Chosen Makoti Ssn1

[
05/
29,
11:
26]Lynne:CHOSENMAKOTI 1
Loapi st
oodwi t
hthecompanyCOOunderand
umbr ell
aint
helargeclear
ingthewor ker
shad
gathered.Hewasagr eatCOO, butsometimes
fuckedupmessesf urt
her,sosheorLeat i
lehadt
o
stepinfrom t
imetoti
me.
NowLeati
lewasgoneati
twasj
usthercl
eani
ngup
messes.
Todayitwasthegroundsworker
s;t
hef ar
m
worker
sandf act
oryworker
s… t
housandsoft
hem
l
ookingatherexpect
antl
y.
LOAPI
:Bakanyi
kwedu!Dumi
lani
!
‘
Gar enakoyamadume,madiakae?
’(wehaveno
ti
mef orgr
eet
ings,
wher
eisthemoneyyou
promisedus?
Peopl
eyel
led,
aboutt
ost
artacommot
ion.
Sher
aisedherhandt
ost
opt
hem andsmi
led.
LOAPI
:Bat
sadi
,l
et’
sli
stent
oeachot
herpl
ease.I
didpromiseyouanincrement
.AndImeantevery
wordofi t
.Butmist
akeshappen.Myteam f
ail
edto
authori
setheri
ghtamounttobecredi
tedi
ntoyour
accounts.
‘
Ee,akerelonalej
asentel
eamogelamathaosane’
(
Easyf oryoutosaysi
nceyouear
nalot
)
LOAPI:Icanpr omi
seyout odaythati
nthemor ni
ng
whenyouwakeup, thebalancewil
lbeinyour
account.Iwil
lnotl
ettheteam sl
eepuntilt
heyfix
thi
s.Andf r
om hereonever ymonthyoursalar
ywill
havemovedf rom P950toP1250asIpr omised.
‘
Whataboutourot
heri
ssues?Yourpeopl
edon’
t
l
ist
entousmmaBabusi,andweonlygettoseeyou
oncei
nawhi l
e’
LOAPI :Ihaveheardyouandwear edeli
berating.
Youwantar et
ir
ementpackage.ButIhadt o
addressimportantissuesathandfi
rst
.Likeyour
i
ncrement .Orshoul dIhavestar
tedwithreti
rement
packageandyoukeptear ni
ngP950untilwe
sort
ed? ’
‘
No,
no!Youdi
dwel
l
!’
Shecrackedsomejokesandpr omisedthem anend
ofyearpart
ywit
hlotsofalcohol.Theycheer
ed
happil
yandshedismissedthem.
Shesi
ghedandgoti
nthecarasherPAwai
tedby.
PA:MsBabusi
,theestatemanageryouwanted.
Youhavenosl
otstointervi
ewher,
soIthought
maybeonyourcarr
idehome.
Shegoti
nthecarwi
tht
henewhi
ref
oll
owi
ng.
LOAPI :Sot hej obi slit
eral
lymanagi ngourhome
empl oyees.I t’
sal argehome.Wehavef ourmai ds,
twocooks, threegr oundsmensl ashl andscapers,
threedr ivers, onei smi ne,
oneisf orol dman
Ledimo, andt heot herf ortheoldladiesandmma
Kaedi ,somet imest heyoungerki dst oo.Yourdut i
es
areout linedi nadocumentI ’
m sur emyP.Agave
you, butgener allyit
’smanagi ngt hestuff,t
heir
grievances, pur chasi ngofwhat ’
sneededf orthe
househol d,liaisingwi t
hmyP.A’ sinpr epforevents
thatwi llbehost edhome.Wehostal ot.Youwi l
l
alsomanaget hef ami l
y’sall
owances.Ever yone
getsanal lowance.Thef amilystayinginthehouse
consistsofhowmanypeopl ekana, l
etmesee, i
ts
oldmanLedi mo, hiswifemmaLedi mo, hi
sot her
wifeMar ea,mma- Kaedi,andtheki dsLosi ka,Betsi
,
andAme.OhKaedi ismovi ngint oo, andWet sho
comeshomef orthehol idays.Oh, andme.Anda
countlessstream ofuncl es,auntsandcousi nswho
arealwayscomi ngandgoi ng.Your epor tdir
ectlyt
o
me.It’sathreemont hspr obati
onper iodandyou
needt ostayin.Ilikeyouandmyi nst inctsaregood,
sobr i
ngyourl uggaget omor r
ow, yourr oom is
al
readyf urni
shed.Mydr i
verwilldriveyout othe
offi
ceaf t
eryouhavemovedi n,andHRwi l
lgiveyou
anempl oymentcont ract.
*
***
***
**
Pil
arawal
kedoutt
owher
eherboyf
ri
endpar
kedand
tal
kedtohi
m.
PI
LARA:Thanksf orcomingbabe.Iknowyouj ust
ar
ri
vedf r
om t
hespor t
ingeventsatschoolandyou
ar
et i
red,
butIhavenooneel seandshecan’ twal
k
al
lthewaythere…
MOKGANEDI
:(smi
li
ng)Hey,
don’
tapol
ogi
es.Igot
you.
Hesaid,
caressi
ngherchi
nandgi
vingherasmal
l
peckontheli
ps.
PI
LARA:Ok,
I’
llj
ustgether
.
Shecameoutoft hehousewithhermot
herl
eani
ng
onher.Mokganedigreet
edherandhel
pedheri
nto
thecar,
thendr
ovet othecl
ini
c.
Theyf oundafewpeoplealr
eadyseated,andwait
ed
i
nl i
neast henur
sestooktheirt
ime.Shestret
ched
theclothshehadbroughtsohermot hercoul
dli
e
down.
Sheheardloudchat
teri
nEngl
ishandever
yone
tur
nedtolook.
Ifshe’
drol
ledhereyesanymor
e,t
heywoul
dhave
embeddedi nherbr
ain.
KaediLedi
mo.
HethoughthewasGod’ sgifttomanki
nd,
or
per
hapsGodhi msel
f,dependingonhowarrogant
hefel
tonthatday.
TheLedi
mof
ami
lyl
it
eral
lyownedt
hisvi
ll
age.They
hadcomewhenitwasjustal
itt
leset
tl
ementwi
th
ext
remel
yimpover
ishedf
amil
ies.
Theyhadboughtt hebul koft helandandst ar
ted
theLedi moFar ms, laterchangedt oLIDI ndust ri
es,
ahugemonopol y.Thecompanyconsi stedof :a
cattleranchwi ththousandsofcows, pigs, goats,
sheep, gui
neaf owl ,andr abbi t
s.Agamer anchwi t
h
wildani mal s, manmadewat erfall
sandhi ll
st hat
attractedt our i
stsandl ocalt hr il
lseekers, theyeven
hadamanmade‘ beach’ , and‘ holi
sti
cr etreat ’
hotel.
Cropf ieldsandor char ds, andsever al
manuf actur i
ngf actoriesandsuper market s
throughoutt hecount ry.Theymanuf actur edor ganic
sorghum cer ealandunpr ocessedsor ghum whi ch
theycapi t
al i
sedonsor ghum r ecent l
ybei ngcal leda
super food, andsol dtheirsor ghum t othewest ern
wor ld.Theyal sopr ivatelypr ocessedbeeff orexport
andgr ewexot icfoodl ikeol ivesandbuckwheat .
Betweenal lthosebusi nesses, t
heyhired
appr oximat ely10000peopl e, anditwasr umour ed
theywer emul tibi
lli
onai res.
Thebusi
nesswasst
art
edbyKaediLedi
moseni
or
fi
ftyyearsagowi thhisoldmoneyi nherit
ance,but
grownandheadedbyLeat il
eLedimof orthepast
thi
rtyyears,
andhadr ecei
vedmanyaccol ades
l
ocallyandinternati
onall
y.Leati
lehadr ecentl
y
passedonf rom ast r
oke,andhisfatherKaedi
LedimoSnrt ooktempor arycontr
olwhi l
ewai t
ingf
or
KaediLedimoI Itotakeover.
Now,
tal
kaboutt
hatasshol
e.Kaedi
.Shehat
edt
hat
manwit
hapassi
on.
Hewast heoldestsonofLeat
il
eLedi
mo,
andwas
not
hingli
kethatkind,humbl
eman,Godr
esthi
s
sweetheart
.
Kaediwasst
upid,unf
ocused,ashowof f
,pompous
andtoopl
ayf
ul.Aknownandpr oudwhor ewhohad
nosenseoff
ami l
yorresponsibi
li
ty.Hi
sbehaviour
al
onemadeherdespisehim, l
etalonetheir
… past
.
Heandhi sbrotherwerecurrent
lyheadedstr
aightt
o
theconsult
ati
onr oom thatapati
enthadjust
vacat
ed,ignori
ngal lt
heoldladi
esandsickkidsin
l
ine.
Shesawt
henur
sebl
ushandsmi
leathi
mli
kehe
wasnotj
ustski
ppi
ngsomanypeopl
e.
Thatwasi
t.
Shewal
kedoverf
umi
ng,
Mokganedit
ryi
ngt
ost
op
her
.
PI
LARA:Doyounotseeal
lthosepeopl
eli
ningup?
KAEDI:(
smi
li
ng)HeyMi
ssP,Iswearitwi
llbequi
ck.
Ij
ustwantt
ogetmyhandbandaged.
NI
KI:MynameisPi
lar
a,andIdon’tcar
ewhatyou
want.Wewantt
obehelpedtoo.
NURSE:Canyouj
ustgooutsoIcan…
PILARA:Okdarl
ing,
I’
llj
uststepoutsideforabitso
youcaneyefuckthi
swhor eforami nute.You’
l
l
probabl
ycat
chanSTIj ustl
ookingathim.
KAEDI:(l
aughing)Pi
pa,
PipaPi
pa!Suchaf
oul
mouth,darl
ing!
NURSE:Ma’
am,
Ineedt
oat
tendapat
ientand…
PILARA:Andyoucangivehi
m al
ltheatt
enti
onyou
wantwhenyouhaveser
vedallt
hosepeoplewho
havewait
edher
elongbefor
ehim.Actualsi
ck
peopl
e,notpr
incesswi
thaboo-
boooverher
e.
KAEDI:(l
aughi
ng)Youwannaki
ssmyboo-
boo
bet
terthen?
PI
LARA:Fuckof
f,Ledi
mo.
KAEDI:Suchapott
ymouth.Keept
hatupandI’
m
boundtothr
owyouovermykneeandspankthat
naughtybot
tom,t
hencl
eanthatmout
hwithmy…
MOKGANEDI
:Wat
chi
t!Youar
etal
kingt
omy
woman.
Kaedijustl
aughedandwal
kedof
f,si
ngi
ngRayJ’
s‘I
hi
titfi
rst’
PILARA:(laughi
ng)Youareachi
ldi
shli
ttl
ebitch
Ledimo!Andyoustil
lhavetowai
tli
keeveryoneelse,
pri
ncess.
Hewal kedawaycussi ngasPi laralaughedwitha
sati
sfi
edgr in.ThenursegavePi l
araadi rtyl
ookand
proceededt ohelppati
entsdraggingherf eet
,
annoyedt hatshedidn’tgethertenmi nuteswit
h
oneof ,
ifnott hecount
ry’smostel i
gibl
ebachelor.
MOKGANEDI
:If
ucki
nghat
ethatguy.
PILARA:Tel
lmeabouti
t.Het
hinkshei
sGod’
sgi
ft
tothewor
ld.
MOKGANEDI :Whati
sitwi
thyouandhim anyway.
Youguyshaveahist
oryorsomet
hing?
PI
LARA:Somei r
rel
evantshi
twhenIwasyoungand
st
upid.That’
sall
.Hey,chi
nup.Doyouhonest
lysee
meinterest
edintheli
kesofhim?Eww.
*
***
***
**
Kaedipar
kedinthefamil
y’sunder
groundgar
age
andtookthest
airsuptothemainfloor
.
Someoneneart
ackl
edhi
mtot
hef
loorwi
thahug.
KAEDI
:OhmyGod!Sassy!Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Hesai
dassheki
ssedhi
m.
SARONA:Imissedyou,babe.Sot henyourcousin
Oler
il
etol
dmeyouwer eal i
tt
ledownaf t
eryour
daddy’
sdeat
h,andasurprisevisi
twilldoyougood.
Hepickedmeupfrom Franci
stown.Tadaaa!
KAEDI:(
laughi
ngsar
cast
ical
ly)Oh,
Ler
i.How
hel
pful
.
SARONA:Babe,
areyounothappyt
oseeme?
KAEDI:Ofcour
seIam babe.Comeupst
air
s.I
’
ll
haveamaidprepar
ear oom f
oryou.
SARONA:Youst i
llhaven’
ttol
dyourgirl
fr
iend,have
you?Kaedi
,I’
m polyamorous,notasidechick!You
needtotel
lherormeandyou, wearedone.Iwi l
l
onlybewit
hyoui fyouareopenandhonestabouti t,
youtol
dmeshewi llbeokwit
hus.
KAEDI :(
sighi
ng)I
’llt
ellherwhenshecomesback
fr
om wor k.Thehousei sthr
eest or
eysandIjust
havebeenmovedt othet hi
rd,andther
eareempty
bedroomst her
e.Come…Imi ssedt
hatli
tt
let
hing
youdowi thyourtongue…
Astheywal
kedtot
hegrandstai
rcase,hi
s
gr
andfat
herwal
kedint
othefoyerwithhi
sdr
ive.
LEDIMO:Oh, youar
efinal
lyhome.‘
Sassy’
herewas
wait
ing.Iseeyouarekeepingt
heLedi
mo‘tr
adit
ion’
myboy.
Hesai
dwi
thawi
nkandheadedof
ftohi
sbedr
oom.
*
***
***
***
**
Loapigothomefrom wor
kandheadedi nt
oher
bedroom.Shehadmovedi ntot
heLedimomansion
atthelat
eLeat
il
eLedimo’
si nsi
stence.
Shehadknownt heLedi mosinceshewasaki d,her
fat
herhadbeent heirlandscaper.Whenbot hher
parentsdi edinacaracci dentwhil
eshewasi n
universitytheLedimoof fer
edherapl acetost ay.
Andt henwhenshef inishedherMaster s,ajob.To
whichshequi ckl
yr oser anktoChiefFinancial
Officer.Leati
leLedimohadl astyeargivenhersi x
percentoft hecompanyi nanunprecedent edmove,
becausehesai dLoapicomi ngintookt hecompany
tonewhei ght.Whichmadeherami ll
ionaire.
Leat
il
ehadbeenpushi
ngf
orherandKaedit
omar
ry
whenhepassed.
ButKaediwassti
llt
oobusyint
erest
edi
nfr
oli
cki
ng
ar
oundwi t
hcheapwhores.
Maybenowt
hathewashomet
ost
ay… maybe.
Af
t ershehadtakenoffherworkcl
othesand
sl
ippedintosomethi
ngmor ecomfortabl
e,Kaedi
walkedin.
Hehuggedherf
rom t
hebackandki
ssedherneck.
KAEDI
:Howwaswor
k,l
adyboss?
LOAPI :Myt eam ismadeupofmor ons.Thefi
eld
wor kersaredist
raughtbecauset heirsal
arycamein
ast heusualP950i nsteadoft heP1250Ihad
promi sedthem, t
hankst othemor onicfi
nanceteam.
Youneedt ocomei nKaedi ,Ican’
tbehandling
fi
nancei ssuesofamul t
ibill
ionpulacompanyand
playinginter
im CEOatt hesamet i
me.Youknow
yourgr andpaisonly‘CEO’ byname, henevereven
showsupandkeepssayi ngyouwi l
lcomei nsoon.
God, whydi dyourdadhavet odie!I
’m dr
owning
here.
Hegotonthebedandknel
tbehi
ndher
,massagi
ng
hershoul
der
s.
KAEDI:Babe,
calm down.Relax.I
’l
lgi
veyoua
massageandf i
xyouar el
axingbathandI
’l
lget
them t
osendourdinnertothegazeboandwe
could…
LOAPI
:Abathisnotgonnaf
ixmypr
obl
emsKaedi
!
Whenareyoucomingin?
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)Whycan’
tyoubeCEO?
LOAPI:Becauseyouaregonnamanagethe
fi
nances?You?Andrunusi nt
othegr
ound?GapeI
haveotherdreamsKaedi
.Iwantafamil
y…
KAEDI
:Youhaveaf
ami
ly…
KAEDI:YouknowwhatImean.Iwannagetmar
ri
ed,
st
artafamil
y,ki
ds.
..Andsi
ncewenayouwantt
o
st
il
lwhorearound,
Ithi
nkweshoul
d…
Hegotdownononekneeandhel
doutal
it
tl
ebl
ack
vel
vetboxt
oher
.
KAEDI :Iwasgonnadot hisatamor eromanti
c
sett
ing.ButIcan’tt
akeanotherdayofyout hi
nkingI
don’twantyou.Youar ethesmartest
,mostpatient,
mostl oyalwomant her
eis.Youknowme.Imean,
real
lyknowme.Andst il
lchoosetostay.AndIknow
i
t’snotbecauseoft hemoney,youhaveyourown.
Youunder standIam notperf
ectandt hatImake
mistakes…youmakemewantt obebet ter
.Il
ove
yousomuchandwannaspendt herestofmyl i
fe
withyou.LoapiBabusi,wil
lyoudomet hehonourof
becomi ngmywi fe?
LOAPI
:OhmyGodbabe!Doyour
eal
lymeant
hat
?
KAEDI
:Ofcour
se.Il
oveyou,Lol
o.So?
LOAPI
:OhmyGod!Yes.YesIwi
ll
.
Heputt
her
ingonherf
ingerandki
ssedher
.
LOAPI
:Now,makemydayandt
ellmewhenyouar
e
comi
nginforwor
k.
KAEDI
:(ki
ssi
ngherneck)OnMonday.
LOAPI:Oh,youdon’
tknowjusthowhappyyoujust
mademe!Thankyoumyl ove!I’
llt
aket
hatmassage
andbathnow!
Shel
aidonthebedandhest
art
edmassagi
ngher
whenSaronawal
kedin.
LOAPI:Canwehel
pyou?St
affquar
ter
sar
eint
he
groundfl
oor
.
SARONA:I
’
m Sassy…
LOAPI
:Goodf
oryou.Buti
tst
il
ldoesn’
texpl
ainhow
wecanhel
pyou.
KAEDI
:Sar
ona,canyougowai
tinyourbedr
oom
andl
etmetal
ktoLolo…
SARONA:Real
lyKy?Youst
il
lhaven’
ttol
dher
?
LOAPI
:Tel
lmewhat
?
*
***
***
***
***
Amont hbackPi
lar
ahadtakenhermothertot
he
hospi
talf
oranappoint
menttheyhadhadtowaitsi
x
monthsfor.
Throughoutt
heday,
hermot
herwasputthr
ough
MRI ’
sandtest
sandmoret
alkswi
thdoct
ors.
Cancer,t
heyhadsai
d.
Hermot herhadastomacht umourthatneeded
i
mmedi ateandintri
catesurger
y.Thesurgery
neededtobedonei nIndi
a,andtherewasno
governmentassi
stance.
Shehadt r
iedtoapproachcompani
es,asked,
begged,creat
edaFacebookpage,andamont h
l
ater,t
herewasstil
lnothi
ng.Nomoneyf ort
he
surger
y,andhermot herwasget
ti
ngwor se.
Ever
ydaylooki
ngatherst
rongmotherdeter
ior
ate
ki
ll
edherali
tt
leinsi
de,
shefel
tsohel
pless.
Shehadj
ustf
ini
shedf
eedi
ngherpor
ri
dgeandwas
goingtothewoodst
ackt
ogetsomemor
ewoodf
or
thefi
re.
Sheshi
eldedhereyeswi t
hherhandswatchi
ng
somefancycarparki
ngi nthei
ryar
d.Someguyina
sui
topenedthedoor,andoldmanLedi mowalked
outwi
thhiswalki
ngst i
ck.
Whatt
hehel
ldi
dhewanther
e?
*
***
***
***
*
LOKE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
TwoWeeksback…
Ol
dmanLedi
mosatwi
tht
hevi
ll
agechi
eft
alki
ng.
CHIEF:Ireal
lydofeel
li
kemydaysar
eover
,ol
d
fr
iend.I
’m goi
ng.
LEDI
MO:Tr
ustme,
youar
est
il
lar
oundpl
ent
y.
CHI
EF:No,Ihaveaccept
edi
t.Whatwor
ri
esmei
s
mydaught
er.
LEDIMO:Whatdaught
er?It
houghtyouandt
heol
d
gi
rlcoul
dn’
thaveanyki
ds.
CHIEF:Youknowt hingshappen.Sot hatgirl
Kethata,
wammaMot sumi.Shewasaver yyoung
gir
lthatti
me.Sti
lli
nj uniorschool
,sel esentlenyane.
Igottempted.Andthenamont hl
atershe
approachedmesayi ngshewaspr egnant .Shewas
agoodgi rl
,nott
heset ypeswhor unwi thboys.I
wasscar edofmywi fe,soIgotangr yatthegi rland
sentheraway.Herchi ldnowi sabeaut i
fulyoung
woman.Mydaught er.Andi tbr
eaksmyhear tt
hat
shedoesn’tevenknowme.
LEDI
MO:Oh,
soyouhaveanhei
rhaor
iana!
Hesai
dwi
thasecr
etsmi
le.
CHI
EF:Owai
i,
wil
ltheyagr
eet
o…
LEDIMO:Youabandonedt hatchild,t
hebestyou
candoi sl
eaveherherbi rt
hright.Thegirlshall
succeedyou.Iwillpayforapat erni
tytestto
establ
isht
hatshei sindeedyourhei r
.Wecaneven
got ocour
tiftheywanttof i
ghtyou.Asf orthegirl
andhermot her,l
eavethem tome.Letmehel pyou,
myf
ri
end.
*
***
***
***
Ledi
mo’stwosonsanddaught
ersati
noneoft
hei
r
houses,
tal
king.
TSHIAMO:It houghtyouguyssai donceLeat il
ewas
goneGot shepowouldtakecontrolandwewi ll
divi
dethesharesamongstour selves.Ntatewants
Leati
le’
suselessbratt
otakeover !Heisgoi ngto
squanderourlegacyworsethanhi sfatherdid.
GOTSHEPO:Atl
eastLeat
il
ehadaheadf
or
busi
ness.
TSHI AMO:Hest i
llgavet hatski
nnybitch6%ofour
company!Andt heol dmanendor sedit.Weare
goingtoloseever ythingi fwearenotserious.
Leatil
e’skidsli
vel uxuriousli
veswhileoursdon’t
.
Youhavet otakecont rol,ot
herwi
seallwedi dwould
bef ornothing.
TEMO:Ir eal
lyt
houghtntat
ewil
lhavenoother
choicebuttomakeGotshepoCEO.Hehast he
experi
ence,heworkedforbi
gcompaniesabroad.
GOTSHEPO:Don’ tworr
y.Kaedican’tr
unacompany
wit
houtLoapi.Sheisl
it
eral
lytheonerunningthi
ngs,
hewillj
ustbeforshow.Wej ustneedtogetLoapi
outofthepict
ure.
TEMO:No,
wear enotdoi
ngthatagai
n.Toomuch
bl
oodonourhandsalr
eady.
GOTSHEPO:Noneedf ort
hat.Ifoundanot herway.
Loapii
ssi ckandt ir
edofKaedi ’
swhor ing.She
wantstost ar
taf amily.Mysonknowsoneof
Kaedi’
swhor es,andhesai dhewi l
lbringhertothe
mansion.Thatwi llbethelaststr
aw.Loapicant urn
abli
ndeyewheni t’
snotinherface,butshehast oo
muchegot oacceptKaedibr i
nginghiswhor ei
nto
thehomet heyshar e.Onceshel eaves,Kaediis
gonnaf uckthi
ngsupsobadt hatntatewillbe
desperateformyhel p.Youwi l
lsee.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Pr
esentday…
LOAPI
:Tel
lmewhat
,Kaedi
?
KAEDI
:I… uhm… I
SARONA:( sighing)Hi,Iam SaronaandIam Kaedi’s
gi
rlf
ri
endt oo.Iam polyamor ous,soi
she,soIreall
y
don’
tmi ndyourr el
ati
onship.Het ol
dmeyouwi llbe
okwithisdat i
ng.Whoknows, maybeyouandIwi l
l
getalongsowel lwe’l
lallendupdat i
ngeachother.
Wouldn’tt
hatbecool ?
Loapij
ustsatfrozeninshockasSar onacamet o
seatwit
hthem inbed.Loapisnappedandgr abbed
herbythehairandhitheragainstt
heheadboard
befor
eKaedipul l
edthem apar
t.Shelungedat
Saronaangri
lyasshescr eamed.
LOAPI:Getof
fmybedyoucheapt rick!Out!What
ki
ndofcheapwhor eareyou!Don’tyouhaveany
shame!Whatkindofwomancomesi ntothehome
ofamansheal readyknowshasawoman!These
si
dechicksar
ebol dnowadays.IswearIwi llki
llyou!
KAEDI
:Babe,
cal
m down.Sassy,
excuseuspl
ease.
SARONA:But
…
KAEDI
:Sar
ona!
ShesulkedandwalkedoffasKaedikepthuggi
nga
cr
yingLoapiunt
ilshecal
meddown.
LOAPI :(
sniff
ling)Kaedi,kooregankeonkut wela
bothokoner ra?(Don’tyoueverpi tyme?)Every
weekendyouar ethet opicofsomegossi pgroup,
yourpicturesalloverFacebook, seenwitha
multit
udeofwhor e.I
’mt helaughingstockofthe
country,everyoneisalwayssaying‘ Kaedi
’s
gir
lfr
iendLoapi ’i
nsuchamocki ngwayt helabel
makesmewannat hrowup.Andnowyoubr ingyour
whoreshome?
KAEDI
:Idi
dn’
tbr
ingher
,Ler
i…
LOAPI:Idon’
tcareKaedi!Shei
sher
e,i
sn’
tshe.I
’
m
sor
ry,
Ican’tdothisanymore
Shepushedawayf
rom hi
m andst
art
edpacki
ngan
over
nightbag.
KAEDI
:Lol
opl
ease.Youcan’
tleave.Il
oveyou.
LOAPI:Youknow,thesadthingisthatIknowyou
doloveme.Butthatisnotenough!Lovehasto
comewi t
hrespectandyouhavenonef orme!
Enoughisenough.
KAEDI
:Ir
espectyou… butIdi
dn’
tmakemysel
f
pol
yamor
ousLolo… i
t’
showIam and…
LOAPI
:YoustayedinAmeri
cafort
oolong!Thatis
j
ustanexcuseforwhor
ing,
ther
eisnosuchthingas
pol
yamory.
KAEDI:Lolowhatdoyouexpectmetodowi
thout
you?Wear eget
ti
ngmar r
ied!Wear
egonnahave
thatf
amilyyouwanted…
LOAPI :That
’sj
ustthethi
ng.Iwantit
.Youar
eaman
chil
dwhodoesn’ twanttogrow.Ir
efuset
odealwi
th
thatanymore.
KAEDI :I
’m scared,Lol
o.It hinkmydadwaski ll
ed.I
knowmyuncl esar eplott
ingagai nstmeandt hey
wanttheempi r
emydadbui lt.Ianexpect edtotake
overthishuger esponsibi
lityfortent housand
peopleandt heirfamil
ies’
.Ij ustlostmydad…mi ss
him sodamnmuch…wewer en’tingoodt erms
whenhepassed, andIr egrett hateveryday…
Hesni
ffl
edandwi
pedasi
ngl
eteart
hatr
andown
hi
scheek.
Loapistoppedpacki
ng,
takenbackbyseei
nghim
cry.Evenaskids,
shehardl
yeverremembered
Kaedicryi
ng.
KAEDI
:Imisshim… Idon’
thavewhati
ttakest
ofi
ll
hi
sshoes,
that
’swhyIhavebeenprocr
asti
nati
ng.
Shesi
ghedandcametoseatnextt
ohi
m,t
aki
nghi
s
handandcar
essi
ngi
t.
LOAPI:Heynow… hey.Youhavewhatitt
akes.You
aregonnamakethebestCEOLIDIndustr
ieswil
l
everhave.
KAEDI
:Iwi
shIhadt
hesameconf
idenceyouhave
i
nme.
LOAPI:Iknowit’
sscary.ButIwil
lhol
dyourhand
thr
oughitunti
lyouareconfident
.
KAEDI
:Doest
hatmeanyouar
est
ayi
ng?
LOAPI:Ican’
t,
Edi.Youdon’
tlovemeasIl
oveyou…
Ihavetofi
nall
yacceptt
hat.
Shesaidastear
srandownhereyes,
taki
ngoutt
he
engagementri
ng.
KAEDI
:Youknowthat
’sal
ieLol
o.Youknowj
ust
howmuchIl
oveyou.
LOAPI
:Thenyoudon’
trespectme.
KAEDI:Babe,pl
easedon’tdothi
s.Iloveyou.Ir
eall
y
do.TheloveIhaveforSassyisdi
fferent
,youare
myt r
uelove,
butIlovehertoo.
LOAPI:Sohowmanymor ewi
llyouexpectmet
o
acceptKaedi?Doespolyamoryhaveal i
mit
?Orare
yougonnaf al
linl
ovewithmoreandmor eandsti
ll
expectmetosaygol oki
leMorena?
KAEDI:Iknowi
tdoesnotseatwel
lwi
thyou,
soI
wil
lst
ayawayfrom al
lot
herwomen.
LOAPI
:Shehast
ogo.I
fIam t
ost
ay,
sheneedt
ogo.
*
***
***
***
**
Lateraf
terKaedihadl
eft
,Loapisati
nherbedr
oom
cryi
ngasshepacked.Therewasaknock.
MMA-
KAEDI
:Openupmygi
rl
,Iwantt
otal
k.
LOAPI
:Uhh,
I’
m notf
eel
ingwel
l
…
MMAKAEDI :Lolo,pl
ease… openupmygirl
,Iknow
Edihurtyoubringi
ngthatst
rumpethome..My
husbandisturninginhi
sgrave!Pl
easet
alktome.
Shesi
ghedandopenedt
hedoorandmmaKaedi
wal
kedin,
looki
ngatt
hesui
tcases.
MMAKAEDI:Ao,
Lolongwanaka.Youar
egonnar
un
att
hef
ir
stsi
gnoftr
ouble?
LOAPI:Youknowverywellt
hati
t’
snott
hefir
st…I
askedhimtosendthegi
rlawayandhehasn’
t.
MMAKAEDI :Iknowmyson, andIknowhei ssoin
l
ovewi thyou.Youcan’ tleavehim Loapi.Please.My
husbandandIl oveyoulikeourown.Hedi dso
muchf oryou.Youknowhewant edyouashi s
daughterinlaw, sodoI.Outofr espectofhis
memor y,givethisfoolonef i
nalchance.Please?
Forme?Iwi l
lgetridofthewhor e.Isthatar i
ngon
thesi
det able?
LOAPI
:(si
ghi
ng)Hepr
oposed.
MmaKaedipi ckedi
tupandputi
tbackonLol
o’s
f
inger
,ul
ulat
ing.
MMAKAEDI :Yousee,hei
sfi
nall
ystart
ingt
ogrow
up.Thisi
sabigst
ep.Justgi
vehim onemore
chance.
*
***
***
***
**
Pi
lar
alookedatt
heol
dmanwal
kingt
owar
dst
he
house.
Whatt
hehel
ldi
dhewanther
e.
Pi
lar
awal
kedovert
ohi
m.
PI
LARA:Dumel
ang?
LEDI
MO:Howar
eyoumygi
rl
?
PI
LARA:I
’
mfi
ne,
Sir
,thankyou.
LEDIMO:Nekereketholemolwetse.(
Icameto
checkonyourmother)Boys,
giveherthegr
ocer
ies.
Thenunloadedmountai
nsofgrocer
y,andPil
ara
wentindoor
stofi
xhermother,t
heninvi
tedLedi
mo
i
n.Shewentt omaketeaandthemanr andomly
chat
tedwithhermother
.
Afteraboutanhour
,Ledi
mosai
dgoodbyesand
askedPilar
atowalkhimtot
hecar
.
LEDI
MO:Shei
sver
ysi
ck
PILARA:Wedon’
thavemoneyf
ort
hesur
ger
yshe
needs.
Shesai
d,wit
houtmuchhope.Ledi
mo’
ssonshad
basi
cal
lyt
urnedheraway.
LEDI
MO:Iwil
lgi
veyouthemoney.Forever
ythi
ng.
Thesur
ger
yandallt
hecare.
What
?Shedar
ednothopei
ncaset
hiswasacr
uel
j
oke.
LEDIMO:Bathokegodi
ri
sanya.(
weshoul
dhel
p
eachot
her)Youhelpme,Ihel
pyou.
Ah.Ther
egoes.Whatdi
dhewant
,forhert
osl
eep
wit
hhim?
LEDIMO:YouseeourboyKaedi .Heisaver ysmart
andkindboy.Iknowmybusi nesswi llnotgot o
wastewithhi m.Iknowhecanheadt hef ami l
y.But
hejustneedst herightwomanbyhi ssi de.Heneeds
agoodwi fe.Hisfatherusedt otalkabouthowyou
weretheonlyr esponsibl
eyoungwomani nthis
vi
ll
age.Smar t,educated,cul
tured.Justbef orehe
passed,wet alkabouthowyouwoul dmaket he
perf
ectLedimomakot i.
What?MarryKaedi?Washeserious?God,hewas
seri
ous!Heexpectedhertomarr
ythatcommunit
y
dickwit
hanegot hesizeofaf
ootbal
lstadi
um.
Ok,
ther
egoest
hat
.Shehadnoi
nter
esti
nmar
ryi
ng
Kaedi
,andshewassur
ehedi
dn’
twantt
omar
ryher
ei
ther
.
Butshewoul
ddoanyt
hingf
orhermot
her
.
PI
LARA:Kaediwoul
dneveragr
eet
omar
ryme,
sir
.
LEDIMO:LeaveKaedit ome.Justagr
eetothi
s,and
si
gnthiscontractwhenyouhavereadthr
ough.The
soonerIgetitback,t
hesoonerwecantakeyour
mothertoIndiaforhersur
gery.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
15year
sear
li
er…
Ali
tt
legir
lofaboutt
enoreleventr
udgedherl
arge
bagofmogorogorwaneal
ongt hethi
npat
hway
bor
deredbythi
ckbushesonei t
hersi
de.
Nobodywentpastt hehil
ls,
theysai
ditwasthe
ancest
ralplace.Thatsomebigsnakest
ayedinthe
beauti
fulwaterspri
ngshecouldseefr
om a
di
stance.
Butt
hatwaswher
etheni
cesweetmogor
ogor
wane
was.
Whi
chwaswhymmewasabl et
osel
litsowel
li
n
t
heFranci
stownbusr
ank.
Ofcourseshenevertol
dmmeshepickeditupt
hat
far,
shejustsaidshepi
ckedi
tupwi
thgrandma
aroundthefi
elds.
Whi
chshedi
d.
Sograndmacanseeherpi
cki
ngi
tandt
heywi
ll
bel
ieveher
.
Onl
yshethr
ewawayt hosebi
tt
eronesandrepl
aced
t
hem byt
hesweetonesshepickedupever
ydayon
t
hewayhomeafterschool
.
Todayshehadgot t
enalot,andf
oundsome
mmupudut oo.Herschoolbagwassoheavy,
even
i
fitwastheonewi t
hwheelsshehadwoninthe
schoolpr
izegi
ving.
Shehear
dmuf
fl
edcr
iesont
hesi
deoft
hepat
hway.
Shecur
iousl
ypushedt
hrought
hebushesandata
distanceshecoul
dseet
womenpinni
ngafat
teenageboydown.Hewaspr
obabl
yjustaf
ew
yearsoldert
hanher.
Theot
hermanhadakni
fe…
OhmyGod!Gr
andmaalwayssaidpeopl
eki
ll
ed
ot
her
sformut
iont
hisver
yforest
.
‘
Leavehi
m al
one’
Sheyel
led,
thr
owi
ngst
onesas
sherant
owardst
hem.
Themenl ookedupstart
ledtoseeaperson,
especi
all
yalitt
legi
rl
,deepinthefor
est
.
‘
Getherbef
oresheget
’susintr
oubl
e’onemansai
d
andt
heotherrant
owardsher.
Shet
urnedtoherfeett
orun,screami
ng,butt
he
maneasil
ycaughtupandtackledhert
otheground.
Shecoul
dn’
tlett
hem ki
llher
,whowi
llhel
pmama
wit
hthebabi
es,grandmawasold.
Themanst ar
tedchoki
ngher .Shegaggedwhile
reachingforabrokenbottl
epiece.Sher
aiseditwi
th
allherli
tt
lemightandjabbeditontheguy’st
high.
Theguyf
ellbackhowl
ingi
npai
nasbl
oodsqui
rt
ed
fr
om hi
sthi
ghalar
mingl
y,hi
scount
erpar
tlooki
ng
upinsur
pri
se.
‘
Heemonna,
areyouok?
’
Thestabbedguyf
lai
ledar
oundi
npai
nedhowl
sand
cusses.
Theli
tt
legi
rlpi
ckedupmor
estonesandpel
let
ed
theot
herguyasshecametowar
dshim,yel
li
ng.
‘
Isaidl
eavehim al
one!Youareahorri
blepeopl
e,
youkil
lpeopl
eformuti!Iwi
ll
repor
tyoutothe
pol
ice!
’
Themanlefttheboyandr
ant
owar
dst
hel
it
tl
egi
rl
,
dodgi
ngstones.
Hetackl
edhert
othegroundandpi
nnedherdown,
hol
dingakni
fet
oherthroat
.
Thenhej ustfel
ltotheside,
bloodsquir
ti
ngfr
om
thesideofhisneckwi t
hagl assshar
djammedto
hisneckast hetal
lfatboystoodoverhim.
‘
Areyouok?
’
Shenodded,
cryi
ng.
Heki
ckedt
heguyandt
her
ewasnor
eact
ion.
‘
Hei
sdead’
Hepi ckedupt
heguy’
sknif
eandwal kedovert
ot he
otherguywhowassti
llwhimperi
ng,andjammed
theknifeonhi
sthr
oat
,thenpull
editoutandwiped
i
t.
‘
Thi
sonei
sdeadt
oo,
wehavet
oleave’
‘
But
… but
…’
Shesai
dcr
ying.
‘
Wehavetoleave,
theyaredead,don’
tyougeti
t?I
f
someonef
indsushere,wewillbesentt
opri
son.Do
youwantt
ogot opri
son?‘
Sheshookherhead,
wipi
ngt
ear
sandsobbi
ng.
‘
Theywereverybadmen, theywouldhavekil
ledus.
Mygrandpasaystherearetwokindsofpeoplein
theworl
d.Weakandst r
ong.Weakgetskill
edoff.
Thestr
ongdowhat ’
snecessarytosurvi
ve.
Shej ustl
ookedathim ashestoodunfazedbythe
factthatt
heyA)Bot halmostgotki
ll
ed,B)Hejust
kil
ledtwopeople.Howcouldhebesoi ndif
fer
ent
whenshewasl
it
eral
lyshaki
ng?
‘
Wedi dnot
hingwrong,wejustdef
endedoursel
ves.
Onlyonesetofpeopl
ewaswal ki
ngawayfrom t
his
al
ive.Woul
dyouhaver at
hertheyki
ll
edus?
Sheshookherheadno,
asshecr
iedandshook.
‘
Great.Soyouunder standwedi dnothi
ngwr ong,
ri
ght?(shenodded)Butt hepolicewil
lsendusto
pri
sonst i
lli
ftheyfi
ndout .Whichiswhyyoumust
nevertel
lanyone,ok?Don’ tt
alktoanyoneaboutit.
Ok?Notevenmei fyouseeme.Letmeseei fyou
haveanybl oodonyou… oh, justafewdrops.,l
et
mej ustwipethatoff
.Good.DoIhaveanybl oodon
me?
Sheshookherheadno.
Hetookherhandandleadhertowardst
hepat
hway,
pi
ckingupherbagandcarr
yingitf
orherandt
hey
wal
kedinsil
ence,handi
nhand.
Astheycamet
oavi
ewoft
hevi
ll
age,
hehanded
hert
hebag.
‘
Youneedt
ost
opcr
ying.Pl
ease… st
op.Wewi
llget
i
ntrouble…ok,I
’l
lgiveyouthisneckl
acei
fyoust
op.
I
t’
sgold… allt
heAmer icanrapper
swearit
,soi
t’
s
i
mpor t
ant.Her
e,it
’syoursifyoustop.
’
Hetookoutathickfakegol
dneckl
acewit
halocket
fr
om aroundhisneckandli
ft
edherbr
aidsasi
de,
putt
ingitar
oundherneck.
‘
Ther
e,ni
ce.Don’
tcr
y,youhaveani
ceneckl
ace’
Hewi
pedhert
ear
sandsmi
ledather
.
Shesmil
edali
tt
le,
hersidet
oothgapmaki
ngher
smil
eevenmorecute,
hethought
.
Al otofotherthi
rt
eenyear soldsinhisclasswer e
starti
ngtolikegir
ls.Hehadneverbeeni nt
erested
before,f
avor i
ngcomi csandfoodt ogirl
s.Butthis
onewasr eall
ycute.Jordaninhisclasseven
braggedhehadki ssedagirlonthelips.
Impul
sivel
y,heleanedtoherfaceandgavehera
peckonthelips,t
henranoff.
Shejustst
oodtheresmili
ngfrom eart
oear
,al
most
for
gett
ingwhatjusthappened.
Whydi
dhedot
hat
,ki
ssherl
ips?Andwhywasshe
smi
li
ngabouti
t?
Sheopenedtheli
tt
lel
ocketandinsideithadasmal
l
fi
tt
edinpaperwit
honeofthosest ockphotoofa
whit
ecoupleweari
ngwhiteshir
tsandsmi li
ng
bri
ghtl
y,bel
owthephotowrit
ten‘Formyonet r
ue
l
ove’
Sheshruggedandpi
ckedherbagup,
wal
kingof
fto
herhome
*
***
***
***
**
Pr
esentday…
Ledi
mo’ sdriverparkedandt heoldmangotout ,
l
ookingatt hevastl andthechiefhadneveragreed
tosell
,call
ingit‘ancestral
land’
.Itwaslandunder
thechief
taincy,belongingtothechiefandpassed
downt othenextchi eft
oguardianitasancest
ral
l
and.
AsPi
lar
a’sr
egent
,hewi
llbeabl
etomakedeci
sions
oni
t.
Hehadalwayseyeditforanat
urepar
kthatwoul
d
at
tr
acteventour
ist
sfrom out
sidet
hecountr
y.
Thosecaveswi t
ht hewaterspr
ingwer
egoingtobe
spect
acular
.Andt helandwassovast.Loapiwas
goodintheseinvesti
ngthings,
shewil
ladvi
seon
whattodowi t
ht herestofthel
and.
*
***
***
***
***
Pi
lar
areadt
hecont
ractoverandoveragai
n.
Mar
ryKaedi
..Produceanheiri
mmedi
atel
y,st
ay
mar
ri
edforatleastf
iveyear
s.
Shel
ookedathermot
herl
ayi
ngont
hef
loori
npai
n.
Gi
veawayf i
veyear
sofherl
if
eforhermom’
s?That
wasnotevenadeli
ber
ati
onquest
ion.
Shesighedseei
ngMokganedi’
scal
l,
andlef
tit
ri
ngi
ng.Shewouldhavetobreakupwit
hhim,what
choi
cedidshehave?
Aclauseoft
hecont
ractwasshe‘
stayf
ait
hfuland
di
dnot hi
ngt
oembarrasst
heLedi
monamewhi l
e
marri
ed’
Shesighedandsi
gnedthecont
ract
,thenheaded
outt
ot heLedi
mo‘whi
tehouse’
.
*
***
***
***
*
Kaediwal
kedint
othehouseandoneoft
hehel
per
s
t
oldhimtheoldmanwantedtoseehi
m
i
mmedi at
ely.
Hesi
ghedandwentt
otheol
dman’
sst
udy.
KAEDI
:Youwant
edt
oseeme?
LEDI
MO:Yes,
yes.Si
tdownboy.
Het
ookaseatcur
iousl
y.
LEDI
MO:I
t’
sti
meyoumar
ry…
KAEDI:(
roll
inghi
seyes)Notthatit
’sanyofyour
busi
ness,butIhaveal
readyproposedtoLol
o.
LEDI
MO:Oh… legal
eit’
snotapr
obl
em.Youneedt
o
marr
yagi
rlIchooseforyou.
KAEDI:Nofuckingway!Nope.Ial
mostlostLolo,
I
am notgonnaloseherbecauseofyourt
heatri
cs.
LEDIMO:Oh,youaredefinitel
ytonotloseLoapi
!No
onecanmanageourcongl omer at
eli
keshedoes.
OnlyLeat
il
ecould.That
’swhyIhadnopr oblem wi
th
hergi
ven6%ofit.No,no, don’tyoudarel
oseLoapi.
KAEDI
:Howt
hehel
ldoyouexpectt
hatt
opanout
wit
hmemar ri
edtosomeoneelse!Youknowwhat ,
don’
ttel
lme.Whyam Ievenenter
tai
ningyou.The
answeri
sno.
Hesai
d,st
andi
ngup.
LEDI MO:(calml
y)Seatyourdi
sr espectfulassdown.
Ifyoudon’tmarr
ythisgir
l,Iwi
llhandal lyour
father’
shardworktoyouruncl
es.Wat chthem
squanderit,
youknowhowusel esstheyar e.
KAEDI
:Whocar
es!
LEDIMI:Youshould.Doyout hinkt
heywillkeep
yourmotherinthisluxuryli
fesheisusedt o?Pay
foryourbrot
hersandsi ster
sexpensiveschools
abroad?Yourli
festyl
e?Youri mmediatefamilyare
usedtoashel t
eredlif
eKaedi .Theywil
lnotbeable
toli
vewithoutallt
hemoney
KAEDI:Youcan’
tdothi
s.IloveLol
o..Idon’
twantt
o
l
oseher.Whyanotherwomaneven?I sn’
tLol
o
sat
isf
actor
ytoyouannoyingdemands?
LEDIMO:Ij
ustsaiddon’tl
oseLoapi.Thati
syour
wif
e.Thi
sgirli
sjustabusinessdeal,
youdon’teven
needawedding.Iwil
lfastt
rackatthemagist
rateso
youdon’
tevenhavet
oli
styournames.Justgo
si
gnandmoveon.Thenmar r
yLolot
radi
ti
onall
y.
Paybri
depri
ceandhaveyourbi
gwedding.
KAEDI
:EvenifIwer
etoent er
tai
nt hatri
dicul
ous
i
deaofyour
s,Lolowi
llneveragree.Pleasedon’
tdo
t
hisgr
anddad.
LEDI
MO:Ineedananswernow.
KAEDI
:Ifsheisabusi
nessdeal
,whyme?Ihave
si
ngl
ecousins.
LEDI MO:Idon’ttrustt hem, andIdon’twantanyof
them asmyhei r
.Buti fyouwoul dratheryour
father’
shardwor kgot ot hem,fine.IwillcallLer
i.
Hecanmar rythegi rlandhi sfatherwillbeCEO.
What everhedecidedaboutyourf ami l
yaf terwar
ds
i
snoneofmybusi ness.IhopeboBet sicanhandl e
publicschool.Icani magi neMmaKaedigoi ngt
oa
publiccli
nicortakingacombi .Youknowyour
uncleshatedyourf atherf orhi
ssuccess.Theywi l
l
doal lt
hattohisfami l
y,justtospi t
ehim.
KAEDI
:Iwantmyf
ather
’swi
ll
.Al
lthi
sbel
ongt
ohi
m.
LEDI
MO:(
laughi
ng)Youf
atherwasunf
ort
unat
ely
j
ustanempl oyeewithlimi
tedpower.Hehadnot
i
nheri
tedanythingyet.Hewassettoinheri
tital
l
whenIdied.Sohiswi l
lisnotgoi
ngtogiveyou
much.Acoupl eofmilli
onpulasatt
hemost .Which
i
snothingwhenyouar epayi
ngUKpr i
vateschools,
i
twil
lbedonei nayear .
KAEDI:Grandpa,I’
m beggi
ngyou,
pleasedon’
tdo
t
his.Lol
owi l
lleaveme.
LEDIMO:Findawayt ocontrolyourwomen.Ihad
fourwholear
ntt hei
rplaceandt oli
stent
ot hei
rman.
Nowonl ytwoisleft
,twoislate.Ist
il
lhavenost r
ess.
Myf at
herbeforethathadsix.Onlymywussson
hadone.GetLolopr egnantandholdherwi tht
he
chil
dorsomet hi
ng.Butyouar edoingthis.
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)Whoi
sthi
sgi
rleven?
LEDI
MO:Hernamei
sPi
lar
aKebal
ipi
leand…
KAEDI:No.AnyonebutPipa,shei
saf
oulmout
hed
fakeChri
sti
ansarcast
iccunt
…
LEDI
MO:Watchyourmout
h.AndIt
oldyoui
t’
sa
busi
nessmove.
KAEDI:Whatmove!Shei
smor
ebr
oket
hana
chur
chmouse!
LEDIMO:That,i
snoneofyourbusi
ness.Al
lyou
needtoknowisyouaregett
ingmarri
edtohernext
week.Orloseever
ythi
ng.
*
***
***
***
**
1500/
150/
15
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
27]Lynne:CHOSENMAKOTI4
Loapistoodint hekitchenmakinghersel
fa
sandwich.Afterthrowingupallherlunchear
li
er,
shewasst arving.Sheneededt otal
ktoherdoctor
aboutthesenewanxi etymedshehadheron, they
weremaki nghersi ck.
Kaediwal
kedi
nlooki
ngdej
ect
ed.
LOAPI:Iseeyoudi
dn’
tgetr
idoft
hegi
rl
.Soyou
choseher,r
ight
?
KAEDI
:Lol
o,nott
oday.Pl
ease…
Shecoul
dseehewassad.
LOAPI
:Hey,
what
’swr
ong?Edi
?What
’swr
ong?
KAEDI:Mygrandf
atheri
sasel
fi
sh,
sel
fcent
red
per
son.Am Ili
kehi
m?
LOAPI
:(si
ghi
ng)Whatdi
dhedonow?
Hehandedhert
hecont
ract
sandshescanned
t
hrough.
LOAPI
:Thisi
spatheti
c,Kaedi
.Evenf oryou!I
fyou
wantt
omar r
yoneofyourwhor esjusttel
lmeand
st
opmakingtheseri
dicul
ousstori
es.
KAEDI
:That
’snoti
tatal
lLol
o.Il
oveyou…
Shef
lungapl
ateathi
m.
LOAPI :(
cryi
ng)Don’
tyoudar
e,Kaedi!Don’tfucki
ng
dare,youdon’tl
oveme(fl
unganotherplat
e)you
don’tcareaboutme…youaresel
fi
sh!Fucki ngbrat
!
Shecr i
edandyell
edasshefl
ungplatest
hat
crushedtothefl
oorathi
m,asKaediduckedand
tr
iedtogettoher.
KAEDI
:Babepl
ease…
Hefi
nall
ygottoherandhuggedherasshecr
ied
andpunchedhischest
.
LOAPI
:Letmego!Letmegoyoupi eceofshi
t!Thi
s
i
senoughKaedi
!Ican’
ttakeanymore.
Hejusthel
dherasshetri
edtof
ighthi
m off
,unti
l
shefi
nall
ysaggedagai
nsthi
sbody,whimperi
ng.
LOAPI
:It’
stoomuchEdi
… Ican’
t… pl
easedon’
task
metostay..f
ormysani
ty,
Ineedtoleave.
KAEDI
:Loloyoucan’
tleavenow… Ineedyout
he
mostr
ightnow… pl
ease.
LOAPI
:I’
m sor
ry…
Sheranupst
air
scryi
ngast
hemai
dsl
ookedf
rom
out
sidet
hewindow.
*
***
***
***
*
Pil
arawalkedbackfrom submi
tt
ingLedi
mo’s
contr
act
.Shewal kedhomeandheboyf r
iendwas
wait
ing.
MOKGANEDI
:Nemmawhyhaveyoubeeni
gnor
ing
mycal
ls?
PI
LARA:Ij
ust
…I’m sor
ryMokganedi
,thi
sisj
ustnot
worki
ngf
orme…
MOKGANEDI
:Whati
sn’
t?
PI
LARA:Thisrel
ati
onshi
p.Iwantmor
eoutofi
tand
I
’mjustnotget
ti
ngit.
MOKGANEDI :Whatdoesthatevenmean?Babe,
youknowIl oveyou!Andifyoumeanmar r
iageI
tol
dyousant sekekgobokanya,youknowmyf ami
ly
don’thavemuch,soIneedt osavefort
hebri
de
pri
ce.
Itbr
okeherheartsomucht ohavetodo,this.Buti
t
wastheonlyway, hewassohar dheadedhe
wouldn’
ttakenounlessshewentthatroute.He
wouldki
llhimsel
fwithdebttr
yingtogetthemoney
sheneeded,andhewouldstil
lnothaveenough.
PILARA:See,
that’
sthethi
ng.Ineedamanwho
doesn’
tneed‘gokgobokanya’whenIwantt
hings.
I’
m get
ti
ngmar r
iedtoKaedi.
MOKGANEDI
:Excuseme?Youhat
ethatguy!
PI
LARA:Thatwasj
ustachar
adesoyoudon’
t
suspectanyt
hing.
MOKGANEDI:Iknewit
!Allt
hosenicknames,
MissP
heweetheot
herdayatt
heclini
c.Soyouhavebeen
cheat
ingonme?
Hesai
dast
ear
sfor
medatt
hecor
nerofhi
seyes.
Shehadt
ofi
ghtever
ythi
ngi
nhert
onotcr
y.
PILARA:Yes.I
’m sor
ry,
butheisj
ustwhatIwant
.I
hopeyouwillmoveonwi t
houtmuchdr
ama.Bye.
MOKGANEDI :Pipa,thisisnotyou… please…I
for
giveyouforcheating.I’
llt
akealoanandwewil
l
getmarri
ed!Wecant al
kt oPastorandgof or
counsel
li
ng… please.
Shej ustwal kedintothehouseandlockedthedoor
behindher ,
seatingagainsti
tandcryingsi
lent
ly.
Thatf eltl
ikerippingherownheartoutand
stompi ngoni n.Andseeinghistearsj
ustdidherin.
Shei
gnor
edasheknocked,
unt
ilhewentaway
*
***
***
***
*
Loapif
uri
ousl
ythr
ewt hi
ngsi
nhersui
tcaseast
ear
s
well
eddownherface.
Kaedibangedt
hedoorknocki
ng.
KAEDI:Lol
oplease,I
’m beggi
ngyou.Ihaveno
choi
ce… ok,wouldyour at
herIj
ustr
efuse?Letmy
fami
lystar
ve?
LOAPI:Ican’
ttakeitanymoreKaedi
.Ican’
t…Ineed
tol
eaveorIwilllosemymi nd!
*
***
***
**
Sar
onawalkedoutofherr
oom,hear
ingthe
commoti
on,andsawKaedidi
str
aughtatthedoor
.
Shewentovert
ohim.
SARONA:Givehert
ime… shei
sdist
raughtri
ght
nowandyoutryi
ngtotal
kheroutofitwi
llonl
y
makethi
ngsworse.
KAEDI
:Butshewi
lll
eave… Lol
ocan’
tleaveme…
SARONA:Andt hati
swhyshei sleavingyou.She
candowhateverthehel
lshewant ,don’tt
rydict
ate
whatthewomandoes.Allyoucandoi fsheleaves
i
sfindheranapologi
es.I
’m offforsomedr i
nksand
meeti
ngupwi t
hmyex.Thatcut eli
ghtskinone.She
j
ustgraduat
edandwear ecelebrating.
KAEDI:Howdoyouexpectmet
ogooutr
ightnow!
Thefuckiswr
ongwit
hyou.
SARONA:Doyou,br
other.ButI’
mt el
li
ngyou,what
thewomanneedsri
ghtnowi sspace.CanIborr
ow
yourcar
?
Aft
ertryi
ngtoknockagai
nforanot
hert
enmi
nut
es,
hesighed.
KAEDI:LoloI
’m gonnagiveyouspacet
othi
nkr
ight
now.Pleasedon’tl
eave,
textmewhenyouarer
eady
tot
alk.
Hesighedandsi
gnal
ledt
oSar
onat
hatt
heyshoul
d
go.
*
***
***
***
**
Aft
eraboutanhourofsil
encefr
om herdoor,
Loapi
fi
nal
lyopenedanddraggedherbagdownstai
rs.
Kaedi
’stwoli
tt
lesi
ster
scameouttoher.
BETSI:AusiLol
oyoucan’tl
eave.Youknowifyou
l
eavegrandpawillgi
veuncl
econtroloft
he
companyandyouknowhowt hesepeoplewil
ltr
eat
us!Dadsaidyouwi l
lal
waystakecareofus.
AME:(sobbi
ng)Idon’twantt
ogot
opubl
icschool
.
Theygetbeat
enthere!
LOAPI
:(wi
pingt
ear
sandsni
ff
li
ng)Gi
rl
s… I
…
BETSI:Fi
nethen,l
eaveKaedi,
butwhymustwe
suf
ferforhi
smi st
akes?Youcanstayher
ewi
thout
bei
ngwi t
hhim.Hei sst
upidanyway.
LOAPI
:Ineedtost
artmyownl
if
e,gi
rl
s.AndIneed
afr
eshstar
ttodothat
.
Asshet ri
edtomove, Ameheldontoherl
egcryi
ng,
thetenyearsol
ddistr
aughtasherf
if
teenyear
sold
sist
ertr
iedtonegot
iat
e.
BETSI
:AusiLol
opl
ease…wear
ebeggi
ng.Wedi
dn’
t
doanyt
hing.
LOAPI
:(cr
ying)Gi
rl
spl
ease… pl
ease…
AME: Iswearwewi l
lbegood,Iwon’tst
ealyour
l
ipsti
ckanymor eandwillgoputhor
sepoopont hat
othergi
rl
’sbedeverydaysoshewi l
lgetannoyed
andleave.AusiLol
oplease…
MmaKaedicameout
,sobbi
ngt
oo.
AKAEDI
:Loapit
hengwanakadon’
tgo.Wewi
ll
suff
er.Youknowyourboyf r
ienddoesn’thavewhat
i
ttakeswithoutyou.Andtheoldmanwi l
lbeangr
y
atyouevenleavingjustt
hehouse.Please.Iam
begging.
LOAPI
:Mmehowdoyouexpectmet
ost
aywhenhe
i
smarryi
ngsomeoneel
se!
MMAKAEDI :It
’snotreal!I
t’
sjustapaper,
andafter
fi
veyearstheywi l
ldi
vorceandyoucangett hat
papertoo.Kaedicanmar ryyourightnow,wi
tha
tradi
ti
onalwedding.Thisfakeonewecankeepi n
thefamil
y.
LOAPI
:(sobbi
ng)Ican’
t…
MMAKAEDI :Isthi
showyout hankmyhusbandand
I?Wet ookyoui nwhenyouneededus.Nowwe
needyou.Doyout hi
nkyouar et heonlywoman
dealingwit
hanunf ait
hfulman?Doyouknowhow
manyt imesIcr i
edbecauseoft heLeat i
leyou
i
dol i
se?Yes, t
heappl edidn’
tfal
lt oofarfrom the
treewithKaedi.It’
sjustthatLeat i
leneverbrought
them home.ButIhaveki dswhodependedonme,
soIputonmybi ggirlpanti
es.Ourf amilydepends
onyout omakesur ewedon’ tsuff
er.Thatoldman
wil
lgiveeverythi
ngtomybr otherinlawsjustt
o
spi
teyouf orleavi
ngbecauseheknownyoucar e
aboutus.He’lldothatjustsoyoucanwat chus
suff
er.Areyouokwi t
ht hat
?
LOAPI
:(si
ghi
ng)Nnyaamma.
MMAKAEDI :AsmuchasIwantyouasmy
daught eri
nlaw,Ican’tforceyoutomarryKaedi,
but
youdon’ tneedtoleave.Itwil
lbehardtoseehim
everyday,butyouar estrongmygirl
.Youwi l
lget
overit.Ngwanakat heI’
m begging.Sparesomepity
forme.
Shewentdownonherkneesi
nfr
ontofLoapias
tear
srol
leddownherf
ace.
LOAPI:Mmepleasedon’
tdot
hat
.Getup.I
’
llst
ay.
Butnotwi
thKaedi.
Thegi
rl
sranoverandhuggedher
,theol
derwoman
st
andi
ngupandhuggingheral
so.
Thegi
rl
stooherbagsbackupst
air
shappi
ly.
*
***
***
***
*
Ledi
mosatt
alki
ngt
othechi
ef.
CHIEF:Ihearyou, r
rammat a.Butafemalechiefis
unheardofinourpeopl e!Theywil
lneveraccepther
aschief!Thebirt
hrightisforanysonshemi ght
haveinf ut
ure.
LEDIMO:Ij
a,l
eti
tnotbel
ikeIam hi
dingt
hingst
o
you.Kanamoshi
maneaskedmegor ekerome
batho…
CHI
EF:Whi
chboy?Towher
e?
LEDIMO:Ijustfoundoutmygrandsonisdat
ing
yourdaughter
.Andt heyar
eexpect
ing.Aboy.
CHI
EF:(
smili
ng)Hee?SoIwil
lhaveanhei
raf
teral
l?
Howdotheyknowit’
saboy?
LEDIMO:Akerethingsoftoday,t
heycanlook
onsideandsay‘ahntsutswanenyanakeo!
’,
butit
’s
sti
llear
ly,
soinsteadtheytookbloodsample,
madi
amonnagat shwanel eamosadi .Sot
heyseegore
golohagonalemadiamonna.
CHI
EF:Madiabogosi
!
LEDI
MO:(
laughi
ng)Abogosir
rammat
a.Andt
hey
askedmei fIwil
lhel
pthem regi
stertheirmarri
age
fi
rstsot hei
rchil
disnotbornabast ard.It
hinkit
’s
noble.Wewi lldothetr
adi
ti
onalceremoni es
l
eisurelyinthatway.Kanakebuamas* pamongwa
me, kgosiatsholwehelammagweasanyal wa?
CHI EF:Nnyaawabua.ButIwantt
obet here.Iwant
toseemydaught erget
ti
ngmarri
ed,evenifit
sjust
signing.Whyarewedelayi
ngmeeti
ngmydaught er
.
LEDIMO:Youknowhowdanger oust hesethingsar e.
Especiallywi t
hherpr egnant.Peopl ewantyour
chi
eftaincyandwer ehappyyouhadnohei r.They
cankillherf orherson’sbirt
hr ight.Wekeepi tto
oursel
vesf i
rst,l
etmet alktohersoIcanseei fshe
cankeepasecr et.ThenItellherandyoumeether
andwei ntroducehert otheuncl esandt el
lthem
sheiscar ryingthef ut
urechief.Fornowyoucan
att
endasawi tnessandmyf r
iend.Justdon’ ttell
heryet.
CHI
EF:Ok.Iseeyourpoint
.Iwi
llseatoni
tfornow.
MayGodgivemeunt i
lIholdmygrandchi
ld!
LEDI
MO:I
tshal
lbe.Wewi
llgosl
aught
eragoatand
appeaset
heancest
ors.Youwi
llseet
heboy.
*
***
***
***
LaterPi
lar
awalkedi
ntot
heLedi
mo‘ whit
ehouse’
andwast akent
oLedi
mo’sst
udy,whereKaedisat
l
ookingsull
enasLedi
mosatontheothersi
deof
thetabl
e.
LEDIMO:Gr eat.Nowt hatyouar ehere.Iam gl adI
havebot hofyouragr eement .AndIam sur eyou
bothunder standbreaki ngitbeforetheagr eedf i
ve
yearswillnotbegoodf oranyone.Thatsai d, you
twowi l
lmar rynextweekThur sday.Iwillstandf or
Kaedi,andt herewillbeawi t
nessf orPilarat oo.We
wil
lstartthet r
adit
ionalweddi ngplansataf ter.
KAEDI
:Butyousai
dther
ewasnoneedf
oral
lthat
!
LEDI
MO:Changeofplans.Andaf
tert
hesi
gni
ngyou
twowil
limmedi
atel
ytr
aveltoI
ndi
a.
KAEDI
:Forwhat
!
LEDIMO:Soyoucangivesamplesandshecan
star
tthebabymakingt
hingwit
hdoctor
schoosi
ng
foraboy.Kaedi
,youar
eexcused.Goonnow.
Hewal
kedoutsul
king.
LEDI MO:Mygi rl.Therear epeopler
eadyt oleave
withyour i
ghtnowt otakeyourmot hertoGabor one
soshecanf lyouti nthemor ni
ng.Ihavehi r
eda
nur sewhowi llleavewi thher,andyouwi l
ljointhem
afterthesigning.Thenur seisverygood.Gent l
e,
youwi lll
oveherwhenyoumeetheraf t
erthis.She
tookcar eofmyl atewifewhenshewassi ck.The
momentyougett here,youwi l
lbegiveninformation
onyourdoct or st ostarttheprocessofconceiving.
PI
LARA:Iwantt
otal
kaboutt
hechi
ld…
LEDIMO:HeisaLedi mo.Ifyouchooset oleave
whenthecontractends,
hest ays.Youwi l
lhave
vi
sit
ati
onri
ght.It’
snotupf ordi
scussion.Andmy
gi
rl
?
PI
LARA:Raa?
LEDIMO:Youbett
ergetpregnantsoon.Dowhatever
i
tiswomendot opreparethei
rbodiest
oget
pregnant
.Gopackforyourmom.Thenpackyour
bagsandmoveinheref ornow.Youaredismi
ssed.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
.COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
10year
sago…
Pil
arasatinthehotelbedner
vousl
y.Itwasher
fourt
eenthbi
rthdayandKaedihadtakenhert
oa
hotelaf
terhefoundoutshehadneverbeenina
hotel
.
Sincet
heymett hatf atefulnight,
heal wayssneaked
toseeher.Somet i
meshewoul dwrit
eheral et
ter
andpostittotheschoolandi twouldbereadinthe
assembly,andshef eltsospeci algoingtocoll
ectit
.
He’dbuyherlit
tl
et r
inketst hatshecher i
shedso
much,alwayshidingt hem undert hebedi nabox,
andsecretl
ysitt
ingbehi ndenj oyi
ngt hechocolat
e
hebroughther.
Todayshehadwornherfancydressthatshehad
wornasabr i
desmai
donheraunt ’
sweddi ng,
and
herfr
iendhaddonehercor
nrows,shefeltsopret
ty.
Shecasual
lywonder
edwhathermot
herwoul
dsay
i
fshefoundoutshewasinhot
elr
oomswi
th
ei
ght
eenyearoldboys.
Especi
all
ytal
lmuscul
arei
ght
eenyearol
dboys.
Theyhadhadabeaut i
full
unchhehadorder
edand
wasbroughttother
oom.Someoft hef
oodshehad
nevert
astes.I
twasallsofancy.
Hel
eaneddownandki
ssedherl
ipsgent
ly.
KAEDI
:So,
areyour
eady?
PI
LARA:Ar
eyousur
eitwon’
thur
t?
Itdidhurt,
buti
twasok, shelovedhim, soshedi
dit
forhim.Exceptshewasbl eedingabit
,which
freakedherout,butshewast ooshytoaskhim
aboutit.Shehadnotevengot tenherperi
odyet,
so
thiswassounf amili
ar.
Aft
erwardsheki
ssedheragai
nandgaveher
chocol
ate.
Thentheylef
tthehot
elroom andwal
ked
downstai
rshandinhand.
‘
Ky?Yoh,
Ky?
’
Shelookedupasabunchoft
eenager
sprobably
Kaedi’
sagewalki
ngt
owardst
hem.Kaediletgoof
herhand.
‘
Yoh,checkthi
soutguys,Kyhasanewgi
rl
.Sophi
e
beenrepl
aced.
’aguysaid.
‘
Replacebywhowi thadr esst
hatl
ooksli
kea
defl
atedbouncingcast
le.Kywasjusthi
tt
ingi
t,t
ook
hertoahotelandall
’
Kaedijuststoodtherelooki
ngatthefloorwit
hhis
handsinthepocket .Tearsstungathereyesand
star
tedrunningdownhercheeks.Shewant edto
run,butshedidn’tknowt hi
sareaandwasaf rai
dif
gett
inglost.Plusshehadnomoneyt ogoback
home.
‘
Ithi
nkyourdr
essi
sni
ce.I
thast
hatvi
ntagevi
be’
‘
ComeonLol
o.I
t’
ssoshi
nyIcanseemyf
aceoni
t’
‘
Sweet
ie,t
hingswi
thoutasouldon’
thavea
r
efl
ect
ion’
‘
Youar
ejustbi
tt
eryouwantmyboyf
ri
end’
‘
Ex,
andi
fIwant
edKaedi
,I
’l
ltakehi
mint
hebl
inkof
aneye’
Theothergi
rll
ookeddown,
thent
urnedher
at
tent
iontoPil
araagai
n.
‘
Lit
tl
egur
l,hewasj ustusi
ngyou.Youar
eoneof
manyhefucked.Ibettomorr
owitwil
lbesomeone
el
se.’
Pi
lar
asobbedhel
plessl
yandKaedidi
dnot
hing.
Theonetheyhadcal
ledLol
osnat
chedcarkeys
fr
om Kaedi
.
‘
Edi,
pleasedon’
ttel
lmeyousleptwi
ththi
sbaby!
Comeonsweet hear
t,I
’
llt
akeyouhome.Justt
ellme
whereyoustay.
’
Shehadf
oll
owedt
heni
cegi
rlt
oKaedi
’
scarand
shedr
oveoff
.
Thegirlst
oppedatashopandcamebackwi t
h
somepads, achocol
atebar
,andnewpanti
es,t
hen
tookherhandandwalkedhertoatoi
let
.
‘
Inoti
cedal i
tt
lebl
oodonyourdr
ess.Happens
someti
meswhenonel osesthei
rvi
rgi
nit
y.Wasit
yourf
irstt
ime?’
Shej
ustnodded,
cryi
ng.
‘
Didheuseacondom?
’
Didhe?Shedidn’
tevenknow,shehadbeenj
ustso
scaredandaski
nghersel
fwhatthehel
lshewas
doing.
Sheshruggedhershoul
der
sandcr
iedmor
e.The
gi
rlhuggedher
.
‘
Heynow.Boysar estupid.Andhedidnott ake
awayanythingfrom you.Youarestil
lthegirlyou
were,
don’tletanyonetellyouother
wise.Goget
cl
eanedup.Youcant hrowawayt hedirt
ypant i
es
andusethisnewone.Thent iemysweat eraround
yourwai
st’
Shetookt
hepadsandpant
ies,
looki
ngather
conf
used.
‘
Youneverusedone?
’
Sheshookherhead.
Thegi
rlopenedt
hepacketandt
ookoneout
.
‘
Youjustpeelt
hebackandst
ickonyourpant
ies
l
iket
his.
Shedemonst
rat
edst
icki
ngapadi
nherhand
‘I
t’
seasy.Whenyouf eeli
tsful
lyouchange.Don’
t
bescared,
maybeit’
sjustyourperi
od,orj
usthymen.
Ei
therwayit’
shar
mless.’
Aftershehadchangedandt
hegirlwalkedwi
thher
backtothecar,
Pilar
atol
dherdi
recti
onsandshe
droveherhome.
Onthatday,shedeci
dedshewasgoingt
obe
conf
identandnotcar
eaboutot
herpeopl
e’
sopi
nion
l
iket
hatLologirl
.
*
***
***
***
***
Pr
esentDay…
Pil
arawalkedi
ntothehugehousewithhersuitcase.
Amai dinunif
orm metheri
nthefoyerandgreeted
her.
HER:Hi
,Iwast
oldtosetupyourr
oom i
nthet
op
f
loor
.Fol
lowme.I
’l
ltakebag.
PI
LARA:I
t’
sok.
HER:I’
m Mananaandamai dher
e.I
’
lli
ntr
oducet
o
ot
hersatyourconvi
nience.
PI
LARA:Pi
lar
a.Thanks.
HER:Themmayouar esolucky,marr
yingi
ntoa
ri
chfamilyl
iket
his!Nnakanagabar ebone,i
fI
di
dn’
thavet owearastandar
dizedunif
ormI’
dshow
mythighs,maybeWetshowillseemesinceKaedi
hashishandsful
l.
TheymetLoapiont
hest
air
sandt
hehel
pert
ri
edt
o
i
ntroducet
hem
HER:HiLoapi
,thi
sisPi
lar
a
LOAPI
:Mxi
m…
Shej
ustpassedt
hem andwentdownst
air
s
Thehel
pershookherheadsadl
y.
HER:Idon’tblameher ,
yousnatchedhermanunder
hernose.Wewer eallwaiti
ngfort hei
rbi
gweddi ng
andalli
fasuddenKaedii smar r
yi nganother
woman?AndLol oisactual
lysuchaki ndwoman.
Shemakesourst ayher ebear
able.Ther estoft
he
Ledimothi
nkt heyareaboveever yoneelse.Ohshi
t!
I’
m sorr
y.Pleasedon’tgetmefired.
Tear
sjustf
ormedi
nPi
lar
a’seyes.Af
tershehad
set
tl
edin,shewentt
otheroom shehadseenLol
o
comingfr
om andknocked.
Ther
ewasnoanswerandshekeptknocki
ng.
Fi
nal
lyshecameoutt
oopen.
LOAPI:Don’
tyoupeopl
egeti
twhenIsayt
oleave
mealone!
Sheyel
ledbef
oresheevenopened.Thenl
ookedat
Pi
lar
aandwasabouttoslam t
hedooronherface.
PI
LARA:Pl
ease… j
ustami
nut
e.
Shebegged,
tear
swel
li
ngdownhereyes.
LOAPI
:Youhavet
hir
tyseconds.
PI
LARA:I’m sosor
ry.I
t’
snotmychoi
ce…my
motheri
sillandI
…
LOAPI:Ther
eisnoexcusefordeli
ber
atel
ydeci
ding
torui
nanotherwoman’
srelati
onshi
p,sosaveme
thesobstor
ybecauseIdon’tcar
e.
Shesl
ammedt hedooronherf
aceandwalkedback
tot
hebedwit
ht ear
srunni
ngdownhereyes.How
l
onghadKaedibeenwitht
hatgi
rl
?
Howwasshesupposedtostayhereever
ydayand
wat
cht
hem t
ogetherandnotdie?
Shecoveredhermouthwi
thherhandst
ost
opt
he
scr
eam thatt
hreat
enedt
oescape.
Thethoughtswereaccel
erat
ingi
nsi
deherhead.
Shewantedt hem t
oslowsoshecoul
dbreat
he,but
theydi
dn’t
.
Whatwasshegonnadowi t
houtKaedi… hewasthe
onl
ymansheeverl oved… maubesheshouldjust…
no.Itwasenough… toomanyt omeshehadhur t
her,
youdi dn’
ttr
eatpeopl
eyoul ovel
iket
hat.Kaedi
di
dn’tloveher.
OhGod!Kaedidi
dn’
tloveher
…
Herbreathscamei ngaspsandshef eltli
keshe
wasaboutt oblackout.Herheartwashammer ing
i
nsideherchestlikei
tbelongstoar abbitrunning
fori
tsski
n.Ther oom spunandshesquat tedont he
fl
oor,t
ryi
ngtomakeever ythingsl
owt osomet hing
herbrai
nandbodycoul dcopewi th.Shef eltsosick.
Maybesheshoul
dcal
lanambul
ance…
Butt
hephonewast
oof
araway…
Shel
aidont
hef
loori
nabal
l-t
hef
oet
alposi
ti
on.
Shewantedtoscream andrage… shebi
therlower
l
ipunti
lshetast
esblood… justt
ostophersel
ffr
om
rel
easi
ngthepainshefelt
.
Ther
oom wasspi
nni
ng.
..
blackness…
*
***
***
***
*
Pil
arasatatthedoorcryi
ngasKaediandsome
barel
ydressedgir
lwalkedupst
air
skissi
ng,l
ooki
ng
drunkashell
.
ShefeltLolo’
sfrust
rat
ion.Whatkindofaman
woulddot hiswhenhisgirl
fr
iendwil
lobviouslybe
goi
ngt hroughturmoil
.Imean, whowouldn’t
,when
youjustfoundoutyourmani st omarr
ysomeone
el
se.
Whywasn’theintherewi
thhercomfort
ingherand
expl
aini
ngthi
ngs.Itmadehersoangry.
PILARA:YouarenotamanKaedi!Youar
epathet
ic!
Bringi
ngupthi
s…whateverwhor
etothehomeyou
sharewit
hyourgir
lf
ri
end?
SARONA:Uhh…sis,youandIar
ethesame.Weare
us.
.usiswe!Youcameinthehomeofanother
womanandyouar ecal
li
ngmeoutfori
t.I
fI’
ma
whore,
wearebothwhores.
KAEDI:Wil
lyoubothshutt
hef uckup!You…youare
aduty.Noneofmybusiness.AndSassy, babe…
comebackupallthatmouthyouhadi nthecar.
Whatdisyousayaboutyourdeepthroatgame?
SARONA:(
laughi
ng)I
t’
suh-
may-
fucki
ng-zi
ng,
baby!
YouknowhowIdo.
Theywal
kedi
ntoSar
ona’
sroom andcl
osedt
he
door
.
Pil
arawalkedtoherownbedroom andsatcryi
ng.
Cryi
ngforLolo.Howlonghadshehadtolivewith
thi
s.Whydi dn’
tshel
eave?
Cryingf orher
self
.Usuallyaweekbef oreyouget
mar ri
ed, mostpeopleareoverthemoon.Not
suicidal.Nothati
ngyourselfforbei
ngbor nsopoor
thatyouhavet osellyourselft
ohelpyourmot her
.
Howl ongwouldshebeabl etodothis?Oncethe
newsofKaediget ti
ngmar ri
edgotout …the
humil
iat
ionthatwoul
dfol
lowasshebecamet
he
l
aughi
ngst ockLol
owas.
Shecuddl
edt
oherpi
ll
owcr
yingher
sel
ftosl
eep.
*
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Af ewdayslaterPil
araheardaknock.Whowould
thatbe?Everyoneactedli
keshewasSatanfor
comi ngher
ei nt
o‘Lolo’
shome’.Li
keshehada
choice.
Sherubbedhereyesandwenttoopen,
toLoapi
st
andingther
ewithswoll
eneyes.
LOAPI
:(si
ghi
ng)Heyki
d
PI
LARA:Dumel ang…I
’mreal
lysor
ryIswearInever
wentaf
terKaedi.I
’mj
ustdoi
ngthi
sformymot her.
LOAPI
:Comeher
e… br
ingi
tit
!
ShehuggedherandPi
lar
abrokedown.Thefi
rst
per
sontoshowheranykindofwarmnesst
oher
si
ncecomi
ngher
e.
LOAPI
:CanIcomei
n?
PI
LARA:Ok
Shef
oll
owedheri
nandsatatt
hecor
neroft
hebed.
LOAPI:I
’vebeenj
ustlooki
ngf orsomeonet ohurt
becauseIwashurt
ing.Butthatshouldhavenever
beenyou.Youareinamucht oughersi
tuat
ionthan
me.Ihavetheopti
onofleaving,youdon’t
.
PILARA:Idon’tunder
standwhyyoudon’t.Ial
ways
seeyoubei ngtal
kedtoonallsoci
almediagossi
p…
him wi
thothergir
ls… whydoyoutakethat?
LOAPI :(
laughi
ng)MaybeI’
m stupi
d.ButIknow
Kaedilovesme.IguessIalwayshopedhewoul d
change.Hewoul dgrowupandmanup.Iwi shIhad
foundoutaboutyourcasebeforetheol
dmandi d.
WedoCSR.Andevenwi t
houtthecompany, Icoul
d
affor
dt ohelpper
sonal
ly…
PILARA:MaybeIcanbr eakthecont
ractwi
thhimif
youcanhelp.IswearIwilll
eavei
fit
’snotf
orthe
money.Idon’tevenl
ikeKaedi.
LKAPI :(
laughi
ng)Don’
tli
kehi
m muchmysel fri
ght
now.ButI ’
m afr
aidt
hisi
snothowitworkswi t
h
Ledimo.Youhavesoldyoursoult
othedevi landhe
willgetwhathewantsfr
om you.Maybeifyoucan
tel
lmewhathewant ssoIcanhaveawor karound
foryou…
PILARA:Idon’tknow… hejustsai
dKaedineededa
wifel
ikeme,thatKaedi
’sfatherwant
edmeas
Kaedi’
swife.
LOAPI:Hei
slying.Hewantssomethi
ngf
rom you.
Ledi
moneverjustdoesanythi
ng.
PILARA:Hesai
dbreaki
ngthecontr
actwi
llnotbe
goodforme.Whatdoesthatmean?
LOAPI :Ledimoi sadark,badwolfinsheepskin.You
donotwantt heanswertoyourquest i
on.Thebest
youcandonowi skeepyourheadlowandser ve
yoursent ence.Trytomakeyourst ayhereas
bearableasi tcanbe.Iwillt
alkt
ot hekidsandt he
stafft
ogoeasyonyou.Beni cetot hem,smile.Put
yourbiggi rlpanti
esonandputt heeyesont he
target
.
PILARA:I’m scar
edofthewholeget
ti
ngmar r
ied
thi
ng.Ifeell
ikealambabouttobesacri
fi
ced.It
’s
hardhavingt odothi
sonmyown. .
LOAPJ:(
sighi
ng)I
’
llcomewi
thyou
Pi
lar
asmi
ledal
it
tl
e.
PILARA:Real
ly?Thankyousomuch.Youar
ea
goodperson.
LOAPI :(
laughi
ng)Ha!Tel lthatt
omyt eam.Wor ds
theyusuallyusedescribi
ngmear eal
ongt heli
nes
of‘bi
tch’
, ‘
cunt
’andthel i
kes.Oh,bytheway.Gi ve
youraccountnumbert ot heladywhowi l
lcomet o
askforit.Sheoverseesthehouseandwi llstar
t
putti
nginyourmont hlyallowance.
PILARA:No,Idon’
twantt
oowet
heLedi
momor
e
thanIal
ready…
LOAPI :Girl
,taket
hemoney.Ref usingitmakesno
di
fference.I’
m gonnamakeyoural l
owanceal i
tt
le
bi
gger .Spoilyour
self
,andalsosaveupf oranexi
t
st
rategyonceyoursent enceifserved.Setyourli
fe
upont heseoverpri
vil
egedbastards’expense.
You’l
lbeal ri
ghtki
d.Comeon, let
’sgohave
br
eakf
ast
.
*
***
***
***
*
Kaedihi
dattheentranceoft
heroom andwatched
Lol
otalktoPil
ara.God,shewassokind!Lol
o
al
waysputpeoplefirst
.
Andt hi
swasal somaki nghim seePil
ara’
ssi t
uati
on.
Hecoul djusti
magi nebeingt
went yagreeand
thrownthiscurveball
.Poorgir
llookedterr
if
ied.He
owedi tt
ohertoatl eastnotmaket hi
spainfulon
hisside,hehadalreadyhurtherbefore.
*
***
***
***
***
**
AsLoloheadeddownstair
s,shehel
dont
othe
rai
li
ngasshefel
tdizzy.
PI
LARA:Ar
eyouok?
Kaedir
andowntot
hem fr
om wher
ehehadhid
whentheyl
eftt
her
oom andst
eadi
edLoapi
.
KAEDI:Lol
oyouneedtoseeadoctor
,thesel
atel
y
di
zzi
nessandheadachescan’
tbegood.
LOAPI
:Al
lofasuddenhecar
esaboutmyheal
th!
KAEDI
:Lol
opl
ease…
Sar
onawal kedf
rom theki
tchensideonheryoga
out
fi
t,hol
dingagreensmoothie.
SARONA:Issheok?Her
e,t
rythi
s.Itacel
eryand
gi
ngerj
uiceandcanhel
pwit
hdi zzi
ness.
LOAPI
:Cani
t?Real
ly.Whyt
hankyou.
Shetookthej
uicef
rom Sar
onaandempt
iedi
ton
Sar
ona’shead.
LOAPI:Youar
eri
ght
,itwor
kswonder
sIf
eelbet
ter
al
ready!
KAEDI
:Ist
hatr
eal
lynecessar
yLol
o?
Pil
aratri
edtosupressherl
aughterasLol
o
shruggedwi t
hasmi l
eandwalkeddownstai
rs
whilesSaronashr
iekedandhuffed.
*
***
***
***
*
Thenextfewdaysbot
hLol oandPil
arakept
avoi
dingKaedi
.Int
hemor ningoft
hesighi
ngPilar
a
camedownstai
rsandfoundKaediwaiti
ngforher.
KAEDI
:Hey…canIhaveami
nut
e?IknowIwas
rudetheotherday.Iwasdr
unk,
butt
hat
’sno
excuse.I
’
m sorry.
PI
LARA:What
ever
.
KAEDI
:Wedon’
thavetobeenemi
es,
youknow?We
ar
egoi
ngtocoparent
.
PI
LARA:Canwejustgett
hisdoneandoverwi
th?I
wantt
ogotoIndi
atoseemymot her.
Loapi
camedownandsmi
ledatPi
lar
a
LOAPI
:Your
eady,
kid?
KAEDI
:HiLol
o
LOAPI
:Mxi
m
KAEDI
:Howl
ongar
eyougoi
ngt
okeept
hisup?
LOAPI:Kanawenayouli
keithantsekelelawai
tse.
Seeingmetrytogat
hermystrengt
hliket
hisupsets
you.ImeanitKaedi
.Wearedone.I’
m onlyst
ayi
ng
formmaKaediandtheki
ds.
Sar
onacamedowndr
essedup.
LOAPI
:Uhm,
no.Thewhor
eisnoti
nvi
ted.
SARONA:Suchacont
rolf
reak!I
t’
snotevenyour
weddi
ng
PI
LARA:I
t’
smi
neandyouar
enoti
nvi
ted.
SARONA:Oht
hemai
lor
derbr
idespeaks!
LOAPI
:Youar
esti
llnoti
nvi
ted,
rol
li
ngyoureyes
l
ooki
ngli
keadamnemoj i
.
SARONA:Ky,
I’
llbei
nthecar
.
LOAPI
:Runal
ongl
i’
lho.
*
***
***
***
*
Thegwer
emetbyLedi moandt
hevi
ll
agechi
efat
themagi
str
ate.St
range.
LEDIMO:Oh,
Pil
a,It
houghtt
hechi
efshoul
dbeyour
wit
nessmygirl
.
PI
LARA:Ok
Thechi
efsmi
ledatheral
lthet
ime.
.Iwassocr
eepy.
CHI
EF:Ni
cet
omeetyoucongr
atsont
hebaby…
Shel
ookedconf
usedandLedi
moj
umpedi
n.
LEDI
MO:Yes,
yes.Theyar
esoexci
tedaboutt
he
baby.Comeonever
yone,
let
’sgoi
n.
I
twaspr
ett
yqui
ck
Justl
iket
hat
,shewasmar
ri
ed.
Ast
heywal
kedoutKaedispoke.
KAEDI
:Shoul
dwenotgof
oral
unchatl
east
?
LEDIMO:Youyoungpeopl
erunal
ong.TheChi
efi
s
notwel
l,wemustgo.
CHI
EF:Maybewecoul
djust
…
LEDIMO:Youknowyouhavet orestr
ammata.We
haveplent
yofti
mef orthatwhenwehavethe
ceremony.Come,Iwil
ltakeyouhome.
Theygotont
hecarandt
ookof
f.
KAEDI
:Howaboutyoul
adi
es.
SARONA:I
’
m game!
LOAPI
:Noti
nter
est
ed.
PI
LARA:Menei
ther
…
KAEDI
:Comeonwehave… Lol
oar
eyouok?
LOAPI
:Justsl
ight
lydi
zzy.I
t’
smynewanxi
etymeds.
KAEDI
:I’
mtaki
ngyout
oahospi
tal
.
LOAPI
:Theyhel
lyouar
e…
PILARA:Maybeheisr
ight
,youweredizzyj
usta
fewhoursagowhenwecame, nowtoo.Andit
’s
beenhappeni
ngtooof
ten.
LOAPI:Isai
dI’
mf i
ne… wor
kst
ressandanxi
ety.I
’
ll
bookanappoint
mentwithmydoct
or.
*
***
***
***
LaterwhenLoapisati
nt hetoil
ett
hinki
ngher
periodwast
ooheavyandt oolongthist
ime.Itwas
overaweek,andusual
lysheonlytookthreedays.
Andnowthebloodwasgushingoutofher
.The
t
oil
etbowlwascolour
edred.Shegoti
ntheshower
,
l
eavi
ngatrai
lofredbehi
ndher…
Theshowert
il
esst
ainedr
ed.
Sheshooksohardasshefel
tagut
ti
ngpai
ninher
abdomen,makinghercr
yout
.Shei
mmediat
ely
heardabanginthedoor
.
PI
LARA:Ar
eyouok?
KAEDI
:Babewhat
’swr
ong,
openup…
Whenshecri
edoutagai
n,t
hedoorwaspi
ckedand
Kaedir
ani
nfoll
owedbyPil
ara.
KAEDI
:OhmyGod!Babe,
what
’sgoi
ngon?
Shewhi
mper
edl
ayi
ngont
hef
loornaked.
LOAPI
:I’
m soscar
edEdi
.Idon’
tknowwhat
’sgoi
ng
on.
KAEDI
:Pipapassmeanyt
hingf
orhert
oweari
n
t
hatcl
oset.
Shecamebackwi thakaft
anthatKaedisl
ipped
overaonlyhalfconsci
ousLolo,t
hencarri
edherto
thecar,
withPilar
abehindhim.Shesatattheback
withLol
olayingherheadonherlapasKaedisped
thr
oughtraff
ic
*
***
***
**
Kaedist
oodner
vousl
yast
hedoct
orcheckedLoapi
.
DR:Doesyouhasahi
stor
yoff
ibr
oids?
KAEDI
:Shehadoner emovedyear
sago,
itwas
smal
l…isthatwhat
’sgoi
ngon?Canyouhelpher
.
LOAPI
:Youhavetohel
pmedoctor…Idon’
thave
anyki
ds… Iwantki
ds… af
ami
ly…
Shesobbed.
Thedoctorl
ookdownf
rom t
heul
tr
asoundwi
tha
heavyheart
.
KAEDI
:Speak,
damni
t!
DR:Shehasa9cm f i
broi
dtaki
ngupherentir
e
uter
us,ANDanotherinherf
all
opi
ant
ubet hathas
causedarapt
ure…
LOAPI
:(Cr
ying)OhmyGod…
KAEDI
:Youcantakei
toutri
ght?What
everyou
needt
odo,moneyisnott
heprobl
em… justf
ixi
t.
LOAPI
:(sni
ff
li
ng)
Whatar
emyopt
ions?
DR:Att
hisst
age,
onl
yahyst
erect
omy.
Loapibr
okedowncr
yingasKaedit
ri
edt
ocomf
ort
her.
KAEDI:Nah,
that
’soutofquest
ion.Tr
ysomet
hing
el
se.
DR:MrLedi
mo,
Iam af
rai
dit
’st
heonl
yopt
ion.And
i
fshedoesn’
thaveittakenout
,shewil
lcont
inuet
o
bl
eedanditwi
llcauseherunimagi
nabl
epain.
NowKaediwasbli
nki
ngfast,t
ryi
ngtost
opthe
t
ear
sthatthr
eat
enedtospi
llhispai
ntot
heworl
d.
KAEDI:Youdon’
tunder
stand.Lol
o… uhm… we
wantkids.
DR:MsBabusi
’
sheal
thi
smypr
ior
it
yri
ghtnow.
LOAPI
:(wi
pingt
ear
s)When?WhendoIhavet
odoi
t?
DR:Receptionwil
lgi
veyouadat e.Hi
ghl
yli
kel
yt he
nextavai
labledat
eisnextweek.Fornowwewillput
youonhor mones.
LOAPI
:(si
ghi
ng)
,Thankyoudoct
or.
*
***
***
***
*
Aft
ert
hedoctor
’s,
Pil
arat
ookat
axihomet
ogi
ve
t
hem space.
Lol
osati
nthepassangerseatsobbi
ng.
LOAPI
:(sobbi
ng)Iwon’
tbemuchofawoman.
Whatmanwi l
lwantt
omarryabar
renwoman.
Kaedihuggedhercl
oser
,ki
ssi
ngherhead,
hist
ear
s
f
all
ingonherhai
r.
KAEDI:Pl
easedon’
tsayt
hat
.Youar
easwomanas
ever
.Andthemanwhowantstomarr
yyoui
sme.
LOAPI
:Youcansaythat
,akerewenayouhavea
wif
eyougett
obuil
dhappyf ami
lywit
h.
KAEDI
:Thenf
ucki
t.Iwi
llgoannult
hatshi
t
t
omorr
owandwecangetmar ri
ed.
LOAPI
:Youknowyoucan’
tdot
hat
…
KAEDI :What’
shegonnado, cutusofff
inanci
all
y?
I’
llf
indaway, Ihavemyownconnect i
ons.My
familywil
lhavetoadjustt
oal eanl
if
estyl
e.ButI
’m
notgoingthroughwit
ht hi
sanymore.Notifi
t’
s
hurti
ngyou.
LOAPI:Theworstyourfami
lywi
llgeti
sgetcutoff
fi
nanci
all
y.Whatdoyout hi
nkwi
llhappent
oPi l
ara
i
fthecontr
acti
sbr oken?
KAEDI
:That
’sherpr
obl
em…
LOAPI:Sheisjustani
nnocentki
d.Shei
stwenty
thr
eeandaloneandscared.Don’
tbri
ngherint
o
moretroubl
e.Godowhatyouneedt odo,I
’
llsur
vive.
KAEDI:Il
oveyou,Loapi
,youknowt hat
,ri
ght
?You
arest
il
lmygirlandI’
m gonnamar r
yyouandweare
gonnagetourhappil
yeveraft
er.Ok?
Hesaid,
kissi
ngherf
oreheadandpul
ledheri
ntoa
hug.
*
***
***
***
***
9mont
hsl
ater
….
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Loapisati
nherof
fi
celooki
ngatpi
ctur
esofher
fr
iend’
snewbornt
wins.Shesmi
ledandwipedatear
.
She’dhadtohearitfr
om thei
rmutualfr
iendthather
bestfri
endhadtwins.Thesamewayshef oundout
aboutthepregnancyfrom ot
her
s.Atanghadsaid
she‘fel
tawkward’tel
li
nghershewaspr egnant
.
Li
keever
ysi
nglet
hingshehear
daboutbabi
esshe
hear
dwasgonnasendheri
ntoabawli
ngmess?
Ok,itdid…butstil
l.Findi
ngoutaboutyourbest
fr
iend’spregnancyf r
om anotherhur
t…andthen
fi
ndingoutaboutt hebi r
tht
hesamewayt oo.
Shesighedandcalledforherdri
ver,headinghome
assher evi
ewedsomewor kpapersont hewayso
shewoul dbereadyforthedi
nnershehadi nvi
ted
Pil
arato.
Shegothomeandqui
ckl
yshower
ed,
thenheaded
toPi
lar
a’sr
oom.
Sheknockedandt henpeepedi
n.Aheavi
ly
pregnantPil
aral
aidonthebedwit
honeofthemai
d,
Manana, besi
deher.
LOAPI
:Oh?It
houghtourdi
nnerwasat7pm?
PILARA:OhmyGod!IknewIwasf or
gett
ing
somethi
ng!CanIr
aincheck?Iam al
it
tl
etir
ed…
Agai
n?
LOAPI
:Pi
pa,
canIhaveamoment
?
PILARA:Mananathemmaf et
chadri
nkforme
downstai
rs.Thatr
aspber
ryl
eaft
eaact
uall
y.
Mananast
oodupandwal
keddownst
air
s.
LOAPI
:Pi
lar
a,haveIdonesomet
hingt
oof
fendyou?
PI
LARA:Whywoul
dyousayt
hat
?
LOAPI:Youarelit
eral
lyavoi
dingme.Notjust
cancel
li
ngonmef orathousandt
imes,without
evenbotheri
ngtocallme,butint
hemorningwhenI
walkedintheki
tchenwhileyouwereeat
ing,you
j
ustleft
.
PI
LARA:Aomma,
Iwasdoneeat
ing.
LOAPI
:Youhadj
ustst
art
ed.Andt
henwhenyou
wher
ewatchi
ngTV…
PILARA:I
,am.PregnantLol
o,Igett
ir
edeasi
ly.I
neededtonap.
LOAPI
:(si
ghi
ng)Okay,
Iunder
stand.Goodni
ght
.
Shesighedandwalkedoutoftheroom f
eel
ingthe
l
oneli
ness.Audreyhadherhusbandandtwokids.
Atangjustgavebi
rt
h…
Shecal
ledKaedi
.
KAEDI
:Hey,Lo!I’
mrunningl
ate.Meet
ingwi
thsome
bi
gcats.HaveyoucheckedonPipa?Howisshe
doi
ng?
LOAPI
:(si
ghi
ng)Shei
sfi
ne.
KAEDI:Di
dshetakeherpr
enatals?Sheal
ways
for
get
s.AndtheBraxt
onhicks,
wasshe…
LOAPI
:(Si
ghi
ng)Ever
ythi
ngi
sfi
ne.Igot
tago.
Shewenti nt
ohercardisappointed.MmaKaedihad
takent hegir
lsforaPar
isvacat i
ononschool
holiday,usual
lyshehungwi t
hthem whileKaedi
playedhappyf amilywi
thPilara,orouthavi
ngfun
withSassy.
Nowheral
onenesswasj
usti
ll
umi
nat
ed.Shehad
noone.
*
***
***
***
Pilar
asati
nherbedr
oom asMananabr
oughther
tea.
MANANA:Uhu,
Ithoughtyouwer
egoi
ngoutl
e
madam.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Whydoyoucal
lhert
hat
,Lol
ois
ni
ce.
MANANA:Ahh,Ij
ustdon’tknow.Sheannoysme,
i
t’
sli
keshei
stoodesperateforaman.It
’s
embar
rassi
ngai
mot
aKaedi
.
PI
LARA:Don’
tsayt
hat
,Kyl
ovesher
…
MANANA:Webot hknowt hatsi
nceyougot
pr
egnant,
Kaedihadbeenfall
ingi
nlovewit
hyou
st
eady.Nowadaysi
t’
slikehedoesn’
tevenseeher
.
PI
LARA:Ij
ustf
eel
sobadf
orher
…
MANANA:Gat weshei samultimil
li
onair
e,rumor
hasitthatsheisri
cherthanKaedisincehehasn’t
i
nherit
edanythingyet.What’
stheretofeelbadfor
herabout.Shecangocr yonachampagnegl ass.
PI LARA:Shej ustmakesmef eelsoawkwar d.Koore
Ifeell ikeIam rubbi
ngmypr egnancyonherf ace
becauseal lIeverwantt otalkabouti spregnancy
andbaby, andIdon’tfeelri
ghtt alki
ngtoherabout
that .Gapehel ait
’sali
t t
leannoyi ngseeingher
tryingt omakemovesonmyhusbandwhenshecan
clear lyseewear estarti
ngt obui l
dsomet hing.I
don’ tmeant osoundungr ateful,maybei t
’sthe
hor mones.ButmyhusbandandIar etr
yingt obuild
ourf amilyforourchil
d.Agoodwomanwoul dback
offandr espectthat
.KyandImayhavest artedon
thewrongfoot,
butsinceIgotpr egnanthejust
shownmet hemanIr emember ed.TheboyIl oved.
Myf i
rstl
ove.Andyouar eri
ght,Ithi
nkwehave
foundbackwhatwehadaski ds.KaediIIIhad
broughtusbacktogether
.
MANANA:Yetyousti
lll
ett
hatbimbost
ay.Nnai
fI
wer
eyou,
I’
dgetridofherf
irst
.
PI
LARA:Icanonl
ydream,
Nana.ButKaedil
oves
bi
mbopussytoomuchtol
ethergo.
MANANA:Koorewhereisthatgi
rl
’sdi
gni
ty.No
shamegoreshei
stheoneheonlycomest owhen
heeit
herwant
stofuckordri
nk.
PI
LARA:Ah,mma!Thatonei
sanot
herst
ory
al
toget
her
!
MANANA:Youar et
oosoft!Tel
lKaedishei
s
stressi
ngyouandintur
nstressi
ngthebaby.Get
heroutofyourhome,andthennextit
’smadam
president
.Youaret
hewifehere,whyall
owdinyat
si
tostayinyourhome!
ThedooropenedandKaediwal
kedi
nwi
tht
ake
awayandsomechocolat
e.
Mananagr
eet
edKaediandl
eft
.
KAEDI:(
kissi
ngherlips,
thenhertummy)eveni
ng
MrsLedimo… andeveningtoyout ooMrLedi
mo.
Haven’
tbeentroubl
ingmygi r
l,haveyou?
PILARA:(
laughi
ng)Iswearheisaki
ckboxer.How
I’
m goi
ngtosurvi
veanothermont
hofthis,
Idon’t
know.
KAEDI:Aww,youpoort
hing… Iwi
shther
ewas
anythi
ngIcoul
ddo.Ibr
oughtyouallt
hethi
ngsyou
usuall
ycr
ave.
PI
LARA:Kahathestr
essofyourmistr
essesl
ivi
ng
wi
thus!Ah,l
egal
ewhatcanIsay,Iknowmy
marr
iage’
scondi
ti
ons.
KAEDI
:Pi
pa,
youknowLol
oneedst
obeher
e…
PI
LARA:ThatIunder
stand,
butwhatabout
what
sher
face?
KAEDI:Sassyi
sjustgoi
ngthroughar
oughpat
ch
ri
ghtnow,she’
l
lleaveassoonas…
PI
LARA:Youcanaf
for
dtor
entherahouseKaedi
.
KAEDI
:YouknowLol
omanagest
hef
inancesand
shewi
llsayi
t’
sawast
eofmoney.
PILARA:That
’st
heotherthi
ng.Thatmyhusbandi
s
anotherwoman’
sbi
tch..
KAEDI
:I’
m nobody’
sbi
tch.
PILARA:ThentellLoapiyouarer entingt
hebimboa
housesinceyouwon’ tt
ossherout .Youarethe
manoft hehouse.Legale… I’
m beingt oo
demanding.Ishouldbegr at
efulyouar ejustt
here
forus.Ijustwi
shitwasn’tstr
essingmesomuch
andstressingt
hebaby…
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)I’
llt
alkt
oSassyandseei
fshehas
anyot
heropt
ion.
PI
LARA:Il
oveyou…
KAEDI:AndIl
oveyoumor
e… andyout
wol
it
tl
e
guy…
Hesai
dasherubbedhert
ummy,
thengavehera
f
ootmassageas
*
***
***
***
**
LaterwhenPil
arasl
ept
,KaediknockedonSar
ona’
s
room.Shesatonamatmeditati
ng.
KAEDI
:Hey,
canwet
alk?
SARONA:Hol
dthet
hought
…I’
m al
igni
ngmy
chakr
as.
Hesighedandlai
dont hebed.Af
teraboutfi
ft
een
minutesshef
inal
lyt
urnedhercandlesoffandcame
t
ot hebed.
SARONA:So?
KAEDI:Iwasthi
nki
ngmaybeIcoul
dgetyoua
rent
edplace…
SARONA:Nah,thanks.Il
ikeither
e.Thesevast
l
ands… If
eelsointunewithnatur
e…
KAEDI
:Idon’
tevenknowwher
ethi
sisgoi
ngSar
ona.
SARONA:Shoul di
tmatter
?It
’safl
utt
eroftimeand
spacethatwegettoenj
oytoget
her.Whenthe
magicends,wemoveonourseparatewaysand
fi
ndanotherl
ightwearemeanttobondwit
huntil
wefindourtwinsoul
s.
KAEDI:Idon’
tevenknowwhatthatmeans.Ij
ust
…
wit
hthebabycomi ngandal
l…
SARONA:Oh,
Iam noti
nter
est
edi
nyourof
fspr
ing.
Quietfrankl
yIt hinkthatwasveryselfi
shofyoutwo.
Idonotunder standpeoplewhobr eedwhenwear e
socancer oust oouruniverse.Doyouknowt he
amountofr ui
nyourcr otchfr
uiti
sgonnacausewi th
hiscarbonf ootprint
?Peopleneedt ost
ophaving
chil
dren,therear etoomanypeopl einthi
sworld.
KAEDI
:(laughi
ng)Iknowonedayyouwi
llsay
somet
hingthatmakessense.
SARONA:Anyway, l
aterI
’
m headingt
omyother
l
over.Shegivest
hebesthead.Youknowyou
dur
ingorgasm,
youcanactual
lyt
ranscendtheeart
hlyr
eal
mj ustfor
aspl
itsecondwit
htherightpar
tner
?Andthatgirl
!
Damn!
KAEDI
:Howdoyouexpectmet
oevenanswert
hat
?
SARONA:( kissi
nghi m)YouknowI ’
m pol
y,Ky.You
gotwithmeknowi ngIdonotbel i
eveinmonogamy
andIhadot herlovers.ButInevertakenaloveryou
arenotawar eof.MaybeIwi llmoveinwithLudof or
awhileinst
ead…
Shesai
dassheki
sseddownhi
m wai
stl
ineand….
*
***
***
***
***
*
Loapisatal
onedr
inki
ngwhenamancameandsat
nextt
oher.
HI
M:What
’sapl
acel
iket
hisdoi
ngonagi
rll
ikeyou.
LOAPI
:Beati
t…
HI
M:(
laughi
ng)Ohhh,
fei
sty!
LOAPI
:Soyouar
ethe‘
don’
tunder
standno’
type?
HIM:OhGod,no.Notatal
l.I
fyout
rul
ywantmet
o
l
eaveyoual
one,tel
lmenow.
Shej
ustsatdr
inki
ng,
notsayi
nganyt
hing.
HI
M:Letmeguess.Wor
k?
LOAPI:(
laughi
ng)Gee,
thanks!SoIdol
ookl
ikeI
havenolif
eoutsi
deofwork?
HIM:(l
aughi
ng)Notatal
l.Mysi
sterhasaknockof
f
offt
hatbagsheboughti
ntheUS,andshesaysit’
s
expensi
ve.
LOAPI:Excuseme,thi
sisar
ealBi
rki
n!Icanshow
youauthenti
cat
ion…
HIM:(l
aughi
ng)Rel
ax.Icanseeyoursi
sreal
.So
youprobabl
yworkahighpayingj
obifyoucan
aff
ordone.Andhi
ghpayingjobsar
edemanding.
LOAPI
:(smi
li
ng)MaybeIj
usthaveabl
esser
.
HI
M:Youdon’
tlookt
het
ype.Whatdoyoudo?
LOAPI
:CFO
HIM:Hee?Keenggonemoo?I ’mjustasol
diero
wit
haf or
mf ivecer
ti
fi
catrandwasjustl
ucky
enoughtoascendrankthroughtheyear
s.CF…
what’
sthat?
LOAPI:Chi
efFi
nanceOf
fi
cer
.Ofacongl
omer
ate.A
real
lybi
gcompany.
HI
M:(
laughi
ng)humbl
e,Isee.
LOAPI:What’st
heretobehumbleabout,
Iearnedi
t.
AndImi ghtaswel
ltel
lyounow,Idon’
tdatepoor
guys.Yourbankaccounthast
oatleastmatchmine.
HI
M:(
laughi
ng)Andhowmuchi
syour
s?
LOAPI:Meh,
eight
eenmilatl
east
… Ihavemadean
i
nvest
mentthat’
sboundtomakemeawhol ebunch
more.
HI
M:(
whi
stl
ing)hee?
Hi
scomi
calsur
pri
semadeherl
augh.
HI
M:Ar
eyouser
ious?
LOAPI :Ascanbe.Howdoyout hi
nkIam weari
ng
ori
ginalLoubouti
n’s,aBir
kin,
channelsl
acksand
anLVbl ouseallatthesametime.
HI
M:AndIbetyouar
ever
yeducat
ed
LOAPI
:MScCorpor
ateFinanceandIam at
hesi
s
awayf
rom myPhDinFinance.
HI
M:Banna!Youar
etot
all
youtofmyl
eague!
LOAPI
:Iam.Gosh,
itf
eel
sni
cet
obel
ist
enedt
o.
HIM:I
’dl
istent
oyouallday,l
ehaobuabot agwa
hel
a.Youlookyoung.Whatgi
rlyouragehasthat
muchmoneyandeducat i
on?
LOAPI:(
laughi
ng)OhmyGod,
yout
hinkI
’
m dr
unk?
Forr
eal,Ihaveal
lthat
.
HI
M:AndI
’
m Donal
dTr
ump.
Shesnor
tlaughed.
LOAPI
:HiDonal
dTr
ump,
nicemeet
ingyou.
HI
M:Tat
ji
bona.ButTat
jwi
lldo.
LOAPI
:I’
m Loapi
HI
M:Asi
nthesky?
LOAPI:(
Rol
li
nghereyes)Ha.Ha.Thatj
okegot
washedupi
nstandardtwo!
Theybot
hbr
okeoutl
aughi
ng.
HI
M:Youhaveani
cel
augh… andIl
oveyoursmi
le.
Hebrushedthetendr
ilofherlonghairt
hathad
escapedherbunback,thencaressedherfacewi
th
hisfi
nger
sbeforesomeoner oughlypul
ledLoapiby
theshoul
der.
Shelookedbackandhi
m st
umbl
edt
ost
and,
ali
tt
le
ti
psy.
LOAPI
:Edi
?
KAEDI
:Thef
uckyout
hinkyouar
edoi
ng,
Lol
o?
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Loapist
umbledandKaedicaughther
,shaki
ngher
bytheshoul
ders.
KAEDI
:Real
lyLol
o!Get
ti
ngfucki
ngdr
unkand
maki
ngoutwit
hrandoms!
TATJ:Hey,
hey!Youdon’
tgett
otr
eatherl
iket
hat
.
KAEDI
:Fuckof
fbef
oreyoupi
ssmeof
f.Wenal
et’
s
gohome.
Hegr
abbedherhandt
odr
aghert
othecarandTat
j
t
ri
edtoi
nter
vene.
LOAPI
:(si
ghi
ng)I
t’
sfi
ne…Iwasaboutt
ohead
homeanyway.Mycar
…
KAEDI
:Yourdr
iverwi
llbr
ingi
tIcamewi
thhi
m.
Shesul
kedandsati
nthecar
.
KAEDI:Youareseri
ousl
ytoooldtobepul
li
ngt
his
bul
lLoapi!Hooki
ngupwithst
rangers?
LOAPI:Fi
rstofal
lI’
m 29.Andal
so,
youcandoi
t
butIcan’
t?
KAEDI :Doyouknowt hatthatguyhasacaseofa
womanaccusi nghim ofr
oofingher?Thatswhyt hat
bartendercalledme.Hesawyouwi t
hhim.Ican’tbe
doingt his,
Pil
ar ai
sheavil
ypr egnant
,Ineedtobe
availableincaseanythinghappens,notchasing
grownasswomenwhoactl ikehormonalteens.
LOAPI:Iwasn’
tdoinganyt
hingwi
thhi
m!Icameout
foradri
nk!AndI’
mt aki
ngmycartogotomyhouse!
KAEDI:OhGod!Nott hi
sagain!Iam sofucki
ngti
red
ofthi
s‘I’
llmoveout’
shit
,Lol
o.Everyti
mewear gue
youthreatent
oleaveand…
LOAPI:Youdon’tevenseeme,
Kaedi
.Ever
ythi
ngi
s
Pi
lar
at hi
s,Pi
lar
at hat
.
KAEDI
:(yel
li
ng)Shei
scar
ryi
ngmychi
ld!God!
LOAPI :Youknowt hat’
snoti tonl
y.Don’
tli
et o
yourself.Youloveher.Ithoughtitwasj
ustaf or
showmar riage,
itwasn’tsupposedtoaff
ectour
rel
ati
onshi p,whydoIf eell
ikeI’
m onthesidel
ine
watching?
KAEDI
:Howam Isupposedtoknowwhyyoufeel
howyoufeel
.NnaI
’mtir
edtotaLol
o.I
fyouwantt
o
l
eave,thendo.Iloveyou,butIcan’
tbeina
r
elati
onshipful
lofthreat
s.Akereyouweretheone
whosai dheweeyouneedt obemor eresponsi
ble.
I
sn’tt
akingcareofyourwi f
eandchildbeing
r
esponsi bl
e?
Shecoveredhermouthwi t
hherhandtost
op
hersel
ffr
om cryi
ngoutloudlyast
ear
srandownher
face,t
henlookedathi
m onceandopenedthedoor
.
KAEDI
:Pi
lar
a… Imean,
Loapi
,wai
t…
Sheranof
ftohercaranddrovetohersecrethouse
i
nFranci
stownthatnobodyknewabout,shekeptas
agat
ewayf r
om tometotime.
*
***
***
***
***
KaedileftAtang’
shouse.Nott
her
eeither
.Justl
ike
Audrey’s.Shedidn’
thavemanyfr
iends.Maybeher
P.AFlor a’
s?
Orahot
el?
Hi
sphoner
ang.
KAEDI
:MmagweKai
…
PI
LARA:Foundheryet
?
KAEDI:Nope…shewaspr
ett
yupset
,I’
m wor
ri
edshe
goti
nacaraccident
…
PI
LARA:Iwashavingsomecontract
ions.Abi
t
di
ff
erentf
rom Br
axtonhi
cks… Ij
ust…
KAEDI
:I’
l
lcomehomenow.I
ftheycont
inue,
wewi
ll
gotot
hehospi
tal
.
Hesi
ghedandturnedhiscarar
ound.Lol
owasok.
Shewasj
ustbeingdramati
c.
*
***
***
***
**
Loapi
wokeupr
eal
izi
ngshehadcr
iedher
sel
fto
sl
eepagai
n.
Sheneededt
oleave.
Shealwaysr
eadallt
hosest ori
esaboutwomenwho
wouldsayamanwas‘ abusi
ngmef orsevenyears,
hi
tt
ingmeeveryday’yettheyst
ayed,andalways
wonderedwhytheydidthat.Whatki
ndofi di
ocy
wasthat?
Whyst
aywher
eyouar
eabused?
Kaedimightnothi
ther
,buthewasment alabusi
ve
j
ustbecauseheknewshedi dn’
thavet
hest r
engt
h
t
oleave.
Whywasshest ayi
nganyway?Shegotnot
hing
f
rom t
hisr
elat
ionshi
p.
No.
Sher
efusedt
oaskher
sel
fthatquest
ion.
Becauseshehat
edt
heanswer
Shewasaf
rai
dofbei
ngal
one.
Kaedi
’sf
amil
yhadbecomeherf
ami
ly.Ot
her
wise
shehadnoone.
Kaediwashonest l
ytheonl
yguyshehadeverl oved
ordat ed.Grant
ed,shehadgott
ennaughtywith
exoticmodel swhenshewasonholidaywithher
fr
iends… butshej ustdi
dn’
tknowanythi
ngelse
besidebei ngwit
hhim.Leavi
ngwast er
ri
fyi
ng.
Shesi
ghedandgoti
nhercar
,dr
ivi
ngback‘
home’
.
*
***
***
**
Int
hemorningasPil
aral
aidi
nbedsleepi
ng,Kaedi
cameoutofthebat
hroom wr
appedi
nat owel
.
Pi
lar
alookedathi
mfr
om headt
otoewi
thasmi
le.
Hebl
ushedandl
ookeddownwi
thasmi
le.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)keeng?
PILARA:(
laughi
ng)What
?Can’
tIadmi
remy
husband?
KAEDI:keepl
ooki
ngatmeli
ket
hatwagompha
di
tsamebefor
eIgotowork.
PI
LARA:comeher
e
Helaughedandwalkedovertot
helargekingbed.
Pil
araunwrappedhi
stowelanddroppedittohi
s
feet
,taki
nghiminherhandand…
{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
***
*
KaediandPilaracameoutoftheshowertoget
her
,
hekissedherandhelpedherlayonthebed
comfortabl
y,thencal
leddownstai
rs.
KAEDI:CanIhavemywi
fe’
sbr
eakf
astsentt
oour
bedr
oom?
Shequickl
yinst
ruct
edt
hem onwhatshewant
ed
thenhungupandcametoseatwi
thher.
Aft
ert
hir
tyminutest
herewasaknockandKaedi
cametoopenthedoorshi
rt
less,
taki
ngt
hetr
ay
fr
om t
hehelper
.
Mananalookedathisdefinedabsandt hat‘
v’l
ineat
hi
swaistthatdi
sappearedintohisslacks…She
swal
lowedandtookanot herlook,
thenlookeddown
whenKaedicaughtherstaring.
KAEDI
:Thankyou
Hesaidandtookt
hebreakf
astinbedtr
ayinsi
de,
ar
rangi
ngitf
orPil
ara,
thenfedherayogur
t.
KAEDI
:Youbet
terf
ini
shal
lthat
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Yesdaddy…
Heki
ssedt
het
opofherhead
KAEDI:Youknowwassup.Fi
nisheat
ing,
Igot
taget
readyf
orwork.
*
***
***
***
Lol
oparkedandgoti
nthroughtheki
tchenwher
e
SassywasmakingwhateverSassymade.
SARONA:Hey,
ohmy.Redeyes,
wantar
emedyf
or
t
hat
?
LOAPI:Hey,
ohmy.Abi
mbo.Wantar
emedyf
or
that
?
Sar
onalaughedandcont
inueddr
inki
ngher
wheat
grassjui
ce.
SARONA:Somucht
ensi
onandanger
!Youneedan
aur
acleansi
ng.
LOAPI:Andyouneedabeatdown.Getoutofmy
way.
Shepushedherasi
deandwal
kedupst
air
s.
LOAPI
:Hi
KAEDI
:Hi
Hesaidashemoveddownst
air
sevenasshe
st
oppedtotal
k.
LOAPI
:Seeyouatt
heof
fi
ce…
KAEDI
:Sur
e.
Shewentuptoherroom andsatonthebedcr
ying
foragoodt
wentyminutesbefor
efi
xingher
sel
fand
knocki
ngonPil
ara’
sroom.
Pi
lar
acamet
oopen,
rubbi
nghereyes.
LOAPI
:Hey…
PI
LARA:Hey,
aren’
tyougoi
ngt
owor
k?
LOAPI:I’
l
lgoinlater
… canwetalk?Ij
ustdon’
t
underst
and.Becausewhenyoucameher e,
,you
saidyoudidn’
tevenli
keKaediandthi
swasallfor
themoney.
Pi
lar
ajustl
ookeddownbi
ti
nghernai
ls.
LOAPI :AndnowIjustfeelpushedawayfrom my
boyfri
end,andIdon’
tunder st
and.Youknowhei s
takenPilar
a.Yourr
elat
ionshipwasjustacontr
act.
PI
LARA:KanaInevermeantforanyofthi
sLol
o.We
j
ustkeptget
tingcl
oserast
hepregnancy
pr
ogressed,
Inevermeantt
ofalli
nlovewit
hhi
m.
LOAPI
:So,
nowwhat
?
PILARA:KanaheismyhusbandLol o.Iwouldli
ke
tomakemyf amil
ywor k.Forourchil
d’ssakeat
l
east… andofcourseourlove.Iwanttohavea
happyfamil
y.Igr
ewupwi t
houtafather,Iwantmy
sontohaveone.Iwanthimt ogrowupsur rounded
byparent
swholovehi
m andeachother
.Sodoes
Kaedi
.Kymakesmehappy…hel ovesmeandIlove
hi
m.Am Iwrongtowantmoreforus?
LOAPI
:YouknewIl
ovehi
m Pi
lar
a!Howcoul
dyou?
PILARA:I ’
m sorry.Ireallyam!Andyoucan’ tblame
me, hewast heonewi t
ht her esponsibi l
it
yof
protecti
ngyourr elati
onshi p,butwentandf ormeda
strongerbondwi thsomeoneel se.Youwer ethere
formewhenIneededsomeoneLol o, soIcanj ust
returnthefavorbyt elli
ngyout hatamanwhot rul
y
l
ovesyoucanneverf al
linl ovewi thanot her.I
fhe
does, t
hatmeanshehasmovedonf r
om you.I
knowi tsoundshur t
ful,butIam bei nghonest .Il
ook
upt oyoual ot,
butyoudeser vemor et hanwhatKy
givesyou.
LOAPI
:Yetyouar
eal
lher
egushi
ngabouthowhe
l
ovesyou!
PILARA:Becausewhathegi
vesmei sdiff
erent
fr
om whathegivesyou.Het
reatsmer i
ght.
Respect
smeandshowsmel ove.Iaskedhimto
stopsl
eepingwit
hthatbi
mboandyouandIknow
hedid.TomeKaedii sagr eathusbandandalovi
ng
man.Butcanyouhonest lysayhewasevert hatt
o
you?Iknowt hetrut
hhurts,butIam sur
eevenyou
seethediffer
encebetweenhowhet r
eatsmeand
howhet reatsyou.Amanshowshi sbestsi
detothe
onehet r
ulyloves.
Loapit
urnedawayandwal
kedoutwi
thoutawor
d,
tear
sstr
eamingdownherf
ace.
Shewasr
ightt
hough.
Kaedihadnotbeeninthegossi
ppagesfort
helast
si
xmont hs… hehadbeenhismostwell
behaved.
Buthowonear
thdi
dshegoaboutl
eavi
ng?
*
***
***
***
AsLol
olef
tthehouse,Sar
onaopenedPi l
ara’
sdoor
andst
oodwithherar
msacr ossherchest
.
SARONA:Thatwasmean!Ihear
dwhatyousai
dto
herandi
twasmean.
PILARA:Noitwasn’
t.I
t’
sthetr
uth.Tal
kingabout
that
.Youknownowyoucansuef ormarri
age
wrecki
ngagain?Imean,youwereatourmarri
age
regi
str
ati
on.YouknowKaedii
smarri
ed.Yetyoustil
l
stayi
nmyhouse, seduci
ngmyhusband.Youleave
menochoi ce.
SARONA:Kywon’
tletyousueme.Hewant
sme
her
e.He…
PILARA:Hashebeenwi t
hyouinthepastfew
months?Nope.Kaedii
stookindt
otossyourleech
assoutsi
de.SoI’
m gonnahelphi
m.Ifyoudon’t
l
eavemyhomebyt oni
ght,I
’
m sui
ngyouf or
marri
agewrecki
ng.
SARONA:Youknow,
Ithoughtyouwer
ethi
ssweet
Chr
ist
iangi
rl
…
PILARA:Iam aChr i
sti
angi r
l.AndGodhat eswhat
youaredoi ng.Comingbet weenamar ri
edcouple
withachi l
dont heway.Kant ewhycan’ tyoupeople
understandwhatI ’
m doing?Justt r
yingtobuilda
homef ormychi ld.I
t’
snotaboutyouorLol oor
anyone.It’
saboutmychi l
d.AndIknowKaedican
beagr eatfatherandhusbandwi t
houtallthis
dist
racti
ons.Youneedt ol eave,orI
’m suing.Getout
ofmyhouse.
Sar
onasi
ghedandl
eft
.
Pil
arasatonherbedwi pi
ngt ear
s.Thef i
rstyeari
f
marri
age,andyourpregnancyshoul dbeaver y
happyti
me, notf
ight
ingmi st
resses.Stupid!Why
thehel
ldidshegoaboutf all
i
ngf orthatman?
Buthowcoul
dshenot?Toher,Kaediwassucha
goodman… i
fyouf
orgotal
lthatli
veinmist
resses
thi
ng.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COKMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Pi
lar
asati
ntheout
sidegardenhavi
ngal
emonade
whenhermot
herwalkedi
n.
PI
LARA:OhmyGod, mama!Whendi
dyougetback?
Whydidn’
tyout
ellmeyouwer
ecomi
ng?Youlook
wel
l.
MOTHER:(laughi
ng)Iam bett
er.Butmytr
eatment
i
snotcompl et
e,t
hedoctorsai
dIcouldcomeher e
forafewmonthsasyouar esoclosetogi
vingbi
rth.
Itol
dLedi
monott otel
lyou,Iwantedtosurpr
ise
you.
PI
LARA:I
’
m sohappyt
oseeyou!
MOTHER:Mygi rl
… Ialsowantedt
otal
kabout
somet
hing.Aboutyourfat
her.
PI
LARA:Ihaveaf
ather
?
MOTHER:(
laughi
ngner
vousl
y)Ourchi
ef…
PI
LARA:Huh?
MOTHER:Heisyourbi
ologi
calf
ather
.Andhehas
beeni
ncont
actwit
hme.Hewant sar el
ati
onshi
p
wit
hyou.
PI
LARA:Di
dheknowaboutmebef
ore?
MOTHER:(
looki
ngdown)Yes…
PI
LARA:Sohechosenott
ohavear el
ati
onshi
pwi
th
meal
lthi
sti
me?Well,
I’
m noti
nter
estednow.
MOTHER:Pi pa,
for
givenessispar
tofbeinga
Chr
ist
ian.Weallmakemi st
akes.Denyi
ngyouwas
hi
s.Heistryi
ngtofi
xitnow.
PI
LARA:Whatdoeshegetoutofi
t?
MOTHER:Heget
sar
elat
ionshi
pwi
thhi
sdaught
er.
PI
LARA:YetIgetnot
hing.
MOTHER:Hewant syoutobeof f
ici
all
yhi
ssoyour
soncaninheri
tthechi
eft
aincy.Hepai dt
hepr
icet
o
myunclesforyoutoday.
PI
LARA:What
?HowcomeIdi
dn’
tevenknowt
his?
MOTHER:Ledimosaidnottobot heryouwhil
eyou
ar
epregnant
,andseeingyourreacti
on,Iseewhy.
Butanyway,
hedid.Youarerecognisedashisnow.
Whichcomeswit
hr esponsi
bil
it
ies.
PI
LARA:Nope…
MOTHER:Youarehisonl
ychil
d,andsi
nceyouar
e
agi
rl
,yoursoni
sthenextchi
ef.
PI
LARA:Thanks,
butnot
hanks…
MOTHER:Ledi moisbringi
nghimtomeetyour i
ght
now.Iheardtheyhavealr
eadyspokentotheelders
andadvisor
softhechieft
aincy,
anditi
sset.Ah,
ther
etheyare.
Ledi
mowal
kedwi
tht
hechi
ef.
LEDI
MO:Mygirl.It
akeyourmot
herhasspokent
o
you?Gr
eetyourfat
her.
PI
LARA:Mxi
m.
MOTHER:Pi
lar
a!Beni
ce.
CHIEF:Letherbe.Iwr ongedherandyou.AndI
hopeshewi l
lgi
vemeachancet oexpl
ainthesame
wayyoudi d.Pil
ara,Iwasashamed.Iwasamar r
ied
manandyouwer eproofthatIwasunfait
hfult
omy
wif
ewhocoul dn’
thavekids.IlovedherandIdidn’t
wanttohur ther.
PI
LARA:Soyoudeci
dedt
ohur
tme?
CHIEF:Idi
dn’tlookati
tthatwayattheti
me, and
I’
m sorr
y.Idon’
thavemucht i
meleft,myhealthis
deter
ior
ati
ng.Ibeli
evemyancestor
sar ej
ust
waiti
ngformetocr ownournewchiefbefor
eIj oi
n
them.
PI
LARA:Mysoni
snotdoi
nganyoft
hatchi
eft
hing.
LEDI
MO:I
t’
shi
sbi
rt
hri
ght
,Pi
lar
a.
CHIEF:Hecandecli
newhenhei
sofage,butyoudo
nothavether
ightt
odecl
inef
orhi
m now.Now,
Ledimoashisgreatgrandfather
,andoneofmy
l
ongt i
meadvisors,
hasaccept edtoberegentoft
he
boy.Idon’
ttr
ustmyf amily,soIaskedhi
m.Doyou
agreewit
hmychoi ce?
Ledimostar
eddagger
satPi
l
araandshesi
ghed
givi
ngin.
PILARA:(
sighi
ng)Ido….AndIdon’
tmeant
obe
rude,
butIneedanap.
Shesai
dandst
oodup,
wal
kingt
owar
dst
hehouse
MOTHER:Pardonherchi
ef,
shewi
llcomear
ound.
Thi
sisal
lashocktoher.
*
***
***
***
**
Loapi
sati
nherof
fi
cewhenKaediwal
kedi
n.
KAEDI
:Lol
o,canwet
alk?
LOAPI
:Ihavenot
hingt
osayt
oyouKaedi
.
KAEDI
:I’
m sor
ry…
LOAPI
:For
?
KAEDI:Everyt
hing.
.Ihur
tyou.Andyout
ookmy
bul
lshi
tforsolong.
LOAPI
:Ok…
KAEDI :Il
oveyouLolo,Ir
eall
ydo.Idon’
tknowwhyI
dothingsIdot oyou.Actual
lyIdoknow.Thef act
thatIneedyoumor ethanyouneedmei sscary.So
Itol
dmysel fnott
ocare.Thatwayyoucan’thur tme.
LOAPI:Ok,soexact
lywhatwer
eyouhopi
ngt
oget
wit
hthisconver
sati
on?
KAEDI:Idon’
tknow.Il
oveyouandIal
wayswi l
l.
Youknowt hat
.ButmaybeyouandIwil
lneverwork.
I
’m sosorr
yIwastedyourt
ime.
Shewasqui
etf
orsomet
ime,
thenwi
pedasi
ngl
e
tear
.
LOAPI
:Thankyou.NowthatIcan’
tbebl
aming
mysel
fwit
hwhatif’
sbecauseyoulef
tme,Ican
moveon.
KAEDI
:YouknowInevermeantt
ohur
tyou,
right
?
LOAPI
:Yup,youar
ejustaboywhodi
dn’
tknowhow
tol
ovemethewayIdeserve.
KAEDI
:I’
m goi
ngt
oaskPi
pat
omar
ryme.
LOAPI
:Yout
woar
eal
readymar
ri
ed.
KAEDI
:Weweref
orcedint
oanagr
eement
.Nowwe
ar
echoosi
ngt
omar r
y.
LOAPI
:(sobbi
ng)Inthatcase,congr
ats.AndI’
l
l
moveout.Notresi
gn,j
uststayinmyownpl ace.
KAEDI :Youdon’thaveto.Andyouknowhow
paranoidtheoldmani s.Tohi m, youmovi ngoutto
hi
m meansyouar eprepar i
ngt oleavethecompany,
andhewi l
lthr
owat antr
um.Atl eastgivemethree
mont hstoadjusttoanew- bornandmakegr anddad
understandyouar enotleaving.Please?
LOAPI:(si
ghi
ng)Onemonth.Ineedt
omoveoutand
star
tmyownl if
eKaedi
,youaremovi
ngonwit
h
yours.
*
***
***
***
*,
Pil
aral ai
dinbedti
minghercontr
acti
onsandsti
ll
thi
nkingabouteveryt
hingshehadjustf
oundout
earl
ier.Herheadwasst i
llswi
mming.
Sot
hiswaswhatLedi
mowasdemandi
ngaboyf
or?
Kaediwal
kedi
nandki
ssedhercheek.
KAEDI
:MmagweKai
,ar
eyouok?
PI
LARA:Di
dyouknow?
KAEDI
:Knowwhat
?
PI
LARA:Aboutthechi
efbei
ngmyf at
her
?ThatKai
i
sjustapawninyourgr
andfat
her
’spowergame?
KAEDI
:Mr
sLedi
mo,
youar
enotmaki
ngsense.
PILARA:Basi
call
yyourgrandfat
herbecomeschi
ef
whenthechiefdi
es,becauseapparent
lyhei
sKai’
s
regent
.
KAEDI:uhm,nope.Kaii
snotgett
ingt
iedupont
hat
ol
dfuck’sgr
eed.Ihopeyoutol
dthem that
.
PI
LARA:Appar
ent
lyIcan’
tdeci
def
orhi
m.
KAEDI:Fuckt
hat
,heisourbaby,andonl
yyouandI
gettomakedeci
sionsf
orhisli
fe,gr
andpacanf
uck
off
.
PILARA:WhatIdon’tunderst
andiswhyhewants
thechi
eftancy,
heisal
readyri
chandhaspowerf
ul
connect
ions.Hecoul
deasilygoint
opol
it
ics.
KAEDI:Hehasalwayssai
dhehasnoi nt
eresti
n
pol
it
icsbecausepeopl
ehavenorealr
espectfor
pol
it
ici
ans.Whatareyouwatchi
ng?
PI
LARA:I
t’
sacont
ract
iont
rackerapp…
KAEDI
:Cont
ract
ions?OhmyGod,
whydi
dn’
tyou
cal
lme?
PILARA:Theywer esti
llt
oofarapart
,appar
ent
lyi
f
yougootooear l
yit’
sawast eofti
me.Theyonl
yjust
star
tedgetti
ngclosert
ogether
.Iwasabouttocal
l
forthedr
iver.
KAEDI
:Let
’sgo…
Theygotinthecaranddr
oveof
ftothehospi
tal
,
Pil
aracal
li
nghermom ontheway.
*
***
***
***
ThenextdayPil
arawat
chedasKaedit
ear
edup
hol
dinghissonfort
hef
irstt
ime.
KAEDI
:LookwhatwemadePi
pa… ohmyGod!
Shealsotearedupsmi l
ing.Shehadhat edhaving
totel
lLol
ot hetrut
hshedi dnotwantt ohear,butit
wasnecessar y,
bothforLoloandf orthei
rfamil
y.
Shehadnotcomehomeyest er
day,andshef el
tbad
hopingshewasgonef orgood.Theirsondeserved
ahappyhome.
Anursecameandinstr
uct
edhertobreastf
eed,
checki
ngthebaby’
slat
chandgi
vingapproval
.
Whenhefel
lasl
eep,
Kaedihel
pedherputhi
m onhi
s
l
it
tl
ecot
.
KAEDI:Babe, Iwasthi
nki
ng… r
ememberwhenwe
werekids…thattimewhenyoutol
dmeofyour
dr
eam weddi ng?Thehorsecar
ri
ageone?
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)OhmyGod, don’
tmakeme
l
aught
herramystit
chesst
il
lhurt
!
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)Sor
rybabe… butIwasthinking.I
knowyouwantawhi t
eweddingandIdidn’tgive
youone.
PI
LARA:(
looki
ngdownsadl
y)I
t’
sok.
KAEDI
:It
’snotok.
Hetookar
ingandgotdownononekneebesi
deher
bed.
KAEDI :Pil
ara.Todayyoubl
essedmewi t
hthebest
gif
tawomancanevergi veherman.Kaiisso
perf
ect .Andhecomeswi ththeaddedbonusof
yourlove.Icouldn’
tbemoregrat
eful
.Wil
lyou
honourmeandbecomemywi
fe?Outofyourown
fr
eewillt
hist
ime?
PI
LARA:(
sobbi
ng)OhmyGod,
real
ly?
KAEDI
:(smi
li
ngandnoddi
ng)Pl
ease?
Shehel
doutherhandexci
tedl
y.
PI
LARA:OhmyGod,
yes!Yes!
Hesl
idt
her
ingonherf
ingerandki
ssedher
.
*
***
***
***
***
1mont
hlat
er….
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Pi
lar
acamefrom downstairswher
eshehadhel
ped
Mananacar
rythei
rlaundry.ShemetLol
oonthe
st
air
s.
PI
LARA:Hi
Lol
ojustignoredher
.Shehadnotspokent
oher
si
ncetheirl
astconfr
ontat
ionwher
eshehadtol
dher
Kaedinevertr
ulyl
ovedher.
PI
LARA:Ihear
dyouar
emovi
ng.
LOAPI
:Iam.
PI
LARA:Youdon’
thavetoifyoudon’twantt
o.I
wasoutofpl
acet
ell
ingyouto.Iwasjustt
ryi
ngto
gi
vemylit
tl
efami
lyafight
ingchance.
LOAPI
:Ok
PILARA:Loapit hemmaIam sosor ryaboutwhatI
said.Idi
dn’tmeant ooffend.Itjustmademesad
seeingyoudot hattoyour self
.Butitwasnotmy
placetosay,andI ’
m sorryifitcameoutas
pompous.AndIadmi tIavoi dedyoudur i
ng
pregnancy.AllIwantedtot alkaboutwasmy
pregnancy,andIdidn’twantt oseem boastf
ulgi
ven
whatyouj ustwentthrough.
LOAPI
:Oh
PI
LARA:Andi
tdidangermeseei
ngyoumake
movesonmyhusband…
LOAPI:(
laughing)Banyanathel
aitebal
a!Youf orget
‘
yourhusband’ wasactual
lyMYBOYFRI ENDand
youwerejustababymaki ngmachinebroughtinby
hisgr
andfather,t
ofurt
herandagenda?Myhusband
i
ndeed.Nxla…
Shewal
kedof
ftohercarangr
il
y.
*
***
***
***
*
Pil
arawal kedbacki nthei
rr oom sadly.Seei
ng
KaediatKai ’
schangi ngstationmadehersmi l
e.He
wast ryi
ngsohar d.Heneverevenwentoutpar tyi
ng,
andwhenhewasouti twaswi thDevon,the
responsiblecousin,andheal wayscamehome
sober.Andhel pedsomuchwi t
hthebaby.On
weekendshest ayedupwi tht hebabyandf edhim
withpumpedmi lkwhi l
ePilarawentt ooneofthe
empt ybedroomsandsl ept,orwentf oramassage
andspaday.I ntheeveningaf t
erworktheylef
tthe
babywi thKaedi’sgrandmot herandhewoul dcoach
herwor koutinthehomegym.
Nowtheyweregett
ingr
eadytoget
herast
hey
pr
eparedt
otakethebabytot
hehospit
alf
orhi
sfi
rst
checkupat1month.Kaedidressedhi
m whi
le
Pil
araputt
hebabybagtoget
her.
PILARA:Mymom andyourgr andmaar
estil
lmad
wedecidedwear est
ayingwithKaii
nourroom.
Theyaresayi
ngamanshoul dnotsl
eepinthesame
room l
emotsetsiunt
ilket
swamobot setsi
ng.Your
grandmawantedKaiandIt ocometoherroom in
thegroundf
loor
KAEDI :Idareanyonetotrykeepmeawayf rom my
wif
eandson…ewww( l
aughingandwipinghisface)
Kai!Damni tman.Whatthefuck,youcan’tpeeon
anotherdude’sface!
Pi
laralaughedl
oudl
yasthebabyshotpeeon
Kaedi’
sfaceashetr
iedt
ochangehisdiaper
.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Eww!I
t’
snotf
unny!
Hesai
dashesqui
rt
eddi
apercr
eam ather
.
PILARA:Wearesogonnabelateforour
appoint
ment
.Gogetdressed,
I’
llhandl
ehim.
KAEDI:Somyunclewast
ell
ingmetheyagreedt
hat
magadishoul
dhappenwhenKait
urnsthr
ee
months,basekatogabant
shamot set
simontong.
Bytheway,Itol
dtheweddi
ngplannertobooksome
baker
ytocomedoacaket est
ingforuson
Satur
day.
PI
LARA:I
’mtouchedhowi
nvol
vedyouar
eint
he
weddi
ngpl
anning.
KAEDI:Itoldyouaker e,
wear einthi
stogether.I
l
oveyou, MissP, Iwannaseeyouhappy.Gapet he
bestwayt oshowKaihowt obeagent lemanist o
beonet ohismot her.Ican’
tpromiseyouper f
ect
j
ustyet.Iam learni
ngsomanyt hi
ngsatonce, being
adad,beingahusband, monogamy, beingCEO…i t
won’tbeasmoot hroad,butIam goi
ngt obethe
husbandandf atheryouandKaiandourf ourother
rascal
swi l
ldeserve.
PI
LARA:Gat
wef
ourot
her
!
KAEDI
:Iwantabi
gfami
ly….
PI
LARA:Atl
eastt
hree.
KAEDI
:Four?Prett
yplease?(hesai
dhuggi
ngher
fr
om t
hebackandki ssi
ngherneckasshechanged
t
hebaby’
sdiaper)Twogi r
lsandtwoboys.
PI
LARA:Fi
ne… f
our
.
KAEDI
:I’
l
lsneakinlastbor
nwhennumberf
our
t
urnst
en.We’llnamehim Sur
pri
se.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Heela,t
a-Sur
pri
se,
move,
you
ar
ewasti
ngtime,wearelat
e.
KAEDI:KaiandIar
eready,
whyar
ewomenal
ways
sol
ate?
PILARA:(l
aughing)Oh, Imadeyoulate?Whowas
busychoosingyourcl othesf
oryourmeet i
nglater
?
Whowasbat hi
ngKaiandcol l
ect
ingthings,cal
li
ng
ki
tchenaboutbreakfastandhavingthem come
coll
ectt
hings?
Kaedil
aughedandsmackedheront
heassashe
putKaionhiscar
rycot
.
*
***
***
***
Loapistoodnextt
oPil
ara’
sdoorli
steningtothem
i
nteractsoeasi
lyandmakingfut
ureplans.Kaedi
neverevenwantedtot
alkaboutki
dswi thher
, now
hewant edfi
ve?
Shesadl
ywal
kedt
ohercar
.Thi
sweekendshewas
moving.Itwasthehardestdeci
sionbecauseshe
wasnotoverKaedi,butseeinghim andPil
araal
l
l
oveydoveywaski l
li
ngher .Atl
eastshewouldonly
seehim atwork.
*
***
***
***
*
Lat
er,
Loapisati
nherof
fi
cet
alki
ngt
oherf
ri
ends.
LOAPI :Ijust…Ihaveaccept edthatEdiandIar e
over.Butwhatr eall
yhur t
smei sthatgirljust
movi ngonwi thoutevenanapol ogyforruiningmy
relat
ionshi p.Itooki nthatgi
rlasalittl
esister,
pleadedwi thever yoneinthehouset ogivehera
chance, andshet oldmeshewasn’ tinterestedin
Kaedi .Andnowkoor esheisbusypr ancingaround
weddi ngpl anningl ikeshedidn’
tstealmyl i
fe.
ATANG:Youar esofucki
ngdumbit’
sannoyi
ng.
Whatwomani sn’
tgoingtobei
nter
estedi
na
Ledimoheir
,whohappenstobeherhusbandand
fat
herofherki
d?
AUDREY:Ihavetoagree.Whatwereyouthinki
ng!
Andyouarejustl
ett
inghergetawaywithit
?She
del
iber
atel
ygotwit
hyourman.Whet heryouandEdi
werehavingpr
obl
emsornot
,shehadnobusi
ness
snat
chinghim.
ATANG:Youknowwhatyourpr
obl
em hasalways
been,
Lol
o?Youaret
ookind,weal
waystel
lyouthat
.
LOAPI :Kaedimadehi
schoice.Ihavet
oacceptit
.
ButIam gonnami sshi
m,damn!Gonnami ss
gri
ndin’onthatbi
gbody.Andit’
sbeenloooong!
Si
ncear oundtheti
meshewasmaybef ourmonths
pregnant.
ATANG:Wow!Youknowwhat
,youshoul
dfuckhi
m.
LOAPI
:Fuckwho?
ATANG:Ediofcour
se.Youneedsomeuntilyouget
amanwor t
hyourti
me.UseEdiasyourdi
ldountil
t
hen.Leeneheusedyoumos.
AUDREY:Cosi gned!Doublesword.Thatbitch
l
earnswhonott omesswi th,andyoumakeEdi
chaseafteryousobad,thenjustwhenhet hinkshe
gotyou,bam.Dumphi sass.Makehi m payf orwhat
hedidtoyou.
LOAPI
:Yout
woar
einsane.
ATANG:Nothingheal
sabr
okenhear
tli
ker
evenge
sweet
ie.Getyour
s.
LOAPI:I’
m notl
ist
eni
ngt
oyout
wo.Ihaveameet
ing
togetto.
*
***
***
***
**
Lateri
nthemeet i
ngLoapiwat chedKaedileadi
ng
themeeti
ngandt akingquestionssowell
.Because
hewasal wayssoplayfulandeasygoing,
sometimesevenshef orgotjusthowsmarthewas,
whichwasonet hingshef oundsoatt
ract
iveabout
him.
Peoplemethi m withtheimageofKaedif rom soci
al
mediaandexpectanover pri
vil
edgedbratt hey
wouldtakeadvant ageof,andmanywal kedout
wonderingjusthowt heysignedwhat everKaedi
hadwant edthem tosign,thesexybastard.Inhis
cockyway, healwayst al
kedabouthisMi dastouch.
Andshewasst arti
ngt oseeit
.Likehisl
atef at
her,
whenKaediappl iedhimselftowork,hemade
moneymoves.
Theybot
hwal
kedt
heAr
abmi
nist
erst
othecarwi
th
satisf
iedsmil
es,t
henwentbackintheoffi
ceand
hadanot hermeet
ingwit
hteam l
eaders,
then
discussedonthei
rown.Bytheti
met heyconcl
uded
themeet i
ng,theoff
icewasempty.
KAEDI
:Ni
cewor
k,i
fIdosaysomysel
f!
LOAPI:Youbet
!Youjustkeeponsur
pri
singme,
ri
singt
otheoccasi
on.
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)Ayenow,don’
tstr
okemyegoj
ust
yet
… Ineedtocomplet
etheful
ldeal
.
Shecame.Overandsatont
hear
m ofhi
schai
r…
LOAPI
:Icanst
rokeot
hert
hingst
hen…
KAEDI
:Lol
o…
Shest
raddl
edhi
m,herski
rtr
idi
ngup,
showi
ngher
smoot
hyell
owthi
ghs.
KAEDI
:Loapi
,pl
ease… don’
t…shi
t…
Hemoanedassheunzi ppedhisslacksandst roked
hi
m underhi
sbriefs,gyrat
inghercrotchoverhi s
al
readyhar
don.Thel astti
mehe‘ gotsome’ wasa
handjobwhenPilarawasei ghtmont hspregnant,
whichmadeitt
womont hsnow.Recor dt
imef or
hi
m si
ncehel
osthi
svi
rgi
nit
yatf
if
teen.
Lolohookedherhandsbehi ndhi sneckandpul led
hi
mi nforakiss, t
hensl i
dof fhislapintoherknees
andt ookhiminhermout hashehal fheartedly
protested,
thent otal
lylosthimselftot hepleasur e
asshemovedhermout hfasterandf aster
, t
hengot
backonhi slap, sl
idingherpant i
est othesi deand
i
mpal ingherselfwi t
hhim whi leki
ssinghi m.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
*
***
***
**
[
05/
29,
11:
Kaedigothomelat
eatni
ghtfeel
inggui
lt
y.He
qui
cklyshower
edandgotinbedwithPi
lara.
PI
LARA:Hey.
.
KAEDI
:MmagweKai
.It
houghtyouwer
esl
eepi
ng.
PILARA:Icouldn’
t.Iwaswaiti
ngf
oryou,
Iwast
oo
excit
edtosleep.Igotajob!
KAEDI
:Ajob?Idi
dn’
tevenknowyouwer
elooki
ng.
Andwhendidyoudoanint
ervi
ew?
PILARA:Justal i
ttl
ebef orethiswhol econt r
act
thi
ng.Sor tofani nterview.Iwasj ustdroppingmy
resumeal lover.Ihappenedt obedr oppingi tatOC
Communi cati
onswhent heownerher selfwas
walkingin.Recept ionwasout , andshet ooki t
herself
.Shest oppedf orachatandt oldmeshe
l
ikedme, buttheywer ecur r
entlynothi r
ing.She
saidwhenaspotopenedupshewi llhaveHRcal l
me.Canyoubel i
evemysur prisewhent heydida
yearlater!Theyar eoneoft hebi ggestPR
compani esint hecount r
y,theyhavesuch
i
mpr essiveclientel
e.
KAEDI
:Pi
pa,
Kaii
samont
hol
d!
PILARA:Pleasebabe.Ir
eall
ywantt hi
s, Ionly
workedforeighteenmont
hsaf t
erIgraduat ed.I
wasgoodati t,t
hat’
swhyIwashi r
edevenbef or
e
graduat
ion.Thatwasasmal lcompany.Thisi sa
hugeopportunit
y.Youcan’
tsayno.Pl ease…
KAEDI
:Pi
lar
a,youexpectmet
obeokwi
thyou
l
eavi
ngamont
hol
dbaby?
PI
LARA:Hewi
llbet
womont
hsol
dwhenIst
art
…
KAEDI
:Becauset
hatmakessuchadi
ff
erence.
PILARA:(
sniff
li
ng)Thisisjustreal
lysoimport
antto
meandIt houghtyou’dbehappyf orme.Idon’
tjust
wanttobeahousewi feKaedi,IhavedreamsIdidn’
t
getachancetopursue.I’
m onlytwentyfour
.Please
rr
agweKai ,
I’
m begging.Youar emyhusband,ifyou
sayno,Iwil
lli
sten,
butIwillbeheartbr
oken…
KAEDI
:That
’sbl
ackmai
l…
PI
LARA:I
sitwor
king?
KAEDI:(l
aughi
ng)Sortof…It
’snotthatI
’
mr efusi
ng,
Iunderst
andyou.AndIwantyout obehappy.But
Kaii
ssol i
tt
le… maybeifhewassixmont hsold…
PILARA:IfIl
oset
hisoppor
tuni
ty.
..(
sobbi
ng)Ij
ust
don’twantsi
xmonthstobecomeayearandthena
yeartenyear
s.Pl
ease…
KAEDI:St
artyourownPRfir
m.I’l
lfinanceit.That
wayyoucanbr i
ngKaiwit
hyoutot heof f
ice.You
wil
lgetaNannywhowi l
lwatchhim whileyouwor k.
PILARA:No,
Iwanttogetmor
eexper
iencef
ir
st,
ri
ghtnowI’
m notr
eady.
KAEDI
:Fi
ne.WehaveaPRt
eam i
n…
PILARA:Nopl ease!Doyouknowhowhardi twi
llbe
formebeingtheboss’swife?Peopl
ear
egoi ngto
automati
call
yhat emebecausetheywi
llt
hinkI’
m
spyingonthem!
KAEDI :Takeitorl
eavei
t.Thoset
woar eyouronl
y
opti
ons.Iwantyout obeabletobear oundKaiall
day.Startyourownorcomewor kwithme.
Otherwiseit’
sano.Mychildwon’tberaisedby
maids
PI
LARA:(
sighi
ng)Fi
ne.I
’
llst
artaf
ir
m.
KAEDI
:Awesome,
taket
henextf
ivemont
hs
pr
epar
ing.
PI
LARA:Fi
vemont
hs?But
….
KAEDI:Yes,fi
vemonths.Youhaveaccesstoallmy
per
sonalcar ds,
allmydetai
ls.Buywhatyouneed
andyouwi l
lstar
twhenKaiissixmonths.
PI
LARA:But
..
KAEDI:AndatanypointIfeelt
hisisi
nter
feri
ngwi
th
youbeingKai
’smother,i
tstops,noquest
ions.
PI
LARA:Al
lther
est
ri
cti
onsonme,
butyou….
KAEDI :Doyouwantmet oqui t
,Pipa?Wi l
lyoube
abletocar r
yust hroughfi
nanci all
yandsuppor tmy
famil
yt oo?Ber esponsibl
ef orthelivesoften
thousandpeopl eandt hei
rfami l
ies?BecauseI
wouldl ovenothingmor ethantospendal ldaywit
h
mychi ld,andIwi l
ltel
lmygr andfathertokissmy
assthisver ymomenti fyouar ereadyt obet he
provi
der .
PILARA:Firstofall,
checkthatt
onewhenyout al
k
tomesi r
.Iam nott heoneandyouknowi t
.Iam not
somewal l
floweryouar egoingt
opushar oundwith
the‘Iam t
heman’ bull
shi
t.Mycareeri
simport
antto
me, don’
tmakei tsoundli
keIam abandoningmy
chil
d,whatthehellareyousmi l
ingat?
Kaedipul
ledhercl
oserandki
ssedher
.
KAEDI :AndsheasksmewhyIl oveher
.It
’st
his
Pipa!This.Youareafor
ce!Anddon’
tyouever
becomeawal l
fl
ower,
youhearme?
Hesai
dnuzzl
ingherearasPi
lar
asnuggl
edi
ntohi
m.
KAEDI :IknowIcanbef ullofsteam sometimes.
Don’tyouevert akemyshi tl
aying.Ili
kesil
entgirl
s
onlytofuck.Thewomanwhocar ri
esmyname, who
bearsmychi ldrenandr aisedthem?Ial waysknewI
wantedahel lraiser
.Iusedt otellmycousinsI
wantedawomanbot hsubmi ssiveanddomi nantas
hel
l.Awomanwhoknowsshei sbot hfami
lyhead
andal soameek, obedientwife.Theysaid,well
,
werear eyougonnaf i
ndsuchwoman?Thebackof
mymi ndsomehownknew… i tsaid,wellyoumet
heralready…
Pi
lar
asmi
ledandnuzzl
edi
ntohi
m asheki
ssedher
.
KAEDI:Mymot heriseverythi
ngIneverwanti na
wif
e.Apr ett
ylit
tl
ewal l
flowerwhoi sjustso
dependant.Iknow,wi t
houtadoubtPi pa,thati
fIdi
e
thi
sverymoment ,mychi l
dwi l
lneversuffer
becauseyouwon’ tletit
.
PILARA:OhmyGod.I ’
m gonnacry… t
hanksbabe.I
swearIwil
lnevernegl
ectKai
,andyes,Iwi
llt
ake
yourcondi
ti
on.Anyti
memyj obcomesi nt
hewayof
mebei
ngamot
herorawi
fe,
pleasecal
lmeoutoni
t.
KAEDI:YouknowIwil
l… babewheni
sthesi
x
weeksgonnabeoverkante?
PILARA:(l
aughing)Ihavemygynappoi nt
menti n
twoweeks,pati
ence, greedy.ButIdor
emember
beingt
oldthatIhavegr eathandsandwel l
,thatsi
te
youtol
dmeabout ,Ipickedupsomel i
pservi
ce
thi
ngIwast hi
nking…
Shesai
dasshegotont
opofhi
m,ki
ssi
ngherway
downhi
sbody.
*
***
***
***
**
Inthemor ni
ngKaedigotupandwat chedasPi l
ara
sti
llsl
ept.Hefeltsoguil
tyaboutwhathappened
wit
hLol oyesterday.Wel
l,nomoreofthat.Hewas
goingtobefaithfulnow.
Hecalledthekit
chentoarrangeforbreakf
astin
thegazebo,thenwenttohismother’
srosegarden
andpickedupawhi terose.
ThenhetookKaitohi
sgr
andmot
herandcal
led
Pil
arat
othegazebo.
PILARA:OhmyGod, t
hisi
ssonice.Wow…agirl
couldgetusedt
ot hi
s.AndhereIwasthi
nki
ngyou
wereangryIwantedtowork.
Kaedihandedhert
her
oseandki
ssedher
.
KAEDI:WhywouldIbeangryaboutyoufol
lowing
yourdreams?Iwant
edtoapologi
seformakingit
seem t
hatway…
Sassywal
kedi
nandcamest
rai
ghtt
othegazebo.
PI
LARA:(
sighi
ng)Andyourmi
str
essi
sback….
KAEDI
:IswearIhadnoi
deashewas,
orwhatshei
s
doi
nghere.
SARONA:Breakf
ast!Yummy… wai
t,ar
ethese
mangoesor
ganic?BecauseIj
ustf
ini
shedacleanse
andIonl
yeatorganic.
KAEDI
:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
eSar
ona?
SARONA:Ok,rude!Your29t
hiscomingupandof
causewegott
aturnitup.AndI
’m aguestofyour
cousi
nLer
i’
sanyway.
Lolowalkedi
nandtookaseat
,pi
cki
ngupapi
eceof
fr
uitandeati
ngi
t.
Kaedil
ookeddown,
avoi
dingt
olookatLol
o.
LOAPI:Whydidn’tanyonesaywewerehavi
ng
breakf
astt
ogether?AndIseethebi
mboisback.
SASSY:(
laughi
ng)st
il
lasupt
ightasever
!Youneed
anenema.
PI
LARA:Lol
oIt
houghtyou’
dbebusypacki
ng?
LOAPI
:Oh,Ideci
dedt
ost
ay,
rememberyousai
dI
canst
ay,
sis?
Shesmi
ledathercondescendi
ngl
y.
PI
LARA:Thi
s,i
spat
het
ic!
Shewalkedawaycussi
ngl
oudl
yasKaedichased
af
terher.
KAEDI
:Pipa,
wai
t….Idi
dnoti
nviteSassy,
andyou
knowgr
andpawantsLol
otostay.
PILARA:Sowhatthefuckdoyouwantmetodo
nowKaedi!Huh!What?Youwantmet oul
ulat
eat
yourmist
ressesl
ivi
ngwithus?
KAEDI:Kanai
t’
soutofmyhandsPi
pa… Idi
dn’
task
anyofthem…
PILARA:Don’tgi
vemethatbull
shit
!Ifyouwant
ed
thesebi
tchesoutofher
etheywouldbegone.You
knowwhatgogetKai ,I
’l
lbether
einabi t
.
Shewal
kedbackt
othegazebowher
eLoapiand
Sar
onaweret
radi
nginsul
ts.
LOAPI:Sar
ona,
didn’
tIt
ellyouwhatwi
llhappeni
f
youcamebackhere?
SARONA:( l
aughing)Ohdar l
i
ng.Iam hereas
someoneelse’sguest.EvenwhenIdof uckKaedi
,
ther
ewon’tbeanyt hi
ngyoucandobecauseyou
won’thaveproofIdid,somuchforyousuingme.
Shel
aughedandf
li
ppedher
.
LOAPI:(
laughi
ng)Hai!Bohusbent ebal onabatho!
Wheredidhepickthebimbot rai
lertr
ashmmegone?
Andincaseyouarelookingtoaskmet ol eave,
I
al
readytol
dLedimoI’m stayi
ng.Goodl uck
changi
nghismind.Beside,I’
mt heleastofyour
probl
ems,youhaveyourhandsf ul
lwithlegall
y
dumboverhere.
SARONA:Youknow,
Ihavehadenoughofyou
cal
li
ngmenameswhenyoudon’tevenknowme.
I’
mt hedumbonewhenyouar
etheonewhoi s
holdi
ngont oamanwhohumi
li
atesyouandcal
ls
youuptightandbor
ing…
PI
LARA:(shaki
ngherhead,
laughi
ng)Youknow
what
.Iam abovet
his.
Sheshookherheadandwal
kedawayt
othehouse,
wipi
ngtear
sontheway.
Whatt hehel lwasshesupposedtodonow?I t
wasn’tevenl ikeshehadanoptiontoleave.Let
alonethef actthatsheact
uall
ylovedthemor on
responsiblef oral
lthi
sandbel
ievedthei
rlit
tl
efami
ly
couldwor k.
Shecur t
lylaughedthinki
nghowsheusedt ol
augh
seeingwomenadvi ceother
sto‘
fi
ghtfort
heir
mar ri
age’wheneverawomanpost edaboutmari
tal
problem onFacebook.Howt hehel
lwasshe
supposedt ofightf
orthismess?
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Pi
lar
asatfol
dingthebaby’
scl
othesasKaedi
’
s
gr
andmotherhel
dhim.
MMA-LEDIMO:Mma-Kai
,youar
equi
ett
oday.
Anyt
hingt
hematt
er?
PI
LARA:(
sadl
y)I
’
mfi
ne
MMA-LEDI
MO:Noyouar
enot
.Youknowyoucan
t
alkt
ome,ri
ght
?
Shewasqui
etf
orsomet
ime,
thenst
art
edsobbi
ng.
PILARA:Nkuku,
isthi
sr i
ghtKaedinotevensaying
anythi
ngtohismist
ressestomakethem leave.
MMA- LEDIMO:Oh,mypoorgirl
.Ifeelsobadfor
you,butyoumarri
edaLedimomanandt heydon’
t
knowat hi
ngaboutmonogamy.Aker eyoucansee
myhusband’sotherst
il
lli
veshere.Twoother
s
passed.Ledi
mo‘sfat
herhadsixwives.
PILARA:Ican’
tdoi
tnkoko,Idon’
tknowhowt
o
shareKaedi
,heismyhusband.
MMALEDIMO:Foryougirl
softodayIseehowi
t
canbehar
d.Butyouknowyouarethewomanhe
l
oves.Youar etheonehepr oposedt
o,noonemade
hi
m dothat.Ledimodidnotaskhi mtopaybogadi,
heischoosingtopayi tf
oryou.Choosi
ngtohavea
bi
gweddi nginfrontofGod,hisfami
lyandfr
iends
andtel
lthem ‘t
hisismywoman’ .
PI
LARA:Lol
osaysIst
oleherman
MMALEDI MO:WhenwasKaedieverherman?
Whent heywer e‘t
oget her’hewaseveryone’sman,
sl
eepingevenwi thei ghteenyearoldsandthose
cheapgirl
swhoweart hingsthatshowevent hei
r
souls,
alarekedisl ayqueensel osagaBet si
.Then
youcomei nt hepictureandt herei
snomor eofthat
.
Amanwi l
lactrightfort hewomanhewant s.Don’t
beinti
midatedbyLoapi ,shejustgotsurebecause
mmaKaedil ovesher .Sheal r
eadypict
uredherself
asaLedi momakot i
,andshei supsett
hatruggot
pull
edfrom underherf eet.I
gnoreher.
PI
LARA:Kanannat hat’
swhatIwassaying,
ifhe
wasyours,whydi
dn’thecl
aim youal
lthi
sti
me!But
i
tsti
llhur
ts….
MMA-
LEDI
MO:Youar
ethemat
ri
archyoft
henew
generati
onLedimo.Youhavet obestrong.Don’t
youeverletthoseshamelesswhoresseeyourt ears,
don’tyoueverlett
hem seeyouranger.Anangry
womanchaseshermanaway.Tr eatyourmanr ight
andshowhi m hechosewel l
.Dealwiththose
str
umpet swithasmileonyourface,teachthem
yourhouseisnottobet r
ampledupon.
Whenshewasdone,shelef
tmmaLedimowitht
he
babyandwentdownstai
rstomakehert
ea.
Lol
owasi
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom wor
kingonherl
apt
op.
LOAPI:(l
aughi
ng)
,Youar
ereal
lywor
kingf
ort
hat
daughteri
nlawposi
ti
on.
Pi
lar
aignor
edherandcont
inuedmaki
ngt
ea
Whenshecamef
rom t
heki
tchen,
Lol
ospokeagai
n.
LOAPI :Heardyouwanttogobackfrom work?Most
womenonl ygobacktoworkbecausetheyhaveno
choice.Theyneedtoearn.Youdon’
tbutjustcan’
t
waittorunawayf r
om yourbaby.Notmuchofa
goodmot her,ar
eyou?
PI
LARA:Mxi
m,atl
eastIam amot
her
Loapit
ri
edtoi
gnorePil
ara’
sstat
ement,butat
ear
randownhercheek,
knowingexact
lywhatshe
meant.
PILARA:What ?Canthrowi
t,butwhenthr
ownback
youcan’tcatch?Don’
tyout
hinkyouarehurt
ingme
tel
li
ngmeI ’m notagoodmother?Mxim!
Shewalkedoffannoyedwi
thKaedif
ort
ell
ingher
thei
rbusi
ness.
Loapi
gotoff
rom t
hesofaandheadedofft
othe
homegym,whereKaediwasworki
ngoutal
one.
Shewentovert
ohi
m andst
art
edki
ssi
nghi
m.
KAEDI:Lol
o… st
op!Wecan’
tkeepdoi
ngt
his…
Pi
lar
a
LOAPI:I
snothere.Whosegonnat el
lher
… comeon,
Iknowyouaintgett
inganyrightnowwhil
eshe
heal
sfrom gi
vingbi
rth.So,
I’
m beingagood
Samarit
an.
*
***
***
***
Pi
lar
asatinthehousebr east
feedi
ngherbaby
whenhercousi
ncalled.
PI
LARA:Couz…
COUSIN:(
sobbing)Pipa,
it’
smma-
Pil
ara,
Ijust
passedacaraccident
… shewaswi
ththechief
….
PILARA:What…i
ssheok?Howinjur
edisshe?I
’
m
comingther
e…Mmino!Howi
njur
edisshe?
COUSI
N:(
sobbi
ng)I
…I…
PI
LARA:Mmi
no,
don’
tyoudar
eli
etome,
it’
sbad,
i
sn’
tit
?
COUSIN:(sobbi
ng)They… t
heyputt
hem bot
hon
bodybags….Ithi
nktheywentt
oNyangabgwe,I
don’
tknow…
Thephonesli
dfrom herhandsastear
srol
leddown
herf
ace,herbr
eathchockingher
…
MMALEDI
MO:Pi
pa?Ar
eyouokmygi
rl
?
PILARA:My… my… mymotherwasi
nacar
accident
.Shei
slat
e…bot
hsheandthechi
ef
MMALEDI MO:OhModi mo!OhLord!Go,
gomygi r
l,
Iwil
lwatchKai.GoaskKaedit
odr
oveyou,youar
e
toodi
str
aught.Hesaidhewasgoi
ngt ot
hegym.
Sherandownst
air
stotheunder
groundf
loorwher
e
thegar
agesandgym wher
e.
Shepushedthegym dooropeninhast
e,wher
e
Kaediwasagainstt
hewallwit
hLoapiki
ssi
nghim,
herhandswrappesaroundhi
sneck.
Apai
nedscream escapedhermout
hassher
anof
f
t
othecarcr
ying.
KaedipushedLol
oof
f,cussi
ngl
oudl
y.
KAEDI:Ohshi
t… shoot!Pi
pa!Pipawai
t…i t
’snot
whati
tlooksl
ike!Iswearnot
hinghappened!Fuck
fuckf
uck!
Loapi
laughedast
heyhear
dPi
lar
a’scarpul
loutat
hi
ghspeed.
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)Shei
ssodr
amat
ic,
isn’
tshe?
Kaedir
anupst
air
stogethi
scarkeys.
MMALEDI MO:(sadl
y)Oh,Pi
pajustwentdownt o
fi
ndyou… poort
hing!Tol
osebothparent
satthe
sameti
me!Andwhenshehadj ustfoundherf
ather!
KAEDI:What?OhmyGod!OhLor
d!Doyouknow
wher
eshei sheaded?
MMALEDI MO:Shedi
dn’
ttel
lme,
shewast oo
dist
raught.Shei
spr
obabl
ydownstai
rsl
ookingf
or
you,gofindher.
*
***
***
***
Pil
arabrokedowncryi
ngasshetal
kedtoapoli
ce
off
icer
.Kaedirani
nandwalkedovert
oher,
tryi
ngto
hugher.
PILARA:(
screaming)Don’
ttouchme!Don’
tfucking
touchmeKaedi!Inthehomeweshare?Idon’teven
haveti
mef ort
hisri
ghtnow!
KAEDI:Sheki
ssedme, Pi
lar
a… shecameont ome
andIwastell
ingherI
’
mt ryi
ngt
obel oyalt
henshe
ki
ssedme.
PILARA:(sobbi
ng)Idon’
tevencare,mymom is
dead!Sheisdeadandwhatt hehelldoyoudo,
kiss
bi
tchesinthehomewel i
veont ogether
!
Hehuggedherassheweakl
ypunchedhi
m ont
he
chestwi
thherf
ist
s.
PI
LARA:(cr
ying)Shei
sgone… mymotherisgone!
Andi
tdoesnotmakesense!Iknowt
hechiefl
iked
todri
veonetheopenr
oadsometi
mes!Andhe
drovel
ikeasnai
l,
howdidhehi
tatree!Theyar
e
bothgone…
Hejustkepthuggingherunt
ilshestoppedhi
tt
ing
him andcol
lapsedonhischest,heavi
ngand
sobbing.
KAEDI:I
’
m sosor
rybabe…Letmetalktothese
peopl
eaboutt
henextar
rangement
,thenIwillt
ake
youhome.
Af
terherwasdoneshedr
oveherhome.
Saronawasint
heli
vingroom wat
chi
ngTVand
Loapiwaspaci
ngsnervousl
y.
LOAPI:OhmyGod, Pi
lar
a!I’
m sosorr
y.Mma
Ledi
moj ustt
olduswhathappened.Whatat
ragedy!
PI
LARA:Mxi
m…
SARONA:Idon’tevenknowwhypeopl
emakesuch
afussaboutdeat
h,it
’sal
lpar
toft
hecycl
eofl
if
e,
weneedtodieforthecycl
e…
Pi
lar
ajumpedonherandj
ustl
osti
t,punchi
ngand
ki
cki
ngasshescr
eamed.
PI
LARA:( cryi
ng)Whatthefucki
swrongwithyou!
Whatt hefuckiswr
ongwi t
hyou,myparent
sjust
di
edandyouwantt otel
lmeaboutafuckci
rcl
e,I’
l
l
ki
llyou,youcheapbimbo!I’
ll
…
BothLoapiandKaedot ri
edtopullherof
fandshe
pouredallherangerandsadnesssintoherf
ist
s.
Final
lyKaedimanagedt opul
lheroffandhugged
herasshecr i
ed.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Pi
lar
alai
dinbedsobbi
ng,
wit
hKaedihol
dingher
.
KAEDI
:Thi
shashi
m wr
it
tenal
lover
.
PILARA:Wheni sthi
smanevergoi ngt opayfor
hurt
ingpeople?It
’snotfai
rthathejustgetst
opl ay
God!Thechiefwasdoi ngwell,
hewasr ecoveri
ng,
andthatstoodinLedimo’swayofbecomi ngchief,
woheki l
ledthem!
KAEDI :I’
m gonnahandl eit.Heneedst ogo.He
mademyf atherhispawn, constantlydangli
ngt he
‘
I’l
ltakeeverythingawayf r
om you’ pinthesame
wayhei sdoingme.Iknowmyf atherwaski l
led,i
t
wasnocaracci dent.Itwaseitherhim ormyuncl es.
Likelyhim becausemyf at
hergott i
redofhim and
wasgonnasuehi mf orhal
fofLI DIndustri
es.Idon’t
thinkit
’sacoi ncidencehej ustdied.Ledimoneeds
togo.
PI
LARA:Notj
ustyet
.
KAEDI:Heisnotgonnast opPi pa!Andmy
grandf
atheri
sdangerous!Plus,doyouwantt ohave
mysongr owingupwatchinghisf atherl
iveonhis
kneesli
keIhadto?Whydoyout hinkI’
m sofucked
upandhadnor espectformyf ather?Hewasa
pawn!Ledimois70!Hecanbear oundf oralong
ti
me!
PILARA:Youar enotapawnmyl ove,youatheKi
ng.
Kaiwil
lneverhavet oseeyouonyourknees
becauseyouwon’ tbe.Notforlong.Andnowwe
takeourchessboardback.Ledimoneedst opay.
Plusrightnowwear enotsurethingsarei
nyour
name.
KAEDI
:Youhaveapl
an.
PILARA:Wear
egonnatakeital
l.Hi
smoney,
people
aroundhi
m,hi
sreput
ati
on,wearegoingt
ost
riphi
m
bare.
KAEDI:Andf orthesecondt i
mei nmyl i
fe,j
ustwhen
Ihadgivenupandaccept edthatI’
mf ucked,she
savesme.Mhh, takeever
ythingfrom Ledi
mo.Il ove
thesoundoft hat.Aslongaswet akemyuncl esout
onthewayt oo.
PILARA:Nootherway.Wehavetof i
xourkids’
futur
e.Youdowantaf oot
bal
lfi
eldanyway.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Fi
veki
dsi
snotevent
hatmany!
PI
LARA:Fi
vei
stoomany!
Thebot
hlaughedashemassagedhert
empl
es.
KAEDI:Youknow.ThesepastfewmonthsIhave
beendisi
ll
usi
onedaboutl
if
e.Thinki
ngthi
si si
tl.I
havetoli
veasLedi
mo’sbit
ch.Ihaven’
tbeenthis
exi
tedaboutl
if
eforaveryl
ongt i
me.Theriseofa
new Ledi
moempi r
e.Andthisoneisgonnabe
massi
vebecausethequeeni
snotawallf
lowerl
ike
thepr
evi
ous,l
ikemygrandmotherandmymother.
Shewil
li
ngtogetdir
tywit
hherking.
PILARA:Weneedsomeonewi
thi
nfoonLedi
mo
thatwecanuse.
KAEDI:Loapi
,butshe’
llneverdoi
t,youknowhow
shei
s,allet
hicalandshit
…
PI
LARA:Shewi
lli
fyouar
efucki
nghert
hewayyou
ar
e.
KAEDI
:Pi
pa,
Iswearwe…
PILARA:Idon’
tcar
e.Canyousi
phoninfot
hrough
her?Ledi
mo’ssecr
etst
hatyoudon’
tknow?
KAEDI
:Lol
oisdi
ff
icul
t,shewi
ll
…
PILARA:Ihaveseenyouchar m mi ll
ionsofpul as
outofpeopleoverdinnerKaedi ,sur
elyyoucanget
i
nfofrom agirlwhosepantiesar ealr
eadywetf or
you.Andkeept hebimbo.Ever yonethinkst hatgi
rl
i
sdumb, sotheyarenotont heirguardar oundher.
Shewi l
lproveusefult
oo.Iknowf oraf actyour
cousi
nLer ii
splott
ingagainstyouwi thhi sfather
andot
heruncl
es,
andthr
oughSassy,
wecangeti
n
onwhatt
heyareupt
o.
KAEDI:(
smil
ing)Iseewhereyouar
egoi
ng.AndI
l
oveit
.ButSassyissti
llmadatme…
PI
LARA:Letmehandlet
hat…I
’l
lal
sogetcl
oset
o
myunclesonmyfat
her’
ssi
de.Ral
lyt
hem t
ome
wi
thoutLedi
moevennot
ici
ng.
KAEDI:Pl
ayt hevi ct
imli
ttl
eniece.Ril
et hem upto
gotocourtagainstLedimoasr egent,talkabout
howregentshoul dbeabl oodrelat
ive.Iwillhave
someonel ookt hem thr
ough,fi
ndtheper f
ectpawn
tohaveasr egent.
PILARA:Noneed,myfat
her’
syoungestbrot
her
.The
mandoeswantt oser
vethepeopl
e,buthecanbe
boughti
fneedsbe.
KAEDI:Andf astt
rackt hatPRf i
rm.Weneeda
fai
lsaf
et okeepourmoney.Af t
erthefuneralshal
l
wegot alkaboutoffshoreaccountstoaguyIknow?
Youneedt omakef riendswithLoapiforust obe
abletotakesubstantialamountsofmoneyf r
om t
he
Ledimoaccountwi thoutdrawingatt
ention.
PI
LARA:Done.
KAEDI:Shi
t,I
’
m soexci
ted.Wemakeadr
eam t
eam,
babe.Toourfut
ure.
PILARA:Herehere.Shallweshowerandbeready
forbr
eakfast
,myl ove?Andyouknowwhat ?Si
x
weeksisalmostoverandeverythi
ngfeel
sokto
me… sooo…
KAEDI
:Ar
eyousur
e?
PI
LARA:Hel
lyea.Comegeti
t.
Sheranofftothebathr
oom l
aughingasKaedi
chasedaft
erherandcaughtheratthedoor
,pi
nni
ng
heragai
nstthewallandki
ssi
ngher.
*
***
***
Pi
lar
aknockedi
nSar
ona’
sroom andwai
ted.
PILARA:Sassy,i
t’
sme.Pl ease.Iwanttoapol
ogi
es
forat
tacki
ngyouyestarday.Thishosti
leener
gy
betweenusisjustmessingwi t
hallofouraur
as.
Shecamet
oopen,
rubbi
nghereyes.
SARONA:Iknow,
right
?Li
ke,
I’
vebeenf
eel
ingof
f
centersi
nceIgother
ebecauset
heener
gyi
sso
tense!
PILARA:I’
m sor
ryaboutyest
erday.At
tacki
ngyou
l
ikethat
.Itwaswrong,Ij
ustl
ostit.
SARONA:( si
ghing)I
t’
sok.Youar egrievi
ngandI
shoul
dn’thavesaidwhatIsaid.Noteveryoneviews
thi
ngsthewayIdo.Apol ogyaccepted.Andmer cury
i
sinretr
ogradeanyway… t hatcanaffectpeopl
e’s
emoti
ons…i tal
waysthrowsmeof f
…
PI
LARA:Thankyou.Joi
nKyandIf
orbr
eakf
ast
?
Shest oodupandlef
twit
hasmi
leasSar
onagot
dressedandfol
lowedher.
*
***
***
***
*
Kaediwal
kedi
ntoLoapi
’
sr oom j
ustasshewas
comingfr
om t
heshower.
LOAPI
:Edi
….
Hepul
ledhercl
oserandki
ssedher
.
LOAPI
:Howi
sPi
lar
adoi
ng?Wi
thal
lthi
s…
KAEDI
:Shei
scopi
ng.Pi
pai
sst
rongashel
l.Shewi
ll
survi
ve.Sheaskedmet
ocomei
nvi
teyouf
or
breakf
ast.
LOAPI
:Me?Why?
KAEDI:Idon’tknow.Iwasjustt
oldt
ocomecal
lyou
forbr
eakfastinthegazebo.
LOAPI
:Okay,
Iguess?I
’
llf
indyout
her
e?
KAEDI
:Yup
*
***
***
***
**
Pil
arawal
kedi
nlastasallt
hreewereseat
edand
Lol
oandSassywereal
readyateachother
’snecks.
PILARA:Ladi
es,l
adies!Please!Wear ebett
ert
han
that
.Pardonmylateness,Ihadt obreast
feedKai
.
Thankyouallf
orhonor i
ngmyi nvi
tat
ion.
LOAPI
:Whati
sthi
sabout
?
PILARA:St r
aighttot hepoint.Il
ike.Ok,I’
l
lshoot
str
aighttoo.Imar r
iedapol yamor ousmani nlove
withthreewomen.Tr yingtochangehi m hasn’
t
helpedourrelati
onshi ptheleastbit,
soIhave
decidedtoaccepthi m, si
ncehehaspr omisedther
e
won’tbeanyot her,justyout wo.Idecidedtonot
fi
ghthisat
tr
acti
ont
oei
therofyou.Heiswhohei
s
andlovesal
lofusi
nhi
sowndi f
ferentways.
LOAPI
:Ooook?
PILARA:Lol o,Iam sorry.NowIdoseehowI
betrayedyourt rust
.Itrulydidhavenof eeli
ngsfor
KaediwhenIcameher e,butheissucht hemanhe
i
s, howcoul dInotf al
linlove?Ionlyaskt hatas
muchashel ovesyou, andIknowhedoes.Pl ease
al
sodoaccepthi sl
ovef orme.Andf orSassy.It
’sa
wei r
dsituat
ion, l
et’
salltrytomakei twork.Fight
ing
hasnotser vedussof ar,whynottryt heotherway?
