropenedfollowedbyMiguel wal
ki
ngi n.Sl
olwy
shestoodupl ooki
nginhisey es,hedidn’
tlook
happynormad.
“
Miguel
…”
“Soyouaretaki
ngmychi
l
dtoVi
cfal
l
swi
thy
our
boyf
riend?
”
Anayat
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Canwet
alkaboutt
his
l
ater
?”
Miguell
ockedherdoorandsl
i
dthekey
sinhi
s
pocket
.
“
Star
ttal
ki
ng.
”
Anaya’
shear
tleapedasshet
houghtofwhathe
mightdo.
“
Miguel
Iam wor
king.
”
“
Anay
ayoumustt
hinkIam ani
diot
.”
Sheshookherhead.“
Can’
tIt
akemydaught
erona
tr
ip?
”
“Notwiththatni
gga.Youarenotgoi
ngwithmy
daughter,
mat t
eroffactIam t
aki
ngherbecauseI
wil
lnotletyourboyf
riendpl
aydaddywit
hmychi l
d.
Thefactthatyouint
roducedhimtoherwit
houtmy
consentpissesmeof f.
”
“
Youar
enott
aki
ngmydaught
erMi
guel
.”
Miguel
walkedtowar
dsherandAnayacaut
iousl
y
movedback.“I
fyouhi
tmeIam goingt
omakesur e
yougotoj
ail.
”
“Yout
hinky
ouaresmar
t,Iam goi
ngt
obeaty
ou.Wa
ntl
wael
aAnaya.
”
“
Miguel
youar
egoi
ngt
ojai
l
!Ipr
omi
sey
ou.
”
Anayal ookedatherbathroom doorthenathi
m,she
couldmakear unfori
t.Sheturnedrunningt
othe
bathroom thentri
edcl
osingthedoorbutMi guel
ran
aft
erherbl ocki
ngthedoorwithhisshoe.
“
Otl
oswabaAnay
a!”
“
Miguel
stopi
t!
”
Hepushedt
hedooropent
henwal
kedi
n.
“
Yourefuset
oletmydaughtervi
sitmeyetyou
i
ntr
oduceyourboy
fri
endstomydaughter.Ket
lago
t
hubakampamaAnay a.{
Iwi
llsl
apyou.
}”
Anay
aqui
ckl
yputherhandsonherf
aceshaki
ng.
“
Takey
ourhandsof
fherf
ace.
”
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
osl
apme.
”
“
Soyout hi
nkIcan’
tsl
apy ouwit
hy ourhandson
y
ourface?Takeyourhandsoffandlookatme.”
Shesl
owl
ytookof
fherhandsandl
ookedathi
m.
“
Miguel
pleasego.
”
“Whydidyouint
roducehi
mtomydaught
er?Whati
s
herapesher
?”
“
Lef
aisnot
-“
Miguelsmackedherthatshest
agger
edback
hol
dinghercheekcry
ing.
“
Miguel
stopi
t.Iam goi
ngt
orepor
tyou.
”
“
Yourpr
oblem i
sthatyouthi
nky oucangetaway
wit
hanyt
hingbecauseyouareprett
y.Iam goi
ngt
o
f
ixyout
oday,youwill
behaveproperl
y.
”
Hegrabbedherweav eandsl
appedheragain
countl
essti
mest i
ll
hernosebled.Hethenpushed
hertotheshowerandopenedthecoldwatermaking
heryel
p.Shetri
edrunni
ngoutbutsli
ppedfall
ingas
thecol
dwat erhi
thardonherbodycryi
ng.
“
Miguel
please…”
Hecl
osedt
het
apt
henpul
l
edherwi
thherwetweav
e.
“
Washt
hatmakeupof
f,t
hebl
oodt
oo.Now!
”
Shenoddedholdi
nghersobsasblooddr ippedon
herwhitej
umpsui
tthenwalkedtothesinkdr i
pping
wetandwashedoffthemake-upandbl oodwi t
ht he
soup.Shehel
dhernoseforawhiletr
yingt ostopt he
bl
eeding.
“Iwanty
out
orepeatwhaty
ousai
dyest
erday
.Sayi
t
now.”
Anay
aputherhandov
erhermout
hcr
yingl
ooki
ng
i
ntohi
scol
dey
es.
“
Isai
dsaywhaty
ousai
dyest
erday
.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“Yout
hinkyouareal
lthatbecauseoft
hatfaceand
body,
Iwill
getyoupr
egnantandseewher eyouwil
l
endup.”
Sheknewhewoul d,hewouldprobabl
yki
llher
.Same
wayshesuspectedhekil
ledIan.Shet
houghtofher
famil
y,hersi
bli
ngs,
herdaughterwhosti
l
lneeded
her.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
ocal
lhi
mri
ghtnowandbr
eaki
tof
f.
”
“Mi
guel
youar
est
il
lmar
ri
ed.Ican’
tdot
his
any
more.”
“If
il
edfordi
vorce,
all
fory
ou,al
lbecauseIlov
eyou.I
am goi
ngagainstmyfamil
yal
lforyou,cal
lhi
mri
ght
now.Let’
sgo.”
Dr
ippingwet,shewal
kedoutofthebathr
oom wi
th
hi
mt hentookherphonebyherdeskandcal
ledhi
m.
“
Hey
,Iam f
lyi
ngbackf
rom Kasanel
atert
oday
.”
AnayalookedatMi guel
astearsrandownherwet
cheeks.“Iwantustobreakup.Ican’
tdothis
anymore.It’
sover
.Don’tcal
lmeorgoany wher
e
nearmydaught er
.”Shehungupandl ookedat
Miguel.
Miguelpul
l
edheri
nhi
sar
msandshebr
okedown
cr
ying.

*
***
*

LonehandedRachel
thel
ett
er.
‘
Shef
ir
edme,
Iknewshewasgoi
ngt
odoi
t.
”
Rachelr
eadthr
ought
henputthel
ett
erdown.“
At
l
eastsheisgi
vi
ngyouapackage.
”
“Idon’tcareaboutt
hepackage.Anayaissopathet
ic
i
t’sctuall
ysad.Ibetshest
il
lholdsagrudgebecause
ofthewhol eMigueli
ssue.
”
“
Idon’
tthi
nkso,
Imeany
ouar
enott
heonl
yonewho
gotf
ir
ed.
”
“
Iam t
ell
i
ngyou,Ibetshewasannoy
edwhenshe
f
oundoutIwasworkingther
e.”
“
Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odonow?
”
“Iwil
lsee.Mxm Iam soangryri
ghtnow.She
behavesliket
hisforget
ti
ngshewasoncea
prost
itut
e.Iam goingtofi
xher
.”
“
Lone,
don’
tdot
hat
.”
“Peopledeservetoknow,ev
erwonderedwher
eshe
gotal l
thatmoneytostar
tacompany?Sheprobabl
y
sleptherwayaround.Shedoesn’
tev
enhavea
seriousdegree.
”
“
Shehasadegr
eei
naccount
ancy
.”
“So?Iam goi
ngt
ofixher
,shet
hinkssheisall
that
becausenowshehasmoneyandf ucki
ngtheMP’s
son.”
“
Justl
eav
eit
,Iam sur
eBamewi
l
ltakecar
eofy
ou.
”
“Ihav
et ogo.
”Lonestoodupandwal kedoutof
Rachel’
shouse.Shegoti
nhercartakingouther
phoneandcreatedaghostf
acebookaccount.She
j
oinedacoupl eofgroupsincludi
ngYouthOf
Botswanat henwrot
eal ongpostat t
achi
ngAnay a’
s
pi
ctures.Sheloggedoutoft heaccountandlogged
backinheraccountandwentt othepost.Theli
kes
andcomment swerepil
ingin.

*
***
*

Laterthateveni
ngMiguelwal
kedinsi
dehishouse
andf i
stbumpedwithhissonswhower ewatching
TVbef orehewenttothebedr
oom.Ref i
l
wewal ked
outoft hebathr
oom wi
thredpuf
fyeyes,hesighed
andsatdown.
“
Imi
ghtgot
ojai
l
.”
Refi
lweputherhandoverhermouthcry
ing,
Miguel
star
edatherwantingt
ocomf or
therbuthe
remainedst
il
l.
“
Ihar
assedAnay
a.”
“
Why?Whywon’
tyoul
eav
eheral
one.Shecal
l
ed
me.
”
“Il
ov eher
.Idon’
twanttobreaky ourhear
tanymore,
Idon’twantyouquest
ioni
ngy oursel
f.Youarea
greatwoman, y
ouarebeautif
ulandhav egiv
enme
beautif
ulki
dsbutIcan’
tstr
ingy oualonganymore
pretendi
ng.
”
“
Ilov
eyou.Ican’
tli
vewi
thouty
ou.
”
“Iam sorr
ybutIl
oveher
.ThemoreIkeepf
ight
ingit
,
themor eIlov
eherev
enmore,
it’
sdri
vi
ngmecr azy
,I
keephurti
ngher.
.”
“
Miguel
please…whatcanIdo?Iwi
l
ldoany
thi
ng.
”
Hel
ookedatherandsi
ghedsadl
ywhi
l
eshecr
ied.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#86

Tearsf
il
ledAnaya’
sey
esasshesatinherbedr
oom
t
ryi
ngherbestnott
ocrybutoneway
wardtearran
downhercheekfol
lowedbyanother
.Shequi
ckl
y
wipedi
tandlookedatthecei
l
ing.
“
Youar
est
rongert
hant
his.
”
Sheheardherdooropeni
ngt
henqui
ckl
ysmi
l
ed
tur
ning.
“
Mommy ,If
ini
shedal
lmyf
ood,
read,
canwenow
t
akesel
fi
es?”
“
Yes,
ofcause.
”
“
Uncl
eLet
habosay
shewentt
othet
uckshop.
”
Anayareachedf
orherphoneandlookedatt
het
ime.
“Ok.Wecanonlytakef
ivesel
fi
es.
”
I
vysmil
edexcit
edl
yasAnayaputthecamer
aon,
t
heypausedforacoupl
eofpi
ctur
es.
“
Ok,
ther
e,nowgoandwat
chTV.
”
“
Mommyi sdaddycomi
ngt
oday
?Whydoesn’
the
v
isi
tusanymore?
”
“
Sweet
ydaddyhasot
hert
hingst
odo.
”
“
Hedoesn’
twantusany
mor
e?”
“
No,nosweet
ybuthehashi
shome,
heneedst
ogo
t
her
eto.
”
“
Qui
nsy
’smot
her
?Can’
tweal
lst
ayt
oget
her
?”
Anayasighed.“
Honey ,daddyisQuinsy
’mother’
s
husband.Theyaremar ri
ed.Theyli
vetoget
her,l
i
ke
gir
lf
ri
endandboy fr
iend.Theyloveeachother
.So
theyareafamil
y.”
“
Wear
enotdaddy
’sf
ami
l
y?”
“
Wear
ebut
-“
“Weareallabigfami ly.
”Lefasaidwal ki
ngin.“But
daddycan’tst
aywi thusall.Seehel ovedmommy
butnowhel ovesQui nsy’
smot herjustli
keIlov e
mommy .Hewi llvi
sityouher eandy oucanal sogo
ther
eandbewi t
hQui nsyandJuni or.Youhav etwo
mommi es,twodaddi esandt wohomes, i
sn’tthat
exci
ti
ng.”Hepickedherupt hrowi
ngheri ntheai r
whil
eshelaughedl oudly.
“Don’tyouwantt
ohav
etoy
sher
eandatdaddy
’s
place?”
I
vygi
ggl
ed.“
Ido.
”
“Great,
wecant
akesomesel
fi
est
oseal
thehappy
night.
”
“
Mommy
,come!
”
Ay
anasmi
l
edast
heyal
ltooksomesel
fi
es.
“
Highf
ive!
”
I
vyr
aisedherhandandhi
tLef
a’spal
m.“
Yey
!”
“
Ok,
wewi
l
lpl
ayhi
deandseekt
oday
.Goandhi
de.
”
“
Ok…”I
vyr
anoutl
aughi
ng.
Lef
aclosedt
hedoorandt
ookof
fhisbr
ownl
eat
her
j
acketthr
owi
ngi
tonAnaya’
sbedandst
oodi
nfr
ont
ofher
.
“
Whathappened?
”
Anayalookedi
nhi
sey
esandsl
owl
ytear
sfi
l
ledher
eyes.
“
Tel
lme,
what
’sgoi
ngonNay
a.”
Anayaputherhandov erhermouthandcr
ied
hyst
eri
cal
ly,
Lefapul
ledheri nhi
sarmsandrubbed
herbackwhil
eshecried.Awhi l
elat
ert
heywereboth
si
tti
ngonthebed.
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Miguel
camebyandhar
assedme.
”
Lef
ast
oodup.“
Hewhat
?”
“
Hej
ust
…”
“
Yourcheek…hesl
appedy
ou?
”
“
It
’snot
hing.
”
“
Anay
ait
’seithery
ouarewi
thhi
m ornot,
hebeat
s
y
ouandharassesyouandy
oujustl
eti
tbe.
”
“
Idon’
twantdr
ama.
”
Lef
agr
abbedhi
sjacketandwal
kedout
.

*
***
*

Miguell
ookedatRefi
l
weasshef acedt
heot
herway
onthebedincompletesil
ence.Hestay
edst
il
lfora
whil
ethenhisphonerang.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Iwantt
otal
ktoy
ou,
facet
oface,
canwemeet
?”
“
Whoar
eyou?
”
“Lef
a.Don’tmakemecomet oy
ourhouseand
embarrassyouinf
rontofy
ourf
amil
y.
”
“
Iam comi
ng,
sendy
ourl
ocat
ion.
”
Hehungupandchangedbef or
ewal ki
ngoutleavi
ng
Ref
il
welyi
ngsil
ent
ly.Minut
eslaterheparkedwhere
Lef
awasandimmedi at
elygotoffthecar.Lefa
wal
kedtowar
dshim andpunchedhi m hard.
“Iam si
mpl
ygoi
ngtobeaty
ouf
orputt
ingyour
handsonmyown.Youcandoi
tal
lbutnotonmy
woman.”
Lefapunchedhim agai nbutthisti
meMi gueldodged
andpunchedhi m back.Soont heywer eexchanging
punches.LefapunchedMi gueli
nthest omach
makinghim groansoot hinghispainforasecond
thenpunchedhim agai n.Angri
ly,
Mi guelspearedinto
Lefaleadi
ngbothoft hem r i
ghttothegroundwi tha
l
oudt hud.Miguelgainedst r
engthandpunchedLef a
putt
ingallhi
sangerint oeachpunch.Thi swast he
manf ucki
nghiswoman, hi
swoman.Anay awashi s
andifhecouldn’thavehert hennobodycoul d,
especi
all
ynothi
m.
Lefat
ookouthi
spocketknif
eandstabbedMiguel
pushi
nghi
m awaythenstoodupst
ruggli
ng.
“That’
sforAnaya.Nextt
imeIwi
l
lmakesur
eyou
disappearwi
thouttr
ace.
”
Hewalkedovert
ohisMercedesandspedoffl
eav
ing
Miguel
bleedi
ngwit
haknifestuckonhi
schest
.
Sl
owlyhestoodupandgotinhiscart
aki
nghis
phone.
“
Agang…t
hatmot
her
fuckerst
abbedme.
”
“
What
?Who?Wher
ear
eyou.
”
“
Iam sendi
ngt
hel
ocat
ion.
”
“
Sur
e,Iam onmyway
.”
Hesentt helocati
onthenclosedhisey esleaning
backonhi sseatclosi
nghisey es.Thepainwas
excruci
atingyetnumbinghim, sl
owlyev er
ything
start
edtur ni
ngblackt
il
lhedissolvedintounending
darkness.
*
***
*

Marangsmil
edwalkingpastanurset
alki
ngont
he
phone.Shewal
kedinsideherof
fi
cecl
osingt
hedoor
.
“Il
oveithere,
Iam goi
ngtot
alkt
oMi
guel
about
stay
ingwithJuni
orhere.
”
Lay
lagi
ggl
ed.“
Imi
ssy
ou.
”
“Imissy outoo.Iam begi
nni
ngtogetthehangof
everyt
hinghere,fi
tt
ingint
otheli
fest
yleher
e.
Chicagoi scomplet
elydif
fer
entf
rom whatIwas
usedto.”
“
Youwi
l
llov
eit
.Howi
sBr
yan?
”
“
Hei
sfi
ne,
wear
efi
ne.
”
“
Ishe?
”
“
Yes.Il
ovehi
m.”
“
Iam j
ustgl
ady
ouhav
emov
edonpastMi
guel
.”
Marangf
akedasmalll
augh.“
Yeah,Iam t
hinki
ngof
get
ti
ngamaster
’sdegr
eeinsurger
y.”
“
That
’sagoodi
dea.
”
“
Bry
anev
ensai
dthesame.
”
“
Yousee,
howi
sMel
i
nda?
”
Marangsi
ghedthi
nkingofhermot
heri
n-l
aw.“She
wantsagr
andchil
d,Isweart
hatwomanisext
raand
cl
assy.
”
“Youwi
llgetusedtoit
,atleastyoucanhav
ekids,
i
maginehavingherpesteryouli
kethaty
etyoucan’
t
haveki
ds.”
“
Idon’
tthi
nkshel
i
kesmet
hatmuch.
”
“Shedoesn’
tli
keanyonethatmuch,shei
s…coldto
every
one.EventoherhusbandyetJoisasweet
sweetman.”
Mar
ang’
scor
dlessphonebeepedandshet
ooki
t.
“
Lay
lawewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Byel
ove.
”
“
Dr.Hender
man?
”
“
Mr.Tay
lori
sawake.
”
“
Iam onmyway
.”
Shestoodupr
ushi
ngt
ohi
sroom,
hewasf
inal
l
y
awake.

*
***
*

Anayapacedupanddownherr oom wonder

ingif
shehadtogotothepol
iceandr epor
torwhat.Her
phonerangandshequi
cklyanswered.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,hav
eyoubeenonf
acebook?
”
“
NoSar
ona,
why
?Iam bar
elyonf
acebook.
”
“
Someonecr
eat
edaf
akeaccountsl
ammi
ngy
ou.
”
“
What
?”
“
Yeah.CheckonYout
hOfBot
swana.
”
Anay ahungupandloggedinonf acebook.She
searchedthegroupshehadjoinedwhenshewas
sti
ll
inuniver
sit
yandgaspedr eadi
ngt hr
oughthe
post
.

‘
Shewal ksar oundwi t
hherheadhel dhigh,posingas
arolemodel butwhatpeopl edon’tknowi sthat
AnayaShat owasapr ostit
ute,sti
llis.Shesleptwi t
h
ri
chment henal l
ofasuddenshei sr i
ch,ownsa
hugecompanywor thmi l
li
ons.Sheev enmadeasex
tapebutofcausepeopl eshouldn’tr emembert hat
becauseal lofasudden, sheisar ich, asHero.Who
knowsbutmay besher unsabr othel,Iwon’tbe
surpr
isedi fshedoes.I fshecoul dsl eepwi t
hady ing
oldmanf ormoney , whoknowswhatel seshecando.
Ifeelsadandscar edf orouryoungf emales,they
l
ookupt ohery etdon’ thaveacl ueofwher eshe
getsallt
hatmoney .Idoubthersi sterwasr aped,
Anayapr obablyhadoneofhermenf uckherthencr y
rape.
’

Shepassedherpi
ctur
esat
tachedt
othepostand
wentt
ot hecommentsoft
hegroupmembers.
“
Eveni
fshedi
d,whi
chIhi
ghl
ydon’
tbel
i
eveshedi
d,
what’
syourissue.Oboril
wekeng?Saagokej eal
ous.
Thatwomanhaschangedal otofl
ives,
alotof
peopl
eworkf orherandcannowf eedthei
rfamil
ies.
Takethebackseat,ugl
ytart
.”
“
Iknewit
!Wheret
herei
sfir
e,t
her
eissmoke.
HAAAI
YEEE!Kemathat
a.”
“Mostofthisinfl
uenti
alwomensl eepwithmento
gettothehighestlev
elinthehier
ach,nothi
ngnew
aboutthat
.Ev erwonderedofthoseinstasl
ay
queenswhodonot hi
ngbutpostpi ct
uresal
lday,
everquesti
onedwher etheygetti
met oworkift
hey
arealwaysoni nst
a?”
“
Got
lababusyt
oday
!”
“
Iam her
efort
hecomment
s!”
“
Theysai
dshewasagenuinebusi
nesswomanandI
l
ookedaway
.Shuu!Basadi
!”
“Mostofyoubashingonthi
swomanar ewomen,I
guesswear est
il
ldeal
ingwi
thpullherdown
syndrome,whenarewomengoingt ostandwit
h
thei
rfel
lowwomen, beauni
ty?Iguesswear esti
l
l
backwardminded.
”
“Suchashameal
otofwomengot
hroughall
thi
s,
honest
lyIbl
amet
hecommunit
yweli
vein.
”
“Soor
yIam lat
e,Iam amemberofCommentReader
Assocat
ion,
popcornanyone?
”
“
Goengt
oday
,bamoexposamoghel
e.”
“Youarej eal
oust hat’
swhyit’
saf akeaccount,t
hing
i
sasbl ackpeopl e,weshouttobet reatedequal
ly,
scream andf i
ghtf orj
usti
ceyetwecan’ tevenupli
ft
eachot her.AnayaShat ohaschangedal otofli
ves
andwenaf akeaccounty oumustbesadandl onely
,
kooreyoucan’ thandlesuccessofot herbl
ack
people.Nxlalatenakwa! ”
“
Nyaamaaka!
”
“
Chasi
ngf
orcl
out
.”
“
Fr.
”
“Wecanal lseethisisfake,thatwomanhaswor ked
herassupt heladder,shehassweat edforever
yone,
openedjoboppor tuni
ties,sheupli
ft
smeandot her
womenoutt her
e.Fakeaccountexposey our
sel
f,
whyarey ouhidingbehi ndafakepage.”
“
Someoner
emov
ethi
sper
sonf
rom t
hegr
oup.
”
“
REPORTTHEFAKEACCOUNT.
”
“
Lebi
tt
ersi
es!
”
“
Anayadon’
tmi
ndthem.Slayi
nthatmul
agir
l!Let
t
hem bowdownt
oy ou.Youar
emysuperwoman.”
“Sowearegoingt
oj okeaboutrapel
ikethat
?And
whyincl
udehersi
sterint
othis.Someonerepor
tthi
s
post
.”
“
Erengj
eal
ousmongwaneng?
”
“
Whatsext
ap,
any
onesendi
ttome.DM me.
”
“Sheisbeaut
if
ul,
lej
eal
ouskwa!Tswanghel
amo
Anaya.”
“I
t’
scal
l
edwor ki
nghardy
ouuncul
tur
edswi
ne,
dio
shi
t!Omasepa!Yourmot
her
.”
“
Gat
wengnaar
e?Mot
hoot
lal
ebor
isabosi
go.Nx
la.
”
“Ial
waysknewshewasaf
ake,
sogl
adt
het
rut
his
outint
heopen.
”
“I
fyoucan’
tevent
reatyourfel
l
owwomanr
ight
,why
shoul
dment r
eaty
our i
ght?”
“
Womanslander
ingeachot
her
,at
opi
ctheyar
enot
r
eadyf
or.
”

*
***
*

Anayathr
ewherphonedowntry
ingt
othinkofwho
coul
dpossibl
yhat
eherthi
smuch.Shetookher
phoneanddial
edhernumber
.
“Soyoudeci
dedt
ogoandbashmeonsoci
almedi
a?
Justhowlowofy
ou.
”
“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
“Ref
il
wey ouhavegonef ar
,Ihavebeenqui etfortoo
l
ong,Ihaveletpeoplewalkal
lov ermebuti t’
s
enough.Youaregoingtopayfort hat.Iam goingto
sueyouforslander
ingmychar acter.
”
Shehungupandcal
l
edherl
awy
erf
umi
ng.

Loner
eadthroughthecommentsunbothered.She
l
oggedint
othefakeaccountanddel
etedthepost
thent
heaccount
.Shesti
l
lhadamonthatOswor
ld
soshehadtokeepcl
ean.Herphoner
ang.
“
Rachel
…”
“
Soy
oupost
edt
hat
?”
“
What
?”
“
YoubashedAnayaonfacebook,
Ican’
tbel
i
evey
ou.
Howcoul
dy oust
oopsolow?”
“
Idi
dn’
tdoany
thi
ng,
whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
“Loney ouaretoxic,
y ouareinhuman.Howcoul dyou
dot hat
?Anay aiswilli
ngtopayy ourf
ees,you
refusedandthat’sallri
ghtbutt odowhaty oudi
d…I
can’tbeli
evethi
s.Mi gueli
sgoi ngtokil
lyou.”
“
Ididn’
tdoany
thi
ng,
howmanyt
imesshoul
dIsay
i
t?”
“
Idon’tthinkIcancont
inuewi
thfri
endshi
p,honest
ly
i
t’
sdraining.Ihav
emyowni ssuestodealwit
h.”
“
Wow!
”
“Ny
aamma, wai
tsehel
agor
ekewena,i
tatol
emme
gobuannet
ekewenaLone.{
Youknowit’
syou,
deny
i
tbutt r
uthbetoldit
’syou.
}Ihopey ouf eelanybett
er,
andIhopeAnay acomesupst r
ongert hanbefore.I
real
lydo,Iam begi
nningtothi
nky ourobsessive
hatredtowar
dsAnay aisnothealth,notforAnaya.
Whoknowswhaty oumi ghtdo,youar esti
lli
nlove
withMiguelt
hat’swhyy ouhateher.May beifyou
wereov erMi
guel y
ouwoul dn’
tbehat i
ngherl i
ke
that.
”
“
Idon’
twantMi
guel
.”
“Yesy
oudo.It
houghtIknewy
oubutIdon’
t.Iam
donewit
hyou.
”
Rachel
hungandLonel
ookedatherphonesi
l
ent
ly.

*
***
*

Saronagoti
nbedr
eadi
ngt
ypi
ngont
hewhat
sapp
groupchar
t.
Sar
ona:
Ican’
tbel
i
evesomeonewoul
djustdot
hat
.
Col
leen:
Shedelet
edthepostbef
oreIcoul
d
comment.Iam t
ell
i
ngyou,i
t’
sRefi
lwe.
Sar
ona:Ithi
nksotoo.Agangsay
sshegotser
ved
di
vorcepapers.
Col
l
een:
Shei
sbi
tt
er.
Sar
ona’
sphoner
angandsheanswer
ed.
“
Agang…”
“
Hey ,Iam goi
ngtocomel
ate,
Iam att
hehospi
tal
,
Miguelwasstabbed.
”
“
What
?”
“
Yeah,
don’
ttel
lany
one,
justdon’
twai
tup.
”
“
Isheok?
”
“
Idon’
tknow,
hel
ostal
otofbl
ood.Thedoct
orsar
e
wi
thhi
m.”
“
Ok,
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo,
don’
ttel
lany
one.
”
“
Iwon’
t.
”
Shehungt
hencal
l
edAnay
a.
“
Hey
,canwet
alkt
omor
row-
“
“
Miguel
wasst
abbed,
don’
ttel
lany
onebuthei
sina
cr
it
ical
condi
ti
on.
”
“
What
?”
“
Yeah.
”
Anay
asi
ghed.“
Ok,
thanks.
”
“
Arey
ougoi
ngt
oseehi
m?”
“
No.By
e.”
Anay
ahungupandSar
onasi
ghed.

*
***
*

MmaMokwenal ayawakeinbed,shet
ookadeep
breathandshookherhusbandwhowasalr
eady
asleep.
“
Mokwena,
wakeup.
”
“
Eli
zabet
hwhati
sit
?”
“
Wakeup.
”
Mokwenaopenedhi
sey
esandsatupr
ightwi
thhi
s
wi
fe.
“
Whati
sit
?”
“Whyar
eyoubeingt
oohar
donBoi
kany
o?Can’
tyou
seehei
snothappy?
”
“
Ist
hiswhaty
ouwokemeupf
or?
”
“Yes.Miguel l
ovesmmagweI vy,whycan’tyoulet
him be?Weal l
knewonedayshewasgoi ngt ocome
backandshedi d,Rachelwasar eboundthatwe
knew.Ev eryoneknewt hat
,ashispar ent
swe
shouldn’
thav elethi
m goonwi tht hatwedding,we
shouldhav esathim downandt alkedtohim.Hei s
goingtof eelasifhehasnoonewi thhim onhissi
de,
takeAnay aandhi skidsandrun.
”
Mokwenasi
ghed.“
Ref
il
wei
sst
abl
e.Shei
s…-
“
“What?Nottooeducat ed,submi ssive?Not
i
ntimidati
ng?Ofcauseshei sli
ket hatbutt hatisnot
yourson’sty
pe.May bey oursbutnoty oursons. ”She
tookadeepbr eat
hast earsf i
l
ledherey es.“We
shouldletMiguelbe, i
fyouar enotgoi ngtost and
withhim Iwi
ll.Iwil
lstandbyal lmyki dsnomat ter
whatbecauseIwi l
lneverf or
gett helaborpai ns.I
don’tknowwhyy oudon’ tunderstandbecausey ou
wer
eoncei
nhi
sposi
ti
on.
”
“
Itwasdi
ff
erent
.”
“Howdi
ff
erent
?Youar
eroy
alandIam not
,Iam a
commoner.
”
Mokwenal
ookedathi
swi
fe.
“Youmadeadeci sionandr anwithme.Youl eftyour
famil
y,yourri
ghtf
ul t
hronejusttobewi t
hme.No
onesupportedust hensoy ouchoseus.Iseey ouin
Miguelandhei sgoingtodot hesamet hi
ng,justli
ke
Agangdid.It
’sonlyamat terofti
met i
llt
hathappens
andIhopey ouwillbereadyforit.Goodni
ght.
”
Shelayonthebedgi
vi
ngherbackt
ohi
m andcl
osed
hereyes.
.
.
.
Don'
tfor
gett
oli
keandcomment
.
TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#87
Theodor alookedar oundt heonebedr oom f l
at
mov i
ngf rom thebedr oom tothet oil
etthent he
sit
ti
ngr oom andki tchen.Shesmi l
edt hensignedthe
l
easeagr eement ,
Iwasn’ tsomet hi
ngbi gbutshe
couldaffordi t
.Shewal kedoutl ockingbehindher
thensubmi ttedthesi gnedleaseagr eementbef or
e
headingtowor k.Thingswer elookingup, nowshe
wasj ustwaitingforAnay a’scall
.Herphoner angas
shewal kedinsideherwor kbuil
ding.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Theo,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
inemama.Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Didy
ougetany
thi
ngf
rom t
hedi
vor
ceset
tl
ement
?”
“Yes,hal
fofev
eryt
hing.Iam sogladwehad
changedourmarri
agestatus,i
fwedidn’
tthenIdon’
t
thi
nkIwouldhavewalkedoutwi t
hthatmuch.”
“
Atl
eastnowy
ouhav
emoneyf
ory
ourbusi
ness.
”
“
Yes,
Ispokewi
thAnay
asot
hatshecanbemy
i
nvestorbuti
fshedoesn’
twant
,IcanusewhatI
have.
”
“
That
’sgood,
howi
sLoago?
”
“
Hei
sfi
nebutr
ightnowhei
swi
thChr
ist
ian.
”
“
Ok,
Ijustwant
edt
omakesur
eyouar
eok.
”
“Iam f
ine,
IwishIhadthoughtofabusi
nessy
ear
s
ago,IwonderwhereIwouldbenow.”
“
Youar
edoi
ngj
ustf
ine,
youwi
l
lgett
her
e.”
“
Ihopeso,
Ihav
etogo,
Iwi
l
lcal
lyou.
”
Shesatdowni
nherof
fi
ceasacol
l
eaguewal
kedi
n.
“
Mor
ning.
”
Theodor
asmi
l
ed.“
Hey
.”
“
Ibr
oughty
out
hef
il
esy
ouwant
edy
est
erday
.”
“
Thanks.
”Shet
ookt
hef
il
es.
“
Seey
oul
ater
.”
ShewalkedoutasTheodorascr
olledthr
oughher
phone,
shelookedatYaone’
sstatusandsmi l
ed,
it
wasapictur
eofherhusbandthei
rkids.Thatwas
hermonthsagoandshehadruinedi
tall
.Shehad
l
ostherfamil
yandnowdrankARV’s.Sherepl
i
edto
Yaone’
sstat
uswithafewheartemoji
sthenputher
phonedown.

*
***
*

Lalahopenedherdoorandwal kedi
nsideherroom
l
atert hatmorning,shehat
ednightshi
fts,t
hey
drainedher.Slolwysheundressedr
emai ni
ngi
nher
pant i
esonlythenlayonherbed.Herphonev i
brat
ed,
shet ookitandopenedamessagef r
om Shawn.
Shawn:
Wher
ear
eyou?Iwantt
oseey
ou.
Lal
ah:
Iam home.
Shawn:
Onmyway
.
Lalahquicklygotoffbedandputwat eri
naj ug.She
waitedforittoboilthenpourediti
nherdishand
quickl
ybathed.Mi nuteslat
ersheheardacarout si
de
thendri
edher selfbeforeputt
ingonherg-
stri
ngand
gown.Shewal kedtot hedoorandopenedwitha
smi
l
e.
“
Hey,Iwasaboutt
o…”Shepausedst
ari
ngata
womanstandi
ngbefor
eher
.
“
Soy
ouar
etheonesl
eepi
ngwi
thmyhusband?
”
Lal
ah’
sheartski
ppedasshel
ookedatShawn’
s
phonei
nthewoman’shand.“
Hi.
”
“Don’tt
ellmehi,youaresleepingwit
hmyhusband.I
am goingtofixyoutoday.Yout hi
nkyoucanjust
sleepwithmarri
edmenandgetawaywi thi
t?”
Shawn’swi f
epushedLalaht hatshefel
li
nsi
det he
house.shequicklygotupmov i
ngback.
“
Look,
youhav
egott
hewhol
ethi
ngwr
ong.
”
Shawn’swifegrabbedLalah’
sarm andslappedher
acrosstheface,angri
lyLal
ahpushedheroffand
walkedtowher eshecooked.Shegrabbedthejug
ful
lofwaterandspl ashedi
tatShawn’swifemaking
herjumpscreami ng.
“Yourhusbandi
stheprobl
em,notme.Youstupid
andfatthat’
swhyhecheat
sinthefi
rstpl
ace.Idon’
t
evenknowwhyy ouaremakingnoi
sebecausethat
wat
erwascol
d.”
Shawn’
swi f
echargedatherbutLal
ahgrabbedt
he
pananhitherhar
dwithitonherhead.
“
Getoutofmyhouse,
goanddr
inkher
bal
i
fe!
”
Shawn’swifeputherhandoverherheadgr
ini
ngi
n
pai
n.“Iam goi
ngtosuey ou.
”
“Oh?GoaheadandIwi llsucky ourhusband’sdick
realgoodandri
dehimt i
llhebur stinmypussyl ike
hedidearli
ert
oday,af
terthat,hewi llpayyou.Iam
notgoingtogi
veyouany thi
ng.I fIwer eyouIwould
gohomeandbaby sitt
hemi l
l
ionki dsy ouhave,you
bett
erbehavebecauseIwant ,Iwi l
ltaketheman
from you.
”
“
Whatki
ndofawomanar
eyou?
”
Lal
ahsmil
edandopenedhergownr eveal
ingher
l
aceg-
str
ing.“
Thekindofwomant hatkeepsyour
manhappy.Getoutofmyhouse.
”
Shawn’swifewalkedoutandLal
ahquickl
ylocked
thedoor.Herphonerangandsheansweredangry.
“
Yah?
”
“
Hey,Iwasthi
nki
ngofbuil
dingmamaaoner
oom
t
henusethehouseasalodge.”
Lalahchuckl
ed.“
Gont
lear
eyoul
i
steni
ngt
o
yoursel
f?”
“
Yes,
thel
odgewi
l
lmakemoney
.”
“
Andwhoi
sgoingtospendt
hemoney
?Whowi
l
l
r
eapt
hepr
ofi
ts?”
“
It
’smyi
dea.
”
“Youar ecrazy.That
’snotgoingtohappen.That
housewasbui ltbymamaandshei snotmov i
ngout
sot hatyoucanusei tforyourownr easons.Forgeti
t.
Iam goi ngtoextendthathouseandmyki dswillvi
st
theirgrandmotherinthathouse.Shei snotmov i
ng,
i
fy ouwantal odge,buildoneyourself.
”
“Idon’
tevenunder
standwhyy ouarebei
ngdi
ff
icul
t,
youthinkyouar
eallthatbecausey
ouaredoi
ng
nursi
ng?”
“Iam al
lthat
,Iam waybett
erthanyou.Ipassedmy
BGCSE,Iam studyi
ng,soonenoughIwillgraduate
andIwillbeworki
ng.Asforyou,t
heonlyt hi
nky ou
knowdoi ngispoppi ngoutbabies.Youwi l
lneverbe
l
ikeAnay a,sheturnedhermot her’
shousei ntoa
l
odgebecauseshei st heonewhobui l
ti ti
nthef i
rst
place,
todayi t
’sadoubl estor
eyandpeopl egot here
becauseit’
ssophisticated.Sheisbuil
dinganother
l
odgei nSerowe, y
oucannev erbeAnay a.Stayin
yourplace.
”
“Forhowlongwill
youcomparemetoAnayaLal
ah?
Anayasleptherwayt
othetop.Ev
erwonder
edwhere
shegetsallt
hemoney?”
“Iam beginni
ngt othinky ouaret
heoneoft hefake
accountbutletmej ustt ell
you,f
oryourown
i
nformation,Anayawor kedhar dtobewher esheis
butofcausey oucan’ trelat
ebecauseallyoudois
workhardopeni ngy ourlegs.Thi
sbetterbethefi
rst
andlasttimeyout alkaboutmama’ shouse.”
“Whenday
saredar
k,don’
tev
encomet
omyhouse.
GotoAnaya.
”
“
Iwil
lgl
adlydoso,
Anayaismysister
.Thewayshe
t
akescar
eofAy ai
sthesamewayshet akescar
eof
me.ShepaysmyrentbackatSer
owe,buysmefood
whenshebuysAya’
sfood,buy
smecl ot
heswhenhe
buy’
sAya’
s.Sodon’
tlett
hatst
ressy
ou,Iwil
lnev
er
cometoyou.”
Shehungandputherhandsov
erherf
ace.

*
***
*

Coll
eenlayonthelauncherwit
hhersungl
asseson
enj
oyingthewarm sunwhilesi
ppi
ngonherdr i
nk.
Tshepowalkedoverinhisbeachshor
tsshi
rtl
ess.
“
Hey
…”
Tshepot
ookhersungl
assesandki
ssedher
.
“
Wannaswi
m?”
“
UhnoI
-“
Tshepotookthegl
assofjui
cefr
om herplaci
ngi
t
downthenpickedherupwhil
eshegiggl
ed.
“
Babest
op…”
Hei
gnor
edherandwal
kedr
ighti
ntot
hewat
erwi
th
her
.Coll
eenlaughedashewal
kedf
utheri
ntot
he
watert
henlethergo.
“
Youar
ecr
azy
.”
Tsheposmi
l
edt
henpul
l
edcl
oserki
ssi
ngher
.“Il
ove
you.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.Il
ovei
ther
e.”
“
Wai
tti
l
lwegot
othedeser
t.
”
“
Wear
egoi
ngt
her
e?”
“
Yes.
”Hewhisperedseduct
ivel
yput
ti
nghishand
i
nsi
deherpant
ies.Col
leenl
aughedswimmingaway
f
rom.
“
Stop.
”
Heswam af t
erherlaughing.Awhilel
atertheygot
outofthepool andwal kedovertoagropofpeopl e
play
ingVol l
eyball
.Gir
lsv sBoys.Theyquicklyj
oined
i
nandst ar
tedplayi
nglaughing.Coll
eenhittheball
j
ustlikethewayshedi dwhenshewasst il
lathi
gh
school.Thegamecont i
nuedforawhi l
etillt
hegirls
won.
Theyal
ldi
sper
sed,
Tshepoputhi
sar
m ar
ound
Col
leen’
swai
stasshewal
kedi
nhershor
tsand
bi
ki
ni br
a.
“
Thi
swasf
un.
”
“
WanttoknowwhatIwantt
odonow?
”Tshepo
whi
sper
ed.
“
What
?”
Hewhisper
edsomet
hingi
nherearandt
heybot
h
l
aughed.
“
Ok,
butaf
terwecheckont
heki
ds.
”
“
Babethekidsar
efine,t
her
eisananny
.Shewi
l
lcal
l
i
fsomethi
ngiswrong.”
Col
l
eenl
ookedathi
m andsi
ghed.“
Ok.
”
Theyconti
nuedwal
ki
ngwhi
l
ewhi
sper
ingt
oeach
othergi
ggl
ing.

*
***
*

Anay
awal
kedi
nsi
deherpr
emi
sesi
nanav
ybl
uesui
t
holdi
ngherbags,herassshookwitheachstepshe
tookwhil
eherhipsswayedfrom si
detoside.She
walkedi
nsidetheelev
atorandsi
ghedasi twhisked
heruptoherfl
oor.
“
Mor
ning,
youl
ookwow!
”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
ThanksKel
l
y,mor
ning.
”
Shewal
kedinsi
deherof
fi
ceandsatdown.Her
phoner
angandshetookitoutf
rom herhandbag.
“
Hi,
”
“
Hey
,soy
oudon’
tcal
li
fIdon’
t?”
“
Youlef
tlastni
ghtLef
a,Idon’
twantt
ofor
cey
ou
i
ntoany
thing.
”
Shet
ookoutherl
apt
opandopenedi
tpower
ingi
tup.
“
Youcan’
tbl
amemef
orbei
ngupset
,hei
sabusi
ng
y
ou.
”
“
Andyouthi
nkIdon’
tknowt
hat
?Ir
epor
tedhi
mto
t
hepol
ice.
”
“
That
’sgood.Iwantt
otel
lyousomet
hing?
”
Kel
l
ywal
kedi
nsi
det
heof
fi
cewi
thAnay
a’scof
fee
andplaceditbef
oreher
.ShehandedAnay
aanot
e
thenwalkedout.
“
Ihav
eameet
ingi
ntenmi
nut
es,
cany
oucal
ll
ater
?”
“
Ok,
”
Anayahungupandt
ookasipofhercof
feeopeni
ng
heremail
s.Kel
l
ywal
kedbacki
n.
“
Hey
,ther
eisamanher
etoseey
ou.Agang.
”
Anay
apausedandl
ookedather
.
“
Lethi
min.
”
“
Ok.
”
Agangwal
kedi
nsecondslat
erandsmil
ed.“
Iswear
,
thi
shast
obethehi
ghli
ghtoftheday
.”
Anayat
ri
edt
okeepaser
iosf
acebutshecoul
dn’
t
real
l
ybemadathi
m.
“
Hey
…”
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thanks.
”
“
Canwet
alk?
”
“
Yeah,
sit
.”
AgangsatdownasAnay asmil
ed.Hestil
lhadt
hat
naughti
nessgoi
ngon.Theplay
fulspar
kthatwas
al
way si
nhiseyes.
“
Iam sor
ryt
hatBKhasbeenhar
rassi
ngy
ou.
”
“Don’
tbe,
Iopenedacaseatt
hepoli
ceandthisti
me
heisgoi
ngtorecei
vet
hosest
rokesatt
hechief.
”
“BKlovesy ouAnay a.He’ salwaysl
ovedy ou.Idon’t
blamey ouforleavingbutpl easeunderstandthings
from hi
spoi ntofview.Ifhecould,hewoul dhav elef
t
Refi
lweatt healterbutt herewerealotoft hi
ngsto
consider.Youleftandt hingschanged,alot
happened, alotthatjustcouldn’
tbeforgotten.He
fi
ledfordivorce,Refi
lwegotser vedyesterday.Allhe
needswasy ourpat i
ence.”
“Agang…Igetal lofthatandt hat’
swhyIdeci dedto
subtractmy selff
rom thatequat ion.Hejusthadal ot
toconsi derbutmyhear twasbr eaking.Iunderst
ood
fortoolongandIst i
lldobutIam al sohuman.
Miguel hasal otofresponsibili
ti
esandIgett hat,
withoutmenooneget shurtbecauset histhi
ngwas
notonlyhurti
ngmebutt hekidstoo.Weputt hekids
i
nsidethi
smess.Idon’ twanttodot hatanymore.
Yourbrotherhashur tme, hebeatsmef ornoreason,
heforceshimsel fontomewi thoutevenusinga
condom.Iam si ckandt i
redofthis,i
fitwasn’
tfor
thefactt
hatwehav eachi ldt
ogetherIwouldhave
putupar estr
ainingorder.
”
“
Hehadaf
ightwi
thy
ourboy
fri
endl
astni
ght
.”
Anay
afr
owned.“
What
?”
“
Andhegotst
abbed.
”
“
LookIdon’
tknowwhaty
ouar
etr
yingt
odobut
-“
“Iam bei
ngseri
ous.Yourboyf
ri
endstabbedhimlast
night
,heiscr
it
ical
rightnow,
lostal
otofblood.
”
Anayaswal
l
owedthenst
oodup.“
That
’snott
rue.
Lef
awouldnev
erdothat
.”
“Cal
lhim andask.Ihavehi
sphonehere,Lef
acalled
him,thankGodhisphoneissettor
ecordallphone
call
s.Iwil
lpl
aytherecordi
ng.
”Agangtookoutthe
phoneandpl ay
edtherecordi
ng.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Iwantt
otal
ktoy
ou,
facet
oface,
canwemeet
?”
“
Whoar
eyou?
”
“Lef
a.Don’tmakemecomet oy
ourhouseand
embarrassyouinf
rontofy
ourf
amil
y.
”
“
Iam comi
ng,
sendy
ourl
ocat
ion.
”
Anay
aputherhandsov
erherf
ace.
“
OhmyGod!
”

*
***
*

Marangwal kedinsi
deMr.Tay l
or’
sroom inthe
morning,heturnedandsmiledather.Aleggyblonde
wit
hbi gli
psstoodupandl ookedatherwitha
quest
ioninglook.Mr.Tay
lorturnedtoherwitha
smil
e, hi
seyesr oami
ngonherf ace.
“YoumustbeDr.Henderson,
Iheary
ouaret
hegood
doctorwhohasbeentaki
ngcareofme.
”
Henowworeawhi
tet
-shi
rtwi
thsweat
pant
s,the
wat
chhehadondi
dn’
tmissherey
eeit
herbutwhat
real
lycaughtherat
tent
ionwastheweedt hatwas
smelli
nginsi
detheroom,sodist
inctsheknewone
ofthem wassmoking.
“
Iam Br
ianna,
Jar
ule’
sPRandPA.
”
Marangtur
nedherey
esbacktot
heblondeand
smil
ed.“
Isee,wel
lpl
easedt
omeetyou.Areyout
he
onesmoking?
”
Br
iannapursedherl
i
ps.“
No,
Jar
ulehasa
pr
escri
pti
on.”
“Iam sur
ehecanal wayssmokesomewher eel
se,
herewedon’tcondonesmoking.Iam sur
eyoudidn’
t
missthatsi
gnoutside.
”
“Lookdoc,j
ustt
ell
uswhenhei
sget
ti
ng
dischar
ged.
”
“
NoBr
i,sor
rydoc,
Idef
ini
tel
ydi
dn’
tseet
hatsi
gn.
”
Mar
angsi
ghed.“
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngt
oday
?”
“
Ifeel
bet
ter
,readyt
obounce.
”
“Ican’
tdischar
geyouyet,
Iam keepi
ngyouher
efor
observat
ion.Youwerecomaforpret
tyl
ongti
me.”
“Oklook,
Igett
hatyouar
ejustdoi
ngyourj
obbut
Jarul
ehasthi
ngstodoandeachsecondheisher
e,
heislosi
ngmoney.
”
“Bi
ancamay
bey
oucanwai
tout
side.
”Mar
angsai
d
pol
it
ely
.
“Br
ianna,andnoIcan’
t.Ineedt
orepor
tbackt
oour
off
ices.
”
“Idon’
twantt
obany oufr
om seei
ngmypat
ient
,
pleasedowai
tout
side.
”
Br
iannar
oll
edhereyesthenst
ormedout
side.
Marangl
ookedatJarul
e.
“AsIwassaying,
Ihavet okeepyouherefor
observ
ati
on,wehav eransomet estandassoonas
theyar
eback,may beIcanletyougohome.”
Shewal
kedov
erandcheckedaf
ewt
hings.
“
Youarenotgoingtosmokehere,
ther
eist
hatr
ule
f
orareason.WelcomebackMr.Tayl
or.
”
Shewal
kedandwentt
oherof
fi
cecal
l
ingBr
yan.
“
Heybaby
…”
Marangl
etoutasi
ghl
i
steni
ngt
ohi
svoi
ce,
shesat
down.
“
Hey
…”
“
What
’swr
ong?
”
“
Remembert
hatpat
ientIt
oldy
ouabout
?”
“
Yeah,
thedesi
gnergur
uguy
?”
“Yes,
hewokeupandIdon’
tthi
nkIl
i
kehi
m.Noti
na
badwaybutj
ust
…”
Bryanl
aughed.“Iknow,whatdi
dhedo?Hedoesn’
t
fol
l
owdoct or
’sorders?
”
“
He…Iam i
rr
it
atedbuti
t’
sok.Imi
ssy
ou.
”
“
Wewer
etoget
heri
nthemor
ningbutImi
ssy
ou
t
oo.
”
“
Notl
i
ket
hat
.Ineedy
ou.
”Shewhi
ned.
“
Arey
oust
il
lon…”
“
No.
”
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
ofi
ndmehome.
”
Mar
angl
aughed.“
Iam comi
nghomeassoonasI
knockof
f.
”
“
Babe,
Ihav
etogo,
dut
ycal
l
s.”
“
Ok,
lov
eyou.
”
“
Lov
eyout
oo.
”
Hehungup,Marangleanedbackonherchair
t
hinki
ngofBr
ianna,t
hatfacelookededi
ted.

*
***
*

Anayawal kedinsi
deMi guel ’
sr oom andputherhand
overherhandov erhermout hst ar
ingathim.She
walkedcloserthenlookedatt hebandagesonhi s
chest.Nowl ooki
ngathi m, shewonder edjustwhat
hadwentdownl astnight.Hewasbr uisedt oo.The
dooropenedandRef i
lwewal kedinpant i
ng.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
“
Ijustcamet
oseehi
m.”
“
Wel
lnowl
eav
e.”
“
Ref
il
weIam not
…”Shet
rai
l
edof
f.
“
Youar
enotwhat
?Your
uinedmymar
ri
age.
”
“Idi
dn’
trui
nanythi
ng,
hej
ustnev
erl
ovedy
ou!
”
Anayasnapped.
“
Soareyouhappyri
ghtnow?Youarether
easonhe
i
shereri
ghtnow.
”Refi
lwetear
ful
l
yspokeasher
v
oiceshook.
“
Youknowwhat
,Idon’
thav
eti
mef
ort
his.
”
“
Anayay ouneedtogrowup.Youar
eold!Whatare
yout
eachingIvy
?Thatyoushoul
daroundwrecki
ng
marr
iages?Thatyouopenl
egsformarri
edmen?”
Anay
aseethedwit
hanger
.“Youaredel
usi
onal
.You
ar
ecrazy
.Idon’
thavet
imeforthi
s.”
“
Yourboy
fri
endat
tackedmyhusband.
”
“
Youdon’
tknowwhathappened.
”
“
Ijustdon’
tknwwhyy
ouwon’
tst
ayawayf
rom hi
m.”
Anayalaughed.“
Fir
stofal
l
,yourhusbandist
heone
chasi
ngaf t
ermenottheotherwayround.
”
“
Youar
esocheap.I
t’
ssad.
”
“Cheap?IfIam cheapwhyar eyoutal
kingtome?
Refi
lweIcant akethi
smanwi t
hthesnapofmy
fi
ngers.Idon’
tevenhav etobeghim,hewi l
ldoasI
say.That’
sjusthowmuchhei sasuckerforme.
Don’tbit
ethehandt hatkeepsyouhappy.”
“Ohthat’
swhyhebeat syou?Youcal lt
hatlov
e?Him
harassi
ngyou?Youcal l
thatlove?Real
lynow?Is
thatyourki
ndoflove?Youareal owlif
ewhoewwho
takesabuseaslove,Ipi
tyyou.”
“
Wowok!By
e.”
Anayafixedherbl
azerandwal kedoutherheels
echoingbehi
ndher .Sheunlockedhercarandgoti n,
foramomentt hereshet r
iedtoexcuseLef aforhi
s
acti
onsbutforhimt ostabMi guell
ikethat
!Itwas
extr
eme.Shest ar
tedhercaranddr oveawayheaded
tohishouse.Shepar kedi
nf r
ontoft heopengate,
ther
ewasanot hercarparkedi nsi
debehindhis
Mercedes.
Takingadeepbreathshesteppedoutofthecarand
walkedtothedoorwheresheknocked.Lefaopened
thedoorsecondslat
erandsmi l
edather.
“
Hey
,Iwasgoingt
ocomeov
er.Comei
n,Iwanty
ou
t
omeetsomeone.
”
Heopenedt hedoorwi
derandAnay
awalkedinbut
pausedlooki
ngattheMPandhiswifesi
tt
ingi
nthe
si
tti
ngroom.
“
Babemeetmypar
ent
s,mama,
papat
hisi
sAnay
a.
Mygi
rl
fr
iend.
”
.
.
.
Don'
tfor
gett
oli
keandcomment
,ouri
nser
tfol
l
ows
at22:
30.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#88

Anayafor
cedasmilest
ari
ngathispar
ent
swho
weresmil
ingather
.Themotherst
oodupand
walkedovert
ohugher.
“
Final
l
ywemeety
ou,
Ihav
eseeny
ourf
aceaf
ew
t
imes,
youownOsWor
ld?
”
“
Yesmam.
”
“
Shei
sbeaut
if
ul,
Ilov
eher
.”
Hi
sfatherst
oodupandsmil
ed.“Shei
sbeaut
if
ul.At
l
eastsheisnotl
i
kethoseot
hergir
lsy
ougofor.
”
“
Papawhatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutnow?
”
“
Anay
a,y
ouar
ewel
comet
otheRabogat
sof
ami
l
y.”
Shesmi
l
edatt heMP, i
thadget
tensocompl
i
cat
ed
i
namatterofseconds.
“Ihopeyouar
eheref
ordi
nner
,come,
Ihav
ejust
start
edcooki
ng.
”
Lefa’
smotherwal
kedwi
thLef
a’smot
hert
othe
ki
tchen.
“
Ilov
egi
rl
sli
key
ou,
independentandf
ocused.
”
Anayasmi l
ed.Howcouldshetel
lthi
swomanthat
shejustwantedtol
eave,t
hathersonmadeher
speculat
e.Whointhei
rri
ghtstat
eofmindwent
aroundstabbi
ngpeopl
e?
*
***
*

Lef
awal
kedwi
thhi
sfat
herout
sidet
alki
ng.
“
Soy
oust
abbedhi
m?”
“
Ijustl
osti
t,hekeepshar
assi
ngher
.”
“Itol
dy outocontr
olit
, someti
mesv i
olencei
snot
theoption,nowomanwant samanwhogoes
aroundst abbi
ngpeople,yousaidt
heyhav eachi
l
d
together?”
Lef
anodded.
“Nowseewhaty oudid,youneedtobesmar there.
”
TheMPt appedhi shead.“Thanatyourhands,now
notonl
yar eyouv i
olentbutyouwanttokil
lher
chi
ld’
sfather.Seethispict
ureyougiv
eher.Hei s
goingt
opl ayvict
im andhav eherf
eelsor
ryforher.
”
“
Ilov
eAnay
a.”
“Icansee,youneedtohumbleyour
self.Womenl ike
herarenotthekepttype,
shewil
lal
way sleav
ei fshe
feel
slikei
t,shewil
lkeepyouonyourtoesandshe
willal
waysgot osomeoneevenbett
erifyouslack.
Sheist
oobeaut i
fulandyouneedt obecareful
.You
aret
oogrownt obechasi ngafterwomen, youneed
tobeset
tl
ing.Il
ov ethatgir
l,sheisfocused.
”
“
Iwi
l
ltal
ktoher
,apol
ogi
set
otheguyi
fIhav
eto.
”
“
Humbl
eyour
sel
fbutdon’tbeweak.Iam pr
oudof
y
ou,
womenli
keherarerare.
”
“
Anay
aisbeaut
if
uli
nsi
deout
.”
“
Yourmot
heral
readyl
ovesher
.”
Hesmil
ed.“
Ihopeshedoesn’
tsmot
herherwi
th
l
ove.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.
“
Howi
sbusi
nessgoi
ng?
”
“
Thi
ngsar
elooki
ngup.
”
“That
’swhatIwanttohear.Yourandyourbrother
shouldworkhardt
omai nt
ainthi
slevelofsuccess
andgof ar
.Youaredoi
ngthisforyoursons.Didyou
tel
lheryouhaveki
ds?”
Lefashookhishead.“
Ihaven’
tfoundt
heri
ghtt
ime.I
recent
lygotherasminedaysagoandalr
eadyt
hings
ar
efal
l
ingapar
t.
”
“Nothi
ngwil
lfal
lapar
tunl
essy
oul
eti
tfal
lapar
t.Tel
l
herabouty
ourkids.
”

*
***
*

Oler
atolookedathersi
sterwhowasf
umi
ngwi
th
anger.
“Ican’
tbel
iev
ethi
s.Andy
oudi
dn’
tthi
nkt
otel
lme
because?”
“
Iam sor
rybutIwasj
ustov
erwhel
med.Atl
easthei
s
i
njai
lBoi
tumelo.
”
“Iam goi
ngtomakehi
m sufferi
fheget
southewi
l
l
nevereverl
ooky
ourdi
rect
ion.”
“
Ithi
nky
oushoul
djustl
eti
tgo.
”
“
No,
Iam goi
ngt
osor
thi
m,het
hinkshei
ssmar
t.
”
Ol
erat
osmi
l
ed.“
Youar
etoomuch.
..
”
“
Mxm,
want
enamonnay
ole.Kegor
eot
let
sedi
o
di
sele.{
Thatmanannoy
sme.Hei
sful
lofnonsense.
}
AnywaysIcanseet
heglow.
”
Shebl
ushedandl
ookeddownshy
ly.
“
What
?”
“
Iam pr
egnant
.”
“
Wow!
”
Ol
erat
ogi
ggl
ed.“
Ijust
…Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.
”
“
WellIam happyfory
ou,
Iam goi
ngt
obeanAunt
.
Whatishesaying?
”
“
Heisasexci
tedandIam meeti
nghisbabymama
t
odaysowecanallgetf
amil
iarwit
heachother
.”
“Ihopeyouar
ereadyf
ori
t,somebabymamasar
e
bit
ter.
”
“
Iam r
eadybutabi
tner
vous.
”
“
Don’
tbe,
yougott
his.Justbecl
earwi
thwhaty
ou
want
.”
“
Ijusthopeshei
snotababymamaf
rom hel
l
.”
“
Don’
twor
ry,
eveni
fshei
s,don’
tlethergett
oyou.
”
“
Iwon’
t.
”
“
Good.Sowhenar
eyout
ell
i
ngmamaandpapa?
”
“
Iam scar
ed.
”
“
Youar
e31y
ear
sol
d.”
Ol
erat
olaughed.“
Howi
sKagoandt
heki
ds?
”
“
Youdon’
tvi
sitany
mor
e.”
“
Iwi
l
l,t
hiscomi
ngweekend.
”
“
Bri
ngVi
nce.Iam sur
ehewi
l
lgetal
ongwi
thKago.
”
“Ok.Thatwi
llbeni
ce.Howdi
dyoudeal
wit
hthat
otheri
ssueofyour
s?”
Boit
umel
olaughed.“
Iapol
ogi
zed,
ther
ewasnothi
ng
Icoul
ddothenshetol
dmeshewasonceli
kethat,
weareact
uall
ygood.”
“
ThankGodKago’
sfami
l
yissof
tli
kehi
m.”
“
ThankGod!Idi
dn’
tev
enknowwhatt
odo.
”
Theyconti
nuedchat
ti
ngl
aughi
ngt
henf
inal
l
ywal
ked
outofheroff
ice.
“
Sat
urdayr
ight
?”
Ol
erat
onodded.“
Yes.Mostdef
ini
tel
y.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shegoti nhercaranddr oveof fwhileBoi t
umel ogot
i
nher s.Takingaglanceatthet i
meshesi ghed
steppingont heaccel
erator
.Vi ncewasgoi ngt opick
herupf rom herhouseinanhour ’st
ime.She
fr
eshenedupandputonherl ongsl eev edlacedr ess,
shemadel i
ghttouchesonherf acethenputonher
heels.Herphonev i
brat
edf rom t hedressingtable,
shespr ayedonherperfumeandwal kedoutwi thher
phoneandhandbag.Shewal kedout sidelocking
behindherandcl i
mbedi nsi
dehi scarwher eshewas
metwi thakiss.
“
Hey
…”
Shebl
ushed.“
Hi.
”
“
Let
’sgo,
howwasy
ourday
?”
Ol
eratosmi
l
ed,
heal
way
saskedhowherdayhad
went.
“Fi
ne,
Ihadal
atesessi
onwi
thBoi
today
.Shecame
by.
”
“
Howi
smybaby
?”
“
Finedaddy
.”
“
Ithoughtofnames.
”
Ol
eratol
aughed.“
Iam j
ustt
womont
hspr
egnant
,
r
elax.
”
“
Don’
tyouwantt
ohearmynames?
”
“
No,
hol
dont
othem f
orawhi
l
e.”
Minuteslat
erheparkedinfrontofarestaurantand
t
heycl i
mbedout.Vinceheldherwaistandt hey
walkedinsi
detherestaur
ant,heledthem tothe
t
ablewher ehi
sbabymamawasandOl erat
o’sknees
weakenedasshest aredatthewoman.

*
***
*

Anayali
stenedtotheMPandhi swifet
alkabout
thei
rlovestor
yastheyatedinner
,fr
om t
imet oti
me
shecaughtLefastar
ingathi
m.Shecouldalready
sensethelovefr
om hispar
ents,t
hegenuinelove
theyweregi
vi
ngher
.Theyf
ini
shedeat
ingandshe
quickl
ycl
ear
edthet
abl
e.
“
Iwillhel
pNay
aint
heki
tchen.
”Lef
ast
oodupand
j
oinedher.
“
Hey
…”
Anayatur
nedtohi
mt henbacktot
hedishwasher
machineandcont
inuedarr
angi
ngthepl
ates.When
shewasdonesheswi t
chedthemachi
neonand
stoodup.
“
Ihav
etogo,
Ihav
eadaught
erwhoneedsme.
”
Lef
aheldherwaistl
ooki
ngr
emor
sef
ul.“
Ihav
etot
ell
yousomethi
ng?”
“
Likehowy
out
ri
edki
l
li
ngmychi
l
d’sf
ather
?”
“Thatwasnotmyi ntent
ion.Believemeitwasn’t.I
j
ustlostitandt hat’
snoexcuse.I t
’sj
ustthat
,he
hurtsyouphy sical
ly,Igetmay beemot i
onall
yit’
s
compl i
catedbutheput shishandsony ou.Ijust
don’t…Idon’treactwel lt
owomenbeat ersandIam
notexcusingmy self
,Ishouldn’thavest
abbedhi m.
AllIwantedwast owar nhim.”
Anayashookherhead.“Amanislyinginthehospi
tal
Lefa!Doyouknowthat!Hei
scrit
ical.Hehaskids
thatneedhi
m,hehasaf ami
ly.Youal mostki
l
led
him.”
“IknowandIam wil
l
ingandreadyt
ofacet
he
consequencesofmyact
ions.
”
“
Ijustcan’
tbel
i
evey
ouact
ual
l
yst
abbedhi
m.”
Lefasighed.“ Anay aIcan’ tbegintoexpr esshow
sorryIam t ohav est abbedhi m butthat’
sallIam
sorryfor.From her eIam goingt othepol i
ce,Iam
turni
ngmy selfin.Iwi ll
facetheconsequences.Iam
notper f
ectbutIwi ll
neverlaymyhandsony ouoron
anyotherwoman.Icandoal lofitbuty ouseeIam
notawomanbeat er.Iwasjustangr y.Iam goingto
payhishospi t
al expensesandev enhav ehim mov ed
toSAi fneedbe.Il ostit
,Idon’twantt oseeyou
hurti
ng,that’sall.Iam nott ryi
ngt orobI vyofher
father
.Iwaswr ongandIam goi ngt otake
responsibil
ityofmyact i
ons.”
Anay
alookedi
ntohi
seyes,
sheneverhadanyone
st
anduptoherl
iket
hat
,notint
hatmanner.
“Ihatev i
olence, Miguel won’tletthisgo.Youar e
bothinfluencal people.You…y ouwentt oofarandI
appreciatey oudef endingmel ikethat,Ireal
lydobut
thatwasext reme.Idon’ twantasi t
uationwher eI
questiony ouorwhaty ouar ecapabl eof.Miguelhas
putmet hroughsomuchandIhav etakenmostof
hisshitbecauseIwasbl i
ndedwi t
ht heloveIhadfor
him andIhav epr omisedmy selfnomor e.Idon’
t
wanthi storyr epeati
ngitself
.”
“Thatwi
ll
neverhappen.Iam nothi
m.Pl
easedon’
t
compareus.
”
“Thendon’tbehavel
ikehi
m.Don’tgoaround
stabbi
ngpeople.Iwantastabl
eli
fenotaviol
ent
dramafulone.”
“Iam sor
ry.
”Hepul
l
edhercloser
.“I
twil
lnev
er
happenagain,
keut
lul
e.{
Iheardyou.
}”
Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedhersof
tl
y.
“
Ihav
etogo.Yourpar
ent
sar
elov
ely
.”
Lef
asmi
l
ed.“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Anay
alookedi
nhi
sey
es,
thesi
ncer
it
ywas
sur
pri
singl
ydi
sar
ming.Sheleanedoverandkissed
hi
scheekthenwal
kedoutofthekit
chenleav
inghim
al
one.
“Thankyousomuchf
orthedi
nner
.”Shethankedhi
s
parent
ssit
ti
ngdowm.“
Ihadawonderful
time.”
“
No,y
outhankyoumygir
l.
”Hismothersai
dwit
ha
wi
desmi
l
e.“Ican’
twai
ttoreal
l
ybondwi t
hyou.
”
“
Met
oo.
”
“Thi
sti
memysonchosewel
l
.”TheMPsai
dwi
tha
smil
e.
Anay
ashy
lysmi
l
ed.“
Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Ofcause.
”
Shestoodupwit
hherhandbagandwalkedoutwi
th
Lefabehi
ndher
.Sheunl
ockedhercarandopened
thedoor.
“Iknowyouarenothappywithme,Iam nothappy
withmysel
feit
her,
Ishouldn’
thav
eletmyemot ions
getthebet
terofme.”
“Thankyou.Yout
ookitfar
,ver
yfarbutt
hanky
ou.
Fordefendi
ngme.Ihavetogo.”
Shegoti
nhercaranddr
oveof
f.

*
***
*

Ref
il
wecr
iedonDi
ane’
sshoul
der
.
“
Whycan’
tIbehappy
?”
“Youcan.I
fhedoesn’
twanty
ouany
mor
elethi
m
go.”
“
ButIl
ovehi
m.”
“Iknow.Iknowy oudo.Hedoesn’tl
ovey
ouany
more,
howl ongwil
lyoucryeveryni
ghtcry
ingf
oraman
whodoesn’tvalueyou?”
“
Am Iugl
y?”
Dianelaughed.“Ugly?Youhav ethischocol
ateskinI
envy,youhav ethisbodyy oucanonlygetfrom an
Afri
canqueen.Youact uall
ylookl
ikeAjaNaomi Ki
ng,
MichaelaPr atti
nHowToGetAwayWi t
hMur der.I
don’tunderstandwhyy out hi
nkyouareugly,being
darkskinnedi sbeauti
fulandhoneythatcrowni n
y
ourheadt
urnshead.
”
Ref
il
wel
ookedatDiane.“
Youdon’tunder
standj
ust
howmuchIl
ovehim.Idon’twantt
obewi t
houthi
m.”
Dianesadl
ysi
ghed.“
Wewi
l
ltakei
tonedayata
ti
me.”
“
Ihav
etogohome.
”
“
Iam al
waysheretopi
ckupt
hepieces.Remember
,
y
ouarebeaut
if
ul.Youar
eaqueen.
”
“
Bye.
”
Refi
lwewalkedoutofDi ane’
shouseandcl imbedin
hercarthendrov eof
f.Asongpl ayedandshet ooka
deepbreathtr
yingnott olosethecontrolshehad.
Minuteslat
ershepar kedt hecari
nsidethegarage
andsteppedout .Shefrownedwal ki
nginsideher
house.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
Onalookedather
.“Juni
orcal
l
edmewi
tht
hehouse
phone.
”
“
Itol
dyounott
oev
ercomet
omyhouse!
”
Onar ai
sedherhands.“
Refil
weyoursoncall
edme
sayinghewashungry,that
’swhyIcame.”She
pickedherhandbagfr
om thecouch.“
Bye.”
“Nextti
mey oucomeher
eIam goi
ngt
oki
l
lyou,
I
promiseyou.”
Onashookherheadwalki
ngout
.Refi
l
wewal kedto
t
hekid’
sbedroom andr
oughl
yopenedthedoor.
“
Juni
orwhydi
dyoucal
lOna?
”
Juni
orstoppedcolori
nghi
sbook.“BecauseIwas
hungr
y.Idon’tknowyournumberandIcall
ed
mommybutshedi dn’
tpi
ck.”
“
Youcal
l
edMar
ang?
”
“
No,
myot
hermom.
”
Ref
il
wef
rowned.“
Whoi
syourot
hermom?
”
Juni
orpausedandsmi
l
ed.“
Mar
ang.
”
“Juni
orIaskedy
ouify
oucal
ledy
ourmot
herandy
ou
saidno,whoisy
ourot
hermommy ?
”
“
Mar
ang.
”
Ref
il
weboi
l
edwi
thanger
.“Heel
aJuni
or,
Iam goi
ng
t
obeaty
ou!Isai
dwhoi
syourot
hermom?
”
“
Mar
ang.
”
Shest
eppedoverandslappedhi
m.“I
fy oudon’
ttel
l
methetr
uthyouaregoingtosl
eepoutsidet
oday.I
sai
dwhoisyourothermommy ?”
Heshookheadcr
ying.
“
Youthi
nkIam j
oki
ng,
Iam goi
ngt
obeaty
ouf
or
t
ell
i
ngli
es.
”
Shetookof
fherfl
atpumpsandr
epeat
edl
ybeathi
m
whil
ehescreamed.
“
Buamonna!War
emmagokemang?
”
“
Mar
ang.
”
Shedr
oppedhershoethenwakedt
ohi
smi
nicl
oset
andgr
abbedhi
sbelt.
“
Juniori
fyoudon’
ttal
k,Iam goi
ngt
obeaty
ouwi
th
t
hisbelt
.”
Hecov eredhisf
acecryi
ng,Ref
il
weangril
ylif
tedt
he
beltandwhippedhim ashecri
edevenlouder
togetherwit
hQuinsywhowast ry
ingt
opul l
herwit
h
herski
rt
.
Shedroppedt
hebel
tthendr
aggedhim out
side.“
Sit
ther
e!Si
tdownandstopmaki
ngnoise.
”
Shewal kedbacki
nsi
dethehouseandpressedt
he
gateremotethenwal
kedbackoutsi
detowhere
Juniorwas.
“Gooutsi
de.Youar
egoingt ositoutsi
dethegat
eti
l
l
youtal
k.Youdon’
tli
stentomeandev ery
onewho
doesn’
tli
stent
omewi llsi
toutside.
”
“
Iwantdaddy
.”
“Yourdadisnother
e.Go!”Sheshovedhim outsi
de
thegateandwalkedbacktothehosewhereshe
pressedt
hegateremoteclosi
ngthegate.Quinsy
screamedcryi
ng.
“
Youar
emaki
ngnoi
se.
”
.
.
.
Don'
tfor
gett
oli
keandcomment
.
7/
13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#89

Ol
erat
oquiet
lyst
aredatPrincesswonder
ingj
ust
whatshewasthi
nking.Thi
shadbeenherpati
enta
whi
leago.
“SoPri
ncessthi
sismywoman, Ol
eandOl
ethati
s
Pri
ncess.Themotherofmychi
l
dren.
”
Pr
incesssmi
l
ed.“
Weact
ual
l
yknoweachot
her
.”
Oler
atosmil
edst ari
ngatPrincess,whenshewas
sti
ll
herpati
entshehadbeenseei ngsomeonewho
shewaspregnantf orbutnottotal
lysur
eift
hebaby
washis.NowOl eratoshewonder edift
heki
dswere
real
lyVi
nce’
s.
“
Youdo?
”
“
Yes,
shewasmyt
her
api
stl
ongt
imeago.
”
Vi
ncel
ookedatOl
erat
owhoshr
ugged.
“
Yeah,
shewasmypat
ient
.Suchasmal
lwor
ld.
”
“
NowIam rel
i
eved,
ifi
t’
syout
henIam happy
.Ol
eis
t
hebest
.”
“Wel
lsavesust
hestr
ess.Aft
erOl
eandIgetmar
ri
ed,
Iwantt
ostaywit
htheki
ds.”
“
Asi
nful
lti
me?
”
Vincenodded.“
Yeah,If
eellikeIdon’
tseethem that
muchandIusedt ounderstandyourpointbecauseI
hadnoonet aki
ngcar
eoft hem butwhenOl eandI
getmarri
ed,Iwoul
dhaveast abl
ehomef orthe
ki
ds.”
Pr
incesssi
ghed.“
Idon’
twantt
obef
arf
rom my
ki
ds.”
“
IknowbutIt
hinki
t’
sonl
yfai
rthatIgett
oli
vewi
th
t
hem t
o.”
“It
hinkthat’
sagoodi
dea,
youwil
lhavethem dur
ing
theholi
daysandwecanhavet
hem duri
ngthe
schooldays.”
Vi
nce’
sphonev
ibr
atedandt
heybot
hlookedathi
m.
“
Ihav
etot
aket
his.
”
Hestoodupandwal
kedawayasOl
erat
otur
nedher
at
tent
ionbackt
oPri
ncess.
“
Hi,
”
Pri
ncesssmirked.“
Inev
ert
houghtIwoul
dseet
his
day.HiOl
e.”
“
Aret
hoseki
dsev
enhi
s?”
“
Doesheknowy
ouar
ebi
pol
ar?
”
Oler
atopr
essedherli
pst
oget
her
.“Iam f
ine,
Ihav
e
beendecl
aredf
ine.
”
“
Real
lynow?Di
dy outel
lhi
m aboutwhaty
oudi
dor
t
hepastist
oodeepitwil
ldr
owny ou?
”
“
Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?Idi
dnot
hingbuthel
p
y
ou.
”
“AndIam thankful
.Youpul lastuntonmaki nghim
doubthiskids,
Iwil
l t
ellhi
m ev er
ything.Wherei
sthat
crazysi
sterofyours?Ihopey ouar eoffmurder
ing
peopleandhav i
nghercov eritup.Likethel
astti
me.”
“
Ok,
wher
ewer
ewe?
”Vi
ncej
oinedt
hem.
Ol
erat
olookedatVi
ncet
ryi
ngt
obl
i
nkawayhert
ear
s.
“
Ithi
nkit
’sagoodsuggest
ion,Iam sur
etheki
ds
woull
ovetost
aywithyoutoo.Plus…Itr
ustOl
e.”
“
Good.Wecanor
der
.”
At
earr
andownOlerat
o’scheekandshesecr
etl
y
wi
pedi
tof
f.“
Iam notf
eeli
ngwell.
”
“
Oh?What
’swr
ongOl
e?”
ShelookedatPr
incesswhotuckedi
nhercur
lyhai
r
behi
ndherear.“
Arey oual
ri
ght
?”
“
Yes,
justdi
zzy
.”
Vi
ncequi
ckl
yst
oodupandhel
pedherup.
“
Weshoul
dgo,si
ncewear
eal
lsor
ted,
wewi
l
ltal
k
t
omor
rowPri
ncess.
”
“
Ok,
becar
eful
Ole.
”
Theywal
kedouttohiscarandgot.Oler
atocl
i
mbed
i
ntryi
ngtor
idthehorr
ibl
eexperi
encebuteveryt
ime
shecl
osedhereyesshecouldseeit
.

