APar

tofMeGone
°
S2°
#1
-
-
[
Nal
edi
]
*
Ayearl
ater
*
Iwassit
ti
ngnexttotheunconsci
ousDavi
d.He
hasbeenlay
inghereonthi
sbedforthepast
year
.
Doctor
sadvisedmet oswitchof ft
heli
fe
supportmachine,t
heysai
dt herewasnohope
forhi
m butIdidn'
t,myconsciouswouldn'
tlet
me.I'
mt heonewhodi dthi
st ohim andIowe
himthatmuch..Iwoul
dn'
tli
v eknowingIkil
l
eda
man.
Me:
Dav
id.
.i
t'
smeagai
nNal
edi
.
If
ixedhi
sbedcov
ers.
Me:
Ijustwenthomet
otakeashower
.
Il
ookedathim andhelookedthesame,
same
wayhelookedthefi
rstweekhewasputonthe
l
if
esupport.Ther
ewasnotev enagli
mpseof
hopeforhi
m.
Ibr
eat
houtl
oudl
y.
Me: youknowev er
yoneistryingtoconvi
nceme
toswi t
chofft
hesemachi nes..t
heysayI
'm
str
ainingyou,
thatIshoul
dj ustlety
ourest.
Ichuckl
ed.
Me:you'r
estrongDavi
d..
Iknowyouare.
.al
lyou
havetodoiscomebackt ous.
.y
our
daughter
..
.y
ourdaught
erneedsyou.
Il
ookedathi
m andIdidn'
tev
enknowifhe
coul
dhearmebutIli
vedinhope,
inhopet
hat
hehear
smeandf i
ght.
.fi
ghtf
orhi
sli
fe.
Anur
sewal
kedi
n.
Nur
se:ohexcusememam Idi
dn'
tknowhehad
avi
sit
or.
Iwi
pedat
earIdi
dn'
tev
ennot
icehadf
all
en.
.
Me:
Noi
t'
sokey
..
I'
l
l.
Ist
oodup.
Me:I
'l
lcomebacksomeothert
ime.
.Ihav
e
somewheret
obeanyway.
Iqui
ckl
ywal
kedout
.
-
[
Nat
hi]
Iwasrunni
nglate,IhadpromisedSanet hat
we'
ll
gooutt ocelebrat
eherpassingallher
moduleswit
hflyi
ngcol our
s..
all
thatwasl ef
t
wasforhertoreceiv
eherqualif
icat
ions.
Me:SamanthaI'
m out
,ifany
onecall
sforme
pl
easetel
lthem t
ocal
lmef rom myper
sonal
phone.
YesIwasnowaCEOofthecompany,i
t'
snot
whatIst
udi
edf
orbutIst
il
lenj
oyedbei
ngin
char
ge.
Sam: OhsirI
'm afr
aidy
ou'l
lhavet
owaitali
tt
le
bit
..
.MrNtabeniisonhiswaytoseey
ou..
hejust
call
edtoconfi
rm.
Me:
Wehadameet
ing?
.
Her
:Nobuthedi
dn'
tsoundhappyont
hephone.
Isi
ghedandl
ookedatmywr
istwat
ch.
Me:
Ireal
l
yneedt
obesomewher
e.
Sam:Icouldcal
lhi
m andschedul
eameet
ing
fort
omorrow.
Me:No..
it
'sokey,he'sonhi
sway
any
way .
..
pleasegivemethoseHQf
il
es,
I'
ll
wor
k
onthem meanwhile.
Her
:wi
l
ldoSi
r.
Iwalkedbackt
omyof
fi
ce.Munchyi
sgoi
ngt
o
ki
ll
me.
It
riedcal
l
ingherbutshedi
dn'
tpi
ckupandsoI
l
eftamassage.
Me:
Baby
..
.I
'
llbel
atef
orourout
ing.
.sor
rybuti
'
ll
bet
her
eassoonasi
can.
.Il
ovey
ou!
.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
TheminuteIwalkedhomeIt ookoffmyshoes.
Home?.It
'ssoundssowr ongcall
i
ngi tt
hat.
.It
wasnotmyhomeaf teral
lIj
ustmov edinto
hel
pZipho..
Theyrefusedtot
ransferhersi
nce
shewastodohergr ade11andhergr annysaid
shecan'
tleaveherhousesoIhadnochoi cebut
tomovein.
Icheckedherbedr
oom andshewasnott
her
e.
Iwenttochangemycl
othesandwar
medupt
he
foodshehadcookedy
ester
day.
Iateandwashedt hefewdishesthatwereon
thesink.Iwatcht
hev i
deoNathisentme.Itwas
av i
deoofSanedoi ngahappydanceafter
seeingherresul
tpostedonl
ine.
Il
aughedonmyownshaki
ngmyhead.
Nat
hiwasagai
nstt
hei
deaofmemov
ingout
,in
facthest
il
li
sbutseei
ngthatI
'
m notpl
anni
ngt
o
changemymi ndhej
ustl
etmebe.
Zi
phowal
kedi
n.
I
twasdarkoutsi
deandIdidn'
tknowwher
eshe
wascomingfr
om, shehasbeencomi
nghome
l
atel
atel
y.
Her
:Ledi
!
.
Shegr
eet
edandwal
kedpastme.
Me:
Hey
!.
.comeher
e!.
Shet
urnedandappr
oachedme.
Me:
Whatt
imei
sit
?.
Shedi
dn'
trespond.
Me:
Zipho?
.
Her
:It
'smi
nut
esaf
tersi
x.
Me:
sowher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom att
hist
ime?
.
Her:
Ledi
Ihadast
udygr
oupwi
thsomeofmy
cl
assmates.
Shewasl
yi
ng,
Iknowshewasl
yi
ng.
Me:
Tryagai
n..
Shedidn'
trespond.
.Iwasn'
tshout
ingsoIguess
thatmadehernervi
ous.
Me:
whoi
she?
.
Her
:Who?
..
Me:
Theboyy
ouwer
ewi
th.
..
whoi
she?
.
Her
:I.
.he.
.
Shecl
ear
edhert
hroat
.
Me:
Nozi
pho!
.
Her:
he'smycl
assmat
e..
we'
rej
ustf
ri
endsI
swear.
Me:fri
endsdon'tl
ety
ougethomel
ate.
.i
t'
s
dangerousouther
e.
Shel
ookeddown.
Iunderst
oodshewasi
nacertainstagebutI
didntwanthert
omakedeci
sionsshe'l
lregr
et
l
ater
.
Me:
rememberwhatIt
oldy
ou?
.
Shenodded.
Her
:focusonmybooksandmybooksonl
y.
Me:
exact
ly.
..
gochange,
yourf
oodi
sint
heov
en.
Shewal
kedaway
.
Isi
ghed.
Inowr eal
isedwhatNandimeantwhenshesai
d
rai
singateenagegirl
wasnoteasy.
.butI
'
dli
ke
tothinkIwasn'
tthattr
oubl
esome.
-
-
•
ToBeCont
inued.
[
01/
25,
15:
14]Wadz
:Apar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#2
-
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Iwokeupi nt hemor ni
ngandpr epar
ed
breakfastforZiphowhileshewasget t
ingready
forschool.Shewasahar dworkingl
earnersoI
wasn'tthatwor ri
edaboutheracademics..
itwas
hersocialli
fethathadmewor ried.
Shewal
kedi
ntot
her
oom.
Me:
eatupf
astbef
orey
our
unl
ate.
Iwentt
ogetataxi
efar
efr
om mypurseand
al
sogavehersomemoneyforl
unch.
Me:Iexpectt
of i
ndyouher
ewhenIcomeback
f
rom vi
sit
ingyourfat
her
.
Shenodded.
Voi
ce:
Ko!Ko!
.
Me:
Someonei
satt
hedoor
?.
Her
:I'
l
lgeti
t.
Shedi
sappear
sint
othedi
ningr
oom andaf
ter
somet
imeIhear
dherscr
eami
ngexci
tedl
y.
Iwentov
ert
ocheckwhoi
twas.
Her
:Gogo.
.Idi
dn'
tknowy
ouwer
ecomi
ng.
Isi
ghed.
I
t'
sgoi
ngt
obeal
ongday
.
Me:
sawbonaMah.
If
akedasmi
l
e.
Me:
Ziphoy
ou'
regoi
ngt
obel
ate.
Shegrabbedherbagandwalkedout
,Idon'
t
knowwhyshecar r
iedi
t.
.t
heywerewri
ti
ng
exams.
Zi
phohuggedandki
ssedmegoodby
e.
Her
:wi
l
lyoubeher
ewhenIgetbackGogo?
.
Gr
anny
:Depends.
Shesaidwi
thanat
ti
tudeandIj
ustr
oll
edmy
eyes.
Zi
phowentt
oschool
andl
eftmewi
tht
hebi
tt
er
ol
dhag.
Her
:Thisroom i
snotcl
ean.
.i
sthatev
enadr
ess
ori
sitatop?.
Imumbl
ed.
Her
:kant
iangekeungenzel
eit
iye?(
Aren'
tyou
goi
ngtooff
ermet ea?
).
Me: Ther
ewaterjustboi
l
t,ever
ythi
ngi
sonthe
ki
tchencount
er.
.Ineedtotakeashower.
-
[
Nat
hi]
Iwaswaiti
ngf orSanet
owakeupsoIcould
apol
ogiseforyester
day.Themeet
ingt
ook
l
ongerthanIexpectedsowhenIgothomeshe
wasfastasleep.
Me:
Sane.
Isl
owl
yshockher
.
Me:
Munchy
.
Her
:Nat
hil
eav
emeal
one.
Okey
,shewasangr
y.
Myphoner
angandi
twasSane'
smot
her
.
Yesshenewaboutus, therewereti
meswher e
wecouldn'
thideourrel
ationshi
pdueto
ever
ythi
ngthathappenedandatf i
rstt
heywere
angr
ybutImanagedt ocal mthem down,Ist
il
l
hadtopaydamagest hough.
Me:
Mah.
.howar
eyou?
.
Her:
ngi
yaphil
amf anawam uphi
uSane?Ucingo
l
akhealungeni
!.
(where'
sSane?.
.Ican'
tget
r
eachofheronherphone).
Me:
she'
sher
eMah.
.cel
aubambekancane.
Ir
emovedt
hephonef r
om myearandputbot
h
myhandsi
nthespeaker.
Me:
Sane.
.y
ourmom want
stot
alkt
oyou.
shewokeupandtookthephonet
othe
bat
hroom,shecamebackaft
erawhil
eand
gavememyphoneback.e
Me:somethi
ngwrongwi
thyourphone?.
.Ial
so
hadaprobl
em r
eachi
ngyouyest
erday.
Her
:Not
hing.
Idon'
tknowifi
twasaboutmecomi
ngl
atebut
shewasgivi
ngmeatti
tudenj
e.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Aftercl
eaningar
oundthehouseIwenttovisit
Dav i
d.Therewassti
ll
nohopef orhi
m andIwas
j
ustaboutconv i
ncedtoswit
choffthemachine.
Ididn'
twanttokeephim her
eifhewantedto
restinpeace.
Idi
dtheusual
,si
tnextt
othebedandt
ellhi
m
aboutwhati
shappeni
ngoutsi
det
hehospit
al
wall
s.
Me:
Youknowwhaty
ou'
reasel
fi
shman!
!.
Isuddenl
ybecameemot
ional
.
Me:
Ihav
etoputupwi
thy
ourmeanmot
her
,
yourcur
ioust
eenager..
nottomentionever
yone
elsewhothi
nkthatmehol dingont
oy ouis
crazy
.TheysayI'
mj ustwastingmyti
meand
moneyony ouforyouwant edtodi
eanyway.
Ipl
ayedwi
thmyf
inger
s.
Me:Iknowwhatyoudidwaswr ongbutyou
werenotyour
sel
f.
.y
oucangethel p,I
'l
lmake
sur
ey out
akeyourmedicat
ionall
y ouhavet
o
doiscomeback.
It
ookhi
shandi
nmi
ne.
Me: Idon'tblamey ouf orwant ingtodie..l
i
fe
hav eoncebeencr azyonmet oo..
therewasa
pointwher eIjustwant edtocl osemyey esand
nev eropent hem agai n.Iheardv oices,saw
peopl eI'v
enev ermetmywhol elif
e,mybr other
turnedi ntoaj aguarrightinfrontofme. .Itol
d
my selfthatifIcansur vi
vethisgiftIcanbeat
any thi
ngandIdi d...
Dav i
dlif
ei snoteasybut
that'sokeyi tdoesn'thav eto.
Igotcl
oserandl
ookedathi
m.
Me:
Ify
oucanhearmeplease.
.I
'
m beggi
ngy
ou
t
ofi
ght
..
fi
ghtf
oryourl
i
fe.
Ther
ewassi
l
encef
orawhi
l
e.
Isi
ghedandat
temptedget
ti
ngmyhandof
fhi
s
buthehel
donti
ghtl
y.
Me:
Dav
id?
.
Hesqueezedmyhand.
Me:
ohmyGodDav
id.
Ijumpedindisbel
i
ve,
Iqui
ckl
ywentoutt
ocal
l
forthedoct
er.
-
[
Nat
hi]
IgotoutoftheshowerandfoundSanepacki
ng
herbag.Ist
oodthereforaseconddumpsi
ded.
Me:
Sane?
.
Shesnif
fl
eandwi
pedhert
ear
swi
tht
hebackof
herhand.
Me:
Hey
..
.hey
.
Iwentov
erandt
ookherhandsi
nmi
ne.
Me:
what
'
swr
ong?
Shel
ookedatmeandj
ustbr
okedown.
Ihel
dhertomychestandbr
ushedherback
unti
lshecal
m down.
Me:
baby
..
Shegotof
fmeandst
art
edpacki
ngagai
n.
Me:
Sanet
alkt
ome.
Her
:I'
m goi
nghome.
Me:
isev
eryt
hingokeyathome?
.
Her
:yes.
Me:
thenwhyar
eyoucr
ying?
.
Her
:I'
mleav
ingy
ou.
Ichuckl
edt
hinki
ngi
t'
sajokebutkeptast
rai
ght
facewhenIsawshewasseri
ous.
Me:
what
?.
Her
:Youdon'
tl
ovemeanymoreNat
hiIcansee
t
hat.
.y
oudon'
thav
etopr
etend.
Me:
That
'scr
azy
.
Ihonest
lydi
dn'
tunder
standwhatwas
happeni
ng.
Shedi
dn'
trespond,i
nf actshet
ookherpacked
bagandapproachedthedoor.
Me:Canyouatl
eastt
ell
mewhat
'
syour
pr
oblem?
.
Iwasget
ti
ngver
yimpati
entbecauseIdi
dn'
t
knowwhatwaswrongwit
hher.
Iworemycl othesandqui
ckl
yranaft
erher.I
foundherjustasshewasabouttostar
tthecar
.
Iopenedthedoorandtookthekeys.
Her
:whati
swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
.
Me:Whatiswrongwithme?..
.womanyou'r
ethe
onewithaprobl
em her
eandunlessyoutel
lme
you'
renotgoi
nganywhere!
!.
Iwasshout
ingandasexpect
edsheshout
ed
back.
Me:Itol
dyou.
..
you'
remyprobl
em..y
ou'
re
suf
focat
ingme..
you,y
ourpr
esence.
Ichuckledindi
sbeli
eve.
.f
ir
stl
ymyabsence
madeherf eelunlov
ed,nowshehat
emy
presencetoo?.
.howmessedupisthat
.
Ij
ustwatchedhersayalotofst
uffthatmade
absol
utel
yzerosenseandshestoppedandgot
al
lemot i
onal
withme.
Me:
Munchy
.
shewasnowcr
ying.
Igotcl
oserandhuggedher
.
Iwasonlylef
twithoneopt
ion,
toreadher
mind..
Ihadpromisedt
hatIwon'
tdothatt
oher
butIhadnochoice.
Shegotof
fmeandf
anherf
acewi
thherhead.
Her
:you'
recr
owdi
ng.
..
it
's.
shecol
lapsedbef
oreshecoul
dfi
nishher
sent
ence.
-
•
ToBeCont
inued.
[
01/
25,
15:
14]Wadz
:APar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#3
-
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Iwai
tedout si
dewhi l
ethedoctorat
tended
Davi
d.Ikeptpr ay
ingthathewakesup.Ididn't
wanttobet heonewhoswi tchoffhi
smachi ne,
Ij
ustcouldn't
.
Ipacedar
oundt
hepassage.
Aft
eralongwai
tthedoct
orsai
dIcancome
backi
n.
Me:
Doct
or.
..
how.
.howi
she?
.
Hesi
ghedandl
ookedatme.
Hi
m:st
il
lnochangesmi
ss.
Me:What? .
.butI
..
her
espondedhesqui
zzedmy
hand.
.If
eltit.
Him:Maybey ouwer
eimagi
ningt
hingsMi
ss,
I
'v
ejustcheckedonhim.
Il
ookedatDav
id.
Iknowhesqui
zzedmyhand,
Ifel
tit
.
Dr:I
t'
sbeenoverayearnow.
..
Iknowi
t'
sdif
fi
cul
t
butyouhavet
oletgoofhim.
.l
ethimr
est.
Af
tersay
ingt
hathewal
kedout
.
Me:
Dav
idwhyar
eyoudoi
ngt
hist
ome.
Her
:Youl
i
ttl
e..
It
urnedmyheadandsawherwal
kin.
Her
:you'
resoevil
..
.y
ou'
redoi
ngthi
stopunish
mysonri
ght?.
.t
hat'
swhyyou'
rekeepi
nghim
her
e..
.y
ouwanthi
mtosuf
fer
.
Me:
that
'snott
rue.
Hi
m:thedoctor
stol
dyouthathemi ghtnot
makeitbuty
ou'
rest
il
lkeepi
nghim here.
.
