HERHEART

I
ntr
oduct
ion
•Chapt
er1

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Lif
ecanbeunf ai
rwhenyoudecidetojustt
ake
aroutethatyouwer enev
erdesti
nedfor.Imade
mistakesthatImostdefi
nit
elyl
earnfr
om.
Mistakesthatwil
lfol
lowmeuntilIdi
e.Ihad
metanamazi ngguywhowasasai nti
nmy
eyes.Hetreatedmel i
keaqueenbutyouknow
theydothatwhent heywantsomethi
ngr i
ght?
Thatwast hesamesi tuat i
on.Thapelo,onmy
bir
thday ,brokemyv i
rginityandal soknocked
meup.It houghtmay bet henextdayaf ter
hav i
ngsexwi thmehe' dleave,no.Hedi dn't.He
simplyst ayeduntilhehear dthatIwaspr egnant .
Hesai dIwasl yi
ng.Hesai dbecauseoft heir
weal t
hbackhomeIwant edtot r
aphi m witha
babyt hatwasnothi sbutl it
tl
edi dheknowt hat
afterwehadsexual i
nt ercoursesIhavenev er
beenwi thany oneelse.Theni ghtafterbeing
dumpedIcr i
edmy selft osleep.Iwasaf ool.I
wasal sodr unkinlove.Thapel owassucha
charm.Heknewt her ightwor dstomakea
woman' skneesgoweak.Iwassogl adIhad
thatkindofmani nmyl i
febutIwassuchaf ool
Ididnotseet hathewast hemanwhowi llsteal
mysani ty.IfIknewbet terIwouldnotgi venhi m
somet hingt hatwassospeci al t
ome: my
vir
ginit
y.
Af
terbei
ngmadethecommuni
ty'
slaughi
ng
st
ockIstay
edhomeandnev
erhaveIbeenin
t
hepubl
i
cey ebecauseIwasscar
edthatpeopl
e
wi
ll
cont
inueseei
ngmeasal oosegi
rl.
Mymot herlear nedaboutt his.Shemademyl i
fe
alivinghel l
.Shesentmeawayt olivewi t
hmy
grandmot herMar gret.Shet ookmei nwi thopen
arms.Tr eatedmel ikeherdaught er.Shehel ped
megot hrought hispr egnancy .ThoughIneeded
Thapel o'ssuppor tthesuppor tIr eceiv
edf rom
mygr andmot herwasenough.Shewasl i
ving
withHl umi ewhoi sherdeceaseddaught er's
secondandl astchi l
d.Hl umi ehasanol der
brot herSamkel o.He' sat roublemakert hatone.
Any way ,mygr andmot herwasapr i
ncipalbut
whenshewentf orpensi onsheusedt hemoney
tobui l
dher sel fabeaut i
ful house.Wedo
struggl ebutHl umi eandgr andmadot ryand
makeendsmeet .Hlumi ewasn' tluckyt ogeta
bursar ybutshedoeswor katal oungeasa
wai tress.Bot hmypar ent shav emoneybutnon
oft hem hav et akencar eofme.Especi all
ymy
father .Heonl yknowsIexi st.
ThereasonwhyIcamet oJohannesbur gwas
becauseIthoughtIwoul dgetaj obbutifyou
donthaveamat ri
xtheydonothi reyousoI
di
dn'thaveluck.Ialsothoughtmyf atherwould
behappytoseemeandal sospoilmebutno.
Heturnedmei ntoamai d.Taki
ngcar eofababy
andalsothisbighousewasnoteasy .Keacries
somuchwhenshei shungr ybutsheisnota
str
ugglemypr incess.Nomat terthe
ci
rcumstancesmybabywasmadenorbor nI
l
oveherneitherless.
Igotsoscar edaf terbhutThembaandsi s
Noluntuleftmewi thamanIt houghtwasmy
fat
her.Hei smyf atherbut,whatheal mostdi d
tome.Iremember ,hesqueezedmyneckso
muchwhi l
er i
ppingof fmypant y.Igotl ucky
whenher ecei
v edacal lf
rom wor k.Thatni ghtI
couldn'
tsleep.Theev entkeptonpl ayinginmy
head.Thewor stpar twasthatIdidnothav e
moneynoraphonet ocallgrandmasoshe
couldborrowmesomemoneyf ortranspor t
.I
wasst
uckher
e.Wi
thhi
m.For
ever
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
02/
11,
07:
46]Mai
Kundi
:•Chapt
er1-(
2)

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Inthemor ningi wokeupasal way sandgav e
mybabyabat ht henmy self.Idressedi ntoa
dresswi thsandal s.Icombedmyaf rowhi ch
wast hebi ggesthencebackatschool t
hey
call
edmear eal Afri
canwoman.I twasv er ybig
andal sonat ur al.Ipi
ckedKeaupandwal ked
downst airs.If oundReggi e.Iclear edmyt hroat
beforegr eetinghi m.Hei nti
mi dat esmeand
alsoaf t
erwhathappenedy ester dayIdoubtI '
ll
everlookupt ohi mlikeIdi dbef or e.Isawt his
manasmyf at her.Irespect edhi m buthel ost
allofthatwhenhet ri
edt or apeme.Icoul dn't
evenlookhi mi ntheey e.Unf ortunat el
yhedi d
notgreetmeback.Hej ustat ehi sbr eakfast.I
decidedt ogosi tinthel oungeunt il
heleav esso
thatIcoul dal sogohav esomet hingt oeat .
Hedecidedtoleave10mi nutesaf
ter
.Iwentto
theki
tchenandmadeKeaandIpor ri
dge.If
ed
herbefor
efeedingmy sel
f.WhenThembacame
iwasdonewashi ngthedishes.
Themba:
"Hey
."
Me:
"BhutThemba.Shoul
dIgety
ousomet
hing
t
odri
nk?"
Hi
m: "
NoBr ownI
'm okay
.Ij
ustcamet
ocheck
myfather
.Ishei
n?"
Me:
"No.Hej
ustl
eft
."
Hi
m:"Okay.I
'mleav
ingf
orLesot
ho.Justt
ell
hi
mthat.Okay?
"
Inodded.
Hi
m:"
Goodby
e."
Me:
"By
e."
Het
urnedandwal
kedoutt
hedoor
.
SincemyfatherwasnotaroundIusedt
he
tel
ephonetocallmygrandmother
.She
answer
ed.
.
Her
:"Hel
l
o?"
Me:
"Hel
l
oKoko.
..
kenna?Br
own?
"
[
It
sme?Br
own?
]
Her:
"AwwBr
ownmybaby
.Howi
sJo'
bur
g
t
reat
ingy
ou?
"
Me:
"Uhm.
..
shar
p."
Her
:"Wher
e'sy
ourf
athermybaby
?"
Me:
"Hel
eftf
orwor
ksomet
imeago.
"
Her
:"Iam sur
ehei
sspoi
l
ingy
our
ott
en.
"
Me:
"Uhm.
..
Gogowher
eisHl
umi
e.Imi
ssher
."
Her:
"Youknowthatoneandhergr
oovi
ng.She
hasbeengonef
orthewholeweekend.
"
Me:"I
'
m sur
eshewi
l
lcomeback.Sheal
way
s
does.
"
Her
:"How'
syourst
epmot
hert
reat
ingy
ou?
"
Me:
"Koko.
..
mam Naomi
passedon.
"
Her
:"Awwmar
n.Sendmycondol
encesneh?
"
Me:
"Okay
.Iwi
l
l.
"
Ihear
dacarpul
lov
erout
side.
Me:
"GogoIhav
etogo.
"
Her
:"Okay
.Cal
lusmor
eof
ten.
"
Me:
"Iwi
l
l.By
e!"
Iendedt
hecall
.ThedooropenedandReggi
e
walkedi
n.Hewentstr
aightt
ohisbedr
oom.I
al
sowenttotheroom Isl
eepin.
Isi
ghed.
Ij
ustcouldnotwaittogetsomemoneyandgo
backtoEasternCape.Icoul
dnotdealwith
l
ivi
nghere.Itur
nedwhent hedooropened.
Reggi
ewal kedin.
Me:
"CanIhel
pyou?
"
Justl
ikeyest
erday,
hemar
chedtowardsme
anddughisnail
sonmyneck.Hethr
ewmeon
thebed.Hespreadmyl
egs.Hesmell
edalcohol
.
Hel
eftki
ssesonmyneck.
.
Hi
m:"
Thi
sti
menoonei
sgoi
ngt
ost
opus.
"
.
AfterthatIcompl etelyzonedout .Icouldf eel
histouch.Hi skissesandal sohisthr
usting
withinme.Mybr ainwasof fthough.Icoul dnot
thinkofany t
hingel se.Itri
edf i
ghti
nghim butI
endeduphur ti
ngmy self.Iendedupgi v
ingup.
Onl i
fe.Iregrett
edcomi ngher ebecausei fIhad
stayedhomet henIwoul dnotber apedbymy
ownf ather.Iwoul dbet akingcareofmybaby
andal sohelpingmygr andmot herwhereIcoul d
help.
.
Aft
ertakingashowerIpackedev erythingthatI
owned.Itookatowelandpl acedmybabyon
myback.Icouldheartheshowerwat errunning
soIti
ptoedt ohi
swalletthatwasont opoft he
dr
awert hanstol
eal
lthemoneyi ntheirbeforeI
wenttotakemybaganl eft
.Iwalkedunt i
la
f
amil
i
arcarst
opped.Ir
emember
edt hati
twas
t
hedoct
or'
scar.Hel
oweredt
hewindow.
Hi
m:"
Geti
n."
Me:
"No!I
'
mfi
ne.
"
Him:"Iwi
l
ltakey
ouwher
every
ouwantt
ogo.
Just
..
geti
n."
Me:"
I'
mfi
ne.Pl
easel
eav
emeal
one.
"He
st
oppedt
hecar
.
Him: "
I'
m notl
ett
ingyouwonderar oundaloneat
thi
shour.Withadamnbaby !Brownt hinkof
Kea."Hewasr i
ght.Idontknowbutf orsome
reasonIwastrusti
ngthisnamel essman.I
openedthebackdoorandent er
ed.
Hi
m:"
wher
eshoul
dIt
akey
ou?
"
Me:
"busst
ati
on.
"
Hi
m:"
you'
regoi
nghomeal
ready
?"
Me:
"Yes.
"
Hi
m:"
Ihav
en'
tev
enspentadaywi
thy
ou.Why
don'
tItakeyoutomyplacet
henwecoul
dcat
ch
upbeforeyouleav
e."
Me:"
No!"Icoul
dfeel
thet
ear
swonder
ingdown
mycheeks.
Me:
"justt
akemet
othebusst
ati
on!
"
Hi
m:"
orIcant
akey
ouhomet
omor
row.
"
Me: "
Ijustwantt
oleavethissi
ncity
!"He
stoppedthecarandsteppedout.Heopened
thebackdoorandentered.
Him:"
issomeoneabusi
ngy
ou?
"Ishookmy
headno.
Him:"I
'm aski
ngbecauseofy
ourbrui
sedneck.
"
Ikeptqui
et.Idi
dnotwanttoexpl
ainmyel
f.
Him:"BrownIbecameadoct orforareason.I
ts
becauseIwanttohelppeopleandr i
ghtnowI
wanttohelpyou.Okay?Ihav eal i
tt
lesi
ster
.
I
magi nehowI'
dfeelwhenIl earnedthatsheis
bei
ngabused."Iwipedmyt ears.
Hi
m:"
Icar
efory
ouandev
ery
oneoutt
her
e.
Okay?"Icouldn'
tevenrespond.Ij
ustl
aidmy
headonhi schest.Keawasnowonmyar ms.
Heplacedhishandar oundmyneckandki ssed
myforehead.Lif
ecanr eal
lybeunfai
r
sometimes..
.
.
.
[
02/
11,
07:
46]Mai
Kundi
:•Chapt
er2