*
***
*
Juniorr
ubbedhistearsstil
li
npainthenbaref
oot
ed
walkeddownt hestr
eettohisfr
iend’
shouse.He
stoodonhistoesandpr essedt
heintercom.
“
Whoi
sit
?”Someonespokeont
hespeaker
.
“I
t’
sJunior
.”Heshout
ed,secondsl
aterthegat
e
openedandhewalkedinbeingmethalfwaybyhi
s
fr
iend’
smot her
.
“
Juj
u,what
’swr
ong?
”
“
Iwantt
ocal
lmommy
.”
“
Whathappenedt
oyou?
”
Heshookhi
sheadbi
ti
nghi
sbot
tom l
i
p.
“
Comei
n.”
Hewalkedwi
thheri
nsi
det
hehousewher
ehi
sfr
iend
was.
“
Juni
or!
”Zoescr
eamedr
unni
ngt
owar
dshi
m.“
Are
y
ouheretopl
ay?
”
Zoe’
smot hergaspedst
ari
ngatt
hemar
ks.“
What
happenedJuju?”
“
Iwantt
ocal
lmommy
,canIpl
easeusey
ourphone.
”
“
Wher
eisy
ourmot
her
?What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Qui
nsy
’smot
herbeatme,
Iwantt
ocal
lmommy
.”
Zoe’
sfatherappr
oachedt
hem t
henf
rownedst
ari
ng
atJuni
or’
smar ki
ngs.
“
WhathappenedJuni
or.
”
“Hesay
sQuinsy
’smot
herbeathi
m,hewant
stocal
l
hismot
her
.”
“
Didn’
tRef
il
wesayhi
smot
herwasi
nAmer
ica?
”
“
Shesai
dthat
.Juj
u,mommyi
sinAmer
ica.
”
“
NotMar
ang,
myot
hermommy
.Iv
y’smommy
.”
“I
vyi
shisbrot
hermama.
”Zoesai
dsadl
ywat
chi
ng
sadJuni
or.
Zoe’
smothernoddedt
hengr
abbedherphoneand
handedi
ttoJuni
or.
“
Cal
lher
.”
Juniorconcent
rat
edonthephoneandslowl
y
pressedthenumberanddial
ed.Thephoner
angf
or
awhi
l
e.
“
Anay
aShat
ohel
l
o?”
“
Mommy
,comeandgetme.
”
“
Juni
or?
”
Hebrokedowncryi
ngthenZoe’
smot
hert
ookt
he
phonewatchi
ngJuni
orcry.
“Dumealang,
mynamei sGot
shaf
alo,
uhhJuni
ori
s
hereandheislooksbad.
”
“
Whathappened?
”
“
Hesay
sQui
nsy
’smot
herbeathi
m.”
“
Godno…”
“
Mmangwanaodi padipadi
,kekopeot
leomot se.
Walelakwano.Iam Zoe’smother
,hi
scl
assmate’
s
motheratschool
,westayinthesamest
reet
.The
l
asthouse,housenumber4567.”
Anay
a’ssi
ghed.“
Iam comi
ng,
thanky
ou.
”
“
Hei
sasmar
tboy
.”
“
Iknow,
pleasedon’
tletRef
il
wet
akehi
mincaseshe
comest
her
e.”
“
Iwon’
t.
”
“
Ok,
Iam onmyway
,by
e.”
“
Bye.
”
Gotshaf
alosmi
ledatJuni
or.“
Yourmot
heri
scomi
ng.
Don’tcr
y.Di
dyoueat?”
Juni
ornoddedthenZoel
edhimtothecouchwher
e
shehandedhi
m herbookandcr
ayons.
Got
shaf
alot
urnedt
oherhusband.“
Kemat
hat
a.”
“
Iwonderwhatsortofhumanwouldbeatachil
dt
t
hisst
age.Boysar
egenerall
ynaught
ybutthati
sno
r
easontobeatachil
dli
kethat.
”
Gotshaf
alol
ookedatJuni
or.“
Iam j
ustgl
adt
her
eis
someonehecanalwaystur
nto.”

*
***
*

Anay
asl
owl
ydr
ovei
nthest
reetdr
ivi
ngpass
Miguel
’
shousethent
othel
asthouse.Shepar
kedby
t
hegateandtur
nedofft
heengi
ne.
“
MommyJuni
ori
sgoi
ngt
ost
aywi
thus?
”
“
Yes,
fornow.
”
Shesteppedoutofthecarandopenedthedoorf
or
Iv
y.Theywalkedthr
ought heopengat
etothedoor
andknocked.Anayasighedanxi
ousl
y.Awoman
openedthedoorandsmi l
edatAnaya.
“
Youar
eJuni
or’
smom?
”
“
Yes,
Anay
a.”
“
Iam Got
shaf
alo,
pleasecome.
”
Theybot
hwal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouset
othesi
tt
ing
room.
“
Mommy !
”Juni
orscr
eamedandr
anov
ert
oAnay
a
t
hrowi
nghi
mselfi
nherar
ms.
“
Heybaby
…”
Hestar
tedcry
ingandAnaya’sheartbr
okeasshe
st
aredatthemarksal
loverhisbody.
“
Whathappened?
”
“Qui
nsy’
smotherbeatmebecauseIr
efusedt
otel
l
heryouaremyothermom.
”
“
Youshoul
dhav
etol
dher,It
oldyout
her
eisno
r
easont
oli
eanymor
ebecausely
ingi
swrong.
”
“
Iwantt
ost
aywi
thy
ouandI
vy.
”
“
Ok,
that
’sok.
”
Anayal
ookedatGotshaf
alo.“
Iam sor
ryy
ouhadt
o
deal
wit
hallthi
s.”
“
It
’sok.Iam agai
nstchi
l
dabuse,
wil
lyour
epor
t
t
his?
”
“
Iwill
seewhatt
odo,
thanky
ouonceagai
n.Let
habo,
l
et’
sgo.”
Theywal kedout
sideasZoewal kedwi
ththem
chatt
ingloudlyt
oJuniorandIvywhoofcausewas
behavingoldert
haneveryone.
“ByeZoe.”Juniorsai
djumpingatthebackseatwit
h
I
v y.Anayacli
mbedi nherseatanddrov
eaway .She
thoughtf
ull
ypassedbyMi guel’
shousebuttoavoid
dramadr ovepastthegateheadedtoherhouse.
Mi
nut
esl
ater
,shedr
ovei
nsi
det
hespaci
ousgar
age
andcl
i
mbedoutwi
tht
heki
ds.
“
MommyI
vysai
dwear
egoi
ngt
oVi
cFal
l
s.”
Anayalaughedopeni
ngt
hedoorandwal
ki
ngi
nsi
de
thehouse.
“
May
be.Iwi
l
lsee.
”
“
Isdaddycomi
ngher
e?”
AnayalookedatJuni
orandsmil
ed.“Daddywenton
atr
ipbuthewi l
lbeback.NowIam goingt
obathyou
andtuckyouin.
”
Ayanawalkedfrom t
heki
tchenhol
dinghermugof
hotchocol
ate.
“
Whathappenedt
ohi
m?”
Anayasighedlooki
ngatJuni
orchatt
ingwi
thhis
si
ster
.“Refi
lweisgoingf
arbutIdon’
twantto
confr
onther.Iam t
ir
edofthedrama.”
“
Shei
scr
azy
.Youshoul
drepor
ther
.”
“No.Itwi
l
lattr
actunwantedat
tent
ionbutIam goi
ng
tokeephim wit
hmef orawhil
e,ti
l
lMiguelwakes
up.”
Anay
a’sphoner
angandshet ooki
tout.Ay
anaput
downhermugandwalkedawaywiththekidsas
Anay
aansweredherphone.
“
Ref
il
we.
”
“
Bri
ngbackmyson.
”
“
Iam goi
ngtoreportyouforchi
l
dabuse,
howcan
y
oubeathim upli
kethat?
”
“Howcoul
dyourui
nmymar
ri
agel
i
ket
hat
?How
coul
dyouAnay
a?”
“
Ref
il
weIam get
ti
ngsi
ckandt
ir
edoft
hatl
i
ne.
”
“Youcoul
dn’twat
chhim moveonsodeci
dedt
o
steal
him.Youlef
thi
m onthealt
er!
”
“
Sowhati
fIdi
d?Henev
erl
ovedy
ou!
”
“Hedid.Hel ovedme.Thereasony oucamet othe
weddingwasy ouhopedhewoul dl
eavemesame
wayy oulefthim andbewit
hy ou.Whent hatdidn’
t
happen,youcal l
edhimtowher everyouhadl ef
tto
andsleptwi t
hhim onmyweddi ngnightbecause
deepdowny ouknewhest i
ll
lov edyou.Younev er
stoppedfrom then,Anay
aIbeggedy outostayaway
from myhusbandandy oumademel ookl i
keafool
butIknew.IknewbecauseIam notst upid.Inev
er
enjoyedmymar ri
ageallbecausey ouwer ealways
there,y
ouwer ethereeverywhere.Youdr aggedthe
kidsint
oit.Whatwr ongdidIdot oyou?Tel lmei
sit
wr ongtohavelovedhim wheny oulefthi
m?WasI
wr ongtonursehim wheny oulefthim broken?
Anay awasIwr ongtolovehim?Tel lmewhatIdi dto
yout odeser
v ethi
s?Youhav ehur tmebey ond
measur eandy oujustwon’tstop.”
Anay
arubbedherey
es.“
Ref
il
we…-
“
“IloveMiguel
.Ilovehim somuchhei sthereasonI
wakeupeachandev erymor ni
ng.OfcauseIlovemy
kidsbutIlovethatmanAnay a.Hehaslovedmei n
thewaynomanhasev erl
ov edme.Helovedme
withmyf lawsandi nsecuri
ti
es.Hehasheldmyhand
throughmymostf ears,madel ov
etomeand
touchedmybodyl i
keadi amond.Hemakesme
l
augh, doesn’
tletmegot obedsad,ti
llyoucame
back.”
“
Iam sor
ryt
haty
ou-
“
“Don’tbeAnaya.Don’ tbe.Iam probablycrazy,y
eah.
Iam crazyforlovi
ngamanwhol i
key ousaidnever
l
ov edme.Iam cr azyforratherchoosingtocryfor
hisloveeverynightthanjustleave.Iam carzy
.Iam
crazy.”
Anayashookherheadast
ear
swethercheeks.“
No
youarenot.
”
“Iam.Iam crazyf
orstayi
ng.IknowIam.
Somet i
mesIlookatmy selfont
hemi rr
orandwishI
wasl i
ghtl
i
key ou,
youknow.Ihav etr
iedit
,doi
ngli
ke
youhopingthatmaybe…j ustmaybeyouknowhe
will
lovemebutno.OfcauseIam notAnay a.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“No,don’tbe.Ijusthopeinthefut
ure….Ivydoesn’
t
gothr oughwhatIam goingt hr
ough.Ihopeshe
doesn’ tf
eelwhatIam feeli
ng.Iam st
ari
ngatmy
div
or cepapers.Yes,hefi
ledfordiv
orce,youknow
whathesai dAnay a?Hesai dIl
oveher.Idon’
twant
tobreakherhear tanymore.That’
swhathesai dto
me, hedoesn’twantt ohurtyouanymore.
“
Iam t
rul
ysor
ry.Wor
dscan’
texpl
ain-
“
“Ofcausewordscanneverexpl
ainhowIf eelAnaya.
No,wordscan’tev
enbegintoexplai
nhowIf eel.So
youwon!Yes.YouwonAnay a.Youcanhav ehim.I
am donefi
ghti
ng.Iam donehurt
ing.Thi
spain…Iam
donewithi
t.
”
“
Canwepl
easemeetandt
alk?
”
“No,it’
stool at
e.It
’stoolateforthat.I
t’
sjusttoolat
e.
PleasetellJuniorIam sorry.Tel
lhim Il
ovehiml i
ke
myown.Idi dn’
tmeanf orwhathappenedt ohappen
today.Iam goingt ohurtMiguellikehehurtme.Iam
notfighti
ngbuthedeser vestohur t
.Hecan’talways
getawaywi t
hit.”
“Whatareyoutal
ki
ngabout
?Ref
il
wepl
easel
et’
stal
k
andcleart
hisout
.”
Shelaughedcryi
ng.“Iam goi
ngt oclearitup.Don’
t
worr
y .
”ShehungandAnay al
ookedatherphonef or
amomentf eel
inganxiousbutthenbr usheditoff
.
ShetextedAgangalerti
nghim aboutJunior.

*
***
*
Refil
wel ookedatt hedivorcepaper ssi l
entlycr ying.
Slowlyshest oodandt ookt he5l i
tterbot tl
eofpet rol
andopenedi t.Shespl asheditaroundt hebedr oom
thenwal kedoutdr i
ppingitont hefloorpassi ngby
Quinsy ’sdoor .Shepausedt hereandopenedt he
doorgent ly.Hewasal readysleeping, shesmi led
sadlyt henspl ashedt hepet r
ol al
lov ertill
ther ewas
nothingl eft.Shewentbackt othesi tt
ingandt ook
theot herbot tl
eofpet rol.Shemadeat rai
lfrom t he
sit
ti
ngr oom t otheki t
chenatt heswi t
chboxt il
lher
bedroom doorandQui nsy’sdoorthenshet hr ewt he
boxdownandt ookoutt hemat chesf rom herpocket
l
ighti
ngi nthesi tt
ingroom.Fi requicklycaughtand
shehur ri
edt oherbedr oom.Shet ookadeepbr eath
andsentMi guel alongmessaget henj ustlayont he
bedwai tingpatiently.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#90

Anay aturnedawake, shecouldn’tseem t obeableto

sleep,taki
ngadeepbr eathshet urnedclosi
ngher
eyes.Secondsl atersheopenedt hem andlookedat
thetime, i
twasnow30mi nutessi nceshehad
spokent oRef i
lweandshest ill
coul dn’
tshakeoff
thatfeeli
ng, t
hatfeel
ingthatleftheront heedge.
Shegotof fbedandputonherf li
psf l
opsgr abbi
ng
hercarkey s.
Shedr ovetoMiguel
’
shousepr act
ici
ngwhatshewi
l
l
saytoRef i
lweandmay bet
heywoul dcometoan
understandi
ng.Herphonerang.
“
Hey
…”
“Hey,i
t’
sAgang.Ijustgotacallfrom t
hehospit
al,
thedoctori
ssayingMi gueli
ssuffer
ingfr
om int
ernal
bleedi
ng.Heissuffer
ingfrom penetr
ati
ngtr
auma. ”
Anayasi
ghed.“
Iwi
l
lgoandseehi
m.Hav
eyoucal
l
ed
yourpar
ent
s?”
“
Yes,
theywi
l
lbecomi
ngt
omor
row.Idon’
tthi
nkwe
shoul
dtel
lCol
l
een.
”
“
Yeah.Iunder
stand.
”
“
Ijustwant
edt
oinf
ormy
ou.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shehungupt henfrownedstari
ngatthefi
retr
uck
over
taki
ngher.Awhi lel
atershewasdriv
ingi
n
Miguel
’sst
reet,herhear
tskippedasshestar
edat
thehugesmokei ntheair
.
“Godno…”Hereyesfel
lonMi guel
’shousewhich
wasonfir
e.Sheparkedatthesideoftheroad
behi
ndapoli
cecarandr anout.
“
Mam pl
easest
epback.
”
Shelookedatt
hepol
icet
henatt
hef
ir
efi
ght
ers
tr
yingtofi
ghtt
hef
ir
e.
“
No,
myson…Qui
nsy
!”
“
Mam pl
ease…”
Anay
ascr
eamedcr
ying.“
Myson!
”
Shetr
iedbr
eaki
ngfreelooki
ngatt
hehouseonf
ir
e.
“Myson…he’si
nthere.Pl
easel
et’
sgethi
m.Hei
sin
t
her
e!”
Peopl ewatchedasAnay acriedtryingtor unintot he
burninghousesadl y.Ahugeexpl osionbl ewint he
houseandev eryonestaredwi t
ht heirhear t
s
poundi ng.Anay amelt
edt othegr oundcr yi
ng.Itfelt
l
ikeshewasst ucki
nani ghtmar eandshej ust
want edt owakeup.Hersonwasi nthere…Ref il
we.
Shet houghtofRef i
lwe’
sl astwords, therewasno
doubti nhermi ndthatshehadki lledher selfand
Quinsy .Sheclosedherey esseeinghi sbeaut if
ul
smile.
“
Godwhathav
eIdone?
”
“
Mam…”
“
Myson…t
her
ear
epeopl
einsi
de.Pl
easegett
hem.
”
Thepoli
ceof
fi
cerlookedathersadl
y.Anayabroke
downshaki
ngherhead.Shecouldn’
timaginel
ife
wit
houtQui
nsy.Shewasresponsibl
eforthi
s.

*
***
*
Agangwal
ki
ngi
nhi
shouse,
Sar
onagotupf
rom t
he
couch.
“
Hey
,Ihav
ebeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
l
.”
“
Miguel
isnotdoi
ngwel
l
.”
“
Ithoughty
ousai
dhewasst
abl
e.”
“Becausethedoct
orshadn’tr
eal
izedhewas
bleedi
nginter
nal
ly
.Hemi ghtdi
e.”
“
Nohewon’
t.Hei
sst
rong.
”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evethattheper
sonwhost
abbedhi
mis
r
oamingar
oundfree.”
“
Iam sor
rybabe,
Iwi
l
ltal
ktoAnay
a.”
“Idon’
twantt
obl
ameherbecauseMi
guel
lov
esher
but…”
Sar
onahuggedhi
m.“
It
’snotAnay
a’sf
aul
t,y
ouknow
i
t’
snot.
”
“Wit
hAnay ather
eisnothi
ngposi
tiv
ethatcomesout
,
babeeversinceMiguelmetAnay
ait’
salways
scandalaf
terscandal
.”
“
That
’snotf
air
.Anay
adi
dn’
tfor
ceLef
atost
ab
Mi
guel
.”
“
Butsheoncel
efthi
m.”
“
Hewascheat
ingandshewasgoi
ngt
hroughal
ot.
”
“
Badl
uckal
way
sfol
l
owsherar
ound.
”
Saronasteppedback.“Whenyourbr
otherhurt
sher
shenev ersay
sanythi
ngbutbecausehiskarmahit
s
hi
my oublameitonotherpeopl
e.Heisnotperf
ect
.”
“
Iam j
ustsay
ing.
”
“No,don’
tjustsay
.Anay ahasbeenthr
oughsomuch
toobecauseofMi guel
.Healwaysharr
assesherand
expectshertobehappyaboutit.
”
Agang’
sphonev
ibr
atedandhet
ooki
tout
.
“I
t’
sNaya.”Hepicked.“
Hey,….Heycalm down,
what
?
…what ?Iam coming,whereareyou?
..
..Iam
coming.
”Hehunguppani cking.
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Ref
il
webur
nther
sel
fandQui
nsyi
nsi
det
hehouse.
”
“
What
?”
“
Ihav
etogo.
”
Her
anout,goti
nhiscaranddr
oveoff
.Sar
onast
ood
i
nshock,
shecouldn’
tevenmoveherl
i
mbs.

*
***
*

Coll
eenwalkedoutofthebat
hroom i
nredlinger
ie,
Tshepot
urnedsit
tingonthechai
randlookedather.
“
Wow!
”
“
And?
”
“
Ilov
eit
,comeher
e.”
“
No,
sit
.”
Coll
eenwal kedtoherphoneandplay edaslow
sexualsong.Shewalkedov ertohi
m dancing
seducti
vely
.Tsheposmi l
edt r
yingt
omov ebut
remainti
edt othechai
r.SlowlyCol
leenkneltt
hen
pushedherchesttothef l
oorandtwer ked.
“
Fuck!
”
Shesmi l
edmov i
ngt othebeatofthesongt hen
stoodupandsatonhi m,r
ubbingherpussyonhi s
dickwhil
stkissi
nghi snecksoftl
y.Tshepobegan
breat
hingheav i
l
y,Col l
eengotoffhim andbitbybit
,
tookoffherli
ngerie.Shestoodbeforehim naked
andsqueezedherbr eastl
i
ckingherli
ps,Tshepo
l
ookedasi fhewasaboutt odiewithwant.
“
Babe…”
“
Shhh…”
Colleenmov edherhandsl owlybet weenherparted
l
egsandr ubbedherpussywi thonehandwhi l
ethe
othercontinuedsqueezi ngherbr east.Sheputher
footonhi slapanddi ppedint wof i
ngersinsi
deher
coochieteasi ngl
y.Tshepot earf
ullylookedather
try
ingtopul ltherestr
ain.Shehadnev erseenhim
l
iket hi
s,helplessandshel ovedit.
“Iam goi
ngt
ount
iey
oubuti
fyout
ouchme,
for
geti
t
all
.”
“
Iwon’
ttouch.
”
Col
leenunt
iedhi
mthenhest
oodupal
readyundoi
ng
hi
spants.
“
Leav
ethat
,Iwi
l
ldoi
t.Comeher
e.”
Shepushedhi mtot hebedandhel aydownst ari
ng
ather .Coll
eenunzippedhi spantsandhisdick
sprungout .Shehelditherhandsandsl owlystroked
i
tspr eadinghisprecum.Tshepogr oanedclosing
hisey es.Coll
eensmi l
edt henopenedhermout hand
slowlysuckedhi m,takinghertimewi t
hhim.Tshepo
buckedhi shipsoffthebedt hrusti
ngintohermout h
tappinghert hr
oatcursing.Shemassagedhi sballs
bobbingherheadupanddownhi sdickstari
ngat
him ashel ostcontrol
.Mi nut
eslaterhegrabbedher
hairthrusti
nguncont r
ollabl
yintohermoutht i
l
l he
shothi sloadrel
easing.
Colleensatonhi m holdi
nghissemi -harddick
uprightthensliddownhi senti
relength.Sheswi r
led
herhi psthenstartedmov i
ng,ri
dinghard.Tshepo
heldherwai stashi sdickregainedf ul
lerecti
onand
thrustfrom beneathmeet i
ngherhal fway,thei
r
bodi esclappedagai nstoneanot herwhilethey
moaned.Tshepor oll
edthem ov erputti
ngCol l
een’s
l
egonhi sshoul derandt hr
ustintoherbyf orce,
takingherst r
aighttoheav en.Shebegant ensi
ngas
hewentonandonti
ll
shecameal laroundhisdick
moani
nghisnamesoftl
y.Tshepothrusti
ntohera
fewmoreti
mesthenfr
oze,fi
ll
ingherup.

*
***
*

Agangparkedhiscarandsteppedoutwat chinghis
brot
her’
shouseintotalf
lames.Thefir
efighter’
s
weretry
ingtocontr
olthefi
ghterbuthecouldsee
ther
ewasnot hi
ngleft
.Withweakknees, hewal ked
overtoapoli
ceoffi
cerwhowasst andingfeetfrom
thefi
retr
uck.
“Wher
ether
epeopl
einsi
de?Mybr
other
’swi
feand
hi
sson.”
Thepoli
ceoff
icerl
ookedathi
m.“ Wearesti
l
lnot
sur
eifther
ewasany onebuti
ftherewas,
noonehas
sur
viv
ed.”
Hiskneesgotsoweakthathecr
oucheddown.He
coul
dn’tgethi
msel
ftobeli
evewhathewasseei
ng.
“
Arey
ouok?
”Thepol
i
ceof
fi
cerasked.
Agangsl
owl
ygotup.
“Aladycamehere…Anaya,
Ithinki
nanAudi
,Ican’
t
seeherhere.Di
dyouseeher?”
“
Audi
yent
su?{
Thebal
ckAudi
?}”
“
Yes.
”
“
Oh, shefai
ntedminut
esago,theyr
ushedhert
othe
l
ocal cl
i
nicandoneofouroff
icerst
ookhercar
t
here.”
Agangl
ookedatt
hehouset
hensi
ghed.“
Ok,
thank
you.
”
Hewal
kedtohiscaranddroveof
f.Minut
esl
aterhe
waswal
ki
nginsidet
hecli
nic.Hewentri
ghtt
othe
nur
sebyther
ecepti
onandaskedaboutAnaya.
“Shejustar
ri
ved,
godownthehal
l
,tur
nlef
tandt
he
seconddooronyourl
eft
.”
“
Thanks.
”
Hewal kedoffgoingt
owher eAnayawas.He
swall
owedhar dashef oundherl
yingonabed
unconscious.Agangwalkedcl
oserandheldher
hand.Anay asl
owlyopenedhereyesandlookedat
hi
m.Hereyeswerepuf
fyandr
eddi
sh,
shedef
ini
tel
y
hadbeencr
ying.
“
Hey
…theyt
oldmet
heybr
oughty
ouher
e.”
Shet
ri
edt
osi
tup.“
Qui
nsyandRef
il
we…”
“
Hey
,rel
ax.
”Hegent
lypushedherdown.
“
Aret
heyok?
”
Helookedi
nherey
es.“Theyst
il
ldon’
tknowi
fther
e
wasanyoneint
hehouse.
”
“Shecall
edme.Imadeherdot
his.Iki
l
ledher
.I
kil
ledQui
nsy.
”
“
Youdi
dn’
tki
l
lany
one.
”
Sheshookhercr
ying.“Idi
d.Ifi
twasn’
tformeshe
woul
dn’thav
ehurtherself
.Itwasme.”
“Anay
ayoudi
dn’tdoanyt
hing,
it’
snotyourf
aul
t.She
kil
l
edher
sel
fbecauseshewantedto.
”
“
Shekil
l
edher sel
fbecauseshewasdepr essed.she
wasneverhappyanditwasallbecauseofme. ”
Agangpull
edherinhi
sarmsandhuggedhert
ight
ly
l
ett
ingherbreakdown.Tear
sfi
l
ledhi
seyesasshe
cri
ed,thepai
nr ef
lect
inginhervoicechoki
nghi
m.
Nowt hathethoughtaboutit,
Refil
weprobabl
ycall
ed
herbeforeki
l
linghersel
ftogetherwit
hhersonjust
soAnay acandieofguilt
.
“
IfIhadn’
ttr
iedtogetMiguel
back,
nonofal
lthi
s
wouldhavehappened.
”
“YouandMi guelloveeachot her ,thereisnot hing
wrongwi ththat.Ref i
lweknewhel ovedy ouf rom the
veryfi
rstdayhemether .Sheknewhehadt oheal
fi
rstbutchoset obehi srebound.Shewasal way sa
rebound,shegotpr egnantwi t
hQui nsyt oensur ehe
wouldn’tl
eav eher .Hethoughti fmay beshegav e
him achildthenshewoul dn’tfel t
hati nsecureand
shedidn’tti
llyoucameback.Mi guelmar r
iedherout
ofguil
tallbecauseshehadl ovedhi mf orfiv
ey ears
andhedi dn’twantt obet hereasonshehur t
sso
much.Fort hef i
rsttimehedeci dedt oputsomeone
fi
rst,
hesacr if
icedhi shappinessf orherandRef il
we
knewal lt
hat .
”
“Iki
ll
edher.Miguelisi
nhospi
talbecauseofme,hi
s
kidsareabouttoloseafat
herbecauseofme.”
Agangr anoutwor dsofcomf ort
,hewant edt
ot ake
awayherpai n,t
otakeof ftheburdenoffher
shoulders.Herubbedherbackt ryi
ngtocompensat e
her,
holdingherli
ket hatsparkedsomet hi
ngdeepin
hi
m, somet hi
nghehadn’ tfel
tinthelongestt
ime.
“
Miguel
isgoi
ngt
obef
ine,
hei
sst
rongert
hant
hat
.”
Hesteppedback.“Iam goi
ngt
ocal
lmyf
atherand
t
ell
him what’
sgoingon.”
“Pl
easebr
ingmemyphonefr
om t
hecar
.”She
handedhi
mt hecarkey
s.
“
Don’
twor
ry,
ever
ythi
ngi
sgoi
ngt
obeok.
”
Anayaslowlynodded.Helookedatheronelastt
ime
thenwalkedout,i
nhiscarhecov eredhi
sfacewi
th
hishandsandlaughedwithdisbeli
ef.
“
FuckAgang!Notagai
n.”

*
***
*

Lef
ast
oodl
eani
ngagai
nsthi
scart
alki
ngt
ohi
s
br
other
.
“
Idon’
tev
enknowany
morebecauseIf
eel
asi
fIam
i
nacompeti
ti
onwi
tht
hisguy
.”
Lef
okol
ookedathi
m.“
Thenwhyar
eyoust
il
lwi
th
her
?”
“
Ilov
ehet,i
t’
sactual
l
yunbel
i
evabl
ejusthowmuchI
l
oveher
.Ihavebeencal
l
ingherf
orawhilenow.
”
“Thiswomani sgoingtohurty
ou,sheispr
obably
goingtogobackt oherexespeci
all
ynowthatyou
l
ookl i
ketheenemy .Thisguyi
sly
inginahospi
tal
bedallbecauseofy ou.
”
“
Iwi
shIcangobacki
nti
me.Iwasj
ustangr
y.”
“Ther
edfl
agsstart
edwhenshedi
dn’tr
eporthim.
Youshoul
dlethergobef
orey
outr
ulygethurt.
”
Lef
asippedhisbeerwit
hasi
gh.Hi
sbrot
herhada
poi
ntbutthenatthesamet
imehecoul
dn’
tstop
l
ovi
ngher.
“
”Shewi
l
lmakey
ouki
l
lyour
sel
f,y
ouhav
eki
ds.
”
“
Idon’
twantt
oleavebecauseofassumpti
ons,Ijust
wantt
otal
ktoher.I
fwegot oVi
ctori
afal
l
s,iti
l
l give
usachancet
otal
k.Thef
olksl
oveher
.”
“Becauseshehasherownmoneyanddoesn’
tpose
asagol ddi
gger
.”
“
Mamal ovesher
.Af
terwhathappenedmamawas
f
reel
yhappyinmyhouse.Sheevenhuggedme.
”
Lef
okosadlylookedathi
sbr other.“Youwill
find
someoneelse,yourpr
oblem isthaty oual
way sfal
li
n
l
ovetooquickl
y.Whatifshedoesn’ tfeelt
hesame?
Whatareyougoi ngt
odo? ”
“Iwil
lcr
ossthatbri
dgewhenIgett
here.Ican’
t
expecthert
obei nl
ovewit
hmeal r
eady.”
“Sodon’tbesur pri
sedwhenshedeci destoend
whateverthatisbetweeny outwo.Igetthatyoulove
Anayabutber eadyforanythi
ngandtakei tl
i
kea
man.Youmessedupbydi sadvant
agingyoursel
f.
Mathat
ay aanongkegor eAnay awatengomont l
e
tat
a{Thepr oblem nowi sthatAnayaistoobeauti
ful
}
andsheknowsherwor th.Womenl i
keherdon’t
hesi
tat
el eaving.Shehasherownmoney .
”
“
Butthi
sguydoesn’tl
oveher
,ifhedi
dthenhe
woul
dn’
thavehurtheri
nthefi
rstpl
ace.Myheadi
s
nowachi
ng.
”
“
Youneedt
oloosenup,
let
’sgo.
”
“
Letmecal
lherf
ir
st.
”
Lefawal
kedfeetf
rom hi
sbrot
herdial
i
nghernumber
.
Hishear
tsl
ippedassheanswered.
“
Hey
,Ihav
ebeencal
l
ingy
ou.
”
“
Shedoesn’
twantt
otal
ktoy
ou.
”
Lef
afr
ownedatt
hemal
evoi
ce.“
Who’
sthi
s?”
“
Doy
ouknowt
hatAnay
aismar
ri
ed?
”
“
Nicet
ryboy
.”
“
Anaya’
sbridepr
icewaspai
d.Shei
samar
ri
ed
woman,sheismysist
eri
n-l
aw.”
“
Soy
ouar
efi
ght
ingy
ourbr
other
’sbat
tl
es?
”
“Youaregoi
ngt or egr
etitIpromiseyou,
y outhi
nk
youaretheonlypower f
ulonebecauseofy ourf
ather
butIam goi
ngt omakey ouregretev
ercrossing
pathswit
hmybr other.Bett
erenjoyl
i
fenowbecause
Iam comingfory ou.Trustme.”Aganghungup.
“
Whathappened?
”
Lef
alookedathi
sbr
other
.“Anay
aismar
ri
ed.
”
“
What
?”
“
Yeah.
”
“Andshedi dn’
tthinktot
ell
you.Nowbegl
ady
ou
didn’
tint
roducey ourki
dstoher.
”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.
”
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Theyj
umpedinsi
dehi
scarandLef
okodr
ovet
othei
r
usual
club.
“
Wher
eisLebo?”Lef
aaskedast
heywal
kedt
owar
ds
t
hecl
ubent
rance.
“
Shei
spr
egnant
.”
“
Agai
n?”
“NnaLebowant enahela,shetoldmeshehadt aken
herinj
ecti
onandnowshet el
lsmeshei spregnant.I
don’tmindsupporti
ngall
myki dsbutnowitseems
l
ikewehav echil
dreneveryyear.Wehavefourkids
alr
eady,shedoesn’tev
enwor kbecauseofallthe
kids.Thehouseisal waysupsi
dedown, nomai
dl ast
becauseLeboi sjusttoomuch, noonecandeal with
her.Wecan’tevenpl anforot
herthi
ngsbecauseal l
themoneywi ll
bebudgt edforthekids.Ihavel
oansI
am stil
lpay
ing,it
’stoomuch.”
“
Ifyouneedfi
nanci
alhel
pyouknowy
oucanal
way
s
t
alktome.”
“Iknow,kegor ekeamogel a16k{ mysalaryis16k}
andallofitgoest othekids,
loansandhousehol d.I
am notprogressingwithLebo,shekeepsbei ngaset
back,maybet hat’
swhatcomeswi t
hmar r
ying
someonewhof ai
ledhighschool.Iam t
hinkingof
mov i
ngthekidst ogov er
nmentschools.”
Theyent
eredt
hecl
ubandwentt
ogett
hei
rdr
inks.
“
Gent
s!”Kagoj
oinedt
hem andt
heybumpedf
iest
.
Lef
alaughed.“
Okaedr
agonl
ady
?”
Kagol
aughedwi
thhi
m.“
Don’
tletherheary
ou.
”
“TodayIj
ustwanttofuckal
lmyst r
essonawhore.
”
Lefokosai
dlooki
ngaround.Lef
aspottedagi
rl
l
ookingathim,i
fitwasanyotherdayhewoul
d
def
ini
tel
yhi
tthatbutal
lhehadi
nhi
sheadwas
Anaya.
“
Hey
…”
Lef
atur
nedt
osomewoman.
“
Hi.
”
“
CanIsi
t?”
“
Yeah.
”
Shesatbesi
deherandor
der
edadr
ink.
“
Boi
tshepo.
”
Lefalookedatheragai
n,t
histi
mest udy
ingherf ace.
Shewasf inewit
htheoverthetopmakeup, Anaya
neverputonmuchmakeup.Lef astopit
!Don’ t
expecttoseesomeonewi t
hAnay a’
scharacteri
sti
cs.
“
Lef
a.”
Shesmil
ed.“
Iguesswearebothdepr
essed.Iam
goi
ngthr
oughabreakup,
you?”
Ok,
shewasf
ri
endl
ytoo.“
Notexact
ly.
”
Shenoddedr
ecei
vi
ngherdr
ink.“
Bet
tery
out
han
me.
”
Lefashutoffhi
smindbl
ocki
ngAnayathenor
der
ed
anotherdr
ink,f
orhi
msel
fandthel
ady.
Shechuckl
ed.“
Ial
readyhav
eadr
ink.
”
“
Youwi
l
ldr
inkmi
neaf
ter
.”
Boit
shepolaughedthenst
oppedasatearr
andon
hercheek.“
Ok,guesscheer
stomybrokenhear
t.
”
“
Whatdi
dhedot
oyou?
”
Boitshepogul
peddowntherestofherdri
nkthen
grabbedtheoneLefahadboughtforherf
lushi
ngit
downhi sthr
oatt
oo.
“
Hadat
hreesomewi
thmysi
sterandbestf
ri
end.
”
“
Henev
erl
ovedy
ou.
”
Shetur
nedlookingathi
m.“
Wehav
ebeent
oget
her
fort
woy ear
s.”
“
So?Icanbei
nar
elat
ionshi
pwi
thsomeoneandnot
l
oveher
.”
“
Sowhat
?Youpr
etendandsel
lherdr
eams?
”
Lef
ashr
uggedandsi
ppedonhi
sdr
ink.“
Most
lyy
es.
”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his,
ist
hatwhaty
oudo?
”
“
Iam noty
ourboy
fri
end.
”
Boit
sheposhookherhead.“
Iblamemy self
,it
’snot
l
ikehedoesn’tl
oveme,hedoesbutit
’sjustthatI
wasn’tst
ayi
nghereful
lti
me.IhavebeeninChi na
andnowIam back.”
“Soyouexpect
edhi
mtowhat
?Justwai
tfory
ou?
That
’scr
azy.”
Boi
tshepogr
abbedhi
sdr
inkanddr
anki
tal
latone
go.
“
Youar
ebeaut
if
ul,
justl
eav
ehi
m.”
Boi
tsheposmil
ed,
hewasv er
ygoodlooking,t
her
e
wassomethi
ngabouthim shecoul
dn’tputherfi
nger
onbutthewayhespokemadeherclitvibrat
e.
“
Iam goi
ng.
”
Hestoodupsett
li
nghisbi
l
landwalkedout
.
Boi
tsheposatt
heref
orasecondt
henstoodupand
wentaft
erhim.
.
.
.

[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#91

Refi
lwe’
smotherwalkedi nherbedr
oom wit
h
Ret
habil
ewhowassucki ngherthumbthenputher
onthebedwhil
eholdingherbot t
leoff
ormula.
Oshadiwal
kedinholdingherownbaby .
“MamaIaskedf orfor
mulaandyoutol
dmei twas
fi
nishedbuther
ey ouare,
giv
ingmi
lktoRef
il
we’s
baby.”
“
BecauseRefi
l
weboughtthi
smilkf
orherdaught
er.
Herhusbandi
ssuppor
ti
nghiski
ds.
”
“
Wow!Forhowl
ongwi l
lyout
reatRef
il
weli
keshei
s
apr
esi
dent
?Isi
tbecauseshemarri
edari
chman?”
“
No,
becauseshei
sagoodchi
l
d.Shemakesme
proud.Pleasegowi
thy
ourchi
l
d,Iam t
ryi
ngt
ofeed
Rethabi
le.”
Oshadi lookedathermot herforawhi lethen
stormedouthol dingherchi ld.MmaRef il
wehel d
Rethabileinherhandsandgav ehert hebot t
le.She
suckedoni tkickingherl egsi ntheai rwhi lestaring
athergr andmot her .Minut eslater,shewasasl eep.
MmaRef i
lwegent lyputheri nthebabycotand
closedt het opwi thanet .Shewal kedoutoft he
bedroom andwentt otheki tchen,sheshookher
headf i
ndi ngthesi nkfull ofdishes.Silentlyshe
washedt hem thent ookt het rashandwal kedout .
Shet hrewt het hrashi nt hebi nthenf rownedhear i
ng
ahissingsound.Herhear tskippedasshel ookedat
thebigbl acksnakecur l
edi nsidethebi n,unabl eto
sayasi ngl ewor d, sheputherhandov erherchest
feeli
ngst rongpai nst r
iket henmel tedt othegr ound.

*
***
*

Anay
apr
essedLef
a’sgat
eremot
eanddr
ovei
nas
thegateopened.Shest eppedoutoft hecarand
walkedtot hedoorhol di
nghishousekey sand
unlocked.Shef r
ownedasshewal kedinsidehis
househear ingmoans.Sl owlyshewal kedt ohis
bedroom wher ethesoundswher ecomi ngf r
om then
withherfinger s,pushedtheslight
lyopendoor .Fora
momentt hereshedi dn’
tknowhowt or eact,
Lefa
wasf ucki
ngheri nt hemiddleofther oom whileshe
touchedhert oes.Ittookherbackt othedayshehad
walkedinonMi guel f
ucki
ngMar ang.Feel i
ngher
presence,Lef alookedatt hedoort henquicklypull
ed
out.Anayawal kedoutofhi shouseandwai tedby
hercar.Mi nutesl at
erLefawalkedoutandl ookedat
herwithregr et.
“
Youwor
eyourt
-shi
rtwr
ong.
”
Helookedathi
msel
fthensi
ghed.“
Itdoesn’
tmean
any
thing.
”
Anay
anodded.“
Ok.
”
Lef
ast
aredatherunsur
eofwhatt
osay
.
“Look,
maybeweshoul
djustdr
opwhat
evert
hati
s
goingonbet
weenus.
”
“
Ist
hatwhyy
oucameher
e?”
Anayashookherhead.“No.Iactual
lywantedtotell
youthatIwon’tmakeittoVi
ctori
afall
sbecause
somethingj
usthappenedandt otel
lyouthatI
appr
eciateyoudefendi
ngmeev enthoughitresul
ted
i
nsomeonebei ngver
yhurt
.”
Lef
arubbedhi
shandst
oget
her
.“Howi
she?
”
“
Hei
sint
ernal
l
ybl
eedi
ng.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“I
t’
sok,Ican’tbewi t
hyouany morebecausewhatI
sawwi l
lfor
v erhauntme.IoncewalkedinonMiguel
i
nt hesameposi ti
onandtil
ltoday,
Iwakeupinthe
middleofnightcryi
ngbecauseitsti
ll
hauntsme.”
“
Whenwer
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lmey
ouar
emar
ri
ed?
”
“
What
?”
“Iknowyourbr
idepr
icewaspai
d,whenwer
eyou
goingtot
ellme?”
“
Idi
dn’
tthi
nkitwasimport
antbecauseMi
guel
mar
ri
edanotherwoman.”
“
Butyouarest
il
lhi
swi
fe,
younev
erbot
her
edt
ohav
e
t
hatcancel
l
ed.
”
“
Becausehehadgot
tenmar
ri
ed.
”
“
Soy
ouwon’
thav
ethatcancel
l
ed?
”
“
Iam t
hinki
ngabouti
t.
”
“
Wow.
”
Anay
asi
ghed.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Soam I.Youarer
ight
,Idon’
tthi
nkIal
sowanttobe
i
narel
ationshi
pwi
thsomeonewhoi si
ndeci
si
ve.”
Anayashookherhead.“Ok.”Shet
ookhiskeysand
handedthem t
ohim.“Ibel
ievethi
sisy
ours.”
Shegoti nhercaranddroveoff.Shet
ookadeep
breaththi
nkingofRefi
l
we, whathadshedone?She
parkedthecaront hesideoftheroadandbroke
downcr yi
ng.Shetookherphoneandcal l
edher
mot her
.
“
Anay
a.”
“
MamaIki
l
ledher
.”
“
Nay
awhat
’sgoi
ngon?Whodi
dyouki
l
l?”Gl
ori
a
askedpani
cki
ng.
“
Shei
sdead.Iki
l
ledher
.”Anay
asobbed.
“
Iam conf
used,
whathappened?
”
“
Iki
l
ledher
,Iam embar
rassment
.Ishoul
dn’
thav
e…”
“
Anay
atel
lmewhat
’shappeni
ng.
”
“Shekil
ledQuinsytoo.Hewasinnocent.Hedidn’
tdo
anythi
ng.Mamamyhear ti
sinpain.
”Shesobbed
evenlouderwhileGlor
iat
ri
edunderstandingwhat
herdaughterwassay i
ngbutal
lshecoul dhearwere
hercri
es.Anayadroppedthephoneandpour edout
herheartcry
ing.

*
***
*

Gl
ori
agotof
fbedshaki
nghol
dingherphone.
“I
ssheok?
”Morganaskedworr
iedl
y,hehadhear
d
Anayaast
hephonehadbeenonloudspeaker
.
“Idon’
tknow,sheisj
ustcr
ying,
Iam worr
ied.She
hasbeenthroughsomuch.”Shetr
iedcal
li
ngAnay a
backbutt
hecal
lwasnotgoi
ngt
hrough.
“
Godpl
easepr
otectmydaught
er,
prot
ectmypr
ide.
”
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Glor
iaquickl
ynoddedlooki
ngatherhusband.They
bothchangedandlef
tKanyeheadedtoGabor one.

*
***
*

Agangwalkedinsi
dehi
shouseandsati
nhi
sli
vi
ng
room wi
thhishandsonhi
sface.
“
Hey
,youar
eback.
”
Hetookhi
shandsoffhi
sfaceandl
ookedatSar
ona
t
yingherr
ob.“
Yeah…”
“
Whathappened?
”
Her ubbedhi
schi
nfeeli
ngguil
ty.“
Sheburnedher
sel
f
togetherwi
thQui
nsy.Ishoul
dhaveprot
ectedher
andQ. ”
“
Babe,
ther
ewasnot
hingy
oucoul
ddo.
”
“
Ishoul
dhav
epr
otect
edBK’
sfami
l
y.”
“Youdidnothingwrong.Refi
l
wemaybedeadbut
sheknewall ofyouwil
lneverbehappyf
eel
i
nggui
l
ty.
Exact
lythi
siswhatshewant ed.”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.
”
“
Wher
eisNay
a?”
“
Att
hecl
i
nic.Shef
aint
ed.
”
Sar
ona’
sey
espopped.“
Issheok?
”
“
Yeah,
shewascr
ying.
”
“
Ineedt
ogoandseeher
.”
“
Babei
t’
slat
eandmay
beshegotdi
schar
ged.
”
“
Anayaismybestf
ri
end,
Iam goi
ngt
oseeher
.Let
mechange.
”
Hewat
chedherwal
kaway
.
“
FuckAgang!
”
Herubbedhisface,
whywer ethosef
eelingsback
agai
n,hecouldswearhehadbur i
edthem andnow
l
ookedatAnay aashissi
steri
n-l
aw.Saronawalked
backi
nnowi
nadr
essandf
li
pfl
ops.
“
Letmecal
lher
.”
Saronadi
aledhernumbert
henf
rownedt
aki
ngt
he
phoneoffherear
.
“
It
’sof
f.Dropmeatherhouse.Youwi
l
lcomeback
f
orAaron.
”
“
Ok.
”
Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.

*
***
*

Oshadi
wal
kedout
sidet
alki
ngont
hephone.
“Idon’tevenknowwhymamat
reat
sourki
ds
diff
erentl
y.”
Herf
riendl
aughed.“Youarest
il
lther
e?Ref i
l
webuy s
f
oodforherdaughter,
sendsmoneyf orherdaught
er,
t
hat’
swhy .
”
“
Ijusthat
eherandt
hatugl
ybl
ackt
hingofher
s.”
“
Itol
dyou,comebackF-town.Leavethekidsand
j
ustcome.Yourmotherwon’thaveachoicebutt
o
t
akecareofyourt
wokids.”
“
Youar eri
ghtbutIdon’
tev
enhav
emoneyf
or
t
ransport
.”
“
Gir
lyouaretel
li
ngmey oucan’
tputyourhandson
l
essthatP200?Youar
enotseri
ous.”
Oshadisi
ghedthef
rownedlookingatthebin.She
tookastepbackwhi
leherheartpounded,shecould
swearapersonwasther
e.
“
Ther
eissomeoneout
side.
”
“Getbacki
nsi
det
hehouse.
”Herf
ri
endsai
dthent
he
call
cut.
Oshadistar
edatt heper
son,
heorshewasn’
t
moving.Shelookedaroundt
hensl
owlywal
kedt
o
t
hegat e.
“Mama!
”Shescr
eamednoti
cingi
twashermother.
Shehel
dhermot
her’
shandthenscr
eamedlouder
cal
li
ngf
orhel
p.
Shest
oodupandr
ant
ohernei
ghborwhohadacar
.
Shebangedont
hedoorr
oughl
y.
“
RragweSi
mon,
nthuse!{
Hel
pme.
}”
Thedooropenedsecondsl
atert
oanol
dmanwi
tha
st
ick.
“
Oshadi
…”
“Mama…nt huse!{Helpme.}”Shepointedather
mot her’
sbodyshaki ng.Theoldmanr ushedback
i
nsidet hehouseandcamebackwi t
ht hekeyofhis
car.Hest art
edthecaranddr ovetoOshadi ‘
syardas
sher anbackkneelingbeforeherunresponsive
mot her.Theybothpickedherupandpl acedheri
n
thecar.
“
Let
’sgo.
”
“
Pleasej
ustt
akeher
,Iam comi
ng.Ihav
eki
ds.
”
“
Didi
cant
akecar
eoft
hem.Shei
sol
denough.
”
“
Sheisonl
y3,Ihavetwobabies,
pleasedr
opmy
mot
heratthehospi
tal
.Iam coming.
”
Theoldmandr oveawayasOshadiwalkedback
i
nsidethehose.Shecoul
dn’
tevenbri
ngherselft
o
cr
y.Shetookherphoneanddidmulti
plecal
lbacks
onRefi
lwebutshedi
dn’tcal
lback.Shel
oggedi
non
zer
ofacebookandsentRefi
l
weamessage.Her
phonerang.
“
Hey
,whowasi
t?”
“Fr
iend,
itwasmama,Ihav
eaf
eel
i
ngshei
sdead.
Shewasn’tmovi
ng.
”
“
Whathappenedt
oher
?”
“
Idon’
tknow.Pl
easer
echar
gemyphone.
”
“
Ok,kegotsenyet
saP5hel
a.Lennammagakena
madi
.{Iam put
ti
ngP5onl
y.Ial
sodon’
thav
e
money.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Shhungupandsecondsl ater,P5r eportedinher
phone.Shequi ckl
ydialedRef il
we’snumberbuti t
didn’
tgot hrough.Shef rownedandt ookt hephone
offherear .Shesubscr i
bedf orwhat sapponl ywi
th
theP3, whoknew, Refi
lwemi ghthavebl ockedher
from call
i
ng.Sheopenedherwhat sappmessages
andscr ol
ledt oRefil
we’sname.Herl astseenhad
beenhour sback.May beshewasf l
yingandt hat
’s
whythephonewasn’tgoingt
hrough.Shescr ol
l
ed
thr
oughhernumbersandcameacr ossMi guel’
s
number.Shest
art
edt y
pingatextbutthenfigur
eda
cal
lwoulddo.Maybeshecouldconvincehimt o
sendmoney.
Herhear
tski
ppedashi
sphoner
ang.
“
Miguel
’
sphonehel
l
o?”
“Hel
lo,
keOshadi
,monnaweRef
il
we.{
It
’sOshadi
,
Refi
l
we’sy
oungersi
ster
.}
”
“
Oh,
hi.I
t’
sAgang,
Miguel
’
sbr
other
.”
“
Mymot herisdead,
Ifoundherout
side,
Idon’
tknow
whathappened.
”
“
What
?”
“
Yes.It
ri
edcal
l
ingFi
fibutherphoneseemsof
f.
”
“
Uh.
.ther
ewasanacci
denther
e.”
“
Whathappened?
”
“
Yoursi
sterki
l
ledher
sel
f.
”
Oshadi
paused.“
What
?”
“
Yes,
toget
herwi
thQui
nsy
.”
“I
jooweeeeh!
”Thecal
lcutduet
oinsuf
fi
ci
entf
unds.
Agangquickl
ycal
ledback.
“
Iam r
eal
l
ysor
ry.
”
“
Why
?”
“
Mybr
otherser
vedherwi
thdi
vor
cet
henshe…”
“Modimonthuse!Yaanongkemangot l
o
ntl
hokomel
aRet habi
l
e?Lennakenal
emer wal
okana.
Gakebereke.{Godhel pme.Sowhoisgoi
ngtotake
careofRet
habile?Ihavemyownburden.Idon’
t
work.
}”
“Iwi
llewal
lety
oumoneytobuywhat
everi
s
necessar
yforRef
il
we.I
syourmot
herreal
l
ydead?
”
“Idon’
tknowbutshewasn’
tmov
ing.Shemustbe
dead.”
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Athome,
Icoul
dn’
tleav
etheki
dsal
one.
”
“
ThankGod.Iwil
lewall
etyout
hemoneyj
ustnow
t
hewecanwai tf
orthefor
ensi
cst
oret
ri
eveyour
sist
er’sashandQuinsy
’s.Iam sur
eRef
il
wehada
funeralpol
icyf
oryourmother.
”
“
Ok.Thanky
ou.
”
“
Pleaset
akecar
eofRet
habi
l
e.”
“
Ok,mmel etl
ogomot
say
aaker
e?{
youar
egoi
ngt
o
t
akherr
ight?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
ThankGod.
.”
Oshadisatonherbed, i
fhermot herwasdeadi t
meantthehousewasher s,shehadoncehear dher
mothertalki
ngt oRefi
lweabouthermar riagestatus,
shewasmar ri
edoutofcommuni tyofproperty,
it
meantev ery
thingRefi
lweev erownedcoul dbeher s.
Incl
udi
ngt hattrav
eli
ngbusi nessshehadst art
ed.
Oshadismi l
edimagininghernewl if
e.P600r eported
i
nherphoneandshest aredatt hemessagewi t
ha
hugesmi l
e.

*
***
*
AgangparkedinfrontofAnay
a’sgate,
hercarwasn’
t
out
side.Hesteppedoutandpressedthei
ntercom.
“
Yes?
”Av
oicesai
dfr
om t
hespeaker
.
“
Hi,
Ayana?
”
“
Yes,
who’
sthi
s?”
“
Agang.
”
“
Oh,
uncl
eAgang.Iwi
l
lopenup.
”
Hesteppedbackt
hent
hegat
esl
i
dopen.Hej
umped
backinthecar
.
“
Isshei
n?”
“
Idi
dn’
task,
Ispket
oAy
ana.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hedr ov
eint hentheybothsteppedoutoft hecar.
Ayanaopenedt hedoorandwal kedouti nher
pajamas.Agangsmi led,i
thadbeenl ongsincethe
l
asttimehesawherandshewasmat ur
inglikefi
ne
wine.Shewasbeaut iful
,nowhecoul dseet hat
beautyraninthefami l
y.Wit
hsomet hingassi mpl
e
asacor nr
ow, shelookedbeauti
ful
.
“
Uncl
eA!
”
Hesmiledf
istbumpi
ngwi
thher
.“Ay
a,how’
s
school
?”
“
It
’sf
ine,
Iam,
doi
ngmyi
nter
nshi
p.”
“
Bri
l
li
ant
.”
Shel
aughed.“
Yes!Br
il
li
ancer
unsi
nthef
ami
l
y.”
“
HiAy
ana.
”
“
AuntSar
ona.
”
“Bat
hongngwanaoonal
emai
tseo.{
Godt
hischi
l
d
hasmanners.
}”
“
Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam fi
ne,wher
eisy
oursi
ster
?”Sar
onaasked
l
ooki
ngaround.
“Oh,
shelongl
eftbutshet
ext
edmeal
mostanhour
ago,shei
sonherway .
”
“
Oh,ok.
”Sar
onal
ookedbackatAgang.“
Iwi
l
lwai
t
f
orher.
”
“
Ok,
cal
lmewhenshear
ri
ves.
”
Saronawal kedt othedoorandAy anaturnedpul
li
ng
upherpaj amapant s.Agangqicklylookedawayand
gotbacki nsidehiscart henddroveof f
.Hepasseda
carpar kedont hesideoft heroadthesloweddown
l
ooki ngback.Itwasher .Her ever
sedandpar ked
besidehert hengotof fthecar.
“
Nay
a.”
Heopenedherdoorandl ookedather,shewas
rest
ingherheadont hest
ir
ingwheel,
hecould
almostfeelherpai
n.Nowthathethoughtofit
,she
hadbeent hrughsomuchallherl
i
feandcouldn’t
seem tocatchabreak.
Hepul
ledheroutandlookedatherwetf
aceand
r
eddi
sheyes.Hishear
tbrokefrohert
hengent
lyhe
wi
pedawayhertears.
“Hey…youneedt ostopdoingthist
oy our
self.I
t’sno
onesfaultthatRefil
wekil
ledhersel
fandQui nsyin
ordert
ogetbackatMi guel.Shesenthim amessage.
IhavehisphoneandIj ustswitcheditonafterIlef
t
youinthecl i
nic.Isawallthemessagesshesent
himtil
lthatfinalmessage.Sheknewhel ovedy ou,
sheknewal waysknewitandshedi dthi
storevenge
onhim.Sodon’ tbl
amey oursel
fforhersel
fi
sh
act
ions.Evenifyoudi
dn’tcomeback, tr
ustmeit
wasn’tgoi
ngtowor kout.
”
Anay
ashookherhead.“
Irui
nedhermar
ri
age.He
l
ovedher
,hesai
dhedid.”
“Hesai
di tt
ohurty
ou.Youdon’
tdeser
vet
his.You
didnot
hingwrong.
”
“Il
ovedhi m.Thatwaswr ong.Ishouldhav
e
respectedhismar r
iage.Iwasselfishandsel
f
centered.Idraggedthekidsintothebigmess,I
madet hem l
i
e.ImadeQui nsyli
e.”
Aganghuggedher ,thatf eelinghehadf el
tearl
ieron
cameback.Hi shear tbeatuncont r
oll
ablyashe
huggedher.Itfel
trighthav i
ngherinhi sarms,now
allhewantedwast oseet hatbeautif
ulsmi l
eonher
face.Heinhaledherscentr ubbingherback, heknew
hewoulddoany t
hingf ort hi
swomanbecauseno
mat t
erwhat,helovedher .Hest eppedbackasshe
calmeddown.Het ookof fhi st-
shirtandhandedi tt
o
her.
“
Youcanwi
pey
ourf
aceandbl
owy
ournose.
”
“
NoI
..
-“
“
Youl
ookabi
tscar
yri
ghtnow.
”
Shetookt
het-shi
rtandwi
pedherneckt
henf
ace
andblewhernose.
“
Iwi
l
lrepl
acei
t.
”
“Youdon’thav eto.Wear efamily.Youar ean
amazingper son, youmakemi stakesj ustli
keany
otherpersonoutt here.All
thatmakesy ouhuman.
Ashumansweal lwantt obehappyandsoy eah,you
wereselfisht obewi ththemany oul ove.Butt hat
’si
t,
Refil
weknewandsheknewonedayhewasgoi ngto
l
eav eher.Mi guelnev erwantedkidswi t
hher ,Iam
nottryi
ngt ot al
kbadaboutsomeonewhonowcan’ t
defendher selfbutRef i
lwekil
ledher selftotorment
you.Don’tletherr uleyourli
feli
ket his.Shecal led
yousoy ouwoul dalway sli
vewitht hegui lt
.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.Sar
onai
swai
ti
ngf
ory
ou.
”
Shenoddedt
hengotbacki
nthecar
.Agangl
eaned
ov
erandt
ookhi
st-
shi
rt
.
“
Iwi
l
lwasht
hat
.”
“Don’
twor
ry.Gohomeandr
est
,ithasbeenal
ong
night
.”
Shecl
osedherdoorst
art
inghercart
hendr
oveof
f.

*
***
*

Oshadiwal kedoutoft hehouseear l

yint hemor ni
ng.
Wame, hermot her’sfri
end’sdaughterlockedt he
doorbehindher .Shecaughtal i
fttothecl i
nic,
RragweSi monhadt oldhermotherwasst i
llali
vebut
thedoctorssaidshesuf feredami l
dhear tattack.
Minuteslatershewal kedinsi
dethecl i
nicandspoke
toanursewhodi rectedhertowher ehermot herwas.
Shewal kedinsidehermother’
swar d,shewasalone
i
nside.Oshadi star
edathermot herwhowas
sleepingt henlookedatthepil
low.Shecouldjust
smot herhert odeath.Oshadigrabbedthepil
l
ow
thenpr essedonhermot her
’sface.Hermother
thr
ashedbutshepressedt
hepi
l
lowhar
der
complet
elysuf
focat
ingher
.
.
.
.
Don'
tfor
gett
oleav
eal
i
keandacomment
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#92

Hermotherweakl
yfoughtt
obr
eat
hebutOshadi
over
poweredher.
“Helang!Oir
ang{Goodness!Whatar
eyoudoing?}
”A
nursey el
l
edwalki
nginthenpushedOshadi
off.
“
Uhhshe…”
“
Secur
it
y!”Thenur
sescr
eami
ng.“
Secur
it
y!”
Oshadil
ookedathermotherwhowaspantingthen
ranofft
hrought
heemergencyexi
t.Herheart
poundedassheranfast
er.Shest
oppedataxithen
j
umpedatt hebackt el
l
inghim wher
eshewasgoi ng.
Minutesl
atershesteppedoutofthecarandwalked
i
nsidetheyard.Sheroughl
yknockedont hedoor
,
Wameopenedt hedoorholdi
ngRethabi
le.
“
Arey
ouok?
”
“
Yes.
”
Oshadiwalkedinsi
depassingherkidsandwenther
mother’
sbedroom thentookherhandbagand
countedall
themoney .Shetookital
lthenwentt
o
herbedroom wheresheshov edsomeofherclot
hes
i
nherbagandwal kedout.
“
Take,
”shehandedWameP100.“Taketheki
dsto
t
hehospi
tal,mymot
heri
sther
ethentheremaini
ng
moneyi
sy ours.
”
“
Thanky
ou.Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
UhhhIhav
ebeencal
l
edf
orani
nter
view.
”
“
Ok.
”
Oshadi
wal
kedoutandwentwi
thoutgl
anci
ngback.
*
***
*

Anayasatwi
thhermot
herandMor
gani
nthel
i
ving
room.
“
Ifeel
gui
l
ty.
”
Glori
ashookherhead.“ It’
snotyourfault
, y
ou
shouldn’tfeelguil
ty.Weallmakemi stakes,you
madeami stakebygoingbackt oMiguel and
sneakingof fwithhim butRefi
l
wemadeachoi ceto
ki
llherselfandherson.Shedi ditthatbyher self
.
Youwer enotmar ri
edtoherandasmuchasy ou
werewr ong, theonlypersonwecanbl amei sMi guel,
heistheonewhoexchangedv owswi t
hher .”
“Shewasnothappymama,
Itookawayher
happi
ness.
”
“Ther
ei snothi
ngl i
kethat
.Herhusbandi stheone
whot ookawayherhappi ness.Wheny ourfat
herran
offwiththatwoman, fort
helongestti
meIhat edher
butIreali
zedthatshewasnotobl i
gatedt obeloy
al
tomebesi desusbei ngfr
iends.Mogomot siwasmy
husbandnother ,heshouldhaverespectedour
marri
ageandhedidn’
t.Nowt hatIl
ookmoreintoit
,I
real
i
zemay beit
’st
hement al
i
tyweaswomenhav e,
i
famanhav eanaf
fai
r,yougetitonwit
hother
womani nst
eadofdeal
ingwiththeant
hil
li
ny our
house.
”
“Iagreewi t
hyourmot her.”Morganadded.“ You
shouldn’tbeatyourselftoomuch.Theonl ymi stake
wasbei nginlovewi thMi guelwhilehewasst i
ll
mar r
ied,youshouldhav ewaitedf orhimt odivorce
herbecauset omei tseemsasi fhewasst i
llgoing
todivorcehereitherway .Nowasf orhim beingin
hospital
,thatoneisnoty oufaultatal l
,matterof
fact,
hedeser vesit.Thatmanwhost abbedhi m
shouldhav edonewor se.Idon’trespondwel lt
o
womenabuser s.”
“
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
mehewashar
assi
ngy
ou?
”
Anayasi
ghedl
ooki
ngathermot
her
.“It
houghtI
coul
dhandl
eit
.”
“Nextt
imetel
lusort
ellme,Iwil
lcomeal ltheway
fr
om Kanyeandputt
hatboyinplace.”Morgansaid.
Anayasmil
ed,hewasthebeststepfathereverand
helov
edhermot her.That
’swhatseal
edt
hedeal
for
her
.Lethabosaidhelovedherhi
m moret
hanhe
l
ovedhisownf ather
.
“Maybeit
’sbecausethebr
idepr
icethatwaspaid
wasnevercancell
ed.Weneedtohaveitcancell
ed,
I
havehaditwit
hthatfamil
y.Mydaughterwi
llnotbe
bethei
rmatt.
”
Ayanawalkedintheli
vingroom wit
hat r
ayofcups.
Sheputitontheglasstableandwalkedbacktothe
ki
tchenwhereshecamebackwi thabowl ofsuger
andalit
tl
ejugofmi l
k.Lethabowalkedinwiththe
j
ugcoffee.
“NnamamaIam f ul
l
yinsuppor
twithy
ou.”Ayana
sai
dsitt
ingbesi
deAnaya.“
Thebri
depri
ceshouldbe
cancel
l
ed.”
“Howdi
dheevenmarrytheotherwomanwhi l
ehe
hadpai
dbr
idepr
icehere?”Morganaskedconfused.
“Theynevercamet ocancelany t
hing,
ItoldAnaya
aboutitbutshesaidIshouldjustleav
eit.Thatwas
whenshewasst i
ll
inSouthAf ri
ca,whenshecame
backshenev ersai
danything.Itmeansthe
Mokwena’
snev
erbot
heredwi
thi
tandl
ett
hei
rson
marr
yagai
nsomewhereel
se.
”
“Cancel
l
ingpastar
rangement
sist
hef
ir
stt
hingwe
needtodo.”
Anaya’
sphoner
angandsheexcusedher
sel
f
answer
ing.
“
Agang,
”
“
Hey
,ar
eyouhome?
”
“
Yes,
isMi
guel
ok?
”
“
Yeah,
theymanagedt
ost
opt
hebl
eedi
ng.
”
“
ThankGod!
”
“
Myf
ami
l
ywoul
dli
ket
omeetwi
thy
ourf
ami
l
y.”
Anay
asi
ghed.“
Letmet
alkt
omymom,
shei
sher
e.”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupt
henwal
kedbackt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom.

MmaMokwenaangr
il
ylookedatherhusband.
“
See?Seewhaty
ousuppor
ted!Todaysheki
l
ledmy
gr
andson.
”
Mokwenalookedathi
swi
fewhowasfumi
ng.“
How
coul
dIhav
eknownshewoulddothat
?”
“
Howcoul dy ounot?Itoldyouther
ewassomet hi
ng
wit
hthisgir
landy ourefusedtoli
stent
ome.Itold
youBoikanyodidn’
twantt omarryher,
Itol
dyouthi
s
monthsbeforetheweddi ngbutyoupushed
t
hreateni
nghi m.
”
“
Ijustwant
edwhatwasbestf
orhi
m.”
“Hadyouwant edwhatwasbestf orhimthenyou
shoul
dhav esupport
edy ourson.Itol
dyouwehadto
gototheShatof ami
lyandtalktothem buty
ou
ref
used.Todaylook!
”
“WhatwasIsupposedt
odo?Thei
rdaught
err
an
off
.”
“Sheranof
fbecauseofMiguel
!Hewascheati
ngon
herbutnowIseetheappl
edoesn’
tfal
lfarf
rom t
he
tree.
”
“
MmaMokwenawhati
sthatsupposedt
omean?
”
“
Itmeanshady
ougui
dedy
oursoni
nther
ight
ful
di
recti
onwewoul dn’
tbeher e.AnayaisMi guel’
swi
fe,
whetheryouignor
ethatfactory oudon’t
.Wepai d
bri
depriceforher
!Cal
ltherestoft hefamily,
we
havetoclai
m ourdaughteri
n-law.”
“Theywon’tl
i
stentous,Miguel
wasmar
ri
edt
o
anotherwoman,theyknowthat
.”
“Thenwearegoingtoapol
ogize!It
oldyouthat
Miguelwassti
l
linlov
ewithAnay aandyourefused
toli
stent
ome.Todayhei sharassi
ngherand
beati
ngher.
”
Theyheardthedoorcl
osi
ngandst
opped
tal
ki
ng.Sar
onawalkedinwit
hasmil
e.“
Good
morni
ng.”
“
Mor
ningmydear
.”MmaMokwenasai
dwi
thasmi
l
e.
“
Iwi
l
lmakey
oubr
eakf
ast
.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”

*
I
ntheki
tchenSar
onat
ookherphoneandcal
l
ed
Anay
a.
“
Hey
,”
“Youwon’
tbeli
eve,
youri
n-l
awsar
eher
e.Mma
Mokwenaisangry,
theywantt
ocl
aimyou.Iam so
happy
,fi
nal
ly
!”
“Idon’
twantMiguelanymore.Iam justt
ir
ed,
all
thi
s
i
sexhausti
ng.Notev enayearsinceIcamebackand
alr
eadysomuchi sgoingon.”
“
Comeon,
nowt
hingswi
l
lgobackt
onor
mal
.”
“Idoubt.Ij
usthatet
hefactt
hatalotofthingsti
eme
toMi guel
.Eventhebusi
nesswearegoingt oopen,
it
hasbot hournamesonit.Ij
ustwanttoleavethi
s
placeandjustgosomewhereforfr
eshai r
.”
“
Youar
eopeni
ngabusi
ness?
”
“Yes.Iam j
ustexhaust
ed.Thi
swhol
eRef
iwl
eissue
haswor nmeout .
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“I
t’
sok.Iam l
ooki
ngintootherbusi
nessv
entur
esI
cangetint
o.Iwasthi
nkingmaybeIcanstar
ta
t
elecommuni
cat
ioncompanyorabrewer
ybutIam
l
eaningmor
eontelecommuni
cat
ions.
”
“
Wow!Thatneedsal
otofmoney
.”
“IknowbutIhaveconnect
ionssoitwi
ll
makethi
ngs
easier
.Ei
therway,
youhavet ospendmoneyt
o
makemoney .”
“Whowil
lruni
tsi
ncey
ouar
eal
readyr
unni
ng
OsWorl
d.”
“Iwil
lconnectt
hem.Iwi
l
lhavetoopenit
somewher enoti
nGabor
one.Buthavet
wo
branches.
”
“
Youar
eonehel
lofal
ady
.Makesmef
eel
smal
l
.”
“
Don’
t.Youwi
l
lgett
her
e.”
“
Okby
e,l
etmebr
eakf
ast
.”
“
Bye.
”
Anay
ahungupt
henSar
onabeganmaki
ngbr
eakf
ast
.

*
***
*
Theodorawal
kedinsi
deheroff
iceandsatdown.
Shetookoutherphoneandopenedherwhatsapp,
shescrol
ledt
hroughrepl
yi
ngsomeofhermessages
.Shecameacr ossAnaya’
scontactt
hendeci
dedto
cal
lher.
“
Hi,
”
“
Hey
,it
’sTheodor
a.”
Anay
alaughed.“
Iknow,
Ihav
eyournumber
.”
“
Ok,
didy
ouhav
eti
met
olookatmypr
oposal
?”
“
Iactual
l
ydidandit
’sact
ual
l
ygood.Maybewecan
meetnextweekandtal
kmoreabouti
t.
”
“
Ok,
that
’sgood.
”
“
Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine,
thanks.
”
“
It
’sok,
bye.
”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungupwi
thasmi
l
e.Asof
tknockont
hedoor
madeherr
aiseherhead.
“
Comei
n!”
Hercol
l
eaguewal
kedi
n.
“
Hey
,sot
hebossi
sback.
”
“
Real
l
y?”
“
Yeah.Hasy
ourcont
ractbeenr
enewed?
”
“
No.
”
“
Hewant
stoseey
ou.
”
“
Ok.
”
Theodorastoodupandwalkedtoherboss’
sof f
ice
i
nherf ouri
nchheel
sandnav ybl
ueformalsuit
.She
knockedgentl
yonthedoorthenwalkedi
nside.
Mr
.Modi
sanel
ookedatherasshewal
kedi
n.
“
Goodmor
ningsi
r,
”
“
Mor
ningMr
sMwanza.
”
“
MsLoet
o.”
MrModi
sanel
ookedatherbar
efi
ngert
hensmi
l
ed.
“
Idi
dn’
tknow,
for
giveme.”
“
It
’sok.
”
“
Youcansi
t.
”
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
handsatdown.
“
AsyouknowIt r
aveloutofcountr
yalmostev
ery
t
imebecauseofotherengagements,
Iwasactual
ly
l
ooki
ngint
ohiri
ngsomeonewhowoul dhel
pmer un
t
hecompanytil
lIsawy ourpor
tfol
i
o.”
Theodor
alookedathi
m si
l
ent
ly.
“
Ithi
nky
ouhavewhati
ttakest
olookaf
termychai
r
i
nmyabsence.
”
Theodorasmi
l
edsur
pri
sed.“
Youwantmet
orunt
he
NGO? ”
“
Yes,Ithi
nkyouareonedet
ermi
nedwomanand
whatbett
erwaytoempowerwomanthant
his.
”
“
Thanky
ousomuch.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Shestoodupandshookhishandthentur
nedtot
he
door
.Amanwal kedi
n,shefr
ownedthentur
nedt
o
Mr.Modisaneandbackattheman.
“Don’
tbesurprised,Iam Lef
ika,
heismyy
ounger
brot
her,
Lefatsh,thoughwear etwi
ns”
Confusedshenoddedt
henwalkedout.Herphone
rangassoonasshewalkedi
nsideheroff
ice.
“
Chr
ist
ian.
”
“
Hey
,Iwanttot
akeLoagowi
tht
oZambi
a
t
omorr
ow.”
“ButIal
readyhavepl
answi
thhi
m.Iam goingto
Franci
stowntoseemymother
.Itext
edyou.”
“
Iknow,
Ireal
l
yneedt
ogot
oZambi
awi
thhi
m.”
“NoChristi
an,
Iam notcancel
li
ngmyplansfory
ou.
PleasedropoffLoagot
oday.”Shehungup.

*
***
*

Lef
ikasatdownopposi
tehi
sbr
other
.
“
Whoi
sthat
?”
“
Myf
utur
ewi
fe.
”
Lef
ikal
aughed.“
Whathappenedt
oAnay
a?”
“
Shecaughtmewi
thBot
shel
o.“
“
Thegi
rlf
rom t
hecl
ub?
”
“
Yeah.Ei
therway
,Iknewi
twasgoi
ngt
oend.
”
“
Ilongt
oldy
ou.Di
dyougetBoi
tshel
o’snumber
?”
Lefal
aughed.“Iwil
lsendthoughtherei
snot
hing
speci
alabouther.Justr
egularpussy
.”
Lef
a’sphoner
angt
henheanswer
ed.
“
Mom…”
“Iwasact
uallycal
l
ingt
oaskf orAnay
a’snumber
,you
knowthelastti
meIfor
got.Iwanttobakeon
Satur
dayandmay bewecanbondov erthat
.”
Lef
asi
ghed.“
Shewon’
tbear
ound.
”
“Lefatshegi
vemehernumber,Iwi
llconvi
nceher
.
Shei smydaughteri
n-l
aw,
Ihopeyouhav emoney
readyt omarr
yher.Womenli
keherdon’tl
ike
wast i
ngtime.
”
Lefalookedathi
sbr
otherwhohadhi
shand
str
etched.
“
Lef
ikawant
stal
ktoy
ou.
”
“I
fhewant st
otalktomehewill
cal
lme.Send
Anaya’snumber.By
emyboy .
”ShehungandLef
ika
whist
ledshaki
nghishead.
“
Youshoul
dhav
etol
dher
.”

