BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#1

Lesegor ol
ledont hebedtof acethe
othersi deandpi ckedherphonet o
checkt hecl ock,itwas01: 15a. m at
mi dnight.Shesi ghedheavi l
yand
turnedt oher2yearol ddaught er
whowasdeepasl eep.Shesmi led
staringather ,thatcheekysmi leon
herf ace,herbubbl yeyesandl ong
eyel ashes.

Meanwhi
leshel
aidont
hebed
thinkingaboutRi ya’sf
ather,Lesego
tookherphoneagai nanddialeda
numberont hescreen,shesilentl
y
steppeddownt hebedandpr essed
thecal lbutt
onassheheadedout side
heroner oom , t
hephonekeptr inging,
shewai tedforsomemi niseconds
whi l
est ari
ngatt hedarkmoonand
shiningst ar
s, Thereci
pientpicked
thecal l.

Hi
m:(
sleepy)hel
lo!
Lesego:
(smi
led)Hi
,Jack…IhopeI
didn’
twakeyouup.
Jack:
(Lowvoi
ce)Doyouknowwhat
t
imei
sitLesego?
Lesego:(
sighed)Iknow,butthethi
ng
i
s…(tookadeepbr eath)Imissyou
Jack,yourdaughtertoomissyou.
Jack:Lesego, It
hinkt hemoneyI
sendyoudai l
yisenought omake
Riyanott omissme, gapesheistoo
youngt omi ssme, nottomention
thatIboughthercl othes,
toys,f
ood
andever ythi
ngsheneeds.I sthatnot
enough?
Lesego:
(sadly)youaretal
kingabout
materi
althi
ngsJack, whatweneed
i
syourloveandpr esence…that
’s
whatmat t
ers,howam Isupposet o
li
velifewhenIcantevengetyouof f
myt houghts,Ididn’tchoosetol ove
youJack, myhear tdid…(cryi
ng)do
yout hinki
tseasyf ormet oforget
aboutyou, IwishIhadacompl ete
controlovermyt houghtsand
feel
ings,maybet hatwaynkaboke
lebetsekawena.
Jack:(lowvoice)look,Idon’thave
ti
mef orthisnonsensenowLesego,
your eallymakemer egretwhyI
pickedyouupt hatverynightafter
clubbing, kei
kgolegi
lekagodi ra
ngwanal ewena, i
fyoucoul dhave
li
stenedt omeandabor tedthebaby,
nkabot otakesenanakol ewena…t he
r
easonwhyam answeringyourcal
ls
i
sbecauseofRi
ya…(si
ghedheavil
y)I
l
oveher,
notyouLesego.
Lesego:(t
earfull
y)soi sthatwhatyou
arethinki
ngr i
ghtnow?Icoul dbe
somewher einl i
fe, myagemat esar e
aboutt ostar
tfirstyearatuniversi
ty,
anditsbecauseofyougor ekeseka
kayagopei nlif
e, youpromisedme
bestthingsinlif
e…yousai dyouwi ll
marrymeandiwi llmoveinwithyou
atyourhouse, Nowam al ostgir
lhere
moGabor onestr uggli
ng.
Jack:Honest
lygi
rl
,Idon’thaveti
me
forl
isteni
ngtoyounow…am goingto
workt omorr
ow morningatseven
thir
ty,soal
lowmet ogetsome
sleep…Itol
dyouthati
twasami st
ake
meet i
ngyou…cantyougetthat
.
Lesego:Jackcanyouat
least
---
Jack:
(i
nter
rupt
ed)Look,
itsmi
dni
ght
now…am hangingup.

Thecal lended,Lesegost aredather

phone’ sscreenandwi pedher
tear…shet henpausedf oramoment
anddi aledanumberonherscr een.I
t
washerel dersi
ster
,shepi ckedup
aftersomef ewseconds.

Lesego:or
obet
senemmaBongi
e?
Bongi e:
Lesegowee! !Waitsewenawa
lapisa,everyti
mewhenyouar ebor
ed
youcal lme, elegorewhatdoyou
thinkam doi ngatthi
st i
me?Having
sex? .
..
(sighed)ofcourseIwas
sleepingunt i
lyouinter
ruptedmy
sleep.
Lesego:Am sor
ry,
butyouarethe
onlypersonwhom Icant
alkt
o…don’
t
beangryatme.
Bongie:atthi
sti
meLesego?Kana
nakokepast1phakela…elegor
e
whatssoi mport
antt
hatyouwantt
o
di
scusswi thme…andbythewayI
don’
thavemoney.
Lesego:It
snotaboutmoneyhle
mma, it
sjustal
it
tl
efavorIwantfr
om
you.
Bongi
e:Okayam l
ist
eni
ng.
Lesego:(cl
earedhert
hroat)canyou
comeandst aywi
thmef orawhilene
mma, justtohel
pmewi ththebaby
forsomet i
mewhi l
eIlookforajob
…i t
sreall
yhardoutherenkgonne.
Bongie:(
laughed)war engtot
a
Lesego?NnaB- Gal?ketl
a
Gaborone?..
.kantegolokooase
goreonnai naf ancyapart
mentand
youaregivenever yt
hingbyyourman?
Lesego:Thi
ngshavechangedhl
e
mma, Jackgaasatholaanal
enako
l
enna, soIhavet
odosomething
aboutmylif
etoo…nkasebehelamo
goJack.
Bongie:Nowyouseegor egophapha
gagonamosol a?Grandmawar ned
youaboutt hebadthingsthatgonna
comeyourwayandyoudi dn’
tlist
en
becauseoneol ebusylemar at
o
wenagi r
l,obuagor ewenayouar e
nolongeravi l
lagegir
l,obuagor e
li
fei
sgoodi nt
hecityandpost i
ng
photoseverysecondmowhat sapp
andfacebook.
Lesego:
Bongi
edoyoureal
lyt
hinkis
theti
meforyout
ojudgemenow, we
allmakemi stakesandwel earnfr
om
them…kei thut i
lebot
shel
ogompi eno,
andam t r
yingt ochange…canyou
stopr emindi ngmeoft hethingsIdid
i
nt hepast…i twasami st
ake, canwe
atleastforgetabouti t
.
Bongi e:NotmeLesego, youaremy
sisteryetIenjoyseei
ngyoui npain
becauset histhi
ngscouldhavenot
happenedi fyoucouldhavel i
stened
togr andma…youknowhowwe
struggledgrowingup,nopar ents,
no
assistance,nohandouts,nor i
ch
relati
ves…yetwenayouwant edto
l
ivel argeakere?Nowseewhatyou
aregoi ngthroughnow,gor ata
morobal
oanddat
ing,
nowyouhave
achil
dandyouar
eonly18year
sof
age.
Lesego:Look,byeBongie…Ididn’
t
askforyouradviceaboutli
fe,
I
wantedyout ohelpmenotadvi ceme.
Bongi
e:Ser
vesyour
ight
.Bye!

Lesegoangr i
lyhangedupandsaton
thebedast earsrol
leddownher
cheek,shethenlaidonbedand
closedhereyes.

AtJack’
sHouse
I
nthemor
ning…
Thealarm startl
edJackashe
j
umpedof ft
hebedandi mmedi atel
y
putifoff
.Hest oodatthebedf or
somet imetryi
ngt ogainhis
consciousness…hethenheadedt o
thewindowandopenedt hecurtain
andwat chedast hesunrise.He
l
ookedatt heclockandi twast wenty
minutestoeight…

Jack:
Damn!
!Am l
ateagai
n,whatt
he
hel
l!
Aslim gir
lroll
edf rom t
hebedand
st
ar edathim whi l
eputti
ngonher
hair(wi
g).Jackst aredatherfora
momentandt heylookedateach
otherli
kecoupl eswhoar eaboutto
ki
sseachot herint hemovies.

Her
:(
checkedherphone)si
x
messages!
!
Jack:
(st
ari
ngather)f
rom who?Your
si
deniggas?.
..
youknowwhattimeis
i
tLett
y?
Lett
y:Look,
dontbl
amemef
oryour
l
ateness.
Jack:whoam Isupposedt
obl
ame,
didn’tIt
ellyout
owakemeup
early…kantekeengorobalaokare
mot hoaletsekotebel
longjaana.
Lett
y:(
fi
xedherbraandputonher
panti
es)lookgi
vemetransport
moneykeyel wapeng,
Idon’thave
ti
mef oryourdr
ama.
Jack:No,
Iwi
lldr
opyouof
f.
Lett
y:Am t
ir
edofbei
ngseeninyour
car,
obatl
agontwaetsabananyana
kante.
Jack:(
tookhi
swal
letf
rom t
heshel
f)
howmuchdoyouneed?
Let
ty:
Justgi
vemeaslit
tl
eas400
pul
a,Idon’
tneedmuch.
Jack:what?kant
ear
eyouaseller
?
Whyar eyouacti
ngl
ikeyouar
enot
mygi r
lf
ri
end.
Lett
y:Kanaam notacheapgir
l,don’
t
comparemel eyourdi
rt
ygir
lyo
gotwengLesego…am ahighclass
gir
l.
Jack:
(Pausedf
oramoment )don’t
tal
kabouther.
..
(si
ghed)am goi
ngto
takeashower.
Let
ty:anddon’
tforgetmy400
pul
a…am goingfi
rsttowashmyf
ace.

Sheimmediat
elyheadedt
othe
bat
hroom asJacksatont
hebedand
openedt hemessagebox, hewrote
somef ewl i
nesont hemessagebox
andent eredLesego’snumber.He
thoughtforsomet i
meanddel eted
themessage.

Tobecont
inued…….
.

HIGUYS,
AM AWRI
TERANDILOVE
YOUGUYS.
THISISMYBOOK* *
*BROKEN
TEENAGEMOTHER***YOO!!I
T’SA
NICEREADGUYS.LI
KETHEPAGE,
DROPALIKEBELOW ANDCOMMENT,
MENTIONYOURFRIENDS.LETSTHE
JOURNEYBEGI
NS.
LI
KE,MENTI
ONYOURSQUAD,
SHAREONYOURTIMELI
NE.
LETSGET1000LIKESONTHIS
INSERTBEFOREANOTHERONE,
SHOW LOVEGUYS,LI
KETHEPAGE
FORMORE.
#St
ayHome#ReadAt
Home
#Li
keThePage#Li
keThePost
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#2

Meanwhi
le…
Jackf i
xedhistieashewal kedoutof
thef r
ontdoortohiscar,t
hesunwas
alreadyoutandi twaswarm.He
l
eanedonhi scarsippi
ngfrom acup
ofcof f
eestari
ngatLettyasshe
closedandl ockedthedoor,shethen
pulleddownhershor tski
rtasshe
wal kedpastJack.

Jack:(putt
hecuponthebonnet
)
Letty!Youcantdot
hat,
areyoufor
realnow?
Let
ty:LookJack,
Icant
akeataxi
home,doyouhavetodropmeat
homeever ytimeIl eaveyour
house…kanaasegor eam st
ayi
ngby
own,am stayi ngwi t
hmyel dersi
ster
andwhatwi llshethinkwhenshe
seesmebei ngdr oppedbyacart hi
s
earl
ymor ning.
Jack:(sighed)Lett
yyouare24years
old,youar eanadul t
…st
opacti
nglike
asmal lchi
ldhlemma.Justgeti
nthe
carandIwi l
ldropyouoff,
am al
ready
l
at eforwor know.
Lett
y:(
wal
kedclosert
ohim)you
knowwhatpi
ssesmeof ft
hemost?
Jack:
(swall
oweddeepl
y)don’
tst
art
,
whatisit
?
Letty:(
fol
dedherhandsl i
keaboss)
Youdon’ tbehavel ikeanadul t,you
aremuchol derthanmeandyoust i
ll
fuckingar oundwi t
hl i
ttl
egi rl
s,Imean
whenar eyougoi ngt osettledown
andst artlivi
ngt hel i
feyouar e
supposedt o?Itsnotl ikeIloveyouor
evenl i
keyou, i
tsyourmoneyt hatI
wantj ack…( holdingherwai st)lookat
me, am st i
llyoungandener geticnot
forgetti
ngmybeaut y…. (
scannedhi m
from toet othehead)andl ookatyou,
anol dman…Imeani magi nepeopl e
seeingmewi thyouhl erra.
Jack:SoafterIspendmymoneyon
you,that
’showyout hankmegi
rl
,by
i
nsul
ti
ngme…ifam outofyour
l
eaguewhydoyouqui ckl
ycomet
o
myhousewhenIcallyou?
Letty:Moneyt
alks,youthinkam
goingtobescaredt otel
lyouthe
tr
uthMrJack, al
lli
ttl
egirl
schasing
aft
eryouwantyourmoney, theyj
ust
wantt ori
deyourBMW…t hat
’sall
.
Jack:
(pissed)lookdon’tprovokeme
Lett
y,youwantt ogetthebeat i
ngof
yourli
fe…Iwillsl
apyoui fyou
conti
nuesayingt hatt
ome…( opened
thecardoor)nowgeti nside!
Let
ty:Youar
efor
cingme?
Jackpull
edherbythehandand
draggedheri
nthecar…

Lett
y:(
scr
eaming)kant
eodi
rang?
Leavemealone…

Jackthenlockedthedoorandwent
tothedri
verssideandtechni
call
y
openedthedoorandsteppedin,he
start
edtheengineandstaredatLet
ty
forawhile.

Jack:
(Si
ghing)Don’tlookatmeli
ke
that
,am t
akingyout oyourhouse
andIwil
ltellyoursi
stergor
eyouare
aprosti
tute…maybeshedoesn’t
knowgor eyougoar oundsl
eepi
ng
wit
hmenf ormoney.Todayshemust
know,ebil
eam taki
ngadayof fgor
e
kegobaki seLet
ty.
Lett
y:Youarenotser
iousjack,ifyou
openyourmout handtel
lmysi st
er
thatrubbi
sh…am goi
ngtor eportyou
tothepoli
cestat
ionandtellthem
thatyourapedme.
Jack:
(Laughed)r
eal
ly?Anyevi
dence?
Let
ty:Idon’
thave,
butIhave
somethingt
hatwil
lrui
nyourl i
fef
or
good,andyoucouldevenloseyour
j
obt oanextent
…sodon’tprovokeme
al
so.
Jack:Youthi
nkam asmal
lki
dyou
canfoolar
ound?
Letty:(
unlockedherphoneand
openedgal ler
y)whataboutt
his
vi
deo? ,
,,
(showinghi
m whilet
ightl
y
holdingthephone)saysomethingMr
OldMan.
Jack:
(t
erri
fi
ed)Let
tyyouar
e
j
oking…(hear
tpoundi
ng)asext
ape?
Let
ty:don’
tforgeti
tsOUR…O-
U-R
…it
soursext ape.
Jack:Yout
hinkyoucanscar
eme?
Let
ty:No,
butIcanr
uinyourli
fe…so
openthef
ucki
ngdoorandletmeout .
Jack:(Angri
ly)youar enotl eavi
ng
thiscarunti
lyoudel etethatshit…or
elseam goingt olearnhowt o
commi tmur dertoday,yout hinkam
goingtoloset oal i
tt
legirlwhoi s
brokeandal lsheknowsi stheSex
gameandpar tyi
ng
around…(extendedhi shandt oher )
Givemet hatphoneorel seIwi l
l
breakitnow.

Jackwasnowangr yandsweatingall
over,
Lettywasbitinti
midat
edand
shegavei n…Jacktookthephone
andplayedt hevi
deoforabout10
secondsandt hendelet
edit,
hethrew
thephoneatherandshookhi
shead
star
ingather
.

Jack:youareunbelievabl
ewaitse
Letty,
soyouhavet urnedint
othis
ki
ndofper sonnow?Apr ett
ygirll
ike
youwi thbadint
enti
ons…(extr
emely
pissed)gett
hehelloutofmycar
now.
Let
ty:
(Si
lent
lyopenedt
hedoor
)Bye!

Shewalkedoutcarryi
ngherhandbag
andshelef
t,Jackhitt
hesteer
ing
wheelwit
hhisfistandscr
eamed.
Jack:Damn!…(l
owvoice)whatabad
waytostar
ttheday.

Hegotoutofhi scar,andturnedoff
theengineandt henlockedthecar
pickinguphiscupofnowcol dcoff
ee
andheadedbackt othehouse,just
asheopenedt hedooramessage
alertbeepedinhisphone,itwas
Letty.Heimmedi at
elyopenedthe
messageandt ookoffhisspecsand
hispupilgrewbigger.

MESSAGEFROM LETTY(
(“Soloser
,
yout
hinkam st
upi
denought
oput
onevi
deoonmyphone, .
.(Laughing
emoji
s)Am notanidiot,
Iknewt his
wasgoingtohappen.Byt hewayI
haveabackupofthevideoi nmy
googl
edrive,
soIwillsendittoyou
andwil
lseewhatIcandoaf ter
,BYE
LOSER!!
))

Jackreadt hemessageand
i
mmedi at
elyfel
tnumbnessal lover
,
hewentst rai
ghttothekitchenand
drankagal l
onofwat eratonceand
l
eanedont heki
tchencount er
shiver
ing.
ATLETTY’
SHOUSE

Laterthataft
ernoonLettysatonthe
verandawi t
hsomeofherf r
iends
laughi
ngandmaki ngfunnyjokes…

Lett
y:(
hol
dingherIphone11)Lone
hlemmalookatthisIphone,
kana
todaysomeshithappened..
(cl
apped)
Ij
o!
Lone:Tswakadatawena
gir
lie…(t
urnedt
otheotherf
riend)
kanat hi
sgir
lonnaanaledikgang
hela.
Tebogo:
(Smi
li
ng)Adi
tswedi
kgang,
andt
ellusgor
ewenaokgonal
if
e
j
angmma.
Lett
y:Yougi
rl
sknownot hi
ngabout
hustl
ewait
se,i
fyouarenotwil
li
ngt
o
takesomeri
skmol i
fe’
ngowaiio
j
elwe…nnammar adidiradiare
dumela.
Lone:Osi
molot
sebusi
nessyaher
bal
l
if
elewena?
Letty:
(l
aughed)Ohh!Gat weherbal
li
fe,ebil
et hoseproduct sdikase
rekelemot hoevent hecheapest
iphone…( sighed)bytheway, Ihave
somet hingi mportanttosharewith
youguys, canyoupl easecome
cl
oserkanadi
kgangdikgonago-
--

Hereldersist
erimmediatel
ywalked
i
nhol dingaplast
icwhichcontai
ned
someveget abl
esandbeef …She
stoodbesidesthem andturnedt
o
Letty.

Diane:Youwashedthedishesaker
e,
ketswagogor ekel
aseshabogoreo
teoapeyemma.
Lett
y:(Bi
tt
erl
ystaredather)Nnya
mma! !GapeItol
dyougor eam taki
ng
awhol eweekoffkesaapeye..
itold
you.
Diane:kanteoser i
ousLetty?The
l
asttimeyoucookedwasl i
kea
mont hago,youneverwannado
anythingexcepthangingoutwi th
fri
endsandsoci almediaallday,and
thenatnightyouwat chtheKor ean
Dramas…nnyammayoushoul dstart
helpi
ngmemol wapeng,kanao
boelegaebecauseyouar enot
addinganyvalueher e.
Letty:Look,
am busynow…and
respectmyf r
iendsalso,
youcantj
ust
walki nandinter
ruptusli
ket
hat.

Di
anel
eftherandwal
kedi
ntot
he
houseandclosedthedoor,
thegi
rl
s
l
aughedoutsideandstar
ted
murmuring.

AtLesego’
sHouse
AttheeveningLesegol itt
hecandle
andputi tonthest and,
shethen
breastf
eedthel i
ttl
eRiyaandputher
tosleep.Immedi at
elyshetookher
phoneanddi aledJack’snumber,he
pickedup.

Jack:
(l
owvoi
ce)mm!
Lesego:yousoundl
ow,
areyouokay?
Jack:Look,
Idon’
thavetimefor
chatt
ingnow…gostr
aighttothepoi
nt
Lesegobecauseam havi
ngsomuch
i
nmymi ndnowandIwantt orest
.
Lesego:Okaymaybesendingyout he
photosofRiyasl
eepi
ngwillcheer
youup,canIsendthem onwhat sapp?
Jack:WhosaidIneededphot
os?the
reasonwhyyoucall
edmei st
hatyou
wanttosendRiya’
spict
uresmo
whatsapp?
Lesego:No,that
’snotthepoi
nt…j
ust
thatyounevercallmetoaskme
aboutthebabyandhowshei sdoing,
youseem nottocare.Kanari
ghtnow,
am beinghelpedbyafri
endduri
ng
thedaytotakecareofthebabyand
sheleavesintheaf
ter
noonso—

Jackl
ongendedt
hecal
l…

Lesego:
Hel
lo!Ar
eyoust
il
lther
e?

Thecal
lwascut
.

AtJack’
sHouse

Jacksatonthecouchshi
rt
lessand
hetri
edcal
li
ngLettyf
orcoupleof
ti
mesbutt onoavai l…hewassomad
andatapoi ntofbreakingdownhi s
phone,i
mmedi atel
yawhat sapptext
s
beepedin.henervousl yopenedit
andjustasexpected, i
twasLet t
y.
ShesentaVoi ceNot eandaf il
e
contai
ningthesext ape.
JackopenedtheVoicenot
eand
l
ist
enedattent
ivel
ytoit
.

Lett
y:(VoiceNote)“Iwantyout o
makeadeci si
on,sinceyougotridof
meandt hreat
enedt okil
lmeinyour
car,
makeadeci sionnow…youwant
thevideoonmywhat sappst
atus,or
facebookgroups,sothatatl
eastit
couldtrend,
nnalegaleIdon’thaveto
wor r
ybecauseIediteditandhidmy
face,sowhataboutyou? ”

THEVNENDED!
.

Li
ke,
commentandshar
e.

2Insert
saday,
onl
yift
hel
ikesar
e
sati
sfyi
ng,
MORNI
NG:10a.
m
NI
GHTTI
ME:9pm.
Don’tforgett
oli
ke,
Commentand
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[
9:03AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#3

AtLesego’
sHouse

Thef
oll
owi
ngday.
..

Lesegoref
il
ledRiya’
sbott
leofmi
lk
andwalkedoutsi
detothemophane
treewhereshewasplai
ti
ngherfr
iend,
shepushedt hepr
am andtur
neditto
facethem andputt
hebott
leofwarm
mi l
konit.

Lesego: (sighedasshecont i
nued
plait
ingSal l
y)Lif
ei snotfai
rwai t
se,
somepeopl etodayar echil
li
ngin
theirbigmansi onsandt heACi son,
theirkidsar eplayingvideogamesi n
theirrooms, t
heyeatni cefood,they
drivenicecar sandal lthat…(paused)
andher eIam, struggli
ng…Idon’ t
knowwhatIhavedonet odeserve
thisatt hisyoungage.
Sally:Tsalakel i
fe,honestl
yl if
ewas
nevermeantt obef air
…other swill
alwayshavet heupperhandi nli
fe,
eveni nagameoff ootbal
lther ei
s
alwaysat eam thatwins.Kanake
goreyouar ealwayscompl aining
abouthowhar dyourlifei
s, Imean
youar enottheonlyonegoi ng
throughhar dshipsi nl
ife,
some
peopl earewor seLesego…ot hers
haven’ tseenfoodi ndays,ot hers
don’ tevenhavewher etheyst ay.
Lesego:Iknow,butnnakegor edil
o
kediit
iri
leSal
lyandIreall
y
regr
et…(sadl
y)kegoreIlovedthat
guytotaandIneverthoughtthings
wi
llbel
iket
his.
Sall
y:t
hatguykemang?Youmean
Jack?
Lesego:Ee
Sally:Ithoughtyousai dthatyouwil
l
moveonkal ife,
whyar eyoust i
ll
thi
nki ngabouthi m…kanat hatwayhe
willnevergeter asedinyour
thought s,andyougonnaendup
hurtingyour self
…Hei mpregnated
youandabandonedyouandt he
baby, butkar mawi l
ldealwithhim
believeme.
Lesego:Hl
emmadon’twishhi
m bad
l
uck,nnaIsti
lll
ovehi
m andIwi
sh
onedayhewil
lchangehi
smi
ndand
consi
derl
ovi
ngmeback.
Sall
y:Youar
edr eaminggi
rl,
gobua
nnetehel
awalor aandyouneedto
wakeup.Thatrascalhasnowfound
someoneheloves,stopwasti
ngyour
ti
mekaene.
Lesego:
(Thoughtf
ull
y)buthei sst
il
l
si
ngleakere,
surel
yhewi l
loneday
getbacktohissensesandt akeme
andRiyatohishousesot hatwecan
staywit
hhim.
Sall
y:(
laughed)Ifeelsor
rytsala!Wa
resi
ngl e?Jackojolaledislayqueen
hlemma, banyanababahot…and
yousti
llt
hinkyoucancr
osshi
smi
nd?
Ij
o!!
Lesego:Wenakanaomaaka,
wher
e
didyouseehim wi
thgi
rl
s?
Sal
ly:Okay,
kemaakaaker
e..
shapo.

Meanwhi l
eabl ackGolfGTIwit
h
paintedri
msandsunr oofst
oppedat
thegate,LesegoandSal l
ystar
edati
t
andayoungl i
ghtskinnedguy
steppedoutput t
ingonhis
sunglasses.

Sal
ly:
(whi
sper
ing)ar
eyouexpect
ing
someone?
Lesego:
(shookherhead)Nnyamma,
ebil
eketshogil
e…maybehewant
dir
ecti
ons.
Sally:(
Smil
ed)Thisisthetypeof
guysIwannaspendmyent i
rel
if
e
with…heissohotand
fr
esh…. (
immedi
atelytookoutherli
p
sti
ck)gapecheckhiswr i
stwatch.
Lesego:
(cl
ear
edhert
hroat
)Sal
ly
behave.

Theguywal kedtowardsthem
holdi
ngt heVW’skeysbyt heri
ght
hand…hei mmediat
elytookoffhis
sunglassesandgreet
edt hegir
ls,
t
heywer
esoner
vous.

Hi
m:(
cal
m voi
ce)Dumel
ang.
Sal
ly:
(smi
li
ng)Hi
,youknow
Set
swana?
Hi
m: (
giggl
ed)ofcour
se,
am a
Motswana.

LesegotappedSally’
sshoulder
si
gnali
ngt oherthatsheshould
behave,butSal
lycouldn’
tcontai
n
hersel
f.

Lesego:
(t
urnedt
otheguy)howcanI
hel
pyousi
r,youwantdi
rect
ions?
Him:Nnyamma!Actual
lyIhavebeen
senther
ebyafri
endandIthinkt
hat
heknowsyou.
Sal
ly:(
inter
rupted)ner
rai
sthatyour
car
,itlooksnice…andbyt
heway
whatsyourname?
Lesego:(
loudwhi
sper
)Sal
lyhl
emma
stop.
Hi
m:(smil
ingstar
ingatSal
ly)Il
ike
gi
rl
sli
keyou,bythewayam That o.
Sal
ly:
That
ool
emosi
mane?
That
o:(
laughed)Oh,That
oisal
soa
malename…doesn’tthenamesui
t
me?
Sal
ly:I
tdoes,
butIt
hinkanEnglish
namewi l
lbemuchbetterl
ooki
ngat
howhandsomeyouar e.
That
o:(
smi
led)Okaygi
vemeone.
Sall
y:(
rol
ledhereyes)Iwi
llt
ellyou
l
ater.
.(
shesmi l
ed)
That
o:Okay,
butIdon’
tknowwheni
s
l
ater
-
Lesego:
(cl
ear
edhert
hroat)BonaMr
Thatoam sur
eyoucameher efora
reason,
Yousaywhosentyou?
Thato:Jack,
hewant
syouandt
he
baby.
Sal
ly:
(shocked)Noways,
likehe
wantthem tocomeandstaywit
h
hi
m,ori
tsj
ustf
orsomeshor
tti
me.
Thato:Seemsli
keit
sforforever
…he
sai
dt heyshoul
dcomewi ththei
r
cl
othesandeveryt
hing.
Lesego:Justl
iket
hat
,whyishe
doingthatmmeasampol el
ela…he
nevercall
edmeorevensentatext
.
That
o:Idon’
tknowaboutt
hat
.

Therewast otal
lysilenceforsome
seconds,Lesegobi thernailswhil
e
scrat
chingherhead, Sal
lystaredat
Thato’
sZipandi mmedi atel
yshift
ed
awayherf ocusaftersher eali
zed
thathewasst ari
ngather .
AtLet
ty’
sHouse

LaterthatnoonLettyopenedt he
curtai
nsandsatont hecouchasshe
changedont hechannelt oAmer ican
Shows, Dianewalkedoutoft he
kit
chenhol di
ngapl ateofcerealand
anempt yboxofmi lk,shestoodnext
toLettyandtookther emotet hen
l
ower edthevolume.

Let
ty:
(si
ghed)andt
hen?
Di
ane:Kant
eontsejangnewena,
di
dn’
tIbuythemil
kthismor
ning.
Let
ty:Youdi
d,so?
Diane:Youfi
nishedit
…Lett
yyouar e
costi
ngmewai t
se.Youfi
nishthi
ngs
i
nt hehouseandnnakanaIdon’ t
havethemoneyt obuythemi l
kagain,
sowhydi dyoufini
shthemi l
k?
Let
ty:BecauseIneededi
t,youknowI
l
ikemilk.
Diane:(satdown)Ihopet hisi
st he
l
asttimeam t alki
ngt oyouaboutt his,
andIdon’ tcar ewhet heryoulikemilk
ornot…nnakebat l
adi l
odidi r
isi
wa
sentl
emma, kanapeopl ewhonever
buythingst heydon’ tknowt hepain
ofspendingmoneyont hingsyouar e
notgoi
ngt
ouse.
Lett
y:(
tookt
heremot
e)okayIhear
d
youmma!Andam sorry,
Iwi
llr
educe
theamountofmyconsumpti
onthen.
Diane:youwil
lneverbecauseyou
arealwayshome…( sighed)youare
evenlazytoappl
yforr einst
atement
koUni ver
sit
yofBot swanagor e
atl
eastoboelesekolong.
Let
ty:
(t
ookadeepbr
eath)Am never
goi
ngbacktouni
ver
sit
y,i
t’
sawast e
oft
ime.
Diane:Wareng?Kanat
hereason
whyam all
owingyoutost
aywi t
hme
kegoreokgonegoboelasekol
ong
gosenadicostt sar
entandall
that…(clapped)youar
enotseri
ous
Letty,orshouldIcal
lmom andtel
l
hert hatyousaidyouarenever
goingt oschool?
Lett
y:Doesshehavetoknow
everyt
hingIdo?Am notasmal
lki
d
andIcandecideformysel
f.
Diane:doest
hatal
someanyoucan
fi
ndanapar t
mentandl
iveonyour
own?
Letty:
(shekeptqui
et)Look,
am
meet i
ngsomeonel ater
…am goi
ngt
o
dressup.
Dianelookedatherasshewal kedto
herroom andclosedthedoor, she
thentooktheremot eandswitched
offt
heTVandpi ckedthenovelthat
Lett
ywasr eadingearli
eron.

AtJack’
sHouse

TheBlackGol
fGTIparkedinfr
ontof
thehouse,
Thatotur
nedoffthe
engi
neandsteppedoutheadingto
thehouse.

I
nsi
det
hecar
…
Lesego:(
turnedt
oSally)canyouhel
p
mewi ththebaby,kekgonego
gologa.
Sally:j
ustwai
t,don’
tyouwantto
enjoythecomfortoft
hiscarf
ir
st,i
t
feel
sl i
keweareinafivest
arhotel
room.
Lesego:(gi
ggled)wenammaorat
a
dil
ot sabatho…(t
ookadeepbr
eat
h)
butdoyout hi
nkImadeari
ght
decisioncominghere?
Sall
y:Ei
shhonestl
ytsal
aIdon’t
knowwaitse,
butIthi
nkitsagood
i
deacomi ngher
e.
Lesego:yout
hink?Ar
en’
tyout
heone
whowaspushi ngmetocomeher
e,
j
aanongyouthink?
Sall
y:Look,i
tsmuchbett
er
here…atl
eastyouwi
llbesaf
enow,
youwi l
lsl
eepcomfort
abl
yandeat
well,
soitwasagooddecision,gape
thi
sidiototl
asimol
olagotholale
ngwanawagagwe.
Lesego:Yeahaker e,butnnammaI
priori
ti
zemyhappi ness…ifhedoesn’t
treatmewel lam leavingforgood,
am goi ngbackt omyhomevi ll
age.I
f
i
twasn’ tf
orRiyaIwoul dn’tbehere
tota,andIthinkIshoul dinfor
m my
sisteraboutthisgoreai t
sekoke
t
eng.
Sall
y:Youcancallherl
ater
,butIsti
ll
don’tunder
standwhyyoulike
Bongiewhil
eshedoesn’tcareabout
you.

That
ost
eppedi
nthecarandst
ared
att
hem.

Thato:Jackisnotaround, butIl
eft
thekeysofthehouseont hedoor…I
thi
nkyouwi llfi
ndyourway
i
nside…(checkedhiswatch)am
runninglat
ef orani
nter
view, i
t’
sat
halfpast2.
Lesego:Okay,el
egor
eokaeene
Jack?
Thato:Ihopeyouknowgoreatt hi
s
ti
meokot i
rongandheisknocking
offatf
our,hewil
lfi
ndyou…Isent
him amessagethatIhavebrought
youhere.
Lesego:Iwi
llhavet
ocal
lhi
mtoo.
Sall
y:(
tur
nedtoThat
o)Iunderst
and
thatyousai
dyouarerunningl
ate,
butcanyoudropmeatBl ock5.
Thato:Yeah,gapet hi
scarisa
machine…itwillt
ake5mi nutest
o
arr
ive…butlet
shel pLesegoka
di
lwanapel e.
Theytookever
ythi
ngtothehouse,
andLesegostoodatthedoorstar
ing
atthem ast
heygotintot
hecar,
She
thencl
osedthedoorandwenttothe
window towatcht
heVW takingoff…

DONTFORGETTOLI
KE,
COMMENT
ANDSHARE.
St
ayBl
essedandsaf
e.
[
9:03AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#4
LATERON!

Thatodroveathi ghspeedona
highwayandkeptgl ancingatSal l
y
whoseemedt oenj oyt heride,the
volumewasatmaxi mum pl ayi
ng
Jerusal
emaByMast erKG.Justashe
wasaboutt oexitt hehi ghwayj oini
ng
theotherroute,t
het rafficcopt hat
hasbeenf oll
owingbehi ndst opped
him.Her educedt hespeedand
exit
edthehi ghwayt ot henear est
stop.Heturnedof fthemusi c,The
copknockedathi stintedwi ndow
andhesl
owl
yrol
ledi
tdown.

That
o:(
cal
mly)Mrof
fi
cerhowar
eyou?
Off
icer
:Notgood,andam sur
eyou
knowwhyr i
ght?
Thato:
(nodded)butam r
unni
ngl
ate
forani
ntervi
ewt hat
’swhyam
speedi
ngsi r
.
Offi
cer:Whatdoesyourdri
vers
theorybooksaysaboutdr
iver
swho
usepr essur
eofti
measanexcuseof
speeding…am sur
eyouknowt hat
.
That
o:(
sighed)Soyouar
egoi
ngt
o
char
geme?
Offi
cer
:af
terIseeyourdr
iver
s
l
icensesi
r.

Thatoopenedhiswall
etandshowed
theoffi
cerhi
sdri
ver
slicense,
the
off
icernoddedashegaveitbackto
him.

Offi
cer:Isee...
youngst ersarealways
onahur ry,am sureyoudon’ thave
l
otofresponsi bil
it
iesli
keusadul t
s,
famil
y,kids,compl ai
ning
wives.
.(
sighedheavi ly)lotsofthi
ngs
happening...
(star
edatSal l
ywhowas
busywithherphone)I st hatyour
gi
rl
fr
iend?
That
o:(
Pausedf
orasecond)yeah
shei
s.
Off
icer
:Soyouwanttoki
llherby
speedi
ngonaclear
way?
That
o:Nnyarra,l
ikeIsai
dam sor
ry.
I
twil
lneverhappenagain.
Offi
cer:
(gi
ggl
ed)don’tsaythat,
GTI
guysareallt
hesameevent hei
r
excuses…soam goingtoletyougo
fr
eejustfort
oday,youhearme?
That
o:(
smi
led)Ihear
,andt
hankyou.
Of
fi
cer
:Haveani
ceday.
Thatolookedatt heofficerthrough
therear-
mirrorashewal kedbackt o
thepoli
cevehicle,thecopdr oveoff
andwavedbyet ohi m ashej oined
thehighwayagai n.That olaidback
ontheseatandt ookadeepbr eat
h.

Sal
ly:
(sof
tvoi
ce)ar
eyouokay?
Thato:yeahIam…(checkedhi
sclock)
Idon’tthi
nkIwil
lmakeitfort
he
i
ntervi
ew.
Sall
y:Butyoustil
lhavetime,youcan
dropmeher eandIwi l
ltakeataxi
homesot hatyoucangetenough
ti
met otheint
ervi
ew.
That
o:(
smiled)Don’twor
ry,
itsnot
l
ikeIr
eall
yneedaj ob.
Sal
ly:(
Pausedforamoment )IknowI
maysoundt ooforwardandannoyi
ng,
buthowdidyouaf for
dthi
scar,have
youworkedbefore?
Thato:lookatmeSal ly,doIl
ookli
ke
someonewhohaveeverwor ked
before…evenmyagesaysi tal
l.Am
noteven25year sol
d, j
ustt
hatthi
s
j
obi ntervi
ewwashunt edbymy
parentst r
yingtohelpmebecausel
l
eftcollegef i
rstyear
.
Sal
ly:andt
hecar
?
That
o:Whatabouti
t?
Sal
ly:youboughti
tbyyourown
moneykanakebatsadi
?
Thato:Thi
swasabi rt
hdaygi fttome
bymyuncl ewhoi swor kingint he
unit
edstat
es…(glaredather )look,I
nevershar
ewithanyoneaboutmy
li
feandthi
ngsthatIhave, andt he
moreyouaskmequest i
onsi tslike
youwantmet or evealeverything
aboutmeandal lthisthings.
Sal
ly:
(sadl
y)Okayam sorry,
justt
hat
youlookli
keaveryniceguythat’
s
whyam comfortabl
easkingyou.
That
o:AndbecauseIf
eel
comfor
tabl
ebei
ngherewit
hyou,
I
wil
lanswerever yquesti
onyouask
andtellyoueveryt
hingyouneedt o
know…butnoneoft hegirl
sIdated
knowswher eIstayandt heyknow
nothi
ngaboutt hethingsIhaveinl
ife.
Sall
y:Iunderst
and,doyouf eell
ike
theywantyoubecauseoft hethings
youhave,wellImeantheni cecar
andexpensiveclot
hesthatyouwear .
Thato:(
Sighed)Il i
kethefactt
hatyou
arefast-
forwar dandyoucanf i
gure
thi
ngsoutver yquickl
y,t
hatwayIwill
beabletot alkless…(cal
mly)Whats
yourplanst onight?
Sall
ythoughtforsomeseconds
tr
yingtomakeupanexcuset hatwi
ll
makeThat otakeherser
ious.

Sal
ly:
Well
,Iwi
llbedoi
ngar
esear
ch
st
udytoni
ght.
That
o:about
?
Sal
ly:
(r
oll
edhereyes)al
otoft
hings
act
uall
y.
Thato:
(l
ookedst r
aightonhereyes)
Bespecif
ic,Ihavedonelotsof
resear
chstudiestooandmaybeI
mightbeinterest
edonyourtopic.
Sall
y:(
laughed)Am j
oki
ng,
am f
ree
toni
ght.
Thato:Iknewyouwer ejoki
ng, but
youwer enot…(si
ghed)didyouhave
tol
ie,Iactedli
keIwasn’tli
steningt
o
youandLesegoear li
erwhenwe
weredrivi
ngtoJack’splace.
Sall
y:Gor
iamoyouar enotonl
y
handsomebutsmar tas
well
…(cur
iously)howmanygir
lsr
ode
thi
scarbefore?
Thato:whatIknowist
hatt
he
numbersareover300,
yeahar
ound
ther
e.
Sal
ly:
Areyouser
iousner
ra?
That
o:No…(l
aughed)wher
edoyou
st
aykoblock5soIcandropyou.
AtJack’
sHouse

Laterthatafter
noonJackpar kedhis
carandwal kedoutheadi ngtothe
house, heopenedt hedoorandwent
tositdownonacouch, Lesegowas
sleepingintheotherroom andshe
i
mmedi at
elywokeupandwentt ot
he
sitt
ingroom.

Lesego:Hi
.
Jack:Ihopeyouhaven’
tleftRi
ya
wit
hyouruglyfri
end,whereisshe?
Lesego:Shei
ssl
eepi
ngi
nther
oom,
JackIsaidhi
.
Jack:Howar
eyou?
Lesego:Good…whydidn’
tyoucal
lto
l
etmeknowgor eyouwantus
i
nsteadofsendingsomeguygorea
tl
egor etsaya?
Jack:That’
smyfr
iend,
andam sor
ry
fornoti
nformi
ngyoubefor
e.
Lesego:Okay,
ismeorRi
yat
hatyou
want?
Jack:
(gl
aredather
)ar
eyouser
ious
ri
ghtnowLesego?
Lesego:ofcour
seIam,
nnaIwantt
o
knowwher eIst
and.
Jack:It
sbot hofyouIwant ,
lookI
shouldn’thavel etyougoandst ay
alonenur si
ngt hebabywi t
hout
anyonehel pingyou.Am takingthe
responsibil
itynow, andgoi
ngt odo
everyt
hingi ttakestocoverallt
he
ti
met hatIdi dn’tspendonyouand
Riya.
Lesego:Am gladt
hatyouar
enow
real
izi
ngthat.
Jack:Af t
eralli
twasneveryourf ault
thatIgotdr unkthatnightwheni t
wasr aini
ngandIchasedyououtof
myhousewi t
hRiya…(tookadeep
breath)Ireall
ymi st
reatedyouandI
feelbadr i
ghtnow, youdidn’tdeserve
t
hatLesegoandyouhaveever
y
r
easontohatemebecauseIdeser
ve
i
tnow.
Lesego:Idon’tthinki
t’sthetimefor
regret
snow, everythi
ngt hat
happenedhaspassedandwehave
tomoveon.I fwekeepr eminding
oursel
vesoft hepastthenwei nf
li
ct
mor epai
nandsadnessi ntoourli
ves,
youunderstand?
Jack:
(nodded)Ido,
andIt
hankyou
forRi
ya.
Lesego:(
smil
ed)Sheisbecomi
ng
morelikeapri
ncessnow.
Jack:
(smi
led)canyouat
leastwake
herupsoIcanseet
hatl
it
tl
ecut
e
smil
e.
Lesego:
(l
aughed)Nnyarra,Icant
wakeherup…justwaitunti
lshe
wakesup.
Jack:Ir
eal
lycantwai
tnow.

Jack’sphonestar
tedri
ngingandhe
l
ookedatt hephonescreenthen
excusedhimself
.

Jack:
(st
aredatLesego)Gi
vemeone
moment…
Het
henheadedout
sidet
othecar
andpi
ckedup,
itwasLet
ty.

Jack:What
?
Lett
y:(
sof
tvoi
ce)comeon,isthat
howyouansweryourphonewhen
someoneimport
anttoyoucall
s.
Jackyoucandobettert
hanthat.
Jack:Lett
ywee!Am sickandt
ir
edof
youwai t
se,whatdoyouwant?
Letty:
(cl
earedherthroat
)Ineeda
favor,am goi
ngoutt oni
ghtwit
hthe
girl
sandIdon’ thaveenoughcash
onme.
Jack:soam Iyourf
ather
?
Let
ty:Di
dIsayyouaremyfat
her,am
j
ustaski
ngfrom mydear
estf
ri
end.
Jack:(angri
ly)Fr
iend?Tohellwit
h
that!
!don’tt
rytofuckingf
oolaround
withmegi rl
.
Let
ty:Kantegaokarewai t
ebatsa
gor
eIhavet hatvi
deojaana…(
calmly)
l
ook,justgi
vememymoneynow,
300pulawilldobecausemyfri
ends
wil
ltopup.
Jack:Thi
sisthel
astt
imeam
sendingyoumoneyandanswer
ing
yourcall
s.
Lett
y:Okay,goti
t.Odi
reewal
let
becauseIhavenegati
vesonmy
account
.
Jack:
(ext
remel
ypi
ssed)Shapo!
Lett
y:(
wit
hahi
ghi
rr
it
ati
ngt
one)Bye
fr
iend!
!

AtDejavuLoungeCBD(
Dance&
NightClub)

Lat
erthatnightThat oparkedhiscar
attheparki
ngl otandst ar
edatSal l
y
whoseeyeswer efixedtothecrowd
outsi
deandl ookingattheni cecars,
hotbabes,andl i
steningtotheloud
music.Thatotappedherandsmi led.
Thato:
(smi
led)i
sthi
syourf
ir
stt
ime
here?
Sal
ly:Eehl
err
a,Iwi
shLesegowas
her
ewi t
hme.
Thato:Unfortunatel
yshei snot,I
havet woticketsforus…(sighed)
l
ookdon’ twor r
yaboutanyt hingnow,
i
t’
sasaf eandf unkylounge…unli
ke
barstsakozol awher epeople
behaveanyhow.
Sal
ly:Icansee…soar
en’
twegoi
ng
out
side?
That
o:(
hisphonestar
tedr
ingi
ng)j
ust
asecondIhavetoanswerthi
scal
l.
Sal
ly:Okay.
That
opi
ckedt
hecal
l.

That
o:Let
ty,
Iwentoutr
ightnow.
Let
ty:Icanseeyourcar
.
That
o:(
hear
tpoundi
ng)wher
ear
e
you?
Lett
y:Wher eyouare,
andam wi t
h
fr
iends…am comingrightovert
oit
akereyousaidyouwi l
lbehome
sl
eepingtonightt
hat’
swhyyou
couldn’
tpickmeup.
That
o:I
sitacr
imenott
opi
ckyouup?
Thecal lended,Sall
ycoul
dseet hat
Thato’sfacechangedabi tandshe
decidedt ojustkeepqui
et.Thato
turnedtoherbecauseheal ready
readherf ace.

Thato:Don’
twor
ryi
tssomecr
azygi
rl
Iknewwaybackatschool
.

I
mmedi at
elyLet
tyknockedatt
hecar
windowwithherfr
iends…

Dontf
orgett
oLI
KE,
COMMENTAND
SHARE.
[
9:03AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#5

…Thator
oll
eddownt hewindowand
st
aredather
,Lett
yimmediately
not
icedt
hegirli
ntheotherseatand
l
aughed.

Let
ty:Sot
hisisthereasonwhyyou
l
iedtomeThato, onal
esidechi
ck
andyouareenjoyingl
if
e.
That
o:(
lowvoi
ce)whatdoyouwant
Let
ty,
youknowhowmuchIhat
eyou.

Herf
ri
endsstar
tedmur
mur
ingas
t
heyli
stenedi
n.

Letty:
(st
aredatt
hem)what
swit
hthe
noiseyouar emaki
ngbehi
ndmy
back?

Theyi
mmedi
atel
ytur
nedqui
et.

Letty:YoucanthatemeThato,byt
he
waywhoi sthatgi
rl
…Idon’
tseem t
o
recognizeher.Wheredi
dyoupick
her
?
Thato:Canyoul eaveplease,kant
e
keengol apisaj
aana…r ememberI
don’thaveanybusi nesswithyou
l
etty,soIcameher etohavef un,
goreketlalemangi t
snoneofyour
businesswaut l
wa.
Sal
ly:
(st
aringatLet
ty)Youarer
ude
hl
emma, canyoupleasel
eaveus
al
one?
Lett
y:Wenaj
ustkeepqui
et,
am
tal
kingt
oThat
onotyou.
Sally:buthedoesn’
twanttotalkto
you, canyouandyourfri
endsleave
please..
.(
tur
nedtoThato)Canyou
tel
lyourf
riendtol
eavebecausewe
havebeeni nt
hiscarf
orthepast15
minutesandgapediantshakont l
e.
Thato:It
hinkshehear
dme, kana
Let
tyenjoyspainandam aboutt
o
rui
nyourmakeupandt hatface.
Letty:(
laughed)Real
ly?Youarejust
tryi
ngtoshowof fthatyouarea
toughguyaker e?Butdolol
omr.

Herf r
iendslaughedastheyclapped
theirhands,Thatoangri
lyopenedthe
doorandl eanedonhiscarfoldi
ng
hisarmsandst ar
ingatLett
yandher
fri
ends.
Thato:(si
ghed)Icanseet
hatyouar
e
tryi
ngtoprovokemer i
ght
?Kegore
kastyleyouwanttoshowmygi r
l
Sall
ythatyouknowmeandyoudon’ t
respectme.
Lett
y:Am feel
ingpi
tyf orher,she
thi
nksyouar easaint…butbyt he
ti
mesheknowst herealyoushewi l
l
comet othankme…( staringatsal
ly)
osekawar eIdi
dn’ttellyouwaut l
wa,
thi
sbitchknowsnot hingabout
dati
ngandhi ssexgamesucks.
Lone:
(shocked)Let
tyaehl
emma,you
havetostopnow…letsgogi
rl
s.
T-
Gal
:YeahIt
hinkLonei
sri
ght
.
Lett
y:Youtwocanleave,doIhave
yourlegs?Gapedon’tf
orgetthatam
theonesponsori
ngyou, soIdon’t
takeanyadvicef
rom you.
Lone:(
whisper
edtoTGal)Tebogo,I
hopeyoucanseegor eThatoi
svery
angry…yourememberthatt
hisisnot
thefi
rstt
imeLett
yprovokedhim?
TGal
:(
lowvoi
ce)Let
tyi
sbi
tt
er,
are
motogel
e.
Lett
y:Sekal antshebabo
mma…( staredatThat o)Keep
changingthem girl
s,andjustlooki
ng
atthi
sone, otil
egot senwakeHI V
am t
ell
ingyou.

Thatoimmedi
atel
yapproachedher
andgaveheraveryhotsl
apandshe
star
tedbl
eedi
ngbythenose.

Thato:
(br
eat
hingheavil
y)Let
tymi
nd
yourwordswautl
wa, kant
ewhatdi
d
Idotoyou?
Let
ty:
(wi
pingt
hebl
oodf
rom hernose)
yousl
appedme?
That
o:andIwi
lldoi
tagai
n,sol
eave
mealone.
Lonetookoutat
issuefr
om her
handbagandhandeditt
oher.

Lone:wet
oldyouLet
ty.
Let
tywipedhernosewit
htheti
ssue
andthr
ewitonThato’
sface.

Thatojumpedontoherwi t
ha
supermanpunchandhel dherbythe
thr
oatandhitheragainstt
hecar
unti
lshecoll
apsed,t
hepar ki
ng
securi
tyguardi
mmedi atel
yrushedt
o
thesceneasThatogoti nt
hecarand
tur
nedont heengi
ne.
Sal
ly:(
tear
ful
ly)youki
ll
edher?Thato!
Thato!Youkill
edher,
pleasel
eave
meher e…am notgoi
ngwi t
hyou.
That
o:(
sighed)sheisnotdead,
and
youmuststopcrying.

Thatoi
mmedi atel
yreversedwi t
h
speedandalmosthitthecarbehi nd,
hethenspeedil
ydroveof fthr
ough
thepar
kinglott
ojointher oad.Sall
y
wasbreathi
ngheavilyandcoul dn’t
stopcr
ying.

Sal
ly:Pleasewemustcal
lthepol
ice,
whatifsheisdead?
Thato:Youneedtocal
m downnow,
thatbi
tchdeser
vedit
.
Sal
ly:howdoyouknowher
?
That
o:i
t’
sal
ongst
ory,
shei
sabi
tch.
Sal
ly:haveyoueverdat
edher
?

That
onodded.

Thato:j
ustsomet i
meago, l
ookdon’
t
worryyoursel
f…am notsomeonewho
wil
lhitagirl
,sodon’tbeaf
rai
dofme.
Sall
y:butyoushowedmet hatyou
cantcontr
olyouranger
,you
shouldn’
thaveenter
tai
nedherint
he
f
ir
stpl
ace.

ATDej
avuLounge…

Thesecur i
tyguardi mmediat
elyt
ook
hisphoneanddi aledanumberon
thescreen…hethenst aredatt
hegir
ls
atthephonewasr ingi
ng.

Guar
d:Gi
rl
sissheyourf
ri
end?
Lone:
(Pausedf
oramoment
)Yes.
TGal
:Notme,
Ijustf
oundt
hem her
e…

Shet
henl
eftt
hem asLonesuppor
ted
Lett
yandtheguar
dwasanswer
ing
thephone.

Lone:(
sighi
ngheavi
ly)Let
ty!Let
ty!
Canyouhearme?…OhGod!Whati s
happeni
ng.

Sheshookheronemor
eti
me.

Lone:Let
ty!Let
ty!

Theguar
dwalkedoverasheputhi
s
phonei
nthepocket
.
Guard:Wewi
llhavet
otakehert
othe
hospit
al.

AtJack’
sHouse

Lat
ert
hatni
ght
…

Lesegostoodinf
rontoft
hemi r
ror
andsmi l
edlooki
ngatherbodyshape,
shethensatdownandopenedt he
make- upki
tandstart
edapplyi
ngt he
geleyeli
ner
.Jackwalkedincarr
ying
Riyaandherbottl
eofmilk.
Jack:BabyIthi
nksheis
sleepi
ng..
.(
smiled)Goodl
ord!
!Ist
hat
reall
yyou?
Lesego:
(l
aughed)Gaket
shwanel
we
kemakeupaker e?
Jack:Youlookstunni
ngbel
ieve
me…ar eyougoingsomewhereole
montlejaana?
Lesego:Ae,
nnekelekel
etsahel
a
gorehowwillIl
ookkamakeup.
Jack:Butbel
ieveme, youlookl
ike
thosecel
ebri
tymodel s,bokyl
ie
j
ennerandkar dashi
ans.
Lesego:
(l
aughed)youare
exagger
ati
ngnow...
(cl
earedher
throat
)Iwasthinki
ngofvi
sit
ing
grandmathi
sweekendkogae, it
s
beenawhilesinceIsawher.
Jack:
(Nodded)Goodi
dea,
wecango
toget
herthen.
Lesego:(
pausedforasecond)No
Jack,wecantgot oget
her…howam I
goingtoexpl
aintoherthatyouare
thefat
herofmydaught er
,youknow
grandmadoesn’tknowyouandshe
mightnotli
keyou.
Jack:Okayi
fam notgoi
nggoraya
youhavetoleaveRi
yawithme.
Lesego:St
il
lnotagoodi
dea,shei
s
tooyoungJack.Otl
akgonagomo
di
rel
amashiandchangeherdi
aper
s
andevenbat
hingher
.
Jack:YouknowIcandot
hat
.
Lesego:No,
letmegowit
hherand
maybenexttimewewi
llgot
ogether
,
keagokopa.
Jack:I
tsfi
ne,butIhopeit
sforthe
weekendonly…mmehel ayour
grandmahavet oknowthatIexist
andam taki
ngcareofthebaby.
Lesego:Itol
dhert
hat.
..
(st
oodup)
givemet hebabyl
etmeputherto
sl
eep.

Gavehert
hebaby.
Jack:Am goi
ngtowatchamat ch,
takeherbott
leofmi
lki
ssti
llwarm.
Lesego:(
clearedhert
hroat
)Byt
he
way, howar eyourel
atedt
oThato?
Jack:(
sighed)whatdi
dhet
ellyou?
Lesego:
nothi
ng,
hejustl
eftwi
thmy
fr
iendaf
terhebr
oughtmehere.

AtPr
incessMar
inaHospi
tal
Thenursescarr
iedLet
tyt
othe
hospit
alwardonthebedandLone
walkedalongwit
hthem.
Lone:(
sighi
ng)i
sshegoi
ngt
obe
okay?
Nurse:Sheisunconsci
ousnow, andI
don’tt
hinkshewillmakeit
,shebleed
alot…andpleaseyoushouldremain
outsi
deandwewi l
ldoourbestto
revi
veher.

Lonetookherphoneandscr
oll
edt
o
Diane’
snumberthendial
edher
.

Di
ane:
(sl
eepy)hel
lo.
Lone:Hel
lo,
itsmeLone…Lettyi
s
admitt
edatthehospi
talnow
becausesomethi
ngterr
ibl
e
happenedt
oher
.
Di
ane:
What
?
Lone:Am i
nMar
inanow,andIt
hink
youshoul
dcomequickl
y.
Diane:
Okaywai
t(pani
cki
ng)what
happenednemma, i
ssheokay?
*
*
*
Don’
tfor
gett
oLI
KE,
COMMENTAND
SHARE
[
9:03AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER
#6

Att
hehospi
tal
…

Thefoll
owingmorni
ngDianesatnext
toLett
ywhowasont hesickbed,
Dianedial
edhermom’snumberand
putthephoneontheear
.Shepi cked
up

Di
ane:hel
lomom.
Her
:Goodmor
ning,
howar
eyou?
Diane:Am f
ine,
butam att
hehospi
tal
nowbecauseofLetty.
Her
:Let
ty?whatdi
dshedo?
Diane:Herfri
endcall
edmel astni
ght
tel
lingmethatshewasbeat enupby
aboyandshesever elyi
njur
ed, soI
cameher elastni
ghtandspenta
nightherewithher
.Sheisinacr i
ti
cal
conditi
onbutthedoctor
ssaidshe
willbefi
ne.
Her:Wait
sennaam tir
edofLet
ty,
everyt
imeIhearsomethi
ngabouther
i
tsalwaysthebadnews..
elegore
whichboydidthatt
oherandwhydi d
hebeather.
Diane:
(si
gheddeepl
y)Mama,
honest
lyLett
ygaautlweand
everyti
meIwar nhertotakecar eof
herselfandshedoesn’ twanna
l
isten…am sur eit
ssomeoneshe
datedbef orebecauseherfriendtol
d
mei tsanex, soLettyprovokedthe
guywhi letheywentt oapar ty
somewher einGaborone.
Her:(tookadeepbr eath)Look,i
fshe
i
sst i
llaliveam glad…IknowImay
soundl ikeahear t
lessmot herbut
Lett
ydeser vesi
t,
Shedoesn’ twantto
doanyt hingwi t
hherl i
feexceptboys
andal cohol .
Di
ane:AndagainIthi
nkyoushoul
d
t
akeherwit
hyoumom, nnat
otake
t
shabamolatobecauseshemight
endupinjai
lbecauseofherbehave,
shei
sstil
lbehavi
nglikeasmallchi
ld
andgapeoratadit
salathat
a.
Her:Ithi
nkshei sbett
erst ayi
ngwith
youbecausemogaet hereisnothi
ng
lef
tforher…Idon’tmeant oputa
burdenonyoubutyouknowhow
mucham st ruggli
ngDi aneandyou
aremyl astresor
t,youar etheonly
onewhogi vesmehope.
Diane:Iunderst
and,Ithi
nkIshould
fi
ndaj obforheraf
tersherecover
s
si
nceshedoesn’ twanttogoto
school.
Her
:Justt
ryngwanaka,
tot
akebei
le
mogowenaandam pr ayi
ng
everydaysot hatGodcanhel
pyou
toosot hatyoucanmakeitinli
fe,
as
forLett
yithoughtshewasgonna
l
earnf r
om youf orhert
ochange.
Diane:It
sokaymom, l
ookIwi
llcal
l
youlater…Ihavet
otal
ktot
henurse
taki
ngcar eofher
.
Her
:Okaybye.

Thenur
sewalkedi
nhol
dingLett
y’s
medi
calcar
dandgavei
ttoDiane.

Di
ane:Anypr
ogr
essmadam?
Nurse:Yeah, l
it
tl
ebylit
tl
eIthinkshe
wil
lr evi
ve…sheisatoughgirl
.Sheis
goingt oneedmor edaysheresothat
Icanmoni torherunti
lshegetsmuch
better.
Diane:Thankyousomuch,ImeanI
neverthoughtshewi
llbeal
ivet
ota,
thi
sisami racl
e.
Nur se:(
smiled)LennaIhadmy
doubt satfir
st,butam gladsheis
sti
llbreathi
ng…( cl
earedherthr
oat)by
thewayt hepolicewil
lbehereany
minut esforinvesti
gati
ons.
Di
ane:Butshecantt
alkr
ightnow?
Nur
se:wher
eist
hatgi
rlwhowas
her
elastni
ght
?
Di
ane:herf
ri
end?
...It
hinkshei
s…

Lonewal
kedi
nandgr
eet
edt
hem.

Diane:
(star
edather
)Am gl
adyouar
e
hereaftert
ryi
ngt
ogetmysist
er
ki
lled.
Lone:
Me?Am It
heonewhol
aidmy
handonher
?
Nurse:Lookgir
ls,ifyouar
egoi ngt
o
fi
ghtthenImayl etyouknowt hati
t
wonthelpresol
vet hematter
,the
assault
erisnother e,
soyoumustat
l
easttr
yt ogetalonguntilt
hisi
s
over…(
tookhercheckupcar d)am
goingt
oat t
endt ootherpati
ent
s,I
wil
lbeinwar dfourfornow.

Thenurselef
tasshecl
osedt
hedoor
,
Dianestar
edatLonewi
thsomuch
anger.

Lone:Lookam sorryforeverything
thathappened,i
tsnotmyf ault…Idid
warnherbutsher efusedtolisten,so
youcantbl amemef orthestat eyour
sist
erisin.Lennaam hur t
ingt osee
myf r
iendliket
his.
Diane:Didn’tIwarnyouandyour
otherskinnyfri
endtostophanging
outwi t
hLetty,kanakelonalemo
dir
anggor eat swemot sel
engby
keepingonvi si
ti
nghereveryti
meko
l
wapeng.
Lone:Lettyomotonamma, sheisol
d
enought omakedecisi
onsfor
hersel
f…andyoucantputtheblame
onmeasi fwear
et al
kingabouta
smallkid.
Di
ane:
(keptqui
etf
orsomeseconds)
sowhoistheguywhodidt
his?
Lone:It
oldyoul
astni
ght
.
Di
ane:Iwantt
hename,
hemustbei
n
j
ailt
oday.
Lone:Hi
snameisThat o,kesome
ki
ndaofspoi
ledki
d,andgapeyou
knowhowmuchLet tylikesboys…i
ts
nowondersheisl
ikethis.
Diane:Sheisj
ustli
keyou,andi fyou
arenotcaref
ulyoualsowillendup
l
ikethis…andoneofthesedaysone
ofyouwi l
lgotothegraveatayoung
agewecanbetont hi
sone.

AtJack’
sHouse

LesegoputRiya’
sbott
leandot
her
utensi
lsonhotwatert
ocleant
hem
whil
eshewastalki
ngt oSal
lyonthe
phone,shet
henwalkedoutofthe
ki
tchenandwenttositdownonthe
couch.

Lesego:LookSall
y,Idon’t
underst
andwhyyouwoul dgoout
wit
haboyf orthefi
rstti
mewi thout
knowingeachother,andsurelythe
poli
cearegoingtoarrestyou
becauseyouareanaccompl ice.
Sally:
(l
owvoice)Ei
shdon’tsaythat
hlemma, am r
eall
yscaredri
ghtnow,
kanat hemostthi
ngthatscaresme
i
st hatIdon’
tevenknowi ft
hepoor
gir
lisal
iveornot…thewayThato
washitt
ingthatgir
l’
sfaceagai
nsthi
s
carwasextreme.
Lesego:SookaeeneThat
o?
Sall
y:Idon’
tknow,si
ncel
astni
ghtI
havebeentryi
ngtocal
lhi
m andhi
s
phoneisoff
.
Lesego:Moketoronkogi
rl
,Ij
ustpray
goreatl
eastt
hevict
im aboatshel
a
becausethi
swil
lbeacaseofmur der
.
Sall
y:Let
sthi
nkposi
ti
vel
yhl
emma,
o
rayamurderwaeng.
Lesego:
(l
aughed)ebil
eoboi
?But
don’twor
ryfri
endyouwil
lget
thr
oughthis…gapeyouar
enotthe
onewhoassaul
tedt
hegi
rl
,i
ts
That
o’sf
aul
t.
Sall
y:yahakere,Iwi shatleastThat
o
couldcallmeandt el
lmet hatthegi
rl
i
sal i
ve…youknowbyt het
imeIf i
nd
outthatt
hegi rli
sfine…am done
goingoutwithsill
yboysl i
keThat o,
ebi
leIwillst
artgoingt ochurch
mma, nnatot
aIwantt ofocusonGod
andliveabetterli
fe.
Lesego:(
laughi
ng)waitseket shaba
l
etshogo,Sall
ydidyouj ustsay
church?Ah!Idon’tbel
ieveit.
Sal
ly:Thewayam gonnast
art
worshipi
ngGod…evenGodhimsel
f
wil
lbesur
pri
sedot
labona…nnake
baki
lemma.
Lesego:Iwi
shyoul
uckmma.

Att
hehospi
tal
…

Latert
hatmorni
ngDianeandLone
stoodupasthetwopoli
ceof
fi
cers
walkedinwi
thanurse…
*
*
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BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#7

Justast heof fi
cerswalkedin,Diane
i
mmedi at el
yr aisedaquesti
onbef or
e
theycoul deveni ntr
oduce
themsel ves.Lonesatont hebed
besi deLet t
yandputherhandonher
foreheadchecki nghertemperature,
theot herof f
icerwalkedoutwiththe
nur sechat t
ing.

Di
ane:Si
r,di
dyoumanagetocat
ch
t
heguy…(poi
nti
ng)Imeanl
ookatmy
sist
ernow,shehasn’
ttal
kedtomein
thepast24hoursandsheisreal
lyi
n
abadstatenowbecauseofthe
monsterwhohadbeatenherup.
Off
icer:Your eal
lyneedtocalm down,
wehaven’ tcaughthim butwear e
tr
ying…(sighed)am real
lysorr
ythat
yoursisterisinthi
sstatenow,butI
assureyout hatwear egoingto
catchtheper sonwhodi dthi
stoher,
andfornowam goi ngtoneedsome
helpfr
om you.
Diane:(
heldherforehead)wait
seI
don’tbeli
evethatcriminali
ssti
llout
ther
er oamingthestreetsandhaving
funwhi l
emysi st
erisont hesi
ckbed
fi
ghtingforherli
fe…Imeanwhat s
delayingyouguyst oarresthim?
Everytimewhent herei
sasmal lcase
ofdrugsoranysmal lt
hingt hat
doesn’ tmatt
er,
youar eal waysatthe
for
efronttryi
ngtosolvet hematter.
Offi
cer:
(tookadeepbr eat
h)untilyou
areacopyouwi l
lneverunderstand
ourjob,li
keIsaidIneedyourhel pfor
somei nvesti
gati
ons…Isti
llneed
thosewhower ewit
hherlastnight
forquestioni
ng.
Di
ane:(
poi
ntedatLone)Shewas
t
here,
Ithi
nkshewillhel
p.
Of
fi
cer
:Good,
Iwi
llgowi
thhert
othe
pol
icestat
ion…(
tur
nedt
oLone)wer
e
youtheonlyonewhowaswit
hher?
Orfri
ends?
Lone:(
Pausedf oramoment )my
otherf
riendleftbecauseshedi dn’
t
wanttogeti nvolved,butThato,t
he
guywhoassaul tedLet t
ywaswi t
ha
gi
rlandt heylefttogether.
Offi
cer:
(nodded)Okay,youwil
lhave
tofol
lowmet ot hepol
icest
ati
onfor
provi
sionofastatement.
Lone:Okay,noproblem…butam
i
nnocent,andIdon’twanttospend
theenti
redayatthestat
ion.
Of
fi
cer
:It
snotgoi
ngt
otakel
ong
tr
ustme…(st
aredatDiane)madam
don’
tworr
y,wewillworktir
elesslyt
o
gett
othebott
om ofthisnomat ter
what.
Di
ane:Thankyousi
r.

AtJomo’
sHouse

LaterthatdayThat or ol
ledonthe
bedandal mostf elldown, hewoke
upt othesoundofdi scomusi c
playingont hel oudspeaker ,
and
somechat teringout side.Heopened
thewi ndowwhi chwascover edwi
th
aboxandi tfelloff
.Meanwhi l
eJomo
walkedinhol
dingaplat
eofsof
t
porri
dgeandputitdownonthe
speaker
.
Jomo: (
smoki ngtobacco)Heywena
saan!Didn’tItel
lyoutowakeup
beforeIwentout si
de?Ifyoukeep
sl
eepinglikethisbafanabazola
batlagoutswaam t ell
ingyou,t
soga
mona.
That
o:(
sleepy)whatt
imei
sit
?
Jomo:Gakei tse,Idon’
tevenhavea
watch,nnaket sogahelahakeutl
wa
kekgeipi
le…Idon’tneedawatch
akeregakeber eke.
That
o:i
jowenakana…(
lookedatt
he
empt ybot
tl
esonthefl
oor
)soyou
fi
nishedal
lthebeer
s?
Jomo:( Laughed)Itol
dyouifyou
keepsl eepi
ngliket
his,youwi
llget
stolen…levrrphaanyanaelebatl
ae
tsayamagomosha.
Thato:
(t
ookadeepbr eat
h)shutup
wenamaan, r
ightnowIneedan
escapeplan…(checkedhisphone)12
missedcallsfr
om mom anddad?
Ahhkesul estrai
ght.
Jomo:Bonamommy’ sboy…taket
hat
cl
othonthef
loorandgoandwash
yourf
aceatt
hetap…wewi l
ltal
kaf
ter
.
That
o:youdon’
thaveabat
hroom?
Orat
leastwher
eIcanbat
hpr
oper
ly.
Jomo:(l
aughed)Idon’ tbat
h…only
onceinaweek…sost optal
kingand
dowhatIsay…( searchedhispocket
s)
omphet igerdahker ekeshaketse
pedigammat shepho.
Thato:checkinmywal let
,am sure
thepoli
cearelookingforme
now…am evenscar edofgoing
outsi
de…(thoughtf
ull
y)andireall
y
needtocallsall
y.
Jomo:
whoi
sthat
?yourl
awyer
?
That
o:kesomegir
lyookenengke
nal
eenelastni
ght
.
Jomo:oj
elesengwemme?
Thato:Idi
dn’
thavetimef
or
that
…(dial
edanumberonthescr
een)
ebil
eletmecallher
.
Jomo:Okayboss,t
laket
abogeke
rekeshaket
sepedil
ekwae.

Jomoputonhi sallst
arconver
se
andlef
t.Thatosatdownasthe
phonerings.

Sal
ly:
ThankGodyoufi
nal
lycal
led,
e
l
egorewhereareyou?
That
o:Am wi
thaf
ri
endr
ightnow,
are
youokay?
Sal
ly:howcanIbeokayner
ra,
how
i
sthegirl
?
Thato:Idon’tknowanythi
ngthat
’s
whyIcal l
edyou, l
ookdon’
tworry
abouther…(sighed)i
fImayaskre
sant
ser eleshapo?
Sal
ly:or
ayaj
angThat
o?
That
o:Imeanyouar
enotmadatme
aker
e?Andwearecool
.
Sal
ly:Ireal
lydon’
tknow,maybeaf
ter
youturnyoursel
ftothest
ati
on.
Thato:howcanyousayt hat?doyou
knowIcouldgot ojai
lforal
ongtime,
i
tsbetteri
fIj
usthidemyselffr
om the
cops…gapeIsti
llwantyouhlemma,
eversi
nceImetyouIcantsl
eep.I
l
oveyou.
Sall
y:youcantsleep?ImeanIget
whyyoucantsleep…t hepoorgi
rl
mightbedeadrightnow, andher
f
ami l
yismourningher .
That
o:Bonahlemma,IknowI
messedupbutyouhavetobeonmy
si
deplease.
Sal
ly:Howaboutwestar
ttal
king
af
teryouar
edonewiththepolice.
Thato:Eishwai
tseyoudon’
t
understand,
anywherewewil
ltal
k
Sal
ly:bye.
Thatohangupandt hr ewhi
sphone
onthebedandt henchangedthe
di
sct hatwaspl ayi
ngont heDVD
pl
ayer .Meanwhi l
ehisphonestar
ted
ri
nging, helookedatt hescr
eenandit
washi sf at
her.Hepi ckedupand
answer edinal owvoi ce.

That
o:hel
lo.
Him:(
angr
ily)That
o,howmanyt i
mes
haveIcal
ledandyoudi dn’
tpi
ckup.
That
o:Am sor
ry.
Him:wherethehel
lar
eyou?you
shoul
dcomehome, wher
edidyou
sl
eeplastni
ght.
Thato:Atmyfri
end’shouse,
mycar
needanewbat ter
yandIdon’thave
moneyt orepl
aceit
.
Him:lookjusttel
lmewher eyouare
andIwi l
lcomeandpi ckyouup,kana
yourmot heri
swor r
iedaboutyou.
justf
orgetaboutthecarIwil
lsenda
mechanict ocomeandt akei
t.
That
o:am f
ine,
Iwi
llcomehome
l
ater
.
Hi
m:Ar
eyousur
eever
ythi
ngi
sfi
ne?
That
o:Iassur
eyoudad.
Him:youshouldbehomebef or
e
eveni
ng,orel
seIwillr
eporta
missi
ngpersonatthepoli
cestat
ion.
Thato:
(panicked)youdon’
thavet
o
dothat,okayam cominginanhour.
Hi
m:Good.

That
ohangupandpi ckedaplat
eof
sof
tporri
dgeandstar
tedeat
ingas
heplayedthemusi
c.

AtHome…

Lat
erthatdayLesegoopenedthe
gat
eathergrandma’ shousewhil
e
onthephone,sheleanedbythegate
andsmiledwhil
eont hephone.
Lesego:(smil
ing)Iar
ri
vedsaf
ely
hler
ra,andthebabyisfi
ne.
Jack:(smi
led)t
akecar
eofmyRi ya,
tel
lyourgr
andmaIsaidhi
…Iwill
comeandpi ckyouupkaSunday.
Lesego;youdon’thavetodothat,I
havet hemoneytoretur
n…(paused)
butyoucanstil
lcomeandpi ckmei s
sti
llf
ine.
Jack:Itol
dyouthatIwi
llbether
efor
you,anythi
ngyouneedtellme.
Lesego:Iwi
ll
,l
etmear
ri
ve…Iwi
llcal
l
youbacklat
er.
Lesegohangupandheadedst rai
ght
tothefi
reareasincei
twascloudy
andcold,sheheadedtothehutand
knockedatthedoor,herGr
andma
smiledst
aringather.

Gr
andma:(smil
ing)Modimoo
mogol
o,Lesegoisthatyou.
Lesego:
(smi
led)Dumel
ang,
kenna.
Grandma:br
ingbackl
it
tl
eRi
yal
etme
seehowbigsheis.

Lesegogavehert
hebabyandsat
downwar mi
nghersel
fuponthef
ir
e.
Lesego:wher
eisBongi
e?
Grandma:Isenthert
otheshops,we
don’thaveanyfoodi
nthehouse,
re
salerehelet
swe.
Lesego:
(openedherpurse)you
shouldhavetol
dme, Icanhelptoo.

Shehandedhert
hreehundr
edpul
a..

Grandma:t
hankyousomuch,thi
s
wil
lreal
lyhelp…(
put
ti
ngthemoney
onherbra)letmekeepi
tsaf
e,so
howhaveyoubeen?
Lesego:Ihavebeenf
ine,
andyou?
Grandma:Nnatot
aam gl
adgoreyou
sti
llr
emembertheper
sonwhoraised
you,andseei
ngyouli
ket
hisbr
ings
mesomuchj oy.
Lesegosmi
led,meanwhi
leBongie
walkedi
nholdi
ngsomeplast
ics.

AtJack’
sHouse
Jackopenedt
hefr
idgeandtookout
abott
leofacol
dbeer,het
hendialed
anumberonthescreensmil
ing.

Jack:
(cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
)heygi
rl
,
what
sup.
Voi
ce:(
sof
tvoi
ce)heyJack.
Jack:youfr
eetoni
ght
?Igot
somethingf
oryou.
Voi
ce:
(smi
led)
yeaham f
ree,
tal
kto
me.
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BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#8
Att
hepol
icest
ati
on

Moment slater,Thatopar kedhi scar

nexttot hepolicevehicleand
steppedoutheadi ngtot heof f
ices,
hegr eetedthet woser geant swho
wereont hei
rwayout .Het hensaton
thebenchout sidepressinghi s
phone, whilethere,Loneandt he
poli
ceof fi
cerwhot ookherf or
questioningwal kedoutoft heoffi
ce.
Thatohi dhisf acewithacapbut
Lonehasl ongr ecognizedhi m.
Lone:
(sighed)Thisi
shi
m…(st
ari
ngat
theof
ficer)That
’sThat
o.
Of
fi
cer
:(
smi
led)sohet
urnedhi
msel
f
i
n.

Theybot hwalkedtohim andthe

off
icersatdownnexttohi m,Lone’
s
phonest ar
tedringi
ng.

Lone:
(st
ari
ngatt
heof
fi
cer
)CanI
l
eavenow?
Of
fi
cer
:yes,
andt
hankyouf
oryour
t
ime.
Lonepickedherphoneleavi
ngt
he
stat
ion,Theof
fi
cerglar
edatThat
o
andshookhishead.

Of
fi
cer
:Soyouar
etheguy.
That
o:(
tookadeepbreat
h)Am sur
e
wecansettl
emroffi
cer.
Off
icer
:(
giggl
ed)Youarever
ysmart
,
butnowihavet ol
ockyouupint
he
pol
icecellwhi
lewait
ingf
ormy
part
ner.
Thato:(
lowvoice)youdon’thaveto
dothatsir,Imeanwecant alkmant o
man…t hefactt
hatIbroughtmyself
hereitmeanst hatIr
eal
lyrefl
ect
ed
onwhatIhavedoneandIr
egr
etit
,so
bepi
ti
fulsi
r.Idi
dn’
tmeant
ohurther
.
Off
icer:
(smil
ed)Areyougoingto
showmeyourdr i
versl
icense
again…(si
ghed)Iguesswecanhelp
eachother,l
ikeyousaidmant oman.
Thato:Wel
lthat
’swhatam t
alki
ng
about…(l
ookedaround)weareinan
openspacenow, canwetal
ki n
pri
vate.
Of
fi
cer
:(st
oodup)f
oll
owmet
omy
of
fi
ce.

That
osmi l
edashefoll
owedthe
of
fi
cer,
theyent
eredtheof
fi
ceand
That
ocl
osedt
hedoor
.

Att
hehospi
tal
.

ThenursestaredatDianewhowas
sl
eepi
ngont hechair,sheshookher
andDianewokeuppi ckingher
phonefrom t
hefloor
.

Nurse:
yououghttogohomeandr
est
,
It
oldyouthatshewil
lbef
ine.
Diane:Icantri
skleavingherli
kethi
s,
gapeisnotlikeyouguysar e
monitori
ngpatientsfullt
ime.Whati
f
somet
hinghappenst
oher
.
Nurse:sheismuchsafert
hanyou
t
hink…(sighed)ar
en’
tyouhungr
y?
Di
ane:
Notthatmuch…(
star
edatthe
f
oodonthetabl
e)whobroughtt
his
f
ood?
Nurse:Thatpr
ett
ygirlwhowaswit
h
youthismorni
ng,Lone.Shesai
dshe
broughtthef
oodforyou.
Di
ane:wher
eisshenow?
Nurse:sheleftwhi
leyouwer e
sl
eeping…bythewayt hedoct orhas
assuredmet hatLett
ywi l
lgetbackto
hersel
f,i
tsj
ustamat terofti
meand
shewi l
lbeabletotal
kt oyouagain.
Di
ane:
(smi
led)That
’sgr
eatnews.
Nurse:but…(shepaused)thereis
anotherissue,thei
njur
yi nherhead
maycausepsychol ogicalproblem
whichmayhaveal ongt erm ef
fecti
n
herment alwellbei
ng.
Di
ane:
(st
oodup)Ma’
am what
sthe
meani
ngofthat
?
Nur se:t
her eisahighpossibi
li
tythat
shemaysuf f
erfr
om memor yloss,
i
t’sanear l
yonsetdementia…(walked
overt oher)don’
tworrymuchdear ,
i
tsf rust
rati
ngbutshewi l
lget
throught his.
Di
ane:
(t
ear
ful
ly)doest
hatmean
whenshewakeupshemi
ghtnot
r
ememberme.
Nurse:(
nodded)i tsgoingtotake
muchef for ti
norderforhertogether
memor yback.Forexampl e,
memor iest hatwererecordedmight
beofbet terhelp,f
ri
endsandl oved
onescanhel ptoobyconst ant
ly
remindi
nghert hegoodt i
mest hey
had,untilthepuzzleiswellbuil
tin
herbrai
nf orhertostart
remember ingevent
s.
Di
ane:
(cr
ying)No,No…ther
emustbe
amedi
cinalcur
eforthat
.
Nur
se:Ther
ear
epi
ll
sbutt
heydon’
t
provi
desolutioni
nashortt
erm, t
hey
helphertolowerther
ateof
depressi
onbecausethepati
entatan
earl
ystageofdementiaisexposed
tomuchsel fhurt
.