.
.
.
.
.
.
Iwasn'
tsurpri
sedwhenmyey esgotitchyand
pai
nful
becauseIcr iedforhoursandI
appr
eciat
edKar abof ort
heshoul dertocryon.I
donotknowwhatIwoul dhavedonei fhehadn'
t
camefortherescue.Andy esInowknowhi s
name.I
twaski ndawei rdbei
ngcomf ort
edby
someoney oufeelsosaf ear
oundbutagai nyou
donotknowt heirname.Itwasr eall
yweird.
Iwalkedi nt
ohisbeautiful home.Hesai dhe
wasr enti
ngt hehousesi ncehewasn' tgoingto
stayhereanyl onger
.Int hel oungether
ewer e
babyt oyslyi
ngaroundont heblackfl
uff
ymat
andal soont hebeaut
iful greycouches.Iturned
aroundandl ookedathim ashewasst anding
behindme.
Me:
Youuh.
.st
aywi
thsomeone?
Hi
m:Uhhy
eah.
.
Hescr
atchedbehi
ndhi
shead.
Hi
m:Mysi
ster
..
.Ref
il
oe.
Me:
Okay
.Isshear
ound?
Therewasnoneedf orhimt oanswermy
quest i
onsinceabeaut if
ul mel aninwalked
downst ai
rsdressedi naf lourishi
ngpeachdr ess
thatcompl ementedherski n.Iwishedt ohav e
beenabi tdarkincompl exi onbecauseIwas
alr
eadyt easedatschool aboutmyski ncolor.
Theysai dinactual
ityIwasugl yj
ustthatmy
skincolordidmesomegr eatf av
or.Funnyt hing
i
st hatgirl
ssaidthatandt heboy salway sthrew
my selfatme.Iadmi redRef i
loewhowas
holdingababyboyt hatlookedexact lylikeher .
Just,hewasabi tl
ighterincompl exi
on.
Ref
il
oe:
Ohy
ou'
reback.
Kar
abo:
Yeah.Iam.
Shel
ookedatme.
Her
:Who'
sthi
s?
Kar
abo:
Brown.Br
ownt
hisi
smysi
sterRef
il
oe.
Her
:Whyi
syournameBr
ownwheny
ou'
reso
y
ell
ow.
Ismil
ed.Iknewshewast
ryi
ngtopi
ssme
henceIshowednosi
gnofanger
.
Karabo:Uhm..
.Brownwi
llbest
ayi
ngherunti
l
tomorrow.Sheisfl
yi
ngbacktoPor
tEl
izabet
h
Her
:Uhm.
..
oh?
Him:Yeah.Andshei
sver
yti
redsoFi
fi
,coul
d
youmakehersomethi
ngtoeat
.
Her
:I'
m notamai
d.
Hi
m:Whosai
dyouwer
e?
Her
:Noone.Justassur
ingy
ou.
Hi
m:Mxm.
HetookmybagandIfol
lowedhisl
eadupst
air
s.
Hi
shousewasreal
l
ybeauti
ful
.Thebedr
ooms
wer
esoclean.
Me:
Youhav
eahel
p?
Him:Yes.Shecomesinev
erydayandtodayis
herdayoff
.Herdaught
eri
ssickorsomethi
ng
l
i
ket
hat
.
Me:
Okay
.
Him:AndBrown,I'
m sorryforthewaymysi
ster
act
ed.It
ssolikeher.Shethinksshei
ssome
QueenEli
zabeth.
Me:
Ofcour
se.
Isatonthebed.Theguestr
oom hadaTV.Thi
s
guyisabsol
utel
yloaded.
Hi
m:Letmetomakeyousomethi
ngt
oeatand
i
sKea'
sfor
mulaswar
mf orher
?
Me:
Yes.
Hi
m:Okayt
han.I
'
llber
ightback.
Hewal kedoutl eav i
ngmet oadmi rethisroom
somemor e.Itwasabsol utel
ybeaut i
ful.The
bathroom, t
hepur ewhit
esheet sandt heTVhad
adstv .Ihavenev erseensuchbeaut i
ful l
uxur
y.
Somet hingsliket hesear
emost l
yseenon
tel
evisionssof ormet ostandint hesame
groundt heyst andi nisanachievement .
Kar
abocamebackwi t
hav eryf
ancyt
reatwhi
ch
atf
ir
stIthoughtI
'
dhatebutatt
heendIwanted
more.I
twasphenomenal.
Me:
Ilov
eit
.
Hi
m:I
tsr
eal
l
yni
ce.
Igl
ancedatKeawhowasi
ndeepsl
eep.
Hi
m:Wher
e'sherf
ather
?
Icl
earedathr
oat
.Thatwasatopicthatwi
ll
for
everhi
tmedeepinthehear
tthatIwil
lnever
beenoughinaman'sl
if
e.
Me:
He'
s.
..
notar
ound.
Hi
m:Hel
eft
?
Inoddedwi t
hmyheaddown.Iwasmakingasif
thereasonmyheadisbowedwasbecauseI'
m
eati
ngbutinreal
i
tyi
twasbecauseIwastoo
embar r
assedtol
ookhi
mi nt
heeyeandfacehis
pit
ytowardsme.
Hi
m:I
'
m sor
rybut
..
.he'
saf
ool
tol
eav
eyouwi
th
hischil
dt orai
se.Heisaf ooltoleavesuch
masterpiece.I
'dactual
lykil
ltohaveawoman
l
ikeyou.Yousel dom fi
ndsuchdesi gnand
beautyaroundt hi
sworld.Eit
hertheyarerar
eor
takenforgranted.
Ikeptqui
etbecauseIdi
dnotknowwhatt
osay
.
Hi
m:Whodoy
oust
aywi
th?
Me:Mygrandmot herandmycousi
nHl
umel
o.
Hermot
herkindofpassedonsomy
gr
andmothertakescareofher
.
Hi
m:Andy
ou,
wher
e'sy
ourmot
her
?
Me: Sheuhh. ..
shei sal
iv
ebutwedonothav ea
rel
at i
onship.She'sahardnutt ocrack.WhenI
fel
l pregnantshedi dnottakethenewssowel l
soIwassentt oli
vewithmymot hersinceIhad
refusedt oabortthebaby .Idonotbeli
ev eon
takinganot herperson'
slife.
Hi
m:Il
ovet
hatbut
..
.It
hinkt
her
e'smor
e.
Me:
Mor
e?
Hi
m:Mor
eyou'
dli
ket
otel
lme.
Me:
Whatwoul
dthatbe?
Hi
m: Idontknow.Yout
ell
me.Wher
eisy
our
f
ather?
Me:
Myf
ather
?
Idi
dnotwantt
otalkaboutReggi
ebecause
whathedi
dtomest i
l
lhauntsme.It
rybyall
meanstoj
ustf
orgetabouthi
m.Aboutwhathe
di
dtome.
Me:
He'
sar
ound.
Hi
m:Youdontwantt
otal
kabouthi
m?
Me:
Itsj
ust
..
.
Iexhal
ed.
Me:
YesKar
abo.Idonotwantt
otal
kabouthi
m.
Hi
m:Itsokay
.Igett
hatsomet
hingsar
ebet
ter
of
funsai
d.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Ipushedt
het
raycl
osert
ohi
m.
Me:
Imf
ull
.
Hi
m:Okay
.Woul
dyoul
i
kesomedesser
?
Me:
Woul
ditber
udei
fsai
dno?
Hechuckl
edandsodi
dI.
Hi
m:i
tsokayi
fyoudontwanti
t.
Me:
Yeah.Ij
ustneedt
orest
.
Hi
m:Okay
.I'
l
lgi
vey
ousomepr
ivacyt
han.Okay
?
Me:I
'
dappreci
atet
hatverymuchandt
hanky
ou
f
oral
lowi
ngmet ostayhere.
Hi
m:Any
time.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Hest
ooduphol
dingt
het
ray
.
Hi
m:Iwil
lwakeyoutomorr
ow.Iwi
l
lchecki
f
t
hei
rsanavai
labl
efl
i
ght.
Me:
Afl
i
ght
?I'
m ki
ndofaf
rai
dofhei
ght
s.
Hi
m:Hav
eyoubeenonaf
li
ghtbef
ore?
Me:NobutIknowI'
m af
rai
dofheight
s.Ij
ust
can'
tev
enbarethet
houghtofbei
nginone.
Him:Comeon.Justforonceseei
fit
sjust
expect
ati
ons.Okay
?
Isi
ghed.
Me:
Foroncet
han.
Him:AwesomeandIwishtof
lywit
hy oubut
bei
ngadoctorcomeswit
hduti
es.Ichangedmy
worki
ngschedul
eandasyouseeiam goingt
o
work.
Me:
Itsuckshey
.
Hi
m:Bi
gti
me.
Hecheckedhisphone.Il
owkeywishedf
orhi
m
t
oleavebecauseIwasexhausted.
Hi
m:Goodni
ght
.
Me:
Goodni
ght
.
Him:Anddon'
twor
ry.I
'
llbeher
eby6t
ofet
ch
you.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Hi
m:Touché.
Ichuckl
ed.
Me:
Touché.
Hesmi l
edbef or
et ur
ningar oundandhecl osed
thedoorbehindhim.Iat tendedKeawhoI
changedint
osomet hingwar mt henIalso
dressedinmypy jamasbef oreget t
ingunderthe
coversandimmedi atelyIslept.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Hope:"
Dontf
orgett
odr
opacomment
f
amily
."
[
02/
11,
07:
46]Mai
Kundi
:•Chapt
er3
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Iwokeupt oasmel loffood.WhenIopenedmy
eyesIfindawomandr essedi
nwhi t
ewi t
ha
smileonherf aceandat r
ayfi
ll
edwitha
scrumpt i
ousbreakfastonherhands.Shewas
anAf r
icanbeaut.Thewayshet i
edtheblack
doekIcoul dt
ellthatshewasst r
ictwhen
comingt ohercultur
e.Isatonmybut t
..
Me:"
Mor
ning.
"Isai
dasIr
ubbedmyey
est
hat
wer
eabi
tpainf
ul.
Her
:"Mor
ning.Iam Thokoz
anaandIam Mr
Thobang'
shel
p."
Me:
"Ni
cemeet
ingy
ou.
"
Her
:"Thi
sisyourbreakf
ast.Iwasor
deredt
o
t
akecareofy
ouf ortherestoft
oday.
"
Me:
"ByKar
abo?
"
Her
:"Yesma'
am.
"
Me:"
Pleasej
ustcal
lmeBr
own.That
'
smy
name.
"
Her:"Ni cemeet ingyou."It
ookt het r
ayand
thankedher .Sheturnedandl ef
tt heroom.Ifirst
wentt obr ushmyt eethandithappenedt hatthe
guestr oom hadabat hroom.Af t
erbr ushi
ngmy
teethIwentbackt otheroom andat e.Kea
wakesupabi tl
atesowhenshewakesupi will
feedher .Imadeabedwi thherbl anketsonthe
mat ,placedheront opofthem andmadet he
bed.Af terwar dsIwokeup, gaveherherbot h
bottl
et hanwentt otakeabat hwi thher.Af
ter
dressingIwentdownst ai
rsholdingherandal so
hol
dingt
het
ray
.
Thoko:"
Brownyoushouldhavecal
ledme.You
cannotworkwhi
lehol
dingthebaby
."
Me:
"I-
"
Her
:"doy
ouwantmet
ogetf
ir
ed?
"
Me:
"Ofcour
senotMa.Whywoul
dIwantt
hat
?"
Her:"WhenMrThobangwant ssomet hingdone
hewant sitt
obedonehi sway.Whenhef i
nds
youwor ki
ngafterorderi
ngmet otakecareof
youthenwhatdoy outhinkhewil
ldot ome?He
wil
lthinkIam disobeyi
nghim andfi
reme! "
Me:
"I-
"Iser
iousl
ydi
dnotknowwhatt
osay
.
Me:
"I'
m sor
ryMa.I
twon'
thappenagai
n."
Her
:"Pl
easedontl
eti
thappenagai
n.Pl
ease?
"
Me:"
Ipromi seyouMa.
"Shet
urnedandwalked
t
othekitchen.Ref
il
oewaspl
ayi
ngwithherson
i
nthelounge.
Me:
"Uhm.
..
mor
ning.
"
Her:"Morning."Shedidnotevenlookatme.
That'sasignt hatshedidnotevencar
ei fI
greetedherornot .Wesatinsil
enceforanhour
orso.IthoughtKar abosaidint
hemor ning
she'dcomef et chmebutno.Hewasn' teven
here.Icheckedt heti
meont heTVasRef i
l
oe
waschangi ngt hechannelandi
twas9am.He
mustbepl ayingwi t
hme.
Ibreat
hedI'
mrel
iefwhenIheardhim speak
wit
hThokozanai
nt hekit
chen.Hewalkedinthe
ki
tchenandhenoti
cedthetensionbetweenhis
si
sterandI
.Heclearedhi
sthroat.
.
Hi
m:"
Dumel
ang.
"
Me:
"Hey
."Ref
il
oechoset
ojustbequi
et.
Karabo: "
CanIspeakwi t
hyouupstair
s."Ist
ood
upandpl acedKea'sheadonmyshoul deras
shewassl eepi
ng.Mindyoushe'
sjust3mont hs
old.Actually2months3weeksandaf ewday s
old.IgottoKarabo'sbeaut
if
ulbedr
oom.
Hi
m:"
I'
m sor
rybuty
ou'
l
lhav
etol
eav
e
t
omor
row.
"
Me:
"What
!?"
Hi
m:"
Thef
li
ght
-"
Me:
"There'
sabusKarabo!
"Icoul
dfeel
my
t
ear
sthreat
eni
ngtofal
l.
Me:"Iwantt
ogohome.Ihavemoney
.Youj
ust
dr
ivemet ot
hepar
kst
ation.
"
Hi
m: "
thosethingsar
enotsafeBrown.Idon'
t
wantsomethingtohappent
oy ou!
"
Me:"ohGodthi
sisnothappeni
ngt
ome.
"Isai
d
si
tt
ingdown.
Hi
m: "Ipromisethatt
omorr
owy ouwil
lbehome.
Afli
ghttakeslessti
memeaningitwon'
tbe
t
ir
ingfory outofl
ythanl
i
keabuswoul d.
"
Me:
"Ij
ustwantt
ogobackhome.
"
Him:"andyouwil
lbehome.Okay?Soon.
"I
nodded.Hesatdownandplacedmyheadon
hi
schest.Il
ist
enedtohi
sheartasi
twas
beat
ingandIsl
eptt
osuchabeaut
if
ult
une.
.
.
.
.
.
Kar
abo
AfterBr
ownsleptIplacedheronthebedand
tookKeawhowasn' tsleepi
ng.Herey
eswere
wideopen.Iwentdownst ai
rs.
.
Me:
Ref
il
oecany
oubaby
sitKea?
Her:
Ihav
eachi
l
dtot
akeacar
eofKar
abo.I
can'
t.
Me:
Okay
.
Ireall
yhateargui
ng.Especi
all
ywi t
nRefi
loe.She
i
sj ustsodisr
espect
fulandstubbornandshe
tookfrom ourmother.i
wasmeet i
ngwit
hmy
unclehencei want
edhertobaby si
tKeabut
sinceshedoesn'twanttoIgrabbedthecarseat
andwentt omycar.Ist
rappedheri
nthe
backseatandheadedtomyuncle'
shouse.
Hi
swif
e,Ki
tso,
openedt
hedoorf
ormewi
thher
wi
desmil
e.
Her:Karabo.
..
wow.Thisissobeaut
if
ul.I
sthat
yourbaby?She'ssof
resh.
Shet
ookherf
rom meandl
ookedather
.
Her
:Youhav
eachi
l
dwi
thacol
orednow?
Me:
No.Justhermot
heri
sasr
edasat
omat
o.
Shel
aughed.
Her
:Comei
nandt
ell
meabouther
.
Myuncl
ecamef
rom behi
nd.
Sakhi
le:
Thatcanwai
tmyl ov
e.Kar
aboandI
havesomethi
ngtodi
scuss.
Me:
Ofcour
se.
It
ookKeafrom Ki
tso.ForsomereasonIwas
j
ustsopr
otect
iveofher.Iwant
edherformysel
f.
Myuncl
eandIwentt ositi
ntheloungewhi
le
Ki
tsowentt
ogetussomet
hingt
odr
ink.
Hi
m:Youcant
alk.
.
Me:
I..
.
Isi
ghed.
Me:
Ijustmett
hisbeaut
if
ulgi
rl
.
Hi
m:Okay
?
Me: Ithi
nksheisemot i
onal
lybr
okenandshe
alsocomef r
om abr okenhomeso..
Iwasj
ust
thinki
ngmay beIcould.
.
Hi
m:Spi
titoutKar
abo.
.
Me:Iwanttotakeherasmywi
feandt
akecar
e
ofhermysel
f.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
[
02/
11,
07:
46]Mai
Kundi
:•Chapt
er4
.
.
.
.
.
.
Sakhi
l
e:What
'st
hismy
ster
iousgi
rl
'
sname?
Me:
Brown,
BrownJacobs.
Hi
m:Di
dyouj
ustsayJacobs?
Me:
Yea.I
'
m sur
eyouknowherf
ather
.Reggi
e
Jacobs?
Hi
m:Ir
efuset
oal
l
owt
hismar
ri
age.
Me:
Excuseme?
Him:ReggieJacobsi
saruthl
essarr
ogant
bast
ardthatdoesnotcar
eaboutanyonebut
hi
mself.
Me:
HenceIsai
dIwantt
otakecar
eofBr
own.
Hef
ail
edt
otakecar
eofher
.
Hi
m:Idontcar
eKar
abo.Iam notgoi
ngt
oal
l
ow
t
hismar
ri
age!
Me: LookIgetthatyouhavesomev endet
ta
withherf at
herbutj
ustl
eaveheroutofthat
vendetta.She'
snotherfat
her.Shes-
Him: Shehast heJacobsblood.Oncesheisin
ourf amil
yandseest heneedtoactlikeawhore
thenshewi l
lactli
keone!TheJacobswomen
l
ov emoney .Theysqueezethemselvesint
o
weal thyf
amili
esandr ui
neveryt
hing.Your
fatherworkedhardtobuildyourfamilyal
egacy.
MakeanamefortheThobangfamil
y.Thatgi
rl
wi
lldr
agi
tdownthemudwi thoutev
entryi
ng!
Me: Idonotcar
eaboutmyf
ather
'sdi
rt
y
scheming-
Him:Thatdir
tyscheminggotyouabursar
yso
youcouldbecomet heper
sony ouar
etoday.
Themoneyt hatr
aisedyou.Thatdi
rt
yscheming
madey ou!
Me:
Youknowt
hat
'snott
rue.
Him:Iti
st r
ue!Karabo..
.youcanmarr
ythisgi
rl
butyoushouldjustknowt hatIwi
l
lnotsuppor
t
thi
sjoke.Iwon't
.Irefuseto!
Hest
oodupandwalkedaway.Ki
tsorepl
aced
hi
sseat
.Shepl
acedherhandontopofmine.
Her
:Ify
oul
oveher
..
.mar
ryher
.
Ismi
l
ed.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
.
.
.
.
.
Br
own
ThemomentIr eal
izedthatKeawasnotnextt o
meIjumpeddownt hebedandl ookedforher
butIf
oundhernowher e.Karabotoowas
nowheret
obef ound.Iwasal r
eadyintears
thi
nki
ngaboutthewor st
.Whenhewal kedin
wit
hmybabyi nhisarmsIgr abbedherandt ook
somestepsback..
Hi
m:"What
'swrong?"Isai
dnot
hingbutj
ust
t
akemorestepsback.
Him:"Brownwhat 'swrong?DidIdosomething
wrong?"Iwasscar ed.Ihavehear
dstori
esof
babi
esbeingsol d.Bodypartsbei
ngsoldand
ri
ghtnowIt houghtthatKarabowantedtosell
mybabyf ormoney .
Hi
m:"
Ist
hatwhaty
out
hinkofme?Howy
ou
seeme? "Igav
ehi
m arai
sedeyebr
owstar
e.I
didnotknowwhathewastal
ki
ngabout
.
Him:"ihaveasist
erandshehasaf ew.I
magine
howI'Dfeelwhensomeonewouldwantt osel
l
thei
rbodyparts!
?ForGodsakethinkaboutmy
feel
i
ngs!"Ist
oppedandstaredathim.Whatis
he?
Me:"
you..
..
youj
ustr
eadmymi
nd.
"Myv
oice
wasevenshaky
.
Me:
"whatar
eyou?Whoar
eyou!
?"Hesi
ghed.
Hi
m: "Gett
oknowme.May
bey
ou'
l
lknowwhoi
am orevenwhati
am.
"
Me:
"im scar
ed.
"
Him:"
Don'
tbe.
."Heat
tempt
edt
ocomecl
ose
butImov
edback.
Him:"pl
easedontbescar edofme.Nev eri
nmy
l
ifewouldIhurty
ou."Whenhet ouchedand
pl
acedhishandar oundaroundIal
lowedhim
becauseIfel
tsosaf ear
oundhim.Idonteven
knowwhyI '
dthinksuchabouthim.Heissuch
anamazi ngman.Het ookKeafrom myarms
andleadmet ohisbedroom hol
dingmyhand.
Hef i
rstplacedKeadownt hanlookedatme.
Justwhenhewasaboutt osaysomethi
nghe'
s
cel
lphoner ang.Hecheckedit.
..
Him:"Ineedt
otakethi
s.I
t'
smymot
her
."I
noddedandhewalkedout.
.
.
.
.
.
Kar
abo
Idi
dnotknowwhymymot herwascal
l
ingme
now.Wehardl
yexchangewor
ds.
Me:
mama?
Her
:Son.
..
howar
eyou?
Me:
I'
mfi
ne?Wena?
Her:
I'
m notf
ine.Ir
ecei
vedt
wocal
l
stodayt
hat
l
eftmeupset.
Me:
From who?
Her:
1f r
om yoursi
sterandt
heot
herf
rom y
our
uncl
e.Caret
oexplai
n?
Al
lIdi
dwasexhal
e.
Her
:Kar
aboThobangIam t
alki
ngt
oyou.
Me:
andIheardyoumama.Look.
..
Ihav
etodo
t
heri
ghtt
hing.
Her
:Oh?
Me:
Yes.
Her
:Letmeguess.Thi
shastodowiththi
sgif
t
ofy
oursneh?Youbeli
evet
hatgi
rlwassentby
Godtoyou.
Me:
That
'sr
ight
.
Her:
Nonsense!Thati
snot
hingbutnonsense
andIwon'
tall
owit.
Me:
Mom-
Her
:Whoi
sthi
sgi
rlany
way
?
Me:
Iwon'
ttel
lyou.
Her:
Theni,
Glor
iaThobang,
willbegl
adto
cometaket
hatl
essfort
unateoutoft
hathouse!
Me:
iwon'
tal
l
owt
hatmom.
Her:
Youcan'
tdi
sobeyy
ourmot
herandy
ou
knowit
.
Me:
Mom-
Her
:Iam comi
ng!
Shet
hanendedt
hecal
l
.
.
.
.
.
Br
own
IchangedKea'
sdi
aperandasIwasdr
essing
herKarabowal
kedi
n.Hedidnotl
ookhappybut
hesucceededonhi
dingi
t.
Me:
"Oshar
p?"Henodded.
Me:" ShouldImakey ousomethi
ngto
eat.
.dri
nk? "Heshookhishead.Heplacedhis
headont hebi gpi
ll
owandkepthimsel fbusy
wit
hhi sphone.Ifeltl
ikeIwasoccupyi
nghi m
henceIpi ckedKeaupandat t
emptedt oleave
buthest oppedme.
Him:"i
m sor
ryit
sjustmymother.
.she'
sjustso
demandingandIcan'
tevendi
sobeyher."I
yankedmyhandf r
om hi
m.
Me:"
youneedsomet imealone.I
'l
lgi
veyou
t
imealone.
"It
urnedandwal kedoutoft
he
r
oom andheadedtotheguestroom..
.
.
.
.
Kar
abo
Ifel
tbad.Ijustdon'tknowhowtocont
rol
my
moods.Inev erreall
ysawtheneedt
ocontrol
mymoods.Whywoul dI
?ButnowIhada
reasontocontrolthem.Fif
iwal
kedi
nasIwas
sti
lli
nmyt houghts.
Fi
fi
:Mamaiscl
oseby
.Shesaidyoushoul
d
pr
epar
esomethi
ngni
ceforhert
oeat.
WabonaRef i
loe?She'sjustl
ikemymot her.Ba
borabli
nd!Istoodupandheadeddownst airs
whereIwentt omakeBr ownsomet hingtoeat
i
nstead.Idoubtsheate.AsIwal kedupstairs
thedoorbellwentoffbutthatdidnotstopme.
Brownwassi tt
ingonthesof tmatwhi l
eKea
madebabysounds.Thatwast hecut
estt hingI
haveseenorev enheard.Iplacedherfood
down.
Me:
I'
ll
beback.
Shenodded.Icoul
dtel
lthatshewasupset
.
Me:
Brown.
..
I'
l
lbeback,
okay
?
Her
:Okay
.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Iturnedandst eppedout sidether oom.
Downst ai
rsIfoundmymot herandt hesecond
guestwassomeoneInev erthoughtI '
deversee
again.Icl
osedmyey es.Justt hememor i
es
thatIwasabl etoshutdownaf teralongyear
struggl
ecamef loodingback.Mymot herj
ust
hadt odothis.Mymot herjusthadt oopena
chapterthatIhadcl osed..
Tshego:
HeyKar
abo.
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
02/
11,
07:
47]Mai
Kundi
:•Chapt
er5
.
.
.
.
.
.
Iwasangr yathowmymot herwashandl i
ng
thi
ngs.Shealway sdoessomethingtoruin
whicheverthi
ngthatIhaveworkedtobui l
djust
becausesheseesabet teri
deatodot hi
ngs.
Herowni deas.Thisi
sthereasonwhymeand
herneverseeey etoeyeorevenwhyInev ercal
l
her.Idontevenvisi
thomeany morejust
becauseofher.Shewi l
lbethereasonIleave
thecountry.
Me:
What
'sTshegodoi
ngher
e?
Icoul
dnotev enlookherstraighti
ntheeye
becausetherewasst i
ll
apar tinmyheartt
hat
l
ovesher.Iloveher.Idi
d..
.Ikindofst
il
ldobut
she'
sthepar t
.
Mom: Asyoudonotknow.
.TshegoandIar
ethe
bestoff
ri
endsnow.Wearealsopart
ner
s.
Shecameandkissedmycheekandgav
emea
hug.Mymotherofcour
se.
Me:
Par
tner
s?
Mom:
Sheownsacosmet
iccompanyofcour
se.
Sheal
waysspokeaboutowni
ngacosmet
ic
company
.
Me:
Ofcour
sebutwhydi
dyoubr
ingher
?
Tshego:
What
?Youar
enothappyt
oseeme?
Me:
Tshego-
Her:
Ther
e'snoneedt
oanswer
.Iknowt
haty
ou
ar
ehappy.
Shegav
emeasmi
l
e.Thatangel
i
csmi
l
e.
TshegoandIwer et
oget herforover3y ear s.
Godt hatwasthebesty earsofmyl i
fe.Our
careersgoti
nt hewayt hough.Shef lewt o
Londonwher eshedi dhercosmet i
ccour seand
Istayedanddidmymedi ci
ne.Ihadev en
engagedbutwecancel ed.Ilov edhersodamn
mucht houghIknewwhatt hef ut
urehel dforme.
Myf eeli
ngstowardsherwer ev erystrong.They
sti
l
l arebutmyheartwassupposedt obel ong
tosomeoneel se.BrownJacobs.
Tshego:Lookathowcut
eandchubbyhe'
s
becoming.
Mom smi
l
ed
Mom: Ibr
oughtherher esoy oucanr emember
thatshewasy oureveryt
hing.Thewomany ou
droppedev erythi
ngfor.Youguy swereev en
closetogettingmar r
ied.Whoev erthi
sgirl
i
s...
Karabof orgetabouther.Idontknowwhy
youwanthersobadbutTshegoi shere.Ilove
her.Yourfatherloveher.Godourf amili
esev en
knowt
haty
ouguy
sar
emadl
yinl
ove.
Me:
Mom-
Iwassoweak.Idi
dnotev
enknowhowt
o
def
endmysel
f.
Mom: No.I'
l
lleav
eyoutwoal
onesoyoucan
t
alk.I
'l
lbeupstai
rswat
chi
ngTVwhil
eyoutwo
t
alk.Okay?
Shedi
dn'
tevenwai
tformet
osayany
thi
ng.She
j
ustwal
kedupst
air
s..
.
.
.
.
Br
own
Apairofheelspassedbyt hebedroom Iwasin.
Thebeauti
fulwomanst oppedandl ookedatme
asIwassitti
ngont hematpl ay
ingwithKea.
Thewomanhadsuchani nti
midati
nglook.She
remindedmeofNol unt
u'smother
.Awomanof
styl
eandclass.Shewassassy.Herexpensi
ve
pairofheel
swalkedint
ot her
oom.Istoodupin
respect
.
Her:
"Whoareyou?
"Shefi
nal
lysai
d.Godshe
hadabeaut
if
ulvoi
ceasherl
ooks.
Me:
"Iam Br
own.
'
Her
:"Ar
eyoui
nanyr
elat
ionwi
thmyson?
"
Me:"
Noma'am.MrThobangj
usthel
pedme
whenIwasi
nneed.
"
Her
:"Soy
ou'
renoti
nar
elat
ionshi
pwi
thhi
m?"
Me:
"No.
"
Her
:"Ar
eyouev
enf
ri
ends?
"
Me:
"Nowe'
renot
."Sheexami
nedmybody
.
Her
: "
Iam Glor
iaThobang.YourMrThobang'
s
mother.
"Icoul
dtell
whereKarabogetshi
s
l
ooks.
Me:
"Ni
cemeet
ingy
ouma'
am.
"
Her
:"Li
kewi
se.
"Shesatdownont
hebed.She
smi
ledwhenshesawKea.
Her:"Shel
ookssomuchlikeyou.MyGodIhave
neverseensuchanangel
."Sheknel
tdownand
tookher.
Her
:"Shei
ssofreshandador
able.Remi
ndi
ng
meofRefi
loewhenshewasborn."Ismi
l
ed.
Her
:"What
'shername?
"
Me:
"Keabet
swe.
"
Her
:"Whatabeaut
if
ulname.
"Shesatdownst
il
l
hol
dingKea.
Her
:"Cany
out
akecar
eofher
?"
Me:
"Yes.Per
fect
lywel
l
."
Her
:"Nodar
li
ngImeanf
inanci
alwi
se.
"
Me:"
Oh.That
'snotapr
obl
em.Imeanthesassa
money-
"shemockedmebylaughi
ng.
Her
:"Sassamoney
..
"Shesai
dst
il
ll
aughi
ng.
Her
:"Idoubtt
hatmoneyi
senoughsoIwas
t
hinking-
"shewasi
nter
rupt
edbyKar
abowho
walked.
Hi
m:"
Ithi
nky
oushoul
dleav
e."
Glori
a:"
Whatdoy
oumeanIshoul
dleav
e
Karabo?"
Him:"
I'
m sorr
ybutmom y
ouhav
eov
erst
ayed
yourv
isi
t.Pl
ease.
"
Her
:"Butson-
"
Hi
m:"
mom pl
ease.
"Hegav
eherapl
eadi
ngl
ook.
Her
:"Fi
ne.
"Shepl
acedKeadownandst
oodup.
Her:"Youfatheri
sgoi
ngtohearaboutthi
s
though."Shethanwal
kedoutoftheroom.He
sighed.
Him:"
Didshesayany
thi
ngt
oyou?
"Ishookmy
head.
Hi
m:"
Good.Mymom canbemeanatt
imes.
"
Me:
"Shedi
dn'
t.
"
Hi
m:"
I'
m gl
ad.
"hesatont
hebedandl
aidonhi
s
back.Hi
shandswer
eonhi
sface.
Me:
"Youl
ookst
ressed.
"Ial
sosatont
hebed.
Him:"
Itsnot
hingIcan'
thandl
e."Het
ookmy
hand.
Hi
m: "
Doy outhinkI
'm at
tr
acti
ve?"Myjaw
dr
opped.Idi
dn'tknowhowt orespondtohi
m.
Hi
m:"
Justbehonest
."
Me:"
HawuKar
aboekaseongpot
sepot
choe'
so
mos.
"
[
Kar
aboy
oucan'
taskmet
hatt
ypeofquest
ion.
]
Hel
aughed.
Hi
m:"
Please.Justanswerme.
"
Me:
"Gi
vemey
ourphone.
"
Hi
m:"
Why
?"
Me:"Justgive.
"Het ookitoutofhi
spocket.I
t
wasani Phone.Ididnotknowhowt ouseone
butItr
ied.Iwentthroughhissongli
stand
bumpedi ntoJheneAikosongs.Iappli
edthe
auxcodthathesai
dwasi
nthedr
awert
han
pl
ayedthesong.
Him:"You'r
egoingtoplayasongotherthento
answerme? "Isatonthebedandignoredhim.
Westay edquietf
orquitsometi
me.
Me:
"You'
reat
tr
act
ive.
"Hel
aughed.
Him: "
You'resodamnst upid.
"Webothlaughed.
Forthef i
rsteverIspenttimegoofi
ngaround
otherthent ocry.Karaboisgoodcompany .I
wishedt ostaywi t
hhi mforev
erbecausehe
broughtoutt heinnerme.Themet hatIdidnot
evenknow. ..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
02/11,07:
47]Mai
Kundi
:•Chapt
er6:
Tshego'
s
per
specti
ve
.
.
.
.
.
.
Eversincewel eftKarabo'shouseGl ori
ahas
beenr at
herquietandaggr essiv
e.I'dsay
somet hi
ngt otryandst ar
taconv ersati
onwi t
h
herbutshe'dshutmeoutwi t
houtev ensay i
nga
si
nglewor dbutasi nglelookthatthreatensmy
entir
eexistence.Thiswomandoest hi
ngs
withoutevent r
ying.Korewabany isa.Isighed
beforeutteri
nganot herword.
Me:
OkayI
'
m si
ck!
Shetur
nedandl ookedatmewaiti
ngtohear
whatihavegottosaytoherbutIhadnogut
s.
ThoughIdidn'
tItr
ied.
.
Me:Justt
ell
mewhathappened?Whatdo
Kar
abosaytoyouf
oryoutobethi
sway.
Her
:Whosai
ditwasKar
abo.
..
Tshego?
Me:I
tcanbenobodyel
sebuty
oursont
oput
youi
nsuchastat
e.
Her
:Wel
l
...
you'
rewr
ong.
Me:
Thenwhat
'st
hepr
obl
em Gl
ori
a!?
Ihat
edr
aisi
ngmyv
oiceatherbutshej
ust
mademesomad.
Her:Tshegof
atsoj
ustdr
ivethi
scheapcarof
your
sandphumakum!Ndi v
ah?Thisi
sallyour
mother'
sfaul
t.
Me:
Mymot
her
?
Her
:Ifshehadnotgivenbir
thtoyouI
'
dnotbe
t
ryi
ngtofixyourr
elat
ionshi
pfory
ou.
Iopenedmymout ht ospeakbutIwasdrained.
Shesuckedtheenergyoutofme.Ihadst opped
thecarsoIcouldspeaktoher.Ist
artedt
he
i
gniti
onandthejourneyconti
nued.Icoul
dnot
eventhi
nkstr
aight.Glor
iaThobangisonemean
bit
ch!
.
.
.
.
.
Br
own
Ilookedathi m ashesl ept.Hel ooked
absol ut
elycute.Itookhisphoneandt ooka
pictureofhim andst aredatit.Karaboisali
ght
skinnedguywhopr obablyattr
actsallJo'
burg
women.Hehast hi
ckey ebrowswi thpi
nkjui
cy
l
ipst hataredefinit
elysoft.Ieventouchedthem
toconf i
rm myexpect at
ions.Hehasabeaut iful
nose.Hehadcur lysidebur nscompl ement i
ng
hiscurl
yf ade.Hi sey esabr ownofcour seand
theyarebi gandsav age.It hinkthatwillbemy
favor
itepar tofhi sface: hiseyes.Igotst artl
ed
whenheopenedhi sey esbecauseIt houghtI
wast oocloset ohisbodyandt hatsortofgav e
himthewr ongi mpressi onbecausewi thout
thi
nkinghegr abbedont omybot tom li
pwi t
hhis
l
ips.Ididn'tknowwhatt odo.Iwasscar ed.Idid
notknowhowt oreactt oal lt
his.Imean, isthis
ri
ght?Kissingamant hatisnotev enmi ne?He
pull
edawaywhenher eal i
zedthatIhadf rozen
i
ntoice, f
ugi t
ivelyspeaki ng.
Hi
m:I
..
.I
'
m sor
ry.
Me:It
s...
it
sokay
.I.
..
ishoul
dbetheonetobe
sor
ry.Ishoul
dnothavebeensocl
ose.
Hedidn'
tsayany thi
ngandIdi dnotknowwhat
tosaynextbecauset her
ewasnot hi
ngthatI
coul
dsay.Hecl earedhisthr
oatwhenhe
noti
cedhowuneasyIwas.
Hi
m:ami
stakei
sami
stake.
Hesmi
l
ed.
Hi
m:Cheerup.
If
akedasmi
l
e.
Him:I
fyou'regoi
ngtosayany
thi
ngposi
tive
wit
hthatfakesmil
ethanpl
easefor
geti
t.Iwon'
t
buywhateveryou'
l
lbesayi
ng.
Thi
st i
meIgavehim agenui
nesmi
l
e.Iwas
smil
ingathowhandsomehewasandhowhe
was.Personal
i
tywi
se.
Me:
Arey
oual
way
sli
ket
his?
Hi
m:How?
Me:
Tal
kat
ive.
Istret
chedthewordwhil
elooki
ngintohereyes
thatwerelooki
ngbackatmine.Helaughed.
.
Me:
What
?
Hej
ustcont
inuedt
olaugh.
Me:
Whyot
sehamot
ho?
Hi
m:Yourl
ook.
..
it
sjustsocut
eandf
unny
.
Me:
Stop.
Isai
dasIshy
lyhi
dmyf
acebyl
ooki
ngaway
.
Hi
m:Lookatme.
Idi
dn'
t.
Hi
m:Br
ownl
ookatme.
.
Hefor
cedmetof
acehim byhol
dingmychi
n
anddr
aggi
ngmyfacet
othefront
.
Me:
Wangkgobat
sa!
[
You'
rehur
ti
ngme!
]
Hi
m:St
opbei
ngababyman.
Imassagedt
hebackofmyneck.
Hi
m:Letmesee.
Me:
Justl
eav
eit
.
Hi
m:Letme!
Hesaidpul
li
ngmeclosert
ohimthanplacedmy
headonhisl
ap.Act
uall
ymyfacewasfacinghi
s
manhood.
Hi
m:Br
ownwet
sang?
Ichuckl
ed.
Hi
m:Wet
sang!
Hesai
dal
sol
aughi
ng.If
acedhi
m.
Hi
m:Whatwer
eyougoi
ngt
odot
omydi
ck?
Me:
Kar
abo!
Hi
m:Imean.
.
Hepoi
ntedathi
sar
ea.
Him:Youwerel
i
teral
l
yfaci
ngit
.Likey
ou
expect
edsomet
hingtopopoutofmypant
s.
Me:
Youhav
eav
erydi
rt
ymi
ndMrThobang.
Webot
hlaughed.
Hi
m:I
'
mjoki
ng.Okay
?
Me:
Arey
ou?
Hi
m:Mxxm.Letmemassagey
ourneckcauseI
br
okei
t.
Me:
Woul
dIbeal
i
vei
fyouhadbr
okeni
t?
Hi
m:Iwi
sh.
Myj
awsf
ell
.
Me:
Kar
abo.
.
Ihi
thi
sshoul
der
.
Me:
Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou!
Keamadesoundscat
chi
ngbot
hourat
tent
ion.
Hi
m:Youwoket
hebabyup.
Me:Iwil
lputherbackt
osl
eep.Aker
eke
ngwanake!
Hi
m:Shadeal
ldayBr
own.
Shest
eppeddownt
hebed.
Hi
m:I
'
m goi
ngt
osl
eep.Ihav
eani
ghtshi
ft
.
Me:
Ify
ousayso.
Hi
m:Ndi
zobonav
ah?
Hepl
acedhi
shandsont
hebedandl
ookedat
me.
Hi
m:v
ah?
Me:
OkayKar
abo.Yer
ruy
adi
kav
ah?
Hi
m:Soy
ouspeakXhosa?
Me:
No.I
m si
ngi
ng.
Him:Mxm.JustwhenIwasbegi
nni
ngt
oenj
oy
yourcompany
.I'
l
lseeyou.
Me:
ByeKar
abo.
Hi
m:By
e.
Heki ssedmycheekbef orewalkingoutofthe
room.Il aughedathowsill
yhewas.That '
swhat
Iactuall
yneededinmyl if
e.Il
ookedatKeaand
pickedhert i
nybutchubbysel
ft henfedherher
formula.
ThenextdayIwokeupandlookedatmybags.I
wasleavi
ngtoday
.WhetherKar
aboli
kesi
tor
not.Keawasonmybacksoi twaseasyf orme
totakemybagsandheadeddownst airswher ei
foundhim.Ev ersinceIt oldhimt hatI '
mleav i
ng
hehasn'tsaidany thingt ome.Het ur nedaround
andwalkedoutandIj ustfoll
owedl ikeal ost
puppy.Hehel pedmewi t
ht hebagst hough.I
washappyt hatIwasgoi nghome.Imean, that'
s
whereIreceivegenui nelov efr
om mycousi n
andgrandmot her.Iknowf orsuret hosear ethe
peoplethatwillnev erdeser tme.Hewai t
edf or
met ogetinthebust henhewal kedbackt ohis
caranddr ov
eof f.Awomanwal kedi nand
camet ostandnextt ome.
Her
:Br
own?
Me:
Yes?
Her
:Doy
ouknowGl
ori
aThobang?
Me:
Uhm.
..
yes.
Her
:Fol
l
owmehoney
.
Shewal
kedoutandi
coul
dnothel
pbutst
and
andwal kbehi
ndher.Westoodnexttoasil
ver
Benzt hatwasnotfarfr
om thebus.Glor
ia
steppedout si
deandasalwaysshelooked
gl
amor ous.
Her
:Icoul
dnotsayt
hisyest
erdaybecause
Kar
abowouldhaver
efused.
Shet
ookhershadesof
f.
Her:
Ihaveaj obfory
ou.Onethatwoul
dmake
youalotofmoneyandalsoyourdaught
erwi
l
l
r
eceivepropercar
e.
Iwai
tedf
orhert
otel
lmewhatt
hej
obwas.
Her
:Becomemyhel
p..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
02/
11,
07:
47]Mai
Kundi
:•Chapt
er7
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Me:
Uhm.
..
ahel
pMa?
Iaskedtryingtocompr ehendalloft
his.Glori
a
seemsl i
keav erystri
ctwomanandal sohasa
goodhear tbuthi desallt
hatwithafront.Icould
tel
lsheisagoodwomanandt hatshewas
genuinel
ygi v
ingmet hisjobtohelpwiththe
str
ugglethatIwasf acingfi
nancial
ly
.Ididnot
evenhaveany t hi
ngt otakebackhomewi thme
butdi
sappoi
ntment
.
Her:Yes.Iwanty out oi
ndependentandt her
e
aretonesofway stobeindependentright
?So
thi
sismehel pingy ouachieveyourdreams.
Whichist oobviouslygi
vey ourdaughtera
bri
ghtfuture.
.
Shepi
nchedKea'
scheeksandbynowshewas
sl
eepi
ng.
Me:ThankyousomuchMabutwhataboutmy
daught
er?It
rustnoonet
otakecar
eofherbut
myself
-
Her
:Ihavesomeonet
hatwi
l
ltakecar
eofher
whi
leyouwork.
Me:
Oh?
Her
:Yes.
Icoul
dnotfat
hom herki
ndnesstowar
dsme
unti
lnow.Thi
swasallbecauseofmydaught
er.
Her
:Uhm.
..
Hel
ookedatt
hedr
iver
.
Her
:Got
akeherbags.She'
scomi
ngwi
thus.
Thewomant hathadcametofet
chmefr
om t
he
busledthedrivert
owheremybagswer
ewhil
eI
steppedint
ot hecarwi
thher
.
Me:
SoKar
abo-
Her
:Nono.Iwi
l
lgi
veKar
aboacal
lonceI
'
m at
t
hehouse.
Inodded.
Her
:Rel
ax.
Ionceagainnoddedandwat chedasthecar
wasdr i
ven.Myjawslit
eral
lydr
oppedwhenwe
enter
edt heThobangresi
dence.Thi
shousewas
huuge.Icouldnotevenfi
nddescri
pti
vewords
todescri
behemagni fi
centandhugethi
shouse
was.
Gl
ori
a:Wel
comet
omyhome.
Me:
Itssobi
g.
Gl
oria:
Thi
sisnothi
ng.Got
oLov
emor
eandy
ou
wi
llseewhatbi
gmeans.
Westeppedinsi
de.Icoul
dnothelpbutadmire
t
hehardworkandsweatt hesepeoplewent
t
hroughtogettowheretheyaretoday.
Gl
ori
a:Suzet
te!
Awomandressedinbl
ackandwhi
tecame
f
rom t
hedi
ningroom.
Suzet
te:
Madam?
Glor
ia:Thisi
sBrown.Ournewhel p.Showher
whereshewi l
lbestay
ing.Yourunif
ormisi
n
yourbedroom dar
li
ng.
Inodded.
Gl
ori
a:Goon.
Iatt
emptedtoleav
ebutherhandl
andedonmy
arm andst
oppedme.
Me:
Yes?
Gl
ori
a:WhataboutbabyKea,
youneedhel
pwi
th
her
?
Me:
I'
ll
manage.
Her
:Okay
.
Iturnedandf
oll
owedSuzet
te.Shemadesmall
tal
kswi t
hmeasweheadedt othesmal
lhouse
attheback.
Her
:Thi
siswher
eyouwi
l
lbesl
eepi
ng.
.
Itwasbeaut iful
insideandt hei
rthemewas
brown.Woodact ually.Thebedlookedr eall
y
comf ortabl
e.Iplacedkeadownasshewas
sleeping.Ichangedi ntotheunif
ormt hatwas
placedont hesmal lcouchanditfi
tme
perfectl
yitsjust.
..
itexposedmyassabi t
.Like,
i
twast ootightattheback.IpickedKeaupand
walkedbackt othehousewher eGl or
iawas.
Her
:Thenannywi
l
lar
ri
vei
n5.
Me:
Nanny
?
Her
:Youcan'twor
kwi t
hababyBrown.
Someoneneedstotakecar
eofher.
Me:Wil
lthepaymentt
othenannybededuct
ed
f
rom mysalar
y?
Her:Truthbetol
d?Il
oveKeahenceIam doing
t
hisfory ousonoIwi
llnotdeductmoneyf
rom
yoursalary
.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Her:
You'
rewelcome.Giv
eherher
eandy
ouwi
l
l
hel
pSuzet
teupstai
rs.
Me:
Okay
.
IgaveherKeabef orewalkingupstai
rswher eI
cl
eanedt hebedrooms.Thel astbedroom
belongedtoReabet swewhowasatschool .It
wasbeaut i
fulandnotsodi rt
y.Justherheels
l
yingaround.Icleaneditanyways.
Aft
erIheadeddownst air
s.Refi
l
oewashere
wit
hhermot her.Shejusthadadif
fer
entweav
e
onandshel ookedmor estyl
i
shandthewayshe
spoke.
..
itwasdiffer
ent.
Ref
il
oe:
MamaIl
i
keneedmycarbackasi
n
asap.
Hermotherkeptherf
ocusonKeawhowas
wideawake.
Her:MamaIknowthatbabyi
ssodamn
ador
ablebutwhatI
'
m sayi
ngher
eisi
mpor
tant
.I
needmycarback.
Shesti
l
l conti
nuedt
oignor
eher
.Shescr
eamed
i
nfrust
ration.
Her
:Mama-
Shet
hrewt
heTVr
emot
eather
.
Her
:Wt
f!
?
Gl
ori
a:Youscar
edt
hebabyset
etwekwena!
Iwal
kedi
n.
Me:
Doy
ouneedmyhel
p?
Gl
ori
a:I
'
mfi
neBr
own!
Ist
eppedback.
Ref
il
oe:
Hi.
Shewasev
enwav
ing.
Me:
Uhm.
..
hi.
Her
:HawuBr
owndontl
ookal
lscar
ed.I
'
m Rea.
Me:
Excuseme?
Her:
ResThobang.Tel
lmeyoudontknowme
andI'
m ki
cki
ngyououtoft
hishouse.
Shesai
djoki
ngl
y.
Me:
Ithought
..
..
aren'
tyouRef
il
oe?
Theroom droppeddeadaf
terwar
dsandI
wishedfort
hewor l
dtoswall
owmedownt hat
i
nstantmoment .
.
.
.
.
Kar
abo
Igott
oworkanddi
dwhatIhadtodo.
Aft
erwar
dsImetupwi
thJoshatourusual
bar
.
IhadaskedhimtolookforBr
own'shomeand
al
sohergrandmother'
snumber.Hestudi
edI
T
soall
thi
swasnothar dforhi
m.Hehandeda
brownenvel
opetome.
Josh: She'
sf r
om EasternCapeandher
grandmot herMar gr
ettakescar
eofher.She
wasapr i
ncipalbutret
irednotl
ongago.Her
numberi sinthereandhermot herst
aysin
West ernCape.
Me:
Shehasuncl
esr
ight
?
Webot
hlaughed.
Hi
m: Ofcour
se.Ar
eyouser
iousaboutt
his
t
hough?
Me:
I'
m deadser
ious.
Hi
m:She'sbeauti
ful
soIgetwhyy
ouwantt
o
wi
fehersoquick.
Me:
She'
sdeadgor
geousman.
Hi
m:But
..
.y
our
eadyt
obeast
epdad?
Me:Il
oveKeamansoy
eah.She'
syoungsoshe
wi
ll
growknowi
ngmeasafather
.
Him:Goodtobeyou.At25al
readyyou'
renot
j
ustgoi
ngtobesomeone'shusbandbut
someone'
sfat
her
.
Isav
edhergr
andmot
her
'snumberi
nmyphone.
Me:
AndIam exci
tedman.Forr
eal
.
Hi
m: Iwon'
tcongrat
ulat
ey ousoearlyt
hough.
Wejustneedtoseehowt hisends.
Me:
Ofcour
se.Seey
ouman.
Ist
oodup.
Hi
m:Nodr
ink?Not
hing.
Me:
Ihav
ewor
ksono.
Him:If
eelsor
ryforBrownman.Fir
stweekand
shewil
lwantoutofthemarr
iage.
Me:
Shutup!
Itur
nedandwalkedoutoft
hebar.Iwasleav
ing
forEast
ernCapetomorr
owbutfi
rstIneedto
speakt
oBr
own'
sgr
andmot
her
.
.
.
.
.
Br
own
If
eltli
keafoolwhenIl earnedthatReawas
Ref
iloe'
stwinsi
ster.Hermot herwasinthe
l
oungewhi l
eIwascl eaningthekit
chenandRea
wasonmyt hr
oattalki
ngwhenIj ustwantedt
o
beleftal
oneandclean.
Her
:Ican'
tbel
i
evey
out
houghtIwast
hat
Ref
il
oe.Ew!
Me:
Whydoy
ouhat
ehersomuch?
Her
:Ref
il
oe.
..
she.
..
it
sasecr
et.
Me:
I'
m sor
ryonherbehal
f.
Her
:It
ssomet
hingthaty
ouj
ustdontf
orget
Br
own.It
shar
dtoforget
.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
Shesi
gned.
Her
:I'
l
lbei
nmybedr
oom.Okay
?
Me:
Okay
.
Shest eppeddownt hebarstool andleft
.I
fi
nishedwi thmycleaningbeforegoingtot ake
Keaf r
om thehelpsinceGlori
ahadwentt or est
i
nherbedr oom.Wet ookabat htogetherthenI
rockedhert osl
eep.Iwasext remelyexhaust ed.
Nol i
e.