Me:
Dav
idwi
l
lmakei
t.
..
Iknowhewi
l
l!
!.
Iwasnowshout
ing.
Shelookedatmewi
tht
ear
sst
reami
ngdown
hercheek.
Her
:I'
m beggi
ngy
ou.
.l
etmysonr
est
.
Il
ookedathert
henDav
idt
henbackather
agai
n.
Me:
I'
m sor
rybutIcan'
t.
Shel
ookedatmeforawhil
e,mor
eli
ker
eachi
ng
outt
omysoulthenwal
kedaway.
Idon'
tknowwhyshei sgivi
ngupsoeasi
l
y,she
i
shismot her
..
.sheshoul
dbeli
evei
nhi
m.
Me:
Dav
id.
.Iknowy
oucandoi
tIbel
i
evei
nyou.
Idon'tknowwhyIwaswast
ingmyt
imebutI
fai
ledtoletgo.
Isawmovement
s.Hef
lappedhisey
elashes,
morel
iket
ryi
ngt
oopenhiseyes.
Hedi
dthatf
orsomet
imewi
thmel
ooki
ngat
hi
m.
Me:
yes.
..
doi
t.
.wakeup.
Iwantedt
obesur
ebef
oreIcal
lthedoct
or
agai
n.
Aft
eral
ongt
ryheopenedhi
sey
es.Hel
ooked
atme.
Iputbot
hmyhandsinmymouthandtears
roamedonmycheekswi
thoutmehel
pingthem.
-
[
Sane]
Nathi
walkedi
njustasIwasput
ti
ngmyt
op
backon.
Igotof
ffr
om t
hedoct
orsbed.
Hi
m:Ar
eyouokey
?.
Inoddedandappr
oachedhi
m wi
thbot
hmy
handsbrushi
ngmyarms.
Me:
I..
Bef
oreIcoul
dfi
nishmysent
encet
hedoct
or
wal
kedbackin.
Nat
hicl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.
Him:Doctori
sev
ery
thi
ngokey
?..
what
happened?.
Thedoct
orl
ookedatmel i
kehewasaski
ngf
or
appr
oval
andIjustl
ookedback.
Dr
:pl
easesi
t.
Wedi
djustt
hat
.
Dr:you'
ref
ourweekspr
egnantt
hat
'
swhyy
ou
fai
nted.
Il
ookedathi
m wi
thhopest
hathe'
l
lsayhei
s
j
oking.
Dr
:youdon'
tseem happy
.
Il
ookedatNat
hiandheal
sodi
dn'
tseem happy
.
Aft
erthatthedoct
orsai
dalotoft
hingswhichI
wasn'tl
i
steningt
o..
onl
ytheword"
pregnant
"
enchoedinmyears.
Nat
hi:
Sane!
!.
Heshockme.
.
Isnappedoutofi
t.
Hi
m:Canwegoory
ouhav
esomet
hingt
oask?
.
Idi
dn'
tknowhowt or
eactsoIjustst
oodupand
wal
kedoutleav
ingNat
hiinsi
de.
Iwai
tedf
orhiminthepar
kingl
otandwedr
ove
homeinsi
lence.
Igott
oourbedr
oom andl
ockedmy
sel
fin.
Icr
iedandcr
iedandcr
ied.
Idon'
tknowhowIl etthishappen..
.Idrank
morni
ngafterpil
l
sev eryti
me..Ij
ustdidn'tknow
howithappened.
Ihear
daknock.
Hi
m:Saneopenupweneedt
otal
k.
Iknewwhathewant edtosayandIwasnot
readytoheari t
,Iknewhewant edt otel
lmeto
abort.
.Imeanwet al
kedaboutt hi
sthatwecan
neverhav ekidsofourown. .
hewasscar edt
hat
theymi ghthaveashar einhisgif
tandI
understoodbutnowt hatI
'm pr
egnantIdon'
t
know.
Isobbedsi
l
ent
ly.
Me:
PleaseLor
dfor
giv
eme.
Icr
iedmy
sel
ftosl
eep.
-
•
ToBeCont
inued
-
-
sor
ryaboutnotpost
ingi
zol
o..
.l
ike,
comment
andshar
e
[
01/
25,
15:
14]Wadz
:APar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#4
-
-
[
Sane]
Iwokeupt
oaknock.
Iopenedmyey esandcheckedtheti
me,
itwas
aft
ernoon.Yes,Isl
eptf
ort
hatlong.
Hi
m:Sanepl
easeopenup.
Hekeptknocki
ngandIknewhewasn'
tgoi
ngt
o
st
opsoIwentt oopenf
orhi
m.
Iwal
kedbackt
othebedwi
thhi
mfol
l
owi
ng
behi
ndme.
Isatont
hebedandhesatnextt
ome,
nott
oo
cl
oseandnott
oofarei
ther
.
Wesatther
eissi
lencef
oralongwhi
le,Idi
dn'
t
knowwhattosayandIguesshewastongue
ti
edhi
mself.
Isni
ff
le.
Me:
Nat
hiI
'
m sor
ry.
Hi
m:MunchyI
..
.
Hestoppedandr
est
edhi
sheadonhi
shands.
Herubbedhi
sheadi
nfr
ustr
ati
on.
Hi
m:I
'
m goi
ngt
obeaf
ather
.
Il
ookedathim wi
thmywi
denedey
es.Thatwas
sounexpect
ed.
Hehadasmil
eonaccompani
edbyal
otof
emoti
ons.
Me:
you'
re.
..
you'
renotangr
y?.
Heshockhi
sheadno.
Idon'
tknowi
fitwast
hehor
monesbutIst
art
ed
cry
ing.
Hi
m:Munchy
.
Hehel
dmecl
oset
ohi
m.
Me:
Ithought
..
.It
houghty
oudi
dn'
twantt
ohav
e
ki
dsand.
.and.
.It
houghty
ou'
dwantmet
oabor
t.
Hebr
ushedmyback.
Hi
m:shi
ii
t'
sokey
.
Me:
Idon'
twantt
oabor
tNat
hi.
..
Idon'
t.
Him:Andy
ouwon'
t.
..
we'
regoi
ngt
obepar
ent
s
baby
.
Ismi
l
edi
nbet
weenmyt
ear
s.
Ifel
tli
keahugewei
ghtwasl
i
ftedof
fmy
shoulder
s.
Heki
ssedmyf
orehead.
Hi
m:nowcome.
.y
ouhav
etoeatsomet
hing.
Me:
I'
ll
showerf
ir
st.
..
Ifeel
itchy
..
Weshar
edal
ongpassi
onat
eki
ssbef
orehe
st
oodup.
Hi
m:Il
ovey
oumunchy
.
Ichuckl
edwi
thmyt
ear
s
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
-
[
Dav
id]
Il
ookedatherasshesobbedsi l
ent
ly.I
'
vehur
t
hermor ethanIi
ntended,
nott
hatIi
ntendedt
o
hurtheranyways.
Thedoct
orf
ini
shedchecki
ngonme.
.hegav
e
meapat.
Hi
m:You'
reonest
rongman.
.
Thenhel
ookedather
.
Hi
m:Yournotgi
vi
ngupwor
kedwel
li
ntheend.
.
Shedi dn'
trespondshej ustlookedatmewi t
h
tears.Iopenedmymout hwi thint
enti
onsof
saying"thankyou"thenIr emember edthe
doctorsay i
ngitmighttaket i
mef ormet o
regainmyv oice.
Atearescapedmyey e.Shedidn'
tgi
veupon
me,evenwhenev er
y oneadvicedhertoshe
di
dn't
..Idon'tt
hinkther e'
sawomanwho' ve
l
ovedmet hatmuch.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Ir
ecei
vedacal
lfr
om Nat
hisay
ingweshoul
d
meetatt
hepar
k.
Davidwassleepi
ngsoIdroveofft
ot hepar
k.I
don'
tknowwhyIwasf ail
i
ngtoletgoofDav i
d
butIwasgladthathewokeup..
Iknowmy
consci
ouswasgoi ngt
oburymeal i
veifhedied.
If
oundNat
hial
readywai
ti
ngf
orme.
Me:
Imi
nat
hi.
Hi
m:Sanei
spr
egnant
.
Okey
,Idi
dn'
tseet
hatonecomi
ng.
Ismi
l
edi
nexci
tement
.
Me:
I'
m goi
ngt
obeanaunt
.
Il
ookedathi
m andhel
ookedt
roubl
ed.
Me:
you'
rewor
ri
edaboutt
hegi
ft
?.
Hi
m:Ican'
thav
emybabyl
i
vingl
i
keIam
l
i
ving.
..
Ican'
t.
Me:
thendon'
t.
..
Ipul
l
edhi
schi
nupandmadehi
mfaceme.
Me: you'r
egoingtobesomeonesf at
herand
everydecisi
onyoumakeaf f
ectsthebaby.
..use
yourgift,
you'
repowerf
ul.
.ki
l
lever
ymemberof
Gina'
sf amil
yifyouhav
eto..
changetherules.
Him:t
hat'
snoteasy.
.Imightdi
eandleav
ingmy
babywit
houtafat
herisnotanopti
on.
Hel
ookedatme.
Me:I'
l
lhel
pyou.
.i
t'
saboutt
imewest opthis
i
nsani
tybef
orei
tmovestothenextgenerati
on.
HewantedtosaymorebutIgav
ehim aneye.
.I
knowheisscar
edbutNathii
sverypower
ful
.
Hi
m:Thanky
ou.
.Ineededt
hat
.
Ismi
l
ed.
Me:
I'
m goi
ngt
obeanaunt
.
Ij
umpedexci
tedl
y.
Hi
m:come.
.Sanewoul
dbet
hri
l
ledt
oseey
ou.
Wedr
ovehomewi
thmef
oll
owi
ngbehi
ndhi
m.
*
***
aweekl
ater
***
*
-
-
•
ToBeCont
inued.
[
01/
25,
15:
14]Wadz
:APar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#5
[
Nal
edi
]
Me:Dav
idyoucall
edmehereint
heear
lyhours
oft
hemorningsoyoucanof
fermecof
fee?.
Hecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.
Hi
m:No.
.I
..
Inev
ergotachancet
othanky
ou.
Me: Don'
tsweati
t.
.i
'
mt heonewhohityouon
yourheadIwasn'
tgoingtol
etyoudi
e..
trustme
Iwasdoingitf
ormemor ethanIwasdoingit
f
ory
ou.
Him:wellnotonl
yforthatbutf
ortaki
ngcar
eof
Ziphoandmyhouse, i
tlooksver
ywarm more
l
ikeahome.
Me:
ist
hatal
l
?..
Iwasr eal
l
yti
redandsl
eepy.
.whenhecall
edme
Ithoughti
twasanemergencysoIdi
dn'task
questi
ons.
Hewal
kedclosert
ome.
.hewasst
il
lusi
nga
wal
ki
ngsti
ck.
Hi
m:Mar
ryme.
Il
ookedathi
mli
ke"
WTF!
".
Me:
what
?.
Hi
m:Nal
edi
Ilov
eyou.
.Iwantt
ospendmyl
i
fe
wi
thy
ou.
Me:
Dav
iddon'
tst
art
.
Imov
edt
wost
epsbackwar
dsi
ndef
ence.
Hi
m:No.
.No.
.I
'
mver
ysaner
ightnow.
.
Me:
CanIgohome?
.
Hi
m:Nal
edipl
ease.
..
I'
l
lgotot
herapy,
I'
ll
commi
t
t
omypil
l
sjustdon'
tdenymeyourlov
e.
Il
ookedathim andhewassosi ncer
e.Thi
sis
pr
acti
call
ythesecondchanceatloveI'
m
gi
ven.
.andI'
mletti
ngitsl
i
pthrough.
Me:
CanI
..
can.
.
Hi
m:atl
eastpr
omi
semey
ou'
l
lthi
nkabouti
t.
Ilookeddownandbat
tl
edwi
thmyt
hought
s
thenbackathi
m.
Me:
Iwi
l
l.
Ibr
eat
houtheav
il
y.
Hi
m:Thanky
ou!
!.
Me:
Iwi
l
lmar
ryy
ou!
.
Wespokei
nuni
sont
henst
oppedt
olookat
eachot
her
.
-
[
Sane]
Iwokeupt
ofi
ndmy
sel
finNat
hi'
sar
ms.
Idon'
tevenrememberhowIgoti
nbed.
.al
lI
knowis,
Wewer ewatchi
ngamoviebef
oreI
dozedof
f .
Ishockhi
m abi
tandhewokeup.
Me:
Mor
ningsl
eepyhead.
Hey
awned.
Hi
m:Heybaby
..
sleptwel
l
?.
Me:
li
keababy
..
.Iact
ual
l
ydr
eamtabouty
ou.
Hef
lashedasmi
l
eandIsmi
l
edback.
Hi
m:r
eal
l
y?.
.doi
ngwhat
?.
Hebr
ushedmyhai
rar
oundmyear
.
Me:
mhh.
Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:youwokeupinthemorningandmademea
ver
ymouthwater
ingbreakf
ast.
Hechuckl
ed.
Me:
Wit
hcof
feeont
hesi
de.
Hi
m:That
'snotgoi
ngt
ohappen.
Me:
Butbabyy
ouknowdr
eamsar
ever
y
i
mport
ant
.
Hi
m:Saney
ou'
renotdr
inki
nganycof
fee.
Me:
Butonecupwon'
thur
t.
..
Hi
m: That
'swhatyousai
dy est
erday
..
you'
renot
dr
inki
ngcoff
eeforthenextfewmonths.
Me:
Babyl
i
sten.
.
Hi
m:No!
!.
Igav
ehi
m puppyey
es.
Him:Wipet
hosecrocodi
l
etearsandget
cl
eanedup.
.I
'l
lmakeusbreakf
ast.
..
aheal
thy
one.
Ir
oll
edmyey
esandst
oodup.
Hi
m:st
urbor
nass.
Hemumbl
ed.
Me:
Ihear
dthatI
minat
hi!
!.
Ishout
edfr
om t
hebat
hroom.
.Ihear
dhi
m
chuckl
e.
-
[
Dav
id]
Iwas.
..
Iwas.
.Idon'
tknow.
Iwashappyshesaidyesbutinthemeant i
meI
waswor r
ied.I
tdi
dn'
ttakemuchconv i
ncingand
Idi
dn'twanthert
ofeelfor
ced.Iwantherto
marrymebecauseshel ov
esme.Ilearnedto
l
oveher.
Youknowthatfeel
ingwhenyou'r
enotsure
whet
hersomethinghappenedforrealori
fit
wasalli
nyourmind?..Wel
lIhadthat.
Idon'tknowi fit
'smebutIthi
nkLedi saidalot
ofcrazyt hi
ngstomewhenIwas
hospital
ised..
.t
hingsIbel
i
evedon'
texi stbut
ei
therway .
.Il
oveherandthat
'sal
lthatmat t
ers.
Shecl
ear
edhert
hroatandIl
ookedather.She
wasst
ari
ngatmewi t
hherbi
gbeauti
fuleyes.
Her
:Ihav etogethomebef
oret
heyget
wor
ried.
.Ilef
tmyphoneint
hecar.
Inodded.
Sheat
tempt
edgoi
ngandIhel
dherhand.
Shel
ookedatme.
Me:Idon'
twantyoutofeelbul
li
edint
omar
ryi
ng
mehencethatwhyI'
m goingtoaskyou
t
his.
.ar
eyousure?.
Shelookeddowninhesi
tance,
myhear
tst
art
ed
poundingr
egret
ti
ngwhyIasked.
Shewrappedherhandsar
oundmyneckand
smashedherli
psint
omine..
.weshar
edal
ong
passi
onat
ekiss.
Ther
ewasi
t!
!!
..
myanswer
.
-
•
ToBeCont
inued.
[
01/
25,
15:
14]Wadz
:APar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#6
[
Nal
edi
]
Igothomeandj
ustsatont
hecouch.
Il
eti
tal
lsi
nki
n.
Me:
Isai
dyes?
.
Ij
ustsai
dyesi
ntomar
ryi
ngDav
id.
Her
:Thedev
ili
sal
i
ar!
!.
Itur
nedt
olookatherandshesmi
l
ed.
..
Ismi
l
ed
back.
Me:
what
?.
Her
:Hesawthatyou'
ret
oobeaut
if
ulandwant
s
t
odriv
eyoucrazy
.
Me:SaneI'
mtryi
ngbyal
lmeanst
ounder
stand
you.
..
butI
'
mf ai
l
ing.
Il
aughed.
Her
:You'
ret
alki
ngal
one.
Me:
oht
hat
..
Iwasj
ustt
hinki
ngout
loud.
Shecamet
osi
tnextt
ome.
Her
:okey
..
.You'
rebl
ushi
ng.
.whoi
she?
.
Me:
Noone.
Shepl
ayf
ull
ypushedme.
Her:Don'
tmakemebeg. .
.y
oudon'
twantt
o
upsetapregnantwoman.
Il
aughed.
Me:
okey
..
Dav
idaskedmet
omar
ryhi
m.
Her
:Aaaand?
!
Shewassoi
mpat
ient
.
Me:
Isai
dyes.
Her
:ohmyGod!
!.
.r
eal
l
y?!
Weli
ter
all
yjumpedonthecouch.
..
Iwasexci
ted
andshewashappyforme.
Sanewast
hebestsi
sterInev
erhad.
Her
:can'
tbel
i
evey
ou'
reget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
Voi
ce:
Who'
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
.
SaneandIl
ookedathi
mthenbackateach
other
.
-
[
Dav
id]
Iwassmi
l
ingonmyownwashi
ngdi
shes.
It
'sall
Imanagedt
odo..Idi
dn'
twantt
osi
t
aroundanddonot
hing.
Ikeptwhi
stl
i
ng.
.t
hat
'showhappyIwas.
Zi
phowal
kedi
nfr
om t
heshops.