SASSY:Yasssgal
!YouknowI ’
m pol
yandt ot
all
yfor
i
t!Themorethemerri
er!Andbothy’
allcut
eanyway
i
fyouwannaexploret
hat…
PILARA:(laughi
ng)Thanksbutnot hanks,Iam a
Christ
ianandjusthappentoexclusi
velypreferdi
ck.
Lolo?AnythingonwhatIwaspr oposing?
Shewasqui
etf
orsomet
imebef
oreshespoke.
LOAPI:Iguesswedon’
thavetobeenemi es.
Doesn’
tmeanIam abouttoholdei
therofyour
handsandsinghappyf
amily.
PILARA:(
smili
ng)I
’l
ltaket
hat
!See,
progr
ess!You
haveanyt
hingtosay,l
ove?
KAEDI:Ijustwantt oapol ogiesforanyhur tImay
havecausedanyofyou, itwasneveri nt
ent i
onal
.I
doloveallofyou, eachinherownway, andI ’
m
thankf
ulformywi febeingsounder st
anding.
Thankfulforeachofyou.Lol o… youheldmedown
forsolongandPi pawasj usttel
li
ngmehow
unappreciat
iveanddi srespectfulIhadbeent oyou
withal
lthecheatingandal l.Iwassosel fobsessed
Ididn’
ttaketimetot hinkabouthowwhatIwas
doingwasaf fect
ingyou.
Lol
osobbedandPil
araof
fer
edherat
issue,
whi
ch
shetookandwi
pedatear
.
LOAPI
:It
’sok
KAEDI:Sassy… Imean,gi
rl
,youarethel
if
eof
anywhereyouare!Youkeepmelivi
ng.
Sar
onal
aughedanddi
dal
it
tl
edance.
SARONA:Li
fei
sapar
tyaaaay!
KAEDI
:Andyou,
Pipa.Iknowourmar
ri
agei
snot
convent
ional
,butwehavefoundourownrhyt
hm
andwentwi t
hit
.Andthankyouforbei
ngsucha
for
ceandbeingsoaccepti
ng.
PI
LARA:(smi
li
ng)Anyt
hingt
omakeyouhappy,
my
l
ove.Shal
lweeat
?
Theyt
hreeoft
hem t
uckedi
nchat
ting,
whi
leLol
o
pl
ayedwit
hfoodi
nherplat
econf
used.
Couldsheal
soacceptt
hiswhol
epolyamor
ous
bul
lshi
tli
kePi
lar
awasdoing?Shoul
dshe?Wasit
worthi
t?
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
Nextepi
sode:1000/
100/
10
[
05/
29,
11:
Ithadbeentwoweekssincethefuner
al.Kaediand
pil
arapackedPi
lar
a’smother
’shouseast heytal
ked.
PILARA:If
eelbadaboutt
akingadvant
ageofLolo
andSassy.Theyar
einnocentandIdon’
twantthem
get
ti
nghur
t.
KAEDI :Youdon’tknowLol o,doyou?I fthatgi
r lwas
i
nt hisposit
ion,shewoul dsel lyououtf ast
erthan
hotcakes.Lololooksoutf orself,
howdoyout hink
shemadei tallthewayupt oCFOofaf ucki
ng
conglomerateinj ustsi
xyear s?Findingpeopl ewi t
h
thi
rtyyearsexper i
ence,whohavewor kedinthe
companysi ncei topened, oneofthem evenhavi ng
GoldmanSachsexper i
ence, t
henj ustbypassing
them?Shei sintelli
gent,yes,buttherear esomany
otherpeoplewhoar etoo.
PILARA:Shei
sani
ceper
son,
don’
tmakeupt
hings
abouther
…
KAEDI:Pipa,don’tbenaïve… what‘
nice’per
son
haveyouseej ustcr ui
singthr
ougheverythi
ng?I
l
ovethegi r
l,butIam alsocauti
ousofher.Sheis
muchlikemyf at
her.Softbutl
ethal
.
PILARA:Whatproofdoyouhavet hatsheisli
ke
thatKaedi
,don’
tpaintherbadjustbecauseyou
wantoutplantogof or
th.Whathasshedonef or
youtomakehert hebadpersonyousayshei s?
KAEDI:Obviousl
yIdon’ thaveany,butIhave
alwayshadquestions.AndIam notsayi ngLolois
bad.Sheisgood, shelovestohelppeopleshel i
kes
toseeotherswin.Aslongasshewi nsfi
rstand
most.Sheiseasyt ounderesti
mate.Loloisnice
unti
lsheisn’
t.
PILARA:Nhng,myconsciencej
ustsaysno.There
i
sasor tofbadkarmat
hatcomeswi thhur
tinggood
people.I
fsheist
odothis,wehavetofull
yletheri
n.
KAEDI :No!Thatwoul dj
ustbedumbbecauseshe
wil
lhaveabar gai
ningchiptoswingei
therway.
Love,youcomef rom apureworl
dwer epeoplear
e
whattheyseem.Iwasbor nintothi
srott
enone.
Everyoneislookingoutforthemsel
ves.Thereare
nonicepeopl e.
PILARA:So,whatdoyousay?Wegoonanduse
Lolotogetdi
rtonLedi
mosowecandestroyhi
m,i
f
shegetsburntsobeit
?Igoonandpret
enda
fr
iendshi
psoshecantrustme?
KAEDI
:Istheresomeoneout
side?It
houghtIhear
d
somet
hing.Letmegocheck.
Kaedil
ookedar
oundandpeepedout
side.
KAEDI:IthoughtIheardfoot
steps.Probablygoat
s
i
nt heroad,therei
snoone.Anyway, notli
kethat.
Wemakesur eshedoesnotgetburnt.Butyes,we
getinf
ot hr
oughher .
*
***
***
**
LoapiwalkedtowardsthedoorofPi l
ara’smom’ s
house.Themai dshadsai dshehadwentt opackup,
andLolowant edtoseeifsheneededhel p.She
remember edhowitfelt
,losi
ngbothpar entsatthe
samet i
me.Howal oneshehadf el
t.Pi
larami ght
havestolenherman, butshedidtrytomakepeace,
andwhatshecoul ddowasmeetherhal fway.
Sheheardvoi
cesj
ustassheappr
oached.Pi
lar
a
tal
king.
‘
WegoonanduseLol otogetdi
rtonLedimosowe
candest
royhi
m, i
fsheget
sburntsobei t
.Igoon
andpret
endafri
endshi
psoshecantrustme.’
What
?OhmyGod,
thatbi
tch!
Sheduckedacor
nerwhenshehear
dKaedicomi
ng
outsi
de,t
henranbackoutt
hegateandwalkedoff
totheLedi
mohouse.Shehadjoggedher
eaf t
erher
eveni
ngrun.
Godsot hatwaswhatPi l
arawasaboutwi t
hher
l
itt
lepeacemaki ng?Shewaspoi soningKaedi
againstherandplott
ingtouseher, nomatt
ert
he
cost.Fuckthatbit
ch,ifPi
lar
awant edtopl
aydirt
y,
thenwelcomet othebigleague,
bitch.
*
***
***
***
*
OnMondayaft
ervi
sit
ingKaedii
ntheof
fi
ce,Pil
ara
wal
kedt
owardsLoapi’
soff
icepushi
ngKai
’sst
rol
ler
.
Hermor alcompasswasagainstal
lofthi
s.Shewas
raisedaChrist
ian,
hermom wouldbeturni
nginher
gravethatsheeventhoughtt
ouseotherstoget
revenge.
Whatthehel lwast
his,shedidn’tusepeople.That
wasnother .Shehadsuggest edthisplanonaf i
tof
anger,andnowsher egret
tedevent hi
nkingaboutit
becauseKaediwasbentongoi ngwi t
hi t
.
Shedidn’twanttotur
nintoamonst
eronherseek
forvengeance.TheBibl
ecal
ledf
orfor
giveness,
but
Ledi
modi
dnotdeser
vei
t.
ButLolowasinnocentandshedi
dn’
twantt
ohur
tor
i
mplicateheri
nanyway, byt
heti
meshewasdone
wit
hLedi mo.
Theywil
lhavet
ofi
ndanot
herwayt
hatdi
dn’
tput
other
sinharm’
sway.
Shesi
ghedandwal
kedi
n.
LOAPI
:CanIhel
pyou?
PILARA:Wecamei ntoshow Kaedicl
othsamples
anddesignsfort
heoutf
ityabobedif
orthewedding,
andthoughtweshoul
dpopbyandsayhi .
Kaistart
edf ussi
ngandPilar
apickedhi
m upfr
om
thestrol
lerandheldhim.Shenoti
cedLolot
ryi
ng
nottolookatherwi t
henvy.
PI
LARA:Youcanhol
dhi
mifyouwant
.
LOAPI
:MayI
?
SinceKaiwasborn, Lol
onevershowedanyinter
est
,
soPilar
ahadneveraskedheri fshewantedt
osee
orholdhim ei
ther
,incasei
twasasensi t
ivei
ssue
forher.
PI
LARA:Ofcourse.I
fyoudon’
tmi
nd,
feedhi
mfor
mewhil
eIruntotheloo.
LOAPI
:I’
dli
ket
hat
…
PI
LARA:Thanks…
Shehandedhi
m Kaiandhi
smi
lk,
thenwentof
fto
thet
oil
et.
*
***
***
***
*
Loapisatfeedi
ngandr ocki
ngKai.Heshouldhave
beenhers.Sheshouldhavebeent heoneplanni
ng
weddingsandhermagadii ntwoweekst i
me.Why
didthatschemingbit
chgettohaveeverythi
ngand
shegotnot hi
ng,whenallsheeverdi
dwast ryand
helpPil
ara?
Andshewasr eal
lysmoot
hinginthat‘
fake
fr
iendship’.Shehadneveroff
eredhertoholdKai
before.Allofasuddensheisevenleavinghi
m
al
ongwi t
hher ?
Gir
lwassuchagoodactor
.Wel
l,
twocanpl
ayt
hat
game.Sheneededt
ofi
ndoutwhatt
heywer
eupto.
Sheki
ssedKai
’
scheekandt
ickl
edhi
schest
.
LOAPI:Youwer esupposedt obemi ne,
wer en’
tyou,
papi?YouandIanddaddy, weresupposedt obe
onehappyf amily… shest ol
eitallfrom us.Actual
ly
whycan’twebe?Hmm?Whycan’ tyouanddaddy
andIbeaf ami l
y?Shewant stoleaveyouandgo
workanyway!Whatki ndofmot herwoul dwantt o
l
eaveacutielikeyou?I ’
llneverl
eaveyouaf teryou
becomemi ne!
Shesmi
ledasPi
lar
awal
kedi
n.
LOAPI:Hei
ssuchagoodbaby!Hedoesn’
tcr
y,
does
PI
LARA:(l
aughing)Thatwhol
ecoverabookbyit
’s
j
udgethi
ng!Duringt
hedayKaiisanangel
.Night
s?
St
rai
ghtupSatan!
LOAPI
:Pi
lar
a,don’
tcal
lhi
m Sat
an,
hei
sjustababy.
PI
LARA:(laughi
ng)Youshoul dspendani ghtwit
h
hi
m andtellmeinthemor ningi fyoudon’
tthinkhe
i
sahellspawnsentst rai
ghtf r
om hellt
otorturet
he
l
astbi
tofyoursanity.Youar e,aren’
tyou,
KaiKai!
Hmm!Youi sal
it
tl
edevi l
,ri
ght!
Shesai
dasshet
ookt
hebabyf
rom Lol
oand
nuzzl
edhim wi
thhernose,doi
ngsomebabyt al
k
wit
hmadeKaigiveherthatli
tt
legummysmi l
e,and
Pil
araj
ustbeamed,happi
nessradianti
nherf
ace.
Thatshoul
dbeme,
Lol
othought
.
PILARA:(
smi l
ing)Okho!Don’tsmil
eatmewith
thosegummygum, youar eacharmerwena,
just
l
ikeyourfat
her!Ij
a,Lol
o,letsnotdi
stur
byoumore…
LOAPI
:Wai
t… seat
…pl
ease.Iwantt
otal
k.
PI
LARA:Oh…
LOAPI :Ijust
… withtherecent…tr agedy.Youknow.
Igotthinking.Therearejusttoomanycar
accidentsaroundLedimo.Mypar entsbothdiedina
caraccident.Kaedi’
sdad.Nowyourpar ents?My
heartrefusestoacceptitasacoi ncidence.Gape
myf atheroncetoldmet hathefoundabodyi nt
he
garden.Aker ehewast helandscaper .Amont hl
ater
heandmamadi ed.
PI
LARA:OhmyGod,Lol
o.I
’m sosor
ry!Thi
sol
d
manneedst
obest
opped!
LOAPI
:Iknow… Ihi
redahi
tman…t
hisweekend.
PILARA:Wai t… deathistoogoodf orhim.Iwantt o
seehim suffer.Loseeverything.Ijusttalkedtomy
unclestogopr otesthi
m bei ngregent .Andwear e
gonnatakeever ythi
ngfrom hi m.Pluswewant
thi
ngsonKaedi ’
snamef irst.Ifhediesnowt hose
greedyuncleswi l
ltryt
ost ealani nherit
ancet hat
ri
ghtful
lybelongst oKaediandhi ssi bli
ngs.
LOAPI
:(smi
li
ng)youareri
ght
.Justkeepmeont
he
l
oopsowecanwor ktoget
her
.
*
***
***
***
*
Lat
erathomeLoapiwalkedi
ntoLedimo’sof
fi
ce
andsatdown.Shel
ookedaroundjustt
oassure
her
selft
hatt
heoffi
cewassoundpr oof
ed.
LEDI
MO:Howar
eyou,
mygi
rl
?
LOAPI
:Aboutt
obeevenr
icher
.
LEDI
MO:(
laughi
ng)Saymor
e
LOAPI:Yourdaughteri
nlawisplot
tingagainstyou.
Sheisri
li
ngupheruncl est
ogot ocourtagainstyou
becomingchief
.Lookintoi
tandyouwi llseeit
’s
tr
ue.That’
sthefreeinf
o.Theresti
slif
echangi ng
andcost
sal
ot.
LEDIMO:(l
aughi
ng)Star
ti
ngt
owonderwhatyou
tr
adedLeati
lef
orthe6%shar
es.Howmuchdoyou
want?
LOAPI
:4%mor
e.
LEDI
MO:Youwi
sh
LOAPI:Iwillgi
veyout imetothi
nkaboutit.Buti n
themeant i
me,gover i
fymyi nf
o.Andaskyour sel
f,
i
sPilarareall
ynecessar ynow?Especi
all
yt hatshe
i
splotti
ngagai nstyou.Sheisprovi
ngtobeat horn
i
nbot hoursides.
LEDI
MO:Whatar
eyoupr
oposi
ng?
LOAPI:Iwantmymanback.Idon' twanttoshar e
him.Ihavebeenwor ki
ngonmyhappi l
yeveraf ter
withKaedi,
donewayt oomucht oevenadmi t
,there
wouldbeabunchofLedi mobast ardstr
yingto
cl
aim yourempireifi
twasn’
tforme, youknowhow
carel
essKaediis?Iam doneplayingnice,
especi
all
ytothatthatbi
tchPi
larawhowant edto
useme.
LEDI
MO:Ilovehowyouarethi
nki
ng,
ifi
ndeedshe
i
splot
ti
ngagainstme.I
sKaedii
nonit
?
LOAPI:Shei spl
otti
ngagainstyou.Kaedidoesn’
t
know.AndPi lar
aisnotnecessary.Withheroutof
thepi
cture,youpeaceful
lystaychief
,Igetman
backandt hechil
dIalwayswant ed.
LEDIMO:Ther easonyouandIgetal
ongsowell
…
ever
yonealwayst hi
nksyouar
eapawnwhenyou
aret
heactualqueen.Iknowyoudidn’
tgetuphere
byplayi
ngnice.
LOAPI:(
smil
ing)That
’swhyyou,
oldman,
aresuch
awiseguy.
LEDIMO:(laughi
ng)Iam wise,
aren’
tI?Andyouare
ri
ght,Pi
lar
aisnolongernecessary,
sheservedher
purpose…
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Loapiwal
kedintotheki
tchenasPi
lar
amadeher
sel
f
alat
enightsnack.
PILARA:(
sighi
ng)Mxi
m!Onl ypeanutbet
terl
eft
,
cashewandalmondfi
nished.
LOAPI
:Youdon’
tli
kepeanutbut
ter
?
PILARA:(laughi
ng)Oh,hiLolo.Hahacaughtme
tal
kingtomyself.Badhabit
.Andcan’thavepeanut
butt
er,deathl
yall
ergi
c.
LOAPI
:Oh?Whatdoesi
tdot
oyou?
PI
LARA:Anaphyl axi
s.Mytongueswel l
sletala
molomot hroatconst
ri
ctandIcan’tbreat
he,bl
ood
pr
essuredropsandIgetdizzy.I
fIdon’tget
medicat
ionwithinanhourofexposure,i
t’
sli
ghtout
Pi
pa.Forgood.
LOAPI
:Damn!
PILARA:Ilit
eral
lyhavetocarr
yantihi
stami
nes
everywhere,andhavetoreadlabel
sandannoy
peopleaskingifthi
ngshavepeanuts.
LOAPI
:Hect
ic!Idon’
tenvyyouatal
l.Her
e,t
her
eis
somemarmaladeatleast
.
PILARA:Thanks.Hey,
doyouwannababysi
tKai
oneofthesedays?Whenyouar
efreeofcour
se.
LOAPI
:CanI
?Pl
ease?
PILARA:Anyt
ime,
justknocki
nther
eandl
etme
knowwhenyouaref r
ee.
*
***
***
***
*
I
ntheeveni
ngKaediandPi
lar
ast
oodoverKai
’
scot
l
ooki
ngayhim,smil
ing.
PI
LARA:Wemadet
his…
KAEDI:Iknow….Somet imesIcan’
tbel
ievei
t.A
wholeparent
.Rememberwhenweusedt otal
k
abouti
tthatti
me...whatwasourdaughtergonna
becall
edkana( l
aughing)
PILARA:(l
aughi
ng)Pr
incessCi
nder
ell
a.Thefi
rst
pri
ncessstor
yIreadi
nabeatupbookf r
om t
he
l
ibrar
y.Man,Iwassolooki
ngfor
wardtomyprince
Charmingtocomegetme.
KAEDI
:Ishewhatyoui
magi
ned?
PI
LARA:(
smi
li
ng)Andmor
e!I
’
mjustsohappywi
th
l
if
e!
KAEDI:Tel
lmeaboutit
!Somethingj usthappens
themomentyouholdyourchi
ldfort hefir
sttime.
Kooreyoustar
tnot
ici
nghowirrelevantalltheother
shiti
s.
PILARA:Youshoul
dstar
tgivi
ngtal
kstoboTint
o
whogoar oundmaki
ngchil
drenandnegl
ect
ing
them
KAEDI:Idon’tgetthoseki
ndofmen.Howdoyou
denyandnegl ectyourchi
ld?Hel
l,
Ileavemeeti
ngs
j
usttocallyouguysandcheckwhet herKaii
sok.
PI
LARA:Kaii
sbl
essed.
KAEDI
:Wear
etheonest
hatar
ebl
essed.
PILARA:Iknow… Iwast hi
nki
ngweshouldletLol
o
babysi
tmor eoften.It
hinksheisl
onel
y.Shelooked
sohappyear l
ierwhensheheldKai.
KAEDI :Eish,Ifi
ndithardtotr
ustpeoplewit
hmy
chi
ld.Igetner vousevenwhenwel eavehi
m wit
h
mygr andmaandgof ordateni
ght.I’
m onl
yatease
whenei therofusiswi t
hhim.
PI
LARA:Comeon,
justi
nherr
oom… sher
eal
ly
l
ikeskids.Andyouknow, itgotmet hi
nki
ng…ifshe
didn’
thaveaf ullhyst
erect
omy, herovul
esmayst i
ll
beviable… andmaybeaf t
erIhaveoursecond,I
couldcarryforher.
KAEDI :No,
Pipa!Thosear
ti
fi
cialhormone
pregnancycomeswi t
halotofrisksandyoucan’
t
takethoseri
sksforsomeoneelse.KaiandIneed
you.
PILARA:Istil
lfeelgui
lt
yaboutus.Shewassoki nd
tomewhenIcameher e.Ididn’thavef eel
ingsfor
youthen,andIt ol
dhershedi dn’thavet oworry
aboutus,itwasonl ycont
ractual.Ireall
ydidn’t
meant ostealherman.Ifeel l
ikeIbet r
ayedher ,and
i
fIcanatl easthel
pherwi t
ht hat…
KAEDI:Youdon’thaveanyt hi
ngt ofeelguil
tyabout.
Iam notl
oosechange, Idon’
tgetstolen.Imadea
choi
ceofwhoIwant edasmywi f
e.Andwhatwer e
wesupposedtodo, denyourf eeli
ngsbecauseLol o
wasnice?Feel
ingst hatcomef rom waybef or
eLol o
waseveninthepicture?Don’tgetmewr ong,Ilove
Loapi
.ButI’
m notriskingyouf orher.
PILARA:Ij
ust… Ifeelbad.Ijustcan’
timaginenot
beingabl
etohaveki ds,Ial
wayswant edkidsand
shesaidshedidtoo…
KAEDI:NoPipa,Lolocanfi
ndasur r
ogat
eifshei
s
ser
ious.Andisn’
tthati
ll
egalanyway?
PI
LARA:Onlypaidsur
rogacyi
sil
legal
.Shewil
lneed
l
egaldocument
sandalltodoi
t,butshecan.
KAEDI
:It
’sst
il
lano.
PI
LARA:Ok,
aboutt
hebabysi
tt
ing?
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)Iguess.
PILARA:Thankyou.AndIdecidedthatwewon’t
i
nvolveLoloandSassy.Lolohasherownagendas
ofwant i
ngLedimodead,butwewillonl
yuse
i
nformationsheshareswithusatherchoi
ce.We
willf
indanotherway.
KAEDI
:Fi
ne.Byt
heway,t
hemonthl
ymeetupwi
th
t
heboysi
sontomor
row.Isi
toki
fIgo?
PILARA:(l
aughi
ng)Ofcour
sebabe!Youdon’
tneed
permissi
ontogoout,
youknow?
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Nnyaa,
justi
ncaseyouhadpl
ans
f
orusoryouwant
edt
ogoout
.
PI
LARA:Nah,
I’
m good.Comeon,
let
’ssl
eep.
*
***
***
***
***
***
Inthemor
ningLoapiwassummonedt
oLedi
mo’
s
off
ice.
LEDI
MO:So,youwer
eri
ght
.Thel
it
tl
erati
spl
ott
ing
agai
nstme.
LOAPI
:(smi
li
ng)Tol
dyou.
LEDI
MO:Sheneedst
ogo,
orshewi
llr
uinever
ythi
ng.
LOAPI
:Kaediwi
llneverl
ethergo.
LEDIMO:Youwantt hat4%?Getr i
dofher.Byany
meansnecessary.ButKaistays.Youaredismissed,
Ihavetogohaveat al
kwi thherstupi
duncleshe
hasbeenpoisoni
ngagai nstme.
Loapiwentbacktoherroom andstar
tedgoing
thr
oughwebsitesofdesignerbabycl
othes,
orderi
ng
abunchforKaiandsomemommyandmeout fi
ts.
Shereadanar
ti
clesayi
ngyoucoul
dtakesomepil
ls
tobeablet
oexpr
essmi l
k.OhmyGod,shecoul
d
br
east
feedKai
!
Wow!
Anditsai
ditonlyt
ookaboutonetotwoweeks
bef
orethemilkcamein.Pi
lar
ahadpumpedmi l
kfor
whi
letheywherewait
ingforhermi
lktocomei
n.
Sheremember
edt
heirconver
sat
ionear
li
erabout
peanut
swit
hasmil
e.
Pi
lar
aal
waysmadeher
sel
fasmoot
hieatni
ght
.
Shewentt
othei
rroom andaskedi
fshecoul
dhave
Kai
.
Pi
lar
agavehi
mtoherandwentt
owashherhai
r.
Lol
otooKait
oherr
oom,
put
ti
nghi
m ont
hebed.
Kaist
art
edcryi
ng,want
ingt
obepi
ckedup,
wit
h
Lol
orecordi
nghim.
LOAPI
:Sor
rypapi
,thi
sisnecessar
y!
Aft
errecor
dinghim cr
ying,
shepickedhi
m upand
soot
hedhim, si
ngi
nghim alul
laby.
*
***
***
***
**
Kaedicamei
nfr
om t
hef
iel
dandf
oundPi
lar
aoi
l
ing
herhair
.
KAEDI
:letmeshowerkeboehal
emmagweKai
.
PILARA:Nodrinki
ngtoomuch!Andi fyoufeel
drunk,don’
tdr
ivesleepther
e,akeret
odayyouare
havingthemeetatDevon’shouse?Don’
tdri
nkand
dri
ve,KaiandIneedyou.
KAEDI :Owai i
,ketsaat
sepedihel
a.MostlyIwillbe
tal
kingtot hatguyItol
dyouaboutyokaredirelang
off
shor ething.If
oundanotherwayofsiphoning
moneyf rom thecompanyundetected.
PI
LARA:Yousee?Andnobodygotused.
Kaediki
ssedherandl
eftj
ustasLoapibr
oughta
sl
eepingKaiback.
*
***
***
***
Thir
tyminut
esaf
terKaedil
eft
,Lol
ohear
dPi
lar
a
headingt
otheki
tchen.
Pi
lar
aalwaysmadeher selfanightl
ylact
ati
on
smoothi
ethatshesai
di ncreasedhermil
ksuppl
y.
Lol
osnucki
nPi
lar
a’sr
oom andf
oundherhandbag,
taki
ngoutalltheant i
histamines,t
henwentt ot
heir
bathr
oom cabi netandt ookt heextr
ast ooandhi
d
them i
nherr oom, thenr antothekitchen
downstair
sandwat chedPi l
aracoll
ecti
ngher
smoothieingredients.
Justaf
tersheputtheingredient
sintheblender
,
Lol
oplayedtherecor
dingofKaicr yi
ng,andPil
ara
si
ghedandr anbackupstair
s.
Lolorandownandputpeanutpowderint hebl
ender,
thenthr
ewinami xofmelatoni
nandast ati
n,
coveri
ngitwi
ththeprot
einpowderPil
araused,then
walkedoutoft
hekit
chenbef or
ePil
aracameback.
Shewat chedherblendthesmoot hi
eandpouri tina
j
ug, thenheadedupstai
rswithit
.Shef oll
owedata
distanceandwait
edatPi l
ara’
sdoorf orabit,af
ter
aboutf i
ft
eenminutesshehearherbumpi ngint
o
thingsasshesearchedforheant i
histamines.
Sheturnedthehairdryeront ocoverPil
ara’
snoises,
andkeptitr
unningunt ilshecoul
dn’thearanymor e
movementinsidePilara’sroom.Shecalmlyopened
thedoorandwal kedoverani mmobi l
ePi l
araonthe
f
loor
,pi
cki
ngupKai
andki
ssi
nghi
m ont
hehead.
LOAPI:Nowyouaremine,
li
tt
lepr
ince.It
oldyou,
di
dn’tI
?YouanddaddyandIaregonnabeone
happyli
tt
lef
amil
ynow.
*
***
***
***
**
Kaedit
ookouthisphonetocal
landcheckonPipa
andKai.Hereal
izedhi
sphonewasPipa’
s,andhe
hadlef
thisownphoneinthecar,
nowhehadbot h.
Damn!
Hequi
ckl
yranbackt
othecaranddr
ovebackhome.
Loapi
hear
dKaedi
’
svoi
ceasher
anupt
hest
air
s.
Shit
!Whatwashedoi
ngbackher
e,hewas
supposedt
obegoneallni
ght
.
Shequi
cklyputKaionhiscotandrantoher
bedr
oom befor
eKaedireachedthethi
rdf
loor
.
Kaediopenedt
hei
rdoorandPil
arawassprawl
edon
t
hef l
oor,f
oami
ngatthemouth,Kaicr
yingi
nhi
scot
.
Heranovert
oherandknel
tbesi
deherasher
t
onguefi
ll
edhermouth.
KAEDI:Pi
pa?Shi
t!Shi
t!Pi
lar
a… babe…hel
p…
somebody…
Heyel
ledashecal
ledf
oranunbal
ance.
Lol
ocamer
unni
ng.
LOAPI
:What
’swr
ong?
KAEDI:(
teary)Ther
eisnopul
se… shehasno
fucki
ngpulse… ohGod…
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Kaedir
odewit
ht heparamedi
csast
heyhi
tPi
lar
a
wit
hthedef
ibr
il
latoragai
n.
Ast
heygotint
hehospit
al,
Loapipar
kedbehind
t
hem dr
ivi
ngPi
lar
a’scar
,wit
hKaiinhiscarseat.
Sheputhim ont
hest
rol
lerandr
ani
nsi
det
he
hospi
tal
.
Kaediwasf
reaki
ngoutpaci
ngabout
.
Lol
ocameandhuggedhi
m.
LOAPI:Shei
sgoi
ngt
obeok.Sheknowsyouand
Kaineedher
.
KAEDI:Ican’
tlosePil
ara,
whatt
hehel
lam I
supposedtodowi t
houther?
LOAPI
:She’
l
lbef
ine.FornowI
’
m her
eforyou.
KAEDI:Mygr andfatherhasgonet oofart
histi
me.
Seri
ously,
trytokil
lmywi fe?Hef orget
sI’
m notmy
fat
herwhowasaf raidofconfli
ct.Thi
siswar.I
’m
notgonnaseataroundandl ethimtakeadvant
age
ofmyf amil
ylikedaddi d.
LOAPI
:Yout
hinki
t’
shi
m?
KAEDI:I
t’
sapeanutal
ler
gyr
eact
ion.Pi
lar
ais
deat
hlyal
ler
gic.
LOAPI
:Maybebymi
stakePi
lar
a…
KAEDI:No!Sheissoparti
cul
araboutavoiding
peanut
sthatyoucouldgiveherapieceoflett
uce
andshewi l
laskifi
thaspeanuts.Thiswasa
del
iber
ateatt
empttopoisonher.
Hi
sphoner
ang.
KAEDI
:Dev… ei
shmyman.Pi
pai
sint
hehospi
tal
,
sever
eal
ler
gicr
eact
ion… al
ri
ghtman.Seeyou.
Devonarri
vedtwentymi
nut
esl
aterasKaedipaced
t
hef l
oornervousl
y.
DEVON:Howi
sshe?
KAEDI:Theyai
ntsayshityet
!Whyar
en’
ttheyt
ell
ing
us?That’
sabadsign,r
ight…
DEVON:Shei
sgoi
ngt
obeok.
KAEDI
:Ican’
tlosePi
paman!Ij
ust
…Ican’
t.
DEVON:Andyouwon’
t
KAEDI:Youdon’tunder
standman.Thatgi rli
smy
anchortoever
ythi
ngthat’sgood!Wi t
houther… no!
Shehast obeok.Idon’
tknowhowt ol i
vewit
hout
herman… shedoesever ything… gi
vemear eason
togetup…man, sheevenpi cksmycl ot
hesforwork!
DEVON:
:Cal
m down,Pi
pawi
llbef
ine.
Anur
secal
ledKaedit
oadoct
or’
sof
fi
ce.
DR:MrsLedi
moi sawake,shei
sonepinephri
neto
cl
eart
heall
ergi
creacti
on.Doesshet
akesleeping
pi
ll
sormusclerel
axant
s?
KAEDI
:No,
shei
sbr
east
feedi
ng.
DR:Wef oundmel at
oninandsomest ati
nsi
nher
bl
oodstream, t
hemi xofthosetwoslowedher
neur
alreacti
ons,henceherfaintpul
sewhenshe
wasfound.Shewasl uckyyouf oundherwhenyou
di
d.
KAEDI
:CanIseeher
?
DR:Yes,butbr
iefl
y,sheneedsr
est,
butshecango
homeinthemor ni
ng.Thenurseatr
ecepti
onwil
l
show youtoherroom.
Hecameoutandcal
ledLol
oandDevon.
Theywentt
oherroom,wit
hDevonandLoapi
hangi
ngbackandKaedir
ushedi
nwhenhesawher
.
Hesatonthechai
rnextt
oherbedandt
ookher
hand,
kissi
ngi
t.
KAEDI
:(emot
ional
ly)It
houghtIl
ostyou…
PILARA:(
weakl
ywithal
augh)Boy,
youai
ntget
ti
ng
ri
dofmesoeasily.
KAEDI:I
’
m gonnaki
llhi
m.Mygrandf
ather
under
esti
matesmewaitse.Het
ri
est
okillmywi
fe?
Fucki
ngcowardcomi
ngaft
erawoman!Nxl
a!I
’
m
gonnaenj
oychoki
ngthef
uckoutofhi
m.
PI
LARA:Becausethat’
ssogonnahel
panyone.You
si
tti
ghtandwestaythecour
se.
KAEDI:I
’m gonnamakewhoeverhi sli
tt
leer
rand
boyissuff
er .Whoeverdidthisisgonnabethefi
rst
tobi
tedown.Cowar dgr andfathermadesurehe
wasoutoft hehousewheni thappenedsohewould
l
ookclean.Sentsomeone.Pr obabl
yoneofthe
maids.
PILARA:Kaedidon’tyoudareharassthestaf
f .
Imaginei
fit
snott hem andyougoi nragingl
ikea
bullscar
ingthem.Wewi l
lfi
ndoutfir
st.Andhand
them tot
hepolice.Whereismychi l
d?
Lol
opushedt
hest
roll
erf
orwar
dandpi
ckedupKai
,
handi
nghimt
oPil
ara.
LOAPI
:He’
sbeensuchagoodboy.Theysai dthey
want
edtokeepyouforthenight
.IfEdiwant
sto
st
ayIcanwatchKaioverni
ght.
KAEDI
:Thanks,
buthe’
l
lst
ayr
ighther
ewi
thus.
LOAPI
:Ij
ust
…
KAEDI:NooffenceLolo,butIdon’
ttr
ustanyone
wit
hmyf ami
lyri
ghtnow.Ijustalmostl
ostmywi f
e
andeveryoneinthathouseisasuspect.
PI
LARA:Kaedi
!That
’sof
fensi
ve.Apol
ogi
set
oher
.
KAEDI:Iam apol
ogi
singf
ornot
hing,
shei
sa
suspectt
oo.
LOAPI
:Ij
o,sor
ryr
ra.NnaIwasj
ustt
ryi
ngt
ohel
p.
PILARA:Iapol
ogi
sef
orhi
m,hei
spar
anoi
dri
ght
now.
LOAPI:Iconsi
deryoual i
tt
lesi
ster
,Pipa.I
fIwant
ed
toki
llyou,wouldn’
tIhavedoneitwhenyoufir
st
came, bef
oreyoumar r
iedmyman?Mxi m…
PILARA:I
gnorehi
m.Mypeanutall
ergyi
swidel
y
knowninthehouse,
itcoul
dbeanyone,
soheisjust
worri
ed.
LOAPI
:(sobbi
ng)Ijustdon’
tunder
standhowwegot
her
eEdi.Youaccusingmeoftryi
ngtokil
lyourwi
fe?
Me?Me?
KAEDI
:Iti
swhati
tis.Myownmot
heri
sasuspect
,
andever yoneisgonnahavetoprovebeyond
reasonabledoubtsthati
twasn’
tthem, orheadsar
e
gonnar oll
.Youwerehomewhenal lt
hiswentdown,
ri
ghtacr ossfr
om ourroom,so,
startdefendi
ng
yoursel
f.
PI
LARA:Kaedi
!St
op,
damni
t!I
’
m sor
ryLol
o.
LOAPI:(
sobbi
ng)Ibetterleavebef
oreItrytokillyou
agai
nmmaPi pa.Getwellsoon.Ij
ustcan’tbel
ieveit
al
lcamet ot
his,Edi
!
Shewentof
fhuf
fi
ng.
*
***
***
*
ThenextdayPi
lar
awasr
eleasedhome.
Kaedicar
ri
edKaiast
heywal
kedupst
air
s.
KAEDI:I
’m st
il
lnotcomfor
tabl
ebri
ngi
ngyouback
her
e.Letmet akeyouandKaitoahot
el.
PILARA:Runni
ngjustshowsLedi
mot
hather
att
led
us.Wear est
ayingri
ghther
e.
KAEDI:Don’
texpectmetobeleni
entwhenIcat
ch
whoeverwasLedimo’spawn.
PILARA:Wear
ebetterthanLedimo,
babe.Wedon’
t
ki
ll.Whenwef
indout,wejusthandthem t
othe
police.
KAEDI
:Ah,
love.Ienvyyouri
nnocence.
*
***
***
***
*
Loapiwalkedint
hegar
denwhereLedimosatina
rocki
ngchair,
smoki
ngacigar
ett
e.Theyspokein
hushedtones.
LEDIMO:Youf ai
led.AndnowKaediispissed.You
don’twantKaedipissed,
trustme.Doyouknowhow
vi
ciousthatboyis?
LOAPI:Ohrelax.Shewil
lbehandl
edsoon.Sost
art
draf
ti
ngmyt r
ansferofshar
esbecausei
t’
sgonna
bedonepront
o.
LEDIMO:That
’swher
eyouarewrong,
love.Youar
e
notget
ti
nganymoreshar
es.Andyouwillst
il
ldoi
t.
LOAPI
:Ol
dman,
youcan’
t….
LEDIMO:Ihavethi
swhol einteracti
onr ecor
ded.I
cal
ledyououtheredel
iberately,knowingacamer a
wasplacedonthatbi
gmokobat ree.Unlessyou
wantKaedif
indi
ngoutitwasyou,
getri
dofthat
t
horninmyside,andgeti
tdonesoon.Under
stand?
Shi
t.
Di
dshej
ustgetpl
ayed?
OhGod… Kaedicoul
dneverf
indout
!
*
***
***
**
Saronacover
edhermout hwit
hherhandsinpani
c.
Shehadbeenmedi tat
ingi
nthegar
denquietl
yand
caughtaconversat
ionshewassur
eshewasnot
supposedtohear.
OhmyGod!
I
twasLoapi
?
Shet
ri
edt
oki
llPi
pa?OhmyGod,
why?
Shequi
etl
ysnuckofft
oherbedr
oom andpaced
ar
oundnervousl
y.
IfshetoldKy,t
henhewi l
lki
llLol
oandgot ojailand
shedidn’twantKygoi
ngtojail
,butwhatthehell!
Loloactual
lytr
iedt
okil
lPil
ara?Whatifshewas
next?OhGod!Shesover ymuchcouldbenext .She
neededtotel
lKy.No,
sheshouldn’
t.Kyhadachi
ld
torai
se,noti
metobel
ockedup.Sheshoul
dhandl
e
thi
shersel
f.
Handlethi
show,exactl
y?Shedi
dn’
tknowhowt
o
dealwit
hthingsl
iket
his.
Shetwiddl
edherhandstr
yingt othi
nkli
keherf
ather.
Whatwouldhedo?Orhersi ster
… Hersist
erwould
knowwhatt odo.God,
whatt hehellwasshe
supposedtodonow?
Maybesheshouldjustpackupandrun.Gobackto
herfat
her’
spl
ace.Orgot oBal
i.Bal
ial
waysbrought
herpeace.
God,
shecoul
dn’tr
unwhensheknewsomeone’
s
l
if
ewasindanger,
thatwasahor
ri
blet
hingt
odo.
Whatwast
her
ightt
hingt
odot
hen?
Whywasshetheonewi
thoutt
heschemi
ngmi
nd!
Thi
swassobad!
*
***
***
***
**
I
ntheeveni
ngLol
ocamet
ocheckonPi
lar
a.
LOAPI
:Howar
eyourdoi
ng?
PILARA:Scared…someonetri
edtoki
llmeLol
o!I
haveababy!Howr ut
hlesscanpeopl
ebe,t
otr
ytake
amot herf
rom ani
nnocentbaby.
LOAPII
’
m sosor
ryhun.
PI
LARA:Iknowi
t’
sLedi
mo,
Ijustdon’
tunder
stand
why.
LOAPI :Ihear
dhim onthephonetalki
ngtosomeone
sayingyouruncleTholoi
scontesti
nghim bei
ng
regentmaybei thastodowiththat
.
PILARA:Youknow, myf athermeantwel lleavi
ng
mysonaschi efbuti sitwor thitwheni tbr i
ngsso
muchpr obl ems?Iam wor ri
ednextt heywi llt
ryt o
hurtKai.Iam wor ri
edKaediwi l
lkillLedimoandgo
tojail
.Iam suchaner vouswr eck.It rytobest rong,
butI’mlosingmymi nd!I’m scaredf ormychi l
d, I
’m
scaredformysel f
,myhusband!I twassodumb
tr
yingtot akeonLedi mo.Ishoul dj ustacceptt hat
peoplelikehi m al
wayswi n.Godi sj usti
ce,andone
dayLedi mowi l
lhavet oanswerf orhiscr i
mes.The
vengeancei snotwor thit.NotwhenIst andt ol ose
mor epeople.Iwi l
ltalktomyuncl estost opandl et
hi
m havet
hechi
eft
aincy.I
t’
snotwor
thi
t.
LOAPI
:(huggi
ngher
)I’
m sosor
rybabe.I
’
m her
efor
youi
fyouneedanyt
hing.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Kaedi’
sbrot
herWetshowal
kedi
nthehouseand
knockedonKaedi
’
sdoor.
Kaediopenedandt
heyf
istpumped.
KAEDI:Manman!Sup’.Iwoul
dhavecomet opick
youupf rom t
heai
rpor
t.How’
dyougether
ef r
om
Franci
stown?
WETSHO:Sawoneofourt
rucksandhoppedar
ide.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Wenaol
ekont
rakakana.What
’s
doi
ng?
WETSHO:Mehsameshi t
,newday.Whyt
hef
uck
di
dyoubri
ngherbackher
e,man!
PI
LARA:(
from i
nsi
de)HeyWet
sho,
youcancomei
n.
Hewalkedi
nandhuggedPi
lar
a,t
heywentovert
o
Kaiandpi
ckedhi
m up.
WETSHO:Ar
eyouok?Bot
hofyou?
PI
LARA:I
’
m ok.Pout
yovert
her
eisst
il
linamood.
KAEDI:Shedoesn’tli
sten.Ihaveahouse,thatoneI
boughtthesamet i
meDevboughthi s.Iwant edto
takeherthere,
Ital
kedtohercousin,
shesai dshe
wasonl eave,r
eadytocomehel punti
lIfounda
maid,butPil
araishotheaded.
PILARA:I’
m notl
ett
ingLedi
mogett
hesat
isf
act
ion
thathescaredme.
KAEDI:Wel
l,Pi
pa!I’
m scared,
ok?Iam!I’
mfucki
ng
t
err
if
iedbecauseifanyt
hinghappenst
oyouand
Kai
…
PI
LARA:Wewi
llbemor
ecar
efult
hist
ime.
WETSHO:Youbetter
,becauset
hislooneywi
lll
osei
t
i
fanythi
nghappenstoyoutwo.Edicanwehavea
chatout
side?
KAEDI
:It
’scool
,Pi
pa’
sinoni
tal
l,
youcansayi
t.
WETSHO:Imayhaveawayoft ri
cki
ngLedi
moi nt
o
si
gni
ngoverthecompanytous.Thenyoucando
whatthebast
arddeser
ves.
KAEDI
:Ok,
tal
k?
WTSHO:Iknowpeopl ewhohaveai nt
erestinhim,
i
ncludingbutnotl i
mitedtotheDCEC.Icant hrow
them scrapsthatwon’ timpli
catet hecompany, then
Iwil
lconvi ncehi mthathewi l
lloseever yt
hing
becauset hosepeopl ehaveal otonhi m.Tel lhim
thebestwayhecandoi snothavet heshar eson
hisnameornkoko’ s.Tempor arytransfertoyou.Of
courseitwon’ tbe.Becauseoncei t’
sdoneyoudo
whatneedsbedone.Thenwewi llhandlethe
bastardsthatt ookoutdad.
KAEDI
:(smi
li
ng)That
’swhyyouar
etheDr
.
WETSHO:Gi
vemeatl
eastayeart
owor
koni
t.
KAEDI
:Ayear
?Whatt
hehel
l
?
WETSHO:Yout hinkheisjustgoi
ngtotakemywor d
f
orit?Igott
agatherprooftomakehim bel
ieve.I
t
wil
ltaketi
me,butthi
sisthesuref
ireway.
*
***
***
***
***
**
Saronawal kedinhersister
’soffi
ceshaking.Her
sisterwasthemast er
mi nd,evenwor set
hanthe
twins.Sheusedt orunherbusi nessapartf
rom t
he
fami l
y,butnowshewasmer gi
ng, i
nbidt
o
over t
hrowherbrotherandtakeoverascompany
CEOf r
om thei
rfat
her.
SI
STER:Awww,
babydol
l,
areyouok?
Shestooduptogi
veherahug,andSar
onaj
ust
cr
iedonherchest
.
SISTER:Whohur
tmpopiwameandwher
edoIf
ind
them?
SARONA:Iam soscar
edsi
s.Idon’
tknowwhatt
o
do!Thesepeopl
ear
emessedup!
SI
STER:Whatpeopl
e?
SARONA:Ican’
ttel
lyou,
butIneedhel
p,Idon’
t
knowwhattodo.
SISTER:Sassy,howwi
llIf
ixi
tfoeyouwhenIdon’
t
knowwhati ti
s?
SARONA:(
deepi
nhal
e)Ok,
let
’ssayt
her
eist
hisguy
A,andhehashi sgrandsonB, andgr andsonhas
thesetwowomen, hiswi feCandhi sl overD.NowA
andDar etr
yi ngtoki l
lC.Andsay, someoneE, f
inds
out.Butshei swor ri
edi fshetellsB,hei sgonnafli
p
andkillsomepeopl e,andEr eallydoesn’twantB
goingtoj ai
l.AlsoifEt el
ls,Cshewi lljusttel
lBand
wear ebackt opr eviouspoint.So,nowwhatdoI
do…Imean, whatdoesEdo?
SISTER:Hmm,inter
esti
ng.Def
ini
tel
ydon’
ttel
lKaedi
,
thatmaniacwi
llgopostal
.
SARONA:Kaedi
?Idi
dn’
tsayi
twas…
SISTER:Sweetie,youarenotthemostsubtle.Tel
l
Loloyouknow, andifanyt
hinghappenst oKaedi’
s
wife,youwil
lexposeher.Alsoletherknowthatif
anythingel
sehappenst oyou,therewil
lbehellt
o
pay.Ifsheevenupsetsyou, t
ellt
hatbit
chshewi l
l
havemet oface.Whydon’ tyoujustcomehome,
Sarona?
SARONA:Youknowwhy.
SISTER:Comeon,
youcan’
tsul
katourpar
ent
s
forever
.
SARONA:Iam notsulkingBose,Iam hur
t!Ok!Why
doesanybodynotgetthat?Anyway,t
hanks.Ihave
togo.
Shewal
kedoffandsati
nt hecarcr
yingf
oragood
thi
rt
ymi
nutesbefor
edri
vingoff.
*
***
***
***
**
Kaedigotdr
essedasPi
lar
alai
dinbedwi
thKai
.
KAEDI :I
’m notkiddi
ngPipa,youarenottoeat
anythi
ngpr eparedinthi
shouse.Ital
kedtothi
sgir
l
whoi sstart
ingthismealprepservi
ce.Shewill
del
iverittoonlyyoupersonall
y.Youdon’teat
anythi
ngi nthi
shouse.
PI
LARA:(
smi
li
ng)Si
r,yes,
sir
!
KAEDI:Don’
ttellanyoneaboutwhatwet
alked
aboutwit
hWet sho.NotevenLoapi.
PILARA:If
eell
ikeifwear
ehonestwi
thhershe
couldbeanasset,
sheisi
nLedi
mo’sthi
ngs.
KAEDI:Idon’
tknowifwecantrusther.Lol
oissel
f
servi
ngandshewi l
lal
waysgowi t
hasi deshehas
themosttowin.Justkeepi
tundertheli
dfornow,
pl
ease?
PI
LARA:Ok.
KAEDI
:Al
ri
ght
.Got
taheadout
.Loveyou.
Pi
lar
acameoverandf
ixedhi
sti
eandcol
lar
.
PI
LARA:I’
m soproudofyou.Youar
edoi
ngsowel
l
asCEO.Betnooneexpectedi
t!
KAEDI
:(bl
ushi
ng)Mi
ssP,
youar
emaki
ngmebl
ush.
PI
LARA:Her
eissomet
hingt
hat
’l
lreal
lymakeyou
bl
ush.
Shewhi
sper
edi
nhi
searandKaedil
aughed.
KAEDI
:Shi
t…doIr
eal
lyneedt
ogot
owor
k?
Hesai
dasheki
ssedher
,ni
bbl
ingherl
ip.
*
***
***
***
*
Lol
osatinheroff
iceworki
ngwhenr
ecept
ioncal
led
aboutherhavi
ngavisi
tor.
Sheaskedt
hem tol
etherup,
wonder
ingwhat
Sar
onawanted.
Sar
onawal
kedi
nandsatdown,
looki
ngvi
sibl
y
shaken.
LOAPI
:Okbi
mbo,
Idon’
thavet
het
ime.Thef
uckdo
youwant
?
SARONA:Youcan’
tki
llPi
lar
a!
LOAPI
:Whatmakesyout
hinkIwantt
oki
llt
hebi
tch?
SARONA:Iknowi
twasyou.Iknowyout
ri
edt
oki
ll
herandyouar
egoi
ngtotr
yagain.
LOAPI
:Ar
eyout
hatbor
ed?
SARONA:I…Ihaveproof
.Irecordedyoudoi
ngit
.If
anyt
hinghappenst
oher,Iwil
lshowKaedithevi
deo.
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)Youar
elyi
ng.
SARONA:Oh?Am I
?Sot
henI
’
llj
ustgoseeKy…
LOAPI
:Wai
t,wai
t!Sassypl
ease…Ledi
moisfor
cing
metodoi
t,hei
sblackmail
ingme.(
sobbi
ng)
SARONA:Savet hecr ocodi
let
ears.Idon’
tcare.
Don’tkil
lanotherperson,youhavenor i
ghttoher
l
ife.Andifyouthinkyoucankillme?Ihavemade
sureKaediwil
lseei t
.
LOAPI
:Pl
ease,
Ilear
ntmyl
esson,Iwon’
ttr
yit
again,youhavetodest
royt
herecor
dingyouhave.
Kaediwi l
lki
llmeifhef
oundout
.I’
m beggi
ngyou,
Sarona!Please.
SARONA:Oh, soyoudoknowt hatmynamei snot
‘
bimbo’?Andyouar er i
ght,hewil
lkil
lyouifhefi
nds
out.ButIwon’tdestr
oyit.Iam notgreedyormean,I
wil
lneverblackmailyouwi t
hit
,I’
mj ustkeepi
ngitas
aninsurancepoli
cysoyoudon’ thurtPilar
a.Good
daynow.
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Lol
oshower edandlaughedhappi l
ywhenshe
not
icesthedropofmi l
kfrom herbreast
.Fortwo
weeksshehadbeent akingthepil
lsshebought
whenshet houghtPi
larawouldbegone.Nowshe
act
uall
ygotmi l
k.
Shecl
appedherhandsexci
tedl
y.Shehada
meeti
ngwit
hLedimo,andthenshewastaki
ngt
he
dayof
ftospendt
hedaycar
ingf
orKai
.
Shefini
shedshower i
ngandgotready,t
henheaded
toLedimo’soffi
ce.Shewal
kedinnervousl
y.Whati
f
hedidn’tf
allf
orit.
Shecoul
dn’ttel
lhi
m aboutSassybecausethen
Ledi
mowilljustki
llt
hel
it
tl
emi t
eandt hent
hevideo
wil
lcomeoutandKaediwi l
lgoball
ist
ic.
LEDI
MO:I
t’
sst
il
lnotdone.
LOAPI :Becausethat’
snottherout
ewear etaking
anymor e.WeneedKaedit orunthecompany.Ican
onlydosomuch.Thatgi r
ldies?Kaedii
sgonnal ose
i
t.Andheal readyblamesyouf ort
hewhol eall
ergy
thing,sohewi l
lki
llyouandthatdri
verbodyguardof
your s.Youknowhewon’ tbeabletoprot
ectyou
from Kaedi .
LEDI
MO:Shei
sat
hor
nonmysi
de,
sheneedst
ogo
LOAPI:Notnecessari
ly.Li
keIsaid.Shegoes, you
l
oseKaedi.Whichmeansl osingWet shot oo.And
anysupportaschiefwithPil
ara’
suncl es,theylove
herver
ymuch.Thef ather
’syoungerbr otherwas
herearoganawant i
ngt ot
akehertot heirhouse
af
terhear
ingshegotpoi
sonedher
e.Hedeat
h
meanslosingal
ot.
LEDI
MO:So,
whatdowedo?
LOAPI:Iam ral
lyi
ngherbehi
ndyou.Iam al
ready
cl
osetogetti
nghertostopheruncl
esfrom
cont
estingyouaschief
.
LEDI
MO:Andyou?It
houghtyouwant
edKaediback?
LOAPI:(smi
li
ng)WhosaidI’
m notgonnat
akehim
back?Youknowthatwhol
ekeepyourenemies
cl
oser.
LEDI
MO:I
nter
est
ing.How?
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)Now,
whywoul
dIt
ellyou?
*
***
***
***
**
AsLol
owal
kedoutshemetWet
shoayt
hedoor
.
Whenshecamet otheLedi
mohouse, shewas
si
xteen,sameageasWet sho,
Kaediwasseventeen.
BoththeLedimoboyshadhadamadcr ushonher,
butofcourseshefellf
ort
heoldercharming,
ext
rovertedKaedi
.
NotthatWetshowasanyl esschar mi
ngor
handsome.Hewasj ustt het ypeofguyt oseatback
andlethisbrothershine.Wher eKaediwast helife
oftheparty,
Wet showast hathotguysi tt
ingatt he
baronhisownnur si
ngadr inkashotgi rl
sdr ool
ed
overhim whilehefeignedobl i
vion.Whycoul dn’
t
shehavef al
lenforthisone, shesur el
ywoul dn’t
haveallt
hisnonsensepol yamor yshi
ttodealwi th.
Butherhear
twant
edKaedi
,whatel
secoul
dshedo.
Di
dn’
tmeanshecoul
dn’
tuseWet
shot
omakeKaedi
j
eal
ous.
LOAPI
:Wet
sho!I
t’
ssoni
cet
ohaveyouhome.
WETSHO:(l
aughi
ng)Don’
tgetusedt
oit
,Iam onl
y
al
mostdonewit
hmydoctorat
e.
LOAPI:God,Ienvyyousomuch!Iwi shIwas
almostdonewithmine.Butworkkeepscomingand
Ikeeppostponi
ng.Whenar eyoucomingtowork
withus.
WETSHO:Ineedt
ofinishmydoct
orat
eandsome
t
hingst
oir
onoutfi
rst.Ist
heol
dmanin?
LOAPI:Yup.Iwasj
ust
,youknow.Updat
inghi
m on
work.
WETSHO:Sur
e.
Heknockedandwal
kedi
nasLoapiwentaway.
WETSHO:Mdal
a!
LEDI
MO:(
laughi
ng)Mdal
akent
atamogol
oago!
WETSHO:(l
aughi
ng)Gapewenayouar
est
il
lyoung,
pul
li
ngsl
ayqueensandshi
t.
LEDIMO:(laughi
ng)Gaonamai tseokgwathe
kweena.Beside.Igot
takeeptheol dmachine
runni
ng.Itkeepsmeyoung, Icanstil
lputaladyon
posit
ions…
WETSHOEwwww!I ’
m gonnagot hr
owup!Eish,
old
man.Thi
sisnotasoci
alvi
sit
.I’
m worr
ied.
LEDIMO:Ifi
t’
saboutyourbr
other,
tel
lKaedit
ost
op
sul
king,
Ididnott
rytokil
lhi
swife.
WETSHO:Hehasever yr
ightt
obeworri
ed.Ourdad
waskil
led,nowanattemptonhiswi
fe?Anyway,i
t’
s
notaboutthat
.Yournamecameupincircl
esit
shoul
dn’tbe.
Ledi
mosatup
LEDI
MO:Huh?
WETSHO:Iknowapersonwhoknowsaperson
whogavemeat i
pthatt
heDCECislooki
ngi
ntoyou.
LEDIMO:Mxi
m,her
eIthoughtobuasengwe.They
havebeenl
ooki
ngi
ntomef or
ever
…
WETSHO:Butit
’snotj
ustt
hem.Ihavenot
hingsol
id
yet
,butgi
vemet i
metofi
ndout.Fornow,
justst
ay
l
ow,ok?Unti
lIhavemorei
nfo.
LEDI
MO:Okay.
*
***
***
***
*
Pil
arast
oodoverherson’scot
.Whatwasgoingto
happen,
wil
lLedi
mocont inuet
ryi
ngtokil
lher
?Wi l
l
hestopi
fshetel
lshim hehashersuppor
tasking?
Allshewant
edwasherfamil
ytobesaf e.Kaediwas
suchahotheadandconfr
ontat
ional.Sheknewhis
uncleswer
eplot
ti
ngagai
nsthim alr
eady.God,she
didn’
twantt
obeawidowattwent yfour.
Howwasshesupposedt opr
otectherf
ami
lywhen
shef
eltsopower
less.Shesi
ghedandgoti
nsi
deher
walkincloset
,chuckl
ingabi
trememberinghowshe
usedtolaughhearingwomensuggestother
sto
watchWarr oom andprayf
orthei
rfami
ly.
Butshewasabeliever
,andsheknewf
orcer
tai
n
thatpr
ayerwor
ked.
Whenwast
hel
astt
imeshepr
ayedeven?
Waybef oreshewasr opedintomarr
yingKaedi.And
notprayingbecameahabi tsomucht hatshefai
led
toprai
seGodevenwhenher sandKaedi’
s
rel
ati
onshipblossomed.Thenshewaspr egnant
andpreoccupiedwiththat
,thenshewasanew
mom…
Lor
d!Nowonderthingswer
ethi
ssidewaysf
orthem.
Hermotherhadal
wayswarnedherofnotmaki
ng
Godthecentr
eofher.
Butshecouldn’
tfi
ndhermojot opray.Wherewas
Godwhent heyneededhertr
eatmentf orhermom?
WhenLedimowasmani pulati
ngher ,
orwhenhe
ki
ll
edherparents?Wherei
sGodr ightnowwhen
Ledi
mothreatensherl
if
eandhasherhusband
tr
apped?
Shelai
dinbedget
ti
ngf
lashesoft
hescenef
rom a
fewdaysback.
Someonewal
kingpastherandwal
kingt
othei
r
bed…orwasi
tKai’
scot?
Shehadnotseent
hem,
justt
hef
eet
,andt
henshe
passedout
.
Ther
ewasaknockandshewentt
oopenf
orLoapi
st
andingt
her
e.
LOAPI
:Heyhun,
youl
ookdown.
PILARA:( si
ghi
ng)Ij
ust…Idon’tknow, Ithi
nkallthat
hashappenedt omei nt
hepastyear, mymom
getti
ngcancer,Ledi
mo…mypar ent
sdyi ngatthe
samet i
me…youknow.IthinkIhavelostmyf aith.
JustnowIwant edtopray,
butIcan’t.Ifeel
ri
diculous.
Loapi
cameoverandhuggedher
.
LOAPI:Idon’tpraymyself
,soIam thelastper
son
togi
vegoodadvi ceoni
t,butIunderst
andwhere
youarecomi ngfrom.Ihavehadal otofshi
thappen
tome,butlosingmywombwast helastst
rawon
myGodf
ront
.Al
lIeverwant
edwast
obeamot
her
.
PI
LARA:Youevert
houghtofadopt
ing?
LOAPI :Heimma.Icasual lyaskedabouti t.Iwant
thenewbor nexper i
ence, andnew- bor nsar enot
alwaysavai lablef oradopt i
on.Andt hepr ocessis
dif
ficultandt edious.Youdon’ tjustwal kinandsayI
wantt hatoneandt heygiveyou.I t
’smont hsof
screeningyourf inancial,ment alstate,suppor t
system…whi chIget ,youknow, forthebaby’ swel
l
beingsot hatchi ldrendon’ tendupwi thpaedophi les
orlunat i
cs.Butt hewayt heladysai di t,
itsounded
l
ikei t
’sstrai
ni ng.Andofcour senew- bornsnot
alwayst here.Ihavedonebadi nmyl if
eandIf eel
l
ikeGodi spuni shingme…
PILARA:Don’tsaythat,
haven’twealldonewr
ong?
Godisallaboutfor
giveness,andIknowGodwi l
l
gi
veyouachi ldsomehow.Hedi dnotputthat
desir
einyourheartfornothi
ng.
LOAPI
:Anyway,
ifyouwannar
est,
Icant
akeKaif
or
afewhour
s.We’llj
ustbei
nmyroom.
PI
LARA:Sur
e,l
etmegethi
sdi
aper
sandmi
lk.
Shepr
eparedabagforKaiandthenLoapipi
cked
hi
m upandtookhi
mt oherroom.
God!Di
dPi
lar
areal
l
yhavet
odr
esshi
m sopl
ainl
y!
Shet ookoutamatchingori
ginalBurber
ryoutf
itand
dressedhim,weari
ngaBur berrydr
essthat
mat chedhi
soutfi
t,t
hentookhim onast r
ollonthe
garden.God,t
hismadeherf eelsohappy.
Feelsowhol
e.
Well
,untilshefoundawayt
ogetridofPi
lar
a,t
hey
woul
dj usthavetoshar
eKai
,thoughhavi
ngtogive
hi
m backever ydaywoul
dbehard.
Aft
erastr
oll
,shewentbackupst
air
stoherroom,
l
ockingt
hedoorandsatonthechairr
ocki
nghim.
Whenhest
art
edcr
yingshest
art
edbr
east
feedi
ng
hi
m.
She’
dreadever
ythi
ngther
ewast oreadonit.How
tol
atchhi
m cor
rect
ly,
thecor
recthold!Ever
ythi
ng.
Shehummedal ull
abyforhi
m asshebreastf
eed,
smil
ingathi
sli
tt
lefaceashepeacef
ull
yfellasl
eep.
*
***
***
**
Anhourl
aterPi
lar
aknockedont
hedoor
.
PI
LARA:Kooko!Yougut
swannagof
orawal
k?
LOAPI:Sur
e.Shequi
ckl
ychangedt
oleggi
ngsanda
shi
rtandcameout.
PILARA:(
looki
ngatKai
)Thaakaebi
lel
eaper
e
Burber
ry.
LOAPI:Ihopeyouar
enotangry!IsawitandIj
ust
coul
dn’thel
pmyself
!IhopeIdi
dn’tout
step
boundari
es.
PILARA:(l
aughing)Youthi
nkI’m gonnacomplai
n
aboutyoubuyinghim desi
gnerclothes?Gi
rl
,Iwear
asize36onpant sandamedi um ont opsi
fyouare
feel
inggener
ous.
LOAPI :(laughing)Mot hookai puelela.Hey,youare
wel comet omycl osetanyt
ime.Ihavebaj il
li
onof
thingsIneverwor e,I’
mlonelyaker e,Ishopal lt
he
ti
me.GapennaIwon’ tbeshyaboutr ai
dingyour
closet, girl
,theletei
siyouwor elastweekendatyour
fri
end’sweddi ng!Ij
oo!Iwantthat.Andt henameof
yourt ailor.Wenammayouhaveal otof‘wif
e
mat erial’clothes,nnakanaIhar dlyhaveanyt hingto
weardur
ingt
radi
ti
onalf
ormalevent
s.
PI
LARA:( l
aughi
ng)Nnyaar
uri‘
wif
emat
eri
al
cl
othes’
.Il
ikebei
ngmodest.
LOAPI:Kaedili
kesittoo…Iseehowproudheisto
beholdingyourhandi npubl
icwi
thpeopl
elooki
ng
atyou,slayi
ngcovered.
PI
LARA:( smi
li
ng)Hedoes,doesn’
the.Youknow
what,Ihaddoubt
saboutyou,butact
uall
y,wecoul
d
befr
iends.
LOAPI
:Iknow,
right
.Wedogetal
ong.
God,shewassuchahoodactress,
Loapit
hought
!If
shedidn’
tknowPil
arapl
annedonusingher
,she
woul
dt hi
nkPil
arawasgenui
ne.
Andthebitchwassogonnapay.Ki l
li
ngherwasn’
t
theonlywaytogetrevenge.Shewasgoingtosend
herri
ghtbacktothegutter
swithnot
hingtoher
name.Thewayshecame.
*
***
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Pil
arastoodinhercl
osetagai
n,t
hinki
ngofwhatt
he
youthadvisoratt
hei
rchurchhadsaidt
oher.
Justpr
ayeveni
fitf
eel
sof
f.Pr
ayunt
ili
tfeel
sri
ght
.
Shehadt akenKaitommaLedi moandmovedt he
smal lpart
iti
ontodivi
dethelargewalki ncloset
,
setti
ngi nthesmallcornerasherqui etplace.
Kaedihadal readyputintheshelfsheaskedhi mto
put,andshej ustputi
nt hefl
uffycarpetand
pil
lows, t
henanessent i
aloil
diffuser
.
Whenshewasdoneshesatonthef
loorandt
ri
ed
t
opray.I
tjustf
eltwei
rdt
oher
.
Ok,
maybet
rywr
it
ingpr
ayerr
equest
s.
‘
Lord,pr
otectmysonandhusbandf rom anyevil
set
thei
rway.Youar eoursour
ceofpeaceandr ef
uge
i
nawor ldthatshowsusevil.Wewil
lnotfear,
for
YouarewithusandYougobef or
eus.‘
Shepi
nnedi
ttoherboar
dandwr
oteanot
her
.
‘
Lord,helpmyhusbandinhisnewposit
ionasCEO.
Heavenlyfat
her
,awardhim adi
scer
ningspir
itt
o
knowwhohecant rust
’
Shepinnedi
ttooandwasaboutt
oleavewhenshe
satbackdownandwrot
eanother
.
‘
Lord,IaskonbehalfofmyfriendLoapi.Sheis
heart
brokenandlongsforachild.Sheisagood
womanwi t
hagoodhear t
.Nothingisimpossi
ble
wit
hyouLor d,soIprayt
hatifit
’syourwill
,make
heramot her’
Shepi
nnedi
ttoo,
thent
ookherphoneandstart
ed
pl
ayi
ngMattRedman’
s‘Hear
tofWorship’
,si
nging
al
ong.
I
'
m comi
ngbackt
othehear
tofwor
shi
p
Andi
t'
sal
laboutyou,
I
t'
sal
laboutyou,
Jesus
I
'
m sor
ry,
Lor
d,f
ort
het
hingI
'
vemadei
t
Wheni
t'
sal
laboutyou,
I
t'
sal
laboutyou,
Jesus
Shebrokedowncryi
ngasshethoughaboutal
lthe
thi
ngsthatl
eadt
oherlosi
ngherwalkwit
hGod.
*
***
***
***
Loapisati
nthehammockinthegar
denr
eadi
ngas
SaronadidPi
lat
esbyt
hefountai
n.
Shemi ssedast epfr
om ahandstandandt umbles
over
,fall
ingintosomeequipmentthelandscaper
l
eftbythef ountai
n,wit
hthemetalpi
ercingherthi
gh.
Sheyel
ledoutl
oudl
yasshebl
ed.
Lololookedovert
oher ,
seei
ngthebl
oodpool
ing
fast
,thenrol
ledhereyesandwentbackt
oherbook.
Yea,shecouldhavepier
cedafemor alartery
l
ookingatwher et
hepieci
ngwas, whichshecoul d
di
edf rom i
namannerofmi nut
es.Buti twasher
ownf aul
t,andser
vedtheli
tt
lebi
tchr i
ghtf ort
hat
l
it
tlestuntshepul
ledwit
hthewhol evideot hi
ng.
Also,minusoneofKaedi’
swhores,nowi twoul d
j
ustbePi l
arasheneedstogetawayf rom herman.
SARONA:(weakl
y)Lol
o,canyouatl
eastcal
l
someone…
Pi
lar
acameoutoft
hehouser
unni
ng.
PILARA:Ihear
dascream… ohmyGod,Sassy,ar
e
youok?OhGod!Weneedtost opt
hebl
eeding,
Lolo,
canyougettowel
s.
LOAPI
:Kant
eeneneadi
raeng?
PI
LARA:Doesi
tmat
ter
?Shei
sbl
eedi
ngout
…
Pi
lararanint
othekit
chenandcamebackwi
th
ki
tchentowels,
tyi
ngSarona’
swounds.
PI
LARA:Loapi
,shei
sgonnapassout!Canyouat
l
eastbr
ingt
hecarfr
om t
hegarage?
LOAPI:I
’m sosor
ryPipa,
IhaveaSkypeconf
erence
cal
lIneedtorunto.
PILARA:Loapithemmaplease.Getmycar.I
’m
begging.Ineedtoputpr
essureonthepunct
ure.
LOAPI
:(si
ghi
ng)Fi
ne!
Shedr
aggedherf
eetandwentt
ogetPi
lar
a’skeys.
Kaediwal
kedi
n.
KAEDI
:OhmyGod,
whathappened?
PI
LARA:Pl
easegetacar
,sheneedst
hehospi
tal
.
Kaedirantothegarageandpull
edthecarout,
parkingonfrontandranbackt
opickSaronaupand
putherinthecar,wit
hPil
arasi
tt
ingintheback
putti
ngpressureonherwoundasSar onatr
iedt
o
protest
.
Kaedipar
kedinfr
ontofthehospi
talandSar
ona
shri
ekedandbeggedtobeletdownandnotbe
broughti
ntot
hehospi
tal
.
Kaediapproachedt henur
sesandSar onawas
takeninshri
ekingandbeggingKaedinottoleave
heralone.Shekickedandfoughtt
henur ses.
Kaediwentoverandt
ookherhand,
gent
ly
car
essingi
t.
KAEDI
:Babydol
l,
weneedt
ogetyouhel
p,ok?You
l
ostal
otofbl
ood.
SARONA:(
cryi
ng)Kypl
ease,
takemeaway,
they’
l
l…
KAEDI
:(massaginghertemples)Babydol
l,
li
stento
myvoice… r
ememberwhatIt oldyouaboutanyone
whotr
iedtohurtyoueveragain?
SARONA:Thatyouwi
llr
ipt
hem apar
tli
mbt
oli
mb
wit
hyourbar
ehands.
KAEDI
:Damnr
ight
.Hey,
doyour
emembert
hatt
ime
i
nJava…
Kaediwalkedwi
tht
hem int
heoperat
ingr
oom,
massaginghert
empleandcal
mingherdown.
Event
ual
lyhecameback.
KAEDI:Theygaveherasedati
ve.Sheneedssi
xteen
st
it
chesandat et
anusshot.Theywil
lal
sogiveher
bl
oodandkeepherovernight.
PI
LARA:(
looki
ngdownsadl
y)Youl
oveher
.
KAEDI
:Ido.
PI
LARA:NowIgetit
.Ihavenodoubtt
hatyoulove
me.ButIcoul
dseei
t,youl
oveherj
ustasequall
y.
KAEDI
:I’
m sor
ry…Iwi
shIwasn’
tthatway.
PI
LARA:I
t’
sok.Don’
tapol
ogi
se.Lol
o?
KAEDI:Idon’
tknow.Ihaveal
waysbeli
evedIl
ove
her
.NowIwonderi fi
twasbecauseshetookmy
shi
t.OrbecauseshelovesmeandIfel
taneedto
r
eci
procat
e.Ofjustthatweweretoget
hersooft
en
t
hatpeopl
ejustthoughti
tshoul
dhavebeenlove?
PI
LARA:But
…
KAEDI:Don’tgetmewr ong,Il
oveher… butwi ll
l
osingherbeacat ast
rophe?No.Hel l
,itwil
lnot
evenbeupsetti
ngofrecentwor ki
ngwi thher,Iam
seei
ngthingsthatmakemequest ionifIreal
lyeven
knowherasmuchasIt hought
.
PILARA:TodayIsawsomet hingthatmademe
questi
onalotofthings.Sar
onawasbl eedi
ngout
andshewasr eading,unbot
hered,andref
usedt
o
help.
KAEDI :Iam notsurpri
sed.Iam l
ear
ningthatLolo
canbebr ut
al.Butthenagai
nsheisfr
iendswith
Atang, andthingsDevontol
dmeaboutt hatgi
rl
…
yea,neh.Yout hi
nkyouknowaperson.
PILARA:Ifyoudon’
tmindmeasking,
whydoes
Saronaseem ter
ri
fi
edofhospi
tal
s?
Kaedisi
ghedsadl
y.
KAEDI
:Shesuf
fer
edal
otofmedi
calchi
ldabuse…
shedownr ighthat
esmedicaldoct
orsandnur
ses.
Hencealltheherbalmedi
cineandchakr
asand
whateverSassyisint
o.
PI
LARA:Whati
smedi
cal
chi
l
dabuse?
KAEDI:Hermotherwasadoct or.Justar
oundt he
ti
meSassywasbor n,hef atherwantedtoleave,r
un
offwit
hayoungergi r
l.Butt heirnewbornhad
j
aundice,sohedecidedt ost ayunti
lthebabywas
bett
er.Hermotherdidnotl etthebabygetbet t
er
unti
lsheranawayatf if
teen.
PI
LARA:What
?
KAEDI :Sheconvi ncedeveryoneSar onahadahost
ofdi seasesthroughoutherchi ldhood.Lung
i
nf ection,r
espirator yi
ssues,di
gest ivetracti
ssues,
cellact i
vat
iondi sorder,andevent uall
ylymphoma.
Shewasanexper i
encedGP, sheknewhowt o
mani pulatethingst omakei tbelievable.Soher
husbandst ayed.AndSassybel ievedshewassi ck.
Shewasn’ tgetti
nganybet t
er,soshest arted
readingaboutal ternat
ivemedicine.Shesuggest ed
i
ttohermom whosai dno,soSassyr anawayt otr
y
andf indi tforherself.WhenImether ,shewast his
weakl ingwhowasal one, border i
ngaf l
ighttoBal i
withst olenmoney.Iwasheadedt oMacao, butI
changeddest i
nationsandwentwi thherbecause
sheliedt omeandt dmeshewasanor phanand
hadbeensavi ngdonat i
ons.Herf i
ghtingspi ri
tmade
mewantt ohel pher .Itookhert othe‘ heali
ng
resort’shewasgoi ngt oinBal i
,andhungar oundi n
ahot el.Wi t
hinamont hshewasbet ter,andi nthree
mont hsshewasasheal thyascanbe.Wet ookher
toahospi talandsur prise,shedi dn’thaveanyof
those..Consi deri
ngsomecondi ti
onsshewas
supposedt ohavear egenet ic,therewasnoway
theyhaddi sappear ed.It oldhermyt heor ythather
mom hadbeenmaki nghersi ck.Wecamebackt o
Botswanaandsheconf ront edher .Fi rstshedeni ed
i
t,butaf terSassyt hreatenedt orepor ther,she
brokedownandconf essest hatitwasf ir
sttheonl y
waysheknewhowt okeepherhusband.Andt hen
otherki dslefthomeast heygr ew, Saronai sal ast
born,sohermot herwant edt ohol dont oherf orever.
PI
LARA:Joh!Al
lthatf
oraman!Toyourownchi
ld!
*
***
***
***
*
ThenextdayPi
lar
acamet
ocheckonSar
ona.
NURSE:Shei
sstil
lsedat
ed.Wehadtodoanot
her
t
ransf
usi
onbecauseanytimeshei
sawakeshe
t
ri
estori
pofft
heIVandr un.
Pil
arawenti
nandcheckedonher
.Shesl
eptso
peacef
ull
y.
Asshewasaboutt
owal
kputshebumpedint
oatall
,
dar
kski
nnedmanwhocaughtherandst
eadi
edher
.
HIM:
Oh,sorr
y.Wasn’
tlooki
ngwher eIwasgoi
ng.
Youmustbeoneofmysi st
er’
sfr
iends.
PI
LARA:Youar
eSar
ona’
sbr
other
?
Hewaslooki
ngheroverf
rom headt
otoeandt
hen
agai
n.
PI
LARA:St
ari
ngi
srude.
HIM:(smili
ng)Andshei sfei
stytoo.Damn.Pardon
me,Icouldn’thelpbutst
are.
.Youar equi
etbr
eath-
t
aking.I
’m Mbi ganyi
… youare?
PI
LARA:Mar
ri
ed.
Shesai
dfl
ashi
ngherr
ingi
nfr
ontofhi
m.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Pi
larasatonthebedf
oldi
ngKai
’
scl
otheswhen
Kaediwalkedi
n.
PI
LARA:Eveni
ngr
ragoKai
.
KAEDI:Whatwereyoudoi
ngdoingwi
thMbakior
Mbiganyiorwhoevert
hef
uck?
PI
LARA:Mbi
ganyi
.Wehadl
unch.
KAEDI
:Why?
PI
LARA:Hunger
…
KAEDI
:Don’
tfuckwit
hmePi
lar
a.Whatwer
eyou
doi
ngwit
hthatbast
ard?
PILARA:Kaedi
,whatcouldwedoi nthemiddl
eofa
rest
aurant
?Imethim atthehospi
talwhil
echecki
ng
onyourmistr
ess,
andi tt
urnedoutIorder
ed
fur
nit
urefr
om histwinbrother
,wherehegotmy
phonenumberandof fi
ceaddressandshowedup.
Thenheshowedupatt herest
aurantIwashavi
ng
l
unchat,purecoi
ncidence.Heaskedifhecouldsi
t
andIsaidyes.
KAEDI
:St
ayt
hehel
lawayf
rom hi
m.
PILARA(l
aughi
ng)Wai t
sekana!Ican’
tbelieveyou
aremadaboutmesi t
ti
ngdownhavi nglunchwi t
h
someoneImetont herest
aurant,
notcamewi th,
whilewel
ivewi
thtwoofyourgirl
fri
ends.
KAEDI:Sot
hisiswhatyouwer
erushi
ngbackt
o
workabout
,leavi
ngatwomonthol
dbaby.
PI
LARA:Excuseyou?
KAEDI:Evenpeopl ewhohaveconventi
onaljobs
takeatleastthreemonths.Wenayouarerushing
outatthefirstchanceyougot,
justt
ogohavel unch
withtr
ash.Epi cmove.
PILARA:Kaedi
,don’
tyouwantmet
owor
k?You
agreed.
KAEDI
:Isai
datl
eastatsi
xmont
hs,
butdoyouever
l
ist
entome?Nope.I
’vehadal ongday,Iwannar
est.
Justst
ayawayfr
om thatman.I’
m gonnagocheck
onSassy,
shecamehomet hisaft
ernoon.
Shesighedandr emindedhersel
fnottof
eelj
eal
ous.
Shechoset his.Shechosetokeeplovi
ngaman
capableoflovingmor et
hanonewoman.Soshe
shouldaccepti t
.Aslongastherewerenomore,
j
ustSassy.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Inthemor ni
ngPilaraknockedonLedi
mo’ sst
udy
wit
hat rayofbreakfast
.Usuall
ythehelper
sbrought
i
ntheol dman’sbr eakf
astashecheckedon
updatesofhisestateseverymorni
ng.
TodayPil
arahadt
oldt
hem shewoul
dmake
breakf
astf
orhim.
Shepushedthedoori
penandwal
kedi
n,pl
aci
ngt
he
tr
ayonthetabl
e.
PI
LARA:Dumelang.It
houghtIshoul
dmake
br
eakf
astt
oday.
Shet
ookt
hebasi
nandt
hewar
m wat
erandwashed
hi
shands.
LEDI
MO:Ohwow!Mapaki wa?Andthesel
ookf
ir
e
made,nott
heseovennonsense.
PILARA:Mma- Ledimotol
dmeyoulikefi
rebaked
ones.Ifoundathreel
eggedpotandboughtsome
coals.
LEDI
MO:(
eat
ing)What
everyouwantmustbebi
g.
PI
LARA:(l
aughi
ng)Ao,Ican’
tmakemygrandpai
n
l
awtea?ButIdoneedawor di
fyouhavet
ime?
LEDIMO:I fit
saboutyourhusband‘ cheat i
ng’,deal
withit,
heisaman, hehasur gest hatjustone
womancanneversat i
sfy.Iwil
lnoti nt
erferewi tht
he
bickeri
ngbetweenyouandyouryoursi ster
sal so.
Thel i
tt
leoneseemspeacef ul,butyouandLol o!My
grandsonwi l
lhavehishandsf ull
.Butit’shisfault
forfai
li
ngt oteachyoual lyourplace,mywi ves
knewt heywer esist
ers,andtheybehaved
themselveswel l
Shewant
edt
orol
lhereyes.
PI
LARA:I
fitwasj
ustbi
cker
ingI
’
dhandl
eit
.Butnna
Ithoughtyouwant edtobechi ef
,Idi
susedmy
unclesfr
om protesti
ng,butwhatwast hepoint
becausenowi t
’sallrui
ned,theyareevental
king
aboutpostponi
ngyouri nstal
lati
onasregent
.
LEDI
MO:What
?Whathappened?
PILARA:Apparentl
ytheyweret
oldmymarri
ageisa
sham j
ustdonef ormoney,
andthatImaynoteven
bemyf at
her’
schi l
d.
LEDI
MO:Wher
ewoul
d… Loapi
.Nxl
a!
PILARA:(l
ookingdownsadl
y)Ij
ustf
oundandlost
myf at
her,andnowtohavehi
m bei
ngmyfather
questi
oned…
LEDI
MO:Don’tworr
y.Loapiwi
llf
ixt
hemessshe
made.Cal
lheri
nformeplease.
Shewal
kedt
oLoapi
’
sroom andknocked.
LOAPI
:Heygi
rl
,wassup?
PILARA:I
’
m good.Gat
wet
heol
dmani
slooki
ngf
or
you.
*
***
***
***
*
Loapi
wal
kedi
ntoLedi
mo’
sof
fi
ce.
LOAPI
:Whati
sitt
hatr
equi
remebei
ngsummoned
soear
ly?
LEDIMO:Whatdi
dyoudo?Whydi
dyougot
ell
Pil
ara’
suncl
essuchr
ubbi
sh.
LOAPI
:I…
LEDIMI :Shutup!Youmessedupbi gt i
me.Youand
Pil
aracanbi ckeranddoyourr ubbish,i
t’
sKaedi’s
problem thathewon’ tteachyouyourplaces,but
don’tplaygamest hati
mpactme.Youwi llf
ixthi
s
mess.Idon’ twantt hosepeopletal
kingtoomuch,
andt heinstall
ationasregentwil
lnotbepost poned!
LOAPI
:Howdoyouexpectmet
o…
LEDIMO:Idon’
tcar
ehow.Fi
xit
.Youar
edi
smi
ssed.
Nxla.
*
***
***
***
*
God,t
hatbi
tch!Whatthehel
ldi
dshet
ellLedi
mofor
t
heoldmant obesolivi
d.Andt
hener
veofLedimo,
t
alki
ngtoherli
kethat
!
Sot
hisl
it
tl
ebi
blebi
tchwant
edt
opl
aydi
rt
y.
Fi
net
hen.
Asshesateat
ingbr
eakf
ast
,Pi
lar
awal
kedi
n.
LOAPI:(cl
appinghands)Bravo!Butpassi
ve
aggr
essivei
sabi t
chmove.I fyouhaveabonet
o
pi
ckwithme, comedirect
.
PILARA:Huh?!
?Idon’
tknowwhatyouaret
alki
ng
aboutdar
li
ng.ButI
’minarush,
can’
tst
ayandchat.
LOAPI:Mustsuckhavi
ngyourhusbandspendi
ng
ni
ghtswit
hsomer ai
nbowhairedteenagebi
mbo.
PI
LARA:Youwoul dn’tknow,
youarewaypastyour
pr
imeandsti
lldon’thaveahusband…
Sher
anofftohercarl
aughi
ngatjusthowLoapi
wasgonnaspendthedayof
fendedatbei
ngcall
ed
ol
d.
*
***
***
***
Pil
arasatinhernewof f
icewonder i
ngifshewas
maki ngami st
akebycomi ngbackt owor k.Kaedi
obviouslywasi ntothewholestayathomemom
thi
ng, hekepttalki
ngaboutwhatagoodwi f
eand
motherDevon’swi f
ewasf orbeingastayathome
mom.
Itj
ustwasn’ tforherthough.Itdidn’
tmat t
erwhat
Kaedihadandi twasn’tevenaboutbei ngscaredof
havingnot hi
ngi ftheydi
vorces,shealreadyhad
i
nvest mentswi ththemoneyherf at
herlefther
.She
j
ustl ovedchallenginghersel
fandaccompl i
shing
thi
ngs.Tomor rowshewi l
lgetanannywhowi l
l
comet otheofficewithher,t
odaymmaLedi mowas
hel
pi ng.
Shecheckedheremail
sandsheal
readyhad
someonewantingsoci
almedi
amarketi
ngfort
hei
r
motel
.
Wow!Herf
ir
stcl
ient
.
Sheputherphoneonsi
lentandst
art
edwor
king.
*
***
***
***
*
Lol
osatinheroff
icelooki
ngatherpictur
eswithKai.
Therewasonewher etheywer ei
nthegarden,and
Kaedihadjoi
nedthem.Itlookedsobeauti
ful
.
Perf
ectfamil
y.
Shehadt
ogethermanback.Andsheknewj
ustt
he
way…
Shesmi
ledandcal
ledWet
sho.
WETSHO:Lo?
LOAPI:Wannahavelunch?Wehaven’
treal
lyhad
ti
metohangoutsinceyoucame,kanarraweareno
l
ongerfr
iends?
WETSHO:Comenow, badgir
l.Youknowyouar
emy
dol
lfordays.ButI
’
m kindabusywit
h…thi
ngs.
LOAPI
:Icanhel
p… wi
thLedi
mo.Ihaveal
otofi
nfo
onl
yIhave.
WETSHO:Ihavenoi
deawhatyouar
etal
king
about
….
LOAPI:Whydoyoupeopl ethi
nkIam Ledimo’s
snit
chkante.Myloyalt
ywastoyourdad.Andt o
yourungrat
efulbr
otherunf
ortunat
ely.Ofcour
seto
youtoo.Let’
sgoouttodinnertomorrowandIcan
tel
lyouhowIcanhel p.
WETSHO:Cool
,j
ustt
ellmet
imeandpl
ace.
Ofcourseshewasgonnadressupandmakesur
e
Kaediseesandknowsshewaswithhi
m.
Andofcour
seshewasgoi
ngt omakesuret
hey
don’
tcomehomefort
heni
ght,andsheknewKaedi
woul
dbechecki
ngtoseei
ftheydi
d.
Fornowt hough… al i
tt
lef
un.Shecall
edMbi ganyi’
s
offi
ce,aft
erlear
ninghewasi nameet i
ng,shel ef
ta
messagesayi ngshewasMr sPilar
aLedimo, and
i
nvitedhim overfordi
nneratarest
aurantwhere
Kaediwasmeet i
ngsomeAmer icancompany
represent
ati
ve.
ThenshesentPil
araamessagefr
om t
hewor
k
phoneKaedi
’ssecret
aryused.
‘
MrLedimoiscur
rent
lyi
nameeti
ngunt
ill
ate,
but
sheaskedi
fyoucoul
dmeethi
mfordi
nner’
Thensheputt
hedet
ailandsent
.
Kaediwi
llal
readybet
her
ewhent
heyar
ri
ve.
Aft
erPil
araconf
ir
med,shedel
etedthemessages
andwentbacktoherof
fi
cebeforet
hePAgirl
not
iced.
Wit
hthewayKaediandMbi
ganyihat
edeachot
her
,
t
hiswasgonnabefun.
*
***
***
***
Byeveni
ng,
Pil
araf
ixedhermakeupwi
thasmi
le.
Heprobablywant
edt
oapol
ogi
sef
orbei
nga
douchelastni
ght
.
Shegottotherest
aur
antandgavet
hem hername,
hehadsaidtheywoul
dleadhertot
het
ableifhe
waslat
e.
Shewenttot het
ableandsatdown,
andafew
minutesl
aterMbiganyiwal
kedinwi
thasmil
eand
j
oinedher.
Kaedihadjustf
ini
shedhi smeet i
ngwhenPi
lar
a
wall
edinandsatataf arcornerfr
om hi
m.Afew
minutesl
aterMbiganyiwalkedin.
Kaedhadt oholdhimsel
flongenoughtowalkhis
part
ytotheircarbef
orecomingbackint
ot he
rest
aurantandheadedri
ghttothei
rtabl
e,punchi
ng
Mbiganyionthenose.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Mbiganyistoodupandwipedthebloodonhi snose
whil
edodginganotherpunchfrom Kaedi
,butKaedi
kneedhim onthest
omachaspeopl ewatchedand
Pil
aratr
iedtopushthem apar
t.
MBIGANYI
:I’
l
llett
hatsl
ide,
shei
syourwi
feaf
teral
l.
PunchmeagainandI’
ll
…
Kaediswungandhi m againandMbi ganyidodged
asthewaitr
essest r
iedtostopthem whil
eKaedi
punchedMbi ganyiagainonthestomach,and
Mbiganyipunchedhi m backonthenose.
PI
LARA:Kaedist
op!Youar
emaki
ngascene.
KAEDI:Ser
iousl
yPil
ara!Notevent
woweeksaf
ter
magadi?Seri
ousl
y?
PI
LARA:Mbi
ganyicanyouj
ustl
eave?
MBIGANYI:Wi
llyoubeokwi
tht
hisl
unat
iconhi
s
per
iods?
PI
LARA:I
’
llbef
ine,
I….
.
Kaedij
ustdr
aggedhertohi
scarandpushedher
i
nside,
thendroveof
f.
PI
LARA:Whatt
hehelli
swrongwi
thyou?Youcan’
t
j
ustgoar
oundpunchi
ngpeopl
e.
KAEDI
:It
oldyout
ost
ayawayf
rom t
hatf
ucker
PI
LARA:SoI
’
m notal
lowedt
obef
ri
endswi
thmen?
KAEDI
:No!No,youar
enotal
lowedt
obef
ri
ends
wit
hmen,youareamarr
iedwoman!
PILARA:(
laughi
ng)That
’sr
ichcomi
ngfrom you!So
youcanwhor ear
oundli
keahegoatand…
Hesl
ammedt
hebr
eaksandst
oppedi
ntheempt
y
r
oad.
KAEDI :Pi
lar
awee,I’
llsl
apt
hatatt
it
uderi
ghtoutof
yourinsol
entli
’
lass.Whodothinkyouar
etalki
ngto
l
ikethat?
PILARA:(Looki
ngdown)I
’m sorr
y.Buti
t’
snotf
air
Kaedi,Ican’
thavemal
efr
iendsandyoucanhave
mistr
esses?Sassyhasmalefri
ends.
KAEDI
:Yea,
wel
l,
thatdoesn’
tappl
ytoyou.
PI
LARA:Why!
KAEDI
:Sar
onai
snotmywi
fe,
isshe?
PI
LARA:Wow!If
eel
sospeci
al,
wif
etoacont
rol
li
ng
whor
e.
Heshookhi
shead,l
aughi
ngsar
cast
ical
lybef
orehe
openedt
hedoorandgotout
.
KAEDI:Gohomebeforeyoui nsul
tmeabokego
shapa.I
’vevowedt
oneverlayahandonyou, soI
’m
choosi
ngt owal
kawayinsteadofargui
ngabout
howyouwantt ogoondateswi thot
hermen.
Hewalkedoff
, l
eavi
nghersti
llshockedshesighed
anddr
ove,tr
yingtocal
lhim ashejustignor
edher.
PI
LARA:RragoKai
,I’
m sor
ry… Iwasoutofl
ine,
get
i
nthecarr
ebue.It
’sl
ongwayhome.
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)IhavealotonmymindPil
ara,
and
youar
enothelpi
ng.Letmewalkmyangerof
fand
cl
earmymind.
*
***
***
***
**
Lol
owal
keddownst
air
sasWet
showai
tedf
orher
.
Damn!Kaediwasnothome,
andPi
lar
awal
kedi
n
al
one.
Lol
olookedatherandl
aughed.
PILARA:Howsaddoesoneneedt obetoenj
oy
messinguppeople’
slives?Doyouknowyoucoul d
getKaedi
’sPAfir
edbecauset hephoneshekeeps
wasusedinthismess.Youmayhaveal lt
hemoney
i
nt heworl
d,butt
hatjobi sal
ifel
inetot
hatgi
rland
youaremessingwit
hi t.
LOAPI:Whyareyoumaki
ngot
herpeopl
e’
s
probl
emsmine?
PILARA:I’l
lpraythatonedayyou’l
lhavea
conscience.Andyouwentt oallt
hattroublefor
nothing,myhusbandandIdeal twit
hi tl
ikethe
adultswear e.Whil
eyoustil
lremainthesad, l
onel
y,
patheti
coldhagwhoi sgoi
ngt odi
ealone, wit
hthat
att
itude.
Shewalkedupst
air
sangr
il
yasLoapist
oodt
her
e
st
unned.
Wet
shocamedownst
air
sdr
essedcasual
ly.
WETSHO:Ar eyouready?Uhm…ok,If
eel
under
dressed.It
houghtwewerej
ustgrabbi
nga
si
mplemeal
Whatwaseventhepoi
ntifKaediwasn’ther
e,t
his
wholethi
ngwastomakehimj eal
ous.Therewasno
poi
ntifhewasn’
thome.
LOAPI
:Youknowwhat
,It
hinkl
et’
sreschedul
efor
someotherday.
Shesaidasshewentbackupst
air
s,l
eavi
ngWet
sho
st
andingther
econf
used.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Kaedigothomever
ylat
eatnight
,andPi
lar
awas
i
nsideherwalki
ncl
oset,
prayi
ng.
Shecameoutaf
ewmi
nut
esl
aterandl
aidonhi
s
chest
.
PILARA:IswearafteryousaidIshouldnotseehi
m,
Iblockedhisnumber.Iwassosur pri
sedwhenhe
showedupsayi ngIinvi
tedhimfordinner
,whil
enna
Iwaswai t
ingforyouafteryoui
nvitedme.
KAEDI
:Whendi
dIi
nvi
teyou?
PI
LARA:Ij
ust
… Igott
extmessagef
rom yourP.A.
KAEDI:WhenhaveIeversentyouamessage
t
hroughmyP.A,Pipa?
PILARA:Ifi
guredi
twasn’tyou.Pl
easedon’
tbe
angryatyourP.AbecauseofwhatLolodi
d.
KAEDI:Shehasaresponsi
bil
it
yofthatphone.I
f
anyonecanjustwal
kinanduseit
…
PI
LARA:Pl
ease… sheisani
cegi
rl
.I’
l
ltal
ktohert
o
bemor
ecareful
.Please.
*
***
***
***
*
Inthemorni
ngwhil
eKaedisati
nhi
sof
fi
cewor
king,
Loapiwal
kedin.
LOAPI
:Edi
,canwet
alk?
KAEDI
:I’
m busy,
whati
sitabout
?
LOAPI
:Us
KAEDI
:Lol
o,I
’
m busy…
LOAPI
:No,youowemeanswer sKaedi.What’
s
goi
ngon,becauseIdon’tunder
stand.WhenPil
ara
cameyousaiditwasjustcontr
actual
.ThenSassy
andthewholepolyamor
y.Nowyouactl
ikeIdon’
t
exist
…ifyouaredonewit
hme,br
eakupwi t
hme
properl
ysoIcanmoveon.
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)I
t’
sjustnotwor
kingoutf
orme,
Lol
o.
LOAPI
:(sni
ff
li
ng)DidIdosomet
hingwr
ong?Tel
l
mesoIcanf i
xit
….Please.
KAEDI:Don’
tdot
hat
,Lol
o.Don’
tbeg,
it’
sbeneat
h
you.
Shel
ookedupbl
inki
ngr
api
dly,
tryi
ngnott
ocr
y.
LOAPI:Whatdoyouwantmet odoKaedi
,Il
oveyou.
Justt
ellme… whatam Idoi
ngwrong?
KAEDI:Areyouhonest
lyaskingmet hat?Imean
takel
astnight
.Set
ti
ngusupl ikethat
.AndyesI
knowitwasyou.Whatchil
dish,desperateshi
twas
that
?
LOAPI:(
lookingdown)I’
m sor
ry.Idon’
tknowwhat
todoEdi.Icanfeelt
hatIam l
osingyouandIjust
…
KAEDI:Youareagreatgi
rl
,Lolo!Real
lysweetand
l
ovetohelppeopl
e.Thenthereisthi
sprivi
ldged
bi
tchysideofyouIcan’tst
and.Youhaveno
probl
em messinguppeople’sli
ves,
andthatj
ust
annoystheshitoutofme.Itwaseasywithme
beingawaybutnowhavi ngtodealwit
hyouonthe
dail
y… I
’m sor
ry.I’
mjustnotint
oit.
LOAPI:(
cryi
ng)Edi
,pl
ease… Icanchange… I
’
lldo
bet
ter
… Ijust
…
KAEDI
:Pl
easecl
oset
hedooronyourwayout
.
Hewentbacktolooki
ngathi scomputer,
astear
s
wel
leddownherface.Eventual
lyshestoodupand
wal
kedout,wi
pinghertearsontheway.
Shetookt
herestofthedayoffandwenthome,
spendi
ngtheaf
ternooncryi
nghersel
ftosl
eep.
Intheeveni
ngshegotdr
essedandr
eadyf
orher
run.Asshegotoutsi
det
hegate,
awomanhol
dinga
babysatoutsi
de.
HER:MmaBabusi
!
Shesmi
ledandwal
kedovert
othel
ady.
LOAPI
:Maa?
HER:Il
ongwai
tedher
eforanyofyou,
yourwor
ker
s
won’
tletmei
n,t
hesunhasaboutki
ll
edme.
LOAPI
:Comei
n,l
etmegi
veyouadr
inkt
ocool
down.
Shewentinsi
deandgavet
hel
adyaj
uiceandsome
bi
scui
ts.
LOAPI:HowcanIhel
pyou?Isi
tatwor
k?It
hinkI
rememberyou,
youworkatt
hefar
m.
HER:Yes..Ihavebeenof
fthepastf
ewdays.Mma
Babusi
,Iam hereaboutt
hisgi
rl
.
Shesaidpoi
nti
ngt
othel
it
tl
ebunchofbl
anket
son
thesof
a.
Loapi
pickedherupandt
ickl
edherl
it
tl
echest
.
LOAPI
:Heybeaut
if
ul!What
’syourname.
Thewomansmi
ledl
ooki
ngatLol
osmi
li
ngatt
he
baby.
HER:Hernamei sMbewu.Sheisfi
veweeksold.
Hermot herpassedawayaweekagof r
om bi
rt
h
rel
atedcompl icati
ons,
andthebabyisl
eftwi
thher
oldbli
ndgr eatgrandmother
.
LOAPI
:Aoshem…
HER:Yes.Noonet ohelpher.That’
swhyIhad
takendaysof ftohelp,butIneedtogetbackt o
wor k.Wehavenoot heropti
on,Iwasevent hinking
oftakinghertoasoci alworkerbecauset heoldlady
can’tcope.Enengwanyana, shewasj ustayoung
girl
,twentyyearsold.Jaanongbef orepassing,she
hadt oldmydaught erthatt
hef at
herisKaedi
Ledimo.Idon’ tknowhowt ruethatis,butIthoughtI
shoul djustgi
veitashotifindeedthisisherfami l
y,
soshedoesn’ tendupi nanor phanagewhenshe
hasf ami l
y.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Loapil
ookedatt
hewomani nshock.Thebabywas
j
ustthr
eeweeksyoungert
hanKai.
LOAPI:(
sighi
ng)Hei
,kemat hat
a.Letmecal
lKaedi
soIcanknowhowt oproceed.
Shecall
edKaediandhewasn’
tanswer
ing.Shesent
atext
.
‘
Youneedtogethome,someladyi
sherewit
ha
chi
ld,
sayi
ngit
’syour
s.Whatshoul
dIdo?’
Therewasnorepl
yandtheywai
tedf
orsomet
ime,
unti
litst
art
edget
ti
ngdar
k.
Thel
adyst
art
edget
ti
nganxi
ous.
HER:Mma-
Babusi,
Ineedtogohomenow andI
havet
ogot
owor ktomor
row.WhatdoIdo?
LOAPI:(
sighi
ng)Leaveherwit
hme,what
evert
he
si
tuat
ionIwil
lupdateyoutomorr
ow.
HER:SeewhyIl oveyou, youhaveaheartfor
peopl
e.Wear esosat isfi
edaswor kersbecauseyou
al
wayst hi
nkaboutus.Ok, Iwil
lseemyselfout.
Hereisherbag,hermi lkisfi
nishi
ng,Ihadbought
j
ustaboxofmi l
kbecauseIdon’ thavemoney,but
i
t’
smaki nghervomi tsinceshewasusedt oher
mother’
sbreastmilk.
*
***
***
***
**
Af
terput
ti
ngt
hebabyt
osl
eep,
asshegotoutoft
he
bathr
oom shel
ookedather
selfi
nthemir
ror
,
runni
ngherhandacr
ossherface.Goshshelooked
somuchlikehermother
.
Shel
ookednot
hingl
ikeher
.
Ast
oni
shi
ngbeaut
y.Ast
oni
shi
ngi
diocy.
Yeay.
Twot
hingst
heyhadi
ncommon.
I
fshehadanysel
flovei
nher,
shewoul
dhavel
eft
t
hist
rashofamanyearsago,
shet
hought
.
Yup,j
ustli
keher
.Hermotherwasbeat
enand
di
srespect
edandyetst
il
lshest
ayedandl
eti
t
happen.
Shemi ghtnotgetbeatenup, butshewasstil
l
disr
espectedanddismi ssedonlytobecall
edon
whenheneededi t
.Andagai nandagainshewould
comebackr unningli
keal ovesickli
tt
lepuppy.
Nomor
e.
TodayafterKaediexpl
ici
tl
yt ol
dhertheyweredone,
shehaddecidedshewoul dleave.MmaKaediwas
sti
llabr
oadwiththegir
ls,
sot herewouldbenoone
t
ogui
ltheri
ntost
ayi
ng.
Foramomentshethoughtaboutj
ustpacki
ngup
andleavi
ngwi
tht
hechildwit
houttel
li
ngKaedi
.
Shecouldgot
ellt
heoldwomant hati
ttur
nedout
thebabywasnotKaedi
’s,
thenasktoadopther
l
egall
y.
No,
thatwaswr
ong,
thegi
rldeser
vedt
oknowher
f
amil
y.
Buti
fshet
ell
sKaedit
henhewi
llj
ustt
aket
hebaby
andmakehi
swiferai
seher
…
LOAPI:SheisnotyoursLoapi
,don’
tgetat
tached.
Kaedidoesn’twantyou,
dumbass,doyour
selfa
favorandleave.
Yup,t
hat’
swhatshewasgonnado.Shewasgonna
l
eave,t
histi
me.
*
***
***
***
KaediandPil
araarri
vedhomear
oundt hesame
t
ime,withKaedipushingKai
’
sst
rol
ler
.
Lol
ocametomeett
hem i
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom,
hol
ding
t
hebaby.
LOAPI
:Eveni
ng,
youmi
ghtwantt
osi
tdown.
PI
LARA:Andt
hent
hebaby?
LOAPI
:Appar
ent
lyyourhusband’
s.
KAEDI
:Excuseme?
LOAPI
:Ismsedyouhel
lo?
KAEDI:Iwasbusy.Ihaven’
tcheckedmyphonef
or
hour
s.
PI
LARA:Whatdoyoumeant
hebabyi
sKaedi
’
s?
LOAPI:So, thisladycamebywi t
ht hebaby.Her
namei sMbewu.Shei sfiveweeksol d.Hermot her
wascal l
edUnaswi ,shei slate,andt heonly
guardi
ani saver yol dandbl i
ndgr eatgrandmot her.
Shecan’tcar ef oranewbor n.Sot hisneighborl ady
hasbeenhel pingf oraweek, butsheneedst ogo
backtowor k.Herdaught erwasf riendswi th
Mbewu’ smot her,andshewast oldi t
’sKaedi’s.So
shewant edt oseei fyouwant edt otakeher ,orel se
shewilltakehert osoci alwor kers.Mbewui ssi ck,
shethrowsupal otbecauset heyhavebeenf eedi ng
herboxmi lk,andpast eurizedmi lki sbadf orbabi es.
Isuggestyout
akehert
oapedi
atr
ici
an.
PILARA:(angr
il
y)Whatt
hehel
ldoyouhavet
osay
foryour
selfwena?I
ssheyour
s?
KAEDI
:Pi
lar
a,howwoul
dIknow,
Ijustmett
heki
d
fi
vemi
nut
esago!
PI
LARA:Di
dyouf
uckanyUnaswi
?
Loapitookoutherphoneandshowedthem a
pict
ureofthegir
lthatt
hewoman’sdaught
erhad
sent.
KAEDI:Ohh,yea… Irememberher
e.I
twasaone
ni
ghtstand,
Iswear …
PI
LARA:Whatthehell
,yousl
eepwi
thoneni
ght
st
andswi
thoutpr
otecti
on?
KAEDI:Notatall
,wedi
duseprot
ecti
on,that
’swhy
I
’m skept
ical
.Butwewerebot
hdrunk,so….
PILARA:Yousayitl
ikeit’
ssupposedtomakethis
wholemessanybetter!Youcheatedonme!Howi s
thebabyfi
veweekswhenmi neisei
ghtweeks!
Lol
olaughed.
LOAPI
:Ithoughtyousai
dyouwer et
hespeci
all
it
tl
e
snowf
lakethatmadehim st
opcheat
ing?
KAEDI :Loapi!Damni t
!AndIdidn’tcheatonyou
Pil
ara.Thiswoul dhavehappenedaboutt hreeto
fourweeksaf terwedi dtheIVF.Wewer en’treal
ly
togetherthen,justcarr
yingoutmygr andfather’
s
wishes.RememberIl eftyouinIndiawhil
eyour
mot herwasunder goi
ngt r
eat
ment ?That’
swhenI
mett hisgir
l.YouandIact uall
ygottogether
voluntari
lywhenyoucamebackf rom I
ndian,
pregnant.
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)Ai
sh,
thi
sneedspopcor
n…
PI
LARA:Sowhatdowedonow,
huh,
MrSomany
words!What
?
KAEDI
:Shei
snotmi
nef
oral
lIknow!
PILARA:Well,
sheisher
e,becauseofyou.Ial
ready
haveababywhowakesupf ourti
mesanightand
I’
m exhaust
ed.Ican’
tmanage.
KAEDI:Pi
lar
a,mymotherisinPari
sandbothmy
grandmaswenttoTonot
af oraf
uneral
.Sassywi
ll
neveragr
eetocaref
orababy.
PI
LARA:Madam pr
esi
denther
e?
KAEDI
:I
… wel
l,
Lol
oandIbr
oket
hingsof
fand…
LOAPI:(
sighi
ng)I
’l
lkeepherf
ortheni
ght
.ButI
’
m
l
eavi
ngKaedi,youhavemaids.
ShepickedMbewuupandwentbackupst
air
sas
Pi
lar
agl ar
edayKaediangr
il
y.
*
***
***
***
Anhourl
atert
her
ewasaknockonLoapi
’
sdoor
.
Shewentt
oopenandPi
lar
ast
oodwi
thabasket
.
PI
LARA:Bl anket
s,warmrompers,bot
tl
es,
frozen
br
eastmilk,awarmer,
diaper
s,cr
eams… basical
ly
al
lyou’
llneed.
LOAPI
:Thanks…
PILARA:Youshouldkeepher,whet
hershei
shi
sor
not.Iprayedt
hatGodgiveyouababyonewayor
theother.
LOAPI:Mxi
m,wenatheoratabospeci
al,
what
makesyouthi
nksheisher
ebecauseofyoursi
ll
y
prayer
s.
PILARA:Youaresoungr
atef
ul!Ihavenoproblem
cari
ngforthi
schi
ldal
ongsi
deKai ,
butIbel
ieveshe
i
syourblessi
ng…
LOAPI
:Fot
sek…
Shegrabbedt
hebasket
,thenbangedt
hedooron
herf
ace.
*
***
***
***
**
Pil
aral
aughedi
ndisbel
iefandwalkedbackt
othei
r
room.Somepeopl
ewerej ustr
ude,damn!
Kaedicameoverandhuggedher
.
KAEDI
:Il
oveyou…
PI
LARA:Mxi
m…
KAEDI:MissP,thi
sdoesn’
tcountbecausewe
weren’
treal
lyt
ogether
.Comeon…
PILARA:KaediIcan’ thavethi
ski ndofli
fe,t
his
needst obethelasttimeshitli
ket hi
shappens.Iam
tr
yingtolivewit
hyoual sohavi
ngSassy, whobyt he
waypr oudlysl
eepsar ound.Howdoyousl eepwith
herandt hencomet omeot atlelamalwetsiand
eveninfectKaisinceI’m br
eastfeedi
ng.
KAEDI :Ihavenotsl
eptwit
hanyotherwomansince
youtoldmet ostopwhenyouwer esi
xmonths
pregnant.Ihavemadeoutwit
hSassyacoupleof
ti
mesandshebl ewmet wi
ceifyouneedmetobe
specif
ic…
PI
LARA:Mxi
m…
Shegotont
hebedandf
acedt
othewal
l.
KAEDI:Ai
,soIdon’
tgetanyt
oni
ght
?Doesi
tmeanI
coul
dgoask…
Sheel
bowedhi
m ont
hest
omachandl
aughed
whenhehowl
ed.
KAEDI
:Pil
arathemmaIloveyou.Kanawenayou
t
hinkj
ustbecauseI
’
m pol
y,Il
oveyouanyless.
*
***
***
***
**
I
nthemor
ningPi
lar
aknockedonLoapi
’
sdoor
.
PILARA:Ithoughtyoumightneedhelpwashingher.
IbroughtKai’
sbathcushiont
hatheneverused,I
hadtwof r
om mybabyshower ,itmakest
hingseasy.
Andher ei
sababyt ub,nnabathtubkaet
shaba,it
’s
toosli
ppery.
Shewentt oLolobat
hroom andf
il
ledi
tupwi t
h
waterthencameandputitintheroom,taki
ngthe
babyandbat hi
ngher,t
henhandedhertoLoloto
dress.
LOAPI
:Youar
est
range,
youknowt
hat
?
PILARA:Why, becauseIdon’
thaveevi
li
ntent
towardsothersli
keyoudo?Youcanwar m someof
themilkIbroughtandfeedher,
thenwearetaki
ng
hertoapedi at
ri
cian.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Aft
eradayofbloodtestsandx-r
ays,Pi
lar
aand
Kaedisatwi
tht
hedoct orasKaedir
ockedKaii
nhi
s
st
roll
er,
whil
ePil
araheldMbewu.
DR:Theconclusi
oni spylor
icstenosi
s,t
hatmeans
t
hemuscl econnectingherstomachtotheintest
ine
i
snarrowed,foodisunabletomovef rom st
omach
t
ointest
ine.Shewillneedsurgerytocor
rectit
.
PI
LARA:Bat
hong,
sur
ger
yonababysot
iny?
DR:It
’stheonlywayandahi
ghl
ysuccessf
ul
sur
gery.Ifyouar
ereadyt
opr
oceedwecanbooki
t
f
ort
henextavai
labl
edat
e.
*
***
***
***
*
Theyl
eftt
hedoct
orst
il
ldi
scussi
ngi
t.
KAEDI:Idon’tevenknowifshei
smi
ne,
whyshoul
d
Ibepayingforherifshei
sn’t
.
PILARA:Andwhati fshei
syoursandshedi es
becauseyouarebeinganasshole.Youwi l
lhave
thepaterni
tyr
esul
tsinaboutfourdays.Isaylet
’s
callt
hedoctorandbookthesurgery.I
fsheisnot
yours,yay,
youhelpedachil
dinneed.Callthe
doctor.
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)Fi
ne.
Hecal
ledandwasgi
venadat
e.
KAEDI:Theysayitcanbedoneinaweek’
stime.
Gatweshewi l
lbeadmit
tedi
nthehospi
talf
ora
minimum ofoneweek,andsheneedst
obe
admitt
edwithsomeone.Wil
lyou…
PILARA:AndKaiene?Nope.Noway, Kaii
ssti
llvery
young,andheisbreastf
eedi
ng,
plushospi
tal
sar e
gem hubs,Iam notst
ayingi
nahospit
alwit
hmy
newbor
nasal
wal
e.Not
hankyou.
KAEDI :Pi
lar
a,youknowhowmymot heri
s.Sheisin
Pari
sandsi mplywon’tcomeback, mygrandmother
i
soldandhasbeensi ck,Sassyi snotevenan
opti
oni t’
saast rai
ghtno.Shedi esnotli
kechil
dren
andshehasaphobi aforhospitals.Ican’
taskthe
maidsbecausei t
’snotthei
rjob, andhowcanI
guaranteecarewhentheyar ejustdoi ngajob?
PILARA:Nnat ot
aIcan’tr
ightnow,
Kaineedsme
andIdon’twanttobr
inghimintoahospi
tal
.
Hesighedandpackedt
hecar,thencar
ri
edMbewu
asPil
arabroughti
nKai
,thensheheadedtoLol
o’s
bedr
oom withher.
Lol
ocamet oopeninherpaj
amas,
wit
hsui
tcases
andboxespackedonthefl
oor.
KAEDI
:Madam pr
esi
dent
,di
dn’
tyougot
owor
k?
LOAPJ:(l
aughing)Myboyfri
endbrokeupwithme
andI’
m heart
broken.It
ookafewdaysofftocry
mysel
fintobetterment
alheal
th.Pl
easetel
lme
Bebeisok?
KAEDI
:Youdon’
thavet
omove,
youknow.
LOAPI :Whati st
hepoi ntofmest ayingifwear enot
together?Andi t
’sactuall
ybet terformei fIjust
l
eave, Iwillhealbetter.Idon’ twantt o,butKaedi ,I
watchedmymom hol dingonf ort oolongt oa
rel
ati
onshi pt hatwashur tingher ,andi tdestroyed
her.Whenyoubr okeupwi thmei tshatteredme.I
fel
tli
keapar tofmedi ed, nooneshoul deverhave
suchpoweroveranot her.Iam weakwheni tcomes
toyou, andIf uckinghat et hat.Ever ypartofme
wantst ost ay,wantstof indanyr easonatal l.ButI
knowIhavet oforcemysel ftol eavei nordert oheal.
Youf inal
izingusapar tandver ballysayingi thitme
hard.Irealizedthatforal ongt ime, Iwashol di
ngon
whereIwasn’ twanted.
KAEDI:Youknowthati
snottrue… yeswegrew
apar
t,buti
tdoesn’
tmeanallt
heseyearsIdi
dn’t
wantyou,ort
hatIdon’
tcar
eaboutyouevennow.
LOAPI
:(sni
ff
li
ng)I
sBebeok?
Kaedihandedhert
hebabywi
thasigh,andcamein,
seat
ingonthebabyasLol
ocr
adledthebabyand
sangheral
ull
aby.
KAEDI
:Shei
ssi
ckandneedssur
ger
y.
LOAPI:OhmyGod!Theydosur
ger
yonbabi
es?I
sn’
t
ther
eanotheropt
ion?
KAEDI
:Appar
ent
lyt
hat
’st
hebestandonl
yopt
ion.
LOAPI:Shem,
youpoorgi
rl
!Youl
ookl
ikeast
rong
gi
rl
,Iknowyouwil
lbeok.
KAEDI:Sheneedst
obeadmitt
edforatl
eastaweek,
andneedstobeadmit
tedwi
thsomeone.
Befor
eheevensaidit
,hersubconsci
ouswas
al
readybeat
ingherup.
‘
Youaregonnast ayandgetat t
achedtothi
schil
d
whoisn’
tyours,aren’
tyou,youdumbass.Againyou
ar
egonnar ushtoKaedi’saidnomat t
erhowmuch
hekeepshur t
ingyou,won’tyou,yousel
fhati
ng
i
diot
?Cutti
eswi ththi
smanandmoveonwi thyour
l
if
e’
KAEDI:PipahasKaiandmamai
sgone,
grandmai
s
notwell
…
Shewi
pedt
hest
eadyst
ream oft
ear
sandst
ared
out
sidethewi
ndowsadly.Mbewuwasat ieto
Kaedi,
andsheneededt
ocuthim outofherl
if
e.
LOAPI:(sof
tl
y)Ineedtomoveon,Edi… Ineedt
o
takebackalit
tl
ebitofal
lthel
oveIgavetoyou,and
useitformyself
.
KAEDI:Lol
o,Iwouldn’
taski
fIdi
dn’thavet
o.Come
on,youarenotgonnadeser
tachil
dinneed.You?
Let
tingachil
ddown?
LOAPI :(sniffli
ng)Yes, kidsar emygr eatest
weakness.Idon’ twantt ol etherdown, don’tyou
getit?Ionlymetheryest erdayandIl oveher
already!Iwi shshewasmi ne!Iwannasmoot herher
withsomuchl oveandspoi lher,butshei sat i
et o
you… andIneedt obr eakf reeofyou, Edi …itsbeen
elevenyear sKaedi !Elevenyear sofyouhur t
ingme
andbet rayingmeandIt ooki t
.GodknowsIt ook
everysinglebi tofi t,beingt helaughingst ockofal l
gossipinBot swana, yourwhor esthrowi ngshadeat
mewhent heymetmear oundt own, havingt oclean
upyourmesses.Andyouneversawme, Edi
.And
themor eyoudi srespect edandnegl ectedme, the
mor edesper ateIbecame, becauseI ’
m br oken.You
didmeaf avoractual
lybr
eaki
ngupwithme
becauseot herwiseIwoul
dhaveneverhadthegut
s
toleaveyou.IloveBebeandIwanttobetherefor
her,butsheist i
edtoyouandIneedtopurge
myselfofyou.
Shebl
inkedt
hetear
sawayandstar
tedr
ocki
ngt
he
babywhenshestar
tedcr
ying.
KAEDI
:I’
m sorr
y… Inevert
houghtabouthowmuch
Iwashur
tingyou…
LOAPI
:It
’sok… I
’
m ok…
Shesai
d,t
ryingt
ohidehersni
ff
lesandf
aci
ngaway
sohedi
dn’tseehert
ear
s.
God,whycoul
dn’
thecomebacknott
hef
ather
!
Thenshewouldj
ustt
akeMbewuandmoveon.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Loapi
wokeupt
henextdayandj
ustsatwat
chi
ng
Mbewupeacef
ull
ysl
eepi
ng.
God,
shecoul
dn’
tleaveher
.
Shecouldn’t
.Andshecoul
dn’
tjusti
gnor
ewhileher
l
it
tl
egirlneededsomeonet
ostaywithheri
nthe
hospi
tal.
Sheturnedont hebabymonitorPil
arahadgi
venher,
thenti
pt oeddownstai
rsforbreakf
astwhereKaedi
sathavingbreakf
astwithPil
ara.
LOAPI:(
sighi
ng)I
’l
lst
aywithheratthehospi
tal
.But
underonecondi
ti
on.Iwanttoadopther
.Evenifshe
i
syours.
KAEDI
:I’
m notgonnagi
vemybabyupf
oradopt
ion,
I
….
PI
LARA:Whynot ?Idon’
tthi
nksheissayi
ngshe
wil
lcutyouof
fthechil
d’sl
if
e.Justt
orai
seherand
coparent.
LOAPI
:Exact
ly.I
’l
lmovet omyhousewi
thher
.We
maket
headopt i
onoffi
cial
,anddr
awupaco
par
ent
ingschedule.
KAEDI
:Iknowsomeonei
nsoci
alwor
kandadopt
ion
i
snott
hateasy….
LOAPI :Iknowt hat
.AndIknowsomeonewhocan
helpspeedupt heprocessandbypassal otof
things.SheknowsmeandknowsIwi llneverhurta
child,andthatIam mor ethanfinanci
allycapabl
eof
takingcareofBebe.Yourf amilycanst andinas
suppor tsyst
em.So, condi
t i
onsmet .
KAEDI
:Pi
pa?
PILARA:Idon’
tseewhynot .AndIknowwhyyou
wouldthi
nkImayr ef
use.Youhavi ngachil
dwith
hermeansyouar eti
edforli
fe.ButIam abeli
ever
andIbeli
evethi
sishermiracle.Evenaf
tershedid
whatshedidtohurtme,Iprayedforhertogett
his
bl
essingsomehow.Andi t
’shere.Whoam Itostand
i
nGod’ spl
ans?
KAEDI
:Ar
eyousur
e?
PI
LARA:I
’
m posi
ti
ve.
LOAPI
:Thankyou.
.
KAEDI
:Myonl
ycondi
ti
oni
syoust
ayher
eunt
il
Bebei
sonet
hen.
LOAPI
:But
…
KAEDI:Lol
o,youhavenoonetohel
p,andababyi
s
alotofwork.Wit
hyourhi
ghstr
essj
obanda
newbornbaby,youwil
lcr
ush.
PI
LARA:AsmuchasIhatet osaythi
s,heisnot
wrong.Amaidi
snotasgoodasf amil
y,especi
all
y
whenyouareanewmom figuri
ngthi
ngsout .
LOAPI
:I’
m sur
eI’
l
lbef
ine.
PILARA:Andnosoci al workerisevergonnal etyou
adoptababywi t
houtanysuppor tsystem.Theywi l
l
comet oyourhomet osee,andt heywi llrandomly
checkinupt oayeart omakesur eoft hechi l
d’s
welf
are.Fort hefi
rstyearyoucanonl yf ostert
o
adopt,
notaf ul
lonadopt i
on.Af tertheoneyear
eval
uation,that
’swhenyoucanadoptof fici
all
y.A
womanf r
om mychur chwentt hroughi t
.Askyour
soci
alwor kerfri
end,shewi l
ltellyout hesamet hing.
LOAPI:(si
ghi
ng)Fi
ne.I
’
llst
ay.Onl
yunt
ilshei
sone
though.
*
***
***
***
**
Afewdayslatert
hepat
erni
tycame.Lol
osatwi
th
KaediandPi
laraast
heyopenedthem.
KAEDI
:Shei
smi
ne.
Lol
osigheddi
sappoi
ntedl
y.Whydi
dithavet
obe
l
iket
his!
Butshewasn’tthefi
rstwomant of
indher
selfi
na
si
tuati
onwher eshehadababydaddyshewas
tr
yingtobreakfr
eeoff.Ifotherwomencoulddoit
,
socouldshe.Herfocuswasgoi ngtobeBebeand
shewillevent
uall
yforgetaboutKaedi
.
LOAPI:Ohwel l
.Atl
eastwecanst
artt
hef
ost
ert
o
adoptprocess.
KAEDI:I
’
llhaveherputundermymedi calcover,
and
theni
nthreedaysshehast ogobeadmi tt
ed,atten
shehasaconsultat
ionbecauseintwodayst i
me
shehastobeadmi t
tedforhersurger
y.
Lateri
nthedayKaedicamewi
thLol
oandBebef
or
theconsul
tat
ion.
KAEDI:Thi
sisMbewu’
smot
her
,shewi
llbeget
ti
ng
admit
tedwithher
.
DR:Great!MrLedimoher ehasalreadypai
dforthe
bestofourprivat
er oomshere.Pleasedobr
ingyour
ownbr eastpumpi fyourpr
efer…
KAEDI
:Uhm… shei
sadopt
ive,
so…
DR:Oh?Shecanstil
lbr
eastfeed.Wedoadvocat
eit
i
fyoucan.Therei
ssomet ablet
sthatcanst
imul
ate
mil
kproduct
ionandhel
psuppl y.
LOLO:I
…uhmm…Ist
art
edt
aki
ngt
hem t
hedayshe
came… so…
DR:Great,gr
eat…Iwillprescri
besomet hatwill
i
ncreaseyoursupply.Beawar et hatboththe
st
imulantsandthoset hathelpincreasesupplywill
i
nducehor monessimi l
artothoseofawomanwho
j
ustgivenbir
thsot hingslikeyourmenst rualcycl
e
st
opping…
LOAPI
:Ihadahyst
racyomy.
DR:Oh.Buttheremayst
illbesideef
fectsfrom t
he
hor
mones, l
ikemoodswings, l
owenergylevel
s,l
ow
l
ibi
do,andasl owedmet
abolism,whi
chcanmean
wei
ghtgain.
LOAPI
:It
’sf
ine,
Ist
il
lwantt
otaket
hem.
DR:Now,
that
’samama!Andyouar echoosingri
ght
,
br
east
mil
kisthebestyoucanof
feryourbaby.
Ast
heylef
ttot
hecarKaedisqueezedherhandand
smi
led.
KAEDI
:Thankyou.Youevenwentaheadandgot
t
hosemil
kpil
lsandall
.Mbewuissolucky.
LOAPI:I’
mt heluckyone.Anyway,BebeandIar
e
goi
ngt othemal l
stobuyaf ewthi
ngsforthe
hospi
talstay.I
’
mt aki
ngf ourmont
hsof ff
rom
work…
KAEDI
:Lol
o,weneedyou,
youcan’
t…
LOAPI:Sheneedsmet oo.AndIcanwor kfr
om
home.Myassistantwillgivemedai l
yupdat
esand
runanyimport
antfinancialdecisi
onsbyme.AndI’
l
l
cometotheoffi
cewi thBebef rom ti
metoti
meif
needbe.
KAEDI:Damn, l
ookatyoubei
ngagreatmama
al
ready!Iam happyt
oseeyouget
ti
ngyourdr
eam.
LOAPI
:(smi
li
ng)Youdon’
tknowhowhappyIam.I
l
it
eral
lykeeppi
nchingmysel
ftoseei
fthi
sisreal
.
Li
ke,Ihaveababy!Wow!Ok,wehavetogoand…
KAEDI
:Takemycarsincewedidn’
tbri
ngyour
s.
Pl
usminehasacarseat.I
’
llcat
chataxit
othe
of
fi
ce.
LOAPI
:Edi
?
KAEDI
:Hmm?
LOAPI
:Thankyou… f
oragr
eei
ngt
othi
s.
Hesmi
ledandwi
nkedatherashegoti
nthet
axi
.
Loapi
drovet
oNzanomal
landwentt
oGameSt
ores.
Shit
,howwasshegonnadothis,shehadthebaby
str
oll
erandnowat
roll
ey.Shesighedaboutt
ogive
upandheadhomewhenshehear dsomeonecall
her.
LOAPI
:Oh,
you.Tat
ji
bona.
TATJ:War
engngwanyanawadiPhD.
LOAPI
:Mxi
m….
TATJ:Aomma?Whatdi
dIdo?
LOAPI
:Roof
iedagi
rl
!
TATJ:OhGod!Nott hatagai
nplease…Inever
roof
iedanyone,Loapi
.Goaskmybossorgot ot
he
poli
cestat
ionthathandl
edthecase.
LOAPI
:Ri
ght
….
TATJ:Imetagi r
latthatbarIyoumetat .Ibought
herdr i
nks, butshewasver ymuchst i
llsoberwhen
wewenthome.Sheconsent edt osleepi ngwi t
hme.
Inthemor ningsheaskedmef orP1500, andIt ol
d
hersheshoul dhavebeenspeci f
icthatshewas
selli
ngasnnat otaIdon’ thavet hatkindofmoney
towast eonpussy.Shest artedinsultingmeand
sayingIwasgonnar egretthis.Nextt hingIwas
arrest edsayi ngIr oofi
edandr apedher .Myboss
didn’tbel i
evesuch.Nnammat otaIcomef rom
nothi ng,I’
mt hebr eadwinner,It akecar eofmy
mot herandsi bl
ings,andIhaveason.Whywoul dI
j
eopar disemyj obwi thsil
lythingsl i
ket hat ?My
bossknowsal lthat.Soshewentt othepol ice
stationanddemandedt hegirlinterr
ogat ed.Shegot
scaredwhent heyt ol
dheri fshewasgoi ngt owaste
theirt i
meandr esourcesdoi ngbl oodt est stoseeif
shewasr oofi
ed,onl
ytofindoutshewasl yi
ng,she
wouldgetapr i
sonsentence.Sosheconf essedthat
shehadbeenl yi
ng,andcasewasdi smissed.Ifyou
don’tbel
ieveme,youcangoj ustaskatthepolice
stat
ion.
LOAPI
:Fi
ne.
TATJ:Youhaveababy?
LOAPI
:No,
it’
sadol
l.
TATJ:(l
aughi
ng)Hei
,wenaSky!Sot
heguywa
malasti
sthebabydaddy?
LOAPI
:Yea.
TATJ:Ar
eonyal
aleng?
LOAPI
:Wear
enott
oget
heranymor
e.
TATJ:Oh?Good.Forme,Imean.I
fIr
ememberwel
l
,
yousai
dIwasyourtype.
LOAPI
:(smi
li
ng)No,
Isai
dIdi
dn’
tdopoormen.
TATJ:Al
sot
hatyoul
ikedmyabs.
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)Il
it
eral
lyneversai
dthat
!
Hepushedhertr
oll
eywhileshepushedthestr
oll
er
andwentaboutput
ti
ngthings,
thenwenttopay.
Thenhepushedthetr
oll
eyforhert
ot hecar
.
TATJ:Sweetcar
…
LOAPI:I
t’
snotmine.Mi
neisni
cet
oo,eventhough
I’
mtradi
ngiti
nforsomethi
ngmor
ecarseatfri
endl
y.
Hel
oadedt
hingsf
orheri
nthet
runk.
TATJ:Theycan’
tal
lfi
t.
.
LOAPI
:OhmyGod.Howonear
tham Igoi
ngt
o
car
ryt
hem?
TATJ:Icanf
oll
owyouanddr
opt
hem of
f.I
fyou
tr
ustmeofcourse.
LOAPI:(
laughi
ng)Idon’
t,
butwhatot
heropt
iondoI
have?
Theyl
ockedhercarandwalkedt
ohi
s,andhe
l
oadedtherestoft
hestuf
fin.
TATJ:So,letmet
akeyournumbersoIcancal
lifo
nt
shii
lethata.
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)Sl
eek…j
ustsl
idi
ngi
nther
etoget
mynumberl
ikeyouar
edoi
ngmeaf
avour
.
Shegavehim hernumberandt
henhewalkedher
backtothecar,wat
chi
ngherputt
hebabyinthecar
seat.Thenhetookt
hestr
oll
ert
ohiscarand
fol
lowedherhome.
Shecli
ckedthegat
eopenanddrovein,
wit
hTat
j
fol
lowi
ng,amazedbyt
heaffl
uence.
TATJ:Shi
t,youl
iveher
e?
LOAPI
:It
’snotmi
ne.Justmy… uhm… r
elat
ives’
home.
TATJ:Wow!Iwantr
elat
ivesl
ikeyour
s.Wher
edoI
putt
hethi
ngs?
LOAPI
:Justt
hrought
hedoor
,int
hef
oyer
…
TATJ:Thef
ourwhat
?
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)Justaf
tert
hedoormonnamxi
m.
Heunl oadedeveryt
hingwhileLoapikeptst
aringat
thegateanxiousl
y.Shedi dn’
twantKaedifinding
Tatjhereasthatcouldjeopardi
zetheadopti
on.
Whenhewasdonehest
oodsmi
li
ngather
.
LOAPI
:(bl
ushi
ng)What
?
TATJ:(
laughi
ng)Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.
LOAPI
:Mxi
m.
TATJ:Younevert
oldmet
hel
it
tl
elady’
sname.
LOAPI
:Mbewu.Ical
lherBebe.
Heleanedont
hest
rol
lerandt
ickl
edt
hebaby’
s
chest
.
TATJ:Mabebeza!Heywena,Di
mples!Heypr
ett
y
gi
rl
!Sowhenwi l
lIbeseei
ngyourmamaagain?
LOAPI
:Whenyouar
eri
ch.
TATJ:(l
aughi
ng)HowdoesSatur
dayaf
ter
noon
sound?Canyougetababysi
tt
er?
LOAPI
:Tat
j,mysi
tuat
ioni
scompl
icat
ed.
TATJ:Babydaddy?
LOAPI
:Yup
TATJ:It
houghtyouwerenol
ongert
oget
her
.What
busi
nessofhi
sisitwhoyouseenow?
LOAPI
:Ifyourl
if
eist
hatst
rai
ght
for
war
d,Ienvyyou.
Shegotamessagef
rom Kaedi
.
‘
Di dyourshopping?I
’mtaki
ngPipaandKaitoa
picnicandIthoughtyouguysshouldcome,al
it
tle
funtimebeforeyoutwoareinbori
ngasshospit
al.
Yousai dyou’
llbehomebynow.Pi cki
ngyouupin
fi
fteen.
’
Shi
t.
LOAPI
:Youneedt
oleave.Now.
TATJ:What
’st
hehur
ry…
LOAPI
:Now!I
’
lluhm… cal
lme,
atni
ght
.Bye.
Hesi
ghedandwentt
ohi
scaranddr
oveof
f.
Kaedipar
kedasLolost
il
lstoodi
nfrontoft
he
house,wi
thPi
lar
aandKaiinacar.
KAEDI
:Whosecarwast
hat
?
LOAPI
:Uhm… bathobakoGame, Iboughtt
oo
muchandtheyhel
peddel
iversome.
KAEDI:Oh,
cool.Comeon,let’
sgo.Igotthi
sSUV
fr
om adeal
ershiptot
ryoutsinceI
’m gonnabe
havi
ngtwocarseatsfr
om timetoti
me.Ifit
’scomf
y
f
oral
lofust
henI
’
llbuyi
t.
Sar
onacameoutf
oundt
hem t
alki
ng.
SARONA:Goi
ngout
?
KAEDI
:Pi
cni
c,comeal
ong.
SARONA:Yespl
ease!Icoul
dusesomef
reshai
r!
KaeditookMbewu’scarseatf
rom t
heothercarand
i
ntohisnewone.Lolosighedandstr
appedMbewu
i
n,thengotinatthebackrowbesi
deMbewu’ scar
seat,
whilePi
larawasinthemiddl
er owbesi
de
Kai’
scarseat,andSaronagotinf
rontwi
thKaedi.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
36]Lynne:CHOSENMAKOTI24
Kaediparkedneartheest
ate’sman-madewat er
fal
l
andwentt ofi
ndashadedspotwher ehequi ckl
y
i
nf l
atedt
wokingairmattressesandthenwentt o
takebothbabi
escar r
ycotsineachhand, putti
ng
them int
hemat t
ressesandcoveringthem each
wit
hanetasSar
onabr
oughtoneoft
hepi
cni
c
basket
.
Loapi
gotoutandmadeherwayt
othemat
tr
esses.
PILARA:Iknowyoudon’texpectmet
ocar
rybot
h
thepicni
cbasketandt
hewat er.
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)Act
ual
ly,
Ido… at
tagi
rl
!
PI
LARA:Mxi
m,kant
ewenawhyar
eyoual
waysso
di
ff
icul
t?
Kaedishookhisheadandcamebackt ogetboth
thepi
cnicbasketandt hewater
, t
hensatonthe
mattr
esswi t
heachofhi schi
ldrenoneit
hersideas
Sassyfixedthepicni
cwhilePil
araandLoapijust
l
aidinthemat t
ress.
LOAPI
:Bathong,Pi
pacanyoumove?Kant
enna
wher
ewillwesitbat
hobabei
lemaragoakanakana
momatress?
PILARA:(l
aughing)Wenawaborega,
whosaidyou
shouldbeapancakeass?Maybeifyoust
opped
putt
ingyourfi
ngersdownyourt
hroat
…
KAEDI
:What
?Lol
o,whatt
hef
uck,
youst
il
ldoi
ng
t
hat
?
Loapi
lookeddownembar
rassed.
Kaedil
eanedi
nandt
ippedherchi
nup.
KAEDI :I’
mt al
kingt oyouLoapi,
areyoust
il
lmaki
ng
yourselfthr
owup?Loapi !LookatmewhenItal
kto
you!Ar eyoustilldoingt
hatshit
?
LOAPI
:No,
I…
PI
LARA:SawherwhenIwal
kedi
nherbedr
oom a
weekback.
LOAPI
:Mxi
m,chi
ldi
shsni
tch…
KAEDI :Lol
o,doIneedtomakeyougot oat her
apist
agai
n?MaybeIneedt ogetyoucheckedint
oa
faci
li
tyifyouaregonnaactli
keanemot eenager.
LOAPI
:Canwenott
alkaboutt
hisher
e?
KAEDI:Hel
lwearenot
!Whyar
eyoumaki
ng
your
selft
hrowup?
LOAPI:(
sobbi
ng)Whatdidyouexpect
,Edi
,youleft
me.YouknowI’m amesswheneveryoupullt
his
shi
t.It
rytomoveon,but
…
Hepul
ledhercl
oserandki
ssedherf
orehead.
KAEDI :I’
m sorry…Iwasbeinghasteandst upi
d.You
knowIl oveyou.Iwasangr yatyou.I tmademelose
i
nterest.Butseeingyouwi t
hBebet hepastfew
days…i tremindedmeoft hegi
rlIfellfor
…t he
womanIl ove.I’
m sor
rybabe.
Pi
lar
alookedawayast
ear
swel
leddownherf
ace.
KAEDI
:Pi
pa,
comeher
e
PILARA:(
sobbi
ng)Ican’
tdot
his,
Ky,
Idon’
tknow
howtoshareyou…
Shesai
dasshewi
pedhert
ear
sandmadet
ost
and
up.
KAEDI
:Pi
pa… babe… seatdown.
PI
LARA:(
sobbi
ng)Ican’
t… Ican’
t…
KAEDI
:Pi
lar
a!Seatt
hehel
ldown,
damn.Pi
lar
a!
Het
hunder
edandshesatdownst
art
led.
Het
ookherhandandki
ssedi
t.
KAEDI
:I’
m sor
rybabe… Idi
dn’
tmeantoyel
l.Ij
ust
…
I
’mfi
guri
ngthi
ngsrightnowandIhavesomany
newt hings.Iam CEOofaf uckingconglomer ate
andi tcomeswi thmygr andpa’sdirt
ydeal i
ngs.
Thatpl acesal lt
hreeofyou, mychi l
dren,andmy
mot herandsi bl
ingsi ndangerandI ’
m af r
aidIcan’t
protectal lofyoual lthet i
me.Thewor kisso
demandi ng,grandpai salwaysonmyassaboutshi t
,
Ihavet opl aydaddyt omyyoungersi bli
ngsand
theyar ehel l
,yout hreear ealwaysact ingchildi
sh,
andt hescar iestofital l
,I’
m af ather
!Me!Af ucki
ng
father,Ihavet wol it
tlehumanswhodependonme
andnot hingterr
ifi
esmemor e.It’
salot.
PI
LARA:Iunder st
andbabe,butyouareaskingt
oo
much( sobbing)Il
oveyouKaedi … Il
oveyouso
much,I’m goingcrazywheneverIthi
nkofyouwith
ei
therofthem… Ican’ t
…
LOAPI
:Youthi
nkit
’seasyforme?Youcamei
nto
myrel
ati
onshi
pandstolemyman!
KAEDI:Ladies!Please…justli
stentomefora
moment .Please.Iloveyouall
.Everysi
ngleoneof
youisspecialtomeonauni queway.Iwishitwere
dif
fer
ent,IcouldjustsayIloveoneovertheother
.
ButIcan’t
.Ialsohavenor ightforci
ngyoutobein
t
hiski
ndofr
elat
ionshi
pwi
thmei
fit
’snotf
oryou.
SARONA:Ihavenopr
obl
em wi
thourar
rangement
…
LOAPI
:Youhavenobr
ainei
ther
,so…
KAEDI:(
smilingandrubbi
ngSassy’
shead)Iknow,
pet.Youarelit
eral
lyt
heeasi
estpar
tofmylife,
no
off
ence,l
adies.
Bot
hLoapiandPi
lar
arol
ledt
hei
reyes.
KAEDI:Now, t
hisonei
st hehardestthi
ngIhave
everhadtodoi nmyli
fe.Sassy,I’
m afr
aidIcan’
t
acceptyoutaki
nginotherlover
sanymor e.Sel
fi
sh,
hypocri
ti
cal
,Iknow.Butiti
swhati ti
s.Takeitor
l
eaveit
Sar
onasatupwi
thf
ir
einhereyes.
SARONA:Excuseme?
KAEDI:Ourdynami csar
ealreadycompl i
cat
ed,
ifwe
aretodothis,
it’
sjustt
hefourofus.Iam notgonna
ri
skexposingthesetwotowhat everyoucat
chout
ther
e.
SARONA:Kyyoucan’
tdot
his!YouknowI
’
m pol
y
and.
.
KAEDI:Iti
swhati
tisSassy.I
fyoucan’
tdeal
,I
’l
lset
upthatspayouwannastar
tforyou,
andyoucan
wal
kaway.
SARONA:(pout
ing)Fi
ne!Buti
fIhavet
ost
op,
sodo
you.I
thastobejustt
hesetwo.
KAEDI:Deal.Now, Lolo,Pi
pa.Youar efreetoleave
thisar
rangementt ooifyoucan’thandleit.Pi
lara,
youdon’thavetohonouryouragr eementwi t
h
grandad,Iwil
lnulliti
fyouwantadi vorce.Youcan
takeKaitoo.Grandpawon’ tcar
easl ongashe
stayschief
.
Pi
lar
ajustl
ookeddownsobbi
ng.
KAEDI:Loapi
,youcanmoveouti mmedi at
elytoo.
YoucantakeBebe.Iwil
ltal
ktopeopletomakesur e
webypassthatwholeoneyearwaitandyoucan
l
egall
ybehermom immedi at
ely.Wewi l
lcoparent
thesamewayI’l
lbedoingwithPipaifsheleaves.
LoapiwassobbingtooasKaediheldbot
hherand
Pil
ara’
shandsineachofhis,
Sar onal
ayi
ngi
nhis
l
ap,asthebabi
essleepypeacefull
ybesi
det
hem.
KAEDI
:Il
oveeachofyou.Mor
ethanyou’
l
lever
know.AndI ’
m notletti
ngyougowi thmyki ds
becauseIam shyingawayf rom beingafather
.
RatherbecauseItrustyou,andIbelieveeachchi
ld
deservetobewiththeirmother.It
rustyougirl
sto
rai
set hem,andIwillbeveryinvol
ved.
SARONA:(sadly)Her eall
ydoeslovebothofyou,I
knowKy.Themostr awofhim, nott
hemachoman
heli
kest
oputout .Iwi shyoutwocouldseethat…
tr
ytounderst
andhi spositi
on.Givethi
satryjustf
or
abit
…
KAEDI :Thankspet .Butnotpressur eont hem
please.Iwil
lonlyacceptl ovethat’
sgi venfreel
y.I
f
eitherofyoucomet ome, Iwantitt obeonyour
terms,soLol o,
I’
llhavetheadopt i
onpaper sready
whenyoucomeoutoft hehospital.AndPi paifyou
wantadi vorce,j
ustgof il
eandl eavegr andpatome.
Heki ssedallt
hreeofthem eachonthef
orehead,
thenpi ckedhi
skid’
scarrycotsandwenttothecar
,
strappingthem i
ntothecarseatsanddr
ivi
ngoffas
theylookedathimi nshock.
SARONA:Phew… ok.Thatwasi
ntense…
LOAPI
:Shutt
hef
uckup,
wil
lyou?
SARONA:Geez,r
elax,
Iwas…
PI
LARA:Honest
lySar
ona!Shutup!Di
dthatasshol
e
j
ustl
eaveusher
einthemiddl
eofnowhere?
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)That
’st
hemanyoumar
ri
ed!
PI
LARA:Ohfuckof
f,howl
onghaveyoubeenwi
th
hi
m agai
n?
SARONA:Canyoubot hbit
chl
ater
?It
’salmostdar
k
andweneedtogethome.Iam notwalki
ngallt
he
waythr
oughthatf
orest.
LOAPI
:(si
ghing)I
fwewal ktowar
dst
hef
act
ory,
we
maycatchtheemployeesbus.
*
***
***
***
**
Kaediputwal
kedi
nandcal
ledf
oroneoft
hehouse
hel
p
Mananacamei
nrunni
ng.
MANANA:Youcal
ledmeMrLedi
mo?
KAEDI:Canyouwatcht
hebabiesforabi
t?Ihavea
bi
tchofaheadacheandI’
m soti
red.
MANANA:Ofcour
se,
anyt
hingyouwant
,si
r.
KAEDI
:Youar
eagem.Thanks.
MANANA:ShallIgetyousomet
abl
etsf
ort
hat
headachef
ir
st?
KAEDI
:Yespl
ease.Andascot
chpl
ease…
MANANA:Andyoumi
sseddi
nnersi
r,shal
lIf
ixyou
apl
ate?
KAEDI
:I’
m good,
thanks.
MANANA:Butsi
r,youshoul
dn’
tdr
inkon…
KAEDI:Uhm,
gat
weomangkana… Ir
eal
lyneedr
est
,
so….
MANANA:I
’
m sor
rysi
r,Idi
dn’
tmeant
oof
fend.
KAEDI:(si
ghi
ng)Youdi
dn’
tof
fendme.I
’
mjust
real
ly,
real
lyt
ir
ed…
MANANA:Ihear dyouwantedanannyforthe
babi
es.Icoul
dt aket
hatposi
ti
onsinceIhave
al
readywatchedKaiandheisusedtome,Bebe
coul
dgetusedtomet oo,t
henyoucangetanother
maid.
KAEDI:Fi
nef i
ne!Justl
eave,
please.Ar
eal
lwomen
soi
rri
tati
ng?
Shetookbothbabiesi
ntheircarr
ycotsandwent
downstai
rs,
smili
ngtoherself
.Ifhecoul
dhandl
e
thr
ee,whatwasonemor e?
*
***
***
*
Kaeditookt
het
abl
etst
hatthatgir
lbroughtand
passedouti
naspar
ebedroom inthethir
dfloor
.
Hewokeupt
oSar
onagent
lymassagi
nghi
m.
SARONA:Mypoorbabe,
youaresotense…Ihave
setupt
hespat
ohelpyourel
ax.Come…
KAEDI
:(r
ubbi
nghi
seyes)Youar
enotmadatme?
SARONA:(si
ghi
ng)Angeri
sawast
edemot
ion.I
t
messesupyouchi
.Come.
KAEDI:(
str
etchi
ng)Letmegetaqui
ckshower
,I’
l
l
fi
ndyouthere.
Hequickl
yshoweredandf ol
lowedhertot
hesauna
shehadinsi
stedheinst
alldownstai
rs.
Shewasal
readyr
elaxi
ngbyt
hewoodenbench.The
‘
spa’ wasanindependentbackr oom pastt he
employeehouses, wit
hagl assr oofforthesun,
coveredbonsaitrees,her
bsl i
kel avender,t
hyme,
oreganoandal lt
hatshit,
thenal lsortsiffl
owers
anddwar ffr
uittr
ees.Thent herewast hesunken
Jacuzzi,t
hesteam closet,andamassagebedata
corner.He’
dhadt opopP200Kf orthewhol eshi
t,
butitmadeSassyhappy, soitwaswor t
hit.
Hewal
kedintot
heroom andst
eppedi
nfr
ontofher
wi
thawickedsmil
e.
Hemi ssedhisli
tt
lefreak,i
thadbeenmont hssince
hewasi nti
matewithSassy.Nowt hathehadput
thecardsonthetable,thatthi
swaswhohei sandif
eit
heroftheothergi
rlsmi ndedit
,thentheycoul
d
walk…
Andher eall
ymeanti t
.Helovedthem both,buti
f
theycouldneverbehappyi nhi
slif
estyl
e,thenhe
trul
ywant edthem t
ofindhappi
nesssomewher e
else,pai
nfulasthatwouldbetowatch.
Butnowhewasf
reet
oli
veashet
rul
ywas…
Hedr
oppedt
het
owelar
oundhi
swai
st,
hishar
don
gl
ori
ousatat
tent
ion.
SARONA:Ky,
Ithought
…
KAEDI
:Imi
ssedyou…
Hetookherhadandpulledhertost
and,
draggi
ng
hert
ohi m,
crushheragainsthi
shar
dchestashis
l
ipsfoundhers.
KAEDI
:Shi
t,Imi
ssedyousomuch,
li
tt
lepet
.
SARONA:(
moani
ng)Imi
ssedyout
oodaddy…
{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
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[
05/
29,
11:
Intheveryear l
ymor ni
ngKaedicar eful
lygotofft
he
bedsoast onotwaket hesleepi
ngSassy.He
wrappedthet owelaroundhiswaistandt henpicked
herup,coveringhernakedbodywi t htherobeshe
hadwor nlastnight
,thenswi f
tl
ytookhert oher
bedroom i
nt hethir
df l
oor.Goody,hehadsome
cl
othesi
nherbedr
oom,
soshequi
ckl
yshower
ed
andchanged.
HewalkedovertoLoapi
’sdoorandknocked,
then
pushedthedooropenandpeepedin.
Shesati
nar
ocki
ngchai
rbr
east
feedi
ngBebe.
KAEDI
:CanIcomei
n?
LOAPI
:No
KAEDI:(laughi
ng)ThenI’
llj
usttel
lyouhow
beaut
ifulyoulookri
ghtnowf r
om outher.
LOAPI
:(smi
li
ng)Mxim,
Ihaveundereyebagsand
spi
tonmyshoulder
.
KAEDI:Andyouarest
il
lsogorgeous.Ar
eyousur
e
youdon’twantmetocomein?
LOAPI:(
sighi
ng)Fi
ne.Youcanhol
dherforabit
.I
doneedtopackourthi
ngstodaywearegett
ing
admit
ted.
KAEDI:Iknow.It
ookadayof
ftot
akeyout
her
eand
getyouguyssit
uated.
LOAPI
:Comei
n,hol
dherwhi
l
eIpack.
Hecamei nandsatonthearm chai
rasshehanded
hi
mt hebaby,t
hencal
ledfort
heirbreakf
ast
upst
air
s.
Itcameandtheysateat
ingtoget
her
.Lolosmiled
thinki
nghowthi
sshouldhavebeenthei
rli
fe.Just
herandEdiandthei
rbaby.
Shel
ookeddownsadl
y.
LOAPI:Di
dyoumeanthat
… abouthast
eni
ngt
he
adopt
ionandl
ett
ingmegowithher?
KAEDI:Ever
ywor d.Aft
erIgetyouguysset
tledat
thehospi
tal
,I’
l
lgot al
ktosomepeopleaboutit.She
wil
lbelegal
lyyoursbytheti
meyoul eavet
he
hospi
tal
.
LOAPI
:(t
ear
ingup)Youdon’
tknowhowmucht
hat
meanstome.
Heputthesl
eepi
ngBebeont
hebedandgotcl
oser
,
car
essi
nghercheek.
KAEDI
:Anyt
hingf
oryou,
dol
lf
ace.
Shemovedherf
aceaway.
LOAPI
:Mxi
m…
KAEDI
:Imeani
t
LOAPI:Howaboutmyf amil
ythenEdi?Me,youand
ourl
itt
legir
l.Li
kei
t’
ssupposedtobe,huh?Canyou
dothatforme?
Hesi
ghedandki
ssedhercheek.
KAEDI:Youar
etheonekeepi
ngusawayf
rom t
hat
,
dol
l.
LOAPI:(yel
li
ng)Excuseme?OhmyGod!Youar
e
tr
yingtoputthatonme?Youbr
okeupwit
hme
Kaedi!
KAEDI:AndIapol
ogised!Iwasdumbandangr yat
you.Andhowmanyt imeshaveyoubr okenupwit
h
meLoapi,huh?Afuckingthousand!
LOAPI
:Becauseyouwer
eembar
rassi
ngme,
bei
ng
awhor
eandshi t
,Edi
!
KAEDI:Yea,
well,
youwer eact i
ngabitchand
pi
ssingmeof f
,soyea.Ibrokeitofft
hewayyou
al
waysdowhenyouar epissedatme.Iknewi twas
wrongthemomentIdi dthatthough.IloveyouandI
don’
twantyouwi t
hanyot herfucki
ngman, youare
mi
ne.
LOAPI
:Yetyougett
ohaveawi
feandagi
rl
fr
iend!
Hehuggedherandki
ssedherneckasshet
ri
edt
o
f
ighthi
m of
f.
KAEDI:Lo,doyout
hinkIl
oveyouanyl
essbecause
IhavePipaandSassy?
Herel
axedhi
shol
dandshesaggedi
ntohi
schest
,
sobbi
ng.
LOAPI:I
fyoul
ovedme,
youwoul
dn’
thaveneeded
ot
hers.
KAEDI:Iwishitwast hecaset ooLoapi.Doyou
knowhowmuchheadacheyout hreeare?Why
wouldIli
eaboutlovingyoual ljusttohavea
headache?Icouldjusteasil
ybewi thoneandf uck
aroundoutsi
deifitwasaboutpussy.Lovi ngjust
onewouldbesomuchbet t
erf orme!Inevermeant
tofal
linl
ovewi t
ht hr
eewomen, butIdi
d, ok,Idi
d.
AndIloveyouallequally.
LOAPI:Hasn’
tseemedsoforthepastf
ewmont
hs.
Pi
lar
acameandIwasj ustfor
gott
en.
KAEDI :Wehadachi ldt ogether,ofcourseItriedt o
forcemysel fi
nt ot hemoul d.Bet hecutelitt
lewi fe,
husbandki dsf ami lyt hatpeopl ethinkistheonl y
wayt obe.PushyouandSassyoutofmysyst em.I
tri
ed.Iwasmi serabl e.Imi ssedyoubot h,andI
knowi fIcont inuef orcingt hatli
feonmysel f
,I’l
lgo
backtomyol dsel f,andIwannabeabet terman
thanthatf ormyki ds.Iwi shyoucoul dunder stand
thi
sandwemaket hi swor k,butifyoudon’ tsee
yourselfeverbei nghappywi t
hthis,Iwantyout o
l
eave, Lolo.I’dr atherl ivehurtingwithoutyout han
haveyoul i
vei npai nbecauseofme.
Shecr
iedonhi
schestandhehel
dher
,soot
hingher
.
Fi
nal
lyshepushedhi
m awayandst
aredoutt
he
wi
ndow.
LOAPI:Idon’
tknowhowt obewit
houtyouEdi.I
havedonethi
ngsIregretj
ustt
obewithyou.AndI
don’
twantBebegrowingupintwodif
ferenthomes.
KAEDI:Ineverwantt ost
aybecauseofBebe.Ifyou
wantout,Iwillst
il
lverymuchbepartofherl
if
eand
shewillneverfeeladadvoi
d.Iwantyoustayi
ng
becausei
t’
swhatyouwant
.
LOAPI
:Idon’
twantt
oset
tl
easj
ustyourgi
rl
fr
iend.
KAEDI
:Whosai
dyouhadt
o?
LOAPI
:Pol
ygamyi
sil
legal
.
KAEDI:Doyouhonest lybelievethereisn’tasingle
mani nBotswanamar riedtomor et hanonewoman?
Icangetamar r
iagecertforonlyonemar ri
ageata
ti
me.ButI ncustomarylaw,Icanst il
lmar r
yyou.
Justwithoutthecert
if
icate,butthenagaint hat’
s
j
ustapaper .Youcanhavemyname.I ’m al
ready
goingtoamendmywi llformychi ldrenandyou
thr
eeequal l
y.
LOAPI:(
sarcast
ic)Howwonder
ful
.Asecr
et
marr
iage.
KAEDI:Whysecret
?Iam notashamedofourli
fe
andwanttoproudl
ycel
ebrateouruni
on.Dothe
wholethi
ng,
magadi,bi
gweddingceremony,you
know.
LOAPI
:But
…
KAEDI
:Li
ter
all
ynoonecanchal
lengemy
cust
omar ymarri
age.Al
lIneedisapprovalf
rom t
he
chi
ef,andIdoubtmygrandfat
herisgoingtohave
anyprobl
em withthi
s.
LOAPI
:Ihat
ethatIam evenconsi
der
ingt
his.
KAEDI
:(ki
ssi
ngher
)Idon’
twantt
oloseyou…
LOAPI:Iam i
nsecur
e,Edi
.Eveni
fwegetmar
ri
ed.I
cannevergi
veyoukids…
LOAPI:Doesevenasi
ngl
epar
tofyouf
eell
ikeyou
arenotBebe’
smother
?
LOAPI
:No
KAEDI:Exact
ly.Givingmeachi
lddoesnotmean
bi
rthi
ngone,Lolo.Itmeanst
hetoughpartofr
aisi
ng
one,andyouareal r
eadydoi
ngagreatj
ob.
LOAPI
:ButPi
lar
aandSar
onacangi
veyoumor
e
ki
ds.
KAEDI:Now,t
hat ’
sjustpet
tyofyou.I
t’
snota
competi
ti
on.AndSassyi snotgoingt
ohaveany
ki
ds.Shedoesnotwantt hem andIknowshewon’
t
changehermind.Plusyoucangivememor eki
ds.
Therei
sadoption,surr
ogacy….
LOAPI:(
sadl
y)Nope…myovul
esar
enotvi
abl
e
ei
ther
.
KAEDI:So?Wecanstil
ladopt
.Andsurrogacyi
sst
il
l
notof
fthetabl
e.Ther
eisovum donat
ion.
LOAPI :(
exci
tedly)OhmyGod!Inevert
houghtof
that!Wecanuseyoursperm andadonorovum and
asur r
ogatet
ogi veBebeali
ttl
ebrot
her!Iwannago
totheUS.Myf rienddi
dherIVFther
e.Theyfoll
ow
protocolmore,sother
eisnochanceofthedonor
everknowingus.
Kaedismi
ledandki
ssedhercheek.
KAEDI:Youseebabydol
l?Wecanmaket
hiswor
k.
Whatdoyousay,hmm?Gi vei
tatr
y?
LOAPI
:Butyouhavet
opromisemet
her
ewon’
tbe
moreKaedi
,j
ustt
hesetwo.
KAEDI
:Isweari
t.Onmychi
ldr
en’
sli
fe.
LOAPI:Anddon’tyouevercheckmeinfrontof
thosebit
chesl
ikeyoudidyester
day.I
fIdidwrong
youcallmeinprivat
eandwet al
kabouti
t.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Yesmadam pr
esi
dent
.Butdon’
ts
cal
lyoursi
sterbi
tches.
LOAPI:(
laughi
ng)Iwi lll
it
eral
lyki
llyouifyouever
cal
lthem mysistersagain.AndI’m not
…uhm…
makingmyselfthrowupanymor e.NotsinceBebe
came.So,youdon’ thavetowor r
y.
KAEDI
:Thankyou…now,
comeher
e.
Shedr
aggedherf
eet
,buthesmil
edknowi
nghi
sgi
rl
l
ovedhi
m asmuchashelovedher.
Hepul
ledhercloserandwr appedhi
shands
ar
oundhersli
m waist
,looki
ngherdeepi
ntheeyes.
KAEDI
:Il
oveyouLoapi
,don’
tyoueverdoubtt
hat
.
Hisf i
ngersgent l
yr anupanddownherspi ne,
coaxingshi versoutofher .Wi t
hhercheeksst il
l
blushinghot l
y,shegl ancedbackupi ntohis
captivat
ingeyes.Hel eaneddown, r
estinghi s
foreheadagai nsthers.Loapiwat chedbr eathlessl
y
ashi seyesst udi
edher swi thsil
entintensity.His
war m br
eat hghost edacrossherf ace.Loapishut
hereyesi nant i
cipati
on.Shest ifl
edasur prised
gaspashi ssoftlipscapturedher s,
causi ngher
bodyt oflushwi t
hheatasi tremember edt hespar ks
thatfl
ewwhent heygottogetherl
ikethi
s.Damn,
she’dmi ssedt
hisannoyi
ngfooltoo.Andshe’d
rathersharehi
mt hanbewithouthim.
Hepul
ledoffhercami
sol
eandcapt
uredherni
ppl
e
i
nhismouth.
Shemoanedbutt
ri
edt
opushhi
m away.
LOAPI
:(moani
ng)I
…uhm… Edi
… mi
lk…
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Tast
esgood…
LOAPI
:Wecan’
tBebe’
sint
her
oom.
KAEDI:Bebei
sonemonthol
d… butther
eisa
bat
hroom andawal
kincl
osetanyway…
Hesaidashepushedhert
owar
dst
hecl
oset
,
ki
ssi
ngherwhil
eshemoaned
{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
***
***
Pil
arawalkeddownt othekit
chenwithhereyes
puff
yandr ed.Kaedihadnotevencometotheir
bedroom l
astnight
,andnowshehadseenhi m
l
eavingwithLolo.
Hadhespentt
heni
ghtwi
thher
?
Di
dhef
uckher
?
God!Shecoul
dn’tdothi
s.Thi
swastort
ure.Kaedi
washerhusband,herman!Howwassheexpect ed
t
oaccepthimf ucki
ngotherwomen?
Sheatebreakf
astandthenwentt
otakeKai,dri
ving
tohi
slat
ef at
her’
swide.Theol
dwomanr eall
yloved
herl
ikeadaughterandaccept
edherf
rom theget
go.
Asshepar
ked,
shecoul
dseehersmi
li
ng.
MMA- KGOSI
:Mygirl
!Iwokeupt hi
nki
ngaboutyou,
kareIshoul
dgoseemygi rl
,kanaboLedi
mokebo
saat
ane,myhear
tjustwasn’
tright
.Iwasaboutt
o
sendTholot
ocheckonyou.Howar eyou?
PI
LARA:(
looki
ngdown)I
’
m goodmme.
MMAKGOSI :Imi
ghtbeol
d,butIam f
arf
rom st
upi
d.
Letmeseemygrandsonf
ir
st.
ShehandedherKai
andt
heol
dwomanbeamed
l
ooki
ngathim.
MMAKGOSI
:Hel
ooksj
ustl
ikehi
sgr
andf
ather
!
Lookathim!HemighthavetheLedimobigstat
ure,
butlookatt
hisf
ace!Helooksjustl
ikemylat
e
husband!
Pil
aragiggl
edthi
nkinghow theboywasactual
lya
carboncopyofKaediandnothi
ngli
keherf
ather
,
butitseemedt
okeept heol
dwomanhappy, so,
whatever.
MMAKGOSI :Speak,mosadi
.What
’swr
ong?And
don’
tyousaynot
hing.
Shel
ookeddownandst
art
edsobbi
ng.
PILARA:KanaKaedihasbroughthi
smistresses
homeandl i
veswit
hthem andhejustexpectsmeto
accepti
t.
MMAKGOSI :(si
ghing)Hei,ngwanaka.TheLedi mos
arepolygamists.Bat swalgakal
at ot
ameni nthat
famil
ydoi ngthat.Idon’tknowwhatt otel
lyou
becauseyouwon’ tgetanyhelpfrom thatf
amily.
Theydon’tseei taswr ong
PI
LARA:Hesai
difIcan’
thandl
eit
,Ishoul
dleave.
MMAKGOSI
:And?
PILARA:Ican’
tsharehim!Whyisn’theget
ti
ngt
hatI
l
ovehi m?Andthatpol
ygamyiswr ongandgoes
againstGod’
sdesi
gnf orf
amil
y?
MMAKGOSI :Owaii,t
hosepeopl earenotChr
ist
ian,
mygirl
.Theyaret r
adit
ionali
sts.Totahel
ayohave
twoopti
ons,acceptitkanaoi tsamael
e.Youwil
l
hurt
,butyouwilleventual
lyheal.
PI
LARA:(
cryi
ng)Ican’
taccepti
t.Ican’
t!
MMAKGOSI :Thenleave,mygir
l.Leave.Youknow
wearestandingbyyou, r
ight
?Yourfather’
sfamil
y
i
sstandingwithyou.AndIknowt hatboyKaedi,he
i
shonest ,
unli
kehisgrandfat
her
.Ther ehetookhis
f
ather
.Ifhesaidhewon’ tbot
heryouwi thKai,
he
meansit.Soleave
Shesighedandsatquietl
yasherf
ather’
ssist
er
walkedinandtookKai
, t
heoldwomenhappi l
y
enjoyi
ngholdi
ngthebaby.Shehadcomet oleave
him wit
htheoldwomanf orafewhourstohave
ti
meof f.
Aft
ershelef
tthei
rplace,shewentoutforl
unchto
t
hink.Shesati
nar estaur
antt
wirl
ingherspaghet
ti
ar
oundt
hef
ork.
‘
Yout
ryi
ngt
omakear
torsomet
hing?
’
Shel
ookedupandt
ri
ednott
osmi
le.
PI
LARA:Mxi
m
MBI
GANYI
:Roughday?
PI
LARA:Yea.Sol
eavemeal
one.
Hepul
ledachai
randsat
.
MBI
GANYI
:Whathashedonenow?
Shet
ri
edt
oignor
ehi
m.
MBIGANYI :Thepol ygamousl i
fenotsor osyaf t
eral
l?
Whydoyoudegr adeyourselfsomuchPi lara?You
areasmar t,beautif
ulgi
rlwhodeser vebet terthan
KaediLedimo.AndI ’
m notjustsayi
ngt hi
sbecause
Iwantyou.It el
lmysi st
erthesamet hingt oo.She
hasissuessot hereishopeshewi l
lleavewhenshe
fi
nal
lysortsheri ssues,
what ’
syourexcuse?Daddy
i
ssues?Sel festeem?Ormaybe…
PILARA:Doyouwannachil
lorsomet
hing?
Somewhereali
tt
lemore… pr
ivat
e?
MBIGANYI
:I’
m notgonnabepar
tofyourl
it
tl
e
gameswit
hKaedi…I…
PI
LARA:I
’
m get
ti
ngadi
vor
ce.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Mbi
ganyismi
ledatherandsqueezedherhand.
MBI
GANYI
:Ar
eyousur
e?
PILARA:(sobbing)Whatot herchoicedoIhave?I
am notcutoutf ort
hispolygamyt hing.AndIf eelso
terr
ibl
ebecauseIwantt ogoawayf orabit
.IfIjust
stayhere,I
’l
lneverleaveKaedi,Igetallspi
neless
aroundhim.Ineedt imeawayf rom him beforeIfind
myselfstuckinsomet hi
ngIcan’ thandle.
MBI
GANYI
:Whatar
eyout
hinki
ngof
?
PILARA:I ’
veal
wayswant edtodomymasters.I
appli
edf oraschol
arshi
pinIndi
aandIj
ustgot
accepted.
MBIGANYI
:Wi
llheal
lowyout
otakeyoursonwi
th
you?
PILARA:Never .Heisfinewit
hmehavi nghim,as
l
ongashecanseehi mf r
equent
ly,butnotabr
oad.
AndIdon’ teventhi
nkIcaneveni fheall
owedme…
orthatIevenwantt o…
MBI
GANYI
:Huh?
PILARA:( looki
ngdown)Somet hingiswr ongwi t
h
meMbi .Iam lit
er all
yal wayst ryingtorunf rom Kai.
DidIr eall
yneedt ost artmyPRf ir
mr i
ghtnowwhen
heissol ittl
e?Imean, moneyi snotapr oblem, I
don’tneedt owor k.Whenwear eathomehei s
usuall
yatKaedi ’sgr andmas, oratmyf ather ’
swi f
e.
Orthehel perist akingcar eofhi m.OrKaedi .Maybe
i
t’
sbecauseIhadnopl ansoghavi ngachi l
dt his
soon,andhewasj ustf orcedonme.Il ovehi m with
al
lmyhear t
,butIj ustwi shhewoul dhavewai ted
fi
vemor eyears, youknow.Iwi shIwoul dhave
gott
ent imet olivef i
rst .Tr aveltheworld…Igr ewup
dir
tpoor ,andIpr omi sedmeal ltheexperiencesI
al
waysenvi edgr owi ngup.Mostar ehardt odowi t
h
atwomont hold.Imustsoundsohor r
ible…
MBIGANYI:Notatall
.Yousoundli
kesomeone
deal
ingwi
thalot.Yousoundli
keyouneedabreak.
Andyouhaveeveryrightt
ogetone.
*
***
***
***
*
Kaedisati
nthecor
ridorwai
ti
ngwit
hasobbi
ngLol
o
asMbewuwentt hr
oughhersurger
y.
KAEDI
:She’
sgonnabej
ustf
ine.
LOAPI
:(sobbi
ng)I
’
mjustsoscar
ed,
Edi
… whati
f…
KAEDI
:Shei
saLedimo.Wearet
ough.Ourl
it
tl
egi
rl
i
sgonnabej
ustf
ine.Ipr
omi
se.
LOAPI
:It
’sbeenhour
s.Theyshoul
dbedonebynow.
Adoct
orappr
oachedt
hem.
DR:MrLedimo, MsBabusi .Thesur gerywent
extr
emelywell.Wedon’ tevenneedtohaveheri n
ICU.Shewil
ljustbereleasedtoherr oom wi
thher
mother,
andwewi l
lkeepherher eforaweek,justso
wemoni t
orthewoundandavoi dinfecti
on.
Kaedihuggedahappi
lycr
yingLol
oandshookt
he
doct
or’shand.
KAEDI
:Thankyoudoct
orMasunga.
DR:Mypl
easur
e.Shewi
llbesentt
orecover
yroom
soon.
Shewal
kedawayasKaedihuggedLol
oagai
n.
KAEDI
:WhatdidIt
ellyou?Sheistoughli
keyou.
Comedol
l,
let
’sgowaitforourpri
ncess.
*
***
***
***
**
Aft
erKaedilef
tlat
eintheeveni
ng,Lol
olaidi
nt he
hospi
talbeddoingsomewor kasherphonerang
wit
hanumbershedi dn’tknow.
Maybeoneofhernewempl
oyees.
LOAPI
:Hel
lo?
TATJ:Sky!NgwanyanawadiPhD!War
eng?
LOAPI:(l
aughi
ng)Mxim… kanawenayouthi
nkI
’
m
l
ying.I
’mreall
yaboutt
ofi
nishmydoctor
ate.
TATJ:(
laughi
ng)Ehe…yout
hinkyoucoul
ddo
di
nneranyti
mesoon?
LOAPI
:(si
ghing)Tat
j… mybabydaddyandIar
e
backt
ogether.
TATJ:Hei!Lar
atathebantsebalethubadi
pelobo
babydaddy.Youladi
esalwaysgobacktothem.
AndifwhatIhear
dont hestr
eetsi
sright
,heis
KaediLedimo,
andhei smarri
ed
LOAPI
:(si
ghi
ng)Youwoul
dn’
tunder
stand.
TATJ:Whati
sther
etounder
standSky,
youar
ewi
th
amarri
edman.Osidechi
ck.
LOAPI
:I’
m not
,don’
tcal
lmet
hat
.
TATJ:What
ever
.NnawhatIknowisIam ver
y
at
tr
actedt
oyouandyouareatt
ract
edtome…
LOAPI:Tat
j,canwenotdothi
s?Whycan’twej
ust
befr
iendsandyoustayoutofmyl
oveli
fe?
TATJ:I
joo,
sor
rymma.Sowassupwi
thyou?
LOAPJ:I
’
mint
hehospi
tal
.
TATJ:What
?Why?Whathappened?
LOAPI:Mydaught
erhadsur
ger
y.Wher
ehaveyou
been?
TATJ:Kemosekgweng.Tr
ip.
LOAPI
:Kant
ewher
edoyousl
eepi
nthoset
ri
ps?
TATJ:(
laughi
ng)Wherewil
lwesl
eepmosekgweng
Sky?I
t’
snotli
ketheyhavet
heThapamai
nthe
middl
eofthefor
est.
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)Omakgakga.Sogor
ianayou
sl
eepi
nat ent
?
TATJ:Nope.Undert
hestars!Il
ikeyou,
Sky.Ther
e
i
sjustsomethi
ngaboutyou.
LOAPI
:(bl
ushi
ng)St
op.
TATJ:Why?I
’
mtel
li
ngmyt
rut
h.
LOAPI
:Tat
j,pl
ease…
TATJ:Fi
ne.I
ja,
youcan’
tbel
i
evewhatIgotDi
mpl
es.
LOAPJ:(
laughi
ng)Don’
tcal
lmydaught
erDi
mpl
es.
TATJ:SheisDimples.SoIpassedt
hisvil
lage
wherethi
swomanwasmaki ngmakgabeandshe
hadoneforbabies,col
our
fulandal
l.Letmesend
youapic.
Hehungupandsentapi
ctur
e.
Lol
osmil
ed,
pict
uri
ngBebewear
ingi
t.I
twasso
ador
abl
e.
‘
OhmyGod .Thankyou.She’
l
llooksocut
e!’
‘
Theyalsohadkni
tt
edlit
tl
esandal
sandall.I
coul
dn’thel
pmysel
f,IhopeIdi
dn’
tover
step
boundari
es’
Hesentaf
ewmor
epi
ctur
es.
‘
OhmyGod, Il
ovet
hem!ThanksTat
ji
!Nnakoor
ele
gont
hekel
asepeker
aa ’
‘
Wenawankganaaker
e ’
‘Kanamyboyfri
endwi
lll
it
eral
lyki
llyou,
ij
a.Doyou
knowKaedit
ota? ’
‘Kanal
ebraveboSky.Segamkasetshwanasel
e
andwenayoujustdevidet
obewit
hhim.Beingt
hat
big,
hagobetsakaclapawaidi
bal
a.’
‘
Goodthi
nghewil
lneverhitmethen.Can’
tsayhe
won’
tbeatt
heshi
toutifyouthough ’
‘
Ketamoti
kakamantswe .I
’
m comi
ngt
osee
yout
omor
roweveni
ng.‘
‘
OhmyGod, Tat
j,don’
t.Pl
ease.Ediwi
llbehereand
hewi
llki
llusboth.Iam beggi
ngyou,please!I
’
ll
hat
eyouf
orl
if
eifyoudo.
’
‘
Fine,
butdon’
tthi
nkIam gi
vinguponyoubecause
ofamarri
edman.’
*
***
***
***
**
KaedigothomeandwenttoPil
ara’
sroom.Shewas
nowheretobefound,
andherphonewasoff.
Hecal
ledmmaKgosi
.
KAEDI
:Mme…
MMAKGOSI :Mxi m,mmewaengosot langwana.
Doyouthi
nkPi laraneedsyou?Shehasaf amil
y
t
hathasweal t
ht oo,butal
solove,r
onawedon’t
measur
ethingswi t
hmoney.Bringherbackhaosa
mmaterrawewi llevengi
veyouyourmagadiback.
KAEDI
:MmeI
…
MMAKGOSI :Iagr
eedtowatchKaitonightsoyou
cantal
k,hopingshewil
lser
veyoudi vor
cepapers.I
f
youarecall
ingthi
nki
ngIwill
gethert or
econsi
der,
youarewast i
ngyourt
ime.Iwil
ldancewhenshei s
fr
eeofyou.
Hesi
ghedandj
usthungup.Hewasj
ustt
oot
ir
ed
forhershi
t,t
hatwomanwastheoneputt
ingi
deas
onPipa’sheadaboutt
hei
rar
rangement
.
AnywaysoPi
pawasn’
tther
ebutl
eftKait
her
e.
Wher
ewasshe?
Het
ri
edherphoneandshewasn’
tanswer
ingagai
n.
Michel
leorevenPi
lar
a’scousi
nMminohadnoidea
whereshewas.Andthosetwower
eheronl
yfr
iends.
Hef i
nal
lysi
ghedandcalledLoapit
osaygoodni
ght
,
thenpassedoutonthebedasSassyhadgoneto
visi
toneofherfr
iends.
Inthemorni
ngther
ewasaknockandManana
stoodatt
hedoorwithat
rayi
fbr
eakf
ast
.
Usual
lyPi
painsi
stedonget
ti
nghi
sbr
eakf
astand
i
roni
nghisworkclot
hes.
MANANA:MrLedi
mo,It
houghtIshoul
dbr
ingyou
br
eakf
astsi
nceMr
sLedi
moi sout.
KAEDI
:Thanks.Anyi
deawher
eshei
s?
MANANA:Shedidn’
tsay.Butshecametopick
Kai
’
sthi
ngswit
hsomeguywhowai tedatt
hegate.
KAEDI
:Whatguy?
MANANA:Ithi
nkIoncesawhim vi
sit
ingSar
ona
whenshewashospi
tal
ised.
KAEDI
:Fucki
nghel
l.Uhm.
.Imean,
thanks,
uhm…
MANANA:Manana.
KAEDI
:ThankyouManana.
Hesai
dashepacedaboutangr
il
y.
MANANA:Icanironyourcl
othesforwor
k,si
r.Your
P.Adroppedsomefil
esear
li
ersayingt
heyarefora
meet
ingyouwer egoi
ngto.
KAEDI:Oh,yea… t
hanks…goont
hen,
whatar
eyou
wai
ti
ngf or
?
MANANA:Thecl
othes,
sir
.
KAEDI:Oh,sorr
y.Pickanyt
hingthatl
ooksdecent.
Andpleasegetthosenotesandputthem i
nmy
l
aptopbag.Andcal lt
hedri
ver,Idon’
twantt
odrive
t
oday,I’
llbegoi
ngthroughthenotesontheway.
MANANA:Yessi
r.
KAEDI
:Oh,
wai
t.CanIbot
heryouonel
astt
ime?
Pleasefi
ndaflori
standar
rangeani
mmedi at
epick
upofwhi t
eroses.Gi
vemeyournumberI’
llewal
l
et
yousomemoneyi ncaset
heyneedpayment
upfront
.
*
***
***
***
*
Hegotinthecarandpickedupt hef
lowers,
then
wasabouttopickupbreakfastf
rom Lol
o’sfavour
it
e
rest
aur
antwhenhespot tedPipaandMbiganyi
havi
ngbreakf
asttoget
her …
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
KaedigaveMbi ganyiandPil
araonelookandshook
hisheadsadly,thenwentovertothecount
erand
gothistakeoutandwalkedbacktothecarasPil
ara
ranovertohim.
PI
LARA:Isweari
t’
snot
hing,
wewer
ejust
…
KAEDI
:Ican’
tbel
ieveyoul
eftmysonwi
tht
hat
hol
ierthanthouoldwomantogoaft
ersomedi
ck.
Kaiisnoteventhr
eemonthsol
dandyouare
poppingpussy,t
oscum,nonet
hel
ess.
Mbi
ganyiwal
kedovert
othem.
MBI
GANYI
:Isever
ythi
ngok?
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)Youknowsomet hing,
Pipalove?
Youareaf ool
.Youar
ej ustcol
lat
eraldamagei na
waryoushouldn’
tbeinvolvedi
n.Hef uckedyoujust
tot
ryandgett ome.
MBI
GANYI
:Wat
chhowyout
alkt
oher
…
KAEDI :Orwhat,bi
gboy?Gonnacallyourt
winni
eso
y’
allcansharetheasswhooping?Nxla!Pl
easepi
ss
meof f.Pl
ease!Iam i
nallsor
tsofmoodsandI
couldreall
yuseapunchingbagrightnow.