Dianesatdownst ar
ingatLett
yas
shewasbr eat
hingthroughtheli
fe
supportmachines.

Att
hemal
l…

Latert
hataf
ter
noonLoneand
Tebogosatdownont hebench,Lone
openedacanofsoftdri
nkandtooka
si
p.
Lone:
(si
ghed)
Ihaveneverbeen
str
essedli
ket
hisbef
ore.
Tebogo:yout hinkalotthat
’swhy
youarestressed,gapeyouar e
wasti
ngyourener gytr
yingtobea
sai
nttosomeonewhodoesn’ teven
careabouther sel
f.
Lone:(gl
aredather)youarenot
seri
ous?Tebogoyoucantsay
somet hi
nglikethatwhil
eLett
ynearl
y
diedbecauseoft hatj
erk,I
understandgoreyout wopret
ended
togetalongbutat l
easthaveahear
t
forthepoorgirl
.
Tebogo:Butwecantkeepon
hangingar
oundwithLett
y,shei
s
toxi
c…Idontknowwhyyouar esti
ll
sti
cki
ngaroundwit
hher .
Lone:It hi
nkweshoul dbewi shi
ng
herspeedr ecoverynotjudgingher
now, kanakegor eyouar esaying
thisbecauseyouhaven’ tgonet othe
hospitalandseeherl yi
ngdownon
thehospi t
albed.Youcanteven
recognizeher,Ireal
lythoughtshe
wasdeadt hatverynightwhenyou
fl
eethescene.
Tebogo:Iwasscaredt
hat’
swhyIran
away…(si
ghed)butyouar
estr
ong
mma, nnaketshabagobonamadia
mot
ho.
Lone:Atleastsheisal
ivenow,butI
doubtifshewi l
leverl
iveherbestl
if
e
aft
erwards.
Tebogo:What
sherst
atenow?
Lone:Ei
shIreal
lydon’tknow,butthe
nursesai
dshewi l
lbealri
ght…j
ust
l
ookingathercondit
ionIdoubtit
.
Tebogo:(Shookherhead)Thatoi
s
goingtopayfort
his,t
hisoneisnon
negoti
abl
e.
Lone:yeahakere,
ebi
lehet
urned
hi
msel fi
ntoday…hei
sacoward.
Theybot
hlaughedast
heyst
oodup
tol
eave.

AtGr
anny’
sHouse

Lat
ert
hateveni
ng…

Lesegoputt hebabytosl eep,and

walkedoutoft hehouset othe
verandawher eherGrandmawas
sit
tingonthechairknitt
ingherdr ess
asthelightbulbli
tbri
ghtout side.
Lesegosatdownnextt oherst ari
ng
atherasshecont inuouslyknitthe
dress.
Lesego:(
smil
ed)Youhavebeen
doingthi
ssinceIarri
ved,
andit
s
alr
eadydarkoutsideandyouar
estil
l
knit
ti
ng,youreyesmustbesharp.
Grandma: (
smi l
ing)Idot hi
seachand
everyday,Iusedt omakescar vesf
or
youandyoursi sterduringwinter
whenyouwer ever yyoung,it
’saski
ll
thatIlear
ntfrom myGr andmasome
decadesago.
Lesego:Iwantt
olear
ntoo.
Grandma:Iwillt
eachyou,buti
fyour
hearti
snotreadytolear
n.It
sgoing
tobediff
icul
ttoconvi
ncethemindto
l
ear
nal
so.
Lesego:
(pausedforamoment)that
’s
deep…(t
houghtf
ully)Gr
andma!
Gr
andma:
(t
urnedt
oher
)Am l
ist
eni
ng.
Lesego:Whatdoyouknowaboutl
ove
andrelat
ionshi
ps?

Shebecamesilentf
orsomeseconds,
shethenputt
heneedlesandthe
dressonthef
loorandfacedher
.

Grandma:whatdoyouwantt
oknow
aboutl
oveandrel
ati
onshi
p?
Lesego:
(si
ghed)j
ustever
ythi
ng,
especi
all
ydat
ing.
Grandma:( deeply)whatIknowmi ght
bedi f
ferentfrom today’skindofl ove.
AndImayenduphur ti
ngyour
feel
ings…( smiled)butmeandyour
grandpahadt hebestt i
met ogether,
wemar ri
edeachot hermor ethan
thir
tyyear sago, andafterhedi edI
fel
tthatt hereisami ssingpar tinmy
heart,becauseIdi dn’tmarryt he
physicalbodybutt hesoul…

Sheconti
nuednarr
ati
ngandLesego
wasli
steni
ngveryatt
ent
ivel
y,andat
somepointshesawtear
sstreaming
downonhergr anny’
scheeks,
she
thoughttoherself
,whatdoesr
eal
l
ovef eell
ike?
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KE,
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9:04AM,
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BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#9

2DAYSLATER…
AtJack’
sHouse
ItwasMondaymor ni
ngandLesego
openedt hedoorasshepushedt he
pram i
nsi de,
shenot i
cedthatJack
hasalreadylefttoworkandt heTV
wasonbr oadcasti
ngthemor ning
news.Shesatdownont hecouch
andputherl egsont hetabl
ediali
ng
Jack’
snumberandputt hephoneon
theearasi trang.

Jack:
(pi
ckedup)Hel
lo.
Lesego:youal
readyl
eftt
owor
k,am
back.
Jack:iwi
llseeyouaf
terIknockof
f
lat
er,youshouldhavecameback
yesterdaybutyouchosetospend
anotherdayatthevil
lage,
whydid
youdot hat
.
Lesego:comeon,Ij
ustwantedt
o
spendsomet i
mewithmygrandma
andmysi st
er,
Ihopether
eisno
probl
em.
Jack:Don’
tdothatagai
n,Iwas
worri
edaboutyouwhenIcall
edand
yourphonewasoff.
Lesego:Am sorr
ytoo,mybat t
ery
wasempt y…(si
ghed)am ti
rednow, I
wanttorestandthereaf
tercleanthe
houseandwashyourcl othes.
Jack:Wel
lyoucanj
ustrest
,IthinkI
haveenoughcl
eancl
othesforthe
week.
Lesego:ar
eyousur
e?
Jack:Iam…lookIwi
llseeyoul
ater
,
am verybusynow.
Lesego:okaybye.

Shehungupandwal kedtothe
kitchenandf il
ledaglasswi t
hwat er
from thet apanddrankasshe
headedt othebedroom.Shesat
downont hebedstaringather
reflecti
onont hemi r
ror,shethenput
thegl assont hedressingtableand
wenttot heclosetandpi ckedsome
fewjeansandputt hem ont he
bed,
justasshepul ledthesheetf rom
thebedsomepacketofcondomsf el
l
down, shepickedthem andf rozefor
someseconds.Shehur r
iedlytooka
herphoneanddi aledJack’ snumber
butthenshedi dn’tcal l
,shet henput
thephoneback.Justasshesaton
thebedt houghtful
ly,therewer etwo
usedcondomsshest eppedon
unawar e.
Lesego:(
lowvoice)Not
hiscantbe
ri
ght…(si
ghing)No!
Lat
ert
hatday…
Jacksatont heof fi
cechairand
openedamai lonhi sl
aptop,he
scrol
leddownont hemai l
sand
cli
ckedtherecentone.Thesubj ectof
themessagewasaboutt heendof
Jack’scont
ract ,hereadthemessage
andthendelet editashetookadeep
breat
hleani
ngbackonhi schair
.

Meanwhileat extaler
treport
edOn
hisphoneandhei mmedi at
ely
checkedit
,itwasLesego.Het hen
dial
edhernumberandsatst il
lasthe
phonerang.
Jack:
hey,
isever
ythi
ngokay?
Lesego:
(l
owvoi
ce)yougott
het
ext
?
Jack:
(swal
loweddeeply)yeah,
what
doyouwantt ot
alkabout?
Lesego:bye,
seeyoul
ater
.
Jack:l
ookwaitLesego…(
cal
lended)
Love!Hel
lo.

Jackputthephoneont het
abl
eand
si
ghedheavi l
y,secondslat
eracal
l
camein,her ushedtopicki
tup
wit
houtthinkingtwice.I
twasThat
o.
Jack:
babyi
sever
ythi
ngokay?
That
o:(
paused)What
?

Jackpausedf
orasecondand
checkedt
henumberonthescr
een.

Jack:
sor
rybr
o,howar
eyou?
That
o:Am good…what
sup?
Jack:(
tookadeepbreat
h)Am havi
ng
alongday…am l
osi
ngeverythi
ng,I
j
ustgotamailfr
om mybossandI
thi
nkIhavetofi
ndanotherj
ob.
That
o:reall
y?Whathappened,
you
l
ostyourjob.
Jack:mycont
racti
sendi
ngsoon.
That
o:that
’st
oobadbro…anyway
whatareyoudoi
ngthi
sevening,
I
wanttohookyouupandmaybewe
cangograbsomebeertoget
her.
Jack:Iwi
llbebusytonight
,maybe
nextti
me…(thought
ful
ly)gat
weo
di
ril
engLettynemuna?
Thato:i
t’
salongst
ory,
whot
oldyou
aboutthat
?
Jack:newst r
avel
sfast
erthanl
ight
thisdays,andyoureal
ly
disappoint
edmeyoungboy.
Thato:Comeon,
youknowsheisa
bi
tch…sheist
heonewhostar
ted
everyt
hing,gapeaker
ewamoi
tse
goreont sejang.
Jack:youshouldn’
thaverai
sedyour
handather,youcouldhavekil
ledher
,
otlakgonali
feimpri
sonment.
Thato:keengokar eyoucaremore
abouther,shedeservedi
tgape.
Jack:j
ustt
hat
—
That
o:(
sighed)Thevi
deo?
Jack:
(hi
sfacet
urnedpal
e)what
?
That
o:Iknow.
Jack:how?
That
o:Ever
ythi
ngaboutyouIknow,
gapeLet
tyi
sanopenbook.
Jack:l
ook,
canwet
alkl
ater
.
That
o:don’
tyout
hinkofvi
sit
ing
Let
tyatt
hehospi
tal
?
Jack:whywouldIdothatThato,am
nottheonewhosentherthere.I
don’that
eherandIdon’twi
shher
anybadluck,
butwhatsmybusi ness
wit
hher ?
Thato:Don’tf
orgett
hatshest i
llhas
thatvi
deo,andshemi ghthavesentit
totwoorthreepeople…(gi
ggled)you
neverknowJack.
Jack:
(deepl
y)kantei
sther
e
somethingt
hatyouknow,seel
eng
goregakeseitseThat
o.
That
o:Iwasj
ustsayi
ng.
Jack:No,t
herei
ssomethi
ngyou
don’twantt
osharewi
thme.
Thato:Look,
thereisnot
hingI
know…wewi llt
alkanyways,shapo!

Thatohungup, Jackstoodupf rom

hischai
randsighedheavi l
yashe
stoodatthewindowlookingout si
de,
therewasaknockatt hedoor ,
he
i
mmedi atel
ywentt oclosehislapt
op
andheadedt othedoorandopened,
i
twashi sboss.

Jack:
(gent
ly)Si
r,howar
eyou?
Hi
m:(st
rai
ghtf
ace)wehavet
otal
k,
si
tdownJack.
Jack:
(satdown)okayam l
ist
eni
ng,
andIrecei
vedthemail.
Hi
m:Isenti
tonpur
pose.
Jack:Butmycontracti
ssupposedto
endnextyear,
Idon’tunder
standwhy
themailsaysi
tsendingthi
smonth.
Him:listenattent
ivel
yJack…(sit
ti
ng
ont hetable)Thegoodr eput
ati
onof
thi
scompanyhasbeenknownf or
yearsbef oreyoustart
edworking
here.
Jack:
(nodded)Iknowsi
r.
Hi
m:andwhatyoudowi
thyour
personalli
fedoesn’tconcernme,
yourpr i
vat
el i
fedoesn’tr
eall
ymatt
er
tome, whatmat ter
siswhatyoudoin
public…put
tingourreputati
onat
stake,youhearme.
Jack:
butIdon’
tunderst
and,
what
s
themeaningoft
hat.
Him:Therearenewscircul
ati
ng
aboutyouinthepremises,Ir
eceived
thenewsnowandi tseemsl i
keyou
postedavideoonourcompany
whatsappgroupwherehundr edsof
peoplear
eusi ngt
heplatf
ormf or
communication.
Jack:
(br
eat
hingheavi
ly)Me?Inever
usedwhatsappsi
nceIwokeup
today…howcome?
Hi
m:haveyoucheckedyourphone?

Jackopenedhi swhatsappand
bunchoftextscamet hrough,
messagesaf t
eranother.Andhewas
delet
edfr
om thegroup, hefroze
stari
ngathisphone.

Him:(sighed)IaskedmyI Tpeoplet
o
bri
ngt hevi deodown, Idon’
tknow
whyyoudeci dedtopostsuchnudit
y
andsext apeonour
pl
atform…( angr i
ly)wi
thoutsayi
ng
much, youarefired,makesureyou
leavewi t
heverythingt
hatbelongst
o
you,andyouwi l
lneverrecei
veyour
salarythismonth,bye.

Thebosswal kedoutasheshutt he
doorbehi
nd,Jackwasspeechl ess
andhecouldn’tbel
ievewhathej ust
hear
d.Hescr oll
edtoLett
y’snumber
andcall
ed,butthenumberwasn’ t
avai
labl
e.Het hendial
edThato’s
numberandsatbackasi trings.

That
o:(
highnot
e)heyboss.
Jack:That
o,Iwantyout
obehonest
wi
thme.
That
o:okay,
goahead.
Jack:di
dyouhacki
ntomywhat
sapp
anyhow?
That
o:whatar
eyout al
kingabout
,I
knownot
hingabouthacking.
Jack:(angr
ily)thenwhot
hehell
postedthatvideoonthecompany’s
whatsappgr oup,Imeanhowdidthat
persondot hat.
That
o:(
laughed)soyout
hinki
twas
me?Nnayourf ri
end?
Jack:Okay,
shapo.
Jackhungupandthr
ewthephone
againstt
hewal
landi
tcr
ackedonthe
screen.

Att
hehospi
tal
…

Latert
hataf
ter
noonLettystr
etched
herhandandtouchedDiane’
s
face…Di
aneexci
tedl
ystaredatthe
nurse.

Diane:
(smil
ed)shei
swaki
ngup,
is
shereall
yfi
ne?
Nur
se:shei
snot
,fort
hemomentshe
hasl ostasenseoft
ouch,
shecant
feelanythi
ng.
Diane:
(st
ari
ngatLet
ty)Let
tyi
tsme,
youknowme?

Lettyj
ustst
aredatherandturned
theothersi
de…thenur
sefixedher
pil
lowsoshecouldrestherhead.

Nurse:(
Tookadeepbreat
h)youwi
ll
havetobepat
ientwi
thher.
Di
anej
ustnoddedst
ari
ngatLet
ty.

AtJack’
sHouse
Latert hateveni
ngJackopenedt he
cardoorwhi l
eholdingabot t
leof
strongwhi skyandst eppedout,he
tri
edt omai ntai
nbalancebuthe
coul dn’t
,heheadedt othehouse
withoutt urni
ngofftheengine,he
openedt hedoorvigorousl
yscaring
theshi toutofLesegowhowas
wat chingTVatt hatmoment .Lesego
stoodupst ari
ngathim.

Lesego:
(si
ghi
ng)Jack,
whati
sthi
s?
Jack:
(t
ookasip)l
eavemyhouse
now…(angr
il
y)LEAVE!
!
Lesego:youar
edr
unkagai
n?What
s
goi
ngon?
Jack:(t
ri
edtoleanonthedoorand
fell
)Huh!!Youwantpain?…(wal
ked
closertoher)youwantpai
n?
*
*
*
LI
KE,
COMMENTANDSHARE.
[
9:04AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#10

…Lesegohel
dherwai
stst
ari
ngat
Jackwhowasdeaddr unk,sheshook
herheadi ndisbeli
ef.Jackt hr
ew
hi
msel font hecouchandt hebott
le
ofwhiskysl i
ppedoutofhi shands
andbrokeont hefl
oor .Lesegotooka
deepbr eathtryi
ngtor emaincalm
butcoul dn’
t.

Lesego: (
Angril
y)Soyouhavest ar
ted
agai n?Dri
nkingalcoholandcoming
homel at
e,andeveryti
meyouar eli
ke
thisyoust ar
tchasingmeandmy
daught eroutofyourhouse.Jackam
ti
r edofthisgameyouar ealways
tryingtopullonme.
Jack:Idon’tcar
e,Iwanttobeal
one
again.Thisismyhouse, myown
house.Ihaveeveryrightt
ochase
anyoneawayf r
om i
t.
Lesego:soyouwant edmet ocome
heresothatyoucanchasemeback
again?
...
(sighedheavi
ly)Idon’t
beli
evethis.
Jack:(t
urnedt
oherwit
hr eddi
sh
eyes)Il
ostmyfucki
ngjob.
Lesego:
Soj ustbecauseyoulostyour
jobyouthinkdrinki
ngalcoholwil
l
help?Am gladmydaught eristoo
youngtoseehi sdrunkardfat
her,you
shouldhavetoldmenott ocome
backfr
om Grandma’shome…Icould
havestayedt
herebecausei
tsbet
ter
thanhere.
Jack:Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odonow?
Lesego:
(Paused)
Ithi
nkyoushoul
d
goandrestnow,becauseIst
il
lwant
toknowhowusedcondomsgot
i
nsideyourroom.
Jack:
Wer
eyousear
chi
ngme?
Lesego:Ifoundthem ont
hef
loorand
onthebed, doyouhaveanyi
dea
howt heygotthere?
Jack:(
stoodup)Idon’tknow…l
ook
am goi
ngt osl
eep,whenIwakeupI
wanttofindf
oodont hetabl
e…di
d
youhearme?

Lesegokeptqui etasJackwal ked

pastherheadingt othebedroom, she
wipedthet ear
sonhercheekandsat
downdi al
inganumberont hescreen.

Sal
ly:(
pickedup)f
ri
endhowar
eyou?
Lesego:
(l
owvoice)Idon’tknow,I
j
ustfeell
ikeam neverwelcomed
here.
Sall
y:whatdoyoumeanLesego?I
s
thebabyfi
ne…andwher
eisJack?
Lesego:Ri
yai
sfi
ne,
butIt
hink
somethingiswr ongwit
hJack…he
j
ustcamebackdr unkandholdinga
bot
tleofbeer.Andhestartedtell
ing
met oleavehishouse,t
ell
ingmet hat
helosthisjob.Idon’
tunderst
and
whatsgoingonbecauseever ythi
ng
wasf i
ne.
Sal
ly:di
dyouaskhi
m whyhelosthi
s
j
ob?Theremustbeareason.
Lesego:Ididn’t,kegoret hereisalot
goingonsoIcoul dn’tf
ocusonone
point…(
tear
fully)heisst i
llsl
eeping
wit
hhi sgir
ls,Ijustfoundt he
condomswhenIwast ryi
ngt omake
upt hebedthismor ning,andt heyare
usedcondoms.
Sally:(tookadeepbr eath)eishgo
simol ogil
e,butyouneedt obepat i
ent
forawhi l
e,trytotalktohi m.ButI
thi
nkt hereissomet hinghedoesn’ t
wantt osharewi thyou,andi fyouar e
softwhent alki
ngt ohim hewi llnever
tel
lyouwhat sgoingon, youhavet o
threatenhi mt hatyouwi lltakeyour
babyandhewi l
lneverseeheragai n.
Lesego:Ihearyou,
butkea
motshabakana…gapeIcantraise
Riyaonmyown.Hehast ohelpme.
Sall
y:t
hat
’stheproblem now,butdig
downontheissueyat i
ro.Sur
ely
that
’st
herootofallwhatshappening
now.
Lesego:Iwi
llt
ry,
whatar
eyouupt
o
now?
Sal
ly:Am hel
pingmyauntather
sal
oon,butwear eaboutt
ocl
ose
si
nceitsgett
ingdark.
Lesego:That
’sgoodf
oryou,
isshe
payingyoukanaomothusahel
a.
Sall
y:shei
spayi ngmesomet imes
whenIhavewor kedlonghours,
but
atti
mesam j usthelpi
ngherforfr
ee,
shedoesn’thaveenoughst af
ftodo
thework.
Lesego:Butyoumustconsi
der
tel
li
nghertohireyou,
kanaasal
oon
makesal otofmoney.
Sally:Mathataam l
azy,Iwil
lstar
t
skippingsomedaysker eam
ti
red…( l
aughed)youknowmeaker e,
soIdon’ twanttotakechances.
Lesego:(
giggled)wenakana
mma! .
..(
pausedf orasecond)It hi
nk
weshoul dstartgoingouttogether,I
cantstayinthehouseal lday,Ijust
needtogooutandgetsomeai r
.
Sall
y:It
sbeenawhilet
sal
a,mathat
a
keRiya…doyouthi
nkyoucanleave
herforafewminut
es.
Lesego:WellJackknowshowtotake
careofthebaby,Icanl
eaveherwit
h
him.
Sal
ly:butIdontt
hinkwewillbeable
togooutverysoon,youshouldreal
ly
f
ixthingswit
hJack.
Lesego:yeah…(checkedt
heclock)
l
ook,wewi llt
alk…maybelat
eron
whatsapp.
Sal
ly:okay,
bye.

Justasshehungup, t
her
ewasan
i
ncomi ngcallfr
om hergr
anny.She
di
dn’texpectitandimmediat
ely
pi
ckedup.

Lesego:Mma!Itsever
ythi
ngokayat
home, gapeIdi
dn’
texpectyourcal
l
att
hist
ime.
Grandma: Iwasj
ustthi
nki
ngabout
you,am reall
yworr
iedaboutyouand
Riya,It
hinkyoushouldhavelef
ther
withme.
Lesego:why?gapesheissaf
ewith
me…Idon’twanthertobeaburden
toyou.
Grandma:Iknow, butt
hesedaysare
evi
landanyt hi
ngdangerouscan
happen,youneedt omakesur eyou
aresaf
eever yt
imeLesego.LikeI
saidam real
lyworri
edaboutyou,
whenyoul eftt
hehouset oday
somethi
ngj usttol
dmet hatyouare
nothappy…(paused)andIcoul
dsee
sadnessinyourfaceevenwhenyou
seemedhappyout si
de…Idon’twant
youtostruggl
ewhi l
eam st
il
lali
ve.
Lesego:
Ithi
nkmaybeyouar ejust
worri
edbecauseIdi
dn’tspendmuch
ti
mewi t
hyou,butam f
ine.
Grandma:howi sRiya’
sfat
her?I
she
st
illcar
ingaboutyouandRiya.
Lesego:(
thought
ful
ly)wearef
ine,
he
i
st aki
ngcareofRiyatoo.
Grandma:okay,
butifyouwantt
o
comehomedon’ thesi
tat
e.
Lesego:Iknowgrandma…(si
ghed)i
s
Bongieup,Iwanttotal
ktoher.
Grandma:shesl
eptal
ready,
she
sl
eepsearl
yever
yday.
Lesego:well
,Iwi
llcal
lhertomorr
ow
then…butIpromi
seyounott oworry
yoursel
faboutme.Am justdoi
ngfine.
Grandma:
(smi
led)goodt
oheart
hat
,
sl
eepwell
.
Lesego:yout
oogr
anny,
bye.

Shehungupandf
eltal
inger
ingache
i
nherhear
t…

Att
hehospi
tal
…
Laterthatni
ghtThat
owal kedinthe
hall
wayheadi ngt
otherecepti
onist
area,heleanedbyst
ari
ngatt he
recepti
onist
.

Her
:Si
r,howcanIhel
pyou?
That
o:Am vi
sit
ingaf
ri
end,
shewas
admit
tedher
esomefewdaysago.
Her:
am sorr
ybutthevi
sit
inghour
s
areover,
maybeyoucancome
tomorrowmorni
ngaround10.
Thato:Please,
sheisaver ycl
ose
fri
endandIhavebeenoutoft he
country,
Ijustrecei
vedthenewsnow
thatsheishospital
ized,
Icantgo
homeunt
ilIseeher
.
Her:
(Pausedstari
ngather
)What
s
yourrel
ati
onshipwit
hher?
Thato:It
oldyoushei
saver
ycl
ose
fr
iend,wel
lalover
.
Her
:Youar
etheboyf
ri
end?
That
o:(
clear
edhi
sthr
oat
)yes.
Her:ifyouar el
yingaboutknowi ng
her,Iwillhavetocallsecurit
y…I
shouldn’tbeall
owingyoui ntot
he
war dsatthisti
me, am doingyoua
favor.
That
o:(
smi
led)Thanks,
youar
etoo
ki
nd.
Her
:What
shernameandsur
name?
That
o:Hernamei
sLet
ty.
.L-
E-T…
Her
:Iknowhowt
ospel
l…l
astname?
Thato:Idon’
tknow,
Ionl
yknowher
fi
rstname.
Her:andyouar
einar
elat
ionshi
p
wit
hher?
Thato:
(i
mpati
ently)l
ook,
weonl y
star
teddat
ingrecentl
y…(
sighed)
can
youhelpmeplease.
Her:Ihavet
hreepati
ent
sadmitt
ed
fort
hepastfewdaysandtheyhave
simil
arnames…checkonthebook.
Heski mmedt hr
oughandpoi nt
edat
thesecondnameont hebook, he
thensignedandwal kedtofindthe
war dthatLettyi
sadmi tt
edat .He
walkedt othesecondwar dfr om t
he
l
eftandsl owlyopenedt hedoor ,
he
l
ookedatherast hehospi t
alhand
dripcoveredher ,
andshewas
assignedt oanoxygent ankanda
respir
atorymachi newhichwas
switchedtot hesockets.
Thatosatnexttoherandtooksome
fewpict
uresandimmedi atelyput
backhisphoneont hepocket ,he
thenwalkedovertotherespirator
y
machineandtraceditscablest of
ind
t
hesocket
,hel
ookedar
oundfi
ndi
ng
awaytounpl
ugandswit
chthe
machi
neoff
…
*
*
*
HEYFRIENDS,DOMEAFAVORAND
LI
KE,COMMENTANDSHARETHI S
POSTTODI FFERENTGROUPSYOU
AREIN,LETSTRYTOGETATLEAST
50SHARESANDIWI LLPOST
ANOTHERI NSERTSOON.
[
9:06AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER
#11
Meanwhilethenursewalkedinwhile
Thatobentovertr
yingtounplugthe
cabl
e,sheimmedi at
elyshutthedoor
andThatopanickedashest aredat
thedoorway.

Nur
se:
(gl
aredathi
m)Whoar
eyou?

That
okeptqui
etst
ari
ngather
.

Nurse:(loudly)kareomangand
whatar eyoudoi ngdownt here…ar
e
youat hief?
...
(pressedherphone)am
cal
li
ngt
hepol
ice.
That
o:wai
t,Am That
o…am herf
ri
end
andIcametovi
sither
.
Nurse:Att
histi
me, vi
sit
orsarenot
al
lowedherebecauset hevi
sit
ing
hourshaselapsed…(si
ghed)f
irstwho
gaveyoupermissiontocomeher e.
Thato:(
lowvoice)t
heladyatt
he
recepti
on,l
ookam sorryt
ocomeat
thishourbutIhadtocomeandsee
her.
Nurse:anddownthere,whatwere
youdoing…youpanickedwhenI
cl
osedt hedoor
,wereyoudoing
somethingwrong?
Thato:Notatallmadam…(checked
hi
scl ock)wel
lIwil
lleavet
hen,I
mightcomet omorrow…whattimeare
vi
sit
or sall
owedinthemorning?
Nurse:
ifyoudon’ttel
lmeexact ly
whatyouwer edoing,Iwil
lraisean
al
arm andyoucoul dgetint
oser ious
tr
oubleyoungman…andbyt hewayi f
somethinghappenstomypat ientI
wil
lholdyouaccountableforit.
That
o:(Soft
ly)Pl
easebel
ieveme,
I
wasn’
tdoinganythi
ngwrong.
Nurse:Leavethi
splacenowbef or
eI
cal
lsecurit
y,andIdon’twanttosee
yourfacehereagai
n..youhearme?
That
o:(
nodded)okayma’
am.
.bye.

Thatoimmedi at
elyleft,t
heNur se
si
ghedheavi l
yassheshookher
headindisbeli
ef.Shet henwalked
outtothereception,sheputherf i
le
onthecounterast her ecept
ionist
walkedover.

Nurse:
(l
ookedint
entl
yint
ohereyes)
Learnt
odoyourjob,howmany
ti
meshaveyoual l
owedvisi
tor
sin
aft
ervi
sit
inghoursar
eover?
Her
:(
innocent
ly)Am sor
ry,
butIdon’
t
dot
hatmostoft het
imes…has
somet
hingwr
onghappened?
Nurse:Youwil
lloseyourj
obifyou
keepworkingl
ikethi
s,abi
debythe
rul
es.
Her:
(nodded)Am sor
ry,
Iwi
lldomy
best
.

AtJack’
sHouse
Thef ol
lowingmor ni
ngLesego
steppedoutoft hebathroom
wr appinglitt
leRiyawithatoweland
smi ledkissinghersofttummy.She
wentt otheroom andputheront he
bedappl yi
ngbabyl ot
iononher.Jack
wal kedi nholdi
ngacupofcof f
eeand
satdownonbed.

Jack:Look,am sorr
yaboutlast
night.
.ishoul
dn’thaver
aisedmy
voiceatyou.Itwasami stake.

Lesegodi
dn’
tpayanyat
tent
ionat
him.

Jack:
didyouhearwhatIsai
d?
Lesego:Idi
d,buthowcomeyoul
ost
yourjob.
Jack:Idon’
tknowalso,t
hemanager
j
usttoldmethattheynolongerneed
me,It
hinktheyhaveenoughst
aff
,so
It
ookmyt hingsandl
eft
.
Lesego:Youarelyi
ng…(
sighed)you
thi
nkam al i
tt
leki
dyoucanlieto,
ther
eisalwaysasolidr
easonthat
youareafrai
dtotel
lme.
Jack:Si
ncewhenyouareint
erest
ed
i
nmywor kli
fe,
Igi
veyoumoneyand
that
’sal
l…doyouhavetoaskmelot
ofquest
ions.
Lesego:Am afr
aidthatIwi
llhavet
o
l
eave,youhaveneverlovedme…and
am notthati
mpor t
anttoyouandI
haveacceptedthat.
Jack:Youcantl
eave.
Lesego:
(l
aughed)real
ly?Aren’
tyou
theonewhowant edmet oleaveat
fi
rst
?…andbeforeIfor
get, howdid
theusedcondomsgeti nt
ot hi
sroom?
Jack:(
keptquietf
orsomeseconds)
Okay,Iwil
lbehonestwit
hyou…I
broughtagirli
nwhenyouwer eaway
fortheweekend.
Lesego:i
sthatso?
Jack:Whatel
sedoyouneed?Look
am sorr
y,i
twil
lneverhappenagai
n
tr
ustme.
Lesego:Am tiredofbeingper
ceived
asalit
tlekid,kegorennaam your
housemai d,yourcleaner,
andthat’
s
whyyounevertookmeser i
ous…am
sureIwil
lfi
ndsomeonewhowi ll
respectmeandgivemetheloveI
deserve,
Ihavebeenpat
ientwit
hyou
andam fedup.
Jack:(Angri
ly)Isaidam sorry,I
deservetobef orgi
ventoo…don’ tyou
feelpit
yformet hatIlostmyj ob?We
areallhumansandwemake
mi st
akes…(sighed)i
fyouar etoleave,
thendon’tgowi thmydaught er,Iwil
l
fi
ndhersomeonewhowi l
ltakecare
ofher.
Lesego:Idon’treal
lyunderst
andyou
waitse…(t
ookadeepbr eat
h)li
ke
honestlyIdon’tgetyou.
Jack:Imademysel fcl
ear,don’
tleave
wit
hmydaught er
,Iwil
ltakecareof
heraloneunt
ilIfi
ndanotherjob.

Jack’sphonest artedr i
nging,he
i
mmedi atelyreachedt oitandwent
outsidebef orehepi ckedup…Lesego
sighedasshepi ckedRi yaandsat
downf eedi ngher .Amessageal ert
beepedi nherphone, andshe
unlockedi treadingt hemessage, she
thendialedSal l
y’snumberandwent
toclosethedoor .

Sal
ly:Hel
lo.
Lesego:what
sup,
Ijustsawyour
text
.
Sal
ly:Look,whatdi
dJacksayabout
l
osi
ngt hejob?
Lesego:not
hing,
hej
ustdon’
twant
totel
lme.
Sal
ly:Am sorr
ybutIheardsome
newsIdon’tknowhowt ruetheyar
e,
Ij
ustheardthem f
rom Thato,t
hat
guywamal oba.
Lesego:pl
easetel
lme,
Ist
her
e
somethingyouknow?
Sall
y:Thatotoldmethatther
eisa
vi
deot hatcir
culat
edonwhatsapp
groupandi tseemsli
keit
’sasex
t
apeaboutJackandsomel
ady
whom Idon’
tknow.
Lesego:Wai
t,whyam Ihear
ingt
his
fr
om you…ar
eyousureaboutwhat
youaresayi
ng?
Sall
y:IsaidIdon’tknowwhet hert
he
newsar etrueornot,butfr
om my
pointofviewIthi
nki t
strue.Hewas
fi
redafterthevi
deowaspost edin
thecompany’ swhatsappgr oup,
that’
showhegotdi smissed.
Lesego:Thi
sguyisatotalbit
ch,
waitsennakebonadil
oSal l
y,sowho
fi
lmedthesextape?
Sal
ly:Gat
wei
sthegi
rlhewasseei
ng
bef
ore,
Idon’
tknowherexact
ly.
Lesego:Iwantt
oseeher,doyou
thinkwecangetherpi
ctur
esfrom
facebook?
Sall
y:Notatall
,That
oref
usedtotel
l
mehernames, butheseemstoknow
herverywell
.
Lesego:Okay,
nopr
obl
em…Iwi
llsee
whattodo?
Sally:Butpromisenott
oputmein
trouble,don’
ttel
lJackt
hatyougot
thenewsf r
om me.
Lesego:Don’
twor
ry,
bye.
Justaft
ershehungup,Jackwalked
i
nashesl idhi
sphoneintheback
pocketofhisj
ean.HecaughtLesego
star
ingatherwit
hanangryface.

Jack:
Andt
hen?Whathappened?
Lesego:Soyouar
enowapor
nst
ar,
MrJack.
Jack:what?…(
poi
nti
ngafingerather
)
mindyourwordswhental
kingtome,
kantekeengkawena?
Lesego;Whoi sthegirlyouhadsex
withandfil
medi t?youthinkIwas
notgonnafindoutt hatyougot
dismissedbecauseofyouri mmoral
behavi
or.
Jack:(
angri
ly)LesegoIwi
llsl
apyou
ifyoukeeptalki
ngtomeli
ket hat
,ar
e
youcrazy?
Lesego:Yeaham crazy,am goingt
o
takemydaught erandIwillmoveout
ofthishouse,
youwi l
lneverseeme
again…andthi
st i
meImeani t
.
Jack:Notwi
thher
…

Lesegoopenedthecloset
,tookher
l
uggagebagandpackedhercl othes
toget
herwit
hRiya’sandthenwentto
thesit
ti
ngroom t
ot akeRi
ya’spram…
Lat
ert
hatday…
Thatowalkedoutofchoppi esstor
e
wit
ht worechargecar dsandabottl
e
ofmineralwater,hethenrechar
ged
hi
sphoneanddi aledJack’snumber
headingtothepar ki
nglot.

Jack:
(Lowvoi
ce)That
o.
That
o:howareyou,
yousound
l
ow…isever
ythi
ngokay?
Jack:It
hinksomeoneismessingup
wit
hmewai t
se,
everyt
hingi
sfall
ing
apart
.
That
o;Li
fei
saboutupanddown’
s
sodon’
tworr
yever
ythi
ngwil
lbe
okay.
Jack:Youdon’
tunderstand…(si
ghed)
bythewayhowi sLett
y?didyouhear
anythi
ngaboutherr
ecover ybecause
Iwanttotal
ktoher.
Thato:Ineverhear
danythi
ng,am
evenscaredofgoingtocheckonher
atthehospital
…(cl
ear
edhisthroat)
whatisitthatyouwantt
ot al
kwi t
h
her?
Jack:i
tdoesn’
tconcer
nyou,
shapo.

Jackcutthecal
l,
That
osmi l
edwhil
e
getti
nginhi
scaranddroveofft
he
parkingl
ot.
Lat
ert
hatni
ght
…

Lesegocar riedherbagont heback

andpushedt hepram ast hest reet
l
ight sli
tthehi ghway,shel ooked
aroundf orincomi ngcar sbutt he
streetswereempt y.Shehasbeen
tr
avel l
ingaroundal ldayandher
phone’ sbatterywasempt y, shesat
byt henearestst opast hebabycr i
ed.
Shewai t
edwi t
hhopef orthecar s,
shehadcr i
edandhert earswer eno
l
ongercomi ngout …
Meanwhi l
edippedheadl ights
reachedt oherasshest oodupt r
ying
tostopt hecar,thedriverstopped
andr ol
leddownt hewi ndow.Lesego
wasver yscaredt oappr oachthecar
buthadnochoi ce,themant ookoff
hishatandl ower edthevol ume.
Hi
m:hopi
n.
Lesego:wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?Am
str
anded.
Him:(
lookedatt
hepr
am)i
sthata
baby?
Lesego:(
nodded)yes,
Ihavebeen
hereforhour
s.
Hi
m:Youar
ereal
lyput
ti
ngt
hebaby
atrisk,
itsr
eall
ydanger
oustowal
k
aroundatthisti
me…wheredoyou
stay?
Lesego:
(paused)Idon’
thaveany
placenow,canyouhelpme?
Hi
m:Iwi
ll
.

Themangotoutandopenedt he
tr
unkandl oadedLesego’
sluggage
andLesegot ookthebabyoutofthe
pram asthemanf oldedi
tandputit
i
nt hetr
unkt oo.

Hi
m:Geti
nsi
de…
*
*
*
LIKE,COMMENTANDSHARE…letst
ry
togetasmanyl
ikesandi
nvi
teyour
fr
iends.
[
9:06AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER
#12

Lateratnight
…Lesegoclosedthe
doorbehindasKennedyt ookoffhis
l
engthyJacketandhangedi tatthe
stand,Lesegojustgoti
nandst ar
ed
athi
m asheheadedt
otheshower
.

Lesego:
(cl
earedherthr
oat)soMr
Kennedy,whyisyourli
vingroom
cold?
Ken:(smil
ed)Youcancal lme
Ken…( t
ooktheACr emote)Ever
yti
me
whenIl eavethehouseImakesur e
theroom iscooli
nside,
butyoucan
adjustthetemperat
ureifyouwant.
Lesego:
Okaythanks…(
lookedaround)
i
st hi
syourownapartmentoryouare
shari
ngwithsomeone?
Ken:I
tsmine,
am int
orealestat
eand
am abusi
nessconsult
anttoo,I
boughtthishouset woyear sagobut
Ineverstayedhereunt ilsomefew
mont hsback…(pointed)thereis
anotherloungeupst ai
rs,Iuseitfor
readi
ngandr el
axi
ng.Youcangoand
checkitout,am goingt otakea
shower .
Lesego:Okayt
hanks,andwhatabout
myt hi
ngs?Shoul
dIleavet
hem here.
Ken:Wi l
lsor
tthem outaft
erItakea
shower,meanwhi l
eyoucant akea
l
ookar oundortuneintoyourfavorit
e
channel,t
hereisakit
chenthere, you
willhel
pyourselft
hereandthebaby
too.
Lesego:Thanks.

Kent ookoffhisshirtandwentt othe

showerandt urnedont hewar m
wat erashest oodt hereappl yi
ng
soapi nhisbodyandt henmi nutes
l
at erhewal kedoutheadi ngtohis
room andsatdownont hebedbody
spr ayinghimself.Lesegomi stakenly
openedt hedoorandKenr eachedf or
at owelt ocoverhimsel fbutthe
upperbodywasn’ tcover ed,Lesego
star edathimf orsomesecondsand
kindaf rozethenshei mmedi at
ely
closedt hedoor .
Ken:
(sighed)Youcancomeini
fyou
want
, Icoveredmysel
fnow.

Lesegoslowlyopenedt hedoor
checki
ngwi thoneeyet oseeifhe
real
lycover
edhi mself
,shefound
hersel
fstar
ingathismuscul arbody
againandcouldn’tbel
ievehereyes.

Lesego:Am real
lysor
ry,Idi
dn’t
meant oint
rude.Iwasjustadmiri
ng
thi
shouseandcamet oyourroom by
mistake,
am reall
ysorr
y.
Ken:Don’
twor
ry,
ther
eisnot
hing
wrong…( put
ti
ngonhi svest)Sohow
didyouendupst r
andedint he
street
s,ImeanIpassbyt hatroad
everyt
imewhenam comi nghome
andam al waysshakingwhendr i
ving
thereatnight,
badthingsalways
happenatt hatst
op…youj ustgot
l
uckyIst oppedforyou.
Lesego:Thatonet hingam gratef
ul
about(gl
ancedathi sref
lect
ionashe
passedthemi rr
or)thethingis,
where
IstayedIwasnol ongerwel comed
andIhadt oleave.
Ken:(
Star
ingather
)that
’sbad,
and
whathappenedtoyourel
bow,I
noti
cedyouwerebleedi
ngwhenyou
goti
nsi
det
hecarandi
tlooksbad.
Lesego:Ifel
l,
Isl
ippedwhi
lehur
ryi
ng
becauseitwasdarkandsmoky…I
waslit
erall
yscar
ed.
Ken:doesi
thur
t?
Lesego:
(t
ouchedit
)notmuch,i
s
nothi
ngtoworryabout
.Iwi
llbeokay.
Ken:Look,It
hinkIhavesomef i
rst
ai
dkitthatIkeeponmycl oset
,let
mehelpyou.

Kenopenedt heshel
finhiscloset
andtookoutaboxcont ainingsome
fi
rstaidki
t,hetookaplasteranda
bottl
econtaini
ngarubbingf l
uid.
Ken:
(satont
hebed)Br
ingyourar
m…

Lesegowalkedoverandpul
ledher
sleeves,
Kengentl
yrubbedt
heflui
d
toeasethepain.

Ken:i
tmightlookli
keami nori
njur
y
buti
tcouldsnowballi
ntoamaj or
one…(
holdingaplast
er)howisthe
pai
n?
Lesego:Ist
il
lcoul
dnotfeeli
tthat
much,it
snotthatbad.
Ken:
(appl
iedt
hepl
ast
eront
he
surf
aceofherski
n)youwi l
lremovei
t
tomorrow,j
ustt
opreventsome
bacter
iafr
om ent
eri
ngthroughthe
wound.

Lesegof i
rmlypressedi
tunti
litwas
full
yattachedtoherski
n,Kensmi led
stari
ngatherandt henheputt he
fi
rstaidkitback.

Ken:(
smi
led)nowi
tsbet
ter
,kana
j
ang?
Lesego:(
uncomfortabl
y)i
t
i
s…( cl
ear
edhert hr
oat)wheream I
goingtosleep,
Iwilll
eavetomorr
ow
mor
ning.
Ken:Youcansl eepintheguestr oom,
thereareblanket
sinthecloset…I
hopeyouwi l
lsl
eeppeaceful
lywi th
thebaby,Ithinksheneedagood
nightrest
…andagai nyoucanst ay
untilyouf
eelbetter
,youdon’thavet o
rush.
Lesego:Actual
lythethi
ngisthatI
don’twanttobotheryouhere,Imean
Ialr
eadydistur
bedyouearli
erand
youassist
edmei nsomanyways…I
thi
nkthat’
senoughandam r eall
y
grat
eful
.
Ken:Ar
eyousur
e?
Lesego:(nodded)yes…(shestoodup)
Iwillshowerandt hensleep…Good
night.
Ken:Okay, haveagoodni ght
…Ij
ust
hopet hebabyisfi
ne…(checkedt
he
cl
ock)i fsheneedsanythi
ngIcango
getherbabyf ood,someshopsare
sti
llopen.
Lesego:Shei
sfi
ne,
thanks.

Lesegowalkedoutandcl osedt
he
door,Kensatont hebedandpull
eda
bookfrom ashelfandlai
dbackon
thebedasher ead.
AtJack’
sHouse

Earli
ert
hatmor ningJackdi aleda
numberont hescr eenandst oodup
asheswi t
chedof fthel i
ghtandl i
ght
raysenter
edt hr
ought hewindow.He
waitedasthephoner ang,itwas
Lesegohewascal li
ng, shedidn’t
answeruntilatthefour tht
imeshe
pickedup.

Lesego:
(keptqui
et)
Jack:hel
lo!
Lesego:
Am l
ist
eni
ng,
whatdoyou
want?
Jack:Ar
eyouokay?Andwher
ear
e
you?
Lesego:doesitmatter
,youhavethe
gutstoaskmei fam okayaft
eryou
pushedmeandIf el
lhurt
ingmyarm,
whatwer eyouthi
nking?
Jack:i
twasami
stake.
Lesego:ever
ythi
ngyoudoisal
ways
ami st
akeakere,
goshapo.
Jack:Look,Iwanttoknowwhereyou
aresoIcouldcomeandget
you…kantedoyoual wayshavet
o
overr
eacteveryti
meIr ai
semyvoice
whent al
kingtoyou,whenar
eyou
goingtostartget
ti
ngusedtome
Lesego.
Lesego:Idon’tneedyour ightnow,
youhur tme…doyout hi
nkam st upid
enought onotlearnyourtricks.Fi
rst
youpushedmeandIgotacutonmy
el
bow, youtol
dmeam wor thless…I
canclearl
yseet hatyouar eashamed
ofmebecauseIdon’ tmatcht he
standardsofthosegirlsyouar e
alwayssleepi
ngwi thakere?
Jack:wheredoesthatcome
fr
om…( si
ghed)canyouat l
eastt
ell
mewher eyouar ebecauseIneedto
makesur ethatyouaresafe.
Lesego:mysafetydoesn’tconcer
n
you,andpleasestopbotheri
ngme, I
wil
lnotpickupyourcallnextti
me.
Jack:AndRiya,shehaseveryri
ghtt
o
remainwithme, orIwil
lhavet
o
i
nvolvetheauthorit
iest
oo.
Lesego:
(laughed)seriousl
y?You
knowwhat ,
forgetabouther…youare
notevenlistedonhermedi calcar
d
orcert
if
icate.Ididnotincl
udeyouas
fat
her.
Jack:(
Paused)whatdi
dyousay?

Lesegohungandputthephoneon
theedgeoft
hemicrowaveasshe
swit
chediton,Kenwalkedi
nsmili
ng
andleanedbythekit
chencount
er
star
ingatLesego.

Ken:Goodmor
ning,
Ihopeyousl
ept
well
.
Lesego:(
smi
led)Idid,
fort
hefir
st
ti
mei nawhi
leIsleptl
ikeababy.
Ken:Goodt ohearthat
…(refi
ll
edhis
l
emonwat er)am goingforajog,you
canjoinmei fyouwant..
imeanifthe
babyissti
llsleepi
ng,i
tsli
ke7
minutesj
ogandwear eback.
Lesego:
(l
aughed)youaretal
kingt
o
thewrongperson,
Ineverexer
cise
…am sor
ry.
Ken:(gi
ggled)howcanyousayt hat
withacheer f
ultone…(mimickedher
)
“Ineverexerci
se”…(smil
ed)youhave
aprettysmileanyways.
Lesego:ohreall
y,t
hankyou…(si
ghed)
youcangof orajog,Iwi
llpr
epare
breakf
astforyou.
Ken:Wel
l,seeyout
hen…(
het
ook
si
ppedfr
om hisbot
tl
e)l
etmego.
Lesego:(
clear
edherthr
oat)aren’
t
youafrai
dthatyouarel
eavinga
str
angerInyourhouse?
Ken:
(smil
ed)youar
enolongera
st
ranger
…soIwontworr
yabout
anyt
hing…(
resethi
swat ch)am goi
ng
toputonspott
ingshoes,seeya!!

Hewavedatherandl
eftheadingt
o
hi
sroom,Lesegosmi
ledstar
ingat
hi
m ashewalkedout
…
*
*
*
Dontf
orgett
oLI
KEandCOMMENT.
[
9:06AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#13
Att
hehospi
tal
…

Laterthatdaythedoctorwalkedi
n
withacar dandapen, hewroteon
thecardandhandedi ttoDianewho
wassi tt
ingsi
lent
lyonthechair
stari
ngatLetty.

Doctor
:(
sighed)wehavet odischar
ge
her
,wecannol ongerpr
ovideher
wit
hourser vi
ce.
Diane:(
frowned)what?shehasn’
t
recoveredyetbutyouwantto
dischargeher.
Doctor:shehaveover st
ayedher e,
andnor mall
ypat ientswhoover stay
herehaveaf eetheyhavet o
pay…unlessyout akehert oapr ivat
e
hospit
alforquickr ecovery,
don’t
for
getthatthisisagover nment
hospit
alandpat ientswhoover stay
aretobehomenur sed.
Diane:Youcantdot hatt
oher ,she
willstayhereuntilIseesome
i
mpr ovements..
untilIseethatthen
am notgoi ngtoal l
owyout or emove
herfr om t
hetreatment .
Doctor:
(t
ookadeepbr eath)youdon’
t
underst
andma’am, t
hat’sthepoli
cy
andthereisnot
hingwecandot r
ust
me…( cl
earedhi
sthroat
)andbeforeI
for
get,sheneedssomemedi cat
ion
andisnotavail
ableher
e…itcostli
ke
fi
vethousandandisimportedfr
om
abroad.
Diane:Si
rIdon’thaveti
meforthat
,
l
ookIdon’tevenhavemoneyt otake
hertoaprivat
ehospital
…soplease
helpmysister
,am beggingyou.
Doctor:Theproblem isthatyoudon’t
wantt oagreewithourt er
ms, att
his
st
aget hereisnothi
ngIcando…t he
onlythingIcandoismoni torher
whichi snotevenhelping,herbodyis
drug-resi
stant.
Di
ane:sowhatam igoi
ngt
odonow?
Doct
or:Idon’
tknow…(sighed)you
canasksomef undi
ngfrom parent
s
andrel
ati
ves,
am suretheywillhel
p.
Diane:(
shookherhead)youdon’ t
knowwhatyouar esaying, wedon’ t
getalongwi t
hourr el
ati
vesandeven
mypar entsarenotwor ki
ng, t
heyare
str
ugglingjustl
ikeme…( sighed
heavil
y)theremustbeasol ut
ion,I
meanIcantj ustletmysi sterdiehere.
Doctor:wel
l,Iwil
lkeepontryi
ngbutI
don’twanttogiveyoufal
sehope
becausethereisnoimprovement.
Di
ane:
(t
ear
ful
ly)i
tsf
ine.
Thedoctorpatt
edherandwalkedout,
Dianereadthecar
dshewasgi ven
andputitonthebed…shethentook
herphoneanddialedanumberon
thescr
een.

Di
ane:
(t
ear
ful
ly)Mom,
hel
lo.
Her
:Di
ane,
what
sthepr
obl
em?
Diane:It
hinkam goingtogi
veup,
youshouldreal
lycomet oGaborone
becauseIcannol ongerl
ookaft
er
Lett
y.
Her:Whathappened,
didn’
tyousay
sheisrecover
ingsomefewdaysago?
Diane:Butt hereisanot herproblem,
thehospi talcannol ongerprovi
de
herwi thmedi cationsneededf orher
fullrecoveryandt heysayunl esswe
takehert oapr i
vatehospi t
alshewil
l
nol ongerheal …nnat otaIdon’tknow
whatt odo,myl if
ei sinapause
becauseofher .
Her
:(
sighed)Iwil
ltal
ktoheruncl
e
maybehewi l
lhel
p.
Di
ane:hel
phowmama?
Her:f
inanci
all
y,i
tsmoneyt
hatwe
need.
Di
ane:Nnya,r
ekampar
alesa…you
meanuncleDan?
Her
:yeswhat
sthepr
obl
em wi
tht
hat
?
Di
ane:Kantedon’tyouknowt hat
Danhasaf amil
ytotakecareof ,
and
hi
swi f
eisveryt
oxic.Idon’
tthinkshe
wil
lagreegor
eDanar eneel
emadi .
Her:Hei smyyoungerbrother
,hei
s
sti
llourfamil
y,i
stherealawwhich
statethataf
tersomeonegets
mar ri
edhecannol ongerassi
sthi
s
family,andmosadiwagagweonal e
afami l
yelsewhereleene.
Diane:Idon’
tthi
nkitwil
lhel
p,ther
e
i
snol ongerconnecti
onand
communi cati
onbetweenourfamil
y
member s,kegoremongwele
mongweot husabanabagagwe
hel
a…soifIwereyouIwoul
dn’
tbe
bot
heri
ngmyselfbytr
yingt
oask
hel
pfr
om elsewhere.
Her
:Doyouhaveanysol
uti
onDi
ane?
Diane:Iwasthinki
ngmaybeifwe
canpersevereforsometi
me, maybe
Lett
ywi l
lgetsomehelpsomewhere.
Her:Butwecantwaitthat
much…( si
ghed)
look,
am call
ingDan
now,ifheiswil
li
ngtohelpthenhe
wil
ldo.
Diane:I
jo,
goodl
uck…butdon’
tfor
get
thatLet
tynowneedsyoumore
becauseam goi
ngtogiveup.
Her:Iwil
lcal
lyoul
ater,j
usthel
pme
forawhilemybeaut
ifuldaught
er,
please.
Di
ane:Am doi
ngt
hisf
orher
,sobye!

Di
anehungupandtookadeep
br
eat
hglanci
ngatt
hecardwhich
wasonthebed.

Out
sideGabor
one…

Lat
erthatdayKenpar kedt
hecar
andLesegoglancedatRiyawhowas
sl
eepi
ngonherseat .Kenturnedof
f
theengi
neandadj ust
edhisseat
backashet ookabottl
eofwaterand
tookasip…hestr
etchedthehand
givi
ngLesego.

Ken:
somewater
?Kanagaobat
lego
nwamathe.
Lesego:
(l
aughed)wateri
swat
er,
its
notcont
aminatedakere.
Ken:(l
aughing)youwi
llneverknow
unti
lyoutakeasip.
Lesego:Okay…(r
oll
eddownthe
windowdrinki
ng)andwhosefar
mis
thi
s?
Ken:I
twasmyf
ather
’sf
arm,
Itook
owner shi
pofi taft
erhepassedaway.
Her eall
ytookcar eofi
t,herear
edall
kindsoflivestockandattheback
thereisal ar
gef i
eldwhi
chiswai t
ing
tobepl oughed.
Lesego:
(clear
edherthroat
)doyou
comeher emor eof
ten?
Ken:onlywhenIt akeadayoff,and
weekendst oo…(sighed)Iemployed
someher dboyst oo,theyar
elooking
aft
ertheli
vestockandkeepi ngit
al
ivetoo,Ihelpthem everyt
imeam
here.
Lesego:It
houghtyouareonl
y
i
nterest
edinbusi
ness,Idi
dn’
tknow
youar
eal
soi
ntof
armi
ng.
Ken:(smiled)well,
farminghasalso
beenmyaspi rati
on…Iwant edto
becomeaf armerbutnotnow, j
ust
thatsomeci rcumst ancesfor
cedme
tostartfarmingatanear ly
stage(openedt hecardoor)areyoua
horselover?
Lesego:(
pausedforsomeseconds)I
j
ustlovehorses,
butIneverr
odeone.
Ken:wellt
odayi syourday
then…(
closedallthewindowsand
putontheACf oracoolbr eeze)do
youthi
nkwecanl eavethelit
tleone
foraminute?
Lesego:
(smil
ed)timestar
ts
now…1,2,
3,4,
5…(shekeptcount
ing
seconds)12,
13…
Ken:
(l
aughed)areyouseri
ousri
ght
now?ididn’tmeanitt
hatway…gape
aminuteforbl
acksitmeans60
minut
es,youknows.
Lesego:wel l
,wecango
then…(smiled)Ireal
lyhadalotof
mixedf eel
ingswhenIsawyouat
fi
rst,
butIpr esumedwr ongaboutyou.
Ken:
(smil
ed)mixedf
eel
ings?DoI
l
ooklikeaki
dnapper
?
Lesego:
(Laughed)abi
t…butmor
e
l
ikeabodybui l
der,
youmustbe
hi
tt
ingt
hegym mor
eof
ten.
Ken:Youar ever
ynaught y
Lesego…(openedthedoor)Iwi l
lgoto
thehorsekraal
,andIwi l
ltr
yt oask
theboystohelpmebr ingtwohor ses,
theyhavenamesanywaysoaf t
er
youarenowcomf or
tableri
dingalone,
thenwecancompet e,whatabout
that
?
Lesego:
(laughed)Iwi
llt
hinkabout
thechal
lengeafter
,whataboutthat
?
Ken:
(smi
led)cool
…

Hest
eppedoutt
hecarandwentt
o
t
hebarnwher
ehemethistwo
headboys,theysmil
edst
ari
ngathim
ashewal kedoverandl
eanedbythe
gate.

Ken:
(f
istbumpedt
hem)boys.
Her
dboy1:Goodt
oseeyousi
r…
Herdboy2:Idi
dn’
texpectyou,
how
haveyoubeen?
Ken:(
smiled)Good,Iwil
lsortyou
guysoutbefor
eIleave.Ihaveyour
moneywithme.
Herdboy1:(
smi
led)wel
lt hat’
sgood
news…wellweweresti
llfeedi
ngthe
catt
lesomehay,youwillfi
ndusin
thekraal
.
Ken:Great,
Ijustwanttori
det
he
horsesforafewminutes.Wewil
ltal
k.

Theboyst henl oadedsomehayon

thebackoft het r
uckunt ili
twasfull
andt hentheydr ovetothecat t
le’
s
kraalwhichwassomef ewmet ers
awayf rom thebar n,Kenopenedt he
gateandsmi ledstari
ngatt hehorses
andt ooktwosaddl esandtacks,he
thenwhi st
ledappr oachinghistwo
favori
teshor se…

AtJack’
sHouse
Lateron…Jackopenedhi s
refr
iger at
orandt ookasi xpackof
coldbeerandsatont hecounter
openingi t,hethent ookal i
ghterand
l
ithisci garet
teandt ookapuff.He
thent ookonebot t
leandopenedi t
andt heni mmedi atelydrankitatone
shot.Hef el
tuneasinessi nhisbody
andt riedtoleanbackont hecount er
andsl ippedoff…hel aterontooka
pict
ur eofLesegoandRi yaandl i
tit
withhi sli
ghter.

AWEEKLATER…
*
*
*
I
nvi
teyourf
ri
endst
oli
ket
hepage.
Pr
essLIKEBELOW.
[
9:07AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#14

AWEEKLATER…

AtDi
ane’
sHouse…
Diane’smothersatdownonthesofa
andchangedt hechannelt
o
BotswanaTelevisi
on,i
twasinthe
eveningandt henewswere
broadcast
edliveonTV,meanwhile
Dianewalkedinandsatnexttoher.

Hermother
:(st
aredather
)isLet
ty
sl
eepi
ngalready?
Diane:
(shookherhead)Herf r
iendi
s
sti
llwi
thher,nnaam gladthatatl
east
hermemor yissti
llt
here…Ithi
nk
thosedoctor
swer ejustt
ryi
ngt o
scareusandmakeuspayt hem
mor emoneyfornothing.
Her :AndIwast hi
nki
ngaboutthat
too, t
hisst
ateofamnesiat
heysaid
Lettyisgoingtosuff
erf
rom wasjust
alie…am goingtosuethem youwil
l
see.
Diane:Letsjustl
eavethem,you
shouldbegr atef
ult
hatatl
eastLet
ty
hasrecoveredeventhoughthereare
minorinjuri
esinherhead.
Her:
(si
ghed)youareright
…ifitwas
notbyDan’sdoctorandhis
assi
stance…Iwouldhavelostmy
daughter
.
Di
ane:mm!andbefor
eIfor
get,
ther
e
i
ssomepaymentthati
ssti
ll
pending…thedoctorwasher eear
li
er
andhesai dDanhasnotpai dhimful
l
amount ,
anditseemslikeheis
expecti
ngustopayhi m now.
Her:Danmustbej oki
ng,howcould
hedot hataf
terItoldhi
mt hatIdon’t
evenhavea5t hebe…(r
eachingfor
herphone)ar eyousure?
Diane:mamaam sure…(
paused)ar
e
yougoingtocal
lhi
m now?
Her
:Am cal
li
nghi
m…

Diane’smotherscroll
edt
hroughthe
contactsandcli
ckedonDan’s
numberandcal l
ed, t
hecal
ldidn’
tgo
throughbecauseshehasinsuf
fi
cient
credit
stocall
,shebor
rowedDiane’s
phoneandcal l
ed.

Dan:Hel
loDi
ane.
Di
ane’
sMot
her
:It
sme,
hermot
her
.
Dan:ohsor
ryi
sever
ythi
ngokay?
Her:Notatall
,soyouexpectusto
paythedoctoraft
erItol
dyouthatI
don’thaveanymoney…Imeanhow
doyouexpectust opayhim.
Dan:LookmmaagweDi ane,
Ihave
tri
edwhereIhavetr
ied,youshould
takeovernow…Iboughtmedicati
ons
andbroughtyoumybestdoct orf
rom
aprivat
ehospit
alandontophe
cameal lt
hewaytohelpyouatyour
house,shoul
dn’
tyoubegratef
ulfor
that
?
Her:Iam butwhydidn’
tyoupayhim
thefullamountf
ortheservi
ceat
oncebecauseasIspeakt oyounow,
Idon’tevenhaveonepula.
Dan: (
tookadeepbr eath)Ihavea
fami l
ytolookafter,
myt wokidshave
typhoidfeverandIhavet olookaf t
er
them atthehospi t
al,nott
oment i
on
thatIhaveawi feandshei snot
wor ki
ng.Shedependonme, Ijust
helpedyoubecauseyouar epar tof
myf ami l
y,i
sthatnotsomet hingyou
shoul
dbegr
atef
ulof
?
Her
:Okayhowam goi
ngt
opayt
he
r
emaini
ng800pul
a?
Dan:thatoneremainsforyoutosort
out,
itseemslikeyouarenot
appreci
ati
ngmyef for
there,Ihave
real
lytr
iedtot
a.
Her
:Okaybye.

Shehungupandcl
ickedhert
ongue.
.

Her:
mxm…( star
ingatDiane)Idon’
t
knowwhyhemar ri
edthatuglygir
l,
sheisnotevenworkingmme
mai
tseoagagweal
emaswe.
Diane:mamayouneedt ostop,Dan
i
sr i
ght,youar
enotgrat
efulfort
he
assist
ancehegaveus.

Meanwhiletheywat
chedt
henewsi
n
t
otalsi
lence…

AtDan’
sHouse.

Danputthephoneont hetabl
eand
satdownashi swi
fewalkedinwit
ha
glassofj
uiceandhandedtohim.
Dan:(
stari
ngather)Tshidi
,Ithink
youshouldreconsi
derre-applying
fort
hatrecept
ioni
stpositi
onagai n
andhopefull
ynoonehasf i
ll
edt he
space.
Tshidi
:(
laughed)Nnarecept
ionist
?
DanIhaveadegr eeinfi
nanceandI
graduat
edwi thhonor
s…Imeanbaby
doIlooklikesomeonewhowi llwork
alowlif
erpositi
on,pl
easerespect
me.
Dan:doyouhaveanysol uti
on?
Everyt
imeyouar epreachingthatyou
wanttowor kasamanageratFNBor
anybankbutt heyhaven’tcal
ledyou
foroneint
ervi
ew, i
sthisnotthesign
thatmaybeyoushoul
dconsider
applyi
ngforot
herj
obs…am not
makingenoughmoneyandt his
houseexpensesi
swaytoohi gh.
Tshi
di:
(si
ghedheavi
ly)l
etsj
usthave
hopethatmaybeonedayIwillgeta
goodjob.
Dan:Tshi diareyouf orrealnow?Do
youknowhowmuchIspentt obuy
thekid’smedi cationatthehospital
?
Andf orthatmat tertheygottyphoid
fevernotanor dinaryfeverthatis
causedbyf l
u,lookTshi diyouhave
tostartreasoningwel l…(cl
earedhis
throat)andIsentsomemoneyt o
Diane’smot herbecauseher
daught
erLett
yissi
ck,
youst
il
l
rememberLett
y?
Tshidi
:(
Pausedf
orasecond)you
sentmoneytoyourr
elat
iveswhil
e
wedon’thavemoneyinthehouse?
Dan:t
heyaremyfamil
ytoo,
andthey
l
ookuptome…isther
eanyprobl
em
i
nhelpi
ngthem?
Tshidi
:Huh!Youarenotr
eall
y
seri
ousnow?Wher edidyougetthe
moneyf r
om andhowmuchdi dyou
send?
Dan:it
sfrom oursavi
ngsaccount
honey…(cal
ml y)l
ookIwi
llr
eplacei
t,
don’
tvexpl ease.
Tshi
di:(
stoodupangr
il
y)themoney
wehavebeensavingsincewegot
marr
ied,andweagreednottotouch
i
tunlesstherei
semergency.
Dan:Isai dIwi
llrepl
aceit,
itsonly
fi
vet housandItook.
.i
tsnotlikeIlef
t
nothingintheaccount…(si
ghed)i f
youcoul dhavesawt hecondi t
ionof
thatgirll
astweek,youweregonna
feelpit
yforhertoo.
Tshidi
:Idon’
tcareabouther
condit
ion,
evenifshediesitdoesn’
t
concernmeDan…hermot hernever
l
ikedmesowhywoul dIcar eabout
herdaughter
s?
Dan:(
shocked)eveni fmyni ecedies
i
tdoesn’tconcernyou? …(shookhis
head)Tshidimyl oveyouwer enot
l
ikethi
sbef or
e,justbecauseof
moneynowyouar estart
ingtotalkto
melikethi
s…(piti
full
y)youar enotthe
womanImar ri
ed.

Tshi
dijustgl
ancedathim andfi
xed
hergownheadingtothebedroom
andslammedt hedoor…

AtDi
ane’
sHouse…

Lat
ert
hatni
ghtDi
ane’
smot
herwas
sleepi
ngont hesof awhileholding
theremot e,theTVwasst il
lonand
thevolumewashi gh,meanwhi le
therewasaknockatt hedoor.She
couldn’theart heknockbecauseof
thenoisef rom theTV, unt
ilt
he
knockerst artedbangingthedoor
that’
swhenDi anecamef rom her
room andl ower edthevolume, she
thenshookhermom andwentt othe
door.

Di
ane:
whoar
eyou?
Jack:
(sof
tl
y)I
tsme,
Jack.
Di
ane:
(paused)andwhatar
eyouar
e
l
ooki
ngf
or?

Hermot
heradded.

Her
:(
lowvoi
ce)don’
topenmaybei
t’
s
r
obbers,
magoduaGaboronemma.

Jack:
(overheardt
hem)Am notat
hief
,
am Lett
y’sfri
endandIneedt
otal
kto
her.
Di
ane:doyouevenknowwhatt
ime
i
sit
?
Jack:
No,
tel
lme.
Di
ane:i
tspastt
enandLet
tyi
s
sl
eepi
ng.
Jack:Pl
ease,am notgoingt
otake
l
ong…thereisanimportanti
ssueI
wanttodiscusswithher.
Diane:Ithinkyoucameatt hewr
ong
ti
meabut i
,andthecondi
ti
onsheisi
n
Idon’tthinkshehasti
mef or
discussions,sogohomeandcome
tomorrow.
Jack:
comeon…

Di
anewalkedovert
ohermot
herand
st
aredather
…
Di
ane:It
oldyougor
eLet t
ykemotho
wadit
sal
a,koor
eeveryoneint
his
ar
eaknowsher
.
Her :eventheguysoundli
kehei s
drunk, whom onthei
rnormalstat
e
willvisi
tsomeoneatthi
st i
me…Let t
y
totaor atagosel
asela,am sur
eshe
willevendateamadman.
Di
ane:yourdaught
erorat
amadi
mama,andIhopethiswasawar
ning
t
oher.
Her:opadil
ethi
sgir
l…(
leanedonthe
couch)youcangoandsleepnow,
don’tf
orgett
oswit
chofftheli
ght
sin
thekit
chenandbat
hroom.
Diane:youcangoandsl
eeponmy
bed,Iwillsl
eepher
eont
hecouch.
Her
:butIwassl
eepi
ngj
ustf
ine…
Diane:No,Iknowyouarealways
complaini
ngaboutbackpains,so
youcantsleepuncomfor
tablyher
e.

AtKen’
sHouse

Thefoll
owingMondaymor ni
ng,Ken
prepar
edbreakf
astandbroughtthe
plat
eandjuicetoLesego’
sroom,he
knockedatthedoorandwaitedunt
il
Lesegocameoverandopenedt he
door.
Ken:(
smil
ed)Goodmor
ning,
foryou
herexcel
lency.

Lesegosmil
edstar
ingatt
hedi
sh
andtookthet
ray…

Lesego:(
smi l
ed)howdidyouknowI
l
ikeRussianswithtoast
edbread
crumbs?.
..andtheysmellni
ce.
Ken:Am achefr emember …(cheeky
smile)Iknowyoudoubt edmy
cookingskil
ls,
buther ei
sMRKEN’ S
RECIPE…(withamovi etrai
lertone)
broughttoyoubyMRKEN
himself…i
stheor dercor
rectMr s
Kgm kgm.
Lesego:(
laughed)youaresofunny,
i
t’sthecorrector
derthough…butyou
forgott
heeggs?Am goi ngtorepor
t
toyoutoyourmanagerf ormessi
ng
upmyor der.
Ken:
(l
aughed)okatswaole
bogal
enyana,i
tssomet
hingyouhave
donebefor
eIguess.
Lesego:
owaii…(
satdownont hebed
andstaredathi
m)doyouhaveany
i
ntenti
onofmar r
yinganyone?
Ken:(paused)t
hat
’sagoodquest
ion
thatnoonehaseveraskedmeina
l
ongt ime.
Lesego:r
eally?
...Imeanyousai
dyou
wanttoenjoyyourl i
feal
onewit
hout
toomanyr esponsibi
li
ti
es.
Ken:(nodded)youhaveagood
memor y…(
sighedheavil
y)thethingis
thatwhenImar r
y,Iwantittobef or
l
ovenotmat eri
ali
sti
clovethat
disappearswithmoneyand
pleasuresofli
fe…soIhaven’treall
y
thoughtaboutmar ri
age.
Lesego:OkayIunderstand,butwher
e
areyougoi ngtofi
ndthatwoman
whowi l
lmar ryyouforonlyloveand
notwhatyouhavei ntermsof
possessionsandthegoodhomeyou
buil
dforyourself
.
Ken:(smi l
ed)Sheissomewher e,
and
atther ightt
imeIwil
lmeet
her…(checkedhisclock)Ifor
gotthat
am goi ngtoworkinlessthanthir
ty
minut es,Ihopeyouwillenj
oy
breakfast.

Kenwal kedoutandLesegost aredat

him asherfacefrowni n
disappoint
ment.Shet houghtt
o
hersel
fthatmaybeshehasgonet oo
farbyaskingthatkindofquesti
on.
*
*
*
I
FYOUNEW HERE,
LIKETHE
PAGE,
COMMENTANDSHARE.
[
9:07AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#15
Meanwhile…Lesegosi
ghedasshe
tookherphoneanddialedher
granny’
s,shelaiddownonbed
taki
ngasipfrom herj
uice.

Grandma:
(pi
ckedup)hel
loLesego,
howareyou?
Lesego:am doi
nggoodandyou?
Grandma:(
sighed)Am f
ine,
except
thi
spainf
ullegsthatar
enowswol l
en,
Ihavebeeninthehousefordaysand
Icantdoanyhouseholdchores.
Lesego:whydidn’
tyoutellmethat
yourlegsareswoll
en,Icouldhave
camehomet oseeifIcanhelpyou
around…elegoreBongieokae?
Grandma:shedoesn’tst
ayhomet his
days,ever
ymorningherfr
iends
comeher etopi
ckherandt heycome
l
ateintheeveni
ng,kethol
akel enosi
.
Lesego:Wait
seBongi
ewaboa
si
mol ot
se,
legal
eIwil
ltal
kto
her.
..
haveyougonetothecl
ini
c,
maybetheycanhel
pbygi
vingyou
medicat
ion.
Grandma:Iwantt ogobutt he
problem isthatt
hereisnooneto
escortme, Icantwalkakil
ometert
o
theclinical
one…Ital
kedtoyour
sist
ert ohelpmeoutbutshet el
lsme
thatshei sbusy.
Lesego:Idontbeli
evet
his,
elegor
e
whatisitthatBongi
eisdoi
ngthat
keepshersobusy.
Grandma:Yoursisterodingal
o,o
ntseasiame,butthingshave
changednow.
Lesego:It
hinkmaybeshei
sseei
ng
someone,l
egal
eIwil
ltal
ktoher
…and
Iwil
lseehowIcanhel
pyou.
Gr
andma:Tankingwanaka,byt
he
wayhowisRiya…i
sshefine?
Lesego:shei
sfi
neandgr
owi
ngup
fast
.
Grandma:andhi
sfat
her
?Areyou
st
illget
ti
ngal
ongwit
hhim?
Lesego:
(l
owvoi
ce)no.
Grandma:Whathappened?It
hought
yousaidt
hingsar
egoingwellwi
th
him.
Lesego:Thingshavechangedagain,
Jackisunpr edi
ctabl
egranny…It
ri
ed
tobepatientwithhim butst
il
lhe
doesn’
ttr
eatmewell
,Icoul
dno
l
ongerbearthei
nsul
tsandbeat
ings.
Grandma:
(surpr
ised)heusedtobeat
you?.
..
whydidn’
tyout el
lmethat
.
Lesego:Idi
dn’
twantyout
owor
ry
aboutme.
Grandma:LesegoIknowyouar eol
d
enought omakedeci sions,
butat
l
eastt el
lmewhatyouar egoing
thr
oughbecauseIcar eaboutyou
andt hebaby,butifyoukeep
withholdingsomei nf
ormationand
nottelli
ngmeyourpr oblems, youwil
l
endupbei ngdepr
essed.
Lesego:Iknowgr
anny,
Imeanyou
haveyourownpr
oblemst oosoI
don’
twanttobeanotherburdent
o
you.
Grandma:butdon’ tdot hatagain
please,am hereforyou…t her eason
whyIgett hishighbl oodisbecause
am alwayswor riedaboutyousi nceI
don’tknowwhatyouar egoi ng
through,t
hemor eyouwi t
hhol d
thingsthemor eIgetwor ri
ed
becauseofover thi
nki ng.
Lesego:(
sadly)Am sorry,
butpl
ease
don’tgetsi
ckbecauseofme, Isti
ll
wantyoui nmyl i
fe…youaremyonly
hopeandIwantRi yatogrowupto
seeyou.
Grandma: (
smiled)Am alreadyoldbut
hopefulGodwi llpr
eservemeunt i
l
l
it
tleRiyagrowsup, prayerwi l
lget
met hroughthisbutaboveal lam
prayi
ngf oryoursafet
yever yt
ime.
Lesego:
(smi
led)Thankyou.
..

Kenopenedthedoorwhi
leshewas
st
il
lonthephone…

Lesego:
(hur
ri
edl
y)Iwi
llcal
lyoul
ater
grannybye.

Shehungup.
Ken:(
soft
ly)Am sor
ry…Ijustwant
ed
totel
lyouthatam l
eavingforwork,
wil
lyoubeokay?
Lesego:Okayhaveanice
day…(paused)butsomeone
promisedtovisi
tmehere,wi
lli
tbe
okay?
Ken:I
tssti
llf
ine.
.(
joki
ngl
y)unl
essi
t’
s
afemale.
Lesego:
(l
aughed)r
eal
ly?
Ken:(
giggled)am j
oking.
..
youcan
stayhereasl ongasyouwant …(
sat
onthebed)andIwast hi
nkingof
something,youtoldmethatyou
neverhadti
metofini
shschool
becauseoft
hepregnancyri
ght
?
Lesego:
(nodded)yes.
Ken:woul
dyouliket
ofini
shschool,
I
meanIcanenrol
lyouforacourseor
youwantajob?
Lesego:(
pausedforsomeseconds)I
real
lydon’tknowmuch…( st
aredat
him)butIthinkschooli
scostly?Do
youthinkyoucanmanage?
Ken:Iwill
,Ij
ustwantt
ohelp
you..
.maybeGodbroughtyouher
e
forareasonwhoknows.
Lesego:buttherei
salwaysapri
ce
forever
ythi
ng,itwi
llnotbef
airf
or
youtohel
pmeandIdon’
tpayyou
back.
Ken:Iknowwhatyouarethi
nki
ng,
butyouarewrong…isi
twrongf
ora
persontoassi
stoneanot
herwi
thout
expecti
nganyt
hing?
Lesego:
(conf
used)No…but
—
Ken:(cl
earedhisthr
oat)youwil
l
decidewhatyouwantandyouwi l
l
tel
lmel at
er,oreventomorrow.
.t
ake
yourtime…bythewayhowi s
breakfast
?
Lesego:
(smi
led)Gr
eat
,andt
hankyou.
Ken:
(st
oodup)Iwil
lgetgoi
ng,Ilef
t
moneyonthetabl
eintheli
ving
room…youwil
lseewhatyoucan
buy…andagai
nthankyouformaki
ng
myhouseagreathome.
Lesego:(
smiled)i
tsnot
hing,
Imean
am justhel
pingsi
nceyouhelpedme
more.
Ken:
Okay,
Iwi
llgetgoi
ng…bye.
Lesego:
(waved)haveagr
eatday.
Ken:yout
oo.

Kenwal kedoutandheadedt othe

bedroom, t
ookhiscarkeysandf il
es
thenlef
t…meanwhileLesegopicked
Riyaandwentwi t
hhertot heli
ving
andputheront hecouchthenst ared
atthecoupl esofnot esonthet able,
shecount edt hem andt hey
amount edupt oathousandpul a.
Shesatdownover whelmed, she
onlytookt hreehundr edpulafrom it
andputt her emainingonei nthe
basketwher eKenputhi schange
everyti
meaf terbuyingsomethi ng.
Sheimmedi atelydi
aledBongie’ s
numberheadi ngbackt oherroom.

Bongi
e:(
pickedup)i
tsear
ly,
whati
sit
youwant?
Lesego:Hel
lo.
Bongi
e:Hi
,am goi
ngoutsowhati
sit
t
hatyouwant
?
Lesego:(
sighed)whyar
eyoudoi
ng
thi
stogrannynemma?
Bongi
e:whatdi
dIdo?
Lesego:Ical
ledherandshetoldme
thatshehasbeensickinthehouse
butyouneverhadtimeforher.
Bongi
e:Soshet
oldyout
hat
?
Lesego:Iaskedherofcourse,
kante
whyar eyoudoingthi
sgonene
mma…youknowshei stheonly
personwehavei nthi
sli
feandshe
rai
sedus, butyoucanteventakeher
tothecli
nicwhensheissick.
Bongi
e:(
laughed)r
eal
ly?Youexpect
metotakecareofherwhywenao
sat
legobathokomela,whati
sitt
hat
youaredoi
ngingabsseset ona.
Lesego:Look,am beggingyout ohelp
herforonlytoday…pleaseIwilleven
sendyousomemoneyi fyouwant.
Bongi
e:i
fyousaysot
hen…ewal
let
themoneynow.
Lesego:I
tsf
orgr
anny,Iwantyout
o
takehert
othecl
ini
c.
Bongi
e:j
ustsendt
hemoney…Iwi
ll
seewhatt
odo.
Lesego:okaybye.
Bongi
e:shar
p..
Justaft
ershehungupshedeci ded
tocheckbalanceinheror
ange
moneyaccount ,
shethensentthe
remaini
ngmoneyt oBongie.Af
ter
confi
rmingthatt
hemoneyhasbeen
sentshethencall
edher.

Bongi
e:Igoti
t.
.t
hanks
Lesego:it
sthr
eehundr
edandf
if
ty
thatIsent
.
Bongi
e:Iknow,
shapoaker
e.
Lesego:Bye.
.
Shehungupandgl
ancedatRi
ya.
*
*
*
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GOODNI GHT,MUCHLOVE.[
9:07AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:BROKEN
TEENAGEMOTHER
#16

AtKen’
sHouse

Latert
hatdayt her
ewasaknockat
thedoor,Lesegoputonhersl
ipper
s
andwentt othedoorandopenedit
,it
wasSally.