Her
:Ther
e'sonl
ybr
ownbr
eadl
eft
.
Me:
it'
sokey
..
Sheputinont
hetabl
eandatt
empt
edwalki
ng
away.Shewasst
il
langr
yatmeandIdon'
t
bl
ameher .
It
ri
edt
oki
l
lmyowndaught
erandIknowIwas
notmy sel
fbutt
hatexcuseisnotgood
enough..
Ihat
emy sel
ftoo.
Me:
Pho-
Pho.
Iwi
pedmyhandswi
tht
hedi
shcl
oth.
Me:SweetheartI
'm sor
ryIputy
out
hrough
hel
l
..Ir
eal
l
ydi dn'
tmeani t
.
Her
:yout
ri
edt
oki
l
lme.
Me:
Iwasnotmy
sel
f.
Her
:youhadpi
l
ls.
.whywer
en'
tyout
aki
ngt
hem?
.
Ikeptqui
et.
Ther
ewassi
l
encef
orawhi
l
e.
Her:thepersony oushouldbeapol
ogizi
ngt oi
s
Naledi.
.shewasn'thersel
fsi
ncethe
i
ncident..
shecouldn'
tsleepdueto
ni
ghtmar es..
youalmostdrovehercrazy
..
.she
wouldseet hingsandhearstuf
fonlyhercan
hear.
..y
our ui
nedher.
It
houghtf
orawhi
l
e.
Naledidi
dment i
onhavi
ngt hatsi
nce
chil
dhood..
Iwasn'
tthi
nki
ngabouti tafter
al
l.
.shereal
lydi
dtel
l methatshe'
scr azil
y
dif
ferent
.
Iwasbr
oughtbackt
oear
thbyZi
pho.
Her
:Dav
id!
!.
Il
ookedather
.
Her:
Thereonl
ywayI'
m goi
ngt
ofor
giv
eyoui
sif
youapol
ogi
zetoher
.
Me:
I..
Idi
dandsheal
so.
Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
.
Me:
Sheagr
eedt
omar
ryme.
-
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Hi
m:Who'
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
Hewasaski
ngt
hatf
ort
hesecondt
ime.
Sanecl
ear
edhert
hroat
.
Iguessshecoul
dseeIdi
dn'
tknowwhatt
osay
.
Her
:Dav
idaskedNal
edi
tomar
ryhi
m.
Hi
m:Ihopey
ousai
dNo.
Me:
Why
?.
Hechuckl
ed.
Hi
m:Youcan'
thonest
lymar
ryt
hatman.
..
hei
s..
Ir
ushedhi
m.
Me:
What
?..
hei
swhat
?.
Hi
m:Cr
azy
..
andv
eryst
range.
Me:Nooneisper
fecthehashi
sfl
awsl
i
key
ou
hav
eyours.
Hi
m:I
'
dnev
erki
l
lmywi
fe.
Me:
Hewassi
ck.
..
he'
sget
ti
nghel
p.
Him:Notevent
hegreat
estspeci
ali
stcanhel
p
thatman.
.hi
ssoul
istr
oubl
ed..
heisahelpl
ess
case.
Me:
cany
ouj
ustst
opbei
ngj
udgement
al.
Wewer
enowshout
ing.
Hi
m:Youwanthi
mtoki
l
lyout
oo?
!.
Sane:
Nat
hi!
.
Him:St
ayoutoft
his.
.Nal
edi
isbei
ngstupi
dand
shehastowakeupbefor
eit
'st
oolat
e.
Me:
Stupi
d?.
.Nat
hiwhatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?
!.
Myvoi
cewasnowscratchyf
rom shout
ingand
t
ear
sjustf
ell
offmyeyes.
Him:Iwantyoutolist
en,thi
nkanythi
ngthatwi
l
l
makey ouseethatDavidisnotgoodfor
you.
.youdeser
vebet t
erthanthat
.
Ij
ustl
ookedathi
m wi
tht
ear
yey
es.
Sane:
Nat
hi!
!.
.
Me:
Whycan'tyouj
ustsuppor
tme..
I'
vebeen
t
her
eforyouthr
oughthi
ckandthi
n..
all
Iwanti
s
f
oryout
obehappyforme.
Hi
m:That
'snotgoi
ngt
ohappen.
.asl
ongas
y
ou'r
edat
ingt
hatman.
.hedi
dn'
tev
enbuyy
oua
r
ing.
Me:Sowhat ?.
.sowhati
fhe'spoor?
..
you'
ve
beenpoor.
.you'r
ethel
astpersonwhocanjudge
hi
m aboutthat.
Hi
m:Thatmani
scr
azy
!!
.
Me:Andyou?.
.y
ou'reperf
ectri
ght
?..
.f
ine.
.I
'
ll
l
eav
ey ouwit
hy ourper
fectl
if
e.
Sane:
okeynowy
ou'
rebei
ngi
rr
ati
onal
.
Me:
No..Nathi
hasalwaysfai
l
edtosuppor
t
me.
.hewil
lfor
everf
ail
..
I'
mleavi
ng.
Sane:
leav
ing?
..
wher
eto?
.
Me:Idon'
tknow..
maybet
oDavi
d'
s..
atl
easthe
l
ovesmemor ethanapar
tofmedoes.
Him:Iwonderwhatt
hatmangaveyoubecause
youstar
ti
ngtosoundcr
azyl
ikehi
m.
Me:
what
ever
!.
Sane:
Pleasedon'
tgo.
Hi
m:l
etherbe!
.
Il
ookedathi
mthenappr
oachedt
hedoor
.
JustwhenIopenedit
..
ther
ehewas
standi
ng.
.aboutt
oknock.
Thami
:Lal
a!.
-
•
ToBeCont
inued.
[
01/
25,
15:
15]Wadz
:APar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#7
[
Sane]
ThamiandNal
edi
lookedateachot
herf
orqui
et
awhil
e.
Thami
:Wer
eyoucr
ying?
..
arey
ouokey
?.
Shesni
ff
let
henr
anout
.
Thami
lookedatus.
.baf
fl
ed.
Hi
m:i
ssheokey
?.
Hewal
kedi
n.
Me:
she'
s.
.
Nat
hicutme.
Nat
hi:
She'
sokey
..
.j
ustbei
ngNal
edi
.
Il
ookedatNat
hiandIthi
nkThami
not
icedhe
washidi
ngsomethi
ng.
Thami
:okey
..
.
Her
ubbedhi
shands.
Thami:Wegott
her
epl
y.
..
andwehav
etogot
his
weekend.
Hewastot
alki
ngt
oNat
hiaboutGodknows
what
!.
Theyspentsomet
imei
nthel
ounget
alki
ng.
Imadethem somet
hingtoeatthenwentback
tosl
eep.
.Iwassoti
red.
.f
rom what?.
.Idon'
t
know.
It
ri
edcal
l
ingNal
edi
butshedi
dn'
tpi
ckup.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Iwaslayi
nginDav i
d'
sarms.Idi
dn'
teven
explai
ntohim whyIwascry
ingandhedidn'
t
rushmeeither
.
If
inal
l
ycal
m down.
Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
.
Isai
d,poi
nti
ngathi
swetshi
rt
.
Hi
m:i
t'
sokey
.
Heki
ssedt
het
opofmyhead.
Me:
Ihadanar
guementwi
thNat
hi.
Hi
m:letmeguess.
.hedon'
twanty
out
omar
ry
me.
Idi
dn'
trepl
y.
Hi
m: Thatguyhat
esmeandhecan'
tev
en
pr
etend.
Me:
wel
lscr
ewhi
m..
Idon'
tneedhi
sper
missi
on.
Hebr
ushedmybackasIst
art
edsobbi
ng.
Me:i
t'
sjustt
hatitwoul
d'
vebeenbet
teri
fIhad
hi
ssupport
..
heismybrother
!!
!.
Hi
m:shi
i
..i
t'
sokey
.
Me:
howcanhebesosel
fi
sh?
.
Icr
iedagr
eatdeal
agai
nbef
oreIf
ell
asl
eep.
-
[
Nat
hi]
Wef
istbumped.
Me:Thankyoumyman..Idon'
tknowwhatI
woul
d'vedonewi
thouty
ou.
Hi
m:y
eahIknowIknow.
Il
aughedashewasf
eel
i
nghi
msel
f.
Me:what
'
slef
tnowi
sfory
out
ogetmemy
br
ide.
Thami
andsomeuncl
eshewor
kswi
thwer
e
goingtorepr
esentmeatSane'
shomeont
he
negoti
ati
ons.
Sane:Baby
..
.I
'
vejustr
ecei
vedacal
lfr
om Mah
sayi
ngIneedtocomehomet hi
sFr
iday.
..
Shewasshouti
ngallt
hewayfr
om t
he
bedr
oom. .
whenshesawThamiwasst
il
lher
e
shegiggl
ed.
Her
:Thami
!.
.y
ou'
rest
il
lher
e.
Me:Womany
ousl
eptf
orl
esst
hant
hir
ty
mi
nutes.
Her
:That'
sbecausemymotherwokemeup.
.so
doyouknowwhatiti
sabout
?.
MeandThami
lookedateachot
hersmi
l
ing.
Thami
:Lobol
anegot
iat
ions.
Shel
ookedatusi
ndi
sbel
i
eve.
Her
:li
kef
orr
eal
?.
..
myf
atheragr
eed?
.
Inodded.
Shewasexci
ted.
Her
:Twoupcomi
ngweddi
ngshowexci
ti
ng!
.
Hi
m:t
wo?
.
Westoppedandlookedathi
m,thenIl
ookedat
Sanel
ike"di
dyouhavetodothat?"
.
-
[
Thami
]
OkeyhowdoIbegi ntoexplai
nhowitfelt
l
earningthatNaledii
sgetti
ngmarri
ed.Ifelt
betr
ay ed.
.maybeshedidn'
tlovemeenought o
fi
ghtformebecauseIhear dshewasf i
ghting
forDav i
d.Il
ookedatmyphone.Apar tofme
wantedt ocal
lherandhearwhatshehast osay
butIdecidednotto.I
twashar dget
ti
ngov erher
andIdi dn'
twanttobesetbackagain..
.onlyi
f
sheknewhowIl oveher.
-
•
ToBeCont
inued.
[
01/
25,
15:
15]Wadz
:Apar
tOfMeGone
°
S2°
#8
-
[
Sane]
Acoupl eofdayslaterIwaswear ingmyr ed
tr
adit
ionalweddingdr ess.Yep, every
thingwent
accordingtoplan,everyonehadagoodt i
me.
I'
m surpri
sedhowwewer eabletopullitof
fin
suchashor tti
mebutwi thamot herli
ke
mine..
nothingi
si mpossi ble.
Iwalkedar
oundmyr
oom wi
thasmi
l
eonmy
face.
I
twasnol
ongermyr
oom.
Iwasf
inal
l
yMr
sXul
u.
Nathideci
dedtokeephisXul
usurnamein
honourofhisl
atemother,
theonewhorai
sed
hi
m up.
Isi
ghedi
nexci
tementandsatont
hebed.
Cur
iosi
tyl
edmetocall
i
ngNaledi
,herandNat
hi
wer
estil
lati
tsoshedi
dn'
tcome.
Her
:Hel
l
o.
Me:Giv
emeonereasonwhyIshoul
dn'
tdi
sown
youasmysi
steri
nlaw.
Shel
aughedshor
tl
y.
Her
: YouknowIr
eal
l
ywant
edt
ocomebuti
t'
s
bet
terIdi
dn't
.
Me:Cany ouguysmakeupalready
?..
it
's
drai
ningwatchi
ngyoufi
ght
..
.Nathi
missesy
ou.
.I
knowhewon' tadmi
tbuthedoes.
Her
: Imisshimtoobutl
i
keIsai
d..
may
bei
t'
s
bet
terthisway.
Me:
wel
lnotf
orme.
.
Shechuckl
ed.
Her
:sohowdi
dev
ery
thi
nggo?
.
Shewaschangi
ngt
het
opi
c.
Me:
it'
swas.
.amaz
ing,
from t
henegot
iat
ions,
ourtri
ptothemagi
str
ateandbackt
othe
recept
ion.
Iwasr
eal
l
ysadshecoul
dn'
tat
tend.
Her
:Magi
str
ate?
?
Me:
yes.
.I
'
mlegal
l
yMr
sXul
uandy
oumi
ssed
t
heshow.
Her
:I'
m sor
ry.
Me:Don'
tworry
..
.Nathi
promi
sedmeawhi
te
weddi
ng.
.youbett
ershowup.
Wel
aughed.
Her
:Ev
eni
fit
'st
hel
astt
hingIdoonear
th.
Me:
Good.
.sohow'
syouandDav
id?
.
Her:
We'regood.
.per
fectact
ual
l
y..
.t
hanky
ouf
or
aski
ng.
Wetal
kedf
oracoupl
eofmi
nut
esbef
oreIhung
up.
Ihear
dsomeoneshout
ingmyname.
Me:
I'
minher
e.
I
twasCandi
ce.
Her
:Ihav
etol
oveandl
eav
eyou.
Weshar
edal
onghug.
Me:
Arey
ouony
ourwayal
ready
?.
Shenodded.
Her
:Can'
tbel
i
evey
ouj
ustgotmar
ri
ed.
Tear
sdeci
dedt
odecei
veme.
Ibl
ewmyf
acewi
thmyhand.
Me:
Ican'
tbel
i
eveI
'
vej
ustgotmar
ri
edei
ther
.
Her
: y
ou'r
egoi
ngt
omakeagoodwi
feanda
mother.
Shesai
d,br
ushi
ngmyst
omach.
Her
:ohbefor
eIf
orget
..
hubbyi
swai
ti
ngf
ory
ou
out
side.
Wewer
egoi
ngbackhome.
Me:
tel
lhi
mI'
m comi
ng.
.Ij
ustneedamoment
.
Her
:okey
.
Weshar
edahugonel
astt
imeandshewal
ked
out
.
Isaidmygoodbyestoever
yoneandhead
outsi
dewhereNathi
parkedhiscar
.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Dav
id:
whowast
hat
.
Me:
Sane.
.t
hei
rweddi
ngwasasuccess.
Isai
ddi
shi
ngup.
Hi
m:oht
hat
'sni
cet
ohear
.
Me:
yes.
.
Therewassil
encef
orawhi
l
e..
.wi
thmef
ocused
onthepots.
Hi
m:Nal
edi
!.
Me:
Mhh.
Ir
espondedgi
vi
nghi
m noat
tent
ion.
Hewentar
oundt
hest
oveandhel
dbot
hmy
hands.
Het
henwi
pedat
ear
sIdi
dn'
tev
enr
eal
i
sewas
t
her
e.
Hi
m: I
'
m sor
ryokey
..
Iknowy
ouwant
edt
obe
t
here.
Me:Hedi
dn'
tevencal
ltol
etmeknowhewas
get
ti
ngmarr
ied.
Hebr
oughtmecl
osert
ohi
schestandhushed
me.
-
-
[
Sane]
ThenextdayIwokeupr
eal
l
ylat
e.Nat
hiwas
notnextt
ome.
Me:
Nat
hi!
.
Ishoutedsof
tl
ythi
nki
nghewasi
nthe
bathr
oom buthewasnot
.
Iwentt
otherestr
oom,di
dmybusi
nessand
tookaqui
ckshower.
Icoul
dn'tst
opst
ari
ngatmyr
ock.I
twasv
ery
pret
ty.
Idr
essedupandheadtotheki
tchenwher
e
Nathi
wasmakingbreakf
ast
.
Hi
m:Mor
ningMr
sXul
u.
Me:
Mor
ningbaby
.
Isatont
hehi
ghchai
r,wat
chi
nghi
m cook.
Me:
Iwast
alki
ngt
oNal
edi
.
Hedidn'
trespondi
nst
eadhef
ocusedont
he
pot
s.
Me:
Nat
hi.
Hi
m:Munchycanwenotdot
hisr
ightnow?
.
Me: Thenwhenshoul
dwedoi t
?..
Nat hi
your
si
sterneedsyou,
heneedsherbrother.
Him:I
'
m herear
en'
tI?
..
it
'snotl
i
keshedon'
t
knowwheretof
indme.
Me: That
'snotwhatImeantandy
ouknow
i
t.
.sheneedsy oursuppor
t.
Hechuckl
ed.
Damn!
..
Hewassodamnst
ubbor
n..
Me:
Stopbei
ngsel
fi
sh.
Him:She'
sthesel
fishone.
.Dav
idi
snotgood
andsheknowsit.
Me:
Shel
oveshi
m!.
.
Hekeptqui
et.
Me:I
fy oubel
ieveheisthatbadthenhel
pher
seei
t,don'
tshutheroutbecausethatwi
llpush
herr
ighti
ntohisarms.
Iwasnowspeaki
ngsof
ter
.
Heputapl
atewi
thf
oodi
nfr
ontofme.
Hi
m:eatMunchy
.
Me:
cany
ouatl
eastpr
omi
set
ocal
lher
?.
Hi
m:No!
.
Me:
comeonbet
hebi
ggerper
son!
.
Hi
m:That
'snotgoi
ngt
ohappen.
Me:
ThenI
'
m noteat
ing.
If
oldedmyar
msandkeptast
rai
ghtf
ace.
Hi
m:Sanel
i
siweXul
ueat
.
Ii
gnor
edhi
m.
Him:Yazi
ngizokuli
mazaSane?(I
'
llhurty
ou)
..
if
youwanttostarv
ey our
sel
fdon'
tinvol
vemy
baby
.
Ii
gnor
edhi
m.
Heturnedaroundtowashthepotshewas
usi
ng.Itr
iedbyallmeanstoconti
nuewit
hmy
hungerst
rikebuti
tsmeltsogood.Ist
art
ed
eati
ng.
Nat
hit
urnedar
oundandsawme.