MBI
GANYI
:Your
eal
lyt
hinkyouscar
eme,
don’
tyou?
KAEDI
:Whyscar
eyouwhenIcoul
djustki
llyou?
MBIGANYI:Ofcour
se,
that
’swhatyoudo,
you
f
uckingmurder
er.
KAEDI
:Youcallmeamur der
er,yetyousti
llf
uck
wit
hme.Notverysmar
t,areyou?Pilar
a,getint
he
car
.
PILARA:(
ner
vousl
y)Idon’twantt
ogohomewi
th
youwhenyouareli
kethis.
KAEDI:(si
ghing)Yousayi
tli
keIhi
tyouorsome
shi
t.Getinthedamncar.
MBI
GANYI
:Tel
lhi
m youwantadi
vor
ceal
ready!
KAEDI:Oh,i
t’
sli
kethat
,huh?Isit,
Pil
ara?Gott
afind
outbusi
nessbetweenusfrom somestreetr
at?
PILARA:(
looki
ngdown)Ican’
tbeoneofyourmany
Ky.
KAEDI
:Soyoudowantadi
vor
ce.
PI
LARA:Ido.
KAEDI:Verywel
l.AsItol
dyou,youar
ever
yfr
eeto
go.Gofil
eandbringthedocument
sbymyoff
ice.I
’
ll
si
gnthem immediatel
y.
Hegoti
nthecarandshutt
hedoor
,thent
hedr
iver
t
ookoff
.
*
***
***
***
Kaediwal
kedi
ntoLol
o’shospi
talr
oom asshewas
pumpi
ngmi
lk.
KAEDI :Heydol
l… youl
ookl
ikeadai
rycow
(chuckli
ng)
LOAPI:(l
aughi
ng)Ihavetopumpandbottl
ef eed
herfort
odaybecausetheydon’
twantmer i
sking
hurt
ingherwhenIpickherupt
ofeed.Edi
,areyou
ok?
HewentoverandgaveBebehi
sli
tt
lef
ingert
ohol
d
KAEDI
:Heywar
ri
orpr
incess… t
hedoct
orsaysyou
ar
edoi
ngsowell
!
LOAPI
:Don’
tignor
emeKaedi
,what
’swr
ong?
Hewassi
lentf
orsomet
ime.
KAEDI:Uh…Pi
pahasdeci
dedt
oleave.Wear
e
get
ti
ngadivor
ce.
LOAPI
:Oh…
KAEDI
:Yea…anyway,
that
’st
hat
.Howar
eyougi
rl
s
doi
ng?
LOAPI:Wearegood.Howar
eyouf
eel
ingKaedi
?
Aboutthewhol
ethi
ng?
KAEDI
:Sheisfucki
ngMbiganyi
.Didn’
tcomehome
l
astni
ghtandIsawthem havebreakf
astt
oget
her
t
hismorni
ng.
LOAPI
:Ohno.Kaedi
,tel
lmeyoudi
dn’
tgetvi
olent
.
KAEDI
:Hewasgoadingme.IswearI
’m gonna
br
eakt
hatass’
sneckwit
hmybar ehandsoneday.
LOAPI
:Kaedi
!
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)What
!Hedeser
vesi
t.
LOAPI
:Howareyouf
eel
ingwi
tht
hewhol
ePi
lar
a
thi
ngt
hough?
KAEDI:Imadeitcleari
t’
sachoi
ce.Andshewent
andfuckedanothermananyway.
LOAPI
:Youarejustgonnatakeherbackwhenshe
i
sdonewithhershitanyway.Somet
imesIfeell
ike
youl
ovehermorethanme.
Hesatonthebedandgent
lypul
ledherupt
oseat
,
gent
lyki
ssi
ngher
.
KAEDI
:Youknowt
hat
’snott
rue.
Hecar
essedhercheeks,
looki
ngi
nhereyes.
KAEDI:Il
oveyou,LoapiBabusi,wi
thal
lmyhear t
.I
j
usthappentolovetwoot herwomenequall
y.ButI
l
oveyouandI ’
m soexcitedaboutbuil
dingour
fami
ly.Seei
ngyoubeamom i ssoint
oxi
cati
ng…
Hepul
ledhercl
oserandki
ssedherasshebl
ushed
whent
hedoctorwalkedi
n.
*
***
***
***
**
Pil
ara’
shandsshookasshewal kedupst ai
rsto
Kaedi’
soffi
cewi
ththedivorcepapers.Shedidn’t
wantnodamndi vor
ce,
she’ dhopedhe’dgetridof
theother
swhenshement ioneddivorce…
Butshecoul
dn’
tshar
ehi
m… shej
ustcoul
dn’
t.
She’
drat
herl
eave.
Sheknockedandwal
kedi
njustashewashangi
ng
upthephone.
KAEDI:Hey,
yougotthepaper
s?Ial
readyt
alkedt
o
mygrandpaandall
iscool.
PI
LARA:(
sadl
y)Ido
KAEDI
:Ok,
anyt
hingyouwantt
odi
scuss?
PILARA:I’
m goi
ngabroadf
ormymast
ers.I
nIndi
a.I
thoughtyoucoul
dkeepKai
…
KAEDI:Wow.Fir
styouarerunni
ngbackt
owork,
nowgoingal
lthewayacrosstheworl
dwhenheis
onl
ythreemonthsold?
PILARA:Kaedi,
kanaI…I
’
m notok,
Ineedt
otake
careofmyselff
irst
.
KAEDI:Yea, t
akecareofyour sel
f,everyonebe
screwed.Incl
udingyourt hr
eemont hsol dson.You
madet hatbabyPilara,hedidn’
taskt obeborn,you
havear esponsi
bil
itytowardshim!
PI
LARA:(sobbi
ng)Yea,
wel
l,
Ineverwant
edt
ohave
ababyal
so…
KAEDI
:Wow!Justwow…
PILARA:(
cryi
ng)Ky,youknowIdi
dn’
tmeani
tli
ke
that
.Ij
ustwasn’
tready…I…
KAEDI:Youknowwhat ?Kaii
sbet t
eroffwithoutyou.
Youneverreal
lyshowedgr eatint
erestinhi
m
anyway.Youcouldn’twaitt
orunof ftoworkthe
momenthewasbor n.Youseriousl
yt optheli
stof
horr
ibl
emot
her
s.Ok,
I’
llkeephi
m.Iwantsol
e
cust
ody.
PI
LARA:But
…
KAEDI:Solecustodyoryoucan’tgot
oyour
preci
ousIndia.I
’
llrepor
tyoufornegl
igenceand
desert
inghim.
PI
LARA:Fi
ne!
KAEDI
:Anyt
hingelse?Wemar ri
edoutof
communi
tyofpropert
y,butI
’
llcutyouani
cecheck.
PI
LARA:Idon’
tneedi
t.
KAEDI :Sweetie,t
akeit
.Eveninhi
swholesome
wealth,thechief’
swealt
hwaschumpchange, and
nowshar edbetweenhiswif
e,si
bli
ngsandyou?It
’s
pal
try.Andhi sbr ot
her
sarewastingr
eserves
anyway.
PI
LARA:Ihavei
nvest
ment
s…I
KAEDI:Yourinvest
mentsareok,notstr
ong,t
hey
canfal
lanytime.Youshouldhaveaskedforadvi
ce.
Youdor eal
iseIam aquali
fi
ed,wal
lst
reet
i
nvestmentbanker,ri
ght
?I’
dhaveadviseyoubetter
.
PI
LARA:Don’
twor
ryaboutme.
KAEDI:Plusyouarejustnotcutforbusi
ness,t
oo
f
eebl
e.Didn’tyouj
ustspendallt
hatmoneyst ar
ti
ng
aPRfi
rm, nowyouarerunningofftoIndi
a?
PILARA:Ihadwantedtostayandmakemy
mar r
iagewor
k,that
’swhyIstar
tedthefir
m,butI
hadlongappli
edforIndi
a.Iwantt
of ur
thermy
studi
es.
KAEDI :Youaregonnablowthroughyour
i
nherit
anceinrecor
dtimeifyouar enotcaref
ul.
Pipa,
Ihandledmoneyallmyadul tli
fe.Iknowasix
hundredthousandpulai
nheri
tanceseemsl i
kealot
whenyouneverhandledthatkindofmoney, buti
t
canbegonei nthesnapofafinger.
PI
LARA:I
’
llbef
ine.
KAEDI
:Ok.Yourl
oss.
Hewentthr
ought hedocument
,thensi
gnedand
pushedt
hem backtoher.
PI
LARA:So,
that
’si
t?
KAEDI
:Yup.Uncont
est
eddi
vor
cei
seasy,
especi
all
y
si
ncewearen’
tfi
ghti
ngovercustody.Mylawyer
wi
llbei
ntouchwithyour
sfortheprocess.
Shel
ookedaway,
sobbi
ng.
KAEDI
:Ar
eyouok?
PI
LARA:Howdoyourexpectmet
obeokKaedi
,I
am get
ti
ngadi
vor
ce.
KAEDI
:Thatyoui
nit
iat
ed.Andyouf
uckedanot
her
man.
PI
LARA:I
t’
sli
keIneverevenmeantanyt
hingt
oyou.
WasIj
ustacont
ractyousignedt
hen?
Shecover
edherf
acewi
thherhandsandcr
ied
hyst
eri
cal
ly.
Kaedisi
ghedandcameoutfrom behi
ndthetabl
e,
huggi
ngherfr
om thebackandkissi
ngherneck.
KAEDI :Youarechoosingtoleave,babe.Youare.
AndIunder standthatapolyli
feisnotforyou.I
’m
respecti
ngthat.Icouldneverf
orceyou.YouknowI
l
oveyouver ymuch, Pi
pa.ButIcan’tgi
veyouwhat
youwant .Ican’tl
eaveLoloandSassy, Il
ovethem
bothasmuchasIl oveyou.Theyhavemadepeace
wi
tht
hat
,andI
’
m gr
atef
ul.Youcan’
t,
so,
her
ewear
e.
PI
LARA:It
’snotfai
r,Kaedi
!Youneverevengaveour
marr
iageachance!
KAEDI :ButIdidPi
lar
a!Sinceyouweresi xmonths
pregnantuntil
now!Itri
edtoli
vethatl
ie!Icoul
dn’t
.
SoIchosemyt rut
h.Iam apolymaninl ovewit
h
threewomen.Youar echoosingyourt
rut ht
oo.You
arejustnotpoly.I
thurt
s,butIl
oveyousomuchI
knowIhavet oacceptyourchoice.
Het ur
nedherar
oundandhuggedhert
ight
lyasshe
cri
edonhischest,
bli
nki
ngawayhi
sownt ear
sand
tr
yingtokeephi
scomposure.
Shelookedupwi
tht
earst
ainedcheeksandpuf
fy
eyes.
PILARA:Idon’
tknowi
fI’
l
leverl
oveanotherman
thewayIloveyou…Imi
ssyoualready.
Heleanedi
nandputhi
sfor
eheadonher
s,l
ooki
ng
heri
ntheeyesf
orabit
.
Hehel
dherheadinhishandsandpulledherintoa
f
ier
yandpassi
onatekiss.Herhandsworktheirway
ar
oundhi
sbody,feel
ingeachcrevasse,
eachline
al
onghi
sperf
ectphysiqueasshekissedhim back,
hi
sownhandsalloverher,
expl
oringhercur
vybaud.
Theypull
edapartandopenthei
reyes.Theyst
ared
ateachother
,deepint
oeachother
'seyes.
KAEDI :It
rul
yhopeyouf indwhatyouar elooki
ngfor,
Pilara.AndIwi shyoual lthehappinessintheworl
d.
Dor ememberIl oveyouandal wayswil
l.WhenI
l
ove, myl oveisforl
ife,andIgotyourbackanyt ime
youneedi t,
ok?Don’thesi tatet
ocomei fyouever
needanyhel p,nostr
ingsat t
ached.Now wipeyour
tears,bravegir
l.Chinup.Yougott hi
s.
Thedoorbur
stopenandWet
showal
kedi
n.
KAEDI
:(annoyed)Doyouknock?
WETSHO:I fyouweref
uckingyou’
dhavel
ockedt
he
door.Pipaexcuseme,butIneedt
otal
ktothi
s
asshole.
Kaedisqueezedthepalm ofherhandonel
astt
ime
andkissedherforehead.
KAEDI
:Byepr
incess.Goodl
uck.
*
***
***
*
Thenextfewdaysshespendpacki ngandtryi
ngto
spendasmucht i
mewi thKaiaspossibl
e.Ithurt
whenKaedicall
edherahor r
ibl
emot her
,butshe
real
lyneededt
osot hi
s.Togof i
ndherself
.
Otherwi
seshereal
lywillbeahorri
blemothertoKai
becauseshewouldbesounhappy.
Aft
erafewweeksshepackedherbagsandleft
.Al
l
t
hedivorcepaper
swer esi
gnedandt
heprocess
wouldeasi
lycomplet
enow.
Mbi
ganyiwasdr
oppi
ngheratt
heSSKI
A.
MBI
GANYI
:Ar
eyousur
eaboutt
his?
PI
LARA:Iam.Thi
sist
heonlywayIgetKaediof
f
mysyst
em.I’
l
lbebackforChr
ist
mas.
MBI
GANYI
:CanIcomeseeyoubet
weent
hatt
ime…
PILARA:Mbi… youknowIam notr eadyfor
anythi
ngelseri
ghtnow,I
’m st
il
linlovewithanot
her
man.Idon’twanttost
ri
ngyoual ong.Giveme
space,andwhenIam donef i
ndingmysel f
,wecan
seeift
herecanbeanythi
ngbet weenus.
Herfl
ightwascall
edinandshewal kedthr
ough
ai
rpor
tsecurit
y.Theguybehindhersawher
documentsandast heywal
kedtothefli
ght
,heran
overt
oher .
HI
M:Hyder
abad?
PI
LARA:(
smi
li
ng)Yes,
yout
oo?
HIM:
Yup,
I’
m goingformymaster
s.Wemi
ghtbei
n
t
hesameuni
versit
y.I
’m Tumo.
*
***
***
***
**
5year
slat
er……
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Loapismi l
edlookingattheironemontholdtri
plets.
Atwopl usone, i
denti
calgirl
sandthei
rf r
ater
nal boy.
Theyallresembledtheirdaddysomuch, butthen
Kaedionlymadebabi est hatwerespi
tt
ingimages
ofhim.
Kaediwaspacki ngtheirbagsreadyfortheai r
port.
Shehadr efusedtoleavetheUSi mmedi atel
yaf t
er
thesurrogategavebirt
h,notwantingtotravelwith
thebabiessoyoung, eveniftheyhadbusi ness
classseatswithamplespacef orthei
rthreecar r
y
cots.
KAEDI
:Mr
sLedi
mo,
arewer
eady?
Hesaidandwal kedbacki
nloomi
ngsosexyi
nhi
s
casualcl
othes.
Shesmi ledlookingatherweddi ngring.Itwasa
pinkdiamondt hatmadeherf ri
endAudr yhat eher
whi t
ediamondr i
ng,andAt ang… well,t
hej udgy
bitchwasn’tevenmar r
ied,herboyfr
iendwasst i
ll
gangbangingsl ayqueenswi thhistwinbr otherf
rom
ti
met otime, mxim,tryi
ngt otel
lherthather
arrangementwasmessedup?Atl eastsheknewi f
Kaediwasf uckinganot herwoman, itwasSassy,
notsomer andom slayqueenever yweekend.
SheandKaedihadmarriednotlongaft
erhis
di
vorceSar
onadidn’t‘
beli
eveinmarr
iage’soshe
hadn’
thadnoprobl
em wi t
hthem mar
rying.Thei
r
l
if
est
ylewasn’
tper
fect
,buti
twor
ked.
Andshewashappy.Wor ki
ngsi
debysidewit
hher
husbandandcominghomet ot
hei
rki
ds… famil
y
ti
meont heweekends.
Itwastheli
feshehadalwaysdreamtof.How
peoplecouldj
udgewhatshehadwhi let
heywhere
cheatedlef
tri
ghtandcentr
eandlivedmiser
abl
yin
thei
r‘monogamous’rel
ati
onshi
psbeather.
Theyhadafi
ghtwit
hAt
angrecent
lywhenshesaid
thi
stoher
.Meh,t
henewGuccihandbagshebought
herwoul
dbeagoodapol
ogy.
ShelookedatKaediadmir
ingthei
rbabi
es.Gosh,
thei
rtwoyearsweddinganni
versar
ywasnext
month,whatwasshegoingtogetherhusband?
Herphoner
angandshel
aughedasi
tfl
ashed
‘
Bimbo’
LOAPI
:Hey…
SARONA:Youguysl
eftal
ready?
LOAPI
:Aboutt
o,youwant
edanyt
hingf
rom t
his
si
de?
SARONA:No,butI
’l
ltakeaBir
kini
fyouareof
feri
ng.
It
otal
lybor
rowedyourmaroononeforsomeeventI
wentt
o.
LOAPI:Sarona,
whatdidIsayaboutyout
aki
ng
thi
ngsfrom mycloset
?
SARONA:Butyouhavesomanyni
cet
hingst
hat
youdon’
tevenuse!
LOAPI:BecauseIhaveaj
ob!Youshoul
dconsi
der
gett
ingonetoosoyoucanhavesomanynice
thi
ngsli
keme.
SARONA:Idon’ tbel
ievei
njobs,t
heyarejust
soci
etaltr
appingstostopyoufr
om reachi
ngyour
ful
lpotent
ial
.
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)You,
arel
azy,
andspeci
al.AndI
domeanthati
ntheFor
estGumpway.
SARONA:( laughi
ng)Speci
alisspeci
al.Itakei
tasa
compliment.Ihavetwoli
tt
lepeoplewhowant edto
tal
ktoyou.Iwentt ogett
hem thi
smor ning.Come,
rugr
ats,yourmotherisontheli
ne.
Theki
dsf
oughtf
ort
hephoneunt
ilsheputi
ton
speaker
.
LOAPI
:(happi
ly)Mybabi
es!Howar
eyou?
KAI:Mamadi
dyougetmyt
ruckwi
thsol
dier
sand
gunsandaradi
o.
BEBE:Andmydol lt
hatwal
ksandt
alksandeat
s
andclosesi
tseye?
LOAPI:(
laughi
ng)Notevenaski
ngaboutyour
si
bli
ngsfir
st?
BEBE:Al
lbabieseverdoiscryanyway!Cal
mohas
ali
tt
lesi
sterandshecri
esalltheti
me.
KAI:Don’tbemeanBebe,
wehavetobenicet
o
them becauset
heyar
ebabies,
whatar
ethei
rnames
againmama?
LOAPI:Thegir
lsar
eCeri
seandSapphi
re,
wecal
l
them Cer
iandSaph,t
heboyIsNehemi
ah,wecal
l
him Nemo.
KAI
:Cer
i,SaphandNemo!NowIr
emember
.Ican’
t
wai
ttomeetthem.
BEBE:Met oo,
wemi ssyoumamaanddaddy,
come
back.KaiandIar
ethebestatswi
mmingandart
andl
ett
ersandal
phabet
s!Hidaddy!
Kaediwal
kedi
nandki
ssedhehead.
KAEDI
:Hir
ugr
ats,
heypet
,wher
edi
dyougett
hose
t
wo?
SARONA:Wenttogetthem yest
erday.Theywant
ed
tocomemeetyouattheair
port.
Shet
ookt
hephoneof
fspeakerandt
alkedt
oKaedi
.
SARONA:Heydaddy… yougotmeanewcol
larand
l
eash?
KAEDI
:Youar
egonnal
ovet
hem.
SARONA:Youar et
akingmeonholi
daywhenyou
getback,
right
?Imissedyou,
onewhol
emonth!
KAEDI:Don’tbeabr
at,youknowIam outof
commissionforawhil
e,wit
hthreeli
tt
lenewpeopl
e
i
nthepictur
e.Comenowbr at,don’
tpout.Ok,
ok.A
weekendgetaway.
SARONA:(
smi
li
ng)Thanksdaddy.
Hesmi
ledashehungup.Ithadtakenawhil
e,but
hi
sgi
rl
snowtoler
atedeachother
.Ok,Sar
onadidn’
t
haveapr obl
em atallbut.Loapihadjustaccept
ed
thatSassywaspar toftheequationanddidn’t
whineaboutitanymor e.Theystil
lbi
ckeredli
kekids
andgavehi m aheadacheont hedaily,but
somehowt heymadei twor k.
Heloadedt
hekidsinthei
rrentalcarandLoapigot
i
nthecarasthedroveofft
ot heairpor
t.
*
***
***
***
Pi
lar
aar
ri
vedi
ntheai
rpor
tst
il
lar
gui
ngwi
thTumo.
TUMO:Comeonbabe,t
hisi
nvest
menti
slegi
t.I
t’
s
gonnamakeusr
ich,
Iswear
.
PILARA:Yousaidthataboutt
helastoneTumo!I
am downt oP21000i nmybankaccountandI
don’tevenhaveahouseoranythi
ng.ThestockI
boughtisli
ter
all
yworthl
ess.
TUMO:Whi chiswhyyouneedtogivemeP15000
toinvest,
you’l
lsee.Thi
sguyknowsForex,andheis
teachingme.Youseehowr i
chhei
s?That’sgonna
beusbabe.Ipr omise… comeonbabe,don’tyou
trustme?
PILARA:Babe… kana.I’
mj ustsayi
ng… wearebot
h
notworki
ngandwehavet hatP21000bet weenus
only.Weneedtosurvive.Rent,f
ood,pr
int
ing
resumes,et
c.
TUMO:Pi lar
a… myl ove… lookatme, Il
oveyou, ok?
Iloveyout hemostandwantt hebeatf oryou.No
onel ovesyout hewayIdo.Noneoft hem
under standyoulikeIdo.Rememberhowyour
father’sfamilygaveyouhel laboutcomi ngher eto
studyl eavingyourson…whenyourr elat
ionship
witht hem becamesever ed… whenyouwer eall
alone, goingthr
oughdepr essionfrom allthat
.Goi ng
throughaddi cti
onandr ecovery.Istoodbyyou,
Pilar
a.It ookcareofyou.I’mt heone, babegirl
…I
haveyourback.Tr ustme, hmm?
Heki
ssedherandshesi
ghed,
saggi
ngi
ntohi
s
embr
ace.
PI
LARA:Fi
ne,
buti
tbet
terwor
kthi
sti
me.
Becauseotherwiseshewoul dr
eal
lybefucked.
LeavingKaedihadhitherhard,
shehadwentona
depressi
vespiralt
hatfuckedupherl
if
e.Andher
fat
her’
sfamil
ybi
tchingaboutherl
eavi
ngKaiwasn’
t
hel
ping.Bi
tt
erwordshadbeenexchanged.
Andthenshediscover
edcocaineonthestr
eetsof
Hyderabad.For
gotaboutGod.For
gotaboutthe
chur
ch.
Firsti
twasatapar t
ywithsomegir
ls.Theysaidit
woul dhel
pherloosenup.Andshejustwantedto
feelnumbf orabi
t.Tonotbeinsomuchemot ional
pain.
Thenitbecameahabi t
.Part
yingandcocai
nemade
herfeelal
ive,madehernotf
eel.NoKaedipai
n,no
gui
ltofleavingKai
.
Andthelastst
rawhadbeenwhenshesoldthe
ancest
rall
andsheheldt
oLedimowhenshewent
broketwoyear
sago.Thedealhadbeenhedon’
ttel
l
Kaedi,
andhehonouredi
t.
Shehadf oughtsomuchwi thmmaKgosiaboutthe
ancest
rallandthatshedecidedtocuttheold
womanof ftoo.MmaKgosi endeduppassi ngaf
ew
monthsagowi thoutthem t
alki
ngsincethen.
Heruncl
eshat
edhernow,
theysai
dshebet
rayed
t
hef
ami
lyaf
terherf
athert
rust
edherwi
tht
hatl
and.
ButTumohadbeent hereforher…t heyhad
tr
avel
ledandenj
oyedalltheluxur
iesmoneycoul
d
buybetweensemest
ers.
Shehadtri
edtocallKaedieverydayandcheckon
Kai
,buti
twast oopainf
ultohearhisvoice.Tohear
Lol
ointhebackgroundgiggli
ngandal l
…
Buthesecondyearofherl
eavi
ng,Kaediwast
he
onealwayscal
li
ng,andbythet
hir
dyearhetoo
gaveupupdati
ngheronKai.
Shehadnothear df
rom him si
nceKai ’
st hi
rd
bir
thday.Thatwaswhenshewasr eal
lyhookedon
coke.Shehadgraduated,butdecidedtokeepup
herfunaf ewmoreyears.Cocaine,parti
es,andwi
ld
sexwithTumo.
Ast heywal
kedoutoft
heairpor
t,anot
hergr
oupof
peoplewer
eloudl
ychat
ting.
Sheduckedherheadasshenot i
cedSarona
l
ooki
ngintoatri
pletst
rol
lerwhi
leLoapibeamed.
SARONA:Whi
chonei
sSaph,
whi
choni
sCer
i?Nna
kei
tseNemohel
a!
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)Saph’
sfacei
srounder
,Cer
iis
moreoval
.
Kaediwal
kedinfrom t
hetoi
letssi
de,hol
dingt
wo
l
it
tl
ekids… KaiandBebe.Theyweresogrown…
God,l
ookatherson,hewast hespi
tt
ingimageof
hi
sfather
.
TUMO:Man, thatniggaisKaediLedimo.Kanake
bil
li
onai
remot hakayole.Imean,hecomesf rom
moneyalready,butgatweniggahasaMi dastouch
evenwhenhewasi nwal l
str
eet
.Hel ooksatmoney
anditgr
ows.Thi sguywhoment or
sme, theone
helpi
ngmewi ththei nvest
ment,hepersonall
y
knowsKaedi.See,hewal kswit
hbigdawgs, he
knowswhathei sdoing.
Shehadnotdivul
gedmuchaboutanyt hingtohim.
Notaboutherfat
herbei
ngachi eforevenbei ng
marr
iedintheLedimofami
ly.Shehadr ever
tedt o
hermaidenname.Hadwant edtoforgetitalland
moveon.
Al
lheknewwast
hatherf
atherhadl
efthersome
money,
shehadbeenmarri
edanditdi
dn’
twor
kout ,
soshedi
vorced,
andshehadasonwhonowlived
wit
hherexhusband.
Shedi
dn’
ttal
kmuchabouthersel
f,r
eal
ly,
butTumo
fi
ll
edt
hesi
lence.Guyl
ovedt
alki
ngabouthimsel
f
andhi
sfor
ex.
Yea,hehadhi sfaul
ts,
buthest oodbyherdur
ing
herdarkestmoment sandhel
pedherwhenshewas
sui
cidal.Neverj
udgedherfoeleavi
ngKai.Andshe
washisonl yone.
Heunder
stoodherwhennoonei
nherl
if
ewant
ed
t
o.
Shewat chedasLol otookt
hehandsofeachkidsas
Saronahel dthedi
aperbags,whi
leKaedipushed
thestr
ollertothecar.
*
***
***
***
**
Afewdaysl
aterPil
arasati
nthei
rrentedroom
l
ooki
ngayherresumeasTumowal kedinlooki
ng
down.
PI
LARA:AeTumo… ngng,
don’
tfucki
ngt
ellmeyou
l
ostmyl
astmoney!
TUMO:Kanathatguysworet
hatst
ockwast
her
ight
one,
nowitgotdeval
uedand…
PILARA:(cr
ying)Youcan’
tbeser
ious!Youcan’
t,
thatwasmylastmoney.
TUMO:Iwil
lmakeitback…t
hemmamayber
each
outt
oyourfat
her
’sfamil
yandmaybe…
Shesl
appedhi
m har
dacr
osst
hef
aceasshecr
ied.
PI
LARA:You’
vel
it
eral
lymademebankr
uptand…
TUMO:Me?Youar etheonewhowassnorti
ngcoke
wit
hitandhadtogot osomeexot
icpl
aceever
yfew
months,gapedon’
tyoueverf
ucki
ngsl
apme,
bl
amingmebecauseyoumessedup!
PILARA:(
cryi
ng)IwantmymoneyTumo!Iwanti
t
back!
TUMO:Keat
seekaenna?I
’
m goi
ngout
… nxl
a
HepickeduphisMacBookandwasanoutt ol
eave.
.
Pil
aragrabbedi
tinangerandsmashedi
tagai
nst
thewallasshecri
ed.
TUMO:Whatt
hef
uckdi
dyouj
ustdo?
Hesl
appedherhar
dandr anpicki
ngupt
hepi
eces,
l
ooki
ngatthesmashedscreen.
PI
LARA:Iboughti
tanyway…
TUMO:Soyout hi
nkyoucanj
ustmessmyshi
tand
thensaysuchbul
l?
Heshovedherhar
dagainstt
hewallandpunched
her
,repeat
edl
ybeat
ingherupashernosebledand
l
ipwasbusted.
Shetri
edtofightback,
andhepinnedhert
othebed
andkepthit
ti
ngherasshescreamedandbegged
forf
orgi
veness.
Whenhef i
nall
yst
opped,cussedl
oudl
yandopened
herpurse,taki
ngt
helastP200shehadandwalked
outangril
y.
Shelaidonthemat tr
esscr
ying,batt
eredand
brui
sed,thi
nki
ngofhowmuchshewasl i
ter
all
y
al
oneandbr oke.Ifshedi
dn’
tfindajobbymont h
end,shewasgoi ngtobehomel esst
oo.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Kaediparkedhiscarhome,andthemomenthe
walkedoutofthegaragehi
solderki
dschasedhi
m
wit
hwat erguns.
Helaughedandr
ani
ntothegardenwher
ehewas
metbySassywit
hanot
herwatergun.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Lol
o!Help!Gosh,
wher
eist
hat
womanwhenIneedsaving!
Hetackl
edSassydowngent lyandbr
iefl
yki
ssedher
,
bef
oretakinghergunandchasingt
hekidswho
wherescreamingandlaughi
nghappil
y.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Youar
egonnageti
tnow,
rugr
ats!
BEBE:Mamaaa!
KAI
:Saveusmama!
Lol
olaughedandst oodupfrom herreadi
ngi
nthe
gar
den,chasingaft
erKaedi,
andwhenhecaughtup
wit
hhim,kissinghi
m andthenrunningoffwi
thhi
s
gun,
squi
rti
ngwat erathi
m.Sassyj
oinedi
nwi
th
anot
herwatergun.
KAEDI
:What
?Ever
yonegangi
nguponme?Notf
air
!
Helaughedandranaboutt
ryi
ngtohi
debehi
nd
t
reesastheychasedhi
m about.
Helaughedandgotonhi
skneeswi
thhi
shands
r
aised.
KAEDI
:Ok,
ok!Isur
render
!Youwi
n!
BEBE:Sodoest
hatmeanwegett
hepl
aygr
oundwe
wanted?
KAI
:Wi
thswi
ngsandasl
ide!
LOAPI
:Andmypr
ivat
eel
evat
or?
SARONA:Andt
icket
stot
hatr
awf
oodf
est
ival
in
Cost
aRica?
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)No, i
tmeansI’
m movi
ngt
oTi
bet
t
obeamonk, y’
allabusi
veashel
l.
Theyst
art
edsqui
rt
ingwateronhi
m agai
nandhe
prot
ect
edhisf
acewit
hhispalms,l
aughi
ng.
Howonear
thdi
dot
hermenpr
eferdr
inki
ngand
chasingassafterworki
nsteadofcominghometo
this?Hell,
whatwashethinkingbackt
hensayi
nghe
didn’twantafamil
y.Tothi
nkhewoul dhavemi
ssed
onal lt
his.
KAEDI:(l
aughing)Justsoyoual
lknow,
thi
sis
call
edcoerci
on,anddecisi
onsmadeundercoer
cion
arenotval
id!
Theyr
aisedt
hei
rgunst
oai
m agai
n.
KAEDI:Ok,ok!Everyoneget
sthoset
hings.Mer
cy
pl
ease!I’
m drenched!
LOAPI:Igot
tagocleanupandf
eedthet
ri
o,Kaiand
Bebe,
headoni nandaskMananat
ohelpyouclean
up.
SheheadedoffasSassypi
ckedupthetoyguns
andputthem i
nthet
oybox,thenwal
kedoverto
Kaedi
.
SARONA:Comeondaddy,I ’
llhelpyoucl
eanup.My
tongueispar
ti
cular
lygoodatt hat
.Shesai
d,pul
li
ng
himtoherbedroom andint
ot heshower,
taki
ngoff
hisclot
hesashekissedher.
*
***
***
***
**
Pi
lar
awokeupt
oaknockandopenedt
othe
l
andlor
d.
LANDLORD:Ihavewaitedf
ort
oolongformy
money.Awholeweek.NnaIdon’
twanttobeowed
alot
,soi
t’
sbestyouleave.
PI
LARA:ButIhavenowher
etogoandI
…
LANDLORD:Nope.Nosobst ori
es.Nostori
esof
yourboyf
ri
endgoingtomakemoney.Enough.Ke
tsenyaanewpadlock,
sontshadil
wanat sagago.
BolaoandwardrobeI’
m keepi
ngunti
lyoupayme.
Theladygoti
nsi
deandst
art
edt
hrowi
nghercl
othes
out
side.
Thegi
rli
ntheot
herr
oom,
wasl
oadi
ngavan,
movi
ng.
Shecameovert
oher
.
HER:Shem,
nemmawhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
Pi
lar
ajustsobbedandl
ookeddown.
PI
LARA:Ihavenoi
dea,
andIhavenotseenTumoi
n
days.AndIt
hinkI
’
m pr
egnant
.
HER:Oh,youpoorthing!NnaI ’
m goingbackto
Fr
ancist
own.Ijustgothir
edatsomel odge.Icoul
d
br
ingyourthi
ngsandgi veyouapl acetocrashfora
whil
e.Ir
entedatwoandhal fandadverti
sedthe
ot
herroom,butIhavenotf oundar oom mateyet.
PI
LARA:Andwhatwi
llIpaywi
th?
HER:Findanyjobandstopsayi
ngyouhavea
master
sdegree.Youcan’
teatamast
erdegr
ee.
Shesi
ghedandnoddedasshehel
pedhergether
st
uffi
nthecar
.
Thegi r
l’
sboyfr
ienddrovet
oFr ancist
ownandthey
arri
vedbyevening.Theyal
readyhadabedi nthei
r
room, whil
eherroom wasempt y,t
helandl
ordhad
decidedtokeepthebedandwar dr
obeaspayment
fortherent.
Shesi
ghedandl
aidherbl
anketont
hef
loorand
sl
ept
.
Whatthehel
lthough.Howdidherli
femovef
rom
car
ryi
ngaroundablackcar
dt osleepi
ngonadi
rty
f
loor
?
Shetr
iedTumo’sphoneagain.Hewasst i
llnot
pi
cki
ngup.Shecr i
edint
oherpi ll
owandf el
lasl
eep
onanemptystomach.Thatgirlhadal
readydoneso
muchforher
.Askingherforfoodwouldbet oo
much.
Shescrol
leddownt
oKaedi
’
snumber
,pausi
ngoni
t
andthenoff.
Onecal
lwasalli
twoul
dtake.Hewoul
dcome
i
mmediatel
y,nomat
tert
hetime.
AndKaediwasamanofhi swor
d,i
fhesai
dno
st
ri
ngsattached,
sheknewhemeantnost
ri
ngs
at
tached,
hewoul dj
usthel
p.
Butshecoul
dn’
tbeart
ofacehi
m.
Notaft
ershehadnotevendr
oppedansmst
o
checkonthei
rsonf
ortwoyears.
No,
ther
ehadt
obeanot
herway.
AndMbi
ganyiwasdefi
nitel
yanogot
oo.Hi
shel
p
camewi
thstr
ingsat
tached.
I
nthemor
ningshewentt
osel
lheri
Phoneand
boughtacheaperphone.Atleastshehadali
tt
lebi
t
ofmoneynow.Shegother selfl
unchandsat
wonderi
ngwhatt odo.WasKaedir i
ghtandshewas
j
ustnotcutoutforbusi
ness?
Sheboughther
sel
faplateoff
oodinChoppi
es,
l
ist
eni
ngtosomegirlt
alki
ngonthephone.
GIRL:Yeat hemmashequi t
,aker
ebabydaddy
fi
nall
ycamebackf rom abr
oadaboantshamagadi,
sonowgi rlarewagonnahousewi f
e.Ei
sh… sowe
areshortstuff
edandIhavet oworktwoshi
ftsunt
il
theyfi
llt
heposi t
ion.
Asthegi
rlhungup,
Pil
arat
appedheront
he
shoul
der
.
PILARA:NemmaIhear dyoutalkingaboutavacant
posit
ionsomewher
e….Idesperatelyneedanyt
hing.
GI
RL:I
t’
sanewr estaurant
.Thepayi
sshit
,butt
her
e
ar
enojobs.Iam headedther
eri
ghtnow.Comeon.
Pi
laraf
oll
owedherhopef
ull
y.Thegi
rlt
alkedt
oher
I
ndianbossf
orabit,
thenhecal
ledi
nPil
ara.
HI
M:Letmel
ookatyourr
esume.
Pi
lar
asi
ghedandhandedi
ttohi
m.
HIM:I’
m sorr
y,Ican’
thi
reyou.Youhaveno
experi
enceatallasawai
tress,andIdon’
twantyou
demandinghigherpayal
ongt hewaywithyour
quali
fi
cati
ons.
PILARA:Pleasesi
r,I
’l
levensigndocumentssaying
Iwon’taskformore.Pl
ease.Ireal
lyneedt
hisjob.
HI
M: (
sighi
ng)Fi
ne.I
’l
lgi
veyouatr
ialt
oday.I
fit
wor
ksout ,
youcanhavethej
ob.
PI
LARA:OhmyGod!Thankyou!Thankyou!
*
***
***
***
**
LaterKaediwal
kedi
ntot
hebedr
oom asLol
olai
d
therereadi
ng.
KAEDI
:Ther
ugr
atsar
einbed.
LOAPI
:Tr
iodownt
oo.Wemakequi
etat
eam,
aye?
KAEDI
:ThatwedommaLedi
mo!Thatwedo!
LOAPI
:Ar
en’
tyousupposedt
obewi
thSassy?
KAEDI:(l
aughi
ng)Coul
dn’tseatthr
oughtheburni
ng
sage.Sheisonadetoxorcleanseorwhatever
,to
getreadyforar
awfoodfest
ivali
nCost
aRica,
and
apparent
lyImessupherchiorwhat
ever
.
LOAPI:(
laughi
ng)Iswearinherpastli
fet
hatgirl
waswhiteandcall
edKar en.Kai
’
sfif
thbir
thdayis
comingupinamont h.Istart
edworki
ngont he
par
ty.
KAEDI
:Cyber
chaseorPawPat
rol
?
LOAPI:(
laughi
ng)‘
mama, Pawpat
roli
sforki
ds!I
’
m
abigboy,IwatchCyber
chase!
’
Theybot
hlaughedasshemi
mickedKai
.
LOAPI:Kooremogatsooikael
etsetonevercome
seethi
schil
dnebat ho?Justt
oseehi m hel
a,I’
m
notevensayingspendi
ngawhol edaywithhim.Kai
i
sgrowingandst ar
ti
ngtoaskquestions.
KAEDI :(sighing)Istoppedt racki
nghert woyears
ago,lastal eonacr uiseinMacaowi thsome
questionabl echaracters.Andoneoft hem keamo
i
tse,heconf ir
medt hatshewasusi ng.Pilar
aleftmy
sonal et hreemont hst ogododr ugs.I’
m notgonna
wasteanymor eresour ceslookingforher,she
knowswher ewear e.
LOAPI :Ij
ustdon’tunder
standhowamot herwal
ks
awayf rom t
heirchil
d.Fi
veyearswi
thoutseei
ng
them andnotbot her
ed!
KAEDI:Let
’snotwasteti
meont hat
.Besi
de,
talki
s
t
helastthi
ngIwantt odorightnow!Howoftendo
wegetallf
ivesl
eepingatthesamet ime!
*
***
***
***
*
AsPi l
aralef
tther estaur
antt hateveni
ng,shehada
smileonherf ace.P1200wasbet t
erthannothing.
Shecoul dusethatt omar ketforaproperjob.To
thi
nksheusedt ospendmor et hanthatona
handbag!
Maybesheshoul
dsell
someofherf
ancyst
uff
.Yea,
she’
l
lopenupaFacebookpage.
Shecheckedherphoneandshehadsever
alcal
l
backsf
rom Tumo.
Shecal
ledhi
m.
TUMO:Wher ethehel
lar
eyou?Whyistheroom
padlocked?Ineedtouseyourl
apt
op,aker
eyou
brokemi ne.
PILARA:Thel
andl
ordt
hrewusoutTumo,aker
ewe
hadnotpaidi
namonthevent
houghIgaveyourent
money!
TUMO:Wher
ear
eyou?
PILARA:Fr anci
stown!Igotajob!Ok,i
t’
sjust
waitr
essing,butit
’sbet
terthannothi
ng.AndIgota
newr oom.Wher ehaveyoubeen?
TUMO:Eish,babe… Igotstuckkomor akengwi
th
myfather
,gosenanet work.Mylove,
nemmagao
nasepeoewal l
etP200atl east
!SoIcancomesee
you…
PI
LARA:Babe…
TUMO:Imi ssyouPipa.Ij
ustdidn’
thavethemoney
tocal
lorcomet oseeyou.Pleasemylove.Imiss
you… keagor at
akanaPilar
a, doyouknowthat?
PILARA:(
sighi
ng)Fi
ne.Isol
dmyi
Phone,
I’
llsend
P200.
TUMO:P250i
fpossi
ble.Thanksbabe.
Aft
erewall
eti
nghim shewenttoaphar macyand
boughtapregnancytest
,thenheadedhome,t
aki
ng
i
timmedi
atel
yandsmi
li
ngwheni
twasposi
ti
ve.
Shesmi l
ed,remember i
nghowmuchf atherhood
changedKaedi .Themanhebecame!Hadi tnot
beenforthewhol epolything,hewasper fect.Well
,
thi
sbabywasanewbegi nningforherandTumo!
Tumowi llf
inall
yshapeupandst opallthatrubbish
ofdisappearingfordays.He’ l
lreali
zeheneedsa
bett
erjobthan‘ f
orext
radi ng’t
opr ovi
def orhischil
d,
andhewasnotgonnahi therwi thachild,what
examplewoul dhebeset tingfortheirchil
d.
Shejustknewhewoul d.Thiswast hemanwho
stoodbyherandhel pedherover comeaddi cti
on,
themanwhol ovedhert hr
oughdepr essionand
gaveherst r
engthtomovepasti t.Tumowasagood
man.Al lt
hisbeati
ngherandshi twasf rom the
fi
nancialstr
esstheywer ein.I
tonlystartedwhen
theycamet oBotswanaandhadnomoney.Pl us
shedi dpushhim somet i
mes.Likethatlaptopthing
wast otal
lyuncal
ledfor.Sochil
dishtot hrowitl
ike
that!
Shesmi l
edandsnappedapi
ctur
eoft
hepr
egnancy
test
,sendi
ngitt
oTumo.
*
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
SHARE,
COMMENT
[
05/
29,
11:
ThenextdayPi l
arawal kedint
other est
aur
antst
il
l
checkingherphone.Not hi
ngfrom Tumo.Hewas
probablyst
il
latthefi
eldsandthenet workwasbad.
Sheputonheruni
for
mf ortheeveningshift
.Asshe
wasaboutt
owalkout,shenoticedLoapiand
Sar
onahavi
ngdinnertoget
her.Actual
lylaughi
ng
andbei
ngcivi
lwit
heachother.
Howoneart
hdidtheydothat
?Seatacr
osst
he
womansl
eepingwit
hyourmanandlaughwi
thher
andpl
ayf
ri
ends?
Hel
l,i
tst
il
lpi
ssedheroffevennowt
hatt
hebi
tches
hadKaedi
,evenaf
tershehadmovedonandi
nlove
wit
hTumo.
MaybeoncesheandTumowerefi
nanci
all
ystabl
e,
shecoul
deventakeKait
ocomest
aywiththem.
Sheduckedbacki
nthekit
chenandwentt
otheguy
whowasdoingthedi
shes.
PI
LARA:Canyouser
vet
hatt
abl
e?I
’
lldoyour
di
shes.
Hepeekedoutandl
ookedatt
het
abl
e.
HI
M:Thel
ookr
ich.Youknowt
hem?
PILARA:I… uhm… Iusedt
ogotoschoolwi
thone
ofthem andIjust
…it’
shar
dyouknow.Shehasthat
l
if
eandnna…
HI
M:I
t’
sokgi
rl
,Igotyou.I
’
m keepi
ngt
het
ipt
hough.
PI
LARA:Fi
ne,
sur
e.
Shesi ghedinr
eli
efastheguywenttoservethem.
Servi
ngLol oandSassywouldbesohar d.Ofcour
se
eventuall
yshewouldhavetogetusedtoi t
,but
todaywasherf i
rstdayandshecoul
dn’taffor
dto
messup.
*
***
***
***
Lol
oandSaronawal
kedoutoft
her
estaur
ant
l
aughi
ngatsomememeSassyhadjustshownLol
o.
Shehadt houghtshesawPil
ara.Nah,i
twas
probabl
ysomeonewhol ookedlikeher
.Whaton
eart
hwoul dPil
arabedoingi
nsomesmal lf
ancy
I
ndi
anr
est
aur
ant
,inaser
ver
’suni
for
m?
WhentheygothomeshesighedandfoundPilara’
s
email
.Longshot
,buti
twasworthatry.Kaihad
beenaski
ngabout‘
mamaPi pa’t
hatsomeonei nthe
househadtol
dhim washi
srealmother.
‘
Hey.Idon’
thaveanyot
hercontactofyours,
so
her
ewego.Iam sureyouareawar eKai’
sbirt
hday
i
scomingupsoon.I’
mt hr
owinghim abigpartyand
hewil
lbesohappyifyoucame.’
Shehi
tsendandsi
ghed,
hopi
ngPi
lar
awoul
dshow
up.
*
***
***
***
**
I
thadbeendayssinceshesentTumot hatpi
ctur
e.
Tonoresponse.Hisphonewasn’tgoi
ngthr
ough.
Maybehewasatt hefiel
dsst
il
l.
Shearri
vedatwor
kandfoundhercowor
kersati
n
theki
tchengoi
ngthr
oughFacebook,
smi
li
ng.
HER:Somegirlsar
eluckythemma, monnajust
comingbackandhestart
sabusi nessforyouand
thenebi
leantshamagadiatthesamet i
me.Ther e
areloyalmenoutther
e,shem.Theyl
ookedsogood
atthemagadiceremony.
PILARA:Yea.Myboyfr
iendstuckbymet hemma,
throughsomuch.Koor
etoapoi ntsometi
mesIfeel
l
ikeIowehim mylif
ecausetotannaIalmostki
ll
ed
mysel f
.
HER:Ao?Youar
eluckyt
hemma.
PI
LARA:Yea,
themmaTumoi ssuchamanwena!
Heisal
waysther
eformewhenIneedhi
m…
HER:Tumoi
sal
uckynamet
hen.Thi
sguyl
eeneke
Tumo.
Sheshowedhert hepict
ureandPi
lar
afeltherheart
drop.Shedizzi
lyhel
dont ot
hecupboardandf ound
achairtoseat.
HER:Pi
pa?Ar
eyouok?Pi
lar
a?
Shegaveheraglassofwaterastearsf
elldown
Pi
lar
a’scheeks,
thegi
rlf
inal
lygotit
.
HER:OhGod.OhmyGod,
don’
ttel
lmyt
hisi
syour
Tumo!Ohmygood!
PI
LARA:(
sobbi
ng)Wehavebeendat
ingf
ort
hree
year
s.I
’
m pr
egnantwi
thhi
schi
ld.
Shebrokedownhyst
eri
cal
lyast
hegi
rlr
ubbedher
back.
HER:Don’
tcr
ymma,
theset
hingshappen.
PILARA:Hehasbeent akingmoneyf rom mesayi
ng
helostitintr
ading,
kanteeneobul elamosadi
business.I’
m suchafool!Ilosteverythi
ng.
Fi
nall
yshewi pedhert
ear
sandborrowedthegir
l’
s
phone,di
ali
ngTumo’snumber
.Itwentthr
ough
i
mmedi at
elyandhehungupbefor
ei twaspi
cked.
Sohebl
ockedher
!
Shequickl
ynot
edthewife’
snamef rom he
col
league’
sFacebookaccount
,thengaveitback.
Sheshookalldayasshetr
iedt
oservepeopl
e,
al
mostspil
li
ngf oodont
wocustomers.
God!Shewassost
upi
d!
Fuck!
Byeveni
ngherbosscall
edherint
othest
oreroom
af
tershespi
ll
edmushroom souponacustomer.
HI
M: Whatthefucki
swrongwit
hyou,huh?Doyou
wanttocl
osemybusinessdown?Iknowitwasa
mist
akehir
ingyou.
PI
LARA:(
cryi
ng)I
’
m sor
ry… I
…
HI
M:Youar
efi
red!Getout
!
PI
LARA:(cr
ying)Pl
ease… Ir
eal
lyneedt
hisj
ob!
Pl
ease…
HIM:Youar
efucki
ngusel
ess!Ishoul
dsl
apyou.I
sai
dgetout
!
PILARA:Pl
easesi
r!Please.Il
it
eral
lyhavenoone
andIjustf
oundoutI’
m pregnantand…
HI
M:Whatar
eyouwi
ll
ingt
oof
fermei
fIkeepyou?
PI
LARA:Huh?
Hecamecl
osertoherandr
anhishandsonherhi
ps,
l
eani
ngi
nandtryi
ngtokissher
.
Shepushedhi
m awayandsl
appedhi
m har
dacr
oss
thef
ace.
HIM:Youbit
ch!Youaref
ir
ed.AndIwi
llmakesur
e
youneverworkagai
n!
Pil
arajustr
anoffcryi
ngandwenthome.Shespent
thewholedaycryi
ng,unt
ilshewokeupt
henext
morning.Anot
herdayofcrying.
Bytheendoftheweek,
hereyeswer
epuffyand
swoll
en,shewasi
nsomuchemot i
onalpai
nitmade
herbodyhurt
.
Andsti
llhadnomeansofsur vi
val
.Hercolleague
hassmsedsympat hi
zingwithherf
orbeingf ir
ed,
andtol
dhershehadnott ol
dTumo’swife,Pilara
coul
ddecidewhatshewantedtodowi t
ht hat
i
nfor
mat i
on.
Maybeitwasti
meshet ookback,peoplewere
al
waystaki
ngfrom her
.Herfr
eewi l
l,herhear
t,her
man,hermoney,herbi
rt
hri
ght,herj
ob… maybei t
wasti
meshet ookback.
Loapi
hadtr
iedt
oki
llherf
orGod’
ssake!Andshe
di
dnothi
ng.
Ledi
mohadkil
ledherpar
ents,
manipul
atedheri
nto
amarri
ageandchi
ldshedidn’
twant
,st
il
eher
l
egacy.
Enough.
Timetheyal
lpaid.Shesmil
edthi
nki
ngofwhather
motherusedtotel
lherwhenshecamecryi
ngabout
someonehurti
ngheratschool
.
‘
Pil
ara,wherehascryi
ngeverhel
pedanyone?You
cancryarivernowandthatgi
rli
ssti
llgoi
ngtobeat
youagaintomorrow.Mothohagotwaelawamo
i
twaoll
a.’
Butofcourseshespentmostofhert
imewi
thher
gr
andmot herwhowasachurchgoeranda
pr
oponentofturni
ngtheot
hercheek.
Butmaybehermotherwasright.Maybei
twast
ime
everysi
ngl
eoneofthesepeoplelear
ntwhot
onot
fuckwit
h.
Shecoul
dcallKaediandhewouldgi vehermoney.
Moneyshecouldn’
teventr
ustherselfwit
hanymore.
Howlongbef
or esheblewi
tupagai n?
Whatsheneededtomakepeoplepaywasthe
Ledi
mopower .TobebackayKaedi
’ssi
deagai
n.
Thisti
meshecoul ddothi
swhol epolythi
ng
becausether
ewillbenofeel
ings,justpur
pose.And
i
twast emporar
y.Unti
lsheusedt heLedimotoget
herli
fet
oget
herandmakepeopl
epay.Shewoul
dn’
t
giveadamnwhatKaedidi
dwithhi
swhoresthi
s
ti
me.
Shetestedhervoi
ceout,gi
ggl
ingathowthe
raspi
nessfrom cr
yingmadehersoundsul
tr
y.
Shecal
ledhi
sphoneandwai
tedwheni
twas
pi
cked,
shespokesof
tandl
ow.
PI
LARA:Kaedi
…
KAEDI
:Pi
pa?
PILARA:If
oundmysel
f.Iwentawaytof
indmysel
f
anditl
edmebacktoyou.Iwanttocomehome,
husband….
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Pi
lar
aheldt
hephonecl
oset
oherear
,bi
ti
ngher
l
owerli
p.
Shi
t.
Whydi
dthi
sasshol
eal
waysf
eell
ikehome?
Evenbef oretheygott ogether,
whenshet houghthe
waspur easshol e,ther ehadalwaysbeena
famili
ari
ty.Event hatf i
rstdaytheymetwhenhe
stoodoverherwi ththatbl oodyglassshard,the
bastardwhohadat tackedherbl eedingoutont he
ground… hisf acewast hemostcomf or
ti
ngt hing…
howsheeasi l
yt r
ust edal lhesaidthataft
ernoon
andhadnevert oldanyonet heirsecret…ther ush
andexcitementshe’ dgetever ytimesher eceiveda
l
etterfr
om him al lthoseyear sbacki npri
mar y
school.
Ther
ushandexci
tementshewasf
eel
ingr
ightnow.
Down,
gir
l.
Hei
sameanst
oanend,
sher
emi
ndedher
sel
f.
KAEDI:Youbl
ewt
hroughyouri
nher
it
ance,
didn’
t
you?
PILARA:Idid… andfuckedupsomuchmyf
ather
’s
famil
ydon’tevental
ktomeanymore.
KAEDI
:OhPi
pa….
PI
LARA:(
sni
ff
li
ng)I
’
m sor
ry.
KAEDI:Youdon’thavetobewithmejustformoney.
Thatdivor
cesett
lementwetal
kedabout?Itsti
ll
stands.Andt
histimeIwil
lhel
pyouinvestitonlegi
t
things.
Tempt
ing.
Butthemoneydidn’tcomewithanyrealpower.
She’dsti
llbej
ustasmallbusi
nessownerwi t
hno
realpowertomakethosewhohurtherpay.Andshe
didn’
tevenknowifshecouldsust
ainabusiness.
PILARA:Idon’
twantt
hemoney,Ky.Iwantt
ocome
home.Iwantmyhusbandback,
mychi l
dback.
KAEDI:Nothi
nghaschangedPi l
ara.Iam st
il
lver
y
muchpolyamorous.Iam st
il
lverymuchnever
gi
vingupmyt wootherl
oversunlesstheywalk
away.
PILARA:Iknow… Ihadachancetoexplor
ethe
wor l
dandmyself
,andcametoaconclusionthatI
’
d
rathershar
eyouthanl
ivewi
thoutyou.
KAEDI
:Youabandonedourchi
ld…
PILARA:Yes,thatonei
sonanotherepi
sodeof
Pil
araisatotalscr
ewup.Ij
ust.
..Iwi
shIcoul
dget
anotherchance.Wit
hyou.Wit
hKai.
KAEDI
:HowdoIknowthisisreal
.Thatyouar
enot
j
ustl
ooki
ngf
oraquickbuck?
PILARA:IfIwasl
ookingforaquickbuck,
I’
djust
taket
heP2mi ldi
vorcesett
lementyouareoff
eri
ng
meandmoveon.Igenui nelyam seeki
ngasecond
chance.
KAEDI
:Youcan’
texpectmet
ojustbr
ingyouback
i
ntomychi
ld’
sli
fe.
PILARA:Iknow.Trusti
searned.Letmecomeback
home.Letmeear nbackeveryone’
str
ust
.Please
Ky…
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)I
’
llt
alkt
omywi
feandSassy.
I
twassuchabi
tt
erpi
lltoswal
low hear
inghi
mref
er
t
oanot
heras‘
mywife’.
Meanst
oanend,
gir
l.Meanst
oanend.
PI
LARA:I
’
m gr
atef
ul.Thankyou,
myl
ove.
Af
tershehungup,
shesatcr
yingf
oragoodt
hir
ty
minutes.Whatthehel
lwasshedoing?Onwhat
worl
dwassheevergonnabeabl etosepar
atewhat
shefeltforKaedit
oherpur
pose?
Doyouwantr
evenge?Doyouwantever
yonewho
hur
tyout
opay?
Sheaskedher
sel
f.
Yes.
Thenyoubett
erfuckingfindawaytodealwithyour
cutel
it
tlef
eel
ings.Thewor l
disnoplaceforasweet
l
itt
legi
rlwi
thromanticideal
s.Got
tafindaway
whereshedoesn’tal
waysendavi ct
im.
St
art
ingwi
tht
hisl
it
tl
epr
obl
em shehad,
Shesai
dassher
anherhandacr
ossherl
ower
abdomen.
Itwouldbeacolddayi
nhel
lbefor
eshewastiedt
o
thatsonofabit
chTumoforl
if
e.Thiswasj
usta
clumpofcell
s.
Shewentt hr
oughherclot
hesandchoseaf ewof
theluxur
ybrandstuf
f,snappedpictur
esandput
them inafewFacebookbuy/sel
lgroups,
andwit
hin
anhourt
heywer
eallsol
d,moneyewal
let
edandshe
wentt
opostt
heit
ems.
Thenshewentt hr
oughFacebookunti
lshefound
oneofthosepeskynumbersalwayseverywher
e
off
eri
ngaborti
onpill
s.
Thi
swast
heul
ti
mat
etest
.
Ifshecoul
ddot his;i
fshecouldpul
loffthi
s
abort
ionwithoutherli
tt
lef
eel
ingsgett
ingonthe
way,thenshecoul dpul
lof
fthiswhol
et hi
ng.
*
***
***
**
Aft
erputt
ingtheki
dstosleep,
Kaedisati
nt he
l
ivi
ngroom andaskedLol
oandSar onatojoi
nhim.
Theycameandsatoneithersideofhi
m.
KAEDI:So,t
hereisnoeasywaytosayt
his… butI
wasjustspeaki
ngtoPil
ara,
andshewantstocome
home.
LOAPI:Iknew thebi
tchwasgonnaevent
ual
lycr
awl
backbegging.
KAEDI:Iwantedyoutwo’sinputasthi
saffect
sal
l
ofus.Ifanyoneisn’
tcomfortabl
eatal
l,t
henit
won’thappen.Iam happywit
hwhatwehaveand
notwill
ingtosacr
if
iceitf
oranyt
hing.So,
whatdo
youthink?
SARONA:Imean, sheisir
ri
tati
ng,andt hatwhole
abandoningKait
hingwasn’tcool
,itwillt
akemea
whil
etogetoverthat
.ButIdon’tt
hinkshei sallbad.
Shefuckedup,butIthi
nkshedeser vesasecond
chance.
KAEDI
:Lol
o?
LOAPI:(
sighi
ng)It
’snosecrett
hatyoul
oveheral
so.
Andifyouareaski
ngus,thenthatmeansyouare
consi
deri
ngit.
KAEDI
:I’
l
lnevergothr
oughwi
thi
tunl
essbot
hof
youar
ecomfortabl
ewit
hit
.
LOAPI :IguessIal
waysknewshewoul dcomeback.
I’
mj ust… howdoweknowshewi l
lst
ayt histi
me?I
can’thaveherwalkinginandoutofKai’
sl if
easshe
pleases.Iwannatalktoher.Gaugeherintenti
ons
beforewel etheri
n.Wehaveki dswegot t
apr ot
ect
now.
KAEDI
:It
otal
lyagr
ee.Ok.Iwi
llsetupameet
ing.
*
***
***
***
Pil
arawalkedi
ntoherempt
yroom wi
tht
hepi
ll
sin
herhandbag.
Justacl
umpofcel
l
s.
Shesai
dtoher
sel
fasshel
ookedatt
hef
ir
stpi
ll
.
Thequickl
yswal
lowedi
tbef
oreshecoul
dchange
hermind.
Shespentthewholedaycr
yingonthef
loorasthe
cr
ampshi t
,thenthebl
eedi
ng.Whatwouldher
grandmot
hert hi
nkofherr
ightnow?
Shewasr ai
sedinchurch.Sheusedt
obeant
i
abort
ionunti
lheronl
yotheropti
onwast
obetied
forl
if
ewithamanwhousedandabusedher .
Beside,
thi
swashersever
inganysent
iment
al
thought
sshehadaboutTumo.
Itwouldbehar
dtobur
nthef
atherofherchi
ldt
othe
ground.
Now?
Psht
!
Hewasjustamanwhousedandabusedherwhen
shewasvulner
abl
e.
Nowsheunder
stoodal
lthewomenpeopl
eter
med
‘
bad’
.
Under stoodwhatLoapidid.Shecoul dimagine
spendi ngyourli
fetr
yingtobuildar el
ati
onship,onl
y
forthatmant omar rysomeoneel se.Imean, she
wasi nt heposi
ti
onLol owasr i
ghtnow.Shehadput
upwi thTumoi neverykindofwayi nt henameof
l
ove.Seewher ethatgother.Notthatanyofi tgot
Loloof fthebl
ackbook, butshedidunder st
and.
Just
,herfi
ghtwasn’
tgonnabewiththatwoman,
unl
essshebroughther
selfi
n.Thepersonshewas
goi
ngafterwasTumo.
Shet
ookt
hesecondpi
llasherphoner
ang.Kaedi
.
PI
LARA:Ky?
KAEDI:SoIspoket
oLoloandSassy.Weareall
worr
iedPipa.Wehaveki
ds.Wecan’tj
usthaveyou
wal
kinginandout.
PI
LARA:Iunder
stand…
KAEDI
:Loapiwoul
dli
ket
omeetandt
alkwi
thyou.
PI
LARA:Her
?Why?
”
KAEDI:Sheismywi f ePipa,andIknowt hatwoman
hasthewel f
areofallmyki dsatthef or
efront.Weall
needassurancethatyouunder standmyki dsare
one.Thereisno‘mine’ and‘her
s’ i
nthatequat i
on.
Loapii
st heonlymothert heyhaveeverknown.I f
youarecomi ngback, youareagreeingtobemot her
tofi
vekids.Ineedtoknowmyki dswi l
lbeequalin
youreyesthesamewayt heyareinLoapi ’
seyes
ri
ghtnow.
PI
LARA:Icoul
dneverdi
scr
imi
nat
eki
ds.
KAEDI
:Butcanyoul
ovet
hem al
lequal
ly?
PI
LARA:Yes
KAEDI:Ok,shal
lIar
rangef
oryourdi
nnerwi
thLol
o
t
hisSatur
day?
PI
LARA:Sur
e.Thanks.
*
***
***
***
**
Kaedisatinhisoff
icewonderi
ngifhewasdoing
t
her i
ghtthing.Hel
ovedPil
ara,yes,
butwasthis
wor
thupset
ti
nghi
shappyhome?
LoloandSassyhadf oundthei rownr hyt hm and
madet hingswor k.Theywer enowaf ami l
y,notjust
disj
oint
eduni ts.Hehaddi nnerever ydaywi t
hhis
notsolit
tlefami l
yandt hent heyjustal lsattogether
havingfami l
yt i
me.Thegi rl
shadbot hfiguredout
thei
rschedul ewithhim withoutevereveni nvol
ving
him ofwhat everdiscussi
ont heyhad, andhewas
happywi ththat.Thet hi
rdfl
ooroft heirhousehad
sixmasterbedr ooms.Lol ooccupi edone, Sarona
theother,andnowhehadhi sown, andKaiand
Bebeshar edt heother.Whent heywer eol der,t
hey
couldmovet othesecondf loorandhavet heirown
bedrooms.
Hisgi
rl
sj ustshowedupinhisbedroom atal
ter
nate
ti
mes,andt herewasneveraclash,t
heyrespect
ed
eachother’
st i
mewithhim.Andheequallywentto
them.
Theymadet hi
swor
k.Whatchangewoul
dcome
wit
hPil
ara?
Andi
fhewasbei
nghonest
,hewasst
il
langr
yather
.
Hewasn’
tsur
ehowt
her
elat
ionshi
pbet
weent
hem
wasgoi
ngtobe.
*
***
***
***
*
Itwastheendoft heweekandt hebleedi
ngfr
om
theabort
ionhadst opped,shehadgonetoaprivate
gynaecol
ogistwit
ht hemoneyshehadf r
om sell
ing
someofhercl ot
hes, andeveryt
hingwasfi
ne.
Shesatint
her est
aurantwai
ti
ng,
andLol
owal
kedi
n
aboutf
iveminuteslat
er.
LOAPI
:Hey,
youl
ook…ol
d.
PILARA:(
laughi
ng)Ah,sameol
dLolo.Thankyou
you.Andyouarejust
… old,
whatar
eyounow39?
LOAPI :I
’m 35youbitch.Butthenagainnumbers
arenotyourstrongestsuit
,orisi
tjustnumbers
rel
atedtomoney?Howt hehel
ldoyoubl owaway
P600000andnotdoasi ngledamnt hi
ngfor
yourself
?
PI
LARA:What
ever
,whatdoyouwant
?
LOAPI:Benice.Your
eali
seIcoul
djustgot
ellmy
husbandthatwearenotdoi
ngthi
s,andhewillj
ust
giveyout
hedi
vor
ceset
tl
ementandt
ossyouon
yourass?
PI
LARA:Thenwhyhaventyou?
LOAPI
:Youdeser
veasecondchance.
PI
LARA:Youmeanyouf
eel
gui
lt
yaboutt
ryi
ngt
oki
ll
me?
LOAPI
:Excuseyou?
PILARA:Cutt
hecrap,
webot
hknowi
twasyouwho
poisonedmysmoothi
e.
LOAPI :Didyouseemyf ace?Orareyouj ust
assumi ng?Besi
des,whoisgonnalist
entoa
crackheadwithquesti
onabl
eint
ell
igence?
PILARA:Wecoul dseather eandt r
adei nsultal
lday,
butyouhaveawhol edaycar ecentretogetbackt o.
First
,Kai.Judgemei fyoumustLoapi ,butIdon’t
feelconnectedtothatchil
d.Maybei t’
sbecauseI
wasnotr eadyforhim,maybei t’
sbecausehewas
notcreatedwithlove,j
ustabunchofcl i
ckingtest
tubes.Maybei t
sbecauseIabandonedhi m and
thereisaguilt
.ButIdon’tfeelconnectedwi thhi
m
t
hewayamot
hershoul
d.Ineverdi
d.
Sher ememberedherbri
efexci
tementaboutt he
pregnancyshehadjustter
minated.Reconnecti
ng
withKailackedt
hatexci
tement.
Lololookedatherandswal lowedsadly.Shehad
beenwor r
iedaboutPipamistreati
ngherchi
ldr
en
andshowi ngf avour
it
ism t
oKai .Butwhati
fshe
actuall
ymi str
eatedKai,wi
thhowcol dshewasable
tosayal lt
hat?
Amothernotconnect
ingtothei
rchi
ldwasn’
t
somet
hingnew,ithappened.
Andcer t
ainl
yPilara’
scolddi
stancetoKaiwasn’
ta
surprise.Thegirlhadtakeneveryopport
unit
ytoget
awayf r
om thatchildwhenshewasabr andnew
mot her;tr
yingtogetbacktowor kassoonan
possible,alwaysleavi
ngKaiwithpeopletogoout
.
Pi
lar
awasnotl
ying.Shewasnotconnect
edt
oKai
i
namother
lyl
evelatall
.
Lol
ohadr eadaboutit.Herownmotherhadbeenso
i
ndiff
erentt
oheri twasshocki
ng.Hert
herapisthad
tol
dherthatithappenedandsometi
mesi tcouldn’
t
befixed.Especial
lyiftheparentat
tachedt
hechi l
d
toaneventt heyaren’tver
yfondof.Sometimes
ther
apyhel ped,butnoonecoul dmakeaper son
l
oveanot her.Sometimest heconnecti
onwasj ust
nevermade.
God,
lett
hatnotbet
hecaseher
e.
LOAPI:Andyouexpectmet
oletyoubacki
nhi
sli
fe
wit
hthatatt
it
ude?
PI
LARA:Woul
dyour
atherIl
ie?
LOAPI:No.Andtrustme,
Iunderstandyou.Iwas
rai
sedbyamot herwhoneverconnectedwithme.
Shelovedmysibli
ngsandwaswar mtothem j
ust
fi
ne.Thenther
ewasme.Adut ybecauseshe
bir
thedme.Areyouopentotherapy?
Shesobbed,
shockedbythewarmthshegotfrom
Lol
o.Shehadexpectedj
udgementonceshefi
nall
y
l
etoutthi
ssecr
etshehadbeencarryi
ngaboutKai
si
ncehewasbor n,
buthadneverconf
essedto
anyone.
Butallshegotwasgenui
neconcer
n.Shereminded
herofthatLol
owhostoodupforheral
lthoseyear
s
back.ThatLol
owhot
aughthert
ouseapad.
Thisthegir
lwascapabl
eofevilasgreatasmur der
ononehandandt hegr
eatestki
ndnessont he
other
… howonear t
hwasshet hesetwopeopleat
thesametime?Manypeoplelostthei
rheartwhen
theyvent
uredi
nthepathofevil
.Lolojustseemed
tohavebothhersi
desequall
ybalanced.
LOAPI
:So?Ther
apy?
PI
LARA:(
sobbi
ng)Ther
apyi
sforwhi
tepeopl
e.
LOAPI:Therapyisf
orhur tpeople.Ther
eisno
shameinit.Ihavebeengoi ngforyearsnow.I
’
m
sl
owlylearni
ngtoreleasemypai nandmoveon.
Youshouldgo.
PILARA:I’mf i
ne,thankyou.Iassureyouthat
generall
yIlovekids.Iwil
lnevertr
eatthem badl
yor
anythi
ng, youhavenothingtowor r
yaboutmeand
yourkids.Alloft
hem.
Loapi sighed,
stil
lconcer
ned.KaiandBebewerea
unitandshedi dn’twantthem t
reat
edanydif
fer
ent
ly.
Andi fithappensthatPil
araneverdevel
opsher
connect ionwit
hKai?Thenherpoorboywasgonna
gethur
twhenhegotol
der
.
Sheneededtoconvi
ncePi
laratogofort
herapy,and
tr
ybuil
dherrel
ati
onshi
pwithKai,f
orKai
’ssake.
Andtheonlywayshecoul
ddot hatwasi
fthisbi
tch
camebackhome.ForKai,
she’dputupwithPil
ara.
LOAPI :Youknow,toKaedi,hi
skidsarefi
rst
.You
treatevenoneofthedif
ferent
,hewillt
ossyouout
fasterthanyoucansaygone.Nodi vorce
settl
ement ,
nothi
ng.Andthat’
sifIdon’
tkil
lyouf
ir
st.
PI
LARA:Icoul
dnevermi
str
eatki
ds.
LOAPI:Forwhateverr
eason,
Ibelieveyou.Okthen,
comebackhome… youar ediff
erent,youknow.
Somethingaboutyou…youarenol ongerthe
passi
velit
tl
egir
lyouwere.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Thewor
ldwi
lldot
hatt
oyou.
LOAPI
:I’
m cur
ious.Whatdi
dthewor
lddot
oyou?
PI
LARA:Howl
ongoft
imedoyouhave?
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)Thatbad,
huh?Hi
tmewi
tha
summary.
PI
LARA:Dat
edaguyf
ort
hreeyear
sandhewas
si
phoningmoneyoutofmet ost
artabusinessfor
hi
sf i
ancéeandpaymagadi.Helef
tmebr oke.Al
so
beattheshi
toutofmeontheregularandmademe
bel
ieveIwasworthl
ess.
LOAPI
:Damn!Ihopeyoumadet
hebast
ardpay.
PILARA:I’
m goi
ngt
osendhi
sfi
ancéeourpi
ctur
es
toget
her.
LOAPI:Andthenwhat?Youar
ehopingshewi
llbe
soangryandleavehi
m?Thenwhat?Whatdoyou
gai
nfrom al
lthat
?
PI
LARA:I
…I…
LOAPI :Sweet i
e,revengei st i
ri
ng.Sodon’ twast e
energyoni tunlessyougai nsomethingatt heend
ofit.Willyougetyourmoneybacki ftheybr eakup?
Iftheywi l
l.Likelyhewi l
ltellasobstor yaboutbei ng
l
onel yovert hereinI ndiaandyout hrowingyour self
athim, andshewi l
lforgivehi m andterm youa
j
adedex.Theyr i
deint othesunsetwi t
hyourmoney
andyouar el eftwithnot hingbutwast edeffort.
Whatyouneedi stor ainahai lst
orm onhisass.
Piecebypi ece,tearhi m apart.Takeeverysi ngl
e
thi
ngawayf r
om hi
m.Hi sf
amily,
fri
ends,r
eput
ation,
thatbusinesshestart
ed?Youaregonnatakeitand
recoveryourmoney… thenfi
nall
yhissani
ty.Break
him unti
lhetakeshisownli
fe.
PI
LARA:HowdoIdot
hat
…
LOAPI:(smi
li
ng)Nowyouar
easki
ngt
her
ight
quest
ion.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Kaediwalkedint
oherof
fi
ceandt hefatcl
eani
nggir
l
wasstil
ldusti
ng.Hedi
dn’tevenknowhername,but
shehadsomehowbecomehi sconfi
dentf
orfi
ve
year
snow…
Hehadbeenhavi ngananxietyat
tackfort
hef i
rst
ti
mefiveyearsago.Mbewuwassol i
tt
leandhad
j
ustgonebackt othehospit
alaft
ersurger
yduet o
sepsi
s,Pi
lar
ahadj ustabandonedthei
rthree
monthsold,Lol
oandSassywer eineachot her
’s
throats,thecompanywasunderalotof
i
nvest igati
onsandemployeest
ri
kes,andhi
sli
tt
le
sisterBetsiwasmissi
ng.
Hewassooverwhel
med,butithadneverbeenhi
s
nat
uretowhi
neonanot
her,especi
all
ypeoplehe
l
oved.
Lol
ohadj ustcall
edsayingMbewuwasget ti
ng
worse.Hecoul dn’
tbreath.Couldn’
tmove… hewas
soscaredforhisli
tt
legirlhewasf r
ozeninpl
ace…
hi
shear tt
hunderedsohar dhehear di
tli
keadisco…
hewassweat ingandshaki ng.
Shehadwal kedi
nwi t
hamopanddr oppedit
,
runningovertohim.Hel oosenedhisti
eandgot
himtof ocus.Hel
dacupofwat erforhim ashe
drank,hishandssti
llshaking.
Thenshejustsorti
fst
oodt
her
eunt
ilhewascal
m.
Didn’
taskanythi
ng.
Thenhehadj ustbrokendownandletitallout.Told
herever
ythi
ngt hatwasgoingon.Shelistened
wit
houtquestion,andwhenhewasf i
nal l
ydone, she
handedhim at i
ssueandfi
xedhim acof f
ee.
Analyzedhissi
tuat
ionpi
ecebypieceandt
oldhim
whathecoul ddoonsit
uati
onhecouldhel
p,andto
acceptthi
ngshecouldn’
tchange.
Thenthenshejustwentof
faspeopl
est
art
ed
cominginforwork.
Andtheyhavehadt heirli
tt
lemorningchatfr
om
t
imet oti
mesincethen.Al waysli
ttl
esni
ppetsinthe
morningasshecleanedhi soff
ice,andthatwasit
.
Nevermuchmor einteracti
onthroughouttheday.
Notthathesawherar ounddur i
ngtheday.
Andhest i
lldi
dn’tknowhername.Oranythi
ng
aboutherreal
ly.Afterf
iveyear
s!Sheonl
yever
l
ist
enedandgavei mpersonalt
hings.
Shewasdusti
ngt
hel
argecabi
net
sashesatdown
wit
hasigh.
HER:Har
em gi
vingyoupr
obl
em agai
n?
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)Twoi
shardl
yahar
em.Butyou
remembertheonewhol
eft
?
HER:Kai
’
smom?
KAEDI
:Yup.Shewant
’st
ocomeback.
HER:And?
KAEDI:(Si
ghing)Idon’tknow… Imean,Il
oveher
andall
,butIam happywi thwhatwehaver i
ghtnow.
Pil
aracan’
tacceptwhoIam, andIdoubtshehas
hadachangeofmi nd.Whatdoesshewant ?
HER:Money?
KAEDI:Nah,Iof
fer
edherP2mi
ll
ionandashe
t
urneditdown.
HER:Power
,then?
KAEDI
:Huh?
HER:Youar
eKaediLedi
mo.Youcomewi th
i
mmensepower.Forwhateverr
eason,
shewant
s
t
hat.
KAEDI
:Forwhat
?
HER:Howam Isupposedt
oknow?
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)It
houghtyouwer
ethewi
seal
l
knowi
ng?
HER:(laughi
ng)Iam.Anyway,
I’
m doneher
e.Good
day.Seeyouaround.
KAEDI
:CanIaskyousomet
hing?Whydoyoul
ist
en
t
omewhi neal
lthet
ime?
HER:( sighing)It
’snotwhi ning.It
’scalledhavi ngan
outlet.Societyputssomuchpr essurei ntomen
beingt hisemot i
onlessboul dersevent houghal ot
ofmenar estr
uggl i
ngoutt here.Mybr ot herwasa
fi
rstbor ntoo,hehadt heresponsibil
it
yoft hewhol e
fami l
y.Heneverl etont hathewasst ruggl ingunt i
l
het ookhi sli
fe.Ifeltsoguilt
ybecauseIdi dn’tseeit
andbet hereforhim.Ir eallymustgonow.
KAEDI
:Wai
t…what
’syourname?
HER:(
laughi
ng)ByeMrLedi
mo.Seeyou.
Andlikethat,shewasgone.Nevert ryinganythi
ng
wit
hhi mlikemostwomeni nthecompanydi d.
Neverplayingadamsel indist
ressforhisrescue…
l
it
eral
lynot hi
ng.Justbeingthecleaninggir
l/his
st
reettherapi
st,andthatwasabouti t.
Hecoul deasi
lyfindhername, buthewouldn’t
.She
pref
erredthei
r‘fr
iendship’i
mpersonalorshewould
havetoldhim hername.Sohewoul drespectt
hat.
Anyti
mehewant edt otalkhej
ustshowedupear l
ier
t
hanusualandhef
oundhercl
eani
ng.
Lol
owal
kedi
nandki
ssedhi
m.
LOAPI
:Youl
eftmet
hismor
ning…
KAEDI
:Ineededt
ocl
earmymi
nd.
LOAPI
:Pi
lar
a?
KAEDI
:Yup?
LOAPI:Edi
,isshegonnabeaprobl
em?I’
m ver
y
happywithourfami
lyandIdon’
tneeddr
ama.
KAEDI:(sighi
ng)Idon’
tknow.I
’
m meetingherf
or
di
nnerlaterandhavingatal
kwithher
.Shemoves
i
ntomor row.
*
***
***
***
*
Pil
arasati
ntheempt
yroom gett
ingr
eady.Shewas
goingt
omeetKaedif
ordinnerandgooverafew
thi
ngsli
kework.
Hewasbei ngdist
antanditwassoannoying.Oh
well
.Sheknewwhatgothi m goi
ng.Helovedher
‘
sexymodest ’
.‘
Coveredupbutthecl
othestell
inga
st
ory’
,that
’swhathewouldsay.
Sheputonapat t
ernedmaxidressthathuggedher
bodyli
kesecondskin,t
hendidhermakeupwi tha
bri
ghtredseduct
ivebri
ghtr
edlipst
ick.
Per
fect
.
Shewentoutsi
deandcaughtataxi
.God,
she
coul
dn’
twaittohaveacaral
ready.
*
***
***
***
*
Kaedisati ntherestaur antwhenPi l
arawalkedin.
Heknewshehadar r
ivedwi thoutevenlooking
becauseaf ewheadst urned.Pil
aranatural
lyhad
thatbodyt heKardashi anspaidf or
,andthebonus
wast hatshekepti tcover edinaveryattracti
veway.
Anddi dn’ttr
yanyoft hoseseduct i
onappeal s
femalesl ovedtoputf or t
h.Shewasj ustsexyinan
underratedway.
Li
ker i
ghtnow.Thatpat
ternedlongdress
accentuat
edeverycur
ve,thatimpossi
blybi
gboot
y
wit
hasmal lwai
st…j
usttherightsi
zeboobs.
Andt
her
edl
ipst
ickont
hoset
ickl
ips…
Hebr
ief
lycl
osedhi
seyesr
emember
ingt
hatsame
l
ipst
ickshadeonherl
ipst
hatwer
ear
oundhi
m…
Down,
boy.I
t’
snotl
iket
hatanymor
e.
Sheopenedherar
msf orahug,buthej
ustkept
si
tt
ing.Sheshr
uggedandsatdown.
PI
LARA:Rr
agweKai
KAEDI
:Hey.Shal
lweor
der
?
PI
LARA:Ky,
areweok?Youandme?
KAEDI :Whatar
eyourint
enti
ons,Pil
ara?Whatthe
helldoyouwant?Becausequietf
rankly,
Ican’
ttr
ust
you.Iknowyouhaveanul t
eri
ormot i
ve,youdi
dn’t
justchangeyourst
anceonmebei ngpoly…
PI
LARA:Wow… r
eal
lyKy,
yout
hinksol
it
tl
eofme?
KAEDI:Soyouwon’
tbehonest.Justknowthat
anybodywhohur
tsmyfamilycatchesprobl
ems
wit
hme.Andyes,myfamil
yincludesLoloand
Sassy.
Shel
ookeddownandwi pedagenuinetear…Lolo
andSassy.Shewasn’
tinthatequat
ionanymore.
PI
LARA:Kaedi
,Iwaswr
ong.Ij
ustwantachancet
o
makeamends.
KAEDI
:So,
whati
sityouar
eexpect
ing.Comeback
t
omyhouseas?Babymama?Girl
fr
iend?Guest
?
PILARA:Iwantyouback,anywayyoucome…I
knowIhurtyouleavi
ng,andyouhaveever
yr i
ghtt
o
beangry.Justgi
vemeachancet otr
yfixt
hings.
KAEDI :(si
ghing)Ihopet heycanbef i
xed.Anyway
aboutt hejob,IthinkyoushouldjointhePRt eam,
starti
ngami nibranchofCSRandcommuni ty
relat
ionsteam.Peopl elovedyourfather
,respected
him.Uset hatt oyouradvantageandgainpeopl e’
s
trustsowedon’ thaveprobl
ems.
PI
LARA:Wow!That
’ssoundsexci
ti
ng.
KAEDI :I
t’
snot,therei
salotofwor k.Thelandyou
st
upidlysoldtoLedimohascausedhavoc.Peopl e
arethreat
eningtoburnourfactor
iesdowni fwe
buil
doni t.Buti
t’sanassetwespentmoneyon, not
uti
li
zingitmakesi tal
oss,andIdon’tdoloss.Si
nce
i
t’
syourmess, Iwantfi
ndawi nwinsol ut
iontothi
s.
Iwantapl anbymont hend.
PI
LARA:(
smi
li
ng)Si
ryessi
r!Somet
imesIf
orget
howbusi
nesssavvyandsmar
tyouar
e… i
t’
sat
urn
on.
Shesmi
ledthenlookeddownsadl
yjustasaman
st
oodatthei
rtabl
e.
HIM:MrLedimo.Pl
easur
ehavi
ngyouher
e,Ihope
t
hefoodistoyourl
iki
ng?
Thenhepal
edwhenPi
lar
arai
sedhert
ear
yeyest
o
l
ookathi
m.
KAEDI
:Wearefi
ne.
.Pi
pa?Areyouok?Hey?Baby
gi
rl
?Lookatme.What
’swr
ong?
PILARA:(sobbi
ng)Thi
sisVij
ay,themanagerher
e.
Af ewdaysbackIworkedinanotherofhi
s
restaur
ants,
andVij
aytri
edtorapeme.
HI
M:I
…pl
ease…i
twasnotl
iket
hatatal
l…
KAEDI
:Fuckof
f…
HUM:Mr
.Ledi
mo…
KAEDI
:Getof
fmyf
acebef
oreyoupi
ssmeof
f.
Her
anof
ftot
heki
tchen.
PI
LARA:Youar
enotgonnadoanyt
hing?
KAEDI:I
’
m notyourbull
dogthatyousetoffon
anyonewhopissesyouoff
.Isthatyourpl
an?To
usemetosett
lescores?
PI
LARA:Kaedi
,I
…
KAEDI
:Come…
Hestoodupandpai d,t
henjoggedofft
otheback
oft
hebuildi
ng,cat
chingVi
jayjustashewasabout
tor
unintohiscar.
Hepinnedhi
mtot
heshopl
otwal
lwi
thamani
c
smi
le.
KAEDI
:Soyouwannaf
uckmywi
fe,
huh,
Vij
ay?
Hetri
edtoscr
eam.AndKaediputagunt
ohi
s
t
hroat.
KAEDI:Shhhh,youdon’
twannacauseascene,
do
you?Iaskedyou,Vi
jay,
doyouwannafuckmywi f
e?
HI
M:(
shaki
ng)Nosi
r…
KAEDI:Thenwhydi dyouhaveyournastyhandsal
l
overher
?Don’ tyouknowthat
’sdi
srespect
fult
ome?
Answerme, damnit.
Heslammedhishandbesi
det
heman’
sheadand
Vi
jayshooki
nfear
.
HI
M:I
…Idi
dn’
tknowshe… shewas…
KAEDI :What?Thatshewasmi ne?Soifshewasn’t
youhavear i
ghttot
ouchher?Nxla!I
’
m sickofyou
fuckscomi ngint
oourcountr
yanddisrespect
ing
oursister
s!Ishouldki
llyou…
Hecockedthegunandpointedatt
heman’sdickas
Vi
jaypeedhimsel
f.Pi
lar
alaughed,
standi
ngata
di
stance.
KAEDI:Whatdoyouwantmet odowithhi
m Pipa?
Personal
lyIj
ustwannablasthi
sdickandbedone
wit
h.Mygunhasasi lencerandi
t’
sunregi
ster
ed.
Themancr
iedandbeggedf
orhi
sli
fe.
PI
LARA:Nah.It
hinkthepestneedst
olearnthat
womenarenotf
orhissickshi
t.Mhhh,whatshal
l
wedo?
Kaedismi
ledandcal
ledhi
scousi
n.
KAEDI:HeyDer
ek,st
il
lhavet
hatcopcont
act?Gota
si
ckfuckwhotri
edtorapemywifeher
e.Ineedhi
m
arrest
ed.Throwninthepenj
ustforanight
… maybe
strai
ghttopri
son,t
heycanfi
gureitout
.Justmake
sureheiswithsomeguyswhowi llt
eachhim howit
feelsl
iketobescared… t
obeatsomeone’smer cy.
*
***
***
***
*
Aft
erVi
jaywaspi
ckedup,
Pilar
awentbackt
othe
Ledi
momansionwit
hKaedi.
KAEDI :Well
,youcanjoinusinthethirdf
loori
fyou
want…youknowLol oisoveri
nt hatbedr
oom,
Sassyt hi
sone,KaiandBebet akethatone,minei
s
here.Theseothert
woar eunoccupied.Pickone.
Shecameoverandr
anherhandsal
loverhi
schest
.
PILARA:Iwast
hinki
ng… maybeIcoul
djoi
nyoui
n
yours?
Her
emovedherhandsf
rom hi
schest
.
KAEDI
:Idon’
tthi
nkso.Goodni
ghtPi
lar
a.
Hewal kedofftoLol
o’sbedr
oom withoutasecond
glanceasat eart
andownPi l
ara’
sfacewithouther
evenreali
zing.
Hadher
eal
lymovedon?Washer
eal
lydonewi
th
her
?
No.I
tcan’
tbe.
Andshe’dbedamnedi fsheletLolot
akeherspot
j
ustbecauseshehadal itt
lel
apseinjudgementfor
amer efi
veyears.Lol
ohadt ogo,andKaediwil
l
thankherlat
erwhenhef oundoutthebit
chwast he
onewhot ri
edtokil
lher.
Ofal
lpeopl
esheneededt
omakepay,
Lol
oand
Tumoheldtopspot
.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Int
hemor ni
ngPilar
acamedownstair
stoKaedi and
Lol
ohavi nglunchwitht
heki
ds,l
aughinghappi
ly.
Kaedihadsai dSassywasatsomerawf ood
whateverthi
ngSassywentto.
Shestoodwatchingt
hem f
orabi
t.Thi
swasherl
if
e,
thatwassupposedtobeher.
LOLO:Pi
pacomej
oinus.Ki
ds,
thi
sisuhm…
Shepausednotknowi
ngwhatt otel
lthem.I
twould
besoconfusi
ngtotel
lthem onl
yKaicouldcal
lher
mama.
PI
LARA:Aunt
yPi
lar
a… youcanal
lcal
lmeaunt
y
Pi
pa.
LOLO:Yea,
aunt
yPi
pa.
MBEWU:From t
hephot
osdaddyhad?It
hought
gr
andmasaidshewasKai
’
smama.
KAI
:Uh,
no!Shei
snot
,that
’smymama.
Hesai dpoi
nti
ngtoLolo.Pi
lara’
sheaddropped
sadly.Shemighthavenoconnecti
ontohim, buti
t
suckedtohearyourownchi l
dnotacknowledging
you.
LOAPI:Uh… rememberwhenItol
dyouguysthat
mamagotsi ckandhertummycouldnotcar
ry
babi
es,soGodputyouguysi not
herwomen’s
tummies,butthenbr
oughtyoual
ltomesoIcanbe
yourmommy?
KAI
:Yes,
yousai
dthewomanwhoset
ummyBebe
camefrom wenttoheaven,butt
heoneIcamef r
om
i
sinIndia.Ij
ustcamefrom hert
ummy,sil
lyBebe,
shei
snotmymommy.Thi sismymommy.
LOLO:(
looki
ngatPi
lar
a)Ineversai
dyouwer
en’
t
hi
s…
KAEDI
:Heisn’
twr
ongt
hough.Si
tdownPi
lar
aifyou
ar
ejoi
ningus.
Shesatdownandt oyedwi thherf
oodas‘thefami
ly’
wentaboutt
heirbreakfast
,LoloandKaedi
di
scussi
ngthekids’event,thedat
eoftheyounger
one’
simmunisati
on, f
ami l
yholi
days…
Shef
eltsooutofpl
ace.Lef
tout
.
Astheyfi
nall
yleftwithKaedil
oadingtheli
tt
leones
i
nthecarwhiletheirnannybroughtthei
rdaybags
andLoapihel
pedt heolderoneswiththei
rseatbel
t.
PI
LARA:I
’
llt
akear
idewi
thKaedi
…
KAEDI
:Sur
e,I
…
LOAPI:Oh,t
akemycarpl
ease.I
tnevergetused
becausenowIuset
heSUVt ocargothislotabout
.
Youcouldcomewit
hus,butIal
waysl eaveoffi
ve
earl
ytopi
ckthem upandgotot
hei
racti
vit
ies,
and
Edihasmeet
ingslat
er,
soyou’
dbestuckatthe
off
ice.
KAEDI
:Yea,
Ithi
nkt
hatwoul
dbebest
.
Hekissedallt
hekid’
scheeksandt
henki
ssesLol
o
bef
oredrivi
ngoff
.
LOLO:Ok.Webestbei
nourwayt
oo.Oh,
her
eist
he
carkey.
Shetookt
hecarkeyfr
om herst
ackandhandedi
tto
Pi
lar
abeforedr
ivi
ngoff
.
*
***
***
**
Af
terbei
ngintr
oducedt
othePRteam andhernew
br
anchint
roduced,
shewasgivet
hreeothert
eam
memberandanempt yof
fi
cespace.
Shespentmostofthedaytryi
ngt
owork,butshe
coul
dn’
tfocus.Shekeptt
hinki
ngofhowKaisaid
shewasnothismom.
HowKaediwasl
it
eral
lyi
gnor
ingher
.
Lat
erLol
owal
kedi
nwi
thasmi
le.
LOAPI
:Lookatyou!Al
lof
fi
cel
adyandshi
t.
PI
LARA:(
fakesmi
le)Icoul
dgetusedt
othi
s.
LOAPI:Comehavelunchwithus,andIam not
taki
ngnoforananswer.Kaedii
sinameeting,i
t’
s
j
ustmeandt heki
dsandt hei
rnanny.Comeon.
Asthenwal
kedoutPi
lar
anot
iceTumost
andi
ng
wi
thKaedi
.
PI
LARA:Whatt
hehel
lishedoi
ngher
e?
LOAPI:Hej ustgotajobhere…superobsessedwith
Kaedi
,justranupt ohim andtol
dhim howmuchhe
i
nspir
eshi m, bl
ahblah.Edii
slit
eral
lysobored,
look
athi
m.Youknowt heguy?
PI
LARA:That
’sTumo.
LOAPI
:Thescumbagwho…
PI
LARA:Yup…
LOAPI
:(smi
li
ng)Youdon’
tsay… comeon…
PI
LARA:No…Idon’
twannat
alkt
ohi
m.Loapi
!
LOAPI:RememberhowItoldyouyouaregonna
taket
hatguy’
ssani
ty?Nothi
ngdri
vesyoutocrazy
l
ikefear
… knowi
ngthatyourdaysarenumbered,
butnotknowi
ngwhatwillhappen…watcht
his.
Pi
lar
afol
lowedherasshewal
kedovert
oKaedi
.
LOAPI
:Babe…yourbabymamaandIarehavi
ng
l
unchtocel
ebr
atehernewposi
ti
on.Joi
nus?
KAEDI
:I’
l
lhavet
opass,
gir
ls.Meet
ingi
nfi
ve.
LOAPI :Ohwell.Come.OnPipa,Iwantyoutol
ookat
thi
sFacebookoft hisot
herolderguyhangi
ng
aroundBetsi.Ithi
nkhewantstouseherformoney
only,t
akingadvantagei
fher.
KAEDI
:Whatguy?Letmesee?Whot
ryi
ngplayon
myli
tt
lesi
ster
?Nxl
a,kanabat
hobat
waelabat
ho.
LOAPI:(
kissinghim)You’
l
lbelat
e.Runal
ongt
o
yourmeeting.I
’l
ltel
lyoul
ater
.
Kaediki
ssesherbackandr
anof
fasTumoal
so
wentoffst
il
ledpal
ed.
Lol
ospokel
oudenoughsoTumocoul
dhear
.
LOAPI:Youknow t
hatguy?Whywashel
ooki
ngat
youl
ikethat
?
PI
LARA:It
oldyou…
LOAPI:(
loudly)What
?Heistheguywhost oleyour
moneyant shamagadi?Shit
!Yougottat
ellKaedi
!
Heissogonnaf ucki
ngkil
lhi
m.Likeli
ter
all
y.Kaedi
doesn’
tfuckaroundwit
hpeoplewhohur tt
hosehe
l
oves.Thatboygonnadisappear(
laughi
ng)
Pil
arasai
dsomet
hingandt
heot
herwomanspoke
again.
LOAPI:What
?No,
youcan’
tfor
givehi
m.Yougot
ta
tel
lKaedi
!
Tumol ookedupatthem f
rom t
hebottom ofthe
st
airs,
shaking.Hehadheardthingsaboutthenot
sorosysideoftheLedi
mo.Theirenemiesdid
di
sappear.
Damn!That
’swhoPi
lar
a’sexwas?God,
whaton
ear
thwashegonnado.
Hi
smindwasraci
ngasher
ant
othecar
.Heneeded
t
orun… hi
de.
OrmaybePil
arawoul
dn’
ttel
l.Shewasstupidl
ike
t
hat.Al
lheneededt
odowascal landbut
terherup.
Hel
l,
hecoul
devenendupmaki
ngmoneyf
rom t
his.
*
***
***
***
Pi
lar
alookedatLol
oconf
used.
LOAPI :Oh, t
rustme, byendofdayhewi llcallyou
tryi
ngt obutteryouupandal l
,si
nceheassumes
youwantt oforgivehim.That’
showyougetyour
moneyback.Pi ecebypi eceyouar egonnar eelhim
i
n.Tel lhim youwantt oinvest
,butKaediwon’ tput
moneyi nwhenyoudon’ thaveashar ein.Askhi m
fora35%.Easyenought ogive,andhet hinksyou
aredumb, sohewoul dneverguessyouar eplaying
him…whenyougott hat35%,wef akeamoney
l
aunder ingcasef orhim.Thenyouconvi ncehimt o
tempor ari
lyputal lt
hesharesinyourname, sot hat
nothingwi l
lbef oundinhisandhi swife’
s, andyou
guyswon’ tloset heassets.
PI
LARA:Icanpul
lthatof
f.
LOAPI :Asfort
hewife,
f r
iendhee,t
henputdoubti n
hermi nd.Makehi
nts’l
ikeyoususpectanaf f
air,
thenwhenshecatcheson, defendhi
m.Playthat
unti
ltherei
ssomuchhavoci nthei
rrel
ati
onship,
thendropther el
ati
onshipwi thyoubomb.Tel lher
youbeendat i
nghi m allthi
st i
meandhegaveyou
hercompany.Af t
ershel eaveshim, starthintingto
hisfamilymember sthatyouar eworriedaboutt hei
r
chil
drenaroundhi m,youoncef oundchi ld
pornographyonhi slaptop.Atthispoint, helosthis
money, wif
e,nofami lymember swil
lwanthi m near
them,andhei slosinghismi ndorgoi ngdepr essed
withallt
hisplusfearthatKaedii scomi ngaf terhim,
thenwemaket hatmoneyl aunderi
ngst icksohe
cangetlockedup.
PILARA:Damn.
.thatsocol
d… buthedeser
vesi
t,
bastar
dbeatmeupt oo.
*
***
***
**
Byt
het
imeshegotbackt
oherof
fi
ce,
Tumocal
led.
TUMO:Oh,
hey…I
’
vebeenmeani
ngt
ocal
l.
PI
LARA:Sur
e…
TUMO:Pi
pa,Idon’
tknowwher
eyougott
hatneke
nt
shamagadi…
PI
LARA:Tumo,
behonestf
oronce.
TUMO:Ok,it’
snotl
iket
hatatallt
hough.Ther
eis
fami
lypr
essuret
omar r
yher.ButyouknowIlove
you.
PI
LARA:Mhhh…somadi
?
TUMO:IswearIlosti
tIi
nvest
ing.MagadiIwas
hel
pedbyfamil
y.
PI
LARA:Mhhh…anyway.
.Seeyouar
ound.
Shehungupwithasmi
le.Shecoul
dn’
twai
ttosee
thi
sbast
ardpay.
Therewasaknockatt
hedoorandshewentt
oopen
forKaedi
.
PI
LARA:Hey…
KAEDI :Hey… Idon’tl
ikethetensi
onbetweenus
Pipa.Ican’tgetbackwithyourjustyet
,butIcar
e
foryouandwannawor konthis.
PILARA:Iwantt
hatt
oobabe… Il
oveyouKaedi.
AndI’l
lapol
ogi
seathousandt
omeforleavi
ngand
desert
ingKai
.
TherewasaknockandLoloopenedt
hedoor
befor
eevent
he‘comein’
.
LOAPI:Edi
,babe… canyoucomehel
pmehandl
e
thet
ri
o?Theywokeup.
Kaedistoodupandf
oll
owedherout
,butnotbef
ore
Pi
larasawasmi l
eonLoapi
’
sfae.
Thebitch!Shewast
ryi
ngtokeepherandKaedi
apart
,alwaysshowi
ngupwhenPilar
aandKaedi
tr
iedtogetsomealoneti
metoget
her.
Ohwell.Twocouldplayt
hatgame.Tumocoul
d
wai
t.Loloneededtogo.Now.
*
***
***
***
*
I
nthemor ni
ngPil
arawokeupearlyandj oi
ned
Kaedii
nthehomegym.Sher ani
nt hetreadmil
l,
and
whenKaedisatdowntotakeabreakfeom the
weight
s,shecameandsatnextt
ohi m.
PILARA:It houghtIcoul
ddot his,
Ky,stayi
nginthe
samehousewi th…with… Ij
ust …itmakesmeso
paranoid,
Ican’teat… can’
tdrinkbecauseIfearI
willbepoisonedagain.Andlivinginthesame
housewi t
ht hepersonwhodidi t…
KAEDI
:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
PILARA:(sobbi
ng)Idon’
tfeelsaf
eKaedi
,I
’m af
rai
d
Lolowil
lpoisonmeagain…
KAEDI
:Thefuckdoyoumean‘
agai
n’?Andwhy
woul
dLolopoisonyou?
PI
LARA:I
twashert
hef
ir
stt
ime…
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Kaediwal
kedint
oLol
o’sbedr
oom j
ustasshewas
get
ti
ngdresses.
KAEDI
:Loapi
,di
dyout
ryt
omur
derPi
lar
a?
LOAPI
:Bat
ho?Wher
ewouldIhavef
oundt
het
ime
nnael
egoneket
sogang?
KAEDI
:Don’
tfuckwi
thme.YouknowwhatImean.
LOAPI
:Ir
eal
lydon’
t.
KAEDI
:Ok,sowearepl
ayi
ngdumb.Aftershegave
bi
rt
h.Hersmoot
hiewasspikedwi
thpeanuts
minutesaf
tershet
oldyouaboutherpeanut
s
al
ler
gy?
LOAPI
:Shesai
ditwasme?
KAEDI
:AnswermehonestlyLoapi.Iknowhonest
y
i
salacki
ngvirt
ueinyou,
butdon’tfuckwit
hme.Did
yout
rytoki
llPi
lar
a?
LOAPI
:(nonchal
ant
ly)Nope
KAEDI:Youknowwhatpi
ssesmeoffthemost
?
Thatyouarel
ooki
ngmerighti
ntheeyeandl
yingt
o
me.
LOAPI
:Kaedi,
doyouwantmet
oadmi
tto
somet
hingIdidn’
tdo?
KAEDI:Youaretheonewhohadt hemostt owin,
youhadjustacqui
redi nf
oonheraller
gies,andshe
sawyouwhenyout houghtshewaspassedoutand
wenti
nandhel dKai..Canyoustoplyi
ngf oronce
Lol
o!
LOAPI
:Youarechoosi
ngt
obeli
eveheroverme?
Yourj
unki
eexwhoabandonedherchi
ld?
KAEDI
:I’
m choosi
ngt
obel
ievef
act
s!If
eell
ikeI
don’
tknowbot
hofyour
ightnow!
LOAPI
:Kanannayouarewant
ingmet
oadmi
tto
somet
hingIneverdi
d!
Hesl
ammedt
hedoorl
oudl
yandwal
kedout
,goi
ng
t
ohiscar
.
LoapiknockedonPilar
a’sbedroom andwhenPil
ara
opened,sheslappedherhardacrossthef
ace.
LOAPI:Iknewit.DeepdownIknewyouwer
ebr
ing
backnothingbuttr
oubl
e.
PI
LARA:Bybei
nghonest
?
LOAPI :(l
aughing)Youarenotcutoutf ort
his,l
it
tl
e
gir
l.Alltheschemingandplott
inggoingbehi nd
people’sbacks.Justnotyourfor
te.Youarel i
kea
headlesschi ckenrunni
ngaiml
essly,bumpingon
everythi
ng.Andi fyouarenotcaref
ul,youwi l
lget
burnedbadl y.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Thenwhyar
eyouher
ebot
her
ed?
LOAPI:Haveyoueverplayedpoker
,sweethear
t?Or
anycardgamereall
y.Theonewhopl aysthei
rgood
handtooearl
yalwaysloses.Youhaveplayedyour
card… nowwhat ,
sweetheart
,huh?Yougotnot hi
ng.
So,nowwhat ?Youcouldli
teral
lyhavemademe
yourbit
chandgoteverythi
ngyouwant edjustby
hoveri
ngthatinf
oovermyhead, butyourdumbass
wentandwast edtheopport
unit
y.
*
***
***
***
**
Kaedipar
kedhi
scaratt
hesi
deoft
her
oad.
Hewassoangr yatLol o.Thefactt
hatshewas
choosingtoblatantl
ylieaboutitwhenhewassur e
i
twashermadei tworse.AndheknewPi lar
aonl y
tol
dhimi nsomecompet it
ionshi
ttocauseissues
betweenhim andLol o.God, hewassotir
edoft hese
sel
fishpeopl
e, l
ikehedi dn’
thaveenoughalready
wit
hwor kandhi suncles.
Hecheckedt
het
imeandcal
ledSar
ona.
SARONA:Heyl
over
… wassup.
KAEDI
:I’
m good,
you?
SARONA:Youdon’
tsoundgood.Ky,
what
’swr
ong?
KAEDI
:(si
ghing)LoapiandPi
lar
a.Loapiwast
he
onewhopoisonedPilar
a…
SARONA:Uh-
uh….
KAEDI
:What‘
uh-
uh’
?
SARONA:Not
hing
KAEDI
:Sar
ona!What
?
SARONA:(sheepi
shly)Iknew… If
oundoutaf
ew
daysaf
teri
thappened…
KAEDI:Andyoudidn’
tthi
nktot
ellme?Fuck!Iam
surr
oundedbysnakes!Whatel
searey’
allhi
ding
fr
om me?
SARONA:Not
hingbabe.IswearIwasj
ust
…
KAEDI
:No… f
uckof
f.
Hehungupashef el
thischestcompr ess… his
heartthumpinghard.God!Hecouldn’ tt
rustanyof
them… what ’
snext?Conspiri
ngwithhi sunclesto
takehim out?Howdi dhisuncl
esmanaget ot ake
hisfatherout?DidLoloworkwiththem?Pi lar
af i
rst
camei ntohisli
febecauseofLedimo… shewenton
tosellLedimolandbehindhisback… wassheand
Ledimowor kingagainsthi
m….Howl ongwashe
goingtokeepDCECf rom t
hei
rbusiness… Ledi mo’s
enemi
es….Whati
ftheycamef
orhi
ski
ds…
Allt
houghtsfloodedhi
smi ndasonceasthestreet
l
ightsstar
tedbeingtoomuch… hebli
nkedhardand
coveredhiseyeswithhi
shandcravingsi
lence
fr
om histhoughtssomuchhepal medhisgun…
Puti
ttot
hist
hroat
…
Atl
easthecoul
dgetet
ernalpeace.
Hishandsshooksomuchashedr oppeditt
ohi s
l
apandwi thshaki
nghands,loggedintothe
companydatabaseandwentt oHR, fi
ndi
ngt he
cleani
ngstuf
fli
st… God,
pleaseletthei
rroosterbe
there,
lett
hei
rroost
er…
Ther
e.
Shehadcl
eanedhi
soffi
ceyester
day.Sohername
wasKenamil
e.Fi
nall
yaft
erfi
veyearshegotyofi
nd
i
tout.
Hegothernumberfrom t
heHRsyst
emsandcal
led
herwit
hshakinghands.
KENAMI
LE:Hel
lo?
KAEDI
:It
’sKaedi
…uhm… MrLedi
mo.
KENAMI
LE:Ohno.Whathappened?
KAEDI:Theyar
eallabunchofl i
ars!Allfucki
ng
thr
eeofthem!Lol
oi stheonewhot ri
edt okil
lPi
lar
a,
Saronaknewaboutit,
andPilar
ajusttriedtouseit
todestr
oymyfamily.
KENAMILE:Takeadeepbreat
h… t
hat
’si
t…t
ellme
howal
lthatmakesyoufeel
?
KAEDI:Horri
ble.Fucked.Imean,howdopeopl e
clai
mtoloveyouandl i
eaboutsomet hi
ngsobi g!I
mean,evenSassy!Theseot hertwoviciousbi
tches,
Iam notenti
relysurpr
ised!ButSarona… andI’
m
j
ustpanickedaboutever yt
hing… mykids’saf
ety…
thecompany!Whati fI’
m notgoodenough.
Hecockedhi
sgunwi
thoutevenr
eal
isi
ngashe
pl
ayedwit
hit
.
KENAMILE:MrLedi
mo,whatwast
hat
?Thenoi
seI
j
usthear
d,whatwasit
…
KAEDI
:Agun…
KENAMI
LE:Shi
t.Goputi
tint
heboot
.Ri
ghtnow.
Shehear
dthedooropen,
thenanot
herasheputhi
s
gunaway.
KENAMILE:Youarehavi
ngaparanoi
aepisodeand
aweaponisthel
astthi
ngyouneed.Haveyoubeen
t
akingyourmedi
cati
on?
KAEDI :(
sheepi
shl
y)Imean… Iwasf i
ne… Ijust
…
them lyi
ngtomeli
kethat
… Ithoughttheyhadmy
back!Itmademepanic… thi
nkthateveryonewas
againstme.
KENAMI
LE:Howar
eyouf
eel
ingnow?
KAEDI:Bet
ter
…t hepani
cat
tackhaspasses.Ist
il
l
haveaheadache.
KENAMILE:Whydon’tyoubookint
oahot elf
or
toni
ght
,swit
choffyourphone,
andsleep.Youcan
dealwi
ththehar
em tomorrow.
KAEDI :I
’m sorryf
orcall
ing,
Iknowyouwant edto
keepourf ri
endshipimpersonal.
…Ijust…i
twasan
emer gency,IwasscaredofwhatImaydo. ..Ihad
noonet ocal l
.Andyoudon’tjudgemeandt hinkI’
m
someweakl it
tl
eshitwhenIhavet hesel
it
tl
e
episodes.
KENAMI LE:Itol
dyou,havi
ngemotionsisnota
weakness.AndI ’
m gl
adyoucall
ed.I’
dratheryou
cal
ledthant heot
herwaythisni
ghtmayhaveended
i
fyoudi dn’
t.Areyousureyouar
eok?
KAEDI
:Iam.
KENAMILE:Thengoodnight
.Lett
heharem f
ighti
t
outf
ort
onight.Youcanmakedeci
sionstomorr
ow.
Asshehungup,herdaught
err
ani
nfl
ashi
ngan
emptypacket
.
‘
mama, t
hemi
nest
ronesoupi
sfi
nished,
ret
ashaba
kaeng?
KENAMI
LE:I
sn’
tther
etomat
osauce?
’
‘
fi
nishedt
oo’
KENAMI LE:Makeitaporr
idgeandwewi lleatwit
h
sugarthen.GoaskmmaLebof orsugar
.SoonI ’
l
l
getmycar dbackfr
om thecashloanandwecando
grocer
ies.
Shemoment
ari
lyt
houghti
faski
ngKaedif
orasmal
l
l
oan.
Nope.Hel
if
ewasal
readydr
amat
icenoughwi
thout
theshit
stormthatcamewi
thsomethi
ngas
personalasborr
owingmoneyfr
om KaediLedi
mo.
*
***
***
***
***
Kaediwal
kedint
othemansi
oninthemorning,and
Loapiwai
tedwit
hhisar
msacrossherchest.
LOAPI:Wher
ear
eyouf
rom,
youdi
dn’
tspendt
he
ni
ghthome.
KAEDI
:Idi
d,di
dn’
tyouseeme?
LOAPI:Don’tfuckwit
hKaedi
!Areyouf
ucki
ng
aroundagain,youcheapshi
t?Ar
eyou?Whoisshe?
Somewor thlesssl
ayqueen?
KAEDI:(
laughing)Imean,si
ncewearel
yingt
oeach
ot
her,
Imi ghtaswellt
ellyouIwasi
nWakanda.
Hewalkedawayandwhenhethoughthewasoutof
ear
shot,hecal
ledhi
sfemal
ecousi
nhewascloseto.
KAEDI:Nemmawhatwoul dasimplewomanli
ke
asapresentforherbi
rt
hday?Anonromant
ic
pr
esent,adearfri
endki
ndofpresent
?
HER:Doesshel
ikemakeup?
KAEDI
:Nope.Sheissi
mpl e.Nomakeup,
noweave
orwi
g.Nodesignercl
otheseit
her
.
HER:Uhh… maybeabook?Doesshel
iker
eadi
ng?
KAEDI
:Idon’
tknow.
HER:Newgi
rl
,cuz?It
houghyouwer
edone?
KAEDI
:No,
not
hingl
iket
hat
.Agoodf
ri
end.
HER:Uhmmmm… Iknow.Gi ftvoucher
s,Iknow
Sparhassomesometimes.Thenshecanbuy
whatevershewant
s.
KAEDI
:Thankscuz.
Hehungupandcal l
edhisP.
A,tel
li
ngherto
organi
sevoucher
sworthP3000.Thatwaspeanut
s,
buthedidn’
twanttoof
fendherwit
hat oobig
voucher.
*
***
***
**
Lol
omovedfr
om thedoorwher
eshehadl
ist
enedi
n
onKaedi
’
sconver
sati
on.
Whot
hehel
lwasshe.Pr
obablythewhorehespent
t
heni
ghtwi
th.Sot
ypi
calKaedi
!Justali
tt
le
ar
gumentandhegoesfucki
ngar
ound!Whatan
i
diotshewasf
ort
hinki
nghechanged!
*
***
***
***
**
Pil
aracameoutofherbedroom andwentt
oknock
onKaedi’
s.I
twasaSat urdayandtheywer
eal
l
home.Shehadjustheardhim comein.
PI
LARA:Hey,
Ithoughtwecoul
d…
KAEDI:Whatdidyouhopetoachi
evewi
thyourli
tt
le
revel
ati
on,Pi
lar
a?Huh?Itol
dyounott
ocomef uck
myf amil
yup.
PI
LARA:Ky,
Ijustf
eltscar
edf
ormyl
if
e… Iwas
j
ust…
KAEDI
:Youar
eal
iar
,justl
iket
her
estoft
hem.
PI
LARA:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
KAEDI
:Howi
sthatanyofyourbusi
ness?
PI
LARA:Excuseme?
KAEDI:Pi
lar
a,youhavenor
ightt
oanyinf
ormat
ion
aboutme.Youlef
t,r
emember?AndnowIdon’
teven
knowifIwantyouback,
youcameherewithme
hopi
ngyoucouldconnectwit
hKai
,butyouar
ea
pi
sspoorexcuseofamot her
…
PILARA:Oh,youwouldn’
tevenknowanythi
ng
aboutamother,youwererai
sedbyhousehelp.
KAEDI:Noar gumentt here,mymot heri
sashitbag
ofamot her.Doesn’texcuset hef
actthatyouare
too.Imean, wholeavesat hreemontholdtogo
fuckanotherman!
PILARA:God!Areyoust
il
lhungupont
hat
?Idi
dn’
t
fuckMbiganyi
!
KAEDI
:Kaii
ssomuchbet
terof
fwi
thoutyou.
PILARA:(fuming)Oh,
Ineverwant
edt
her
udel
it
tl
e
shitanyway!
Sheimmediat
elycover
edhermout
h.Shehadso
notmeantf
orthattocomeout
.
PI
LARA:Kaedi
,youknowIdi
dn’
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
,I
l
oveKai
…
KAEDI:Iwantyouroutofmyhousebyt
het
imeIget
back.Nxl
a.
PI
LARA:(
cryi
ng)Kaedi
,pl
ease…
Shetri
edt
ohol
dontohi
m, andKaedij
ustpushed
herawayandwal
kedof
f,l
eavi
nghercryi
ngonthe
fl
oor.
*
***
***
***
Kaedidroveof
ftoFr anci
stownsti
llfuming.How
couldshesaythatoutloudevenifitwast r
uefor
her?Kaicoul
dhavehear dthat
,andnochi ldshoul
d
everhavetoheartheirpar
entsayi
ngt heynever
wantedthem.
Heeventual
lybookedhimsel
finaniceli
tt
letr
anqui
l
pl
acejustoutofFr
ancist
own.Hereall
ycoulddo
wit
hapeacefulweekendtocl
earhismindand
deci
dewhattodowi t
hhisthr
eeli
ars.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
Nextepi
sode1000/
100/
10
[
05/
29,
11:
Kaediwal
kedi
nhi
sof
fi
ceandKenami
lewas
al
readycl
eani
ng.
KAEDI
:HiKena.
KENAMI
LE:Oh,
heyMrLedi
mo.
KAEDI
:Youdoknowmynamei
sKaedi
,ri
ght
?
KENAMI
LE:(
laughi
ng)Iknow.
Hel
aughedandputhi
slapt
opbagdown.
KAEDI
:Happybi
rt
hday.
Hesai
dashehandedheranenvel
ope.
KENAMILE:Howdid… samewayyougotmy
number
.Oh,what
’sthi
s?
KAEDI
:It
’svoucher
sforSpar
.
KENAMI
LE:(
looki
ngatt
hem)Whatdoyoudowi
th
t
hem?
KAEDI
:Youcangogetst
uffwor
thoft
hem i
nSpar
.
KENAMILE:Andj
ustgi
vet
hem t
hatpaper
?Kesa
t
shwaramadi?
KAEDI
:Yup,
theyhaveal
readybeenboughtaker
e.
Shesadl
ylookeddownandhandedt
hem back.
KENAMI
LE:Ican’
ttaket
his.Youshoul
dn’
thave.
KAEDI :Kenamile,
ifIwantedtobuyyouaromant
ic
presentI ’
dhaveboughtyoulingeri
eorper
fumeor
somet hing.It
’saninnocentpresent
.
KENAMILE:St
il
l…i
t’
sinappr
opr
iat
e.Youar
emy
boss.
KAEDI:Wel l
,theyarewastedthen,becauseIcan’
t
getmymoneyback.Pl easetakethem, i
t’
saspeci
al
occasion!Yourbir
thday.Peoplegi
vegiftson
bi
rthdays.
Theyweresever
al,
amountingtoP3000.Wow.That
wouldr
eall
ycomei nhandyri
ghtnow.
KENAMILE:(
sighi
ng)Thankyou.I
’
m not
ungr
atef
ul…i
t’
sjust…
KAEDI :Trustme, Iunderst
and.Anyway.Ihavenot
reachedadeci sionwithallt
hree.Kai’
smom said
sheneverwant edhim anyway.Thatmademer eal
ly
sad,li
ke, Idon’
tknowhowyouf eel,youdon’
tsay
suchshi toutloud.
KENAMI
LE:Ei
sh,
ya,
that
’ssad.Ican’
tspeakonher
though,
Idon’
tknowwher
eshei
satment
all
ytosay
such.
KAEDI:Wenakana.Youref
usalt
otal
kaboutoron
ot
herpeopl
eissoadmi r
abl
e.
KENAMI
LE:AnywayI
’
m doneher
e.Seeyouar
ound.
Helaughedathe‘si
gnof f
’tot
hei
rconver
sat
iont
hat
shealwaysusedeveryday.
‘
Anyway,
I’
m doneher
e,seeyouar
ound.
’
Hest
art
edwor
kingwhenLol
owal
kedi
n.
LOAPI:Wow.Isthepussythatgoodthatyoueven
spendtheweekend?Forgotallaboutyourki
ds,huh!
Heignoredherandj
ustkeptwor
king.Lopul
ledt
he
headset
sfrom hi
sears.
LOAPI:Youar
eamar riedmanwit
hfivechi
ldr
en,
Kaedi
.Youcan’tbespendi
ngweekendsatwhores.
KAEDI:I
’m pr
ett
ysureIcandowhat
evert
hehel
lI
want.Now,Ihaveacompanytor
un,andyouar
e
annoyi
ngme.Getout.
LOAPI
:Wow!Sher
eal
lygott
oyou,
didn’
tshe?
Whoevershei
s.I’
m notdeali
ngwit
hsomeother
newbit
chKaedi,
youpromi sedt
herewoul
dbeno
more.
KAEDI:I
fyouar
edone,
mayIhavemyheadset
s
back?
*
***
***
***
**
Kenamileknockedofffr
om workandtookthe
companybust oFranci
stown,headi
ngtoSpar
,
wonderingi
fshereall
ycouldpaywitht
hese
voucherthi
ngs.
Damn!Godal waysdidprovidej
ustinthenickof
ti
me.Lastni ghtt
heusedevent helastofthei
rpap.
Sheaskedanempl oyeeifshecouldusethe
vouchers,andwhent heysaidshecould,shetooka
tr
oll
eyandwentaboutget t
inggroceri
es,t
hena
packetofSimbachi psandadr i
nkforherdaughter
s
andsixniecesandnephews.
Ashertur
nt opaycame,someonebehi
ndher
handedablackcardt
othecashier
.
KENAMI
LE:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
eKaedi
?
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Avoi
dinggoi
nghome.
KENAMILE:I
t’
sok,Ihavemyvoucher
sremember
?
I
’l
lpayf
ormygr ocer
ieswi
tht
hem.
KAEDI:Keepthem,t
heyareval
idforaboutayear
.
Andyoucan’tsayno,shehasal
readyswipedmy
car
d…
KENAMILE:(si
ghi
ng)Why?Whypayforme?You
haveal
readygi
venmeabirt
hdaypr
esent.
KAEDI
:Ri
ghtpl
acer
ightt
ime?
KENAMILE:Whatwer
eyouevendoi
ngher
e?Idon’
t
seeyouasthegr
ocer
ytype.
KAEDI:wasdroppi
ngofftheyoungestofmy
si
bli
ngs.Sheisgoi
ngonaschoolt r
ipandneededto
pi
cksomethinginSpar
,thenheadedtoherschool
bus.
Hepaidforhertr
oll
eyandtheonehewaspushi
ng,
whi
chhadever yt
hingshehadputi
nhert
rol
ley,
plus
acake.
KENAMI LE:Thankyou,
butt
hisr
eal
lyi
snot
necessaryKaedi
.Letmegohome.
KAEDI
:I’
l
ldr
opyou.
KENAMI
LE:No,
I’
llt
aket
axispeci
al.
KAEDI
:Wi
llbot
htr
oll
eygr
ocer
iesf
it
?
KENAMI
LE:Huh?
KAEDI :Everythi
ngyouboughti sinthistrol
leytoo.
Thisisat hankforalwaysbei ngthereformet he
pastfi
veyear s.Ipromi seit’
snotmaki ngamoveon
you,Iam notdumbenought ojeopardiseour
fr
iendshiplikethat
.Ineedyout okeepmesane, I
’m
notgonnar iskfuckingi tup.Thisisfortodayonly
becausei t
’syourbirthday.Toshowt hatI
appreciat
eyou.
KENAMI LE:(smil
ing)Youareabigteddy,
youknow!
Ok,Iaccept.AndItrustyout
ohonouryourword
andnotgetmeanyt hi
ngagain.Hee,l
ecake!Wow!
Thankyou.
Hehelpedhergetal
lthegr
ocer
iesi
nthet
axi
,then
pai
dtheguyandwavedhergoodbye.
Kaediwal
kedt
ohi
scarsmi
li
ng.God,hewasin
suchagoodmoodhedi
dn’
twanttogotothose
bicker
ingnuisances.Buthehadt
oseehi
ski
dsand
tuckthem i
n.
*
***
***
***
*
Lol
olai
dinherbedr
oom ont
hephonewi
thKaedi
’
s
P.A
LOAPI :Youknowyouhavethatj
obbecauseofme,
ri
ght,Tlot
lo?So,
I’
m aski
ngyou.WhodidKaedigi
ve
thevouchersto?
HER:IswearIdon’ tknow… butthereisagir
lhe
wastalkingtotodayinhisoffi
ce.Shesaid
somethingonthel i
ne‘aww, youdidn’
thaveto’
li
ke
hehadj ustgi
venheragi ft
.
LOAPI
:Whati
shername?
HER:Idon’
tknow,
shei
sacl
eaner
.Shor
tandf
at.
LOAPI:Thankyousweetgi
rl
!Youwantaspat
ri
p?I
hadbookedfoetomorr
ow,butI
’l
lbebusy.
HER:Ohyespl
ease!Thankyou!
Aftertal
kingtoher,shewentint
ot hecompany
databaseandl ookedatal
lthecleaners… t
hei
r
rooster… and,t
hereshewas.Theonewhocl eaned
Kaedi
’
sof
fi
cet
oday.Kenami
lePol
oko.Wel
lthen…
Pi
larahadaboutfuckedt
hingsuponherown…
Kaedievenwantedtothr
owherout.Sheneedest
o
makesur et
hisonewasn’tt
herepl
acement.
*
***
***
**
Pil
arajustsatinherbedroom cryi
ngalldayl
ikeshe
di
dal lweekend.I
nt heor
y,shecouldjustgogeta
house,shehadaj obnow andsheknewKaedi
wouldn’tt
akethatfrom her.Butshedidn’
twantto.
Thiswasherf amil
y.
SheheardKaediar
ri
vehomeandwentt
oKaiand
Mbewu’sroom.
Theki
dsr
anoverandhuggedhi
m.
MBEWU:Wher ewer
eyoudaddy!Kaiwassad!He
heardaunt
yPipasaysheneverwantedhi
m.Idon’
t
evenunder
stand,i
t’
snotherhome,whywouldshe
notwantKaiinourhome?
Kaedi’
shear
tsankastheli
tt
leboyjustlai
dinbed
l
ookingsadashissi
sterdi
dthetal
king.Kaiwas
muchl i
kehi
m,notamanofmanywor ds.Mbewu
wasthemouthpi
eceandshewasver
ypr
otect
iveof
herbr
other
.
Kaedisatdownont
hei
rpl
aymat
.
KAEDI :Princess,seathere,comeher etoo, chi
ef.
Listen,t
hishomebel ongstoyouandyoursi bl
ings,
noonecaneverchaseyouaway.I nfact,youcan
throwoutanyoneyoudon’ tli
ke.Andasf oraunty
Pipa,well,sheisaver ysadper son,andsadpeopl e
saysadt hingst heydon’tmean.Imean, comeon,
whowoul dn’twantyout wocut i
es?
KAI
:Butmamasai
dIcamef
rom aunt
yPi
pa’
s
t
ummy, r
ight
?
KAEDI
:That
’scor
rect
.
KAI:Doesshemeansheneverwant
edmet
ocome
fr
om hertummy?
Fucki
ngPil
ara!Howt
hehel
lwashesupposedt
o
answert
hat?
Tal
kaboutt
hedevi
l.
Pi
lar
awal
kedi
nandsatdownont
hematwi
tht
hem.
MBEWU:Iusedt
oli
keyoubecauseyouputnai
l
pol
ishonmynails,
butyoumademybr
othersad,
so
Idon’
tli
keyouanymore.
PILARA:Iam sosorry,pri
ncess.Andespeciall
yyou,
Kai.Thatwassomeanofmet osay.Andyour
fatheri
sri
ght.Iam sad.Sosomet imesIdon’tknow
howt osayni
cet hi
ngsbecauseal lIf
eeli
ssadness.
Asinglet
earfel
ldownhercheek,
andMbewupat
ted
hershoul
der.
MBEWU:Nownow, don’
tcry.Youcanhaveice
cream wi
thisandbehappy.Butyoushoul
dnever
saymeant hi
ngstomybrotheragai
n!
Shecr
ossedherl
it
tl
ehandsoverherchest
,gi
vinga
‘
mean’face.
Kaij
ustsatl
ooki
ngaway.
KAI :Weshouldsl
eepBebe,mamasaidi
fwedon’t
sleepenough,wewon’tgr
ow.Daddy,
canyoutuck
usi nagain?Mamaputustobedbutwewerenot
verysleepy.
KAEDI:Alr
ightmychief
.Andyout
oopr
incess.I
n
bed!Let
’ssee,t
hebigbadwolf
…
Pil
arawat chedasKaedireadthem tosl
eep,t
hen
tuckedthem ont hei
rbedsandkissedeachofthei
r
foreheadsbeforequiet
lywal
kingout.Shefol
lowed,
andKaediswi tchedtheli
ght
soff.
PI
LARA:Kaedi
,I
…
KAEDI
:If
oundyouahouse.I
’
llbuyi
tforyoueven…
PI
LARA:(
cryi
ng)Kaedi
,pl
ease…
KAEDI
:Youar etoxi
c,Pi
lara.Ican’thaveyouar
ound
mychil
d,you’
lldest
royhisselfesteem.Youcan’t
seehi
m unti
lyouhavegot tenhelp.
PILARA:(cryi
ng)Kaedi ,
pleasedon’tdothi
s.Please!
IswearI’
llchange… I’
llgototherapy,anyt
hingyou
say.Idon’twanttoleave.YouandKaimeant he
worldtome.Pl ease.
Shegotonherkneespl
eadi
ngandbeggingast
ear
s
andmucusmixedattheedgeofherchi
n.
PILARA:Iknowyoul oveme,Kaedi!Ihurtyouby
l
eaving,Iknow!Iam sorr
y.So,sosorry!I
’dgi
ve
everyt
hingtotakei
tback!Iknowyoul oveme.
KAEDI
:Ido,
Pil
ara!Yes,
Iloveyou,
butIcan’
ttr
ust
you.Don’tyougetit
?It’
snotjustmenow, Pi
pa.I
comewi thfi
vekids!Youinmyl i
femeansbeingi
n
thei
rli
vestoo.AndIcan’tri
skhurti
ngthem when
youdecidetoleaveagain.
PI
LARA:IswearIwon’
tdot
hatagai
n… Iswear
…
KAEDI
:Youhadnoprobl
emsabandoni
nghi
m when
hewasababy,
whatchanged?
PI LARA:Me.Ihavegr own.EvennowwhenIdon’ t
feelanyconnect iontohim.IknowI ’dratherdi e
thanbeoutofhi slif
eagai n.IknowIneedhel p.I
knowmybehavi ouriserrati
c,Idon’tevenr ecogni se
thegi r
lwhol ooksbackatmei nthemi rroranymor e!
Idi ddr ugs, f
orGod’ ssake!TheChr i
sti
angi r
lwho
didn’ tevent alkaboutboysi nschool,doingdr ugs.I
am nott hrowingmysel fapi t
ypar t
y,butIhavebeen
thr oughsomuchi nsuchashor tspanoft ime.My
mot herget ti
ngcancerandt hatfearofl osingher ,
tryingsodesper atel
ytofindmoneyandsaveher
l
ife.For cedintoamar ri
agewi thamanIt houghtI
hat edatt hetime, i
nseminatedl i
keadamncow, j
ust
tobeusedf orpersonalagendas, at r
aumat i
cbi r
th
wher etheyhadt ot r
yavacuum, thenf orceps, and
mysonwasunr esponsi vef orabi taf terbi rth… t hat
wast hescar iestmomentofmyl ife.Thi nki ngIl ost
him.Thenf i
gur i
ngoutt hisnewmot hert hingonmy
ownbecausemyownmot herwasbusyf ucki nga
mar r
iedman, andmymot heri nl awhat esme.Iwas
overwhelmedKy.Thatamountofst resschanges
you.Ilostmyf ait
h… mybel ievei nGod.AndIt hinkI
hadal ongst andi ngpostpar tum depr essi ont hat
nevergott reat ed,soIj ustneverf eltanyt hi ngf ormy
son,andIhat emysel fforthat .Ilookathowl oving
LoloisandIf eeli nadequat e.If eell ikeapi eceof
shit
,whydon’ tIhavenat uralmot her l
yi nst i
nct sl ike
anor malwoman?I ndiawasl onel yandunf riendl y…
theguiltandsel fhat edr ovemet odr ugs.Whi ch
l
eadt olosingmyf ather’sfami ly,si nkingi nt omor e
druguse.If eltunl ovabl e.Iwassodesper atef or
someone, anyonet ol ovemet hatIl etmysel fbe
usedandabusedbyamanwhodi dn’ tgiveashi t
aboutme!HebeatmeupandImadeexcusesf or
him!Peopl eunder est i
mat et hepowerofsel fhat e.
Somet i
mesIf eltli
keIdeser vedi twhenhebeatme
up.Iunder standwhyaddi ct sar ehi ghl ylikelyt o
rel
apse.Thi sweekendIsomuchwant edt ogoout
thereandfi
ndadeal erandj ustnumbal lthispai
n.I
t
tookmyeverythi
ngnott o.So,yea.IknowI ’ma
mess.IknowIneedhel p… Ijustneedone… j ust
onepersontobeli
evei nmeenought ogivemea
chance… hopethatIcanbebet ter
… andt hereis
onlyonepersoninthewor l
dwhoIknowl ovesme.
NotevenIlovemysel f
,butyoudo.So, please…
pleaseKaedi
…don’tgiveuponme… pl ease…
Hewi pedthet
earshehadnotevenreal
iseshewas
sheddingandreachedhishanddowntopullherup
fr
om herkneel
ingposit
ionandhuggedherasshe
cri
ed.
*
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Pi
larawokeupinthemor ni
ngwithKaedist
il
lasleep
i
nherbed.Shewentt obathr
oom,looki
ngatherself
i
nthemi r
ror
,hereyessoswollenfr
om somuch
cr
ying.
God,
thi
swasnowaytol
ive.Al
wayssur
vivi
ng
somesortofpai
n.
Somet
hinghadt
ogi
ve.Sheneededt
ost
artl
ivi
ng.
Andtobehonestt
helastt
imeshereal
lyf
eltal
ive,
shehadherwalkwi
thGodinorder
.
Shesmi
ledather
sel
f,t
hinki
ngofPsal
m 34:18
‘
TheLor
disclosetothebrokenhear
ted.Andsaves
t
hosewhoarecrushedinspiri
t.
’
ThePil
arashelovedwasawomanr oot
edi
nGod.
Andshehadtof i
ndherf i
rstandfor
emostbef
ore
shecoul
dfixanyrelat
ionshipwit
hanyone.
Sher anbacktoherwalkincl
oset,t
othel
it
tl
enook
shehadsetupal ongt i
meagointendi
ngt
obeher
prayerandint
rospect
ionspace.
Shenot
edallthet
hingsshewouldneedt
oseti
tup
agai
n,t
hendroveoffandboughtt
hem.
Whenshegothomeshest ar
tedwor
kingoni
tat
once.Kaedihadl
eftherbedr
oom,butcamebackan
hourlat
erasshecleaned.
KAEDI
:Whatar
eyouupt
o?
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Set
ti
ngupmywarr
oom.
KAEDI
:(si
ghing)Pil
ara,youknowyoucan’
tpr
ay
awaymentalinst
abil
it
y,ri
ght?
PILARA:Oh, I’m alsobooki ngt her apysessioni n
thatDrLi am VanAndr eas’cl
inic.Butmyr oot sare
i
nt heLor dKaedi ,Icannotdenyt hatanymor e.I
tri
edt obet hisvindictiveperson, holdont oanger
andt hehur tIexper ienced.Want edt otakerevenge.
Lookwher et hatgotme.Lol osai dsomet hingthatI
reali
zei strue.Iam notcutoutf orallthatsneaking
andl ying.SoI ’
m gonnaj usttrybeme.Thi seasy
goingChr isti
angi r
l.Lear ntolovemysel f
,soIcan
havel ovetogi veot her.
KAEDI:Ok,
aslongasyougetqual
if
iedhel
p,Ihave
noprobl
em wi
thyourGodthi
ng.
Hecar
essedherchi
nandsmi
ledather
KAEDI
:Youar
egonnabeok,
youknowt
hat
,ri
ght
?
PI
LARA:(
smi
li
ng)I
’
m gonnaf
ightt
oot
handnai
lto
beok.
*
***
***
***
**
Lolosati
nherbedr
oom r
eadi
ngwhent
her
ewasan
knock.
Sheimmediat
elygotannoyedwhenPi
lar
ast
oodat
thedoor
.Shethoughtt
hisbit
chwoul
dbegonebe
now.
Ohwel l
.Kaediobvi ouslywasnoti nter
estedi
nher,
hehadt oldhert oleave,soshewasn’ tmuchofa
worr
y.Shecoul ddealwi tht
hel i
ttl
edruggiel
ateri
f
shedidn’tleave.Whatwast hattheysayabout
addi
cts90%l ikel
ytor el
apse?
Justashotofher
ointothebitch’
sar
m,andshewi
ll
beoffchasi
ngdrugsagain.Comingi
nheret
ryi
ngt
o
rui
nherfamil
y.Nxla.
Shehadnopr obl
em wi
thSassybecause, well
,fi
rst
ofall
,thebimbowasani r
relevantsi
dewhor ewho
tr
avell
edalltheti
me,andalso,Sassynevertri
edto
breakKaediandherup.
LOAPI
:What
?
PI
LARA:Iwant
edt
oapol
ogi
es.
LOAPI
:Ok?
PILARA:Icamei nt
oyourr el
ationship.Notbymy
ownwi l
l,youknowthat..Idi
dn’texpecttof al
lin
l
ove.ButIdid,andasaChr i
sti
anwoman, Iwas
havingahardtimewi t
hourar rangement .Itr
iedto
pushyououtsot hatIandKaediandourchi l
dcould
befamilyasGodor dai
ned.Iwaswr ongt otry
pushingyououtofyourownr elat
ionship.
LOAPI
:Gr eat.So,
doest
hisnowmeanyouwil
lleave
myfamilysomyhusbandandIandourchi
ldr
en
canbefami l
y‘asGodor
dained?
’
PILARA:Iwi shitwast hatsi
mpl e.IloveKaedi ,
andI
knowmyr el
ationshipwithhimisasi nashei sa
mar r
iedman.ButIal soknowIwi llbemi serabl
e
withouthim,soI ’
m choosingloveandt rustingIwi
ll
getclari
tyandt hepurposeofmebei ngint his
si
tuation.
LOAPI
:Whatdoyouwant
,anappl
ause?Youarethe
bi
tcht
ryi
ngt
ospli
tmyhaplyf
amil
y,sofuckof
f.
ShebangedthedoorinherfaceandPil
arasighed
andwalkedoff
.Notallpeopl
eweregoingtobe
accept
ingofherat
temptatanewl eaf
,thatwasthe
fi
rstlessoninr
ehab.Somewi l
lforeverseeheras
thatdruggiegi
rlwhofuckedup,andt hatwasok,
the
i
nstructorhadsaid.Changei
snotaboutpeople,but
self
.
*
***
***
***
***
Afewdayslat
erLol
osathavingacoffeewi
thher
f
ri
ends,
tel
li
ngthem aboutKenami
le.
ATANG:Okaet
heot
hergi
rl
,gat
wemang… Pi
lar
a?
LOAPI:Oh,thewhori
ngjunki
eisbackt
oBible
thumping.Andthati
rr
it
atesmeevenmorethanher
tryi
ngtobeabadbi t
ch.
AUBREY:War
ewhoi
snewnow?
ATANG:( l
aung)NnakanaIj
ustlaughedgot
we
‘
Atang,yourmanisawhore,atl
eastmineIknowhe
i
swi t
hSassyhasenal enna,bl
ahblah.Whoisthi
s
now?‘
LOAPI
:Wow, soencour
agi
ng,
Atang.Anyway,
it’
s
somecl
eanergir
l.
Shef
oundKenami
le’
spi
ctur
efr
om herFacebook.
ATANG:What
?Thi
sli
tt
let
eapot
,shor
tandst
out
?
Ar
eyousur
eLol
o?Shei
ssobeneat
hhi
sleague.
LOAPI
:Kebonaoneao.
ATANG:NnyaaKaediwagot wael
a.Imean,
I
underst
andkaPil
ara,
thegi
rli
saknockout,
body,
face,
fashi
onsense…Idon’
tknowanymenwho
wouldn’
twannafuckher
.
LOAPI
:(annoyed)Shei
snotal
lthat
.
AUDREY:NoLol o,creditwhereisdue,sisisa
knockout.Andt
hel i
ttl
eonei scutetoo,butmost
lyI
thi
nkjustachar
itycaseonl itt
legi
rl
.Thisoneene?
KoorekaediOboneeng?
LOAPI:I
’m st
il
ltr
yingtofi
gur
eitout.Li
ke,
I’
m
ser
iousl
yannoyed.Atleastf
uckaroundwithagi
rl
whoismycompet i
ti
on.
ATANG:I
’
m sayi
ng!
LOAPI:So,obvi
ouslyfir
ingherisoutoft
hequesti
on
becauseKaediwil
lthrowat ant
rum,besi
de,i
fshe
comesoutlookingvicti
m,itwil
lpushKaedir
ight
backtoher.
ATANG:So,
what
’st
hepl
an?
LOAPI
:Gonnausethesuper
visort
omakeherl
if
ea
l
ivi
nghel
lunt
ilshequi
ts.
AUDREY:Whatmakesyouthi
nksheisgonnast
op
fucki
ngKaediwhenshei
snotwor
kingther
e?
ATANG:Gonemmewhyar ey’
allsoundi
ngso
desper
ate?Runni
ngchasi
ngaman.NnaIj ustrel
ax
anddome.Youf uckar
ound… hey,twocanpl
ay.
LOAPI:Some.Ofuswantstabl
ehomesAt ang,
not
mantl
waneal eagago.Ir
eall
ygot
tathinkof
somethi
ngthatkeepsmyhandsclean… awayto
makeherleaveKaedi.
*
***
***
***
**
OnSundaymorni
ngPil
arawokeupear
lyand
st
art
edgett
ingr
eadyf
orchurch
God,
shehadnotbeent
ochur
chf
orsi
xyear
snow.
Mbewupeekedi
ntoherdoor
.
MBEWU:Ar
eyougoi
ngt
owor
k?I
t’
sSunday,
sil
ly
aunt
yPi
pa.
PILARA:(l
aughi
ng)No,
pri
ncess.I
’
m goi
ngt
o
church.
MBEWU:Oh?MyCal
mosayst
heygot
ochur
cht
oo.
PI
LARA:Youneverbeen?
Sheshookherheadandcamei
ntot
hebedr
oom,
si
tt
ingonthebed.
PILARA:NNoI nt
hatcase,youcancomewit
hmeif
youwant .Comei
nKai.Youcancometochurch
withusifyouwantt
oo.Goaskyourmamaor
daddyfi
rst.
TheysawKaedigoi
ngt
ohi
sbedr
oom andMbewu
cal
ledhi
m.
MBEWU:Daddy,daddy!Aunt
yPipasayswecango
t
ochur
chwithherifyousayyes!
KAEDI:(l
aughing)Youdon’tknowwhatyouar e
gett
ingyoursel
fint
o,Pil
ara.Theycan’
tstayst
il
lfor
fi
veseconds,butifyouarebraveenough,goon.
PI
LARA:Thankyou.Okguys.Letmebat
hyout
hen
Shegott
hem r
eadyanddrovet
ochur ch,
meet
ing
upwit
hKaedi
’scousi
n’swi
feMichel
le.
Michel
lehel
dherhandandshebrokedowncr
ying
duri
ngworshipast
heysang‘LeadMeToThe
Cr
oss’
byHi
ll
song.
AfterserviceshewenttolunchwithMichel
leand
herchildren,andbytheti
met heygothomeitwas
aroundsi xintheeveni
ng.
Lol
owasf
uri
ous.
MBEWU:Mama!Wewentt ochurch.I
twasfun,we
sangsongsandlist
enedt
ostor
iesandtheygaveus
crayonst
ocolor
!
LOAPI
:Yout
wo,
toyourbedr
oom.Now.
Theyr
anof
ftot
hei
rbedr
oom,
hidi
ngi
nthest
air
s.
PI
LARA:Lol
o,Idi
dn’
tmeant
oof
fend,
I…
Loapi
slappedherhar
dacr
osst
hef
aceast
ear
sran
downhercheeks.
LOAPI:(wi
pingtear
s)Whatthehel
ldoyouthink
givesyout
her i
ghttot
akethem wi
thoutl
ett
ingme
know?
PI
LARA:(
rubbi
nghercheek)It
oldKaedi
…
LOAPI:Am IKaedi
?Doyouknowhowwor r
iedIwas?
Ievencal
ledthepol
ice,
aker
eKaedioowagago
wasn’tanswer
ingthephonet
hesamewayyou
weren’t
…thehelper
ssawhimleaveal
oneandt
hey
sai
dyoul ef
tal
onet oo.
PILARA:Iputthem inthei
rcarseat
s,butt
hem
real
isedIfor
gotmyBi ble,
andwentbacki nt
othe
housetogetit.Theymusthaveseenmel eavethe
secondtimeandt houghtIlef
tal
one.
LOAPI:Youmustnever
,evertaket
hesekids
anywherewit
houtmyexpresspermissi
on.Doyou
under
stand?
,
PI
LARA:KanaIj
ust
…
LOAPI
:Idon’
tgiveashi
t,Pi
lar
a.Legoneoi
sabana
kodi
ker
ekengtsalonat
sadifir
e,mxim!
Shewal kedofftothebedroom sti
llfuming.Those
twower eLedimoki ds,andeveryotherthugsaw
them asamoneyt ransect
ion.Shewoul dn’
tknow
whattodoi fanythi
nghappenedt ot hem.
Kaediwalkedi
nasPi
lar
ast
oodi
nthef
oyerr
ubbi
ng
hercheek.
KAEDI
:Howwaschur
ch?
PI
LARA:(
sighi
ng)Fi
ne.
KAEDI
:Ar
eyouok?
PI
LATA:I
’
mfi
ne.
Theki
dscamer
unni
ngf
rom upst
air
s.
MBEWU:Ddaddy,daddy!Wehadsomuchf
unat
chur
ch.Wewerecolour
ingandsi
ngi
ng!
KAEDI
:Wow!Soundsl
ovel
y!
MBEWU:ThenwewenttoWimpywithCalandViv
andthei
rmama,t
henaunt
yPipaboughtusbubbl
e
gunsonthewayhome.
Thenherl
it
tl
eheaddr
ooped,
herl
owerl
ipst
uckout
.
KAEDI
:What’
swr
ongpr
incess?Wer
eanyoft
he
ki
dsmean?
MBEWU:( shakingherhead)It
hinkwegotaunt y
Pipaintrouble.Mamawassoangr ythatauntyPipa
wenttochur chwi t
hus,sosheslappedherlikethis,
l
ikethisont hecheek.
KAEDI
:What
?Pi
lar
a?
PI
LARA:I
t’
snot
hing,
real
ly…
KAEDI
:Rugr
ats.Toyourr
oom.
Thengr
umbl
edbutr
anupst
air
s.
KAEDI
:Pi
lar
a,di
dLoapisl
apyou.
PILARA:Shewasjustpani
ckedbecauseshehad
beenlooki
ngf
orthekids… I
…
Kaedist
ormedof
ftoLol
o’sr
oom.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
KaediopenedLoapi
’
sdoorst
il
lfumi
ng.
KAEDI
:Whatt
hehel
l?Whydi
dyousl
apher
?
LOAPI:Fi
rstofal
l,
loweryourdamnvoi
ce.My
babi
esaresleepi
ng.
Thenshesl
appedhi
m har
dasKaedir
ubbedhi
s
cheeki
nshock.
LOAPI:Thati
sfornotl
ett
ingmeknowyoursnack
tookt
hekids.
KAEDI
:So,
thatj
ust
if
iesvi
olence?
PILARA:HonestlyKy,
it’
sok.Don’
tmakei
tabi
g
deal.Iunder
standwheresheiscomi
ngfr
om.
KAEDI
:No,
Pil
ara.Lol
ocan’
tjustgosl
appi
ngpeopl
e.
LOAPI
:Kaedi
,sheisl
uckyIonlyslappedher
.She
pul
lst
hisshi
tagai
nandIwillt
otalher.
KAEDI:Noyouwon’
t.Ther
ewon’tbeanyviol
encei
n
t
hishouseanymor
e,youbett
erapol
ogise.
LOAPI
:Thef
uckIwi
ll
.
PI
LARA:I
t’
sfi
ne,
real
ly.Idon’
tneedanapol
ogy.
KAEDI:LetthisbethelasttimeLoapi
.Whatkindof
behavi
ourar eyoumodel l
ingtotheki
dsifwesolve
ourdif
ferenceswithvi
olence.Thisi
sthelastt
ime,I
won’tt
ellyouagain.Nxla,whyisitt
hatnowadays
ever
ytimeIseeyou, youpi ssmeoff?
LOAPI:Becauseyour‘woeisme’ bi
tchi
sbackand
sheknowshowt opl
ayyoulikeapiano.Pi
lar
aloves
bei
ngvicti
m, andyouloveplayi
nghero.
PILARA:Whatam Ibeingvict
im about
?Loapi ,
I
seri
ousl
yonlywanttogetmyl if
ebackt oget
her.Yes,
Icameherewit
hmot ives.ButIhavesincereali
sed
that
’sj
ustnotme.Idon’
tevenknowhowt opul
lthe
schemingactof
f.Al
lIknowistofor
giveandl
eave
j
udgementtoGod.
LOAPI:Ohfuckoff
,Pil
ara.Allofasuddenyouare
MotherMary,af
terspendingfiveyearswhor
ing
andsnort
ingcoke?Fuckinghypocrit
e.
Kaedisi
ghedandtookLol
o’shand,
leadi
nghert
o
t
hebedt oseatdown.
KAEDI :Lol
o, mylove.Pil
arahasbeenwr ong.I
understandyourhesi t
ati
onwithher.Idon’
tknowifI
full
ytrustheryetalso… butIam choosi
ngt ogi
ve
herasecondchance.Iam beggi ngyoutodoso
also.Eversinceshegother e,
allyoutwodidwas
fi
ght.Howaboutt r
yinganotherway.Peaceworked
outwi t
hSassy, di
dn’tit
?
LOAPI
:Sar
onai
sn’
ttr
yingt
obr
eakmyhome.
PI
LARA:Nei
theram I
.Notanymor
e.
LOAPI
:Oh,
great
,whendoyoul
eave?
PILARA:Ihavet
oacceptyourr
elat
ionshi
pwith
Kaedii
snoneofmybusinessandjustfocuson
mi
newi
thhi
m.
LOAPI:Shehasyousof ooled,
Kaedi.Thi
shol i
er
thanthoubitchisnevergoingtoacceptt
hatyouar e
polyamorous.HerBibledoesn’
tall
owhert o.But
shecan’tgiveyouup,sothebestwayi stogetridof
ussoi t
’sj
ustyouandher .
CouldLololberight
?WasPi l
arasti
llscheaming
about?Howdidshepl anonhandli
ngherChr i
sti
an
convi
cti
onsandbei napolyamorousr el
ati
onshi
pat
thesametime?Woul dsheoverl
ookwhatshe
consi
dersa‘si
n’?
Hejustdi
dn’
tknowwhatwasanymore.Al
lhe
wantedwasahappyf
amilywi
ththewomenhe
l
oved!Wasthatt
oomuchtoask?
KAEDI:Lo,please… i
t’
snotl
ikethatatal
l.Canyou
notdothis?Iwantpeace,Pi
lar
awant speace.Why
areyoubeingdi f
fi
cul
t?
LOAPI
:I’
m notbeingdi
ffi
cul
t.Pi
lar
aisnotf
ool
ing
me,wenayouthinkwit
hyourdickaker
e.
PILARA:Youjustdon’
twantmehere.Mypresence
threat
ensyouforsomereason.I
’
mt r
yingt
omake
peacebut
….
Hel
istenedt
othem bi
ckerbackandforthforso
l
ongitwasstar
ti
ngtogivehim aheadache.
Washeevergonnabeabl
etol
ovewi
tht
heset
woi
n
peace?
Hi
sphonepul
ledhi
m outofhi
sthought
s.
KAEDI
:Igot
tat
aket
his.
LOAPI:Real
ly?Wear
etr
yingt
osolvefamil
y
probl
emsandyougooffonyourphone?
PI
LARA:Ky,
wai
t,maybel
et’
s…
Heranoffandout
sidet
hedoor
.Her
eal
lydi
dneed
t
otakethi
s.
Shewouldnevercal
lunl
essshehadnoot
her
choi
ce.
*
***
***
***
*
Kenamil
egotofft
hecanandcall
edherni
ecesand
nephewstohel
punloadt
hegrocer
ies.
God,
itfel
tsogoodtobeabletobringsomethi
ng
home.Hermothersati
ntheverandalooki
ngather
.
MOTHER:Uhu?Yougotpai
d?
KENAMILE:(
smili
ng)No,afr
iendgavemethese
l
it
tl
epaperswhereyoucangogetfoodatSpar
wit
houtmoneyformybirt
hday.
Sheshowedhert
hevoucher
s.
MOTHER:Wow,
blessher
!Godi
susi
ngher
.
Shej
ustl
ookeddownnotcor
rect
ingher
.
KENAMILE:Dona,putsugarandfl
ourandthat5kg
ofpapplusbeefandcannedfishi
noneplasti
c.
Thosearemma-Lebo’s.Sheal
sohadnothi
ngl ef
t.
I’
l
ltakei
ttoherhomel at
er.
Hersi
sterl
ookedatherannoyed.
SISTER:Goaheadandgiveawayf
oodwhenyou
knowhowmuchwest r
uggle,
whydon’
tyou?
KENAMI LE:Ican’
thelpsomeonewhohelpsus?
Don’tbegreedy.Anyway,guesswhatyouguys!A
cake!Myf r
iendboughtmeacakefoemybi r
thday!
Bame, br
ingaknife.Andsomewatersowecan
maket heOros.
Theyhappi
lyat
ethecakeast
heychat
ted.
Heryoungestdaught
erst
art
edchocki
ng.
Sher
anoverandpi
ckedherup.
KENAMI
LE:Nana?Nana,
what
’swr
ong?
Theot
herki
dtoldt
hem t
hebabyhadbeenpl
ayi
ng
wit
hmagnets.
Shetri
edtopumpt hebaby’
sstomachtodi sl
odge
themagnets,andasnothi
ngwashappeni ng,she
carr
iedhertother
oadandt r
ieddesper
atelyt
ohail
ataxi.
Thosethatpassedwer
eful
landgoi
ngi
nadi
ff
erent
di
rect
ion.
Thebabywasget
ti
ngwor
se,
tur
ningbl
ue…
Shesi
ghedandcal
l
edKaedi
.
KAEDI:Hey,what
’sup?Kena?Ar
eyoucr
ying?
What’
swr ong?
KENAMI LE:Mybabyi schokingandthereareno
taxi
s… please.Iwoul
dn’taskifIhadanother
opti
on….
KAEDI
:Iam home,
whi
chi
soutofFr
anci
stown,
but
I
’m sendi
ngsomeoner
ighti
nFr
anci
stownnow.
Whereareyou?
Aftershehungup,shecal
ledDevonandqui
ckl
y
explai
nedtohim,t
hengotinthecaranddr
oveoff
.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Kaedir
eachedNyangabgwehospi
talandf
ound
Kenamil
ecryi
ng.
KAEDI
:Whathappened?
Shewast
oohyst
eri
cal
tot
alk.
DEVON:Thebabywaschoki ngfortool
ong.They
managedtodislodgethemagnets,
buti
twastoo
l
ongwithoutoxygentothebrai
n…theyaret
ryi
ngto
avoi
dherbeingbraindead….
HehuggedKenamileasshecri
ed,holdi
ngherhand
asshekneel
tatacornertopr
aythroughoutt
he
ni
ghtastheywai
ted.Devonevent
uallywentback
home.
Bytheti
meitwas4am,
adoct
orcal
ledt
hem i
nto
hi
soffi
ce.
KAEDI
:God,
pleaset
ellmeshei
sok.
DR:I
’
mreal
lysor
ry,
sir
…
KENAMILE:No… no!Pl
easesi
r… shei
sjusta
baby…
DR:Thebr
ainwaswi
thoutoxygenf
ort
ool
ong.I
’
m
sor
ry.
Kaedit
alkedtot
hedoct
or,
thent
ookt
hecr
ying
Kenamil
et ot
hecar
.
*
***
***
***
***
Pil
arawokeupint
hemor
ningt
oLol
oint
hel
ivi
ng
room,sobbi
ng.
Whateverdramawassheupt onow.Andwherethe
hel
lwasKaedi ?Hej
ustl
eftl
ikethatanddi
dn’
tcome
homeallnight
.
PI
LARA:Mor
ning…
LOAPI
:Ihopeyouar
ereadyf
oranew‘
si
ster
’.
PI
LARA:Whatareyouonaboutnow,
ser
iousl
y.
Don’
tyougett
ir
edift
his?
Sheshowedherapi
ctur
eonherphone.OfKaedi
huggi
ngacryi
ngKenamil
e.
LOAPI
:that
,iswhathewasr
unni
ngof
ftol
astni
ght
.
PI
LARA:Whati
sthi
s?
LOAPI :Myf r
iendisadoctoratNyangabgwe… she
sentthat.Apparentl
ythei
rninemonthsoldbaby
diedafterchockingonamagnet .
PI
LARA:That
’snott
rue,
Kaedisai
dhewoul
dn’
t…
LOAPI:(
laughi
ng)Welcomet otherealKaesi
.Heis
alyi
ng,whori
ngpieceifshi
t.That’
I
swhatyouar e
comingbackto,si
s.IhopeyouhaveaBi blever
se
fort
hat.
Shewentof
ft oherbedr
oom andl
ockedher
sel
fon
thebedr
oom cryi
ng.
Thenshet ookthebabiestohermotherinlawand
droveoffaiml
esslyforhours.Shedi
dn’teven
bothergoingtowork,j
ustmessagedPilaratotake
thekidstoschoolandpickthem up.
Whyonear
thwasshehol
dingont
othi
s?
Whywasshei
nlovewi
thamanwhot
reat
edherso
badl
y!
God!Shewassost
upi
d!
Justl
ikehermot
her
.
Sheneededt
of i
ndhersel
fwor
th,
becausehol
ding
ontothi
swouldkil
lher
.
Heli
ed.Hesai
dther
ewon’tbeanymor
e,yethewas
busyhavi
ngki
dsoutther
e.
Thel
astt
hingsheneededwasherf
ri
ends’
j
udgementri
ghtnow…andshehadnooneelse.
God,
shehaddr
ivenal
lthewayt
oFr
anci
stownnow,
andwasgoi
ngpastt
heBDFDongacamp.
Shepar
kedbythesi
deandscr
oll
edherphone,
hopi
nghest
il
lusedt
hesamenumberaft
erfi
ve
year
s.
TATJ:Sky?
Shej
ustsobbedont
hephone.
TATJ:Loapi
,what
’swr
ong?
LOAPI
:Wher
ear
eyou?
TATJ:Mokampeng,
why?
LOAPI
:HowdoIcomet
oyou?I
’
m byt
hegat
e.
TATJ:OK?Youj ustghost
edme, li
ter
all
yblocked
mef orf
iveyear
s,nowyouj ustshowupl i
kenothi
ng
happened.
LOAPI
:I’
m sor
ry,
Ishoul
dn’
thavecal
led…
TATJ:Wai
t.
.War
eokogat
e?Gi
vemeasec.
Afewminutelaterhecametogether.Lol
ohugged
hi
m andjustcr
iedonhischestforsometi
me
bef
orehedrovehercarinandtookhertohispl
ace.
Themomenthecl
osedt
hedoor
,Lol
otur
nedar
ound
andt
ri
edt
okisshi
m.
TATJ:Whoa… wai
t… wher
eisyourhusband?
LOAPI:Ij
ustl
efthi
m..Idon’
twantt
otal
kri
ghtnow.
Pl
ease…
TATJ:I’
m veryhappytobeyourr eboundsex,but
youareobviouslyupset
,andIdon’twantitt
obel i
ke
Itookadvantageofyourmentalstate…
LOAPI:Tt
ji
bona,damnit
!IawareofwhatI’m doi
ng,
youar
enott aki
ngadvantageofanyt
hing.Ij
ust
wannafuck.Hardandfast…roughashell.Areyou
down?
Shesai
dasshepull
edhi
st-
shi
rtof
fandr
anher
handsonhi
sabs.
Tat
jshookhi
sheadl
aughed.Thi
sgi
rlwascr
azy.
Hepushedherupagainstthewallandranhi
s
handsf
rom herwai
stupt ohershoulder
sandthen
hel
dherfaceinhi
shands.
TATJ:Loapi
,ar
eyousur
e?
Helookedint
ohereyesandt henatherli
psand
smil
ed.Heneededt otast
et hoseli
ps,di
scoverthat
mouth.Hehadwant edthatsincethedayhemet
herShesmi l
edandt i
lt
edhermout hupt ohiswitha
‘
yes’asshemoanedt ohistouch.Thekisswassof t
andslowatfi
rst.Li
pstouching,br
ushingupagai nst
eachother
.Feeli
ngeachot her’
sbreathsoclose.He
drewbacktolookinhereyesagain.
Lol
onoddedwi
thasmi
lef
orhi
mtogoon.
Hewr appedhi shandbehindherheadanddr ewher
i
ntohim, thei
rmout hshardagai
nsteachother.
Thei
rt onguesdelvedinandstart
edexplori
ng.I
t
wasliketheout si
deworldceasedtoexistf
oralit
tl
e
whil
e.Thei rt
onguestwirl
ed,andthei
rli
pswanteda
deepert
ast
eashepul
ledhert
-shi
rtof
fand…
{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
***
***
*
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KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
1000/
100/
10
[
05/
29,
11:
Pi
lar
asatintheli
vingr
oom t
hinking.No,Kaedi
woul
dn’tbesostupidt
ocomplicatethei
rsi
tuat
ion
byhavi
ngachildoutsi
de.
Thedooropenedandhewal
kedi
nlooki
ngwor
se
forwear
.
PI
LARA:Wer
ear
eyouf
rom?
KAEDI
:Hel
lot
oyout
oo,
Pipal
ove.
Hewentt
oLol
o’sr
oom andshewasn’
tther
e.
Hewentbackdownst
air
s.
KAEDI
:Wher
eisLol
o?
PILARA:Soyoucanaskmequest
ionsbutwon’
t
answermine?
Hesi ghedandwenttohismother
’sroom wherehe
checkedont het
ri
plet
s,changi
ngdiapersand
helpedhismotherwarmthem bott
lesoffr
ozen
breastmil
k,t
henfedthem bef
orehewentof f
.
Pil
aragotinhercarandf ol
lowedatadi st
anceas
hewentt oafuneralparl
our
,comi ngoutaabout
thi
rtyminut
eslater.Thenhedrovetosomepl acei
n
Franci
stownshewasn’ tmuchfami l
iar,
par
kingata
homet hatafewpeopl ewer
egat hered.
Pil
arawipedtearsasshedr
ovebacktot
hef
uner
al
parl
ourandtalkedtot
hemanthere.
PILARA:Hi,Ijustwantedtocheckifmybrotherhas
al
readyorderedachild’scasket
.Itwi
llbeunder
KaediLedi
mo.
MAN:Oh,hedid,andwehaveatombst
oneser
vice,
hehasal
readyaskedf
ort
hattoo.
Hepointedt
het
hingsoutandt heybot
hhadaheft
y
pri
cetagyoudi
dn’tgoaboutpayi
ngforrandom
peopl
e
Soi
twasKaedi
’
schi
ldwhopassedt
hen.
PI
LARA:Hashepai
dal
ready?
HI
M:Yea,
inf
ull
I
fhecoul
ddothi
s,whatguarant
eedi
dshehave
t
hathewoul
dnotcheatagai
n?
No…no!Thatkindoft
hinki
ngwasnotproducti
ve.
Maybeithadbeenaonenightst
and… butthat
’s
st
il
lcheat
ing.
Andtechnical
ly,
ifthechi
ldwasninemonthsol
d
now,thatmeansi twasconcei
vedeight
eenmonths
ago,
andshewasn’ twi
thKaedithen.
Sotechni
cal
ly,
hedidn’
tevencheatonher ,
ji
ston
Lol
oandSassy.Theywer eworki
ngthingsoutand
sheneededt
of ocusonthei
rrel
ati
onshipandtrust
God.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Loapifi
nal
lygotoutofbedandshower
edi
nTat
j’
s
bathr
oom befor
egetti
ngdresses.
TATJ:Youar
eleavi
ng.
LOAPI
:Ihavet
opi
ckupmyki
dsf
rom school
.
TATJ:Ar
eyougoi
ngt
obl
ockmeagai
n?
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)Nott
hist
ime.
TATJ:Nottosoundscl
ingi
ng,butIj
ustwannaknow
whatthi
sis?Onetimet
hing?Bootycal
l?Or…
LOAPI:Let’
stakei
tonest
epatat
imef
ornow.We’
l
l
fi
gur
ei toutaswego.
Tat
jwalkedhert
ot hecarandshedr
oveof
ftopi
ck
upKaiandBebefrom school
.
*
***
***
***
**
Loapiwalkedinwiththeki
dsandwentt ogivet
hem
asnack, t
hensatwiththem l
ist
eni
ngallabout
school.Thenshebathedthem andgavethem
dinnerbefor
eputt
ingthem tobed.
Shewenttot
akethebabi
esfrom hermot
heri
nlaw
andfedt
hem,thenbat
hedthem andputt
hem t
o
bed.
Thenshewentt
oknockonPi
lara’
sbedr
oom,
and
sheopenedwi
thswol
lenr
edeyes.
LOAPI:(l
aughing)Sant seot olel
ababygir
l.Kaedii
s
awhor eandain’tnowomangoi ngt
ochangehi m.
Beenwher eyouar elove,feel
ingspeci
alkerenna
helovesmeeveni fher unsaround.
PILARA:Whatareyougoi
ngtodo?Imean,
he
cheatedonyouaft
erpr
omisi
ngther
ewil
lbeno
more.
LOAPI:(
sighing)I’
dleave,
evenifIlovehimli
keIdo.
ButKaediwi l
lnevergi
vemecust odyofthekids,
andI’
dratherstaywithacheaterthanlosecustody
ofmybabi es.
PI
LARA:I’dgi
veyoucust
odyofKai
,youar
etheonl
y
motherheknows.
LOAPI:(l
aughing)youaresonaïve.Yout hi
nkthat
’s
yourdecisi
on?TheyareLedimoki ds.YouandI,
sweetheart
,ar
ei nsi
gni
fi
cantl
it
tl
ef li
eswheni t
comest othei
rli
ves.
PILARA:Buthesai
dwecoul
dleavewi
tht
hem l
ast
ti
me.
LOAPI
:Beent
hroughthatwi
thhi
m whenhethought
youwoul
dwantKai.I
t’
sano.Hesaystheywere
babiesthen,itwouldn’taf f
ectt
hem muchast hey
hadnocl earunderstandi ng.NowbigasKaiand
Mbewuar e,usedtolivingherewit
hdaddycomi ng
homeandr eadingforthem everynight
,hesayshe
i
snotdi srupti
ngtheirlivesbychangingthei
rplace
ofli
ving.
PI
LARA:That
’sunf
air
…
LOAPI:(
laughing)Youaredat
ingamanwi thawif
e
andagirl
fri
end,yethedemandsf ait
hful
nessfr
om
you,
youshoul dbeusedtounfairbynow.Anyway,I
cametoaski fyouknewhiswher eabout
s.
PILARA:Atthegir
l’
shouse….If
oll
owedhimtoa
funer
alpar
lour.Hepai
dforaveryexpensi
vecasket
andtombstone.
LOAPI:Shewor
ksatLI
Dindust
ri
es,
youknow.A
cl
eaner…
ShefoundKenami
l
e’sFacebookandshkwedPi
l
ara
herpi
ctur
e.
LOAPI:Yup,that’
swhatyourbabydaddyischeat
ing
onyouwi t
h.Mar aenesheisgoingyolear
na
l
essonforallsidechi
cks.Shehasbeenwor ki
ngat
LI
Df orf
iveyear
s,sosheknowsKaedii
smar
ri
ed,
butdeci
dedtofuckhi
m sti
ll
.
*
***
***
***
**
Aft
erburyingherdaught
er,
Kenamilestai
nher
bedroom cryi
ngwhenKaediwalkedin.
KAEDI:IhopeI
’m noti
ntr
udi
ng,
yourmom sai
dI
coul
dcomei n.
KENAMILE:(
sni
ff
li
ng)No,it’
sok.Iwantedtot
hank
youf
orcover
ingal
lthecosts,youdon’
tknowhow
muchst
ressyoureducedforme.
KAEDI
:Gl
adIcoul
dhel
p.Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
KENAMI
LE:Hor
ri
ble… i
fonl
yIhad…
KAEDI:Heynow.Don’ tgodownthatr
oad.Ther
e
wasnot hi
ngyoucouldhavedone.IsowishIhad
yourbrainri
ghtnowsoIcouldtel
lyoual
lthe
comforti
ngthings.Whatwoul
dyousayifyouwere
me?
KENAMILE:(smil
ing)Areyouaski
ngmet
otel
lyou
whatyoushouldsaytocomfortme?
KAEDI
:It
’sni
cet
oseet
hatsmi
le.Peopl
eli
keyou
shouldneverbesad.Andyea,t
hat
’sexact
lywhat
I’
m aski
ng,youaregoodatit
.
Shegi
ggl
edabi
t.
KENAMI LE:Well
,I’
dsayGod’splansaregr
eater
thanus.Onlyheknowswhy.I ’
dalsosayeven
thoughitsucksr
ightnow,heal
ingwil
lcomeinti
me,
andthatsheisinabetterpl
ace.
Hesmi
ledather
.
KAEDI:Youarel
it
eral
lyt
hest
rongestpersonIknow.
Ican’
timagi
neanysit
uati
onyoucan’tgetthr
ough.
KENAMI
LE:Thanks
KAEDI
:Whydon’
tyout
akeamont
hof
ftogetbet
ter
!
KENAMILE:No,pai
dbereavementl
eavei
sonl
y
t
hreedaysfori
mmediat
efamily.
KAEDI:Nami,f
oronce, t
akeadvantagethatyouar
e
bestf
riendswi
ththeCEO.Youj ustlostachil
d.
Taketi
meandheal .Yourjobwil
lsti
llbewaiti
ng
whenyoucomeback, andyouarefull
ypaidfort
he
ti
meof f.
KENAMI
LE:Kaedi
,Idon’
twantpeopl
etosay…
KAEDI:Idemandi
t.Iam yourbossandyouar
enot
al
lowedbackunti
laft
eramont h!
KENAMI LE:Youdoknowyouar esubj
ecti
ngmet
o
al
ldayofmymot herandsi
ster
sandtheir
annoyi
ngness?Thati sacruelandunusual
puni
shment ,boss.
Kaedil
aughedatherqui
ckwi
tevenwhenshewas
mourni
ng.
KAEDI
:Theyar
ethatbad?
KENAMI
LE:Thewor
st.
KAEDI:(l
aughi
ng)Igettogohomet ot
he‘har
em’
as
youcallt
hem,andIsurvive.You’
l
lbef
ine.
KENAMI LE:(
laughi
ng)Youchoseit
.Idi
dn’
t.I
’dgo
cr
azyjustseati
ngathome.Workingwil
ldi
str
actme.
Pl
ease.
KAEDI:Fi
ne.Buti
fyoueverfeeldownandneedt
o
t
akesomet i
meofftoheal,
pleaseknowyoucan.
Haveyoutal
kedtoSedi
lame?
KENAMI
LE:About
?
KAEDI
:Shej
ustl
ostal
it
tl
esi
ster
.Imaynotknow
her
,butIcoul
dseeshewasver
ywi
thdr
awn.
KENAMILE:(sadl
y)Sheisusuall
ysuchal
ivel
y,
bri
ghtgi
rl
.Shelovedhersi
stersomuch,t
hishi
ther
hard.
KAEDI:Iwannagetheranappoi
ntmentwi
thachi
ld
t
herapist
.
KENAMILE:No,thoset
hingsar
eexpensive.AndI
am notl
ett
ingyoupayforonemor
et hi
ngofmi ne.
KAEDI:Kenamile,
thi
sisnotf oryou.It
’sfora
hurt
ingli
tt
lesevenyearsoldgirlwhodoesn’ tknow
howt odealwit
hhersister’
sdeath.Thisisthebest
thi
ngyoucoulddof orher.Whydenyherchanceat
bei
ngbet t
erwhenshehasanoppor tunit
yati t!
KENAMI
LE:(
sighi
ng)Kanapeopl
ewi
llt
alkKaedi
.
KAEDI:Whywouldyougoaboutyell
ingpeople?Al
l
youhavetodoistakehert
ohersessionsoncea
week.Pl
ease.Sheneedshel
p.
KENAMI
LE:(
sighi
ng)Fi
ne
*
***
***
***
**
Kaedif
inal
lygothomei
ntheeveni
ng.Af
tereat
ing
di
nnerPi
lar
acamet
ohi
sroom.
PI
LARA:You’
vebeenbusyt
hepastf
ewdays.
KAEDI
:Yea,
thi
sandt
hat
,youknow.Busi
ness.
PILARA:Iwantedtotal
k.Youknow.Si
nceweare
gett
ingbacktoget
her… weshouldbeopenwi
th
eachotheraboutt
hepastyearswhenweareapar
t
sotherearenosurpr
ises.
KAEDI
:Goodi
dea.
PILARA:Well,f
ormebasical
lyyouknowmost .I
datedanabusiveguy,di
ddrugs,andIact
uall
ygot
pregnantbythatguyandabort
edbecauseitj
ust
wasn’tri
ght.
KAEDI:Oh… ok.Itotal
lyunderstand.Youwere
goingthr
oughar oughtime.ThoughI ’
m angr
y
someoneabusedyouandwi llprobablygoaf
ter
them,Iam gl
adit’
sinthepast .
PILARA:Howaboutyou?Anyt
hingyouwantt
o
share?
KAEDI:Mhhh,l
et’
ssee.Whatdon’tyouknow?
Not
hing.Beenwit
hjustt
histwo,andthenwehad
t
hent
ri
o.
Si
gh.
Sohei
ntendedonkeepi
ngt
hel
ief
orever
?
Hepul
ledheronhi
slapandst
art
edki
ssi
ngher
.
*
***
***
***
***
Loapi
inbedonherphonespeaki
ngt
oTat
ji
bona.
TATJ:So,
whenam Iseei
ngyouagai
n?
LOAPI:Tat
j,Ihaveki
ds,Ican’
tjustl
eave.How
abouttomorrowaft
ernoon?
TATJ:Icoul
dmaket
ime.Maybewecandol
unch…
LOAPI
:(gi
ggl
ing)Ihaveadi
ff
erentkindofappet
it
e.
Cometomyhousei nAreaAtomorrowafter
noon.
TATJ:(
laughi
ng)Greedygir
l.Alr
ight
… seeyout
hen.
Maybewecangr abdinneraft
erthat
.Iwannagett
o
knowyou,Sky.
LOAPI
:We’l
l… uhm.MaybeI’l
ljustbr
ingtakeout
andwecandoal lsor
tsof‘
knowing’r
ightathome.
Shesmi
ledasshehungup.Whosai
dyoucoul
dn’
t
haveyourcakeandeati
ttoo?
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KECOMMENT,
SHARE
1000/
100/
10
[
05/
29,
11:
Kaediwokeupt
oPil
arainher‘
warroom’prayi
ng.
Shecameoutnotsolongaft
erandhereyeslooked
red.
KAEDI
:Wer
eyoucr
ying?
PILARA:(
sni
ff
li
ng)Just
… youknow,
prayerget
s
hecti
csomet
imes.
Shewentdownst ai
rswher
eLoapiwasgivi
ngthe
ki
dsbreakf
ast,hummingsomehappytune.How
coul
dshebesoj oll
ywhenherhusbandhadawhile
chi
ldbyanotherman!
LOAPI:Oh,hey!wantsometoast?I’
l
lprobabl
y
poi
sonitbecauseyout r
iedt
obreakmyf amil
yapar
t
andIhavenotletthatgoyet
,buthey,i
t’
sgood
manner
stoof
fer
.
PI
LARA:Loapi
,nott
oday.
LOAPI:(
laughi
ng)Heenaahayouwer
ecr
ying?Fora
marr
iedman?Osebet e.
Pi
lar
aignoredherandkeptmaki
ngher
sel
f
br
eakfast
.
LOAPI:Kooreyouareasi
dechickwithouteven
motherl
yinsti
nct
s.Youdoreali
zeyouaregoingto
endupalone,ri
ght?Noman, nochi
ld…
Shegotout
sidet
heki
tchencr
ying,
wal
kingi
ntot
he
gar
densadl
y.
Thi
swast hetrut
hthough.Shewasnothingbuta
si
dechick,howdidsheexpectt
owalkrightwit
h
Godwhenshewasn’ twil
li
ngtoli
veri
ghtbyhim?
Butwhatwasshesupposedt odo?Shereall
ydid
l
oveKaedi.
*
***
***
***
*
Kenami
lebusi
lycl
eaned,
wal
kingi
ntot
heexMr
s
Ledi
mo’
soffi
ce.
Usual
lyshewassweetandsmi
ley,
butt
odayshe
wasst
ari
ngdagger
sather
.
PILARA:Doyour eallyneedtotakeawholefif
teen
minutescleani
ngasi ngleroom?Youspendal lyour
ti
mecl eani
ngonepl ace,boardroomsarenoteven
doneyetandIhavemeet ings.Gatweyouare
supposedt odothatpart.
KENAMI
LE:Idi
dtheboar
drooms,
ma’
am
PILARA:Thenyoudi dahorri
blej
ob.Godothem
again.Maybeifyoufocusedonyourjob,
you’
d
actuall
ydoitwell
.Ifyouaref
indi
ngithar
dtodoit
,
pleaseletushi
resomeonewhocan.
Loapi
wal
kedi
n.
LOAPI:Hey,
Pipa,Ineedyourbudgetf orthat
communityengagementprogram youar estart
ing…
Whatareyouwaithereforwena,don’tyouhavea
j
obtodo?Aker ei
fyouwant edtoli
stent ocorporat
e
shi
tyouwouldhavegonet oschoolliketherestof
us?(shesaidtoKenamile)
PI
LARA:Shesaysshecl
eanedt
heboar
droom.E
l
erol
ehel
a.
LOAPI:Godoitagain.Andallot
heroff
icesyou
havealr
eadycleaned.Redo.Wegiveyoupeople
l
eewayandyoust artbel
ievi
ngyouhavesomesor t
ofpower.Go!Santseoshenametseng?
Shesi
ghedandwentback, r
estar
ti
ngthe
i
mpeccableworkshehadalreadydone.Shehadt
o
workt
hroughherlunchbr
eakaswor kaf t
ert
he
ot
herwaspil
edonher .
Byeveningwhenbot htheMr sLedimo,exand
curr
entweregonehome, sheputthebroom and
mopsi nthecleaningclosetandt ookoutherphone,
fi
ndingseveralcallbacksfrom hermotherandall
thr
eeofhersi st
ers.
Shesi
ghedandcal
l
edhermot
her
.
MOTHER:Wehavebeent
ryi
ngt
oreachyouKena,
andyouj
usti
gnor
eus?
KENAMI
LE:I
’
m atwor
k,mme!
MOTHER:Yourlandl
ordischasi
ngusawaymma.
Di
dyoupayher?Nnasalakabonaor ekadicake
malobaInewyouwouldn’t
…
KENAMILE:Huh?Letmecal
lherandhearwhatt
hat
i
sabout
,Ipaidher
.
Shehungupandcal
ledherl
andl
ord.
KENAMILE:Nemmawhat
’swr
ong,
I’
m notl
ateon
mypayment.