[
02/
11,
07:
47]Mai
Kundi
:•Chapt
er9
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Iwasst il
lmopingt hefl
oorwhenGl ori
aenter
ed
thekitchenhol
dingt hecupthatIhadmadet ea
forherwi t
hearli
er.Sheplacediti
nt hesi
nk
beforefacingme.
Gl
ori
a:Br
own?
Me:
Yesma'
am?
Glor
ia:You'
l
lhavetogot othemall
wherey ou
shouldbuyafewthingsneededhereatthe
house.Theshoppi
ngl i
stiswit
hSuzett
e.
Me:
Okay
.Whowi
l
lIbel
eav
ingwi
th?
Gl
ori
a:Wi
tht
hechauf
feur
.He'
swai
ti
ngout
side.
Inoddedbefor
eexit
ingther
oom andwentona
questtolookf
orSuzett
ewhoIfoundi
nthe
garden.
Me:
HeySuzet
te.
..
cany
ougi
vemet
heshoppi
ng
l
i
st?
Shet
ooki
toutofherpocketandhandedi
tto
me.
Me:
Thanks.
Iturnedandwal kedbackt othehouse.Iwentt o
thewai t
ingcarandt hechauf f
eurt ookmet o
thebi ggestmal lthatIhav eseen.I '
dsayi tsthe
biggesti nSout hAf r
ica:sandtonci tymal l
.Iwas
j
ustsot hrill
ed.Thi swasbeat yatitsbest .Itook
allthenecessar yt hi
ngst hatwer epl acedont he
shoppi ngl i
st.Iev enboughtmy selft oi
l
et ry
sinceIneededoneandboughtmybabysome
babyf ood.Thi swasar i
skbutIhadt ot akethat
ri
sksomybabydoesnotst arve.Thechauf feur
tookonet rolleyandIt ooktheot her .Twobi g
troll
eys, bothf i
ll
edwi t
hshoppi ng.Wegotback
tot hehouseandIhi dmyt hingsi nt heut ensil
closetunt iltheSuzet t
eandGl or i
al eftthe
kitchen.It ookt hem t omybedr oom, stuffed
them i nmybagandwentbackt othebi ghouse.
IlookedforKeaandshewaswi
tht
henannyi
n
thelounge.
Me:
Hel
l
omybaby
.
Iat
tempt
edtopi
ckherupbutt
henannysl
ept
mysel
faway
.
Me:
Sor
rybutt
hat
'smychi
l
d.
Her
:Donty
out
hinkIknowt
hat
?
Me:
Sowhywon'
tyoual
l
owmet
otouchher
?
Her
:Iwasgi
venordersfr
om themadam t
hank
noonecomesnearthi
schil
dbuther
.
Me:
Nonowher
eisshe?
Her:
Justgocl
eanandleavebef
oreIcal
lthe
guar
dstoki
ckyououtofthi
shouse.Now!
Me:
Nogi
vememychi
l
d!
Iatt
emptedtoholdherbutshepushedme.
Awakeni
ngt hehoodwithi
nme.Ipushedher
backandherheadcoll
idedwit
ht hecouch.I
coul
dtel
lthatshewasunconsciousoreven
dead.Shewasn'tmov i
ng.Shejustst oodthere
wit
hhernosebl eedi
ng.Ipi
ckedKeaupand
hurr
iedoutofthehouse.Irantot hestreetsand
l
ookedbackasIwasj oggi
ngawayf rom the
house.Iwassoscared.Isawt hisfrom ami l
e
away .Somethi
ngwasupwi t
hGl ori
a.She
wantedt ot
akemychi l
dawayf rom me.
.
.
.
.
.
Kar
abo
Iarrivedi
nPortEli
zabet handcall
edMar gr
et
whogav eustheaddressandcoor di
natestoo.I
wasusi ngacarthatIr ent
edsinceminewas
backi nJo'
burg.Wefoundt hebeauti
fulJarvi
s
residenceandwewer ewelcomedbyt he
coloredgrandmother.Inowknewwher eBrown
t
ookhermi
xedr
acef
rom.
Mar
gret
:Woul
dyoul
i
kesomet
ea?
Tau:
Yespl
ease.
Me:
I'
dli
kej
uice.Idontl
i
kehotst
uff
.
Margr
et:
Okay.
..
Hlumiepl
easegomake2cups
oft
eaandbri
ngKaraboorangj
uice.
Shenoddedbef
oretur
ningonherheel
sand
exi
tedt
othekit
chen.
Margret
:Thatismydaught
erMandisa'
ssecond
chi
ldHlumie.Shehasanel
derbr
otherSamkelo.
Youjustneverknowwhatt
heseboysdointhe
str
eetri
ght?
Geor
ge:
True.
Margret
:ThencomesBr own'smotherMay .You
canneverunder
standt hatone.She'
saround
CapeTownspendi nghermoneyandl i
vi
ng
l
avishl
y.Leav
ingmybeaut i
fulBr
ownalonebut
shehasmesobasi cal
l
yshe' snotal
oneright?
Me:
True.
Tau:
IsBr
owndonewi
thschool
?
Mar gr
et:Unf
ort
unat el
ynot.Sheleftschool at
grade11t ot
akecar eofherdaught erKea
thoughIdidwanthert ofi
nishwithschool .She
i
sabr ightst
udent.Shenev erf
ail
ed.Shel eft
grade11ont hefourthter
mt ogivebi r
thand
l
ucikyshepassedi tsoshehast obei ngrade
12now.
Me:That
'sactual
lygood.SoonIam t
ransfer
ri
ng
i
nEaster
nCapesonexty earwecangoapplyat
t
hebestschool i
nEaster
nCapeandIwi l
ltakei
t
f
rom t
here.Idontmindpay i
ngf
orherfees.
Margr
et:Oh?ButdoyouknowBrown?Shei
sas
st
ubbornashermother
.Justwor
se.
Me:
Real
l
y?
IhavealwaysseenBrownasafragi
l
eand
i
solatedpersonsohear
ingt
hiswasabi
t
shocking.
Mar
gret
:AskHl
umi
e..
Shegav
euncl
eTauandGeorget
hei
rteaand
mydri
nkshepl
acedi
nfr
ontofme.
Mar
gret
:Sheknowsherv
erywel
l
.
Me:ButIst
il
lwantt
omarryherandwe'
re
act
ual
lyher
etopaythel
obola.
Margr
et:Butyouhavetocomeinatr
adi
ti
onal
manner.Thi
ngsshouldbebought
.
Me:
Iknow.
Margr
et:
Thenifyouwanttopaylobol
acome
backi
nadif
ferentmanner
.It
hinkyouruncl
es
knowwhatyouneedtodo.
Theybot
hnodded.
Me:Okay.I
fthat
'ssobutbef
oreIl
eav
e..
.canI
seeher
?
.
.
.
.
.
.
Br
own
Keawascr yi
nghy steri
call
yonmyar msandI
didn'
tknowwhatIshoul ddot oher.Iwasst
il
l
shakenaboutwhathappenedear l
i
erandwhat
couldpossiblyhappeni fIwer etobefoundby
Glori
aandherpeopl e.Ilookedaroundandthere
wereaf ewpeopl efrom wher eIwas.Isatona
rockandr ockedKeat osl eep.Shewashungry
henceshewascr yingthewayshewasbutIhad
nothi
ngt ogiveher .
Isatatther
ockunti
li
twasgett
ingabitlat
eand
i
tsli
keGodwashear i
ngmyprayersbecause
Suzett
eshowedupwi t
hmybags.Istoodup
andmetherhalfway.
Me:Suzet
tet
hanky
ousomuch.Youhav
eno
i
dea.
Suzet
te:
Youshoul
dleav
e.
Me:
Leav
e?
Suzet
te:
Yes.Leav
ebef
oret
heyf
indy
ou.
Me:
Who?
Suzet
te:Thepol
iceandGl or
iaandbythel
ooks
ofthi
ngsGlor
iawi l
lfi
ndyoubefor
etheydo.She
i
sangry.Sheseeksy ourbl
oodsoI'
dsayrun
befor
etheyfi
ndy ou.
Iwassoshockedandscar
edatt
hesamet
ime
thatIev
enshedtear
s.
Suzet
te:
Buyat
icketandr
unBr
own!
Inoddedbefor
etaki
ngat owelandpl acedmy
babyonmyback.Itookt hebagsandwal kedto
theparkst
ati
on.I
twasf arbutthesituati
ondid
notall
owmet ocareaboutthelengthsand
sacr
ifi
cesI
'dmakejustsoIcoul dbealiveatthe
end.
Iopenedthebagonlytof
ind5hundr
edrand
notes.Iwasgr
atef
ultoSuzet
teandwhatshe
di
df orme.I nst
eadofhurry
ingupIshedaf ew
mor etears.Iwi
pedthem aft
erwardsand
headedt othebusandclimbedin.Thisti
meI
wasnotgoi ngt
olookback.Nomat tert
heoffer
ortheamountIwi ll
notlookback.Iam going
home.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Guysiwon'tbeabl
etoposttomorrow.I
tsa
ti
mewherewewi ll
bespendingti
mewi t
hfamil
y
aft
eral
lsoIwantyoutoenjoyyourweekend
andfamil
ytime.
[
02/11,07:
48]Mai
Kundi
:•Chapt
er10:
Tshego'
s
per
specti
ve
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Iusual l
ygiveGlor
iaavisitj
ustsosheandI
couldt al
kandhav ealeisurelylunchor
what everthebothofuswoul dlov et
odobut
nott oday.TodayImeantbusi ness.Ist epped
i
nt othehouseandf oundt hemai dscleaninga
stainofbloodont hecouch.Gl oriawal kedin
andwhenshesawmesher ol
ledherey es.Thi
s
woman' satt
it
udethough.
Me:
HiGl
ori
a.
Gl
ori
a:l
i
nyani
sil
eel
ihul
euf
unant
oni
?
Ijustwonder
edwhat" li
nyani
sil
eeli
hule"meant
butImostdefini
telyknowforsurethatGlor
ia
Thobangwasi nsult
ingmebutIdidnothav e
ti
met ohaveanar gumentaboutmeani ngl
ess
thingswi
thher.
Me:
Hit
oyout
ooGl
ori
a.
Gl
ori
a:Tshego.
Me:Icametot
alkaboutt
hemeet
ingt
hatDy
lan
hadsetatt
heMontecasi
no-
Glor
ia:
Tshegoyoudrov
eal
lthewayfr
om your
housetotel
lmethat
?Whatarecel
l
phones
madef orwoman!
?
Me:
Wer
eyouev
enanswer
ingy
ourphone?
Shecheckedi
t.
Gl
ori
a:Oh.AsyoucanseeIam busysot
hat
meet
ingwil
lhavet
owait.
Me:
What
'sgoi
ngon?
Glori
a:Somegi r
l namedBr ownbet
rayedme.I
mean, Igaveheraj ob.Tookgoodcar
eofher
daughterandnowsheat tackst
henannyand
runsawaywi t
ht hebaby .
Me:
Whoa!That
'sbad.
Gl
ori
a:That '
swor
sethenbad.Ican'
tbel
i
eve
t
hatgir
l.IswearI
'
m goingt
ofindherandket
lo
motr
apahl e.
[
I'
l
lbeather
.]
Me:YhuandIbel
iev
ethaty
ou'
recapabl
eof
beat
inghey
.Imeanyoudohav
eaghet t
osi
de.
Shel
ookedatmewi
thar
aisedey
ebr
ow.
Glor
ia:
Whatareyoust
il
ldoi
nghere?Gogir
ly,
to
youcheapcarwal
ki
ngkadiheelt
saocheaper.
Kemangor wal
angdimakar
enaka2017?Yoh!
Il
ookedatmyshoesbef
orel
ooki
ngbackather
.
Me:Beatthatmeet
ingorIwi
l
lcancel
your
cont
ract
.
Gl
ori
a:You'
l
lcancel
mycont
ract
?
Me:
Yes?
Glor
ia:Gi
rl
yareyoufor
get
ti
ngthatImadeyou?
ThatyouareTshegoMaset
lobecauseofme?
Areyouforget
ti
ng?
Me:Look..
.y
oubetterbeatt
hatmeetingorI
'
ll
doasIsay.WhetheryoumadeorevenendmeI
dontcar
e.Beatthatmeeti
ngorv'
tsek!
It
urnedar
ound.
Gl
ori
a:OhhIwi
l
lendy
oual
ri
ght
!
Igoti
nmycaranddr
ovel
i
keamani a.Glor
ia
j
ustrui
nedmywhol
emood.Justasalwaysshe
rui
nsthi
ngs.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Kar
abo
Me:
Whatdoy
oumeanBr
owni
snothome?
Margr
et:
Browni
sinJohannesbur
gwi
thher
f
ather
.
Me:It
ookhertot
hepar
kst
ati
on.Sheshoul
d
hav
ebeenhere3day
sago!
Mar
gret
:3day
s?
Me:
OhGodt
hisi
snothappeni
ng.
It
ookmyphoneat t
empt
ingt
ocal
lJoshbut
Tshego'
scal
ldel
ayedme.
Me:
Tshego?
Tshego:
Teachy
ourmot
hersomemanner
s!
Me:
What
?
Tshego:
Shejustdi
srespect
edmei
nthewor
st
way.Howcouldshe!
Iexhal
ed.Ican'
tdeal
wit
hTshego'
sdr
amat
ic
pr
edi
cament
s.Ihadbi
ggert
hingst
otakecar
e
of
.
Me:TshegoI
'm sur
esomet
hingorsomeone
bot
heredher
.
Tshego:Yeashesai
dsomegi
rlnamedBr
own
betr
ayedher.
Me:
Wai
twhat
?
Tshego:
What
?
Me:
Brown?Di
dyousayBr
own?
Tshego:
Yes.Br
own.
Me:
Didshesaywher
eshei
s?
Tshego:Sheranawaywi
thherbaby
.Whyam I
eventel
l
ingyouthi
s?
Me:
Tshego.
..
bye.
..
I'
l
lcal
lyoul
ater
.
Tshego:
Wai
t!
Iendedt
hecal
landl
ookedatuncl
eGeor
ge.
Me:
Wear
egoi
ngbackt
oJohannesbur
g.
Geor
ge:Hawu.
..
what
'
swi
tht
hej
umpi
ngupand
down?
Me:Uncl
eBr ownisbackinJohannesbur
g.She
hasbeenthereal
lthi
sti
me.
Geor
ge:
Whydi
dn'
tshet
ell
you?
Me:IdontknowwhybutIknowforsur
eyour
br
other
'swifei
sinv
olv
edinthi
s.
George:
Glor
iai
sal
wayst
roubl
e.Isawherthe
ver
ymomentsheandEri
cstar
teddat
ing.
Me:
Let
'sgo.
Wesaidourgoodbyeandwal
kedbacktothe
car
.Icoul
dnothelpbutt
odri
vever
yfast.Ij
ust
hopeIfi
ndBrownontime.
.
.
.
.
.
Br
own
Iwasdehy dr
atedandhungryandt
hemorning
sundidanumbert omyskin.Iwas10minutes
awayf r
om homeandIhadbeenwal ki
ngfor5
minutesbutitf
eltl
i
keIhadbeenwalki
ngforan
hour.Keawassleepingonmyback.
Lucki
lyforhershehadf oodandherbot
tl
ehad
anorangejuicethatshehalfdr
ankaswe
enter
edPE.Hl umiemetmehal fway.We
hugged.
Hl
umi
e:Br
oooooownn!
!
Il
aughedasshewashuggi
ngme.Shewoke
Keaasshewasscreami
ngint
heprocess.
Hl
umi
e:Mynanas!
ItookKeaoffmybackandgav
ehertoHl
umie.
Wewal kedi
ntot
hehousewheremamawas.I
huggedher.
Mom:
Mybaby
..
.y
oul
ooksot
ir
edmydar
li
ng.
Me:
YhuIam.
Mom:I'
m sor
ry.Shoul
dImakey
ouj
uice.
..
bri
ng
youwat
er?
Me:
I'
ll
got
akei
tformy
sel
fmama.
Mom:
No.Ii
nsi
st.
Me:
Okay
.Thanky
ou.
Mom:
You'
rewel
comemybaby
.
Shewenttothekit
chenleavi
ngmewi t
hHlumi
e
whohadthisfacethatsomethi
nghasbeen
brewi
ngwhileIwasgone.
Me:
Outwi
thi
t.
Webot
hlaughed.
Hlumie:Whydi
dn'ty
out
ell
mey ouf
ound
your
selfahotr
ichmant
hatsi
de?
Me:
Sor
ry.
..
ini
?
Hl
umie:
Youknow.
..
thatl
i
ghtski
nnedv
ani
l
la
l
att
e.
Me:
Idontknowwhaty
ou'
ret
alki
gabout
.
Mom cameandgavememygl assofwat
er.I
t
hankedherbef
oredr
inki
ng.
Mom:
I'
m sur
eHl
umi
ehasal
readyt
oldy
ou.
Me:
Tol
dme?Whatar
eyouguy
stal
ki
ngabout
?
Ipl
acedt
hegl
assont
het
abl
e.
Mom:
Doy
ouknowKar
aboThobang?
Me:
YesIknowhi
m.
Mom: Wellhewasher
ewi
thhi
suncl
es
yest
erday
.
Myhear
tski
ppedabeat
.
Me:
What
?
Iaskedf
eel
i
ngv
eryscar
ed.
Me:
Wher
eishenow?
Mom: Someonecal
l
edhim andsai
dyou'
rei
n
Johannesbur
gsohewentbackto
Johannesbur
g.
Iwasspeechl
ess.Isi
mpl
ydi
dnotknowwhatt
o
saynexthenceIjustshookmyheadi
ndi
sbel
i
ef.
Thi
swasnott rue.
[
02/
11,
07:
48]Mai
Kundi
:•Chapt
er11
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Icouldnotbel
ievethatKar
abowasher eandthe
worstpartwasthatIwasnottoldwhyhecame
tomyhome.Mygr andmothersi
mpl yj
ustt
old
met hatati
mewi ll
comewher eI'
ll
havetoknow,
j
ustnotnow.Iwasi nmyr oom wit
hHlumieand
shewashel pi
ngmeunpackandIwast el
li
ng
heraboutwhatGloriaal
mostdidtome.Iwas
sti
ll
shook.
Hl
umi
e:Thi
swomanneedsakl
apandahotone.
Shecl
ickedhert
ongueassi
gnofher
annoy
ance.
Hlumie:I
'dsuggestyougobacktoschooland
nolongergobackt oJo'
bur
g.Imean,itshows
yourfat
herdoesn'tcar
eaboutyou.
TouchingatopicaboutReggi eJacobsj ust
mademyhear tbeatreal
l
yf astatanabnor mal
pacethatIeventouchmyhear t.It
slikeI'
m
abouttospitsomethingfrom mymout h.And
somethingbeingmyhear t.That'showi ti
s
whenIt hi
nkabouthim.Thet hingst hathedid
tome.Thepai nthathecausedme.
Hl
umi
e:Henev
erdi
dact
ual
l
y.
Me:
Yea.IknowhenceI
'
m nol
ongergoi
ngt
her
e.
Hl
umi
e:Soy
ou'
regoi
ngbackt
oschool
?
Me:
Hlumi
ewho'
sgoi
ngt
otakecar
eofKeaf
or
me?
Hl
umi
e:Mamawon'
tmi
nd.
Me:Cha.Mamai
sol
dandwon'
tbeabl
eto
handl
eKea.
Hlumie:
Shecanandshewil
l.Keai
snotevena
probl
em.Aslongassheeat
sandsleepsshe'
s
fi
ne.
Me:CanIthi
nkaboutthatl
aterwhenIhavea
sobermi
nd?RightnowI'm st
il
ltr
aumati
zedof
whatKar
abo'smotherwouldhavedonetomeif
Ihadnoranawaywithmychi l
d.
Hl
umie:Iunder
standhenceIsuggestwegoout
t
ofrostbi
te.
Me:
Youandt
hatpl
ace.
Hlumie:
Itsf
unandwegett
oseeal
lthehot
guys.
Me:
No.I
'
drat
hernot
.
Hl
umi
e:Fi
net
henI
'
m cal
l
ingMi
nni
e.
Me:
Doy
ouhav
etot
hough?
Iser
iousl
ydi
dnotneedsomeonet
ocomer
ub
thei
rsuccessonmyf aceri
ghtnow.Thatjust
Minnie.Justcauseshehastheringshethinks
rubbi
ngt hatal
loneveryone'
sfacesshowsshe
hasmadei ti
nli
fe.
Hl
umi
e:Yes!
Shewal kedoutwhi l
eherphonewaspr essed
againstherearcall
ingMinni
e.Ifi
nished
packingmycl othesinmywardrobeandj ust
aft
erIfinishedshewalkedbackin.
Hlumie:Guesswhat
..
.Mi
nni
einv
itedust
oher
f
iancé'shouse.
Isi
ghed.
Hl
umi
e:Sodr
essi
ntosomet
hingni
ce.
Me:
Not
hanks.
Hlumie:Pl
easeBrown.Foroncenjebefi
neand
putyouranxi
eti
estotheside.Idonot
rememberadaywhen-
Me:
Fii
i
ne!
It
hrewmyt
-shi
rtather
.
Me:
Letmet
akeabat
h.
Hl
umi
e:I
'
m al
sogoi
ngt
obat
h.
Shet urnedonherheel sandwal kedoutoft he
room leav i
ngmet opi ckoutanout f
itbef or
e
goingt othekitchenwher eIboi l
edmy selfwater,
wentt odilutethewat erandt ookani cebat h.
AfterIdressedi nsomet hingsimpl e.Idi dn'
t
haveany thingnicet odr essintot houghIdi d
wantt olookgoodbutwhatwasIgoi ngt owear?
Icombedmyaf r
oaf terthanheadedt ot he
l
oungewher eHlumi ewasal r
eadydone.She
wasdr essedi nrippedj eanswi thacr opt op
reveali
ngherbel lyringandshel ookedsogood
andasal waysIf el
tinsecur ewhenbei ngar ound
Hlumi ethoughshedi dnotr ubi tinmyf acet hat
Iwasl oserlikeMi nniedoest oot herpeopl e.
Mom:
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ulBr
own.
Shesaidwit
hagenuinesmil
e.Il
ovemy
grandmot
herbecauseshedi
dnotmakeme
small
.EvenifIwasshe'dmakemefeel
li
kea
Queen.She'
dpraiseme,compl
ementme.I
l
ovedherforthepersonshei
s.
Hlumi
e:Let
'sgobaby
.It
oldgr
andmat
owat
ch
Kea.
Me:
I'
ll
bebackby5mama.
Mom:
It'
sokay
.
Inodded.Hl
umi
epul
ledmet i
ll
wegotout
side
wherether
ewasacarout
side.
Hl
umi
e:Rel
axi
tsSbongi
l
e.
Me:
Ooh.
Insidet
hecarIgreet
edSbongi
l
eanHl umi
e
kissedhim.Ij
ustsatt
her
eandwatched.
.
Wear ri
vedatMinni
e'sf i
ancé'
smagni f
icent
house.Itwasbigandreallybeaut
iful
.Itwasn'
t
real
lyanythi
ngcompar edtoKarabo'shouse
becausethatwasli
terall
yamansi onwi t
ha
dri
vewayli
keacardeal
ershipbutitwasni ce.
Sheopenedthehousedressedinat ighty
ellow
dresswit
hasilkl
ongonesleeve.Shewasr eal
ly
beauti
ful
withherBr
azi
li
anandal lthat.
Mi
nni
e:Hl
umi
e..
.Br
own!
Shesaidenthusi
asti
call
y.Someonedumb
mightbuyintoheractbutnotme.Iknow
Minni
ewithouthermask.
Hl
umi
e:Hey
yy.
Theyhugged.Shegl
ancedatme.
Mi
nni
e:Br
own.Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul.
Me:
Thanky
ouMi
nni
e.
Mi
nnie:You'r
ewelcomesweety.Comei
n.
Mandlenkosii
supstai
rsi
nthegym.
Hl
umi
e:Okay
.Damngy
ely
ourhouse!
ShewasshookIcoul
dtel
lbyherexpr
essi
on.
Mi
nni
e:Lev
elsmnt
ase.
Shepour
edussomet
hingt
odr
ink.Ther
estof
ourv i
sitherewasj ustsobor i
ng.Thi ngsspi ced
upwhenwegott ogot othebeachbecause
that'
swhenMandl enkosiandhi sfr
iendst urned
up.Hewasni ceandal lbuthewasl ikea
manwhor e.Thel ookhegav emyasswhen
walkingdownt hest ai
rsshowedmet hathewas
aper vert
.Icouldseeonei nhi mt hroughabi r
d's
eye.Hl umiedisappear edwitht hisotherwhi te
guynamedSt eezyandMi nniewasal l overher
mansobasi callyIwasl eftalone.Ilikei solati
ng
my selffr
om peopl esobei ngnegl ect edby
Hlumi ewasn'tsuchabi gdeal .Ihadsome
thi
nkingt odosoIt ookawal k.
.
Intheevening,
itwaslat
eandItrulyjustwant
ed
tobehome.Mi nnieandHlumiehad
disappearedonmeandIwasl eftall
alone.I
l
ookedf orthem butt
heywerenowher etobeso
Ibegant opani
c.
"
Brownar
eyouokay
?
Imadeaf anwit
hmyhandsbutitwasnot
hel
ping.Thi
sguyistr
yingt
ohel
pbutfai
l
ingt
o
gett
hroughme.Ijustwant
edHl
umiesoshe
coul
dt akemehome.
Me:
Ican'
t.
..
.Ican'
tbr
eat
h!!
"
Brownj
ustr
elax.I
tsme!
"
Iam hav
inganxi
etyat
tacksandIam cr
yingat
thesameti
me.Thiswasabadcombi nati
onfor
me.
"
Shhhhsweet
yrel
ax.
"
Heknel
twi
thbot
hkneesi
nfr
ontofmeand
br
ushedmyhai
rback.
"Br
eathi
n..
.andout..
.i
n..
and-"It
ri
edbr eat
hing
butit
sli
keitsget
ti
ngwor sewi t
hev er
ybreath.
Heconti
nuedt owipemyt earswhichv ol
untar
il
y
keptonfal
l
ing.
"I
nandout .
"Ifel
tli
keIwasgett
ingbet
ter
.The
exerci
semademef eel
bet
ter
.That'
swhenI
actual
lyr
eali
zedwhowasi nfr
ontofme.
Kar
abo:
You'
reget
ti
ngt
her
e.Cont
inuebr
eat
hing.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ican'
tpostconst
antl
yhenceIhavebeen
ski
ppingdays.Ev
ery
thingwi
llbebet
terast
ime
goes.
[
02/
11,
07:
48]Mai
Kundi
:•Chapt
er12
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Itt
ook10mi nutesforKar abot oactuall
ycalm
medown, 10mi nutestobr ingmebackf rom my
hal
lucinationand10mor emi nutesforhimt o
getmet or ememberwhathappenedbef orehe
arr
ived.Let 'sjustsayt hatthat '
st he3phasesof
ter
ror.Sincewecoul dnotf indHl umiewe
decidedt ogohomewi thouther .Thewor stpart
wast hatIdi dnotev enhav eaphone.Thedr ive
homewassi l
ent..
.Ineededt hesi l
ence.Ineeded
tofi
ndmy sel foncemor e.Mi nutesagoIdi dnot
knowwhoIact uall
yam.Ij ustdonotknowwhat
ter
rorthiswasbutKar abounder stooditvery
well
.West eppedoutoft hecarandhewentt o
knockatt hedoor .Mom openedt hedoor.
Mom:
Brown.
..
Shehuggedme.West ayedint
hatposi
ti
onfor
sometime.Iguessshewasworri
ed.Wefinal
l
y
pul
ledf
rom thehug.Sheal
lowedusin.
Karabo:Canshehavesomewater
.Ithi
nkshe
needst odr
ink2gl
assesofwat
erand1cupof
bl
ackt ea.
Mom: Whathappened?Di
dshehav
eam
epi
sodeorsomething?
Kar
abo:
Yes.
Mom:
Iwi
l
l.
Shewentt
obr
ingmetwogl
assesofwat
erand
mademeacupofbl
ackcof
fee.
Mom: Thanky
ousomuchmyson.Idonot
knowwhatIwoul
dhav
edonei
fyouhadnot
showedup.
Kar
abo:
Itsokay
.Ihadt
odowhatIhadt
odo.
Mom:
Thanky
ou.
Kar
abo:
You'
rewel
come.
If
ini
shedmycof
fee.
Mom:
Sowher
edoy
oucur
rent
lyst
ay?
Karabo:Myol dhomei nJeff
rey
'sBay .We
stayedthereawhileago.It
sactuall
ymy
mot her
'soldhomewhensheandmyf at
her
werenott oget
her.SheagreedthatIstayther
e
forsomet imeorev enfor
everi
fIwant .
Mom:
Thati
sgood.
Hesmi
l
ed.
Kar
abo:
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng.
Mom:
Saf
edr
iveson.
Kar
abo:
Thanky
ou.
Me:
I'
ll
takey
out
oyourcar
.
Kar
abo:
Please.
Webot hstoodupandwal
kedoutside.Icl
osed
thedoorbehindme.Wewenttostandbyhis
car.Ther
ewasawkwardsi
lenceforsomet ime.
Me:
Howdi
dyouf
indme?
Karabo:Icameher etoseeyourmother.She
tol
dmet hatyouarri
vedi
nthemor ni
ngbutits
beenawhi lesinceyouandHlumelohadleftt
he
house.Shesai dyouwenttoMinni
e'shouse.I
gothereandf indherboy
fri
end'
sfri
endwho
neededal if
ttothebeachwhereyouallwere.
Everyonetoldmewher eyouwere.
..t
hat
show.
Me:
Ooh.It
houghtmay
be.
.
Kar
abo:
May
bewhat
?
Me:
Yousensedmeorsomet
hing.
Hechuckl
ed.
Kar
abo:
Isensepeopl
enow?
Me:YoucouldreadmymindsoIt
houghty
ou
coul
dalsosensepeool
eokay
!
Karabo:I
'
m notadog.
..
orawol
fsohowcoul
dI
senseyou?
Ishr
uggedmyshoul
der
s.
Me:Youar
eanunpr
edi
ctabl
eper
sonsoIdon'
t
know.
Kar
abo:
Idi
dnotsensey
ouBr
own.
Me:
I'
m gladand.
..
uh.
.hav
eyouspokent
oyour
mot
her?
Kar
abo:
Yes.
Me:
Whatdi
dshesay
?
Kar
abo:
Shesai
dyouat
tackedherhel
p.
Me:
Idi
dnotdoi
tint
ent
ional
l
yokay
?
Iam suchaf
ragi
l
eper
son.Al
readyIwasi
n
tear
s.
Kar
abo:
HeyheyBr
owndon'
tcr
y.
Iwascryi
ngsohyster
ical
l
y..
.outl
oud.Kar
abo
squat
tedinf
rontofme.
Karabo:I
'm notangr
y.Youmusthav
ehady
ou
reasons.
Inoddedt
ryingtomakethet
ear
sst
opbutno.
Theyvol
untari
lyf
all
i
ng.
Me:
She.
..
shewant
ed.
..
she.
.
Heburiedmyfaceonhischestandt
ri
ed
shushi
ngmebutIcouldnot.Iwasst
il
lshaken
aboutwhathappened.
Karabo:
Canwet alkaboutt
hiswhenyou'
re
bett
er?Wheny ouareact
ual
lyready
?You'
rest
il
l
shakenaboutsomethi
ngbutIdontknowwhat.
Whathappened?
Me:
We'
l
ltal
kabouti
t.
Ist
il
ltr
iedt
ost
opt
het
ear
sbutst
il
lIwasf
ail
i
ng
to.
Karabo:Iwil
lbe40minutesawayf
rom you
okay?Itsf
arbut.
..
I'
l
ldr
iveatmybestspeed
wheny ouneedme.
Inodded.
Kar
abo:
Ilov
eyou.
Me:
Youl
oveme?
Iwasal
i
ttl
eshockedt
hathel
ovesMe.What
ki
ndofl
ovei
sheev
ent
alki
ngabout
?
Kar
abo: YesBrown.
..Ilov
ey ouandIwanty
outo
cal
l
,textanythi
ngtocont actmeokayandI
'l
l
makesur eIgether
ei nti
me.
Me:
Youar
esoamazi
ng.
Hel
etoutamanl
ygi
ggl
e.
Kar
abo:
Itr
y.
Heki
ssedmyf
orehead.
Kar
abo:
40mi
nut
es.
Inodded.
Me:
40mi
nut
esaway
.
Hepeckedmyl
ipsbeforet
urni
ngar
oundbut
st
oppedonhi
stracks.
Me:
What
?
Het
urned.
Me:
WhatKar
abo!
?
Hemar
chedt
owar
dsmeandasuddengunshot
wasf ir
edatus.Iscr eamedi nt
er rorwhenIsaw
blood.There'snothingt hatscar esmemor e
thanblood.Ihav eseent hi
ngshappenand
someoft hoset hingshav escaredmebef ore
butwhenIsawKar aboshotIscr eamedmy
l
ungsout .Thepr edat ormur mur ed" shi
t"before
runningoff
.Ididn'tev enseehi sf ace.My
grandmothercamer unningout sideandwhen
shesawKar abohol dinghi sbell
ysher anback
tothehousewher eshecal ledanambul ance.
Me:
Kar
abo!
..
.Kar
abo!Lookatmepl
ease!
Hebr
ushedmyhai
rsmi
l
ingbef
orecl
osi
nghi
s
ey
esi
nangony
.
Kar
abo:
I'
ll
bef
ineokay
?
Hewasabl et
osayunderthepressureandpai
n
hehad.Hisbr
eathl
esswordsscaredmemor e
thenawrongtur
nmov i
ewoul dwhichIhave
onlyhear
dofbutnotwatched.
Me:
Kar
abopl
easedon'
tl
eav
eme.
Kar
abo:
Mycr
eat
or.
..
youknowwhathe'
ssay
ing?
Ishookmyhead.
Kar
abo:
Itsnotmyt
ime.
Finall
ytheambul ancear r
ivedandKarabowas
taken.Mygr andmot herpromisedtolookaf
ter
Keawhi leIgoseehowKar abowas.Icli
mbed
i
nt otheambul ancewi t
hhim andwewer e
driventothemer canti
lehospital
.
[
02/
11,
07:
48]Mai
Kundi
:•Chapt
er13
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Wegother eat20h32andt hat'
swhenKar abo
wasr ushedt ot heemer gencyr oom.They
operatedt hewoundandt ookt hebul let.The
doctorf i
rstcamet oinform met hatt he
operati
onwasasuccessasIcont i
nuedt owai t
formor ef eedbackunt i
lthenextmor ningat
5h00.Butt henur sedidn'tsaymuch.Justt hat
hewassedat ed.Att hatsamet imeKar abo's
fri
endscame.Idonotknowwhoi nformedt hem
buttheywer eher einfrontofmeal readydr il
ling
mewi thendl essquest i
ons.Wor seningmy
anxiety.Ididn'tknowhowt oanswert hem.Ij ust
gotscar edi nstantl
yandt heynot icedt hey
hencet heychoset owai tf orthedoct or .There
wasf ourguy sandt heyeachi ntroduced
themsel vesasZy der,Phuml a,Kutloandt helast
wasAkani andhespokeal otthatone.Thet wo
l
adieswer eKr isti
naandHl eskow.
Hleskow:"Whydidn'
thecall
toinf
orm ust
hat
hewasar oundP.Ethough?Kar
abocanbehard
somet i
mes."Shesai
dasshewassi t
ti
ngbythe
benchwi
thherheadr
est
edi
nKr
ist
ina'
s
shoul
der
.
Zy
der
:"Justr
elaxHl
esk.Hehashi
sreasons.
"
Hleskow:"
We'
rehi
sfr
iendsthough.We
deservedt
oknowi
fheisaround."
Phuml a: "Hleskowy ou'retheonl yonewho' s
blabbering.Can' ty ouseesomeofuswoul d
l
ov etot hink!?"Shewant edtosaysomet hing
backbutchoset ojustst ayqui etsoan
alter
cationwon' tbest arted.Icoul dtellthat
Akani andPhuml awer ethemostst ressed
hencet heywer esnappi ngev erytime.Iwas
exhaustedandsohungr ybutmost lyImi ssed
mybabygi rlbuti hadt obeher eforKar abo.He
tookabul letforme.Inev erthoughtany one
wouldev erint hei
rexi stencedosuchf orme
andf orthatIwasr eallygr at
eful.
At6h00am t
hedoctorcamet
oinf
orm ust
hat
Karabowasawake.
Dr
:"ButMrThobangaskedt
oseeBr
ownf
ir
st.
Who'
sthat
?"Icl
ear
edmyt
hroat
.
Me:
"That
'smedoct
or.
"
Dr:"Fol
lowmepl ease.
"Inoddedbefor
e
fol
lowinghimt owhereKarabowas.Hewas
l
y i
ngont hebedwithhisbackrest
edonthebig
pil
low.Hesmi l
edwhenhesawme.Hi ssmil
e
wasf ai
ntbutitwasgenuine.
Me:
"Hey
."
Kar
abo:"
Comehere.
"Iwentandhuggedhi
m.I
i
mmediatel
ypul
l
edbackwhenIfel
thimfli
nch.
Me:
"Di
dIhur
tyou?Iam sosor
ry.
"
Karabo:"Youdi
dn'
thur
tme.Comegi
vemea
hug."Ishookmyhead.
Kar
abo:"Pl
ease.Ifl
i
nchedbecauseof
somet
hingelse.Notbecauseofyou.
"
Me:"i
drat
herstandher
ewher
eIwon'
thur
t
you.
"Hesighed.
Kar
abo:
"Hav
eyousl
ept
?"Ishookmyhead.
Kar
abo:
"Whyt
hough?
"
Me:"Br
uhIwasscar edt
ol osey
ouokay
?How
wasIevensupposedtosleepknowi
ngthat
you'
ref
ight
ingforyourl
i
fe?"
Karabo:"
Itol
dyouBrown.Mycreatorsai
dit
s
notmyt i
meandwhenhesai di
tthenitst
he
tr
uth.Youcan'
tquest
ionhi
m."
Me:
"Kar
abo.
..
creat
or.
..
when?How?
"
Karabo:"
Justbel
iev
ethattheti
meIwason
yourarmshetoldme."Ishookmyhead.
Karabo:"Forbyt hywordst
houshaltbejust
if
ied,
andbyt hywor dsthoushal
tbecondemned.
Mat t
hew12v erse37Iserv
eal i
vi
ngGodandI
bel
ievehehasbr oughtmeintot
hisear
thwitha
mot i
ve.
..amissionthatIwi
llonl
ydieaf
ter
fi
nishi
ngi t
."
Me:
"Whatmissi
on?
"Hegavemet hi
sbeaut
if
ul
smi
l
ereveal
i
nghiswhi
teper
fectt
eeth.
Kar
abo:
"Tomakey
oumywi
feandmakey
ou
happy
."Ismi
l
ed.
Me:"Youar
esuchadarli
ng-
"ourmomentwas
cutshor
twhenhi
sfr
iendsbargedt
hrought
he
door.
Kar
abo:
"Whatar
eyouguy
sdoi
ngher
e?"
Hleskow:
"Di
dhej
ustaskwhatwear
edoi
ng
here?"
Phuml
a:"
Don'
texagger
ateHl
eskow.
"
Hl
eskow: "
YouknowPhumlay
ouhavea
pr
oblem wit
hmesincet
hismorni
ng.
"
Phuml a:
"Yes!Ihav
eaprobl
em wit
hy ou
Hleskow.Ihaveaprobl
em wi
thyourexi
stence!
"
Hleskow:"I
thappenst
hatyourexi
stencealso
suffocat
esmeSax.Justbylooki
ngaty ourface
I'
dpuke."
Phuml
a:"
Whydonty
ou?
"
Hleskow:"Keepopeni
ngyourmout
handI
'
d
considerusi
ngitasatoi
l
et!
"
Kar
abo:"
Yout
wostil
ll
ovetofi
ght?Ser
iousl
y?
Onewoul
dnotbel
i
evethaty
ou'r
eexes.
"
Phuml
a:"
Exesdonotr
equi
rer
ecogni
ti
onbr
uh!
"
Hl
eskow:
"Nxn!Youmakemesosi
ck!
"
Phuml
a:"
Youmakemewannadi
e!"
Hl
eskow:
"What
!?"
Phuml
a:"
You'
reugl
i
nessmakesmewantt
odi
e.
Imeanwhogavebi
rt
htoyou?
"
Akani:
"Guyswe'r
enotatatheat
erpl
ayokay?
Sopleasepausethi
sunti
lweleavethehospi
tal
.
Nowwear egoingtogi
veourfri
endatt
enti
on.
NotyoubecauseIcantel
lyouwanti
t."
Hl
eskow:
"He'
stheone-
"
Akani
:"Hl
eskow.
..
Ibeggedy
ou.
"Shef
oldedher
ar
ms.
Phuml
a:"
Apol
ogi
esHl
eskow.
'
Hl
eskow:
"Towho?
"
Phuml
a:"
Mxm!Any
wayhowar
eyouf
eel
i
ng
man?
"
Karabo:"
Thankyouforf
inal
l
ygi
vi
ngme
at
tenti
onPhumla."
Phuml
a:"
It
sjustt
hiswomanman.Shedr
ives
menut
s."
Kar
abo:"
It'
scoolmanandIam bet
ternowthati
hav
emyl adytobebymyside.
"Hesaidbef
ore
pul
li
ngmecl oset
ohisbody
.
Akani
:"Br
own.She'
sbeaut
if
ul.
"
Phuml
a:"
Trul
ybeaut
if
ul.
"
Hleskow:
"Beaut
if
ult
hant
hatskankofy
our
s
nehPhumla?"
Phumla:
"Sayanot herwordandIwil
lbusty
our
mouthopen."Zyderstoodinfr
ontofPhumla
whowasbr eathi
ngf i
re.
Akani
:"Theset
woneh.
"
Hleskow:"Mxm!I'
ll
beout
sideandi
twasni
ce
seeingyouKarabo.
"
Kar
abo:
"ThanksHl
es.
"Shebl
ewaki
ssathi
m.
Hleskow:
"Ni
cemeeti
ngyouBr
own."Inodded.
Thet wol
adi
eswal
kedoutl
eav
ingt
hemen.
Akani
:"Whydoy
ouhav
etoal
way
spokeher
?"
Phuml
a:"
Me!
?Ipokedher
?"
Akani
:"Yes!
"
Phumla:
Mxm!Youdon'
tknowwhaty
ou'
re
tal
ki
ngabout
."
Akani
:"Iknow.
"
Kar
abo:"
Canyouguy
sleav
emeandmyl
adyt
o
beal
one?Pl
ease.
"
Zyder
:"Cool
man.Itwasni
ceseei
ngy ouandI
'
ll
becomingbackl
ateronwi
thPari
s."
Kar
abo:
"Thanky
ou.
Zyder:"
You'r
ewel come."Aft
ertheysaidthei
r
goodbyewet houghtthatKaraboandIwoul d
resumeourconv ersat
ionbutwewer eonce
againdelay
edwhenGl or
iawalkedin.GodIfel
t
l
ikedisappeari
ngbecauset
hiswoman'
s
presenceisfel
t.
Gl
ori
a:"
Heymybaby
."
[
02/
11,
07:
49]Mai
Kundi
:•Chapt
er14
.
.
.
.
.
.
LikeIsaid,herpresenceisfel
t.Immedi atel
y
whenshewal kedintheroom If el
tthisunusual
painthatthrobbedmyski n.Iwasner vous.
ShouldIleaveorshoul dIstay?Istaredather
i
nt i
midati
ngey esthatstaredri
ghtbacki ntomy
eyes.Icouldnotkeeponst ar
ingather .She'
s
toointi
mi dat
ing.Ican'
tevenst ayi
nt hesame
room asme.If ear
edher.
Me:"Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng.
"Iat
tempt
edt
oleav
e
butKarabopul
l
edmyhand.
Kar
abo:"
Mymotherwon'
tbi
te.
..
ri
ghtmama?
"
Shel
ookedaway
.
Karabo:"Mama?"Sheglancedathersonagai
n
beforeafakesmil
ewaspai nt
edli
kegraff
it
ion
herface.I
twasconvinci
ng.
Glor
ia:
"Ofcour
se.Iwon'
tbi
teBr
own.
"Imov
ed
backalit
tl
e.
Glori
a:"Howar
eyoufeel
ingKar
abo?Anypai
ns?
Orjusttel
lmehowyoufeeli
nst
eadof
guessing.
"
Kar
abo:
"Iam okaymom.
"
Gl
ori
a:"
Real
l
y?"
Karabo:"
Yes.Thebull
etwasr
emovedandI
couldtel
ltheoper
ati
onwasasuccess.
"
Gl
ori
a:"
Sosoony
ou'
l
lbecomi
nghomewi
th
me?"
Karabo:"
Act
uall
yI'
m comingtost
ayher
ewi
th
Brown."Myhear
tskippedabeat
.
Gl
ori
a:"
JustbecauseofBr
own?
"
Karabo:"
Andwor
k..
.butmost
lybecauseof
Brown."
Gl
ori
a:"
She'sbi
genoughtot
akecar
eofher
sel
f
mosKarabo.Whywouldy
ouwanttost
ayher
e
wi
thher
? "
Kar
abo:"
Youdidheart
hatIsai
dal
sobecause
ofwor
kright
?"
Gl
ori
a:"
Yesbut
-"
Kar
abo: "
Greatmama!Iam t
aki
ngat
ransf
er
her
e."Shesighed.
Gl
ori
a:"
Whyar
esohar
dtohandl
e?"
Kar
abo:
"I'
m nothar
dtohandl
emom!
"
Glor
ia:
"Youar
e!!Nowaday
syoudontcar
e
aboutmyfeel
i
ngs."
Kar
abo:
"Tr
ustme.
..
.Ido.
"
Glor
ia:
"iam nothappythatyou'
remov i
ngback
toP.Etowherethosedevil
ishfr
iendsofyour
s
are.
"
Karabo:
"Insul
ti
ngmyf
ri
endswon'
tmakeme
changemymi ndmama."
Glori
a:"Youknowwhat?Iam goi
ngbackto
Jo'bur
g.Takecareofy
oursel
f?"Shet
urned.
Karabo:
"Mama!"Shewal
kedoutoft
hewar
d
andKarabosi
ghed.
Kar
abo:
"Shewi
l
lhav
etobest
rong.
"Inodded.
Karabo:
"Howwil
lyougethome?Shoul
dIcal
l
Phumlatocomefetchy
ou?"
Me:"i
fIhadaplant
ogobackhomet
henI
'
dsay
nobutIdon'
t.
'
Kar
abo:
"Cal
lthedoct
orf
ormet
han.
"
Me:"Okay
."Iwentandlookedfort
hedoctor.He
f
oll
owedmebackt oKarabo'
sward.Theyspoke
f
orsomet i
mebef orebewalkedout
.Thedoctor
r
etur
ned.
Dr
:"He'
scomi
ng.
"
Kar
abo:
"Thanky
oudoct
or.
"
Dr:"
You'
rewelcome.
"Hewal
kedoutagai
n.
Phumlaarr
ivedsometi
mel
ater
.
Phuml
a:"
She'
l
lgui
demet
oherhomer
ight
?"
Karabo:"
Yes.Br
ownhe'
sagoodf
ri
endofmi
ne,
okay?"
Me:
"Ofcour
se.
"
Karabo:
"AndPhuml
adon'
ttr
yyourl
uckonher
.
I
'l
lknow."
Phuml a:
"Ofcourseyouwil
l
."Isai
dgoodbyeto
Karabobef or
ewalki
ngoutwithPhuml
a.I
guidedhimt omyhomeandwhenwegott hereI
sai
dmyt hankyouandgoodbye.WhenIwalked
i
nIf oundmamascol di
ngHlumeloandit
seemedl i
keshejustar
ri
vedhome.
Mom:"
Yerry
ouactl
i
kea2y
earol
dmaar
n
Hl
umel
o!"
Hl
umi
e:"
Mama-
"
Mom: "Unt
ilyouhav eastabl
ejob,yourown
houseandmar r
iedthenyoucanhav etheri
ght
towalkoutasy ouplease.Notundermyr oof
."I
clear
edmyt hroat.
Mama:
"Ohheymydar
li
ng.
"
Me:
"Heymama.What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
Mama: "Isn'
titthi
sHl umel
o!Shemakesmeso
angryIfeelli
keslappingher.
"Hlumelomust
havereallycrossedtheli
neforgrandmatobe
thi
sangr y.Shehasnev erbeenthi
sangrybef
ore.
Me:"Ooh.
"Hl
umelost
oodupandstormedout
oft
helivi
ngr
oom l
eav
ingus.Icl
ear
edmythroat
.
Me:
"Letmegobat
h."
Mom:
"Butf
ir
st.
..
how'
sKar
abo?
"
Me:
"He'
sawake.
"
Mom: "Thati
sgoodnewsmos.Ar
eyougoi
ngt
o
vi
sithi
m agai
n?"
Me:
"Yesbutl
ater
."
Mom:
"Okay
.Keai
ssl
eepi
ng.
"
Me:
"Di
dshedr
inkherf
ormul
a?"
Mom:
"Al
lofi
t.
"
Me:
"That
'smyangel
.:
-)I
'
llgobat
hnow.
"
Mom:"Okaymydarl
i
ng.
"Il
eftheri
nthel
ounge
andwenttomybedr
oom.
.
.
.
.
.
Kar
abo
Aft
erBrownl
eftmyhandsgl
owed.IknewGina
wasaroundt
heroom.Sheappear
edwithher
beaut
if
ulsmi
leonherf
ace.
Gi
na:
Kar
abo.
Me:
Gina.
Shewalkedtomeandplacedherhandwher
eI
wasshot.Thepai
nvani
shed.
Gi
na:
Nowt
hat
'sbet
ter
.Iseey
ouf
oundher
.
Me:
Brown?
Gina:
Yes.You'r
esoi
nlov
ewi
thhert
hati
ts
beaut
iful
Karabo.
Me:
Lov
eisanunder
stat
ementGi
na.
Gina:Buty
ouraff
ini
tycomeswithahi
gher
bri
dge.Abridgey
out wowi
llhav
etowalkover
toget
her.
Me:
Iknow.
Gi
na:Youpassedyourf
ir
stphasewhi
chi
sto
ov
erpowerGlor
ia.
Me:
AndIbel
i
evet
her
eismor
e.
Gina:That'
sri
ghtKar
abo.You'
l
lhavetoholdher
handont hi
sone.Thi
sphasemightinv
olv
e
Gorgon.
Me:
What
?
Gi
na:
Youhear
dme.
Me:Gorgonwastr
appedont
he
pond.
..
remember
?
Gina:Pel
onomi wastr
appedintothepond.Not
Gorgon.Herspir
iti
ssti
ll
roamingaroundhere
andshe'slooki
ngforanavai
labl
ecandidat
e.
Me:
Who?
Gi
na:
You'
l
lhav
etof
indout
.
Wehear dsomet hi
ngbreakandwhenwel ooked
atthedoorwher ethesoundcamef r
om we
foundBrownwi t
hherhandscov er
inghermouth.
Icouldnotbeli
evethatBrowncoul
dsee
Gina.
..
.buthow?
[
02/11,07:
49]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er15:
Brown'
s
per
specti
ve
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Iturnedandhur riedoutoft hehospi tal.Iwas
beyondf r
ightened.WhatIsawwasnohuman.
Shehadwi ngs..
.freakenwi ngsf orGod' ssake!
Howcoul dIhav eactedi fIhadwal kedi nside
thatroom andactl i
keIdi dnotj ustsee
Karabo'shandsgl owandal soanangel with
wingsbiggert henheri nt her oom.Inev er
thoughtthatI'dseeanangel .Neverhav eI
thought.Icaughtt axiwhi cht ookmehome
wher eiwalkedt owheni tdroppedmeatt he
stop.Allt
hewayt othehouseIwasj ust
thi
nkingofwhatIsaw.I treallyfri
ghtenedme
andi tal
soleftmewi thmi l
l
ionunanswer ed
quest
ions.Mom wasev
ensur
pri
sedt
oseeme
backsoearly
.
Mom:
Andt
han?Whyar
eyoubacksoear
ly?
Me:
I..
.i
ts.
..
Mom:
Whathappened?
Mytonguewasti
edandi
thappenst
hatI
'
m not
sogoodwit
hli
es.
Me:
CanInotsay
?
Mom:
Why
?What
'
sgoi
ngon?
Ij
ustsometimeswi shmygrandmotherwoul
d
l
eavecert
ainthingsandnottryt
ocompelthem
outofaperson.Shewasseriousl
ygivi
ngmea
hardt
ime.
Me:
Hehadv
isi
tor
ssoIdi
dnotwantt
obot
her
.
Mom:
Coul
dn'
tyouwai
t?
Ishookmyhead.Iwentandpi
ckedKeaupf
rom
thecouch.Shewassl
eepi
ng.
Me:
I'
ll
justgoandr
est
.
Mom:
Okay
.
Me:
Andwher
e'sHl
umi
e?
Mom:
Mxm!Somewher
eint
hehouse.
Me:
Ooh.
Iturnedandwentt oHlumie'sr
oom.Shewas
busyt al
ki
ngonherphone.Isatont hebedand
waitedforhert
of i
nishtal
kingbutbyt helooks
ofthingsIcoul
dseet hatshewasnotgoi ngto
fi
nishany t
imesoonhenceIl ef
t.Igottomy
bedroom andcheckedKea' sdi
aper.Itwasst i
l
l
fr
eshsoi j
ustl
aiddownnextt oherandl ooked
atheraswassl eepingunti
lIal
soslept .
.
.
.
.
.
.
Kar
abo'
sper
spect
ive
Isi
ghed.
Me:
Didsheseey
ou?
Gi
na:
Yes.Shedi
d.
Me:Buthow?Imean,i
fshehadsomesortof
gi
ftIcoul
dseeni
tfrom amil
eawaybutIdi
dn'
t.
Gi
na:
Thatmeansy
oushoul
dfi
ndoutKar
abo.
Shedisappearedaft
ersayi
ngthat.Whena
nursepassedIstoppedherandtoldhertocal
l
Damon.That '
sagooddoct orf
ri
endofmi neand
apparent
lymyt el
ephoneformystayhere.He
came.
Damon:
Youcal
l
ed.
Me:
Idi
d.Whenwi
l
lIl
eav
ethi
spl
ace?
Damon:
Itol
dyouear
li
erKar
abo.Af
ter2weeks.
Me:
Ican'
tst
ay2weeksDamon.
Damon:Youwoundisstil
lfr
agil
eandyoujust
camefr
om anoper
ation.Don'ty
outhi
nkyou
needpr
opercar
ebef
oref
aci
ngt
hewor
ldagai
n?
Ishookmyhead.
Me:
NomanIwantout
.
Damon:Ican'
tdi
schar
gey
ounowKar
aboandI
won'
t!
Me:Fi
ne.Bor
rowmey
ourphone.Iwannacal
l
mygir
lf
ri
end.
Hehandedi
ttome.
Me:Er
rcany ougoandlookforMar
gretJar
vis'
s
numberforme.Oreventhei
rhometel
ephone
number.
Heexhal
ed.
Damon:
You'
rehandf
ulman.
Me:
Thanksman.
Heexi
tedt
her
oom andIgav
ePhuml
aacal
l
.
Phuml
a:Hel
l
o?
Me:
ItsKar
abo.Cany
ougetmeaf
ewcl
othes
andcomepi
ckmeupi
nanhour
stops?
Phuml
a:Ishoul
dbuyt
hem?
Me:
Ehmonnakgant
eony akagwet
sang?-
(
whatdoy
ouwanttodo?
}
Phuml
a:Shar
pgeh.Gi
mmeanhour
.
Me:
Cool
.
Iendedt
hecall
mewaitedforDamont ocome
backwit
hthenumbert
houghIdidn'
treal
lywant
i
t.
.
.
.
.
.
Br
own
Wet ol
dmamat orestwhil
eHl umi
eandI
cooked.Iact
ual
l
yforcedher.Shewant
edto
l
eav eforfr
osbiteandInoti
cedthatshewas
sti
llupsetaboutwhathappenedyester
day
betweenherandmama.Themomentwasj ust
soawkwar d.Shedidn'
tseem li
kesomeonewho
want edcompanybutIneededhelptofini
sh
preparingl
unchinti
me.
Me:
Hlumi
ewhat
'
sgoi
ngon?Ar
eyouangr
yat
meormama?
Hl
umi
e:Leav
emeBr
own.
Me:
Youcan'
tshutev
ery
oneouty
ouknow.
Hl
umi
e:IcanandIwi
l
l.
Shesl
ammedt heknif
eonthecount
ercreati
ng
asoundbef
oreexit
ingther
oom.IguessI'
ll
havet
ocookalone.
.
.
.
.
.
Kar
abo
Phuml abroughtmycl othesexact
lyafterone
hour.Iexcusedmy selfandwalkedint he
bathroom whereIattempt edt
oundr essbut
i
mmedi at
elystoppedwhenIsawGi na.
Me:
Shi
t!
!Youhav
eti
minghey
.
Isai
dsar
cast
ical
l
y.
Gi
na:
Itwaschanged.
Me:
What
?
Gi
na:
TheDev
il
'spl
answer
echanged.
Me:
That
'sagoodt
hingt
hough.
..
ri
ght
?
Gina:Yes.I
tisbutIbel
i
evesomethi
ngwi
l
lsoon
happen.Haveyouhadav i
si
ontoday?
Me:
Yes.
Gi
na:
Whatwasi
t?
Me:
It'
sav
isi
onIact
ual
l
yhav
eev
eryt
imewhen
Ihav
enegat
ivet
hought
s.
Gina:Thoughtsofgoingbackt
obeinga
gangster
?Thought sofbecomi
ngthebitterman
youwasbef ore.Thedevi
lhasbeentryi
ngtoget
youinhisplanandsoonhewi l
lsucceed.
Me:LookGinabel
ievei
nmyGodokay
?I'
l
lnev
er
bet
rayhi
m himthat.
Gi
na:Iknowyouwon'
thav
esuchi
ntent
ionsbut
pl
easebecar
eful
.
Me:
Why
?What
'sgonnahappen?
Gi
na:
Justbecar
eful
.
Shet
handi
sappear
ed.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Sor
ryf
ort
hedel
ay.
[
02/
11,
07:
49]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er16
.
.
.
.
.
.
Ginalef
tmewi thamill
i
ont hought
sanditjust
happenedthatIwasrunningoutofti
me.I
steppedint
otheshower,showered,l
oti
oned,
dressedandgott
hehel loutofthi
shospit
al.I'
m
supposedtobehelpingpeoplewhentheyar e
hereandnotmebei nghelped.Tome,itdoesn't
workliket
hat
.Ist
eppedi ntoPhumla'
scar.
Hi
m:Br
own'
shouseor
?
Me:Yeaherhousebut .
..
Ican'
tj
ustarr
ivether
e
wi
thoutanyt
hing.Let
'smakeast opatthe
Gr
eenacresmall.
Hi
m:Sur
ethi
ng.
Hestar tedthecarandwemadeast opatt he
Greenacr esmall.IboughtBrownaf ewthings
l
ike:abunchofr edr oseswit
haboxofFer r
ero
Rocherchocol ateandanonal cohol
i
cbev erage.
Keaisj ustanewbor nsoIboughthersome
formulas.Af t
erIwal kedinababystoreand
Phumlahadapr oblem witht
hat.
Phuml
a:ButDude.
.
Me:
What
?
Phuml
a:Ababyst
ore?Real
l
y.Youl
eav
eal
l
ki
ndsofl
i
quorst
oresandy
ouchoseababy
st
ore!
Me:
Mxm.
Iwalkedi
nandboughtaf ewthingsf orKea.
Li
keIsaid,
ican'tj
ustarr
ivewit
hnot hing.Aft
er
payi
ngIwalkedoutandgav ePhumlaaf ew
bags.Hesti
llhadaprobl
em withthat.
Phumla:Idontgetpai
dtodononoft
hese
thi
ngs.
It
hrewt
woR200not
esathi
m.
Phuml
a:Add6mor
e.
Me:
I'
ll
transf
ert
hecashman.
Phuml
a:Doi
tnow.
..
Iwannaseey
ou.
Isighedbefor
etaki
ngmyphoneoutandsent
hismoney .
Phuml
a:Cl
i
ckcl
i
ckhust
ler
.
HecheckedhowmuchIsent
.
Phuml
a:Nowt
hat
'swhatI
'
mtal
ki
ngabout
.
Me:
Youactl
i
key
oudon'
twor
k.
Phuml
a:Pr
ett
yisawal
l
eacheman.
Me:
Wal
l
e-what
?
Phumla:
Wall
ea-
ache.Shebr
ingshur
tint
omy
wall
etman!
Il
aughed
Me:
Real
l
y?
Phumla:Forr
eal
.Hedoesnotcomecheapt
hat
one.3karatf
orasi
ngl
eweave.Adamnweave
man!
Me:
OhhowIwi
shIwasspendi
ngonBr
ownl
i
ke
t
hat
.
Phumla:
Whaaat?
!Shedon'
t?DamnmanIwi
shI
wasyouright
.
Me:
Youdon'
tev
enknowwhy
.
Phumla:Idon'
twanttoeit
her.Butshe's
beauti
ful
though.Li
kehownat ur
al shei
swi
th
herhai
r.That'
sherhai
rthoughright?
Me:
Yep!
Phumla:She'
sbeaut
if
ulmanandherchi
nese
eyes.MancanIhavehert
hough.
Ishookmyhead.
Me:
She'
snotev
enmi
ne.
..
yet
.
Phuml
a:Hol
dthefuckup!Notyour
s?Whyt
he
hel
lar
eyoubuyi
ngallt
hisshi
tfort
han?
Me:
Cany
ouj
ustdr
ive?
Wej
ustsi
tt
ingi
nthecarnowandt
alki
ng.
Phuml
a:Youhaveadamnli
verpool
.Li
keGl
ori
a
al
wayssai
d:Onal
esebet
emosimane!
Il
aughed.
Me:
Phuml
ajustdr
iveman.
Phuml
a:A'
i
ght
.
Hest
art
edt
hecarandi
mmedi
atel
ydr
oveof
f.
.
.
.
.
.
Br
own
Ij
usthadlunchwithmom andnowIwasj usti
n
mybedroom withmydaught erandIwasj ust
star
ingatt
hisbeauti
ful
thinginfrontofme.My
babyiscut
ethoughandIt hankedGodf or
gi
v i
ngmybabysuchbeaut ybecauseshewon' t
becryi
ngbecauseshefeltinsecureabouther
l
ooks.
Thebedroom dooropenedandIjustwondered
whoitwasbecausemom knocksbef ore
comingin.Ii
mmediatel
ysatupstraightwhenI
sawKarabowalkinmybedr oom hol
di nga
bouquetfl
owerswithhi
sonehandandhi sot
her
handwasoccupiedbyshoppingbags.
Me:
Aren'
tyousupposedt
obeatt
hehospi
tal
.
Iwentandt
ri
edt
ohel
phi
m buthedecl
i
ned.
Kar
abo:
Idi
schar
gedmy
sel
f.
Me:Buty
ourwoundKar
abo.Si
tdownsoIcan
seei
t.
Kar
abo:
ItsokayBr
own!
Ipushedhim onthebedandl
ucki
l
yhi
swei
ght
dropdidn'
tscar
eKea.
Kar
abo:
BrownI
'
mfi
ne.
Il
i
ftedhi
sshi
rtuponl
ytof
indat
att
oowher
ehe
wasshot
.
Kar
abo:
Brown-
Me:
Thewound.
Kar
abo:
Justl
eti
tgoBr
own.
Me:
Thewoundi
snott
her
e.
Kar
abo:
Brown-
Me:Isawy
ougett
ingshotKarabo.Thebl
ood
wasonmyhandsand.
..
andy ouwereoperat
ed.
Kar
abo:
List
en-
Me:
Wher
e'st
hewoundKar
abo?
!
Nowt
hatst
art
ledKea.
Kar
abo:
Youscar
edt
hebaby
.
Me:
Kar
abo!
Hestoodupandwentt
opickKeaup.When
gr
andmatri
edtogeti
nIpushedt
hedoor.
Mom:
What
'sgoi
ngoni
nther
e?
Me:
Ever
ythi
ngi
sfi
nemama.
Ishutt
hedoor.Il
ookedatKar
aboand
demandedanswerswithmyhandsandhej
ust
chosetor
ockKea.
Me:
Whatar
eyou?
Kar
abo:
I'
m ahumanbei
ngBr
own.
Me:Then..
.theev
entsoftoday
..
.what'
sgoi
ngon?
Anddon'tsaynothi
ng.Iknowsomethingi
s
goi
ngon.
Karabo:Brown.
..
justl
eti
tgo.Fornow.
Just.
.pl
ease.
Me:
No.
Hesi
ghedbef
orel
ooki
ngdown.
Me:Thewound.
..
whatmadet
hewound
di
sappear
.
Hel
ookedupwi
thhiseyescl
osed.Heopened
t
hem somet
imel
ater.
Me:
Wher
eisi
t?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