Hi
m:Ther
e'smor
eint
heov
eni
fyouwantsome.
Heki
ssedmyf
orehead.
Hi
m:Il
ovey
ou.
-
•
ToBeCont
inued.
[
01/
25,
15:
15]Wadz
:APar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#9
-
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Iwokeupnextmor
ningt
oanempt
yhouse.
Ijustt
ookashowerandhalfwayt
hroughi
t
therewasaknockonthedoor.
Me:
I'
m comi
ng!
!.
Iwor
emypant
iesandwr
appedat
owel
around
mybody
.
Theper
sonkeptonknocki
ng.
Me:
yes.
Iopenedt
hedoorandt
omysur
pri
sei
twas
Thami.
Sounexpect
ed.
Me:
Thami
.
Hi
m:Lal
a.
If
rozet
her
eforaf
ewseconds.
Hecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.
Me:
emm sor
ry.
..
comei
n.
Hesl
owl
ywal
kedi
nandsatont
hecouch.
Isatont
heopposi
tecouch'
sar
mrest
.
Hi
m:l
ooksl
i
keIdi
stur
bedy
ourshower
.
Hav i
ngThamii
nthehousewassoawkwar d..
I
didn'
tknowwhattosay
,especi
all
ysi
nceIdidn'
t
knowhowmuchheknewaboutmeandDav id.
Me:
howdi
dyouf
indme?
.
Hi
m:Iaskedaround..
itwasn'
tthathardtr
ust
me.
..
you'
rel
ivi
ngwi t
haf amousaut horaf
teral
l
.
Me:
Mhh.
Okey
,soheknewaboutmeandDav
id.
Her
ecomest
hej
udgement
s.
Hi
m:Congr
atul
ati
onsony
ourengagement
.
Me:Thami
Iknowy
out
hinkot
her
wiseaboutme
but
..
Him:It
'sokey
..
as.
.asl
ongasy
ou'
rehappyt
hen
I
'm happy.
Hest
oodupandappr
oachedme.
Ist
oodupandsur
pri
singl
yhehuggedme.
Hi
m:I
'
vemi
ssedy
ou.
Voi
ce:
Whati
sgoi
ngoni
nher
e?!
.
Thami
andIbr
oket
hehug.
I
twasDav
idst
andi
ngbyt
hedoorwi
thZi
phow.
-
[
Nat
hi]
Samant
ha:
Congr
atul
ati
onsSi
r.
Il
ookedatherdumpf
onded.
Her
:Ihear
dyougotmar
ri
ed.
Me:
oht
hanky
ou.
Igoti
nmyof
fi
ceandshef
oll
owedsoonaf
ter
.
Her
:Shoul
dn'
tyoubeonhoneymoon?
!.
Me:No.
..
Ishoul
dbeher
e.
Shewasaski
ngal
otofquest
ions.
Her:
Iguessanot
hergoodmani
sof
fi
cial
l
y
unavai
l
abl
e.
Il
ookedatheramazed,
wassher
eal
l
yhi
tt
ingon
me?.
Me:
Par
don?
.
Her:
Youoffi
cial
l
ymadey
our
self
unavai
l
abl
e..
.unl
essy
oul
i
kebreaki
ngt
her
ules.
Shebentdown,
exposi
ngherboobs.
If
ocusedonmyi
Pad.
Ichuckl
edi
ndi
sbel
i
eve.
Me:
Yousai
dMrNt
abeni
washer
eagai
n?.
Shesmi
rked.
Her:Yes,Heisnothappywit
htheResor
tcour
t
al
locatedfort
hei
rstudent
s.
Me:
Fil
lmei
n.
Her:Theyareusingitasstudentresi
denceand
theyrepor
tedl
ickingpipesplusinadequat
e
securi
ty.
Me:Wassecur
it
ypartof.
..
youknowwhat
..
can
yougetmeacopyofthecontr
act?
.
Shekeptlooki
ngatmeandi twasannoy
ing.
.I
want
edt ogetheroutofher
e.
Her
:yessi
r.
Sheappr
oachedt
hedoor
.
Me:
OhandSamant
ha.
Her
:yes.
Me:
I'
m goi
ngt
opret
endyoudidn'
tj
ustf
li
rtwi
th
mebuti
fyout
ryt
hatagai
n..
Shenodded.
Me:
andt
rywear
ingl
ongerski
rt
s.
Her
:yessi
r.
Shequi
ckl
ywal
kedoutembar
rassed.
Isi
ghed.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Wewer
eshout
ing.
Me:
youdon'
tunder
stand.
..
youwer
erude!
!.
Hi
m: Rude?
..
.If
oundyouhal
fnakedwi
thy
our
l
overinmyhouse!
!.
Me:Lover
?!.
..
Thami
andIar
efr
iendsandy
ou
knowthat
!!
.
Hi
m: Ial
soknowt haty
oul
ovehi
m mor
ethan
f
ri
endsshould!
!.
Idi
dn'
trespond.
Hi
m:Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou'
ddi
srespectmet
his
much..
.bri
ngi
ngy
ourboy
fri
endi
nmyhouse
t
hat'
sbitchyi
nmanyways.
Me:
Nowt
hatwasuncal
l
edf
or.
Hi
m:mymot
herwasr
ightabouty
oubi
tch.
Af
tersay
ingt
hathewal
kedout
.
Iwasreall
yhurtbyhi
swor dsbutIwasn'
tgoi
ng
tocr
y..
.Icr
iedenoughwhenhismot heri
nsul
ted
meandhewat chedwi
thoutdefendi
ngme.
Il
i
edont
hebedunt
ilIf
ell
asl
eep.
Iwaswokenupbyanar
omasmel
l
.
Iy
awnedbef
oreopeni
ngmyey
es.
Dav
id:
baby
.
Islowl
yopenedmyeyesandhewassi
tt
ingon
thebednexttome.
Hi
m:Ibr
oughty
oul
unch.
Me:
I'
m nothungr
y.
Iwasn'
tgoi
ngt
opr
etendhedi
dn'
tcal
lmea
bi
tchear
li
eron.
Him:Naledi
aboutear
li
eron.
.I
'
m sor
ryIwasout
ofli
ne.
Me:
Youcal
l
edmeabi
tch!
.
Him:IknowandIwaswrong..
It
'sj
ustt
hatwhen
Isawyouwitht
hatboyIbecamejeal
ous.
.and
Her
ubbedhi
shead.
Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ryNal
edi
.
Me: i
t'
sokey.
.Ishoul
dn'
thavel
ethi
minwit
hout
yourconcer
nbutIdidn'
tknowhewascoming.
Hesmi
l
edf
aint
ly.
Me:
nowI
'
m hungr
y.
Hepassedmet
hef
oodandIdugi
n.
Ther
ewassi
l
encef
orawhi
l
e.
Hi
m:l
et'
sgetmar
ri
ed.
Ichuckl
ed.
Me:
that
'swhatwe'
repl
anni
ngt
odoi
nthenear
f
utur
e.
Him:Imeanlet'
ssetadateandget
marri
ed.
.i
nfactl
et'
sgetmar r
iedtomorr
ow...
we
cangotocourtandsignthenhav easmall
cer
emonyt ocel
ebrat
eaf t
erwards..
youknow,
i
nvit
eourfri
endsandf amil
y.
Real
l
y?!
..
Didher
eal
l
ysuggestt
hat
?.
That'
snothowIimagi
nedmybi gday.Iknow
Nandikeptt
ell
ingmeIwouldn'
tgetmarri
edbut
thatdi
dn'
tstopmefr
om dreamingaboutmybig
day.
Andt
hati
snothowIpl
annedi
t.
-
•
ToBeCont
inued
[
01/
25,
15:
15]Wadz
:APar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#10
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Iopenedthedoorandshewal
kedi
nwi
thout
greet
ing.
Me:
HiMah!
.
Her
:Hi
Chi
l
d!.
Chi
l
d?!
!.
..
okeyt
hat
'
saf
ir
st.
Shesmi
l
edpol
i
tel
y.
Her
:Youl
ookgood.
Il
ookedatmysel
fandIwasj
ustwear
ingmy
shor
ts.
.t
heonesshesai
dwer
etooreveal
i
ng
andnotgoodtowear
.
Me:
Somet
hingt
odr
ink?
.
Her
:No.
.Icameher
etot
alkt
oyou.
Shepat
tedont
hespacenextt
oher
.
Isatdown.
Her:
Naledi
you'r
ebeaut
if
ulandv
erysmar
t.You
canbeanyt
hingyouwant.
Il
ookedatherat
tent
ivel
y.
Her
:youhav
edr
eamsr
ight
?.
Inoddedhesi
tant
ly.
Her:Thendon'
tl
etDav
idhi
ndery
ou.
.menar
e
t
roublesome.
Iknewi
t!
!.
.shedon'
tl
ikemeandwant
stosee
meandDav i
dapart
.
Me:
Mah.
.Il
oveDav
id.
Her
:Howmuch?
.
Me:
Ilov
ehi
m mor
ethanIcanexpl
ain.
Her
:Don'
tactst
upid.
..
howmuchdoy
ouwantt
o
l
eavemysonalone.
Ichuckl
edi
ndi
sbel
i
eve.
Her
:It
'smoneyy
ou'
reaf
terr
ight
?..
wel
lhow
much?.
Me:wi
thal
lduer
espectMahIhav
emyown
money
.
Her:Thenwhyar
eyoui
nar
usht
obeMr
s
Vi
lakazi
?.
Me: what
?!.
.Davi
distheonewhosuggestedwe
getmarri
edt omorr
owandforyouri
nfor
mat i
onI
haven'
tevensaidyes!
!.
Her:Ohwhatacoi ncidence..
hedecidestowri
te
abook..onethatwil
lmakehi mv eryri
chand
wenausuf unaukushada? .
.kusasalokhu
okusayo??!
.(Youwantt ogetmar ri
ed
tomorr
ow) .
Me:
Abook?
Her
:Don'
tactsur
pri
sed.
Shecl
i
ckedhert
ongue.
Her
:Youknowy
oumakeme.
.ei
.
Shebr
eat
hinandout
.
Her:
You'
renotgoi
ngt
ogetacentoutofmy
son'
smoney.
..
Af
tert
hatshest
oodupandwal
kedoutf
umi
ng
i
nanger
.
-
Me:
David.
.t
hisist
hethirdmassage..
your
mot
herhasthiscr
azyideathatIf
orcedyou.
.
Ibr
eat
hout
.
Me:Getbackt
omeassoonasy
ougett
his
massage.
Idroppedt
hecal
landt
hrewt
hephoneonmy
bed.
Idon'
tknowwhati
sgoi
ngoni
nsi
deDav
id'
s
head.
Zi
pho:
CanIcomei
n!.
Me:
Zipho.
..
isy
ourf
atherback?
.
Her:
No..
I'
mfrom Mam'
l
wanda'
s.
.sheagr
eedt
o
gi
veyouherdress.
Me:
Herdr
ess?
.
Her:
Yes..
wel
li
twasherdaught
er'
sweddi
ng
dr
ess..
shemadei
tspeci
alf
orherbutt
he
daught
erdi
dn'
tl
ikei
t.
.shewassohear
tbr
oken.
Il
ookedathernotknowi
ngwhatt
osay
.
Her
:Wel
ll
uckf
ory
ou.
.y
ou'
resamesi
ze.
Me:
woaw!
!.
.wai
twai
t!
!.
..
stop!
.
Iputmyhandupsi
gnal
i
nghert
ost
opt
alki
ng.
Ican'
tbel
i
eveDav
idr
ightnow.
Me:
Cany
ouexcusemepl
ease?
.
Shenoddedt
henwal
kedout
.
Itr
iedcal
l
ingDav
idagai
nbuti
twentst
rai
ghtt
o
voi
cemail
.
Me:
Damny
ou!
!.
Myphoner
angandi
twasSane.
Me:
Sist
eri
nlaw.
Her
:Ican'
tbel
i
evey
oudi
dn'
ttel
lme.
Me:
What
?.
Her:
real
l
y?..
thaty
ou'regett
ingmarri
edIhadt
o
f
indoutfr
om David'
ssocialpage.
Me:No!..
No!.
.t
heremustbea
misunder
standi
ng..
Davidsuggestedi
tafew
hoursagoandnowev eryonethinkswe'
re
gett
ingmarri
edtomorrow.
Her:okeyI
'
m conf
used.
.ar
eyouget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed
ornot?.
Voi
ce:
Baaaby
!.
I
twasDav
id.
Me:
SaneIhav
etogoI
'
llcal
lyoul
ater
.
Her
:okey
..
all
thebestl
ovey
ou.
Me:
Lov
eyout
oo.
Dav
idwal
kedi
n.
Hehadahugesmi
l
eonhi
sface.
Hi
m:Ev
ery
thi
ngi
ssor
tedout
!.
Hel
ookedsoexci
ted.
Me:Davi
dpeoplearecal
l
ingmeaboutmy
weddi
ngcel
ebrati
onhappeni
ngt
omorrow!
!.
Him:Whatpeopl
e?.
.becauseev
ery
oneIi
nvi
ted
knowtheti
meandv enue.
Me:Davi
dareyoubeingser
iousr
ightnow?
..
you
wentonwit
hitevenwit
houtmygoahead.
Hel
ookedatmedi
sappoi
nted.
Hi
m:It
houghtt
hisi
swhaty
ouwant
ed.
Me:
Dav
idI
..
Hecutmysent
ence.
Hi
m:It
houghty
ouwant
edt
obeMr
sVi
l
akazi
Me:
Dav
id.
Idi
dn'
tknowwhatt
osay
.
Hi
m:Igeti
t.
..
youdon'
twantt
omar
ryme.
Me:
Idobutnot
..
Hi
m: Thenpr
ovei
t!
..
mar
rymet
omor
row
morni
ng.
Isi
ghedt
henl
ookedathi
m ashewal
kedout
.
-
•
ToBeCont
inued.
[
01/
25,
15:
15]Wadz
:APar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#11
[
Nal
edi
]
Il
ookedatmysel
finthel
ongmi
rr
or.Thedr
ess
l
ookedreal
l
yamaz i
ng.
Il
ookedatther
ingonmyf
ingeronel
astt
ime
andIchuckl
ed.
Me:
looksl
i
keyouwerewrongNandi
..
aft
eral
l
t
hefut
urei
snotwr
it
tenonthest
one.
Hi
m:Youl
ookgood.
It
urnedt
omeethi
m andIsmi
l
ed.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Hewr
appedhi
shandsar
oundmywai
st.
Hi
m:ourguest
sar
ewai
ti
ngf
ory
ouout
side.
Me:
thenwhatar
ewewai
ti
ngf
or?
Hechuckl
ed.
Weshar
edakissbefor
ewewalkedout
side
wher
efr
iendsandf
amilywer
esit
ti
ng.
Davi
d'
smothergav
emeadeadst arewhich
remi
ndedmeofwhatshesai
dyesterday
.
Me:
Dav
id!
.
Hel
ookedatme.
Wewer
esi
tt
ingonoursepar
atet
abl
e.
Me:
Yourmom sai
dyou'
rewr
it
ingabook.
Hecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.
Hi
m:Yes.
.deci
dedt
otr
yonel
astt
ime.
Me:
Mhh.
Hi
m:Sor
ryIdi
dn'
ttel
lyou.
Me: I
t'
sokey.
..
it
'sj
ustthatIwasdisappoi
nted
heari
ngsuchfrom yourmothermeanwhilewe
l
ivetoget
herandshemadei tlookli
kei'
m aft
er
yourmoney.
Him:li
stenbaby.
.Iwil
ltal
ktomymot
her
..
she'
l
l
notbotheryouagain.
Heki
ssedmycheek.
Cr
owd:
Speech!
!!
!.
Dav
idandIl
ookedateachot
herandl
aughed.
Befor
eIstooduptogi
vemyspeechsomet
hing
caughtmyatt
enti
on.
SaneandNat
hiwal
kedi
nhandi
nhand.
Icl
ear
edmyt
hroatandmett
hem hal
fway
.
Icoul
dfeel
all
eyesonus.
Me:
Nat
hi!
.
Hi
m:Pumpki
n.
Somethi
ngaboutthatwor
dmademyhear
tsink.
Seei
nghimremindedmeofhowmuchImiss
hi
m.
Apar
tofmewantedtot
hrowmysel
finhi
s
ar
msbutanot
herpar
tofmesai
dno.
Hi
m:Iseey
ouf
orgott
oinv
itey
ourmi
rr
or.
Me:
ahI
..
Idi
dn'
tknowwhatt
osay
.
Hegotcl
oserandweshar
edahug.
Hi
m:Congr
atul
ati
ons.
Ibr
eat
houtl
oudi
l
y.
Me:
Ithoughty
ou'
reher
etoki
l
lhi
m.
Weal
ll
aughed.
Sane:okeyokey
..
.ev
ery
onei
swai
ti
ngf
ory
our
speech.
Me:
whatam Igoi
ngt
osay
.
Him: Don'
ttel
lmetheal
wayst
alkact
ivebubbl
y
partofmeisspeechl
ess.
Ir
oll
edmyey
eswal
kedwher
eDav
idwas.
Nat
hiandSanesatdownwi
thot
herguest
s.
Dav
id:
arey
ouokey
?.
Iwi
pedmyt
ear
s.
Me:
Hecame.
.I
'
m mor
ethanokey
.
-
-
[
Nat
hi]
Nal
edi
.
..shewasnother
sel
f.
Mysisterhadl
essl
i
feandhappi
nesst
hanshe
shoul
d.
Sanebr
ushedmyar
m.
Her
:loosenup.
If
akedasmi
l
e.
Me:He'
snotgoodf
orher.
.Ihavet
omakeher
seet
hathei
snotgoodforher.
Her
:Nal
edi
hasagi
ft
..
Icuthersent
ence.
Me:whichisnotbei
ngusedrightnow!