*
***
*

Rachelwatchedherhusbanddressr
ubbi
ngher
stomach.Kennet
hbr ushedhi
shairt
hengrabbedhi
s
carkeys.
“
Cal
lmei
fyouneedany
thi
ng.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Iwi
l
l,goandcheckony
ourcousi
n.”
Kennethkissedhercheekthenwal kedoutwithher
phone.Shest oodupandwal kedtothekit
chen
whereshegr abbedicecr
eam t ubandapacketof
si
mbachi ps.Shechangedthechannel andwat ched
areali
tyshowdi ppi
ngthechipsintheicecream
eati
ng.Herphoner angandshel ookedatLone’s
namef l
ashingandansweredbor ed.
“
Yes.
”
“
IsawCour
tney
.”
“
Oh…”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
eveshewasr
eleasedaf
terwhatshedi
d
t
ome.”
“Shepushedy oubymist
ake,Iam sur
et hecourt
consi
deredthatandshehasbeenoutf ortwoy ear
s
now.Pleaseleaveheral
one,
sheisnotbot her
ing
you.
”
“Rachelam Imissi
ngsomet hi
ng?Ekarekego
patel
etsabotsal
ay anong{i
t’
sli
keIam f
orci
ngthe
fri
endship}andifi
t’
sliket
hatj
ustt
ell
me.”
“Idon’twantt obef ri
endswi thsomeonewho
humiliatesotherwomani npubl icli
kethat.Youdon’t
behavel ikeawomanorev ensomeone’ swife.You
behavel ikearatchetandIdon’ twanttobe
associatedwi t
ht hat.Isti
l
l can’tbeli
eveyousaidall
thoset hingsaboutAnay aal lbecauseshef i
redyou
from hercompany .Youwer enotev enquali
fiedfor
theofficey ouwor kedin,youshoul dhave
appreciat edt
hef actthatshewant edtopayy our
feesbutbecauseyouaresobitt
eryoucan’
tev
en
seeit
.YoulostMiguelbecauseyouki
ll
edhi
schil
d
notbecauseofAnaya!
”
“
Wow!
”
“Idon’tcar
eanymore.Youar
ebitt
erbecauseyou
don’thavethel
astsurnameyoual
waysdr eamtt
o
have.”
“Soy outhi
nkmarry
ingaMokwenaisan
achievement?Youaresonaï
veit
’sashame.Al
l
thosemencheatinthatfami
ly
.Don’tt
hinkt
oohi
ghl
y
ofyourself
.”
“
Iwil
lthi
nkhi
ghl
yofmy
sel
fbecauseIhav
esel
f
r
espect.
”
“Ihopeyourselfr
espectkeepsy ourhusbandf rom
cheati
ng.Nxlaoithagoreospeci alRachelmmeo
monohel a.{Yout
hinkyouar especial
}Nomat t
er
whatyoumaysayaboutmebutIknowmy sel
fand
myqual i
ty.AndIhopethingsactual
lywor koutf or
you,Kennethcan’
thaveki dsIj
usthopehenev er
fi
ndsout.By e.
”
*
***
*

Anayat ookabiteofherl unchandsl owlyputher

for
kdown.Shecoul dn’teat,shehadn’tbeenableto
eatsincemor ni
ng.Itfeltasifsomet hi
ngwassi t
ti
ng
onhert hroat
.Tearsfi
lledherey esasshet houghtof
Quinsythinki
ngofwhathemusthav ewentthrough.
Hadhecr i
edormay behehadsuf f
ocatedtodeath.A
sobescapedherl ipsandshebr okedowncov eri
ng
herface.Slowlyshegotupandwal kedtoher
bathroom whereshesatont het oi
letsi
tcryi
ng.
Minuteslatershestoodupandwal kedtothemirror
.
Shewashedherf acethenwal kedout .
“
Aft
ernoon,
”Kel
l
ysai
dwal
ki
ngi
nasAnay
asatdown.
Anay
asmil
edpushingawayherf
ood.“
Hey
,howdi
d
i
tgo?Youcanhav
et hat
.”
Kell
ytookthefood.“Thaks.Wel
lactual
l
y,therear
e
thenotesItook.Ni
geriansar
escarybuttherewasa
l
adyandshewasni ce.
”
“
Youcanbringint
henotes.Niger
iansar
enotbad,
i
t’
sjustwehaveamentali
tythatmakesusseethem
asbadpeople.Theyarepeopl
ewhoknowhowt o
makemoneyandt hat
’swhyIboughtshar
esinto
thatbi
gcompanyt hatmakesoil
,IknowIstandto
gainalot
.”
“
Youar eri
ght,
youshoul
dhaveseenhowthatl
ady
wastalki
ng,mmehelakareny
aaronarenal
e
waronaBossLadywhocanalsostandmen.{
Iwas
l
ikewealsohaveourownbossladywhocanstand
men.}”
Anay
alaughed.“
Youhav
est
art
edKel
l
y.”
“
Iam not
,youar
eanal
pha.
”
Anayashookherhead.“Yetwheni
tcomest
oot
her
thi
ngsImakethewor stdeci
si
onsever
.”
“Weal
ldo,it
’saphasebutonceyour
eal
i
zegoreng
ng,
youpickupthepiecesandmoveonwit
hli
fe.
”
Anayali
fe.“
Abaabat
lar
aiseKel
l
y!{
Shewant
sa
rai
se.
}”
“
Ideser
vei
t.
”
Theybot
hlaughed.
“
Iknow,
youhav
ebeent
hebestassi
stantev
er.What
doy
ouhav
eagai
n?”
“
Ihav
eadi
plomai
nFi
nance.
”
“
Whynotj
ustgoanddoadegree?Di
dyouappl
yto
t
hosewhoar
egoingt
oChina?
”
“
No.
”
“
Why
?”
“
Whowoul
dIl
eav
eyouwi
th?
”
Anayachuckled.“
Kel
lyal
lmywor kerswhoar egoi
ng
toenhancethemselv
eswill
beget t
ingpaid,
notas
muchast heydonowbuttokeepgoi ng.Mostofyou
havedipl
omassoonl yt
woy ear
st ofi
nishup.”
“
Iam bui
l
dingahouse.
”
“Morereasonfory
outogo.Iam goi
ngtoopena
newcompany ,motofyouwil
lcometheresoonandI
am al
sot hi
nki
ngofopeni
nganothert
hing.
”
Tear
sfi
l
ledKel
l
y’sey
es.“
Bossl
ady
…”
“Iam seri
ous,
go.Iwil
ll
oanyoumoneyt
ofi
nishyour
housethenwheny oucomeback,
weworkouthow
youwi l
lpaymeback.”
Kel
l
ycov
eredhermout
hast
ear
sfel
l
.
“Don’
tcr
y,youwillfi
nishyourhousebutgowit
hthe
sponsor
ship.Iam sponsori
ngeveryonewhohasa
dipl
oma.”
“
Youar
eanAngel
.”
Anay
ashookherhead.“
Iwi
sh,
nowst
opcr
ying.
”
Kell
ytookawiperfr
om Anay
a’sdeskandcar
eful
l
y
wipedawayhertear
s.
“Thankyoubosslady.Andbytheway,
what everyou
aregoingt
hrough,youwill
comeupont op.Beingan
alphai
sbeingabletopickyour
sel
fupeveryti
mel if
e
knocksyoudown.”
Anay
asmi l
edasKel
l
ywal
kedout
.Herphoner
ang
fr
om herdesk.
“
Agang…”
“
Hey
,Mi
guel
isawake.
”

Lonewal
kedoutofShopr
it
ehol
dingabot
tl
eofmi
l
k.
“
Mrs.Dav
id.
”
Lonetur
nedandsmi
l
edatBame’
ssuper
visor
.“Mr
.
Moremi.
”
“
Howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
iney
our
sel
f?”
“Iam good.Oh,meetmywi fe,
”Awoman
approachedinahotpi nkformal dr
essandblack
heel
s.Shesor tofr
emindedherofAnay aandlooked
athersel
f,shewaswear i
ngpaj amasy eti
twasinthe
middleoftheday,herhairwasi nsi
deaheadwr ap.
Shesmi l
edembar r
assedl ooki
ngatt heel
egant
woman.
“
Babe,
thati
smyj
uni
or’
swi
fe,
rememberBame?
”
Thewomansmi
l
ed.“
Ohy
es!Ido,
nicemeet
ingy
ou
Mrs.Bame.
”
“
Likewi
se.
”
ThecouplewalkedawayasLonehur ri
edtohercar
andburi
edherf aceinherhands.Such
embarr
assmentwasenought okill
,shehadn’
teven
bat
hed.Shedr ovehomeandsi ghedstari
ngather
CV.Shestil
lhadn’tt
oldBamet hatshehadlosther
j
obbuthewoul dprobablycel ebrate,Lonetooka
deepbr eat
ht houghtfull
y.Shewal kedtoher
bathroom andt ookabat h,satinfrontofthemi r
ror
doinghermakeupcar ef
ul l
ythenwor eherf or
mal
dress.Shelookedather selfont hemi rr
or,
may bea
newhai rst
ylewoulddobutf i
rst,applyi
ngforajob.
Shegr abbedherhandbagandCVt henwalkedout .

*
***
*

Anayawalkedinsi
deMiguel
’
sr oom,heturnedand
l
ookedatherassheclosedthedoor.Guil
tcreptin
asshestaredathi
m butavoiceremindedherthat
hewasfi
nenowandshehadnor easontofeelguil
t
anymor
e.
“
Hey
…”
Mi
guel
smi
l
ed.“
Hi,
”
“Forsomeonewhoal
mostdi
eddon’
tyout
hinkt
hat
smileist
oowide?
”
Mi
guel
laughedsof
tl
y.“
Iam happyt
oseey
ou.
”
“
Iam sur
e.”
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shenodded,
Aganghadn’
ttol
dhi
m,nobodyhadt
old
hi
my et
.
“
Howdoy
ouf
eel
?”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Whatdi
dthedoct
orsay
?”
“
ThatIwi
l
lbef
ine.
”
Anay
atookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Iwasr
eal
l
ywor
ri
ed.
”
Miguel
smiled.“
Ihopey
oudi
dn’
tst
ressmy
daught
er.
”
“No,shewouldbeherei
fIt
oldherandwouldref
use
toleave.Nooneget
sawaywithhurt
ingsmuff
y
bear.”
“Sheismyl
it
tl
esolder
.Nextt
imeIshoul
djustbr
ing
hertomyfi
ghts.
”
Anay
asmackedhi
schestsmi
l
ing.“
Iwoul
dki
l
lyou.
”
Mi
guel
laughed.“
Youar
eal
readyt
ryi
ngt
o.Youand
t
hatboy
fri
endofy
our
s.”
Sherol
ledy
ourey
es.“
Hedi
dn’
tev
enst
aby
out
hat
har
d.”
“
Shee!Gaoswabe.Hewant
edt
oki
l
lme.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Youar
edr
amat
ic.
”
“
Ilov
ehear
ingy
oul
augh.
”
Anay
alookedathi
m.
“Yourent
ir
efacebr
ight
enswhenyoulaugh,y
ou
actual
lyl
ookmorebeauti
ful
whenyoulaugh.
”
Anayasi
ghed.“
Howl
ongdi
dtheDoct
orsayy
ouwi
l
l
taket
oheal?
”
“
Nay
a…”
“
Ithi
nkmay
beIshoul
dtel
lIv
y,shei
ssad.
”
“
Nay
a…l
ookatme.
”
Shel
ookedi
ntohi
sey
esandswal
l
owed.
“Iam sorr
y,forhurt
ingy
ouandhar
assi
ngyou.
HonestlyIhadnor i
ghtt
o,y
ouaresi
ngl
eandfree,
I
guessit’
sjustcrazyhowmuchIl
oveyouandt
he
factthatIam l
osi
ngy
oui
sdr
ivi
ngmenut
s.ButIam
sorry
.”
“
It
’sok.
”
“
Youknowi
t’
snot
,Iwi
l
lmakei
tupt
oyou.
”
“
Ther
eisnoneed.Ir
epor
tedy
ou,
Iam notdr
oppi
ng
t
hechar
ges.
”
“I
t’
sok,Ideservei
t.Iam goi
ngt
otr
ytogett
he
di
vorceprocessspedup.”
Anayabi
therlowerl
i
pf i
ght
inghertear
s.“
Idon’t
wanttodothi
sanymore,myhearti
ssoheav y
,Iam
i
npainandit’
saff
ecti
ngme, i
t’
saff
ecti
ngthekids.
”
Hesatuprightandhel
dherhands.“Wehav ecome
sofar…wecan’tgiv
eupnow.IknowImadey ou
questi
onusbutnowy ouhavenoreasonto.BabeI
wantus,Iwantyouonly
.Iam goi
ngtomov eout,I
am notgoi
ngtobewi t
hanywomanwhoi snotyou.I
am donewiththi
sbackandfort
h.Iam donewithal
l
ofit
.”
Hesl
owl
ygotoffbed.“
Ihavehurty
ou,youhav
ehurt
me.May
beIdeservedyouwal
kingoutonmeatthe
alt
er,IdeserveditAnaya.Iwasn’
tmanenoughthen.
Wheny oucamebackIj usthadalotof
responsibi
li
ti
es,alotoffacestoputasmil
eon,soit
mademel ookundecidedbutIhav eal
wayswanted
you.Istil
lwantyou.Iam notthebestmanoutther
e.
Iam notgoingt oli
ebutIloveyou.Il
ovey
ouwithall
mybei ng.”
Anayashookherheadasat earfell
.“Idon’tthi
nkI
candot hi
s,i
t’
snott hatIdon’tloveyou,Ido.Il ov
e
yousomuchMi guelbutt hi
slovehascausedmor e
painthanjoy.Ican’tcarryonknowi nglovingy ouhas
causedscar sthatwillneverfade.May bewedol ove
eachot herbutwear ejustnotmeantt obe.Wi tha
l
otofpeopl efight
ingagai nstus,withalotofpeopl e
hurti
ngbecauseofus, Idon’twantt odot his
anymor e.”
“
Nayababecomeone…Iam readyt
ogoagai
nstt
he
wor
ldi
fIhavet
oforus,
fory
ou. ”
Shelookedathisbeggi
ngeyesthenr emembered
Refi
lwe’
scri
es,itwasthesamet ear
shermot herhad
shed.ThewayRef i
l
webeggedherwast hesame
wayhermot herhadbeggedthatwoman.
“IwishIcangobackintime,
MiguelIwouldn’
thave
madeal otofdeci
sionsImadebecausetodaynot
onlyhaveIhur
tanotherwomanbutourkidstoo.”
“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
“Ihav
e…”Anay abrokedown.“Ihav eki
ll
ed.Ican’
t
anymore,Iknowy ouwil
lhatemebutt hat’
sok.
That’
ssti
llok,Ishoul
djustacceptthatIam nott
he
oneforyoubecausewi t
hust ogether,
nothi
ngever
goeswell.
”
“
Nay
a…whohav
eyouki
l
led?
”
Shel
ookedathi
m cr
ying.
“Refil
we…she…she…”Anay alookedupt ryingto
breathepr operl
ybutthepai nwassuf focatingher.
Sheopenedhermout ht otal
kbutasobl eftherli
ps.
ThedooropenedandAgangwal kedinhol dinga
plasti
coff ood.Heputi tdownst ar
ingatMi guelwho
hadhi sarmsar oundAnay awhowascr yi
ng.Her
criespieceddeepi nhishear t
,from hisbrother’
s
wor r
iedface, hecoul
dt ell
shehadn’ ttol
dhi my et.
Anayamovedbackputti
ngherhandoverhermout
h
tr
yingt
oshuthersobs.Shepi
ckedherbagand
walkedout.Mi
guelt
ri
edfol
lowi
ngaf
terherbut
Agangstoodinfr
ontofhi
m.
“
Sit
,wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“
Anay
a…what
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Agangstr
edathi
sbr
otherandsi
ghed.“
Ref
il
weki
l
led
her
self
.”
“
What
?”
“
Yeah,
shebur
nedher
sel
finsi
det
hehouse.
”
“
SHI
T!”
Hesatont
hebed.
“
Arey
ouser
ious?
”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Fuck!
”
“
Qui
nsywasi
nsi
de.
”
Sl
owl
y,Mi
guel
rai
sedhi
sheadandl
ookedatAgang.
.
.
.
Don'
tfor
gett
oleav
eal
i
keandacomment
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#93

TwoWeeksLat
er…

Refi
lwe’smot hert hrewahandf ulofsoilinher
daughter’sgr avet henmov edtohergr andson’s
grave.Thesadnessonherf acebroughtmor etears
toAnay a’
sey esasshest oodwi t
hinthecr owdwi tha
scarfcoveringherf ace.Shewasn’ tcryi
ngoutloud
butthepai nt hatr ef
lectedi nhereyeswasenough.
Everyonesangsadl y,Anay asangal ongfighti
ngnot
tobreakdown.Donal dputhi sarm aroundher
bri
nginghercl oser ,
silent
lyAnay acriedonhi s
shoulder.Mi nut eslater,t
hegr avesgotf i
ll
ed.Donal d
pull
edAnay af rom thecr owdandt ogetherthey
walkedt other ent edcart hatwaspar kedatthef ar
end.
“
Ican’
tbel
i
eveshei
sreal
l
ygone.
”
“Sheis.AsmuchasIf eelsadthatshei sdeadIdon’t
thi
nky oushoul dl
etitaffectyoulikethi
s.Youdi dn’
t
pourpet r
olinherhousel itherhouse.Shedi dthatal
l
hersel
f,sheki l
l
edhersonwhi leatittorevengeon
Miguel,thattooisnoty ourfault
.Shewassadas
fuck,yes,Ihavesaid,shewassadandt hat’swhy
shedidt hat.Herbeingsadi snoty ourbusiness.
”
Anay
alookedbackatt
hecr
owd.“
Iwantt
omov
e.”
“AnayaIam y
ourf r
iendandtodayIam goi
ngtobe
honestwit
hyou,youcan’tkeeprunni
ngeachti
me
thi
ngsgethard.Youhavetofaceitheadon.
”
“
Thi
spl
acei
sdepr
essi
ngme.
”
“Sowhat
?Thendealwit
hthatdepr
essi
onheadon.
Forhowl
ongwil
lyourun?”
Anay
asi
ghed.“
Iam j
ustt
ir
ed.
”
“Well
youcan’ tbeti
red,
youstil
lhaveal ongwayt o
go.ThinkforIvyt
oo.Shejustsett
led,andwhat
aboutLethabo?WhataboutAy ana?Youar ear ol
e
model tothi
speopleandrolemodel smyf r
ienddon’t
behav
eli
ket
hat
.”
Anay
alookedoutthewindow.“
Thi
spl
acehast
oo
manysadmemor i
es.”
“I
tdoes, notforyouonl
y,f
ormeandf orot
herpeopl
e
outt her
e.Anayasometimesr unningisnotthe
option,tr
ustme.It’
snotmostoft het i
mebecause
onedayy ouaregoingt
ocomebackandy ouare
goingt oberequi
redtodealwi t
hy ourdemons.
Betterdealwitht
hem nowt hanf l
ee.”

*
***
*

Miguell
i
stenedasRef
il
we’
sunclesspokewit
hsome
oftheMokwenarel
ati
veswhohadattendedt
he
funer
all
ist
ened.
“Ourdaughterpassedon, shewasmar r
iedint
oy our
famil
ybutwedounder standthatshewasmar ri
ed
outofcommuni tyofproperty.WewantRethabil
et o
stayful
lti
mewi thhergrandmot herf
ornowasour
sonhereisstil
lgri
evi
ng.Weal sowantRefi
l
we’s
proper
ti
es,
may
bei
twi
l
lbeabl
etohel
phermot
her
to-
“
“Idon’twantany thing.
”Ref i
lwe’smot herinterj
ected.
“Refil
wewor kedhar dforthoset hingsf orherkids,
sincesheki ll
edt heot her,onewi llbenef i
ttothose
proper t
iesandcompany .Ican’ tstaywi thRethabile,
myheal thisnotint hebestcondi ti
on, anythi
ngcan
happent omeandt hatisthesadt ruth.SinceOshadi
ranof faftertr
yingt okillme, Ihavenoonet o
suppor tmet hat’swhyIam sendi ngherki dsbackt o
theirfather’
shousesbecauseIcan’ ttakecar eof
them now.Iwantal lofRef i
l
we’ spr opertysigned
ov ert
oherdaught erbecausei fsomet hinghappens
tomeOshadi maycomebackandcl aimt hem only
tomi suset hem.”
“Ihav
enoproblem st
ayi
ngwit
hmygr andchi
l
d,Iwil
l
staywit
hher.Att
heendofthedayRefi
lwewasli
ke
mydaughtertoo.
”MmaMokwenasai dandevery
one
nodded.
“
Son?Doy ouagr
ee?
”Mokwenaaskedhi
ssonand
Miguel
nodded.
“
Ok,
thent
hat
’sset
tl
ed.
”
Theycont
inueddiscussingafewthingsthenfinal
l
y
bothf
amil
iesdispersed.Miguelwalkedt
ohi scar
wit
hAgangwhi l
eKennet hgotinhiscarwithPule.
“Ican’
tbel
iev
eRef
il
weki
l
ledmyson,
Ist
il
lcan’
t
beli
eveit
.”
“
Nowi
t’
sdone,
ther
eisnot
hingwecando.
”
“
Iwouldn’
tcar
eifshedi
dn’
tki
l
ledmysonandal
lto
r
evengeme.”
“
Shei
sdef
ini
tel
yrot
ti
ngi
nhel
l
.”
Thei
ryoungeruncl
eappr
oachedt
hem.
“
Boi
kany
o,Agang,
arey
our
eadyf
ort
omor
row?
”
Miguelsi
ghed.“
Idon’
tknow,Ihav
en’
tspokent
oher
si
ncethatdayatthehospi
tal
.”
Theyoungeruncl
elookedathim.“Youhurtherwhil
e
youweretry
ingnottohurtRef
il
we, youhur
therin
thepr
ocess.Ij
usthopenowi t
’snottoolat
e,andifi
t
i
s,Ihopeyouarereadytoacceptthat.
”
“
Iam notgi
vi
nguponAnay
athi
sti
mear
ound,
even
i
fitt
akesmey
ear
s,Iam notwal
ki
ngaway
.”
They
oungeruncl
esmi
l
ed.“
That
’smyboy
.”
Hewal kedawayl
eavi
ngAgangsmi l
ing.“Wewillget
her,
Anay aisy
ourwi
fe,shemaybef eel
ingotherwise
ri
ghtnowbecauseofthewholethi
ngwi thRefi
lwe
butthatshoul
dn’
tdi
scouragey
ou.”
“Iam not,Iknowsheisgoingtowanttocancelt
he
bri
depr i
ce,Ihaveafeel
ingsheisandasmuchas
thathurt
sIam goingtoagree.Wewill
startover
again,t
histimearoundnomor epl
ayi
ng.”

*
***
*

Ayanafi
nishedwit
hhershi
ftl
atert
hatdayandtook
outherphonedial
i
nghersi
ster
’snumberwhil
e
walki
ngtothebusstop.
“
Hey
…”
“
Nay
a,wher
ear
eyou?Ar
eyouback?
”
“
Yeah,
Donal
dandIf
lewback.Ar
eyouok?
”
“
Iam f
ine,
arey
ou?
”
“
Yes,
Iam f
ine.Don’
twor
ryaboutme.
”
“Ok,Iam comi
ng.Iwi
l
lgeti
cecr
eam,
Donal
dis
stay
ingri
ght?”
“
Yes.Doy
ouhav
emoneyt
obuy
?Iwi
l
lsend.
”
Ayanalaughed.“
BathongNay
a,Isai
dIwi
l
lbuy
.Just
rel
ax,
Iwantt ospoi
lyou.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupandst oppedgotinacombi ewhich
droppedherof fatst
ati
on.ShewalkedtoRailPark
mal l
andent redSpawhereshepickedat ubofi
ce
cream, Anaya’sf
avori
tefl
avorandwalkedovertothe
ti
ll
.Afterpaying,
shewalkedout.Shefrowned
stari
ngatKar abowhowasst andi
ngwi thaheavi
ly
pregnantwoman.Herhear tpoundedasshewal ked
towardst hem.
“
What
’sgoi
ngonher
e?”
Kar
abot
urnedandl
ookedather
.
“
Heybabe!
”
“
Isai
dwhat
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Shelookedatthepregnantwomant henbackat
Karabobreat
hingheavil
y.Shecoul
df eel
heranger
ri
sing.
“
Wai
t…”
Thepregnantwomanhandedherami
casasong
st
art
edpl ay
ingi
nthemall
.Kar
abohel
dthemi
c
si
ngi
ngaspeopl el
ooked.

Youar
etheoneIwanto
Bef
oremyl
i
verst
art
stof
ail
You’
ret
heoneIneedo
Bef
orecassav
atost
artt
ohai
l
Andi
fev
erl
eav
eo
Makewat
ercar
rymedeygo
Faraway
,far
-a-
way

SoIam l
ooki
ngf
orasi
ster
Chi
omamyl
overo
Shegett
hedol
l
er
Shedeyweardesi
gnero
Shesaygi
vemeassur
ance
Assur
ance
Igi
vemybabyassur
ance
Igi
vemybabyl
i
fet
imeassur
ance

Shesawal ongli
neofpeopl ewal kingtowardsher
eachhol
dingtwor oses.Ay anaputherhandov erher
mouthinshock,theyallgav ehert herosestil
lshe
hel
dabigbunchoff r
eshr osesi nherhands.Nowa
l
otofpeoplehadgat heredar oundt hem wit
ht heir
phonesouttaki
ngv i
deos.
“Ladiesandgentl
emen,Iam proudtoannouncet
hat
Ilovemyt obebeaut
if
ulnurse.Ilovey
oubabe.
HappyBi r
thday
.”Hesai
dont hemi c.
Shel
ookedathi
m ast
ear
sfi
l
ledherey
esdr
oppi
ng.
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”Shewhi
sper
ed.“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Kar
abohuggedhert
henki
ssedher
.Hest
eppedback
st
ari
ngatt
hecrowd.
“
Showti
meoverbagaet
sho,
mayyourboyf
ri
endsdo
t
hesamefory
ou.Wamemosadiohappy.{
My
womani
shappy.
}”
Peoplelaugheddisper
sing.Kar
abotooktheice
cream contai
nerandtogethert
heywalkedtothe
parki
nglot.
“
Ihear
dtheShat
owomendon’
tli
kesmal
lgi
ft
s.”
Ay
anal
aughed.“
Ilov
ethi
s.”
“
Arey
ousur
e?”
“Yes,Il
oveyou,
Ican’tbel
i
eveyoudi
dthat
.Youar
e
crazy
.Iwil
lbetrendi
ngnow.”
Anay
alookedar
oundt
hepar
kingl
otsear
chi
ngf
or
hi
scar.
“
Wher
edi
dyoupar
k?”
“
Oh,
Icamewi
thadi
ff
erentcar
.”
Hetookoutkey
sunlockingaredpor
cheKarar
e.He
openedt
hedoorandAy anagotinwi
thherf
lower
s.
Karabohandedherthepl
asti
coficecr
eam t
hen
cl
osedthedoorbeforewal
kingroundt
ohisdoor.He
gotinanddroveof
ftohishouseasAyanastar
edat
herfl
owers.
“
Ihav
etogi
veNay
aheri
cecr
eam.
”
“
Ok,Iwi
lldropy
ouof
f,Iwantt
opi
cksomet
hingf
rom
myhouse.”
“BabeyouknowIstil
lcan’
tbel
i
ev eLal
ahsti
llhasn’
t
saidhappybi
rt
hday.Anayacal
ledmeexactlyat12
andLethaboandIv
ywokemeupwi t
hapieceof
cake.
”
“
May
beshef
orgot
.”
Hedr
ovei
nsi
dehi
sgat
ethenopenedhi
sdoor
.
“
Comei
n.”
Theybothwalkedt
othedoorthenhetookouthi
s
keysandunl
ocked.Ayanawal
kedinthengasped
mov i
ngbackaspeopl
escreamed.
Shelaughedstar
ingatLal
ahwhowasholdi
ng
bal
loonsthenatAnayastandi
ngwi
thDonal
d.
“
Mamay
out
oo?
”
Gl
ori
alaughed.“
Idon’
twantt
obel
eftout
.”
“Mommysaidweshoul
dn’
ttel
lyou.
”Iv
ysai
dmaki
ng
ever
yonel
augh.
Let
haboheldhi
sphonet
aki
ngav
ideost
andi
ngnext
toMorgan.
Ayanaturnedbackt
oKar
abo.“
Thanky
ou,
Icoul
dn’
t
haveaskedformore.
”
Thecoupl
ehuggedasev
ery
onesmi
l
edst
ari
ngat
them.

*
***
*

Theodor
awalkedi
nsi
det
hebi
gempt
yst
ore.She
smil
edimpr
essed.
“
Ilov
eit
.”
Shecoul
dalreadyseeherint
ernetcaf
érunni
ng.Her
phonevi
brat
edf r
om herbackpocketandshetooki
t
out.
“
Mama…”
“
Howi
sthepl
ace?
”
“
It
’sbeaut
if
ulandhuge.
”
“
That
’sgood,
sowhenar
ethecomput
erscomi
ng?
”
Theodoral
aughed.“MamaIor
deredt
hem y
est
erday
,
theywil
lbeher
eaftersev
endays.
”
“
Iam pr
ayi
ngf
ory
ou.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Iam gl
ady
ouar
enotqui
tt
ingy
ourj
ob.
”
“
Iam not,
Anayaadvi
sedmetohol
dontoitf
ora
whi
l
et i
l
lthei
nter
netcaf
éismaki
ngpr
ofi
ts.
”
“
Anayashoul
dbet
heki
ndoff
ri
endy
oukeepar
ound
y
ou.”
Theodorasi
ghed.“Thi
ngswillnevergobacktothe
waytheywere.Ir
uinedourfri
endship.Yesshe
for
gavemebutherf or
givi
ngmedoesn’ tmeanshe
wil
lsti
l
lwantustobef r
iends.
”
“
Whatdi
dyoudot
oher
?”
“
It
’sint
hepastmama,Iam happyshei
sinvest
ingi
n
t
his,
Iknowsheusual
l
ygoesf orbi
gthi
ngs.
”
“
Wet
hankGod!
”
“
MamaIhav
etogo.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Thedor ahungupandwal kedoutoft hestorelocking
behindher .Shetookt hestai
rsdownst ai
rst othe
parkinglot.Shegotinhercaranddr oveof fpassing
byar estaurant
.Shepar kedhercarandst eppedout
enteringtherest
aurant .Shetookoutherphone
waiti
ngi naqueuet oor derandbr owsedthr ough
facebook.Asmi lestar t
edatt hecornerofherl i
psas
shecameacr ossav ideoofAy anarecei
vi
ngf lowers
thenr eact
edwi t
hahear tbeforecomment ing.
Theodor
a:HappyBi
rt
hday
,youdeser
veal
lthatand
more…
“It
’sy ourt
urn.”Someonewhisperedbehindher
.She
raisedherey esandlookedatthequeuethatwas
goneandt ur
nedbackembar rassed.Shesmil
ed
staringatherboss.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Lef
asmi
l
edathermot
ionedshewal
k.Shewal
ked
ov
ert
oor
derhermeal
.
“Iwantt
hesameasher
,Iam payi
ngforbot
hmeal s.
”
Lefasai
dst
andi
ngbesi
deher.Thecashi
ernodded.
“
Youdon’
thav
eto,
Ican-
“
“IknowyoucanbutIam choosi
ngtobuyf
ory
ou.
Kantekeng?Youdon’
twantfreefood?
”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Ido!
”
“
Good,
justr
elax
.”
Thecashi
erhandedt
hem thei
rtakeaway
st henLef
a
handedheraP200noteandtheybothwalkedout.
“
Thanky
ouMr
.Modi
sane.
”
“Out
sidet
heofficeIam Lef
a.”Heunlockedhi
scar
besi
deshers.“
Whatarey oudoingt
hisweekend?
”
Theodoral
ookedatherboss.“
Uhm I
…not
hingr
eal
l
y,
j
ustlazi
ngaround.
”
Lef
aopenedhi
sdoor
.“Seey
ouonMonday
.”
Shenoddedthenhegotinhiscaranddroveoff.
Theodorafr
ownedheari
ngaki d’
slaught
er,
itsur
e
soundedli
keLoago’
s.Sheturnedherheadthen
star
edatLoagowhowaswal ki
ngwit
hChr ist
ianand
somewoman.Tear sfill
edhereyesasshest aredat
thebeaut i
fulwoman, thosewereherboy sandshe
hadlostt hem allt
othel ov
eofmoney .Shewi ped
awayat earthathadfall
en,shewouldtreathernext
manr ight.Thisti
mear oundshewouldn’ttakehim
forgranted.Sheclimbedi nhercart
hinkingofanew
rel
ati
onshi ps,i
twast i
met omov eonnow.
Herphoner
angasshest
art
edhercar
.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“HeyTheodor a,it
’sBonolo,Mr .Modi sane’sPA.I
for
gottot el
lyou,thereisaf i
leMr .Modi sanewanted
youtogot hroughdur i
ngt heweekend, Iforgoti
tat
mydesk, Iwoul dcoll
ectitmy selfbutr i
ghtnowIam
far
.Pleasegoandcol l
ectittoday .Ihaveaskedone
ofsecuri
tyguar dstoopenf ory ou,hei sstart
ingdut
y
at6butifnot ,Mr.Modisanei sthere.”
“
Ok.
”
“
Iam r
eal
ysor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
Theodorahungupwithasi
gh.I
twasjustafew
minutesbef
oresi
x.Shestar
tedhercaranddr
ovet
o
work.
Minut eslatershesteppedoutofhercarpassi ng
Lefa’scarandwal kedinsi
det hebuilding.Shelooked
atherwat ch,shecouldmakei tf
orhermov i
e.Wit
h
quickst r
ides, shewentupt hestairstakingtwoata
ti
me.Shet ookdeepbr eat
har ri
vi
ngathi sf l
oorand
walkedov erBonolo’sdesk.Anay asatont hechair
panting,may beitwasaboutt i
meshest arted
exercisi
ng, shehadbeenpost poningitforawhi l
e
now, shewasnowchubbyandsheneededheract i
ve
bodyback.
Herey
esscannedBonol
o’st
abl
esear
chi
ngf
ort
he
f
il
es.
“
Theodor
a,comeher
e.”
Shel
ookedatLef
a’sof
fi
ceandqui
ckl
yst
oodup.
“Icamet
ocollectafi
l
ethatBonol
owassupposedt
o
givemeyest
erday.
”
“
Ihav
eit
,come.
”
Shewalkedtohisdoorandpushedi topenwalki
ng
i
nhisspaciousoffi
ce.Herheartpoundedasshe
star
edatthetabl
ewhi chwascov er
edwi t
hacream
sparkl
i
ngclothwithav asehol
dingfl
owersthenthe
bott
leofwineintheicecubesandbesidesthatt
he
twoglassesofwine.
Lefaclosedtheshadesthenli
ght
edupthescented
candlesaroundhisoff
ice.Hewal
kedpastherand
switchedoffthel
ight
.
“
Comeandsi
t.
”
Theodor
alookedathi
m.
“
Mr.
-“
“
Sit
.Rel
ax.Iknowit’
sthi
ngst
hathappeni
nthe
movi
esbutjustr
elax.
”
Theodorachuckled.Lef
atookherhandandledher
tothetabl
ethenpul l
edoutthechai
rforher
.Shesat
downlookingatthesetup,itwasmorethan
beauti
ful
.Lefasatopposit
eher.
“
Wear
ecel
ebr
ati
ngy
ourpr
omot
ion.
”
“
Youdi
dn’
thav
etodoal
lthi
s.”
“Ial
readydidandIam mor
ethanhappyt hatyouar
e
notmar r
ied.Wewil
lcel
ebr
atethatt
oo.”Hesai dwi
th
asmi l
e.Theodor
alookedi
ntohiseyesandsighed.
“Thankyouf
orpr omotingmebutIdi dn’
tknowyou
wantedsomethinginretur
n.Ican’tt
akethi
sjob
becauseIam notgoingdownt hatroadagai
n.”
“Idon’
twantany thi
ngfrom you,Idon’tpromot emy
workersinor edertofuckthem, Irunabusi nesshere
notsomej oke, Iam amanofpr i
nciplessodon’ tgo
aroundthinkingIpromot edyouf orsex,ifIwantsex
Iknowwher etogetitandi t
’sdefini
telynotfrom my
workers.
”
“
Thenwhyam Iher
e?”
“Tocel ebr
ateyourpromotionandthatyouare
divorced.Feel
freetoleav
e, nooneisforci
ngyou
stay.AndIwon’ tf
ir
ey ouforthat
.”
Theodor
alookedar
oundhi
sof
fi
cet
henbackathi
m.
“
Whyam Ir
eal
l
yher
e?”
“
BecauseIwantt
ohav
easer
iousr
elat
ionshi
pwi
th
y
ou.”
“
ButIam y
ourwor
ker
.”
“Unf
ortunatel
ywedon’
tchoosethepeopl
ewef al
l
for
.ButrightnowIam j
ustLef
aandyouar e
Theodora.Areyoul
eavi
ngorareyoustay
ing?”
Theodor
aswallowedhardandr
ubbedherhands
toget
her
.“Iam HIVposi
ti
ve.
”
Lef
asmi
l
ed.“
Iknowev
ery
thi
ngTheodor
a.”
“I
nmypreviousjobIsl
eptwi
thmybossjustsot
o
keepmyjob.Idon’
twanttor
epeathi
stor
y.”
Lefastoodupandwal kedtowardsher.“TheodoraI
am notyourpr evi
ousbosswhot omei spathet
ic
andabi gloser,Iam Lef
aandy ouhav eneverdated
aLefa.Justbecausey ouhavehadbadexper i
ence
atyourpreviousjobdoesn’tmeant hat
’swhatgoing
tohappennow.Don’ tpaintmewi ththatsame
brush.
”
Hebendedleaningoverandkissedhersoft
ly.
Theodor
aslowlykissedhim backwihherhands
kni
tt
edtogetheronherlap.
*
***
*

Coll
eenpl
acedcasser
olesonthedi
ningt
abl
ethen
satdownl
ookingatherfami
ly
.
“
Babey
ouknowi
t’
slat
ebutShant
ell
isst
il
lnother
e.”
Col
l
eenlookedatherhusband.“
Itol
dyouherr
oom
i
ssmell
i
ngweed. ”
“
Mommyshehasweedsi
nherr
oom?
”
Coll
eenlaughedst
ari
ngatPeo.“
Nobaby
…gi
veme
yourpl
ate.”
Shedi
shedf
ort
heki
dst
henherhusband.
“
Ist
il
lcan’
tbel
i
eveRef
il
webur
nedher
sel
fbabe.
”
Tsheposhr
ugged.“ If
eelmay beshewasdepr essed.
Nodoubtshelovedy ourbrother
,lovingsomeone
whodoesn’
tlovey ouhurts,y
ouwi ll
tr yyourbestt
o
makethem seejusthowmuchy oul ov ethem.”
“
Butsheknewt
her
ewasAnay
a.”
“Sti
l
l,sheprobabl
ythoughtshecoul
dhaveapl
acei
n
hisheart
.Iactual
l
yfeelsadforher
.Hadshewal
ked
awayshecoul
dhav
emov
edonandpi
ckedt
he
pi
eces.
”
Themai
ndooropenedandtheyal
lwai
ted.Shant
ell
wal
kedpastt
hedi
ningroom.
“
Hel
l
o…”
Col
l
eenl
ookedathert
hendownatherpl
ateeat
ing.
“
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
”
“
Wehadar
evi
sionsessi
onaf
terschool
,Ist
ayedf
or
t
hat
.”
“
Shoul
dIcal
ltheschool
toconf
ir
mthat
?”
“LookTshepo,
ify
oudon’
twantt
ost
aywi
thme,
say
so.”
“Andwher
ewil
lyougo?Youareungr
atef
ul,
youdon’
t
seehowmuchIhavedonetostaywi
thyou.
”
“
Whoaskedy
ou?
”
Tshepost
oodupangr
il
y.“
Whodoy
out
hinky
ouar
e
tal
ki
ngto?
”
Shant
ellr
oll
edherey
es.“
Idon’
tknowbutwhoel
se
am It
alki
ngto?
”
Hetookoffhisbel
tbutCol
leenhel
dhi
shand.“
Babe
shei
shigh,can’
tyousee?”
“Thisgir
lisungratef
ul,
Idon’ tev
enknowwhyI
botheredwithher.Iam takinghertoherfat
her
’s
rel
ativ
es.Ican’tdealwit
ht hisnonsense.
”

*
***
*

Miguel droveinsideC- SKYafterhoursofdri

ving.He
steppedoutoft hecarandwal kedinsi
dethehot el
goingst r
aighttot hepenthouse.Hewal kedinside
thehouseandsi ghedt akingouthisphonesittingon
thecouch.Hel ookedathi swal l
paperwhichwas
Anay awonder ingifitwasr eal
lytoolat
e.Hewentt o
hisv i
deosandwat chedthev i
deostheyhadt akenin
Mal di
ves.
“Babe,smile,
”Anay asai
dmov ingt
hecamer atohis
face.“
Guy sIam takingthi
svideoi
nMal di
veswit
h
mymanandmyki ds.Guyscome!Guy s…I
vy!Jay…”
Thecamer amov edasshel ookedfortheki
ds.Tears
fi
ll
edMi guel’
seyesashesmi l
edst
aringatthevi
deo
wher
etheki
dswer
epausi
ng.Anay
alaughed.
“
Guy
s!I
t’
snotapi
ctur
e,i
t’
sav
ideo.Wher
ear
ewe?
”
“
Mal
div
es…”I
vyscr
eamed.
“Mommyisthi
sani
l
and?
”Juni
oraskedwal
ki
ng
cl
osert
oAnaya.
“Isl
andbaby…Quinsycomemysweetsweetboy.”
Thecamer amovedagainasshepi
ckedupQuinsy
thensmil
edatthecamerakissi
ngQui
nsy’
scheek.
“
Qui
nsy
,wher
ear
ewe?
”
“
Mal
…”
Anay
alaughed.“
SayMal
div
esbaby
…”
“
Mal
div
es…”
“
Good.Nowgoandeat
.”
Sheputhi
m downandwal
kedwi
tht
hecamer
aback
tohi
m.
“
NowIam wi
thmymanandIam happy
.Mi
guel
I
l
ovey
ou.
”
Heki
ssedheri
nthev
ideo.“
Ilov
eyoumor
e.”
“
No,
Ilov
eyoumor
e.”
Mi
guel
pickedherupast
hev
ideost
opped.
Het ookadeepbreat
hthenwal
kedtohisbat
hroom
andt ookaqui
ckshowerbef
orechangi
ng.He
walkedoutwit
hhisphone.

*
***
*

Anay ar
epl
iedsomeemail
ssitt
ingonthecouch
tr
yingtogetsomeworkdone.Herphonerang
besideher
.
“
Hey
,”
“Hey
,Mar
ti
nandIarel
eavingtomor
row,
hisf
ather
goti
nanacci
denty
est
erday.
”
“
Oh,
isheok?
”
“
Yes,
justbr
okeanar
m.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
It
’sok,
any
way
sIwi
l
lcal
lyou.
”
“
Iam happyf
ory
ou,honestl
y.Youar
ewi
tht
heman
y
ouloveandwholov
esy outoo.
”
“
Iam luckyr
ight
?IknowIhateMiguelbutcan’
tyou
f
ixt
hingsnow?Imeanhei ssingl
enow.”
“I
t’
stoolat
e,alothashappenedbet
weenus.Ifeel
evenifwegetbacktoget
her,wewon’tbehappy.
”
“Ihopeyouwon’tbethatcoupl
ethatl
oveseach
otherbutcan’
tbetoget
her.”
“
Sadl
ywear
e.”
Donal
dsi
ghed.“
Youdon’
thav
etobe.
”
“Youdon’
tunder
stand.Iwasself
ishmonthsback
andlookt
odaywhathappened.”Anaya’
svoice
shookasshespoke.
“Whenwi l
lyoust
opblamingyour
sel
fforRef
il
we’
s
act
ions.Sheispr
obablyr
oti
nginhel
l.
”
“Ij
ustcan’
t,Ikeepseei
ngheri
nmydreams,Isee
Quinsyscr
eami ngformyhel
pandIcan’
tgett
ohim.
”
“
Youdi
dnot
hingwr
ong.
”
“
ThenwhydoIf
eel
gui
l
ty?
”
“Youhavenor easonto.Youcan’
tblameyour
sel
ffor
someoe’sacti
ons.Anay athemomentyouwil
l
real
i
zey oudi
dnot hi
ngwr ong,
that
’swhenyouwil
l
seethatRefi
l
wei sevi
l.”
“
Theyar
ehaunt
ingme.
”
“Nooneishauntingyou,youarejustcaughtupi
n
sel
fblame.Don’trunfrom Miguelagai
n.Thatmani
s
your
s,wemayal l hat
ehim becauseheisa
motherf
ukerbutthatmani syours.”
Theint
ercom r
angandshesi
ghed.“
Look,
Ihav
eto
go,cal
lmewheny oul
and.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shehungandwalkedoutside.Shesi
ghedst ar
ingat
Miguel
’
scarthenpressedtheremote.Hedrovein
andparkedr
ighti
nfrontofherthensteppedoutof
thecar
.
“
Hey
…”
Anay
alookedathi
m.“
Hi,
”
“Il
oveyou,
Ineverst
oppedl
ovi
ngyou.Iknowwe
havebeenthr
oughsomuchtoget
her,
Ihavehur
tyou
mor eany onehasev erhurty ouandIdon’ tdeserve
you.Ihav eputy out hroughsomuch, haveharrassed
you.Anay aIdon’ tknowwhatt hefut urehasinstall
formeory oubutIwanty oui nmyf uture.Il
ovey ou
andIwantust oraiseourki dst ogether.Idon’twant
tokeepchasi ngyou, wear egr owingol d.Iwantust o
buil
daf ut uretogether,tomakememor i
es.Alothas
happened, alotIcan’teraseev ent houghIwi shI
could.Pleaset akemyhandandl et’sstartourfuture
together
.Nomor egames, nomor er unningaround.
Justusandourki ds…Iam t iredoft hisbackand
fort
h.”
.
.
.
Let
'scommentandlike,yourf
eedbackmatter
sto
me,wear egrowi
ng,
let'
sgrowt ooonthecomments.
Goodnight
..
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#94
Anay
alookedi
nhi
sey
esandsi
ghed.
“
AlothashappenedMi
guel
.”
Migueltookherhandsi ntohis.“IknowandGod
knowsIdeser vedgetti
ngst abbed,itwasawakeup
cal
l.Andy ouwerer i
ght,Iwast aki
ngadv ant
ageof
you.Butthat’
sov ernow, Iwantmyf ami
l
yback.”
Anay amov edbackput t
ingherhandsbehi ndher .
“Youhav ehur tmeal ot
,Idon’
tthinkIwantt obe
withy ouany mor e.Youneedhelpnotme, youhav e
putmet hroughsomuchIcan’ tseem toforget.You
puty ourhandsonme, youabusedme.AsmuchasI
am sor r
yLef ahur tyoubutIwasact ual
lythankful
,
forthefirsttimeIhadsomeonest andupforme.
May behet ookitfarbutIwil
lforeverbethankfulfor
that.Ican’tbewi thamanwhodon’ tr
espectwomen.
Youar eabusi veandIam nott akingtheri
sk.”
“Iwi
ll
gof orcounsel
ing,
mat
teroff
act
,wecanbot
h
goforcounseli
ng.”
Anay
ashookherhead.“
Ican’
t,
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Sot
hisi
sit
?”
“
Yes.Youneedt
oacceptt
haty
ouandIcannev
erbe
t
ogether
.”
Mi
guel
sadl
ylookedather
.“Babepl
ease…”
Anayashookherhead.“
Iwi
l
l nev
erkeepIvyf
rom
you.Butasf
oryouandme,itwon’twor
k.”
Miguelswal
lowedandclearedhi
sthroat
.Anay
a
l
ookedathiseyeshoodedwi t
hpainhewastryi
ngt
o
coverupbutmiser
abl
yfaili
ng.
“
Iwantt
otaket
hekidsonaroadt
ri
p,Juni
ori
sgoi
ng
t
ostaywi
thMarangwhenIcomeback.
”
Anay
anodded.“
Iwi
l
lnev
erdenyy
ouy
ourdaught
er.
”
Hetur
nedandwalkedtohi
scarwhi
leAnay
awalked
i
nsi
dethehouse,
shefoundLet
habost
andi
ng.
“
What
?”
“
Whycan’
tyouj
ustt
akehi
m back?Hel
ovesy
ou.
”
“Lethaboonedayy
ouwi
l
lunder
stand.Iam goi
ngt
o
sleep.”
“
IknowIwi
l
lnev
erl
etsomeonewhol
ovesmego.
”
Anayatur
nedandl
ookedathi
m.“
Lov
eal
onei
snot
enough.
”
Shewal
kedtothebedroom andt
ookherhone.She
l
ookedatLef
a’snumberforawhil
ethencal
l
edhim.
“
Hey
…”
Shecl
ear
edhert
hroat
.“Hi
,canwemeetandt
alk?
”
“
Iam ki
ndofbusyr
ightnow.
”
“Look,Ijustwantedt
oapol ogizeforwhathappened.
Imadey oufeelbadfordef
endi ngmey etyouwere
onlytr
yingt ohelpme.Idon’tcondonev i
olencebut
sti
ll
,youdi ditf
orme.”
“
It
’sok.
”
“
Canwemeetandt
alk?
”
“
Canwet
alkt
omor
row?
”
“
Ofcause.That
’sok.
”
Hehungupandshesi
ghed.

*
***
*
Lefaputawayhi
sphoneandst ar
edatTheodora
whowasst i
ll
eati
ng.Sherai
sedherheadandlooked
athim wi
thashysmile.
“
What
?”
Heshookhi
sheadreachingforhi
swine.Het
ooka
si
pthenbl
ockedanddeletedAnaya’
snumber
.
“
Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Theyf
ini
shedupeati
ngandl
efthi
sof
fi
cegoi
ng
downtothepar
kingl
ot.
“
Thanky
ouf
ort
hedi
nner
.”
Shedidn’
thavel
onghai
rbutshewasst
il
lbeaut
if
ul
never
thel
ess.
“
Butweshoul
dn’
tbedoi
ngt
his,
youknowt
hat
.”
Lef
asmi
l
ed.“
It
’sni
cebei
ngt
heboss.
”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Youar
eabusi
ngy
ourpower
.”
“
Idon’
thi
tonmyempl
oyees,
thi
sisaf
ir
st.
”
“
Iwasact
ual
l
yscar
edofy
ou,
youl
ookst
ri
ct.
”
“BecauseIam,that
’swhyInevermixbusinessand
pleasur
e.Idon’
twantanyt
hingthatj
inxbusinessbut
Iwillmakeanexpecti
on.
”
Theodor
asmiled,goshhewascl eanandhandsome.
Hewasactuallybet
terl
ookingthanmostpeopleshe
knewandthatbigbody,shecouldn’
timagi
nebeing
underhi
m.Hehadt hatscorpi
onchest,sowidethen
hiszi
p…nowt hiswasaman, arealman.
Heopenedherdoorf
orher
.“Geti
n,Iwi
l
lcal
lyout
o
checki
n.”
Sheclimbedi
nsi
dehercart
henheclosedthedoor
forherandst
eppedbackst
ari
ng.Theodor
asmiled
star
ti
nghercaranddrov
eoff.

*
***
*

LoneswitchedoffherTVl
atert
hatni
ghtand
draggedherfeett
oherbedroom.Herphoner
angas
soonasshesatdown.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
arewet
alki
ngt
oLoneDav
id?
”
“
YeshowcanIhel
pyou?
”
“Mam wehav
eyourmot
heri
nourhospi
tal
,shehas
suf
fer
edastr
oke.
”
Lonesi
ghed.“
Ican’
tcomet
her
enow.
”
“Pl
easecome,sheneedsyou.Shei
snotablet
otal
k
atthemoment.Sheneedsextr
acar
e,sadl
ywecan’
t
keepherher
e.”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lcome.Thanky
ou.
”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Shehungupt henwentonf acebookwher eshe
searchedhersi
ster’
sname, shehadn’tdonesoin
yearsbecauseshedidn’
tcareany more.Shescroll
ed
throughAmantle’
saccountnotf i
ndi
ngany thi
ngof
recent.Shel
oggedoffandcal l
edhermot her’
ssist
er.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Aunt
y,i
t’
sLone.
”
“
OhLone,
howar
eyou?YouknowIhav
en’
thear
d
f
rom y
ousi
ncey
ourweddi
ng.
”
Lonerol
l
edhereyesthenforcedalaugh.“
Iknow.I
j
ustgotofft
hephonewiththehospital
,mamaisnot
feel
i
ngwell.
”
“
What
?”
“Yes,
Iwoul
dgother
ebutIam t
rav
eli
ngwi
tht
he
companyIwor
kforatt
hemoment.”
“I
t’
sfi
ne,
ifsheneedsassi
stance,
Iwi
l
lgl
adl
yhel
p.
That’
smyonlysi
ster
.”
“
Thanky
ousomuch.Iwi
l
lsendmoney
.”
“
Okdaught
er.Howi
syourchi
l
d?”
“
Lesedi
isf
ine.
”
“
Youshoul dbr
inghersomet
ime,
letherknowher
r
elat
ives.
”
“
Ofcause.By
eAunt
y.”
Shequickl
yhungupandsmi l
ed.Goodriddance.
Lonepausedf eel
ingsomethi
ngmov einher
stomach.Slowlysheputherhandonherst omach
thent
heslightmov ementhappenedagainstar
tl
ing
her
.Herheartpoundedassheraisedherdress
l
ookingatthatl
i
ttl
ebumpshehadn’ tnot
iced,
act
uallynowasshecaref
ull
ylooked,i
twasn’ta
smallbump.Shewaspregnant.
Slowl
yshesatont
hebedput
ti
ngherhandsonher
face.

*
***
*

Earl
yinthemor ningAgangt urnedinhi ssl
eep
pull
i
nghercl osertohiswai stthenlif
tedherbutt
cheekandpushedi nher.Slowl yshewokeupand
Agangsweet lythrustint
oher .Anayaputoutherbut t
mov i
ngagainsthi m wantingmor eoft hatsweet
sweetpleasure.Aganghel dherwai stasshesof t
ly
moanedandt hrust.Shewassweet ,t
ightandwarm.
“Il
ovey ou…”Hewhi speredinherearenj oy
ingever
y
cornerofher .Hecuppedherf ullbr
eastandgentl
y
massagedt hem.Anayasl owlysli
dherhandtoher
cli
tandr ubbedgentlyreaching.Hertoescurl
edas
hemov edev enf
aster.
“Fuckyouaresogood. ”Hegroanedinherear .Thi
s
wast hebestpussyhe’deverhad,shekept
squeezinghim,sucki
nghim drywiththatpussy.Her
pussyspasmedwhi l
eshemoanedsof t
lytothe
pil
low,hethrusti
ntoherafewmor etimest henshot
hisloadinsi
deher.
“OhyesAnaya.FuckIl
ovey
ou.
”Hewhi
sper
edgi
vi
ng
heronel
aststroke.
“
Whoi
sthat
?”
Agangsnappedoutofi
tandst
aredatSaronawho
wasbreathi
ngheavi
l
y.Hecur
sedbeneathhisbr
eat
h
pr
ayingshehadn’
thear
danyt
hing.
“
Huh?
”
“
Youcal
l
edaname,
Ihear
dyou.
”
“
Idi
dn’
tsaynobody
’snamebabe.
”
Sar
onagotof
fbedandswi
tchedont
hel
i
ght
.
“
Agang,
Ihear
dyousayaname.
”
“
Whatdi
dIsay
?”
Sar
onashookherheadt
ear
ful
l
y.“
Yousai
d
someone’
snamet
hensai
dIl
ovey
ou.
”
“
Isai
dbabe.
”
Saronaf
rowned.“Iam notstupi
d,youar
echeat
ing
onme.Iknowy ouare.Youhav ebeenusi
ngwhat’
s
beenhappeni
ngtocheatf r
eely.
”
“
Wow!
”
Saronawalkedt
othedoorandl
ockedi
tthent
ook
thekeys.
“I
fattheMokwenaclany
ouwer
et oughtt
ocheat
becauseyoual
ldo,
youwon’
tdoitonme.”
“
Sar
onaIl
ovey
ou,
babey
ouar
eenoughf
orme.
”
“Nooneisleavi
ngt
hisr
oom t
il
lyout
ell
met
hename
ofthatbi
tch.
”
“
Sar
onayouknowIhavet
opr eparet
ogoandsee
t
heShat
ofamil
ywi
ththerestofthefami
l
y.”
“Aganggaoy egope!{
Youar
enotgoi
ngany
wher
e!}I
saidwhat
’shername?”
“
Iam notcheati
ngony ou.Fr
om thef
ir
stdayImet
y
ou,Ihaven’
tthoughtofcheat
ingonyou.
”Hegotup
f
rom bedandt
ookoutsomet
hingf
rom hi
sdr
awer
.
“
Thi
siswhatIhav
ebeenthi
nki
ngabout
.”Heopened
t
hesmal
lboxandknel
tdownononekneebefor
eher.
“Ihav ebeent hi
nki ngofhowmuchIl ovey ou, I
snat chedy ouf rom anot herman, whenIf irstmet
youy ourbeaut yal mostknockedmeof fandi twas
sext ill
ourf i
rstsex.If elli
nl ovewi thy out hen.Ihav e
l
ov edy ousi ncet hen.Somet imesIgetscar ed
dreami ngonedayy ouwi l
lleavemebutt hat ’
st he
dayy ouandIwi lldiebecauseIam notgoi ngt ol et
youwal kawayf rom me.Iwor khardereachand
ever yday ,
tryingt ogetourcompanyof fthegr ound
allfory ou.Iwanty out oli
vet helifey ouhav eal way s
want edt olive.Iwanty outodr ivethecary ouhav e
alway swant edt odr ive.Iwantt obecomet he
husbandy ouhav eal waysdr eamtof .Iam not
perfectandIwi l
l messup, IknowIwi llbutIwi ll
nev ercheatony ou.Iloveyou.Sar onaMot edi,
pleasedomet hehonorandbemywi f
e.Ilov ey ou
babeandIwantt hatsurnamechanged. ”
Sar
onaputherhandov erhermout
hast
ear
sran
downherchubbycheeks.
“
Yes…ohmyGody
es…”
Agangtookt
heringandputitonherf
inger
.They
huggedti
ght
lyasSaronasobbed.

*
***
*

Latert
hatmorni
ngPul
edr
essedupwhi
l
eYaone
stoodbesi
dehim.
“
NowIunder
standwhyyouwer
esoconf
li
ctedwi
th
t
hewhol
eLefaissue.
”
Pul
elookedatherashebr
ushedhi
shai
r.
“Youl
ov ethem l
ikeyouwouldl
ovey ourbr
other
s.I
wastalki
ngt oyourmothert
heotherdayandshe
saidt
heyt ookcareofyouli
ket
heytookcareofthei
r
ownchi l
dren.
”
Pul
esmiled.“
Theydi
d.BabeMi
guel
ismybr
other
,
wehaveourownupsanddownsbuthei
smy
br
other
.”
“
Doy
out
hinkt
hepl
anwi
l
lwor
k?”
Pul
esi
ghedandputt
hebr
ushown.
“Idon’tknowbutithasto.Mi guelisgoingcr azyover
theissue,helostamajorbusi nessdeal becausehe
i
sst ressed.Hedoesn’
tthinkwheni tcomest o
Anay a.Heseesnoonebutherwhenshei sar ound.I
guesst hat’
swhyIneverli
kedhert hatmuch, it’
sthe
powershehasov erhi
m.Ev enwhent heyf i
rstmet ,
beforetheystart
eddati
ng, sheusedt odr i
vehi m
crazy.”
“Sheisdef i
nit
elynotapushov er
.Iknowherf rom
highschool.Shewasf or
m 4whenIwasf or
m 5and
theyusuallypickedt hestudentleadershipinform5
butshewasmadet heschool headgi r
ljusti
nf orm 4.
Shewassmar tandal waysincont rol
,shenev erlet
thefactthatwasy oungerthanhal ftheschool getto
her.Idon’tknow, butherheartseemst obeher
weakness. ”
Pul
ewalkedoverandki
ssedhiswif
e.“
Wellt
odayI
pr
ayitgoesaccor
dingt
oplan.Youl
ookbeauti
ful
MrsMotsei.
”
Yaonel
aughedandt
wir
ledi
nherger
manpr
intdr
ess,
ashawl
overhershoul
der
sandaheadwr
ap.
“
Thanky
ouhusband.
”
Theyki
ssedandwal
kedout
.

*
***
*

Vi
ncesmi
l
edatOl
erat
orubbi
ngherf
latst
omach.
“
Iam soexci
ted.
”
Ol
erat
olaughed.“
Soam I
.”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Oler
atost
oppedsmili
ngandhel
dhi
shands.“
Ihav
e
somethi
ngtotel
lyou.
”
“
What
?”
“I
…y earsbackwhenIhadrecentl
yst
art
edmy
prof
ession,Iwasseei
ngthi
sotherman.Hewas
shorttemperedandheusedtolosei
tquickl
y.He
wouldscream hurt
ful
wordsatmeandsomet i
mes
gophy si
cal.Onet
imehebeatmeupsobadl ythen
strangledmet il
lIwasunconsci ous.Het houghtI
wasdeadt henwewentandt hrewmei nt hebush
wher eIwasf oundbyanol dwomanear l
yi nt he
mor ningf r
eezi ng.Myf ami lywasv er yangr ybuthe
conv i
ncedmeot her wi seandIwentback.It hought
wewer einl ov e,Ihadal r
eadyi magi nedaf uturewi th
him andf eltlikepeopl edi dn’ tunder stand.Ist art
ed
bot t
li
ngt hingsup, aftert hati nci dentt heabusegot
toomuch.Onedaywegoti nt oanar gument .He
slappedme, Igotsoangr ythatIgr abbedakni f
eand
stabbedhi m ov erandov eragai n.Icast r
atedhi m,
thatmomentIwasn’ tthinki ng, Iwasj ust
…Ist opped
awhi lelaterandr ealizedt heent i
rehousewasf i
ll
ed
withbl ood.Myhandsandev erywher eelsewasj ust
bloody .Icalledt hepol iceandt urnedmy sel fin.They
didamedi cal exami nat iononmeandsai dIhav e
bipolar.Myl icensewast akenf r om mebutIt ookmy
pill
s,attendedal lmysessi onst illt
heyact uallyound
outIwasn’ tbipol ar,justr eact ed.Theydi dsayIhav e
ament alprobl em whi chcanbehandl ed.Iat tend
therapyonceamont handIdon’ tdr inkpill
s.That ’
s
whenImetPr incess, ourr el ationshi pgotmor et han
professional ,Iconf i
dedi nherandt ol dheraboutmy
si
tuat
ions.
”
Vi
ncest
aredi
nherey
esasshespoke.
“Imetmyexawhi l
elat
erthenhetoodidthesame
butthi
sti
me,Iopenedacase.Ihadhim sentt
ojai
l.I
knowIshoul
dhav el
ongtoldyouthi
s,Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Whydi
dyout
ell
menow?
”
Tear
sfi
ll
edherey
es.“BecauseIwantacl
eanstart
.I
don’
twantt
oli
vewit
hf eart
hatsomeonewil
ltel
l
you.
”
Tearsf
ellandshecover
edherf
acecr
ying.Vi
nce
huggedherinhi
ssuit
.
“
Remembert
hatf
ir
stni
ghtImety
ou?
”
Shenoddedcr
ying.
“
IknewthenIl
ovedyou.Nothi
ngisgoingtochange
t
hat.Wewil
ldealwi
thwhateveri
tist
ogether
.”
“
Thet
wins… It
hinkweshoul
ddoDNAt
eston
t
hem.
”
Hesmil
ed.“
Idi
d.Iknewshewascheat
ingwi
tht
he
sameguyshemarri
ed.
”
Ol
erat
osi
ghedwi
thr
eli
ef.“
ThankGod.
”
“
Ilovey
ou.Letmegetgoi
ng.
”Hegotof
fbedand
f
ixedhi
ssui
t.
“
Goodl
uck.Ihopei
tgoeswel
l
.”
“
Ithast
oorel
sewear
egoi
ngt
okeepbeggi
ng.
”
Hewal
kedoutandOl
erat
osi
ghedhappi
l
y.

*
***
*

Lat
erthatmorningAnayawal
kedoutofast
ore
hol
dingaplast
ic.Shesmil
edasTheodor
astood
bef
oreherwithasmi l
e.
“
Hey
…”
“
HiNay
a.”
“
Ili
key
ourshor
thai
r.
”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Don’
tsayt
hat
,Iwantt
ost
art
pl
ait
ing.
”
“
Thatshor
thai
rsui
tsy
ou.
”
“
Thanks.OhIsawourpl
acey
est
erday
.Il
ovei
t.
”
“
Mycont
actsai
dyoudi
d.”
“
Yeah,
it’
sspaci
ous.
”
“
Ithi
nkt
hat
’swhatweneed.
”
“Thankyousomuchf ordoi
ngthi
swithme.You
havenor easont
obecausei
t’sj
ustasmal
lthi
ngso
thankyou.”
“Thereisnothi
ngli
keasmal
lbusi
ness.Areyou
sell
ingsweetsorarey
ousel
l
inginastore,busi
ness
i
sbusi ness.
”
“
Youaresomot
ivat
ing.Ican’
tbel
iev
eIr ui
nedmy
f
ri
endshi
pwi
thyou,
suchaf rui
tf
ulfr
iendshi
p.”
Anay
asmil
ed.“
That
’si
nthepastnow.YouandI
comefr
om f
ar.
”
“Iknow,
canwegooutf
orl
unchsomet
imei
fyouar
e
notbusy?”
“
Ofcause.Iam nev
erbusyf
ormyf
ri
ends.
”
Theodora’
sphonerangandshetooki
tout
,Anaya’
s
eyesfel
lonhercal
l
erID.Shefr
ownedasTheodora
di
daonemi nutegest
urest
eppi
ngaway .Anaya
watchedherblushtal
ki
ngtothephone.Ami nut
e
l
atershecameback.
“
Wow!Yourboy
fri
end?
”
Theodor
abl
ushed.“
Yeah…wel
lIdon’
tknowasy
et
butIhav
egoodfeel
i
ng.”
“
Iam happyf
ory
ou.
”
“
Heismyboss,makesmef
eel
abi
tof
fbutt
henI
r
ememberyou.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
What
’shi
sname?
”
“Oh,
Lefat
sheModi
sane.Ican’
tbel
i
eveIam goi
ng
outwit
htheMP’
sson.”
“
Lef
a?”
“
Youknowhi
m?Ofcausey
oudo.
”
Anayasmi l
ed.“
Iknowmostpeopl
e.Iusuall
yadvi
se
peoplenottomixbusi
nessandpl
easure.Youknow,
toavoidfut
ureconf
li
cts.
”
“
IknowbutLef
aissopr
ofessi
onal
.”
“
Wel
lgoodbecausef
ort
het
imebei
ng,
youneedt
he
j
ob.
”
“
Iknow.
”
“
Andbecarefulofthosepeopl
e,y
ouknowhowt
his
i
nfl
uent
ial
pepleare.”
“
YeahbutLef
aisdi
ff
erent
.”
“Maybethat
’swhathewant
syout
obel
i
eve.Justbe
car
eful
.”
“
Thanks,
Ifeel
li
ket
hisi
sast
artf
orourf
ri
endshi
p.”
Anayasmiled,nowl
ooki
ngatTheodora’
ssmile,she
fel
tgui
lt
y.Lefawasn’
tli
ket
hat,hepr
obablydeserved
Theodor
a,shewasagoodwoman.Whenhadshe
becomethiswoman?Shesmiledandheld
Theodor
a’shand.
“Iam j
oking.Lef
aisactual
l
yagoodman.Ihavemet
him acoupleofti
mes.Heisdif
fer
entbutt
rybyal
l
meanst okeeppleasur
eoutsi
dework.
”
“
Iwi
l
l,Iam t
aki
ngy
ourwor
dfori
t.
”
“
Gof
ori
t,behappy
.By
e.”
“
Bye.
”
Anayawalkedt
ohercarandcl
imbedi
n.Herphone
rangandsheanswer
edtheunsav
ednumber.
“
Anay
aShat
ospeaki
nghel
l
o?”
“Hey,i
t’
sGontle.Iam f
rom yourrestaurantfr
om
applyi
ng,t
heut ol
dmet heyarenothi r
ing.Iknowthi
s
siwrongatalll
evelsbutIam i
ndi r
eneedofaj ob.I
am drowningindebtsandIdon’tknowwhatIam
goingtodo.”
“
Whatqual
i
ficat
iondoy
ouhav
e?”
“
Ihav
enoqual
i
ficat
ion.
”
Anay
asighed.“I
t’
sabittr
ickbecauseIwantal
lmy
empl
oyeeswithqual
i
ficat
ions.
”
“
Iwi
l
lcl
eany
ourhouse,
Iam downf
orany
thi
ng.
”
“
No,Iwon’
tlety
oudothat
.Look,
letmetr
ytol
ook
i
ntosomet
hingandcomebackatyou.
”
“
Thankyousomuch.NowIr
egr
etl
eav
ingt
he
r
est
aurant
.”
“
It
’sl
i
fe.By
e.”
Shehungupt
hencal
l
edTheodor
a.
“
Nay
a…”
“
Hey
,Ij
ustgotacal
lfr
om Gont
le.
”
“
Gont
le?
”
“
Yes.Rememberher
?”
“
Yeah,
thegi
rlwhousedt
obul
l
yme.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Wel
l
,shei
slooki
ngf
oraj
ob.
”
“It
hinkmaybewemi ghtneedacl
eaneratt
he
i
nternetcaf
é.Shedeser
vestocl
eanthefl
oorsIwal
k
on.”
“
Iagr
ee,
Iwi
l
lfor
wadhernumber
.”
“
Ok,
Iam goi
ngt
olov
ethi
s.”
“
Forsur
e.”
Anay
ahungupwi t
hasmi
l
eandst
art
edhercart
hen
dr
oveheadedhome.
.
.
.
Don'
tfor
gett
ocommentandl
i
ke.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#95

Anayafixedherheadwrapsi
tt
ingi
nfr
ontofthe
mir
ror.Hermot herwal
kedi
nasshestoodupinher
bl
ackheel s.
“
Theyar
eher
e.”
“
Iguessi
twi
l
lonl
ytakeaf
ewmi
nut
esr
ight
?”
Glor
iasatdownandl ookedatherdaught er,
shewas
beauti
ful
,shewast hedef i
nit
ionofar ealAfr
ican
womanandmay bet hatsoftsubmi ssi
vesideshe
hadwasherweakness, butshehadahear tofgold.
Glor
iasawi teveryday ,
shewasn’ tanythi
ngshehad
seen.Herdaught erwasawomanwhoknewwhat
shewantedandal way swentf orit
,evenifi
twasa
marri
edman.Sheknewhowt ot akecareofaman
andmay bet hat’
sthatMokwenaboywasout si
de
waiti
ngtocr yforher.
“
Comeher
e,Iwantt
otal
ktoy
ou.
”
Anay
asatonherbedwi
thhermot
her
.
“
Whati
sit
?”
GloriatookAnay a’shandsandl ookedrightinher
eyes.“TheMokwena’ sar eoutside,somei nsidethe
house.Theyhav efill
edt heent i
reyard,somear e
sit
tingatt hegat e.Theyar eallheretopleadwi t
hy ou.
Theyev enbroughtcl osef r
iendstohelpt hem beg
you, t
opl eadwi thy outof orgivethem, toforgive
theirsonandr eunite.TodayIwanty outogot here
anddowhaty ouwantt odo.Iwanty out odowhat
your eallywant,don’ tdowhatIwantororwhaty our
fatherwant sorwhaty ourf ri
endswantorwhatI vy
want s.Dowhatwi l
l makey ouhappyf orther estof
yourlife,dowhatwi l
lmakey ousmi leforther estof
yourlife.Don’tdowhaty ouwi llquesti
oni nyearsto
come.Iwanty out odowhatAnay awant s.
”
Anay
alookedathermot
herandsi
ghed.
“Don’
tmakedeci
sionst
opleasepeopleortomake
peopl
ethi
nkyouareacert
aintypeofperson.Do
whatmakesyou.WhatmakesAnay a.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Good.
”Gl
ori
asmi
l
edandf
ixedhershawl
.“Youl
ook
beaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Comewheny
ouar
eready
,wewi
l
lst
artt
hen.
”
“
Ok.
”
Glor
iawalkedoutandAnayast
oodupandl ookedat
herref
lect
iononthemir
ror
.Shesmil
edknowi ng
maybeshewasaboutt odi
sappoi
ntalotofpeople
butshewasabouttomakehersel
fhappy.

*
***
*

Miguelsatwithhi
suncl
esi
nsidet
hehouseonthe
f
loor.Hisfat
hersatont
hecouchwit
hhisel
deruncl
e.
Hisheartpoundedandhet
urnedt
olookatAgang.
“Ifsherefuses,wewi l
lcomebackagain.”Agang
whi sper
edwi thasmi l
e.Anay
a’smotherwal kedback
i
nandsatdown.Nowi twasgameofwai t
ing,her
fatherhadsaidnot hi
ngwasgoingtobesai dwi t
hout
hisdaught er
’spresence.Hewonder
edi fshewoud
comeoutbutt odayhewasn’tgoi
ngany wher eti
ll
shecame.Mi nuteswentbyandhi sheartpounded
evenmor e.Hepausedhear i
ngheelsechoing,he
l
ookedatt hepassageandshewal kedinthelivi
ng
room inaflar
edger mandr ess,
shehadsmoot hlegs
thatalwaysturnedhim on.Hiseyeswentt oherface
butshehadherheaddown.Shesatbesi deher
mot herashewai tedf
orhert orai
seherheadbut
shekeptitdown.
“Iwoul dli
ket othankev er
yonewhoi sheretoday.
”
Anay a’sfat
herst arted.“Wer eceivedacal lweeks
backt hattheMokwenaswant edt ocomeandt al
k
aboutt heunr esolvedissuesbet weenus.Todaywe
areher eforyou, Anay a.From oursi de,wear ehere
tosuppor tyoui nev erydecisiony ouaregoi ngto
maket oday,Imy selfandy ourmot heraregoingto
suppor tyourev erydecision.Todaywhat everyou
decide, wearegoi ngt osuppor tit.TheMokwenaar e
heret opleadwi thy ousoy ouf orgivetheirson.
”
Miguel
’
selderuncl
eputhishandstoget
herand
l
ookedaroundthehousestandi
ngup.
“
Wewantt ot
hanky
outheShatofamilyforgiv
ingus
achancet
ocomeandpleadourcase.Beforewe
start
,wewantt of i
rstl
yapol ogi
zef orourl
ast
meet i
ngt oget her.Wor dswer eexchangedandi twas
compl etel
youtofl ine,wewoul dliketofir
stmend
thatbridget hatwebur ntoutofanger .Wear ewil
li
ng
topayanyamountasat okenofapol ogy.
”Theelder
uncleslowl ywentdownonhi sknees.“Rekopa
maitshwar elobagol o,
wewer eoutofl i
neand
nothingcanj usti
fythat.Weaskf orforgi
veness.
”
TheMokwena’swentdownont
hei
rknees,
even
thoseout
side.
“
Pleasef
orgi
veus.
”
Anay
a’sf
atherwhi
sper
edbr
ief
lywi
thhi
sbr
other
.
“Weforgiv
ey oubutsuchmatter
stakel
ongtomend
butwef or
giv
ey ou.Wealsowouldli
ket
oapologi
ze
forwhatwesaidintheheatofthemoment.
”
TheMokwenassatdownbutMi guel’
suncl e
remainedstandi
ng.“Realebogabagol o.Yearsago
wemet ,andwet al
kedintomer gingourf amili
eswith
oursonandy ourdaughter.I
thappenedt hatthey
hadproblemsandmi sunderstandingsandone
deci
dedt orunaway.Wenev erknewwhysher anti
l
l
oursoi nexpl ai nedt ousaboutev erypr obl em t hey
wer egoi ngt hr ough.Wedi dn’tcomebackher et o
cancel thenegot iationst hathadt akenpl ace
becauseoursonwasconv incedt haty ourdaught er
wasonedaygoi ngt ocomebackandt heywoul d
continuef r
om wher et heyl eftof f
.Unf or tunat ely ,
whilehewai ted, hef oundsomeoneel se.Hest il
l
conv i
ncedusnott ocomebackher etocl eart hings
offwhenwewentt ot heot herwoman’ sf ami ly
becausehehadhope, andt hatist hef irstmi st ake
wemadeandwewoul dl iket oonceagai n, apol ogize.
Afterthatoursonmar riedt heot herwomanand
that’
swheny ourdaught ercameback.Aspeopl e
whol ov eeachot her,theywentbehi ndev ery one’ s
backandr ekindl edt hei rlov e.Relebagol o, rener esa
i
tumel agot l
el ele, wewer ev eryupsetbecauset he
womanwhowehadwentt omar ryfeltdi sr espect ed.
Oursondi dexpr esshi sf eelingsofwant i
ngt ol eave
herbutwebl ockedhi mf rom doi ngt hat .Todaywe
areher e, wear est andi ngbehi ndhim, suppor ti
ng
him becausehei shur ting.Hewant shi sf ami lyback.
Theot herwomani snother eany mor eandhewoul d
l
iket ost artonacl eansl at ewi thhisf ami l
y .He
wantshiswifeback.Wehavehurtyoudaughteri
n-
l
aw, embarr
assedy ou.Wehavesai
dallhurt
ful
thi
ngstoyouandt oday,wecomebeforeyouto
apologi
ze.
”
Mi
guel
’
suncl
esatdownasAnay
a’sf
atherst
oodup.
“Wearealsoatfault
,whenourdaught err
anof fwe
didn’
tdoanythi
ngtoensurethatther i
ghtt hi
ngis
done.Wewoul dli
ketoapologizeforthe
embarrassmentweputy ourfamil
yt hroughandall
thecostsyousuff
eredcleani
ngupt hemessour
daughterdi
d.Wewoul dl
iketoapol ogizeforhowwe
nevertr
iedtoapol
ogizei
nt hepast,wewer ewrong.
”
“
Ithi
nknowthatwehav
eclear
edtheair
,wecan
moveonwit
hwhywear eher
e.”Anot
heruncl
efr
om
t
heMokwenasaid.