Lesego:(
smil
ed)Ithoughtyouwer
e
goingtogetl
ost.
Sal
ly:
(l
ookedaround)Iwasn’
t…Itook
acabhere,Ij
usttol
dthedri
vert
he
addressandhei
mmedi
atel
ydr
ove
here.
Lesego:
(smi
led)comei
n.

Sal
lywalkedinandwenttositona
l
argecouch,Lesegocl
osedthedoor
andwenttositnextt
oher.

Lesego:Ili
keyourhai
rst
yle,o
tshwanelwakebleachgoremmat
a.
Sall
y:Iwasti
redofhavingt
ochange
weaveseveryweek,soIdecidedto
cutshorthai
randdyeitwit
hbleach.
Lesego:butyoul
ookgr
eat
…It
hink
bleachsuitspeoplewit
hlight
compl exi
onlikeyou…am goingt
otr
y
i
tt hough.
Sally:Tryit…(f
rowned)am sojeal
ous
ri
ghtnow, IwishIwast heone
stayingher e…Ihaveneverent
ereda
housel ikethisbefor
ekana,andam
reallyscaredr i
ghtnow,gagojewe
bathoaker egol oha?
Lesego:(
laughed)Icoul
dhavebeen
thefi
rstvict
im…sohowi sthi
ngs
betweenyouandThat o,youseemed
l
ikeyoul i
kedtheguyakere.
Sal
ly:notatall
…(si
ghed)sotel
lme
something,howlongareyougoing
t
ost
ayher
e?
Lesego: (pausedforsomeseconds)I
reall
ydon’ tknowl enna,Iwas
planni ngtoleavesoonbut
girl
..(
pausedasshesmi led)Ithink
am mor ethanwel comedher e,you
seet hisGodr eal
lyisami racle
wor kingGod.
Sall
y:senthee!.
..
(cl
apped)l
ikeyou
arecomfortabl
ehere..
(si
ghed)welli
f
that
’sthecaseyoushoul di
ntroduce
met oMrKen, kerayaasafriend
l
egale.
Lesego:Thatwontwor
kgi
rl
.
Sal
ly:
(l
aughed)r
eal
ly?Osel
fi
shhl
e
mmaah…( cl
ear
edhert
hroat
)doeshe
nor
mallygoout
,cl
ubbi
ngorbars
wit
hfr
iends.
Lesego:Ihaveneverhear
dhim areo
atswa,legal
eIdon’tknowakereI
haven’
tbeenhereforawhile,
maybe
hedoes.
Sall
y:Idon’ttrustguyswhodon’tdo
guysnightout ,Imeantheyare
bori
ng…justimagi nebeingina
rel
ati
onshipwi thsomeonewhoi s
alwaysavailableanddoesn’tgi
ve
youchancet obr eat
h,that
’snot
healt
hy.
Lesego:Sal
lynotever
ymanwantt
o
hangouteveryweekendandpoppi ng
bott
lesl
ateatnight,andIdon’
tmind
bei
ngwi t
hsomeonewhodoesn’ tgo
outtoatt
endciderparti
esandnight
cl
ubs,Iknowyoul i
kegoingoutSally
butnotever
yonelikestodothat.
Sally:Iwasjustsaying…(soft
lyas
shel aidback)butyoushoul d
consi dergoi
ngouttooj ustonce,
I
knowyousai dthatyouar edone
hangi ngoutandgoingt oparti
es,but
justonceyoushoul ddoi t.
Lesego:Am nol ongerinterest
ed,
I
haveruinedmyl ifeandi t
senough…I
gotpregnant,Idisappointedmy
grandma, andIgambl edwi thmy
futur
ejustbygoingoutandt ryi
ngto
fi
tinwithotherpeople…Sall
yI
thoughtIcl
arif
iedthatsometimeago,
Iwontstopyouf rom doingwhatyou
wantandagai nIwontj udgeyou.
Sall
y:(
Sighed)Ihear
dyou…(
checked
herphone)sonodr i
nkor
snack’
nyananemma?
Lesego:
(l
aughed)Iknewit
…anywayI
wil
lmakesomesnacksf oryou.
Sal
ly:nnakanakeai
tse.
Lesego:
Lookaf
terRi
yaorl
etsgoal
l
toget
hertot
hekit
chen.
Sal
ly:i
jo,
whatift
hereareCCTV
cameras,howwil
lIexpl
aint
oMR
Kengorennekebat langi
nhi s
ki
tchen,
Iwi
lljustremainwi
thmy
l
it
tlecut
ief
riend..
(pi
ckedRiya)you
wil
lfi
ndusher e.

JustasLesegostoodup,Herphone
beepedamessage. .
sheopenedit
andshowedSally.

Lesego:kanait
’sthesevent
h
messageIgott odayf
rom Jack,he
thi
nksam stupidenoughtofallf
or
histr
icks,
everytimeheissorr
y.
Sal
ly:doesheknowwher eyouare?
Maybehei sworr
iedaboutthebaby.
Lesego:Idon’
tcarewhet
herheis
worri
edornot,i
fyoucoul
dhaveseen
howheshout edatmeandcall
ingme
names..i
ja.
Sall
y:butatl
eastrepl
yhim andtell
himthatthebabyi sf
ine…Idon’
tthink
that
’stoomuchi fyoudon’twantto
tel
lhim wher
eyouar e.
Lesego:
No,Iwontevent
ry…l
et
curi
osit
yki
llhi
m.

Sheputherphoneonthetabl
eand
swit
chedont heTvassheheadedt
o
theki
tchen.
Sal
ly:
Ohbytheway,
wherei
sthe
bat
hroom,
Ineedtouset
hetoi
let
pl
ease.
Lesego:Thefirstdoori
nthehal
lway
l
eadst othebat hr
oom,butpl
ease
don’tgetlost
.
Sall
y:Iwont,am notgoingtot
ake
l
ong…Iwi l
lleavethebabyfora
minute.

Sallytookherphoneandheadedto
thebat hroom,sheopenedt
hedoor
andclosedasshesatdownont he
toi
letsitanddialedanumberonthe
screen, asthephonewasri
ngingshe
i
mmedi at
elyopenedthemessages
andmemor izedtheaddr
esssentby
Lesegoearl
ier.

Jack:
(pickedup)hell
o,am gl
adyou
cal
ledebile,
whenwast hel
astt
ime
youtalkedtoLesego?
Sall
y:(
lowvoi
ce)j
ustnow,
that
’swhy
Ical
ledyou.
Jack:yes,
andwher
eIsshe…i
sRi
ya
safe?
Sal
ly:shei
ssaf
e,i
nfactLesegoi
s
st
ayingsomewher
ewi t
hsomeguy.
Jack:what
?
Sal
ly:Look,am nott
ryi
ngt
ocause
anytroubl
e.
Jack:canyout el
lmeexact
lywher
e
shestaysplease.

Sallypausedassheheardsomefoot
stepsoutside,
sheimmediat
ely
coveredthemi coft
hephoneand
l
istened.

Lesego:Sal
ly,
wouldyoul
ike
chocolat
ebiscui
tswit
hmilkorj
ust
j
uice?
Sal
ly:(
wit
hal
owvoi
ce)any…
Lesego:
Areyousur
e?
Sall
y:yes…am comi
ngouti
na
second.

Lesegothenlef
tasshewentt opick
Riyaandheadedtothekit
chen
playi
ngwithher…Sal
lyuncoveredthe
mi candputt
hephoneont heear.

Sal
ly:am sor
ry,
whatdi
dyousay?
Jack:whatwast
hat
?It
hinkIhear
d
hervoi
ce.
Sall
y:(
hurri
edly)l
ook,Iwi
llsendyou
theaddressrealqui
ck…bye.
Shehungupandt ookadeepbr eath,
shewai t
edforsomesecondsst il
l
debati
ngwithhert houghtswhether
tosendornot,andshet henmadeup
hermindandt ypedt headdresson
themessageboxandsent .She
openedthetapatt hesinkand
washedherhands, shethenlett
he
waterrunni
ngf oraf ewseconds
befor
eshecoul dclosethet apand
walkedout…

LesegosatdownholdingRi
yawhi
le
Sall
ywalkedinf
rom the
bathr
oom…sheputherphoneont he
tabl
eandpickedabi
scui
tfrom t
he
plat
eandsatdown.

Lesego:(shookherhead)youdon’
t
tr
ustme, youwentwit
hyourphone
tothebat hroom…(
laughed)Iwont
steali
tthough.
Sall
y:(
laughed)don’
ttr
ustanyone
thi
sdaysmma…youwat cht
he
oprah’
s?
Lesego:
Ido,
butIenj
oyAmer
icanTV
seri
es.
Sall
y:(
checkedthecl
ock)am gonna
havetoleaveyousoyoucanwat ch
i
npeace,Ihavetor
untomyaunt’
s
sal
oon,
Ipromisedtocomeandhel
p
her
.
Lesego:Youdon’
tevenhavet en
mi nut
esandyouwanttoleave?Just
stayforl
iket
went
ymi nut
esatl east
please.
Sal
ly:(
staredather)friendIwish,but
myauntwi l
lki
llmei fIdon’tcome
now…Ir eall
ypromisedhert hatIwill
hel
pherwhi l
eshei sonl unch,but
don’tworryIwillcomenextt imeto
meetthemanoft hehouse.
Lesego:i
tsf
ine,
Iwi
llt
akeyouout
.
AtGr
anny’
sHouse…

Laterthataft
ernoonBongiecame
backhomewi thsomeofherf r
iends,
theysatattheverandachatti
ngand
l
aughing…meanwhi lehergrandma
call
edheri naft
erhear
ingthem
chatti
ngandl aughi
ngloudlyoutside.

Bongi e:
guysIwil
lseeyoutomor r
ow,
wer eall
yhadagr eatti
me
together…(
star
edatt heot
herf
riend)
wenaRebat omorrowisyourt
urn,I
cantbet heonespendingmoney
l
onal enwahel a,
nnyabomma.
Reba:NnyaIwi l
ltr
ytohustl
ekamoso,
butIdidn’tknowLesegoissucha
goodgi r
l,shegaveyoumoneyjust
l
ikethat.youareveryl
uckywaitse.
Bongi
e:bona,
wewilltal
ktomorr
ow,
ol
dladywampi t
sa.
.goshapo.

Rebaandot herf r
iendswalkedout
headi ngtothesmal lgat
e
chat t
eri
ng…Bongi etookherpl
asti
c
andwal kedinsidethehouse,she
glancedathergr annywhowas
si
ttingonasof a.

Bongi
e:(
sighed)l
enel
ereng?
Gr
andma:soar
eyounoteven
gr
eet
ingme?
Bongi
e:Dumel
ang.
Grandma:(Star
ingather)si
nce
morningti
llnow,wherehaveyou
beenallday?
Bongi
e:Iwashangi
ngoutwi
th
f
ri
ends,t
hat’
sit
.
Grandma:Dri
nki
ngalcohol?Because
Icansmellal
coholf
rom you,ele
gorewhyareyoudoingthist
o
yoursel
f?
Bongi
e:Am agrownupnkuku,
Ican
dowhateverIwant
.
Gr
andma:(
tookadeepbr
eat
h)okayI
hearyou, asyoucanseeIhavebeen
eati
ngt hesoftporri
dget hatyoulef
t
i
nt hemor ni
ng,Ihaven’teaten
anythingagain…Ithoughtmaybeyou
woul dgot oMmaOr ati
le’
stuckshop
andt rytoborrowsomemoneyf or
me, IwillpayherwhenIgett he
money.
Bongie:Icantgot her
e,gapei
twil
lbe
thefourthti
mekeyat engthi
s
week…( shookherhead)nnankase
kgone, whydon’tyouaskmoney
from Lesego.
Grandma:Soam tryi
ngt
osendyou
andyouareref
usingBongie,
and
Lesegot
oldmet hi
smorningthatshe
doesnothaveanymoney, youare
theelderoneandyoushoul dbe
doingsomet hi
ngmeaningfulabout
yourlif
e,butyetyouar
estill
compar i
ngyour sel
fwi
thLesego.
Bongi
e:(
stoodup)ift
hat
’sthecase
andwhyyoucalledme,thenam
goi
ngout…Iwil
lcomebackl at
er.

Shewal
kedoutasherGr
andmat
ri
ed
tost
opher
…

Gr
andma:Bongi
e…am t
alki
ngt
oyou.
Shel
eftandcl
osedt
hedoor
.

AtKen’
sHouse

Latert
hateveningKencalledLesego
tothedini
ngtablewhil
ehear ranged
somepl at
es,Lesegowalkedinand
satdownst ar
ingathi
m.

Lesego:
(smi
led)agai
n?
Ken:(
smiledback)Ienj
oycooking,
sodon’tworr
y…Imightbetir
edbutif
i
tssomethingIenj
oyIdon’tmind.
Lesego:Youar
ereal
lyt
her
arebr
eed
t
rustme.
Ken:
(l
aughed)owai
i,
mmekanaba
bant
sigor
eboKenmol ef
atsheng.

Meanwhiletheyhadar evvi
ngengine
out
sideatthegate,Lesegostoodup
andlookedthroughthewindow.

Lesego:(
star
edathi
m)ar
eyou
expect
ingsomeone?
Ken:
(shookhi
shead)No.
.
Lesego:Therei
sacaroutsi
de…you
didn’
tlockthegat
eandthedri
ver
drovein.
Ken:
(put
ti
ngonhi
sjacket
)st
ayhere,
l
etmegoseewhothepersonis.
Lesego:
okay.
.

Kenwentt ounl ockthedoorand

walkedout ,hest oodatt hedoorunti
l
thedriverwal kedoutandl eanedby
thecardoor .Kenwal kedclosel
yto
him,Lesegowascur ioussoshe
decidedtogoandst andatt hedoor
totakeal ookaswel l
, j
ustasshe
steppedout ,shenot i
cedt hecar…her
heartskippedf orasecond…
*
*
*
[
9:07AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#17

Kenst aredatLesegoasshewas
standingatt hedoorst ep,She
i
mmedi atelywentinsidet hehouse
andcl osedt hedoor,tearsstar
ted
streamingdownhercheeks…she
l
eanedbyt hedoorandpul l
edher
gowncol l
arandwi pedof fthetears.
Out si
deKenappr oachedJackand
stoodi nfrontofhimfaci nghim head
on…

Ken:
(cal
mly)Si
r,youl
ooki
ngf
or
somethi
ng?
Jack:
(nodded)That’
swhyam her
e,
am heretocol
lecther
.
Ken:(
pausedf
oramoment
)soyou
areJackri
ght
?
Jack:
(nodded)shealr
eadyt
oldyou
aboutme?...
(cl
appi
nghands)
wonderful
.
Ken:Andther
eisnothi
nggoodabout
youJerk…(
paused)ImeanJack,
sorr
y.
Jack:
(si
ghed)youseem li
ke
someonelookingfort
roubl
e…but
befor
eoneofusl osesteet
h,tel
l
Lesegotobringmydaughter,
am
heretocol
lecther
,youcankeep
LesegoIdon’twanther.
Ken:
Didyouguysagreeaboutthi
s?I
meandoessheknowt hatyouare
comi
ngtotakethebaby?
Jack:sheknows,It
oldherear
li
eron
thatam coming.
Ken:(pausedforasecond)whyisshe
afr
aidofyout hen…youthi
nkIdon’t
knowt hatyoutreat
edherbadly,you
arethesameguywhoki ckedout
withthebabyandshehadt otrek
al
ongt hest reetsatnightcarr
ying
herbaby…( spi tontheground)you
disgustme, li
keser i
ouslyIf
ailto
understandwhyyouwi lldo
somet hi
ngi nhumanet osomeone
whohasf eelingsjustli
keyou.
Jack:Toughguy,youcanpr eachal
l
daylongbutIdon’tcareaboutwhat
youar esayi
ng…youaren’tt
heone
whof uckedherandgaveherababy,
areyou?
Ken:
Youareright
…(str
aightf
ace)I
don’
tthi
nkyouqualif
ytobeaf ather
,
nowgetinyouruglycarandleave
bef
oreIcal
lthepoli
ce.
Jack:(
laughed)Youdon’ tknowwho
youaredeal i
ngwi t
hright?.
..
youar
e
tel
li
ngmet oleavewithoutmy
daughter,t
hatwi l
lnothappen.

Kenremovedhisphonef
rom t
he
pocketanddi
aledanumberandput
thephoneontheear.

Jack:
(openedhiscardoor
)am not
donewithyou,Iwil
lbeback.
Ken:
(hungup)Don’tevercomeher
e
agai
n, unl
essyouarel
ookingf
or
tr
ouble.
Jack:
(st
art
edt
hecar
)todayi
syour
l
uckyday…(si
ghed)whenIcome
backagai
nIdon’tthi
nkthereis
anyt
hingt
hatisgoingtostop
me…consi
deryoursel
flucky.

Jackputthecaronthereversegear
anddroveoutoftheyard,Kenclosed
thegateandwentbackt othehouse,
hefoundLesegosobbingont he
couchinthel
ivi
ngroom.

Ken:(
star
ingather)whywouldyou
dothat?didn’
tyoulear
nalessoni
n
thepast.
Lesego:Am sor
ry,
Idon’
tknowhow
hef
oundt
hatam st
ayi
ngher
e.
Ken:(withaloudvoice)Comeon
Lesego, aker
eyoui nvi
tedhi
m
here…soi nthemor ni
ngwhenyou
sai
dt hatyouar eexpecti
ngsomeone
oneor ayathatguywhohur tyou.
Lesego:No,
pleasebeli
eveme…am
nottheonewhocalledhim her
e.
Ken:(shaki
nghishead)Idi dn’
tknow
youar eli
kethi
s,youstil
lwantyour
preciousdaughtertogoandst ay
withthatanimal
?Whati fhemol ests
her,orevenabandonher …don’tever
dot hatagai
n,am real
lydisappoint
ed
inyou.
Lesego:
(sobbi
ng)Pl
easebeli
eveme,
am nott
heonewhoi nvi
tedhim her
e.
Ken:howdi
dhef
indt
hispl
ace?
Lesego:Isai
dIdon’tknow,
how
shouldIexpl
ainnow?
Ken:
(t
ookadeepbreat
h)I
tsf
ine,
am
goi
ngtotakeashower
.

Kenwentst r
aighttotheshower ,
Lesegosatdownt here
confused…shewassohear t
broken,
shetri
edtofigureouthowJack
foundoutaboutherwher eabouts,
suddenlyshetookherphoneand
dial
edSally’
snumber .
Sall
y:(
smi
led)f
ri
end,
howi
syour
eveni
ng?
Lesego:
(l
owvoi
ce)bad…(si
ghed)
Sall
y,di
dJackevercal
lyoutoday?
Sall
y:(
thought
ful
ly)No,
what
sthe
probl
em?
Lesego:kanayouaret heonlyper
son
whoknowswher eIst ay,Idon’
tknow
howJackf oundouttoo,Imeani t
s
real
lyconfusi
ng.
Sally:(
fi
rm voi
ce)whatsyourpoint
Lesego, ar
eyout r
yingtotel
lmegor e
am t heonewhot ol
dJackwher eyou
stay?
Lesego:
(sof
tl
y)No,
Idi
dn’
tmean—
Sall
y:osekawar eNo,that’
swhat
youaresayi
ngrightnow, el
egore
whywouldyoucal lmeandaskmei f
Ital
kedtoJack?Isn’
tthatobvi
ous?
Lesego:Lookam sor
ry,Idi
dn’tmean
toupsetyou…Iwasjustaski
ng,am
real
lysorr
y.
Sal
ly:Youshoul
dbe.
Lesego:Okay,
bye.
Sal
ly:Shapo.

Lesegohungupandheadedt
othe
bedroom,shecover
edRi
yawi
thher
blanketasshewassleepi
ng,
she
thenlaiddownnextt
oherdaught
er
cryi
ng.

AtDi
ane’
sHouse

Dianesatal oneinherr oom and

openedherl aptop,shet henresumed
typingherCVandt henf ewmi nut
es
l
at ersheclosedt hedocumentand
movedi ttoanewf older,shethen
openedt heinternetbrowseronher
phoneandsear ched“ JOB
VACANCI ESI NBOTSWANA”andshe
cli
ckedsear chongoogl e,she
scroll
eddownl ookingattheresul
ts
andvacanci esavai
lablebutshe
didn’tmeetanyrequirementsforany
j
ob, sheclosedherlaptopin
dist
ress.
Meanwhi lehermot her
openedthedoorandwal kedin.

Di
ane:(
staredather)It
houghtyou
ar
esleeping,howisLett
y,di
dsheeat
?
Her:
(satonthebed)Sheatea
l
it
tl
e…(lookedatpi
lesofdocument
s
onthebed)appli
cati
onlet
ters?
Diane:(
Nodded)ButIt
hinkofgi
ving
up,am j
ustwasti
ngmyt i
meand
moneypr i
nti
ngthi
sCV’s.Iwil
lhave
t
oret
urnt
omyf
ir
stj
ob.
Her
:Youarejustst
ressi
ngyour
sel
f,
j
ustbepat
ient.
Di
ane:real
ly?HowcanIbepatient
whi
lewegetcallsal
mosteveryday
f
rom t
hatdoctorarehewantshis
money.
Her:sothat’
swhyyouar
eso
st
ressedlikethi
s?
Diane:shoul
dIbehappy?Icantjust
rel
ax,debtsdon’tpayt
hemselves
unti
lsomeonet akeoutsomemoney
andpay…( si
ghedheavil
y)Isohat
e
Lett
yrightnow,gankaboesekaene
nkabogosenamat hat
aakanakana
…ahh!
Her
:Am hel
pingt
oo,
am t
ryi
ngto
bor
rowmoneyasmuchasIcan.
Diane;Wecantl i
vebybor r
owing,at
theendwewi llbeinmor edebts
again…(
t houghtful
ly)am t
hinki
ngof
sell
ingthatTVr ightnow,Imean
atl
eastwewi l
lbeabl et
opayt heman.
Her:don’
tthi
nkaboutt
hat
,youcant
sel
lhouseproper
ti
es…Imeanit
snot
agoodhabi t
.
Di
ane:anysol
uti
on?

Hermotherkeptqui
et…Shethenput
herl
apt
opont hedressi
ngtableand
wal
kedoutheadi
ngt
oLet
ty’
sroom.

Di
ane:
(satnextt
oher
)Let
ty!
Let
ty:
(t
urnedtoher
)Whati
sitt
hat
youweretal
kingwi
thmom?
Diane:(
paused)don’twor
ry,
its
nothingimport
ant…howareyou
feel
ing?
Lett
y:Am muchbetter
…(sadl
y)am
sorr
yforputt
ingyouinsomuch
mess,bel
ievemeDianeIhavelear
nt
alesson.
Diane:(
staringather)youareonl
y
sayingthisbecauseyouhaven’tful
ly
recovered,Iwil
lonlybeli
eveyouaft
er
seei
ngyouhealed…(clear
edher
thr
oat)Whythi
sJackguykeep
comingher
emor eoften,i
shethe
oneyouweredating?
Let
ty:
(keptquietf
orseconds)i
ts
someot herguy.
Di
ane:Whatki
ndofper
soni
she?
Lett
y:(
fakedacough)am get
ti
ngcol
d,
canyoupl easecl
oset
hedooron
yourwayout ?

Di
anekeptst
ari
ngather
…

Let
ty:Isai
dam get
ti
ngcol
d.
AtKen’
sHouse

Laterthatni
ghtLesegogotoffbed
andheadedoutt oKen’sroom,she
knockedatthedoorconti
nuously
untilKenall
owedherin.

Lesego:
(walkedin)
Am sorryt
o
i
nterr
upt,wereyousleepi
ng?
Ken:No.
Lesego:
(innocent
ly)am sor
ryf
or
l
yingearli
eron,am theonewho
i
nvitedJackhere.
Ken:wasthathardt
osay?You
shoul
dn’
thaveliedi
nthefi
rstpl
ace.
Lesego:Iwasscaredthat
’swhyI
wasafraidtobehonestwit
hyou…am
real
lysorr
y.
Ken:I t
sfi
ne,am notmadatyou…but
Ithinkyoushouldstayawayfr
om
peopl ewhoarehurti
ngyou,i
fyou
keept hem cl
osetoyou,t
heywill
cont i
nuehurti
ngyouandmakingyou
feelbad.
Lesego:
(nodded)Ipr
omi
set
hatwi
ll
neverhappenagain.
Ken:
(nodded)i
tsokay,
wewi
llt
alk
tomorr
ow,youcangoandsl
eep.
Lesegowalkedoutoft heroom
feel
ingbad,sheclosedthedoorand
tear
sfil
ledhereyes.
*
*
*
LETSTRYTOGETASMANYLI
KES
ONTHISONE.
..
[
9:07AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#18
AtJack’
sHouse

Thef ol
lowingmorningt
herewasa
knockatt hedoor
,Jackputonhis
trouserandsli
ppersandheadedt
o
thedoor ,
itwasThato.

Jack:
(si
ghed)I
tsyou.
Thato:
(rai
sedhi
sshoul
der
s)Any
probl
em?Youdon’twantafr
iendt
o
vi
sityou?
Jack:That
owhatdoyouwantman?
That
o:ar
eyougoi
ngt
oletmei
nfi
rst
?
Jackopenedthedoorwideand
al
lowedhimin,Thatowentinandsat
downont hecouch.Jackcl
osedthe
doorandwenttositnextt
ohim.

Jack:
(st
ari
ngathi
m)whatbringsyou
hereear
lyi
nthemorni
ng,don’tyou
havesomethi
ngimpor
tantt
odo?
Thato:Myparentssentme
somewher eoutsi
detown,soI
couldn’
tjustr
ushwithoutseei
ngmy
fr
iend.
Jack:(
nodded)Okay.
Thato:(
soft
ly)Lookman,
Iknowyou
thi
nkam theonewhoscrewedthi
ngs
foryoubi
gt i
me,butyouhaveto
rememberthatam yourhomieandI
wouldneverbackstabyou…Imean
thi
nkaboutit,
am theonewhohelped
youinthepastsowhywoul dimess
thi
ngsforyou.
Jack:(si
ghed)It
houghtyoucame
hereforalegi
tbusi
ness,i
fweare
goingtowasteti
mediscussi
ngwhat
happenedinthepasttheni
tsbet
ter
wedisperseri
ghtnow.
Thato:relax…(
lookedi
ntohiseyes)
Jacktrustmeman, am yourguy…I
don’
twantt ocreat
esomet ension
wit
hyout hat’
swhyIcameher eto
maket hingsclear.
Jack:Idon’ thaveanyprobl
em with
you, andIdon’tcarewhomademe
losemyj ob…( t
houghtf
ull
y)j
ustthat
rightnowt hereissomeguytryi
ngt o
threatenmewi t
hLesegoandmy
daught er
,hedoesn’twantmenear
mydaught er…Imeanwhatkindof
nonsensei sthis.
That
o:what
shi
sname?
Jack:GatweKen,heisst
ayingi
nthe
suburbsandactsli
keasainti
nfr
ont
ofLesego.
That
o:Sother
easonwhyLesegol
eft
i
sbecauseoft
heguy?
Jack:It
hinkso…(
sighed)Idon’
tcar
e
abouttheirr
elat
ionshi
p,Ionlycar
e
aboutRiya…kanashemi ghtendup
thi
nki
ngt hatKenisherfather.
That
o:Thi
sisnotgood,
sowhatar
e
youpl
anni
ng?
Jack:Am takingonar evenge,
besidesIdon’thaveanythingt olose
ri
ghtnow…i fIendupi nprisonIdon’t
care…(paused)andaf t
erIfinishwith
him,IwantLet t
y,shewi l
ltellmewhy
sher ui
nedmyl if
elikethi
s.
Thato:
(swall
oweddeepl
y)youshoul
d
for
getaboutLettyman,
youhaveso
muchinfrontofyou.
Jack:Whyshoul
dIl
eaveherl
iket
hat
,
sheneedst
ogetpuni
shed.
That
o:(
cal
mly)wel
lIwasj
ustsayi
ng.
Jack:
(star
ingathim)youseem to
knowmor eaboutt hatvi
deothan
Lett
y,andeveryti
meIment i
onLetty
youblinkyoureyesliker
oast
edgoat.
Thato:
(l
aughed)comeon,am your
guy…(changedthet
opi
c)soabout
Ken?
Jack:
(l
aidbackonthecouch)Iwil
l
dealwit
hhim al
one,don’
tworry.
That
o:Icantal
ktohimforyou,
just
gi
vemehi sl
ineoraddr
ess.
Jack:(
pattedhi
sback)don’
twor
ry,
I
sai
dIwi l
ldealwi
thhi
m.
Thato:Okay…(checkedhisclock)I
havetogo, Ihavebeensentto
Mochuditopi ckmyl i
tt
lesi
ster.
Jack:Okay,
ret
labuabr
oh…
That
o:(
fi
stbumped)okayshapo.

Thatostoodupandpickedhiscar
keysandwal kedout
,Jackwentto
closethedoorandheadedbackto
hisroom.

Att
hesal
oon…

Lat
ert
hatdaySal
lywal
kedout
side
andsatont hebenchneart he
entranceandcheckedherwhat sapp,
therewasnot extoranyr eplyfr
om
Lesego.Shesentamessageagai nt o
Lesegoaski nghertocal lback,the
messagewassent ,butLesegodi d
notr epl
yevent houghshewasonl ine,
shej ustbl
uet i
ckedt hetexts.Sall
y
tri
edt ocallheronemor et i
me, t
he
phonej ustrangandshedi dnotpi ck
up.

Herauntt
appedher
.

Her
:Sal
lywhydi
dyoul
eavet
heot
her
customerwit
houtdr
yingherhai
r,am
Ipayingyouf
orthi
s?
Sal
ly:
Itol
dherthatIwi
llcomeback
toher
,Ineedtomakeaphonecall.
Her:Forgetaboutt
hatphonecalland
hel
pt hecustomer,doyouthi
nkthey
havealldayhere…kanadoyouever
seemeonmyphonewhi l
ewor ki
ng.
Sall
y:(
Angr
il
y)I
tsyoursaloonaker
e,
that’
swhyyouinvestal
lyourt
imeon
i
t…am nott
heonemaki ngtheprof
it
s
here.
Her:
(hol
dingherwai
st)Whatdi
dyou
saySall
y?
Sal
lykeptqui
et.

Her :(si
ghed)itsfine,
IwillcallKaone
tocomeandt akeoveryour
posi t
ion.
.andam notgoi ngt opay
you, Iwasj usttr
yingtohelpyou
sinceyoudon’ thaveanythingt odo
athome.Youar eevenrude, Ir
egret
bringingyouher e…goandt akeyour
stuffandl eave.
Sal
ly:
(st
oodup)t
hanks,
itsnotl
ikeI
enj
oyedworki
ngwit
hyou.
Her
:Good,
thengo.

Sal
lywentbackt
othesal
oonwhi
le
herauntmadeaphonecal
lout
side…

Kaone:
(pi
ckedup)Hel
lo.
Her
:HeyKaonear
eyoubusy?
Kaone:No,am j
ustcomi
ngback
f
rom theshopsnow.
Her
:Canyoucometothesal
oonnow,
Sal
lywaboasimol
otse.
Kaone:Okay,gi
vemet
enmi
nut
esI
wil
lbethere.
Her
:Okay,
bye.

Shehungup,Sall
ywalkedout
hol
dingherhandbag.
Sally:
(star
ingather
)atl
eastgi
veme
taxifare.

Shehandedher50pul
aandshel
eft
…

AtKen’
sHouse

Lesegocl osedherwhatsappand
wentt othehomescr eenand
scrol
ledt oherGranny’
snumber,she
dial
edi tandputthephoneontheear,
thephoner angforsomet i
me.
Gr
andma:
(pi
ckedup)Hel
loLesego.
Lesego:(
Smil
ed)Hell
o,am sor
ryf
or
taki
nglongt
ocallyou…di
dBongie
takeyoutot
hecli
nic.
Grandma:(Pausedf
orasecond)I
don’tknowhowt osayt
his,
butshe
di
dn’t.
Lesego:
(sur
pri
sed)No,Grandma
whatdoyoumean, Ievensent
moneytohertogiveyou.
Grandma:shehasn’tdoneanythi
ng,
eventhemoneyIhaven’tseenitwit
h
myeyes…whatIknowi sthatshe
alwayscomesbackhomewi t
h
fr
iends,
andsmelli
ngalcohol.
Lesego:(
sighedheavi
ly)Gr
andma,I
thi
nkIhavet ocomebackhomet o
l
ookaf t
eryou…Bongieissocar
eless.
Grandma:Andwhataboutt
heschool
youtol
dmeabout?
Lesego:Youaremor ei
mport
antthan
thatschool
,gapeit
snotli
keIeven
start
ed.Am comingtost
aywithyou
andmakesur ethatyouar
esafe.
Grandma:Butyoumightlosegr
eat
opport
uni
ti
esjustbecauseofme.
Lesego:Idon’tmi nd…(
openedher
cl
oset)iwil
ltellyouwhenam
coming,bye.
Shehungupandt
ookadeep
breat
h…

AtDi
ane’
sHouse

Lat
ert
hataf
ter
noon…

Jacksatonthechai
rstari
ngatLett
y
onthebed…Dianestoodatthedoor
star
ingatbot
hofthem.

Jack:(
turnedtoher)canyougi
veus
ami nuteplease?
Di
ane:
(shaki
ngherhead)Idon’
ttr
ust
you.
Let
ty:Di
anei
tsf
ine,
youcango
out
side.

Dianewal
kedoutandcl
osedt
he
door…

Let
ty:Youaremakingever
yone
uncomfort
abl
ehere,sospeakand
l
eave.
Jack:(
sighed)Lett
y,di
dyouhavet
o
dothat…Imeanl ookatmenow,Il
ost
myj obandam i ndebt
s.
Let
ty:
wai
t,Idon’
tunder
stand…what
didIdo?Idi
dleaveyoual
oneand
that
’sit
…whatdidIdonow.
Jack:youaretheonl
ypersonwho
knowsme, andyousentt
hatvideo
throughafr
iendonourwhatsapp
group…whatwereyouthi
nkingne
mma?
Let
ty:
(conf
used)Kant
ewar
eng?
Jack:
(Angr
il
y)don’
tactl
ikeyoudon’t
knowwhatam sayi
ng,youar et
he
onewhohadt hevi
deoont hephone.
Letty:AndIdel
etedi
tlongt
imeago…I
sti
llremember.
Jack:Howdi
dThat
oknowabouti
t?
Let
ty:
(Paused)That
o?
Jack:
(noddi
ng)youhear
dme.

Lettypausedf
orsomeseconds
tr
yingtorecal
leverymomentshe
spentwithThato.

Lett
y:Thisdoesn’tmakesense, ihad
thevideoyesbutIneversharedi t
withanyoneelse,Iwasjusttr
yingto
thr
eatenyouwi t
hwor dsonlybutI
neverhadintent
ionstoshareit
publi
cly.
Jack:
(st
oodup)li
ar!Youar
e
l
ying…howdidThatoknowabouti
t?
that
’swhatIwanttoknow.
Let
ty:
(l
oudl
y)Isai
dIdon’
tknow!
!

Meanwhil
eDi anewalkedi
nagai
n
andtheykeptquiet
.

AtKen’
sHouse

Thateveni
ngKenshookhi
shead
st
ari
ngatLesego,
…

Ken:
(sadl
y)youar
eleavi
ng?
Lesego:Am sor
ry,
Ihavet
ogoand
l
ookaf t
ermyGrandma.
Ken:Ar
eyoucomi
ngback?Imean
youcantj
ustl
eavel
iket
hatpl
ease.
Lesego:
(shaki
ngherhead)Idon’
t
thi
nkitwil
lhappensoon.

Tear
sfil
ledhi
seyes,heburi
edhi
s
headdownandwi pedthem.

Lesego:pl
easedon’
tcr
y,am r
eal
ly
sorr
y.
Ken:Ijustgottoknowyounotl ong
ago,butyouar eleavi
ngagai n.I
meanIhadpl ansforyou,for
us…(paused)Idon’ tt
hinkIwillbe
happyagai nafteryouleave,
Idon’t
mindhel pi
ngyourGr andmawhi l
e
youar
eher
e,orwecangot
oget
her
.
Lesego:Thepr oblem i
sthatwhenI
leave,am goingt obethereforalong
time.SoIdon’ tthinkwecango
togetherbecauseyouar eneededat
yourwor kpl
aceandyouhaveal ot
thingst olookafter…(
star
ingathim)
Am r eall
ysorry,butIhavetoleave
tomor rowmor ning.
*
*
*
[
9:07AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER
#19

AtKen’
sHouse

Thef ol
lowingmor ningi
twasr aining
andcol d,Lesegostoodinf
rontoft he
mi r
rorandf i
xedherscarf,
shet hen
satdownspr ayi
nghercologne.
Meanwhi leshewr appedRiyawi tha
blanketasKenwal kedi
nwear i
ng
someboxer s…

Ken:
(clearedhi
sthr
oat)Good
morning,youarel
eavi
ngalready.
Lesego;Mor ni
ng,notyet…(
checked
theclock)butam leavi
nginfew
minutes…Icall
edacab.
Ken:Youshoul
dn’thavecall
edacab,
Iwil
ltakeyout
othebusr ank.
Lesego:youwer
easl
eepandIdi
dn’
t
wanttowakeyouup.
Ken:Iunder
stand.
..
butIt
hinkit
sbest
Igowithyou,Iwanttomeetyour
grandmatoo.
Lesego:(
Sighed)Kennedy,Igetthat
youaretr
yingtohelpme, butsome
thi
ngsIcandoal one.Youareabusy
manandIdon’ tthi
nkyoushoul d
pauseyourworkl i
febecauseofme,
pleasej
ustall
owmet ogonow,
Iwi
ll
comebacki fIhavet
o.
Ken:
Don’tgetangr
y,andwhatdoyou
meanif
?
Lesego:(Satdownont hebed)Idon’t
feelcomfort
ableher
e,andImeani t
.I
thinkyoudeservebet
ter,
youneed
someonel i
keyouKen.Somecl assy
l
adywhom youwi l
lbecomf or
table
with…andam notthatperson,
its
betterwepartways.
Ken:
(sadl
y)i
thasn’
tgonet
hisf
ar
ri
ght
?
Lesego:Am ser
ious.
Ken:Soyouar
emeani
ngt
otel
lme
t
hatyoudon’
tloveme..
(paused)I
meanyoudon’tl
ikeme?
Lesego:
(sof
tl
y)Ido,butIt
hinkt
here
i
ssomeonebet t
erforyou…Kenyou
cantbeseenwithsomeonewho
haven’
tgonetoschool,whodon’
t
haveajob,who—
Ken:(
int
err
upt ed)youneedt ostop
ri
ghtnow,Ilikeyouthewayyou
are…andIdidn’tsayIwantacl assy
woman.Iwantsomeonej ustlikeyou,
youareverymuchbet t
erthant hi
s
cl
assywomenyouar etal
kingabout.
Lesego:
(l
ookedi
ntent
lyi
ntohi
seyes)
Ithi
nkIhavetogo.
Meanwhi l
eacarhoot edout
side,
Lesegolookedthroughthewindow
andimmedi at
elyherphonestart
ed
ri
nging.

Cabdr
iver
:Hi
,am out
side.
Lesego:Thanks,
am comi
ng.

Shehungup.

Lesego:
(t
earyeyes)Am sor
ry,
you
areaveryni
ceper sonandsolovi
ng,
Iwishyoucouldmeetsomeonel i
ke
you,
someonewhoi
scar
ingandki
nd.

Kenhuggedherast ear
sfil
ledhis
eyes,meanwhilehehel
pedhercar r
y
theluggagebagstothecar.Lesego
openedthebackdoorandst eppedin
carr
yingRiya,
shethenroll
eddown
thewindowasKenwal kedover.

Ken:(
lowvoice)Ij
usthopeoneoft
he
daysyouvisitme,myhousewil
l
neverbet
hesamewi t
houtyou.
Lesego:
Iwi
ll
.
Ken:andifyouwantanyt
hing,
just
knowthatam wil
li
ngtodoanything
f
oryou.

Lesegonodded, Kenwentt othe

driver’ssideandpai dthecabdr i
ver.
Thecabdr i
verst ar
tedt hecarand
droveof f,Kenl eanedbyt hegat e
staringatt hecarasi tdisappear ed
i
nt othet hinai r
.Het henwentbackt o
thehouseandheadedt ohi slounge
asusualt or eadsomebooks, het hen
l
at ertookhi sphoneandwentt othe
gallery,thenopenedt hepi ctureshe
tookwi t
hLesegoatt hef arm when
theywer eridinghorses.
AtDi
ane’
sHouse

Latert hataft
ernoonLet t
yopenedher
bottleofpill
sandt ookt wotabl
ets
anddr ankwithwater,shethenput
thegl assont hetabl
eandswi t
ched
ont heTVsi tti
ngdown.Herphone
startedvibrati
ngandt herewasan
i
ncomi ngcall,shepickedupsmi l
ing.

Let
ty:
(smi
li
ng)Lone,
mygi
rl
,wassup.
Lone:
(l
aughed)Oh,
someonei
sina
goodmood.
Lett
y:Iwantt
ocheermysel
fup,it
s
beenawhilet
otaandIwishIcoul
d
gosomewher enyana
wai
tse.
.(
laughing)yougeti
t.
Lone:Ahh,
nnya…Idon’twantyout
o
di
eyoung.Ithoughtyoulear
nta
l
esson.
Let
ty:Comeon,am ast
ronggi
rlhl
e
mma…( si
ghed)sowher
eareyou?
Lone:Am withSbu,
am goi
ngspend
thenightathi
shouse.
Lett
y:Reall
y?(
lowvoice)Hlemma
tel
lhim gor
ekebatl
asomeal cohol
ic
dri
nk,orcomewithhimt opickmeup.
Lone:Let
tyyouar
enotser
ious,
nna
ketshababommago.
Let
ty:Gaakakear
esepe,
am nota
smallkidanyway…okayshouldIcal
l
Sbudi r
ectl
y,aker
eitseemsli
keyou
don’twanttocomplywi t
hmy
request.
Lone:Youarestar
tingaker e,Lett
y
somet i
mesakoonneo
i
tshwar a…j
ustwaitatleastamont h
beforeyougetbackt oyourt rueself
.
Ithinki
tstooearl
yf oryout ostart
drinki
ngandgoingout .
Lett
y:Nnyamma!Ihaven’ tseen
peoplei
nal ongti
me, Ineedtogo
out…l
egaleIwil
lcallSbumyself,
gapeam finenow.
Lone:(
Pausedf
orasecond)But
don’tf
orgett hati
tsmyboyf ri
endwe
aretal
kingabout ,Iknowyout woget
al
ongwel landjustbecausewear e
fr
iendsdoesnotmeanyouar e
automaticall
ySbu’ sfr
iend,
akere
mma.
Lett
y:(l
aughed)Real
ly?Icanseeyou
aretr
yingtoactseri
ousbutit
snot
workinghlemmaLone, comeon.
Lone:Am ser
ious,
orshoul
dIcal
l
yoursist
erandtel
lhergor
eyouare
planni
ngtogoout ?
Let
ty:Don’
ttr
y,Ihavealr
eady
messedupbigt i
me…sodon’tevert
ry
toputmeintroubleagai
n.
Lone:Goodgir
l…(si
ghed)kant
edo
yourememberwhathappenedt he
dayThatoknockedyouoffatthe
nightcl
ub?
Let
ty:Youguysknoweveryt
hing,
wenaleTebogo…andthatothergi
rl
whowaswi t
hThato.
Lone:Youdon’tgetit,
Tebogor an
awayaftershesawyouont he
ground.
.shetr
iedtopul lmebythe
handsowecanl eave,butIdi
dn’t
.
Lett
y:(paused)That
’swhyshenever
vi
sitedmewhenIwassi ck,
ahh,
that
gir
lissof akewait
se.
Lone:Butshei
sst
il
lourf
ri
end,
am
nott
ryi
ngtocausedivi
sionbetween
youguys…It
hinkshewasver y
scar
edthatt
ime,shepanicked.
Let
ty:Butshei
sst
il
lfake.
Lone:
(l
aughed)Don’
tgetmadather
pl
ease.

I
nthebackgr
ound.
.

Sbu:
(st
ari
ngatLone)babyl
etsgo.
Let
ty:
ist
hatSbu,t
ellhi
m kar
ehi
.
Lone:ShapoIwi
ll
,bye.
Let
ty:Bye.
Thecal
lendedandLet t
yputher
phoneonthetabl
esmi l
ing…
meanwhil
ehermot herclappedher
handsasshewalkedin.

Lett
y:(
tur
nedt
oher)Mom,
howl
ong
haveyoubeenher
e?
Her:
Idi
dn’thearanythi
ngthough…I
washedthedishesforyou,aker
e
wai
tsegoreitsyourtur
ntocook.
Let
ty:Nnya,
kabonakoj
aana,
ele
gor
ewher ei
sDiane.
Her:shewascal l
edforanint
erview
thi
safternoon,sobefor
eyouforget
howt oturnthestoveonandoff,I
t
hinki
tst
imeforyoutogoanddo
t
hatnow,Iwi
llhel
pyou.
Lett
y:(st
oodup)Am doingthat
becauseitsbor
ingher
e,ihopethi
sis
thelastti
meam cooki
ng.

Shet
henwentt
otheki
tchen…

AtKen’
sHouse

Kenwassleepingonthecouchwhen
heheardadoorbell,heimmediat
ely
putonhisvestandheadedtothe
door,
heopenedt hedoorandt
hen
cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oatst
ari
ngatSal
ly.

Ken:
Hi,
howcanIhel
pyou?
Sal
ly:(
Sof
tl
y)I
sLesegoar
ound?
Ken:(Shaki
nghi
shead)No,
andwho
areyoubytheway.
Sall
y:(
smil
ed)Am Sal
ly,
didn’
t
Lesegotel
lyouanyt
hingabout
me…am sureyouareKen.
Ken:Am Kenyes,
butLesegonever
menti
onedanythi
ngaboutyou.
Sall
y:Okay,
iwil
ltakemyleavenow,
butcanIgetaglassofwater,
am
real
lythi
rst
y.
Ken:
Sur
eyoucancomei
n.

Sall
ywal kedinandwentt osi tdown
onthecouch, Kenwentst r
ai ghtto
thekit
chent ogetsomewat er ,
Sally
openedherphone’ sfr
ontcamer a
andrecor dedashortsel
fi
evi deo.
Shethenst oppedtherecordingand
openedherwhat sappquickly, she
thenputt heshor
tvideoonwhat sapp
stat
uswi thacapti
on“Havi ngani ce
ti
mewi thsomeoneIl ovesomuch”…
Meanwhil
eKenwalkedi
nand
handedheragl
assofwater
.
Ken:her
e,am sor
ryItookl
ongbutI
wastryi
ngtoputinsomeicebl
ocks.
Sal
ly:
(smi
li
ng)No,
probl
em.
.

Sheonl
ytookasipandst
oodup
pi
cki
ngherhandbag.

Sal
ly:Thanksf
ort
hewat
er,
Ihavet
o
l
eave.
Ken:Okay,
bye…don’
tfor
gett
ocl
ose
thegat
eonyourwayout.
Sal
ly:Iwi
llcl
osei
t.

Sal
lywal
kedoutandanSMSal
ert
repor
tedonherphone,shesmi ledas
shereadit
.Shedidn’tr
eply,j
ustas
shewasheadingoutoft hegate,her
phonestar
tedri
nging.

Sal
ly:(
pickedup)
mm!
Lesego:Sall
y,whendi
dyour
ecor
d
thevideoIsawonyourwhat
sapp
stat
us?
Sall
y:Justnow,
lookam busycanwe
tal
klater
.
Lesego:Wher
ear
eyounow?

Shekeptqui
et.
Lesego:
(l
oudvoi
ce)Sal
lyIsai
d
whereareyounow?

Sal
lyhungup.
*
*
*
*
**AMONTHLATER*
**
.
Noinser
tthisweekend,
am working
onsomethingthi
sSaturdayand
Sunday…
HAVEAGREATWEEKEND,
STAYAT
HOME,WASHYOURHANDS,
AND
PRAYALWAYS.
[
9:07AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#20

*
**AMONTHLATER*
**

Att
hehospi
tal
…

Thenur
sepani
ckedasshet r
iedt o
drawbl
oodf
rom herlegs,
thef i
rst
bl
oodsampl
eshedr ewspiltont he
whi
tehospi
talsheet,shetri
edto
r
emaincalm unt
ilthedoctorwalked
i
nandimmedi at
elytookthemedi cal
i
nst
rumentsfrom her.

Nurse:
(si
ghi
ng)Am sor
ry,
Icantdo
t
his.
Doctor:
(Angril
y)youare
disappoi
nting,thi
sthi
ngyoushoul
d
havelearntitatthenur
sing
coll
ege…lookatt hemessyouhave
madenow, fi
xthatnow.

Thedoct
orspokeinafirm voi
ce,
the
nur
sekneltdownpicki
ngthesmall
cont
ainer
.

Doct
or:(
stari
ngather)andwhyar
e
younotputt
ingonyourcoat
?
Nurse:I
thasbloodst
ains, Iwas
t
reati
ngtheotherpat
ienti
nt heother
wardandIgotbloodalloverthecoat.
Doctor :
(shakinghishead)Goand
callanot hernurseforme,Idon’t
thi
nkyouar efi
ttowork…(paused)i
s
everythingokayathome?
Nurse:
(pausedforamoment
)Idon’
t
wanttotalkabouti
t.
Thenursewalkedoutwi
thtear
son
hereyes,i
mmediatel
yasshemadea
ri
ghtturn,
LesegoandBongiewal
ked
overtoher.

Lesego:
(si
ghi
ng)I
smyGr
andma
okay?
Nurse:(
wipedhert
ears)
Notnow,t
he
doctori
stakingbl
oodsamplesf
rom
her.
Bongie:Howl
ongi
sthatgoi
ngt
o
take?
Nurse:Justsomefewmi nutes…(t
ook
adeepbr eath)ShehasRestlesslegs
syndrome, youguyscouldhave
broughtherear
li
erwhenshest
art
ed
complaini
ngaboutthel
egs.
Lesego:
Wait,
what
sRest
lessl
egs
syndrome?
Nurse:I
t’
saneur ologicaldi
sorder,
an
i
rresi
sti
bleur
getomoveone’ sbody
tostopuncomfortablesensations,
its
usuall
yassoci
atedwi ththelegs.
Bongie:
That’
swhyshekept
complai
ningaboutthelegssome
ti
meback, wedi
dn’tknowi t
sthat
seri
ouswecouldhavebr oughthert
o
thehospit
al.
Lesego:
(tur
nedt
oher )Whydon’
tyou
keepquiet,
your
efusedtobr
ingher.
Don’
ttr
ytoactl
ikeagoodsai
nt.
Bongie:
Whataboutyou?whydi
dn’
t
youcomeandhel phersi
nceI
ref
used.
Nur se:(
int
err
upted)Gi r
ls,
Idon’tthi
nk
it
’st imetopointfingersateach
other…Therearehi ghchancest hat
yourGr andmawi llneverwalkagain,
shei sgoingtoneedawheel chair
aftersheisdischarged.
Lesego:Cantt
hedoct
ort
reather
?
Nurse:LikeIsaid,
youguyst ooka
l
ongt i
met obringherformedi cal
hel
p.Thet reat
menti snotgoingto
workeffecti
vel
yunliketheperson
whoi sontheearlyst
ageoft he
di
sease….(checkedherwat ch)Am
att
endingotherpati
ents,youcan
waithereonthebenchf orthe
doctor’
sresponse.

TheNurseheadedtotheot
herwards,
Bongi
eandLesegosatonthebench
st
ari
ngateachother.

Lesego:Whyar
eyoust
ari
ngatme
l
ikethat?
Bongi
e:Youdi
dn’
tnot
icet
hat
?
Lesego:Not
icewhat
?
Bongie:(l
owvoice)thatNursewas
probablycryi
ngasshewal kedoutof
theward,andIoverheadtheDoctor
shouti
ngashewenti nsi
de.
Lesego:Thatdoesn’tconcernus…we
shouldbeprayi
ngt hatatleastour
Grandmacouldwal kagain,didn’
t
youhearwhattheNur sesai d?
Bongie:(Si
ghed)Wai t
seLesegoI
don’tli
kehowyoual waysscoldme
l
ikeam asmal lkid,am yourelder
sist
erandyoushoul dtal
ktomei na
goodmanner ,notjustanyhow.I
don’tli
kethatLesegoandyoushoul d
star
ttounderstandt hatam your
seniornotasmal lbaby.
Lesego:Iscol
dyoubecauseyou
don’twanttobehavelikeagrownup,
Ishouldbelear
ningfrom youbutt
he
thi
ngsyoudoar en’tpl
easing.
Bongie:Havingababybeforeme
doesn’tmeanyouareoldert hanme,
orisi
tbecauseGrandmal ikesyou
themost,that’
swhyyoual wayslook
medown.
Lesego:Togel
atshel
ehl
emma
Bongie,Keagokopa.
Bongi
e:Am Il
ying?
Lesego:Ofcour
seyouare,ebi
leIwi
ll
neverl
eaveyouwit
hRiya,Idon’t
wanthertogrowupthi
nkingsmall
t
alksandl
iesar
eokay.
Bongi
e:Thanks,
ebi
leIwast
ir
edof
her
.
Lesego:Youaregoi
ngt oget
pregnantonedayandhaveababy,
that’swhenyouwil
lseehowiti
s
stressi
ngtorai
seababyandnoone
willi
ngtohel
p.
Bongie:Wenayourstoryi
sdif
fer
ent,
yougotpregnantatthewrongti
me,
babydaddyisadr unkar
dand
usel
essman.Sowhatdoyoucal l
that
?
Lesego:
(Shookherhead)Youshoul
d
beashamedofyourselfBongi
e,
todayIt otall
ylostrespectf oryou,
howcanyousaysucht hingst o
me? ..
.whenar eyougoi ngtoaccept
thatImadeami stakejustl i
ke
everyoneel se?Don’ tyouknowt hat
youar eal wayshur ti
ngmewi t
hyour
wor ds…telli
ngyourf ri
endst hatIl i
ke
sexver ymucht hat’swhyIgot
pregnant …(Paused)i snotlikeIdon’ t
hearwhatyoudi scusswi thyour
fri
endsathomewhent heyvi sityou,I
loveyoubecauseyouar emysi ster
,
butIdon’ tli
kehowyout alkbad
aboutme…youar esojudgment al
tota.
Bongi
eKeptqui
et.

Lesego:IwishIcameher
ewit
hmy
baby,sheisnotsaf
ewit
haunt
y
Maria.
Bongi
e:Iwil
ltel
lhert
hat
,aker
eithas
gonet
hisfarnow.
Lesego:Ididn’
tsayshei sbad
person,andwhywoul dyout el
lher
that?doyouhavetotellpeople
everyt
hingwesayher e,please
behavelikeagrownup.

Meanwhil
eLesego’
sPhonestar
ted
r
ingi
ng,shel
ookedatt
hescreenand
pi
ckedupmaki ngadi st
ancewi
th
Bongie,shepi
ckedupasshewalked
outofthehospi
taldoor.

Lesego:
(smi
led)Hi
.
Ken:Hey,
howar
eyou?
Lesego:Wel
lam good.
Ken:HowisyourGrandma,
isshe
st
il
latthehospi
tal
?
Lesego:Yes,andam theretoo,it
san
hoursinceshewas
admitt
ed…(sighed)Wellthey
presumeshehasRest lessLegs
Syndrome,itseemscompl icat
ed
becausethenur sesai
dthatshe
mightnotwal
kagai
n,it
sso
f
rustr
ati
ngtothi
nkabout.
Ken:Didn’
ttheysayanyt
hingabout
thetr
eatment?
Lesego:Youknowthehospit
alst
aff
,
theytel
lyout
hattheywi
lldothei
r
bestandthat
’sal
l.
Ken:
akere…(
clear
edhi
sthr
oat
)It
rul
y
missyouwaitse.
Lesego:
(bl
ushed)r
eal
ly?
...
lenna.
Ken:sowhenam Igoi
ngt
oseeyou?
Lesego:(
Paused)Idontknow,but
aft
eram suremyGr andmais
fi
ne…(cl
earedherthroat
)Ij
usthope
youarenotseeinganyone.
Ken:(
Laughed)It
smyfir
stti
meto
hearyousaysomethi
ngliket
hat
,ke
engoj eal
ous?
Lesego:
(l
aughing)Ohee,Iwi
ll
probabl
ykil
lsomeonetrustme.
Ken:youar
enotscar
edofgoi
ngt
o
j
ail
?
Lesego:(
laughed)Notatall
,whenI
comebackandIf inda“SHE”on
somel i
ngerietr
yingtoseduceyou,I
don’twastetime,Iusehertolear
n
howt ocommi tmur der
.
Ken:(
laughi
ng)Thesameter
ms
appl
ytomeaswel l
,Iwil
ldoexact
ly
whatyouwoulddo.
Lesego:It
sfunnyhowwesaysuch
thi
ngs,andwhentheexactthings
happenandyout r
ytoresi
sttheurge
tohurtsomeone,it
sprobablythe
hardestt
hingever
.
Ken:Lovei sthemostbeaut i
fulthi
ng
Lesego,andwhenyout rul
ylove
someone, yougett oapoi ntwher e
youwi l
ldoever ythi
ngtoseet hem
smile…butapoi ntisreachedwhen
thatpersonnol ongerhavingf eeli
ngs
foryou,yout ryveryhardtomake
thatpersonr eal
izehowmuchyou
lovethem, andtheycantseet hat
loveuntili
tturnstohate.
Lesegokeptf
orsomeseconds.

Lesego:Youar
eri
ght…canwetal
k
l
ater,It
hinkmysi
steri
scal
li
ngme.
Ken:Okay,
bye.

Shehungupandpushedherhai
r
backasshewentbackt
othe
hospi
talwar
d,

AtAunt
yMar
ia’
s

Lat
erthatcol
dafternoon,
Lesego
zi
ppedherjacketandknockedather
aunt’shouse,sheknocked
conti
nuouslyandst oppedputti
ngher
earont hedoor,sheheardthebaby
cryi
ngwhi l
stthedoorwasl ocked,
sheknockedevenhar dbutno
response.

Theladyfr
om nextdoorwhowas
picki
nghercl
othesfrom t
hewashi
ng
l
inestoodatt
hef ence…

Lady:
(l
oudl
y)Shel
eftj
ustsomef
ew
minut
esago..
Lesego:
(t
urnedt
oher
)Wher
edi
dshe
go?
Lady:Idon’
tknow,
ithi
nkyoushoul
d
cal
lher.
Lesego:Okay.

Lesegowasnowner vous,she
i
mmedi atel
ytookherphoneand
dial
edMar i
a’snumber,
shecal l
edbut
thenumberwasnotavailable.She
walkedaroundthehousesighing
heavil
y…
*
*
*
[
9:08AM,
31/
05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#21

Lesegowentt ot hedoorandbanged
i
tagain, Itdidn’topen.Shedeci
ded
tobreakt hewi ndowandgotacuton
herpalm, shegotinsideand
i
mmedi atelyrushedt oherbabywho
wascr yingi ntheroom.

Lesego:(
lowervoi
ce)WaitseMari
ais
adevil
,howcanshel eavemybaby
al
oneandevenl ockedthe
door…(pi
ckedanempt ybottl
e)No
mi
lk,
shemustbehungr
y.

Shet hensatdownonasof aand

tri
edt obreast
feedherbutshe
refusedasshekeptcr yi
ng.
Meanwhi leMar i
aopenedthedoor
andwal kedinput t
ingaboxofmil
k
ont hetable.

Mar
ia:Howdi
dyougeti
nsi
deLesego?
Lesego:
(Angr
il
y)Isthati
mport
ant
now?Imeanhowcoul dyoudothat
nemma, youlockedmybabyandl ef
t.
Mar
ia:Hermi
lkfi
nished,
soIdeci
ded
t
ogot ot
heshopstobuy.
Lesego:Shedoesn’tdri
nkt hi
skindof
milk,youseethatyouforcedmet o
breastfeedher,
andIdidn’twantto
dot hat…thi
sisthel
astti
meIl eave
Riyawi thyou.
Maria:
(si
ghed)OkayIgetit
,andam
sorr
y…Icouldn’
twalkar
oundwi t
hthe
babybecauseshewascr yi
ng,and
theshopsarefar
…(l
ookedatthe
window)andIhopeyouwi l
lgetmy
windowfixed.
Lesego:(
Stoodup)Iwi
ll
,wher
eisher
pram?Am leavi
ng.
Mari
a:(
clear
edhert
hroat
)Howi
s
Gr
andma?
Lesego:(
Paused)Il
eftBongi
ethere,
am goingtoseeherintheeveni
ng.
Mar
ia:Canwegot
oget
herl
ater
.
Lesego:Butam sti
llangr
yatyou,
don’tl
eaveheraloneagain…(st
ari
ng
ather)wewillgolater
,Iwil
lcal
lyou.
Mar
ia:Okay,
shapo.

LesegoputRiyaonthePram and
pusheditasshelef
t,Mari
atookthe
milkandwenttoputiti
nthefri
dge.

AtKen’
sHouse
Sall
ystoodatt hedoorasKentri
ed
tocl
oseit,Kengavei nandall
owed
herinsi
de.LikealwaysSall
ysat
downont hecouchst ar
ingathim.

Ken:Idon’
tunder
standyouwai
tse,
kant
edoyout hi
nkyouknowme?
Sall
y:Lesegoisnothere,andam
heretohelpyouaround…am just
tr
yingtobenicethat’
sit.
Ken:WhosaidIneededyourhel
p,
knowingLesegodoesn’
tmeanyou
knowme…andIt ol
dyouacoupleof
ti
mesnottocomeher e.
Sal
ly:(
Sighed)don’
tactl
ikeyou
don’
tseegoream i
ntoyou…youcan
cl
ear
lyseethatMrken.
Ken:
(Paused)Excuseme?
Sall
y:Iunder standt hatintodays
societyitsstrangewhenagi r
ltell
sa
mant hatshel oveshim, am not
tryi
ngt obebi tchy,i
t’sthefeeli
ngs
thatIhavef oryou…andi fyoureally
loveLesegot hatmucht hen
continue,am nott r
yingtost op
you…( lai
dbackont hecouch)but
Lesegoal readyhasababyanda
babydaddy, andam sur eyouar enot
readyf orbabydaddyt rouble.
Ken:Wow,
youar
etr
yinghar
dtoact
coolandconvinceme…letmebe
honestwithyou,Il
oveLesego
regar
dlessofwhethershehast he
babyorababydaddy, IlovewhatI
seenow.Socanyouki ndlyleavemy
housebeforeIdragyouout.
Sall
y:(
soft
ly)Butweallknowatthe
endLesegoisgoingtochoosethe
fat
herofherchil
d,i
sn’
tthatobvi
ous?
Ken:Istil
ldon’tcare,i
twillbeher
choiceafteral
l….(
scannedherf rom
toetohead)youcamepr eparedhuh,
yout hi
nkyoucanseducemeand
makemesl eepwi t
hyousot hatyou
cant el
lLesegoabouti t
..
(laughed)
thattri
ckisoldfashioned.
Sall
y:Don’ tr egr
etthisday,pushi
ng
meawaywhenal lam tryi
ngtodois
tobefriendly.Isitacrimet obe
fr
iendwi t
haguywi t
hnosexual
acti
vit
iesbei nginvolved?
Ken:Canyouj ust
if
ythat
?weal lknow
howi tendswhenmal eandfemale
become“ JUST”f
ri
ends…Iguessyou
gotthewr ongguy,goel
sewher eand
seducef ooli
shmen.
Sal
ly:Real
ly?

Kenheadedt
othedoorandopenedi
t
st
ari
ngatSal
ly.
Ken:(
Fir
mtone)Am donet
alki
ng,
so
getout.

Sal
lyst
oodupwalki
ngoutandshe
st
oppedandgl
ancedathi
m.

Sall
y:(
smil
ed)Don’tf
orgett
hatam i
n
f
riendshi
pwithLesego.
Ken:Whocar
es?Justgo…

Sal
lywalkedoutandKencl
osedt
he
doorandlocked.

AtJack’
sHouse
Laterthateveni
ngJackputthe
l
andlineonhol dandwrote
somet hi
ngonapi eceofpaper,
he
l
aterhungupanddi al
edThato’
s
numberonhi sphoneandputthe
phoneont heear.

Thato:
(si
ghed)Igotyourmessage,
areyousureaboutthi
s?
Jack:Listent
ome, Iknowwhatam
doing…justuseadecoyt obaitLet
ty
andt henIwillmeetyouatthe
Tlokwengbor dergate,i
tsl
essthan
30mi nutesdrive.
Thato:Butyouhavetounder
stand
thatLet
tynolongert
rustme,shewil
l
notagreetogooutwithme.
Jack:Useadecoyi di
ot,
afri
endwill
beabet t
erbaityoucanuse,shecant
refusegoi
ngoutwi t
hyouwhenshe
hearsthatyouarewithoneofher
fri
end.
That o:(Si
ghing)Youarescari
ngme
now, buti
fwewanthert otal
k,i
ts
goingt otakealotofeff
ort
.She
l
iterallypost
edt hevi
deobutIdon’t
thinkshewi l
ladmi tt
othat
.
Jack:That
oitst
enminutesaft
er7,
anditsget
ti
ngdarkout
side,t
he
ear
li
eryouaskherout, thebet ter.
Youcanuseanapol ogyt odecei ve
her
,shewi l
lfal
lforit,andt hereaf t
er
askheroutasat reat.Nogi rlwillsay
notothat
,andshei sl onelybecause
shehasn’
tgoneouti nawhi l
e.
Thato:(
tookadeepbr eath)Okay,let
mecal lher.Youcanleaveyour
houseaf t
erIsentatexttoyou,just
thatIdon’twantthepoli
cetobe
i
nvolved.
Jack:Don’tbescar
ed,
Iknowwhat
am doing.
That
o:Okaybye.
AtDi
ane’
sHouse

Lett
yclosedthecurtai
nandsaton
herbedassher epli
edtocoupleof
text
sonwhat sapp.Meanwhil
eher
phonestart
edvibrati
ng,i
twasan
i
ncomingcallwithnonamedi spl
ay
onthescreen.

Let
ty:
Hel
lo,
whoi
sthi
s?
Thato:
(cal
mly)Let
ty,
ist
hathowyou
answeryourphone.
Lett
y:(
Paused)That
o,whyt
hedevi
l
areyoucall
ingmewithapr
ivat
e
number.
Thato:I
tsmynewnumber ,
youknow
l
atel
yIhavebeent hi
nkingaboutyou
andIreall
yrefl
ect
edonwhatIhave
done,Ihavelongwantedto
apol
ogizeforwhatIhavedonebut
coul
dn’tfi
ndtheri
ghttime.
Let
ty:Okayam l
ist
eni
ng.
Thato:Wouldyoucar eifwegoout
toni
ght ,
andconsiderthatasan
apology.Iwil
ltr
eatyouf or
somet hi
nggood,foodand
dri
nks…whataboutt hat?
Lett
y:(
Pausedforsomeseconds)Are
youreall
ysorr
yoryouaretryi
ngto
playoneofyourtr
icksonme?
Thato:From thebott
om ofmyhear t
am real
lysorry,l
ikeIsai
dIthought
aboutitforawhileandIsaidto
myselfthatIshouldreal
lyt
alktoyou
andapol ogi
ze.
Lett
y:Butwhatwer
eyout hi
nki
ng
hit
ti
ngmeandal mostki
ll
edme.
That
o:Iwassoangr
y,andIr
egr
ett
ed
i
t.
Lett
y:(t
houghtf
ully)
okayLetsmeetat
Pavil
li
onRestaurant,Icant
akeacab
ther
e.
That
o:No,
youcant.Iwil
lcomeand
pi
ckyouup,af
teral
lit
smyt r
eat
.
Let
ty:
(si
ghed)Idon’
tfeelsaf
e,how
aboutIcomewi t
hLone.BecauseI
don’twantitt
oseem l
ikeweareona
dateorsomeex’swhoar el
ooking
forbacklove.
That
o:Wel
l,
youcani
nvi
teher
.
Let
ty:Shapo.Iwi
llcal
lyouaf
tert
en
minutes.
That
o:Gr
eat
.

Lett
yhungupandsmi l
ed,she
i
mmedi at
elygotoffbedandopened
herclosetpicki
ngsomef ewdresses
andputt hem onthebed.Meanwhi l
e
Dianewal kedinpressi
ngherphone.
Di
ane:
(star
edather)Yourfoodisin
t
hemicrowave,
am goingtosleep.
Let
ty:(
smi
li
ng)
am nothungr
y.
Di
ane:Youmademecookor eyou
ar
ehungryaker
e…(
paused)wher
e
ar
eyougoing?
Let
ty:
(hol
dingherwai
st)Mi
ndyour
ownbusiness.
Di
ane:
Let
tyosi
mol
otsegapeaker
e?
Let
ty:
(nodded)Ihavebeendyi
ngto
goout,f
inal
lyam fr
eetogoout.

Shesmil
edasshepi
ckedherwhit
e
dresswi
thsomer
edrosesonit
.
AtJack’
sHouse

Jackswi tchedont heoutsi

deli
ghts
andopenedhi scarbonnetchanging
theoil
,het hencloseditandtooka
clot
hwi pingtheoilinhishands,hi
s
phonest artedri
ngingandhesl i
dhis
handint hepocketandl ookedatthe
call
er,
hesmi ledpi
ckingup.

Jack:
Ihopeyoumanaged.
Thato:Imanagedtoconvi
nce
her…(smil
ed)shef
ellf
orit
.
Jack:Goodone,
am goi
ngt
opassby
Shellt
oputi
nsomegas…seeyou
l
ater.

Hehungupandopenedt hecardoor
andstar
tedthecarwhi
lepressing
thegaspedalandthebrakesrevvi
ng
theengi
ne…
*
*
*
Let
stryt
ogetasmanyl
ikesbef
ore
anot
heri
nser
t.
..
[
9:09AM,
31/
05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#22

AtPavi
li
onRest
aur
ant
…

LaterthateveningThatodrove
throughthepar ki
nglotandfounda
ti
nyspotmar kedwit
hacone, he
stoppedthecarast heparkingl
ot
guardwal kedover.

Thato:
(st
ari
ngathim)Canyou
removethatconepl
ease,
am i
na
hur
ry.
Him:(sighed)Youar enotsupposed
toparkher e,gototheother
side…thisparki
ngspoti sreser
vedfor
ourlatenightperfor
mer .
Thato:Comeonman, therearel
ike
hundredsofcar
sandt heytookall
thespace,wheream Isupposeto
park?Oryouwantmet oleave.
Him:Sir,
thereareparki
ngspaces
youjustlef
tnearthegate,
just
rever
seandgopar kt
here.
That
o:but
…

Theguar
dimmedi
atel
yat
tended
anothercarl
eavi
ngThat
oonthe
dri
veway.Thatot
urnedt
oLet
ty.

Lett
y:(
rai
sedhershoul
der
s)You
heardhim?
That
o:Let
sleavet
hispl
ace.
Lett
y:No,thi
sisagoodrestaurant
…I
pref
erthi
sonesi ncet
her
ear egood
music,andtheyprovi
degood
customerservi
ce.
Thato:(
Checkedhi
scl
ock)OhGod,
i
tslatenow.
Lett
y:What
?canyoupar
kandl
ets
getin.
That
o”sphonestart
edr
ingi
ng,he
l
ookedatitandendedt
hecall
.

Lett
y:(
star
ingathim)That
o…ar
eyou
okay?Youseem lost
.
That
o:(
Smi
led)Am f
ine.

Thephoner
angagain,
hepickedand
openedt
hedoorst
eppingout
side.

Thato:(
Sighi
ng)Icantdot
hatJack,
am sorr
y.
Jack:
WhatdoyoumeanThat
o?Am
abouttoreacht
heboar
dergate,
don’
ttellmeIwast
edmypetrol.
Thato:(
lowvoice)Iknowyouwantt o
hurther
,butIdon’tthi
nki t
’sagood
i
dea…shedoesn’ tdeservethatbr
oh,I
al
readyhurtherandIr egrett
ed.
Jack:(
Angr
il
y)Wher
eisshe?
That
o:Am wi
thher,
wear
eat
Pavi
li
ont
ogether
.
Jack:(l
aughed)Thato,areyou
ki
ddingmer ightnow?Wai t
,Ithi
nkI
knowwhyyoucantdot hi
s…yousti
ll
havefeeli
ngsforher?
That
o:(
Paused)Youpresumedwrong,
al
lIwassayingI
sthatIwontal
low
yout ohurther.Andwhat everwe
discussedlater,
justf
orgetit.
Jack:(Angr
il
y)Youar
etr
yingt
omess
upwi t
hmeaker e?

Let
ty:
(openedt
hewindow)That
o,
whatstaki
ngyoul
ong?
That
o:(
star
ingather
)Justami
nut
e.
Jack:
Soyouweretel
lingt
het
ruth?I
meanyoudisappoi
ntedmebroh.
That
o:(
tookadeepbreat
h)Iknow,
andam sorr
y,bye.
Jack:That
owai
t…
Thecal
lended,
Thatowal
kedbackt
o
hi
scarandgotinsi
de.

Thato:
(st
ari
ngather
)Il
ikethi
swhi
te
dress,
itr
emindsmebackthenwhen
Igottoknowyou.
Let
ty:Youal
readytol
dmewhenwe
werecominghere,
canwegoinsi
de.
Thato:
(noddedandsmi
led)okay,
Let
s
dothisgir
l.

Let
tysmi
ledst
ari
ngathi
m.

AtKen’
sHouse
Kenwalkedoutoft heshowerand
rushedtot
hel oungewherehelef
t
hisphoneonthet abl
e,hepi
ckedthe
phoneasitrang.ItwastheGym
i
nstruct
or.

Ken:Hel
lo.
I
nst
ructor
:Sir
,am heretoi nf
orm you
t
hatthegym willbecl
osedunt i
l
f
urt
hernoti
ce,therear
er enovat
ions
t
hatwil
lbecarriedoutthisweek.
Ken:Sothi
smeanst
her
eisnogym
tomorr
ow?
I
nst
ruct
or:Yes,
butwewi
ll
communicatethechangest
hatwill
bemade,theoperat
ingti
mesmi ght
changeaf
terthegym i
srenovat
ed.
Ken:Okay,
Iwi
llhearf
rom you.
I
nst
ruct
or:Gr
eat
,bye
Ken:bye

Kenhungupandf ixedhi
stowelas
hesatdownont hecouch,hel
ater
dial
edLesego’
snumberandpicked
thephone.

Lesego:(
smi
led)hey,
how’
syour
eveni
ng?
Ken:
(si
ghed)Qui
tebor
ing,
andyour
s?
Lesego:(l
aughed)It
hinkwehave
somethingincommon, minei
s
bori
ngtoo…Imeant herei
snothi
ng
muchIcando.
Ken:Iunderstand,j
ustt
hatIwish
oneofthesedaysIcansee
you…(t
hought f
ull
y)andbef
oreI
for
getther
ei sthi
sothergi
rl,
she
sai
dhernamei sSall
y—
Lesego:
(I
nter
rupt
ed)youar
ewi
thher
elegore?
Ken:
(cal
mly)No,Iwasaboutt
oask
youabouther.Imeanshekeeps
cominghere,
sheseemst obeyour
ver
ygoodf
ri
end.
Lesego:Thereisnot
hinggoodabout
her,sheusedtobeagoodper son
butnowt hi
ngshavechanged…and
pleasedon’tal
lowherint
oyour
house.
Ken:Shei
sannoyi
ng, Idon’
tknow
howyoubecamef ri
endwi t
hher,
you
arever
ydi
ffer
entf
rom herkana.
Lesego:Youwontunder st
andgir
ls,
surel
ysheisaftersomethi
ng.Just
don’tgi
veherattent
ion,
am sureshe
hasbadi nt
ent
ions.
Ken:Ibannedherf
rom myhouse,
but
shewontstopcomingher
e…sheis
l
ikemyalar
m now,ever
ymorning
shecomeshereaski
ngmeifyouare
backornot
…canyouatl
eastt
alkto
her.
Lesego:Iwi l
ltal
ktoher,
andam
sorr
yt hathappened…Ishoul
dn’t
haveal l
owedheri nt
oyourhousein
thefi
rstplace.
Ken:Don’ tblameyour sel
f,Iknow
peoplechangest oo…(si
ghed)the
otherdaywhenJackcameher e,you
saiditwasn’ tyouwhoi nvi
tedhim
ri
ght?Andam st arti
ngtothinkthat
thi
sgi r
listryingtosetyouup.
Lesego:
Itwast
otal
lyher
,Il
iedt
oyou
kereitsmewhoinvi
tedhi
m because
Ithoughtyouwer
enotgoi
ngto
beli
eveme.
Ken:ItrustYouLesego,youdi dn’t
havetodot hat…j
ustthatIwantyou
togetridofthatgi
rli
nyourlif
e, she
i
sabadf ri
endandIdon’ twanthert o
i
nfluenceyouintodoingbadt hings.
Lesego:Wenevertal
kmuch,
soyou
don’thavet
oworry.
Ken:(
smiled)That
’sgood…(
clear
ed
hi
sthroat
)guesswhat?
Lesego:mm!what
?
Ken:
(l
aughed)Isai
dguess.
Lesego:
(l
aughi
ng)howcanIguessi
f
Idon’
thaveacl
ue?
Ken:(smil
ed)Ibakedandmadesome
cupcakest hisaft
ernoon,
theyt
aste
theysameast heoneyoubakedfor
met hatotherday.
Lesego:Wow,idoubtit…am
beginni
ngtothinkthatyouare
att
endingsecretcooki
ngclasses
whil
eam away.
Ken:(l
aughed)Igoogledonthe
i
nternet,
honestl
yt heydon’
ttast
ethe
sameasyour s,theytast
eli
kefat
cakes,Imessedup.
Lesego:
(l
aughi
ng)youmustr
eti
re,
youarenolongerachef
.
Ken:
Iagree…butam sureyouare
goi
ngtoteachmemor e…youknowa
l
otsofthi
ngskanawena.
Lesego:(
smil
ing)nowyouseegor
eI
deserveamedal.
Ken:(
laughed)youreal
lydeser
vei
t,a
f
ake-ori
ginalmedal
.
Lesego:haha,
howcanyousayt
hat
?
Ken:Am j
oki
ng…

Lesegol
aughedver
yhar
d.

Lat
ert
hatni
ght
…
Jackdr oveont hegr avelroadwhi l
e
playingt hemusi c,hedi ppedhis
headl i
ght sashet urnedi ntoadeep
forestroadt hatconnect st othe
highwayl eadi
ngt oGabor one…he
thensl oweddownt hecarand
parkedal ongsidether oad.He
l
eanedont heseatandpunchedt he
starri
ngwheelwi thhi sfistandtook
hisphonet ryi
ngt ocallThat oforthe
sixthtime, butthenumberwasn’ t
available.

AtPavi
li
onRest
aur
ant
…
LateronThatocar r
iedLett
y’s
handbagast heywal kedbacktothe
parki
nglot,het henhandedittoher
astheygotinsidethecar..

Lett
y:(
checkedt
heclock)I
tsal
ready
l
ate,andIhavemissedcal
lsfr
om
Dianeandmom.
That
o:Doyouthi
nkyouar
egoi
ngt
o
geti
ntot
roubl
e?
Letty:
(si
ghing)am al
readyi
nt roubl
e,
mymot herdidn’
twantmet oleave
thehouse…andIdi dn’
ttel
lthem am
goingout .
That
o:Wecangot
omyhouse.
Lett
y:youmeanyourparentshouse,
no…that’
sworsethanki
ll
ingmyself
.
Whatwoul dyourpar
ent
ssaywhen
theyseeme.
Thato:Am abigboyLet
ty,Icanbring
whoeverIwantintomyroom…l ook,
af
tertomorrow wecangosepar ate
waysandneverseeeachot heragain.
Lett
y:(thoughtf
ull
y)Okaylet
sgo,j
ust
thatIcantfacemymom l i
ke
thi
s…(stari
ngathim)andIcant
beli
eveam wi t
hyou, Ist
il
ldon’
ttr
ust
youThat o.
That
o:(
smil
ed)f
rom nowon,
you
musttr
ustme.
Hereser
vedofft
heparkingl
ot
headi
ngtothemaingate…
*
*
*
LETSGETMORELI
KES,
COMMENTS
ANDSHARESONTHISI
NSERT.
[
9:09AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#23

AtGr
andma’
sHouse
Thefoll
owingmor ni
ngLesego
hangedhercl ot
hesont hewashing
l
ineasthesunr ise,shet henwent
backtoherlaundr yareaand
conti
nuedwashi ngot herclot
hes,
l
ateronBongi ecameoutoft he
householdingat oothbr ushanda
cup,shethenwentt oLesegowho
wasbusywi t
hlaundry.