..
.l
isten
Munchysheisbli
ndedbylov
esomucht hat
she'
sneglect
edthegif
tandthatcanbelethal
.
Youdon'
tunder
stand.
.Icannev
ersur
viv
eifshe
di
es.
Her
:may
bey
oushoul
dtal
ktoReet
a.
Me:I'
vebeent
ryi
ngt obutIcan'
t.
..
Nal
edii
sthe
onewhocancallherbutri
ghtnowIbetshe
can'
t
..
WesawDav
idandNal
edi
appr
oachi
ng.
Theyhadapl
atewi
thacake.
Her
:I'
m gl
adyou'
rest
il
lher
e..
emm t
hanky
ou
f
orcoming.
If
akedasmi
l
eandl
ookedatDav
id.
-
-
[
Dav
id]
Me:
excusewehav
etot
hankt
heot
herguest
s.
West
oodupandwent
.
Iwasr
eal
l
ygl
adNal
edi
wasnowmywi
fe
meaningshe'sguarant
eedthatshei
smineand
minealone.Idon'
thavetocompetewit
hthe
l
ikesofThami .
Iexcusedmysel
fandwenttodri
nkmypi
ll
s.I
neededtobeint
herightst
ateofmi
ndal
ways.
Ther
estoft
hecer
emonywentr
eal
l
ywel
l
.
-
•
ToBeCont
inued.
[
01/
25,
15:
15]Wadz
:APar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#12
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Twomont
hsl
ater
.
You'dthinkthatasacouplewhogotmarri
ed
recentl
ywe' r
ecrazi
lyat
tachedt
oeachother
andar eli
vinginourownbubbly
?.Unf
ort
unatel
y,
that'
snotthecase.DavidandIareal
ways
f
ight
ing,i
fit
'snotabouthimtr
yingt
ocont
rol
me..
it
'sabouthim notbei
nghomeallt
het
ime.
Hewal
kedi
nlooki
ngl
i
kewasr
anov
erbyat
rai
n.
Hehasn'
tbeenhomet
hesepastf
ewday
s.
Hi
m:MaVi
l
akazi
.
Ii
gnor
ehi
m.
Het
hrewhi
msel
font
hecouchnextt
ome.
Het
ri
edpul
l
ingmyar
ms.
Me:
Don'
ttouchme!
!.
Ist
oodupandputt
hepl
ateont
heki
tchensi
nk.
Hef
oll
owedme.
Hi
m:Whati
syourpr
obl
em!
!.
Me:
You'r
emypr obl
em!!
..
whatdoy
out
hinkI
am?
..y
ourhousekeeper
?!.
.
Him:watchyourt
oneNal
edi
..
thati
snothow
youspeaktome.
Me:
Orwhat
?!!
..
Dav
idI
'
mti
redofsi
tt
ingher
e
wai
ti
ngfory
outocomehome.
.I
'
mti
redof
put
ti
ngupwithy
ourshi
t!
!.
Him: I
'
m worki
ng!!
..
whatthefuckdoy ouwant
fr
om mewoman? !
!.
..
Ihavetowor ksothatIcan
fi
nishthebookandstar
tmaki ngmoney .Al
lyou
havetodoissupportme..i
sthatsofucken
hard?!
.
Me:
Suppor
tyou?
!.
.
Ichuckl
ed.
Me:
That'sall
I'
vebeendoi
ngandqui
etfr
ankl
y
I
'mti
red.
.youdon'
tappr
eci
atemeDavi
d!.
Him:Letmejustgobef
oreIsaysomet
hingI
'
m
goi
ngtoregr
et.
Hewalkedt
othebat
hroom andIcl
i
ckedmy
t
ongue.
Iwassoi rr
it
ated,
Idecidedt
ogooutforfresh
ai
r.Ispentmydayatt hepar
kjustl
ooki
ng
ar
oundandt hi
nki
ngifImadetheri
ghtchoice
wit
hDav id.
Hi
m:Lal
a!.
I
twasThami
..
hewaswi
thagi
rl
.
Me:
hi.
.
If
akedasmi
l
e.
Hi
m:Ihav
en'
tseeny
oui
nthel
ongestt
ime.
Il
ookedathi
mthent
hegi
rl
.
Hi
m:Sor
ry.
..
thi
sisZandi
e..
sweet
sthat
'
sNal
edi
.
Shef
lashedasmi
l
e.
Zandi
:Ni
cemeet
ingy
ou.
Me:
Likewi
se.
Hi
m:We'
regoi
ngt
ogetcof
fee.
.wantt
ojoi
nus?
.
Me:
Not
hanky
ou.
.I
'
m okey
.
Hi
m:Okey
..
Theyat
tempt
edgoi
ngandThami
stopped.
Hi
m:Ar
eyouokey
?.
-
[
Dav
id]
Iwasonmywayt othei
nter
netcaf
ewheni
saw
Nal
ediwi
thherl
overboy
.
Ican'
tbel
i
eveshei
scheat
ingonmewi
tht
hat
boy.
Icl
ickedmytongueanddrov
ebackhome.Iwas
notinthemoodanymore.
Zi
pho:
arey
ouokey
?
Ikeptpaci
ngar
oundt
hesi
tt
ingr
oom.
Me:I
'm okey..
.l
istengoovert
oyour
f
ri
ends.
..spendt henightt
her
e.
Her
:Why
?..
what
'
swr
ong?
.
Me:Nothi
ng.
..
I'
mtaki
ngNal
edi
outandwe'
l
lbe
backl
ate.
Her
:okey
.
Shewassoexci
tedt
ospendt
heni
ghtout
.
Nal
edi
isgoi
ngt
oregr
etmessi
ngwi
thme.
Shewal
kedi
nwi
thherheaddown.
Me:
Wher
ehav
eyoubeen?
.
Shelookedatmefr
om headt
otoet
henwal
ked
toourbedroom.
If
oll
owedher
.
Me:
I'
mtal
ki
ngt
oyou.
Her
:andI
'
mignor
ingy
ou.
Il
osti
tandj
ustsl
appedt
heday
li
ghtoutofher
.
Shehel
dont
ohercheeki
ndi
sbel
i
eve.
Wekepteyescont
actandshedi
dthe
unt
hinkabl
e.
Sher
etur
nedt
hesl
aponl
yshebacksl
appedme.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Davi
dmustbecrazyi
fhethinkshecanjust
beatme.
..
I'
m nobody
'spunchingbag.
Hehel
dont
ohi
scheek.
.hewasf
umi
ngwi
th
angerImustsay
.
Hi
m:Iseey
ou'
vegr
ownapai
r.
Ichuckl
ed.
Me:
ify
ouev
ert
ryt
hatagai
n..
BeforeIcouldfi
nishheslappedmeagain.
.only
thi
stimehedi dn'
tstop.Hemanhandledme, I
tri
edfight
ingbackbuthonestlyIwasnomat ch
tohim.
-
•
ToBeCont
inued.
[
01/
25,
15:
15]Wadz
:APar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#13
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Imusthav
epassedoutbecausewhenIwoke
upIwaslyi
ngonthef
loor
.Iwasbrui
sedall
over
myfaceandIhadpai
nonmyt
highhenceI
coul
dn'
twal
kproper
ly.
Icoughedandi
twasv
erypai
nful
.
Il
impedall
thewaytothebathr
oom whereIjust
satont
hetoil
etsi
tandcri
ed.Icr
iedt
il
ltear
s
coul
dn'
tcomeoutanymore.
It
hensear
chedf
ormyphoneandcal
l
edThami
.
Hewast
heonl
yoneIcoul
dthi
nkofatt
hat
moment
.
Iwould'
vecall
edNat hi
butIknowhewouldgo
ext
remeandr ightt
henallIwant
edwastobe
outofthathouse.
Thami
pickedupaf
teral
ongr
ing.
Hi
m:Lal
a.
Me:
Thami
!.
Ij
ustst
art
edsobbi
ng.
Hi
m:heyhey
..
arey
ouokey
?.
Me:
Thami
hebeatmeand.
.and.
.
Icoul
dn'
tev
enspeakpr
oper
ly.
Hi
m:Lal
awher
ear
eyour
ightnow!
.
Me:
I'
m att
hehouseandhe'
snother
e.
Hi
m:Okeywai
tther
ei'
m comi
ng.
Hedr
oppedt
hecal
l
.
Ipackedafewcl
othesandthi
ngsimightneed,
I
wasn'tpl
anni
ngoncomingbackanyt
imesoon.
Isatther
eforalongwhi
le,
Iwasscar
edthat
Davidmightcomebackandfi
ndmether
e.
ThamigotinjustasIwasaboutt
olosehope
andhehelpedmet ohiscar
.
-
[
Thami
]
Idon'
tknowwhetherIwasangr
yatDav
idor
j
ustsadoverLal
a.
Whodoessomethi
ngl
i
ket
his?
..
whobeat
sa
womanpurpl
e?.
Nal
edi
wasl
ayi
ngont
hebacksi
twhi
l
eIdr
ove
t
omyapar
tment
.
Wegott
her
eandIhel
pedheri
nsi
de.
Thandi
:ohmyGodi
ssheokey
?.
Nal
edi
nodded.
Lal
a:I
'
m sor
ryIdi
dn'
tmeant
odi
stur
b.
Shewasrefer
ri
ngtothecosydi
nnert
abl
e
Thandi
prepar
edforusbefor
eIgotacal
lfr
om
her
.
Thandi
:It
'
sokey
..
.I
'
llgett
hef
ir
stai
dki
t.
Meanwhi
l
eIsatt
her
enextt
oher
.
Ifel
tli
keIf
ail
edher
..
.maybei
fIt
ri
edhar
derand
tal
kedheroutofmar
ryi
ngDavi
dshe'
swoul
dn't
behere.
Me:
Lal
aI'
m sor
ry.
..
youneededmeandIwasn'
t
t
her
e.
Her:
Ibr
oughtt
hist
omy self
..
ever
yonet
ri
ed
t
alki
ngt
omeandIdi dn'
tl
ist
en.
Me:
thatdoesn'
tmeany
oudeser
vet
obebeat
en.
Shest
art
edsobbi
ng.
Ihuggedhercl
osert
ome.
Me:
He'
l
lnotgetawaywi
tht
hisIpr
omi
sey
ou.
Il
ookedather
.
Me:Il
oveyou..
I'
veal
way
slov
ed.
.It
ri
edt
oignor
e
i
tbutIcan'
t.
Shesni
ff
le.
Her
:I.
.
ShethenlookedatThandi
whowasst
andi
ngby
thedoor
way .
Me:
Thandi
.
Shequi
ckl
ywal
kedt
othebedr
oom andl
ocked
her
sel
f.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Aweekl
ater
.
Iwasl
ayi
ngi
nThami
'
schest
.
Yeah!Iknow.
.noneedt
otel
lme.Icl
ear
edmy
thr
oat.
Me:
thi
siswr
ong.
Hi
m:Not
hisi
sri
ght
.
Me:I'
m marr
iedandy
ou'v
ejustbr
okeupwi
th
Thandi
..
andi
twasbecauseofme.
Him:i
twasgoingtohappenany
way..and
besi
desyou'
regoi
ngdivor
ceDavidr
ight?
.
Idi
dn'
trespond.
Hi
m:Nal
edi
?.
Me:I
'
m goi
ngt
oopenacaseagai
nstDav
id
t
oday.
Hi
sfacel
i
ghtup.
Him:That
's.
.br
aveofy
ou.
.y
ouar
emaki
ngt
he
r
ightchoi
ce.
Me:Ithi
nkthepi
cswetookwil
lbeenough
ev
idenceagai
nsthi
m..
Iwisht
heycanlockhi
m
upandt
hrowt
hekeyi
nthedeepsea.
Him:Don'
tworr
y..
thedoct
orsrepor
tcardwi
ll
actonourf
avour.
..
I'
ll
makesureherotsint
here
eveni
fit
'st
helastthi
ngIdo.
Il
eanedov
erandweshar
edaki
ss.
Lat
erthatdayItookaqui
ckshowerandwore
Nandi
'
sdr ess.
.i
twastheonl
ylongdr
essIhad.
Aftert
hatIapproachedt
hedooronmywayt
o
thepoli
cestat
ion.
Ibumpedi
ntoThami
byt
hedoor
.
Me:
You'
rebackear
ly.
Hi
m:I
'
m comi
ngwi
thy
out
othest
ati
on.
Il
ookedathi
m andsmi
l
ed.
Me:
Thanky
ouThami
.
Hefl
ashedasidesmi
l
eanddr
ovemet
othe
pol
i
cestati
on.
I
twaskindofpackedsowehadtowaiton
t
hosecoldbench.Bei
ngt
her
eremindedmeso
muchofmyli
febef
oreIcametoKZN.Iusedto
wor
katthest
ati
onandli
fewassoeasythen.
Thequeuekeptget
ti
ngshor
terandIwas
get
ti
ngcloser
.
Idontknowifi
twaspani
cbutmyhear
tst
art
ed
beati
ngreal
l
yfast
.
Hi
m:Lal
aar
eyouokey
?.
If
eltl
i
ket
hewal
l
swer
ecl
osi
ngonme.
Me:
Idon'
t.
.I
..
don'
t.
.
It
ri
edbr
eat
hingi
nandoutbuti
twaspr
ett
yhar
d.
Bef
oreIknewi
t.
.i
twasl
i
ght
sout
.
Iwokeupinahospi
tal.Icoul
dt el
lbythe
beepi
ngsoundsandthemechi nesall
around
me.
IsawThami
standi
ngbyt
hewi
ndow.
Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
.
Me:
Thami
.
Heappr
oachedme.
Hel
ookedv
erywor
ri
ed.
Me:
whathappened?
.
Hi
m:Doy
ouneedwat
erorany
thi
ng?
.
Il
ookedathi
m wi
thnor
esponse.
Hi
m:Lal
ayou'
re.
..
you'
repr
egnant
.
-
•
ToBeCont
inued.
[
01/
25,
15:
15]Wadz
:Apar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#14
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Me:
wh.
.whatdi
dyousay
?.
Hi
m:y
ou'
ref
ourweekspr
egnant
.
Me:
butt
hat
's.
..
how.
.i
tcan'
t.
.
Isatupstr
aightt
ryi
ngtomakesomesenseout
ofthesi
tuat
ion.ThamiandIonlygoti
nti
mate
l
ikeafewday ssohe'sdef
ini
tel
ynotthefat
her
.
Me:
ButThami
.
At
earf
ell
down.
Hi
m: heyi
t'
sokey..
we'
l
lmakeapl
an.
..
ever
ythi
ng
wi
llworkoutokey
?.
Me:
Iwantt
ogohome.
Hi
m: Sur
e..
Idi
dex
plainatt
hepol
i
cest
ati
ont
hat
we'
l
lcomesomeot hert
ime.
Me:
No.
.y
ou'
renotl
i
steni
ng.
..
Iwantt
ogohome.
Hel
ookedatmei
ndi
sbel
i
eve.
Him:arey
ouki
ddi
ngmer
ightnow?
..
.Nal
edi
don'
t.
.
Icuthi
ssent
ence.
Me:Surel
yyoudon'
texpectmet
obeasi
ngl
e
par
ent?
.
Hi
m:I
'
llbet
her
e!.
.we'
l
lrai
set
hebabyt
oget
her
.
Her
:You'
renott
hef
ather
!!
.
Her
emai
nedsi
l
ent
.
Hi
m:Wow!
..
justwow!
.
Hewal
kedoutandbangedt
hedoor
.
Ihadnoti
metonur
seThami'
sfeel
i
ngs.
.Ihadt
o
thi
nkofawayt
odeli
vert
henewstoDavid.
Ithenremember edt hathementi
onednotbei
ng
readyforkids.Butthatwasbeforewegot
mar r
ied.
.andand..t
hingshavetobedif
fer
ent
now..Imeanwe' l
lhav eourownfamil
y.
Anursecametotell
methatIcangoast hey
needthebed.I
twasembarrassi
ng.Iwal
kedout
ofthecl
ini
cthi
nki
ngabouthowIwasgoingto
gethome.Ihadnomoneywi t
hme.
Ist
art
edwal
ki
ng,
atl
eastt
hesunwasdown.
Acarpul
l
edov
ernextt
ome.
Hi
m:Nal
edi
?.
Me:
whoar
eyou?
.
Hi
m:Thami
sentmet
otakey
ouhome.
Il
ookedathi
mforawhi
l
e.
Hi
m:LookIhav
eyourbagandphone.
HeshowedmeandIwal
kedi
n.
Hel
eftmeatThami
'sapar
tmentandIwal
kedi
n.
Hewasnotar
ound.
-
[
Thami
]
Nalediwasbeingcrazyandget
tingonmyl ast
nerve.Shewasbehav i
ngli
kealovesickpuppy.
Idon'tknowwhatitiswit
hDavi
dt hatjust
makesherl osei
t.
Nat
hi:
hey
..
Sanesai
dyou'
recal
l
ingme.
Me:
Yes.
Ist
oodupandwef
istbumped.
Hi
m:What
'swr
ong.
.y
oul
ookst
ressed.
Me:
It'
sNal
edi
.
Hel
ookedatmeat
tent
ivel
y.
Iwasn'tgoi
ngtosi tbackandwat chLalaput
her
selfindanger.Idon'tcarei
fNathiki
ll
sDavid
att
hispointaslongasNal edi
issafe.
It
oldhi
m ev
ery
thi
ng.
Me:soy
ousee.
.y
ouhav
etohel
pher
.
Hi
m:Onl
yIcan'
t.
Me:
Whatdoy
oumeany
oucan'
t?
.
Hi
m:Nal
edi
wil
lhav
etohel
pher
sel
f.
Me:
Butmanhebeat
sher
.
Hecl
enchedhi
steet
h.
Thatmadehi
m angr
y.