LANDLORD:Ihavepeopl
ewhowon’tskipsome
monthswit
houtpayi
ngdespi
tehowcheapthe
housei
s.It
’smonthend,
soyoupeoplehaveto
l
eavebythi
sweekendsomynewt enantcancome.
Shesai
dandhungup,
thendi
dn’
tanswert
hephone.
Shesi
ghedwonderi
ngwhattodo,thenshecall
ed
somegir
lwhosheworkedwithwhoseboyfr
iend
hadamovingt
ruckandbookeditf
orthenextday.
Shewal
kedi
nthehouseandf
oundt
hem pani
cked.
KENAMI LE:Wear enotgoingt
ofindahousewit
h
el
ectri
cit
yandthr eebedr
oomsthatwepayP600f or
agai
ninFr anci
stown.Wegotthisonebecauset
hat
gi
rlknowsme.
MOTHER:Sowagodi
raj
ang?
KENAMI
LE:Youguyar
emovi
ngbackt
oourhome
vi
ll
age.
SI
STER:Noway!Ther
eisli
ter
all
ynot
hingi
nther
e.
Notevenabar
.Findahouse.
KENAMI LE:Findi
twher
eandpayi twi
thwhat.AllI
’
ll
beabletofindisaoner
oom andwecan’tal
lfiti
n
ther
e.ThathouseMogomotsibui
ltisf
our
bedroomed.
MOTHER:Yonent
oesapl
ast
eri
wangel
e!Nowat
er,
noel
ect
ri
cit
y!
KENAMI LE:It’sf
ree!Andri
ghtnowf r
eei swhatwe
needbecauseyoupeopl ewon’ thel
pmecar ef
orthe
family.Allthreeofmysistersareablebodi edand
capabl ebutkayouar etoogoodf ormachaenaand
cleaning,your ef
use.Youaremovi ngbackt ot
he
vil
lageunl essyouhavemoneyt opayf orahousei n
Francistown.NnaIhavet alkedtoacol leaguewho
willl
etmesl eepinhercouchunt i
lIfindaoner oom
soIdon’ twast emoneyont ransporteveryday.
MOTHER:Wow, sowenayouarest
ayi
ng?Kweena
hel
aotshwanel
wangketoropo?
KENAMI
LE:Ihavet
ogot
owor
kmme!Idon’
teven
knowwhyyouwantt
ost
ayinFr
ancist
own,
atl
east
bababewakemenat
eever
yweekend.
MOTHER:Thenyoumustt akeyourchil
dKenami
le,
Ifyouareabandoni
ngus,
thentakeyourchi
ldwi
th
you.Whymustwel ookaf
tert
ourchil
dwhenyou
don’twantus?
KENAMI LE:Mmekanannai fIsayIwil
ltakemy
chi
ldbutdon’texpectmoneyfr
om measIwi l
lneed
topaysomeonet owatchheraft
erschooltaaboke
l
emol at
o.
MOTHER:Omakgakgat
hat
aKenami
le.
SISTER:NnaIt
hinkshej
ustwantstomovei
nwi t
h
thatmanwhowaspayingever
ythi
ngfort
hefuneral
,
asesepegape.
*
***
***
***
***
LoapiwalkedaroundPicknPaywit
hherfri
end’
sas
theygotgroceri
es.Shegotaf
ewthi
ngsforher
otherhousetoo.
Shefel
tst
rongar
mshol
dingherf
rom behi
ndand
ki
ssi
ngher.
Shet
urnedar
oundt
oseeTat
jinuni
for
m.
Shequi
ckl
ypull
edawayandstoodadistancef
rom
hi
m asherf
ri
endsgaveherdi
rt
ylooks.
LOAPI
:Hi
,Tat
ji
bona.Uhm… I
’
llcal
lyou,
bye.
Shewalkedawayandherf
ri
endl
ookedather
quest
ioni
ngl
y.
ATANG:Aefri
end,whenIsai
dyoushoul
dgetsome
si
dedeck,Imeantl
ike,
someonei
nyourl
eague.Ao!
Asol
dier
?
LOAPI
:Weren’
tyouguyst
heonest
ell
ingmet
o
rel
axmyst
andards?
AUDREY:Relaxt
hem,notdrownt
hem i
nthedevi
l’
s
pool
!Lesol
eLoapi?Asol
dier?
LOAPI
:Leavemeal
one,
thedi
ck’
sgood.
ATANG:Andwhatwasal lt
hat,t
ouchi
ngyoul
ike
thati
npubli
c?Thesesi
deniggasbeboldmar
a!My
sideknowsheisadamnsideandIgotaman, he
staysinhi
slane.
AUDREY:I
magineifKaedisawthat
.Letl
oswel
a
mas*paboLol
o!Beingkil
ledf
orasoldi
er?
LOAPI
:Kaedii
sfucki
ngagoddamncl
eaner
,sof
uck
hi
m.I’
l
lfuckwhoeverIwant
.
*
***
***
***
*
Intheeveni
ngaft
erworkKaediwalkedinandfound
Pil
araathome.Theki
dsweref edandinbed,t
he
l
itt
leonesbesi
dePil
arai
ntheircar
rycotsint
he
sit
ti
ngroom.
Heki
ssedhercheekandsatbesi
deher
.
KAEDI
:Wher
eisLol
o?
PI
LARA:Shecal
ledt
osayshewasgoi
ngonagi
rl
’s
ni
ghtwi
thherf
ri
ends.
KAEDI
:Wasn’
tsheoutagai
njustyest
erday?And
t
hedaybef
ore?
PILARA:Ah, nnaIdon’tknow.Ithoughtshewas
workinglat
eyesterday.I’
mj ust
…Ihaven’tbeen
feel
ingwellanyway,soIneverhavet i
mef orher
drama.Butsheal wayscomeshomet omakesur e
thekidsarebathed,fed,andputtobed,thenleaves.
Avideocal
lcamei
nfr
om Sar
ona,
heputheron
speaker
.
KAEDI
:Heybabegi
rl
.Wassup.
SARONA:I ’
m good!HeyPipa.Youl
ookf
at.And
that
’snotaninsul
t.Youj
ustdo.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Thankyou,
Sar
ona.Youar
e
mucht
ookind.
KAEDI:Whenar
eyoucomi
nghome,
babedol
l,
we
missyou?
SARONA:Act ual
ly,
that’
swhyI ’
m call
ing.I
’m not
comingback,Kaedi.Ij
oinedt
hislovel
ynat ural
communityhereinCostaRica.Wegr owourown
foodandjustbeonewi t
hnature.AndImetpeopl e
whoacceptmef orwhoIam.If eelli
ket hi
siswhere
Ibel
ong.
KAEDI
:Huh?
SARONA:Iam pol yamorousKaedi,butyouput
rest
r i
cti
onsonme.Ihavet ofor
cemysel fi
ntoa
monogamousl i
fewithyouandthatdoesnotmake
mehappyatal l.Imetthi
samazingbisexualcoupl
e,
twomenandj ustconnect
edwiththem.Thereare
nor estr
ict
ions.EventhoughIam inarelat
ionshi
p
withthem, Icanstil
lbewithwhoeverIwant
sexuall
y.Ijust
… Ifeelthi
siswhereIbelong.Iam
fr
eetobeme.Iki ndahavet ogo.Youknowt he
amountofr adi
ati
ont hatcomesfrom phones?
Anyway, i
twasnice… hopewecanchi l
lwhenIam
i
nBot s… Idoenjoysexwi thyouandwoul dn’tmi
nd
i
fwehi titwhenI’
m home.Ok, bye… radi
ation.
ShehungupandKaedil
ookedatPi
lar
a,conf
used.
KAEDI
:Whatj
usthappened?
Pi
lar
alookedathi
m andl
aughed.
KAEDI:Seri
ousl
yPi
pa.YouspeakSar
ona,
so
t
ransl
ateforme.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Shej
ustdumpedyou.
KAEDI
:Huh?
PI
LARA:(l
aughing)
,Shejoinedafar
minghippi
e
gr
oupthatl
ivesint
heforestinCost
aRica,
andshe
i
sdati
ngagaycoupl e.
Shelaughedsomuchherst
omachhur
tashesat
ther
econfused.
Hetri
edtocal
lherphonebackandi
twasn’
tgoi
ng
t
hrough.
*
***
***
***
***
**
Tatjwalkedint
oLoapi’
shomeandshemetheri
n
theli
vingroom wi
thli
nger
ie.
LOAPI:Igotsomegoodf
oodandgoodpussyf
or
you.
TATJ:Loapi
,ar
eyouashamedofme?
LOAPI
:What
?Whywoul
dyousayt
hat
?
TATJ:Seri
ousl
y?Youactedl
ikeIwasthe
handymanforyournei
ghbor
hoodearl
ierwi
thyour
fr
iends.
LOAPI
:I…I
…
TATJ:Don’
tli
etomepl
ease.
LOAPI:Fine.WhenItol
dyouIdidn’
tdat
emenwho
aren’
tri
ch… well
,it
’sathi
ngwit
hmyf ri
ends,andI
wasal i
tt
leworri
edtheywoul
djudgemef ordati
ng
asoldi
er.
TATJ:Wow…
LOAPI:Comeonbabe,youknowIdon’
thavea
probl
em wi
thyourj
ob.Nowtheyknowaboutyou,
soIdon’
tcar
ewhatt
heyt
hink.
TATJ:It
’sbeenamonthoft hi
sLoapi,
weareonly
everi
nthehouse,andIfeelli
keyouarehi
dingme.
Yousti
llwearyourweddingri
ng.
LOAPI:Ij
ust…I’
m gett
ingusedt
omysi
tuat
ion.I
’
ll
event
uall
ytakei
toff
.
TATJ:Idon’
twanttobejustyourpostmarri
age
snack,
Ihavefal
leni
nlovewithyou.Pleasei
fthi
sis
agamet oyou,l
etmeknow…
LOAPI
:It
’snotagamebabe,
comeonbabe…
gi
mmesomesugar …
Shesaidasshekneltinf
rontofhim onherhi
ghas
hel
lredsti
let
tosandredl
acelinger
ie,unzi
ppi
nghi
s
pant
sandt akinghi
minhermout h.
LOAPI
:Youwor
ryt
oomuchbabe… l
et’
sjust
…let
’s
enj
oyus…
Hemoanedandhissedasshedeepthr
oatedhi
m,
f
orget
ti
ngwhat
everhewaswor r
iedabout
.
*
***
***
**
1YEARLATER.
..
..
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Pil
aralai
dinbedbesi
dehert
womonthsol
d
daughterReahasmmaLedimof
oldedt
hebaby
cl
othes.
MMALEDI MO:Wher eisLoapiagai
n?Sincehert
ri
o
star
tedsl
eepingthr
oughthenight,
thepastf
ew
daysshejustcomestobaththem fort
heeveni
ng
andputthem tobedandleaves,
Kanakegonegore
Kaedigaayo?
PILARA:Ah,
nnaInolongernowi
thher
,Ihear
dher
comeinat5am t
oday.
MMALEDI
MO:Anyway,
howar
eyoudoi
ng,
mygi
rl
?
PILARA:Somuchbet ter.NowIseewhatIdi d
wrongwithKaiwasnotget ti
nghelp.Sincebeing
putonpostpartum anti
depressant
s,Iam somuch
bett
er.Il
ear
ntthatsomet i
mesi t
’shor
monal,not
j
ustbabyblues.
MMALEDIMO:Icansee,
youevenneverwantt
o
l
eaveReah.
PILARA:Ihavedecidedtotakeafewyearsofffr
om
wor ktojustbewit
hher.Myr el
ati
onshi
pwithKai
andt heothersi
simprovi
ngtoosinceIhavebeen
stayinghome.
MMALEDI
MO:Kanawenaomosadit
ota.
ThedooropenedandKaediwal
kedi
n.
KAEDI
:(smi
li
ng)Ther
ear
emygi
rl
s!
Heki
ssedPi
pa,
thenReah’
sfor
ehead.
KAEDI
:G’
ma,t
hanksforl
ooki
ngaf
termygi
rl
s.How
ar
eyoudoi
ngolegi
rl
?
MMALEDIMO:(l
aughi
ng)Olegirlgasemogatso.
Letmegomakeyouporr
idgePipa,t
hesehel
pers
don’
tmaket
hegoodonethathelpswit
hbreast
milk.
Shelef
tandKaedicamet
oli
ebesi
dePi
lar
a,
car
essingherhand.
PI
LARA:Howwast
het
ri
p?
KAEDI
:Bei
ngawayf
rom youguysf
orf
ivedays
sucked,butwehaveanewmar ketf
orour
processedfoodi
nUganda.Al
so…Igotyou
somet hi
ng.
Hehandedherasmal
lwrappedboxandshe
openedi
ttof
indt
wokeys.
PI
LARA:Whati
sthi
s?
KAEDI
:Lookout
side.
Shewenttot
hewindowsmi
li
ngandl ooked
downst
air
stosomeBMW conver
ti
ble.
PI
LARA:OhmyGod,
babe!Ial
readyhaveacar
.
KAEDI:ASUV.That ’
samom car .Thi
sonei sj
ust
formygi r
ltoridethewind.Fastashel
l,
manual ,
sli
cesairli
keaf ucker
.Iknowmybabel ikesspeed,
yourli
tt
lemi nx.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Whotaughtmehowt
odr
ivel
ike
adement
edthunder
bol
t,huh?
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)
,remembert
hatfi
rstt
imeIt
ook
youonmymachi neandIfl
oor
editandyoupeed
your
self
?
PI
LARA:Mxi
m,Iwaspr
egnant
,ij
a!Anyway,
Inever
wanttogeti
nthatdevi
l’
scont
rapt
ionagai
n.Iswear
Ihear
dangelscal
li
ngmyname.
KAEDI
:Youknow, youar
etheonlyot
herper
son
whohaseverbeenonthatone?That
’smypersonal
babyr
ightt
here…
PILARA:Ithoughtyourot
herf
ourwereal
soyour
‘
personalbaby’
.Whydoesonepersonneedfi
ve
carsKaedi?
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)Don’thate,
youcol l
ectbranded
shoesandhandbags,Icoll
ectcars.Aren’
tyou
goingt
oaskwhattheot herkeyisfor?
PILARA:Theywayyoul
ooksosmug,
Iam sur
eyou
can’twai
ttot
ellme.
KAEDI :Wel l
,Iam damnpr oudofmysel f
.Pipa,the
pastf ewmont hsallyoueverdoi ssi
tlookingReah
i
nt heeyes, wear i
ngmi l
kst ai
nedpyjamas.Idon’ t
wantt hatf oryou.It’sgreatt hatyouareconnect i
ng
betterwi thReah, butIdon’ twantyout oforgettobe
Pil
ar at oo.Youar eyourownper sonbeforeanything
el
seandt hat’
simpor tant.SoIgotyouapl ace.Nice,
quietlittl
epl aceinTatisidingforwheneveryouj ust
needtoescapeandbebyyour sel
f.Gotasewi ng
machinetheysaywasgr eat, andvouchersforall
theot
hersewingthings.Followyourdr eamsmy
l
ove.Doyourfashionthing.Ihaveseent heclothes
youmakesf orBebe’sdolls.Youar etal
ented.
Pil
arat
ear
edupashepul
ledhercl
oserandhugged
her.
PILARA:Thankyou…I
’
m honestl
yblessed.Youar
e
agoodmanKaediLedimo.Howmanyment hi
nkof
thei
rpart
nersi
nsuchadeeplevel
.
KAEDI
:Wel
l,now,
I’
dli
ket
othi
nkIam al
it
tl
eabove
ot
herman,
huh?
Pi
lar
alaughedandpl
ayf
ull
ypunchedhi
mint
hear
m.
PILARA:Theonl
ythi
ngasbi
gasyourhear
tisyour
ego…
KAEDI
:Areyousur
e… becauseIgotIguyIknow
downher
ewhosaysotherwise.
Hepull
edherhandtohi
scr
otchandr
ubbedhi
msel
f,
butshepul
ledi
taway.
KAEDI
:ComeonPi
pa,
wehaven’
thadsexsi
nceyou
gavebi
rt
h,t
hedoct
orsai
ditwasokt
oabouta
monthandahal
fago.
PILARA:Babe,
I’
m al
it
tl
eti
redr
ightnow.Iswear
tomorr
ow…
KAEDI
:Youal
wayssayt
omor
row.
PILARA:Thi
sti
meImeanit
,whydon’
tyoucal
lLol
o
andseewhenshei
scominghome?
KAEDI
:Idon’
twantLol
otoni
ght
,babe,
Imi
ssyou.
ThedooropenedandLoapiwal
kedi
n.
LOAPI:Oh.Hibabe,
youback.Whoseconver
ti
blei
s
thatout
side?
Shepickedupanenvelopeandl
ookedatt
het
it
le
deeddocumentsi
nPilara’
sname.
LOAPI
:Ok,
whati
sthi
s?
Pi
lar
asnat
chedbackt
hedocument
s.
PI
LARA:Thosear
emypushpr
esent
s.
LOAPI:HowcomeIdidn’
tgetahouseanda
conver
ti
blewhenwehadkids.Kaedi
,howi
sthi
sfai
r?
KAEDI
:It
’snotacompet
it
ion,
Lol
o.
LOAPI
:Isi
tbecauseIdidn’tbi
rt
hyourki
ds?Huh?I
gotal
ousyfucki
ngbracelet!
KAEDI:aP120000Cart
ierbr
acelet
,Loapi
.AndI
havegott
enyouacaral
ready.Youarebei
ngpet
ty.
LOAPI:AndIsawanexpensef orsomesewing
machinethi
ng.I
t’
sforher
,isn’
tit
?Whyar eyou
spendi
ngsomuchmoneyonher !
KAEDI
:Areyout
ryi
ngtot
ellmehowt
ospendmy
moneyonmywives?
LOAPI:Sheisnotr
eal
lyawif
ethough,
isshe?You
j
ustwentandpaidbri
depri
ceagai
nbecauseshe
gotknockedup!
PILARA:OhmyGod!Youar esopetty!Youonly
becamewifebecauseIchosetovacatetheposi
ti
on!
Mustsuckalwaysbeingopti
ontwo!
KAEDI:Wil
lbothofyoushutthef
uckup?Youar e
waki
ngmybabyup.Iam si ckoft
hisbicker
ing,
you
t
woarewayt oooldfori
t.WenaPilar
a,getyour
sel
f
t
hefucktogether
,Iwon’
tbepushedawaybecause
youar
eonsomef
eel
ings.Loapi
,l
et’
sgo.Now!
Shesighedandfol
lowedhi
mtoherbedroom.The
doorwashardl
yclosedwhenhehadherupagainst
thewallandahanddownthefr
ontofherpant
ies.
LOAPI
:Edi
… mmmh…
Shemoanedl oudlywhenhisbig,longf i
ngers
plungedintoherdepthsashebi therjawl i
ghtl
y,
whi l
eusinghisfi
ngerstopleasurablytort
ureher,
thrusti
ngthreefi
ngersinextr
adeepandgoi ngfast
andhar d.Sheli
fteduponhert oesfrom the
pressureasheaddedhi sthumbt oherhar dnub.
Shegr abbedhisforear
mt osteadyher sel
fwhenhe
l
ower edhisheadt oherchest.
KAEDI
:Openyourdr
ess.
Shefumbl
edwiththebutt
onsthatli
nedt
het
opof
herf
ormaldr
ess,r
eleasi
nghernice…
{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
***
*
Kenamil
egotoutoft
hecombil
ateandwal
kedt
o
herfamil
yhouse.
Itwasl
ate,
butherdaught
ersatout
sideal
one,
sobbi
ng.
ShehadsentSedibackt othevill
agetogotoschool
therebecauseleavi
ngheralonginFranci
stown
afterschooli
ntheneighbourhoodsshecouldaf
for
d
scaredher.
Workwasincr
easi
ngl
yhard,Kaedi’
swomenmadei t
so,whi
chmeantsometi
messhel ef
tveryl
ateand
coul
dn’
thaveanei
ghtyearol
dhomeal onethatl
ate.
Atl
easther
ether
ewer
epeopl
e.
Sheranovert
oSediandhuggedher
,comf
ort
ing
her
.
KENAMILE:What
’swr
ongmypr
incess?Whyar
e
youcr
ying?
SEDI:(
sobbi
ng)MmangwaneAmowhi ppedme
becauseshewantedtot
akeKyl
iet
ovisitherdad,
soshewantedtoputKyl
ieonmyElsadressandI
sai
dno.Thenmmesai dIwasmakingnoisecryi
ng,
Ishouldgoout
side.
Herchi
ldwasal
waysbeat
enbysomeoneher
e.
Theywer
etaki
ngthei
rfr
ust
rat
iont
hatt
heyhadt
o
comebackl
ivei
ntheti
nyvi
ll
ageonSedi
.
KENAMILE:I’
m sorr
ymami e… here,Ibroughtyou
somechocolat
e.Don’tcr
y… soonI ’
l
lfindabetter
jobandIwi
llmovetoabet t
erneighbourhood,and
youcancomest aywithme.
SEDI
:(sul
king)Youhavebeensayi
ngt
hatf
orever
!
Shehardlyeverevenhadtimetolookf
orjobs,wit
h
thehect
iconeshehad.Butt el
li
ngKaediwould
meanheconf rontsthem,
anditwouldlookl
ikethei
r
accusat
ionswer etr
ue.
KENAMILE:(
sadl
y)Ipr
omise,mami
e.Iappl
iedata
cl
ini
candtheysai
dtheywil
lcal
lme.Come.
Shewalkedi
nsi
deandhermotherwascurr
ent
lyon
ayell
ingmat
chwit
hhersist
er,
thr
eateni
ngtot
hrow
herout.
MOTHER:Don’tevengi
vet
hem asi
ngl
ecentKena,
bri
ngal
lthemoneytome,bai
tsegonyonyor
abana
hel
abasabereke.
SI
STER:Youmeanl
i
keyoudi
d?
KENAMILE:Amo!Ahh,
ist
hatawayt
otal
ktoyour
mother
MOTHER:Everythi
nghereisboughtbymydaughter
mmeleant hoga.I’
l
ltakengwanagaKenaandwe
wi
llmovet
oFr anci
stownwithherlasal
alesot
ega!
SISTER:(
laughi
ng)Owaai
.Dream on.Kenais
enjoyi
ngherli
fewit
hherr
ichboyf
riend,shedoesn’
t
wantburdenyalona.
Kenamil
ejustshookherheadatthesepeopl
e’
s
i
maginedli
fetheythoughtshel
ivedsi
ncetheysaw
herwi
thKaedi.
Yupshehadtofindanewj obsoonandtakeher
chi
ld.Thenj
ustdist
ancehersel
ffr
om Kaedi
.
*
***
***
***
**
Loapil
aidinbedtot
all
yspentandsat i
ated.God,he
wouldalwaysbethebestri
deofherl i
fe.Kaediwas
analphaandheknewi t.Hetookwhathewant ed,
thewayhewant edi
t,andthatjustt
urnedheronso
much.
Sexwi
thTat
jwasawesomet
oo,
buti
t’
sgr
eat
est
highcamefrom t
hef
actt
hatinherownlit
tl
eway,
shefel
tli
keshewasmakingKaedipay.
Herphonerangandshequickl
yhungupt
hecal
l
andmessagedTatjback.
‘
heybabe,can’
tseeyout
oni
ght
,babynotwel
l
,so
babydaddyaround, ’
‘
Aobabe,
I’
m goingf
oramont hl
ongtri
ptomor
row.I
needt
oseeyou.Mohagonyanaaker
e…‘
‘ di st
ancemakest hehear
tgrowfonder
.You’
ll
appreci
atethi
sgood-goodIgiveyouwhenyou
aren’
tgett
inganyforamonth’
‘
Nextmonthi
smybi
rt
hday,
let
’sgot
oKasane
t
ogether
’
‘
I
’l
lseemyschedul
e
‘
Wenamma .I tt
akesagest
ogetyout
ogoout
wit
hme,andwhenyoudoyouactso
uncomf
ort
abl
e.’
‘
ItoldyouIam notcomf
yinpubl
icpl
aces,
asesepe
hela.Loveyou ’
Kaediwal
kedi
nfr
om t
het
oil
et.
KAEDI
:Tel
lAt
angt
oleavemywi
feal
one,
it’
shubby
t
ime
Shegui
lt
il
ydel
etedt
hemessagesandsmi
ledathi
m.
LOAPI
:Shei
sbor
ed,
hermani
str
avel
li
ng.
KAEDI
:I’
m gonnagocheckonPi
paandReah.
Shesi
ghed.
Si
nceReahwasbor n,
heli
ter
all
yspenteveryni
ght
wi
thPilara,
butthenagai
nKaedilovedbei
ngnear
hi
skids,especi
all
ywhentheyareli
ttl
eandata
hi
gherriskofSI
DS.
Butcomeon,acarandahousef orpushi
ngababy
downhercooch?Thejunki
elef
thimf orf
iveyear
s
andhesti
lldi
dallt
hesethi
ngsforher!
Sher eall
yshoul
dhavej abbedherwithher oi
ne.But
thenbitchgotknockedup, andshedidn’thavethe
hearttoriskhurt
ingthebabyi fshei
njectedher
withheroine.
SonoKaediagai
nfort
her
estoft
heni
ght
?
Fuckhi
m.
Shet
ext
edTat
jagai
n.
‘
Babyactual
lyj
usthavingteet
hingf
everandbaby
daddybei
ngannoying.I’
m comingt
oyourplace.
’
Thenshequi
ckl
ychangedanddr
oveof
ftoTat
j’
s
pl
ace.
*
***
***
**
LI
KE/COMMENT/
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Lol
oparkedi
nTatj
’spl
ace,
gladt
hathenowl
ived
out
sidet
hebarr
acks.
Ashegotoutsi
dethecar
,thr
eemenst
oodatt
he
houseout
sidet
alki
ng.
Sherecognisedt
hem.Kaedi ’
suncl
e,andcousi
nLeri
.
Theotheroneshedidn’tr
eall
yknowot hert
hanhe
wasasol di
erandTatj
’sneighbour
.
Shepulledonahoodi
eandwenttot hefarcorner
wheretheycoul
dn’
tseeher
,jumpingthefenceinto
theot
heryard,t
henmovedascloseaspossi bl
e
whilehiddenbyt hewall
,andlist
enedinonwhat
theywher esaying.Gosh,al
lthesneaki
ngaround
andt i
ptoei
ngaf rai
dtomakeherf at
hermadwhen
shewasachi ldmadehersogoodati t
.Sheli
stened
tothem talki
ng.
UNCLE:P250000,t
akeitorl
eaveit.Wecangive
youP125000depositt
omorrow,andtherestwhen
i
t’
sdone.
LERI :Kaediisalwaysonhi ghal ert
,heisnoteasy
l
ikehi sfather.Don’
ttryhandcombatwi t
hhi m,he
willbeatyourass.Justshoot .Fr om adist
ance, and
don’tmi ss,oryouwillbefucked.Theguyt ruly
enjoysvi ol
ence.Hegoesonar unaloneever y
weekdayar ound7pm afterwor k.Aftershooting,
roughhi m upandt akeaf ewt hings,makei tlook
l
ikear obbery.
OhmyGod!
Shecoveredhermouthwit
hherhandsasshehi
d
ther
eunti
ltheyl
eftandt
heguywentbackint
he
house,
thensheranbacktohercar
.
OhmyGod,
Ler
iandEdil
it
eral
lygr
ewupsocl
ose.
Hewaspayi
ngpeopl
etogetEdiki
ll
ed?
God,whatwasshegonnado.I
fshetol
dKaedishe
woul
dalsoneedtoexpl
ainwhatshewasdoing
t
heresolat
e.
I
fshedi
dn’
t,
Ediwoul
ddi
e.
Li
e.That
’swhatshewasgoi
ngt
odo.
Yup,sheheardthem inar est
aurantduri
nglunchas
theymettheguy.Neitherofthem wouldbear ound
l
ongenought otelladiff
erentsi
deofthestoryonce
Kaedifoundoutwhatt heywereplanninganyway.
Shegotout
sidet
hecarandwentt
oknockonTat
j’
s
house.
*
***
***
***
**
Lol
ot i
ptoedint
othehouseinthemorni
ngandint
o
herbedroom.Shequi
cklyshoweredandgoti
nher
off
ice.
Duri
nglunchshewentout,
andaf t
erl
unchshe
headedstr
aightt
oKaedi
’soff
ice.
KAEDI
:Hey,
wemi
ssedyouatbr
eakf
astt
oday?
LOAPI
:I…uhm…Iover
slept
.
KAEDI
:Youdon’
tsay…
LOAPI:Anyway.IwasatlunchandLeriandyour
uncleweremeeti
ngwi t
hsomesol di
erguy.Of
fer
ing
him P250000tokil
lyouwhileyouareoutonyour
run.
KAEDI:Iknewtheywoul
dtr
ysomet hi
ngli
ket
hat.It
wil
lgethandl
ed.Warewhathappenedthi
smorning?
LOAPI
:Justt
ir
ed,
youknow.SoIover
slept
.Ihavet
o
gotof
ini
shmywor know.
Hestoodupandl
ockedt
hedoor
,thencal
ledher
over
.
KAEDI
:Loapiwee…t
akwanomybabe.
LOAPI
:(gi
ggl
ing)Edi
,Ihavewor
k.
KAEDI:Youaremarri
edt
otheCEO.Comeseaton
mylap.Loapi
,youknowIhat
erepeat
ingmysel
f.
Shelaughedandwenttost r
addlehislapashe
caressedher,
unbut
toningherblouseandstart
ed
suckingherni
pol
ethroughherlacebra,hishand
caressi
ngherthi
ghsthroughherpencilski
rthehad
hi
kedup.
Allofasuddent her
ewascoldst
eelagai
nsther
panties.Fuck!Whati
fhefoundoutaboutherand
Tatj,
f uck!
Sheopenedhermout
htoscream,butshej
ust
shookhi
sheadnoandjustsmil
edatherashe
cockedt
hegun.
Fuck!
KAEDI
:Lo?Ar
eyoucheat
ingonme,
myl
ove?
LOAPI
:(shaki
ng)Why… whywoul
dyout
hinkso?
KAEDI:I
t’
sast
rai
ghtf
orwar
dquest
ion.Answeryes
orno.
LOAPI
:Ofcour
senot
… Iwoul
dnever
.
Wit
haqui ckj
erkhehadtheotherhandonherneck
andhewaschockingunti
lshestart
edtosee
dar
kness.Thenherel
easedher.
KAEDI:Iknowyouar enotdumbenought otr
y
somethi
ngsor eckl
ess.Igaveyouachoicetoleave
i
feveryoufeltunhappy.Iwouldn’
tdenyyouaccess
toourki
ds,you’dhavefreerei
gntoseethem
anyti
me,andwewoul dcoparentwell
.Inever
for
cedyout ost
ay.SoIknowyouar esmartenough
toknowit’
sbett
ertol
eavethancheatonme.
LOAPI
:(sobbi
ng)I
’
m notcheat
ingonyou,
Kaedi
.
KAEDI:So,wheredidyougol astnight
, andifyouli
e
tomeonemor et
ime, I
’
lljam thisgunsodeepup
yourassyou’l
lbetasti
ngst eel.Saphwashavi ngan
earache,soshewokeupt heot herscrying.Iwent
tocheckonthem i
nt heirroom, thencamet oget
youandyouwer enowher etobef ound.Wher ewere
you?
LOAPI
:(sobbi
ng)Don’
tgetmad,
ok?
KAEDI
:Asl
ongasyoudon’
tli
e.
LOAPI:Iwentt omyhouseanddr ankwi neand
cri
edmysel ft osleep.Kaedi,
we’djustmadel ove
andyouj ustleftf
oranotherwomanl i
keI’m some
commonwhor e.Youhur tmyfeel
ings.Ifel
t
worthl
ess,li
keIam j ustyourtoytofuck… some
ti
mesIf eell
ikeyoul ovePilar
amor ethanyoudome.
KAWSI:(si
ghing)Lolo,don’
tdothi
s.Wehavebeen
overt
hisal
ready.Ilovebothofyouequal
ly.Youar
e
bot
hspeci
alt
ome,
eachonherownuni
queway.
LOAPI
:Ir
eal
lyneedt
ogodosomewor
k…
KAEDI:(
kissi
ngher
)Wel
l,
youareal
readyher
e… on
mylap… andgotmeal
lhotandbot
hered,
so…
*
***
***
***
*
Lologoti
nheroffi
ceandlockedthedoor,
crumbli
ng
tothefl
oorcr
ying,
herheartst
il
lbeat
ingsohard
fr
om howscaredshehadbeen..
Shi
t.
Whatonear
thhadshebeent
hinki
ng.
Kaedicouldn’
tfi
ndout
.Shehadt
oendal
lthi
s
nonsense.Breakupwi
thTat
j.
Butsheenj
oyedspendi
ngt
imewi
thTat
j.
Ifsheleft,
shewouldonlyseeherkidswhenKaedi
all
owed, andshewasn’tl
ett
ingherbabiesgrowup
l
ikethat.Thetri
owereonlyayearold,forGod’
s
sake!AndKaiandBebewer esoli
ttl
etoo.She
couldn’
tjustabandonherbabies.
Especi
all
ywi
tht
hatbi
tchwhowasonl
yobsessed
wi
thReahasamot
her
.
No,
shehadt
obr
eaki
tof
fwi
thTat
j.
*
***
***
***
**
Lateatni
ghtKenamil
esatinbedreadi
ngwhen
ther
ewasasl i
ghtknock.Shel
ookedthrought
he
windowandsighed.
Kaedi
.
Hol
dingabot
tl
eofal
cohol
.
Hehadgi
venherar
ideonceandknewhernew
pl
ace.
Sheputonhergownandopenedt
hedoor
.
KENAMI
LE:Kaedi
,i
t’
s11pm!
KAEDI:Ineededtotal
kanditcoul
dn’tbeovert
he
phone.I
’m sorr
yifIwokeyouup.Icouldl
eave.
KENAMILE:(si
ghi
ng)I
t’
sok,
youar
eal
readyher
e.
Whathappened?
KAEDI
:Idi
dsomethi
ngbad.Ithadt
obedoneorI
woul
dhaveendedupdead.
Shesighedashehuggedher.Hesmel
ledoft
he
al
coholhewasdri
nking,
whichwasalr
eadyhalf
way
drunk.
KENAMILE:Well
,ifi
twasei
thersur
viveordi
e,I
’
m
gl
adyousurvi
ved.
KAEDI:Yousee,yougetme,
Nami
e.Whydon’
t
peopl
egetmel i
keyoudo?
KENAMILE:Becauseyoudon’
topenupt
oanyone
el
se,
Kaedi.
KAEDI
:It
hinkLol
oischeat
ingonme.
KENAMI
LE:Why?
KAESI
:Whyi
sshecheat
ing?Pr
obabl
ybecauseshe
awhore?
KENAMI LE:(
laughi
ng)Whydoyout
hinkshei
s
cheat
ing?
KAEDI :Forweeksnow, shewi
llj
ustgomi ssingand
telll
iesaboutit.Ididn’
twanttolookinsecure,soI
justlefti
t.Butyesterdayshewentmi ssi
ngandshe
l
iedabouti tagain.Ihavenopr oofsheischeat i
ng
yet ,
soIcan’tdoanyt hing.
KENAMI
LE:Maybeyouar
epar
anoi
d.
KAEDI
:I’
m not
,shei
supt
osomet
hing.AndwhenI
cat
chher…
KENAMILE:Youaregonnawhat ,Kaedi?Beather?
Puni
shher?Menandyouregos.Howmanyt imes
di
dyoucheatonher ?Didshebeatyou?Thatisthe
mostimmatureapproach.I
fyoucan’tdealwit
hthe
i
deashecheated,i
fshedid,thenl
ethergo.It’
sthat
si
mple.
KAEDI
:But
…
KENAMILE:Youarenotamanwhobeat swomen,
Edi
.Youaren’
t.Don’
tlethermist
akest
urnyoui
nto
amonsteryouarenot.Deal?
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)Deal
.Kena,
whenar eyoulet
ting
megetyouanicepl
acesoSedicancomet o
Fr
anci
stown?Youknowsheisnothappythere.
KENAMILE:Never
.Andwearenott
alki
ngabout
t
hatagai
n.Youaremyfri
end,
notmyblesser
.
Heshookhi
sheadwi
thal
aught
er.
God,
shewassost
ubbor
n!Whatf
emal
ewoul
dn’
t
takeadvantageofthei
rfri
endship?Especial
lythat
sheknewhewant edonlyfri
endshipf
rom her,he’d
neverjeopardi
setheonetruefri
endshiphehadby
tryi
ngtofuckherordateherorsomet hing.
Notthatdat
ingNamiewouldn’
tbetot
all
yawesome.
Imagineawomanwhowasn’ taravi
ngmadjealous
psychoti
cyell
ingl
unat
ic.
Nah,Kenawasstayinghisfr
iend.Devonalways
sai
dsomebul l
shitabouti
tbeingimpossibl
efora
manandawomant ohaveadeepf ri
endshi
p
wit
houtromanti
cf eel
ingsdevel
oping.
What ever.Peopl
edisputewhattheynever
experiencedallt
hetime.JustbecauseDevandthe
othersfuckedallthefemal
estheyliked,
didn’
tmean
everyonedi d.
KENAMI
LE:Kaedi
,youdor
eal
isei
t’
smi
dni
ghtnow?
KAEDI
:Yea,
and?
KENAMI
LE:(
laughi
ng)Yagal
onar
ra,
Iwantt
osl
eep.
KAEDI:Idon’
twannagobacktothem.Pil
arai
s
sul
kingareIyel
ledather
,andLol
o,well
… Ial
ready
t
oldyou.Pl
easedon’
tmakemego…pl
eeeeeeeease!
KENAMILE:(
laughi
ng)st
opbei
ngapussyandgo
home.
Helaughedandsatupf
rom t
hebed,
huggi
ngher
andthenwalkedof
f.
*
***
***
***
*
Pi
larawascomi
ngoutofal
ateshowerwhenKaedi
walkedi
n.
Hecameovert
ohugherandshepushedhi
m away.
Hesmel l
edl i
kevodka,cheapperf
umeandinfi
del
it
y.
Thewhil
egr ailof‘
hebeenfucki
ngsomeoneelse’
Andshecoul dbetsheknewwhot hatsomeoneel
se
wasanditwasn’ tLol
obecauseherperfumewas
act
ualperf
ume.
KAEDI
:ComeonPi
pa.Ican’
tevenhugmywi
fe?
PI
LARA:Mxi
m.NnaIwantt
osl
eep.
Shet
urnedof
fthel
ight
sandl
aidont
hebed.
Kaedicameandl
aidbesi
deher
.
Hekeptt
ryi
ngt
otouchher
,andsheswat
hedhi
s
handaway.
Shedidli
keplayi
nghardt oget,
het houghtt o
hi
mselfashegotal i
ttl
eaggressive,pinningher
handsaboveherheadandki ssi
ngher ,ashe
pushedaf i
ngeri
ntoher,movingatr hythm,rubbing
herwit
hherownj ui
cesbef or
epul l
ingherpyjama
pantsherpantsdown… nopant i
es, sheneverslept
wit
hany.Hepushedi ntoherandki ssedher ,
movingslowlyashekissesherneck…
God!He’
dmissedher
.Theyhadnotbeeni
nti
mat
e
si
nceReahwasbornthr
eemonthsago.
Hi
shandscar
essesdownherbodyashei
ncr
eases
hi
srhyt
hm… wai
t… wasthatasob?
KAEDI
:Pi
pa?Ar
eyoucr
ying?
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Kaedisatupi
nthebedconf
usedasPi
lar
abr
oke
downcr
ying.
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)Pi
pa,
what
’swr
ong?
Shepul
ledhercl
oserandhuggedher
.
KAEDI:Pi
pa?Di
dIhurtyou?I
t’
sbeensol
ongf
or
you,
maybe…We’llgoseeDr…
PI
LARA:(
sobbi
ng)It
oldyouno
KAEDI
:Huh?
PILARA:Ididn’
twanttosleepwithyouKaedi
.You
shouldn’
thaverespect
edthat…Idon’tknowwhat
diseasesyoucaughtfrom yourwhoresoutt
her
e.
KAEDI
:Ihavewhor
es?
PILARA:Patroni
seme,whydon’
tyou?Aker
ennake
sematlaIl
efttheworki
ngwor
ldtocaref
oryour
chil
d,wenaot abogamolemabel
ete.
KAEDI:Atl
easti
fIknewmabelet
eao.Pil
ara,what
’s
wrong?Tal
ktomebabe… I’
ml i
steni
ng,
gakel e
molatoket
aabaakanya,
butyougottat
alktome.
PILARA:(
snif
fl
ing)YoupromisedmeKy!Yousaid
ther
ewon’tbeanother
.Ok,Ihavenotbeensl
eepi
ng
withyou, butit
’sbecauseIam sot ir
edbecauseyou
knowReahneverwant st obeputdownandyouar e
theonl yotherpersonshewi l
lal
lowtohold.Igo
dayswi thoutashowerbecausesomet imesyou
don’tevengi vemeabr eakwhenyougethome, you
justsleep,andshewant smet oholdherwhenshe
i
ssl eepingsomet imes.Iknowyouwi l
lthi
nkit’
sjust
postpar tum depressi
on, no,i
tsnot,
I’mtakingmy
medi cati
onandIl ovebei ngwithReah,Ineverwant
toleaveher …butIam sot i
redKaedi.AndI’mfat
andnotat t
racti
veand…l ookatLoloandl ookatme!
Shepul
ledhercl
oserandj
usthel
dherasshecr
ied
onhi
schest.
KAEDI:Firstofall,
Pipa,therei snevergonnabea
dayyouar enotat t
racti
vet ome.WheneverIt r
yto
getsome, it’
snotjustbecauseyouar emywi fe.I
seeahotgi rlIwannanai lti
llsunrise.Thatbooty!
Damngi rl
.Ki m Kardashi
anwi shes!Andyouar e
threemont hspostpar t
um.AndGod, thet hi
ngs
breast
feedingdoes… l ookatt hem tit
ties.Iwanna
burymyf acebet weent hem.
PI
LARA:(
sni
ff
li
ngandgi
ggl
ing)Youar
enast
y
Shesmi
ledal
it
tl
eashewi
pedhert
ear
s
KAEDI :WhenIl ookayyou, Iseemybabegi rlthatI
wannamakel ovet o,howi ntoxicat
ingyourar ousal
smel lis…listeningt oyourmoans…wat chyouget
thatgl owyoual wayshavepostcoi tus, girl
,yout urn
meonl i
keyoudon’ tknow.Becauseyouar ea
fuckingacePi pa.Tot aleleven.Andt hat’snoteven
thedeepst uff.That ’
sjustt hesurface.The
compassi onat ewomanyouar e…your
vulnerability… howt alentedyouar e!Peopl est il
l
don’tbel i
evemewhenIt el
lthem mywi femadet he
atti
rewewor ekamagadi .Mosti mpor tant l
y,whenI
l
ookatyou, Iseet hegi rlIowemyl if
et o, notonl y
becauseyoumademeadadandshowedmej ust
howawesomef ami l
ylifeis,mademewantt ost op
whor ingandf ocusonl ove… butal sobecauseI
l
iterall
yowemyl i
fetoyou…I ’dbedeadr ightnowi f
i
twasn’ tforyou…di dyoueverl ookinsi det hat
l
ocket ?
Atearrandownhercheekasshebot
hlaughedand
sni
ffl
ed.
PI
LARA:Iwi
shIwasenoughf
oryou.
KAEDI :Pil
ara,don’tevert
hinkyouarenotenough
forme.Don’ teverthinksomethi
ngiswr ongor
l
ackingi nyou.It’
sme, Iam notwir
edright,
aperson
i
sonl ymeantt oloveonei naromanticmanner,but
somet i
mesanomal i
eshappen.AndIhatethatIam
theanomal y.IwishIwasgoodenoughf oryou.
PI
LARA:IcanacceptLol
o,butyoupr
omi
sedt
her
e
won’
tbeanother
.
KAEDI
:Andt
her
eisn’
t!
PI
LARA:Iknowaboutt
hecl
eanergi
rlKaedi
…
KAEDI
:What
?Whichcl
e… ohhhh.Yout
hinkI
’
m
sl
eepi
ngwi
thNamie?(
laughi
ng)
PI
LARA:It
’sf
unnyt oyoukawenayouar
eenj
oyi
ng.
Nnayouarebreaki
ngmyheart,
Kaedi
.
KAEDI:Bathong!Iam notsl
eepi
ngwithKenami
le.
Neverdid,
neverwill
.Sheisaverydearf
ri
end,t
hat’
s
abouti
t.
PI
LARA:Youl
it
eral
lysmel
lofherper
fumeyou
whor
e!
KAEDI
:Ihuggedher
!Am Inotal
lowedt
ohug
f
ri
ends?
PILARA:Iguessyourdeadchil
dwasimmaculat
e
concept
ionthen?Youmustt hi
nkI
’m ani
diot
.
KAEDI
:Fi
rstof
f,t
hat
’sr
ude.AndNami
e’
slat
echi
ld
wasn’
tmi
ne.
PI
LARA:Ri
ii
ii
ight
!
KAEDI
:Shewasn’tminePi
lara,
whatdoyouwant
metodo,excavat
ethechi
ldanddoaDNAt est
?
PI
LARA:Wi
llyou?
KAESI:Wat senwa.Idon’tneedtopr
oveshi
t.The
chi
ldwasnotmi ne.IcanevengetKenami
leto
comet el
lyouthatthereisnothi
nggoi
ngon
bet
weenus.
PILARA:Becauset hehomeworkeri
ssuchabeacon
ofhonest
y?Gett hefuckoutofmybedroom Kaedi
,
otswagoj anyatsiyagagookgotseonkgeladi
perf
umet sedicheapmonna.Mxi m.
KAEDI
:KanaI
’
m not
…
PI
LARA:Fine,
youli
kethisr
oom somuch,
I’
llt
ake
Reahandgototheother
.
KAEDI:Pil
ara,don’
tdot
his.Iswearonmychi
ldr
en,
I
am notcheati
ng.
PI
LARA:Mxi
m…
KAEDI
:HowcanIpr
ovet
oyouI
’
m notcheat
ing?
PILARA:Fi
reher
.Andnevert
alkt
oheragai
naf
ter
that
.
KAEDI
:Ican’
tdot
hat
…
PILARA:Youar
echoosingheroverme?Iwanti t
donetomorr
owKaedi.Ineedheroutofourl
ives.
*
***
***
***
***
Lolosatsadl
ythinkingofherdaywhenamessage
fr
om Tatjcamein.Itwassomef unnymeme.Thena
message.
‘
Howi
smyqueen? ’
‘
I
’m sor
ryTat
j,t
hisi
sjustnotwor
kingf
orme?
’
‘
Yea,
text
ingannoysmet
oo,
letmecal
l’
‘
No,Imeanus.Youar
ejustnotwhatIwant
.It
old
youIwant
edarichman.
’
‘
Bul
lshi
t.Tel
lmewhatt
hisi
sabout
’
‘
I
’m noti
nlovewi
thyou.‘
‘
Thehel
lyouar
enot
.Loapi
,what
’sgoi
ngon?
’
‘
Can’tyoutakeahi
nt?I’
m donewithyou.I
twasj ust
aboutsex.Doyouhonestlyt
hinkI
’
dpickasoldier
asalifepart
ner
?I’
m get
tingbackwit
hKaedi.Leave
meal one.
’
Shesentt
hemessaget
henbl
ockedhi
m.
Shebrokedowncryi
ngasshel
ookedatt
hei
rgoof
y
phot
ostogether
.
Thi
swasf
ort
hebest
.
Seei
ngherkids‘
whenevershewanted’
akawhen
Kaediwant
edwasn’tenough.Shecoul
dn’
tloseher
ki
dsoveraman.
Thi
swasf
ort
hebest
.
*
***
***
***
Tatjl
ookedathisphoneconfused.Thi
shadtobea
prank.ThoseYouTubecouplesdidshi
tli
ket
hisal
l
theti
me.Shewast est
inghim.
Hi
sphoner
angandi
twasf
rom hi
suncl
e.
UNCLE:HaveyouproposedyetsoIcangatheryour
uncl
esandgoaskforherhandinmar r
iage?
God,whatdidheevensaytothat.Hehadawhol e
fl
owerarrangementr
eadytobedel i
ver
edt omorrow
wherehewasgonnaaskheratherwor krecept
ion.
Shehadtoldhim hedreamtofbeingsweptoffher
feet
.Cheesyromanceandall.
Hehadeverythingpl
annedout
.Askedhi
s
col
leaguesi
nt heBDFbandtodosomeacapel
la.
Butthenagai
n,t
hiswasapr
ank.So,
hispl
answer
e
st
il
lsystemsgo.
*
***
***
***
***
Int
hemor
ningKenami
lewal
kedi
ntoKaedical
led
her
.
KENAMI
LE:YesMrLedi
mo?
KAEDI:Namit
hemmaunder
standt
hatt
hisi
sjust
forshow.
KENAMI
LE:Whati
s?
KAEDI:Iwil
lst
il
lgiveyouyourexactsal
aryever
y
month.ButIam cert
ainIwi
llsecur
eyouaj ob
bef
orethat
.
KENAMI
LE:I
’
m af
rai
dIdon’
tunder
stand.
KAEDI
:Mywi
fet
hinksI
’
m sl
eepi
ngwi
thyou.
KENAMI
LE:Iknow.Theybot
hdo.
KAEDI
:How… havet
heydoneanyt
hingt
oyou?
KENAMI
LE:Nope.Youwer
esayi
ng?
KAEDI:H.Risabouttogiveyouar etr
enchment
l
ett
er.Pil
aradoesn’
twantyouwor ki
nghere.I
’l
lgi
ve
youthesalar
ypersonal
ly,butImaynotevenneed
tobecauseIam sureIwillgetyouanotherj
ob
qui
ckly.
KENAMI LE:Wow.Justwow.Wait
sethi
slif
ebeinga
nobodygoasot l
a.KeepyourmoneyKaedi
.I’
m am
di
sposabletoyouakere,
whymustyouwor r
yabout
meafterthi
s.I
’l
lgoseeH.R
Kaedir
anaf
terher
.
KAEDI
:Nami
e,wai
t… pl
ease…
Justasshewasaboutt
ocat
chupPi
lar
awal
kedi
n
l
ookingdoneup.
ShegaveKenami l
eadirtylookandmuttered
‘
whore’underherbreat
h,thenstoppedKaedionhi
s
tr
ackwithakiss.
PILARA:(smi
li
ng)Heyhusband.Comeon, I
’
m
taki
ngyouforbrunch.Saonef rom HR,shei
smy
fri
end.Tol
dmeyousentadi recti
vetogetri
doft
he
thornonmyside.Now, that’
smyman.Get ’
sshi
t
done.Comeon,Imadear eservati
on.
Shetookherhandandtheywalkeddownst
air
sas
Kenamil
eranoutofthebui
ldi
ngcryi
ng.
God,whatwasshegonnadonow?Herf
ami
ly
dependedonhersal
ary.
Pi
laraandKaediwal
keddownhandinhand,wi
th
Pi
laraholdi
ngonti
ghtashet
ri
edtocatchupwit
h
Kenamile.
Ont hegroundfloorinr
ecepti
ontherewasa
commot i
on.Threemeninsuit
sstart
essingi
ng.‘
My
Hear ti
saSt er
eo’bygym cl
assheroesasLolo
walkedin.Anotherguywalkedtoherandhanded
herabunchofherfavour
it
eflower
s,Ti
gerl
il
ies,
thenwentononeknee,hol
dingherhandandar i
ng
uptoher….
*
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Tat
ji
bonawentdowni
nonekneel
ooki
ngatLoapi
.
TATJ:Loapi , youar ethemostamazi ngwomanI
know.Youar ef unnyandqui r
kyandgoof yand
seri
ousatt hesamet ime.Idon’tknowanyonewho
wouldn’tfallinlovewi thyou,becauseIsur edid.I’m
l
ookingf orwar dt othedaywhenmyl astnamewi l
l
becomeour s, andourl ovewillgi
veabi rt
ht oanew
famil
y.Youar etheoneIwantt obef orbetter
,for
worse,forricher ,forpoorer
.Myvoi ceistrembling,
andmyhear tbeat sataf ur
iouspacesi nceIhope
youwillsaymeyesandmakemet heluckiestman
onEarth.Myhear t,wil
lyoumar ryme?
Loapi
pal
ed,
herbodyshaki
ngasKaedil
ooked
di
rect
lyatherf
rom upt
hest
air
s.
LOAPI
:(whi
speri
ng)Whatar
eyoudoi
ng!It
oldyoui
t
wasover
.Getup!
Kaedihadal
readyr
undownt
hest
air
s.
KAEDI
:Whatt
hef ucki
sgoi
ngonher
e?Whyt
hehel
l
ar
eyoupr
oposingtomywife.
TATJ:Letitgobro.Di
vor
cedmeansshei
sno
l
ongeryourwife.Shecanmoveon,
sheal
readyhas,
forayearnow.
KAEDI
:Thef
uckar
eyout
alki
ngabout‘
divor
ced’
?
Pil
arawaslaughi
ngsomuchshedoubl
edoveras
Lol
olookeddown,shaki
ng.
PILARA:(l
aughing)OhmyGod!HeweePi l
arai
sa
whoringj
unkie!Kemango?Tsenawenamoghel e,o
bashapakadipol yandr
y.(
clappi
nghandsand
l
aughing)No,seri
ouslyLol
o!Youarel
eader
ship!
Teachme, master!(l
aughi
ng)
TATJ:LoapiandIhavebeendat
ingf
orayearsi
nce
yourdi
vorce.
KAEDI
:So,
youar
eadmi
tt
ingt
omyf
aceyoubeen
f
ucki
ngmywi
fef
orayear
?Fucki
ngdi
srespect
ful
man!
Kaedipunchedhimi ntheface,gi
vinghim anose
bleed.Tat
jcamebackswi ngingathim andpunched
him onthejaw.Kaedikneedhim onthegutand
caughthim wit
hanupper cutonthejaw,then
sl
ammedhi m agai
nstthewall.
Allthr
eeofTat
j’
sfr
iendspull
edKaediaway.He
turnedar
oundandpunchedoneast heot
her
punchedKaediont
hest omach.
KAEDI:Oh,
soi
t’
sli
ket
hathuh?Fucker
str
yingt
o
ganguponme?
Hewhippedagunoutandcockedi
t,poi
nti
ngi
tat
Tat
jaspeopl
escreamedi
nfear.
Hisbr
otherscamer
unni
ngdownst
air
shear
ingt
he
commotion.
PILARA:(screaming)OhmyGodno!Babe…ohmy
God,Wetsho, yougottast
ophi
m,youknowhewi
ll
shoot…Losika… please…
WETSHO:Shi
t!Whatt
hef
ucki
sgoi
ngon…
LOSI
KA:Ediputt
hegundownman…comeonEdi
…
LOAPI
:Babepl
ease… l
et’
stalk…pl
ease…I’
m sor
ry…
i
twasjust
… hemeansnothingtome.Putt
hegun
down.
PILARA:(
cryi
ng)OhmyGod,babyst
op…please…
youseewhatyoudidwenaLol
o!Thi
sisal
lonyou!
KAEDI
:Shutup!Ever
yonej
ustshutt
hef
uckup!
Kenamil
est oodout si
dewai t
ingforacombithat
wenttoFrancistownwhenshehear dacommot i
on
andKaedi’
sf rustr
atedvoice.Shecuri
ousl
ywal ked
back,
andt heclosershegotback, shecoul
dhear
peopl
ebeggi ngKaedit oputagundown.
Shi
t.
Sheraninandpushedthroughthecr
owdasKaedi
’
s
brot
her
st r
iedt
onegoti
atewithhim.
KENAMILE:Whatt
hehel
lKaedi
!Haveyoul
ostyour
mind?
KAEDI :Youdon’
tunderst
andNami
e…t hi
sthe
fuckershebeencheati
ngonmewith.Forawhol
e
damnyear !Andnowhecomesheretowhat ,
make
alaughingstockoutofme,thatmywifeislose?
Imagineyourwife’
swhoringbeingputondisplay
l
ikethis.Atmyfuckingworkplaceman!Ishouldkil
l
hertoo.
KENAMI LE:Andthenwhat,Kaedi
?Huh?Ki llherand
thenwhathappens?Yougot ojai
l,yourkidsgr ow
upfatherl
ess,t
enthousandpeopleandt heir
famil
iesstar
vebecausethi
scompanywi llgot o
shit
swi t
houtyou!Haveyouthoughtthisthrough?
KAEDI
:Youdon’
tunder
stand,
Kenami
le!
KENAMI LE:Thenmakemeunder stand!Givemet he
gun, Kaedi.Iwanttounderstand…I ’
m onyoursi de
Edi,youknowt hat
…I ’
mlist
ening,butyouar e
scaringever yonebrandi
shi
ngagunaboutl iket
hat…
givemet hegunandwewi l
ltalk.Edi… please…I’m
scaredf oryou.Idon’twanttoseeyour uinyourli
fe
l
ikethis,youar edoingsowel l
…pl ease… giveme
thegun.
Shehel
doutherhandandheputt
hegunoni
t.
KENAMI LE:Thankyou.Now,
comeon,
let
’sgetyou
outofhere.Carkeys?
Hehandedt
hem t
oher
.
KENAMI
LE:Let
’sgo.
Hef
oll
owedhert
ohi
scarandshedr
oveout
.
Aseveryonestoodsi
lent
,conf
usedanddist
ract
ed
wit
hwhatwashappeni ng,Loapisl
owlyback
t
rackedtothedoorandranouttohercar
,fl
oori
ng
t
heaccelerat
oranddrivi
ngaway.
*
***
***
***
Kenami
lef
inal
lyparkedi
nfr
ontofasmal
lbari
n
somesmallvi
ll
age.
Shewentt
ot hebarandboughtabeer
,somewat
er
andacokeforhersel
f.
Shewentbackt
othecarandhandedKaedit
hebeer
.
KAEDI
:Thankyou.Idi
dn’
tknowyoucoul
ddr
ive.
KENAMILE:Igotmyl i
censelastyear.Iwashoping
togetajobasadriver
.Bett
erpay.Event ual
lyIwil
l
getaheavydutyli
censeandappl ytothosepetr
ol
companies.Gat
wepayi sgreat
.Howar eyoufeel
ing?
KAEDI
:Li
keshi
t.Howcanshedot
hisman!Awhol
e
f
ucki
ngyear
.
KENAMILE:Lessonnumberonei
nli
fe,Edi
,the
uni
ver
segivesyoubackwhatyouputout.
KAEDI
:Ar
eyousayi
ngIdeser
vet
his?
KENAMI LE:I
’m sayi
ngyouhavecheatedonherand
humili
atedhersomanyt i
mes.Whyar eyou
surpr
isedwhenshest ar
tsthi
nki
ngit
’sthenor
mi f
yourrel
ati
onship?
KAEDI:It
oldhershecoul
dleavei
fshewasn’
t
happy.
KENAMI LE:Youdon’ tgeti
t,doyou?Shel ovesyou.
Shewant stobewi thyou.Buttheterri
blewayyou
treathermakesherwantt oseekbetteroutther
e.
Youar eself
ishEdi.Youneverconsideranyone’s
feeli
ngsbutyours.Wear eallpuppetsinyourgame.
Ifyouarenothappywi thwher esomeonei s,you
takethem andputt hem whereyouli
ke.Youdon’ t
careaboutanyonebutyour self.
KAEDI:That
’snott
rue.Icar
eaboutmyki
ds.Icar
e
aboutmywives…andyou.
KENAMI LE:Thekidsyouarerai
singtowatchthei
r
mot her
shumiliat
ed?Youdon’tl
ovethem.Ifyoudid
you’dmakesur eyouarethemodelfatherwho
teachesthem howtotreatawoman, andwhata
womanshoul dexpectfrom aman.Doyouwant
yourdaughter
smar ryi
ngamanl i
keyou?
KAEDI
:(l
ooki
ngdown)No…
KENAMI LE:I
’m notgonnaevent al
kaboutyour
wivesbecause,seri
ouslydude?Youcallhowyou
t
reatthosewomen‘ love’
?Andme, didyouever
t
hinkabouthowget tingmefiredwouldimpactme?
KAEDI:ButI
’
m get
ti
ngyouanewj
obandunt
ilt
hen
I
’l
lgi
veyouyoursal
ary.
KENAMILE:(
yel
li
ng)Idon’
twantyourmoney,
Kaedi
!
Gosh!
KAEDI
:Ok,
sor
ry!
KENAMILE:AnddidyouthinkmaybeIlovedmyj
ob?
MaybeIwantedtoworkthatonei
nsteadof
what
everyourwannagetme?
KAEDI
:Butyousai
dyouwant
ed…
KENAMI LE:Thepoi
ntisyoumadet hedeci
sionfor
me!Becauseyourwifewasi nsecur
e,Ibecamethe
sacri
fi
ciall
ambwhenal lIeverdonewasbet her
e
foryou!That’
ssoungratef
ul.
KAEDI:I
’
m sosorr
yNami e,
Iwasjusttr
yingt
omake
ever
yonehappy…butcl
earl
y,l
ikeever
ythi
ngelse,
I
messedup.
KENAMI LE:(sighi
ng)IgetyouKaedi,Ir
eall
ydo.
Youwer eraisedagod.TheLedi moheir
,youcan
haveanythingyouwant ,yourway.Anyoneelsebe
screwed.Butt hat
’snowayt ol
ive.Youhurt
everyonewhocar esaboutyou.
Her
ubbedhi
shandsonhi
sfaceandsi
ghed.
KAEDI:Whatam Igoi
ngt
odo,
Nami
e?Wi
th
ever
ythi
ng?
KENAMI
LE:Youcanstar
tbyapol
ogisingt
omeand
get
ti
ngmethedamnjobyoupromised.
KAESI:Done.AndIreal
lyam sor
ryNamie.AllI
t
houghaboutwas, Namiewil
lunderst
and.Ididn’
t
t
hinkofhowyouwoul dfeel
.Ibetr
ayedyou.Our
fr
iendshi
p.
KENAMI LE:Tr
ue,Iwashurt,butIunder
stand.Now,
fi
rst
,youaregoingtogohomeandapol ogiseto
yourwivesaboutyourbehaviourt
oday.
KAEDI
:But
..
KENAMILE:Uh-
uh!I’
m notfi
nished.I
nterr
upti
ngi
s
rude,
andwearelear
ningtobebet t
er,
right
?
Hesi
ghedandnodded.
KENAMI LE:LikeIwassayi ng, st
ayher easl ongas
youneed, I
’
llhangwi t
hyou, I
’m unempl oyed
anyway.Thenyouwi l
lgohomeandapol ogise.Tal
k
toLoapil i
keanor malper son.Listent oher .Whydid
shedot hat?Doesshewantt ost ayorl eave?I fshe
i
sst aying, whati sthewayf orwar d?Maybe
mar r
iagecounsel l
ing?Apol ogiset oPi l
araf orthe
tantr
um yout hrewt oday.Thenwor kwise, haveyour
PRt eam concoctsomet i
meaboutament al
breakdownorwhat ever.Apol ogiseandsayyouar e
taki
ngt omeof ftogetinbet terment alheal th.Fi
nd
thatmanandapol ogise.Seei fhecannotmake
assaul tchar gesandyouj ustsquashi tli
kemen.
You’llsur vi
vet his…
KAEDI
:(smi
li
ng)Whatwoul
dIdowi
thoutyou?
KENAMI LE:(
laughi
ng)Probabl
yshootpeopleand
gocrazy?Comeon, ther
eisali
ttl
eshebeenover
ther
ethatsel
lsawesomemogoduandf atcakes.
Shedr
ovet ot
hepl
acewheretheyboughtthefood
andwenttoparki
nthef
orestjustt
alki
ngunti
lit
wasdark.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
AfterKaedil
eftt
heoffi
cescene,Tatjt
ri
edtol
ook
forLol
otogetanexplanat
ion,butshewasnowher
e
tobefound.Notatherhouse,notevenatt
he
Ledimohouseorherfri
ends’housea.
Het
ri
edt
ocal
lher
,butherphonewasof
f.
Hef
inal
lywenthomest
il
lconf
used.
Lolowassti
llmar
ri
ed?Tobehonestheunder
stood
thatmani
ac.Ifamanjustpr
oposedt
ohiswif
e,he’
d
goball
ist
ict
oo.
Notthathewaslet
ti
ngt
hisshi
tgo.Kaedihadt
o
l
earnalesson.
Wher
ethehel
lwasLoapi
?Shehadsomeexpl
aini
ng
t
odo.
Het ookabeerf
rom thefri
dgeandsatont hesof
a,
tr
yingtoholdi
ttoget
her,butonetearrandownhis
cheek,bur
sti
ngfort
hf l
oodgatesasallthepai
nhi
t
him.
Hel
ovedt
hatgi
rl
.
Andt
oheri
thadbeenal
lagame.Sheplayedhi
m,
t
ookhi
mforatoolt
orel
ieveherbor
edom.
Heunder st
oodpeopl
ewhocommittedpassi
on
ki
ll
ings.Thispai
nwastoomuch… hehadtofind
her
…
*
***
***
***
***
Kaediwal
kedhomet
ofi
ndPi
lar
aint
hei
rbedr
oom,
sobbi
ng.
KAEDI
:Hey…
PI
LARA:Mxi
m… whydi
dn’
tyouj
ustspendt
heni
ght
wi
thher
?
KAEDI
:Pi
lar
a,nott
hisagai
n,pl
ease!Iam not
sl
eepi
ngwit
hNamie.
PILARA:Doyouknowhowhumi l
iat
ingitwast
o
watchmyhusbandjustwal
koffwit
hhissidel
ike
that
?AndyouwonderwhyLolocheated?
KAEDI:Pil
ara,
Iwasn’
tintheri
ghtheadspace,and
Namie,shegetsme,youknow.Shehasawayof
cal
mingmedownwhenIl oseit
.Igett hi
sanxi
ety
att
acks,i
thasbeenhappeningforoverfi
veyears
now,andshealwayshelpsmegett hroughi
t…I
neededtogetawayandcalm down.
PILARA:Wow!Whatwomandoyout hinkwantst
o
hearthatanot
herwoman‘gets’
herhusband,
especial
lywhenit
simpl
yinggorennaIdon’t
.Wow!
KAEDI:Iwasn’tsayi
ngyoudon’
t,
Pil
ara.Ij
ustfi
ndit
easi
ertotal
ktoherbecauseshedoesnotreactt
he
wayyouar eri
ghtnow.
PILARA:Asegor emaybelennaIshouldf
ind
someonewho‘ gets’
me?I’veal
waysfounditeasi
er
total
ktoMbiganyianyway…
KAEDI:Don’
tfucki
ngstartPi
lar
a!Don’t
!YouknowI
hadashitday,andIhavenoenergyforyourcr
ap
ri
ghtnow.Fuck!
Hecussedloudl
yandwentdownst air
stogeta
bott
leofvodkaf
rom t
hecel
lar
,leavingPi
lar
a
fuming.
*
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Kaedisati
nhi sroom tr
yingLol
o’sphoneagain.I
t
hadbeenaweeksi nceshejustdi
sappeared.He
hadlookedeverywhere,askedanyone,andnobody
hadanyideawher eshewas.Hercarhadt ur
nedup
atherhouse,butshewasnowher etobef ound.
Hewassendingamessagenow,
eventhoughher
phonewasoff.Hehadt
otr
yanyt
hingi
ncaseshe
wasoutther
e.
Hehadal readydoneaFacebookvideoof f
ering
rewar
df orinfor
mat i
onthatl
edtoherbeingfound,
eventhought hatupsett
hepoli
ce.Whatever.He
hadtodosomet hing.
KAEDI
:Loapi
,pl
ease… I
’
m sor
ry… IswearIwon’
t
doanyt
hing,j
ustcomehome.I ’
l
lunder
standi
fyou
wantadivor
ce.Iunder
standwhyyoudidwhatyou
di
d…Lolo,pl
ease…thekidsmissyou.
Hesi
ghedandwal
kedt
othebedr
oom wher
ePi
lar
a
wasl
ayi
ngdown
PI
LARA:Anyt
hing?
KAEDI:Nope?Whatif… Imean,shelef
tever
ythi
ng…
herbankaccounthasn’
tbeenaccessed…whatif
she…
PILARA:No… don’
tthi
nkliket
hat,Loapii
ssensible,
andsheisthebestmotherIknow.Shewouldn’tjust
l
eaveherkids.
KAEDI:ButPi
lar
a… sheisjust… whati
fIdroveher
tosui
cide?Whatifsheishangi
ngonat ree
somewhereoutthere…
PI
LARA:No….Noshei
snot
,st
opt
hat
.
*
***
***
***
LaterasReahslept
,Pil
arawast
oor estl
esst
ost
ay
sti
llwher
ewasLoapi ?WasKaedicorrect
?Di
dshe…
ohmyGod, pleaseno…
Shesighedandputthebabymonit
oron,thenwent
toworkonthespathatSassyhadstar
ted
downstai
rs.
Asshecult
ivat
edandarrangedsetupofthepot
ted
pl
ants,
shenoticedsomeclothesst
ashedata
hi
ddenshelvet
hatSassyusedt ohi
deherweedin.
Shemovedt
hepot
tedpl
antandpul
ledt
heshel
ve.
Kaedi
’
sclothes.At-shi
rtandj
eans… wi
th… ohmy
God!Wasthatbloodstai
ns?
God,
whathadKaedidone!
OhGod!
Shecover
edhermout
hwi
thherhandsas
Whathadhedone… ohGod!
Hepi
ckeduptheclot
hesandr
anupst
air
scr
ying.
God,
whatwasthi
s?
Sheheardaknockandwentdownstai
rsasKaedi
al
readyopenedt
otwopoli
ceoff
icer
s.
KAEDI
:Of
fi
cer
s,haveyouf
oundher
?
OFFI
CER:No,
butt
her
ehasbeenadevel
opment
.
Herhandbaghasbeenf
oundInthedeepoft
he
f
oresthel
aolebi
leboMasunga…
KAEDI
:OhmuGod,
anycl
uewher
eshecoul
dbe…
OFFI
CER:Notofyet
,wej
ustwant
edyoutohel
p
i
dent
if
ythei
temsandver
ifyt
heyareher
s.
KAEDI
:Uh,
yes… ofcour
se…
Kaedil
eftwi
tht
hepol
iceof
fi
cer
s.
Pi
lar
awentbackupst
air
s.
God,
whathadKaedidone!I
fLol
ohadki
ll
edherself
,
whywouldshet
akeahandbagandj
ustt
hrowitin
t
heforest
?
Di
dn’
tKaedigomissi
ngforsomet
imeaf
terhel
eft
wi
thhi
sgirl
fr
iendt
hatday?
OhGod…
OhGod.
SheknewKaedi
’
scarhadat
racker
.
Laptop.Healwayssaidheinst
all
edthet
rackersof
al
ltheircar
sinhislaptopj
ustincasehelosthi
s
phone.
Sheranupst
air
sandi
ntohi
sof
fi
ce,
goi
ngst
rai
ght
tohi
slapt
op.
OhGod… hi
scarhadbeeni
nthear
eaherhandbag
wasf
ound.Foranent
ir
eday…
Andthereweret
hebloodycl
othesandLol
o’s
handbagfoundt
her
e.
Shebrokedowncryi
ngf
oral
ongt
ime.God,
Kaedi
,
whathaveyoudone!
Shekeptr
epeat
ingt
oher
sel
f.
Shehear
dthedoorgent
lyopenandKaediwal
kedi
n.
KAEDI
:Babe?Youok?
PI
LARA:Di
dyouki
llLol
o?
KAEDI
:Huh?
PILARA:Youwer ear
oundwhereherhandbagwas
foundthedayshedisappear
edKaedi.Youhi
dsome
bloodycl
othes.Youki
ll
edherdidn’
tyou?
KAEDI:Pi
lar
a,youknowIwoul
dneverdot
hat
,Il
ove
Loapi
.
PI
LARA:Youar
elyi
ng!Youki
ll
edher
,al
lthe
evi
dencepoi
ntst
oyou!
KAEDI:Pi
lar
a,pl
ease… Iwaswit
hNamiet
hatday.
Youcanaskher.Wejustsati
nthecar
.
PI
LARA:(cr
ying)Youarelyi
ng!Youarel
ying.Then
whydi
dyourclotheshaveblood?Theonesyouhid
i
nthespa?
KAEDI
:Pipa,pl
ease… it
’scompli
cated.ButIswearI
di
dn’
tki
llLoapi
.Please,youhavetobeli
eveme…
Hehuggedherasshecr
iedonhi
schest
.
KAEDI
:IswearIdi
dn’
tdoi
tbabe… Iswear
…
*
***
***
***
Int hemorningast heyhadbreakfastwit
hKaedi’
s
siblingsandfamily,t
herewasaknockandamai d
l
ett hepoliceandKaedimett hem inthefoyer
,wi
th
PilaraandKaedi’sbrother
sjoini
nghim.
KAEDI
:Of
fi
cer
…anydevel
opment
?
OFFI
CER:KaediLedi
mo,
youar
eunderar
rest
…
KAEDI
:Huh?
OFFI
CER:Youar
eapr
imesuspecti
nthe
disappear
anceandpossi
blemur
derofLoapi
Ledimo.
KAEDI:Excuseme?Whywouldyouthi
nkshei
s
deadorthatIki
ll
edher
?Youarenott
akingme
anywhereunti
lyougi
vemeanswers.
OFFICER:Wer eceivedananonymoust i
ponyou
bei
nginthelocat i
onherstuffwasfound,youcan’
t
beaccount
edf irfrom 11am t
oaround8pm ont he
dayshewentmi ssing,
andyourbloodycl
othes
havebeenhandedt ous.
KAEDI
:Ser
iousl
yPi
pa?Real
ly?
PI
LARA:What
?Idi
dn’
t…
KAEDI:Wow… Ican’
tbeli
eveyou.Fine,
off
icer
.
Arr
estmeifyoumust.Ididn’
tki
llLoapi
.
WETSHO:Nothi
ngyousai
dpr
ovesanyt
hing,
you
can’
tar
restmybrot
her
…
KAEDI:I
t’
sokbr
o,geti
ntouchwithmylawyer
.And
geti
nmyphoneandcallNamie.ThanksPi
pa.
Real
ly.
PI
LARA:(
cryi
ng)Kaedi
,Isweari
twasn’
tme…
Kaedij
ustshookhi
sheadsadl
yandwal
kedout
wit
hthepoli
ce.
LOSIKA:Youar
efuckedup,
youknow,Pi
lar
a?You
don’
tevenknownothi
ngandyougethi
m arr
est
ed?
Thatai
ntevenLol
o’sbl
ood.
WETSHO:Shedi
dthi
s?
LOSIKA:Iheardt
hem arguei
nhisstudy.She
accusedhim ofi
tandsaidal
lthei
nfotheoff
icer
j
ustgave.
PI
LARA:(
sobbi
ng)I
twasn’
tme… Iswear
.
WETSHO:Fuckyou, youopport
unistj
unkiewhore.
Weshouldtossyououtthewayyourf at
her’
sfamil
y
di
d,usel
essbit
ch.Nxla.Los,
callwhoeverNamieis
fr
om Kai
’sphone,I
’
llgetaholdofLesly.
*
***
***
***
***
Aftercomingfr
om thepol
icest
ati
onwhereKaedi
refusedtoseeher
,Pil
arasati
nthegazeboal
one
crying.
Whowoul
dhavesentt
hepol
iceal
lthati
nfor
mat
ion.
God!Thi
swassuchamess.
Butwhati
fKaedidi
dit
?
Allt
heevidencepointedt
ohi
m.Whatwasshe
supposedtothink?Andsheknewf
ir
sthandKaedi
wascapableofki l
li
ng.
Sheheldt
hel
it
tl
epl
ast
icgi
ldl
ocketonherhands
andcri
ed.
God,
pleasel
eti
tnotbeasi
tlooks.Pl
ease.
Losikawal
kedoverandsatopposit
eher, si
lentl
y.
Forallt
heyear
sshehadbeeni ntheLedimof amil
y,
shehadonlyhear
dahandf ulofwordsfrom Losika
andsawheronlyacoupleoftimes,evenatf amil
y
events.
Andmostdefini
tel
ynevert
alkedt
ohim pri
vat
ely
unt
ilear
li
ert
odaywhenKaedigotarr
ested.
Losikascar edherabi t.Ok,scrat
cht hat
.Hescared
heral ot.Kaedihadt oldherthatwhenLosi kawas
eleven,peopleLedi mohadi ssueswithhad
kidnappedLosi kaf orovert
woyear s.Hef i
nall
ygot
himselfoutandj ustcamehome.Nevert al
ked
abouti t
,nevertalkedabouthowhegotoutorwhat
theydidt ohimt here.Hewasj ustwithdr
awn.Hedi d
wel
linschool
,smokedal
otofweedandkeptt
o
hi
mself
.
Hehadr ecent
lygraduatedhisMSci nsomeI Tthi
ng
andKaedimadehi m headofI Tfr
om thecompany
withoutanyworkexperienceatal
l.Notthatanyof
thathadbeenami stake,Losi
kahadmadet hi
ngs
waybet t
er.
PILARA:IsweatInevercont
actedthepol
ice,
Losi
ka.
IswearI’
dneverdothattoKaedi…
Hewasqui
etf
orsomet
ime.
LOSIKA:Youhurthi
m, youknow.Howcoul
dyou
evenaskhimifhekil
ledher?
PILARA:Losika,whatam Isupposedt othink,
he
wentmi ssi
ngf orhour
s,hiscarcanbepl acedint
he
forestwhereherhandbagwasf ound…andhehad
everymot i
ve,shecheatedonhimf oroverayear!
YouknowKaedidoesn’ tforgi
veeasily!
LOSI
KA:Thatyoueventhi
nkthatabouthi
m shows
meyoudon’tknowEdi
.Atall
.
PI
LARA:Iwasj
ustaski
nghi
m,Ihadt
oaf
teral
lI
f
ound!Youknowhowangr
yhecanget
.
LOSI KA:Andal ltheshi tyousai d.Edisel f
ish?
Real l
y?Thatmanbeensacr if
icingf orthef ami l
y
sincehewast hirteen.Iwat chedmygr andf atherput
agunonKaedi ’
shandwhenhewasonl yt hir
teen,
andaskedhi mt oshoot .Iwat chedt hatol dbast ard
forcehim overandoveragai nt ododespi cabl e
things,ever ysinglehi m, usingt hef ami lyagainst
him.Thr eateningus, hewi llthrowusont hest r
eets
i
fKaedidi dn’tdowhathewant ed.Hebeathi m
senselessl yanyt i
mehet houghKaedishowedany
weakness.Edit ookit.Di dwhatneededt obedone
tomakesur eWet shoandIdi dn’thavet o.Andst il
l
wentoutt oschoolandshi tandbecamel i
feofa
par t
y,hedi dn’tletitbringhi m down.Mypussyass
fatherdidnot hingbuthi tthebot t
le.Hewat ched
someoneabusehi schildandhedi dnot hi
ng.
Finall
yEdimanagedt ogetout .Got ot heUSand
makeal if
ef orhi msel f
.Hewasst i
lltryingt ohelp
fathermanaget hings.Butbecausef atherwast oo
busydr inking,thebusi nesswasgoi ngbad.I nabi d
toexit,Lolodi dunt hinkableshi tandgota6%shar e
from ourf ather.Shewasgonnaqui cklysellt
he
shar esandgett hemoneyanddi t
chwhenf ather
died.Whatshehadnotcount edonwasEdipul l
ing
i
nf avor sandget t
ingont rackli
ket hat.Nobody
knewhehadconnect i
onsl i
kethat,weal lthoughthe
wasj ustpar tyi
ng.Theysayhespental lhemadei n
wal lstreetonexot icgirl
sandpar ti
es.Nope.He
threwi tallbacki nthecompanywheni twasa
sinkingshi p.Thatmanl efthimselfbr oketosave
thef ami l
y.Hebeggedandbor r
owedf rom peoplehe
hadi nvest edf orint heUSandwasabl etogetus
backont opshapei nt hr
eeyear s.
PILARA:Idon’tseehowallt
hati
srel
evant
.Ther
eis
evidencepoi
ntingtohi
m,asmuchasIdon’twantt
o
believei
t…
LOSIKA:Thenyouar eacoldbi tch.Andhowi ti
s
rel
evantis,Loapihasdonewor sethanf ucksome
random soldi
er,you’dhavepi ckedont hatifyou
wereli
stening.IfEdididn’
tkil
lhert hen,t
her ei
sno
wayheki ll
edherf orthi
s.Ireall
yhopehet hrows
yourassoutwhenhecomesback, andbelieveme,
Wetshoisgonnagethi m out.
Hecussedl
oudl
yandl
eftasPi
lar
abr
okedown
cr
ying.
*
***
***
*
LI
KE,
SHARE,
COMMENT
1000/
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Wearedoingaweekendmar athontocatchupon
epi
sodeswemi ssedthi
sweek, sonextepi
sodewi
ll
comewhenwer each1000l
ikes,100comments,
and10shares.
[
05/
29,
11:
Pil
arasati
nherbedr oom cryi
ng.I
thadbeenaf ew
daysnowsinceKaedi ’
sarrest
,andeverydayhad
beenhell
.Hissibli
ngshadbeendownr ightabusive,
eachhadyelledatherandcalledhernames.Bet si
hadeventhreatenedtobeatherup.
Shelookedatyetanotheronl
inet
abloi
dart
icl
ethat
hadmor enewsont hecase.Whoeverwasbehind
thi
smadesur etheLedimocouldn’
tcoveri
tupby
goingtopressi
mmedi atel
y.
‘
KaediLedi
moar
rest
edf
ort
hemur
derofhi
swi
fe.
TheshamedLoapiLedi mo’sfatecamet ocl i
max
whenherl overofoneyearpr oposedt oheri nf r
ont
ofherhusbandal mostt woweekago.Mr sLedi mo
wentmi ssi
ngont hesameday.Herhandbagand
valuableswer elaterf oundint heforest,where
coincidentall
y, herhusband’ scarhadbeenal lday.
Thecaset ookani nteresti
ngtur nwhenKaedi ’sex
wifeandmot herofhi stwochi ldren,Pil
araLedi mo
alert
edt hepol iceonLedi mo’sbloodiedcl ot
hes
hiddeni ntheirhome.Thepol icecur r
entl
yawai tt
he
result
soft hebl oodtoseei fi
ndeedi tmat cht hatof
Mr sLedi mo.I nt hemeant ime, KaediLedimost i
ll
refusest oletthepol iceknowwher ehehidt he
body.’
Anot
herart
icl
etal
kedabouthowshelef
tKaedif
or
fi
veyear
sandherpart
yanddr ugusel
if
einIndi
a.
Anotherpaintedherasahomewr eckerandagol
d-
diggerwhot r
appedKaediwithachil
d,onl
yto
abandont hatchi
ldforapar
tyli
fewhenshe
i
nher i
tedsomemoney, andonlycamebackwhen
themoneyr anoutofmoney.
Shewi pedmoretearsandgotoffFacebook.
Somebodywasdoi ngt
histot
hem.Kaedibel i
eved
shebet r
ayedhim,andref
usedtoseeher … she
didn’
tevenknowhowshewasgoi ngtoprovet o
himt hatshewasn’
ttheonewhor eport
edhim…
everythi
ngwasamess.
Thedoorfl
ewopenandKaedi’
smom stormedin.
Shehadbeenabr
oadwhenallt
hishappened,
and
hadonl
ycamebacktoday.
SheslappedPi
lar
ahardacrossthefacewitht
he
backofherhand,herl
argedetai
lri
ngtear
ingski
n
onhercheek.
MAKAEDI :Youcheapbi tch!It
oldhi mtonott ake
youback, butyoubewi t
chedhim.Nxl a,
fucking
streetwhorejustl
ikeyourmot her.Akereosul eal e
mokol oingyamonnayonyet sengt hatshewas
fucking.Shemustbesopr oudinhel lwhereshei s,
herspawni sjustl
ikeher.Yout hi
nkKaedil ovesyou?
Youhavenot hingtoofferbutabody, st
upidwhor e.
Heonl ykeepsyouar oundbecausehel ikestofuck
you, t
hat’
syourwhol ewor t
h.Youcamet oLolo’
s
mar ri
age,wenayouevendi dbett
ert hanyour
motherandgotmagadif
rom amarr
iedman.Now
whathaveyoudonetoLolo,
wher
eisshe?
Shesl
appedPi
lar
aagai
n.
MMA- KAEDI:Whathaveyoudonewi t
hmydaughter
i
nl aw,youbi
tch?Youkil
ledherandsetupKaedi
,
didn’
tyou?Youtookhisclot
hesanputherbl
oodon
them.
PI
LARA:(
sobbi
ng)Whywoul
dIevendot
hat
?
MMAKAEDI :Wankarabi
sa?Wankar
abi
sal
ebel
ete
kweenaogodi
tsengmmago?
Shetr
iedt
oslapheragai
nandPi
lar
ahel
dherhand
tost
opher.
MmaKaedistart
edhowli
ngcryi
ngasbot
hhersons
anddaught
erscamerunni
ng.
WETSHO:Whatt
hehel
lisgoi
ngon?
MMAKAEDI :Wampetsamogatsamogol
oo.She
att
ackedmewhenIj
ustaskedwhysheisdoi
ngthi
s
tomyson!
WETSHO:What
?
Thei
rcousi
nLer
irani
n.
LERU:What?Gat
weshesl
appedmyaunt
?It
oldEdi
aboutt
hist
rashman,
Idi
d!
MMAKAEDI :Str
eetscum wi
llal
waysbest
reet
scum.Sheatt
ackedme.
PILARA:Yousl
appedme!Twi
ce!Ij
ustst
oppedyou
fr
om…
MMAKAEDI :Islappedyou?Youatt
ackedme,
weall
knowwhot heliarishere,
youal
readyl
iedmyson
i
ntopr
ison.Nowyousl apme?
BETSI
:Bi
tch,
youl
aidyourf
il
thyhandsonmymom?
Betsipunchedheronthej
awandpushedhertot
he
fl
oor,j
umpi ngonherandpunchi
ngheragai
n.
Losi
kapul
ledherof
f.
LOSI
KA:Bet
si,
that
’senough.
WETSHO:Youneedt
oleave.Nobodywant
syoui
n
t
hishouse.Go.
PI
LARA:Myhusbandbr
oughtmeher
e,onl
yhecan
makemeleave.
BETSI
:Bit
ch,whathusband.Yourmarr
iageaint
evenl
egal
,youareaglori
fi
edsidebi
tch.Getout.
MMAKAEDI
:Iwanthergone,
now.
LOSI
KA:Pi
pa,
packupandgo.
BETSI
:Bef
oreIhel
pyouout
.
MMAKAEDI :Legonepackwhatupbecause
ever
ythi
ngsheowns,mysonbought.Getout!Ar
e
youdumb?Noonewant syou!
Shesi
ghedandt
ri
edt
opi
ckupReah.
MMAKAEDI:Don’
tyoudar
e!Reahi
saLedi
mo.You
l
eaveher
easyoucame!Wit
hnothi
ng.
PILARA:Youcan’ tt
akemybabyawayf rom me…
pl
ease…I’l
lleave.Iwon’
ttakeanyt
hing,
justmy
baby…
MMAKAEDI :Boys,helpthissnakeoutofourhome.
Sheputyourbrotherinprisonandpr obablykil
led
Lol
o.Whoknowswhat ’
snextwi thher ?Wear eallin
danger
.Takeherout .Howcanyoul etsomeone
whoslappedyourmot herst ay,
Wet shoandLosi ?
Leri
?Irai
sesyouasmyown?Youal low this?For
met
obeabusedl
iket
his?
LOSI
KA:Let
’sgo,
Pil
ara.
PILARA:Losika,
Iknowyoudon’tbel
ieveIdi
dthis…
other
wiseyouwouldn’
thavet
alkedtomet heother
day… please…
MMAKAEDI :Sheslappedme,Losi
!Don’tlett
his
witchputyouunderherspell
li
keshedidKaedi .
Someonebeat syourmotherandyoujustlookat
her?Hasshegot t
entoyoutoo?Shesl appedme!
(yell
ing)
PI
LARA:Youar
esuchal
iar
,yousl
appedme.
LERI:That
’si
t!I
’
m notgonnast
andher
eandl
ist
en
toyouinsul
tmyauntinherownhome!
Hegrabbedherbyt hear m anddraggedherallt
he
waydownst ai
rsasPilar
ascr eamedandkicked,
cr
yingforherdaughter.
Leridr
aggedheroutandal
lthewayinthepaved
fr
ontyard,t
othegate,
andthrewheroutoft
hegate,
l
ockingherout.
Shecr
iedandbeggedandbeatt
hegat
easherar
m,
sideandthi
ghbr
uisedf
rom bei
ngdr
aggedont
he
tarmac.
Losi
kasi
ghedandcameoutwi
thherhandbagand
handedi
ttoher
.
LOSI
KA:Justl
eave,
ok?Youar
enotwant
edher
e.
Shesatout
sideunt
ili
twasl
ate,
cryi
ng,
beggi
ng.Yet
noonecame.
Itwasnowdar
k.Hercarwassti
llinside,
andt
he
Ledimohomewasontheoutski
rts,farfr
om
anythi
ng.
HerhousewasinTati
sidi
ng,
howwoul dsheeven
gett
here,
hercarwasinsi
de… no,shewasn’
t
l
eavi
ng,shecoul
dn’
tleaveReah.
Bypastmi dnightwhent heLedi
momansi onlast
l
ightwentout, shef
inal
lytri
edtohi
keatthemai n
road.Herphonebat t
erywasdead,shecouldn’t
evencallanyone.
Shestoodthereforanhour,st
il
lcryi
ngwhenacar
fi
nal
lystopped.Itwasalotofyoungmeninther
e,
maybefour.Alldri
nki
ng.
MAN:Wear egoingtoapar
tyonaf
armj
ust
out
sideTat
isi
ding.
MAN2:Butwecandr
opyouanywher
e.
PI
LARA:I
’
m good.
MAN3:Comeonbaby… apr
ett
ygi
rll
ikeyouout
andal
onet
hisl
ate?
PI
LARA:Isai
dI’
mfi
ne.
Oneoft
hemengotoutandgr
abbedher
.
MAN1:Nemonnawhatar
eyoudoi
ng?
MAN4:Wear egonnapart
y.Shei
sjoini
ngus.St
op
bei
ngaprude.Comeon,l
ookather… gott
hat
Kar
dashi
anbodandshit… comeon.
*
***
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
1000/
100/
10
[
05/
29,
11:
Losi
kast
oodoutsmoki
ngabongbef
oreset
ti
ngt
he
houseal
armf
ortheni
ght.
Hehear
dscreamsout
sideandr
anoutoftheyar
d,
j
ustasacarwasst
art
edupabitfarof
finthemai
n
r
oad.
Herancl
osert
otheroad.Theonlythi
nghesaw
wasthenumberpl
atebefor
ethecardroveof
f.
Hetri
edtocal
lPi
lar
a,hehadhopesshewoul
djust
l
eave,andwhenshestoppedbangi
ngt
hegat
e,he
t
houghtshehad.
God,
wast
hatherscr
eami
ng?
Ok,maybehi sfamil
ytookittoofar,
butshe
sl
appedhi smom, forGod’
ssake.Hehadasof t
spotforthegirl
,ot
herwi
sehe’ dhavebeather
senselessforevendari
nglayingahandonhis
mother .
Alsohehaddoubtssheevendi
dthat
.Thei
rmot
her
hadanaffi
nit
yforthedr
amati
cs.
Butwher
ewasshenow,
God,
wher
ewasshe?
Maybeitwasn’ther.Shewoul
dhavel
eftwhenshe
st
oppedbangingt hegate,
whi
chwashoursago.
Orwasi
t?Hehadgot
tenhi
ghandpassesout
.No,
shewasl
onggone.
Hest
oodt
hinki
ngaboutt
hewhol
eKaedisi
tuat
ion.
Ther
ewassomanypossi
bil
it
ies.
I
tcoul
dbethatPi
lar
adi
dratKaediout
,whi
cht
hen,
f
uckher.
Butheknewhowtor
eadpeopl
epr
ett
ywell
,andthe
poort
hingwasi
npai
n.Ther
ewasnogui
lt
,justpai
n.
Whichwasst
art
ingt
omakehi
m bel
ievemaybei
t
wasn’
ther
.
Whi
chmeantsomeonesett
hisup.
Someonewhowoul
dwantKaedit
othi
nkPi
lar
a
bet
rayedhi
m.
Someonewhoknewthatwoul
dcr
ushKaedi
,he
l
ivedt
hegi
rlsomuch.
Whichledeithert
oA)Loapi .Whichmeantshewas
ali
vesomewher ehidingandmast ermi
ndingshit
.
Andshewasmor ethancapabl e.ButwouldLoapi
real
lyeverhurtKaedili
kethat?Andwhatwoul dbe
herendgame?GetKaediar rest
edwouldmeanshe
nevercomesbackorshowsherf acei
npublicor
accesshermoney,
ormosti
mpor
tant
ly,
seeherki
ds.
Nah, Lolol
ovedherchi
ldr
en.Andrevengeor
anythingwasnotworththatmuchwheni tcamet o
them.Shewoul dn’
tdoanythingt
hatwoul dtakeher
awayf rom t
hem.
Whi
chmeantshewaspr
obabl
ydet
ained.Ordead.
Someonet ookthewhilecheati
ng/proposalshi
tas
anopportunit
ytotakeoutKaedi.Hehadever y
mot i
vetokil
lLoloaft
erwhatLol odid.SotakeLolo
andknowi twouldpointt
oKaedi .Thebitaboutt
he
bloodyclot
heswouldhavebeenawel come
surpri
se.Itsol
idi
fi
edtheevidenceagainstKaedi.
Exceptt
hebloodwasn’ tLolo’s,
sot heywer
egonna
beinapickl
ethere.Fuckinggover nmentandt
heir
sl
owshit,t
hoseresult
sshoul dhavebeenbackby
now.Whichwillf
reehisbr other.
Hel
itupanot
herbongbef
oregoi
ngbackt
obed.
*
***
***
***
Kaedicameoutt
othevi
sit
ingr
oom wher
eKenami
le
satwait
ingf
orhi
m.
KENAMI
LE:Howi
sthi
sfai
r?It
oldt
hem Iwaswi
th
you!
KAEDI:Theysaytheevi
denceagainstme
overwhel
mswhatyousay.Basicall
ytheymeanyou
areeit
heracoachedali
bioranaccompli
ce.
KENAMI LE:Butt
hepeopl
ewhosawusbuyt
hef
act
cakes?
KAEDI:Alloff
iveminut
es.Wearewai
ti
ngforthe
resul
tsofthebloodonmyclot
hestopr
oveitwasn’
t
me.
KENAMI
LE:Whosebl
oodwasi
t,Kaedi
?
KAEDI
:(whi
speri
ng)Thebadthi
ngIt
oldyouIdi
d.
Hewassenttoki
llme.Anyway,
howareyou?
KENAMI LE:Feel
inghelpl
ess.Iknowyoudi dn’tdo
thi
sEdi.Thisisunf
airandIhateit.Theycan’tdo
thi
s!AndtobehonestIam soangr yatthatf
ucking
Pil
ara,
howcoul dshe?Idon’tcareaboutthe
evi
dence,sheshouldhavetrustedyou!
KAEDI:(
sighi
ng)Yea,sher
eal
lyhurtme.Especi
all
y
her
,ofal
lpeople.Andshehasnotevencomet osee
meonce.It
houghtmaybeshewouldevencome
andtr
ytoexpl
ainher
sel
f.Nope.Notevenonce.But
i
tiswhati
tis.
KENAMILE:I’
m sosorr
y.Iwi
shIcoul
ddo
somet
hing.Anythi
ng.
Hesmi
ledandsqueezedherhand.
KAEDI:I’
m abigboy,Icanhandl
ethis.Don’
tyou
worryaboutme.Ihadmyl awyert
ransfersome
moneyf oryouwhil
ethingsar
eonhal tandIcan’
t
getyouaj ob.
KENAMILE:Isawthat.That
’sawhol
eyear
’ssal
ary,
Kaedi
!Ican’
taccept
…
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)Iam i
njai
landsad,youhavet
o
accepti
tsoyoudon’tmakememor esad.
KENAMI
LE:That
’sbl
ackmai
l!
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)Aguy’
sgot
tadowhataguy’
s
got
tado.
AsKenamil
elef
t,hemetmmaKaedioutsi
dewho
l
ookeddownonherfrom headt
otoe.
MMAKAEDI
:Lemohel
abat
ho?Mxi
m koor
eer
il
eba
regolowangwanake, bamohel lel
etsa.
.Thi
s?
Reall
y?Atleastthecheapbitchisprett
yandshei
s
royal
ty.Thi
sugly,short
,fatt
hing?Whatdoeshe
see?Stayawayf rom myson.
KENAMI
LE:Iam notdat
ingKaedi
,ma’
am.
MRSLEDI MO:Obviousl
y.Butyouar egonnastay
awayfrom him.Oryouwi l
lbesorry.Yourhave
mucht olosedear… whatisyourli
tt
lebastar
d
cal
ledagain?Sedilame?Iwouldn’
twantherget t
ing
hurtwhil
eIprotectmysonf r
om thevultur
elikesof
you.Ihopeyouunder st
andme.
Shewalkedi
nleavi
ngKenamilewi
thachi
ll
.What
thehel
lki
ndofpersont
hreat
enedachi
ld?
*
***
***
***
***
*
Losi
kat
ri
edPi
lar
a’sphoneagai
n.I
twasst
il
lof
f.
Shewouldhavecomebacktoherchi
ldbynow,
it
wasal
readyalmostmi
dday.
HedrovetothehouseKaedi
boughtheron
Tat
isi
ding.
Empt
y.
Hecal
ledMi
chel
le.
Pi
lar
a’scousi
nMmi
no.
Pi
lar
a’suncl
eThol
o.
Nope.
Fuck!
Hetookhi
sphoneoutanddidasearchfort
he
numberpl
atehesawyest
erdayaf
terheari
nga
scr
eam.
God,
heshoul
dhavewentaf
teri
tthen!
Maybei
twasn’
ttot
ool
ate.
Hejusthadtofi
ndtheguythecarwasregi
steredto.
Itt
ookhim afewsecondsandhewasin.Her ead
outtheguy’
sname,thenwentonadeepdive.
SomeAr abangKhudu.Soldi
er,pr
ivate.Juststar
ted
worki
ng.FacebooknamewasArKay.Hewasata
par
tyinafarminTati
sidi
nglastnightaccordingto
hi
sFacebook.
Hef
oundt
hef
arm det
ail
sanddr
ovest
rai
ghtt
her
e.
Ther
ewasal
argeopenf
iel
d.Thenabar
nli
ke
bui
ldi
ngthatt
heownerhi
redoutf
orpar
ti
es… anda
small
erbui
ldi
ng.
Al
lempt
y.
Hecanvassedaround,unt
iloutsi
det
hef ar
m he
couldseealonefi
gurespr
awl edout
,coveredwi
th
branches.
Her anoverashisheartbeatf
ast
,get
ti
ngaterri
fi
ed
chi
llwhenher ecogni
sedherbeatupface… her
cl
othestorn.
LOSI
KA:Pilar
a… Pi
lar
a… shi
t… Pi
lar
a,pl
easebe
ok… pl
ease…
Heknel
tbesi
deherandcheckedf
orapul
se…
Fai
nt…
Hepi
ckedherupandr
ant
ohi
scar
,dr
ivi
ngherof
f
t
othehospi
tal
.
*
***
***
***
*
Pi
lar
aslowlyopenedhereyesandcoul
dseea
whit
eceil
ing.Wasshedead?
Heavenorhel
l?Woul
dhel
lreal
lyhavewhi
tecei
li
ngs?
LOSI
KA:Hey…
Shet
urnedherheadt
oseehi
m si
tt
ingnextt
oher
onhi
scomputer.
Hospi
tal
…
Ever
ythi
ngst
art
edcomi
ngbacki
naf
lood.
At
earwel
leddownt
hesi
deofherhead.
PILARA:It
ri
edtofight… Ikicked… screamed… but
therewasapart
yandt hemusi cwastooloud…I
begged…thebeatme… ki ckedmeandpunchedme
whenIwouldn’
tletthem… t herewerefouroft
hem,
sotheywon.Theyjustkeptgoi ng… oneaft
erthe
other…
LOSIKA:Pi
lara,
don’
tdothi
stoyour
sel
f…youar
e
saf
e…andt heywil
lgetwhat
’scomi
ngtot
hem.
PILARA:Iwi
shI ’
ddied…IkeptaskingGodtojust
takemeastheiralcoholbr
eat
hsuf focat
edme.I
beggedGodtot akeme.ButthereisnoGod,is
there?Ot
her
wisehecoul dhave… he…
LOSIKA:Pil
ara,
please… pl
ease…don’
tdothi
s.I
suckatsayi
ngnicet hi
ngs,
so,pl
easedon’
thurt
your
sel
fwi
thwhathappenedbecauseIcan’
thel
p
you.
PILARA:Don’
ttel
lmewhatt
odo… youdon’
tknow
howitfeel
s…
LOSIKA:Ido…whent heytookmewhenIwasl i
tt
le,
they… yea.I
tdoesnotgetbett
er.Youarenever
gonnagetoverit,
itwil
lal
wayshur t
,anditwi
ll
changeyouf or
ever.
PI
LARA:(
sobbi
ng)WhatdoIdo…
LOSIKA:Youei t
herkil
lyourselfandl ett
hem win…
oryousurvive.Youmaket hem pay, thenyouaccept
thatyougotdealtabadcar d,andj ustli
vewit
hit.
Bothchoicesaregood,tobehonest .Butyougot
kidsandIthinkthey’
dloveyoual ive.
Shesmi
ledal
it
tl
e,t
hinki
ngaboutt
heki
ds.
LOSIKA:Andyoudoknowi fyouevert
oldanyone
whatIjustt
oldyou,
I’
llki
llyou,r
ight
?Ididn’
tmean
tot
ellyou.
PILARA:Thenyoudidn’
ttel
lme.I
twi
llneverbe
repeat
edagain.Howisi
tgoingwi
thKaedi?
LOSIKA:(si
ghing)St
il
lin.Thebl
oodonhi
s
sweatpantsi
sLoapi’
s,soit’
s…
PILARA:Whatsweatpant
s?No!Theclot
hesIf
ound
weren’tasweat
pant
s.Darkbl
uejeansandagolft
shir
t.Nosweatpant
s…
LOSI
KA:Ar
eyousur
e?
PILARA:Iam posit
ivei
twasnotsweatpant
s,ohmy
God!Whoi sdoingthi
s?Whydot hi
stohim?Doyou
thi
nktheykil
ledLoloandputherbl
ondonthe
sweatpant
s?
LOSIKA:That’
swhatI’m gonnafi
ndout.Wil
lyoube
ok?Mmi nojustl
eft
,shesaidshewil
lbeback.Your
uncleThol
oandMi chell
ealsocame.Ihaven’
ttol
d
Edi,
guyhasal otonhisplate.
Aft
erhel
eft
,Pi
lar
abrokedownagai
n.Shecoul
dn’t
seehowshewouldeverbeabl
etol
ivewi
ththi
s.
Shehadseent hisLawandOr derepisodewher ea
guyhunghi msel
ffrom abed.Ti edthebedsheetto
thebedandsatonhi sknees,
thenjustf el
lfor
ward,
thebedsheetchockinghim…
No… no… shecoul
dn’
t….
Shepickedupherphoneandl
9okedatReah’
s
phot
o.
KaiandBebe… t
het
rio.ThenaphotoofKaedi
l
ayingi
nbedwithal
lofthekidsal
loverhi
m ashe
l
aughed.
No,shehadtolive.Sheneededtol
ive.Af
terhow
t
hatfamilyt
reatedher,t
herewasnowayshewas
l
ett
ingthem r
aiseherchildr
en.
Herphonerangwit
hanumbershedidn’
tknow.
Maybethepoli
ceupdat
ingheronKaedi
?
PI
LARA:Hel
lo?
‘
Pipa,
itsLol
o,Ican’
treachEdi
,tel
lhi
mit
s…’
Thenther
ewasal oudbangandLol
oscr
eamed,
as
thephonewentdead.
PI
LARA:Lol
o?Lol
o?Loapi
!OhmyGod,
Loapi
…
Shet
ri
edt
ocal
lthenumberagai
n,buti
twasof
f.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
100/
100/
1000
[
05/
29,
11:
Wetshowalkedintheboardroom ashi
suncl
es,
aunts,
andgrandfathersat
.
WETSHO:Whatisthi
sabout
?Ir
eal
lydon’
thavet
he
t
ime.Mybr
otherneedsme.
AUNTTSHI AMO:WeneedtoelectanewCEOsince
yourbrot
herdeci
dedt
oki
llhi
swi f
e.Andaheadof
fi
nance.
WETSHO:Edii
sgonnabeouti
ndays,
youcanwai
t.
UNCLEGOTSHEPO:Wer eall
ycan’
t,
thecompany
doesnotwai
tonKaedi
’sdrama.Hi
sandLolo’
s
absencei
sal
readyf
elt
.
LEDI
MO:Whatdoyoupr
opose?
GOTSHEPO:Ihavet hemostbusinessleadershi
p
experi
enceandeducati
on,sonatural
lyIwillt
ake
overasCEO.MysonOl eri
lehasanunder standi
ng
offi
nance,hecanworkwithLoapi’
sdeput y.
WETSHO:Wehaveadeput
yCEO.Hewi
llt
akeover
GOTSHEPO:Youwanttoleavethefut
ureofour
companyonthehandsofastranger
?
LEDI
MO:Hehasapoi
nt.Iwantf
ami
lyt
oal
waysbe
CEO.
WETSHO:ThenI
’
lldoi
t.
GOTSHEPO:( l
aughi
ng)Isheseri
ous?You?Garega
reganeyouhaveaPhD.I nMathemati
cs.No
disr
espect
,buthowisthatusef
ultoanyone?
WETSHO:Firstofal
l
,it
’sadoct
orat
einStat
ist
ics,
secondl
y,f
uckyou.Iknowyouarebehi
ndallt
his.
GOTSHEPO:(laughi
ng)AndIthoughthewasthe
l
evelheadedone.Ntat
e,weneedtoactqui
ck….We
need.
..
WETSHO:IsaidI’
lldoit
.Andf i
nancei
sfi
ne.You
ar
enotneeded,anddismissed.
GOTSHEPI
:Nt
ate,
sur
elyyoucan’
tal
lowt
his!
LEDIMO:(sighi
ng)HeisrightWetsho.Youhavenot
theexper
ience.Got
shepowi l
ltakeoverasCEOunti
l
wecanclearKaedi.Wetsho,youwillbemoreusef
ul
i
nfi
nance.
GOTSHEPO:Whatdoesheknow aboutf
inance,
Ler
i
act
ual
lyhasexper
ience…
LEDIMO:Isai
dwhatIsai
d,so,nowthatthi
sis
set
tled,
thi
smeet
ingi
sdismissed.Ihaveother
thi
ngstodo.
Hewal
kedoutast
heuncl
esst
areddagger
sat
Wet
sho.
*
***
***
**
Losi
kawal
kedi
nonvi
sit
ingt
imeandKaedicame
out.
LOSI
KA:Thiswholet
hingi
sadamnsetup.By
someonecapabl
eofpowermoves.
KAEDI
:Tel
lmemor
e
LOSIKA:Fi
rstof
f.Pi
pawastol
dyoudi
dn’
twantt
o
seeherwhenshecamehere.
KAEDI
:What
?
LOSI
KA:Yup,
theysaidyourefusedt
ocomeseeher
.
Andshewasdefi
nit
elysetup.Someonest
olet
he
cl
othesf
rom herbedroom,
andhandedt
hepol
ice
oneswit
hLolo’sblood.
KAEDI:Fuck!AndIf
li
ppedonher
,accusedherof
shi
t.God,shemustbesohurt
.
LOSIKA:Sheunder stands.I
twasmadet ol
ookli
ke
her.If
oundabugi nyouroffi
ce.Someonehas
beenli
steninginonyourconver sati
on.Awif
i
connectrecorderunderyourtable.I
thasnotr
ace
asthewificonnecti
onwascut .
KAEDI
:Fuck!Lol
o?Anyupdat
es?
LOSIKA:Loapii shopefull
ysti
llal
ive.Shet r
iedto
cont
actPilara,butgotcaught..It
riedtotracethe
phonenumber .I
tisregist
eredtoanol dladywho
sai
dshel ostitadaypr i
or.Andnowi t
’sdisabled
anddiscarded.
KAEDI :Fuck!Fuck,f
uckfuck!Shemustbeso
scared.Knowi ngLol
o,sheismostwor riedabout
thekidsrightnow.AndpoorPi l
ara,
pleasegetherto
visi
tassoonaspossi blesoIcanapol ogies.Maybe
i
nt heevening.
LOSI
KA:I
… uhm…maybenott
oday…
KAEDI:Whynot…Losi
ka!Whythehellnot
?Whatar
e
younottel
li
ngme?Youwouldexpecttrut
hfr
om me,
whathappenedtoPi
pa?Losi
ka!Don’
tmakeme
beati
toutofyou!
Hel
ookeddownsadl
y.
LOSI
KA:Shei
suhm… notwel
l.Shewasat
tacked.
KAEDI
:Whatdoyoumeanat
tacked?
LOSIKA:Kaedi
,damnit!Raped,shewasf ucki
ng
gangrapedandbeattoneardeat h.Ist
hatwhatyou
wanttohear?BecauseIam tryi
ngt oprot
ectyou!
At
earr
andownKaedi
’
scheek.
KAEDI:That
’snotfunnyLosi
ka!That
’snotf
unnyat
al
l.Sayyouarefucki
ngaround.Sayi
t!
LOSI
KA:YouseewhyIwashi
dingi
t?
KAEDI:Ineedt
ogetoutofher
e.Ineedtogo…
peopl
earehurt
ingmygirl
sandI’
mj ust
…Ineedt
o
go.
LOSI
KA:Wear
ewor
kingoni
t.Wet
shoi
s…
KAEDI
:Idon’
thavet
hef
ucki
ngt
ime.Lol
oisona
ti
ckt ock,andwhoknowswhatt hefuckt
hisdi
dto
Pipa?I tmightsendheronaspir
alandshemay
startusingagain.Iam get
ti
ngout!
LOSIKA:Kaedi
,br
eaki
ngoutofj
ailwi
llbear
eal
char
getheycanlayonyou.
KAEDI
:Fuckt
hei
rrealchar
ges.I
’
m get
ti
ngout
.
*
***
***
***
*
Loapisati
nthedarkroom,chainedt
othesingle
bedsheslepton.Shewipedbloodfr
om thesideof
herheadwheretheguyhadhitherwithaplank
whenhecaughtheront hephone.
Shehadst ol
enthephonef r
om him and
i
mmedi atel
ycalles.Shewantedtot
ellPar
athe
l
ocationi ft
hehouseasshehadseeni twhenthey
arr
ivedt hatday.ButshedoubtedPil
arahadhears
anything.
Shecoul
dhearfootst
eps.Thent
hemanwal
kedin,
maskedasusual,
andpushedaplat
eoff
oodtoher
.
LOAPI
:Pl
ease… Ihavemoney… lot
sofi
t.What
ever
youar
ebei
ngpaid,Icanmulti
plyit
.P6mil
.How
doessi
xmilsound?Thenyoucandi
sappearand
st
artal
if
esomewher e.Pl
ease.
Theguyi
gnor
edher
.
LOAPI :(sobbing)Pl
ease… Ijustwantgotobackt o
myki ds.Please,haveaheart… mykidsar esoli
tt
le.
Theol deronesar efi
ve.Theyoungerjustone.They
sti
llbreastfeed… pl
ease…pleasedon’tmakemy
babiesor phans…
Thedoorshutcl
osedandt
heguyl
eft
.
Loapi
brokedowncr
ying,
yel
l
ingaf
tert
heguy.
LOAPI:Doyouknowwhomyhusbandi
s?Kaedii
s
gonnafi
ndme!Heisgonnaf
indmeandhei
s
gonnakil
lyou!
Shesl
umpedbackont
hebedhopel
essl
yandcr
ied.
God,
pleasel
etmeseemychi
ldr
enagai
n… pl
ease
God!
Sherepeat
edt
oher
sel
foverandoverunt
ilshe
passedout
.
*
***
***
***
*
IntheeveningPilarakeptt
ryi
ngt
hatnumber
desperatel
yevent houghLosi
kahadsai
ditwas
probablydiscar
dedbynow.
Shewasallpat
chedupandbandaged,
andf
elt
weakashell
.
Andbroken.Shedi dn’tknowi fshecoul
devereven
l
ookatherselfi
nt hemi rroragain.Woul
dKaedi
evenwantherafter….God!Shewasdamaged…
Howwasshegoi ngt osur vi
vethis?
Sheheardsomeoneont
hecor
ri
dort
alki
ngont
he
phone.
KanathemonnannaIhear ditclearclear.Shewas
screamingarekeenet heLedimowi fekanagat we
mang, aski
ngforhelp.Ithappenedsof ast.One
minuteshewasscr eami ngassomeonedr agged
herinthehouse,t
henexti twasal ldone.Si l
ence.I
havenotheardanythingsince.I’mt emptedt ocalli
t
i
nandcl aimtherewardmoney, mar emat hakaal e
keabat shaba.I
ftheyf i
ndouti twasme…
OhmyGod.OhmyGod,
thi
sguyknewwher
eLoapi
was!
Pil
aratriedtocallLosika,buthisphonewasnot
goingthrough.Shesi ghedandr ippedoffherIV,
wrappingt hecablearoundherpal m andranafter
theguy, dodgi
ngt henur sesunti
lshewasout side,
andf ol
lowedtheguyatadi st
ance,messaging
Losika.
‘
Ihaveal
eadonLol
o.Goneaf
teri
t’
Thiswastheonl
ychancetof
indoutwhowasdoing
thi
s.Thepoli
ceal
waystookf
orever
,shecoul
dn’
t
waitf
orthem.
Shegotrapedbyfourmenbecauseofwhoeverwas
behindt
his.Noneofthi
swouldhavehappenedi
f
theyhadnotframedKaedif
ormur der
.
Thi
swasheronl
ychance…
*
***
*
Kaediwat
chedt
heguar
dschat
ti
ngr
elaxed.
Itwaseasytimear ounddinnert
ime.God,howeasy
thi
swasgoi ngtobei fpr
isonsherewerel
ikethose
i
nmovi eintheUS.Justcausear uckusandthem
scram whi
leeveryonefought.Moviesmadeitlook
soeasy.
Nott
hatthi
swasdiff
icul
tatall
.Manyhadescaped
t
hispat
heti
csecur
it
ylevelpr
isonbef
ore.
Astheguardsthi
nnedout,
hewat chedoneoft
he
guardscl
osetohishei
ghtandbodychubbyenough
fort
hem t
owearsamesi zecl
othes.
Kaedimm quickl
yranovertohim andpunchedhi
m
ontheface,
yelli
nginsul
tsathi
m.
Allthreeguar dsranoverandstart
edhit
ti
ngKaedi,
thendr aggedhi mtosoli
taryconf
inement.Hel
aid
ont hefloorlooki
ng‘weak’.Themomentt heyl
eft
,he
startedyell
ingandbangi ngthedoorandcausi
nga
ruckusunt i
lonecameback.
Hetauntedandi nsul
tedt heguyunt ilheopenedthe
cel
landwal kedintobet ahi m somemor e.Kaedi
i
mmedi atel
ystoodf r
om t hebedandchokedhi m
unti
ltheguypassedout ,thankssyst emamar t
ial
art
s,heknewj ustwhichpr essurepoint
stomake
someonepassoutqui ckly.
Hequi
ckl
yswappedclot
heswi
ththeguyand
wal
kedoutcar
eful
lywat
chi
ngoutandavoi
dingt
he
cell
s.Thebackwayl
edhimtot heyard.Hehad
secondsatmostbefor
etheynoti
ced.Thiswoul
d
probabl
ynotwork!
Whenher eachedtheyar
dhequickl
ywal ked
towar dsthegat el
ooki
ngdown,andhecoul dhear
alreadythatsomeonehadspottedhim andraised
alarm.
Acarwascomi ngthroughthegateandher anpast
i
tandt ookofffast,i
ntothehousesandjumpedi nt
o
ahome, steal
ingclothesandchangi
ngint hepit
l
atri
neandkeptgoi ng.Hehadt oseePipa,Loshad
saidonlyPil
ara’
scousi nandDev’swif
eknewPi lar
a
wai nt
hehospi t
al.Soitwouldn’
tbethefir
stplace
theycomet olookforhim.
*
***
***
***
**
Loapil
ist
enedi
nonaconver sat
ionast
hemanhad
thephoneonspeakerbecauset
heyweret
woof
them t
oday.
MAN:Wet oldyouboss,atwoweeksoldbodyi
s
di
ffer
entfr
om afreshbody.I
twi
llt
otal
lyshowt
hat
Kaedidi
dn’tdoi
t.Idon’
tknowwhyyoumademe
waitonki
ll
ingher
.Nowwecan’
tpi
nitonhi
m
becauseheisl
ockedup.
Amuf
fl
edvoi
cecamet
hrough.
VOICE:Thegoodnewi sthattheidi
otj
ustescaped
pri
son.Soit
’stheper
fectti
mef orherbodyto
appearsomewhere.I
twilll
ooklikehekidnapped
herandhadhersomewher e,nowescapedt ofini
sh
whathestart
ed.Takeherout.Now.
MAN:Okboss.
VOICE:AndIwantyoutofindsomegi
rlcal
led
Lebakwe,Wet
sho’
sgirl
fr
iend.
MAN:Sur
eboss
*
***
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHAREf
orweekendbonuses.
[
05/
29,
11:
Pil
arawat
chedtheguywal
kint
oayar
d,t
hent
oa
oneroomedhouse.
Ok,
whatt
odonow?
Wher
ethehel
lwasLosi
ka?
Theguycameoutt
ogot
othepi
tlat
ri
ne.
Ah,
luck.
Sherani
nthedarkr
oom andhidatt
hef
ootofthe
bed,
watchi
ngtheguywalkbacki
nandsatatt
he
bed.
Shequi
cklywrappedtheIVcor
dar oundhi
sneck
andhel
dont i
ghtashegagged.Herbodywasstil
l
sor
eandhurtfrom t
hebeati
ngs,butthi
swasher
onl
ychancetofindLolo.
PI
LARA:Wherei
sLoapiLedi
mo?Anddon’
tfuck
wi
thmebecauseI’
minabadmood.Whereisshe?
Sheputabrokenshardglassathi
sneckwi
thone
hand,
whil
estil
lhol
dingtheIVcable.
Shel
oosenedt
hecabl
etol
ethi
m speak.
PI
LARA:OnwrongmoveandIsl
iceyourt
hroat
,
wher
eisLoapi
?
HI
M: Nextdoor
,Ihear
dherscreami
ngf
orhel
p
whenshecamei ntwoweeksback.
PI
LARA:Whi
chnextdoor
?
HI
M:Lef
tsi
de,
yel
lowhouse.
PILARA:Good.Ifyouarelyi
ngtome,innotsolong
abig,scar
ylookingguywhoi sal
waysinabad
moodi sgonnacomet hr
oughhereandbeattheshit
outofyou.
HI
M:IswearI
’
m notl
ying.
Shesawakni
featt
het
abl
eandl
etgooft
heguy.
HI
M:Thosemenar
edanger
ous… t
heyhaveguns.
PI
LARA:Howmanymen?
HI
M: It
hinkt
wo… sist
ere,
ser
iousl
y.Youdon’
t
wanna…youcan’
t…
PILARA:Theworstthingyoucanevertel
lmeisI
can’tdosomet
hing.IfIdon’tshowupbacki
nyour
houseinandhours,callthi
snumber.Youwi
llbe
compensatedP10000f ort
hat.
Sher
anoutandwat
chedt
heyar
d.
*
***
***
**
Loapi
sati
nthebedsobbi
ng.Shehadt
ri
edt
o
removethechai
nt hatconnect
edhertothebedunti
l
shescor
edherankl ewiththemetal
.Thebedwas
nogoeit
her,andthisroom wassoundproofor
somethi
ngbecauseshehadyel ledandyell
edfor
daysnow.
Anymi
nut
enowt
heywer
egonnat
akeherandki
ll
her
.
AndKaediwasgonnagodownf orit.I
ftheguys
weretogoby,hewasal r
eadyar
rest
edandhe
escaped.Damni
tKaedi!Nowshewasgonnabe
deadandhewasgonnabei npr
ison.Whatwas
gonnahappentothei
rkids!
AtleasttheyhadPil
ara,
butthatgirlwast ooweak
tofightt
heLedimo.Wetshocoul dhelp,buthewas
toomuchofamama’ sboyt oreali
sejustwhata
cold,cal
culat
ingwomant hei
rmot herwas.
MmaKaedionl yl
ikedpeopl
ewhobenef i
tedher,
andthosewhostoodonherwaydi dn’
tfaresowell
.
Sheli
kedLolobecauseshekeptthecompanygoing,
whichkeptheri
nhercushy,over
pri
vil
edgedli
fe.
Butsheknewt
hel
adyst
il
lhadquest
ionsabouther
gaini
ngsharesinthecompany,andpeopl
emade
rumoursthatLol
of uckedKaedi
’
sdadtogett
he
shares.
Whati
fshebel
ievedt
hat
?
OhmyGod.
OhGod…
Whati
f…
OhGod…
AndKaedihadbeent al
kingaboutregul
atingfami
ly
expendit
ures.TheotherdayKaedihadsai dthe
l
imitl
essblackcardhismot herhad,andthe
all
owancesbesidetheirsalar
iesthathi
sunclesand
auntsgotwer eunnecessaryandneededt obe
stopped.
Butshewouldn’
tdothi
stoherownchi
ld,
comeon…
i
thadt obetheuncl
esal
one…butwhykeepher
al
ivethen?
Oritcoul
dbeTat
j?Hear
tbr
eakcoul
dmake,andshe
hadseenbot
hthi
sguysonmili
tar
yuni
for
m.
Thedooropenedandt
heguycameoverand
stuff
edhermout hwit
hclot
handti
edit
,thenti
ed
herhandsbehindherbackandcuf
fedherlegs
beforeunchai
ningher
Shetr
iedtof
ightbuttheguyoverpower
edheras
theot
herguybroughtt
hecartothedoor.
Theycar
ri
edherandt
hrewheri
nthecart
runk.
Atleastherchil
drenwil
lhavePi
lar
a.Shewoul
d
nevermistreatki
ds,shesai
dtohersel
f.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Pil
arawatchedf
rom thesi
desideofthehouseas
theguystal
kedabouttaki
ngLoapit
ot heout
ski
rt
s
oftown.
Tr
yinganyt
hingwouldbestupi
d,notonl
ywerethey
ar
med,theywereobviousl
ystr
ongerandherbody
wasweakandsore.
Sheputherphoneonsil
entthent
hrewi
tont
he
backi
ntheflooroft
hecar.
*
***
***
***
**
Losikacheckedhi
sphone,
findi
ngamessagef
rom
Pil
ara.Shi
t.
Herphonewasheadedt
otheout
ski
rtnow.
Whathaveyoudoneyousi
ll
ygi
rl
.
Hesai
dtohi
msel
fasher
eadhermessageagai
n.
Acal
lwi
thanunknownnumbercamet
hrough.
LOSI
KA:Yea?
KAEDI
:Br
o…
LOSI
KA:Youi
diot
.Doyouknowhowmuchshi
tyou
arei
n?
KAEDI:Youcanbi tchlat
er,Pipaismissingf r
om t
he
hospi
tal.Los,whatthefuckishappeni ng,someone
i
scomi ngf ormeandmycl osestar
et akingthehi
t.
LOSI
KA:IcanfindPipa.St
ayoutofsi
teandmeet
meatthel
ocat
ionI’
llsendyou.
*
***
***
***
**
Thecarpar
kedinsomef or
estandt
hetwomasked
mencamet ogetLoapioutofthet
runk.
Theysmokedcigar
ett
esassheknel
tont
heground
gagged.Whent
heyweredone,
onecamebackwith
arope.
HIM:Wehavet omakeitl
ookper
sonal,
li
keanangry
husband.Chokeherwi
tharopemaybe?Beatherup
abit
…
Thent
heguyjustf
elli
nfr
ontofher
,apoolofbl
ood
qui
ckl
yfor
mingbyhishead.
Onetookonelookt
othesi
deandtookof
fint
othe
for
estasLosi
kachasedaf
terhi
m,t
ryi
ngtogethi
m
ali
ve.
Kaedir
anovertoacr
yingLoapiandunt
iedher
,
huggi
ngherti
ghtl
yasshecri
ed.
KAEDI
:Shhhh.
.It
’sokbabe…i
tsok… youar
esaf
e…
LOAPI
:(sni
ff
li
ng)I
’m sosor
ryaboutt
hewhol
eTat
j
andpr
oposaland…
KAEDI:Babedol
l!Thatdoesnotevenmatter
anymore!It
houghtIlostyou,Loapi
,onesecondl
ate
andyoucould… ohGod…youar eok.Not
hing
matter
sbutthefactthatyouareok!Iwassoscared!
Shehel
dont
ohi
m cr
yingashesof
tl
ysoot
hedher
.
Losi
kacamebackalone.Hest
art
edsear
chi
ngt
he
deadguyasKaedisoot
hedLol
o.
LOSI
KA:He’
sgone,
butwe’
l
lgethi
m.Wher
eis
Pi
lar
a?
LOAPI
:Pi
lar
a?
LOSI
KA:Wef
oll
owedherphoneher
e.
Hewenti
ntot
hecarandf
oundPi
lar
a’sphone.
LOSI
KA:Smartgi
rl
.SheknewI
’
dfol
lowt
hephone,
soshel
efti
nthecar
.
*
***
***
***
*
Pil
arawentbacktotheguy’
shouseandbor
rowed
hisphone,
thentri
edLosi
ka’
sphoneagai
n.Thi
s
ti
meheanswer ed.
PI
LARA:Theyt
ookLol
oinacarand…
LOSI
KA:Wegother
…nicemove,
leavi
ngt
hephone
i
nthecar
.Wher
eareyou?
Shegavehim di
rect
ionsandt
heywentt
opi
ckher
up,t
hendrovehome.
*
***
***
***
**
Kenamil
ecamef
rom checki
ngonKaedii
nthe
eveni
ng.
God,
shehopedthatidi
otdi
dnotdowhatshe
t
houghthewant
edt odo.
Real
lyhopedshegott
hroughtohim andhej
ust
st
ayedinther
eandnotescaped.
Shehadgonet oaneveni ngchurchservi
ce
aft
erwards,soi
twaspr ettylat
ewhenshegothome.
Shegotwat erf
rom thetapoutsideandboil
editon
thestove,
thenpoureditIt helar
gegreenplast
ic
basinandstart
edbat hi
ng.
Justasshesoapedherf
ace,sheheardawindow
shatt
er…itsoundedt
ooclose… herwi
ndow?
OhLor d!Ther
ehadbeenquietaf
ewhouse
robberiesi
nthenei
ghbour
hoodinthepastf
ew
mont hs… ohGod!
*
***
***
***
Pi
lar
awai
tedout
sideandt
hecardooropened.
Kaedir
anovert
oherandhuggedher
.
KAEDI:I
’
m sosor r
yPipa.I
’
m sosor
ry,
Ishoul
dn’
t
havebel
ievedyou… I
…
PI
LARA:I
t’
sok…andIshoul
dhavebel
ievedyout
oo.
Lol
ocameoverandhuggedPi
lar
a.
LOAPI:Youaresodumb, youl
it
eral
lycoul
dhave
got
tenridofmewithoutevendoi
nganythi
ng.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Thenwhowoul
dIf
ightwi
th?
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)See?Dumb.
PILARA:Youar
ewel
come,
Loapi
.Canwegohome
now?
LOSI
KA:Youdor
eal
iseyourhusbandi
saf
ugi
ti
ve
and…
KAEDI :(
laughi
ng)Notnow, negati
veNancy.Forthe
fi
rstt
imei nmyl i
fe,Ij
ustwitnessesmywi ves
hugging.A rar
eeventt hatdeservesacel
ebrati
on.
Shall
wegohome, gir
ls?
Theybothl
aughedasKaediwentoverandshook
theguy’
shandandexchangedphonenumbers,
promisi
nghi
m acompensati
onforhelpi
ngPil
ara.
Theyal
lgoti
nthecaranddr
ovehome.
*
***
***
***
**
MmaLedi
mohadcomebackf
rom vi
sit
ingherai
li
ng
si
ster
.Shewassopi
ssedaboutwhatthemaidtol
d
hermmaKaedihadLer
idotoPil
ara.Poorgi
rl
!
Shehadt akentheki
dsfrom t
hemaidwhohadbeen
watchingthem,asmmaKaedihadr efusedtowat
ch
them aft
erthr
owingPil
araouthadallt
hekidsi
nher
room.
Therewasasof
tknockandshewentt
oopent
o
Kaediandhi
swivesatt
hedoor
.
MMALEDI MO:Oh,youareallok!Ohmychi ldren!
Pilar
a,Iam sosor
ryaboutwhatthatwi t
chputyou
throughinmyabsence.Youhaveat al
kwi t
hyour
mot herKaedi
!Shecan’
ttr
eatherlikethat!Loapi,I
’
m
gladtoseeyoutoo.
KAEDI
:(smi
li
ng)Me?
Shecameoverandpi
nchedhi
sear
.
MMALEDI
MO:Theysayyouescapedpr
ison,
you
i
diot
!
KAEDI
:(l
aughing)Aww, gr
ams!Thathurt
s,gi
rl
!And
Idi
dn’
tescape,Ij
ust
,tookleave…youknow.
Shesmackedhi
m att
hebackofhi
shead.
MMALEDI
MO:Leavemyf
oot
!Youar
eint
roubl
e
Kaedi
.
KAEDI :(laughing)Youwor r
yalot.I
’l
lgoturn
myselfint omor r
ow.Letmeseemyki ds,
thenyou
arewat chingthem fortheni
ght.Thesegir
lsneed
rest
,they’vebeent hroughalot
.
MMALEDI MO:Asl ongasthatrestdoesnotendup
wit
hanotheroneofthese.Mothokeyouot shol
a
okar
ekoko!Twofiveyearolds,t
hreeoneyearolds,
andathr
eemont hold!
BothLoapiandPi
lar
alaughedandcheckedont
he
ki
dstoo,befor
eheadi
ngupstai
rs.
LOAPI
:Ineedal
ooooooongbat
h!
PI
LARA:Tel
lmeabouti
t!Gosh!Whataday!
KAEDI:AndI
’
m gonnashowert oo.I
’
llcomesee
eachofyougir
lsbecauseIknowyouar ebot
hnot
ok…
LOAPI
:Whati
sshenotokabout
!Iwast
heone
who…
KAEDI
:Lol
o…
Hejustshookhi
sheadandshekeptqui
etasPi
lar
a
l
ookeddownwi t
htear
sinhereyes.
PILARA:Losi
kat
oldyou,
didn’
the?I
t’
sther
eason
youescaped?
LOAPI
:Whathappened?
Pil
arasi
ghedandl
ookeddown,
tear
sfal
li
ngt
oher
cheek.
PI
LARA:Iwasr
aped.Byf
ourmen.
LOAPI
:OhmyGod… ohGod!Pi
lar
a,I
’
m sosor
ry.
Shecameoverandhuggedher
.
LOAPI:(
tear
ingup)Kaedi,
youfi
ndthemenwhodi
d
thi
stoher… youfi
ndthem andmakesur
ethei
r
deathi
sslowandpai nf
ul.
KAEDI
:That
’sagi
ven…
LOAPI
:Yougobewi
thher
,I’
l
l…I
’
llbef
ine.
PILARA:Noyouwon’ t… youalmostl
ostyourli
fe
Loapi!Iam t
err
ifi
edandIjustwanttofeelsaf
eright
now…IknowI ’
dfeel
thesamei fIwaskidnappedfor
twoweeksandal mostgotkil
led…
LOAPI
:(sni
ff
li
ng)I
’
llbeok…
PILARA:Ther earet
imestobestr
ongonyourown,
andt i
mest oleanonthosewhocareaboutyou.You
can’ttel
lmeyoudon’twanttobewithhimrightnow
andf eelsaf
e.Come…
Sheheldoutherhandt
oLoapiassheheadedt
o
Kaedi
’
sbedroom.
Lolorel
uctant
lyt
ookherhandandf
oll
owedheri
n
thebedroom.
Kaedicuriousl
ywentaft
erthem asPi
lar
afil
ledup
thelar
gesunkent ubandLoloputint
hebathbombs
andessent i
aloi
lsandwhateverel
seSassyhadfi
led
hisbedroom with.
*
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Pil
arachangedi
ntoherbi
kiniandgoti
nsi
dethet
ub,
thenLol
ocamebacki nabiki
nitooandgoti
n.
Helaughedandjusttookof
fahi
scl
othesandgoti
n
andsatbetweenthem.
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)What
?It
’snotl
ikebot
hofyou
haven’
tseenmenakedbef
ore.
Theybot
hlaughedandeachsnuggl
edt
ohi
m.
KAEDI:Iwannaapologi
estobot
hofyou.Youwent
t
hroughallt
hisshi
tbecauseyouar
einmyl i
fe.I
f…
PILARA:No… t
heonl
yper
sonr
esponsi
blei
sthe
onewhodidthi
s.
LOAPI:Shei
sri
ght
,youar
easmuchavi
cti
m aswe
are.
KAEDI:I
’m heret
oli
sten.I
fyouwannat al
k.Now,or
someothert i
me.Imaynotbeabl etooff
erthehel
p
prof
essi
onalswil
lgi
veyou, butIwantt
osupport
bothofyou.
LOAPI:Wewanttobet
hef
oryout
ooEdi
,butyou
arenotl
ett
ingus…
PI
LARA:Iwasreal
lyhurtwhenyout
oldmethatgir
l
‘
get
syou’
.Like,
I’
dhaveunderst
oodi
fitwasLolo…
whymusti
tbeast r
anger?
KAEDI:(sighi
ng)Ij
ust
…amani shi
swoman’
s
pr
otector.Whatuseam Ii
fIgowaawaat
oy’
all
?
PI
LARA:Kaedi
…
LOAPI :I
fthi
si sgoingt owork,youaregonnahave
totr
ustthatwear ebi ggirl
s.Ingoodtimesandbad
ti
mesmeantj ustthat.Wewannahel pyou.What
happenedwi t
huhm…t hatwholeTatjdrama.Yea,I
fel
tlonelyKaedi.NotbecauseyouhavePi patoo,
butbecauseyouar en’tl
ett
ingmei n.
PILARA:Same… i
t’
slonelytobewi
thsomeonewho
onlywantstobet
hereforyouandneverl
etsyoube
theref
orthem.
KAEDI:(
sighi
ng)myupbr
ingi
ngwashard… aman
i
sexpectedtobeaman.Aprotect
orofhi
swomen
andchil
dren… i
t’
sgoi
ngtobehardtoopenupt
o
youguys.
PI
LARA:Youopenupt
oher
….
KAEDI:(si
ghi
ng)Itwasneveri
ntent
ional
.I… uhm…
Ihavepanicatt
ackssometi
mes.Fiveyearsagoit
happenedandNami ewal
kedin.Shejust… she
madeiteasy,andIhadalotonmymi ndatt het
ime.
Shewasast rangerIdidn’
tthi
nkIwoul
dseeagain.
SoIjustbar
edever yt
hingtoher.Andtheni
tjust
becameeasier.Whyam Italki
ngaboutmysel
f,you
guysneed…
PILARA:I’
drat
hernottal
kaboutme.Nottoday.I
defi
nit
elywoul
dwanttotalkaboutwhathappened.
Justnotri
ghtnow,i
t’
ssti
llt
oorawinmymi nd.
LOAPI:Metoo.Butser i
ouslyKaedi,gi
veusa
chancetotr
yandbet her
ef oryou.Ketsaaker
ewe
havebothacceptedthatyouar epolyandtheother
i
sthereinyourli
fe,r
ightPipa?
PILARA:Yup.Ihavenopr
oblem wi
thyougoi
ngt
o
Lolowhenyouneedashouldertol
eanon.
LOAPI:Meneit
her
.Butgagomonat et
ohaveyour
husbandgoi
ngtosomestrangerf
oremot
ional
support
.Ar
eyouinti
matewithher
?
KAEDI:No.Notevenonce.Not
hingcl
oseto
romanti
c,andIneedyougir
lst
obeli
evethat
becauseit
’st
hetrut
h.
Theybot
hlookedaway,
notbel
ievi
nghi
m
*
***
***
***
***
Kenamileputonherclothesandgr abbedthe
baseballbatKaedihadgivenherbecausehesai
d
sheshoul datl
easthavesomethingt odef
end
hersel
fwi t
hifsheinsi
stedonli
vinginthis
nei
ghbor hood.
Shesl
owl
ywalkedtothewi
ndowwher
eindeed
gl
asswasshat
ter
edin.
Butnoonecamei
n.
Ok,
bizar
re.
Theothert
wogirl
scameout
,onehol
dingaki
tchen
kni
fe,
theotheraspade.
‘
Didyouguysheart
hat
?’
KENAMI LE:I
twasmywindow,
someonebr
okei
t.
ButIt
hinktheyr
anaway.
‘
Maybet heydi
dn’texpectanyonet
obehome.
Thesepettyt
hievesaretoomuch.Comesl
eepin
myr oom.Tonight’
Kenamil
esi
ghedandwenttogetabl
anket,
then
wenttot
heothergi
rl
’sr
oom,r
ememberingmma
Kaedi’
sthr
eat
s.No,
thiswasjustanat
tempt
ed
robber
ybysomepettythi
eve.
*
***
***
**
Kaediwokeupi
nthemor
ningwi
thbot
hhi
sgi
rl
sin
oneit
hersi
deofhi
m.
Hecaref
ull
ymovedt hei
rhandsandgotof fbed,
headi
ngtotheki
tchen.I
twassti
llearl
y,thest af
f
hadnotyetst
art
edmaki ngt
hefamilybreakfast.
Hestart
edmaki ngallt
heirfavor
it
es,l
aughi
ng
thi
nki
ngabouthowSar onamadehi mtakeallt
hose
cooki
ngclasses,because‘Youneedtoknowhowt o
cookincaseofazombi eapocalypseKaedi
’.
He’dquietenjoyeditandstart
edtaki
nglessons
f
rom privatechefsasapast i
mewhenhewas
workingint hesi
li
coneval
ley.Thathi
sfamilyand
wivesbelievedhecouldn’
tcookwasf unny.
RancherosforLol
o,poachedeggonavocadot oast
forPi
pa,pancakesforboth.Fruitsal
adforboth.
Peppermintteaf
orPil
ara,ArabiancoffeeforLoapi
.
Yup,hedidknowhisgirl
sl i
kethat.
Losi
kawal
kedi
nwhi
lehewasst
il
lcooki
ng.
Losikali
vedathisownplacealone,andonl ycame
heresomet i
mes.Andwhenhewasher e,healways
wokeupear li
ersohewouldeathisbreakfastbefore
thehouseawoke, ‘
sohedi
dn’thavetointeractwith
them unnecessar
il
y’
,hi
swords.
Theguykeptt ohimselfsomucht hattheonlythi
ng
theyreall
yknewabouthi m wasthathisnamewas
Losika.Onrareoccasi
onsheshowedupf or
breakfast
,hespenttheenti
retimelookingathis
phone.Theyhadal ll
eanttojustl
eavehi m al
one.
Hewal kedi
nholdi
nghi
stshir
tinhand,andKaedi
gaspedseei
ngthescar
sthatmarkedbothhi
s
chestandback
Losi
kaqui
ckl
yputhi
stshi
rton.
Comet ot
hinkofit
,theguyalwayskepthi
sbody
cover
ed.Kaedihadneverseenhim wi
thoutat
-shi
rt
on.Theycoul
dbewor kingout,
KaediandWetsho
wouldbetopl
essandhe’ dnevert
akethetshi
rtof
f.
NowKaedigotwhy.
KAEDI
:Shi
t.Howdi
dyougett
hose?
LOSI
KA:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngupt
hisear
ly?
Ok,
theevadet
hequest
iont
hen.Typi
calLosi
ka.
KAEDI
:(si
ghing)Iwant
edt
othankyou.Forhel
ping
mygir
lsout.
LOSI
KA:Sur
e…
KAEDI
:CanIgi
veyouahug?
LOSI
KA:(
laughi
ng)f
ag
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Ser
iousl
y.Iwantt
ogi
veyoua
hug
LOSI
KA:Fuckof
fEdi
,youknowIhat
ehuman
cont
act
.
KAEDI:Howdoyouevenhavesexwhenyouhate
humancontact
?Surel
yyougott
ahavealotof
touchi
ngandshit
.
LOSI
KA:Youwantabi r
dsandbeestal
k?Istickmy
di
ckonpussy,whathastouchi
nggott
odowi t
hit
?
What
’sal
lthi
sshitt
housandquest
ionstoday?
KAEDI:Los,youar
emybabybrother
.Iwor
ryabout
you.Iwantyoutobeok.Andyouarenot
.Ifnotme
orWetsho,pl
easeatl
eastgoseeaprofessi
onal
.It
’s
beent
enyear ssi
nceyouweretakenandyoujust
camebackchanged… whathappenedoutther
e?
Whatdidtheydotoyou?
LOSI
KA:Fuck.Of
f.
Hegrabbedaplat
eofpancakesandaboxofappl
e
j
uice,
thenret
reat
edbacktohisbedr
oom.
Kaedisighedandmademor
efood,
thent
ooki
t
upst
airstohiswives.
Lol
owasj ustwaki
ngupandPi
lar
ast
ir
redt
oowhen
shehear
dhi svoi
ce.
LOAPI:God,
thatsmell
ssogood!Aftert
woweeks
ofl
ivi
ngonslicesofwhi
tebreadandwater
!I
ser
iousl
ycouldmurderagoodmeal.
PILARA:Kaedi
,don’
ttel
lmeyouwoket
hest
affup
thi
searl
ytomakebreakfast
.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Whydopeopl
ethi
nkIcan’
tcook?
Imadei
t.
Hesetabedtabl
einfr
ontofeachoft
hem wi
tht
hei
r
f
oodandwatchedthem smi
li
ngastheyat
e.
*
***
***
***
*
Afterbr
eakf
ast
, eachoft hegirl
swentt otheirroom,
theycamedownandf oundKaedif eedi
ngt hekids.
BebeandKaiwer ei
nt heirboosterseat
seat i
ngt hei
r
pancakesandor angejuice,whil
et hetr
iointheir
babychair
sasKaedif edt hem porri
dge,andReah
i
nherbouncer,sleeping.
Theol
derki
dsr
ant
oLol
oandhuggedher
.
MBEWU:Mama!AuntyPipasaidyouwenttoseea
f
ri
endandwerecomingback.Whydidyougof orso
l
ong!AnddaddywasgoneandthenauntyPipaleft
t
oo.
LOAPI:(
huggingher)Imi
ssedyoutoopr
incess
Bebe.Andthechi
ef!Youhavegrownsobig,your
majest
y!
Shepi
ckedhi
m upandki
ssedhi
m.
KAI
:Ithoughtyouwer
egonef
orever
.Li
keshewas
l
astt
ime.
Pi
lar
alookeddownsadl
y.
LOAPI
:Wel
l,
chi
ef.For
evermeansyounevercome
back,
andbot
hofusar
ebackher
e,ar
en’
twe?
MBEWU:Daddy,what
’spr
ison?Ihear
dteacherat
schoolt
alki
ngt
oanot
hert
eachersayi
ngyouwent
topri
son.
KAEDI
:I… uhm… wel
l…
PILARA:(laughi
ng)Pr
isoniswheresomepeople
havetogosomet imesift
heywerebad.Li
ketimeout
,
foradul
ts.Butdaddywasn’tbad,
theyj
ustthought
hewas.
Kaedismiledashewat chedt hem withtheki
ds.
Reahwasst il
lsleeping, soPilarahelpedfeedoneof
thetr
ioasLoapif eedt heot hertwo,Mbewuaski ng
athousandquest i
ons, whi l
eKaiat ehisfoodquiet
ly
asusual.Lord,couldthi sbef orever
!Thispeace,
he’dt
radeallhismoneyf orit
.
Theolderki
dswereall
owedtoski
pschool
,andt
hey
al
lspentthedayathomeplayi
ngboardgamesand
j
usthavingfami
lyti
me.
*
***
***
***
*
I
ntheeveni
ngKaediwentt
otur
nhi
msel
fin.
Pi
lar
awasseati
nginherbedroom t
ryi
ngnott
ocr
y
whenLol
oknockedandwalkedin.
LOAPI
:Ar
eyouok?
PI
LARA:(
sobbi
ng)No
LOAPI:Youknow,Ir
ememberabr aveli
tt
legi
rlwho
didn’
tletsomemeanbi
tchki
llherspi
ri
twhent hey
tr
iedtoridi
cul
eherf
orherdr
ess.
Pi
lar
awi
pedt
ear
swi
thasmal
lsmi
le.
LOAPI:Sit
ti
ngher eandcryi
ngabouti
tmakesyoua
vi
cti
m, Pi
lara.Andther
eissomethi
ngpassi
veabout
vi
cti
mst hatIjustdon’
tli
ke.
PI
LARA:Iam avi
cti
m Loapi
!Igotr
aped!
LOAPI:Yea… andyoucanl etthatdefineyou.Or
youcanchooset obeasur vi
vorinstead.Dowhat
youneedtodot ofixyour
self.Butneverletitmake
youavicti
m.That’swhatI’
m doing.ThenI ’
llget
even.
PI
LARA:Kaediwi
llhandl
ethosepeopl
ewho…
LOAPI:Yes,
butther
easonallt
hishappenedis
becausesomebodyhasbeenplayi
ngusl i
ke
puppet
s.Andi
t’
ssomeonei
nthi
sfami
ly.
PI
LARA:Huh?
LOAPI :ThatdaywhenIr an, Iwentst
rai
ghtt
omy
house, Iwaspanicked.AllofasuddenIwashi twi
th
somet hingatthebackofmyheadandwokeupi n
thatroom chainedtobed.Someonesawmel eave
offi
ce.Andt heyknewwher eIwasheaded.
Someonehear dyoutalktoKaediandal l
.Someone
switchedtheclothestoimpl i
cateKaedi
.Someone
i
nt hishouseismessi ngwi t
hus.
PI
LARA:Butwho?Hi
suncl
es?
LOAPI
:Maybe.ButIhaveat
heor
ythatyoushoul
d
keepf
rom Kaedif
ornow.
PI
LARA:Ok?
LOAPI:Kaedital
kedtomeaboutcut t
ingpeopleof
f
fi
nanci
allybecausether
eisalotofwastage.Hi
s
mom willloseherbl
ackcard.
PILARA:Thewomani
sevi
l,
butt
ofr
ameherown
sonformurder
?
LOAPI
:Idon’
twantt
obel
ievei
tei
ther
.Buthi
s
uncleswouldhavegonest r
aighttokil
li
ngmeand
framingKaedii
mmedi atel
y…Whykeepmeal ivef
or
twoweeks?Whatwast hehesitat
ion?Shei snota
coldbloodedmurdererl
ikeKaedi’
suncles, so
maybeshehesi t
ated.Imean,shedoesl ikeme.
PI
LARA:Eventhen,
Idon’
tthi
nkshecansetherson
upformur
der.
LOAPI:Iam pr obablywrong.Itjustdoesn’tmake
sensetomet hattheuncleswoul dkeepmeal ive
whentheycoul dhavegottenridofKaedi
i
mmedi ately.Thesear et
hepeopl ewhohi reda
hit
manonhi m.Whynotdoi t?Butyouar eright,
mmaKaedimi ghtbecold,butshedoessor tofcare
aboutherchi l
dren.Sheismor ebl ackmai
l,
manipulati
onandt hreat
s…
PI
LARA:I
t’
sal
lsoconf
usi
ng.
LOAPI :Butonet hi
ngIknowf orsureisthatKaedi
rebuil
tallthiswhenitwassi nking.I
t’
sourkids’
l
egacyPi lara.AndIwi l
lbedamnedi nIl
etanyone
stealfrom mychi l
dren.I
’m gonnaf i
ndoutwhoi s
doingt hi
sandmaket hem pay.Iknowt hat’
snot
yourst
yle…
PILARA:No,I
’m wi
thyouthist
ime.Now,
let
sgoget
ourhusbandoutofthatpl
ace,
Ihaveapl
an.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
LoapiandPil
arawalkedintothepol
icest
ati
onand
askedtoseethedetecti
vewhohadbeenl ooki
ng
i
ntoLoapi’
sdisappearance.
DETECTI
VE:Hi
,I
’m det
ect
iveLegacyMont
he… wow,
MrsLedi
mo.Youare…
LOAPI :Ali
ve.Nothankstoyoupeople.Allyoudoi
s
arr
estmydevast atedhusbandduri
ngsucha
dif
fi
cul tt
ime!Hewasnott heonewhot ookme!I
wil
lleadyout othehouseIwasheldatanddescr i
be
themenwhot ookme.Myhusbandi si nnocent
.
DETECTI
VE:Uhm… ok, well,t
henhecanbeclear
ed
oft
hecharges.Buthesti
llescapedpr
ison,
and
t
hat
’saf
elony…
PILARA:Whatwashesupposedt odowhent he
guardsbeathi
m upsimpl yforbei
ngKaediLedi
mo?
Threeguardsbeathim up,l
ockedhiminsoli
tar
y,
andthreat
enedhim sayinghewon’tmakeitthr
ough
thenight
.
LOAPI
:Kaedii
safather
,al
lhethoughtaboutwas
bei
ngki
ll
edandleavi
nghiski
ds.So,yea.Heran.
PILARA:Butgoonandchar gehi m withwhatever
escapingpr i
son.Hi sescapeisami sdemeanourat
best,
consi deri
nghi swrongfularr
estandgr oss
abusebyt hewar dens.Yup,al
readytalkedtoour
l
awyer .Also,wear esuingthestatefort heabuse
hesufferedwhi l
el ockedup,defamation,and
assaultbywar dens.Wecangett hebestl awyer
s
moneycanbuy, soyouknowwewi l
lwi n.
DETECTI
VE:Ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
othr
eat
enme?
LOAPI:Thr
eaten?Kaediisapubl i
cdarli
ng.Peopl
e
l
ovehim.Thebenevol entpart
yboywhopr ovides
j
obsfortenthousandBat swana.Grossl
yabusedby
thest
atesi
mpl yforbeingbornpri
vil
eged.Thestate
i
sgonnabel ooki
ngforascapegoat
.Andwhodo
youthi
nkit
’sgonnabe?Somei r
rel
evantl
it
tl
epr
ison
wardensandadetecti
veper
haps?
PILARA:Kaediisget
tingoutoft hiseit
herway.You
al
readyknowt hat
.It
’supt oyout ochoosehowt hat
willi
mpactyou.Wecanal lwalkawayf rom t
his
ri
ghtnow,nolawsuit
, nothing…oryoucanr efuseto
l
ethim go,t
henwesue, andl oseyourjob.
DETECTI
VE:Yout
hinkI
’
m scar
edofabunchofgi
rl
s?
PILARA:Gosh, no!Whywoul dwewantt oscareyou?
Wear etryingtowor kwi t
hyou.Thisiswhatyouar e
gonnado.Youar egonnaputoutapr essr el
easeI
willhandyou, sayingitwasami sunderstandi
ng
withthepr isonsystem.Kaedididn’tescape.You
l
egal l
yreleasedhi mtohelpyouwi t
ht he
i
nvest i
gations,whichledtofi
ndingLoapiLedi mo.
Andhei shel pingwiththeapprehendingofthe
thugswhohadki dnappedher.
LEGACY:No.Anyt
hingel
se?
LOAPI:List
en,det
ecti
ve.Wearet
ryi
ngtoworkwit
h
youhere.Pil
arahere,
sheist
hegoodone.NnaI’
l
l
justblackmailyouwi t
ht hatl
itt
lefavouryoupulled
foryourwi f
e’sbrother
.Kaedii sleavingherewit
his
today.OrthatinformationhitsFacebook.Andmy
sishere,special
isesinbot hpublicrelat
ionsand
socialmedia.Sheknowshowt omaket hingsgo
viral
.
PILARA:Isupposenowyouwi l
ltakethatpress
rel
ease?Here.Youcankeepthependr i
ve.Thank
youdetect
ive,you’
vebeensohelpful
,now,goget
kaedipl
ease.
*
***
***
***
*
Inthemorni
ngKaediwal
kedint
ohisoffi
ceashis
unclet
ri
edtoaut
hori
sealar
gefinanci
alt
ransect
ion.
KAEDI:Tr
ansact
iondeni
ed.Andyouar
eonmy
chai
r.
UNCLE:(sur
pri
sed)Motl
ogol
o…youareout?How
did.
.Imean… anyway,
Ihavebeenmeani
ngto
comeseeyou.
KAEDI:Ibet
.Now,getoutofmyoff
ice.Ihavetofi
x
whatevermessIam sur
eyoumadei nthelastf
ew
days.Andmakesureyouareatt
hef amil
ymeet i
ng
i
nSaturday.Ij
ustcal
leditont
hef
ami
lyWhat
sApp
gr
oup,andit’
smandat or
y.
*
***
***
**
Pi
lar
aar
ri
vedhomef
rom hert
her
api
st.
Assheheadedupst
air
s,shesawLosi
kawal
king
i
ntohi
sbedroom.
Shethoughtabouttheli
ttl
ehetoldherthatdayat
thehospi
tal
,andsighed,walki
ngtohisdoor .
Somebodyhadt otryreachouttohim,notjustgi
ve
uponhiml i
kehisfamilyhad.
Sheknockedsof
tl
y.
PI
LARA:Losika,
Iknowyouarei
nther
e.Pl
ease,
can
It
alkt
ofor?Justforami
nut
e?
LOSI
KA:Nope
PI
LARA:Pl
ease?
Shehear
dal
oudl
ysi
ghbef
oret
hedooropened.
LOSI
KA:What
?
PILARA:Iwantedtothankyou.Forcomi
ngforme
theotherday…ifyouhadn’
t… whoknows…
LOSI
KA:Cool
.Bye.
PILARA:Wai
t…I
… Ij
ustcamef
rom seei
nga
ther
api
st.
LOSI
KA:Congr
atul
ati
ons?
PI
LARA:It
houghtmaybeyoucoul
d…
LOSIKA:Pil
ara,don’
ttr
ytosaveme.I’minadark,
dar
k,placethatsweetnaï
veli
ttl
egir
lsl
ikeyouhave
nobusinesstryi
ngtonavi
gate.Besi
de… Il
iket
he
dar
kness.
Heshutt
hedooronherfaceandt
urnedmusi
cup
t
odrownherknocki
ng.
Shesi
ghedandfinal
lywalkedupst
air
s.Shehadto
savet
hepoorguy,hesavedheraft
erall
.Todayshe
wasgoingt
oprayforhim.
*
***
***
***
**
OnSaturdayt
heLedimofamil
ygat
heredi
nthe
companyconfer
encehal
lforameet
ingKaedihad
cal
led.
Hesatattheheadoft
het
abl
e,wi
thhi
swi
veson
ei
thersi
de.
KAEDI
:I’
m gl
adyouareal
lher
e.Incl
udi
ngt
hose
whocoul
donlychecki
nbySkype.
UNCLE:Whati
sthi
sabout
,wehavet
hingsweneed
t
odo.
KAEDI :Okthen.Well
,basicall
y,t
hereisaboutt obe
bigchangesinthefamily.Fi
rstofall
.Iunderstand
therewasagr ossabuseofmywi fei
nmyabsence.
Thatwi l
lnotgounnoti
ced.Ont hatnote,mymot her
willbemovingtooneoft hefamilypropert
ies
becausesher ef
usestoliveinpeacewi t
hmywi fe.
MMAKAEDI :Excuseme?Rr
aLeat
il
e,youcan’
t
al
lowt
his!
LEDIMO:Nope, don’
tbri
ngmei ntothis.Ihave
rel
inqui
shedallandeverypower,heisf amilyl
eader
.
Andwhatyoudi dtoPil
arawasj ustterr
ible.Bot
h
youandLeri.
MMAKAEDI:Edi,
myboy,youcan’
tdot
his!Youar
e
ki
cki
ngmeoutforsomegi
rl?
KAEDI
:No,formywi fe.AndI’
mjustrel
ocati
ngyou.
Youwi
llhaveyourmaidandeveryt
hing.Moving
for
war
d,Iknowallofyourecei
veafamilyal
lowance
oncompanyexpense.Sincemostofyoual ready
haveasalar
y,t
hatstopsexceptforthosewhohave
noincomeandneedi t
.Allper
sonalcardscharged
tothecompanyhavebeencancel l
edeffect
ivethis
mor ni
ng,
yourexpensescomef r
om yourpacket .
UNCLE:Youcan’
tbeser
ious.
KAEDI
:I’
m af
rai
dIam.
UNCLE:Youcan’
tjustcutoural
lowances!Wehave
bi
ll
stopayand..
KAEDI
:Youhavesal
ari
es.Theycanpaybi
ll
stoo.
AUNT:Ntate,
youcan’
tlethi
m dot
his!Do
somet
hing!Hecan’
t!
LEDIMO:Iam onl y76yearsol d,
foral lIknow, Imay
sti
llhavetwent yyearsinthi
sear th,andI ’
dliketo
l
iveever ysingledayofthoseyear sasr i
chasI
alwaysbeen, orevenmor e.Kaedii stheonl yoneI
tr
usttokeepi tthatwayhere.Sowhat everhesays
weneedt odo, Iagreewit
hhi m.Besi des,the
dossierher eshowsagener ousamountf ormy
all
owanceasIam r et
ir
edandhavenosal ary,nna
I’
m sorted,sodon’ tmakeyourpr oblemsmi ne
(l
aughing)Hei
sfamilyleader
.Ont hatnot
e,doyou
sti
llneedmeforanyt
hingKaedi?Ihavedri
nkswith
thesegirl
s…
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Youar
edi
sgust
ing.Butyoucan
go.
Ledimopi
ckeduphi sphoneandwalkedoutas
mmaLedimoj ustshookherhead,
noteven
bother
ed.
UNCLE:Youcan’
tdot
hisKaedi
.Youcan’
tcutour
al
lowances!
KAEDI
:Can.Di
d.
UNCLE:Nxla,youthinkyouar
eamannow,boy?
Mshimane!Don’ttr
yandmesswit
hme,youare
goi
ngtoregretit
.
KAEDI
:Rangwane,I’
m notscar
edofyou,especi
all
y
si
nceyouhi
redthathit
manonme.Showedmeyou
ar
eacoward.Arealmandoest hej
obhimself.
Thefami
lyyelledandscr
eamedateachotherabout
moneyast heyreadt
hedossi
er,
manythreatsand
i
nsul
tsfl
yingintheair
.
Asthecommot i
onwentonwi t
hever yoneshoving
thedossieronKaedi
’sfaceandyell
inghowunf airi
t
was,Pilar
alookedatLosikawhosatunbot her
ed,on
hisphone.Shewentovert ohi
m andl ookedoverhis
shoulder.
PI
LARA:What
’st
hat
?
LOSI
KA:Youar
eir
ri
tat
ing.
PI
LARA:Jeez,
Iwasj
ustaski
ng.
LOSI
KA:(si
ghing)Code… I
’
mt ight
eni
ngt
he
companycybersecur
it
ysystem.
PILARA:Int
erest
ing.So,
aboutthatt
herapist.Sheis
real
lygoodandnotpushy.Butyoucanal sot al
kto
mef i
rsti
fyouarenotcomfort
ablewithat herapi
st,
I
…
LOSIKA:Canyougofindsomeoneel
set
ochatt
o?
It
’snotper
sonal
,Ij
usthatet
alki
ngt
opeopl
e.
PI
LARA:Idi
dn’
taskyout
orespond.Youcoul
dhave
j
usti
gnor
edme.
LOSI
KA:Ok
Heputonhi
sheadset
sandwentbackt
ohi
sphone.
PI
LARA:That
’sr
ude.
LOSI
KA:Anddeser
ves.Youar
ebot
her
ingme.
Hesai
dwi
thasmal
lchuckl
e.
PI
LARA:(
laughing)OhmyGod,di
dyouj
ustsmi
le?
Wow!Idi
dn’tt
hinkyouwer
ecapabl
e!
Helaughedalit
tl
eandwentbackt
owhathewas
doi
ng,ignor
ingher.
Event
uall
yPi
lar
asi
ghedandwal
kedaway
wonderi
nghowshecoul
dhel
phi
m.
Gosh,howdoyousavesomeonewhodi
dn’
twantt
o
besaved?
*
***
***
**
Kaedifi
nall
yleftof
fi
cewhent hecr
owdhad
di
spersed.Hewassot i
redanddi
dn’twanttodeal
wit
hthem rightnow.BothLol
oandPi l
arawant
edto
bondwiththekids.
Hedroveoffandpar
kedinfr
ontofKenamil
e’
sdoor
,
not
ici
ngthebrokenwindowi
mmediatel
y.
KAEDI
:(pani
cked)Nami
e?OhmyGod!Kenami
le?
Pl
easebeok,
please…
Kenami
lecamet
oopent
hedoor
.
KENAMI
LE:Gosh,br
eakthedoor
,whydon’
tyou…
ohmyGod,Edi
!Youareout!
Shehuggedhi
m exci
tedl
y.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Can’
tkeepagoodmandown.
KENAMI
LE:(
laughi
ng)Whosai
dyouar
eagood
man.
KAEDI:(
imit
ati
ngher
)‘Kaedi
,youar
eagoodguy,
I
wishyouknewit’
KENAMI
LE:(
laughi
ng)Idon’
tevensoundl
iket
hat
.
Hewentovert
hewi
ndowandi
nspect
edi
t.
KAEDI
:Whathappenedher
eKenami
le?
KENAMI LE:Oh,somepet
tyt
hieves.Theythr
ewa
stoneatmywi ndow,
butt
henranof fwhenthey
real
isedIwashome.
KAEDI
:Ar
eyousur
eitwast
hieves?Imean…
KENAMI
LE:Iam.Don’
treadt
oomuchi
ntoi
t.
KAEDI
:Peoplear
eaft
ermeNamie,andt
heyar
e
doi
ngi
tthrought
hoseIcar
eabout
.
KENAMI
LE:That
’snoti
t.
KAEDI
:St
il
l,
youar
enotst
ayi
ngher
eanymor
e.
Amessagecamethroughherphoneandshepi
cked
i
tup,
giggl
ingassheread.
KAEDI
:Shar
ethej
oke?
KENAMILE:(l
aughing)Justt
hisguywhogavemea
ri
deear
li
er.Hejustsentmethisfunnymeme.
Shet ur
nedthephonetohim andhepani
cked,
seeingthenamethemessagewasf r
om.God,no,
please!HowdidtheyevenknowaboutKenamil
e?
KAEDI
:Youknowhi
m?
KENAMILE:No,Iwaswal
kingf
rom chur
chandhe
gavemear i
de.
KAEDI
:Whatt
hehel
l?Yougoti
nsomest
ranger
’s
car
?
KENAMI
LE:Woul
dyour
elax?I
twasj
ustaguy.
KAEDI
:Coul
dbesentbywhoeverki
dnappedmy
wi
feandt
ri
edt
oki
llher
!
KENAMILE:Notever
ythi
ngisaboutyouKaedi
!
Vuyoi
sjustaguywhol i
kesme.
KAEDI:Heistr
yingt
ouseyout
ogett
ome.Ican’
t
haveanyt
hinghappeni
ngt
oyouNamie.
KRNAMILE:Notever
ythi
ngisaboutyouKaedi
!Ar
e
yousayi
ngamancan’ tj
ustl
ikeme?
KAEDI:Tr
ustme,amancanmoret
hanjustl
ikeyou.
Butt
heassholeyouar
echat
ti
ngwi
thdoesn’
t.
KENAMI
LE:(
yel
li
ng)Andhowdoyouknowt
hat
!
KAEDI
:Int
uit
ion.
Hedidn’
twanttoscar
eherbytel
li
ngheraVuyohe
knewwasacoldbloodedki
ll
er,
justi
ncaset
hiswas
atot
all
ydif
fer
entVuyo.
Buti
sseemedt
oomuchofacoi
nci
dence
Thephoner
angandKaedisnat
chedi
t,seei
ngt
he
cal
ledI
DwasVuyo.
KAEDI:Hi
,Vuyo.Thisi
sKaediLedi
mo, butyou
al
readyknowthat,
don’tyou?I
fyouevercallort
alk
t
oKenami
leagai
n,Iwi
llf
indyou,
andIwi
llki
llyou.
Hehungupandbl
ockedhi
m.
Kenami
lesl
appedhi
m har
dacr
osst
hef
ace.
KENAMI LE:Youar
eanasshol
e!Getoutofmy
house.
KAEDI:Nope.Hatemei fyouhaveto.Fi
rstofal
l,
the
nameVuyoi sfamil
iartome,andtheVuyoIknowi s
notoneofthegoodguys.Secondlyyounol onger
stayher
e,i
t’
snotsaf e.
Hemadeacal
l.
KAEDI:Hey,
Ther
o.I’
m comingovertobr
ing
someonetogeti
nthatbachel
orpad.Sur
e.Bye.
KAEDI :ThatguyIjustspoketoisafri
endgoing
throughar oughti
me, soheandhiswi f
eli
veinone
ofmypr oper
ti
esinAreaAi nFranci
stown.Therei
s
anempt ybachelorpadt her
eandyouar emoving
there.
KENAMI
LE:Thehel
lIam.
KAEDI
:I’
lldr
agyourstubbor
nassther
eifIhavet
o.
Somebodyalreadymadeawarningshott
owards
you.Twopeopl eIal
readycareaboutwerealr
eady
hurt
,Ialmostlostt
hem both.I’
m notl
osi
ngyou.
Youwi l
lbesafewithTherointhesameyard.There
i
sabedt her
e,packanovernightbagandtakesome
bedding.
KENAMI
LE:No.
KAEDI
:Thehar
dwayt
hen.
Hest r
ippedthebeddingf rom thebedandt hen
shoveditwitnsomeofhercl othesinabag,then
pickedupsomet oil
etri
esasKenami letr
iedtopush
him away.Thenhej ustwentandt hr
ewt hebagin
hiscarandcamebackf orher.Helaughedwhent he
doorwasl ocked,
thent ookoutaSwi sskni
feand
pickedit
.
KAEDI
:Locki
ngt
hedoor
?Cut
e.
KENAMI LE:I
’
m notgoi
nganywher
e.I
’
llcal
lyour
wivesandtel
lthem…
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Youwantthei
rnumbers?Getin
t
hedamncar,Kenami
le.Youhavethr
eeseconds.
Whenshedi
dn’
tmove,
hepi
ckedherupandcar
ri
ed
hertothethepassengerseatofhiscar,put
ti
ngon
herseatbel
tforherandchil
dlockingthedoor
beforel
ockingherroom andgett
inginthecarand
dri
vingoff.
KENAMI
LE:Ihat
eyou.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Noyoudon’
t.Youar
ejustmadat
me.
KENAMI
LE:Thi
sisnotf
airKaedi
.Idon’
tneedyour
hel
p.
KAEDI
:Namie,
ifIwasi
ndanger
,woul
dn’
tyoudo
somet
hingt
ogetmeoutifi
t?
KENAMI
LE:Ofcour
seIwi
ll
,but
…
KAEDI
:Nobut
s,I
’
m doi
ngt
hesamet
hing.Her
ewe
ar
e.
Hewenttogett
hekeyandopenedt
hebachel
orpad
att
heback.
KAEDI:Yournewhome.We’
l
lgogett
her
estofyour
t
hingstomorrow.
KENAMI
LE:Youar
eanasshol
e.
KAEDI:(l
aughi
ng)SoI’
vebeentol
d.Herei
syour
key.NowyoucangogetSedi.Therei
saprimar
y
schoolnotsof
arfrom her
e.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
I
ntheeveningPilar
asatint
heli
vingr
oom wi
th
Reah.Sheputthesleepi
ngbabyi
nhercar
rycotand
wenttotheki
tchentogetadri
nk.
Kaediwal
kedi
nandki
ssedherneck.
KAEDI
:Howdi
dthesessi
ongowi
tht
het
her
api
st?
PILARA:Notbad,
it’
sst
il
lhar
dtoeven…canwenot
tal
kabouti
t?Whereareyoufr
om?
KAEDI
:IwenttocheckonNami
e,t
her
ewasabr
eak
i
natherhouse.
PI
LARA:Ebi
leol
epodi
semal
atsia?
KAESI:Pi
pa,
someonei soutf
orme, andtheyhave
al
readycomeforLoapiandyou… don’tyout
hink
t
heywi
llgoaf
terNami
etoo?
PI
LARA:Mxi
m!Ebi
leshehasani
ckname?
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)YouareupsetIcal
lherwi
tha
ni
ckname?Hei!Women!IswearI’l
lnever
under
standthi
sgender
.
PI
LARA:Ah,
legal
e…
KAEDI:Comeon,mmaLedi
mo.IswearNamieis
myfri
end.Youcancomewi
thmewhenIvisi
ther.
PI
LARA:MaybeIwi
l
l.
KAEDI
:Anyway,
Ifoundt
hoseguyswho… whatdo
youwantmetodo.
PILARA:Whateveryouwant
.Isai
dIdon’
twanna
tal
kabouti
t.
KAEDI
:Howaboutdi
nnerwi
thmeonSat
urday?
Hepul
ledhercl
oserandki
ssedher
.
KAEDI
:Loapihasagr
eedt
owat
cht
heki
ds
Reahstar
tedcr
yingandt
heybot
hrant
owar
dst
he
l
ivi
ngroom.
*
***
***
**
Losi
kawal
kedi
ntothel
ivi
ngr
oom j
ustwhenbaby
Reahst
art
edcr
ying.
LOSI
KA:Pi
lar
a?Pi
lar
a,t
hebabyi
scr
ying!
Nobodycameandhel
ookedar
ound.
LOSI
KA:Lol
o?Edi?Damni tt
hebabyiscr
ying!G’
ma?
Comeonnnn,youguys.Cansomeonegether!
Nobodyst
il
lcame.
LOSI
KA:Si
ri
,howdoIst
opababyf
rom cr
ying.
Hel
ist
enedt
othesear
chr
esul
t.
LOSI
KA:Pi
cki
tup… ok.Howt
hehel
ldoIdot
hat
?
Si
ri
,howdoapi
ckababyup?
Avideocameupandhewat chedi
t,t
henhe
caref
ullypickedReahupandputheronhis
shoulder,
pat t
ingherl
it
tl
ebacksof
tl
y.
LOSIKA:I
’
m supposedtosingforyou.Ok,
Imust
knowsomelull
aby… ok… heregoes.
hushl
it
tl
ebaby,don'
tyoucry,
ever
ythi
ng’
s
gonnabealr
ight
.Andifyouaskmeto,uncl
e’
s
gonnabuyyouamocki
ngbi
rd
I
'
mmagi
veyout
hewor
ld
I
'
mmabuyadi
amondr
ingf
oryou
I
'
mmasi
ngf
oryou
I
'
lldoanyt
hingf
oryout
oseeyousmi
le
Andift
hatmocki
ngbi
rddon'
tsi
ngandt
hatr
ing
don'
tshi
ne
I
'
mmabr
eakt
hatbi
rdi
esneck
I
'
llgobackt
othej
ewel
lerwhosol
ditt
oya
Andmakehim eatever
ycar
at,
don'
tfuckwi
th
Reah’
suncl
e’
*
***
***
***
KaediandPil
arawereaboutt
orunint
othelivi
ng
room whenPil
arast
oppedandheldKaediback.
PI
LARA:(
whi
sper
ing)Wai
t…l
et’
sseewhathedoes.
KAEDI:Mychildisnotanexper
imentPi
lar
a,heis
aski
ngSir
iwhatt odo.Doyouwantsomeonewho
hastoaskfuckingSir
ihowtoholdababypicki
ng
upyourchi
ld?
PI
LARA:Wegot tahel
phim somehow… hel
phim
l
earntoconnectwi
thpeopl
e.Andwhatabetter
st
artt
hanababy.OhmyGod, hei
spicki
ngherup…
KAEDI:Wow…wow,hei
shol
dingher!That
’s
act
uall
ygreat
…wai
twhat
?HeissingingEminem t
o
ababy!
Theybot
hlaughedandwal
kedi
nhol
dinghands.
LOSIKA:Shewascrying… IswearIpi
ckedherup
car
eful
ly.If
oll
owedthevideoand…CheckifIdidn’
t
hur
ther… sheissosmall… butIwascaref
uland…
KAEDI
:Br
o… weknow…
PILARA:Wesaw,youwer eexcel
lent
.Sheisl
uckyto
haveyouasanuncle.Look,youputhert
osleep.
Kaedit
ookt
hesl
eepi
ngReahandputherbacki
n
hercot
.
LOSI
KA:Wel
lthen… got
tago…
Her
anupst
air
sasKaedil
ookedathi
m sadl
y.
KAEDI
:Anyhumancont
actmakeshi
m ver
y
uncomfort
able.Iam surpr
isedhecarr
iedherfor
thatl
ong.Kegor ewhotookmybabybr ot
herand
whatthehelldi
dt heydotohim whenhewasgone?
PILARA:(
sadl
y)Heissodeeplybr
okenIdon’
tknow
howtoevenstar
thel
pinghim.Maybetheki
ds.
Spendi
ngtimewit
hthem coul
dhelphi
m.
*
***
***
***
I
nthemorningKenami
lewokeupt
oaknock.She
r
ubbedhereyesandwentt
oopenforKaedi
.
KENAMI
LE:Mxi
m.
Shetr
iedt
ocloset
hedooronhi
sface.Kaedi
l
aughedandputhi
sbootbet
weenthedoorandt
he
fr
ame.
KAEDI:(l
aughi
ng)Nicet
oseeyout
oo,
grumpy.I
broughtbr
eakf
ast.Andavant
ogocol
lectyour
thi
ngs.
Kenami
let
ookt
hef
oodandsatont
hebedeat
ing.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Notgonnagi
vemesome?
KENAMI
LE:I
’
m hopi
ngyou’
l
lst
arve.
KAEDI:(l
aughi
ng)Br ut
al.Nami
ethemmaI’m sor
ry
forbei
nginsi
stent,
butVuyoisnotagoodguy.I
confi
rmedthatit
’stheVuyoIknow.
KENAMI
LE:St
il
l,
youdi
srespect
edmywi
shes.
KAEDI:IwishIcoul
dsayI’m sor
ry,butI
’
dbelyi
ng.
I
’m notsor
ryyoursafet
ymatterstome.Ibr
oughta
t
ruck,l
et’
sgotakeyourstuf
f.
KENAMI
LE:Myl
andl
ordwi
ll
…
KAEDI
:Wewi
llpayherf
ort
henextmont
h.Let
’sgo.
Shesighedandgoti nthecar .Shedidn’
thavemuch,
sotheyquicklygotherstuffandKaedihelpedher
ar
rangeit,
thent heydrovetoherhomevi ll
ageand
wenttoSedi’sschooltotransferher
.
Befor
eluncht
imetheywereabl
etodr
opbyt
henew
schoolt
ocomplet
ethetr
ansfer
.
Kenami l
esmiledasshel ookedattr
acksuitswhile
KaediandSediarguedaboutuni for
ml ength.He
hadbecomesuchaf atherfigur
einherlifesince…
well
,sinceNana’spassing.Healwayst ookherto
hertherapysessi
onandal unchofherchoosing
af
tert
hat.Asmuchasshewast her
eforKaedi
emoti
onall
y,t
hemanwast her
eforhert
oo.He
madethi
ssinglepar
ent
ingthi
ngsomucheasier.
SEDI
:Mama,canyoutelluncl
eEdit
hatnoone
wear
suni
for
mst hi
slong?Peoplewil
llaughatme!
KAEDI:Youarenotwear
ingauni
for
mthi
sshor
t
ei
ther
!TellherNami
e.
KENAMI LE:(l
aughing)Youarebot
hwrong,t
he
otheroneistoolong,andtheot
heronei
stooshor
t.
Thisisthecorr
ectsize.
KAEDI
:Fi
ne,
Icoul
dli
vewi
tht
hat
.
SEDI
:Ican’
t!Ever
yonewi
lll
aughatme.
KENAMI
LE:Youar
einst
andar
d2.You’
l
lli
ve.
KAEDI:Awesome,comeon,
wehavet
oget
st
ati
oneryandeat
.
Kenami lesul
kedasKaedir ushedtopaybeforeshe
did,thentheyboughttherestofSedi
’sschool
things,andKaesii
nsistedonaf ewnewclothes.
Whentheyfi
nal
lygothomeitwasevening.They
hadpi
zzafordi
nner,
thenSedif
ellasl
eep.
KENAMI
LE:Thankyou…
KAEDI
:Huh?Canyousayt
hatal
it
tl
elouder
?Idi
dn’
t
cat
cht
hat.
KENAMILE:( l
aughi
ng)Mxim.Fot
sek.Buthonest
ly,
youdon’tknowhowhappyIam tohaveherhere
wit
hme.Thosepeopl eabusedher
,ngwanakeele
maidwabanababone, koorehel
akesenagor enka
i
theng.
KAEDI
:Il
ongof
fer
edt
ohel
p…
KENAMI
LE:Don’
tst
art
.
KAEDI
:Byt
heway,
her
e,f
oryou…
Hehandedheranenvel
opeandshel
ookedi
nsi
de.
KAEDI :Youknowt heSadi e’
sbrand?Ther earealot
smal lthanus, butabigbrandst i
ll
,multimil
li
onpula
company.Posi ti
onisforOf f
iceSupplyClerk.You
know, makingsuresuppl i
esfrom stat
ionerytothe
coffeet orefr
eshment sinconferenceroom an
cleaningst uf
fareavailabl
e.Theyl i
stallt
heduties
there.It’
sagoodposi tionbecauseyoucan
event uall
ymoveont opurchasingandpr ocurement.
Payi
sP3000…
KENAMILE:Kaedi
,thi
sisanof
ferl
ett
er!Ihaven’
t
evendoneanint
ervi
ew!
KAEDI:Gabr
iel
,theCEO,i
sacl
osefr
iendandIsor
t
ofconti
nual
lymentorhi
m.Mywordmeanal ot
.
KENAMI
LE:If
eelgui
lt
y.
KAEDI
:ForaChri
sti
an,youaresoskept
ical.My
wif
esaysGodquali
fi
esunquali
fi
ed.Andit’
snotour
j
obtoquest
ionGod’
sblessi
ngs.