Bongi
e:(
Clear
edherthr
oat)youmust
havewokeupveryearl
ytodo
l
aundry,
areyougoingsomewhere?
Lesego:
Mor
ning…
Bongi
e:Hi
,oyakaegaot
hat
swa
j
aana?
Lesego:
(st
oppedwashi ng)Am going
backtoGaboronetomor r
ow, Ij
ust
hopeyouwi l
ltakecar
eofgr anny
whil
eam away.
Bongi
e:Ar
eyouseri
ousLesego,why
don’
tyouwai
tunt
ilsheisdi
scharged
atl
east
…howam Igoingtomanage
al
one.
Lesego:Iknowyoucan, l
ookIreall
y
needtogoback.Ther ei
ssomet hi
ng
i
mpor t
antwai t
ingformether
e,it
san
opport
unitythatcomesonceina
l
if
etime.
Bongie:(
Laughed)youmeanaman
ri
ght?
Lesego:It
smorethant
hat
,justt
hatI
don’tt
rustyou,
soIwontt
ellyou
anythi
ngfornow.
Bongie:Behonestwi
thme,haveyou
foundsomeonenemma…Imeanyou
nevercomplai
nmucht hi
sdays.
Lesego:
Nope!
Bongi e:(
lookedint
ohereyes)it
s
wr i
ttenalloveryourf
ace,gapeyour
facialexpressi
onssaysal ot
…whenI
ment i
onedthewor dman,you
blushedt hri
ce.
Lesego:
(gi
ggl
ed)wer
eyoucount
ing?
Bongi
e:Notr
eal
ly,butyoul
it
eral
ly
smil
ed…whatshisname?
Lesego:(
Smiled)oncehet el
lsmehi s
name,Iwil
ltellyou…heisrefusingt o
tel
lmehisname, butam ver
ypat i
ent
becauseIknowonedayhewi lltel
l
me.
Bongi
e:Lesegocomeon!Ir
eal
ly
wantt
oknowkana.
Lesego:
(openedherphone)Wai
t!

Lesegoopenedgall
eryandscrol
led
tothepi
ctures,
shethenhel
dthe
phonefi
rm andshowedBongie.
Lesego:Iwi
llhol
dthephonef
oryou,
don’tt
ouchit.
Bongi
e:(scrol
leddown)You
downloadedthispictur
esfrom t
he
i
nter
net,thisi
st hetypeofguysyou
seeoncel ebr
itytvshows.
Lesego:Unt
ilyouseehi
m wi
thyour
owneyes…girlyoudeyr
unmad-
oo(i
gboaccent)…
Bongie:(
Frowned)Idon’
tbel
ieveyou,
am sureheistheonewhoownst he
mall
si nGaborone…howdidyoutwo
meet.

Shekeptscr
oll
ingdownunt
ilhesaw
api
ctur
eofKenwi
thLesego.

Bongie:
(surpr
ised)Wow, t
hisi
s
real
…Lesegoyougavehi m
somethingbad, nxust
ru.Youdid
givehim somethingbadtoeat
.
Lesego:Ididn’
t,thewayt hings
happenedgor eketlekekopanel e
ene,youwillnotbel
ieve…(refl
ect
ing
back)Itwasoneoft hetoughesttime
ofmyl i
fe.
Bongie:Justdon’tl
etthi
surbangir
ls
snatchhim,ther
earelotofboyf
ri
end
steal
erskoGC, andtheyknowhowt o
sl
aybogi rlbateng.
Lesego:theywonttakehim bel
ieve
me…( paused)Justt
hatther
eist his
othergir
lwhokeept hrowi
ngher self
onhim, andIthoughtshewasmy
bestfri
end.
Bongie:(
Tappedhershoul
der
)wena
j
ustfocus,t
hat’
sit
.

Shethenstart
edbr ushingherteeth
headingt
ot hetap…Lesegost opped
washingandt ookherphoneand
dial
edSall
y’snumber ,shethenput
thephoneont heearasi tr
ang.

Sal
ly:
(Sl
eepy)hel
lo.
Lesego:
(ser
ioust
one)Sal
ly,
wehave
total
know.
Sall
y:Thi
searl
ymor ni
ng?I
sther
e
anythi
ngimpor
tantyouwantt
otalk
about?
Lesego:Youknowverywell,
Italked
toKenlastni
ghtandhesaidyou
keepcomingtohishouse,whyar e
youdoingthat
.Kanteareyoutrying
todestr
oymyr el
ati
onshipwit
hhi m.
Sally:Howam Idest r
oyingyour
rel
at ionshipLesego,cantIbeKen’
s
fri
end?Am nott ryi
ngtohitonhim,
am j usttryi
ngtogetalongwi t
hhim.
Justl ikeyouwer egett
ingalongwit
h
t
heguysIdat
ed.
Lesego:Thereisthediff
erencehere,
didyoueverseemehar assingyour
boyfr
iendbefore?kanaKenar ehe
doesn’twantyou,andhedon’ twant
toseeyouagai nathishouse, can
yourespectthatplease?
Sall
y:Soyourpointisthat,youar
e
afr
aidthatkenmi ghtchooseme
rat
herthanyou?i tsobvi
ousLesego,
am Inotbetterl
ookingthanyou?
Lesego:
(l
aughed)Youareacti
ngli
ke
achil
dSally,
solooksmattert
he
mostaccordi
ngtoyou.Imeanwhat
happenedtotheoldSal
lyIknow,
whousedt opl
aitmyhairandwewill
t
alkforhours,
makingjokes,nohar
d
f
eeli
ngs, j
ustl
aught
er.
Sally:
Lesegothegamehaschanged,
itssurvi
valofthefit
test.Ifyouar e
insecurethenbei t
,butam f eel
ing
sorryforthatl
itt
leheartofyour s
becauseKeni snotgoi ngt omar ry
youorevenbei nar el
ationshipwi t
h
youf oralongtime, whateverchar m
youhaveusedwi llnotwor kbelieve
me.
Lesego:(
Sadl
y)I
tsf
ine,
that
’syour
beli
ef.
Sal
ly:Openyoureyes,
Keni
sgoi
ngt
o
fi
ndabetterwomanwhowi llmatch
hisst
andardandmarryher,then
keepyouasahousehelper.Stop
wasti
ngyourti
meonhi m andf i
nd
someonewhosuityou.
Lesego:Sal
lybye.
.

Shesadlyhungupandsatonthe
chairver
yfur
ious…meanwhi
leBongi
e
walkedovert
oher .

Bongi
e:i
sRi
yast
il
lsl
eepi
ng?
Lesego:
(l
owvoi
ce)mm!
Bongi
e:(
star
ingather
)andt
hen,
whati
sit
?
Lesego:Lookatme,
am It
hatbad
l
ooking?
Bongi
e:(Paused)Youhavestar
ted
doubt
ingyoursel
faker
e,youare
goodlooki
ngLesego.
Lesego:JustbehonestBongi e,am
yoursisterandIknowyouar eaf r
aid
totel
lmet hetr
uth.Iwontgetangry
atall
…(repeatedl
y)Am Ibadlooking?
Bongi
e:Youarenot…(si
ghed)you
seewhathappenswhenyouspend
mostofthet
imeonsoci almedi a,you
endupcomparingyourselfwithother
peopl
e,youwil
lhavelowsel festeem
i
fyoukeepdoi ngthat
.It
sal
soan
i
nsulttodoubtyourownbeaut
y,
whatevert
hatmadeyouupsetdon’
t
mindit.

Bongiethenwalkedinsi
dethehouse,
Lesego’seyesfi
ll
edwithtear
sand
sheimmedi at
elywipedthem bef
ore
theystr
eameddownhercheeks.

AtDi
ane’
sHouse

Dianefi
xedherskir
tandblouseand
thensatdownputti
ngonherheels,
hermotherwalkedinhol
dingacup
ofcof
fee.

Her
:Her
eisyourcof
fee.
Diane:
(Smil
ed)Nothankyou,Iwil
l
buysomethingduri
ngteabreakat
work…gapeitsmyfir
stdaytodayand
fi
rsti
mpressionsar
ealwaysthekey.
Her:Am gladthatf
inal
lyyouhavea
j
ob…( paused)Haveyoutri
edtocal
l
Let
tyagai n?
Diane:For
getabouthermom, shei
s
notgoingtocomenow…t hat
’swhat
shealwaysdo.
Her
:Am goi
ngtopunishher
,ele
gor
ewhywouldsheleavewhil
eshe
knowsgor
eshei
satr
iskduet
hat
i
njur
y.
Diane:(Checkedherwat
ch)Letmego,
Iwillseeyoul at
er.
Her
:Okaybye,
andhaveagr
eatday.

Di
anewavedatherasshel
eft
.

AtADI
nsur
anceCompany…

Latert
hatmorningKenopenedhis
off
iceandputontheAC, hethensat
downont heoff
icechai
randtypeda
messageonhisphoneandsentt o
Lesego,heleanedbackswit
chingon
thecomputerandimmediatelythe
off
icetel
ephonestart
edri
nging.

Ken:
(pickedup)Goodmor
ning,
Mr
Kennedyont hel
ine.
Call
er:HiSi
r,i
tsmeyourf
inanci
al
advi
sor,am cal
li
ngf
rom t
heoffi
ce
too.
Ken:Okay,am gladyoucalled…look,I
i
nvestedinarealestat
epr opert
ylike
amont hagoandboughtsome
sharesfr
om chobe,doyout hinkits
ti
mef ormetogetmyr etur
nson
i
nvestment?Likeam thinki
ngof
sel
li
ngt
heshar
esnow.
Caller:Iwil
lcheckt hepri
cesont he
Bot swanaSt ockExchangesite,andI
wi l
lgiveyouf eedbacklat
erbecause
thedai l
ymar ketmoverofyest er
day
showst hatt
her ewerenopr i
ce
movement s,soletswaitfort
oday’s
trades.
Ken:Okay,
great
…keepmeupdat
ed.
Cal
ler
:Okaysi
r,Thankyou.
.

Hehungup,
Kenputdownt hephone
andl
oggedi
nhi scomput
er.
Meanwhi
let
herewasaknockatt he
door
,heswi
tchedonhisKett
leand
wentt
oopent
hedoor
.

Ken:
(Paused)Goodmor
ning,
how
canIhel
pyou?
Di
ane:
(Smiled)Mor
ning,
MrKennedy
Of
fi
ce4right?
Ken:
(nodded)Yes,
theof
ficenumber
i
tsonthedoor…youare?
Diane:
Am Diane,therecept
ioni
st
sentmehere.Actuall
yi t
smyf i
rst
dayofwork,ifyourememberIwas
oneofthecandidateswhocamef or
i
ntervi
ewhere.
Ken:Okay,sohowcanIhel
p
you…am sureyoucametot
hewr
ong
of
fi
ce,
areyoul
ooki
ngf
orsomeone?
Diane:
(si
ghed)Am yournew
assist
ant
.
Ken:
Ohr eall
y?imeant hat
’s
wonderf
ul,Ihavelongrequest
edthe
companyt oatleasthi
reanassist
ant
whowillhelpmewi thpaperwork
andlot
sofot herthi
ngs.
Diane:
(smiled)Okay,thenyougot
one.Am justgladIfoundaj obi
nthi
s
economywi t
hhighrateof
unemployment .
Ken:
Youar
eri
ght
…butanywaysyou
cancomei
nandseemyoffi
ce.Thi
s
i
smybase.
Diane:(Walkedin)Whydoesi tseem
l
ikeapal aceinsi
de,it
ssobeaut i
ful
…( l
ookedatt hedécorandsmal l
l
ibrary)didyoudot hisoryoufound
i
tlikethi
s.
Ken:Well
,Idecorat
editandmadea
smalll
ibr
aryinsi
de…justt
hatIl
ike
readi
ngonmyf r
eeti
me.
Diane:Veryi
nspiri
ng…Iguessright
nowt herei
snol otofwork,
which
meansIcangobackt othestaff
room, youwil
ltel
ephonemei fyou
needsomehel p.
Ken:(
handedheranamecard)My
namecardandphonenumber,
t
hanks.

Dianetookitandwal kedoutclosi
ng
thedoor…j
ustaftershel ef
t,Ken’s
phonestart
edr i
nging,itwasLesego.

Ken:
(smil
ed)l
ookwhocal
led,
Good
morning.
Lesego:(
Smil
ing)Youalwayscal
l
fi
rst
,soIdeci
dedtosurpri
seyou.
Ken:That
’sl
ovel
y,howi
sever
ythi
ng.
Lesego:Justfi
ne,Imadeupmymi nd
andam comi ngtomorr
ow.That
’s
whyIcalled.
Ken:(
Smi l
ed)Wow,buteveni
fyou
didn’
tcall
,youcoul
dhavemadeita
surpr
ise…justki
ddi
ng.
Lesego:Youarer
ight
…soyouar
e
al
readyatwork?
Ken:yeah,j
ustarri
vedsomef ew
minutesago…(checkedhiswat ch)
andam suretherewi l
lbeabrief
meetingint
henextf ewsecondsor
minutes.
Lesego:Wel
lwit
ht hatbeingsai
d,
haveagreatandlovelydayhunk!
Ken:(
laughed)Hunk?Nowam very
sureyoucanthelpit
,Imustreal
ly
stopgoingtothegym bef
oreIst
art
i
nti
midat
ingyou.
Lesego:
(l
aughed)Il
ikeitthatway,
I
guessyouaregivi
ngladieshardti
me
atyourworkpl
ace.
Ken:Owaii,butam j
ustl
owkey.They
cantevencomeandconf ess,andI
don’twantthem toknowmuchabout
me,thisgenderthough.
.(
helaughed)
Lesego:Thisgenderrra,i
jo…ke
mathata.
.(
laughed)exceptme!

Kenlaughed,
andimmediat
elyt
here
wasaknockatthedoor
,heputthe
phoneonholdandwenttoopenthe
door.
Lady:Sir
,ther
eisameet
ingatt
he
conferenceroom.
Ken:
(Gent
ly)Okayt
hanks,
justa
minut
e.

Hegotbackt
othecal
l.

Ken:
(Ontheli
ne)Heysexy,
wil
ltal
kto
youl
aterri
ght
.
Lesego:
Ahh!That
’sanof
fensi
ve
word.
Ken:Idi
dn’
tknow…am r
eal
lysor
ry.
Lesego:
(Laughed)Gotyou!
!
bye…[
9:09AM,
31/05/
2020]Mamoyo
Sp:BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#24

AtJack’
sHouse

Latert
hatdayJackstoodupand
cl
osedhisPC ,thenheadedt
ot he
bedroom andt
ookhisphonediali
ng
Lesego’
snumber .

Lesego:
(pi
ckedup)Hel
lo.
Jack:Whenam Igoi
ngt
oseemy
daught
er?I
tsbeenweeksandIgave
youenoughti
metospendwithher
.
Lesego:Jackwhatisitt
hatyoudon’
t
underst
and?Youar enotgoi
ngtosee
hereveragain.Pl
ease.
Jack:Lesegowhyareyougivingme
suchahar dti
me,i
tsnotli
keIwant
you.it
smydaughterthatIwant,j
ust
givemewhatIwantandIwi lll
eave
youinpeace.
Lesego:
(si
ghed)Youwil
lst
artt
osee
herwhensheturns5,
nowshei sj
ust
tooyoungtobelef
twit
hyou.
Jack:why?am Iast
ranger?…l
ook,
youarepushi
ngmei nt
ot hi
ngsthatI
don’twantt
odoLesego,Ihavebeen
pati
entandit
senoughnow.
Lesego:Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
cal
lthepol
iceonme.
Jack:Am goingtofindanylegal
meansnowt ohelpmet akemy
daughterback,i
fitinvol
vesthecour
t
i
tsstil
lokay,Iwi
lltakeyoutocourt
forr
efusingmetoseemydaught er.
Lesego:Goaheadandtakemeto
court
,youshoul
dbegratef
ult
hatIno
l
ongeraskyoutogivememoneyf or
Riya.
Jack:Idon’
tmindspendi
ngmy
moneyonher ,
Iwil
levenfi
ndpi
ece
j
obst omakemoneyandt akecareof
Riya,i
tsnotevenhar
dtodothatand
l
ot soff
ather
soutther
ecandot hat
too.
Lesego: Jackf i
rstallyouar ea
womani zer,Icantimagi nemy
daught erbeingexposedt ol otof
femaleswhowi llendupgi vi
ngher
drugsandal coholwhenshei scryi
ng,
andwhoknows, whatifoneofyour
gir
lfr
iendsst ealher .That’stoomuch
danger ,atleastwhenshei sfi
ve
yearsol dorseven, shecan
dif
ferentiat
er ightfrom wrong.But
nowi snott hebestt i
me, besidesyou
canttakemychi ldagainstmywi l
l.
Jack:Iwantyout odeci deLesego,
whetheryouaregoi ngt oallowmet o
seemydaught er,orshoul dIfindan
i
nvestigat
orwhowi lll
egallyhelpme
takeyoutocour tforrefusi
ngmet o
getmydaught er,Imeanyouar enot
capableoftaki
ngcar eofheralone,
soitsobvioustheyar egoingto
choosemeoveryou.AndIwi l
lfind
someonewhowi l
llookaf t
erRiya
whileam busyfindingaj ob.
Lesego:Isthatwhatyouthink?Look,
Icantakecar eofher
.Inever
complainedaboutyounott aki
ng
careofRiya,sojustf
orgetabouther.
Findyourselfsomeoneyoucanhave
ababywi
thandmoveon,
bye.

Shehungup, Jackl ookedatt he

phonescr eenast hecal lended.He
thenthoughtf oramomentandwent
tohislapt opandopenedi t,
het hen
browsedt ogoogl eandt yped“Legal
servi
cesandChi l
dCust odyI n
Gaborone”Ther ewer enumer ous
searchr esult
sont hesear chengi ne.
Hecl i
ckedt hefirstlinkandopened
thesite,thecont actandemai l
addresswer edisplayedont heweb
page.Het ypedthephonenumberon
thescr eenanddi al
ed.
Att
hehospi
tal
…

LateronLesegosatdownont he
chair,andhel
dhergranny’
shand.
Shet urnedonthebedandstar
edat
her.

Grandma:
(si
ghed)Lesego,
howl
ong
haveyoubeenhere?
Lesego:Isi
ncecamehere,
Iwas
waiti
ngforyoutowakeup,Howar
e
youfeel
ingnow?Isthel
egnot
painf
ul?
Grandma:(smil
ed)I
tsbet
ternow,but
thedoctortol
dmethatam goingto
needcrutchesorawheel
chairtoai
d
mymovement .
Lesego:Ihear
dthatt
oo,ar
ethey
goingtoprovi
deyouwit
hthose
faci
li
ti
es?
Grandma:Idon’
tknow,
maybethey
arebought
…whichmeansIhavet
o
buythem.
Lesego:Iam suretheywil
l
provi
de…(sighed)Grandma!
Tomorrowam goi ngbackto
Gaborone,soIcameher etol
etyou
know.
Gr
andma:
(sadl
ykeptqui
et)
Lesego:(t
ouchedherhand)Gr andma!
Am sorry,butIt
hinkyouwillbesafe
wit
hBongi e,shehaschangednow.
Shewilllookaft
eryou,Iwil
ltryto
sendmoneyt ohelpyou.
Grandma:Butyoursi
ster’
shearthas
changed…(st
ari
ngattheceil
ing)ar
e
thedoctor
sgoingtodischar
geme
soon?
Lesego:Thedoctor
shaven’tsai
d
anythi
ng,andagainyoudon’thavet
o
worry…anyti
meyouneedmeam
avai
labl
e.
Gr
andma:
Youar
etaki
ngRi
yawi
th
you?
Lesego:yes,
Icantl
eaveherbehi
nd.
Sheneedsme, youwantmetoleave
her?
Grandma:No,am notf
itt
olookaft
er
her,am t
oooldandIdon’
thavethe
str
engthanymore.
Lesego:(
Pausedf
orsomeseconds)
Don’tyouwantmetoleave?
Grandma:DowhatyouwantLesego,
i
fleavingmakesyouhappythendoi
t.
Butleavi
ngmewi t
hyoursist
erI
don’tthi
nki
t’
sagoodidea.
Lesego:
(Thought
ful
ly)Canwego
toget
her
?
Gr
andma:No,wher
ewi
llIbest
ayi
ng
whenIgowit
hyou.
Lesego:Thesamepl aceIwil
lbe
stayingat ,
itsnotwhatyouare
thinking.Inolongerst
ayatJack’
s
place.
Grandma:Youtoldme,butdon’tyou
t
hinkitwil
lbeabituncomfor
tablefor
t
heowneroft hehouseifwego
t
ogether.
Lesego:
(smiled)Hisnamei sKen,he
i
sverydiff
erentfrom Jack,
Ialr
eady
tol
dhim aboutyou.
Grandma:Youreal
lyl
ovehi
m?and
doesheloveyourchi
ld?
Lesego:Hedoes,
hel
ovesRi
yal
ike
hisownchil
d.

Meanwhi
lethedoct
orwal
kedinwith
somefor
m andhandedi
ttoLesego.

Lesego:Ar
eyoudi
schar
ginghernow?
Doctor
:YourGrandmai sfi
ne,ther
e
ar
emedi cat
ionIprescri
bedforher.I
wil
lbri
ngthemedicationandsome
cr
utches.
Lesego:Whenareyougoi
ngt
o
dischar
geher?
Doct
or:Now,
youcansi
gnt
hef
orm
onherbehal
f…andshewi l
luse
crut
chesst
arti
ngfrom t
odayunti
l
shecannowwal konherown.
Lesego:sohowlongIsitgoi
ngto
takeforhert
obeabletowalkonher
own?
Doctor :
it
spr obablyal
ongt i
me,the
mor esheexer ci
sewal
kingonher
own, itwil
ltakeshortt
ime.ButI
recommendt hatshet
akethe
medi cati
ont oeasethepainfull
egs.
Lesego:(
signedt
hef
orm)her
e,am
done…
Doctor
:Iwil
lbeback,doyouhave
t
ransportt
otakeherhome?
Lesego:No,
andi
tsf
arf
rom her
e.
Doctor
:don’tworry,am suret
he
ambulanceissti
llaround,Iwi
llask
thenurset
oescor tyouandGr andma
home.
Lesego:Thankyou.

Thedoct
ort
ookt
hef
orm andwal
ked
out
…

Lesego:
(st
ari
ngatGr
anny)Woul
d
youbeabletousecr
utches?
Gr
andma:youwi
llshowmehowt
hey
ar
eused.
Lesego:OkayIwil
l,t
heywil
lhel
pto
reduceweightonyourl
egstoavoi
d
hurti
ngthem.

AtKen’
sWor
kpl
ace

Latert hatafternoonKenopenedhi s
carandputhi sbagont hebackseats,
hedr oveoffthepar kinglot,af
terhe
l
eftt hecompanypr emisesj oi
ning
ther oadher ecogni zedDi aneatthe
taxist op,hesloweddownand
i
ndi cat edchangeofl aneashe
parkedatt hest op.Her ol
leddown
thewi ndowandDi anenot icedhim.
Ken:Wai
ti
ngf
orat
axi
?
Di
ane:yes.
Ken:Whereareyouheadi
ngto,
Ican
takeyouhal
fwayifyoudon’
tmind.
Diane:Idon’tthi
nkitsnecessar
y,I
canwai tsi
r,thanks.
Ken:Am justt
ryi
ngtohelp,
youarea
fel
lowmat eandIcantj
ustpassl
ikeI
don’tknowyou.
Diane:
(t
hought
ful
ly)Youcandropme
atBBSmal l
,ar
eyougoingthatside?
ImeanIcancatchanothert
axithere
toavoi
dlongrout
es.
Ken:Okay,
hopi
n..

Di
aneopenedt
hedoorandst
epped
i
n.

Di
ane:(
glancedathi
m)Thankyou.
Ken:
(j
oinedtheroad)I
tsf
ine…how
wasyourfi
rstday?
Diane:
(si
ghed)wasj ustfi
ne,
buti
ts
veryhect
ic…everyoneseemedso
seri
ousandhar dwor ki
ng.
Ken:Wearedeali
ngwithsomany
thi
ngs,andgoodser
viceiswhatwe
wantforourcust
omers,soexpecta
l
otofwor
k.
Di
ane:(
nodded)Iwil
l…(herphone
st
art
edringi
ng)canItakethiscal
l?
Ken:(
Giggled)youdon’tneedany
permi
ssion,feelf
ree.
Di
ane:
Okay…(pi
ckedup)Am onmy
wayhome,canwetalkwhenIar
ri
ve?
Cal
ler
:okay,
bye.
Di
ane:bye,
(thecal
lended)
.
Ken:
(st
ari
ngather)Boyf
ri
endi
s
cal
li
ngorhusband?
Di
ane:
(l
aughed)None,
it’
saf
ri
endof
mi
ne.
Ken:Okay,
sor
ry,
Ishoul
dn’
thave
asked,kanait
sr udet
oasksomeone
thatquesti
on,especi
all
yladi
es.
Diane:(
laughi
ng)real
ly?Idon’tt
hink
so…(paused)li
keyou, youare
mar r
iedandthat’
sforsur e.
Ken:
Nope,
am not
.
Di
ane:Ithoughtyouar e,why?you
st
il
lwanttoenjoyyour sel
f,oryou
pr
efert
hel over
s(sexualpartner
)?
Ken:(
Paused)Well
,am seei
ng
someoneatthemomentandshei s
sobettert
hanthi
sladi
eseveryone
thi
nkstheyaremymatch.
Di
ane:
Wow, whenIfi
rstsawyouI
t
houghtyouareafamil
ymanwho
haveacl assywoman.
.imeant hose
l
adieswhocont rol
swhattheirmen
shoulddoandatwhatt i
met heir
husbandsshouldbehome, the
expensivegif
tst
heywantfor
bir
thdays.
Ken:Igetyou,butthat’
snotthetype
ofwomanIwant .Il
ikepeace…butI
don’tmindspoil
ingmywoman, andI
thi
nkever ymanshoulddo
that…(
thoughtf
ull
y)andIshouldcall
aflori
st,
Ithi
nkIneedsomef l
owers
tomorrow.

Di
anest
aredathi
m wi
than
ast
oni
shedf
ace…
*
*
*BONUS!I
NSERT.
.
Let
st ryt
oget8,000likesonthi
s
pagebefore00:
00a. m, f
orabonus,
Sharethi
sposttogr oupsyouarein,
Mentionyourfr
iends,Share,
Share.
..
[
9:09AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#25

AtDi
ane’
sHouse
LaterthateveningDianesatdown
stari
ngatLet t
y,Let
tyburi
eddown
herhead…

Di
ane:
(Si
ghed)ar
eyoupr
egnant
?
Lett
y:What
?am not
…whyar
eyou
aski
ngmet hat
?
Di
ane:Whyareyouaf
rai
dtol
ookme
i
ntheeyes?
Let
ty:(
tur
nedt
otheTV)Am wat
chi
ng
Tv,
whatdoyouwant?
Di
ane:Let
tyIunder
standthatyou
ar
eabiggirl
,butwhatyouaredoing
i
snotokay…youwer esicknotl
ong
agoandalreadyyouhavestart
edto
mingl
eandspendi ngsomenights
awayfrom home,mom isreal
ly
worri
edaboutyoukana.
Let
ty:Butam f
inenow,
Idon’
tfeel
anypainanymoreandIcando
whateverIwant.
Di
ane:(
Pausedforsomef
ewseconds)
whoistheguy?
Let
ty:Wenawhoi
stheguy?
Diane:
Am yourel
der
,youar
enot
supposet
oaskmet hat.
Lett
y:Well
,i
tsf
airnow…l
etsnotask
eachother
.
Diane:
Butonaser i
ousnot e,you
havetogetyourlifetogether.Fi
nd
Somet hi
ngmeani ngfulyoucando,
andthat’sschool
, at
leastitwil
l
di
stractyoufrom thebadi nf
luences
i
nt hi
ssociety.
Lett
y:(Stoodup)Iwi llseewhatt
odo,
butnotschool …(pi
ckedherphone
fr
om thet able)am goingtomyroom,
Goodni ght..

Lett
ytookherphoneandwenttoher
room,Dianetookt
heremoteand
changedthechannel
.Meanwhil
eshe
tookherphoneandscrol
ledt
hrough
hercontact
s,shet appedKen’s
pri
vatenumberandwai tedbef
ore
shecoulddial
.Shet houghtforsome
fewsecondsst i
lldebati
ngwithher
thought
swhet hertocallornot.

Diane:(l
oudwhi sper)No,ifIcal
lnow
i
twi l
lbet ooearly…(smil
ed)orshould
Ijustaskhim howhemanagest ress
atwor k…(paused)No, i
fIdohewi ll
thinkam weak…( sighed)damn!

Lett
y:(
standi
ngatt
hedoor
way)Who
areyoutalki
ngt
o?
Di
ane:
(pani
cked)Damn!Let
ty,
you
st
art
ledme…whatdoyouwant
?
Let
ty:Sor
ry,If
orgotmyhai
rcl
ipper
onthecouch.
Di
ane:
(annoyed)ah,
takei
tandl
eave.
Lett
y:(
star
ingather
)rel
ax,Ididn’
t
evenhearwhatyouweresaying…are
youhit
ti
nguponsomeone?
Di
ane:No,
canyoul
eavenow?

Let
typi
ckedamagazi
nei
nst
eadand
wentt
oherroom.

Dianet
ookadeepbr
eat
handcal
led
Ken.
Ken:
(Pickedup)Hey,
Quoideneuf
,tu
vasbien?
Di
ane:(
smi
led)hi
,youspeakFr
ench?
Ken:Well,j
ustalit
tl
e,l
ikeshort
phrases…am lear
ningfrom abook.
Di
ane:That
’si
mpr
essi
ve,
Ili
ke
Fr
ench.
Ken:Real
ly,
itsqui
teeasy…youknow
somewords?
Diane:Notreal
ly,
Igaveuponit
somet i
meback.I twasst
ressi
ngand
toodiff
icul
ttol
earn.
Ken:Youshoul
dn’
thavegi
venup,
actual
lyi
t’
st hesecondifnotthe
thi
rdworl
dl anguagethatisveryeasy
tolear
nafterGerman.
Diane:IguessIwastoo
l
azy…(clearedhert
hroat
)actual
lyI
call
edtothankyoufortheri
de,I
real
lyappreciat
e.
Ken:(
laughs)Comeon,youreal
ly
cal
ledtothankme,Imeanifitmeans
alottoyouwellyouar
ewelcome.
Diane:(
laughs)Idon’twantt
osound
rude,butam someonewhor eal
ly
appreciat
eevenl i
tt
lethi
ngs,
tomeit
meansal ot
.
Ken:I
tsokay,
wel
lIwasj
usthel
ping
andam gl
adIcoul
d.
Di
ane:Yes…(
keptqui
et)
Ken:Well
,i
fthat
’st
hecase…seeyou
tomorr
ow.
Diane:wai
t,canIl
ikeasksomet
hing
personal?
Ken:
(Paused)Okay,
goahead.
Diane:
(t
hought
ful
ly)wel
lnevermi
nd,
bye

Shehungandputthephonedown
scr
atchi
ngherhead.

Di
ane:Ei
sh,
whydi
dIdot
hat
?
Shethenswi
tchedof
ftheTVandt
he
l
ight
sandheadedtoherroom…

AtKen’
sHouse

Kenputt hephoneont hetableand

headedt othekit
chen,heopenedt he
fri
dgeandpour edsomewat eri
na
glassandaddedsomel emoni nside.
Het ookasipgoingbackt otheliving
room, hesatdownont hecouch, took
hisphoneanddi aledLesego’s
number .
Lesego:
Hel
lo.
Ken:Hey,
whatt
imeshouldIexpect
youtomorr
ow?Imi
ghttakeadayoff.
Lesego:(Paused)Therei
salitt
le
problem her
e,myGr andmawas
dischargedtodayandshewasgi ven
crutchessoIcantleaveherl
ikethat
.
Ken:doest
hatmeanyouar
enot
coming?
Lesego:Am afr
aidyes,
butyoudon’
t
havetoworry.Iwil
lcomebutIdon’
t
knowwhen.
Ken:(
Sadly)LesegoIreal
lymi
ssed
youplease,whydon’tyoucomewith
yourGrandma…Idon’thavea
pr
oblem wi
tht
hat
,doyout
hinkshe
wi
llagr
ee?
Lesego:Iwi
llt
ryt
otal
ktoher
.
Ken:Do,andletmeknow…Iwillcome
toyourvil
lagetopi
ckyouandher …I
don’tminddrivi
ngl
ongdist
ances.
Lesego:(smil
ed)youar
eso
generous…haveyoubeengoodl
atel
y?
Ken:Yeah,exceptt
hatImissyou.
Andthisti
mewhenyoucomeam not
goi
ngtoallowyout ol
eave.
Lesego:(
laughs)Lennat
hat
’smy
wish,don’tl
etmego.
Ken:That
’sexact
lywhatam goi
ngto
do…(si
ghed)well
,thi
sdaysam goi
ng
toworklessbecauseIgotanew
assi
stant…soIwil
lbedelegat
ing
somewor ktoher.
Lesego:Thatmeansyoucanski
p
workifyouwant?
Ken:(
laughed)No,Icantdot
hat…I
meanIcant akesomedaysoff
someti
mesbecauset heywil
lbe
someonewhocanwor konmybehalf
.
Lesego:Well,
that
’sgreatf
or
you…(clear
edherthroat
)Ideci
ded
thatIwanttowork,ImeanIwanta
job…Icantgotoschool.
Ken:Youar
esur
enow?
Lesego:Am ver
ysur
e,It
hinki
twi
ll
beagoodideasothatIcanhel
pmy
fami
lybackathome.
Ken:verythought
ful…wel
l,
wewi
ll
sortoutthatt
ogether.
Lesego:Okayt
hankyou.
Ken:Yep…(checkedt
heclock)pl
ease
givemefeedbackaboutwhatIasked
you…letmefini
shsomewor know.
Lesego:Okay,
Iwi
ll
…havea
goodnight
.
Ken:bye,
andt
akecar
e..
xoxo!
Lesego:
(smi
led)Yout
oo.

Thecal
lended.
AtJack’
sHouse

Thefol
lowingmor ni
ngJackstepped
outoft
heshowerst ret
chi
nghis
hands,heheardaknockatthedoor
andimmedi at
elycover
edhimself
wit
hat owelandwentt ot
hedoor,he
openedthedoorand…

Jack:
(Shocked)Lebo?

Lebodr
oppeddownt hel
uggage
bagsonthedoor
step.
Lebo:
Jack,It
oldyouonedayIwi l
l
comeback.It
s3year snowsinceyou
abandonedyourson…(hol
dingher
waist
)Am back,andIbroughthi
m.
Jack:
(st
aredatt
heboy)Juni
or?
Juni
or:
(conf
used)Rr
a?
Lebo:hetotal
lyforgotyou,heisnow
8yearsold…(si
ghed)Am notwor ki
ng,
Idon’thaveanywher eIcanget
assi
stancesoIdeci dedtobringhim
home…am sur ethereissomet hi
ng
youcangi vehim.
Jack:
(t
ookadeepbr
eath)Butyou
sai
dthatyounol
ongerwanttosee
me,andevent
ookhim awayfor
year
s.Imeandoyouthinkhewil
lst
il
l
rememberme.
Lebo:Nowheknowsyouarethe
fat
her,youar
enotevenmar
ri
edyet
?
Jack:Wel
lno,
butIhaveadaught
er.
Lebo:
(Paused)
isshear
ound?And
whereishermother
?Areyoul
ivi
ng
toget
her?
Jack:
Pleasecomei
n,l
etmeexpl
ain.
*
*
3YEARSLATER…
*
*
*
LI
KE,
COMMENTANDSHARE
[
9:09AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#26

*
**3YEARSLATER*
**

AtDur
ban,
Sout
hBeach…

Thecol
dwi
ndf
rom t
heseabl
own
Lesego’ slonghairasshesatdown
staringatgr oupofdiver sholding
springboar dattheseashor e,she
smi ledlyingdownont hesof tsand
…meanwhi leKenwal kedi nholding
twoi cecr eam barswithacoat i
ngof
thinl ayerofchocolat
e, hehanded
onebart oLesegoandl ieddown
unbut t
oninghisshirt
,Lesego
touchedhi ssurf
aceoft heski nwhere
hej ustmadeat att
oo…

Ken:
(moans)Ahh,
ithur
t…
Lesego:Thatt
att
ooar
ti
stsai
ditwi
ll
takeli
keadayortwof
orthepaint
o
ease,
itsdayt
hreenow.
Ken:(smiled)Wel
l,
hej
ust
miscalcul
ated…Iwant
edhimt owrit
e
yournameonmyar m,buthe
couldn’t,
heseemedli
keanamat eur.
Lesego:
Noways,youwantedto
tat
toomynameli
ke…(paused)wer
e
yougoingt
odothat?
Ken:Ofcour
se,whynot?Il
oveyou
andIcoulddoanyt
hingtoprovet
hat
..

Lesegosmil
edassher
est
edher
headonhistummy.
Lesego:mm!Ifeell
ikesl
eepi
ngon
thi
spill
ow.
.(
laughed)
Ken:( chuckled)youar ecal l
ingmy
tummyapi ll
ow, welli
fyousl eepIwi ll
leaveyouandgobackt ot hehot el
,
andi magi neyouwakeupandi ts
night, youfindoutt hatthereisno
oneher e,notevenaguar d…(narrated)
andt henboom, youfeelanintense
stressingemot i
onoff ear.Acanni bal
wal kstowar dsyouwear i
ngabl ack
smokyhoodi e,anditli
fti
tsheadand
youseebl oodoni t
steethand
mout h…yout rytorunaway. .another
groupof —
Lesego:
(scr
eamed)I
TSSCARY!
!
Ever
yonej
uststaredatt
hem f
ora
coupl
eofseconds.

Ken:
(whi
speredonherear
s)you
cour
tatt
ent
ion,ever
yonei
sstar
ingat
you.
Lesego:(
Laughed)whatwer
eyou
expecti
ng?Istart
edimagi
ninghor
ror
fi
lms,andtheyarescar
y.
Ken:(ki
ssedher)Am sor
ry…wer
eyou
real
lyscared?
Lesego:Yes,Ist
artedimagining
thi
ngs…(pausedforsomef ew
seconds)ImissRiya,Idon’tbel
ieveI
missedherf
if
thbi
rthday.Icoul
dn’t
cal
lher,
shemighteventhinkIdisl
ike
her,
maybeshefeel
sl i
keanoutcast .
Ken:(Sighs)Sheiswithherreal
fat
hernow, atleastshedidn’thaveto
growupt hinkingthatam herfather
,
butwhatshewi l
lknowi sthatItook
careofherandIwassoni cetoher,
aft
erIputar ingonyourf i
nger,she
willof
fi
cial
lystaywi t
hus.Wear e
goingtohaveagoodf ami
ly.
Lesego:Jackhasn’tchanged,hewil
l
notagreetoletRi
yastaywi t
hus..
he
sohateyou.Heknewhef ail
ed
miserabl
yasaf ather
,nowhei s
envi
oust owardsyouthat’
swhyhe
deci
dedt
ohi r
ealawyerandf
ightme
sohecantakethebaby.
Ken:Iunder stand,theonl yt hi
ngthat
keepsmeawakeatni ghtist hat,
whati fhedoesn’ ttr
eatRi yawel l
,or
maybeheputhi sotherchi ldrenand
thatwomanaspr iori
ty.iknowat
somepoi ntam goingt obea
stepfathertoher,butam notgoi ngto
treatherlikeanout castormakeher
feelunloved,Ipromi seyou
Lesego…( lookedintohereyes)You
andRi yaar emypr iori
ties,youhave
broughtsomuchhappi nessi nmy
l
ife,andal lt
hisyearsyouhavebeen
patientwithme. .
(paused)even
thoughInevermenti
onedanyt hi
ng
aboutmarri
age,butattheri
ghtti
me
whenam ready,Iwil
lbuil
daf amil
y
withyou.
Lesego:Youdon’ thavetorush,I
knowwomenar estressi
ngwheni t
comest omar r
iage…soIdon’ twant
youtor ushandendupmaki ng
mistakes.Maybe—( paused)well
that
’swhatIthink.
Ken:(
smiled)Thankyouf
or
underst
anding…(cl
ear
edhisthr
oat
)
areyoustil
lafr
aidoft
hewater?
Lesego:Youwantust
ogeti
n,wear
e
notdiver
s(l
aughs)
Ken:(
Stoodup)am notgoi
ngto
al
lowyoutoruinmybeauti
ful
day…l
etsgograbsomespringboar
d
anddivei
n.

KenandLesegost oodupand
headedtotheicecream vanneart
he
roadsi
de…ther
ewer etwoboards
whichweremount edtothebackof
thevan.KenhandedLesegosome
fewnotestogobuyi cecream.

Lesego:(
laughed)wai
t,weboughti
ce
cream notlongago.
Ken:
(wi
nkedather
)af
terbuyi
ngr
un
asf
astasyoucan.
Lesego:(
laughed)ar
ewegoi
ngt
o
stealt
hem?
Ken:wearegoi
ngtobor
rowthem,
wellst
eal
ingi
sanot
herwor
d.
Lesego:
(smi
led)okay…seeyou.

Lesegowalkedtowardsthevanand
handedthesell
ersomefewbucks
andstar
tedsomechat …

Sel
ler
:(
smi l
ed)Damn!Youarehotgi
rl
,
youarereal
lyanAfr
icanqueen.
Lesego:
(smi
led)t
hanks,
andyouar
e
notbadl
ooki
ng.
Sel
ler
:(Tooksomecone)vani
ll
a,
st
rawberry,
chocol
ate…
Lesego:Howdoesvani
ll
atast
e?
Sell
er:I
tsmyf
avor
it
e,soI
recommendit
.
Lesego:wel
l,
whataboutChocol
ate…

Lesegokeptaski
ngquest i
onsatthe
samet i
mecheckingi
fKenhas
alr
eadyunmountedtheboar dsf
rom
thevan…lat
eronKenwr appedhis
beachtowelonhiswaistandcarri
ed
thetwoboardsheadi
ngt owardsthe
seashorewheresomediverswere
gatheri
ngchatt
eri
ng…Lesegot
ooka
vanil
laicecr
eam i
nstead.

Lesego:(
Smi
led)t
hanks,
Goodl
uck.
.
Sell
er:(winkedather )andyou
bunny!...
het henopenedt heback
doorsohecangetawi devi ewof
Lesego, meanwhi l
ehenot i
cedt hat
theboar dswer enott hereandt he
boltswer eplacedont hemet alused
tolockt hem ont hebackoft hevan.
Hel ookedar oundandnot icedKenat
adistancehol dingtheboar dsand
l
aughi ngwi thLesego, hesi ghedand
walkedbackt othevan.
Sell
er:
(l
oudwhi sper
)Heisl
uckyhe
gotahotgirl
,Iwasgonnatakethem
fr
om him..
(paused)butt
heyseem
niceanyways…
*
Ken:
(br
eat
hingheavi
ly)doyout
hink
hesawme?Ihadt orun…
Lesego:(
laughed)Idon’
tthinkso,I
neverthoughtyouwoulddo
somethingliket
his.Whatifpeopl
e
caughtusandst art
sthi
nkingwear e
thi
eves.
Ken:
(smi
led)Am usai
nboltbaby,
I
wasgonnapiggybackyouandwe
woul
drun…

Theylaughedast
heyj
oinedagr
oup
ofdi
vers.

AtJack’
sHouse

Laterthatday,Riyasatonherbed
withadr awingbookandapenci l
togetherwithsomecol or
ingpenci
ls,
hedr ewsomet hingonapaperand
wasal readycolori
ngitwhenjack
walkedi n.
Jack:(
handedhersomej ui
ce)I
broughtyouyourf
avorit
e
j
uice..
(smil
ed)ori
sthatdaddyont
he
paper,it
’sani
cedrawing.
Ri
ya:
(keptqui
et)
Jack:
(satdown)what
sthepr
obl
em
l
it
tleangel
?
Ri
ya:
Iwantmom.
Jack:
Wel
langel
,shewenttothe
shopswi
thJuni
or,shewi
llbeback.
Riya:
(shaki
ngherhead)Nott
hat
one…
Jack:(
Paused)Iunderstand,butyou
havetounderstandthatther
ei sno
othermom now, thanaunty
Lebo…shelovesyou,
justbeni
cet
o
herangel
,please.
Ri
ya:
(tear
ful
ly)No,
Iwantmymom…
Jack:
(huggedher
)Don’
tcr
y,i
twi
llbe
okay…am Inotni
cet
oyou?
Ri
ya:Youare,butcanyoucal
lmom,
I
wanttohearhervoice.
Jack:
Idon’
tthi
nksheisavai
labl
e
now,shewenttosout
hAfri
caandI
cantr
oam myphonetocallher.
Ri
ya:whatdoest
hatmean?
Jack:I
tmeanswecannotcal lmom
whil
esheisoutsidethecountr
y,she
doesn’
tli
keyou…( t
hought
ful
ly)she
boughtnothi
ngforyouasyour
bi
rt
hdaygi
ft
,butaunt
ydi
d.
Riya:
(cryi
ng)Am abadchi
ld,
why
doesn’tsheli
keme?
Jack:
(Sadl
y)am sor
ry,
Idon’
tknow
why.
*
*
*
Pl
easel
ike,
commentandshar
e
[
9:09AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#27
AtJack’
sHouse

Laterthatdayeveryonesatdownon
thediningtable,
Leboputthedishes
ont hetable…Juniorpi
ckedhis
mom’ sphoneandopenedsome
preinstal
ledgames..

Jack:
(st
aredathi
m)ar eyougoingt
o
cal
lyourli
tt
lesi
sterf
rom herr
oom?
Junior:Shedoesn’twantt
ogetof
f
bed,Idon’ tknowwhatswrongwi
th
her…(staredathismom)Didyousay
somet hingtoupsether
?
Lebo:
No,
whywoul
dIdot
hatJuni
or?
Juni
or:
(l
owvoice)Shesai
dshe
wantshermom.
Lebo:Juniori
tsokay, j
ustkeepquiet
andplayyourgame…Iwi llgoand
tal
ktoRiya….(t
urnedt oJack)Itol
d
youthatthiswasabadi deatotake
herfr
om hermot her,am start
ingto
thi
nkthatwhenLesegocomesback,
youshouldgot oRiya’sschooland
askforatransf
er.
Jack:Sheisfi
nehere,Iwantt o
spendsomet imewi t
hmydaught er.
Shewi l
lgetusedtothisplacesoon,
Leboyouknowever ychi l
dgetupset
thefi
rstti
meaf t
eryouhavet aken
them fr
om aplacewher etheystayed
foralongt
ime…shewi
lladaptt
othe
envi
ronmentasti
megoeson.
Lebo:(
sighed)Aboutmaki
ngher
for
gethermom?Wer eyoureal
ly
seri
ousJack?
Jack:
Lebo…
Lebo:Look,Iknowhowhar ditisfor
amot herwhenherchi l
disabsentor
havebeenawayf oraverylongtime.
Igetthatyouloveyourdaught erand
Idon’twanttobet hereasonwhy
youcantgiveherat t
enti
onandsome
loveshedeserves.Iwasj ustsaying
anyway,Idon’tknowwhatyouand
Lesegoareupt obutpleasedon’ tlet
Ri
yasuf
ferbecauseofyout
wo.
Jack:(sighed)Soyoumeantotellme
thatIshoul dret
urnRi
yabackto
Lesegoandt hatgoof
yguy?Don’t
forgetthatsheismydaughterandI
haveever yrightt
okeepherhere.
Lebo:I
tsokay…l
etseat…Iwi
llgoand
cal
lher,shei
stooyoungandIdon’t
wanttoseeherinpai
n.

Lebolef
tthetableheadingt oRiya’
s
room,sheslowlyopenedt hedoor
andRiyawasonbedl earningEngli
sh
wordsonherphr asebook.Lebo
walkedinandsatdownsmi l
ingat
her
.

Lebo:Riya,don’tyouwanttoj
oinus
atthetable,am sureyouar
ehungry,
aren’
tyou?
Ri
ya:Am nothungr
y.
Lebo:I
st her
eanythi
ngyouwant,i
ce
cream oryourf
avori
tesmoot
hie?
Ri
ya:Canyoucal
lmom?
Lebo:( t
houghtf
ull
y)okay,but
promi sethataf
teryoutal
ktoher
,you
willcomeandeatyourf oodri
ght
.
Ri
ya:
(nodded)mm!
Lebostoodupandheadedbackt
o
thedi
ningtabl
e…

Lebo:
(st
ari
ngatJuni
or)Gi
vememy
phone?
Jack:
(pausedforsomeseconds)I
hopeyouar enotgonnadoit
…
Lebo:(t
ookthephone)Am calling
Lesego,am suresher oamedhersim
card.LookJack, t
hereasonwhyRi ya
i
sact i
nglikethisi
sbecauseshei sn’
t
opent oanyone,sheistooyoungbut
deepdownshet hinksthatwedon’t
l
oveher .Idon’twanttobethatkind
ofwomanwhocomesi ntoafamil
y
andt
henst
artt
ear
ingi
tapar
t.

Shet
henheadedbackt
other
oom…

Att
hehot
elr
oom…

Lesegosatdownonthebedandput
ontheAC, Kenwal
kedi
nwi t
habott
le
ofwaterandhandedi
ttoher.

Ken:
Youmustbet
ir
ed,
whatadaywe
had.
Lesego:(
Smiled)ButIwantt
othank
youforst
eal
ingt hatman’
sboar
ds,I
meanwewoul dn’
thaveenj
oyed
oursel
ves.Nextti
mewear egoi
ngt
o
hi
jackthecrui
seship…
Ken:(
laughed)I fyouarereadyt ogo
tojai
l,Ihearthatther
ei sthi
spr ison
whichi sinthemi ddl
eofani sland,
theyi
sol ateyouf r
om therestoft he
peopleandl eaveyout her
ef orli
fe.

Lesego’sphonestar
tedvibr
ating,
she
i
mmedi atel
ylookedatthescreenand
pickedupasKenmassagedher .

Lesego:hel
lo.
Ri
ya:
(sweetvoi
ce)Mom!I
tsmeRi
ya.
Lesego:
(t
ear
ful
ly)Mybaby,
areyou
okay?
Riya:Imissyou….
whenar
eyou
comi ngback?

Lesego:
(Gl
ancedatKen)I
tsRi
ya.
Ken:wow,t
hat
’swonder
ful
..
.putona
speaker
.

LesegoputonaLoudspeakerand
theybot
hlist
ened.

Lesego:baby,am comi
ngbackto
Botswanathiscomingweek.What
shoul
dIbr
ingf
oryou?
Riya:
(smi
led)Barbi
edoll
,i
cecr
eam,
cakeandacol or
ingbook.
Lesego:OkayIwil
l,
howisever
ythi
ng
athome?Ar eyouhappyt
hatyouare
wit
hdaddy?
Ri
ya:
(Lowvoi
ce)Iam.
Lesego:Babyyoucantel
lme,
wher
e
i
sdaddy?AndAunt yLebo?
Riya:Sheisher
ewithme,Daddyi
s
outsidewi
thJunior
,It
hinkt
heyar
ein
thebackyardgar
den.
Lesego:Okay,Ir
eal
lymi
ssed
you…howi sschool
?
Riya:Iwanttogobackt omyol d
school,myclassteacherthi
nksam
notsmar tandItol
dherthatmommy
saidam thesmar t
estgir
linthe
wholewor ldbutshekeepstell
ingme
am not,andmycl assmatesaren’t
nice.
Lesego:Don’tworr
y,justknowt hat
youaresmar tandbelievewhatI
said…(
sighed)Iwil
ltakeyout oyour
oldschoolwhenIgett hereokay?
Ri
ya:
(smi
led)Thanksmommy…bye
Lesego:Gi
veaunt
ythephone…

Ri
yagaveLebot
hephone…
Lebo:Hi
,ar
eyour
eal
lygoi
ngt
otake
her?
Lesego:Idon’
thaveachoice…does
Jackevenhavetimeforher?
Lebo:Wel
ltheyareget
ti
ngalong,
just
thatRi
yai
st oodemanding.
Lesego;Kanathat’
swhatItol
dJack,
soifJackcantgiveherwhatshe
want st
henIdon’thaveanyother
choicebuttot
akemydaught erback,
Ihopeitscl
ear.
Lebo:Okay,
Iunderst
and…Iknow
youwereworri
edabouther
,butshe
issaf
e.
Lesego:I
tsf
ine…bye

Thecallended,
Lesegoli
eddownon
thebedasKencont i
nuedmassagi
ng
her.

Ken:(cl
earedhist hr
oat)Butt
hatLebo
i
sn’tthatbad,andagainIdon’tthi
nk
Riyaisreallyhappywiththem.I
meanshesai dshei shappybecause
shewaspr essuredbyLebo’s
presence.
Lesego:
that’
swhatIwasthinki
ng,
shouldIreal
lyt
akeherback?
Ken:
(si
ghed)Whatdoesyourhear
t
sayabouti
t?

Lesego:Idon’tthinkshei shappy
there…(t
houghtfull
y)Wai t,
howabout
Icallmysi st
erandaskhert ogoand
fetchher,Ihaveabadf eel
ingthat
Jacki str
yingtobr eakmy
relat
ionshipwit
hRi ya,
thelongershe
staysthere,t
hat’showhei sgoingto
separateus.
Ken:Iunderst
and,butsi
nceweare
goingbacktherewhycantyouwai
t
ti
llwearr
ive.
Lesego:
(nodded)st
il
lagoodi
dea.
AtJack’
sHouse

LateronJackcl
osedthedoorofthe
room asLeboputonhershoes…

Jack:
(satont
hebed)Weneedt
o
tal
k…
Lebo:aboutt
hephonecal
l?
Jack:Whydi
dyoudot
hat
?
Lebo:Sojackyouarehappyt osee
yourdaughtersadjustbecauseyou
cantall
owhert ot
alktohermom?I
meanar eyoureall
yseriousyou
don’twantyourdaughtertoeversee
hermot
heragai
n?
Jack:Youwer enother ewhen
Lesegot ookawaymydaught erand
toldmet hatIwillneverseeheragai
n,
i
twaspai nf
ultomeknowi ngthatmy
daught eri
ssomewher ewithsome
strangeguywhopr etendedand
actedlikeafathertoher.You
mot hersalwayst hi
nkthatyouare
theoneswhof eelspainwhenyour
kidsarenotar ound,evenusfather
s
wef eelthesamepai nasyou.
Lebo:Thatdoesn’
tmakesenseJack,
soyouwi l
lrat
herseeyourdaughter
suff
erthepainofnotseeingher
mother,whi
leyoucelebratet
he
sadnesshermot heri
sgoingt hrough.
Yougotmepr egnantandyouwer e
nevert heret ohel pmet akecar eof
Juni or
, IcamebackbecauseIcoul d
nol ongermanageal one…Itr
iedt o
leaveandyout oldmet ostay,and
thatyoust i
llloveme…ImeanIf eel
li
keyouwer el yingandyouj ust
want edmet obeher ebecauseyou
wer elonelyandwantmet olookaf ter
yourki ds.
Jack:
Leboyoudon’
tunder
stand-
Lebo:Makemeunder stand
then…(calmly)bythewayLesegoi
s
comingf orRiya,shei
staki
nghert
o
heroldschool .
Jack:
Excuseme?
Lebo:That
’swhatshesai
d.
Jack:(angril
y)it
spr obabl yyouwho
tol
dhert otakeher ,it
syouLebo.I
knowyouonl ywantJuni orhere,
kantewal ebalagor ethiskidsare
bothmi ne?Don’tpr etendl i
keyou
careaboutRi ya,Iknewyouwer e
goingtotellLesegot ot akeher…and
whoknowsmaybeyoul iedtel
li
ng
herthatam abadf athert oher
.
Lebo:(Laughed)Nna?KantedoI
l
ookl i
keanevi lwomanwhowi ll
abusesomeone’ ski
dsjustbecauseI
don’twantthem.
Jack:Thenwhydi
dyoucallLesego
aft
erItol
dyounott
odothat.
Lebo:I
tsbecauseofRi
ya,sheisnot
mydaughterbutIwonttr
eatherli
ke
youdo.
Jack:
(st
oodup)wher
eisher
?
Lebo:St
il
linherr
oom.
.

Jackstor
medoutoft
her
oom…Lebo
fol
lowedherout
…
*
*
*
[
9:09AM,
31/
05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#28

AtJack’
sHouse

Jackhel
pedRiyatoputonhershoes,
heopenedthecl
osetandpi
cked
Riya’
ssmal
lhat.

Lebo:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Jack:Don’
twor
ry,
wear
egoi
ngt
o
themall
.
Lebo:Don’
tleaveJuni
or,
ifyouar
e
r
eall
ygoi
ngt
othemal
lyoumustgo
wit
hhim.
Jack:Okay,
Idon’
tmi
nd.
Lebo:
(si
ghed)buthonest
lywhat
s
wrongwithyou?youareact
ingl
ikea
complet
echildJack.
Jack:(
chuckled)li
keachil
d? i
sthat
whatyout hi
nk?LookIchoosewhatI
wantformydaught er,
andwhat everI
doismybusi nessanditdoesn’t
concernanyone…Ibuyherclothes,I
paytheschoolfeesandIdon’ tneed
anyone’shel
p…(lookedint
ohereyes)
Soyout hi
nkIenjoyseeinganot her
mant r
yingtotakemyposi t
ionasa
father
,evenifhemakesal otof
moneyandcanaf for
dtot akecareof
RiyaIdon’tcare,whatIcareaboutis
himt r
yingtopaintmeasaf ai
led
father
.
Lebo:(
Paused)wai t,
sot hisisa
compet i
ti
on?youar ejusttryingt obe
thefat
heroft heyear …ImeanIcan
seethatitsnotaboutLesegonow, it
s
aboutLesego’ sboyfriend.Itshi m
youarefightingwi t
h,youar ej ealous
thathewast akingcareofLesego’ s
daughter.itclearl
yshowst hatyou
haven’tmovedonsi nceyoubr okeup
withLesego.Youar ejealoust hat
Lesegohasf oundsomeonewho
dear
lyl
ovesher
.
Jack:ifthat’swhatyouthi
nkthen
youar ewr ong,i
fyouarehereinmy
houset ot el
lmesuchnonsensethen
youcant akeyourJuni
orand
leave…ver ysimpl
e.
Lebo:ThisiswhatyoutoldLesego?
Thereasonwhyyoucantf indloveis
becauseyouneverappr eciatepeopl
e
whot rul
ylovesyou,
(r
aisedher
eyebrows)am notgoingtol eave
unti
lLesegocomesbackf orherchil
d,
youwantt ouseRiyatohur tLesego.
Jack:Ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
ofi
ghtmenow?
Lebo:No…Ij
ustdon’
tli
kehowyoudo
t
hingsher
e..
Jackneverrepl
ied,hetookRiyaby
thehandandwentt otakehiscar
keys.Juni
orwaspl ayi
ngvideo
gamesonhi splaystat
ion…

Juni
or:CanIcome?

Jackgl
ancedatLeboandt
hent
o
Juni
oragai
n.

Jack:
No…

Jackwal
kedouthol
dingRi
yabyt
he
hand…LebosatnexttoJuniorwho
washoldinghi
sJoyPadl ooki
ngat
thecart
akingof
foutside.

Lebo:
(pat
tedhi
m)I
tsokay,
don’
tmi
nd
him.
Juni
or:(
star
ingather
)di
dIdo
somethingwrong?
Lebo:Youwi llneverunderstand
Junior,i
tsadul t
sissuesandyou
havenot hi
ngt odowi ththem.Just
continueplayingyourgame, but
don’tfor
gettogot oyourroom and
studyafteryouar edonepl aying
games.
Junior
:(
sighed)Okay…butIdon’
t
thi
nkhelovesme, heseem tocar
e
moreaboutRi yat
hanme.
Lebo:
Ihearyou,
justdon’
twor
ry.
.i
t
wil
lbeokay.

Att
hehot
el’
sroom…

Latert
hataft
ernoonKen’sphone
beepedamessageal ert
, Lesegotook
i
tandopenedt hemessagesi ncethe
phonewasnotsecur edwi tha
password.Shereadthemessage
andscroll
edupt othefi
rstmessages
andstoppedscroll
ingput t
ingthe
phonedown…meanwhil
eKenwal
ked
i
ntheroom dr
yinghi
shair
..

Ken:(
smil
ing)youknowIhar dl
y
watchsomeser i
es,butsi
nceit
sour
l
ast….(
pausedstari
ngather)what
happenedlove?
Lesego:
(f
rowned)Isther
esomet
hing
youarehidi
ngfrom me?
Ken:(j
okingl
y)wel
lexceptt
hefact
thatIwatchcart
oonsinsecret
,tom
andjerr
yandr oadrunner
.
Lesego:(
angri
ly)KendoIlookli
keam
j
oking?Thesamegi r
lyoutol
dme
thatsheisyourassi
stantwhati
sshe
doingi
nyouri
nboxes,whydoesshe
keepsendi
ngyoutext
s.
Ken:(
tookthephone)Dianeyou
mean? …(
sighed)babyareyou
suspecti
ngthatam cheati
ngonyou?
Lesego:
Justt
ellmet
het
rut
h,doyou
l
ikeher?
Ken:Ofcoursenot,youcango
throughthemessages,Ihaven’t
repli
edtoher.Am t
ryingtoignoreher
butsheneverstoptexti
ngme.I
understandt
hatyouar eupsetnow
butbabyIloveyouandIwi llnever
evercheatonyou.
Lesego:
(si
ghi
ng)am goi
ngt
odeal
wit
hherwhenwegethome, aker
e
youareaf
rai
dtot el
lhertobackof
f,I
wil
ldoitf
oryou.andIdon’tknow
whyyoucantjustblockhernumber
.
Ken:Icantdothatnow, butIwantt
o
assureyouthatthereisnothi
ng
goingonbetweenmeandher ,she
j
ustcantgetoverme…sheknows
thatam i
nar el
ationshi
pwithyou.
Lesego:Ther easonwhyshecant
giveupisbecauseyouar etoosoft
andyouar eaf r
aidt otel
lhert o
stop…i
fyout woendupdat ingeach
otherj
ustknowt hatyouwi l
lbe
breaki
ngmyhear tandIdon’ tknow
whatwillhappenaf t
er…(cryi
ng)you
shoul
dreal
lyt
ellhert
oleaveyou
al
one.
Ken:
(huggedher)Am sorr
y,youdon’t
havetoworry,Iwontl
eaveyou…its
now3year sandIneverbrokeyour
hear
t,whywoul dIdoi
tnow.
Lesego:I
tsf
ine.
Ken:Let
sgot
othebal
cony.

Lesegost
oodupandsheletahuge
si
ghassherubbedherf
ace…

AtDi
ane’
sHouse
Meanwhi
le…

Lett
y:(
scrol
ledoni
nstafeed)Iknow
thi
sgirl
,hernameisLesego.She
wasdat i
ngJackandtheyhavea
babytogether
.
Diane:SoKenr eal
lychosesomeone
whoal readyhaveababy,Imeanit
doesn’tmakesense.
Lett
y:Gapethi
sguyishandsomehl e
mma, imeanhehaveever yt
hing,a
nicehouse,
asupercar…andchoset o
belowkey…(st
aringatDiane)itmust
bereall
yhardf
oryouseei ng
someoneyoulikeeverysecondbut
youcantdoanythingaboutit
…I
meanyoushoul dreal
lyupgr
ade
somestandard,getyourhai
rdone,
sl
ayontheheelsandni cecl
othes,
he
wil
lst
arttoquesti
onhimself
.
Di ane:Hereal
lylovesthatgirl
,I
meant heyhavebeent ogetherfora
ver ylongti
meLet t
y…(sighed)andam
righthereandIcantf i
ndanyone
loyalenought obewi t
hme.
Lett
y:Inli
fe,i
famanhasnotyet
mar r
iedthewoman, youcanst i
ll
havehi m.Justdothewor kunti
lhe
changeshi smind.Benicetohim,
somet i
messur pr
isehim wit
hflowers,
ortakehim out,gotocoffeecafé,do
whathel
ikes.
Di
ane:That’
stoomuch…idon’twant
t
obelikeyou,kanawenayou
t
hreat
enguysandendupget t
inglai
d,
t
hat’
snotthekindoft
hingsIwant.
Lett
y:Iwastr
yingtohel
pyoubi g
sist
er…Icanmakehim wantyou,j
ust
thatyoudon’
ttrustmeDiane.
Di
ane:Nnya,
emapel
ebabygi
rl
.
Let
ty:
Ij
o,goodl
uck.

Shethenconti
nuedscroll
ingon
i
nstagram f
eed,shecl
ickedand
savedKen’spict
uresonherphone.
Lett
y:(smil
ed)am t
hinki
ngofpost
ing
hispictur
eonfacebookandli
etomy
fr
iendsker ehei
smyman.
Diane:(
star
ingather)Kanawena,
don’tevertr
yplease.Theonlythi
ng
youar ei
nterest
edinismen, t
hat
topi
cyoual waystakethelead,akoo
swabe.
Let
ty:
ojeal
ousaker
e.

AtJack’
sHouse

Lat
ert
hateveni
ng,
Jackpar
kedhi
s
carinfrontoft hehousewi t
hthe
volumeatmax, Heopenedt hedoor
holdingsomebot t
lesofbeer .
Meanwhi leRiyawassl eepi
nginthe
backseat s.Jackst eppedoutandl ef
t
thecarr unning…Lebogotoutoft he
houseaf terhear i
ngl oudmusi c
outside.

Lebo:(
sighi
ng)Jackar eyoucr
azy,
youleftwit
ht hebabyandwenttothe
pubtogodr inkalcohol
?
Jack:(
stammered)shei
s…sh.
.shei
s
mydaught er
…(si
ppedfr
om hi
sbott
le)
am teachi
ngherli
fe…
Lebowenttothecarandt
ookRi
ya
holdi
ngheri
nherarms…shesmel
led
hermouth…

Lebo:Am cal
li
ngt
hepol
icenow,
thi
s
i
soutofhand…

FEW DAYSLATER…
[
9:09AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#29
*
**FEW DAYSLATER*
**

AtSi
rSer
etseKhamaAi
rpor
t

Laterthatevening,anot
herfl
ighttook
offtoJohannesbur g,Kenheld
Lesego’sbagassheputonher
earphonesast heyheadedt othe
waiti
ngr oom.Het henopenedhi s
phoneandcheckedt henearbycab
usingthei nDri
verapp.Meanwhile
Kenwal kedi nasteadypacebehind
Lesego,het henheldherhandand
stoppedr emovingherearphones.
Lesego:(putt
ingt
hem back)Cant
youseet hatam l
ist
eningtomusic,
andwhydi dyoupul lmy
hand?..
.(
removedoneear phone)
Ken:Whyar eyoudoingthi
s?Since
weleftJohannesburgyouhaven’t
utt
eredevenawor dtome,I
underst
andthatyouareworried
aboutyourdaughterandIam too.
Butyoucantjustignor
emel i
kethat
Lesego.
Lesego:Itsnotonlymydaught eram
wor r
iedabout,i
thast odowithyou.I
feell
ikeam losi
ngyoubi tbybit.And
am start
ingtothinkthati
tsnotonly
Dianeyouar ehidingfr
om me.If
thereissomeonewhoconst antl
y
harassyoui nyourinboxesyou
shoul dtel
lme,kanayouwantmet o
fi
gurei toutmyselfandthenstar
t
maki ngconclusi
onst hatmaybeyou
arehavi ngasecretaffai
r.
Ken:(si
ghedheavi l
y)Idon’ tbeli
eve
youar estil
lonthatissue, It
hought
wesol vedthatsomef ewdaysago,
nowi tmakessenset hatyouno
longertrustme.kantedi dn’tyousay
weshoul dbuildourr elat
ionshipon
trustandloyalt
y?ImeanIhavedone
thatbutstil
lyoudoubtme.
Lesego:Thishasnot
hingt
odowit
h
tr
ust,It
rustyoubuti
fyoukeep
thi
ngst oyourselfandtryi
ngt osolve
them onyourown, withint
entionsto
protectourrel
ati
onship.Itdoesn’t
helpyouknowwhy?becauseam
goingt ostar
tbeingsuspicioussince
am leftoutoftheissueswhi ch
concer nus.
Ken:Okay,
Iheardyou…(message
beeped)ourdr
iverhasarr
ived,
can
wegonow?
Lesego:Yougavehim Jack’
s
addressri
ght
?BecauseIwanttogo
andtakemybabyf i
rst
.
Ken:Lesegoyoucandothat
tomorr
ow, i
tsl
atei
ntheeveni
ng
now…youst i
llneedtogohomeand
rest
,youdidn’teventakeanapwhen
wewer ecomi nghere.
Lesego:Youcangohome, Iwi
llgo
bymyselftogoandcol
lectmy
daughter
.
Ken:
(si
ghed)Let
sgot
oget
hert
hen.

AtGr
andma’
sHouse

Bongiesatnextt
oherGrandmaand
gavehersomepi l
lst
hatwere
prescr
ibedbythedoctor
…shethen
gavehersomewat ert
odr i
nk.
Grandma:Youwil
lgowithmefor
checkuptomor
row,andIhadto
coll
ectsomepi
ll
storef
il
lthi
sones.
Bongi e:It
sfi
ne,youdon’tneedt ogo
there,Icoll
ectedthepil
lsthis
afternoonandmetwi t
ht hedoctor
,he
saidt hatwehavet omakean
appoi ntmentbeforemeet i
nghim,
whi chIdid.
Grandma:Am gladt hatyouhave
beentakingcareofme…( t
ookadeep
breat
h)buteveryti
meIt hinkabout
yoursist
er,myhighbl oodpeaksand
atti
mesIst ar
tfeel
ingl i
kemyhear t
wantt
ost
op.
Bongie:Lesegoisfine,justt
hatyou
worrytoomuch…It hinkitsbecause
youar enowol d,butremembert hati
f
youkeepover thi
nkingandst ressi
ng
yourself
,thi
swi l
laffectyourbl ood
pressure..
.(
paused)Di dItellyouthat
shewentt osouthAf r
icawithher
boyfri
end?
Grandma:No,youdidn’
t.Ithi
nk
Lesegolovesthatmansomucht hat
sheisgoingtoendupbei ng
heart
broken.
Bongi
e:Idon’
tthi
nkso,t
heylove
eachot
herandtheyhavebeen
t
ogetherf
orsuchal
ongt
ime…hewi
ll
marr
yher.
Grandma:Iwishtheycoulddothat
whil
eam stil
lali
ve,f
orthefir
stti
me
ketl
abokebonamygr andchil
dren
bynyalwa.
Bongie:(
smiled)tl
abol ele
teng…(fr
owned)howIwi shour
parentswerestil
lalive,
oratleasti
f
theywer eanypicturesofthem lef
t,
theylef
twhilewewer eyoungandwe
neverhadchancet oseethem.
Grandma:Butyoushouldbegr
atef
ul
t
hatIwast her
etoraiseyout
wo,you
werethr
eeyearsoldwhenyour
motherdi
ed,andLesegower eonly
sevenmonthsold…maybeyout wo
wouldn’
thaveknownt hatIexi
sted
becausethef
ami l
yfr
om yourfather
s
si
dewant edt
otakeyouandLesego.
Bongie:wai
t,Grandmayounevertol
d
uswhathappenedt oourf
ather?
BecauseIdon’tknowwhetherheis
al
iveornot.
Grandma:(sighedheavily)Hemar
ri
ed
anotherwoman, af
terLesegowas
bornhenevershowedupandhel eft
forgood…Ionlyhear dthathemar
ried
andhei sstayinginZambi a.
Bongi
e:Sohei
sst
il
lal
ive?Iwonder
i
fheevert
hinksaboutus…sur
elyhe
knowshel
eftus.
Grandma:somet i
mest hi
ngshappen
forareason,ther
easonwhyhi s
otherfamilymembersref
usedtotake
hiskids,youandLesego,i
tsbecause
hewasnevermar riedtoyourmother
.
Bongie:
Butst
il
lwecanfindhisfami
ly
andreunit
ewiththem,
atleastt
hey
shoul
dknowt hatweexist
.
Grandma:someti
mesit
sbestto
l
eavethi
ngsthewayt
heyare…

Bongi
estar
edathergr
annyi
n
di
sbel
ief
…
AtJack’
sHouse

Latert
hatni ghtt
heInDr
iverparkedat
thegate,andLesegoopenedt hecar
doorsteppingout.Kengrabbedher
hand…

Ken:Iwil
lremaini
nthecarf
orsafet
y
reasons,buti
fyouwantmejustcal
lI
willcomeinsi
de.
Lesego:I
tsfi
ne,
justgi
vemesome
fewminutes.
Lesegozi
ppedhersweat
erj
acket
andpull
edupthehoodi
eent
eri
ngthe
gate…

TheInDri
verglancedatKenand
adj
ustedhisseat…

Ken:(st
ari
ngathi m)Look,Iknowt he
chargehasi ncreased,
Iwil
lcover
that
.wedi dn’tplantocomehere,but
youknowhowwomendot hings.
Driver:
(Chuckl
ed)That’
swhyI
divorcedmywi f
e,Icoul
dn’tt
akethe
compl aint
sanymore.Shewasthe
bossoft hehouse,tr
eatedmelike
am aki d,maderulesalone.We
mar r
iedeachotherforaboutt wo
years,Itr
iedtobepatientand
understandingbutshecoul dn’
tli
sten
tome.soIdeci dedtot akeacti
onand
lethergo.
Ken:
twosol
idyear
s,whatawast
e.
Dri
ver :Iknowbutbr ot
herthisthing
cal
ledmar ri
agei snotforthe
fai
nthear t
ed, onl yf
ewmar ri
agesl ast
moret hant enyear sotherslastfor
mont hs.Youwi llbegi
ntoseehow
harditi swhenyouar enowmar ried.
Idoubt edatfirstwhenIhear dpeopl e
saythi ngsaboutmar r
iage,buttoday
hereIam, shet ookthekidsandt he
houseasdi
vor
ceset
tl
ement
.
Ken:Real
ly,youmar
ri
edagol
d
di
ggerIthink.
Dri
ver:somesayi twasmar r
iageof
convenience, sosinceIdi
dn’thave
anyassets, sheendedupt akingmy
house.
Ken:Mar
ri
ageofconveni
ence,
li
ke?
Dri
ver:Shedidn’
tmarrymefor
l
ove,shewantedtoobtai
nentr
y
ri
ghtsinBotswana…shewasfrom
Mozambi que…
Ken:t
oobad,butIt
hinkam l
ikeyou,I
don’
tli
kedramabutagaindi
vorceis
notonl
ythesol
uti
on.
Meanwhi
le…

Jack:(
stari
ngatLesego)It ol
dyou
sheissleeping,
youcantcomeat
thist
imeandst artbangingatmy
door…plusyouar ewakingupt he
kids,
canyougoLesego.
Lesego:Am notl
eaving,canIatleast
comei nandseeifsheissleeping
well
.Youcantblockthedoor ,am Ia
thi
ef?
Jack:Don’tmakemeangry,It
old
youthatyouwillseeRi
ya
tomorrow…andagainwenever
agr
eedt
hatyouar
ecomi
ngt
otake
her
.
Lesego:(hol
dingherwaist)excuse
me!!itsmydaught er
,am theone
whogavebi r
thtohernotyou, don’
t
tel
lmet hatwedi dn’
tagreegor eam
comi ngformydaught er
.Icant ake
heranytime,socanyoupl easebr i
ng
her,Idon’twantanytrouble.
Jack:Youknowwhattimeisi
tnow?
It
sdangeroustodr
iveatt
hist
imeof
thenightwi
thasmall
—
Lesego:youwantmetobreakint
o
yourhousesi
nceyoudon’
twantt o
givemepermissi
on,
Iwil
lbreakthi
s
wi
ndowsandt
hatst
upi
dcarofyour
s.
Jack:Ifyouwanttospendsomet ime
i
nj ai
lyoucandot hat,
sopleaseif
therei
snot hi
ngelseyouwant, j
ust
l
eave.Wewi l
ltal
katdayl
ight
tomorrow,Ihaveanimpor t
ant
appointmentinthemorni
ng, sobye!

Jackcl
osedthedoorand
l
ocked…Lesegowentbackt
othecar
di
sappoi
nted.

Ken:(
stari
ngather
)Whathappened,
herefusedtogi
veyouRi
ya?
Lesegonoddedandgoti
ntot
hecar
…

Ken:(
tookofhi
sjacket)Letmego
anddealwiththi
sli
ttl
eni ggaonce
andforall
,hehasbeenpl ayingwi
th
ustoomuch.Juststayi nthecar,
if
youhearanygunshotori fIcome
backbleedi
ngjustdon’tcryorpanic.
Lesego:Becar
efulpl
ease…

Kenf ur
iousl
yst
eppedoutofthecar
andheadedt ot
hehouse,Lesego
steppedoutandfol
lowedhim…
Dr
iver
:(
star
ingatt
hem)Whata
ni
ght…

Heopenedt
hedoort
oo…
*
*
*
Dontf
orgett
oli
keandcomment
[
9:09AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#30
Meanwhi
le…
Kenbangedonthedoormulti
ple
ti
mes,hestoodbackasLesego
appr
oached…

Ken:
(st
ari
ngather)Itol
dyoutost
ay
i
nthecar,whati
fthatmandri
ves
awaywithourst
uff.
Lesego:Hei ssti
llt
here,l
eani
ngon
hiscar…(si
ghed)Ithinkweshouldgo
home, i
tsnothelpingnow.Jackwi l
l
endupcal l
ingthepoliceonusar e
wear edestroyi
nghispropert
ies.
Ken:It
houghtyouwant
edthi
s,am
notgoi
ngunti
lwegetwhatweare
her
efor
.

Heki
ckedt
hedoorunti
lsomeone
cameandopenedi
t.

Lebo:
(sl
eepy)Gent
leman,
what
sthe
probl
em?
Lesego:Am heretot
akemydaughter,
butJackwontal l
owusto,
pleasecan
youbringher.
Lebo:Youcancomei
nandt
alkt
o
him…

Theybot
hwenti
nsi
de,
Jackcame
outoft
heroom shi
rt
less.Hethen
fol
dedhishandsst
aringatbothof
them.

Jack:SoLesegoyouwentt obring
thi
sgoofyguy…(point
ingafingerat
Ken)lookathi
m, Imeanal oserli
ke
youtryi
ngtoactstr
ong, youarehalf
aman…sot akeyourgirlbythehand
andleavemyhousenow.
Lebo:(
calmly)Jackyoushouldn’
tbe
doingthi
s,oryouwantmet ot el
l
them whatyoudidsomecoupl eof
daysago…( si
ghed)l
etthem t
akeRiya
andleave,kanteokgathi
wakego
ut
usababangwebot
hoko.
Jack:Areyout hemanoft his
house…(loudl
y)Idon’tcareevenif
youtellt
hem whatIdid…( st
ari
ngat
boththem)Igaveheral coholtodr
ink
ifyoudon’tknowlosers.
Lesego:What
?
Ken:
(st
ari
ngatLebo)ma’
am i
sthi
s
tr
ue?
Lebo:(
nodded)i
tis,
andhet
hinksi
ts
funny.
Lesego:(Angr
il
y)howcanyoudot hi
s
nerra,kantewhatisitt
hatIhave
donemoel enggoreyouevenmade
Riyaconsumeal cohol.
Jack:
(l
aughed)whatar
eyougoi
ngt
o
do?beatme?

Immedi atel
yKent hrewabl owonhi s
faceandhef elldownbl eeding,
Lesegot henr ushedt ot heroom and
tookRi yawhi l
eshewassl eepingand
rushedout side.Kenhel dhim bythe
throatandpunchedhi m cont i
nuall
y,
JustasKenpr epar edt ospearhi m
down, Jackpul ledhi m bythehand
andhi thi sfaceont hewal lbreaki
ng
hisJaws.Leboi mmedi atelywentto
takeherphoneanddi al
edanumber
ont hescr een, Kenl i
eddown
bleeding…Jackst oodupbr eathi
ng
heavi
ly,
hest
aredathi
m whi
lewi
ping
thebl
oodonhismouth.

Jack:
(stari
ngatken)It ol
dyouto
stayawayf rom busi
nessesthat
doesn’tconcernyou,lookatyou
now….(glancedatLebo)don’tcal
lthe
poli
ce.
Lebo:
(hol
dingherphone)di
dyouki
ll
him?
Jack:Whocar
es,
thi
siswhatyouget
whenyoumesswiththewr
ong
person…

Jackwentbackt
ohi
sroom andt
ook
hisshi
rt,heputitonandt
ookt
hecar
keysrushingoutsi
detohi
scar
,he
gotinanddr oveoff
…

Lebokeptshaki
ngKentryi
ngto
revi
vehim,Kencoughedmult
ipl
e
ti
mest r
yingt
ostandupbuthe
couldn’
t.

Lebo:
rel
ax,Ical
ledambulance,
they
wil
lbehereinami nut
e.