Hi
m:Li
keIsai
d..
it
'sal
li
nherhandsnow.
Hethenstoodupandwal
kedaway
.Inot
icedhe
f
eltuncomfor
tabl
e.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Il
ookedaroundbef
oreIcl
osedthedoor
.Thami
wassti
ll
notbacksoIwrotehi
m anote.
Ical
l
edacabandt
ookof
f.
Iwasscar
edofwalki
ngi
natf i
rstbutIr
eal
i
sed
i
twasgett
ingdar
kerout
side.
Isi
ghedbef
orewal
ki
ngi
n.
If
oundDav
idt
ypi
ngonhi
slapt
op.
Hel
ookedatmeasIwal
kedi
n.
Me:
Hi.
Wel
ookedateachot
herf
orawhi
l
e.
Hest
oodupandknel
tinf
rontofme.
Him: I
'
m sorr
y..
I'
m sosorryIpr
omi
seyouitwi
l
l
neverhappenagain.
.Iswearonmyfat
her
's
grave.
Il
ookedupav
oidi
ngt
het
ear
stof
all
.
Hewashuggi
ngmyl
egs.
Me:
Dav
id.
.I
..
I'
m pr
egnant
..
Her
aisedhi
sheadupt
olookatme.
Hi
m:we.
.we'
regoi
ngt
ohav
eababy
?.
Inoddedwi
tht
ear
s.
Hehuggedmeandspanmear
ound.
Weshar
edal
ongki
sst
oseal
ourmoment
.
-
•
ToBeCont
inued.
[
01/
25,
15:
16]Wadz
:APar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#15
-
[
Nal
edi
]
EversinceDavi
dlear
ntaboutthepregnancy
he'
sbesweet .Hewast her
eformeandt he
baby,hespentmoreti
mehomeandwe' v
ehad
nofightsorwhatsoever.Hewasthebest
husbandIcouldwishfor.
Thami ont heotherhandwasst arti
ngtoirr
it
ate
me.Hewentof fandt ol
dNat hiandSaneabout
thedisagreementIhadwi thDav i
dandSane
wasact i
ngal lmotherTheressawithme, sayi
ng
"Getoutbef or
eit'
stoolate".
.t
oolatefor
what?..
formet of i
ndhappiness?..
wellIdon'
t
thi
nkso.
Hi
m:Goodmor
ningsweet
hear
t.
Hekissedmycheekt
henmybel
l
ywhi
chwas
st
il
lnotshowi
ng.
Hewasonagoodmood.
Ismi
l
ed.
Me:
mor
ninghandsome.
Hi
m:Breakfastshoul
dbereadyi
nafew
mi
nut
es..solonggogetcl
eanedup.
Me:
yesSi
r.
Webot
hlaughed.
Ist
oodi
nthemi
ddl
eoft
her
oom andst
ri
pped
mycl
othesof
f,It
henwr
appedat
owel
around
mybody.
Me:
Aren'
tyougoi
ngt
othel
i
brar
ytoday
?.
Hi
m:No.
.It
oldy
ouI
'
m donewi
tht
hebook.
Me:
Noy
oudi
dn'
ttel
l
.
Him:Babyt
helaunchisinafewdaysandy
ou
don'
tremember?.
..
you'
reabadwife.
Igi
ggl
ed.
Me:
Stopl
yi
ngy
ounev
ert
oldmet
hat
.
Hi
m:BabyIt
oldy
ouandwet
alkedabouti
tlast
ni
ght
.
Me:
must
'v
ebeenhal
fasl
eepbecauseIdon'
t
r
emember.
Him:Welldearpregnantwif
e..
mylaunchi
s
happeni
ngonFr i
dayandy ouhavenochoice
buttobetherenexttoyourhandsomehusband.
Me:
OhandI
'
llbet
her
ebaby
.
Isai
dasIwasgoi
ngoutt
othebat
hroom t
o
t
akemybat
h.
-
[
Thami
]
Youknowt hatfeel
ingwhenyouknowthatyou
havetol
etgobutsomehowy oucan'
tbecause
asmallvoi
cei nsi
deyourheadt
ell
syouthat
ther
eissti
l
l hopeleft
.
Iwantedt
ogiveuponNaledi
butIj
ustcoul
dn't
.
I'
veknownhermywholel
ifet
ounderst
andthat
sheneedsme..
event
houghshemightnotseeit
now.
-
[
Nat
hi]
Her
:may
bey
oushoul
dcal
li
nsi
ckNat
hi.
Me:
NoI
'
m okey
..
I'
l
lbef
ine.
ShelookedatmeandIknowshewas
di
sapprovi
ng.
Me:
MunchyIcan'
tmi
sswor
kbecauseI
'
m
feel
ingdown.
.Ihav
etosetgoodexampl
eformy
staf
f.
Her
:Buty
ou'
vebeenof
fsi
ncey
est
erday
.
Me:
I'
ll
bef
ine.
..
cany
oust
opwor
ryi
ng.
.
Shedi
dn'
trespond.
Me:okeyl
ookI
'l
lgotowor
k..
ifI
'
m notf
eel
i
ng
wel
lI'
l
lcomeback.
Shef
lashedaf
aintsmi
l
e.
Me:
That
'smygi
rl
..
I'
ver
any
ouawar
m bat
h.
Shest
oodupandmadet
hebedf
ir
stbef
oreshe
wentf
orherbat
h.
-
[
Sane]
Isoakedmysel
finandLor
ditf
eltsogood.I
wasgetti
nghugeandreal
l
yheavy.
Me:
Baby
.
Hedi
dn'
trespond.
Me:
Babyar
eyoust
il
lther
e!!
.
Iwasshout
ingandaf
terawhi
l
ehewal
ked
i
nsidet
hebathroom.
Hi
m:Munchyar
eyouokey
?.
Me:
yes.
.cany
ouhel
pmeup.
Hechuckl
edt
henhel
pedmeoutoft
hebat
htub.
Me:Yourbabyhav
etocomeoutnowNat
hiI
can'
ttakei
t.
Hi
m:Munchyy
ou'
reexagger
ati
ng.
Me:
Huh!
..
I'
mtheoney
ouhast
oputupwi
thher
.
Yes,
wewer
eexpect
ingababygi
rl
.
Hi
m:andIhav
etoputupwi
thy
ou.
Il
ookedathi
m andhel
aughed.
Hi
m: ButbabyIputupwi
thhert
oo..
She'
s
pr
obablythereasonI
'
mfeel
ingdown.
Ms: Ohpleasedon'
tusemydaught
erasy
our
excuse.
Hechuckl
ed.
Hi
m:Babyy
ouuseheral
lthet
ime.
Me:
I'
m hermot
her
.
Hi
m:AndI
'
m herf
ather
.
Hepul
l
edmecl
osert
ohi
m.
Hi
m: andIloveyou.
.bot
hofyou.
..
you'
ret
hef
ir
st
t
hingthatevermadesensei
nmyl i
fe.
Iwi
pedat
eart
hatj
ustf
eel
.
Hi
m:andy
ou'
reev
enmor
epr
ett
ywheny
oucr
y.
Ichuckl
ed.
Me:
Got
owor
kbef
orey
ougetl
ateman.
Hi
m:ohI'
m al
readyl
atewomanbuthey
,Iown
t
hepl
aceanyways.
Il
aughed.
Hi
m:Il
ovey
oumunchy
.
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
Weshar
edal
ongki
ssbef
orehewentt
owor
k.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Me:
Ishoul
dgetpr
egnantmor
eof
ten.
Hi
m:what
?.
Me:
You'
respoi
l
ingmer
ott
en.
Hel
aughed.
Hi
m:Wantsomet
hingt
odr
ink?
.
Me:
jui
cewi
l
lbef
ine.
Hewentt
otheki
tchenandpour
edi
tforme.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Hesatnextt
omewi
thmyl
egsont
opofhi
m.
Me:
thatf
eel
ssogood.
Hewasmassagi
ngmyf
eet
.
Hel
ookedatmeasIsi
ppedonmyj
uice.
Me:
arey
ouokey
?..
youseem abi
ttr
oubl
ed?
.
Hi
m:t
hepubl
i
sherwassupposet
osendmet
he
bookf
ormyl
aunchandIcan'
tgethol
dofhi
m.
Me:
ohmay
behe'
sbusy
..
Hi
m:may
beIshoul
dgot
ohi
m.
Me:
li
kenow?
!.
Hi
m:y
esi
fthat
'sokeywi
thy
ou.
Me:
emm oksur
e..
goI
'
llbef
ine.
Hi
m:Ar
eyousur
e?.
Ismi
l
ed.
Me:
yes.
Hi
m:okey
.
Heki
ssedmyf
orehead.
Hechangedhi
scl
othesanddr
ovet
ohi
s
publ
i
sher.
Iwasj
ustt
ir
edsoIwentt
obedf
oranap.
Zi
phowwasv
isi
ti
nghergr
anny
.
Iwaswokenupbycramps.Iheldontowhere
thepai
nwascomingfr
om whileItr
iedt
ositup.
Thepai
ngotshar
perandIf
reakedout
.
Ireachedf
ormyphoneandtr
iedtocal
lDav
id
andheputstr
aightt
ovoi
cemail
.
Me:
ahhDav
id!
.
Igr
oanedi
npai
n.
IfeltwetdownthereandsoIwenttot
het
oil
et.
Itotal
lyfr
eakedoutwhenIsawbloodont
he
toil
etsit
.
Me:
ohGodNo!
.
-
•
ToBeCont
inued.
[
01/
25,
15:
16]Wadz
:APar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#16
Seasonf
inal
e
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Iwasi
nexcr
uci
ati
ngpai
n.
Ical
l
edDav
idagai
nbutst
il
lnoanswer
.
Idi
dn'
tknowwhattodoespecial
l
ysi
nceI
coul
dn'
twal
kproper
lyany
mor e.
Itookmycarkey sandtriedwalki
ngoutthe
door.Itol
dmyselfthatIam notgoingt
ositand
waitformetolosemybaby .
I
twasdarkoutsi
deandther
eweregroupof
guysst
andi
ngbythestr
eetcor
nernotsofar
fr
om myhouse.
Me:
h..
.hel
l
o..
pl.
.pl
easehel
pme!
.
Idon'
tknowifi
twasthepainbutIst
art
ed
feel
i
ngcrazy
.Ihear
dvoicesinmyhead.
Istar
tedscreami
ngasIbrushedmyar
m
roughl
y,if
eltast
ingi
ngsensati
on.
Ikeptscr
eami
ngt
il
lIpassedout
.
Iwokeupi
nahospi
talbed.
.Il
ookedar
oundand
Iwasti
edont
hebed,bothmylegsandhands.
Myeyesfel
tsoheav
yhenceIst
ruggl
edopeni
ng
t
hem forawhi
le.
IsawThami
standi
ngbythedoor
.Idon'
tev
en
knowhowhegothere!
.
Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
..
hewasl
ooki
ngatme.
Me:
wh.
.
Icl
ear
edmyt
hroatagai
n,i
tfel
tsor
e.
Hi
m:Nal
edi
.
Wor
rywaswr
it
tenal
lov
erhi
sface.
Hi
m:I
..
ahm.
.Lal
a!.
Hewasgiv
ingmet hatl
ooky
ougi
vet
o
someoneyoupi
ty.
Me:
Howdi
dIgether
e?.
Hi
m:Idon'
tknow..
Iwascal
l
edandi
nfor
med
t
haty
ou'r
ehere.
Thatdidn'
tsurpri
semebecauseIputhi
m asmy
nextofkin.
..
surpr
ised?
!.
WellI'
vealwaysknewthatThami wil
lal
waysbe
ther
eformeandIknowi tseemslikeI'
mtaking
advantagebutI'
m not
..
it
'sjustt
hatsomethings
arecomplicat
edandcan'tbeundone.
Iqui
ckl
ylookedatmybel
l
y..
Isawnochange.
Me:
Mybaby
..
Thami
ismybabyokey
?.
Hel
ookedawayav
oidi
ngey
econt
act
.
Me:
Thami
!!
.
Him:Thebabydi
dn'
tmakeitNal
edi
byt
het
ime
yougother
eitwast
oolat
e..
Me:
No!
..
notmybaby
!.
Istar
tedcry
ing.
.Icr
iedagreatdeal
bef
ore
stoppi
ng.Thami di
dn'
tknowwhattodowithme.
Wher
eisDav
idwhenIneedhi
m?!
.
Hi
m:Lal
aI'
m sor
ryIwasn'
tther
e..
I.
.
Icuthi
ssent
ence.
Me:
Iwantt
ogohome.
.whyam It
iedagai
nst
t
hebed?
.
Hel
ookedawayagai
nbef
orel
ooki
ngbackat
me.
Him:t
henursessaidyouwerescr
eami
ngand
t
riedt
opullyourhai
rout.
.t
heywer
eworr
iedt
hat
youmighthurtyour
sel
f.
Ithoughtforawhiletr
yingtor
ememberandI
di
dr ememberbei ngi
nsomuchpai nanditwas
notcrampsi tcamefrom al
lovermybodyand
myf eet.If
eltl
ikeIwassteppi
ngonthousand
needles.
Me:ButI'
m okeynow.
.pl
easeIneedt
ogohome
andcook.
I
twasal readyatnightsothatwasal
i
eand
besidesIdon'tcookthatmuchsohesawIwas
l
ying.
Hi
m:Nal
edi
ther
e'ssomet
hingIneedt
otel
lyou.
Il
ookedathi
m at
tent
ivel
y.
Hi
m: Ther
e'snoeasi
erwayt
osayt
hissoI
'
m
j
ust
.
Hebr
eat
hinandout
.
Hi
m:Nat
hii
sgone.
Me:
Gonewher
e?Hecan'
tj
ustupand.
..
Hi
m:He'
sdead.
Il
ookedathi
m andhel
ookedr
ightback.
Me:
No!
.
Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ry.
Me:
No.
.he'
snot
..
.whyar
eyoul
yi
ng.
It
ri
edforci
ngmyhandsandl
egsoutoft
he
st
rapsbuti
twashar
d.
Hi
m:Lal
awai
t.
.y
ou'
l
lhur
tyour
sel
f.
Het
ri
edbei
ngcal
m.
Me:Thamigetmeoutofher
eIwantt
oseemy
br
other
!!
.
Hi
m:Lal
a!.
Iscreamedandanur
sewal
kedi
nandt
ooka
needleout
.
Shei
nject
edmeandIf
eltl
i
kedozi
ngof
f.
Me:
Thami
please!
.
Il
ookedathi
m andhelookedbackwi
thgl
ossy
ey
es..
hewaswor r
iedaboutme.
Ispokewi
thmyl
astst
rengt
h.
Hi
m:Lal
arestIpr
omi
seI
'
llt
akey
out
ohi
m
t
omorr
ow.
Me:
Nat
hi!
.
Hi
m:Ipr
omi
se.
-
[
Sane]
Hi
m:Mam ar
esur
eyou'
regoi
ngt
obeokey
?.
Iwasstar
ingi
ntospace.
.i
tfel
tli
keal
ongbad
dream.
Onlyifheli
stenedtomeandstayedathome.
OnlyifIspentmoreti
mewi t
hhim.Onlyi
fI
stoppedhim, hewasdownandthatshoul
d'v
e
beenasi gnthatsomet
hingbadwil
lhappenbut
Idi
dn'
t.
.Idi
dn'
ttr
yhar
denough,
Idi
dn'
tst
ophi
m.
Hi
m:Mam.
Het
ouchedmyshoul
der
.
Il
ookedatt
hecor
pse.
Me:
yesi
t'
s.
.i
t'
shi
m.
Isai
dsni
ff
li
ng.
Me:
whathappened?
.
Bef
orehecoul
danswerIst
art
edsobbi
ng.
Him:we'renotsurey
etbuthewasbr oughtinby
pol
icewithabitewoundinhisneck.
..
avery
unusualoneImustsay.Theysaidhewasf ound
byacleanerathisworkst
ati
on.
Me:
Bit
ewound?
..
Ithenremember edthegif
t.Ihadnodoubtt
hat
i
thadsomet hi
ngtodowi t
hi t
,hewasworki
ng
onchallengi
ngitsothatIcanhavemydaughter
i
npeaceandmay betheyf
oundoutanddecided
tokil
lhim..nowhe'sgone.
Hi
m:Idon'
tmeant
opr
ybuty
oul
ooksoy
oung.
.
Isni
ff
le.
Me:
He'
smyhusband.
Him:I'
m deepl
ysor
ryf
ory
ourl
oss.
.ar
eyousur
e
you'
refi
ne?.
Hel
ookedatmyhugebel
l
y.
Thinki
ngaboutmybabymademeemot i
onal.
.I
fel
tli
keI'
vej
usthear
dsecondsagot
hatNathii
s
dead.
Me: This.
.t
hiscannotbehappening.
.hecan'
tbe
dead..hecan'
tleavemehej ustcan'
t.
.we'
re
goingt ohaveafamilyand.
..
and..
behappy..
he
can'tbedead.
Icr
iedmyey
esr
ed.
-
•
ToBeCont
inued.
-
-
Li
ke,commentandshar
e...
I'
l
lpostwhenIsee
enoughcommentsandreacti
ons.
..
.
-
-
wi
shi
ngy
oual
lagoody
earahead
•
Lov
e_Admi
nPear
l♥
[
01/
25,
15:
16]Wadz
:APar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#17
Seasonf
inal
e
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Idon'
tknowhowlongIsl
eptbutwhenIwoke
upitwasmorni
ngalr
eady
.
Ipul
l
edthesheet
str
yingt
ogetupbutf
li
nched
i
npain.
Hi
m:Easy
!.
Hesai
d,wal
ki
ngi
n.
Hehel
pedmesi
tup.
Me:
Thami
..
Hi
m:Lal
a!.
Ther
ewassi
l
encef
orawhi
l
e.