KENAMI
LE:Thankyou.
Shesatbackont
hecor
nerhuggi
ngherknees,
sobbi
ng.
KAEDI
:Nami
e,what
’swr
ong?
KENAMI LE:Youalwayssayyoudon’ tknowwhat
youwoul ddowithoutme, butIdon’ tknowhowI
wouldhavesurvivedthingsIbeent hroughwi t
hout
you.LosingNana… Ijust… Idon’tknowwhatI
wouldhavedone.Somet i
mesIf eelsogui l
tyand
thi
nkit’
smyf aul
t… Ifeelli
keI’
m abadmot her
…
Hewi
pedhert
ear
sandl
ookedheri
ntheeyes.
KAEDI :Kenamil
e,youar eagreatmother
!IwishI
coul
dt ellyouwhywhathappeneddi dhappen,I
can’
t.IguessGodhasagr eat
erpl
anorwhatever
.
Butitwasnotyourf ault
,ok?Ineedtoknowyou
understandthat
,Nami e.Itwasnotyourf
ault
.
KENAMI LE:(cr
ying)Maybei
fI’
djustwatchedher
moreattenti
vel
y…maybei fI
’
dcalledyoustrai
ght
awayinsteadoftryi
ngtohai
lataxi…
Hepull
edheri
ntoahugandhel
dherasshe
sobbedonhi
schest
.
KAEDI :Namie.
..,Iknowyouar
ehurt
ing,
butpl
ease
don’tdothi
s.Please.Sel
fbl
ameisadanger
ous
thi
ng.
Heheldherasshesobbed,hi
shear
tbreaki
ngfor
her
.God,itsuckedsomuchwhenhefeltso
hel
plesswhenitcametopeopl
ehecaredabout.
*
***
***
***
***
Loapi
knockedonPi
lar
a’sr
oom.
PI
LARA:Hey…
LOAPI
:Hey,
howar
eyoudoi
ng?
PILARA:(si
ghi
ng)Hangi
ngi
nther
e.Ther
apyi
s
helpi
ng.
LOAPI
:Isn’
thebackf
rom hi
ssi
de’
spl
ace?
PI
LARA:Hesaysshei
sjustaf
ri
end.
LOAPI
:FinePipa,i
fyouchoosetobenaï ve.He
movedherintoahousef r
eeofchargehelajal
o?
Anddoyour eal
lybel
ievemenandwomencanbe
cl
osefr
iendsthewayt heyar
ewithoutst
r i
ngs?
PI
LARA:Whatdoyoumean?
LOAPI :Thewifeoftheguywhol ivesi
nt hemai n
houseoft hebachelorpadhemovedheri nisa
fr
iend.Ar eshesawt hem arr
ivi
ngaroundsix, and
hewenti ntothebachelorpadwithher.Hiscaris
sti
llt
here.It
’s9pm now.Gapewhatki ndoff r
iends
enter
sbedr oom yayomongwewheni t’
smanand
woman?Bal etwohela?
PILARA:(si
ghi
ng)Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odot
oget
heroutofourl
if
e?
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
11:
Kaediwal
kedinaroundt
enandf
oundbot
hLol
oand
Pi
larai
nhisbedr
oom.
KAEDI
:Ladi
es…
PI
LARA:I
sthi
sthet
imet
ocomehomeKaedi
?
LOAPI
:Yourki
dswai
tedf
oryout
otuckt
hem i
n.
KAESI:I’
m sor
ry,
Idi
dn’
tevennot
icet
het
imeunt
ili
t
waslate.
PILARA:Yea,
neh.Ti
mef
li
eswhenyouar
ehavi
ng
funaker
e…
LOAPI
:Andwear
eexpect
edt
obel
ievegal
ejol
e..
.
KAEDI
:Seri
ouslyt
hough… Iam notdatingNami
e.
Shei
sallal
one.Shel
ostachil
dr ecent
ly.
LOAPI
:Or
e‘we’
hel
aonce.‘
Wer
ecnt
lyl
ostachi
ld’
KAEDI:(si
ghing)ItoldyouNanawasn’tmi ne,
I’
m
notdoi
ngt hi
swi thyoutwoagain.I
’
m sor r
yIcame
homethislat
e, Nami ewashavi
ngar eall
yhardtime
andIstayedunt i
lshewasok.Ishouldhavecal l
ed.
TobehonestIdi dn’tnot
iceIwassolate.I
twon’t
happenagain.I
’
m gonnagocheckonmybabi
es
andsleep.
Hel
eftt
hem st
il
lfumi
ng.
LOAPI
:Thi
sgi
rlneedst
obet
aughtal
esson.
PI
LARA:Letmet
ryadi
ff
erentwayf
ir
st.
LOAPI:Fi
ne,Pi
pa!Butyour‘
healthewor
ld’methods
don’
tworkwithwomenl i
keher,
sheisdeli
ber
ately
sl
eepi
ngwi t
hafamilyman!
PILARA:Letmejusttr
y.Wehavemor ei
mportant
thi
ngstofocuson,l
ikesecur
ingourchi
ldr
en’
s
l
egacy.
LOAPI:Mhhh… youar eri
ght…yougohandl eher.I
’l
l
workonmaki ngKaedi’
sunclespay.Thentomor r
ow
Ineedtotal
kt oyououtsi
dethi
shouser egardi
ng
that
.Thesewal l
shaveears.
*
***
***
***
**
Inthemor
ningaft
erKenamil
ewalkedSeditoschool
,
shecamebackhomeandst ar
tedcleani
ng.Ther
e
wasaknockatthedoorandKaedi’
ssecondwife
stoodt
her
e.
PI
LARA:Hi
,Kenami
le,
canwet
alk?Pl
ease.
Shesighedandwentitt
obr
ingt
wochai
randt
hey
satunderatr
eeshade.
KENAMI LE:CanIj
ustsaysomethi
ngfi
rst
?Iam
nei
therdati
ngKaedinorsl
eepi
ngwithhi
m.Weare
j
ustfri
ends.
PILARA:Iwanttobelieveyou.ButKenami l
e,put
yoursel
finLoloandI’sshoes.Fi
rstofall
,weknow
ourhusbandispoly,soit’
snotimpossibl
ethathe
canbewi thyoutoo.
KENAMI
LE:Buthei
snot
…I…
PILARA:LikeIsaid,putyourselfi
nourshoes.
Imaginemonnawagagospendsal ldaywitha
youngerwoman, t
hencomeshomewi t
hher,theygo
i
nherbedr oom forhours.Thever ysamewoman
heisbusyr enti
nghousesf orherandal l
?What
wouldyout hink?Elewenahel a,beingreal
ist
ic,
wouldn’
titlooksuspici
oust oyou?
KENAMI
LE:Mmekanawear
ejustf
ri
end.
PI
LARA:Kenami
le,
Iknowmyhusband’
sfi
del
it
y
i
sn’tyourresponsibil
it
y, butaswomen, weneedt o
l
earntobeoursi st
er’
skeeper .Iknowattwent yfi
ve
yearsold,
youhaveal readyhadyourshar eofhurt.
Youknowhowment reatusaswomen.I t
’supt ous
tomakesur ewear enotpar tofhurt
inganother
woman.Andr ightnowyouar epartofhurt
ingtwo.
Havinganotherwoman’ st ear
sonyourhandsi s
cursi
ngyour self
,mysi ster.
KENAMIKE:KanannaIdon’
tknowwhattodoor
sayanymor
ebecausewereall
yarej
ustf
ri
ends.
PILARA:Youknowwhatt odo, sei
phaphamodise.
Kaediisafami
lyman,yesterdayhi
schildr
enkept
askingwhydaddywasn’ttucki
ngthem i
n.Mustyou
bethatwoman?Thewomanwhost eal
saf at
her
fr
om hiski
ds?
KENAMI LE:Iam notsteal
ingKaedi
!Wehavenever
beeni nappropr
iatewit
heachot her
,andwenever
willbe,Iam notthatki
ndofwoman.Hei staken,so
offli
mi t
stome.Idon’ tknowwhatelseyouexpect
fr
om me.
PI
LARA:Iexpectyout
ost
opbei
ngf
ri
endswi
thmy
husbandbecausennaf r
iendshi
pyal onagakee
kgore.St
optal
kingt
ohi m,blockhim,andwhenhe
comest oseeyou,t
ellhim youneverwanttosee
him agai
n.
KENAMILE:YouknowKaedi
.Youknowver
ywel
l
t
hatnoneofthatwi
llst
ophi
m.
PILARA:Thendosomet hi
ngt hatwi
llmakehim not
l
imeyouanymor e.Stopbeinghisshoul
dertolean
on.Saysomethingthatwi
llmakehim neverwantto
seeyouagain.
KENAMILE:Ar
eyouaski
ngmet
odel
iber
atel
yhur
t
myfri
end?
PI
LARA:I’
m aski
ngyout
ohel
pmesavemy
marr
iage.
KENAMI LE:I’m af
raidIcannotdeliberatel
yhurtmy
fri
end.Andi fKaediishurti
ngandneedmet obe
thereforhim, I’
m afrai
dIcan’tturnhim away.He
hasbeent hereformet hroughmyt oughestti
me.I
willr
eturnt hefavor.Iam notruini
ngyourmar r
iage
i
nanyway.AndIwontdest royaver ygood
fri
endshipofyear soveryouri nsecurit
iesdespit
e
bei
ngpr
esent
edwi
tht
het
rut
h.I
’
m sor
ry.
PI
LARA:Youwi
llr
egr
ett
his,
nxl
a!
Shepi
ckedupherhandbagandst
ormedoutangr
il
y.
*
***
***
***
***
Kaedisati
nhi
sof
fi
cet
alki
ngt
ohi
sbr
other
s.
LOSI
KA:So,yea.Imanagedtogetal
lthoseguys
whohur
tPil
ara.Ihavethem att
heol
dwar ehouse.
KAEDI
:I’
l
lat
tendt
othem t
oni
ght
.Thatonewhohad
Lol
o?
LOSI
KA:St
il
lint
heai
r,butI
’
llgethi
m
WETSHO:Ibeenaski ngaroundonhi mt oo.Peopl
e
arelooking.Guys,youreal
izethesepeoplearen’
t
j
ustgoi ngtostop?Theyarej ustgonnakeep
comi ng.Lebakwetoldmeshet houghshewas
beingf ol
lowedtheotherday.
LOSIKA:Fuckher
,shetr
eatsyouli
keanopti
on
anyway,wit
hheruppi
typastor
’ski
datt
it
ude.
WETSHO:Don’tf
ucki
ngst
art
,youcanbar
elyhol
da
conver
sat
ionwit
hawoman…
KAEDI:Doll
ar ,
youknowhei sright
.Thatgi
rldon’
t
takeyouserious.Kamosoheweeemymom o
bogaleshedoesn’twantmeassoci at
edwit
ha
Ledimo,heweemyf at
herori
le.Idon’
tknowwhy
youarestil
lchasingaft
erher.
WETSHO:(
sighi
ng)Il
oveher
…
LOSI
KA:What
’st
her
etol
ove,
shei
sabi
tch!
KAEDI
:Los!
LOSIKA:What?Am Isupposetocheerheronwhil
e
shedisr
espect
smybr other
?Youli
ter
all
ycanpull
badderchi
cksthanheruppit
yass.
WETSHO:Firstofall
,‘
badder’
isnotaword.And
whosaidIwantabadchi ck?I’
mtryi
ngt
oget
marr
ied…startafamil
y…
KAEDI:Whichi
swhyyoushouldbelookingat
someonewholovesyouthesamewayyoul oveher
.
Notapersonwhoactsl
ikewamof orsa.
WETSHO:Canwef ocusonourfuckedupuncles?
Weknowit’
sthem…Isaytheyhavet ogo.I
vol
unt
eerastr
ibut
eifyouguysarehesit
ant.
LOSI
KA:I
’
m wi
thyou.
KAEDI :Theyarestillfamily.Weneedpr ooft hat
theyarebehi ndthi
sf irst
,butfornowLoshas
ti
ghtenedsecur i
ty,andIhavesomeoneatmyki ds
school,hegotaj obt hereasagar dener,justtokeep
watch.Af t
erthisI’
m gonnaheadoutt oseesome
guywhomayknowsomet hing.Dol
lar
,youar ewith
me.Los, keepdiggingi ntothatcybershitofyour s,
somethingi sboundt opopup.
*
***
***
***
***
Pi
lar
agothomel
aterasLoapiar
ri
vedf
rom wor
k.
LOAPI
:So,
how’
ditgo?
PI
LARA:Shei
snotevenapol
oget
ic.
LOAPI
:Tol
dyou.
PI
LARA:
Ijust
… Idon’
twannahur
ther
…
LOAPI
:(si
ghing)Ihaveaplant
hatmaybei
nli
ne
wit
hyourbenevolentways.
PI
LARA:Yea?
LOAPI
:Yourcousi
nisback,
right
?Thatonewho
wasabr
oad.
PI
LARA:Uncl
eThol
o’sson?Set
h?
LOAPI
:Yup… setherupwi
thhi
m.
PI
LARA:Set
hisal
ying,cheat
ing,
womanbeat
ing
whor
ewhodoesn’
tdeserveanywoman…
LOAPI:Andthat
’syourbusi
nesshow?I f
Whatsherf
atf
aceisbusywit
hherr el
ati
onshi
pshit
,
wher
ewi l
lshefi
ndtimetofuckaroundwithEdi
?
PILARA:Ohshecoul drunr i
ghtbacktohi m asa
di
cktoleanon… mhhh, butSethomoi ster
ri
tori
al.
Hewi l
lbealloverheraboutspendingtimewi th
Kaedi…thi
smaywor k…ok… I ’
l
lsetitup.
*
***
***
***
***
**
Af
terherchatwi
thLol
o,Pi
lar
awasi
nthekit
chen
whenshesawLosikaonhi
sowninthegar
den.
Ok,
thi
swaswor
that
ry.
Shewentandgotthetri
o,leadi
ngthem t
othe
gardenandpl
ayedwiththem aroundLosi
ka,ast
hey
ranabouti
nthei
rli
tt
leunsteadybabywalks.
PI
LARA:Youcanpl
aywi
tht
hem,
youknow?
LOSI
KA:Donwannascar
ethem.
PILARA:Whydoyouthi
nkyouar
escar
y?Because
youhaveascaronyourf
ace?
LOSI
KA:Haveyoumadei
tyourmi
ssi
ont
ogeti
nmy
l
astner
ve?
PI
LARA:No,
tohel
pyou.
LOSI
KA:Youpoorthi
ng.Focusingonmesoyou
canavoi
ddeali
ngwit
hyourownshi t?It
’snotgonna
goaway,youknow?Theshityouarerunningfr
om.
PI
LARA:That
’smean.
LOSI
KA:(
shr
uggi
ng)Thatme
PI
LARA:Irefusetobel
ievet
hat.I
fyouweret
his
meanperson,youwouldn’
thavetakent
heef
for
tto
l
ookformeandcomet ogetme.
Oneofthet
riocameoverandst
oodnextt
oLosi
ka.
Thenshetr
ottedof
fgi
ggli
ng.
PILARA:Shewant
stopl
ay… want
syoutochase
her… comeonyouar
enotgonnadi
sappoi
nta
baby… comeon…
Hesighedandj oggedaroundaf
tert
hel
it
tl
egi
rlas
shegiggl
edloudlyandran.
Shet
ri
ppedandf
elldowncr
ying.
LOSIKA:Ohshi t,
shit
,shi
t!See!Imadeherf al
l,
Itol
d
youI’dfuckitup.Shi
t…isshehur t…whatifherarm
oflegisbrokenandsheisdi sabl
edfoeli
fe?Fuck!I
fucki
nghur tapoorli
tt
lebaby….Iam suchaf ucki
ng
screwup!
PILARA:( picki
ngupt hebabyandsoot hingher )Hey,
youdi dn’tmakeherfall.Wal kingbabiesf allsever
al
ti
mesaday.I t
’spar
tofgr owi ng… here,Saphbaby,
l
etaunt ykissitbett
er.Ther eyougo.That ’sabi g
gir
l.Runal ongandpl ay.(toLosi ka)See,shei s
total
lyfine.
LOSIKA:(wal
kingaway)No… Ican’
tbearound
them… Idon’
twanttohurtt
hem… theycouldfal
lor
eatsomethi
ngdangerousor…shit
… Ican’
t…
PI
LARA:Losi
ka,
wai
t!Pl
ease… youwon’
thur
tthem.
LOSI
KA:Iknowofababywhodi
edf
rom eat
inga
magnetwhil
ear
oundhermamaandpeople.See,
f
iveminut
esoft
hem ar
oundt
hem,andtheyarehurt
.
PI
LARA:Shei
snothur
t.Andi
t’
snotyourf
aul
t…
LOSIKA:Youdon’ tgeti
t,Pil
ara!Iam onl
ygoodfor
badthings!Ki
ll
ing,beat
inguppeopl eandshit
,
hacki
ng…ni cethi
ngs?Ial waysfindawaytoscrew
them up.
PILARA:That
’snott
rue.Youar
enotonl
ygoodf
or
badthi
ngs.
LOSIKA:Juststayawayf rom me!Yougetonmy
nerves!I
’dhavelongleftandgonesomewher ewere
Icouldbeawayf rom youandi npeacehaditnot
beent hi
ssit
uati
onthesef ucker
sunclesofoursare
making.Youalwaysmaki ngmet al
ktoomuch!
Shespont
aneousl
ycameandhuggedhi
m.
God,hewasactual
lyshakingt
hemomentshemade
cont
act.Fr
ozeninf
ear,wideeyedandshaki
ng.
Sheimmedi at
elypul
ledaway,
tear
srunni
ngdown
hercheeks.
PI
LARA:(
sobbi
ng)Whatdi
stheydot
oyou?
Hef
inal
lymanagedt
omove…
Andf
inal
lybl
inked.
At
earr
andownhi
scheek.
Hisvoicewasfi
ll
edwi
thsomuchemoti
onhe
soundedli
jehewaschoki
ngwhenhef
inal
lyspoke.
LOSI
KA:Theyhurtmer
ealbad… Pi
lar
a.Ever
yt i
me
someonet
ouchesme… i
tjustt
akesmebackt o…
Hewipedhist
earandt
ookof
frunni
ngi
ntheot
her
di
rect
ion.
Pil
arasatdownt r
yingnottobreak,butherhear
t
wasinpieces.She’dneverseensomuchpai nin
oneperson.God,whatthehellhappenedtothat
poorguy?
Shecouldonlyimaginewhatitwoul
dhavetaken
fr
om himt ocarr
yherthatdayandtakehert
othe
car,
thenintothehospi
tal
.Yethestil
ldi
d.
Shesmiledal
it
tl
ethinkinghowcomf or
ti
ngtoithad
beentoseeafamil
i
arf ace…hisface…whenshe
fi
rstwokeupaft
ert
hehor rorshehadgonethr
ough.
Hehadmadeherf
eel
bet
ter
.Whenevershet
hought
aboutthatni
ght,
hissmil
easshewokeupcameup
i
nstead.Itmadethi
ngsbett
er.
Andshewassur ehehadt ol
dhermor eabouthis
ordealt
hathehadeversaidtoanyone,t
helit
tl
eit
washehadact ual
lyt
oldher.Hetrust
edher.She
hadtomakehim bett
erto.Sheneededto.
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Pil
arawipedhert
ear
sjustasWet
shocamef
rom
thegar
age.
PI
LARA:Wet
sho…canyouwat
cht
heki
ds?
WETSHO:Uhm…sure…comehere,r
ugrats…what
ar
eweplayi
ng?Ohno,l
adyReahiscryi
ng!
Hepickedupthebabyandgavehert
hebott
lePi
lar
a
handedtohi
m, wat
chingherassher
anupst
air
s.
Shewenttot
hesecondfl
oorandknockedon
Losi
ka’
sroom.Hehadbeensoupsetjustnow,she
j
ustwant
edt
omakesur
ehewasok.
Hardmetalwaspl
ayi
ng,
buthedi
dn’
tanswerasshe
knocked.
PILARA:Losi
ka,pl
ease…canIcomei
n?Ij
ustwant
toseeifyouar
eok.
Whentherewasnoanswershetr
iedt
hedoor
.It
wasnotlocked,
soshewal
kedin…
JustasLosi
kacameoutofhi
sbat
hroom…buck
naked.
Gosh,
hisbodywascover edwithscarsallover.
Somelookedlikemany,manysmal lcut
sscar s….
Somecigaret
teburnsscars…somewer elargerand
moreprominent.
Andt
att
oos…skul
lsandsomeot
herdar
k,scar
y
l
ooki
ngshi
t.
Hewasr
ippedi
nal
lther
ightway…
Itwasprobabl
yjustf
orafl
ashofasecondbefore
heranbackinthebathr
oom andcameoutwrapped
i
nat owel.
LOSI
KA:Whatt
hehel
l,
Pil
ara!
PI
LARA:Iwant
edt
oseei
fyouar
eok.
LOSI
KA:I’
l
lli
ve.Sor
ryaboutmypussyasspansy
movebackther
e.Anyway,I
’m good.Getout
.
Hecameoverandj
ustl i
ght
lypushedherout
,then
cl
osedt
hedoorandlockedi
t.
*
***
***
***
***
Kenami
lel
aidinbedwat
chi
ngt
elevi
sionwhent
her
e
wasaknock.
Shesi
ghedwhenshesawKaedi
.
Sheopened,
butdi
dn’
tlethi
min,
justst
andi
ngat
thedoor
.
KENAMI
LE:Yourwi
vesar
ewai
ti
ngf
oryouathome.
KAEDI
:Bat
hobaobat
senyast
ress.Wer
eisSedi
?
KENAMILE:Set
seabonetsala,
thefamil
yli
vingi
n
t
hemainhousehasadaughterherage.Theyarein
t
hesameclass.Shei
sovertheredoinghomework.
KAEDI:Nami
ethemmat
shabamol
ebat
ingIwanna
l
iedownkelapi
le.
KENAMI
LE:Youcan’
tcomei
n.Wenaompol
aisa
bat
ho.
KAEDI
:Whatdi
dtheydonow?
KENAMI LE:(sighi
ng)Sepe… Ijustfeeli
t’
sunf ai
rto
them.Iwoul dbemadi fmyhusbandachai setsato
anotherwoman’ shouse.Iam notsayingyoucan’ t
comeseemeKaedi .
.I’
mjustsayingourf r
iendship
needstor espectt
hatyouaremar ri
ed.Tousyou
visi
ti
nglikethismeansnothi
ng, butitcangive
peoplethewr ongidea.
Hejustgent
lymovedherf
rom t
hedoorandl
aidi
n
bed.
KAEDI:I
’
m hungr
y.Also,pl
easest
opbecoming
Loapi
andPil
arawit
hal lt
hatdr
ama.I
t’
sirr
it
ati
ng.
KENAMI
LE:Kaedi
…
KAEDI:Idon’
tcar
ewhatpeopl
ethi
nkaboutour
fr
iendshi
pKenamil
e…
KENAMI LE:
,Well
,Ido.Ihat
ebeingcal
ledahome
wrecker
,Kaedi
.Iam notli
kethat
!
KAEDI
:Whocal
ledyouahomewr
ecker
?
KENAMI
LE:Ij
ust
…justgohomeKaedi
.Pl
ease?
Youcanvi
sitkaweekend.
KAEDI:Youar
etri
pping.Ser
vethemmaebi
lenkar
e
morogowashela.I
’m hungr
ykana.
Kenami
lesi
ghedandcont
inuedt
oser
ve.
Whatt
hehel
lwassheexpect
edtodowhent
hey
knewhowst
ubbor
nKaediwas?
Shecametowashhishandsandhandedhi
ma
cl
oth,
thenbr
oughthi
mf ood.
KAEDI :WaitsewenaNami et hemanwhoi sgonna
mar r
yyoui sonel uckytyke.Kanawomendon’ t
cookmal atsia.Amai dismandat orykoorehao
nyala.Andt hefewt hatcookIhearmyf riendsbare
batewagot wer r
agwesemangmang, di
joditeng
moki tcheneng.Womennol ongernohowt oser
ve
foodtoamant hewayIgr ewupseei ngmy
grandmadoi ngformygr andad.Damn, thisisni
ce.
Anymor emeatl eft
?
Shesi
lent
lyt
ookt
hepl
ateandputmor
emeatf
or
hi
m.
KAEDI
:Namzat
hemmaoskanngal
awena.
Please… not
hingf
ucksmydayupt
hant
hinki
ngo
nngalet
se.Wenagaomothowagongal
a.
KENAMI LE:AkeangalaKaedi,I
’mjustsayi
ng
respectmaikutl
oababangwe.Theyarenothappy
withyouvisit
ingmeli
kethi
s.
KAEDI :Didtheysaysomet hingtoyou?Pipaand
Loloar ealwayssul king,don’tbot
heryoursel
fwith
them.Theyl it
erall
yl ovetosul kandcompl ai
n.
That’
swhyIcomeher e.Peace.Eish,
Ineedtoget
DSTVgol oha,Ithi
nkt hereisagamewai tse,andI
am mi ssi
ngi t
.Ket shwar anapnyana, wakemeat
8pm, Igotameet i
ngat9pm.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Pi
lar
aknockedinmmaLedi mo’sroom andwal
ked
i
nast heol
dladychangedReah’sdiaper
.
MMALEDI
MO:Pi
laar
eyouokmygi
rl
?
PILARA:Iwentt
oseeKaedi
’
sgi
rl
fr
iendt
oday…
she…
MMALEDI MO:Thatwasverysi
ll
yofyou.Mosadi
gadi
rej
alo.Goi
ngaroundchasi
ngwhores.That
’s
beneat
hyou.Notonl yar
eyouaLedimowi f
e,Pi
lar
a,
youareroyal.Askl
emogatsarangwaneagohel
a.
Shewillt
ellyougagodirwej
alo.
PI
LARA:Nkoko,
Ijustwantt
osavemymar
ri
age.
MMALEDI MO:Andgoingtoherandstart
ingdrama
wit
hhi misnotgoingtodothat
.Youbecomehi s
headacheandshebecomeshi speace.Youdri
ve
hi
mr ighti
ntoherhands
PI
LARA:Whatareyousayi
nggr
andma,
shal
lIj
ust
wat
chthatbi
… gi
rlst
ealmyman?
MMALEDI MO:Firstofal l
,pray.Marri
agei sfrom
God, andyour sandKaedi ’smar ri
agelacksGodi nit
.
Thenbeyourhusband’ speace.Nomanl i
kesa
naggingwi fe.Koorelearnthet imetotalkandt he
ti
met obesi lent
.Onsomet hings,l
etKaedilear nto
fi
gurei toutonhisownwhenhehashur tyou.Let
him comet oyousayi ngsor ryIdidthi
sandt his.
Whenyoubr i
ngitupf i
rst,i
tbecomesl ike
compl aini
ng,andheget sdefensive.
PI
LARA:ButIcan’
tjustkeepqui
et.
.
MMALEDI
MO:Youar
enotLoapi
,Pi
lar
a.St
opt
ryi
ng
al
ltheset
hingsandj
ustl
oveandr
espectyour
husband.
PI
LARA:Ah,
nnatotaIcan’
t.Heneedst
oknowhei
s
wr
ong,andi
fIdon’
ttel
lhi
m, howwil
lheknow?
*
***
***
***
**
Kaedir
ubbedhiseyesandwokeupasNami
egent
le
shookhim awake.
KAESI
:8pm al
ready?
KENAMI
LE:Yup.
Hewenttot
hebat
hroom si
nkandwashedhisf
ace,
t
henheadedof
fdr
ivi
ngtothei
rol
dwarehouse.
Gosh!Thedarksideofhi
mt hathehat
edsomuch.
That’swhyhehadneededtoseeNami e.Soaki
nal
l
thatgoodposi
ti
veenergyhedidn’
tgooverboar
d
again.
Hewouldpr
obablyneedt
ogoseeheragain
aft
erwar
dsbecausehewil
lei
therbemani
acor
havi
ngananxiet
yatt
ackaft
erwhathewasgonna
do.
Butt
heseasshol
eshur
tPi
paanddeser
vedgoodol
e
st
reetj
ust
ice.
Losi
kawasal
readyout
sidewhenhepar
ked.
Theywal
kedinandKaedil
ookedatal
lthef
ourmen,
wit
hasmile.
KAEDI:So,
youguyst
hinkyouri
tt
ybi
ttydi
cks
deser
vetogowhereminegoes,
huh?
Helaughedandputonsurgi
calgl
oves… t
hen
wal
kedovertoaselect
ionoft
oolsLosi
kahadput
out
.
Hepi
ckedascal
pelashehummedahappyt
une.
KAEDI :I’
m notgonnaki llyou.That ’
swayt ooeasy.
I’
mj ustgonnahel pyouwi t
ht hi
sl i
ttl
ethingsthat
aregi vingyouapr oblem.Sowe’ l
ljusttakethem
off… voi l
a,nomor eproblems!Am Igr eatoram I
great!No, reall
y,youguysshoul dthankme.Af ter
thisyouwon’ tbeabl etober apingscum anymor e!
You’ l
ljustbescum!Anyway, everythi
nggot tago,
peopl e!What ,youar ecrying?Huh?Whatar eyou
cryingabout ,it
’sjustalitt
lepenect omy… t hat’
sthe
medi calnamef orthesur gi
calremovaloft hepenis.
LOSI
KA:Shi
t!Andt
heysayI
’
m dar
k?
Thegaggedmencr
iedandbeggedi
ntot
hei
rgags.
KAEDI:What… whatar eyougonnado, reportme?
Andsaywhat ?Why’ dIdoit?Youar efaci
ng
at
temptedmur derandr ape.You’l
lbeapeni sl
ess
maninprison(laughing)They’
llcal
lyouVi r
gini
a.
Hesl i
cedoffthepantsofthefir
stguy,
thenthe
boxershorts.
..kneei
ngtheguyont hegutand
dragginghimt oaStAndrew’scrossashewhi st
led
histune… chaini
nghim up,eachli
mbtoasi deof
the‘X’shapedcross.
*
***
***
***
**
Pi
lar
alai
dinbednakedasLosi
kawal
kedi
nwi
tha
smil
e.
Hewasnaked… oh,
soglori
ousl
ynaked…andhar
d…
hi
smassi
vebodysor i
pped.
Hecameandlaidbesi
deherandshetr
acedt
he
contour
sofhi
sfacewit
hherfi
nger
,goi
ngdownto
hischest
…
Heswi
ft
lypul
ledheront
opofhi
m andi
ntoar
ough
ki
ssunt
ilshewasbr
eat
hless.
Whenshepul
ledback,
hel
ookedatherwi
tht
hat
shysmi
le…
Sheleaneddownandki ssedthel
argescaracross
hi
schestanditdisappeared…moti
vated… she
movesdownki ssi
ngeverysingl
escarandt heyal
l
j
ustdisappear
ed.
Thenhepul
ledherroughlyandbentherovert
he
bed…shescreamedhim nameashei mpaledher
wit
hhisl
ongt hi
ckshaft
…
*
***
***
**
Pi
laraj
umpedst
art
ledf
rom t
hedr
eam andsatup
onthebed.
Hol
yshi
t… shewaspant
ing…sweat
ing… andwet
…
ThankGodshewasal
onei
nbed.Whatt
hehel
l?
OhmyGod,
whatt
hehel
lki
ndofdr
eam wast
hat
!
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Ar
oundmi
dni
ghtKenami
lehear
daknock.
Shesighedandl
ookedthroughthecurt
ain,
not
i
ntendingt
oopenforKaedi,buthel
ookedamess.
Themomentsheopened,
het hr
ewhi
sar
msar
ound
herf
orahugthatl
ast
edal ongti
me.
KAEDI:Cometot
hecar,
I’
mjustpassi
ngby.Sor
ry
forwaki
ngyou…Ij
ust
…Ihadtodosomethingbad.
KENAMI
LE:Ar
eyouok?
Heshookhi
sheadandshegavehi
m ahug.
KRNAMI
EL:Wannat
alkabouti
t?
KAEDI
:No
KENAMILE:Iunderst
and.Icanj
ustsitwit
hyouunt
il
youf
eelbett
erthen.Aret
heysti
llal
ive?
KAEDI
:Yea.
KENAMI
LE:Di
dtheydeser
vei
t?
KAEDI:Theyuhm…t
heyar
etheguyswhohur
t
Pi
lar
a.
KENAMILE:Wi
l
ltheycauseanypr
obl
em f
oryou
her
eaf
ter?
KAEDI
:Nope
KENAMI LE:Theydeser vedi
tandyouhaveno
reasontofeelgui
lty.Youareagoodguy,Kaedi
.You
couldneverhurtsomeoneunl esst
heydeser
vesit
.
KAEDI:Thanks.
.Ifeelamess.Iwasn’
tther
eto
pr
otectherandthey…they…
KENAMI LE:Youwereinprison,
Kaedi
.Youbroke
outthemomentyouhear dshewasnotok.Don’t
beatyoursel
fupaboutdoingwhatyouneededtodo
tothescumbags.
Shejustheldhishandashest art
edt ofi
dgetwit
h
anotherpani
cat t
ackcoming.Theyhadpr obably
donethisathousandt i
mes.Herjustholdi
nghim
andsupportinghim,butnevertal
kingaboutit
aft
erwardsbecausesheknewhehat editandshe
wantedtoaffordhim hi
sdignit
y.
Whenhewasf inal
lybet
ter
,shewenti nsideandgot
bothofthem somepepper mint.Shedidn’tevenli
ke
thatshi
t,butshehadresearchedcalmingt hingsf
or
pani
catt
acksanditwassuggest
ed.Shedr
anki
t
wit
hhim becausei
twast
heonlywayshecoul
dget
hi
mt ot
akei t
.
KAEDI
:Thankyou…youdon’
tknowwhatyoubei
ng
i
nmylif
emeanst ome.
KENAMI
LE:(
smi
li
ng)Heywhatar
efr
iendsf
or.
KAEDI
:Ibet
terl
etyougobackt
osl
eep.
KENAMI LE:Ihopeonedayyouwi llbeabl
etoopen
upaboutwhat everi
tisyoudon’
ttalktomeabout
thatt
ri
ggersthoseattacks.I
tmayhelp.
Hesighedandl
ookeddown,
thenhuggedheragai
n
andgotonthecar
.
*
***
***
***
**
Kaedidr
ovebackhome, si
tt
inginthecarf oralong
ti
meashi smindfl
ewt owayback… t hefirstt
ime
hisgr
andfat
hermadehimt akerevengeon
someonewhohadwr ongedt hem.Grandpahad
saidt
hemanneededt obetaughtal esson.
Hecl
osedhi
seyesashesawt
hemancr
yandbeg
f
orhi
sson’
sli
fe.
Athi
sgr
andf
ather
’scommand,
Kaedihadr
aisedt
he
gun…
Tookai
m…
Somuchblood,
how.Coul
dalit
tl
eboybl
eedso
much,
theboycoul
dn’
thavebeenmoret
hanseven.
Theter
ri
fi
edl
ookont
heboy’
sfaceast
hegunwas
rai
sed.
Kaedisatinthecarandf ull
ybr okedowncr yi
ng.
Thatboy’sfacehadneverst oppedhaunt i
nghi m,
eventhoughithadbeent went yyearsago, andt here
havebeenwaymor ebodi essincethen… hej ust
couldn’
tgethim out…thiswast heshithecoul dn’t
tal
ktoevenNami eabout…yeahewasonl y15
yearsol
dandt erri
fi
edofhi sgrandfatherthen, but
ther
ewasst il
lnotjusti
fi
cationt oshootingaseven
yearsol
d.
Hebi
tdownonhi
slowerl
ipunt
ilhet
ast
edbl
ood.
Hetookhi
sgunoutandputi
ttohi
stempl
eashe
br
okedowncryi
ng.
Hedi
dsomebr
eat
hingexer
cisesKenami
lehad
taughthi
m,ashepict
uredhi
ski
dsfaces.Hehadt
o
beok.Forthem.Heneededt
obeok.
Hesighedandwi
pedhi
stear
s,cl
eaninghi
sf ace
wit
hsomewetwipesoneoft
hegirl
shadleftinthe
car
s.
Heowedhi
schi
ldr
enbet
ter
.
Hel
l,
heowedhi
swi
vesbet
ter
.
Maybeitwashisfaultt
hatPi
lar
ahadl
eftt
hatt
ime…
t
hatLoapihadcheated.
Theywerebot
hnotpol
y,buthadaccept
edhi
s
l
if
estyl
eforhi
m.
Heowedt
hem bet
ter
.Especi
all
yaf
teral
mostl
osi
ng
bot
h.
Hewal kedupst ai
rsandqui
ckl
yshoweredi
nhis
bedroom, checkedonLolowhowaspassedout,
thenont hekids… andfi
nal
lyonPi
lar
a.
Herbedsi
del
ightwasst
il
lon.
KAEDI
:MmaLedi
mo,
youar
eup.
PI
LARA:Di
dyouj
ustcomef
rom her
?
KAEDI
:Uhm… t
heguyswho…
PI
LARA:Don’
ttel
lme.
KAEDI
:Whyar
eyoust
il
lup?
PILARA:Iwasprayi
ng… f
orrestor
ati
oninour
marri
age.Kanakeraar
estor
ationyaengkaIdon’t
evenrememberat i
meIwashappyi nthi
smarri
age.
Hegotont
hebedbesi
deherandki
ssedherneck.
KAEDI:Br
eaksmyhear
ttohearyousayt
hat
,my
sweet
,sweetgi
rl
.
PILARA:Ihaveaccept edthatthereisLol
o.Don’
t
youseeI’mtryingKaedi?I’mlearningtol
oveyou
withanot
herwoman, becauseIwantt omakeyou
happy.Yetst
illyourunaftermor ewomen.Ithur
ts.
KAEDI:(
sighi
ng)Ihearyou.Idon’
twantt
ohur
tyou
orLol
o.SoIwon’tseeKenasoof t
en.
PILARA:Can’tyoujustcutheroffallt
oget
her?I
wantyout oneverseeherortalktoheragain.I
seri
ousl
ycan’tbehappyknowi ngyouhaveyour
l
itt
lewhateveryouhavewi t
hher .I
t’
scoming
betweenusKaedi .Pl
ease.
KAEDI
:(si
ghing)Iam t
iredoff
ighti
ngaboutt
his,
so
i
fmenevertalki
ngtoNami eagaini
swhatyouwant,
t
hensobeit.Iwon’tt
alktoher.
PILARA:Ihopeyoumeant
hat
.Thankyou.Il
ove
you.
Hepul ledhercloserandkissedher,gentl
eand
cautiousbecausehewasn’ tsureshewouldbe
readyt obei nt
imateagainafterwhatshehadbeen
through.Shehadavoi dedint i
macysincethat
happened, andtheywerealreadyhavi
ngpr obl
ems
beforet hatasshewasgoi ngt hr
oughpostpart
um
i
ssues.
KAEDI
:Tel
lmei
fI’
m goi
ngt
oof
ast
…
Shestar
tedsobbi
ngandhest
oppedandj
ust
huggedher.
KAEDI:Pi
pa,Iam i
nnorush,
mylove.Iam wi
ll
ingt
o
wai
tforyouaslongasyouneed.
PI
LARA:(
sobbi
ng)Idon’
twannawai
t…
KAEDI
:Butyouarecr
ying… t
alkt
omemyl ove…l
et
meatl
eastshar
einonwhat’
sburdeni
ngyou.
PILARA:Ifeeldir
ty,Kaedi… Igot
otherapyandal
l…
theytel
lmeal lt
herightthi
ngs… butIcan’
thel
p
feel
ingli
keyoucanneverseemet hesameway…
neverwantme…I ’
m damaged.
Hewasquietf
orsometime,andwhenshe
car
essedhi
sfaceherf
inger
scamebackwet.
KAEDI :I’
vealwayshat edmymot her
,butnowI
despiseherbecausei fshehadnotputyouout …I
hatethatyouwentt hrought hat.Butyouar eri
ght,
I
don’tseeyout hesameway.Ihavedevel opeda
highlevelofrespectandadmi r
ationforyour
resi
li
ence.Youwentt hroughoneoft hemost
horri
fyi
ngt hi
ngsawomancangot hr
ough, andyet
youst i
llr
efusetoletitbreakyou.
PI
LARA:Iam br
oken…
KAEDI:Idon’tseeit
…Iseeyouchoosi ngtori
se
aboutthehorri
blesit
uati
on.Andaboutwanting
you… myl ove,Iwantyoumor ethanyoucan
i
magine.Youar enotdirt
y,Pil
ara.Youaret
hesame
gir
lwhosavedmyl i
feyearsago.Thesame
beaut
ifulwomanwhot aughtmel ove,
whomade
mewantt obeaman.Andyouar elit
eral
lythe
sexi
estwomani nexi
stence.Youknowi fitwas
accordi
ngtomeI ’
djumpyouanyt i
meIl aideyeson
you.Iam j
ustt
ryingtofol
lowyourlead… letme
knowwhatyouwant …
PILARA:Iwantt
ofeel
loved….Want
ed…makel
ove
tome…
Hecuppedherfacewithhishandsgent
ly,t
hen
l
eaneddownandsof tl
ykissedthet
enderareaat
thebaseofherneck,
goingdownherdownher
body,ki
ssi
ngeveryIi
nch.
{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
***
**
Inthemor ning,aft
erwal
kingSeditoschool
,
Kenami l
ewentaboutshoppi ngfornewother
sto
starthernewj ob.Shest
oodatbabyclothes,
tear
ing
upasshet houghtofherl
atedaughter
.
Shel
ookedupt
oseeaguysmi
li
ngather
.
HI
M:Oshapo?
KENAMI
LE:Uhm… yea…al
ler
gies.
Shesai
dasshewal
kedaway.
HI
M:Ar
eyoui
nahur
ry?
KENAMI
LE:Yup…
HIM: Atl
eastl
etmetakeyourcont
act
s..I
’
m
Sethomo,youcancal
lmeSet h.
KENAMI
LE:Set
homo,
Iam noti
nter
est
ed.Bye.
SETH:Comeon… ok, conf
essi
on.I
t’
snotmyf irst
ti
meseeingyou,Isawmycousinlookingatyour
Facebookandshesaidyouwer eafr
iend.
KENAMI
LE:Cousi
n?
SETH:Pi
lar
a.
KENAMI
LE:Ok,
bye.
SETH:Comeon!
!!
KENAME:Firstofall
,Pil
arawil
lnevercal
lmea
fr
iend,andevenifshedid,youarehercousi
nandI
wantnothi
ngtodowi thyou.Bye.
SETH:Comeon… I
’m persi
stent
.IwantyouandI
won’
tgiveup,
soyoumi ghtaswellgi
vemeyour
number.
Kenami
lesi
ghedandwal
kedaway.
ShethoughtofKaedi
,hedi
dn’
tseem om yest
erday,
bet
tercheckonhim.
Shet
ext
edhi
m an‘
Areyouok?
’
Nor
esponse.
*
***
***
***
**
WhenPi l
arawokeup,Kaedihadal
readyl
eftf
or
work.Shebreast
fedReah,t
henwentdownstai
rsf
or
br
eakfast.
Shewassit
ti
ngont
hecoucheat
ingwhenLosi
ka
wal
kedin.
OhGod.
Allofasuddensheremember
edt
hatdr
eam and
shecouldfeelabl
ush.
Shel
ookeddownandavoi
dedeyecont
actwi
thhi
m.
LOSI
KA:Fi
nal
lygaveuponannoyi
ngme?
Andimageofhi m nakedbendingherovert
hebed
fl
oat
edi nherhead.Hissol
id,
scaredbody… those
absthatwerepuremuscle… hishar
d…
Lor
d…
LOSI
KA:Youar
estar
ing.Andi
t’
snoti
nan
appr
opr
iat
eway.
Jesus!Shehadbeenundr
essi
nghi
m wi
thhereyes.
LOSI KA:Anyonewhohaseverbeenwi t
hanyofmy
bothersinofnoi nt
erestt
ome.Plus,eveni
fyouhad
noconnect i
ontomybr ot
her
… nah.Notasoft
,
sweetl i
tt
legi
rll
ikeyou.Youcoul
dn’thandl
ewhat
I’
mi nto.
Sheswall
owedhard,
remember
ingt
hatdr
eam agai
n.
Hervoi
cewasroughandrawwhenshespoke.
PI
LARA:Why?Youi
ntosomeBDSM orshi
t?
LOASIKA:(laughing)BDSM.Haha.No.Iam noti nt
o
BDSM thewayyouwoul dprobablyknowi tfr
om
Fi
ftyShadeofSt upid.Iam asadomasochi st
,
Pil
ara…razors,hotcandlewax… cigarett
ebur ns…
humili
ati
on…andt hi
sconvoi sinappropri
ate.Stay
awayfrom me.
Losi
kar
anof
ftohi
sbedr
oom puzzl
ed.
Shi
t,shi
t,shi
t!Whyt
hehel
lwoul
dhespeakt
o
Kaedi’
swifeaboutthat.OhGod!Heneededt oavoi
d
herl
iketheplague.Healwaystur
nedtomi ster
l
ooselipsaroundher,shehadthatsoft
,calming
demeanourthatmadehi m wannaopenup, andhe
hadnobusinessopeni nguptoKaedi’
swife.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
1000/
100/
10
[
05/
29,
12:
Kenami
lesatonthebedwonder
ingi
fKaediwasok.
Hehadnotrepl
iedhert
ext
soranswer
edhercall
s.
Ther
ewasaquietknockandwhenshel
ookedout
,
hestoodatt
hedoor.
Shewentoverandopenedf
orhi
m.
KENAMILE:Areyouok?Ihavebeent
ryi
ngt
ocheck
onyouallday.
Hel
ookeddownsadl
y.
KAEDI:Mywif
e… uhm..Shedoesn’
twantmet
o
seeyouort
alktoyouanymor
e.Iwantedt
ocome
t
ellyoui
nper
sonbecauset
extj
ustseemedr
ude.
Shel
ookedathi
m andsi
ghedsadl
y.
KENAMI
LE:Isee…
KAEDI:Ij
ustf
eel
li
keshei
smakingmechooseand
youknow… shei
sthemot
herofmyki
dsand…
KENAMI LE:Edi
,youdon’
thavet
oexpl
ain.I
under
stand.Justgi
vemeaf ewdayst
of i
nda
houseand…
KAEDI :No,
please,
stayaslongasyouwant .Any
problem wi
ththehousejustt
ellTheo.I’
mreal
ly
sorryNamie… thi
sispainf
ulforme, but
…
KENAMI LE:Kaedi
,Iam nothol
dingt
hisagai
nstyou,
Iunder
stand.AndEdi?
KAEDI
:Yea?
KENAMILE:Pl
easeseesomeone.Aboutt
heanxi
ety
at
tacks.
Hesighedandsatont
hebed,
runni
nghi
spal
m over
hi
sface.
Shecoul
dseehewant
edt
otal
k,buti
twasaheavy.
Shecameandsatbesi
dehi
m hol
dinghi
shand.
Andsqueezi
ngi
treassur
ingl
y.
KAEDI :WhenIwas… whenIwasf ift
een…t hi
sman,
hewasat eacher…Iwentt opr i
vateschool ,butIhad
af ri
endi ngovernmentschoolandI ’
dgot here
dur i
ngspor t
sevent sandsuch…uhm… anyway, t
he
teacherguy…Isl eptwi t
hhi sdaught er.Shewas
fif
teent oo.Thismancaughtusandt hegi r
l
panickedandsai dIr apedher .Themangotangr y
unt i
lhef oundoutIwasaLedi mo.Hesai dwedi dn’
t
havet ogot othepolice.Wecanset tleit.Askedt o
seemypar ents.
.Ofcour semypar ent swer en’
t
i
nt erested,mygr anddadal wayshandl edmyschool
i
ssues.Sogr anddadt akesmet omeett heguy.The
manasksf oraP500000f oritallt
ogoaway.I ’m
adamantaboutmyi nnocence, sogr andpabel ieves
meandr efusestopay.Nextt hingwear eont he
newspaper s,sayingmygr andpat r
iedt obribet he
mant onotr eportmef orrape.Itbecameabi gi ssue,
mygr andfatherwaspi ssed.
Kaedist
oodupandpacedabout
.
KAEDI :Hesai dt hemanandhi slyinglitt
lebi tch
neededt obet aughtal esson.Soheuhm…hehad
theyoungestchi ldbrought.Aboutsevenyear sold.
Hesai dshoot ingt hegirlorthemanwoul dl ookt oo
suspicious.Butl it
tlechildr
endi sappearal lthet i
me.
Thent hreatenedt hem.Tol dt hem iftheyevenwent
tothepol i
cei twoul dbet hesecondyoungestnext .
Thenhehandedmeagun… sai dIneededt ogetmy
just
ice.Isaidno.Hesai deitherItookt heshotor
thegirlwast elli
ngt hetruthandIwasar api ng
bastardandhecoul dn’thavesuchi nhisbl oodline,
I’
dhavet ogo.Nami e,Iwasscar ed… Iwasonl ya
kid,andhewast hreateningme, I
… wasscar ed…
KENAMI
LE:Tel
lmewhatyoudi
dKaedi
…
KAEDI:It
ooktheshot
… hewasani
nnocentl
it
tl
e
chi
ldandIshothi
m… ther
ewassomuchblood…
soomuch…
Hebrokedowncryi
ngandKenami
lej
usthel
dhi
m
unt
ilhewascal
m.
KAEDI
:Youmusthat
eme.
KENAMI
LE:Icoul
dneverhat
eyouKaedi
.Andyou
wereachi l
d.Ascaredchi
ld… thef
actt
hatthi
sst
il
l
hauntsyout went
yyearsl
atershowsyouhavea
conscience.
KAEDI:NowyouseewhyIdon’
tdother
apy?Ican’
t
l
owermydefencesandri
skt
hingsl
iket
hiscoming
out.Whatar
eyougoingt
odo… aboutwhatIj
ust
tol
dyou?
KENAMI LE:I
’m goi
ngt
opraythatyouf
indheal
ing.
Thatyoufindsomeoneel
setoopenupt o,
hopeful
ly
yourwives…
KAEDI:AsmuchasIl ovet
hem both,Ican’ttr
ust
them t
onotuseitagainstmeonedayi ft
hingsever
gosour…mybr other
sandDevonar ejustasfucked
upasme, Losmaybeevenmor e…theyar en’
t
gonnabemuchshoul dertoleanon…andt hat’
sit
.
Theli
stofpeopleItr
ustbesideyou.I’
m scared,
Namie,whatam Igoingtodowi t
houtyou?
Shewi
pedasmal
ltearandl
ookedaway.
KENAMILE:I’
m scaredf
oryouEdi…Idon’
twantt
o
beatt
endingyourfuner
al… pr
omisemeEdi…
pr
omisemei fyouhavenoonet or
eal
lyopenupt
o
anditeverget
st oomuchandyougett hose
thought
sagain… youknow,aboutendingit
…
promisemeyouwi l
lcal
lme.Whateverti
me,
howeverlongithasbeen.I
’
llcome… promiseme
Kaedi…
Hel eanedinandwi pedhert
ears,
thencar
essedher
facewi t
hhisfingerbef
oregi
vingherasof
t,chast
e
kissont hel
ips.
KENAMI
LE:Edi
…no…
KAEDI:I
’
m sosor
ryNami
e… Idi
dn’
tmeant
odot
hat
.
Ibet
terl
eave.
Heranofft
othecaranddr oveof
ftothef
actor
ies
seat
ingi
nhiscarforalongti
meastearsf
lowed
downhischeeksunabashed.
*
***
***
***
Loapiwal
kedint
otheki
tchenasPi
lar
amade
hersel
fasandwi
ch.
LOAPI:Ithoughtyousai
dKaediwi
llnol
ongersee
thewhore.
PI
LARA:Yea,
hepr
omi
sed…
LOAPI
:Li
ed,youmean?Ijustgoti
ntelt
hathehas
beent
her
einherroom f
oroveranhournow…
PILARA:That
’sal
ie,
hesai
dhewoul
dneverseeher
again!
LOAPI
:Ij
o…
Shewal kedof
ftoherbedroom t
ryi
ngnottocr y.
Kaedihadpromisedherthesamet hi
ngthisvery
morning.Howcouldhelietoherli
kethat
!
Shet
ookof
fherphoneandt
yped.
‘
Youlyingpieceofshi
t.Soyouwenttoseeyour
bit
chagainafterpr
omisingmeyouweredone?Two
canplaythatgame,tr
ash.Andt
ellt
hatshor
tfat
bit
chsheisgonnabesor r
y ’
‘
Shei
susi
ngyou,
youmor
on.OsesoKaedi
.’
*
***
***
***
***
Pi
lar
asatdownsadlyandt
ri
edt
ocal
lKaedi
.He
wasn’
tanswer
ing.
Shesentmessagea.
‘
Hey ’
‘
Heybabe,
wher
eyouat
?’
‘
Areyoui
gnor
ingme ?‘
‘
Areyouwi
thher
?’
‘
Kaedi
,youar
eawhor
e’
‘
Wast
eoft
ime,
I’
m notgonnabot
heryouanymor
e…
‘
‘
Kaedi
,comehome.Now’
‘
Babe,kant
ewhydoyoudomel
iket
his,
can’
tyou
seeIl
oveyou?
’
‘
Ae, fosekemonna,gapeyouthinkyouar eGod’a
gif
ttowomen.Youai ntallt
hatKaedi,youarejusta
brokenl i
tt
leboywhouseswoment ofil
lthewhole
thelackofyourbit
chmot her’
sloveleft
.’
‘
Babe’
Iloveyou,
pleasecomehome’
Sheburi
edherfacei
nthepi
ll
owandbr
okedown
cr
yingasLosi
kawalkedi
n.
LOSI
KA:Ar
eyouok?
PI
LARA:Mxi
m…
LOSIKA:Oookhkaay… di
dn’
treal
lywantt
oknow
anyway.Cr
yingfemalesannoyme.
PI
LARA:(
tear
y)Yourbr
otheri
sadi
ck.
LOSI
KA:(
laughi
ng)Youj
ustf
oundt
hatout
?
PI
LARA:Hei
scheat
ingonme…
LOSIKA:Annnnd,
mycuet
oleave.Don’
tdohear
tto
hear
ts.
PILARA:Ijust
… youknow.Ij ustwanthappiness,
l
oveandr espect.Thatal
lIaskfor,
isthattoomuch?
KanteifKaedidoesn’tl
oveme, whynotjustsayso
andstoptrampli
ngonmyhear toverandoveragain?
Shebr okedowncryi
ngagain,whichmadeReah
cry… andLosikaj
ustst
oodt her
elikeadeerin
headli
ghts.Whatt
hehelldi
donedoi nsi
tuat
ions
l
ikethis?
Hefinal
lypickedReahupthesamewayhehadlast
ti
meandst artedwhist
li
ngatunet
oherasPi
lar
a
cri
ed.
Hesighedandwalkedovertoher… wit
hthever
y
sl
ight
estofmovement,bar
elytouchi
ngherbare
shoul
derasshewor
east
ri
ngt
op,
hepat
tedher
shoul
der.
LOSI
KA:heynow,
don’
tcr
y…
*
***
***
***
Kaedit
ookhisphoneoutandsawthemessages
fr
om hi
swives,andj
ustshookhi
shead.Hehadno
ener
gytodealwitht
hei
rshit
.
Thi
shur
ttoomuch.
Hehadnotcr
iedwhenPi
lar
alef
t…what
ever,
she
hadt
hatchoi
ce.SameaswhenSar
onalef
t…
Hehadnotcr
iedwhenLoapicheat
edonhi
m.
Al
lthathadhur
tbutwhat
ever
…
Thi
sfri
endshi
p‘breakup’
…t hi
s… thi
sfeltl
ike
someonestr
aightupwasr i
ppinghissoulout.
Hewasn’tgoi
nghome,notwi
tht
hosetwoactinga
bit
chli
kethat
.Hehadnoener
gyfort
heirchat
ter
today.
Heneededadi
str
acti
onbefor
ehestar
tedt
hinki
ng
badt
hought
s.Hedroveof
ftoabarandgotabeer,
t
hensatal
oneandwentonl
ine.
AFacebookmessagecamef
rom Sar
ona.
‘
Heyyyy,
fancyseei
ngyouonl
ine’
‘
Ithoughtphoneswer
eradi
ati
on?
’
‘
Oh,t
heytot
all
yare.Ial
lowmyselfaweeklyuse
t
hough.Tocheckonpeople.Howisever
ythi
ng?’
‘
Fine.Howi
sCost
aRi
ca?‘
‘
Heavenl
y.Whati
swr
ongKy,
wheneveryousayf
ine
Iknowit
snot
.’
‘
Your
emembert
hatgi
rlKenami
le?
’
‘
Yourt
winf
lame.Yea,
whatabouther
?‘
‘
Mywhat
?’
‘
Theot
herhal
fofyoursoul
’
‘
Ok… wear
enotl
ikethati
fyout
hinksheismy
soul
mat
eorsomethi
ng.Weneverevendated…‘
‘
Honey,
atwinfl
amei sNOTasoulmate.Asoulmate
i
ssomeonewhoi smadefrom t
hesameki ndof
ener
gyasyou.Apersonhasmulti
plesoulmates,
that’
swhywecanconnecti nlovewithsomany
peopleatthesameordi ff
erentti
mes.Youonl yhave
onet wi
nflame.Somet i
mesasoulspl it
sintotwo
beforeascending,andendupi nt
otwodi f
ferent
bodies.That’
stwinflame.It’
ssuchahi gherand
i
ntenseconnect i
ont hathavingasoulmateseems
patheti
ccompar edtoat winf l
ame.’
‘ Youarewei
rd.Andl
ikeIsai
d,Nami
eandIar
e
notl
over
s.’
‘
Beinglover
si sn’tar
equi
rementfortwi
nsouls.
Somedof alli
nl oveandi
tscrazyint
ense,
butsome
stayj
ustfri
ends, hel
l,
sometwi nf
lamesnevereven
fi
ndeachot her’
Lord,whywasheeventryi
ngt
omakesenseoutof
anythi
ngSaronasays?
Theal
coholwasnumbi
ngandmadehi
mfeelbet
ter
themor
ehedrank.
Andoldacquai
ntancewal
kedinwi
ththreeski
mpy
dr
essedgir
lsandcameovertohi
stablewit
hthem
*
***
***
***
***
*
Inthemor
ningKenami l
esighedassheputon
makeuptohideherswoll
eneyesf
rom cr
yingal
l
night
.
Todaywasheror
ient
ati
onasshest
art
edwor
kon
Monday.
Couldn’
tshowupatherf
ir
stdayofwor
kwi
thpuf
fy
eyes.
Shear r
ivedanhourear li
er.Hercol
leagueswer e
verynice,andevent houghthecompanywasmuch
smallerthanLID,theenvironmentwasmuch
fr
iendli
er,sheevengott omeett hefounder,
who
i
nsistedonj ustbeingcall
edjustSadieoratleast
Basadi.
Sheleftar
ound4:
30pm andwal
kedt
othebusr
ank
tocatchataxi
.
Asshegoti
n,aguygoti
naf
terher
.
Theguyf
rom yest
erday.Set
horwhat
ever
.
Ok,
maybehel
ivedi
nherar
ea.
Shesi
ghedandi
gnor
edhi
m,l
ooki
ngatherphone.
Hesnat
chesi
tawayandsavedhi
snumber
,then
cal
ledi
twi
thherphone.
SETH:Kenat
hemmaIsai
ddumel
a.
KENAMI
LE:(
sighi
ng)Dumel
ang.
.
SETH:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul…
KENAMI
LE:CanIhavemyphoneback?
Thel
adyt
axidr
iverl
ookedatt
hem wi
thasmi
le
TAXIDRI VER:Koorewabookashi el
amonnayo
mont l
esomysi ster
.Andlookathi
swatchandcar
keys.Basadibaleluckykanal
enalegoe
tshamiki
sa.
KENAMI LE:Mysist
er,
youcanhavehi
m.I’m not
i
nterest
edinst
alker
s.Youpar
kedyourcartogetin
ataxiwit
hmef orwhat?
LADYI
NTAXI
:Aww,
nnaIt
hinki
t’
sromant
ic.
SETH:(
laughi
ng)Yousee,
I’
mromant
ic…
KENAMI
LE:Wai
tformeatt
hatl
eftt
urn.
Sethhandedt
hedr
iverbot
hthei
rfarebef
ore
Kenamil
ecodpay,
thengotoutwit
hher.
KENAMILE:Ther
eisaver
ybi
g,st
rongmanwher
eI
l
ive,
don’
teven…
SETH:KenathemmaIam nott r
yingt
oat t
ackyou
orhurtyouoranythi
ng!Nemmaam Iwr ongt obe
att
ractedt
oyou?Kanamyf aul
tisbei
ngPi l
ara’s
cousin?Whyareyouincludi
ngmei nafeudt hatis
noneofmybusi ness?
KENAMILE:(si
ghing)Seth,
Ijustlostaoneyearold
babynotsolongago,andaver ydearf r
iendshi
p
j
ustyest
arday.I
’m st
arti
nganewj ob.Iam amess.I
am i
nnoment alstat
etostartanythi
ng.
SETH:Iwillgiveyouallt
het
imeyouneed.I
’l
ltake
evenjustf
riendshipf
ornow,Ij
ustwantachanceto
gettoknowyou.
*
***
***
***
*
1Yearl
ater
….
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Kaediwokeupf
rom hi
sbedroom ashehear
dPilar
a
andLoapiar
gui
ngaboutsomethi
ngonthehall
way.
Whatnow?
Hei
gnor
edthem andwentint
ohisbathr
oom and
t
ookabath,
thengotdr
essedandreadyforwork.
He’
dbeensleepi
ngi
nhi
sownbedr
oom mor
eof
ten
nowadays.
Sincethatdaywhenhewentt ot
alktoKenami lea
yearago,hegothomeandf oundbothLoapiand
Pil
arasteaming.Hehadtr
iedtoexplainthatheonl
y
wenttosaygoodbye,butt
heywer en’thavi
ngit,
bothinsi
sti
nghel i
ed.
Thi
ngshadgoneonadownwar
dspi
ralf
rom t
her
e.
He’dt
ri
ed,real
lydi
d,butever
ywomanhespoketo
hewasaccusedofsleepingwit
h,anyt
imehegot
homelate,
hewasaccusedofl yi
ngandgoi
ngto
seeKenamile.
I
fitwasn’
tLoloi
twasPi
lar
a..Orbothatthesame
t
ime.Eit
hercomi
ngathi
m orateachother.
Orhisfucki
nguncl
est
hatwerest
il
lpret
tymuch
causi
nghavoc.Andhest
il
lhadnoideawhocame
aft
erhi
sf amil
y.
Mostofal
lhemi
ssedNami
esomuchi
thur
t.
Hegotoutsi
deandbot
hLoapiandKaedi
appr
oachedhim.
LOAPI:Youbet
tert
ellyourwif
ethatyouare
accompanyi
ngmet odaytothebusinessawar
ds.
Youhavetocome,youar et
heCEO.
PILARA:Hendoesn’
thavetodoshit
.Lastyearyou
accept
editonyourown,youwil
ldeal
.KaediandI
haveadate,l
astweekhecancel
ledonme.
LOAPI:Hel
lo,
hecancel
ledonmet
oo.Youcango
onyourdat
et omor
row.
PILARA:No,Lol
o.It
’souranni
ver
sar
y,youar
ejust
beingsel
fi
sh.Kaedi
,tel
lher
…
Hej
ustwentpastt
hem andt
ohi
scar
.Thi
swas
r
eal
lyi
rr
it
ati
ng.
*
***
***
***
*
Kenami
lesati
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom l
ist
eni
ngt
oSedi
andSet
hlaughi
ngandwashi
ngt
hecarout
side.
Sethhadproposedlastweek.Andyester
dayshe
hadtol
dhimt heywereexpecti
ng,andhewasover
themoon.Hehadi nsist
edsheandSedimovei n
i
mmedi at
ely,
sotheywer emovingintomorr
ow.
God,shehadnotexpect
edt
ofal
lforapl
ayboyl
ike
Seth,
orforhi
mtobesuchagreatboyf
ri
endanda
goodfat
hertoSedi
.
Shemi ssedKaedial
ot,butshehadlear
nttoaccept
thathechosetonothaveaplaceinherli
fe.
Set
hwalkedi
nandki
ssedhercheek,
thenbentt
o
ki
ssherst
omach.
SETH:Heyf
iancée,
heyl
ilmani
nther
e.Car
washi
ngdone.
KENAMILE:Lenkgai
sit
se.Fi
rsttri
msterent
shwere
kadi
washene.lt
houghtIwasr est
ingint
hesofa
owai
i,
Ipassedout.Haven’
tevenstart
edcooki
ng.
SETH:Noproblem,
wewi
llj
ustgogetpi
zza.Got
ta
feedt
hisguy.
Her
ubbedherst
omach.
SETH:WaitsekanaIst
il
lcan’tbel
ieveI’
m aboutto
beahusbandandaf at
her!Me!Ial waysthoughtI
wasgonnaenduponeoft hoseol dmenosot egang
aleonebecausehesquander edhisli
feandnever
marri
ed.Il
ivedawil
d,r
ecklesslif
e.
KENAMI
LE:Andnow?
SETH:Ijust… man!Koor
eIdon’tknowwhatt osay
Kena.This… t
hisi
swhatIwaslookingfor!AndI
didn’
tevenknow.Themmat hanksforgivi
ngmea
chance!Ij
a,l
etmegobeforeyoustarve.
KENAMI
LE:Br
ingmegemer
ethebat
ho.
.
Theydroveof
f,andj
ustasshewasaboutt
odoze
off
,ther
ewasaknock.
Shel
azi
lywentt
othegat
ewhent
heknocki
ng
woul
dn’
tst
op.
Ther
ewasat
eenagegi
rli
nFSSuni
for
m.
HER:Dumel
ang
KENAMI
LE:Mmel
amma.Looki
ngf
oranyone?
Shel
ookeddownsadl
yandat
earf
ellf
rom herf
ace.
OhmyGod,whathadSethdonenow.Hebet
ternot
besl
eepi
ngwi
thschoolgi
rl
s.
KENAMILE:Sweet
ie,
whatisit
?Youhavet
otel
lme
formet
obeabletohelp.I
sitSet
h?Di
dhe…
HER:Ithi
nkmyfatherwasyourl
atebr
other
.Ar
e
youmissKenamil
e?
KENAMI
LE:Yes… mybr
other
…Got
husang?
Thegir
lhandedheraphot
oofKenami
le’
sbr
other
hol
dingherwhenshewaslit
tl
e.
KENAMI
LE:Comei
n,canIgetyouanyt
hing?
HER:Kesi
ame
Kenamil
ewenttotheki
tchenandbroughthera
tr
ailmi
xsnackandajui
ce,watchi
ngasshe
devour
editsof
ast.
KENAMILE:Ihavemyl
unchi
fyouar
ehungry.Iam
pr
egnantandmyappet
it
ecomesandgoes,
soI
di
dn’
teat.
Shewentbacktot
heki
tchenandcamebackwi
tha
warmedplat
e.
Thegi
rleatsoqui
ckl
yKenami
lewonder
edwhen
shel
asthadameal.
KENAMI
LE:Whati
syourname,
sweet
ie?
HER:Wandi
pa
Kenamil
ecouldactual
lyseet
heresemblancet
oher
brot
her
.Shedi dr
ememberThusisayinghehada
daught
er,buthehadneverbr
oughtherhome.
KENAMI
LE:So,
mybr
otheri
syourf
ather
…
WANDI PA:Heusedt otal
kal otaboutyou.He
wouldcomeseemesomet i
mes, butheandmama
werealwaysf i
ghtingandheneveral lowedhi mto
takeme.He’ dhelpwi thbuyingt hings…af t
erhe
passed…west r
uggl ed,butmamadi dhairandwe
madedo.Mamapassedsevenmont hsback… I
just
… Idohai rt
oo.ButIhaven’ tfoundcust omers
andIhavef ormf i
veexamscomi ngup… Ij ust…I
don’tknowwhatt odo…Twomont hsbackIwentt o
yourhomei nthevi l
lageandyourmom shout edat
mesayi ngIwasl ying.
Kenamil
esi
ghed.Hermotherneverevent
oldher
aboutt
heki
dcoming.Butthenift
hekidwasreal
ly
Gothusang’skid,i
twoul
dmeanKenamil
ehel
ping
hertoo,andlessermoneyt
ohermother
.Si
gh.That
woman.
KENAMI
LE:I
’
m sosor
ry…
WANDI PA:Papausedt osayyouwer enice.Sot he
otherdayIsawyouatt hemal l.Someonecal l
edyou
Kenami leandal soyoulooklikepapaabi t
.Ididn’t
knowhowt oappr oachyou,soIj ust…Ifollowedyou
andwat chedyout akeataxi
,thenl at
erbeggedt he
taxidri
vert otellmewher ehedr oppedyouof f.I
just… Iwon’ taskf ormoneybecausei twil
llooklike
Iam lyingIj ustwantmoney.I fyoucan, pl
easehel p
mebuyt oi
letr
yt hi
smont h.Pads, soapandr ollon.I
willworkhar derf i
ndingcustomer sfornextmont h’
s
hair,I
’
llevenpayyoubacki f…
KENAMI LE:Sweeti
e,youar
emyniece.Yourfat
her
tookcar
eofmewhenIneededi t
,youdon’thaveto
saysuchthings.
Shewentt
ot hebedroom andcamebackwi
thher
handbaghandingherP400.
*
***
***
***
***
**
Pil
arawalkedi
nthegardenasKaedipl
ayedwit
h
theki
ds.Lolohadf
inal
lygonet
otheawardsonher
own,yeay.
PI
LARA:Dar
li
ngs… gr
anni
ehasmadecooki
ea
i
nsi
de… r
unalong…
Theki
dsr
ani
nsi
deexci
tedl
y.
PI
LARA:So,
Imadear
eser
vat
ionsat
…
KAEDI
:Pi
lar
a,It
oldyoutwoweeksinadvancet
hat
t
odaywasmyf r
iendEsau’
sbachel
orpar
ty.
PI
LARA:Buti
t’
souranni
ver
sar
y…
KAEDI
:Noi
t’
snot
… ouranni
ver
sar
yist
omor
row…
PILARA:Tomor rowi
sSunday!Goi
ngoutt
omorr
ow
willbebori
ng.Anyway,It
houghtwecoul
dst
art
celebrat
ingear
ly…
KAEDI:Youjustdon’
twantmegoingtoaparty
becauseyouthinkI
’m gonnagof
uckaround.
PILARA:Canyoublameme!Youareali
arKaedi
andIhavelear
ntt
hehardwayaboutt
rusti
ngyou.
KAEDI
:Ar
gggggggg!Jesus,
woman!It
oldyouI
wentt
osaygoodbyeonlythatday!Andit
’sal
lIdi
d!
AndIhavenotseenort
alkedtoNami ei
nayear.
PILARA:That
’swhyyoucomehomesol
atef
rom
ti
met ot
ime?
KAEDI:No.Itoldyousomet i
mesIj ustdri
vearound
orparksomewher eoutsideFranci
stown,justt
oget
somepeace.Nowor k,nonaggingwi ves,
noentit
led
famil
y!Il
it
erall
yjustparkandhaveabeeronmy
own.
PILARA:Ri
ii
ii
ight.Youmustt
hinkIam afoolKaedi
.
Youarenolongerevenint
imatewit
hme, andLoapi
saidt
hesame.It ri
edtomakeamovet heotherday
andyoubasicall
ytoldmetol
eaveyoualone.
KAEDI:Guesswhat,Pi
lar
a!Someti
meswhenaman
i
sextremelystr
essesl
ikeIam,hel
oseshi
ssex
dri
ve.So,yea,
fucki
ngi
st hel
astt
hingonmymind
ri
ghtnow!
PI
LARA:Oryouar
ejustget
ti
ngi
tsomewher
eel
se.
KAEDI:Pil
ara,si
ncewemarriedthefi
rstti
me.
Bef
oreKaiwasbor n.Si
ncethatti
me, Ihaveonly
sl
eptwiththreewomen.You,Loapi,
andSar ona.
Andsi nceSar
onalef
t,i
thasonlybeentwo.Butthis
i
sawast eoft
ime,
youar enoti
nter
estedi
nthet r
uth,
allyouwannadoisyellandaccusemeofthings,so,
I’
m goingout.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Kaedisatwi
thhiscousi
nDevonandsomef
ri
ends
i
nahousepar t
y.
DEVON:Guys,Igot
taheadback,hat
eleavingthe
wif
eal
one,sheisonthelastmonthofpregnancy.
FRI
END:What
?It
’s10pm!
DEVON:Yup.Lat
e.
FRIEND:It
houghtshebor
rowedyouyourbal
lsf
or
today.
DEVON:(
laughi
ng)Fuckyou.Ky,
lat
er…
KAEDI
:,
Immaheadoutt
oo.
FRIEND:Quest
ionKy,
doeachofyourwi
veskeep
oneball
,ort
heytaket
urnshol
dingt
hem.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Saidt
hewhorewhoi
ssti
ll
sl
eepi
ngwith18yearol
dswhenhi
swif
ejustgave
bi
rt
h.
Hewalkedof
fwit
hDevon.Ashegotint
hecar
,
someskimpydr
essedgi
rlwal
kedovert
ohi
m.
HER:Youar
eleavi
ng?
KAEDI
:Noti
nter
est
ed…
HER:Comeondaddy,
wecoul
d…
KAEDI
:Nope.Mar
ri
ed.Fuckof
f.
Hedroveoffandi nsteadofdr i
vinghomej usttooka
det
ourandj ustkeptdrivi
ng.Homej ustwasn’ta
goodplacetobe, Loapiwoul dbebackbynow, and
i
twouldmeanadoubl eyell
ingmat ch,andher eal
ly
wasn’
tupf orit
.
Hewasst rai
ghtupdrunkri
ghtnow.Ok,notdead
dr
unk,butbuzzedenought oj
ustwanttopeaceful
ly
dr
if
tintoanap.Maybehewoul dbookahot eli
n
Fr
ancistowntoni
ght.Yea.Apeacef
ulgoodnight
sl
eep.Phoneoffandshit.
Pl
ushewashavingsuchabadheadacheashe
dr
ovet
hroughsomesmall
vil
l
age.
Hesawacl
osedt
uckshopanddeci
dedt
ogoand
j
ustknockandbegt
hatt
heysel
lhi
m somet
abl
ets.
Heparkedandashewal
kedt
owar
dst
hedoor
,he
coul
dhearyel
li
ng.
‘
Ihadmoneyri
ghthereandi
tdi
sappear
ed,
now
moneymir
acul
ouslyshowsupi
nyourbag?’
‘
IswearIdi
dn’
tst
ealyourmoney,
myauntgavei
tto
me:
‘
’Whataunt?Youar
eathi
efj
ustl
ikeyourmot
her.
Youwon’tgoanywher
einl
if
eWandipawitht
hese
habi
ts’
Hecoul
dhearbel
tlashesandscr
eamsashe
appr
oachedt
hedoor.
Heknockedandagi
rlcamet
oopen.
KAEDI:Iknowyouareclosed,butIam dyi
nghere,I
needapanadoorsomet hing.Pl
ease.Domeaf avor
andyoumi ghtj
ustgetyoursel
faP20ont opofthe
pri
ceofthepanado.
Thegi r
lsmiledandwenti
nside,
comingbackwit
ha
key.Aftersell
inghi
mthepanado,shewentt
ofet
ch
him somewat er.
Anothergi
rlcameoutofthehouser
unni
ngand
cr
yingasast outol
derwomanchasedher
,thr
owi
ng
afl
ipflopaft
erher.
‘
Otsamael
erur
int
jakweena.Youst
ealf
rom me
Wandi
pa?’
Thegir
lranandsatatadi stancefrom t
hehouse,
behi
ndthechickencoop,cr yi
ng.Theothergi
rl
camewithwater.Kaedidrankandt hankedher
, t
hen
shewentbackinside,l
ockingthedoor,andoutsi
de
l
ight
swer et
urnedof f
.
Noneofyourbusi
ness… noneofyourbusi
ness
Kaedi
.
Ar
ggg,
fuck!Hedi
dhaveasavi
orcompl
exaf
teral
l.
Hewal
kedt
owar
dst
hechi
ckencoopt
othegi
rl
.
KAEDI
:Ar
eyouok?
Shej
ustsobbed.
KAEDI
:Comeon,
I’
ll
got
alkt
oyourmot
herand…
WANDI
PA:Shei
snotmymot
her
…
KAESI
:I’
l
lgot
alkt
oherst
il
l…
Shesobbedf
rant
ical
ly
WANDIPA:No,
please,
youwi
llonl
ymaket
hings
wor
se…
KAEDI
:So,youar
ejustgonnasi
touther
e?Wi
llshe
openf
oryou?
WANDI
PA:Maybe…
KAEDI:Comewaiti
nmycart
hen…t
her
ecoul
dbe
snakesouther
e.
Shej
umpedf
rom wher
eshewassi
tt
ing,
scar
ed.
KAEDI:Comeon.Youcanevenhol
dmycarkeysso
Ican’
tdri
veof
fwithyou.
Sherel
uctant
lyheldoutherhandandhel
aughed
andhandedherthecarkeys.
Shefoll
owedhi mtothecarandsatinthe
passengerseatasKaeditookoutavodkabottl
e
andtookaswi g.Hedranksever
alti
messt heysat
i
nsilence.
WANDI
PA:CanIhave… t
hat
?
KAEDI
:Nope… ki
dsdon’
tdr
ink
WANDI PA:I’
m notkid… I
’m..I
’m 21.Please.Ihear
d
al
coholmakesyouf orget
.Please… Ihaveal otI
needtoforget
,evenifi
tsjustforabit
.
Heshookhi
sheadandhandedherabot
tl
e.
Shetookal
argeswigandcoughedandspi
titout
asshecont
inuedt
ocough,tear
scomingfr
om her
eyes.
Kaediburstoutl
aughing,especi
all
yasshepout
ed
thatl
it
tl
epoutthatremindedhim ofNamiewhen
shewasangr ywithhi
m.
Shewasast ubbornli
ttl
et hingandshetookthe
bott
leagainandt ookanot herswig,f
orci
nghersel
f
toswallowtheliqui
d,thenl ookedatKaediwi
tha
smugsmi le,herhandscr ossedoverherit
tybit
ty
chest.
KAEDI:(
clappi
nghands,
laughi
ng)Bi
ggi
rl
!
Swal
lowedonewholegulpofvodka!
Shegrabbedthebot
tl
eagai
nandt
ookanot
herswi
g,
thenKaedidr
ank.
Theysati
nthecardr
inki
ngandl
aughi
ng… bef
ore
theyknewitt
heywher edri
vingaround,Kaedi
openingt
hesunroofandspeedi ngwhil
eWandi pa
screamedandlaughed,bot
hdr unk.
Theyent
eredTat
isi
dingandsawaguesthouse.
KAEDI
:I’
m dr
unk.Gonnagetusr
oomsorwhat
ever
.
Hepar
kedreckl
esslyandshef
oll
owedhimt o
r
ecept
ion,
wheretheywereabl
etogetj
ustone
r
oom.
Asheclosedt
hedoor
,shewasbehi
ndhi
m,l
ooki
ng
al
lcut
eandshit…
Her
eal
lyhadmeantt
othi
nkabouti
t…
Butshewaslooki
ngupathi
m wit
hthosebig
curi
ouseyesandpout
yli
ps,
sandwichedbetween
hisbi
gbodyandthedoor
… hemouthslight
lyopen
andinvi
ti
ng…
Fuck… herl
ipsweresowar m andtast
edof
i
nnocenceandcuriosi
ty… hedidn’
tevenknow
whentheyreachedthebedorhowbot hthei
r
cl
othesgotoff
…t heywerebot ht
hatmuchdrunk.
KAEDI
:(sl
urr
ing)weshoul
dn’
tI…
WANDIPA:Pl
ease… Iwantt
o… pl
ease… Ij
ustwant
t
ohavefunonceinmylif
e… pl
ease…
Fuuuuck!Shelookedsogood,hersmallper
ky
breast
sli
fti
ngupanddownasshebr eat
hedheavy,
thedarknippl
estautwit
harousal….
*
***
***
**
Int
hemorningKaediwokeupt
oaf
rant
icWandi
pa
asshegotdressed.
WANDIPA:OhmyGod,mmemogol
oisgonnaki
ll
me,
Ineedtogethome.
Kaesisi
ghedandgotdressed,
thendr
oveherback
home,befor
edri
vingt
ohi sownhome.Wow.
Whatani
ght.Hedidrememberusingrubber
… he
hadf
ounditontheguesthousedesk.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
WhenLoapigotbackhome,
shef
oundPi
lar
aint
he
l
ivi
ngr
oom.
LOAPI
:Oh?Thedat
efi
nisheddoear
ly?
PI
LARA:Mxi
m
LOAPI
:Ij
oo?Iwast
rul
yjustaski
ng.Sor
rymma.
PILARA:Whydon’ tyougoaskyourhusband?He
di
dn’tevenbothershowingup,
hel eftforaparty
andhasn’tbeenback.Ical
ledMichell
e,andhei s
notwiththem,Devonishome,andt hewifetothei
r
fr
iendwher et
hepar t
ywassayshel eftear
ly.
LOAPI
:That
’si
t.I
’
m gonnagoconf
rontt
hatbi
tch…
PI
LARA:Iagr
eewitht
hat,Kenami
let
hinkswear
e
af
rai
dofherorsomet
hing.
LOAPI:It
houghtyourcousi
nwassupposedt
okeep
herbusy.
PI
LARA:Set
hker
ubbi
shhel
a,hei
sfai
li
ng.
LOAPI
:Youcomi
ng?
*
***
***
*
Loapi
andPilar
aar
ri
vedatwher
eKenami
lest
ayed.
Shewasnothome.
PILARA:Shei
spr
obablywi
thhi
m.Let
’sgot
oSet
h’s
andaskhimtocal
lherhome.
Theydr
ovet
her
eandf
oundKenami
lehomeal
one.
LOAPI
:Wher
eisKaedi
?
KENAMILE:Howwoul
dIknow,
Ihaven’
tseenhi
min
ayear
.
LOAPI:So,l
ike,
didyoutworehear
sethewhole
‘
seenhim orherinayear’
orareyoubot
hjustl
iar
s
i
ntandem?
KENAMI LE:Youar ebot hgonnaloseagoodman
becauseofinsecurit
ies.Ineverdidanythi
ngwith
Kaedi.AndIhavenoi deawherehei s.So,i
fyou
cameher etoinsultme, youcanleavebecausemy
fi
ancéeisaboutt ogetbackhomeandwedon’ t
needthisrubbish.
Set
h’scarpar
kedandhewalkedi
nwi
thSedi
,
hol
dingtwoboxesofpi
zza.
SETH:Couz,whydi
dn’tyousayyouar
evisi
ti
ng,
I’
d
havebr
oughtmorefood.NnakanaIeat,
oneboxis
formealone.
PI
LARA:Set
hcanwet
alkout
side?
SETH:I
t’
sok,
Nami
ecan…
KENAMI
LE:Goahead…
Set
hfol
lowedPi
lar
aout
sideanLol
ocamet
oo.
PILARA:WhatthehellSet
homo,f
iancée?Youwer
e
supposedtoj
ustplayaroundwi
thherandkeepher
awayfrom myhusband.
SETH:Shhh!Notsoloud,
damn!And,shei
saway
fr
om yourhusband.Shei
sal
lmine,
youshoul
dbe
happy.
LOAPI
:Youcan’
tmar
ryher
!Shei
stoxi
c!
SETH:Notmyexper
ience.
PI
LARA:Set
homo,youar
enotgonnamaket
hat
bi
tchmyfamil
y!
SETH:Idon’tl
ivetopl easeyouPi l
ara,youareso
sel
fobsessed.Ifellinlovewi t
hawomanandIam
marryi
ngher.Wear eexpecting.Youshouldbe
happy,youdon’thavet owor ryaboutherandyour
husbandanymor e.Now, j
oinusfordinnerand
behave,orf
uckof f
.
Hewal
kedbackt ot
hehouseandt
heywentbackt
o
t
hei
rcarannoyed.
PILARA:Sosheget sahappil
yever
yaft
er,af
ter
wreckingourmarri
age?Allt
hestr
esswewent
throughbecauseofher
?Howi sthi
sfai
r!
LOAPI:NotifIcanhelpit
.Kenamil
eisgoingto
l
earnhowi tfeel
sli
ketohavesomeonesnat chi
ng
yourhusbandkabodipa.Sethisawhore.Some
youngmodelonhi sfaceandhecan’tr
esist
.
*
***
***
***
**
InthemorningKaediwalkedint
othehouseand
bothLoapiandPilar
asatintheli
vingroom wi
th
thei
rhandscrossedoverthei
rchests.
KAEDI
:Dumel
ang…
LOAPI
:Mxi
m…
Pi
lar
ajustl
ookedaway.
KAEDI
:Okt
hen…
Hewalkedtohisbedr
oom andt
ookashowert
hen
gotbackt
osleepi
ng.
Thedooropenedandbot
hhi
swi
veswal
kedi
n.
LOAPI
:Wher
ethehel
lwer
eyoual
lni
ghtKaedi
?
KAEDI
:Hot
el.CanIsl
eep?
LOAPO:Whi
chone?
KAEDI :Lolo,whatt
hefuckisgonnagetyououtof
myhai r?SayingIwaswi t
hawoman?Fi ne.Spent
thenightfuckingsomehotyoungthing.NowIam
supertiredbecauseIhaven’
tneededthatkinda
energyinal ooongti
me,sogetout.Bothofyou.
PI
LARA:That
’sal
ie,
youwoul
dn’
t…
KAEDI:So,
whatthehelldoyouwantmet osay?I
tel
lyouwhereIal
waysgo, gat
weI’mlyi
ng,Iwas
wit
hawoman.Isaysur e,Iwaswithawoman,
gatweI’
mlyinggape?Jesus,l
adi
esmakeupyour
mind!
PI
LARA:Ican’
tli
vel
iket
hisKaedi
,youkeept
hisup,
I
’mleavi
ng.
Hesi
ghedandsatup.
KAEDI:Byallmeans,do!Onel
essheadache,
maybe
t
hisonewillfol
lowyoutooandIwil
lfi
nall
yhave
peace,
arr
h!
Pi
lar
asl
appedhi
m acr
osst
hef
ace.
PI
LARA:Howdar
eyou!
KAEDI :What ?I’
mt i
redPi l
ara.Yout woneverwanna
l
istenandunder stand, youjustwannaar gue.You
actlikebei ngwi thmei sadut y.Istoppedseeingmy
bestf riendbecauseyouwer ebitchyaboutit.Iam
mi serabl eandImi ssher ,
butIdi ditt
ot r
yand
appeaseyout wo.Wer eyouappeased?Nooo!
InsteadIgetaccusedofcheat i
ngandyel ledatfor
evenj ustbr eat
hingwhenIam doi ngnothing!Itr
y
everythi ngIcant opl easeyout wo, butallyou
wannadoi sbitch.
LOAPI:Boohoo,poorl
it
tl
eri
chboyi
sn’
tget
ti
ng
thi
ngshiswayforonce…
KAEDI :WhenhaveIevergottenanyt hi
ngmywayi n
myl i
feLoapi
?When?Il i
teral
lyli
vet oplease
everyonebutme.Fir
stItri
edt otalkwithbothofyou,
suggestedcoupl
e’st
herapy.Noneofyouwant edi
t.
Youwer ebothhel
lbentinbeinghost il
e.SoIjust
stayedoutofyourway,l
eftwor klate,t
henjust
drovear oundai mlessl y.Camehomewhenyou
wer esleeping.Andyoust i
llmadei tapoi nttost art
shitwithme.Thr eatenmeaboutl eavinglikeIdon’ t
havef eeli
ngs.Thatshi thurts,t
ohavepeopl ewho
aresupposedt ocareaboutyouconst antlythreaten
youaboutl eavi ng?I’
mt ir
ed.Butmosti mpor tantly,
I’
m wor ri
edaboutmyki ds.Thisisnoenvi ronment
toraisechildren.Myki dsseet hi
sshi t,t
heyf eelt he
tension.Theyar enothappy.AndIam notsor r
yt hat
theycomebef orebot hofyou, somaybeyout wo
l
eavi ngisforthebest .Now, getthef uckoutofmy
room andgomakeupyourpompousmi ndson
whatyouwannado, beforeyoupi ssmeof f,nxla.
LOAPI:FuckyouKaedi
.Youf
uckedupever
ythi
ng!
Don’
tactvi
cti
m now.
PILARA:Youexpectust
ojustf
oldhandswhenyou
fuckar
oundand…
KAEDI:BathobaModi mo!I
’m notfuc… act
ual
ly,
youknowwhat ?Yester
dayIdid.Spentt
imewitha
hotashel
ltwentyoneyearoldwhowashappyt obe
aroundme.Wehadf un,Ir
eall
yenjoyedher
company,whichisnotwhatIcansayaboutyou
twonowadays.Thenwegotdr unkandfuckedli
ke
jackrabbi
ts.I
twast hefi
rstt
imeevercheating,
but
youknowwhat ?Iam notsorry!I
’l
lpr
obablydoit
again.AndI ’
l
ldoyouaf avourandhelpyout wowit
h
thatleavi
ngyoukeept al
kingaboutwhenIwakeup.
I’
llhavemyl awyerdrawupt hepaper.
Pil
araranofft
oherr
oom cr
ying,asLol
owalkedof
f
withherheadhel
dhi
ghastearswell
eddownher
face.
*
***
***
**
Pi
lar
asati
nherr
oom br
eaki
ngdown.
Kaediwant
edout
.Hewast
alki
ngdi
vor
cepaper
s
andall
… ohGod.
Hedi
dn’
tevenl
oveheranymor
e…
Sher emember edhowi twasaftershehadlef
tthat
ti
me.Howl ostshehadf el
t…thebr eaki
ngdown,
quicklyspi
rall
ingintodepr
essi
on… Thecocainehad
numbedi t… howshehadqui ckl
ybecame
dependantont hatshi
t…
Shedi
dn’
tknowi
fshehadi
tinhert
orest
artagai
n.
Moneywoul dn’tbetheprobl
em, buti
twouldbethe
bei
ngalone… eventuall
yaccept
inganyloserl
ike
Tumojusttotryandf or
gethi
m.
God,shedi dn’
tknowhowt obeonherown
anymor e….This… thi
swaswhywomenst ayed.
Manyj ustdidn’tknowhowt obeont heirown, andit
sucked.Notonl ywasshedependantonKaedi
fi
nanciall
y… whi chofcoursehewoul dgivehera
nicesettl
ement ,butwherewasshegonnageta
nicesettl
ementf orheremot ions?Shewasgonna
beallalone… shewasgonnahavet of acewi t
ht he
emotionsshehadbeenavoi dingaboutther ape,
keepi
ngbusywi t
hhersit
uationwi t
hKaedi …she
wasgonnahavet odealwithwhatt hosemendi d…
Theirbodyodour… al
coholti
ntedbr
eat
h… God,
thei
rdrunklaughsasthey…
Herremai ningthr
eadofstrengthfrayedbef ore
breakingcompl et
ely,
sendingherplummet i
ngover
theedgeandi nt
othedarkness.Hystericalsobs
shookherf rame,t
hreat
eningtotearherapar tfrom
theinside.Shefoughttorecl
aim controloverher
body,shockedbyt hesoundsescapi ngf rom deep
wi
thi
nherchest
.
Thecocai
nehadnumbedi
t…
ShehadseenLosi
kawi
that
adofwhi
tepowderi
n
hi
sbeardbef
ore.
Herenti
rebodyshookassherandownst air
s.The
doorwaslocked,
buttheheadhousekeeperhada
keyforcl
eani
ng.
Sheranovert
oherr
oom,
seei
ngherout
sidei
nthe
gar
den.
Good.
Shequickl
yfoundthestackofkeysandran
upst
air
s,tr
yingsever
alunti
lshefoundonefor
Losi
ka’
sdoor .
Ok,wherewoul
dhehi dei
t?Hewouldn’tcarr
yit
becausehewouldn’
twanttobecaughtwithi
t,soi
f
hehadany,i
twasi nt
hehouse.
Shewentt
hroughhisdr
awers,cl
oset
,desk,under
themat
tr
ess,bat
hroom cabi
net
…ahh!There.
Shequi
ckl
yrippedt
hesmallwhit
epacketandputi
t
onthebat
hroom si
nkcount
er,f
indi
ngashop
r
eceipti
nhi
ssidet
ableandr
oll
ingi
t.Justashe
l
eaneddowntosnor
t…
‘
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
’
Itwassaidsosof
tl
y,butshej
umpedst
art
ledas
Losikast
oodbehi
ndher.
PI
LARA:Iwasj
ust
…I…I
… Losi
ka,
pleasel
etme
must
…
Heswipedal
lthepowderi
ntot
hesi
nkwi
thhi
shand
andr
ant het
ap.
PI
LARA:( yel
li
ng)Whatt
hehel
ldi
dyoudo!Ohmy
God!Ineededthatt
o… ohmyGod…
Shetr
iedtouseherfingert
opi
ckupanylef
tover
s
buthejusthel
dherbackandwi
peditwi
thatowel
asshebrokedowncrying.
Hepul
ledheri
ntoahug.
LOSIKA:Iknowhowat t
racti
veiti
s… Iknow the
escapeisepic,butit’
snotwor thi
tPi
pa.Youqui t
andhavebeencl eanforyears…youbeatthe
addict
ion… don’tbeast ati
sti
cofaddict
shighly
l
ikel
ytor el
apse.
PILARA:(
cr yi
ng)Youdon’
tunder
stand… myli
feisa
messLosika,Ineedtoj
usthaveabitofanescape.I
cansmelltheirbr
eat
honmyneck… Icanheart hem
and…
LOSIKA:(
pat
ti
ngherback)Youaresaf
enow… you
aresaf
e… noonecanhurtyou…
PILARA:Kaediisleavi
ngmeand….Howt
hehel
ldo
Igetthr
ougheverythi
ngwi
thouthi
m,I
…
LOSIKA:Idon’tevenknowwhyyoubaseyour
happinessonsomeonewhomakesyoucr yal
lthe
ti
me,it’
sirr
it
ati
ng.
PI
LARA:Il
ovehi
m…
LOSIKA:Yea,
wel
l
,maybeyoushoul
dlear
ntol
ove
your
selff
ir
st.
PI
LARA:Youar
eonet
otal
k.
LOSI
KA:I’
m nott
heonebreaki
ngandent
eri
ng,
l
ooki
ngtoscoreasnor
t.
PARA:(
smi
li
ngwi
tht
ear
s)Youar
ehuggi
ngme.
LOSI
KA:It
’suncomfor
tableashell
… butIcan’
t
st
andtoseeyoucry… eventhoughyoudoitli
keal
l
t
het
ime…
PI
LARA:(
smi
li
ng)Awww…
Withoutevent
hinki
ngabouti
t,sher
eachedover
andstrokedhi
sface,t
hengotonherti
ptoesand
gentl
ykissedhi
m.
LOSI
KA:Pi
lar
a…
PI
LARA:Somet
imes…somet
imesIwi
shIdi
dn’
tlove
hi
m…
LOSI
KA:(si
ghing)Mybrot
hercanbeanasshol
e.
Youdeser
vebetter
… andno,I
’
m nott
alki
ngabout
me.I
’m worse.
PILARA:Ijustwantt
obelovedthesamewayIl
ove
him,i
st hataski
ngtoomuch… Ijust
…maybe
somethi
ngi swrongwit
hme, t
hat’
swhymen…
Shest
art
edsobbi
ngagai
nandhewi
peshert
ear
wit
hhi
sthumb.
LOSIKA:Not
hingiswrongwi
thyou,youarej
ustt
oo
sof
tandyoosweetforthi
sworl
d.IfIknewhowto
l
oveandyouwer en’
tmybrot
her’
s…nevermind.
Hecar
essedhercheekwi
thhi
sfi
nger
s.
LOSIKA:Not
hingiswr
ongwit
hyouPipa,
don’tyou
everthi
nkt
hat.Youar
eali
ghti
nthi
shorr
ibl
e,dark
world.
Nowshewascar essi
nghisj
awandstubbl
e,put
ti
ng
herhandsbehi
ndhisneckandpul
li
nghimtoherfor
akiss.
Shegaspedasshepr essedherbodyi
ntohi
sand
fel
thi
shardon.
..herhandcaressi
nghi
szipper
..
.
LOSI
KA:Shi
t…I
… uhm… f
uck…f
uck… Pi
lar
a…
don’
t…
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
InthemorningKaedical
ledbot
hPi
lar
aandLoapii
n
hisoff
ice.
KAEDI:Justgivemeamomentt otal
k,thenyoucan
sayyourpiece.Wear enothappyhere.It
’sj
ustnot
worki
ngandI ’m sur
eyouwillbot
hagree.Iasked
youbot htogomakeupyourmi ndsandt ellme
whatyouwant .Noneofyoudi d.SoIam guessi ng
i
t’sdead.Ihavehadmyl awyerdr aftoutdi vorce
papers.Iknowbot hofyousayyoucan’ tleavet he
kids,
so, gowiththem.Itpainsmet ohavet hem
growupi nabr okenfamilysituati
on, butI’drather
thatt
hant heygrowupi nahost il
ehouse.Your
divor
ceset t
lementsarewr i
ttendownt hereaswe
aren’
tmar ri
edincommuni t
yi fproperty.Takeyour
ti
met olookati t
,andwhenyouar eready… si gn
andwewi l
ltakeitfr
om there.
TheybothlookedatitandLoapisi
gnedandl
eft
,
thenPi
lar
asi gnedherst
oo.
Helookedatt hem sadlyast heyleft.Wow.Soi t
r
eallywasover .Hehadhadal it
tlehopet hatthey
wouldconsidermar riagecounsel l
ingbeforesigni ng.
Helaidhisheadont hetable,t
ryingt ost
opt het ears.
Helovedbot hthosegi rl
s,andtheybot hwer en’tthe
miserablepeopletheyhadbecome, soiflet
ting
t
hem gowast heonl ywayf orthent oregain
t
hemsel ves,hewillhavet oacceptt hat
.
*
***
***
***
**
Thenextf
ewweeksKaediwat
chedsadl
yasmovi
ng
car
scame.
Loapimovedt oahouseKaedigotherasherthree
bedroomedonewast oosmallforwhenthekids
eventual
lygrewupandneededt hei
rownbedrooms,
andhedi dn’
twantthem havi
ngt omovehouse
again.Shemovedinwiththekidsandthei
rnanny.
Pil
araagr
eedtol
ethermoveinwi
thKait
oo,Bebe
andKaiweresocl
osetheydi
dn’
twantt
oseparat
e
them.
Pi
lara’sauntwhowasherlat
efather
’ssist
erhad
i
nsistedsheandReahmovei nwithherastheol d
l
adyst ayedalonei
nabighouse.Shehadaf itabout
Kainotmovi ngint
oo,
butult
imatel
yunderstood.
Adaybef oretheyfi
nall
ymoved,Kaedisatwit
hhis
ki
ds.Thet r
iower et
wo,Reahone,andBebeandKai
seven,allofthem wil
lnoti
ceadif
ferencesinl
ivi
ng
arr
angement ,eveni
ftheyoungoneswoul dn’
t
understand.
KAEDI
:Chi
ef,
pri
ncess,soyouguysknowyouare
movi
ngwit
hmama, ri
ght?Daddyisnotcomi
ng,
but
yougetnewbedr
oomsandal
l.
KAI:Idon’
tunder
stand,
whydowehavet
o?Why
can’
tyoucomewi thus?
MBEWU:Becausedaddyandmamadon’ tl
ikeeach
otheranymor
e,andt
heyaregonnabuysomethi
ng
call
edadivor
ceandthenwehavetomove.
KAI
:What
’sadi
vor
ce?
KAEDI:Adivorceiswhent wopeoplearenolonger
marri
ed.Andno, pri
ncess,i
t’snotbecausemama
andInolongerloveeachot her.Wejustdon’
tmake
eachotherhappyanymor e.
MBEWU:Why?Areyouandmamanothappy
becausewear
enaught
y?
KAEDI:Oh,no,
pri
ncess,
pleasenevert
hinkl
iket
hat.
MamaandI ,wewantyouguystogetthebestofus.
Wewi l
lbesomuchhappierapart
,soyougeta
happymamaandahappydaddy.
*
***
***
***
**
ThenextdayLoapisati
nhernewhomel
ooki
ngat
herphone.
Wow.
Shest
il
lcoul
dn’tbel
ieveitwasover
.Thedivor
ce
wasnotfi
nal
isedyet,buttheyhadmovedoutand
al
l.
Thebiggestst
epi
nher‘Kaedil
if
e’sof
ar.Shehad
neverbeenabl
etol
eave.
Shewasgoi ngtofocusonselfl
oveandhealing
andtaki
ngcareofherchil
dren.Andaloooooong
breakfr
om dati
ng.Godknowssheneededt hat.
Herfri
endAtangarr
ivedwi
thsomechampagneand
snacksfort
hekids,
andAudreyar
ri
vedwi
thher
ki
dsnext.
Theywer egonnahaveaniceli
tt
leni
ghti
ndoor
picnic,
andwhenthekidsfel
lasl
eep,t
heywere
gonnadr i
nkandeaticecr
eam andtal
kabouthow
shitt
ymenar e.
*
***
***
***
Reahwasi ntheli
vingroom withPi
lar
a’sauntand
thehel
perasPi l
aragotready.Lor
d,whenlastdid
shedoaf ul
lfacemakeup?
Shet
ookoutthenewli
nger
ieandputi
ton,t
hen
j
ustalongcoatont
opandti
edit
,smil
ing
Shewalkedinthel
ivi
ngroom wher
eReahwas
feedi
ngPil
ara’
sauntsomegrapesandhavi
ngf
un.
PILARA:Rakgadi
,mycousinMminoi
nvit
edmeto
herfr
iend’
sbabyshower
,ifi
t’
sokwi
thyouI’
l
l…
AUNT:Pi pa,goal
ongmygi r
l.Youdon’ thavet
oask
forpermissi
on.Soci
ali
singiswhatyouneedt oget
overthatmessofamar riage.Iam sti
llmadwi th
thoseLedimo,howdarehepl aysyouar oundl
ike
that,
doesn’theknowwhoyouar e?
PI
LARA:(
sadl
y)I
t’
sokaunt
y.
AUNT:Noi t
’snot
.Iam madatthem.Iam madat
myfamily!I
maginemybother
’sonlychi
ldwor
king
i
narestaurant
!
PI
LARA:Ibroughti
tonmysel
faunt
.Il
it
eral
lyf
ought
wi
thever
yone.
AUNT:Thatmeansnothi
ng!Theywerewrong.You
don’
tdi
scardfamil
yli
kethat
,nomatterwhatt
hey
do!NnaakereIwasinKuwaitbei
ngambassador.
Akereer il
eaf t
eryourfat
her’sf uneralnnal e
mogat seabor elwa,soIdidn’ tkeepupwi t
hyou
becauseIt houghtshewast akingcareofyou, I
didn’twantyout obecaughtbet weenourf i
ght.
Nnyaat hel astmonthgakeboammaSet homotold
meal lthathappenedt oyou, myhear tbroke.My
brother ’
sonl ychil
d!Ican’
tf orgivemysel ffor
dependi ngonast rangertolookaf t
ermyownbl ood,
mmaKgosiwasnotyourbl ood, mayGodr esther
soul,buti tmakessenseshewoul djusteasilyt
hrow
youout .Tholoenehei sbei ngcont roll
edbyt hewif
e.
PI
LARA:I
t’
sokaunt
y,i
t’
sint
hepast
,al
lwecando
i
smoveonnow.
AUNT:Youar er
ight!AndIam sogladyoulef
tthat
Sat
anfamily!Pr
aiseGod.Ij
a,kanannaItal
kal ot
,
gotoyouthingmma, don’
tworryaboutReah.
Mothoyokemmekana.
PILARA:(
laughi
ng)Sher
efusest
osl
eepi
nherr
oom
orwithmesincewemovedin.
AUNT:(
laughi
ng)Kemmeobat l
agonthokomela,
o
t
hokomelagof
elewagagwe.Runal
ong,andst
ay
awayf r
om t
hoseLedimo.Ifl
eanwat henj
ust
spendtheni
ghtPil
ara,Idon’
twantyoudri
nki
ngand
dri
ving.
PI
LARA:Eemma
Sheki
ssedReahanddr
oveof
f.
*
***
***
***
Kaediwasi
nthegym r
oom punchi
ngtheboxi
ng
punchi
ngbagwhenLedimowalkedin.
LEDI
MO:Thatbagmustr
eal
lyhavepi
ssedyouof
f.
KAEDI:Notnow,please…I
’m goi
ngt
hroughshi
t
al
ready,don’
tneedyoutel
li
ngmehowweakIam.
LEDIMO:Fine.Thenhowaboutyouteachyourol
d
granthatwei
ghtli
ft
ingt
hingyoul
ongpromised.
KAEDI
:(chuckl
ing)Youwer
eser
ious?
LEDI
MO:(laughi
ng)Gir
lsnowadayswantagood
l
ooki
ngman.Ther ei
san80yearoldbodybui
lder
.I
candoi
ttoo.
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)Fi
ne,
oldman.Hey,
doyouknow
wher
eLosi s?
LEDI
MO:Yootshwanet
seaj
olamal
atsiahei
s
al
wayssneaki
ngof
f.
KAEDI:Ihopeso…maybel ovecangethimt oopen
upabit.Anyway,pi
ckali
ghterweightt
ost art
,you
wantyourmuscletogetusedtoit
.I’
llt
ellt
hecook
tomakeyoumymacr omeal pl
antomaxi mise
gai
ns.
Theyst
art
edworki
ngoutqui
etl
yforanhourunt
il
Ledi
mosatdown.
LEDIMO:Mh-mhh,wenayougotoohard,
Iwi
llask
Wetshotohel
pinst
ead.Iam wor
nout.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Pussy
LEDI
MO:(
laughi
ng)Youai
ntget
ti
ngany.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Ouch.Br
utal
,ol
dman.Br
utal
.
LEDI
MO:Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
KAEDI
:Honest
ly?Ter
ri
ble.
LEDI
MO:Isti
lldon’
tunder
standwhyyouwon’tlet
metal
ktothosegir
lsandhavethem comeback.
KAEDI
:Itwoul
dn’
tchangeanyt
hinggr
andad.We
havebeenunhappyforal
ongti
menow.Ij
usthope
wecaneachfindourownhappi
ness.
LEDI
MO:Lookatyou.Ar
adi
antbal
lofhappi
ness!
KAEDI
:Yousuckatsar
casm
LEDIMO:Andyousuckatbei nghappy.Kaedi
,
mopingaroundathomeandbeat i
ngupapunching
bagisnotgonnahelpyoui nanyway.Goout,
dri
nk,
getagir
loftentofuck.YouareKaediLedi
mo!You
candowhat evert
hehellyouwant!
KAEDI
:Idon’
tevenknowwhatIwant
.Youar
eri
ght
,
I
’m af
ucki
ngwimp.
LEDIMO:Youar
egoi
ngthroughadoubl
edivor
ce,
cutyour
sel
fsomesl
ack.Andyouarenotawimp.
Hesighedandwentt
oseatbyt
hebench,
looki
ng
down.
LEDI
MO:Kaedi
,I
’m sor
ry.
KAEDI :Excuseme,what ?Di
dthegr eatKaedi
Ledimoj ustapol
ogise?Idon’
tevenknowwhati t
’s
for,butI’
llt
akeit
.Canyousayi tagainjustsoIcan
recordit?
LEDIMO:( l
aughi
ng)Don’
tletitgettoyourbi
ghead.
ButIreall
yam sorr
y.Youaret oughashell
.
StrongestmanIknow.Nothingwi mpyaboutyou.I
taughtyouhowt odobusi
ness, andhowt ohandl
e
thedarkerdeal
s… howtofight…
KAEDI:Ir
ememberwhenyouusedtoteachme
kar
ate…youmademelovemarti
alar
ts.
LEDIMO:Ishouldhavetaughtyoulovet
oo.Howt o
beahusband, afat
her
…Idi dn’
tknowanything
abouti
t,butIshoul
dhavelearntsoIcanteachyou.
KAEDI
:Arg,it
’scool
.Fr
om whatIhear
,yourol
dman
wasarealbastar
d.
LEDIMO:( l
aughing)Hehadhi sissues.Ijust
thoughtIneededt obet oughonyouasyouwer e
goingtobemyhei r.Iknowhowourf amilyis,Edi.I
didnotmakemyf ort
uneeasy.Ihadt ofi
ght,and
somet i
meki l
l… somet i
memyownbl ood, t
oget
whereIam.I fIhadn’tpreparedyou… yousee, even
nowt heystil
lunderesti
mat eyou…Ij ustdidn’
twant
anyonet orobyouofyourl egacy.
KAEDI
:Ineverunder
stood… whyme?Youwer
e
neverthattoughonmyf atherormyunclesormy
brothersorcousins…fr
om asyoungasIr emember
,
youal waystoldmeIwasyourhei r
,evenwhenmy
fatherwasar oundandtheri
ghtful
…
LEDIMO:Leat i
lewasawi mp.Iwoul drat
herthrow
myr i
chestoswi net hanhavehadt hatdrunkashei r
.
Theyar eal
lweak.ButIdon’ twanttot al
kaboutt hat
now.Iwantt oseeyouhappy, Kaedi.Thatismyl ast
wishont hi
sear th,
Ineverwast rul
yhappy, but
happinessandl ove,tr
uelove,i
sallIwantf oryou.I
don’
thavemucht i
mel ef
t,so…
KAEDI:Whatt
hehel
list
hatsupposedt
omean.
Don’
tshaveti
melef
tonwhat?
LEDI
MO:(
laughi
ng)Count
ert
opopul
arbel
ieve,
Iam
noti
mmor
tal.
KAEDI:Li
keyoual
wayssay,
youcoul
dst
il
lhave
t
wentyyears
LEDIMO:OrIcouldhavetwo.Ij
usthopeIhave
enoughtimetoteachyoutofal
linl
ove.Wi
th
yoursel
f,andwi
thagoodwoman.
KAEDI
:Woul
dyoust
op?Youar
enotgoi
ng
anywhereanytimesoon.Getup,wearedoi
ng
anothersetofArnol
dpress,t
hiswholewaahwaah
I’
m dyingshiti
sbori
ngandsodoesn’tsui
tyou.
*
***
***
***
**
Pil
aradroveintothesmal l
vil
lage,andpastthe
homesunt i
lshesawt hebi gwalledhouse.She
cl
ickedtheelectr
icgatecli
ckerandi topened,
then
droveinandpar ked,walki
ngt othedoor.
God, shehopedtodayhe’dfi
nal
lygi
vei
n.Theyhad
mett hreet
imessincelastt
imeinhisr
oom where
theyendedupj ustki
ssing,
andsincet
henallt
hey
didwast al
k,andkissedtwomoreti
mes,butnever
anythingbeyondthat.
Sheopenedthedoorandhesati
nthecouch
topl
ess,
watchi
ngfootbal
l.
LOSI
KA:Youcame…
Sheplayedwiththel
oll
ipopshewaseat
ing,
smackingitagai
nstherli
ps.
PI
LARA:Howcoul
dInot
?
Sheunt
iedherl
ongj
acketanddr
oppedi
tint
he
fl
oor
,st
andi
ngi
nfr
ontofhi
minj
ustl
inger
ieandher
heal
s.
LOSI
KA:Shi
t…Pi
pa,
thi
sissowr
ong…
PI
LARA:Yetf
eel
ssor
ight
,doesn’
tit
?
LOSI
KA:I
tdoes…
Shestr
utt
edovertohi
m andst oodinfr
onti
fhi
m
wit
hherhandsonherhips.Shealwayswait
edfor
himtomakethefi
rstmovesohecoul dbe
comfor
tabl
e,andsheknewheappr eci
atedt
hat
.
LOSIKA:YouknowKaedii
sgoingt
okil
lme,r
ight
?I
guessit
’sagoodthi
ngIdohaveadeat
hwish.
(l
aughi
ng)
Hegr abbedherhandandr oughlypul l
edheronhi s
l
ap, sl
ammi nghi sl
ipsintoher s,neatlyknockingthe
windof fherlungs.Hepr essedhi stonguet othe
seam ofherl i
psand, athergr antofaccess, del
ved
i
nsidehermout h.Herarmsr eachedupandt angled
aroundhi sthick,strongneck.I nani nstantshehad
pull
edawayandar chedupi ntohisbr oadchest,
moani nginthecont actofbodyheatagai nsther
own.
Hesl
ight
lyshovedheraway.
LOSI
KA:Pi
lar
a,ar
eyousur
eaboutt
his?
PI
LARA:Uh-
huh…
LOSI
KA:Come…
Hetookherhandandpul
ledherdeeperi
ntot
he
housei
nhisbedroom.
I
twasmost l
ybar
e,l
eavef
orabedandaver
ylar
ge
war
drobe.
Heopenedthetopcabi
netoft
hewar
drobeandt
ook
al
arge,bl
ackbagout.
.
LOSI
KA:Wel
comet
omywor
ld,
gir
l….I
tsdar
k.
Hesaidashelai
doutthebagcont
ent
sonthebed,
hereyesgoi
ngwideasshegaspedwi
thshock.
{
Expl
ici
t}
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Kaedisatatthetablehavingbreakf
astalone.
Wetshowasabr oadf orabit
,hi
ssistershadmoved
wit
ht hei
rmot her
,mmaLedi mowast ravel
ing,
and
Ledimostayedupl ateallni
ght,sot
heol dfoxwoul
d
onlybeupbyel evenorso.
Damn, itwassofucki
ngqui eti
nhere,hewasused
tohisrugrat
syell
ingabout,Pil
arahummingher
gospelsongsasshehel pedfeedthebabi
es,and
Loapichatti
ngtohim aboutthest
ockmar ket
.
Hesi
ghedandwenttoputhisuntouchedbr
eakfast
i
nthekit
chen,t
henwentupstair
stoshower.What
t
hehellwashesupposedtodowi t
hhisSat
urday?
Heonl
yhadt heki
dsnextweekend.
*
***
***
***
WhenPil
araf
inal
lywokeup,
itwasal
readyl
ate
morni
ng.
Goddamnit…lastni
ghthadbot
hscaredand
exci
tedher
.Losi
kawasdark… l
ikef
orreal
.
Hehadshownhert hatt
hinli
nebet
weenpleasur
e
andpain,
thentookheroveri
tandshownherthe
bl
issofnothavi
ngthatli
ne.Pai
nwaspleasur
e.
Sheclosedhereyesandmoanedasshe
rememberedhimlayingbesi
deher,
whisper
ingi
n
herearashewast yi
ngherup,hi
sdeepmasculi
ne
voicei
nherearashet ol
dher…
‘
Idon’tdosafewords…sothisi
syourlastchancet
o
run,orelseyouareagreei
ngtosurr
endertome.
Completely,
fort
henexttwohoursorso.'
Andboywasshegl
adshedi
dn’
trun.
Shedidn’tknowi
fshecoul
dhandlethatagain.It
wasintenseandtoomuch,butshehadnor egret
s
what
soever .
Sheopenedhereyesandhewaspr oppeduponhis
el
bow,stari
ngather
.Sti
llkeepi
ngadist
ance,
thei
r
bodynottouchi
ng.
LOSI
KA:Your
eal
lyar
east
unner
…
Shebl
ushedandcover
edherf
acewi
thherhands.
PI
LARA:Il
ookamess.
LOSI
KA:Ahotassmess.
Hel
eanedi
nandni
bbl
edherl
owerl
ip.
PILARA:Lor
d,Iwi
shIcoul
dst
ayi
nthi
sfant
asy
forever
…
LOSI
KA:Youcould…atleastlonger
.Tel
lyouraunt
youwil
lbel
ate… wearefoingsomewhere.
PI
LARA:(
giggl
ing)I
sitl
ikeadat
e.
LOSIKA:Idon’tdodates.Let
’ssee,youcanwear
thesesweatpants.I
t’
sadr awstr
ing,soyoucant i
e
i
tup.Andt hi
stshi r
twil
ldo.Gobat he,
I’
llgett
hings
ready
*
***
***
***
**
Kaedispentmostofthedayinhisstudywor king,
thenintheeveni
ngdecidedtogooutfordi nner,
eati
ngalonesucked,atl
easti
nrestaurantshecould
seepeopleandpretendhewasn’tsoal one.
Ashewalkedin,
hesawKenamilesi
tt
ingal
ong
havi
ngherdi
nner.Hewal
kedovertoherwi
tha
smil
e.Shest
oodupandhuggedhim.
KENAMILE:Edi
!Ihear
daboutt
hedi
vor
ce,
Idi
dn’
t
knowi
fIshouldcal
l.
KAEDI
:Dude,
ist
hatabump?Youl
etsomeni
gga
nuti
nyou?
KENAMILE:(
laughi
ng)Ah,st
il
lcrasst
hen.I
t’
sso
ni
cetoseeyou!Howareyoudoing?
KAEDI:Sameold.Youlooksogood,
pregnancy
sui
tsyou.I
sthatniggatr
eat
ingyouri
ght?
KENAMILE:(smi
li
ng)Hei
sthebest
!Her
eal
lyi
s
suchagentl
eman.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Obat
lagor
eogai
samang?
KENAMILE:(
laughi
ng)Wai
pel
ael
a?Honest
lyEdi
,
howar
eyoudoi ng?
KAEDI:Sad,
lonel
y… atl
eastI
’
m notsui
cidal
,ast
ep
upforme.
Hereachedupint
otakeherspr
ingrol
l,
and
Kenamil
eswathedhishandaway.
God,beingaroundNamiealwaysfel
tsonor
maland
nat
ural.Hefelthappyar
oundher.
Butnope.Notabr
idgehewasgonnacr
oss.
.He
woul
djustenduphurt
ingher
.
KAEDI
:Okaemans… whyar
eyoueat
ingal
one?
AndMsSedi
?
KENAMI LE:Sediwant
edtovisi
thomef ort
he
weekend,andSethwenttot
hef ar
m withhi
sfat
her
.
Soo,what’
snext,gotanewladyalr
eady?
KAEDI:Bel
ieveitornot,
Iam si
ngl
e.Li
ke,
noteven
hooki
ngupki ndofsingl
e.
KENAMI
LE:Youar
elyi
ng
KAESI :Iswear.Mygr andpasai
dsomethingt
hat
madesensef oronce.ThatIdon’
tlovemysel
fandI
don’tknowhowt olove.Youknowwhatmygr eat
est
dream is?
KENAMI
LE:What
?
KAESI:Tobehappy.Koor et obeinar el
ati
onship
wherethereistrust,happinessandmut ualrespect
.
IknowIwasagr eatpartoftheprobl em i
nmy
marri
ages, soIam takingt i
meof ffrom dati
ng,for
Kaedi
.Tol earnmeandl oveme… t henlearnwhat
exact
lyitmeanst obeinar elat
ionshi pwit
h
someone.Iwantmynextr elati
onshipt obehappy.
KENAMI
LE:That
’ssogoodKaedi
.
Theysatint
alki
ngunt
ilhi
sfoodcameandt
heyhad
di
nnertoget
her.
*
***
***
**
Pil
aragiggledandl
ookedout
sidet
hecarwi
ndowas
Losikadrove.
PI
LARA:Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
LOSI
KA:Wai
tandsee,
cur
ios.
Hearr
ivedattheLedimofi
eldsanddroveal
lthe
waytothebackoutski
rt
swherethedam usedto
i
rr
igat
ethefarmswas.
Hesetoutal
it
tl
epi
cni
c,t
hensomef
ishi
nggear
.
LOSIKA:Noonecomesdownhere,
weallowl
ocal
fi
shersf
rom t
imetot
imewhenther
eist
oomuch
fi
sh.
Hepouredoutsomecof f
eefr
om aflaskand
handedittoher
,thenser
vedeggs,
bacon,toast
,
fr
eshfrui
ts.
PI
LARA:So,
li
ke,
doal
lLedi
momenj
ustcook?
LOSI
KA:JustEdiandI
.Thatl
it
tl
ehi
ppi
emadeEdi
l
ear
n.
PI
LARA:Andyou?
Hewasqui
etf
orsomet
ime.
LOSI
KA:Par
tofmydut
ieswhenIwasgonewast
o…
wel
l,
ser
vemyowner…
PI
LARA:Owner
?
LOSIKA:Anyway,I’
llt
eachyouhowt ocat
chfi
sh.
Thisishowyouthreadahoodwi t
haf i
shli
ne…you
everfuckedout
side… li
kej
ustout
sideinanopen
fi
eld?
PI
LARA:(
blushi
ng)OhmyGod,
what
?
LOSI
KA:Comeher
e…now,
Pil
ara.
*
***
***
***
Loapiwal
kedi
ntotheChi
neser
est
aur
antwi
thher
fr
iendsf
ordi
nner.
ATANG:Wow,yourexgadiisebaka,
alr
eadyoutand
aboutwi
tht
hesidebi
tch?
LOAPI:Wai
t,wasn’
tshesupposedt
obeget
ti
ng
marr
iedandshit
?
Loapi
tookapi
ctur
eoft
hem,
thensenti
ttoPi
lar
a.
‘
Yourcousi
nisbei
ngt
akenf
orar
ide,
poorl
it
tl
e
f
ool’
LOAPI
:(smi
li
ng)Comeongi
rl
s,l
et’
sgoeat
.
AUDRY:(
laughi
ng)Whatdi
dyoudo,
Sat
an?
LOAPI:Thatbitcht
hinkshecanruinmymar
ri
age
thenfrol
icar
oundwi t
hmyhusbandasasidenigga
whileshegett
ingmar r
ied?Never
.
*
***
***
***
*
Aft
eraraunchyqui cki
e, Pi
lar
aandLosi kaspental
l
daywit
hhimt eachingherhowt ofi
sh,thenhaving
l
unchfrom t
heirpicnicbasket,andjustbasked
undert
hesunashel i
stenedtohert al
k.
PILARA:Like,
Idef
ini
tel
ywant
edt
obeaf
ashi
on
designer
.
LOSI
KA:Whydon’
tyou?
PI
LARA:Idon’
tknow?Sel
fest
eem?WhatifI’
m not
asgoodandmyfamil
yandfri
endsj
ustsayIam?
LOSI
KA:Sowhat
?Ifpeopl
edon’
tfi
ndi
tgood
enough,
youwor
konget
ti
nggoodati
t.It
hinkyou
shoul
d.
Itwassonicetoseehim skr
elaxed,healways
seemedonedge.Maybenowwast heri
ghtti
met o
tryt
ofindoutwhathappenedtohim al
lthoseyears
back.
PI
LARA:Ear
li
erwhenyousai
dyour‘
owner
’
LOSI
KA:Don’
t…
PI
LARA:Ij
ust
…
LOSI
KA:Timetogo… backt
oyourl
if
e,pr
incess,
youar
einvadi
ngmine.
PI
LARA:I
’
m sor
ry.Ij
ustwannahel
pyouLos…
LOSI
KA:AndIdon’
twantyourhel
p,t
hankyouver
y
much.Comeon,l
et’
sgo.
*
***
***
***
Kenamil
elai
dinbedl
ateatni
ghtwhenSet
hwal
ked
Iandroughl
ypull
edt
heblanket
soff
.
SETH:
Kenami
le,
areyouf
ucki
ngwi
thme?
KENAMI
LE:Huh?
SETH:I
sthatdamnchi
ldevenmi
ne?Younever
st
oppedfucki
nghi
m,di
dyou?
KENAMI
LE:Ar
eyoudr
unk?
SETH:Nxl a,Kenamile,ket agobet sakana.Odi r
a
mas* paandt henyouwannat ellmeI ’
m drunk?
Problem withbit
chesi sy’alldon’tknowhowt obe
tr
eatedr i
ght.Amanr esoect ayouandyout hinkhe
i
saf ool.Nxla!I'
m nottheonet ifuckwi t
h,wa
nkutwa?I fyoueverseeKaediagai n,
I’
llki
llyou.
Yourstupi dfucki
ngf ri
endshi palreadyruinedtwo
marriages,Iwil
lkil
lyoubef or eIloseyout othat
asshole,nxla!
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Thenextdayi
ntheeveni
ng,
Set
hwal
kedi
ntoan
emptyhome.
Kenamilehadbeensoangryshehadnotspokento
himinthemor ni
ng,andhewasst
il
linhi
sfeeli
ngs
thent
oo, sohejustl
eft
.
Nowt hehousewasempty…Shegotoffworkat
4:30.Wherewasshe?Shebet
ternotbewi
ththat
asshole…
Hetr
iedcal
li
ngherandshedidn’
tpi
ckup… that
’s
whenhestar
tednot
ici
ngthathercl
otheswer
egone
t
oo.
Hedrovetoherpl
aceandknocked,
aft
ersomet
ime
sheopened.
SETH:Nami
e,what
’sgoi
ngon?
KENAMI
LE:Real
lySet
homo?Yout
hreat
enedt
oki
ll
me!
SETH:AoKenamma,
youknowi
twasj
ustanger
speaki
ng.
KENAMI LE:Nnarr
aItaket
hosethi
ngsser
iousl
y.I
haveayoungchil
dandanotheront
heway,I’
m not
gonnabeheadli
neyaTheVoice.
SETH:Kena,don’
tdot
his…wear
ehappy…wear
e
get
ti
ngmar r
ied.
KENAMILE:Happypeopledon’
tthr
eat
ent
hei
r
par
tnerwi
thmurder
,Seth.
SETH:Kenat
hemmaIjustgotsoangr
ywhenIsaw
phot
oofyouandKaedi
.Idi
dn’
tmeantit
.
KENAMI LE:Andyoudidn’
tevenaskmewhat
happened.Didn’
tevenbothert
ell
ingmewhatyou
wereangryabout,j
umpingtoconclusi
on,
ompitsa
bobitchandthreat
enedtokil
lme.
SETH:Kanakooremycousi ntol
dmeyouandKaedi
haveat hi
ng,
andIam jeal
ous.Ihavet
hisi
nsecuri
ty
thatonedayyouaregonnaleavemeforhi
m, and
nowt hathei
ssingl
e…
KENAMI LE:Youshoul dhaveaskedmeabouti t
Seth!Whatki ndofmar ri
agewoul dwehaveer e
ntsalaoabuaseaboont olel
akadi puoandthr
eat
s.
It
’snosecr etthatPi
larahatesme, soshewill
alwayshavesomet hingnegativet
osayaboutme.
Willyouinsultandthreatenmeever ytime?
SETH:No…IswearIhavelearntmylesson.Iam so
sor
ry.Kena,
Idon’
twanttoloseyou,youdon’tknow
howmuchyouhavechangedmyl i
fe…forthebetter
.
KENAMILE:Set
homo,howdoyouexpectmeto
t
rustyouwhenyouhavet
hreat
enedt
okillme?Ke
t
akgonagor
obal
akal
eit
hol
ebut
swe?
SETH:Kenat hemmadon’ tdothat.Ihavebeen
violentwithwomen, yes…butIcouldneverwithyou.
Evenyest erdayamidstmyangerIwoul dn’
tdare
raisemyhandt oyou.Justgi
vemeaf inalchance
Kena.Pl ease…Iam begging.
KENAMI LE:Iam notmovingi
nunti
lIam sur
eIcan
t
rustyou…andwewi l
lhavetopost
poneonthe
wedding.
SETH:Kena…
KENAMI LE:What, youwantmet orideintosunset
wit
hamanwhot hr eat
enedtokil
lme?For giveness
i
sear ned.Whenyoushowmeyouar ereall
ysorry
andyour eal
izedhowwr ongi
twasandyouwi l
l
neverdoitagain,thenIcanforgi
ve.Rightnowal lI
seeismypot ent
ialdeath.
SETH:I’
l
ldoever
ythi
ngandanythi
ngyouwant
…I
ser
iousl
ydon’
twannaloseyouKena.
KENAMILE:Andlearntot
alk,
Seth,
esereoutwil
e
onesi
deyast or
yhelaaboosetseolwa.Iwent
al
onetotherest
aurant
.Kaedicamein.Hesawme
andcameoverf orachat ,weateandwentour
separ
ateways.Ihaveneverspokent oKaedisi
nce
wegottogether,andsinceourfri
endshipmakes
youuncomfortable,Iwil
lconti
nuetostayaway
fr
om him.ButIwi l
lnottoler
ateabuse.Physi
calor
mental
.Youevenst art,andit
’sover
.
*
***
***
***
*
ThenextdayKaedicamedownstai
rsf
orlunchand
foundWetshoeat
ingwhil
eonthephone.
WETSHO:Lebakwenemmakant ewhydoyou
alwaysdomel i
kethis.I
t’
slikeyoutakemefora
fool,
whatwrongdidIeverdot oyoubutloveyou
withallmyheart
?ar gg,l
egaleeemmal etmeknow
whenyouar eavail
able.
Hehungupandsadl
ylookeddown.
KAEDI:Youhonestl
yshouldlett
hatbi
tchgo,
Lebakwethi
nkssheisJesus’sP.Abecauseher
fat
herisapast
or.Screwthatwhore.
WETSHO:Sheisnotawhore,
andIam nottal
king
aboutmyr
elat
ionshi
p.Howareyoukeepi
ng?
KAEDI
:I’
l
lli
ve.I
’
m bor
edashel
l.
WETSHO:Comewi
thme,
wecanal
waysuseext
ra
hands.
KAEDI
:Wher
e?
WETSHO:Thi
spl
aceIvol
unt
eerat
…I…
KAEDI
:WegotCSRf
ort
hat
…
WETSHO:Don’ tbeanasshol e.Somanyoft he
ol
derboysthereidoli
zeyou,t
heycan’tstoptal
king
aboutyourcarcol l
ecti
ons.I
t’soneofthem’s
bi
rthday.Bri
ngthecarandgi vehim aspin,
you’
ll
makehi sday.
KAEDI:If
eelforhi
m andall
,butmymachi
nesare
notf
orkidstoplayi
n.Thosethi
ngsar
eexpensi
ve.
WETSHO:Fuckyou,
justcomeandhel
pee.
Hesighedandjoi
nedhiminhiscar,passingby
Shopri
tebuyi
ngsnacks,st
ati
onery,andtoil
etr
yfor
theki
ds,t
hendrovetotheorphanage.
Kaediwat
chedast
heki
dsr
ant
oWet
sho.
BOY:Wet
sho!Igota65%i
nmat
hs,
look!
WETSHO:What?Highfi
ve!That
’sarealbi
g
i
mprovementmyman.Nowwear egonnawor
koni
t
agai
nunti
lit
satei
ghtyper
cent!
Hepickedupali
tt
leoneasagir
lcameout
sideand
handedWetshoahandker
chi
ef,
whowipedtheki
d’s
snott
ynose.
WETSHO:Boyce!Wher
eist
hediapermonna!
Tj
eludonennawhylesamoapesadiaper
?
HER:(
sighi
ng)Wer
anout
.
WETSHO:Ei sh,t
hosepeoplewi t
hther eusable
diaper
sbetterbr
ingt
hem fast,orI’
llgobuyi nChina
myself,wehavebeenwaiti
ngf orthreemont hsnow.
I’
l
lasksomeonet odropdisposablesher etoday.
Kaedil
ookedatt
hegi
rlwi
thasmil
e.Shewasso
beaut
if
ulint
hatf
lawl
essdar
kski
nandsweet,mil
d
manneri
sm.
WETSHO:Oh, bytheway,thisismybrotherKaedi,
heiscomingt ohelpwitht
hebi rt
hdayparty.Iwas
j
usttel
li
nghi m weholdabi r
thdaypart
yever y
monthforallthosetur
ningthatmonth.Kaedi ,
Tj
eludo.Sheisawesome.Soci alworkerby
professi
on,butdeci
dedtousethehouseher
parents’
leftherasahomeforkidswhenSOShad
nospacef orthem.Shei
ssuperwoman.
TJELUDO:(laughing)Awwnow, wewoul dn’teven
beafloatwi
thouthim,thedonat i
onspeoplebr i
ng
aresopatheti
c,itusedtobet hatonemont h
somebodyot sisagrocerynyanatotakesoci al
mediaphotosaboai l
e…t henextmont hwesi ll
suff
er…notthatwedon’ tappreciat
e.Butthisguy….
Hefoundusayearagoandhasbeenmaki ngsur e
theki
dsneverlack.
Kaediputofhi
schar
mingsmi
leandext
endedhi
s
handtothegir
l.
KAEDI
:Edi
… si
ngl
e..
WETSHO:Youarenothert
ype,
asshol
e.Gogett
he
snacksf
rom t
hecar
.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Fine… shei
syourtypethough.
Dumpthatawf
ulbit
chandgetMsTi gelehere.
*
***
***
***
**
Theyl
eftt
heor
phanagei
ntheeveni
ng,
Kaedi
sur
pri
sedhowmuchheenj
oyedhi
sti
met
her
e.
Theyeachwenttothei
rroomst
oshowerandget
readyf
ortheeveni
ng.
*
***
***
***
**
Losi
kawasgett
ingoutofhi
sbedr
oom i
nthe
Ledi
momansionwhenKaedicamedownthest
air
s.
Kaedi
:Headedt
oDer
’st
hing?
LOSI
KA:Li
keIhaveachoi
ce?
KAEDI :(l
aughing)Yup,
hisbratt
yasswi
llgetpet
ty
ashel li
fwemi sshisbi
rthday.Hi
tchar
ide?Don’
t
feell
ikedrivi
ng.
LOSI
KA:Sur
e,l
et’
s… Dol
lar
,getyourassdownher
e,
weheadi
ngout
.
Wetshocameoutofhi
sroom andt
heyal
lheaded
outtoLosi
ka’
scar
.
Theygotinhi
scarandheheadedoff.Kaedisaw
somethi
ngshinyonthecarf
loorandpickedi
tup.
KAEDI
:Youwer
ewi
thPi
pa?
LOSI
KA:Pi
pa?
KAEDI:Herear
ri
ng.Ihadt
hiscust
om madef
orher
forourweddi
ng.
LOSIKA:Oh,yea.Yestar
day,Igaveherar
idef
rom
Franci
stown,shesaidhercarwasdown.
KAEDI
:Oh,
ok…
Theyar r
ivedatt
hepartywheretheyspentt
hei
rti
me
dri
nking,whil
eWetshowasont hephonemostof
theti
mel ist
eni
ngtohisgir
lf
ri
endyellabout
somet hi
ngashet r
iedt
ocalm herdown.
*
***
***
***
**
Inthemorni
ngKaediwashavingbr
eakfastwi
th
Reah.Heparkedatthegat
eandwalkedovert
othe
doorandknocked.
Pi
lar
acameouthol
dingherandherbag.
KAEDI:Aww,her
eismybabygi
rl
!Hel
lopr
incess!
Heybabe,‘
sup?
Hesai
dasheki
ssedhercheek.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)OconfuserReahwena,don’
t
ki
ssmeorcallmethat
.Anyways,I’
m good.
KAEDI
:I’
l
ldr
opheratdaycar
eaf
terbr
eakf
ast
.
PILARA:Sure,Ihavealr
eadyregister
edyouas
parentwhocanpi ckherupandal l
.Igot
tarusht
o
theoffi
ce.Fi
rstdayatworkaftertwoyears!
KAEDI
:Ihear
d!Congr
ats.Expect
inggr
eatt
hingsi
n
communit
ydevel
opmentproject
s.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Yesboss!
KAEDI:Act
uall
y,whydon’
tyoucomewithus,
Iam
headi
ngstrai
ghttot
heoff
iceaf
terwar
dstoo,si
nce
yourcari
sdown…
PI
LARA:Mycardown?
KAEDI
:Thebur
ntcl
utchpl
ate?
PILARA:Mycari sfine,
Kaedi
,ifyouwannaaskme
tobreakfastj
ustsaysoandstopfindi
ngexcuses.
(l
aughing)
St
range.
Whywoul
dLosi
kal
ieaboutt
his?
KAEDI
:Oh,byt
heway… If
oundt
his,
youdr
oppedit
i
nLos’car
.Whenhegaveyouar
ide?Whenyour
carwasdown?
Shestar
tedfi
dget
inguncomf
ort
abl
ywi
thouteven
not
ici
ngit.
PILARA:(l
aughingawkwardl
yandscrat
chinghead)
ohhh,yea… t
hatday.
.Itot
all
yfor
gotaboutthat
…i t
waslastweekfrom t
heoffi
cewhenIwentt osee
HR.Mycarwasdown, ear
ingmusthavefall
en…
and… yea… cardown…Thankyou… I.
.thanks.
Hesmi
ledandcar
essedherf
acewi
thhi
shand.
KAEDI
:Youareal
lofasuddensweat
ing,
babedol
l…
youal
wayssweatwhenyouli
e.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
30Year
sAgo
Kaedipar
kedhiscarandwenttohel
phisfatherout
,
handi
ngtheoldmanhiscane,
thenopenedthedoor
forhi
sli
tt
lef
iveyear
soldnamesake.
‘
Ar eyemonaEdi
.Isti
llt
hinkt
hisi
sawast
eoft i
me,
Ihaveameeti
ngwithpeoplewhoarer
eal
lygonna
makemybusinessboom. ’
‘
Yourpr oblem,Kaedi,oithaaor eolekgowa.You
arepompousanddi sregardourcul t
ure.Thi
sboy
hasbeensi ckandIsuspectBet t
edidsomet hi
ng,
herfatherwasat radi
tionaldoctor,
remember ?She
musthavef oundouthei syours.Shest oodby
quiet
lywhenyoubr oughtinthreeotherwives.But
youhur therson,Kaedi.Yourownboy’ swi f
e?
‘
Canwenottal
kaboutt
hat
?Itwasaonceof
f,and
shecameontome!’
‘
Mathat
aagagokegor egaor eetseKaedi,
hake
sant
sekereoi misi
tseol e17,kerekar ennyaa
mmeot sereboikarabelowamonyal a,you
i
mpregnateanother.NowwhenIt hinkogodil
eo
monnawithgr ownchildren,
youimpr egnat
eyour
ownson’swife?’
‘
Kantewhat
’st
hepoi
ntoftalki
ngaboutitnow?My
soni
snotwell
,yousai
dthiswitchdoct
orofyour
s
canhel
p’
‘
Heisnotawitchdoctor
,at r
adit
ionaldoctor,
andwa
i
tset
otamonnayo.Ial wayscomet ohim.Comeon,
i
fwedon’tdosomet hi
ng,thatboywi l
ldie.
‘
Thewentinforabit
,themanchantingand
smearingt
heboywithsomesmel lystuff
,then
Kaediandhisboyhadtogooutforabi t
.
Amot herwit
hherteenagedaught
ersatwai
ti
ng
thei
rtur
n,holdi
ngasmal l
babyofmaybeayearor
so.
Edicoveredhisfacewi t
hhishandsandremoved
them dr
amaticall
y,playi
ngpeek-a-
boowi
ththebaby.
Thechubbylitt
legirll
aughedheart
il
yandwait
edfor
Editodoanotherpick-a-boo.
Kaedi
’sf
athercameoutwal
kingwi
tht
het
radi
ti
onal
doct
or.
‘
Oskat shwenyegamonkane,kemmakant se
j
aanong, bonaebilewatshameka,kaebileobone
mogat se… that
’shiswif
e,oithophet
swekebo
Ledimol ebommaMoedil eboRabantheng, your
unclesandgr eatuncl
es.Kengwetsiyalonayo
thophil
wengkebadi mo.Butyouwi l
lhavet otel
lhim
histrueident
it
ythoughonedaylemorobal
etse
dit
hokwa, yourancest
orsar
enothappywit
hthi
s
secret.
Thetradi
ti
onaldoct
orsai
dasKaedir
oll
edhi
seyes
andcall
edhisson.
‘
ComeonEdi
,wear
edone.
’
‘
Butgr
andpa,
Iwantt
opl
aywi
tht
hebaby…‘
‘
Edi,getinthedamncarbef oreyouannoyme!Iam
supposedt obeinameet i
ngr i
ghtnow,yether
eI
am, dr
aggedupher efornonsense.Awhi t
emanI
tal
kedtosayst heset
hingsarecall
edpanicatt
acks,
andat herapi
stscanfi
xthis.Theprobl
em iswher
e
toevenfindone.Let’
sgo.’
*
***
***
***
*
Pr
esentDay
KaediputReahdownandhandedherhi
sphone,
pl
ayingcart
oons.
KAEDI:Pr
incess,
runal
onginsi
deandwat
chPeppa,
I
’l
lcomegetyou.Go,goshowPeppatogr
andma.
Reaht
ookt
hephoneandt
rot
tedbacki
nthehouse.
PI
LARA:Ir
eal
lyshoul
dgetgoi
ng,
I….
Kaedigr
abbedherbyhandanddr
aggedhert
ohi
s
car
,pushingheri
n.
Whenhetri
edtogotot
hedr
iverseat
,sheopened
t
hedoorandranout
.
Shecaughtherwit
hintwost
epsandroughl
ythrew
herbackint
hecar,chi
ldl
ocki
ngthedoorandgot
i
nside,t
hendroveoff
.
Whenhef
inal
lyst
opped,shehadnoideawher
e
t
heywher
e,al
lshecoul
dseewast r
ees.
KAEDI
:Pi
lar
a,ar
eyouf
ucki
ngmybr
other
?
PI
LARA:What
?OhmyGod!Howcanyoueven…
KAEDI :IknowyouPilar
a, Ihaveknownyoubefore
youevengotboobs, gir
l,youcan’tl
ietome.Areyou
fucki
ngLosi ka?Hey,
hey, hey!Don’
tfucki
ngtr
yme
withthewat erwor
ks,
notgonnawor k,sut
hamas*pa
ao!
God,shehadneverseenhi
m soangry.Hadonly
hear
dotherst
alkabouthowcrazyandbrut
alhe
was,al
lshehadeverknownwast hesweet
,tender
manshel oved.Thel
astt
imeshesawhim be
vi
olentwaswhenshewasel evenwhenhesaved
herfrom t
hatguy.
KAEDI :Iknowwear eapartnow,asmuchasi thur
ts,
Ihavet orespectthatyouwil
lli
veyourli
feandyou
willdate,butt
herearetwomenof fli
mit
stoyou.Of
bil
lionsofmeni ntheplanet
,onlytwoarefucki
ng
offlimits,
andyougof oroneofthem?Ar eyou
fuckingLosika?
Shewascryingandshaki
ngwi
thf
ear
,whi
let
ear
s
randownhisface.
KAEDI:MybrotherPi
pa?Myf uckingbrot
her?Your
ki
ds’uncl
e?YouknowIl oveyouman!I t’
shard
enoughtoimagineanot
heralloveryou.Myfreak
assbrot
her?I’
m aski
ngyou,damni t
!Didyouletmy
brot
herdi
srespectwhat
’smine?
Heputagunathert
empl
easmor
etear
swel
led
downhi
sface.
KAEDI
:Keagobot
sa,
damni
t!
PI
LARA:(
shaki
ng)Youar
escar
ingme!
KAEDI :Iwil
ldomor et hanf ucki
ngscar eyouifyou
fuckedmybr other.I’
llkillt
hatdi
srespectf
ulpi
eceof
shitandmakeyouwat ch.ThenI ’
llputyourl
oose
assonhi jabandbeatt hef uckoutofyouanyt ime
yout al
ktoaman.Don’ tfucki
ngpl aywit
hme, ketaa
gobol aakanaPilara.Thi s9mm hasenoughbul lets
forbothofus.Didyouf uckmybr other
?
PI
LARA:Kaedipl
ease… t
hinkofourki
ds…
KAEDI:Youshoul
dhavefucki
ngt
houghtofourki
ds
befor
eyouopenedyourl
egstomybrother
!Iwanna
hearyousayit
!Sayyouf
uckedmybrother
!
Heshovedagunonhermout handpusheditdeep
i
nherthroat
.Sheshooksobadshef
eltherpenci
l
ski
rtgowetwit
hpee.
Shehadt olear
ntoli
e… l
ike,
rightnow!Shehadt o
fucki
nglearntoli
eandbeconvincingabouti
t,her
l
ifedependedonit!
Shetr
iedt
otal
kandwhenher
eal
ised,
hepul
ledt
he
gunback.
KAEDI:Tal
k.Oryourbr
ainisdecor
ati
ngt
hesecar
seat
sinthenext30seconds.
PILARA:I… Ihavebeenhelpinghim out,j
ust
tal
king… becauseofwhatIhavebeent hroughwit
h
therape… hehashadsi mil
arexperi
ences.Sohe
wasopeni ngupt ome.Ital
ktomyt herapi
stand
thenusewhatIl ear
ntheretohel
phi m.
KAEDI
:Thenwhyl
ie?Neosi
aot
shabaeng?
PILARA:He… he…i t’
snothisfaul
tok?Myt herapist
saysi t
’scall
edt r
ansfer
ence.Whenyoudevelop
feel
ingsf orsomeonecar i
ngforyou.I
tusuall
y
happensbet weennursesandpati
ents,ort
herapists
andt heircl
ients…
KAEDI
:Thef
uckdi
dhedo?
PILARA:Pr
omi semeyouwon’ thur
thim?Pr omise
meyouwi l
ljustl
eaveital
one,oryouwi llhaveto
shootmeandl i
vewiththefactthatfornothingyou
ki
lledt
heonlywomanwhohaseverl ovedyouf or
whoyouareevenwhenyout reatedherlikeshit
.
Promisemeyouwi l
lleavei
talone.
KAEDI
:Ok,
Ipr
omi
se…
PI
LARA:Hetri
edtokissme.Iwasshocked,
soIj
ust
st
oodt
here.If
eltgui
ltaf
ter
wards.
KAEDI:Don’
tfucki
ngl
iet
omePi
lar
a!Iknowwhen
youl
ie!
PILARA:(crying)ThenkillmeKaedibecauseIdon’t
knowwhatel setotellyousinceyoudon’twantthe
trut
h!Justknowt hatIwoul dneverhur
tyoulike
that.
KAEDI
:(sni
ff
li
ng)Youl
eft
,Pi
pa.Twi
ce!
PI
LARA:Thefi
rstt
ime,
Iwasyoungandst upi
d.
NowIhavel
osthopeKaedi… youref
usetobethe
manIknowyoucanbe, andi
t’shurt
ingme.
KAEDI
:Iam t
ryi
ngt
olear
ntobebet
ter
.
PI
LARA:Yetyoust
il
lchaseaf
terKenami
le.
KAEDI
:Iam not
…
PILARA:Yout
ookhert
othatChi
neser
est
aur
ant
and…
KAEDI :Idi
dn’
tIswear !Ij
ustmethert
hereby
coi
ncidence.Iam t
ryingtolear
nnottodependon
hertoo.Mypanicattacks… Idi
dsomet hi
ngbad
whenIwasf i
ft
een…ki l
ledsomeone… andIcan’
t
for
givemyselffori
t.
PI
LARA:Iwi
shyoucoul
dtr
ustmet
ohel
pyou…
KAEDI
:Maybeoneday…
Shecl
earedherthroatandrubbedherneckasshe
fel
tal
it
tl
eirri
tat
ionfrom t
hegunhehadt hrusti
n
hermouth.
KAEDI:OhmyGod, di
dIhur
tyou…Iam sosor
ry
Pipa,
I’
mirr
ati
onalwheni
tcomestoyou… l
etme
see…
PI
LARA:(
coughi
ng)i
t’
sok…
KAEDI:I
t’
snot,
openyourmouthkebonePi
pa… I
t
hinkIhavet
hroatl
ozengesf
rom af
ewdaysback
whenIhadfl
u.
Heopenedt
hegl
ovecompar
tmentandgavehert
he
candy.
KAEDI:Imi
ssyouPipa… t
herealyou… r
emember
whenwewer epr
egnantwi
thKai?Howhappywe
were?
PI
LARA:(smi
li
ng)Gosh,
thatwast
hebestt
imeof
myli
fe!
Hel
eanedi
nal
it
tl
ecl
oser
,thei
rfor
eheadst
ouchi
ng.
God,hecouldn’tf
ightagainstt
het houghtsthat
weregoingthroughhim.Herver ysmel lwas
fl
oodinghissensesnowashet houghtofthei
rgood
ti
me… ofthesweeti nnocentgirlshealwayshad
been… herfi
rstti
mei nthathotelasshehadl ooked
athim wi
thsuchi nnocence…howhehadcr i
edli
ke
ababywat chi
nghermakehi m af at
herforthefi
rst
ti
me.
Inaninst
anthepull
edhertohisl
apandcl
aimed
herli
psinahot,
fier
y,passi
onat
eanddemandi
ng
kiss.
Shewant edt opul
lawaybef oreshelostherselftoit
,
butshecoul dn’
tseem t o…I nthatmintymoment ,her
sensesfiredupfrom al lthememor i
esofthem
toget
her,thefamili
arit
yofhi sbody…t hatbigsol i
d
bodyshehadbeeni nal lsort
sofposi t
ionswith,
howhersmal lf
ramef itsowel lwi
thit…howshe
l
ovedt ouchingandexpl ori
ngi t…t
hatlazystare
whenhel ift
edthosenat urall
ylongeyelashest o
l
ookatherasshel aidonhi schestwhenaf terthey
madel ove… everymemor yofherswassof il
led
withhi
m andseduci nghersensessomuchr ight
now,
shecoul
dnol
ongert
hinkst
rai
ght
.
KAEDI
:Pi
lar
a…
Hewhi speredsl owly,prolongingeachl etterasifto
savorthem.Shesmi l
ed, herheartfl
utteringathi s
voi
ceasbehi keduphersl ightl
ywetski rtbefore
openinguphi ssl acksandpushi ngherl acypant i
es
tothesideandhi thome.Theyhel deachot herin
anembr aceashi sstrongt highsgyratedupa, his
power f
ulthrustsshookt hem bot huntilshef el
this
warmr eleasethatt ri
ggeredherown, bot h
shudderingunt i
ltheycol lapsedoneachot her’
s
shoulder.
Theyj
ustst
ayedhuggedf orabi
tunt
ilshemoved
backt
othepassengerseat
.
PILARA:I
’
m notcomingbackKaedi
… Ican’
t.Too
muchhashappened.Idon’
tknowifIcanl
ookpast
thepai
nanymore.
KAEDI
:Iunder
stand…
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Gosh,
Iam suchamess!Take
mehomerrakeagothapagape.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Oboiwai
tse,
youpeedyour
sel
f?
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Fotseke,
youshovedagunon
mymouthakeresesokweena,i
ja.Your
eal
lyscar
ed
meKaedi
.
KAEDI :(l
aughingandki ssingherhead)Sorr
ybabe,I
can’
tki l
lyoulait
iaka.Theonl ywayIkil
lyouisifI
am foll
owingyour i
ghtafter,
andmyki dsaretoo
youngf ormet odieyet.I fkagobolaaReahwi l
lbe
marriedalready.
PILARA:(punchi
nghi
sbi
ceps)Mxi
m,t
hat
’snot
funnyKaedi.
Heputhisar
m ar
oundherandki
ssedherf
orehead,
t
hendrovebackhome.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Pil
araarr
ivedatworkj
ustasLosikawaswalki
ng
upstai
rs,
hequickl
ywalkedpastherandsqueezed
herass,
thenj
ustwalkedawaynonchal
ant
lyasshe
l
ookedaroundpani
cked.Whati
fKaedisawthat
!
ShecheckedKaedi
’
sschedul
e,andwhenshewas
surehewasinameeti
ng,hewalkedt
oLosika’
s
off
ice.
PILARA:Los,
wecan’
tdot
hisanymor
e,Kaedi
suspect
s…
LOSIKA:Kaediisyourex,
hedoesn’
tgetasay…
unl
essyout el
lmeyouonyourownnol ongerwant
i
t…
PI
LARA:Losi
ka,
youknowhowyourbr
otheri
s.
LOSI
KA:Doyouwantmeonnot
?
PI
LARA:Ido,
butKaedi
…
LOSI
KA:Fuckhi
m.Hewi
llhavet
odeal
.
PI
LARA:Hewi
llki
llme!Ki
llusbot
h.
LOSI
KA:Whatthehelldi
dhedo?Di
dhet
hreat
en
youorsomet
hing?BecauseI
’
ll
…
PI
LARA:Losi
ka,
please.Let
’sj
ust
…I’
m sor
ry.Ican’
t.
LOSI
KA:Butyouar
enol
ongerwi
thhi
m!Orar
eyou
get
ti
ngbackt
oget
her
?
PILARA:No… I’m notget
ti
ngbackwithhi
m, but
Losika,
hewillki
llusbothevenwhenwear eapar
tif
heeverfoundout .Ij
ust
… Ican’
t.I
’
m sorr
y.
LOSI
KA:(
laughi
ng)Fi
ne.Getoutofmyof
fi
ce.
PI
LARA:Losi
ka,pl
easedon’
tdot
his,
justbecause
wecan’
tbetoget
her…
LOSI
KA:Justf
uckof
fPi
lar
a,woul
dyou,
Jesus!
Heputhi
sheadsetsonandf
ocusedonhi
slapt
op
asshest
oodaroundwonder
ingwhatt
odo.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Intheeveni
ngKaediwalkedinathomej
ustwhen
Losikawascomingoutofhisroom.Hepunched
him har
dont hej
aw.
LOSI
KA:Whatt
hehel
l?
Kaedicameathi
m agai
nbutLosi
kadodgedand
bl
ockedhim.
LOSI
KA:Hi
tmeagai
n,I
’
mmahavet
ofi
ghtback.
KAEDI
:That
’swhatIwantasshol
e!Howt
hef
uck
canyouki
ssmywi
fe.
Hepunchedhi
m andLosikapunchedback.They
wentdowntothef
loort
radi
ngpunchesasWet sho
cameouthear
ingt
hecommot ion.
WETSHO:Whatt hefucki sitnow?Stop,youi
diot
s!
Thenextpersontothrowapunchi sget
ti
nghis
l
ightspunchedoutandyoubot hknowIcantake
y’
allout
.Stop,f
orfuck’ssake.Youarebreaki
ngshit
!
Hesi
ghedandwentbacktoroom andcameback
wi
thsomet
hing,
jabbi
ngeachift
hem ontheneck.
KAEDI
:Di
dyouj
ustf
ucki
ngj
abmewi
tha…
WETSHO:Tranquil
iserdart
.Ihavealotofworkto
do,andyoushi
tsarebreakingmyconcentrat
ion.
Immalockyoubothi nthestudynowandwhenyou
wakeup,youbett
ermakeni ce.
Ast heybothpassedout,herdraggedeachinthe
studyandt i
edthem t
oachai rbeforewal
kingout
anddr i
vingtohisgi
rl
fr
iend’spl
ace.
*
***
***
***
***
Kaedif
inal
lywokeupcomet
hedar
tandf
ound
Losi
kast
il
lti
edt
oachai
rtoo.
KAEDI:Pi
lar
atoldmehowyout ookadvant
ageof
hergener
osit
y,shefucki
ngt
ri
edtohelpyouman,
andyoutrytokissher
?
LOSI
KA:(l
aughi
ng)Icandowhat
evert
hef
uckI
want
,shei
ssingl
enow.
KAEDI:Ser
iousl
yLos,shei
ssti
llmybabymama.
Evenasocialr
etar
dli
keyoushouldknowshei
sof
f
l
imit
s.
LOSIKA:Accor dingt
owho?Youl ethergo!You
didn’
trecognisethei
ncredi
blewomanshei s,and
youwantt owhi newhenIdo?Manf uckyou,Idon’t
oweyoushi t.Pil
arai
sfreeandIam freetomake
mymove.
KAEDI
:Har
dluck,
shei
sn’
tint
ofr
eaks.
LOSI
KA:(
laughi
ng)Isthatwhatshetoldyou?And
shewaswit
hyou,defi
nitel
yint
ofreaks.
KAEDI
:Likehonestl
yman, youknowt
hisi
swr
ong!
Shei
sli
teral
lyyoursi
ster
.
LOSI
KA:No,
shei
smyexsi
steri
nlaw.Ex.You
f
ail
edher
.Shei
smovi
ngon.
KAEDI:Andyouthi
nkaf
uckeduppi
eceofshi
tli
ke
youcandobett
er?
LOSI
KA:I
’mfuckedup?Dude,
youconst
ant
lyputa
gunt
oyourhead.
KAEDI
:Fuckyou,
don’
tjudgemyshi
t.
Wet
showal
kedi
n.
WETSHO:Oh,
sti
llf
ight
ing?I
’
llcomebacki
nthe
morni
ngt
ocheckifyoumadeup.
KAEDI:Wet
sho,don’
tfucki
ngwalkoutt
hatdoor,
unt
iemeyoulit
tl
eshit
!Wetsho!Otl
ony*lakana!
Wetsho!
LOSI
KA:Wet sho,
comeonbr o,thi
sisver
yinhuman
andunusualpuni
shment,howlongdoyouexpect
metobear oundthi
ssui
cidalt
icki
ngbomb?
WETSHO:Youtwoaresleepi
nginher
e,t
iedupl
ike
t
hat
,ifyoudon’
tgeti
ttoget
her.
Hecl
osedt
hedoorandwal
kedout
.
Kaedisi
ghedandl
ookedatLosi
ka.
KAEDI:Lookman, I’
m sor
ryforhit
ti
ngyouliket
hat
.
Butyoukissedmywi feman!Exornot,youknow
i
t’
sdisrespect
ful
.I’
dneverevenlookatagir
lyou
beenwith,t
hat’
sjusthowiti
s.
*
***
***
***
***
Afewdayslat
erPil
arasatathomei
ntheeveni
ng
t
hinki
ngaboutLosi
ka.
Lor
d,j
ustthethoughtoft
helastti
methey… damn…
shemissedthatwit
heveryf
ibreofherbei
ng.
Whatwasi
tthatshef
oundat
tr
act
iveabouthi
m
t
hough?
Shegenui
nel
ywant
edt
ohel
phi
m.
Obvi
ousl
yt hesexwasamazing,andhewas
act
ual
lygreatcompanyevenifhedidn’
tspeak
much.
Andhetr
eat
edherli
keshewasspeci
al.Notjust
oneoft
hegroup.Nopol
yshi
tshehadt oaccept.
Andheunder st
oodher
.Theyhadhadsi
mil
ar
exper
iences,
soheunderst
oodher
.
Hi
scousi
nwal
kedi
nandsatbesi
deher
.
SETH:Pennyf
oryourt
hought
s?
PILARA:Saveyourpenny,i
t’
ssil
lyt
hings.Howare
youdoing?I’
m sosorr
ythatbit
chplayedyouand…
SETH:Canyounotcal
lmyfiancéeabi
tch?We
made-up.Thatr
est
aur
antt
hingwasallwas
i
nnocent.
PILARA:NowIknowyouar eanidi
ot.I’
m gonnatell
auntyyouarebei
ngstupi
d.Sheispl
ayingyou,fool!
Youwi l
lal
waysbeinKaedi’
sshadow,letmetellyou,
ketswahoo.Thosetwobaaj ol
ahei sthefat
herof
herlat
echil
d.
SETH:Nohei
sn’
t…
PILARA:Best
upidi
fyoumust… anyway,
doyou
evenknowwheresheisr
ightnow?
SETH:Shewenttoachur
cheventataconf
erence
hal
linsomehotel
.
PILARA:(
laughi
ng)Int
erest
ing.Thathot
el?Wanna
knowwher eKaedii
s?Look.
Sheshowedhim Kaedi
’
schecki
natt
hesamehot
el
wit
hhiscousi
nDerek.
SETH:Coi
nci
denceshappen.
PILARA:Anawf
ullylotwhenitcomestot
hoset
wo,
no?Legal
ebestupid,Set
h.I
t’
syourfuner
al.
SETH:Anyway,I’
m goi
ngoutfordr
inkswi
thsome
guys,
rakgadibatengkebat
hole?
PILARA:Goi
n,shehasbeenlooki
ngf
orwar
dto
gi
vingyouapi
eceofhermindaboutt
hatgi
rlt
hat’
s
pl
ayingyouosalemoge.Nobodyint
hefamil
yli
kes
her!
SETH:That ’
sbecauseyoupoisonedt hem agai
nst
herPil
ara.Youtoldt
hem shedestroyedyour
marri
age.Youar esofuckedupforasupposes
Chri
sti
an.
PILARA:WasIl yi
ng?Shedi ddestr
oymymar riage.
Nowshei splayi
ngyou, t
hat’
swhyIhat eher.Just
rememberIhavebeent houghital
l,t
hedeni al
, the
promisethathewil
lstayaway,eventuallythelying
andgoingbehindmyback, andulti
mat elyhanded
divor
cepapers.That’
sgonnabeyouSet h.Kenami l
e
andKaedialwaysfindthei
rwaybackt oeachot her.
Legale,
gatwehangwanaal el
elal
egodu… byecouz.
Set
hdr
oveof
ffr
ust
rat
ed.Whati
fPi
lar
awasr
ight
?
Whywashet akingKena’swordwhenaboutt he
rest
aur
antbeingcoinci
dence!Andthem atthe
samehotelt
onightcoul
dn’tbecoi
ncidenceeit
her
.
Andshewassoqui cktoleave.Di
dn’tevent
ryt
o
fi
ght
,shej
ustpackedandl eft
.Andr anto
post
poni
ngtheweddi ng.Didshereall
yevenwantt
o
marr
yhim?
Nono!Hetr
ust
edKena,shewoul
dneverdot
hatt
o
hi
m.Pi
lar
awaswrong!
Partofhim want
edhimt ostormt ot
hathot
eland
catchthem.Butwhatifshereallywasj
usti
n
church?Hehadt ot
rusther.Ifshesai
dshewasin
church,t
henshewas.
Hegottot
hebarandsatwi
thhi
sfr
iends,
drowni
ng
hi
sbeerwi
thafrust
rat
edsi
gh.
FRI
END:Seth,
youokmemonna?Youhavebeen
qui
etsi
nceyougother
e.
SETH:No,
keshapo.
FRI
END:Cheerupmonna,
maf
ormf
ivebat
swet
se.
Carnef
resca!I
’
m goinghomewithtwotoni
ght
!Set
h?
Areyouevenli
steni
ng?Arg,
fuckyou.
Hecall
edovertwogirl
s.Set
hlookedovertosee
Kenamil
e’
sniece.Shehadgainedabitofweight
,he
al
mostdidn’
trecogni
seher.
SETH:Wandi
e,whatt
hehellar
eyoudoinghere.I
di
dn’
tknowotsamaadibar
a.Yourauntisgonnabe
mad.
WANDI PA:Pl
ease!Youcan’
ttel
lher!Inevergo,
ask
thesegi
rl
s.It
’smyfir
stt
ime.Wej ustwroteourf
inal
paperandwewant edtocel
ebrat
e.Please…
GIRL:Wandi
e,gi
rl
,comeon,bonasdal
asagore
bolai
sabi
ril
astweekend,
olewhowassoint
oyou,
gatwemang,Thapel
o.
SETH:Soyouar
eali
art
oo?Youar
eal
readyt
ipsy!
I
’mtaki
ngyouhome!
Hegrabbedherhandedanddr
aggedhert
othecar
,
dr
ivi
nghome.
*
***
***
**
Set
hopenedt
hedoort
ohi
shouseasWandi
pasat
ont
hesof
awi
thherhandsonherf
ace,
cryi
ng.
WANDIPA:Pl
ease,
youcan’
ttel
launt
y!Pl
ease.She
wi
llbesodi
sappoi
nted.
SETH:Youwantmetolietomyfiancéeaboutyou
hangi
ngwithbadki
ds,sl
eepi
ngwi t
holdmenand
dri
nki
ng… Ihavet
otel
lher.I
’
m sorryit
’sf
oryour
owngood.
Sheputherf
aceonherhandsandst
art
edcr
ying.
WANDIPA:Youdon’
tunder
stand.Ihavebeengoing
t
hroughalot
…Ijust
…ithel
psok?Theboozehel ps.
SETH:No,
ther
eisnoexcusef
ort
heshi
tyouar
e
doi
ng!
WANDI PA:Mymot heri
sdead!I ’
m allaloneand
mmemogol otreatsmel i
keasl ave,shebeat smeup
almostever ydayf orthesi
mpl estthi
ngs!Aunt yacts
l
ikej ustgivi
ngmemoneychangesever ythi
ng!Iget
accusedofst eal
ingitwhenIgethome!IknowI
fai
ledbecauseIwasneveral l
owedt ostudy,neke
berekabanabagammemogol owhenIcameback
homeaf terschool,andstressofitalltoo.SoIhave
nof uture.Ieventhinkofkill
ingmysel f
, maybethenI
canbewi thmymom!Imett hisguyf ourmont hs
agoandhei ntroducedmet oalcohol.Fort hatshort
ti
meIwasdr unk,ever
ythi
ngwasj ustbliss.Ihad
fun!Yes,si
ncet henIhavebeendr inkingheavily.I
don’tal
wayshavemoneyf ortheal cohol,andthe
men, t
heydon’tmi ndpayi
ngf orit
,so… ( shrugs)
SETH:Weal
lhavepr
obl
emsWandi
e,butwe….
WANDI PA:Whatdoyouknowaboutprobl
ems,you
comef r
om ari
chfamil
y,havebot
hyourparent
s,a
greatj
obandyouaremar r
yingagoodwomanl i
ke
myaunt !
SETH:(l
aughi
ng)Iwishi
twast hateasy.Not
ever
ythi
nggli
tt
eryi
sgold,gi
rl
ie.
WANDI PA:Oh,howsad.Youhadanar gument
aboutthetoi
letseatwi
thyourf
iancée,
whatever
wil
lyoudo?
SETH:Yourauntmi
ghtbecheat
ingonme!
Fuck!Whyt
hehel
lwoul
dhet
ellhert
hat
!
WANDI
PA:What
?OhmyGod,
noway!Shel
oves
youman!
SETH:Ihopeso,becausehonestlyri
ghtnowI’m
doubtf
ul.TheguyIthi
nkshei scheati
ngonwith
j
ustFacebookcheckedint
ot hehotelshesai
dher
churchwashavinganallnightprayerat
.Whatam I
supposedtothi
nk?
WANDIPA:Ifshei
scheat
ingonyou,shei
safool
.If
Ihadamanl i
keyou,
Iwouldl
it
eral
lybeamodel
wif
e.Koor
ekegokhubamelakegobi t
saVhaf
uwi
.
Set
hlaughedasher
elaxedbacki
nthesof
a.
WANDIPA:I’
m ser
ious!Menl
ikeyoushoul
dbe
appr
eci
ated.
SETH:Andwhatki
ndofmanexact
lydoyout
hink
youare?
WANDI PA:Youaresweet
…youthi
nkyouaret
his
toughguy,owai
i…whenitcomest
oyourwomano
konyana.
SETH:(
laughi
ng)IdoubtIhaveeverbeendescr
ibed
asalamb,butgoon.
WANDIPA:Youareaprotect
or… apr
ovi
der,
Imean,
l
ookatthef
ancycaryourboughtmyauntbefor
e
evenmarryi
ngher
…youdochor
esathome… or
ata
bana… andyouar
ehot
.
Shesai
dasshelookeddownathergl
assofwat
er
shewasdr
inki
ngwhilehebl
ushed.
Whycoul dn’tKenaappr eciat
ehiml i
ket hi
s.Shewas
alwaysquickt oseethef ault
s.Het r
iedtobeper f
ect
,
butonelitt
ledeservedout burst,
andshewant sto
postponetheweddi ng?Thathadr eall
yhurthim,but
shedidn’
twannagobackont hat.Hewasnoteven
givenati
mel ineofuntilwheni twaspost poned.
Justtol
d‘unt i
lIcantrustyouagai n’
.Whatshi twas
that?
WANDI
PA:Ther
eisonl
yonepr
obl
em wi
thyou…
SETH:(
rai
singaneyebr
ow,
laughi
ng)Oh?
WANDI
PA:Youar
emuscul
ar…
SETH:Andi
t’
sapr
obl
em because?Youdon’
tli
ke
muscul
armen?
Shebur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
WANDIPA:No,kabarat
a.I
t’
ssexy.It
’sj
ust…my
f
ri
endssayt
heseri
ppedmenbat shabel
lwakedi
babydi
ckdodododododooooo!(
laughi
ng)
Hel
aughedhear
ti
lyandl
eanedbackont
hesof
a.
SETH:Icanassur
eyouIdon’
thavet
hatpr
obl
em.
WANDI PA:Don’
tal
lmenal
wayssaythat
?Ihave
neverhear
damansay,owaii
,nnake2cm.
Inaninst
anthehadgr
abbedherhandandputi
non
hiscr
otch…
Sher ubbedherhandupanddownoni tand
moanedashi shandspulledheri
nforaki
ss,pul
li
ng
offherpanti
esunderhershortpl
eat
edski
rt
.She
unzippedhi
sj eansand…
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
1000/
100/
10
(Weekendmarat
hon.Nextepi
sodewhenwer
each
1000/100/
10)
[
05/
29,
12:
Kenami
let
ri
edhercaragai
n.Nope.Woul
dn’
tbudge.
Shehadf
orgot
tent
ofuelagai
n.
Shesi ghedandwal kedbacktotheal lnightpr
ayer.
Shehadr eal
lythoughtshecoulddobeupal lni
ght,
butshewasj usttoot i
red,
thi
spr egnancywas
total
lynoteasy, butthenagainthedoct orhadtold
them at winpregnancymi ghtbehar derthanher
previ
ous.
Asshewalkedback,
Set
h’snei
ghborwascomi
ng
outf
rom chur
ch.
HER:Ah-ahj
aanongyouar
egoi
ngback?
KENAMI LE:Owaii
,pr
egnancybr ainentshwereka
diwashene.If
orgott
ofuelandcarwon’ tmove.Ga
kenal ehaelecabnumber,koot engtheoneIhad
theguychangedthenumber .Idon’twannabother
Seth,i
t’
shisdayoutwit
htheboys, soIjustt
hought
Ishouldgobackandwaititoutandcal lhiminthe
mor ni
ngtocomehelpsortthisout .
HER:Comeon,
I’
m goinghomet
oo,myhusbanda
saysmybabyi
scryi
ngandwon’
ttakeabot
tl
e.
KENAMILE:Alr
ight
,I’
l
ltel
lSet
htocomepi
ckupmy
cart
omorrow.Thanks.
*
***
***
***
**
Wetshopar
kedhiscarathi
sgirl
fr
iend’
spl
ace.He
hadbeentr
yingt
oreachherandshewasn’
tpicki
ng
up.
Shehadjustmovedonherown,
andt
her
ewasacar
out
side
Shesatonthesofachat
ti
ngwithsomeone
l
aughing.Whenhewalkedinshei
mmediatel
yput
thephoneaway.
WETSHO:Hey.
LEBAKWE:Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
nghere,
you
knowmydadcoul
dpassbyanymomentandyou
know…
WETSHO:Lel
e,Imissedyou…andIknowf
orsur
e
yourdadi
sout
sidethecount
ry.
LEBAKWE:Yousti
llhavenor
ightshowi
ngupatmy
pl
acejustl
ike…
WETSHO:Ican’
tshowupatapl
aceI
’
m payi
ngf
or?
LEBAKWE:Oh, Isee.Youthi
nkjustbecauseyougot
met hispl
aceyoucanj ustcomeandgo?My
parentscaneasilygetmeapl aceWetsho,Ijust
askedyoubecauseyouknowhowmuchmymom
l
ikestodictat
emyl i
fewhenIaskthem forhelp.But
hael egoreyourplaceetlaatalossoffreedom, I
’
ll
moveout .
WETSHO:ComeonLele,I
’
m notsayi
ngt
hat
.Ij
ust
l
ovebei
ngaroundyou…
Het
ri
edki
ssi
ngherandshepushedhi
m away.
LEBAKWE:St
op,
I’
m onmyper
iodandki
ssi
nggi
ves
meperi
odpai
ns.
Hesi
ghedandsatbacki
nthesof
aashi
sphone
r
ang.
WETSHO:Hey, mmagwebana!Oh,thediaper
s
arr
ived?Yea,
neketsentsel
edil
wananyana.Wecan
gogetthem t
sawinter
…bales?Kegohemoo?Oh,
ok…wecanbuyt hose…
Lebakwesnat
chedt
hephonef
rom hi
m.
LEBAKWE:Hei
staken,
bit
ch…
Thenshehungup.
WETSHO:Whatthehel
l,
that
’st
hegi
rlatt
he
or
phanageIvol
unt
eerat
,she…
LEBAKWE:Idon’
tcar
eWet
sho!Youar
eobvi
ousl
y
i
ntoherand…
WETSHO:Youareproj
ectingyourdaddyissueson
me.Youactl
ikeyoudon’twantme,butwhenIeven
j
usttal
ktoagir
lyoufl
ip.Man,fuckyou.
Hepi
ckeduphi
scel
lphoneandwal
kedout
.
LEBAKWE:Wherear
eyougoi
ng?Wet
sho!Don’
t
fucki
ngcomebackt
hen…
Hesi
ghedandgotont
ohi
scar
,dr
ivi
ngof
f.
*
***
***
***
***
Kenami
lewal
kedgotoutt
hei
rnei
ghbor
’scaratt
he
gat
eandwalkedt
ot hei
ryar
d.
Sheopenedt
hedoor
…
Wandi
panaked,
onherknees,
givi
ngSet
habl
ow
j
ob…
SETH:Fuck!Ohshi
t,Kena… Isweari
t’
snotwhati
t
l
ooksl
ike…
Hepul
ledawayf
rom Wandi
eandpul
ledhi
sboxer
s
up.
KENAMI LE:Notwhatitl
ooksli
ke?Somyni ecei
s
notgi
vingyou’reabl
owj ob?Wagoreng,
ogont sha
di
kgofadilotsadi
ntj
a?Kayouwannaactlikeadog.
WANDI
PA:(
cryi
ng)AuntI
’
m sosor
ry,
I…
KENAMILE:Don’
tyoudar
e,youungr
atef
ull
it
tl
e
bi
tch.
Tearswel
leddownherf
aceasshewal
kedout
,Set
h
runni
ngafterher
.
SETH:Kenapl
ease… pl
ease… weren’
tyoutheone
whosaidweshouldt
alkinst
eadofjumpingto
concl
usi
ons?
KENAME:Idon’
tneedt
ojumpSet
h,t
heconcl
usi
on
i
srighti
nmyface!
SETH:IswearIcanexplai
n!Justhearmeout
…
pl
ease…Kena,please… j
ustl
ist
eninghel
a.
Shesi
ghedandwal
kedbackt
othehouse.
KENAMI LE:Wenalebel
etenyanakweenagetthehell
out!I
fyouevercomenearmeIswearIwi llki
llyou!I
tookcar
eofyouandt hi
si showyourepayme?Out !
WANDIPA:Wow!Soyouareoneofthose?Youf i
nd
yourgr
ownassmanbeingsexualwit
hyouni ece
whoisachi
ld,
andyouthr
owmeouti nstead?
KENAMI
LE:Out
!
Set
hgaveWandi
emoneyf
oracabandt
oldhert
o
l
eave.
SETH:Kenami
le,
I’
m sor
ry… youwer
eint
hesame
hot
elwit
hKaediandPil
arasai
d…
KENAMI LE:Set homo,kant ewhydon’tyougomar r
y
yourcousi n?Gomar ryPilara,
shealr
eadyrunsour
relat
ionshipaker e.AndKaedikae?Ourchur ch
shoot svideosofser vi
ces, agodikopayouwillsee
met hereal ltheti
me, l
egobonaKaediai seke
mmone, wenakehooebi leyouknowwher eheis.
NnaI ’m notahypocr it
elikeyou.WhenIsaidIwi l
l
stayawayf rom Kaedi,Imeanti t
.
SETH:Kena,Ifuckedup..I
’
m sosorr
y… IswearI
nevermeantforthi
s.Isawherget
ti
ngdrunkba
gogagoganal
ebannabagol
oatabar
…
KENAMILE:Andyoudeci
dedt
otakeherf
oryour
sel
f
i
nstead?
SETH:Notatal
l,Iswear
.Iwasj
ustgonnabr
ingher
hometosleep…
KENAMILE:Thenextt
hingyourdi
ckjustj
umpsi
n
hermout
h,hela,
osalaohakgametse?
SETH:TotaIdon’tknowwhathappened.MaybeI
am asexaddictorsomet
hing.Kenamil
e,I’
m not
per
fect… butyoucanhel
pmebebet ter… oska
mphelel
apelo…
KENAMI LE:Imeetaf r
iendatarest
aurant,
youlose
i
tandthreatentokil
lme.WenaIcat chyouwith
yourdi
ckupmyni ece’
st hr
oatandwar ekesekaka
hel
apelo?Wai kut
wane?
SETH:Idi
dn’
tevenf
uckher
!
KENAMI LE:Makesallt
hedi
ff
erence,
huh?No,
Set
h..
Ican’
tli
veliket
his.
Shetookputherengagementr
ingandt
hrewi
ton
hi
sface.
SETH:Kenami l
e,keagokopa!Please!I’
lldo
anythi
ngt omakei tr
ight
,Iwon’tevencompl ai
n
aboutyourfriendshi
pwithKaedi,I
’l
lgotocoupl e’
s
ther
apy… chur ch…Kenawel oveeachot her
.Ihave
neverlovedanyonethewayIl oveyou…wear ea
perf
ectfamily,howdoyouexpl ai
nt oSediaboutme
absence?Wehaveki dsontheway, Kena… please
don’tl
eaveme… keagor apela…
Hegotonhi
skneesbeggi
ng,
tear
sst
reami
ngdown
hi
sface.
Kenami
lej
ustshookherheadandwal
kedof
f.
*
***
***
***
**
Wetshodroveuptot
heorphanageandpar
ked
out
side.Whatwasheevendoingher
eatel
evenpm?
Tigel
ecameoutinhert
hickni
ghtgown.Hegotout
andleanedagai
nstt
hecar.
TIGELE:It
houghti
twasyou… whatar
eyoudoi
ng
here?
WETSHO:Ij
ust
… Iwi
shIknewhowt
o… I
… never
mi
nd.
TI
GELE:Doyouwannacomei
n?Icanmakecof
fee.
WETSHO:Nah,
Idon’
twantt
owaket
heki
ds.
TI
GELE:Uh…ok…soooooo…
WETSHO:Act
ual
ly… f
ucki
t…
Hetippedherf
acewi
thhi
sfi
ngerandgavehera
sof
tkiss.
WETSHO:Ihavebeent
ryi
ngt
ofi
ndt
hecour
aget
o
dot
hat…
TI
GELE:Wet
sho,
youhaveagi
rl
fr
iend.
WETSHO:Iknow, andI’
m notgonnadoanyt hing
untilIsett
ledeveryt
hingwithher
.Myr elati
onshi
p
withLebakwehasbeenoverf oryear
s, nnakenna
ntsengkeepat i
kahela.Letmeheadof f,seeyou
tomor row.