[
02/
11,
07:
49]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er17
.

.
.
.
Kar
abo:
ByGod'
sgr
aceIgotheal
ed.
Iexhal
ed.Hewastr
yingmeandatt
hesame
ti
meIwasf r
eaki
ngout.
Me:
Fine.
Kar
abo:
Fine?
Me:Whatdoyouwantmet osayKarabo?Akrr
waganagongpol
elel
a.-
(Youdontwanttotel
l
me.
)
Kar
abo:
Iwi
l
l.Youj
ustwon'
tbel
i
eveme.
Me:
Tryme.
Kar
abo:
Ihav
eagi
ft
.Toheal
peopl
eandt
his
gi
ftIwasgi
venbyGod.
Me:
Toheal
?
Kar
abo:
Whydoy
out
hinkIbecameadoct
or?
Ikeptqui
et.
Kar
abo:Your
ememberBl
essi
ng?Bl
essi
ng
Nduna?
Me:
Ihav
ehear
dofher
.
Karabo:Hersoul
wastrappedi
nthedar
kwor
ld
andthesehandsheal
edher.
Me:
How?
Karabo:Justl
i
keIcanheal youi
fyoursoulhas
beentrappedorevenifyouarewoundedbut
thewoundwon' tdi
sappearl
ikeminedi
d.
Me:
Why
?Becausey
ouownt
hegi
ft
?
Kar
abo:
No.BecauseIwasheal
edbyanangel
.
Me:WaitsowhatIsawwasr
eal
?!Ther
ewasan
angel
inyourwar
d?
Henodded.
Me:
Whatdi
ditwant
?
Karabo:
Itsmyguar
dianangel
.It
swi
thmeal
l
theti
me.
Me:
She'
sher
e?
Kar
abo:
Yes.
Me:
Wher
e?!
Kar
abo:
Behi
ndy
ou.
Iturnedaroundonlytof i
ndtheangel .Iwentto
standbehindKarabo.Iwasscar ed.Hersize
i
nt i
midatedmeandev enherwi ngs.Theywer e
touchingmycei l
i
ng.Icouldn'tbeli
eveit.Sheis
here.Iti
ghtenedmygr iparoundKar abo.
Me:
Pleasegetheroutofher
e.
Kar
abo:
Gina.
..
giv
eussomespace.
Gi
na:
ButIwon'
thur
ther
.
Me:
Ahhhh!
!Shecanev
ent
alk?
!
Gi
na:
Ofcour
seIcant
alk.
Kar
abo:
Gina!Gi
veussomespace.
Shesi
ghedbef
oredi
sappear
ingi
nthi
nai
r.
Kar
abo:
She'
sgone.
Ist
il
lhel
dont i
ghtl
yontohi
m.Ilovedthi
s.His
col
ogneint
oxicat
edmeandf eel
inghissmooth
ski
nwasagr eatsenseoft
ouchagainstmine.
Kar
abo:
Brown?
Isnappedoutofi
t.
Me:
Yes?
Kar
abo:
She'
sgone.
Me:
Right
.
Isai
dst
andi
ngst
rai
ght
.
Kar
abo:
I'
m sor
ry.Idi
dn'
tmeant
oscar
eyou.
Me:I
tsokay.I
twasal
sosost
upi
dofmet
o
r
eactl
ikethat
.
Kar
abo:
Youwer
ereal
l
yscar
ed.
Hesai
dchuckl
i
ng.
Me:
Itsnotf
unny
.
Kar
abo:
Right
!
Hepul
l
edmecl
oset
ohi
sbody
.
Me:
Don'
ttouchme.
Karabo:Youdoreal
i
zey
ouar
ewi
l
li
ngl
ycomi
ng
towardsmeright
?
Isl
i
ght
lypunchedhi
m.
Kar
abo:
Comeher
e.
Hepushedbackmyhai randpulledmecl oserto
hisfacethatmylipsandhi stouch.Hewas
abouttokissme.GodIcoul dnotbeliev
et hat
hewasaboutt oki
ssmeandIcoul dnotbelieve
thatIhadfall
enintothesnareoft emptati
on
whenIr espondedonki ssi
nghim.Thel i
nger ing
kissconti
nuedunt i
lIpull
edout.Imov edbacka
bit.
Me:
Uhm.
..
Kar
abo.
..
I'
m sor
ry.
Kar
abo:
Whyar
eyousor
ry?
Me:
I..
.Ishoul
dnothav
eki
ssedy
ouback.
Kar
abo:
Isi
tacr
imet
oki
sssomeoneback?
Me:
I..
.I
..
Myt
onguewast
ied.Idi
dn'
tknowwhatt
osay
.
Kar
abo:
I'
m sor
ryt
oki
ssy
out
han.
Me:
Why
?
Kar
abo:Akry
ousai
dit
sacr
imet
oki
ss
someone.
Me:
Inev
ersai
dthat
!
Kar
abo:
Didy
ouhav
etosayi
t?
Me:
Idi
dn'
tthi
nki
tei
ther
.
Isai
dfol
dingmyar
ms.
Kar
abo:
Youdi
dn'
tneedt
othi
nki
tei
ther
.
Hepi
ckedKeaup.
Karabo:
Let
'sl
eaveyourgr
umpymot
herand
seewhatKRboughtyou.
Het ookthetwobabystorepl ast
icbagsfr
om
thefloorandlai
dthecl
othesdownashebaby
tal
kedKea.Isatdownont hematandwat ched
thi
s.Itwassobeautif
ulthough.Imean...
Kea
hasnev erbeenhel
dbynomal esohavi
ng
Karabodot hisf
ormewasj ustablessi
ng.
Kar
abo:
What
?
Me:
Not
hing.
..I
tsj
ust
.You'
regoodwi
thbabi
es.
Kar
abo:
I'
veal
way
swant
edt
obecomeaf
ather
.
Me:Sowhydon'ty
ougr
absomeoneandmake
ababywi
ththem?
Hechuckl
ed.
Kar
abo:
Grab?
Inodded.
Kar
abo:No..
.Ij
usthav
en'
tgot
tent
heri
ghtone
tomothermykidsandal
sobeawifet
ome.
Me:
Lookf
oroneke.
Ist
oodupandwentt
oadmi
ret
hecl
othes
Kar
abobought
.
Me:
Thesehav
ecosty
ousomuchKar
abo!
Isai
dlooki
ngatt
hepr
icet
ags.
Kar
abo:
So?I
tsmymoneywoman.
Het
ooktheshi
rtf
rom myhands.Hi
sphone
r
angsoheansweredi
t.
Kar
abo:
Mal
ume?
-YahIf
oundher
.
-IknowbutIj
ustcoul
dn'
tsi
tther
e.Wehav
e
someprepar
ati
onstodo.
-Isuggesty
ouguy sgocheckthepr
icesandI
wil
lpayeveryt
hingandI
'l
lalsomake
arr
angementsforSakhi
l
et ocomethissi
de.
-I
'
llhav
etof
orcehi
mthan.
-Okay
..
.by
e.
Hepl
acedhi
sphonedown.
Me:
Prepar
ati
ons?
Kar
abo:Yes.Whatdoy
out
hinkwheni
tcomes
tomarr
iage?
Me:
DoIwantt
ogetmar
ri
ed?
Kar
abo:
Yes.
Me:
Yea.Iwoul
dlov
etogetmar
ri
edoneday
.
Kar
abo:
Whati
fyouwer
eat
eenwi
fe?
Me:
Ateen-
Ist
udi
edhi
sexpr
essi
on.
Me:
Kar
abo-
Kar
abo:
Don'
tgetanyi
deas.Iwon'
tengagey
ou.
Me:
Oh.
Hesmi
l
ed.
Kar
abo:Ihav
etogo.I
'
m notev
ensupposedt
o
beher
e.
Me:
Why
?
Kar
abo:
CanInott
ell
you?
Me:
Fine!
Kar
abo:
Butsoony
ouwi
l
lknow.
Me:
Howsoon?
Karabo:
Meetmetoni
ght
.I'
l
lhav
esomeone
dri
veyouther
e.
Me:
Wher
e?
Kar
abo:
Mydr
iverwi
l
ltakey
ou.
Me:
Youar
enotgoi
ngt
ospendany
thi
ngr
ight
?
Kar
abo:
CanIbet
hej
udgeoft
hat
.
Isi
ghed.
Kar
abo:
I'
ll
seey
ou.
Me:
Kar
abo-
Kar
abo:
Toni
ght
.
Hewalkedoutoft
her oom l
eav
ingmewit
ha
whol
elotofquest
ions.Whatwashepl
anni
ng.
.
SoKarabo'
spl
anwastotakemetoAngelou'
s.
Ther
ewasablackbeaut
if
uldr
essthatwassent
withglassheel sandaf ewaccessor i
es.Iloved
theheelsmor ethant hedr essthoughi twas
beautif
ul andal soitlookedexpensi ve.Abl ack
RangeRov erwassentt ocomeandcol l
ectme.I
cli
mbedi nandsatt hereunt ilwear r
ivedat
Angelou's.Iopenedt hedoorandcl i
mbedon.I
walkedi nt he6i nchheel slikeapr osinceIused
towearHl umi e'
sheel sandpr acti
cear oundt he
housei nt hem.Il ookedar oundhopi ngt ofind
Karabobuthewasnotar oundsoIwai tedasI
enjoyedt heaur aoft hebr eezeunt i
lIhear d
someonecl eartheirthr
oat .Iturnedtoonl yfind
Karabodr essedi ncasual wearl ookingall
handsome.
Me:
Whatam Idoi
ngher
eKar
abo?
Kar
abo:
Hit
oyout
oo.
Hewalkedcl
oserhol
dingabouquetofr
ed
r
oses.
Kar
abo:
Beaut
if
ulv
iew.
It
urnedsmi
l
ing.
Me:
Indeed.
Iturnedaroundandforasecondther
eIt
hought
hehaddi sappear
edonmebuthewasst andi
ng
i
nhi sonekneewi t
hasuedeengagementbox
thathadthemostbeautif
ulpiece.
Kar
abo:
Wil
lyoumar
ryme?
Icover
edmymouthwi
thtear
sal
ready
str
eamingdownmyey
es.Whatwasgoingon?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
02/
11,
07:
49]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er18
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Whatwashe?It hi
nkIhav easkedt hi
squest i
on
at housandt imesnowandst il
lIhav enoanswer
butKar aboj ustdidwasbey ondbeaut i
ful.I
staredatt hatbeaut i
fulpieceasi twasshi ning
i
nmyey es.Il ov
editalreadybutIwasscar ed.I
hav ebeeni nl ove.
..
onceandi tledmet ohav ing
anxietyprobl emsandl ackoft rust.CouldIev en
tr
ustKar abot onotbreakmyhear t
.Myt oldme
t
hathewoul
dtakegoodcareofmyhear tbut
myheadwastel
li
ngmeotherwise.Ichoseto
l
ist
entomyhear
tandstr
etchedoutmyhand.
Hehel
dit
.
Me:
CanIt
rusty
ouwi
thmyhear
tKar
abo?
Kar
abo:
Ialr
eadyhavei
tandI'
mtaki
nggood
car
eofi
t.Youj
ustdontknowi
tyet
.
Iwi
pedmyt
ear
swi
thmyf
reehand.
Me:
Thany
es.Iwi
l
lmar
ryy
ou.
Hesmil
ed.Hesli
dther
inghal
fwaybef
ore
l
ooki
ngmei nt
heeye.
Kar
abo:
Yousai
dyesr
ight
?
Me:
Yeswei
rdo!
Heslidallofi
tbefor
estandi
ngupandkissed
me.Therewasar oundofapplausewhi
chgot
mev eryv
eryshythatIhi
dmyf aceonKarabo'
s
chest.
Me:
Pleasegetmeoutofher
e.
Kar
abo:
What
'swr
ong?
Me:
Theymaki
ngmeshy
.
Ist
il
lhadmyf
acehi
dden.Hel
aughed.
Kar
abo:
Fine.
..
let
'sgomyf
iancé.
Igi
ggledbefor
ebeingpull
edbyhim outof
Angelou'
s.Wewentandgot t
enint
otheRange
Roverwhichdrov
eusstrai
ghttoanicehotel
wit
hsof ancysui
tes.
Me:
Thi
sissobeaut
if
ul.
Isai
dint
rospect
ingt
hehot
el.
Kar
abo:
Youl
ovei
t?
Me:
It'
ssobeaut
if
ul.
Kar
abo:
Iknewy
ou'
dlov
eit
.
Hetookmyhandandpul
l
edmeclosert
ohi
m.
Hepeckedmyli
ps.
..
maki
ngmeshy.
Kar
abo:
Youar
esoshyt
hough.
Me:
Iam notusedt
oal
loft
hisKar
aboso
pl
easebar
ewi
thme.
Kar
abo:
Whosai
dIwasn'
t?
Hesai
dwi
thasi
desmi
l
e.
Kar
abo:
Youwouldn'
twantt
ogetyourdr
ess
di
rt
ysogochangeint
heensui
t.
Me:
Whatam Igoi
ngt
owear
?
Kar
abo:
Iboughty
ousomepy
jamas.
Me:
Youknowmysi
ze?
Karabo:
Ofcour
seIknowy
oursi
zey
ou'
remy
fi
ancé.
Thatf
eltsogoodIl
ovedi
t.
Me:
Okayf
ine.
..
fi
ancé.
Butagainweird?Idontknowwhyt houghbutI
hadthisweirdfeeling.WasImov i
ngal it
tletoo
fast
?NahIdontt hinkso.Imean,Karabomakes
mef eelsoprotectedandnothingwillhappent o
meandagai nhemakesmehappy .Onet hing
ever
y bodyhasf ai
ledtomakeme.He
succeeded.Ofcour sehe' stheonef orme.I
checkedt heplasti
cbagandi tcont ainedt
hese
cuteli
tt
lepy j
amast hatIfel
linlovewi t
hal
ready.
Icouldnotwai ttoseemy selfi
nt hem.Iwor e
them beforeheadingt othebedr oom wher e
Karabowasspeaki ngonhi sphone.Hewas
Surpri
singlyhewast al
kingtomygr andmother
.
Kar
abo:Shesai
dyesandnowIbroughtheri
nto
ahotel
soshecanenj
oyhersel
f.
-She'
sreal
l
yhappyheyandIdoubtI
'
llf
orgett
he
l
ookshegav emewhenshesawasIkneltdown.
-hahaandwhotol
dyout
hatkneel
i
ngdowni
s
onlyf
orwhi
tepeopl
e.
Ichuckl
ed.
-Okay
.Gi
veKeaaki
ssf
rom KRandBeea'
i
ght
?
-
-Ni
ght
.
Heendedt
hecal
lbef
oret
urni
ngar
ound.
Kar
abo:
Thatwasy
ourgr
andma.
Me:
NcooIwant
edt
otal
ktohert
hough.
Kar
abo:
Youwi
l
l.
..
tomor
row.
Me:Ofcour
se.Sofort
her
estoft
heni
ghtwhat
wi
ll
webedoi ng?
Kar
abo:
Let
'sgot
othemov
ies.
Me:
I'
minmypy
jamast
hough.
Kar
abo:
Thatwast
hewhol
eidea.Let
'
sgo.
Me:
NoKar
abo!
Kar
abo:Mf
aziwam,asyourf
utur
ehusbandI
commandyoutodoasIsay.
Me:Andasyourf
utur
ewi
feIcommandyout
o
si
tdownandeatsomest
rawber
ri
eswi
thme.
Kar
abo:Doyouwantt
omaket
hisni
ght
memorabl
e?
Me:
Yes.
Kar
abo:
Thancomewi
thme.
Hepul
l
edmebutIst
oppedhi
m.
Me:
Wai
twai
twai
t!
Kar
abo:
What
?
Me:
Ineedmyshoes.
Karabo:Ther
earenof
latshoesher
ethough.
Justyourheel
s.
Me:
GodKar
abo!
..
.f
ine!
Wewal kedoutoft hehotel andhemademe
walkbar efoott otheBay westmal l
wher ewe
fi
rststartedatt heci nemat owat chdespi cabl
e
mei n3Dandaf terthatweheadedt othegame
show.I twasj ustsof unt
hough.Imean. ..Iwas
me.Idi dt hethingsIcouldnotdot hepasty ear
s
andt hatbeinghav i
ngendl essf un.Thewhol e
ni
ghtKar aboandIr oamedar oundt ownlikewe
wer einaBr unoMar smusi cv ideoandIj ust
enjoyedmy selfsomucht hati ndeedKar abo
andImadet hi
sni ghtmemor abl e.
.
Thenextmor
ningmyf
eetwer
ebet
tert
henhow
theyfeltthi
smor ningwhenKar aboandIar r
ived
at1: 30am.Hemassagedt hem wi t
haspeci al
oilbeforewewentt osl
eep.Thebedwasf il
l
ed
withteddybear st hatwecouldnotst opbuying
l
astni ghtandther eweresomegoodi esont he
bed.Itwasj ustfill
edwithlastnight'
smemor i
es.
Immedi atel
yKar aboopenedhi sey es.We
staredateachot herunt i
lwebr okeinlaughter.
Kar
abo:
GodIenj
oyedl
astni
ght
.
Me:
NotasmuchasIdi
d.
Ismi
l
ed.
Me:
YouknowIfel
tli
keIwasint
hatst
epup
movi
ewher
ethecrewwenttoLAandj
usthad
f
un?
Kar
abo:
Real
l
y?
Me:
Yeaorev
enaBr
unoMar
smusi
cvi
deo.
Hel
aughed.
Me:
Ireal
l
yenj
oyedandal
lthankst
oyou.
Isli
ghtl
ypunchedhi sshoulder.Webot hgotup
andwenttof r
eshenup.Het ookashowerandI
tookabath.Idressedinlastnight'
sdr ess.
KaraboandIheadeddownwher et hecarwas
andheopenedt hedoorformebef oredrivi
ngt
o
mom' shouse.Iclimbedoffwi t
hmyt eddybears
andthegoodiesbef oreheadinginsidewi t
h
Karabofol
lowingmebuthi seyeswer eonthe
carthatwaspar kedoutsi
deoury ar d.Ial
so
wonderedwho' scaritbel
ongedt o.
Me:
Youknowi
t?
Karabo:Knowi
t?Yea.I
ts.
..
itbel
ongst
omy
dad's.
Me:
Yourdad?
Ithi
nkmom hadseenushenceshecameand
openedt
hedooreventhoughIdi
dn'
tknock.
Mom: Hawu.Whyareyoutwoj
ustst
andi
ng
out
sideandnotget
ti
ngin?
Me:
Wewer
emama.
Mom:
Geti
nandKar
aboy
ourpar
ent
sar
eher
e.
West eppedi nt
othehouse.Kar abowasalr
eady
dist
ressed.Icouldtel
lbythelookonhisface.
Insi
det heloungeGlori
aandherhusbandwho
wasr atheranoldervi
sionofKar abowassi
tti
ng
downhav i
ngcoffee.Theylookedupwhenwe
entered.
Kar
abo:
Dad.
..
aren'
tyousupposedt
obe-
Eri
c:InIndi
a?Icamewheny ourmothercal
led
mecr yinghyst
eri
call
yovert
hephone.Ihadto
cancelallmymeetingssoIcoul
dcomeandsee
whaty ouhavedonenow.
Kar
abo:
Whathav
eidone?
Er
ic:
Yout
ell
me.
Kar
abo:
Iwon'
texpl
ainmy
sel
ftoy
ou.
Hetur
nedandwalkedout
.Leavi
ngmeal
one.
I
sn'
thesupposedtobemyside?
Eric:
Youhav espoi
ledt
hatboyGl
ori
a.He'
sli
ke
thatbecauseofyou.
Glor
ia:Whyareyoubl
ami
ngmenow?Awhi
l
e
agoy ouwer
esingi
ngadi
ff
erentt
une.
Eric:Ireali
zedthatt
hisisactual
lyyourfaul
t!I
f
thatboywant stomarry.Lethi
m.You'reusedto
l
ett i
nghi m dowhateverhewantst odoakr?
Nowl ethim dothi
s.Iwon'tbeinthisscandal
.
Tangoal one.
Gl
ori
a:Tangoal
one?
Shest oodupandf oll
owedherhusband.I
sighed.Alreadytherear eprobl
emsev enbefore
ihavegot tenmar ri
edtoKar abo.Wil
li
tbelike
thisforever?Havingtof i
ghthisfami
ly?Hav i
ng
todeal withthei
rinti
mi dati
onsandalsohav i
ng
himl eavemeal oneev eryti
me?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

[
02/
11,
07:
50]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er19
.