Att
hehospi
tal
…
Thef
oll
owi
ngmor
ning…

Lesegowal kedinholdi
ngRiyabythe
hand, t
heysatdownont hechair
stari
ngatKen.Hewasbandagedon
theleftarm,andther
ewerefew
plastersappl
iedonthecheeksand
nose.

Lesego:(
sighed)Am sorry,Idi
dn’
t
meant oputyoui nsuchamess, it
s
myf aul
tthatyouarelikethis.
Ken:(
star
edathi m)It
sfi
ne,
itsnot
yourfaul
t.It
hinkIshoul
dn’
thave
beenaggressivetohi
minthefir
st
place,
Ial
mostkil
ledhi
m…even
thoughhechokedmetothegr
ound.
Lesego:(
sighed)Doyout hi
nkthe
poli
cearegoi ngtogeti nvolved,kana
thatmeanssomanyt hingsmi ght
happent oyou, i
ftheyt akeyour
fi
ngerprint
syoumi ghtevenl ose
yourjob.Ireall
ybl amemysel f,I
don’twantRi yatosepar ateus.Ijust
hopeJackcoul djustfor getabouther
sothatwecanmoveonwi thour
li
ves.
Ken:(t
ookadeepbreath)heisnot
goingtodothat
,heisnothappy
seeingyoul
iket
his,hethoughtyou
weregoingt
osufferal
onewi t
hthe
baby, nowt hatIsteppedin,i
tdoesn’
t
sithim well…(t
hought f
ull
y)butI
thinkweshoul dreall
ytakealegal
actionagainsthim, whywoul dhe
giveasmal lbabyalcoholtodri
nk?
That ’
stotalmadnessandhe
shouldn’tbeal l
owedt oseeRiya
again.
Lesego:Jacki
sveryir
responsi
ble,
I
don’tt
hinkheeventr
eatLebo
well
.PoorLeboisgoi
ngtosuffer
becauseofhim.
Ken:(Paused)
wai
t,Wer
eyouaware
thatJackhadachi
ldal
ready,
Imean
thatboy.
Lesego:Idi
dn’
tknowunt i
lsome
yearsback…It
hinkther
eismorehe
havebeenhidi
ngt ome.
Ken:Don’
twor
ry,
wewi
llf
indoutas
ti
megoeson.
Lesego:( Nodded)wel
l,
letmego…I
sti
llhavet ogoandtakeRiya’
s
cl
ot hes,cleant
hehouse…itsl
ikewe
havel ef
tayearago.
Ken:
(chuckl
ed)i
tsfunnythatj
ustas
wearri
ved,Ineverwenthome,Ijust
camehere…thi
sistheworkofthe
devi
l.
Lesego:(Laughed)Am sor
ry,
just
thatIneverthoughtyouwi
llf
ight
someone.Iwassoscar
edthatI
coul
dn’
tevenwatchyoutwo.
Ken:Youdidtheri
ghtthi
ngby
escapingbefor
egett
inghur
t.
..
(t
urned
toRiya)Gi
rl,
areyouokay?
Riya:
(smi
led)yes,
whathappenedt
o
yourarm andnose?
Ken:Ifel
loft
hebi
cycl
e,andIhur
tmy
l
eftarm.
Ri
ya:Youdon’
tknowhowt
ori
dea
bi
cycl
e?
Ken:If
orgotbabygi
rl
,youshoul
d
real
lyt
eachmesomeday.
Ri
yasmi
ledandnodded.
Lesego:Iwi
llbr
ingyoul
unchl
ater
,
maybei nt
heafter
noon.
Ken:I
tsokay,
am sur
eIwi
llbeoutof
heret
omorrow.
Lesego:Okay,
takecar
e,wear
e
l
eaving…

LesegoandRiyawal kedoutasthey
headedtotherecepti
ont osi
gnoff.
MeanwhileKenletoutahugesi gh
star
ingathisl
efthand,hetouched
hisnoseanditwasst i
llpai
nful
…
Fewmi nut
eslat
erDianewalkedin
andclosedthedoorsl
owly,Ken
rai
sedhisheadandnoticedher
.

Ken:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Diane:
(sof
tl
y)Iheardt
hatyouare
admitt
edhere,Icametoseeyou.
Ken:Whot
oldyouam i
nthehospi
tal
?
Di
ane:Oneofyourcowor
ker
.
Ken:(Paused)Gee?
...
heist heonly
personwhoknowst hatam here…and
bythewayyoushoul dn’
tjustvi
sit
someonewi t
houtt
hem givingyou
permissiontodoso.
Diane:why?youareaf r
aidthatyour
gir
lwillf
industogetherandst artt
o
thi
nkthatwear edating,bythewayI
sawherl eavi
ngwitht hatli
tt
lecute
gir
l.
Ken:Okay,youar
eseei
ngmenow,
canyouleave?
Diane:Notnow, i
t’safri
endlyvisi
t
Ken.Youdon’ thavetobener vous.
noonewi l
lseeus…( tookoutsome
bunchoff l
ower s)Ibroughtthisfor
you,honestlyIwant edtogiveyou
them atyourof fi
ce,butIcouldn’t
waitforyout obeback, soIbr ought
them here.
Ken:Whywoul
dyougi
ftmewi
th
f
lowers?
Diane:(
paused)Ithoughtwehada
specialr
elat
ionshi
p.Gatwewhen
someonei ssickornotwell
,flower
s
arethebestremedyt hatwi
llcheer
thei
rspiri
tup.
Ken:(si
ghed)ThankyoubutnoI
don’twantt hem, Iappreci
atewhat
youar edoingf orme, butIdon’
tthi
nk
itsnecessary…byt hewaywedon’ t
haveaspeci alrel
ati
onship.Weare
justworkmat es,t
hat’
si t
.
Di
ane:(
stoodup)okay,
Iwil
lleave
t
hem here.I
fbyanychanceyou
changeyourmi
nd,
youcant
aket
hem.

Dianeputt
hef l
ower
sbesi
desKen,
shethenwalkedout
.Kentookt
hem
andthrewt
hem onthefl
oor.

AtJack’
sHouse

Laterthatday,Leboopenedt he
drawerstryingtofindJunior
’s
report
scar d.Shethencameacr oss
Jack’smedi calcard,shecuri
ousl
y
tookthem.Sheputt hem downand
pickedtheonet hathaveJack’sHIV
testsandresults.Shet ooki
tand
wenttositdownont hebed,at
ear
droppeddownfrom hereyesasshe
putthem downshi
ver i
ng.

Meanwhil
ethedooropenedandJack
wal
kedin…

Jack:
(st
ari
ngather
)di
danyone
comeherelooki
ngf
orme,ort
he
poli
ce.
Lebo:theydi
dn’
tbutdon’
tbe
surpr
isedwhentheycomeher
e.
Jack:(
noticedthepapersonthebed)
whatIsthat …(
walkedcl
oser)what
areyoudoi ngwit
hmycar ds,were
yousear
chi
ngme?

Lebojustst
aredathi
m wi
thout
sayi
ngawor d.

Jack:
(Angr
il
y)sot
hisiswhatyouar
e
uptowhenam notaround?
Lebo:
(t
ear
ful
ly)youar
eposi
ti
ve?
Jack:
(si
ghed)whatar
eyout
alki
ng
about
?
Lebo:YouareHIVPosit
ive,
why
didn’
tyoutellmet
hatyouare
Posit
iveJack?
Jackimmediat
elytookthemedical
cardsandputt
hem inanenvelope
andwalkedout.Lebowipedhertear
s
andstoodupclosingt
hedrawers.

AtKen’
sHouse

Lat
ert
hataf
ter
noon…

Riyasatont
hecoucheat
ingsome
snacksasLesegowal
kedinhol
ding
hertowel
.

Lesego:
Riyaam goi
ngt
otheshower
,
j
ustdon’tgooutside.Youcanwatch
TVandwhenam donewear egoi
ng
tovi
sitdaddyatthehospit
al.
Riya:
(nodded)Cart
oonnet
wor
k,can
youchanget oit
.
Lesego:Okay,

Shet
ooktheremoteandchangedt
o
CN,t
henheadedtotheshower
.

Acoupleofminuteslat
ert
herewasa
knockatthedoor
, Ri
yaputdownher
snacksandheadedtothedoor,
she
openedthedoor.
Voi
ce:
(smi
led)Hi
,isdaddyand
mommyhome?
Riya:Mommyistaki
ngashower
,
daddyisnotar
ound.
Voi
ce:(
tookoutsomecandy)you
wantsome?
Ri
ya:
(nodded)
mm
Voi
ce:Wecangoandbuymore
downthestr
eet
…let
sgo.
iwi
ll
pi
ggybackyou.

Thedoorcl
osedandt
heyl
eft
…
*
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[
9:10AM,
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2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#31

Voi
ce:Wecangoandbuymore
downthestr
eet
…let
sgo.
iwi
ll
pi
ggybackyou.
Thedoorcl
osedandt
heyl
eft
…

Meanwhi leLesegosteppedoutoft he
showerf i
xinghertowel,Shethen
headedt othebedroom andappl i
ed
somel oti
ononherf ace…aftersome
fewmi nutessheputthebodyl oti
on
onthedr essi
ngtableandwal kedout
theroom headingtothel i
ving
room…t heTVwasst il
lonandt he
animatedvoicesofcartoonswas
l
oud…

Lesegopi
ckedt
heplatethatRiya
waseati
nghersnacksfr
om, shethen
headedt othekit
chenandputi ti
nto
thesinkandopenedt hetapwashing
i
t,shedrieditandclosedthetap
whilewatchingthewatergoingdown
theplughole…Lateronshewalked
outcall
ingRiya…

Lesego:
Riya!…

Shethenheadedtothebathr
oom
andstoodatthedoorst
il
lcal
li
ngher
.

Lesego:Ri
yaareyoui
n
ther
e…(si
ghed)Ri
ya!
!
Ther ewasnor esponse, shedeci ded
togoupst ai r
stot hel oungewher e
Riyausual lyspendmostofhert ime
readingsomenovel l
as, butshewas
nott her e.Shepani ckedasshe
walkeddownst airsandwentf rom
room t oroom checki ngi fsheisi n
there.Shet henwentt ot hemai n
doorandonl yreal izedt hatitwasnot
l
ocked, sheopenedi tbreathing
heavi ly…shecal ledherf ewt imes
walki ngar oundt hehouse…she
headedt ot hegat ewher eshepi cked
Riya’sdol lont hegr ound…shel ooked
atitandat eardr oppedf rom hereye.
Lesego:
(br
eat
hingheavi
ly)OhMy
God!!Wher
edidshego…

Thegatewashal fopen,shethen
rushedbacktothehouseandt ook
herphonedial
ingthepolice
number…thephoner angforsome
fewsecondsbeforetheoffi
cerpi
cked
up…

Of
fi
cer
:Hel
lo.
.
Lesego:(Sighi
ng)Hello!Hel
lo!The
poli
ce?.
..um!Ican’tf
indmydaught er
,
Ij
ustleftherintheli
vingroom and
wentt otakeashower ,butwhenI
fi
nishedandwentt ocheckonher ,
shewasnott here,t
hedoorwasnot
l
ocked. .
(breathingheavil
y)andt he
gatewashal fopenbuticl osedit
whenIgotbackf rom t
hehospi t
al.
Offi
cer:Areyousur eshei smissing
ma’am, Imeanyoucanf i
leami ssi
ng
caseonlyafter24hour s…butfornow
am goingtoadvi ceyout ocheck
around,gotot heneighborsandsee
i
fshei sthere…ormaybeshewent
outwithfri
ends..(paused)wait
,how
oldIsshe?
Lesego:
(si
lent
lysi
ghed)OhmyGod,
sheisonly5…andshedoesn’
tknow
anyonearound,shehardlygoout
andplay..
sheisalwaysinher
room…(cryi
ng)whatifsomeone
cameinwhi l
eIwasi ntheshower
andtookher…(tear
ful
ly)Ireal
lymade
abigmi st
akebynotlockingthedoor
becauseIneverthoughtsucht hi
ng
wouldhappen.
Offi
cer:
Itsokay,butpleasegoaround
andchecki fsheisnoti nt
he
neighborhood…shei sakid,maybe
sheishidingsomewher eorwentto
playoutside…af
teryouhavechecked
everyplaceyout hi
nkshemi ghtbein,
thenyoucancal laft
erthat.
Lesego:Looksi
r,Ihavedone
that…beli
evemewhenIt el
lyouthat
shehar dl
ygoout si
de,andagainshe
doesn’thavefri
endsaround.She
clearl
ydoesn’tknowanyone, she
spendsmostofhert imeatschool
andaf t
erschoolshecomeshome
andshenevergoout si
dethehouse.

Therewassi
lencef
orcoupl
eof
seconds…

Lesego:Hello?Si
rareyousti
ll
ther
e…(lookedatthephonescreen)
Damn!Myphone’ sbatter
y.
Shet henwentbacktoherr
oom and
chargedthephone,shewai
tedt
here
soatleastt
hephonecanputin1
percentoft
hebatter
y.

Att
hehospi
tal
…

Kentookoffthedri
pandst epped
downf r
om thebedpickingthe
fl
owershejustthr
ewont hefl
oorand
wenttoputthem i
nthebi n,t
henurse
walkedinholdi
ngacar dandsome
pil
ls.
.

Nur
se:
(st
ari
ngathi
m)Si
r,whatar
e
youdoi
ng…youar
esupposedt
obei
n
bed.
Ken:
(smil
ed)Am sor
ryma’
am,
but
am f
inenow.
Nur se:Noyouar enot,
youarenot
supposedt ol
eavet hebedunti
lItel
l
yout odoso.InfactIwasgoi
ngt o
dischargeyounow, butsi
nceyou
vi
olat edt
herulesyouaregoingto
spendonemor enighther
e.
Ken:Comeon,isthisapuni shment…I
meanIknowmybodywel l,
and
beli
evemewhenIt ellyouam fine…I
removedthebandageandam not
feel
inganypai
ninmyl ef
thand.
Nurse:Am goingt
oaskyout ogeti
n
bed,ther
eisadisl
ocati
oninyour
j
oint.ThereasonwhyIbandagedit,
i
tstoavoidyouhurti
ngyoursel
f
tr
yingtomoveyourarm.
Ken:(
gotinbed)Okayma’am…butI
cantspendanighthereagain,I
heardsomewei rdnoi
seinthenext
wardlastni
ght.Icoul
dn’
tevensl eep,
Ithi
nkthepati
enthadamal evisitor
.
Soitwasbitnoisyfr
om midnighttil
l
dawn.
Nurse:
(smil
ed)Youaresar
cast
ic
ri
ght?Becausether
earenovi
sit
ors
al
lowedafter9pm.
Ken:Believeme, whati
fshewas
hidi
nghim undert hebedandaft
er
thenursehavel eftt
heguycameout
anddi dhiswork,Imeanwi t
hthe
girl
…Ithi
nkt heyweredoingadul
t
stuff
.
Nur
se:
Okay,
Iwi
llt
ellt
hem t
obr
ing
t
henoi
sedownt
onight.
Ken:Thankyou.

Thenurselaughedwalki
ngout ,
meanwhi l
eKen’sphonestart
ed
ri
nging…hepickeditwhi
leheadi
ngt
o
thedoortocloseit
.
Ken:
(smi
led)baby,
what
sup?
Lesego:(
breathingheavil
y)Honey!
Thereisfi
reint hemountain,shei
s
missing…(t
earfull
y)Idon’tknow
whereshei s.
Ken:Wait
,who?Imeanwhoi
s
missing?
Lesego:Ri ya,Iwenttotakeashower
andwhenIcameback, shewasnot
there..
ilookedar oundandstillI
couldn’tfindher…It r
iedcall
ingthe
poli
cebutt heytoldmet hatt
heycant
helpmebecauseIhavet owait24
hour stofileami ssi
ngcase.
Ken:Look,
am comi
nghomenow…do
yout
hinkmaybeshewent
somewher
e,orpl
ayi
ngout
side?
Lesego:Icheckedever
ywhere,
the
onlythi
ngIfoundisherdol
l,
andI
pickedi
tatthegate.
Ken:
Thismeansshewentout…l
ook,
I
wil
lseeyouwhenIgett
here,
am
coming.
Lesego:Okay…butinthemeanti
meI
wil
lasktheneighborsift
heysawher
.
Ken:Gr
eat
…bye

Kenputthephonedownandputon
hi
sjeanandshirt
…hepickedhis
watchandphoneandthenclosed
thedoorheadingout…meanwhil
ethe
nursewalkedinandfoundthebed
empt y,
sheshookherheadand
closedthedoorheadingbackt
o
otherwards…

AtJack’
sHouse

Jackchangedtheoili
nhiscarand
putbacktheoilf
il
ter
,hetookacl ot
h
andwi pedhi
shandsasJuni or
approachedhi
m pushinghisbike…

Juni
or:
(star
ingathi
m)Dad,mybi
ke’
s
chai
nislose,canyouhel
pme
t
ight
eni
t?
Jack:(
bentover
)br
ingmyt
oolboxi
n
thetr
unk…

Juni
orwentandtookt
het
oolbox
andwentback…

Jack:(Lookedathi m)Look,
buddy…( sighed)Iknowam a
dickheadandadouche…butam sor ry
foreverythingIputyouandyour
mom i nto.Idon’tknowwhat swrong
withme, butIwantyout o
understandt hatIloveyouson…you
andRi yaar ebothmyki ds,andIwant
youtotr
eatRi
yaasyourbi
ologi
cal
si
ster
,aker
e.
Juni
or:
(nodded)Iwi
shshewasher e,
doyouthinkshewil
levercomeback?
Jack:(
sighedheavil
y)l
ikeIsai
d,I
havereall
ymessedupki d…her
motherdon’twanttoseemenearher
again…Idon’tt
hink–

Hewasi nt
errupt
edbyhisringi
ng
phone…hesearchedhispocketsand
removedthephonefrom t
heback
pocket
,helookedatthescreenandit
wasLesego.
Jack:
(cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
)yes.
Lesego:Jack,
Riyai
smi
ssi
ng.
Jack:
What
?howcome?
Lesego:Il
eftheral
oneint
helivi
ng
room whil
eIwenttotakeashower,
andIneversawheragainaft
erthat
.
Jack:Youseet hatyouarever y
irr
esponsibl
e…howcanyout akeoff
yoursightfr
om aver ysmallbaby.
youcouldhavet houghtbefore
leavi
ngheralone,thereare
kidnappersandthieveseverywher
e.
Lesego:Lookam sor
ry,
butdoyouby
anychanceknowwher eshei
s?
Jack:
(si
ghed)Soyouar
esuspect
ing
t
hatIst
oleher
?
Lesego:
Ineversai
dthat
,Iaskedi
fby
anychanceyouknowwher eshei
s…
Jack:Icanseeyouar et
ryingto
blameme, Icantkidnapmyown
chil
d…kanteareyoust upid
Lesego…look…(pausedforaf ew
seconds)Areyousur eshei smissi
ng
orshejustwentout ,andagaindid
youreporttothepolice?
Lesego:Isear
chedeverywher
e,I
cal
ledthepoli
cebuttheyseemedto
notcare…
Jack:Sothi
sist
hereasonwhyyou
wantedhersobadl
y,goreot
eoye
golathamybaby, am headingtothe
poli
cestati
onnowt oreport,andyou
keeplooki
ngaround…ifstil
lyou
haven’tf
oundherbeforetheonsetof
thenight
,thenyouandt hatstupi
d
goofyareintr
ouble.

Jackhungupandquicklyclosedt
he
bonnetofhi
scarandglancedat
Juni
or…

Jack:
(sighed)Son,
somethi
ngcame
up…Iwi l
lfi
xyourbi
ketomorr
ow,go
andtellmom IwentoutandIwi
llbe
back.
Juniorrushedtothehouse,Jack
tooktheboxandputi tbackinthe
trunkandgotintothecaranddr ove
off…

Lat
eratDusk…
Lesegomovedar oundthe
neighborhoodaskingever y
householdiftheyhaveseenRi ya,she
evenshowedt hem pi
cturesbutit
couldn’thel
p,shedidn’tgiveup,she
keptsearchingandaski ngkidson
thestreetbutnoneofthem wasof
greathelp…
AtKen’
sHouse

Latert
hateveni
ngJacksatont
he
couchstar
ingatKen…

Jack:(l
ookedattheclock)Lookat
theti
menow, it
sevendar k
outsi
de…andallyouguyscandoi s
toaccusemeofsecr etl
ysteal
ingmy
ownkid,doyout hi
nkifIreal
lydi
d
thatIwouldbehere.
Lesego:(
sighed)Noonei
saccusing
you,that
’swhatyouaret
hinki
ng…we
neversaidit
syou.
Ken:Thisisnothel pi
nganymor e,
andtheonl yreasonwhyIal l
owed
youJacki ntomyhouse, i
tsbecause
ofRiya…ift
hatwasnott hecaseyou
wouldn’tbeher e…(t
urnedt oLesego)
Letsjustwaitforthepolice,It
hink
theywillbehereanymoment .
Jack:Am theonewhowentt
ot he
poli
cestati
on,andyouMrNi
ceguy
youdidn’tdoanyt
hingt
ohel
p,so
shutup.
Lesego:
(l
oudl
y)Jack,
stop.

Meanwhilet
her
ewasat exti
n
Lesego’
sphonefr
om unknown
number
…shequickl
yopenedi
tand
bust
edi
ntot
ears…

Jack:
(Gl
ancedather
)Whati
sit
?
Ken:Honey,
whati
sit
???

Kentookthephonef
rom herhands
andstar
tedreadi
ngt
hemessage….
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[
9:10AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#32

Kenreadthemessageinal
oud
whisperandhandedt
hephoneback
toLesego…

Ken:
(si
ghedstaringatJack) Ithink
someoneisjusttryi
ngt omessup
wit
hus,Iknowt histri
ck,itseems
l
ikeaprankbutliter
all
yt heper son
whosentthi
sist ryi
ngtobl ackmai l
us.
.
Jack:(t
ookt hephone)Wai t,Iknow
someguywhocant rackthi
snumber
andthel ocati
onoft hepersonwho
sentthis…(t
hought f
ully)t
hisshows
thatthepersonwhot ookRiyaknows
oneofyou, itseit
heroneofyou
messedupwi t
htheper sonandnow
he/shei sseekingrevenge.
Ken:
(si
ghed)Am cl
ean…
Lesego:met
oo.
.
Jack:Eveyoneiscleanunt i
lsomeone
point
saguni nyourfucking
skull
…andbef or
ehepul lsthetri
gger
youwi l
lstar
ttal
king…(calmly)
Lesego,Ken…pleasebeser ious…do
youknowsomeonewhomi ghthave
takenmydaught
er,
justt
hink.
Ken:(
Angril
y)Kantedowel ookli
ke
wearenotser i
ous,andwhoar eyou?
aninvesti
gatororanoffi
ceroft
he
l
aw?Dowel ooklikepeoplewhoisin
themafiaorthiscrazycr
imemobs.
Jack:(walkedclosertohim)Don’ t
fucki
nggetangr yatme, i
tsmy
daughterwear etalki
ngabout .The
reasonwhyyouar erelaxedis
becauseshei snotyourdaught er,
anditseasyf oryoutocomeupwi th
somef uckingstupidsuggesti
ons
thatwontevenhel p..
Lesego:
(Loudl
y)Jack,ar
eyouher
eto
fi
ghtusorhelp?Andagainwehave
beenwaiti
ngforthepoli
cef
ort
he
past30mi nut
es.
Jack:(
pickedhiscarkeys)Am going
out,am goingtost ar
thunti
ngformy
daughteruntildawn…youguysar e
notseri
ous.Keepenj oyi
ngyourni
ce
houseandNet fl
ix.WhenIgether,
youwi l
lneverseeheragai n,
andthis
ti
meImeani t.

Jackgavet
hem adir
tyl
ookand
headedtot
hekit
chenandtook
somefewbott
lesofwat
erand
wal
kedt
owar
dst
hem i
nthel
ivi
ng
r
oom.

Jack:(
star
ingatKen)Wheret
hei
s
beer?Icantgooutsober
.
Ken:Al
coholi
spr
ohibi
tedi
nthi
s
house,
soyoucangetl
ostnow.
Jack:
(chuckled)Youar enota
man…( t
urnedt oLesego)Ifyougave
mydaught ertothedogs, am goi
ngto
eatyoualive.Iswear!
!

Jackfast
enedhi
sshoel
acesand
wentouttohi
scar,
hestar
tedthe
engi
neandspedoutinr
everse…
Meanwhil
eKengrabbedLesego’
s
handandputhi
sarm behi
ndher
back.
.

Ken:(
Gentl
ykissedherneck)I
ts
goingtobeokay,Ipr
omisewewi l
l
fi
ndher.
Lesego:(pul
ledhishandsof f)It
s
easyforyout osay, af
terallheisnot
yourdaughter.Wor dscantbr ingher
back,i
tsgoingtot akeal otofeffor
t
Ken.
Ken:
(Shocked)Lesego,
whyareyou
col
dtomenow?Am wor ri
edt
oo,and
whatdoyoumeanshei snotmy
daught
er?wheredoesthatcome
fr
om.Itsnotl
ikeIdon’
tcareabout
her,wi
thhel
pf r
om t
hepoli
cewear e
goingt
ofindher.
Lesego:Theonlypersonwhoseems
tocareisJack,andhewasr ight.Am
averyirr
esponsibl
emot her
,Ijust
wishIcangobacki ntimeand
prot
ecther.
.butit
stoolate.
Ken:(Sadly)Look,Iknowyouar e
brokenr i
ghtnow.Butcompar ingme
toJack, tryi
ngtomakemef eell
ikeI
aintdoinganything,itonl
ymakesme
thinkthatyouonlycar eaboutyour
daught erandyoudon’ tcareabout
meanymor e.ItookcareofRi yafrom
thest art,Imadesur eshewentt oa
decentschoolandIpai dherschool
fees,Ialsot akengoodcar eofyou,
yoursi ster,yourGrandma. .whent hey
want edmyhel pIneverturneda
bli
ndeyet othem…( si
ghing)Butnow
youkeepbel it
tl
ingmebyyourwor ds,
elegor ennagakenadif eel
ings,its
notlikeIcantseegor eyouar elosing
fait
honmeandyoust artcompar ing
met oJackwhol ef
tyoubr oken..
Lesego:I
tsmydaught erweare
tal
kingabout,ofcourseIcareabout
herthananyoneel se.Mydaughteri
s
outther
ewi t
hsomest ranger
,orshe
mi ghtbedead, orcr
ossedoverto
somef oreigncountr
iesbyhuman
traffi
ckers, andnowyouwantmet o
feelpityforyouandpr aiseyouf
or
ever yt
hingyouhavedonef ormeand
her …(f
oldingherhands)Inever
askedyout ohel
pme, itwasyouwho
volunteered.
Ken:(
shookhisheadindi
sbel
ief
)
Lesegoareyouseri
ousri
ght
now…unbeli
evabl
e!!

Lesegokeptquiet…shethentookher
phoneanddialedhersister
’snumber
headingt
other oom.Kensatdown
ont
hecouchandt
ookadeepbr
eat
h..

Meanwhi l
e…ther
ewasaknockonthe
door,Kenrushedtot
hedoorand
openedit.
I
twast
hepol
iceof
fi
cer
s…

Ken:
Goodeveningof
fi
cer
s,youcan
comeinandsitdown.
Of
fi
cer1:Thankyousi
r.
Of
fi
cer2:(star
ingatKen)Wher
eis
t
hemot herofthechi
ld,
Ithi
nkt
here
i
sgoingtobeal otofworkt
oni
ght
.
Ken:Youcansi
tdown,
Iwi
llgoand
cal
lher
,shemi
ghtbeont
hephone…

AtJomo’
sPl
ace…

Lat
erthatnightThatofl
ippedt
he
di
ceanditroll
edhitt
ingonasix,
Jomoincr
easedt heli
ghtonthelamp
andpl
aceditont hestool…

Jomo:(t
ookt
hedi
ce)Myt
urn
morena…

Hefl
ippedthediceandthenumber
wasfive,
hefl
ippeditonemoret
ime
hi
tt
ingonasi
x…

Jomo:(
col
lect
edt
hemoneyont
he
fl
oor
)Iwon!!
Thato:Am doneplayi
ng…( l
ookedat
theemptybottl
eofbeer)MmaGo
tswetse,
sinceyouwon, youarethe
onewhosupposet obuythisti
me.
Jomo:(shaki
nghi
shead)wat
agi
wa
bl
ind…

Heputt
hemoneyonhispocketand
l
aidonbed,
That
osatnextt
ohim on
bed…
Thato:(
sighed)Am t
hinki
ngofsel
li
ng
thatbeast…ihavecreat
ed
unnecessaryexpensesaroundmeka
yone.
Jomo:(
Lookedathim wit
hr eddi
sh
eyes)Youarenotseri
ous,ifyou
wanttochaseawaygirl
s,thendoit.
Thato:Idon’
tcareaboutgi
rl
s,Idon’
t
havepocketsdeepenoughtoaffor
d
thi
sGTI …

Meanwhil
eThato’
sphonest
art
ed
ri
ngi
ng,helookedatt
hescr
eenand
gl
ancedatJomo.
That
o:(
sighs)Ei
sh,
thi
sgi
rlbr
oh…ga
obatl
echeri?
Jomo:Omontl
e,Imeani
fsheisnot
badl
ooki
ng,
okamompat ela.
.
That
o:Sheisnott
hatbad,
justt
hat
walapi
sa.
Jomo:isshei
stheoneyout
oldme
about
…gatwekeenemang?.
.Sal
ly?
That
o:Yeahkeene,It
oldhergor
ega
kemmatle…nnaIwantedaonenight
st
andwithheronl
y.
Jomo:(
Laughed)I
jo…
Thephonerangagai
naf
tercoupl
eof
seconds…

That
o:heyGi
rl
.
Sal
ly:hiThat
o,hl
err
aIneedyour
hel
p.
That
o:(
Paused)whati
sit
,ifi
ts
moneyjustknowt
hatam broke.
Sal
ly:No,
itsnotaboutmoney…am
maroonedsomewher e,
canyou
comeandt akeme,Iwil
lpayyou.
That
o:(
laughed)War
emar
ooned?
Whatsthat
?
Sal
ly:Imeanam st
randed
somewher
e,andt
her
ear
enot
axi
sor
cabsar
ound.
That
o:Whatwereyoulookingf
orga
oreyouarestr
andedjaana?Andi
t’
s
l
ateatni
ghtfort
hatcase
Sall
y:Look,iwil
ltel
lyouwhenyou
arri
ve…am justf
ewkilometersaway
from gabs,
Icamewi thfr
iendsand
theyleftmehere.
Thato:Youwer epar
tyi
ngandyou
nevertoldme?kantekeengole
sel
fi
shj aana.
Sally:(
Impat
ient
)Look,somepeople
lef
tmei nMochudiroad…(shaky
voice)andIneedyourhelpnow,orI
mi
ghtdi
e..
That
o:(
Anxi
ous)Okay,
wai
t…wer
eyou
ki
dnapped?
Sal
ly:No,canyoust
opaski
ngand
come..now.

That
ohungupandputonhi
spant
s…

Lat
ert
hatni
ght
…

Jackdrovesl owl
yaroundthe
neighborhoodwithhisheadoutof
thewindowl ooki
ngaround,hejoi
ned
theotherroadleavi
ngPhakalane
areaandheadi
ngtothefi
ll
ing
stat
ion…hest
eppedoutofthecar
andshowedthepumpat t
endants
pict
uresofRi
yaandaskedifthey
sawher …

AtKen’
sHouse

Meanwhilethepol
iceoff
icer
sleft
,
Kenwalkedbacktothebedroom
whereLesegowassi l
ent
lycryi
ngin
bed…

Ken:
(Si
ghed)Lookam sor
ry…butwhy
di
dn’
tyoucomet ohaveawor dwit
h
theoffi
cers?Ijustgavethem Riya’
s
pict
uresandtheysai dt
heywi l
lput
herpictur
esaroundandi nallpoli
ce
stat
ions.
Lesego:Okay
Ken:Iunder
standt
hatyouareinpai
n
now,butyoushoul
dn’tbeangr
yat
me…itsnotl
ikeam nothel
—
Lesego:
(i
nter
rupt
ed)Isai
dit
sOkay,
whichmeansIheardyou.
*
*
*
FORANOTHERI
NSERT
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[
9:10AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#33

AtKen’
sOf
fi
ce

Thefoll
owingmorni
ngDiane
knockedatKen’
soff
icef
orcoupleof
ti
mesbuttherewasnoresponse.
Shelookedatthecl
ockandknocked
agai
nbutstil
lnoresponse…j
ustas
shewalkedupstai
rsshemetwith
oneofthecoworkers…

Diane:(holdi
ngsomef i
les)Good
mor ni
ngMr s,Iwant
edt ogi
veKen
thi
sf i
lesbutitseemsli
kehehasnot
yetarrived.
MrsWill
iams:(si
ghed)Hehasn’ t
shownupt owor ksinceyesterday,
hewasonal eavethatlast
edt wo
weeksandwassupposet oreportt
o
workyester
day..buthehasn’tshown
up.
Diane:
(f
akedanexpression)That
’s
bad,hasanyt
hingbadhappenedt o
hi
m…Imeandi dyoucal lhi
mt oaskif
heisokay?
Mr sWiil
iams:(shookherhead)No, I
meani fsomet hingbadhappenedt o
him hewoul dhavet oldus,Ital
kedto
themanagementandsi nceKeni sin
themanagementt eam hei sdelayi
ng
thedail
yoper ati
onsoft hecompany.
Therewer esomer esear
cht hatthe
seniormanagementwer esupposet o
carryoutbasedont heinsurance
fraud…butitseemsl ikeKenhasn’ t
broughttheresear chfi
ndings.
Di
ane:
Okay,
butIt
hinkt
hef
il
esand
thepaperwor
kheaskedmet oproof
readwasaboutt
heresear
ch,Ihaveit
nowandIcansubmitonhisbehalf
.
MrsWi ll
iams:Sot hi
smeansyou
knowwher eheis?Ifhecangi
veyou
thepaperwor k,thenyoumustbe
knowingt hereasonforhi
s
absenteeism.
Diane:(thoughtfull
y)No,I
don’t…(sighed)Ijustwantedtodo
mywor k,heisahar dworkingman
andhehasbeennot hi
ngbutgreat
andpr oductivethroughouttheyears
thatIhaveknownhi m…soever yti
me
hegivesmewor k,Idoitpassi
onatel
y.
Mr sWi l
li
ams: (
smi led)youl i
kehi m
aren’tyou?Imeanyouj ustspoke
everythi
ngabouthi m,youdef ended
him,yousubmi ttedhi swor kpiece
andyouar eworriedwhenhei snot
around…( joki
ngly)Iwi llt
ellhi
mt o
wifeyouassoonaspossi bl
e,youare
reall
yhar dworkingl ikehim.
Diane:(
Blushed)I
tsnot
hing,ImeanI
wasj ustdoi
ngmywor k…(curi
ousl
y)
Mr sWill
iamscanIasksomet hi
ng
abouthim, i
tsper
sonal
?
MrsWil
li
ams:(
checkedt
hecl
ock)
Okaybutbequi
ck.
Di
ane:Okay,
Iwant
edt
oknowi
fby
anychanceyouknowhi sper
sonal
l
ife…mar
riage,
rel
ati
onships,
you
knowsomet hi
ngli
kethat.
Mr sWi ll
iams:(sighed)Kennever
ment ionanyt hinglikethati
nthe
wor kpl ace,andsi nceIknewhi m,I
don’ tknowever yt
hingabouthis
personall i
fe.Including
rel
at ionship…henevershar ethose
storieswi t
hus.
Di
ane:
(nodded)okay,
thankyou
ma’
am..it
hinkweshouldgetbackt
o
wor
k.
MrsWill
iams:Lookdear,
ifyoul
ike
hi
m,thendon’thesi
tat
e…showhim
thatyouar eint
ohim, maket hemove,
don’twaitforamant ochaseaf ter
you.makeyour selfavailableforhi
m,
alwaysdoyourbestt oshow
quali
ti
est hatwil
lattracthim.Idon’ t
know, butKenisgr eat,heis
handsomeandt al
l...
(smiled)justl
ike
myhusband.
Di
ane:(smi
led)okayIhear
dyou…I
wil
lgetgoi
ngandt hanksf
oryour
t
ime.

Di
anehel dtherail
ingsoft
he
st
aircasest
aringatMr sWil
li
ams
walkingdownt hestai
rswit
hher
heelsechoi
ngasshesteppedonthe
stai
rway.Di
anetookt
hef i
leswi
thher
andheadedtothemanagement
offi
ces…

AtKen’
sHouse

Laterthatmor ni
ng,Kenreadsome
text
sonhi sphoneheadingtothe
kit
chen, hetookthekettl
eandf i
ll
edi t
withwat erandpluggedit.Hetook
twocupsandputcof feeontheot her
andt henagr eenteabagont heot her
one.
Meanwhi l
ehepour edsomehot
wat erinthecupsandaddedsome
sugari nhiscoff
eeandheadedt othe
l
ivingr oom whereLesegowassi tt
ing
downwi thherhandont hecheek
expr essi
ngsadness…Kensatnextt o
herandgaveheracupwi thgreen
tea…

Ken:(
puthi
sont hetable)Morni
ng,I
madesomegr eenteaforyou,Iheard
thati
tcanregul
atebloodsugarlevel
andeasesawayst r
ess…soyoumi ght
havetodri
nksoyoumayf eelbet
ter.
Lesego:Gr
eent
eai
sforpeopl
ewho
wanttoloseweightandtreatacne…I
havealr
eadylostweightinthepast
hours,
butthankyouf ormakingitf
or
me.ButnowIdon’ twanttoeator
dri
nkanythi
ng..
.
Ken:(
smiled)
Okaywhati si
tthatyou
want,youknowam agr eatcook…I
canmakesomebi scui
tsorsomehot
chocolat
e.Ihaveallt
heingredi
ents
needed,j
usttel
lmewhatyouwant ?
Lesego:
(f
rowned)Idon’twant
anythi
ng,am fi
ne…am justwai
ti
ngt
o
hearthel
eadssot hatIcangoout
ther
eandl ookformydaughter
.
Ken:Butbabyyoucantkeepl
ivi
ng
thi
sway, atleasthavesomef ai
th
goreRiyaissafewher eversheis…I
wanttoassur eyout hatwit
hallthe
helpfr
om thepol i
ce,wear egoi
ngt o
fi
ndher,atleastletshavesomef ai
th
goreatlastwewi llfi
ndheringood
healt
h.
Lesego:I
tseasytosayt
hat…(
sighed)
aren’
tyousupposetobeatwork
anyway?
Ken:(tookadeepbr eat
h)Icantjust
leaveli
ket hat,
andagainIcantleave
youl i
kethis.Iwanttoberightnextto
yout omakesur ethatyouareokay.
UntilwefindRi ya,
thenIcanstart
goingtowor k.
Lesego:Canyouatleastnoti
fyort
ell
them t
hatyouarenotcomi ngto
work,kanatheymightthi
nkyouare
absentforsomejoyri
de.
Ken:Don’ twor ry, nowl etsfocuson
fi
ndi ngourl it
tleone…am t i
redof
seei ngsost ressed, andspendi ng
sleepl essnightsont hecouchst ar
ing
att hebl ankscr eenoft he
television…(holdi ngherhand)I
promi seyout hatIwi llbeherefor
youanyt imeyouneedme, andIwas
planni ngoncal l
ingmypar entsto
comeandseeyouf orthefir
st
ti
me…am sor ryt hatIwassl owt ol
et
them knowaboutyou, butIthi
nk
soont
heywi
ll
.
Lesego:I
tsfi
ne,wewil
ltal
kabout
thatwhentheri
ghtt
imecomes.
Ken:
(l
ooki
ngi
ntent
lyi
ntohereyes)
whatdoyoumean?
Lesego:Canwef
ocusont
hecur
rent
si
tuati
onnow…

Sheexclai
medwhilet
aki
ngher
phoneandwentoutsi
dethehouse
headi
ngt ot
hepoolar
eawhereshe
satonthebench…

Meanwhi
leKent
ookasi
pfr
om hi
s
coff
eeandpi ckedt hecupwi thgreen
teaandwal kedbackt otheki t
chen,
hepour edthet eaandcof f
eeinthe
sinkandopenedt herunningwat er.
Het henleanedbyt hekitchen
cabinetandl etoutahugesi gh,he
thenopenedt hecupboar dandt ook
outsomepl ai nflour,woodenspoon,
i
cingsugar ,but t
er,bowl…andhe
addedt hebut terandsugart ogether
i
nabowlandbeatt hem til
ltheyare
smoot h…

Justasheopenedthefr
idget
otake
theyel
lowmargar
ine,hi
sphone
star
tedri
ngi
ng…hewenttowashhis
handsi
nthesi
nkandsli
dhishands
i
nthebackpocketandr
emovedit
…

Ken:Hel
lo?
Di
ane:Hi
,youdi
dn’tshowupthi
s
morni
ng,
isever
ythi
ngokay?
Ken:(t
ookadeepbreat
h)yeah…just
thatsomet
hingcameupthat’swhyI
couldn’
tmakeitt
owork,theyasked
aboutme?
Diane:yeah,t
heyaskedaboutyou
duri
ngt hebri
efmeet i
ng…wellIt
old
them thatyouarenotfeel
ingwell
,
andIsuggest edthatIcancoverf
or
youevent houghsomeoft hework
i
sn’
texact
lyf
ormyl
evel
.
Ken:(
smi
led)soyoul
ied?
Diane:(
chuckled)butinagoodway,
bythewayIsubmi tt
edyourresearch
fi
ndings.Theduedat ewasyesterday
andididn’twantt osubmitwi
thout
yourpermission,butaft
eredi
ti
ngt hi
s
mor ni
ng,Idecidedtosubmit.
Ken:wow,Ithi
nknowIoweyoubi g
ti
me.Youarereal
lyali
fesaver
,even
thoughatt
imesyouactoutofthe
way.Butyouarer
eall
yanangel.
Diane:
(blushed)well
,atl
eastIcoul
d
help…(
clearedherthroat
)but
honest
ly.Areyour eal
lyokay?Imean
youwer einthehospi
talyester
day
andyout oldmenottotellanyone
thatyouaresick,
butnowam get ti
ng
worriedbecauseyoumi ghtbeinpain
andneedhel p.
Ken:Diane,don’tworryaboutmemy
dear…am fi
nenow, Ijusthopeyou
di
dn’ttel
lthestafft
hatthereason
whyam absenti tsbecauseyousaw
meint hehospital
.
Diane:Ineverdid,
beli
eveme…even
thoughItoldthem youarenotwell
.
Theythoughtitsnotthatser
ious,
whichtomei tlooksseri
ous.
Ken:Iswearam f
ine…(
sighed)l
ook,
I
wanttothankyouf orcoveri
ngforme.
ImeanIdon’tknowhowt ot
hankyou
anymore,butIwil
lconsideritadebt
tomeandIwi llr
epayi tsomeday,
maybegoingoutf orsomecof f
eefor
thef
ir
sttimewi t
hyou.
Diane:
(exci
tedl
y)areyoureal
ly
seri
ous?Imeant hankyou…
Ken:(
smil
ed)Am ser
ious,
justdon’
t
nagmeaboutit
..
(l
aughed)just
sayi
ng.
Di
ane:Iwontt
rustme…
Ken:Okay,
takecar
eofyour
sel
fbye.
.
Di
ane:andyout
oo…bye.
Thecallended,Kenputhisphone
backinthepocketandsmi l
edashe
conti
nuedmi xi
ngsomei ngr
edient
s
tomakebi scui
ts…meanwhil
eLesego
unfol
dedherhandswal ki
ngin.

Lesego:
(st
ari
ngathi
m)Whoisthat
personyouwantt
ogooutf
orcoffee
wit
h?
Ken:
(si
ghed)Justacowor
ker
…don’
t
worr
ymuch.
Lesego:I
t’
sashe/he…Imeanam
curi
oustoknow,seemsint
erest
ing.
*
*
*
Dontf
orgett
oLI
KE,
COMMENTAND
SHARE..
.
[
9:10AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#34

Att
hepol
icest
ati
on…

Lat
erthatmor ni
ngtwooffi
cerpar
ted
waysastheot heronegoti
nthe
pol
icevehicl
eanddr oveof
f,
meanwhileJackdroveinandparked
behindthepol i
cemot orbike.He
steppedoutandl ockedt hecarand
headedt ot heoffices,hepassedat
thelargenot iceboar dwher ehesaw
Riya’spicturepinnedt her ewitha
headingl i
ne“5yearol dmi ssing,
contact+26742111or999”He
staredatthepi ctureassomepeopl e
stoppedbyl ookingatt hepi ct
ure.
.

Person1:(
sadly)Thisi
sheart
breaki
ng,Icani magi
nethepai
nthe
parent
saregoi ngthr
oughnow…and
thi
slit
tl
egirli
sverycute.
Per
son2:(
Nodded)Iagr
ee,
butnna
attheendIbl amet hepar ents,
batsadial wayst hinkthatt heycan
l
eavet heirkidsal oneoral l
owt hem
togopl ayunt ilitgetsdar kout si
de.
Somepar entsneverwantt ot akethe
responsi bili
ty,everyt i
mewhent hey
areadvi sedt olookaf tertheir
childrent heyt hinkit’
saj oke,there
arel otsofhumant r
affickersand
kidnapper s,ormaybesomeonet ook
thislit
tlegi r
lforr i
tuals.

Jack’
seyeswer ef
ixedatthepictur
e
asifheisnothear
ingwhattheyar e
sayi
ng,i
nsidehewasboi l
ingthinki
ng
abouthowLesegohasbeen
i
ncapabl
eofl
ooki
ngaf
terRi
ya…

Person1: (
tookadeepbr eat
h)You
areright,
untilyouf i
ndoutgor et
he
mot herorthef at
herofthischil
dis
justauselessper sonwhodoesn’ t
evencar eaboutt hewellbei
ngoft hi
s
cutegirl
,sabonekeboj alwaand
parti
es…(shookherhead)some
parentsdeser veaspecialplacein
hell,
howcanyout akeyoursightoff
thisli
tt
lebaby…t hat’
swhyInever
l
eavemyl i
ttl
ebabywi t
hanyone, ga
kebat edit
ori.
Per
son2:Let
sjusthopet
heyf
ind
her…okarebakachar
giwagor
ethey
neglect
edthei
rownbaby,
mxm.

Jackslowlywalkedawayf r
om them
headingtotheoffi
ces…helooked
aroundandknockedatt heoffi
ce
door.

Of
fi
cerMar
umo:
(l
oudl
y)Comei
n!

Jackopenedthedoorandwal
ked
i
n…het hensatdownonthechai
r
opposi
tetheoff
icer
.
Jack:Mor
ningsi
r,Ical
ledear
li
er,
you
remember?
Of
ficerMar
umo:(
thought
ful
ly)Ri
ya’
s
f
ather?
Jack:Yes,i
tsme…Ihopeyouknow
whyam her e.Ihavebeensearching
aroundandIf oundnothi
ng,soam
suremaybeyouhear dsomet hingas
youwer ebusywi t
hthehunt,youand
yourteam.
Off
icerMarumo:(r
emovedhi sspecs)
l
ook, myteam i
sworkingtir
elesslyt
o
hel
p.TheyspreadaroundGabor one
andsurroundi
ngareas,butnothing
cameout …Iwanttoassureyout hat
wewi l
lfi
ndher
,youwi
llhavet
o
pat
ient.
Jack:Soyoumeanaf ter24hour syou
haven’tfoundanyt hi
ng?Imeant hi
s
showst hatyouandyourt eam are
theslowestwor kersever.Howcome
youhaven’ tfoundmydaught erat
thi
st i
me, Icantgobackhome
withouther,oratleastal
lowmet o
joi
nyourt eam andhel pthem.
Off
icerMarumo:Youcantdot hat ,
youwi l
lhavetogiveus
somet i
me…therearemanyunsol ved
casesincl
udingmur der,r
apeand
homebasedvi olencethatwearestil
l
workingontoo.Yourdaughter’
s
whereabout
sissti
llunknown,but
wit
ht hehel
pofthecommuni t
y
member sandmedia,am sur
ewewi l
l
gett
ot hebott
om ofthi
snomat ter
what.
Jack:(i
mpat i
entl
y)Idon’tbel i
eveI
wast edmyt i
mecomi ngher e,wait
se
mapodi seletshwanahel a…kor e
therearealwaysexcuseswheni t
comest owork.LikenowIsawsome
offi
cersoutsidejustchil
li
ngand
chatteri
ng,butyouj ustment i
oned
casest hataresti
llt
obeat tended,I
meanwhat sthat.
Off
icerMarumo:youwil
lnever
underst
andtheworkofthepol
ice
unl
essyouar
eapoli
ceoffi
cer
,so
j
ustgi
veussomet
imeplease.

Jackstoodupandpushedthechair
backwardandgl
ancedattheoff
icer
…

Offi
cerMarumo:(cl
earedhi sthroat)
andifIrememberwel l
,youwer ehere
aweekort woago,afteryout aken
theverysamekidforaj oyri
deand
madeherconsumeal cohol,don’t
for
getthati
tsanobligationandi fyou
keepbehavingli
kethat,wewi lltake
acti
onagainstyou.
Jacksighedandslowlywalkedout
andclosedthedoor,hel
etoutahuge
si
ghandwal kedtohiscar…

AtKen’
sHouse

LaterthatdayLesego’
sphone
start
edr i
nging,
shelookedati
tand
pi
ckedup…

Lesego:hel
lo?
Sall
y:Fri
endam sor
ry,
Ihadt hatyou
l
ostyourdaught
er,i
tsreal
lyheart
breaki
ng.
Lesego:whatdoyoumeanIlosther,
i
tsnotlikeshei
sdead…Ij
ustdon’t
knowwher esheis.
Sall
y:Howonear t
hwi llyouabandon
yourowndaught er,Kenmustbe
real
lydisappoi
ntedinyou, kanathi
s
mightmakehi m nott otrustyouwith
hiskidsinthefut
ure.Imeanyou
guyshavebeenget tingal ongvery
well,
butnowyouj ustl ackedsense
ofresponsibi
li
tyandgaveawaymy
mostpr eci
ousandf avoriteperson.
Howi sJack,doesheknowabout
thi
s?
Lesego:Mybusi
nessdoesnot
concernyou,
andknowingyouSal
ly
youar el i
terall
ycelebrati
ngmy
mi sf
or t
uner ightnow, andifyoulike
youmi ghtevent hr
owapar t yand
invit
eal lthedemonst ocomeand
celebratewi thyou, Iknowyouenvi ed
meandyouwant edmeandKent o
separat e,andsi nceyouf ai
ledyou
arepr etendingtobepi t
if
ultome.
Sall
y:Lesegomma, Ihavechanged…I
real
lychangedal ot.Am nowaver y
goodgi r
landIcareaboutot her
people,how canIcelebrateyour
misfort
unes…youknowhowmuchI
l
ovedRi yawhenshewasj ustalit
tl
e
baby.Itreat
edherlikemyownchi l
d
andyouknowt hat,
andithur t
sme
hear
ingt
hatshei
smi
ssi
ng.
Lesego:Okaynowthatyouknowshe
i
smi ssi
ng,whatar
eyougoingtodo?
Sall
y:Ofcour seam goi ngt ohelpyou
fi
ndher ,Iwantyout otrustme
again.
.am notabadf r
iendanymor e,
andIreal l
yreflectedbackonmy
acti
onsandam r eadytobeyourver y
goodfriend.Ifyoucanat leastf
orgi
ve
meandl etsstartourfriendship
afr
esh.
Lesego:Youthinkitsgoi
ngtobe
easyformet otrustyou
again?.
..
(si
ghed)thinkabouti
tSal
ly,
youmi ghtt
hinkthatyouhave
changedbutyourtr
uecharact
erwi
ll
alwaysshinethr
ough.Iknowyour
type.
Sall
y:(
Pausedforsomefewseconds)
sodoest hatmeanyouaren’
twi
ll
ing
tofor
givemeandacceptmebackas
yourfr
iend?
Lesego;Iwi
llt
hinkabouti
t,bye.
Sal
ly:Okay,Iwi
llal
waysputyouin
mypr ayer
ssothatyoufi
ndRiya.
Lesego:t
hanksandbye.

Shehungupandputt hephoneon
thecouchandtookadeep
breat
h…Kentouchedherf
rom behi
nd
andst
art
edmassagi
ngher
.

Lesego:
(gl
ancedathi
m)youst
art
led
me!
Ken;Am sor
ry…(cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
)
wasthatSal
ly?
Lesego:(nodded)Areshewantt
obe
myver ygoodfriendagai
n.
Ken:Okay,butwhyissheaski
ngfor
fr
iendshipaf
teraveryl
ongti
melesa
buisane.It
houghtyouguysdeci
ded
tobreakyourfri
endshi
p.
Lesego:(
sighed)yeah…butmaybe
shehasr efor
mednow, Imeanshe
l
ikedRiyasomucht hat
’swhyshe
cal
ledmetoday,
shemi
ghtbe
worri
ed.
Ken:ComeonLesego, don’ tf
allfor
that…thatgirlwil
lneverchange, she
i
sj ustlookingforanent r
ypoi ntso
thatshecanst artmanipulati
ngus
again.Don’tbel i
evewhat evershe
said…(sighed)Asnakei sal waysa
snake.
Lesego:Butever
yonedeservesa
secondchance,ImeanIunderstand
thatshewascarri
edawayandwas
nothappyseeingmewi t
hyou.but
maybenowshehasr eal
lychanged,
i
tsbeenawhi leaf
teral
l.
Ken:Butdon’tbesurprisedwhen
seeinghernegat
ivepatterns
repeati
ngthemselvesagainbecause
peopleneverdosomet hingj
ustonce,
*
2WEEKSLATER…
*
*
*
LI
KE,
COMMENTANDSHARE
[
9:11AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#35
*
**2WEEKSLATER*
**

AtKen’
sOf
fi
ce…

I
twasacol dMondaymor ningand
Kensatonhi schairstari
ngathis
phoneasi fhewasexpect ingacall
,
het henstoodupf i
xinghist i
eand
pickedupadocumentf r
om oneof
thef i
lesandstart
edr eadingfrom
i
t…meanwhi leDi
anewal kedi n
holdingacupofcof f
eeandputi ton
thet abl
e…
Di
ane:
(smil
ed)Goodmor
ning,
I
br
oughtyoucof
fee.
Ken:Well,morni
ng…andt
hanksfor
thecoff
ee,Iwantedt
omakesome
butam lazytoevent
urnonthe
kett
le.
.
Diane:That
’swhatIt hought,soI
madesomef oryou.Ididn’tadd
sugar,It
houghtyouwi lladdthe
amountyouwant .
Ken:(
sippedf r
om hiscup)No,it
s
fi
ne…Idon’ thavetoaddsugar,Il
ike
i
tthisway…( putt
ingbackthe
document )Youcansi tdownifyou
want.
Di
anepul
ledachai
randsatdown
st
ari
ngathi
m.

Diane:(t
ookadeepbr eath)Idon’t
knowhowt osayt his,butIhopeyou
willgetthr
ought hi
s.Iknowi tsnot
easyt ocopewhenyourchi ldisn’
t
around.Ijustpraygor eyour
gir
lfri
endcanf i
ndt hechildinagood
health.
Ken:(
sighed)I
tsbeen2weeks
now…(stari
ngatthewindow)Am
evenscaredofleavi
ngmyof f
icein
theaft
ernoonbecauseIcantlookher
i
nt heeyes,sheisverysadandshe
barel
yt al
ktome…. (
tookadeep
breath)Am tr
yinghardtobethebest
forherbutitseemslikeshecantsee
that,
am start
ingtothinkgor
eImi ght
l
oseherver ysoon.
Diane:Look, thingslikethi
shappen,
j
ustt rytogivehersomet i
mealone.
LegaleIdon’ tmeangor eyoushoul d
j
ustignor eher ,butdon’tbetoo
presental ways.Ithinkyourgirl
needst imeal one,ifyouareatwor k
l
ikenow, atleastshecanseea
dif
ferencei nherlif
e…atsomepoi nt
shewi llseehowi mpor t
antyouar ei
n
herli
fe.
Ken:Mybi ggestfearislosingher,I
nevermetsomeonewhomakesme
feelthewayshemademef eel
.Sheis
under standing,l
ovingandshenever
naggedaboutmenotgi vingher
money, inf
actsheknowshowt o
managemoney.Imeani t
sr ar
eto
fi
ndsomeonel i
kethat,atleastat
fi
rstshewasappr eciati
ngmyl ove
forher ,
buteverythingisslowly
fadingaway.
Diane:(Thoughtf
ull
y)It
hinkshe
doesn’tfeelcomfor
tabl
earoundyou.
Ken:Whatdoyoumeanbyt
hatDi
ane?
Di
ane:wel
l,
itssi
mpl
e…youmakea
l
otofmoney, youpayt hebi l
ls,
you
provideforher,youar et heonlyone
earning….soshef eelslikeshei snot
i
ncont r
ol,ormaybeshet hi
nkst hat
shedoesn’ taddanyval ueinyourl i
fe
becauseshedoesn’ tcont ri
bute
anythingfinanci
ally…(clearedher
throat)am notsayingt hisinar ude
manner ,it
sjustmyt hought …
Ken:wait,i
fitwasanopposi t
e
genderIwillunder
stand,li
kea
womanmaki ngalotofmoney, t
hat
oneisunder st
andable…Imeanif
that
’swhatshet hi
nkst henshei
s
wrong.Shenevert ol
dmeanyt hi
ng
aboutthatebil
e,whatIknowi st
hatI
al
waysleavemoneyint
hehouseand
shej
usttakesomeandleavet
her
est
.
Diane:(nodding)exact
lymypoi nt
, I
wishyouknewpsychol ogyofwomen.
Shewi l
lnotdi r
ectl
ytel
lyougoreshe
feel
sunwor thyormaybeyoudon’ t
deservesomeonel ikeher.Butatthe
end,shewi l
ljustbehonestwithyou.
Didyoueverment i
onanythingtoher
concerningcommi tmentormar ri
age?
Ken:Sheknowsgor
eam goi
ngt
o
marryher
.
Di
ane:Whatwasherr
eact
ion?
Ken:Wel
l,
sheneversaidalot
…she
sayswewillt
alkabouti
tatt
heri
ght
t
ime.
Diane:Thatexplai
nsit
,shemightnot
bereadyf orcommitment,soyou
mightthinkofgivi
nghersomet i
me
tothi
nkabouti t
.
Ken:(nodded)youaregoodatgivi
ng
advice,kanakegoreitssomethi
ng
thatconcernsyou.akerewomen
knowever ythi
ngaboutlove.
Diane:(
laughed)Oh,
Imustknowof
course..
gapeIhaveayoungersi
ster
,
sheknowsever ythi
ng.SoIal
ways
l
istenupgabua.
Ken;howol
disshe?
Di
ane:Am t
hreeyear
sol
dert
han
her
..
(smi
led)youwi
lldot
hemat
h.
Ken:
Okay,goti
t.
.(
paused)soyou
don’
thaveaboyfri
end?
Di
ane:
(shookherhead)No,
Idon’
t.
Ken:Why?
Diane:(
sighed)that’
sadi f
fi
cult
questi
ont hough…justthatIdated
someguyt woyear sago,andaf t
er
thatIneverwant edtobeina
rel
ati
onshi panymor e,
hemademe
nottobelieveinlove.
Ken:hear
tbr
eak?
Di
ane:(
sadly)
di
sappoint
ment …(
tear
ful
ly)myonl
y
weaknessisthatwhenIlove
someoneIgi veitall
, Ibecomeso
obsessedwi t
ht heper sontoapoint
whereItreatthem li
keagodandI
for
getgoretherei ssomet hi
ngcall
ed
betr
ayal,
thisguyaf tertwomont hsre
l
emmogohest artedmaki ngoutwith
mybestfr i
end,sincet henIgaveup
onlove…

Dianeconti
nuednar
rat
ingasKen
l
istened…

Ken:
(pi
tif
ul)Am sor
ry,j
ustdon’
tgive
up…somedayyouwi llf
indsomeone
whowilltr
ulyl
oveyou.Imeaneven
mysel fInevert houghtIwilll
ove
Lesego, youknowwhenmypar ent
s
askedmei fIwantt ogetmarried,
theyst artedtel
lingmewhi chki ndof
womanIshoul dmar r
y,andtoldme
thatIshoul dmar r
ysomeoneofmy
standar d…butt hat’
snotwhatI
want ed, Imeani nmyt houghtsIwas
thinkingt hatmaybemypar entsare
ri
ght …buther eIam, am happywi th
Lesego, eventhoughIwi l
lneverbe
happyf oreverbuteneshecompl et
es
me.
Diane:
(t
earf
ull
y)Iknow,
butyou
neverl
ikedme?
Ken:
(si
ghedheavi
ly)Honest
ly,
you
arebeauti
ful,
kindandcar ing…and
almosteverymanwi lladmireyou.I
l
ikeyou,butIloveLesego…andi
don’twanttodisappointher.
Diane:
(wipedhertears)Ilovedyou
withallmyheart,
youar et hevery
personIwantedtoendupwi th,but
si
nceyoul oveLesegoi t
sst i
llfi
ne.
ButIdon’tthi
nkIwilleverstopl oving
you,am tr
yingtocontrolmyf eelings
butIcant.
Ken:Diane,t
her easonwhyyouand
mecanst il
lsitandtal
ki t
sbecauseI
underst
andt histhi
ngs,Iknowthe
momentIst artbeingharshor
completel
yignoreyou,youwi l
lst
art
breaki
ngapar t
…andagai nhavi
ng
somechat swithyouitsnevergood
foryourmentalhealt
h.Idon’twant
toli
etoyouker emaybeatsome
pointi
ntimewewi lldate.Soam
sorry,
butsti
llwecanbewor k
buddies,
whatdoyout hink?

Dianekeptqui
etforsometimeand
hereyesbegantobef i
ll
edwitht
ear
s,
Kenpulledhi
schairandhelpedher
standupandhuggedher .

Ken:Don’
tworr
y,youwi
llf
indt
he
l
oveofyourl
if
eoneday.
Diane:(cr
ying)butst
il
lyouar ethe
onlyonewiththequali
ti
est hatI
neededinaman…Idon’ tthinkIwi l
l
begoodenoughf oranyone, you
don’tknowhowhar diti
st ofindlove
thi
sdays.
Ken:
(huggedhert
ight
ly)iknow.

Meanwhil
ethedooropened,
Ken
i
mmediatel
ytookoffhi
sarmsand
Di
anesteppedbackwipi
nghert
ears.

Ken:
(st
ammer
ed)Mr
s..
MrsWi
ll
iams!
MrsWill
iams:Am sor
ry,
Ishoul
d
haveknocked…doyouhaveaminut
e?
Ken:Ohyeah…youcancomei
nand
si
tdown.
MrsWi l
li
ams:No,l
etstal
kint
he
confer
enceroom…(t
urnedtoDi
ane)
gir
l,ar
eyouokay?

Di
anenoddedandst
eppedout
cl
osi
ngthedoor
.

Ken:
(si
ghedheavi
ly)Look,i
tsnot
whatyouaret
hinking,andbythe
wayyoushouldn’
ttellt
he
managementaboutwhatyousaw.
MrsWil
li
ams:Butyouknowverywel
l
t
hatsuchthi
ngsarepr
ohibi
tedi
nthe
workpl
ace,
Iunderst
andthatyoutwo
ar
einlove,
butnotduri
ngwor khour
s.
Ken:Wear enotinl
ove,shet ol
dme
somethi
ngthatreal
lybotheredher
foral
ongtime,andIwasj usttr
ying
tocomfor
ther.
Mr sWil
li
ams:t hi
sisthefi
rstti
me
youhavedonesomet hi
nglikethis,
if
thenewsr eachesthemanagement
team,youmi ghtgeti
nt r
ouble,Ihope
youareawar eofthat.
Ken:Iknow,
butyouaret
heonl yone
whoknows…andagainIexpl
ained
myself
.
Mr
sWi
ll
iams:I
tsf
ine,
canyoubr
ing
ther
esumesigaveyouonFr
iday.
.i
needtocheckt
hem.

Kentookthef
il
eonthetableand
checkedi
tandthenhandeditt
oher
…

AtJack’
sHouse

Jack’
sphonestar
tedri
nging,Lebo
pi
ckeditheadi
ngtothebedroom
whereJackwassleepi
ng…

Lebo:hel
lo?
Sal
ly:Canispeakt
oJack?
Lebo:youar
e?
Sal
ly:doesi
tmat
ter
?
Lebo:Gi
rl
,don’
ttr
ytoplaywithme,I
wil
lendthi
scalli
fyoudon’
ttellme
whoyouare.

Jackt
urnedonbedst
ari
ngather
..

Jack:Soyouar
emyPRnow?
...
taki
ng
cal
lsonmybehalf
.
Lebo:(
putitonhold)youlef
titi
nthe
si
tti
ngroom lastni
ght…(
gaveitto
him)agir
lcalled.
Jack:Il
efti
tbecauseam not
cheat
inganyone…

Jackrest
edhi
sheadonthe
headboar
danswer
ingt
hephone.

Jack:hel
lo?
Sal
ly;Hey
Jack:Sal
ly,
whatdoyouwant
?
Sall
y:Am sor
ryaboutwhathappened,
butit
sbeen2weeksnowsi ncethe
babywentmi ssi
ng…It
hinkyoumust
bereall
yseri
ousaboutaski
ng
LesegoaboutRiya’
swhereabouts,
whyisshesor el
axedaboutit.
Jack:Andwenahowdoest hi
s
concernyou,andbythewaywho
sai
dshei srel
axed?
Sall
y:sheisnotputt
inganyeff
ortt
o
showgor eshereal
lyneedherbaby
back,Imeanmaybesheknows
somethingthatyoudon’t
.
Jack:How?Thebabywentmi ssi
ng
atherplace,shewasintheshower
whenthei nci
denthappened,
sowe
canhardlyblameher.
Sall
y:Youmuststartquesti
oni
ng
them, t
hatguyKenmustbebehind
allt
his,sur
elyhewantLesegoalone,
sothattheycanstar
tafamilyf
rom
scrat
ch…andt heydon’ twantany
outsi
deri
nt heirfamil
y, ebil
eele
ngwanawagagoj aana, sur
elythey
didn’
twantanyt hingtodowi t
hyou.
Sobeseriousaboutt his, bye.

Shehungup.

Lebo:Whati
sit
?
Jack:(
get
ti
ngundert
hesheet)Nna
ebil
ennekesareet
sa,sheistot
all
y
drunk…kesomemadgirl.
Lebo:Butgonemmewher ei
sRi
yato
behonest,thegi
rlcantgomi
ssi
ng
j
ustaftershelef
there.
Jack:
(si
ghed)Iwondert
oo…

AtKen’
sHouse

Laterthateveni
ngKensatont
hebed
stari
ngatLesego…

Lesego:(
Glancedathi
m)Am sorryf
or
beingrudeatyou,ImeanIdidn’
t
meant osaysuchwor dstoyou
mal oba,
am real
lysor
ry.
Ken:Nnaam alwaysfor
givi
ng,gapeI
underst
oodwhatyouwer egoi
ng
thr
ough…(si
ghed)butgoneareyou
r
eadyf
orcommi
tment
?
Lesego:l
ikeget
ti
ngi
ntomar
ri
age?
Ken:
(nodded)yes.
Lesego:(t
ookadeepbr
eat
h)I
am…but .
.
Ken:(
hushedhermout hwit
ha
fi
nger)
Nobut s…af
terwefi
ndourl
it
tl
e
babygirl
…thenam goingt
oputari
ng
onthatfi
nger.
Lesego:
(l
aughed)kanteisi
ta
competi
ti
on, kanal
egal
eallmenin
yourworkplacetheyaremarr
ied?
Ken:
(smil
ed)
No, i
tsbecauseyouar
e
ver
ydif
fer
entfrom ot
hers,andI
don’
twanttoloseyoutoanyone.
ShesmiledasKenputhi
sar
ms
aroundher…

Lesego:(
smil
ing)Nowam having
fai
ththatwewillf
indher
…let
spray
toget
hercanwe?
Ken:(smi l
ed)yes,andyouwil
llead
thepr ayer,
Ionlyknowthelor
d’s
prayerkana.
Lesego:
(l
aughed)Weshoul
dreal
ly
star
tgoi
ngtochurch…
Ken:(
nodded)t
hat
’saver
ygoodi
dea.
Theyputthei
rhandst
oget
herand
beganprayi
ng…

Meanwhil
eatextmessagerepor
ted
onLesego’
sphone…theyi
gnoredit
andconti
nuedprayi
ng…
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#36

Afterfewminutestheyfi
nishedt
he
prayerandLesegot ookherphone
checkingthemessage, I
twasher
si
st erwhosentit
.

Lesego:
(st
aredatKen)
Iwantt
omake
aphonecall.
Ken:
(l
eanedont
heheadboar
d)Okay,
Youwil
lfi
ndmeint
helounge.
Lesego:
Great
…

Lesegost
eppedof
fthebedand
dialedhersistersnumberasKen
walkedoutoft heroom headi
ngt
o
thel ounge.Thephoner angandshe
pickedup.

Bongi
e:hel
lo?
Lesego:Hey,Isawyourmessagei
s
everyt
hingokay.
Bongie:Iwantedtoknowi fyouhave
heardanynewsaboutRi ya,
kanait
s
2weeksnowbutst i
llyouhaven’
t
tol
dusanyt hi
ng,andGr andmais
worri
edt ot
a.
Lesego:
(tookadeepbr
eat
h)Bongie,
eventodayhlemma…nnaebi
leke
setseketshabagol el
etsaGrandma,
sheisgoingt obemadatme.Ij ust
havefait
hgor egongweket l
a
mmona, t
ellGrandmagore
everyt
hingwi l
lbeokay.
Bongie:It
hinkyoushoul
dbet heone
tel
li
ngher,youhaveputusi na
suspenseterr
ornow.Kanakegor e
youarenotcommuni cat
ingwi t
hus
that
’swhywear esoworri
ed,ebil
e
Grandmawast hi
nki
ngofcomi ngto
Gaboronetoo.
Lesego:Ei
shIgeti
t,l
ookIwil
lcall
Grandma…areyouwithhernow,you
cangivehert
hephone.
Bongie:Sheissl
eepingnow.When
shewakesupIwi llcal
lyou,pl
easeo
sekatshabagobual erona,
Iknow
i
tsdiff
icul
tbutpl
easecommuni cate
withus.
Lesego:
(si
ghed)Okay,
Ihear
dyou…
Bongi
e:Goshapo,
bye
Lesego:bye

Shehungupandputt hephone
down…af terfewsecondsherphone
star
tedringingagain,shel
ookedat
thescreenandpi ckedup.
Lesego:Jack?
Jack:Whenwasthel
astt
imeyou
tal
kedtoSal
ly?
Lesego:Ithi
nki
tsyest
erday,
whyar
e
youasking?
Jack:It
hinkthereissomet hi
ngshe
knowsconcerningRi ya.Shejustt
old
mesomet hingthatreall
ymakesme
suspectt
hatshei stheonewho
knowswher eRiyais.
Lesego:(
sighed)Evenifsheknows
shewontt el
lus,shecalledme
pretendi
ngtobepi t
if
ulandt ol
dme
thatshewantust obef r
iends,aker
eI
l
ongbr okeourfri
endshipaftershe
st
art
edobsessi
ngoverKen.
Jack:
(sighed)Am goi
ngtoaskher
somef ewquesti
ons,doyousti
lll
ove
her?
Lesego:Whati
sthemeani
ngoft
hat
?
Jack:Imeanyoust i
llcareabouther
?
Kagor eam goi
ngtohur therunti
l
shetell
smet hetr
uth.
Lesego:Idon’tknow,butyoucando
whateveryouwantt oher…she
doesn’tmeanat hingtomenow.But
don’tkil
lher
.
Jack:Am goi
ngtokil
lher
,that’
swhy
Iaskedyouifyoust
il
lcar
eabouther .
Am ti
redofplayi
nggameswi t
hlit
tl
e
girl
s,kanakegoreshet
hinksi
ts
funnyt hatwear
einpai
nandeneshe
celebrates.
Lesego:Sall
yistoxi
c,youarejust
wasti
ngt i
mekaene.Let sjustwai
t
pati
entl
y,maybet hepoli
cewi l
ldo
thei
rworkandt el
lusthegoodnews.
Jack:Okay, thisishowwear egoing
tooperatef r
om nowon.1youcan
waitforthepol ice,andjusthopeour
daughterwi l
lcomeback, 2.Keeping
hopingand3j ustkeeponhopi ng.
Nnat hi
si swhatam goi ngt odo,Iwil
l
gooutt here,takewhoeverIt hi
nk
knowsaboutRi ya’swhereabouts.
AndSal l
yi sthef ir
st,Iwil
lplaywith
herasimpl
egame,andaft
erthatshe
wil
ltel
lmethet
rut
h…underst
ood?
Lesego:
(swal
loweddeeply)
Underst
ood,butbecar
efuloutt
her
e.
Jack:I
tsokay,
bye.

Jackhungup…

AtJack’
sHouse

Latert
hatnightJackwal kedtohis
cl
osetandopenedt hebottom
drawers,
het hentookhissmal lgun
withashortbarrelandasmal lbox
wit
hsomebul let
si nside.Hepicked
si
xbulletsandputi tinsideapocket
ofhisTshirt
.Hecl osedt hedrawers
andtheclosetandt henputonhi s
l
eatherjacketsandaj ean.

Meanwhil
eLebowal
kedi
nandsat
onthebed…

Lebo:(
stari
ngathim)Ar
eyounot
hungry,iputyourf
oodint
he
microwave.
Jack:Iwi
lleatifIcomeback,that
’si
f
Icomeback…( sighed)am goi
ng
somewher e.
Lebo:Youwor ryt
oomuch, i
tsdar
k
outsideandyoucantgoaround
l
ooki ngf
orRiya.I
tsdanger
ousout
there.
Jack:(putt
ingont hegloves)Iwil
l
rat
herdiethansitaroundhopi ngthat
thebastar
dwhot ookRiyawillret
urn
her,youcansleep,andlockthedoor .
Iwil
lcomei nthemor ni
ng.
Lebo:Don’
tdoanythi
ngstupid,
why
areyouweari
ngglovesasifyou
wanttogoandrobabank.
Jack:Iknowwhatam goingtodo,
j
ustdon’tworry.Lookaf
terJuni
or,
l
ockt hedoorandbesafe,bye
Het henwentt othesitti
ngr oom,
tookt hecarkeysandt hephone…he
dial
edSal l
y’snumberwal kingoutto
thecar .Lebolockedt hedoorand
openedt hecurtainstari
ngathi m,he
gotint hecarandst art
edi twhil
e
dial
ingSal ly’
snumber .Het hen
reversedanddr oveoff…

Sal
ly:Hel
lo?
Jack:
(l
owvoice)Hi,
areyouhome
ri
ghtnow?Iwantust ot
alk,
you
mightber
ightaboutwhatyousai
d.
Sal
ly:I
tsl
atenow,
canwet
alk
tomor
row…(si
ghed)di
dyout
alkt
o
KenandLesego?
Jack:Yeah,Idi
dtal
kt othem…( si
ghed
heavil
y)Thosebastardare
unpredict
able,
youmi ghtberight
aboutthatguyKen,forsomet imeI
havebeensuspecti
nghi m, he
doesn’tli
kemydaught er.
Sall
y:yeah,andagainshedoesn’
t
deserveLesego.It
hinkyouand
Lesegomadeagoodcoupl e,
Imean
youreallycar
edaboutyourdaught
er
moret hananyoneelse.
Jack:Youar
everyright
…(cl
earedhis
thr
oat)soam onyourstr
eetnow,can
youcomeout…Iwi
llpar
katt
hegate,
Iwantyout
ohelpmeandIwillpay
you.
Sal
ly:
(t
hought
ful
ly)Youwi
llpayme?
whatisi
t?

Sallyopenedthecur tai
nandsawthe
headlightofJack’scar…sheputon
herslippersandpyj amas.Sheput
thephoneont hebedandheadedt o
thegat e.
.,
Jackrolleddownthe
windowandst aredather,he
signaledthatsheshouldentert
he
car.
Sall
ywal
kedtotheothersi
deand
openedt
hedoorenteri
ngthecar
…

Sal
ly:Hi
.
Jack:(
smil
ed)Youlookgr
eaton
thosepyj
amas,canwegof orar
ide.
Sal
ly:It
houghtyouwant edtotal
k,
canwet alkherebecauseIwantt
o
goandsl eep.
Jack:(Sighed)Peopl emightseeus,
I
thi
nkweneedpr ivacy…anywayit
s
aboutRi ya,
Youseem t oknow
somet hingthatIdon’ t
,anddon’t
worry.Ifyoutellmeanyt hingyou
knowIwontt ellanyone.
Sal
ly:Idi
dn’tsayIknoweveryt
hing,
I
wasjustthi
nkingthatmaybeLesego
andKenknows.
Jack:Soyoudon’
tknowanyt
hing?
Sal
ly:IswearIdon’
t.
Jack:(Lookedi nt
ohereyes)whydi d
youaskThat otocomeandpi ckyou
uptheot hernight,youtol
dhimt hat
youwer est randedsomewher e
becausef r
iendsleftyou.But
accordingt oThat o,youwereupt o
somet hing.Look, Sall
yIknowyou
don’tl
ikeLesegonow, butyouhave
todealwi t
hherdi rect
ly,butnowyou
tooksomeonepr ecioustomewi th
anint
ent
ionofhur
ti
ngLesegoand
wanti
ngtomakeherloseKen.
Sall
y:(
sighi
ng)What?Whendi dyou
tal
ktoThato,andpleasedon’
t
bel
ieveeveryt
hinghesaid.
Jack:(
Noddi ng)okay…(
cal
mly)Lets
fi
nishourtalk,doyouknowRiya’
s
whereabouts?
Sall
y:IswearIdon’t,kanteam I
wrongt oassumet hatmaybeKen
knowsorLesego.I tsnotlikeIreal
ly
know, Inowregretbutti
ngi nyour
busi
nessest r
yingtohel p,j
aanong
youlookatmeasi fIknow
somet hi
ng.
Jack:(Angr
il
y)onemor
eti
me,
wher
e
i
sRi ya?

Sall
ykeptqui
etandpull
edtheknob
tr
yingt
oopent hedoor
,buti
twas
l
ocked.

Sal
ly:
(t
urnedt
ohi
m)opent
hisdoor
,I
wanttogo.
Jack:
Nope…(chuckled)Letsgof
ora
ri
demydearf r
iend,haveyouever
seensomeonebei ngthrownoutof
thecarwhi
leitismovingattwo
hundredki
lometersperhour?
Sal
ly:Isai
dletmeout
,orIwi
llcal
l
t
hepol
ice.
Jack:Answert
hequesti
onfi
rst
…or
youwantmet otr
ythatonyou?
Sal
ly:Okay,
youwantmet
ocal
lthe
pol
ice?

Sallyqui
ckl
yreachedtothepocket
s,
butdamnshef orgotshei
swearing
pyjamasandshel ef
therphoneon
thebed.

Sal
ly:
(si
ghed)Jack,
pleasel
etmeout
her
e.
Jacksmi l
edashest art
edthecarand
pressedtheaccel
eratorpedalj
oini
ng
theroad.Sal
ly’
seyesst ar
tedtofi
ll
up…

AtKen’
sHouse

Kenwal kedint
helivingr
oom and
foundLesegowatchingsome
youtubevideoon“kidswhowere
missingbutnowfound”…Kensat
nexttoher…

Ken:Don’
tyout
hinkyoushoul
dtake
abreak.
Lesego:Icantevensl eep,andthi
s
vi
deosar ehelpi
ngt oo…(sighed)
hundredsandt housandsofKi dsgo
missingeveryyear,andonl yasmall
fr
acti
onar efound.Theot hersare
al
waysf ounddead.
Ken:butasf
orus,
wewi
llf
indour
s
al
ive.

Ken’
sphonestar
tedri
ngi
ng…he
l
ookedati
tandexcusedhi
mself
.It
washissi
ster
…

Ken:
(smi
led)Kaone,
wow.
.
Kaone:
(cheer
fult
one)Ir
eal
lymi
ssed
mybrot
her,kant
ewhyar
eyouso
qui
ett
hisdaysnerr
a?
Ken:It
swor k,
Ineverhavemucht
ime
tocheckonpeople,al
waysabusy
schedule.
Kaone:Oh,that
’salame
excuse…(smil
ed)Well
,Ij
ustcame
backfrom Mauri
ti
usandmyf li
ght
j
ustlandednow.
Ken:(smi
li
ng)Wai
t,youmeanyou
arebackf
orgood,
kanayoujust
camebacktogoseet hef
amil
yand
goback.
Kaone:Ken,Ij
ustf
ini
shedmy
school
ing…youfor
gotgoreIwas
doi
ngmyf inalyear.Anyway,Iwas
abouttogot oahotel,andIthought
aboutyou.soyouar emyl astresor
t
andIwillt
ellmycabdr i
vert
odr i
ve
metoyourpl ace.
Ken:
(si
ghed)Okay,
nopr
obl
em.Just
come.
Kaone:Okay,
thanksandbye.