*
***
***
***
**
Wandi paar
ri
vedhomeandsl
eptinthet
radi
ti
onal
hut,
notwant i
ngt
owakeherauntandhaveher
real
izeshehadsnuckout
.
Byver
year
lymor
ningshewasf
eel
ingsosi
ck,
she
rantothepi
tlat
ri
neandt
hrewupunt
ilshewasdr
y
heavi
ng.
Whenshefini
shedandclosedt
hedoor
,heraunt
st
oodther
eholdinghert
hickwai
st.
AUNT:Ehee,keoneaomaduoabobel
ete!Kehooo
i
thwel
e,l
erragwengwanawamoitse?
Shejustkeptquietandwalkedbacktothe
tr
aditi
onalhut
,takingthetr
adi
ti
onalbroom and
star
tedsweepingt heyard.
Lord,whati fherauntwasr i
ght?Butsheal ways
madesur esheusedacondom!Shehadn’ thadher
peri
odi naf ewmont hs,butthatwascommont o
her,especiall
ywhenst r
essed, herper
iodswerevery
i
rregular.Whenshewasdoi ngherf or
mt hree
examsshedi dnothaveherper i
odforthr
eemont hs.
Butshehadgainedsomewei ghtandshehadbeen
thr
owingupalot.Thesepastfeedayssheact
ual
ly
fel
tfl
utt
ersi
nherabdomen.
Whenshewasdonewi t
hherchor
es,shebat
hed
andwentt oFranci
stownwheresheboughta
pregnancytestki
t.
Sheimmediatel
ytookthecombibackhomeandr
an
tot
hetoi
lettotakethetest
…
OhGod.
OhGod,howcouldi
tbeposi
ti
ve?Shesatdownon
t
hetoi
letf
loor
,br
eaki
ngdowncryi
ng.
Herauntpushedt
hedooropenadl
oomedatt
he
t
est.
AUNT:Nnasalekebuil
eaker e!Il
ongsai
di tkarele
l
ebeletel
agohelel
aaithwele,arwel
emal wetse,a
sait
ser r
agwengwana.Nnammakeai t
shokolel
a,
i
t’
salreadyast
ruggl
etakingcareofyou,obone
gor
eoyakael egolomoogagago.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
NextEpi
sodeat
1000/
100/
10
[
05/
29,
12:
Kenamilesati
nherroom cr
ying.Set
hhadknocked
unti
ltheguyatthemainhouse,Theocameto
chasehim away.
God,thishurtsobad, herownniece!Shehadreal
ly
thoughtthatSethlovedher,howcouldhedothis!
Especial
lywhent heyhadbabi esontheway.
Ther
ewasaknockatt
hedoorandshej
usti
gnor
ed
i
t.
‘
Girl
,youopent
hatdamndoornow,
bef
oreyou
angerme.’
‘
Ah,Set
h’smot
her
.Suchachar
mingl
ady,
wasn’
t
she!
’
Seth’smotherwasl ikeoneoft hosesoapi er i
ch
familymatriachy.Ifyour ememberSt ephani e
Foresterfr
om t heBol dandt heBeautiful
.Always
pri
meandpr oper,dressinslacksandsi lkblouses,
heels,hai
rwel ldone, noheadscar ff
orher ,makeup
onpoi nt
,andhadser i
ousgover nmentconnect ions
andal l
.Shewasal readyt opbusinessladybef ore
shemar ri
edSet h’
sfat her
.Shedi dn’
ttalktopeopl e,
shecommanded.Wher eSeth’
sf at
herwasaki nd,
docil
emanwhol aughedeasil
y,Kenamil
ewassure
thi
swomanwasact ual
lyt
herealSatan,
noteven
j
ustSatan’
ssi
ster,t
herealthi
ng.
HER:Kenami
le!
Shesighedandwentt
oopenandbr
oughthera
chai
r.
HER:Youonl yhaveplasti
cchair
s?Anyway,i
twil
l
do.Talelet
selaosesut he,mypantsi
swhit
e,in
casether
eisdust..Ihaveadinnermeeti
ngaft
er
thi
s.
Shesi
ghedandbr
oughtacl
oth,
wipi
ngt
heal
ready
cl
eanchai
r.
HER:Thankyou.Kenami le,
youarehurt
ingmyboy,
andIcan’thavet hat.YouknowSethismylastbor
n,
howdoyout hinkIfeelwhenIhearhi
mt al
king
thi
ngsli
kesui cide?
KENAMI
LE:I’
m hur
ti
nghi
m?Didhet
ellyouhesl
ept
wit
hmyeight
eenyear
sol
dni
ece?
HER:(
sighi
ng)Whenareyougoingt
oreali
set
hat
Set
hisstupi
dandsel
fsabotagesal
ot?Idon’
tknow
whatheevenseesinyou,anenti
rehomewrecker
fr
om t
hegutter
s,yethesti
lll
ovesyout
rul
y.AndI
won’
tdownplayyourrol
einhim bei
ngcl
osetothe
manIalwaysknewhewas.Youchangedhi m.Why
gi
veupnowwhenyouhavedonesomuchwor k?
KENAMI
LE:Hehur
tme!
HER:Soyouar ejustgonnagivei n?Youar ea
coward!Youwon.Youhaveanacei nyourhand,
youwillal
wayskeepSet hinli
neandr emindhim of
themassivethi
ngyouf orgavehimf orwhenhe
misbehaves.Heknowswhat ’
satst akenow,that
youmeanbusi nessandyouwi l
lleavehim.You
thi
nkhewi l
leverri
skitagain?
KENAMILE:(
sobbi
ng)Ican’
t… Ican’
tbewi
thhi
m
anymor
e.
HER:Yesyoucan!Whatki ndofChrist
ianareyou
whodoesn’tfor
give?Whatkindofmot herareyou
whowant sherki
dst ogrowupinabr okenfamily
wheni t
snotnecessary?Oratagotholao
tsenyat
senyabannainSedi’
slif
e?Shei sagrowing
girl
.Set
hseesherasdaught er
,evenyoucan’ tdeny
t
hatcanyou?
KENAMILE:Hei
sgr
eatwi
thherandl
ovesheras
herown,
yesbut
…
HER:Ther eisnobut .What ’
st osayyournextman
enewon’ tbeaper ver t
?Andyouknowt hesethings
happen!Andwhat ’stosayt henextmanwon’ tcheat
too?Kanaoi kantseeneKaediwhohassl eptwi t
h
ever yoneandst illdoes?Haveyoueverseent hese
typeofwomenwi t
hsevenbabydaddi es,elea
properwomanai tshol asentle,andyouwonderwhy?
Thosear ethewomenwhoal waysr anatthesi l
li
est
things, bat sholal ethenext ,acheat erleene,and
theyr unagai n.Mydear ,agonant l
oesaneng.Men
arehor ndogsandwi l
ldost upidthings.Eemonna
gagobet saort reat syout err
ible,l
eavei mmedi atel
y.
Set hwor shipsyou.Hei sjustahor nyidiotthatcan’t
keepi ti nhispant s.Moi tshwar el
e,Idon’twantt o
l
osemychi ld.Set hisemot i
onalandhewi lldoit,he
willkillhimsel fi
fhet hinkshehasnochancewi th
you.Youwantt hedeat hofyourbabydaddyonyour
hands?
Shepi
ckedupherf
ancyhandbagandwal
kedof
fto
hercar
.
Kenamil
ebrokedowncryi
ng.Howcoul
dsheexpect
hertoj
ustf
orgetwhatshewal
kedi
non?Sawwi t
h
herowneyes.!
Shet
ookoutherphoneandcal
led.
KAEDI
:Namza!Youcal
ledme… wai
t,Nami
e,ar
e
youcr
ying?
KENAMILE:(sni
ff
li
ng)Ijustf
eell
ikeever
ythi
ngi
s
j
ustcr
ushingdownf orme…
KAEDI
:I’
m comi
ng.Wher
ear
eyou?
KENAMULE:Home.Mypl
ace.
KAEDI
:Wi
llbet
her
einf
if
teenmi
nut
e.
*
***
***
***
**
Wetshowal
kedint
ohi
sgi
rl
fr
iend’
shouseandf
ound
heri
nthebedr
oom.
Hesatatt
heedgeoft
hebed.
LEBAKWE:Whenar
eyougonnagetmycart
ir
es
done?
WETSHO:So,
Ithoughtt
heci
vilt
hingi
stocomedo
t
hisIper
son.
LEBAKWE:Dowhat
?
WETSHO:Br
eakupwi
thyou.
LEBAKWE:Excuseyou?
WETSHO:It
’sj
ustnotwor
king,andIhavebeen
f
orci
ngi
tforyear
s..Ti
metoletgo.
LEBAKWE:Mxi
m..wenaorat
adr
amat he.Letgoya
eng?Whenareyouget
ti
ngmyti
resdone?
WETSHO:Aboutthat.Thecarisful
lypai
dforany
youcankeepit
.Iwil
lnotbet aki
ngcareofthe
rent
alf
rom nowon…
LEBAKWE:Youcan’tbeseri
ous!Ijustmovedi
n
here!Wet
showhatonearthisgoingon?Whatis
thi
s?
WETSHO:So,
anyway.
.Isai
dwhatIhadtosay,
got
tar
ush.Wi
shIcoul
dsayit’
sbeengood.
LEBAKWE:Wetsho,
youcan’
tdot
his… babe… you
knowIl
oveyou…
WETSHO:Noyoudon’ t.Theonlyper sonyoulovei
s
Lebakwe.Youar easpoiltl
it
tl
erichgi r
lwhofounda
fooltofootthebi
llwhenyourpar entsnolonger
wantedt obecauseyourefusetogr owupandbe
responsibl
e.
LEBAKWE:Youknowt
hat
’snott
rue!Il
oveyou,
I…
WETSHO:Iknowt hesmsesyousendt oyour
fri
ends.‘
TheLedi moner di
ssuchaf ool,he
worshipsme, heknowshecan’ tpullagirlli
keme
withhissocialskil
ls.He’l
lneverl
eave’ Howyout ol
d
them i
fyougott hechanceyouwoul d‘f
uckKaedi ’s
gutsout?’Yourwor ds,remember ?Yout hinkthe
worldrevolvesaroundyoubecauseyouar epr et
ty.
LEBAKWE:Youcan’tbeserious!Wet
sho,
Iloveyou.
.
Please… gi
vemeanotherchance…
WETSHO:Aww, t
oolat
e,l
ove.You’
l
lneedt
ofi
nd
anot
hercashcow.
Hegotinthecaranddr
oveof
fasLebakwecame
af
terhi
m cryi
ng.
*
***
***
***
Wandi
pasati
nherf
ri
end’
sroom cr
ying.
WANDI PA:Whatam IgoingtodoTshego?Idon’
t
evenhaveaplacet
ost ay.Iwentt
othecli
nict
oday
andthescansaysI’
mf ourmonthspregnant.
FRI
END:Maybebabydaddycanhel
p…
WANDI PA:Idon’tevenknowhi sname,andI
vaguel
yrememberhi sface.Wemetar ekako
semausungl ateatnight.Weendedupdr i
nkingin
thecarandfuckingatsomeguesthouse.It ooka
combithereandwal kesunt i
lIfoundtheguest
house.Ihadt obegmma.Event uall
ythegirlfel
tpit
y
onmeandchecked.Theyguypai dcash,bothroom
anddeposit,
andhedi dn’tr
eall
ygiveaname.Tr ust
met ohavethishappent o.
FRIEND:Nnyaathemmadon’
tsayt
hat
.You’
l
lfi
gur
e
somethi
ngout!
WANDI
PA:(
sobbi
ng)How?I
’
m homel
essTshego.
FRIEND:Yourauntisalwaysthreateni
ngtot
hrow
youout.Wenayal wapenghelaol ogebat
hoand
hel
pkamadi nyana,shewon’tchaseyouout.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Lebakwedr
ovet
otheLedi
momansi
on.
Hewasn’
tther
e.Hemustbewi
tht
hatbi
tch!
Shedrovetot
heorphanage,
andoneoft
heki
dst
d
herhelef
twit
hthebit
ch.
Hewasn’ tseri
ousi
fshethoughhewasleavi
ngher
.
Especial
lyforsomepl
ainassbit
chl
iket
hat
charcoal
!
Shet
ri
edt
ocal
lhi
m andhehadbl
ockedhernumber
.
Ohsoi
twasl
iket
hatt
hen!
Shehadaspar
ekeytohishouset
hathegaveher
l
ongagoandsheneveruses.
Shedr
ovetohi
shouse,
tur
ningoft
heal
arm and
wal
kedin.
Hewasn’ti
ntobr
andedst
uff
…t heonl
ythi
nghe
t
reasur
edwithhi
sli
fewashispi
mpedoutlapt
op…
whichhesai
dwasforwork.
Shefi
ll
edthekit
chensi
nkwi
thwat
er,
thenputt
he
l
aptopinsi
de.
Thenwentt
oever
yt oal
lot
herr
ooms,pl
uggi
ngt
he
si
nks,
thenr
anthetap.
Shetookapi ct
ureofhi
slaptopi
nwaterandused
herotherphonehedidn’
tknowabout
,andsenthi
m
thepi
cture.
‘
Don’tpl
aymeWet sho,
Iwil
lmakeyourli
feal
ivi
ng
hel
l.Tel
lthatbi
tchyouaret
aken.Lappydeci
desto
haveabat h )
*
***
***
***
***
*
Pi
lar
asatt
hinki
ngaboutLosi
ka.
Damnit
,shemi
ssedhi
m.Notj
ustt
hesex,
his
company.
Kaediwasbei
ngunfair
,afewdaysbackhewasat
somehotelwi
thDerekandawhilel
otofgirl
s.What
gavehimther
ightt
odictat
ewhoshesl eptwit
h?
Shewentt
ochangeandt ol
dherauntshewas
goi
ngout,
thencaughtacabtoLosi
ka’shouse.She
hadakey,i
fhewasn’thomeshe’
djustwait
.
Sheopenedthedoorandcoul
dhearsomemet al
pl
ayi
nginthebedroom.Shewalkedoverandst
ood
i
nthedoor
.
LOSI
KA:Thef
uckyoudoi
ngher
e?
PI
LARA:Imi
ssedyou…
LOSI
KA:Whatdoesyourgodhavet
osayaboutt
hat
.
PILARA:FuckKaedi,heislivinghisli
feyettryi
ngt
o
dict
atehowIl i
vemor e?Wear etwoconsenting
adult
s,youandI .Ithoughtmaybeyoucoul dshow
memor e… t
akethi
ngsanot chup… I’m cur
ious
aboutthatcrossi
nthewal ki ncloset
,andthose
rodssuspendedfrom theceiling.
Hegl
ancedatt
hem andl
aughed.
LOSIKA:(l
aughi
ng)Youar
enotreadyfort
hat.ButI
haveotherwayswecannotcht
hingsup.Come…
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Kaediparkedatt
hegateandquickl
ywalkedt
o
Kenamile’
shouse.Heknockedonceandshecame
t
oopen.
Hehuggedherf
oral
ongt
imeasshecr
ied.
KAEDI
:Hey,
youar
egonnabeok.
KENAMI
LE:How,Kaedi
,howam Igoi
ngt
obeok
whenmyfi
ancéesl
eptwit
hmyniece?
KAEDI
:It
’st
hatf
ool
’
sloss,
Nami
e.
KENAMILE:Ilovehi
m!Idon’
twantt
olosehi
m,butI
al
socan’
tforgivehi
m!
KAEDI:Ofcour
seyoucan’
t,
itj
usthappenedati
tis
st
il
lraw.Givei
tti
me
KENAMI
LE:Idon’
tthi
nkI
’
lleverf
orgi
vehi
m.
KAEDI:Youwi l
l,
inti
me.Youjustmaynevert r
ust
hi
m again,Ihaveheardi
tsai
dthattr
ustuslikea
mir
ror,oncebroken,
evenaft
erit
’sputt
ogether,you
st
il
lseethecracks.
KENAMILE:Thenwhat’
sthepoi
ntofbei
ngwi
th
someoneIcan’
ttr
ust
?
KAEDI:Don’tbewithhi
mi fyoucan’tdealwi
tht
hat
Namie.Butyoulovehim andifhelovesyou…
KENAMI
LE:It
rul
ybel
ievehedoes.
KAEDI :Then, t
akeyourti
meatittohealandt hen
seeifyoust il
lwanthim.Loveisnotperfectand
peoplefuckup.Iam t heki
ngoffuckupsher e,soI
know.Buti fhei sagoodmanwhol ovesyouand
tr
eatsyour i
ghtandyoulovehim anddon’twanna
l
osehi m, Isayit’
sworthanot
hershot.
KENAMI LE:
,(l
aughi
ng)Ithoughtyousai
dyou
suckedatthi
swhileadvi
sething?
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)Aft
eryear
sofwhiningatyou?I
pi
ckedat hi
ngortwo.Now,doyouwantmet ogo
punchhiminthefacebef
oreyoufor
givehim?
KENAMILE:(l
aughing)justaboutnow,t
hatsounds
l
ikesuchagooddeal !Anyway,Idon’
twannatalk
aboutt
hisanymore.
KAEDI
:GoodthingIbroughti
cecream andpopcor
n
andsomeclassics.Si
lencei
ftheLambs?
KENAMI
LE:Hel
lyeah!YouknowIl
oveHanni
bal
.
KAEDI:(l
aughi
ng)Youhavepr
oblems,
gir
l!Your
bestf
riendi
s,wel
l… me.Asi
fthati
snotcrazy
enough,yourfavour
it
echaracteri
sHanni
balLect
er
andJoker.Letmef i
xyourpil
lowandgett
he
popcorn
Hef i
xedherpil
lowandt urnedofft
helights,t
hen
puthispendri
veont heTVandst art
edt hemovi e,
thencameandl aidbesideheronthebed, pull
inga
fl
eeceblanketoverthem astheywatchedt hemovie
andatethepopcor n.
*
***
***
***
***
Wetshorecei
vedamessageashewasdr
ivi
ngwi
th
Ti
gele.
WETSHO:Shi
t!
HehitaU-
tur
natspeedanddr
ovebackt
ohi
s
house.
TI
GELE:Wet
sho,
isever
ythi
ngok?
WETSHO:Thatf
ucki
ngb… shi
t…I
’
m sosor
ryTi
gel
e
wehavet
opassbymyhouse.
Heparkedinfr
ontofthegateandr
ant
othehouse
asTi
gelefol
lowedconfused.
Lebakwest
oodi
nfr
ontoft
hedoorl
aughi
ng.
LEBAKWA:(l
aughing)Oopsi
e,It
hinkhur
ri
cane
Lebakwehi
tyourhouse.
Her ani
nast hewat erwasfloodi
ngi
nthefl
oor
s,
ri
ghttothekit
chenwher ehislapt
opwasontheful
l
sink.Hetookitoutandt r
iedtodryi
tasi
twoul
dn’t
turnon.
Hewenttohi
sbedroom wher
ehi scl
otheswer
e
shr
eddedandpi
ll
owsrippedopen.
Outsi
de,Lebakwel
ookedatTi
gel
efr
om headt
otoe
andlaughed.
LEBAKWE:Soyouar
ewhatt
hisi
diott
hinkshecan
repl
acemewit
h?You?
Ti
gel
eignor
edherandshel
ookedaway.
LEBAKWE:Areyoudeaf
,orj
uststupi
d?I
’
mtal
king
toyou!Ar
eyoufucki
ngmyboyfr
iend?
Ti
geleignoredherandjustkeptl
ooki
ngayher
phone.Lebakwesnatcheditandthr
ewitt
othe
ground,t
henslappedTigel
e.
LEBAKWE:I
’
mt al
kingt
oyoubi
tch!Ar
eyouf
ucki
ng
hi
m?Areyou?
Shepull
edTigelebyt
hebrai
dsandslammedher
agai
nstthewallasWetshor
anoutandpul
ledher
away.
WETSHO:Whatt
hef
uckdoyout
hinkyouar
edoi
ng?
St
op.
Ashepull
edheraway,
Lebakwet
urnedar
oundand
sl
appedhi
m.
LEBAKWE:Letmego, youst
upidwimp!How
fucki
ngdareyoucheatonme,bei
ngwithyouisa
favour
,dummy!Andcheatonmewi th… t
his?
TI
GELE:It
hinkIbet
tergo,I
’
llcat
chacab.
WETSHO:Ti
gi,
wai
t…
Shejustwal
kedoffandat
axicameby,
wit
hher
qui
cklygoi
ngin.
WETSHO:I
’
m gonnaki
llyou!
LEBAKWE:( l
aughi
ng)Right
!Becauseyoucankil
l
anyt
hing.Youwimp.Mustsucktobet heweak
brot
her.Bytheway,If
uckedyourcousinTef
o,si
nce
weareall…
Wet
shosl
appedherhar
dacr
osst
hef
aceand
dr
aggedheri
ntot
hehouse.
WETSHO:Doyouf uckingknowhowmucht roubl
e
I’
minbecauseofyou?Al otofthi
ngsi
nmul apt
op
wil
lbegone!Somethingsintherewer
enotbacked
up!Fucki
nggone!
LEBAKWE:OhmyGod, di
dyouj
ustsl
apme?My
dadisgonnaki
llyou!
WETSHO:Youar
egonnacl
eanever
ybi
toft
his
messyoumadei
nmyhouseand…
LEBAKWE:t
hehel
lIam!
Hepul
ledouthi
sbel
tsof
astandst
art
edwhi
ppi
ng.
LEBAKWE:(cr ying)Wetshostop!I
’
m sosorry,
I’
m
sorry.Sor
ry,
please… I’
m sorr
y,kebaki
leee…
please… ok,
I’
llclean… Hel
p… somebodyhelp… he
i
st ryi
ngtokil
lme!Hel pme…
Hegr
abbedherbythehai
randdraggedhert
hough
t
hewetfl
oor
,pushi
ngherinthebedroom.
WETSHO:You’llst
arthere,al
ltheseclothesyou
f
uckingt
hrewont hefloor,
Iwantt hem hand
washed,
driedout,shi
rtsandwor kpantsironed,
and
ther estfoldedandputaway.Thent hisfl
oor
cleaned, thekitchenwhereyouspi l
ledstuff
,cl
eaned,
bathr ooms, everythi
ng.Everyt
hingi
sgonnabe
spot l
essi nfivehours,orIreal
lywil
lkil
lyou.And
thecarIsai dyoucankeep?Har dy,
Ineednew
clothesandal aptopnowsi nceyoudest r
oyedmine,
soI ’
m gonnahavet osell
it.
Hesnat
chedherphonef
rom herandt
ookherkeys
t
oo.
WETSHO:I’ml
ockingyouinandt aki
ngyourphone
soyoucangetworki
ngandnotbedi str
acted.Don’
t
eventhi
nkoft
ryi
ngtorun,I
’
mj ustoutsi
de.Start
worki
ng.Andmakedinnerf
ast
, I
’m hungry.
*
***
***
***
**
Inthemorni
ngPi
lar
awokeupandquiet
lyt
ipt
oed
aroundget
ti
ngdr
essed,
tryi
ngt
osneakout
.
LOSI
KA:Sneaki
ngout
?Real
ly?
PILARA:Los,wearegonnahavet okeept hi
ngs
undertheradarunt
ilIhandl
ethi
ngswi t
hyour
brot
her.YouknowhowEdii s.Hewillki
llusboth.
LOSIKA:So,I
’
ml i
keyourl
it
tl
esecr
etnow?You
comeher ewi
thacabinst
eadofdr
ivi
ng,sneakout
ear
lyinthemorni
ng…
PILARA:Don’
tbeli
kethat
.Ihavetogo,Kaedii
s
pi
ckingupReah,andhewillhavequest
ionsi
fIam
notther
etohandherover
.Bye.
Sheki
ssedhim ont
hef
oreheadandr
anoutt
o
cat
chataxi
.
*
***
***
***
*
Kaedipar
kedandwal kedovert
othedoorand
cal
ledPil
araj
ustasshewasar r
ivi
ngatt
hegate.
KAEDI
:Oh,
leagor
oga?
PILARA:What?No,
no,
Ijustwentt
obuybr
eadha
semausung…
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Oh?Bokaet
hen?
PI
LARA:Uhm… nebasena… l
etmej
ustgetReah,
gi
vemefivemi
nutes…
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)Youdon’thavet
oli
etomehao
tswagokukunaPipa,youcandowhateverasl
ong
asit
’snotmybrother
.
PI
LARA:I
t’
snothi
m,Iswear
.
KAEDI:Iknowit’
snot,
bot
hofyouaren’tst
upid
enoughtofuckwithmeli
ket
hat.Well
,whoeveri
tis,
heisaluckyfucker
.Youi
sacatch,
babe
Hepull
edhercl
oserandki
ssesher.Sheblushed
andpushedhi
m away,t
henwentintothehouse,
comingbackwi
thReah.
*
***
***
***
**
Lateri
ntheaft
ernoonasKaediwal
kedoutoft
he
off
iceSethgotofff
rom t
hel
obbysofasandwalked
overtohi
m.
SETH:Please,canItal
ktoyouj
ustamoment.I
havebeenwaitingfort
wohourstheysai
dIcan’
t
seeyouwi t
houtanappoint
ment.
KAEDI:Iam abusyman,Set
h.Whatdoyouwant
?
Andyoul ookl
ikeshi
t.
SETH:Happenswhenyouhaven’tsleptfordays.
Kaedi
,canyoupleasenotgooutwithKenami l
e, I
l
oveherandIdon’twannaloseher,butIknowt hat
youcantakeherawayfrom meifyouwant .
KAEDI:(
laugh)Fi
rstl
essoni
nli
fe,
boy,
neverbeg
anot
herman.
SETH:Whatotherchoi
cedoIhave,shei
snott
aki
ng
mycall
s,Ievenaskedmymother…
KAEDI:Nextlesson,arealmanNEVER sendshis
mothertodohi swork.HowwillNamier
espectyou
whenyouar eholdingontotheapronst
ri
ng?
SETH:Ihadnochoi
ce,
ok?
KAESI :Youdi d!Youbegandapol ogi
esandshow
heryoucandobet t
er,t
henbegandapol ogiseuntil
shef orgi
vesyou.Butyouneverr untomama.Ihave
knownyousi nceyouwer eli
ttl
eSet h,whenyou
wher eplayingwi thmybabybr otherLos.Youar ea
brat.Whent hingsdon’tgoyourway, youpoutand
rantomamat ofi
xit.Womenwantmenwhoar e
problem solver s,
notcrybabies.Howwi llyouleada
familywhenyoucan’ tevensol veyourissueswi th
yourwoman?Iam notsl eepingwi thNami e,never
did,andneverwi ll
,andatt hi
spoi ntIdon’tevencare
whobel i
evesi tornot.
SETH:Ibel
ievei
t,wi
llyout
alkt
oherf
ormepl
ease?
Shel
ist
enst
oyou!
KAEDI :Ther
ehegoesagai n,want i
ngsomeoneel se
tosor thismess.Thatgi rll
ovesyou, youf ool.Sheis
hur t
,howwi llyouf eelifyouf oundherf ucki
ngyour
br ot
her ’
sson?Ipr obabl yshoul dn’tt
ellyout his
becauseyoudon’ tdeserveher , butshewant sto
takeyouback, shei sjustwor riedaboutbei ngi na
relati
onshipwher eshecan’ ttrust.Showheryouar e
sor r
yandwi lli
ngt odobet t
er.Gi vehertime.Andi f
youeverhur therl ikethisagai n?Iwi llgutyoul ikea
fish,youunder standthat ?
SETH:I
’
llneverdoi
tagai
n,i
t’
snotwor
thl
osi
ngher
.
KAEDI:Good.Nowfuckof
f,youar
etaki
ngmyt
ime,
Ihaveameetingt
ogetto.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARW
1000/
100/
10
[
05/
29,
12:
Lebakwefi
nishedal
lthechor
esWet
shohadgi
ve
herandlai
dinbedsobbing.
God,howcouldWet shohither
!Butt
elli
ngher
parent
smeantforeverheari
ngthat‘
theLedimoar e
ani
mals’,and‘
youdon’treal
lyknowWet sho’
from
herdad,andneverendingshotfr
om hermom.
Wet
showal
kedi
nandl
aidbesi
deher
.
WETSHO:Thanksf
ordi
nner
,itwasr
eal
lyni
ce.
Shet
urnedawayandf
acedt
hewal
l,
sobbi
ng.
WETSHO:IknowIsoundlikeoneoft
hoseabuser
s
ri
ghtnow,butLel
eyoupushedme!Whatwasthat
shit
,huh?Drownmylapt
op?Mywholefucki
ngwork
i
sgone!
LEBAKWE:(
sobbi
ng)Youcheat
edonme!
WETSHO:Ibr okeupwithyou,Lebakwe,
Ican’t
cheatwhenwear enottoget
her!AndIam noteven
dati
ngTigioranyone.
LEBAKWE:Soyouj
ustoutoft
hebl
uebr
okeup?
Youarel
ying.
WETSHO:OutoftheblueLebakwe?Ihavebeen
chasi
ngandbeggingyoutolovemeforyears.You
tr
ulydobel
ievet
hatyouaredoingmeaf avorby
dat i
ngme.Youspeakt omel ikeIdon’thave
feeli
ngs, l
ikeIdon’ thur t
…youcheat edonmeand
j
ustadmi ttedtosl eepingwi t
hmycousi n.Today
wasnott hef i
rsttimeyousl appedmeandIt oldyou
tocutt hatshitout .Howmuchmor ecanaper son
take,Lebakwe?I ’m aman, it
’shardtoadmi tthese
thingstoonesel f ,
butatsomepoi ntIhadt oaccept
thatIwasi nanemot ionally,andsomet i
mes
physicallyabusi verelationship.So,no,i
twasn’ tj
ust
outoft hebl ue.It’
syear soft aki
ngyouri nsul
tsand
cheat i
ngandabuse.Ihavehadenough.
LEBAKWE:So,
that
’si
t?Wear
edone?
WETSHO:I ’
m af r
aidso…Iwaspl
ayingaboutt
hecar,
I:
m notsell
ingit,
youcankeepit
.Youcanspendthe
nighther
e,I’
llusethespar
ebedroom.Butthi
sisi
t.
Hewal kedof
ftot
heguestbedr
oom andtr
iedtocal
l
Tigel
e,whowasn’
tansweri
ng.Ansmsreplycame
fr
om her .
‘
I’
m sorr
yWet sho.Ican’
tdothi
s.Idon’tdocrazyex
gir
lf
ri
ends,
andyouri sri
ghtupthealleycuckooo.I
knowit’
sunfaironyouthatIam r
ejecti
ngyou
becauseofwhatshedid,butIreal
lycan’tdealwith
allofthat
.Ihopeyouunderst
and.Andt hiswasa
mi st
akeanyway.Wecan’tdatebecauseIdon’ t
wanthowt hi
ngsgobetweenusaffecti
ngt hekids,
youhavebeensogr eatwit
hthem, Ihopenot hi
ng
changes.’
Hetr
iedt
ocal
lagai
nandshewasn’
tpi
cki
ngup.
Si
gh.
*
***
***
***
**
I
nthemor
ningLosi
kasati
nhi
sof
fi
cecal
li
ngPi
l
ara.
LOSIKA:Igett
hatyoudon’
twanttogooutaround
herebecauseKaedi
.SoIwasthi
nkingmaybewego
toS.AorNamibiaorsomewher
eovert heweekend
wherewecangoonadat eorsomet hi
ng?
PI
LARA:Losi
ka,
I…
LOSIKA:Pipa,
please… I… Iwannagoonadat e.I
haveneverbeenonone.AndSat urdayi
skindofan
i
mpor t
antdatetome.I tmarksthedayIescaped
fr
om… Ijust….Please.Thiswil
lreall
ymeanal ott
o
me.
PI
LARA:Ok… t
henl
ets.
LOSIKA:Reall
y?Thanks!I
’l
lbuyt
hefl
ightt
icket
s
ri
ghtnowandbookusat abl
eatt
hisnicer
estaurant
Ireadaboutonli
ne.
*
***
***
***
Intheaft
ernoonasKenamil
ewasaboutt
oleave
work,shewascall
edbythecompanyownerand
presi
dent.
Shi
t,shehopedshehadmotdoneanyt
hingwr
ong.
Assheenter
ed,Sadi
easshepr
efer
redt
obecal
l
ed,
smi
ledather.
HER:SeatdownKenami le,youaren’ti
nanyt roubl
e.
Ijustwantedtotell
yout hatIhavebeenwat ching
you.Yourdedicati
onandhar dwor kisnoticed, and
youhavebeensel ectedtodoacompanysponsor ed
diplomainprocurementmanagement ,pendinga
promotiontotheprocurementteam asaj uni or
member ,buti
t’sanexecutiveposit
ion…
KENAMI
LE:OhmyGod!Thankyou,
thankyou!
HER:HRwi
lldi
scusst
hedet
ail
swi
thyou,
wear
e
awareofyourpregnancy,soHRwi l
lwor
kital
lout
tocaterf
oryourmaterni
tyleaveandst
art
ingyour
studi
es.
Shel eftt
heof fi
cebeamingwithj
oyandt ookher
phoneout .Whenshehadalreadycal
led,shesi
ghed
real
izingitwasSet h’
snumber.Set
hpi ckedup
i
mmedi ately.
SETH:Kena
KENAMI
LE:Idi
dn’
tmeant
ocal
lyou…
SETH:I
’
m gl
adyoudi
d…
KENAMILE:No,
real
l
y,Iwant
edt
ocal
lsomeoneel
se
andshar
esomegoodnewsand…
SETH:Youwer
ethi
nkingaboutme.I’
mthefi
rst
per
sonyouwannashareal
lgoodnewswit
h…
KENAMILE:Youhaveanegot
hesi
zei
faf
oot
bal
l
fi
eld.
SETH:I’
mjusthappyt
ohearyourvoi
ce.Imi
ssyou
Kena.
KENAMI
LE:Youhur
tme…
SETH:Iknow.Youhavenoi deahowsor ryIf
eel.I
thr
ewawayagoodl i
fe.Alifethatmademef eel
happyandst rong.Evenifyouneverwantmeback
i
nyourl if
e, knowthatyouar ethebestthingthat
everhappenedt ome.Iam sosor r
yaboutbeing
suchachi ldandhavi ngmymot hercomet al
kt o
you.That’showIhaveal waysbeenKena.St upid
andimmat ure,andexpectedpeopl etoj
ustacceptit
asthewayIam.Iwasaski ngmysel fi
fonedaySedi
i
smar riedandherhusbanddoeswhatIdi dwoul dI
encouragehert ofor
give?Hellno!I’
dgobeatt hat
l
itt
leshitupf orhurti
ngmyl i
tt
legir
l…
KENAMILE:(
laughi
ng)Luckygir
l.Pit
yIdon’thavea
fat
herwhocancomebeatt heshitoutofyou.
SETH:Ili
kethatyousaidthat
…t hatI
’m herf
ather
…
evenwhenwear efighti
ngwithpossibil
it
iesofnot
gett
ingbacktoget
her,yousti
llsaythat.
KENAMI
LE:Am Iwr
ong?
SETH:Notatal
l!Eveni
fwedon’tworkout,Sedii
s
asmuchmi neasthetwi
nsare.Il
oveyouKena,
gi
vemet hi
sonechancetoshowyout hatIcanbe
bet
ter
…pl
ease.
Shewasqui
etf
orsomet
ime,
thensi
ghed.
KENAMI LE:ThegoodnewsIwant edtosharewas
thatmycompanyi ssponsori
nhmet ostudy
procurement.I
’m soexcit
ed.Itwi
llbeaf
termy
mat er
nit
yleave!
SETH:Wow!Congrat
s!I
’
m sohappyforyoubaby!
Youdeser
vei
t,youar
eahardworker
.
KENAMILE:I
fyouwant,youcanbri
ngsome
popcor
nandorangej
uicetocel
ebr
ate.
SETH:Real
ly?Youmeant
hat
!Gosh,
I’
m onmyway
now!
Shel
aughedassheheardcarkeyj
ingl
eandt
henhe
wasr
unningtot
hecar.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Aft
erwor
kWet shoarri
vedf
rom homet
othehouse
smell
i
ngoff
reshlycookedf
ood.
Hesighedandshookhi
shead.He’
dtoldhert
o
l
eaveandgivethekeyt
othenei
ghbourint
he
morning
Whenhewal
kedi
nLebakwesmi
ledathi
m.
LEBAKWE:Hey…Imadeyourf
ave,
macandcheese.
WETSHO:I’
ml act
osei
ntol
erant
,.Whatar
eyoust
il
l
doi
ngherLebakwe?
LEBAKWE:Ijustt
houghtIshoul
ddosomet
hing
ni
ceforyou…
WETSHO:Thanks,
butl
ikeIsai
d,l
actosei
ntol
erant.
Notsur
pri
sedyoudon’
tknowthough.Aft
eral
lthese
year
s.
LEBAKWE:It
’snopr
obl
em,I
’
vealsoroast
eda
chi
ckenandcanmakeaquicksal
ad,Iwent
shoppi
ng.
WETSHO:Lebakwe,
sincewhenam Ii
nter
est
ing
enoughf
oryoutowanttocookf
orme?
Shener
vousl
ytwi
ddl
edherf
inger
slooki
ngatt
he
fl
oor
.
LEBAKWE:Youwer eri
ght
.I’
m self
ishandIhave
beendisrespect
fult
oyou.Iwanttodobett
er.I
thoughtwecouldgiveusanothert
ry…
WETSHO:Oh?Whyt
hechangeofhear
t?I
ttakesme
l
eavingf oryout oreali
zeI’
m humant oo?ThatIfeel
,
andhur t,anddeservest obetreatedl i
keahuman?
Orittookmewhoopi ngyourasstor eali
zesthatI’
m
amanyouneedt orespect
?Youknowwhat ,Idon’
t
evencar e,justgetoutofmyhousennakebat ago
i
thoballa,basadilestresshel
alothe.
LEBAKWE:Wet
sho,
please…
WETSHO:Ser i
ouslyLebakwe, Ican’tdot his
anymore.Iam happyforyouifyouar etr
yingto
changeandbeabet terper
sonandal l.Iwishyou
well
.Ij
ustcan’tbepartofthatjourney.I’
m sorr
y.So,
l
eavebeforeImakeyou.
LEBAKWE:I
’
m pr
egnant
…
WETSHO:Congr
ats.Toyouandwhoeveri
sthe
babydaddy.
LEBAKWE:Youar
e.
WETSHO:Ri
ght
.Wehaven’tevenhadsexfort
wo
mont
hsandthelastt
imewedi d,
Iusedr
ubber.
LEBAKWE:Wel l
,Idon’tknowwhathappened,
but
I’
m pr
egnantandI’m sureit
’syour
s.I
fyouwanna
denyi
tfi
ne,
I’
llgot
akecar
eofi
t.
*
***
***
***
Pil
arasati
nheroff
icef
ini
shi
ngupwor kwhenKaedi
walkedinandpi
ckedupherhandbaganddragged
hertothecar
.
PI
LARA:Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ng?
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Ki
dnappi
ngyou!ReahandKai
are
i
nthecar
.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)What
?
KAEDI :Iwantustohavefami l
yti
me.Lolotookthe
otherkidsabroadforaweekandIaskedi fKai
couldstay.Heisgetti
ngoldernowPipa,heis
start
ingtowonderwhyyoul ivewit
hReahand
spendt i
mewi thherbutnothim.Iwantyoutostar
t
buil
dingar el
ati
onshipwit
hhim.
PI
LARA:I
’
dlovet
hat
.
KAEDI
:Good!Todayi
sasgoodat
imeasany.And
i
t’
sanophonesvacat
ion.
Hesnat
chedherphoneandt
urnedi
tof
fthenputi
t
i
nhispocket
.
KAEDI:Mineisgoi
ngof
ftoo.Thi
sweekendi
sal
l
aboutoutki
ds.Comeon.
Shegoti
nthecarandKaedidr
oveof
f.
*
***
***
***
*
Losi
kawaitedatt
heFranci
stownai
rpor
tunt
ilt
he
l
astfl
ightf
orthedayl
eft
.
Het
ri
edPi
lar
a’sphoneagai
n,andi
twasof
f.
I
nthemor ni
ngwhenheasked,shehadsai
dshe
f
orgotherbagathomeandshewouldgogeti
taft
er
workandmeethim att
heair
port.
Wher
ethehel
lwasshe?
Hewenti ntoWhat
sAppt
otr
ymessageher
,she
wasn’
treplyi
ng.
That
’swhenhesawKaedi
’
sdi
spl
aypi
ctur
e.
Wi
thPi
lar
aandt
hei
rtwoki
ds.
Pi
larawaswear ingexact
lywhatshehadbeen
weari
ngt oday,
samehai r
style,
everyt
hing.Sowas
Kaedi.Thephotowasobvi ousl
ytakentoday.
Kaedi
’
sst
atussai
d‘vact
imewi
thf
am.Phonesof
f
soyoudon’
tbot
herus’
Sot
hat
’swhyshewasn’
tpi
cki
ngup?
Hefr
ustr
atedki
ckedhisbagasmemor
ytookhi
m
waybackdownthelane.
HisMast
erl
ayi
ngont hef
loorbl
eedi
ng,
thebr
ead
kni
feont
hebastar
d’sgut
.
Andhewasst
il
llaughi
ng.
‘
Andwhatdoyout hinkyouar egonnadowhenyou
getout,l
itt
leLoosey?Gobackhomet oyourfamil
y
andlivehappilyeveraft
er?Finishschool
,maybe
eventual
lymeetagoodgi rlandmar r
yher?(he
l
aughed)I di
ot!Noonewi lleverwantyou…
especial
lyanywoman… notwi t
hthatscar
redbody
ofyours… orthef actt
hatIhavedr ai
nedall
emotionsoutofyou?You’ l
lonlyeverbegoodfora
l
ousyf uck,andthey’l
leventuall
ymoveon.’
Losikabithi
slowerlipsohar dtost
ophimselffr
om
screaming,ashedesper at
elytri
edtodir
ecthi
s
thoughttrai
n….Thinkofanything… hi
sfamil
y…
Pil
ara… no,not hatsti
lll
edherbackto…
Shestoodhim upf
orti
mewithherf
ami l
y.Di
dn’t
evendeem hi
m wort
henoughofacallormessage
tocancel
.
‘
youarewor t
hless,Loosey.Beyondservingme, you
havenovalue.Yourfamilygaveuponf indingyou.
Youthinkwit
ht hei
rresourcestheywouldn’thave
foundyoubynowi ftheywantedto?’
Sheplayedhi
m.Neededarebound… andli
kethe
i
diothi
smast erhadsai
dhewas… hefel
lfori
t…
openedhishearttoher
…
Hescreamedloudl
yandkickedhisbagast
hef
ew
peopl
esti
lli
ntheai
rpor
tlooked.
LOSI
KA:Thef
uckyoul
ooki
ngat
!Nxl
a!
Hecussedl
oudlyanddr
aggedhi
sbagout
,get
ti
nga
cabandwentbacktohi
spl
ace.
No,hewouldnotbr
eak… hewouldn’
t.Hehadnot
cr
iedinal
mosttwodecades… he…
Awarmtearrandownhi
scheek.Thenanot
her
…
andanot
her
.
Hewasel
evenagai
n… no,
hecoul
dn’
tcr
y.I
fhe
foundhim cr
yingagai
n,hewoul
dbur
nhi
m wi
tht
he
cigar
ett
eagain.
Heshoul
dn’
tcr
y…coul
dn’
tcr
y….
God,het houghtPi
lar
aunderst
oodhim… whatwas
hethinking,whywouldshewantsomeoneas
worthlessashewaswhenshecoul dgetKaedi
?
Hebl i
nkedbr i
nyt earsfrom bloodshoteyes, his
thi
ckl ashesstuckt ogetherinclumpsasi fhe'd
beenswi mmi ng.Thet earsmadewett racksdown
hisfaceanddr ippedf rom hisstubbl
ed, wobbling
chin.Clearwaterysnotst reakedfrom hisflari
ng
nostri
lsdownhi sf acet ohisopenquiver i
ngl i
ps.
Hishandsopenandcl osed, r
hythmicall
ycl enching
asiftherecouldbesomevi olentsol
uti
ont ohi spain
i
fonl yhecouldf i
ndi t.
Theraindrummedhardonthewindowsand
drownedhiscr
iesashewalkedovert
ohis
cl
oset….i
nthehiddendr
awer…
Hepul
ledagunout
…
Thatwast
heonl
yway… t
heonl
yescape.
*
***
***
***
*
Pil
araandKaedif inall
yt i
pt oedoutoft heroom the
ki
dswer esleepingin, t
ryi
ngnott olaugh.Theyhad
spenttheeveningpl ayi
ngboar dgames,shar inga
l
argemeal ,l
ist
eningt otheki ds’stori
es,andjust
havingfun.Shecoul devensayKaiwasal i
ttl
e
warmert ohimtoday, what everKaedisai dt
ot he
l
itt
leboy.
Fi
nal
lyat11pm,
theyhadputt
heki
dst
obed.
Kaedihi
ghf
ivedherandt
heybot
hlaughed.
KAEDI:Al
ri
ght,
youtaketheotherbedr
oom andI’
ll
taket
hecouch.Thesechal
etsonlyhavet
wor ooms
atmost.
PI
LARA:Cool
,thanks.
.
KAEDI
:Ihadf
unt
oday…
PI
LARA:Met
oo.
.
KAEDI:Wemakeameant
eam.
.Gott
hispar
ent
ing
shi
tdown…
PI
LARA:That
,wedo!
KAEDI
:I’
m gl
adIgettodoitwi
thyou.Iwi
shIcoul
d
al
sogett
odot her
estofl
if
ewithyou.
PI
LARA:(
sof
tl
y):Edi
,pl
ease…
Uexpect edl y, hi shanddr i
ft edt oherhi p.Itsett
led
ther eandpul ledhercl oser .Shei nhal edshar ply.
Shewasagai nsthi swar m chest ,chiseledt o
per fection.Musthebesoper f
ect?Shespl ayedher
handagai nsti t,intendingt opushhi m away, but
i
nst eadshel ef titthere.Hi sbr eathingqui ckenedas
didher s.Hebegannuzzl ingherneckwi t
hdel i
cate
kisses.Sof aint ,t
heywer ewhi sper s.Sheur ged
her selftopushaway, butcoul dn’t.Herl impbody
begant ot rembl euncont rollablyathi ski sses.His
headwasangl edsl i
ght l
yt ot hesideashi slips
camecl oserandcl osert oher s.Shewassur pr
ised
tof indherownl i
pspar t
ed.Thei rbreat hsmi ngled.
Herhear tf l
ut teredi nsideherchest .Atf irst,
itwasa
delicatebut ter fl
yofaki ss.Thenhi sar msenci rcled
her .Hedr ewhert ohi m sot heirbodywer esmashed
toget her .Sheal waysf eltt opunyagai nsthi sbody.
ThemanwasWWEwr estlersi zebig, butt hemost
i
nt oxicat ingt hingwashi si mposi ng, domi nati
ng
auraasshestoodcr
ushedtohi
schest
,andnow
thatshehadf
oundoutj
usthowmuchsheloveda
dominantman…
Shit!Losi
ka!Hol
y,shit
,theyweresupposedtol
eave
today.Hehadevencal l
edherintheaft
ernoont
o
remindherandshef orgot!Shi
t!
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Pi
lar
astart
edpani
cki
ng.Ohno,Losi
kawi
lll
osei
t.
Sheddi
n’tshowupandherphonewasof
f.OhGod!
ShepushedKaedibackandst
oodadi
stancef
rom
hi
m.
PILARA:Kaedi,
Ineedmyphonebackplease….I
total
lyf
orgott
herewassomet
hingIneededtodo.
KAEDI:Nocando,
tol
dyout
hisweekendi
sphone
fr
ee.
PI
LARA:Kaedi
,damni
t!Ineedmyphone!Myaunt
…
sheuhm… sheisonmedicati
onshef or
get
stotake.
Andthehel
peri
sonleavetoday.Ineedtocal
lher
andremi
ndher.Gi
vememyphone, damnit
!
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Okaaaay,
dragonl
ady!
Heopenedt
hesui
tcaseandhandedhert
hephone.
Sheracedt
othebedroom andl
ockedhersel
finsi
de,
cal
li
ngLosi
karepeat
edlyashedidn’
tanswer.
Shecal
ledhercousi
n.
PI
LARA:Set
h,canyougocheckonLosi
ka?
SETH:Uh?
??Why?
PILARA:Youguysusedtobebestf
riends,
youtold
met hat
.Andnowthathehasbeenthroughatough
ti
meyouhaveabandonedhim?
SETH:Excuseyou,Losstoppedhangi
ngwit
hme
whenhecameback.It r
ied,hepushedmeaway
event
ual
lyIjustst
opped.
PI
LARA:Anyway,
heneedsyounow.
*
***
***
***
**
Lebakwel
aidi
nbedi
nherhouser
eadi
ngabout
ovul
ati
onasshel
ookedatt
heovul
ati
onki
twi
tha
si
gh
Ok,grossaboutthatwholemucust hing,
butshe
neededtoknowi tfornextmonthbecause
accordi
ngtot hestupidkitshewasovulatingtoday.
Whatwast heuseoft hatwhenWetshodi dn’t
beli
eveher,l
etalonewouldwannasl eepwithher
ri
ghtnow?
Ther
ewasaknockatt
hedoort
hatwoul
dn’
tgo
away.
WETSHO:Lebakwe… i
t’
sme,
canwet
alk?
Maybeshespoket
oosoon.
Shesmi
ledt
oher
sel
f.
LEBAKWE:(
fakesobbi
ng)Goaway.
WETSHO:Lebakwe,
Idon’
thavet
imef
oryourdr
ama,
weneedt
ot al
k.
LEBAKWE:Fi
ne!
Sherantothebat
hroom andputeyedr
oppedi
nher
eyesandrubbedt
hem sotheylookedr
edandtear
y,
them wentt
oopen.
LEBAKWE:Whatdoyouwant
?
WETSHO:Wereyouser
iousaboutbei
ngpr
egnant
wi
thmykid?
LEBAKWE:Don’tworr
y.Ihaveanappoi
ntmentt
ogo
havei
ttakencareoft
omorrow.
WETSHO:Soyouar
epl
anni
ngt
oki
llmyki
d?
LEBAKWE:I
t’
snotyour
s,sol
eavemeal
one.
Shebangedthedooronhi
sfaceandheknocked
agai
n.Sheopened.
LEBAKWE:What
!
WETSHO:I
fnotmi
nethenwhoel
se?Whower
eyou
f
ucki
ngrawtwomont
hsago?
LEBAKWE:Fuck,
you.Asshol
e.Whatdoyout
ake
mefor?
WETSHO:Wasi
tmycousi
n?
LEBAKWE:Nobody!Ok!Idi
dn’tsleepwit
hanyone
butyouthelastsi
xmont
hs.Isleptwit
hyourcousi
n
twoyearsago!Thisi
smybaby, andit
’smyprobl
em
andI’
llf
ixi
t!
Shet
ri
edt
ocl
oset
hedoorandhebl
ockedi
t.
WETSHO:Lelewait…maybeIwasr oughonyou…
youdon’
thavetotermi
nate…maybewecancome
upwit
hsomeagr eement… youknow.
LEBAKWE:I‘m notgonnabesomebabymama,
Wetsho!Idon’
tevenknowwhyItol
dyou.Ishoul
d
havejustt
erminat
ed.
Hepul
ledherclhuggedher
.
WETSHO:Wear edoingnoneofthat… comeon
Lele… youknowyoudon’ twantt
odot hat
….And
yousaidyouwer egonnadobet t
er,
somaybeifyou
giveourbabyanotherchance… maybewecould
giveusanotherchancetoo… whatdoyousay?
Hmmm…
Hesai
dashenuzzl
edherneck.
LEBAKWE:(snif
fl
ing)Ok… comein… wannafeeli
t?
Li
ke,ther
earenokicksoranyt
hingyet
,butl
ike…
here,
putyourhandinmytummyl iket
hat…that’
s
ourbaby…
WETSHO:Real
ly?
LEBAKWE:Yup…
*
***
***
***
*
Ledi
mosatwi
thhi
swi
fet
alki
ng.
MMALEDI
MO:Soar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lhi
m?
LEDIMO:Ahh, nnatot
aIdon’tl
ikethesewhol
e
ancest
orthings.Whymusttheychoosehiswif
e?
Heisinlovewiththemotherofhiski
ds!
MMALEDI MO:Howdoest hataf fecthim beingwi th
histradit
ionalwife?Youhadt hewi fethatwas
chosenf oryou, yetyousti
llmar r
iedmet oo.Mar ri
ed
mef i
r steven.TheLedimoar eculturalpeople,li
ke
myf ami l
y.Dilotsedingwegadil at hiwe.Kaedihas
beenchosenast heheadoft heLedi mof ami l
y
beforehewasbor n.Hi
swif ewaschosenf orhim
whenhewasf ive.Hanneosedi ngal o,nkabor r
ago
asaleat swagobaangwanyanal et hokwaf orKaedi.
Wabooganaunt ilhedi
ed.
LEDIMO:Howdoesengagingaf i
veyearol
dchil
d
andaoneyearoldbabynotseem weir
dtoyou!Yes
Iref
usedbecauset
hat’
sweirdandbarbari
c,I
cert
ainl
ywasnotgonnaletanyonedosuchtomy
son!
MMALEDI MO:Theyneverevenhadt oknow.We
j
ustwoul dhaveencour agedafri
endshipbet ween
them.Myf atherwasat radi
ti
onaldoctor,andsome
thi
ngsdiser iousKaedi.Thingsli
kegobi tswake
badimojaanat oser
veasasangoma, orinourcase,
tomar r
yi ntoaf ami
ly.Youdon’tignorethat,ther
e
arerepercussions.Okanyat sabecauseogodi l
e
sekgoa,butyourf at
herknewbet ter.Youneedt otel
l
Kaedithathei syourson, andyouneedt or euni
te
him wit
hhi schosenwi fe.
LEDIMO:Ahh,nnawher
ewil
lIfi
ndherjaanong
whenIdon’
tevenknowhername?Howam I
supposedt
orememberarandom babyIsawyear
s
ago?
MMALEDI MO:Youf atherkeptaneyeonher .He
wasgoi ngtoarrangei twhenKaediwasofage, but
hepassedbef orethat.It
’suptoyounow, ngwanaa
robalel
wekedi t
hokwa.Thr eedi vorces,l
ewenahela
youcanseegai tumelamomoweng, set
seaki l
ea
tsenabotoronkomo… howmuchmor emusthe
sufferbef
oreyoudot heeightthing?Ot athanyaa
l
emol
ebi
teng?
LEDI
MO:(si
ghi
ng)Doyouhaveanyi
deaofwhoshe
coul
dbe?Myfat
hert
alkedt
oyouaboutt
hings.
MMALEDI MO:Becauseyouwer eneverhometo
l
ist
entohim,al
waysfrol
icki
ngwithwhitepeopl
e
act
ingl
ikeyouareoneofthem.Wenagagagohel a
eneelegonnamohumil egocoll
ect
abasadi.
LEDI
MO:Bet
te,
I’
m sosor
ry.
MMALEDI MO:Idon’
tneedyourapologies,
Kaedi.
WhatIneedisf
oryourtodotherightt
hingforyour
son.Her
e,t
hat’
sthefamil
yaddress.
Hetookapi
eceofpaperandr
ead,
looki
ngata
phot
o.
LEDI
MO:Wai
t,haveIseent
hisgi
rlsomewher
e?
MMALEDIMO:Itoldyoushehasbeencl
osert
ous
t
hanyout
hinkal
lthiswhi
le.
LEDI
MO:Doessheknow?
MMALEDI MO:Shedoesnot
.Youneedtoapproach
herf
amily,
mmagweabuenae.Obonolo,ebi
leo
godi
sit
sweSet
swana.Shewil
ldowhathermot her
says,butsheknowsKaedienought oneveraccept
him onherown.Lethermot herpushhert
oit.She
i
st omot herthenextLedi
moheir.Keenemmagwe
yourfather,Kgosi
dint
siLedi
mo.
LEDI
MO:I
’l
lgetoni
tri
ghtaway.Bet
te.Ir
eal
ly
want
edt
oapologi
sefor
…
Shepi
ckedt
het
eat
rayandwal
kedof
f.
*
***
***
***
***
Loapipar
kedhercarasshear
ri
vedwi
thherki
ds
fr
om holi
day.
Shegl
ancedamani nBDFunifor
m passi
ngby,and
al
mostrantohi
m befor
ereal
isi
ngitwasn’
tHI
M.
Lord,
sheneededtogeti
ttogetherandgoapologi
es.
Evenifhenevert
ookherback.Justtomakeitri
ght
.
Butshewassoaf r
aidofclosingthat‘maybe’
windowshehad.Nowshekeptt ell
ingherselft
hat
maybehewi l
lforgiveherandt heycouldhavea
fr
eshstar
t.Havinghi m outr
ightsayheneverwant s
anythi
ngtodowi thherwouldbedevast ating.
Shesi
ghedandhel
pedherchi
ldr
en’
snannycar
ry
t
hebagsi
nsi
de.
Shesomet i
meswonder edaboutthi
sgir
l,Boemo.
Shewas31, butLolohadneverevenseensigns
thatsheevenhadsomeone.Shewor kedhardand
kepthersel
fquiet.Shehadbeenthenannysi nce
Kaiwasbor n,andlovedthekidsl
ikeherown.
BOEMO:MmagweKai ,
ifi
t’
sokwithyou,mayIhave
thi
sweekendtogohome, mymothercal
ledareshe
hassomethi
ngtotalkt
omeaboutandsheneeds
mei nper
son.Buti
fyouarebusyIcoul
djust
…
LOAPI:Boemo,youdon’tneedtoapologi
seabout
taki
ngdaysoff
.Godknowsyoudon’ tdothat
enough.YoucanleaveonFr i
day,
I’
llcomehome
earl
y.
BOEMO:Thankyou.I
’
llgost
artdi
nner
.
Lol
owentt
oherbedroom andl
aidi
nbed,
li
steni
ng
tot
heki
dsplayi
ng.
Shescrol
ledherphonetoTatj
,‘
snumber,hoveri
ng
herf
ingeraboveit
,thenwentof
ffr
om contact
s.
Ohf
ucki
t!
Shetypedamessage,
hopi
nghehadnotbl
ocked
her
.
‘HiTatj
.It
’sLol
o.Therr
agivemeachancet o
expl
ainandapologi
se?Let
’smeetwheneveryouar
e
fr
ee.’
*
***
***
***
**
SethknockedonLosika’
sdoorsti
llannoyed.He
hatedthathi
sti
mewi thNamiehadbeendi arupt
ed,
evwnthoughshehadbeensounder st
anding.I
mean,whatdoyoudowhensomeonet el
lsyouyour
bestfr
iendmightdosomethi
ngdrast i
c?
SETH:Los,
it’
sSet
h.Bul
athemonna.
Aft
erf
if
teenminutesofhi
m notopening,hepicked
t
hedoorandtanin,st
oppi
ngatonhi stracks.
SETH:Ohshi
t….
*
***
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
Nextepi
sodeaf
ter1000l
ikes/
100comment
s/10
shar
es.
[
05/
29,
12:
Kaediknockedagai
nandf
inal
lyPi
lar
aopened.
KAEDI
:Howi
syouraunt
?
PI
LARA:Sor
ted.Kaedi
,I
’m gonnaneedt
oheadback
i
nthemorni
ng…
KAESI
:Wow… Kaiwasact ual
lyst
art
ingtoconnect
wit
hyouandall
.Whatcouldbemor eimport
ant
t
hanbuil
dingar
elat
ionshi
pwithyourchi
ldPipa?
Shesighedandsatdown.
.Losi
kacoul
dwai
t.Set
h
wil
lcalli
fanyt
hingwi
thLosi
ka.
PI
LARA:Youar
eri
ght
…itcanwai
t…
KAEDI
:Now,
wher
ewer
ewe?
Hepull
edupt
oast
andandst
art
edki
ssi
ngher
agai
n.
PILARA:(
moaning)Kaedi
… pl
ease… I
’
m seei
ng
someoneelse…
KAEDI
:(Nibbl
ingherneck)I
fitwasser
ious,
you
woul
dn’
tletmedot hi
s…
Hesaidasheunbutt
onedherbl
ousewhi l
eki
ssi
ng
her…droppi
ngthesi
lkbl
ouset
othefloor
… pushing
herbr
acupasideandtaki
nganipol
einhismouth.
Shemoanedandar chedintohismouth.Lord,she’
d
missedhi
stenderunhurri
edwayofmaki nglove.
WhichwaswhatKaedidi d… hewasal overand
knewhowtomakeagi rlfeell
oved.
Shemoanedaninaudi
blepr
otestashetookher
handandl
edherbacktothebedroom.
*
***
***
***
***
Sethst
oppedonhi
str
acksasLosi
kasatont
he
fl
oorcr
ying,
wit
haguntohi
shead
SETH:Los… Iam sur
ewhat
everi
tis,
wecanhandl
e
i
t…
LOSI
KA:No… ther
eisnohandl
ingt
his.I
’
m
damagedSet
h… I’
m wor
thl
ess.
SETH:Nigga,j
oint
hequeue!Yout hi
nksomeofus
gettol
ivewit
hourfuckedupnesswhileyoutakethe
easywayout?No,fuckyoubitch,
ifIhavetosuff
er
theshi
tinmyhead,sodoyou!
Losi
kast
art
edl
aughi
ng
LOSIKA:Trustyoutomakeitaboutyour
sel
f,you
sel
fishpr
ick.Dist
ractme,
sowhatdi dyoufuckup
thi
st i
me?
Hesai dashesighedandputthegunont
hebed,
thenleanedagainstt
hebed.Sethcamet
oseat
besidehim,st
il
latadist
ance.
SETH:Imean, IthoughtIreachedanallti
mel ow
oncewi t
hmyuncl e’syoungwi f
e.ButIreal
ly
real
isedI’
m api eceofshitwhenIgotheadf rom my
fi
ancée’sniece.Gotcaughtdi ckinmouth!
LOSI
KA:(
laughi
ng)Ihopeshebeatyourass.
SETH:Man, Iwishedshe’
dhadt oo.Idon’
tdeser
ve
her
,butthatgirlr
eal
lyshowedmeIcoul dbea
bet
terperson.Imissyou,man.Imissmyboy.
LOSI
KA:(
laughi
ng)gaaaaaay
SETH:(Laughi
ng)Fuckyou,
fag.Now,
tel
lme
what’
seati
ngyouup?
LOSI
KA:Nah,I
’
m good.Just… youknow.Shi
t.You
canl
eavenow,I
’m notgonnablowmyheadopen.I
don’
treal
lywannadie.Iwi
shIwoul
d,butIdon’
t
wantto.Makesense?
SETH:Nope!Butt hatdoesn’tmatter.Wearet
alki
ng,
andit’
sallthatmatt
ers.I
t’
st helongest
conversat
ionwehavehadsi nce…anyway,
remembert hatt
imeyourbr othercaughtus
watchingpornfrom hi
sCD’syoust olei
nhi
s
bedroom andhewhoopeduspr oper?
Losi
kal
ookedawaysadl
y
SETH:Damn!WhydidIhavet
obri
ngthatup,
that
wasjustbef
oreyouwentmi
ssi
ngand…
LOSI
KA:I
’
minl
ovewi
thsomeone.
Hebl
urt
editoutsof
astandsoner
vousl
y,l
ikei
twas
abadt
hing.
SETH:Real l
y?Wow!Youdon’
tknowhowhappy
heari
ngt hatmakesme!Iwantt
hatf
oryou.Love,
happiness,maybeafami
lyi
fyouwantt
hat.
LOSI
KA:Idon’
tthi
nkshegi
vesashi
tthough…
SETH:Wasshet
her
easonyouwer
etr
yingt
oof
f
your
sel
f?
Losi
kanodded.
SETH:Ther
elat
ionshipi
swrong,buti
tfeel
ssor
ight
.
Ever
ythi
ngf
eelsinplacewhenI’
m wit
hher….
Feel
swr
ong?
WhywasPi l
arasoconcer
nedaboutLosi
kaan
i
nsistedhecomecheckonhim?Lor d,
couldi
t…of
courseitwas.Howelsewoul
dshehaveknownhe
wasi nastat
e?
SETH:Shedoesgi
veashi
t… shesentmeher
e.
LOSI
KA:Shet
oldyouaboutus?
SETH:Notinsomuchwor ds.Shewassowor
ri
ed
aboutyou.Whathappened?
LOSIKA:Shest
oodmeupt
ogoonaf
ami
ly
vacat
ionwit
hKaedi
.
SETH:Maybeshehadnochoi ce?Shetoldmeshe
wasdonewi t
hhi m,hehadhurthertoomuch.Ifshe
wastherehavingtheti
meofherl i
fewouldshehad
beensoworriedaboutyouthatshewouldbother
andbegmet ocomeher e?Shesai dKaedihad
tur
nedthei
rphonesof f
.Youknowhowdemandi ng
hecanget
.
LOSIKA:( sighing)Youarepr obabl
yr i
ght.Ijust…I
don’tknowhowt odothisrelati
onshipthing,I’
ve
neverbeeni none.Iprobablyoverreact
ed.Pl ease
don’ttellheraboutthi
s….Howyouf oundme…l ’m
tr
yingt oimpr essher…
SETH:OfcourseIwon’
ttel
l,butIhavel
earntone
thi
ngwithNamie.Thebestwayt oimpr
essa
womani st
oshowhert herealyou.Ber
awand
honest
,andopenuptoher.
LOSIKA:Thanksman.Idon’
tknowhowweare
gonnamaket hi
swork,butI
’
llf
indaway.I
’
llmake
Kaediunder
stand.
*
***
***
***
*
ThenextdayLoapisi
ghedasshest
il
lhadno
responset
oTatj
.
Si
gh.
Hepr
obabl
yhadmovedon,
andsheneededt
odo
t
hatt
oo.
Shehadabeaut
if
ull
if
eandt
hemostamazi
ngki
ds.
Sheneededt
ofocusont
hat
.
Shepeekedinthebedroom ast
heyoungerki
ds
watchedPeppapigont heTVwhil
eMbewuwas
watchi
ngJojoSiwavideosonherlapt
op.
LOAPI:Ok,
devi
cesof
fguysti
meforbed,
Iknowyou
areal
lshower
ed.Whatst
oryar
ewereadi
ngtoday?
Yup,herki
dswer
egonnabeherfocusnow.No
Kaedi,
noTatj
.Nomanunti
lsheknewshewouldn’
t
becli
ngywhenshegoti
narelat
ionshi
p.
Tal
kingaboutKaedi
,shewonderedwhathewasup
tonowadays.Heonl
ypickedupthekidsatthedoor
mostti
mes, andt
heywereprof
essionalatt
heoffi
ce.
Sheknewhewasst i
llmadatherforactual
lygoing
thr
oughwi t
hthedi vorce,andfel
tlimeshe
i
nfluencesPil
ara.Andshewasqui etcer
tai
nthathe
hadneverreall
yfullyforgi
venherforcheat
ing,
even
i
fhesai dhedid.
Someti
messhemi ssedhim.Mosttimes.Ok,
scr
atchthat
,allthefucki
ngtime.Shewasso
cur
iousabouthispersonall
if
e.Washedat ing?Who
wasshe?Wasi tseri
ous?Wasshepr et
ty?
Lor
d,shehadnobusi
nessaski
ngt
hat
.Moveon
Lol
o,moveon.
*
***
***
***
**
Wetshowokeupi nLebakwe’sbedandfoundhis
cl
othesaround.Shewasinthekit
chen,andashe
wenttofi
ndher ,
theymetinthehal
lwaywithher
hol
dingatrayofbreakf
astinbed.
LEBAKWE:Backt
obed… wear
ehavi
ngbr
eakf
ast
toget
her
…
WETSHO:Asdeli
ciousasthatlooks,
Igottahead
hometoshowerandchange,thenheadt otheoffi
ce.
Textmet
hedoctor’
sappoi
ntmentf orthepregnancy.
Hekissedhercheekandr anofftothecar .I
fshe
wasr eall
ypr egnantwit
hhi schi
ld,hewi l
lplayher
gameunt iltheygotapat erni
tyteensy.Nowadays
allt
heyneededwasherbl oodtodoi tbeforethe
chil
dwasbor n.I
fitwashis,hewasgonnat akethe
babyt hemomentshepushedhi m out,andt el
lher
tofuckof f
.
LebakwewatchedWetsho’
scarl
eavi
ng,st
andingat
thedoorandwavingathi
m.Shebett
erbepregnant
f
orreal
.Thesenextt
wotothreeweeksofwai
ti
ngt
o
f
indoutweregonnabehel
l.
Shit
,hewant
eddoctor
’sappoi
ntmentdat
es…what
thehel
lwasshegonnado?
*
***
***
***
**
Boemoar r
ivedonaFr i
daynight.Inthemorningshe
wokeupear l
ytomakebr eakfastforherpar
ents,
sur
pri
sedast woofheraunt swer ealr
eadyhere.
Shebroughttheteaandtradit
ionalbunstothe
ver
andawher ehermothersatwi t
hheraunts.
AUNT:ThankyouBobbimygi
rl
,si
tdown.Wear
e
her
etotal
ktoyou.
Lor
d,nott
he‘
whenar
eyouget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed’
agai
n!
MOTHER:Wehadvi
sit
orst
heot
herday.
BOEMO:Vi
sit
ors?I
smysi
sterget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
MOTHER:No.Youar
e.
Boemobur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
BOEMO:Mama,nnaIdon’
thaveaboyfri
end,Idon’
t
haveaboot
ycal
l,
hel
l,
Idon’tevenhavea‘hi
’i
nmy
i
nbox.Okaebannahabamphetababudul
ala
malat
sia.Get
ti
ngmarr
iedbywho?
AUNT:Yes,
theydo.
BOEMO:Dowhat
?
AUNT:Donotseeyou.
BOEMO:Youar epreachingtothechoi
raunty,
nna
kanaIthoughtwhenIfinal
lyagreedt
oallt
hat
sangomat r
aini
ngthi
ngyousai dIneededt
odo, I
thoughmybadl uckwouldgoaway.
MOTHER:Ithasnothi
ngtodowi
thbadluck.You
knowgoreronarebat
hobabadi
mo.Ourancestors
foundyouahusbandwhenyouwher
ejustone.
BOEMO:What
?
MOTHER:Mymot heroncement i
onedit
,butshe
didn’
ttel
lmewho.Theotherdayhisf
amilyfi
nal
ly
came.
BOEMO:Li st
enmama.Iam notgoi
ngt omarry
somer andom!Hasn’
tyourdamnancestor
staken
ever
ythingfr
om mealready?
MOTHER:Hei
snotr
andom,
youal
readyknowhi
m.
BOEMO:Ido?
MOTHER:KaediLedi
mo.
Shebr
okedownl
aughi
ng.
BOEMO:Youar ej
oki
ng,
right?Marr
yintothat
dysfunct
ionalf
amil
y?Tothatchauvi
nistmanwit
ha
harem andthensome?I
’ml onel
ybutnotthat
l
onely.Thankyou.
MOTHER:Okar
ewait
ebat
sawhathappenedthe
l
astt
imeyoui
gnor
edt
hecalloft
heancest
ors.
BOEMO:HowcanIf orgetmot her
!Yourdamn
ancest
orstookmyl i
feaway!Iam af uckingnanny
wit
hapsychol ogydegree!Ihadsecuredmyselfa
pl
aceinanl eadi
nguniversit
yandstraightt
o
doctor
ate,
andt heyt
ooki tal
laway!
MOTHER:Thatwasyourpuni shmentforyour
stubbor
nness.Rememberhowyouwer ebrought
homef r
om.Swi t
zerl
andinastret
cher
?Sosi ckyou
wereunabletoevenwalk?Howyougotsi ckevery
ti
meyout r
iedtoleave?
BOEMO:Iknowal
lthatmama.I
t’
snotf
air
.
MOTHER:Itiswhati
tis.Youwil
lnotf
indhappi
ness
ormarri
agewithanyotherman.Youwerechosen
tobearaLedi
moheir.
BOEMO:YouknowIcan’
thaveki
ds,
that
’swhyI
choset
ocar
eforthem.
MOTHER:Youcan.I t
’sj
ustthatnkokoagooneago
bogi
lei
naccordancewiththeancestorssot
hat
youwil
lonl
ybearkidstoyourhusband.
BOEMO:(yel
li
ng)Mysupposedhusbandhassix
ki
ds!Howcomehegetstohavekidsoutther
eandI
don’
t!
AUNT:Areyouamanl i
kehimt hen?Mxim.Gir
l,t
he
momentthosepeopl
ecomet of or
mall
yask,wewi ll
accept
.Andyouknowverywel lwit
husit
’snot
aboutt
hei
rri
chesbutaboutpleasi
ngourancestors.
Atyourol
dageandyoustil
lthinkyoucanbepicky
aboutmen?Mxim.
MOTHER:Boemo,
Idon’
tneedt
otel
lyout
hatyou
havet
oli
sten.
BOEMO:Howdoyouevenknowt
heyar
enotl
ying?
AUNT:Mxi m,becauseyouar esuchacatchthat
peopl
ewi l
lgotosuchl engt
hstoevenlietogetyou?
Mymot herhadalreadytdmyaboutt hi
stoo,j
ust
notwhoitwas.It’
supt oyou,butrememberthelast
ti
meyougothotheadedwhenyouwer ecall
ed?
BOEMO:Fi ne,whatever.Acceptt
hem.I
’
llmarry
him.Ihavelongacceptedgorennamyli
feisn’
t
real
lymineakere.
Shest
oodupandwal
kedawaywi
pingt
ear
s.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
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[
05/
29,
12:
Pil
arawokeupcuddledt
oKaedi
.God,
thi
sfel
tso
famil
iarandsogood.
Waki
ngupwi
thhi
m.
Whycoul
dn’
tthi
sbeherr
eal
it
y?
Especi
all
ynowt
hathewassi
ngl
e…
No,no.Wit
hKaedi
,ther
ewasalwaysapossi
bil
it
yof
anot
hercomingonthescenewi
thhi
m bei
ng
pol
yamorousandal
l.
No
Shetr
iedt
oseatupandhepul
ledhercl
oserand
ki
ssedherhai
r.
KAEDI
:(gr
oggy)Wher
edoyout
hinkyouar
egoi
ng?
PI
LARA:Toshower
… myt
highsar
eal
lst
ickyand
messy
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)Si
nceyouarealr
eadymessy
anywaywhydon’tweseejusthowmuchmor e
messyyoucanget?
Shemoanedi
nbot
hpr
otestandpl
easur
eashe
ki
ssedher
.
Hehikedherupi
ntohismoaningglor
y,moani
ng
l
owast heymadecontact
,movingherupanddown
unt
ilshehel
dtherhyt
hm onherown.
*
***
***
***
*
KaediandPi
lar
acameoutoft
heshowert
oget
her
.
PI
LARA:Kaedi
,Idon’
tevenhaveachangeof
cl
othes!
KAEDI:Wearmine.Ihaveaf
ewsweat
pant
s,
hoodi
es,andtshi
rts.
PILARA:Legot
wekemoki
mabatho,nkal
ekanwa
keclot
hesofamassi
vemanl
ikeyou?
KAEDI:(
laughing)Massi
ve… ah,
sweet
hear
t,you
sayt
heni cestthi
ngs.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Youaredisgusti
ng.YouknowI
di
dn’
tmeanthat
…t houghitappl
ies.
KAEDI
:Ohhh,
doesi
tnow?
Hegrabbedherandhuggedheri
nat
ighthug,
kiss
herhead.
KAEDI:Il
oveyou, l
it
tl
egir
l.Al
waysdi
d,andalways
wil
l.Mysaviour
… kanaIwouldn’
tbeali
veifi
t
wasn’tf
oryouMi ssP,youknowthat
?Nkabokele
phekosomewher e.
PILARA:(
laughi
ng)Thatwoul
dbethestr
ongest
tal
ismanbecauseyouaret
hegreat
estmanIknow.
Hot
testt
oo,
lookatt
hoseabs.Ij
ustwannal
ick
‘
em… hmmmm…
KAEDI :(
laughi
ng)Gir
l,f
uckaroundandcompl i
ment
mel i
kethat,andyougonnaleavethi
splace
pregnant.Comeon, l
et’
sgetdressedbefor
et he
bratswakeup.Her ethisonehasadr awst
ring,you
cant i
eitup.
Shet
ookt
hecl
othesandgotdr
esses.
KAEDI:Ili
kewhenyouwearmycl ot
hes.Itl
ooks
cut
e.Andt heysmel
lli
keyouaft
erwards.Pipat
he
mmal et’
sgiveusanot
hergo.
PI
LARA:Kaedi
….
KAEDI :Justust hi
stime.Noot herwoman.Noteven
Nami e.Wehavenotbeent al
kingforayearanyway
becauseshewasf ocusingonherr elati
onship.We
onlytalkedrecentl
ywhensheandSet hwer ehaving
problems.Ifiguredifshecandot hat ,Icandot hat
too.Focusonyou… onus.I ’
llopenupt oyou… I
hadsomuchcl ari
tythesefewmont hsalone.AndI
real
isedIdon’ twanttobewi thoutyou, Pil
ara.
PI
LARA:KyIwannabel
ieveyou!Ipr
obabl
ydot
oo,
becauseIam st
upi
dwheni
tcomest
oyou…
KAEDI:Youar enotstupi
d,youjustacknowl edge
yourtruefeel
ings.Wehavebothknownsi ncethat
fi
rstdaywemett hatt
herewassomet hingspeci al
betweenus… Ir ememberstayi
ngupl ateincol l
ege
andevenwhenIwasi nwallst
reet,
readingyour
l
etter
sweusedt oexchangewhenyouwer ein
pri
mar yschool.
PI
LARA:Youkeptt
hem?
KAEDI:Ever
ysi
ngl
eone… Ist
il
lhavet
hem al
l….
Andthis…
Shet earedupl ookingatthefakesilverneckl
ace
withahal fheartpendant.IthadbeenP40whenshe
boughti twhenshewasj ustthir
teen.Andshehad
hadtosavef oritfortwomont hs… itwasat wo
necklacet hingeachwi t
hahal fhear tt
hat
combi nedt omakewhol e.Shehadgi venhimthe
otherhal fandkeptone.
PI
LARA:(
tear
ingup)Youst
il
lhavet
his?
KAEDI
:Staysinmyunbr
eakabl
esaf
e… don’
ttel
lme
youl
ostyours.
PI
LARA:Ididn’
t.I
t’
sinaverycheri
shedbox
al
ongsi
dethat‘
gold’oneyougaveme…
KAEDI :Pil
arsthemmaIl oveyou.Gi vemet hi
sone
l
astchancet oshowyouIcandor i
ghtbyyou…
please… Iknowyouar enotr eal
lyhappywher eyou
areoryouwoul dn’thavespentani ghtli
kethi
swi t
h
me.Iam def ini
telynothappyonmyown… bi tjust
l
ookatwhatoneni ghttogetherdoes…youar e
positi
velyglowing… andIf eelli
keIjustwonthe
fuckinglot
tery… please… youknowt hatIl
oveyou.
PILARA:Ineverdoubtedt
hatKaedi
… Ij
ustdon’
t
knowhowt oshare…andyourfri
endshi
pwith
Kenamil
edoesn’tseatwellwi
thme.ButwhenI
askedyoutostoptalki
ngtoher,
youweremiser
abl
e.
KAEDI:Iwasmi serablebecauseal lyoueverdi d
wasyellatmePi pa!Turnedyour selfintoadamn
miniLoapi
,alwaysconni ving!Icouldn’teventrust
youanymor e!AllIwant edt ocomehomeandki ss
mykidsgoodni ghtandhol dyouandhaveyout el
l
mewewer egonnabeal r
ight,butallyoueverdi d
wasaccusemeoft hingsandyel l
.Iwaswr ongand
mostofthebl amei sonme, butyoupl ayedapar t
too…can’twet
rytobetherealus?Happy?Takeal
l
otherpeopl
eoutofourequat
ion?
PILARA:Kaedi,
please… Wecan’t.Il
eftbecause
weremakingeachot herunhappyKy!Andi tbroke
myhear t
!NotonlybecauseIwasunhappy, but
seeingyouunhappyandknowi ngIwast hecause.I
thoughtKenamil
ewoul dmakeyouhappy, soas
muchasi thur
t,Ihadtoletyougof i
ndhappi ness.
KAEDI :Icanneverbehappywi t
houtyou, dumbass.
Youshoul dknowt hatbynow.Andi twasneverlike
thatwithNami e.Sheishonest
lyafriend,butam I
will
ingtol oseheri
fthat
’swhatitt
akest ohaveyou?
Absolutely.
PILARA:I
nafir
e,meandheri
nsi
de.Youcanonly
saveoneandyouknowtheot
herwoul
ddefi
nit
ely
die,
whowouldyousave?
KAEDI
:Real
ly?That
’ssochi
ldi
shPi
pa.
PILARA:Maybe,butanswermest i
ll
.Whowoul
dit
be?Behonest.Atleasti
nyourheart
.
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)You.I’
dtakeyou.Ther
ecan
al
waysbeanotherKenamil
e,shei
sreplaceabl
eto
me.Neveranot
herPi
lar
a.
Shesmi
ledandsnuggl
edi
ntohi
m.
PI
LARA:IknowI
’
m ani
diotf
ort
his….Butnoot
her
women,huh?
KAEDI
:(smi
li
ng)Justyou,
babe…
PILARA:AndIwantust
oli
vetoget
her
.Notatthe
Ledimohouse,
wecanstayatmyhouse.AndIwant
Kaitocomeli
vewit
hus.
KAEDI
:Done…
PI
LARA:OhmyGod, thi
sissoexcit
ing.It
’sallIever
wanted!Uhm… weneedtobuythi
ngsf orthehouse.
I
t’
sjustemptysavef
oronebed….
KAEDI:ThenIsayweheadf
orbr
eakf
ast
,then
fur
nit
ureshoppi
ng!
Theki
dswal
kedi
nst
il
lgr
oggy.
PI
LARA:Comeonguys,
joi
nus.DaddyandIhave
gr
eatnews!
*
***
***
***
***
Twodaysl
aterKaediknockedatLoapi
’
shouse.
Hehadspentthepastt
wodayswit
hPil
arabuyi
ng
houset
hingsanddecorat
ingt
hei
rnewshome.
Thi
swasal
lsoexci
ti
ng.
Loapi
camet
oopen.
LOAPI:Hey?It
’snotyourtur
nwiththeki
ds,i
sit?
BecauseIwasalreadytaki
ngthem somewhere.
WhereisKai?
KAEDI
:Thati
swhatIwant
edtotal
ktoyouabout.
Wehavedeci
dedt
hatKaiwil
lmoveinwi
thPil
ara.
LOAPI
:Whot
hehel
lis‘
we’
?
KAEDI:Pi
lar
aandI.Shei
smovingoutofheraunt’
s
homeandKaiiscomingt
oo.I
tisthebestt
hingfor
hi
m and…
LOAPI:Thehelliti
s!Heismychi l
dandIam not
l
etti
ngthatjunki
etakehimjusttoabandonhi m
againwhenshef eelsl
ikeafi
x!Pil
arais
i
rresponsi
ble.Thereasonshewasl i
vingwithher
auntwassot hatsomeoneelsecanr aiseherot
her
chil
dbecauseshecanneverdoi therself.
KAEDI
:Youhaveat
otal
lywr
ongpi
ctur
eofher
,you
know?Yea, Pipawear sherhear tonhersl eeves,she
i
sabi ti
fadr eamer,andcanbenaï vesomet imes.
Butshehast hemostbeaut i
fulhear tIhaveever
comeacr oss.Pi paisal over,
andshel ovestosee
everyonehappy.Sheseest hebesti npeoplewher e
nooneel sedoes.Andshei sagr eatmot her!She
hadahar dt imewi t
hKaibecauseshewasgoi ng
throughal ot,butshehasbeent ryi
ng, andthis
weekendIgott owat chherwi thhim, withbothof
thekids,andshei sgr eat.So,no,Loapi .I
t’
snotup
fordiscussion.Kaiismovi nginwi thus.
LOAPI
:Us?
KAEDI
:Yea.Pi
paandIar
egonnagi
vei
tanot
hert
ry.
LOAPI
:Thatbi
tch!Soshefi
nal
lygotwhatshe
want
edaft
eral
l!Thiswasal
laploytogetri
difme?
Boemowal kedinwiththekidsfr
om walk.Theyal
l
rantoKaediwhogavet hem hugsandkissesas
Boemogr eetedLoapi,
butjustl
ookedatKaediand
passeswithoutacknowledgi
nghim.
KAEDI
:Whatdi
dIdot
oher
?
LOAPI
:Whoknowswi
thyou?
KAEDI:Idon’tevenknowhername!Whenwi llI
haveti
met odoanythingtoher?Excuseme,nanny?
CanyoupackKai ’
sthi
ngs?Comeher eyouguys,I
gottotellyousomething.Kaiwil
lbemovinginwith
auntyPipaandReahandI .Andwehavear oom set
foryouguyst oo,youcancomewheneveryouwant .
LOAPI
:Now,
runal
ongki
ds,
daddyandIneedt
otal
k.
Theki
dsr
anof
ftopl
ay.
LOAPI
:Youcan’
ttakeKai
,Iwon’
tletyou.
KAEDI
:I’
m af
rai
dit
’snotupfordi
scussi
on.Hei
s
movi
nginwit
hus.I’
llgosaybyet
ot heki
ds.
*
***
***
***
***
Af
terseei
ngLoapiKaediheadedtotheLedi
mo
mansionwher
ehisgrandf
atherhasaskedtosee
hi
m.
KAEDI
:Heyol
dman.I
’
m her
e.
LEDI
MO:Good,
good.Come.Iwantt
oshowyou
somethi
ng.
Hefol
lowedtheol
dmant ot
hecarandhisdri
ver
t
ookthem t
oanothermansi
onadist
ancefr
om the
Ledimomansi on.Itwasabeaut i
fulhouse,andas
theywalkedthef i
elds,
Kaedimar velledatthehome.
Thelargebackyardhadr ealgreencar petgrassand
wellkepttr
ees,therewasaf ullplaygroundwi t
h
swingsandsl i
desandal lsort
sofki dt hi
ngs,an
adultandakiddiepoolwi t
hgat esaroundt hem… al
l
thegoodst uf
f.
Itwasjustasmagni
fi
centont
hei
nsi
de.St
il
l
unfur
nished.
LEDI
MO:Whatdoyout
hink?
KAEDI
:It
’sawesome.Gr
eatf
orabi
gfami
ly.
LEDIMO:Ihavebeenhavi
ngitbui
ltf
irt
hepastyear
.
It
’sf
inal
lyf
ini
shed.I
t’
syours.
KAEDI
:Huh?
LEDIMO:Myhome, ther
earetoomanypeopl e
comingandgoi ng,
andyouknowhowourf amilyis.
Noplacetoraiseki
ds.AndIhat ehowyourchil
dren
arebeingrai
sedseparatel
y.Theyneedt
ogr owup
toget
her.
KAEDI
:Ican’
tar
guewi
thyout
her
e,butt
hei
r
mot
her
s…
LEDIMO:Wil
lhavet
ounderst
andtheyarerai
sing
Ledimoki
ds.Wehaveourways.Theyneedtobe
rai
sedourway.
KAEDI
:Theyneverdenymet
aki
ngtheki
ds.Gago
nalet
ir
omolwapengIcansi
mplygogetthem…
LEDIMO:Buttheyar esti
llli
vingapart.Thatwil
l
changenow.Theywi l
lallcomet olivehere,t
heir
motherscanhavet hem visi
tf r
om t
imet otime.Iwil
l
bri
nginyourwifetomor r
owt oseeitanddecide
howshewant sitdecorates.
KAEDI
:Pil
arawi
llnotwanttoli
vehere.Wehaveour
ownli
tt
lepl
acewejustfur
nishedand…
LEDIMO:NotPi
lar
a.Yourwi
fe,
chosenbyt
he
ancest
ors….
*
***
***
***
**
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KE,
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[
05/
29,
12:
Kaedist
oodl
ooki
ngathi
sgr
andf
ather
.
KAEDI
:Mywhat
?
LEDIMO:
,Iam theonewhowr ongedyouKaedi .Iso
ver
ymuchdi dn’twanttobeli
evei nthesethings.
That’
swhymywi feal
wayst akesleadi nfamil
y
cer
emonies.Ithoughti
fIignor edit
,itwil
lgoaway.
KAEDI
:Youar
enotmaki
ngal
otofsenser
ightnow
ol
dman.
LEDIMO:Kaedi,
yourancestor
schoseawi f
ef oryou
whenyouwer efi
ve.Ihadthesamehappent ome.
ThoughBett
ewast heloveofmyli
fe,Ihadtot akea
wif
echosenformeal so.
KAEDI
:Goodf
oryou.ButI
’
m good.
LEDI
MO:I
t’
snotachoi
ce.
KAEDI:Whatar
eyougonnat hreatenmewi ththis
ti
meol dman?Ihavecont
rolofallyourassets,you
can’
tthreat
ent
otakethem awayandt hrowmy
f
ami
lyont
hest
reet
s.
LEDI MO:Kaedidoyout hinkIwantthi
sf oryou?I
l
iteral
lyjustsai
dItri
edt oavoidi
thappeningby
refusingmyf at
herengagingthegir
lwhenshewas
ababyandneverwant ingyoutol
d!Idon’twantt
his
foryou, butIam af
rai
d!Idon’twanttoloseyou!I
wantyout oseeyourkidsgraduat
ecollegeandget
mar ri
edandhaveki ds!Iwantyoutobehappy!
KAEDI:AndIwi
ll
!Pil
araandIar
egett
ingback
t
ogether,
soyoudon’
thaveanyt
hingt
owor r
yabout
.
LEDIMO:Kaedi… myboy.Pl easeforoncejustl
ist
en
tome.Ican’tpr
otectyout hi
sti
me.Ican’tsend
peopl
etothreat
enorbr ibeanyonetogetyououtof
thi
ssit
uati
on.Ihatethisforyou.
Hel
ookedawaypensi
vel
y
KAEDI:Thenifyouhateitsomuch,l
et’
sjustfor
get
i
t,huh,ol
dman?Li keIsaid.Pi
paandIarefi
xing
t
hings.It
hinkI’
llwal
khome.
LEDI
MO:Atl
eastmeetherand…
KAEDI
:Nah,
I’
m good.Theonl
ychosenwi
fef
orme
i
schosenbyme.Hernamei
sPi
lar
aLedi
moand
t
hat
’sit
.
Hetookoffj
oggi
ng.Ledimowat
chedhi
m goasa
t
earrandownhisface.
LEDIMO:Heisj
ustaboy… hewil
llear
n,please
don’
thurthi
m.Idi
dnotteachhi
m well
,Iignoredour
ways.I
t’
sonme…
*
***
***
***
*
Pil
arawasbusyi ntheki
tchencookingwhenher
phoner angagai
n.ShehadignoreLosika’scal
lsa
l
otalready.Shefel
tsobadshe’dhavet ohurthi
m,
butthiswasherchanceathappinesswi t
htheman
sheloved.
Sheenj oyedLosi
ka’
scompany,t
heyreal
ly
understoodeachother
,andt
hesexwasmi nd
blowing.ButKaediwasri
ght
,whatt
heysharedwas
special
, andi
fshehadachanceati
t,shewas
taki
ngi t
.
Shesi
ghedandpi
ckedupt
hephone.
LOSI
KA:Pi
pa,
haveyoubeeni
gnor
ingmycal
ls?
PILARA:What?Nooooo!Myphoneetholae
l
ebelet
sePeppapig,andshej
ustscr
eenscall
s
whentheycome.AndIam movinghouse,soI
’ve
beenbusy.What’
sup?
LOSIKA:Imi ssyou…t othi
nkIwassopar anoid
whenIsawt hatyoust oodmeupandwentaway
withKaedi… IthoughtIwasyourdi r
tylit
tl
esecret,
butyoutoldSet haboutus… soIseet hatyoureall
y
dowantust obet ogether… anyway, Ithoughtabout
confront
ingEdiaboutourr el
ationshipandj ust
tel
li
nghim wear ei nlove.Iwil
lbegi fIhavet o,
heis
notanunr easonabl eman…hewi llbeangr yandI
wil
ltakewhat everpunishment ,butIknow
eventual
lyhewi llforgi
veandl etusmoveon.
Ohshi
t… shi
t!
PILARA:No!Wait… Losi
kacanwemeettomorr
ow?
Therei
ssomethingIneedtotal
ktoyouabout
.I’
l
l
cometoyourplace.
LOSI
KA:That
’smorel
ikei
t,Imi
ssyout
oo.Al
ri
ght
.
Seeyout
omorrow.
Shehungupandsi
ghed!God,
thi
swasgonnabeso
hard.Hurt
ingLosi
kawasthel
astt
hingshewant
ed
todo,butwhatchoi
cedi
dshehave.
Kaediwal
kedi
nandki
ssedhee.
PI
LARA:Whatdi
dtheol
dfoxwant
?
KAEDI:(
sighi
ng)Nonsenseasusual
.Man,Icanget
usedtothi
s.Cominghometoyou,andj
ustusand
ourki
ds.
PILARA:Ri ght
?Noover bear
ingstufforrel
ativesor
anything!Nowwef eelmorelikeafamily!Pl
easego
gi
vet hekidsthosegrapesovertherewhilethey
waitfordinner
.
Hepi
ckedupabowlofgr apesandwalkedtothe
ki
ds’
playroom.Kaiwaslayi
ngonthecarpet
gr
oaningasReahplayed.
KAEDI:Chi
ef,
areyouok?Kai
?Kaedi
,ar
eyouok?
Pi
lar
a!
Pi
lar
acamer
unni
ng.
PI
LARA:What
’swr
ong?
KAEDI
:Heisrunni
ngar
eal
lyhi
ghf
ever
…Kai
,wher
e
doesi
thur
t?
KAI
:Myhead…i
thur
ts…
PI
LARA:Andi
tlooksl
ikehei
shavi
ngapr
obl
em
br
eat
hing.
KAEDI
:Gogett
hecar
,I’
l
lbr
inghi
m upf
ront
.Reah,
come…
Pi
larabroughtthecarinfr
ontandKaedibrought
KaiandstrappedReahonhercarseatwhi l
eKail
aid
onhislapandt heydrovetothehospi
tal
.
*
***
***
***
***
Wandipafini
sheddoingacustomer’shair
.She
stoodupandst r
aight
ened,herbackhurt
ingfr
om
bothherheavil
ypregnantbel
lyandsitt
ingdown
foolong.
Herauntwal
kedover
.
AUNT:Whenar
eyoudoi
ngmywashi
ng?
WANDIPA:Aunty,
Iam t
ir
ed,
nowadaysi
t’
shar
d
wi
tht
hisbell
y.
AUNT:Ee,akerewenawhenother
swerestudyi
ng
youwereopeningyourl
egst
omen.Howmuchdi d
youchar
get hatgi
rlket
ekeagorekaseshabo?
WANDI PA:Ao,aunt
y,akereIgaveyoumoneyfr
om
yest
erday.KanaIhavenotboughtthebaby
anyt
hing,notevenavest… It
houghtwit
hthi
s
money…
AUNTY:Nnyaammai fIam t
roubl
ingyouaski
ng
youtohelpf
inanci
all
yathome, t
henmaybeyou
shoul
dfindt
ourownpl ace.
Shesi
ghedandhandedherP150.
AUNT:Whereistherest
,thatgi
rlsai
dshepaidyou
P300.Ti
sakwano.Oi j
esabonkoborwanemobaba
kasegothusengsepethenyouwantt ot
ellmeyou
havenot
hingfort
hebaby?Godomywashi ngmma.
Heraunt
’sdaught
erwal
kedourdr
essedup.
HER:Mama,
canIhavesomemoney,
myf
ri
ends
andIar
egoi
ngout
…
Wandipat
ear
edupasshewatchedherauntgive
theP300t
hatwassupposedt
obeforthebaby’s
clot
hes
Shetearedupandwenttogetwaterf
rom t
hetapto
dothelaundr
y..Asshecar
ri
edtheheavybucket
,
shest
oppedandhel
dont
oherst
omach,
feel
inga
har
dcontr
act
ion.
Shehel
dont
othewal
lasshef
eltwat
err
andown
herl
eg…
*
***
***
***
***
Inthemorni
ngBoemoar
ri
vedwithhermother
,
LedimoandmmaLedimoinhernewhouse.
MMA- LEDIMO:Bobbi,thi
sladyisani
nteri
or
desi
gner,youjustt
ellherwhatyouwouldli
keand
shecanar r
angeit.
LEDIMO:Takei nmi ndt hataswifeoft heheadof
theLedimof amil
yandCEO ofLI Dindustri
es,you
wil
lhostal oti
mpor tantpeoplebothlocaland
i
nternati
onalbusinesspeopl e,mini
sters,r
oyalty
evenfrom boNigeria.Wehaveaofbusi ness
part
ners,sochoosewel l.Tel
lthedesigner.Money
i
snopr oblem.
BOEMO:( si
ghing)Ok,compil
ef ormeVi
ctor
ian
themesforthegrandfoyer
,li
vingroom,
dini
nghal
l,
gall
ery,
drawingroom andstudy.
DESI
GNER:Ok,
bedr
ooms?
BOEMO:GoVi
ctor
iant
oo.
MMALEDI MO:Thekids?Youknowyourbabi
eswel
l
,
your
aisedthem.Tel
lherwhatt
heyl
ike…
BOEMO:Mbewui severythi
ngJojoSi wa,Google
JojoSiwabedroom anddothat,Kaiisintospace,
thetr
io,Sapphi
reandSeraphinedon’twannabe
separat
ed,sotheyshareabedroom, FancyNancy
themed,thei
rbrot
herli
kesPawPat rol,andReahis
i
ntoPeppaPi g.
DESIGNER:Anyspeci
fi
cthemef
oryouandyour
husband’
sbedr
oom?
BOEMO:Howaboutbrokendreamsandf
orced
marr
iages,
thi
nkyoucanworkthat
?
MOTHER:Boemo!
BOEMO:(si
ghing)Idon’
treal
lycar
eforour
bedr
oom.Surpri
seme.
MMALEDI MO:Ah!Soundsl
ikei
t’
sgonnabea
beauti
fulhome!Tomorr
owyouwilli
nter
viewstaf
f
foryouhouse.Maybetwomaids,acook,anda
gr
oundsmen.Oh,
yea,
andadr
iverf
ort
heki
ds.
Kaedist
ormedi
nandst
art
edyel
li
ngathi
s
gr
andfather
.
KAEDI
:Whatt hehel
ldi
dyoudo!Whatdidyoudo,
mysonisinthehospit
alr
ightnowandIknowi thas
somet
hingtodowi t
hyourbull
shi
tfr
om yest
erday.
LEDIMO:It
oldyouit’
snotachoice.Youwil
lbe
pushedi
ntoiti
fithastobe.Meetyourwi
fe.
KAEDI
:Nanny?Whatt
hehel
l…
Boemor
oll
edhereyes.
KAEDI
:Li
sten,
Iam noti
nter
est
edi
nmar
ryi
ngyou.
BOEMO:( si
ghing)I
’m noti
nterestedinalotof
thingsKaedi ,andIassureyouyouar eatthet
opof
thatlist.ButIhavelonglearntthatIdon’
townmy
l
ife.IfKaii ssi
ckallofasudden, youarenotgonna
fi
ndhi m heali
nginsomef ancyhospi t
al.
Ledi
mosi gnal
ledforpeopl
etocl
earther
oom,
then
j
ustlockedKaediandBoemoi nt
here.
KAEDI
:Seri
ousl
y?Comeongrandpa,
Ihavet
oget
backt
othehospi
tal
!Ar
ggg!
LEDIMO:Youarenotgonnamakeanydif
fer
enceat
thehospi
tal
.Butyoucanmakeadif
fer
encehereby
tal
kingt
oyourwife.
Kaedihear
dfoot
stepsast
heyal
llef
t.
BOEMO:JustwhenIt
houghtmydaycoul
dn’
ttur
n
anywor
se.
Si
gh
BOEMO:Kaedi … whenIwasi ncol legeabr oad, Igot
sick.Myf amilyar etraditi
onalheal ers, myl ate
grandmawasasangoma.Mymom wentt oconsul t
asangomaandt heysai dIhadacal ling,toatl east
trai
nasasangoma, eveni fIdon’tpr act i
se, sothe
artisnotl ostt othefami ly.Ibasical l
yt oldt hem to
fuckof f,stayedi nSwi tzerl
andandcont i
nuedwi t
h
myst udi es.Istartedget ti
ngsi ck.Iwentt ot he
hospitalandt heykeptsayi ngthis,kamosot hat.
Autoi mmunodi seases, geneticsdef ects,al lsort
s
ofthings, nothingeverdef i
nite.Igotwor set oa
pointIwasonadeat hbedbyt hetimeIgr aduat ed.I
wasbr oughthomeonast ret
cher .Iagr eedt odo
thattrainingandgr adual l
yIgotbet terunt ilIwas
fi
ne.Itr
iedtogobackformydoctorat
e.Nope..Any
ti
meIt r
iedtol
eaveIgotsi
ck.SoIstayedhereand
foundworkasyournanny,t
herearen’
tthatmany
psychol
ogistj
obsroundher
e.
KAEDI
:Ni
cehi
stor
y.I
’
m st
il
lnoti
nter
est
edi
nyou.
BOEMO:I t’
snotaboutyou, youoveregoi sti
ctwat!
It
’saboutal i
tt
leboywhoi sbeingpuni shedby
someshi t
assancestorsbecausehewasbor nt oa
pieceofshi tli
keyouwhowon’ tdowhat ’s
necessar yforyouchil
d.Youar en’texactl
yacat ch
Kaedi .ButIloveKaili
kemyown, andi fheisat
stake, Iwi
llmarryevenyou.Youcankeepdoi ng
what everwithwhoeveryoudoi twit
h,Icouldn’tcar
e
l
ess.Now, doyouknowhowt opickal ock?I’
dl i
ke
togoseeKaii fheissick.
KAEDI:Maybei
fwet
akehi
mtot
hesef
ir
e
chur
ches…
BOEMO:Iwi
shIhadt heanswer
sKaedi.Ionl
yknow
whatwor
kedforme,ok?Openthedoorandgiveme
ari
detot
hehospit
al.
KAEDI
:It
’snotf
air
!It
’sourl
ives,
weshoul
dbeabl
e
todowhatwewant .Youshoul
dhavebeenabl
eto
pursueyourst
udi
es.
BOEMO:Shoulda,coulda,woul
d.Meh.Thesooner
youacceptt
hatli
fesucksandsomet i
meseventhe
l
emonsar et
oodryf orlemonade,
thebet
ter
.Now,
canwegoseeKai ?
Hepi
ckedupt hel
ockandast
heywal
kedt
othecat
hi
sphonerang.
KAEDI
:Los,
bro… what
’sup?
LOSIKA:Hey,
Edi.Weneedtotal
k.I’
mjustgonna
saythi
snowbeforeIlosemyneverandbetoo
ner
voustotel
lyou.So…
*
***
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
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Nextepi
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100/
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[
05/
29,
12:
Kaedisi
ghedashespokeont
hephone.Whatdi
d
Losi
kawantnow.
KAEDI:Look,Los,myman.Kaii si
nthehospit
al,
andit
’srealbad.Andgr andpajustt
hrewacurvebal
l
atmet oo.Whateveri
tis,itwi
thyou.Itcanwait
.
Gott
ago.
LOSOKA:Wai
t,Kaedi
,I
…
KAEDI
:Real
lyneedt
ogo.Lat
er.
*
***
***
***
**
Pi
lar
asatinthehospit
alr
oom besi
deasl
eepi
ngKai
whenLoapiarr
ived.
LOAPI:Justadaywi
thhi
m andl
ookathi
m!And
yousayyoucantakehi
m?Mxim.
PI
LARA:Lol
oist
hisr
eal
lyt
het
ime?
LOAPI:OhIwasn’
tawar
etherewasatimetot
ell
someonetheyar
eapisspoormother
.Whatdi
dyou
dotohim?
Kaediwal
kedi
nwi
thBoemo.
LOAPI
:Boemo?Ithoughtyout
ookdaysof
ffor
somefami
lyt
hing?
BOEMO:Yea,
andIr
ani
ntohi
m andhet
oldmeKai
wassi
ck.
Loapil
ookedbackandfort
hbetweent
hem,
rememberi
ngtheotherdaywhenBoemowasgi
ving
Kaediadir
tyl
ookatherhouse.
LOAPI
:So,
li
keyouguysar
efucki
ngorsomet
hing?
PI
LARA:What
?
LOAPI
:(l
aughing)Thoughtyougotr
idofme,
justt
o
gai
nanother
.
PI
LARA:Kaedi
,i
sshet
ell
ingt
het
rut
h?
LOAPI:OhmyGod!MaybeKaediwastel
li
ngt
he
tr
uthatal
lsayi
nghewasnotsleepi
ngwi
th
Kenamil
e.I
twasyou,wasn’
tit
?
Boemoj
usti
gnor
edher
.
LOAPI:Wasn’ti
t!Youcanspeak,bi
tch!Kanayour
mouthisonlyforsucki
ngdick…nowonderyouare
neverwit
hanyman, youspental
lyourfreeti
me
sneaki
ngaroundwi t
hmi ne
Shesai
dlooki
ngatBoemo.
BOEMI
:Noi
twasn’
t.AndIam notdoi
ngt
hecat
fi
ght
wit
hyoummagweKai ,notmyst yl
e.Myi
nteresti
n
thi
smani st
hesameast heoneIhaveonplasti
c
bagfl
yingonadir
tyst
reet.None.
LOAPI:Real
ly?Lor
d,Ihavebeenli
vingwit
hasnake
undermynoseandIdi dn’
t,evenknow!
KAEDI:Loapi
,st
op!Thi
sisr
eal
lynott
het
ime.Iam
notsl
eepingwit
hBoemo!
LOAPI:Youseem t
ohaveanawfull
otofwomen
youneversl
eptwit
haroundyou!
KAEDI:Loapi
,shutt
hefuckupandtaket
hatshi
tout
ofmyson’sroom.Heneedstorest
.Out,
now!
Bef
oreIdragyouout.
Lol
ohuf
fedandwal
kedout
.
Pi
lar
asati
nthechai
rsni
ff
li
ng.
KAEDI
:Boemo,
canwehavet
her
oom pl
ease?
BOEMO:It
hinkI
’l
lheadout
,Ihavet
ocheckmy
Fr
iendi
nNyangabgweanyway.
Boemol
eft
.
PI
LARA:(
sobbi
ng)I
sitt
rue?
KAEDI:Babe,ofcoursenot.Butthereisa
compli
catedsit
uationwewi l
ltal
kaboutwhenwe
gethome.ButIpromi seIneversleptwit
hBoemo.
Don’tl
etLol
o’scrazyassfil
lyourheadwi tht
hings.I
l
oveyou,ok?
*
***
***
***
**
Wandipalai
dinbedal onecrying.Shedidnoteven
haveanyt
hingf orthebabyshehadj ustdeli
ver
ed.
Aft
ertheneighbourdroppedherof fyest
erdaywhen
shewasinlabour ,
nobodyevenbot heredtocome.
Shedidnotevenhaveat oot
hbrush.
Shewat
chedt
heladywhohadbeenki
ndt
ohert
alk
toaf
ri
endwhohadjustar
ri
ved.
Boemoar
ri
vedandwal
kedovert
oherf
ri
end.
BOEMI
:Mot
set
si!War
eng?Howwasi
t?
FRIEND:Labourroom gasemat shamekot hemma.
Nemmadi dyoubringt het
hingsIaskedyout ohel
p
thegir
lwit
h.Shehasnooneandnot hi
ng,noteven
diphet
e,bonursentsebamoomanyamobef oreba
mof a.Pl
ease… Iwillpayyougakebonamadi .
BOEMO:Gir
l,paymef orwhat?Youknowmymoney
i
sspentonsavings,myparentsneverwantat
hebe
fr
om me.Her
e, Ibr
oughtyousomesnacks.Nteke
mocheke.
Shewal
kedover
,looki
ngatt
hebabyt
hatr
esembl
ed
Mbewuasababysomuch.
BOEMO:Hey… I
’
m Boemo.
WANDI
PA:Hi
… Wandi
e.
BOEMO:Andt
hispr
ett
yyoungl
adyoverher
e?
WANDI
PA:At
hal
iah…
BOEMO:Aww, beaut
if
ulname!Andshei
ssopr
ett
y.
Ibr
oughtyouafewthings.
Shehandedheral
argepl
asti
cbagandWandi
pa
st
art
edcryi
ngasshewentthroughi
t.
WANDIPA:(
sobbi
ng)Ican’
tacceptal
lthi
s.I
t’
stoo
much.
BOEMO:Pl ease… t
akeit
.Ican’
thavemyown,so
theonlyt
imeIgettobabyshopi swhenI
’m buyfor
other
s.Thereareafewthingsf
oryoutoointhi
s
one.Materni
typads,di
sposabl
epanti
es… sl
avefor
yourl
adybi
ts,
Epsom saltt
omakeasaltbat
hand
seati
ntoheal
,toi
let
ry,
andsomesnacks.
WANDI
PA:Thankyousomuch.Godbl
essyou.
BOEMO:Isanyonecomi
ngt
opi
ckyouupwhenyou
ar
edischar
ged?
Shel
ookeddownsadl
y.
BOEMO:Her eismynumber,
givemeacal
lback
whenthedischar
geyouandIwil
lbor
rowmydad’s
carandcomesendyouhome.
WANDI
PA:Youar
ever
yki
nd.
BOEMO:Justdoi
ngmybi
ttohealt
hewor
ld.Igot
ta
go.
*
***
***
***
**
Boemoarr
ivedi
nLoapi’
shomewonderingwhat
wasevent
hesit
uat
ion.Shest
il
lneededtogether
cl
othes
LOAPI
:Youhaveaner
veshowi
ngupher
e.
BOEMO:MmagweKai
,seatdown,
let
stal
k.
LOAPI
:Howdar
eyou…
BOEMO:Myf ami lyist
raditi
onal.Sangomasand
traditi
onalheal erskindoft r
aditi
onal.Atageone, my
ancest orschoseahusbandf orme.Nowi t’
st imet o
mar ryhi m.Inei t
herwantnorevenl ikehim, buti ti
s
whati tis.Thehusbandi sKaedi .Nowyoucan
shoutandscr eam andcal lmenames.Ihaveno
i
nt entionoff i
ght i
ngyouorhat i
ngyou, whetherwe
l
ikei tornot ,wear egonnabei neachot her’
sl ives
forlife, youhaveki dswithmuhusband.I twi llbe
mucheasi eri
fwemai ntainedacor dialr
elationship
i
fwecan’ tbef r
iends,forthesakeoft hekidsat
l
east .
*
***
***
***
***
*
Pi
lar
aandKaediar
ri
vedhomel
ateratni
ght
.
KAEDI
:Pipa,li
keIwassayi
ng.Ther
eissomet
hingI
needt
otellyou..
PI
LARA:Ok
KAEDI:Pleaseunderst
andthatIneit
herhavechoice
norsayinthis.AndknowthatIloveyouandthis
meansnot hi
ngt ome.Iwouldn’
tdoitifi
twasn’
tto
savemyson’ sli
fe.
PI
LARA:Whati
sitnow,
Kaedi
?
KAEDI:Yest
erdaywhenLedi
mocal l
ed…hetol
dmeI
havehadawi f
eselect
edbytheancest
orssi
nceI
wasfi
ve…
PI
LARA:What
?
KAEDI
:It
’sBoemo.Nowt
heywantmet
omar
ryher
.
PILARA:OhPi l
ara!Youaresofucki
ngst
upi
d!I
knewit!Iknewthiswastoodamngoodtobetr
ue!
KAEDI
:Pi
lar
apl
ease….Il
oveyou
PILARA:Ifyoulovemeyouwil
lmanupandt
ellyour
grandf
athertofuckof
f!I
fyoul
ovemeyouwon’tdo
thi
sstupidi
ty!
KAEDI
:Ir
efused…t
hat
’st
her
easonKaii
ssi
ck.
PILARA:Bullshi
t!Kaiisj
usthavingaminora
respir
atoryi
ssue.Ithasnothi
ngt odowithyour
stupidancestor
s.Ifyoudothis,
Kaedi.
.Ifyoudo
thisyouloseme.Forgoodt hi
stime!
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
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[
05/
29,
12:
Kaedileftthehospi
talanddrovehomesti
ll
fr
ustrated.Whatthehellwashesupposedtodo,
Pil
arawasbei ngsoi mpossi
ble.
Hecouldn’
tletanythinghappent ohisson.Asmuch
ashewantedt orefuse,hewasr aisedaLedimoand
heknewjusthowdeepl yconnectedtothi
swhole
ancest
orshi
thisf ami l
ywas.
Hisgrandf
atherwasnothomeandwasn’
tpi
cki
ng
up,sohedrovetothenewhouse.
Hef
oundBoemogoi ngovert
hehousedécorwi
th
t
hei
nter
iordesi
gner
s.
Hesi
ghedandsatdownont
hef
oyerchai
rst
hat
wer
ejustbr
oughti
n.
KAEDI
:Youar
etaki
ngt
hisawhol
elotbet
tert
han
me.
BOEMO:( chuckli
ng)Practi
se.Event
ual
lyyougi
vei
n
areal
iseyouar ejustatoyinsomebody’
sgame,
andacceptit.Howi sKai?
KAEDI
:(sadl
y)Nobet
ter
…
BOEMO:Yest erdayIpickedsomeherbsf
orhi
m
thatcanhel
p, butKaedi,youandIbot
hknowwhat
needsbedone.
KAEDI
:Pi
lar
aisl
eavi
ngmei
fImar
ryyou…
BOEMO:Lord,
shedoesn’
tneedt
o!Youwantmet
o
tal
ktoher
?
KAEDI:(
sighi
ng)If
eel
li
ket
hat
’saski
ngal
otf
rom
you.
BOEMO:Nah, maybeIcangettoherandhaveher
real
isei
t’
sallaboutKai.Fr
om whatIgat
her,she
wasnotraisedthewaywewer e,youandI.This
wholeancestorsshi
tisnewtoher.
KAEDI
:Yea…
BOEMO:Kaedi,I’m notheretochangeyourl if
eor
anyt
hingofyours.Iam justtr
yingt osur
vive.I
al
mostdiedlastti
meIdi dn’tl
isten.Andthisti
mei t
’s
adoublewhammybecauseal it
tleboyIlovewi t
hall
myheartisatstake.SoIreali
sedIhavenochoi ce
butt
osuckitupanddowhat ’
sr equir
ed.
KAEDI:Ij
ust.
.If
eelbadf
oryouman!Youcan’
teven
haveacareer
?Likewhyyouthough,
youseem l
ike
asoli
dperson.
BOEMO:Bei ngcal ledtobeasangomawasj ustmy
outstandingluck.Thegi f
tchooseswhoi tchooses
i
nt hefami l
y.Itchosemei nthi
sgener at
ionofmy
family.AndIhavet odoi tsothatt hemybl oodline
doesnotl oset hear t
.Beingaskedt omar ryyoui s
becauseaccor dingtomyauntwhoi sapr act i
sing
sangomaandt raditi
onalhealer,yourancest ors
askedf orprotectionofyouf rom myf amily.So
sinceIwast hegi r
lwiththegi f
tint heMpugwa
family,Ihadtobet heonet opr otectyou, andt he
deadpsychoswhoar rangedal lt
histhought
mar r
iagewasagoodi dea.
KAEDI
:Pr
otect
ionf
rom whatt
hough?
BOEMO:Kaedi ,
yourfamil
yisfullofsecrets.Bad,
badsecrets.Andtherearealotofpeoplewhowant
toharm youbecauseofwhatyoui nheri
ted.The
moneyandal l.Theheadofthefami lyt
itl
e, wi
thal
l
theprest
igeitcomeswi t
hfrom alltheLedimo
famil
yassociates.Theyhavetri
edal otofwayst o
getri
dofyou…hi tmen, messedwi thyourcar ,
sendingyout opr ison…butyoucanhandl eyour sel
f,
sotheyhaven’ tbeensuccessf ulsof ar.Theyknow
onewayyoucan’ tprotectyour self
.Youar en’ta
beli
everi nanythi
ng, notGod, whobyt heway, we
praytot ooinAf r
icantraditionalbelieves.Sot hey
wantt ogettoyout hemut iway.Ki llyou…t heyar e
seei
ngt radit
ionaldoctor saswespeak.Butdon’ t
worry,youandyourki dsal lhavemyf amily’s
prot
ect i
on.
Shet
ookoutonesimpl
evinebracel
etf
rom t
he
st
ackonherwri
standputitonhi
s.
KAEDI
:Youar
ecool
,youknow…Idon’
that
eyou.
BOEMO:(laughi
ng)Well,
that’
sar el
ief
.Let’
scatcha
dri
nkoneofthesedays.I’
l
lgot al
ktoPilar
aandalso
askherf
orpermissi
ontogi veKaitheherbsIgot
him.
KAEDI:Shewillneveragr
eeont heher
bs,Pil
arais
oneofthesenewageChr isti
answhothink
ever
ythi
ngtradit
ionali
sevilandfr
om t
hedevil.
BOEMO:Li
keIsai
d,webel
ievei
nandpr
ayt
othe
sameGodt oo.Justt
hattheirbeli
eveisGodi
s
reachedt
hroughthei
rpastors.Webelieve
sangomasandt r
adit
ionalhealeraret
he
i
ntermedi
ari
es.
KAEDI :Well
,theybelieveyouandyourl otar
eevil
.
So,i
fyouhaveanyt hingt hatyouthi
nkcanhelpKai,
doit
, youhavemyconsent .Igott
aheadoff,my
brot
her swantedtot alk.Thehouselooksli
keit
’s
gonnacomeoutni ce.Di dt heymanagethe
bedroom theme?(laughi ng)
Shelaughedthi
nki
ngofwhatshehadaskedas
thei
rbedroom t
hemeyest
erday.
BOEMO:( l
aughi
ng)Unf ort
unatelyno.Justhadtogo
wit
hVi ctor
ianintheretoo.Igot t
agoandbor r
ow
mydad’ scarandpi cksomegi rlupfr
om the
hospi
tal.Shejustgavebi r
thandhasnooneand
nothi
ng, ei
sh.I
t’
ssad.
Kaedihandedherhi
scarkeys.
KAEDI
:Useminefornow.Wewil
lar
rangeacarf
or
yout
omorr
ow.Justdropmeoffatt
heLedi
mo
mansi
onfi
rst
.
*
***
***
***
***
Kaediarr
ivedintheLedi
momansionandhis
brot
herswer ehavi
ngadrinki
nthegar
den.Wet
sho
pouredhim one.
KAEDI:GodknowsIcanuseone!Maaan!Canyou
sayf
uckedup!
WETSHO:Yea,
youl
ookr
ough.
LOSI
KA:Howi
sKai
?
KAEDI:Notgett
ingbet
ter.Appar
ent
lyhewon’
t
unl
essImar r
ysomegi r
l.
WETSHO:Huh?
KAEDI:I
t’
sfuckedup,man.Thankful
lyt
hegi
rli
s
cool
.Butsti
ll
… Imean,justthi
sweekendPi
lar
aand
Iagr
eedtogetbacktogetherwhenwewentfora
shor
tvacwiththeki
ds.
LOSI
KA:Youwhat
?
KAEDI:Yup,shedecidedt ogivemeanot herchance.
Wewer emovingi ntogether.Wentandboughtal l
thehousestuffandshi t
.Wewer ebot
hsoexci t
ed…
andbythelookoft hings,Iprobabl
yknockedherup
agai
n.Andnowt his.I
t’
ssofuckingmessedupman.
Wannafindt hosedamnancest orsandempt
ymy
9mm ont heirdeadskull
s!Enoughaboutme,you
guyswant edtotal
k?
Losi
kaj
ustsatt
her
eshel
lshocked.What
?
What
?
Pi
lar
awasdoi
ngwhat
?
WETSHO:Uhm… well
… Iguesswegonnabedoi
ng
t
hisnewfat
hert
hingt
ogethert
hen.
KAEDI
:Huh?
WETSHO:Lebakwei
spr
egnant
….
KAEDI
:Isi
tevenyour
s?
WETSHO:Okpar typooper!I’
m believingi
tisfor
now.Wear egonnadoabl oodt estsoonandt hen
candoapat er
nit
ytestt
hrought hat .AndLele,shei
s
bet t
erman… thebestIhaveeverseenheracti nmy
l
ife.Igethomeandshei scooki ngandshi t… and
girlcancook.I’
m al
lupinhersoci almediapost
with#reall
oveandshei skeepingawayf r
om those
bitchesshehasbeenhangi ngwi th… shesaysshe
want
stobui
ldaf
ami
ly…
KAEDI:Youarebei
ngnaïve… Lebakweisasel
fi
sh
bi
tchandsheisonlyact
ingri
ghtbecauseyou
wantedtol
eaveher.
WETSHO:What ever
… sheistr
ying,
andI’m gi
ving
usanotherchance.I’
m happy,
wear ehappy!That’
s
al
lthatmatter
s.IfPipacoul
dgiveyouanother
chance,t
henLel edeser
vesonetoo.Los,ar
eyouok?
LOSI
KA:Ineedt
ogo.
Hest
oodupandhur
ri
edoutandof
ftohi
scar
.
KAEDI
:Ok?What
’swi
thhi
m?
LOSIKA:Ithinkheisseei
ngsomeone,maybe
rel
ati
onshipshit
.Sethwouldknow,
theyhavebeen
hangingthesepastdays.
*
***
***
***
***
Loapi
satinherhouseaf
terseei
ngKaiatt
he
hospi
tal
,whenLedimoandmmaLedi moarr
ived.
LOAPI:Oh,hi
!Cametoseet
heki
ds?Mbewuisata
sl
eepoverandthet
ri
oarewi
thmyfri
end,
Ineededa
ni
ghttomyself.
MMALEDIMO:Good, wecantoseeyou.Wewantt
o
bepr
operandt
ellyouret
sil
egokopabana.
LOAPI
:Idon’
tunder
stand.
MMALEDIMO:Kaedii
smarryi
nghispr
operwi
fe
andt
heyar
emovingint
othei
rnewhome.Weneed
al
lhi
ski
dstobemovinginwit
hthem.
LOAPI
:Youar
ejoki
ngri
ght
,whywoul
dyout
hinkI
wantt
omoveinwit
h…
MMALEDI MO:Notyou.Lekayagot senyaBobbi
waModimost r
ess,t
herewil
lbenootherwomenin
t
hathouse,
justherandherhusband’
skids.
LOAPI
:NowIknowyouarei
nsane.Yout
hinkIwi
ll
j
ustl
etyougetmyki
ds?
LEDI
MO:Lo,
haer
eakopangwanaka,
it’
snecessar
y.
LOAPJ:Thehel
li
tis.No!
MMALEDIMI:
Theyar
enotevenyour
s!Di
dyouever
gi
vebi
rt
h?Huh?
Lol
otear
edup.
LEDI
MO:Bet
te!Ao!Iapol
ogi
sef
orher
,Lol
o.Butt
his
i
snecessary.YouknowIl oveyouandIwoul dn’
t
askifi
twasn’ti
mportant.Iwil
lsendthemaidsto
comepackupt hei
rthingstomorrow.Pil
ara’
skids
aremovingther
etoo.I’mreall
ysorryi
thastobe
thi
sway.
*
***
***
***
**
Boemowalkedi
ntot
hehospi
talr
oom andf
ound
Pi
lar
aseat
ingwit
hKai.
PI
LARA:Mxi
m
BOEMO:Pi l
ara,
canwenotf ight
?Idon’
twantyour
man,butiti
snecessary.Youcankeepbei
ngwith
hi
m,itdoesnotbotherme.
PI
LARA:Fuckyou,
mixm.
BOEMO:(si
ghing)Idon’
tknowifyouareaware,but
myfamil
yaretradi
ti
onalheal
ers,andIpi
ckedup
someherbsthatwil
lhel
pKai,wit
hyourpermissi
on.
PILARA:St ayawayfr
om mychildkaboloij
ooja
gago.Sot hisi
swhatyoudid,bewitchedmysonso
hegotsi ckandthent
oldKaedithattheonl
ywayhe
willgetbett
erisi
fKaedimarr
iesyou?Fuckinggol
d
digger
,getout!Getout
!Ifanythi
nghappenst
omy
chil
dBoemo, IswearIwillki
l
lyouwithmyownbar
e
hands!Out!
Boemosi
ghedandl
eft
.
Pi
lar
arant
othef
rontdeskandmetKai
’
sdoct
or.
PI
LARA:I
’
m di
schar
gingmyson.Iam t
aki
nghi
mto
achur
chwher
ehecanhethel
pand…
DR:Ar
eyoucr
azy?
PILARA:Please,Ihavet
o.Thereisapastorwhois
comingfrom S.AthisFr
iday,
Iknowhecanhel phim.
Comeon, it
’swit
hinmyr i
ghtstoseekal
ternat
ive
tr
eatment.
DR:Iwi
llneedhi
sfat
her
’sconsent
.
PI
LARA:ButKaediwi
llneveragr
ee.Pl
ease!
DR:I
’
m sor
ry…Ican’
thel
pyou.
*
***
***
***
***
Boemowalkedint
otheNyangabgwemat er
nit
y
wardandtal
kedtoanur
se,thenhel
pedgather
Wandi’
sthi
ngsandwenttoputthem i
nthecar,t
hen
camebackf
orherandt
hebaby.
Sheputt
henew-bor
ninacarseatshehadbought
onthewayher
e,andtheywal
kedtothecar
.
AsBoemounlockedt
hecar
,Wandi
past
oppedand
st
aredati
t.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
SHARE,
COMMENT
(
nextpost1000/
100/
10)
[
05/
29,
12:
BoemolookedbackatWandipaandshookherhead
wit
halaugh.Soshewasrightaf
teral
l.
Yeay.Herei
stor ai
singanat
ion.Yout
akethat
,
Duggarswithyourninet
eenandcount
ing,
wear e
comingforyou!
Sheshookherheadandlaughedt
oher
sel
f.Thi
s
wasgonnabear i
de,wasn’
tit
.
BOEMO:Wandi
e,ar
eyouokdear
?
Wandi estoodther
eshaking.Ohshi t
!Whywasshe
drivinghi
scar?Andshewassur eitwashi scar
becauseshecoul dseethebubbleheadf i
gurineon
thedashboard,andtheskullai
rfreshener.Evenif
ther ewemanymodel softhatcarmade, notwo
per sonswouldhavethesamedecor ati
vesint hei
r
car .
Whatisshewashiswif
eandsuesherf
ormarr
iage
wrecki
ng?God,shehadnomoneyandnoone,she
wouldgotopr
isonandwhatwoul
dhappent
oher
baby?
BOEMO:Your
ecogni
set
hiscar
,don’
tyou?
WANDIPA:Noma’am.Idon’
t.Ij
ust
…It
hinki
t’
sni
ce.
Youhaveani
cecar.
BOEMO:Wandipa,
youarenotinanytr
ouble.I
wannahel
p.Kekol
oiyagarragweAthal
iah,i
sn’
tit
?
Sheshookherheadvehement
ly,
scar
ed.
WANDIPA:No,
no…r
ragweAt
hal
iahwasa
cl
assmat
eand….
BOEMO:Dar
li
ng,
Iknowal
ready.Li
keIsai
d,youar
e
noti
nanyt
roubl
e.
WANDI PA:(sobbing)Pl easedon’tsuemef or
marri
agewr ecking,I’
m notabadki d.Iwasar eall
y
goodstudent ,Idi
dn’tevenuset odrinkoranyt hing.
Ineverevenhadaboyf r
iend,hewasmyf irst…I
swearI’
m notabadki d… mymom di edandmy
auntwasj ustsohor ribl
eandIdidst upidthings… I
swearIhavel earntmyl esson.Iwon’tevenbot her
youaskingf oranythingforAtti
e…
Boemoputt
hecatseati
nthecarandhuggedher
.
BOEMO:Cal m down.Calm down.It
’sal
lok, you
didn’twreckanymar r
iage.Kaedii
sgrownenough
tohaveknownhewasn’ tsupposedtogoar ound
sleepingwithbrokenl
itt
legir
ls.I
twasn’tyourfaul
t
darli
ng.AndKaedianIar enotmar ri
ed.Yet.Now,
wher eam Itaki
ngyoudear ?
Wandi pagavedi r
ecti
onsandBoemodr ovethere.
Shedi dn’twanttotakeherbacktopeopl
ewho
couldn’tgiveashitaboutherwhenshe’
djustgave
bir
th,buti twasonlyri
ghtshegother
efir
st.
Shepar
kedt
hecaranddi
dn’
tunl
oadhert
hings,
just
car
ri
edt
hebabyandt
heywal
kedi
n.
WANDIPA:Aft
ernoonaunt
y.Thi
sisBoemo,
shehas
beenhel
pingme.
AUNT:Nnat otayouar eburdeni
ngmeWandi pa,
you
seeIf eedmychi l
drenthr
oughmyt uck-
shop
becauseIdon’tearnmuchasacl eaner.Andyou
bri
nganext ramout h.Mhh,nyaamma, gofi
nd
somewher eelse.Whowi l
lcareforyouwhenIgot o
wor kketogakegohi thel
aosuleabogot wekego
bolail
e?
BOEMO:Ao,
lekobangwanaal
emot
set
si?
AUNT:Whatdoyouwantmet
odo?Ican’
tmanage.
BOEMO:Iwi
llt
akeher…t
hef
atheroft
hechi
ldi
s
my…uhm… rel
ati
ve.
AUNT:EennyaaModi
moot
aagookel
etsa.
BOEMO:Webet
terl
eavet
hen.
Shelef
tdi
sgust
edwi
ththewoman’
sat
tit
ude.How
doesonet
hrowawaythei
rownbl
oodl
ikethat
?
Thehousewasnotr
eadyyet
.Shecal
ledKaedi
.
KAEDI
:Heygi
rl
…
BOEMO:Meetmeatt
heLedi
momansi
on.
KAEDI
:Iam t
her
enow.
BOEMO:Good.
Shedrovetothehouseandpar
ked,
comingout
hol
dingthebabyassheaskedWandiet
owaiti
nthe
car
.
KAEDI
:Andt
hen?
BOEMO:Yea,If
orgottotel
lyouthatusSangomas,
wecanspeedti
me, soIsortofr
eachedint
othe
fut
ureandf
oundourbaby.
KAEDI
:Huh?That
’si
mpossi
ble!Youcan’
tdot
hat
!
Hesaidlooki
ngatthebabythatcl
earl
yhada
Ledimoresembl
ance.Hisel
destdaughter
’s
resembl
ance.
Shebur
stoutl
aughi
ngandcal
ledWandi
e…
KAEDI:Ohmy… whatthe… youar
ethatki
dwako
semausung… whatt
hehell
?
Wandi
paj
ustl
ookeddowncr
ying.
BOEMO:Heynow, hey.Don’
tcr
y..Heisgonnamake
sureyouar
ewellt
akencareof,aren’
tyou,Kaedi
?
Wandipahasnosupportoraplacetogo.And
Anthal
iahi
saLedi
mo, sheneedst obewit
hher
famil
y.
KAEDI
:Uhm… ofcour
se.Ofcour
se…
Ahel
perpassedandBoemocal
ledher
.
BOEMO:Heygi r
l,l
ongtime.Themmagoputt his
youngl
adyinoneoft heguestbedroomsplease,
sheisMrLedimo’sguest.Andf i
xherasal
tbath
andamealplease.Wandi e,f
oll
owher,l
etAtt
iebond
wit
hherfat
her,youneedr est.
Wandiparel
uct
antl
yfol
lowedt
hel
adyasBoemol
ed
Kaeditot
hesofaandhandedt
hebabyt
ohim.
BOEMI :Att
ie.Omogalona.Keenerragoyo.I
bel
ievethelonggoneLedimoalreadyknowyou
becauseIdon’tt
hinkIf
oundyoubycoi nci
dence.
Speakt oherKaedi.
KAEDI:Uhmmm… hey,l
it
tl
ebaby.Appar
ent
lyI
’
m
yourdaddy… howdi
dyouevenfi
ndher,
Boemo?
BOEMO:Rightpl
aceatt
heri
ghtti
me,l
edthere,
who
knows?I’
mjustgl
adIdi
dbecausegothomolapel
o
koatswang.Thel
adyhadnoshamechasingher
outkangwana.
KAEDI
:HowdoIevenknowshei
smie.
BOEMO:Ser
iousl
y?Thatkidl
ooksjustl
ikeBebe.
Butdoapat
erni
tytesti
fyouwish.
MmaLedi
moar
ri
ved.
KAEDI:Lord,
howdoIevent el
lher?Uhm..Ithi
nk
thebabyiscryi
ng,
I’
llt
akehertothatgi
rlandyou
cantel
lgrams.
Hesaidashequi
ckl
yst
oodupandhur
ri
edupst
air
s
wi
ththebaby.
BOEMO:(
laughi
ng)Cowar
d.
*
***
***
***
**
Pilar
awatchedKai’
sdoctorl
eave.Thenur
sessat
chatti
ngatthefr
ontdesk,notpayi
ngmuch
atyenti
on.
Ni
ce.
SherantoKai’sroom anddr esseshi
m, t
hensnuck
hi
m pastthenursesandt ookhi mtothecar
,dri
ving
offandgett
ingont heA1r oad.
Shewasn’tjustgonnawai
therewhenBoemodi d
whatevervoodooonherchi
ld.Thatpast
orcoul
d
hel
p.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Loapi
stor
medintheLedimohouseangr
yasKaedi
andBoemosati
nt hel
ivi
ngroom.
LOAPI
:Youarenotfucki
ngt
aki
ngmyki
dsKaedi
!
Youar
enot!Weagreed,t
heyst
aywi
thme!
KAEDI
:Whywoul
dyout
hinkIam t
aki
ngt
hem?
LOAPI :Whyam Inotsurpri
sedyoudon’tknow?You
arejustapuppetwhodoeswhathei stold.Well
,
yourgr andparent
swanttotakemykidssothatyour
blushi
ngbr ideherecanr
aisethem!
KAEDI
:Uhh?No….Ourar
rangementi
scompl
etel
y
fi
newi
thme.
LOAPI:Well
,tel
lthatt
oyourgrandfat
her.Edipl
ease,
don’
tlett
hem takemykids… please… I
’
m begging,
I
’
lldoanyt
hing!
Shebeggedast
ear
srandownhercheekswhenshe
sni
ff
led.
KAEDI
:Boemo,
excuseus.
Boemopi
ckeduphehandbagandl
eft
.
KaedihuggedLol
ount
ilshest
oppedcr
ying.
KAEDI:Hey,whenhaveIeverl
etanyonehur
tyou?
Huh?Didn’
tItakecar
eofpeoplewhohurtyou…
yourf
ather…
LOAPI
:Thatwasyou?
KAEDI:He’dbeatyoutheni
ghtbefor
e… yousai
d
youfel
l… butI
’dheardit
.MorethanonceI’
dher
dit
.
Hear
dyourmom bl ameyouf ori
t…
Shesnuggl
edt
ight
ert
ohi
m.
LOAPI
:Whydi
dn’
tyouevert
ellmeyouwer
emy
her
o?
KAEDI:Poi
nti
s… LoIgotyou,hmm?Nobodyis
hur
ti
ngyouonmywat ch.Iknowourkidsar
eyour
l
if
e.Ir
ememberclear
lythefi
rstt
imeyouheldeach
ofthem.I’
dneverseenyousohappy…howyou
didn’
tsl
eepformonthsafterBebecamewor
ri
ed
shewouldstopbreathi
ng
Shechuckl
edasheki
ssedherhead.
LOAPI
:Theysai
dyourancest
ors…
KAEDI:Notpartoft
hedeal
.Ionl
yneedtomar r
y.
ButPi
pawant sKaiandIhopeyouunder
stand.He
cancomet oyouonweekends.
LOAPI
:(sighing),
Fine,hecangolivewi
thher,
butI
wantmyweekendwi thmyboy.Youmeani t,
real
ly?
Youwon’tletthem t
akemyki ds?
KAEDI
:Pi
nkyswear
.Noonei
staki
ngt
hem.
Shesmi
ledwidel
yandturnedaroundtoki
sshi
m
bef
orer
unni
ngofftohercarhappil
y.
*
***
***
***
**
Losi
katri
edPil
ara’
snumberandshewasn’
t
answer
ing.Shewasprobabl
yatt
hehospit
al.
HowcouldPi
padothis.So,
whatwasherpl
an,
have
hi
m assomesidedi
sh?Justghosthi
m?
Fuuuck!
Butcoul
dheblameherthough?Whowoul dwant
someoneli
kehim?I
fher eal
lycar
edabouther
,he’
d
l
eavehertofi
ndabett
erman.
Hehadal
waysbeenbet
teral
oneanyway.Peopl
e
madehi
m uncomf
ort
abl
e.
Hedr oveoutpastt
hef iel
dsintot
heabandoned
propertyofhi
sfamil
y’s.Kaedihadseem some
peoplesell
ingwoodencabi nsonFacebookand
boughtoneandputi tthere.I
twassof arf
lungfr
om
everythi
ngthati
swast heper f
ectspottogetaway.
Heparkedi
nfrontoft
hehouseandwenti
t,t
her
ain
heavyandangry,
matchi
nghismood.
Hewentstrai
ghttothebathr
oom andopenedhi
s
bat
ter
yrazor,t
aki
ngoutasmal lbagofwhit
e
powderandli
ningitonthecount
erandtookadrag.
Fucki
ngPi
lar
a,man!Damn.
Hehadalwaysthoughthewasincapabl
eoflovi
ng.
Theyshehadtocomei nandshowhim how
beaut
if
ull
ovecouldbe.Andhereali
sedthatwit
h
hi
m,whenhel
oves,i
t'
stoost
rong,l
ikeGodt
urned
hi
semoti
ondi
alsupwaytoofar.
Andthatshithur
tswhenyoureal
isedt
hatitwas
neverrealt
otheotherper
son,
youwerejusta
substi
tute…
Wel
l,
thatshi
twasdonenow.Hewasbet
teral
one.
Nomoreofthi
sloveshi
t…
Her
aidedKaesi
’sal
coholst
ashasher
appedal
ong
Emi
nem’sspacebound.
God, hewantedtoki
llhersomuchhewaseven
fantasi
zingabouti
tSheknewwhathehadbeen
through… howweakhewasment al
ly,
andshestil
l
playedhi m.Aft
erhelai
dhimsel
fbaretoherl
ike
that…
Hehear
dacarpar
k.Whocoul
dthatbe?
Achubbygi
rlwal
kedoutandr
antowardsthehouse,
t
ryi
ngtouseherhandbagt
ocoverherhai
rfr
om the
r
ain…
Darkski
nned… cur
vy… nat
uralhai
rint
hataf
roway
Pi
laraal
wayshad.
Hesmil
edtohi
mselfashetookanotherpacketof
whi
tepowderandpouri
tinacoffeecup.
Thenwentt
oopenwhent
hegi
rlknocked.
Heputonasmi
leandl
oomedather
.
LOSI
KA:Ar
eyoul
ost
,mysi
ster
?
HER:OhmyGod!ThankGodsomeonei shome!My
carli
teral
lyranoutoffuelandst oppedj
ustatyour
gate!Ialwaysforgett
ofuel,usuall
ymybr ot
her
doesitforme, butheistr
avelli
ng!Andnowt hi
s
rai
n… andi t’
sdarkandlateand…
LOSIKA:Awwnow,don’
tstress.It
hinkImayhavea
l
itr
einmycarfr
om yest
erday.Comei n,
letmeget
youacupofcoff
eetowarm youup.
HER:Oh,
thankyousomuch!Thankyou!
Hewenttothekit
chenandpouredcof f
eeinthat
cupandsti
rr
ed,addi
ngthesugar,thentooktoher,
smil
ingashewatchedherdr
ink,eventual
lyst
art
ing
todoze.
Good.
Nowshehadt
opayf
orwhatshedi
dtohi
m.Pi
lar
a
hadt
opayf
ort
oyi
ngwi
thhi
mli
ket
hat
…
Hewenttotheshedandbr oughtrope…hewanted
topuni
shher… shedi
dl ovetherope,
butt
histi
me
hewouldn’
tstop.Hewasgonnakeepsqueezing
unti
lhesnuf
fedthebreathoutofher.
Hesmi
ledwat
chi
ngherknockedoutont
hesof
a.
Heknel
tbesi
deherandcar
essedherf
ace,pl
aci
ng
hi
shandonherneckasherappedEminem’
sSpace
Bound.
Soaf
teraal
lthi
sti
me,
it’
snol
ongermet
hat
youwant
ButIl
oveyousomuchi
thur
ts,
Nevermi
str
eat
edyouonce
Ipour
edmyhear
toutt
oyou,
Letdownmyguar
dssweart
oGod
I'
l
lblowmybr
ainsi
nyourl
ap,
layher
eanddi
ein
yourarms
Dropt
omykneesandI
'
m pl
eadi
n'I
'
mtr
yin'
tost
op
youfr
om l
eavi
n'
Youwon'tevenli
stensof
ucki
t,I
'
mtr
yin'
tost
opyou
fr
om br
eathin'
Iputbot
hhandsonyourt
hroat
Isi
tontopofyousqueezi
n't
ilIsnapyaneckl
ikea
popsi
clest
ick
Ai
n'tnopossibl
ereason,Icouldt
hinkoft
oletyou
wal
kupoutt hishouseandletyouli
ve
Tear
sst
ream downbot
hofmycheeks
ThenIl
etyouj
ustgoandj
ustgi
ve
Bef
oreIputt
hatgunt
omyt
empl
e,It
oldyout
his
AndIwoul
d'vedoneanyt
hingf
oryou
ToshowyouhowmuchIador
edyou
Buti
t'
sovernow,
It'
stool
atet
osaveourl
ove
Justpr
omi
semeyou'
l
lthi
nkofme
Ever
yti
meyoul
ookupi
ntheskyandseeast
ar
'
causeI
'ma
I
'm aspaceboundr
ocketshi
pandyourhear
t'
sthe
moon
AndI
'
m ai
mingr
ightatyou
Ri
ghtatyou
Twohundr
edf
if
tyt
housandmi
lesonacl
earni
ghti
n
June
AndI
'
m sol
ostwi
thoutyou
Wi
thoutyou
Wi
thoutyou
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Kaedi
’
sphoner
angandt
hehospi
talt
oldhi
m Pi
lar
a
t
ookKai.
DR:MrLedimo,I’
m calli
ngyouper sonallybecause
Kaihasrespi
rat
oryissuesandatt hecur rent
momentwehadt okeepassist
inghi sbreat hi
ngat
i
nterval
s.MrsLedimowant edt
ot akehi mt osome
past
orandIsaidno, butshedi
ditaf terIleft.
KAEDI
:Ar
gggh!Fucki
ngPi
lar
aman!
Ashehungup,
Boemol
ookedathi
m.
BOEMO:Ever
ythi
ngok?
KAEDI:Fucki
ngPilar
aman!It oldher
!KanaPilara
whenitcomest oherfi
reschurcheset
ewat senwa,
mxim.Whot akesasickchil
doutofthehospitalt
o
gotoapastor!
*
***
***
***
***
***
JustasLosi
kawasabouttochokeher
,herhandbag
fel
ltot
hegroundandsomeneedleandasmall
bott
lef
ell
.Hepickedi
tupandreadi
t.
‘
I
nsul
in’
Shewassi
ck?
Lor
dhi
sgi
rlwassi
ckandhedi
dn’
tknow?
Shestar
tedst
ir
ri
nggr
oggi
lyandr
ubbedherbi
g
eyes.
Shehadthemostmesmer izi
ng,
big,
beauti
ful,
cur
iouseyeswi
thanaivet
yofyouthbehi
ndt hem.
Shewasveryyoung.
Nothi
sPi
pa…Lor
d,t
hiswasnothi
sPi
pa.
HER:(
rubbi
ngeyes)Imusthavedozedof
f.
LOSI
KA:Youneedt
oleave
HER:Oh,
youmanagedt
oputt
hepet
roli
nmycar
?
LOSIKA:Isthiswhatyoudo?Gointorandom
people’
shousesandf al
lasl
eep?Icouldbearapi
st
oraserialki
ll
er…
HER:Butyouar
enot
…
LOSI
KA:Out
!
Hegrabbedherhandanddr aggedherout,pushi
ng
heroutofthedoorandlockingit
,thenputonhis
noi
secancelli
ngheadset
sandl ai
di nbedasthe
rai
ndroppedheavil
y.
*
***
***
***
Pil
arawasjustpassingTonotawhenshehear
dKai
havi
ngdif
fi
cultybreathi
ng,andi
twasonlyget
ti
ng
worse.
Shepull
edoverandrantothebackseatwher
eKai
l
aidbackwit
hhiseyesrol
ledbackandstr
uggl
ingt
o
br
eat
h.
PI
LARA:Kai
?Kaedi
,babywakeup…ohmyGod…oh
myGod!
Wast
her
eacl
ini
cnear
by?
Shegotint
hecart
odr
ivei
ntot
hevi
ll
agebuti
t
woul
dn’tst
art
…
PI
LARA:(
sobbi
ng)Godpl
ease…pl
ease…
Herphoner
angandi
twasKaedi
.
Shepi
ckedi
tupwi
thshaki
nghands.
KAEDI
:Ar
eyouinsane?Whatt
hef
uckdoyout
hink
youar
edoi
ng?
PILARA:(
sobbing)heisnotbr
eathingr
ightKaedi
,
somethi
ngi swrong.Hi
seyesarejustr
olledback
andhisbreathi
ngisfai
nt,
li
keheischoking.
KAEDI
:Wher
ear
eyou?
PILARA:RoadpastTonot
a…Idon’
tknowwhatt
odo
Kaedi,
heisn’
tbr
eathi
ngri
ght
…Ithought
…
Kaedihungupandr
ant
othecarwhi
lecal
li
ngt
he
Dr.
BOEMO:Andnow?
KAEDI:Sheisstucksomewher
eandKaii
shavi
ng
br
eathingi
ssues.
BOEMO:I
’
llcomewi
thyou.
*
***
***
***
***
*
WhenLosi
kafinal
lywokeup,
itwasver
ylat
eand
dar
koutsi
de.
Hewentt
otheki
tchent
omakehimselfsomecof
fee
whenhehear
dsomesniff
li
ngout
side.
Heopenedt hecurt
ainandsawthegir
lfr
om ear
li
er
huddledunderthesmallr
oof
ingext
ensi
onthat
barel
ycoveredher.
Whatt
hef
uckwasshedoi
ngi
nthatr
ain.
Hesi
ghedandwentout
side.
LOSIKA:Areyout
ryi
ngt
odi
e?CauseIcanhel
pyou
wit
hthat.
HER:(
sobbi
ng)Il
ockedmysel
fout
sidet
hecar
.
LOSI
KA:Wel
l,
thatwasst
upi
d,wasn’
tit
?
HER:Icouldn’
tgoanywayel
se,Iwasscared,
thi
sis
i
nt hemiddleofnowher
e.SoItri
edtoknockbut
youdidn’
tanswer.Howcouldyoulockmeoutli
ke
that!
Shewhi
mper
edandcuddl
edher
sel
f
LOSI
KA:What
’syourname?
HER:Namibo.Youarenotevensorr
y,l
ookatme…I
f
eelsi
ck,
I’
m goingtothr
owup.Howcoul dyouj
ust
t
hrowmeoutl i
keIam somet r
ash!
Shewailedandsobbedrubbi
nghereyesli
keali
tt
le
chi
ld,t
earsandclearmucusmeet
ingatthebot
tom
ofhertr
emblingchin.
I
fhehadahear
t,hewoul
dfeelf
orher
.
LOSI
KA:Howol
dar
eyou?
NAMI
BO:(
sobbi
ng)Twent
y
LOSIKA:Thenactl
ikeat
went
yyearol
d,notat
wo
yearol
d,getup.
Shewasl
ooki
ngver
yweakl
yasshel
eanedbyt
he
wal
l.
HER:Imissedmyi nsul
indose,youl
ockedmy
handbaginyourhouse,phoneandall
…I ’
m hungr
y…
LOSIKA:St
andup.Now,
bef
oreIl
ockyououti
nthe
rai
nagain.
Hewantedt
ohel
pher
,butt
hatwoul
dmean
t
ouchi
ngher…
Shelookedupathim withthosebigeyesfil
ledwit
h
pl
eadingtear
s,butwhenhedi dn’tmove,shetri
edto
standuponherown, andshedi zzi
lyst
umbled
backwardsalmostfall
ingover.
Hesighedandsteadi
edher
,hel
pingherl
eanon
hi
m andwalkedi
nsideandt
othebed.
HER:Pl
ease… I
’m sohungr
y.WhenImi ssmy
i
nsul
inIgetsohungryanddizzy…pl
easehel
pme…
LOSIKA:Youclot
hesarewet.Getahotshowerand
thenli
edown,Iwil
lgetyousomethi
ngtoeat.
*
***
***
***
*
KaediandBoemoarri
vedf i
ndinganambulance
al
readyther
eandKaibeingtendedto.Ast
he
medicsworkedonKaiandPilarast
oodnearby,
Kaediwalkedovert
oherandsl
appedheracr
oss
t
hef ace
KAEDI:Ar
eyoutr
yingt
oki
llmychi
ld,
orar
eyou
real
lyt
hatdumb!
PILARA:(sobbi
ng)Kaedi
,I
’m sosor
ry… Ij
ust
thoughtt
hepastor…
KAEDI:Yout
ookachi
ldof
far
espi
rat
or!Youf
ucki
ng
i
diot
…
BOEMO:That’
squi
etenoughKaedi
!Shei
sal
ready
di
str
essed.
KAEDI:Don’tf
ucki
ngtellmewhat’
senough,she
al
mostkill
edmychi l
d.Ishoul
dfucki
ngbeatherass
and…
BOEMO:Ok, takeawalk… now…al lyouaredoi
ngis
hurt
ingherandmakingthemedi csnervous… t
akea
fi
veminuteswalktocalm down.Kaedi!
KAEDI
:Youdon’
ttel
lmewhatt
odo.
BOEMO:Idon’
t,
butdoyouwanttotel
lme
tomor
rowyouwon’
tberegr
ett
ingfi
ghti
ngorbeat
ing
her?Takeamomentoff
.
Hesi
ghedandwal
kedof
f.
Shel
ookedoveratPi
lar
a.
BOEMO:Ar
eyouok?
PI
LARA:
,Don’
tyoudar
e!Thi
sisal
lyourf
aul
t.
BOEMO:Ifmychil
dwassi
ckandIt
houghtIcoul
d
fi
ndbet
terhel
psomewher
e,I
’
dhavedonethesame.
PI
LARA:Thenundoyourvoodooshi
t!
BOEMO:( signing)Ididn’
tdoanyvoodooshi t.ButI
knowGodi sl ooki
ngatKaiandhewi llhealhim.I
beli
eveGodmani festedinallsortsofways, Ihave
seenGodusepast ors,scienti
fi
cdoct ors,and
tr
aditi
onalhealerstoheal.Andf ornowIbel ieve
GodhasputKai ’
swel lbeingont hehandsoft he
doctorsunti
lKaediandIdowhati sneeded.But
Kaediwon’tdoi twithoutyourblessing.Hedoesnot
wanttoloseyou!
PI
LARA:Hej
ustsl
appedme!
BOEMO:Woul
dn’
tyousl
aphi
mifhedi
dwhatyou
di
d?
PI
LARA:Youj
ustsai
dyouunder
stoodwhyIdi
dit
.
BOEMO:Neversai
ditwasr
ightt
hough.Maybego
apol
ogi
zet
ohim andtal
kaboutyourr
elat
ionshi
p?
PILARA:Whodoyout
hinkyouar
e?Idon’
tneedyou
advise.
Shewal
kedovert
othemedicandgotont
he
ambul
ancewit
hKaiandwentbackt
othehospi
tal
.
KAEDI:(
sighi
ng)Youmustt
hinkI
’
m awoman
beat
erorsomethi
ng.
BOEMO:Nope… butthatwasnotr
ight,
nomatt
er
howangr
yyouwer e.Youdon’
tputhandsonot
her
s.
KAEDI
:Sheputmychi
ldi
ndanger
!
BOEMO:Ah,
it’
sdoneeear
eengkosepat
ela.
KAEDI:Ii
nstr
uct
edmyunclesgorebai
semahoko,
maybeallt
hismadnesswi
llendandmyboywil
lbe
fi
ne.
*
***
***
***
*
Losi
kawentt otheki
tchenandsear
chedt
he
cupboar
ds,sett
li
ngonmakingsomepapand
cannedfi
sh,t
henacupofcof f
ee.
Hecar
ri
edi
ttoheronat
ray.
Shehadshower edandchangedi nt
ohi stshi
rtand
sweatpant
shehadl eftonthebedf orher
.Her
cl
otheswereont hefl
oor,messylit
tleshi
t.Hewas
abouttoyel
latherfortheclot
hes,butshelooked
posi
ti
velyshaken.
LOSIKA:Notthefanci
est
,butwedon’tkeepf
resh
foodhere,
justcannedst
uff
,andshi
t.Eat.
NAMI
BO:I
… Idon’
teatcar
bs.I
’
m onket
oand…
LOSIKA:Tel
lme,areyoujustt
ryi
ngtopissmeoff?
Eatyourdamnfood!Ket
oi safucki
ngf
lukeanyway.
Shej
ustdr
ankt
hecof
fee.
LOSIKA:Eatyourfood.Ij
ustreadthathungercan
causehypoglycemiatoadiabeti
c.Eat.
Sheshookherheaddef
iant
ly.
NAMI
BO:Thecof
feewasenough…
Het
ookouthi
sbel
tandwr
appedi
tar
oundhi
spal
m.
LOSIKA:Youwannaactl
ikeaki
d?I
’mmat r
eatyou
l
ikeone.Youhavet
enminutest
ofi
nisht
hatfoodor
wil
lwhoopyourass.Iwast
edmyt
imemaki
ngi
t,
youar
egonnaeatit.
Sheprobablyr
eal
izedhewasseri
ousbecauseshe
st
artedeat
ingver
yquickl
yunt
ilshehadcl
earedthe
pl
ate.
NAMI
BO:Myi
nsul
in… i
t’
sti
me.
Hewat
chedherstr
ugglewit
hit…thenl
ookedat
hi
m wi
tht
hosebigpleadi
ngeyesagai
n.
NAMI BO:Ijuststar
tedonitamonthagoandI ’
m
onlygetti
ngusedt oit
,sousual
lymymot heror
brotherorfr
iendsdoitforme… I’
m scar
edof
needles.
Hecussedl
oudl
yandsnat
chedi
tfr
om her
.
NAMIBO:Wait,
letmecountuptothr
eefi
rstt
oget
r
eady.Justj
abhere.One… oneandahal
f…
Hej
abbedher
.
NAMI
BO:Awww!Youdi
dn’
tevenwai
tfort
hree!
LOSIKA:Youar
ehonest
lythemostirr
it
ati
ngper
son
Ihaveevermet
!Cl
oseyoureyes,
sleep.
Hepi
ckeduphercl
othesfr
om thef
loorandt
hrew
t
hem i
nthebat
htubwithasigh.
Thatwasi t
,hewasgonnasiphonfueloutofhi
scar
forherssoshecouldl
eave.Hewasgonnal osehi
s
marblesifhehadtospendanotherhourwit
hthat
chil
d.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
(
nextepi
sodeat1000/
100/
10)
[
05/
29,
12:
Losikagotupf
rom t
hecouchandwentt
othe
ki
tchentomakebr
eakfast
.
Hehummedat uneashecooked, suddenlyfeeli
ng
l
ikesomeonewaswat chi
nghi m.Heturnedar ound
andt hechubbyli
tt
let
hingthatspentthenighton
hisbedwasatt hedoorwatchinghim.Hequi ckly
real
isedhewasbodywear ingatshi r
t,andshe
mustbest ari
ngatahisscarredbody.
Hequickl
ywalkedovertothecouchandgothi
s
shi
rtandputi
ton,readyt
otellhert
ofuckof
fwhen
sheasksabouthi
sscars.
NAMI
BO:Youhaveni
ceabs.
Huh?
NAMIBO:Andl
ikeyourbacki
smuscul
arl
ikemeni
n
Hol
lywoodmovies.
Huh?Noquest
ionsabouthi
sscar
s?
LOSI
KA:Youarewaytooyoungt
obe
compl
iment
ingmyabs.
NAMI
BO:I
’
m notyoung,
I’
m 20.
Shesai
dassher
ubbedhereyeswi
thherf
ist
sli
kea
l
it
tl
echi
ld.
LOSI
KA:Yea.Veeeeeeeer
yol
d.
Shestr
etchedandwentout
side.Thenhehear
dher
shr
iek.
Shit,
whathappenedt
oher?Her
anoutreadyt
oki
ck
ass,andshewasbusyjumpi
ngupanddown,
pointi
ngatarai
nbow.
NAMIBO:It’
sar
ainbow,
it’
sar
ainbow!I
sn’
titso
beaut
if
ul?
LOSI
KA:Youar
eannoyi
ng.
NAMIBO:Canyout
akeapi
ctur
eofmewi
tht
he
r
ainbow?
LOSI
KA:Nope.
Hesai
dashewentbacki
nsi
de.
NAMI
BO:Byeki
ll
joy!
Hechuckl
edt ohi
mselfandser
ved.Hehadmade
somefatcakesandcoffee.
Hepeekedout sideasshehoppedaboutt aki
ng
self
ies.Lord,
healmostki ll
edwhatwaspr obably
thewor ld’
smostjoyfulperson.Nowshewas
squealingaboutaladybug.Herbi gmesmer i
zing
eyelit
erall
yli
tupatthesi ghtofever
ythi
ng.
Whycouldn’
ttheworl
dpreservesuchpure
i
nnocence?Thatsomedaysomebast ardwasgoing
t
obreakherheartandst
ealthatnatur
alspar
k?I
t
madehim angry.
Abr
okendar
kper
sonl
ikehi
m hadnobusi
ness
bei
ngar
oundsuchr
adi
ance.
LOSI
KA:Comeeat
Shewalkedi
nandlookedatthef
ood,t
henlooked
atLosi
kawhowinkedtowar
dsthebel
thehadroll
ed
upandputonthetabl
e.
Shesatdownandat
ewi
thoutanot
herwor
d.
Hehadwashedhercl
otheslastni
ghtandtheywer
e
dry,
soaft
erbr
eakf
astshechangedintot
hem and
Losi
kahel
pedherwit
hherinsuli
n.
NAMIBO:So,
whatarewegonnadoaboutmycar
?I
t
ooksomeabsol
utel
yradpi
csofmeandt he
r
ainbow,
wannasee?
LOSIKA:Nope.Alreadypi
ckedyourdoor
,gotyour
keys,andfuell
edyourcar
.Soassoonasyouar e
doneeating,youneedtol
eave.
*
***
***
***
**
Inthemorni
ngwhenPilar
awasaboutt
oheadt
othe
hospit
al,
Kaedipar
kedandwal
kedi
n.
KAEDI
:Hey…
PI
LARA:Mxi
m…
KAESI:Pipa,I
’
m sosorr
yabouthi
tt
ingyou
yest
erday.Ihavenoexcuse.
PILARA:Kaedi,
it’
snotfai
r,yourf
amil
yisforci
ng
yourpeopl
e’sbeli
evesonmeandmyki ds!I
’
ma
Chri
sti
an,howdoIal l
owthem tohavetheshityou
sayneedstobedonef orKai.
KAEDI :Ifyoudon’tbel
ievei
nittheni
tmeans
nothingtoyouPipa,ignorei
twhenwehavethe
cleansingceremonyforhim.Ihavesentmyuncl
es
toaskf orBoemo’shandi nmarr
iage.
PILARA:Whatdoyouwantmet osayKaedi
?
Congrat
s.ButI
’m notdoi
ngt
hisagai
n.
KAEDI:Ishodt
ellyout
hatIuhm… ther
eisagir
l
whojustgavebi
rthtomychil
d.Sheisathome.
PILARA:Wow.Just… wow!Youaresomet
hingel
se
Kaedi.Getoutofmyf
ace.Mxim.
KAEDI:Itwasaonceoffwhenwewer ehavi
ng
probl
ems.Idon’
tfeelanyt
hingf
orherot
herthan
shebir
thedmychild.
PILARA:Andyour‘
wif
e’?Iseeyouguysal
lcosyal
l
theti
me.
KAEDI :Shei saneasyper
sontotal
kto,
that’
sit
.Ido
notwantt his,Pi
lar
a.Iwi
shther
ewasanotherway
Pipa.Iloveyou.Iwanttobewit
hyou,butIcan’
t
forceyout obewi t
hme.
PILARA:Ican’
tforcemysel fei
ther.Inei
therf
eel
l
ovedorrespectedKaedi .I
’
velostmyselfandIdon’t
l
ikethewomanI ’vebecome.Myaunthadof f
eredt
o
helpmestartmyPRcompany.I ’
m goingtotake
heruponitandmovet oGaborone.Iwi l
lneverbe
tr
ulyri
dofyouifIam ar oundyou.
KAEDI :Haven’
twebeenher
ebefor
e?Di
dn’
tyourun
toIndi
abecauseyouwanted‘t
ogetmeoutofyour
system’?
PILARA:Iwasyoungandst upi
d.Ineeded
vali
dationtofeel
li
kemyself
.Ri
ghtnowmykidsar
e
allIneed,andIam taki
ngt
hem wit
hme.
KAEDI
:Youarenottaki
ngmychi
ldr
enal
ltheway
acr
ossthecount
ry.
PI
LARA:I
’
dli
ket
oseeyout
ryandst
opme.
Remembermyf ami
lyhasjustasmuchpull
,
mmagweSet hhasalotofi
nfl
uenceandIam sur
e
shecangetmecustody.Sodoesaunt
yAgatha.
KAEDI:Pil
ara,
Idon’twanttofight
.Can’tyoust
art
yourPRcompanyher eandthenyoucanhavet he
ki
ds?Theyneedt heirfat
her
,andIcan’tmoveto
GaboroneIhaveacongl omeratet
orun.
PI
LARA:So,
yourbusi
nessi
smor
eimpor
tantt
han
mi
ne?
KAEDI :I
t’
sthel i
vel
ihoodof10000peopl eandtheir
famil
ies,Pi
lara!Youknowt hat
!Andyouknowmy
famil
ywi l
lfuckitupifIgivemyposi t
ionup.
Remembert hemessi twasinwhenIt ookover
?I
borr
owed, beggedandboot str
appedt ogetusback
ontrack!Andi t
’sourchil
dren’
slegacy!
PI
LARA:What’
stherei
nFranci
stownanyway?Iam
l
eavi
ngandtaki
ngthem.
KAEDI :Youarejustbi
tt
erthingsturnedtheway
theydidwiththewholewifet hi
ng.Andi t
’snoteven
myf ault
.Pil
ara,
pleasedon’thurtthekidstryi
ngto
spit
eme.I ’
m beggingyou…I ’
m alr
eadyf i
ghtingwit
h
myfamil
ytonott
aketheki
dsfrom youguys…
pl
ease…messycust
odycaseshurttheki
dsthe
most.
PILARA:Yourf amilyi
snottakingmykidsKaedi
.I
willdr
agyoupeopl einthedirtsomuchtheword
Ledimowillli
teral
lymeandirtbythet
imeI’
m doneif
yout r
y.Nxla!
*
***
***
*
LaterPi
lar
asatwi
thhert
woaunt
sandcousi
n
tal
king.
AUNTY:TheLedimounder
est
imateus.Theystol
e
thechief
tai
ncyf
rom myst
upi
dbrotherwhi
leIwas
abroad…
SETH’
SMOM:Iwast ol
dtostayoutofi
t,t
hatIwas
j
ustadaught
eri
nlaw,soIsatback.
AUNTY:Butnowtheywantt
otakemyniece’
ski
ds?
Aft
erever
ythi
ngt
heyputhert
hrough?
SETH’SMOM:Youknowt hisgir
lhasbeenl i
kea
daughtertomethemomentshewalkedintothi
s
famil
y,evenwhensheest
rangedhersel
f,sheknew
myarmswer eal
waysopenf orher
,so,i
fthose
peopl
ethi
nktheycantakeanythi
ngfrom mygirl
.
Theygotathi
nkcoming.
AUNT:Youneedtol
etusinonever
ythi
ngyouknow
aboutt
hem Pi
pa… t
hefi
ghti
sgonnabedirt
y.
PI
LARA:Wel
l,
Idon’
treal
lyknowmuch…
COUSI N:ButLolodoes… Iknowsheknowsal ot
abouttheLedimo.Iftheyaretryi
ngt ot
akeyourkids,
theywillt
rytotakeherstoo.Makeherunderstand
thatwecanhel pher.Iam readytomeetthem in
courtbaby,andyouknowIcomef orbl
ood.
*
***
***
***
***
Lol
osatintheli
vingroom,herki
dspl
ayi
ngi
nthei
r
pl
ayroom whenPilar
aarri
ved.
LOAPI
:Howi
sKai
?
PI
LARA:Get t
ingbetter
.Itbreaksmyheartthatt
hey
ar
egonnat akehim awayf r
om me… wear ethei
r
mother
s,damnit!Weshoul dgettokeepourkids.
LOAPI
:Kaedisai
dtheywon’
ttaket
hem.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Andyoubel
ievedhi
m?Si
nce
whenisKaedipull
inganyst
ri
ngs,hei
sjusta
puppet.Theyar
egonnataketheki
dsawayfrom
youtoo.
LOAPI
:Theycan’
t… no…
PI
LARA:I
’
m gonnaf
ight
…
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)Agai
nstt
heLedi
mo?
PILARA:HeardofJosephi
neMor wa?Myaunt ,
Seth’
smom.Andaunt yAgatha,t
heoneIli
vewi t
h.
Thesewomenar econnected.Li
keseri
ousdeal.
Withthem onoursi
de,pl
usmycousi nasourlawyer,
wecangett okeepourki
ds… youjustneedtogive
them ammot ogoaft
ertheLedimo.
LOAPI
:I… Ican’
t.TheLedi
mohavebeenl
ikef
ami
ly
tome.
PILARA:Familydoesnottakeyourchildrenaway
fr
om you.Doyout hi
nkanybodyint hatfamilyever
caredaboutyou?Youwer ethedaughteroft he
gardener,
thenanemployeewhor oser ank,nobody
givesadamnaboutyouormet here!Wear enot
LedimobloodLolo,wearenothing.Disposable.
Alreadybeenrepl
aced,
IthoughmmaLedi moloved
me.Andt heoldhaghadtheaudacitytocomet el
l
metheyar etaki
ngtheki
dsandt hatIam notgood
wit
ht hem anyway,
saidIabandonedKaiandReah
i
sraisedbyt hehel
p.
LOAPI
:Shesai
dmyki
dsar
en’
tmi
nesi
nceIdi
dn’
t
bi
rt
hthem.
PILARA:Yousee?Thesepeopl edon’tcareaboutus.
Iam gonnadowhat everittakestokeepmyki ds
Loapi.I
fyouwon’ tf
ight
,that’
sonyou.Ihopeyou
areabletoexplai
ntoBebeandhersi bli
ngswhy
thei
rmot herdi
dn’tl
ovethem enought ofightf
or
them.
LOAPI
:Youknowwhat
?I’
min.
*
***
***
***
*
Boemosatwi
thmmaLedi
mot
alki
ngatt
hehouse.
MMALEDI MO:It’
sgoodnews,ourpeoplear
egoi
ng
toaskf oryourhandinmarri
agetomorrow.Weare
gonnahur rythi
ngsup, i
fal
lgoeswell
,magadiwi
ll
bei namont h,andaweddingmaybeint womont
hs?
I’
llhir
eplanners,don’
tworr
y.
BOEMO:Eemma
MMALEDI MO:Aboutt heki ds.Theyoungest,t
he
motherwillbreastfeedf orsi xmont hsandthenwe
canpayherof ft oleave.Theot herswillmovein
i
mmedi atelyafteryoudo.Haveyouf oundananny?
Iwasthinkingthreenanni es.Ther eisalr
eadyseven
ki
ds,andt henyouri nt heequat ion.Threewil
lbe
good.Ihopeyouayl eastf oundone.
BOEMO:Ihave, havefoundallt
hreeasyouhad
asked.ButnkokoIwaswonder i
ng.Mustwer eall
y
taketheki
ds?Thereisnothingrequi
ri
ngit,
the
ancestor
sdon’tdemandi t
.Mustwet akechil
dren
from t
hei
rmot her
s?
MMALEDI MO:TheyareLedimokids,t
heyneedt
o
beraisedinourhome,inourway.Kanammayou
ar
et hetypethatr
eject
syourhusband’
skids?
BOEMO:Nnyaamma.Notatal l
.Irai
sedevery
si
ngleoneofthem f
rom bir
thandlovet
hem asmy
own.ButIknowthei
rmot hersl
ovethem t
oo.It
wouldbreakmyhearti
fsomeonet ri
edtotakemy
chi
ldawayf r
om me.
MMALEDI MO:Boemo, dear
,youarenother eto
makedeci si
ons.Yourdut yistogi
veusanhei r,
makesur eyourhusband’shomei skepttogetherby
supervi
singthestaffandthechil
dren,andlook
pret
tyforsocialevent
s.Ifanyonewantsyouri nput
onthings,wewi l
laskyouwhatcol ouryouwoul d
l
ikethecur t
ainsatyourhomet obe.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
(
bonusat1000/
100/
10)
[
05/
29,
12:
Af
terbreakf
astLosi
kawascl
eani
ngupas‘
thel
it
tl
e
gi
rl
’toopict
uresout
side.
Shecamebacki
nandst
oodatt
heki
tchendoor
.
NAMIBO:Whatdoyouthinkwillhappeni
fIgoover
att
hatplacewheret
heyhavethathouset
hing
madeoutofthosewoodthi
ngs…youknow,t otake
pi
ctur
es.ForInst
agr
am.
Hei
gnor
edherandcont
inuedcl
eani
ng.
NAMI
BO:(
sul
king)Youdon’
ttakemeser
iousl
y.
Hej
ustkeptqui
et.
NAMIBO:Doyouhavel
ikeal
imi
tednumberof
wor
dsyousayperday?
Hesighedandwal
kedof
ftot
hebedr
oom,
comi
ng
backwithacamer
a.
LOSI
KA:Come…
Hewal
kedofft
owar
dsanear
bysmal
lfar
m andshe
r
anaft
erhi
m.
Hewenttotheher
dsman’shouse,
speaki
ngt
othe
her
dsmanforabit
,thent
heheadmangavehi
ma
woodenbench.
LOSI
KA:Seatt
her
eandbeadol
l.
Shegiggl
edandsatdownashetooksever
alphot
os
ofher
,thent
heywenttot
hekral
landhetookmore.
Hehandedhert
hecamer
atosee.
NAMIBO:OhmyGod, areyouli
keapr
ofessi
onal
phot
ogr
apherorsomething?
LOSIKA:Orsomethi
ng.I
t’
saskil
lI’
m notproudI
have.Ilear
nti
tfr
om anAmeri
canphotographer
whot ook…uhm… whoIli
vedwit
h.
NAMIBO:Anyway,t
heseareli
kesuperrad!Deadass
t
hebestphotosofme.CanyouBluetoot
ht hem t
o
mesoIcanI.Gthem?Icantagyou.What ’
syour
I
nst
agram?
LOSI
KA:Don’
thaveone.
NAMIBO:Areyouoneoft
hose‘ohsoci
almedi
ais
t
hedeathoftheuni
ver
se’
type?
LOSI
KA:(
laughi
ng)Nope.Justol
d.
NAMIBO:Yeay!Youcanl
augh.Canyoutakemor
e
ni
cephotosofmeinthef
orestovert
her
e?
LOSIKA:Namibi
a,hasanyoneevert
oldyouyouar
e
ver
yannoying?
NAMIBO:Imean,
mybr
other
.ButIknowhesaysi
t
outofl
ove.
LOSI
KA:(chuckli
ng)Iam quietcer
tai
nhedoesnot
sayi
toutoflove.Youreall
yareannoying.I
fIever
meetyourbr
other,I
’m buyi
nghim abeeroutofpit
y
f
orhavi
ngt
oli
vewi
thyou.
NAMI
BO:(
sul
king)Ohwhat
ever
LOSIKA:Youalsol
ooklikeananimechar
act
erwi
th
thosebi
geyes.Especi
allywhenyoupout
.
NAMI
BO:Il
oveani
me,
IhaveaSai
lorMoonout
fi
t
Heswallowedhar
dpi
ctur
ingheri
naSai
lorMoon
out
fi
t.Shit
.
No.Nope,notgonnagot herewit
hthischi
ld,Losi
ka.
HehadseenherI Dlastnightwhensheslept
, she
wasonlynineteen.Andsweetandi nnocentandhad
noplacei
nhi sdarkwor l
d.
LOSIKA:Nah,
notl
ikeSai
lorMoon.Youar
eli
ke
pi
kachu.
Helaughedasshefol
dedherhandsacr
ossher
chestandpout
ed.
Thelit
tl
eshi
tdi
dmakehi
mrel
ax.Shewascut
eand
funny.
Madehi
mfor
getaboutPi
lar
a.
NAMI
BO:Youar
emean.Andher
eIt
houghtyou
wer
eagent l
eman.Youknow,l
iket
hebr
oodi
ng
l
onergent
leman,Chr
ist
iant
ypaman.
LOSI
KA:Who’
sChr
ist
ian?Yourl
it
tl
eboyf
ri
end?
NAMI
BO:(
giggl
ing)I
nmyhead,
yea.
LOSI
KA:Hei
sacel
ebr
it
y?
NAMI
BO:Sor
ta… youwoul
dn’
tknowhi
m.Chr
ist
ian
Gr
ey…
LOSIKA:Nope,
neverhear
dofhi
m.Whatdoyoul
ike
abouthi
m?
NAMI BO:Ijust… hi
sper sonalit
y.Li
ke,heisthis
macho, dominantmanwhoj usthasapower f
ul
presence,butheisaqui et,broodi
nglonertype…his
personali
tyissohot… act uall
yyourpersonali
tyis
sortali
kehim… youj ustneedt heotherstuff
…
Losi
kachuckl
edandkeptt
aki
ngmor
epi
ctur
esof
her.
LOSI
KA:Whatot
herst
uff
?
Shebl
ushedandl
ookeddown.
NAMI
BO:Ohnot
hing.Mymi
ndi
sbei
ngnaught
y.
LOSI
KA:I
sitnow?
NAMI BO:(giggli
ng)It’
sj ust… whenIfinal
ly…Iwant
theChrist
ianGr eykindoft hing,i
tsoundshot .I
don’
tevenmakesenset oyou, doI?God,ifyou
knewwhoChr i
sti
anGr eyi sandwhathedoesyou
wouldthinkIam sodi r
ty!(shecoveredherf acewit
h
herhandsandl aughed)butsi nceyoudon’ tknow
abouthim, Icansayi twi t
houtfeeli
ngbadorl ikeI
’m
weir
df orthinki
ngi t
’shot .
LOSIKA:(
tryi
ngnott
olaugh)I
fyousayso.Your
par
entsaughttobeworr
iedaboutyou.Gohome.
NAMIBO:Oh,It
oldmymom I
’
m spendi
ngt
heday
wi
thafri
end.
LOSI
KA:Thenyourf
ri
endwi
l
lbewai
ti
ng.
NAMI
BO:Hei
snot
… becauseI
’
m al
readywi
thhi
m.
LOSI
KA:Whosai
dI’
m yourf
ri
end?
NAMI
BO:Ido.Peoplewhohel
pmeandt
akecar
eof
mear
emyf r
iends.
LOSI
KA:Wecan’
tbef
ri
ends.Idon’
tdof
ri
ends.
NAMI
BO:Why?Becauseyouar
ethi
sdar
kbr
oodi
ng
l
onerwhoactsl
ikehehat
esever
yoneand
ever
ythi
ng?
LOSI KA:Idohat eever
yoneandever yt
hing.Butwe
can’tbef r
iendsbecauseyouareasweeti nnocent
l
ittl
et hi
ng.Itookyourphot
os,sendingthem.Now,
please!Pleasecanyougetoutofmyhai rbefor
eI
takemygunoutandshootmysel f
?Youar ethat
i
r r
it
ating.
NAMI BO:Youhaveagun?Isawmygr andpa’
sgun
once.ButInevert
ouchedone.
..CanIt
ouchyour
s?
LOSI
KA:Iwi
llevenpayyout
oleave.
Het
ookouthi
swal
letandf
oundP165.
LOSI
KA:Her
eyougo,
takei
tandl
eave.Goon.
NAMI BO:It hi
nkI’l
lst
ay.Idon’twantyoutoget
boredallalone.Doyou, l
ikeworkout?Yourbody
l
ooksl i
keyouwor kout.Idon’
tli
kewor ki
ngout
,it
’s
ti
ri
ng.Ar eyouasol di
er?Wer eyoureall
ygonnabeat
mel astnightifIdi
dn’
teat ?Iwasscared.
LOSIKA:Ar
ggggggghhh!Chil
d!Youaregetti
ngon
ever
ysingl
eoneofmyner ves.Iam l
it
eral
lygonna
l
osemymi
nd,
Jesus!
*
***
***
***
***
**
Kaedisati
nhi
sof
fi
cet
alki
ngt
ohi
sgr
andf
ather
.
KAEDI:I
’
m notdi
scussi
ngthisagai
n.Mykidsare
stayi
ngwit
hthei
rmother
sandt hat
’si
t.Wehavea
happyarr
angementnnalebone.
LESI
MO:Theyar
eLedi
moki
ds!
KAEDI:No,
theyareMYkids!Iwastal
kingt
oBoemo,
andshesaysther
eisnot
hingrequi
ri
ngItaket
he
ki
ds.
LEDI
MO:Boemoi
sachi
ld,
whatdoessheknow?
KAEDI :Ei
therway, ol
dman, I’
m nottal
kingabout
thi
sanyl onger.Ihavet oomuchinmypl at
ealr
eady.
Inthespaceoft hreeweeks,Ijustf
oundoutIam
getti
ngmar ri
edandIj ustbecameaf atheragai
n,so
haulassoutofmyof ficeandstayoutofmyshi t
beforeyoupissmeof f.
LEDIMO:Kaedi
,youarebei
ngimpossibl
e,t
heki
ds
needst
ober ai
sesinourways.Idemandyoudoit
.
KAEDI
:Wi
thwhatl
ever
age?Il
it
eral
lyownt
his
companyandthefamilyasset
snowaf t
erIsavesi
t
whenyouletmyfatheral
mostsinki t
.Soyoucan’t
thr
eat
entotakeanythi
ngfrom myf amil
y.Youcan’t
demandshitf
rom me,gramps.Ciao,Igotworkto
do.