.
.
.
.
.
Mom:
Youl
ookedr
eal
l
ybeaut
if
ulmydar
li
ng.
I
'v
ebeenst
andingatthesamespotKar
abol
eft
me.Iwasj
ustsoshocked.
Me:
Uhm.
..
thanky
oumama.
Ismi
l
ed.
Mom:
You'
rewel
come.
Karabowal
kedbacki
nsomet
imel
aterandhe
hadcool
edoff.
Karabo:
I'
m sor
ryf
orstor
mingout.Ijustwant
ed
dadtofoll
owmesowecoul dt
alk.Ididn'
twant
youtohearsomethi
ngs.
Me:It
'sokay
.Iunder
stand.Ev
ery
thi
ngi
sokay
r
ightt
hough?
Kar
abo:
Yes.Ev
ery
thi
ngi
sfi
ne.
Heki
ssedmyf
orehead.
Kar
abo:
I'
ll
seey
ouaf
tersomet
ime.
Me:
When?
Mom: Af
terthelobol
anegoti
ati
onhasbeen
sett
led.Unti
lthenyouwon'tbeseei
ngmuchof
him.
Me:
Oh.Ofcour
se.
Kar
abo:
CanIf
ir
stgosaygoodby
etoKea?
Mom:
Yes.
Hef oll
owedmom t oherroom butstood
outsidesoshecancomeoutwi t
hKea.Af t
er
sayinghisgoodbyeheleftandIjuststoodther
e
l
ikeast atue.
..
wai
t?Didn'
tIwantKar aboto
l
eav e?OfcourseIdidn'
twanthimt oleave.He'
s
myf iancéaft
eral
l.
Mom:
Don'
twor
ry.
.
Shebroughtmebacktor
eal
i
tybypl
aci
ngher
handonmyshoulder
.
Mom:
Sundayhe'
l
ltr
adi
ti
onal
l
ybey
ourhusband.
Me:
Ofcour
se.
Ismi
l
ed.
Me:LetmegoseeKea.
..
hasshedr
ankher
f
ormula?
Mom:All
doneandIbat
hedherhenceshei
s
sl
eepi
ng.
Me:
Ofcour
se.
Hlumel
owalkedinlooki
ngal
lmessedup.She
obvi
ousl
yst
ay edataclubal
lni
ght
.
Mom:
YhuuHl
umel
oguesswhat
?
Shest
oppedonhertr
acksandl
ookedatmom
wit
haboredexpr
essi
on.
Mom:
Browni
sengaged!
Hl
umi
e:Engaged?
Mom:
Yes.
Shet
ookmyhandandl
ookedatt
hepi
ece.
Me:Hewentdownonwinekneel
astni
ghtand
poppedt
hequest
ion.
Shewassosur
pri
sed.
Hlumie:But.
..
arey
our
eadyt
hough?Imean,
you'
rejust17.
Mom:
Hay
isukawenaHl
umel
o.
Hl
umie:
Nobutseri
ousl
ythough.Whatdoes
Br
ownknowaboutmarr
iage.Imean,shecan'
t
ev
enkeepaman.
Igentl
ypull
edmyhandfr
om her
.Iwas
surpr
isedwhenmom gav
eherahall
eluj
ahsl
ap.
Mom:Howdareyousayt
hataboutBr
own?
!
What
'swi
tht
hejeal
ousyHl
umelo?!
!
Hl
umi
e:I
'
m notj
eal
ous!
Mom: Whatyoujustsai
d,it
spr ooft
hatyouare
j
ealoust
hatfi
nall
yyoursisterhasamanwho
l
ovesherandherdaughter.Amanwhohas
wealt
handdigni
tyotherthanthosethi
ngsyou
cal
lboyf
ri
end.BecauseKar aboisnotanyaope
boy!
Hl
umi
etur
nedandst
ormedt
oherr
oom.
Mom: Hlumeloy ouhaveadi rt
yheartmychil
d
andIhopey ouloseallnegati
vethoughts
becausealloft
hosewi llki
ll
you.Jealousy
makesy ounastyandt hatj
ealousisacrack
openforthedeviltoenterandtakeov er
.
Isi
ghed.
Mom:
Dontmi
ndher
.Justbehappy
.
Me:
Ofcour
se.
Iwentt
otakemydaught
erbef
oregoi
ngt
omy
bedr
oom.
.
"I
nthenameandhol yspi r
itIcommandy outo
l
eave.You'r
eunwel comei nourhome.I nour
worl
d.Go!!You'reanunwel comeguest .You'r
e
notneededher e.Youarear oundGod'schildr
en.
God'schi
ldrenarenoty ourkind.Whywoul dyou
wanttomi xwiththosethatar enotyourkind?
Areyousent ?
!Thedev ilsentyou?Go!!Inthe
nameofGod' ssongo! !Younwel comeguest !
!"
IwasinHlumie'
sroom andshewasont he
groundspeaki
nginalanguagethatIdi
dnot
knowof.Shewaspossessedbyav er
yst r
ong
demon.Thedev i
l
'sdemont hatwassentupon
ourhouse.
"Isai
d..
.y
ouunwelcomeguest .
..
goanddonot
retur
n!Gotoyourfather
.Yoursoulbuyer
.Give
him amessage.Tell
him...
thedevi
lwil
lnever
succeed!
"
.
Iopenedmyey esaftercat
chingmybr eathf r
om
afar.Isatupstrai
ght.Ihadsweatsoast he
breezepassedbymi xi
ngwitht hewaterthat
wascov eri
ngmybodyIshi veredfrom acold.I
real
izedt hatt
hewindowwasopen.Ist oodup
from thebedandt r
iedtoclosei tbutt
hewi nd
gotst r
ong.
"
Brown?
"
Itur
nedt ofi
ndawoman. ..
awomanwi thwings.
Thev er
ysamewi ngsthatKar
abo'sguardi
an
angelhad.Justthatherwingswerenotasbig
astouchingtheceili
ng.Ipani
cked.
Me:
Pleasel
eav
emyr
oom.
"
Iwon'
thur
tyouBr
own.
"
Me:
Iknowbutpl
ease.
..
go.You'
rescar
ingme.
"Fi
ne.Onceyourhearti
sstrongenoughto
bal
ancefearandfi
ercenessthenIwil
lret
urn.
"
Shethendi sappear edl
eav ingmet osinkonthe
fl
oor.Ihav enev erbeensoscar ed.Iam avery
sensit
iveper son.Ihavesomuchf eari
nmy
heart
.Iam notr eadytofacet heset ypesof
thi
ngs.Thi ngsl ikethi
sar elikeat hreatt
omy
anxi
ety .Itwei ghtsupever ytimewhen
somet hingt hatseemsl ikeat hreatt ome
occureshenceev eryti
meIr eactinsuchaway .
.
.
.
.
.
.
Kar
abo
Iwipedt
hesweataf t
ersi
tti
ngupstrai
ght
.Ihad
adream.Aguardianangelhadvi
sit
edBrown
butsher
eactedinawayt hatmademyheart
bl
eed.Mybreathwasv er
yheavyandthepace
ofmyheartwasveryf
ast.Istoodupf r
om t
he
bedandheadeddownstai
rswher eIhadaglass
ofwaterbef
oregoi
ngbackt osleep.
Gina:
Youhavetoteachhert
obal
anceherf
ear
s
andherf
ier
ceness.
Me:
Iwi
l
l.
Iopenedt
hebal
conydoorandwentt
oleanoni
t.
Me:
What
'shergi
ft
?
Gi
na:
Toheal
andcastdemons.
Me:
Whydi
dn'
tIknow?
Gi
na:Youshoul
dn'teit
her.Godknewyou'
d
makethi
saneasyt askforher
.Heknewitwon'
t
besuchahardobstacletobeatwi
thyoubyher
si
de.
Me:Iwon'
thel
pherbutIwill
helpmendher
br
okenhear
t.She'
sjustsobroken.
Gina:
Isee.Gorestanddontwor
ryabouther
.
Tammyi sther
eforher.
Inodded.Shedi
sappear
edandIwentt
osl
eep.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
Theex
haust
iont
hough.
[
02/11,07:
50]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er20:
Brown'
s
per
specti
ve
.
.
.
.
.

.
Wednesday ,fourdaysleftforthelobol a
negotiations.Iwokeupi nthemor ningst i
ll
shookf rom whathappenedl astnightorwasi t
earli
erthismor ning?Icouldnotunder stand
whatal lofthatmeant ,orwasi tevenr eal?Was
Idreami ng?Itallfel
tsoreal andscar y.Tost op
tr
yingt ocompr ehendal lt
hismadnessIheaded
tothebat hr
oom andt ookabat h.Int he
bedroom Idr essed.Keawasst il
lsleepingbutI
wokeherany wayandwentt obathehert oo.
Afterwardsweheadedt othekitchen.Mama
wast here.
Me:
Mor
ning.
Mom:
Mor
ning.
..
Kar
abowasj
usther
e.
If
rowned.
Me:
Hel
eftwi
thoutseei
ngme?
Mom:
Arey
ouhi
swi
fe?
Me:
I'
m hi
sfi
ancé.
Shechuckl
ed.
Mom:
Youwi
l
lseehi
m Sat
urday
.
Me:
Iguess.Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
hough?
Mom:
Tot
hemal
ltobuysomet
hings.
Me:
Okay
.Letmej
oiny
ou.
Mom:
Bri
ngt
hebabyt
han.
Me:
Yah.Gosol
ong.I
'
llgocheckonHl
umi
e.
Mom:
Okay
.
ShetookKeabef orewalki
ngoutthehouseand
IheadedtoHlumie'sroom wher
eIknockeda
coupleofti
mesbutmyknockswer enot
answered.Thatdidn'
tstopmefrom get
ti
ngin.
Me:
Hlumi
e?
Shewasn'
taroundther
oom.Iwalkedtowar
ds
hermessybedanditwasj
ustafewseconds
l
aterwhenIfel
tcol
dhandsgr
abunt omyneck.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Tammy
'sper
spect
ive
Immedi atel
ywheni l
earnedthatGor gon' spl
ans
wer etostrangleourmedi um t
il
ldeat hi made
myent rance.Browncan' tandwon' tdie.Not
now.Iusedmypowerbal lt
othrowherbody
againstthewal lwhereherbackhi titthewall
hardandwat chedasshesl iddownont he
groundandmoanedi npain.Icouldf eelthat
Brown'sanxi et
ywasal r
eadyappr oachi ngsoI
turned.
.
Me:
Go!
Shedi dn'thesitat e.Shei mmediatelyturnedand
ranoutoft her oom wi t
hallpacethatshehad.I
walkedt owar dsGor gon.Shetri
edt ospeakbutI
clashedherl i
pst oget hersoshedoesnotut ter
asinglewor d.Idi dt hi
snotusinganyphy si
cal
activi
tybutj ustr ubbedmyi ndexfingerand
thumbt oget her .Likeasuper herowoul dbutI
hav enosuper nat uralpowers.Iam anangel but
myanoi nt edonedoes.
Me:
Begone!
Shedi
sappear
ed.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Br
own'
sper
spect
ive
Il
i
ter
all
yranoutoft
hehouseandwentt
o
gr
andmawhowasn'
tfarf
rom t
hehouse.
Mom:Br
own..
.whathappened?Whyar
eyou
r
unni
ngl
iket
hat?
Il
ookedbacktoseei
fthatl
adywi
thwingswas
notf
oll
owingmeandcoastwascl
ear.
Mom:
Brown?
!
Me:
Huh?
Mom:
Whathappened?
Ithoughtabouttel
li
ngherunti
lunt
ilv
oicesai
d
nexttomyear :don'
ttel
lany
body.Theywon't
beli
eveyou.
Me:
Ah!
Ilookedar
oundt
oseewhojustsai
dthatbut
therewasnoonebutmygr
andmotherandI.
Mom:
Brownweh!
Me:
I'
mfi
nemama.
Iwi
pedt
hesweatf
rom myf
orehead.
Me:
Let
'sgo.
Alt
houghshegavemeal ookl i
keiwascrazyI
actedl
ikenot
hinghaseverhappened.Iwassti
ll
shookbywhathappened.Thingsl
iketheseyou
dontseeever
yday.
.
.
.
.

.
Kar
abo'
sper
spect
ive
Iwasatt hemal lbutwheni wasalert
edt hat
somethingwaswr ongIdr ovetoBr own'shome
i
mmedi ately.Iwalkedaroundt hehouseunt i
l
thetr
ailthatIfoundledmet oabedr oom 2
roomsawayf rom Brown's.Icouldsmel l
Gorgon'
ssexual it
yaroundi tandi hatedthe
smel
lthatIbl
ockedmynose.
Gi
na:
Tammydel
ayedher
.
Me:
Icant
ell
.
Isawagoldneckl
acet
hatBr
ownownedont
he
ground.
Me:
Doy
oubel
i
evei
nsuper
nat
ural
power
s?
Gina:I
tsagainstmybel
ief
sbutt
her
ear
ethat
beli
eveinthem.Whythough?
Me:
Thi
sneckl
aceneedsabi
tofwor
k.
Gina:
Youthi
nkanecklacewi
llpr
otecther
?She
needspr
ayerandtobeli
evei
nherGod.She
l
acksspi
ri
tual
it
ythatone.
Me:
Iguess.
Ipl
acedt
heneckl
acei
nmypocket
.
Me:
Let
'sgo.
Iwalkedoutoft
hehouseandonmywayt
othe
carIansweredmom'
sincomingcal
l
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
[02/
11,
15:
38]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er21
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Me:
Ma?
"Wherear
eyouKarabo?Yousai
dyou'
l
lcome
seethedr
essest
oday."
Me:Irememberper f
ectl
ybutIalsoremember
say
ingthebridemustbet hereort
hereweren'
t
beanydressesthatyouwi l
lhel
pchoose.
Ihear
dherexhal
e.
Me: Youwantt obepartofthismom.Iknow
butforyout obepartofmyl i
feandalsomy
weddingy ou'
llhav
etotreatmywi fewit
h
respectandletherdowhat evershewantstodo.
Evenifshewant stobuyadr esswithmil
li
ons.
Leaveher.ItsthemoneyIwor kedhardfor.
"
Fine!Idontknowwhyy
ouhav
etomani
pul
ate
me!"Ichuckled.
Me:
Thanksmom.Theyar
eont
hei
rwayt
othe
mal
l.Bet
her
eonti
me.
"
Iwi
l
l.Il
ovey
ou.
"
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
Iendedt
hecal
lbef
orest
art
ingt
hecar
.Onmy
r
earmir
rorIcoul
dseeonestandingatt
hegat
e
l
ooki
ngforacrackt
ogetin.Iexhal
ed.
Me:
Fine.
..
we'
l
ldot
hisal
ldayi
fthat
'
sthedeal
.
Icl
i
mbedoutofmycarandbui
l
tafi
rebal
lon
myhand.Oncei
twast
ime,i
twaspl
ayti
me.
.
.
.
.
.
Br
own
Wear ri
vedatt
hemal landattheentr
ancewe
bumpedi nt
oGlor
ia.It
riedignor
ingherbutshe
caughtuptouswiththiswickedsmil
eonher
face.Shehadsomegir lwi
th.
Her
:Mol
o.
Mom:
Mol
osi
si.
Her
:Howar
eyoudoi
ng?Ihopey
ou'
rewel
l
.
Mom:
Iam.
Her
:Iam gl
ad.
Sheglancedatmeaf
ter
war
ds.Iscr
atchedt
he
backofmyhead.
Her
:Hi
Brown.
Me:
HiMa.
Her:
ThisisTshego.
..
she'saver
yver
ygoodand
al
soclosefr
iendofKarabo'
s.
Idi
dn'
tsayanyt
hing.Icoul
dtell
thegi
rldi
dnot
l
ikemeandIcouldtellt
hatherandKar
abo
werel
over
s.Iguessshe'shi
sex.
Her:Karabosai
dIshouldtakeyoudress
shopping.Youknow,
tradi
tional
dresses.
Me:
Oh.
Her
:Isy
ourgr
andmot
hercomi
ngwi
th?
Il
ookedather
.
Me:Yes.She'
scomi
ngandshewi
l
lhel
pme
choose.
Mamasmi l
ed.Wewal kedtoaboutiqueandit
seemedl i
keGlori
aknewt heownerbecause
theybegantoconversewhileIwenttocheck
thedressesout.Il
i
kednonoft hem.
Gl
ori
a:Ohmyl
ookatt
hisbeaut
if
ulpi
eceSue.
That
'spr
obabl
ytheshopowner
'sname.
Gl
ori
a:Lookatt
hisBr
own.I
t'
ll
lookgoodony
ou.
Shesai
dreferri
ngtoabl
ackandwhi
teXhosa
tr
adi
ti
onaldress.
Gl
ori
a:Got
ryt
hisoneonBr
own.I
tsmyf
avor
it
e.
Il
ookedatmom t
henGl
ori
a.
Me:
Idon'
tl
ikei
t.
Tshego:Whaat?
!Thisdressi
sbeauti
fulandyou
havetheaudaci
tyt
osayy oudontl
ikeit
.Its
cheapandalsosoyou.Imean,l
ookaty ou.
"
It
sti
mey
oubeaty
ourdemonsBr
own.Thi
s
herei
sy ourdemon.Replacefearwithanger.
"
Thevoicethatsai
dearl
ierrepeat
ed.ButIdidn'
t
evenhaveanger.Whatangerwi l
lIuse?
"Theangery
ouhav et
owardsy
our
self
.Youhat
e
beingt
hisweak.Uset
hatasaweapon.
"
Me: Stopbeingabit
terexTshegoandmay be
whensomeonedeci destograbandmakey oua
wife,maybey oucanweart hi
scheapdress
that'
ssocompar edtoy ourcheapandsti
nking
personali
ty.
Glor
iawant edtosaysomethinganddefendt
he
dumbst r
uckwomanbutIhadl ongmovedto
anotherdress.I
twasnice.Reall
yni
ce.
Me:
Ili
ket
hisone.
Sue:
Oneofthemostexpensi
veandIt
hinki
t'
l
l
l
ookgoodonyourf
igur
e.
Gl
ori
a:Thatdressi
suglyandhowdoy
out
hink
mysonwillaf
fordt
his.
Me:
Sinceheengagedmehewi
l
l.
Gl
ori
a:I
-
Mom'sphonerangi
nter
rupt
ingher
.Shehanded
i
ttomeast hei
ncomingcal
lwasfrom Kar
abo.
Me:
Hel
l
o?
"Baby.
.how'
st heshoppinggoing?"Ther
ewere
unusualsoundsfrom thebackgroundandhe
wasbreathingsofast.
Me:
Notokay
.
Imov
edawayf
rom t
hem.
"
What
'swr
ong?
"
Me: YourmotherKarabo.She'
smakingthi
ngs
sohar dforme.Shechoosescheapandugly
dressesandsaytheyarewhatIam andwhenI
choosesomet hi
ngthatIli
keit
sexpensi
veand
sheev enaskshowwi l
lyouaff
ordthat
.
Heexhal
ed.
"
Iknewsomet
hingl
i
kethatwouldhav
e.I
'l
lhav
e
t
osendReaandRef
il
oe.Theycancompet
e
wi
thmom'
sat
ti
tude.
"
Me:
Wher
ear
ethey
?
"Atahotel.I
tsnotf
arf
rom theGr
eenacr
esmal
l
.
Iwil
ltel
lthem t
ocomet her
e."
Me:
Okay
.
"Anddontli
stentomom.Buywhatevery
ou
want.I
'l
lpay.Ever
ysingl
ethi
ngIwi
ll
payforyou
andbettery
et.Tel
lhertogiv
eyout
hecredi
t
card.
"
Me:Yoh!I
'
llgi
vey
out
hephonesoy
oucant
ell
her
.
Iwal
kedt
oGl
ori
aandhandedt
hephonet
oher
.
Me:
Hewant
stot
alkt
oyou.
Shet
ookt
hephoneandpl
acedi
tonherear
.
Her
:Son?
-ButKa-
-Mxm!Fi
neandjustknowthatIam st
il
lpar
tof
thi
s.Nomat
terwhat.Nogi
r-hell
o?Karabo
hel
l
o?!
Shet
ookt
hephonef
rom herear
.
Her
:Hehunguponme.Whathasgot
teni
nto
t
hatboy
?!
Mom tookherphone.Shet
ookt
hebl
ackcar
d
outandhandeditt
ome.
Her
:Enj
oy.
.
Sheandherpuppetwal kedoutandwe
conti
nuedt ocheckt hedr essesuntil
If oundone
thatIli
kedbutagainIwant edmyhusbandandI
tomat ch.Wewi l
lhav et ospeakaboutt he
theme.Wecont inuedt odot heshoppingand
grandmagott odohergr oceryt
hatshecamet o
dobef oreGlor
iadelay edus.Aswewer e
walkingatthemal l
If eltsomeonecov ermy
eyes.
Me:
Mama!
Obvi
ousl
yitwasKarabo.Icoul
dtell
bythe
smel
lofhiscol
ogne.Heuncoveredthem and
mademet
urnar
ound.
Me:
Sil
l
yyou!
Isai
dlaughi
ng.
Hi
m:Wher
ear
eyouguy
sgoi
ng?
Me:Home.Iam ex
haust
ed.Whatar
eyoudoi
ng
her
e?
Hi
m:Icamet
obuymyat
ti
re.
Me:
Whatcol
or?
Hi
m:Bl
ue,
whi
teandbl
ack.
Me:
Okay
.
Hi
m:Di
dyougety
ourdr
ess?
Het
ookt
hebl
ackbag,
unz
ippedi
tandpeaked.
Me:WouldIhaveal
l
owedy
out
otaket
hati
fthat
wasthecase?
Hechuckl
ed.
Me:
Ihav
en'
tboughti
t.
Hi
m:Whenwi
l
lyoubuyi
t?
Me:
Tomor
row?Iam t
ir
edf
iancé.
Hesmi
l
ed.
Him:
Idontmi ndtaki
ngyouguyshomeand
comeback.Isti
ll
havetogotothebank.Ihav
e
towi
thdr
awawhol el
otofmoney.
Me:
That
'snotapr
obl
em,
right
?
Hi
m:Whywoul
dit
?Ofcour
senot
.
Inodded.
Hi
m:CanIt
akemychi
l
dpl
ease.
Mom:
Okay
.
Het ookKeaf rom mom andbabyt alkedwith
her.Keadoesn' tevenknowhowt obabyt alk.
She'sjustamont hold.Weheadedt oKar abo'
s
carandhef irstmadeast opatMcDonal d's
beforedriv
inghome.Iwasev ensl eeping
becausewhenwear ri
vedKar
aboshookme.We
cl
imbedoutoft hecarandIhel pedKar abo
unl
oadt heshoppi ngbags.Hedi dn'tenterthe
house.Hej usthuggedmeout side.
Kar
abo:
3day
stogo.
Me:
3day
sandaf
ewhour
stogo.Ican'
twai
t.
Kar
abo:
Met
oo.Comeher
e.
Ipeckedhi
sli
ps.
Kar
abo:
Ndi
yakut
handav
ah?
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.Ihav
etogoi
nsi
denow.
Kar
abo:
Okay
.Ihav
etodosome-
Het
urnedandl
ookedatt
hegat
e.
Me:
What
?
Kar
abo:It
houghtIhear
dacarcomi
ngi
n.Baby
goi
nsidenehandeat.Alot
.
Me:
Am Iski
nny
?
Kar
abo:
Youf
atassski
nny
!
Hepeckedmylipsbef
oreli
ter
all
yplaci
ngme
i
nsi
dethehouse.Whywasheact ingli
ket
hisal
l
ofasudden?Karaboi
sreal
lyweir
d.
.
.