Kenhungupandwentbackt
othe
l
ivi
ngroom…

Out
sideGabor
one…
Jackparkedt
hecari nt heforestand
steppedoutl
ockingit…het hentook
thekeyandopenedt het r
unkand
removedalongr ope.Het henopened
thedooranddimmedt helightsand
wentt ot
heothersidetakingout
Sally.

Sall
y:(t
earf
ull
y)Youaregoingto
regrett
hisbeli
eveme,ifanyt
hingbad
happenst omeyouwi l
lbe
responsibl
eforthat
.
Jack:
(dr
aggedherout)Shut
up…(si
ghing)l
ook,i
fyouarer
eadyt
o
tel
lmethendot hat
.
Sall
y:Iknownot
hing…(
lookedaround)
andwehaveenteredadangerous
ter
ri
tory,
whati
fli
onsorpeople
att
ackus.
Jack:Wedi
etoget
her
…

Het hendraggedhertoamophane
tr
eeandt iedherhandstogetherwit
h
aropeandt iedherwholebodyt ot
he
tr
ee.Het ookasmal lsci
ssorand
walkedclosertoherasshet r
iedto
unlosetherope.

Sall
y:(
cryi
ng)Pl
ease,
Idi
dn’
tdo
anythi
ng.
Jack:(
smi
led)Iknow.
Sal
ly:Okayl
etmegot
hen.
Jack:Notnow,wewi
llspendani
ght
heretoget
her
.

Jackopenedt hescissorandlaughed
ashepl aceditonherear,hecutoff
thesmal lf
leshofherearandshe
screamedwhi let
hebl ooddri
ppedon
theground.

Jack:
(smi
led)Ops,
mybad…am sorr
y
l
etmeputsomet hi
ngonyoureart
o
stopt
heblood.
Heremovedpowder edchi
ll
sand
spr
eadi tonherear
…Sall
ycri
edl
ikea
smallbaby.

Jack:ops,
am r
eall
yreal
ly
sorr
y…whataboutt
his?

Het ookoutagunandthenwrapped
hermout hwit
hatape…hethen
l
oadedasi ngl
ebull
etonthecyl
inder
ofthegun.

Jack:
(St
ari
ngather
)Youknow
Russi
anr
oul
ett
e?

Sal
lykeptcr
ying…

Jack:I
t’
sadeadl ygamei nwhicha
personli
kemel oadsasi nglebull
et
i
nt hecyl
inderofar evol
ver,spi
nsthe
cyl
indersothatthebul l
et’
slocat
ion
i
sunknown, andthen..(
pointeda
gunather)Ipointthemuzzl eatyour
headandpul l
sthet ri
gger…

Hethenpulledthetri
ggerandt
her
e
wassilenceforaboutthi
rt
y
seconds…
*
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[
9:11AM,
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2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#37

Hethenpul l
edthetri
ggerandther
e
wassilenceforaboutthi
rt
yseconds,
heheldherheadandsmi l
edasSall
y
si
lent
lycried.
Jack:(
sighed)Youar elucky,
you
couldbedeadbynow.Iwant edto
blowyourbr ainsandyouwi l
lget
anotheronei nthenextli
fe…(
laughed)
shouldwepl ayagain-
Sal
ly:
(shakyvoice)No,
No,
No…pl ease…don’tdot
hat
…(cr
ying)
Iwi
llt
alk.
Jack:
(clapped)wow, youwil
ltal
k?
Thatmeanst hegamewepl ayed
somef ewsecondsagohel ped,okay
youcanst arttal
kingwhil
eIrel
oad
thecyl
inder.
Heputanotherbull
etint
hecyli
nder
andspinnedi
tagain…Sall
ybeganto
tr
embleasshet r
iedtospeak.

Sall
y:(
breat
hingheavily)Theperson
youshouldbedoi ngthistois
Thato…imaginekil
li
ngani nnocent
personli
keme, youwillregrett
his
becauseIdidn’tdoanything.
Jack:That
oyousai
d?
Sal
ly:
(nodded)Yes.

Shewassweat i
ngalloverst
ari
ngat
thegun,sheswall
oweddeeplyas
Thatopoint
edthegunatherhead.
Jack:(Sighed)Yout
oldmethatt
he
personwhoknowsi sThat
o,cont
inue
am li
stening.
Sall
y:Unti
emef i
rst,am r
eadytotal
k.
ButIcantbecauseyoualreadyhurt
me.youcutoffthefleshi
nmyear
andam sti
llbl
eeding.Bytheti
meyou
fi
ndoutgoreIdidn’tdoanythi
ngyou
wil
lregr
et.
Jack:That
ohasmybaby?
Sal
ly:Yes.
Jack:Whywoul
dhedot
hat
,whatdi
d
Idotodeser
vet
his.
Sal
ly:Idon’
tknow,
youaskhi
m.
Jack:
(pausedforaf
ewseconds)
Okay,wearegoingt
ohi
shouse
toget
herri
ght?
Sal
ly:Hestayswit
hhi sfr
iend,Ican
onl
yshowyout hehouseandyouwi l
l
gothereal
one.Ir
eallyneedmedi cal
hel
pnow, Ihavel
ostal otof
bl
ood…am evenfeeli
ngdi zzy.
Jack:I
fyoucouldhavest ar
ted
speaki
ngear l
y,t
hist
hingscould
havenothappened.Soit’sthe
consequencesofyourstupi
dly…Who
i
sThat o’
sfri
endandwhat shisname?
Sall
y:Jomo,butwherehest
ayske
kasiandther
earelot
sof
nei
ghborhoodgangsandheisin.He
spendsmostoftheti
meinthe
shebeens,
dri
nki
ngandsmoking.
Jack:(
noddi
ng)Idon’ tcare…whatI
wantnowisRiya…(stoodup)i t
s
goingt
obeal ongnight .
Sal
ly:
(hopef
ull
y)soyouar
egoi
ngt
o
l
etmego?
Jack:Iwi
llcomebackforyou,
just
gi
vemeJomo’ saddr
ess.
Sall
y:(
crying)Youcantleavemei n
thewoods, pleaseIbegyou.Please!
I
fyoul eavemeImi ghtdi
ehere.
Jack:That
’swhatIwant
.
Jackleftherandwentt othecar, i
t
wasdar kandni ghtbirdswer ef
lying
around.Sallycouldn’tstopcryi
ngas
shesawJackget tingintothecar ,
Jackstartedthecaranddr ovefora
smalldistanceandst opped.Het hen
gotoutandwal kedt oher ,
hepicked
herupandunt i
edherf rom thet
r ee
butnotthehands.Het hent i
edher
againtothebackoft hecar.

Jack:Whataboutt
his?
Sal
ly:
(tear
full
y)Dowhat everyou
want,Idon’tcareanymorebecause
st
il
lyouar egoingtokil
lme.
RememberwhenIlookedaft
erRi
ya
whenyouwerenotaroundtohel
p
Lesego,
andnowthisishowyou
thankme.
Jack:Yout hi
nkIcareaboutt
hatnow?
Huh? .
..
youwillbedeadaft
ersome
fewsecondsbecauseam goingto
cleantheroadwithyou.

Hethenlaughedasheunt
iedherand
putheri
nthetrunkanddr
oveoff
.

AtDi
ane’
sHouse
Laterthatni
ghtDianeturnedofft
he
l
ightsinthesit
ti
ngr oom andheaded
toLetty’
sroom…Sheopenedt hedoor
andLet t
yimmediatelycl
osedher
l
apt op.

Let
ty:
(tookadeepbreath)please
el
dersister
,lear
ntoknock.Idon’t
ownther oom butat
leastr
espectmy
pri
vacy.
Diane:
(cl
apped)Oh,kantekeeng?By
thewayyousai dyouwant edt
otel
l
mesomet hing.Bequi
ckbecauseI
havetogot oworktomorrow
mor ni
ng,Ineedsomesleepnow.
Lett
y:Youenjoygoingt
owork
becauseofj
ustoneperson,
Iknow
youhateyourjob.
Di
ane:Whotoldyouthat
?..
.sogett
o
t
hepointbef
oreIl
eave.
Lett
y:(
turnedf
aci
ngher)Iwant
edto
knowifyouwouldwantmetoset
youupforadatewit
hsomeguyI
know.
Diane:(
Star
ingather)Icantgoona
datefornow,Kendidn’tsayherej
ect
me.Gapewhatt ypeofper soni
she,
whatdoeshedof oral i
ving.
Let
ty:(
openedhergal
ler
y)Checkhi
s
photos.
.(
handedhert
hephone)Heis
aLecturerKoUB,Ihaveknownhi m
whil
eIwasschool i
ngtherebutaft
erI
l
eftschoolwehaven’tt
alkedfora
whil
e.Hei sagoodgentl
emanandhe
knowshowt otakecareawoman.I
tol
dhim aboutyouandar ehewoul d
l
iketomeetyou,Ievensenthim your
photos.
Diane:Yousenthim mypi ctures?
KanteLettywhydoyoual waysdo
thi
ngswi thoutmyapproval.ImeanI
understandthedatepartbutsending
mypi ct
uresiswayovert heline,what
i
fyousentmypi ct
urestoaSat ani
st
andhewor kshi
smagi cont hem and
kil
lme.
Let
ty:
(Laughed)youl
ackconf
idence.
Diane:whatdoesconfi
dencehasto
dowi t
hthi
s,it
scommonsenseyou
l
ack.Thisworldisf
ullofevi
lpeopl
e
andyoucanttrustanyone.
Letty:Okay,Iheardyou…butwhat
aboutt hedate,Imeandon’t
disappointme.Itoldhimtomorr
ow
youwi llbef
ree,sowhatdoyout hi
nk?
Diane:(pausedf oraf
ewseconds)But
sti
llevenifhei sagentl
eman,hewil
l
neverbel ikeKen.Gapekeengoneo
samoi patele?
Let
ty:Hei
saf
ri
end.
Di
ane:(
sighed)Okay,
goon.
Dianethenst
oodupandheadedt o
herroom…Lett
ytookherphoneand
di
aledanumberandcalled.

AtKen’
sHouse

Lateron,ther
ewasaknockatt he
door,Lesegostoodupf r
om the
couchandwentt ot hedoor.She
didn’
topen, shejustwait
edtherefor
anotherknock.

Lesego:Whoi
sther
e?
Kaone:
heyKen?I
tsme…
Lesego:
(Paused)Youar
e?
Kaone:I
tsKen’
ssi
ster
.

Lesegoopenedt
hedoorandsi
ghed
star
ingather
.

Kaone:
(l
ooki
ngather
)Youar
e?
Lesego;Am Lesego.
Kaone:Andwhatareyoudoi
ng
here?
...
bythewaywherei
sKen.Can
Icomei n?
Lesego:Comei
n.Keni
ssl
eepi
ng…
Lesegowasconf used,sheheadedt o
thebedroom tocallKen.Kaone
walkedinholdingherluggageand
changedthechannelt henshe
headedtotheki t
chen.Madesome
sandwichandpour edaj ui
ceinthe
glassandwentbackt ot helivi
ng
room.Kenbut t
onedhi sshirtwalki
ng
i
nasLesegowal kedbehi ndher.

Ken:
(smi
led)Fi
nal
ly.
Kaone:
(smi
led)Hi,am sor
ry.
.ial
ready
mademyselffeelathome.Isthat
okay?
Ken:I
tsf
ine…(
smi
li
ng)Mot
heri
s
goingtobehappyseei
ngyou,
Imean
yougotyourMBBS andyouare
fi
nall
yagraduat
eandadoctor,
wow.
Kaone:Yeah,IneverthoughtIwill
onedayt akemydegr ee…Iwantedto
giveupbuttheburningfir
ewithinmy
soulkeptmeupatni ghtandI
studiedl
ikehel
l.
.(
turnedtoLesego)
Hi,yousaidyouareLesegor i
ght?
Lesego:
(nodded)Eemma.
Kaone:heismyyoungerbr other,
eventhoughhefiguredoutaboutlif
e
beforeme,am st
il
lhiselder
,justt
hat
ihavebeendoingMBBSf orli
ke7
yearsnow.Youar ecutehle
mma…( t
urnedtoKen)Anythingyou
wanttotellme…(smi
led)Icansee
t
hatmybr otherhasf
oundhi s
missi
ngr i
b.
Ken:(
Smiled)Iwi
llt
ellyout
omor
row,
goandrest.Shei
smyangel .
Kaone:Okay,
shei
scut
e…(
paused)
whyareyousoqui
etnemma?
Lesego:I
tsnot
hing.
Ken:Wel
lthet
hingi
s-
Lesego:
(i
nter
rupt
ed)Youwi
llf
indme
i
nt hebedr
oom.
Ken:Okay…(
tur
nedtokaone)Youwi l
l
sl
eepintheguestr
oom,isthatokay?
Kaone:Sure,gapeyouar eabeast
hl
erra,kanaIonlysawt hi
shousein
photos..
idi
dn’tknowi t
’samansion.I
meanyour eall
ywor kedfort
his,
you
deserveit
.
Ken:
(smil
ed)Yeah…sohowl
ongar
e
yougoingtobehere?
Kaone:(Sighed)IfIf
eelcomfort
able
hereImi ghtstayforfewdays,Imean
Ifeell
ikeam inahot el,i
tscooland
beauti
ful.
Ken:Okay,
sti
llnopr
obl
em.
Kaone:Don’tworr
yabout
me…(thoughtf
ull
y)Sohowisyourgi
rl
?
Ken:Shei
sfi
ne.
Kaone:Imeanwhatdoesshedo,
and
i
ssheyourchoicekanaj
ang?
Ken:Igetyou,
let
stal
k
tomorr
ow..howaboutt
hat
?
Kaone:Okay,
goodni
ght
.
Ken:Goodni
ght
.

Kenheadedtotheroom,Kaonetook
abitef
rom t
hesandwichandlaid
backonthecouchchangingthe
channelt
o“DoctorJohnTVSERIES”

AtJomo’
sHouse
Atmi dnightJackpar kedhi sBMW at
thesmal lgateandwal kedout
closingt hedoor .Het henwentt othe
trunkandopenedi t,Hegl ancedat
Sallywhowasf astasl eep…het hen
closedt hedr unkandopenedt he
backdoor, t
ookhi sgunandsome
bulletsandent eredt heyar dheading
tothehouse, hef astnot i
cedThat o’s
carwhi chwaspar ki
ngbyt hetree,
thenei ghborsdogsbeganbar ki
ng
from thef enceandal ightcame
throughf rom Jomo’ shouse.He
stoppedandputt heguni nsidethe
l
eat herjacketandwal kedsl owlyto
thedoor .
Thenei ghborstwodogscont inued
barkingandbecamesoaggr essive
toapoi ntwheretheygotbeneatht he
fenceandcamer unni
ngtowar dshim,
meanwhi lethedooropened.Jack
tookouthi sgunandfastloadedi t
whilehiseyeswer eonthe
aggressivedogsthathavefull
y
chargedandaggr essi
ve…

Jack:
(Shakyvoi
ce)Fuck!
!
*
*
*
Youguysar eunpredi
catabl
e,imean
youlikedthepr
evi
ouspostwi thhi
gh
number sbutwhenitcomesto
inser
tsyoulagbehind,butst
il
lil
ove
youguys ..
LIKECOMMENT
ANDSHAREFAST

[
9:11AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#38

Meanwhi
le…
Ast hetwoGermanShepher ds
chargedathim,Jackpull
edt he
tr
iggerandshotonestrai
ghti nt
othe
headandf el
ldownanddi ed,the
otheronebackedoffandstarted
barkingatadist
ance…

Asthedooropened,
Jomowal ked
outhol
dingabaseballbatand
gl
ancedatthedeadGerman
Shepher
dandt hent
urnedtoJack.

Jomo:(Angri
ly)Whothefuckareyou
shooti
ngpeopl e’
sdogsinthemiddl
e
ofthenight
..
(walkedcl
osertohim)
andwhatt
heheckareyoudoi
ngin
mycompoundholdi
ngagun,areyou
athi
ef?
Jack:
(Unl oadedt hegun)Lookman
i
t’
sami sunder standing,
youjust
needtor elax…Icameher ewit
hpeace
andthedogsbecamesoaggr essi
ve
andattackedme, soiwastryi
ngto
prot
ectmysel f
,that’swhyIshotit
.
Jomo:(
sighed)Whoareyou,and
whatar
eyoul ooki
ngf
or…youwant
metocallmygangnow?
Jack:No,Icameherel ooki
ngfor
someone…( shakyvoice)Am l
ooking
forThato,heisafri
endofmi ne.
Jomo:Whatt hefuck, areyoul ost,
if
heisyourf ri
endhowcomeyoudon’ t
knowwher ehest ays.Youcamet o
thewr onghousebuddy, andsince
youar ehere,youar enotl eavi
ng
becauseIf eelunsaf ethatyou
broughtagunt oei t
hershootmeor
him…( gasped)No, Man…wai there,I
reall
yhavet ocallmygang.Youcant
justbashi nherelikethis,did
someonesendyout ocomeandki ll
me?
Jack:Broh,am harmless…Ireall
y
haveabusi nesswithThato,soits
hi
mt hatIwant ed.Look,evenifheis
nothereitsokay,Iwil
lcallhi
m.
Jomowal kedtowardshim and
grabbedhishand,hethensearched
hi
m andtookt hebull
etsanda
pocketpi
stolf
rom hisjacket
.

Jomo: (shakinghishead)Youar e
deadbr o,youar ereall
ydead…you
kil
ledmyni kkasGer man
shepher d?.
..youknowhowcost l
yi s
thi
sdog?Eveni fwesellyouandyour
family,west il
lgonnaneedanot her
50per centt obalanceandbuyanew
one,andagai nthisdogwasf amilyto
him,hehadi tli
ke3year sback…and
youki
ll
edi
t.
Jack:Look,Iwillj
ustleaveandnever
setmyf oothereagain,ididn’
tshoot
i
tdeliberat
ely.
Jomo:Yout hi
nkmyguywi llcar
e
aboutthat
,heisgonnacutoffyour
test
icl
esyouwillsee…(
Paused)
WhichbusinessareyouandThatoin?
Jack:I
t’
sa…

Meanwhileashortguywithsome
dreadl
ocksjumpedoffthefencei
nto
Jomo’syard,hethenwalkedtowar
ds
them hol
dingalongchainanda
smallhammer …
Him:(
Sor r
owfull
y)Sot hat’
s
i
t…(st
aringatthem)youguyski ll
ed
mydog…( tur
nedt oJomo)Jomoyou
knowIlovemydogs, Ijusthear
da
gunshotandthel astbarkof
Smalli
e…whoshoti t
?
Jomo:(l
ookedatJack)thi
sint
ruder
di
d,hecameher ewi t
hint
enti
onsof
ki
ll
ingmeinthemi ddl
eofthe
ni
ght…butGodhelpedmet ocatch
hi
m.

Jackgaspedtr
yingtot
alk,
helooked
atthescar
sintheshor
tguy’sf
ace
andlookedathi
sfourf
inger
sint
he
ri
ghthand,andt
hethumbwascutoff
.

Jack:
(Si
ghi
ng)Iwi
llj
ustl
eave,
am
sorr
y.
Him:(
grabbedhim)Youmustbe
j
oking,youaregoi
ngtopayforall
thi
s…(Cli
ckedhi
stongue)youare
deadbitch.
Jomo:Let stakehimtotheback
room, hewi l
ltel
luswhatexact
lyhe
i
sl ookingfor.

Theydraggedhimtot
hebackroom,
fewminutesl
atert
heshor
tguycame
outoft
heroom andt
ookhisdead
dogandthrewi
tovert
hefencetohi
s
house.

AtJack’
sHouse

Thefoll
owingmorni
ng,Leboput
somesl i
cesofbr
eadintothepl
ate
andsomeeggsandt henheadedto
thesit
ti
ngroom wher
eJuniorwas
putt
ingsomebooksinhisbackpack.

Lebo:(
putt
hepl
ateonthetabl
e)Eat
fast
,youar
ealr
eadyl
ateforschool
.
Juni
or:
Aren’
tdadgonnadr
opmel
ike
heal
waysdo?
Lebo:(
sighed)Heisnothome,Iwil
l
walkyout oschool
…justeat
,am
goingtoputonclothesandtakeyou
toschool.
Juni
or:Wherei
sheexactl
y?Icant
walktoschool
…it
sreal
lyfarandwe
aregoingt
oarri
vether
elate.
Lebo:Juniorst
opbeingchil
dish,I
toldyoudadisnothomeandhej ust
toldmethathewillcomethis
mor ni
ng,buthenevershowed
up…Heknowsgor ehei ssupposedto
takeyoutoschool.
Junior:Okayl
et swai
tforhi
m…and
againwear ewr i
ti
ngaclasstest
today.Icantreall
ymissschool,
I
wantdadt otakemet oschoolli
kehe
alwaysdid.
Lebo:Sowear egoi
ngtowaituntili
t
getslateandthenyoumi sst
hetest,
justbecauseyoudon’twanttowal k
toschool?Lookam goingtoputon
freshclot
hes,salaojaandaf
terthat
kegoi sasekolong.

Lebowenttothebedroom andputon
someclothesandshoes,shethen
tookherphoneanddial
edJack’s
number .Thephonenumberwasn’ t
avail
able,shethentri
editonemore
ti
mebutst i
lli
twasn’tonair
,sheput
thephonedownf i
xingherhairand
thentookt hephoneandl ef
t…

Atken’
sHouse

Lat
ert
hatmor
ning.
.

Of
ficer
:I
tsf
ine,
wewi
llcont
actyou
l
atersi
r.
Ken:Okay,butpl
easekeepus
updated…i
tweeksnowandnowwe
ar
estar
ti
ngtohavebadfeel
ingsgor
e
maybewelostherf
orgood.
Of
ficer
:Iunderst
and,l
ikeIsai
d…we
wi
llcontactyouguysl
ater.
Ken:Okaybye.

Kenclosedthedoorandwalked
i
nsidethehouse,hefoundKaone
st
aringathi
m.

Kaone:(
fol
dingherhands)Whatis
goingon?Whatwer ethepol
icehere
for
?
Ken:I
tssomet
hingt
hatyouwi
ll
neverunder
stand.
Kaone: Kennedy,kantedoIlooklikea
smal lchil
d..
sinceIarri
vedhereI
nevergotanyanswerwhenIasked
quest i
ons,it
seitheroneofyour epl
y
with“ I
tsnothing”or“don’tworry”or
“Youwi l
lneverunderstand”…Imean
what sgoingon, i
tsli
kethereis
somet hingyouguysar edoingin
secretandi t
snotgood.
Ken:Youjustcameinyesterday,but
nowyouwantt oknowever ythi
ng
j
ustatonce.Somet hi
ngsIdon’ t
havetotel
lyou,j
uststayhereforthe
peri
odweagr eedandthenyoucan
gohome.
Kaone:Areyouchasi ngmeoutnow?
Kanaitsyourgi r
lwhowantmet o
l
eave,i
fshef eelsuncomf or
tabl
ewhy
doesn’
tshet ellme, Icameher e…you
twoalwaysl eavethel i
vingroom
whenIarrive,whenoneofyouf i
nd
meintheki t
chenyouj ustglanceat
meandt urnar ound.Imeanwhati s
that
?
Ken:
(l
aughed)ar
eyouser
iousKaone?
Kaone:I
tsnotfunny,i
tsyourhouse
andyourrul
esandIr espectt
hat.But
i
tsnotli
keam ast r
angertoyouKen,
maybetoherIam becausewear e
meeti
ngforthefi
rstti
me.Butdon’t
i
gnoreme.
Ken:(
Sighed)Okaynot
ed…byt
he
waydidyoutalktomom?
Kaone:Stoprightthere…Isti
llwantto
knowwhoi st hi
sgi r
l,whatdoesshe
doandar eyouj ustpassingtimeka
eneoryouar eplanningaf ut
ur ewit
h
her.
.gapeshedoesn’ tlookli
ke
someonewhom aper soncanpl ana
fut
urewith,becausemom di dn’t
rai
seust obeaver age,doesmom
knowabouther ?
Ken:(
Rubbedhi sf
ace)Ireall
ycant
beli
evethi
s,Kaone…youar ecrossi
ng
theli
nenow.Myaf fai
rsdoesn’t
concernyou,youdon’tchoosewhoI
shoulddateandnottodat e,whom
tomarryandnottomarry.Andstop
l
ookingdownonLesego, youcant
j
ustmakeconclusionsaboutherel
e
goneogorogang.
Kaone:Am yourel dersisterIshould
know, Idon’twantyout omake
mi st
akesinl i
feebeennaokar eI
didn’tt
ellyou,thereasonwhyyou
aredefensivenowi tsbecauseyou
don’tknowmuchaboutl i
feand
mar r
iage,Imadeami stakeint hi
s
i
nst i
tuti
oncalledmar r
iageandIdon’ t
wantyout odot hesamemi st
ake.
Am lookingaf t
eryoubr ot
her ,
li
sten
tome.
Ken:okay,
am l
ist
eni
ng…butIknow
whatyouar et r
yingt oaccompl ish,it
s
notlikebecauseyouf ailedterri
blyi n
mar r
iageIwi lldot hesame.The
reasonwhyyouf ailedi t
sbecauseof
yourat t
itudeandyourpr ide.Just
becauseyouwant edar i
chmanwho
willmatchyourst andar dsdoesn’ t
meanIshoul df ollowt hesamepat h,
am notl ookingf ormat erial
possessi onsinawoman, Ij
ustwant
loveandpeacet hat ’sit.Thepr oblem
withwomeni sthatj ustbecauset hey
wantr i
chandweal thymen, sodowe
asmen.
Kaone:
(t
ookadeepbreat
h)Ithi
nkI
gaveyouenoughadvi
ceasyour
sist
er,butit
supt oyou.Idon’
twant
tohearstoriesbytheti
meyouget
marr i
ed,t
hepr obl
em wit
hpoor
peopleisthattheygonnasuckyou
dry,youwillsee.
Ken:Ihopeyouarenotref
err
ingto
Lesego,andwhosaidsheis
poor…(si
ghed)am t
ryi
ngtocalm
downr i
ghtnowbecauseyouwi l
l
star
ttohatemeforwhatam aboutto
do.
Kaone:
(unf
oldedherhands)Enough!
Ken:Good…
Kaone:Bythewaybor
rowmeone
yourcars,
Iwantt
omeetsomeonei
n
towni
nt hi
rt
yminut
es,
Ihavean
appoi
ntmentwi
thasurgeon.
Ken:Thesmal ltr
uckinthegarageis
theonlyonemovi ngfornow, t
he
otheronehaspar kedforalong
ti
me…i tneedssomet ouchupsandI
cantfi
xi tnow.
.am goingt
owor ktoo.
Kaone:Icantuseatruck,
usei
tand
borr
owmet heoneyouareusi
ngto
gett
owor k.
Ken:Kaonecomeon,
Iwi
llr
ather
dropyouoff
…
Kaone:i
tsst
il
lfi
ne,
am goi
ngt
otake
ashower.
Kaoneheadedtotheshowerand
Lesegowalkedinandsatdown
star
ingatken.

Lesego:
Isever
ythi
ngokay?
Ken:
(nodded)I
tsfi
ne,di
dwewake
youup?Gapesheneverstopt
alki
ng,
it
showshei s.
.(
smil
ed)whenwe
wereli
tt
leweusedto-
Lesego:Honeyit
sokay,Ihear
d
her…sheisyoursi
sterandshemight
berightwit
hwhatevershesai
d.
Ken:
(gui
lt
il
y)Di
dyoul
ikehear
ever
ythi
ngshesai
d?
Lesego:notal
l,
Idi
dn’
twantt
o
i
nter
fer
e.Butyoudon’
thavet
owor
ry.

Kenhuggedherandkissedher
,he
thenputhi
sarmsaroundher.

Ken:
Areyouf
reet
oni
ght
?
Lesego:
(smi
led)ofcour
seIam,
tla
bokeyakaet ot
a.
Ken:(
smili
ng)Okay,Iwanttot
ake
yousomewher e.
.l
etsgoandclear
ourmindforabit,Iwantt
oshowyou
somethi
nglatert
onight.
Lesego:Wel
l,
let
sdoi
tthen.
Theysmi
ledast
heyf
istbumped…

AtJomo’
sHouse

Lat
ert
hatday…

Jomogoti ntoJack’sBMW and

start
edt heengine…hest oppedand
turnedof ft
heengi neandlist
ened
careful
ly,heheardsomebangont he
trunkandi mmedi atelyst
eppedoutof
thecarandwentt ot hetr
unk…

Att
hatt
imeJackwasst
il
lchai
nedi
n
achai
rint
hebackr
oom…
*
*
*

+2KLIKES...
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Shar
e,thenipostanot
herone
i
mmedi atel
y.LETSDOTHIS!!
[
9:11AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#39

Jomoopenedt
het
runkand
i
mmedi at
elybackedoff,Sall
ystar
ed
athim andhewal kedcloserandtook
ofthesealinhermouth.

Sal
ly:(
breat
hingheavil
y)Pl
easehel
p
met ogethome,please.
Jomo:
(shocked)Whathappened,
whyar
eyoui nthi
strunk.
Sall
y:Hetr
iedtokil
lme,nowhewant
toki
llThat
o…Isleptal
lni
ghther
e.
Jomo:
(si
ghed)WhoandWhy?
Sal
ly:Theownerofthi
scar,hisname
i
sJack…heaccusedmeofst eali
ng
hi
sbabywhi chIknownothingabout.
Hetookmel astni
ghtout
sidet own
andtri
edtoki
llme,
andnowhei
s
aft
erThat
o.
Jomo:Sosomeshi twentdownl
ast
night
,thisni
ggai
scrazy…l
etmehel
p
youout .

Jomohelpedherstepoutofthe
tr
unkanduntiedherhands,
hethen
cl
osedthetr
unkandt ur
nedstari
ng
ather
.

Jomo:Ar
eyouokay?
Sall
y:No,Iwasn’tcomfort
abl
eint
hat
tr
unk…Ireal
lyneedt ogohome,am
hungryandIfeeldizzy.
Jomo:Look,Iwil
lhel
pyouget
home…butstil
lyouhavetotellme
whyheheldyoucapt i
veandwhyhe
i
saft
erThao.Theguyj ustbashedin
myhouselikeathief
,Ial
mostki l
led
hi
m.
Sal
ly:Wher
eishe?
Jomo:Wekepthi
minourbackr
oom,
heki
ll
edmyguy’sdogandhemust
pay.
Sall
y:(
sighed)Lookam sorryIhave
putyoui nthismess,butam t
heone
whodi r
ectedhim herebecauseIwas
afr
aidhewi llki
llme.Ij
usthear
d
Thatoment ioni
ngyournameoneday
andthat
’swhenIr
eal
izedthathe
spentmostoft
het
imewi t
hyou.
Jomo:(nodded)I
tsokay,
justgeti
n
thecarIwil
ltakeyoutoyourhouse.
Sal
ly:I
nhi
scar
?
Jomo:Yes,
hecantdonot
hingabout
i
t.
Sal
ly:Okay

Shegoti
nthecar
…

Jomo:Justr
emai
nher
eIwi
llbe
back…
AtJohn’
sSur
ger
yCent
er

Kaonel ookedatthemedicalbooks
ont hedeskandt henpi
ckedtheone
ti
tl
ed“Di agnosisandTreatmentin
Orthopedics”sheopenedthefi
rst
pagesandputi tdownasDrJohn
walkedi nholdi
ngsomepaper sand
putt hem i
nfr
ontofher.

Kaone:Thi
sisyourcall
inghuh, I
meanyoust i
llr
eadmedi calbooks
evenaft
eryougraduat
ed.I
under
standthatthi
sfi
eldneeds
someonewhoi sconti
nuousl y
l
earni
ng,
butyour
eal
lyi
nspi
reme
now.
John: (
smiled)Well,t
hispr ofessionis
notforthef aint
heart
ed.Am goi ngto
readunt i
lIgetinmygr ave,myst af
f
knowst hatever yweekt hereisa
paperwor kt hatneedst obe
submi tt
edbecauseIgi vethem
assignment sandsomer esearch
workandIchecki tafterthat…Idon’ t
wantt olosemypat i
ent sbecauseof
smal lmistakesthatcoul dhavebeen
avoided.
Kaone:
Youarestil
lthesameJohnI
l
eftsomeyearsago,youarereal
ly
di
scipl
inedhl
err
a….(smil
ed)Sogive
mef
eedback?
John:(pausedforaf ewseconds)I
sawyourdocument sandyour eal
ly
workedhard,Imeanyouar ethever y
personIneed,ebil
eyoucanst art
workingimmediatelybefor
ethe
pri
vatehospit
alsstarthunt
ingf or
you.
Kaone:Well,t
hat’
sgreat…butIj
ust
arr
ivedyester
day,whydon’tyougi
ve
mesomet i
met oset
tle,
goandsee
myf amil
ybackathomeandt henI
canstart
.
John:
(nodded)Okay,
noprobl
em…but
Iwanttoalsoknowyourf
utur
epl
ans,
l
ikehowlongdoyout
hinkyouwi
ll
workwit
hmeandyourvisi
onsas
well
.
Kaone:(t
ookadeepbr eath)Ihave
l
ongwant edt
oopenasur ger
ycenter
l
ikeyou, Imeanthat’
smypl anforthe
fut
ure.Ineverwantedtowor kin
hospit
als,Iwantacenterinthe
fut
ure.Soam goingtoneedal otof
capit
altogetstart
ed.
John:(smil
ed)Impressive…wait
seI
sti
llcantbel
ieveyouar eadivorcee,I
meansomemanar en’
treal
lyserious
wit
hl if
e,howcansomeonedi vorce
suchayoung, educatedand
i
ntelli
gentwomanl ikeyou,
unbel
ievabl
e.
Kaone:(
sighed)Inl i
feyouwi l
lnever
begoodenoughf oraper son,imean
weallhaveimper fecti
onsandat
somepoi nti
ntimeyoucanget
repl
acedquickly.
.(sighed)atleast
younevermar ri
ed, kanaitsbecause
youarealwaysbusy?
John:(smil
ed)Idon’tt
hinkso,j
ust
thatIwaswaiti
ngforther i
ght
person…andnowt hatshehasarri
ved,
thenIcantakeanotherstep.
Kaone:
(l
aughed)Youarej
oki
ngright,
youmeanyouhavebeenwaiti
ngf or
me…Ithoughtyousai
dbytheti
me
youmarr
y,youar
egoi
ngt
omar
rya
pil
ot.
John:(st
oodupl aughing)Andyou
beli
evedit?surelythatti
meIwasst i
ll
i
mmat ur
e,Iwantt omar r
yadoct or
too.Gorerennebusyr ot
he,gake
batl
egocheat i
wakeseo…kanai fI
mar r
ysomeonel i
keyou, t
herewont
beexcusest sabo“ ohhoneyIwent
outandIwi llbebacklate,myboss
saidIshouldcomet ohisoff
icethis
noon”Ahh, Idon’twantthat,at
least
hereIcanmoni t
oryou.
Kaone:
(smil
ed)Sameol
dJohn,
you
ar
estil
lnaught
y.
Johnopenedhi sof
fi
ceclosetand
pickedalabcoatandcoveredher
thentheywalkedout.

John:Letmeshowyouaround,
Kaone..
(smi
led)ImeanDoct
or.
Kaone:(
smil
ing)Am kaoner
ra.Am
notyetadoctor
.

Theyl
aughedastheysteppedi
nan
el
evat
orgoingupst
air
s…

AtJack’
sHouse
Lebotri
edJack’snumberagai
nand
againandfi
nall
yshewasnow
worri
edanddeci dedt
ocal
l
Lesego…shepickedup.

Lesego:Hel
lo?
Lebo:Hey,nemmahaveyout alked
toJack,kanaheisnotanswer inghis
phone.Heleftt
hehousel astnight
andhenevercameback, i
tsnow
noonandhehasn’ tyetshowedup.
Lesego:Wheredidhesayhewas
going,It
alkedtohim It
hinki
ts
yester
daydur i
ngtheday.Hejustt
old
megoreheisgoi
ngt
olookf
orRi
ya
andt
hat’
sit
.
Lebo:Doyouthinkmaybesomet hing
badhappenedtohim?Hi sphone
seemstobeoff,Il
efthi
m several
messagesandyetheneverr epli
ed.
Nnajaanongam getti
ngworried,
togakeyapoli
ce.
Lesego:Hei saman, Idon’
tthi
nk
somethingbadhappenedt ohim.
Justwaitforsomet i
meandt henyou
cangot othepolice
stat
ion,
(thoughtf
ull
y)ormaybehe
wenttoseef ri
ends?
Lebo:
(si
ghi
ng)Aomma,
orayagor
e
mot hookatsamayaforsuchalong
ti
meandaboasabuegor eokaefor
thatmatt
er.NnaIhaveafeel
ingya
goremaybehegotintoanaccident
.
Lesego:Iwi
llt
rytocallhi
m usi
ngmy
phone,orl
etmecal lsomeonet
o
checksomethi
ng.Justholdonfor
somef ewminutes.
Lebo:Okay,
Iwi
llwai
t.

Lesegohungupanddi aledSally’
s
number,t
hephoner angforcoupleof
secondsbutitwasnotanswer ed,
shetri
editagai
nandst i
llt
herewas
noanswer.
Lesegoopenedthel
ogsandcl
icked
Lebo’snumber,
andcal
led.

Lebo:Yes.
Lesego:Look,Ithinkyoushould
real
lygot othepolicestat
ion,
Iwil
l
backupyou…t her
ei ssomethi
ngI
suspect.Jackment ionedsomethi
ng
thatItookforgranted,butnowthe
puzzleisaddingup.
Lebo:Whatdi
dhesayt
oyoune
mma?Doyout hi
nkhei
sdeador
somethi
ng.
Lesego:Don’
tpani
c,hei
snotdead.
Justcal
lthepol
ice,
andst
ayhome
pl
ease.
Lebo:Okay,
letmecal
lthepol
ice.

Lebohungup,
shethentookadeep
si
ghandpushedbackherhai
r
wonderi
ng…

AtKen’
sHouse

Lesegodial
edKen’
snumberandput
thephoneontheear
.

Ken:
heybaby,
howi
syourday?
Lesego:I
tsgood,
areyoubusy?
Ken:Am onmybr
eaknow.
Lesego:Look,doyouthi
nkyoucan
comehome.Ther eissomethingt
hat
wor r
iesme,andIreal
lyneedyour
help.
Ken:
(Paused)KeKaone?
Lesego:no,gapeshei
snotar
ound…I
wantyout odri
vemesomewhere.I
ts
urgent
.
Ken:Icancal
lacabf
oryounow.
Lesego:No,no…i
tsyouthatIwant
please.Iwantustogotogether,I
feelsafewhenam wit
hyou, soIcant
gowi thnooneexceptyou.
Ken:
Okay,
butwhati
sit
?atl
eastgi
ve
meaclue.
Lesego: (si
ghed)ItsaboutJack,I
thinkhei sintroubleandweneedt o
goandl ookforhim.Her i
skedhisli
fe
tryingtof i
ndRiyaandnowgat wehe
hasn’ tcomebackhomesi ncelast
nightaf t
erheleft.Ithi
nkheisin
danger .
Ken:LesegoIt hi
nkyouwor ryt
oo
much, Jackisastrongmanandyou
don’thavet owor r
yabouthim,heis
l
ooki ngaf t
erhispreci
ousdaughter
andeveni fi
tcostshim ali
fehewil
l
sti
llsearchf orher
,youshouldbe
gl
adt hatatl
eastheisdoingwhatthe
pol
iceof
fi
cer
shasf
ail
edt
odo.
Lesego:Youhavet oli
stentomeKen,
i
tsnotaboutstrengthnow.KanaI
knowJackt hat
’swhyam wor ri
ed
thathemightbeindanger .Pl
ease
comeover..
Ken:
(si
ghed)Okay,
Iwi
llcome,
bye
Lesego;Bequi
ckpl
ease.

Shehungupandthenputonher
shoesandahatandthenwentto
waitatt
heLivi
ngr
oom, meanwhi
le
JohnandKaonewalkedin
chatt
eri
ng…
AtJack’
sHouse

Meanwhi l
eLeboheldherphone
hopeful
lyandsatdownont hecouch
andchangedt heTVchannel,her
phonestartedvi
brat
ingandthere
wasani ncomingcall
,shel
ookedat
thecall
erandpickedup.

Lebo:HeyRef
il
we.
Refi
lwe:hi,Isawyourbabydaddy’ s
carmobl ock5et abogi
legore.it
ri
ed
tostopitkerekekopali
ftbutthere
wasabi gguyi nsi
deandagi rl
.
Lebo:
(gasped)Wai
t,yousawi
tko
bl
ock5andhewasnoti
n?
Refi
lwe:Yes,justf
ewmi nutesago
andthedr i
verwasr eckl
essl
ydrivi
ng
i
tandIt houghtitwasJackatfir
st
butgaayomot eng.
Lebo:Look,
thanksf
ort
heheadsup,
bye.
Refi
lwe:wai
t,i
severythi
ngokay?You
seem tobeshocked,areyouguys
notgetti
ngal
ongagai n?
Lebo:I
tssomet
hingel
se,
lookIwi
ll
tal
ktoyoubye.

Thecal
lended,
Lebodi
aledLesego’
s
numberandcal
led…
AtKen’
sHouse

Fewmi nut
esl ateracarstopped
outsi
de,Kenst eppedoutandt ookof
f
histi
eheadingt othehouse,he
openedthedoorandf oundKaone
andJohni nthel i
vingroom.

Kaone:
(stari
ngatKen) Ehe,am gl
ad
youcame…( turnedtoJohn)Thisis
myyoungerbr ot
herIwast el
li
ngyou
about
,thisbighousebel ongsto
him.
.(
turnedt oKenandsmi l
ed)Ken,
meetDoct orJohn,themanIwentt o
seeearl
ier
,heistheowneroft
he
surger
ycenteratCBD.
Ken:
(si
ghi
ng)Iwi
llmeethi
mlat
er,
wher
eisLesego?
Kaone:I
sever
ythi
ngokay—

Kenrushedtot
her oom andfound
Lesegoonherphone,Lesegoquickl
y
gotofbedandtheywalkedoutsidet
o
thecar
..

Lesego:LetscheckSal
ly’
shouse,I
willdi
rectyou…doyoumindifwe
pickupLebo?
Ken:Nopr
obl
em,
let
sgo.
Lesego:okay.
Ken:Geti
nthecar
…

TheybothgotinthecarandKen
speedi
lyrever
sedanddroveof
f…
*
*
*
[
9:11AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#40
AtSal
ly’
sHouse

Aftersomef ewmi nutesKenpar ked

hiscaratthegat eandt ookoffthe
seatbelt
,immedi at
elyapolicevehicl
e
stoppedbehi ndthem andtwo
offi
cerssteppedout.Kent urnedto
Lesegoandt ookadeepbr eath,he
l
ookedatLesego’ stear
yeyesand
thensighedl ooki
ngatt hehouse.

Ken:
(hol
dingherhand)Ar
eyouokay?
Lesego:
(noddi
ng)di
dyoucal
lthe
poli
ce?
Ken:Yeah,
Iaskedthem t
oescor
t
us…wehavearri
vedanyways.
Lesego:
(l
oosenedtheseat
bel
t)I
t
seemsli
kethereisnooneher
e.
Ken:Let
stakeal
ooki
nsi
de.
Lebo:
(cl
ear
edherthr
oat
)Iwi
llj
ust
remai
ninthecar
.
Ken:Okay

LesegoandKenst
eppedoutoft
he
carapproachi
ngt
hetwopoli
ce
off
icer
s.

Ken:
(putt
hecarkeysi
nthepocket
)
Off
icers,t
hisisthehouse.Idon’
t
knowwhat snextbutIthinkwe
shouldreall
ygetint
othehouseand
beginsearching.
Offi
cerMarumo:(si
ghed)Buti
tseems
l
ikethereisnooneinsi
de,wecant
bashinsidewit
houtasearchwarrant
thatper
mi t
sustosearchthehouse.
Ken:Off
icer,wedon’thavetimefor
searchwarrant
s.Am tell
ingyouthat
wesuspectgor et
heper sonwho
l
ivesherehasourbaby.Byt het
ime
wegetinsideandfindher ,
youwill
star
ttobeli
eveme.
Lesego:Hei
sri
ghtof
fi
cer
,wecantgo
back.It
stoolat
e,Iwillr
atherget
arr
estedforent
eri
ngt hehouse
wit
houtthewarrantthangoback
homeknowi ngthatmydaught er
mightbeinhere.
Offi
cer2:Theproblem ist hatyouar e
j
ustassumi ng,whati fshei snot
there?GapeIhear daboutanot her
i
ssueyat hefather,aintthatthe
reasonwhywear eher e.Imeani t
seemsl i
kenowt herear et wocases
ofmi ssi
ngpeople.Itslikeapr ank
now, Imeanafat heranddaught er
cantgomi ssi
ngatt hesamet i
me, i
t
doesn’tmakesense.
Ken:
(i
mpat
ient
ly)Of
fi
cer
syoucan
leave,am ti
redofl
ist
eni
ngt oyour
“but’andblahblah”am goi
nginside,
am breakingthedoororthewindow,
youwi llar
restmelat
er.
Of
fi
cer
:Wai
t,you—

Immedi at
elyJack’
sBMW came
speedingdownt heroad,thedri
ver
sloweddownashenot icedthe
poli
cevehicle,
Sall
yswal l
owed
deeply..

Sall
y:(
breat
hingheavil
y)Stopt
hecar
now!Damn, am goingtojai
l
today.
.i
tsoverforme,howdidthey
f
indoutaboutt
his.
Jomo:
(conf
used)fi
ndoutaboutwhat?
youar
ethevicti
m here,Jackist
he
onewhoisgoingtojailnotyou.
Sally:youwil
lnever
under st
and…(l
owvoice)canyou
reversethecarandgoback?
Jomo:( shookhishead)I t
st oolate,i
f
Istopandmakeat urntheywi l
l
suspectthatImi ghthavedone
somet hi
ngandnowam r unning
away.Gapet heynoti
cedt hecar
that’
swhyt heyar ewaiti
ngeager ly
forus…(sighed)justactnormal,relax.
Don’tpanic.
Jomoslowl ydroveinandpar kedt he
carnearthepolicevehicl
e,het hen
rol
leddownt hewi ndow.Lebo
i
mmedi atel
ysteppedoutoft hecar
tooandjoinedthem.Jomot urnedof
theengi
neandt ur
nedt otheofficer.

Jomo: (not
icedtheotheroff
icer
)Mr
Mar umo, i
tsgreattoseeyouagain,
what sgoingonher e.
.anot
herhouse
breakingorr obber
y?
Offi
cerMarumo:(
indi
sbeli
ef)Am not
surpri
sed,
itsyouagain.Wenayou
aregoingt
or oti
njai
l,
am ti
redof
seei
ngyourfaceever
yti
metherei
sa
badinci
dent
.Justcomedownlets
tal
k..
Lebo:
(st
ari
ngatJomo)WhereisJack?
Andwhyareyouguysdri
vinghiscar
?
Lesego:(
stari
ngatSal l
y)Youwitch,
I
knewi t
.thi
stimear oundther
eisno
dil
ly-
dallyi
ngIsuppose, youar
e
goingtopayf oryoursins.

JomoandSal lysteppedoutoft
he
car
,Sallybur
iedherheaddownas
sheleanedont hecar.

Ken:
(noddi
ng)Thi
smakessense
now,Imeani t
sl i
keamovi e.Our
daughtergomi ssingf
orweeks,and
thenboom!Jackdoesn’ tshowup,
andagainyouguysshowupi n
Jack’
scar …(
staringatSal
ly)andyou,
whathappenedt oyourear?
Sal
ly:(embarr
assed)I
sitnotJack?
Heki dnappedme…am goingtoseek
j
usticeandhei sgoi
ngtopayforthi
s.
Offi
cerMarumo:(Cl
earedhisthroat
)
Am gonnahavet otakeyouguyst o
thepoli
cestati
onforquest
ioning,
andyoumi ghtevenspendani ghti
n
apolicecel
l.
Jomo:
MrMar
umo,
Ijustbr
oughtt
his
gir
lhome, am notinvolvedi
nany
cri
meorki dnapping.Ijusthappened
toseeheri nneedofhel pandIdid
assisther,
thiscar…(ranoutwords)
thi
scar, Ij
ustfoundi t.
Off
icer2:i
tdoesn’tmake
sense…(t
urnedtooffi
cerMar
umo)
Letsarr
estthem now.
Lesego:
wait,
Isti
llwanttoknowi f
theyhavemydaught er
,andIwantt o
knownow.It hi
nkIhavewai tedl
ong
enough,Iwantanswersrightnow.
Sall
y:(
tear
ful
ly)Lesego,
am your
f
riendakereyouknowand–
Lesego:(
loudl
y)Wi
llyoushutup,
am
notyourf
ri
end…br
ingmydaught
er
now.
Sally:
(l
owvoi ce)Whatam tryi
ngto
sayi sthatIwasjustplayi
ngaround
withRiyaandi thappenedthatwe
wenthomet ogether
,whent he
eveningcameandi twastimeforme
toreturnher,shesaidsheenjoyed
stayingwithmeandshesl eptover
.
Lesego:
(l
ist
eni
ngat
tent
ivel
y)and
then?
Sal
ly:(
pit
if
ull
y)Icoul
dn’
tbr
ingher
homethatday;
Lesego:
(Angr
il
y)LI
AR!
!.
..
formore
thantwoweeksyoucoul
dn’tbr
ing
her
?Youar
elyi
ngkana,
gaoswabe.
Of
fi
cerMar
umo:Okay,
justt
ellus
wher
eshei
snow.
Sal
ly:
(gaspi
ngforai
r)Shei
swi
thMr
andMr sScot
tf
iel
d.

Ken:
(sur
pri
sed)I
sthi
saj
oke?
Lebo:(
clapped)Unbel
ievabl
e.
Lesego:
What
?

Sall
ywipedhertear
s, shecri
edwith
thehopethatt
heywillpit
yforher
andbecomeeasyonher .
Offi
cerMarumo:Whatsthi
sScot
tf
iel
d
youaretal
kingabout
,Imeanwhat
arethi
speople.
Sall
y:(si
ghed)I t
’saDutchfamily
from Stell
enboschbuttheyresidedi
n
capet ownbef orecomingto
Botswana, theyareAfr
ikanerand
theyonl yspeakAfri
kaansbutMr
Scottf
ieldknowsEngl i
sh.
Lesego:(
tear
fully)soyousol dmy
daughtertoboer s,Sall
yar eyou
havingadeat hwi sh.Iswearifthose
boershavecr ossedabor derwithmy
daughteryouar egoi ngtodie,Iwil
l
rat
hergot ojailformur deram tel
li
ng
you.
Ken:sowher edoestheyli
ve?Waitse
youarecr azywena,
afterher
ewear e
taki
ngyoust rai
ghtt
opsychiatr
ic
hospit
albecauseyouhaveser i
ous
mentaldisorder
s.
Sal l
y:Ididn’tli
kesel lher,Ihada
situationandIneededmoneyt ohelp
mymot herbackathome.Lesego
knowgor eam st ruggl i
ng, am not
wor kingandIkeeponhust li
ng.My
mot herhasbeenhospi t
ali
zedf orl
ike
twomont hsnowandshehast ogo
throughsur gery,themoneyIgot
from thatf amilyi
st heoneIusedt o
helpher .Iknowt hi sisthef i
rstti
me
Lesegohear saboutt hi
s,andam
r
eal
lysor
ry.
Lesego:Soyout hinkjustbecause
youar egoi ngt hr
oughahor r
ible
si
tuationt hatmeansyoushoul dt ake
someone’ schildandsel lher
, gape
don’tactl i
keyouar etheonlyper son
whohavepr oblemsi nli
fe.Youknow
mewel levent houghyoubet rayed
me, Ineverhadpar ents,Ionlyhavea
si
sterandGr andmaandt heyar e
str
uggl i
ngt oo.Butdi dIcavei n?di dI
abandonmyl if
et othuggeryandhat e?
DidIacceptdef eat?Theansweri s
No…sopl easedon’ tplaythat
emot i
onalt ri
ckonme, t
herear elots
ofthingsyoucoul dhavedonet o
rai
semoneyapartfrom l
egalways,
eventhoughpr
osti
tuti
onislegalt
his
days.Youcoul
dhavet r
iedit
.
Ken:(
heldher
)It
sokaybaby,
youar
e
abouttomakemecrynow?

Kenwipedhert
ear
sandhuggedher
ti
ght
ly…

Off
icerMarumo:Itsokay,t
hisiswhat
isgoingtohappen…am taki
ng
you..
(poi
nti
ngSally)andyouare
goingtoshowust hisMrandMr s
Scottf
iel
dHouse..
(turnedt
oLebo)
Ma’am youwillgohomef ornow,My
part
nerwilldropyouathomeand
hopeful
lybeforeduskyouwi
llbe
knowingeverythi
ng.
Jomo:CanIgonow?Imeanam
i
nnocent
.
Offi
cerMar umo:Youst illhaveto
takeust owher eyouhavekeptt he
owneroft hecar ,f
ornowwear e
taki
ngyout oapol i
cecel l
,wewill
dealwi t
hyoul ater….
(t
ur nedtothe
offi
cer)Iwil
lgowi thRiya’sparents
andt hi
sgirl…soam goingt oneed
backup.Iwi llsendadi spatchto
otheroffi
cers.
Theyhandcuff
edJomoandSal
lyand
putt
hem inthepol
icecar
…

AtDi
ane’
sHouse

Lett
yquickl
ymadeaphonecal
land
putthephoneont
heearasi
tbegan
ri
nging…

Di
ane:Let
tyam busy,
whati
sit
?
Let
ty:look,It
alkedtotheguy…ar e
hewillcomeandpi ckyouupar ound
si
xint heevening.I
sthatcool
?
Di
ane:Ist
il
lhavet
ogot
oKen’
s
houseandgivehim some
documentsheforgotwhenl
eavi
ng
theoff
iceear
li
er,
butIwil
lmakeit
quick.
Letty:Okaycool
,butpl
easedon’
t
disappointme.
Di
ane:Am doi
ngt hi
sforyoutota,
j
ustthatmyeveningsarel
onelysoit
wil
lbeagoodthingtotakesome
t
imeof f
.
Lett
y:Iwantyoutobehappy,soyou
havetogooutandseeifyoucanfi
nd
happinessout
side.
Di
ane:Ihear
dyou,
canwet
alkl
ater
?
Let
ty:okay,
bye.
Di
ane:Shapo…

Dianehungupandt henputt he
phonedownandcl earedthedesk,
shet hentookthephoneagai nand
tr
iedKen’snumberbuti twasnot
avail
able.Shedecidedt ocal
lthe
l
andl i
neandi twentthrough…Kaone
pickedup.

Kaone:Yes?
Di
ane:
(Hurr
iedl
y)LesegocanIspeak
t
oKenplease?
Kaone:I
tsKaonespeaki
ng,andKen
i
snotaround,butIcandel
ivert
he
message.
Di
ane:Okaysorr
y,Ijustwantedto
br
ingsomeimportantdocument st
o
hi
shouse.Helef
tthem earl
ieron.
Kaone:Youar
e?
Di
ane:
Am Di
ane,
Ken’
sassi
stant
.
Kaone:Okay,
youcanbr
ingt
hem
over
.
Di
ane:Okayt
hanks,
bye.
Kaone:yeah.

Dianehungupandputthephone
downconfusedandl
ostinthought
s…
AtScot
tf
iel
d’sHouse…

Lateront hepolicevehicleandKen’s
carpar kedatthegat e,t
heybot h
steppedoutasot hertwopol i
ce
vehiclesdrovein.Kenl ookedover
thescr eenwallandwhi stled,t
he
dogsbeganbar kingasami ddle
agedmanwal kedovert othegate
andl ookedovert otheot hersi
de.

Offi
cerMarumo:
(holdi
nghi
sident
it
y)
It
’sthepol
icesi
r,weneedt
otalkt
o
you,canwecomei n?
MrScot
tf
iel
d:Watsoekj
y?
Ken:
(l
owvoi
ce)Whatwast
hat
?
Lesego:Wel
l,
maybehedoesn’
tknow
Engli
sh.

Off
icerMar
umo:(wal
kedcl
oser
)can
youspeakEngl
ishsi
r?
MrScot
tf
iel
d:Yes,
andwhatdoyou
want
?
Off
icer:Well
,am l
ooki
ngfort
hisl
it
tl
e
gi
rl…(showedhim api
ctur
e)doyou
haveher ?
MrScott
fi
eld:
(si
ghed)I
tsmy
daught
er.
Ken:whatacr
azyol
dman.
Lesego:Gaaswabe,ebil
egaana
dit
hong…wait
seIsohateSal
lyr
ight
now.

LesegoglancedatSal
lywhowasi
n
thepol
icevehicl
e.

Offi
cerMarumo:MrScot t
fi
el dwe
wantthatgir
l,orel
sewewi llhavet
o
takeyoutojailandt
henlaterdepor
t
youbacktot hecapefar
ms.
MrScott
fi
eld:Youarear aci
st,what
doyoumeanbyCapef arms…byt he
waygetoffmysightbeforeIsendthe
dogsonyou.Isitacr
imet
ohavea
bl
ackdaughter
?
Off
icerMar
umo:wher
edi
dyouget
her
?
MrScot t
field:Iadopt
edherfr
om an
orphanage, shehasbeenwithmefor
l
ikethreeyear snow.Sojustl
eave
befor
eIr eleasemydogs.

Off
icerMarumof orceful
lyopenedthe
gateastheotherof f
icer
sbackedhim
up,MrScottfi
eldjustwatchedthem
astheywalkedi nthehouseand
searchedallt
her ooms,aft
eralong
searchtheyopenedt hebackroom
andfoundRiyai
nthebedsleepi
ng
andtherewasapuppysleepi
ng
besi
deher,t
heytookherandwalked
out.

Lesegocoul dn’tcont ainhertears

andimmedi atel
ywentandpi ckedher,
shewokeupconf usedand
i
mmedi atel
yrecogni zedhermot her
andst art
edcr ying…MrScot tfi
eld
i
mmedi atel
yrant owar dshiscarbut
theycaughthi m befor eheopenedi t.
hetriedtoresistarrestbutt henhe
couldn’toverpowert hem.Hegavei n
andcur sedatt hem…
MrScott
fi
eld:
(br
eathi
ngheavi
ly)You
aregoi
ngtoregrett
his,
youcamei n
tomyhouseandt ookmydaughter.
Am goi
ngtosueyouandyourt eam.
Off
icer1:Hemustbeament
al
pat
ient.
Of
ficer2:I
tseemsli
keheisgoingto
misshisli
vest
ockandcropsathis
f
arm becauseheisgoi
ngtospenda
l
ongt i
meinJail.
Off
icer1:
(l
aughed)Letal
oneri
ding
horseswit
hhisherdboys..

Theydr
aggedhi
mtot
hei
rvehi
cle
i
mmedi
atel
y…
*
*
*
[
9:12AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#41

Att
hehospi
tal
…

Laterthaton,KenandLesegost
ood
besidesRiyaawait
ingf
orthe
doctors…
Ken:(
stari
ngatLesego)Wehave
l
ongwai t
edfort
hedoctor,
ishe
goi
ngtocome?
Lesego:Letsbepati
ent…(
sighed)I
don’tknowwhatSal l
ywast hi
nki
ng,I
praygoretheylockheri
njailf
ora
l
ongt i
me.
Ken:Butstil
lyoualmostfellf
orher
tr
ickssomedaysago, Itoldyouthat
sheisasnake, adoubl
eagent .Am
gladthatatl
eastourbabyi s
fi
ne…(fr
owned)IwonderaboutJack?
Lesego:Theywentt
ofi
ndhim,
they
wil
lseehim…ImeanInever
suspect
edSal
lycoul
ddot hi
s,but
aft
ercal
li
ngJackandthenme…t hat
’s
whenIbecamesuspici
ous.
Ken:Soyouknewal
laboutt
hisand
keptqui
et.
Lesego:Iwasn’
tsur
e,Icoul
dn’
tjust
j
umpi ntoconcl
usi
ons.
Ken:Imeanhowl onghaveyoubeen
communi cati
ngwit
hJackaboutthi
s?
Itseemslikeyouguyshaveapl
an
together
.
Lesego:Whi
chpl
an?
Ken:Regardi
ngRiya,
hewasj ust
tr
yingtoshowoffbel
ieveme.Hejust
wantedtoshowhisstrengt
hlegore
maybehecanear ntrustagai
nfr
om
you…Idon’tthi
nkher eall
ywentout
tolookforhertr
uly,bytheti
mehe
starthi
tt
ingonyouagai nyouwill
begintounderstandwhatIsaid.
Lesego:Youarestil
linsecur
earen’
t
you?andwhatdoyoumeanhewas
tr
yingtoshowof f
?Jackwentout
ri
skinghisl
if
eandr i
ghtnowwedon’ t
knowwher eheis,hemi ghtbedead
outther
e.Butsti
llhedideveryt
hing
hecouldtogolookf orRiyaandbri
ng
herhome.
Ken:(si
ghed)Butsti
lldon’
tallowhi
m
toseeRiyaagain,heisstil
lbadat
parenti
ng…f
ornowhei str
yingto
earntrustfr
om usagai
nandifwefal
l
fori
tli
keyouf ail
edt
ocalcul
ate
Sall
y’stri
cksthenwearedoomed.
Lesego:
ButwhataboutLebo?Shei s
agoodwoman, shel
ikesRiyaandI
cantref
usehertoseeRiya.AndJack
toodeservest
ohavet i
mewi thRi
ya.
Ken:Notagai nLesego, wabonagor e
youar er
epeat i
ngthesamemi stakes?
Youhavel earnedenoughf r
om
Sall
y…(fi
rm voice)Okay,formeam
notgoingtoal l
owRi yatogot o
Jack’spl
ace, youwillhatemef or
thatbutthat’
swhatam goi ngtodo,
wear econfusingthi
si nnocentki d.
Shenowbel ongst ome, andtellthi
s
t
oJack.
Lesego:But
-

Immediatel
ythedoctorwalkedi
n
holdi
ngamedi calr
eport
,hesaton
theedgeofthebedandt ur
ned
stari
ngatthem.

Doctor:
Shei sf i
ne,shecangohome
fornowandr est.Butfr
om a
psychologicalperspecti
veIthi
nkshe
wasweakbecauseofdi str
essand
trauma,butaf teral
lshewillbe
okay…(stoodup)andagai nam real
ly
sorryt
oheart hatyourdaughterhad
togot
hroughthatpai
nofnotseei
ng
hermot
herforalongti
me.
Ken:It
sokayDoc,andthankyouf or
thefeedback…wewerejustworr
ied
thatmaybesomethingthatwe
cannotseehashappenedt oher
.
Doctor:Thatwasagoodi dea
bri
ngingherhere…Iwil
ltakemyl
eave,
haveagoodaf ter
noon.

Thedoct
orwalkedoutasLesegosat
nextt
oRiyaandthentur
nedtoKen.

Lesego:(si
ghedheavil
y)Whenisyour
si
sterleavi
ng?Idon’tthi
nksheli
ke
seei
ngmewi
thyou.
Ken:Icouldseethatyouar
eworr
ied,
butsheismysi st
erIcantj
ust
constant
lyaskherwhensheis
l
eavingmyhouse…sheknowsshe
hastoleave.
Lesego:Andhowar ewegoi ngto
expl
aintoheraboutRi ya, sheclearl
y
don’tknowanyt hingabouther .Andif
wetellherthatshei snotyour
daughtershemi ghtst artmi st
reati
ng
her,butforRiyaIwillunder stand,
whatIdon’ tunderstandi sthatwhy
i
sshesocol datme…. itsnotlikeI
havedoneanyt hingwr ong.
Ken:Kaonei ssuchadiff
icultperson,
andf oryourowninfor
mat i
onshe
mar r
iedforli
ketwomont hsandgot
divorced,Imeanitwasashamet o
ourfami l
y…butnowshet ri
est oact
l
ikeabossl adyandstartgivingme
adviceswhichshefail
edt otake.
Lesego:
Didyouj
ustsayt
womont
hs?
Wow.
Ken:yes,Exceptthefactthatshe
workedhar dasamedi calstudent,
butsheist hetypeofSal l
yandal lthe
toxi
cpeopl e…(chuckl
ed)Shei smy
sist
eranywayandIj ustaccept ed
that
,thereisnothingIcando, Icant
hateher.Fami l
yisfamily,butyou
don’
thavet
owor
rymuchabouther
.
Lesego:t
henextt hi
ngshewil
ldois
tr
ytofindthediagnosi
sofdi
seases
i
nus, wellj
ustkiddi
ng.
Ken:(
laughed)bi
gLOL…

Kenthenpi
ckedRiyafrom thebed
whil
eshewassleepi
ng, Lesego
headedtot
hedoctorsoffi
ceandtook
somepapersbef
oreleaving…

AtKen’
sHouse

Johnputbacksomef
il
esonhi
s
br
ief
caseandt
urnedt
oKaone…

John:(
st oodup)Iwi l
ltakemyl eave,
i
twasgr eatspendingsomet i
mewi t
h
thegreatmi nd…(smiled)andthanks
fort
heni cef ood,Idi
dn’tknowyou
areagr eatcook.Youshoul dcome
andspendt hiscomingweekendwi t
h
me.
Kaone:
(smi
led)Iwi
shIcoul
d,butI
havetogoseemyparentst
omor r
ow.
Ij
ustcamebackandIshouldreal
ly
goandseethem.
John:wel
l,
noprobl
em.Youcan
escor
tmeoutifyoudon’
tmi
nd.
I
mmediat
elyt
her
ewasaknockatt
he
door
.

Kaone:
canyouwaitforaminute,
I
thi
nkit
sKen’sassi
stantandshe
cametodropsomet hi
ngsforKen.
John:
(satdown)Okay.

Kaonewal kedtothedoorand
openedit,
itwasDi ane.Sheallowed
herinsi
deandi mmedi atel
yDiane
recogni
zedt hemani nthewhite,
knee
-lengt
hcoat …Sheswalloweddeeply
andslowlywal kedinputti
ngsome
fi
lesontheglasstable,
shecouldfeel
thechemicalreact
ionsinherbodyas
shegreeted.

Di
ane:
(st
rai
ghtf
ace)Hi
John:
(l
owvoi
ce)I
tsyou?

Di
anet
hent
urnedt
oKaone…

Diane:Bye,
youwi
llt
ellKenIwas
here.
Kaone:
Okay.

Di
anei
mmedi
atel
ywal
kedout
headingt
ot hegat
ewher
eshe
stoppedt
hecab…Kaonetur
nedt
o
Johnconfused…

AtJomo’
sHouse

Meanwhi l
eanof fi
cersearched
aroundt hehouseasnei ghborsstood
bythef encelooking,anotherpoli
ce
vehicledroveinandpar kedunder
thetree.Offi
cerMar umowi pedthe
sweati nhisforeheadandheaded
towar dsthebackroom, i
twasl ocked
andt herewer enotracksoutsidethat
showedt hatsomeonewasher e…he
thenbangedthewoodendoorand
brokei
tapartasJackf
ri
ghtenedand
almostfel
lfr
om t
hechai
r…

Jack:
(si
ghi
ng)Comeandfucki
ngkil
l
me,butyouwil
lpayf
ort
hisinthe
dueti
me.

Theof f
icernoti
cedthathewas
bli
ndfoldedandt i
edtothechairwi
th
achainwhi chhasal r
eadystar
ted
cutti
ngt hefl
eshinhiswri
st.He
stoodatt hedoorstar
ingathim…

Of
fi
cerMar
umo:
(si
ghed)I
tsme,
am
theOffi
cerandIcamet orescueyou.
Don’tpanic,Iwil
lhel
pyoutakeoff
thechainthattheyti
edyouwith.So
calm down..

Theofficerthenremovedthe
bandaget hatcoveredhiseyesand
l
ightraysent er
edhiseyesfrom a
smallopeningi ntheroof
…

Jack:
(si
ghi
ng)wer
eyouabl
etof
ind
mydaughter?
Off
icerMar
umo:(
nodded)yes,shei
s
f
inenow.Don’
tworry,
youwi l
lgo
wit
hust ot
hepol
icestat
ionandtel
l
ust
heper
sonwhowaswi
thJomo.
Jack:
theshor
tguy?
Of
fi
cerMar
umo:i
sthathi
m?
Jack:yeah,
hei
scr
azy.

Theoff
icerf
ini
sheduntyi
nghim and
wentwithhi
mt othepoli
cevehi
cle….

AtKen’
sHouse

Kaoneclosedthedoorandopened
thecurt
ainstar
ingatthecarasit
droveoff
,shesatdownont hecouch
wonderi
ng.Meanwhi l
eKendr ovei
n
andpar
kedt
hecari
nthegar
age…
*
*
*
+2KLI
KESAND+100COMMENTS
FORWEEKENDI
NSERTS…
[
9:12AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#42

AtKen’
sHouse
Kenparkedthecari
nt hegarageand
st
aredatLesegowhoseemed
worri
ed,het
urnedofftheengineand
l
eanedbackont heseat…

I
nsi
det
hehouse…

Kaone:
(onthephone)Well
,Ifounda
j
obtodayandIwi l
lbeworki
ngata
sur
gerycenter
,Iknowthemanand
heownsthecenter,wemettoday
anditwasgreat.
Kaone’sMother:Goodnews,but
don’tf
alli
nlovewithhi
m pl
ease,j
ust
focusonyourwor kandmakemoney
t
ostar
tli
feaf
resh…(si
ghed)bythe
wayhowmuchi syourfi
rstsal
ary?
Kaone:Mom!Wehaven’ tmadeany
agreement saboutsal
aryandwages,
thoughwear egoi
ngtodiscussit
beforeistart
.HisnameisJohnand
beforeIwentt ost
udyabroadhewas
graduati
ngf r
om medicalschool
l
ocally…hehasnotyetmar ri
edand
heissof ocused.
Kaone’sMot her:
(Si
ghed)Butdon’tlet
himtakeadvant ageofyou,idont
wantyout obehear t
brokenand
depressedjustbecausetheman
doesn’twantyouanymor e.Justtake
thi
ngsslowlyt hi
sti
mear ound,you
knowyouembar rassedusinthe
past.Themostimportantt
hingfor
nowi sJobsecur
ityandsati
sfacti
on,
focusonthatandyourincomet oo.
Kaone:
Ihearyoumom,am comi
ng
hometomorrowbytheway.
Kaone’ sMot her
:(Paused)Whata
coincidence,meandyourf atherwas
planningt ocomeandseeyouand
Kent omor rowaswel l
,wear ecoming
toGabor onesoyoudon’ thaveto
comeher e.Isomi ssKen,itsbeena
whilesincewet alked…legalekaheis
alwaysbusy.
Kaone:
(Si
ghed)Okay,
ift
hat
’st
he
caset
henwear efi
ne,Iwil
llethi
m
know…(t
houghtf
ull
y)Didheevert el
l
youanyt
hingaboutgett
ingmar r
ied?
Kaone’sMot her:Ofcour
senot
,I
don’tthi
nkhei seven
dating…(
laughed)Mysoni sso
focused.
Kaone;Heisstayi
ngwi
thagir
l,I
thoughtyouknewabouti
t.
Kaone’
sMot
her
:(
Paused)Agi
rl
?

Meanwhil
ethedooropened,Ken
hel
dthedoorforLesegoasshe
wal
kedinholdi
ngRi yabyt
hehand.
.
Kaone:
(Hur
ri
edl
y)Wewi
llt
alk,
Igot
ta
gobye.

Shehungupandst
aredatt
hem.

Ken:(
star
ingather
)Isever
ythi
ng
okay?
Kaone:Yes,Iwastal
kingtomom,a
retheyar
ecomi ngheretomor
rowt
o
seeus.Actual
lyit
sli
ketheyl
ong
plannedt
ocomeandseeyou.
Ken:What
?shecantcomewi
thout
l
ett
ingmeknowfi
rst.
Kaone:Why?It
hinkst
il
lshewas
goingtoletyouknow, Iwassuppose
togoandseet hem tomorrowbut
whenIcal l
ednowt oletherknow
that’
swhenshet oldmegor eotale
ntate.SoIguessshewasgoi ngtolet
youknowpr obablytoday.
Ken:(Satonthecouch)Okay, wel
lI
don’thaveapr obl
em wi t
hit…but
maybeshemi ghtnotfindushere
tomor r
ow,meandLesegoand- --
(pausedstari
ngatRi ya)Kaone,t
his
isRiya.Lesego’sdaughter,
sheis5
yearsoldand-
Kaone:
(i
nter
rupt
ed)Soyouhavea
chi
ldKen?
Ken:wai
t,whyareyousosur
pri
sed?
DoIlooksomeonewhocanthave
chi
ldr
en?
Kaone:That
’snotwhatImean,
wai
t!
Soyougotthisgi
rlpr
egnant
?
Ken:(
cal
mly)l
oweryourvoi
ceKaone.
Lesego:
(suddenl
yint
erf
ered)Hei
s
notthef
ather-
Kaone:(
sighedheavi
ly)ThankGod,
huh,Ial
mosthadahear tat
tack.

KenstaredatLesegodisappointedl
y,
Kaonefoldedherhandsandt urned
toKen.
Kaone:SoKent hisisyourchoice,
goi
ngar oundpi ckinganygi r
lthat
hasababyandr aisesomeone’ s
chi
ld.Ift
hisisyourchoi ceandI
meanyourl astchoi cethenyouar e
goi
ngt oregretit,wecanbetont hi
s
one.Youcantgoar oundrescuing
babieswhosef ather shavedecided
tol
eavet hem behindand—
Ken:(
stoodupangr il
y)That’senough,
youcantblurtouteverythi
nginfr
ont
ofthi
skid.Ifthat
’swhyyouar ehere
thenyoumi ghtaswel ll
eaveusin
peace.Ishouldn’
thaveal l
owedyou
hereinthefir
stplace…sobehave
please,
anddon’teverdisr
espect
Lesegoifyouwantust ogetalong.

Kaonekeptqui
etst
ari
ngathi
m…

AtDi
ane’
sHouse

Laterthataft
ernoonDianewalkedin
thesitt
ingroom andtookoffher
heels,shesatdownont hecouch
wonder ing,
meanwhi l
eLett
ywal ked
i
nhol dingamagazi ne.

Let
ty:
(Satdown)Hi
,howwaswor
k?
Youlookwounded,
isever
ythi
ng
okay?
Di
ane:
(nodded)Am f
ine,
Ijustneed
t
otakeabathandrest.
Let
ty:Okay,butIdi
dn’
tcookIwas
wai
tingforyoutocomeandcook.
Diane:Iknewi
t…(t
ookadeepbreath)
Ithi
nkyoushouldcancelt
hedate,
I
cantgo.
Letty:
(sur
prised)No,No…Ireall
y
investedalotoftimeconvincingthe
guyt ogooutwi thyou.soyoucant
justsaythatinthelastminute,lookI
candoanyt hingyouwantmet oso
youcango.
Diane:
(l
ookedinhereyes)You
rememberthatDoctor
?..
.(
paused)
t
hisisgoingtobehardtobeli
eve.
Let
ty:
(l
ist
enedat
tent
ivel
y)Who?
Diane:Doct or…(tr
yingtorecall
)yeah,
Doct orJohn…t heveryonewho
treatedyouher ewhenyouwer ein
thesi ckbed.Thesamedoct orthat
Uncl eDanr ecommendedandwe
wer eunabl etobalancehi
spayment s
butwedi dpayatt heend…(sighed)I
sawhi mt oday.
Lett
y:Idon’
treal
lyr
emember ,Ij
ust
heardabouthim…Mysicknesswas
severesoIcantr
eall
yrememberl ot
s
oft
hings…whatabouthi
m?
Diane:Isawhi
m atKen’
sHousethi
s
noon,andhewaswi t
hken’
ssist
er.
Let
ty:Kenhasasi
ster
?
Diane:That ’snotimportantfor
now…t het hingis,t
herearelotsof
heartbreakingst or
iesaboutthatguy,
behindt hatwhitecoatthereisadevil
hl
emma.
Let
ty:Buthowdoyouknowwena?
Di
ane:Rumorsaret
hat.
.(
paused)
l
egal
eIdon’tknowhowtrueiti
s,but
i
fmanypeoplecantal
kaboutitt
hen
i
tstr
ue…gat
wehegoesar oundand
pr
oposetol
onelywomenandt hen
uset hei
rmoneyt opayf orbridepri
ce
ar ehewillpaybackt hewomanl at
er,
orheaskf orfundingforhiscenter
fr
om womenhedat esandt henhe
disappearwiththeirmoney.
Letty:That’
stot
albul
lshi
t,howcan
hedot hatadi
ramadijaana.kebo
greedyhel amxm.Sowhatel sedoes
hedo?
Diane:Heonlyf
ocusesonwomen
whohavepocketsdeepenough…and
i
tseemsl i
keeveryl
adyfal
lfort
hat
andendupl osi
ngmoney.
Let
ty:Soyout
hinkKen’
ssi
stermi
ght
bescammedtoo?
Diane:Idon’tknow,buttheyseem t
o
bewor kbuddies.Ken’ssist
eri
sa
doctortoo,butshejustcameback
fr
om abr oadmaybeshedoesn’ t
knowmuchabouthi m.
Lett
y:(Paused)butthatdoesn’
thave
anythi
ngt odowi t
hussoyoucanf i
x
yourselfandwaitforsi
xoclock.
Diane:I
tdoesn’
tconcernusbutIfeel
pityf
orKen’ssi
ster
,shelookl
ikea
niceper
sonandshei sbeauti
ful
.The
factt
hatsheisKen’ssi
steri
tbothers
mebecauseshemi ghtlosebi
gtime.
Lett
y:Togelabahumimma, thi
s
peopledeservepai
ntoo.Evenifshe
get
sscammedandl
osemoney,
Ken
wil
lhel
pher
.
Diane:ButKenisagoodperson,he
i
shumbl eandnevershowsof f
.He
doesn’tdeser
vepain,hej
ustneed
someonewhowi l
llovehi
m andbe
l
oyal.
Let
ty:
(st
oodup)Okay,
enoughka
bahumi.
Di
ane:
(l
aughed)Poorpeopl
ear
e
al
waysjeal
ous,soIdon’
tbl
ameyou.
Let
ty:
(l
aughed)Goandr
epor
tmef
or
bei
ngjeal
ousee.

AtKen’
sHouse
Kensatont heedgeoft
hebed
star
ingatLesego,Ri
yawal
kedinand
satonthebed.Kenhuggedherand
gaveherhisphone.

Ken:
(t
oRi
ya)Youl
ikegames?
Ri
ya:
(smi
led)Yes,
Ili
kecandycr
ush.
Ken:
(checkedhi
sphone)IthinkI
haveit
,waitl
etmecheckitforyou.

Kenthenscr
oll
edthr
oughtheapps
andl
auncheditandgavet
hephone
toRi
ya.
Ken:
(smil
ing)Ther
ewego
sweeti
e…youcangoandpl
ayi
nthe
l
ounge.
Ri
ya:shoul
dIt
aket
hephonewi
thme?
Ken:Yesi
tsal
lyour
s.

Shesmiledl
eavingt
heroom and
cl
osedthedoorheadi
ngtothe
l
ounge.Kenturnedt
oLesego.

Ken:Am sor
ryaboutwhathappened.
Lesego:That’
sit
?Am sorr
y?..
..
she
doesn’twantme,that
’swhati
tis.
Ebilethefactthatyourparentsare
visi
tingtomor r
owi tsgoi
ngt obe
wor se.Ihavelongt ol
dyout hatyour
peopl earenotgoingt ol
ikeme, and
itsunderstandable…maybeIshoul d
leavenowbef oret heypushmeaway.
Ken:Youcantleave
now…(sighed)
Notnow,notafteral
l
thethi
ngswehavebeent hrough.I
l
oveyou, andnothi
ngcantchange
that
.
Lesego:(
tear
full
y)Isn’
titbett
erfor
met ogot oGrandma’shouseand
l
ookaf t
erher,Imeant hereisnothi
ng
herelef
tforme, Imeannot hi
ng.At
l
eastyousecur edagoodj obandyou
haveabri
ghtf
utur
eahead,
what
aboutme?
Ken:Ther easonwhyIwant edtotake
yououtt oni
ghtitsbecauseIhave
plannedsomet hingforyou,
somet hingthatcanchangeyourl i
fe
andhowyouseet hings.Inthi
slif
e
it
smoneywewor kforandthat’
s
whatwewi l
lbedoi ngfortherestof
ourlives.
Lesego:meani
ng?
Ken:(
reachedtohi
spocket)Ihave
keptt
hisforyouf
oraverylongti
me,
evenwhenwewentt oDurban…(gave
herawrappedenvel
ope)justr
ead,I
secur
edyouaspaceatoneofmy
for
merworkmatecompany.
Lesego:
(openedi
tandstar
ted
readi
ng)Ajob?Areyouser
iousr
ight
now?
Ken:
(nodded)Iam,
isn’
titbet
ter
?