Me:Ihav et
oseeNat hi
..
.may
bet her
e's
somethingIcando...Imeanhe'
sapar tof
me..
hecan'tdie.
.hewast ooyoung..
hehada
whol
ef utur
etoli
v e.
.hewashappyand. .
.and.
.
Iwasspeaki
ngtoofastt
hatIbeganbr
eat
hing
heav
il
y,Iwasemoti
onal.
Hi
m:shi
i
!..
it
'sokey
..
it
'sokey
.
Me:
Noi
t'
snot
..
Hehel
dbot
hmyhandsi
nhi
s.
Him:Youhavetobest
rongLal
a..
Wehav
etogo
befor
ethenur
sesgether
e..
Il
ookedathi
mforawhil
ethenst
oodup.I
di
dn'
twanttowast
eanyti
me.
Hegav
emenewtracksuit
s,Ichangedi
ntothem
wi
thhi
shel
pandwewal kedoutofthehospit
al.
-
Islowl
ywal
kedi
nwhil
eThamiwastal
ki
ngt
o
themanwhoworkedatt
hepar
lor
.
Man:
Thi
sishi
m.
Hesai
dpul
li
ngt
hefreezi
ngshelfandr
eveal
ed
Nat
hiwhowasl
ayi
ngonhi sback.
Hel
ookedsopal
eandl
i
fel
ess.
IknewhewasgonebutIcoul
dn'
tl
etgo.If
elt
l
ikether
ewasst
il
lachance.
Man:
I'
ll
giv
eyousomepr
ivacy
.
Hewal
kedoutandIwasl
eftwi
thThami
int
he
r
oom.
Iwal
kedcloserandcuppedNat
hi'
sfacewi
th
onehand.
Me:Imighthav
ehadadr eam chi
l
dhood, Ihad
ev
eryt
hingIwantedbutnotwhatIneeded.My
l
ifewasi ncompletebecauseyouweren'
t
there.
.andthenIfoundy ouandthev
oidwas
closed..
you'
reapar tofme..
sonowy ousee,
you
can'tbegone..
youcan' tl
eaveme.
Thatcameoutasawhi
sper
.
Il
ookedathi
m andhewasst
il
ll
if
eless.
Me:
Ilov
eyou.
Ibentdownandki
ssedhi
sfor
ehead.
Isawapat
chonhi
sneck.
Me:
itwast
hem!
.
Ishout
edwi
thmyey
eswi
deopened,
looki
ngat
Thami.
Me:
Hewasgoingtodest
royGinaandher
f
amil
y.
.t
heyf
oundoutandtheyki
ll
edhi
m..
Hi
m:okeycal
m down.
Me:
Theneckbit
e?.
..
onl
ythegif
tedknowsthat
t
hewaytoki
ll
himisthr
oughthebit
e..
thi
sisal
l
myfaul
t.
Him:you'
renotmaki
ngsenser
ightbutpl
ease
cal
m down.
Ist
art
edpaci
ngar
ound.
Me:Ishould'
vebeenthere.
.t
ogetherwe
woul
d'vetakenthem outbut
..
.but..
.Gosh!
.
Ist
art
edt
ear
ingup.
Me:
I'
m sor
ryNat
hi.
..
I'
m sosor
ry.
Iwentdownwi
thThami
hol
dingme.
-
[
Dav
id]
Ikeptcal
li
ngNaledi
butitrangunanswer
edunt
il
i
teventual
lyst
oppedri
nging.
ThedooropenedandShewal
kedi
nwi
thThami
.
Hereyeswerebl
oodshotr
ed!
.
Me:
Nal
edi
!.
Shewal
kedpassedignor
ingme.Ihear
dthe
bedr
oom doorcl
osi
ng.
Thami
:Iknowwhaty
oudi
d.
Il
ookedathi
mir
ri
tat
edl
y.
Me:
excuseme?
.
Hi
m:Thetestresultr
evealst
hatthemiscar
ry
wasi
ntent
ional
..
.youspikedherdri
nk.
Me:
What
?!.
.Nal
edi
miscar
ri
ed?
!
Ihadt
oactsur
pri
sed.
Him: keepplay
ing..
I'
veknownNaledial
lmy
l
ife.
.she'sv
erydangerousandIcanonly
i
magi newhatshe'lldowhenshefindsout
becauseshewi ll
findout!
.
Me:
Nal
edi
lov
esme.
Hechuckl
ed.
Hi
m:Okey
..
.Dav
id!
.
Af
tersay
ingt
hathewal
kedaway
.
Idon'
tknowi
fhewast
ryi
ngt
oscar
emeor
what?
!.
ButIknowforafactthatNal
edi
won'
tdo
anyt
hingt
ome. .
shelovesme.
Sheisbl
i
ndedbyl ovesomucht
hatshewon'
t
not
icewhathappened.
Butont
heot
herhandIwasscar
ed.
..
Iwentt
oo
far
.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Il
ockedmy
sel
fint
hebedr
oom andcr
ied.
Dav
id:
Nal
edi
!
!
Hewasknocki
ngont
hedoor
.
Hi
m:Pl
easel
etmei
n..
Me:
Goaway
!.
Hi
m: what
everi
tissweethear
tI'
m sur
ewecan
wor
kitout.
Me:Cany oubringmybrot
herf
rom t
he
dead?
!!
..
.No!!
..
.canyoubri
ngmybaby?
Nowl
eav
emeal
one.
I
'vefel
tpainbef
orebutnotthi
sdeep.
..
Ispent
dayslockedi
nsi
detheroom. .
Ihat
edl
if
e..
.I
wishedtobedead.Ihadlosti
tall
.
Apar
tofmewasgone.
-
[
Thami
]
SanewasdevastatedandIwasreall
ywor r
ied
aboutt
hepregnancybutatl
easthermot her
andauntcameov ertogi
vehersupport
.
Shesni
ff
le.
Shehasbeensitt
ingont
hemat
tressev
ersi
nce
hermothergothere.
Her
:Wantsomemor
etea?
..
mom pl
easemake.
.
Icuthersent
ence.
Me:NoI'
m okey
..
excusemeIneedt
he
bat
hroom.
Iwal
kedoutt
other
est
room,
didmybusi
ness
andwalkedov
ert
othesmal
lbasi
ntowashmy
hands.
JustasIr
aisedmyheadIsawar
efl
ect
ionon
themir
ror
.
Me:
Whatt
he!
!!
Ij
umpedi
nshock.
Her
:Thami
.
Itur
nedt
olookatherasshewasst
andi
ng
behi
ndme.
Shel
ookedr
eal
l
ycal
m.
Me:
Mam'
Nandi
!!
.
Imov
edbackaf
ewst
eps.
Her:Yesi
t'
sme..Thami
Ineedy
out
ohel
pme
wit
hsomething.
Me:
Whati
sthat
?.
Her:
Naledi
..
Ican'
tgett
oherand.
.onl
yyoucan
hel
phernow.
Me:Notanymore..
eversi
nceNathidi
edshe
shutusal
loutevenherpreci
ousDavi
d.
Her
:Thent
ryhar
der
!!
..
.y
ou'
renotDav
id.
Idi
dn'
trespond.
Her:Shehast
otakecar
eoft
heper
sonwho
ki
ll
edherbrot
her
.
Iqui
ckl
yresponded.
Me:Nooo!
..
that'ssui
cidal
..
that'
swhyNathii
s
deadi
nthefirstday.
..
shecan'ttakeGi
naout
al
one.
.t
hey'
l
l kil
lher!
.
Iwasscar
edf
orher
.
Her
:Gi
na?
!.
Me:
Yes!
.
Her
:whatdoest
hishav
etodowi
thGi
na?
.
Me:
Lal
abel
i
evest
heyki
l
ledNat
hi.
Shechuckl
ed.
Her
:Don'
ttel
lmey
oual
sobel
i
eveGi
naki
l
led
Nat
hi.
Il
i
stenedat
tent
ivel
y.
Her
:Thi
si smorereasonwhyyoushoul
dhel
p
Nal
edi
..
.sheneedstofocusandl
ist
en.
Me:
I'
mlost
.
Her
:Fi
ndtheper
sonwhoki
l
ledmysonbef
ore
t
heydest
royNal
edi
too.
Me:
youknowt
heper
son?whoi
sit
?.
Shet
urnedherbackatme.
Me:
LookThami
..
lookwher
eyoul
eastexpect
!!
.
Af
tersay
ingt
hatshedi
sappear
ed.
It
houghtf
orawhi
l
e.
Me:
Sane?
!.
..
No!
..
.shel
ovedhi
m.
•
ToBeCont
inued.
-
-
Hadt
opostIst
handwasami
siphasi
l
e..
..
Thabi
l
e
"
Snap"Cel
e
-
-
Congr
atst oall
thosewhopassedandthose
whodidn't
..
don'tgi
veupanddon'tl
osehope,
Godwillneverputmoreonyouthanyoucan
bar
eandAkawadl i
amandlaumuntu
-
Admi
n_Pear
l
[
01/
25,
15:
16]Wadz
:APar
tofMeGone
°
S2°
#18
SeasonFi
nal
e
-
-
[
Thami
]
Isl
owl
ywal
kedoutoft
her
estr
oom.
Icl
ear
edmyt
hroatandev
ery
onel
ookedatme.
Me:It
hinkI
'
m goi
ngt
ogo.
.Ineedt
ocheckon
Nal
edi
.
Sane'
smom:
I'
ll
star
twi
tht
hepot
s.
Shest
oodupandpat
tedonmyshoul
der
s.
Sane:
Howi
sshe?
.
Il
ookedather
.
Her:
Nal
edi
..
.Iwashopi
ngt
hatshe'
l
lcomeher
e
andwe'
d.
.
Shest
art
edt
ear
ingup.
Her
:I'
m sor
ry.
Shewi
pedhert
ear
sbutt
heykeptf
all
i
ng.
Her:It
'shardThami .
.I
'vebeent ryi
ngsohardto
copeand. .
.andpulli
talltogetherbuti
t'
sso
damnhar d.Iwakeupev erymor ni
nghoping
thati
twasal ljustadream. .
.t
hatmay behe'
l
l
walkinandt el
l methathe'sher eandhe'
shere
tostay..
Shesobbedloudil
y.
..
itwassoloudhermother
hear
dherfrom theKitchenandshemadeher
waytous.
Sheknel
tnex
ttoherandhel
dhert
oherchest
.
Sane:
MahIcan'
t.
..
Ican'
t.
.Ican'
t.
.
Shekeptr
epeat
ingt
hosewor
ds.
Al
lthethoughtIhadofSanebeingtheonewho
ki
ll
edNat hi
wereoutthewindow.Shecouldn'
t
dothattohim..
shelov
edhim dearl
y.
Icoul
dn'
tstandwatchi
ngsoIwal
kedoutt
omy
caranddr
ov ehome.
Ispentthewholeni
ghtt
ossingandturni
ngfora
solut
ion.IknewNat
hibutnotthatmuchto
knowev eryonei
nhi
sli
febutNaledidi
d.
Ist
oodupf
rom t
hebed.
NaledinewNathimay
beit'
snott
hepersonI'
d
l
eastexpecttoki
l
lNat
hibutaper
sonshe'd
l
eastexpect.
Yes!
.
Isai
dasIgotupandwentt
otakeashower
.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Myeyeswereheav
yandpuff
y.Isl
owl
ywal
ked
t
othedoorandopenedi
t.
Hi
m:OhMyGod.
..
Baby
..
arey
ouokey
?.
Ihadamassi
veheadache.
Me:
you'
redr
essedup.
.what
'
stheoccassi
on?
Hel
ookedawayt
henbackatme.
Hi
m:i
t'
smybookl
auncht
oday
.
Ichuckl
ed.
Me:
okey
.
Hi
m: Iknowthatyou'
recur
rentl
ydeal
i
ngwitha
l
otandIshouldbeherewit
hy oubuti
fIcanpul
l
t
hisoffwecan..
Icuthi
ssent
ence.
Me:Dowhaty
ougott
odo.
.Iwantt
obeal
one
any
ways.
Hesi
ghedl
ooki
ngatme.
Hi
m:Ipr
omi
sey
ouwhenIgetbackI
'
m al
lyour
s.
Heki
ssedmycheekandwal
kedout
.
Ir
ubbedmyf aceaggr
essi
vel
ywi
thmyhandasI
walkedi
ntheshower.
Iletthewat erhitmybodymer cil
essl
y.Ihadto
best rongf orNat hi
'
sbur i
alwhi
chIhadnoi dea
wheni twasgoi ngtohappen, I
'
vebeenoutof
touchandr eallysel
fish.
..
Sanemustbecr ushi
ng
wher eev ershei sbutI'm ov
erhereacti
ng
selfi
sh.
Iwasdi
stur
bedbyaknockont
hedoor
.
Iwrappedatowel
aroundmybodyandwent
overtoopen.
Me:
Thami
!.
-
[
Dav
id]
Me:
Ist
hedecocompanyher
eyet
?.
Ass:Iwasonthecallwi
tht
hem.
.t
heyconf
ir
med
theyar
eontheway .
Ms:
okey
.
Iwal
kedov
ert
othet
abl
es.
Me:Canyouputtheset
wotabl
esovert
her
e?.
.I
needsomespaceherei
nbetween.
..
Henodded.
Ass:Sir.
..
MrsMatobelawantst
ospeakto
you.
.she'sbeenwait
ingf
orhertr
anspor
twit
h
thecateri
ngstuf
fforanhournow.
Me:TellherI
'
llsendsomeone..
Ican'
ttal
k
now..
bloodyAndil
eisnotansweri
nghisdamn
phone.
I
twasabi gdayaheadandev
eryonewas
busy
..
.goodthi
ngIcameearl
y.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Il
ookedatt
hemirr
orandmycol
orbonewas
showi
ng.
..
I'
vel
ostwei
ght.
Isi
ghedt
henwor
emyMaxi
dress.
Thami
wal
kedi
nther
oom.
Him:Imadeyoucof
fee.
.y
ouhav
etoeat
somethi
ng.
Inoddedandt
ookthecupbutIwasn'
tthi
rst
yso
Iputi
tbesi
dethebed.
Me:HowisSane?
..
Iwasact
ual
l
yonmywayt
o
seeher
.
Hi
m:She'
s.
..
copi
ng.
Il
ookedathi
m andhestoodupandst
art
ed
walki
ngar
oundtheroom.
Him:Li
sten.
..
Iknowy ou'
vebeent hroughso
muchbutsitt
ingher
eandf eel
ingsorryfor
your
sel
fwon'thelpyou..
.youneedtopi ck
your
sel
fupandst ar
tt hi
nkingabouthowy ou'
re
goi
ngt
oav
engeNat
hi!
!.
Me:
Thami
Ican'
t..
.
Hecutmysent
ence.
.
Him:Youcanandy ouwi l
l
...
Fir
stl
yy ouneedto
fi
ndoutwhoisitthatki
ll
edhi m because
appar
entl
ythatpersoniscomi ngforyoutoo
andGodknowIcan' tl
etanythinghappento
you!
.
Ididn'trespond.Ihadli
tt
leenergytowast
eitby
arguingwi thThami..
Hedontknowhow
danger ousGinaisandI'm notgoingt
owaste
myt imeexpl ai
ningtohim.
-
[
Thami
]
Nal
edi wasbei
ngst
ubbor
nandv
eryhar
dfor
not
hing.
If
oundmy
sel
fbei
ngv
eryi
rr
it
ated!
Her
:ExcusemebutIhav
etobesomewher
e.
Me:
You'
renotgoi
ngany
wher
e!!
.
Ishout
edandshej
umped!
Him:Ipr
omi sedNandithatI
'
llhel
pyouseethe
t
ruthandthatisexact
lywhatI'
m goi
ngtodo!.
Shel
ookedatmeat
tent
ivel
y.
Her
:Na-
Nandi
camet
oyou?
.
Thatcameoutasawhi
sper
.
Inodded.
Her
:Shecamet
oyouandnotme?
.
Me:
She'
sbei
ngt
ryi
ngt
oreachy
ou!
!.
Shechuckl
edshaki
ngherheadi
ndi
sbel
i
eve.
Her
:Yeahr
ight
!.
Me:List
en..
Ginadidn'tki
l
lNat
hii
t'
stheper
son
you'
dleastexpectthatdi
dandri
ghtnow.
..
It
ookoutapenci
landapaper
.
Me:
You'
l
lfi
ndt
hatper
sonasi
nli
key
est
erday
.
ShesatdownandIgav
ehert
hepaperand
penci
l
.
Me:I'
dbei
nthenextr
oom j
ustsonott
odi
stur
b
you.
ShenoddedandIappr
oachedt
hedoor
.
Her
:Thami
?.
It
urnedt
olookather
.
Her
:Thanky
ou!
.
Idi
dn'
trespond.
.Iwal
kedout
!.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Isatther
eforwhatseemedl i
kealongt i
me
tr
yingtofi
gureoutwhattodo.Ial
sot r
ied
cal
lingoutt
oNandi butIcoul
dn'
treachout.
Me:
OkeyNal
edi
..
concent
rat
e!!y
oucandot
his.
Icl
osedmyey esagai
nandt
ri
edmyout
most
bestbutnot
hing.
It
hrewmy
sel
font
hebed.
Me: Whyam Ibei
ngpunished?
!!
..
Reeta!
!Yout
he
onewhosuggestedIavengeNathisowhy
aren'
tyouhel
pingme?.
Istar
tedslowl
yandendedupshout
ing.
..
all
the
angerinsi
demewasoozingthr
oughmyski n.
Me:Imadeami st
akeyes.
.weal
lmake
mi
stakes!
!!
!.
..
Reet
a!.
Tear
sfel
lmer
cil
essl
ybutst
il
lnosi
gnofReet
a!.
Isankt
othef
loorandcr
ied.
Me:
Nat
hi.
..
pleasehel
pme!