.
.
.
.
[
02/
11,
15:
39]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er22:
Kar
abo'
s
POV
.
.
.
.
.
.
OnceIwasdoneatt hebankIheadedto
Ri
chard'sBaywherePhumlaandtheother
s
were.Iparkedmycarandalr
eadytheywere
i
nsi
dehav
ingf
unwi
thbev
eragesont
hesi
de.
Me:
Soy
out
urnedmyhousei
ntosomepub?
Akani
:Rel
axman.Justaf
ewdr
inkswon'
thur
t
ri
ght?
Me:
Won'
thur
t?
Hehandedaglasst
omewhi
chcont
ained
Hennessey
.It
ookasip
Akani
:Wher
e'sBr
own?
Me:
Backatt
hehouse.
Phumla:Coul
dn'
tyouhav
ecamewi
thher
?The
gi
rl
'sareonthei
rway.
Me:She'
snotr
eal
lyapeopl
e'
sper
sonandIam
notal
l
owedtoseeher
.
Phuml
a:Suckst
obey
ou.
Zyder
:Butdontwor
ry.Oncet
helobola
negot
iat
ionsar
eovershewil
lbeall
yourst
o
keep.
Me:
IknowhenceIwantt
ospeedt
hem al
i
ttl
e
bi
t.Ij
ustcan'
twai
ttohav
eherl
i
veher
ewi
thme.
Zy
der
:Andf
uck.
Me:
Iguess.
Ineverr
eal
lythoughtaboutsex.NotthatIdont
seeitasaneedbutbecausewi thal
lthat'
s
happeni
ngthereisn'
tti
met oeventhi
nkabout
sex.
Phuml
a:Ibel
i
evehe'
snotget
ti
ngany
.
Theygav
emeal
ook.
Me:
What
?
Akani
:You'
renotget
ti
ngany
?
Me:
Whosai
dIam notget
ti
ngany
?
Phumla:That
'sbecausehei
sn'tanddon'
ttr
y
anddenyitman.Weknowt hatyouaren'
t
get
ti
nglaid.
Me:Myrelat
ionshi
pwi
thBr
ownj
ustst
art
ed.
Sexi
sjustarush.
It
ookanot
hersi
pofHennessey
.
Zyder
:Underst
andableman.You'
renotli
keyour
bestf
ri
endwhoi stheworstper
vertHl
eskow
hasdated.
Phumla:Hayibhut
.Offmyassnow!Pl
ease.
Stop.Dont
.Skaleka!
Hespokei
nanI
ndi
anaccentmaki
ngusl
augh.
Phumla:Butyoushoul
dhavebr
oughtherman.
Sheisgett
ingmarri
edtoyoumeani
ngthatshe
i
salsoourfri
end.
Me:
Nextt
imeIwi
l
lbr
ingherwi
thman.
Ourconv ersati
oncont inuedunt i
lthegirl
scalled
sayingtheyar einSummer str
andandt hatthey
want edust hereASAP.If irstwentt oshower
andpr omisedt heguy sthatIwi l
lfoll
ow.Af t
er
shower i
ngIdr essedandgr abbedmykey s
beforeheadi ngtoSummer strand.Itwasabi t
darkoutsideandal readyt hel oungehadpeopl e
dancingandenj oy
ingthemsel ves.Ispot t
ed
Phuml astandingwi thPrett ysoIwentt othem.
Ithappenedt hattheot herswer esit
tingdown.
Me:
HeyPr
ett
y.
Pr
ett
y:HeyKar
abo.
Shehadabrui
sedey eandIcouldtel
lthat
Phumlawasthereasonbehindherhurtbut
won'
tadmitevenifIasked.
Me:
Youf
ell
?
Iasked,
pret
endi
ngt
obest
upi
d.
Pr
ett
y:Downt
hest
air
s.
Inodded.
Me:
I'
m sor
ryhey
.
Pr
ett
y:I
tsokay
.Mi
stakeshappen.
Me:Ofcour
se.Phuml
acanIt
alkt
oyouf
or
somesecondsman.
Phuml
a:C'
monman-
Me:
2mi
nut
eswon'
tki
l
lyou.
Heexhal
edbef
oreexcusi
nghi
msel
ffr
om Pr
ett
y
t
henwewentandsatatamorepri
vat
epl
ace.
HeknewwhyIbroughthi
m here.Hewasj
ust
pr
ayi
ngformetonottouchthattopi
c.
Me:
So,
arey
ougoi
ngt
otel
lme?
Phumla:She'
scar
ryi
ngachi
l
dthat
'
snotmi
ne.
Shecheated!
Me:Thatdoesn'
tgi
vey
out
her
ightt
ohi
ther
t
hough.
Hechuckledwi
thashockedexpr
essi
onev
ident
i
nhisface.
Phumla:
Reall
ybr
o?Youofal
lpeopl
egont
ell
methatshi
t?
Iexhal
ed.Nott
his.
Phumla:YouusedtohitTshegoliket
her
e'sno
tomorr
ownowt hatyouaresomeGod
worshi
peryouareholi
erthanthou.
Me:Iam nolongerst uckint hepast
.Ididthi
ngs
Ist
il
lregreti
nthisdayokay ?Butr i
ghtnowI '
m
nott
ryingtobehol i
erthant houbuttr
yingto
makey ouunderstandt hatbeati
ngPrettywon't
tur
ntheDNAoft hechildthatsheiscar
ryi
ng
becauseweknowt hatthi
si saboutt
hechil
d
notbeingy
oursandnott heotherwayaround.I
wantachil
dwithherright?
Phuml
a:Ofcour
seIwantachi
l
dwi
thherman!
Me:Whywouldyoubeatherupt
han?Whydont
youj
ustsi
therdownandyoucanrai
set
hebaby
t
oget
her.
Phumla:
Iam notf
ather
inganot
herman'
s
sper
m.
Me:
Itst
hatornev
erman.
Hekeptqui
etforsomet i
mebeforeexhali
ng.I
knewhewon'tlett
hisgo.He'
sjustsostubbor
n.
Phumla:Noman.Thatain'
tmykid.I
'm not
gonnarai
sehi
m orher.Notint
hisli
fet
ime.
Heturnedandwal kedbacktoPret
ty.Isi
ghed.I
al
sowentt owher etheguy
swer esi
tti
ngandI
wassur pr
isedtoseeTshegoandPar i
shavinga
conversat
ion.Iknowherbecausesheusedt o
dateJoshandheintr
oducedhertomey ears
ago.Weareallcl
osefri
ends,
justJoshl
eft
becauseofwhathappenedbetweenhim and
Akani.
Me:
Tshego.
..Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Shesmi
l
ed.
Her
:Heyy
ou.Iwast
oldt
haty
ouar
ecomi
ng.
Shest
oodupandcamet
ogi
vemeahugbutI
movedback.
Me:Uhm.
..
so.
.howdoy
ouknowPar
is?You
guy
saref
ri
ends?
Them:
Yes!
Me:
Ooh.
Istr
etchedoutthewor
dbecauseIdidnotknow
whattosaynextandontheotherhandshehas
thi
ssmi leonherf
acemaki
ngmev eeer
y
uncomf ort
abl
e.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Br
own
Mama: Hawuhowcanthatwomant r
eatyout
he
waythatshedi
d?Doesshethi
nkthatyou
f
orcedKarabot
owanttomar r
yyou.
Me:
Iguesst
hat
'swhatshet
hinks.
Mama:Thenuy
aphapha.Wi
thherugl
ydr
ess
andt
oomuchmakeup.
Il
aughedbecausemamawasj ustexagger
ati
ng.
Gl
ori
aisbeauti
ful
.Justherheartt
hatisugl
y.
Mama:
Nx!Hawu.Wher
e'sy
ourcousi
nHl
umi
e?
Me:
I..
.Idontknow.
Mama:
Gocal
lherf
rom t
her
oom.
Icl
earedmyt hroatbeforestandi
ngup.Instead
ofgoi
ngt oHlumi e'
sroom, Iwenttominewher e
Keawasup.Ij ustwasscar edthatwestaywi t
h
apossessedper soninthehouseandwej ust
donotknowwhatshecanpossi bl
ydot ous.I
sati
nt heroom unti
lmom camet ocheckonme.
Her
:IthoughtIsai
dyoushoul
dgocheckon
Hl
umie.
Me: IwasbutIheardKeacr
yingsoIcamet
o
checkonherinstead.
Mom:
Ooh.Okay
.She'
snott
her
ethough.
Me:
Wher
eisshe?
Mom:Idon'
tknow.Thatchil
dsometi
messhe's
anui
sanceyaz.She'
sjustsohar
dtohandl
e.
Inodded.
Mom: AndyourauntShongoisout
sidewith
yourcousi
nTimothy.Theyar
eunpacking.
Me:
Timot
hyi
sher
e?
Il
aughedafter
wards.IknowIwill
behavi
ngt
he
bestweekanyonewouldaskfor.Wit
hmy
cousi
naround.Ist
oodupholdingKeaand
headedoutsi
de.
Ti
mo:
Mamcet
he!
!
Il
aughedasherantomeandhuggedme.I
hat
eitwhenhecall
smewithmymother
'scl
an
namethough.
Me:(l
aughi
ng)Ti
mot
hyy
ou'
resuf
focat
ingmy
babyandI.
Ti
mo:
Letmeseet
hisdol
l
.
Me:
Hay
iTi
mot
hydon'
tcal
lmybabyt
hat
.
Ti
mo:
Icant
ell
thatl
oubanekakaeni
nzi
.
Idon'tknowXhosasoIjustkeptquiet
.Itsucks.
Igrewupi nt
heNorther
nalmostmywhol elif
e
hencewhenitcomest oXhosaIhav enoclue
thoughXhosamendoat tr
actme. .
alot.
Ti
mo:
Cet
heny
ana!
Ms:
Timot
hyj
ustst
opi
t.
Helaughedwhi l
econti
nui
nggivi
ngmybaby
nameslikebugey essi
nceshehadbrown
marbleeyesthatmakeherlookext
racut
e.
Auntycame..
Her
:Wi
fet
obe.
Me:
Mol
oaunt
y.
Her
:Howar
eyoudar
li
ng?
Ijustsmil
ed.Whencomingtotheel
dersIdon'
t
hav emuchtosay.Asmilei
senoughtogive
them thei
deathatIdon'
twanttot
alk.
Her
:Where'
smysister
?Shesai
dshewas
l
eavi
ngherhouset
wohoursagomos.She
mustbeher
e.
Me:
Mama?
Iaskedconcer
ned.
Her
:Yes.Shemustbeher
enow.
Doest
hismeanmymot
heri
scomi
ng?Godshe
i
sgoi ngtoruinmyweddi ng.My
happiness.
.agai
n!!Icannotl
ett
hathappen.I
walkedintothehouseonaquestt ofi
nd
grandma.
.
.
.
.
[
02/
11,
15:
40]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er23
.
.
.
.
.
.
Me:
Mama!Ma!
If
oundheri
ntheki
tchenar
rangi
ngwhatwewi
l
l
becooki
ngt
oni
ght
.
Mom:
Brownwhat
'
swr
ongmybaby
?
Me:Shongojustt
oldmet
hatI
ngr
idi
scomi
ng.
I
sthi
strue?!
Shebi
therl
owerl
i
p.
Me:
Mamano!
Mom:
Brownj
ustr
elax.
Me:
Idon'
twanttoseeher.Idonthernextt
o
menorev
ensleepundert
hesamer oofasme.
Mom: Sowhatdoyouwantmet
odoBr
own?
Abandonmydaughter
?
Iwipedthetear
sofmyey es.That
'
swhatIngri
d
al
way sdoes.Sheput
stearsinmyeyes.Even
wit
houthertryi
ng.
Me:
Dontwor
ry.I
'
lll
eav
e.Bor
rowmey
ourphone.
Mom:
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odoBr
own?
Isnat
chedi
tfr
om herandl
ookedforKar
abo'
s
numberasiwal
kedtomybedroom.He
answer
edal
mosti
mmedi
atel
y.
"
Baby
?"
Me:
Cany
oucomef
etchme?
Kar
abo:
Whybaby
?What
'sgoi
ngon?
Me:
Cany
ouj
ustcomeandf
etchmepl
ease?
Karabo:
Okay
.I'
minSummer st
randbutI
'
llget
ther
eassoonasIcan.Okay
?
Me:
Hur
ry!
Iendedthecallthantookabagt hatcanfi
lli
n
KeaandI '
sclothes.OnceIwasdoneIwal ked
downt hehall
wayandIcoul dhearIngri
d'
svoice
say:youknowwheny oucal
ledtel
l
ingmeabout
Brown'sweddingi couldnotbel
ievemyears.I
neverthoughtthatil
li
ter
atedaughterofmi
ne
wouldgetmar ri
ed.
Thener
ve!
!
Ipassedtheki
tchenwhereshewasspeaki
ngto
mymot herandheadedtothel
ounge.WhenI
sawKarabo'scarentertheyar
dsomet imelater
Ist
oodup, tookmydaught erf
rom Timothyand
wentt
ot akemybagf r
om thebedroom.
Margr
et(grandma)hadseenKar abo'scar
par
kedout sidesoshecamet obegmenott o
l
eave.
Her:Brownshei
salsomydaught
er.Icoul
dn't
haveabandonher
.Shei
smydaught er
.Myflesh
andblood.
Me:Butshecouldabandonherf l
eshandbl
ood.
Lethersl
eepinthest
reets.
..
pregnant
!!
!What
ki
ndofamot herwoulddothat?!
.
.
.
.
.
.
Kar
abo
RightnowIam panicki
ngt hi
nkingsomething
badishappeningtoBrown.Shei sfr
agi
leand
herheartcan'
ttakeanyfearin.She'
snotready.
Phuml anoti
cesthi
s.
Hi
m:Youokaymyni
gga?
Me:
ihav
etogo.
Hi
m:Why
?what
'
swr
ong?
Me:
Ihav
etogo.Ineedt
obesomewher
eASAP.
"Butwewerehavi
ngsomuchf unKar
abo."That
wasadrunkTshegobehindme.Shehel
dmy
handbutIpul
l
editback.
Me:
Makesur
ethesegi
rl
sgethomeman.
Phuml
a:Iwi
l
lNOT!
Ididn'
thaveti
me.Istoodupandhurri
edoutof
theloungeandwenttogetinmycar.Iarr
ivedat
Brown'shomeatar espect
abl
eti
me.There
wer et
hreemorecarsoutsi
desoIparkednext
totheMercedesGLS.Ididn'
tseetheneedt
o
getinthecarbutIsawtheneedtogoandhelp
mycr y
ingfi
ancé.
Me:
Babywhat
'swr
ong?
Shet
ri
edt
owal
kpastmebutIpul
l
edher
.
Me:
Tal
ktome.
Br
own:
Canwedot
hataty
ourpl
ace?
Me:Fine.Gi
vemey
ourbagandKeat
hancl
i
mb
i
ntothecar.
Shedidsoandwentt ocli
mbintheback.I
openedtheboot,
placedherbaginsi
deand
wenttoplaceKeabehind.
Me:
Weneedacarseat
.
Her
:Iguess.
Istaredatherforsomet i
methanclosedt
he
doorandwentt omysi debef
oreheadingt
o
Richard'
sBay.Iparkedinmygarageandwe
walkedinsi
de.
Me:
Youhungr
y?
Itur
nedaroundandfacedmybeaut i
ful
mess.
Herhugeafrowasnowl ai
ddownandmessed
up.Herski
nwaspaleandt hatgotmeworr
ied.
Me:
Baby
..
.what
'sgoi
ngon?
Iaskedwi
thwor
ryev
identi
nmyv
oice.
Brown:
Mymother
..
.she'
sback.Shei
sbackt
o
rui
nmeonceagai
n.
Iwenttost andi
nfrontofherandgavehera
ver
ytighthugbutmadesur eIdonotsuf
focat
e
Kea.Ikissedherontheforehead.
Me:
Cany
oupl
easest
opcr
yingl
i
ket
hat
?
Ipeckedherl
i
ps.
Me:
Hmm?
Br
own:
Okay
.
Shesai
dwi
pingt
het
ear
sfr
om herey
es.
Me:Thanky
ou.Iwi
l
lmakey
ousomet
hingt
o
eatokay
?
Brown:Okaybutwher
e'st
hebedr
oom?Iwant
toputKeadown.
Me:Upstai
rs4door
stot
hel
eft
.It
stheonl
y
dooropen.
Br
own:
Okay
.
SheturnedandIwat chedasshewalked
upst
air
sbef oreIcouldgoandmakeher
somethingtoeatbutIwasdel ay
edwhenacal
l
fr
om Skar acamethrough.Ij
ustwonder
edwhat
hewant ed.
Me:
Hei
ta?
Hi
m:Gunner
,nt
wanakasi
.Ineedy
ourhel
p.
Isi
ghed.Ihat
ethatname.
Me:Befor
ewegettobusi
ness,don'
tcal
lme
wi
ththatnameagai
n.Pl
ease.
Hi
m:Whydenywhoy
ouar
ent
wanakasi
?
Me:
I..
.t
hat
'st
hepastman.Pl
ease!
Hi
m:Okay
.Im sor
ry.
Iexhal
ed.
Me:
Howmuch?
Iknewexactlywhyhewantedthemoneyandi
t
happensthatSkar
aandIgowaybackandhe
alwaysr
eturnsmycash.Notthati
needit
.
.
.
.
.
.
Br
own
Itookaf ewmor estepstotheroom.I twas
unusual f
orar oom tojustbeclosedbutt he
l
ightwasswi t
chedon.Andi twast oobri
ghtfor
myl i
king.Ipushedt hedoorandi thappened
thatitwasn'tevenclosedshut.Itwasl i
kea
person'sroom.Agi rltobespecifi
c.Thet heme
waswhi teandpi nk.Themakeupt ablehadall
kindsandbr andsofmakeupsandIcouldtel
l
theydidnotcomecheap.Ihear dababycryand
onewouldsweart hati
twasKeabutshewas
fastasl
eep.It ur
nedonlyt
ofindababygir
lon
thebedcrying.Kea'sageandverycut
ewith
brownmar bleey es.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
02/
11,
15:
41]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er24
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Baby?"That
'sKaraboandbef oreIcouldleav
e
theroom he'
salreadyin.Helooksaroundand
hehast hi
sunexplainabl
elookonhi sfacewhile
l
ookingaround.
Kar
abo:
Uhm.
..
howdi
dyougeti
nher
e?
Me:
Thedoorwasal
readyopen.
Kar
abo:ButbabyRi
fl
oekeepsthi
sroom cl
osed
al
ltheti
me.Sheact
uall
yhaditl
ockedwhenwe
mov edt
oJhb.
Me:
Oh.
Kar
abo:Dontwor
ry.I
'
m notangr
y..
.j
ust
sur
pri
sed.
Me:
Uhm.
..
Isawababy
.
Kar
abo:
Awhat
?Ababy
?Inher
e?
Me:
Yes.Agi
rl
.Shewasont
hebed.
Ipl
acedbot
hmyhandsont
hesi
desofmyhead.
Me:
Idon'
tknow.May
beIam hal
l
uci
nat
ing.
Karabo:You'
renot
.Let
'sgot
other
oom sowe
couldtal
k.
Me:
Okay
.
Wel eavethisunusual r
oom andgot ohi
s
beautif
ulbedroom.Ipl aceKeadownbef or
e
tur
ningaroundandf acingKarabowanti
ngto
alr
eadydrill
him withquestions.
Kar
abo:
Sitdown.
.
IdoasIam t
old.
Kar
abo: Reabet swe,Refiloe,Ret habile.They
weretr
iplets.Rethabilefellpregnantat15.She
wasrapedbyhert eacher .Unf ortunatelyRetha
di
dnotbel ieveintakinganot her '
sl i
fe.Shewas
morereli
gi ousandy ou'dsweart hi
sgi fthadto
behersot herthenmi nebecausebyt henIwas
abadboybutwewon' ttoucht oomuchont hat
topi
c.Rethahadadaught erandmom sawi t
bestastor ai
sethechil
dsot hatoursist
er
coul
df i
nishwithschool.Mi
hlaliwasmor el
i
ke
Keabetswe.Cute,brownmar bl
eey esand
beauti
fulsofthai
randshewasheragewhen
shepassedon. .
.herandRetha.
Me:
Whathappened?
Him: Iwasn'
thomet hen.Iwasmostlyi
nthe
str
eetswithmyboy sbutwhenIcamehomeI
foundbloodallov
ert hehouseunt
ilRet
haand
Mihlali
'
sroom.Mysi sterwasontheground
withaknifedeepint
oherst omachand-
Icouldtel
lthatt
hiswashardf
orhi
mt ospeak
offbutheforcedint
otel
l
ingmeall
thedetai
ls.
Him: AndbabyMi hl
ali
'
sheadbust edup.We
checkedthesurveil
l
ancecamer astoseewhat
real
lyhappenedbutthef ootagewaswi pedof f.
Icouldn'
tbareburyi
ngmyl i
ttl
esistersoIleft
.I
cameback5weeksl aterafterherfuneraland
alr
eadythefamilywasmov i
ngt oJo'burg.Rif
loe
washereandIbel
i
evesheknowswhat
happened.
I
tmakessenset hough.Glor
iahatesRef
il
oeand
Fi
fihateshermother.Coul
ditbethatGl
ori
ais
i
nvolvedinthemurderofRethabi
l
e?
Kar
aboexitedtheroom.Heneededt i
met o
cal
m downhenceIl ethi
m be.Ij
ustchecked
Keabefor
el ay
ingdownnexttoher.Karabo
wal
kedbacki nhol
dingmyt r
aywithagood
smell
i
ngmeal .
Me:
Smel
l
sgood.
Hesmi
l
ed.
Hi
m:Ibel
i
evet
hati
tal
sot
ast
esgood.
Me:Youcookedsomet
hingt
haty
oudi
dn'
tev
en
t
ast
e?
Hi
m:Notr
eal
l
y.
Hesai
dchuckl
i
ng.
Me:
Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ouKar
abo!
Hesatnextt
omeaf
terIt
ookt
het
rayf
rom hi
m.
Me:
Arey
ouokay
?
Hi
m:Ij
ustneedani
ghtdr
ive.
Me:
Soy
ou'
regoi
ngt
oleav
emeher
e?
Hi
m:i
am t
aki
ngy
oubackhome.
Me:Whaaaat
?!Whywoul
dyouwantt
odot
hat
Kar
abo?
Hi
m: Yourmothercal
l
edsayi
ngt
hatyour
motherI
ngri
dwentandbookedi
ntoahotel
.
Me:
So?
Hi
m:Shewant
syoubackhome.
Isi
ghed.Iwasnowf eel
ingbadforreact
ingi
n
suchaway .Iam nowact i
ngjustasIngr
id'
s
daught
erwoul dact.Heart
lessandignor
ant.
Me:
Ithi
nky
ou'
rer
ight
.Ishoul
dgohome.
Hi
m:Fi
nishupt
han.
Hel
aiddownabi
twhi
l
eIat
e.Ii
nfor
medhi
m
whenIwasdonethenwelef
t.Thewhol
edri
ve
homewasratherqui
etandt
hedri
vegotme
feel
i
ngsl
eepysoIlai
ddownandIwenttosl
eep.
.
.
.
.
.
Kar
abo
SomeguynamedTi mot hycamet otakeKea
whil
eIcarri
edhermot her'
stinyyetthi
ckbody
toherbedroom whereIlaidherdown.Isaidmy
goodbyesandi mmediatel
yleft
.AsIwasj ust
havi
ngthisnightdr
ivethatwasact ual
lyhelpi
ng
mer el
i
eveIwasst oppedbyapr ivatepoli
cecar.
Me:
Great!
Isaidundermybreat
haf
terpul
l
ingov
er.The
off
iceknockedonmywindowandIopenedi
t.
Me:
Yesof
fi
ce-
Hi
m:St
epoutoft
hecar
.
Me:
Excuseme?
Hi
m:Youhear
dwhatIsai
d.St
ep-
out
-of
-t
he-
car
.
Me:
Youhav
egott
obeki
ddi
ngme.
Hetookhisgunoutofhi sgunholderandIjust
chuckl
edbeforesteppingoutoft
hecar .My
vehi
clewassearchedbysomeot herpol i
ceover
whil
etheotheroneinspectedme.Idon'tknow
whatthi
smanwast hinki
ngbuthet ookthe
cuff
soffandhandcuf f
edme.
Me:
Wai
tami
nut
e?Ar
eyouar
rest
ingme?
!
Hi
m:Shutup.
Me:
Arey
ouf
ucker
sev
enpol
i
ceof
fi
cer
s?!
Hi
m:Keepqui
et!
Me:
Dontt
ell
mewhatt
odo!
Iwasplacedinthebackoft
hevananddr
ivent
o
thepol
i
cest at
ion.I
nmyheadIwasaski
ng
my
sel
finwhatt
roubl
ehav
eIgot
tenmy
sel
fint
o.
Atthest
ati
onIwastakent
oacel
lwhere
Phumla,
Akani
,Zyder
,Zamani
andScarwas
her
e.
Me:
Wtf
?!
Zy
der
:I'
m aski
ngmy
sel
f.
Isi
tdownnextt
oPhuml
a.
Me:Iam herewonderi
ngwhatthef
uuuuck?
!I
can'
tbei
nj ai
l.Notatati
meli
kethi
s.
Phuml
a:Sor
ryman.
Het r
iestouchi
ngmebutImov e.Aser geantis
broughtandwear et akentosomebasement
that'
sli
kesomewarzone.Car s,tanks,
choppersareallaroundandIj ustwonderwho
thefuckisplay
inggameswi thus.Someol d
crookcomest ousdr essedi
nabl ackandwhi te
suitandwhenhe' sinf r
ontofushet akeshis
shadeoff.
Hi
m:Hi
gent
lemen.
Wesai
dnot
hing.
Hi
m:Iguessy
ou'
real
langr
y.Fol
l
owme.
Wel
ookateachot
herbef
oref
oll
owi
nghi
m.
Him:Let
'ssaythi
sismywarzone.Asy
oucan
seeIhaveital
l
.Ihaveal
lthaty
ouwant
.And
somewantedt hi
sri
ght
?
Akani
:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutol
dman?
Hi
m:Ineedy
ourhel
pgent
lemen.
Zyder:
Rii
ight!Ithi
nkyoumighthav
emistaken
today
'scalendar.I
tsnott
he1stofApr
ilman
nowstopwi ththehaux.
Hi
m:I
t'
snohauxVei
l
.
Wealll
ookathim wit
hquesti
oningeyes.He
j
ustcal
ledZyderbyhi
soldgangnamet hathe
buri
edwhenhehadhi sf
ir
stchil
d..
.wel
lhisonly
daught
er.Heknewjustt
hatnamecanbeabi g
thr
eatt
oherlif
e.
Phuml
a:Whatar
eyoupl
ayi
ngat
?!
Hi
m:Ohy esMrSy
ther
.Thesecondbestmani
n
t
his"
crew."
Me:
Who'
sthef
ir
st?
Hesmi
l
ed.
Hi
m: Ashooterwhohasaneagl
e'
s
ey
e..
.Gunner
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[
02/
11,
15:
43]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er25
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Isi
ghed.
Man: Gentl
emenIcameal lt
hewayf r
om the
uni
tedkingdom tocomel ookforthe6ofy ou.I
am toldyouarebestatwhaty oudo.Bank
hei
sts,carrobbi
ng..
professi
onalgangster
s.I
hearallyou6start
edthisat16andst oppedat
23toconcent r
atemoreonwor kandli
febut
ri
ghtnowy ourskil
l
sar eneededtogoodnews.
Me:
Whi
chi
s?
Man:
Under
cov
ergangst
ers.
Isi
ghed.Ir
eadaboutt
heset
ypesoft
hings
bef
ore.
Man:You'
l
lbethef
ir
stundercovergangst
ersi
n
Sout
hAfri
catowor
kandpr otectt
heentir
e
wor
ldf
rom y
ourki
nd.
Me:
I'
dsuggesty
our
ephr
aset
hat
.
Man: Gunner.
..
youhav et
hebl
oodofagangst
er,
abrainofagangster.Youar
eagangst
erand
i
t'
sy ourti
tl
e.Nomat tert
hedeni
aly
ouarewho
youare.
Il
ookedatPhuml
a.
Man: Ineedyougentl
ement
orecr
uitamean
assteam.Al l
theal
ley
syouhav
eandwewi l
l
star
ttrai
ningthani
nUSA.
Akani
:WhyUSAwheny
ousai
dyou'
resome
for
cefrom t
heUK?
Man:
Whosai
dIam af
orce?
Welookedateachot
her.There'
snothi
ngIhat
e
t
hansomeonespeakinginri
ddles.
Man:Gentl
emenyouar
elooki
ngattheri
chest
manintheworl
dandhopi
ngtogethelpf
rom
you.
Zyder
:Wereal
lydontcar
ewhoy
ouar
e.Justt
ell
uswhyyouneedus.
Him:TheCSI ,NCI,CNNhav etri
edtost opthese
topcri
minalsbuttot hem wear epredictabl
e
becausewet hinkjustastheyt hi
nk.Iftheyare
notonestepaheadofust heyare10.Theyar e
goodatwhatt heydoandwear ecluelessto
whatwecoul ddot omaket hem stop.Halfof
ourundercoverteam havedi edwhileon
missi
ons.
Me:
Sodon'
tyout
hinkwecanal
sodi
e?
Man:
Idoubt
.Imean,
youhav
eteamsr
ight
?
Zyder
: LookMrRichguywhoneedshelp,
we
havefamili
esthatneedussowhywouldyou
thi
nkwewi lll
eaveourpri
ori
ti
esf
ort
hisbull
.
Man:Vei
l.
..
pri
sonorajobt
hatcoul
dchangenot
onl
yyourl
if
ebutli
tt
leLwandl
e.
Heatt
empt
edtojumponthi
sanonymousman
butwewer
eabl
et ost
ophi
m.Thisguyt
akes
outf
il
est
hathappenedt
oheaboutuseach.
Man: Pi
ctures,i
nformat ion,associ
ateswai t
ing
totakestandsoal lofy ougot ojail
for
approxi
mat el
y30y ears.I magineallthatyou'l
l
missoutabouty ourwhol efamili
es?Nobody
knowswhot heprosoft heseheist
sar ebut
darnsoont heywill
knowonceIsendt his
i
nformati
ont otheGov ernorwhohappenst obe
someoneIam cl oset o.
Noonesai
dany
thi
ng.
Him: Ihavealltheauthori
tyintheworldand
nowIam gi vingittoallofyousoy oucanlock
allt
hesecr i
mi nal
sin.You'l
lall
bemaki nghalfa
mill
ionev er
ymont h.That'sift
here'
sany
progressandmay beifsomeofy ouwoul dli
ke
tostartyourowncompani eswedonotmi nd
helpi
ng.Justsayt hewor d.
Scar
:I'
min.
Akani
:Idon'
tseewhynot
.
Zy
der
:Wedon'
thav
eachoi
ce.
Hewasannoy
ed.Phuml
aandIsai
dnot
hing.
Me:Ihaveal
awy
ert
hatwi
l
ldef
endme.Seey
ou
i
ncourt.
It
urnedandwal
kedoutoft
hiswarzone.
.
.
.
.
.
Br
own
WhenIwokeupitwasl
ightoutsi
demeani ngi
ts
morni
ng.Iy
awnedwhil
estret
chingmyar ms.
Keawasnotnextt
omesoIwentt ocheckif
she'
swit
hmom andshewaswi t
hTimothy.
Ti
mo:
Whi
chl
i
ght
eni
nghi
tyou?
Hesai
dlaughi
ng.
Me:
Mxm!Di
dmybabybat
h?
Hi
m:Yep!
Me:
Eat
?
Hi
m:Twi
ce.
Me:
Didy
oubur
pher
?
Him: Ican'
tbeli
evey
our
ightnow.Ofcour
seI
burpedt hebaby.
Me:Iwasjustchecki
ngokay.Ineedt
omake
sur
ephel
ay ouhav enoexper
iencewhen
comingt
obabies.
Hi
m:Ihav
etwo.
Me:Idoubtyouev
enknowt
hei
rnames.Less
seenthem.
Hi
m:Mxm!Canyougof
ixyour
sel
f.I
'
m st
art
ing
t
obel
i
eveI
'minsomehorr
ormovi
e.
Irol
ledmyeyesbefor
eturni
ngaroundandwent
backtomyroom tofet
chmyt oil
etrybagand
headedtot
hebathroom whereIbrushedmy
teethwhi
lerunningmybat hwater.OnceIwas
donebathi
ngIwal kedbacktomyr oom wi t
hmy
gownon.Idr essedint
oay el
lowfloraldress
withgol
dgladiatorsandal
sbeforewal ki
ngout
thedoorwit
hmymessyaf r
o.Iwentt othe
kit
chen.
..
Me:
MamahasKar
abocal
l
ed?
Her
:Nomydar
li
ng.
Me:
But
..
.cany
oubor
rowmey
ourphoneke.
Shehandedi
ttomeandimmediat
elygav
e
Kar
aboacallbuthi
svoi
cewentst
rai
ghtt
o
voi
cemail
.
Me:
Hawuu.
..
oet
imi
l
e.-
(heswi
tchedi
tof
f.
)
Mom:
May
bei
tdi
edwhi
l
ehewassl
eepi
ng.
Me:Dichar
gerdi
etsweforengkgant
e?-
(what
ar
echarger
smadef or
?)

Igav
eherherphonebackandwentt
osi
twi
th
Ti
mot
hy.
Ti
mo:
Whatt
imewi
l
lyourf
iancé'
suncl
escome?
Me:Usual
l
ylobol
anegot
iat
ionshappenat7or
l
ate.
Ti
mo:
Arey
ouexci
ted?
Me:
Toomuch!
Ti
mo:
Doy
oul
ovehi
m?
Me:
Whatkindofquest
ionist
hat?Myl
ove
t
owadsKar
aboisunquesti
onabl
e.
Timo: Ij
ustwanttoknowokay?YouknowIwas
therewhenthatfuckerbr
okeyourhear
tand
saidKeawasnothi s.Ij
ustwantt
omakesur e
youdonotgot hroughwhatyouwentthrough
before.
Me:Karabomakesmehappy .Hesav edme
whenIwasr oamingaroundwithababylateat
ni
ght.Hetookmei nwithopenarmsandt ook
goodcareofmeokay ?Ibeli
eveheismykni ght
i
nshiningar
mor .Theonlyonethatcanputthe
biggestsmi
l
eonmyf ace.That
'
sal
lIev
erasked
forandnowIgoti
t.
Hesmi
l
ed.
Ti
mo:
Iam v
eryhappyf
ory
oubabe.
Me:
Iam happyf
ormy
sel
f.
"Browncomehelpmemakesomescones! "
Thesamet imemom shoutedfrom t
hekit
chen,
Ingri
dwalkedi
nwithherbaghangingfr
om her
handwithshadeson.Westaredateachother
forsomet i
meunti
lshebroketheeyecontact
andIwentt ot
hekit
chen.
Me:
Yourdaught
eri
sher
e.
Iwentandt
urnedontheov
enwhi
l
eIngr
id
wal
kedinandgreet
edmama.
I
ngr
id:
HiBr
own.
Isai
dnothi
ngtoherbutjustkeepmy
sel
fbusy
byappl
yi
ngtheoilonthepans.
Mom:
Uhm sot
odayi
sBr
own'
slobol
a
negot
iat
ion.
I
ngr
id:
Uhm Iknowandcongr
atul
ati
onsBr
own.
Ist
il
lsai
dnot
hing.
I
ngri
d:MamaI
'
llj
ustgot
oShongoi
nthe
bedr
oom.
Mom:
Okay
.
AsIwasgi
vi
ngthem mybackIj
usthear
das
I
ngri
d'
sheel
sexi
tedt
heroom.
Mom:
Shei
str
ying.
Me:
Mmm.
Shesi
ghed.
Mom: Youcousi
nswill
bearr
ivi
ngsoon.At6I
wantyoutobelockedi
ntheroom unt
ilt
he
uncl
e'
sarehere.
Me:
OkaybutcanIbor
rowy
ourphoneagai
n?
Mom:
Ha.
amaanBr
own.Leav
eKar
aboal
one!
Me:
Ijustwantt
oseehowhewokeupmama.
Mom: GotakeKeaandgot
oyourr
oom bef
oreI
getangr
y!
Me:
Ihav
eto!
Mom:
Tsamay
aBr
own!
!
It
urnedandwentt
othel
ounge.
Me:
Giv
emey
ourphone.
Ti
mo:
Why
?
Me:
Just
!!
Hegav eittome.Ihadmemor
izedhisnumber
soijustdial
edi
tandsometi
mel at
ersomeone
answered.
"Hel
l
o? "Iwassurpr
isedt
olear
nthatmyfi
ancé
hadjustbeenansweredbysomefemal
e.
Me:
Whoi
sthi
s?
"
Iti
sBul
elwaandt
hisi
s?"
Me:
Justgi
veKar
abot
hephone!
"
Justt
ell
mewhoy
ouar
e?!
Me:
It'
sKar
abo'
sfi
ancé.Br
own.
"
Oh.
..
ohmy
..
.Isee.
"
Me:
Giv
eKar
abot
hephone.
"Unfort
unat
elyKar
aboissl
eepi
ngdol
l
."Shesai
d
clearl
ywanti
ngtopissmeoff
.
Me:
He'
snotdeadnowwakehi
m!
Sheexhal
ed.
"
PhumlagowakeKarabocausehisf
iancéi
son
t
heotherl
i
ne!
"Iwai
tedti
llIhear
dshuffl
es.
Kar
abo:
Baby
?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Iappreci
atewhaty ouguy sdi
dformei
nthe
previ
ouschapter.Pleasedogiveme200
comment sagainont hisonetoo.

.
[02/
11,
15:
42]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er26
Hi
m:Baby
?
Hisv
oicewasver
ylowandIcoul
dtel
l
somethi
ngwaswrong.
Me:
Wher
ear
eyou?
Hi
m:I'
m atmyhousebaby
.Why
?Doy
ouneed
me?YouknowIcan'
tcome.
Me:No.Whenear
li
ery
ourphonewasof
fIwas
abi
tworri
ed.
Hi
m:I
thaddi
ed.
Me:
Ifi
gur
edt
hatout
.
Him:I
'm sor
ry.Ipromi
seyout
omorr
owni ght
youandIwillbetoget
her
.Noonewi
lldi
sturbus.
JustMr
sandMrThobang.
Ismi
l
ed.
Me:
Ican'
twai
tbaby
.
Hi
m:Youcal
l
edmebaby
?
Me:
I..
.y
ea.
.Imean.
.y
ou'
remyf
iancé.
Hel
etoutagi
ggl
e.
Hi
m:Don'
tbeshybaby
.Okay
?
Me:Uhm ofcourse.Ibor
rowedsomeone'
s
phonesoI'
l
luh,callsometi
melat
erormay be
wewill
meettomor rowwhenwegetmar r
ied.
Hi
m:Phuml
awi
l
lbr
ingy
ouaphonei
nsome
t
ime.
Me:IsPhumlayourri
ghthandmanorwhat?
Yousendhimli
key oupayhimtodoj
obsfor
you.
Hi
m:Soy
ouwantmet
obr
ingi
tmy
sel
f?
Me:
Yes.
Hi
m:I
'
m notal
l
owedt
ocomet
her
eremember
?
Me:
2mi
nut
eswon'
thur
t.
Hesi
ghed.
Hi
m:Baby
..
.f
ine.I
'
m comi
ng.
Me:
Cal
lmeont
hisphoneokay
?
Hi
m:Or
ightst
handwasam.
Me:
Bye.
Iendedthecall
.Ti
mothywasgivi
ngmet
his
l
ookt hatsai
dhewasn'tappr
ovi
ng.
Me:
I'
ll
bri
ngbacky
ourphone.
Il
efti
mmediat
elybeforehecoul
dev
enprotest
.
Il
ockedmyroom andwai t
edti
ll
amessage
camethr
ough:I
'm outsi
de.
Iwal kedoutther oom andindeedhiscarwasat
thegat e.Iapproacheditbutstoppedonmy
trackswhenIsawPhuml ast
epoutt hecar
.I
feltmybl oodboil.Kar
abowasmaki ngmea
j
oke.Thesmi leonmyf acevanishedwhenhe
appr
oachedhol
dingaVodacom pl
ast
icbag.
Him:HeyBr
own.Iwast
oldbyKar
abot
ocome
andgiv
eyouthi
s.
Me:
Wher
eishe?
Hi
m:Backatt
hehouse.
Me:
Whydi
dn'
thecome?
Hi
m:Youknowhe'
snotsupposedt
ocome.
Me:Ican'
tbel
i
evehi
mri
ghtnow!Hesai
dhe
wascoming.
Hi
m:Hel
i
edobv
iousl
y.
Isnat
chedt
hepl
ast
ic.
Me:
Okay
..
.by
e.
Hi
m:By
e.
Iturnedaroundandheadedbackintothehouse.
Ithrewmy sel
font
hecouch.Timothycoul
dsee
theirri
tat
iononmyf acehencehechosetobe
quiet.
Ntebo,Masego,KweziandIwer eint heroom
dressedinthesameatti
re.Ihaven'tsaidathi
ng
tothesegirl
sbecauseIam notusedt ohavi
ng
conversat
ionswit
hthem.Wear ejustcousins
bytit
le.Nowordshaveev erbeenexchanged
betweenallofus.
Mom wal kedi nandcov er
edmyf ace.Thegirl
s
andIwer edr essedinthesameat t
ir
emeani ng
theywi l
lhavet oguesswhoi stheirbri
de.There
wer eululat
ionsi ntheloungeIcouldhearinthe
bedr oom.Iwast hesecondgirl
from theri
ght.
Wegott otheloungewher eweallbowedin
frontoftheuncl es.Theywhisperedand
whi sper
edunt i
l t
heolderonespoke.
Hi
m:Loumakot
iwet
hu.
Uncl
e:Ar
eyousur
e?
Hi
m:I
'
m sur
e.
Mom cameandt ookmebacktother
oom.My
aunt
sandgr andmasangall
thewayt
othe
room wher
eIchangedint
oaXhosatr
adi
ti
onal
shidi
kiwit
hsleeper sandpl acedat r
adi t
ional
pri
nteddoekonmyheadbef oreheadingt othe
kit
chenwher eImadet heelder'st
eat han
headedbackt other oom.Icoul dhearsi ngi
ng
anddancinginther oom.Thei Phonet hatIwas
boughtrang.Ont hecal l
erIDitwaswr i
tten
"Owam"andobv iousl yKarabohadsav edhis
number.Ianswer ed.
Me:
Owam?
Hegi
ggl
ed.
Hi
m:Howi
sitt
her
e?
Me: Peopleareout
sidesingi
ngandenjoying
themselves.Iam i
ntheroom lockedup.What
aboutyou?
Him:I'
m homewithPhumlaandZyder
.Uncl
e
cal
ledsayi
ngtheyaskedf
oralot
.
Me:
Howmuch?
Hi
m:I
tdoesn'
tmat
ter
.
Me:
Justt
ell
meKar
abo.
Hi
m: I
t'
sokay
.Whatmat
ter
sist
hatIcoul
d
of
fer
edthepri
ce.
Iexhal
ed.Kar
aboi
ssuchahar
dcooki
etocr
ack.
Hi
m:Whyar
en'
tyousay
ingany
thi
ng?
Me:
WhatcanIsayKar
abo?
Hi
m:Anyt
hing.Justdontbesi
l
ent
.If
eel
some
t
ypeofwaywheny ouignor
eme.
Me:
Justt
ell
mehowmuchy
ourf
ami
l
ypai
d.
Ihear
dhi
m exhal
e.
Hi
m:90kand10kf
orv
ulaml
omuandal
lthat
.
Myey eswidened.Ididn'
tknowwhatt osay.I
mean, t
hatwasal otofmoneyf orsomeone
whohasachi ldwho'snothi shusband'
sandI
al
sodonthav emat r
ixasy etsi
ncenowIam just
ateenwi f
e.
Me:
Babyt
hat
's.
..
toomuch.
Hi
m: Donttel
lmealotofthi
ngst
hatar
e
i
rr
elevant
.Ipai
dthatmoneyandyou
complai
ningwon'tmakemegot hereand
demanditbackbecauseIwanttomakey oumy
wif
e.Eveniftheyaskedforawholemorethen
whattheyaskedfortodayI'
dst
il
lpayi
t.
Isi
ghed.
Me:
Xol
okeandI
'
m sor
ryf
oraski
ng.
Him:Nobiggy.Ij
ustdon'tl
ikeyouwor
ryi
ng
abouti
rr
elevantt
hings.Okay?
Me:Okay
.Sotomor
rowwher
ewi
l
lwegost
ay?
Yourf
amil
y'
shomeor?
Hi
m:Somewher
einLov
emor
e.
Me:
That
'sl
i
ket
hebestest
atei
nPEKar
abo.I
-
Hi
m:Youpr
omi
sedBr
own!
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
"KaraboIneedy ourhel
pint heki
tchen."The
femalet hatansweredear l
iersai
d.Iexhaled.I
j
ustdi dn'tl
ikeherbeingthereandmebei ng
here.Shei sbasical
lyseeingmor eofKarabo
t
henIdidt
oday
.Iact
ual
l
ydi
dn'
tev
enseehi
m
t
oday.
Kar
abo:
BabyIhav
etogo.
Me:
Okay
.By
e.
Kar
abo:BrownIam wit
hPhuml
a,Zyderand
Bul
elwa.Trustme,
she'
snotat
hreatt
oy our
marr
iage.
Me:
ByeKar
abo.
Heexhal
ed.
Hi
m:I
'
llseey
ou.
Iendedthecal
landj
ustcl
osedmyey
eswi
shi
ng
thatI
'dsl
eepimmedi
atel
y.
Thenextmor ningIwaswokenupi ntheear l
y
hours.Ibat
hedbef or
ebeingdr
essedi nmy
tradi
ti
onalgear:ashweshwes,
abl ackdoe,
i
khetshemiyaskarf,i
xakat
hoontop.Therewas
singi
ngoutsideandwhenwegotoutwi thmom
holdi
ngmyhandt heThobangandNdamase
famil
ystandingoutsi
deourgatesingingthei
r
ownsong.Icoul dseemyhusbandint
radi
ti
on
dressedinhisXhosagear.Thegat
ewasclosed.
Wor dswereexchange,asheepwasbr
ought
andt hat
'swhentheJarvi
sandCethef
amil
y
al
lowedt hem i
nsidet
heirhome.
TimepassedandIwast akent oi ndluekulu
wher eIwasgi venai kukhot osi tdown.My
headwasboweddownast hegr eatmengav e
mewi sewor ds,aboutmar ri
age, beingawi f
e
andkeepi ngitgoi ng.Onceal l
thatwasov er
,
Karabowentoutwi thhi srelat
ivesandwentt o
slaught erthesheep.Ther i
ghtl egwasgi v ento
thewomensot hatt heycangoandcooki t.
Wheni twascooked, MasegoandIwentand
satint her oom wher eweat ei tbutshedi d
mostoft heeat i
ng.Idi dn'
tfeel l
ikehav i
ng
anythingt oeatandi thappenst hatIdon' teat
sheepnoragoat .Wef i
nishedandwentt othe
elders.Gl ori
awaswi ththem.I twast i
mef orher
togivemeaname.Awhol eoft hi ngswassai d
andshespokei ni siXhosa.Theonl ythi
ngI
hear
dwas.
.
Gl
ori
a:Igi
vey
out
hename.
..
Owet
hu.
Ismil
edbecauseshewasal sosmil
i
ngatme.
Bothaunt
sandr elat
ivesbegantoul
ulat
eand
other
sweresinging.
Iwenttowheremyhusbandwassi t
ti
ngwithhi
s
fr
iendsanduncles.Iwentdownonmyknees
andhandedhisfoodt ohi
m.AsIwas
approachi
nghim hebegantoprai
semei n
i
siXhosa.Ij
ustcouldnothelpmysel
fbutbl
ush.
Phuml
a:You'
remaki
nghershyOwam.
Karabo:
Thisi
smywi fe.Mosadiwaka!Iwil
l
prai
seherunt
ilIdi
e.Shecanblush.Shecanbe
shyasmuchbutIwi l
lcont
inueprai
singher
.
"
Owethuy
ouareneededi
ntheki
tchen.
"Oneof
myi
nlawssai
dbehindme.
Kar
abo:
Ignor
eher
.
Me:
Ha.
aKar
abo.
Kar
abo:
Thati
sawar
ningf
rom y
ourhusband.