*
***
*

TheodoraopenedthedoorforLef
aandsmil
ed
st
aringathi
m, hesmeltsogoodshewant
edtobur
ry
hersel
finthosear
msbutrat
hershemov
edback
openingthedoorwider
.
“
Hi,
”
Shebl
ushedathi
svoi
ce.“
Hey
.”
Hewalkedi
nsi
deandshecl
osedt
hedoorwal
ki
ng
behi
ndhim.
“
Nicehouse.
”
“
Yeah,
it’
swhatIcanaf
for
datt
hemoment
.”
Theysati
nherl
i
vingr
oom.
“
Youear
nmor
ethanenough.
”
“
YesbutIam st
art
ingabusi
nessont
hesi
de.
”
“
Soy
ouar
epl
anni
ngt
oleav
etheNGO?
”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Notnow.
”
“
Ili
kebusinessmi
ndedpeopl
e,whatbusi
nessar
e
y
oustart
ing?”
“
Ani
nter
netcaf
é.”
“
Howbi
gisi
t?”
“
50comput
ers.
”
“
Wow!
”
“
Iknow,myinv
est
orsai
dthatgoi
ngbi
gist
hebest
waytogo.
”
“
Hei
sri
ght
.”
“
It
’sashe,
shei
smyf
ri
end.
”
“
Ithi
nkIt
oowoul
dhav
elov
edi
nvest
ing.
”
Theodorasmiled.“Ididn’tt
hinkanyonewoul
d
act
uall
ywantt oi nv
estandIt houghtshewasjust
bei
ngAnay a,niceallthetimebutsheactual
l
ymade
meseet hatIcanact uall
ymakel oadsofmoney.She
hasanideafort hecaf é.
”
“
Anay
aShat
o?”
“
Yes,
shesai
dsheknowsy
ou.
”
“Yeah,wewerejustf
ooli
ngaround.I
twasnevera
rel
ati
onshi
p,Ihopethatdi
dn’
tmakey out
hink
otherwi
seofus.”
Theodorapausedf
rowni
ng.“
Youwer
eseei
ng
Anaya?”
“
Yeah,
bri
efl
ythough.
”
“
Wow!
”
“
Wai
t-shedi
dn’
ttel
lyou?
”
Theodor
ashookherhead.“
No,
shedi
dn’
t.
”
“
Wel
lIdon’
tbl
ameher
,it
’swasnot
hingser
ious.
”
Theodoraf
orcedasmi
l
eonherf
acet
henst
oodup.
“Iwi
lldi
shforyou.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Shewalkedtothekit
chenwithherphonet
hencal
l
ed
her
.Anaya’sphonerangunanswered,
Theodor
a
cal
ledYaonefuming.
“
Cousi
e…”
“
Cany
oubel
i
evei
t?RememberLef
a?”
“
Yourbosst
hatwant
syou?
”
“
Yeah,
appar
ent
lyhewasseei
ngAnay
a.”
“
Wow!
”
“Andi
t’sfunnybecauseIbumpedint
oAnayaatSpar
andshet ol
dmeLef aisnott
obetrustedaf
terthat
shestart
ssmi l
i
ngandsay sshei
sjoki
ng.This
womani
sjeal
ous.
”
“
Kemat
hat
a.”
“Anay
at hi
nkssheistheonlypret
tyonebecauseshe
hasmoney .Ican’
tbel
ievet
his,
Anay aorata
att
enti
on,nowIdon’tblamewhoev ert
rashtal
ked
heronfacebook.”
“No,maybesheknowshi
m,Idon’
tthi
nkAnay
a
actual
l
ymeantiti
nabadway.”
“
Youdon’tknowAnay
a,t
hatgi
rli
sawi
tch.She
t
hinksshecanhav
eever
ymanshewants.
”
“
Youareover
react
ing,
don’
tfor
getshei
nvest
edi
n
y
ourbusi
ness.
”
“Iam goi
ngtotell
herwhatshedeservestoknow.
Thisbit
ch,y
oushouldhaveheardher.Sheclai
msto
beMsGoodyt woshoest
houghshehasanugl y
heart
.Sheisjeal
ousIam t
ell
ingyou.Maybeshe
wantstorevengemeforwantingMiguelt
hatti
me.”
“Ei
shgir
lletmehangup,
Iam i
nthemi
ddl
eof
somethi
ng.”
“
Ok,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
Theodorahungupthent
urned.Herhear
tski
ppedas
shelookedatLef
awonderi
ngjusthowmuchhe
hear
d.
“Sheisactual
lythenicestperson,shei ski
ndand
passi
onate.Ihav enevercameacr ossawomanwho
candowhatshedoes, wewer etogetherandit
endedinpeace, sheisnotjealousofy oubecause
sheneverlovedme.Don’ tbebi tt
er,
youwi l
lblock
yourownhappi ness.Bye.”
HewalkedoutasTheodor
aputherhandsov
erher
f
aceregret
ful
l
y.

*
***
*

Lal
ahfini
shedcleani
nghermot her
’shousethensat
ontheverandah.Gontl
ewalkedinthr
oughthegate
hol
dingasmal lpl
asti
cwit
hhert wokidsfol
l
owing
behi
ndher .
“
Idi
dn’
texpectt
ofi
ndy
ouher
e.”
Lal
ahst
oodup.“
Thi
sismymot
her
’shouse.
”
Gontl
ewal
kedinsi
dewi
thherki
dsandLal
ah
fol
l
owedbehi
ndher.
“
Mamaokae?{
Wher
eismom?
}”
“
Orobet
se.{
Shei
ssl
eepi
ng.
}”
“
Ludo,
sitdownwi
thy
ourbr
other
,Iam comi
ng.
”
Gont
lewalkedtohermother’
sbedr
oom wi
thLal
ah
behi
nd.Theybothent
eredthebedr
oom.
“
Mama,
Ihav
ecome.
”
Thei
rmot
hersl
owl
ywokeupandsatupr
ight
.
“
Gont
le…”
“Iwi
ll
dropof
fthei
rbagsl
aterwhenKgot
langcomes
backfr
om wor
k.”
Lal
ahf
rowned.“
Yourki
dsar
est
ayi
ngher
e?”
“
Thi
shasnot
hingt
odowi
thy
ouLal
ah.
”
“I
thasever
ythi
ngt
odowit
hmebecauseIam t
he
onesuppor
ti
ngmama.”
“
Myki
dsar
egoi
ngt
ost
aywi
tht
hei
rgr
andmot
her
.”
Lal
ahl
aughedwi
thdi
sbel
i
ef.“
Youcan’
tev
ent
ake
careofyourkidsinyourhouse,nowyouwantto
burdenanotherperson?Youareplayi
ng,
that
’snot
goingtohappen.Mama’ sBPishighandyoubri
ng
yourki
ds?Takey ourkidsandleave.
”
“
Lal
ahIam nother
etof
ightwi
thy
ou.
”
“
Nooneisfigt
ing,
Iam t
ell
i
ngyou,y
ouar
egoingto
t
akeyourki
dsandstaywit
hthem.Mamaisnot
f
eel
ingwell
.
”
“
Lal
ahi
t’
sfi
nemychi
l
d.”
“No!Nothingisfi
ne.Gont
le’
ski
dsarenotgoingt
o
stayhere.Sheisgoingt
odumpt hem her
eandnever
supportthem cl
aimingt
ohavedebts.
”
“
Lal
ahIdon’
twantt
ofi
ghtwi
thy
ou,
youar
egoi
ng
f
ar.
”
“Gont
leyourki
dsarenotgoi
ngtost ayher
e.Never
!
Takeyourki
dsandgoback.Youar enotdoingt
his
tomama.Takey ourbur
denandleav e.
”
Gont
leangr
il
ypushedLal
ahwhopushedherback
sl
appi
ngher.
“
Don’
tpushme,
Iam noty
ourf
ri
end.
”
“Want l
waelaLalah,Iam goingtoshowy ouwhoi s
older
.”Gontl
egrabbedLal ah’stopandslappedher.
Angri
ly,Lal
ahbitherlowerlipandpunchedherol der
si
ster.Gontl
elostbalanceandf el
l.Lal
ahsatonher
andpunchedherr epeatedlyti
ll
hermot herpul
ledher
away.
“Ketl
agobolaa!Oseka!{
Iwi
llki
l
lyou!Don’ty
ou
dare!
}Yout
hinkyoucancomewi t
hyourkidsher
eto
str
essanot
herhumanbeing.
”
“
Lal
ahi
t’
senough!
”
“
MamakarebanabagaGont
leabakakebanaha!
{
Gont
le’
ski
dswon’tst
ayher
e.}
”
“
That
’snor
easont
ofi
ght
.”
“
Shest
art
edi
t,Ij
ustf
ini
shedi
t.
”
Gontleslowlygotupandbr okedowncr ying.“
Lalah
whatdoy ouwantmet odo?Ican’tt
akecar eof
them eveninmyhouse.Kgot l
angarehakakea
tl
okomel abanabakakagor ehaanamadi {
Kgotl
ang
saidhecan’ tt
akecareofmyki dsbecausehe
doesn’thavemoney }.Idon’
thaveachoi ce,Il
ovemy
kidsandIwantt ostaywi t
hthem all
,ci
rcumstances
nnaka,
cir
cumstancesar eagai
nstme.Iam beggi ng
youLal
ah,Iknowi t
’snotanidealsi
tuat
ionbuttil
lI
cangetastabl
ejob, Ineedt
hem tostayhere.I
spoketoAnaya,shesaidshewi l
lfi
ndsomet hi
ngf or
me.”
Lal
aht
ear
ful
l
ylookedathersi
stercr
ying.

*
***
*

“Andthatiswhywear eher e.Wear eher etobeg

yourdaughtert or econcilewi t
hMi guel,weknowhe
wrongedheri nt hepastandhei sstillgoi
ngtoget
punishedforthat .Iam gl adAnay adi dn’
tdropthe
charges,Idon’tcondoneabuseandnev erwil
lI.He
deservesthosest rokesfrom thechi ef.All
wear e
aski
ngf orisforhert oreconsideroursonandl et
them rai
setheirki dst ogether.
”
Theolderuncl
esatdownandev
ery
onel
ookedat
Anay
a.
“
Ifeel
Anay
ashoul
dfi
xherf
ami
l
y,Icanseet
hel
ove
thatist herebetweenherandMi guel .Somet imes
ourki dsneedgui danceandweshoul dhav egi ven
them t hatguidancerightfr
om thest art.Asel ders
wepl ay edamaj orroleinwhyt odaywear ehere.
Hadwesatdownt hiskidsandspoket othem may be
allcoul dhavebeenav oi
ded.”Anay a’sfather
’sel der
sistersaid.“Mmehel akareAnay angwanaka,
bakany alapalagago,mar r
iageisnowal kov erthe
park,al othashappenedy esbutt hisisyourf ami l
y.
Thismanl ovesyou,hetookallhisf amilyandt hey
areher et odaytoshowy outhatthist i
met heywi ll
hav ey oursupport.
”
“Idon’tthinkweshoul
dbeencouragingAnayatogo
back, t
heywanthertodayal
lbecausethei
rdaughter
i
n- l
awi sdead,whati
fshewan’tdead?”Gl
ori
a’s
sistervoiced.
“
ThisisadecisionAnayashoul
dt akeal
one,Nay
a,
whatevery
oudeci detoday
,Iam goingt
ostandwit
h
you.
”Anaya’sfathersai
dfi
rmly
.
Sl
owl
yAnay
arai
sedherhead.
“
Ifeel
ther
eisal
ott
hathappenedandev
eni
fweget
backt ogetherthi
ngswi ll
neverbet hesame.We
havehur teachotheral ot,wehavedonet hingsthat
havepushedusf urtherapart
.Iwantust ocancel
what eeragreementt hatwasoncet heresowebot h
gooursepar at
eway speacefull
y.Wewi llst
illpar
ent
Iv
yt ogetherbutthatwi l
lbeall
.Irespectall
the
peopl ethatcamet odayandIapol ogi
zethatitwas
alli
nv ain.
”
Miguel’
sf atherstoodup.“ Iknowweal so
contri
but edt oallthis,
IknowIdi dandIwon’ tdenyit
.
Miguelcamet omemont hsback, hesaidhewant ed
todivorceRef il
webutIr efused.Forsixmont hshe
tri
edtodi v orceher ,
heexpl ainedtomewhatwasat
stakeandt haty ouwer elosingpatience,r
atherI
turnedawayandr ef
usedt olistentohim.It
’snotthat
hewasi ndeci siv
ebutIbl ockedhi m wit
hther estof
thefami ly.”
“Nnaosekawant seny
amot heng.{
Don’
tinvol
veme.}
Itol
dyouallthatIwouldstandbymyson. ”Miguel
’
s
motherstoodup.“Itol
dyout hathewanted
MmagweI v
ybutnoonel istenedtome.Anay a
ngwanake,keagokopa, {Anay amychil
d,Iam
beggi
ngy ou,
}pleaser
econsi
der.Boikanyolovesyou.
Iknowthathehashurtyoubutpleasef or
givehim,
for
giv
eus.Youar emydaughterin-
law.Please
ngwetsi
yame. ”
Miguelst
oodupandwentbef orehisin-
lawsonhis
knees.HelookedatAnayawhohadherheaddown.
Shejustwouldn’
tlookathi
m andthatgavehim hope,
shewaspr obabl
yscaredandshehadev eryr
ightto
be.
“IknowIhur ty ou.Ri ghtf rom t hebegi nning.IknowI
nev ertreatedy our ight ,disrespectedy ou, hurtyou,
emot i
onallyandphy sically.IknowIdon’ tdeser ve
you, Iknowt haty ouar enoti nmyl ev elbutIl oveyou
somuch.I t’
st hatl ov et hatdr i
vesmemad, withyouI
don’ tseeany oneel sebabe.TodaywhenIwokeup, I
toldmy selfIwoul dacceptwhat everdeci sionyou
takebutIcan’ t.Ilov ey ou, Iwanttot rav el withyou,
makememor ieswi thy ou, buil
daf ami lywi thyou.I
don‘ tseemyf uturewi thouty ou.BabeIwoul ddo
any thi
ng, Iwi l
l,pleasegi v
emeachancet opr ove
howmuchIl ov ey ou.Gi vemeachancet oshowy ou
myl ove.Iwantust oget her .
”Tearsf elldownhi s
cheeksashel ookedather.“Iapologi
zeinadv ance
butIam notgoinganywheret odayAnay a.Iam
goingtositr
ighthereoroutside,Idon’
tcarebutIam
notleavi
ngwithoutyoutoday .Iam notgoing
anywherebecauseIloveyou, Ihavenowher et ogo,
youaremyhome.Babepl ease…pl easegiveusone
l
astchance.Please.
”
Agangst oodupandkneltwi
thhisbrot
herwhowas
breakingdown.Kennet
halsostoodupandjoined
them foll
owedbyVinceandPule.Soonther
estof
theMokwena’skneltbef
oreherincl
udi
ngMiguel’
s
mot her.
Anayaslowl
yrai
sedherheadast
ear
swether
cheeks.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#96
Anay alookedinhisey esandbur stintocri
eswi th
herhandsonherf ace.Itwasn’tjustthathewas
begginghert otaketot akehi
m back, itwasj usthow
farhehadwent , bri
nginghisfami l
y.Thiswasa
strongmanbutt odayhewasr educedi nt
oasmal l
boycr y
ingforheri nfr
ontofev eryonewi t
houtshame.
Noti nami l
li
ony earscouldshehav ei maginedt hi
s
moment .
“
Please,
consi
derus.
”
Ever
y onewai t
edf orhert ospeakbutf rom t heirey es
shecoul dtelltheywer enotgoi ngt ogiv eup.She
l
ookedatCol l
eenwhowasal sokneel ingj ustbehi nd
herbrotherwi tht earsinherey es.Anay at urnedher
headt ohermot herwhowasl ookingdown, she
coul
dn’ ttel
l whatshewast hinking.Shet houghtof
Refi
lwe, Refil
we’ slastwor ds.Shet houghtofQui nsy
andhowhehaddi ed.Somet imesshewonder edwhy
Refi
lwehadn’ tkickedQui nsyoutwi thJuni ort hat
ni
ght.May bet odayhewoul dst i
l
l bealive.Shewas
angry,angr yather selfforhurtinganot herwoman,
angryatMi guelfornott akingast and,angr yat
Refi
lwef orki l
li
ngQui nsy ,angryt hatshedi dn’tthink
ofli
feaf
terdi
vor
ce.Nowt hatshet
houghtofi
t,she
knewRefil
wewasbitt
erandsadandwant ed
ever
yonetootobebit
terandsad.
Mi
guel
gotcl
oserandt
il
tedherchi
n.
“Pl
ease,giveusachance.Ilov eyouandIknowy ou
l
ovemet oo.Iknowwear emeantt obe.BabeIam
notgoingtost opfi
ghti
ngforus.Iam notgoi ngtolet
youagain.Iam notdoingthat .Iam goi
ngtof i
ghtf
or
youwi t
hev er
yf i
brei
nmybei ng.May bet
heymay
cal
l i
tobsessionbutthat’
stheki ndofloveIhavefor
you.Youar etheonlyoneformeandIam notgoi ng
tolookforany oneel
sebuty ou.”
Anay ast aredathim cry
ingsilentl
y.Miguelleaned
ov erandki ssedhertremblingli
pssof tl
yandt hey
bot htastedeachot her’
stears.Heputhi shandon
herchi nandki ssedherev enmor ewhenshedi dn’
t
resist,Anay agaspedinhismout hf eel
ingthat
electri
cspar ki
gnit
ingher.Shekissedhi m back
slowly,itfeltri
ghtormor ethanright.Hetongue
kissedheri nfr
ontofeveryoneandhermi ndshut
ev ery
oneof fasMigueltookov erhersenseofbei ng.
God!Howshemi ssedthosel i
psonher .
Anayamov edherheadshy
lyasMaMokwenabegan
ul
ulat
ing.Shest
oppedandsmiledsi
ngi
ng.

Kokokokomat
swal
e
Ar
iboy
eli
mor
ago
Resenamakot
i
Rer
ikokokokomat
swal
e
Ar
i’
buey
eli
mor
ago
Resenamakot
i”

Theent
ir
eMokwenasj
oinedi
nsi
ngi
ngwi
thher
.

Kokokokomat
swal
e
Ar
i’
buy
eli
mor
ago
Resenamakot
i
Rer
ikokokokomat
swal
e
Ar
i’
buy
eli
mor
ago
Resenamakot
i

Gl
oriasmi
led,
themoodhadchanged.I tseemedli
ke
ever
yonehadbeenpr ay
ingshesaysy
es.Anay a
l
ookedatherstepf
athersi
tedonthef
arr i
ghtandhe
smil
edgiv
ingherathumbsup.

*
***
*

Theodor aheldherphonei nherhandsl ookingathis

number .Shehadr ui
nedit,shecoul df
eelit
.Hewas
nevercomi ngbackt oheragai n.Shesatdownand
wentonwhat sapp.Shel ookedatherst at
usesand
openedYaone’ ssev eralpi
ctures.Thefir
stonewasa
pi
ctureofMi guel andAnay akissingcapti
oned‘af
ter
al
lthebeggi ngandcr ying,makot iodumetsi
bathong.Happi nessov erl
oaded.’
Shetappedthescreenandthenextpi
ctur
eshowed
ofAnayaandMi guelhuggi
ngwit
hanothercapt
ion
‘
lov
eliveshere.Somebodygiv
emeaspel l
ingof
ment
ubi
asi
nthi
scoupl
eisment
ubi
’
.
Theodor asighedr egretfull
y, Anayahadbeennot hi
ng
butgoodt oherev enafterev eryt
hingt hathad
happened.Shehadev eni nv estedinhercompany
andi treal
l
ydi dn’tmat t
eri fsheoncehadbeen
seeingLefa.Yoane’ sstat usmov edt osev eral
pict
ur esofMi guelandAnay atil
lav ideost arted
play
ing.Shesmi ledstaringatev eryonesi ngingKoko
Matswal ethenr epli
edt hest atus.
Theodor
a:Onceagai
n,Iwaswrong.Ir
egr
etsayi
ng
whatIsai
d.Lef
aheardme,Ibl
ewitwithmystupi
d
i
nsecuri
ti
es.
Yaone:Iam glady ouacknowl edgeitwhenyouar e
wrong.Anayalov esMiguel,Iknowshehadat hi
ng
wit
hLef abutitdidn’
tmeanany thi
ngbecausegirli
s
happyonlywhenshei swi thherman.Theyhav e
beenthroughal ottol
etsomet womi nutesguyget
i
nbetweent hem sodon’ tworr y
.Goandgety our
man.
Theodora:Iam scar
ed.Heseemedt
urnedof
febi
l
eI
wishIneversai
dal l
thatIsai
d.
Yaone:Goandexpl
ainy
ouri
ssue.Don’
tjustsi
t,go
andbeg,Miguel
washerecr
yingf
orAnaya.
Theodor
a:Cr
y?Asi
nbowl
i
ng?
Yaone:Lemaminaaneatswa,don’
tplaywi
tht
his
thi
ngtheycal
ll
ove.Goandf
ixt
hings.
Theodor
a:Iam cal
l
inghi
m.
Yaone:
Tel
lmehowi
tgoes.
Theodor
atookadeepbr
eathandcal
l
edLef
a.Her
hear
tpoundedashi
sphonerang.
“
Theodor
a…”
“
Hey
,cany
oucomeback?
”
Shehear
dhim si
gh.“
DidAnay
adosomet
hingt
oyou
i
nthepast?
”
“No.Ij
ustletmyinsecur
it
iesgett
ome.Shehas
neverdoneanyt
hingtome. ”
“
Whyar
eyoui
nsecur
e?”
Theodor
asi
ghed.“
Icannev
ercompar
etoher
.”
“
Whydoy
ousayt
hat
?Becauseshei
sri
ch?Youmay
notbeasr i
chasshei sbutyouar eastrongwoman.
Youbal ancingbet weenyourjobandy ourbusiness
ont heside.Weal l moveatdiff
erentpaces,don’tbe
discouragedj ustbecausesomeonei satadi f
ferent
l
ev elthany ou,youshouldrej
oicewithherbecause
shei spavingawayf oralotofpeople.
”
“
Iknow,
youar
eri
ght
.Cany
oupl
easecomeback.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shesmi
l
edput
ti
ngherhandov
erherchest
.
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lwai
tfory
ou.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Shehungupandj
umpedupaddownl
i
keat
oddl
er.

*
***
*

Anayasmil
edtal
ki
ngtothephonel
atert
hatday
whil
esit
ti
ngonherbed.
“
Iam happyf
ory
ouf
ri
end,
ify
ouar
ehappysoam I
.”
“
Inev
erknewMi
guel
woul
dev
ercr
yformeDonal
d.”
“I
fher eallylov
esy out henhewill
cry.Nowy ouare
goingt ostopthesel fblaminggame, R.I.Ptothe
l
ate.Qui nsyiswatchi ngoveryouri
ghtnow.God
wouldn’thav eletwhathappenedhappeni fi
twas
notmeantt oteachussomet hi
ng.Li
fei stooshortto
keepf eeli
ngmi serableandsad,somet i
mes
happinessi sachoi ce.Don’tl
eti
tpassy ouby .You
havey ourf amil
ynowev enthoughIstil
ldon’tli
ke
Miguel.”
“
Alotofpeopl
edon’
tbutIam goi
ngt
odowhat
makesmehappy.
”
“That’
smygir
l.Any
way
sMarti
ngotaj
obi
n
Singapor
e.Wearemov
ingt
her
e.”
“
Iam happyf
ory
ou.
”
“
Soam I.Wear
epl
anni
ngt
ogetmar
ri
edbef
orewe
l
eav
e.”
“
Whatabouty
ourf
ami
l
y?”
“
Theylongdisownedme,Iam notgoingtochange
whoIam tosuitsomeoneel
sesfeel
ings.Iam not
goingtocompr
omi
seany
thi
ng.Mar
ti
nismynew
famil
y.
”
“
Goodl
uck.
”
“Hey,
Ihav
etogo,Iwi
ll
call
you.Hei
sher
eandI
haveasur
pri
sef
orhim.”
“
Okboo.
”
Anayahungupandlayonherbedstar
ingatthe
cei
li
ng.Ayanawal
kedinandAnayasatupri
ght.Her
phonerangasAyanasatbesi
deher
.
“
Hey
…”
“
Iwantt
oshowy
ousomet
hing.CanIpi
cky
ouup?
”
“
Ok,
comeov
er.
”
“
Iam att
hegat
e.”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Shehungupandl
ookedathersi
ster
.
“
Hey
…”
Ayanat
ookadeepbreat
hlooki
ngathersi
ster
.“He
real
l
ydoesmakeyouhappy.
”
“
Hedoes.
”
“Iam happyfory
ou.Iam notf
ull
yhappywithhim
butbecausehemakesy ouhappy,Iwi
l
lletever
ythi
ng
thathappenedsl
ide.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Thanks.
”
“Thehousefeelssoqui
etwi
ththeki
dsgoneforthe
holi
days.Iwantedt
obegMiguel’
smotherear
li
ernot
totakethem.”
“Youwi l
lgetused.Iam goi ngout .”Sheputonher
fl
ipfl
opst henwal kedoutpassi ngbyt hesitt
ing
room pressingthegat eremote.Shewal kedoutside
i
nonl yhershortsandt -shi
rt,Mi guelpushedt he
dooropensi tedinthecarandshest eppedin
escapingthecol dbreezeoutside.Hel ookedather
andsmi ledmaki ngherblush.Hel ookedawayand
quiet
lystart
edt hecar.
Minut
esl at
erMi gueldr
oveinsi
dethehugey ardat
Mmokolodi.Anay atookadeepbreathstari
ngatthe
hugehouse,itwasl i
kethosehousesthatwere
usual
l
yf eat
ur edonTopBi l
li
ng.Miguelst
eppedout
andwalkedr oundtoherdooropeningitforher
.
“
Come.
”
Shesteppedoutoft hecarandhet ookherhand
l
eadinghert othedoor.Heopeneditandtoget her
theywalkedin.Anayastaredatt
hef ul
lfur
nished
housethenf r
ownedst ar
ingatherpict
ureont hewall
,
thesamepi ctureshehadseenyearsago.
“Ineverusedt hi
shousebecausedeepdownIknewI
woul donlyst ayhereonl ywi thyou.Ineverrentedi t
out.”Het ookherhandandl edherupt hestairs.
Theypassedsomedoor stil
l heopenedoneatt he
farend.Theybot hwalkedi nandAnay asmi l
ed, i
t
wast hemast erbedroom.Nowt hiswasn’ tonlya
bedroom, i
tlookedmor elikeapr esi
dent i
alsuite.
Shewal kedov ertothesl i
dingdoor sthatledtot he
balconyandl ookedatt hev iew,itwasbeaut i
ful.
Downwast hehugepool ,shecoul dalreadyseeI vy
andJuni orint hatpool.Shet ur
nedbackt ohi m.
“
It
’sbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Ilov
eyouMr
s.Mokwena.
”
Helookedatherbar
ethi
ghst
henherl
i
psgoingto
hereyes.Anay
aswall
owedst
ari
ngatt
hosesexyl
ips,
hehadl ostwei ghtbutnoti nabadway ,hewas
actuallysti
llsexy .Miguel leanedoverandkissedher
.
Anay aputherhandsonhi schestgoingdownt i
l
lshe
rubbedhi sbul ge.Hepi ckedherupandl edhertothe
enormousbedwher ehel aidherdownget t
ingontop
ofher .Anayapul ledhisT- shi
rtandhehelpedher
takeitof fherbef orekissingheragainpulli
ngouther
shorts.Hesl idhishandi nsideherg-str
ingand
touchedherwetsweet ness.
“Fuck!
”Hegr oanedi
nherearpushinghi
sfi
ngeri
n
her.Helookedatherforawhi
lethengotof
fher.
“
Ican’
t.Weneedt
ogof
orcounsel
i
ngf
ir
st.
”
Anayal
ookedathim andgotof
fbedwi
tha
thr
obbi
ngpussy.
“Miguel,Iam happyr ightnow.Ihav eneverfel
tthi
s
happy ,
thereisnothingst andi
ngbetweenus, weare
togetherandIdon’ tfeel guil
ty.Youar
emi neand
mineonl y,Iam ecstatic.Iam sohappy,pleasedon’
t
denyust his.Imissy oudaddy .”
Miguel
lookedatherforawhilethenpull
edheri
nhi
s
ar
mski ssi
ngherwit
hur gencyshecouldonl
y
under
stand.Her
emov
edhert
opandl
ookedherr
ight
i
ntheey es.
“
Doy
out
rustme?
”
Shenodded, Miguelwalkedtowhatshesuspect ed
tobeacl osetandwalkedinside.Shewai ted
pati
entl
yf orhi
mt i
llhecamebackwi thasmal l
sui
tcase.Shecuriouslyl
ookedashepl aceditonthe
bedandopenedi t.Herbreathhitchedasshest ared,
Migueltookoutthef l
uff
yblackhandcuf fsandwent
behi
ndher .
“
Yout
rustmer
ightNay
a?”
Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
handnodded.
“Sayit
.”Hewhi
sper
edi
nherearandherni
ppl
es
hardened.
“
Itr
usty
ou.
”
“
Good.
”
Heboundherhandsonherfrontthenwentov erto
thesui
tcaseandt
ookoutthebli
ndfold.Shelooked
athi
mr ememberi
ngthei
rfi
rstti
met ogetherand
nowantici
pati
onr
ippl
eddownherent ir
ebody
maki ngherpantwi t
harousal.Hereyeswentdown
tothatbul geandshepulledherlegstogetherunabl
e
tocont rolherwil
dthoughts.Miguelwalkedoverwit
h
thebl i
ndfoldandputitoverhereyesblockingher
visi
on.Shewai tedpati
entlythenhekissedher
collarbone.Hesli
dhishandi nherpantiesgli
ding
throughherwet ness.
“Fuck!Iam goi
ngtof
ucky ouhar
dtoni
ghtAnay
a,I
am goingtofucky
outil
lyoucan’
tfeel
mydicki
nsi
de
you.”
Anay amoanedsoftlyasherubbedherwithsl
ow
mov ements.Hepickedherandplacedhertot
hebed
wit
hherfeetsteppingonthebed.Hepushedher
handsontopofherhead.
“Ifyoumov et hem, Iwillti
ethem tothebed.”He
war nedsexi lyar ousi
ngherev enmor e,shewasmor e
thanr eadyf orhi m.Anay ayelpedfeeli
nghismouth
onher ,Mi guel lappedonherpussyt aki
nghistime
suckingandl ickingher .Shemov edhertiedhandsto
hisheadpul li
nghi m closer.Hersensesflewout
throught hewi ndowashercor eburnedwhi l
eshe
wr i
thedbeneat h.Hert oescurledandshel etouta
scream comingapart
.Mi
guelsloweddownwor king
histonguesteadi
ly
.Anay
aclosedhereyesr
elaxing
whilebreat
hinghard.
Withhereyesblindfol
ded,
shewait
edpatient
lywit
h
hereyesclosedthenshefelthi
mtakeoffthe
handcuff
s.Hepul l
edherupperonthebedandtied
herhandstot hebrassoft
heheadboard.
“
Youdon’
tli
stenbaby
…”
Shefelthim kneelbeforehimf ol
dedherknees
openinglegswi der
.Mi guelsankin,f
orci
ngherpussy
l
ipsapartwithheadofhi sdickandpushedinsi
de
herwarm wett i
ghtness.Anay afl
inchedasMiguel
pushedhisent i
relengthinsideher.
“Wherearey
ougoing?Comeandtakethi
sdi
ck.
”He
pul
ledhercl
oserasshet
ri
edtobr
eathe.
Mi guelpoundedint
oherwi thlongdeepstrokes,hi
s
hipspumpedi nt
oherwhi l
ehegr oanedenjoyi
ngher.
Anay amoanedatt hebitt
ersweetpleasur
et hat
camewi t
heachf or
cefulthrust
.Hemov edhert hi
gh
widerandf uckedheruninterr
uptedforminuteswith
thatflexi
blewaistj
abbingdeepi nt
oher.Anay a
moanedast hepl easuret ookov erherbody ,sogood
herpussywal l
sbegancont racti
ngsqueezi nghi m.
Miguel cursedsof t
lyasherpussysuckedhi m,
pull
ingherdeeperi nt
oher .Anay apul l
edatt he
restraintsasMi guel fuckedherhar dertappinga
sweetsweetspoti nsidehermaki nghermoanl oudly.
Shef el
ther sel
fr eachingt hepeakandt riedt ohol dit
i
nbutl ikeast rongunst oppablev olcano,heror gasm
crushedherwhi leherbodyconv ulsed.Ittoreher
apar tassheexpl odedi ntoti
nypi eces.Heeoutt hen
untiedherhands.Hepul l
edhert ot heedgeoft he
bedget ti
ngof fthebedandt urnedheronherknees
andhandspushi ngherchestdown.Mi guel smi rked
herasswi thhishar ddi ckthensl ammedi nsideher
obtainingascr eam f rom Anay aasshepul l
edt he
duvet s.Shecoul dev eryinchoft hathar ddickasshe
buriedherf aceont hebed.Mi guel f
uckedherhar d,
rammi ngint oherwi t
houtbr eak.Anay at r
iedr aising
herheadbuthepushedi tdowngoi ngdeeperi nto
herst retchingherpussy .
Miguel
groanedincr
easi
nghi
sspeed,
Anayamoved
herwai
staspleasur
ebuil
dupsl
owly,
pul
li
ngher
overtotheedgeagai n.Mi guel t
appedallhersweet
spotswhi l
etearsfill
edAnay a’seyes.Heknewhow
tofuckandpl easureawomansomucht hatcri
ed.
Thiswasherman, amannev erplayedwithpussy
butdestroyedit.Thepl easurei nt
ensif
ied,Anaya
ti
ghtenedhermuscl esf eeli
ngt heuncontrol
labl
e
urgetopee.Shesi lentl
ypr ay edhecumsbuthekept
goingli
keabeastt hathewas.
“
Godwai
t!
..
.Mi…awwwwww…”Anayawhi
mper
ed
wi
tht
hepl
easur
ethatwasget
ti
ngwor
se.
“Letgobaby …”Miguelcommandedasshef el
lapart
l
ett i
nggo.Shecamei nawayshehadnev erdone
twistingherbodylikeabi gsnakesheddi ngof fit’
s
skin.Mi guelpul
l
edherhai rmaki ngherar chherass
staringattheceil
inganddr il
l
edherl osingcont rol.
Hegav eheronelastforcefulthrustandshothi s
thickloadinsudeher.Hesl oweddownt henpul l
ed
outwhi lehiscum droppingdowngoi ngdownher
thigh.Hepul l
edAnay aoffthebedandsheal most
fellduet oherweakknees.Het ookof fthebl i
ndfol
d
andshebl i
nkedcoupleoft i
mes.
“
Iam noty
etdonewi
thy
oubaby
…comeher
e.”
Hepushedhertothewallandl i
ft
edherbuttpushi
ng
hissemiharddi
ckinsi
de.Anay atookadeepbreat
h
knowinghewasgoingtoli
v eupt ohi
spromise.
Miguelputhi
shandonhert hroatandst
arted
fucki
nghersendi
ngherstraighttocl
oud9.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#97

MaMokwenagotinbedbesi
deherhusbandand
t
ookof
fherspect
acl
esplaci
ngt
hem aside.
“
Theyar
esl
eepi
ng?
”Mokwenaasked.
“Yes,
Ivyisj
ustt
ootal
kat
iveandt
alksasi
fshei
s
grown.Sheissmar
t.
”
Mokwenal aughed.“
Earli
eronshetol
dmenottocal
l
hershushu.Shesaidit
’sforbabi
esli
keRet
hanot
her.
”
“Iam happytohavemygrandki
dswi
thme,Iwi
shI
cantalkBoikany
oint
olet
ti
ngmestaywit
hthem f
ull
ti
me.”
Mokwenashookhi shead.“Waitti
lly
ouhearhis
planswit
hAnay a.I
ftheyaregett
ingmarr
iedthenI
thinkhewil
lwanttost aywi
thhi
skidsunderone
roof,hewaseventell
ingmeMar angwantsherson.
”
“
MaybeIshouldj
ustt
alktoAnayaherself
.Iwil
ltal
k
t
ohert
omor r
owwhent heypassbytakingtheki
ds.”
Mokwenasi
ghedst
ari
ngathi
swi
fe.“
Thanky
ouf
or
maki
ngmeseetheli
ght.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“Iam gl
admysoni
shappy
,hewoul
dn’
t
st
opsmil
ing.
”
“
May
bet
hist
imei
twi
l
lbedi
ff
erent
.”
“
Itwi
l
lbe.Iam posi
ti
ve.
”
“Whenar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lthem?Theydeser
vet
o
know.
”
“
Yesbutnotnow.
”
“Youshoul
dt akey
ourr
ight
ful
thr
one,t
heki
dsshoul
d
know.Allt
hissecr
ecyi
stoomuch.”
“
Iwi
l
ltel
lthem.
”
MaMokwenal
ookedatherhusbandandsi
ghed.
“
Ok.
”
Mokwenatouchedherthi
ghandshesmi
rkedhi
s
handsmi
li
ng.“Iam sl
eepi
ng.
”
Helaughedthenl
eanedoverki
ssi
nghermov
inghi
s
handfurt
heruphert
high.

*
***
*

Thef oll
owingmor ning, Theodor
aslowlyopenedher
eyes,shelookedbesi deherandstaredatLefa
sleepingbesidesher .Shesmi l
ed,i
thadbeent ime
sinceshewokeupwi thamanbesi deher.Lastni
ght
hehadn’ tt
riedanything, t
heywatchedmov iesti
ll
theybot hf
el l
asl
eep.Lef aopenedhiseyeslazi
lyand
l
ookedather .
“Hey…”Hercl
itt
hrobbedatthatdeepsexyvoi
ceof
his,
shehadhopedlastni
ghthewoul dfuckherbut
hehadbehavedli
keagentleman.Shesmi l
ed.
“
Hey
,ar
en’
tyougoi
ngt
owor
k?”
Lefapul
ledheri
nhisarms.“Iam goi
ngt
oJobur
g
butwil
lbebacklat
ertoday
.”
Shenodded.“
Ihav
etogot
owor
k,Iam goi
ngt
otake
ashower.
”
Lefahel
dherti
ght
lynotl
ett
inggo.“
Wai
tjustf
ora
fewseconds.
”
“
Idon’
twantt
obel
ate.
”
“Justasecond.
”Hewhisperedki
ssingherneck.
SlowlyTheodor
aputherarmsaroundhi m wi
tha
sigh,shewasfal
li
ngf
asterthansheintendedandat
thebackofhermindshewonderedwhatwoul d
happenifAnayacameback.Lefalookedather.
“
Iwanty
ou.
”
Theodor
afr
ownedst
ari
ngathi
m.
“
Huh?
”
Heslowlykissedhergett
ingontopofher.Theodora
putherhandsonhi swidechestgoi
ngdownt ohis
bumpysixpackt i
ll
shesneakedahandi nhispants.
Sheheldhisharddickinherhandsandsuckedina
breathbitinghi slowerlipgent l
y.Slowl
y ,shestroked
him whi l
ehebr eathedheav il
y.Lefathrustintoher
hand, Theodor atightenedhergr ipmov ingherhand
faster.Lefagr oanedi nhereart henpulledouther
handandt ookof fherni ghtdress.Hehookedhi s
thumbonherpant i
esandpul l
edt hem down, he
openedherl egsget ti
ngbet weent hem.Het ookoff
hist-shir
tandpul l
eddownhi ssweat pants.
Theodor amoanedsof tl
yf eel
ingtheslipperyheadof
hiser ect
ionr ubbingherpussyupanddown.
Ther ubbingconti
nuedforawhiletil
ltheyboth
couldn’ttakei
tanymore.Theodoraopenedherl egs
widerasLef apushedatherentrance.Hepushedhi s
di
cki ntoherti
llhewasbur i
eddeepi nsi
deher.
Slowlyhebegant omov e,bl
essi
ngherwi t
hthelazy
deepst rokest
hathadherwhi mperinginpleasur
e.

Theodoraparkedbythepar
kingl
otandst
eppedout
ofhercar.Shepul
leddownhergreenr
uff
ledski
rt
wal
kinginsi
det hebuil
dingandsmiledatthe
r
ecepti
onistproceedi
ngt otheel
evator
.Herphone
r
angast heelevatorwhiskedheruptoherfl
oor.
“
Anay
a…”
“
Hey
,Iam seei
ngy
ourmi
ssedcal
l
,ev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“
Yes,
Ical
l
edGont
le,
Iam seei
ngherl
atert
oday
.”
“
Ok,
wel
lgoodl
uck.
”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Iwi
l
lneedi
t.
”
“Iwon’
tbeinforaweekbutIwi
l
lbebackon
Satur
day,
incaseyoutr
ytocont
actme.”
“
Ok.Byt
heway
,congr
atul
ati
ons.
”
“
Thanks.By
e.”
Anay ahungupwhi l
eTheodorawal kedi nsideher
offi
ce.Hercont ractwasont hetabl e.Shesatdown
andwentt hroughit,Lef
adef i
nit
elykepti t
professi
onalatallti
mes, onewoul dswearhewas
notthesamemanwhowasbr eathingdownherneck
pumpi ngint
oherawhi l
eago.Shet ookt hepenand
si
gnedt hecontractwithasmi l
e.Herphoner ang
again.
“
Mama…”
“
Yousounddi
ff
erent
,whati
sit
?”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Not
hing,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine,
whoi
stheman?
”
Theodor
asmi l
ed,
hermotheral
way
sknew
ever
ythi
ng.“
It
’sst
il
lnew.
”
“
Don’
tfeel
ashamedf
orbei
ngi
nlov
e.”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Iam not
,it
’sj
ustt
hatIam
scar
ed.”
“Iwantt
oseehim.Iam t
aki
nganev
eni
ngbust
her
e,
Iwanttoseey
ou.”
“
Youdon’
thav
eto.
”
“Ther
eissomet
hingi
mpor
tantIneedt
otal
ktoy
ou
about.
”
Theodor
astoppedsmi
l
ingl
i
steni
ngt
ohermot
her
’s
ser
iousvoi
ce.
“
Ever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
It
’sabouty
ourf
ather
.”
“
Ithoughty
ousai
dhewasdead.
”
“Iam comingthere.Wewi l
ltalk.
”Hermot herqui
ckl
y
hungup.Theodorast aredatherphone, shehad
grownupknowi ngherf atherwasdead, that’
swhat
hermot heral
wayst oldherev eryti
mesheasked.
Theodora’shear
tpoundedasshet houghtofwhyher
motherwoul dwantt otal
kaboutherdeadf ather
.

*
***
*

Rachel
approachedtheent
ranceatKenPr
oper
ti
es
andpushedthedoorwalki
ngin.
“
BossLady
!”Oneoft
hewor
ker
ssai
dwi
thasmi
l
e.
“
Hey
,howar
eyou?
”
Theybot
happr
oachedt
hest
air
sandsl
owl
ycl
i
mbed
up.
“Iam f
ine,
yourbumpi
ssobi
g.Cany
ouev
en
breat
he?”
Rachel
laughed.“
Yes.
”
“Mr.M shoul
ddosomet
hingaboutt
heel
evat
or,
you
can’
tkeepwalki
ngli
ket
his.
”
Rachel
stoppedandcaughtherbr
eat
h.
“
Hei
sgoi
ngt
obev
eryupsett
hatIcameupher
e.”
Thewor
kerl
aughed.“
Itoowoul
dbeupset
.”
Theyconti
nuedwal ki
ngt henRachelheadedtoKen’s
off
ieasthewor kerwenttohers.Sheknockedsof t
ly
onthedoorafterpassinghismaleassistant
’sdesk.
Rachelgent
lypushedt hedooropenandwal kedin,
Kenstoodupandwal kedtowardsher.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngupher
e?”
Shesatdownont
hecouchandsmi
l
ed.“
Ibr
ought
youl
unch.”
Kenfai
ledt
okeepastrai
ghtfacest
ari
ngatthel
unch
box.“
BabeIdon’
twantyoutakingt
hestai
rs,
whati
f
yousli
pandfal
l?
”
Rachel
smi
l
ed.“
Thatdi
dn’
thappen.
”
Hekissedhercheek.“
Youarenotcomingupher
e
nextt
ime.Idon’
twanttohearstor
ies.
”
“
Itwon’
thappenagai
n.”
Kensmil
edasaknocker
upt
edont
hedoor
.“Iam
meeti
ngacl
ient
.”
“
Now?
”
“
Yeah.
”
ThedooropenedandMalv
inwal
kedi
n.Rachel
’
s
hear
tski
ppedasshestar
edathi
m.
“
Iguesst
herei
snoneedf
ori
ntr
oduct
ions.
”Kensai
d
wi
thasmil
e.
“
Past
orRachel
.
”
Racheltookadeepbreathandsmil
ed.“Hi
,Malv
in.
”
Shelookedatherhusband.“Iwi
l
lseeyouathome.”
“
Iwi
l
lhel
pyou.
”
Hehel
pedherst
andandtoget
hertheywal
kedoutof
t
heoff
icegoi
ngdownthestai
rssl
owly.Heopened
t
hecardoorf
orherandshecl
imbedin.
“
Whatbusi
nessdoy
ouhav
ewi
thMal
vi
n?”
“
Theusual
,hei
sactual
lyagoodpersonmay
bei
n
t
hefut
urewewil
ldoproject
stoget
her.
”
Rachel
swal
l
owedst
ari
ngatherhusband.
“
Ohok.
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyoumor
e.”
Hekissedherthenclosedthedoorforher
.Rachel
watchedhim walkbacktotheentr
anceandshe
qui
cklygotherphonelooki
ngforhisnumber.She
cl
osedhereyesr eal
i
zingshehaddeletedi
t.Her
phonerangandsheanswer ed.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Iseemychi
l
disgr
owi
ng.
”
“
Mal
vi
nst
opt
his.
”
“Hecan’tgiv
eyoukidsandsoonerorlaterhei
s
goi
ngt ofi
ndout.IneverknewChr
ist
ianscouldbe
thi
sevil
,howonear t
hdoy ougi
veanot hermana
chi
ldthatisnothi
s?”
“
Stayawayf
rom myf
ami
l
y!”
“
Iam goi
ngtocomef
ormychi
l
dRachel
andt
rust
meonthat.
”
“
Whyar
eyousohel
lbentondest
roy
ingmyf
ami
l
y?”
“Idon’
twantt
odest
royy
ourf
ami
l
y,Ij
ustwantmy
chil
dRachel
.”
“
Youarei
nsane!Doy
our
eal
i
zewhatIst
andt
o
l
ose?
”
“Wecanalwaysst
artal
loversomewherewhereno
oneknowsus.Il
oveyou,wecanr ai
seourbaby
toget
her
.All
youhavetodoistrustme.
”
Shehungupandcov
eredherf
acecr
ying.

*
***
*

Marangfini
shedherroundsandbeganwal
ki
ngt
o
heroff
icetopackherthi
ngs.
“
Dr.Hender
son!”Anur
seshout
edhernameandshe
f
rownedtur
ning.
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
It
’sMr
.Tay
lor
!”
Mar ang’sheartskippedandsher ant
ohisr oom wit
h
thenur se.God!Hehadsl ippedi
nto
unconsci ousness.Shelookedatthemonitorthat
hadst artedgoingwi l
dandquickl
yapproached
Jarule.Hewashav ingaheartatt
ack.
“Getthecar di
ac-ar r
esttroll
ey!”Shesaidtot henur se
whoqui cklyranoutwhi leshecheckedhi spul se.
Secondsl atersheusher editin,Marangconnect ed
thewiresasanot herdoctorjoinedthem.She
pressedtheshockbut tonandJar ule’
sbodyj oltedup.
Shelookedatt hemoni torseeingnodifferenceand
pressedtheshockbut tonagai nandimmedi ately
start
edCPR.
“Hei scomingback! ”Thenurseshout edandMarang
closedherey esslowlywi t
hreli
ef.Afewmor e
mi nuteswithhim shefinal
lywalkedoutleavi
nghim
stable.Shebumpedi nt
ohi sbabymamaand
daught erbythedoorandsmi l
ed.
“
Isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
Mar
angnodded.“
Hei
sfi
ne,
hisweet
y…”
Hi
sdaught
ersmi
l
edwi
tht
hreef
rontt
eet
hmi
ssi
ng.
“
Hidoc…”
“Youlookbeaut
iful
.
”Marangsaidt
ohisdaught
er
thenlookedatt
hebabymama, shewasbeauti
ful
thatshewonderedwhyJarul
ehadeverl
etsucha
goodwomango.
“
Hei
sgoi
ngt
obef
ine,
justsuf
fer
edahear
tat
tack.
”
“Thebrandisstr
essi
nghi
m outandt
heykeep
putt
ingpressur
eonhim.”
“
May beyouhav
etot
alkt
ohi
m,hehasadaught
ert
o
t
hinkof.
”
“
Itr
iedbut
…”
“
Tryhar
der
,hi
sli
fei
sont
hel
i
ne.
”
“
Youar
ethebestdoct
orIhav
eev
ercameacr
oss.
”
Mar
angsmi
l
ed.“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Ihopey
oul
ovedt
hef
lower
s.”
“
Youar
etheonewhosentmef
lower
s?”
“Yes,Ij
ustwantedt
othankyouf
orhav
inghope,
we
hadalll
osthopebutyouhel
donasifyouknowhim
yetyoudon’t
.”
“Iwastryi
ngtoburstmyheadt hi
nkingofwhocoul d
havesentmet hosefl
owers.Thanky ou,nextti
me
don’tf
orgettoputanote.
”Theybothl aughed.“But
thankyou.Justtal
ktohim andhopefull
ythingswil
l
change.ByeCy ni
ah.
”
Hi
sdaught
ersmi
l
edather
.“By
edoc…”
Marangwal
kedawayandpassedt
heot
herdoct
or
shehadwor
kedwit
h.
“
Goodj
obDr
.Hender
son.
”
“
Thanks.
”
Marangwalkedtoheroff
iceandquicklypackedher
thi
ngsbeforeheadi
ngtotheunder
groundpar ki
nglot
whereshegotinhernewcaranddrov eoff.Her
phonerangconnectedt
ot heBl
uet
oot handshe
answered.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,it
’sAnay
a.”
“
Hi.
”
“
Ist
hist
her
ightt
imet
otal
k?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Miguel
tel
l
smey
ouar
etaki
ngJuni
ort
ost
aywi
th
y
ou.”
“Yes,whatifithadbeenJuniorinQuinsy’
sposit
ion.I
am nottaki
ngt hatri
skanymor e.WhenIfir
stmet
Refil
weInev erknewshecoul dkil
lherownchil
dor
evenabusemychi l
d.ShesentJunioroutinthe
middleoftheni ght
,whati
sifhewaski dnappedfor
ri
tuals?
”
“
Igety
ou,
Itoowoul
dreactt
hesameway
.”
“
Iam gl
ady
ouunder
standme.
”
“Miguelishurttoo,hi
mt oonev ert
houghtRef i
lwe
wouldgoasf arasshedid.Iknowy ouareupsetbut
Iwantust otalkintosharedcustody .Hestay
swith
youdur i
ngschool daysandhol i
dayshecomesher e.
IknowIhav enor i
ghtt
obenegot i
atingthi
swithyou
butIjustthi
nkit’ssomethingthatneedst obe
discussed.”
Marangsi
ghedt aki
ngaturnthatl
edtoherhouse.“
I
gett
hatbutfornowIdon’tthi
nkIwil
lbeabl
eto
compromise,Iam st
il
labi
tskepti
cal
.Myson’sli
fe
wasi
ndanger
.”
“
Igett
hat
,thanky
ouf
orl
i
steni
ng.
”
Maranghungupanddr ovei
nherdriveway
.She
st
eppedoutoft hecarwi
thhert
hingsandwalked
i
nsideherhouse.
“Hey,di
nneri
salmostready
!”Br
yanandki
ssedher
cheek.“
Youlookhot.
”
“
Iam soexhaust
ed.
”
“
Longday
?”
“
Youcansayt
hatagai
n.”
“
Iwi
lruny
ouabat
h.”
Shenoddedgr at
eful
thenwal
kedwi t
hhimtot he
bedroom andsatonthebedtaki
ngoffhershoes.
Herphonev i
brat
edandshetookitopeni
ngthe
facebookmessage.
“
Hi,mynamei sConstanceKgar
i,mymot her
’sname
i
sKozibaKgari
,shetoldmethatyourf
atheri
smy
f
ather
.Ist
hereawaywecanmeetanddoDNA
t
ests?
”
Marangcl
ickedonherprof
il
eandwentthr
oughher
pi
ctur
es,t
her esembl
ancewasuncanny
.It
’sl
i
kethey
weretwi
ns.
“
Yourwat
eri
sready
.”
Shelookedup.“
Mysist
erj
ustcont
act
edme.
”She
handedhimthephone.
“
Wow!
”
“Iknow,It
hinkIshoul
dgot
herewhenJuniorcomes
backfrom t
hetri
pwi t
hMi
guel
,Iwi
llseeherthen.
”

*
***
*

InMahalapye,Miguel
drovei
nsidehi
spar ent
’sy ar
d
l
aterint
heaf t
ernoonandparkedbehindhisfather’
s
car.Hesteppedoutashiski
dsr ant
owardshi m
alr
eadydressed.
“Daddy
, ar
ewegoi
ngt
oVi
ctor
iaf
all
s?”I
vyaskedand
hesmiled.
“
Yes,
heyJuni
or.
”
“
IsQui
nsycomi
ngwi
thust
oo?
”
Mi
guel
sighed.“
NoJuni
or,
rememberwhatIsai
d?”
“
Thathewentwi
tht
heangel
s?”
“NoJuni
or,
hei
sdead!Hedi
edandi
snev
ergoi
ng
goi
ngtocomeback.
”
“
Ivywhatdi
dIsayaboutt
alki
ngl
i
ket
hat
?”
I
vyl
ookedathermot
herst
eppi
ngoutoft
hecar
.
“
Buthei
sdead.
”
AnayalookedatMiguelwhoknel
tbef
oreher.“You
arereal
lysmart
,bothofyou.Qui
nsyi
sdeady esbut
theangel’
stookhi
m becauseGodwascall
ingfor
him.”
“
IsGodgoi
ngt
ocal
lformet
oo?
”
“
YesJay,butnotnow.I
nthef
utur
e.Wheny
ouar
e
r
eal
lyol
d.”
Anayasmi
l
edasMaMokwenawal
kedoutoft
he
house.
“
Ngwet
siy
ame…comeoni
n.”
Anayawal
kedwithherinsi
dethehousewhere
Miguel
’
sfat
herwassitedonthecouchwatchi
nga
gameofsoccer
.Helookedatherandsmiled.
“
Anay
a…”
“
Goodaf
ter
noon.
”Shegr
eet
edhi
mrespect
ful
l
y.
“
Iam donecooki
ngl
unch,
come,
Iwi
l
ldi
shf
ory
ou.
”
Anayawalkedwi t
hhertothesitt
ingr
oom, Ma
Mokwena’satti
tudehadreall
ychanged,
thiswasthe
verysamewomanwhohadcal l
edheraprosti
tut
ein
multi
pleoccasi
ons.Shelookedatherwonderi
ngif
evershewouldforgetal
lthatatsomepointi
nher
l
ife.
“
IcookedMi
guel
’
sfav
ori
te,
takeoutt
hepl
ates.
”
Anayaopenedt
heki
tchenuni
tandt
ookoutt
he
pl
ates.
“Iam gl
adwear emov i
ngonfrom t
hepast .Af
terthi
s
youandMi guelshoul
dmakeitoff
ici
al.Ipromi
sey ou
Iam goingtobethebestmotheri
n-l
awy ouhav e
everhad.Onceuponat i
meIwasy ou.Inlovewitha
manwhoj ustwasn’
tnormal
.Hebehav edli
kea
crazymanbutIl ovedhi m.Wewer etwodi f
ferent
peopleandnomat t
erhowmuchIt oldmy selfI
shouldn’tdoi t,myhear talway sbet r
ay edme.I
alwayswentback.Hi sent ir
ef ami lydidn’tli
keme, I
wasnomat cht othei rstatus, Iwasbel owt hem but
thatdidn’tstopus.If el
l pregnantwi thMi guel whenI
wasonl y16, Iwasr eallyscar ed.Mypar entswer e
goingtobedi sappoi nted, Ihadact uall
ydi sappointed
everyonebutwhatwasdonewasdone.The
Mokwena’ swant edmet oabor t,that’
swhenmy
mot herarrangedImov eandhi de.Buti nmyhi ding,I
sti
llkeptseei ngmyman.Lov emademecr azy,ifI
thi
nkoft hingsIdi dbackt hen, Ifeelashamed.Af ew
yearsaf t
erIgav ebi rthtoMi guel, Iwentt oseet heir
fatherwher ehewaswor kingi nGabor onet henI
foundsomewoman’ sbel ongi ngs.It ookt hose
thi
ngs, hi
scl othesandpr opert yandsett hem
ablaze.”
Anay
ast
aredatheri
nshock.
“Ever
ythi
ng,Iburntandwhenhecamebackl ater
thatni
ghtfrom work,hewasshockedt
of i
ndme
sit
tedintheempt yhouse,
andthatwasthenight
Agangwasconcei ved.Notabl etost andt hef i
ghts
anymor e,yourfatheri n-l
awsuggest edweel opeand
wedi d.Wel eftwithonl yourclothes, kidsandsome
money .Itwashar dbutIbel i
evedinourl ov e.Ithas
been39y earssinceIhav ebeenwi tht hisman, 33
whichIhav ebeenmar riedtohim.Al otofpeopl e
wereagai nstus,somet imesIquest ionedmy
decisionsandsomet i
mesIwoul dwakeupi nthe
middleoft henightandcr ybutnowwhenIl ookback,
Ireali
zeImadet her ightdecisi
onbecauset odayI
am her e, happywithwher eIam wi thl i
fe.Iam not
perfect,myhusbandi snotperfect.Ihav ecr ied,I
havef aught ,Ihavef orgivenalotwhi chIknowI
shouldn’ thave,alotwhi chpeoplet oldmenott o,I
l
ookedl ikeaf ooloutt herebuttodayher eIam.
Happy .Ir eali
zedIdon’ toweany oneany thing.”
“
Wow!
”
MaMokwenal aughed.“Don’
twor
ry,
onedayyouwill
al
sotel
lyourdaughteri
n-l
awthesamethi
ng.Juni
or
i
sgrowi
ng.”
“
39y
ear
sisal
ot.
”
“I
tis.Howisbusi
ness?IknowIam ol
dbutIact
ual
l
y
knowat hi
ngortwoaboutbusi
ness.
”
Anayasmil
ed.“
Busi
nessi
sok,
act
ual
l
ygr
eat
ert
hanI
hadhopedfor
.”
“
Ilov
ejusthowi
ndependenty
ouar
e.”
“
Ilov
ebei
ngi
ndependent
.Wher
eisRet
habi
l
e?”
“
Shej
ustsl
ept
,shehasbeencr
yingnonst
op.
”
“
Oh,
Iwi
l
lseeherwhenwel
eav
e.”
Theycont
inuedchat
ti
ngandAnayasl
owl
yopened
uptohert
illt
heywerel
aughi
ngandgi
ggl
i
nginthe
ki
tchendi
shing.
Meanwhil
eout
side,
Miguel
stoodwi
thhi
sfat
her
t
alki
ng.
“
Idon’tknow,Idon’
twanttopushmyl
uck,
wehav
e
j
ustgottenbacktoget
her
.”
Hisfat
hernodded.“Ok,butdon’
ttaketoomuchtime.
Youaregrowing.Agangt ol
dmehewant stomarry,
al
lyoursi
bli
ngsar egetti
ngmarri
ed,youshoul
dtoo.
Soonpeoplewillbelooki
ngatyou.”
“
Idon’
twantt
orushany
thi
ng.
”
I
vycal
l
edhergr
andf
atherf
rom i
nsi
det
hehouse.
“
Yourdaught
eri
sex
treme.
”
Mi
guel
laughed.“
Shei
ssmar
t.
”
Hi
sphoner
angashi
sfat
herwal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouse.
“
Col
l
een,
”
“Hey,Iam t
ryi
ngt
ocal
lAnay
abutshei
snot
picki
ng.”
“
Ithi
nkshel
eftt
hephonei
nthecar
,whatdi
dyou
want
?”
“Nonofyourbusi
ness.Ij
usthopey
oudon’thurther
agai
nbecausethi
stimeshewon’tl
ookback.”
“
Iwon’
t.
”
“
Good.Iam happyf
ory
ou.
”
Mi
guel
smi
l
ed.“
Soam I
.”
“
Mxm any
way
,Ihav
etogetgoi
ng.
”
Hehungupst
ari
ngatawomanatt
hegat
e.
“
BK?
”
Hef
rownedwal
ki
ngt
othegat
ethenl
aughed.
“
Gaone!
”
“
Sheh!Iwaswonder
ingi
fit
’sy
ou.Wow!
”
Helookedathisol
dhighschoolcl
assmateand
smil
edremember i
nghowtheyhadf ool
edaroundas
ki
ds,shelookeddi
ffer
enti
nthoseheelsandbody
huggi
ngdr ess.
“
Modi
ri
’sgi
rl
fr
iend.
”
Gaonel
aughed.“
Don’tsaythat
.Ibumpedi
ntohi
m
year
sbackaski
ngforP2.”
“
Ial
way
sknewhewasgoi
ngt
oendupasanobody
.”
“
WhereisKen?Youguysweresonaught
ybackthen,
r
ememberwheny ouf
orcedNametsotoabor
t?
Wai
tsee.
..
”
Theybot
hlaughedl
oudl
y.“
Don’
tsaysuchthi
ngs
l
oudly
.Myparentswer
egoingt
okil
lme.”
“
Babe?
”Anayawal
kedout
sideandst
aredatGaone.
“
Foodi
sready.
”
“Gaone,meetmywife,
Nay
athi
sisGaone,
myhi
gh
schoolcl
assmat
e.”
Anayal
ookedatGaoneandfl
ashedasmal
lsmil
e.
“Hi
,Gaone.Let
’sgo,
thef
oodisget
ti
ngcol
d.”
Mi
guel
smi
l
edasGaonewal
kedaway
.
“
Wasshey
ourhi
ghschool
gir
lf
ri
end?
”
Mi
guel
smi
l
ed.“
No.
”
“Oh.
.”Shet
urnedandbeganwal
ki
ngbackt
othe
house.
“
Wai
t,ar
eyouupset
?”
Anayaturnedandl
ookedathim.“Idon’tknow
Miguel
,whatIknowisthatt
histi
mei fyoucheaton
me,Iwill
findamuchmor ebett
ermanandmar ry
hi
m.Iam notgoingtoenter
tai
ny ournonsense.
”
“Iam sor
ry,
Inev
erdat
edher,j
ustmessedar ound
withher,
Kenist
heonewhosl eptwi
thher.Il
astsaw
herwhenIwasdoingf
orm 5.Yearsago.
”
“
Ok,
let
’sgoandeat
.”
Theywalkedinsi
dethehouset othediningt
able
whereeveryonewasalreadysett
li
ng.Hewat chedhis
motherwhisperandlaughwithAnayawi thawide
smil
e,i
tfeltgoodwatchingthem bond,something
henev
ert
houghtcoul
dev
erhappen.

Anayasatint hefr
ontseatwithIvyandJuni oratthe
backseatwhileMigueldr
ov eheadednor t
h.“Mommy
Iknowt hi
ssong!”Ivyyel
ledasAnay ai
ncr easedthe
vol
ume.Juni orandIvystart
edsingi
ngt othelyri
cs.
Anayasmi l
edandt ookoutherphonet akingav ideo
oftheroadbef or
ethem singi
ngalong.

Cheer
stot
hef
reaki
n’weekend
Idr
inkt
othat
,yeahy
eah
Ohl
ett
heJamesonsi
nki
n
Idr
inkt
othat
,yeahy
eah
Don’
tlett
hebast
ardsgety
adown
Tur
nitar
oundwi
thanot
herr
ound
Ther
e’sapar
tatt
hebar
Ev
ery
bodyput
chagl
assesupandIdr
inkt
o
That(
yeahy
eah,
yeahy
eahy
eah)
Idr
inkt
othat(
yeahy
eahy
eah,
yeahy
eahy
eah)

Thefami l
ysanghappil
yastheRangeRov erspedin
theA1.Mi guell
ookedathi
skidsthenatAnayawith
asmile,shelookedathi
m andblushedandturned
awayfrom him asthewindbl
ewherhair.

TWOYEARSLATER…
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#98

AnayawalkedoutofNaguelInv
est
ment
s’sboard
room hol
dingherhandbagandafi
l
eontheother
hand,herhi pswavedfrom si
detosideinashort
blackformal ski
rtwhi
leher6inchheelsechoed
behindher.Shebr i
efl
ylookedatherwatchpassing
thereceptionthenrai
sedherheadsmi l
ingatthem
andpr oceededtotheslidi
ngdoors.
Therecept
ioni
standhercol
l
eaguest
aredwhil
eher
roundbott
om shookwit
heveryst
epshetook.
“
Thi
swoman!
”
Ther eceptionistlaughed.“Sheisont opofhergame.
OnceIgoti nt heelevatorwit
hherandshewas
wearingt hisbeaut i
fulwhitesuit
,Ifel
tti
ny,her
expensi v
eper fumehadf il
l
edt heelevat
orandIev en
start
edt hinkingIwassmel li
ng.Kehaasmi l
erareI
l
ov ey ourhairst y
le,
youshoul dhaveseenme, I
wantedt ost andont opofabui l
dingscreaming.”
“
Shescaresme,
Ipr
eferMr
.Mokwenat
hanher
,she
l
ooksst
ri
ct.”
“
Nope,
shei
sact
ual
l
ytheni
cestpeopl
eonear
th.
”
“ButhowdoesGodblessoneper
sonwit
hthebeaut
y,
thebody,
thebr
ains,
themoneyandtheman,t
hisi
s
unfai
r.
”
Theybot
hlaughedasamanappr
oachedt
hem.
“
Whowast
hat
?”
Theytur
nedwatchi
ngAnay
adi
sappear
ingout
side.
“Oh,t
heboss.
”
Themanf
rowned.“
Sheownst
hispl
ace?
”
“
Yes,
wit
hherf
iancé.Mi
guel
Mokwena.
”
Themanbl
i
nkedacoupl
eoft
imest
henwal
kedout
.
“
Who’
sthat
?”
“
Idon’tknowbutIknowhei
sey
eingwayabov
ehi
s
l
eague.”
Theybot
hlaughedandcont
inuedchat
ti
ng.

*
***
*

Let
haborushedinsi
dehisclassandmadehiswayt o
hi
susualseat,i
thadnoone.Hesatdownandt ook
outhi
slapt
op.Hisphonev i
brat
edfrom hi
spocket
andhetookitoutwatchi
ngoutforhisl
ectur
er.
Anna:
mylov
e,It
ransf
err
ed10ki
ntoy
ouraccount
,I
l
oveyou.
Hesi
ghedandopenedt
hebanknot
if
icat
ion.
Let
habo:
Thanks,
Iam i
ncl
ass.Wi
l
ltal
k.
Heputhi sphoneonsi lentandputi tbackinhi s
pocket.Hislecturerwal kedinsecondsl at
er, Lethabo
satuprightstari
ngatt hedoor ,shewasl ate,asusual .
MsGr if
tinsstartedwi t
ht helessonwhi l
eLet habodi d
acountdowni nhi shead, ami nut
elateragi rlrushed
i
nsidethecl ass.MsGr i
ftinsl
ookedatherwi th
disapprovalandshegav ehertheapologeticsmi l
e
andsatbesi deLet habo.
“Gi
vememymoney -l
ateagai
n.”Hewhi
sper
edand
shelookedathi
mtaki
ngoutherlapt
op.
“
Iov
ersl
ept
.”
Lethabosmi l
edthenstar
edatMsGr i
fti
ns.Heloved
herlessonsthebest,
shemadeev er
ythingsoundso
excit
ingthatsometi
mesheev ensawhi msel
ffly
ing
highinthesky.Twohourslat
er,hewalkedoutwith
hiscompanion.
“
Dude,Igotmyassi
gnmentbackandIl
andeda75,
y
ou?”
Let
habosmi
l
edmaki
ngherl
augh.
“
Don’
ttel
lmey
ouscor
ed100%agai
n?”
“
ComeonSino,
Itol
dyouweshoul
dst
artr
eadi
ng
t
oget
her
.”
“
Myschedul
eist
ight
.Youknowt
hat
.”
“
Somet
hinggott
ogi
ve.
”
Sinot
hil
elookedathi
m andsmil
ed.“
Iam pr
oudof
you.Onewouldswearyouarenotworki
ngont
he
side.
”
Heshrugged.“Il
ovet
hatsmil
emysi st
eralways
gi
vesmewhenIshowhermyr esul
ts,shehasthat
pr
ideinhereyesli
ke‘
yeah,
that’smyy ounger
br
other’
.Iwanttomakeherproud.”
Sinot
hil
ehookedherarm wit
hhisandlaughed.“She
i
ssuperproud.Anyways,Iwasthi
nki
ngt hatmaybe
todaywecangot oSandtonCit
yShoppingCenter,I
wantsomethingf
rom thatsi
de.Pr
ett
ypleasego
withme…”Shegav ehi
mt hepuppybeggingeyesand
her
oll
edhi
sey
es.
“
Youaretoomuch,l
et’
sgobecauseIhav
etogett
o
wor
k.Andoh,Igoty
ourmovi
e.”
“
Wecanwat
chi
tlat
ert
oni
ght
,myr
oom?
”
Let
habosmi
l
ed.“
Yeah.
”
Theybothwalkedoutoftheavi
ati
onschool
,the
Joburgstr
eet
swer easusualbusybutwhenthey
tal
ked,t
heynevernoti
cedit
.
“Oh,
Ical
ledacab.
”Si
nosai
dast
heyappr
oachedt
he
cabandgoti
n.
“
Don’
twantt
ocountt
hemoney
?”
“DudeeeIhatehavingtocountmoneyandgi
ve
peoplechange!Lastti
mey ouref
usedf
orusto
swit
ch.”
“
Yeah,
youhadt
ofeel
theheat
.”
“Evi
l!Goshandt
hemusi
c…I
tmakesmesi
ckt
omy
stomach.
“Youshouldpl
uginyourearphone…ohImeanmy
earphones,
theonesyoustole.
”
“
Getoutofher
e,t
heywer
eagi
ft
.”
“
JudgeJudywoul
dn’
tthi
nkso.
”
“
Yikes!Ev
ilr
udewoman!
”
Lethabolaughedast
heycont
inuechat
ti
ng.Awhi
l
e
l
atertheygotoutoft
hecabandwalkedtowar
dst
he
mall.
“Youshoul
dret
urnmyt
hingsbef
oreIr
epor
tthem
stol
en.
”
“
Yougav
ethem t
ome.
”
“
Youst
ole.
”
“
Ihat
eyou.
”
Het
ickl
edher
.“Youknowy
oul
oveme.
”
Theygotinthemallandwentt
othestor
eshe
wanted.Shelookedatt
hecameraswhil
ehewal
ked
behi
ndher .
“Ineedanewcamer aformyYouTubev i
deos,
Iwant
toshootavlogduri
ngtheweekend.Iwasthi
nkingof
doingthegett
ingwhattheper
soninfr
ontofmegot
chall
enge.
”
“
Dowhaty
oumust
.”
Sinotur
nedtohim androl
l
edherey
es.“
Youar
enot
beinghel
pful
rightnow.
”
Lethabosmil
edstar
ingatherbaggyclot
hes,shestil
l
remainedbeaut
if
uleveni
nthosenoshapecl othes.
“YouknowIwouldsupportanyt
hingthathasyou
i
nside.”
“
Cute!Any
ways,Iam goi
ngt
ogett
hisone.
”Shet
ook
acameraandshowedhim.
“
Good,
it’
sni
ce.
”
“
Iknowr
ight
?!Let
’sgo.
”
Shepai
df ori
tandtheywal
kedout
,herphoner
ang
andshetookitout
.
“Zi
pho…Iam atSandt
on…ok…by
e.”Sheputaway
herphone.
“
Yourl
esbi
angi
rl
fr
iend?
”
Si
nosmi
l
ed.“
Stopi
t.Shei
sher
e.Shecandr
opy
ou
of
f.
”
“
No,
Iam cool
.”
TheyapproachedhercarattheparkinglotandZi
pho
gotout,shehadtatt
oosallover
,Lethabosecret
ly
wonderedifevershelookedather
sel fonthemir
ror
,
probabl
ynot.
“Bye.
”Sinosaidcheerful
l
yasusualthenhugged
Ziphowhowasst ari
ngathi
m, hewasusedtothat
facethatapparentl
yhadtoscarehi
m buthewas
nevermov ed.
“
Bye…”
Withhisbaghangingonhisshoul
der
,hewalkedt
o
thetaxistopwhil
eZiphogoti
nherGolfanddr
ove
awaywi thSino.

*
***
*

Ayanacal
ledthenextpati
entsi
tti
ngonherchai
rat
thehospi
tal
.Karabowalkedinandlockedt
hedoor
behi
ndhim.Shesmi l
ed.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
“
Iam notal
l
owedt
obeexami
ned?
”
Shel
aughed.“
Youarewast
ingmyt
ime,
ther
eisa
l
ongqueueoutsi
de.
”
“
Imi
ssy
ou.
”
“
Soy oudroveal
lthewayfr
om Gabst
ocomeher
ein
Maunjustfort
hat?Iwaswit
hyoudur
ingt
he
weekend.
”
Karabounzippedhispantsandt ookouthi
sdi
ck.
Ayanastoodupi nherhighheelsandwhitedr
ess,
Karabopickedherupandpl acedheronthehospi
tal
bedwhi l
etheykissed.Hepull
edherlacepant
yto
thesideandslidinhishar
ddick.
“Ahh…”Shemoanedsof typlaci
ngonel egonhis
shoul
der.Karaboheldherwaistandfuckedherwhil
e
thebedmov ed.Ayanamoanedt hr
owingherhead
backspasming, Kar
abothrustintoherafewtimes
andfil
l
edherup.
“
Fuck!You’
vegott
olov
ethi
s.”
Hepulledouthisdi
ckandsteppedbackasAyana
gotoffbed.Sheopenedherhandbagandtookouta
wiperthenwipedher
selfbef
orepul
li
ngherpant
ies
up.
“
Youar
est
il
lonbi
rt
hcont
rol
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Why
?”
“
Whatdoy
oumeanwhy
?”
Kar
abosi
ghedandshookhi
shead.
“
Youdr
ove8hour
sforpussy
?”
Karabopackedhisdickbackinhispant
sthenpul
l
ed
herforakiss.“
Imissedyou,ei
therway,
Ihave
businessheretosor
tout.
”
Ayanalookedathi
m car
eful
l
ythensi
ghed.“
Don’
tgo
toj
ail
.”
Kar
abol
aughed.“
Youar
ecut
e,noonei
sgoi
ngt
o
j
ail
.”
“
Iam ser
ious.
”
“Soam I
.It
’sLone’
sbi
rt
hdaynextweek,
Bamei
s
goingt
othrowherapart
y.”
“
Isi
tmeorshei
spr
egnant
?”
“
Idon’
tknow,
whydoy
ousayt
hat
?”
“
Shei
sthi
ck.Mor
ethanusual
.”
“
Idi
dn’
tnot
iceany
thi
ng.Iboughtt
hel
and.
”
“
Wher
e?”
“
InNot
wane.It
hinkweshoul
dst
artbui
l
ding.
”
“
Ial
readyt
oldy
ouwhatIwantMr
.Dav
id.
”
Karabosmil
edandki
ssedheragai
n.“
Iknow,Iwant
topaybri
depri
ce,
Iwanttoenj
oymywi f
einpeace.
”
“
Aft
erAnay
a’sweddi
ng.
”
“Whatisshedoesn’twanttogetmar r
ied?She
doesn’tl
ooklikeshewantstogetmar ri
ed.BabeI
don’tunder
standwhyourl i
veshavetostopjust
becauseofoneper son.Anayaisbusymaking
moneyt owantt ogetmarri
ed.”
“No,shej
ustwantstobesureofev er
ythi
ng.Babe
youandIaremarri
edalready,what
’sl
eftisi
nvolv
ing
elder
sandthat
’sgoingtohappensoonbecause
Anayasetadateyester
day.”
Kar
abogaveheraskept
ical
look.“
Ok,
wheni
sthe
weddi
ng?
”
“
Inf
ivemont
hs.Af
tert
hat
,wecanst
artonus.
”
“I
fshedoesn’ tgetmarri
edi nfi
vemont hs,Idon’
t
care,Iam sendingmyuncl es.Iam t
iredofthis
sneaking,
it’
sstupidthatIam speakingwithmyown
l
awf ulweddedwi fe.
”
“Iam sor
ry.
”Sheki
ssedhi
m.“
Ilov
eyou,
andy
ou
havetogo.”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Sheopenedthewindowsashewalkedoutlet
ti
ngi
n
ai
rinthestuf
fyr
oom.Asecondlat
er,apati
ent
walkedi
n.Shesatdownrecei
vi
ngthepati
ent’
scar
d
andconti
nuedwit
hherjob.