Lesego’
seyeswasfi
ll
edwithtears
asshestar
edatKeni
ndisbeli
ef.

Ken:Iwantedustofi
ndRi
yafir
st
becauseyouwerenotgoi
ngtobe
happyfort
hiswhil
eyouaresti
ll
havi
ngahar dti
me.SoIwait
ed.
AtJohn’
sSur
ger
yCent
er.

Lat
ert
hateveni
ng…

Johncheckedt heclockandstoodup
from hisoff
icechairandshutdown
thecomput er,hethentookhisphone
anddi aledKaone’snumber.

Kaone:Hey?
John:
Heysexy,whatareyoudoi
ng
now,Iwasthi
nkingmaybewecango
fordi
nnert
ogether
.Iknowsome
rest
aurantt
hatser
vesgoodf
ood
aroundtown.
Kaone:Well
,am f
reenow.Idon’
t
mindgoingout.
John:(
smi
led)Okay,
Iwil
lcomeand
pi
ckyouupaftert
enminutes.
Kaone:Gr
eat
,Iwi
llgetr
eadyt
hen.
John:Cheer
s!

Hehungupandsmi l
ed,hetookt
he
carkeysandof f
icekeysand
swit
chedof ft
hel i
ghtwalki
ngoutof
theoff
ice…
FOR#43. .
.LI
KE,MENTIONYOUR
FRIENDS,SHARE[9:
12AM,
31/05/2020]MamoyoSp:BROKEN
TEENAGEMOTHER

#43

Somewher
eInGabor
one…

Laterthateveni
ngJohnpul leda
chairforKaoneandsheputherbag
ont hetabl
eandsatdown, Johnsat
ont heotherchairastheWai t
er
walkedt othei
rtablehol
dingamenu.
Wait
er:(
smil
ed)Goodeveni
ng,
woul
d
youl
iketoor
dersomethi
ng?
John:Letmeseethemenu,
butint
he
meantimeyoucanbri
ngwaterf
orme.
Wait
er:Okay…(
tur
nedt
oKaone)and
youma’am?
Kaone:Justbr
ingor
angej
uice.

Thewai
terputt
hemenuont het
abl
e
andwentbackt
othecount
er.

John:
(l
ooki
ngatthemenu)what
wouldyoul
iket
oeat,
Idon’
tknow
whatt
oor
der
.
Kaone:Am avegetar
iansother
eisa
cer
tai
nt ypeofdi
etIeat…t
ypi
cal
ly
rawsalads.
John:Wel
l…Ithi
nkIwil
ltr
ythatt
oday.
Soyoudon’teatmeatatal
l?
Kaone:Attimes,am alwaysondi et
becauseIwantt omai nt
aintheshape
ofmybody.Ir eal
lywantt otakecare
ofmybody, soam car ef
ulwi t
hwhatI
takei
n…(clear
edhert hroat)soyou
l
ivealone?
John:Yes,Imeanit
slonel
yi nt
he
eveni
ngswhenIknockof f
,that
’swhy
todayIdecidedt
ogooutwi t
hyou,i
r
arel
ygoout
.
Kaone:(
nodded)youmustmar r
y
then,
youhaveeveryt
hingsoyou
needacompanion,someoneyoucan
spendti
mewi t
h.
John:Iwi
llseeaboutt
hat
…

Meanwhi
let
hewai t
erwalkedi
nwi
th
agl
assofwaterandjui
ce…

AtKen’
sHouse

Latert
hateveni
ngJackpar
kedhis
carinf
rontoft
hegar
ageandwalked
outwithabandagedhand, het
hen
l
ockedt hecarandwenttothedoor
stepandknocked.Afterf
ewseconds
Lesegoopenedt hedoorandhe
walkedin.

Jack:
Wher
eisshe?
Lesego:Shei
sintheshower
,what
happenedtoyourhand?
Jack:Don’twor r
yaboutmy
hand…(satont hecouch)Di dyou
packherclothes?It hi
nkImadei t
cl
earthatsheisnol ongersafeher
e,
soam heretocol lecther.Canwe
makeitquickbef orenightfal
ls.
Lesego:Wait
,sheisgoi
ngbackto
yourhouseforcoupl
eofdaysor
for
ever?BecauseIdon’
tthi
nkKen
wil
lagreeonthataft
erwhat
happenedwhenwewer einsout
h
Afr
ica.
Jack:Youar emaki ngthingshar d
now, Kenhasnot hingtodowi t
hRi ya.
Am thef at
her,Imadeupmymi nd
goreIwontr iskmydaught er’
slif
e
here.Sheisnotsaf eandyouknow
that,atl
eastasaf atherIwi l
lmonitor
her,andIwantt ogi veyouguys
spacet oplanforyourfuturewi t
hout
havingtowor ryaboutRiya.
Lesego:Iunder
standt
hatyour
isked
yourl
if
eoutt
heref
orher,
butKenis
notgoi
ngtoal
lowyoutotakeher
.
Jack:Not
hat
’sbul
lshi
t.

Immediat
elyKenwalkedinfr
om the
upst
air
slounge,Jacktur
nedstar
ing
athi
m.

Jack:(Si
ghed)Whati sthisnonsense
am heari
ngnow?Whywoul dyou
ref
usewi t
hmybaby, lookmisteram
notherefortroubl
e.Mydaught er’
s
l
ifei
satst akehere,soam hereto
coll
ecther…(t
urnedt oLesego)
Lesegobringherbagsand
everyt
hing,
sot
hatwhenshefini
sh
taki
ngashowerwecoul
dleave.
Ken:No, youarenottaki
ngher.Isaid
i
tandnot hi
ngisgoi
ngt ochanget hat,
Riyaneedst otakeabreaktoo,It
ol d
Lesegogor eyouarenotgoodat
parent
ingsoIwontal lowyoutot ake
her.I
nfactam notgonnaallow
anyonet otakeherf
rom nowon,
exceptifLesegowil
lgowi t
hher .
Jack:Ar eyouki ddi
ngme? .
..
soaf t
er
everythi
ngIwentt hr
oughandt he
beatings,injuri
esthatIgotri
sking
myl if
eoutt here…(st
oodup)wher eis
Riya’sroom?Iwi l
lgocoll
ecther
thingsakerel onaletshameket
ser ur
i.
Lesego:
(t
urnedtoKen)It
hinkwe
shouldt
rusthi
m, andhei
scorrect
.
Ken:Cor rectwi t
h?…ifyouar egoi
ng
tolethimt akeRiyathenyoumi ght
aswel lleavewi thhim.Riyaneedsto
settl
einonepl ace,t
her easonwhy
sheisconf usedisbecauseshe
meet sdifferentpeoplewhoi mpose
sil
lymi ndset stoher…Jackisabad
fat
her,andyoucantt r
usthim.
Jack:Ithi
nkyoushouldjuststay
awayf r
om ourbusi
ness,theonly
personwhohasasayher eisLesego
notyou.Youthinkj
ustbecauseyou
havelotofmoneyyoucancont r
ol
Lesegoandmakedeci si
onsf orher
?
Sobrot
herjustst
ayoutoft
his,
letme
tal
ktoLesegoandset
tl
ethi
s.
Ken:Ihaveasay,andyouarenot
goi
ngt oleaveher
ewit
hher.Inf
act
j
ustleavemyhouseandgo.
Lesego:
(st
aringatKen)Butatl
east
weshouldtrusthi
m please.
Ken:No…( sighed)l
etmemakemysel f
cl
ear,ifyour eal
lywanthi mtotake
Riya,t
henj ustgowi thhim.That’
sit
,
akereyouneverwantt olearnfr
om
yourmi stakes, soyoucanj ustgo
andstaywi thhi m andlethi
m abuse
youagai n.
Lesego:
Howcanyousaysucht
hings?
Jackwalkedt
oRiya’
sroom asshe
cameoutoftheshowerwit
hasmall
towel
.Kensighedandtookhi
scar
keysandwentoutsi
de…

AtJohn’
sHouse

Latert
hatni
ghtJohnunl
ockedthe
doorandwalkedKaonei
n,hethen
cl
osedasKaonesatdownont he
couch.

John:Wi
ne?
Kaone:No,
idon’
tdr
inkwi
ne.
John:Cof
fee?
Kaone:Wel
l,bl
ackcof
feei
sbet
ter
.
CanIusethebathr
oom?
John:Ofcour
se…

Kaoneheadedtothebat hr
oom as
Johnwalkedtothekitchenandput
theket
tl
eonandaddedsomecof f
ee
i
nacup. Af
tersomef ewmi nut
es
Kaonewalkedinfi
xingherskirt
..

Kaone:
(st
ari
ngathi
m)Ar
entyou
goi
ngtodropmeoff?
John:It
houghtyouar
esl
eepi
ngover
,
don’
tyouli
keither
e?
Kaone:Il
iket
hepl
acebut
-

Johngrabbedherhandandpul l
ed
hercl
oser,hegentl
yki
ssedher.
Kaoneletgoofherhandandwal ked
backl
eaningont heki
tchencabi
net.

John:i
sther
eapr
obl
em?
Kaone:No,
Ijustwantt
ogo.
John:HaveIdoneanythi
ngwr
ong?I
thoughtyoul
ikedt
his.
Kaone:(
sighed)Ar
entyoudat
ing
anyoneatt
hemoment
?
John:Notatall
,whyar eyouasking
thatnow.Imeani fIhadagirl
fri
endI
wouldn’thavegoneoutwi t
hyou.I
l
oveyouKaone, youar et
hewomanI
want.Youar et
hewomanIwantt o
mar r
yandIwi l
ldoanythingforyou.
Kaone:Don’ tyouthi
nkweshould
takethingsslowly?Ifeel
uncomf ortablenow…andagainwe
haven’tdiscussedmysal ar
y?Isti
ll
wantt oknowhowmucham wor ki
ng
for.
John:(
Pausedforsomefewseconds)
Therei
ssomethingIwantt
oshare
withyou…( sighed)act ual
lyIhave
beenmeani ngt otellyouthi
swhen
wewer eatt herestaurant
.Am
runningatal ossfornow, Ihadsome
setbackssomef ewmont hsbackand
Idon’thaveenoughmoneyt o
sustainthecent erandkeepi t
runningint helongr un.
Kaone:Sowhati
sthemeani
ngof
that
?
John:Idon’treal
lyhaveenough
moneyt ocovertheexpenses,soI
haveappliedforf
undingandshort
l
oansandi t
staki
ngawhi l
eto
process…soIwantt oknowifyou
wouldhelpmewi t
hsomemoneyand
thereaf
terIcanpayyoubackt
enf
old,
Ipromiseyou.
Kaone:Whyar
eyout
ell
ingmet
his
now?
John:Iwant edtotellyoubutI
couldn’tf
indther i
ghttime…l
ookIwil
l
consideryourfinancial
lyhel
pasan
invest
ment .Iknowyouar eaware
thatamedi calcentermakesalotof
money, soinashor ttimeIwil
lpay
youback.
Kaone:Whatreall
yhappenedtoyour
fi
nances,
Imeanhowcomeyouhave
fi
nanci
all
yproblemswhileyour
cent
erseemst obemakingal otof
money.
John:It
shardtounder
stand,
lennaI
real
lydon’
tknowwhathappened.
Kaone:CanIseeyourf
inanci
al
st
atementsf
irst
?
John:Idon’
thavethem now,
I
haven’
tproducedt
hem inawhil
e.
Kaone:ButhowcanIt
rustyout
hen?
John:Youhaveknownmef
orawhi
le,
j
usttrustmepl
ease.
Kaone:
(t
ookadeepbreath)Okay,
howmuchdoyour eal
lyneednow?
John:Pr
obabl
y250,
000pul
abut
—
Kaone:
250gr
an?That
’sal
otof
money.Ihavel
ike50,
000fr
om t
he
moneyIsavedwhileIwasast
udent
.
John:Youcangi
veme,
itsst
il
l
money.
Kaone:Okay,Iwi l
lprocessthe
transacti
onwi t
hmybank
tomor r
ow…Ireallydon’tknowwhat
am goingt ol
iveonaf t
erthat.
John:Iwillt
akecar
esomeofyour
expensest r
ustme…(si
ghed)cant
yourbrotherhel
pus?heseem to
haveal otofmoney,hewontsayno
toinvesti
nginmybusiness.
Kaone:(
thought
ful
ly)ifi
t’
salegit
busi
nessthenhemi ghtbeint
erested,
Iwi
llevenbor
rowsomemoneyf
rom
hi
m.
John:(smil
ed)That’smygirl,
always
forwardthi
nking.Ebil
eam thinki
ngof
partneri
ngwi t
hyou, wewil
lsharet he
profi
tsandgr owthecentertogether,
whataboutt hat?
Kaone:
(smi
li
ng)ar
eyouf
orr
eal
?
John:ofcour
seyes.
Kaone:Wel
l,
thatwi
llbeawesome.
John:
(cl
earedhisthr
oat)sodoyou
thi
nkyoucant al
ktoyourbrotheron
mybehalf?Iknowhewi l
lhelpus.
Kaone:WhenIgethomeIwillt
alkt
o
hi
m…( t
ookoutherphone)l
etmecall
hi
m ebi
le.

Johnsmil
edasKaonecall
edKen,he
l
eanedbackdr
inki
nghiscoff
eewhil
e
Kaonewasonthephone…
*
*
*
[
9:12AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#44

Meanwhi
leKenpi
ckedup…
Ken:
(l
oweredt
hevol
ume)Am dr
ivi
ng,
whati
sit
?
Kaone:Att
hist
imeoft
heni
ght
?
Whereareyougoi
ng?
Ken;Don’
tworr
y,am onaj
oyr
ide…I
j
ustneedtocl
earmyhead.
Kaone:I
sitt
hatgir
l,sheisgoi
ngt
o
gi
veyounothingbutstr
ess.
Ken:Iwil
lrat
herbestressedbyher
thananyoneelse,sowhatisit
?you
wantmet opickyoufrom your
boyfr
iendagain?
Kaone:No,
therei
ssomethi
ngthatI
wantustotal
kabout
,it
sforagood
cour
se.Legi
tbusi
ness.
Ken:You?
Kaone:Whatdoyoumeanyou?
Ken:Nevermind,
canwet al
kabouti
t
tomorr
ow?Am onahi ghwayand
ther
earetraf
fi
ccopsahead…bye.

Hehungup.

Kaonesi
ghedandt
urnedt
oJohn…

John:Her
efused?
Kaone:Hei
sdri
vingnow,
Iwi
llt
alkt
o
hi
m whenIgethome.
John:OkayIwi
lldr
opyouoffear
ly
morningtomor
row,youcanj
ust
sl
eephere.
Kaone:Myparent
sarevisi
ti
ng
tomorr
ow…soyouhavetodr opme
earl
yinthemorni
ng,
isthatclear
.
John:(nodded)ver
yclear…(
putthe
cupofcof f
eeinthesink)Am goi
ngto
takeashower ,youcanmake
yourselff
eelathome, noworri
es.

AtKen’
sHouse

Earl
yint
hemorni
ngKenpar
kedhi
s
cari
nthegar
ageasal
waysand
walkedtothehouse,
heopenedt
he
doorandheadedtothebedr
oom,he
foundLesegouponbed.

Lesego:(tur
nedt ohim)Whatgamei s
thisyouar eplayi
ngonme, youlef
t
l
astni ghtandyouar ecomi nghome
now?Youandyoursi sterj
ust
plannedt oleavemei nthishouset he
whol enight.Didyoubot hdot hison
purpose?Kanagal empat le?(oryou
nol ongerwantmeher e?)
Ken:Iwentforanightr
ideand
parkedal
ongt heroadt
orelax,
butI
dozedoffunti
llat
eatni
ght,soI
deci
dedtovi
sitt
henearesthot
el
i
nsteadofdr
ivi
ngal
lthewayher e.
Lesego:Youar
estil
langrythatI
al
lowedJacktotakeRiya?
Ken:Whatwer eyouexpect i
ngmet o
do?laughorbehappywi t
hyour
decisi
on, andpatyouont heback
congratulatingyouf orthest upid
decisi
onyoumade? .
..
(angr i
ly)you
arereal
lyt hinkingl i
keacompl et
e
chil
dnow, andi fyoukeepmaki ng
decisi
onsl ikethi sIwillleaveyou.
andIwi l
lt otal
lyf orgetaboutyou,
remembert hatyouar enotGodandI
cantkeeponwor shipi
ngyouasi f
youaret heonewhodi edf oroursins.
Maybemysisterwascor
rect
,Imade
ater
ri
blemi
stakethi
nki
ngthatyou
ar
etheone.
Lesego:(t
earfull
y)Real l
y?thevery
sameyouwhot oldmet hatKaoneis
suchahat erandIshoul dn’tt
ake
anythingshesayst ohear t
.Nowyou
aresidingwi t
hher ?Itsfi
ne…Iwi l
l
takemyt hingsandl eave…( wipi
ng
hertears)andgoodl uckonyour
meet i
ngwi thyourpar ents,It
hink
youdidr i
ghtt el
li
ngmenowt hatam
worthlesssot hatIdon’thavet i
met o
seeyourpar entswhower egonnatel
l
met oleavet hei
rrichsonal one.
Honest l
yIdidn’twantt omeett hem,
youdidri
ghtdr
ivi
ngmeawaywi
th
yourhar
shwords.
Ken: (gr
abbedherhand)youar enot
goi nganyway, justbecauseam
har shatyoudoesn’ tmeanIdon’ t
wantyou.Cantyougr owupand
acceptcor recti
on, areyougoi ngt o
leaveeveryt i
meam t ryi
ngtocor rect
you?whati fImar ri
edyou?wer eyou
goi ngtodivorcej ustbecauseasa
husbandam t ryingtopoi ntoutyour
mi stakesandt ryingtocor r
ectthem.
Lesego:Itsdi
ffer
entnow…( gasped)
soImustobeyyourdi ct
atesasifyou
areRiya’sfat
her,youshouldknow
thataslongasJacki sali
veandwel l
thenhecancomeseehi sdaughter
everytimehewantto.Youmi ghtas
welltakeKaone’
sadviceandgol ook
forsomeoneyoucanmar r
yandhave
chil
drenwith,
sothatnoonecant el
l
youwhatt odowithyourli
fe.That’s
it
…
Ken:
(cal
mly)That’
sit?soIwasted
myti
mesavi ngforourmarr
iage?
Lesego:Noyoudi dn’t
,youcanst il
l
takeallthemoneyyouhavesaved
andgoandpr oposetoanotherlady,
ther
ear ebunchofwomenwhowant
tobemar r
ied,j
ustf
indanygi r
lonli
ne
, meetherandt el
lherthatyouwant
tomar ryher.Soyouhaventwast ed
anythi
ngsi
ncetheresour
cesarest
il
l
ther
e,uset
hem andgetmarri
edto
someoneelse.
Ken:Okay,i
tsf
ine.Iwi
lldothat
…you
cantakeyourt
hingsandleave.
Lesego:Thankyou.

Lesegopar
kedal
lhert
hingswhi
le
Kenstoodt
herewat
chi
ng…

AtJohn’
shouse

Lat
erthatmorni
ngKaonetur
nedon
bedandthensatupr
ubbinghereyes,
shethenputonherskir
tand
checkedherphone…meanwhil
eJohn
walkedinwit
hreadil
ymade
breakf
ast.

John:
(smi
led)Goodmor
ning.
Kaone:
Whydi
dn’
tyouwakemeup?
John:WellIdidn’
twanttospoi
lyour
peacef
ulsleep,yousl
eptli
keababy.
Kaone:(
sighed)Butyoushoul
dhave
wokemeup, aren’
tyougoi
ngtowork?
Am sureyouhaveappointmentst
his
morning.
John:Ileavemyhousearoundmid
morning,sowecanjustchi
llher
eif
youdonmi nd.(thought
ful
ly)Ihope
youdon’tfor gettogofi
nali
zethe
transact
ionswi ththebank,i
nfactwe
cangost raighttothebankandIwi l
l
takeyouhomeaf t
er.
Kaone:(checkedtheclockagai
n)
Okay,Iwillshowerf
ir
st…youcanget
ready.
John:Okay.

AtKen’
sHouse

Lat
ert
hataf
ter
noon…
Kaone:(t urnedt ohermot her)Well,
onourgr aduationIwaspr esented
thecertificateofexcellenceby
DoctorWuJi nf rom China,t
here
werelikehundr edandt wenty
graduat esandyetiwast heonewho
graduat edwi thamar kofhonourand
eminence.I twassuchagr eat
memor abl eday. .
(smil
ing)bytheway
youdon’ twantt ogobackwi thout
meetingDoct orJohn, t
heoneIt ol
d
youaboutmom.
Kaone’sMother:
(smil
ed)youar e
real
lyambit
ious,am real
lyproudof
you.Imeanatleasti
nsomeot her
areasofl
if
eyouar eexcel
ling,j
ust
thatyouwerenevergoodwheni
t
comest ol
ovel
if
e.
HerFather
:Wellyoumotherisr
ight
Kaone,butaf
terallyoust
il
lmadeus
proud.
Kaone:(
sighed)Thankyou…(
tur
ned
toKen)butevenKenisprogr
essi
ng
well
.
HerMother
:(
star
ingatKen)Sonyou
havebeenqui
etfort
hepastten
minut
es,ar
eyouokay?
Ken:(
nodded)Am f
ine.
HisFather
:Isther
eanyt
hing
botheri
ngyou?youcantellus,
you
don’tseem t
obeokay.
Kaone:Heseemsli
kesomeonewho
havewentthr
oughaheart
break
coupl
eofhoursago,ar
eyoureal
ly
okaybigbr
other
?
Ken:(
gaveheradirt
ylook)don’
tbea
hypocri
teKaone,
whatdoyoumean
bythat?
HisFat her:(
angr il
y)Ken!
!Isthathow
wer aisedyou?howcanyougi ve
yourel dersistersuchanat t
itude,
your eall
ydi sappoi nt
edmer i
ghtnow,
ift
her eissomet hingbot
heri
ngwhy
cantyout el
lusandseei fwecan
helpyou.
Ken:
(st
oodup)Youwi
llhavet
o
excuseme.

Hel eftthedi ni
ngt abl
eandt ookhis
platet otheki t
chenandt henputitin
thesi nk, hetookadeepbr eat
hand
tookagl assf i
ll
editwithwaterand
drank, het hentookhi sphoneand
dial
edLesego’ snumber ,
butitwasn’t
onai r.Het hent r
ieditandstil
lnot
available…. meanwhi l
eKaonewal ked
i
nf oldingherhands.

Kaone:
Am sor
rythatsheleft
,maybe
shelef
tyousothatyoucanf i
nd
someonebett
er.Am real
lysorr
y
br
other
,Iknowhowpai
nfuli
tis.
Ken:
(Angril
y)Sor
ry?Shouldn’
tyou
cel
ebratesi
ncesheleftbecauseof
you?stoptryi
ngtoactli
keasaint
Kaone.
Kaone:Idi
dn’tpushherawayaf
ter
al
l,andifi
tsbecauseofmeam sor
ry.
Ken:wellmaybeyoushoul dhave
tol
dhert hatyouaresorr
yinher
presencenotherabsence, youar
e
nowsoundi nglikeacomplete
hypocrit
e.Youshouldleavewithour
parents,Idon’twantyouhere.
*
*
*

LI
KE,COMMENTANDSHAREFOR
ANOTHERI
NSERTLATER
[
9:12AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#45

AtKen’
sWor
kpl
ace

Thefoll
owingmorni
ngthe
managementteam hel
dameet i
ngin
theconfer
encer
oom, meet
ingsof
thatkindal waysmeant wot hi
ngs,i
ts
eit
hert hereisanewboar d
member /dir
ectorwhoi sbeing
i
ntroducedt othecompanyor
someonei saboutt ogetthesack(get
fi
red).Butbesi desofthetwoI
ment i
oned, thereisameet ingthati
s
normal lyheldforrecognit
ionand
rewards, t
ot hosethatworkedt hei
r
wayt ot hetopandhasper formed
well.

Meanwhi l
etheSeni orManager
walkedi nasever yonesatproperl
y
ontheirwar m chairs,t
heyhavebeen
si
tt
ingt hereforthepasttenmi nut
es.
TheSeniorManagerst oodi
nfr
ontof
thestaf
fandt heteam asheswi t
ched
ontheprojectorandopenedaSl ide
powerpointasi tdi
splayedanameat
thetopandt heposit
ionofthe
newbie.

Manager :(
Smiled)Goodmor ni
ng
everyone,Ihopeyouallknowthe
cult
ureofouror gani
zat
ion.Am sur
e
youknowwhati sabouttohappen.

Everyonel
ist
enedattent
ively,
wai t
ing
toseethei
rlongwaitedCEO, the
managercontinuedspeakingf or
aboutfi
vemi nut
esandthenlooked
aroundforcoupl
eofsecondsbefore
openingthenextsl
ide.

Manager :(
sighed)WhereisMrKen?
Heist heonewhowassupposet o
takethisoperati
on…butitsokay,
it
seemsl ikehehasn’tar
rivedyetl
ike
always.

AtKen’
sHouse

Kencheckedhiswatchandfi
xedhi
s
ti
ehurr
yingtohiscar,
heranthe
engi
neandrushedbacktothehouse
andmadeacupofcof f
eeandwent
backtothecarandsteppedin
putt
ingaseatbelt
.Kaoneopenedt
he
maindoorwalkingtowardshi
m as
hewasaboutt orever
se.

Kaone:(
stoodbyt hecarwindow)
Look,am sorr
yabout
yest
erday….fr
om thebott
om ofmy
heartam real
lysorr
y.
Ken:
(si
ppedhi
scof
fee)Sor
ryabout
?
Kaone:AboutLesego…ican
personal
lyapologi
zetoherifyou
don’tmind,Idi
dn’tmeantodriveher
away.Youknowwomen’ stalkit
snot
l
ikewereallymeanwhatwesay,
sometimeswej ustsaythi
ngs
wit
houtthinki
ng,wit
houteven
knowi
ngt hatwearehurti
ngother
peopl
e.
Ken:(
laughed)Reall
y?isthatwhat
youthink?.
..
(pausedforf
ewseconds)
bythewayyouar enotatfaul
t,i
twas
li
ter
all
ymewhomadeherl eave.
Kaone:Why?
Ken:Iwil
ltel
lyouwhenIgett he
answertoo…(r
ever
singthecar )bye,
takecar
eofmom anddad.Imi ght
comebackver yl
atetoni
ght,sost ay
homebecauseyoudon’ thave
anyt
hingt
odoatt
hemoment
.

Kenreversedoutoft
hegat
eand
droveoff…

Att
hemeet
ing…

Seni
orManager
:(
smi
li
ng)Let
s
wel
come,
ournewCEO,MrJosephs…

Everyonecl
appedashewalkedinto
theaudit
ori
um andadj
ustedthe
microphonest
ari
ngatthepeople…He
utt
eredfewwordsandthenthe
Seniormanagerescor t
edhim
outsideheadingt ot
heoff
ices,
everyonedispersedheadi
ngbackt
o
thei
rdepartment s.

Att
heManager
’sof
fi
ce…

Meanwhil
eMrsWill
iamswal
kedi
n
andcl
osedthedoor
…

Manager:
(t
urnedst
ari
ngather
)I
don’
tremembersayi
ngyoushoul
d
comein.
Mr
sWi
ll
iams:Am sor
rysi
r,Iwi
llgo
backandknock.
Manager
:Youareal
readyi
n,how
canIhel
pyou?
Mr sWill
iams:( satdown)Am reall
y
wor r
iedaboutt heperformancehere
sir
,Imeannoact i
onistakenwhen
MrKenski pwor korevenwhenhe
comesl ate.Hedoesn’ tevendeserve
thatoff
ice,therearepeoplewhocan
wor kbetterthanhim sir
.
Manager:Sot hat’
swhatbroughtyou
here?l
etmet ellyousomethi
ng,no
onecanr epl
acehi m now,
youcango
totheHRdepar tmentandtheywill
tel
lyouthatthereisnoonethey
recr
uit
edwhohavethesame
quali
fi
cat
ionsasMrKennedy.Ifhe/
shewastherewewouldhavelong
repl
acedhim,sot
her
eisnothingwe
candonow.
Mr sWi l
li
ams:Itsnotabout
qualif
icati
onsnow, i
tsabout
perfor
mancesi r
.Ifwemeasur e
people’sperformanceby
qualif
icati
onsnott heirpr
oduct
ivi
ty
thenwear eprobablygoingtounder
deli
verourser vi
ces.
Manager
:Okay,
Mr sKnow-it
-
all
…what
syoursuggest
ion?What
canwedonow?
MrsWi l
li
ams:Ihavewor kedher efor
yearsbutstil
lnopromotionatall,
I
thi
nkIcant akeoverhisposi
tion,I
candobet t
erthanhim.Everyone
knowthatIwor kveryhardhere.
Manager :Il
ikeyourconfidence,
butit
doesn’tworkt hatway.Youdon’tself
promoteyour self
,youmustget
recognizedbyyourout putnotwhat
yousayyoucandel iver
.Soam sorry,
Icanthelpyounow.
MrsWi
ll
iams:
(f
rowned)Thi
sisnot
f
air
.

Shest
oodupf
uri
ousl
yandsl
ammed
t
hedoorwal
kingout
.

AtKen’
sOf
fi
ce

Kenopenedhi sofficeandwal kedin

holdinghi sempt ycupofcof f
eeand
thent urnedont heket t
lemaki ng
anot herone, hethenpour edthe
wateri ntothecupandaddedsome
coffeeandputi tont hetable,he
switchedont hecomput erandstood
upopeni ngthedr awersandt ookout
alargef il
e,justashewasaboutt o
sitdown, hemi stakenlyelbowedhis
cupofcof f
eeandi tspil
ledout
maki
ngamessonhi
swhi
teshi
rt
.

Ken:
Damn!Abadwayt
ost
artt
he
day.

Meanwhi
leMr
sWi
ll
iamswal
kedi
n…

MrsWill
iams:
Mor
ning,
isever
ythi
ng
okay?
Ken:(
smi l
ed)yeah,
everyt
hingi
sfi
ne.
JustthatIspi
ll
edcoff
eeonmy
shi
rt.
.canIhelpyou?
MrsWil
li
ams:(
pul
ledachai
rsi
tt
ing
down)wel
l,
Iwanttohaveaword
wi
thyou.
Ken:Okay,
butcanIquickl
ygotot
he
restr
oomstocleant
hismess,and
thenwecantal
k.
Mr
sWi
ll
iams:
(smi
led)Ofcour
seyes.
Ken:
Thankyou.

Kenwal kedoutoft heoffi

ceheading
totherestrooms…Mr sWi l
li
ams
closedthedoorandopenedher
handbagt aki
ngoutasmal lpacket
withapowderi nside,shethen
quickl
yopenedi tandj ustasshewas
abouttopouritinsideKen’ scoff
ee,
thedooropenedandshepani cked
spil
li
ngthepowderonthef
loorand
tr
iedtohidt
hepacket
.

Diane:
(wal
kedi
nsur
pri
sed)Whatar
e
youdoing?
MrsWil
li
ams:
(si
ghi
ng)Not
hing,
what
doyouwant
?
Diane:Ishoul
dbeasking,ar
eyou
nowKen’ sassi
stant
?Andwhatis
thatpowderyouhadspreadonthe
tabl
e…(taki
ngacloserl
ook)ist
his
bluedeath?
MrsWill
iams:(
breathingheavi
ly)i
s
notwhatyouthinkitis?Look,
Ididn’
t
meantodot hi
sDi ane…it
soursecret
andpl
easedon’
ttel
lanyone.
Diane:
(scari
ly)wereyoutryingto
poisonhim?…( si
ghing)No,Nothis
cantbereal,youwantt oki
llKen?I
meanr eal
ly?
Mr sWi l
liams:(speechless)
Look…i ts..
(paused)i…(stammers)I
didn’tmeant odot hat,i
tsobvi
ousl
y
thewor koft hedevi l
.Am real
lysor
ry,
Iwilljustleave.
Diane:No, No…Youcantl
eavenow.
Youst i
llhavetoexpl
aint
hist
oKen.
Mr
sWi
ll
iams:l
ook…

Meanwhi
leKenwal
kedi
nwi
pingt
he
l
it
tl
emessont
heshi
rt
…

Ken:
(sighedstari
ngatDi
ane)
MorningDiane,canyouexcuseus
f
orami nut
e?

DianegaveMrsWi
ll
iamsadi
rt
ylook
befor
ewalki
ngout
.

MrsWill
iams:
(st
ari
ngatKen)
Iwi
llbe
back.

Shewal
kedoutandmetwithDiane
att
hest
air
s…Dianet
urnedstar
ingat
her
.

Di
ane:
(t
ear
ful
ly)whydi
dyoudot
hat
?
Mr sWil
li
ams:Am reall
ysorry,Iknow
youlovehim butIjustgotcarri
ed
away.Canyounott el
lhi
m please,
pleaseIbegyou.
Diane:
IfIkeepitasecretyouare
goingtodot hi
sagain,soyouthinkI
willmanagekeepingthisasecret
huh?No!
MrsWi l
li
ams:(
fir
ml y)Girl
,youbetter
shutuporIwillki
llyou?don’ tget
heretr
yingt
oactal lclever,
soyou
meanyouwoul dn’tdowhatIt ri
edto
doeverinyourli
fe?Look, youdon’t
havetobeafrai
dofthis,ithappens
everyt
imeeverydayever ywhere…so
stoptr
yingtobeagoodSamar i
tan,
orit
sbecauseyouar esleepingwith
Keninpr i
vat
eformoney.
Diane:
(surpr
ised)What
?didIever
sleepwithKen?Youarejustmaki
ng
thatup,youjustwantt
oscareme.
Mr sWill
iams:Ifyoustil
lwantto
keepyourst upi
djob,youbettershut
up.IfIevergetcal
ledbecauseoft hi
s,
thenyouar eadeadgi r
l…(l
oud
whisper)AM ICLEAR? .
..
(si
ghed)I
almostwentt oputagoodwor dfor
youatt hemanagement ,Iwil
lsaveit
t
hen.

Shet
henhel
dherlongdresswal ki
ng
upst
air
s,Di
anekeptqui
etsti
llscared.

AtDi
ane’
sHouse

Latert
hatafternoonDianetookher
phoneandt houghttwicebutthen
thri
cestil
ldi
ctati
ngwithherthought
s
whethertocallKenandspi l
lthe
beans,shethenputdownherphone
andwal kedtothekit
chenwher eshe
foundLettywashingthedishes…
Lett
y:(
tur
nedt
oher
)isever
ythi
ngi
s
okay?
Diane:Yeah,butIwantyouropinion
onsomet hi
ng.Justbeser i
ouswi t
h
whatam goingtoaskyou…( sighed)
wouldyouconcealasecr ettosave
someoneorbehonestandbehat ed?
Letty:
(rol
ledhereyes)Well
,inmy
opinionIwillchoosetoconceala
secret…yep,that
’swhatIwilldo.
Di
ane:Forr
eal
?Whynotbehonest
?
Lett
y:Ist
hissomeki
ndaofi
nter
view
orwhat?Imeanit
shumannatureto
concealasecr
ett
osavesomeone
else.Inthiswor l
dwesur vi
veby
mani pulati
ngot hers,youcantryt
o
actlikeaher oi
ne/ herobutattheend
youwi l
lgethatedandl ose
oppor tuni
ti
esfrom t heverysame
peopl eyoubetrayedbynotkeepi ng
theirsecret.
Diane:
(Pausedf
orfewseconds)
Reall
y?.
..
butyouhaveapoint
.
Lett
y:Youcantbegoodalltheti
me,
gapebadpeoplewinsi
nr eall
if
e…not
whatisshowninthemovieswher e
thegoodguysalwayshaveanupper
handattheend.
Di
ane;
Okay,
thanksf
oryouropi
nion.
Let
ty:Wel
l,
atl
eastIcoul
dhel
p.
Diane:I
tsnotli
keIgott
heanswer,
youjustspokeyouropi
nion…sodon’
t
actli
keasupergir
l.
Lett
y:(
laughed)
Youarej
eal
ous
becauseIspokenot
hingbutt
het
rut
h.
Di
ane:(smi
rked-
smi
le)Okayl
it
tl
e
si
ster
,youwon.

Shethenwal
kedouthol
dingher
phone…

AtKen’
sHouse
LaterthateveningKaonewal kedto
Ken’sbedr oom andclosedthedoor
headingt owardshi st
ablewherehe
puthislaptop.Shet hensatonthe
chairandopenedt helapt
opbuti t
waspr otectedbyt hepassword,she
tr
iedever yhintbutsti
lli
twouldn’t
l
ogi n.Shet henputcapsand
Lesego’snamepl usKen’snameal l
i
ncapsandt hat’
showshegai ned
access.

Shethenopenedtheper
sonal
documentsandwenttothebank
st
atementsandopenedthefi
le,
she
wasshockedforafewsecondsand
thentookherphoneandsnappedt
he
detai
ls…

Meanwhi l
eKenwal kedinholdinghi
s
br
iefcase,
shequicklycloseditand
walkedawayfrom thetablemaking
upthebed.

Ken:(
Paused)Whati
sthemeani
ngof
thi
s?
Kaone:Not
hing,
iwasj
ust
-
Ken:wait
!whomovedmyt abl
e?
becausethatright
-fr
ontlegwas
perpendi
culartotheheadboard,t
he
l
eftlegofthetableandthelef
tlegof
thechairbisectsatort
hogonalangl
e,
whenIl ef
tthismor ni
ngmyl apt
op
wasonasi nglestr
aightl
ine
equival
entto90degr ees,whichis
halfoft
heangl eformedinthat
table…(
fol
dinghi shands)sowho
movedmyt ableandmyl aptop?

Kaonebecamemuteforsecondsand
wasli
ter
all
yconf
used…

*
*
*
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orgett
oLI
KEandSHARE
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#46

Kaonebecamemuteforsecondsand
wasli
ter
all
yconf
used…

Kaone:
(t
houghtf
ull
y)Iwilll
eave,
by
thewayam goi
ngoutnow.SoIwi l
l
comebackverylat
e,takecare.

Shet
hent
ookherphoneandwal
ked
out…Kenwal kedtowar dshi st
able
andopenedhi sl
aptop, i
twasonbut
i
tonl ydisplayedthedeskt opmode.
Het henswi tcheditoffandsatont he
bedt aki
ngof fhisshirtandl ai
ddown.
Meanwhi l
ehi sphonest artedri
ngi
ng,
heimmedi atelypi
ckedi tupwi t
hthe
hopet hatLesegohascal led.

Ken:Hel
lo?
Di
ane:
Hi.
Ken:Heywhat
sup?
Diane:It
hinkt hereissomethi
ngI
needtotellyou, Idon’
tknowhowto
sayitbutIthinki t
sbett
eryouknow
what
shappeni
ngar
ound.
Ken:
(conf
used)Whatdoyoumean?
Diane:Youshoul dreallykeepyour
eyeonpeopl earoundyou, not
everyonelikesyouandnotal lpeople
arereall
ywhatyout hi
nkt heyar e.
Besidesthef actthatIl i
kedyou, you
havebeenmyi nspir
ationf orsucha
l
ongt imeandIf eell
ikeIoweyou
somet hi
ngt othankyou…( sighed)
Whatam t ryingtosayi sthatpeopl e
arebackstabbi ngyoui nour
workplaceandIheart hiseverytime,
andIdon’ tli
kegossi pingsoIdeci de
tojustkeepqui etatt i
mes, butjust
knowt hatpeopl ewhocomet oyou
acti
ngallni
ce,ar
en’treal
lyni
ceand
ther
eisashifti
ntheirbehavi
orwhen
theygeti
ntoanotherenvir
onment.
Ken:
Okay,Ihearyou.Butwhyar e
yout
ell
ingmet hi
sallofasudden,i
meanwhyar eyourwordsriddl
eli
ke?
Youcantellmewhat sreall
ygoingon
andwhatar ethosepeople?
Di
ane:
(si
ghed)It
hinkIwi
llt
ellyou
t
omorr
ow, bye.
Ken:Okay,
butanywayt
hanksf
ort
he
headsup.
Di
ane:Youar
ewel
come,
bye.

Thecal
lended,
Kencheckedhi
s
watchanditwas7pm…het
hent
ook
hi
sphoneandcall
edhi
sgym
i
nstruct
or.

I
nst
ruct
or:heyBi
gGuy.
Ken:Myman,
wadup?
ist
hegym st
il
l
open?
Instruct
or:I
tsopen,
weareclosi
ng
after8pm.ShouldIexpectyou
tonight?
Ken:yeah,am comi
ng..i
tsbeena
while.Ir
eal
lyneedsomeheavy
weightsmaybeIwillst
artt
hinki
ng
well
.
I
nst
ruct
or:What
sup?Haveyoubeen
goi
ngt
hroughahar
dti
me?
Ken:No,itsj
usthowItal
k.Ir
eal
ly
don’tmeanwhatam sayi
ng…bythe
way, Iwi
llr
enewmymember shi
p
cardwhenIgetthere.
I
nst
ruct
or:I
tsf
ineboss,
seeya!

Hehungupandopenedhi scloset
taki
ngsomegym cl othesandput
them on,hethentookhi sphoneand
thoughtf
orsecondsbef oredi
aling
Lesegoagain,hecall
edandi trang
forcoupl
eofseconds.

Lesego:Hi
?
Ken:
(Cal
mly)Hey,
howar
eyou?
Lesego:Am f
ine.
Ken:Lesegowhyareyoudoingthis
tomewhenyouknowhowmuchI
l
oveyou, am r
eal
lywor
ri
edaboutyou,
areyouokayandsafewhereveryou
are?
Lesego:Youdon’thavet oworry
aboutme,am doinggood…( gasped)
Well,
Ithi
nkleavi
ngwasbestchoi ceI
evermade,Iwouldn’thaveknown
thatmyGrandmai sillandhasbeen
i
nt hehospi
talf
ordays.
Ken:Lookam real
lysor
ry,
isshe
goi
ngt obeokay?
Lesego:(t
earf
ull
y)Idon’
tthinkthis
ti
mear oundshewi l
lbeokay,thereis
alotofthi
ngsthathavebeengoi ng
onwi t
houtmenot i
cingt
hem, I
thi
nk—(paused)anywayIwilltalkto
you,Idon’tf
eelokaynow.
Ken:Whatsgoi
ngon?Youcant
alkto
me,Iwil
ldoanythi
ngt
omakesure
youareokay.
Lesego:Idon’
tthi
nkyouwi
llgeti
t.
Ken:
Ifyoudon’tt
ellme,howam I
goi
ngt oknowwhat sbother
ingyou?
pl
easet al
ktome.

Thecal
lended.
Ken:hel
lo?

Het henlookedatthephonescr een

andt hecallended,hethoughtf
ora
whileanddeci dedtogiveherti
me.
Het henwal kedouttohiscarand
steppedinsideanddr oveoff
.

Att
hegym…

Latert
hateveni
ngKent ookasi
p
fr
om hisbott
leofwaterand
conti
nuedweightl
if
ti
ng, het
hent
ook
twodumbbel lsandl i
ftedt hem
nonst opf orstrai
ghtt enmi nutes.He
thenputt hem downandl iedont he
benchpr essingt hebar bells.
Meanwhi lehegl ancedatt hegr oup
ofgi r
l’
sdoi ngaer obi
csatt heot her
sideoft hegym.Justast hemusi c
stoppedonel adywear ingsomegym
snickerswal kedt owardshi m holdi
ng
at owelandabot tleofwat er,she
stoodnextt ohi m andKenst opped
wor ki
ngoutandst ar
edather .

Ken:
(t
ookof
fhi
sear
phones)Hi
,canI
hel
pyou?
Her
:(
smi
led)Hey,
Am Kel
ly,
andyou?
Ken:
(Paused)Am Ken,
doIknowyou?
Kelly:
(Shookherhead)No, Iwas
wonder i
ngwhyyouar eworkingout
alone,Imeant hereareot
hermen
theredoingwor kout
sasagr oup.
Whydi dn’tyoujointhem?
Ken:Ipr
eferworki
ngalone,Idon’
t
wanttobedist
urbed…(t
urnedtoher)
i
sthatagoodanswer ?
Kel
ly:
(nodded)Ofcour
se…(l
ookedat
hi
sr i
ngfi
nger)Youarenotmarri
ed?
Ken:No.
Kel
ly:Ki
ds?
Ken:
(t
houghtf
ull
y)Ihavea
st
epdaught
er?
Kel
ly:Soyouar
emar
ri
ed?
Ken:soonl
ymarri
edpeopl
ecanhave
ki
ds?BythewayIsai
dIhavea
st
epdaught
erandam notmar
ri
ed.
Kell
y:(
satont hebench)Okay,
you
haveagirl
fr
iendandshehasababy
whoisnotyour s?
Ken:Yes.
Kell
y:(
Smi
led)Okay…wel
l,
Ijust
deci
dedtocomeandsayhi .Youar
e
handsomeandcool.
Ken:
(nodded)Iknow.
Kel
ly:
(Laughed)Youar
esoconf
ident
,
whatifIsayIam ki
ddi
ng?
Ken:I
tsst
il
lokayt
oo.
Kell
y:Am tryingtomakea
conversat
ionwi t
hyoubutyouare
givi
ngmeshor tanswers,
am marr
ied
anditsnotlikeam tr
yingtohi
ton
you.
Ken:okay,
butmarri
edpeopl
ecan
st
il
lhaveasecretaf
fai
rri
ght
?
Kell
y:(smiled)Yes…(frowned)Iknow
i
tswei rdthatIcamet oyouand
st
ar t
edt hi
sconver sation,
butam
pregnantrightnow, amont h
pregnantandIhaventbeenwel l
sincebutmyhusbandf or cesmet o
comeher e.Am reall
yti
redofhi m and
Idon’tknowhowt oendthis
mar r
iagebecauseam notenj oyi
ngi t
,
heisabusiveanddoesn’ ttreatme
l
ikehiswife.
Ken:Wel
l,
am sor
ryt
oheart
hat
.
Kell
y:It
sfine,Ijustwantedsome
str
angerIcanshar ethi
swith.And
nowt hatyouar ecoldatmeIwi ll
l
eaveyoual one. .
.(
hereyesfi
ll
edup)
Am reall
yatmyl owestnowandI
don’tknowwhom t otal
ktobecauseI
tol
dmypar entsaboutthisbutthey
don’twanttohearmeout .
Ken:Am r
eal
lysor
ry.
Kell
y:(
stoodup)Itsfi
ne,
Iwi
lll
eave,
haveagr eateveni
ng.
Ken:
(Si
ghed)Wai
t.

Shet
urnedst
ari
ngathi
m.

Ken:HowaboutIgi
veyouahug,
wil
l
thatbeokayt
ocomfor
tyou?
Kel
ly:Yes.

Kenstoodupfrom t
hebenchpress
andhuggedherforaver
ylongtime
ashi
sshirtbecamewetintheback.
Meanwhi leamanwi thashiningr i
ng,
wear i
ngsomeshor tpantwhich
revealedhishair
ylegscameoutof
nowher ecursi
ngloudl yandangr y.At
thatmomenthegr abbedeveryone’ s
attent
ioninthegym andpeopl e
stoppedwhatt heywer edoingand
staredathim.

Kell
y:(
sighi
ngheavi
ly)That
’smy
husband,heisli
ket
hisandam real
ly
sorr
yforputti
ngyouintotr
oubl
e.
Ken:(
cal
ml y)Don’
tworry,Iwi
ll
handlet
his.Justbackoffandl
etme
tal
ktohim.
Kell
ywal kedawayandsatdownon
thestageopposi tetheaerobi
cs
area…themangr abbedKenbyt he
handandchar gedathim ashe
headbut tKenandhef elldownonthe
fl
oorhi t
tingthebarbell
.Kenstoodup
tryi
ngt ocalm downandhandl eit
professionall
y.

Ken:
(wipi
ngthebloodinhi
snose)
Man,youmustcalm down.I
tsnot
whatyouarethi
nking,
yourwif
e—
Hi
m: (
Grabbedhi
m agai
n)Youar
e
hi
tt
ingonmywi f
e?
Kenviol
entl
ygavehi m aonepunch
onthefaceandhef el
ldown
backward.HeliedthereastheGym
I
nstruct
orwalkedt ohimt r
yingt
o
wakehim up,theinstruct
orthen
tur
nedtoKen.

Instr
uct or
:(
shaki
nghishead)Whatis
thisthatyouaredoing?I
tsclear
ly
writt
eni nboldandcapsthatNO
FIGHTI NGINTHEGYM.Soyour eall
y
broket herul
eKen?
Ken:LookIwasdef
endi
ngmysel
f,
pl
usthisyoungl
adycamet
ome
explaini
nghersit
uati
ontome.But
thi
sr edneckpr
ovokedmebecause
hethoughtIwantedhiswoman.I
tri
edt oremai
ncalm,buthekept
provokingme.
Instr
uctor
:Am sorry,butyouknow
thatrul
esarerules.Bothofyouar e
bannedf r
om t
hisgym, andnever
comeher eagain.Am sor r
yitended
thisway.
Ken:
(t
ookhistowelandwat
erbot
tl
e)
I
tsfi
ne,Iwi
lll
eave.

Somemencamebyandpickedthe
manont
hefloorandt
ookhi
mt othe
safehouset
ryi
ngtor
evivehi
mfr
om
thepunchhegotf
rom Ken.

Meanwhi
leKenwal
kedt
oKel
ly…

Kel
ly:
Am r
eal
lysor
ry,
Idi
dn’
t-
Ken:It
sfine,canItakeyouhome?
Am sorrythatyouhavetoseethat,
I
di
dn’tmeant ohithim.Am sor
rytoo.
Kell
y:It
sf i
ne,Iwi
llgowit
hmyot her
fr
iends,Iwil
laskthem t
odropmeof f
.
Ihavealreadycausedyouenough
tr
oubleandam ashamedofmysel f
now.
Ken:l
ook,Isaiditsfine.Icangi
ve
youaride,
Idon’tthinkhewi l
lcome
backhomesoon.Heneedst ogoand
seehi
sdent i
stf
irst.
Kell
y:Okay,
letmegoandcol
lectmy
changingcl
othes.

AtGr
andman’
sHouse

LaterthatnightLesegostoodupand
tookherGr andma’ spi
ctur
eand
staredatitforcoupleofminutes
beforeputti
ngi tdown.Shethenwent
tothekitchenandpour edsome
waterintoal ongglassandreached
toherpockettaki
ngoutapacketof
pil
lsandputthem alli
ntoherpal
m.
Shegr abbedaglassofwaterand
tearsstart
edstr
eamingdownher
cheeks...

*
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LI
KE,
COMMENTANDSHARE
[
9:13AM,
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2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#47
Shegrabbedagl assofwat erand
tear
sstart
edstreami ngdownher
cheeks,
shelookedatt hetablet
sin
herhandbeforeswal lowingthem.
Meanwhilehersisterwalkedi nand
swit
chedont helightbulb.

Bongie:
(st
ari
ngather)Lesegowhat
areyoudoinginthedark…(
lookedat
herhand)Lesego?

SheGrabbedLesego’shandand
openedherpal
m spreadi
ngthepil
ls
onthefl
oor…
Lesego:
(Wi
pedhert
ear
s)Whydi
d
youdothat
?
Bongie:Becauseyouar ecrazy,what
i
sitthatyouar etryingtodo?you
wanttokillyourselfsoRiyacanbe
anorphan…Atl eastwhydon’ tyou
waitunti
lshehasgr ownupt hat’s
whenyoucant akeyourl i
fe…(paused)
whichIwontevenal lowyout odo.
Lesego:(crying)Iwishmyparents
werestil
lal i
ve,If
eelli
kel
if
eis
i
ncompl etewi t
houtthem.IsowishI
wasl i
keot herswhohaveparents
around….(gasped)Ididn’
tenj
oymy
childhoodlikeanyotherchi
ld,Idi
dn’t
growupi nar i
chfamil
y.ImeanI
don’ tseethereasontobealive,
thi
s
i
sj ustacur setomeandt hemor eI
growt hemorepainIfeel
.
Bongie:Butyoucantacceptdef eat
justl
ikethat,
wecannotchanget he
pastbutatleastl et
sbeopt i
mistic
aboutthefuture,andagai nwehave
Grandma…shel ovesusl i
keherown
chil
dren.Otherpeopl eyouar etrying
tocompar eyour selfwithdon’teven
haveapl acetocal lhome.Soweal l
haveproblemsi nl i
fe…(sighed)can
yougot osleep, west il
lhavetogo
andseeGr andmaatt hehospital
t
omor
rowmor
ning.
Lesego:Icantgowi t
hyoutomor
row,
am ti
redofseeingGr andmai
n
pain…(sadly)Wereyouknowi
ngal
l
thi
stimet hatshehascancer
?
Bongi e:(
nodded)Butthedoctors
weren’ tsur
eatfir
staboutit
,Ithink
theycoul dhavetreat
edherbetterin
theear lyst
ages…Lookam reall
y
sorry,butsti
llwecantgiveupjust
l
iket hat.

Lesegofel
tnumbasBongiehugged
her,shet
henwipedhert
earsand
walkedout.
AtKel
ly’
sHouse

Latert
hateveni
ngKenstoodatthe
doorholdi
ngthecarkeysasKel
ly
openedthemaindoorwalki
ngin.

Ken:(
clear
edhisthr
oat
)Iwi
llt
ake
myleavenow,bye.
Kel
ly:Canyoust ayf
orcoupl
eof
minutes,
am tooscaredtobehere
al
one.Isti
llneedtocal
landherei
f
myhusbandi sokay.
Kenwal
kedi
nandsatdown.

Kel
ly:(
Putt
hekeysonthet
able)
Whatwouldyoul
iket
oeatordri
nk?
Ken:Nothi
ng,justmakeaphonecal
l
toyourhusbandbecauseIdon’
t
thi
nkheisfine.
Kell
y:Iwi
ll
..
.(
taki
ngoutherphone)I
wil
lgoandmakeaphonecal linthe
bedroom,Iwil
lbeback.
Ken:Okay.

Kel
lyheadedt
othebedroom and
cl
osedthedoor
,Kenstoodupand
walkedcl
osel
ytothewal lwher ehe
l
ookedatKell
y’sweddingpi ctur
es.
Hethentookt
hepicturef r
ameand
l
ookedatKell
ytogetherwi t
hher
husbandandalit
tl
egirl.Het henput
i
tdownasKellywalkedi n.

Kel
ly:
(smil
ed)Heisokay,
butthey
j
ustrushedhimtothehospi
taland
hewillbebackl
ater
.
Ken:Great
, t
henIcanleave
ri
ght…(
paused)Howl onghaveyou
beenmar r
ied?
Kel
ly:6mont
hsnow.
Ken:(
Pickedt
hepi
ctur
eagai
n)So
youhaveadaught
er?
Kell
y:(
sadly)Whenwegotmarri
ed,
healreadyhadadaught
er,andshei
s
theoneyouar eseei
ngi
nthatpi
ctur
e.
Ken:Wher
eisshe?
Kell
y:(Pausedf
orafewseconds)
Shedied,shevi
sit
edhermotheraf
ter
ourweddingandhermother
poi
sonedherandshediedatthe
hospit
al.
Ken:
Herbi
ologi
calmot
herki
ll
edher
?
Why?
Kell
y:Shewasnothappyaboutour
marri
age,i
tseemsli
kemyhusband
promisedt
omar r
yherbuthedidn’
t
andthewomanbecamebi t
terand
usedherdaughtert
ohur
tmy
husband.Si
ncethenmyhusband
changedalot,
andnowhisangeris
aff
ecti
ngmeaswel l.
Ken:
(Shocked)Soshewasyour
st
epdaughter?
Kell
y:(
nodded)yes…butdon’tworr
yI
heardyoument i
oningthatyouhad
onebutdon’tworry.Maybeyouguys
arefi
neandwi l
lmakeagr eatcoupl
e
whenyougetmar r
ied.
Ken:
mm!…sowhatdoyoudo?li
ke
whatar
eyoudoi
ngforal
ivi
ng?
Kel
ly:Iwor
kinanHRdepar
tmentat
amanuf acturi
ngcompanyi nthe
i
ndustri
alsite,wedesign,tur
nr aw
mater
ialsintofini
shedproductsand
expor
t,i
tsaboutf ashi
onandcl othi
ng.
Ken:
(t
hought
ful
ly)J.
J?
Kell
y:(
smi l
ed)Youknowit?it
sowned
bythisotherdouchebagwho
doesn’tknowhowt otr
eatemployees
ri
ght,buthestil
lmakesalotof
moneyt hough.
Ken:(
Chuckled)Iknowt heguy,I
workedwithhim beforehelef
tcoupl
e
ofyearsagoandbui lthi
sown
company.Hei smybuddy, buthow
comeIdidn’tknowt hathemistr
eat
hi
sempl
oyees?
Kel
ly:
(embarr
assed)Am sorr
y,I
di
dn’tmeantolabelhim asa
douche…Iwasjustsayi
nganyway.I
di
dn’tknowyouknowhi m.
Ken:I
tsfi
ne…Iaskedhi
mtohi
remy
gi
rl
fri
end.
Kell
y:(
Paused)t
ellmemoreabout
her?MaybeIcanmaket hi
ngseasy
forherandmakesureshegethi
red.
Ken:(Checkedhi
swat
ch)Iwillgi
ve
youmycont act
,wewi
lldi
scussthis
anothert
ime…

Theyexchangedcont
act
sandKen
st
oodup…

Ken:(lookedinhereyes)Bytheway,
i
fyourhusbandkeepsabusi ngyou.
Justmakesur eyout akel
egalact
ion
againsthim.Lif
eistooshorttobe
spentwi t
hpeoplewhodon’ t
appreciateot
herslovetowardst
hem,
bye.

Shesmi l
edandwavedathi m ashe
walkedout …hewentandgotintohis
carandstar t
edtheengi
neandt he
headli
ghtsf r
om t
hebehindcarliti
nto
hisrear
-viewmi r
ror
…het hen
rever
sedandnot i
cedkell
y’shusband
i
nsidewithanotherper
sondr i
ving
him.Hejustdrovepastthecarand
l
eft…

AtJack’
sHouse

Thefoll
owingmor ni
ngRiyaand
j
uniorgotinthecarhol
dingthei
r
schoolbagschatt
eri
ng,Jackstart
ed
theengineandwentbacktot he
houseandmetLeboatt hedoorstep.

Lebo:
Youf
orgotsomet
hing?
Jack:No,It
hinkther
eisaproblem.
Lesegohavenotyetpai dRi
ya’
sf ees
…(sighed)call
ingherknowi
ngt hat
shedoesn’thavethatmoneyisj usta
wasteoftime.
Lebo:WhataboutKen?Canyout
alk
tohim?
Jack:Whatwil
lhethinkofme,hewil
l
thi
nkam stupi
dbyt aki
ngRiyaand
fai
li
ngtopayherfees.Idon’
twant
himtolookmedown.
Lebo:Iwillpay,It
hinkIkeptsome
moneyt hatIwantedt ouseandst
art
asmal lbusinesswith.
Jack:ButIdon’
twantt
oputyoui
nto
tr
oubl
ethatIcr
eat
ed…Idon’
teven
haveenoughmoneyt
opayyouback
agai
n.
Lebo:youdon’thavetopaymeback,
RiyaispartofusandIwilldo
anythi
ngforher.Iknowsomeday
youwi l
lfi
ndagoodj obandpayme
backtentimes..
(l
aughed)just
ki
dding.
Jack:(
smiled)Butthat’
swhatam
goingtodo…( paused)t
hemoneyshe
owesis900pul a,
doyouhavethat
amount ?
Lebo:Iwi
llgi
veyou1.
2K,
youwi
ll
use300pulaforf
uel
.
Jack:Idon’
tknowhowtot
hankyou,
yousavedme...
Am goi
ngt
omarry
you,tr
ustme.

Lebosmi
ledasshewentt
otaket
he
moneyandgavehi
m…

AtJohn’
sSur
ger
yCent
er…

Latert
hatMor ni
ngJohnsatonhis
off
icechairanddial
edanumberon
thescreenofhisphoneandcal
led.

Voi
ce:
hel
lo?
John:Hey,canyoupr oducea
fi
nanci
alstatementformymedi cal
cent
er?Iwanti tr
ightnow,youcan
j
ustfaxit
.
Voi
ce:Wai
t,howcanIpr
epar
eit
wit
hout
—
John:Look,am yourbossandyou
havetoli
stent ome…justdoi
tandI
wil
lpayyou, andIwantyouto
i
ndicatet
hati ti
smakingalossand
i
tsabouttoshutdown.
Voice:Butsi
ryoucantkeepdodgi
ng
thetax—
John:
(l
oudl
y)Areyougoingtodo
whatam t
ell
ingyouornot?
Voi
ce:Okay,
Iwi
lldo.
John:I
mmedi
atel
y!!

Hehungupanddial
edKaone’
s
numberandputt
hephoneontheear
.

Kaone:Hel
lo?
John:Morni
ngbeaut
if
ul,
shoul
dI
expectyout
oday?
Kaone:Yes,butIhaven’
ttal
kedt
o
mybrotheryet.
John:Comeon,
whatar
eyouwai
ti
ng
for
?
Kaone:I
tsnotaseasyasyout
hink,
bythewayyouar egoi
ngtopaymea
heavypr
icebecauseam r
iski
ngmy
l
if
ehere.
John:Weagreedont
hat
,youdon’
t
havetowor
ry.
Kaone:Ihavesomethi
ngt
hough,I
managedt oseehi
sbankdet
ail
sI
havethem.
John:Sendt
hem nowl
etmesee.
Kaone:No,weagreedtotal
ktohim
i
naf or
malway.Ican’tj
ustgiveyou
hi
sdetail
s,am notst
upi
d.
John:youdon’
ttr
ustmeagai
n?
Kaone:Ido,
butwesti
llhavet
otal
k
tohi
ml i
keweagreed…it
’smybrot
her
wear et
alki
ngabout.Ishoul
dn’thave
invol
vedhim ont
hisinthefi
rstpl
ace,
youhavemy50K…i sn’tt
hatenough?
John:Ar
eyoutr
yingt
owithdraw
whil
eyouknowverywel
lthatwe
haveadeal
?
Kaone:Ican’
twi
thdr
awwhi
leyou
st
il
lhavemy50K…
John:Good,
sobef
astbef
oreyou
l
oseit.
Kaone:Losei
thow?

Thecal
lended.
TWOWEEKSLATER…
*
*
*
Don’
tfor
gett
oLi
ke,
Commentand
Shar
e..
[
9:13AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#48

*
**TWOWEEKSLATER*
**
Att
heHospi
tal
…

Ken:(
st aringatthedoct or)Iknowa
Doctori nSouthAf ri
cawho
specializesintr
eat i
ngpat ientswith
Cancer ,Iaskedyoui fwear eallowed
tomovet hepatientfrom onecount r
y
toanot her…(si
ghed)Eveni fit
scost l
y
j
usttellust hepr ocedurest hatneed
tobet akenandwewi llfol
lowt hem.
Doctor
:(
tookadeepbr eath)It
s
alr
eadylat
e,t
hecellsofthet i
ssues
arenowuncontrol
led,
ther ei
swhati s
call
edProl
if
erat
ion,wher ethe
organi
smsproducesot hersofit
s
ki
ndinr
api
dway.Thecancerhas
nowspr
eadint
hebodyand
damagi
ngthet
issues.Soi
tsl
ate…
Lesego:(
tur
nedtoKen)Itol
dyou,I
knewmyGr andma’
ssicknesswasn’
t
ordi
nary.
Ken:Butwecantgi
veupli
ke
that
…(t
urnedt
othedoct
or)soi
s
ther
eanywayyoucanhelpus?
Doctor:
(shookhishead)butwewi l
l
keepherhere,justtomoni t
orher.
Herbodyi snowdr ug-resi
stantand
ther
eisnoi mmuner esponse
becauseherwhi tebloodcell
scanno
l
ongerfightthedisease.
Ken:(
sighed)That’snothelping,
we
arenotinamedi calclassnow.Can
yougiveuscl earanswersthatwe
canunderstand,am surethereis
alwaysawayout .Ihaveseencancer
pati
entsrecoveri
ng, sothereis
alwaysawayout .
Doctor:Oneoutoft enpat i
entscan
recover,buttherecoverydoesn’ t
meanshei scompletelyrecovered.
Andt hedemogr aphicsintermsof
agei salwaysbelow35year sold,
yourGr andmai sol
dandheri mmune
system cantrespondtoant igens.
Lesego:Sheist
heonl
ymotheram
l
eftwith,
sother
eshoul
dbeawayt o
hel
pher
.Ibegyou.
Ken:
(t
hought f
ull
y)Doccanyougi
ve
usami nute,t
hereissomet
hingwe
needtodiscuss…

Thedoct
orwal
kedoutcl
osi
ngt
he
door
.

Ken:(
turnedtoLesego)Ihavea
bett
ersoluti
on,butam notsur
eifyou
aregoingtoagreewithit
.
Lesego:
(satdownonthechai
r)Okay,
goaheadam list
eni
ng.
Ken:Icant
alkt
oKaone,
am sur
eshe
wil
lhel
pusanddemandmuch
money.HowaboutIcal
lhernowand
askheri
fshecanhel
pus?
Lesego: (Paused)Yoursist
er?Doyou
thinkit’sagoodi dea,
Imeanyour
sisterwi l
ldefi
nit
elyki
llmyGrandma.
Iwi l
lratherstayherewatchherdie
thangi vehert oKaonewhowi ll
deliberatel
ymur derherbecauseshe
doesn’ tli
keme.
Ken:Kaoner efl
ect
edonherbehavior
aft
eryoul ef
t,andsheissorr
y.She
wil
ldefi
nitel
yhelpusbecauseshe
wantar eboundwithyou.Herhelp
wil
lbeawayofsayi ngsorr
y,shei
sa
doctornowandsheknows
somet hingt hatmostoft hedoctors
areaf raidtoper f
orm ona
pat i
ent ….(f
irmly)Letmebehonest
wi thyou, doct orsaretrainedtouse
othermeansoft reatment stocurea
diseasewhi chmostoft hetimesare
notal lowedi nhospital
s, butthose
doct orsal wayshavebet terwayst o
treatthei rfami l
ymember s,your
Gr andmat oocanbeacancer
sur vi
voratherage, j
ustt hatDoctors
her ear etool azyt ohel
pher .That’s
howt heyar e.Atleastwear ecloseto
Kaone, shewi l
ldoherbestbecause
that ’
st heonl ywayt oapol ogizeto
you.Doesn’ tthatmakesense?
Lesego:
(nodding)Wel
l,
Imeani
t
makessense.Andagainwedon’
t
haveanyoptionnow.
Ken:(
smil
ed)Ineedyout
otr
ust
me,pl
ease.
Lesego:
(smi
led)Iwil
l…(holdinghis
hand)andam sorryforeverythi
ngI
haveputyouthrough.
Ken:(Chuckl
ed)It
houghtyouwer
e
goingtosay“Am sorryf
orbei
nga
crybaby”
Lesego:Ah!Thatwasr
ude…am Ia
crybaby?
Ken:
(Laughed)youdon’
tknow?
Lesego:Idi
dn’
tknow…(
laughed)
shoul
dItellyousomet
hingIhave
beenafr
aidoftel
li
ngyou?
Ken:
Goahead,
butdon’
tpr
ovokeme?
Lesego:
(l
aughed)Ij
o,Iwi
llkeepquiet
then…Iwantedtopr
ovoke
you…(smil
ed)Youknowhowt ocheer
meupwi thjustasmil
e.
Ken:Youhavebeenaf
rai
dtot
ellme
that
?
Lesego:That’
snotit
…Iwil
ltellyou
theotherti
me,notnow…bytheway
i
sYoursi st
erinarel
ati
onshipwi t
h
thatguyshewaswi t
htheotherday.
Ken:John?..
.(
sighed)Idon’
tknow,
buttheyseem tobegetti
ng
along…ever
yti
mewhensheleaves
thehouseit
sli
kesheal
waysgoand
seehim.
Lesego:Itsobvi
ous,
Isowi
shshe
couldleave.
Ken:Shefoundanapar
tment,
Iwi
ll
behelpi
nghertomoveoutthi
s
weekend.
Lesego:
(smi
li
ng)Real
ly?t
hat
’sgood
news.
Ken:(
laughed)Soyouarehappynow?
Iknowyoudi dn’
tli
keherkana,
soif
youarehappy, t
henam happytoo.
Lesego:I
tsnotli
keIhat
edher
,Ij
ust
didn’
twanther.Idi
dn’
twantt
o
causeanytroubl
ebetweenyouand
her,
that’
swhyIhatedstayi
ngt her
e.
Imaginehati
ngyoursist
erbecause
ofme, j
ustanordi
naryme.
Ken:comeon,
youar
eext
raor
dinar
y.

Meanwhi
let
heDoct
orwal
kedi
n…

Ken:(
turnedtohi
m)Wecameupwi t
h
abetteridea,
wecantakehertoa
hospitali
nGabor
one.Isthatpossi
ble?
Doctor:I
sitagovernmentorpri
vate
hospital
?Becausewear eonl
y
responsibl
eforpat
ient
swehave
refer
redtoourhospit
alsonl
y,soif
i
t’
sapr i
vat
eorownedcent ert
heni
f
anyt
hinghappenstothepati
entwe
arenotr
esponsibl
e.
Ken:Well,
theper
sonwhor
unst
he
medicalcent
erweknowhi
m.
Doct
or:Okay,
youcancomewithme
t
otheoffi
ceandsi
gnherdi
scharge
f
orm.
Ken:
(t
urnedt
oLesego)Youcango
andsi
gn,Iwi
llcal
lmysi
ster
.
Lesego:Okay

Lesegowal
kedoutwi
ththedoct
oras
Kenmadeaphonecall
.
Kaone:Hey
Ken:Hi,
thereissomethingIneedus
total
kabout.Ireal
lyneedyourhel
p
andIwilldoanythi
ngforyouasa
payment.
Kaone:Okay,canyouevenr
oba
bankifIaskyouto?
Ken:
(Laughed)comeon,
that
’snot
whatImean.
Kaone:
(gi
ggled)Iknow,
youcango
aheadandtellme.
Ken:Ihaveacancerpati
ent,andI
real
lyneedyoutotr
eather.The
hospit
alwebroughthert
ohasf ai
led,
Iknowi t
sgoingtobeexpensi
vet
o
tr
eatherbutIwillpayf
orany
medi cat
ionandanymedical
equipmentneeded.
Kaone:(
Pausedf
oraf
ewseconds)i
s
i
tsomeoneIknow?
Ken:No,andbyt hewayi t
snot
Lesego.Iknowyouaret hi
nki
ng
abouther,andam wit
hherr i
ghtnow.
Butam goingtoneedyourapproval
befor
ecomi ngtoGaborone.
Kaone:(si
ghedheavil
y)Okay,i
fit
s
canceroftheheadorbrainwear e
goingtouseradiat
iontr
eatmentor
radiot
herapyandwear egoingto
needacustom- maderadi
ati
onmask
whichisnotavail
abl
einanyhospi
tal
aroundthecountr
yandcanonlybe
i
mpor t
edatthemomentandi ts
costl
y.
Ken:Wel
lyouwil
lanalyzet
hepat i
ent
anddowhatisneeded,am sureyou
haveot
herbuddi
eswhowi llhelpyou.
Kaone:Okay,whenyouar
ri
vein
Gaboroneletmeknowsothatwe
canmeetandt al
k.
Ken:Okaybye.

HehungupandsatdownasLesego
wal
kedinhol
dingsomepaper
s.
AtJohn’
sSur
ger
yCent
er

Kaoneputherphoneont
het
abl
e
andglancedatJohn.

John:
(st
aredather)Areyouokay?
Maybeyouneedt otakeabreakand
gohome.
Kaone:Noam fine,
canyout
reata
cancerpat
ient
?
John:(Pausedstar
ingather)Am a
surgeon,mymedi calspeci
alt
yis
rel
atedtoperfor
manceofsur gical
proceduresandIcanhel ppat i
entsto
preventcancerfrom spr
eadingi nthe
body, Ir
epair,
removeand
replace….(
puthispenont hepaper )I
knowever ythi
ng,Imasteredthe
humanbodyandal lmypat ientshave
recovered.
Kaone:
(Si
ghed)I
mpressi
ve,
thenyou
ar
ethepersonIneednow.
John:Moneytal
ks,i
fther
eiscash,
thenIcandoanythi
ng.
Kaone:(lookedint
ohi seyes)Don’
t
forgetthatam partofthi
s
organization,
andIhavehel pedyou
fi
nanciallysoitst
imet ohelpme
back.
John:
(f
rowned)Okay.
Kaone:Whyar
eyougi
vingmet
hat
l
ook?
John:Sorr
y,goaheadandt
ellme
aboutthepati
ent
.
Kaone:Idon’
thavei
nfor
mat
ion
abouther.
*
*
*
[
9:13AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER
#49

AtJohn’
sSur
ger
yCent
er.

Meanwhi
leJohnst
oodupt
aki
nghi
s
Whit
ecoat…

John:(putti
ngiton)Iwil
lgoandask
myst afftoprepareabedforthe
pati
ent,butIhopeIwi l
lgetpaidaf
ter
thi
s.Youal readyknowthatwear e
notmaki ngenoughmoneyandt he
expensesar ehigh.
Kaone:Iknow,
butwhydoyoukeep
ment i
oningthemoneypar ttimeand
again,doyout reatot herpati
entslike
this?Youshoul df ocusoncur ingand
treati
ngpati
entsbef oretalki
ngabout
payment s.I
fam par tofthi
s,thenyou
mustl i
stentomeanddowhatIsay.
Letsfocusonhel pingpat i
entsfi
rst,
youopenedt hiscent ert
ohel p
peopleandr eceivingmoneyi sjusta
bonusbecausesomeone’ shealthis
apr i
orit
y.
John:Kaonethi
ngsdon’tworkthat
way,doyouknowhowmanypat i
ents
comeher eandaft
ert
hattheyfai
lto
payformyservi
ce?Doyout hi
nkt he
medicalequi
pmentIbuymont hl
yare
boughtwi t
hst ones?I tsmoneythat
weuset opur chaset hesuppli
es.
ThankyouandGodbl essyou
doesn’tpayt hebi l
ls,youshould
understandt hatbef oreIremoveyou
from t
hepar t
ner ship, don’
tfor
get
thatIspental otofmoneyset ti
ngup
thismedi calcent er.
Kaone:( st
oodupf ol
dinghands)
Don’ tevertalktomel i
keam asmall
child, wheredidyoudoyourMBBS?
Didn’ ttheyteachyout hathealt
hisa
prioritywhent reati
ngapat i
ent?I
meani ft
hat’
showyouhavebeen
oper atingthenweshoul dchange
thatsi nceam her e,oryoucangive
mebackmymoneyandl etmego
andfi
ndajobinapri
vat
eor
gover
nmenthospi
tal
.
John:(
cal
ml y)Am sor
ryf
orupset
ti
ng
you,Iwasjusttel
li
ngyouthet
rut
h.
Kaone:Idon’tcareaboutt
hetruth,
yourtrut
hmi ghthurtot
herpeopl
e.
Don’tyouknowabet t
erwaytosay
outthetrut
h?Youdon’ tj
ustblur
tout
anyhow.
John:It
sfine…(checkedhiswatch)I
haveanappoi ntmentintenminutes,
youwillr
emai nhereincasethe
personcomes.
Kaone:
(put
ti
ngonspecs)Youcango!
Johnwal kedoutclosingthedoor,he
tookadeepbr eathandwal kedtothe
l
abs.Kaoneopenedherl aptopand
searchedHospital
si nGaborone,she
thenwentt hr
ought hesearchresul
ts
andt hentookadeepbr eath,t
ookher
phonedi al
ingKen’snumber .

AtKen’
sOf
fi
ce

Dianecl
earedthetableandpicked
everyl
it
terputt
ingi
tint hedustbi
n.
ShethenswitchedofftheACand
openedthewindow,meanwhi leMrs
Wi
ll
iamswal
kedi
n.

MrsWill
iams:
(sighed)youarenowa
cl
eaner?Idi
dn’tknowyouwer e
movedtothecleaningstaf
f,i
tsui
ts
youanyways.
Diane:(
frowned)Iwasn’ tmoved,I
don’thavewor knowandt hisI
sthe
onlythi
ngIcandor atherthan
l
isteni
ngt obunchofpeopl etal
king
abouttheirfancyhomesandhow
beautif
ultheirki
dsare.
MrsWill
iams:(
clappi
ng)wow, you
cantal
k.Youseemedl i
keaqui et
per
sonatfir
st,
am gladtherealyou
i
semergingver
yquickl
y…byt heway
t
hankyousomuchf orsavingme,
wit
houtyouIwoul
dhavel onggott
en
mysack.
Diane:
Don’ tcelebratetooearly,i
ts
notyetover .Soonever yonewi l
lbe
knowingwhatyoudi d,itsmydi gni
ty
am preserving.Butyoushoul dr eal
ly
growupandactl ikeamar ri
ed
woman, youdon’ tmanipulateother
peoplejustbecauseyouwantt o
att
ainhighr anks, Iwouldli
ket osee
yourhusband.
MrsWil
li
ams:(
laughed)Soyoucan
sl
eepwit
hhim?
Diane:
(st
rai
ghtf
ace)No, sot
hatIcan
seewhatkindofpersonheis.Maybe
hedeservesabett
erwomanwi th
mor al
snotatr
ashlikeyou.
MrsWil
li
ams:
(Paused)Ar
eyougoi
ng
t
oinsul
tmeli
kethat?
Diane:Whatar eyougoingt odo?
reportmet othemanagementort he
poli
ce?..
.r
ightnowyoudon’ thave
anypower ,soyoubetterleave
becauseam t i
redofseeingyourface.
Mr sWi l
li
ams:(Fol
dedherhands)Girl
don’ tf
oolyoursel
f,Keni
snotgoing
tomar ryyoujustbecauseyouare
takingcareofhim andworkingon
hisbehal fwhi l
ehei sawayonsome
joyri
dewi t
hgi r
ls.Onedayyouwi l
lbe
cryi
ngbeggi nghi mtoloveyou, and
youwi l
ltel
lhim howcar ingyouhave
been, youknowwhathewi l
l
say…:(Chuckl ed)hewi l
lsayIdidn’t
askyout odoal lthosethings,
its
painfulisn’ti
t?
Diane:Kenisnotthatki
ndofman
youthinkheis,heisfai
thf
ulandl
oyal
,
herespectsthepersonheisina
rel
ati
onshipwith.
MrsWil
li
ams:Iwantt
oseet hat
Per
son,i
tsl
ikeshei
sdrivingKen
cr
azyandmakeshim skipwot k.
Diane:Ar
eyoudonet
alki
ng?Iwant
toconti
nuewi
thwhatam doi
ngand
gohome.
MrsWil
li
ams:
(l
ookedatherri
ng)
Don’
tyouwantt
ogetmarriedone
day?
Diane:(i
mpatientl
y)Stopshowingoff,
youthinkwedon’ tknowwhatyou
mar r
iedwomengot hr
oughbehind
thescenes?Youactl i
kequeensand
pri
ncessinfr
ontofusbutwhenyou
gethomeyouar etreatedl
iketr
ash,I
willr
atherbesingleandhappy.
MrsWil
li
ams:
(off
endedl
y)huh!They
l
iedt
oyou,am nott
hatki
ndof
womant
obet
reat
edl
iket
rash.
Diane:Butthewayyoubehave,you
deservethathar
shtr
eat
ment .

MrsWi l
li
amsj ustglancedatherand
walkedout…Dianet ookadeepbreat
h
andpackedt hefi
lesanddocument s
backint
ot heshelves.

Att
hemal
l…
Par
kingLot

Latert
hatdayRiyaandJuni
orgotin
thecarwhil
eJackputsomeplast
ics
i
nt het
runk,
hecloseditandwentto
thedri
ver
ssideandnoticedLet
ty
cominghisway.Hethenopenedthe
doorandgotinsi
debutshepacedup
andknockedonthewindow.Jack
rol
leddownthewindow…

Jack:
(si
ghed)It
houghtyouwer
e
dead.
Let
ty:Iwon’
tdi
e,howi
smyboy
doi
ng?
Jack:
(gl
ancedatt
hebackseat)you
meanmeormyJuni orbackthere?
Lett
y:(
laughed)Imeanyou,
whatar
e
you,aman?
Jack:
(paused)haveyoubeen
dri
nki
ng?
Lett
y:No…(
sighed)younolonger
checkonme, oryounolongerl
ike
me?
Jack:Idon’
twantyou.
Let
ty:Justli
ket
hat,
whoi sshe?I
s
shetreat
ingyoubet
tert
hanIdid?
Jack:Yes…(
checkedhiswat
ch)i
s
ther
esomethingyouwant?Iwantt
o
l
eaveitsget
ti
nglate.
Lett
y:IthoughtmaybeyouandI
shouldgooutsomeday, Idon’
tli
ke
howt hi
ngsendedbetweenus.
Jack:Foryourowni
nfor
mat
ionam
seeingsomeone, andthatsomeone
i
snoneofyourbusi nesstoknow
abouther .SoIwantyoutor espect
that,whatwehavedonet oget heri
n
thepasthasended.Let srespect
eachot herfr
om nowon, l
et’srespect
otherpeople’sr
elat
ionshi
ps.You
grasp?
Lett
y:(
nodded)Ido,buti
tsnotas
easyasyouputit.Notaf
teral
lthe
sexwehad.