Me:
ThenIwi
l
lhav
etonorobeyy
ouont
hisone.
Kar
abo:
Owet
hu!
Theot
her
schuckl
ed.
Kar
abo:
Comesi
tonmyl
ap.
Me:
Ha.
aKar
abo!
IstoodupandasIwal kedtothehouseheonce
againpraisedme.Ilovedtheattent
ion.I
tswhat
IjustneededandIjustcouldnothelpbutwish
tobehomewi t
hhim sot hatIcangetalloft
he
attent
ion.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Lastonefort
heni
ght
.Ihopet
omor
rowat10
am Ifi
nd200comments.
[
02/
11,
15:
44]Mai
Kundi
:Ial
way
sdel
i
ver
.:-
)
Chapt
er27
Igottothekit
chenwher eIhelpedtheelder
s
cook,peeloranyt
hingthatwasneededt obe
donearoundthekitchen.Itwasnotlongunti
l
myhusbandKar aboOwam Thobangcamet o
thekit
chenholdi
nghi splate,
placedi
tinthe
sinkbefor
estandi
ngbehi ndme.
Hi
m:Wher
e'sourdaught
er?
Heaskedwhisper
inginmyear
.Al
ert
ingaunt
y
Zi
khonaorsomethingli
ket
hat
.
Zee:
Kar
aboy
ouar
edi
stur
bing.
Shesai
djoki
ngl
ythough.
Hi
m:Thi
sismywi
feaunt
y.Ij
ustwantt
oknow
wher
eourdaught
eri
s.That
'si
t.
Me:
She'
swi
thTi
mot
hy.
Hel
ookedatKwezi
.
Him:Gocall
Timot
hy.Iwantt
oseeKea
Thobang.
Ichuckled.Kwezi walkedouttocall
Timothy
whileIcontinuedtopeel andmyignorancewas
getti
ngt oKarabobecauseheendedup
compl aini
ngsay i
ngthatIam overworki
ngbut
hedi dn'
tknowt hattheseweremychor esofa
wife.Thechor esIam goingtodount i
lIdi
e.
Timot hywalkedinwi t
hKeaandhandedhert o
Karabo.
Kar
abo:
Thanksman.
Ti
mo:
Cool
.
Hewi nkedatmebeforesteppi
ngoutagai
n.I
fi
nishedpeel
ingthepotat
oesthanwentto
pl
acet hem i
nthepotthathadhotwat
er.
Kar
abo:
Any
thi
ngt
ohel
pmf
azi
wam?
Zee:YesKar
abo!Doallofusafav
orandgo
outsi
detowher
ey oubelong.
Karabo:Hay
iIdonotr
emembery
oubei
ngmy
mfazi.
Hecl
ickedhistongueinannoyance.Thiswas
ki
ndaunlikeKarabobecausei
nact ual
i
tyKarabo
wasindeedpissed.
Wefinal
l
yfi
nishedcookingt
henwentand
ser
vedever
yone.Karabowassti
l
lint
hekit
chen.
Me:
Aren'
tyoubor
ed?
Kar
abo:
Iam.
Me:Whydontyougoout
sideandsi
twi
th
Phuml
athan?
Kar
abo:
Itsokay
.I'
l
lwai
tfory
out
ofi
nish.
Me:
Okay
.
Gl
ori
awalkedi
nlooki
ngfabul
ousi
nablueand
whi
teXhosadr
ess.Thi
swoman'sbeaut
y
t
hough.
Gl
ori
a:Makot
ithef
oodwasj
ustsol
ovel
y.
Me:
I'
m gl
ady
ouenj
oyedt
hef
oodMa.
Shesmiled.Iseri
ousl
ydi
dnotunder
stand
Glor
ia.I
sshef aki
ng?
Glor
ia:
Let
'sgot
oyourr
oom.Ihav
esomet
hing
fory
ou.
Me:
Oh.
Ilef
twhatIwasdoingandwal kedout.Inmy
room abeaut
if
uldressthatissi
milartowhat
Glori
awaswearingwasl ai
dont hebedwi t
h
bluetr
adi
ti
onalpri
ntedheelsonthefloor.
Gl
ori
a:Agi
ftf
rom me.
Me:
Itssobeaut
if
ulGl
ori
a.
Her
:Soy
oul
ovei
t?
Me:Youhavenoi
dea.Li
kethepri
nti
ngi
sjust
onpoi
ntandthef
abri
cisj
ustoutofher
e.
Her
:Desi
gnedbymyoneandonl
yMedl
ey.
Me:
ilov
eit
.I'
l
lchangei
ntoi
t.
Her
:Okay
.
Shehel
pedmeundressandiwasconcer
nedt
o
knowwhyshest
oppedhelpi
ngme.
Me:
Isev
ery
thi
ngokayMa?
Her
:Thatt
att
oo.
It
ookmyt
owel
andcov
eredmybody
.
Her
:I'
veseeni
tbef
ore.Whatdoesi
trepr
esent
?
Me:I
tsBrowni
nIt
ali
an.Not
hingbi
g.Igoti
t
whenIwas15.
Her:
15?!Yhuuihopey
ourmot
hergav
eyoua
beat
ingofyourl
i
fe.
Me:
Shedefi
nit
elydi
dandal
soki
ckedmeout
f
or2weeks.
Her
:Sheki
ckedy
ouout
?
Inodded.
Her
:IdoubtI
'
lleverki
ckmychi
l
drenout
.No
matt
erwhattheythey
.
Me:
Ofcour
seMa.
Ifi
nisheddressi
ngandt
hedr
essf
it
tedmybody
l
ikeagl ov
e.
Her
:Thesey
ou'
llputonunt
ilt
heni
ghtKar
abo
makesl
ovetoy
ou.
Icoughed.
Me:
Makel
ove?
Her:Yes.Ha.
aBrownskanaganagochwar
isa
ngwanakesalt
.-(
dontt
hinkofmaki
ngmyson
suf
fer)
Il
aughed.
Me:
Let
'snott
alkaboutt
hat
.
Her
:Ha.
achi
l
d.Mot
lohel
egor
eaony
obegoet
!
Me:
HawuGl
ori
a!!
Il
aughed.
Her
:Don'
tbeshy
.Wegetf
uckedouther
e.
Me:
YohIcan'
twai
ttol
eav
eleav
eroom.
HerandIl
aughed.Aft
erweari
ngtheheelsshe
tookmyhandandwewal kedtot
hekitchen
whereKar
abowas.Thelookhegavemewhen
hesawmealldressedup.
Kar
abo:
Baby
..
Hewhi
stl
ed.
Kar
abo:
MamaKeay
oul
ooksobeaut
if
ul.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Hemademet
wir
lforhi
m.
Kar
abo:Your
eal
l
ylookbeaut
if
ul.Sowe'
re
l
eavi
ng?
IlookedatGlori
awhonodded.Wesai dour
goodby estoever
yoneandwhenIwant edto
takeKeawi thmamasuggestedIcomef etch
hertomor r
ow.Karaboopenedthedoorforme
andt hefamil
ywalkedusoutwithatr
aditi
onal
song.
Alr
eadyKarabo'
sfr
iendshadi
nvadedmynew
home.Theywereinthebackbr
aaing.Whenwe
ar
ri
vedtheyscr
eamed.Somegir
lsIdi
dn'
tknow
werehappyt
oseeme...
weir
d.
Pari
s:Thatr
ingmnt
ase.Cany
ouev
encl
ose
yourhand?
Ichuckl
ed.
Me:
YesIcan.
Hl
eskow:
Itsbi
gandi
tsj
ustwhatIneed.
Phumla:Mxm!Idoubtt
hatst
upi
dtaxi
dri
vercan
af
for
di t
.
Her
ewego.
Hleskow:
Atleasthecanaffor
dahousethen
somebodyIknowwhosl eepsinanr
dp.
Phuml
a:Don'
tmi
stakenmef
ory
oul
ove.
Pr
ett
y:Justi
gnor
eher
.
Hl
eskow:
List
ent
oyourhunbaby
.
Shesai
dwi
thacockysmi
l
e.
Kar
abo:
Yout
wowi
l
lnotr
uint
hismomentf
or
us.Pl
ease.
Hl
eskow:
Asal
way
sit
sPhuml
a'
sfaul
t.
Phuml
a:ShutupNanzi
manga!
Hl
eskow:
Fucky
ou!
Phumlajustchuckl
ed.Acampchairwas
broughtformeandIsatnextt
oKarabo.The
guyswentquietwhensomewhi t
eguyinatux
walkedin.
Kar
abo:Youhav
egottobeshit
ti
ngonme.
What?Youcametoar
restusagai
nMrr
ichguy
?
Isankonmychai
r.
Man:I
'
vebeentr
yingt
ogett
oyoubuty
ouhav
e
beeni
gnor
ingmycall
s.
Karabo:Andyoudidn'
tgetthemessageguy?
Lookhere.Idontwanttodothatfav
orforyou.I
j
ustgotmar ri
edandrightnowall
Ineedismy
wif
eandcl osefr
iendsandnotsomei mposter
okay?!
Hesmi
l
ed.
Man:Tomorr
owcomet oHQ.Iwanty
out
her
e
andi
t'
snotupfordi
scussi
on.
Het
urnedandl
eft
.
Kar
abo:
I'
ll
endupput
ti
ngabul
l
etonhi
shead.
Hewalkedi
nsi
deandwef ol
l
owedhim.Het
ook
aci
rocandgul
peditdownli
kewat
er.
Hl
eskow:
Kar
aboy
oudontdr
ink!
Heignoredher
.Ev er
yonewassurpri
sedat
Karabowhenhet ookthebott
leanddranki
t.I
guessthist
ookthem bysurpr
ise.
Throughoutt hewhol enightKar abowas
promptinghimsel fwithnot hingbutalcoholand
Ij
ustwat chedhi m ashedr ank.Idi dn'
tknow
whattosaybutatapoi ntIhadt ost ophim.
Theywer eall havingf un,hav i
ngt hr
owback
stor
ies.Ididn'tfeelthischillashenceIst oodup
andheadedupst air
s.Iknewhef oll
owedme
wheni fel
tashewr appedhi sarmsar oundmy
wai
st.
Me:
Arey
ouangr
y?
Ipushedhi m backandwentbackt oundr essi
ng.
Hedi dn'
tevenneedt oundress.Hejustthrew
hi
msel font hebedandsl eptashewasv er
y
i
ntoxicated.Itookhissneakersoff,placedover
ablanketonhi sbodyt henswitchedtheTVon.
Mymi ndwasn' tontheTVbutonKar abo.Iwas
madathi m.Howcanheactl i
kethi
swhen
earl
ierhewassosweet ?Iwassomadt hatI
evenpul l
edt heblanketof
fhisbody.Hecan
fr
eezef orallIcare.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Readt
hangi
mmet
hat200comment
s.
[
02/
11,
15:
44]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er28
Thenextmor ningIwokeupt oKar abowhowas
endlesslycompl ainingabouthisheadache
whichisdef i
nitel
yhangov er.Ii
gnor ehi
mt otall
y.
Iam still
angryaboutl astnight
.Whathedi d
wasunaccept able.Tryingtodrinkhisproblems
awayi sunaccept able.Igett ot
heensui twhere
heisbr ushi
nghi st eeth.Ihadbr oughtmybr ush
wit
ht oosoIj oinhi m.
Kar
abo:
Mor
ningt
oyout
oo.
Me:
Mor
ning.
Isaywithoutevenlooki
ngathi
m.Irunmy
bathwat
erwhi lehechoset
otakeashower.We
bothfi
nishandgobackt othebedr
oom.Ihave
atowelwr appedaroundmybodyandnow
makingthebed.
Kar
abo:
Baby
?
Isaynot
hing.
Hi
m:Soy
ou'
regoi
ngt
oignor
emeunt
ilwhen?
Me:
Unt
ily
ougr
owup!
Hi
m:Gr
owup?
Me: Youhandl
edthatsit
uat
ionl
ikeababy
wouldokay?Gett
ingdrunkt
oav oidcer
tai
n
si
tuati
onsisnotj
ustcli
chébutalsochi
ldi
sh
Karabo!
Heexhal
ed.
Hi
m:Sot
hisi
saboutl
astni
ght
?
Me:
Whatel
sewoul
ditbeabout
?
Him:Okay.Itwasstupidofmeokay?I
apol
ogizeforwhatIdid.I
twasdefi
nit
elywr
ong
ofmetor ui
nourweddi ngni
ghtl
i
kethat.
Me:
Whydi
dyoudoi
t?
Hi
m:Trut
hbet
old?Iwant
edt
oav
oidquest
ions
f
rom me.
Me:
Why
?
Hi
m:Becausesomet
hingsIj
ustcan'
ttel
lyou.
Me:
You'
resay
ingasi
fyout
ell
meev
ery
thi
ng.
Him:
Browndontbeli
ket
hat
.Ihav
emyr
easons
andyouknowt
hat.
Me:
Ify
ousaysoKar
abo.
Iwasjustsotir
edthatIwaswill
ingtoj
ustletal
l
thi
sgo.Idressedbeforeheadi
ngdownstai
rs
andKarabowasj ustfol
lowi
ngmel i
kealost
puppy
.
Him:Sowhat,
Ishoul
dwai
tfory
out
il
lyouf
eel
l
ikespeaki
ngt
ome?
Me:
Iguesst
hat
'swhaty
oushoul
ddo.
Hi
m: Ican'tbeli
eveyour
ightnow.Weare
marr
ied.Somet imescommunicati
oni
sbett
er
t
hensilenttreat
ment.
Me:Andwhodoesnotwantt
ocommuni
cat
e
wi
thwhohere?
Hekeptqui
et.Imadehi
m ascr
umpt
ious
br
eakf
astsinceall t
hei
ngredient
swereher
e.
WebothateinsilencebutIcouldseet
he
si
l
encewasf reakinghi
m outabi t
.
Hi
m:Canwenotst
artourmar
ri
agewi
thaf
ight
?
Me:
We'
renotf
ight
ingt
hough.
Hi
m:Thi
ssi
l
encet
hough.
.i
tsf
reaki
ngmet
fout
.
Ipl
acedmyf
orkdown.
Me:
Thef
uck?Si
ncewhendoy
ouusev
ulgar
?
Hi
m:Uhm.
.I
..
Hescr
atchedt
hebackofhi
shead.
Hi
m:I
'
mjustf
reakedoutaboutsomet
hing.
Me:
Isee.
Hecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
.
Hi
m:Ihav
etogo.
Me:
Wher
e?
Hi
m:I
'
llbeback.Ij
ustneed.
..
todosomet
hing.
Hehur
ri
edupst
air
sleav
ingmet
owonderwhat
t
hehel
lwashappeningt
oKar
abo.Hi
sat
ti
tude
wassl
owl
ychanging.
Kar
abo
Igottothestudy,l
ockeditandlookedar
ound
hopingtofi
ndGi naaroundherebutshewas
nowheretohef ound.That'
swhenIbegant o
real
l
yf r
eakout.Immedi at
elywhenGinaf
eels
l
ikeIneedhershecomes.Nomat t
erwhat.She
comes.
Me:
ComeonGi
naIam f
reaki
ngt
fout
!
Myhandswoul
dglowj
ustf
orasecondthango
backt
obei
ngnormal
.Li
ketheywer
efl
icker
ing.
Me:
Gina!
Sti
ll
nothi
ng.Isatdownbef or
ewipi
ngthesweat
offmyforehead.Ican'tgobacktobri
ngGunner
.
Iworkedsohardt oleavethepast
.Ican'
tgo
backther
eagain.
Br
own
Kar
aboshowedupaf
tersomemi
nut
eandI
couldsensethatsomethi
ngwaswr ongbut
chosetokeepquietandnotdri
llhi
m wit
h
questi
onsbecausehewi l
lnott
ellmewhatthe
probl
em is.Nomat t
erhowbigitcanbe.
Me:
Souh..
wil
lwej
ustbesi
tti
ngaroundher
efor
t
hewhol
edayanddi
efrom bor
edom?
Hesai
dnot
hing.
Me:
Kar
abo!
Hesnappedoutofi
t.
Hi
m:Huh?
Me:Iwasaski
ngwhatwi
l
lwebedoi
ngt
he
whol
eday.
Hi
m:Wecanv
isi
tPhuml
aify
ouwant
.
Me:
Itsbet
tert
hant
ojustsi
tar
oundher
eal
lday
.
Hi
m:Let
'sgot
han.
Hegrabbedhi
scarkeysandwewentt othe
gar
age.Igoti
nthefr
ontandhestart
edthecar
.
Thedri
vetoPhumla'
shousewasn'tt
hatl
ong.
Helivedi nt
hebestestate:Lov
emoreheight
s.I
j
ustwonder edwhatHleskowwasspeaki ngof
yesterdaysayi
nghelivesinanrdphousewhen
thi
smanownsamansi on.Att
hedoorPrett
y(I
beli
evet hat
'shername)openedthedoorforus.
Her
:Kar
abo.
..
Brownwel
come.
Shesai
dwi
thent
husi
asm ev
identi
nherv
oice.
Her:ThankGodsomeonecametogi
veusa
vi
sit
.Iwasabouttodi
efr
om bor
edom.
Me:
Makest
hebot
hofus.
Shel
eftusi
nandPhuml
acamedownst
air
s.
Hi
m:Kar
abomyG!
Theyexchangedhandshakes.
Kar
abo:
Howy
oudoi
ngman?
Him: Cool
erthanever.
..
manIalwaysthought
Hleskowwast hebaddestwhenitcomest o
l
ay i
ngitdownbutdamnPr et
tyhasasideI
neverthoughtsheeverhad.
Ihear
dashewhi
sper
edt
oKar
abowhoj
ust
l
aughed.
Kar
abo:
Soy
out
woar
enowi
ngoodt
erms?
Phuml
a:Yes.
Kar
abo:
Andt
hepr
egnancy
?
Phumla:
Wewentt
oseet hedoct
or.Theyt
old
usshe'
s3mont
hspregnant.
Kar
abo:
So?
Hi
m: 3mont
hsagot
hisni
ggawasn'
tev
en
ar
oundP.
E
Kar
abo:
Meani
ngt
heki
disact
ual
l
yyour
s.
Hi
m:Hel
lyeah!
Kar
abo:Congrat
ulat
ionsman.Atl
easty
ou
won'
tfat
heri
ngsomeassholessperm.
Pr
ett
y:Iam st
il
lher
eyouknow.
Kar
abo:
Hahasor
ry.Wewi
l
lbei
nthel
ounge.
Phuml
a:Br
ingusabot
tl
eofHennesseyl
ove.
Pr
ett
y:Okay
.
Theywentt ot
heloungewhi l
ePr et
tyandIwent
totheki
tchen.Shefir
stwentt ogiv
ethem thei
r
Hennesseybeforecomi ngbacktothekit
chen.
Wewer eclosetostart
ingaconv er
sati
onbut
thedoorbel
lwentout.Sheexhaledloudl
y.
Pr
ett
y:I
'
llbeback.
Me:
Okay
.
Shewentt ogetthedoorandIheardscr
eami ng
comingfrom thefr
ont.Shecamewi t
htwo
females:
Par i
sandTshego.That'
swhenIl ost
myappet i
te.Iwantedtogohomeimmedi atel
y.
Tshego:
Ohy
ouhav
eguest
sIsee.
Pr
ett
y:Yea.Br
ownt
hisi
s-
Shecuther
.
Tshego:
Weknoweachot
her
.
Pr
ett
y:Oh.
Tshego:
She'
stheonewhomar
ri
edmyf
ir
stl
ove.
Pr
ett
y:Atl
eastshegotmar
ri
ed.
Shecl
earedhert
hroataf
ter
.WasPr
ett
yki
nda
def
endi
ngme?
Tshego:Whatdoest
hatsupposedt
omean
Pret
ty?
Pret
ty:Oh.TshegoIdi
dn'
tthi
nki
thadt
omean
something.
Tshego:
Mxm!I
'
llbewi
tht
heguy
s.
Shest
oodupandwal
kedout
.
Par
is:
Pret
tyy
oudi
dn'
thav
etoactl
i
ket
hatwi
th
her
.
Prett
y:Pari
sy ouknowhowTshegoi s.Shejust
wantedtostartanaltercat
ionwi t
hBrownwho's
Karabo'
swifeandhe' soutf r
iendmeaning
Brownisalsoourf r
iend.Whathappenedt o
fr
iendsforblood?
Par
is:
Iguessy
ou'
rer
ight
.
Pr
ett
y:Youknowme.I
'
m notl
i
keher
.Iam
act
ual
l
ythet
otal
opposi
teofwhatshei
s.
Par
issmi
l
edatme.
Pret
ty:
Anywho!Y'al
lgotothel
oungewhi
l
eI
pourusladi
essomewine.Hey?
"
Div
as!"Hleskowwal
kedinwit
hanightbag.
Wereall
thesepeopl
einf
ormedorwhat?
Par
is:
HleskowSnet
hembaPhongol
o.
Hl
eskow:
Yesgy
el!
Shehuggedme.
Hl
eskow:
Cany
ouwal
kmnt
ase?
Igav
eherar
aisedey
ebr
owst
are.
Hl
eskow:Imean.
..
lastni
ghtI
'
m sureKar
abo
f
uckedyousohardandgoodthat-
Me:
Sneeee!
!
Wel
aughed.
Her:
Ha.agir
ldon'
tbeshy.Sexi
sli
fe.Wi
thno
sexapersoni
smeaningl
ess.
Ichuckl
ed.
Her
:So?
Theyl
ookedatmewai
ti
ngf
orananswer
.
Me:Well
..
.Kar
aboandI
..Wedi
dn'
tgeti
tdown
l
astni
ght.
Them:
Whaaat
?!
Me:Imean.
.hewasdrunkandIdi
dn'
twanti
tto
bewit
hhim al
li
ntoxi
cat
edandstuf
f.
Par
is:
Wet
otal
l
ygety
ougi
rl
.
Hleskow:Marawhatki
nofapersoni
sKar
abo?
I
'm surey
ou'r
esuff
eri
ngfr
om salt
.
Me:
Hleskowst
opi
t!
Hl
eskow:
I'
mjoki
nggi
rlt
houghi
t'
str
ue.
Wel
aughed.
Par
is:
YouknowwhoIwi
shwasher
ewi
thus?
Thei
rfacessaddened.
Pr
ett
y:Ndi
mzuki
se.
Me:
Whoi
sthat
?
Pret
ty:
Ourfri
end.
.herandScarwer
emar
ri
ed
butshelef
t.
Me:
Why
?
Pari
s:Work.
.shewor
ksinNewYorkasamodel
.
Wemost l
yseeheratrefcar
pet
sandst
uffl
i
ke
that
.
Me:
Oh.
Pari
s:I
twasherpassi
ont
obecomeamodel
andbesuccessf
ul.
Me:
Isee.Idontknowt
hisScar
.
Hl
eskow:
He'
spr
obabl
ygoi
ngt
ocome.
Me:
Andwhyi
shenamedScar
?
Hleskow:BecauseheleavesaScarwher
everhe
goes.Hedoesn'tki
ll
.Hejustgi
vesyou
somet hi
ngyou'
lll
iv
ewiththerestofy
ourl
if
e.
Par
is:
Dontev
ent
alkaboutt
hat
.
Pr
ett
yandHl
eskowl
aughed.
Me:
What
?
Hl
eskow:I
thappenedt
hathedi
dn'
tl
eav
ePar
is
wi
thaScarbutababy.
Me:
Youhav
eababy
?
Par
is:
Yep.Luxol
o.
Me:
Howol
dishe?
Par
is:
2year
s.
Me:
Wow.
Ourconver
sati
onconti
nuedunti
ltheguy
s
deci
dedtocomeandj oi
nus.That'
swhenwe
werefor
cedtochangeallt
hatwehavebeen
speaki
ngof.I
twasfunthough.
.
.
.
.
[
02/
11,
15:
45]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er29
Feel
i
ngused
ButI
'
m st
il
lmi
ssi
ngy
ou
AndIcan'
tseet
heendoft
his
Justwannaf
eel
yourki
ss
Agai
nstmyl
i
ps
Andnowal
lthi
sti
me
I
spassi
ngby
ButIst
il
lcan'
tseem t
otel
lyouwhy
I
thur
tsmeev
eryt
imeIseey
ou
Real
i
zehowmuchIneedy
ou
Ifoundhi mintheki
tchenafterplaci
ngKeat o
sleepandhewasj ammi ngtot hi
ssong.Itwasa
reall
ynicesongandIcoul dt
ell t
hatheenjoyed
i
tv erymuch.Ithanreal
izedthathewas
cooking.Iam thewomani nthishouse.Ican't
l
ethi m cookwhil
eI'
m around.That '
snothisjob.
It
'sjustdisr
espect
.
Me:
"Husbandwhydon'
tyougoandsi
tdown
whi
l
eIf
ini
shupher
e."hesmi
l
ed.
Hi
m:"No.Iwanty
out
otast
emyf
ood."
Me:"NobutbabyIam y
ourwi
fe.Ishoul
dbe
t
heonedoi
ngthi
s."
Hi
m :"YeabutIj
ustwantt
ospoi
lyoubaby
."
Me:"IknowbutKar
abopl
easedon'
tmakeme
begy
ou.Isuck."
Him: "Andyoumustal sonotmakemebeg.Let
mej ustt
akegoodcar eofyoubaby.Please.I
promiseyouthattomorrowyou'
llbetheonet o
cook.Letmespoil y
oufortoday
."Isighed.I
hatedthi
s.Real
ly.
Me:
"Fi
ne!"
Him:"Great!Youjustsi
tdownandjustwat
ch
asyourhusbandrocksthi
smeal."
Me: "Rock?Haha!Ok."It ookmyseatand
watchedashewor kedhiswayar oundt he
kit
chenliket
heprohei s.Icoul
dt el
lhedoes
thi
soften.Hi
sphoner angf r
om thelounge.
Him: "Snuggl
epleasegotot
heloungeand
checkitisf
orforpl
ease.Myhandsareabi
t
messy ."
Me: "Ok."Iheadedtothel
oungewher
eI
answeredhisphone.Itwasacal
lfr
om aScar
.
Bytheway ,henevershowedup.
Me:
"Hel
l
o?"
Scar:
"Uhm.
.hi
.Thi
smustbeKar
abo'
swi
fe."
Me:
"That
'sr
ight
!"
Scar:
"Ishei
n?"
Me:
"Yes.Letmet
aket
hephonet
ohi
m."
Scar:
"No!It
'snot
hingbig.Justt
ell
himto
cometoGreenacr
es..
that
'sifhei
snotbusy."
Me:"I
'l
lhearwhathesay
sthandef
ini
tel
yhe
wi
l
lgetbacktoyou."
Scar"Thanky ouma' am."Ncawwtheseguys
arereal
l
yr espect
ful.RemindsmeofZyder
whencallsmemf asiwakheandunl
ikePhumla
whocall
sme"wena" t hatguyi
sannoyi
ng.I
wentt
otheki
tchenaf
terendi
ngthecal
l
.
Me:"BabaScarsai
dyoushoul
dmeethi
m at
Gr
eenacr
es."
Hi
m:"Nocando."
Me:
"Why
?"
Hi
m:"I
m cooki
ngf
ormywi
fe."
.Ibl
ushed.
Me: "Ok."oncehewasdonecooki
ngwebot
h
satdown.
Me:
"Bef
oreweeat
..
.canIsaygr
ace?"
Him:"Goahead."wecl
osedourey
es.Idi
dn'
t
knowwhatt
osaybutitr
ied.
Me: "Heav enl
yFather
,thispr osper
ousdayyou
haveblesseduswi t
hanamazi ngmeal
.Stacked
onat abl
esur r
oundedbyl oveandcont ent
ment.
Underar oofcall
edhome.Al l
becauseofyou.
Theblessingsyouhavet hrownuponus.
Endl
esshappi nessandlov e.ThankyouFather.
Amen!"
Kar
abo:"Amen."Ismi
led.Him andI
i
mmediat
elydev
ouredt
hef ood.
Hi
m:"Tast
esgood?"
Me: "Amazi
ng.Youshoul
dcookt
hesemor
e
of
ten."
Hi
m:"Woul
dyoul
etme?"
Me:
"Wel
l
...
yes.Onceaweekt
hough."
Hi
m: "Idontwantyouworki
ngyour
sel
ftoo
much.Idi
dn'
tmarryyoutobecomemymaid.
Wecanactual
lyhi
reone."
Me:"Uhmm..
.no.I
m okay
.Icandef
ini
tel
y
manage."
Hi
m:"Your
esur
e?"
Me:"Def
ini
tel
y!I
m usedtoworki
ngandi
thel
ps
cl
ear
smyheadandal soi
thel
pswithmyner
ves.
"
Him: "Aboutthose.It
hinky
oushoul
dseea
psychol
ogist
."
Me:
"Idon'
tthi
nkIneedone."
Hi
m:"I
tsgoodt
oseesomeone."
Me:"Idontmi
ndt
alki
ngt
oyou.Imean,
you'
re
adoct
or."
Hi
m:"Yeabutwi
l
lyoubecomf
ort
abl
etospeak
t
ome?"
Me:"Wecanputat
estt
othatwhent
het
ime
comes."
Him:"Iknowi
twon'
tcomebecause
somet
imesyouar
ejustsohar
dheadedbaby
."
Me:
"You'
remyhusband.Iwi
l
lli
stent
oyou."
Hi
m:"Howaboutaf
terourwhi
teweddi
ng?
"
Me: "Whi
teweddi
ng?It
houghtwear
emar
ri
ed
al
ready?"
Him: "Weshouldsi
gnbabyandgot oa
honeymoon.Yourchoi
ceofvenue.Wher
e
wouldyouwanttogo?"
Me:
"Hmm.
..
isy
ourar
msaccept
abl
e?"
Hi
m: "Haha!Babybeser
ious.Wher
ewoul
dyou
wantt
ogo?"
Me:
"Any
wher
e?"
Hi
m:"Any
wher
e."
Me:"Howabout
..
.I
tal
y?I
'
veal
way
swant
edt
o
got
here."
Hi
m:"Onl
yIt
aly
?"
Me:
"HawuKar
abowher
eel
se?"
Him:"I
'v
eal
way
swant
edt
ogot
othemi
ddl
e
east
."
Me:
"Real
l
y?"
Hi
m:"Orev
enBahr
ain?"
Me:"I
tal
ybaby.Wecangot
othemi
ddl
eeast
onal
aterst
age."
Hi
m:"I
tal
yiti
sthan.Aaandanewanewpi
ece.
"
Me:
"NoKar
abo-"
Hi
m:"Yes!"
Me: "I
sitev
ennecessar
y?Imean,
ilov
ethi
s
r
ing."
Him: "Youcankeept hem both."isi
ghed.Ifelt
assomet i
nglesonmyt hr
oatandmyt ongue
begantot astefunny.Icover
edmymout hwhen
Ifel
tthefoodcomebackup.I twast oolat et
o
tr
yandr unt othebathroom.Alreadythefood
wereont hef l
oor.Karabohurr
iedtomysi de.
Hi
m:"Babyar
eyouokay
?!"
Me:
"Idon'
tfeel
sogood."
Hi
m:"Come.
."hehel
pedmeup.
Me:
"Ihav
etocl
eant
hat
."
Hi
m: "I
'l
ldoit
.Let
'sgo."onthest
aircase
whenIvomit
ed,Il
i
ter
all
ycri
edwithmyhands
pr
essi
nghardonmybel l
y.
Me:
"Kar
aboi
thur
ts!
!"(
cry
ing)
Hi
m:"Justcome.
."Hef
ir
sthel
pedmer
insemy
mouth,wi
pedmylipsandwentt ohelpmelay
down.Hegavemesomesy rupt odri
nkbefor
e
headi
ngdownst
air
s.Whenher et
urnedhe
pl
acedacoldcl
othonmyf orehead.
Hi
m:"Howdoy
ouf
eel
?"
Me:
"Nauseas."
Him: "Youcan'
thav
eanypill
sasy et
.Ifir
st
needtomakesurethaty
ouar eontheright
stat
etoactual
lyt
akemedicat
ion."Inodded.
Me:
"It
hinky
ourf
ooddi
dthi
stome."
Hi
m:"I
'
m sor
ry."
Me: "I
tsokay.Iguessialsoat
et oofast
."he
keptqui
et.Hi
sphoner ang.Heignoredit
.
Me:
"Whoar
eyoui
gnor
ing?"
Hi
m: "I
t'
s..
.i
tsTshego.She'
sjustso.
.Ican'
t
t
akehercal
ls."
Me:
"Isshey
ourex?"
Hi
m:"Uh.
..
yes.Shei
s.Webr
okeupagesago."
Me: "That'
sallIwant
edtoknow."myey
es
vol
untari
l
yclosedthemsel
ves.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Itr
ied.Dor
ead,
comment(needappr
oxi
matel
y
200comments)andwai
tformeagai
nfam.
[
02/
11,
15:
45]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er30
WhenIwokeup, Karabowasn' tbymysi deand
sowasKea.Iwokeupr eal
l
yconfused.Ididn'
t
evenknowwhichdayi twas.Ipl
acedmyf eet
downont opofmysl eepersthanheldmyhead.
Ihadav er
yexcr
uciatingheadachesoIst ood
upandwenttolookf orsomepi l
lsinKarabo's
ki
t.Ipopped2panadoswhenIfoundt
hem t
han
headeddownstai
rswher
eIfoundthet
wo
watchi
ngTV.
Hi
m:"Ohy
ou'
reup."
Me:
"YeahandI
'
m al
soi
ngr
iev
epai
n."
Hi
m: "Weareheadi
ngtothedoct
ort
odosome
t
ests.Ihopeyoudontmi
nd."
Me:
"Can'
twegot
omor
row?"
Hi
m:"Buti
t'
sst
il
lear
lyi
nthemor
ning."
Me:"Reall
y?"Iaskedwit
harai
sedeyebr
ow.
SeewhatImeanwheni sayI
'
m conf
usedasf
?
Me: "Well
canwefi
rstpassbymyhome.I
wanttocheckonmygran."
Hi
m:"Gobat
hthan.I
'
llgogi
veKeaherf
ormul
a.
"
Me:"Babapleasedontf
eedhertoomuch?I
don'
twantv
omi tonmyclot
hes."
Hi
m:"Ipr
omi
se."It
urnedandheadedback
upstair
swhereIfir
stbrushedmyt eethbefore
enteri
ngt het
ubthatwasf i
l
ledwi t
hwar m water
andf oam bat
h.OnceIwasdoneIwentbackt o
theroom whereIloti
onedmybodyt han
dressedinaredandwhi tetradi
ti
onalpri
nted
dresswi t
hwhite6inchheels.Iwasaboutt o
placeonmyear ri
ngswhenmyphoner ang.I
wonder edwhothepersoncoul dbebecauseno
onehasmynumberbutKar abo.Ididanswer
though.
Me:
"Hel
l
o?"
"Hel
l
o,Br
own?I
t'
sme.Gl
ori
a."
Me: "Oh.
..
hiMma."Godmyhear
tski
ppeda
beat
.
Glori
a:"BrownIam cal li
ngt ojustaskyouto
forgi
veme.WhatIdi dwaswr ong.Mysinsar e
catchi
ngupt omeandr ightnowIj ustaskfor
yourfor
giveness.I'
m sorry."Ikeptquiet
.Ididn'
t
evenknowwhatt osay.GloriaThobangwas
askingformyf or
giveness.Thatwassomet hing
Inev
ert
houghtwoul
dhappeni
nthi
sli
fet
ime.
Gl
ori
a:'
'Iknow.Isoundv
eryst
upi
d."St
il
lIkept
mymouthshut.
Glor
ia:"Donotjudge,andyouwil
lnotbe
j
udged.Donotcondemn, andyouwil
lnotbe
condemned.For
give,andyouwil
lbeforgi
ven.
SaysLUKE6v er
se37."sosheev enreadsthe
bi
ble?
Me: "Uhm.
.MmaIhav elongfor
givenyou.Ido
nothaveareasont
onotforgi
veyou.Youarean
amazingwoman.Deepinsi
de.
Gl
ori
a:"Keal
ebogahl
engwanaka.(
Thanky
ou
mychil
d)nowIcansl
eepi
npiece."
Me: "Ofcour
seMma.Doenj
oyt
her
estofy
our
day
."
Gl
ori
a:"Thanky
ou.Yout
oo."
Me: "Bye."Ihungupandpl acedmyphoneon
thedresser
.Istar
edatitforsometi
mebefore
chuckli
ng.Thatwasreal
lyunexpect
ed.I
fi
nishedwhatIwasdoi
ngt
hanheaded
downstai
rs.
Kar
abo:
"Yousur
elyt
ooky
ourownt
ime."
Me:"I
'
m sor
ry.Iwasont
hephonewi
thy
our
mot
her
."
Kar
abo:
"Mymot
her
?"
Me: "Yes.Yourmother
."helookedrat
her
di
sturbaft
erheari
ngthatIspoketohermom.
Kar
abo:
"Ar
eyousur
e?"
Me:
"100%."
Kar
abo:
"Whatdi
dshewant
?"
Me:"Nothingmuch.Shej
ustaskedf
ormy
f
orgi
veness."
Kar
abo:
"That
'sj
ust
.."hemadet
hisf
unnyl
ook.
Me:
"What
?!"Iaskedl
aughi
ng.
Karabo:"Unusual
.Mymot herisnotthetypet
o
askforf
orgi
veness.Unlessshewant stobe
cl
osetoaper sonandrackt hei
rli
feapart
."
Me:
"Real
l
y?"
Karabo:
"Iknowherbet
tert
hanany
one.She
rai
sedmeremember?"
Me:
"Ofcour
se."
Hetookmyhandandheadedout .Keawasin
hisarms.Att
hecarhewrappedheronthecar
seatanddrov
etothehospi
tal
.
Kar
abo
Atthehospitalaf
tert
hedoct ortookBrown's
bloodsampl eIwentoutsidetoanswerZy der'
s
call
.Hewasmost l
ytel
lingmeaboutt hebr aai
thathe'shosti
ngonThur sday.That
'sthr
eeday s
away .Onceourconversati
onwasov erI
bumpedi ntosomeone.
Him:"Hey!
!Dudewat
chwhereyou'
refucki
ng
goi
ng!"Ipi
ckedhi
scr
ackedphoneup.
Hi
m: "Thi
sisnothappeni
ng.Fuck!Yousick
pr
icky oubr
okemyphone!"Ilookedup.Hehad
asti
tchonhisfor
eheadandhisey elookedabi
t
pur
ple'
ish.Ibel
ievehewasi nv
olvedinafi
ght
andfunnythingisthatt
hisguyremindedmeof
mewheni was19.Igotintoareall
ybadfi
ght.
Me:
"I'
l
lbuyi
t."
Him:"Idon'
tneedy
ourmoneyokay
?Justan
apol
ogy."
Me:"Im sor
r y
."iseri
ousl
ydi
dn'twanttofi
ght
.I
mean,t
hisboywasl i
kea1compar ingtome.I
'd
ri
phi
m apart.He'
sangergotworse.Igethe
di
dn'
tgetthereacti
onhewanted.
Him: "Knowwhat?"hesnatchedhisphone
fr
om myhandsbef orewal
ki
ngaway ."Karabo?
"Itur
nedaround.Thatwasmyf at
her.
Me:
"Dad?Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
Hi
m:"Uhm.
..
Icamet
odosomet
est
s."
Me: "Whatt
ests?"hewasj ustsoshockedto
seemeandi twasli
kehedi dn'
twanttoseeme
here.Hewasdefi
nit
elyhi
dingsomething."Dad
areyoucomingornot?"t
hatwast herudeboy
agai
n.
Me:
"Dad?"
Dad:
"Kar
abo.
..
we.
..
we'
l
ltal
klat
er."
Me:
"Not
her
e'snol
ater
."
Dad:
"I'
l
lcal
lyou."
Me:"Dad!
!"Hedi
dn'
tev
ent
urnt
olookatme.
Hej
ustwal
kedaway.
Br
own
Someti
melaterKar
aboandthedoctorwal
ked
i
n.Kar
abowassomewhatdistur
bed.Icoul
dsee
i
tinhi
seyesbuthetr
iedsodamnhar dt
oput
onafr
ont.