Ledi
mosi
ghedandl
eftangr
il
y.
Kaesi’sP.Awal kedi
nandhandedhim some
document s.Hewentt hr
oughthem.Whatt
hehell
wast his?BothLoapiandPi
lar
awereeachappl
ying
forsolecustodyoftheki
ds.
WhythehellwouldLoapidothi
s,hehadalr
eady
pr
omisedhernoonewoul dtakethekidsf
rom her.
Whywouldshewantt otakehiscust
odyofthekids?
Atl
eastheunderstoodwhatPil
arawasbeing
dr
amaticabout,
want i
ngtomovet oGabor
oneand
al
l.
Hewal
kedt
oLol
o’of
fi
ceandbar
gedi
n.
KAEDI
:Sol
ecust
ody?Whati
sthi
sLoapi
?
LOAPI :Mylawyeradvicesmenottotal
kaboutthe
casewi t
houtherpresent,sounl
esst
hisiswor
k
rel
ated,getout
.
KAEDI
:Loapi
,Ipr
omisedyouandImeanti
t.Noone
i
staki
ngtheki
dsfrom you!
LOAPI
:(r
oll
inghereyes)Ri
ii
ight
…
KAEDI :Lolo,pleasedon’tfor
cemyhand.Ipr omised
youIwi llnotletthekidsbetakenawayf r
om tou!
Wenayouwantt otakethem awayfrom me?Loapi,
Ihavenochoi cebutt otakeyouonifyougot his
route.Youwi lllose.AndthenIreal
lywil
ltakethe
kidsfrom you.Thi nkaboutwhatyouar edoing.
*
***
***
***
*
Pi
larasati
nherhousewhenLedi
mopar
kedand
walkedi
n.
LEDI
MO:Pila,
darl
ing.Iam her
eagainaboutthat
i
ssuemmaLedi moandIt al
kedtoyouabout.Gore
ret
seebana.
PILARA:Itoldyouit
’snotgonnahappen.Iam f
il
ing
forsolecust
ody,andifyouthi
nkyouaregonnause
yourinfl
uencetowinthecase…
LEDIMO:Theprobl
em i
syoumist
akemeforyour
husband,
dear
.Kaedimightbewi
ll
ingt
oplayyour
si
ll
ygames.I’
m not
.Wi nthecase(laughing)What
makesyouthi
nkIwillpl
ayfai
r?Ihavenot i
mef or
cour
t,Ihavewaystomakeyour econsider… people
i
nyourli
fe…
PILARA:Kaediwi
llki
llyoui
fyouevent
hinkof
hurt
ingourbabi
es.
LEDI MO:Yourbabi es?Whywoul dIhurtLedi
mo
blood?Youknow, Ionceheardthatsmoke
suffocati
onisoneoft hewor stwaystodie…poor
,
pooraunt yAgatha… shewi l
lchoke… thesmoke
willstar
tpoisoni
ngt heoxygen…
PI
LARA:Whatdi
dyoudo!Whatdi
dyoudo,
ohmy
God!
Shefr
ant
ical
lysear
chedf
orherphonet
ocal
lher
aunt
.
LEDIMO:Not hi
ng… yet.Youraunti
esarecute,
Pilar
a,wit
htheirl
itt
le‘
Ihaveconnecti
ons’.Maybe
thelegalwaytheyhadachanceoft akingmeon…
butIdon’tdolegalway.Ihopeyouwillhavethe
kids’stuf
fpackednextweekwhenacarcomest o
pickthem up.Andifyouthinkyoucant aket
hekids
andrun?Theonewhowi l
lcomeafteryouwi l
ldo
worsethanIcaneverwi
ll
.Kaedil
ovesyou.Buthe
wil
lki
llyoucol
dbloodbef
oreheletsyoutakehis
ki
dsawayf r
om hi
m.Byenow.
Hewal
kedbackt
ohi
scarandi
tdr
oveof
f.
Pilar
asatont hefloorcryi
ngasawaveofnausea
hither… God.Whatwasshegonnado?She
couldn’
triskherfamily…butshewasn’tl
ett
ingher
babiesgoei t
her… maybei fshet
oldKaedi
…
Shesmi
ledt
hinki
ng.
Losi
ka.
Ledi
mo’ sdri
versl
ashbodyguardwouldnever
suspectLosi
ka,sohecouldeasil
ytaket
heoldman
out.
I
fther
ewasnoLedimo… not
hreat
stoherf
ami
ly.
Shewoul
dtocour
twinsecust
ody.
Timetot
estj
usthowbi
gLosi
ka’
sinf
atuat
ionwi
th
herwas.
Goodt
hinghehadnoideashehadplannedon
dumpi
nghim andgoi
ngbacktoKaedi,
befor
eallt
he
r
ubbi
shhappened.
Shecal
ledhi
snumberandi
trangsever
alt
imes
bef
oreheanswer
ed.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Kaedisati
nhi
soffi
cefr
ustr
ated.Het
ri
edWetsho’
s
phonebuthewasn’
tansweri
ng,sohecal
ledLosi
ka.
KAEDI
:Haveyoubeenavoi
dingme?
LOSI
KA:I’
m al
waysavoidi
ngyou.Andever
yone
el
se,
justi
ncaseyoufeelspeci
al.
KAEDI:(l
aughi
ng)Yougotapoi ntthere.Ineeda
beerorsomethi
ng.Iswearthesegirlstryi
ngtof
uck
meover.Theyarebothfi
li
ngf orsolecustody
LOSI
KA:ThoughtyouandPi
paar
einl
alal
and?
KAEDI:Pi
paforyou.St
upi
dandimpulsi
ve.Does
t
hingstospi
temeandendsuphurti
ngherselfal
l
t
hetime.Becausesomehowourpl
anofgetti
ng
backt
ogetherdi
dn’
twor
kout ,shewant
stopunish
mebytakingawaymykids.Kickmewhereithurt
s.
Don’
tevenknowhowsher opedLoloi
ntoi
t.
LOSI
KA:Whatar
eyougonnado.
KAEDI :Ilovethatgir l
,butsometimesshei schildi
sh
andsel fi
sh.Ithinkit’sbecauseIalwayshandl eher
softl
y,letherinsultmeandshi tandneverdo
nothing.Nobodywi llevergetawaywithhal ftheshit
Pil
aradoest ome, andsheknowst hat.Pil
araneeds
tolearnal essonsoshecangr owup.I ’
lll
ethergo
tocour t
.Iam gonnat akesolecustodysoPi laracan
fuckinggr owthef uckup, eventhoughIwillnever
denyherseei ngt hem.
LOSIKA:Thinkoft
hekidsman,what’
sbestf
ort
hem?
Ist
akingthem f
rom hert
hebestt
hing?
KAEDI:Kaibarel
yknowsher ,andReahwasr aised
byBoemo, andthenPilar
a’sauntAgatha.Those
aunt
slebonegabanamosol aandIneedt ocuther
offf
rom t
hem, whatkindoflovingfamil
yadvisesa
womant otakecustodyawayf rom afat
herwho
l
ovesandi sther
eforhiskids?Loloenejustpisses
meof fbecauseIt oldhertochillandshedoesthis!
Usuall
yshehasmor esense.Par donmef or
rumbli
ng,I’m goingt hroughsuchami ndf
uckri
ght
now,andIst i
llgottashowupandhel pWandi ewith
thebaby,thenwakeupt orunaf ucki
ng
congl
omer ate.Lord,I’dkil
lforj
ustonedayonmy
ownrightnow!
KAEDI
:Whi
chonei
sWandi
eagai
n?
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Babymamanumbert hr
ee.How
ar
ethi
ngswithyou?Yousoundal
it
tl
elessli
keyou.
LOSI
KA:(l
aughi
ng)Al
it
tl
elessdar
kanddepr
esses,
youmean?
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Hey,
yourwor
ds,
man.What
’sup?
LOSI
KA:Let
’sj
ustsayI
’
m hangi
ngwi
tht
her
ainbow.
KAEDI
:Ist
hatamet
aphororsomet
hing?
LOSIKA:Nah,
li
ter
al.Wher
eisWet
sho,
hebeenof
f
thegri
d.
KAEDI:Thatf
ool
?Hei
sallpapabearnowadays,
I
don’
tknowhowhecan’
tseethatbi
tchpl
ayinghi
m.
LOSI
KA:Iunder
standt
heman.Whenyouar
e
desperat
eenoughit’
seasytobeli
evesomeone
l
ovesyouevenwheni t’
sobvioustheyarej
ustusi
ng
you,butyoucan’
trel
ate,
canyou,PrinceChar
ming?
KAEDI:(l
aughi
ng)Youknow,someti
mesIreal
ly
wishIhadthecharmedl
ifeever
yoneseemsto
beli
eveIhave.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Aft
erthecal
l,
Kaediwalkedi
ntoWandi
pa’
sbedr
oom
andfoundhercr
ying.
KAEDI
:Wandi
e,what
’swr
ong?
WANDI PA:Shewon’ tst
opcr yi
ng!Ever yt
imeI
breast
feedher,sheisalwayscrying,andi
talso
hurtst
obr eastf
eed.CanIjustgiveherfor
mula?You
canafforditanyway.
KAEDI:I
t’
snotaboutaff
ordi
ngit.Breast
mil
kisthe
bestf
orher.Comeherepri
ncess,comet odaddy.
Hetookthebabyandburpedher
,thenr
ockedher
aboutandsoot
hedher.
KAEDI
:Yougott
obur pheraf
terf
eedi
ng.And
maybeshei
snotlat
chedcorr
ectl
y,t
hat’
swhyit
hur
ts.Iwi
llgetmyPAtofi
ndamidwifewhocan
cometeachyouhowtolat
chcor
rect
ly.
WANDIPA:(sobbi
ng)I
’
m at
err
ibl
emot
her
.Idon’
t
knowanyt
hing
KAEDI :Youarenotaterr
ibl
emot her
,youjustnever
takencareofanewbor nandyouar eonlyakid.
WhenKai ,myf ir
stwasborn,Iwasafrai
dofeven
picki
nghi m up.I
sshebathedyet?
Sheshookherhead.
WANDI PA:I
’
m afr
aidtodoit
,It
hinkI’
l
lhurther,
watermakesherl
it
tl
ebodysoslipper
y.Usuall
y
Boemocomest obathher
,butshehasn’
tcome
today.
KAEDI:Oh,
yea.Shehadweddi
ngdr
essf
it
ti
ngst
his
eveni
ng.
Hewentt oherbat
hroom andbroughtbackthe
baby’stubfi
ll
edwithwater,
thenputthetubbath
meshandputt hebabyonit,seat
ingdownbeside
thetubandbathi
ngthebaby, t
hendressedher.
WANDI
PA:Idon’
tevent
hinkal
otofmendot
hisf
or
thei
rki
ds.Youar
eamazi
ng.Evenwi
thyourol
der
ones.
KAEDI:(l
aughing)I
’m not‘
alotofmen’,
I’
m Kaedi
Ledimo.Haveyoubeenoutf orsomeairtoday?Go
ontothegardenorsomet hi
ng.Iwil
lchi
llwit
hhera
bit
.OnSat ur
dayyoucangohavesome‘ met i
me’
outsi
de,getyournai
lsandhairdoneorwhatever,
I’
ll
l
ookaf t
erher.I’
l
lewall
etyousomemoney.
WANDI
PA:(
exci
ted)Real
ly?
KAEDI :Yea.Personalti
meisimportantespecial
ly
fornewmoms, leantthehardway,wi t
hmyf i
rstI
wasn’tsohelpful,sheendedupwi t
hpostpar t
um
depression.Wear egonnaavoidthat.Sorunalong,
explor
et hegardens,it
squietbeaut
iful.
Wandipachangedherclot
hesandquickl
yr an
outsi
detothegarden,
taki
ngtonsofpict
uresof
hersel
fint
heimmaculatel
ykeptgar
den,and
posti
ngonsocialmedia.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Lebakwenervousl
yhotdr
esses.Lor
d,shehadnot
thoughtt
histhr
oughatal
l!Shewasactual
ly
pregnant
!Shehadtakenthet
estaf
ewdaysback
andshewasstil
lshocked.
Theli
ehadj ustcomeoutwhenWet showant
edto
l
eave,andthenshej ustwentwit
hithopi
ngtofake
amiscarr
iageast i
mewental ong!
Thenhewasnotbother
ingwit
hprotect
ionbecause
hesai
dthekneweachother’
sstat
usandhet hought
shewasal
readypr
egnant.
Onlynowshereall
ywasandwasfreaki
ngout.God
knowsshewasnotcutoutf
orthi
smot her
ingthi
ng.
Doingitwit
hWetshowasabi
tifarel
ief
,butst
ill
…
Pregnant!
Thatwassofreaki
ngscar
y,t
her
ewasanact
ual
babyinsi
deher!OhGod!
Shegotdressedanddrovet
othepr
ivat
ecli
nic.Just
ashernamewascal l
edWetshocameinrunning.
Whatthehellwashedoi nghere?Howdidheknow
shewashere?Shehadal waysmadefake
appoi
ntmentst hatcoi
nci
dedwi t
hhisbusi
estdays
sohecouldn’tcome.
WETSHO:Babe!Gl
adIcaughtyou.Iwasdri
vingby
whenIsawyourcarparkedher
e.It
hinkt
heyare
cal
li
ngyourname,l
et’
sgo.
Sher
eluct
ant
lywal
kedi
nhol
dingherhand.
DR:Youmustbesoexi
ted,
fir
stappoi
ntment
.
WETSHO:No,
shehasbeencomi
ng…
LEBAKWE:Fir
stappoint
menther
e… Iwas… uhm…
seei
ngadif
ferentdoct
or.
DR:Ohh?Doyouhaveyourdocument
sfr
om t
her
e?
LEBAKWE:I
… uhm… If
orgot
…
DR:Noprobl
em,youcanbr
ingt
hem nextvi
sit
,so
howfaral
ongar
eyou?
LEBAKWE:Uhm… I
…I’
m notsur
e…
DR:Theydi
dn’
ttel
lyouatt
hepr
evi
ousdoct
or?
WETSHO:Babe,
itwi
llbef
ourteenweeksnow.
Whenyoutol
dmeyouwer etwomont hsal
ready,
andi
thasbeensi
xweekssincethen.
DR:Anyway,
let
’sgetonwi
thascan.
Shelai
donthegur
neyandashedi
dthescanhe
l
ookedconf
used.
WETSHO:What
’swr
ong,
doct
or?
DR:That’
syourbaby’
shear
tbeat
… st
rongand
heal
thy.
WETSHO:But
?
DR:Measur
ingonl
yat5-
6weeks.
WETSHO:What
?Why?
DR:Coul
dyouper hapshavebeenmi
stake?When
wasyoulastper
iod,ma’am?
*
***
***
***
***
*
Losika‘
sphonerangandhekepti
gnor
ingi
tseei
ng
Pil
ara’
snumber.Fi
nal
lyhesi
ghedandanswered.
LOSI
KA:Whatdoyouwant
?
PILARA:Okrudeness.ImissyouLosi
ka.Iwas
thi
nki
ngmaybeweshoul dgofort
hatget
awaywe
hadmeanttogot o…
LOSI
KA:Wasthatbefor
eoraf t
eryourplanst
o
moveinwi
thmybr ot
herfel
lthrough?Yup,my
br
other
sandIt
alkaboutever
ythi
ng.Fuckof
f.
Hehungupandbl
ockedher
.
Justtal
kingtohermadehi m soangry!God!Hehad
managedt odistr
acthimsel
fwiththeli
ttl
egir
lfora
bi
t,butshehadf i
nall
ygonehome.Andi thur
tman.
ThatPil
araplayedhiml i
ket
hatandjustdiscarded
hi
m waspai nful
.
Hesighedashewentonl
inelooki
ngforfl
ights…
anywherewer
ehecouldjustbebyhimselffora
bi
t…acoupleofyear
s… maybeeterni
ty…
*
***
***
***
Ledimowalkedint
othel
ivi
ngroom j
ustasBoemo
broughti
nteaformmaLedimo.
LEDIMO:Ijustdon’tgetwhyKaediwon’teven
real
isehowwr ongitisthosegi
rl
staki
ngthe
chil
drenfr
om thefami l
y.
MMALEDIMO:Boemo, youneedt
ospeakt
ohi
m
andmakehi
m seesense.
BOEMO:Ahh,
owaii,
nnakebuaengt
otankoko?
Nnamydutyi
sjusttobeabr
eedi
ngmareanda
fl
owerpotf
orsoci
alevent
sakere.Tal
kisabovemy
stat
ionunl
essyouwantanopiniononcurt
ains.
MmaLedi
moeyedherangr
il
y.
LEDI
MO:Areyouhavi
nganatt
it
udewi
thyourel
der
s?
Gawarut
wamai t
seokootswang?
BOEMO:Nogr andpa,Ij
usthappentoknowmy
pl
ace.I
thasbeenmadecl eartome.Ifyoudon’
t
needanyt
hing,mayIheadoff?Ihaveameeting
wit
hcater
erstomorrow.
Shepickedupherhandbagandwal kedout.The
di
srespectoft
hisfamil
ymadehersomad.I f
desti
nywasnotf or
cingheri
ntothi
sshit
,shewoul d
havelongtol
dthem wheretosti
ckthei
ratt
itudeand
l
eft.
MmaLedi
mowat
chedherwal
kaway.
MMALEDI MO:Wear
eint
roubl
ewi
tht
hatone,
o
mol
alanyana.
LEDIMO:(l
aughi
ng)Maybethat’
swhytheancestor
s
choseher
.TheLedimomatri
archyneedstobe
str
ong.Nnatogakeit
samaelaandKaediwil
lhave
tor eal
lytakeoveranddealwi t
hthefamil
yasa
whol e,notj ustouri
mmedi at
eashei sdoi
ngnow.
Thewhol eext endedLedi
mocl an.Mysibl
ingsand
theirchil
dr enandgr andchil
drentoo.Heneedsa
strongwi fe.
MMALEDI MO:I maginePil
araorLoapiasthewife
oftheheadoftheentir
eLedimoclan,phsht…those
twowouldneverhandleit,
theyareweak,andyou
knowhowt hefamilyis.Especi
all
ytheextended
famil
y.
LEDIMO:Wenawabakgonammekana, and
Boemoi sjustli
keyou.Not hi
ngphasesher .Your
shoesaren’teasytofi
ll,
butIthinkshewilldo
alr
ight
.Iam stil
lfr
ustr
atedwi t
hKaedi.ButIhada
tal
kwiththegirlsandletthem knowIam notaf r
aid
toberoughi ft
heygivepr obl
ems.
MMALEDI MO:Wedon’ tevenhavet odoanyt hi
ng.
Letthem got ocourt
.Theyhaveanger edKaedi
enought ryi
ngtotakehi scustodyofthechil
dren,he
i
sr eadytogosl aughterthem incourt
,andtakethe
kids.Iheardhim onthephone.Lett hesefool
shang
themselves.AtleastbeforethistheyhadKaedi’
s
support,hewasal laboutthem keepi
ngthechi
ldr
en,
andtheyt rytotakehiscustody?Kaedil
eeneheis
soft
,that’
swhybat shamekelamogoene.Ihave
seenbot hofthem yellathim okar
ebaomanya
ngwana.It houghthewoul dbet heonet
oinher
it
yourruthlessness.
LEDI MO:( l
aughing)Yout hi
nkKaedii ssof t?Kaedi
i
sj ustmor emant hatIeverwasbecausehewi ll
nevershowhi sfami l
yhisbadsi de, soIam not
surprisedyout hinkhi m soft
.Youonl yknowt he
kindKaediyosekengaboaomana, whoj ustdrives
offinsteadofget tingintofi
ghtswi thhiswi ves.But
makenomi stake, i
fyouf i
ndthatbadsi deofhi s…
bad, badplacet obe.Lett hosegi rlsdestroy
themsel veswi t
ht heirst
upidcase.Iact uallycould
havedonenot hingmuchi ftheyhadj usttol dKaediI
threatenedthem, hewoul dhavest oodbyt hem and
wecoul dn’
ttaket hekids.Butinst eadtheyt r
yto
takehi schil
drenf rom him.( l
aughi ng)It’
st rue
i
ndeed, whatwi l
lbe, wil
lbe.Thosechi l
drenshoul d
ber aisedLedimos, andtheirmot hersar ehandi ng
them t ouseasywi ththi
scour tcase.
*
***
***
***
Af
terput
tingt
hebabytosleep,
Kaedisatt
alki
ngt
o
hi
slawyeronthephone.
LAWYER:So,
howhar
dar
ewegoi
ngont
hem?
KAEDI:Banyanababant
waela.Iknowt heyare
gonnatryusemypastt
otryandwi n.So,bro,
ter
minatewit
hextr
emeprej
udice.
LAWYER:Shi
t!
KAEDI :(
laughing)Theyaskedf ori
t.Isentyoua
dossieronbot h…Ever yt
hingisago… includi
ng
Pil
ara’srecentendanger mentofami norwhenshe
tookKaiof ft
her espir
atortotakehimt oapastor.
Somemaysayt hat’sasignofment ali
nstabi
li
ty
andbaddeci sionmaki ng…
LAWYER:(
laughi
ng)Your
eal
lymeant
ogof
orbl
ood.
KAEDI:Theyaret
ryi
ngtotakemychil
dren’
s
cust
odyfrom me.Idon’
tfuckar
oundwhenitcomes
tomykids.
LAWYER:Whataboutt
hel
it
tl
eone?Mot
herofyour
l
astone?
KAEDI:Wandiedidnowrong,shecankeepthe
chi
ld’
scustody,
buyshewant stogotovar
sity
anyway.Thechil
dwil
lremainwithme.
LAWYER:Andyournewwife?Doweusethesame
cont
ractwehadwi
thyourprevi
ousmar
ri
ages?
KAEDI :Nope.Draf
tanewone.Beverycarefulwit
h
thatone.UnlikePi
lar
aandLoapi
,Boemoisneither
controll
edbyemot i
ons,
nori
mpulsi
ve.Thi
nkofa
contractyouwouldmakeformeifyouwantedto
keepmei nl
ine.
LAWYER:Shet
hatshar
p?
KAEDI:Yup.Shei scal
m andathinker
,andshei
s
notgett
ingintothi
swithroset
int
edglasses.Make
ourcontractai
rt
ight
.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
.COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Kaedicameoutofhi
sroom andmetLosi
kaont
he
st
air
swi
thabag.
KAEDI
:Vac?
LOSIKA:Nah…l
ongbr
eak…abr
oad.Maybe
per
manent
KAEDI :Work?Youl eadanenti
reITdepart
mentofa
conglomerat e,Los,youcan’
tjustpackupaback
andfuckof f.God, am It
heonlypersonwit
hawor k
ethi
cint hi
sr ounds?
LOSIKA:Ther
eisnot
hingformehere.Icameback
foryouEdi
,camebecauseyouaskedmet ohel
p
withyourI
Tteam.
KAEDI :Youwer eallsunshi
neandr ai
nbows
yesterday.Los,t
hemonnai fyouneedmet obeg,I’
l
l
godownonmyknees.Thel istofpeopleIcantrust
i
shai rstrandthi
n,andIespeci al
lydon’tneedsome
str
angerhavi ngaccesst oprivat
eshit.Comeon
man!Ineedyou.LosyouknowI ’ddropanythi
ngfor
yaifyouneededi t.Thisisyourniecesandnephews
l
egacy!
LOSI
MA:(si
ghi
ng)Wow, bl
ackmai
lwi
tht
her
ugr
ats.
Youmustbedesper
ate.
KAEDI:Iam.Andyouknowt hef
amil
ysti
llal
lover
meplanningshi t
.Boemotellmehersangomaaunt
whoappar entl
ysayswhatbeenhappeningwasj ust
t
hepreview, t
heyaboutt
or ainhel
lonus.
LOSI
KA:Si
ncewhendoyoubel
ievei
nvoodoo?
KAEDI:Man, Idon’
tneedtobeli
eve,
butthatshi
t
scareme.Iwasaskedt omarryBoemo,Isayno,Kai
getssick.Themomentourunclesgotoaskforher
handandpl ansareunderwayKaiisgoodasnew.I
don’tt
hinkit’
sacoinci
dence.
LOSIKA:Edi!I
’m goi
ngt hr
oughshi
ttooman!Iwas
dumbandIj ustgotplayedbadl
y.I
’mtryanaactli
ke
I’
m good,butithur
tsli
kehell
…forthefi
rstti
meI
openedmysel fuptosomeone,andIwasj usta
reboundtothem…
KAEDI:Shi
tIdi
dn’tknowman.I’
m sosor
ry.
Rel
ati
onshi
psfucki
ngsuck.I
sthereawayIcan
hel
p?
LOSIKA:,
Nah,I
’m good.Fine,
Ibewi
ththecompany.
ButIneedti
meoffandaway.Forayear.I’
llwor
k
wit
hmyt eam f
rom abroadandyoucanreachme
wheneveryouabsol
utel
ymust.Butr
ightnowIneed
t
oleavebeforeIhur
tsomebody.
*
***
***
***
**
Lebakwesati
nther oom st
il
lner
vous.Shewasnot
sureWetshobel
ievedherli
e.
Thatshehadgot
tenherl
astperi
odthr
eemont
hs
agoandfoundoutshewaspregnantt
hen.
Wet
showal
kedi
nandsatbesi
deher
.
WETSHO:Imean, Iunder
standthedoct orsai df
alse
posit
ivet
estresul
tsarepossibleeveni ftheyare
rar
e.WhatIdon’tgetishowdi dtheclinicyouwer e
goi
ngt onotseethatyouarenotpr egnantt hen?
LEBAKWE:Howam Isupposedtoknowthat,
Wetsho?Whydoesi
tevenmatter
,wearepregnant
.
WETSHO:Whatcli
nicwast
his?Theoneyouwer
e
goi
ngtobef
ore.
LEBAKWE:Idon’
twannagetanyoneintr
ouble
WetshosoI’
m nott
ell
ingyou.Idon’
tcar
eifyou
thi
nkI’
mlyi
ng.
WETSHO:Ar
eyou?
Shest
art
edsobbi
ng.
LEBAKWE:Wet shoifyoudon’ twanttodot hiswit
h
me,youdon’
thavet o.Iam notter
mi nat
inganymor e,
Ihavegot
tenusedtot heideaofbeingpr egnantand
havi
ngachild.So,
don’ tworr
y.
WETSHO:(signi
ng)Gakerial
o.I
t’
sjustt
hiswhol
e
shi
tisconf
usingLebakwe.
LEBAKWE:I’m conf
usedtoo!Butweshoul
djustbe
thankf
ulourbabyisheal
thy,Wetsho.
WETSHO:Iwasr eadi
ngaboutI
UGR,i
nteruter
ine
growthr
est
ri
cti
on…I ’
m wor
ri
edourbaymi gbthave
that
.
LEBAKWEThedoctordoesn’
tseem concer
ned.But
menti
oni
ttohi
m nextweek.Weshoul dbegrat
eful
wehaveaheal
thybaby.Complai
ningisungrat
eful
whenwehavethi
sbeauti
fulbl
essi
ng.Comeon, I’
ll
gomakedi
nner.
*
***
***
***
Afewweekslat
erKaediwaswalki
ngi
nforhi
s
cust
odyhear
ingjustbef
orehi
sweddi
ng.
LAWYER:Youwif
etonewouldmaket
hingsso
mucheasi
eri
fshewoul
dtakest
and.
BOEMO:Hiwifetobeishere,
andnope,Iam not
get
ti
ngcaughtinthi
s,l
eavemeout.Imeanit
.
KAEDI
:What
ever
…let
’sj
ustdot
his.
Theywal
kedi
nandt
hehear
ingst
art
ed.
Pil
ara’
scousi
npr
esent
edt
hei
rar
gumentonseeki
ng
sol
ecustody.
HER:Yourhonour ,notonlyisMrKaediLedi moI Ii
n
constantdangerwhi chhasal r
eadyaf fect
edhi s
wifebeingkidnapped, heisalsoadangerhi mself.
Letmeexpl ain,MrLedi mosuf f
er edatraumat i
cand
abusivechildhoodt hathehadnotheal edf r
om.As
youwi l
lhearf r
om MrLedi mo’schi l
dhoodfriend
andcur r
entexwi fe,MsLoapiLedi mo,MrLedi mo
conti
nuallysuffersfrom panicattackshet r
iesto
concealinsteadifseekinghelpf or.MrLedimoal so
hasadi realcoholdependency, thatseem tocause
i
mpai rmentt ohisdecisionmaki ng,asevidenceby
sexualrelat
ionswi t
hat henmi nor ,
whocur rentl
y
hashischi l
d.MrLedi mohasal sobeenphysi cal
withhiswi f
eMsPi laraLedi
mo, witnessedbyt he
medicalteam thatat t
endedt otheirchil
d.Andt he
mosti mmi nent,i
sMrLedi mo’spossessi onsof
severalfi
rearms,whi chhavei nmor etimet hanone
l
andedont hechildren’shands.Insuch,f orthei r
safet
y, werequestsol ecustody,bothphysi caland
l
egal,forthemi norsKaediLedi moI I
IandReah
Ledimot otheirmot herPil
araLedi moAndAgai nful
l
solecuatodyt omi norsMbewuMaxi neLedimo,
SaxonLedi mo, Sapphi r
eLedimo, andSer aphine
Ledimot otheirmot herLoapiLedimo.
Kaedishookhisheadi
ndisbeli
ef.Sotheywer
e
call
inghim adr
unk,amentalpat
ient
,asexual
predator
,awomanbeater,
andacr iminal
.Wow
Hi
slawyerst
oodupt
oopen.
LAWYER:Repr esenti
ngMrKaediLedi mo,wehave
decidedtocoinerfil
ef orfull
solecustodyofallt
he
minorsinvolvedasthei rmothersarenotsuit
ableto
parentatthemoment .Asf ortheal
legati
ons,
Mr
Ledimowi l
lcl eart
hem whenhet akesstand…t o
opencasewi t
hMsPi l
ar aLedimo,whowasMr
KaediLedimoI I
’
sfir
stwi feandnowanex…Ms
Lesi mohasneverpar ent edei therift hechi ldrenshe
seekscust odyf or.Inst eadoft hrowi ngsl anderl i
ke
theot herpar ty,
wehaveevi denceonwhoat tends
schoolmeet ings, doct or’
sappoi nt ment ,etc.I t’
sMr
KaediLedi mo.MsPi laraLedi moabandonedKaedi
Ledi moI I
Iwhenhewasonl yt hreemont hsol d,f
ora
l
ifeofpar t
iesanddr ugsi nar oundt hewor ld,and
wasabsentf rom thechi ld’
sf orf iveyear s, ofwhen
returning,sheshowedver ylit
tlei nterestin
par enti
nghi m.Asf orReahLedi mo, MsPi lara
Ledi mohasal waysneedeshel pcar ingfort hechild,
shehasneveri ndependent lymot her edher .Ms
Pilara’
sdeci sionmaki ngal socomesi nquest i
on,as
recently,againstadoct or’sadvi ce, sheki dnapped
KaediLedi moI I
If rom t hehospi tal,removi nghi m
from.Al i
fesavi ngdevi ce,inabi dt ot akehi mt oa
famedpast or.Thi sant i
cputt hechi l
d’slifein
danger ,wher eMrKaediLedi moevent uallywas
calledt osavet heday.MsLedi moal sorecent ly
sur vi
vedat r
aumat icr ape,shest artedt her apy,but
shehassi ncedi tchedt het herapywi thout
compl eting,insteadat tempt edt ogobackt oal if
eif
drugsasatsomepoi ntheaskedMrKaedi ’
s
youngerbr
otherLosi
kaLedi
mot osupplyherwit
h
cocai
ne.Sheisahighri
skforr
elapse,andcer
tai
nly
i
nnosi t
uati
ontobecari
ngforchil
dren.
Pil
aragaspedi
nsurpr
ise,
notbel
ievi
ngKaedi
actual
lywentt
hatf
ar.
Ateardr
oppedfrom hereye.Howcoul
dheuset
he
r
apeagainsther
?
Shelookedathi
m wi
tht
ear
yeyesandhej
ust
l
ookeddown.
LAWYER:NowonMsLoapiLedi mo’sf i
le.Muchof
thethingsshei ssui ngagai nstMrLedi mocanbe
appliedtoher .MsLoapiLedi moneeBabusi
sufferedextreme.Vi olencef rom herf at
herand
neglectfrom hermot her,whichst il
lcausei ssuet o
heratt hi
spoi nt.Shei ssti
llestrangedf rom her
sibl
ings.Butt hatdoesnotmaket hebasi sofour
caset owardsMsLoapiLedi mo.Seei ngherasset s
wer eacquiredunl awf ul
lythroughanunst ableand
diagnosedman, t
hel ateMrLeat i
leLedimo, duri
nga
vulnerabl
et i
me.NowMrKaediLedi moi ssett osue
andr eacquirehisf at
her ’
sasset s,whichwi l
lleave
MsLoapiLedi
mounabletoof
fert
hechi
ldr
ent
he
l
if
est
ylet
heyareaccust
omedto.
Loapi
lookedathi
minconf
usedshock.OhmyGod!
WhenKaedit
ookst
and,
hel
ookedatbot
hLoapi
and
Pi
lar
a,t
hensmil
ed.
KAEDI :Yourhonour ,I’
df i
rstjustt oremindbot hmy
exwi vesandt heircounselt hatl yinginacour tof
l
awi saser iousof fence.Thatsai d,therehasnever
beenani nstancewher eanyofmychi l
dhel danof
myl i
censedf ir
ear ms.Notevenmywi veshaveseen
i
t.Iam r eadyt opr ovidet hedummymydaught er
MbewuMaxi neLedi mof oundi nmyhomest udy,
andIi mmedi atel
yt ookaway.Thatwast heone
i
nci dent .Wi t
hadummygun.Il i
keabeerorsi x,your
honour ,butcoul danal coholicbeenr unningan
i
nt ernat i
onal l
ysuccessf ulbil
lionpul acompanyf or
year s?Idr ink,byt heal coholi
caccusat ionsar e
basedonmywi f
e’sspi teonly.Oneoft hemor e
ser i
ousaccusat i
ons, thatIwasi nappropriatewi t
ha
mi nor ,Iguessi nat echnicali
ty,asshet urned
eight eenaweekaf t
ert hesaidi ncident.Butshei s
readyt otakest andt oattesttot hefactt hatshet ol
d
meshewast went yone.I’m arespectedmemberof
society,aphilanthr
opist
, anadvocatef ormany
causes, especial
lythosedeal i
ngwi t
hsaf et
yif
minor s,
butmosti mportantofall,
Iam adedi cat
ed
fat
herwhoi sj ustconcernedabouthi schil
dren’
s
safety.
*
***
***
***
***
Kaedicameoutofcour
thi
ghf
ivi
nghi
slawyerashe
walkedtot
hecar.
Pil
aralookedathim wi
thtear
sinhereyes.Loapi
approachedhim al
socryi
ngandbegging.
LOAPI:(
cryi
ng)Kaedi
,youcan’
ttakemyki
ds… I
don’
tcareaboutt
hemoney,I…
KAEDI:Lolo,dar
li
ng.What’
sgoodforthegooseis
goodforthegander.Youwerefi
newithtaki
ngmy
ki
dsawayf r
om me,taki
ngmycustody.NowI ’
m
wrongwhenIdoi tt
oyou?Fuckyou.
Heopenedhi
scarandPi
lar
acamer
unni
ngt
owar
ds
hi
m.
PI
LARA:(
toBoemo)Gett
hef
uckoutofmyway.
Nxl
a.
ShepushedBoemoasi
deandgoti
nthecar
,cl
osi
ng
thedoor
.
PILARA:(cr
ying)Howcoul
dyouuset
hingsl
iket
hat
againstmeKy…
KAEDI:Youbasi
call
ycall
edmeachil
dmolester
,
Pi
lar
a!Youdeservedever
ythi
ngyougot
!Getoutof
mycar.
PI
LARA:(
sobbi
ng)Iusedt
othi
nkyoucar
edabout
me.
KAEDI :Hardtocar eaboutsomeonewhodoesn’ t
giveashitaboutyou!Har dtocareaboutsomeone
whoendanger smyki dsandt ri
estotaket hem away
fr
om me.Iam t i
redofl ovingyouPi l
arawhenyour
l
ovef ormehasanonandof fbutton.Igetina
si
t uat
ionI’
mf orcedi nto.Yougetmadatmeandt o
spitemeyout ryt otakemyki ds?Iunderstandifyou
j
ustwant edtol eaveme, buttotakemyki ds?You
usedt obesoi ntell
igent ,sothoughtful… socaring.I
don’tevenrecogni set heper sonyouar eanymor e.
Now, getthefuckoutofmycar ,
mywi fewant sto
geti
n.
*
***
***
***
*
ONEYEARLATER…….
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Pil
arasati
nheroff
iceatChanCommunicat
ionsas
theowneri
fthecompanypassedbyandsmiledat
her.
BOSSYoucangohomeearl
ytodayPips,
yousai
dit
wasyourweekendwi
tht
heki
ds,r
ight
?
PI
LARA:Yup,
thanksboss.
Herbosswal kedoffandPi l
arawatchedherwit
ha
smile.Shehadsuchaper f
ectli
fe,
perfectki
ds…
successfulcompany.God,howdidwomengeti tal
l
l
ikethat?
Ofcour
seshehadmoneyfrom herdi
vor
ce
set
tl
ement
,enought
ostar
therowncompany,
but
shedidn’
treal
lyhaveenoughworki
ngexperi
ence
andthist
imesheknewt oowellt
hatjustgoi
ngin
bli
ndwouldbest upi
d.
Andshewasl
ear
ningal
other
e.
Herco-
wor
kercamef
rom t
het
oil
et.
HER:Damnit,
thismor
ningsi
cknessentshwer
eka
di
washene.Onlyni
neweeksandI’mfucki
ngdying.
Pil
arasighedandcol l
ectedherbagsi gnor i
ngthe
gir
l.Asshewal kedtohercar ,shecouldn’thelptear
up.Shehadbeenni neweekswhenshel osther
babyjustaftershehadl ostcustodyofReahand
Kai.Shehadnotevent oldKaediyet… drhadsai dit
wasst r
essr el
ated.Whichonlymadeherhat eKaedi
evenmor e,shewast hecauseofherst resst hat
madeherl osethechild.
Shedr
ovetoSpart
ogetsomegr
ocer
iesast
he
ki
dswerecomi
ng.
Asshewal kedt
hei sl
es,sheheardsomeonecall
ed
hername.Shetur
nedar oundtryi
ngtorecogni
sethe
fatguycal
li
ngher.OhmyGod…
PI
LARA:OhmyGod,
Mokganedi
!
Herexhebr
okeupwi
tht
obewi
thKaedi
.
PI
LARA:God,
howlonghasi
tbeensi
nceIsawyou?
Wher
ehaveyoubeen?
MOKGANEDI :(
laughi
ng)Eightyears!Canyou
beli
evei t
?Ihottransf
err
edtoKgal agadi
i
mmedi atel
yaft
er… anyway,Iwast heremostoft
he
ti
me, nowI ’
m backinFranci
stown.Howar eyou
doing?
PILARA:Youareobviousl
ydoi
ngbet
tert
hanme,
bonagoodli
vinghel
a.
MOKGANEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Owai
i,
kae?St
resseat
ing
hel
a.
PILARA:Ao?Ost
resswakeengt
eacher
?Banaba
skolo?
MOKGANEDI :Kanayourgenderl edingalot
hemma.
I’
vebeensupport
ingachildforfouryearsonlyto
fi
ndoutit
snotmi ne.Anyway,howi sbeingMr s
Ledi
mo?
PI
LARA:Ha!Haven’
tbeent
hati
nawhi
le.Idi
vor
ced
hi
m overayearago.Anyway,
letmer
ushhome,
I
haveaweekendwitht
hekids.
MOKGANEDI:Letmegetyournumbersowecan
cat
chadr
inksometi
mes.
Pil
aragavehim hernumberandwalkedoff.Poor
guy.Support
ingachildforf
ouryear
sandi ttur
ns
outit
snotyours?Whydi dgoodguysalwaysget
pl
ayedandasshol esl
ikeKaedial
waysgotaway
wit
heverythi
ng?
*
***
***
***
**
Loapisatinhercompanybal ancingt hebooks.
Everyt
hingwasgoi ngwell.I
nsteadofsui ng,Kaedi
hadmadehersel lhim hershares,andshemadea
pret
typrofi
tfrom i
tandstartedherownt hi
ng.It
wassmal landstil
lfi
ndingit
’sfeet,butearnedwell
,
anditwasal lher
s.
Todaywasherweekendwiththeki
dsandshe
hopedshewouldnothavetomeeteit
herKaedior
hi
sannoyingwifewhoalwaysact
edperfectl
ike
nothi
ngbother
edher.
Shehadnotspokent
oPi
lar
asi
ncet
hecase,
the
bi
tchwasther
easonshel
ostherki
ds.Howdumb
hadshebeent
oli
stentot
hatmoron.
*
***
***
***
*
Kaediwasget
ti
ngdressedinhi
ssui
tasBoemodi
d
hermakeupatthemirr
or.
KAEDI
:Readyt
ogosecur
eanot
herbag?
BOEMO:(
sighi
ng)DoIr
eal
lyneedt
ocome?
KAEDI :Bobbi
,comeon, t
hisguyisaministerof
tr
adei nKenya,andheisbringi
nghiswife.She
i
nfluenceshisdeci
sions,soyouneedtobut t
erher
up.Youknowyourwayar oundpeople.
BOEMO:Ah.Wal
api
sawai
tseKaedi
.
KAEDI:(l
aughi
ng)Thi
sisourki
dsl
egacy.Tal
king
aboutthat
…anythi
ngyet
?
BOEMO:Nope.Tookat
estt
hismor
ning.
KAEDI
:Don’
tst
ress.Doct
orssayi
ttakest
ime
somet
imes.
BOEMO:Ijustdon’
tgetit
.Havi
ngachi
ldwas
l
it
eral
lyt
hereasonforthi
sshit
.Cant
hesedamn
ancest
orsmakeupt
hei
rfucki
ngmi
nds?Jeez!
KAEDI:(
laughing)Cal
m down,
itwi
llhappenalli
n
goodti
me.Ther ewasneverati
mel
inespecif
ied
aker
eforhavingakid.
BOEMO:What
ever
.Comezipupmydress.Forgott
o
ask,
howar
ethepani
cat
tackssi
nceIst
artedyou
onCBDoi
l?
KAEDI
:Muchbett
er.Il
it
eral
lyhavet
hecool
estwi
fe,
youl
etmetakeweedoil
.
BOEMO:( l
aughi
ng)I
t’
snotweedoi
l,
dweeb.It
’s
marij
uanaandhemp,anddon’
tbet
ell
ingpeopl
e
that
,otaankgol
ega.
KAEDI
:Butt
heinsomni
aisbackagai
n.Thi
sis
ar
oundthet
imewhen… when…
BOEMO:Kaedi ,i
fyoucan’
tevenbri
ngyourselft
o
sayit
,howar eyougonnaovercomeit
?Aroundt he
ti
meyout ookalifewhenyouwerefi
ft
een.Youdo
notdeser
vepunishmentfori
t,andyoudeserveto
healf
rom it
.Letitgo.
KAEDI
:Ican’
tBobbi
,i
t’
shar
d…
BOEMO:I’l
ltr
ysomeAyurvedaandtantr
amassage
foryouwhenwegetback.Youlookli
keazombie,
youneedsleep.Byt
heway,Ipassedmyf i
rst
semester
.
KAEDI:That’
smygirl
!.Congr at
s.I
’m sohappythat
yougettogetyourdoctorateasyouwi shedand
youdon’thavet
ogoaway, youonlytravelt
her
eto
submitanddoyourcredithoursvir
tuall
y.
Thedoorbur
stopenandMbewuwal
kedi
n.
MBEWU:Heydaddy.Wheni
smommycomi
ngt
o
getus?
KAEDI
:Mbewu,
don’
tyouseeyourmot
her
?Have
yougr
eet
edher
?
MBEWU:Shei
snotmymot
her
,shei
sthehel
p.
KAEDI
:Mbewu!
MBEWU:What?Sheisahomewr
eckerandt
he
r
easonwear
enotstayi
ngwit
hmama.
KAEDI
:Bobbi
,I
’m sosor
ry…
BOEMO:Oh, don’
tmindher
.Shei
sni
ne,
doyou
real
lyt
hinkt
hoseareherownwor
ds?
MBEWU:Ihat
eyou…
KAEDI:Anymor eofthatsassandyouloseyour
al
lowanceforayear,younglady!Andgi
vemeone
mor er
easontonotletyougot oyourmom….Now,
getoutandgopackaweekendbagf oryour
selfand
helpyoursi
ster
stoo.
Shewal
kedoutsul
king.
KAEDI
:Boemo,I
’mreal
lysor
ry.I
’
llt
alkt
oLol
oabout
t
heshi
tshesays.
BOEMO:Don’ tbot
her .Thatyourbabymamasdon’ t
l
ikemei snosecret,andIam notdesper at
efor
them t
ol i
kemeeither.Nnagakel welebone,Ist
ay
cordi
al.Theyarei
nt hiswaront heirown.Shal
lwe?
Theywal
keddownthestai
rsj
ustast
hehel
per
openedt
hedoorf
orPil
ara.
PI
LARA:Ar
etheyr
eady?
KAEDI
:Hit
oyout
oo.
PI
LARA:Mxi
m… Kai
,Reah.Let
’sgo.
Loapiwal
kedi
nandlookedatBoemowhi
lenot
speaki
ngtoPi
lar
a.
LOAPI:Nx,
nx,nx.I
t’
str
ue,moneycan’tbuyyou
cl
ass.Orafashi
onsense.Youst
il
llookli
kethehel
p.
BOEMO:Thankyou,Loapi
.Seraphi
nehasasli
ght
col
dandMbewuhasanassi gnment,
sodoesKai
,
Pil
ara.Kaedi
,I
’l
lbei
nthecar
.
Shewalkedoffgraceful
ly,
leavi
ngbothLoapiand
Pil
araannoyedthattheywereneverabl
etogetto
her.
KAEDI
:Ki
ds,
tot
hecar
s.
Theki
dsr
anof
f
KAEDI :Youknowwhyweneverwor kedLoapi ?You
aredisrespectfult
oot hers.Nomat terhowmuch
youinsultBoemo, youwi l
lneverbehal fthewoman
thatsheis.You, Pipa..Youar eactuallyagood
woman.I fyouwi l
lgetoveryour self
.I’m gonnasay
thi
sonl yonce.Bever ycarefulwhatyousayabout
mywi fetotheki ds,especiall
ywenaLol o.Iam not
gonnahavet hem disrespectherinherhome
becauseyout eachthem t obenast y.Ifitcomest o
i
t,Iwillmakeyourt imewi ththem super visedvi
sit
s,
don’ttryme.Boemohasbeennot hi
ngbutgr aci
ous
andrespectf
ultobothofyou,shel
ovesandtr
eat
s
theki
dslikeherown,andhasneversaidabadword
toei
therofyou,lel
welangnae?Nxla.
Hewalkedoutangr
ilyandwenttot
hecarasLol
o
j
ustsnicker
edatPi
laraandl
eft
.Pil
araal
sowentt
o
hercar
.
*
***
***
***
*
Atherhouseaf
tersomegamesanddinner,
Pilar
a
puttheki
dstobed,t
hensati
nherbedroom al
one
readi
ngtheBi
ble.
Shehadst ar
tedgoi
ngtochurchagai
n,andoneof
thewomenhadbeenhel pi
ngandadvisi
ngher.She
hadjustsentheraBi
blever
se.
‘
forifyoufor
giveot
herswhent
heysinagai
nstyou,
yourheavenl
yFatherwil
lal
sof
orgi
veyou’
Howt hehel
ldi
dshefor
giveKaedi
?Yes,sheknew
thebi
ggestpor
ti
onofhermovingonwasf or
ging
himforwhathehadputhert
hrough.Shej
ustdidn’
t
knowhow.
Shecl
osedt
heBi
bleandl
aidi
nbedasherphone
r
ang.
PI
LARA:Hey,
Mokganedi
…
MOKGANEDI
:Youar
enotsl
eepi
ngyet
?
PI
LARA:(l
aughi
ng)Put
ti
ngt
woki
dst
obedt
akesa
l
ot.What
’sup?
MOKGANEDI :Nothing.Iwasj
ustthi
nki
ngaboutyou.
Ifyouarefreetomor r
ow,abunchofouroldfr
iends
aregett
ingtogetherforaTebby’
sbir
thdaypar
ty.If
youwantt ocome…
Gosh,whenwast helastt
imeshei nt
eract
edwi t
h
t
hosepeople.Shedidn’tr
eall
yhaveanyclose
fr
iendsi
nthegroup,shewasal onerandalways
Mokganedi
’saddon, butgosh,i
thadbeenforever.
PI
LARA:Idon’
tthi
nk…
MOKGANEDI
:Iunder
stand…
Act
ual
ly,
whynot
?Heraunt
shavebeenpushi
ngher
t
ogetoutmor
e.
PILARA:Actual
ly,yea,
thatwil
lbegreat
.Iputt
he
ki
dstobedat8:30pm, soIwi l
ltaket
hem t
omy
aunt,
aft
ertheysleepby9: 30Ishouldbefr
ee.
MOKGANEDI
:Cool
…it
sreal
lyni
cet
oseeyouagai
n
Pi
pa.
*
***
***
***
***
KaediandBoemoarri
vedbackfrom t
heirsoci
al
engagementsl
ateatni
ght
.Shesatont hebedas
hehelpedherr
emovehershoes.
KAEDI:Anotherbagsecur
ed.Thanksbabe.Shal
lwe
dothatthi
ngofyours.Myheadiskil
li
ngme.
BOEMO:Come,
seat
…
Heseatdowninf
rontofheront
hef
loorasshe
massagedhi
stemple.
BOEMO:St
ri
p,l
ieont
hebed,
letmehel
pyour
elax.
Shewentdownst
air
sandcamebackwi
thapl
ateof
browni
es.
BOEMO:Thispl
ustheCBDoilwi
llmakeyour
elax.
I
’m goi
ngt
ogiveyouatant
ri
cmassage.
KAEDI:Youareseri
ousl
ythecool
estper
sonIknow.
Howyouj usthandmeweededibl
esmatteroff
act
l
iket
hat…
Hesai
dasheat
eapi
ecewhi
leBoemodi
dtoo.
Shedidali
tt
lestr
ipteaseasshetookof
fher
cl
othesandinst
ruct
edhimt ost
ri
pandlayonthe
bed.
{EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Boemowokeupcuddl edt
oKaedi
’schest.Hekissed
herforeheadandpul
ledheronhi
smor ni
ngwood,
movingherupanddownhi sbodyunti
lthebothgot
thei
rrelease.
KAEDI
:Morni
nggorgeous.Damn… l
astni
ghtwas
hot
!Gi
rl
,youbeenhol
dingoutonme!
BOEMO:( l
aughi
ng)Wai
tunt
ilwet
ryer
oti
c
hypnosi
s.
KAEDI
:What
?
BOEMO:I
t’
sawayofusi
nghypnosi
stof
ree
your selffrom inhibit
ionst of
ullenjoysexual
pleasur es.It’
sintense.Ilearntitfr
om apr ofessorof
mi ne, sheislikeagur uinhypnosisandshi t.
Anyway, Igott
agoshowerandassi stthehel persi
n
get t
ingt hehouser eadyf ort
onight,wear ehosti
ng
thatChi nabusi nesspeopl ef
oraChi nesenewyear
dinner ,remember ?Theoneswi thacl othing
factor i
esi nGuanzhong.Iwannai mpr essthem into
donat ingwi ntercl ot
hesf ortheunder privi
legedkids
i
nvi llagesar oundher e.
KAEDI :(
sighing)SincePipaquit,t
hecommuni t
y
connectpr oj
ecthasbeennegl ected.Peopleworked
withhereasi erbecauseofherf at
her.Yourauntisa
wellrespectedsangomaandt radit
ionalheal
er
aroundher e,maybet heycanwor kwi t
hyoutooif
youtakeover ?
BOEMO:Babe, youknowIgotmyst udi esandthe
ki
dsandal lthesesocialengagement s.Koorehela
kethomogilepelolastyearwinter,
kidsgoi ngt
o
schoolwit
houtshoesorj er
seys.Ibettergoasee
whatthatChinesechefIhi r
edfortodaypl ansto
serve.
Shet
ri
edt
ogetof
fbedandKaedihel
dherbyt
he
wai
st.
KAEDI
:Emapele,
war
ehypnot
icwhatwhateber
eka
j
ang?Mpont
sha…
BOEMO:( l
aughi
ng)Someotherday,gr eedy.You
gottagoseeLedimoandmmaLedi moandgi ve
them theclot
hestoweartofort
hecel ebrati
on.
Chineseloveitwhenyouweartheirclothesandeat
thei
rfood.Wewi l
lgett
hispart
nership.Andmy
donations.
KAEDI
:Youar
eaqueen,
youknowt
hat
?
Shelaughedandranofftot
hebathroom,Kaedi
fol
lowi
ngherint
othelargeshowerstal
l.
*
***
***
***
***
Ledimoandmma- Ledi
mosatfi
nishingthei
r
breakf
astwhenBoemo’sauntwalkedin.
MMALEDIMO:Dumelang,youshoul
dhavesai
dyou
ar
epayi
ngusavisi
t,wecouldhave…
AUNT:Iam nother
eforasoci
alvi
sit
.Youar
e
hol
dingt
hekids’bl
essi
ngswit
hthemanysecret
s
youkeep.Kaedineedst
oknowever
ythi
ng.Iwi
llbe
onmywaynow.
Shewal
kedoutast
heLedi
mocol
lect
ivel
ysi
ghed.
MMALEDI MO:Wabona?Wabona!It
oldyouKaedi
t
hatyouneedtot
ellhi
m!
LEDI
MO:Yout
hinki
t’
sthateasy?
MMALEDI MO:I twaseasytosl eepwit
hyourcheap
whor edaughter-
in-l
aw,wasn’tit
?Nowhandlethe
consequencesKaedianddon’ tannoyme.Kanathe
peopleIhadl ookingint
owhot riedt
oframeKaedi
andsendhi mt opr i
sonhavesentmebackt he
i
nf or
mation.It’
sinyourdesk.Thesepeoplehaveno
respectforourfami l
yWhatar eyougonnadoabout
i
t?
LEDI
MO:I
’
llhandl
eit
.
MMALEDI MO:Youbett
erhandlet
elli
ngEdit
oo,
you
don’
twanthi
m hear
ingi
tfrom me,i
ja!
Kaediwal
kedi
nandl
ookedatt
hem.
KAEDI
:Tel
lEdiwhat
?
*
***
***
***
**
Lebakwel
aidinherpar
ent’
shousebesi
dehert
hree
monthsol
d,tal
kingonthephonet
oWetsho.
LEBAKWE:Howi
sPar
is?
WETSHO:Bor
ing,
Ican’
twai
ttocomebackt
oyou
guys.Howi
sLatt
y?
LEBAKWE:Ahh, Leat
il
ebat ho!Sleepi
ngandeat i
ng
al
lthetime.Gosh,thecityoflove!Imissthat
place… Ir
ememberaf r
iendofmi ne,herhusband
gotherengagementr i
ngsf r
om there.Pari
shas
suchlovel
yengagementr i
ngs.
WETSHO:Ao?Themmasendmemor
ephot
osof
Lat
ty…
LEBAKWE:Wi
lldo… ij
a,kanal
ethatdudewat
sal
a
yagago,
Dabi
lo,gotengagedl
astmonth…
WETSHO:Yea,
theybeendat
ingf
orsool
ong.Kego
t
eleengher
e?
LEBAKWE:Idon’
tknow,
jewel
ry?
WETSHO:Cool
,Isawsomeni
cebr
acel
ets…
LEBAKWE:Maybear
ing?
WETSHO:yea,somedidcomewi
thri
ngs.Babe,
I
got
tago.Loveyou.Ki
ssmyboyforme.Bye.
Shehungupandsi ghed.Foragenius,Wetshowas
sofuckingcl ueless.Hewassuchagr eatf
ather
,
andthel asttimehel ostitonher
… man, shehad
beensoannoyedandangr ywhenhemadeher
cl
eanandal l
, buthealsoshowedheranot hersi
de
ofhim shehadnevert houghtexi
sted.Wetshowas
nei
thersof tnorapushover .Whi
chj ustmadehim
sohot.
Nowtheidiotj
ustwasn’
tcat
chinganyofherhi
nts!
Whatt
hef uckdidhewanthert
odo, wr
it
eMARRY
ME’wit
hneonpi nksmokeonthesky?
*
***
***
***
*
Losikal
aidi
nhi sbedroom wi
thabigsi
gh.He
l
ookedatherInstagr
am hehadfol
lowedwit
hafake
account
.
Yup,shewasl
ivi
ngherbestl
if
einuni
ver
sit
y
abr
oad.
Hehaddonet
her
ightt
hing,
het
oldhi
msel
f.
At
aint
edpersonl
ikehi
m hadnobusinessmi
xing
wi
thsomeonesopureandinnocent
.
Andhewant edhertoexper
iencel
if
eful
ly,
enj
oy
uni
ver
sit
y,notbehelddownbya32year sold
per
manentboyfri
endwhenshewasonl ytwenty
wit
hzeroli
feexperi
ence.
Yes,
thi
swasf
ort
hebest
.
Sowhydi di tsucksomuch?Especi
all
yseeinghow
constantthatotherboywasi
nherpict
ures.Was
shefuckinghi m?
No,Los,
noneofyourbusi
ness.Lett
hechi
ldl
iveher
l
if
e.
Hesighedadt ext
edoneoft heslayqueenshe
regul
arl
yfuckedwith.Sheenjoyedtheroughstuff
andwasagoodsub.Andhepai dherwellfori
t.
‘
HeyEl
len,
toni
ghtat7pm.Samepl
ace.
’
‘
Yesdaddy’
*
***
***
***
***
***
Boemowentt
oopent
hedoorasPi
lar
adr
oppedt
he
ki
dsof
f.
BOEMO:Hey…
PI
LARA:Mxi
m…
Boemosi
ghedandwal
kedbacki
nthehouse.
PI
LARA:Kooredon’tyouhaveshamesteal
ingot
her
women’schi
ldr
en?Imean, i
fyoucan’
thaveyour
own,
therear
eot herways.
BOEMO:Iam notst
eali
ngyouguyski
dsPil
ara.I
act
uall
yadvocat
edfort
hem t
ostaywit
hyou,butI
l
ongleantt
hatmuvoicemeansli
tt
lei
nthi
sfamily.
PILARA:Boohoo.Youknewhowitwaswhenyou
chosetogobehindmybackwit
hmyhusband.
BOEMO:( si
ghing)Idi dn’tchooset his,Pil
ara.I
thoughyouwoul dunder st
and, havingbeent hrough
af orcedmar ri
age.Onl ymyci rcumst anceswer e
har der.Thelif
eofal i
ttl
eboyIl ovever ymuchi fI
didn’tobey.I’m notgonnaapol ogiest hatIchosehi s
l
ifeoveryourmar riage, andIneversai dyouand
Kaedihadt osepar ate.Hei snotmonogamous,
neitheram I,soIr eallydonothaveapr obl
em wi t
h
youget t
ingbackwi t
hhi mi fyouwant ,hest i
lll
oves
you.
PI
LARA:Mxi m… whosaysIwanthim?Youknow
whatannoysmeaboutyou.Walki
ngaroundl
ikeyou
ar
eaboveeveryt
hingel
se…
BOEMO:Woul ditmakeyouhappyi
fIinsult
edyou
backeachti
meyoui nsul
tme?Rantandraveand
causeasceneli
keyoudo?OrshouldIcurli
naball
andcryfr
om thehorr
ibl
ethi
ngsyouandLolosayto
me?
PI
LARA:Mxi
m
BOEMO:Dar ling,nineyearol dsbeatsel fpityand
beinghurtbypeopl e’swor dsoutofmewhenIwas
j
ustaki d.Peopl elaughedatmeandcal ledmea
Satanistbecauseofmyf amil
y’sspiri
tualbel i
eves.
Nobodywant edt obef riendswi t
ht heSat anist,
not
evenseatnextt ome.Teacher ssai dtheywer e
wor r
iedIwilltellmyauntandshewi l
lbewi tch
them…t hent hevoi cesst ar
ted,andnowpeopl esaid
Iwasment al.Itri
edt odr opoutofschoolandmy
mom beatmeanddr aggedmer ightbackt here.I
don’tknowt henumberoft imesIt ri
edt ocommi t
suici
debef oreIwasevensi xteen,andIal ways
fai
led.EventuallyIr eal
izedthatthewor l
dsucked.I
stoppedcar i
ng.Theycalledmeawi t
ch?Hellyea,
I’
mt hewickedwi tchoftheNorthEast.Mental?
Absolutel
ycuckoobananas.Youcal lmeahusband
snatcher?Yes,bish,hecuteanyway.So,yousee,I
real
lyam notact i
ng,Pil
ara.Iam abovepeople’
s
horri
bleshitmeantt ohurtme.Whyshoul dIall
owit
tohurtme?Ichooset ostayhappyanddot hebest
withthecardI ’
m dealt
.Youwi l
lbesomuchhappi er
i
fyoudi dtoo.
PILARA:Youdon’
tknowt
hef
ir
stt
hingaboutme,
don’t
…
BOEMO:Iknowpl entyaboutyout or
eali
zeyoul ove
playi
ngvicti
m.Peoplehurtyou?Youknowwhat ,
peoplesuckanyway.Fuckthem.Thebestr evenge
youcant akeonanyoneisriseabovetheshitthey
putyouthrough.
PI
LARA:HowdoIevendot
hat
,Ican’
tjusti
gnor
e
myfeel
ings…
BOEMO:Comei n,haveaglassofwineifyouareup
forachat
.Iam apsychol
ogistaf
teral
l.I
’m notyour
enemyPil
ara.
Pi
lar
afol
lowedheri
nandBoemowentt
ogetwi
ne.
PI
LARA:Ican’
thel
pbutnotl
ikeyou,
youst
olemy
l
if
e!
BOEMO:That ’
syourpr oblem,youaredrivenby
emotion,notlogic.Youar eani ntel
li
gentperson,I
knowyourl ogicalselfknowsIdi dnosucht hing.I
didnotstealKaedi .Butbecauseyouneedsomeone
todir
ectyourr ageat ,Igettheblame.Ako
mpolelel
e,ifItakeakni f
eandcutyour i
ghtnow,
whathappens?
PI
LARA:(
conf
used)If
eel
pai
n?
BOEMO:Yes, youf eelpai
n.Bleed.Thenst art
healing..Maybeyougetascar ,maybeyoudon’ t
.
Shoul dayearaf t
ertheknifecut,shouldyoual l
ow
thatcutt odefineyou?Betbyt henyouwi l
lhave
forgottenabouti t.W glor
if
yemot i
onst oomuch
whent heyaret hesameconcept .Youhur t,
youheal,
youmoveon.Gapeyouar emadatt hewr ong
persont ota.Kaedidi dnotchooset his.Kaedidid
notst artt
hecour tcase.Youpeopl ewentupt he
standandsai dhesl eptwit
hami nor,hewee, and
thenactsurpri
sedwhenhecomesonyouj ustas
hard?Kaedihadnopr oblem withthekidsst ayi
ng
withyouguysunt ilyouwant edtotakehi scustody.
Thisisgoingtohur ttohear,Pil
ara,butyoudi dthis!
Ifyoueverwantt ogetyourki dsbackandgetj oint
custody,workwellwi t
hhi m.Stopallthi
sf i
ght i
ng,
andf ocusonwhat ’sbestforthekids.Yout hink
theydon’tseethatyouguysdon’ tgetalong?
PILARA:(
sighi
ng)Youar
east
rai
ghtt
alker
,ar
en’
t
you?
BOEMO:(laughi
ng)Whyl
iet
osomeonewhent
he
tr
uthf
reessomuch?
PILARA:Youknow,mybi ggestprobl
em wit
h
ther
apyishowfakepsychologist
salwaysseem.I’
d
havecomplet
edmyt herapyifmypsychologist
call
edmeuponmyshi tli
keyoujustdid.
BOEMO:Well
… youcanst
il
lcompl
etei
tifyoul
ike?
I
’m homemostoft
heti
mes.
PI
LARA:I’
m st
ruggl
ingwit
hfor
givi
ng.Ihavebeen
pr
ayi
ng,buti
t’
ssti
llhar
d.
BOEMO:Wecanwor
kont
hat
.Butonl
yifyouf
eel
l
ikeyoucanbecomf ort
ableenought
oopenupt
o
me.Sinceyouwork,IcanmakemySunday
aft
ernoonsfr
ee.Al
lupt oyou.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Af
terwor
kPilar
agothomeandlaidinthesofa
al
oneeat
inghertakeoutwhenMokganedical
led.
PI
LARA:Hey,
howar
eyoudoi
ng?
MOKGANEDI
:I’
m good,
comewi
thmef
orar
unt
he
mma.
PILARA:(l
aughi
ng)Me?Run?Notunl
essmyl
if
e
dependedonit.
MOKGANEDI:Kar
ekelekemahurat
hemma, andI
needawor
koutpart
ner
.I’
m ki
ndofatyourgate.
Shesighedandchangedint
owor koutcl
othes,
then
ranouttomeethi
m atthegate.
*
***
***
***
**
Loapi
walkedinofShopri
tel
ooki
ngatherphone.
Sheacci
dentall
ybumpedonsomeone,andlooked
uptoseeTatji
bonahol
dingapacketofdi
apers.
Hejustlookedatherandwal
kedonasLol
ocame
af
terhim.
LOAPI
:Tat
j…wai
t,pl
ease.
TATJ:WhatdoyouwantLoapi
?
LOAPI
:Toapologise.WhatIdidwaswr ong.Ij
ust
di
dn’
twanttolosemychi l
dren,butIdidn’twantt
o
l
oseyoutoo.SoIlied.AndI’
m sorry.
TATJ:Apol
ogyaccept
ed.Bye…
LOAPI
:Uhm…howhaveyoubeen.
TATJ:That
’sr
eal
lynoneofyourbusi
ness.
LOAPI:Igotdi
vorced…forrealthi
st i
me.Forovera
yearnow.It
’sj
ustme…l ostmyki dscustodyaft
eral
l
(shelaughedawkwar dl
y)Imean, Ididn’
twantt
o
l
oseyouandt hem, andIlostyouboth.
TATJ:Whatdoyouexpectmet
odowi
tht
hat
i
nfor
mati
on?
LOAPI
:Idon’
tknow…Iwasj
ust
…uhm…di
aper
s?
TATJ:Yes,
mysonist
woweeksold.Wear
eget
ti
ng
marr
iedinsi
xmont
hs.Got
tago.
LOAPI:Sheislucky.Congr
ats…sendmeani
nvi
tet
o
thewedding.
TATJ:ByeLoapi
.
Herever
sedfrom hispar
kingspotanddr
oveof
f,
l
eavi
nghertherejustl
ookingatt
hecar.
Damni
t!Shel
ostagoodmant
her
e.
Shet
ookoutherphoneandt
ri
edhi
snumber
.
I
trangbuthedi
dnotpi
ckup.
Sohehadunbl
ockedhersomewher
eal
ongt
heway?
Awesome…
*
***
***
***
***
*
MokganediaPi
lar
ast
oppedj
oggi
ngbot
hpant
ing
t
ir
ed.
MOKGANEDI:Ngng,
howdopeopl
edot
his
ever
yday?
PI
LARA:(laughi
ng)Don’ taskme.Iam cer
tai
nlynot
‘
peopl
e’
.Andwest i
llhavetowalkbackhome!Can
weli
kejustgetataxi?
MOKGANEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)That
’ssel
fdef
eat
ing,
butI
agr
ee.
Thewal kedt
othemai
nroadandcaughtat
axit
o
herhouse.
PI
LARA:Comein,havedi
nnerwi
thme,
I’
dboughta
l
otoff
oodanyway.
Shebr
oughtt
hefoodandsomewi
ne,
andt
heysat
downeati
nganddri
nki
ng.
PILARA:Ineverapol
ogi
sedforj
ustdroppingyou
l
ikethat
.Ihadnochoice,mymom wassi ckand
marryi
ngKaediwasmyonl yopt
ionforgetti
ngher
tr
eatment.
MOKGANEDI
:Hey,
it’
sal
lint
hepastnow.Don’
t
wor
ry.
PI
LARA:SometimesIwonderaboutwhereIcoul
d
benow.I
fal
lthathadn’
thappened.Wehadasoli
d
pl
an.
MOKGANEDI :(l
aughing)Youweregonnagetajob
att
hatPRcompanyandwe’ dsaveupformagadi
andthewedding.Getmar ri
edayearl
ater
,twoki
ds,
aboyandagi rl
.Saveupf orabusi
ness.
PILARA:(laughing)Weweregonnastartasmall
getawaypl ace…getafewdeerandrabbit
s…so
si
mpl e… sost r
aight
for
war
d.God!Thatwouldhave
beensuchaneasyl i
fe.
MOKGANEDI
:Iknow,
right
?
PI
LARA:Al
othashappenedsi
ncet
hen…
MOKGANEDI :Ai,keli
fe… butnnahel
atotaPipaI
neverst
oppedlovingyou.Youarenotseeing
anyoneri
ghtnowandyousayyouhavebeensi ngl
e
forayear…I’m singl
e.What’sst
oppi
ngusf r
om
givi
ngusanotherchance?
Hereachedoverandcar
essedherf
ace,
thenl
eaned
i
n,ki
ssingher
.
*
***
***
***
*
Kaediwal
kedint
oBoemo’sstudyasshedi
dher
assi
gnment,
andkissedherneck.
KAEDI
:HeyMr
sLedi
mo
Shel
ookedupf
rom herl
apt
opandsmi
ledathi
m.
BOEMO:HeyMrLedi
mo,
howwaswor
k?
KAEDI :Notbad.Wetshohasr eal
lysteppedup
taki
ngoverf r
om Lol
o.Thethingwi t
hhimi st
hathe
i
saf astleanerandhesoakedupever ythingqui
ck,I
don’tevenhavetoholdhishandanymor e.Andhis
seci
ndi ncommandhasbeenr eal
lyhelpinghim.
ShewasLol o’sassi
stant
,andtheyhavebeen
workingtogether
.ButI’
m soti
red.
Heploppedhimselfi
nthearmchairwit
hasi gh,and
Boemocameoverandmassagedhi st
empl esand
shoulder
s,l
ooseni
nghisti
eandt hengett
ingdown
onherkneestaki
ngoffhisshoesandmassagedhi s
feet
.
KAEDI
:Youdon’
thavet
odot
hat
,youknow?
Hesaid,
eyingherampl
eassasshewasbentdown
onall
fours.Hel
eaneddownt
ocaressherunder
herdr
ess.
BOEMO:(
laughi
ng)Iknow… Ienj
oyi
t.Youar
eout
ther
eal ldaybursti
ngyourasstot
akecar
eofus,I
needtot akecareofyouwhenyougethome.Some
womengenui nel
yenjoytr
eati
ngagoodmanright
.
Besides,youdoi tf
ormetoo.
KAEDI
:(gr
inni
ng)I
’
m agoodman?
BOEMO:Ipr
ayonedayyou’
l
lknowi
t.Letmegetour
di
nner
.
KAEDI
:Awww,
youwai
tedf
orme?
BOEMO:Iknowyouhateeati
ngalone.Theki
dsare
al
readyi
nbed.Shal
lwetakedinneri
nthegazebo?
KAEDI:I’
m notevengonnaf oolmyselfbyasking
whatIdidtodeserveyoubecauseIknowIdon’ t
.
ButI’
m seri
ouslythankf
ulIhaveyou.Ilookf orward
tocominghomet opeaceaf tersuchast r
essfulday
atwork.Letmechange, I
’l
lfi
ndyout here.
Hewenttot
hebedroom st
il
lgr
inni
ng.Youknow
what,
youwerer
ightt
histi
me,youdeadfucker
s.He
sai
dwithal
augh.
Boemowast hewhol
efucki
ngpackage.Amodern,
educat
edgi
rlwit
hthemannersofatradi
ti
onalgi
rl
,
gr
eatcompany,
andt
hebodyofaGoddess.
‘
Pleasedon’tscr
ewt hisup… pl
easedon’tscr
ew
thi
soneup’ herepeatedtohi
mselfbefor
equickly
j
umpi ngintheshower ,
thenheadeddownt othe
gazebo,whereshehishandsandt heysatdownt o
thedinnerspr
eadshehadputout .
Aft
ert
heyat
etheylai
dont
heplushAr
abi
an
t
hemedbencheshavi
ngadr
ink.
KAEDI:Youmadeusabeauti
fulhome… I
’
m pr
oud.
Whatcan’tyoudo,
woman!
Shel
ookeddownsadl
y.
BOEMO:Gi
veyouachi
ld.
Kaedipul
ledhercl
oserandhuggedher,
kissi
ngher
for
eheadandlooki
ngherintheeyes…
KAEDI
:Heynow…
BOEMO:Kaedi ,Iknowmyf amil
ysaythatneke
bogil
weandal lthatmambo.Nnaallal
ongIknewI
suff
eredfrom fi
broidsandmaynotbeableto
conceive.
KAEDI
:Bobbi
,thedoct
orsai
dyouar
efi
ne,
theydi
d
notseeanycurr
entfibr
oidsthi
slastvi
sit
… and
womenwi t
hfibr
oidsconcei
vealltheti
me.
BOEMO:Butmaybe…
KAEDI :Evenifyoucan’thaveababy,sowhat .I
won’ tloveyouanyl ess.Yourworthtomei snot
defi
nedbysomeshi tassancestor
sorababyor
anythi ng.YouarewhatIhavebeenl ooki
ngforand
fi
ndingi tspr
eadacrossdiffer
entplaces…pl
acesin
di
ffer entpeople.Youhaveever yt
hingIdesir
ei na
partner .Chil
dornochi l
d…neverforgetthat
…
BOEMO:Thankyou…somet
imeevenIdoneed
reassur
ingt
oo.
KAEDI
:AndI
’l
ldowellt
oremembert hat
.I’
mjustso
usedt
oyoubei
ngsostrongthatIfor
gett
he
compl
ex,
vul
nerabl
ebeauti
fulbei
ngyouare.
*
***
***
***
**
Inthemorning,Lebakwel
aidinbedasWetshogot
readyf
orwor k.Shehadbroughtthebabyt
ohis
houselastnight
,andwasdroppinghint
sandall
.
Nope.
Andthi
sfooldi
dn’
tlookl
ikehewasaboutt
o
pr
oposeanyti
mesoon.
Hey,wai
t… whatwast
hatt
heysai
daboutonl
eap
year
sitbei
ngOkforawomantopropose?
Wetsho’
s37thwascomingupsoon.Whynott
hrow
hi
m abirt
hdaypar
tywi
thali
’
ltwi
st?
Yea….Shehadt ot
aket
hingsint
oherownhands.
Shewentonherphoneandstart
edl
ookingf
or
engagementr
ings.
Imean,whatkindofmangivesyouhi
sbankcar
d
butwon’
tpropose?Shesai
dt oher
sel
f.
Hewaspr
obabl
yjustbei
ngshy.Shehadt
ohel
p
hi
m.
*
***
***
***
*
Loapi
drovebyTat
j’
splaceandparkedatt
hegate.
,
wodoingwhatt
hehellshewasevendoingher
e.
Hecameoutoft
hehousei
nabi
t.
TATJ:Whatdoyouwant
,Loapi
?
LOAPI
:Idon’
tknow… Ij
ust
…
TATJ:Youwantedyouapol
ogi
se,
youdi
d.Sot
her
e
i
snothingl
eftbet
weenus.
LOAPI:Ireal
lyl
ovedyouTat
ji
bona.Wehaveagr
eat
thi
nggoing…
TATJ:Andyouruinedi
t!Il
ovedyoutoo,Loapi.You
brokeme.Ihaveaprobl
em tr
ust
ingwomen… Iam
al
wayscheckingphonesandsnooping,
thingsI
neverusedt
odo!AndIhatethat.I
…
Shehookedherhandsbehi
ndhi
sneckandki
ssed
hi
m….
*
***
***
***
**
Pil
arawokeupwi
thMokganedisnor
ingsof
tl
y
besi
deher.
Thesexwasok,butokwasbetterthant
henothi
ng
shehadbeenhavi
ngthepastyear.Shewentt
o
showerandgetdr
essed,
thencamet ogent
lywake
him up.
PI
LARA:Ol
atet
eacher
.
MOKGANEDI
:Ohshi
t!Shi
t!
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Comeon,
I’
lldr
opyouatyour
house.
Shedrovehimtohishouse,theystoppedatatuck
shoptheyusedtobuyfatcakesfrom andbought
some, l
aughi
ngastheremini
scedt hegoodolddays.
Thingsweresosimpl
ewi t
hMokganedi .
Nopol
yshi
t
Noancest
ralwi
vesorwhat
ever
.
Nobul
lshi
tdemandi
ngr
udef
ami
ly.
Shethoughtaboutt
hemeet
ingshehadsetwi
th
Boemot hi
sSunday.
Shoul
dshego?
Whywoul
dBoemowantt
ohel
pher
?
No,no… shewasdoi ngthi
s.Herli
fewasamess,
andBoemowast hefir
stpsychol
ogistshet
alkedt
o
anddidn’
tfeell
iker
unningoutofther oom.
Sheneededhelpsoshecoul
dstartt
aki
ngback
cont
rolofherl
if
e.Whichmeantbei
ngdonewit
h
Kaedi
.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Tat
jpul
ledbackf
rom t
heki
ss.
TATJ:Whatt
hehel
ldoyout
hinkyouar
edoi
ng?
LOAPI
:Areyouhappy,
Tatj
ibona?Wi
thyourbaby
mama..Ar
eyouhappythewaywewer e?
TATJ:Your
uinedt
hewaywewer
e!
LOAPI :Imadeamist
ake!Butonethingthatwas
neveral i
ewasmyloveforyouorhowmuchI
enjoyedourti
metoget
her.Iknowshedoesn’tmake
youhappyt hewayIdi
d.Yousaidyouhavet ogo
thr
oughherphoneandall.Thatisnowayt oli
ve
Tatj!Whybeinarel
ati
onshipli
kethat?
TATJ:I
t’
sbecauseofyou,
Loapi
!Ican’
ttr
ust
women…
Shesnatchedherkeysandwal
kedbacktothe
house,
unlocki
ngandgoingstr
aightt
othebedr
oom.
Heshookhi
sheadwi
thasi
ghandf
oll
owedher
i
nsi
dewher
eshewasst
ri
ppi
ng.
TATJ:Lol
o,st
op… I
’
m get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed…
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)Youknowyouwantt
hisyummy…
Shethrewherthongonhi
sfaceandl
aiddownon
thebed,mast
urbati
ng.
Hel
aughedandshookhi
shead.
TATJ:Youar
ecr
azy…
LOAPI
:Ohl
ooki
e,l
it
tl
eTat
jisal
lupandatat
tent
ion.
Shecrawl
edonal lf
oursonthebedandknel ti
n
fr
ontofhi
m, unzi
ppinghispants…t
akinghisal
ready
hardandst
raini
ngtobesetf r
eeshaftinhermouth,
l
ookingupathim withasati
sfi
edsmileashe
moaned.
*
***
***
***
Pil
arawalkedt
owardst
hegazebowherethehelper
saidBoemowas.Shewaslookingt
owardsthe
expanse,
concent
rat
ed,
pai
nting.
Pi
larajustst
oodwat
chi
ngher
,notwant
ingt
o
di
sturbher.
Therewasal wayssuchasereni
tyaboutthegi
rlthat
Pil
araenvied.Sheperpet
uall
yseemedatpeace.At
peacewithothers,
hersel
f,t
heuniver
se,
everyt
hing.
Gosh,shewasactual
lygorgeous,evenasPil
ara
wasonlylooki
ngatherfr
om asi deprof
il
e,Boemo’
s
facescr
unchedinaconcentrat
edscowl.
Maybesheshoul
dgowai
tint
hehouse.Shewas
ear
lyanyway.
BOEMO:I
t’
sokPi
lar
a,I
’
m doneanyway.
PI
LARA:Youpai
nt?
BOEMO:I
t’
showIr
eachmysoul
.
PI
LARA:Huh?
BOEMO:Your eachyoursoult hr
oughmedi tat
ion.I
know, youar ethi
nkingseat i
ngcr ossl egged
chanti
ng‘ uhmmmmm’ .Nope.Ever yonehast heir
ownwayt heymedi tate.Thatsomet hingyouget
l
ostin, t
hewor ldfal
lsaway, andit’
sj ustyouand
yourthing.Somepeopl ecook,knit
, dance…Ipaint.
Whenmybr ushhitsthecanvas, it’
sl i
keshedding
ski
n,bei ngfree…youknow.What ’syourt hi
ng?
PI
LARA:Idon’
tknow…
BOEMO:Comeon, ther
egott
obesomethi
ngthat
youdon’
tevennot
icethet
imewhenyouaredoi
ng.
PILARA:Clot
hesdesi
gn,Ilovefashi
on.Icoul
d
spendalldaymaki
ngclothes.
BOEMO:Whenwast
hel
astt
imeyoudi
dthat
?
PI
LARA:Uhmmm… Idon’
tevenr
emember
.
BOEMO:Shame.That ’
swhyyoulookperpet
ual
ly
sad.Yoursoulisstar
ved.Youneedtoengagei
n
yourpassi
onr egul
arl
y.Anywaywear enother
efor
that
.Nottoday.Tellme,Pi
lar
a,whatar
eyouhoping
togetoutofthis?
PILARA:(Si
ghing)Ij
ustwantt
obeok,youknow…
tofeell
ikeme.SomuchhashappenedthatIdon’
t
evenrecogni
semeanymor e.I
t’
sal
ot…
BOEMO:Ifyouwantt
oshare,
Iwantt
oli
sten.St
art
wher
everyoufeel
comfor
tabl
e.
*
***
***
***
*
KaediandWetsho’sfri
endDabi
lobot
hparkedand
walkedint
oWetsho’shouse,
wonderi
ngwhy
Lebakwecal
ledt
hem.
Kaedismi
ledather
,whi
leDabi
logaveherahug.
DABI
LO:MyGodson’
smama!Warengngwet
si?
Howismyboy?Letmeseehi
m.
LEBAKWE:Sl
eepi
ngi
nhi
sbedr
oom,
got
akeapeek.
Don’
twakehi
m.
Shebroughtt
hem adr
inkandcamet
oseatwi
th
them.
LEBAKWE:So,guys…Wet
sho’
sbi
rthdayi
scoming
upandIwantedtothr
owhi
m abi
rt
hdaypart
y.
KAEDI :Youknow, Ihatedhowyout reatedmy
brotherforsolong,butthepastyearshowedmea
dif
ferentsideofyou… Imi ghtact
uallyhavea
changeofhear taboutyousomeday.
DABILO:Yup,ourmakot
iist
ryi
ng,
shem.I
’
m so
happyyourecogni
semyboy’swort
h.
LEBAKWE:IknowIhaven’
tal
waysbeenthebest,
butIreal
lyl
ovehi
m andwanttomakehim happy.
Heisagreatman,
andIwantoursongrowingupin
ahappyhome.So,t
hisi
swhatIhadinmindf ort
he
par
ty.
Shegavet
hem eachaf
il
e.
KAEDI
:Ni
ce.Thi
sissover
yhi
m.
Theysatdi
scussi
ngf
orabi
tandt
henl
eft
.Dabi
lo
cal
ledWetsho.
DABILO:‘
Supasshat
.Wi
feyi
sthr
owi
ngyoua
bi
rt
hdaypart
y.
WETSHO:Whoi
swi
fey?
DABILO:(l
aughi
ng)Yourbabymama, asshol
e.She
gotthi
shugeasspartycomingandinvit
ingpeopl
e
wedon’tneedheri
nvi
ting,
myf i
ancéegonnabe
ther
etoo,man!
WETSHO:Idon’
tevenwantabi
rt
hdaypar
ty.
DABILO:(
laughi
ng)Don’
tsayIwastheonewhotol
d
you.HeyMira…stopwhi
ngingwhi
leItal
ktomy
fr
iend,
gal
.Bonanniver
sai
re.
Af
emal
evoi
cei
nthebackgr
oundyel
led
‘
mer
ciDabs’
WETSHO:Al
ri
ghtman,
seeyouwhenIgetback.
*
***
***
***
***
Lebakwefini
shedthepurchaseontheengagement
ri
ng.Shetookpremium shi
pping,
itwi
llbeherei
na
fewdays.Justint
imeforthepart
y.
Mhh,bi
rthdaypr
esent.Whatdoyougetamanwho
l
ikessi
mplestuf
fonly?
Hehadbeenwor ki
ngsohardevenwhenhewas
tr
avel
li
ng,
thathehadn’
thadaholidayi
nawhi
le.
Justt
ochil
landenjoyl
if
e.Heneededthat
.
Yea, anexoti
cholidaywoul
dbef un.Tur
ksand
Caicosmaybe?OrBal i
?Hermothercouldwat
ch
Lattyforthatweek,shehadenoughpumpedmi l
k
savedf orhim.
Shestart
edbookingfort
hehol i
daywit
hasmi
le.
Thenbookedcatersandlocati
onfort
he
bi
rthday/
engagementparty.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Pil
araf
inal
lyf
ini
shedt
alki
ngastearsstreamed
downherfacewhil
eshesobbedincessantl
y.
BOEMO:I
sitoki
fIgi
veyouahug?
ShenoddedandBoemohuggedher
,pat
ti
ngheron
theback.
BOEMO:I
t’
sokt
obeemot
ional
…it
’sokt
ohur
t,t
o
cr
y…
SheletPi
lar
aholdontothehugasl
ongasshe
neededunti
lshepul
ledback.
PI
LARA:(
wipi
ngt
ear
s)Thanks.
BOEMO:Youarewelcome.Ifi
t’
sokwithyouIwant
tor
ecapf
ortoday.Idon’
twanttoover
whelm you.
PI
LARA:Ok…
BIEMO:Right… so,themainpainpoi
ntsyoutol
dme
about,onewasgr owingwit
houtafat
her,andyour
mot her
’si
ndulgencewithdi
ffer
entmenwhi l
eyour
grandmar ai
sedyou.
Pi
lar
anodded.
BOEMO:Thataf f
ect
edhowyour elatewit
hmen.
Howyour el
atedwit
hyourexhusband.Thenext
painpointyouwanttohealfrom is‘abandoni
ng’
yourfi
rstchil
d,youcan’
tforgiveyoursel
f.Nei
ther
canyouf orgi
veyoursel
fforthedruguse.Youar e
sti
llpainedbytheabuseyouwentt hroughwith
Tumo.Youcan’ tgetovert
her ape,losingyour
unbornchi l
d,andyoucan’tfor gi
veKaedif orallthat
hashappened.Youl ostyouf ait
handcan’ tseem t o
getbackont rack.Youoveralldon’tli
kethewoman
youar enow.Am Ibei ngaccur at
e,i
st hateverything?
PI
LARA:(
sobbi
ng)Yes,
it’
saccur
ate.
BOEMO:Butyouwantt
oforgive.Youwantt
omove
onandf
eell
ikeyour
sel
fagain.
PI
LARA:Yes….
BOEMO:Gr eat.Fortodaywewi llendher e,buttake
theti
met of ocusont hi
slastpast.Youwantbet ter.
Thatthreest epstoheali
ngalready.Firststepis
recognizi
ngt hereisaprobl
em.Thenwant ingtof i
x
thatprobl
em.Andseeki nghelpinf i
xingit.
.Wehave
doneal ottoday.I’
m proudofyouf ordoingthis.
Pi
lar
abl
ushedandsmi
led.
BOEMO:Howwast
hissessi
onf
oryou,
wer
eyou
comf
ort
abl
e?
PI
LARA:Ver
y.Oneoft
het
ji
ngsIl
ikeaboutyoui
s
thatyoudon’thaveastupi
dnotebooktakingnot
es.
That’soneofthethi
ngsthatpi
ssesmeof fabout
therapy.
.Makesmef eelsomuchlikeafreak.
BOEMO:Itisnevertoof f
end..Justj
ottingdown
point
ssothetherapistcanremember .I’mjust
bl
essedwithaphot ographi
cmemor y, andyouare
ri
ght,i
tmakesthi
sseem al otmor einformal.
PILARA:Wel
l,I
’
mr eal
lygl
adf
ori
t.
.Icandot
his.I
’
m
gonnaworkatbei
ngfine.
BOEMO:Andyouar
e, youar
egoingtobefi
ne.As
l
ongasyoust
aydedicatedt
oyourheal
ing.
PILARA:Ibet
tergetgoing.Restaur
antswi
llcl
ose
soonandIdon’ tf
eell
ikecookingforone.
BOEMO:Joinus… Iknowyoudon’twantt
osee
Kaedi
,hewon’tbebackunti
llat
e.Theki
dswil
lbe
happytohaveyou.
PI
LARA:Idon’
twantt
oimpose
BOEMO:Youar
enoti
mposi
ng,
Iinsi
st.Comeon.
PILARA:Ok… uhm,
youhave… al
it
tl
epai
ntonyour
face.
Boemot
ri
edt
owi
pei
tof
fwi
thoutget
ti
ngt
her
ight
spot
…
Pi
lar
aleanedi
ntowi
pei
tof
fforher
…
Boemowasslight
lyt
all
er,
whi
chputhercl
eavage
ri
ghtabovePi
l
ara’
sface…
Shepul
ledback…
PILARA:Sor
ry… I
… uhm… Iwant
edt
ohel
p.The
paint
…itwas… uhm…
Boemogi
ggl
ed.
BOEMO:Comeon…di nnerawai
ts.Shit
,shi
t!If
orgot
tobookmynai
lsappoint
menttomorrowandI ’
m
hosti
ngsomeasshol
ejudgyassAmer i
casinthe
eveni
ng.
PI
LARA:Youcussal
ot…
BOEMO:(Laughi
ng)I
’
vebeent
old.Letmej
ustcal
l
thi
sgi
rl
…
Af
tert
hephonecal
lshesi
ghedf
rust
rat
ed.
BOEMO:Ar
ggg,
theyar
eful
l!
PI
LARA:Uhm… youcoul
djoi
nmet
omor
row.Ihad
fullspavoucherfortwoatthatnewLavenderSpa,
beenhol di
ngoni tfor
everandit’
sabouttoexpire,
sol astweekIjustbookedfort
omor rowthinki
ngI’l
l
takemycousi norsomet hi
ng,thenforgotaboutit
.
BOEMO:Reall
y?Youar eadol
l!Thankyou.God
knowsIcanuseaspaday.Ijustkeepputt
ingi
tof
f.
Well
,i
t’
sadatethen… come,l
etsgoeat.
*
***
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Boemowasi
nbedl
ayi
ngonKaedi
’
schestast
hey
chat
ted.
Amessagecameonherphoneandhel
eanedover
t
oreadwit
hher.
‘
Total
l
yf or
gottotel
lyouthatspaappoi
ntmenti
sat
10am,so,meetyoutherearound9:
30ish?’
KAEDI
:Pi
pa?Youguysf
ri
endsnow?
BOEMO:I
’
mjusthel
pinghersor
tsomet
hingsout
.
KAEDI:(
sighing)
,Shei
sagoodgir
l,youknow.She
j
ustgotdealttoomanybadcar
ds…
BOEMO:Iknow,r
ight?Shei
sactual
lyadr
eamer.
Seesgoodi
neveryone,t
hat
’swhysheget
shurtso
easi
ly.
KAEDI :(sighing)Ah, sweet ,sweetPi pa.Shewear s
herhear tonhersl eeves.Andyouknow, shehat es
thatthat’
swhoshei s.Thi ssweet ,car i
ngopt i
mi st
whoseest hebesti npeopl e.Shehast ri
edf orso
l
ongt obet histoughgi rl
…whenwef ir
stmar ri
ed
shehadadopt edthi ssar casti
cdon’ tcar egirl
atti
tudet hatdidn’tlastmuch… t henshewasi n
Indi
at ryi
ngt obeoneoft hesef astgirlsalways
partyi
ngupi nyacht s,thatbackf i
red, andt henshe
wasbackandmol dingherper sonalityafterLolo,
butthatdi dn’tworkei t
her .Thistryi
ngt or unfrom
herselfmakesherl ooksoai mless.
BOEMO:Ihavenoti
ced… Ihatethatshedoesn’t
real
izej
ustwhatabeaut
if
ulsoultherealPi
lar
ais…
KAEDI:Shet
hinksbei
ngherr
ealsof
tsel
fmakesher
weak.
BOEMO:Wow… youjustgavemeabreakt
hrough.I
havebeent
ryi
ngt
ofi
gureoutthi
smentalbl
ockshe
i
sin.AndnowIgeti
t.
KAEDI
:I’
m gl
adyouarehel
pingher…Iknowwi
th
youonhersi
de,
sheisgonnabefine.
BOEMO:Shedeser vestobehappy.Foraslongas
I’
veknownher,
sheper petual
lyl
ookedsad.Ibet
happi
nesswil
llooksor adi
antonher.
*
***
***
***
***
Inthemorni
ngLoapil
aidonTat
j’
schestashe
playedwi
thherhai
r.
TATJ:Wenaoraagoregagonabokgoanyanat
ota
mowena,whatful
lybl
ackper
sonhashairli
ke
your
s.
LOAPI:(
laughing)Wel l
,myf at
herusedtosayhe
wasnotmyr eallydaddy, t
hatmydaddyi ssome
mancall
edBr ucethatmymot herusedt
obeamaid
for
.Apparentl
yhei smi xedraceorcolor
edor
somethi
ng.Whocar es.
TATJ:Thi
siswr
ongLol
oI’
m get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
LOAPI
:Why?Whenyouar
ecl
ear
lyunhappy…
TATJ:I
’
m notunhappy.
LOAPI
:Doyoul
oveher
?
TATJ:Shei
sagoodgi
rl
…andwehaveachi
ld
toget
her
…
LOAPI :Doyouhonest
lyseethatsust
aini
ngyouthe
restofyourli
fe?St
ayi
ngforthekid?I
tdoesnot
work.Itri
edit
.Endeduplosi
ngyoubecauseofit
…
TATJ:Ican’
ttr
ustyou…
LOAPU:I’
m notaski
ngyout
o.Notyet
.Justgi
veme
achance.
Hi
sphoner
angandhesi
ghedandanswer
ed.
‘
Tat
jinerrasal
eor
il
eot
aaphakel
aot
sisamet
set
o
l
ediwipes’
TATJ:Uhm… yea,
keet
a.
Hehungupandki
ssedLol
o’sf
orehead.
TATJ:Igot
tasendt
hebaby’sdi
apers.If
orgott
o
buywipes,
sontaahet
aatthemallandbuy.
LOAPI
:I’
l
lcomewi
thyou.Tot
hemal
lImean.
TATJ:Lol
o…
LOAPI
:Comeon….
TATJ:It
houghtyoudi
dn’twannabeseenwi
tha
meresol
dier
?Andifpeoplewhoknowmeseeus…
LOAPI:Whatar
etheygonnado?Youcant
alkt
o
peopl
e.Comeon.
*
***
***
***
**
Pil
araar
rivedi
nfr
ontoft
hespaandsawBoemo
parki
ngthenshewal
kedovert
oher.
BOEMO:Heygi
rl
!Shal
lwe?
Theywalkedi
nandPul ar
ashowedher
appoi
ntmentvoucher
.
Theat
tendantl
ookedatt
hem wei
rdl
y.
PI
LARA:I
’
m sensi
ngyouar
egi
vingusat
ti
tude?
HER:So,
youguysar
etoget
her
?
PI
LARA:Duh?
HER:Oooooohkay.Anywayyouwi
llst
artwi
tha
coupl
e’
sonehourmassage,
thenaf
lowerbat
hpl
us
afacemask,
fol
lowedbyamanipedi.I
fyou’
d
comethi
swayplease.
Theyfol
lowedheri
naroom wherethereweret
wo
massagechair
s.Theat
tendantl
eftthem t
oget
undr
esses.
Pilar
awr appedhertowelont opofherclot
hesand
tr
iedtowr i
ggleoutofthem, whileBoemojustt
ook
offhersandf ol
dedthem, wear i
ngjustt
he
disposablepanti
esprovided,thenwalkedt
othe
cupboardt oputhercl
othes.
BOEMO:Gi rl
,Iseenmoreboobsthatyoucan
i
magine,stopmakingyourl
ifedi
ffi
cultandt
akeof
f
yourcl
othes.
Shesaidashelai
donthetabl
e,hummingCi
ndi
Lauper
’s‘
Gir
lsJustWannaHaveFun’
Aft
ert
hemassage,t
heywer
eledt
othef
lowerbat
h
andPi
lar
ast
art
edlaughi
ng.
PILARA:OhmyGod, nowIgetwhyshewaslooki
ng
atisweird.Thi
sisacoupl
e’
svoucher.Li
ke,
coupl
e
couple.Shethoughtwewerel
esbi
an…
BOEMO:Well,
thatmakesheranevenbigger
asshol
e.Sowhatifwewere,dol
esbi
ansdeserve
att
it
ude?Homophobicasshol
e,I
’
m gonnatal
ktoher
manager.
PI
LARA:Iagr
ee… butt
hebat
hsi
tuat
ion?
BOEMO:Whatdoyoumean?Wegetint
hebat
htub?
Don’
ttel
lmeyouareuncomf
ort
abl
eget
ti
ngi
na
bat
htubwit
hanot
hergir
l?Comeon.
SheheldoutherhandandPi l
aralaughedthengot
i
nt hetubwit
hher,laughingasBoemosangand
askedhertojoi
nin.Pilar
alaughedandj oi
nedthe
chorusastheybothsang.
BOEMO:Ithi
nkIhavefi
gur
edoutsomet
hingabout
you,
ifyouwannatal
know.
PI
LARA:Yespl
ease.
BOEMO:I t
’ssodiff
icultforyoutomovef orward
becauseyouhavehi ddenwhoyour eallyare.
Hiddeneventoyour sel
f.Youarenat urall
yasof t
,
sweetperson.Butsomewher eal
ongt heway,
someone,couldbeyourownsel forpeopl earound
you,convi
ncedyout hatyoursoftnessi sa
weakness.Andyoubel i
evedit.Yourheartbecamea
burden,adisadvantage,andat erri
ble
i
nconvenience.Youst art
eddist r
usti
ngand
resent
ingthissoftpartofyout hatwassonakedly
vulner
able.Youbuiltwallsar
oundi t.
Pi
laralookeddownasatearr
andownherface.She
wassor ight
.Shewasreadi
nghercompl
etel
ytrue.
Beingsoftandvul
ner
abl
esucked.
BOEMO:Pi l
ara,bei
ngsof ti
sbeaut
if
ul,
ok?Stop
hidi
ng,andyouwi l
lseejusthowmuchpeople
aroundyouloveseeingyou… ther
ealyou.Iwanna
seetherealyou…
Sher eachedoverandhuggedherasPil
arasobbed,
feel
ingannoyedwi t
hhersel
fforbei
ngsoemotional
thatthiswasmakinghercry.
Whenshepulledback,
Boemowi pedhert earsand
washedherface,t
henlookedathersmil
ing,holdi
ng
Pi
lar
a’schi
nwi thhert
humbandr ingfi
nger .
BOEMO:See?Beaut
if
ul…
*
***
***
***
*
Lol
opickedupasetofbabyvestandhel
dthem up
toTat
j
LOAPI:Thesear
esocut
e.I
’
m get
ti
ngt
hem f
oryour
son.
TATJ:(
laughi
ng)Keagor
edir
eki
lwekemang?
LOAPI
:(laughi
ng)Otaatswaplan.Nerrayouhave
adayofftodayaker
e,howaboutyoudr opthe
di
aper
sandt henwespendthedayt ogether
.
TATJ:Lol
o,Ipr
omi
sedher
…
LOAPI:Kemotset
si,
shecan’tevenleavet
he
house… abor
ingdaylemotsetsiorsomefunwi
th
me?Comeon… pr et
typl
ease?
TATJ(
sigh)Fi
ne… I
’
lldr
opyouhomef
ir
st…
LOLO:Nnyaal et
’sj
ustdropt
hem,ketaasalamo
kol
oing,
ifanyoneasks,sayI
’
m aworkcoll
eague.
Let
’sgo.
Thedr
oveovertot
hegi
rl
’spl
aceandTat
jwenti
nto
gi
vehert
hediaper
s.
Lol
ogotoutoft
hecarandleanedonthecar
,
wavi
ngasthegir
lcameoutwiththegi
rl
.
Shewal
kedhi
mtot
hecat
.
LOAPI:Hi
,youmustbeSophi
a.Loapi
.Tatjhasbeen
tel
li
ngmesomuchaboutyou.Wewor ktogether
.
HER:Hi
,ni
cemeet
ingyou.Youar
easol
dier
?
LOAPI:(l
aughing)No,butmycompanyhasbeen
doingproj
ectswiththeforce,andIhavet
owor
k
wit
hhi m.Hetalksaboutyousomuch.Iseewhyhe
fel
lfoeyou.Youareador able.
HER:(
smi
li
ng)Thanks…
TAJ:Ok,
wehavet
ogetgoi
ngLoapi
.
Theygotont
hecaranddr
oveof
fasLol
olaughed.
TATJ:Mxi
m,t
hatwasnotf
unny!
LOAPI:(l
aughi
ng)Youweresweati
ngbul
let
s!God,
I
thoughtyouweregonnapeeyour
self
.
TATJ:(l
aughing)GaoitseSophiawena.Shei
s
sweetunti
lsheisprovoked.I
jo!
LOAPI:I
t’
saperfectst
rat
egy.Noweveni fshesees
usaroundtoget
hershewillneversuspectathi
ng.
*
***
***
***
**
Kaedisati
nhi
sof
fi
cewor
kingwhenLedi
mowal
ked
i
n.
KAEDI:(
smili
ng)Ol
dman,
nosl
ayqueent
okeep
youbusytoday?
LEDI
MO:(
laughi
ng)Af
tert
his.Ihadt
oseeyouf
ir
st.
Hesatdownandstar
tedswingi
nghi
schairar
ound,
f
ixi
ngpaper
s,doi
ngever
ythi
ngtodi
str
acthimsel
f.
KAEDI :AsmuchasIenjoyyoupl ayi
ngsecretaryt
o
me, Iam ki
ndofbusy,buti
fyouwantt ocatchup,
givemej ustanhourt
ocompl et
et hi
sandI’l
ltake
yout othi
snewplacewithgreatI
tali
anfood.
LEDIMO:Kaedi
…I …uh…Idon’
tknowhowtosay
thi
s… yousee,
thethi
ngi
s… well
…I… wel
l
…
KAEDI:Whatisi
tol
dman?Youok?Ar eyousi
ck?
BecauseIcangett
hebestdoct
orsand…
LEDI
MO:I
’
m yourf
ather
,Kaedi
.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Kaedil
ookedathi
sgr
andf
atherconf
used.
Hewassousedt oLedi
mobei ngthi
sbigformidabl
e
manthathesomet i
mesfor
gotyoucan’tf
ightage.
Coul
dagebecat chi
ngupwiththeoldf
oxandhe
wasgoingseni
le?
KAEDI:Okgrandpa,t
hat’
sgreat.Yea,l
etmejust
fi
nishherandI’
l
ltakeyoutothatplace,
youare
gonnaloveit
.
LEDI
MO:Li
sten!Damni
t!
Het
hunder
ed,
bangi
nghi
shandsont
het
abl
e.
KAEDI:Iknowyourmi
ndsmi
ghtbepl
ayi
ngt
ri
cks
onyou,but
…
LEDIMO:Leati
lewasonl y21,j
ustaftergraduat i
on,
whenhebroughtShar onhomesayi nghewas
gett
ingmarr
ied.I
twassuchanobvi ousmat ch…he
wasashy,acneriddledski nnymesswhocoul dn’t
evenholdaconversationforfiveminutes.Thatone
tookaft
ermyuncleinst eadofmeormyf ather,Itel
l
you.Shewasthepar tygirlandlocalbeauty.She’d
madef r
iendswi thhim andwor medherwayt obed.
Shequi cklyr eali
sedt hatLeat i
ledi dn’tholdr eal
power ,hest il
lneededmyappr ovalont hings.She
noticedIwaspol ygamousandIguessshet hought
Iwasabet terbet .I’
m notabsol vingmysel fof
anything,butshest ar t
edseduci ngme.I twenton
formont hs, andyouknowt hat’
sr eallylongf orme.
Finall
yIgavei nsleptwi t
hher .Amont hlatershe
waspr egnant .Shet oldmeandsai dIshoul dt ake
heraswi f
e, butIcoul dn’t,
shewasmyson’ s
girl
fri
endt hathewast hinkingofmar r
ying.It oldher
toterminat e.Buti nsteadshedeci dedt opassyou
onasLeat il
e’s.Hewassoexci ted, hi
sf i
rstchi ld.I
didnothavet hehear ttobreakhi sfragileli
ttl
esel f.
Sot heliedhel d.
Kaedij
ustsatt
her
elooki
ngathi
m.
LEDI
MO:Edi
,saysomet
hing.
KAEDI:I
’m wai
ti
ngf
ort
hepar
twher
eyousay‘
haha,
gotyou’
.
LEDI
MO:I
’
m sosor
ryKaedi
,Ij
ust
…
KAEDI
:Nah,
yougott
obeki
ddi
ng.Thi
sisoneof
yoursi
ckgames.
LEDI
MO:I
tdoesn’
tevenchangeanyt
hing!
KAEDI
:Yout
hink?Mywhol
efucki
ngl
if
eisal
ie!
LEDIMO:Irai
sedyouanyway.Whotaughtyouhow
tori
deabike?Howtoti
eyoursshoes?
KAEDI
:Youal
sol
iedt
omegr
andpa!
LEDI
MO:Whatwoul
dyouhavehadmedoKaedi
?
KAEDI :Maybenotf uckyourdaught eri
nlaw?My
mot hercanlieasmuchasshewant s,whot hef uck
caresabouther ?Butyou?Gr andpa,nomat terhow
toughyouwer eonme, you’
veal waysbeenst r
aight
withme.Ii doli
sedyou.Evenknowi ngthebad
thi
ngsyoudi d,youalwayshadmyback… l ooked
afterme… whent hef amil
ysayI ’
m yourfavour i
te,
thatyoulovemet hemost ,Idenyit,butdeepdownI
knewi twasnotwr ong.Kantewenayouar el yi
ng
aboutt hi
s
LEDI
MO:Kaedi
,I
’m sor
ry…
KAEDI
:Youar
esor
ry?Sor
ry?
LEDI
MO:Idon’
tevengetwhyyouar
eupsetabout
thi
s?Whatdiffer
encedoesitmake?Youarest
il
la
Ledimo,ever
ythi
nginyourl
ifestayst
hesame.Just
abitofnew,ir
rel
evanti
nfor
mation.
KAEDI:What?Youser
iousl
ycan’tseehowthisis
upset
ti
ng?Youknowwhat ,youarenarci
ssi
sti
cand
i
mpossible!Nowyouaregett
ingangryatmewhen
youaretheonewholi
ed?Youknowwhat ?Fuckthi
s!
Hegrabbedhi
scarkeysandr andownst
air
stohi
s
carasLedi
mocall
edafterhi
m.
*
***
***
***
Pil
aracameoutoft hetubandquickl
yranforher
towelwhil
eBoemost roll
edl
eisur
elyandwentt o
hers,t
aki
ngoffthedisposabl
epant i
esandst ood
naked,dr
yinghersel
fupbeforegetti
ngdressed.
BOEMO:(
laughi
ng)Whyar
eyousouncomf
ort
abl
e
wit
hnudi
ty?
PILARA:Don’tyouf
indi
tweir
dbei
ngnakedina
room wit
hanotherwoman?Maybei
t’
sbecauseI
neverhadfr
iendsorsi
ster
s…
BOEMO:(
laughi
ng)Oh,
honey,
Ihavedonemor
e
t
hanj
ustbenakedwi
thanot
herwomani
nar
oom.
Pi
lar
alookedathershocked.
PI
LARA:Youmeanyou… youhave…
BOEMO:Fuckedwomen?Yup.Il ikegoodpeople,
Pi
pa.Thei
rchromosomemakeupi si
rrel
evanttome.
I
fyouhaveagoodper sonal
it
y,youaresexy,and
I
’m at
tr
act
edtoyou,Ishootmyshot .
PI
LARA:DoesKaediknow?
BOEMO:ThatI ’m bi
sexual
?Yup.I’
m al
so
polyamorous.Butyouknowhim,doesn’tl
iketo
share… meont heotherhand?Imean,whyr est
ri
ct
l
ove?
Pi
lar
alaughedandshookherhead.
PI
LARA:Youar
eser
iousl
ywei
rd.
BOEMO:( l
aughi
ng)Iknow.Ihopei
tdi
dn’
tscar
e
youofft
hough.Ir
eal
lywannahelpyouPi
pa,
Ili
ke
you.
PILARA:(
laughi
ng)Dude,youareanact
ual
sangomaandshit.Youthi
nkyoubei
nghalfgayis
what’
sgonnascareme?Ilikeyout
oo… Imean,not
l
iket
hat… Idon’
tdothat.Li
kewomen… li
ke,
I’
m
onl
yint
omen, and… yea… j
ustdi
ckforme.
BOEMO:(
laughi
ng)Al
ri
ght
…
Theygotthei
rnai
lsdoneandthenBoemo
suggest
edtheyhavesomelunchtoget
her
.
*
***
***
***
**
Loapimadef oodi
ntheki
tchenwearingjustTatj
’
s
t-
shi
rt.Hecameinandki
ssedherneck,caressi
ng
herthi
ghs.
TATJ:Heybadgi
rl
… keboahat
ir
ongt
womi
nut
es.
LOAPI
:Al
ri
ght
,hur
ry,
dinnerwi
llber
eadybyt
hen.
TATJ:Ineverpeggedyouf
oragi
rlwhocooks.
LOAPI
:(l
aughi
ng)Ihavemanyt
alent
s…
TATJ:Al
ri
ght
,nt
ekeboehal
e.
Aft
erhelef
t,Lol
ogotonherphoneandcr
eat
eda
newFacebookaccount
,smil
ing.
Shewentt ohi
slapt
opwher ehewasloggedinon
Facebook.Shesear
chedthroughhisfr
iendsand
foundSophia’
saccount
,sendingherafri
end
r
equestwi
tht
hef
akeaccount
.
Sophiaacceptedinafewmi nut
es.Shealsosent
Tatjafr
iendrequestandaccept
editwit
hhi s
accountonhislaptop.
Thenwentar
oundt
hehousewi
thasmi
le.
Ti
met
ost
irshi
tup.
IfSophi
awasascrazyasTat
jsai
dshewas,she
wasgonnadest
royherownrel
ati
onshi
p,Lol
odi
dn’
t
evenhavet
odoshit.
Wel
l,
exceptgasl
ightherabi
t.
FindsomethingSophi
awil
lrecognisefr
om Tatj
’
s
house,butnotsoobvi
oust
hatTat jwouldr
eali
se
shepostedit.
Hmmm…
Thetreeatt
hecorner
…t her
eweresomefl
owers
ther
ethatTat
jhadsaidSophiapl
ant
edandwasso
proudof.
Shetookaphotoparti
all
yshowi
ngt
hef
lowerbed,
andpostedi
t,capt
ioned
‘
baegotmeintof
lowergardeni
ng’
#meni
nuni
for
m
andt
hencheckedinatDonga.
SheusedTatj’
saccountto‘ ’‘r
eactthepi
ctur
e,
thenwenttoSophia’
saccountandonaphot oof
Sophi
awi t
hTatj,
shecomment edwitha‘ ’ .
Thatshoul
ddoi
tfort
oday.Lett
hegamesbegi
n.
Fi
vemi
nut
esl
aterSophi
arepl
ied.
‘
Andthenwena?Spokonyanakesaengl
ego
t
shega?’
‘ ’
Lol
orepl
ied.
‘
Oshi namisaengmosenepengsamel erragwe
ngwanake?Isawt hepict
ureyouposted,ke
di
thunyatsametseokeadiitse,gatwebaegotme
i
ntoplanti
ng,mxim.ar
eyousl eepi
ngwith
Tatj
ibona?
’
‘
Youar
eacl
own ’
Lolorepl
iedasshel
aughed.Thi
swasact
ual
ly
funny.
Sophi
arepl
iedt
othecomment
:
‘
Heelathemmamonnayoowanyalalesagoiti
ya.O
nalengwanahelayomoshawaonemonth,ke
motsetsi
.Ont
sit
semagadiandi
nsi
xmont hske
l
enyalo.’
‘
Thatyouthi
nkal
lthatisgonnahappeni
sactual
ly
sofunny. .Butkeepdreami
ng,
Jigsaw’
Sophi
ar eact
edwit
hanangr yemoji
,andwhi
leshe
wassti
lltypi
ng,
Lolodel
etedhercommentand
bl
ockedher .
Nowshewasaboutt ogobatshitcr
azyonTatj
,
annoyingtheshi
toutofhi
m andprovi
ngthepoi
nt
thathedidnotwanttomarr
yher.
*
***
***
***
**
Aft
erlunch,Pi
lar
aandBoemowentf ordrinksasthe
guestsBoemowassupposedt ohostcancell
ed.
TheydroppedPil
ara’
scaratherhouse,t
henwent
outforadri
nkinBoemo’scar.
Theysatchat
ti
nganddri
nki
ngwineforaf
ewhours.
Around8pm t
heywenthome,br
ingi
ngmoreal
cohol
.
PI
LARA:Gosh,
thi
sist
hemostf
unI
’
vehadi
nyear
s!
BOEMO:Whosai
dthepar
tyhast
oend?
Shegrabbedahairbr
ushandusedi tasa
micr
ophoneandst ar
tedsingi
ngForei
gner
’s‘
Hot
Bl
ooded’anddancingaround.Pi
lar
abumpedint
o
Boemo,spil
li
ngwineohherwhi t
eshir
t.
PI
LARA:OhmyGod,
I’
m sosor
ry!I
’
m socl
umsy.
Boemoburstoutlaughi
ngandtookof
fthetshi
rt
,
danci
ngar
oundi njustherbr
aandPil
arat
urnedon
somemusic.
PILARA:Iact
uallyfeelhappyyouknow!Thi
shas
beensuchagr eatday.Everygi
rlneedsacr
azy
fr
iendl
ikeyou!
Boemol
aughedandr
aisedhergl
ass.
BOEMO:Nowyourtur
ntochooset
henextsongwe
ar
ehavi
ngakaraokeni
ght
,bi
sh.
PILARA:(l
aughi
ng)Ok,letssee… UB40… RedRed
Wine… becauseI
’m dr
inkingredwine.Youget
?
Thatwassuchal ameattemptataj oke.
Theybot
hlaughedasPil
arawenttoherl
apt
opand
pl
ayedRedRedWi neandtheydancedar
ound
si
nging.Thenextsongt
hatpl
ayedwasK-
Ci&Joj
o,
‘
AllMyLife’
BOEMO:Ok,
asl
owerj
am t
hen…
BoemoputherhandsaroundPil
ara’
swaistand
theyslowdancedunt
ilt
hesongendedand
transi
ti
onedtoJoe‘
IwannaKnow’
Boemolower
esherheaddown,
looki
ngPi
lar
aint
he
eyes…
BOEMO:Oh, sweet
,sweetPi
pa… t
hisisso
unpr
ofessi
onalofme… youshoul
dstopme.
Pil
ararai
sedhereyes,
herbreat
hhi
ked,herl
ips
sl
ightl
ypart
edasshelookedupatBoemowi th
confusi
on.
Whatthehel
lwashappeni
ng,
shewasn’
tat
tr
act
er
t
ogirl
.
Boemo’sl
ipssoft
lycl
aimedhers.Shet
ast
edoft
he
winet
heyjusthad… andadvent
ure.
BOEMO:Pi
lar
a… youcanst
opmeanyt
ime…
*
***
***
***
*
Kaedit
ri
edBoemo’
sphoneagai
nandnowi
twas
of
f.
Wher
ethef
uckwasshewhenheneededher
?
Hi
smindwasrunningwi
ld.Howcoul
dhi
s
gr
andf
ather
…father,
whatever
…
Howthehelldi
dhethi
nksuchabombabouthi sl
if
e
wasnot
hing?Thatheshoul
djustgetoveri
t?
Hewassof uckingsickofgett
ingoverthi
ngs!Of
bei
ngthe‘ok’one.Losi
kawi t
hhi s… what
ever
i
nsanit
yLosikawassuf fer
ingfrom,andWetsho
wasthesociall
yawkwar donethatnobodybother
ed
hi
m.
Buteverybodybot her
edKaedial
lthet
ime,aft
eral
l,
hewast he‘fun,easy-
goi
ngpartyboy’
.Peopl
ejust
expect
edhi mt obeok.Li
kehisgrandf
ather
…f at
her,
j
ustbasicall
ytdhi mtogetoversomethi
ngli
ke
thi
s…
HerememberedBoemot
ell
inghi
m hi
sfami
lyhada
l
otofsecr
ets.
Di
dsheknow?
Di
dshel
iet
ohi
mtoo?
Whatthehel
lel
seweeet
heyl
yingabout
?Fucki
ng
l
iar
s,t
helotoft
hem!
HeknewLoswasl yi
ngaboutsomet hi
ngt oo.When
i
thadslippedoutbypur emistakethatPil
arahad
askedhimf ordr
ugs, Loshadbeenvaguewi t
h
answers.She’dseenhi m gethigh.Assumeshehad
stashi
nhisbedr oom.Goti nandsear ched,hetol
d
herhehadnoneandshel eft
.
Bul
lshi
t.Heprobabl
yfuckedher.Whi
chwoul
d
meanhe’dhavetokil
lthem bot
h.
Wait
,wer
etheseki
dsevenhi
s?OkKaiwasI
VF,
but
Reah…
TheLedimoresemblancewasuncanny,
Imean,he
l
ivedhiswhol
elif
ethinki
ngLeat
il
ewashisdad… if
Losfat
heredReah,hemayneverevenknowjustby
l
ookingather
…
Heneededapat
erni
tyt
estf
orReah
Jesus,
whatwashet
hinki
ng.
Hi
sheadwaspoundi
ngsohar
d.
Amemor yofwhenhiswasal i
ttl
eboystart
ed
pl
ayingi
nhishead.Hehadbeenpl ayi
ngroughl
y
wit
hWetshoastheybathed.Wetshohadhithis
headonthebat
htubandhisforeheadwasbleeding.
Hest art
edscr eamingandthei
rfathercame
running.Ast heirmotherr
ookWet shoawayt opat
ch
him uphi sfatherhadslappedKaedisohar dhehit
thewal landbur sthisl
owerli
p,t
hem t heman
proceededt opushKaediunderwat erandhel
dhim
downt her
e,yelli
ngathim.
‘
Youwanttoki
llmyson,
sthodikweena?Huh,you
wantt
oki
llmyson?Youareananimaljustl
ikeyour
f
ather
’
Hismot her
’svoicecr
yingandbeggi
ngforhi
sfat
her
tostop..
.Wetshoscreamingforhi
sfat
hertost
op…
Lord,theoxygenhadfeltsopr
eci
ouswhenhelet
him up.
Helookedathi
str
embl
inghandstr
yingt
o
r
ememberwhatBoemosaid… fi
ndsomethi
ngt
o
f
ocuson.
Het
ri
edt
ofocusonhi
sweddi
ngr
ing… wher
ewas
Boemo… wherewasBoemo?Di
dsheknow?Of
cour
sesheknew…
Hisheartpumpedsofastandhi
sheadf
eltl
ike
someonewashi t
ti
nghim wit
hahammer…a
migrai
necoming.
Heputhishandsatei
thersi
deofhishead,
his
kneest
ohischesfasherockedbackandfort
h
si
tti
ngonthefl
oortr
yingtocal
m down…
Itwasalie…hi
sli
fewasal
ieandBoemoknewand
didn’
ttel
lhi
m.
Hedeser
vedthi
s.Ki
ll
edaf
ucki
ngki
d… hedeser
ved
t
oloseever
ythi
ng.
‘
Taket
heshot
,Kaedi
’
Thenheheardt
heblastandscreamedsoloud,hi
s
gunathi
stemple.Astheli
tt
leboystoodi
nf r
ontof
hi
m scr
eaming.
No,
no… nott
hel
it
tl
eboy… hi
sson… hi
sson…
Kaistoodther
efr
ozenashi
sel
destdaught
erwas
cr
ying,knel
tbesi
dehi
m.
MBEWU:Daddy!Dadddy!OhmyGod,
daddy!Gi
ve
met
hegundaddy…Kai
!Getanadul
t,wi
llyou!
KAI:Mamaandaunt
yPi
lar
aandBoemoar
eal
lnot
answeri
ng.
MBEWU:Thencal luncl
eLosika,uncl
eWet shoisin
France.Seraphi
neandSapphi regogetwat er
,Reah
andSaxon, gofi
ndonekft hehepersplease… Att
y…
Athali
a,st
opcrying,daddyisok…
SAPPHI
RE:What
’swr
ongwi
thhi
m?
MBEWU:Idon’tknow.Daddywhoupsetyou?
Daddypl
ease… daddy…
*
***
***
***
**
Lol
osati
nbedasTat
jar
ri
ved,
yel
li
ngont
hephone.
TATJ:Nxl
a,Sophia,
Idareyputll
eavemyslnand
comehereforsuchnonsense.Whatgi
rl
?It
’sj
ust
mehere.
SOPHIA:Isawapict
ureofmyf
lower
sTatji
!Isawi
t,
andngwanyanayoowagagoneanchal
lenger.
TATJ:Mil
li
onsofpeoplehavefl
owersi
nthei
r
homes,l
egonemoDongamopeopl ehaveflower
s!
AndhowcomeIdon’ tseethosecommentsyouare
t
alki
ngabout
?
SOPHI A:Eekeet
a, r
etaat
agoebua.Youar enot
doingthist
omeTat j
iset
segont shi
tswemagadi,
re
l
aledit
sebatho!(sobbi
ng)Tat
jikoorekeengonti
ra
j
aana, Ij
ustgavebirt
h…
TATJ:I
’
m notdoinganyt
hing,f
orf
uck’
ssake!St
op
thi
sbul
lshi
t,nnai
t’
sannoyingme.
Hehungupangr
il
y.
LOAPI
:Andt
hen!
TATJ:Nxl
a,Sophi
aisannoyi
ng.Shesayssome
Rati
ehasbeeninsul
ti
ngheronFacebook,
cal
li
ng
heraown.
LOAPI:WhoisRat
i?Sheal
soaddedmeon
Facebook.
TATJ:Ihaveanexcal
ledGorata,
thebr
eakupwas
messy.Theonewemetyesterdaywhenwewereat
themall
.
LOAPI:Joh!Gir
lst
hough!Sowhyi
sshei
nsul
ti
ng
poorSophia?
TATJ:Ah,
let
sleavei
t,Iwannar
elaxwi
thyou,
not
st
ressmysel
f.Whatdi
dyoucook?
LOAPI
:(smi
li
ng)Well
,ther
eist
hisbombpussy…
butwecanst
artwi
ththesampandoxtai
lst
ew…
TATJ:(
laughi
ng)Dower
eal
lyneedt
oeat
?Come
her
e…
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Kaedi’
shandshookasheputthegunonthegr
ound
andkickedi
tundert
hebed,t
henwenttowashhis
faceashiski
dswatchedhi
m curi
ousl
y.
Hecamebackfr
om t
hebat
hroom wi
thasmi
leand
satont
hebed.
KAEDI :Comeher eyouguys.Comeon, onthebed.
Allofyou…(laughing)aww,Ms, Ser
aphine,youare
gonnat akemyeyeout …LadySaph, watchoutfor
yourbabysisplease….CarefulSaxon,
don’tplay
roughwi tht
heli’
lgir
lsmyman…l et
sgivethebabies
room…Athali
aandReahcanseatonmylap,
come
nowChief,
MsMaxine,seatpl
ease…gr
eat
,my
great
estj
oyherewi
thme.
MBEWU:Whywher
eyoucr
yingdaddy,
youscar
ed
me.
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)Todayatwor
ksomebodysai
d
somet
hingthatmadedaddyr
eal
lysad.
KAI
:Wer
eyougonnashootyour
sel
f?Youhadagun.
KAEDI:That?Ohno.Thatwasat
oy.Thepai
ntbal
l
kindl
ikeIsometi
mesplaywit
huncl
eDevandall,
remember?
KAI
:(r
eli
eved)Ohhh,
yea!Pai
ntbal
l!
KAEDI:I
tcan’tshootanythi
ngbutpaint.ButIwas
badforplayi
ngwi t
hitl
ikethatnever
theless.I
shoul
dn’thave.Icoul
dneverkillmysel
f,whywould
IwhenIhavet hebestbabiesintheworld?
MBEWU:( laughi
ng)Theyar
ebabies.I’
m notababy.
I’
m abiggirl
!KaiandIar
ealmostten!Mamasaid
whenI’mtwelveIcanli
kechatwi
thboysatschool
andstuff
.
KAEDI
:Uh,
noma’
am.Notgonnahappen
MBEWU:Comeondaddy, notl
ikedat
ingdati
ngwit
h
ki
ssi
ngandst
uff,j
ustt
alki
ngandbeingfri
endsand
hecancomeoverandIcancallhi
m myboyfri
end.
SAPPHI
RE:I
fBebehasaboyf
ri
end,
Iwantonet
oo!
SERAPHI
NE:Met
oo!
MBEWU:Youar
efour
!
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Noonei
sget
ti
ngaboyf
ri
end.
MBEWU:Butdad!
KAEDI :No.Conversationclosed.Comehereyou
guys, hur
dlecloser
,grouphug.( t
heyallf
ounda
spacet ohugonhi m)I’m gonnabear oundunti
l
ever ysi
ngleoneofyoui sgrownandgr aduat
ed
collegeanmaki nglot
sofmoneysoyoucanbuyme
pizzaeveryday.
MBEWU:Whowast hepersonwhomadeyousad,
I
wantt
otel
lthem i
twon’tbeall
owedagai
n.
KAI:Yea,
I’
mr eall
ygoodatmytaekwondoclass,
I
gotabelt
!Ifanyonemakesdaddysad,I
’l
lpunch
them.Whowasi t?
KAEDI:Awww, myli
tt
lewarri
ors.Buti
tdoesn’teven
matter,
youguysmademehappyagai n.Youknow
what?Ihaveam amazingi
dea.Howaboutwegot o
thekit
chenandsneaksomechi psanddr i
nksand
candythencomeheretofeast!Whoisin?
Theyal
lrai
sest
hei
rhandsexci
tedl
y.
KAEDI :Buthereisthethi
ng.Wehavet
obe
reeeeeeeealyquiet
.Andtiptopt
her
esothehelper
s
andnannywon’ thearusandtel
lmom.Areyouup
forthi
smi ssionsquad?
Theysal
utedandal
lyel
led‘
si
r,yessi
r!
’
Hel aughedashel edthem t
ot heki
tchenwher ehe
gavet hem lotsofsnackandbr oughtthem backto
hi
sbedr oom, bri
nginghisminiproj
ectorf
rom the
studyandpl ayedMoana.
Bytheti
methemovieendedtheywereal
lpassed
outi
nthebedcuddl
edupt ohi
mi nsomeform.
Hewiggl
edof
fthebedandwenti
ntot
hebat
hroom
l
ooki
ngathi
mselfi
nthemir
ror
.
Thi
swaswhatmat
ter
ed.Hi
ski
ds.Nobodyi
nhi
s
famil
yeverevenbot heredt oaskasimple‘
howar e
youdoing’.Theywereal lj
usttaki
ng,heshoul
dget
usedtoit.Todayitallgottoomuchandhel osti
n.
Infr
ontofhi schi
ldr
ensomemor e.Heneededto
keephimselfincheck.
Whenthehellwasl
if
eevergonnabeeasyand
enj
oyabl
etohim?Wasthereevensuchthi
ngasl
if
e
bei
ngenjoyabl
e?
Tearsr
andownhi sfacebuthewashedt heface,
notwantingtolookathimselfcryi
ng.Whatpansy
assshi
twast his.Ashisgrandpa…uhm, fat
her
al
wayssai d,‘
cryi
ngisforpansies,beaman,nota
l
itt
lebi
tch’.Heneededtomanup.
*
***
***
***
*
Inthemorni
ngBoemowokeupbesi
dePilar
a,
kissi
ngherf
oreheadt
henst
art
eddr
essi
ng.
PI
LARA:I
’
m notgay,
youknow…
BOEMO:(smi
li
ng)Sure.Lot
sofstr
aightwomen
havebeenwi
thagir
l.Curi
osi
ty.
PI
LARA:Thi
swon’
thappenagai
n.
BOEMO:Noproblem.Ihadfunst
il
l.Justt
ellmeyou
ar
esti
lldoi
ngoursessi
ons.
PI
LARA:Yup… pl
easedon’
ttel
lKaediabout
…thi
s.
BOEMI
:ButI
…KaediknowsIam pol
yand…
PI
LARA:Pl
ease… I
’
m beggi
ngyou.
BOEMO:Okt
hendar
li
ng,
got
tar
un.Goodday.
*
***
***
***
***
LoapiandTat
jfi
nishedthei
rbr
eakf
astast
hebot
h
gotreadyt
ogotowor k.
LOAPI:Ar
en’
tyouanswer
ingyourphone?I
t’
sbeen
ri
ngi
ng.
TATJ:Nxl
a,keSophi
a.Yooyogaasi
mol
lagont
ena.
LOAPI:Don’tbesohar donher,
it’
shardt
ofeell
ike
yourmanissl i
ppingawayfrom youandyouhave
nocontrol
.Ifeelbadforher
,butIcan’
thel
pwhoI
l
ove.
TATJ:Alesserwomanwoul dbecussi
ngherand
tel
li
ngmehowhor r
ibleshei
sinthi
ssit
uat
ion.You
areawomanabovet herest
,wait
setot
a?
Hepul
ledhercl
oserandki
ssedher
LOAPI
:Luncht
odayi
nGal
o?
TATJ:Yougoti
t.Loveyou.
Tat
jwat
chedherdr
iveof
f,wi
thasmi
le.
Nowhereal
lydi
dunder
standwhyshedi
dwhatshe
di
dtohi
m.
Heunderstoodst
ayi
ngforthechil
dren.Rightnow
Sophi
awi t
hherst
upidaccusat
ionswasdr ivi
nghi
m
mad,andeverybi
tofhi
sbeingtoldhimt ojust
dumpherandbewi t
hthewomanhel oved.
Ofcoursehewassti
llbei
ngcauti
ousofLol
oand
wantedtoseehowthiswoul
dpanout,butheal
so
wantedtogivehi
ssonanuclearf
amil
yhenever
had.
*
***
***
***
**
Boemoarr
ivedhomeasKaediwashavi
ngbr
eakf
ast
wit
htheki
ds.
BOEMO:Heyguys…
MBEWU:Wow… f
inal
lyshecomeshome.
KAEDI
:Maxi
ne!
MBEWU:What ?Wewer etr
yingtocal
lheryester
day
andshedidnotevenanswer.Fort
hehelp,youare
qui
etusel
ess.Daddywassadandwher ewereyou?
KAEDI:Ok,t
hat
’senoughfr
om youyounglady.To
yourbedr
oom.Getyourschoolbagready,
youare
offt
oschoolwhenother
sfini
sheati
ng.
Af
tertheki
dsl
eftf
orschoolhewenttothebedr
oom
whereBoemoj
ustfini
shedshower
ing.
KAEDI
:So,
wher
ewer
eyou?
BOEMO:YouknowwhereIwas,Isentyoua
messagesayi
ngIwasgoi
ngfordri
nkswithPi
lar
a.
KAEDI:Thatwas7pm!Thenyouwer
en’
tanswer
ing
yourphoneandevent
ual
lyi
twasoff
.
BOEMO:Bat hongKaedi !Doyouwantt oi
nsinuat
e
something?Iwaswi thPilar
a,callherandask.We
wentfordri
nksandj ustgotcaughtupt alki
ng,t
hen
l
aterwedeci dedtocontinuedri
nkingatherhouse
andall
.Wi t
hal lt
hatwashappeni ng,weendedup
passi
ngout .Askheri fyoudon’tbeli
eveme.
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)I
’m bei
ngpar
anoi
d.I
t’
sjust
…Ihad
abadmomentyester
day.
BOEMO:Badmoment
?Whathappened?
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)Whatdidyoumeanwhenyousai
d
myfamil
yhasalotofsecr
ets?
BOEMO:Justt
hat
.Yourf
ami
lyhasal
otofbi
g
secr
ets.
KAEDI
:Soyouknew?ThatLedi
moi
smyf
ather
?
BOEMO:What ?No!IswearIhadnoi dea.Nothi
ng
waseverreveal
edtome, Ij
ustknewthattherewas
adarkcloudofsecret
sthat’
sgonnabet hefal
lof
theLedi
mof amil
yifthefamil
yhead,Ledimo,does
notfi
xthem.Ledimoisyourfather
?Buthow?I
mean,yourfat
herishissonand…
KAEDI :(
sighing)Yup,
that
’shownastymyf amilyi
s.
Hesleptwi t
hhi sowndaughteri
nlawandgother
pregnant.Alsotri
edtogetmeaborted.IguessIam
thi
smuchofamessbecauseIwasnevereven
wanted.
Boemocameoverandhuggedhi
m.
BOEMO:Don’ tsaythat
.IknowLedi moisthe
coldestbastardtherei
s, buthelovesyou.Maybehe
want edter
mi nati
onbecausehewasashamed, but
I’
m surehef elli
nlovethemomentyouwer eborn.
Inhisownt wi st
edway, hereall
ylovesyou.
KAEDI:Yest
erdayI… wel
l,
Ihadabreakdown…
pull
edagunonmysel f…theki
dssawi t
… butI
thi
nkImanagedt osavet
hesit
uat
ion.
Boemohuggedhim,feel
inggui
lty.Thi
swassonot
thet
imet
otellhi
m aboutyest
erday.
KAEDI:Ij
ust….Mymindstar
tedrunni
ngwildand
ever
ythi
ngjustl
ookedbl
eakandIjustfel
tli
ke
ever
ythi
ngwoul dbebet
terwit
houtme.
BOEMO:Youdor eal
isef
orthefi
rstt
imeyout ol
dme
howsomethi
ngmadeyouf eel?Usuall
yyoujusttel
l
metheevent
,li
kewhathappened,nothowitmakes
youf
eel
.
KAEDI
:Ij
ust
…I’
m notokBobbi
.Notatal
l.
BOEMO:I ’
m sosor
rybabe.Youaredoingmuch
bett
erthanyouwere,
yester
dayyoujusthada
tr
igger
.Bitbybi
tyouwil
lgetbet
teratmanagi
ng
unexpect
edt
ri
gger
stoo.
KAEDI:Ihopeso.AndIgetsoparanoid.Yest
erdayI
foundmyselft
hinkingwei
rdt
hingslikemaybe
Pil
arasleptwi
thLosandwhatifReahwasLos’ and
shit
.Didshe?Sleepwit
hhim?Yout alkt
oher…
BOEMO:Kaedi,
youknowIcan’
tdiscussanythi
ng
Pi
larar
eveal
stomeduri
ngoursessions.Cuddl
e
wit
hmef orabi
t.
KAEDI
:I’
m gl
adIhaveyou…
Hesaidashel
aidont
hebedwi
thher
,cuddl
ingher
t
ight
lytohi
sbody.
*
***
***
***
***
Pil
aragotreadyandheadedtowor kwi
thasmil
e.
Yester
daywasf un,
thewholeday.Shehadn’
thad
somuchf uninyears.I
twasrel
axing.
Aroundlunchrecept
ioncal
ledsayi
ngt
her
ewasa
deli
ver
yf orher
.
Shewentt
orecept
iont
ogeti
t,wonder
ingwhati
t
was.
Lunch?
Mokganedical
led.
PI
LARA:Hey…
MOKGANEDI
:Li
keyourl
unch?Ior
der
edyour
f
avour
it
e.
PI
LARA:Fr
om you?Aww,
youar
esosweet
.Thanks.
MOKGANEDI
:Ihadf
unt
heot
herday…
PI
LARA:Yea,
met
oo.
MOKGANEDI
:MaybeIcoul
dpassbyagai
n?
PILARA:I’
l
lletyouknow… l
ook,
Igot
tago… wor
k.
Thanksforthefood.
Shehungupandsi
ghed.Mokganediwasagood
manwhoreal
lycar
edabouther
.She’dreal
lyl
ucky
tohaveamanli
kehim.
Yes,
sheshoul
ddot
his.Gi
vet
heguyachance.
Boemocal
ledandshesmi
ledwi
thal
augh,
picki
ng
up.
PI
LARA:Whyar
eyoucal
li
ngme?
BOEMO:(
laughi
ng)Whyar
eyouanswer
ing?
PILARA:(l
aughi
ng)Ihavegoodmanner
s,sowhen
peoplecal
lme,Ianswer.
BOEMO:Howaboutwhenpeopl
easkyouf
orl
unch?
Justf
ood,
Pil
ara…
PI
LARA:Icoul
ddol
unch.
BOEMO:Pi
ckyouupi
nten?
PI
LARA:Yup
Shesmiledasshehungup,t
hengaveaguar
dt he
del
iver
edf oodandr
anupst
air
stofi
xhermakeupas
shewaited.
Boemoar
ri
vedandshewentt
ohercar
.
BOEMO:Aww,
didyoupowderyour
sel
fupf
orme?
PILARA:(
laughi
ng)Youf
lat
teryour
sel
f.ButI
’
llt
ake
thecompl
iment.
BOEMO:Whatcompl
iment
?
PI
LARA:Youj
ustsai
dIl
ookedcut
e.
BOEMO:(
laughi
ng)Idi
dnot
!
PI
LARA:Di
dtoo
BOEMO:Di
dnot
PI
LARA:Uh,
yesyoudi
d.
BOEMO:Butyoudot
hough.Comeon,
let
’sgoeat
.
PILARA:So,It
hinkImi
ghtbegett
ingaboyfr
iend.
Sweetguy,heboughtmelunchandwefuckeda
fewdaysback.
BOEMO:( l
aughi
ng)It
houghtIwast
heonewho
cussed?
PI
LARA:Yout
endt
orubof
fonme.
BOEMO:Mhhh,
thatsoundsdel
ici
ous… r
ubbi
ngon
you…
PI
LARA:(l
aughing)Youar
edi
sgusti
ng.Anyway.He
i
sareal
lyniceguy.Myexbef
oreKaedi
…
BOEMO:That ’
sreall
ygoodPipa..I
t’
shightimeyou
start
edparti
cipati
ngintheworld.Takethi
ngsslow
though,gettoknowhi m.I
fheisf r
om befor
eKaedi,
thenItakeithehaschanged.Sohaveyou.
PILARA:Don’
twor
ry,Iwon’
tgettoocaughtupthi
s
ti
me.Iam bei
ngcaref
ulandassert
ingmyselfwel
l.
BOEMO:That
’smygi
rl
.
Assheparkedandt
heywal
kedi
ntot
her
est
aur
ant
andsatt
alki
ng.
Theysati
nacor
nert
abl
eawayf
rom t
hecr
owd,
eat
ing.
BOEMO:Ar
eyoucomi
ngt
oWet
sho’
sbi
rt
hdaypar
ty?
PI
LARA:Idon’
tthi
nkso,
I…
BOEMO:Comeon,youknowIhavenofri
endsandit
wil
lbeext
remel
ybor
ingwhenKaedihangswit
hhis
peopl
e.Pl
ease?
PILARA:(si
ghi
ng)Fi
ne,butIneverst
aylongon
part
ies.Byt
heway,Iwantedtothankyou.
BOEMO:Me?Forwhat
?
PILARA:Iwasgi
vingyouat
tit
udeandall
,anot
her
personwoul
dnotevenwantedtotal
ktome.
BOEMO:I ’
mjusthappyt
oseeyouonyourpat
hto
heal
ing.
Shet
ookherhandandkisseditasPil
arasmil
ed.
Whentheybot
hrai
sedtheireyes,
theyonl
ythen
noti
cedLosi
kasi
tt
ingatt
heopposi
tet
abl
e,l
ooki
ng
ri
ghtatt
hem.
*
***
***
***
**
Lat
eri
ntheeveni
ngpeopl
edancedabouti
nthe
par
tyasKaediwal
kedi
nwithWetsho.
Peopl
eyel
led‘
sur
pri
se!
‘andWet
shopr
etendedt
o
besur
pri
sed.
Lebakwecame.Overandki
ssedhi
m.
LEBAKWE:Happybi
rt
hdaybabe!
WETSHO:Thanksbabe!OhmyGod,
youshoul
dn’
t
have.
LEBAKWE:Anyt hi
ngforyou.Oh,yourassist
ant
madei t
.Irani
ntoherearl
ierandinvi
tedher.Hey
Miranda,gl
adyoucouldmakei t
.
HER:Thanksf
ori
nvi
ti
ngme.Hei
sbl
essedt
ohave
you.
ShetookWet
shofur
theri
ntot
hepar
tyast
hey
tal
kedtomor
epeopl
e.
TheDJr
educest
hemusi
cvol
umeandcal
led
peopl
etoat
tent
ion.
DJ:Thel
adyoft
hehousehassomet
hingt
osay.
LEBAKWE:Thankyoual lforcomingher eto
celebratet hi
sgr eatmanwi t
hme.Iknowt oever y
si
ngl eoneofyouher ehehasshowyouj ustwhat
anawesomehumanbei nghei sonewayoranot her
.
Butmostespeci all
ytome.Whenwemet ,Iplayed
coyf oral ong-t
ime, andevenwhenhegotme, I
didn’ttakehi m seri
ously.Hewast hishotnerdwho
seemedal it
tl
et ooseri
ousf orthepar t
ygirli
nme.
Buthey, lookatmenow, awholest ayathomemom
ofaboutt obet wo.
WETSHO:(
sur
pri
sed)What
?
Shel
aughedandhandedhi
mthepr
egnancyt
est
.
WETSHO:What
?OhmyGod!Babe…Lat t
yist
hree
mont
hsold…Gosh,
I’
m soexci
tedt
hough…
Hepul
ledhercl
oserandki
ssesher
LEBAKWE:I’
m exci
tedtoobabe,
whi
chi
swhyIonl
y
seei
tfi
tt
ingt
odot his…
Shewentononeknee…
LEBAKWE:TheI rishbeli
eveonLeapday, whichis
the29thFebruary,womencanpr oposemar ri
age.I
fi
ndthatcul
turesoi nt
ri
guingandunique,l
ikeour
rel
ati
onshi
p… whi chiswhyIwantt odothis.
WetshoLedimo, wil
lyoumakemet hehappiest
womanonear t
handmar r
yme?
*
***
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
*
*
*
(Apol
ogiesforthepastfewdays,Ihadafamil
y
emergencyandcoul dnotevenbeonli
ne.Wewi l
l
makeupf orthefourmissedepi
sodesthisweek)
[
05/
29,
12:
Wetshol
ookedatLebakwe,
conf
used,
thenwal
ked
of
fangri
ly.
LEBAKWE:Wet
sho,
wai
t,I
…
Sheranaft
erhi
m andf
oundhi
m paci
ngangr
il
yin
thei
rbedr
oom.
WETSHO:Whatt hef
uckwasthatLebakwe?Huh?
Whatareyoutr
yingt
osay?Thatyouarethemanin
t
hisr
elati
onshi
p?
LEBAKWE:No,
no….Ij
ust
WETSHO:Doyouknowhowembar
rassi
ngt
hati
s?
Bei
ngpr
oposedtobyyourgi
rl
?
LEBAKWE:Embarrassi
ng?Iam t
hef
oolt
hatj
ustgot
l
eftononeknee!
WETSHO:Whoaskedyoutodothatshi
t?So,what
now?Huh?What?Wagonketshet
samagaditoo?
Shoul
dItel
lmyuncl
estobeexpect
ingyour
s?
LEBAKWE:Wet
sho,
kanaIwasj
ust
…
WETSHO:St opfuckingwatchingtoomuch
tel
evisi
onandwaket hefuckup!ThisisAf ri
ca,do
youhonestlythi
nkanyAfricanmanwi lleveraccept
beingproposestoli
kealit
tlebit
ch!Fuck!Wa
ntl
waelawaitseLebakwe.Whatt hehell
!Thisisan
i
nsult!
Hewal kedoutandgotoutt
hrought
hebackdoor,
l
eavinghercryi
nginthebedr
oom.Af ewminutes
l
atertherewasaknockandBoemost oodt
here.
LEBAKWE:(
sobbi
ng)Goonandl
aught
hen.
BOEMO:Whywoul
dIl
aughatsomeonei
ndi
str
ess?
LEBAKWE:Ijust
… Ididn’
tmeantodisr
especthi
m
atal
l,
Ijustt
houghti
twouldbecute…
BOEMO:Wet shoisn’
tonlyanAfr
icanman, heisa
Ledi
moman.Theyar erai
sedwit
ht hebeli
evet hat
havi
ngsomet hi
ngdangl i
ngbet
weent heirlegs
makesthem minigods.Tohimit
’soffensive,it
l
ooksli
keyouar eundermini
nghismascul ini
ty.
Shesobbedseat
ingont
hebed
LEBAKWE:That
’snotwhatIwant
edt
odoatal
l.
BOEMO:Igett
hat
.Enehedoesn’
t.
LEBAKWE:Sonowwhat
?
BOEMO:Lethi m befornow.Lethim havehisanger
.
Tomorrowapologies.Hisegohasbeenbr ui
sedin
fr
ontofhisfr
iendsandf amil
y,askhi
m whatst ephe
wantstotakenext.I
shewi ll
ingtof
orgiveandwork
thi
ngsout ?ButdonotandIr epeat
,donotaccept
ment alabusebecauseoft his.I
fheiswil
ltowork
thr
oughi t,t
hengr eat.Buti
fhewant st
owhi ne
abouti fallhisli
feandhaveyoubeggi nghim
everyday, thenfuckhi m.Youdeserveamanwho
under standst oerristobehuman.
LEBAKWE:Thankyou… Ienvysel
fassur
edwomen
l
ikeyou.
BOEMO:Mor eselfpri
ori
ti
zingthananythi
ng.Ifyou
can’tt
reatmeri
ght,youcan’tgetanyofme.
ProbablywhyIhaveami l
li
onf ai
ledrel
ati
onships
too.
Shel
aughed.
BOEMO:Bet t
erafai
ledr
elat
ionshi
pthananabusi
ve
one.Yourdaught
eri
sgoingtobesocute.
LEBAKWE:Daught
er?
BOEMO:Yup.I fyoueverneedtot al
k,youknow
whereIstay.Andgir
l,stoppull
ingwhitegi
rlst
unts.
(l
aughing)Thatshi
twillworkonaWi ll
iam,nota
fucki
ngWet sho.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Kaedinoti
cedWetsho’
sassi
stantsl
ipoffj
ust
minutesaft
erhesawWetsholeavethr
oughthe
backdoor.
Heshookhisheadandwal kedbackt othepar
ty
whereWetsho’
sfri
endhadtriedt
osal vaget
he
si
tuat
iont
ell
ingeveryonei
twasaj oke.
BoemoandPi l
arawer
edanci
ngandlaughi
ng
toget
herandhemovedtowar
dsthem.
KAEDI
:Heygi
rl
s.
PI
LARA:Mxi
m… Boemo,
I’
llbeovert
her
e.
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)Sti
llmadatmeIsee?Thecourt
casewasoverayearagoandyouusedsensit
ive
shitonmetooPil
ara.
PILARA:Idon’thavetoacknowl
edgeyoubeyond
tal
kingaboutourkids.
Shesaidasshewal
kedof
ftodancewi
thsome
random guy.
BOEMO:Oh,
she’
l
lcomear
ound,
givehert
ime.
KAEDI:Whatever
,Pil
arawalapi
sa,I
’m donebeggi
ng
hertobeamicableandcoparentwel
l.Wannadi t
ch
thi
splaceandtakethepar
tyhome?
BOEMO:Ohh,sor
rybabe,Ipr
omisedPil
araI’
l
lcome
overandf
ini
shoursessi
on.Youareokwitht
hat,
ri
ght?
*
***
***
***
Pil
arawasdancingwit
hsomer andom guywhen
Losikacameoverandjustpul
ledheraway.
LOSI
KA:Soyouar
efucki
ngKaedi
’
swi
fet
oo?
PI
LARA:What
?No,
BoemoandIar
ejustf
ri
ends.
LOSIKA:Ri
ght
…I’m sureyouar
e.I
sKaediawar
e
thatyouar
eki
ssi
ngfriends?
PI
LARA:Sonowaf ri
endcan’
tkissmyhand?Nxl
a!
St
ayoutofshi
tthatdon’
tconcernyou.
LOSIKA:Thefucki
swrongwi
thyou?Whoisnext
,
Wetsho?Devon?Doyouwantever
yonear
ound
Kaedi?
PI
LARA:Wherewast
hissameener
gywhenyou
wereal
loverme?
LOSIKA:Iser
iousl
ycan’
tbel
ieveyouar
ethischeap.
It
houghtther
ewassomet hi
ngdeepinyou.Iwas
wrong.
PILARA:Good, becauseyouwer ej
ustarebound
thatIf
eltpit
yfor,andyoucaughtfeel
ings.You
seri
ouslythoughtIwasinto… you?
Shi
t,t
hatwascol
d.
Andshecouldl
it
eral
lyseehi
m shut
ti
ngdownal
l
overagai
n.
PI
LARA:Losi
kayouknowIdi
dn’
tmeant
hat
…
LOSI
KA:Yeayoudi
d… f
uckyouPi
lar
a.
Hesai
dashewal
kedaway.
PILARA:Los,wai
t….Ser
iousl
y.Ij
ust
… youcal
led
mecheapandt hatwasmeanofyouandIwant ed
tohurtyouback
LOSIKA:Well,
youdid.HowdoyouthinkIfel
t
fi
ndingoutyouweregonnamoveinwi t
hmybr other
whenwehadat hi
nggoing?St
il
lhur
tstothisday,I
feell
ikeafool
.
PI
LARA:I
’
m sor
ry…
LOSIKA:Andyoucoul
dn’
tsaythatfort
hewhol
e
fucki
ngpastyear
?Fuckoutofher
e.Nxla.
PILARA:Losi
ka,I
’
mr eal
lysorr
y.Ij
ust… Isawa
chancetoahappyfamil
ywi t
hthefat
herofmy
chil
dren…andIdi
dcareaboutyou…youwer enota
rebound.
LOSIKA:Youarer
ight
,al
lthi
sisnol
ongermy
concer
n.Bye.
Hewalkedaway,not
ici
ngLebakwe’
scousi
nwho
wascomingri
ghttowardshi
m.
HER:So,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
oni
ght
?
LOSI
KA:Huh?
HER:Yourexshagmate,Pipa,
worksatmymom’ s
companyandsaysyouar eadom andshehadnice
wor ds.I
’
m Mei
.Swi
tch.Sadist
.Masochi
st.Wanna
play?
*
***
***
***
*
Loapi
andTat
jsatcuddl
edupi
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom.
TATJ:It
houghtyousai
dyouhadsomepar
tyt
ogo
to?
LOAPI:Invit
ed.Notgoing.Iam tryi
ngt ostayaway
fr
om thatfamily.TheLedimoar etoxi
c, andtheyhad
mebel i
evingIwas‘ f
amily’f
oryears.Themoment
KaediandIbr okeupandt heynol ongerneededme
becauseWet shodecidestocomeandt akeover
fi
nance,theytossedmeoutl ikelastnighttr
ash,not
evenhismom whousedt ocallmea‘ daughter’
bother
st oevensendansms.
TATJ:Theirl
oss.Youar
eawonder f
ulwomanLol o.
Andyouar egonnabeapowerhouseonyourown.
Now, Idon’
twannabeseat
ingheretal
kingabout
fucki
ngLedimos.
LOAPI:Good,metoo.Howi syouson?Iboughthim
thecut
estli
tt
lebabyshoes!Gosh,Iforgotj
usthow
l
ovelybabi
esarewiththei
rtinyl
it
tl
ef i
ngersand
babysmell
.
Hepul
ledhercl
oserandki
ssedher
.
TATJ:Yourki
dsar
eluckyt
ohaveyou.
LOAPI
:Ij
ustl
oveki
ds,
andbecauseMaxi
syour
s,I
l
ovehi
mtoo.
Themai
ndoorunl
ocked.
LOAPI
:Youexpect
ingsomebody?
TATJ:Nope…
Lol
orant
ot hebedroom andl
ockedher
sel
finas
Sophi
awalkedint
ot hel
ivi
ngr
oom.
SOPHI A:Tat
jitherrafor
givemef orl
eavi
ngour
chil
d,Ihadnochoi ce.Pl
easelet
’stal
k.Whatisit
thatyouarelackinginourrel
ati
onshipkebaakanye?
TATJ:Sophi
a,It
oldyouifyouleftoursonand
cameherefoenonsenseI’
llbeatyouakere?
SOPHI A:(sobbing)Tatj
i,whatdoyouwantmet odo
whenIf eelli
keI’mlosingyou?Youbar el
ycallyou
don’ttakemycal ls,
youevenf orgett
obringthe
baby’sdiapers.Therrahael egorekemor obal
oit’
s
ok,Ifeell
ikeI’
m healed,Iknowt heysai
dsixweek
andit’sonlybeenf i
veweekssi nceIgavebir
th,butI
feelfi
ne,solets…
Shet
ri
edt
ogetonhi
slapandki
sshi
m.
TATJ:St
op,wi l
lyou!Whatt
hefucki
swrongwi
th
you?I
ssexal lyouthi
nkabout
?Youlef
tmysonfor
thi
snonsense?
SOPHIA:Tat
jipl
ease,
Idon’
twantt
oloseyou… I
l
oveyou…
That’
swhenshespot
tedLol
o’sbr
awhichshehad
takenof
faf
terwor
kandthr
ewonthesofa.
SOPHAI:Sheishere,i
sn’
tshe?Okae?Wher
eisshe?
Heywena,sfebe!Otony*l
atoday!
TATJ:Sophi
a,youneedt
oleave…
SOOHIA:Comeoutandfacemel
ikeawoman!
Aker
ekeclown!Comeout!
Shetri
edthelockedbedr
oom doorandrantothe
ki
tchen,br
ingi
ngal ar
gekni
fe,
swingingi
tatTatjas
hecamenearher .
SOPHIA:Leavemeal
oneTatj
ibonakeutwegor
e
gatwentj
aeneenthogel
aeng,leavemeal
one,hao
ntshwar
akeagothaba.
Hetr
iedt
ost
opherandshesl
ashedhi
sar
m.He
howl
edandmovedbackashi
shandbl
ed.
TATJ:Youf
ucki
ngst
abbedmeyoupsycho!
Lol
oopenedthedoorandt
ri
edtorunt
ohi
mt ohel
p
wit
hhi
sinjur
y,Sophi
ameeti
ngherwit
hasl
ap.
SOPHI A:Soi
t’
syou?Malobawenaneonj
a
setshegocomingt
oourhouseheweewewor
k
together
…
Shepull
edLoapibyshecol
laranddr
oppedherto
thef
loor
,get
ti
ngintopofherandpunchi
ngher.
Tat
jpul
ledheroffofLoapiandsl
appedSophi
ahar
d
acr
osstheface.
Sophiatri
edtofightbackbutTatjpunchedher
again,
raini
ngfistsonherandkickingherasLoapi
nonchalantl
ywalkedoveracr yi
ngont hefl
oor
Sophiaandwentt othebathr
oom t ocl
eanhersmal
l
for
eheadcut .
LOAPI:Babe,comeon,
letmedr
esst
hatwound.
Tat
j,babe,come…
Tatjcussesangr
il
yandlef
tSophiagroani
ngont he
fl
oor,goingt
othebat
hroom whereLoapidresses
hi
swound.Hecameoutandl ookedatSophia
angril
y.
TATJ:Getoutofmyhouse,
nxla!Ihaveneverbeat
youli
keyourexdid,
soyouthi
nkokat shamekela
mogonna!Ot saakaemokgwawagont wantshao
nthabakadi
thi
pa,
att
ackingmyguest
s,nxl
a!Ibet
ter
fi
ndyougoneorIwil
lki
llyou!
Hel
eftf
oraj
ogcussi
ngl
oudl
y.
Sophi
agr
oanedandl
ookedatLoapiwi
thbeggi
ng
eyes.
SOPHIA:Themmaatleastcal
lmeacabt
otakeme
tot
hehospit
al,
myphoneisdownandIhaveno
money.
LOAPI:Youexpectmetohel
pyouwhenafew
secondsagoyouwherebeat
ingmeup?Ha!
(l
aughing)
Shelaughedandwentt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom,
tur
ningon
theTV.
*
***
***
***
***
Wetsholaidi
nbedwit
hhi
sassi
stantpostcoi
tusas
shecuddledupt
ohim.
HER:Bat
hong,
Lebakwei
ssodumb,
whopr
oposes
t
oaman?
WETSHO:Hey,
hey,
hey!Youdon’
tgett
ofucki
ng
cal
lmybabymamadumb!
MI
RANDA:Gosh,
Iwasj
ust
…
WETSHO:Youdon’ tj
ustanythi
ng.Youst
ayaway
fr
om Lebakwe,shehasnothingtodowit
hthis.I
don’tknowwhatthefuckyouwereeventhi
nking
acceptingheri
nvi
tet
ot hepart
y.
MIRANDA:Am Isowr
ongt
owantt
ocel
ebr
ateyour
bi
rt
hday?
WETSHO:Mi randa,
ifyouaregoi ngtobeoneof
thosedesperatebit
chestryi
ngt ogetmywoman’ s
attenti
onbecausewehaveat hingont hesi
de,
don’t
.
You’llr
egreti
t.Wearejusthavingf un,
youandI.I
tol
dyout hat.Yousaidyouaref i
newi t
hit.
MIRANDA:Yousai
dyouwer
efedupwi
thherand
l
eavi
ngher.
WETSHO:And?
MIRANDA:Ij
ustt
hought… Wetsho,
wegetonso
well
… we’
dhavealovel
yfamil
y…
WETSHO:Don’ tdothat.YouknowIhatebeing
pushed.Iam notreadytoset
tl
ewi t
hanyoneri
ght
now…sodon’ tpush.Ihavetogo.Ihavesomework
t
ohandl
eathome.
*
***
***
***
*
Kaediar
ri
vedhometofi
ndtheki
dsal r
eadyi
nbed.
Helaidi
nbedforsometi
mealone.Bymidni
ghthe
waswonderi
ngwhatwastaki
ngBoemosol ong.
Agai
nshewasnotpi
cki
ngup.Nei
therwasPi
lar
a.
Whati
ftheyhadsomesor
tifemer
gency.
Hewentdownst
air
s, passi
ngWandieint
hel
ivi
ng
r
oom.Shewasvisi
tingt oseeAt
hal
ia.
KAEDI
:Hey
WANDI
E:Wat
swa?
KAEDI:Notr
eal
ly,
justgoi
ngtocheckonBoemo,
shei
snotansweri
ngandI ’
m wor
ried.
WANDI
E:CanyoudropmehaAr
eaL?Ther
eist
his
r
adpar
tyandI
’m onit
.
KAEDI
:Sur
e,we’
l
lpassPi
lar
a’spl
acef
ir
st.
WANDIE:Thanks.Andthanksf
orl
ett
ingmesee
At
hal
ia.Shelookssohappyandheal
thy.
KAEDI
:Sur
e
WANDI
E:God,
youhaveagedamill
iont
imesf
rom
t
hemanImetint
hecart
hatday!
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)Andyouhavenotagedaday!St
il
l
alostl
it
tl
edaredevi
ltr
yingt
oprovesomet
hing.
WANDI
E:(
laughi
ng)Oh,
what
ever
.
KAEDI
:Youeverr
econci
lewi
thyourf
ami
ly?
WANDI E:Nope.Don’twantto.Mybi tchassaunt
whot hr
ewmeawayandmar r
iedherchi l
dmol est
er
whenshecaughtmewi t
hhim makesmesi ck.And
theotheraunt?Nothankyou.I’m haplyonmyown.
MakingconnectionsforwhenIgraduat e.Thi
sgi r
l
call
edEllenhasanawesomebusi nessshewas
tel
li
ngmeabout .Asahost essforrichtouri
sts.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Youmeanescor
t?
WANDI
E:Pot
atoest
omat
oes.Thi
ngi
s,I
’
llbemaki
ng
myowncoi
n.
KAEDI:Don’
tdoit
.I’
llhel
pyououtuntilyouareon
yourf
eet.Dr
awoutabusi nessplanorsomething.
Howwi l
lAtt
afeel
findingouthermom wasan
escort
.Wai
ther
eami
nut
e,l
etmecheckont
hese
l
adies.
HewalkedovertoPi
lar
a’shouse,
wheret
hecurt
ain
wasparti
all
yopenandPilar
awaslai
doutont
he
couchmakingoutwit
hBoemo.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Kaediwatchedf
orabi
tthenshookhi
sheadand
walkedbacktot
hecar
.
Whatwast hepoi
ntofallt
hisshit,
tryi
ngtostay
fai
thf
ulandall
.Becausehedi dn’
twanttoshare,he
hadpromisedherhewouldn’tbri
nganotherwoman.
Andshei
souther
echeat
ingonhi
m?Wi
tha
woman…hisexwi
fe?
Fuckt
hem bot
h.
Hegotbacki
nthecar
.
KAEDI
:Wher
edi
dyousayt
hepar
tywas?I
’
m
comi
ngwi
th.
WANDI
E:Hel
lyea!
Theystoppedbythebarandboughtsomeal
cohol
,
thenheadedtot
heparty.
*
***
***
***
***
**
Loapi
sati
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom whenTat
jar
ri
ved.
LOAPI
:Shel
eft
TATJ:Good
LOAPI :Weneedt otalkaboutwhatwesayi fshe
presseschar ges.Her eis.Shecameandf oundus
cuddled.Startedinsulti
ngant hr
eat
ening.Ir ant
o
thebedroom andshegr abbedakit
chenkni feand
cameaf terme.Yout ri
edt ost
opherandshe
stabbedyout henattackedme.Shesust ainedher
i
njurieswhileyouwer etryi
ngtogetherfrom me
andwhi l
eshewast r
yingt ost
abyou.
TATJ:Soundsgreat
.I’
m sosor
ryyouhadt
odeal
wit
hthatbabe.
LOAPI:Oh,
honey,it
’sok.Ihaveacr
azyex,so
not
hingnew..Ij
usthopeshewon’tcauseusany
t
roubl
einf
utur
e.
TATJ:Ipr
omi
seyoushewon’
t.Letmef
ixusdi
nner
.
Hewentt ocookwhi
leshescr
oll
edthrough
Facebook.Wow,soPil
arawasfr
iendswitht
hat
bi
tchnow?
Shereal
lyneedest
of i
ndsomethi
ngonKaeditoget
herki
dsbackfrom t
hatsangomabit
ch,
theyounger
oneswerealr
eadycall
ingher‘
mom’.
*
***
***
***
InthemorningWetshoarri
vedtofi
ndLebakweon
theli
vingr
oom eat
ingbreakfast
.Heki
ssedher
cheekandsatbesi
deher .
WETSHO:Nobr
eakf
astf
orme?
LEBAKWE:El
egor
ekoot
swangt
enggot
lal
a?
Mxim
WETSHO:Babe, come.On!Youambushedmeand
proposedtome!Thatwasdi sr
espectf
ul.Youknow
nnaakemot holegobua,soIwal kedaway.Iwasin
amot el
,herearetherecei
pts.
Shehel
dherhandoutandi
nspect
edt
hem.
LEBAKWE:Whower
eyouwi
th?
WETAHO:Kant emmewhat ’
sthepoi
ntofthi
sifyou
don’tt
rustmeLebakwe?Afamil
yisbui
ltontr
ust.
Gotothemot el
andaskthem t
henkannayouwon’ t
bel
ievewhenIsayIwasalone.
LEBAKWE:( si
gning)Ijust
… Idon’
tknowWetsho.
.
Somet hi
ngdon’tfeelr
ight
,andusual
lywheni
tdon’t
feelr
ight
,itai
nt.Givemeyourphone.
Hesi
ghedandhandedi
ttoher
.
Shescr
oll
edaboutshaki
ngherhead.
LEBAKWE:Toocl
ean.Toodamncl
eanWet
sho.
WETSHO:Ei sh,wai
tsennabathoI’m suf
feri
ng!
Damnedi fIdo,damnedifIdon’
t.Kerengnemma,
shal
lIcheatthensomyphonewon’ tbetooclean?
Babe,youareparanoi
d…I ’
m notdoi
ngnot hi
ng.
LEBAKWE:I ’
m waytoofuckinghot,smart
,educated,
andcomef rom money.Idon’thavetost
andbullshit
,
so,don’
ttr
yi t
.
WETSHO:I
ja,
wai
tsekana!I
’
m nott
ryi
ngnot
hing!
LEBAKWE:Whydon’
tyouwantt
omar
ryme?I
changedWet sho,becamet hepret
tyli
ttl
edumbdol l
youwant ed.Icoul
deasilygotakeupaj obinmy
mom’ sfir
m, I
’m aquali
fi
edaccountant.Butyou
don’twantmewor kingbecauseyoudon’ twantour
chi
ldraisedbymai ds.Ispendendlessti
mewi th
yourinsuff
erablemom becauseIknowyoul oveher
.
Loyalandshit!Whatmor edoyouwant !
WETSHO:Ti me!Lebakwe,therewasat i
meyou
werenotr eadyforusandIhadt obepat i
entanddo
thechasing!NowIam notr eadyformar r
iage,i
t’
s
yourturntobepat i
ent.Comeonbabe, letmeget
thosedishesforyou.ShallIfi
xyouabat h?Ilove
you,ok?St optr
ippi
ng,I’
dneverplayyou,ok?Come
on,givemet hatpret
tysmile…yea,that
’sit…that’
s
mygi rl
.
*
***
***
***
*
I
nthemor
ningBoemogotdr
essed.
BOEMO:Hol
yshi
t!Imusthavepassedoutaf
tert
hat
l
it
tl
efunt
imewehad.
PILARA:Boemo,I
’
m aChr
ist
ian…Ican’
tbedoi
ng
thi
s.I
t’
swrong.
BOEMO:Uh-
uh.Okhun.Got
tar
unr
ightnow.
Shedroveatspeed,hopingKaediwasst i
llasleep.
Thenatthelastmomentdecidedt odri
vet oher
housethatKaediboughtherandchangecl othes.
Comingbackhomei ntheearl
ymor ni
ngwear ing
l
astnight’
sclot
heslookedsuspici
ous.Butsayi ng
shespentthenightatherhouseforsomeai rwas
noproblem.
Gosh,shehat
edallt
hissneaki
ngar
ound.Whatwas
i
twithPil
arawant
ingtokeepthi
sfr
om Kaedi
?
Shehatesthelyi
ngsomuch,butt
heyhadf
un,
and
soonshe’
dbeabl et
oconvi
ncePil
arat
obri
ngKaedi
i
ntothei
rli
ttl
efol
d.
Theyalreadyl
ovedeachotheranyway,
Kaediand
Pipa.Theythr
eeofthem coul
dbeonehappyfamily.
Yup.Thatwoul
dbesomuchf
un.
Sheparkedthecaratahur
ryandunl
ockedt
hedoor
,
runni
ngtothebedroom.
Andst
oppedonhert
racks.
Kaediwaspassesoutont
hebednakedwi
th
Wandi
eandt
woot
hergi
rl
s.
BOEMO:Real
ly,
onmybedKaedi
?
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)Aww,
comenow,
youar
epol
y,
youunderst
and.
BOEMO:Polyamoryi
snoexcusef
orbei
nga
cheat
ingasshol
e!
KAEDI
:You’
dknowal
laboutt
hat
…
BOEMO:Youwantmor elover
sbyallmeans,take
them.Justl
etmeknow, anddon’
tfuckthem onmy
bed!Lonamabel
etenyanakelona,
getthefuckout
ofmyhouse.Ser
iouslyWandie?
Wandiejustshr
uggedandcont
inuedpr
essi
ngher
phone.
BOEMO:Isai
dout
!
KAEDI:Idon’
tthi
nkso.Gi
rl
s,i
gnor
ethi
scheapass
whoreandjoi
nmef orabath.
BOEMO:Youar
esodi
srespect
ful
!
KAEDI
:Idon’
thavet
orespectpr
oper
ty.
BOEMO:Excuseyou?
KAEDI:(l
aughing)Yousee, mygrandfather…f at
her,
whatever
.Hei salwaysbuyingmel i
ttl
et r
inketst o
appeasemeandt rymakingupforbeingashi tty
grand… whatever.GotmeaLexus… vi llainPar is…
aPilar
a… twoot herspor
tscars… aBoemo, the
housewel i
vein…Igetbor edandditchthel atest
gi
ftandhebuysmeanot her.Iwonderwhatt henext
gonnabe?Anot herwomanmaybe?
BOEMO:I
’
m noone’
spr
oper
ty.
KAEDI :Oh,r
eally?Whatar eyougonnadosi nceI
gotyousopi ssed?Di vorceme?(laughi
ng)That’
s
ri
ght,youcan’t.Andyouar egoingtofucki
ngstop
sexi
ngmyexwi fe.Matteroff
act,Idon’
twantyou
speakingtoheratal l
.
BOEMO:Youdon’
ttel
lmewhatt
odo!
Hegr
abbedherbythehai
randpi
nnedheragai
nst
t
hewall
,speaki
ngi
nherear
.
KAEDI:Maybeyoudi dn’thearme.You.Are.
Proper
ty.Mypr opert
y.Youdowhat evert
hefuckI
sayyoudo.Anddi srespectmeBoemo.Fuckingtal
k
toPil
arajustonce.Iwil
lbeatyousobadyouwi l
l
wishfordeat h,
don’tfuckwi t
hme.Thatgoesf orall
othermenandwoment oo.YouspeaktowhoIsay
youcanspeakt o.From nowonyourmovement s
areonlythoseIaut hori
se.Idareyoutotr
ymeand
goagainstit.Girl
s,comeon.Ibet t
erf
indyouher e
whenIf i
nishshower ing.ThenI’
m gonnavisityour
l
itt
legi
rlf
riendandhaveawor dwit
hher,probably
fuckherandbr eedhert oo,si
nceyoucan’tgiveme
ababy.
Hepull
edthegir
lstot
hebathroom andshecoul
d
seehi
mr ol
lonacondom beforepi
nningoneoft
he
gir
lst
othewallandhammeringherhard.
Shecussedl
oudl
yandwentt
ohercar
.
*
***
***
***
*
Lat
erKaedipar
kedi
nfr
ontofPil
ara’
shouseand
wal
kedi
nasshesatwatchi
ngtel
evisi
on.
PI
LARA:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
KAEDI
:Whatt
hef
ucki
sityouwantf
rom mePi
lar
a?
PI
LARA:Excuseme?
KAEDI
:Don’
tpl
aydumb,
Iknowyouar
efucki
ngmy
wi
fe.So,
agai
n,whatdoyouwantf
rom me?
Hegr
abbedherbythechi
nandpul
ledherup,
pi
nni
ngheragai
nstthewal
l.
KAEDI
:(bangi
nghi
shandbesi
deherhead)Speak!
PI
LARA:(
cryi
ng)I
’
m sor
ry… Iwasj
ust
… Idi
dn’
t
mean…
KAEDI
:Youf
uckedLost
oo,
didn’
tyou?
PI
LARA:Kaedist
op!Youar
elosi
ngcont
rol
!
KAEDI:Shutthef
uckup!Yourasswasn’
tthi
nki
ng
aboutcont
rolwhenyouwentaftermywi
fe.
PI
LARA:Pl
easet
ellmeyoudi
dn’
thur
tBoemo…
KAEDI:She’l
lsurvi
ve, t
hisisnotaboutheranyway.
It
’saboutyou!Whatt hefuckdoyouwantf rom me
Pil
ara?Aren’
ttherepeopl eyoufancythathaveno
connecti
ontome?Youf uckedmybr otherandli
ed
tomyf aceaboutit!Iknowyoudi d.Iheardyouguys
atthepart
yyesterday!TellmePi pa,whatdidIsay
wasgonnahappeni fyouf uckmybr ot
her,huh?
PI
LARA:St
op,
wear
enotevenmar
ri
edanymor
e.
KAEDI:(
Laughing)Sweethear
t,youandIdon’
t
br
eakup,wet akebreaks!Whatthehel
ldi
dIsay
wasgonnahappeni fyoufuckmybr ot
her
?Speak!
WhatdidIsay?
PILARA:(
sobbi
ng)Youwer
egonnabeatmeupand
putmeinhij
ab.
KAEDI:OrI’
l
lblastupthispussysi
ncei
tgotyou
runni
ngaround.ShallI
?
Hecar essedherwithhisgunthroughhershor ts,
sl
ippinghishandandt hegunundert hewai st
band
andunderherpanties,caressi
nghernet herli
ps
withhisgun.Herbreathhikedatthetouchoft he
coldsteelcont
rast
ingwi t
hhiswarmf ingers
caresseshersensi
tiveskin.
Helookeddownather,
thosebi
geyeslooki
ngupat
hi
m wit
hbothfearandl
ustasshebi
therlowerl
ip.
Jesus,whatwashegonnadowi t
hthisli
ttl
efreak?
Thathisrageact
uall
yturnedheronmadehi m want
tochokethefuckoutofher.Thenagainthatwould
becounterpr
oducti
ve.
PI
LARA:Kaedi
,pl
ease…
I
twasbot
hamoanandapl
ea.
Pl
easef
orwhat
,hewasn’
tsur
e.
Hecapt
uredherpar
tedli
pswit
hhi
s,ki
ssi
ngher
har
dandroughunti
ltheywer
ebot
houtofbr
eat
h.
Hepul
ledbackandl
ookedheri
ntheeyes.
KAEDI:ObonawenaPi
lar
a… obonawena!Ever
y
fucki
ngti
meImoveonman!Everyf
ucki
ngtime!
Nxla!
Hesai
d,car
essinghercheekwi
ththegunasa
si
ngl
eteart
rai
leddownhischeek.
KAEDI:Obonawena,t
her
eisonlyonewayourl
i
ves
aregoingt
oendnnalewena.Oneway.Kego
bolai
l
eandkil
lmysel
f.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Kaediwokeupwi
thPi
pacuddl
edt
ohi
m,smi
li
ng.
PI
LARA:Mor
ningsunshi
ne.Whatwereyou
dr
eami
ngabout?Youweresmil
ingi
nyoursleep.
KAEDI:(
laughing)You.ButyouwereababyandI
wasli
ttl
e,andwewer eplayi
ngpeek-a-
booi
nfront
ofsomehut .
PILARA:(l
aughi
ng)Howdoyouknowi
twasme
thenifIwasababy?
KAEDI
:Thi
sbi
rt
hmar
k.
Hecaressedt
hesmal
lofherbackandki
ssedher
neck.
KAEDI:Aswewer epl
ayi
ng, t
hebabyfellandwhen
theyoungmom andgr andmawer epickingherup,
thetshi
rtsli
ppedupInoticedshehadal ar
ge
bir
thmarkjustl
ikeyour
sont hesmallofherback.
PILARA:Well
,wedoplaysomesortofpeek-a-
boo,
don’twe?Wear eal
wayshidi
ngf
rom andlooki
ng
foreachot
her,youandI.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)That
,ist
rue.
PILARA:Thefi
rstt
imeweeverbr
okeupyoujustlet
yourfr
iendscl
ownmeafteryout
ookmyvir
ginit
y
Kaedi
!
KAEDI:(
sighi
ng)Mygrandfat
herf
oundoutabout
ourr
elat
ionshi
pandsaiditmademeweak.Ihadto
l
oseyou.
PI
LARA:Iwasj
ustf
our
teen!
KAEDI :Wel
l,
wedi
dgetbackt
ogether
.Andyou
brokeupwithmesoyoucanbangguyseasi
lyi
n
varsi
ty!
PILARA:(l
aughing)IwasgoingtostartatUB!Who
needsapermanentboyf r
iendl
ivi
nginNewYor k
whenyouar estart
inguni
versi
ty?AndIdidtakeyou
backaft
erthatanyway,sodon’twhine.
KAEDI
:Twoyear
slat
er!
PILARA:Andyoucheatedonmewi thmybest
fr
iendamonthafter
!Inmyr oom!Thengotar
rogant
abouti
t.That
’swhenIstar
tedhati
ngyou.
KAEDI:Well
,Ican’
tsayI
’
m notgl
admygr
andpa
fi
nal
lygotyoutotakemeback.
PI
LARA:For
ced,
Kaedi
.Hef
orcedmet
omar
ryyou.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Semant
ics.Spar
kswer
efl
ying
mont
hsaf
tert
hat
,wer
en’
tthey?Ical
lawi
n.
PILARA:Notawin,
yourgr
eedyasswant
edmore.
YouchosetokeepLol
oandSassyandloseme…
wherearet
heynow?
KAEDI:(l
aughi
ng)Brut
al.ButIfucki
nghatemy
ancest
orthough.Wewer egonnatryagai
n… you
weregivi
ngmeanotherchanceandi twasjustus.
PILARA:(sadly)Howlongwouldthathavelast
ed
though?ThisisusKaedi,wekeepdoingthisto
eachother.Youareri
ght,par
tofmewant edtohurt
you.Especial
lywit
hBoemo.It ol
dhernotto
mentionittoyousoyoucanf eelhowit
’sli
kebeing
cheatedon.
KAEDI
:That
’shor
ri
ble,
Pil
ara.
PILARA:Andyouhavenotdonehor riblet
hingsto
me?AnywayIcandot hisanymoreKaedi.Ican’t
!
Thishi
deandseekCooki eandLusciousshitcan’
t
goonKaedi ,
I’mtir
ed.Iloveyou,GodknowsIdo.
ButIdon’
tthinklovei
sal lthatmat
ters.Wear et
oxic
toeachother,someoneal waysendsuphur t.
KAEDI
:But
…
PILARA:Kaedi
, evenifIwantedto,Ican’t.Ir
efuse
toshareyouallmyl if
e,butyoucan’tleaveBoemo,
dil
otsalonamadei tthatmyson’slifeisatriskif
youtwopart.I
’
m af raidthi
sti
met hi
si sit.
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)Iunder
stand.
PI
LARA:I
’
llst
opseei
ngBoemoand…
KAEDI:No,
sheishelpi
ngyou.Andifyouguys
wannabeinti
mate,
IguessI’
llhavet
odeal.
PILARA:No.Isweartoyoufrom nowonitwi
ll
st
rict
lyj
ustbether
apy.Ithi
nkyoushouldgo.Thi
s
guyIhavebeental
kingtoistaki
ngmetoawedding.