Meanwhi
leJuni
orl
aughedi
nthe
back.
Jack:
(t
urnedt
oLet
ty)ber
espect
ful
pl
ease.
Letty:
Sorr
y,butwhyarethey
l
isteningt
ous? .
..
bytheway, Ihavea
fr
iendofmi neandsheisinterested
i
nyou.soIcanhookyouupwi thher,
shei scut
e,short
,havenicebody.
Shei ssoprett
y,It
oldheraboutyou.
Damn!Ngwanaocr azykawena
j
aanong.
Jack:(
lowvoice)Okat swao
palamiwawai t
se…Itoldyouthatam
donewi thyou,oristhatawayof
remindingmet hatyouaretheone
whomessedt hingsformeandIgot
fi
red?
Let
ty:Thatonei sothernewsandam
notpartofthem, Iwast el
li
ngyou
aboutmyf r
iendandIgaveheryour
number ,
youcanst i
llcheat
,wel lnot
act
uallycheating.Maybeaf teryou
seeheryouwi llseewhatam t al
king
about,t
hatgirlisdamnhot .
Jack:
(st
artedtheengi
ne)Stop
smokingweedanddr inki
ng
concoct
ionsintheshebeens,
they
makeyouhi ghAF.Bye.

Hestart
edthecaranddr
oveoff,
Let
tyshowedami ddl
efi
ngerandhe
sawitontherear
-vi
ewmirror
,Juni
or
l
aughedagai
n.

Jack:
(chuckl
ed)Whatsf
unnyback
ther
e?Mi ndshar
ing?
Juni
or:(
laughing)Riyai
stel
li
ngme
somethingfunny,Icanthel
pitbut
l
augh.
Ri
ya:
(l
aughed)Nope.
Junior
:(
whisper
edinherear
)Come
on,youarenotgoi
ngtobackupmy
l
ie?
Riya:
(l
oudly)MommyandDaddy
hateli
ars.
Jack:
(smi
led)That
’smygi
rl
.
Riyaappl
audedher sel
fandgave
hersel
fahighfive…buti
twasn’
t
enoughuntilJackgaveherahigh
fi
vetoo.
*
*
*

Goodni
ght!
!
[
9:13AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#50
AtJack’
sHouse

LaterthatafternoonJackpar kedthe
carast hekidsst eppedoutrunning
tothehouse, Jackremovedt he
seatbeltandr eleasedthebrakepedal,
meanwhi l
ether ewasamessage
aler
tinhi sphone, hequickl
yopened
i
tandr eadt hemessageandcl osedit
wonder ing.Justashewasaboutt o
stepoutt hephonest ar
tedri
nging,he
thenpickedupandst eppedout
l
eaningbyt hecardoor .

Jack:
Yes?
Voice:(
softl
y)Hey,
Igotyournumber
fr
om Letty.MynameisTumi so,I
heardalotaboutyouandwoul dli
ke
tomeetyou.
Jack:Thepersonwhogaveyoumy
numberisprobabl
ymad…bytheway
whywoul dyouli
ketomeetwit
hme?
Tumiso:Justtochi
llandknowmor e
aboutyou,l
ikeIsai
dLet t
ytol
dme
moreaboutyouandsomeIdi dn’
t
bel
ievebutyouseem likeani
ceguy.
Jack:Idon’
thaveti
mef ormeet i
ngs,
am abusyman.Sowi t
hduer espect
mayyoupl easeendthi
scallorallow
met o.
Tumiso:Okay,
Iwil
lendthecal
lbutI
wantustochatonwhatsapp,i
sthat
possi
ble?
Jack:No,
bye.

Jackhungupandsi ghed, hewal ked

tothet runkandopenedi tt aki
ngout
somepl ast i
csandwentt oputt hem
i
nt heki tchen,meanwhi lehi sphone
beepedamessage, itwasat ext
from what sappfol
lowedbynude
pictures.Hel ookedatt hem and
deletedt hem immedi atel
y, aft
er
deleti
ngt hem anotherpictures
foll
owed.Hi sheartskippedasLebo
wal
kedi
n…

Lebo:Youareback, If
orgott
ogive
youmoneysot hatyoucanbuyme
somet abl
etsfr
om thepharmacy,I
haveat er
ri
bleheadache.

Shet henopenedthetapandfil
led
theglasswithwateranddrankit,
meanwhi leJackwasonhisphone
andhi seyespoppedoutonthe
screen.

Lebo:
(t
appedhi
m)di
dyouhearme?
Jack:
(smi
led)ohyeah…(
paused)you
sai
d?
Lebo:Nevermi
nd,
youseem busy
now.
Jack:(
sighed)Look,t
hereis
somet hi
ngthatIwantt osharewi
th
you.Youmi ghtbeknowi ngabouti
t,
butifyoudon’tthenIthinki
tsbet
ter
youknownow.
Lebo:
Okay…

Jacksli
ght
lycl osedthekit
chendoor
andopenedt hefridgetaki
ngabottl
e
ofcoldwater,hethenleanedonthe
ki
tchencabinetandsi ghedheavi
ly
st
ari
ngather
.

Jack:Idon’
tknowhowtosayt
his,
butam HIVposit
ive.
Lebo:
Iknow.
Jack:Youknow?How?
Lebo:Ihavelongnewaboutit
,I
mistakenl
yfoundout.Someway
back,butIdi
dn’twanttot
alkabouti
t.
Jack:Okay,Imeani ssomet hi
ngthat
Ithinkaboutmostoft heti
me
becauseyourlif
eisi ndangerand
thisthi
ngwhenIt hinkaboutit
makesmyl i
fehard.Ihavebeen
takingmymedi cati
onssecretl
y
becauseIhaventyetacceptedt
hatI
haveavirus,andIdon’tknowabout
you,doyoureall
ythinkour
rel
ati
onshipshouldkeepgoingwhil
e
Ihavethi
ssituati
on,oryouaref
ine
wit
hi t
.
Lebo:Idon’tknowwhyyouwi l
lkeep
thisasecret
, Ihavebeenwai ti
ngfor
youtotellmet hi
s.ThereasonwhyI
didn’
twantt ot al
kaboutitit
s
becauseyouar etheonewhower e
supposet otellmeatfir
st,apartf
rom
thatam worriedaboutLesego, was
sheawar eoft hat?
Jack:No,
Icont
actedt
hevir
usaft
er
wehadababy, t
hatwastheti
me
whenshel eft
,IthoughtIwasl i
vinga
greatli
febecauseaf tershel ef
tI
start
eddoi ngthingsam even
ashamedofment ioningthem now.I
sleptwithseveralgi rl
sbutIknow
whoi nfect
edme, Inevert houghtof
settl
ingdownandget t
ingmar ri
ed
becauseIwasbl indfoldedbyt hef act
thatIhavej obsecur ityandIdon’ t
needanyt hingelse, Butuntilyou
camebackIexper iencedchange.
Lebo:Butyoushouldhavetoldme
yourstat
usfi
rst
,am gladthatwe
havebeenusingprotect
ion.
Jack:Iwasn’tgoi
ngtointent
ional
ly
i
nfectyou,Iwascaref
ultoo…butam
wor
ri
edaboutt
hef
utur
e.
Lebo:youdon’ thavetowor r
yabout
anything,wecanst il
lhaveki
ds
together.ButIwantust osettl
edown,
butIthinkweshoul dwor r
yaboutthe
present.Iwanttost ar
tabusiness,
andatt hesamet i
meIwantt ohelp
youfindagoodj obifyousti
llwantt
o
workagai n.
Jack:
(smil
ed)Really?youar esuch
anangel…well,
Iwilltr
yt oworkhard
sothatIpaythebr i
depr i
ceearlyand
makeyoumywi fe.MaybeIwi llst
art
thi
nki
ngpr oper
lyafterthat.
Lebo:(
Smi
led)Butyouar
eagood
father,exceptt hefactthatyouar e
sti
lljealousaboutKenand
Lesego…( sighed)Jack!..
.(
lookedi nto
hiseyes)canweest abli
shgood
rel
ationswi thLesegoandKen?I
meant heyar egood, j
ustthatyouar e
theonewhomakest hingshar dfor
them, ifwegetal ongwi t
ht hem, even
JuniorandRi yawillnoti
cet hatand
willlovet hem.Buti fwet rytopul l
awayandmakeRi yahatehermot her
thenwear egoingt oenduphat ing
eachot her.
Jack:
(t
ouched)youspokesensei nt
o
myhead,it
ssomet hingIhavebeen
wanti
ngtochanget oo.ImeanKeni s
agoodguyandhei shumbl e…am
gladLesegomethi m.It
slikethi
s
wasGod- gi
vendesti
ny,Iknow
LesegoandIhaveseenher
struggli
ng.Butnowam gladthatat
l
eastt hatguyist
reat
ingherfineand
helpingher.
Lebo:Letssuppor
tthem t
oo,
atl
east
Riyawouldbehavingtwohappy
famil
ies.Howaboutthat
…
Jack:
(smi
li
ng)Youar
esowi
se.

Theysmil
edasJackhel
dhercl
oser
andki
ssedher
…
AtJohn’
sSur
ger
y….

Johnopenedthesurgerydepart
ment
wheret
woofhi sdoctorswereseat
ed
downchatti
ng,hewalkedinfol
ding
handsastheystoodstari
ngathim.

John:(Angr il
y)DrKat
e,Ithoughtyou
arepr eparingthesur
geryroom fora
heartsur gerywhichwil
lbe
performedt omorr
owmor ning,
now
youar esi t
tingdownanddoi ng
nothing.
DrKat
e:(
clearedhisthr
oat)si
rwe
haveaproblem her
e,ourhear
t
donor
’sfamil
yt heychangedthei
r
mindsaboutgivingustheheartthat
i
sgoingtobepl antedtoourpati
ent
i
ntheotherwar d.Sowedon’tknow
whatwearegoi ngtodonow.
John:What?nothatcannothappen
now,theycantdothatt
ous.
DrKat e:Butthat’
swhatishappening
now, westil
lneedt oaskhelpfr
om
otherhospitalsorourpat
ientwil
lbe
deadin48hour s.
John:(Si
ghing)Icantl
ett
hattarnish
thereputat
ionofmycenter,i
twillbe
thef
irstpati
enttodiei
nthiscenter,
whatwoul dpeoplethi
nkofmenow.I
cantletthatfami l
ydownbecauseI
promisedt hem thatIwillsavet hei
r
daughter,soyouguysbet tercome
upwi t
hapl an…eveni fi
tsget t
inga
heartil
legalitssti
llf
ine,thereare
bunchofusel esspeopleoutt here,
thi
eves, rapists,
mur derers…they
don’taddanyval ue,soyouguyswi l
l
havetocomeupwi t
hapl an.
DrKat
e:Whatshoul
dwedonow?
DrLet
eng:Si
r,doyouhaveanypl
an?
John:Isaidyouguysshoul dcome
upwithapl an,weneedahear tdonor
now…(lowvoi ce)don’
tyouhaveany
connecti
ont otheoutsi
ders,t
hereare
peopl
ewhocanhel pus…ifyouknow
whatImean, aker
eyoucanseegor e
wedon’ thaveanyl egalwayt ogeta
donor,nowl etsuseanyi l
legal
means, noonewi llnoti
cet hati
fyou
keepyourmout hsshutafterthe
oprat
ion.
DrKate:
(conf
used)Idon’
twantt
ogo
t
ojail
.
DrLet
eng:Menei
ther
.
John:Okay,
Iwi
llseewhatt
odo.

Hewalkedoutandt
het
wodoct
ors
st
art
edmur muri
ng.
DrKat e:(l
owvoi ce)Youknowwhat
happenedt heothert i
medur ingt he
heartSurgeryoft hatwhiteoldman,
therewer eheart
st hatwer ebrought
i
ncont ai
ners,
andwewer etoldgore
theywer edonatedbyvet er
ansf r
om
overseas…andt hent wodaysl ater
therewer epoli
ceof f
icershere…I
meani fwear enotcar efulwear e
goingt oendupi njail.
DrLeteng:NnaIthinkofleavingthi
s
j
ob,Isti
llhaveafami l
yIwantt otake
car
eofandt heyneedme.Icantgo
toj
ailbecauseofthisstupidideas
i
mposedi nus…Ihaveapr egnant
wif
eandsmal lki
ds.
DrKate:(
shaki
nghi shead)Am
handingmyqui tnoti
cetomor
row,
I
cantstandthi
s.
DrLeteng:am wi
thyou,
hewill
oper
atewi t
hthoset
wonurses.

Att
hepar
kingl
ot…

Kensteppedoutoft
hecarmaki
nga
phonecall
…

Kaone:hey
Ken:Am att
heparkinglotwit
hthree
paramedi
cs,shoul
dt heybr
ingherin?
Kaone:Am comi
ngdownt
her
e,st
ay
ther
e.
Ken:Okay.

Kenhungupandt
urnedt
oLesego…

Ken:Shei
scomi
ng.
Lesego:Okay,
itwasalongdr i
vebut
atleastwearr
ived…(
smiled)Ist
il
l
oweyouabi gthankyou,Grandma
wil
lbehappytoknowt hatyou
helpedher.
Ken:smil
ing)don’
tworr
y,Iwanther
towit
nessourwedding.
Att
hesur
ger
ydepar
tment
…

Minutesl
aterJohnwal
kedi
nagai
n
andfoundthetwodoct
orst
aki
ngoff
thei
rcoat
s…

John:Thereisapat ientofcancer
whowi llbeadmittedhere, shei
san
oldlady.Ihopeyouwi l
ltakecareof
her,don’tf
orgetthatthereisaheart
surgerytomorrow….(fi
rml y)Weneed
ahear t
.
DrKat
e:(
Scar
il
y)butwear
ehear
t
sur
geons.
John:
(poppi
ngouthi
seyes)IKnow.
DrLet
eng:Si
rweneedt
otal
k,wear
e
-
John:(
angri
ly)Wi
llyoushutup.I
don’twant“
buts”
…j ustdowhatam
tel
li
ngyou.

Hethencl
osedt
hedoorandwal
ked
out
.
*
*
*
Guyspl
easel
etsLI
KEandShar
e,
somepeopl
ejustr
eadandt
heynever
l
ikeaf
tert
hat
.ILOVEYOUALL
[
9:20AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#51

AtJohn’
sSur
ger
y

Lat
erthataft
ernoonJohnandKaone
werehavingasmal ldi
scussi
on
out
sidethepremises.

John:(
putti
nghishandsi
nthe
pockets)It
hinkwearegoi
ngtoneed
touser adiat
iontreatmentorelseshe
willdi
e,youdi dn’tt
ellmethatyou
arebringingyourGr andmahere.I
thoughtyouwer etal
kingabouta
youngwoman.
Kaone:Soyouar enotgoi ngtohelp
mebecauseyouwant edayoung
woman?Looki fyoudon’ twantt o
helpme, t
henIcandot hisalone…it
seemslikeyouarenotinterestedin
thi
s.Youcangobackt otheof f
ice
andsitdownstaringatpictur
esof
nakedgirl
sonli
neandl etmedot he
j
ob.
John:Whendidyouseemestar
ing
atnakedpi
ctur
esonli
ne?Ar
eyou
st
alki
ngme.
Kaone:Isawyourwebhi st
ory,
you
thi
nkthatIdon’tknowt hatyouare
watchi
ngpor nonyour
l
aptop…(sighed)t
hat ’
snotimport
ant,
l
etstal
kaboutt hetreatmentand
curenow.
John:Idon’tthinkIcanhel pyounow,
Imadeami staketoallowyout o
bri
ngherher e…Imeanyoust i
llhave
achancet hough, i
fam goingt otake
careofher,Iwilldothatalone.Iwi l
l
monitorheralonebecauseIdon’ t
wantmypat i
entstobemi shandled.I
wil
ltalkt
omydoct orst ohelpme.
Kaone: (
foldedherhands)Noyou
cant,Icandot hatt oo.Yourdoct ors
justspecial i
zeonhear tsurgery’s
here,ther easonwhyyouopenedt hi
s
youwant edt ot reathear tpati
ents,
andmebr ingingacancerpat ienti
s
becauseIknowbet tertr
eatment s
andIwantt i
met ot reather.
Governmenthospi talsdon’ttake
timetreatingpat ientsthat’swhywe
broughtherher e.
John:(checkedhiswatch)Isti
llhave
toknockoffnowandgohomet akea
napandIwi llcomebacklaterfora
nightshi
ft.
Kaone:Okay,
youcango.Am l
eavi
ng
too,butam st
ayi
ngforani
ghther
e
sinceIhaveapati
ent.
John:Arentyougoingtotakeabreak,
youhavewor kedsi
ncemor ningti
ll
theaft
ernoon,youneedtorest.
Kaone:
Iwil
ljustgohomeand
f
reshenup,Ienjoymywor
khere.

Meanwhi
leLesegoandKenwal
ked
i
nandgreet
edthem…

Ken:(
star
ingatJohn)Man, am so
grat
efulf
orhel
pingus.Ipresumed
wrongaboutyouinthefi
rstplace,
butyouareagreatman.
John:(
smil
ed)Youdon’thavet o
worry…byt
hewayIwoul dliketo
haveawordwithyouinprivate.Can
we?
Ken:Sur
e.
John:f
oll
owmet
omyof
fi
ce.

JohnandKenwal kedtotheoff
ice
chatti
ng,
Lesegoleanedbythewall
star
ingatKaone.

Kaone:
( wal
kedtoher)Youdon’thave
toworry,Iwi
llt
akecareofyour
Grandma.Idon’tknowwhyIt al
ked
badaboutyouwhenIf ir
stsawyou..i
j
usthopeam f
orgi
ven,youandmy
brot
herar
esoinloveandIadmi
re
that
.
Lesego: (
smi led)Well
,
youdon’ thave
toment ioni t
.Youwer etr
yingt o
protectyourbr ot
herf
rom maki ng
mistakes, evenmeIwoul ddowhat
youdi d.It
sj usthumannat ure,so
thereisnot hingyoushouldbesor ry
about…( si
ghed)byt heway, areyou
goingt ohelpmyGr andma?
Kaone: (
nodded)Iwi l
ldomybest,i
ts
j
ustnot hingtowor r
yabouteven
thoughherl i
feisindangerbutwit
h
everythi
ngIst udi
edinMaurit
ius,
I
willuseittocurethe
di
sease…(
clear
edhert
hroat
)You
l
oveher,r
ight
?
Lesego:( smiled)shemeansal otto
me,Igr ewupwi t
houtpar entsand
shewast heret oraiset hetwoofus,
meandmysi ster
.Honest l
ywegr ew
upinpover t
yandi twashar dt oeven
acquirebasi cnecessi ti
esoflife.My
Grandmar aiseduswi thsmal lmoney
shemadebywor kingasa
househel per,sothemoneywasn’ t
enought obuyust hingswe
need…( sadly)Ijustwi shIcoul d
becomeabet terpersonandf i
nda
goodj obandpayherback, she
deservesagoodl i
fet oo.
Kaone:
(hol
dingherhand)Am wi
ll
ing
tohel
pyoutoo,whatdoesyoursi
ster
do?
Lesego:Nothi
ng,shej
uststayat
home, shewastheonelooki
ngaft
er
myGr andmawhenIwasaway.
Kaone:(
sighed)Am movingint
oa
newapar t
mentt hi
sweekend,she
cancomeandst aywit
hmeandhel p
around,Iwillpayher
.
Lesego:
(Pausedf
orseconds)f
orr
eal
?
Kaone:
(smiled)Am forr
eal,
am tryi
ng
tobeabetterpersontoo.Li
fei
s
abouthel
pingothers,am gl
adthat
youarewit
hKen, heisagood
br
otherandevent hougham t
he
el
derone,Isti
llr
especthi
m andhei
s
myinspir
ati
on.Att i
mesIwishhe
wastheelderone.
Lesego:Butyoupeoplewerereal
ly
l
uckyinlif
e,am sureyounever
str
uggledthatmuch.Idon’
tknow
whyKendi dn’tt
ellmeaboutyou.I
t
wasjustasur pr
isewhenIsawyou
arr
ivi
ng.
Kaone:Hedi dri
ghtbynott el
li
ng
you…( t
ookasi gh)huh!Iwasr eall
ya
badper son,ImeanIt houghtIknew
italli
nlif
e,andaf t
erIgotintoa
medi calschoolinMaurit
ius.Istar
ted
thinki
ngt hatImattert
hemostt han
otherpeopl e,Idroveawaymy
husbandbecauseIwasn’ tgratef
ul
forthesmal lt
hingshedi dforme, by
thattimeIwasst i
llinmedi calschool
andIdemandedal otfrom him.I
want edt okeepupwi t
ht hejoneses
andl i
f ehumbl edme.Iwasso
embar rassedthatIdi sappear edandI
wasashamedt otalkt ofri
endsand
familybecauset heywer egoingto
cri
ti
ci zeme.
Lesego:Wel l
,butsti
llli
fehassecond
chances, youcanst i
llrol
lagain.Just
forgetaboutthepastandf ocuson
thefuture,youareadoct orand
probablyyouwi llf
indsomeonewho
wi
lll
oveyou.
Kaone:Iwantt
obel
ikeyouguys,
you
andKen.
Lesego:
(Sur
pri
sed)youdon’
tmeani
t
ri
ght?
Kaone:
(cr
ossedherf
inger
s)Imeani
t.
Lesego:(speechless)Okay…(cl
ear
ed
herthroat)shoul
dIgi veyoumy
si
stersnumber ?AndIwi llal
socal
l
her,goreshewi l
lexpectacallf
rom
you.
Kaone:Yes…

Shet
ookherphoneandLesegogave
herthenumber ,t
heythenwal
kedto
thesmallparkthati
sinthemiddl
eof
thebigbuil
ding.

Att
heof
fi
ce…

Meanwhi
leKenfi
xedhi
swat
chwhi
le
l
ist
eni
ngtoJohn…

John:(
concl
uded)Doyouthi
nkyou
caninvestt
hatamountofmoney?
Ken:(
Angri
ly)Whatki
ndofdoctorare
you?youwantmet oinvest100Kin
yourbusi
ness…bythewayt hi
sisnot
apr ofi
t-maki ngor ganization.Even
thoughyoumakepr ofi
tasar eward,
youshoul dknowt hatt heinvestment
youar et al
kingabouti sl i
keam
gambl ingwi thmymoney, am going
tomar r
ywi ththemoneyIhave, and
afterthatIinvesti nbusi nessest hatI
knowIcangetr et
ur nsinabundance.
Doyout hinkam st upi denought o
investintosomet hingt hatam not
sur eaboutt her et
ur ns,yout oldme
thatyouar emaki ngl ossesher e,then
whyshoul dIt rustthatIwi llgetmy
moneyi nthel ongr un.Whati fyou
shutitdownsoonandr el
ocate,how
am Igoi ngt ogett hemoneyknowi ng
thatyoudon’thaveany.Stop
thi
nkingli
keani di
ot,
am hereasking
forhelpbecauseyoutreatpat
ient
s,
notabusinessmeet i
ngasyouputi t
.
John:
(si
ghedheavi
ly)youdon’
thave
tobeupset
,Iwasjusttryi
ngt
o-
Ken: (fi
rm voi
ce)No, wehavea
probl em athandandyoushoul d
addr essi tf
ir
st.Thereafterwecan
talkaboutcash, butnowi t
sli
keyou
areput t
ingmoneyoversomeone’ s
heal t
h.Idon’ tknowhowyouandmy
sisterhavemet ,andam goingtotel
l
hert oleavet hi
scent er
.Youjust
wast edmyt went yminutesher
e.
John:Okay,i
fthat’
swhatyout
hink
i
tsbest.Thenyoumustaswelll
eave
wit
hyourpatient.
Ken:Notnow,weagreedonthis.I
pai
dupfrontf
orthatmatt
er,
ifyou
don’
thelpus.ThenIdemandmy
moneyback,andalsomysister’
s
50K.
John:
(shocked)howdi
dyouknow
aboutyoursist
er’
smoney?
Ken:Shetol
dme, Ihavebeenquiet
aboutit
.NowthatIseegoreher
fi
nancesareatr
isk,It
hinki
tsbest
shewithdr
aw.Therearelotof
hospi
talst
hatof
ferbett
erservi
ce
thanthiscrap,
andattheendwear e
goingtosucceed…(st
andi
ngup)
Transferbackmymoney,plus
Kaone’smoney, andyouwil
lnever
seeusagai n.
John:Icanreturnyourmoney,but
notKaone’s.Ihaveanagreement
withher,
andont opofthatyoucant
makedecisionsonherbehalf.Shei
s
theonewhocandemandt hat
money…(lowvoice)whichIdon’t
havenow.
Ken:(t
ookhisphone)youwantmet o
callt
hepolice?InfactIwillcallt
he
taxforceandalertthem aboutyour
shenanigans.Yout hi
nkIdon’ tknow
aboutthi
s,youareaver
ysmar tguyI
see.Am gl
adIfoundoutaboutyour
i
ntenti
onsbefor
eyousuckKaone’ s
pocket
s.
John:(cal
mly)Okay,youneedto
calm down.Youwon, Idon’
tknow
howyougoti nformati
onaboutme.I
wil
ldot heri
ghtthingandbri
ngback
themoney.
Ken:Good.

Het
henwalkedoutdi
ali
nganumber
ont
hescr
een.

Di
ane:
Hel
lo.
Ken:(smil
ingfoldi
nghissleeves)you
werer i
ghtaboutthisJohn,andthank
youforalerti
ngus.Iwassosl owt o
reactbutfinal
lyIf
oundthatwhatyou
saiditstr
ue.
Di
ane:(
smi
led)Youwentt
omeet
hi
m?
Ken:Iwaswit
hhim,thi
sguyisa
cr
ook.Butanywayyousavedmy
si
ster
,Ioweyoubigti
me.
Di
ane:
(smi
led)Youar
ewel
come.
Ken:Haveagreatafter
noon, seeyou
tomorr
owatwor k.Iwil
ltreatyoufor
somethi
ngbettertomorrow,youwi l
l
choosewhatyouwant ,Youhave
beengr
eat
.
Di
ane:(excit
edly)Wow…Imeanthat
’s
gr
eat.Iwillt
ellyoutomor
rowthen.
Ken:Gr
eat
,bye

Hehungupandsmil
edheadi
ngto
t
heparkwher
eLesegowassi
tti
ng
wit
hKaone….
*
*
*
[
9:20AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENGAGEMOTHER
#52

AtJ.
JCompany.

Thef ol
lowingmorningKel
lywalked
i
nt heof f
iceandsatonthechair
taki
ngoutsomedocument sinthe
shelvesasherwor kmatewalkedin.

Her:
(putacupofcoff
eeontabl
e)You
cameearlytoday,
Ibr
oughtyoua
cupofcoff
ee.
Kell
y:(
smi
led)Ir
eallyappreci
ate,
wel
l
Ihadtocomeearly.It
sjustawayof
avoidingmyhusbandi nthemor ni
ng,
Icantstandwatchinghim andtell
ing
him Goodmorningwhi l
stther
eis
nothinggoodi
nt hathouse.
Her:Butyouhavet oendure,t
heysay
marriageisforbet
ter,f
orworse.But
nowt hatyouaregoingtohavea
babywi thhim,t
hereisnowhereto
runto.Justpraysothatthi
ngscan
getbetter.

Kel
lyglancedatherandt ookt
he
cof
fee,addedsomesugarandt ooka
si
p.Shet hensighedandconti
nued
l
ookingatt hedocuments.
Kelly:
(cl
ear
edherthroat)I
sthereany
recentappl
icat
ionshere?Icantfi
nd
them.
Her
:(poi
nted)i
nthatsecondshel
f,
t
herearebunchofthem.
Kel
ly:Okayt
hanks,
Iwi
llt
akeal
ook.

Shestoodupandwalkedtotheshel
f
andtookoutsomef
ewr esumesand
checkedt
hem.

Her
:(
star
ingather
)Youwanthel
p?
Kel
ly:Not
hanks,
Icanmanage.Am
j
ustl
ooki
ngf
orsomet
hing.

Shethentri
edt orecal
lLesego’
s
surname,andaf t
erfewsecondsshe
sawt heappli
cati
on.Shequickl
ytook
i
twi t
hherandheadedt othehiri
ng
department.

AtJack’
sHouse

Jacksentsomef ewapplicat i
ons
onli
neasthechi l
drengotdr essedin
thei
rroom gett
ingreadytogot o
school,
hethenclosedthel apt opand
wenttothekidsroom andst oodat
t
hedoorst
ari
ngatt
hem.

Ri
ya:(
excit
edl
y)Am goi
ngt
oseemom
af
terschool
?
Jack:Yes,
Iwil
ltakeyout
her
e.You
missedher?
Ri
ya:(nodded)andIwantt
obuyher
agi
ft.
Jack:(
cur
iousl
y)Why?
Riya:Becauseshei sthebestmom i
n
thewor l
d,areyougoingtogiveme
themoneysot hatIcanbuyagiftf
or
her?
Jack:Wewi
llbuyi
taf
terschool
?
Whati
sitt
hatyouwantt
obuyasa
gi
ft
?
Ri
ya:Fl
ower
s,andchocol
ates,
and
bi
rt
hdaycar
dsandcake.
Jack:
(Paused)i
tsherbi
rt
hday?
Riya:
(l
aughed)Idon’tknow.ButIj
ust
wanttobuythem forher,Idon’
t
knowwheni tsherbirt
hday.
Jack:(
smiled)It
sokay, wewillj
ust
assumeitsherbi r
thday..
.nowget
dressed,
Iwi l
lbewai t
inginthecar
.

Hethenwal
kedoutandmetLeboon
hi
swayout.
Lebo:
Didyoumanaget
oappl
y?
Jack:Itr
iedtoapplytoasmany
compani esIcoul
d.Ijusthopet hey
wil
lgivemef eedback,butinthe
meant i
meIwi l
lbearoundt ohel p
yousetupyourcat eri
ngser vi
ce.
Haveyoudeci dedont helocati
on?
Lebo:Am meeti
ngtheyoungl ady
whor ent
edmet hepl
aceint own,she
saidsheIsmovingouttodayand
thenIcanst
artthepreparat
ion.Do
youthinkwecangotogether .
Jack:yes,
Iwi
llj
ustdr
optheki
dsand
Iwil
lcomeandgetyou…(
paused)i
s
t
hepl
acenotexpensi
vet
orent
?
Lebo:Itis,butIhavesavedenough
moneyf r
om mypr evi
ousjobs.Ihave
alwayswant edtostartsomethi
ng,it
s
j
ustamat terofti
meandIwi l
lbeable
tocoverupt heexpensesandmake
profi
t.Inthemeant i
mewecanwor k
togetherifyoudon’tmind.
Jack:IwontsayNot othat
,rat
her
thanwatchi
ngEnglishpremier
l
eaguesatleastIwouldbedoing
somethingbenef
ici
al.
Lebo:
(smi
led)Wear
eset,
Iwi
llgo
takeabat
h.Youwil
lfi
ndmewhen
youcomeback.
Jack:Okay.

Thekidsimmedi
atel
ywalkedoutand
wenttotaket
hei
rlunchboxesand
theywenttot
hecar…

AtKen’
sHouse

Kengotint hecarandst ar
tedi
t,hi
s
phonevibratedanditstart
edri
nging.
Hereachedt ohispocketand
removeditandt henpickedup,i
twas
Kell
y.
Ken:Hey.
Kel
ly:Hi
,Imanagedtolocat
eherf
il
es.
ImeanLesego,andihavegood
newsforherandyou.
Ken:
(smiled)
Shoul
dIst
art
cel
ebrat
ingnow?
Kell
y:(
laughed)Maybe, am ki
dding.
Youcancel ebrat
e.Am sureshewi l
l
behappyt oo,i
tswaytosayt hanks
toyou.
Ken:Wow, Ireal
lydon’
tknowhowt o
reactnow.Doyouwantt otal
ktoher,
Iwasaboutt oleavet
owor kbutIcan
gobackt othehouseandputheron
theli
ne.
Kell
y:Ihaveherdirectl
ine,Iwil
l
contacthersoshecancomeher e.
Luckil
yt her
eisnoi nt
erview
nonsensef orher
,shewillstar
twor
k
i
mmedi atel
y.
Ken:Ithankyouthousandoftimes,
I
real
lydoubtshecouldhavegotthe
j
obi fIdidn’
tmeetyoutheother
eveningattheGym.Shewillbe
happyt oheart
hisgoodnews.
Kell
y:Am happyforhertoo, thef act
thati
tsdif
fi
cul
ttofindaj obt hisdays.
ButIhavetoapplaudyout oo, you
arereal
lyl
ookingafterher.Notever y
manwi l
ldothat,i
ttakescour aget o
gooutthereandhelpyourl ovedone
tofi
ndajobi
nthiseconomyf
ullof
unempl
oyment.
Ken:That
’sthewholetrut
h,youare
ver
yright
…(sighed)t
hankyouagain,I
wil
lhaveagreatmor ni
ngtoday.
Kel
ly:Youarewel
come,
haveagood
daysir,
bye

ThecallendedandKensmi l
ed
get
ti
ngi nthecar,het
houghtt wice,
whethertogoandt el
lLesegot he
goodnewsorj ustwaitsothatshe
canhearthenewsher sel
f.Het hen
madeuphi smi ndandgotinthecar
anddroveoff.
MEANWHI
LE…

Lesegodial
edanumberonthe
screenandputt
hephoneontheear
.

Bongi
e:Hel
lo
Lesego:Hi
,di
dshecal
lyou?
Bongi
e:(
smil
ed)Shedid,
andthanks
toyousi
ster
.Sheevensentmethe
moneytocomethere.
Lesego:Ihopeyouarefi
newithwhat
Ihaveputyouinto.It
houghtyou
weregoingtoref
use,sowhenare
youcomi
ng.
Bongie:Iwi
llcomet
hisweekend.I
s
Grandmaokay?
Lesego:Shewil
lbefi
ne,youdon’
t
havetoworryabouther
.Ithi
nk-

Ther
ewascal
lcomi
ngt
hrough.

Lesego:
CanIcal
lyoul
ater
?
Bongi
e:Okay.

Shethenputonholdandanswer
ed
thecal
l,
itwasKel
ly.
Lesego:Hel
lo?
Kel
ly:Hi
,Lesego?
Lesego:Yes,
andyouar
e?
Kell
y:Am Kel
ly,
didn’
tKentel
lyou
anythi
ngaboutme? .
..
byt
hewayyou
gottheJob.
Lesego:
(smil
ed)wai
t,IknowKen
sai
dhef oundmeaJobsomewher e,
i
st hati
t?
Kel
ly:Yes,
wil
lyoubeavai
labl
ethi
s
af
ternoon?
Lesego:Am alwaysavai
labl
e,
anyti
me, anywhere…
Kel
ly:Okay,
Iwi
llcal
lyout
his
af
ter
noon,
tocomeandseear
ound.
Lesego:Thankyousomuch.
Kel
ly:youar
ewel
come.

ThecallendedandLesegoj
umped
for
thandbackhappil
y..

AtJohn’
sSur
ger
y…

Johnstart
ledasKaoneputthepaper
onthetabl
eandfoldedherhands
star
ingathim.

John:Nextt
imeknockpl
ease,
you
don’
tjustbashi
nli
ket
hat
.
Kaone:Am sor
ryAbut
i,t
herewontbe
anextti
mebecauseam leavi
ng.
John:
Leavi
ngt
owher
e?
Kaone:Am notworki
nghere
anymore,t
hat’
smyqui tnot
ice.SoI
needallmyresour
cesback,money,
ti
me..
(paused)Notti
me,butIwant
mymoneybackal lofit
.
John:Whereareyougoing?And
againit
sgoingtobehardformeto
fi
ndar epl
acementnow.Canyou
waitunti
lmonthendatleast
.
Kaone:Iwasgoingtowait,
butyou
cantbetr
ustedJohn.Iappl
iedat
GPHfewdaysagoandIgott
hej
ob,
sobyef
ornow.
John:Whataboutthepat
ientyou
broughti
n,youcantl
eaveherhere.
Kaone:Ihavecoll
aborat
edwi t
h
doctor
satGPHandt heyaregoingto
assi
stme, t
heyarenotcrookslike
you.If
eelpit
yforyournextvi
ctim
anyway.
John:(
tookadeepbr eat
h)I
tsokay,
howaboutIwr i
tesomeoftheassets
hereunderyourname.Youwillget
them i
fIfai
ltopaythemoneybefore
monthend.
Kaone:Nowyouar
etal
king,
byt
he
way, don’tbesurpr
isedafterheari
ng
thatIhavemyownMedi calcent
erin
thefutur
e.Itwil
lsupersedeyours,we
canbet .
John:(
laughed)youar
edr
eami
ng
aren’
tyou?
Kaone:Okaywewi llsee,bytheway,
si
gnmeof f,wi
thdrawmef rom t
his
crap,
cancelmynames, del
eteevery
detai
laboutme,fornowBye.

Shethentookof ft
hewhitecoatand
puti
tont hetable,
tookherl
aptop
andallherbelongi
ngsandleft
.
*
**6MONTHSLATER*
**
*
*
*
[
9:20AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEEANGEMOTHER

#53

*
**6MONTHSLATER*
**

AtJ.
JCompany…
Lesego’sheel sechoedwhi l
eshe
wasst il
lint hecor ri
dor, everyof f
ice
anddepar t
mentshepassed, every
onest oodatt hedoorst ari
ngather .
Event hemar riedmenst oodt here
admi r
ingher ,shewasbeaut i
ful,long
blondehai randwor eashi ning
necklacet hatshewasgi f
tedbyKen
afewdaysagoaf terengagi ngher .
Shewor egr eenhi ghheel s,al ong
greendr essandl etlooseofherl ong
blondehai r.Af terpassi ngcoupl eof
blocksshewal kedi ntheof f
iceand
putsomef il
esont het ableast woof
herwor kmat eskeptcompl iment ing…
Lesego:(
sof
tl
y)Theyhaveshi pped
hundredspackagestoday,hereisa
recor
dyoucanputi tint
othesyst em.
Worker1:
(Smil
ed)OkayIwi
lldot
hat
MrsGotsi
le…
Lesego:(
blushed)Comeon!It
snot
yetmysur name.Butthanksf
orthe
blessi
ng,youar esuchadarl
ing.
Wor ker2:Nnakei kopeledihighheel
bathong, t
hisonesar en’
tjust
ordinaryheels,Isensethatthey
mighthavebeenboughtover seas.
Girlyouarer ocki
ngont hem
…( smili
ng)youl ookdamnhot !
Lesego:(
smi
led)
Iwi
llgi
vet
hem t
o
youthen,aft
ermyweeding,
youwill
betheonet otaket
hem.Iwil
lkeep
them j
ustforyou.
Her
:(
Exci
tel
y)Ther
ewego,
yippee!

MeanwhileLesego’
sphonest
art
ed
ri
ngi
ng,shelookedatt
hecall
erI
D
smil
ing.

Worker1:Kgm Kgm !!Heis

cal
li
ng…(star
ingather)OurHusband
i
scalli
ng.
Wor
ker2:Lesegot
ellhi
m Isai
dhi
.
Lesego:Iwi
ll
.
Shesmi
ledasshepi
ckedupheadi
ng
out
.

Lesego:
(exci
tedl
y)Hel
lo,
howi
smy
mandoing?
Ken:(gi
ggl
ed)Wow,someonei
sina
goodmood.Well,
yourmanisdoi
ng
j
ustgood.Bythewayhowismy
queen?
Lesego:(fl
ushedasmi l
e)Shei sjust
theremi ssi
ngsomeone, byt heway
theladyf r
om thebouti
quet oldme
thattheywi l
lorderacustom- made
weddi ngdesignforme, soshesai dI
shouldcomeforspeci
fi
cat
ionsso
thatshecoul
dtakemymeasur ement
.
Doyout hi
nkweshouldgotherenow?
Ken:Howaboutt omorrow,my
parentsareal r
eadyhomenowwi t
h
myuncl es,theycamef orf
inal
arr
angement s.AndIhavecousins
whol i
ket oseeyou,theyareeagerl
y
waiti
ngt oseemyqueen.
Lesego:Okay,butIhopetheyarenot
goingtoforcemet osayanythi
ng
becauseam shy.Butiftheyonlydo
thetal
kingIdon’tmindlist
eni
ng.
Ken:(
laughed)Okho!Youthi
nki
t
worksthatway,bytheti
meweare
donewi t
ht heweddi
ngyouwi ll
reali
zethatyouspokeoverone
mi l
li
onwor dsi
njustf
ewhour s,t
hey
aregoingtowanttoknowmor e
aboutyou, l
egor
eareyougoingt o
takecareofme.andhowmanyki ds
wear egoingtohave.
Lesego:(laughing)Idoubtsomeof
thet hi
ngsyouar esaying,andthe
kidspar tIreal
lydon’ tbel
ieveit
.Well
Iwi l
ltel
lthem thatwear egoingto
havesi xkids,twins,quadruplet
splus
Riya.Damnt hat’
ssevenki ds…t
hat’
s
at eam,asubofaf ootball
team…( l
aughed)
Ken:Atl
eastwewi
llneverbebor
ed
athome, Iwillal
wayswanttol
eave
mywor kplaceearlysoIcangoand
seemyki dswhol ook
toget
her…(laughed)Imeanwholook
both,
,
,i
jogat weng.
Lesego:
(l
aughi
ng)Gonemoo!
Ken:Sowher
ear
ewegoi
ngaf
terour
wedding?
Lesego:(
thoughtf
ull
y)Ihavent
thoughtaboutthatone,
wecango
andcampatt heOkavangodelta.
Ken:Youwanttobeeatenbyli
ons?
Am goingtobookatr
iptoPari
s,you,
meandRi ya.Asevendaytr
ip.
Lesego:
(Paused)i
sn’
tthatexpensi
ve?
Ken:Iknewi twasgoi ngtobe
expensive,Ipreparedwellfori
t.Don’
t
wor r
y,wewi llst
il
lhaveenought o
l
iveonaf terourwedding.Youar enot
goingtost r
uggleanymor e,Iwil
l
makesur eyougetwhat soeveryou
want .
Lesego:(Sadl
y)ButPari
siswayt
oo
expensivebaby,
Ireal
lydi
sagr
eewit
h
theidea.
Ken:Honey,i
t’
sonceoffopport
unit
y,
Ineverwentt
oparisoranyother
countr
youtofAfr
ica.Andyouneit
her
ri
ght?Weonlyli
veonce,let
sdothis
l
ove.
Lesego:
(smil
ed)Wel l
,Iwil
lst
artt
o
poli
shmyFr enchnow.Kanawena
youknowt helanguage,youhaveto
teachmesot hatwecanal ways
communi cat
einFrench.
Ken:Am goingtoteachyou…(smi
led)
Wewi l
ltal
klaterathome,havea
goodday.
Lesego:
(happi
ly)Haveani
cedayt
oo.
Ken:Byt heway,Isentyou
somethingtoyourwor kpl
ace.I
ts
somethingIhavebeenwant ingto
surpr
iseyouwithtocheeryouupf or
thi
sweek.
Lesego:(
cur
iousl
y)Andt
hat
’s?
Ken:I
t’
sasur
pri
se,
bye.

Hehungup, MeanwhileLesego
walkedbackt otheoff
icewhereshe
wassur prisedseeingsomeRoseson
thetable,andacar dtogetherwi
tha
chocolatebox.Shesmi l
edand
pickedthecar dreadi
ngi t
.Meanwhi
le
oneofhercol l
eagueswalkedin.

Lesego:
(holdi
ngt
hecar
d)didyou
seethepersonwhobr
oughtthi
s?
Her:Wel
l,i
twasadeliveryman.He
parkedt
hescooteri
nt hepar
kinglot
.
Isawhim headi
ngthi
sway…( star
ing
atthefl
owers)wow, canyougiveme
thecharm youareusingnemma.
KanaIhavebeenwi t
hamanf orfi
ve
yearsbutIneverrecei
vedfl
owersor
anythi
ngli
kethisevenonce.
Lesego:Thereisnocharmfriend,t
he
manhi mselfi
shisownchar m.When
hetrul
ylovesyou,youdon’task
anymore.Heaut omat
ical
lydot hi
ngs.
Her:Nnya, t
herei sacharm am
tel
li
ngyou, ihavehear daboutt he
Malawiant r
aditionalheal
er,gatwehe
j
ustuseaspel landyourman
automaticall
ydot hi
ngswithout
asking.Iwantt omeett hehealer,
tot
a.
Lesego:
(l
aughed)Theyaregoingto
eatyourmoney,Idon’tbel
ievet
his
thi
ngsofspel
ls.

Theybothl
aughedasLesegosaton
thechai
radmir
ingt
heroses.

AtJack’
sHouse

LaterthatdayJackopenedt he
bonnetofhiscarandpour edsome
waterintoaf i
lt
er,meanwhil
eacar
stoppedatthegat e,
heglancedati
t
andclosedt hebonnet.Awhite
mazda3wi thtint
edwindows
stopped,
andThat
ost
eppedout
enteri
ngatt
hegat
eheadi
ngtowar
ds
Jack.

Jackadjust
edhi
stieandopenedt
he
cardoorandwai
ted.

Thato:
(smi
led)Lookatyou,it
sli
ke
wehavesixyearswithoutseei
ng
eachother
.Your eal
lydi
sappeared
l
ikethesuninwinter
.Howar eyou?
Jack:(
sighed)
Am good,
Idon’tknow
whethertobehappyorangryseeing
you.Butanywaythepasti
sthe
past…(l
ookedatt
hecaratthegate)
Wher
eist
heGTI
?
That
o:Isolditandboughtthi
s,i
t
di
dn’taddanyvaluetomyl i
fe,i
t
onl
ycreatedexpensesaroundme.
Jack:Okay,sowhatbr i
ngsyouhere.
Am onal unchbreak,am goi
ngback
toworkandaf t
erthatam goi
ngto
pickmyfiancéeatherfoodstor
e.
Thato:Damn, thingshavechanged
aroundher e.Youhaveaf iancée?Am
happyf oryoubr o…l
ookam sor ry
abouttheshi tthatyouwentt hr
ough
somef ewmont hsback.Ihavent
beenar oundf ormont hs,Iwas
workinginSAhel pi
ngmyf atherat
hi
saut opartsshop.Iheardthenews
bypeople,Iknowwehave
di
ffer
encesbutletssettl
ethingsand
bebuddiesagain.Atleasttoxi
c
peoplearen’
taroundnow.
Jack:(
fi
stbumped)ifyour eal
lymean
whatyouar esayi
ngthenwear e
good…(checkedtheclock)am
l
eavingnow.
Thato:i
tsfi
nebr ot
her,wewillt
alk.
Am happyt hatyoufoundsomeone
youwi l
lbeabletomar ryandbe
happywi t
h.
Jack:Whataboutyou?haventyou
foundsomeone?
Thato:Man, t
hingsar
ehar dfornow.
Am justtr
yingtomakesomet hi
ng
outofmyl i
fe,Ihavewastedtimeon
somedumbshi tandIjustreali
zed
nowt hatIwastedti
me.
Jack:I
tsnevert
ool
atef
oranythi
ng
i
nlif
e.Youcanbounceback.
That
o:Iagr
ee…wellwit
hthatbei
ng
sai
d,l
etsdi
sper
se.It
sgoodseeing
youagai
n.

Theysharedabrot
herl
yhugand
Jackgotint
othecar,
asThat
o
walkedbacktohi
s.
AtDi
ane’
sHouse

Latert
hatafter
noonDianescrol
led
onsomei nstafeedandsawapi ctur
e
ofKenandLesego, shenoti
cedt he
engagementr i
ngsandatear
droppedfr
om hereye.Let
tyglanced
athersadly.

Lett
y:Themor eyoulookatthe
pict
ures,t
hemor epainyouwil
lfeel
.
It
sbet t
eryoustayawayfrom t
heir
socialmedia.
Diane:I
tspai
nfulandexci
ti
ngatthe
samet i
me,If
eelpainbecauseI
admir edKen,i
tsver yrar
etocome
acrossamanl ikehim.Hest ayed
tr
uet ohisgirl
fri
endandnowt heyare
aboutt ogetmar ri
ed.Am happyfor
himt hough,atleasthehelpedmet o
beabet t
erperson.Lennaam goi ng
tofi
ndsomeonel i
kehim,am sure
aboutt hat.
Letty:I
tsnotaseasyasyouputi t
,
that’swhysomeofusar ejustdati
ng
forfun.Amanwi l
lal
waysf i
ndagood
girl
,butasforalady.
,itsverydif
fi
cult
.
Sowheni sthei
rweeding?Andar e
your eal
lygoingtoat
tendit?
Diane:I
tsnextweek,
ofcourseam
goingtowit
nessthem get
ti
ng
marr
ied,andmaybeIwi
llr
ecei
vemy
ownblessingt
oo.
Lett
y:(
smiled)Younevergi veup,I
wishIwasyou.Mat hatannaam just
abadgi r
l,Ir
eall
ydon’ tcar
eabout
thi
smar ri
agething.Ijustwantfun,
that
’sit
.
Diane:Bytheti
meyour eacht he
maturityst
age,youwi
llreal
izet he
i
mpor tanceofhavi
ngafami lyofyour
own.Idon’twanttobeol d,
bef oreI
getmyownhusbandt oo.
Lett
y:Butheisnotgoingtofal
lfr
om
heaven,unt
ilyoustopobsessi
ng
overKen,youwillnowopendoorsfor
agoodr
elat
ionshi
pandhappi
ness.
Diane:
(nodded)Youareri
ght…(st
ood
up)am goingtotakeanap,don’t
wakemeup.

Let
tyl
oudl
ysangDON’
TWAKEME
UPbyCHRISBROWNtocheerher
.

“
Don’
twakemeup,
up,
up,
up,
up”
“
Don’
twakemeup,
up,
up,
up,
up”

Shekeptsingi
ngwhil
eDianestood
ther
ewatchinghermadsist
er.She
thensear
cheditonherpl
ayerand
t
henpl
ayedi
tint
hespeaker
s.
Theycont
inuedsi
ngi
ngunt
ili
tended.

Let
ty:
(breat
hingheavi
ly)Isangi
t
bet
terthanhim.
Diane:
(sighi
ng)Idon’ tbel
ievewe
real
lysangi t
…(laughed)your eal
ly
sangitterri
bly.
Let
ty:(holdingaremoteasamic)
Okay,Iwi l
lrepl
ayit
.Iwil
lsi
ng,
then
i
tsyourt urn.
Di
ane:
okay.

Shesatdownont
hecouchasLet
ty
sangal
ongwi
thi
t…

AtKen’
sHouse

Laterthataft
ernoont herewere
coupleofcarspar kinginthe
compound, andsomepeopl einthe
plasti
cchairsoutsidechatti
ng.Ken
glancedfrom thecarwi ndowand
noticedRiyaandsomeki dsinthe
pool,hethenturnedt oLesegointhe
otherseat.

Ken:
(smil
ed)Ri
yaisher
e,t
hismeans
JackandLeboareher
easwell
.
Lesego:Theydi
dgoodcomingher
e.
Arentwegoingt
ostepout
side.
Ken:
(gi
ggl
ed)ar
eyouner
vous?
Lesego:(
tookadeepbr
eat
h)Ali
tt
le
bit
…am justnotr
eadyt
omeetyour
people.

Meanwhilet
herewasaknockatt
he
window,Kenrol
ledt
hewindow
smili
ng.

Ken:Ashl
ey,
whendi
dyouar
ri
ve?
Ashl
ey:Icamewit
hTonyanhour
ago,
heisinthel
oungesear
chi
ng
you.Ar
ehel
ikesyourl
ibr
ary.
Ken:(l
aughed)Tony, eisht hatguy.He
wantt ostealmybooks…( clear
edhi s
thr
oat)Ashl ey,youknowourbr ide,
Lesego.Thi sisher,myl ovelywifeto
be…(turnedt oLesego)Baby, meet
Ashley,shei smycousi n.Shei sjust
thesameageasyou…j ust
sayi
ng. .
(winked)
Lesego:
(ext
endedherhandf
ora
handshake)hey,
howareyou?
Ashley:(
smi
led)Am good…Ist
il
lwant
toknowhowyouguysmet .
Lesego:(
smil
ing)I
tsembar
rassing,
butnextweekyouwil
lbeknowing
ever
ythi
ng.

Meanwhi l
eTonyputthesungl
asses
ontheforeheadandnoti
cedAshl
ey
andKenf rom hi
ssi
de.Hethen
hur
riedthere…

Tony:(exci
tedly)Yoh,myfucki
ng
nigga.Howar eyoumy
mot herf
u***(hepausedashenoticed
Lesegoont heotherseat
)Mybad,
am sor r
y…(embar r
assed)
ithi
nkam
j
ustt ooexcited.

Theyal
llaughedst
ari
ngathi
m
Tony:(putt
ingont hesunglasses)yoh!
Don’tmakef unofmyswag…( t
urned
toLesego)callmeB- red,
am ar apper
,apr oducer,beatmakeranda
comedi an.
Ken:
(l
aughi
ng)Hei
slyi
ng.
Lesego:(
laughed)howmany
mixtapesdoyouhave.

Theyalll
ist
enedashewasst
il
l
count
ing…

Ken:
(chuckl
ed)Wel
l,
zer
omi
xtapes.
Tony:Nigga,theyaremorethan50
andam acel ebrat
edart
ist
.Local
ly
andinternat
ionall
y.
Lesego:Wow,buthowcomeIdon’t
recogni
zeyou.Sur
elyyouappear
ed
onTVr i
ght?
Tony:
(fi
stbumpedher
)That’
sitmy
l
ady,Iappear
edonTVmor ethanthe
newsreadercoul
dhavei
nherlif
e
ti
me.

Meanwhil
eLesegoandKenst epped
outandmadethei
rwayt ogoand
greett
heel
der
sast heyulul
atedat
them…
*
**FEW DAYSLATER*
**
*
*
*
(
Wear eheadingtowardstheendmy
f
ir
stbook,Ihopeyouwi l
lbereadyf
or
mynextonewhi chisgoingtobea
l
ongread)
[
9:20AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#54

*
**FEW DAYSLATER*
**
Att
heFar
m…

Kenst oodbyt hef ishpondand

sprinkledsomef i
shf oodont he
surfaceoft hewat er,Lesegowal ked
byandsmi l
edl ooki ngatthewat er
wavesf ormingont hesur face.Ken
glancedathi m asTonyst oodata
distancet akingpi ctures.Het hen
startedf i
lmingt hem from hi scam
recorderandwal kedcl osely…

Tony:
(smi
led)Thi
sarememor
ies,
maybeoneofthedaysshewi
llno
l
ongerbewi
thyou,sowhenyoumi
ss
her
.Youwil
ltakealookatt
he
pi
ctur
es.
Ken:Shewil
lbewithmeuntiloneof
usgoestoheaven…(smi
ledstari
ngat
her)aker
ewif
ey?
Lesego:
(smi
led)Not
hingi
sgoi
ngt
o
separat
eus.
Tony:Soar eyouguysreadyf or
tomorrow?Ireal
lycantwai tf
orthe
bigday,toseetwolovebi r
ds
exchangingvows..
.(
closedhiscam)
well
,am goingtothestream tocat
ch
ducks,whowantone?
Ken:Wewi
llcomeandj
oinyoui
na
minut
e,butj
ustmakesur
eyoudon’
t
f
lowwiththewat
ers.
Tony:
(l
aughed)Am abi
gguy.

Het henopenedhi scam andstar

ted
recordingeverythingasheheadedto
thestream ofwat erwhichwas
coupleofmi nutesawayf rom t
he
farm.Kent urnedtoLesegoand
Frenchkissedherhol di
ngherhands.

Ken:
Youremembert
hef
ir
stt
imewe
cameher
e?
Lesego:
(noddi
ng)Ist
il
lremember
,
youparkedthecart
heverysame
wayyoupar
kedt
hel
astt
imewe
cameher
e.
Ken:Wow, whatacoincidence….i
nevernoti
ced…(lookedathisshirt
)l
worethisshir
twi t
hstri
pes,thevery
samekakishor tand…(stari
ngather)
foryoutheonlythingyouchangedi s
yourblouse.
Lesego:
(smi l
ing)Ithi
nkweshoul d
ri
dethehor sesagain,Ireall
yenjoyed
myselfwhenwecameher e.Andthis
ti
mecanwel i
kegoout sidethefarm
tothemai nroad,wewi llcomeback
aft
erwer eacht hecrossroad.
Ken:
(put
ti
ngonhi
shat
)Let
sfucki
ng
doi
t.
Lesego:
(l
aughed)youcur
sed?
Ken:
(l
aughi
ng)Mybad…

Theyt henheadedtot
hebarnwhere
Kenl oosenedtwohor
sesandwalked
them out,put
ti
ngonthesaddl
eand
helpedLesegocli
mb.

Lesego:Youbr
oket
hatgi
rl
’shear
t.
Ken:
(paused)who?
Lesego:Yourassist
ant,Ireall
yfel
t
pit
yforher…am sureeveryone
wantedtobeinyourl i
fe,Ialmostl
ost
youwi
thoutr
eal
izi
ng.
Ken:(
sighed)youmeanDi ane,
its
l
if
e…(joki
ngly)Ishoul
dmar ryt
he
bothofyou,am surepol
ygamyis
l
egalinBotswana.
Lesego:Idon’
twanttodiebef
oremy
ti
me, Iwil
lstr
angl
eyouorherto
deathifam notgi
ventheatt
enti
onI
need.
Ken:(
laughed) Iwonderhowt hi
s
wiveswhoar emar ri
edtooneman
arecoping,that’swhysomeoft hem
endupki l
li
ngeachot her
..some
peoplearegr eedy,howcanyouwant
tohaveallthewi vesintheworld,
r
onar
etl
asal
akaeng.
Lesego:(
laughed)Most l
ythi
speople
whopr acti
cepolygamyar eri
ch,so
womenj ustthrowt hemsel
vesinto
them.Theydon’ tcareeveni
fthey
arefi
ft
hwi feorsixt
h.
Ken:That
’sst
upidit
y,t
oloveone
personi
stherealgame.

AtKen’
sWor
kpl
ace…

LaterthatcoldnoonDianeandMr s
Wil
liamswal kedinthemanager’
s
off
iceandsatdown, t
hemanager
wenttot hecoff
eetableandputt
he
ket
tl
eon.

Him:
(satdown)Goodday,am sur
e
youallknowwhyIcal
ledbot
hofyou.
Di
ane:
(conf
used)Ihavenoi
dea.
MrsWi l
li
ams:Tot
ellusthatKeni
s
gett
ingmarr
ied?That’
soldnewsand
ever
yoneknows.
Him:That’snotit,
infactwehave
decidedt oreshuff
lethe
organizat
ionalstr
ucture.Weasa
companynot i
cedthatthosewho
thi
nkt heyknowt hejob,workless
andt hosewhoar ebelow inthe
organizat
ionarehar dworkers,sowe
deci
dedt
or eor
gani
zethi
sand
rewar
daccordi
ngtoperf
ormance.
Di
ane:
(si
ghi
ng)Si
r,ar
eweget
ti
ng
f
ir
ed?
Him: (
nodding)somewi l
lgoand
somewi l
lremai n,i
t’
st hecultur
eof
thi
sor ganizat
ion.Italkedtot heCEO
andwedeci dedt orecognizeand
rewar dt
hosewhopassi onately
wor kedregardlessoftheirrankings
i
nt hiscompany.
MrsWil
li
ams:
(smi
led)Good,
then
t
hat’
swhatwehavebeenwaiti
ngfor
.
Hi
m:Wear egoi
ngt
oholdameet i
ng
t
hisaf
ter
noonandl
etourst
affknow
what shappeninginhere…andafter
thatwewi l
ldispersesothatpeople
cangohomeear l
yandbeabl eto
attendKen’sweddi ngt
omor r
ow.
Mr
sWi
ll
iams:
Socanwegonow?
Him:Am notdone…(st
oodup
headi
ngt othecof
feet
able)bythe
way,DianeandMrsWi l
li
amssi nce
youareinthesamedepartmentwe
deci
dedt oswapyourposit
ions.
MrsWill
iams:what
?andwhatwi
llI
become?
Him:Youwi l
ljoi
nthedoortodoor
crewmar ket
ingouri
nsurance
poli
cies.
Mr sWi l
li
ams:(Angry)It
otal
ly
disagreewiththis,whatki
ndof
nonsensei sthis.Thi
sistot
al
favori
tism ,
andt hisi
sagainstt
he
l
aw.
Him:Well,youcangoandreportme
toemploymentagency.Youwill
comebackembar r
assedbecause
ourcul
turehereall
owsusto
reor
ganizethestr
uctur
ebasedon
perf
ormance.

MrsWi l
li
amsangri
lyl
efttheof
fi
ce
andtookherphonecal
lingher
husband.
Hi
m:Hel
lo
MrsWil
li
ams:(t
ear
ful
ly)Am sor
ry,
am
l
eavi
ngthisj
ob.
Him:Leaveit
,youwil
lgoandbea
st
ripperatni
ghtcl
ubs,byt
hewayam
donewi t
hyou.Imetmylawyerand
wear edonewit
hdivor
cesett
lement
,
sodon’tcomebackhome.Am tir
ed
ofyou.
Mr
sWi
ll
iams:
(cr
ying)Honey!Pl
ease-
Hi
m:Bye.

Thecal
lended,
meanwhi
leDi
anel
eft
theoff
iceandcl
osedthedoor.She
noti
cedhercryi
ngandwalkedtoher.

Di
ane:
(pi
ti
ful
)Am sor
ryf
orever
ythi
ng.
MrsWill
iams:(
wipedhert
ear
s)why
don’
tyoucelebrat
e.
Di
ane:Noonedeser
vespai
n…

Shet
henl
eft
…

Att
hepar
k…

Bongi
eandherGr
andmasatdown
st
ari
ngatt
hesmallst
ream f
ormi
ng
somewavesaski
dspl
ayedbyt
he
bank.

Bongie:(
smil
ed)Ireal
lycantbel
ieve
thi
sishappening,
Lesegoreall
y
madeyoupr oud.
Grandma:Bot hofyour eallymade
mepr oud,
am gl adthatIlivedtosee
thi
sday.Eveni fIdiethedayaf t
er
tomorrow,Iwillberesti
ngi nmy
graveknowingt hatmygr andchil
dren
havegrowni ntowomanandwi ves,
youcannowt akecareofyour sel
ves.
Bongi
esmi
ledandhuggedher
.
Att
hef
arm…

Lat
erthatdayKengaveLesegoa
bot
tl
eofwat erandst
art
edthecar
…

Ken:
(st
aredather
)Ar
eyouokay?
Lesego:
(Pausedforafewseconds)I
haveaconfessi
ont omake.

Kenswall
oweddeeplyandtur
nedof
f
theengi
nefi
xinghi
seyesather.

Ken:
(hear
tpoundi
ng)Yes?
*
*
*
[
9:20AM,
31/05/
2020]MamoyoSp:
BROKENTEENAGEMOTHER

#55

Meanwhi
le…

Kenswal
loweddeepl
yst
ari
ngat
her
…

Lesego:
(l
aughi
ngst
ari
ngathi
m)I
LOVEYOUUU! !
Ken:(
sighedheavil
y)Lesegodon’
t
playli
kethat
,Ithoughtyouwere
goingtosaysomet hi
ngthatwil
l
breakmyhear t
…(tookadeepbreat
h)
youlookedseri
ouswhenyousai d
youwantt omakeaconf essi
on,
damn!
Lesego:(
ti
ckl
edhi
m)Iwasonl
y
j
oking,el
egorewhatwer
eyou
thi
nking?
Ken:Somanythi
ngscameinmy
mind…canwegoalr
eadybef
oreyou
cal
lofft
heweddi
ng.

Kenst
art
edt
heengi
neasTony
openedt
hebackdoorandst
eppedi
n.

Ken:
(l
ooki
nginther
ear
-vi
ewmi
rr
or)
yout
ooklong.
Tony:Iwentt
ohuntr
abbi
ts,
Ibr
ought
one…(smil
ed)

Hethenopenedhisbackpackand
showedthem dangl
ingi
tbytheneck.

Tony:
(smi
li
ng)youl
ikei
t?
Ken:No,youshoul
dn’
thavebr
ought
thati
nthecar,
whatar
eyougoingto
dowithit
.
Tony:Wel
l,Iwi
llgi
vei
ttot
he
nei
ghbor’
sdog.
Ken:Thei
rdogeatwit
hthem i
nt he
di
ningtabl
e,i
twi
llbeaninsul
tifyou
bri
ngthatt
othei
rhouse.

Theyalll
aughedasKenjoi
nedt
he
mainroadheadinghome…

*
*
AtAvaniGabor
oneResor
t

Thef
oll
owi
ngday…
Latert hatdayever yonesatdownas
thel i
ght swer eswi tchedoff,the
priestlitthefireandt hechant s
begun, thepi anopl ayedinasof t
mel ody.Meanwhi l
eKenandLesego
wal kedi nar edcar petheadi ngt othe
frontwher etheysatdownont he
whi techai r
smat chingtheirweddi ng
clothing, Kengl ancedatherandt hei
r
eyesmetbr i
ef l
y,hegaveheral itt
le
smi leandt hent ur
nedl ookingar ound,
henot i
cedLesego’ sGr andmaand
hersi stersit
tingnextt ohispar ents.
Lesegol ookedmor ebeaut i
fulthan
sheeverhad, t
hechantcont inuedfor
fewmi nutesasthePriestkept
addingt wigsandspoonf ulofgheet o
thefire,thesmokefil
ledther oom
andt hereaftert
heprayerbegunas
everyonest oodup.

Meanwhi let
hepr i
estcalledthetwo
couplestojointhem intheinstit
uti
on
ofmar r
iage,Kencoul dhearLesego’s
heartbeatandhet ookasigh
headingtowardst hepodium wher e
twodiamondr i
ngswer eplaced…The
Pri
estsignaledthatKencant akethe
ri
ngandt heyshoul dfaceeachot her,
Kenknel
tdownhol
dingherhandand
madeavow…

Ken: (l
ookedi ntentlyintoheryes)I
solemnl ypr omiset ol ove,care,
respectandl ookaf teryou.Am r eady
togi veyouet ernall ove,lovethat
neverendsandt hatwhi chwi llbind
ust oget heruntiltheendoft ime.I
alsopr omi setobeyourhusband,
bestf ri
end, yourchef (smi l
ed), your
massaget herapist…(everyone
wowedashecont inued)your
cheer l
eader ,HairDr esser..
(tears
roll
edi nhereyes)Li pstickar t
ist,your
past or,andyourbodyguar d.
Everyonewasastoni
shedashesli
d
theringonherfi
ngerandst
oodup.
Lesegoneversawthatcoming,
she
j
ustst ar
edathi
m amazed.

Pr
iest
:Lesego,
takeyourr
ing.
Lesego:
(puttheringonhi sfi
nger )I
Lesego…(Gasped)Ipr omisetolove
you,Iwil
lbethereforyouanyt ime
youneedme. ..
am goingt ogiveyou
plent
ykids.
.(
everyonel aughed,she
thentur
nedtot hepriest)wellIdon’t
havemucht osay, het ookmywor ds.
Theybothsmil
edast
heyt
urned
faci
ngthepr
iest
.

Pr
iest
:Inowpronouncebot
hofyou
MrandMr sGot
sil
e…youmaykisst
he
br
ide

Kensi ghedandki ssedheras

everyonecl apped…Thecamer aman
closelyzoomedt helenstotakethe
bestshotoft heki ss,t
hecam flashed
ast hemancl i
ckedt hepi
cture.
Meanwhi l
eever yonestoodandsang
praise,KenandLesegoshyl ylooked
atthecr owd.
AtLone’
shouse

Meanwhi l
eLett
yshowedLoneand
Tebogothepictur
esthatDi
anesent
i
nherwhat sapp,t
heyscrol
led
l
ookingatthebeauti
ful
couple(
LesegoandKen)andadored
them.

Lone:
(surpri
sed)Ineversaw
somethingli
kethisbefor
e,i
sthatr
eal
diamondr i
ngont hei
rfi
nger
s?
Tebogo:I
tsrealdi
amond,am sur
eit
cost
edthousandsofpul
as…howdi d
t
hisguyaf
for
dtomakethisweddi
ng
t
hisbi
g,i
sheamill
ionai
re?
Lett
y:Thisguyownst hebank,thi
sis
thetypeofweddingsyouseei n
Amer i
canTVshows.I fIcanmeeta
manl iket
his,
IswearIwonteven
cheat.Iwil
lbefai
thf
ultohim unti
lhe
star
tfeari
ngme.
Lone:
(zoomedthepi
ctur
e)Guysl
ets
tal
kaboutthegown.
Tebogo:Whatofi t
?itsnotbeaut
if
ul
mme…j ustthatyouguysoverrat
ed
thiswedding.Mineisgoingtobe
biggert
hant hi
s.
Let
ty:
(cl
ear
edhert
hroat
)Jeal
ous
downbathong,repal
etswe.Sothe
bestt
hingwecandoi sto
congr
atul
atethosewhomadei tand
waitf
orourti
me.
Lone:(Paused)guyslet
sgot her
e,I
wanttowi t
nessthis.Am sur
ethe
weddingisstil
lon.
Let
ty:
(t
ookherphone)l
etmecal
lSbu
ategoredroppa.

Shethendi
aledSbuandhepi
cked
up.

Sbu:Heygi
rl
.
Let
ty:Ar
eyoubusynow,am wi
th
LoneandTebogo,
canyoudropus
somewhere?
Sbu:Wher
eexactl
y?ihaveagigthi
s
eveni
ngandam st
il
lprepar
ingf
orit
.
Let
ty:Okay,
goshapo.

Shehungup.

Let
ty:Let
str
ekt
othet
axist
opgi
rl
s.

AtAvani
…

Lat
ert
hataf
ter
noonKenandLesego
stoodbythepoolposi ngforphotos,
KenpickedRi yaandt heyboth
smiledast hecamerasf l
ashedright
,
l
eftandcent er.Thephotographer
tookfrom everyangle…

Photographer
:Am goi
ngtomakea
beauti
fulphot
oalbum f
oryout
wo

Heconti
nuedsnappingpictur
es,
Ken’
sfamilyandLesego’scameby
f
orafamilyphotoshoot
.

Meanwhi
let
heyallsmil
edasthey
t
ookthel
astpi
cture,
aft
erf
ew
minutest hedeej
ayplayedthemusi c
andever yonedanced,astheyf
ormed
acir
clear oundthebigpooldancing
i
ncircle…Ken’sphonestartedr
inging,
heexcusedhi mselfandwenttosit
onthepoolchai rpi
ckingup.

Ken:hel
lo?
Voi ce:Goodaf ternoonsi r
,am hereto
i
nf orm yout hatyourf l
ighttoParis
hasbeenconf i
rmed, thefli
ghtwill
takeof ffr
om Jobur gonTuesdayat
6:00i ntheeveni ng.Thet ourdetai
ls
i
ncl udetransfersbet weenEur opean
cit
ies, 7nights’accommodat i
on, ci
ty
t
ourPar
isandl
ateni
ght
sdi
nner
s.
Ken:
(smil
ed)Thankyousomuch,I
hopeyoureser
ved3sit
sforus,i
ts
me,mywi f
eandmydaughter.
Voi
ce:Isuccessf
ull
ydonet
hatsi
r.
Ken:t
hankyousomuch.
Voi
ce:Youar
ewel
come,
seeyou!
Ken:bye.

HehungupandsmiledwhileLesego
wal
kedinhol
dingaglassofredwine.

Lesego:(smi
led)whyar
eyousmi
li
ng
l
ikethat?
Ken:
(st
oodupholdi
ngher
)thet
ri
pto
Pari
sisconf
ir
med.
Lesego:
Wow,
your
eal
lymanagedt
o
bookit.
Ken:Itoldyout hatam seri
ousabout
taki
ngyout her
e…nextweekyouwi l
l
beseeingt henightskyofParisand
theEif
feltower…youknowwhatt hey
say?Theysayt ravel
li
ngtheworld
makesyouf eelli
keaf i
veyearol
d.So
that
’swhatIwantt oexperi
ence.
Lesego:Ireall
ycan’twai
t,everyt
hing
feelsl
ikeadream.Ijustcan’tbel
ieve
thingsthatIwishedforr
eall
ycame
true,t
omei t’
slikeam st
il
ldreaming
andwai
ti
ngf
orsomeonet
owakeme
up.
Ken:Youar
enotdreaming…(
sighed)
doyouhaveabucketl
ist?
Lesego:I
t’saveryl
ongli
st,
Idon’
t
thi
nkIwillaccompl
ishi
tbefor
emy
death.
Ken:Iwantt
oknowt hel
ist
…what
haveyouaccompl
ishedsofar
?
Lesego:
(thoughtf
ull
y)themost
i
mpor t
antonei sthatIgotmarried,
whichIneverthoughtitwil
lhappen,
honestl
ythereisalotthatIthi
nkI
haveaccompl i
shedintermsofnon-
materi
alpossession,happiness,love,
goodheal
th…et
c.
Ken:Ithi
nkwehavesomet hi
ngi n
common…mywi shistohol dyour
handwhi l
ewear einthetopoft he
tal
lestbui
lding,andthenscr eam .
.I
LOVEYOU! !
..
.(gi
ggl
ed)isn’tthat
weird?
Lesego:(l
aughed)i
tsnot
,whocar
es,
i
twillbethetwoofusatthet
opof
thebuil
ding.
Ken:Wearegoi
ngtodothi
s,am
st
arti
ngt
ojotdownthet
hingsIwant
ustodo.
*
AtKen’
sHouse
LATERTHATEVENI
NG…

EveryoneincludingKen’sf r
iend,
workmat esandr el
ativessur r
ounded
thetableastheydar edKent otake
gulpfrom astrongwi neatonce.
Theyf i
ll
edagl asswithwi neandput
i
tont hetable…Kenst aredati tand
tur
nedt oLesego.

Ken:
(si
ghi
ng)I
tsyourt
urnaf
ter
.
Lesego:(Laughi
ng)Itol
dyouthatam
notplayi
ng,youstar
tedthegameso
youthat’
swhatyouget .
Kaone:
(si
ghed)okay,
thehusband
wil
lhavetotaket
heshotsonbehalf
oft
hewi f
e.

Everyonecheer
edasKengulpedthe
wineatonceandputthegl
assdown
holdinghi
sheadasifhei
sfeeli
ng
dizzy.

Ken:
Damn!
!Am donepl
ayi
ng.
Fri
end:(
insi
sted)onelastshot
mate…therewego…( f
ill
edtheglass
again)i
fyoufailt
odrinkital
l,
we
thr
owyoui nthepool.
Everyonesupport
edthemoti
on.Ken
tooktheglassonemoreti
me, but
thi
st i
mehedr ankaquar
terandput
theglassdown.

Twoofhi sfr
iendspickedhim upby
thelegsandthearmsandwentt o
thr
owhi mint hepoolasthewat er
splashedonpeoplewhower esitt
ing
nearby.Theythenhelpedhimt oget
outofthepoolandgavehi m atowel
todryhimself…meanwhileJack
walkedby.

Jack:
Iwantt
ochal
lengeyout
his
ver
yeveni
ng.
Ken:
(dr
yinghi
msel
f)Meani
ng?
Jack:Onafight
,ifyouwinIbecome
yourser
vantfort
hr eedaysunt
ilyour
tr
iptoPari
s,andifIwinItakeLesego.

EveryonewasconfusedasJack
spokeinadeepervoiceandstr
aight
face.

Ken:
(conf
used)Af
ight
?
Jack:(
smiled)Aracinggame, weare
goingtodost r
eetracing.Thest
art
pointi
sfrom here,
joiningthe
hi
ghwayunt i
lwereachthehotelt
hat
i
slocatedi
nt her
oadthatexitt
hecit
y,
andthefi
nishpoi
ntisthi
splace.
Ken:Thi
sisdanger
ous,
aret
her
eno
tr
aff
iccopsatt
hist
ime?
Jack:No,iknowtheroad.Iusedto
ri
deoniteverySundaynights….
so
areyouin?

Kenpausedst
ari
ngatLesego,
she
si
gnal
edanapprovalt
ohim.

Ken:Wel
l,
am i
n.
Jack:Okay,
let
sdot
his.
Theybot hwentt otheircarsand
slowl yrever
sedast heyr evvedthe
engi nesformingacl oudofsmokei n
theai r,
justaft
ertheyt ookofffr
om
themai ngate,t
heyspedof fheadi
ng
tot hehighwayt hatleadoutoft he
city…
*
TENMI
NUTESLATER…

TheheadlightsofKen’
scardipped
enoughreachingthegatefr
om a
dist
ance,assoonasLesegonot i
ced
i
t,shecel
ebr at
edandeveryone
j
oinedher.Kenrel
easedthegas
pedalandpressedthebr
eaksashe
ski
ddedatthegateandsmokecame
outofthewheels.

Fri
end:Dudethat
’ssi
ck,
wher
eis
yourfr
iend?
Ken:Hewi
llbeher
einseconds…

Hesteppedoutofthecarand
i
mmedi at
elyJack’
scarr evvi
ng
engi
newashear dfrom adistance,
its
headl
ight
swer eseenont opofthe
tr
eesandelectr
icpoles.Seconds
l
aterheparkedbehindKen’scarand
st
eppedoutdi
sappoi
nted.

Jack:
(f
istbumpedhim)Congr
ats
broh,
youhavemyr espect
.
Ken:Wel
l,
that
’sawakeupcallt
oyou,
nextt
imeyoushoul
dbringaFer
rar
i
orBMW M4…(smil
ed)gotit
?
Jack:
(bowedhi
shead)yesmyl
ord.

Theysmil
edastheyshar
eda
brot
her
lyhug…

Ken:
(walkedt
oLesego)Ial
mostgot
l
ost,
Itookawr ongr
outeaf
ter
l
eavi
ngher
e.
Lesego:Butsti
llyoufoundthe
road…(smil
ed)that’
scool,am so
proudofyou.
*
*
TWODAYSLATER.
.

*
AtJOBURGI
NTERNATI
ONAL
AI
RPORT
(TUESDAY16t
h18:
00:
10seconds)

Thef
li
ghtassi
stanthel
pedt
hem
carrythel
uggagetothesaf ety
area…Kenwalkedinhol di
ngRi yaas
theytookthei
rseatsintheirfl
ight
,
meanwhi l
eLesegowal kedinandsat
i
nt hewindowseatast heflight
assist
antwalkedtothem…

Fl
ightAssistant:
(smi
led)Welcomet
o
fl
ightA360, i
ftherei
sanythi
ngyou
want, Iwi
llbearoundt ohel
pyou.
Ken:whenisi
ttaki
ngof
f?Ir
eal
ly
cantwai
t.
Fl
ightAssist
ant:(
Checkedherwatch)
i
tleavesthedeckaft
erfivemi
nutes.
Ken:Okay,
thankyou.
Lesego:
(st
ari
ngathim)Ri
yaisso
quiet
,doessheknowwhereweare
going?
Ken:Shewasscar edbythesoundof
fl
ightst
akingoff
,shecr
iedwhenthe
earli
erf
li
ghttookoff
…(t
urnedtoRi
ya)
Mybaby, areyouokay?
Riya:
(smi
li
ng)Am notscar
ed
anymore…
Lesego:
(smi
led)Goodgi
rl
.
Riya:
(t
urnedt
oKen)Daddy,
Iwantt
o
haveahusbandl
ikeyou.

LesegoandKenst
aredateachot
her
i
nshock.
Lesego:
(st
ari
ngatKen)Wow,
mygi
rl
i
ssosmar t.
Ken:(
smili
ng)Ri
yai
sobser
vant,
even
atherage.

Meanwhi l
etheannouncementwer e
madeasever yoneputont heir
seatbel
tandthefli
ghttookoff,
meanwhi l
eLesegogl ancedthrough
thewindowast heskybr okeli
kean
eggintoful
lsunset,
sheputont he
eyemaskandl aidbackont heseat
closi
nghereyesast hefli
ght
disappear
edintotheskies.
*
*
*
**THEEND*
**

Don’
tfor
gettoLIKEtheinser
tand
Comment,st
aytuned,yournextbook
i
sreadyandcomi ngri
ghttoyou!I
LOVEYOUALL, YOUAREALL
AWESOMEANDSUPPORTI VE.
.