*
***
*

Miguel
gavehisdaught
ersthei
rpl
atesoff
ood.I
vy
st
aredatherpl
atewit
haf r
own.
“
Daddyi
t’
sbur
nt.
”
“
It
’snott
hatbur
nt.
”
Ret
habi
l
elookedatherbi
gsi
stersi
l
ent
lycr
ying.
“
Iti
s,i
tsmel
l
s.”
“
Ivy
,goandsi
tdown!
”
Sheangr
il
ywal
kedof
f,Mi
guel
lookedatRet
habi
l
e.
“
Sweet
ywhyar
eyoucr
ying?
”
“
Iwantmommy
…”
Hesi
ghed.“
Shei
scomi
ngdon’
tcr
y.”
“Dad!Thebabyvomited!”Iv
yscr
eamedfr
om the
l
eavingroom.MiguelpickedRet
haandwalkedwi
th
hertothesi
tt
ingroom.
“
Sitwi
thI
vy,
mommyi
sal
mosther
e.Don’
tcr
y.”
Ret habi
lesatdownandcov eredherfacecrying.
Mi guell
ookedatt hebabycoveredinvomitthen
hear dAnaya’
scarout si
de.Hequicklyt
ookt hebaby
tot hekit
chenwher ehewipedhisli
pswi t
ha
dishtowelandt ookoffhi
swetv est
.Hewal kedback
i
nsi detheli
vingroom asAnayawalkedinhol di
nga
hugeboxofpi zza.
“
Higuy
s!”
Rethabi
legotupandrantowardsher.Anay
asmiled
handingIv
ythepizz
athenplacedherhandbagdown
pi
ckingRethabi
l
e.
“
Whyar
eyoucr
yingsweet
y?”
Rethabil
ebreathedheavi
lyburyi
ngherf
aceon
Anaya’sshoulderbl
ade.ShelookedatMiguel
.
“
Shewascr
yingf
ory
ou.
”
“Andwhyisthebabynotwear
ingav
estor
somethi
ng?”
“
Hewasf
eel
i
nghot
.”
Anay
asi
ghedandst
aredathi
sbur
ntf
ood.
“Idon’tevenknowwhyIbot herwi
thyou.”She
mumbl edthenputRet
habil
edownandt ookMi l
l
er
from him.Shewalkedtohisroom andchangedhis
clot
hes.Mi guelwal
kedinasshekissedhischubby
cheek.
“
May
beweshoul
dhi
real
i
vei
nhel
per
.”
“
That
’snotgoi
ngt
ohappen,
wecanmanage,
Dor
cas
i
sok.
”
“
Babe,sheknocksof
fatf
ive,
Idon’
tthi
nkwecan
manage.”
“Thisi
smyhouseholdandIsaywecanmanage.We
arenothir
ingali
veinmaid,maybeifyouhel
ped
aroundthi
ngswouldbebetter
.”Shewalkedwithher
sonstil
li
nherheelsandtookhim backt
othelivi
ng
room.Shewalkedtoherbedroom andfi
nall
ytook
offhershoessi
tt
ingonthebedt henmassagedher
temples.
“
Howdi
dthemeet
inggo?
”
“
Ok.
”Shesi
ghed.“
Ihav
eaheadache.
”
“
Didy
ougoandseet
hedoct
or?
”
“
Igotsobusy
.If
orgot
.”
“
Youshoul
dgot
omor
row.Thi
sisget
ti
ngser
ious.
”
“
It
’sj
ustwor
kst
ress.
”
“
Youhav
eachr
oni
cheadache.Foramont
hnow.
”
“
Iam f
ine,
Ijustneedmypi
l
ls.
”
Miguelki
ssedher
.“Ok,
Iwi
l
ldi
shupt
hepi
zza.Iam
sorr
y.”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
Youshoul
dlear
nhowt
ohandl
eyour
ki
ds.
”
Miguelki
ssedheragai
nthi
sti
meput
ti
nghi
shandon
herthi
gh.
“Goanddishfortheki
ds.Didy
ouspeaktoMarang
aboutJayvi
sit
ing?Theholi
day
sther
estartt
oday.
”
“Sher
efused.Iam t
hinki
ngofi
nvol
vi
ngmyl
awy
er,
shecan’
tkeephimf r
om me.”
“
Iwi
l
lcal
lhert
oo.
”
“
Ok.
”
Miguel
walkedoutandAnay
abeganundressi
ng.Her
phonevi
brat
edandshetookitoutf
rom t
hehandbag.
“
Sar
ona…”
“Hey,Iwast
hinki
ngmay
bewet
hrowCol
l
eena
bir
thdaypar
ty.
”
“
Iam downf
orany
thi
ng.It
hinkshewi
l
llov
eit
.”
“
Ok,
wecanmeett
omor
rowandst
artpl
anni
ng.
”
Anayacl
osedherey
esastheheadachegotwor
se.I
t
fel
tasi
fsomethi
ngwasspli
tt
ingherheadi
ntot
wo
hal
ves.
“
Ihav
east
rongheadache.
”
“
Ireadsomewher
ethatyoumi
ghthav
eabr
ain
t
umororbrai
ncancer
.”
“
It
’snot
hingl
i
ket
hat
,it
’sj
ustIhav
ebeenbusy
.”
“
Anay
ait
’sbeenamont
hnow.
”
“Iam f
ine.Youworr
yunnecessar
il
y,comebyat
OsWorldtomorrow.
”
“
Ok,
takecar
e.”
“
Yout
oo.
”
Shehungupt hentookoutherpill
s,sheput8onher
handthenwalkedt othebathr
oom whereshedrank
al
lofthem.Slowlyshewal kedbacktothebedr
oom
andtookoffherclothesandcrawledonthebed
cl
osinghereyes.

*
***
*
Theodor
awarmedherf oodinthemicrowavethen
tooki
toutaminutelat
er.Shepour
edher sel
fjui
ce
andwenttoherloungewheresheplacedherfood
downthencal
ledLefa.
“
Hey
…”
“
Hey,
areyoucomi
ngt
oni
ght
?Ihav
ebeenwai
ti
ng
f
orawhil
e.”
“
Igothel
pup,
mypar
ent
sar
eathome.
”
“
Don’
tyout
hinki
t’
sti
meImett
hem?
”
“Mymotherischoosysoweav etobecareful
.Idon’
t
wanthertohateyoubecauseonceshehatesyou,
shewil
lfor
everhateyou.
”
“
Ner rawhydoIf
eell
i
keIam f
orci
ngthi
s
r
elat
ionshi
p?Wedon’
ttal
kunl
essIcal
lyou.
”
“
Iam busy
,It
oldy
ou.
”
“
Ify
ounolongerwantthi
srel
ati
onshi
p,sayso.I
s
t
heresomet
hingIam doi
ngwrong?”
Lef
asi
ghed.“
No.
”
“
Theywhati
sit
?”
“
Not
hing.
”
Theodoratookadeepbr
eat
hhear
ingaf
emal
evoi
ce
atthebackground.
“
Whowast
hat
?”
“
Who?
”
Shehear
dhim whi
spersomet
hingshecoul
dn’
treal
l
y
makeout.
“
Whoar
eyouwi
th?
”
“
Noone, cany
oust
opsuspect
ingmeofst
upi
d
t
hings.
”
“
Lef
aIam notst
upi
d,Ihear
dav
oice.
”
Lef
ahungup, Theodor
ast
aredatherphoneand
cal
l
edhim agai
n.
“
Hi,t
hisi
sLef
a’sgi
rl
fi
end,
Iam back,
stopcal
l
ingmy
man.
”
“
Giv
eLef
ahi
sphone.
”
“Hedoesn’
twanttotal
ktoyou.Bye.”Shehung,
Theodor
atriedt
ocalm downbutherhear tr
anit
’s
ownmar at
hon.Sheputhershoes,
gr abbedhercar
key
sandwal
kedoutl
ocki
ngt
hedoorbehi
nd.

*
***
*

Miguelenter
edhisbedroom holdi
ngagl assoffresh
orangejui
ce.Heputitonthedressingt ablethen
l
ookedatAnay asleepi
ngnaked.Hisdi ckjerkedbut
knowingshewasexhaust edhadhim cal mingdown.
Shewaswaki nghard,har
derthanany oneheknew,
shedeservedabreak.Helookedatherbeaut if
ul
faceandsnappedaf ewpictur
esbef oregent l
y
wakingherup.
“
Nay
a…”
Sheremai
nedsti
l
l t
henheki
ssedher
.“Babewakeup,
atl
eastdr
inkt
hejuice.
”
Heshookheragai
nbutshewouldn’tmove.He
car
eful
l
ylookedatherandhi
sheartski
pped.
“
Babe!
”
Heshookherhar
dbutshej
ustwoul
dn’tmove.Hi
s
t
hroatdr
iedupwhil
ehi
shear
tpoundedhardand
f
astagai
nsthi
schest
.
ThedooropenedandI
vywal
kedi
n.
“
Daddy
,come,
ithasst
art
ed.
”
“
Gosweet
y,Iam comi
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
I
vycl
osedt
hedoorandMi
guel
shookAnay
aagai
n
t
hist
imewi
thf
orce.
“
Anay
a!”
Hedesper
atel
ylookedatherwai
ti
ngf
orr
esponse.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#99

Anayasl
owlyopenedhereyesandl
ookedathi
m
conf
usedbutsti
l
ldrowsy.
“
What
’swr
ong?
”
Miguel
sighedwi
thr
eli
ef.“
Ibr
oughty
ouj
uice.Wake
up.
”
Anayasatupri
ghtandrubbedherey
es,
nowhewas
morethanconvi
ncedsomethingwaswr
ong,
he
coul
dseeiti
nhereyes.
“
Thanks.
”
“
Ithi
nkIshoul
dtakey
out
othehospi
tal
.”
“
Foraheadache?Iam f
ineMi
guel
.”
“
Youar
enotfeeli
ngwel
l
.Youwoul
dn’
twakeup,
you
t
akeal
otofpil
l
sperday.
”
“Miguelcanwenotdot
hisr
ightnow?Iam f
ine.I
promise.”
“Canyouatl
eastconsi
dermyopi
nion?Asy
our
husbandatl
east
.”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lgot
omor
row.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Hehandedhert
hej
uiceandwat
chedherdr
ink.
*
***
*

TheodoraparkedhercarinLef
a’sy
ardthenstepped
outofthecar.Shewalkedovertot
hedoorand
knockedtr
yingtocontrol
heranger
.Heari
ng
footst
epsshesteppedbackandwaitedpati
entl
y.
Lefaopenedthedoorandf r
ownedstar
ingather.
“
Hey
…”
“
Whoanswer
edy
ourphone?
”
“
Look,
Idon’
tthi
nkt
hisi
swor
kingout
.”
Theodor
alaughedwi
thdi
sbel
i
ef.“
Wow!
”
“Iam sorr
ybutIdon’
twantt
oli
vewi
thf
earof
contacti
ngAIDS.
”
“Lef
aweonl yhadunprot
ectedsexonceandt hat
wasatthebeginni
ngofourr el
ati
onship.Youtook
yourpeptreat
mentandyouar efi
ne.Sincethenwe
haveneverhadunprot
ectedsex,soIdon’t
underst
andwhatyoumeanbywhaty ouaresay i
ng.
”
“That
’sexact
lymyproblem,
Iwanttofeely
ourf
lesh,
Iwanttocum deepi
nsideofyouandIcan’
tdothat.
”
“
Whoi
sinsi
de?
”
“
Cany
oupl
easego?
”
Theodor
atear
ful
l
ylookedathi
m.“
Whoi
sinsi
de?
”
“Youknowwhat,
Idon’tknowwhaty
ouwantmet
o
sayanymor
e.Iam t
ir
edoft hi
s.”
“Ihavebeennothi
ngbutagoodwomantoyouLefa,
Iaskedyouifyouwerecomfor
tabl
ewi
thmystat
us
andy ousai
dyes!”
“
Thatwast
woy
ear
sago.
”
Tearsf
ell
assheshookherhead.“
Ther
eissomeone
i
nsidet
hehouse,
whoisit?
”
Shepushedhim outofthewayt
henwal
kedinthe
houseandfr
ownedst ari
ngatawomansi
tt
ingonthe
couchi
nhist-
shirtwatchi
ngTV.
“
Whoar
eyou?
”
ThewomanlookedatTheodorat
henl
ookedaway
.
Theodor
awalkedt
owardsher.
“
Iam t
alki
ngt
oyou,
whoar
eyou?
”
“
Don’
tcomei
nfr
ontofmescr
eami
ng,
Iwi
l
lbeat
y
ou.
”
Theodor
ashookwi
thangert
henpul
l
edherwi
thher
hai
r.
“
Thi
sismyman’
shouse!Leav
e!”
ThewomanpushedTheodorathenpunchedher
maki
ngherst
aggerback.Shekickedheri
nthe
st
omachandmov edback.
“
Iwil
lli
ter
all
ymopthefl
oorwit
hyourf
ace,
don’
ttr
y
me.Lefa,
takey
ourtr
ashout.
”
Theodor
al ookedatLef
atr
embli
ng.Shecoul
dfeel
thepai
nrightinherst
omach.
“
Leav
e.”
Sl
owlyshewalkedout.Shelookedathiscart
hen
pi
ckedabrickandsmashedt hewindows.Lef
aran
out
sideheari
ngthecr
ushingsound.
“
Youthi
nky
oucanj
ustusemeandgetawaywi
th
i
t?”
“
Youar
egoi
ngt
osl
eepi
npr
ison,
wai
tandwat
ch.
”
Theodoraconti
nuedsmashinghiswindows.She
walkedovertohisot
hercarbutLef
apul l
edherand
sl
appedherhardacrossthefaceherearrang.
“
Whatt
hef
uckdoy
out
hinky
ouar
edoi
ng?
”
“
Youusedme!
”
“Peoplegetusedev er
yday,t
hereisnot hi
ngspeci al
abouty ou,may betherewastil
lInoticedyouar enot
whoy oupot raytobe,youarejustli
keanyot her
woman, bit
terandjeal
ous.Youhonest lyturnedme
offandIhav ebeenwantingtoendt hisrelat
ionship
forawhi lebutofcausey ouweremaki ngithardfor
me.”
“FuckyouLefa!Ol erete!Whydidn’tyoudumpmei f
youwer et
urnedof f?Youhav enobackboney ou
pieceofshit
!Ifitwasn’tforyourfathery
ouwouldn’
t
behere.Ifeelsorr
yf orwhatevervaginapushedout
trashl
ikeyou.”
Lef
aangr
il
ylookedather
.
“
Whatdi
dyousay
?”
“
Youheardme!Nowondery
ourownmot
herdoesn’
t
wanty
ou.Whowoul
dwantyou?”
Hegrabbedherneckandchockedhercut ti
ngher
air
way .Theodor
at r
iedtobr
eakfreebuthewas
holdi
nghert i
ght
ly.Final
l
yheletgopushi
ngherto
theground.
“Pi
eceofshi ti
sy ourmot her.Letmet el
ly ou
something, youar eloose, yourpussydoesn’ tev en
gri
p.Youliet herelikeaf rozenchi cken,youar enot
evennicet obeginwi th.Menwi l
lalwaysusey ou
becausey ouar ebor ing.Youar enoti nt
eresting,you
can’
tdoany thi
ng.May beifyouwer ebeaut i
ful I
wouldsayy ourbeaut ymakesf oritbutyouar ejust
ugly
.”
Theodor
a’st
ear
sdr
oppedonhercheeksasshe
l
ookedathim.
“
Leav
emypr oper
ty,
youaregoi
ngt
ofi
xmycar
,Isee
y
ouaref
ull
ofnonsense.
”
“
IfIam goi
ngtopayf
ory
ourcart
henIam goi
ngt
o
r
eportyouassul
t.
”
Lef
alaughed.“
Youf
orgetwhoIam.Getout
!”
Sheslowlygotupandwal kedtohercar.she
cli
mbedinanddroveofftryingtoholdi
tinbutt
he
painover
whelmedher.Shepar kedthecarbesi
det
he
roadandbrokedowncrying.

*
***
*

Thefoll
owingdayMar angatest
ari
ngatherl
apt
op
l
ateinthemorning.Herphonerangandsher
eached
fori
trol
li
nghereyes.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi.
”
Shesighedandst
oodup.“
Anay
ahowcanIhel
p
you?
”
“
Canyoustopdoi
ngwhaty ouaredoi
ng?Whyar
e
y
oudenyi
ngMiguelf
rom seeinghi
sson?”
“It
oldyou,
ifhewant
stoseehi
m,heshoul
dcome
here.
”
“
Wecamet
her
elastt
imeandy
ouwoul
dn’
tlethi
m
comewi
thusev
enf
oraday
.”
“
Idon’
ttr
ustMi
guel
’
sgi
rl
fr
iends.
”
“
Wow!Iam nothi
sgi
rl
fr
iend,
Iam hi
swi
fe.
”
“Idon’tcare,
Idon’
ttrusty
ouaroundmyson.You
draggedhi minyournonsense,
taughthi
m howt
oli
e.
Ican’tgivesuchawomanmychi l
d.”
“
Whatexact
lyi
syourpr
obl
em?
”
Mar
angl
aughed.“
Mypr
obl
em i
syou.
”
“
Soyouwoul
dgi
veMi
guel
hissoni
fhewasn’
twi
th
me?
”
“
Yes,
Itr
usthi
m wi
thourson.
”
Anayachuckl
ed.“Andher
eIthoughty
ouwereov
eri
t.
Yousti
llwanthi
m don’
tyou?Youaremar
ri
edbut
yousti
l
lwantMiguel.
”
“
Youar
ecr
azy
.”
“Cr
azy?Iam farf
rom beingcrazy,y
ouar ethecrazy
onebutIam notgoingtowast emyt i
mear gui
ng
wit
hamar ri
edwomanwhost i
lli
sboundt oanex.
MiguelandIhavetr
iedreasoningwithyouandy ou
hav
eref
usedt
oreasonsowear
einv
olv
ingl
awy
ers.
”
“
Goahead.
”
“Youarepathet
ic,butifyoumustknow, thatmanis
mine.Hecannev erbey ours,wasnev eryoursand
wil
lneverbeypurs.Het oldmet hatyouwant edhi
m
tobewithyouaf t
erIleft
.Hedoesn’ tl
ov eyou,nev
er
hasandneverwi l
l.If
eel sor
ryforyourhusband.”
Anay
ahungupasBr
yanwal
kedi
nfr
om hi
smor
ning
j
og.
“
Hey
…”
Mar
angf
akedasmi
l
easheki
ssedhercheek.“
Hey
..
”
Br
yanr
eachedf
orhi
swat
eri
nthef
ri
dgeanddr
anki
t
al
l
.
“Babey
est
erdayIgotacal
lfr
om Mi
guel
.Idon’
t
knowwhyyouinsi
stondenyi
nghi
m Jaybuthei
sa
goodman.
”
Marangr
aisedabr
ow.“
Arey
oubei
ngser
iousr
ight
now?”
“
Yeah,
hedeser
vest
oseehi
sson.
”
“
Inev
erdeni
edhi
mthat
.”
“
Thenl
etmear
rangehi
sfl
i
ght
s.”
“
IfMi
guel
want
stoseehi
m,hewi
l
lseehi
m her
e.”
“Don’
tyouthi
nkthat’
stoomuch?Idon’
tev
en
under
standyourprobl
em wi
thhi
swife.
”
“Anayaisnothiswif
eandIjustdon’
ttr
ustMiguel’
s
partner
s.Theotheroneabusedmysonandki ll
ed
herownson.Anay aabusedmewhenIwaspr egnant
withJay,Idon’
twamtmysont obemi st
reat
ed.”
Bryangsighed.“Igetyourpointbuti
t’
sunfair
becausey ouarepunishingbothJayandMi guel
.He
wascryinglastnightandeitherway,Jaysai
dAnaya
i
sagoodper son.”
“Shetaughthimt ol
ieandkeepsecret
s,whatkindof
agoodper sonisthat?Iam goi
ngtotakeabath.I
seeyouar egett
ingfamili
arwit
hAnaya.”
“
Comeon…”
ShewalkedawayandBryanf
oll
owedbehi
ndher
.He
huggedherfr
om behi
nd.
“
Ok,
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Whywon’
tyousuppor
tme?
”
“Iam sorry
.Ijustt
houghty
ouwoul
dseet
hingsata
diff
erentpointofv
iew.
”
“
Iam notgi
vi
ngAnay
amychi
l
dandt
hat
’si
t.
”
“Youknowt heymaywi
nthecasei
ftheyt
akey
out
o
courtr
ight
?”
“Wewi l
lgetalawyertooandt
hepr
ocesswi
l
lbel
ong
becauseofthedistance.
”
Br
yansl
owl
yki
ssedherneck.
“
Oh,
mymom i
scomi
ngl
atert
oday
.”
Mar
angt
urnedandl
ookedathi
m.“
What
?”
“
Yeah…”
“
Shei
sgoi
ngt
ost
artaboutki
ds.
”
“
Babedon’
tyout
hinki
t’
sti
mewehav
eourown?
”
“
Butweagr
eedt
ohav
eki
dsi
nfi
vey
ear
s.”
“
IknowbutIwantmyownchi
l
d.”
“
Iam notreadyf
oranotherbaby
.Ist
il
lwanty
oual
l
t
omy sel
f.
”Shesmiledandhuggedhim.
Br
yanl
aughed.“
Youar
esuchababy
.”
Shesl owlywentdownonherkneesandt ookouthis
dickfrom hissweat pants.Sheopenedhermout h
andputhi m al
li
nhermout h.Bry
angroaned
grabbingherhai rlooki
ngupandt heskywhile
Mar angr ol
ledherey esannoyedsuckinghi
sdick.A
whilelaterhepul l
edherupandt urnedhertotouch
thebedpul l
ingupherdr essexposi
ngherbareass.
“Fuck!Youaresohot !
”Hesmi rkedherasst hen
pushedhi sdi
cki nsi
de.Mar angfakedamoan
ti
ghteninghermuscl esaroundhim.Het hrustinto
herwhilehisdicksli
ppedoutofherpussycount l
ess
ti
mes.Shecont i
nuouslydidthekergelexercise
faki
ngmoanst il
lhegrowledalmostt hr
eemi nut
es
l
aterandpul l
edoutshoot inghisloadonherass.
“
Fucky
ouar
esogood.
”
Shest
oodupandsmi
l
edst
ari
ngathi
m.
“
Soar
eyou.
”

*
***
*
Anayalookedatherdoct
orsheexpl
ainedher
condi
ti
on.
“
Iam suspect
ingcel
ebr
aledema,
brai
nswel
l
ing.
”
“
Whati
fit
’sbr
aint
umor
?”
Herdoct
orsmi
l
ed.“Howaboutwebepositi
ve?So
t
hesymptomsisonl
ytheheadacheandnausea?
”
“
Yes,
somet
imesIf
eel
dizzyorIj
ustf
eel
weak.
”
“
Whenexact
lydi
dthi
sst
art
?”
“
Justaf
terIcamebackf
rom SA.
”
“I
t’
sok.SoIam goi
ngtodoMRIscant oseeifyou
areswel
li
ngorit
’sj
ustchr
onicheadache.Wi
ththe
scanIwil
lbeabl
etoident
if
ythelocati
onofswell
i
ng.
Iam al
sogoingt
orunsomebl oodtest
s.”
“I
fIhavecel
ebr
aledema,whataremyt
reat
ment
opti
ons,wi
ll
Ihavetocutmyhair
?”
“Notnecessari
l
y,dependingonwhichtreat
ment,
sometimesit’
sjustmedicati
ondependingonthe
sever
it
yofy oursi
tuat
ionandt heunder
lyi
ngcause,
medi cati
oncanbegi vent
ohel pr educeswel
l
ingand
preventbloodclotsorOsmether apycanbedone,a
techniquetodrawoutwat erusingosmot i
cagents,
if
thewor stcomest otheworstwewi ll
doasurger
yor
ventri
culost
omy .”
Anay
asi
ghed.“
Ijusthopei
t’
snot
hingser
ious.
”
“
SodoI
,Iwi
l
ldot
hescannow,
come.
”
Anay
awal
kedoutwi
thherdoct
or.
“
Takeof
fanymet
alsy
oumayhav
eok?
”
Shenoddedthenwalkedi
sidethechangi
ngroom.
Shechangedint
othehospi
talgownthenwalked
i
nsidet
heMRIr oom,shefr
ownedatt her
ythemi
c
sound.
“Laydown.Andremainsti
ll
.
”Herdoct
orsaidplaci
ng
headphonesoverherear
sandaheadcoiloverher
head.
Shenoddedandl aydown.Thebedmov edinsi
dethe
scannerandshetookadeepbreathlayi
ngstil
l
.
Minuteslat
ershewasout.Herdoctorsmil
edather.
“
Youdi
dgr
eat
,Iam goi
ngt
otaket
hist
oa
radiot
herapytoanal
yzet
hem,
nowl
et’
sgof
ort
he
bloodtests.
”
Anayawalkedoutoft hehospit
alminuteslat
erand
gotinhercar.Shet ookadeepbr eaththenstarted
thecaranddr oveoff.Sheglancedatthetimeand
i
ncreasedthespeed.Awhi l
elatershewaswal ki
ng
i
nsidetherestaurantSaronahadsai dtheyshould
meetinearli
eroni nthemor ni
ng.Oleratosmiledas
Anayasatdown.
“
Hey
,howdi
ditgo?
”
Anayasmi
l
ed.“
Iam f
ine,
justaheadachef
rom
st
ress.
”
Sar
onasmi
l
edt
oo.“
Iwassowor
ri
ed.
”
“
So,t
hepart
y…Ihaveameet
ingaf
tert
hisat
MokwenaLogi
sti
cs.
”
“Iwasthi
nki
ngweuseC-SKY,it
’sbi
gandv
ast
.”
Oler
atosai
dsippi
ngherdr
ink.
“
Idon’tseewhynot
,Iwil
ltal
ktoMi guel
aboutt hat
.
Miguelgavemeali
stofherhighschoolfr
iends,I
t
hinkweshouldi
nvi
tethem too.
”
“Iagree.Iwill
makeal i
stoft
hedr
inksneeded.
”
Oleratovolunteer
ed.
“Gr
eatandsomesnackstoo.It
hinki
tshouldbea
poolparty
.Ij
ustwannar
elax
,Ihavebeenunderl
ot
ofpressurel
atel
y.
”
Oler
atochuckl
ed.“
Busi
nesswomenar
eal
way
sbusy
,
Iunder
stand.
”
“I
t’
snotonl yt
hat,
Miguelhasahugedeal heist
ryi
ng
tosecureitmeansNaguelInvestmentsi
sinmy
hands,Iwantustohir
eaCEO, someonewhowi l
lrun
i
tsot hatwecanbothhavet i
mef oreachot
her.
”
Sar
onanodded.“
Likehowsomeoneisrunni
ngOt
ehs
Tel
ecommunicat
ionsSer
vicecompany
?”
“
Yes.
”
Anayalookedupwant ingtocall
awai t
erbuther
eyesfel
lonLonewhohadj ustwalkedin.Theireyes
metthenLonel ookedawayalmosti mmediately.She
wasthick,Anayacouldtel
lshewaspr egnant.She
wonderedifsheshouldofferherajobbecauset he
l
astti
meshehadhear d,shesti
llwasn’tworki
ngbut
knowingjusthowr udeLonewas, Anayaremained
sit
ti
ng.Lonegothert
akeawayandwal
kedoutoft
he
rest
aurant
.
“
Agangt
oldmeMar
angi
sst
il
lref
usi
ngwi
thJay
.”
AnayalookedatSar
onaandnodded.“It
ri
edtal
ki
ng
toherbutsheref
usedt
oreason,shesti
l
lwants
Miguel
.”
“
Isn’
tshemar
ri
ed?
”
“Sheisbutthewayshebehav edlastti
mewewent
there,
sheopenedt hedoorinashortnightdr ess,
shehadexpectedhi mtocomeal one,thenshesai d
herhusbandwasi nAtlantaonsomepr oject.You
shouldhaveseenher ,shewasdi sappointedthen
aftert
hatsheplainlyrefusedwi
thhim.Juni orcried
andsheclosedt hedooronourf aces.”
Sar
onacl
appedonce.“
Women!Wow!
”
“Iam notgoingtofi
ghtwit
hheroverJuni
or,
nowI
am thi
nkingthati
fanythi
nghappenstoJuni
ori
nmy
care,i
twill
bemyf ault
.”
Oler
atosighed.“May
beyoushoul
dn’tf
ightt
oomuch.
Shewill
pr obabl
ydosomet
hingtoherownsonjust
sot
obl
amey
ou.
”
“
Ihav
eenought
hingst
ostressabout
,Iam done
wi
thMar
ang.Mi
guelwi
lldealwi
thher
.”

*
***
*

Inclass,Lesedil
ookedattheteacherteaching.She
frownednotunder st
andi
ngasi nglewor dshewas
saying,hermotherhadtr
ansferredherlastweek
from heroldschoolandshefeltmor ethanlonely
.
Shel ookeddownatherbookcat chi
ngagi r
lstari
ng
ather .
“
Okcl
ass!Let
’sdot
hisexer
cise.
”Thet
eachersai
d.
Leseditookherpencil
thenstar
tedcopyingt
he
l
ettersontheboardslowlyandcaref
ull
y.The
teacherwalkedar
oundt hecl
asslooki
ngatwhatt
he
studentswerewri
ting.
“
Lesedi
,l
etmesee.
”
Lesedi
slowl
ymov edherheadthent
het
eacher
l
ookedatherbookwithafrown.
“
Whatar
eyouwr
it
ing?
”
Sheswal
l
owedst
ari
ngatherangr
yteacher
.
“
Iam tal
ki
ngt oy ou,whatnonsenseareyouwrit
ing?
I
sthatwhatiswr it
tenontheboard?Can’tyoucopy
whatyouseet hereheh?”Theteacherscr
eamedand
t
heclasslaughed.Tearsfil
l
edherey eswhil
eshe
l
ookeddown.
“
Iam t
alki
ngtoyou?Youareduml,
Iwonderwhy
t
heybr
ingyouherejustt
owastemoney
.Nxla!
”
Tearsfelldownherfaceast het eacherhither
repeat
edlyinherheadwhil
et heclasslaughedev en
l
ouder.Shebr okedowncryingl oudly,t
het eacher
hadcalledherdumb, ev
enhermot hertoo.Nomat ter
howmuchshet r
ieddoi
ngitpr operly,
shecoul dn’
t
seem tojustdoitri
ght.
“Youdon’tev
enknowhowt owrit
ey ourownname
yetyouarestandar
d2!Stopmakingnoise.Mxm.”
Theteacherwalkedawaywhi
leshetri
edt okeep
quiet
.
“Youarenotsupposedtocal
lherdumb.
”The
studentwhohadbeenlooki
ngatherear
li
eronsai
d
l
oudl
y.
“
Ivysi
tdown!
”
“Iam goi
ngtot el
lmamat hatyoubeatusandcall
us
dumb.Iam alsogoi ngt
otellhert
hatyousl
apped
Resegoyesterdaythengaveherasweetsothatshe
keepsquiet
.Youar egoingtoloseyourj
obandeat
dog!”
“
Ivyketlagobet
sa!{Iwi
llbeatyou.
}Whodoyou
t
hinkyouaretal
ki
ngt ol
i
ket hat
?Iam noty
our
mother.Si
tdown!”
“DOOOOOOOGGGG!Youar egoingtoeatDog!Iam
goingtotel
l!
”Iv
yscreamedevenlouder.“Mymom is
goingtogetyoufi
red!Yougoi
ngtolosey ourwor
k
andy ouaregoi
ngtosleepout
sidewiththe
beggars.
!”
Thepr
inci
plewal
kedasI
vyscr
eamed.
“
What
’sgoi
ngonher
e?”
“
Ihav
etr
iedt
ocont
rol
Ivybutshei
soutofcont
rol
.”
“Youcall
edLesedi
dumb,yousl
appedherandhi
ther
head.Yousl
appedResegoandyoupi
nchedme.
MommysaidIshouldt
ell
herifanyoneabusesand
bul
li
esme.Iam goi
ngtotel
l
.Mat t
eroffact
,cal
l
999!
”
Thepr
inci
pallookedatLesedi
whowascry
ingt
hen
att
heteacherwholookeddownashamed.
“
Ivy
, si
tdown,i
t’
sok.Youhavereport
edt omeandI
wi
llsorti
toutIpr
omise.YoucansitnexttoLesedi
.”
“
Iam st
il
lgoi
ngt
otel
lbutok.
”
Shet ookherchairandsatbesi
deLesedi
whi
l
ethe
teacherandprinci
palwalkedout
.
“
Hi,
mynamei sI
vyLei
gh-
AnneMokwena,
what
’s
y
ournames?
”
Lesedismil
edstar
ingatt
hegi
rlwi
thl
onghai
rli
ke
hers.“
LesediDavi
d.”
“
Wecanbef
ri
endsi
fyouwant
.”
Lesedi
giggl
ed.“
Yes.
”
“
Ok,
wear
enowBFF’
s.Wecanshar
eourf
ood.
”
Thet
wogi
rl
ssmi
l
edchat
ti
ng.
.
.
.
[
7/13,
16:
15]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#100

Anayatookoutthel
asagnaf r
om t
heov enwhil
ethe
gi
rlswatchedwi
thanti
cipat
ion.Mi
ll
erclappedhi
s
handssmi l
i
ngexposi
nghisfewmi l
kteeth.
“
Mommyi
sitdonenow?
”
Anay
asmi
l
edatRet
habi
l
e.“
Yessweet
y,i
t’
sdone.
”
“Mommyatschool t
oday
,theteacherbeatLesedi
becauseshecouldn’
twri
teproperl
y,shecall
edher
dumb.Shewasr ude.”
Anay
afrownedt
aki
ngof
ftheov
engl
oves.“
She
what
?”
“Yes,shealsobeatResegoandpi
nchedmehere.
”
I
v ytouchedunderneat
hherarmpi
t.“
Shesai
dthi
sis
notmyf ather
’sschool
.”
“
Isi
tthenewt
eacher
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iwi
l
lcomet
oschool
tomor
row.Don’
twor
ry.
”
“
Itoldherthaty
ouar
egoi
ngt
ogetf
ir
edandt
hatshe
wi
lleatdog.”
Anay
achuckl
ed.“
Shewi
l
leatwhat
?”
“
Dog.
”
“
Wher
edi
dyouheart
hatf
rom?
”
“
From t
heTV.
”
“
Neversayt
hat,
it’
srude.Youdidwel
lbyst
andi
ngup
f
orher,
what’
shernameagai n?
”
“
Lesedi
.”
“
Ok,
wel
lyoudi
dgr
eat
.”
“
Mommy
…”
Anay
alookedatRet
habi
l
e.“
Yessweet
y…”
“
Thebabyi
seat
ingt
hat
…”
Anay
alookedupatMil
lerwhowassit
ti
ngonhis
hi
ghchai
rli
cki
ngthesoupoffawoodenspoon.
“
Ok,
gir
lssett
het
abl
e,Iwi
l
ldi
shj
ustnow.
”
Sheheardscr
eamingf
rom t
hesi
tt
ingr
oom t
hen
tookoutt
heplat
es.
Mi guelpi
ckedbothhi
sdaughter
sandwalkedwith
them insi
dethekit
chenwhereAnay
awasdi shi
ng.
Heputt hegir
lsdownandpinchedMil
l
er’
scheek
playful
ly.
“
Daddy
!”
“
Yeschamp…”
Mil
lerrai
sedhisarmsthenMiguel
pickedhi
m up
thr
owinghimi ntheai
r.Mi
ll
erl
aughedenjoy
ingwhi
l
e
Rethabil
ewatched.
“
DaddyIal
sowant
.”
“
Guy
sdi
dyousetupt
het
abl
e?”
Thegirl
slookedatherthenranoutasMiguelput
Mill
erdownandwat chedhim wal
kbehindhissist
ers.
MiguelhuggedAnayafrom behi
ndkissi
ngherneck
thenputishandunderneat
hherdress.
“
Stopi
t,t
heki
dswi
l
lwal
kin.
”
Hepull
edherdr
essuppushedherpant
iesasi
deand
pushedi
nsi
deher.
“
Miguel
stopi
t!
”
“
Shhh…”
Hebendedhersl ightlyanddr i
ll
edherst ari
ngatt he
door.Anay
apr essedherl ipstogethertryi
ngnott o
moanbutMi guel hi
tt hesweetspoti nsideher ,
she
whimperedsoftlyashef uckedherev enhar derfora
couplemoremi nutest i
llshecl osedherey est i
ghtly
grabbi
ngontheki tchencount erscomi nghar d.
Miguelhel
dherwai stgivingonel aststrokeand
fi
ll
edherup.Theki dswal kedbacki nandhet urned
Anayatofacethem st i
l
lpl ungedinsideher .He
ki
ssedherneckwhi leAnay aforcedasmi le.
“
Guys,youcangoandsi
t,Iam comi
ngwi
tht
he
f
ood.”
“
Iwantt
otel
ldaddysomet
hing.
”
“
Ok,
Iam comi
ng,
let
’sgo.
”
Thekidst
urnedandwal kedoutwhi
leMiguel
slowl
y
pul
ledoutandfixedAnaya’
spanti
esascum dri
pped
downherthigh.
“
Didy
ougot
oseet
hedoct
or?
”
Shef
ixedherski
rtandl
ookedathi
m.“
Yes.
”
“
What
’swr
ong?
”
“
Shesuspect
sIhav
ecel
ebr
aledema.
”
Miguelf
rowned.“
Whenar
eyouget
ti
ngy
ourr
esul
ts
back?”
“
Tomor
rowIguess.
”
Heheldherwaistworr
iedly
,Anay
asmi
l
ed
r
eassurangl
y.“
Iwill
bef i
ne.”
“
Ifeel
li
kebadl
uckf
oll
owsusar
ound.
”
“Youareover
reacti
ng.Wear efi
ne,t
hisi
snothi
ng.”
Shetouchedhischeek.“
Idon’twantyoutoworr
y.
Didyoutal
ktothelawyer?”
“
Yes.Hewi
l
lgett
hepr
ocessst
art
edon.
”
“
Goandchange,
Iam di
shi
ng.
”
Miguel
tuckedherhai
rbehi
ndherearandki
ssedher
.
Shecouldtel
lhewasworri
edandshewastoobut
shewasnotgoingtoshowhimthatandsoshe
smil
ed.
“
GoandchangeMi
guel
,Iam di
shi
ng.Theki
dsar
e
hungr
y.”
Hetur
nedanddr aggedhi
sfeetoutwhilesheturned
backt
othelasagnaandquickl
ydished.Shewal ked
outwi
ththeplat
esandplacedthem onthetable.
“I
vy,
putdownt
hati
padandcomeandeat
.Ret
ha
come.”
Shewalkedbackt othekit
chenandcamebackwi t
h
moreplatesthensatdownwhi leMiguelj
oinedt
hem
put
ti
ngMi ll
eronhislap.Theyjoinedhandsasusual
andMiguelsmi l
edatRethabi
le.
Ret
habi
l
esmi
l
edandcl
osedherey
es.
“
Godpr
otectmommy ,
daddy
,Iv
y,Jay
,meandMi
l
ler
.
Wel
oveyouand…and…uhhand…amen.
”
“Amen!
”Theent
ir
efami
l
yrespondedt
henst
art
ed
eat
ing.

*
***
*

Theodor
asati
nfr
ontoft
hemi
rr
ort
ryi
ngt
oseewhat
couldbewrongwi t
hher.Shelookedtooclosely,
therewerenospots,maybeshewasj ustugly.Tear
s
fi
ll
edhereyes,shehadnev erhadanyonecall
ingher
uglyorbori
ngsincehighschool.Shecover
edher
faceandbrokedowncr yi
ng.Herphonev i
brat
edand
shet ookadeepbreat
h.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Hey,Iam br
ingingLoagoover
,Iam goi
ngtoSout
h
Afri
caonbusi nesstomorr
owearlymorni
ng.
”
“
Ok,
youcanbr
inghi
m,Iam home.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shewipedherfacecl
eanandafewminutesl
ater
sheheardaknock.Shest
oodupandwalkedtothe
door
.
“
Mommy !
”Loagoscr
eamedj
umpi
ngi
ntohi
s
mot
her
’sarms.
“
Heyboy
…”
“
Daddyboughtmeanewmonst
ert
ruck.
”
Chri
sti
ansmi
l
ed.“Loagogoi
nsi
det
hehouse,
letme
tal
ktomommy .
”
“
Ok.
”
Loagorushedinsi
dehishouseholdi
nghistoy.
Chri
sti
anlookedatherswoll
enfacethenreddi
sh
eyes.
“
Arey
ouok?
”
“
Yeah,
Iam f
ine.
”
Hesi
ghed.“Youwerecr
ying,
what
’swr
ong?Your
ey
esarereddi
shtoo.
”
Theodoralookedathimf ail
i
ngtobestrongthen
brokedowncr yi
ng.Christianpull
edheri
nhisarms
andheldhertight
lylet
tinghercr yonhi
schest.She
cri
edtil
lshewasbr eathless,herheadwaseven
achingtoo.
“
Whati
sit
?Tal
ktome.
”
Theodoralookedathim sobbi
ng.“ Godi spunishing
me,Ican’tseem tobehappy,ev eryt
imeIt hinkthi
ngs
aregoi
ngwel lforme,somethingj usthappens.God
i
spunishingmef orhurt
ingMel odyandherki ds.I
shoul
dn’thavedonethat,Iwasj ust…ev i
l.Ihurtyou,I
gaveyoudiseases.Iam sorr
y.”
“Hey,
Ilongfor
gaveyou.Andt
rustme,y
oudidwel
l
bydenyingMelodymymoney.Thoseki
dsar
enot
mine.
”
Theodor
apausedandl
ookedathi
m.“
What
?”
“
Yes,t
heyaremysi
bli
ngsbecausemyownf
ather
wassl
eepi
ngwit
hher.
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
‘
It
’sok,
atleastnowIam notobl
i
gat
edt
otakecar
e
ofki
dsthatarenotmi
ne.
”
“
Yourmot
hermustbedev
ast
ed.
”
“
Idon’
tknow,
shei
stheonewhol
i
kedMel
odyso
much.
”
“
Wow!
”
Chri
sti
ansmil
ed.“
Yeahsodon’tf
eelbadaboutt
hat.
Thepasti
sinthepast
,noneedtobeatyour
sel
ffor
that
.”
“
Noonewant
smebecauseIhav
eAI
DS.
”
“Who?Lefat
she?Hedoesn’
tdeserv
eyou,
hei
sjusta
spoi
ltgr
ownassmanwhodoesn’ thav
ea
backbone.
”
Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.“
Hesai
dIam ugl
yandbor
ing.
”
“Onlyaweakmanwi lltr
ytopull
youdownby
breakingy
ourconfi
dence.Youarebeauti
fulandsexy
,
andy ouareafr
eak.Freaksar
enotboring.
”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Stopi
t.
”
“Iam t
ell
i
ngyou,y
ouar eafreakandyouusedt
o
keepmeuponmyt oes.Don’tl
etmamasboypull
youdown.Youareonehellofawomanandhewas
l
uckytohaveyou.
”
Theodor
asmi
l
ed.“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Youarebeauti
ful
.Il
i
ket
hissmal
laf
roofy
our
s.”He
t
ouchedherhai
r.
“
Thanks.
”
Chri
sti
anlookedatherf
acet
henherl
i
psbef
ore
st
eppingbackwithashysmi
le.
“
Iwi
l
lseey
ouwhenIcomeback.
”
“
Bye,
saf
etr
ip.
”
Chr
ist
iansmi
l
edt
hent
urnedandwal
kedt
ohi
scar
.
Shewatchedhim dri
veoffthensighed,sheknewhe
wasgoingtomakeherpayf orhiswindowsandshe
wasgoingto.Shethoughtful
lywalkedbackinsi
de
thehousethi
nki
ngofherf atherandclosedthedoor
.

*
***
*

Agangwal kedinhishousest ar
ingathi swat ch,it
wasj ustaf t
er11intheev ening.Itwassoqui ethe
knewshewassl eepi
ngal ready.Hewal kedi nsidehis
son’sbedr oom andwat chedAar onsleepingwi th
Junior .Hesmi l
edandputt heballhewashol dingon
theirbedt henwalkedoutgoi ngt ohisdaught er
’s
room andwat chedMapul awi thRenaesl eeping.He
putonet eddybearont hebedandsl idasmal lgi
ft
boxbesi deMapulaandwal kedout .Heslowl y
openedhi sbedroom doorandl ookedatSar ona
sleepingnaked.Hi sdickjerkedinhi spants,he
slowlyputhi sbackpackdownandundr essedst ari
ng
ather .Hegotonbedki ssingher .
“
Heybaby
…”
Sar
onaopenedherey
esandst
aredatherhusband.
“
Hey
!”
Hesmi
l
edandki
ssedherget
ti
ngbet
weenherl
egs.
“Imissedyou.
”Shewhisper
edandhesmi l
edrubbi
ng
hisdickonherwet
ness.Gentl
yhepushedinsi
deher
kissi
ngher.

Thefol
lowingmor ni
ngAgangopenedhiseyesand
l
ookedathiswi f
esitt
ingi
nfr
ontofthemirr
or
car
eful
lyputt
ingonhermakeup.Shestoodupinher
l
ongsleevedbluebondagedressandbrownheels.
“
Hey
…”
Heslowlysatuprightst
ari
ngatherfi
gurehugged
ti
ght
lybythatdress.Shewalkedov
erandkissedhim,
henoti
cedhernewhai rcol
orandsmiled.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shesmi
l
edandt
wir
ledf
orhi
m.“
DoI
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Thanks,
howdi
ditgoi
nGer
many
?”
“
Itwentwel
l
.”
Sar
onasmi
l
ed.“
Theyl
ovedt
hei
dea?
”
“
Yeah.Thi
sisgoi
ngt
oopenmor
edoor
sforus.
”
“Ican’
twait
,thekidsar
ehappywi
tht
hei
rpr
esent
s,
especi
all
yMapul a.”
“
Iwoul
ddoany
thi
ngf
ort
hem.
”
“
Ok,
Iam goi
ngt
owor
k,by
e.”
Hewatchedherwalkoutt
hengr
abbedhi
sphone
anddi
aledMiguel
.
“
Youar
eback?
”
“Yeah,
Ijustsawt
hemessagepapasent
,doy
ou
knowwhatt hi
smeet
ingi
sabout?
”
“No,Ij
usthopei
t’
snot
hingser
ious.Iam al
ready
str
essedasiti
s.”
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Anay
a’sdoct
orsuspectshehascel
ebr
aledema,
I
can’thel
pwor r
ying,whatifit
’sabraintumor?She
actsasifsheisnotscar edbutIknowherandIam
scaredtoo.Ican’tseem tohavelongterm
happiness,i
t’
salway sonethingaftert
heother.
”
“
Whati
fit
’sj
ustswel
l
ing,
don’
tthi
nknegat
ivel
y.
”
“Ihavebadluck.Idi
dal
otofbadthi
ngsandnowi
t’
s
alsoaff
ecti
ngthewomanIlove.
”
“Weall
do,Anay
awi
l
lbef
ine.Don’
tst
ressmuch
abouti
t.
”
“Ihavebeenwanti
ngtotravelwit
hher,seet
hewor l
d
butwehav ej
ustbeenbusy.Whent hi
sisoverIam
taki
ngmyf amil
yonav acat
ion.”
“
It
’spr
obabl
ynot
hing.Don’
twor
ry.
”
“
Wewi
l
ltal
klat
er.
”
Aganghungupandsi ghed,himt oowasnowwor ri
ed.
Aknockont hedoorhadhi m gett
ingoffbed.Heput
onhi ssweatpant
sthenwal kedtot hedoor.His
neighbour’
sdaughterstaredathimi nherunif
orm
thenstaggeredbackstari
ngatt hatwelldefi
nedsix
packandV- l
inethatl
edt ohisdickwhichwasv i
si
ble
t
hrought
hesweat
pant
s.
“Hi
…uhhI
…mamai
saski
ngf
orassi
stancewi
thher
car
.”
“
What
’swr
ongwi
thi
t?”
“
It
…uhhi
twon’
tst
art
.”
“
Ok,
Iam comi
ng,
what
’sy
ournameagai
n?”
“
Ipel
eng.
”
“
Ok,
Iam comi
ng.
”
Heturnedandwalkedi
nsidethehousewhi l
eIpel
eng
wentbacktoherhousetr
y i
ngtobreatheproper
lybut
shecouldn’
tseem t
ogetridofthatbody,
thekindof
bodyshehadonlyseenonTV.
“
Whatdi
dhesay
?”Hermot
herasked.
“
Hei
scomi
ng.
”
Aminut
elat
erAgangwal
kedi
nthengr
eet
edher
mot
her.
“Thi
scarwon’
tstart
,Idon’
tknowwhat’
swrong,
it’
s
beenmakingafunnysoundforawhi
lenow.”
“
Iwi
l
lchecki
t.
”
Heopenedthebonnetandtouchedafewthings
whil
eIpel
engadmir
edhisback,hewassosexyt hat
sheputherl
egsti
ghtl
ytogether
.Agangrai
sedhis
head.
“
Youcant
ryst
art
ingi
tnow.
”
MaIpel
enggoti
nthecarandst
art
edit
,shesmi
l
ed
ast
heenginest
art
edthenst
eppedout
.
“Thanky
ousomuchmyboy .Youhavehelpedme.
RragweIpewentt
oJwanengyest
erday
,todayIdon’
t
knowwhatIwasgoingt
odo.”
Agangsmi
l
ed.“
It
’sok,
itneedst
ogetser
viced.
”
“
Iwi
l
ltakei
ttoday
,Ihav
ebeenpr
ocr
ast
inat
ing.
”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Hewal
kedawaywit
hthatsexywal
kofhi
sand
I
pel
engnaught
il
ysmil
edalone.
“Let
’sgo.
”Hermothersai
dget
ti
ngbackinthecar
.
I
pelengcl
imbedi
nwonder i
ngwhatshehadtodofor
himtonoti
ceher
.
*
***
*

Rachel
stoppedhercarbythedaycareandgotout
wit
hherdaughter
.Shewalkedwithhertot
heclass
andmetherteacheronthedoor
.
“
Kay
la!
”
Rachel
smi
l
edandgav
ethet
eacherherchi
l
d.“
Hi,
”
“
MrsM,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine,
hersi
nusesar
eupt
oday
.”
Theteacherl
ookedatKayl
aandsmiled.“
Iwi
ll
take
goodcareofourmadam here,
thi
schil
dissol
ighti
n
complexi
on.”
Rachel
laughed.“
Shet
akesaf
terhergr
andmot
her
.”
“
Icanseebecausey
ouar
enott
hatl
i
ghtandMr
.M
i
sdark.
”
“Iknow,Ialway
shavepeopl
easki
ngmei
fit
’smy
chil
d,theydon’
tbel
i
eveme.”
Theybothl
aughedt
henRachel
kissedKay
la’
s
for
ehead.
“
Seey
oul
ater
.”
Shewal
kedawaywhilethet
eacherwal
kedi
nclass
wit
hKayl
a.Herphonerangassoonasshegoti
nher
car
.
“Si
sterMal
ebogo.
“
“IknowKay l
aismygrandchi
l
d,denyitally
ouwant
butIknowy ousl
eptwit
hmysonandt hatchi
ldi
shis.
Womenl ikeyoudi
sgustme,youstandupr ai
si
ng
yourhandssohighwhil
echeati
ngony ourhusband.
”
“
Kay
lai
smyhusband’sdaughter
,don’
ttr
ytogetme
t
obedi
srespect
ful
.St
ayi
ny ourl
ane.”
“Youar egoingtor egretit
,tr
ustme.AndIam not
goingtol etanothermanr aisemyson’ schil
d,Ihope
youar ereadyforthest ormt hatisabouttori
se.You
aregoingt olosey ourrespectandev er
ythi
ngy ou
wor kedforallbecausey oucoul dn’
tbefait
hfulto
yourhusband. ”
Mal
ebogohungupandRachel
drov
etowor
kwi
tha
raci
nghear t
.Shedi dn’
tevenknowwhatt odo,it
seemedasherl ieswer ecatchingupwithher.She
parkedinfrontoft hecompanyt aki
ngadeepbr eath
butthemor eshet houghtofwhatwoul dKendoi fhe
found,t
hemor et hesolut
ionshehadbeent hi
nking
ofpresenteditself.Sheshookherheadandst epped
outofthecar ,
Kenwoul dnev erbeli
eveastranger
overher,helovedKay l
aandt hatwashisdaught er.

*
***
*

Anay ar
ubbedhert empl
essi
tti
nginherof
fice,she
wonderedwhatshewoul ddoifshehadbraintumor.
Shehadn’tsleptt
heenti
reni
ghtthi
nki
ngofi t
.She
reachedforherphonetocal
lherdoct
orbutitrang
beforeshecoulddial
.
“
Aya…”
“Hey ,
youknowIcameacr ossapat i
entwhowas
raped,sheisaround16andmatteroffact,her
mot heri
stheonesay i
ngshewasr aped,shesays
shewant edit
,shewassleepi
ngwithanol derman.I
tal
kedtohersoci alwor kerandapparent l
yherfather
i
sabsentandt hesocial workerthi
nksther eason
whythisgirli
ssay i
ngshewasnotr apedi sbecause
thi
smanhav ebecomeaf atherfi
guretoherandhe
i
sgivi
nghert hel ov
eandat t
enti
onherf athernever
gaveher .I
twaslikeal i
ghtbul btome, whenPul e
wassleepingwi t
hme, Ithoughtitwaslov ebuthe
wasact ual
lytaki
ngadv antageofme.It houghtit
waslovebuti twasn’t.Heact ual
lymademeabor ta
chi
ldandt odayIsomet imeswonderi feverIwill
havekidsinthef ut
ure.”
Anay
aleanedbackonherchai
randt
ookadeep
br
eath.
“
Pul
edi
dwhat
?”
.
.
.
[
7/14,
08:
12]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#101
Ayanaqui
cklyhungupbutAnayacal
l
edherback.
Thephonerangforawhil
ethenshefi
nal
l
ypicked.
“
Ayawhatdi
dPul
edot
oyou?
”
Ay
anakeptqui
etwhi
l
eAnay
atr
iedt
okeepcal
m.
“Ayanakebualewena.{Iam tal
ki
ngtoyou.
}”She
saidangri
lyl
osi
nghercool.”Whatdi
dhedot oy ou?
May beIshoul
dfl
yther
et henyoucantel
lmef aceto
face.”
“
It
’si
nthepast
.”
“I
t’
snot,st
artf
rom t
hebegi
nni
ng.Don’
tleav
eout
anyt
hing.
”
Ayanaslowl
ynarrat
edherst
oryt
oherbi
gsi
sterand
fi
nal
lykeptqui
et.
“
Ican’
tbel
ievethi
shappenedri
ghtundermynose.
Wheredi
dy oubur
ythatthi
ng?
”
“
Idon’
tknow,
Lal
ahbur
iedi
t.
”
“
Wow!
”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
May
bei
fIhadn’
tlef
tthen-
“
“Youdidnothi
ngwr ong.Youworkedhardforme,
for
Lethabo.Youarenot hi
ngbutt
hebest.Imadea
mistake,Iwasachild.”
“Hemani pul
atedyoui nt
osleepi
ngwit
hhim, y
ou
madenomi stake,
youwer eachil
dandyouneeded
protect
ionandhet ookadvantageofy
ou.”Anaya
stoodupandpacedupanddownherof f
ice.“
Heis
goingtoregretthi
s.”
“
Nay
a…”
“
Ihav
eani
ncomi
ngcal
l
,Iwi
l
lyou.
”
Anay
ahungupandanswer
edt
hecal
l
.
“
Shat
ohel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
yourr
esul
tsar
eback.
”
“
Dr.Bokwe.
”
“It
oldyou,
cal
lmeSeneo.Any
way
s,y
ourr
esul
tsar
e
back.
”
“
Whati
sit
?”
“I
tisasIsuspectedcel
ebraledemabuti
t’
snott
hat
seri
ous,
Iam goingtogiveyousomemedi ci
net
o
reducet
heswelli
ng,i
fitpersi
stt
henIwi
lldo
osmotherapy
,Iwil
lgi
vey ouosmoti
cagents.
”
Anayaputherhandoverherchestr
eli
eved.“
Thank
God.Idi
dn’
tsleepl
astnight
.”
“
Idi
dn’
ttoobutasyoutaket
hemedicineIwi
llneed
y
outorel
ax,av
oidstr
essandthi
ngsl
ikethat
.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“Ihaveaf r
iendofmi newhoownsaspar ,IknowI
am goi ngbey ondmyboundari
esbutIt hi
nky ou
shouldgot hereforamassageandsomer el
axati
on.
Itwillhelp.Youcancomebywheny ouaref r
eeandI
willexplainyourtreat
mentandcondit
ioninfull
detail
.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Iwi
l
lsendt
henumberf
ort
hespa.
”
“
Ok.Thanky
ousomuch.
”
SeneohungupandAnay
asi
ghedwi
thr
eli
ef,
atl
east
i
twasn’tabr
aint
umor
HerdooropenedandherPAwal
kedi
nsi
de.
“Bosslady,y
ouhav
eameet
ingatMokwena
Logist
ics.
”
Anay
acl
osedherey
esbr
ief
ly.“
Ifor
got
.”
“Yousti
l
lhav
eaf
ewmi
nut
es,
shoul
dIgety
oua
dri
ver
?”
“
Noi
t’
sfi
neAr
atwa,
thanks.
”
Sher
eachedf
orherhandbagandr
ushedout
.

*
***
*

Ayanatookadeepbreathstar
ingatherphone,she
wasn’tsurei
fshehadmadet heri
ghtdeci
sionornot
butshesomehowf el
trel
iev
ed,fr
eeofburden.She
cal
ledLalahwit
hawidesmi l
e.
“Hey,ItoldAnaya.Iact
uall
ydidn’
twantt
otel
lherbut
Imisdialedthi
nkingIam cal
li
ngyou.
”
“
Howdi
dshet
akei
t?”
“
Shei
smadassuspectedandIguessdi
sappoi
nted
i
nbot
hmeandhersel
f.
”
“
Iwastoo,
hetookadv
ant
ageofy
ou,
thatwaswhat
wecal
ldef
il
ement.
”
“IknowbutsomehowIneversawit
,Ireal
lythought
helovedmebutIwashurti
ngforwhathad
happened.Hesomehowwasmyshoul dertocryon
andIsawhi m asmyher
o.”
“Andnoonecanblameyou.Iwishwewerematur
e
backthen,
Iwoul
dhavedraggedy out
othepol
i
ce
stat
ionandwewouldhavereport
edhim.
”
“
Iknow,
Inev
erasked,
wher
edi
dyoubur
yit
?”
“
Itdoesn’
tmatt
er,
it’
sint
hepast
.Iwi
shIwast
her
e
wit
hyou.Ihav
ehadenoughofGabs.
”
“Iwantt ocomethere,IfeelsoinsecurewithKar
abo
ther
e, Ikeeponthi
nkinghei scheating.It
ri
edcall
ing
him earli
erandsomethingjusttoldmehei swith
somebi t
ch.”
Lal
ahl
aughed.“
Youar
ecr
azy
,thatmanl
ovesy
ou.
”
“
Ilovehi
mt oot
hat’
swhyIbehaveli
kethi
s.Ican’
t
waitf
oryoutol
ovesomeoneli
kethat.
”
Lal
ahl
aughed.“
For
geti
t.Idon’
tthi
nkIam goi
ngt
o
getmarr
iedanyti
mesoon,Iknowpeoplear
ehappy
bei
ngmar r
iedandstuf
fbuthonest
lyi
nmyopini
on,
marri
ageisnotanachi
evement.
”
“
Youhav
est
art
edLal
ah.
”
“St
art
edwhat ?Iam bei
nghonest
.Iam sosl
eepy
,I
hadanightshif
t,Iwi
llt
alkt
oyoulat
eronwhenI
comeback.”
Ayanafrownedhear
ingadist
antmal
evoi
ceatt
he
backgr
ound.“Youhavecompany?
”
Lal
ahl
aughed.“
Youar
ecr
azy
.”
“
Stopl
yi
ngt
ome,
Ihear
daman.
”
“
Mydi
ckappoi
ntmenti
sher
e,i
t’
sjustsex.
”
Anay
achuckl
ed.“
Wow!Hesoundedl
i
keKar
abo.
”
“
It
’snothi
m.”Lal
ahqui
ckl
ysai
d.
“
Iknow,
Iam goi
ngcr
azyIam hear
ingt
hings.
”
“Yeah,
Ihavetogo,bye.
”Lalahhungupimmediat
ely
.
Ayanalaughedandconti
nuedlooki
ngatapat
ient
’s
fi
leshehadbeforeher
.
*
***
*

Miguelsatwit
htheshareholder
swaiti
ngforAnay a.
Helookedathiswatch,
shewast enminuteslate.He
tookouthisphonef
rom hispockettocallherbut
thedoorswungopenandshewal kedi
n.Mi guel
watchedasshewalkedov erandsatbetweent wo
malesharehol
dersi
nherr edsuit
.Anayasmi l
ed, her
beautywasthegunpowder ,
alwayscatchi
ngt heheat.
“
Sorr
y,gotcaughtup.
”Hervoi
cewasshar
p,
i
ndi
cati
ngshewasi ncont
rol
.
“I
t’
sok.”Miguelsai
dthenhiseyesfel
lonone
sharehol
derwhowasst ar
ingathiswomanwho
wantingeyes.Hetookadeepbreath.
“Fort
hosewhodon’
tknow,
Anay
aismywi
fe.We
canstar
t.
”
Themeetingwentonforawhi
l
eti
l
lMi
guel
di
smissedever
yone.
“MrsMokwena,
”oneoftheshar
eholder
ssai
dto
Anayaandshesmil
ed.“
Iam Thobo.Idi
dn’
tknow
Mi
guel
wasmar
ri
edt
osuchabeaut
if
ulwoman.
”
“
Wel
lhei
s.”
Thobol
ookedatherbar
efi
ngerandsmi
rked.“
Is
he?”
Anay
asmiledasMiguel
puthi
shandsov
erherwai
st
st
ari
ngatThobo.
“
Mokwena,
”
“Til
lnextti
me.”Thobowalkedoutl
eavi
ngAnay
a
alonewithMigueli
ntheconfer
enceroom.
“
Hey ,
Iam sor
ryIcamel
ate,
itl
i
ter
all
ysl
i
ppedmy
mind.
”
“
It
’sok,
didt
hedoct
orcal
l
?”
Shesmil
ed.“Yes,
it’
scel
ebr
aledemabutshesai
d
shewil
lgi
vemesomemedi cinetoeaset
heswell
ing,
not
hingser
ious.
”
Mi
guel
sighedwi
thr
eli
ef.“
Iwassowor
ri
ed.
”
“
Iam f
ine,
Itol
dyou.
”
“
Youneedabreak,
webothdo.Iam t
aki
ngyouona
v
acat
ionassoonasyougett
hemedicat
ion.
”
Anayasmil
edandputherarmsar
oundhi
sneck.“
I
can’
twait
.Weusedtotrav
elsomuchwhenwewer e
sneaki
ng.
”
Miguelki
ssedher
.“Thef
orbi
ddenf
rui
tisal
way
sthe
sweetest
.”
“Di
dyouknowthatPulewassl
eepi
ngwi
thAy
ana
aft
ershegotr
aped?”
Mi
guel
frowned.“
What
?”
Anayasteppedbackast ear
sfil
ledhereyes.“
She
tol
dme, heevenmadeherabor ttheti
meIwentt o
SouthAfri
ca.Ican’
tbel
ievehewasr api
ngmysi st
er,
IwishIcouldrepor
thim now.”
Miguelst
eppedback.“Ican’
tbel
i
evethi
s.Ionce
foundAyanaathishouseandshetol
dmehehad
hir
edhertobabysit
…”
“
Ifeelli
keIfai
ledher.Hetookadvantageofher
,
whatifheistheonewhor apedherthatti
me?Ay ana
won’tsayi
t’
shi m butwhati
fiti
s?”
“
Youdidn’
tfai
lanyone,
wejusthappentohavesi
ck
f
ucker
soutthere.
”Miguel
pull
edherinhisar
msand
huggedhert
ight
ly.
“Ij
ustwi
shhecangetpuni
shedfort
hat
,Iwonder
howmanygir
lshedidi
ttoorifhei
ssti
l
ldoi
ngit.
”
“
Hewi
l
lgetwhatheder
ves,
Ipr
omi
se.
”
Miguel’
sphonerangt
henhetooki
toutst
eppi
ng
back.Anayal
ookedathi
m car
eful
l
y.
“
Whoi
sit
?”
“
Papa.
”
Heanswer
edsi
tt
ingdownandpul
l
ingheronhi
slap.
“
Boi
kany
o,Iwantt
oseey
ou,
today
.”
“
Didn’
tyousaydur
ingt
heweekend?
”
“Weekendi
sthefamil
ymeeting,
Iwantt
otal
ktoy
ou
andAgangbefor
ethat.Hur
ryup.
”
“
Ok.I
sev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“
Justcome,
don’
tleav
eAgangbehi
nd.
”
“
Iwon’
t.
”
MokwenahungupandAnay
arubbedhi
schest
.“I
s
ev
eryt
hingok?
”
“Idon’
tknow.Ihav
enomeet
ingaf
terl
unch,
Iwi
l
l
pickupAgangandgo.
”

*
***
*

Lonedishedherlunchandsatdownt aki
ngapi ece
ofmeatf r
om herplate.Shelookedattheclockon
thewallandsighed,shestil
lhadtogot oLesedi’
s
schoolandtal
kt otheprinci
ple.Herphonerangand
shereachedforitbesideher.
“
Babe,
”
“
Hey,Iam comi
ngbackt
oday
,Ihav
esomet
hingt
o
t
ell
you.”
Lonesmiled.“
Ican’
twai
t.Ihav
esomet
hingt
otel
l
youtoo.
”
“
Ok,
howi
sAme?
”
“
Hei
sfi
ne.
”
“
Ok,
Iwil
lbet
her
einawhi
l
e,cal
lthenanny
,Iwantus
t
ogoout
.”
“
Ok.Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo,
justber
eadybysi
x.”
“
Ok.
”
BamehungupandLonesmi l
ed,
shecouldn’
twai
tto
tel
lhi
mt hegoodnews.Shewassurehewasgoing
tobedeli
ghted.Shequi
ckl
yatet
henwalkedtoher
son’
sroom wherethenannywasfeedi
nghim.
“
Hi,
Iwi
l
lbeback,
Iam goi
ngt
ocol
l
ectLesedi
.”
“
Okmam.
”
Lonewalkedoutwithhercarkeys,shegotbehi
nd
thewheelthenspedofft
ot heschool.
“
Mrs.Davi
d.”Thepr
inci
plesai
dasLonewal
ked
i
nsi
deheroffi
ce.
“
Pri
nci
ple,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam f
ine.
”
“
Oh,
congr
atul
ati
ons.
”
Lonesmi
l
edput
ti
ngherhandov
erherbel
l
y.“
Thank
you.
”
“
Sitdown.
”
Lonesatdownwonder
ingwhatwasgoi
ngon.
“Wehadaninci
dentyest
erday
,Iam notsur
eif
Lesedi
tol
dyouanythi
ng.
”
“
No,
shedi
dn’
ttel
lmeany
thi
ng,
whathappened?
”
“
Theirteacherwasabusi
ngt
hem.Weonl yfoundout
y
esterdayandshewasi mmedi
atel
yfi
red.
”
“
Abusi
ngt
hem?
”
“
Yes,appar
entl
yshebeatLesedi
becauseshewasn’
t
wri
ti
ngproper
ly.
”
Lonelaughed.“
That
’snotabuse, Lesedi
isjustdumb,
anyoneisboundtol
osetheirpatiencewithher.She
can’
treadorwrit
eli
keotherkids,shecan’teven
wri
teherownname.Shei sstupid.”
Awomanwalkedi
nandsatbesideLone.“UhhMr
s.
Dav
idt
hisi
sMsWi l
li
ams.Thei
rnewt eacher
.”
Lonesmi
l
edatt
hecol
oredwoman.“
Hi.
”
“
Nicet
omeety
ouSedi
’
smom.
”
“
Iwasj
ustexpl
aini
ngt
oMr
s.Dav
idher
ewhywe
f
ir
edLesedi
’
sot
hert
eacher
.”
“Idon’
tthinkyoushouldhav ef i
redher.shewasj ust
doingherjob,Lesediwon’tlearn.Ihavetri
edmme
kesemat l
ahelaebilekeihlobogi l
e,{
butshei sstupi
d,
Ihavegivenup,}whatseveny earolddoesn’tknow
howt owriteherownname? ”
“Shei snotstupid,
shesuf f
ersfrom dyslexi
a, a
l
ear ningdisordert
hatinvol
vesdiffi
cultr
eadingdue
topr oblemsidenti
fyi
ngspeechsoundsandl earni
ng
howt heyrel
atetolett
ersandwor ds.”MsWi lli
ams
said.“ Shedoeshavenor malint
ell
igenceandnor mal
visi
on.Shej ustneedsal i
tt
lehelpandsuppor t
.Iam
heref orthat,
Iam thei
rnewt eacher.Ihavecame
acrosssuchcasesbef oreandIknowhowt ohandle
such. ”
“Idon’
tthi
nkany
onecanhandleLesedi,
yesmay
be
shemighthaveadi
sorderbutgener
all
yshei
s
dumb.”
“Sheal
soneedsemoti
onal
suppor
t,t
omot
ivat
eher
andencour
ageher
.”
Loneshr
ugged.“
Idon’
tknow,
Iwi
l
ltr
y.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
MsWi l
li
amsl
ookedatthepri
nci
ple.“
Ithi
nkIam
done,
youcanandcol
lectherMr
sDav id.
”
“
Ok.
”
MsWi
l
li
amswal
kedoutasLonest
oodup.
“
Thanky
oupr
inci
pal
.”
“
Youar
ewel
come.
”
Shewal kedoutandf oll
owedMsWi l
l
iams.She
frownedst ar
ingatLesedi t
alki
ngwit
hIvy.Lesedi
raisedhereyesandst aredathermotherthen
huggedI vyandrantohermot her
.
“
Whoi
sthat
?”
“
Myf
ri
end,
Ivy
.”
“
Whendi
dyoust
artbei
ngf
ri
endswi
thher
?”
Theygoti
nthecar
.
“
Yest
erday
.”
“
Youarenotgoingtotal
ktoherany
mor
e,shei
snot
y
ourf
ri
endany more.
”
“
Butshe-
“
“
Isai
dsheisnolongeryourf
ri
end.Youar
enotgoi
ng
t
otal
ktoherany
mor e.”
Lesedikeptqui
etast
ear
sfi
l
ledherey
esandcr
ied
si
lentl
y.