KAEDI
:Isheagoodguy?Doeshet
reatyour
ight
?
PI
LARA:Hei
sagent
leman
KAEDI
:ThenIwi
shyouwel
l.
Hepull
edhercl
oserandki
ssedherbef
oreget
ti
ng
dr
essed.
*
***
***
***
Kaediwal
kedintot
hei
rhomeandBoemosatata
rocki
ngchai
rreadi
ng.
KAEDI
:Bobbi
,I
’m sor
ry.
BOEMO:Ofcour
seyouar
e.
KAEDI:Iwasoutofl i
ne.YouknowIdon’ tthinkof
youaspropert
y.Allthatshi
tIsai
d,itwasal loutof
anger
.IfyouandPi pawanttocontinuewi t
hyour
thi
ng,byallmeans,do.Saysomet hingplease.
Hecameandknel
tinf
rontofher
,layi
nghi
sheadon
herl
ap.
KAEDI
:Pl
ease…
Shesi
ghedandcar
essedhi
shead,
massagi
nghi
s
templ
es.
BOEMO:Youareabr at
,Kaedi.Nobodyever
ytaught
youhowtocorr
ectl
ydealwithdisgr
untl
ement.So
youl
ashoutandthrowtantr
ums.
KAEDI
:Youcheat
edonmeBoemo.It
rust
edyou.
BOEMO:AndIwaswr ong.It
akefullr
esponsibi
li
ty.I
star
tedallthisbynotbeinghonest.Iapol
ogise.And
acceptyourapol ogy.Weneedtotalkaboutour
si
tuati
onKaedi .Wear ebothnotmonogamous, who
dowesat isfythat?
KAEDI:Irefusetohaveyoubewithanotherman.I
knowit’
ssel f
ish,
butiti
swhati
tis.Ifi
tmeanswe
havetoforcemonogamyonour selvesfort
hat
,Iwil
l
doit
.
BOEMO:Noneed.Iunder
standyourst
rongfeel
i
ngs
agai
nstmebei
ngwithmen.Howaboutwi t
hwomen?
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)Icanli
vewit
hthat
.Asl
ongasyou
knowIwil
lbewit
hotherwomentoo.
BOEMO:Neverhadapr oblem wi
ththat.Iam tot
all
y
coolwithanopenmar r
iage.Butwhateverwedo
staysawayfrom homeandf rom t
heki ds.Andwe
needt obesafeal
lthetime.Andnodr ama.These
peoplemustunderstandt heyareonlysexual
partners,
not
hingmor e.
KAEDI
:Agr
eed
BOEMO:Andoutofrespectforyourfeel
ings,
Iwi
ll
notdoi
nganyt
hingel
sewi t
hPilara.
Theyhear
dsomeoneyel
li
ngdownstai
rsandran
outyol
ook.Lol
owasonthef
oyercussingupa
st
orm.
LOAPI:Kaedi
,sootseetsebongwanakesot
hey
cancomewat chyourunstabl
easstr
ytocommi
t
sui
cide?
KAEDI
:Hel
lot
oyout
oLoapi
.
LOLO:Iwantmyki dsKaedi
!Iam leavingwi t
hthem
today.Ifyout
hinkyoucanbuyj udgesagai n,Iwi
ll
gotot hemedia.Whatkindoffatherinsi
stson
exposinghiskidstohi
sment ali
nstabili
tywhenyou
knowver ywellyouref
usetogethel p!
KAEDI:Lol
o,canweseatdownandt
alkl
ikesane
peopl
e.
LOAPI:Whatissaneaboutyou?Youmarri
eda
st
rangerbecauseyouthi
nkyourdeadrel
ati
ves
wantyouto.Youpullaguninfr
ontofyourki
ds,
whoknowswhat ’snext
?
KAEDI:(
sighi
ng)Idon’
twanttofi
ght
,Loapi.And
youareri
ght,
I’
m notok.Somaybeit
’si
nt hebest
i
nter
estoftheki
dsthatyoutaket
hem.
LOAPI
:Huh?
KAEDI
:Ift
heywantt
ocomest
aywi
thyou,
theycan.
I’
m onl
ylooki
ngoutfort
hei
rbesti
nter
est
s.Wedon’
t
evenhavetogotocourt
.
LOAPI
:Fi
ne.Whencant
heymove?
Hesi
ghedandl
efthert
her
e,wal
kingbackupst
air
s.
ThedooropenedandWandi
ewal
kedi
n.
ShelookedatBoemoandl
ookeddowninshame
bef
oreheadingtot
hebedr
oom shesl
epti
n.
Bei
ngwi
thKaedit
heot
herdaywas… damn.
Andshelovedhowat tent
ivehealwayswast o
Boemo,t
hegr eatf
atherhewasandgener alki
nd
human.Surehehadadar ksideshesawyest erday,
butt
hatjustmadehim mor esexyandmysterious.
Actual
lywhycouldn’tshebewithhi
m?Hewasher
babydaddyaft
erall.Andhewaspolyitwasn’
tli
ke
shewantedtotakehi mfr
om Boemo.
Maybesheshoul
dspendmor
eti
me‘
vi
sit
ingt
osee
At
tah’
.
*
***
***
***
*
Mokganediwal
kedi
ntoPi
lar
a’shomeandf
oundher
dr
essesup.
MOKGANEDI
:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Owai
i,
thi
sol
dthi
ng?
MOKGANEDI :Youcouldbei
nasackofpot
atoes
andsti
lll
ookbeaut
if
ul!Anymanwoul
dbeblessed
tohaveyou.
Shesmil
edandl ookeddown,t
hinki
ngoft
hest
eamy
ni
ghtshejusthadwithKaedi
.
PILARA:Thanks… anywayIhavegr
eatnews!Ifeel
l
ikeI’
mr eadyt
ostartmyownPRconsultancy!
MOKGANEDI :What
?Wow!I’m sohappyf
oryou.
Justt
ellmehowIcansupportyouandI’
m onit
!
PI
LARA:Thanks.Youar
eabl
essi
ng.
MOKGANEDI :Nott
opush,
butdi
dyougett
othi
nk
about
… us?
PILARA:(si
ghing)Mokganedi,Iam movi
ngto
Gaborone.Franci
stowntherearenotmuchcl
ient
s
andChanComm domi natesthemarket
.My
companyhasabet t
erchancethere.
MOKGANEDI :Thatisnoproblem,
peoplehavel ong
di
stancer el
ationshi
pal
ltheti
me.Wewi lltake
al
ternati
ngweekendsvisiti
ngeachotherunt i
lIcan
getatransfer.Wecanmakei tworkPipa,Iloveyou.
Actual
lywhatwastheharmint r
yinganew
rel
ati
onshi
p?Itwouldbeeasiert
omoveonwhen
shewasdatingsomeoneelse.AndMokganediwas
agreatman.
PI
LARA:Youknowwhat ,youareri
ght…wedeser
ve
achance.Let
’sseewher
et hi
sgoes.
*
***
***
***
**
5YEARSLATER
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Pil
araandMokganediar
rivedf
rom t
heeveni
ng
churchser
vice,
Mokganedicar
ryi
ngasleepi
ngReah.
Hewentt
oputt
heei
ghtyear
sol
dinbed,
thencame
andsatwi
thPi
lar
a,massagi
ngherf
eet
.
MOKGANEDI:Babe,
youwor
ktoohar
d,youar
e
al
wayssot
ir
ed.
PILARA:(
laughing)Comeswithstar
tupterr
it
ory.
Butbusi
nessisgr owi
ng.MightnotbewhereI’
dli
ke
i
ttobe,butit
’snotbad.Godwill
ing,
wewi l
lget
morecli
ents.
MOKGANEDI:Amen!Youwer ewonderfult
odayon
pr
aiseandwor
ship.Iam bl
essed,abeauti
ful
,smar
t
wi
fewhoalsofear
stheLord.IalwaysknewI
wantedaGodl
ywoman.
PILARA:I’
vehadmyshar
eofexperi
encesandt
ota
helaIcametoaconcl
usi
ont
hattherei
snoother
restbuti
ntheLor
d.
MOKGANEDI :Amen!Pipa,Iknowwear ewait
ingon
theLordt
oblessus,butIwast hi
nkingi
twouldn’
t
hurtt
oconsultafer
til
it
yspeciali
st.
Shel
ookeddown,
butqui
ckl
ylookedbackathi
m.
PILARA:Thenwherei
sourf
ait
hifwecan’
tbel
ieve
theLor
dwi l
lbl
essuswit
hachil
dinhi
sownt i
me.
AndIam notyoungbabe, I
’
m 36,itget
sabit
di
ff
icul
twit
hage, butIt
rusttheLordwil
lbl
essus.
MOKGANEDI
:Iwasj
ust
…
PILARA:Weshoul
djoi
nthatfasttheyarest
arti
ng
tomorr
ow,topr
ayfort
hisbl
essing.Justali
tt
le
pati
ence,
babe.
*
***
***
***
*
Tatjpar
kedinf r
ontofthesnoot ypri
vat
eschool
waiti
ngtopickupt hekids.Lolohadcall
edlast
minuteaski
ngi fhewoul dpickthem,asthedri
ver
whousuallypickedthem uphadanemer gency.
Hercompanyhadnotj
ustboomed,
ithadprosper
ed,
shehadbi
gcli
entsandwasrol
li
ngi
nbi gmoney.
Butitalsomeantshewasal
waysbusywi
thwor
kor
tr
avell
ing.
Allt
heotherswer ealr
eadyinthecarexceptforone.
Loapi’
seldest
,Mbewuwasf i
ft
eenandapr operhel
l
chil
dwithasmar tmouthworsethanLolo’s.Thetri
o
werenineandal waysint
roubl
eatschool,andTat j
’
s
boy,Max,wasf our.
Hetri
edherphoneagainandwastempt edt
oleave
thel
it
tl
ebratwhenshecamewal ki
ngouthandin
handwithaboy,andsomeothergi
rls.
GI
RL:Maxi
ne,
isn’
tthatyourdad?
MBEWU:Excuseyou!No.Themi
li
tar
yissobeneat
h
mydad,
duh.That’
stheguymymom isshaggi
ng.
GI
RL:Hecut
ethough.
MBEWU:Ifyouhavet
het
ast
eofadesper
atesl
ay
queen.
GI
RL2:Hemustbesl angi
ngorsomething,because
wholeavesKaediLedimoforasol
dier?Imean,
bi
ll
ionai
rehot
,sexydeepvoiceKaediLedi
mo?
MBEWU:( l
aughi
ng)Youar
edi
sgust
ing.Tomor
row
bi
tches.
Shegoti
nthecarandslammedt
hedoor
,thenput
onherAi
rPodsandlai
dback.
TATJ:Wel
l,
hel
lot
oyout
ooMbewu.
MBEWU:(
rol
li
nghereyes)Canwegohome?
Heshookherheadatj
usthowspoi
ltt
hegi
rlwas.
Lol
owasf oreveri
nter
fer
ingwheneverhetr
iedto
di
scipl
ineher,andt
hentheli
tt
leshi
talwaysranto
Kaedicryi
ngabuse.
*
***
***
***
**
Boemolookedatt
henegat
ivepregnancytestand
si
ghedsadl
yasKaedicameoverandkissedher
neck.
KAEDI :Babe,wil
lyoustopst
ressi
ngaboutthi
s?I
toldyoualready,
Idon’tgi
veafuckwhetheryou
givemeababyornot .
BOEMO:Ij ustdon’
tgetit
!Wehavebeent ot
onsof
speci
ali
sts,andsti
llnot
hing.Resul
tsal
ways
i
nconclusive.
KAEDI
:Retaautwaatt
heceremonyyouraunti
s
doi
ngtoappeaset
heancest
ors.Maybei
t’
sthem.
BOEMO:(
sighi
ng)Bei
ngamot
herdoesn’
tdef
ineme.
KAEDI:That
’smygirl
.Ibr
oughtvodka.Wannaget
t
otal
lywastedtoni
ght
?
BOEMO:No,I’
mtr
yingt
ost
ayof
fbooze.I
’
m
consi
der
ingI
VF.
KAEDI:Youauntsai
dno.ThatGodwi
lldoi
ton
God’
st i
me.
BOEMO:St
il
l,
passont
hevodka.Ij
ustwannar
est
.
Hesi
ghedandwal kedt
othekidsbedr
ooms.Onl
y
At
ali
ahandKail
ivedwit
hhim now.
Kaihadflatoutr
efusedtomoveinwithPil
araand
herhusbandwhent heygotmarri
edandtookReah,
andthekidshehadwi t
hLololongmovedyearsago
HepeekedintoAtta’sr
oom,andtheli
tt
lesixyear
s
oldwassoundasl eepi
nherDisneypri
ncesses
themedeveryt
hing.
Hewentovert
oIKai’
sbedroom andopenedthe
door
,Kaii
mmediat
elyshut
ti
ngdownhi slapt
op.
KAI
:Dudeeeee!
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Dude,i
fyouaregonnawatch
por
n,l
ockthedooranduseyourheadset
s.Jeez.
KAI:(
laughi
ng)Iwasn’
twatchi
ngpor
n,what’
s
wrongwithyou.IwasSkypi
ngthi
sgi
rlI
’m doi
ng
homewor kwit
h…
KAEDI
:That
’swhyshewasmoani
ng?
KAI
:Dad!
!!
KAEDI:(l
aughing)Ey,man.Aguy’ sgott
adowhata
guy’
sgottado.Justmakesur eyouuser ubber,
don’
tcatchanything,
anddon’ tgetherpregnant
.
Youtalktoyourmom t oday?
KAI
:Whi
chone?
Kaedil
aughedandt
hrewapi
ll
owathi
m.
KAEDI
:Smar
tass!Pi
pa
KAI:Sot
hatshecanremindmeofthenumberof
demonsIsupposedl
yhave?Nah,
nigga.
KAEDI:(
laughing)Boy,
godrinkpetrolorwhatever
shi
ttheymaki ngpeopl
eeatanddrinkatthose
demonchur ches.HowboutLolo,
youcal lher
?
KAI:Shewasheadedt oZurichtoday.Herhusband
annoysme, andwegotintoitthelastti
meIvisi
ted,
becauseIremindedtheniggaheai ntnobodydaddy
whenhet r
iestohaveafitaboutmyshi t.How’
s
mamaB?Shewasi namoodear l
ier.
KAEDI:(
signi
ng)She’
l
lbebet
ter
.Oneoft
hosedays,
youknow.
KAI
:Shest
il
ltr
ippi
ngaboutget
ti
ngpr
egnant
?
KAEDI:(l
aughing)Whatdoyouevenknowabout
that
?She’scool.Don’
tbotherher
,letherrest
.I’
m
headedout.Gonnacheckonpops, t
heoldfoxbeen
alotundertheweatherl
atel
y,butrefusestol
etme
takehi
mt othedoctor.
KAI
:Iwannaheadoutl
ater
,canIbor
rowyourLex?
KAEDI:Boy,t
ouchmyol egirlandIwi
llcastrat
eyou.
TaketheBMW anddon’ tyoufucki
ngwr eckmycar
Kai,
Iwillt
akeyoural
lowancef ort
henextfiveyear
s
tofi
xit.
KAI:(
laughi
ng)Rel
axerdad.Yout
aughtmehowt
o
dr
ive.
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)ThefactthatIt
aughtyoui
s
what
’sgotmewor ri
ed.Ait
eboy.Ciao!
Theyfi
stpumpedandKaedil ef
t.Hewasveryproud
i
fhisrel
ati
onshipwit
hhiski
ds,he’dbeensoworri
ed
aboutbei
ngat er
ri
bledadbecauseofhisupbr
ingi
ng.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Lebakwesati
nthegar
denwat
chi
ngt
hei
rthr
eeki
ds
pl
aying.Loet
owastheyoungestatonl
yoneyear
ol
d,andr emi
ndedhersomuchofherlatebaby
br
other.
Wetshowasoutandsai dhewasgoi ngoutwith
KaediandLosika,butsi
nceshef oundoutabouthi
s
rel
ationshi
pwithhisassist
anttwoyearsago,he
couldn’tt
rustt
hesonofabi tch.
Especi
all
ywi
tht
henewni
net
eenyear
sol
dhel
per
.
Thel
it
tl
ethi
ngcamewaddli
ngthroughwi
thher
cl
umsyass,andshej
ustmadeLebakweannoyed.
Gosh,shedidn’
twantt
obeoneoft hosewomen
whowoul dhateonamaidf
ornothing,butt
hegi
rl
’s
i
nnocenceandnaivet
ywasannoying.
*
***
***
***
I
nthemor
ningPi
lar
asati
nherdoct
or’
sof
fi
ce.
DR:Ok, t
herepl
acementwentwel l
.Itwi
lll
ast
anotherfi
veyears.Onthenextf
ewdaysj ustbe
carefuli
nthenextsevendaysorso.
PI
LARA:Thankyoudoct
or.
Sheputonhercoatandwal
kedt
othecarasshe
tal
kedt
ooneofherchur
chchur
chmat
eaboutan
upcomi
ngyout
hcamp.
God,thi
swast heli
feshehadalwayswant ed.
Simpleandbeaut i
ful,
alovinghusbandwhowas
Godfearingandador edherandonlyher,hisfami
ly
l
ovedher ,acareersheenjoyed,andatleastshe
hadReahl ivi
ngwithher.Kaihadnoi nt
erest
whatsoever.
Ofcoursehavingt
olietoMokganediabouthavi
ng
ki
dswasasourpoi nt,buthewasadamantabout
havi
ngatleasttwokids,whenshehadonseveral
occasi
onstoldhimthatmaybethedidn’
tneedto
haveki
ds.
Howt hehel lwasshesupposedt ot
ellt
hemanshe
hadnoi ntentionwhatsoeverofhavi
nganymor e
ki
dswhenhewant edto?Shelovedtheli
feshehad
now.Ofcoyr seitwasn’tasexci
ti
ng,butitwas
stabl
eandhappy.Shewasn’ tgoi
ngtorocktheboat
,
she’drathertellt
hatli
ttl
ewhiteli
e.
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMWNT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Kaediwalkedi
ntheLedi
mohouseandf
ound
Ledi
moi nbedinhi
sbedroom,
mmaLedimosit
ti
ng
wit
hhim.
KAEDI
:Ol
dman,
howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
LEDI
MO:Fitasahorse,
thi
sol
dwomanj
ustwon’
t
l
etmegetoutifbed.
MMALEDI MO:Whatwi l
lIdoifyoufai
ntwhileout?I
can’tcar
ryyou.Youref
useawheel chai
rbutyou
knowbot hyourkneesarebad.Kaediboughtthi
s
fancywheelchairt
hatyouneveruse!
LEDIMO:Kaedicanusethewheel
chai
rifhei
sint
o
that
.Whoaskedhimt obuyi
t?
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Ay,g’
ma.I
’
llt
aket
heol
dfoxout
.
Hehadhisbat
hyet?
MMALEDI MO:Notyet,youknowi fyoudon’tcomeI
str
uggl egetti
nghimtoshower .Yourbrothersdon’
t
care.Allofthem,mineandShar on’schi
ldren.AndI
don’tfeelr
ightaski
ngthemai dstocomeshower
hi
m.
KAEDI:That
’si
t,I
’m nolongernegoti
ati
ng.Iam
gett
inghi
m anurse.Youar eoldtoog’
ma.Youneed
rest
.Maybeweshoul dconsultspeci
ali
stsand…
LEDI
MO:Isai
dI’
mfi
ne
MMALEDI MO:Oh, enoughofthi
sal
ready!Hehas
prost
atecancerandisref
usi
ngchemo.HesaidI
shoul
dnotyellyou.
KAEDI
:What?Gramps,i
sthi
strue?I
t’
sok,I
’
llf
ind
t
hebestoncol
ogi
stsandfl
ythem i
nand…
LEDIMO:See?Hei soverreact
ingal
ready!That’
s
whyIdidn’
twanttot el
lyou.Youactli
keI’m
i
mmor tal
.Iam dyi
ngandIam atpeacewi t
hit.I
’m
notspendi
ngmyf inaldaysbeingpr
ickedandpoked
l
ikesomel abr
at.Iam 82yearsold,onewayort he
other
,mydeathbedisnear .
KAEDI
:No.No…wear
eseei
nganoncol
ogi
stand…
LEDIMO:Myboy, pl
ease…aff
ordmet hedigni
tyof
choosi
ngmydeat h.I
fitwasaccordi
ngtome, I
wouldtakeapi
llandbegonerightnow,Idon’
twant
t
ocomet
oapoi
ntwher
eI’
m wear
ingdi
aper
s,Kaedi
.
KAEDI :Youarei
nsanei
fyout
hinkI
’
lleverl
etyou
ki
llyoursel
f.
LEDI
MO:Thenl
etnat
uret
akei
t’
scour
se.
Kaedilookedupandbl
inkedthet
earsaway,
hurr
yingtothetubt
oprepareabath.
Ledi
mowast heopposit
eofagoodf ather
,buthe
wastheonlyfat
herf
igureheeverknew,evenbef
ore
hefoundouthewashisr eal
dad.
Inhisownway, t
heol
dmandi dl
ovehi m,and
taughthim howtosurvi
ve,fr
om businessworldt
o
ont hestr
eets.Hehadtaughthim howtobe
formidabl
e.
God,
hecoul
dn’
tjustbedyi
ng.Notyet
!
Hesighedandhelpedt
heoldmantakeoffhi
s
cl
othes,t
hengothiminthet
ubwashinghim.
Howdidhenotevenreal
isehowf r
ailLedi
mohad
got
ten?Apr
izedsonhewas, huh?Hi sfat
herwas
dyi
ngandhedidn’
tevenreal
iseit
.
Whenhel
ookeddown,
Ledi
mohadat
eardownhi
s
cheek.
LEDI
MO:Youshoul
dn’
tbedoi
ngt
his.
KAEDI
:Doingwhat
?Taki
ngcareofmyfat
her?
Comeonoldman,l
et’
sgetdr
essedandgoforal
ate
gar
denst
roll
.
LEDIMO:ThereissomuchIneedt ot ellyoubeforeI
go… somuchIneedt ofi
x.Butonet hingt hat
’si
n
thefor
efr
ontis… myboy, Iknowyoudon’ twantto
betheparentthatIorLeat
il
ewer e.Butki dsneed
boundari
es.Kaiisyourson,notyourf r
iend.
KAEDI
:Gr
amps,
canwenot
?
LEDIMO:No,myboy.Wehavet
o.I
’m notsayingbe
unappr
oachabl
etoKai
,j
ustmoul
dhimf ortheman
heneedstobe.
KAEDI
:Hedoesnotneedt
obeanyonehedoesn’
t
wantt
obe.
LEDIMO:Youknowbet t
erthanthat
.AndKai’
s
responsibi
li
ti
esareevengreater
,hei
saChief!He
comesf rom twogreatf
amili
esandbothar
elooki
ng
athimt obeleaderoneday…
KAEDI
:Ihat
ethatf
orhi
m… hei
sjustaboy…
LEDIMO:( l
aughing)Howdoyout hi
nkIfeltwhenall
thoseresponsibi
li
ti
eswer eonmyboy?Whet heryou
l
ikeitornot,Kai’
slif
eisnothis,andthesooneryou
helphim acceptthatthebet
ter.
KAEDI
:Ithoughtt
hechi
ldBoemoandIar
etohave
wassupposedtobet
heheiranyway?
LEDIMO:Ketaarengkatheredoesn’tsseem tobe
anheircomi
ngf r
om t
hatmar r
iage?ButKaiissti
l
l
chi
efandhewillbeexpect
edtot akeonthose
dut
iesoneday.Youhavetoteachhi mresponsi
bil
it
y.
KAESI:Whydoesever yonebeli
evejustthatIki
d
aroundwit
hmyson, hei sir
responsibl
e?Whathas
Kaidonetomakeanyonet hinkhei sir
responsi
ble?
Heistopstudentinaformf i
veclassandhei sonly
abouttot
urnfif
teen,andheisf ul
lyawareofwhatis
expect
edofhim!Pardonmef ornotputti
ngagun
onhishand!
LEDIMO:Ifyouhadanyintel
li
genceinyouatal
lyou
would!Doyouknowhowmanypeopl ewanttoki
ll
thatboyf
orthemerethatheisyours?
*
***
***
***
**
Kaigotchangedandgr
abbedt
hekeyst
othecar
.
BOEMO:Goi
ngout
?
KAI:Ohheymama- B.Thoughtyouwer esl
eeping.
Wantmetomakeyouami dnightsnackbefor
eI
headout
?Ifi
nishedmyassignment .
BOEMO:HowareyougoingoutKaedi?Doyoupl an
onbreaki
ngt
hel
aw?Fift
eenyearsoldscan’
tlegall
y
dr
ive.Youar
enotevenf
ift
eenyet.
KAI
:Butmum…
BOEMO:Doyout hinkadri
vingunderagechargewil
l
l
ookgoodonaHar var
dapplicati
on?Orunderage
dri
nki
ng?Kai
,youwor ktoohar dtol
etchi
ldi
sh
thi
ngsrui
nyoufuture.
KAI:(
sighi
ng)I
’
m appl
yingt
oHar
var
d?Anyway,
I’
m
sor
rymum…
BOEMO:Youar enotbot
haLedi moandr oyalf
or
nothi
ng.TheboyI’mrai
singisgonnabegr eat
er
thanyourfat
her
,yourgr
andfather
.That
’stheheir
I’
mt ogi
ve.
KAI
:Huh?
Heranoverandcaughtherwhenher
eal
isedher
get
ti
ngadizzyspel
l.
Sher
ubbedherf
aceandl
ookedathi
m.
BOEMO:Heybabyboy,
headedout
?
KAI
:Huh?
BOEMO:(laughi
ng)Justr
emembert
odr
ivesaf
e
anddon’
tgetcaught
.
KAI
:Butyouj
ustsai
d… uh…youj
ust
…whatt
hehel
l?
BOEMO:Kai,areyouok?Shal
lIgetyouanappl
e
j
uiceorsomething?
KAI
:I’
mfi
ne.
Hesatdownont hef
oyerchai
rsandBoemowentt
o
gethi
m ajui
ce.
BOEMO:Tal
ktomemyboy,
what
’sgotyouwor
ri
ed?
KAI:I… uhm… notworr
iedmum!Ij ust… haha!I
foundoutaboutmy‘surpr
ise’
fif
teenthbir
thday
tri
p…andIknowyouboughtmesomet hi
ngr eal
big…
BOEMO:(
laughi
ng)Damn!Howdoyoual
ways
managet
ocatchmeeveryyear
!
KAI:(
laughi
ng)Ti
p,mommydearest,
achocol
ate
barandanewBar bi
edol
lcangetyoual
ongwayi n
thi
shouse.
BOEMO:(laughi
ng)OhAt
ta!Mybabyjustcan’
tkeep
asecr
et.Butsomethi
ngi
ssti
llonyourmind.
KAI:Nextweeki
smybirt
hday,
andal
lshei
stal
king
abouti
schurchcamp.
Boemosi ghed,notevenneedingtobet oldwho
‘
she’ref
erredto.Pilar
ahadneverhadaconnect i
on
wit
hthisboysi ncehewasbor n,nomat terhow
muchshet ri
ed, andithadnotimproved.Which
happenedsomet i
mes.Amot herincapableof
connect
ingwi t
hachi ld.
BOEMO:Maybeshehasasur
pri
sef
oryou.
KAI:Yousaidthatlastyear!Andallshegotmewas
l
astmi nut
eguiltsneakers.ThatIal
readyhad.Do
youthinksheisindif
ferenttomebecauseshewas
for
cedt ohaveme?
BOEMO:Whoonear
tht
oldyouPi
lar
awasf
orcedt
o
haveyou?
KAI:Let
’snotpret
end,mum.Iknowshewas.Our
famil
yhasal otofl
oudmout
hs.
BOEMO:Comehere,
comeon, youarenott
oobi
g
formommyhuggi
e.Bri
ngi
tin.That’
smyboy.
Shehuggedhi
m war
mly.
BOEMO:Pi
lar
alovesyou,
ok?Don’
tyouevert
hink
ot
her
wise.
KAI:Youjustseethebesti
neveryone.Wanns
watchsomehor ror?Icanmakeuspopcorn.Don’
t
feell
ikegoi
ngoutnow.
BOEMO:Cool,
nottooscar
yrr
a,nnakel
alake
boi
ha.Getmeajui
cetoo.
*
***
***
***
Pi
lar
awasont heki
tchenmaki
ngmuf
fi
nswi
thReah
whenMokganediwalkedi
n.
MOKGANEDI
:ReRe,
goandwat
chyourcar
toons
baby.
Reahr
anof
ftot
hel
ivi
ngr
oom.
MOKGANEDI:SoItalkedt
othatf
ert
il
it
yspeci
ali
sta
f
ri
endrecommended.Hesaidhecanslotusi
non
Monday.
PI
LARA:Mokganedi
,wet
alkedaboutt
his…
MOKGANEDI:Iknow… IjustthinkGodmade
f
ert
il
it
yspeci
ali
stsforareason… whenwearesi
ck
wegotothedoctoraker
e.It’
sthesame.
Shesi
ghedandl
eanedagai
nstt
hedoor
.
PILARA:NnakanammeIl ongtol
dyoubefor
ewe
gotmarri
edthatIdi
dn’
twantanymorechi
ldr
en,
and
yousaidIwi
llchangemymind.Itol
dyouIwoul
dn’
t!
Yousaidyoudidn’
tmind!
MOKGANEDI :Pil
ara,It
houghtyouwer
ejustsayi
ng
t
hatduetoallthecustodyt
hingsyouwentt
hrough
wit
hyourex.Howcanyounotwantachi ldforus?
PILARA:Ijustdon’t
!Iam busyandbeinganew
mom ishar d.Ihavenoroom fori
tri
ghtnow,andby
theti
memybusi nessiswellandtr
ulyset
tl
ed,Iwi
ll
betooold.Andmyhear ti
sjustnoti
ntoit
.Gakea
gol
obel
a.
MOKGANEDI :Thati
snotf
airPi
lar
a!Idon’
thavea
bi
ologi
calchi
ldand…
PILARA:What’
snotf
airi
syoudecidi
ngtogoahead
withamarr
iageyouwantchil
drenf
rom whenyou
knowIdon’
t,hopi
ngIwil
lchangemymi nd.
MOKGANEDI
:Maybei
fwet
alkedt
othepast
or…
PILARA:Yousee?Nowol ekagonkgagapel lato
haveababywhenIdon’ twanti t.Iam notgoingto
changemymi nd,It
oldyout hatal ongtimeback.I
tri
edt opr otectyoubynotmaki ngt hi
sanissue,but
thi
sisenough.Thel asttimeIhadababyInever
want ed, Iendedupdi sconnect edf rom hi
m.No
mat t
erhowIt ry,atbesthef eel
sl i
keanephewI
reall
yl ove.It’snotli
kewi t
hReah.Youwoul dn’t
under stand, butIpromi seyouI ’
m notchangingmy
mind.
Shepull
edofft
heapronandwal kedawayannoyed.
Hechosethi
s.Whyactli
ket hi
swasnewt ohim.
Shewasdonelyingt
oprotecthim,thatwasher
tr
uth,
shedidnotwantanymor ekids,nomatt
er
whatt
hatwoul
dmeant
ohermar
ri
age.
*
***
***
***
*
Tat
jwal
kedi
ntotheli
vingroom f
rom workl
ate.
Mbewuwasintheli
vingroom watchi
ngTV.
TATJ:Yourt
eachert
oldmeyouhadanot
etogi
ve
me.
MBEWU:Di
dshe?
TATJ:Mbewu, youcal l
edanotherchil
da‘
gutt
er
trash’anda‘
scholarshi
pli
ttl
ebitch’
,andt
oldt
he
teacheryou‘
don’tspeakpoor’.
MBEWU:(
laughi
ng)Shei
s.Idon’
t.
Shesai
dasshecont
inuedl
ooki
ngatherphone.
Tat
jsnat
chedt
hephoneaway.
MBEWU:Hey,
Iwasusi
ngt
hat
.
TATJ:You’l
lgeti
tbackonceyouhaveapol
ogi
sedt
o
thegi
rlandyourteacherandt
akent
hepuni
shment
youaregiven.
MBEWU:Youhaveaner
vet
aki
ngshi
tyoudi
dn’
tbuy.
Gi
vemebackmyphone.
TATJ:Notunt
ilyoul
ear
nyourmanner
s.
Shehuff
edofftoherbedroom wher
eshegotonher
l
aptopandSkypedLolo.
LOLO:Pr
incess!Iwasaboutt
ocal
lyou.
MBEWU:(sul
king)Goodl
uckwi
tht
hat
.Your
husbandt
ookmyphone.
LOLO:Huh?Whywoul
dhedot
hat
?
MBEWU:KanaTat ji
salwaysmaki ngmeatf aulta
saitsetheot hersideofthestory.MamayouknowI
alwaysdomyschool work,Idon’twannabeoneof
thosedumbgi rlswhoarepr et
tywi thacoconut
head.Iwannabel ikeyou,prett
yandsmar t.Butmy
teacherpartneredmewi thsomeschol arshipki
dfor
asciencepr ojectandshecoul dn’tcont r
ibutetoget
themat eri
alIwantt ousef orthepr ojectandwhenI
saiditwasnotf ai
randaskedt het eachert ochange
mypar tnerandputschol arshi
pki dstoget herso
theydon’tinconveniencetherestofus, teacher
want edtopuni shme.
LOLO:Why?Yousai
dnothi
ngwr ong,
herinabi
li
tyto
fi
nanci
all
ycont
ri
but
ewil
lli
mityourpr
oject,
andit’
s
notfai
rthatyoubeart
hecostal
onewhi
lesheget
s
credi
t!
MBEWU:Iknewyouwoul dgetit
.It
’snotmyfaul
t
shei
spoorkana.Tat
jjustt
ookmyphonef ori
t!I
don’
tthi
nkhel
ikesmemama( sobbing)
LOLO:Nownowpr incess, don’
tcry.I’
l
lhaveawor d
withhi
m.Justdothepr ojectfornow.Iwillgiveyou
anextraP500wit
hyoural l
owancet ocat
erf orit,
thenI’
l
ltal
ktoyourteacheraboutwhoshepar tners
youwithonthenextproject.
MBEWU:Thanksmummy!Youar
ethebest
!
Af
tert
alki
ngt
oMbewu,
Lol
ocal
ledTat
j.
TATJ:Heybabe,
what
’sup?
LOAPI:Good.Jaanongnerr
aotseet
sengphoneya
ngwana?Howi sshesupposedt
ocommunicate
wit
hherstudygroupandall
?
TATJ:Di
dshet
ellyouwhatshedi
d?
LOAPI:Didyout
aketi
met oli
stentowhatr
eall
y
happened?Kanaasusualyoubeli
eveever
yonebut
her?Wenakanayouarealwaysblamingmy
daught
erandmaki
ngherabadki
d.
TATJ:Yourdaught
er?It
houghtt
heywer
e‘our
’ki
ds.
LOAPI
:YouknowwhatImean.
TATJ:Thenstopint
erf
eri
ngwhenIdisci
pli
nethem.
Theyarerot
tenandMbewuisworst.Youcoddleher
toomuch.
LOAPI:IfBebewasabadki
d,woul
dshehavet
he
gradesshegets?
TATJ:Goodgradesdonotequat
emanner
s!Whi
ch
shedoesnothave!
LOAPI:Mannersdon’tpaybi
ll
s.Goodmanner
ed
peopl
eareteacher
sandnur seswhil
ewethebad
ki
dsareatthebigtable.
TATJ:Real
ly?Ar
eyouser
ious?
LOAPI:Justgi
veherbackthephone,
pleasebabe?
Pl
ease?Thankyou.Iloveyou.Got
tago.Talkl
ater
.
HesighedandwenttoknockatMbewu’sr
oom,
handi
ngherthephoneasthegir
lsnat
cheditback
wit
hasmugsmi le.
*
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Aweeklat
erKaediwasbusyf
ixi
nghi
scarwhen
Kaiwal
keduptohim.
KAEDI
:Myman…
KAI
:Heydad…
Hej
ustsatt
her
equi
etl
yforawhi
le.
KAEDI
:Chi
ef,
areyouok?
Kaisi
ghedandpacedabout
.
KAI
:Dad,
ismama-
Bok?
KAEDI
:Asf
arasIknow,
yes…why?
KAI
:Ij
ust
… maybei
t’
sinmyhead.
KAEDI
:What
?
KAI:I
twast
otall
ywei
rd.Aweekagoshecameand
tol
dmeIcouldn’
tgooutandberat
emeandtoldme
howIwasrui
ningmyapplicat
iont
oHar
vard…
KAEDI
:Oh,
soyouar
etr
yingf
orHar
var
d?
KAI:I’
vebeenthinki
ngofit,
butnevertoldher.
Anyway,that’
snotthepoint
.Allt
heber at
ingandall
i
sokbecauseIwast ryi
ngtobeabadshi tandshe
alwayschecksme, youknow…I ’
m coolwi t
hit
,she
knowsbetterforme.
KAEDI
:Thatshedoes…
KAI:Butt henshegotdizzyandIcaughtherandl
ed
hertoachai r
.Thenitwasli
keshewast ot
all
y
dif
ferent.Likeshehadjustseenme,sheaskedme
whereIwasgoi ngandsaidIcoul
dgo.Itwasso
confusing.
KAEDI
:Thati
swei
rd.Butyoudoknowyourmot
her
i
sasangoma.So,
weirdi
sherthi
ng.
KAI:Nah… shehastakenmet ocer
emoni
esbefore.
Ihaveseenhercommuni cat
ewitht
heancest
ors.
Thiswasdiff
erent
.
KAEDI
:I’
l
ltal
ktoherabouti
t.
KAI:Idon’
tthi
nkshewil
levenremember
.Idon’
t
wannaupsether.Maybeit
’sj
ustinmyhead.
*
***
***
***
**
I
nthemor ni
ngasPi
lar
aprepar
edtogotowor
k,
Mokganediwal
kedi
nwi t
hthei
rpast
or.
PASTOR:Mr s-Mokget
hi,
I’
m gl
adIcaughtyoumy
si
ster
.Brot
herM heresaysyouguysarehavi
nga
bi
tifahardtime?
Wow.Anambusht
hem?
PILARA:Past
or,
wearest
il
lsor
ti
ngt
hingsoutwe
weregonnacometal
ktoyouwhenwehadan
underst
andi
ng.
PASTOR:Si
nceI
’
m her
e,wemi
ghtaswel
lget
st
art
ed.
PILARA:I’
mi nabi
tofahur
ry,
Ihavet
odr
opReah
atschooland…
PASTOR:Wecanmeetyouatyourof
fi
ce?Icl
ear
ed
mymorning.
PILARA:(si
ghi
ng)Past
or,myhusbandwasvery
awarethatIdi
dnotwantkidswhenwemarri
ed.
MOKGANEDI
:It
houghtyouwoul
dchangeyour
mi
nd…
PILARA:Aft
erItol
dyouIwon’tchangeit!Andyou
saidyouunder
stood,
thatweshouldjustget
mar r
ied!
MOKGANEDI:Youknowhowwomenar e,changi
ng
t
heirmi
ndsallt
het
ime,Iknewyouwouldsoon
wantababy.
PI
LARA:Soyoudeci dedtoi
gnorewhatIsai
dand
goonalam basedonast er
eot
ype?NnaIdon’t
wantababy,andthat’
sit
.
PASTOR:Mr sMokgethi
,youknowGod’ spl
ansare
great
erthanour
s.Anditisaccordi
ngtotheLor
d’s
pl
ant ogrowandmulti
plyasaf amil
y…your
husbandisnotwrongtowishforthat
…
PI
LARA:Pastor
,Iam r
unni
ngl
ateandthi
scouldgo
onal
lday.Shal
lweappoi
ntwi
thyouforSat
urday
af
ter
noon?
PASTOR:Thatwi
llbegood,
thankyou.
Hel
eftasPi
lar
alookedatMokganediangr
il
y.
PI
LARA:Wow!Ambushme?Ser
iousl
y?
MOKGANEDI
:Iwasj
ust
…
PILARA:Ihavetogo.Aft
erschoolI
’
mt aki
ngReah
toFranci
stown,
it’
sherbrot
her’
sbir
thday.
MOKGANEDI :Gr
eat,
itwouldbeagreatchanceto
t
rybuil
dingmyrel
ati
onshi
pwi t
hKaiagain.Shal
lI
meetyouguysatyouroffi
ce?
PILARA:Maybenextt
ime.Ineedt
imeonmyownt
o
thi
nk.
MOKGANEDI
:Ar
eyousayi
ngIcan’
tcome?
PILARA:I’m sayi
ngyougotusi namessbecause
youdidn’tl
istenwhenItol
dyoumyt r
uth,nowI
gott
afigureoutwhatgives,andIneedtimeawayt
o
dothat.
MOKGANEDI :Iunder
standwhyyouar
eangr
y,I
shoul
dn’
thaveambushedyou…
PILARA:I ’
m notangrybabe.Ij
ust… oneofuswi ll
havet ocompromi se.Andyoucan’tbringawhole
humani nt
othiswor l
dforacompromi se.That
’s
unfairtothechil
d.Thinkabouti
tbabe, doyouwant
tobringachildwhosemot herdoesn’twantint
ot hi
s
world?
MOKGANEDI
:Iseeyourpoi
nt… Ij
ust
…
PILARA:Itwouldbesosel fi
shbabe.Justt
hink.You
aremyhusbandandIwantt omakeyouhappy.I
respectyourword.Eventual
lyIwil
lgi
veinifyou
keeppushing.Butitwil
lbeunfairt
othechil
d.
Hesi
gheddi
sappoi
nted
MOKGANEDI :Gonewabua… ei
sh, i
t’
sjust
…let
sgo
forcounsel
li
ngandprayer
,itwi
llhel
pchangeour
sit
uati
on.
PI
LARA:(
sighi
ng)Prayeri
snotgonnachangemy
mi
ndMokganedi,butok.
*
***
***
***
***
*
LunchtimeatschoolKaiwenttotheformtwo
cl
asses.Thoughheandhi ssi
sterwerethesame
age,si
nceprimar
yschoolmama- Bhadrequested
ski
ppingsomegr adeswhenhewasdoi ng
excepti
onal
lywel
l,andnowhewast hreegrades
aheadofMbewu.
Thecl
asswasempt
yleaveforsomegir
lwhowas
sl
eepi
ngonthet
abl
e.Thescholar
shi
pkidMbewu
wasgr umbli
ngaboutbeingpar tneredwit
h.Shehad
writ
tenherstandardsevenatel evenandcameout
astopstudentinthewhol ecount ry,sot
heirpr
ivate
schoolhadof f
eredheraschol arshipasa
communi t
yengagementi niti
ative.Nowshewast he
youngesti
nf ormtwoatt hir
teen.
Hewasaboutt oheadbackwhenhehear
dat hud,
thegir
lfel
ltot
hegroundandshewastwi
tchi
ngina
seizur
e.
Shi
t…
Heranoverandheandroll
edheroveronhersi
de
l
ikethef
ir
staidl
essonssay,ashescr
eamedfor
hel
p.
Shetookhi
shandandl
ookedhi
m st
rai
ghti
nthe
eyes.
‘
Yourmother
,shewasnotsupposedtobeher
e.
Anot
hermakotiwaschosen.Youwer
egivent
oher
.’
Theyshewast wi
tchi
ngagainaspeopl
eranover
andtheteachercameast hegi
rlwaspi
ckedupto
theschoolnurse’
soffi
ce.
Kaisatont
het
abl
econf
used.
Whatt
hef
uckwast
hat
?
*
***
***
***
**
Int
heaft
ernoonTat
jwalkedi
ntotheLedi
mo
bui
ldi
ng,
sighi
ngthi
nki
ngofthelastt
imehewas
her
e.
ButLoapiwasn’tl
isteningandli
steningMbewu
neededparent
alinterventi
on.Hetalkedt
othe
recept
ioni
stwhocal l
edKaediandhesai dtocome
up.
KAEDI
:Whatdoyouwant
?
TATJ:Tot
alkaboutyourdaught
er.
KAEDI
:Ihavef
ive.Whi
chone.
TATJ:Mbewu.Ihonest
lydon’
tagr
eewi t
htheway
Loapial
lowshert
otrampl
eonpeople.Thati
sno
waytoli
veand…
KAEDI:Soyouwantmetotel
lyourwi
fehowt
o
rai
seachil
d?Otshabel
aLoapimogonna?
TATJ:Look,
man.Idon’
thavet
opar
entyourbr
at.
Butsheisachi l
dwhoneedsguidanceand
boundariesandyouguysgivehernone.Andyou
knowhowLol oi
s…I’
mj ustt
ryi
ngtohelp,onef
ather
toanother.
KAEDI:(si
ghing)Youknowwhat ?Thanksman.Not
manywoul dcareenoughaboutar udelit
tl
ebrat
that
’snoteventhei
rstodothi
s.I’l
lseewhatIcan
dowi t
hBebe.Goodstepparentsaren’tgi
ven
enoughcredit.
Heheldouthi
shandandTat
jshooki
tbef
oresayi
ng
goodbye.
*
***
***
***
Kaistoodoutsi
deschoolwhent
heli
tt
legi
rlf
inal
ly
walkedout.Hethr
ewhisbasket
bal
lather
,hi
tti
ng
herside.
Shej ustsighedandlookeddown,atearrol
li
ng
downhercheek.Shewasusedt obei
ngbul l
iedi
n
thisschool,buthermotherref
usedtolether
transfert
oagover nmentschool
.Shesaidthiswas
anoppor tunit
yofal i
fet
ime.
KAI
:OhmyGod,
areyoucr
ying?Whyar
egi
rl
ssuch
wi
mps?Iwasj
ustpl
ayi
ng.Sor
ryee.
Shesni
ff
ledandj
ustkeptwal
king.
KAI
:Ser
iousl
y.I
’
m sor
ry.Her
e,peaceof
fer
ing.
Hehandedthechocol
atebarhehadboughtf or
At
tahovert
oherandshej ustkeptwal
king.
Hewasmessi
ngwit
hher
,whywoul
dfucki
ngKai
Ledi
mobeni
cetoher
.
Hest
oodi
nfr
ontofherandshookhershoul
der
s.
KAI:St
opcr yi
ng,ok?Idon’
tli
kemaki nggir
lscr
y,my
dadsaysonl ypussi
esdothat.Here,taket
he
chocol
ate.Girl
sli
kechocol
ate.Please…
Fi
nal
lyshereachedherar
mst otake,expect
inga
pr
ank.Sur
prisedwhenhejustl
etitgo.
Ok,
whatdi
dhedot
oit
?
Sheopenedi
tandbrokeapi
ecef
orhi
m.Kai
l
aughedandatei
t,t
hensheat
eherpi
ece.
KAI:Iwant
edt
oaskyouaboutwhatyousai
dear
li
er.
Aboutmymothernotsupposedt
obeher
e?
HER:Huh?
KAI:Yousaidmymotherwasnotsupposedt
obe
her
e, whatdoest
hatmean.
HER:Ineversai
dthat
.
KAI:Yesyoudid,don’
tfuckwi
thmeli
tt
legi
rl
,Iwi
ll
sl
apt heshi
toutofyou.Whatdi
dyoumean?
Shest
art
edsobbi
ng.
HER:(sobbi
ng)Idon’
tknow,ok?Idon’
t!Ij
ust
star
tedgett
ingt
hesesei
zureafewmont hsback
andIneverrememberwhathaplesswhenIget
them.
KAI:(
sighi
ng)Heynow…don’
tcr
y.I
t’
sok.I
t’
sok,
youdon’tknow.
HER:(sobbing)Ij
ust,i
t’
sunf
airt
hatthi
shappenst
o
mealso!LikeIdon’thavemanyprobl
emsalr
eady!
KAI
:Whatpr
obl
emsdoyouhave,
youar
ethi
rt
een.
HER:Justbecauset
hir
teenmeansPS5andsoci
al
mediatoyou,i
tmeansmuchhardert
osomeofus.
KAI:Yoh,youthinkmyli
feiseasy?Trybeingbor
n
wit
hyourl i
femappedout.Iam expectedt
obea
fr
eakingchiefandtor
unacongl omeratewherei
fI
fuckup, thousandsofpeoplestarve!Ont opoft hat,
Ihavesomewi f
eIdon’tevenknowt hatmyst upid
ancestorschosef orme.ForallIknowshecoul dbe
eightythreeweighing300kg,withcankl esandthr ee
heads.Choi ceisli
teral
lyf
orei
gnt ome, andyou
knowwhat ?Nott osoundungrateful
, butI’
dgiveup
everysingleoneoft heseshit
typrivi
legestobej ust
someguywi t
hasayonhowhi sl
ifepansout ,you
thinkthisisfunny?
HER:(giggli
ng)No… butIwasjustt
ryi
ngtopictur
e
yourcankledthr
eeheadedwifeandit’
sfunny.
KAI:(
laughi
ng)Youknowwhat,
I’
dtaket
het
hree
headsanyti
me.It
’st
hecankl
esman.Damn.
HER:Maybeshei
syoungandpr
ett
y.
KAI:(
laughing)Nah,ancest
orsaresadi
stf
ucks.She
hascankles.Ok,t
oldyoumi ne.Whatar
eyour
probl
ems.
HER:Iam thescholar
shipki
dinaschoolf orthe
ri
ch.Thatdoesn’
tbotherme,hell
,Icanevenignore
thebul
lyi
ng,butIcan’
tevenaffordmater
ialfor
proj
ects,
whichmeansIl agbehindandnotdoas
wel
lasIcan.I
tsucks.Andyoursi
sterdoesn’
tmake
i
teasy.
KAI
:Bebe’
sanasshol
e,t
ryt
oignor
eher
.What
mat
eri
aldoyouneed?
HER:I tdoesn’
tevenmat t
er,
Mbewuhasdonethe
projectonherownandi sgonnat
ellt
het
eacherI
refusestodo,soI’l
lfai
l.
KAI
:Whydon’
tyoudoyourown?
HER:(
sadl
y)Idon’
thavemoneyf
ort
hingsIneed…
KAI :(smil
ing)Oneper kofget t
ingacankl edwifeis
thatIgetanal lowancebiggert hanmanyadul t
salaries.Hereismynumber ,What sAppmewhat
youneedandmeetmeatt heschoolar tl
ab
tomor rowaf t
erlunch.Andpl easetrytoremember
whatyousai dwhenyouhadasei zure.Whati t
coul dmean… pl ease.Ibel
ievet hi
suswher eyou
catchyourcombi ?Isortofmi ssedmyr i
dewai t
ing
foryou, soIgot t
agof i
ndanot herwayt oo.Ciao.
Hewalkedoffwonder
ingwhatthatki
dhadmeant
whenshesaidthat
.HehadseenmamaBl oose
consci
ousnessandsayst
uffbefor
e.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
MARATHON:Nextepi
sodeat1000/
100/
10
[
05/
29,
12:
Pil
araar
ri
vedi
nFrancist
ownanddr
ovet
oKaedi
’
s
housetodr
opoffReah.
Whensheknocked,
Kaedicamet
oopen.
KAEDI:Ther
eismybi
ggi
rl
!MsReRe!Haveyou
got
tental
ler
!Wow!
Heki
ssedhisdaught
erandReahr
ani
ntopl
aywi
th
t
heotherki
ds.
PI
LARA:Howi
sBobbi
?
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)Notwel
l,
butyouknowBobbi
,she’
l
l
beupandrunni
ngbytomorr
ow.
PILARA:Oh,I’
m sosorry.I
fyouneedanext
rahand
forKai
’spar
ty,I
’m avai
labl
e.
KAEDI
:Thatwoul
dact
ual
lybeawesome.I
twoul
d
gi
veBobbit
imet
orestandyoucansuper
viset
he
hel
per
s.
PI
LARA:Alr
ightt
hen.I’
l
lbeher
eni
ceandearl
y!How
ar
eyou?IheardaboutLedi
mo’
ssi
ckness.
KAEDI:(si
ghing)I’
m notgonnal i
e,it’
shard.What
withBobbiunwelltoo.I
t’
sj ust…howdoyouj ust
acceptyourparentisdying?Hear ingdoct orsgive
him si
xmont hs?I’
m desper atel
yconsul t
ingal l
doctor
saroundt heworld,butapar tofmeknows
thatheisgoi
ng.I t
’shar
dman….Hei sfucking
Ledimo!Heissupposedt oliveforever!
PI
LARA:I
’
m sor
ry.
Shesai
d,pul
li
nghi
mint
oahug.
PILARA:Ift
herei
soneper sonwhocanl i
teral
ly
handleanyt
hing,
it’
syou.You’
llbeok.I
’
llprayfor
you.
KAEDI
:Thanks…howar
eyou?
PI
LARA:(
sighi
ng)Good
KAEDI
:Li
ar
PI
LARA:Iuhm… Ihadaf
ightwi
thmyhusbandt
his
mor
ning.Hewant
sachi
ldandIdon’
t.
KAEDI
:Ao,Pipa,
that
’ssel
fi
sh, gi
vethemanachi
ld.
Hedoesn’
thaveanybiol
ogicalaker
e?
PILARA:SoIshoul
dbi
rt
hachil
dIdon’
twantj
ust
becauseamansaysso?Nnyaabat
ho!
KAEDI
:Wagomodi
rakont
lehaogana.
PILARA:Ah,atsamaeee!Maybet
hatwoul
d
actual
lysol
veourprobl
em.
KAEDI:(
laughi
ng)Huh?Youhadafussaboutme
havi
ngotherwomen,yetyouar
eokwithhi
m havi
ng
ababymama?
PI
LARA:WhatcanIsay,
nnat
hisbabyi
ssuei
s
st
art
ingt
oir
ri
tat
eme.
*
***
***
**
Loapiar
rivedhomef r
om t heai
rpor
t,st
il
ltal
kingon
thephone.ShekissedTatjonthecheekand
passedtothebedroom asshelaughedont he
phone.
LOAPI
:Aww,Sayed… youfl
att
erme… oh?Ohhh,
youar
enaught
y… haha,no,i
t’
sjustahumbl
eli
tt
le
fi
rm… awwnowSayed…butt
hanksfort
he
hospi
tal
it
y.I
twast
opnot
ch.Iwasthi
nki
ng…
Tat
jcameoverandsnat
chedt
hephoneandhung
up.
LOAPI:WhatthefuckTat
j!Thatwasaver
ybi
g
cl
ientIj
ustacqui
red!
TATJ:So,
ispar
toft
hedealf
li
rt
ingwi
thhi
m?
LOAPI
:Excuseyou?
TATJ:Youcomehomeomphet aint
heli
vingr
oom
l
aughingonthephonewi
thanot
herman.Obonago
si
ameLoapi?
LOAPI:WasIsupposedt
ohanguponacl
ient
becauseofyou?Mxim.
TATJ:Skant
haa‘
mxi
m’Loapi
.
LOAPI:Obonannannekesabat l
eapoorman
j
aana.Awoman’ ssuccessal
waysthreat
enst
hem.
NnarraIwasjustt
alki
ngtoacli
ent,t
he
i
maginati
onsinyourmindarefr
om your
i
nsecuri
ti
es.
TATJ:Loapi
,kopaompui
sesent
le.
LOAPI
:Ij
o!Nnyaawai
nkut
lwamonnawaModi
mo.
Shesnat
chedbackherphoneandcal
ledhercl
ient
back,
wit
hTatjsnat
chi
ngitagai
nandanswer i
ng.
TATJ:List
enher
e,sheismarri
edandi
fyout
ry
anyt
hingwit
hher
,I’
llf
indyouand…
Loapimanagedtosnat
chawayherphoneand
sl
appedhim har
dacrosst
hefaceasshehungup.
LOAPI:(
yel
li
ng)Whatthehel
ldoyout
hinkyouar
e
doi
ng!Whatareyoudoi
ng,ohmyGod!
TATJ:Loapi
,sent
senyel
etsogogankekegobet
sa
LOAPI:IswearIwi
llf
ucki
ngki
llyoui
fIl
oset
hat
cl
ient
!OhmyGod!
Shehuf
fedof
fangri
lyandl
ockedherselfi
n
Mbewu’
sroom,cal
li
nghercl
ientback.
*
***
***
***
*
Atschooll
ateaft
erclasses,Kaisatintheartl
ab
fi
nishi
nghispr
ojectwhent hegirlwalkedi
n,not
expect
inghimtobethere.
KAI
:Hey,
schol
arshi
pki
d.Seat
.Ibr
oughtsnacks
becausewearegonnabeher
ealmostallni
ghtif
youaretosubmi
ttomorr
ow.That
’syourdeadl
ine,
ri
ght?
HER:You’
dhel
pme?Why?
KAI:BecauseIt hi
nkyoucoul duseafriend.AndI
tol
dyouaboutt herealKaiandyousti
lldon’tt
hink
I’
m weird.Seat.So,asolarsyst
em,huh!I ’
vealr
eady
buil
tone,sonowwef i
tinthebodi
esweat heori
sing,
andthent heblackholeheretoobstr
uctt hebodies
andaccountt owhysci encehasnotdiscoveredthat
theor
isedpartoft heuniver
se.
HER:Kai,t
hat’
stooadvanced,
wehaven’
tbeen
t
aughtthatyet
.
KAI:(l
aughi
ng)Nei
therhavewe,
butI:
llt
ellyoua
secreti
fyoupromi
seyouwon’tt
ell
.
HER:(
giggl
ing)Ipr
omi
se
KAI:I
’m actual
lyanerdanddr eam ofbei
ngan
ast
ronaut.Goingtoouterspaceandshi t
,youknow.
ThereisaNASApr ogr
am IknowIcoul dgetinifI
appli
ed,theyopenedittoi
nternat
ionalst
udents.
HER:Youshoul
ddoi
t!
KAI:(
sighing)DestinydictatesIstudybusi
nessand
takeoverfrom mydad, andIknowhowsel f
ishit
wouldbeofmei fIdeviate.Peoplebeyondmy
famil
ydependonmet akingoverandkeepi ngthe
companyr unningwel l
.Al otofthem
underpri
vil
eged,theirj
obsatLI Dindustr
iesisthei
r
onlyl
ivel
ihood.
HER:Youar
esuchagoodper
son.
KAI:(
laughi
ng)I
fyouevertellanyonet
hat
,I’
l
ldeny
i
t.Ok,handmetheblackpainttomaketheblack
hol
e…
HER:Thet
eacheri
sgoi
ngt
otel
lIdi
dn’
tmaket
his.
KAI:How?Ifshesaysanyt
hing,j
ustaskher‘
Ma’
am,
areyoucal
li
ngmest upi
d?’Tawana?Tawanaare
youok?
Shewastwi
tchi
ngagai
nandhecaughtherbef
ore
shef
ell
.
Hesi
ghedandhel
dherhand.
KAEDI
:Dum’
l
anibaTj
ibanda,
‘shumbabakanyi
.The
l
ionsofLedi
moclan.Ndi
mi,
Kaedi
.Doyouhavea
messageforme?
Heaskedi
nhi
snat
ivel
anguage.
HER:Yourmother
,shecri
esforachil
dwhenher
chi
ldhasal
readybeenborn.Sheneedst
omakeher
peace.
KAI
:Iam t
hatchi
ld,
aren’
tI?
HER:I
ndeed
KAI
:WhywasIbor
ntoanot
her
?
HER:Youwer emeanttobeyourf ather
’sf
ir
st,
that
coul
dn’tbesacr
if
iced,unfort
unatelytheoneyou
wereborntocamef i
rst.Butyourtruemotherwas
chosenfir
st.
KAI
:MamaB?
HER:Indeed.Butherpar entsrefusedhercall
ing.
Shet r
iedtohaveitevenr emovedbyt radi
ti
onal
doctors.Ofcour
set hatcan’thappen.Buthertryi
ng
angeredusandanot herbri
dewaschosen.
KAI
:Ok,
butt
hat
’snotherf
aul
tthough.
HER:I t
’sherfamily’
sact i
ons.Theyanger edher
ancestorsbyr ef
usinghercal l
ing,wewer esur ethe
Mpugwaancest orswilltakeher,asapuni shment
shewi l
ldieasachi ld.Sowechoseanot herwi f
e.
Notpower fulenough,butshei sofr oyalbl
oodand
thatamount sforsomet hing.Andyouwer egivento
herevent houghyouwer en’
thers.Anyway, your
mot her
,isfacingherownpuni shmentnow.
KAI
:Puni
shment
?Whatdi
dmamaBdo?
HER:Theoneyouwer
egi
vent
o.Shegambl
edyour
l
if
e.
KAI
:Pi
pa?Howdi
dshegambl
emyl
if
e?
HER:Becauseofhermi stakes,youwer etojoi
nus.
Yourtruemot hercoul
dnotl etthathappen.She
consultedawi t
chdoct
oronet i
mewhi leyouwer ei
n
thehospi t
al,
tosaveyou.Butnat urerequir
es
balance.Al i
fef
oralif
e.Andsheknewt hat.She
off
eredt heli
feofyourbrother.
KAI
:Sax?Hei
sfi
ne.
HER:No,t
heoneunbor
n.Theoneforthemother
youweregi
vent
o.Yourtr
uemotherchoset
oof f
er
anot
herwoman’
schi
ld’
sli
fet
osaveyour
s.
KAI:What?That’
sunf
airt
oPi
pa…Imean.Idon’
t
wannadie,but
…
HER:I
t’
snotal
l.
KAI
:Ok?
HER:Yourmot herisasangoma, t
herei
s
punishmentf ordabbl
ingindarkart
s.TheMpugwa
want edtopunishher.Herpunishmentwastokeep
thegi f
tinthefamil
y.Youalreadyhavehergi
ftt
oan
extent,youcantalktous.Tomakesur eyou
produceat rul
ygift
edchild,
theMpugwademanded
youmar ryaSangoma.Weaccept edandyourwife
waschosen.
KAI
:I’
m notevenanMpugwabybl
ood!
HER:Oh,youare!Yourmotheri
saModimoosii
n
herf
ather
’ssi
de,whatofhermother
’ssi
de?
KAI
:Mot
shegwe…
HER:Isshenow?Yougrandmot
herwasan
uncl
aimedMpugwa.Whydoyout hi
nkPi
lar
awas
chosenspeci
fi
cal
lyt
orepl
aceBoemo?
KAI
:Whyar
eyout
ell
ingmeal
lthi
s?
HER:Youwi
llneedt
ohel
pyourt
ruemot
hersoon.
Thent
hegi
rlwasshaki
ngandcr
yingagai
n.
HER:( cryi
ng)Idon’tknowwhathappened.Idon’ t
knowwhathappened.I twasallblankandscar y.I
couldn’tevenrecognisewhereIwas, itwasli
keI
wentsomewher eandi twasjustblank.It
hinkI’
m
l
osingmymi nd…Idon’twannabecr azy… Idon’t
wannabecr azy…
Hehuggedherandl
ethersob.
KAI
:Youar
enotgoi
ngcr
azy.
..
HER:Youdon’
tknowt
hat
!
KAI:Youar egonnathinkIam cr azyafterwhatI’
m
abouttosay.Butitmayal sohelpyouact ual
lynot
gocrazy.Iwasr ai
seddi f
ferent,Tawana.Myf amil
y
i
st r
adit
ional,
webel i
evei nancestralmediati
onand
al
l.Ihavebeeni nceremoni eswher eIhaveseen
peopletakenoverbyancest or
stodelivera
massage.That ’
swhatj usthappenedt oyou.
HER:Huh?
KAI:Myancestorswant
edtotal
ktome.Andf or
somereasontheychosetodoitt
hroughyou.Is
anyonei
nyourf amil
yasangomaorhasacal li
ng?
TAWANA:No,
wear
eChr
ist
ians.
KAI:Meh,doesn’
tmat t
er,
someti
mesit’
sjust
random anddoesn’
tmeanyouhaveacal l
ing.Thi
s
i
spr obabl
yscaryashellf
oryou,
butIpromiseyou,
youarenotgoingcrazy.
TAWANA:Canwej
ustdot
heschoolwor
k?
KAI:Wedeserveabreakanyway.Sandwi
ch?I
t’
s
ri
ghtaboutdi
nnert
imenow
TAWANA:OhmyGod!Mymom i
sgonnaki
llme!I
di
dn’
treal
isei
tst
hisl
ate.
KAI:Whi
leyouwereout,
Ikindofusedyourphone
t
omessagehersayingateacherwashelpi
ngyou
wit
haprojectandshewil
ldropyouoff
.
TAWAN:Howi
sthel
abnotevencl
osed?
KAI:(l
aughing)I
’mthestudents’
Presi
dentandstar
student.Pl
usmyf atheri
stheschool’
sbiggest
benefactor
.Igetpri
vil
egesother
sdon’t.Comeon.
Eatup,westi
llhavemorewor
ktodoifyouar
eto
acethesci
encepr oj
ect
.I’
l
ldr
opyouoffwhenwe
aredone
*
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
1000/
100/
10
[
05/
29,
12:
Afterdr
oppi
ngTawanaoff
,Kaiar
ri
vedhomeand
foundBoemointhel
ivi
ngroom.
BOEMO:Hey,foundsomecoolst
uffi
nNet
fl
ix.I
’
ll
makepopcor
nwhi l
eyouchange.
KAI
:It
hinkI
’
llj
ustsl
eep.
Hest i
llcoul
dn’ti
magineherchoosi
ngtosacr
if
icea
chil
d’slif
e.Evenifi
twastosavehis.And
essential
lyi
twasherf aul
therwasnowhewas
l
iter
all
yengagedt osomesangoma.
BOEMO:Kai
,ar
eyouok?
KAI
:Justt
ir
ed.Ni
te.
BOEMO:Ni
teNi
teSpud.Loveyou.
Hewentt ot
heroom andlaiddownonthebed
unabl
et osl
eep.Hehatedthatheunder
stoodwhy
mama-Bdi dwhathedid.Andwhatonear t
hwashe
supposedtohelpherwit
h?
*
***
***
***
InthemorningwhenKaiwokeupthehousewas
ali
vewithactivi
tyaspeopl
epr
epar
edforhi
s
bir
thdayparty.
Pil
arawasst andi
ngwi thKaedilaughi
ngover
somet hi
ng.Thati
r r
itatedhi
m somehow.Pi lar
a
alwaysbr oughtt
roubl eandal eft
.Therewaspeace
ri
ghtnow, nomatterwhathehadont heside,
his
fatherwashappywi thmamaBandhel i
keitl
ike
that,despit
eeverything.
Buthef
eltbadf
orPi
lar
a.ThatmamaBwoul
ddo
that
.
KAEDI
:Hey,
chi
ef.Youmot
heri
sher
e,comesayhi
.
Hesi
ghedandwal
kedover
.
KAI
:Dumel
ang.
PI
LARA:Heybaby.Happybi
rt
hday.
KAI
:Thanks.Dad,
wher
eismama-
B?
KAEDI
:Shei
snotdoi
ngsowel
l,
soshei
slayi
ng
down.
KAI
:I’
l
lgocheckonher
.
PILARA:Wai
t…Igotyousomet
hing.Doweopeni
t
nowor?
KAI
:Lat
er,
dur
ingt
hepar
ty.Thanks.
Hesaidasher
anupstai
rsandtohi
sparent
s’
bedr
oom.HeknockedandBoemosai
dtocomein.
BOEMO:( smil
ing)Ther
eisthebirt
hdayboy!A
whol ef
if
teenyearsol
d!Wheredidmyl i
tt
leboygo?
AllIseeisayoungman( ul
ulat
ing).Youar egr
owing
upt oodamnfastman!Damn!Ti mef l
ies!Happy
bi
r t
hdayshumbakabaLedimo!Comeon, mama-B
huggie!
Hel
aughedandwentt
ohugher
.
KAI
:Thanksmama.
Hesatont
hesi
deoft
hebed,
put
ti
nghi
shandon
herf
orehead.
KAI:Whyaren’
tyoui
nthehospi
talr
ightnow?You
ar
eburningup!
BOEMO:It
ooksomet
hing…
KAI
:Cl
earl
yit’
snotworki
ng!I
’
m eit
hertaki
ngyourto
t
hehospi
talorgoi
ngtofet
chgrandaunt.Herher
bs
wor
kbett
er.
BOEMO:( l
aughing)Ok,t
hankyouforsomuch
confi
dence,t
rai
tor.Andyouaredoi
ngnei
ther
.It
’s
yourbir
thdayandI ’
l
lbefi
ne.
KAI
:Mama!
BOEMO:Isai
dIam f
ineKaedi
,wher
ear
eyour
manner
s?
KAI
:Ij
ustdon’
twantt
oloseyou!
BOEMO:Whyoneart
hwouldyout
hinkyouar
e
l
osi
ngme,i
t’
sjustaf
ever
!
KAI
:Theyuhm… t
heyspoket
ome.
BOEMO:Oh… whatdi
dtheysay.
KAI
:Theyuhm… not
hingi
mpor
tant
.
BOEMO:Kai.YouknowIneedtoi
nter
pretsome
thi
ngsf
oryou.Whatdidt
heysay.
KAI
:(si
gni
ng)Justt
hatIam t
omar
ryasangoma.
BOEMO:Youar
e.
KAI
:Youknew?
Shenodded.
KAI:Idon’
twannamar
rysomeugl
yol
dass
sangoma.
BOEMO:Am Isomeugl
yol
dasssangoma?
KAI
:No,
youar
eper
fect
.
BOEMO:Thenwhycan’ tothersangomasbeper
fect
too.Getst
ereot
ypesoutofyourhead.Al
lyouar
e
thi
nkingofi
sawomanl i
kemyauntwhowear sall
thebeadsandsnortssnuffandshit
.
KAI
:Soyouknowwhoshei
s?
BOEMO:(
laughi
ng)YouknowIam nott
ell
ingyou
shi
t.
KAI
:Isshepr
ett
y?Howol
disshe?
BOEMO:Son,
lear
ntoopenyoureyes.
Hepat
tedhi
sbackwi
thasmi
le.
BOEMO:Nowr unalongandparty.Icantellt
hatyou
arestil
ldispl
easedwithmeaboutsomet hi
ng.I
knowyout oowell
,andIwillf
indout.Fortodaylet
s
justenjoyyourpart
y.Talki
ngaboutt hat
…
Sheopenedherdr
awerandt
ookoutanenvel
ope.
Kaiopenedi
twi
thasmi
le.
KAI:What?OhmyGod!OhmyGod,mama,
these
ar
ewor l
dcupfi
nalt
icket
s!OhmyGod!
BOEMO:Youcant
akeyourdadandj
usthavea
boyst
ime!
KAI
:Youareliter
all
yli
ket
hebesthumanonear
th!
AndIj
ustthoughtitwasj
ustsometr
ip!OhmyGod!
Got
taI
nstathis.
Helaidhi
sheadbesi
deher
shol
dingt
het
icket
s
wi
ththebi
ggestsmil
e.
BOEMO:(
laughi
ng)Kai
!Ihavenotevenwashedmy
face!
KAI:Youar
efi
ne.Whendoyouevernotl
ookper
fect
?
See?
BOEMO:(laughi
ng)Aobatho,ketaatsenamo
I
nstagt
am kacornr
owet sohetseng!Legonebona
Kai
,agreyhairi
sshowing!Dir
aPhot oshopmonna
oentshe.Kanabogol
ont ekerwalewigpele.
KAI:(laughing)Ngng, I
’m nott
aki
ngi
tout
,o
tsohetse,acceptersi
tuati
onmumzo!Youlook
perfect.
Heupl
oadedt
hepi
ctur
esandcapt
ionedi
t.
‘
Yourmamacouldnever
. Moscowher
eIcome!
#bi
rt
hdayboy’
Thenr
andownst
air
sexci
tedl
y.
KAI:Daaaads!Dad,
youar
enevergonnabel
ieve
whatmamagotme.OhmyGod!Wow!
Kaedil
aughedandst
eadi
edhi
msel
font
hest
air
s.
KAEDI:Gosh,
car
eful
,oryouar
egonnabreakaleg
orsomethi
ngbef
oreyouevenmakeitt
here,
steady
now.
Boemoli
stenedathisexcit
ementwit
hasmi
lei
nher
face,
asmalltearf
all
ingtothesi
de.
Nope,shedidnotregretatal
lchoosingtodowhat
shedidtosavehisli
fe.Andshe’ddoi tathousand
ti
mesmor eifshehadt o,what
everthe
consequence.
*
***
***
***
**
Pil
arawat chedKair
undownst
air
swi
thsomuch
happiness.
Itannoyedherthatshedi
dn’
tevenf
eelj
eal
ousof
Boemo.I tf
eltr
ightt
hatBoemocoul
dmakehimthat
happy.Boemoknewhi m bet
ter
.
Andshewasgrat
efulBoemocoul
dloveKait
heway
shecoul
dn’
t.
Aftertheyhadfi
nishedal
lthepr
epar
at i
on,she
quickl
yshoweredandchangedintoclothesshehad
brought,andBoemocamedownst ai
rs,givi
nghera
war m hug.
BOEMO:Joh,
Ican’
tbel
ieveheissobigalready!
Ebi
leset
seai
tsegoshaverdi
tedunyana!
PILARA:(l
aughi
ng)Youdi
dagoodj
ob.Ienvyyou
guysrel
ati
onshi
p.
BOEMO:Pi pa,
youknowIwoul
dnevert
ryt
orepl
ace
you,
right
?
PILARA:Repl aceme?Gir
l,i
feversomeoneist
ryi
ng
toreplaceitwil
lbeme.Yourrel
ati
onshipwi
thKaii
s
natural.Andyoudidsowell
.Heisaf i
neyoungman.
BOEMO:( smil
ing)Hei
s,i
sn’the?Canyoukeep
Kaedicompanysupervi
singtheseki
dspl
ease?I’m
motfeeli
ngsogood.I’
m gonnasendtheli
tt
leones
tobedandliedownmysel f
.
PI
LARA:Ofcourse!I’
l
lmakesur
ethehel
per
scl
ean
upaf
terever
yoneleaves.
BOEMO:Yom ar eadarl
ing!Alr
ightt
hen!One, r
ound
upeveryoneundert
welve,whichisbasicall
yonly
Kai
’ssibl
ings,
andtakethem tobed.Noneoft hem
i
salloweddownstai
rsfrom nowon.I’m offtobed.
Shei
nst
ruct
edt
henannyandwentupst
air
s.
Kaedicamei
ntot
hehousef
rom out
side.
KAEDI
:Oi
legor
obal
ammaLedi
mo?
PI
LARA:Yup,shel
ookedt
ir
ed.
KAESI
:(si
ghi
ng)Ei
sh,
it’
shar
dseei
nghersi
ck.I
knowevenKaii
sworr
ies.
PILARA:Shei
sreal
lyl
ucky.Yout
wot
akecar
eof
her.
KAESI
:(l
aughi
ng)Wearet
hel
uckyones.Shet
aught
usbot
hhowt obehuman.
*
***
***
***
*
Kaiwasdanci
ngwi
thhi
sfr
iendswhenacal
lcame
t
hrough.
Hesmi
ledseei
ngt
hename.
‘
Schol
arshi
pki
d’
‘
Heyschol
arshi
pki
d’
‘
Youwon’
tevenaskmemyname?
’
Hechuckl
ed
‘
Bol
dofyout
oassumeIdon’
tknowyourname’
‘
Youdon’
t’
‘
I
fyousayso.
’
‘
Iwantedtosayhappybirt
hday,
Idi
dn’
thaveai
rt
ime,
soIwait
edunti
lIwasfree.’
‘
Aww,t
hanksschol
arshi
pki
d!Yout
houghtofl
it
tl
e
ol
dme?’
‘
Imadeyouapr
esent
…youpr
obabl
ywon’
tli
kei
t.
’
‘
Whati
sit
?‘
‘
Iam sureyourbr
aceleti
sworthmoreandal
l.ButI
sawthatyouwearitallt
heti
me,soImadeyou
anot
her,wit
hropeandbeads.Soyoucanhavetwo
andalt
ernat
ethem.Ifyouli
ke’
‘
That’ssweet… butmybracel
etisacharm, Ican’t
takei
toff.Mymom madei tforme, f
orprot
ection.
Somet i
messangomasmaket heirl
ovedones
charmsf orprot
ect
ionwheniftheyareworr
iedf or
thei
rsafety.
’
‘
Oh… Ihopeit
’snotoff
ensivemaki
ngyout
hisone.
Youdon’
thavetotakeit
.’
‘
No,Iwantit.Maybeyoucoulddipiti
nholywat
eror
pr
ayforitorsomethi
ng,soitbecomesli
kea
Chr
ist
iancharm orsomethi
ng,youknow,doubl
e
pr
otect
ionandshi
t.
’
‘
Imean,
youdon’
thavet
otakei
t,Icoul
d…’
‘
I
’dr
eal
lyl
ovet
ohavei
t.
’
‘
Ok’
‘
Ok…happybi
rt
hday.Bye’
‘
Hey,
schol
arshi
pki
d?’
‘
Huh?
’
‘
Thanks…’
Hehungupwi
thasmi
le
*
***
***
***
*
Fi
nallywhenallt
hekidshadleftandthehel
per
s
fi
nishedcleani
ngandretr
eatedtotheirr
ooms,
KaedisatwithPi
lar
aintheli
vingroom.
KAEDI
:Wow!3am!
PI
LARA:(
yawning)Yoh!NowIknowforsur
eI’
m old.
Mybodyi
sallsort
sofpainsf
rom bei
ngupthi
slat
e.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Tel
lmeaboutit
!Kaiwasl
aughi
ng
atmewhenIwasyawningat1am.Youknowwhat,
stayi
noneoft heguestbedrooms.Wehavesever
al
empty.Icoul
djustgetyouthebeddi
ngfr
om the
l
inencloset
.
PILARA:Actual
lythatsoundssogood!Dr
ivi
ngback
toFranci
stown!Ahhh!
KAEDI
:Cool
…
Hest
oodupt
ogogett
hesheet
sandshef
oll
owed.
Ashetur
nedar
oundfrom thecl
oset
,notseei
ngher
,
hebumpedonherandgrabbedhert
osteadyher
.
Theystoodtherest
ari
ngineachot her
’seyesfor
whatseemedl i
keeter
nit
y,butonl
yamoment ,
befor
eKaediletgoandmovedasi de.Nowt hey
werejustst
andingi
nawkwar dsil
encef ort
he
l
ongesttime.
KAEDI :I… uhm… t hebedding.Hereyougo.Pi ck
anyroom i nthisfl
oor.Strai
ghtthatcorri
dor,and
thefir
stf ourroomsont heleftareallempty.Her
ei s
thesuppl ycloset
,toothpast
e,toothbrushes,t
owels,
soap,youknow… hel pyourself
.I’
m gonnahead
upstairs.Goodnight.
Hequi ckl
yjoggedupstai
rsandshest oodther
e
holdingthesheet
s,watchinghim unt
ilhe
disappearedoutofhersight
,thenshewenttoher
room withasigh.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
I
nthemorni
ngKaediwokeupandwentdownstai
rs
t
ogetBoemoherbreakf
astasshewasst
il
lnot
f
eel
ingwel
l.
HemetPilar
acomingoutoft
hebedroom,t
hegown
shewaswearingsl
i
ghtl
yopen,showi
ngher
cl
eavage.
Hel
ookedawaybef
oregr
eet
ingher
.
KAEDI
:Hey…
PI
LARA:Hey,
what
sup?
KAEDI
:Nothi
ngmuch.Justmaki
ngBobbiher
br
eakf
ast
.Thehel
perswil
lmakesomethi
ngfort
he
r
estoft
hehousei
fyouar
eeat
ingwi
thus.
PILARA:Sheisl
ucky…get
syouwhenyouar
efi
nal
ly
atyoubest…
Helaughedandbl
ushedashewentaboutmaki
ng
br
eakfast
.
KAEDI :IguessIhavelear
ntf
rom mymist
akesabit.
I’
vetreatedtoomanygoodwoment er
ri
blyand
endedupl osingthem.Thi
sti
meIwannadoi tr
ight
.
Iplanonkeepi ngthi
sone.
PILARA:Luckygirl
… ohh,
whi
ppi
ngoutthecr
epes…
st
rawber r
ies…puddi
ng…damn… your
eall
ymean
business,ey?
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)j
usttr
yingtoperkherupabit.I
madeal
lhefavour
it
es.Al
right
,letmetakei
ttoher.
Shewat
chedherashewentupst
air
s,andt
henhe
wasbackafewminut
eslat
er.
KAEDI
:She’
dli
ket
oseeyou.
PI
LARA:Me?Ok…
Shecur
iousl
yranupst
air
sandi
ntot
hei
rbedr
oom
wher
eBoemowasi nbed.
BOEMO:Pi
pa!Dar
li
ng!Soni
cet
oseeyou!
PILARA:Hey… yout
oo!Youl
ookpal
e,haveyou
seenadoctor
…
BOEMO:Yup… i
nconcl
usi
ve.Bakil
ebar
eCrohn’
s,
batogabar
eheweeanotheraut
oimmuno.
PI
LARA:(
sighi
ng)Haveyouconsul
tedyour
… uhm.
.
BOEMO:Tr adit
ionalmeans?Yes.Myauntisagreat
sangomaandaheal er
,anditi
ssti
llnotcl
eart
oher
too.It
hinkI’
m goingtodie.
PI
LARA:Don’
tsayt
hat
BOEMO:Pi l
ara,youknowme.Il i
kebei
ngpr epared.
Ican’
thelpi
tmuchonKaedi , youarealr
eady
marri
edandi twouldbesoevi lofmetoaskyout o
l
eaveyourhusbandandgetbackwi thhim.Her eal
ly
i
sabet t
ermannowandIt hinkyou’dbehappi er
wit
hhim.Butyouar emarri
ed, soIwon’taskt hatof
you.ButKai… heisgonnaneedamot her.Iknow
youhavenoconnect i
onwithhi m,butpl
easet ry.
PI
LARA:Youar
enotgoi
nganywher
e…
BOEMO:Hedoesn’
ttr
usteasi
lyandl
ikest
ocl
ose
hi
spaini
n.Hei snotarudechild,butsometi
meshe
wil
lusei
ttotr
ypushpeopl eaway.Nomat terwhat
hedoest
opushyouaway, j
ustkeeppushi
ngi n.He
i
sgonnaneedyouPi l
ara.Promisemeyouwon’ tl
et
myboysuffer
.Please?Iam beggingyouPilar
a.
PI
LARA:Justst
op,
ok?Youar
enotdyi
ng.
BOEMO:Ok, maybeI’m not
.Buti
fIdo?Wil
lyou?
Please?Willyoutakecareofhi
mf orme?Notj
ust
physical
ly,
ment al
lytoo?
PI
LARA:(
sighi
ng)Iwi
ll
.
BOEMO:Thankyou.Joi nusonapi cni
clater.Kaedi
wantstot
akethekids,butIdoubti
twillhappen
wit
hthecurr
entsit
uation.I
’m sogl
adyoust ayed
over
,youwil
lbethereforKaediwhenheget st he
news.Joi
nusifthepicnicdoeshappen?
PI
LARA:Whatnews?AndIdon’
tthi
nk…
BOEMO:Pl
ease…
PI
LARA:(
sighi
ng)Ok
*
***
***
***
**
Pi
lar
awentdownst
air
sandmetKaediont
heway.
KAESI
:Whatwast
hatabout
?
PILARA:(
laughi
ng)Orat
adikgang.No,
shewasj
ust
askingmetotryhar
derwi
thKai.
KAEDI
:Shei
sri
ght
.
PI
LARA:I’
mtr
yingKaedi
,Kail
eenehei
snot
i
nter
est
ed.
KAEDI:Heisfi
ft
een.Heisrefl
ect
ingwhatheis
bei
ngshown.Somet i
mesaweekcanpasswi thout
youcall
inghi
m.Youactl i
kehavi
ngarelat
ionship
wit
hyoursonisachor e,
yetyouaresol
ovingt o
Reah.Idon’
tunder
standyou.
PI
LARA:KanaI
…
KAEDI:I
’
m notl ookingt oargue,Pil
ara.Igrewup
wit
hadet achedanddi st
antmot herandIknowhow
muchithurts.Unlikeme, heisluckyhehasBoemo,
andIam notthef atherminewas, butst i
ll
,havi
ng
yourmotherdistantfrom youhur t
s.
PILARA:Kantej
aanongwhatdoyouwantmetodo
Kaedi?It
rytocallhi
m andi
fhepi
cksuphet
ell
sme
howbusyhei s.
KAEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)Ah,gosiamemma.I ’
m notgoi
ng
t
oaskyoutoloveourson,Iwi
lll
ovehi
m enoughfor
t
hebothofus.
PI
LARA:Gatwemoodkewaengjaanongt
oday,
we
wereget
ti
ngal
ongwel
lmaabane.
Hisphoner
angandhesi
ghedseei
nghi
suncl
e’
s
number.
KAEDI
:Whatdoyouwant
?
UNCLE:Canyoucomebyt
hehousenow?
KAEDI
:Nope.Taki
ngmyf
ami
lyoutf
orapi
cni
c.
UNCLE:Kaedi
,pl
ease…
KAEDI
:What
everi
tis,
itcanwai
t…
UNCLE:Theol
dmani
sgone…
KAEDI
:Whatdoyoumeangone?
UNCLE:Whatdoyouthi
nkImeanKaedi
?Hei
s
passedi
nhissl
eep.
KAEDI:Nah,
that
’snotr
ight
,thedoct
orsai
dhehad
atl
eastsi
xmonths.
UNCLE:Uptosi
xmonths,
Kaedi
.Ihavethingst
o
handl
eher
e,wewil
ltal
kwhenyougethere.
Afterhangi
nguphehel dont ot
hewallf
eel
ingl
ight
headed.Hepi nchedthebridgeofhi
snoseto
stabil
isehi
sbr eat
h,andlookedupbli
nki
ngawayt he
i
mpendi ngtears.
PI
LARA:Ky,
areyouok?Kaedi
?What
’swr
ong?
KAESI
:Ledi
moi
sgone…passedi
nhi
ssl
eep.
PI
LARA:OhmyGod!OhGod,
Iam sosor
ryKaedi
.
KAEDI
:I… uhm… I
’
llheadt
her
e..I
’
llj
ustgot
ell
Boemo.
Boemoweakl
ywal
keddownt
hest
air
s.
BOEMO:Noneed.Idreamtit
.Iwil
lcomeinthe
eveni
ng,Iam f
eel
ingsoweakri
ghtnow.Pipa,
won’
t
youbeadarli
ngandgowithmyhusbandformoral
support
?
KAEDI
:Babe…I
’
mfi
ne…
PI
LARA:Iwoul
dn’
twantt
oint
rude.
BOEMO:Youar
efami
ly.I
ntr
udewhat
?Andnobabe,
youarenotfi
ne.Iknowhowmuchthosepeopl
e
str
essyou.Pi
larawil
lmakesur
eyoudon’
t
complet
elyl
oseit.Ri
ghtPi
pa?
PI
LARA:(
sighi
ng)Ok
KAEDI
:Ser
iousl
ybabe,
I…
BOEMO:Comeher
ecomegi
vemeahug.
Hewentoverandhuggedhim,doingeveryt
hinghe
coul
dtonotbreak.Shewasalr
eadysick,
shedi dn’
t
needtobewor r
iedabouthi
m.
Af
tert
hehugheki
ssedhi
m asPi
lar
alookedaway.
BOEMO:Iwi l
lfeelbett
erlat
er,
andKaiwil
ldr
iveme
ther
e.Wewi l
ltal
k.Justremembertonotl
etyour
annoyingassunclesgettoyou.Pi
pawil
lbether
eto
remindyou.Al
right,
runalongyoutwo.
*
***
***
***
*
Astheypar
kedint
heLedi
momansi
on,
Kaedi
st
oppedtotal
k.
KAEDI:Youdon’
thavetodothi
s…Iknowyouand
mygrandmotherpart
edonhardter
ms.I
tcan’
tbe
easycominghere.
PILARA:No,it
sok.Iwantt
obether
eforyou.PlusI
promisedBoemoI’l
lmakesur
eyoudon’tshoot
everyone.
KAEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Thanks.I
tmeansal
ot… you
bei
ngher
e.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Tat
jsati
nthehousewat
chi
ngasLoapipar
keda
l
uggagebag.
TATJ:Youar
enotgoi
ng.
LOAPI
:Tat
j,nott
hisagai
n.
TATJ:Loapi
,youarenotgoingt
osomet
ropi
cal
i
slandwit
hyoursidenigga.
LOAPI
:Hei
sacl
ient
!
TATJ:Igotinyourphone!Whyisyourclient
compli
ment i
ngyourthi
ghs,andespecially,
whyar
e
yousendinghim pi
ctur
esofyouinshorts?
LOAPI:I
twasagr ouppict
urewet ookwhenIwas
ther
eassessi
ngtheirbusi
ness.Thisi
sacompany
holi
day,
andastheirconsul
tant,
theyinvi
tedme!
TATJ:AndIsai
dyouar
enotgoi
ng.
LOAPI :Tat
j,youarejustbei
ngdi
ff
icul
t.Tshabahoo
rrannaIhavet oleave.Youhadnori
ghtgoing
throughmyphone.
Hesnat
chedherpasspor
tandt
orei
tinhal
f.
LOAPI:OhmyGod!Whatdi
dyoudo!Icanr
epor
t
youforthi
s!
TATJ:Gori
ghtahead,
Itol
dyou,
youar
enotgoi
ng
anywher
e.
Shesatont
hefl
oorl
ooki
ngathert
ornpasspor
t
whenamessagecamethr
ough.
I
twasf
rom Pi
lar
a.
‘
Ledi
moi
slat
e’
LOAPI:(si
ghi
ng)AtleastcanIgot
otheLedi
mo
fami
ly,heisl
ateand…
TATJ:No.Seatyourassdown,
otaayaphi
thong
l
ikeever
yoneelse.
LOAPI :Heismychildr
en’
sgrandf
ather
… heis
pract
icall
yfami
ly!LegonewhynkareIam aski
ng
youforper
missi
ononmymovement
s?I
’
m goi
ngt
o
seehowIcanhelp.
Shepushedhim asi
deandtri
edtowalkof
f.He
grabbedherandpul
ledherbacki
nthebedroom.
TATJ:Mat hat
aagagoLoapikegor
eontsaa
mothoho!Isai
dseatyouassdownbef
oreIhel
p
you!
LOAPI:Areyouthr
eat
eningme?Ar
eyou?Don’
t
fucki
ngthreat
enme,I
’l
l…
Shemadetoslaphim,butTatjcaughthishandand
i
nsteadsl
appedherhardacrosstheface.
TATJ:Thef
uckdi
dIsayaboutyouhi
tt
ingme?Huh?
Loapisl
appedhim,grabbi
ngt hel
aptopfrom t
he
bedandhi t
ti
nghim withi
t,t
hentheairf
reshener
andaimedathisfaceandsprayedasTatjdoubled
overscr
eaming.
LOAPI:I
’m nott
hetypepapi.Idon’
tgetbeatenup
byaman.Never !Li
vedthatl
ifewit
hmymama.I ’
d
ki
llyoubef
oreIletyoubeatmeTat j
ibona!
Hemanagedt
ogr
abt
hecanf
rom her
,thechased
herthrought
hehouseandpinnedhert
othefl
oor
,
punchinghertoanosebl
eed,
thenanot
her,
and
another…
TATJ:Nxl
a,f
ucki
ngdi
srespect
ful
,that
’syour
pr
oblem!
*
***
***
***
**
Kaipacedaboutnotknowi
ngwhatt
odo.
Am smscamet
hroughf
rom t
heschol
arshi
pki
d.
‘
Uok’
‘
Nope.Howdi
dyouknow?‘
‘
Justafeel
ingt
hatsomethi
ngwasn’
tokwi
thyou.
Anyt
hingIcandotohel
p?’
‘
Mygr
andpai
slat
e…
‘
OhmyGod,
I’
m sosor
ry…’
‘
Mydadsayshewast oughonhim growingup,but
tomehewast hebestgrandpaever
.Hewasal ways
aboutt
hefunli
fe,
andmademef eelstr
ong.LikeI
candoanythi
ng’
‘
Soundsl
ikeagoodman’
‘
Manypeopl
ewoul
dar
guet
hat
.Butyeah,
tomehe
was.
’
‘
I
’m sor
ry… howcanIhel
p?’
‘
Idon’twantt obeal one,butIdon’ twantt
obewi th
myf amilyeither.Myfatheri sgenuinel
yheart
broken,
buttherestwi ththei
rfaket earsannoyme.Noneof
them evencamet ogivegranddadabat hor
somet hi
ngwhenhewassi ck.Idon’twannaseemy
shal
lowashel lfri
endstoo, don’twannabeasked
whatI’mi nheri
tingbeforetheguyi seven,col
don
thegrave.’
‘
Icoul
dmaybeifyouwant
,comeandhangwi
th
you…i
fyouwant.‘
‘
Thatwoul
dbegreat
.I’
l
lpi
ckyouupatt
het
uckshop
Idr
oppedyouatl
astt
ime
Hewalkeddownst
air
sinhi
sgr
andpa’shouse,
get
ti
ngapeekfrom i
nsi
det
hestudy.
Pi
lar
awashuggi
nghi
sdad.
Lor
d,whatwasi
twi
tht
hiswoman!Can’
tjustst
ay
awaycanshe!
Hegoti
nthecaranddrovenearTawana’
shome.
Hesawherwalki
ngtowardhim.
KAI
:Comei n.Idon’
tevenknowwherewear
egoi
ng.
I
’mjustgl
adtogetoutofthehouse.
*
***
***
***
Kaedisatont
hestudyi
ntheeveni
ngwi
thPi
lar
a
pl
anningthef
uner
aldet
ail
s.
KAEDI:Ok,It
hinkthat
’ssett
lest
hings.Ihave
al
lot
tedbudgetsforever
ythi
ngthatneedsbuying.
PI
LARA:Yea,Ihandl
edallt
hecater
ing,
thoughi
tsa
bi
twei
rd,cat
eri
ngforafuneral
?
KAEDI:Thereisgonnabeal otofdignitar
iesLedimo
workedwithandshi t
.Ist
il
lcan’
tbelievehei sgone,
man.Ikeepexpectinghimtowal t
zinwhi stl
ing
somehouset uneandt el
lmeofthel atestcl
ubin
town.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Ener
raneasai
jal
aset
se.How
ar
eyouhandli
ngthi
s?
KAEDI
:I’
l
ldeal
…
PI
LARA:Kaedi
,youj
ustl
ostaf
atheradspentt
he
wholedaywit
hpeoplepull
ingyouintoal
ldir
ecti
ons.
Iknowyoudon’tthi
nkI
’m str
ong,butpl
ease,l
etmw
bether
eforyou.Youweretheref
ormewhenIl ost
bothmyparents.
Shewentaroundt
hetabl
eandcameovertost
and
behi
ndhim ashesati
nachai
r,massagi
nghi
s
shoul
der
s.
PILARA:Pl
ease… t
alkt
ome.Letmebet
her
efor
you.
Hesi
ghedandl
ookeddown
KAEDI :I’m scar
edPipa.Ieavesdroppedonyours
andBobbi ’
sconversati
on,anditsoundedalotli
ke
shet hinkssheisgonnapass.Boemocansee
things,shehasdr eams… whati fsheisj
usthidi
ngit
from me, butknowsshei sgoingtoo?Ican’
tlose
hert ooPipa… Ijust…
PILARA:Ibel
ievei
naGodgreat
ert
hananythi
ng…
andmybel i
evetel
lsmeshei
sgonnabefi
ne.
KAEDI:I
’
mj ustsoscar
edman. .It
houghtIhad
monthstoseektr
eatmentforLedimo.Yest
erdayI
di
dn’
tevencomet oseehim becausei
twasKai ’
s
bir
thday,wejustt
alkedonthephone, andhewasok.
Nowhei sgone… heisj
ust… Ledimowasnot
perfect
,buthewasmyf ather,
man!Evenbef oreI
knewt hat,
Isawhim asafather.Theprotect
orwho
alwayscamewhent hemanIt houghtwasmy
fatherabusedme…hewasmyf ather
…
Hebr
okedowncr
ying,
hishadl
aidont
het
abl
e.
Pil
arajustleaneddownonhi sbackandhugged
him,herownt earswet
ti
nghist-
shirt
.Shedidn’
tgi
ve
arat’
sbehi ndaboutLedimo,butseei
ngthis,bi
g,
beautif
ulincredibl
emanwiththewor l
donhis
shoulderscry…howshewi shedshecodj ustmake
i
tallokf orhi
m.
KAEDI
:(wi
pingt
ear
s)NowImadeyoucr
y…
PI
LARA:I
’
mfi
ne.
Heturnedar
oundandwi
pedhert
ear
s,t
henpul
led
heri
ntoahug.
Whentheypul
ledawayf
rom t
hehug,
herphonegi
t
amessage.
Sheopenedt
oreadi
t,supr
isedKaiwast
ext
ingher
.
‘
seri
ously,doyouhavenoboundar ies?Agr i
evi
ng
manwhosewi f
eissick?Canyoujustl eavemy
fami
lyalone?Wearehappy, andallyoueverdoi s
messthingsupandleave.Juststayawayf r
om my
dad,wi
llyou.‘
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Kaigentl
yshookTawanaawakeandhandedhera
packetofchi
psandadri
nk.
KAI
:(l
aughi
ng)WakeupSi
mba.
TAWANA:(embar
rassed)WasIsnor
ing?Ohmy
God!MamasaysIsnoresomet
imes.
KAI:(
laughing)It
’scut
e.Youalsosuckyourthumb
i
nypursl eep.Gatwebanyanabaanyangmonwana
can…ija,
ikgalemeleKaedi
,thi
sisakid.(
laughi
ng)
TAWANA:Gatwengaboutgi
rl
sbaanyangmonwana?
Iwantt
oknow.
KAI
:(l
aughi
ng)Gat
wet
heyar
ecut
ert
hanot
hergi
rl
s.
TAWANA:(
blushi
ng)Oh…
KAI
:Thanksf
orcomi
ngt
ohangwi
thme.
TAWANA:Whydi dn’
tyoucal
lyourgi
rl
fr
iend,
ever
yoneatcl
asssaysyouaredati
ngDonna,the
headgir
l.
KAI:(l
aughi
ng)Aww,
areyouj
eal
ous?That
’sso
adorabl
e!
TAWANA:(
bit
inghernai
ls)Whywoul
dIbej
eal
ous?
KAI
:(l
aughi
ng)Becauseyouhaveacr
ushonme.
TAWANA:Idon’
t!Youl
iket
easi
ngme!
KAI:BecauseIli
kehow cut eyoul ookwhenyou
blush.AndIdon’thaveagirlf
riend.Ijusthavegi
rl
s
I… anyway.Idon’
thaveagi rl
fr
iend.Iam always
‘
shippedwithsomegi r
l,set
seket waet se.
Hi
sphonewasr
ingi
ngandhei
gnor
edi
t.
TAWANA:Ar
en’
tyouanswer
ingt
hat
?
KAI
:Oh,
that
’sj
ustPi
lar
a.Thef
uckdoesshewant
?
TAWANA:It
houghtyousai
dPi
lar
awasyourmom?
KAI:Isai
dPi
lar
agavebi
rt
htome.Mymom i
scal
led
Boemo.
TAWANA:Oh?Shedi
dn’
trai
seyou?
KAI
:Sheabandonedme.Canwenott
alkabouther
?
TAWANA:ButKai ,i
t’
sstil
lrudet
otal
kaboutyour
motherli
kethatandignor
eherphonecal
ls,
evenif
shedidn’
trai
seyou.
KAI:Letmet eachyousomet hing,myyoungone!If
youdon’tletpeopleinyourheart,
theycan’thur
tyou.
AndPi l
arahurtspeople.That’
sjustwhatshedoes,
sheisapr oatit.Doesn’
tbothermet hough,
becauseIdon’tgivetwoshitsaboutthat
homewor ker.
TAWANA:Kai!Thati
srude!AndIdon’
thangwi
th
rudepeopl
e!
Hel
aughedandr
oll
edhi
seyes.
KAI
:Fine…Iwon’
tspeakaboutheranymore.
Di
str
actme.Tell
meaboutyou.Whatdoyouwanna
doasacareer
?Tell
meaboutyourf amil
y,youl
ist
en
t
omegrumbl
eaboutmydysf
unct
ionaloneal
lthe
t
ime.
TAWANA:Iwannabeaneur osur
geonorsomet hi
ng.
I’
m goodwithsciences.Mymom doesn’ thavea
for
maleducation,sheworksasacl eaneratasenior
schoolandtakescareofourwholeext endedfamil
y
withherl
it
tl
esalary.Other
sarejustuseless.Iwant
togetagoodj obandhelpher.
Hesatsmi
li
ngashel
ist
enedt
ohert
alki
ng.
Notbad.
Notbadatal
l.
*
***
***
***
*
Pi
lar
alookedatt
hemessageandsadl
ylooked
away.
KAEDI
:Whati
sit
?
PI
LARA:Oh,
not
hingt
owor
ryabout
…
KAEDI:I
fit
’smaki
ngyousad,i
t’
ssomet
hingt
o
worr
yabout.
PI
LARA:Ser
iousl
y.I
t’
sjust
… somenewsf
rom
chur
ch.Motevenr
elevant
.
KAEDI:Ok… anyway,I’
m gonnagosaybyetomy
gram’
sandthenheadhomet ocheckonBobbi.She
sayssheisf
ine,butyouknowher,shenever
complai
ns.
PILARA:IthinkI
’l
lheadhomet
oo,
pleasecal
lifyou
needanythingatall
.
KAEDI
:Pi
pa…
PI
LARA:Huh?
KAESI
:Thanks… f
orbei
ngher
e.
Hesai
dashecar
essedherchi
nwi
thhi
sthumb,
smi
li
ng.
PI
LARA:Anyt
ime.
Shepickedupherhandbagandwal
keddownst
air
s
tohercar.
*
***
***
***
**
Loapi
lookedather
sel
fint
hemi
rr
or,
thebr
uises
appar
ent.
I
tdi
dn’
tmat
terhowmuchshel
ovedhi
m,t
hiswas
onet hingshewasnotst
andi
ngfor
!Especi
all
ynot
fortalkingt
oacli
ent
,whenshewasnotcheati
ng.
Thiswaswhyyoudon’ tmarr
ypoorman.
Successofawomant hreat
ensthem,
and
event
uall
yitendsj
ustli
kethis.
Tatjwasatworktoday.God,shewantedtofuck
him upsomuch,reporthimfort
hisandshit
,but
shecouldn’
tbr
ingherselfar
oundtodoingit
.
Shehadal
readycal
ledherl
awyeraboutf
il
ingf
or
di
vor
ce.
Sheappli
edmakeupandwasget t
ingreadyt
ogoto
theeveni
ngprayer
sfort
hel
ateLedimowhenshe
heardaknock.
Shel
ookedthr
ought
hewi
ndowpuzzl
edatthe
i
dent
icall
ooki
ngl
adi
esst
andi
ngatherdoor
.
Shevaguel
ycouldpl
acethem,
them werefr
om
someprominentf
amil
y.Whatt
hehellwerethey
doi
nghere?
Shewentt
oopen.
LOAPI
:Hi
,canIhel
pyou?
Theylookedateachot
herandonesai
d‘yup,
can’
t
mist
aket hat
…‘
LOAPI
:Hel
lo?
‘
Ohnawhoney,who’sbeenbeat
ingonyou?That
br
uisei
sshowi
ngrightthr
oughthef
oundati
on.
’
LOAPI
:CanIhel
pyou?
‘
Calm down, babysis.I
sityourhusband?Didhedo
thi
s,becauseI’l
lcastr
atethatbast
ardandfeedhi
m
hisownballs.’
*
***
***
***
**
Pi
lar
aarri
vedatherFr
anci
stownhouseandf
ound
Mokganedit
her
e.
PI
LARA:Oh,
whendi
dyoucomeher
e?
MOKGANEDI:Iar
ri
vedi
nthemor
ning.Kegonee
hel
angpar
tyyamaabane?
PILARA:Ei
sh,
Ledi
moi
slat
eandIwast
her
ehel
ping
out.
MOKGANEDI :Jaanongmmayoucouldn’
tjust
answeryourphoneandletmeknowyouareok?
PILARA:Itwasaver
ybusyday.Idi
dn’
tevenhear
thephone,i
twasinmyhandbagonsil
ence.Sorr
y
babe…
MOKGANEDI:Oh,
it’
sok.Thati
sni
cei
fyout
ohel
p.
Howi
sKai?
PILARA:Owaii
,Kaii
sKai.Youknowhi m.Kaediis
nothandl
ingi
twellatal
lthough,poorguy… I’
m
worri
edabouthim.Heisreall
yjustabigteddybear
and…
Shest
oppedher
sel
fwhenshenot i
cedMokganedi
wasst
ari
ngatherwi
thannoyance.
MOKGANEDI
:Soyouspentt
hedaywi
thhi
m?
PILARA:Andaboutf if
tyotherpeople.Babe,
Iam
mar r
iedtoyou, ar
en’
tI?Threewholeyears!Bot
hmy
mar r
iagestoKaediwereonl yayearlongbefor
e
divor
ce.Wear eawholethreeyearsoldand
counting!Stopbeingsothreatenedbysomeonein
mypast .Iloveyou.
*
***
***
***
Kaediar
ri
vedhomeandf
oundBoemol
ayi
ngdown.
KAEDI
:Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
BOEMO:ME?I
’
m awesome!Howdi
dever
ythi
nggo?
KAEDI:Smooth.Babe,
Iseewhatyouaredoing.
Tryi
ngtosetmeupwi thPi
pabecauseyouthink
youaredyi
ng.
BOEMO:Shedoesn’
tevenl
ovewhat
shi
sface
anyway!
KAEDI:Idon’
tgiveashitabouthi
m!Gett
heidea
t
hatyouar edyi
ngoffyourhead.Weneedyou!
BOEMO:Yout
hinkIwantt
odi
e?Iwi
shIwasi
n
cont
rol
…
Kaist
oodatt
hedoorandl
ookeddownsadl
y.
KAI
:Shei
sdyi
ng…
BOEMO:Di
dtheyspeakt
oyou?
KAI
:Yes… butIonl
ygotcl
ari
tyt
oday.Canwespeak
i
npri
vate?
BOEMO:No,
youcansayi
tinf
rontofyourf
ather
,he
knowswear
ebot
hgift
ed.
KAI
:Mama,
please… I
…
KAEDI
:Kai!I
fyouknowwhati
swr
ongwi
thmywi
fe,
yout
ellmenow.
BOEMO:Goahead…
KAI:(
sighi
ng)Theyt
oldmeaboutuhm… uh… t
he
sacri
fi
ceyoumadeformyli
fe.
BOEMO:Iftheyexpectanapology,Iam notsor
ry
andIwi
lldoitagai
nt osaveyourli
fe.
KAEDI
:Dowhat
?
KAI:I
t’snotourancestor
sIt
hink.Thati
swhyitwas
notcleareventograndaunt
.Iwenttoherand
consultedj
ustnowandgotconf i
rmati
onofmy
theor
y.
BOEMO:Yea?
KAI:Ourancestorsacceptt
hesacrif
ice,Iam thei
r
heir.AndI’
m gi
fted,athi
ngthathasneverhappened
i
nt heLedimoblood.Theywantmepr ocreat
ing.But
theModi moosi
…t heyar
eangered…
KAEDIWhywoul
dPi l
ara’
sfami
lybeangr
y?About
what
?Whatsacr
if
ice?
KAI
:Gr
andauntsaysyouhavet
ocomecl
ean…and
appeasetheModi moosiancest
orsi
nthei
rwayand
begforforgi
veness.
Boemosi
ghedheavi
ly.
KAEDI
:Cansomeonef
ucki
ngt
ellmewhat
’sgoi
ng
on?
BOEMO:Kai
,excuseus.Myhusband,
comeseat
wit
hme.Weneedt otal
k.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Kaedist
oodupandpacedaboutt
her
oom.
KAEDI:Ihonest
lydon’
tunder
stand,
canyouj
ustgo
overt
hatagain?
BOEMO:( sighi
ng)Mymot herr
eject
edmygi f
tand
wasdoi ngeveryt
hingt
otrygetri
dofi t
,somy
ancestorswantedtopuni
shherbyt aki
ngmeaway.
Igotverysickasachil
d.TheLedimoancestorshad
chosenmeasyourwi f
e,butIwasdying,soPi
lar
a
waschosent
orepl
aceme.Herancest
orsaccept
ed.
KAEDI
:Ok,sowhythewhol
edr
amaaboutyouand
meget
tingmarr
ied,
whenPi
paandIwer
etoget
her
?
BOEMO:Kaedi ,
youruncleswereat r
yingt
okil
lyou
andKai.Theywenttowi t
chdoctor
sandall.Who
bestt
opr ot
ectyouthatyoural
readychosenwif
e.
KAEDI:Wer
en’
tyouun-
chosenorsomeshi
tthen
becausePi
pawas?
BOEMO:( l
aughing)No,Iwasn’
tunchosen.Itwasall
basedonthethoughtIwasgoi ngtodi
e.WhenI
didn’
t,
thenyouhadt wowives.Yourancestor
s
knowyou,boy.Theyknowyoudon’ tmindmul t
ipl
e.
Nothi
ngwaseversai daboutyouandPi panotbei
ng
toget
herbecauseofme.Youguyschoset hat
.
KAEDI
:Ok,
butwhyi
sal
lthi
smaki
ngyousi
ck?
BOEMO:Iwast heonetogi vetheLedimoanheirso
hecouldi
nheri
tmygi f
t.KaediLedimoI I
Iwasmeant
tobemine.Butyoumar r
iedt heyoungwifef
ir
stand
gotherpr
egnant.Kaiwasal waysgonnabeyour
hei
r.Sohewasbor ntoPilara.Bornwit
hmygi f
t.
KAEDI:I’
m gonnapretendIunderstandthat
,and
askagain,whyisal
lthatmaki ngyousick?Kaisai
d
somethingaboutasacrif
ice.Dowehavet o
sl
aughteragoatorsomet hing?
BOEMO:BecauseofPi pa’sstupi
dit
yt aki
ngKaiout
ofthehospitalandusputtingoffgetti
ngmar r
ied,
theancestorsweredispl
eased.Theyvi eweditasus
notwantingtocont i
nuetheLedimol egacy,sothey
decidedtotakeawayt heheirandcont i
nuethe
Ledimolegacyt hr
oughsomeoneel se,maybea
cousinofyoursorsomet hing.
KAEDI
:Meani
ngKaiwasgoi
ngt
odi
e?
BOEMO:Yup…Icouldn’
tletthathappen.Icoul
dn’
t
l
etKaidi
e.Idi
dsomethi
ngsel fi
shthatIam bei
ng
puni
shedforwi
tht
hissickness.
KAEDI
:Youknow,thi
sfucki
ngancest
orssadi
sti
cas
hel
lman.I
fyousavedKai’
sli
fe,
what’
sthebigdeal
?
BOEMO:Nat
urer
equi
resbal
ance.Al
if
eforal
if
e…
KAEDI:Jesus,
Boemo!Don’
ttel
lmeyouki
ll
eda
per
son!
BOEMO:Somet
hingl
iket
hat
…
KAEDI
:Whatt
hehel
ldoest
hatmean?
BOEMO:Myauntanyot hersl
ikeherwil
lneverdo
somethi
nglikethi
s.Theyshunt hedar
kar t
s.They
tol
dmeKaiwasdyi ngandtherewasnoot herway
tosavehi
m.Thatt heLedimolegacywillgoto
someoneelse.Youknowi noursociet
ywet alk
aboutwit
chesandal l
?
KAEDI
:Yea?
BOEMO:Iwentt oawit
chdoct
or .Hesai
dtherewas
away.ThatKai’
sbrot
herwil
ltakeKai’
splacewit
h
theancest
ors.
KAEDI
:Saxoni
sver
ymuchal
ive…
BOEMO:YouandPi larawereexpecti
ng…het oldme
that
.Iaccepteditanddidtheceremony.Madet he
sacri
fi
ceandIswor et omakesureKaiprotectsthe
Ledi
mol egacyifspared.Yourancest
orsaccepted
andPilar
alostthebaby.
KAEDI
:What
?Sowhatyouar
etel
li
ngmei
sthatyou
ki
ll
edmychi
ld?
BOEMO:Woul
dyouhaver
atheri
twasKaiwhodi
ed?
KAEDI:(
yelli
ng)Ofcour
senot!ButIam sur
ether
e
wasanotherway, Pi
pa’
sfi
repastor
sundothese
voodooshitallt
heti
me.
BOEMO:Thecharl
atanswhomakepeopl
eeatgr
ass?
Areyout
hatdaf
t?
KAEDI
:Don’
tfuckingassumeat
onewi
thmewhen
youki
ll
edmychild!
BOEMO:I ’
l
lassumewhateverthef uckIwant,
who
thehel
ldoyouthinkyouarerai
singyourvoiceat?I
am notsorr
yonebitandIwil
ldoi tagaini
fKai’
sli
fe
i
satstake!
HeslappedherhardandKaiwhohadbeen
eavesdroppi
ngrushedi
nandstoodbetweenthem,
pushingKaediback,wi
thhi
sfi
stsbal
ledup.
KAI
:Don’
tfucki
nghi
ther
…
KAEDI:What
?nowyouaman,
huh?Wannaf
ightme,
doyou?
Kaisquar
edof
fwi
thhi
m def
iant
ly.
BOEMO:St
opi
t!St
opi
tyout
wo!KaediJuni
or,
you
apol
ogi
set
oyouf
athert
hisi
nst
ant
.
KAI:ThehellIwil
l!Hehityou!AndwhatdoIgi
vea
fuckaboutsomeonewhowoul drat
herIwasdead!I
am surei
fitwashi m makingachoi
cebetweenme
andhisPil
ara,I’
dbedead.
Hesai
dlooki
ngdownasat
eardr
opped.
Boemocameoverandhuggedhi
m.
KAEDI
:NowKai
,youknowt
hat
’snott
rue
KAI:Ohreal
ly?Whatwoul
dyouhavedonet
hen,
huh?
Let
’shearit
!
KAEDI
:I’
mjust
…I’
m sur
ether
ewasanot
herway.
KAI:Therewasn’t.Someonehadt odie.Mama
madet hehardchoicebecauseunl ikeyouandyour
Pil
ara,sheactuall
ygivesashi t
.Butitwouldn’
tbe
thefi
rsttimeyouputPi larabef
oremeanyway.Am I
l
ying?Wewer ehappywi t
hauntyLoloandSassy
andshej usthadtocomeandmesst hi
ngsup
becauseyoul ether.Isawyouhuggi ngherthe
otherdayandIknew, Ij
ustknewt hepeaceinour
l
ifewasj ustabouttobegone.Shemat ter
smor e
t
hanevenyourownki
ds,
doesn’
tshe?
Kaedil
ookeddownsadl
y
BOEMO:Kai
,mybaby,youknowi
t’
snotl
iket
hat
.
Youdaddyl
ovesyou.
KAI:Mom justst
op,ok!I’
m oldenoughtoseehe
ai
ntshit,
youcan’tcoverforhi
mf or
ever.He’
drather
Iwasdeadt hanafuckingembryothatcouldsti
l
l
havebeendeadanyway?Wow!Fat heroftheyear
ri
ghtther
e.
BOEMO:Kai ,
myboy, Iknowyouar eupset ,
andi t
’s
understandable,butthat’
snothowwet alktoour
el
ders,especiall
yyourf ather.Whydon’ tyougot o
yourroom andpr ocessyouremot i
onsf ir
st.When
youarer eadytobet hebigr esponsibleboyIraised,
comet alktome, andt henwecant alkyour
fr
ustr
ationstoyourf ather.That’
sabi gboy…
Hewal
kedof
fsni
ff
li
ngandwi
pingt
ear
s.
Kaedit
ookonel
ookatBoemoandwal
kedof
f.
*
***
***
***
**
Tat
jwal
kedi
ntohi
shomeandLoapisati
nthe
l
ivi
ngr
oom wi
tht
woi
dent
icalwomenshehada
r
esembl
ancet
oo.
‘
Seatdown!‘
Onesai
d,poi
nti
ngagunathi
m.
Whatt
hehel
l.
‘
Isai
dseatt
hef
uckdown!‘
TATJ:Whatt
hehel
list
his?
‘
Canyouimagine!Wecomet ocheckonourli
tt
le
si
ster
.Andwhatdowef ind?Herbrui
sedand
bat
ter
ed.Fort
ryingtogoworktocoveryour
pat
heti
cshort
fal
ls?’
LOLO:I
t’
sok,
hewasj
ustangr
ybecauseI
…
‘
Quiet,Loapi
.Youhaveanerve,
beati
ngupaVan
Andreas?Doyouknowwecoul dkil
lyour
ightnow
andyourbodywi l
lneverbef
ound?‘
LOAPI
:Honest
ly,
I…
Oneoft
het
winscameandputagunonTat
j’
sneck.
‘
Ifyoueverasmuchasraiseyourvoi
ceatmysist
er
again,
Iwil
lmakeyourdeathsl
owandpainful
.Nxl
a.
Thi
siswhathappenswhenyoumar rybeneathyou.
Let
’sgoBeth.Loapi,
wewil
lbeincontact
,can’
twait
tomeetyourkids.Mbewusoundsl
ikeatreat
!’
Theleftandaf
tert
hei
rcarpul
ledawayLol
owal
ked
overtoTatj
.
LOAPJ:OhmyGod, ar
eyouok?Isweartheyj
ust
showedupclaimi
ngI’
mthei
rli
tt
lesi
sterandt
hey
j
ustkeptaski
ngmewhathappenedand…
TATJ:Loapi
,Ican’
tdot
hisanymor
e…
LOAPI
:No,no… wear
ejust
…wecandobet
terTat
j,I
l
oveyou…
TATJ:Loapi
,youar
eseei
ngot
hermen!Howi
sthat
l
ove?
LOAPI :I
’
m not!I
’
mr eal
lynot
!Yeshewashi t
ti
ngon
me!Andi twasnicetobenoti
ced,butnothi
ng
happened!Youactli
keyoudon’tevenli
keme
malatsia.ThemoreIbecomesuccessfulthe
di
stantyoubecome.
TATJ:No,
themor
earrogantyoubecome!You
marr
iedmekelel
esol
eLolo,whyisitnowa
pr
obl
em.
LOAPI
:It
’sneverapr
obl
em… Ij
ust
…
TATJ:Youar edisr
espectf
ul,rude,andwon’
tletme
discipl
inethekids.Howwi l
ltheyseemeast heir
fatherwhenyoudon’ ttr
eatmel i
kesuch?Ican’
tgo
onl i
ket hi
s…
LOAPI:Ok, eekephoso.Keikopamaitshwarel
o… i
f
Iwasdi sr
espectf
ul,
Ididn’
tnoti
ce.AndIjust… Tat
j,
wehearsomanyst ori
esofstepparentsabusi
ng
ki
ds,Ijust…
TATJ:Yout
hinkIwi
llabuset
heki
ds?
LOAPI :No,butI’
m paranoidTatj
…andyoubeatme
becauseyoudi dn’tgetyourway.Myheadi stel
li
ng
met or un,
butIloveyouTat j
…Idon’twannalose
you.Whydon’ twebot hcommi ttobeingbet
teras
peopleandasacoupl ed?Getthehelpweneed…
pleasedon’tgi
veupi nus, pl
ease…
*
***
***
***
*
Pil
arasati
ntheli
vingr
oom watchi
ngt
elevi
sionwi
th
herhusbandwhenherphonerang.
Kaedi
?
Shewentt
othet
oil
etandanswer
ed.
PI
LARA:Hey,
ever
ythi
ngok?
KAEDI:No… Ijust…Ineedt
otel
lyousomet
hing.I
can’
tsayitoverthe,
canphonewemeet?
PI
LARA:Ofcour
se,
wher
edoImeetyou?
KAEDI:Remembermyproper
tyi
nAr eaA?I
ts
per
sonal,soweneedapri
vat
espace.
PI
LARA:Al
ri
ght
,seeyout
her
e.
Shehungupandwal
kedbackt
othet
oil
et.
PILARA:Babe,Igott
ogomeetKaedi
,hesaysthere
i
ssomet hi
ngheneedstotal
kabout
.Isupposeit
’s
todowithKai.Hewasupsetwi
thmeearli
er.
MOKGANEDI
:Youhavet
ogonow?
PI
LARA:Yes,
itwon’
tbel
ong.
MOKGANEDI
:Can’
titbet
omor
row?
PI
LARA:I
tsoundedur
gent
.I’
l
lbebacksoon.
MOKGANEDI
:Al
ri
ght
,I’
l
lcomewi
thyou.
PI
LARA:Thanksbabe,
buti
t’
sok…
Shesai
drunni
ngoutt
hedoorasMokganedit
ri
edt
o
prot
est
.
Shegoti
nthecaranddroveoffqui
ckl
y,i
gnor
ingher
phoneasMokganedical
led.
Shepar
kedandwalkedi
ntot
hehouse,
wher
eKaedi
waspaci
ngangr
il
y.
PI
LARA:Hey… what
’swr
ong,
isever
ythi
ngok?
KAEDI
:Idon’
tevenknowhowt
osayt
his?
PI
LARA:Whati
sit
?
KAEDI
:Youwer
epr
egnantar
oundt
hecust
odycase.
Pi
lar
alookeddownsadl
y.
PILARA:Ky,
Iwasgonnat
ell
you.ButIl
osti
tbef
ore
Ihadachancet
o.Howdidyoufi
ndout?
KAEDI
:Boemo…
PI
LARA:Inevereventol
dhert
hatpar
t!Iwas
worr
iedshewouldtel
lyou!
KAEDI
:Hervoodooshi
t.Sheum… t
hemi
scar
ri
age
wasnotami
stake.
PI
LARA:Huh
KAEDI :IwishIunder stooditclearl
yenought o
explai
n.Butbasi call
ytheancest orswant edto
punishmebychoosi nganotherhei randt akingKai.
Meani nghewasgoi ngt odi
et hattimehewason
thehospital.Boemowentt oawi tchdoct orwhodi d
somevoodooshi tsothatKaidoesn’ tdie, but
apparentl
yt obalance,someonehadt o..Andt he
witchdoctorsuggestedKai ’
sbr otherthatyouwer e
carryi
ng.Boemoagr eed.
PILARA:What?Wareng?Di
lot
sal
onaokar
emovi
e
tsamaNigeri
ajaana.What
?
KAEDI:Basi
cal
lyshechoset
osacr
if
iceourbabyt
o
saveKai.
PI
LARA:So,shei
sther easonImi
scar
ri
ed?Ohmy
God!Andshewasallovermeacti
ngli
keafr
iend!
OhmyGod!
Shet
ookherphoneoutangr
il
ycal
li
ngBoemo.
BOEMO:HeyPi
paI
’
m assumi
ngyout
alkedt
oKaedi
.
PI
LARA:Howdar
eyou!Youki
ll
edmybaby.
BOEMO:I ’
m sorryyourbabyhadt odie.I’
m dying… I
won’tgetbett
erf r
om thissi
cknessunlessthings
arefi
xed.WhatIneedi syourf
orgivenessandt al
k
toyourfamil
yt oholdaceremonyt ointr
oduceme
toyourancestorssoIcanappeaset hem.
PILARA:Fuckyou,Boemo!Youki
llmychi
ldand
thi
nkI’
ddoanythingforyou?
BOEMO:Youwantmet oapologi
seforput
ti
ngKai
fi
rst
?Somethi
ngyouneverdone.Foronce,thi
nk
abouthi
m.Hejustl
osthisgrandfat
herandhis
rel
ati
onshi
pwit
hKaediistaki
ngimpact.Youwant
himlosi
ngamothertoo?
PILARA:YouareNOThismother
!Youar
esucha
fucki
ngsnake!It
houghtyouwer
emyfri
end!
BOEMO:Qui etthecont
rar
y, Pil
ara.Whatwehad
wasgenuineforme.YesIf eltbadaboutwhat
happened,butyouweregettingoveri
t.Whybri
ngi
t
up?
PI
LARA:Youki
ll
edmychi
ld!
BOEMO:Andsavedanot her!Youthinkyouwer e
gonnadiphimi nanoi nt
ingoilandthatshitwould
goaway?No, Pipa!Itdoesn’tworkthatway!An
unbornbabywhomi ghtnitevenhadmadei t,
you
knowhowf i
cklepregnanci esandnew- bornsare.
Youdon’tknowhi m orhaveanyr elati
onshipwith
him.ButKaiintheot herhandisher e,
ali
veand
ki
cking.Therewasnoot herway!
Pi
lar
ahungupcr
ying.
PILARA:Ij
ustdon’
tgethowshecoul
dnotevenf
eel
sorr
yaboutwhathappened.
KAEDI:Kaisaidwedon’tcareabouthim… youandI.
ThatIalwaysputyoubeforehim andIwouldhave
chosetheunbornbabyoverhim.It houghtwehada
greatr
elat
ionshi
p…
PILARA:(sobbing)Sheki
ll
edmuchil
dKaedi.She
fucki
ngusedhervoodoot oki
llmychi
ldandIcan’
t
evenreportherbecauset
hatshi
tdoesnotst
andin
court
… and…
Kaedigat
her
edheronhi
sar
msandhel
dherasshe
cr
ied.
PILARA:Youknow,
thatbabycoul
dhavebeenour
fr
eshstart
…
KAEDI
:I’
mtr
yingnott
ohat
eherr
ightnow…
PILARA:I
tjustf
eel
ssoraw,youknow… li
keIj
ust
beentol
dtherei
snoheart
beatal
loveragai
n….
Shebrokedowncr
yingagai
nasKaedihuggedher
,
ki
ssi
ngherhair
.
KAEDI:I
’m sosor
ryPi
pa… I
’m sor
ry.Al
lthemessi
n
yourl
if
ehasalwaysbeenbecauseofme…
Pilar
aturnedar
oundandl
ookedupathi
m wi
th
tearyeyes.
PI
LARA:Idon’
tregr
etmeet
ingyou… notevenf
ora
moment.
Helookeddownathersadl
y,br
ushi
ngherchi
nwi
th
hi
sthumb.
God,
hehadputhert
hroughsomuch.Shedeser
ved
somuchmore.
.
Hemovedhi sheadclosert
oher s.Shej
ustst
ood
f
rozen,fr
om bot
hf earandexci
tement.Whatt
hehel
l
weretheydoi
ng,thiswaswrong.
Notonl
ywer
etheybot
hmar
ri
ed,
Kaediwasj
ustbad
f
orher.
Heleanedi
n,soherfor
eheadrestedagai
nsthi
s.
Theybothcl
osedthei
reyes.Bot
ht hei
rbr
eaths
shaki
ng.
KAEDI
:I’
m.Sosor
ryPi
pa…f
orever
ythi
ng.
Hesai
dinbar
elymor
ethanawhi
sper
.
PI
LARA:I
t’
sok…younevermeantt
ohur
tme…
Sherepl
ied,
hervoi
cebr
eaki
ngasayearr
oll
ed
downhercheek.
Kaedigent
lyleanedinandkissedherwarmslips.
Theypull
edapar tandtookshaky,
shall
owbreaths.
Unabletocontai
nt hemsel
vesanymore,Kaedihel
d
herheadinhishandsandpul l
edherint
oaf i
eryand
passi
onatekiss.
Herhandswor kthei
rwayaroundhisbody,f
eeli
ng
eachcrevasse,
eachlineal
onghisperf
ectphysi
que.
Whenhesoft
lyki
ssedupanddownherneck, she
l
etoutal
it
tl
ewhimperofanti
cipat
ion.Kaediworked
hi
swaybacktohertender
,smoothlips,
leadi
ngher
t
othel
argeuncover
edbedi
nthebedr
oom.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Afewhourslat
erPilar
acameoutoft heshower
wit
hKaedi.Shequickl
ygotdressedanddrove
home,f
indMokganedisti
llwait
ingeventhoughi
t
waspastmidnight
.
PI
LARA:Hey,
youst
il
lup?
MOKGANEDI:HowcanIsl
eepwhenIdi
dn’
teven
knowyouwereok?
PI
LARA:(
sighi
ng)Weneedt
otal
k
MOKGANEDI :Youthi
nk?Pilar
a,yourunof
ftomeet
yourbabydaddyandarenottakingcal
lsf
orhour
s,
whatam Isupposedt
othink?
PI
LARA:Thereisnoeasywaytosayi
ngt
his
Mokganedi
.Icheat
edonyou…
MOKGANEDI
:What
?ItwasKaedi
,wasn’
tit
?Legone
youj
ustsayi
tsoeasy?
Shel
ookeddownsadl
y.
PI
LARA:I
’
m sor
ry.
MOKGANEDI :Noyouar
enot !Youreal
lyar
en’
t.Your
l
evelofsel
fi
shnessi
sunbel
ievable.
.
PILARA:Jaanongwhat
’sournextmovekaher
ewe
ar
e?
MOKGANEDI :(
tryi
ngnottobreak)If
orgiveyou.We
wi
llgotocounsell
ingandseeawayf orward.All
marri
agesgettest
ed.Wecanmakei tthroughthi
s.
*
***
***
*
InthemorningKaediwenttotheLedi
mohouset
o
hel
poutwi t
hthefuneral
.Kenamil
ewalkedi
nwit
h
herhusband.
KENAMI
LE:Hey,
wecameassoonaswehear
d.
SETH:Sor
ryf
oryourl
oss.IseeLosi
kaovert
her
e,
l
etmegosayhi.
Hewal
kedof
fleavi
ngKaediandKenami
le.
KENAMI
LE:Whydi
dn’
tyoucal
lme?
KAEDI
:Namie,ourfr
iendshi
phasalreadycauset
oo
muchmisunderst
andingandhear
tache.Iknowyou
ar
ehappyinyourmar ri
age,
Ial
waysseeyoursocial
medi
aposts.Idon’
twannacausetrouble.
KENAMI
LE:Thankyou,
buti
fyoueverneedme,
I’
m
al
wayst
her
eforyouKaedi
.
KAEDI
:Iknow.Iappr
eci
atet
hat
.
TheyhuggedandKenami l
ewalkedofft
oher
husband,not
ici
ngaf amili
argi
rlwal
kovert
oKaedi
…
what,wasthat…herniece?Whatwasshedoing
here?
KENAMI
LE:Babe,
ist
hatWandi
pa?
SETH:Looksl
i
ke.Whati
sshedoi
ngher
e?
Pi
lar
awal
kedi
nandcamet
ogr
eetSet
h.
PILARA:Heycuz…Ihear
dauntysayi
ngyouar
e
around.Maunogotshwereshar
p.Howist
hehot
el
doing?
SETH:Good,
good!Wejusti
ntr
oducedaCasi
noand
i
t’
sgoingwel
l.Soyouar
egonnaignoremywif
e
agai
n?
PI
LARA:Boy,ai
ntnobodycar
eaboutt
hisf
athome
wr
ecki
ngbitch.
SETH:Ser
iousl
yPi
pa?
PI
LARA:(l
aughi
ng)What
?Shei
sfatandahome
wr
ecker
.
SETH:St
opi
t!Can’
tyoubemat
uref
orasecond?
PI
LARA:(
Rol
ledhereyes)Fi
ne.HiKenami
le.Bye.
SETH:Wai
t.Whoi
sthat
?
PILARA:Oh,Kaedi
’sli
tt
lestrumpetbabymama?
Theyhaveafiveyearold.Shejustgr
aduat
edand
st
artedworki
ngatLID.Idon’ tknowhermuch.
Kenami
leandSet
hst oodt
her
elooki
ngateach
ot
herasPilar
awalkedaway.
*
***
***
***
**
Pi
lar
aknockedonKaedi
’
sst
udyandheopened.
KAEDI
:Hey…howar
eyoudoi
ng?
PI
LARA:Angr y… hur
t.
.Isti
llcan’
tbel
ieveBoemo
di
dthat.ButIwantedtotel
lyoulastnightwasa
mist
ake.
KAEDI
:Sur
e… comeher
e.
PILARA:Kaedi
…It
oldmyhusband… hewant
stot
ry
counsel
li
ngandal
l…
KAEDI
:Whatdoyouwant
?
PI
LARA:Doesi
tevenmat
teranymor
e?
KAEDI
:Ofcour
sei
tdoes.Comeher
e.
Shej
ustst
oodi
nonespot
.
KAEDI
:Pi
lar
a… Isai
dcomeher
e.Now…
Heheldhishandoutandsher
eluct
ant
lywal
ked
over
,taki
nghishand.
Hegrabbedherhandandpul
ledheri
ntohi
slap,
ki
ssi
ngher
KAEDI :Li
fei
sshortPilara.OnemomentIwas
tal
kingtoLedimo,andt henexthewasj ustgone.
From nowonIwannaspentever ysinglemomentof
myl i
fecheri
shingthoseIl ove.Especi
all
yyou…I
wannaspendever ysingledayofmyl if
et r
eati
ng
yout hewayyoudeser ve.Beingmar ri
edtoBoemo
doesn’tmeanIhavet ohavear el
ati
onshipwithher.
PI
LARA:Kaedi
…I’
m mar
ri
ed…
KAEDI:Si
ncewhenhaveyouknownmet onottake
exact
lywhatIwanted?I’
m sor
ryf
oryourhusband,
butIwantmygirlback.
*
***
***
***
**
Ast
hedaywentbyandPi
lar
awasbusyhel
ping,
Kai
wal
kedovert
oher
.
KAI:Canwetalki
npr
ivat
e?Justf
oramoment
.
Dad’sol
dstudy.
PI
LARA:Ofcour
se.Sur
e.
Shef
oll
owedhi
mtot
hest
udy.
KAI
:Iknowwhatmamadi
dtoyouwaswr
ongand
hor
ri
ble.
PI
LARA:Kai
,I
…
KAI:Justletmef
ini
shpl
ease.CanIaskyou
something?
PI
LARA:Ok
KAI:Sayyouf
indoutt
hatReahisdyi
ng.Andyou
ar
ej ustaf
ewweekspregnant
.Theysaytheonl
y
thi
ngthatcancureherisstem cel
lsf
rom asibl
ing’
s
umbili
calcord,
butext
ract
ingthosestem cel
lswill
forsur
ekillt
heunbornbaby.Whatdoyoudo?
PI
LARA:Kai
…
KAI:Answerme,pl
ease.Doyougot oyourPastor
andhopehecanprayhersicknessaway?Ordoyou
dowhatneedstobedoneandmakesur esheis
cur
ed?
PI
LARA:That
’sunf
air
KAI:Answermest
il
l.Pl
ease.Ihaveneveraskedyou
foranyt
hingi
nmyli
fe.Justanswerthi
sforme.
PILARA:(
sighi
ng)Ofcour
seIwi
llmakesur
eshei
s
cured.
KAI
:Butmamai
swr
ongf
ordoi
ngt
hesame?
PI
LARA:Shehadnor
ight
s,i
twasmybaby!
KAI:Doyoudespisemet hatmucht hatyouwould
rat
herIweredead?Canyounotunder standt
hat
whathappenedwasj ustadesperat
ewomanwho
didal
lshecouldtosaveachild’
slif
elife?Thesame
thi
ngyoujustadmitt
edyouwoul ddoi fyouhadto.
Haveyoueverknownmamat obeanevi lper
son?If
youarehonestwit
hyourself
,theanswerisno,she
i
snot.Shehadnochoice.Nowshei sdyi
ngandyou
cansaveher.I
fyouchoosenott ohelpandshedies,
youwil
lbedeadtome, Pil
ara.
Hewal
kedof
fleavi
ngherst
unned.
*
***
***
***
Kenamil
ewalkedovert
oWandi
paassheshowed
peopl
earound.
KENAMI
LE:Hi
WANDI PA:Thanksforcomingtobewi tht
he
Ledimofamilyi
nsuchadi f
ficul
ttime,ma’
am.Ifyou
j
ustgot oyourl
eft
,ther
ewillbeat entf
ort
he
servi
ce.Refr
eshmentswil
lbeser vedshor
tl
y.
KENAMI
LE:Wandi
pa…
Shehadal
readymovedt
othenextper
son.
Kenamil
ewatchedherunt
ilshewasal
oneandt
hen
walkedovert
oher.
KENAMI
LE:Howhaveyoubeen?
WANDIE:Ohnoyoudon’t
!Youdon’tal
lofasudden
wantt
opret
endli
keyoucareaboutmewhenyou
t
hrewmeoutateight
eenknowingIhadnooneelse.
KENAMI LE:Youar
eact
ingl
ikeIam t
heonewho
wrongedyou.
WANDI E:Am Itheonecomi ngt oyounow?Kedul e
mogowenamma, sinceyoukickedmeoutl i
kea
dogkegot oget
se.Iknewwher eyouwere,your
fri
endshipwithKaediandall.Ij
ustwantedto
respectyoukayout hrewmeoutl ikeIwasn’tyour
blood.Myfatherhelpedyououtwhenyouhad
nothingandyouthrowawayhi schil
d?
KENAMI
LE:Yousl
eptwi
thmyhusband!
WANDI PA:Ididn’
tsleepwithhim.Andeveni fIdid,
I
wasanei ghteenyearsoldtroubl
edteen.Hewasa
grownman, yetyoucouldf orgi
vehim,butnotme?
Notoncet hr
ought heyearsdidyouaskyour sel
f
whathappenedt ongwanawagankonne?Knowi ng
thesi
tuat
ionIwascomi ngf r
om?Ifyoudi dn’
tsee
meher et
oday, wouldyouhavebot hered?Thesame
wayyoudi dnotwantmei nyourli
febecauseI
wrongedyou,l
ennammayouwr ongedmeandI
wantnothi
ngtodowi
thyou.Gotroti
nhel
l.Ihat
e
womenl i
keyou.
Shewal
kedof
fangr
il
y,meet
ingKaediont
hest
air
s.
KAEDI
:Ok,
whopi
ssedi
nyourcof
fee?
WANDIPA:Wannaknowwhot hebit
chwhokicked
meoutpregnantandaloneatni
ghtwas?Yea,your
best
ieai
ntsuchasaintaft
erall
.
Hel
ookeddownt
oseeKenami
lel
ooki
ngatt
hem.
KAEDI
:What
?Nami
e?
WANDI
PA:Meetmyaunt
ydear
est
.
Shecussedangr
il
yandwal
kedupst
air
s.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Kaediwal
keddownst
air
sandl
ookedatKenami
le.
KAEDI
:Nami
e,howdoyout
hrowandei
ght
een
year
sol
doutatni
ght
,nomat
terwhatshedi
d?
KENAMI
LE:Kaedi
,I
…
KAEDI:Ijustcan’
tbeli
eveyouwoulddothat!She
wasaki dforGod’ssake.Shecoul
dhavebeen
rapedorkidnappedorkil
led.I
magi
neift
hatwas
Sedi.I
fSedimadeami st
akeandshewasj ust
thrownoutliket
hat!
KENAMILE:Youareonetoj
udge,yousleptwi
th
t
hatei
ghteenyear
soldfr
om whatIgather!
KAEDI :Af
tershetoldmeshewast went yone!And
themomentIr eali
sedwhathappened, Itookherin.
Notjustbecauseshewasmybabymama, butshe
wasayounggi r
lalone!Ij
ustcan’
tbel
ieveyouofal l
peoplewoulddot hat!Chooseamanoveryourown
blood?Achild!
KENAMILE:IknowthewayIwentaboutt
hingswas
wrong,
butshesleptwi
thmyhusband.
KAEDI:Funnyhowyousay‘I’sl
eptwithher
,but
whenitcomestoSeth,‘
she’
sleptwit
hhim.An18
yearsol
d!Sheisbei
ngmadet otakethefal
lofa
grownman?Womanl i
keyoudisgustme.Blamethe
chi
ldandgoonyourmar
rywaywi
thyourbast
ard.I
hopeSedii
ssaf
e.
KENAMI
LE:Howcanyousayt
hat
!
KAEDI :HowcanInot ,Kenamil
e,youblamedachild
forwhatagr ownmandi d,whoistosaygaonago
rapelanyal
obybl amingSediifSetheverdoes
anything?SheistheageWandi ewast hennow,i
sn’
t
she.Imean, al
lthoseyearsyounevereventhough
aboutyourniece?
Heshookhi
sheadangril
yandwal
kedof
fas
Kenami
lewentaf
terhi
m.
KENAMI
LE:Kaedi
,wai
t…
*
***
***
***
***
*
Intheeveni
ngKaediwalkedi
ntohi
shome, i
gnori
ng
Kenamile’
scall
s.Wow,whatati
me,t
wooft he
peoplehetrust
edtur
nouttobehor
ribl
ejustar
ound
hisfat
her’
sdeath.
Hewalkedi
ntothebedroom andBoemowas
sl
eepi
ng.Shelookedsofrai
l,
itbr
okehi
shear
t.
Tobehonestheunder
stoodwhyshedi
dwhatshe
did,andcoul
dn’
thateherfori
t.Sheputhi
ssonf i
rst
evenwhensheknewt herewouldbeconsequences
forher,whi
chcoul
dmeanl osi
ngherownl i
fe.
Boemowasst ubbornandfi
rm onherbel
ieves,
but
nevermal
ici
ous.Ifshehur
tsomeone,itwouldnever
beonpurpose.
Andwhowashet ojudgeanyway,
consi
der
ingt
he
numberofl
iveshehadtaken?
Hecameandlai
dbesideher
,put
ti
nghisar
m
ar
oundherandsmi
ledasshesnuggl
edtohim.
BOEMO:(
groggi
ly)Youoveryoursul
king?
KAEDI
:Iwasn’
tsul
king,
Iwashur
t.
BOEMO:I
’
m sor
ry.
KAEDI:Don’
tbe.Yousavedmyson.Butitwoul
dbe
wrongofmet oaskPi
lar
atofor
giveyou.
BOEMO:No,don’
t.Sheshoul
ddoi
tonl
yifshe
chosest
o.
KAEDI:Iwantherback.Ijust… Il
oveher
… Il
ove
youtoo,butPipahasproblemsbeinginapol
y
rel
ati
onship.
BOEMO:Iunder
stand.I
fyouhadt
ochoosei
twoul
d
beher
.
KAEDI
:It
’snotl
iket
hat
… Idon’
twantt
ochoose.
BOEMO:Kaedi,pleasedon’
tfeel
bad.Iunder
stand.I
am pol
ytoo,r
emember .Iknowyoucanloveusbot h.
Youjustwanttogiveyoutwoachanceyounever
had.AndI’
m coolwiththat
*
***
***
***
*
Pi
lar
agothomeandf
oundMokganedist
il
lther
e.
PILARA:Ithoughtyourdaysof
fwerefini
shi
ng
today.Shoul
dn’tyoubeinGaboronenow?
MOKGANEDI:HowdoIl eavewhenwehaveso
manypr
obl
ems?Pi l
ara,Il
oveyou.Iam soscar
ed
I
’mlosi
ngyou,andIjustdon’
tknowwhatt odo.
PILARA:Mokganedi,
tobehonest
,ther
ehasnever
beenmuchspar kbet
weenus.Wegetonwell.As
fr
iends.Webothwantedt
histoworksomuch..
MOKGANEDI
:Whatar
eyousayi
ng.
PI
LARA:Ithasn’
tbeenworki
ngf
orsometi
me,
Mokganedi
… wecoexist
.Enj
oyeachot
her
’s
company,
loveeachot
hereven.Butar
ewei
nlove?
MOKGANEDI
:I’
minl
ovewi
thyou…
PI
LARA:Youwantt
obeinlovewit
hme.Youwant
whatwehadal
ongtimeago,buti
t’
sgone…
MOKGANEDI:Wecangeti
tback.Wecanjust
…
Pi
paifonl
yyou’
dtr
y!Il
oveyousomuch!Ican’
t
l
oseyou…
At
earr
oll
eddownhi
scheekandshef
eltsobad.
MOKGANEDI:IknowIam notKaediLedi
mo,
butI
l
oveyouPi
lar
a…
PILARA:Ithasnothi
ngt odowi t
hKaedi.Mokganedi,
Ihaveknownf orayearnowt hatIneededtoleave.I
wastryi
ngt ofi
ghtit
.Tryingtoprayaboutit
,wishit
wouldgoaway, butIam justunful
fi
ll
ed,andthe
soonerIf
r eebot
hofust hebett
er.
MOKGANEDI:No…no… pl easet
ellmewhatIcando
bet
ter
!Pl
ease… anyt
hing.I’
l
ldoanythi
ng.
PI
LARA:It’
snotyouMokganedi
.Youareper
fect
.
Anywomanwoul dbeluckyt
ohaveyou.Meont he
ot
herhand… Iam al
lsort
sofmessedandmixedup.
Imakesomanymi stakesandpeoplegethurt
.I
wishIwasoneoft hosepeoplewhogottheirshit
togetherandknowwhatt heywantimmediat
ely.I
’m
not.Iam sorryIam soimper f
ectandyougohur t
becauseofme.Butt helongerIpr
olongt
his,t
he
harderitwil
lbeforbothofus.
*
***
***
***
*
Aweekaf t
erthefuner
alBoemosati
nherl
ivi
ng
room whentherewasaknockandthehel
per
openedforPil
ara.
PI
LARA:Hey…
BOEMO:Fancyseei
ngyouher
e.
PI
LARA:(
laughi
ng)Fancyt
hat
…
BOEMO:I fyouhavecomet oyel
latmeagain,
have
atit
.Butrememberyoumademeapr omisetotr
y
harderwit
hKaiwhenI’m gone?It
’sbadt
onotkeep
promisesmadetothedeparted.
PI
LARA:Maybeyoudon’
thavet
odi
e…
BOEMO:Ican’
texpectyout
ofor
giveme.
PI
LARA:I
t’
sjust
…It
houghtyouwer
emyf
ri
end,
Boemo…Ij ust…yougotme.Reall
yunderst
oodme.
Ifeltf
reewhenIwaswi t
hyou,nopret
ence,nol
ies…
atleastthat’
swhatIthought
.
BOEMO:Iknowthi
swasagr
eatbet
rayalPi
lar
a,but
Kaiwasdyi
ng.
PI
LARA:Iunder st
andthat…Iknowhowmuchyou
meantoKai .AndtobehonestIdon’
twantyouto
di
e.Atleastnotunti
lyouhel
pmesor tt
hismessI’
m
i
nagain.
BOEMO:(smi
li
ng)Tal
ktoaunt
yB.What
’swr
ong
babegi
rl
?
PILARA:Iuhm…Icheat
edonmyhusband.Wi
th
Kaedi.
BOEMO:Areyousur pr
ised?Pipa,youmarri
edthe
fi
rstmantoaskyououtaf t
eryourdivor
ce.Yousti
ll
verymuchloveKaedi,
youdidn’tmoveon.You
madeanangr ymove.
PI
LARA:WhatdoIdo?
BOEMO:Whatdoyouwantt
odo?
PI
LARA:Hesayshei
sfor
givi
ngmeandweshoul
d
gof
orcounsel
li
ngand…
BOEMO:Isai
d,whatdoYOUwant
?
PI
LARA:I
…I…
BOEMO:Whatdoyouwant
,Pi
lar
a?
PILARA:I’
m scared.Ever
yt i
meKaediandIgetback
toget
herIenduphear tbroken.Iknowyouhavean
openmar r
iageandnopr oblem withmebei ngwith
him… andtobehonestIhavenopr obl
em withyou
beingwit
hhi m ei
thernowthatIknowyou… Ij ust…
I’
m scar
edBoemo.Hehashur tme… wehavehur t
eachothersobad… youhavehur tmet oo…
BOEMO:Soyouar egoingtol
iveyourl
if
ewithfear
?
Isitf
airt
oyourhusbandtost
aywi t
hhim whenyou
arenotinlovewi
thhi
m?I si
tfai
rtoyour
self
?
PI
LARA:WhatdoIdo?
BOEMO:Foll
owyourhear
t.Dowhatyout
hinki
s
bestf
oryou.
PILARA:Ifor
giveyou… aboutwhathappened.Iam
hurt
,butI’
m choosi
ngforgi
ve.Ispoketomyaunt
andshehasagr eedtodotheceremony.
BOEMO:Thankyou…andPi pa,Inevermeantt ohur t
you.Iknowthatdoesn’tmeananyt hing,butitwas
neveranint
enti
ont oharm you.Iwasonl yt hi
nking
ofKai’
swellbeing.Icar
eaboutyouPi l
ara,Inever
stoppedcari
ng.Whenyouuhm… whenyougaveup
onwhatwehadandmovedt oGaborone, Iwashur t
,
butyoudeservetochoseyourownhappi ness,soI
l
etitgo.ButIsti
llver
ymuchl oveyou…
Shel
eanedinandsof
tl
ymi
ssedherj
ustasKai
wal
kedin.
KAI
:Uhh… okay?
BOEMO:Kai
… hey,
baby…Wer
ejust
… uhm… Pi
pa
was…
PI
LARA:Yea… wer
e…yea…
KAI:(
laughi
ng)doest
hismeanwear
edoi
ngt
he
cer
emonyt hen?
BOEMO:Yes,Pi
lar
ahasbeengraci
ousenoughto
for
givemeandtal
ktoherf
amil
yonmybehal f
.
KAI:(
ToPipa)Thanks.Wel
l,
I’
lll
etyouguyst
o
your…whatwasthatagai
n?
BOEMO:Tal
king…
Hel
aughedwal
kingaway,
whi
sper
ingt
ohi
msel
f
‘
youguysevenknowyouar
erel
ated?
’
BOEMO:Wher
eyousayi
ngsomet
hingKai
?
KAI
:Nah
Thiswasnoneofhi sbusiness.Maybethi
swhile
tri
oshitwaswhatwasgoi ngt okeephi
sfamil
y
toget
her,hi
sfathercoul
dst i
llbewit
hhi
sPilar
aand
hismother.Theywereonlysecondcousinsanyway.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Amont
hlat
er…
Boemowalkedi
ntot
hei
rhomeaf
tert
heancest
ral
cer
emony.
KAEDI
:Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
BOEMO:(
laughi
ng)I
t’
snotgonnabesomemi
racl
e
i
mmediat
ethingKaedi
.I’
m gonnatakeafewdays
t
ogetbet
ter
.Didyoumakeupwi thyourf
riend?
KAEDI:Yea,
butI’
m st
il
lannoyedman.Ijust…I
nevert
houghtNamiewasthatkindofperson.
BOEMO:Goeasyonher
,nobodyi
sper
fect
.
*
***
***
***
*
Kenami l
ewal kedi
ntoLI
Dindust
ri
esandasked
recept
ionforWandipa.Shecamedownafterabout
t
hirtyminutes.
KENAMI
LE:Hey?
WANDIPA:Pleasestat
eyourreasonforcomi
ng,
so
Icanr
eferyoutotherel
evantdepar
tment.
KENAMILE:Wandi
pa,
don’tdothi
s.Iwantt
omake
amends.Youar
emybr ot
her’
sdaughter
.
WANDI PA:Nowyour eali
zet hat?WhenIdon’tneed
you?Iam noti nt
erest
edinsoot hingyouconscience
dear.Youknowwhatyoudi dwaswr ongandyou
wantmyf orgi
ventosoothhourgui lt
?Nah,fuckthat
.
Ift
hat’sallyouhadtosay, well,
apologynot
accepted.Leavemeal one,andbye.
Shewalkedof
ftoheroff
iceandKenami
lel
ooked
sadl
yathergo.Well
,shedidtr
y.
*
***
***
***
KaicameoutofSparwi t
hhisli
tt
lesi
ster
swhenhe
sawTawanawal ktothetaxi
s.God,whendidshe
star
tdressi
ngl
ike… t
hat?Andwhyt hehelldi
dshe
cutherhair
.
KAI
:Tawana…
Shel
ookedbackt
henwal
kedaway.
KAI
:Tawana,
comeonwhat
’sup?
Shel
aughedandwal
kedbackatt
hem.
KAI
:Ok,
what
’st
hisl
ook?
‘
Youl
ikei
t?Hot
,ri
ght
?’
TAWANA:(comi
ngover
,runni
ng)Tabona,
woul
d
youst
op?
KAI
:Youhaveat
win?
TAWANA:(l
ooki
ngdownembar
rassed)
Unf
ort
unat
ely
Thegirll
aughedandext
endedherhandt
oKaif
ora
handshake.
‘Oh,shelovesme,shej
ustli
kesbeingcoy.
Tabona… dependi
ngonwhichpersonal
it
yyoumeet
ofcourse,
youcouldmeet
…’
TAWANA:( roll
inghereyes)Shecameacr ossa
booktheonet imeshewentt othelibr
ary,tal
king
aboutmult
iplepersonali
tydisor
derandshet hinks
shehasthat.Shedoesn’t.Uhm… wel lwehavet o
go.Tabonahasherst andard7examsonMonday
andifshehasanychanceofatl eastgett
inga‘ D’,
shehastost udy.
TABOKA:(l
aughi
ng)Gi
rl
,Igett
heDj
ustf
ine,
youon
theot
herhand…
TAWANA:WhatiswrongwithyouTaboka?Atl
east
fi
nishpr
imar
yschoolbef
orebei
ngawhor e.
KAI
:(l
aughi
ng)Il
ikeher
.Shei
sfunny.
TAWANA:Shei
sannoyi
ng.Wel
l,
I’
llseeyoul
ater
.
KAI
:Icangi
veyouguysal
if
t…
TAWANA:Not
hanks… bye
Shepull
edhersist
er’
shandanddr
aggedhert
othe
busesannoyed.
Oncet
heywer
eseat
eddown,
shet
ext
edKai
.
‘
sor
ryaboutt
hat
’
‘
aboutwhat
?’
‘
Tabona,
shei
sannoyi
ng’
‘
Shel
ooksli
kesheadoresyou.Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
meyouhadatwinsi
ster?
’
*
***
***
***
Loapi
sati
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom wor
kingasTat
jwal
ked
i
n.
LOAPJ:Hey,
wassup?
TATJ:Long,
long,
day!
LOAPI
:Ohh,
mypoorbaby.Shal
lIbr
ingyouyour
di
nner
?
TATJ:Thatwoul
dbel
ovel
y,t
hankyou.
Shesmi
ledandwal
kedt
otheki
tchen.
TATJ:Lol
o?
LOAPI
:Yea?
TATJ:Iam sopr oudofyou, youaretryi
ngsomuch
andIrecognizeit.Iknowsubmi ssi
ondoesnot
comenat uralt
oyou, andIdon’twantyout ochange
whoyouar e,butstil
l,Ir
ecognizeyoureff
ortsandI
appreci
ate.IhopeIam beingabet t
erhusbandand
too.
LOAPU:Youar
ebabe… i
tsbeaut
if
ult
obet
rust
ed…
Mbewuwal
kedi
nfr
om schoolandj
ustpassedby.
TATJ:Mbewu,
ist
hist
het
imet
ocomehome?
Sher
oll
edhereyes.
TATJ:MbewuMaxi
neLwdimo!Don’
twal
kaway
fr
om mewhenIt
alktoyou!
LOAPI
:Maybeshe…
TATJ:Loapi
,whatdi
dwesayaboutyoui
nter
fer
ing
whenItalkt
omydaught
er?
LOAPI
:Ij
o… sor
ry.Of
ftogett
hedi
nner
.
MBEWU:I
’
m notyourdaught
er,
Tat
j.
TATJ:Whet
heryoul
ikei
tornot
,youar
e.Who
stayedupwit
hyouandyourmom whenyouwer e
si
ck?Whodoyoucal lwhenyougotyour
sel
fst
uck
atparti
esl
ateatni
ght?
MBEWU:Youneverletmedoanyt hing!Youtreat
meli
keaki
d!Youdon’ tt
reatmel i
keadaughter,
howdoyouexpectmet otreatyouli
keafather?
TATJ:I t’
sbecauseIseeyouasadaught ert
hatIget
i
nyourcasesomuchaboutwhatyoudoMbewu.
Doyouknowt heki
ndoft hi
ngst
hatcanhappentoa
beautifulyounggir
loutther
eatnight
?Askyour
mot her,Istayupal
lnightwhenyouarenothome,
dreadingt ogetapoli
cecall
.Idr
iveoutandask
everyteenagerImeetaboutparti
esintown,t
ryi
ng
tofindyou.
MBEWU:Yea,
Ibett
hatget
syour
ealbr
owni
epoi
nts
wi
thmom.
TATJ:YouthinkIneedtof akeconcernforyouto
getbrowni
epoints?Mewant i
ngtodiscipli
neyou
al
mostr ui
nedmymar r
iage!Ifi
twasf orthebrowni
e
point
sIwouldjustnotbother,Iwouldchoosepeace
overyourwel
fare.Bebe,whenImar ri
edyourmom, I
marr
iedallofyoutoo.Iwantt oseeeveryoneof
youbecomesomet hing,notjustwasteyourl
if
e.
Youaresuchabr il
li
antgir
l,Iwouldhatetoseeyou
wast
eyourl i
fe.Andpersonally,
Iloveseei
ngyour
mom happy.Don’tyou?
MBEWU:Ofcour
seIdo…
TATJ:Thenhowi sshegoingt obehappyifweare
alwaysfi
ghti
ng,Bebe?Youar etheel
dest.Youare
teachi
ngyouryoungersibli
ngshowt obehave.Not
onlyarethet
ri
ostarti
ngtobedi sr
espectf
ul,
Max
call
edhismother’
sboyfr
ienda‘ br
okenigga’
.
Mbewul
aughed.
TATJ:I
t’
snotf
unny.Hei
sfi
ve
MBEWU:( laughi
ng)Comeon, that’
shil
ari
ous.And
heaintshi
ttobehonest .Hesawmewi t
hMaxat
themallandsaid‘oh,youarehisri
chfamily?Can
yougivemeP100pl ease’
.Whatthefuckisthat
.
TATJ:Ok,maybehereal
lyai
ntshi
tandnextt
imeI
seehi
mI ’
m gonnapunchhisl
ight
soutf
or
appr
oachi
ngmyki ds.
Mbewul
aughed
TATJ:ButwhatIam sayi ngis… youar ethei rrole
model.Allfourofthem.Theyadmi r
et heirsmar tbig
siswhoal waysgetspr esent
satpr i
zegi ving.They
allwantt
obel ikeyou, t
heydowhatyoudo.I fyou
choosetodi sr
espectme.Sowi l
lthey.Andyour
mom wi l
lbehear t
brokenbyt hedisarrayofour
famil
y.Oryoucant eachthem tobuildourf ami l
y…
i
t’suptoyou.Andl etmeknowt ooi fIam f aili
ng
youasaf ather…Iwantyouhappyt oo, Mbewu.I
wantyoucomi ngfrom schooltoahomeofpeace.
MBEWU:(
sighi
ng)Fi
ne… I
’
lldobet
ter
TATJ:I
t’
sal
lIask.Thankyou.
MBEWU:Andyouar enotfai
li
ng.I
t’
sjust
… Iwish
mom anddadwer et
oget
her.ButIknownowthatis
nothappeni
ng.Shel
ovesyou.SoIguessIhaveto
makedowi t
hwhatIgot.
Tat
jlaughed.
TATJ:That
’sast
art
…
MBEWU:Ok,
Igothomewor
k.Thanksf
ort
hechat
…
dad.
Tatjsmi
ledf
rom eartoearhappi
lyasMbewu
walkedt
oherbedroom.Lolocameoutofthe
ki
tchenbeamingwithhappi
ness.
LOAPI:OhmyGod!Thatwasli
ter
all
ythehappi
esta
conver
sati
onhasevermademe!OhmyGod!And
shecall
edyoudad!Wow!
TATJ:Ir
eal
izeIneedt
ost
opt
reat
ingherl
ikeaki
d.
LOAPI:I
’m sohappy!Ok,
herei
sthewat
ert
owash
hands.Gosh!Youtwogetti
ngal
ong?Wow!
Shebr
oughtt
hei
rfoodandt
heysateat
ing.
TATJ:TodayIgotappr
oachedbysomeman,
some
Si
ewChan, heoff
eredmeaj ob.
LOAPI
:Chinese?Whatj
obl
emaChi
naboTat
jlet
aa
i
kgol
ega?
TATJ:Pr
ivat
esecur
it
y.
LOAPI:Nnyaabagoloi
lemogat
saka.Youwantt
o
qui
tthemili
tar
ytobeasecur
it
yguard?
TATJ:(
laughi
ng)Pr
ivat
esecur
it
ymmaMudongo.
Theyguar
dcel ebri
ti
esandsuchacrosstheworl
d.
Andtheywillpaymeawhol elotmorethanIear
n.I
thi
nkit
’si
nterest
ing.
LOAPI:Ah,
nnaIsti
llt
hinkit
’ssi
ll
ytoleavet
he
mili
tar
ygonnalesecuri
ty,
butifyouarehappybabe,
I’
m happyf
oryou.
TATJ:Tent
imeswhatIear
nwi
tht
hemi
li
tar
y…
LOAPI
:(smi
li
ng)Wel
l,
whydi
dn’
tyoust
artwi
tht
hat
bi
t?
*
***
***
***
*
Intheeveni
ngKaediandBoemosati
nthel
iving
room af
terdi
nnert
alki
ngwhenPi
lar
acamet othei
r
home.
KAEDI:Hey,
comeonin.Letmegogetusdr
inks
andcheckondi
nner
.
Heki
ssedPi
lar
aandwenti
nsi
de.
BOEMO:Hey,thanksforcomi
ng.Ineverr
eal
lygota
chancet
ooff
icial
lyt
hankyou.
PI
LARA:Noneed,
itwast
her
ightt
hing.
BOEMO:Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
PI
LARA:Well
,I’
m get
ti
ngadi
vor
ce.I
’
m amess,
ar
en’
t(l
aughi
ng)
BOEMO:Gi rl,
ifyouknewmynumberoff ail
ed
rel
ati
onshi psandengagement s.Thebeaut if
ulthing
aboutlifeisnotbeingperfectorhavi ngever ything
fi
guredout .It
’sstr
ivi
ngforhappi ness.That ’swhatI
admireaboutyou.Youknowhowt ol eavean
unhappysi tuati
on,anddon’teverl etanyonet ellyou
other
wi se.Wear etaughtselfpriorit
izingisselfi
sh
somucht hatwhensomeonedoesi t,itof
fends
people.Ifasituati
ondoesnotser veyou, leave.If
youjustst aybecausepeopl ewillgethur t,t
henyou
endupbei ngt heonegetti
nghur t,andhur tpeopl e
hurtpeople.
PI
LARA:Youhaveawayofal
waysmaki
ngmef
eel
l
esst
ragi
cthanIam.
BOEMO:Youar enottragicPi
lar
a.Youal ways
chooseyoursel
fandthatisgr
eat .Anyonewhot el
ls
youother
wiseisjustoff
endedthattheydon’thave
thosegut
s,theyareafr
aidofbeingtermedselfi
sh.
That’
swhysomanywomenar est
uckinunhappy
andevenabusivemarri
agesandrel
ati
onshi
ps.So,
whatnextforyou?Kaedit
oldmeyoudon’twanna
getbackwithhim?Helovesandwantsyouback,
Pipa.SodoI.
PILARA:(smi l
ing)Iknow…andtheideaofusall
together
…i t’
snotbad.ButIloveandwantmeback
too,Bobbi.Iwanttotakesometimetofocuson
Pil
ara.Thenwewi l
lseewhatthefut
urehasforus.
BOEMO:Irespectt
hatsomuch.Andwewillst
il
lbe
her
eifyoueverdeci
de… youknow…Anyway,Ist
il
lI
wantyoutotr
ymor ewit
hKai.
PILARA:Iwantthatt
oo.Ibookedamommyson
holi
dayforus,
justmeandhi m,andsur
pri
singl
y,he
agreed.
*
***
***
***
***
1yearl
ater
….
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
[
05/
29,
12:
Loapi satwi
thherf
ri
endshavi
ngsomewi
neand
tal
king.
KAREN:Okaer
rewal
eschur
it
i?’
LOAPI:(
laughi
ng)Leschuri
til
atengrespect
sme
goremma.You’dneverhearTatjat
shwer welema
2000mol i
keyourbussi
nemanhusband, darl
ing.
AUDRY:Ouch!Nnababangwer ait
idi
mal l
a,my
husbandkerat
oropo.Ther
eisn’
tagirlhehasn’
t
beenwithi
nthi
scity.Buti
fmustsuckt obe
sponsor
ingaman, shem.
ATANG:Butthat
’sabitrude,gi
rls.I
fLoapiwant
sto
scarpt
hebott
om ofthebarrel,
it’
aourdutyto
suppor
therasfr
iends.
LOAPI :Bathong,gatwel
enkut
waengt oday?Do
youhat ethatIam inanact
ual
lyhappyloving,
respectfulmarri
age?
AUDRY:Imean,anymanwouldbel
ovi
ngandl
oyal
i
fhewasgett
ingsponsor
ed.
LOAPI
:Icoul
dtel
lyoumyhusbandboughtmy
l
atestcar ,butIam noti nthemoodt odealwithyour
shit
.Heear nsinpoundsandhi sjobscomeswi t
h
unbeli
evabl ebenefits.Butitwasneveraboutt he
money.Il oveTat jbecausehemakesmehappyand
tr
eatsmet hewayIwantt obetreated.WhenIcame
cl
oset olosinghim, itgavemeper specti
ve.Myego
i
snotmor ei mportantthanmyhappi ness.SoI
beggedl esolelamet ostayandwor kthi
ngsout.We
gotcoupl ecounsel l
i
ng, andhaveneverbeen
happier.Thathegotabet t
erjobisabonus, butI
wouldst i
llbewi t
hhi m evenifhewasst i
llj
usta
meresol dier.
ATANG:(l
aughingandr ai
singaglass)Toyoubabe.
Wecouldalll
earnfr
om you.Don’tletagi
rl
fri
end
keepyouawayf r
om themanyoul ove!Cheer
s!
LOAPI:(l
aughing)WhatcanIsay, youalways
knownIwasagoget t
er.Iseei
t,Iwantit
.Igoaft
er
i
tandIgetit.Girl
s,Ineedtoheadof f
.It
’sKai
’s
bir
thdaypart
yandsendof f.
ATANG:Howist
hatdel
usi
onalbi
tch?Whatnumber
di
vor
ceissheonnow?
LOAPI:(
laughing)Pi
pa?Ar ekemokr estemal
atsia.
It
hinksheisadi vor
cecoll
ector
.Youknowt hereare
st
ampcol l
ectorsandal
lthatothershitwhi
tepeople
doforhobbies?
*
***
***
***
**
Kaist
oodatthetopofthest
air
slooki
ngatal
lthe
peopl
ecel
ebrat
inghis16thbi
rt
hday.Andgoi
ng
awaypart
y.
Hi
smotherwavedhi
m overandhewentdownstai
rs
wi
thasmil
easshetappedhergl
assforatoast
.
BOEMO:Guys, I’
dli
ket oproposeat oastt omybi g
guy,soshutitplease.Har vardUniver sit
y!Yeay!I’
m
notgonnal i
e,Iam shakingscar edinside.Hei sjust
aboy, j
ust16!Howdoyoul etyour16year sold
movet oanothercontinent?ButKai, hei sno
ordi
nary16year sold.Heissmar t
,obvi ously.His
agemat eswillbefini
shingforthreet hisyearand
hewillbeinuniversit
y.Andhei smat ure,andjust
thebest.Iam sogr at
efulf
orhi suncleLosi kaf or
movingt her
ewi t
hhi m unt
ilheturns18andhecan
l
ivetherealonewi t
houtneedingpar ent al
supervi
sion.Iam soproudbaby!Sopr
oud.Kaedi
,
Pipa?Lolo?Anything?
PILARA:I
’mreall
yproudofyouKai
.Thi
spastyearI
havegott
ent
oknowyoubet t
ert
hanever
,andyou
aretr
ulyamarvel.
LOAPI:Fuckit
,I’
m gonnacr
y.Lookatmybabyboy!
Wow!Ir ememberwhenhewasbor nl
ikei
twas
yest
erday.
KAEDI :(l
aughing)NnaIam notgonnagi veyou
effersthesati
sfact
ionofseei ngmecr y,butdamn
man!Myboyi fbecomi ngal i
ttl
eman.Al otof
fatherswhent hei
rkidsleavet ocollege,
theyhave
allthi
sanxietyandfearofwhatwi llhappent othem.
Idon’t.Ihavenevermetayoungmanmor e
responsiblet
hanmyboy.Youmakemepr oudevery
singleday,boy!Youcar r
ythenameKaediLedi mo
wel l
.Iam suretheoldfoxissal ut
ingyoui nhi s
grave.Comesayaf ewwor ds.
KAI:(l
aughing)OhmyGod, dad!Ok,fi
ne.Thanks
everyoneforbei
ngher e.Butespeci
all
ymypar ent
s.
Asyoucansee, Ihavethreemoms.Al ong,
compl icatedst or y(l
aughi ng) .Iam gratefult oever y
singleoneofyou.Especi allymamaB.Shet ookan
i
nt r
over tedshyboywhowasaf rai
dofever ything
andt aughthi mt oopenhi swi ngs.WhenIwasi n
standar dsi xatage11, shepushedmet ot aket he
PSLE, beli
evedi nme.Becauseofherbel ieve, I
passes.Agai n,whenIst artedf ormtwoatt hirteen,
shewasal lovert heteacher saboutl ett
ingmedo
formt hreepr ojects.Ithinksheannoyedt hem i ntoit,
andIwr otemyf or mthreeexamsatt hi
rteen, whi l
e
doingf or mt wo.Andpassed.Lastyearwasahar d
yearf orme.Lot soft hi
ngsgoi ngon.Ialmostl ost
her.Butherbel ieveinmekeptmepushi ngandIdi d
wellinmyexamst oo.Seei ngpr i
deinher ,put t
inga
smi l
ei nherf acei smygr eat estjoy.Mama- B, y’al
l!
Boemowipedatearatthecornerofhereyewi
tha
smil
easthenannybroughthertwomont hsol
d
daught
ert
obebr east
fed.
*
***
***
***
Tawanastoodal
oneatacor
nerwhenKai
’
smot
her
walkedover
.
BOEMO:Hol
dyoursist
erinl
awjaana,
letmeget
comf
ort
abl
eandbreastf
eedher
.
TAWANA:Ma?
BOEMO:Gi r
l,youneedtogetusedtoyourfut
ure
family,st
ophi di
ngouther
e.Holdher.Hernameis
Mill
icent.
SheblushedandheldthebabyasBoemogot
comfort
ablei
ntherockingchai
r.
BOEMO:Thankyou.Now,
tel
lme.Whatar
eyour
i
ntent
ionswi
thmyson?
Kaiwal
kedoverl
aughi
ng.
KAI:Mom, sheisf
ourteen!Leaveheral
one.Hey
Mil
lsbaby!Heypr ett
ygi r
l.Ourmommyi scrazy!(
he
sai
dpi nchingthebaby’schubbycheeksandt aki
ng
her
, handinghertoBoemo)ComeonTat i,
letmeget
youadr ink.
BOEMO:Nonealcohol
ic,
Kai
!Ot
her
wiseket
ogo
cl
apaskoposeo.
KAI
:(l
aughi
ng)Wenaonkgwi
sabanawai
tsemama.
Whenyoudon’
thaveagr
andsonandI
’
mf or
ty,
knowi
tsyourf
aul
t!
Het
ookTawana’
shandandl
eadheri
nsi
de.
KAI
:I’
m sosor
ryIl
eftyouf
orabi
t.Somanypeopl
e
t
obenicetoandal
l.
TAWANA:I
t’
scool
.
KAI
:It
oldyout
obr
ingTabona.
TAWANA:Goodness,
no!Shedoesnotknowhowt
o
acti
npubl
ic.
KAI
:That
’smean.Sher
eal
lyador
esyou.
TAWANA:Youdon’tknowTabona.Anyway,Idon’
t
wantt
otal
kabouther.So,
youarereal
lyl
eaving?
KAI:Justt
woandahal
fmor
eyearbef
oreyoucan
j
oinme.
TABONA:Ha!Iwi
sh…scholar
shi
pstoabroadf
resh
fr
om f
ormfi
vearenoteasynowadays.
KAI:For
getscholar
shi
ps.Letmetellyou
somethi
ng.Itol
dmymamayouar er eal
lysmart
,
andshesaidifyoucangetyour
selfadmitt
edthere
theywil
l100%sponsoryou.Tui
ti
on,
accommodat i
on,
year
lyf
li
ght
s,l
ivi
ngal
lowance,
everyt
hing.
TAWANA:Idon’
twantt
hat
… Ij
ust… Iwi
shIcoul
d
makei
tonmyown.Getaschol
arshi
pandall
.
KAI:Iknowyouwi l
l.I
’
m gonnami
ssyou.I
’
llcal
l
andtexttouever
yday.
Shebl
ushedandl
ookeddown.
KAI:IleaveonMonday.TomorrowI’
m gonnabe
packing.Lef
titl
astminut
e,si
ll
yme.Idon’tknowi
fI
wil
lbeabl etoseeyoubefor
eweleave.
TAWANA:I
nthatcase,
saf
etr
avel
.I’
l
lmi
ssyout
oo.
KAI
:Sur
e…
Thenst
oodi
nawkwardsi
lencef
orabi
t,t
henKai
l
eanedi
nandki
ssedher
.
KAI:Iwantedt
odothatsi
nceImetyou.IhopeI
di
dn’tof
fendyou.
Shegi
ggl
edandl
ookeddownshyl
y.
Mbewuwal
kedi
nandl
ookedatt
hen.
MBEWU:Real
lyKai
?Theschol
arshi
pki
d?
KAI
:Doyouwantsomet
hing,
Mbewu?
MBEWU:Tohel
pyouf i
ndyourdi
gni
tybecause
obvi
ousl
yyoul
osti
t!
KAI:ComeonTawana,youdon’
tneedt
odealwi
th
pr
incessour
popsher
e.
Het
ookTawana’
shandandl
edherdownst
air
s.
MBEWU:Youdoknowhei sacheapwhof
ucked
hal
fthegi
rl
satschool
,ri
ght?
KAI:(
laughi
ng)Justhal
f?Al
so,
itmustr
uni
nthe
famil
y,si
s!Goodday!
*
***
***
***
**
Lateraf
tert
hepart
yLoapigothomeandshower
ed,
thengotinbedal
one.
Eventhechi
ldr
enhadspentt
henightatKaedi
’
s
toni
ght,
soshewastrul
yhomealone.
Asmuchasshewashappyf orTat
j,somet
imesshe
missedhi
m somuchwhenhet r
avel
ledabr
oadfor
work.Shecheckedt
hephoneagai
n.Hehadn’t
cal
led.
Shecouldf eelsomeonemessingwit
htheki
tchen
door.OhmyGod… ohmyGod…Sher epeat
edly
pressedthepani cbut
tonwonderi
ngi
fanyt
hingwas
happening.Whywasn’ tt
healar
m goi
ngoff
?
Shewasaboutt or untothekitchenandgr abaknif
e
whenstrongarmsgr abbedherf r
om thebackand
pinnedheragainstthewall…al argehandcoveri
ng
hermouthast hatbigbodyt ot
allyenvelopedher
…
hey,wait
…she’dknowt hatbodyanyway…evenwi t
h
thechangedcologne.
Shesmi l
edtohersel
fthi
nkingofherscandalous
fantasysheoncetol
dhim aboutasshefeltacold
steelbl
adesli
ceherpanti
esoff…
{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
***
Boemoputdownherdaught
eront
hecotasher
motherwal
kedi
n.
MOTHER:Ihavecomet otakehert
omybedroom
t
onightsoyoucanrest
.Thispar
tywoul
dhave
t
akenat ol
lonyou.
BOEMO:Youar eadarli
ng,youknow.Ok,
letme
packherbagnightbagandgethermil
kandwarmer
,
I’
l
lbri
ngthem downthere.Thanksmumzy.
MOTHER:(
laughi
ng)Ohemil
ewena.Bat
sogabago
bi
zamumzyKaileMil
li
eotaabona.
BOEMO:(
laughi
ng)Kaical
lsme‘
olegal
,andI’
m
surei
nMi
lli
e’
sli
tt
leheadI’
m cal
ledf
ood.Al
ri
ght.
Bye.
*
***
***
***
***
Aftersendi
ngtheirthi
ngsbackshefoundKaedi
sayinggoodbyetot hel
astoft
hepartygoer
s.
Finall
yitwasjustthem andPi
lar
a.
BOEMO:Phew!Il ovepart
iesbutIfor
getwhathar
d
worktheyare!AtlestmamaiswatchingMil
li
efor
toni
ght.Iwhinedandwhinedaboutbeingt
ir
edunti
l
shegotthehintandoffer
edtotakeher.
KAEDI
:Sheser
iousl
yhasbeensuchabl
essi
ng.
BOEMO:Ri
ght
?Butyouknowwhatt
hatmeans?We
gott
heni
ghtt
oour
selves…
PI
LARA:Wel
l,
Ibet
terl
eave.Reahsaysshei
s
spendi
ngt
heni
ght
,shei
sal
readyasl
eep.
BOEMO:Youcoul
dsl
eepher
etoo… i
fyouwant
.
KAEDI
:yea,
Pipa,
whydon’
tyoust
ayover
..
PI
LARA:Idon’
twantt
oimpose,
I…
Theybot
hclosedi
nonherandBoemol
eanedi
n
andki
ssedher.
.
BOEMO:Youar
enoti
mposi
ng.I
sshe,
babe?
Boemotur
nedPilara’
sfacetoKaediandKaedi
ki
ssesher
,thenFrenchkissedPi
lar
a.
KAEDI
:Notatal
l… butIt
hinkshei
sscar
ed.
.
Pi
lar
a’sbreathhikedandshethr
ewherheadback
asKaedikissedonesideofherneckwhi
leBoemo
ki
ssedtheot her
.
BOEMO:Ohno… Idon’tt
hinkshei
sscar
edatal
l
babe… t
hisonei
snaughty.
KAEDI
:Your
eckon?
Boemonoddedasshel ickeddownPi pa’
scl
avicl
e,
caressi
ng,goi
ngdownherbodywhi leKaediki
ssed
Pipa.Boemocaressedher,sl
i
ther
ingherhand
underPi
pa’
sskirtandthenpant
ies,
Pipagaspi
ng
asBoemo’
sfingerpushedin.
Boemosashayedbackupandl
ickedt
het
ipofher
gl
ist
eni
ngfi
nger.
BOEMO:Yousee,sheiswet…andsweet…Itol
dyou
shewasnaught
y.Here,l
etsal
lhaveatast
e.
Shestuckt
hefi
ngeronKaedi’
smouthwhosucked
onitandmoanedatthet
aste,whi
leBoemoki
ssed
Pi
lar
a…
BOEMO:Anyway,
aswewer
esayi
ng… st
ay.Pl
ease.
PI
LARA:Ok…
BOEMO:Good…shal
lwegosomewher
eal
it
tl
e
more…pr
ivat
e?
Theyeachtookherhandandlt
hreewal
kedupst
air
s
handinhand.
{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
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***
PARTONEEND
*
***
***
***
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***
*
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