.
Ihear
daknockont
hedoor
,Iknewi
twas
Thami.
Hel
ethi
msel
fin.
Me:
Ican'
tdot
hisThami
.
Hewentovertopickthepenci
lwhi
chwasnow
ont
hefloorf
arfrom whereIwassi
tti
ng.
Hemademest
andupandl
ookathi
m.
Hi
m:i
t'
sokey
!.
Hehuggedme.
Hi
m:i
t'
sokey
..
ever
ythi
ngwi
l
lbeal
ri
ght
.
Me:
Whycan'
tIdot
his.
.IoweNat
hit
hatmuch.
Isaidthatget
ti
ngoutofhi
sembr
aceand
walkingoutofther
oom.
Ibr
ushedmyar
mswi
thmyhands.
Me:
Whati
sthi
s?.
Iwasr
efer
ri
ngt
othebi
gboxont
hecof
feet
abl
e.
Hi
m: oh.
.someonedr
oppedthatof
f.
.Isi
gnedf
or
i
t.
.Idi
dn'
twanttodi
stur
byou.
If
lashedaf
aintsmi
l
ewi
tht
ear
sonmycheeks.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Iwentovertotakethebox..
itwaskindofheavy
especi
all
yformesinceIhaven'tbeeneat
ing.
.I
hadlessthanenoughenergy.
Hi
m:Needhel
p?
Ishockmyheadno!
Hi
m:I
'
m goi
ngt
otheshops.
.needany
thi
ng?
.
Me:
sourmi
l
kpl
ease.
Hi
m:okey
.
Henoddedandwentout
.
Iputt
heboxinthebedroom.
.i
twaspr
obabl
yfor
Davi
dthoughi
tdidn'
tsay.
Isatont
hebedt
hinki
nghar
d!.
Cur
iosi
tyl
edmei
ntoopeni
ngt
hebox
.
I
twasabunchofbooks.
.t
hebookDav
idwas
wor
kingonmaybe?
.
Itookoneoutandr
eadt
het
it
le.
.If
oundt
he
shockofmylif
e.
-
-
[
Sane]
Imust
'v
ecri
edmy sel
ftosl
eepbef
oreIwokeup
toamovementi
nsidemybell
y.
Imoenedthoughi
twasn'
tpai
nfulbutastime
wentonthemomentbecameal i
tt
letoo
aggr
essi
veandIstar
tedf
eeli
ngsomepai n.
Me:
Mah!
.
Ishout
ed.
Her
:Sane.
.ar
eyouokey
?.
Me:
Idon'
tknow.
.It
hinkI
'
minl
abour
!.
Her
:okeyokey
..
.r
elaxandbr
eat
hokey
?.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
TheGi
rlAndTheJagua.
Thatwast
het
it
tl
etoDav
id'
sbook.
Me:
OhmyGod!
.
Ifel
tangerbui
l
dingupasIreadthought
hef
ew
pages.
.i
twasindeedaboutus.
Me:
howcanDav
iddot
hist
ome?
..
If
eltt
her
oom cl
osi
ngonme.
Me:
ahh!
.
Ist
art
edbreat
hingv
eryheav
yli
keIwashav
ing
apani
catt
ack.
Thami
:Nal
edi
..
.ihear
dyouscr
ea.
..
Bef
orehecoul
dfi
nish.
.i
twasl
i
ght
soutf
orme.
-
[
Sane]
Me:
Whatdoy
oumeani
t'
snott
imey
et?
.
Iscr
eamedi
nagony
.
Mybabywasdoi
nganumberonme.
Dr:t
hebabyi
sst
il
lfari
nfactv
er yfarsoI
suggesty
out
ryt
orelaxandbreath.
Me:
Mahhhhh!
!!
!.
Isai
dsqueez
ingherhand.
Her
:br
eat
hbaby
.
If
eltt
ear
shi
tmycheeks.
-
[
Nal
edi
]
Idon'tknowwhathappenedbutsuddenlyi
was
i
nNat hi'
soff
ice.Therewasnoonein.
.Iwal
ked
aroundandsawNat h'
sphoneont
hetable.
Me:
Hemi
ghthav
efor
got
teni
t.
Iapproachedi
tbutbef
oreIcoul
dreachi
the
walkedin.
Me:
Nat
hi!
.
Heignoredmeandwentst
rai
ghtt
ohisphone
andtookitandt
hensomemenwalkedi
n.
Nat
hi:
canIhel
pyou?
.
I
t'
sli
kehedi
dn'
tseemebuthesawt
hem.
Man1:
we'
reher
etot
alkt
oyou.
Nat
hi:
asyoucanseeI'
m onmywayhome. .
did
wehaveameeti
ngschedul
edorsomet
hing?.
Man2:Noandyou'
renotgoi
nganywher
eunt
il
wefi
nishwhatwecameherefor
!.
Inot
icedt
hatv
oice.
.Iknowi
t!I
t'
sDav
id.
Me:
Dav
idwhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e!.
Theyal
li
gnor
edme.
Me:
Dav
id!
!.
Nat
hi:
Dav
id?
.
Dav:y
es..I
'
m sureyouknowI'm wor
kingona
book.
.i
t'
squietdi
ff
erentf
rom whatIusual
l
y
wri
tesoIneedsomet hi
ngthatwil
lpr
ovethat
i
t'
snotfict
ion.
Nat
hi:
thenwhyar
eyouher
e?.
Dav:i
t'
saboutyouandyoursi
ster
..shet
oldme
you'
reajaguasoIcametoseeitformyself
.
Nat
hi'
sfacechanged.
Nat
hi:
That
'scr
azy
..
Befor
ehecoul
dfi
nishanot
hermanwal
kedi
n
wit
haninf
ant.
Me:
ohLor
d!.
Isai
dsof
tl
y.
Nat
hi'
sey
eswi
dened.
Dav
:easywayorhar
dway
?.
Nat
hidi
dn'
trespond.
Dav
:OK.
.har
dwayi
tis.
Hepi
nchedthebabyandi
tstar
tedcryi
ng.Nat
hi
t
ri
edtokeephiscool
buthecouldn'
t.
Meanwhi
leanot
hermanwasshoot
ingt
he
whol
ethi
ng.
If
eltNat
hi'
spai
nashet
ri
edsohar
dtof
ighti
t.
Dav
:br
ingt
heot
herones.
Mor
einf
ant
swer
ebr
oughti
n.
Nat
hi:
pumki
n!!
!.
.Nal
edi
!
!.
Hetri
ed..
.hetr
iedsohar
dtocal
lformebutI
wasn'
tthere!
.
Me:Stop!!
..
.he'
l
lki
l
lthebabi
es.
.Dav
id!
..
Whatar
e
youdoing?
Theyal
lcoul
dn'
thearme.
Itwentonandonandonuntil
Nathibi
tehi
s
ownneck..
Iguesshewasprotect
ingt
hebabi
es
sohedecidedtoki
ll
himsel
f.
Me:
Ahhh!
!.
Iscr
eamedsohar
dIf
eltmyl
ungsmov
ing.
Nat
hi:
Nal
edi
!.
Hesai
dashewentdownont
hef
looranddi
ed.
Me:
Nat
hi!
!!
!!
!.
Thami
:Lal
a!!
.
IguessIwasbackonear
th.
Me:
Hedr
ovehi
mtodeat
h..
itwasDav
id.
Thatcameoutasawhi
sper
!.
Af
tert
hati
twasl
i
ght
sout
..
Ifel
tdr
ained.
-
-
•
ToBeCont
inued
-
-
l
i
keandcomment
..
andshar
e
[
01/
25,
15:
16]Wadz
:APar
tOfMEGone
seasonf
inal
e
#19
-
-
[
Nal
edi
]
weakasi
wasi
hadt
owakeupanddeal
wit
h
Davi
d.
i
slowl
yrai
sedmyheadup.
Thami
:restLal
a.
me:
NoIhav
etogo.
Iwassti
ll
inshock,
howcoul
dDav
iddot
hatt
o
me?.
.It
rustedhi
m!!
.
Hi
m;wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
Me:
tot
akeanot
hershowerandof
ftoDav
id'
s
l
aunch.
helookedatmewithdisagr
eei
ngeyesbutI
guessheknewmet hatmuchtoknowt hat
ther
e'snot
hingheoranyoneelsecansayto
stopme.
Me:
Thami
Ineedagun.
Hi
m:f
orgeti
t!
!
Me:
Thami
..
..
.
helookedatmeandi
lookedr
ightbackwi
thmy
redpuffyey
es.
Me: y
ouknowI '
m goi
ngtofi
nditwi
thorwit
hout
yourhelp.
..
.butpl
easecal
lyourf
ri
endand
orgi
niseit
.
Hi
m:Ican'
tletyour
uiny
our
sel
fli
ket
hat
,Dav
id
i
snotwort
hi t
.
Me:
I'
m goi
ngt
ofi
ndt
hatgun.
.
Aftersay
ingthatIwal
kedtot
heshowerand
toookaquickone..
..
iwasasweakasi
tgetsbut
Ihadt
obest
rong.
Aftert
heshowerIdr
essupandputsomemake
uponandaapairofhil
l
s..
Ilookedgood,
even
thoughIsaysomysel
f.
-
-
[
sane]
Thepainhadsei zedandthedoctersmadeit
cl
earthatiwasn' tgoi
ngtogivebi
rthany
time
soonsoi don'tknowwhyt heykeptmehere,i
hatehospit
als..
theyhavethi
sbadv i
beican'
t
explai
n.
Voi
ce:
youl
ookgoodwi
tht
hatbi
gbel
l
y.
i
tur
nedmyheadandi
twasnal
edi
.
Ihav
en'
tseenhersi
ncefor
everandshewast
he
l
astper
sonIexpect
edtosee.
Me:
Nal
edi
.
shewal
kedi
nandsatont
hechai
rnextt
omy
bed.
Her
:Sane.
.howar
eyoudoi
ng.
Me:
I'
m okey
..
it
ri
edhar
dnott
ocr ybutsei
ngherj
ustmade
methi
nkofNat
hi.
shesi
ghedandl
ookedatme.
Me:
I'
vebeent
aki
ngi
tonedayatat
ime.
shenoddedandl
ookedaway
,shewasav
oidi
ng
eyecont
act.
Me;
howhav
eyoubeen?
icoul
dseethr
oughthemakeupthatshewas
notdoi
ngtoowell
hersel
f,ey
ebagsdon'
tl
ie.
Her:
I'
m copi
ng.
.Ij
ustcamet
ocheckony
ouI
hear
dyouwerenotokey.
Me:i
twasj
ustcr
amps.
.t
hedoct
ersai
dwe'
l
lbe
f
ine.
sher
ubbedherhandsonhert
highs.
Me:
arey
ougoi
ngsomewher
e?
sher
aisedherhead.
Her
:par
don?
Me:
you'
real
ldr
essedup.
her
:yes.
.uhm,
I'
m goi
ngt
oDav
id'
slaunch.
Me:
ohhokey
..
passmygr
eet
ingst
ohi
m.
shequi
ckl
yst
oodup.
Her
:Ihav
etogo.
.I
'
llseey
oul
ater
.
Nal
edi
wassoj
umpyandal
lov
ert
hepl
ace.
Befor
eIcouldrespondshest
art
edacti
ngver
y
st
range.sheheldontomyhandv er
yti
ght
.
Me:
Nal
edi
?
Shehadherey
eswi
deopenedandst
arr
ingi
nto
space.
Her
:Na-
Nat
hii
sher
e.
Isatupandl
ookedar
oundwi
thherst
il
lhol
ding
myhand.
Her:
Hesay s.
.hei
ssor r
ythathehadtoleave
youandheissorrythatyouwereinpainbutyou
hadtosothatLegacycanbebor nnormal.
Me:
Legacy
?
Her
:Yourbabyname.
..
fr
om hi
m.
Ibr
eat
hheav
il
y.
Me:it
'sanicename.
..
tel
lhi
m Isai
dit
'sokeyI
under
stand.
Ist
art
edt
ear
inng.
Her:Heisal
waysher
e..
nextt
oy ou.
..
andhe
knowsthatyoudr
ankcoff
eeyester
day.
Ichuckl
edwi
tht
ear
sst
il
lonmyf
ace.
Me:
it'
scaf
fei
nfr
ee.
.Mymot
herboughti
tforme.
Her:
Helov
esy
ouandhedon'
twanty
out
oev
er
f
orgett
hat
.
Me:
Ilov
ehi
m mor
e.
Shedi
dntrespondbutshestayedl
iket
hatf
ora
fewminut
esbeforeshebreathedi
nandout
heavi
ly.
..
thenshecl
osedherey
esandopened
them agai
n.
Me:
Best
rong.
.Il
ovey
ou.
af
tersayi
ngt
hatshewal
kedoutandl
eftmei
n
myov er
whel
medstat
e.
-
-
[
nal
ed]
ihaddoubt
sthatThamiwasgoi
ngtobri
ngt
he
gunbutsur
pri
singl
yhewaswait
ingf
ormeby
thehot
elDavi
dwasusingwit
hthegun.
Igotoutofmycarandwenti
nsi
dehi
s.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
i
sai
d,t
aki
ngt
hegunf
rom hi
shand.
Me;themi
nutesIst
epoutoft
hecarpl
ease
dr
ivehome.
Hi
m:Lal
ayoudon'
thav
etodot
his.
Me:
Iknow.
..
buti
wantt
o.
Hel
ookedatmeandIl
ookedr
ightback.
Isteppedoutofthecarandwalkedi
nsidethe
venueanddav i
dwasi nthef
rontspeaking.
Hi
m:Iwoul
dli
ket
othankMr
..
Me:
howabouty
ourwi
fe?
Ishout
edf
rom t
hebackandev
ery
onel
ooked
atme.
Imademywayi nwit
hmyheelsmaki
ng
sounds.
..
soundst
hatsai
dnot
iceme.
Hi
m: ever
yonethi
sismywife,
shewassickthi
s
morni
ngandi wasworr
iedshecoul
dn'
tatt
end
mylaunchbuther
esheis.
.
ev
ery
onecl
appedt
hei
rhands.
Me:Thanky
oubutli
kemyhusbandsai
d.I
'
m not
wel
lsoI'
mjustgoi
ngtodowhatIcamehere
f
or.
Hegav
emeaconf
usedl
ook.Ipul
l
edoutmy
gunandpoi
ntedi
tathi
m.
Hi
m:Babywhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Me:
whatIshoul
dhav
edoneal
ongt
imeago.
Ipul
ledt
hetr
iggerandfir
edseventi
mes
wit
houtgi
vi
ngmy selfachancetof
eelgui
l
ty.
Ihear
dpeopl
escr
eami
ng.
Lady
:cal
lanumbul
l
ance.
Iwal
kedoutgi
vi
nghernoat
tt
ent
ion.
Iwalkedpassedthesecuri
tyanddr ov
eback
homeandbyhomei don'
tmeant hathel
lhouse
isharedwithdavi
d..
.imeanThami '
s
house..
.act
uall
y,i
meanThami ..
heisHome.
t
hedriv
ewasrat
herl
ongbecausei
suddenl
y
f
eltv
erysi
ck.
.
Theminut
eIwal
kedi
nsi
det
hehousei
thr
ew
mysel
finhi
sar
ms.
Hi
m:l
alaar
eyouokey
?
Ismi
l
edf
aint
lyaswebot
hwentdownt
othe
f
loorwi
thhi
m hol
dingme.
Me:
Ilov
eyouThami
.
hel
ookedatme.
Hi
m:Iknowbutwecan'
tbet
oget
herr
ight
?
Ichuckl
ed.
Me:
wrong.
..
wecanand.
Ibreat
hedi
nfor
cef
ull
yasIf
eltmyl
astbr
eat
h
escapi
ng.
Me:
wewi
l
l.
aft
yersayi
ngthatIcl
osedmyey esandletmy
soull
eavemybodypeacef ul
l
y.Apartofme
wasgoneandsot herewasnome, wi
thout
nathi
henceIhadtojoinhi
m.
-
-
Twomonthslater
,ThamiandSaneweretr
ying
har
dtodealwit
hthepainofthei
rloss,
Sane
waspr
ett
ystrongbecausesheknewshehadt o
doitforherdaughter
,ohhandbyt hewayshe
gavebirt
htoabeaut i
fulheal
thybabygir
l.Thami
ontheotherhandwasnotdoi ngsogood.he
drownedhimselfinal
cohol.
-
[
sane]
Mah;
arey
ousur
eev
ery
thi
ngi
spacked?
Me;yes.
.ij
ustneedtoboxLegacy
'st
oysandwe
cancall
thedri
ver.
Yes,Iwasmovingbackhome.Itwasn'
teasy
bei
nganewmom andbei ngalonewasalsonot
hel
pingsomypar ent
ssuggest
edImov edback
j
ustunti
lIknowenoughaboutparenti
ng.
Mah:ahhaSane,I
'
vealr
eadycal
l
edt
hedriv
er
andI
'
m surehe'
sonhiswayaswespeak.
Me:
awMah.
Her
:It
houghty
oupackedev
ery
thi
ngl
astni
ght
.
Ther
ewasaknockont
hedoorandLegacy
st
art
edcr
ying.
Me:sor
rybaby
,mommywi
l
lbedonei
naf
ew
okey
?
i
sai
dpi
cki
ngherup.
Mah;gi
veherhereandgoattendthedoor
,I'
m
sureit
'sthedr
iver
..
..
soyoucantellhi
mthat
you'
retheunor
ganisedonekeepi
nguswaiti
ng.
.
Il
aughedandgav
ethecr
yingLegacyt
oherand
wenttoopent
hedoor
.
Her
aisedhi
shear
dupandourey
esmet
.
Me:
Nat
hi?
!
Iknowi
twasn'
tadr
eam.
-
-
*
***
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**THEEND*
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*
-
-
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