*
***
*

Mar angwalkedinsi
dethehospitalf
orhershift
.She
smiledatherco-workersandwentt oherof
fice.She
satdownasBr idgett
ewalkedinsideheroff
ice,a
nurseshehadbef ri
ended.
“
Hey
…”
“
Mar
ang,
hi.Howi
sJay
?”
“Heisf
ine.
”Marangsi
ghed.Shewascl
oseto
Bri
dget
tebutwonder
edifshecoul
dtr
usther
.
“
What
’swr
ong?Youseem st
ressed.
”
“Doyouthinki
t’
swr ongtost
il
l…myexwantsJaybut
Iam scar
ed.Hislat
ewi f
eabusedJaywhenhewas
t
hereandnowhei
sseei
ngt
hewomanwhohat
es
me.Ij
ustf
eel
…”
“Li
keyoucan’
ttr
ustt
hem wi
thJay
?”Br
idget
teasked
sit
ti
ngdown.
“Yes.Am Iwrongforfeeli
ngthisway?IknowMi guel
l
ov eshi
ssonsomuch, t
hat’
shishei
rbutIjustdon’
t
wantanythinghappeningtohim.Anayahatesme,
whatifshedoesany t
hingtohim sothatonlyher
kidsbenefi
tfrom t
hei
rf at
her’
smoney .
”
“No, y
ouar enotwrong,Iappl
audyouforstayi
ng
withhi m.Alotofki
dsgetabusedstayingwit
ht hei
r
fathers.Youaredoinggreat
.Don’
tletanyonetelly
ou
otherwise.”
Mar
angsmi
l
ed.“
Thanky
ou.
”
“Youareal
way
swel
come,
letmego,
myshi
fti
s
over.
”
“
Okby
e.”
Bri
dgett
ewalkedout,Anayatookherphoneand
openedherwhatsapptorespondtoafewmessages.
Const
ance:
Hey
,Igott
hei
nter
nshi
p.
Mar
ang:
That
’sgr
eat
.Papawoul
dbepr
oudofy
ou.
Constance:Yeah,
mamai sexci
ted.Iam goi
ngt
o
st
artsavingforahouse.
Mar
ang:
Iwi
l
lassi
sti
fyouwant
.
Const
ance:
Thankssi
s.
Mar
angsi
ghedwi
thgui
l
tyt
hencal
l
edhermot
her
.
“
Mar
ang.
”
“Mama,didyoutal
ktothelawyer
?Const
anceshoul
d
getherf
airshar
eofinher
it
ance.”
“Thatchil
disnotgetti
nganythi
ng,notafterwhather
mot herputmethrough.Shewast hereasonformy
unhappiness,
shewant edtodestr
oymyf amil
y,her
daughterwon’tgetanythi
ng.
”
“
Constanceisstudyingtobealawy
er,
sheisgoi
ng
t
ostandforherselfandyouaregoi
ngtol
ose.Pl
ease
j
ustt
alktothelawy er.
”
“I
fshei sgoi
ngtotakemet
ocour
tlether
,Idon’
t
care.Sheisnotget
ti
ngadi
meofmyhusband’s
money .
”
*
***
*

Yaoneopenedt hedoorandl
ookedatSaronaather
housel
aterthatday.Shesmi
ledstar
ingatMapula
andJuni
or.
“
Himom,”Mapul
asai
dhuggi
ngherandwal
ki
ng
i
nsi
det
hehouse.
“Mom, Ibr
oughtt
hegame,
Iwi
l
lshowy
ouhowt
o
play
.”
Yaonesmi
l
ed.“
OkJuni
or,
geti
n.”
Bot
hki
dswal
kedi
nthenYaonel
ookedatSar
ona.
“
Hi,
”
Yaonesmi
l
ed.“
Hi.Thanksf
orbr
ingi
ngt
hem.
”
“
It
’sok.By
e.”
“
Bye.
”
Yaonewal
kedi
nsi
deherhouseasSar
onadr
oveof
f.
“
Didy
out
alkt
odad?
”
Yaonelookedatherel
derdaughter
.“Sweet
y,Ithi
nk
gett
ingyouaphoneisextr
eme, y
ouar est
il
lyoung,a
phoneneedssomeonewhoi smat ur
eenough.”
“
ButIam al
most11y
ear
s!”
“Iknow,wai
tti
l
lyouar
e13t
henIwi
l
lgety
oua
phone.”
Pul
ewal
kedi
nandsmi
l
ed.
“
DaddyIwantaphone!
”
Pul
efr
owned.“
Youwhat
?”
“
Iwantaphone.
”
“
Howol
dar
eyou?
”
“
10.
”
“
Exact
ly,
tenyearol
dsdon’
thav
ephonesbutt
hey
r
eadthei
rbooks.
”
Mapul
aangr
il
ymar
chedt
oherr
oom.
“
May
beweshoul
dgetherasmal
lone.
”
“
Yaone,sheisonl
yababy
.Phoneswi
l
lopendoor
s
f
orotherthi
ngs,
shei
sagirl
chi
ld.
”
Yaonesi
ghed.“
IknowIj
ust
…”
“Justi
gnor
eher,shewil
lbefi
ne.Weloveherandas
parent
swholovethei
rdaught
er,wewil
ldowhatis
goodforher
.”
Thedoorswungopenandtheybothtur
nedtolook.
Miguel
chargedt
owardsPuleandpunchedhim har
d.
Yaonemovedbackputt
ingherhandoverhermouth.
“
Youwer
erapi
ngAy
ana?
”
“Shi
t!”Pul
emov edbackwit
hapoundi
nghear
t
star
ingatMiguelbr
eathi
ngheav
il
y.
“
Youwer
erapi
nganunder
agechi
l
d?”
Miguelgrabbedhim andpunchedhi m again,t
his
ti
mear oundbloodspatf r
om Pule’snoseashel ost
balanceandfelloverthegl
asstablebr eaki
ngitint
o
ti
nypieces.Yaonet r
iedtopul
lMi gueloffher
husbandbuther oughlypushedhert hatshefell
on
herbutt.
“Daddy!
”Mapulascr
eamedwhi l
ePuletri
edt
ofight
offMiguel
whowasn’tst
oping.HepushedMiguelof
f
himthenstoodupbutMiguelpunchedhi
minthe
st
omach.
“That
’sf
orv i
olat
ingachi
l
dandmakngherabor
t.
Youaresick!
”
Juni
orst
art
edcr
yingst
ari
ng.
“Gotoy ourr
ooms!Let ’
sgo!”Yaonepushed.The
kidscr
iedwalkingtotherooms.Yaonetookher
phoneandwi thshakyhandsandcalledAnaya.
“
Yaone…”
“Hey,uhhhe’
ski
l
li
nghi
m.Mi
guel
iski
l
li
nghi
m,
pleasecome.
”
.
.
.
[
7/14,
08:
12]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#102

Anay
adrovei
nandpar
kedbehindMiguel
’scar
.She
st
eppedouti
nandr
ushedi
nsidethehousewhere
Miguel
wasbutter
inghi
sfr
iend.Yaonewasst
andi
ng
atthef
arcor
nercryi
ng.
“Mi
guel
it’
senough!Stopi
t!
”Shescr
eamedt
hen
pul
l
edhim of
f.“
Stop!”
Miguel l
ookedatPulethenmovedback.“I
magineif
thathadtohappent oMapula?Howwoul dyoufeeli
f
onedayanol dermanhadtotakeadvant
ageofy our
chil
dlikethatandevenworse,makesherabort
?”
Anay
alookedatPul
eindi
sgust
.“Let
’sgo.
”
Theywal
kedoutandAnay
ast
aredathi
mragi
ng.
“
Let
’sgohomeandhav
eyoucl
eanedup.
”
Anayagotinhercaranddroveof
fwit
hMi guel
behi
ndher.Minutesl
atershewaswal
kinginsi
deher
house.
“
Anay
a…”
“
HiTat
enda,
wher
eisMi
l
ler
?”
“
Sleepi
ng,
hej
ustsl
eptnow.Youar
ebackear
ly.
”
“
Ihav
eani
ssue.
”
Mi
guel
wal
kedi
nsecondsl
aterwi
thast
ainedwhi
te
shi
rt
.
“
HiTat
enda.
”
“
Mr.Mokwena.
”
Theywalkedt
othebedr
oom wher
eMi
guel
tookof
f
theshi
rt
.
“IknowPulesl
eepi
ngwi t
hAyaisangeri
ng,
Iwas
goingtotr
ytogetAyanatoopenacasebutbabe…I
feell
iket
herei
ssomet hi
ngmoretoit
.”
“
It
’snot
hing.
”
“
Miguel
tal
ktome.
”
Miguel
sighed.“
WhenCol
leenwentt
oUB,
shewas
r
aped,thefi
rstmont
hbyherl
ect
urer
.”
“
What
?”
“Shenevertal
ksabouti
tbecauseshebeliev
esshe
wasinlovewiththi
soldmanandt hatheforced
himsel
fonherbecauseshehaddonesomet hingshe
shoul
dn’thavedone.Hej
usttookadvantageofthe
sit
uati
onand…”
“
Idi
dn’
tknow.
”
“
Becausenooneev
ert
alksabouti
t.
”
Anay
asighed.“
Thankyouf
orstandi
ngupf
orYana.
Youhav
egoodbr ot
her
-l
awvibes.
”
Miguelsmil
edather
.“Weneedt
opr
otectgi
rl
chi
ldr
en.”
“
Iknow.Maybei
nthef
utur
ewecanopenupanNGO
t
ohelpthem.
”
“
Mylawy ersai
dwewi l
lactual
l
ygetJaysoonert
han
weexpected,t
heyhaveoffi
cesint
heUSsoi twi
ll
makethi
ngsmor eeasi
er.”
“ThankGod.Idon’twanttotalkt
oheranymor
e
becauseshewantst ostar
tunnesesar
yfi
ght
swit
h
me.Idon’thaveenergyfori
t.”
“
Iwanty
out
ocomewi
tht
oMahal
apy
e.”
“
Didn’
tyourf
athersay
-“
“
Iwantt
ogowi
thy
ou.
”
“
Whataboutt
heki
ds?
”
“
Tat
endawillr
emainwit
hthem,
wearecomingback
i
mmediat
elyaft
erpapatel
l
suswhat
evert
hathe
want
stot
ell
us.
”
Anayal
ookedathi
m andsmi
l
ed.“
Ok,
letmet
alkt
o
her
.”
Anay
awal
kedoutandwentt
oTat
enda.
“Hey,canyoupleasewat cht
hekidstoni
ght
,Miguel
andIar egoingt
oMahal apyebutwearecoming
back.Iwill
doubleyoursalar
yforthi
smonth.
”
Tatendasmil
ed.“Youknowyoudon’
thaveto,
you
al
readypaymel i
kesomeonewhowor ksi
nthe
off
ice.Iwi
l
llookaftert
hem,
don’
tworry.
”
“Thanky
ousomuch,
Idon’
tknowwhatIam goi
ngt
o
dothedayy
oul
eaveme.”
Tat
endal
aughed.“
Don’
twor
ry.
”
Anayawal
kedbackt
oherbedr
oom,
hewasal
ready
undr
essi
ng.
“
Sheagr
eed.Wear
eri
dingwi
thAgang?
”
“
No,
hewi
l
ldr
ivehi
msel
f.
”
Anay
a’sphoner
angf
rom t
hebed.
“
Donal
d.”
“
Hey
,soguesswhoar
eexpect
ing?
”
Anayasmi
ledwal
kingtot
hebat
hroom.“
Youar
e
goi
ngtohaveababy?”
“
Yes,
shei
spr
egnant
.”
“
Soy
ouusedt
hatgi
rl
?”
“
Yeah,shei
sexpensiv
ebutsensi
ble.I
nmont
hst
ime,
Mart
inandIwi
llhaveourownchi
ld.”
“
Iam happyf
ory
ou.
”
“
Mymom want
stov
isi
tme.
”
“
Real
l
y?”
“Yes,Ialr
eadyboughtherthepl
anet
icket
s,If
eel
everythi
ngisfi
nall
ycomingtoget
her
.Ofcausemy
fatherissti
l
lhomophobicbutnowIhavehopethat
onedayhewi l
lcomealong.”
“
Iknow,
sodoI
.”
“Ican’
twai
ttoseey
ou,
yourweddi
ngi
sgoi
ngt
obea
blast
.”
“Iam exci
ted.Ihav
eneverfel
tthi
sexci
ted.Weare
sti
ll
goingforcounsel
i
ng,nextweekwear egoi
ngto
getamarri
agecounselor
.Thi
sti
mear
oundIj
ust
wantt
hingstobeperfect
.”
“
Itwi
l
lbei
fyoudon’
tbecomet
her
unawaybr
ide.
”
Anay
arol
l
edherey
es.“
Mxm,
waswaba.
”
“
Iam t
ell
i
ngy
ou.
”
“
Thi
sti
mear
oundIwon’
trun,
cal
m down.
”
“
Good.Ihav
etodosomet
hing,
wewi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Bye.
”

*
***
*

Lethabol ayonhisadjustablecoucht hathehad

adjustedintoabedwi thSinowat chi
ngamov ief r
om
hisTVt hatwasmount edont hewall.Thesmal l
si
ttingroom wasdar kandSi nosnuckcl osert
ohi m
munchi ngonpopcor ns.Ascar yscenepl ay
edast he
vi
llaininthemov i
eslashedt hevict
im withabut cher
knifethrowingtheheaddown.Si nopausedcar efull
y
wat chi
ngwhi l
ebloodspr ayedintheai r
.Themov i
e
gotmorescarywhil
eSinopai
dmor
eat
tent
ion,
she
wassuckerforhor
ror.
Lethabosmi ledsmel l
ingherhairwhichsmel tofa
fl
ower yfr
agr ance.Whenhehadf i
rstmether ,he
wouldn’thav eknownshewasl esbian,matteroffact
,
hest i
l
l di
dn’tbelieveshewasl esbian,probablyj
ust
explori
ng.Hedi dn’ tknowhowt ot el
lherhowhet r
uly
fel
tandhesuspect edev eni
fhedi d,shewoul d
probablylaughi tof f
.Hesighed,fornowhehadt o
sti
ckonbei ngf riendst i
l
lhehadsomet hi
ngsol i
dto
presenttoher .
Themov iecamet
oanendt henshesighedsi
tt
ing
upr
ight
.“Thi
sonewasn’
tthatscar
y.”
Let
habolaughed.“Thatwast
hescar
iest
,wecan
watchTheForest.
”
“
Isi
tscar
y?”
“
It
’sok.
”
Hetookhi sl
apt
opwhichwasconnect edtot heTV
andcl
ickedonthemov i
e.Sinobundledupcl ose
l
ayi
ngherheadonhi schestast hemoviestarted.
Let
habot ookadeepbreat
ht r
yingtocontr
ol hisdi
ck,
shehadsof tski
n,hewonder edhowitfel
ttouchi
ng
her.Hesomet i
meshadav ividimageofhowi twould
feelbutofcause,hehadt ocont r
oli
t.Heturnedto
themov ieandhisheartskippedasitgotmor e
scarier
.Hewasn’tafanofscar ymoviessousuall
y
hest ar
edathertheentir
et ime.Hisphonev i
brat
ed
besidehim,hetookitandlookedatt hecall
erID.
“
Hey
,it
’sAy
ana,
letmet
akei
t,cont
inuewat
chi
ng.
”
“
Ok.
”
Hegotoffbedandwal
kedout
sidehi
sst
udi
o
answer
ing.
“
Annal
i
se.
”
“
Hey
,Ihav
esomet
hingt
otel
lyou.
”
“
Ok,
whati
sit
?”
“
Iam pr
egnant
.”
Let
habo’
shear
tski
pped.“
What
?”
“
Yeah,
wear
egoi
ngt
ohav
eababy
.”
“
How?Di
dn’
tyour
eachmenopause?
”
Annal
i
sel
aughed.“
IthoughtIdi
dbutIguess47y
ear
ol
dscanst
il
lhav
eki
ds.
”
“
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odonow?
”
“
Wear egoi
ngtor
aisehi
mtoget
her
.Iam goi
ngt
o
t
ell
Claudi
a.”
“Andsaywhat
?Youwerei
mpregnant
edbysomeone
oneyeary
oungert
hany
ou?”
“Shehasnochoi cebutt
oacceptit
.Youcanfl
yher
e
andwecant ellhert
ogether
.Let
haboIam so
exci
ted,Ican’tbeli
eveIam goi
ngtobeamommyt o
asmal l
child.
”
“Annali
sewhatwillIt
ell
myfamily
?Howdoyouthi
nk
theywil
ltakeit
?It
’snotanever
ydayt
hat
…wow!”He
sighedclosi
nghereyes.
“
Arey
ouupset
?”
“
Yes!Shi
tIam!Youtol
dmey ouwere…whydi
dyou
l
i
esayingyour
eachedmenopause?
”
“Iam sorr
ylov
e,Ial
sodon’
tknowhowi
thappened.I
am sorry
.”
Let
habor
ubbedhi
sfacef
rust
rat
ed.“
Shi
t!
”
“Iam sorry,
Iguessnextt
imeIwil
lstopassuming.I
am excitedaboutt
hisbabyt
hough,Ireal
l
ythoughtI
wouldn’thavemorekids.
”
“Annali
sewhyareyoutaki
ngthisli
ght
ly?Doyou
real
izehowfuckedupthesit
uati
onis?Iam j
usta
chil
d,Ican’
trai
seanot
herchil
d.”
“
Iam her
ear en’
tI?Wewill
doittoget
her.Stop
wor
ryi
ng,Igetyourpoi
nt,
Iam goingtomov ether
e,
maybeavoi
dCl audi
aforawhi
leandev ery
oneelse.
”
“
Fuck!
”
“OrIcanmovetot
hehousei
nCapeTown.Iwi
l
lbe
closert
oyou.
”
“Ican’tbeli
eveyouar eactual
l
ytelli
ngmey ouare
keepingthebaby ,Idon’tknowwhat ’
smorefucked
upbet weeny outhinki
ngIcanact ual
lybeafatheror
youthinkingit’
snormal tobepregnantatyourage.I
am comi ngtheredur i
ngtheweekend, wearegoing
togetr i
dofi t
.”
“
Let
habo-
“
“
Arey
ouquest
ioni
ngme?
”
Shekeptqui
et.
“
Iam comingthere,
youaregoi
ngtogetridofthat
.
I
t’
seit
herthatandyouandIareover
.Youchoose
whatyouwantbutknowifyoukeepit
,it
’snotmine.
”
Annal
isebrokedowncr
ying,Si
nopeakedoutsi
de
andLethabohungupandlookedatheri
nnocentl
y.
“Hey,
everyt
hingok?
”
“
Yeah,
justAy
anabei
ngAy
ana.
”
Si
nosmil
edthenpul
l
edhi
minsi
det
hest
udi
o.“
Come
Andwat
ch.”
“
Scar
ed?
”
Shelaughedast
heygotbackontheadj
ust
abl
e
couchpull
ingaf
leeceov
erthem.Shel
ayonhi
s
chestagai
n.
“
No,
youar
ecomf
ort
abl
etol
i
eon.
”
“
Ohwow!
”
Si
nochuckl
edfocusingont
heTV.Let
habot
ookout
hi
sphonethentext
edAnnal
ise.
Let
habo:
Ibet
terf
indy
our
eadyonSat
urday
.Youar
e
notgoi
ngt
okeept
hat
,don’
tpl
aygameswi
thme.

*
***
*

Lonewal kedinsidearest
aurantwit
hherhusband.
Theysatonanempt yt
ableandshesmi l
edlooking
around.Shelov edthepl
ace,i
tlookednewandf ancy.
Herey esfell
onBameandshesmi ledevenwider,
helookedmor ehandsomeandi ncontr
ol.
“
Thi
spl
acei
sbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Yeah,
let
’sor
derdr
inks.
”
“
Ok.
”
Bameraisedhishandtoawait
erandhecameov er
.
Loneorderedjui
cewhi
leBameorderedwine.The
wait
erwalkedawayandcamebackami nut
elater
wit
htheirdri
nks.Bamener
vousl
ylookedather.
“
Arey
ouok?Whati
sit
?”
“
Iwanttotell
yousomethi
ng.Iwantyoutokeepin
mindt
hatIloveyousomuch.Iam notper
fectbutI
l
ovey
ou,ev
eryti
meIgof
orat
ri
pIkeept
hinki
ngof
y
ouandourki
ds.
”
Lonesmi l
ed.“
Wealwaysthinkofyout
oo,al
ways.
It
’shardwhenyouleav
e,sometimesIwishyou
didn’
thavetogoaway.Iwishyoucanalway
sstay
withus.”
“IdotoobabybutIcan’tavoi
dit.
”Hetookherhands
i
ntohis.“
LongbeforeImety ou,Iwasseei
ngsome
woman.Shegotpr egnantandthat’
swhenIfound
outshewascheating.Shegavebirt
handwehad
DNAt est
sdonewhi chprovedthatt
hebabywasn’t
mine.
”
Lonetensedstar
ingathi
m andhersmi
l
edsl
owl
y
di
sappeared.
“WhenImety ou,i
thadbeenf ouryearssincewehad
brokenup.Sherecent
lycontact
edmet el
li
ngmet hat
thechil
dismineandshedi dn’
tunderstandhowt he
DNAhadsai dshewasn’t.Wediditagainandt he
chil
dismine.”
“
Wow!
”
“
Yes,
a12y
earol
dgi
rl
.”
“
Whendi
dyoudot
heDNAt
est
s?”
“
2year
sago.
”
“
Soy
ouhav
ebeensuppor
ti
ngherbehi
ndmyback?
”
“
Iwasscar
edt
otel
lyou.Il
ovey
ou.
”
“You…”Lonecover
edherf
acebrief
lyf
ail
i
ngi
n
disbel
i
efofwhatshewashear
ing.
“
Shei
sher
e,wi
thhermot
her
.”
Lonetookoffherhandsfrom herf
aceandwatched
abeauti
fulwomanappr oachthem.Bamepull
edtwo
chai
rstothei
rtabl
eandt hewomanandgi r
lsat
down.
“
Kaone,t
hisismywife,babet
hati
sKaoneandt
hat
i
sLeano,herdaught
er.
”
Lonelookedatthechi
ldasangerbuil
tinher
,she
l
ookedatKaoneandgotmor eangrier
.Hewas
probabl
ysleepi
ngwithher
,howonear thwoulda
mansuppor thi
schil
dbehi
ndhiswife’
sbackandnot
sl
eepwi t
hthebabymama?
“
Howarewesur
ethatshedidn’
tmesswit
hthe
r
esul
tsj
ustt
ocl
aimthatherdaught
eri
syour
s?Thi
s
chi
l
ddoesn’
tev
enl
ookl
i
key
ou.
”
Kaonesmi
led.“
Becauseshelooksl
ikehermother
buti
fyoul
ookcaref
ull
y,shehasherfat
her’
sears.
”
“Ofcauseshedoes.Howcanshenothav eher
fat
her’
sears?Iknowgirl
slikey ou,whatdoy oureall
y
want?Heelamma, gogivethischildtoherreal
fat
herbecauseyouarewast ingyourtime.Youmust
thi
nkIam af ool
,myhusbandi snotgoi ngtosupport
thi
schil
d,whyaretheresultsdiff
erentnowwhen
donkeyyearsagoyouwer echeat i
ngandt heysaid
hewasn’tthefat
her?
”
“
Loneweh!
”
LoneturnedtoBameboil
ing.“
Isthi
swhaty
ou
broughtmeher ef
or?Tohumil
iat
eandembarr
ass
me?I sthati
t?”
“
Canyoucalm downandactl
i
keagrownup?”He
l
ookedatLeano.“
Sweet
ygotowher
ethekidsar
e.”
Leanost
oodupandwal
kedaway
.
“
BameIwon’
thav
eyourwi
fei
nsul
tme.
”
Lonel
aughed.“
Insul
t?Gi
rlIwi
l
ldomor
ethant
hati
f
youthi
nky
oucanj
ustpar
adeher
eandt
alkabouta
chi
ld.
”
“
Lonestopi
t!I
t’
senough!Leanoi
smychi
l
dandj
ust
l
i
keIlov
eLesedi,Il
oveher
.”
“
Wel
lthenf
orgetme.
”Lonest
oodup.“
Iam goi
ng.
”
Shewal
kedawayr
ubbi
nghert
ear
s.Out
sideshe
st
oppedacab.
‘
’
Speci
al!
”Thedr
oversai
dassheappr
oachedi
t.
“
Yes.
”
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Shegotinthecabthenthedr
iverdr
oveof
f.Shet
ri
ed
tohol
ditinbutshebrokedowncryi
ngwit
hher
handsonherface.
“Eishsist
era,
”thedri
versai dscr
atchi
nghi
sbear d
unsur eofwhattosayt oher.Heusuall
yhadt he
drunkcustomer sbuttoday,hehadonecryingand
from hercri
esheknewi thadtobeaman’st ears.He
swi t
chedont heradi
ohopi ngthatmaybethemusi c
woul dsoothher.
*
***
*

Migueldroveheadedt oMahal apyewi t

hAnay a
besidehim.Hel ookedatherasshet urnedst ari
ng
backwithasmi le.I
twast hatsmi l
eofher sthat
usuall
ydrovehim crazyandherl aughtert oo.He
rubbedherthighandt ur
nedbackt ot her oad
i
ncreasingthespeed.Mi guelconnectedhi sphonet o
thecarthroughtheBluetooth.Doll
yPar ton, you’
re
theoneplayedandAnay achuckled.
“Ilov
ethissong,
Iusedt
osi
ngi
twhenIwasst
il
li
n
highschool.
”
Mi
guel
laughed.“
Iwantt
oheary
ousi
ng.
”
“
Iam abadsi
nger
.”
“
Iwi
l
lbet
hej
udgeoft
hat
.”
Anayar
oll
edhereyesandst
art
edsingi
ng,shehad
wrot
ethely
ricsi
nherbookofly
ricsi
nfor
mf our.

If
oundoutt
hehar
dway
AndI
’
m nev
ergonnabr
eaky
ourhear
t
Iknow,
tool
ate
AndIdon’
twantt
obr
eaky
ourhear
t
GuessIhadt
ogoawayj
ustt
ofi
nd
WhatIl
eftbehi
nd
You’
ret
heonl
yone
You’
ret
heonl
yone
Takemeback
Towher
ewest
art
edf
rom
Andl
et’
smakei
tnow
Li
kewemadei
tthen
Thi
sol
’hear
tai
n’
tgonnabr
eaky
ourhear
tagai
n

Miguel
smil
edandsangwithher
.Anayasmi l
edeven
wi
derthenst
art
edsingl
i
ngwithCel
inedion,t
histi
me
moregenui
nel
y.Shewasn’
tagoodsinger,j
ustnot
t
hatbad.
Agangov
ert
ookt
hem f
lashi
nghi
sli
ght
soncet
hen
spedof
f.Anayasmi
l
edhummi
ngt
othel
yri
csand
l
ookedoutsi
de.

*
***
*

AyanawalkedoutofDebonnair
sholdingaboxof
debonnair
spizza.Sheunl
ockedKarabo’
sPorsche
andsteppedinsidepl
aci
ngthepizzaonthe
passengerseat.Shest
art
edthecarthenherphone
rang.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
thankGod.I
t’
sTat
enda,
thenanny
.”
“
Ohhi
sTat
enda,
isev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“Ihav
ebeentr
yingt
ocal
lAnay
abutherphone
seemsoff
.”
“
Oh,
what
’swong?I
sev
ery
thi
ngok?
”
“No,Mi
ll
erhasbeencr yingforawhil
enow,hi
s
temper
atureishigh.Iwantedtoaskifi
twasokt
o
giv
ehim paracet
amol .
”
“Yeah,
justgi
vehi
mt hat.I
fhi
stemper
aturedoesn’
t
godown, cal
lmeagain.Doyouhav
ealicense?’
“
Yes,
shedi
dleav
ethecar
.”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lcal
laf
teranhourt
ocheckonhi
m.”
“
Ok,
thanky
ou.
”
“
Bye.
”
Anayahungupt henf r
ownedst ari
ngataperson
walki
ngoutofthest ore.Herheartski
ppedasshe
star
edatRefi
lwe, herthroatdr
iedwhil
eherhear
t
poundeduncontroll
ably.

*
***
*

Tatendawat chedMi l
lerfal
l asl
eepaf t
ershegav e
hi
mt hepar acetomol.Shet ouchedhi sforeheadand
si
ghedwi threli
ef ,
hewasn’ tthatbur ningany mor e.
Slowlyshewal kedoutandgent lyclosedhi sdoor.
Shewal kedtot hekit
chenwher eshehadl efther
phonethent extedAy ana.Herhear tski ppedasshe
heardsoundout si
de.Slowlyshet urnedl istening
careful
l
ybutt henhear dt hewi ndout si
de.Wi t
ha
sighsheswi tchedofft hekitchenl i
ghtandwal ked
outgoingt ositt
ingroom wher esheswi tchedof fthe
l
ighttoo.Apl atefel
lint hekitchenshut t
eringtot he
fl
oorwit haloudnoise.Thehai rsatt hebackofher
neckstoodst il
l,par
alyzedwi thf ear
.Sl owlyshe
madeherwaysl owl
yt ot hekitchenbutassoonas
shewal kedin,achillrandownherspi neasacr eepy
feel
ingengul f
edher ,bumpsf ormedonherski n.She
l
ookedatt hekit
chenuni tsseeingahuman- l
ike
shadowt henscreamedl oudpeei ngonher self
.
.
.
.
[
7/14,
08:
12]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#103

Tatendatur
nedatt
emptingtorunwit
hherst
if
flegs
thensli
ppedonherpee.Li
ghtsbeganfl
i
cki
ngonand
offasallwi
ndowsopened.Thewindmadethe
curtai
nsf ly,sl
owl ygotupandr antoMi ll
er’s
bedroom, grabbedhi mf rom hi scoatandwentt othe
girl
sroom wher eshecl osedt hedoorl ocki ngit.Her
heartpoundedwhi l
eshebr eat hedheav ilywithMi ll
er
sleepi
ngqui etl
yonherchest .Shesl owl ywal kedto
thegirl
sbedandsatdownwhi lethel i
ght sst il
l
fl
ickedonandof f,atleastthewi ndowwascl osed.A
babyst artedcry ingf rom insidet hehouse, Tatenda
frozeast hebabycr iedev enl ouder, nowshewas
sureshewasn’ ti magi ningit.Herhear tr acedsof ast
i
tcouldal mostl eapoutf rom herchest .Sheopened
hermout handst artedt opr ayhol dingMi ll
ert i
ghtl
y.
Somet hingcr awl edonherl eg, herhear tpounded
harderthanbef or ethenshesl owlymel t edt othe
fl
oorasMi l
l
erfel lfrom herhandsl andingont he
fl
uffycarpet .

*
***
*

Ayanarushedinsi
deherhouselocki
ngbehindher
.
Sheputthepizzadownshakingthenreachedf
orher
phone.
“
Lal
ahIsawRef
il
we!
”
“
Ayanay
oudor
eal
i
zeIam atwor
kri
ght
?”
“
Isawher
!”
“
Niceone.
”
Ayanashookherhead.“
No,
no.Isawher
.Isweari
t
washerbutshehadahoodi
eonbutitwasher
.Lynn
Isawher.
”
“
What
?”
“
Isawherandshewaswal
ki
ng.
”
“
Wasn’
tsheconf
ir
meddead?
”
“
Shewas.Theysai
dshewasdead.
”
“
Thenwhat
…”
“IknowIsoundcr
azybutIsawherwi
thmyown
eyes.Shewaswalki
ng.God…”
“
May beit
’sy
ourmi ndplay
ingr
icksonyou.I
tdoesn’
t
meany ouar
ecrazy.Youarest
ressedandaloti
s
j
ustgoingoninyourhead.”
“
Shoul
dIcomet
her
e?”
“
Yes,
dur
ingt
heweekend.
”
Ayanasatonhercouch.“
Shewast
her
e.Isawher
..
.
Godhelpme…”
“Ei
therwayshehasnor easontohauntany
one.She
kil
l
edherselfandherchil
d.Sheisbur
ningi
nhell
ri
ghtnow.May bey ouj
ustsawsomeonewhol ooks
l
ikeher.Doesn’tshehaveasist
er?
”
“
Shedoes.
”
“See?Shehasasi st
erandy oupr obablysawher
sist
er.Deadpeopl edon’twakef rom thedeadand
thereisnot hi
nglikeaghost .Relax,youarejust
panickingov ernothi
ng.Don’ tt
ellthi
st oNaya,she
will
star tgett
ingworried.”
“
Iwon’
t.Youar
eri
ght
,it
’spr
obabl
yhersi
ster
.”
“
Ihav
etogo,
Ihat
eni
ghtshi
ft
s.”
Ayanalaughedthenhungup.Shelaughedalonenow
seei
nghowcr azyshemusthavesound.Ref i
lwewas
deadandLalahwasr i
ght,
thedeadnev ercameback
toli
fe.
*
***
*

Migueldrov
einsidehisparent’
sgateandparkedhi
s
carbehindAgang’s.Anay
at ookherphonebut
fr
owned.
“
Myphonei
soff,
Inev
erchar
gedi
t.Iwantt
ocheck
i
nonTat
enda.
”
Migueltookhi
sphonefrom hi
spocketandhandedi
t
t
oher .shedi
aledTat
enda’
snumbert henl
ist
enedas
i
trang.
“
Shei
snotanswer
ing.
”
“
Theyar
efi
ne.Let
’sgo.
”
Anayareluct
antl
ygav ehi
sphonebackandst
epped
outofthecar.Theybothwal
kedtodoorand
knocked.AnayasmiledwhenMaMokwenaopened
thedoor.
“
Bongwanaka,
tsenang.{
Myki
ds,
comei
n.}
”
Theywal
kedi
nsi
det
hehouset
henMaMokwena
pul
l
edheri
nforahug.
“
Howar
eyou?
”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
Iam f
inema,
howar
eyou?
”
“
Iam l
onel
y,Ican’
twai
tfort
hehol
i
day
s.”
Theybot
hlaughedwalki
ngt
othesit
ti
ngr
oom wher
e
Agangwassit
tingwi
thMokwena.
“
Dumel
ang,
”Anay
agr
eet
ed.
“
Howar
eyoumygi
rl
?”
“
Iam f
inet
hanky
ou.
”
“
Youcansi
t.
”
Shesatdownbesi deMiguelasMaMokwenasat
besideherhusband.Mi
guelstudi
edhisfather
’sface
tr
yingtounderst
andhim buthecoul
dn’treadhim.
“
Thankyouf
orcomi
ngher
e,t
her
eIsomet
hingIhav
e
t
otel
lyoual
l
.”
Themai ndoorswungopenandColleenwal
kedi
n
withTshepo.Shesmiledatwal
kedovert
oAnaya
thenhuggedherbeforesi
tti
ngonacouchwit
hher
husband.Theyall
lookedMokwena.
“Ifyousti
llremember ,wedi dn’tal
waysst ayher
e.
Wemov edher ewhenBoi kany owentf orhisfor
m 1.
WhenImety ourmot her
,wewer esti
llyoungandwe
fell
inlovebuti twasf or
biddenl ov
e.Iwasn’ t
supposedt olov esomeonel ikeherbecausewewer e
twodi f
ferentpeopleofdifferentstat
uses.Wear e
royalt
y,youknowt hatri
ght?”
Mi
guel
noddedwhi
l
eAnay
ast
aredwi
thshock.
“Butt
het
hronei
snoti
nourhouse.
”Agangpoi
nted
out.
Mokwenanodded.“ Yes.SoasIwassay i
ng, Iwasin
l
ov ewi thmywi feandshef el
lpr
egnant.Backt hen
wedi dn’ tknowany thingaboutcondomsandt hings
l
iket hat ,myf amil
yfoundoutandt heybannedher
from seei ngmeaf t
eror der i
ngshegetsridoft he
pregnancy .Hermot herpl annedagetawayf orher
andsher anawaybutIf ollowedthem andsaw
wher eshewassoIwoul dal way
sgoandseeher .I
hadal otofr esponsibil
i
tiesandIcoul dn’
tjust
chooseher ,
ifIdidthefami l
ywoulddisownme, my
fathert oldmet hisstrai
ghtt omyface.Therewasa
womanwhoIhadt omar rybutIdidn’
tloveher .She
wasanor di
narygi r
l butbecauseofsomer elationt o
herf at
her ,t
heysai dshewast heonef orme.Il ef t
homeandwentt oGabor onewher eIst art
edwor ki
ng
tr
yingt osav emoneyf ormyf ami l
y.Thepl anwasI
wor khar dthent akey ourmot herandl i
v ewi thher .
AndIdi d, shefellpregnantwi thAgangandt hat ’s
whenIt ookherwemov edf arawayf rom Mahal apye.
Wecamebacky earsl at
erandmyf atherwasdead
byt henandsowasmymot her .Myf atherwast he
chief,Iwassupposedt ositont hethrone
i
mmedi atelyaf t
erhi sdeathbecauseIwast hef irst
bornandt heycoul dn’tgivet het hronet omysi ster,
yourAunt ,t
het hronewentt ot hecl osesthouse, to
uncleTer o’shouse, yourelderuncl eduet omy
absence.Nowt het hronehast ogot hei t’
sr i
ght f ul
person, whoi sme.Butaf t
erme, i
tgoest oMi guel .
From Mi guel,itgoest oJunior .From Juni or ,tohi s
heirandsof orth.”
Ev
ery
bodyst
aredi
nsi
l
ence.
Agangchuckl
ed.“
Youmeant
otel
lmet
haty
ouar
e
thechi
ef?
”
Mokwenanodded.“
Yes.
”
“
Wow!
”
“
Ijustt
houghtyoushoul
dknowbecauseduringt
he
weekendthefami
lywil
lbedi
scussi
ngthi
s.”
“
Whydi
dyounott
ell
ust
hisl
ongbef
ore?
”
Mokwenalookedathi
soldersonandsi
ghed.“
I
nev
erthoughtIwoul
deversitonmythr
one.
”
“Eveni
ft hat’
swhaty outhought,don’tyouthi
nkit
wouldhav ebeenagoodt hi
ngt ojusttel
lus.Notthat
Iwantthet hroneifeversomethinghappenst oyou,
butdon’tyout hi
nkwedeser vedtoknow? ”
“
Boi
kany
owhatdoy
oumean?Af
tery
ourf
atheri
t’
s
y
ou.
”
Miguelshookhishead.“
No, Iam notgoingtosit
hereandrulepeopl
e.Ial
readyhav eresponsi
bil
i
ties.
”
“
Leav
ehi
m El
i
zabet
h,hei
sst
il
lshocked.
”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his.
”Col
l
eensai
daf
teral
ongwhi
l
e.
“That
’sal
lIwantedt osay.Boi
kanyowewill
discuss
thi
ssomedayi nthef ut
urebutknowyoucan’tr
un
awayfrom y
ourrights.Goodnight
.”Mokwenastood
upandwalkedtohi sbedroom.
“Boi
kanyoIknowallthi
sisshockt oy ou,t
oallofyou
buthedidn’
tevenknowhowt ot ell
y ou,t
hefamily
wantstheri
ghtf
ulpersononthet hroneandit’
sy our
fat
her.Fr
om hi
mi tgoestoBoikany o,youmight
ref
useitnowbutyouraretherightfulhei
r.
”
“Ihav
eal
if
eandhavenoint
eresti
nthechi
eft
aincy,
Agangwi
l
ltaket
hesi
t.Iam goi
ng.Nay
alet
’sgo.”
Anay
asl
owl
yst
oodupandl
ookedathi
smot
her
.
“
Byemydaught
er.Iknowi
t’
sashockbuti
t’
sthe
t
rut
handi
t’
snotgoingany
wher
e.”
Anayanoddedthenwal
kedaf
terMi
guel
andgoti
n
thecar
.Miguel
start
edt
hecaranddr
oveof
f.
“Whydi
dn’ty
out
ell
mey
ouwer
eroy
alt
y?”Anay
a
sof
tl
yasked.
“BecauseIneverthoughi
twasimportant.Imean,
i
t’snotinourhouse,Idi
dn’
tthi
nkitmattered.”He
shookhisheadwi thdi
sbel
ief
,hewasstillfi
ndingi
t
hardtowraphi smindonthenews.Anay aputher
handonherl ap.
“
Wewi
l
ldeal
wit
hitt
oget
her
.”
Hebr
ief
lyl
ookedatsi
gheddr
ivi
ngbackhome.

*
***
*

Tatendasl owl yopenedherey esandf rownedather

achinghead.Shesl owl ysatuprightf eeli
ngwett hen
gotup.Herhear tskippedasshel ookedMi ll
er
sleepingont hecarpet .Hermemor ycamebackand
creepyfeelingengul f
edheragai n.Thel i
ghtwason
now.Shel ist enedcar efull
ynothear i
nganysound
then.Shet ookadeepbr eaththenunl ockedt hedoor
singingachur chsong.Herl egsf eltsoheav ythat
shecoul dn’tev enmov epr operl
y.Acardr oveinand
sheknewt heywer eback.Shewal kedbacki ntothe
room andpi ckedMi llerfrom thecar petandwentt o
himt ohisr oom wher eshel ayhim onhi scotand
walkedoutl eavingthel ightson.
“
Hey
!”
Tat
endascr
eamedst
art
led.Anay
asmi
l
ed.
“
Hey
,sor
ry…”
Theybot
htur
nedt
oMi
l
lerwhor
emai
nedsl
eepi
ng.
“
Iam sor
ry,
arey
ouok?
”
Tatendawalkedoutoftheroom thenlookedather
bosswonder i
ngifsheshouldtell
herornot.Mr.
Mokwenawal kedinandpassedt hem complet
ely
i
gnor i
ngthem.BynowTat endaknewshewas
scaredofhim,shecouldneverlookhi
mi ntheeye.
Therewasanaur aaroundhimt hatal
wayspushed
hertotheedgewhenhewasar ound.
“Ar
eyougood?Youl
ookl
i
key
ouhav
ejustseena
ghost
.”
“
Yes,
Iam f
ine.Ihav
etogohome.
”
“
Buti
t’
slat
e,j
ustsl
eep.
”
Tat
endashookherhead.“
Ireal
l
yhav
etogo.
”
Anay
asi
ghed.“
Ok,
Iwi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
f.
”
Shefel
therwetjeanst
henshookherj
eans.“
Iwi
ll
cal
lmyboyfri
end.Hewill
comeandpickmeup.”
“
Ify
ousayso,
Ihopet
heydi
dn’
tgi
vey
oupr
obl
ems.
”
Tat
endashookherheadl
ooki
ngar
ound,
shecoul
d
swearshehadheardababycr
y.Acatmeowed
out
sideandshejumpedwit
hfearmaki
ngAnay
a
l
augh.
“
Heyr
elax,
it’
snei
gbhour
scat
.”
Tat
endawetherdr
ythr
oatshaki
ngwi
thf
ear
.
“
Areyousureyouar
eok?Ihopey
ouwer
enot
wat
chingascarymovi
e.”
TatendafakedalaughasAnayasmil
e.“Thi
swhyI
don’tl
ikescar
ythings,
anyway,
youcancallyour
boyfri
endandifhecan’tcome,
Iwil
ldr
opy ouoff.
”
“
Ok.
”
Tatendawat chedAnayawalkawaythenshewentto
thekitchenwhereherphonewas.Shetookitand
quicklysentherboy
fri
endamessagebefore
grabbingthepapertowelandwipi
ngheruri
nefrom
thefloor.

*
***
*
Kennethsmil
edathi
sdaughterwhowasl y
ingont he
bedsleepi
ngint
hemor ni
ng.Heki
ssedherforehead
andwalkedoutofhi
sbedroom.Rachel
handedhi m
hi
scupofcoffeewhil
ehesatdownlookingathis
breakf
ast.
“
Thanksbabe…”
Rachel
kissedhi
scheekthenwalkedoutofthe
di
ningroom.Kennet
h’sphoner
angasheat e.
“
P-man.
”
“
Hav
eyouspokent
oBK?
”
“
No,
what
’sup?
”
“Iwantt
otal
ktohi
m butIwantsomeonebet
ween
us.”
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
“Idi
dsomethi
nglongt i
meagowhenSar onalef
tme.
Iwasstr
essedbutthat’
snotanexcuse.Ij
ustwant
toassur
ehimthatithappenedonceandsincet
hen
i
thasneverhappenedagain.
”
“
Whatdi
dyoudo?
”
“
Iwassl
eepi
ngwi
thAy
ana.
”
“
Who?Anay
a?”
“
No,
Ayana.
”
“
Ayana?Anay
a’sy
oungersi
ster
?”
“
Yes.
”
“
When?
”
“
Whenshewas16.
”
“
Youf
uckedupsonofabi
tch!
”
“
Iknowbut
-“
“
Whatdoy
oumeany
ouwer
esl
eepi
ngwi
thher
?”
“
WegotcloseandIguesswecomf
ort
edeachot
her
i
nthewr
ongway .
”
“
Comf
ort
ed?Your
apedhery
oupedophi
l
e!”
“
IknowbutIwouldhavenev
erdonei
tifIwasi
nmy
r
ight
ful
stat
eofthi
nking.
”
“
Ican’
tbel
i
ev et
his,
yourapedher
!Forhowl
ong
wer
eyousleepi
ngwithher.
”
“
Forj
ustacoupl
eofmont
hs.
”
“Yousi ckfucker!Di
dn’
titoccurt
oyouthatshewas
j
ustachi l
d,achildwhohadbeenv i
olat
edandwas
sti
lldeali
ngwi thit
?Yout ookadv
antageofher
sit
uation.”
“
IknowandIapol
ogoi
zed.
”
“Youviol
atedher!Sheneededyourpr otect
ionnot
yousleepi
ngwi t
hher.Sheprobabl
yt houghty ou
l
ov edwheny ouwerejustusi
ngher.Whati fthe
samehappenst oMapul a?Orwhatify oudoitto
anothergi
rl.
”
“
Iswear
,itwasonl
ywi
thher
.”
“
Youdeser
vetor otinhel
l.Youdisgustme.Howdo
y
ouevencum fuckingachild?Doy oureali
zedt
he
l
ongt
ermtraumashewi l
lprobablyface?”
“Iknowit’
sfuckedupandIam notj
ust
if
yingmy
acti
ons.Iwouldgoandtur
nmy sel
ftot
hepoli
cebut
Ihavekids,t
heyneedme.”
“
No,
theydon’
tneedar
api
stofaf
ather
.”
Kennet
hhungandshookhisheadindi
sbel
ief.He
gotupasRachel
walkedi
nwithhisdaught
er.Renae
smi
l
edatherf
ather
.
“
Daddy
…”
“
Heysweet
y.”
Het ookherinhisarmsandki ssedher.Theydi dn’
t
l
iewhent heysai
dthelovebetweenf atheranda
daughterwast hestr
ongest,hecouldn’thandleit
whenhi sdaughtercri
ed.Hismot hersaidhespoi l
t
herbuthowcoul dhenot ?Thiswashi spride,
his
heart.Hehadev entat
tooedherdat eofbirthonhis
breastjusttocher
ishher.
“
Arey
ouok?Whowasr
api
ngwho?
”
“
Pul
ewassl
eepi
ngwi
thAy
anawhenshewas16.
”
“
What
?’
“
Ican’
tbel
i
evei
tei
ther
.”
“
Wow!Ar
eourki
dssaf
eoutt
her
e.”
“
Iwouldkil
lany
onewhowoul
dlookatmydaught
er
l
i
kethat.
”
Kennet
hkissedhi
sdaught
eronel
astt
imet
hengav
e
hertoRachel
.
“
Ihav
eto.
”Heki
ssedher
.“Seey
ouatwor
k.”
Rachelsmi
ledwatchinghim walkaway .Tearsf
il
led
Renae’
seyesasshewat chedherfatherwalkout
,
soonshebursti
ntotears.Shealway scri
edforher
fat
herever
ymorning.Rachel shushedherwalki
ng
wit
hhertothebathroom.
Kennethdrovetoworkandparkedthecarbyhi
s
designat
edparki
ngspacethensteppedout.He
walkedinsi
dethebuil
dingt
ohisoffi
ce.Someone
knockedthenhelookedup.
“
Comei
n!”
Kennethst
aredatsi
sterMal
ebogowal
kinsi
dehi
s
off
ice.
“
Iam sor
ryf
orcomi
ngher
eunannounced.
”
Kennet
hlookedatherconf
used,
hewasn’tt
he
past
or,hi
swifewas.“Uhhi
sever
ythi
ngok?”
“No.
”Shesatdown.“
Ihav
esomet
hingIt
hinky
ou
shoul
dknow.”
Kennet
hlookedatherl
eani
ngbackonhi
schai
r.
“
Shoot
!”
“Yourwif
ehadanaff
airwi
thmysonandfel
l
pregnant
.Renaei
smygranddaught
er.
”
Kennet
hlaughed.“
What
?”
“Yes,
yourwifewassl
eepingwit
hMal vi
n,myson
andshegotpregnant
.Renaeisnotyourchi
l
d,shei
s
Malvi
n’sdaught
erandwewanther .
”
“
Soyoucameal lt
hewayf
rom y
ourhouset
otel
lme
t
hatnonsense?
”
“
It
’snotnonsense,
youcandoDNAt
est
s.”
“Renaei
smydaught erandnevercometomyof f
ice
totel
lmethatnonsenseagai
n,nextti
meIwon’tbe
socalm.Don’
tyoudarefuckwithme,youdon’
t
knowme.Nxla!”
Mal
ebogost
oodup.“
Youar
edeni
al.
”
“Renaeismydaught
er,
ifIevercat
chyoucal
li
ngmy
daughtery
ourgr
andchi
ldyouwillr
egr
eti
t.Getout
.”
Malebogowal kedoutasKenremai
nedsitt
ing,
it
wasn’tthefi
rstti
mesomeonesuggestedRenae
wasn’this,
evenhisparent
shaddoubt
s,shewast oo
l
ighti
ncompl exionandhehimsel
fwasn’tl
i
ght,
Rachelwasthatmuchl
i
ghtt
oo.Het
ookhi
sphone
anddial
edher.
“
Hey
…”
“
Mal
ebogowasher
e.”
“Shewas?YouknowIt oldherIwantedt
ostepdown
asthepastorandshetookitbadl
y.Shecal
l
edme
names, It
hinkshehat
esmeorsheal waysdid,
I
don’tknow.Whatdidshesay?”
“
Thaty
ousl
eptwi
thMal
vi
n.”
“
What
?”
“
Yeah.
”
“Ihopeyoudon’tbeli
evet
hatnonsense,
Iwoul
d
neverhurty
ou,Iloveyou.
”
“
Shesai
dRenaei
snotmi
ne.
”
“
Andwhatdoy
ousay
?”
“
Iwantt
oknowwhatshei
stal
ki
ngaboutRachel
.”
“
Wow!Youar equesti
oningme?KennethIthought
youknewmebutt oaccusemeofcheatingwow!
Whyareyousti
ll
withmei fy
oudon’tt
rustme?You
beli
eveast ranger
’swordagainstmine.Iam bri
ngi
ng
Renae, Iwantyoutogoandr unDNAt ests,f
rom
ther
e, Iam f
ili
ngfordi
vorcebecauseIcan’tstay
marriedtosomeonewhodoesn’ tt
rustme.By e.
”
Helookedathi
sphoneandcur
sedbeneat
hhi
s
br
eaththencal
l
edheragai
n.
“
Whatdoy
ouwantKennet
h?”
“
Iam sor
ry,
Iguess-
“
“Withev ery
onesay i
ngshei snotyoursyoubeli
eveit
?
It
’sfine.Iam bri
ngingher, maybei
twillmakeyou
feelbet t
eraft
ertheDNAt est
sprovesheisyours.I
can’tstanditanymor e,
youar enotdependabl
e,Ican
neverr el
ayony outohav emybackbecausey ou
sidewi thstr
angersthanme. ”
“
Babe…”
“
No, t
hismar
ri
agewon’tsur
viv
ebecausey
oudon’
t
t
rustme.Iam br
ingi
ngRenae.
”
“
Don’
t,
Iam sor
rybabe.i
twon’
thappenagai
n.”
“
Idon’
tnowKen.
”
“
Ipr
omi
se,
Iam sor
ry.
”
Shesi
ghed.“
It
’sok.
”
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”

*
***
*

Lonefi
nisheddressi
ngandpatt
edherlongweave.
Shegrabbedherhandbagthencopi
esofherCVon
thedr
essingtableasBamestoodinfr
ontofher
.
“
Canwet
alk?
”
“Ihavenothingtosaytoyou,y
ouhumili
atedmein
frontofheryester
dayandyouhavebeensuppor
ting
herchil
dbehi ndmyback.Youdon’
trespectmeandI
am notgoingt owastemytimetal
ki
ngtoy ou
becauseeitherway,youwil
ldowhatyouwantto
do.”
“
LoneIam sor
ry,
Iwasscar
edt
otel
lyou.
”
“
Didy
ousl
eepwi
thheri
nthel
astt
woy
ear
s?”
“
What
?”
“
Youhear
dme.
”
“
Ihaven’
tsleptwithherfory
earsnow,babeIam
t
ir
edofthissecrecy.Ij
ustwanttosuppor
tmychil
d
i
npeace.
”
“Iam notgoi ngt obedeal i
ngwi thbabymamadr ama,
youhav eshowedt olackt ranspar encywhenI
thoughtwewer ereall
yget tingsomewher e.You
wentbehi ndmybackandmay bei t
’sbecauseI
cont r
ibutenot hingt othishousebecausey oualways
hav emepoppi ngbabi esf rom lef tt
or i
ghtwhi l
emy
peer saredoi ngbi gthingswi tht heirl
i
ves, y
ouar e
l
ikeasetbacki nmyl ife,Ihav en’tdoneany thing
sinceImety out handeal withy ourcheatingandl i
es.
IthoughtIwoul dbesomewher ebynowi nl i
feandI
hav enot hingtoshowt hanki ds.Iknowy ouar e
probablysl eepingwi thKaone, Iknowy ouar ebut
denyi tall youwant .Iam donet alki
ngt oyou,goand
suppor ty ourchildinpeacebuty oushouldknowI
am donewi thyou.By e.”
Shewal
kedawayinherfouri
nchheel
s.Shef
eltasi
f
shewasgoi
ngtofal
l,
ithadbeenl
ongsincet
helast
ti
mesheworeheel
s.
*

Bamesatonhisbedf
rust
rat
ed,
het
ookhi
sphone
andcal
l
edhisbrot
her
.
“
Lonei
snothappy
.”
“Howisshesupposedtobehappy?It
oldy
ou,you
shoul
dhavetol
dherrightf
rom t
hebegi
nni
ng.
”
“
Idon’
tthi
nkshei
sev
ergoi
ngt
oacceptLeano.
”
“
Shewi l
lbutnotnow.Youshoul
dhavebeenhonest
r
ightf
rom thestar
t,whati
fshel
eav
esyou?”
“Ican’
tlosemywif
e,Il
oveher
.shesai
dIam l
i
kea
setbackinherl
i
fe.
”
“Sheisjustangryandshehasev eryri
ghttobe.O
dir
il
edil
odesel ehela.{Whatyoudidwasfoolish.}
Womanl ovehonesty,tr
ustme.Ifshefor
givesy ou,i
t
will
taket i
meforhert otrusty
ouagain.
”
“Ir
eal
l
ycan’tbel
ieveIam asetbacki
nherl
i
fe.She
sai
dshethoughtshewouldbesomewheretodaybut
shehasnot
hingt
oshowt
hanki
ds.
”
“
Whathappenedtoherfl
owerbusi
ness?It
hought
y
ousai
dy ouweregoingtogi
vehermoneytostar
t
i
t.
”
“
Iwasbutt
henwehadAmeandshewasnur
sing.I
wi
ll
giv
eherthemoneyt
ost
arti
t.
”
“
Youshould,
thi
sdaystheydon’
tcarei
fshehasa
r
ingonherfi
ngerornot
,theywi
l
ltakeher
.”
“
Shar
p,l
etmet
alkt
oKaone.
”
Hehungupandcal
l
edKaone.
“
Hey
,howi
sshet
aki
ngi
t?”
“Iam goi
ngt otal
ktomywi f
e,af
terwetalksheisthe
oneyouar egoingtobet
alki
ngtoconcerningLeano
fort
ransparency.
”
“BameImadet hi
schil
dwit
hy ou,
ify
oudon’
twantt
o
suppor
thersayso,Iwon’
tfor
ceyou.”
“
DidIsayIdon’
twantt
osuppor
tmydaught
er?
”
“
Whatar
eyousay
ingt
hen?
”
“
Youwi
l
lbet
alki
ngt
omywi
fe.
”
“
Wow!Youknowwhat
?Got
ohel
l
.”
“
Otl
aswabaKaone,
whoy
out
hinky
ouar
etal
ki
ngt
o
l
i
ket
hat
?”
“
Yourwi
fehat
esmychi
l
d!”
“
Shewi
l
lwar
m upt
oher
,don’
tcal
lme.Iwi
l
lcal
l
y
ou.
”
“Iam bl
ocki
ngyou,Leanodeservessomuchbet
ter
.”
Kaonehungup.Bamet ri
edcall
i
ngherbackbuther
numberdidn’
tgothrough.

TWOWEEKSLATER.
..
.
.
.
[
7/14,
08:
12]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#104

TwoWeeksLat
er…
Theodorawal kedatC- SKYhot el
hugeent ertai
nment
areaoutsidewher eover100peopl ewher e,some
sit
ti
ngandsomest anding.Shesmi ledatt heblue
l
ightsthathadev eryt
hinglight
edt henwal kedov ert
o
thebarwher eshegotabot tl
eofSav anna.She
smiledstari
ngatev eryoneinswimmi ngcl othi
ng.
“Hey!
”Shetur
nedwithasmil
eandst
aredatYaone
whowaswear i
ngajeanshor
tandbi
ki
nibra
exposi
ngherbody
.
“
Hey
!Whatahuget
urnup.
”
“
Mostoft
hem ar
egat
ecr
usher
s.”
Theodor
asmiled,
herspeechwassl
urr
ed,
shewas
al
readydr
unk.“Wher
eishubby?”
“
Nother
e.Notwel
come.
”
Theodor
afr
owned.“
Whathappened?
”
“
Longst
ory
,Iam sogl
ady
oucame.
”
“
Wher
eist
hepar
tygi
rl
?”
“
Noty
ether
e.”
“
It
’sasur
pri
separ
ty?
”
“
No,sheknowst
herei
sapar
tybutshedoesn’
tknow
wi
ththi
smuchpeopl
e.”
Theodor
alookedar
ound.“
It
’sbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Iknowri
ght
?Iam comi
ng,
Iam goi
ngt
other
est
r
oom.”
“
Ok.
”
YaonewalkedawaywhileTheodor
awalkedovert
o
anempt ychai
randsatdowninhershor
tfl
ared
dress.
“
Alway
sapl
easur
eseei
ngy
ou.
”
Theodor
atur
nedandsmi
l
edst
ari
ngatAgang.
“
Agangweht
swamogonna!{
Leav
emeal
one.
}”
“
Iam j
ustgr
eet
ing,
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Thanks,
niceev
ent
.”
“
Thanks.
”Hel
ookedatherbar
efi
nger
.“Di
vor
ced?
”
“
Yep!
”
“
Whataf
ool
.”
Sher ol
l
edhereyesdri
nki
ngherbeer
.“Whereisy
our
wife?Iheardyouar
emarri
edtoyourbr
other’
s
fr
iends’wif
e.”
“
Stopl
i
steni
ngt
oli
eswena.
”
“
OkaeMbal
i
?{Wher
eisMbal
i
?}”
Agangl
aughed.“
Who’
sthat
?”
“
Yourbul
l
doggi
rl
fr
iend.
”
“
Idon’
tknowwhoy
ouar
etal
ki
ngabout
.”
“Mxm…Ihav
enev erbeentosuchapar
ty.I
t’
sso
cl
assyi
nadif
fer
entway .
”
“
Youcameher
eal
one?
”
“
No,
wit
hYaone.
”
“
Oh…letmegety
ouadr
ink,
youcan’
tbedr
inki
ng
t
hat
.”
Theodor
asmi
l
edashewal
kedawayi
nonl
yshor
ts.

*
***
*
Meanwhi
l
eMi guel
walkedattheout
doorar
eawi
th
Kenandl
ookedatthecrowd.
“
Ithoughtt
heywer
esupposedt
obej
ust30peopl
e.”
Kenl
aughed.“30?Rememberwheny
ouusedt
ogat
e
cr
ushpeopl
e’spart
ies?
”
“Don’
tremi
ndmeoft
hat
,thet
imewegotki
cked
out.
”
Theylaughedwal
ki
ngf ur
theri
ntot
hecrowdt
o
whereVincewassippi
ngonhiswine.
“
Youst
art
edbef
oreus?
”
Vincelaughed.“
Youar
elat
e,t
her
eisal
otofmeat
heretoday.”
“
Don’
tcheat
,shewi
l
lleav
eyou.
”
“MonnaBKwhosai
dIam goi
ngt
ocheat
?Ar
ewe
notal
lowedt
oadmi
renow?”
Theyalll
aughedthenthreegi
rl
swal kedpastthem.
Theylookedatthem,especi
all
ythethickone.The
l
adiessatfeetf
rom t
hem sippi
ngont heirdr
inks.
Oneturnedtothem t
henshy l
ylookedaway .
Miguell
ookedaway
.“BannaIam notpar
toft
his
t
oday!”
Kenl
aughed.“
Whoi
s?Idon’
tcheat
.”
Vi
ncestoodupcr
acki
ng.“
OkaeGor
ata?{
Wher
eis
Gor
ata?
}”
“
Mxm,
Iam achangedman.
”
Miguellookedar
oundandpausedst
ari
ngatAgang
chat
tingwithTheodor
a.
Kenl
ookedatTheodor
a.“
Whoi
sthat
?”
“
Anay
a’sf
ri
endorsomet
hing.
”
Vi
ncewhi
stl
ed.“
Whatabeaut
y!”
Theodor
aturnedandlookedatt hem beforesay
ing
somethi
ngtoAgangwhot urnedandlookedatthem.
Hesaidsomethingt
henwal kedt owardsthem.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngwi
thTheodor
a?”
Aganglookedathisbi
gbr
otherandsmi
l
ed.“
What
?I
am j
ustsayinghi
.”
Vi
ncelookedatTheodorat
henatAgang.“
Thatdi
dn’
t
l
ookli
kejustsay
inghi.
”
“
Iwasj
ustsay
inghi
,wher
eisCol
l
een?
”
Miguel
shookhisheadst
aringatAgang.“
Don’tr
uin
agoodthi
ngfortwominutesfun.Tr
ustme,youwil
l
r
egreti
t.
”

*
***
*

Rachel arr
ivedandsighedstar
ingatt hef
loodof
people,sheknewov erhalfofthem weregate
crushers.Shelookedaroundsearchingforafami
li
ar
facebutshedi dn’
tknowany one.Kenhuggedher
from behindkissi
ngherneck.
“
Hey
…”
Rachelt
urnedandl
ookedathi
m wi
thabar
echest
.
“Hey…”
“
Babei
t’
sapool
par
ty.
”
Rachell
ookeddownonherlongdr
essandsi
ghed.
“Peopl
ewill
seemyfl
abbytummy .
”
“
Youdon’
thav
eaf
labbyt
ummyandnooneexpect
s
y
out
ohav
eaf
latt
ummy
,youar
eamot
her
.”
Rachell
ookedaroundandsi ghed.“
Idon’
tfeel
comfort
able,
Idon’tknowwhyt hisstomachwon’
tgo
away.Ihavetr
iedeveryt
hing.
”
“I
twil
lgoawayonit’sown.”Hel
eanedov
ertokiss
herbutRachel
mov edherheadsmil
i
ngshyl
y.“
Stop,
peopl
earestari
ng.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oki
ssy
ou,
youar
emywi
fe.
”
Rachel pushedhimt henwal kedawayst ari
ngforany
famil
iarface.Herey esfellonYaonebutknowi ng
thei
rhusbandswer enotont al
ki
ngt er
mshadher
l
ookingel sewhere.I
twasatt hi
smoment sthatshe
missedLone, shewal kedov ertothebarandgot
winethenl ookedforanempt ychairandsatdown
taki
ngoutherphone.Shel oggedonf acebookand
wenttoLone’ saccount .Shescroll
eddownher
famil
ypi ctur
eswi t
hasmi l
e.Atlastsheswal l
owed
herprideandt ext
edheronf acebook.
Rachel
:Hey,Iknowwearenottal
ki
ngbutImissyou.
CanIhaveyourwhatsappnumberandmaybewe
cantal
k,Iam atapart
yandIam r
ecal
li
ngtheti
mes
weat
tendedpar
ti
est
oget
her
,repl
yfast
.
Shesmi l
edthensentt hemessage.Thiswast he
fi
rstst
ep,shecoul dal
readypict
urehowt hei
r
reuni
onwasgoi ngt obe.Theyusuall
yfaughtbut
theyneverhadfightswhichdraggedfortwoyears,
shejusthopedthingswouldgobackt ohowt hey
wereonce.
Rachel
lookedaroundsi
ppingonherwine,herhear
t
ski
ppedasshest ar
edatMalvi
nwithsomegi rl
.Her
kneesweakened,whatwashedoinghere?

*
***
*

LefaandLefi
kaar
ri
vedatt
hesceneandsmi
l
edat
themusic.
“
Notbad.
”
Lef
asmi
l
ed.“
Thi
spar
tyi
sri
ch.
”
Lef
ikal
ookedar
ound.“
Youknowi
t!
”
Thebr
other
swal
kedt
othebar
,gott
hei
rdr
inksand
noddedli
steni
ngt oBur
naBoy .Lef
afrownedst
ari
ng
atTheodorawhowasl aughi
ngwi t
hsomeman,
damnshel ookedbeauti
ful
.Shestoodupinashort
seethr
oughdr ess.
“
Ist
hat
…?”
“
Yah.
”
“
Wow!CanIhav
eher
?”
Lef
alookedathi
sbr
otherandbar
ked.“
No!
”
“
Rel
ax,
isi
tmeorshet
oneddownherwei
ght
?”
“
Shedr
inksher
bal
i
fe.
”
“Thosethi
ngsact
ual
l
ywor
k?Iwantt
ogett
hem f
or
Lebo.”
“
Yeah.
”
“Sheisbeaut
if
ul,
Iadmi r
eyouwanti
ngtor
aisey
our
kidswit
hthei
rmot herbutt
hiswasagem!
”
‘
Don’
tyout
hinkIknowt
hat
?Shepr
obabl
yhat
es
me.
”
“
Why
?”
“
Iwasr
udet
oher
,Ij
ustwant
edhert
oleav
e.”
“
Womennev
erf
orget
.”
Shewal
kedpastt
hem unawar
e.
Lef
alookedather
.“Iam comi
ng.
”
“Don’
thar
assthepoorgi
rl
,youmadey
ourchoi
ce,
sti
ckwit
hit.
”
“
Ijustwantt
oapol
ogi
zef
orl
astt
ime.
”
Lef
awal
kedf
oll
owi
ngaf
terTheodor
a.

Ayanal
aughedasLal
ahdancedt
oasongwhi
l
eshe
tookavi
deo.
“
Ilooov
ethi
ssong!
”
“
Peopl
ear
est
ari
ng.
”
“
Letthem st
are.DJoket
sav
olume!{
DJt
urnupt
he
v
olume.}
”
TheDJgavethem at
humbsupandt urnedupthe
vol
umeasYemi Al
adebl
astedthespeakers.
Ever
yonej
oinedi
ndanci
ng.Ayana’
sphonev i
brat
ed
f
rom herpocketthenshelookedoveratLal
ahwho
washavingfun.Shemov edbackandwenttothe
r
estr
oomswher eshetookoutherphone.
“
Babe…”
“
Iam str
uggli
ngt
ofi
ndpar
king,
Iwi
l
lbet
her
eina
f
ewmi nutes.
“
Ok.
”
Shehungupt henwalkedoutoftherest
rooms.
Lalah’
sphonev i
brat
edasamessagegoti n.Ayana
l
ookedov eratLal
ahthenatthephoneandunlocked
i
t.Shetappedont henumbersavedas‘LoverB’
thenopenedthemessage.
B:
Iam out
side,
comenow,
byt
hepar
kingl
ot.
Ayanat
appedonthenametoseethenumberbut
Lal
ahsnat
chedthephonef
rom her
.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Ay
anasmi
l
ed.“
Whoi
slov
erB?
”
Lal
ahl
aughed.“
Mindy
ourownbusi
ness.
”
“
Pleaset
ell
me,
Iam socur
ious,
hesai
dhei
swai
ti
ng
att
hepar
kingl
ot,
whoi
sit
?”
“
Iwi
l
ltel
lyou,
rel
ax.
”
“
Lynnwhendi
dyoust
artkeepi
ngt
hingsf
rom me?
”
“
Iwi
l
ltel
lyou,
goanddance.
”
Lal
ahwalkedof f
,Lal
ahlookedathert
henwentaft
er
herwit
hcur i
osi
tybur
ningher.Lal
ahhadnev
erbeen
sosecret
ive,t
hiswasafir
st.

*
***
*

Theodor
awal kedoutoft
het
oil
etsrubbi
ngher
reddi
sheyes.Shefr
ownedatLef
atshewhowas
waiti
ngbytheentr
ance.
“
Hey
…”
“
Whatdoy
ouwant
?”
“
Canwet
alk?
”
“
Stayawayf
rom me.
”
“
Iam notgoi
ngt
opr
esschar
ges.
”
“
Idon’
tcar
e,ev
eni
fyoudi
dIwoul
dhav
efi
xedi
t.
”
“
LookIam sor
ryf
orwhathappened.
”
Theodor
anodded.“
It
’sok.By
e.”
Sheatt
emptedwal
ki
ngawaybutLef
agr
abbedher
hand.“
Wai
t…”
“Whati
sitLefa?Isti
l
lhaveAI
DS.Iam st
il
lbor
ing,
sti
l
lugl
y.Nothingnew,l
etgoofme.”
“
Iam sor
ryIsai
dthatbuty
ouwer
einv
olv
ingmy
f
amil
yint
oourfight
s.”
“
What
ever
,letgoofmyhand.
”
Helethergot henshewalkedawaytryingtocontr
ol
herbreat
hing.Backattheparty
,herey esfel
lon
MiguelandAgangt al
ki
ngwi t
htheirf
riends,t
ears
fi
ll
edherey esasshethoughtofthefactthatshe
hadsleptwithherownbrother
.
TheDJcutt hemusi candtookthemic.“Ij
ustgota
cal
l andappar entl
ytheladyoft
hemomenti salmost
here.Sot hisishowwear egonnaroll
,shecomesin
andweal lsingforher
.Noscreaming,wedon’twant
tokillheronherday .Wegood?”
“
Yes!
”Thecr
owdscr
eamed.
Theodorawat chedasCol l
eenwal kedinwit
hher
husband,shepausedst ari
ngatt hecrowdthenever
y
onestart
edsingi ngf orherli
tt
lesister
.Shewiped
awayhert ear
ssi nging.Aftertheyweredoneshe
huggedherbr others.
“
Thanky
oual
l
!”
“
Ok,nowti
mef ort
hepart
y!”TheDJturnedonthe
musi
cplay
ingsomeNigeri
anhitsongs.“
Singal
ong!
”
Peopl
esangal
ongwi
tht
hei
rdr
inksupasTheodor
a
tur
nedandl
eft
.

*
***
*

Ayanal
ookedaroundtheparki
nglot,shest
ared
i
nsidet
hecarssearchi
ngforherf
riend.
“
Hey
!”
Herhear
tski
ppedasshet
urned.“
Gody
ouscar
ed
me.”
“
Youl
ooksexy
.”
Kar
abohuggedherhol
dinghert
ight
ly,
shesi
ghed
i
nhal
inghi
smanlyscent
.
“
Wher
edi
dyoupar
k?”
“
Oh,Imadeadeal
wit
hthesecur
it
yguy
.”Kar
abo
whi
sper
ed.
Ayanamov edbackhav i
nggoosebumpst othat
deeplazyvoi
ceofhis.Karabosmiledhiscontagious
andshecouldn’
thelpbutsmileback.Godhewas
shadyandsuspici
ousbutnev er
thelessherhunk.He
shrunkhi
seyeslookingather.
“
What
?”
Ayanasmiledbl
ushi
ngt
henshookherhead.
“Nothi
ng.
”
Hel eanedov
erandkissedhersqueezi
ngherassin
thosehotpants.Hestar
tedbreat
hingheav
il
ythen
pull
edherinbetweenthecars.
“
Kar
abo…”
“
Shhh…”
Hepul l
eddownhershor tsandunzi
ppedhisjeans.
Ay ana’sheartpoundedasshelookedaround,
Kar aboraisedherlegandpull
edherpanti
estothe
sidet henpointedhisdi
ckatherentr
anceand
pushedi n.AyanaleapedtohertoeasKarabo
pushedhi sharddickinsi
deher,i
tfel
tasifhewas
tearingher.
“
Wai
t…God!
”
Kar abopushedheragai nsthiscarandgav eherthe
slowst r
okeswithhal
fhi sdi ck.Ayanasi ghed
relaxingfeeli
ngthepleasur e.Herpussygr easedhis
dickt heninchbyinchpushedhi sdickinsideherwith
eacht hr
ust.Kar
abopi ckedherupl etti
ngherwr ap
herl egsaroundhiswai sttheni ncreasedhi sspeed,
fuckingherhar dandfast .

*
***
*

Miguelsearchedaroundthecr
owdlookingforAnay
a,
shehadn’tarri
vedyet.Hi
seyesfel
lonVincewho
wassit
tingwi t
hOlerato,
AganghadSaronaonhis
l
apandKenwasnowsi tt
ingwi t
hhiswif
e.Helooked
overatColl
eenwhowast al
kingtoherformerseni
or
schoolcl
assmatesthent
ookouthi sphoneand
cal
ledherwalki
ngtotheparkinglot
.
“
Hey
…”
Hesi
ghedhear
ingherv
oice.“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“
Ihav
ear
ri
ved,
Iam par
king.
”
“
Didt
heyshowy
ouy
ourpar
kingspace?
”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Iam comi
ngt
her
e.”
Miguel hungupandwal kedt owhereAnay awas.He
fr
ownedhear i
ngsexual sounds, hepausedt hen
proceededwal king,onceupont imeitwashi mi nhi
s
earl
yt wenti
esf uckingwomeni nparkinglots.He
approachedt heV. I
.Ppar kingandsmi l
edstar i
ngat
Anay awalkingov er.Shehaday el
l
owbi kinibrathen
awr apperti
edl ooselyjustbel owwai stthathecould
seehery ell
owbi kinipanties.Herbouncyhai r
bouncedwi theachst epshet ook.
Heputhi
shandsar
oundherwai
stki
ssi
ngher
.
“
Iam sor
ry,
Tat
endai
ssti
llnotaround,Iwaslooki
ng
f
orsomeonewhocoul
dlookafterthekids.
”
“
Didy
ouf
indher
?”
“
Ihadt
ocal
lourhel
per
.”
“
Ok,
let
’sgo.
”
Hehel
dherwai
standwal
kedbackt
othepar
ty.
“
HeyNay
a…”
Anay
ahuggedCol
l
een.“
Iam sor
ryIam l
ate.
”
“
It
’sok.
”
TheDj putanotherhitsongandev er
yonestoodup
dancing.Migueltur
nedandl ookedatLefa,
Agang
star
edt oo.
“
Rel
ax,
youdon’
twantt
ocauseascene.
”
“Heprobabl
ygat
ecr
ushed.Youknowhowt
his
peopl
eare.”
“
Idon’
twanthi
m her
e.”
Miguel
walkedov
erandst
oodbef
oret
het
wo
br
other
s.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
Lef
asmi
rked.“
What
?Can’
thandl
emypr
esence?
”
Miguellaughed.“Idon’thavetohandleyour
presencebecausey ouar eleav
ing,Iam wat
chi
ng
ypuandot l
oswaba, thinki
ngyoucanst abmeand
getawaywi thit
,betterwatchitbecauseyouar
e
goingtoregreti
t,go.”
“Maybei
t’
snott
hefactthatIst
abbedyouthat
annoysy
oubutrat
herthefactt
hatIf
uckedAnaya.
”
Miguelchuckl
edt henturnedgiv
ingLefahisback.He
st
aredatAnay alaughingwithVinceandSaronathen
swunghisfistpunchingLefawhol andedonthe
ground.Helookedathi sbrot
her.
“
Taket
hisl
i
ttl
epi
eceofshi
tandgett
hef
uckout
!”
Miguelwalkedawayinnocentl
yasKenandAgang
star
edathi m.Heputhishandar oundAnay
apull
ing
herclosehuggingherf
rom behindthenki
ssedher
neckrubbinghisdi
ckonherass.
“
Arey
ougood?
”
Henodded.“
Yeah.
”
Hecontinuedrubbi
nghisharddickonherasswhil
e
tal
ki
ngtoKen.Anay a’
sbloodrushedasshelooked
atever
yonearoundthem asMi guel
conti
nued
tal
ki
nginnocentl
ywhil
erubbinghisdickonherbut
t.

*
***
*

Lal
ahst
aredatherphonef
orawhi
l
ethent
ext
edhi
m.
Lal
ah:
Shoul
dIl
eav
eorwhat
?
Shewaitedforali
tt
lewhilest
ari
ngatherphone
hopingforhi
sresponse,shel
ookedaroundthe
crowdandsmi l
edatAy anawhowaswal ki
ng
towardsher.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
“
Not
hing-
“
Herphoner
angandshequi
ckl
yanswer
ed.
“
Got
othepar
kingl
otandmeetmebymycar
.”
“
Ok.
”
Hehungandshesmi
l
edput
ti
ngherphonebacki
n
herpocket
.
“
Look,
Ihav
etogo.
”
“
Ok,
Iam goi
ngt
obebor
ed,
Kar
abol
eft
.”
Lal
ahsmi
l
ed.“
Got
oAnay
a.”
“
Ithi
nkIwi
lj
ustst
ayf
oral
i
ttl
ewhi
l
ethenl
eav
e.”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
TheyhuggedthenLalahwal
kedoff
.Ayanawent
towardshersi
sterwhowassurr
oundedbyher
fri
ends.
“
HeyAy
a…”Sar
onagr
eet
edt
henshesmi
l
ed.
“
Hel
l
o,Nay
aIam goi
ng.
”
“
Arey
ougoi
nghome?
”
“
No,
Iam goi
ngwi
thLal
ah.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lcal
lyout
omor
row.
”
“
Ok.
”
Shesmi
l
edatMi
guel
thenwal
kedaway
.
“
Soy
oucl
aim myhusbandr
apedy
ou?
”
Anayatur
nedappr
oachi
ngt
hePor
scheandl
ooked
atYaone.
“
Pleasest
ayawayf
rom me.
”
“Youknowit’
sfunnyhowy ouneversaidany
thing
backthenbutsayitnow.Didyoutell
yoursi
stert
hat
Puleusedtobuyyouexpensiv
egifts?”
Ay
anaunl
ockedt
hecar
.“Iam nott
alki
ngt
oyou.
”
“YouarecheapAy ana, youwantt odest royhi slif
e
andmyquest i
onisforwhat ?Arey outhatsadwi th
yourli
fe?Youwant edi t!Youwant edPul e,hedi dn’
t
forceyouint oanything.Di dy outellyoursisterthat
Pulegav ey ou30kt woy earsagot ojustapol ogize
forwhathappened?Di dy ou?Youar easnakeand
youaresobi tt
erIact uallyfeelsorryfory ou.Yougo
aroundscr eamingPul ewasr api
ngy ouwheni n
actualfacty ouvol
unt aryopenedy ourlegst ohi m.”
“
Iam notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thy
ou.
”
Anayagotinthecart
henst ar
tedi tanddroveoff
l
eavingYaonestandi
ngrightthere.Shebreathedout
angri
lythendr
oveheadedt oLalah’shouse.Ayana
drov
ei nandparkedi
nfrontofLal ah’
sroom but
behi
ndanunf amili
arcar
.Slowly
,shesteppedout
andwalkedpastthecarstari
ngatthecurtai
nmove.
Sheknockedont hedoorli
steni
ngclosert
ot he
muff
ledvoicesinsi
detheroom.
“
Lal
ah!
”
Shel
ist
enedcaref
ull
ytof
oot
stepst
henmor
e
muff
ledsounds.
“
Lal
ah!
”
Lal
ahopenedt
hedoorwi
that
owel
aroundherbody
.
“
Hey
…”
“
Whoi
sinsi
de?
”
Lal
ahshookherhead.“
CanIt
alkt
oyout
omor
row?
”
“
Who’
scari
sthat
?”
“
Ayanapl
easet
alkt
omor
row.
”
AyanapushedLal
ahfr
om thedoorthenwal
ked
i
nsidet
heroom.Herhear
tskippedasshestar
edat
theman,wit
hshockshet
ookast epback.
.
.
.
[
7/14,
08:
12]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#105

“Ayanacany
ougo!
”Lal
ahpushedheroutoft
he
house.
“
Ist
hat
…?”
“
Cany
ougo?
”
AyanalookedatLal
ahwi
thal
ookofshock.“
Are
you…that’
s…”
“
Leav
e!”
Lal
ahopenedthecardoorforAyanaandpushedher
i
n.“Iwi
l
ltal
ktoyoutomorrow.”
Lalahcl
osedthedoorandwat
chedAyanadr
iveof
f
thenwalkedbacki
nsidet
hehouse.
“
Whowast
hat
?”
Shel
ookedatt
hemanandsmi
l
ed.“
Myf
ri
end.
”
“
Arey
ousur
eshewon’
tsayany
thi
ng?
”
“
Yeah,
shewon’
t.
”
Themansmi
l
edt
henki
ssedherunwr
appi
ngher
towel
.

*
***
*

Anay ast ir
redinhersl eepf eeli
ngMi guel’sdickr ight
onherbut t.Shesl owlyopenedherey est hensl owl y
gothishandof fher.Mi guelpulledhercl oserst illi
n
hi
ssl eepandpar t
edherasscheekssl idingi nthere
ti
llhewasbur i
eddeepi nsideherwetsweet ness.
Anay amoanedsof t
lyashet hr
usti ntoherl azil
y .She
stuckherbut tenjoyingev erythrustandhowhewas
breathingr i
ghtonherneck.Enj oyinghersof tmoans,
Miguel pul l
edhercl oserandsqueezedherbr east
anddr il
ledher .Anay abur i
edont hepi l
lowf eeling
herselfreach, heror gasm slowl yappr oachedl azi l
y
curli
ngi tselfaroundher .Shespasmedwhi mper ing,
Miguel heldherwai standmov edev enf astertil
l he
fr
ozedeepi nherandshothi sloadi nsideher .He
l
azi
lymovedhi
swaistti
llhi
sdi
ckstoppedspewi
ng
hi
scum t
henfi
nal
l
yst oppedki
ssi
ngherneck.
“Hey…”Hewhi
sper
edwi
thadeepsexyv
oicer
ighti
n
herear.
Anay
ablushedfeel
i
nghim pull
outleavi
ngatr
ail
of
hi
ssement henswi
tchedontheheadlamp.
“
Wannat
akeashowerwi
thme?
”
Anay
ashookherheadandt
urnedt
ohi
m.
“IhavetogoandseeSeneo,
Iam under
goi
nganMRI
again.
”
Mi
guel
pul
l
edhercl
oser
.“Iwi
l
lcomewi
thy
ou.
”
“
Don’
tyouhav
eameet
ingi
nthemor
ning.
”
“Myfami
lycomesf i
rst
.What’
shappeni
ngwit
h
Tat
enda?”Miguel
touchedherchi
nthenAnay
a
si
ghed.
“Idon’tknowbutsheisbehavingweirdl
yandyou
knowhowmuchIt rustherwit
ht heki
ds.Shetold
meshewasgoi ngtoZim butSaronasaidshesaw
her.Shewantstoquitmay be,
Idon’tknow,Iam soo
worried.Shei
srel
iabl
eand…”Mi guelleanedov
er
andi
nter
rupt
edherwi
thaki
ss,
Anay
abl
ushed.
“
Cont
inue,
whatdoy
ouwantmet
odo?
”
Anayasmiledbri
eflyl
osi
ngconcentr
ati
onthenf
inal
l
y
cont
inued.“Iam goi
ngtobegherlat
ertoday
,maybe
shewantsmor emoney .
”
Miguel
kissedheragai
nandt
hist
imeAnay
alaughed
shyl
y.
“
Stopi
t,Iam goi
ngt
obat
hthenst
artpr
epar
ing.
”
“
Let
’sgo.
”
Hegotof
fbedandpi
ckedherup.

“
Mommy ,Iwantt
otal
ktoJuni
or,
youpr
omi
sedwe
woul
dtal
ktohim.
”
AnayalookedatIv
y.“Iknow,
daddywill
cal
lhi
m
todayaft
erschoolt
henwewi l
lal
ltal
ktohi
m.”
“
Pinkypr
omi
se?
”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
Yes,
nowf
ini
shupeat
ing.
”
ShelookedatRet
habi
leandfi
xedhert
wohugebuns.
“Honey,not
ouchi
ngthehai
ratschool
ok?
”
“
Itwasn’
tme.I
twasShawn.Hepul
l
edmyhai
rli
ke
t
his…”Ret
habi
l
epul
ledherhai
r.
“
Didy
out
ell
teacher
?”
“
No.
”
“
Ok,nextti
mey outel
lhim nott
otouchy
ourhai
r
t
hentel
ltheteacher
,ri
ght?”
Ret
habi
l
enoddedandsmi
l
ed.
“
That
’smygi
rl
.”
“Mommy ,
aboyinourcl
asswasrudetoLesedi
,I
tol
dhimtonev
ertal
ktoherl
iket
hat.Hei
sso
annoy
ing.
”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
YouandLesedi
arebestf
ri
ends?
”
I
vyquickl
yjumpedof fherchai
randtookoutapoor
dr
awingfrom herbag.“Idr
ewthisforher
.”
“
That
’sni
ce.
”
“
Iwantt
obuyherf
lower
sli
ket
heonesdaddybuyf
or
y
ou.
”
Miguelwal
kedinput
ti
ngonhistiethenki
ssedI
vy’
s
f
orehead.“
Kidsdon’
trecei
vebi
gflowers.
”
“
Iam notaki
d.”
“Yesy ouar
e.Heybaby …”Heki ssedRet habil
e’s
cheekandshel aughedput t
ingherhandsov erher
face.Anayaadmiredhim secretlyashef ixedthetie
andt ookhi
scupofcof feesitti
ngwi t
hhi sdaughters.
Heal waystookhisti
mewi t
hhiski dsandgosh,
thereisnot
hingmor esexierthanamanwhol ov ehis
kidsandgivethem undivi
dedat tenti
onnomat ter
howbusyhi sschedulecanbe.
“
Iam goi
ngt
oputonmyshoes.
”
Shewalkedtot
hebedr oom wheresheputonabitof
make-
upt henf
ixedhercurl
ybun.Herphonerangas
shesl
i
ppedherf eeti
nsideherheel
s.
“
Theodor
a,”
“
Hey,canwemeetforl
unch,
ther
eissomet
hingI
wantt
otal
ktoyouabout.
”
“
Soundsser
ious,
ever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
Canwemeet
?”
“
Ofcause.Iwi
l
lcomebyt
hei
nter
netcaf
é.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Idi
dn’
tseey
ouy
est
erday
.”
“
Icamebutl
eftear
li
er.
”
“
Oh,
ok.
”
“
Bye.
”
Anayahungupandf r
ownedl ookingataf i
leon
Miguel’
st able.Shegr abbeditbutapaperf el
l,
she
pi
ckedi tupopeni ngt hefi
letoputitbackwhen
anotherpaperi nthef i
lecaughtherattent
ion.She
l
ookedatt hedoort henreadt hr
oughwhi l
eherheart
pounded.Mi guel openedt hedoorandwal kedinas
Anayaqui cklyputbackt hepaperandcl osedthefi
le.
“
Youhadf
orgot
tent
his.
”
“
Oh,
let
’sgo.
”
Hetooki
tfr
om hert
henputonhisj
acketandwal
ked
out
.Anay
afoll
owedbehi
ndwithhermindfi
xedon
whatshehadj
ustr
ead.
“
Arey
ouok?
”
“
Mhmm?
”
“
Arey
ousur
e?”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
Yeah.
”
Theywal kedi
nsi
deMiller
’sroom andlookedathi
m
whil
ehel ayasl
eep.Miguelpull
edhim upwi t
hhi
sl eg,
Mil
lergaspedwakingupst ar
tl
edthenstartedcr
ying
panicki
ng.
“
Miguel
kant
eoi
raeng?
{whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
}st
op
i
t.
”
“
Ngngbabe,
thi
sboyi
sst
rong.Hei
saMokwena.
”
Mil
lercr
iedevenmoretr
yingt
ogr asptosomet
hing,
Miguell
aughedthenhel
dhim pr
operlyput
ti
nghi
m
onhischest
.
“
Iam l
yi
ng,
hei
sweak.
”
Anay
awat
chedhi
m shushhi
ssont
il
lhewasqui
et.
“
Whatwer
eyoucr
yingf
or?
”
Anayarol
l
edhereyest
hent
ookMil
l
erinherar
ms
buthequi
ckl
ysli
ddownandwal
kedout.
“
Youar
escar
ingmyson.
”
“
Mxm.
”
Shewalkedoutwhi
l
eMi
guel
fol
l
owedbehi
ndher
l
aughi
ng.

*
***
*

Theodoradrov etoLoago’sschool t
ryi
ngtot hinkof
howshewasgoi ngt obreakthenewst oAnay a.She
toosti
llcoul
dn’tbeli
ev ei
t,hermotherhadj ust
droppedthenewsl ikebombshel lonher.Tear sfi
ll
ed
hereyeswhi l
eshet houghtofhowshehadsl ept
withherownbr other,shedidn’
tknowifev ershe
wouldforgiv
ehermot herforly
ingtoherand
becauseoft hathavingtohavesleptwithherbr other
unkowningly.
“
Mommy
!”
Theodor
atookadeepbr
eat
handl
ookedatherson.
“
Whati
sitLoago?
”
“
WhydoIhav
etosi
tint
hebackseat
?”
“
Becauset
hat
’swher
echi
l
drensi
t.
”
“
Butdaddymakesmesi
tint
hef
rontsi
t.
”
“
Daddyshoul
dn’
tbedoi
ngt
hat
,Iwi
l
ltal
ktohi
m.”
“
No!Ili
kesit
ti
ngt
her
e.Ihat
either
e.Iwantt
osee
t
heroad.”
“
Seet
her
oadf
rom t
her
e.”
“
Mommy
,ar
ewegoi
ngt
ost
aywi
thdaddy
?”
“
No,
daddyhasagi
rl
fr
iend.
”
“
AuntSt
ell
a?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Idon’
tli
keher
.”
Theodor
afixedt
hemi
rr
orandcar
eful
l
ylookedather
son.“
Why ?
”
“
Shemakesmewashmypl ate.Andal
soshemakes
mesweepthehouseandmakesmef i
xmyroom.”
“
Butt
her
eisnot
hingwr
ongwi
tht
hat
.”
“
Thet
eachersai
diti
sabuse.
”
Theodorasighed.“
Loago,
youneedtowashy our
pl
ate.Iam goingtost
opwashi
ngy ourpl
ate.
”
“
ButIgett
ir
ed.
”
“
Yes,
buty
oust
il
lhav
etodoi
t.
”
Theodoradr
oveinsi
dehi
sschool
gat
eandpar
kedby
theparki
ngl
ot.
“
Ok,
bye.Iwi
l
lcomeandcol
l
ecty
oul
ater
.”
“
Ial
sodon’
tli
keAuntSt
ell
abecauseDaddyi
sgoi
ng
t
omarr
yher.Hegaveherari
ng.”
Theodor
aswal
l
owedhar
d.
“
Hedi
d?”
“
Yes.
”
Shesl
owlynoddedandt
ookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Ok,
you
cango.
”
Loagoki
ssedhismot her’
scheekt henj
umpedoff
wit
hhisbackandsmal lcoolerbox.Shedr
oveaway
anddrovetoi
nternetcaf
ét r
yingsohardnott
ocall
hi
m.Finall
yshereachedforherphoneandcall
ed
hi
m dr
ivi
ngwi
thonehand.
“
Theo…”
“
Hey
,congr
atul
ati
ons.
”
“
Oh,
thanks.Iwasgoi
ngt
otell
you.IwantLet
habo
t
obepartofthegr
oomsmaid.
”
“
Youar
ehav
ingabi
gweddi
ng.
”
“Yeah,t
histi
meIjustwanttodothi
ngsrightand
haveabigwedding-“Hepausedf
orasecondas
Theodoraremai
nedquiet.“
Imean,Stel
l
awant sabi
g
wedding.
”
“Youdon’
thavetosugercoatany
thingwi
thme.Why
didyounevergi
vemeabi gwedding.”
“
Youar
etheonewhowant
edasmal
lweddi
ng.
”
“
That’
snottrue,y
ousai
dweshouldhaveasmal
l
weddingasever
yonewasagai
nstusbeing
t
ogether.
”Hervoi
ceshookasshespoke.
Chr
ist
iansi
ghed.“
Ok,
Iam sor
ryInev
ergav
eyoua
bi
gwedding.
”
“
Didy
ouev
erl
oveme?
”
“
Theodor
apl
easedon’
tdot
his.
”
“
Iwantt
oknow.Di
dyou?
”
“Yes.Idi
d.”
“Icheatandi nfectedy ou,yesbutwhycoul dn’tyou
forgivemei fyoulov edme?Idi dn’tcheatbecauseI
didn’tlov
ey ou,Iwasdoi ngitforus, youcontract
wascomi ngtoanendandIwasscar edt hatyou
wer enotgoingt ogetr e-hir
ed.Wehaddebt s.Why
couldn’tyouunder standt hi
ngsf rom wher eIwas
standingandgav eusachancet owor konour
mar ri
age?”
“
Theodorayoucan’
texpectmet
ofor
giv
eyouf
or
i
nfect
ingme.”
Theodor aslowl
ynoddedwhi letearswethercheeks
rui
ninghermakeup.“ No,Ididn’
texpecty outo,I
expectedy outogiveusachancet of i
xourmar ri
age.
Younev erhadf ait
hinourmar r
iagebecausel i
ke
yourfatherandt herestofyourf amilyy outhoughtI
wasaf teryourmoneyandt hat’
swhyy ounevergave
usachancet ofixthi
ngs, y
ounev erful
lylovedme
thatwhyi twassoeasyf oryout oleavemeand
that’
sok.Iam notsur pri
sedyounev erreal
lyl
oved
met hough, alotofpeoplesaidtheydi dwhenthey
didn’
t.Iwishy ounothi
ngbuthappi nessbet weenyou
andSt el
la.Iam happywiththef actthatshedoesn’t
mi st
reatLethabo,sheisactuall
ymaki nghima
responsibleyoungman.Iappr eciateher.”
“
Theodor
a…”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungupandwi pedhert
ear
swi
tht
hebackof
herhandst
il
ldr
ivi
ng.

*
***
*

Saronawalkedi
nsideherbouti
queduringlunchwith
herassi
stantwhi
letheeachheldthei
rlunch,they
walkedi
nsdeherof f
iceandsatdowneat i
ng.
“Bat
hongNayaRestaur
antist
heebest.I
t’
sli
keIam
eati
ngfoodf
rom t
hosefancyhot
els.
”
Sar
onal
aughed.“
Mygi
rlhast
hebestchef
sther
e.”
“Nowondert
hatr
est
aur
antneverrunsoutof
cust
omers.I
t’
sal
waysf
ull
ypacked.”
“Iknow.
”Theycont i
nuedeat i
ngti
l
ltheyweredone,
theassi
stanttookthetakeawayempt i
esandwalked
outwhil
eSar ona’
sphoner ang.
“
Hey
,”
“
Lunch?Iam sobor
edatwor
k.”
Sar
onal
aughed.“
Ial
readyat
e.”
Col
l
eenchuckl
ed.“
Iwantt
ogetoutoft
heof
fi
ce.
”
“
Waai
i
,Iat
e.”
“Idon’
tli
keSundaypart
ies,t
odayIwokeupkeset se
kelemomoodi ngwaparty
,keut l
waTshepoar e
heela,t
suga,
wagonal atakot i
rong.{Iwokeupstil
l
i
nt hemoodf orapar
ty,
thenIhear dTsheposayingI
shouldwakeuporelseIwillbelateforwork.
}”
“
C-SKYwasf ul
l
ybookedonSat
urday
,sor
ry
motho’
nyanawamodimo.”
“
Ienj
oyedmy
sel
f,t
hanks.
”
“
It
’sokl
ove.
”
“
Iam goingt
ocomebyyourbout
ique,
youst
il
lhav
e
t
hatbeadworkr
ight
?”
“Yes,
Iam t
hinki
ngofopeni
ngaAfri
canbout
iquei
n
KasaneorMaun,If
eell
ikewhi
tepeopl
eli
kethi
s
thi
ngs.”
“
Theydo.
”
“
Iam exci
tedaboutt
hisi
dea.
”
“I
t’
sagr eati
dea,
letmecal
lOl
e,may
beshehasn’
t
eaten.
”
“
Ok.
”
Saronaputherphonedownthenst
aredatherphone
forawhil
ebeforepicki
ngi
tupandcall
i
nghim.
“
Sar
ona…”Heanswer
edwi
thasmal
lvoi
ce.
“
Hey
,wher
ear
eyou?
’
“
Home,
theki
dsar
efi
ne.
”
“Iknow,yousounddown.Iknowy ouwoul
dnever
rapeanyoneandIknowt hatIpushedy
ouint
o
sleepi
ngwithher.Iam sorry.
”
Pul
esi
ghed.“
It
’sok.
”
“No,i
t’
snot.Iknoweveryonehast
urnedthei
rback
onyou,atl
eastyouhaveYaonebutstil
l
…”Shetooka
deepbreat
h.“Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Yaoneisnottal
ki
ngtome.Shecan’
tbel
i
eveshei
s
mar
riedt
oar api
stofahusband.
”
“
Iam sor
ry,
canIcomeov
er?
”
“
Youdon’
thav
eto.
”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Shehungupt henst oodup,grabbedherhandbag
andcarkey st henwalkedout.Minuteslater,she
droveinsidethegat eandsteppedoutoft hecar .She
openedt heunl ockeddoorandwal kedinsidehis
house,thiswast hefi
rstt
imesheact uall
ywal kedin
anditwasn’ tbad, i
twasactuall
ybeautiful
.Pul e
walkedinsidehi ssit
ti
ngroom inhispajamapant s
cl
earlylookingl i
kesomeonewhohadbeensl eepi
ng.
“
Hav
eyoubat
hed?
”
“
Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
e.”
“Youneedtogett
owork,
justbecauseyouar
ethe
bossdoesn’
tmeanyouhavetoslack,
remember,
youar
eworki
ngforyourki
ds.Goandt
akeabat
h,I
wil
lmakey
oufood.”
“
Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his?
”
Sheturnedt ohim put
ti
ngherhandbagdown.
“Becausey ouareMapulaandJunior’
sfather
.
Becausey oumadeami stakej
ustli
keanyhuman
beingcouldhav edone.Youarenotperf
ect,Miguel
is
notperfect,heoncerapedAnayaandheusedt o
beather,noonei s.Goandbath.”
Saronawal
kedinsidethekitchenthenst ar
ted
makinghi
m breakfast
,20mi nuteslatershedished
forhi
m.Pulewalkedinsidethekit
cheni nasuitbut
withnoj
acket
.Shesmi led,hesmel tgoodt oo.
“
See,
youl
ookmor
eli
keahumanbei
ng.Si
t.
”
Pul
esatont
hekit
chenst
oolandr
ecei
vedhi
sfood.
Hesmil
edst
ari
ngathi
splat
e.
“
Sti
l
lhav
enotchangedIsee.
”
Sar
onal
aughed.“
Justeat
.”
“
Itr
ulymi
ssedthis.Whydidyouopenabout
ique
i
nst
eadofarestauranti
nst
ead?”
“
Clot
hesbr
ingi
nmor
emoney
.”
Pul
esmiledandstar
tedasSaronawashedthe
di
shesshehadjustused.Hef
inishedupeati
ngand
washedhispl
ateandcupwhil
eShedr iedt
hedishes.
Pulelookedatheraft
ert
heyweredoneandsmi
l
ed.
“Thankyou,forhav
ingmyback.
”
“
Iwi
l
lal
way
shav
eyourback,
daddybaby
.”
“
Whydoest
hatsoundsexy
?”
Sar
onal
aughed.“
Sexy
?Youar
elosi
ngi
t.
”
Pulelookedatherthenatherli
ps.Sl
owlyheleaned
overandkissedher.Saronaputherhandonhis
chestasPulekissedher.Sl
owlyshepushedhim
backandsmi ledmov i
ngback.
“
Shewi
l
lcomear
ound,
shel
ovesy
ou.
”
Shetookherhandbagandgavehim aP200not
e.
“Goandfi
xthatbeardandhai
rst
yle.By
e.”
Shewal
kedoutwhil
ehest ar
edatherwi
thasmi
l
e.
Manwhydidthatf
eelgood?
*
***
*

Mar angwal kedi nsideherof f

iceholdingapackage
thathadcamef orher .Sheputherbagdownandsat
downt eari
ngt heenv elope.Shetookt hepapers
i
nsideandr eadt hrough.Angr y,
shet ookherphone
anddi aledMi guel’
snumberbuti trangunanswered.
Shest aredatherphonef oramomentt henrecei
ved
atext.
Miguel
:Itr
iedtal
ki
ngtoyoubutyoudi
dn’
twantt
o
l
ist
en,Ihavenothi
ngtodi
scusswit
hyou,
mylawyer
wil
lkeepyouupdated,
getonetooi
fyouwant
.
Shestar
edatt hemessageforawhi
lethentr
ied
cal
li
nghim againbutthi
sti
methecal
ldidn’
tevengo
thr
oughthenshet ext
edhim.
Marang:Forgetit
,ifyouthi
nkyouaregoi ngtoget
myson, youaremi st
aken.Youarenotgoi ngtogi
v e
mysont oAnay a,t
hinkagaini
fyouthinkIam just
goi
ngt oletyoutakemysonwi thoutafight.Anay
a
won’tgetmyson, notmyownson.Mot hookany el
a
mongwanengwaka.Nxl a!
Shesentthet
extbuti
tdi
dn’
tdel
iver
.Shecopiedi
t
thensentonwhat
sapp.Mi
guelr
eaditthenl
efti
ton
bluet
ick.
Marang:Icanseeyouar
ereadingmymessages,
Anayaisnotgett
ingmyson,t
rustme.
Shewatchedhi
m bl
uet
icki
tyagai
nthenf
inal
l
y
cal
ledhi
m.
“
MarangIam atwork,
youar
edi
stur
bingme.Idon’
t
wantt
oblockyou.
”
“Youarenottaki
ngmysonsothatyoucanplay
happyfamil
ieswit
hthatwoman.That
’snotgoi
ngt
o
happen.
”
“
Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom meMar
ang?
”
“
Iam notgi
vi
ngy
oumysonsot
haty
oucangi
vehi
m
t
oAnaya.”
“
Iam notdi
scussi
nganythi
ngwit
hy ou,
myl
awy
er
wi
ll
talkt
oyouorev eny
ourlawy
er.”
Tear
sfi
l
ledhereyes.“Miguel
youarenotget
ti
ngmy
sonsot
hatyoucanr ai
sehim wi
thAnaya.
”
“
Soi
t’
sokf
ory
out
orai
sehi
m wi
thy
ourwhi
te
husband?
”
“
Idon’
tlov
ehi
m!”
“
Mar
angst
opt
his.
”
“Idon’
t,IloveyouMi guel .Itr
iedtostopandI
thoughtIdidbutt hef eel
ingsareback.Iwanty ou,
I
don’twantany oneelsebuty ouandIcan’ taccept
youwithanot herwoman, Ican’
tstandit,i
tbreaks
myhear t.Sexdoesn’ tfeel t
hesame, Icraveforyour
touch,foryourdomi nance, foryourdickinsi
deme.I
wanty ou,Il
ov eyou.Ineedy ou.Idon’tthi
nkIcanbe
happywi thsomeonewhoi snotyou.”
“
Ilov
eAnay
a,st
opembar
rassi
ngy
our
sel
f.
”
“
Idon’tcarei
fIam embar r
assingmy selfornot,
I
l
oveyouandy ouonly.Iwon’tgiv
ey oumysonso
youplayhappyfamil
i
eswi thmyson, theonet hi
ng
t
hatremindsmeofy ou,theonet hi
ngt hatdefi
nes
meandy ou.”
“
Yousounddel
usi
onal
rightnow,
yousoundcr
azy
.”
“
Idon’
tcar
ehowIsound.Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Iam notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thy
ou,
youar
egoi
ngt
obr
ing
mysonandt
rustme,heisgoi
ngt
ost
ayf
ull
time
wi
thme.”Mi
guelhungup.
“
Wow!
”
Marangquicklyt
urnedthenlookedatBryanholdi
ng
f
lowers.Shelookedinhiseyes,hehadheardital
l.
Heshookhisheadsadl yandwal kedoutwit
hhis
f
lowers.Marangclosedhereyesr egr
etf
ull
y.
.
.
.
[
7/14,
08:
12]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#106

AtTatenda’
shouse, Anay
aknockedont hedoor
st
ari
ngatherboy fr
iend’
scar.Shetookabreat
h
wait
ingthenknockedagain.Thedooropenedand
Tat
enda’sboyfr
iendsteppedout.
“Hi
,Iam l
ooki
ngf
orTat
enda,
Ihav
ebeent
ryi
ngt
o
cal
lher
.”
Theboy
fri
endsmi
l
ed.“
Youcancomei
n.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Theybot
hwalkedi
nsi
det
hehouseandhegest
ured
shesi
tsont
hecouch.
“
Iwi
l
lgoandcal
lher
.”
Anay
asatdownandsi ghedl
ookingatherwatch.
Mi
nutesl
ater
,theboy
fri
endwalkedoutwithTatenda.
“
Anay
a…”
“
Hey,Ihavebeencal
l
ing,
yournumberi
snotget
ti
ng
t
hrough.
”
Tat
endasatdownandlookedatAnay
a.“
Ican’
twor
k
aty
ourhouseanymor
e.”
Anay
atookadeepbr
eat
h.“
Why
?”
Tatendalookedatherboyf
ri
endt
henbackatAnay
a.
“Yourhouseishaunted.
”
Anay
afr
ownedconf
used.“
What
?”
“Thel
astt
imeIwast her
e,thi
ngswerehappeni
ng.I
sawashadow,ther
ewassomet hingi
nsideanda
babywascry
ingtoo.Theli
ghtswerefl
i
ckingonand
of
f.
”
Anay
achuckl
ed.“
What
?”
“Isawitwi t
hmyowney es,t
hehouseishaunted.
Therewassomet hinginthehouse,all
windows
openedt hen…Ican’tworkatyourhouseanymore.I
am scared.”
“Idon’
tunder
stand,
whatdoy
oumeant
her
ewas
somethingi
nthehouse?
”
“Yes,
Isawi t
.Ican’
tcomebackther
e,Iam sor
ry.
Youdon’thavetopaymeforthi
smont h,
it’
sok.
”
Anayanoddedt henstoodup.“ I
t’
sok,youshould
havetoldmet hissot hatIstoprunni
ngaf t
eryou.
Butthat’
sfi
ne, Iwill
givey ouyourful
lsal
aryplus
whatIhadpr omi sedyou.Youwer esogoodwi t
hmy
ki
ds,theyaregoi ngtomi ssyoubutIwi l
lhandlei
t.
Takecare.”
Shewalkedoutandgoti nhercarshakingherhead
i
ndisbel
ief
,itwasn’tj
ustthefactthatTatendahad
act
uall
ytol
dhersomet hingsounbel i
evablebut
act
uall
ythesinceri
tyi
nherey es.Shestartedhercar
anddroveoff.Anayastoppedthecarbyt hered
t
raf
fi
cli
ghtt
henherphoner
ang.
“
Anay
aShat
o,hel
l
o?”
“
Youar
espeaki
ngt
oOshadi
,Ref
il
we’
ssi
ster
.”
Anay
aclosedherey
esangr
il
y.“
Whatdoy
ouwant
fr
om me?”
“Iwantmysi
ster’
scompany,y
ouandMiguelcan’
t
benefi
tfr
om hercompany
.Ial
sowanthercar.
”
Anayal
augheddri
vingoff.“Yoursister
’scompany?
Youmustbecrazy.Thatcompanyi sinher
daught
er’
sname.Youcan’ tgetitandnev erwi
l
lyou.
”
“Soyouareoutther
eusingmysister
’sdaught
ert
o
benefi
tfr
om hercompany?Isee.
”
“
Youar
einsane.
”
“
Iwantmysister
’schi
l
dandhercompanyt
oget
her
wi
thhercar
.”
“Letmetel
lyousomething,don’ty
oudar etryto
messwithme, y
oudon’tknowme, youthinkIdon’
t
knowyoutri
edtokil
lyourmot herorthatyoubroke
i
ntomyhouseandscar edmyki ds,letmet el
lyou
somethi
ng,youaregoi
ngt obev eryhauntedwhenI
am donewi
thy
ou.
”
“
Idi
dn’
tcomet
oyourhouse.
”
“
Oh?Whodidy
ousendthen?Youar
egoi
ngt
owi
sh
y
ouhaddi
edwithy
oursi
ster
.”
Anay
ahungupparkingatTheoI
nter
netCafé.She
st
eppedoutcarwi
thherphoneonherear
.
“
MsShat
o,”
Anay asmiled.“
Iwouldliket
or epor tacri
me
detecti
ve,hermotherlongreportedherf or
att
empt ingtokil
lherbutsheranandnoonecoul d
fi
ndher .Nowshei sbackandhar assingme.”
“
Ok,
that
’sar
eal
caseIguess.
”
“
Iti
sbuthermot
heropenedacasei
nMaun.
”
“
That
’sst
il
lfi
ne,
Iwi
l
lcont
actt
hepol
i
cest
ati
on
t
her
e.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”

*
***
*
Kennethsatinhisoffi
celookingathisdaught er
’s
pictur
es,hezoomedi nonherf ace,shewas
beautif
ulandlookedmost l
yli
keRachel .Het r
iedto
l
ookf oranyfeatur
eshehadt hatwer eonherbut
therewasnon.Nowashel ookedatherev ery
dayhe
actuall
ybegantowonderofj ustwhati fshewasn’t
his.Aknockonhi sdoorhadhi m putt
inghisphone
down.Hel ookedatthedoorasMal vi
nwal kedin.
“
Iam sor
ryf
orj
ustcomi
ngi
n.”
Kennethpointedtot hechai randMal v
insatdown.
“Mymot hertoldmewhathappened.Idon’ tknow
whyonear thshewoul dt hi
nkIwoul deversleepwi t
h
someone’swi feorev ent hi
nkIwoul dmakea
marriedwomanpr egnant .Idon’
twantanyoft his
l
iestocauser i
ftsiny ourmar ri
age,Idon’tevenknow
yourwifetothatlevel expectthefactthatshei sa
pastor.
”
Kennet
hcar
eful
l
ylookedathi
m.Mal
vi
nsmi
l
ed.
“
That’
sall
Iwant
edtosayandthefactt
haty
ouar
e
i
nvi
tedtomyweddi
ng,Iam get
ti
ngmarri
ed.
”
“Congratul
ati
ons.
”Kennet hsai
dsti
l
lsit
ed.Mal
vi
n
noddedandwal kedout .Mal
vinwasli
ghti
n
compl exi
on,j
ustli
keRenae.Hestoodupandwalked
outdiali
ngthepre-school
.

*
***
*

Rachelcli
mbedinsi
dehercarfrom t
herest
aurant,
shesmiledknowingKennethwouldl
ovehislunch.
Herphoner angassherever
sed.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“Mrs.Mokwena,Mr.Mokwenaisonhiswayto
col
lectRenaef
rom theschool
,It
ri
edaski
nghi
m
about-
“
“
Hei
scomi
ngt
her
e?”
“
Yes.
”
Rachel
’
shear
tski
ppedasshehungup,
shequi
ckl
y
di
aledMal
vi
n.
“
Hey
,It
hinkhebel
i
evedme.
”
Rachelshookherheadshaki
ng.“
No,
hei
sgoi
ngt
o
col
lecther.
”
“
May
behe-
“
“
No!Hei
sgoi
ngt
orunt
het
est
s.Godno…”
“It
oldyout
ocomewi
thme,
wecanst
il
lel
ope.Hei
s
goingt
okil
lyou.
”
“No,hel
oveshi
sdaught
er,
hel
ovesher
.Hewon’
t
hurtme.
”
“
Aft
ery
oupl
ayedhi
mforaf
ool
?Thi
nkagai
n.”
Rachelhungupsweatingwonderi
ngwhatshe
shoul
ddo, i
twastoolatetogototheschoolnow,
he
wasprobablyal
mostthere.Sheputherhands
toget
hercryi
ngsi
lent
ly.
“
Godpl
ease…”

*
***
*

Anay
al i
stenedqui
etl
yasTheodorafi
nishedt
alki
ng.
Shewipedhertear
swi t
hthebackofherheadas
Anay
ast
aredsadl
y.
“Maybethat
’swhyt
hingsnevergowel
lforme,
becauseIsl
eptwi
thmybrother.
”
“That’snott r
ue, youdidn’tknow.I t’
sy ourmot her’
s
fault
.It’sMokwena’ sfault.Iwon’ tsugarcoati t.Now
aboutt hingsgoi ngwr ongi ny ourlif
e,that ’
sy our
doing, somet i
mesi t’
st hechoi ceswemaket hat
l
andsusi ncertainsit
uations.Wecan’ talway splay
blamegame, youcheatandr uinedy ourownf amily
,
thatwasal lyou.Buther ey ouar e,runningt his
beaut i
fulplace.Her eyouar e,sti
llstanding.
Somet i
mesi t’snotaboutwhaty ouhav ebutwhat
youhav efaughtandwon.Iam sadt hatt he
decisionsmadebyourpar entslandusaski dsi n
mudbuti t’salreadyhappenedandwhat ’
sl eftis
mov ingon. ”
Theodor
asi
ghed.“
Doy
out
hinkt
heywi
l
laccept
you?”
Anayasmil
ed.“
Ofcause,
whynot
.Fami
l
ywi
l
lal
way
s
befamil
y.Comewhatmay.”
“
Iwi
shIwasy
ou,
alway
sreadyt
ost
andupanddust
my
sel
f.
”
“Sometimesi fyoukeepl yi
ngt herewaiti
ngf or
someonet odusty ou,youwill
r emainlyi
ngt here.
Don’tbethatper son.Iam notper f
ect,Ihavemyown
shareoffuckups. ”Theybot hlaughed.“Butknowi ng
thatIcanlookbackandsay‘ yahneh, youf uckedup
ri
ghtthereNay a’iswhatkeepsmegoi ng.Iknowy ou
areangryrightnowandGod, youhav eeveryrightto
bebutdon’ tl
etthatangerconsumey ou.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Anayalookedar
oundherof
fi
ceandsmi
l
ed.“
Thi
sis
beaut
if
ul.”
“
Mxm,Loagowrot
eonthosewal
l
saweekago,
Ihad
t
ogett
henpai
ntedagai
n.”
“
Howi
she?
”
“Hei
sfine,hi
sfatherisgett
ingmar ri
ed.Iam sad
andbi
tter
,Ifoundmy sel
flookingatherpicturesa
fewminutesbeforeyoucamet r
yingtolookfor
fl
aws.
”
Anay
acr
ackedupl
aughi
ng.“
Hey
,it
’snor
mal
,Idi
d
thatwhenMi guel
marri
edRefi
l
we.Iusedt
ocal
lher
uglybecauseofbit
ter
ness.
”
“Iwoul
dn’
tmi
ndsomel
ovi
ngbehi
ndev
ery
one’
s
back.
”
Anayastoodup.“ Honestl
y,t
hef orbiddenfruiti
s
al
wayst hesweetestbutnotmor esweetert han
havi
ngitallt
oy oursel
f.Iam sadt hatRefi
lweki l
l
ed
her
selfbutIlov
emymanandIam gl adshedi dwhat
shedid.
”
Thetwol adieswalkedoutpassingcustomerswho
weresitt
inginfrontofcomputersti
llt
heywereinthe
coff
eecaf éwher ecustomerssatandchil
led.
Outsi
de,Anay aunlockedhercarandopenedt he
doorlookingatTheodor a.
“Don’tf
eel badforbei
ngbi
tt
erbutdon’
tdoitin
publi
corl etpeopl
eknowthaty
ouarebitt
er,doit
behindcloseddoors.”
“Mxm,kanaotswanaleKer
ryWashingt
onalel
aa
botsemolomo.{
Shelooksl
i
keKerryWashi
ngton
cry
ingwit
hhermouthwideopen.
}”
Anay
alaughedandgoti
nhercar
.“Youar
egoi
ngt
o
hel
l
,by
e.Iwi
l
lcal
lyou.
”
Theodorasmil
edandwat
chedAnay
adr
ivi
ngof
fin
Miguel
’scar
.

*
***
*

Pulesmiledstar
ingatnothi
ng,hismi ndwasst i
ll
repl
ayi
ngt hatki
ss.Heactual
lyfoundhi mself
missi
ngher .Hetookhisphonethinkingofcall
ing
herbutthenheputhisphoneaway ,no,cal
l
ingher
wouldraisequesti
ons.Heknewt hatkissshouldn’
t
havehappenedt obeginwit
hbutt henitfel
tri
ght.
“Mr
.M,aladyi
sheretoseey
ouforthePApost
.”
Ambersai
dpeaki
nginsi
dehi
sof
fice.
“
Letheri
n.”
“Andpleaseconsi
derhi
ri
ngher
,Ican’
tkeepon
play
ingassist
ance,
Ihavemyownwor kthatneeds
myat t
enti
on.”
Pul
elaughed.“
Ok.
”
Shewalkedoutandsecondsl
ateracol
oredl
ady
wal
kedin.Shesmil
ednervoul
sl
yandwalkedfur
ther
i
nsidehi
soffi
ce.
“
Goodaft
ernoon.Mynamei
sSont
agaEugene
Mont
sho.
”
Pul
esmi l
ed.“Iwasn’texpect
ingyourname,kant
e
asegoreolemakgoa?Makgoal ebonekebo
Sontaga{
Aren’tyouwhi t
e?Whitepeoplear
ealso
cal
ledSonataga?}?
”
Shelaughedasherl
ongcur
ledherf
ell
onher
shoulder
s.
“
Youcancal
lmeEugene.
”
“
Ili
ket
hatbet
ter
,any
way
s,si
t.
”
Shesatdownandhandedhi
m herqual
i
ficat
ions.He
pagedthr
oughherCVandfi
nal
lyl
ookedather.
“Awholeengeenerdegr
eeholderi
ssi
tt
ingi
nmy
off
icel
ooki
ngt obeanassi
stnt.
”
Eugenesmi l
ed.“
Cir
cumst ancespushustoappl
ying
foranyt
hingandevery
thing,someti
mesyougotto
forgety
ouhav eadegreeanddowhaty oucan.”
“
Wow!
”
Eugenesighed.“
Ihav ebeenlooki
ngforaj obofmy
quali
fi
cati
onsfor7y ear
sandIam st i
ll
her e.Ihave
workedanyhwher e,
inChineseshops,i
nI ndians
shops,atchoppi
es.Todayi fIf
ail
,Iam goingto
becomeasol der.Youcanputmeonpr obat i
on,Iam
goodwi t
hthat.
”
Pul
elookedatt
hebeauti
ful
womanbeforehi
m and
si
ghedsadly
,heknewshewasn’
ttheonl
yone.
“Youarehi
red,
Iknowwher
eyouar
ecomi
ngf
rom.
Doy ouhav
eachild?
”
“
Yes,
standar
d1.
”
“
Wow!
”
Shesmi l
ed.“Thankyou,Iam suret
odayheisnot
goingtosleep.Heactual
lypr
ay edf
ormelastni
ght.I
can’tbel
i
ev eIhaveajob.
”
“
Youdo,
Amberwi
l
lshowy
ouar
oundand-
“
Yaonewal
kedint
heoffi
ceandPul
epausedst
ari
ng
ather
.Shel
ookedatEugenet
henatPul
e.
“
Youl
i
ket
hem y
ounghuh?
”
“
Eugeney
oucango.
”
Eugenest
oodupandt
ookherbagwal
ki
ngout
.
“Youarefi
red!Youarenotgoi
ngtoworkf ormy
husband.Wheny ouwalkoutoft
hisoff
ice,make
sureyouseey our
sel
foutsi
dethebui
ldi
ng.”
Pul
elookedatYaone.“
Soyouar
egoingto
embarr
assmei nfr
ontofmyworker
s?”
“
Arey
ousl
eepi
ngwi
thher
?”
“
Yaoneshej
ustcamei
nforani
nter
view,
what
’s
wrongwi
thy
ou?”
“
What’
swrongwit
hmei sthatmyhusbandsl
eeps
wi
tht
eenager
s.Heisapedophil
e.”
Puleshookhi
shead.“Cany oust
andwi
thme?I
knowIam wrongbutrightnowIneedy
oursuppor
t
morethananyt
hing.
”
“Iam notgoi
ngt
osuppor
tyou,
whatwi
l
lpeopl
e
say?”
“Soourmarri
ageisl
edbywhatwi
ll
peoplesay?I
nevercar
edaboutpeopl
ewhenImarr
iedyou
knowingful
lwel
lyoucan’
thav
eki
ds.”
“
Iam get
ti
ngt
ransf
err
ed.
”
Pul
echuckl
ed.“Yaone,areyoubeingseri
ousri
ght
now?Al
lforsomethingthathappenedinthepast
?”
“
IneedsomespacePul
e.”
“
Whataboutt
heki
ds?
”
“Theywil
lstaywit
hthei
rmother.Ij
ustneedsome
spacetobreathe,
all
thi
sissuf
focati
ngme.”
Pul
elookedatherdi
sappoi
nted.“
Ok.I
t’
sok,
dowhat
youwant.
”
YaonewalkedoutasPul
erubbedhi
sheadwi
th
fr
ustr
ati
on.

*
***
*

Agangdroveinhisy
ar dlat
ert
hatdayandstepped
outoft
hecar .Hewalkedtowardst
hedoorand
unl
ockeditgetti
ngi
nside.
“Daddy
!”Aar
onr
ushedt
ohi
sdadandt
heyf
ist
bumped.
“
Hey
!Wher
eismama?
”
“
Nother
e.”
Thenannyst
oodbef
orehi
m wi
thherbag.
“
Iam goi
ng.Zoej
ustsl
ept
.”
“
Ok,
thanky
ou.
”
ShewalkedasAaronranoutsi
detoplay
, Agang
walkedtohisbedr
oom andchangedbeforewalki
ng
tothesi
tti
ngroom,hewalkedtowar
dsthedoor
heari
ngaknock.
“
Oh…hi
!”
“
Mr.Mokwena,
I-“
“
No,cal
lmeAgang,
what
’sy
ournameagai
n?
I
thut
eng?
”
“No,I
pel
eng.Iwaswonder
ingi
fyoucanhelpme
wit
hphysicsi
fyouar
enotbusy,mamasaidshewi
l
l
payyou.
”
“
No,youdon’
thav
etopayme,
Icanal
way
shel
pyou
f
orf
ree.
”
Shesmi
l
ed.“
Wecanst
artt
omor
row,
ist
hatf
inewi
th
y
ou?
”
“
Yes.Thatwi
l
lbef
ine.
”
Shesmi
l
edner
vous.“
Uh,
canIusey
ourbat
hroom?
”
Agangmovedfrom t
hedoor.“
Yeah,
godownt
hehal
l
,
thef
ir
stdooronyourri
ght
.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shewalkedawayandcamebackami
nut
elat
erwi
th
asmil
eonherface.
“
Thanky
ou.
”

*
***
*

Detecti
veKenul
el ookedatt hefi
leshehadi nfr
ontof
herformorethan20mi nuteswithastrai
ghtface.
Shestoodupandwentov ertoherboardand
connectedonelastdot.Anof fi
cerwalkedinasshe
l
ookedatherboar d.
“
Sti
l
lthi
nki
ngt
hehousebur
ningwaspl
anned?
”
“Yesbutt
hist
imearound,
notbyt
heot
herwoman.
Shedoesn’
tknow.
”
“Sosomeoneel
sedi
dit
?May
beshedoeshav
e
enemies.
”
“No.Iwantt
oseet hoserepor
tsfr
om t
heforensi
cs
agai
n.Thedetect
ivereachedfort
hedocumentsand
wentthr
oughthem.
“See!Thisisnotcor rect.Thisreportsayssomet hing
totall
ydiff
erentfrom whathappened.Thef i
rewas
toomuch.Ev ery
thingbur ned.Thef orensi
cscouldn’t
hav efoundany t
hing.Thi ngisthat,eveniftheydid,
theycan’tbesur eitwast hedeceasedandherson.
Thehousebur ntstraighttotheground, whatwas
foundwasbel i
evedt ohav ebeent hedeceasedand
herson, j
ustanassumpt i
onbecauseofev eryt
hing
thatpointedshewasi nsi
dethehouse.Butnoonei s
reall
ysureshewas. ”
Theof
fi
cerl
ookedatherconf
used.
“Noonet estedanyofthi
s,t
hereportwasfi
ledbyan
off
icerwhosur pr
isi
ngl
yquitj
ustaft
erthefi
re
happened.Itsaysther
eweretest
sdonet overi
fy
thatindeeditwasthev i
cti
m butt
hingi
s,nothing
wasev erdonebytheforensi
csasthi
scasewas
closedi mmediat
elyaf
tertwodaysoftheincident
.”
“Whatareyout
ryi
ngt
osay
?Thaty
out
hinkshei
s
notdead?”
“No,Iknowshei snot.Sheissomewherewatchi
ng
from t
hesideli
nes.Thefir
egottoomuch,herson
star
tedcryi
ngandshepani cked,t
ookhersonand
ranthroughthebackdoor.”
Thedetect
ivel
ookedatherboar
dandshookher
head.
“
NiceoneRef
il
we…ni
ceone.Quest
ioni
s…wher
ear
e
y
ou?”
Detect
iveKenul
emadeaquest
ionmar
kont
he
board.

*
***
*

Theodorast
oppedhercarbytheredtraf
fi
cli
ghtwit
h
herwindowsrol
l
eddown, shetookherphoneand
unl
ockedi
twhil
eadriv
erinthecarbesi
desher
s
rol
l
eddownhiswindowlooki
ngather.
“
Putt
hatphoneaway
,Iwi
l
lar
resty
ou!
”
Theodor
alookedupandst
aredatthedr
iver
,she
smil
edstar
ingathi
minasuitwhi
ledri
vi
ngaBX.
“
Sor
ry!
”
Hesmil
edhisCol
gat
esmile.“
Iam st
il
lgoi
ngt
o
char
geyou.What
’sy
ourname?”
“
Theodor
a.”
“Theodora,
Mot heoisgoingtoarr
estyou.
”The
traf
fi
cli
ghtchangedt henTheodorasl
owlyeasedher
cardri
vingfor
war d.
“
Iwanty
ournumber
.”
Shesmil
edthengaveitt
ohi
m bef
orecl
osi
ngher
windowdri
vi
ngoffwit
hasmil
e.

Sar
onawalkedinsi
deherhouseexhaust
edand
smil
edstar
ingatAgangconcent
rat
edont hefoot
bal
l
game.Shewalkedoverandki
ssedhischeek
st
andi
ngi
nfr
ontofhi
m.
“Babewait
…”Hepushedherasi
degent
lykeepi
nghi
s
eyesontheTV.
SheturnedtotheTVwatchi
ngthegameforafew
secondsinconfusi
on.Apl
ayerscor
edandshe
l
ookedov eratAgai
n.
“
Didy
ouscor
ebaby
?”
Agangl
ookedatherandsmi
l
ed.“
No,
wear
elosi
ng.
”
“
Sorr
y.Iam goi
ngtot
akeabat
handst
artpr
epar
ing
f
ood,wher
ei sAar
on?
”
“
Play
ingwi
tht
hebaby
.”
“
Pleasedon’
ttel
lmey
oul
ockedt
hem i
nsi
det
he
r
oom. ”
Aganglookedatherandl
aughed.“
Idi
dthatonl
y
once.
”
Sheshookherheadandwal kedtoherbedroom.
Hummi ng,sheundressedthenmadeherwayt othe
bathr
oom.Shepausedst aringatausedcondom on
thefl
oorwithsomepant i
es.Herheartpoundedas
shestaredatthecondom andpantyforami nute
andfi
nall
ywalkedout.Shest
art
edsearchingthe
bedr
oom, shewasn’tsur
eofwhatexactkyshewas
l
ooki
ngf orbutt
herewassomething.Agangwalked
i
nandf r
owned.
“
What
’sgoi
ngon?
”
Saronamar
chedt
othebat
hroom angr
il
yandcame
backwit
hausedcondom.
“
Yout
ell
mewhat
’sgoi
ngon.
”
.
.
.
[
7/14,
08:
12]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#107

Agangl
ookedatSar
onaf
umi
ngt
henatt
hecondom.
“
Babear
eyouser
iousr
ightnow?
”
“
DoIl
ookl
i
keIam j
oki
ng?
”
“
Eveni
fIwascheat
ing,
whyonear
thwoul
dIl
eav
ea
condom wher
eyoucanseei
t?Howst
upi
dist
hat
?”
Saronal
ookedatthecondom t
henathi
m ast
ear
s
fi
l
ledhereyes.“
Agang…”
“Babe,Iswear,
Iam notcheati
ngneitheram I
bri
ngingwhoresinsi
deourhouse.Ilovey ouandI
haveprovedthatoverandoveragai
n.Iam notgoing
torui
nourf amil
yforsomewhor e.
”
Agangcaref
ull
ylookedatt hecondom andl aughed.
“Ournei
ghborsdaughterdidcomet hough,shesaid
sheneedshelpwithphy si
cs.Sheaskedtouset he
bathr
oom andIguesst hat’
swhereshepl antedthi
s.”
Sar
onabr
eat
hedheav
il
y.“
Whyshoul
dIbel
i
evey
ou?
”
“BecauseIvowedt obefai
thf
ulandhonestt
oyou.
BecauseIrespectourmarri
ageandourhouse.
BecauseIrespectmykidstootobebri
ngingwhor
es
i
nt hei
rpresence.
”
Sar
onacaref
ull
ylookedi
nhi
sey
esandsi
ghed.“
Ok,
I
am comi
ng.”
Shewentbacktothebat
hroom wher
eshecame
wit
hthepanti
esandwalkedoutgoi
ngtoher
nei
ghborshouse.Shewal
kedt
hrought
heopengat
e
andknockedonthedoor.
“Sarona…”Herneighborsai
dwi
thasmi
l
e.“
Youknow
yourhusbandhelpedmewhenmycarwashavi
ng
problems.”
“AndIam start
ingtoregr
eti
t.Yourdaughtercame
tomyhouseear l
i
eronanddisposedthi
si nmy
bedroom sothatmyhusbandandIcanf ight.
”She
heldupthecondom andpanties.
Herneighborf
rownedst
ari
ngatt
hepant
y.“
That
’s
I
peleng’spant
y.”
Saronasighedwi threli
ef.“
Pleasewarnyour
daughter
, Idon’twanttoseeherf eeti
nmyy ard,i
f
shewant shelpwi t
hherschool sheshouldgot oa
tut
or.Idon’twantt otalkalot,
pleasetal
ktoyour
daughter
.Wheni tcomest omyman, Iwil
lgol
oco,
sheshouldn’ttryme.”Sheputt hecondom and
panti
esdownt henwal kedaway .
“
And?”Agangsai
dassoonasshewal
kedback
i
nsi
dethehouse.
Shesmi
l
edembar
rassed.“
Whatdi
dyouwantmet
o
t
hink?
”
“
Youcoul
dhav
etr
ust
edme.
”
“Iam sorr
y.”Shemumbl edwal ki
ngpasthi
m.She
arrangedherbedroom thenherphonevibr
atedf
rom
thebed.Sher eachedforitandanswer
ed
unbuttoni
ngherbl ouse.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Sar
ona,
kemmago.{
It
’sy
ourmot
her
.}
”
Sar
onaf
rozewi
thapoundi
nghear
t.
“
Sarona,ot
engngwanaka?Sar
onakarekemmago.
{
Areyouther
emychil
d?SaronaIsai
dit’
syour
mother
.}
”
“
Mama…”
“Ehe,Ihavebeenmeani ngtocall
,butIdidn’
tknowi f
Ishouldornotafterevery
thi
ngthathappened.Iam
dyingandIknowIcan’ tdiet
il
lItal
kt oyou.Iam
sorryIneverbel
i
ev edyouorthatInev ert
ookany
actiontoprot
ectyou.Ishouldhavest oodwithyou
wheny ouneededme.Iknowf orgi
vingme…”She
coughed.“Iknowf or
givi
ngmewi l
lprobabl
ynever
happenbutonedaypl easepleasefinditi
ny our
heartt
oforgiv
eme, i
twi l
lsetyoufreefrom allt
he
pai
ny oucarr
y.Iwasn’tthebestparenttoyoubutI
knowy ouarethebestparenttoyourkids.That’
sall
I
wantedtosay.”
Saronacri
edsil
entl
y,notoncehadsheev erdreamt
heari
ngthi
swor dsfr
om hermother,matteroff act
,
shehadjustcancel
edouthermot herandcarriedon
wit
hherlif
easifshewasdead.
“
Your
uinedmyl
i
fe.
”
“Kekopamai
tswar
elongwanake,kedir
il
eposo.{
I
am sor
rymychi
ld,
Imadeami stake.
}”
Saronachuckl
edcryi
ng.“
Youknewwhatwas
happeningt
ome, y
ouheardmecryni
ghtaf
ter
ni
ght.”
“
Kekopamai t
swar
elo.{
Iam aski
ngf
or
f
orgi
veness.
}”
“
Why
?”
“
Iwasscar
ed,scar
edofbei
ngafai
l
ureandscar
ed
t
hati
fIsai
danythi
ngt
henyouandIwoul
dendinthe
str
eets.ButIshoul
dn’thavedonethat.IshouldI
havewentinthestreetsrat
herthansacrif
icingyou.
SaronaIam sorryIshoul
dhavebeenabet terparent
toyou.”
Thecal lcutandSar onacov er
edherf acecr y
ing,the
painfeltfresh,shewonder edaboutthechi l
dshehad
throwni nthepi tl
atr
ine,hadthatchi
ldmadei t?And
shedi d,wherewasshe?Somet i
messhewonder ed
whatshewoul ddoi ftheclockhadt ober eversed.
Shest oodupandwal kedtothebathroom wher eshe
tookof fherclothesandst oodundert heshower
cryingast hewat erwasheddownhert ear
s.

*
***
*

Coll
eenr ubbedherhandst ogetherstari
ngatthe
pregnancyt est.Shestoodupl ookingawayand
pacedaroundherbedr oom beforepeaki ngatt
he
pregnancyt estagain.Asmi l
eslowl ybeganatthe
cornerofherl i
psasshest aredatt hetwodeepr ed
l
ines.Sher eachedf orherphoneandcal ledher
husband.
“
Babe,
Iam aboutt
omeett
hecl
i
ent
.”
“
Iam pr
egnant
.”
“
What
?”
“
Iam pr
egnant
.”
“
Real
l
y?”Theexci
tementf
rom hi
svoi
cewasn’
thar
d
t
omiss.
“
Yes,
Ijustchecked.Iam pr
egnant
.”
“
Yes!
!
Col
l
eenl
aughed.
“
Babewear
egoi
ngt
ohav
eachi
l
d!”
“
Iknow,
Iam car
ryi
ngt
hebaby
.”
“
Iam comi
ngt
her
etomor
row.
”
Col
l
eensmi
l
ed.“
Iwi
l
lwai
t.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Youar
eal
way
swel
come.
”
“
Ilov
eyou,
Iwi
l
lcal
lyoul
ater
?Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Doy oufeel
sick?Icanar
ranget
ocomeback
toni
ght.
”
“
TshepoIam f
ine,
justpr
egnant
,notsi
ck.
”
“
Arey
ousur
e?Doy
ouwantmet
ocomeback?
”
“
No,
fini
sht
her
ethencome.
”
“Ok,Ilovey
ousomuch,youhav
emademet
he
happiestmanonear
th.
”
“
Ilov
eyoumor
e.”
“
Ok,
bye.
”
Shehungupandsi ghedwit
hpur ehappi ness.She
rubbedherf l
atstomachwi thasmi l
e,shejustknew
thi
st i
mei twasgoi ngtobedifferent.Shehada
l
ov i
ngmanbyhersi de,amanpr eparedtodo
anythi
ngf orher
.Hel ov
edher,hel ovedherdaughter
ashisown.Sher ubbedhertearst henstoodupand
walkedtot hegir
l’
sr oom wheretheywer eplayinga
puzzlely
ingont heirbed.
“
Heyguy
s…”
“Weareabouttof
ini
shmommy.”Peosaid
concent
rat
ingont
hegame.Col
l
eensmiledlooki
ng
att
hesi
ster
lybondt
heyhad.
“
Wear
egoi
ngt
ohav
eababy
!”
PeoandAngel
qui
ckl
ytur
nedt
oher
.“Wear
e?”
“
Yeah,
wear
e!”
Theyj
umpedoffthebedl
ooki
ngatherf
latst
omach.
Angel
touchedherbel
l
y.
“
Thebabyi
sinsi
deher
e?”
Col
leennoddedsmi
l
ing.“
Yes,
thebabyi
sinsi
de
her
e.”
“
Whenar
ewegoi
ngt
ogethi
m?”
“
Aft
eral
ongwhi
lePeo,
wearegoingt
owaitf
orhi
m
t
ogrowi
nher
ethenwewil
ltaket
hebay.
”
Thegir
lstouchedherst
omachchat
ti
ngbet
ween
themsel
ves.
“
Wewillcal
lhim Thabi
soorThabi
l
e.Wehav et
wins
i
nmyclass,theyareThabi
soandThabi
l
e.”Peosai
d
wi
thasmi l
e.
“
Canwecal
lherPenel
opemommy
?”
Coll
eensatonthebedwat
chi
nghergi
rlst
ryi
ngt
o
fi
ndtheri
ghtf
ulnamefort
hei
rsi
bli
ng.

*
***
*

Anayalayonthecouchwit
hthegi
rlswatchi
ngthei
r
favor
it
eseri
es.Theyal
lsmil
edasthei
rfavor
it
e
coupl
ekissed.
“
Mommy
,doy
out
hinkshei
sgoi
ngt
odi
e?”
Anay
alookedatI
vy.“
Idon’
tknowbutIdoubt
.”
Rethabi
lesnuggledcl
oserandy
awnedwatchi
ng.
Thetri
owat chedforawhil
emoret
hentheepi
sode
ended.I
vysighed.
“
Mommy
,canwegetmor
eepi
sodes?
”
“Thisseasoni
sfi
nished,wehav
etowai
tfort
he
otherseasont
ober el
eased.
”
“
Shei
sgoi
ngt
obeshott
henshedi
es.
”
Anay
alaughed.“
Shewon’
tbeshot
,shei
ssmar
t.
”
“
Thatev
ilmani
sgoi
ngt
odosomet
hingbadt
oher
.”
Anay al
ookedatRethabil
ewhowasal readysl
eepi
ng.
Shecareful
lystoodupwi t
hherandwal kedwi
thher
tobedbedroom wher eshelayheronthebedand
tuckedherin.I
vywalkedinyawning.
“
Mommy ,areweevergoi
ngt
oseeJay
?Hesai
dhi
s
mom i
srefusi
ng.
”
Anayahel
dherhandsandsmil
ed.“
Yes,
daddyi
s
doi
ngeveryt
hingsot
hathecomes.
”
“
Wil
lhest
aywi
thusf
orev
er?
”
“
Yesbutsomet
imeshewi
l
lgoandseehi
smom.
”
I
vysmi
l
edandhuggedher
.“Il
ovey
oumommy
.”
“
Ilov
eyoumor
esweet
y,geti
nbed.
”
Shecr
awl
edont
hebedandgotundert
hebl
anket
s.
“Lesedi
’smom doesn’
twantmebei
ngfri
endswith
LesedibutLesedi
andIsai
dwewon’tt
ellhert
hatwe
arefri
ends.
”
“
Whydoesn’
tLesedi
’
smom wanty
oubei
ngf
ri
ends
wi
thher
?”
I
vyshr
ugged.“
Idon’
tknow.Lesedi
doesn’
tknow.
”
Anay aki
ssedherf
orehead.“
Ok,welldon’tbecaught
.
May beonedayLesedi
’smom wi l
lseethatyouand
Lesediarereal
l
ygoodfri
ends.”
AnayakissedRethabi
lethenwalkedoutclosingt
he
doorbehindher.Shewalkedt oMil
ler
’sr
oom and
foundMiguelholdi
nghissont othechestl
yingon
thecouch.AnayaslowlypickedMill
erupandput
himinhiscotthenshookMi guel.
“
Babe,
wakeup.
”
Mi
guel
openedhi
sey
est
hensmi
l
edst
ari
ngatAnay
a.
“
Let
’sgoandsl
eep.
”Shewhi
sper
ed.
Theybot
hwal
kedoutandwentt
othei
rbedr
oom.
“
Ispoket
oMar
angt
oday
.”
“
Whatdi
dshesay
?”
“
Sheisst
il
lref
usi
ngbutthat
’snotanissue,
soonhe
wi
ll
beherewithus.Shesai
dshelovedme.”
“
Iknowshedoes.
”
Mi
guel
rai
sedabr
ow.“
Youdo?
”
“Yes,Ij
ustfeelsor
ryforher.Ihopeshedoesn’ tr
uin
thegoodthingshehaswi ththatmanov eryou
becausetrustme,thi
stimeIam notgoingany where.
Iloveyou,somehowIam gr ateful
forev
er y
thingthat
happened,nowweknowi tallandhavelearnedthe
biggestl
essonofallt
ime.”
Miguel
pickedherupt
henshewr
appedherl
egs
ar
oundhim giggl
i
ng.
“
Ilov
eyouMr
s.Mokwena.
”
“
Ilov
eyou,
Mr.Mokwena.
”
Sheki
ssedhi
m ashegent
lyl
ayheront
hebed
get
ti
ngontopofher
.
“Isawy ourwi
ll
.
”Shewhisperedagai
nstherl
ips.“I
didn’tmeant oreadi
tbut
…Iknowwr it
ingawi l
li
st he
smar testthi
ngtodo,wedon’tknowwhattomor r
ow
willbri
ngbut …Idon’
twantanythi
nghappeni
ngt o
you.”
Miguel
smiledandwhisper
edt oher.“
Iknowyou
r
eaditandnothi
ngisgoingtohappent omebutj
ust
i
ncase,youandourki
dswon’ tsuff
er.
”
Anay
abl
ushed.“
Youar
egr
eatf
ather
.”
Hepushedherl
egsapar
t.“
Iknowr
ight
?”
Anayal
aughedburyingherf
aceonhisshoul
der
.
Miguel
kissedherholdi
ngherhandsabov
eherhead.
“
Iwantt
otr
ysomet
hing…y
out
rustmer
ight
?”
Shel
ookedi
nhi
sey
esandnodded.
“
Yes,
compl
etel
y.
”
“
Good.I
t’
sgoi
ngt
obeal
i
ttl
edi
ff
erentbuty
ouwi
l
l
l
ovei
t.
”
Anay anoddedwhi leherbodyr eactedtohi svoi
ce.
Het ookherni ghtdr essandpant i
esof fthenpushed
bothherl egst ohershoul der
sexposi ngher
compl etely.Anay abr eathedheavil
yashebur i
edhis
facether emuf f
ingher .Shemoanedunabl et
omov e
asMi guel ateher ,suckingandl i
ckingtil
lshewas
vibr
ating.Herey esr oll
edt ot
hebackwhi leshecame
aroundhi sf ace.
“
Hol
dyourl
egs,
ify
oul
ett
hem go,
Igoi
ngt
oti
eyou
l
i
ket
hat.
”
Anay
ahel
dherl
egsonhershoul
der
sthenMi
guel
puthismout hbackonhersensi t
ivecl i
tpushinga
fi
ngerinsideher.Shewhi mper edashest art
edagain,
dri
vi
nghert otheedget i
ll
shewasshaki ngand
sweating.Anayatightenedhermuscl est ohol di
tin
butherbodywasnoti nhercont r
ol any more.Tears
surf
acedasshecameagai n.Miguelpushedhi s
pantsdownandhi sdickspr ungoutl andi ngonher
pussyhitti
ngherclit
.Anay ahel dherl egsnot
wantingtoletgo.Mi guelrubbedhi sdi ckonher
pussyandl ookedather .
“
Yout
rustmer
ight
?”
Shenoddedr
eadyf
orany
thi
ng.

*
***
*

Rachelsatonthebedwai t
ingforKennethwit
ha
poundi
nghear t
.Hestil
lwasnoty etbackwit
hRenae.
Shewonder edwhattheverdi
ctwas, washegoingto
l
eaveherorkillher
.Sheputherhandst oget
herina
pray
ingmannerandcl osedhereyes.
“FatherIam asinner,Ihavewr ongedy ouandpeopl e
whoIl ove.Iam backedupi nacor nerandIdon’ t
knowwhatt odoorwhot oturnt obutIl eaveitalli
n
yourhands.Takecont r
olofthesi t
uation,protectmy
daughterandI .Wehav enoonebuty ou.“Tear s
fi
ll
edherey esanddr oppedtohercheeks.“ Pl
ease
keepmydaught ersafewherev ershei s,keepmy
husbandsaf e.Ilovehim somuch, Ihav ewronged
him andhedi dn’tdeserv
eit,
pleasegi v ehimthe
strengthtodeal wit
hthestorm comi nghi sway .IfI
am notmeantt obewi t
hhim, pleasebl esshim wi t
h
agoodwoman.Amen. ”
Shestoodupandbrokedowncr y
ing.Hewasn’
t
goi
ngt of
orgi
veher
,thatsheknew.Herphoner
ang
andshejumpedanswering.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hey
,it
’sLone.
”
“
Hey
…”
“
Arey
ouok?
”
“
Ithi
nkhef
oundout
.Iam scar
ed.
”
“
Kennet
h?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Hei
snotv
iol
entsohewi
l
lpr
obabl
ylety
ougo.
”
“
Ilov
ehi m,
Idon’
twantt
olosehi
m,hei
smyonl
y
f
amily.
”
“
No,heisnot
.Youhav
eyourdaught
ernowt
oo.You
wi
ll
neverbeal
one.
”
“
Hei
sgoi
ngt
odi
vor
ceme.
”
Rachel
hear
dthemai
ndooropeni
ngt
hencl
osi
ng.
“
Hei
sher
e.”
“
Cal
lmeandt
ell
mehowi
twent
.”
Shehungupandwai t
ed.Kennet
hwalkedi
nseconds
l
aterwi
thhisdaught
er.Herhai
rwasdoneandshe
washoldi
ngball
oons.
“Mama!”Shescr
eamed,
Rachelwal
kedtowardsher
andtookheri
nherar
mshugginghert
ight
ly.She
l
ookedatKennet
hwonderi
ngwhathewast hinki
ng.
“
Mal
vi
ncamet
omyof
fi
ceear
li
eron.
”
Rachel
swal
l
owedhar
dhol
dingherdaught
ert
ight
ly.
“Andhesai dhedoesn’tevenknowy out hatmucht o
havesl eptwithyou.Matteroffact,
heev eninv i
ted
ust ohisweddi ngandapologizedforhismot her’s
doings.It’
sbeenbot heri
ngmehowev er
y onecan
seet hatthischil
dlooksnothi
ngl i
keme.Atf irstI
didn’twantt oseewhattheywer eseeingbutI
actuall
yst art
edseeingit
.Shei stooli
ght.”
Tear
srandownRachel
’
scheeksl
i
keanopent
ap.
“Shel ooksnothinglikeme.IranDNAt estst
oday,
mat teroffact,IaskedVincetomakesur eIrecei
ve
myr esultstoday .
”Heheldouttheenvelopeforher
andshehesi t
antlytookitandsatdownont hebed
withRenei openingit.Sheslowl
yreadandbr oke
downi nt
oal oudsobcr yi
ng.Renaelookedather
mot herasshecr i
ed.
“
Mama…”
Rachelputherdownandcover
edherf
acewithher
handscryi
ng.Kennet
hstar
edatherdi
sappoi
ntedi
n
hi
mselfandhuggedher.
“
Iam sor
rybabe.Ishoul
dhav
etr
ust
edy
ou.
”
Rachelcr
iedhar
derwet
ti
nghi
schestwhi
l
eRenae
watchedtear
ful
l
y.
“
Ipr
omi
se,
nomor
edoubt
ingy
ou.
”
Rachelnoddedfai
li
ngtocont
rolhersobs,she
couldn’
tbel
iev
eit,
Renaewashis.Shesilent
ly
thankedGod.

*
***
*

Yaonewentt hroughherweddi ngpicturessi

tti
ngin
hercar ,i
thadbeensev eny ear
sandPul esti
lldi
dall
thethingshedi dwhent heyfir
stmet .Hehad
acceptedt hatshecouldn’tgi
vehi m kidsandnever
pressuredheroni t.Heletherraisehi ski
dsasifshe
hadgiv enbirt
ht othem andhiskidsl ovedherasif
shewer ethei
rmot her
.Yaonepi ckedherphoneand
call
edherAunt .
“
Yay
a…”
Yaonesmi
l
ed.“
Aunt
y,”
“
What
’swr
ong?Iknowy
ouonl
ycal
lwhensomet
hing
i
swr
ong.
”
Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.“
Ineedy
ouri
nput
.”
“
Whati
sit
?Tal
ktome.
”
“Pul
edidsomet hi
nglongago, somethingsohorri
ble.
Peoplefoundoutday sbackandtheyhav eshunned
him.Iam embarrassedtoo,andIdon’tknowwhatt o
do.PeoplearegoingtosayIam stayingwithaman
who-“
“Holditr
ightther
e,peopl
e?Soy
oudot
hingst
o
pleasepeople?”
“
Idon’
twantt
oseem asi
fIsuppor
twhathedi
d.”
“
Whenyoumarri
edthatman,y
ouvowedtoalway
s
l
ovehi
m,t
hroughthi
ckandthi
n.Di
dn’
tyou?
”
“
Idi
dbut
-“
“Nobutsmygi
rl
.Ordi
dyousaythatt
opl
easepeopl
e?
Didyoumar
ryhi
mt opl
easepeopl
e?”
Yaoneshookherhead.“
No.
”
“
Exact
ly,
yousai
dallthatbecauseyoul
ovedhi
m.Let
metel
lyousomethi
ng,thatmental
i
tyofwhatwi
ll
peoplet hi
nki st hereasonmostpeopl ear eunhappy .
Peoplewi llalway stalk,eit
heryouar edoi ngbador
good, peoplewi l
lalway shavesomet hingt osay .
Theywi l
lalway shav esomet hingtot alkabout .Ifyou
l
iveforpeopl ey ouwi l
lneverbehappy .Youhav e
alsoturnedhi sbackonhi m becausey ouar et ryi
ng
topleasepeopl ewhodon’ tevenpayy ourr entor
contri
but eany thingtoy ourli
fe.Tomor rowwheny ou
aremi serableandal one,thosepeopl ewon’ tbet here
comf orti
ngy oubutt heywi l
lbetalki
ng.Asusual .
TodayTheodor ai snotspeakingt ome, Idid
somet hingbackt henbecauseIwasaf r
ai dofwhat
peoplewoul dsayandt odaymyonl ydaught eri snot
onspeaki ngt ermswi thmeandt heyar enott here.
It
’sbeent woy ear snowandIhav en’tseenher ,don’t
l
ivethatl i
fe.Year stocome, youwi l
lregr etit.Aman
l
ov eawomanwi t
hast and, awomanwhowoul d
standwi thhi m, adependabl ewomanandwheny ou
proveot herwise, hewi l
lleaveandf i
ndsomeonewi th
thosef eatures.”
Yaonewipedawayhert
ears.“Ther
eisthi
sgi
rl
…she
i
sbeauti
fulandshewasathisoffi
ce.
”
“See?Yes, hemayhav edonesomethinghor
ri
ble,I
am notgoi ngtoaskyoutotell
mebecause
somet i
mesmar r
iageaff
air
sarenotmeantfor
everyone,standwithhi
m becauseyouarehi
swi f
e.
Hei sthehead,youaretheneck.Youneedeach
other.
”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
It
’sokmygi
rl
,howi
syourmot
her
?”
“
Mamai
sst
il
lmama.
”
“
Andy
oursi
ster
?”
“
Shei
sfi
ne,
shegotaj
obatt
hesaf
ari
.”
“
That
’sgood.
”
“
Iwi
l
ltal
ktoTheodor
aify
ouwant
.”
“Nomybaby ,
it’
sok.Shewillcomear ound,shehas
everyri
ghttobehavethatway .Icausedalotof
damagei nherli
febywhatIdi d.Sheishurtand
broken.Shewillcomearound.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Bye.
”
Yaonehungupandst eppedoutofthecar.Shegot
i
nherhouseandwasi mmediatel
ymetbyamout h
wateri
ngaroma.Shecouldhearherkid’
sv oices
from t
hedoorastheylaughed.Wit
hslowst rides,
shemadeherwayt othekitchenwherehef ound
Mapulacooki
ngwi t
hhisfatherwhil
eJuniorcut
tomatoes.
“
Mommywear
ecooki
ng.
”
Pul
ebr
ief
lyl
ookedathert
henbackathi
spotst
ir
ri
ng.
“
Yeah,
wear
e.”
“
That
’sni
ceMapul
a.”
ShelookedatPul ewhowasi gnori
nghert hensmil
ed
putt
ingherhandbagdown.“ Iwil
lhelp.”Shepull
ed
backhersleevesthengotthechoppingboar dfr
om
Juni
or .Thef
ami l
ycookedtogetherthenanhour
l
ater,YaonedishedasPuleandt hekidscleanedup.
“Guys,youcangoandsetupthet
able.
”Shesai
d
fi
nishi
ngup.Theybot
hwalkedoutthenshel
ooked
athim.
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Pul
elookedatherforawhil
ethenhuggedher
ki
ssi
ngherforehead.“
Iknewyouwouldcome
ar
ound.”
Sheheldhi
mt i
ghter
.“Theyareangryri
ghtnowbutI
am sur
etheywil
lcomear ound.I
ftheydon’
ttheny
ou
wil
lhaveme.”
Pul
esmi
l
edst
ari
ngather
.“Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Theywal
kedoutwi
tht
hepl
atesandsatdowneat
ing
asafami
ly.
.
.
.
[
7/14,
08:
12]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#108

Marangstar
edatBryanasheworkedonapaint
ing,
shedidn’
tevenknowwheret
ostartorwhatt
oev en
say.
“
Canwet
alk?
”
Br
yanr
aisedhi
sheadandl
ookedather
.
“
Whatdoy
ouwant
?Ihav
espokent
omyl
awy
er.
”
“
Iam sor
ryf
orwhaty
ouhear
d.”
“
Thet
rut
h?”
“No,
Ijustsai
ditbecauseIdon’
twanthi
mtot
akemy
son.
”
“Yousaidyoudon’ tlovemeandt haty oulovehim.I
am notstupidMarang, allthis…i t
’snotwor ki
ngif
youarenothappy .Ilovey oubuti fyoudon’ tfeelt
he
samet henIam goi ngtohav et ofi
ndsomeonewho
l
ov esmeasmuchasIl ov
et hem.Ir eall
ythoughtby
nowwewoul dbeatacomf ortabl
est agebutIguess
withyoustil
lwantingy ourexwhocl earl
ydoesn’t
wanty ouwewillnev ergett othatst age.”
“Idon’
twantMi guel.Hef
eelsbi gwhenIsaythings
l
ikethatandthat’
swhyIsai di
t .Ij
ustwanttokeep
myson, Idon’
twanthi m,
mat teroffact
,Ineverlov
ed
himtobeginwith.itwasjustwi l
dsexandthat’
sall.
”
Br
yanchuckl
edwi
thdi
sbel
i
ef.“
Iact
ual
l
ycan’
t
bel
i
evet
his.
”
“Beli
evei
t.Iloveyou,whyonearthwouldIsti
l
l want
someoneIl astsl
eptwithoveragesago?It
’sj
ust
thatasamot her,
Iam boundt odoanythi
ngformy
chil
d.Hesentmet hi
s…”Shegav ehi
mt heenvelope.
“Ij
ustwantt obeabletokeepmyson. ”
“Soyout
ell
himy
oul
ovehi
mthenhewi
l
ljustl
eti
t
go?”
“
Yeah.
”
“
Youmustt
hinkIam af
ool
.”
“Well
,i
fyouwantt oleav
eme, i
t’
sokBryan.Imean,
thi
sisourfi
rstfi
ghtandy ouar
ealr
eadytal
king
div
orce.I
t’
snotthatIcheatonyouwhichIcould
becauseIam sexual
lystarv
ed.
”
“
What
?”
“Yes,sogoaheadandl eaveme.Iam notgoingto
begy ou.Youbarelymakemecum, Inevercum with
you,IhavetopretendandIhavebeenpretendi
ngfor
twoy earsnow.Youdon’tdofourpl
ay,y
oudon’ tt
ake
yourtimeknowingmybodyandwhati tneeds.You
onlydowhatbenef i
tsyou.Ther eisnot hi
ngwr ong
withasmal ldickbuty oushoul dknowhowt ousei t
.
Withy ouit’
sli
keIam hav ingsexwi thaki d.And
whenIam begi nningtoenj oymy self,
y oucum.I
don’tknowwhatmakesy out hinkIam sat i
sfi
ed
becauseIam nev ersatisfi
ed.Ihav ebeen
mast abati
ngforal ongtimet ogett othatplaceI
havet oreachbecausey ouj ustcan’ttakemet here.
I
t’sannoy i
ngsol eav eifyouwant .Iam donewi t
h
thi
sconv ersat
ion.Iwi l
l t
akecar eofmysonandI .”
Marangwalkedoutofhi
spai
nti
ngr
oom asher
phonerang.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
it’
sMi
a.”
“
Ohhey
!Howar
eyou?
”
“Iam fi
ne,i
t’
sCyni
ahpart
yonweekendandIt
hought
Icouldinv
itet
hegooddoctorwhosav
edherf
ather
twice.
”
Mar
angsmi
l
ed.“
Iwi
l
ltr
ytocome.
”
“
Youshoul
d,Jar
ulewi
l
lbesohappyt
oseey
ou.
”
“
Yougotbackt
oget
her
?”
“
Wegotmar
ri
ed.
”
“
That
’sgr
eat
.Justkeephi
m outoft
roubl
e.”
“
Iwi
l
l,t
hanky
ousomuch.
”
“
Iwasj
ustdoi
ngmyj
ob.
”
“Youdidmor
ethany
ourj
ob,
wewi
l
lfor
everbe
grat
eful
.”
“
Thanks.
”
“
Bye.
”
Maranghungupandwal kedinherson’
sroom.Jay
t
urnedtolookatherl
ookingupfrom hi
sbook.
“Iwantt
otalkt
odaddy
,yousai
dIwoul
dspeakt
o
himyest
erday.
”
“
Daddyi
sbusyJay
.”
“
Heisnotbusy
,Iknowhi
m.Whydoy
ouhat
ehi
m so
much?
”
“
Jay
…”
“
Youhat
ehi
m!Youhat
eIv
y’smom,
youhat
e
ev
ery
one.Idon’
tli
key
ou!
”
“
Juni
orweh!Ket
lagobet
sa.{
Iwi
l
lbeaty
ou.
}”
“
Idon’
tcar
e!Iwi
shy
ouwer
enotmymot
her
!”
“
Whatdi
dyouj
ustsay
?”
Tearsfl
oodedLethabo’sfaceashespoket oher .“
I
wishyouwerenotmymot her.Iwi
shAnayawasmy
mother.Shel
ovesev er
yone, shedoesn’
tstopme
fr
om talki
ngt
odaddy ,shel ovesme.Ihat
ey ou
becauseyouhatemeandt hat’
swhyyouwon’tlet
mespeakt omyf at
her.”
Marangtookastepbackst
ari
ngathi
m cr
ying.
“Let
habo,Iam y
ourmother
.Youonl
yhaveonemom
andthat
’sme.”
“No!Youarenotmymotherany
more.Iwantt
ogo
back,Idon’
twantt
ostayher
ewithy
ouanymore
becauseyouareevi
l.
”
“
Juni
or…”
“Ihat
eyou!
”Hescreamedcryi
ng.“
Ihatey
ou!You
areabadpersonl
i
keQuinsy
’smother!
”
Shegotmor
eweakashescr
eamedt
hent
urnedand
walkedout.Shesatinherbedroom ont
hebedand
coveredherfacecryingsi
l
entl
y.Herownsonhated
her
, helov
edanot herwoman.Thedooropenedand
Bry
anwal kedin.Hesatbesideherandpul
ledheri
n
hi
sar ms.
“Heisj ustbei ngachil
d, youshouldlethim bewi t
h
hisfather .WhenIwashi sage,mypar entshad
separatedandmymot hertookinmeandRy an.She
wouldr efusef orustogoandseehi m, somet imes
hewoul dcomeandwewoul dwav eathimt hr ough
thewindowbecausemymot herwoul dberef using.
Don’tbet hatparentbecauset i
ll
today,Isti
lldespi se
mymot herfordoingthatt ous.Shewasusi ngusf or
herownper sonalfi
ghts.Lethim gotohisfather .”
Shel
ookedathi
m andnodded.
“Iam sorr
ythatyouar esexuallyunsati
sfi
ed, Ihave
alwaysknownIhadapr oblem butwhenyoudi dn’
t
sayany t
hingIthoughtIwasf i
ne,It
houghty ouwer e
happywi t
hoursexl i
fe.Ilov eyouandIknowwhat
sexualfr
ustrat
ioncandot osomeone.Iam gl adyou
neverthoughtofcheatingonme, Iam goi
ngt oget
help,
forus.Andy ouar eright,
Ican’tbescreami ng
di
vor
cei
nourf
ir
stf
ight
.Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Met
oo.
”

*
***
*

LoneandRachelsatonthegardenchairsatLone’
s
backyar
dst
ari
ngatherbeautif
ul sweetsmell
ing
col
oredgar
denlateint
hemor ning.
“
Wow!Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Iknow,
Ireal
l
ywor
kedhar
dtoachi
evet
his.
”
“
Youshoul
dopenaf
lowershop.
”
“Iam goi
ngt
o,Iam justl
ookingf
orf
undi
ngt
ost
art
gardeni
ngonabiggerarea.
”
“
Youcant al
ktoAnay
a,y
ouknowshel
oves
i
nvest
ing.
”
“Iknowshedoesandshewi
llpr
obablyl
ovethei
dea
becauseshel
ovesmoneybutIdon’
tli
keher
.Inever
did.
”
Rachel
lookedatherandl
aughed.“
Wow!
”
“Iknow, shei snotabadper son,sheisniceandki nd
andf i
ercebutIst i
ll
don’ tli
keher .Nothi
ngper sonal.I
willf
orev erdisli
keher .Herdaught erisfr
iendswi t
h
Lesedi,atf i
rstIreal
lywant edt hatfri
endshiptoend
butnowIam j ustgoingt oletitbe,t
hisday sLesedi
i
spassi onat eaboutherschool workbecauseofI vy.”
“
Shei
sst
il
lsl
ow?
”
“Yeahbutit’
sbecauseshehasdy slexi
a.Ir
eally
thoughtshewasj ustst
upidti
l
l herteachersentme
anemai lexpl
aini
nghercondit
ionl astni
ght.Iguess
i
t’sathingsoIhav etostar
tgi
v i
nghermor e
attent
ion.
”
“Wehav eawokerwhohasdy slexi
a,sheisour
graphi
cdesigner
.Icantal
ktohersot hatyouguy
s
cantal
k,sheisslowbutverysmart.
”
“
Youcandot
hat
.Youmustbehappy
.”
Rachel
sighedwit
hasmi l
e.“It
rul
ybeli
evedt
hat
maybehewasi nf
ert
il
e,Iwassoscared.
”
“
Hemustbehappyt
oo,
nownot
hingany
onewi
l
lsay
wi
l
lmakehi
mthi
nkot
her
wise.
”
“
Iknow.Nomor
echeat
ing.
”
“
Bamehasachi
l
doutt
her
e.”
“
Hecheat
?”
“No.Sheis12.Hesaidwhenhef oundoutshewas
pregnant,
hefoundoutshewascheat i
ng.Aft
erthe
babywasbor n,DNAt est
swer eranandt heyproved
shewasn’thi
schi l
d.Nowt hiswomanshowedupt en
yearslat
ercl
aimingthechildishis.Bamehasbeen
supporti
ngherbehindmyback. ”
“
Whydi
dn’
thet
ell
youwhenhef
oundout
?”
“
Cany
oubel
i
evehesay
shewasscar
ed?
”
“Thatwaswr
ong,hewasn’
ttr
ansparentbutwhati
f
hetrul
ywasj
ustscar
ed?Yourreact
iontothewhol
e
matternowi
swhathewasscaredof .
”
“Whatifsheisnothis?Imeanwhoonearth
sur
facesaftert
eny earsofsayi
ngt
hechi
ldisy
our
s
nowwhenbackt henthechil
dwasn’
thi
s?”
“Hewrongedy
oubutthiswomanwasprobabl
y
pray
ingBamewassti
l
l si
ngl
eandshei
s
di
sappoi
ntedhei
smar r
ied.Nowshei sprobabl
y
smil
i
ngknowingyouarefighti
ng.Someti
mes
marr
iagei
saboutfor
giveness.
”
“
Whati
fhewassl
eepi
ngwi
thher
?”
“Heisst
il
lyourman.Nowt hatheletyouinwhat ’
s
goi
ngon,handleitl
ikeawomanofcl ass.Don’tenter
scr
eamingcontestswit
hher,takei
tli
keal ady
.”
Lone’
sphonev
ibr
atedf
rom besi
deherandshet
ook
i
t.
+13622FNBP10000hasbeenpaidint
oyour
savi
ngspocket
…295263@ cel
l
phonebanki
ng.
Ref.
Bame.
Herphonei
mmedi
atel
yrangandsheanswer
ed.
“
Hi…”
“Thatisforbuyi
ngtheseedsandt
hefl
ower
s.Ihave
securedalandforthegarden,
Iwi
l
lcomeandcoll
ect
yousot hatyoucancomeandsee.”
Lonesmi
l
ed.“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eyou,
Iwi
l
ltal
ktoy
oul
ater
.”
Hehungupt
henLonel
ookedatRachel
.
“
Iguesswear
emov
ingf
orwar
d.”
“
See,
nowy
oushoul
dacceptt
hatchi
l
d,shei
syour
s
t
oo.
”
Lonesi
ghedt
hought
ful
l
y.

*
***
*

Theodorasteppedoutofhercari
nahalt
ercutout
bodycondressandwhitesneaker
s.Shel
ockedher
carwalki
nginsidethei
nter
netcaf
é.Shestoppedt
he
recept
ionandsmi l
ed.
“
Hey
…”
“
Hi,
apackagecamef
ory
ouear
lyi
nthemor
ning.
”
“
Mine?
”
“
Yes.
”
Therecept
ioni
sthandedherasi
ngl
erosewi
tha
not
e.
“
Thanks.
”
Theodoramadeherwayt
oherof
fi
ceandopened
thenote.

‘
Iam sti
l
lgoingt
ohav
eyouchar
ged.May
beov
er
di
nner?Motheo.
’

Shesmil
edandsatdown,
herphoner
angandshe
answer
ed.
“
Hi,
”
Theodor
asmi
l
edev
enmor
e.“
Wher
edi
dyougetmy
number?”
“
Ihav
emyway
s.So,
dinner
?”
“
Whoar
eyou?
”
“
Justar
ural
boyf
rom Mol
epol
ole.
”
“
Whatdoy
ouwor
kas?
”
Mot
heol
aughed.“
Iam j
ustadr
iver
.”
“
Whodoy
oudr
ive?
”
“
Someonehi
ghi
nthegov
ernmenthi
erar
chy
,di
nner
?”
“
Ihav
eachi
l
d,aboy
.”
“
SodoI
.agi
rl
.Compl
etef
ami
l
ydon’
tyout
hink?
”
Theodor
alaughed.“
Nope,
Iam si
ck.
”
“
So?Yout
akey
ourmedsaccor
dingl
yri
ght
?”
“
Yes.Myv
iral
loadi
slow.
”
“
Per
fect
.Di
nner
?”
Shesmi
l
edsmel
l
ingt
her
ose.“
Ok.
”
“
Ok,
sowecangooutorjustst
ayi
ndoor
s,what
ever
y
ouwant
,Iam donef
ori
t.
”
“
Iwantt
ogof
oral
ongdr
ive.
”
“Iam al
sodownfort
hatt
oo.Whatt
imecanIcome
andpickyouup?
”
“
Fiv
e-i
sh.
”
“
Ok,
Iwi
l
lbet
her
e.”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungwit
hahugegri
nthenquickl
ytext
ed
Chri
sti
anbef
oreput
ti
ngherphoneaway.
*
***
*

Ayanasi
ppedonherdri
nkduri
ngherlunchbr
eak
thent
ookoutherphoneandcal
ledLal
ah.
“
Aya…”
“
Whati
sgoi
ngon?
”
Lal
ahl
aughed.“
Wit
hwhat
?”
“
Thatol
dsexyman,
goshhei
sadzaddy
,wher
edi
d
y
oumeethim?”
“Somewheresomewher
e,hei
ssohot
,andt
hatgr
ey
hair
…Jesus!”
“
Nowondery
ouhav
ebeenkeepi
nghi
m asecr
et.
”
“Heisacatch,helosthi
swif
efiveyear
sago.Ican’t
bel
ieveIam actual
lysay
ingt
hisbutGodbroughtthi
s
manf orme.”
“
Howol
dis?
”
“
62.
”
“
Hel
ooks45onl
ywi
tht
hegr
eyhai
r.
”
“Hisgamei sthatofatwentyf
iveyearold.Ayana
thatmancanf uck.Hewillf
uckyouthroughoutthe
night
,ti
llyoufeelasi
fyourpussyi
sf al
li
ngt othe
ground.IneverknewIcouldsquar
ttil
lImethi m.”
“
Ilov
ehi
m al
ready
,hel
ooksl
i
key
ourt
ype.
”
“Heis.Hei
srel
ocati
ngtoFranceandyour
str
ulyi
s
goi
ng.Iwil
lbel
ivi
nginPar
is.Bonj
our,
commentvas-
tu?
”
“
Fri
endoooo!
”
“Idon’
tplay
.Hisdaught
erhat
esmebutshel
i
kesi
t
ornot,Iam goi
ngtobeherst
epmot
her.
”
“
Iam happyf
ory
ou.
”
“Iam t
oo,
hei
sgoi
ngt
obuymeacar
.Myf
avor
it
e
car.
”
“
Thi
sol
dmani
stheone.
”
Theyl
aughed.
“Hei
s,hest
il
lwant
stokeepourrelat
ionshi
plowkey
ashesecur
esacert
aindeal
fir
st.
”
“
Don’
twor
ry,
Iwon’
ttel
lasi
ngl
esoul
.”
“
Thanks.
”
Ayanafrownedstar
ingatRefi
lwepassingher.She
putherdri
nkdownput t
ingherphoneinherpocket
andranafterher
.Shegrabbedherel
bowt urni
ngher
thenl
aughed.
“
Wow!Ther
esembl
ancei
str
ulyuncanny
.”
Oshadi
star
edatherconf
used.“
Excuseme?
”
“
Youar
eRef
il
we’
ssi
sterar
en’
tyou?
”
Oshadi
tri
edr
unningbutAyanagrabbedher
.“Wher
e
doyouthi
nkyouarerunni
ngto?
”
“
Whoar
eyou?
”
“
Anay
a’ssi
ster
.”
Fearrefl
ect
edi nhereyes.“Look,Iam sorr
yabout
whathappenedi nsideherhousebutIt ol
dthem not
tothentheydid.Itwasmyf riendwhocameupwi th
theideatoscareAnay asot hatshecangivememy
sist
er’
scompany .”
Ay
anal
aughed.“
Soy
ouhadpeopl
ebr
eaki
ntomy
si
ster
’shouse?
”
“
Itwasn’
tme.
”
“I
fyoumesswi thmysi sterorcomeany wherenear
herki
ds,thatincludesRet habi
le,
Iwil
lhaveyoukill
ed
andthr
owni nadi t
chwher enoonewil
leverfi
ndy ou.
Trymeandy ouwi l
lsee,Iwi l
lgodownanydirtyroad
formysister
.”
“
Iam sor
ry.
”
“
Tel
lyourf
ri
endsheshoul
dbecar
eful
.”
OshadiranoffasAyanashookherheadandtook
herphonefrom herpockett
hendi
aledAnay
a.
“
Aya,
Iam get
ti
ngi
nai
mpor
tantmeet
ing.
”
“Ibumpedi
ntoRef
il
we’
ssi
ster
,shebr
okei
ntoy
our
house.
”
“
Iknow,sheisgoi
ngtojai
l
.Canyoubel
ievesheev
en
madeTatendabel
iev
ethehousei
shaunted.
”
Ayanalaughed.“Isawherawhi
l
eagoandIt
hought
Refi
lwewasal i
ve.”
“
Shei
sdeadt
hatone.Don’
twor
ryaboutOshadi
,I
spoketoherpar entsi
nthemor ni
ngandIt hi
nk
Rethabil
e’
sgr andmotherwenttothepol
ice.Oshadi
i
sgoi ngtoj
ail,busydemandingRefi
lwe’
shar d
earnedbusiness.”
“
Whoi
srunni
ngt
hebusi
ness?
”
“Miguelhassomeonerunni
ngit
.It
’sf
orRet
habi
l
e,
everycenthermot
herhadwill
gotoher.
”
“
That
’sgood.
”
“Ihavetogo,
andy
es…Ihear
dyouar
emar
ri
ed,
Mrs.
David.
”
Ay
anal
aughedner
vousl
y.“
Youwer
etaki
ngl
ong.
”
“
Iam sor
ry,
inf
ivemonthsti
me,
Iwoul
dbemar
ri
ed,
y
oucanhaveyourst
hen.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”
“
Bye.
”
AnayahungupasAy anawal
kedbackt
oherdri
nk.
Shetookitandwalkedbacki
nsidet
hehospi
tal
from
theoutdoorsi
ppi
ng.
*
***
*

AtNaguel I
nvest
ments,Anayawalkedi
nsi
det he
boardroom i
naroyalbl
uecustom madesuitand
ki
ll
erheelsthensmil
edbrief
lyatt
heroom f
ullof
men, shesatdownandlookedatthem.
“
Goodaf
ter
noongent
lemen,
wecanst
art
.”
“
Wewer esupposedt
omeetwithMr.Mokwena.
”A
mansai
dandAnay al
ookedathi
m wit
hherhandson
t
hetabl
e.
“Di
dhesendy out
ost
andi
nforhi
m?Weneededhi
m
speci
fi
cal
l
y.”
“No,youaremeetingwi thme, MsShato.Thi
sismy
companyandy ouwi l
lonlymeetwi thme.Nowcan
wegetbackatt hemat terinhand,per
hapsifyouare
notcomfortabl
e,t
aker oadandmakedustqui etl
y,do
notdi
sturbme.Ihatedi sturbance.
”
“Doyouevenknowwhaty
ouaredoi
ng?Noof
fense,
butweneedsomeonewho-“
“
Youneedaman?Becausehei
smor
e
understanding?”Sheaskedcal ml ywithastraight
face.“Youar esobackwar dIdon’tknowwhaty ou
aredoingher e.Irunthisbusinessandal otmor e,I
canbuyy ourenti
relife,t
hat’
sjusthowi mpor tantI
am.Iam awomany esbutIknowandunder stand
mor ethany ouunder standandknow.Youar eher e,
i
nmybul ding,sit
tingonmychai rdri
nkingmywat er,
thatshouldt el
lyoual ot.Andmay benexttimey ou
wouldl i
ket obuyar eal r
olexnotthatfakethingon
yourhand. ”
Themanswal
l
owedandl
ookeddownembar
rassed.
“
Any
thi
ngel
se?Thedoori
sopen.
”
Noonesai
dany
thi
ng.
“
Right
!Backt
obusi
ness.
”

Themeet
ingendedandthemenwal kedoutexpect
onewhowalkeduptoherandshookherhand.
“
Ithi
nkIam goi
ngt
olov
edoi
ngbusi
nesswi
thy
ou.
Youar
efocused,
Ili
ket
hat
.”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
Thanky
ou.
”
“AndIli
kehowy
ouputt
hatasswhorei
npl
ace.You
arearol
emodelt
oalot
,keepi
tup.”
Hewal
kedoutasAnayapackedhert
hingsand
madehert
othepar
kingl
otanddrovetoOsWorld.
Shef
oundKel
l
ywai
ti
ngf
orhert
henl
aughed.
“
Kel
l
y…”
“
Arat
wadr
ivest
hecompanycar
?”
Theybot
hwal
kedi
nsi
deherof
fi
cel
aughi
ng.
“
Yeah,
shedoesn’
tli
ket
hedr
iver
.”
“
Inev
erdr
oveacar
.”
“
Obat
laengKel
l
y?{
Whatdoy
ouwantKel
l
y?}
”
Theybot
hsatdownasKell
yhandedheranenv
elope
wit
hacheque.Anay
atookoutt
hechequeand
fr
owned.
“
Whati
sthi
s?”
“
Imanagedt
osav
ewhaty
oubor
rowedme.
”
“
Idon’
twanti
tback.
”
“No,Iwanttogi
veitback.Youhel
pedmewhenI
neededhelpandIam repayi
ngyou.
”
“
It
’sok,
howi
swor
k?”
“
Worki
sfi
ne,
Ithi
nkmybossi
sgoi
ngt
opr
omot
e
me.
”
“
Goodl
uck.
”
“
Yeah.
”Kel
lyleanedbackonthechai
rputt
ingher
l
egsonAnaya’stabl
e.“
It
’sgoodbei
ngfri
endswit
h
y
ourboss’
sboss’sboss.Thebi
gboss.”
Anay
alaughed.“St
opi
t!Putyourf
eetdown.Let
’sgo,
l
astt
imeyoust ol
emystapl
er.”
Kell
ylaughed.“
Anay
ayouhadf
ourst
apl
ersony
our
tabl
e.”
“
Ngng,
let
’sgo.Youar
easmal
lti
met
hief
.”
Thecor
dlessphoner
angandAnay
aanswer
ed.
“
Yes?
”
“
Bossl
ady
,pl
easecomedownher
e.”
“
Ever
ythi
ngok?
”
“
Yes.
”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Shepul
l
edKellyupfr
om hersi
tandt
oget
hert
hey
wal
kedinsi
sdetheel
evat
or.
“
Iwon’
tleav
eyoual
onesoy
oucanst
eal
.”
“
Anay
aIam notat
hief
.”
“
Idon’
ttr
usty
ou.
”
Theel
evat
ordoor
ssli
dopenandtheysteppedout
l
aughi
ng.Anay
awalkedov
ertotherecept
ion.
“
Whati
sit
?”
“
MsShat
o?”
Anayaturnedtoadeliv
erymanhol di
ngahuge
bouqetofroses,eachwrappedwithmoney.She
l
aughedassomemoneyf el
l.Workersst
opped
taki
ngtheirphonesouttaki
ngvideos.
“
Henev
erget
sti
red.
”
Anay
alaughedev
enmor
e.“
Nope,
hedoesn’
t,
ist
his
ev
enst
il
lat
hing.
”
“Moneyisalwaysathing.
”Thedeli
veryguysai
d
smili
ng.Anayatookthefr
eshsmel l
i
ngf l
ower
s
smili
ngasmor eworkersstoppedstar
ingwhi
le
recor
ding.

*
***
*

Meanwhil
e, somewhereintheworld,
awoman
walkedi
nsideherhouseescapingthecoldout
side.
Shetookadeepbr eathtaki
ngoffhercotandwalked
tothesi
tt
ingr oom wher
ehersonwaswi ththe
nanny.
“
Oh,
MsGi
vens,
youar
eback.
”
Thewomansmil
edstari
ngatherson.“
Yes,
thank
youf
orl
ooki
ngaft
erhim.It
oldyou,cal
lme
Samant
ha.
”
“
OkSamant
ha,
byeQui
nton.
”
Qui
ntonsmi
ledwavi
ng.ThenannywalkedoutasMs
Gi
venssmil
edst
ari
ngatherson’sdr
awing,hewas
act
ual
l
ytal
ent
ed.
“
Mommy
,whenar
ewegoi
ngbackhome?
”
“
Thi
sisournewhomesweet
y.”
“
Whataboutdaddyandourot
herf
ami
l
y?”
“Youwil
lseeDaddywheny ouareol
der
,ri
ghtnowwe
havet
ost ayher
e,r
emember ,i
fwegotodaddy,
somethi
ngbadwi l
lhappen.
”
“
Idon’
twantany
thi
ngbadhappeni
ngt
ohi
m.”
“
Ial
sodon’
t.Wewi
l
lst
ayher
e.”
“
Ok.
”
Hersonturnedbacktohi sdrawi
ngasMsGi vens
walkedtoherbedroom whereshetookherphone
andcall
edacertai
ncont act.
“
Hey
…”
“
Hi,
thanky
ou.Ir
ecei
vedt
hepi
ctur
es.
”
“I
t’sok,wehavebeenf
ri
endsf
orages.Iwoulddo
any t
hingf
oryou,
nowIam gl
adyouhaveaf r
esh
start
.”
“
Met
oo,
bye.
”
“
Becar
eful
.Thi
stimearoundIwon’
tbet
her
etopul
l
y
ououtofabur
ninghouse.”
Shel
aughed.“
Iwi
l
lbev
erycar
eful
,thanks.
”
Shehungupt hensi ghedsitt
ingdownopeni ngt he
pict
ur esherfriendhadsenther .shelookedather
daught erwhil
et ear sblur
redherey es.I
fonlyshe
couldt akebackt hehandsoft i
me, shewoul dhave
reacteddi f
fer
ent ly,shewouldhav ejustlef
tand
start
edanewwi thoutneedingtohi de.Shelookedat
herdaught erint hear msofanot herwomanwhi l
e
painsl ashedherhear t
.Sheputt hephonedownand
coveredherf acecr y i
ng.

FI
VEMONTHSLATER…
.
.
.
Don'
tfor
gett
oli
keandcomment
..
.
[
7/14,
08:
12]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#109

Glori
arubbedherl
i
pst
ogetherast
hemake-
upar
ti
st
fi
nishedupwit
hhermake-
up.
“
Wow!
”
Gl
ori
asmiledst
andingupi nherwhit
elongsleeved
whi
tebodyhuggi
ngdr essandwhiteheels.She
t
wir
ledasAyanatookpi ct
ures.
“
Dimamzo!
”
“
Ilookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Youdo,
youl
ookl
i
keSi
ndi
Dlat
huwi
tht
hatswag!
”
Glor
ialaughed.“Thankyoumylove,
Ican’
twaitf
or
thi
s.Thisti
mei fyoursi
sterr
uns,
Iam goi
ngtobeat
her.
”
“
Shewon’
t.
”
Themake-upar
ti
stt
ookaf ewpict
uresf
orhersoci
al
mediapagest
henwalkedoutasAyanasmil
edather
mother
.
“
Youl
ookr
eal
l
ybeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Sodoy
oumybaby
.”
“
Let
’st
akeami
rr
orsel
fi
e.”
Theybot
hwal kedtowardsthemir
rorandsmil
edas
Ayanacl
ickedpict
ures.Shesmil
edwithherl
egout.
Hergol
ddr essmadet hepi
ctur
eevenmor ebr
ight
er.
Al
ightknockont
hedoorhadt
hem gi
ggl
i
ngand
movi
ngf r
om t
hemir
ror
.
“It
’sal
mostt ime, l
et’
sgo.”Mor gansaidoutsi
def r
om
thedoor.Thel adiesgrabbedtheirpursesand
walked.Mor ganledt hem t
otheMer cedeswhi ch
waspar kedout si
deandopenedt hedoorforthem.
Theyslidinatt hebackseatthenhet ookthefront
seatanddr oveof f.

*
***
*

Coll
eenfi
xedt
heki
d’shai
randsmi
l
edt
aki
ngouther
phone.
“
Ok,
guy
s,wear
egoi
ngt
otakeapi
ctur
ethenwego.
”
“Ismommyt here?
”Rethabi
leaskedi
nherbeauti
ful
dress.Coll
eensmi l
ed,shewassobeauti
ful
thatshe
toocouldn’
tthinkRefi
l
wehadbi rt
hedher
.
“Yessweet
y,mommyi
sther
e.Now,
let
’shol
dhands
andsmil
e.”
Ivyheldhersister’shandt henbesi
deherwasPeo
andAngel t
ogetherwi thSarona’
skids.Shetooka
coupleofpi ct
uresast heHummerl i
mopar kedi n
frontofthem.Thedr iv
ergotoutandopenedt he
doorf orthekids.Theycl i
mbedi nandColl
eent ook
thefrontseathol dingherpursewhilegoi
ngt hrough
thephot os.Herphoner angasthedriv
erdroveof f.
“
Hel
l
o?”
“
Hi,
howf
arar
eyou?
”
“
Wear
eonourwaySar
ona.
”
“
Ok,
peopl
ehav
ebegunar
ri
vi
ng.
”
“
Wewi
l
lbet
her
eshor
tl
y.Whoi
swi
thher
?”
“
Donal
d.”
“
Ok.By
e.”
Shehungupandt ookadeepbr eath,
thi
swasit.She
couldfeelt
heexci t
ementdrum inherear
s.She
l
ookedov eratthekidswhohadwi desmilesonthei
r
facesandsilentl
yprayedf
oreverythi
ngtogo
accordi
ngtopl an.

*
***
*

Theodor aheldherafrointoabunwhi chshefl

uff
ed
i
tmaki ngitbi
gger.Shecar ef
ull
yfixedherbabyhair
s
thenr anherli
psti
ckonherl i
psagainonelastti
me.
Standingfrom herstool,shetookadeepbr eat
hand
smiledi nherbeauti
fuleventgown.Shehadbought
i
tspeci fi
call
yfortheweddi ng.Herphonerangand
shet ookitwithasmi l
e.
“
Hey
…”
“
Iam out
side.
”
“
Iam comi
ng.
”
Shehungupl
ooki
ngatt
hemi
rr
oronel
astt
ime
beforewalki
ngout .Shesmil
edstar
ingatMot heoin
hiscar,hesteppedoutweari
ngasui twi
thoutatie,
thefi
rstthr
eebut t
onsofhisshir
tunbutt
oned.He
tookoffhissunglassesandopenedthedoorforher.
“
Youl
ookmor
ethanbeaut
if
ul.
”
Theodorablushedstari
nginhiseyes.Gosh…hewas
everyt
hingshehadev erneededinaman.She
touchedhischestandkissedhim.
“
Thanky
ou.
”
Shest eppedinsidet hecart henheclosedthedoor
forher.Motheowal kedr oundt ohi
sdoorand
steppedinsidethenr eversed.Hestol
eglancesat
hermaki ngherbl ushl ookingaway,shefel
tlikea
teenager,bl
ushing.Hebr oughtupt hebri
ghtnessi
n
her.
“
Ilov
eyou.
”Het
oldherandshesmi
l
ed.
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
Herphoner
angandsheanswer
ed.
“
Chr
ist
ian.
”
“
Hi,
arey
oucomi
ngf
ort
heweddi
ng?
”
“Unf
ortunatel
yno,
it’
sAnay
a’sweddi
ngt
odaybut
goodluck.”
“
Oh…”
“
Yes,
bye.
”
Shehungupandputherphoneawaysmi
l
ingat
Motheo.

*
***
*

Yaonef
ixedPul
e’
ssui
tandsmi
l
ed.
“
Ilov
eyou.
”
Hesmi
l
ed.“
Ilov
eyout
oo,
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shet
wir
ledf
orhi
minherbeaut
if
uldr
ess.
“
Thankyou.Doy
out
hinkt
heywi
l
lacceptseei
ngy
ou
t
her
e?”
“BKpersonall
yinv
itedme.Heisdisappoi
ntedinme
butthatdoesn’
tmeanwest opbeingfri
ends.We
havecomef rom f
arbabe,not
hingcanbreakus
apar
t.
”
“
Ok…Iam sor
eadyf
ort
hisweddi
ng.
”
“
Myboymustbeexci
ted!
”
“Heshouldbe,
Ijusthopeshedoesn’
tfl
eet
hist
ime
around.
”
“
Met
oo.
”
Theywal
kedoutt
othei
rcaranddr
oveheadedt
othe
weddi
ng.

*
***
*

Marangsighedasherpl anetoucheddownatSSK
i
nter
nationalai
rpor
t.Itr
anont herunawayti
l
lit
fi
nal
lystopped.Shelookedov eratJaywhowas
sl
eepingthenshookhi mlight
ly.
“
Jay
,wehav
ear
ri
ved.
”
“
Dad!
”Hescreamedwaki
ngup,af
ewpeopl
elooked
t
henhesmi
ledembarr
assed.
“
Arewegoi
ngt
oseedaddynow?
”
“
Yes,
wear
e.”
Theygotoutoft
heair
port
,recei
vedthei
rbagthen
walkedt
owardsLayl
a’
scar.Shesteppedoutand
huggedMarangti
ght
ly.
“
Ohmy
…Iam sohappyt
oseey
ou.
”
Mar
angsmi
l
ed.“
Soam I
.”
“
Mommy
,wear
egoi
ngt
obel
ate.
”
Lay
lal
ookedatJayandsmi
l
ed.”
HeyJay
.”
“
Hi.
”
“
Ok,
let
’sgo,
wedef
ini
tel
ydon’
twantJayt
obel
ate.
”
Theygoti
nthecart
henLay
ladr
ovef
rom t
heai
rpor
t.
“
Howar
eyou?
”
Mar
angl
ookedather
.“Iam f
ine.
”
Lay
lalookedatJayont
hemi
rr
orandhewasl
ooki
ng
out
side.
“
Tal
ktome,
what
’swr
ong?
”
“
Shei
sgoi
ngt
otakemysonandmakehi
m hat
eme
mor
e.Heal
readyhat
esme.
”
Layl
asighed.“Youwer
erest
rict
inghi
mf r
om seeing
hi
sfather.Youchoset
orefl
ectasthebadparentin
fr
ontofhim.”
“Ij
ustwant
edhi
m cl
oset
ome.Sheisgoi
ngtot
ake
him,samewayshet
ookRef
il
we’
sdaught
er.
”
Atearr
andownMar
ang’
scheekasLay
alasadl
y
l
ookedather
.
“Ij
ustwantedtostaywi
thhi
m,t
opr
otecthim.She
hasever
ythingandnowmysonont
opofi tal
l.
”
“
ShehasMi
guel
?”
Marangtookadeepbreat
hbli
nkinghert
earsaway
.
Lay
laparkedt
hecarinheryar
dmi nut
eslat
eras
Marangputonthel
ocalsi
m card.
“
Miguel
wasnev
ery
our
sMar
ang.Ar
en’
tyouhappy
?”
“Iam,
Iam j
ustsay
ingmysonwi
l
llookatherasa
goodmot
herandmeasthebadparent
.”
“
Miguel
isagoodf
ather
,hewon’
tlett
hathappen.
”
Mar
angnoddedt
henopenedherdoor
.“Jay
,come,
weneedt
obat
h,changet
henwego.
”
“
Can’
twej
ustgol
i
ket
his?
”
“
No,
wehav
etobat
handl
ookni
ce.
”
Theywal
kedi
nsi
det
hehousewi
thLay
labehi
nd
them.

*
***
*

Att hebotanicalgardens,
gol dandwhi t
echairswere
arrangedf acingthearchov er
fl
owingwi thwhiteand
redf l
ower s.Behi
ndt hearchwer etal
lgreentrees
thatgavet hesetupamor eserenefeel
ing.People
slowlyfi
lledthechai r
s,Miguel’
scousinssatsmi l
ing
atev er
ything.
“
Ihopeshedoesn’
trun.
”Onecousi
nsai
dandt
wo
morecousi
nsl
aughed.
“
Shecandoi
t,t
hat
’st
hepr
obl
em wi
tht
hiswomen
whoar
eri
ch.
”
Anot
hercousi
nrol
l
edherey
es.“
Ther
enot
hing
wrongwithwomenwhoarerich,
theonl
yprobl
em i
s
peopl
eli
keyouwhoarej
ealousofsuccessf
ul
peopl
e.”
Theot
hercousi
nskeptqui
etnotknowi
ngwhatt
o
say
.
Meanwhile,
MokwenaandMaMokwenawalked
towardst
hef r
ontchai
rswi
thsmi
l
esi
nthei
rel
egant
clot
hes.
“
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul.
”
Mokwenasmi
l
ed.“
Iti
s.”
Theybot
hsmi
l
edst
ari
ngatev
ery
thi
ng.
“
Thi
sti
mei
t’
sgoi
ngt
obedi
ff
erent
,Icanf
eel
it.
”
Mokwenal ookedathi
swife.“Yeah,
wit
hawifeby
hi
sside,
Icandi epeacef
ull
y.Iknowhewil
ldothe
ri
ght
fult
hing.”
“Youknowyourson,
y oubet
terst
arttr
aini
ngAgang
becausehei
snotgoingtorul
epeople.”
Mokwanasi
ghed.“
Ihopeonedayhecomest
ohi
s
senses.
”
“
Hewon’t
,hei
sli
key
ou,
stubbor
nandnotr
eadyt
o
l
i
sten.
”
Mokwenalookedathi
swi
feandl
aughed.“
Iam not
st
ubbor
n.”
“
Ify
ousayso.
”
Theodor
awalkedwithMotheot
owher
ePul
eand
Yaonewereal
readysit
ed.
“
Hey
…”Theodor
asai
dhuggi
ngher
.
“
Hey
,youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Sodoy
ou.
”
Theysatdownasthemengreetedeachother.
Theodor
alookedatt
hefourpol
eswhichwer e
aroundt
hechair
stothear
chdrappedwithgarl
ands.
“
Thisi
sbeaut
if
ul.Mor
ebeaut
if
ult
hant
hef
ir
st
weddi
ng.
”
Yaonenodded.“
Iknow.Sheusedanexcel
l
ent
weddi
ngplanner
.”
Awhil
elat
er,Glor
iasmil
edwal
kingt
owardsherseat
wi
thherhusband.Shesmil
edatMokwenaandMa
Mokwenabef or
esitti
ngwi t
hMor gan.Shesmiledas
thephotogr
aphertookpictur
es,shecouldfeel
ever
yone’sexci
tementandshewast oobutdeepin
herhear
tshehadf earthatshecouldn’
texplai
n.
Whatif’
sswam inherheadandshef oundhersel
f
pray
ingthatGodmakest hedayasuccess.

*
***
*

Miguelfi
xedhi
ssui
tstar
ingathi
sref
lect
iononthe
mirr
or.Agangst
oodbesi
dehim andr
ubbedhis
shoul
der.
“
Ready
?”
Miguel
exhal
ed.“
Iam scar
ed,
whati
fshedoesn’
t
showup.”
Agangl ookedatherolderbr
other
,hi
mt oowas
scaredasf uck,
ifshedidn’
tshowupthisti
me
around,whoknewwhatwasgoi ngtohappenbut
then,hehadseent hei
rlove.
“
Anay
aisnotgoi
ngt
owal
kawayf
rom herf
ami
l
y,
f
rom t
hel
oveofherl
i
fe.Shel
ovesy
ou.
”
“
Shel
ovedmewhenshel
eft
.”
“Thi
stimeit
’sdi
ffer
ent.Shei
scoming,shelovesy
ou
enoughtomarryyou.Youhavebeenthroughso
much,it’
snowtimetobehappy.Thereisnoneedto
worry
.”
Mi
guel
lookedathi
sbr
other
.
“
Let
’spr
ay.
”
Agangf
rowned.“
What
?”
“
Let
’spr
ay.
”
“
Idon’
tknowhowt
opr
ay.
”
“
Iwi
l
lpr
ay.
”
Thet
wobr
other
shel
dhandsasMi
guel
shook.
“Pl
easeGod, letthisdaybearf r
uit
ful
fruit
s.See
AnayaandIt hrought hi
sandj oi
nusf orever
.Li
ftof
f
thefearIhaveandl etmeenj oymyweddi ng.Don’t
l
etAnay aleave,Iloveher.Amen. ”
“
Amen.
”Agangr
esponded.
“
Ever
ythi
ngi
sgoi
ngt
obef
ine.Shei
scomi
ng.
”
“
Ihopeso.
”
“
Let
’sgo,
wedon’
twantt
obel
ate.
”
Theywalkedoutandcli
mbedinsi
dethecari
nthei
r
tuxedo’
s.Agangtookt
hedri
versseatanddr
oveof
f
headedtothevenue.

*
***
*

Marangtookadeepbreathandsmiledsati
sfi
edwit
h
herl
ook.Layl
awalkedinsi
detheguestroom and
smil
edlooki
ngather.
“
Youlookbeaut
if
ul,
youar
eal
soat
tendi
ngt
he
weddi
ng?”
“
No.Justdr
oppi
ngof
fJay
.”
“
Int
hatdr
ess?
”
“
Whynot
?”
“
No,
it’
sjustt
haty
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul,
toobeaut
if
ul.
”
“
Oh,
Iam goi
ngoutwi
thConst
ance.
”
“
Ok,
wel
lyoucant
akemycarwi
th.
”
“
Don’
twor
ry,
Irent
edacar
.”
“
Youknowy
oudi
dn’
thav
etor
ight
?”
“
IknowbutIdon’
twantt
oinconv
eni
encey
ou.
”
“
Mom,
canwego?
”
MaranglookedatJayinhistuxedo,hel
ookedso
muchlikehisfat
herespecial
lywit
hthehai
rcut
,
t
hoseear sandli
psandt hatsmil
e.Shesmil
ed,he
wastruecopyofhisfather.
“
Ok,
Iam al
sodone.
”
“
Bye!
”
Juniorsmi l
edatLaylathenhewal kedoutwithhi
s
mot hertotherentedRangeRov erwhichwasparked
outside.ShegotinsidethecarwhileJayjumpedat
thebackt henshedr oveoff
.Shetookherphoneand
dial
edhi snumber.Itrangforawhi l
ebeforeget
ti
ng
answer ed.
“
Yeah?
”amal
evoi
ceanswer
edandshef
rowned.
“
CanIspeakt
oMi
guel
?”
“
Whoi
sthi
s?”
“
Mar
ang.
”
“
Oh,
hiMar
ang,
youar
espeaki
ngt
oAgang.
”
“Iwasbegi
nni
ngt
ott
hinkIdi
aledt
hewr
ong
number.
”
“
Oh,
Ihav
ehi
sphone.
”
“
UhhIam onmywaywi
thJay
.”
“Gr
eat
!WowIdi
dn’
tthi
nky
ouwer
ereal
l
ygoi
ngt
o
bri
nghi
m.”
“
Wel
l
,hei
sher
e.”
“Iwil
lspeaktoCol
l
een,
shewi
l
lmeety
oubyt
he
parki
nglot.
”
“
Ok,
uhhhmm canIspeakt
oMi
guel
?”
“
Iam sor
rybuthei
snotcl
oseby
.”
“
It
’sok.Iam al
mostt
her
e.”
“
Per
fect
!”
“
Bye.
”
Shehungandcont inueddr i
ving.Asshedr ov e
towar dsthebotani
cal gardenent rance,shesawa
bigpost ureofAnayaandMi guel ’
sweddi nginv i
tati
on
card.Sher oll
edhereyest urnedatt heent r
ance
whi chwasdr appedwit hgarlands.Shedr ov etot he
arrowswhi chpointedatthepar ki
ngl otandsi ghed
l
ooki ngatt hefl
oodofcar swhi chwer eparked.
Par ki
ngt herent
alcar,shest eppedoutwi t
hJuni or
andgr abbedherhandbag.
“
Oh!HiJay!
”Col
l
eensai
dwal ki
ngtowar
dst
hem.Jay
r
aninherar
msandshelaughedhuggi
nghi
m.
“
Imi
ssedy
out
oo.Youl
ookhandsome.
”
“
Wher
eisDaddy
,Iv
y,Ret
haandmommy
?”
“
Wel
ltheyar
eal
readysi
tt
edwai
ti
ngf
ormommy
.”
“
Iwantt
oseet
hem.
”
“
Ok.
”
Col
l
eenl
ookedatMar
ang.
“
Thanky
ouf
orbr
ingi
nghi
m.”
Marangnoddedstar
ingatheri
nagol
ddr
esswi
tha
ventt
hatexposedherl
eg.
“
Toavoiddr
ama,
Ithi
nkmay
bey
oushoul
djust
l
eav
e.”
“Coll
eenIwillal
waysbeapar tofthei
rli
ves, Iam not
heretocausedrama.Relax.”Shewalkedof fheaded
towheretheceremonywast aki
ngplace.Wi tha
smileshelookedaroundthensatatthemi ddl e
chair
swithherlegscrossed.

*
***
*

Miguel
tookadeepbr eaththenwal
kedt
othearch
wi
thhisbrotherjoi
ningtherever
endwhosmil
edat
t
hem.Kenj oinedthem withsmil
es.
Mokwenagav ehissonsat humbsup, nowev ery
one
waswat chinginsil
enceandant icipat i
on.Miguel
rubbedhishandst ogetherst
aringt hecr owdthen
wher eAnayawassupposedt ocomef rom whil
ehis
heartpounded.Agangl ookedar oundt oo,he
couldn’
tseehiswi feandhewonder edwher eshe
was.Hisey esfel
lonTheodor awhowassi t
tedwith
hermal efr
iendthenbriefl
yclosedhi seyes.Hestil
l
couldn’
tbel i
evet hatwashi ssi st
er,eachnighthe
couldn’
tst opthinkingofhowhehadf uckedherthat
fai
thfulnight.Hehadsl eptwi t
hhi ssi
sterandtoday
hecouldn’ tevenf aceher.Likehi m,shewasa
Mokwena.Hel ookedawayasshet urnedtothem,he
wonder edhowt heirrelat
ionshipwoul dbeifhe
hadn’tsleptwi t
hher .Theywoul dprobablybeclose,
shewast hatonesi blinghet otal
lywoul dcl
ickwit
h.
“Whathappenedhappened,wecan’
tchangei
t.You
can’
tavoi
dherforever
.”Miguel
whisper
ed.
“
Ican’
tfaceher
.Notaf
terwhatIdi
d.”
“Youdi
dn’tknowbutnowyoudo, i
t’
syourdutyt
o
prot
ecther.Shei
syoursi
sterandsheisnotgoi
ng
anywhere.
”
Agangl
ookedatheragai
nandcaughtherst
ari
ng.
Shesmil
edandwavedatt hem.Mi
guelwavedback
whil
eAgangsmil
ed.
“See?Don’
tshutherof
ffr
om bui
ldi
ngabond
betweenal
lofusbecauseofwhathappenedi
nthe
past.
”
“
Iwi
l
ltr
y.”
“
Good.
”
Miguel
lookedathi
swatch,
theweddi
ngt i
mehad
cl
ockedandnowallhecoul
ddowaspr aysheshows
up.
Minut
espassedwhi
leever
yonewait
ed,Gl
ori
astol
ea
gl
anceatherwat
ch.Shewasalr
eadytenminut
es
l
ate.
“
Rel
ax,
shei
scomi
ng.
”Mor
ganwhi
sper
ed.
“
Letmecal
lherf
ather
.”
Gl
ori
atookoutherphonet
hencal
l
edMogomot
si.
“
Glor
ia…”
“Whereareyou?Ihopey
ouar
enotdr
ivi
ngatasnai
l
pace,
y ouar
elate.
”
“
Iam wai
ti
ngf
orherdownst
air
s.”
‘
Shehasn’
tshowedup?
”
“
Yes,Iknockedonherdoorbutt
her
eisno
r
esponse.”
Glor
iacl
osedherey
esput
ti
ngherhandov
erher
chest
.“Godno…Nayano.
”
Shehungupandcal l
edAnay abutherphonej
ust
rangunanswer
ed.Sheraisedherheadandcaught
hersonin-l
awstar
ingather,shel
ookeddownthen
quickl
ytext
edAnaya.
“
Sweet
hear
t,r
elax
,tr
usther
,shei
scomi
ng.
”
Glor
ial
ookedatMorganf
ear
ful
l
y,onecoul
dnev
er
knowwithAnaya.
Theodora’
shear
tpoundedasshelookedatt
hetime,
twentyminut
esweregoneandther
ewasnosi gnof
Anaya.
“GodAnay aplease…”Shewhisperedbeneathher
breat
h,shelookedupandl ookedatherbrother
s.
Miguelrubbedhishandslookingscar
ed,Theodora
tookherphonet hendial
edhernumberbutitrang
unanswered,herheartpoundedevenmor e,
where
wasshe?
Maranglookedaroundandsmi led, nowshewas
sureAnayawasn’tcoming.Justlikeshenev er
showedupf orthefi
rstt
ime.BravoAnay a,bravo!
Miguell
ookedasi fhewasaboutt odieupthere,
she
knewtonightshewouldmakehermov e.She
woul
dn’twai
tforanot
herRefi
lwet
obeather
.Thi
s
t
imearoundshewaspr epar
ed.
Ayana’
sheartpoundedasshest
oodwi
thSar
ona
wait
ingforAnaya.
“St
il
lnotanswer
ing?
”SheaskedSar
onawhohadher
phoneonherear.
“Yes,Idon’
tknowwhat
’sgoi
ngon,
Ispoket
oher
earl
ieron.”
Ayananoddedunabl
etohol
dhert
ear
s.“
Iam
scar
ed.
”
Sar
onahuggedhert
ight
ly.“
Iam t
oo,
butshewi
l
l
come.Shewil
l
,noneedtoworry
.”
Ayanabrokeint
otears,herhear
tbrokeasshecr
ied,
shecoul
dn’tevenbegintoimaginethe
embarr
assmentev er
yonewoul dendure.
Therever endlookedathiswatch,t
hir
tyminut
es
werealreadygoneandt hebr
idehadnotyetarr
ived.
Hestaredatt hey oungmanwhol ookedattheverge
andsil
ent lyprayed.Hecoul
dn’ti
magineanyone
bei
nglef tatthealterandhewasn’tgoi
ngtoask
any
thing,
hewoul
dwai
ttooasl
ongasev
ery
one
wai
ted.
MaMokwenal
ookedar
ound.
“
Whati
fsomet
hinghappenedt
oher
?”
Mokwenalookedathi swif
eworri
ed.“Ij
usthope
not
hinghappened.Miguelhasbeenlooki
ngforwar
d
tot
hisdayforthelongestt
ime.
”
MaMokwenalookedatGl
ori
aasshest
oodupand
wal
kedaway
.
“Ihopeshei
sgoi
ngt
otakeher
,thi
sgi
rlwi
l
lki
l
lmy
son.”
Everyonewai
teddesper
atelyast
heminutespassed
butthemoretheywait
ed,themoret
heylosthope
thatshewoul
dcome.
.
.
.
[
7/14,
08:
12]TheAl
phaI
nSt
il
ett
os
#110
Miguel
r ubbedhisface,
peoplehadbegunt
otal
k.
Thereverendlookedathim andsmi
led.
“
Don’
twor
ry,
Godi
sincont
rol
.”
Miguel lookedatt her everend, hisfaithbeing
restored.Ifher ev erendsai dshewoul dcomet hen
shewoul d.Vi ncewal kedt ot hef rontfrom wher ehe
wassi tedandst oodwi ththem.Ay anawal kedont he
whitecar pethol dingherbouquetandst oodont he
othersidewi thSar onabehi ndher .Theirfacesdi dn’
t
revi
ewany t
hingandMi guel sighed.Let habowal ked
tositbesi dehi smot herandsatdownwi t
hsomegi rl
.
Miguel sighed, hewoul dwai tf orher,pat i
ence
Miguel ,pati
ence.Thi siswhyIl oveyoubyMaj or
startedplay i
ngasev eryonet urnedl ookingbutt here
wasnoone.Gl or i
awal kedbackandr esumedhersi t.
Secondsl aterAnay aemer gedwi t
hherar ml i
nked
withherf ather ’
swhi l
eshehel dherbouquet .Peopl e
stoodupwi t hsmi lesont heirf aceswhi l
ereli
ef
washedal lov ert heirfaces.Mar angstooduphur t
anddi sappoi ntedt henl ookedather ,shewas
beaut i
fulinaneut ral make-up.Herdr essmer maid
dressaccent uatedherful
lfi
gureandt i
nywai st ,
t he
overskir
tgav ethedressamor eelegantdr ess,
Mar angf r
ownedst ari
ngatthelongestlacet railshe
hadev erseenandi tfl
owedper f
ectlyonthegr een
grass.Thephot ographert
ookpi ct
uresasAnay a
walkedt owardsMi guelwhowasl ookingatherwi t
h
di
sbel i
ef.Herbackwasbar eexposingmor eoft hat
sl
im wai st.AgangpattedMiguel’
sshoulderwi t
ha
smile.Theyappr oachedMiguelthenherf ather
handedherov er.
“Igi
veyoumyfl
owersothaty
oucankeepi
tfr
esh,
ali
veandmost
lybeaut
if
ul.
”
Miguel noddedasAnay aheldhisshakinghands
afterhandingherbouquett oAy anabehindher.
Miguel l
ookedathert ear
ful
ly,
shehadnev erbeen
mor ebeaut i
fulthanthatmoment .Tearsrandown
hischeekashecr ouchedonthegroundwi t
hhis
handsonherf ace.Anay atr
iedbli
nkingawayher
tearsbuttheyr andownhercheeks.
“
Babe…getup.
”
Sl
owl
yMi
guel
stoodupandl
ookedather
.
“
Youar
eher
e…y
oucame.
”
“
Idi
d.Iam sor
ryIam l
ate.
”
Hepull
edheri
nhisarmsandhuggedherti
ght
ly.“
I
l
oveyou.Il
oveyousomuch,y
ouscaredtheshi
tout
ofme.”
Anay
agi
ggl
ed.“
Iam sor
ry.
”
Hesl
owyl
etgoandl
ookedather
.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Shebl
ushed.“
Thanks.
”
Donal
dwalkedtowardsthem t
henwhisper
ed
somethi
ngtotherev
erendbeforewal
kingoff
.
“Bel
oved,wear egatheredheretodaytowitnesst hi
s
mostbeautifulunionIhav eeverseen.Thelove
betweenthem i stheonenomancanbr eak.I
t’
st oo
str
ong.Wear egoingt ostartl
atebecauseourbride
herehadawar drobemal funct
ionandtheywer e
worki
nghar dt ohaveitf i
xed.Butnowshei shere,
beauti
ful
asev er.
”
Anay
asmi
l
edasev
ery
onel
aughed.
“
Yes,sheishereandreadytobet i
edtothisy
oung
menhere.Thisbeauti
ful
soulsarereadytobeunited
t
obeone.Soi fther
eisanyonehere,whoisagainst
t
hisuni
on,pleasespeakorforev
erstaysil
ent
.”
Ever
yonelookedar
oundandthosewhoknew
Marangl
ookedather.Aminut
epassedasnoone
sai
danythi
ng.Therever
endsmil
ed.
“Excell
ent!Nowwecont i
nue.TodayIam l ooki
ngat
l
ov ethatIhavenev ercameacr oss,Ilov emywi f
e
butthisexceedst hatki ndofl ov e.
”Peopl elaughed
whilethepast orsmi l
ed.“ Iam t ell
i
ngy ou.Al otofus
l
ov eeachot herbutnotl i
ket his.Nott hiski ndoflov
e
atleast.Thi
sonei soutoft hiswor ld.Iam exci t
ed
abouttheirunion.”Ther everendquot edacoupl eof
versesfrom thebibl ethenf inallygott othev ows.
“Ourl
ovel
ybeaut
if
ulcoupl
eprepar
edthei
rownvows
andtheywoul
dli
ketosaythem.Anay
a,youcango
fi
rst
.”
Anay
alookedatMi
guel
andsmi
l
ed.
“Iam sor
ryIam l
ate.Mydr
ess,i
ttorejustasIwas
done.Mydesignerhadtof
ixi
t.Al
lthattimeIwas
watchi nghert rytof i
xi t
, Ikeptaski nghert odoi t
faster.Iwasshaki ngt hinkingGod!Thi sistheday
youhav emade, whyi st hishappeni ng.Iwasscar ed
tooandaf ewmi nutesbef oreshewasdone, Itol
d
herify oudon’ tfixitinthenextseconds, Iam
wear i
ngwhat ev erisinmywar drobeandIam goi ng.
Ilovey ousoIdi dn’tcarei fIwasi nj eansor
what ever,IknewIhadt obeher e,wi thyou.Ilovey ou
somuch, everyt i
meIwakeupIam t hankfultoGod
thatIhav ey ou.Idon’ twantt obeany wherewher e
youar enott her e.Iwantust oholdhandsandgr ow
old.Iwantust ot ellourgr andkidsofourl oveone
day.Ilov ey ousomuchMi guel
,Iv owt oholdy our
handt hroughhappi nessandsor row, Ivowt obe
honestandf aithful,tolov eyouev eni nthewor st
ti
mesandt illdeat hdouspar t.
”
Tear
swethercheeksandMiguelgent
lywi
pedthem
away.Ther
ever
endlookedathi
m andnodded.
“TodayIwasn’tgoingt ogoanywheretil
lyoucame.”
Ev er
yonelaughed.“Ibeli
eveminewasl oveatf
ir
st
sightbutonlythatIwasi ndeni
al.Fr
om thever
yfir
st
dayIheldy ou,somethingdeepinmei gnit
ed,
somet hingIhadnev erfeltbef ore,somet hingf oreign.
Youwokesomet hi
ngi nme, Inev erknewIcoul d
act ual lylovethishardt i
ll
Imety ou.It hinky ouwer e
tailor edf orme, everytimeIl ookaty ou,Ithi nkof
howl uckyIam.Youar eaf or cet ober eckonedwi t
h.
Ihav eal way sknowny ouwer egoi ngt ocomeback
tomeandher ewear e,wehav ecameacr ossal otof
chal l
engesbuther ewear e,ourl ov est i
llstrongas
ev er .Isol emnlypromi setobef aithful and
transpar entinourmar ri
age, tolov ey out hr ought hin
andt hick,toholdy ourhandandst andwi thy ou
throughoursadnessandhappi ness.Isol emnl y
promi set oneverdivorcey ou, mat teroff act ,Idon’t
bel iev ewi thusthereisdiv orcesot her ewi llneverbe
div or cet alki
nourhousehol d.”Anay asmi led.“Yeah,
andImakeasol emnpr omi set oal way skeept hat
smi leony ourface.Ilovey oubaby , Ilovey ouso
much. ”
Therever
endsmiled.“Beaut
if
ul!Wi
ththepower
i
nvestedi
nme, Ipronounceyouashusbandandwi
fe.
Youmayki sst
hebr i
de.”
Ev
ery
onecl
appedast
heyki
ssed.
Mar angquietlygotupandwal kedawayfeel
ingeyes
onher .Herkneesshookwi theachandev er
ystep
thatshet ookthatshelastl
ytookofft
heheelsand
walkedbar efootedtot
hepar ki
nglotwhereshegot
i
nherr ent
alcaranddrov eaway.

*
***
*

Lat ert
hatdayj ustatdusk,everyonesatatt he
receptionint
hebeaut iful
lydecoratedhallatthe
bot ani
calgar
densont abl
esdr apedwi thsparkli
ng
tableclothswithredrosesint hemi ddleheld
trumpetlongv ases.Everyone’sglasswasf i
ll
edwit
h
wi neexpectthosewhodi dn’tdri
nkal cohol.The
speecheswer el ongoverandev eryonewaseat i
ng
thedelici
ousf oodserved.
MaMokwenasmiledeati
ngwi
thf
orkandkni
fe
chat
ti
ngwi
thherhusband.
“
Thi
sisdel
i
cious.
”
Mokwenanodded.“
Iti
s.”Hel
ookedov
erathi
sson
si
tedonat abl
ewithhi
swif
esmi l
ing.Hehadnever
seenhi
mt hathappy,
thej
oyinhiseyesshoneso
bri
ght
lyt
hatMokwenahopedt hemar r
iagewoul
d
l
ast.
“
Yousee?Thi
sshoul
dhav
elonghappenedhady
ou
l
i
stenedt
ome.”
Mokwenasi
ghed,
hewasnev
ergoi
ngt
oheart
he
l
astofi
t.
Glor
iasmil
edeati
ngsi
tt
ingonat
abl
ewi
thAnay
a’si
n
-
laws.Shesmil
edwit
hMogomotsi
.
“
Thanky
ouf
orbri
ngi
ngher
,whydidn’
tyout
ell
me
t
her
ewasawardr
obemalf
unct
ion?”
Mogomotsi
lookedoverathisdaught
erandsmi
l
ed.
“
Shebeggedmet osayanything.
”
“
Yes,
that
’sj
ustl
i
keAnay
a.”
SheturnedMorganwithasmi
l
eonl
yher
ecei
ved.
“Thankyou,
forcoming.”
“Iwouldn’
tmi ssmydaughter
swedding.Mosha
real
lywantedt ocomebutshecouldn’
tfi
ndababy
sit
ter.Iam sureherandNayawi
llmakegood
si
ster
s.”
“
Theywi
l
l,Anay
acl
i
ckswi
thev
ery
one.
”
Mogomot si
’
scompanionsmiledstar
ingatthefancy
thi
ngs,shel
ookedatthefor
kandknifethatwas
befor
eherwonder i
nghowpeopleatewiththem.
Mogomot si
smiled.
“Takeaspoonmogatsaka,
Itoodidn’
tknowhowt
o
usethoset
hingst
il
lAnayataughtme.”
Hi
scompaniontookt
hespoonandstar
tedeat
ing
t
hedel
ici
ousfoodwhil
esi
ppingont
hesweettasti
ng
wi
ne.
Pulesmil
edst ar
ingathisfri
endsmi l
ing,nowt hat
waswhathecal ledpurehappiness.Mi guelr
urned
andtheylockedeyes,hesaidsomet hingtoAnay a
thengest
uredhecomest otheirt
heirtablewith
Yaone.Yaonesmi l
edast heywalkedt owardsthem,
i
talwaysfeltgoodtotalktothecoupleoft he
moment .
“Congr
atul
ati
onsMr.andMr
s.Mokwena.
”Yaone
saidwi
thasmi l
e.
Anay
asmil
ed.“
Thanky
ou,
andt
hanky
ouf
or
comi
ng.
”
“Boy!
”Pul
efi
stbumpedwi
thMi
guel
.“Fi
nal
l
y,y
ouj
oin
usinthemar
ri
edshi
p.”
Mi
guel
laughed.“
Wher
ecanIputmybags?
”
Theyl
aughedhar
der
.
“
Anywhere.Thi
sisthebestt
hingyouhav
eev erdone
i
nyourenti
reli
fe,
marri
ageli
feist
hebestli
fe.
”
“
Icanal
readyf
eel
it.
”
“Naya,t
hankyouformaki
ngmyboyhappy
,we
almostdiedear
li
eronwai
ti
ng.
”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
ThankGody
ouar
est
il
lal
i
ve.
”
“
ThankGod!Congr
atul
ati
onsonceagai
n.”
“
Thanksf
orcomi
ng.
”
Pul
ehuggedMi
guel.“
YouknowIam al
way
sther
e,
comerai
ncomethunder
.”
TheypartedasPul
eandhi
swi
fewal
kedbackt
o
thei
rtabl
e.
Agangsmil
edstari
ngatSar
onai
nthegol
ddr
ess.
“Youl
ookbeaut
iful
.”
Shesmi
l
edeat
ing.“
Thanks.
”
“Idon’
tregr
ettaki
ngy
ouf
rom hi
m,Iwoul
ddoi
t
againi
fIcould.
”
“
Idon’
tregr
etany
thi
ngwi
thy
ou.Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Arey
our
eady
?Wear
eaboutt
odance.
”
“
Iam goi
ngt
oshowy
out
oday
.”
Aganglaughedasshedemonst
rat
edwhatshe
wouldbedoingsi
tt
ing.
“
Arewegoi
ngnow?
”Ol
erat
oasked.
“
Yeah…assoonaspeopl
efi
nisheat
ing.
”Vi
nce
r
esponded.
Kennet
hki
ssedRachel
whoseemedner
vous.“
What
i
fImessup.”
“
Wearenotai
mingt
obeper
fectbutt
ohav
efun.I
l
ovey
ou.
”
Rachel
smi
l
ed.“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”
ShelookedoveratVi
ncet
henlookedaway,heknew.
Shequickl
ylookedawayt
henbackatherhusband
wit
hasmi le.
Let
haboappr
oachedhissi
sterathert
abl
eand
smil
ed.“
Congr
atul
ati
ons!
”
Anay
asmi
l
edashehuggedher
.
“
Youl
ookt
all
.
”
Let
habosmi
l
edt
henf
istbumpedwi
thMi
guel
.
“
Champ!
”
“UhhNaya,Uncl
eBK,thi
sismyfr
iend,
Sino,
”He
point
edatthegi
rlst
andi
ngbesi
deshim maki
ngher
smileshy
ly.
“
Ihav
eheardsomuchabouty
ouAnay
a,pl
easur
e
meet
ingy
ou.”
“
Goodt
hingsIhope.
”
“
Onlyt
hebest
,congr
atul
ati
onst
oyouMr
.andMr
s.
Mokwena.
”
“
Thanky
ou,
Sino.
”
Mi
guel
winkedatLet
habowhi
l
eAnay
asmi
l
edwi
th
Si
no.Theybot
hwal
kedawayandSi
nosmi
l
ed.
“Yoursi
steri
scool
,It
hinkshet
hinksIam y
our
gir
lf
ri
endthough.
”
Theysatdownt
henLet
habol
ookedathert
hen
ki
ssedher.
“
Andt
her
eisnot
hingwi
tht
hat
.”
Si
nol
ookedathi
mforawhi
l
ethenl
aughed.“
Ok.
”
Ayanasatonatabl
eful
lofMiguel
’
scousi
nst
hen
l
ookedatKarabowit
hasmile.
“
Ist
hiswhaty
ouwant
?”
Shesmil
edandshookherhead.“
No,
Iwant
somet
hingsmal
landpri
vate.
”
Karabokissedhercheekslidi
nghishandbetween
herlegsthroughherventandtouchedherpant
ies.
Ayanalaughedandslappedhi shand.
“
Stop!It
hinkImi
ghtgett
ransf
err
edt
oMar
ina.
”
“
Atl
ast
.”
“
Iam exci
ted.
”
Ayanalookedaroundthensmi l
edstari
ngatLal
ah
whowassi tt
ingwithherdzaddy.Acoupleofpeopl
e
werestari
ngatthem butknowingLalah,she
wouldn’
tcareless.
Awhi lelaterasev er y onef i
nished, theDJchanged
thesongwhi l
eAnay al inedupwi thherbr idemai ds
andbesi desherMi guel andhi sgr oomsmen.They
alldancedaspeopl escr eamedt akingv i
deos.Anay a
l
augheddanci nghav ingf un,shehadl ongt akenof f
theov erskir
tandt rai l.Theki dsjoinedi ndanci ng
whatt heyhadpr act iced.Jaysmi ledst ari
ngathi s
fami l
ydanci ng,feelingl eftouthej oinedindoi nghis
ownr out i
neaddi ngspi cet oscene.Af tertheroutine
Anay awal kedbackt oherchai rexhaust ed.Mi guel
kissedhercheekt henpushedheronherchai rtothe
mi ddl
eoft hehal l,het ookof fhisjacketr emai ni
ng
withhisshi rtandcr ossbel ts.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”
Hesnappedthebeltsandshelaughedputti
ngher
handsonherface.TreySongzforei
gnersbustedt
he
speaker
sasthelight
sdeemed.Shel ookedaround
andhewassur r
oundedbyhi sgroomsmen.Sheput
herhandov erhermouthashedancedseducti
vely.
Camera’sfl
ashedast hel
adiesscr
eamed.Sl
owl yhe
removedthecr ossbel
tst
henstart
edunbutt
oning
hisshi
rtdancingli
keapornstar
.
“
Ohmywor
d!”
Heexposedt hatmuscledchestandAnayal ooked
aroundseei
ngal l
theladi
esstari
ngatherman
taki
ngpict
uresandv i
deos.Shestoodupt hen
start
edbutt
oninghim upwhileever
yonelaughed.
“
Standont
hechai
r.
”
Shel
ookedathi
mthenatt
hechai
r.
“
No…Mi
guel
mypar
ent
s…”
“
Getont
hechai
r.
”
Shel aughedashehel pedheront hechairmaki ng
sureshewoul dn’
tsteponhergown.Hesl owl yput
hi
sheadunderherdr esst henr
eachedf orhergut ter
.
Het ooki tof
fherthencameoutf rom under neath
herdr essastheeldersl ookedaway .Somesi ngle
menst oodupt hencrowdedbehi ndMi guel.Anay a
l
aughedshaki ngherheadashet hrewitov er.A
guestcaughtitt
henwav editaroundwhi
leever
yone
cheered.Theli
ghtsbr
ightenedthenAgangandKen
tooktwochairsandmadeAnay aandMiguelsi
ti
ng
withthei
rbacksoneachot her.TheMCtookthemic
andlaughed.
“Ther
eisali
tt
legamewewantournewl ywedtoplay
.
AnayaandMiguelt
akeoffyourshoesandexchange
one.Anay
a’sshoeontheri
ghtandMi guel
’
sont he
l
eft.
”
AnayaandMi guel
tookof
fthei
rshoesand
exchangedone.
“Ok,i
ftheanswerisAnay a,weraiseAnay
a’sshoe
andifi
t’sMiguel
,rai
seMi guel’
s.
”TheMCl aughed.
“Thi
sisgoingtobev er
yinteresti
ng.Whospends
mostoft heti
meonsoci almedia?”
Miguel
rai
sedAnay
a’sshoeswhi
l
eAnay
alaughed
andrai
sedher
s.
“
Whospendst
hemostmoney
?”
AnayaraisedMiguel
’
swhi
l
eMi
guel
rai
sedAnay
a’s
asthecrowdlaughed.
“
Who’
sthebet
terki
sser
?”
Anayarai
sedhershoeatt
hesamet
imeasMi
guel
rai
sedhers.
“
Whohasabet
tersenseofst
yle?
”
Anay
araisehershoeandMi
guel
rai
sedhi
s.Peopl
e
gi
ggl
edlaughi
ng.
“
Whoi
sthemostl
oudest
?”
Anayaqui
ckl
yrai
sedMiguel
’
s, Miguel
laughedand
rai
sedhi
sown.Thecr
owdcl apped.
“
Who’
sthef
ir
stt
oapol
ogi
zewhenwr
ong?
”
Anayar
oll
edhereyesl
aughi
ngandr
aisedMi
guel
’
s
whil
eMiguel
proudl
yrai
sedhi
s.
“
Whoi
sthemostor
gani
zed?
”
Miguel r
aisedAnay a’sheel whi
leAnay araisedhers
withashr ug.Thegamecont i
nuedf orawhi l
e
entertai
ningt heguest.Awhi l
elat er,Migueltooka
micandst oodwi t
hhiswi feinfrontofev eryone.
Colleenwal kedoverwi t
ht hekidst henhandedMi ll
er
toMi guel
.Jayst oodbesi dehisf atherwhileIvy
stoodbesi deherfatherandRet habilei
nf r
ontof
them.Miguelhandedthemict
oAnay
aandshe
smiledst
ari
ngatev er
yone.
“Thisdaycoul dn’
thav ewentbet terwithoutanyof
you.Myf ami l
yandIwoul dli
ket othankal lofyoufor
beingheret ocelebrateourlovewi thus.”Shel ooked
atMi guel
.“Not hi
ngmakesmemor ehappyt hanto
addressthismanasmyhusband, heismyf ri
end,
mymanandmyev erythi
ng.Ilovehim, today ,
tomor r
owandal way s.
”Shel ookedbackatt heir
guestwhi l
eMi gueladmi redher.Shecoul dt akea
standinar oom fullofpeople,shecoul dstandon
herown, shewasal way sincontrol
.Hesmi ledashe
spokemaki ngsur eev eryonefeltherpresence.
“Weappreci
ateevery
one’
ssuppor
tandwehopeyou
hadablastbecauseIdi
d,myfami
lydi
dandsodi
d
myhusband.”
Thefamil
ysmi l
edstandi
ngl
ikeTheCar
ter
sast
he
phot
ographersnappedphot
os.

*
***
*
Marangsati
nthehotelf
ight
ingnottocry.Aknock
madehersnapoutofit
,shestoodupandopened
t
hedoor,Const
ancesmiledstar
ingatherbigsi
ster
.
“
Hey
…”
Theyhuggedt
ight
lyt
hent
heyf
inal
l
ywal
kedi
nsi
de
thehot
el.
“
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”
Const
ancel
aughed.“
Youar
etheonewhol
ook
good.
”
“
Iam goingtotal
ktomama,y
oushoul
dgetwhat
y
ourfatherl
eftbehi
ndf
ory
ou.”
“
Thanky
ou.Iam happyt
ohav
eyouasasi
ster
.”
Mar
angsmi
l
ed.“
Youar
e?”
“
Yes.Youar
ethebest
.”
“
Well
,Iwasthi
nki
ngy oucancomeandvisitmei n
t
hestat
esforawhil
e.Iknowyourmom wi l
lbeleft
wi
thnoonebutIt
hinkitwil
lbegoodf
ory ou.”
Const
ancel
ookedather
.“What
?”
“
Yes,
ify
ouwant
.Iam notf
orci
ngy
ou.
”
Constancej
umpedinhersist
er’
sarmsandhugged
hert
ightl
y.“
Iwoul
dloveto.Iwouldl
ovet
ohonestl
y.
”
“
Great
!Wej
usthav
etof
ixy
ourv
isa.
”
“
Thanky
ou,
Ihav
enev
erf
lownbef
ore.
”
“Youwillnow,Ispoketothelawy
er,hewi
l
lgett
he
processofgetti
ngy ouyouri
nher
it
ancest
art
edbutI
am goingtotalktomymom. ”
“
Iknow,
thanky
ou.
”

*
***
*

Attheweddi
ng,Tat
endawalkedtothenewl
y
weddedcoupl
ewhilet
heygotreadytol
eaveand
smiled.
“
Congr
atul
ati
ons.
”
Anay
asmi
l
ed.“
It
’st
hehaunt
edgi
rl
.”
Tatendalaughedembarrassed.“
Anayawhydoyou
keepbringi
ngthatup?Letthepastremai
nint
he
past.
”
“
Iam happyy
ouhav
en’
tfl
edy
et.
”
TatendahuggedAnayathensmil
edwi
thMr.
Mokwenawi thapoundi
ngheart
.Hewassmil
ing
today,hedi
dn’tl
ookmuchscari
er.
“
Yourweddi
ngwasbeaut
if
ul.Thanky
ouf
ori
nvi
ti
ng
me.
”
“
Youar
efami
l
y.”
Shesmi ledandwal kedawayasMi gueltookhi s
wife’shandandt oget hertheywal kedtot heircar.He
openedt hedoorf orherandshesl i
din,theki dswere
goingtosleepatC- SKYwi ththeirgrandparent s.
Miguel j
umpedi nt hedr i
versseatt hendrov eof f
headedt otheirhouse.Anay aadmi redherr i
ngwi tha
sil
l
ysmi le,shewasst il
lfi
ndingithar dtobelieve.She
openedt hewindowandsmi l
ed.Mi nuteslater,they
wer ewalki
ngi nsidet hehouse.Mi guelpickedherup
andl edhertot hemai nbedr oom wher ehel ayheron
thebed.
“
Ihear
dmar
ri
agesexi
sthebest
,Mr
s.Mokwena.
”
Anayal
aughedasheleanedov
erandki
ssedher
unzi
ppi
ngherdress.
.
*
**THEEND*
**