Dr:
"Ihav
ether
esul
ts."
Kar
abo:
"Ok.Whatdoy
ouhav
eforme?"
Dr:"Idi
dacoupleoftest
sbecauseyousai
d
youwantedt
obeextrasurer
ightwhatt
he
probl
em i
sri
ght
?"
Kar
abo:
"Yea."
Dr:"Good!It
snotsomebugnoranyaller
gies.
Brown,youarepr
egnant
."t
omet hatsounded
l
ikeajoke.
Me: "Doct
orhowcanIbepr
egnant.Imean,
Kar
aboand-"Istoppedmi
dsentencewhenit
al
lcamebacktome.
Me:
"No!"Kar
aboandI
'
sey
esmet
.
Me: "Karabono!I
tcan'tbe.He..
.I
..
no!"thi
s
wasjustsomessedup.Howcani bepregnant
wi
thmyf ather
'schi
ld?Ican'tbe.I
tsjustso
wrong!
[
02/
11,
18:
32]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er31
Idi
dn'tknowwhatt osayandsodi dKarabo.We
j
ustlookedatt hedoctorastonished.Atthi
s
momentIj ustwant edtheearthtoswallowme.
Iwasn'treadytogethomeandanswert he
questi
onsKar abowi l
lthrowatme.Iknowf or
surealr
eadyhewant stodril
lmewi thmi l
li
on
questi
on.Thel ookonhi sfacesaysitall
.Finall
y
heclearshisthroataft
eramomentt hatfeltl
ike
f
orev
er.
Karabo:"Thanksdoc.That'
sal
lweneededt
o
know."Henodded.Idressedbefor
ecl
i
mbing
offthebed.Il
ookeddownandf i
ddl
edwit
hmy
fi
ngers.
Kar
abo:
"Sot
her
e'snot
hingweneedr
ight
?"
Dr:
"Ijustneedtowri
teyouaprescr
ipt
ionof
t
hevit
aminsthatyou'
l
lneedatt
hepharmacy."
Karabo:"Ok."Thedoctorwrot
ethe
prescr
ipt
iondownthenwemadeourwayoutof
thehospi
tal.Heopenedthedoorf
orme.
Me: "Thankyou."Ientered.Iwassur
prised.I
thoughtmaybehe'djustgettohisdr
iver
'sside
andspeedoff.Healsoent er
edthecar.
Karabo:"Ihavetomeetupwit
hPhumla.CanI
dropyouoffthanheadt
ohispl
ace?"
Me: "Ofcourse."hesaidnothi
ngaft
er.Hej
ust
star
tedtheignit
ionanddroveoutoft
he
hospit
alpremises.Att
hehouseItookKeafr
om
behi
ndandshewassl
eepi
ngbynow.
Me:
"IguessI
'
llseey
ouwheny
our
etur
n."
Hi
m:"Yep!"
Me:
"By
e."
Hi
m:"By
e."
Iclosedthedoorandwal kedinsidethehouse.
Atat imeli
ket hisialwayswishtohav eaf r
iend
thatIcouldtalktoaboutupsanddownsbut
nowIwasdeal i
ngwi t
hthem alone.Thatwas
ratherdepressing.Myphonewasn' tev en
i
nteresti
ngandKeawasal sosleeping.Tome,
thi
swasar iskymoment .Icannev ertell
whatI
willdotomy sel
fifIendupov erthi
nkingthings.
Kar
abo
AtPhuml
a'scr
ibipar
kedmycarandwentto
pr
essonthedoor
bell
.Par
isopenedt
hedoor.
Me:
"Ohy
ou'
reher
e?"
Par
is:
"Yeah."Ihuggedandki
ssedhercheek.
Par
is:
"YouknowPr
ett
y.She'
sal
way
sbor
ed."
Me:
"Tel
lmeabouti
t."Webot
hlaughedabi
t.
Me:
"IsZy
deral
soher
e?"
Par
is:"Yep!Theyar
eint
hebackhav
inga
smoke."
Me:"I'
l
lgot
othem af
terseei
ngPr
ett
y.Wher
e
i
sshe?"
"Ncawwhecar esaboutme."shesai
dcomi
ng
fr
om thel
ounge.
Me:
"Yeay
ea!"Ihuggedher
.
Pr
ett
y:"Wher
e'sBr
own?"
Me: "Backatt
hehouserest
ing.I
tsnotsucha
gooddayforever
yone."
Par
is:
"Pr
obl
em bei
ng?"
Me: "I
tsalongst
orybutdontwor
ry.I
tsnot
hing
ser
ious."
Pret
ty:"Okaybutnextt
imebr
ingheral
ong.I
l
ikethatone."
Me:
"Iwi
l
l.Letmegot
otheguy
s."
Pr
etty:"YeabutcanIbr
ingy
ousome
Hennessey?"
Me: "Whynot
."Iwal
kedtothebackwhereI
foundPhumlaandZyderr
elaxi
ngandalso
havingasmoke.
Me: "Gent
s!"Wedidourbr
otherhandshake
bef
oreitookmyseat.
Me:
"Hawzi
t?"
Phumla:"Not
hingmuch.Wejustdeci
dedt
o
chi
ll
bythehouseandnotgoout."
Zy
der:
"Pl
ust
hel
adi
esdon'
twantt
ogoout
."
Phumla: "Isomet i
mesjustwishthatIcouldgo
backtowhenPr et t
ywasn'tsurecommi tt
ed.I
meanbackt hanatt hi
sti
mewear eeither
fucki
ng?Att heclubpart
yingorhav i
ngajoint
toget
her.She'stoogrownf ormyliki
ng."
Zyder:"Oryouj
ustdon'
tl
ovehert
hewayt
hat
youdidbefor
e."
Phuml
a:"Trustme.Il
ovePr
ettysofucki
ng
muchbutbei
nginaseri
ousr
elati
onshi
pisn'
tso
me."
Me:"Youdoknowy
ou'
renotget
ti
ngay
ounger
r
ight
?"
Zy
der:
"Yeaman.You'
re25f
orGod'
ssake."
Phumla:"Asl ongasI'
m sti
ll
inthecal
endari
am youngman.Wheny ou'
reoldyoumustbe32
orsomething."Phumlaisonestubbor
nperson.
Youjustdon'tknowhowt ogettohim.
Zy
der:
"Yousuckman!"
Me:
"Toomuch."
Phuml a:"Mxm!Idontwanttocommi tt
oPret
ty
andat28I '
m al
readyti
redofher
.Lookat
Karabo,Owethuis17yearsol
dandhe's25.
Oncehe's30alreadyhewouldwanttomarr
y
anotherwoman."
Me:"YouandIar
etwodi
ff
erentpeopl
e.Il
ove
commit
mentandIl
ovemywifetodothatt
oher.
"
Phuml
a:"Doy
ou?"
Me:
"Toomuch!"
Phuml
a:"Howsur
ear
eyou?"
Me:
"Wehav
en'
thadsex
."
Zy
der:
"Fuck!Dudey
ou'
rel
yi
ngt
ome?"
Me:
"I'
m ser
iousandIl
ovehernev
ert
hel
ess."
Phumla:
"Saltispr
obablykil
li
ngyouman."I
ki
ckedhi
sfoot.Di
sadvantagesofwear
ingpush
i
n's.
Phuml
a:"Oow!"(
inpai
n)
Phuml
a:"Fuckwhydi
dyoudot
hat
?!"
Me:
"Youbet
tert
hinkt
wicewhent
alki
ngt
ome.
"
Phumla: "Ihateyouman."Ourconver
sat
ion
cont
inuedunt i
lisawt
hatit
sti
mef ormetonow
l
eave.Brownmustbev eryworri
edbynow.
Br
own
Thetimewas5h00whenKar aboarr
ived.Ihad
cookedsomepastaforhi
m anditwaswai ti
ng
forhi
mi nt
heoven.Iwasalr
eadyinmypy jamas
i
nt hebedr
oom whenhewalkedin.
Hi
m:"Hey
."
Me:
"Hey
."Hesatont
hebed.
Me: "Youhungry?"hisfacewasnowbur iedin
hishands.Hejustshookhishead.Iguesshe
hadnoappet i
teormay behejustdi
dn'tf
eel l
i
ke
eati
ngameal thatwascookedbyme.Idi dn't
knowwhatt odo.Itsnotli
kei
twasmychoi ceto
fal
lpregnant
.Thisbabywasconceivedinthe
worstwaypossible.
Me: "Iwasraped."Ok.Ineededmeant osay
that.Iwasthinkingit.Notwant i
ngtosayit.He
slowlyrai
sedhi sheadandl ookedatmelikehe
didnothearwhatIsai d.Hegav emeaf acethat
said"Saythatagai n...
justdon'
tleti
tbetr
ue."
orsomet hi
ngl i
ket hat.
Me: "Iwasraped.
..
bymyf
ather."Hi
sey
es
begantoglow.Washeabouttocry?
Me: "Iwentt oJohannesbur ghopingtofinda
j
oborev engetf inancialhelpfrom myfatherbut
no.Atfi
rsthej ustneglectedmeandact edasif
Idi
dnotexi stbutt henextt i
mehe. .
.hefor
ced
hi
mselfintome.Kar abot hisbabywas
concei
vedofr ape!"(cr ying)
Me:"Ididn'
tchooset
obepr egnant
.The
pr
egnancywascompelled.Youhavetobel
i
eve
me."
Hi
m: "Comeher e."heopenedhi sarms.I
movedcl
oserandl ethi
m wr aphiswarm arms
ar
oundme.Ijustsatthere,cry
ingli
ketherewas
notomor
row.Thiswasj ustsopainful
.
Me:
"Iwantt
oabor
t."i
wasst
il
li
nhi
sembr
ace.
Hi
m:"Ar
eyousur
e?"Inodded.
Me:"Ican'
tgiv
ebir
tht
omyf at
her
'schi
l
d.I
don'
twantt
hischi
l
dtogrowupwit
hmyhate
becauseKar
aboalreadyIhat
ethi
sbaby
."I
onceagai
ncried.
Me: "Idon'
twantherorhi m gr
owingupf eel
ing
l
ikeaburdenbecauset rut
hbet ol
d?Ifeelli
ke
thi
schil
disabur den.Myburden.Imaginethe
painI
'l
lbefaci
ngev erydaywhenIhavet orai
se
him?Karabo..
.Ican'
t."
Hi
m: "I
'
llsuppor
tyouinanyt
hingy
ouwant
Br
own.Beli
eveme."inodded.
Me: "Thankyou."hepl antedakissonmy
for
eheadbeforegoingbackt orubbingmy
for
ehead.Thi
sj ustfeltsogood.Anamazing
andalsounderstandinghusband.MyownGod
sentangel
.Icouldn'taskf ormore.
[
02/
11,
18:
33]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er32
Ifi
nishedchangingKea'
sdiaperthanpi
ckedher
up.Ifeltmanhandssnakearoundmywai stj
ust
wheni wasaboutt ot
urnandexitKea'
sroom.
YesKar abochangedonetheguestroomsint
o
Kea'sroom.Therewereafewt eddybear
sthere
andtherebutitdi
dn'treall
ylookli
keababy '
s
room butsoonwewi llturniti
ntoone.Icoul
d
tel
lbythecolognethatitwasKar abo.“You
smellgood.”Hesaidwi t
hhisbreathhit
ti
ngon
myneck.Ijustchuckled.
Me:
“Year
ight
.”i
tur
nedar
ound.
Hi
m:“Iam ser
ious.”
Me:“Ofcour
seyouare.Whendoy
ouev
erj
oke
ar
ound?”Hechuckl
ed.
Him:“Butyoudosmel lgoodthoughandt hi
s
vi
ewofy oupicki
ngKeaup.Itsjustbeaut
if
ul.
JustwhatIhavealway
swi shedfor.”
Me: “Doyouwanty
ourownki
ds?Ki
dst
hat
hav
ey ouremai
l
?”
Him: “Yesidowantki
dsbutIt
hinkyouandI
wil
lonlyhav
ekidswhenyouhavefi
nishedwi
th
school.”
Me:
“School
?”If
rowned.
Hi
m:“Yesschool
.”
Me:
“Idi
dn'
tev
ent
hinkaboutgoi
ngbackt
her
e.
”
Hi
m:“Why”Hef
oll
owedmeoutoft
her
oom.
Me:“Im notaschool
typeofpersonKar
abo.I
j
ustdon'
twanttogobacktothathell
hol
e.”
Him: “Youdon'thaveachoicebecausenext
yearwearegoingt otakearemove.You'
re
goingtoatt
endt hebestschool
.”
Me:
“Canwenott
alkaboutschool
?Pl
ease.”
Him:“You're17Brown.You'r
egoingtobein
matr
ix.Youshouldbecel
ebrati
ng.”ipl
aced
Keaont hecouchbef
orelooki
ngatKarabowho
wasstandingbehi
ndme.
Me:
“Okayf
ine!”Iexhal
ed.
Me:
“I'
l
lgot
oschool
.”
Him: “That'
smuchbet ter.Iwanty
out ofinish
schoolandgot ot
heuniversi
tyofyourchoice.
Wherehav ey oualway
swant edtogo?”Ibi tmy
l
owerl i
pthinking.
Me: “AAAschoolofadv
ert
isi
ng.I
t'
sin
Johannesbur
g.”
Hi
m:“Sowe'
regoi
ngt
omov
ether
e?”
Me:“Icanj
ustchooseaschool
her
esot
hat
wedon'
tmovearound.”
Him: “Nope!Idon'
tmindgoi
ngtostayin
Johannesburgagai
norwhydon'twemov e
therethanyoucanatt
endschoolt
here?Jo'
bur
g
i
st hecityofgol
dandit
swheredreamsare
found.”
Me:
“You'
rer
ight
.”
Him: “Soyea.Af
terourwhi
teweddingwewi
l
l
fi
rstgoonourhoneymoonthanmov eto
Johannesbur
gwithourdaught
er.”
Me:
“Ican'
twai
t.”Hepeckedmyl
i
ps.
Him:“Ican'
twai
ttoseey
oui
nyourgr
aduat
ion
gown.”
Me:“ican'
twaitt
oseemy selfinmywhi
te
gown.”Hesatdownfi
rstbeforepul
l
ingmeto
si
tonhi
slap.
Hi
m:“i
lov
eyouWet
hu.”
Me: “Il
oveyouOwam.”Imov edcloserand
gav
ehi m al
onglinger
ingtonguekiss.After
pul
l
ingoutIpinchedhisnose.
Hi
m:“Letmegomakey
ousomet
hingt
oeat
.”
Me:“NobabaIcangomaket
hebot
hofus
somet
hingt
oeat.”
Him:“PhansiOwet
hu.Iwantyoutorel
ax.I
hat
eitwhenyou'
reonyou'
refeet
.”isi
ghed
Me:
“Fi
ne!I
stheWi
Fir
out
eront
hough?”
Hi
m:“Yea.Whyt
hough?”
Me:
“Iwantt
odownl
oadsomeapps.”
Him: “Okay.”Heexitedther oom andIt ookmy
phoneanddownl oadedappsl i
keWhat sApp,
Facebook,I
nstagram andalsoIdownl oadt hat
songKarabolovessomuch.I tssangbyGnash
andthenamei sIhatey ouIloveyou.OnceI
wasdonedownl oadingIwentt ot heki tchent o
seewhatKar abowasbusydoi ng. ..Tuesday
camesoonerandt hi
sdayi st hedaywhenI
hav etoabor tt
hebabyt hatIwascar rying.I
didn'twantt obuti magi net hepai nI 'l
lgo
throughwhenIhav etor aiset hechi ldmyf ather
gav etome?Kar aboandIshower edt oget her
andIdar edt olookatwhatwasi nbet weenhi s
l
egs.Iwasj ustsoshyandheal sonot i
cedt hat.
Iwasi ndeni although.Iwant edhi m asbadas
hewant edme.Idr essedi ntoanudedr esswi t
h
blackgl adi atorsandal s.Onceev ery onewas
donewewentandgot teni ntoKar abo' sGLS.He
pressedpl ayont hecarscr eenandl ov ei si nthe
airbyMar ioWi nanspl ay ed.Heknewi tandI
knewi t.
..sowesangal ong.Forasecondt hereI
forgotaboutmyl ifeprobl ems.Al l Iwast hinking
aboutwasmygr owi ngl ov et owar dsKar abo.I
seriouslyl ov ethismanandal lthist imeI
thoughtIwasj usthal l
uci nat i
ngaboutmyl ove
towar dshi m.I t'sr ealandv eryst rongandt hat
feeli
ngonitsownwasphenomenal .Atthe
doctorasalwayswedi dn'twait.Wejustwent
throughtothedoctor'
soffice.Iwasscar edbut
thedoctordidrunmet hroughwhatwi llhappen
andIalsosignedsomepaper s.Termsand
conditi
onsandallthat
.Iwast akentoar oom
wher eIwaslai
ddown.Kar abowasi nhis
doctor'
sunifor
mt ooandhewasbymysi deal
l
thi
st i
me.That'
sallIneeded.Hi ssupport.
[
02/
11,
18:
33]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er33
Karabowalkedi nexact
lyat12h00meani ngI'
ve
beensleepingfor4hour smax.Icouldfeelthat
i
ndeedsomet hi
nghasbeendonet omybody .
Myhandswer esoweakandt henursehadsai d
thati
twast heAnastasia.Ithadki
ckedin
i
mmedi atelyaft
erI'
vewokenup.Myey eshad
deepened.Myhear trat
ewassosl owandmy
bodywasheat i
ngup.Ialsohadadr ythroat
whichobv i
ouslymadet hingsworseforme
whentryingtospeak.
Kar
abo:“Hey
.Howareyouf
eel
i
ng?
”Hepl
aced
hi
shandonmyfor
ehead.
Kar
abo:
“Damnbabyy
ouar
eheat
ingup!
”
Me: “Wa..t
..
er.”Hecouldunderstandbecause
hetookoutabot t
leofoasi
sf rom thepl
asti
c
bagthanhelpedmedr i
nkit.Icouldfeel
asit
passthoughitwasabitpainful.
Me:
“Bet
ter
.”Hesmi
l
ed.
Karabo:“Theabor
ti
onwasasuccess.Ij
ust
hadat al
kwit
hthedoct
or.”Isi
ghed.
Me:
“Iguess.”
Kar
abo:
“Youl
ooksadt
hough.”
Me: “If
eelli
keit
st her
ightt
hingy
ouknow?
Li
keIfeelbett
erthoughther
eisagli
mpseof
gui
lt
.”
Karabo: “Youdi
dwhatyouhadtodoBr
own.
Stopf eel
i
ngguil
tymyl
ove.”Heki
ssedmy
forehead.
Karabo:“YouandIwi l
lhaveki
dsonedayjust
notnow.Theonlythingyoushoul
dbescared
aboutisschool
.Iknowhowy ouranxi
eti
esare
soitsgoi
ngt obehardforyouwhenyouhaveto
gotoanewschool .”
Me: “Buthav
eyounot
icedhowbetterI
'
m
get
ti
ng?Theywerewor
sebefore.”
Karabo:“Yourgr
andmothert
oldme.Justno
oneknowsthereason.”
Me: “Ial
sodon'tknowt hereason.Justthat
whenIam ov er
stressedoroverthi
nkingthingsI
begintoei
therhypervent
il
ateorgetanxiety
att
acks.”
Karabo:“Al
lofthi
sbaby
.We'regoingt
obeat
toget
her
.”Itookhi
shandint
omi ne.
Me:
“Thanky
ou.”
Kar
abo:
“For
?”
Me:“Fir
stl
yforbei
nghusbandoft
hey
ear
..
.”
Hechuckl
ed.
Me: “Andsecondl y.Thanky ouf orbeingthi
s
suppor tive.Ibel
iev eifitwassomeguyhe
woul dhav eranof fli
keKea' sfatherdidwhenI
toldhi m Iwaspr egnant .Itwashar df ormet o
facesoci etyandal solookmy selfi
nt hemirr
or
whenIshowedbecauseIwasal one.Iwasa
disgracet oever
y bodybutIknowt hemomentI
fallpregnanty ou'l
l betheref ormeKar aboand
that'sjustwhatIneed.Asuppor tiv
ehusband.”
Hesmi ledandhedi dn'
tsaymuch.Hej ustsai
d
“Ipr omi sey ouyouwon' tregretany t
hingandI
alsol ovey ou.”bef orekissingmyt emple.
Me:
“Wher
e'smydaught
ert
hough?”
Karabo:“Wit
hy ourgrandmother.Ihavet
ogo
fet
chheronceyouar edischargedthenwewi
ll
gohomeandj ustenjoytherestoftheday
.”
Me:
“Whenwi
l
lIbedi
schar
ged?”
Kar
abo:“Anhourl
ess.Don'
tworry
.Youwon'
t
besl
eepi
ngher
e.”Isi
ghedinrel
i
ef.
Me:
“Ican'
tst
andhospi
tal
s!”Hechuckl
ed.
Karaboonceagai nl eftwhenher ecei vedacal l
fr
om hi sfatherandhepr omi sedt obeher e
whenIgetdi schar ged.I tseemedl iket he
mat terwascr uci
al judgingbyhi ssol emn
expressi onandhi st one.Thecal l wasn' ta
fr
iendl yoneandbyt hel ooksoft hings, Karabo
andhi sf atherdontgetal ong.Igeti t.Pushy
parent spushust oapoi ntwher ewecan' teven
standt hem.Notev eni nthesamer oom orev en
standbr eathingt hesameai rast hem andi t
wasl ikeI ngridcoul dper ceivemyt hought s
becauset hedoct orwal kedi nandsai d“Your
mot her”bef or ehandi ngt het el
ephonet ome.
Me:
“Hel
l
o?”
I
ngr
id:
“Wow!I.
..Ok.”
Me: “WhatI
ngri
d?”Alr
eadyIwasannoy
ed
aboutt
hefactt
hatsheexi
sted.
I
ngri
d:“Idi
dn'
tthinkthaty
ou'dagr
eeupon
t
alki
ngt
ome.”Ir oll
edmyey es.
Me:
“Di
dIhav
eachoi
ce?”
I
ngr
id:
“Yesy
oudi
dBr
own.”
Me:
“YouknowwhatIl
ove?”
I
ngr
id:
“What
?”
Me: “Peoplewhogettothepoi
nt!”Ir
aisedmy
voi
cealitt
leandthati
ssomethi
ngIdonot
cust
omar i
lydo.
Ingrid: “Browndon' ttal
kt omel iket hat!”That
righttherej ustcausedaav igorous
consci ousnesst ohowshehast hei nsol enceto
bet ell
ingmewhatt odo.Iwasangr yandhur tat
thesamet i
mesoIj ustendedt hecal l before
calli
ngt hedoct orandgav et het elephoneback
becausei fIhadpr olongedwi ththatcal lIwould
hav esai dsomet hingstoI ngridandr ightnowI
hav esinwayt oomucht obedi srespect ingmy
mot hert oputasi ntomyname.Ij ustdi dn't!
Thenur secamewhenshesawme
hy perventil
atingandshej ustdi dn'tknowwhat
todo.She' dsay" OMG!Justbr eat hinandout"
unl i
keanexper i
encedper sonwoul dr eact.I
bel
ieveshewasnew.Mypr ayer
swer eheard
whenKar abowalkedinholdinganotherbag
whichprobabl
yhadmor efoodtomebutt hat
wastheleastofmyt houghts.ThismomentI
fel
tli
kemyhear twasaboutt oburstoutofmy
chest!
!!
Karabo:
“Ok.You'redoi
ngbet
terbaby
.”He
ki
ssedmyforehead.
Karabo: "Bet
ter.”Af
tercal
mingdownabitI
cri
ed.IhatethesedayswhenIhavetodealwi
th
somethingthatIknowIcan'tcometogr
ipswit
h.
Karabo:“Whathappened?”Hewasrest
inghi
s
chinonmyhead.Hewasn'tpressi
ngt
oomuch
formetofeel
pain.
Me:
“Mymom cal
l
ed.”
Kar
abo:
“And?”
Me:“Ididn'
twanttotalktoherbecauseev
ery
ti
meherandI'si
nter
twinedsendwi t
han
al
ter
cat
ion.”
Karabo:“Nextt
imeshemustcomefacet
o
facewit
hyou.Phonecal
l
sjustcr
eat
eabarr
ier
.
”
Me:
“Idoubtt
hatI
'
mreadyt
ospeakt
oher
.”
Karabo:“Thenshemustwaitti
l
lyou'
reready.”
Heleanedandtookthej
uicef
rom t
heplasti
c
bagandhandedittome.
Anhourl aterIwasi nthecarwi t
hKar abowho
wasdr iv
ingushome.Wef i
rstwentandt ook
Keaatmom' sandwesatabi ttotalkandItold
heraboutIngr idandshepr omi sedt ohavea
wordwi thher .Wel eftwhenPhuml acall
ed
Karabodemandi ngforust oar ri
vehomequi ckl
y
andIgott olear nedthatt hereasonhewas
suchanui sancewasbecauset heyhadmadea
braaiforus.Appar ent l
yitss“Wel comeback”
barbeque.Itwasst upidbutt hat'
sj usthowtheir
fri
endshipIs.Theyar ejustsof ondofeach
otherandIwasnowpar tofthef amilybecause
theywer ealsosof ondofme.
[
02/
11,
18:
33]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er34
“Needanyhelp?”Iwasinthekitchendi
shing
upformysel
f.IhadeatenbutthefoodIwas
gi
venwerejustnotenoughhenceIcamef or
more.
Me:
“Uhm .
..
no.I
'
m okay
.”
Pari
s:“Ok.Soareyoufeel
i
nganybett
er?Isaw
howweaky ouwerewhenyouwalkedi
nthe
door.”
Me:“Iam exhaustedbutIdon'
twantt
osleep
nowbecauseatnightIwil
lst
ruggl
etocat
ch
somesleep.”
Par
is:
“Okay
.”Shesatont
hebarst
ool
.
Pari
s:“I
'
vebeenmeaningt
oask.Wher
edi
d
youandKar
abomeet.”
Me:
“It
sabor
ingst
ory
.”
Pari
s:“Il
ovebor
ingst
ori
es.Nowt
ell
me.”I
chuckl
ed.
Me:“Ok.Wel
l.
..”Wit
hnodet
ail
lef
toutIbegan
t
otel
lhermystory
.
Kar
abo'
spoi
ntofv
iew
“Sowher e'
sMrr
ichguy
?Itsbeenawhi
l
e.”I
askedasIwasoutsi
dewit
hthegent
shavi
nga
fewbeers.
Phuml a:
“He' sst
il
lanui
sancetomyl i
feman
butyouknowonet hingt
hatIal
mostf el
lfor
whenhel ookedforsomeoff
erthatIcoul
dnot
resi
st?”
Me:
“What
?”
Zy
der: “Hewrot
eoutchecksshowi
ngushow
muchwewi l
lear
ningj
usttodothi
swhol
e
missi
onthi
ng.”
Me: “Tr
uthbet old?Idon'
tseemy sel
fgoing
backtothatl
if
e.Itsnotjustgoi
ngtobea
dangert
omebutal somywi feanddaughter
.I
can'
tputBrownt hroughwhatIputTshego.I
j
ustcan'
t.”
Zyder:“Andwesuppor
tyouSny
perpr
omi
sed
totakeyourspot
.”
Me:
“WhoaaaSny
per
?TheeZambr
oski
eMay
er?
”
Zy
der:
“Yep!”
Me: “How?It houghthehadwenttothe
mil
it
aryandaft erl
osi
nghismotherov
erthat
hei
stIthoughthe'dneverr
etur
ntoSouthAfr
ica
agai
n.”
Phuml a:“Wel l
hei sbackandbet t
er.”
Zambr oskieMay er
?Soundsscar yhey.Thetwi
n
ofZaineMay er.Thetwobadbr othersofthe
game.Theycal lmegunnerbecauseIshoton
aneagl e'
sanglebuthei sthebaddestont hat
range.He'snotjustagoodf ighter,heshoot
s
andal sohasav eryhighIQ.That'sthetypeof
guyy ouwantwheny ouwanty ou'reaboutto
makeahei st
.Robabankmay be?
Me:
“I'
m st
il
lshook.Wher
e'sZai
net
hough?”
Zyder:“YouknowZai ne.Nobodycanknow
wherehei sorwhathei splanni
ngbutIcantel
l
youonet hi
ng.Onceheknowst hathistwi
n
brot
herisjoi
ningtheSout hAfri
canforcehewi
ll
appearthenruinever
ything.”Ichuckl
ed.
Me: “That
'sj
ustZai
netoev
erybodyman.He
dest
royswhenhefeel
sli
keit
.”
Br
own'
spoi
ntofv
iew
“NcawwI
'
mjeal
ous!”Il
aughed.
Me:
“It
snotasbadasi
tsoundst
houghr
ight
?”
Par
is:“Yep!ThoughIwishIwasy
ou.”We
l
aughed.Thedoorbel
lwentof
f.
Me: “Letmegoseewhot hatcouldbe.”I
cl
imbeddownt hebarstoolthenheadedt othe
door.Iopened.Someguywasbehi ndthedoor
holdi
ngabouquetoff lowers.Hehadbl acklong
dreadlocksandGodIcoul ddieifhewer eto
sl
apme.Imeanhi sphy si
queisofsomeone
whoi sagy mfreak.Hewasn'talonethough.He
haday
oungv
isi
onofhi
m.
Me:
“Ohhi
.”
Hi
m:“Uhm hi
.YoumustbeBr
own.”
Me:
“Yes.That
'sme.”
Hi
m:“I
'
m Scar
.Kar
abo'
sfr
iend.”
Me:“Ohyes.Comei
n.”Imadeawayf
orhi
m
t
ocomein.
Him:“Thi
sismysonLuxol
o.Sonsayhi
to
aunt
yBrown.”
Luxol
o:“Hi
aunt
yBr
own.”
Me:
“Hel
l
oboyboy
.”
Luxol
o:“Babandi
cel
aphoney
am.”
Scar:“Notnow.I'
l
l giv
eittoy ouwhenwe-”He
di
dn'tev
engettofinishhissentencebecause
Pari
sappearedandsheexci tedl
ycameand
pi
ckedtheboyup.Ohy esit
'
sherson.
Par
is:“MtanakaMma.Unjanboy?”hesai
d
not
hingbutj
usthuggedhi
smother
.
Par
is:
“Iguesshemissedmehey .”Godt
he
l
ookonherfacewasj
ustpr
icel
ess.
Scar:
“Don'
tsqueezemysont
oot
ight
.”
Pari
s:“Ther
eisnoneedforthatScar
.Ij
ust
missedmyson.”Hesai
dnot hi
ngbackbutj
ust
st
aredatPar
iswit
hali
fethreat
eningl
ook.
Par
is:
“Boywoul
dyoul
i
kesomef
ood?”
Scar:
“Heat
e.”
Pari
s:“Owwwkay .Thenwewil
ljustgowat
ch
TV.Let
'sgo.”HerandLuxol
odisappear
edi
nto
thel
ounge.
Me: “Theother
sareout
side.”Hesaidnothi
ng
butjustf
oll
owed.Hei
sveryinti
midat
ingand
ther
ewasdoubtwhathisnamemeant .
S'ne:“Scar!
!”Shegotupandcamet ogivehi
m
ahug.Ev er
yonecameandgav ehim hugsand
theyalsodidthei
rsecrethandshakewith
Phumlaandal soKarabo.
Phuml
a:“It
houghty
ouhadt
obei
nCuba.”
Scar:“Iwaspl
anni
ngonfly
ingoutt
oni
ght
.I
j
ustneededtosaymygoodbyestoy
ouguys.”
Phuml
a:“Don'
twor
ry.Soonwe'
l
lbej
oini
ngy
ou.
”
Scar:“I
t'
ll
bebettercauseIcan'tsequeltothi
s
missi
onwithoutmyboy s!”theguyswentand
satbypoolwhil
eust heladi
eswenti nsi
dethe
house.
S'
ne:
“Wher
e'sPar
is?”
Me:
“Bondi
ngwi
thherbabyi
nthel
ounge.”
Pret
ty:“Shemustbesohappyt
hough.Scar
doesn'
treal
l
yal
lowourgi
rlt
oseeherson.”
Me:
“Why
?”
S'ne:“Hehasi
ssuest
hatonebutwe'
real
lused
tohim.”
Me:
“Idon'
tl
iket
hewayhet
reat
shert
hough.”
S'
ne:
“Hei
sahar
dnutt
ocr
ack.”
Thedaywentbypr
ett
yfast
.Thenextt
hingI
knowi t
sWednesdayandt hisiswhenIhav et o
takethiswholeweddi ngt hingser i
ous.Ihad
spokent otheweddi ngplannerandshe
promisedt ocomel atertodaysoIusedt hef ew
hoursIhadt ogoandcheckoutt heweddi ng
dressesalonesinceGr andmawasbaby sit
ting
forme.Hl umiejustdisappear edint hi
nai r
.
Karaboi snotal
lowedt oseet hedr essesand
Parisandt heothershadwor kt odosoIwas
alone.Iarri
vedattheweddi ngbout iqueand
checkedoutal l
t hedressesunt i
lIfoundmy
i
deal one.
[
02/
11,
18:
33]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er35
“Lookaty ourfeetBrown.Theyareswol l
en!”
Monscol dedandIj ustl
aughedathowdr amat ic
shewasbei ngatt hi
smoment .Myf eetwere
j
ustfine.Idontknowwhatmom wasseei ng
thatIcouldnotsee.Wewer enowsi tti
ngbyt he
porchandshebr oughtussomel emonj uice.It
wascol danditwasj ustwhatIneededaftera
l
ongbusyday .
Me:“Theyarenotthatbadt
houghMma.”She
cl
appedherhandsonce.
Mom :
“Joh!Any
wayhasy
ourhusbandcal
l
ed?
”
Me: “HedidcallasIwasint
hetaxi
that
broughtmehere.Hesaidhewasathisnew
surger
ychecki
ngi tout
.”
Mom :
“Newsur
ger
y?”
Me:“Karaboi
sadoct
or.Hehasbeensavi
ng
upmoneytobuyasur
geryandl
astni
ghtIheard
hi
m speaki
ngt
osomeguywhohadhisonsal e
si
ncehewasbankr
upt
.”
Mom :
“ButKar
abol
ovest
ospendneh?”
Me:“Butnowhei
sspendi
ngt
omakemor
e
Mma.”
Mom : “NoI
'
mjustsay
ingt
hathel
ovest
o
spend.”
Me: “Butheuseshi
smoneyt
ogooduse.”She
gav
emeacockysmi l
e.
Me:
“HawuuMma!”Shel
aughed.
Me:“Don'thav
ethosetypesoft
hought
stuu.”
Shecont
inuedtol
augh.
Mom :
“Idontknowwhaty
ou'
retal
ki
ngabout
Br
own..”Shet
ookasi
ponherlemonade.
Mom :“SotheDecemberhol
i
day
sareendi
ngi
n
2weeksti
me.Areyoureadyt
ogobackt
o
school
?”Isi
ghed.
Me: “Kar
aboandIspokeaboutt
hattheot
her
day
.Heof f
eredt
otakemetoschool.”
Mom :
“Andwhatdidyousay
?”If
ir
stl
ytooka
si
ponmylemonade.
Me:
“Iagr
eed.”Shesmi
l
ed.
Mom :
“Thanky
ou.”
Me:
“For
?”
Mom :“Forwant
ingtotakeagoodst epi
nto
maki
nganamef oryour
sel f
.Iam v
eryhappyfor
youmychil
dandy oupr
ov edusallwr
ong.
ThoughIdidnotsecondt houghty ouIknowyou
provedawhol elotofpeoplewr ong.Li
keyour
mot her
.”Isighed.Iser
iouslydidnotwantto
touchonaboutherandIt hankedmyGod' s
whenKar abo'ssil
verMerc-ccl assdrovei
nour
yard.
Mom :“Ibel
i
evehecan'
tst
ayawayf
rom y
ou.”I
chuckl
ed.
Me:“He'stooattached.”Hewal kedout
l
ooki
ngallgoodinf or
mal wear.Isel
dom see
myhusbanddressedi nfor
mal wearunlesshe'
s
i
nhisdoctor
'scoat.Heisn'tt
het y
petodr essi
n
f
ormal.Hefi
nall
ygott ous.
Hi
m:“Mol
o.”
Mom :
“Hel
l
oson.”
Me: “Heydoct
orThobang."Heki
ssedmy
f
orehead.
Hi
m:“Mr
sThobang.Youl
ookt
ir
ed.”
Me:
“Iam.”
Hi
m: “You'
l
lrestoncewe'r
ehome.Ar
eyou
r
eadytogo?”Iglancedatmom.
Me:“MamaIwill
seeyout
omor
rownehwhenI
comehel
pyoubake.”
Mom : “By ebyemydar l
ing.”Karabohelpedme
up.Hesai dhisgoodbyet henwebot hwalkedto
thepassengersidetogether.Heopenedt he
doorformeandIt hankedhim.Hehadn' tcame
alone.Hehadsomeboywi thhim.Iguessits
hisbrotherbecausetheylookedratherali
kebut
Karabot ol
dmehewast heonlyboythough?If
notthenwho' she?
Me: “Uhm hi.”Whenhedidn'tanswerIgota
bi
tdisappoi
ntedbutIlear
nedt hathehad
headphoneson.KaraboenteredthecarandI
di
dn'tneedtov er
bal
lyaskhim whothis
str
angerwas.
Karabo: “Mh!Thi
sisKamogel
o.Myy
ounger
brother
.”
Me:
“Younev
ert
oldmey
ouhadabr
other
?”
Karabo:“Hewashi
ddenbymyf
atherf
ort
he
pastyear
s.”
Me:
“Howol
dishe?”
Kar
abo:
“17.”
Me:
“Ok,
butwher
edi
dyouf
indhi
m?”
Kar
abo:“I
nthestr
eet
shangi
ngar
oundwi
th
someny
aopeboys.”
“Theywer enotnyaopeboysKarabo!“It
urned
aroundstunned.Hedoesn'
tjusthaveKar
abo's
resembl
esbutheal sospokeli
kehim.Notso
butthedeeptonewast her
e.
Kar
abo:“mi
ndy
ourbusi
nesswhent
heel
der
s
ar
etal
ki
ng.”
Kamo:
“Ihat
eyouman.”
Karabo:“Icanst
opthi
scary
ouknow!”He
keptqui
etandwentbackt
obeingbusywi
thhi
s
phone.
Wef
inal
l
yar
ri
vedhome.Iwast
hef
ir
stcl
i
mb
outandlef
tthet
wobr ot
her
stot
alkwhi
l
eIwent
i
nsideandshowered.
.
Kar
abo
Me:“You'r
ethiscloset
opi
ssi
ngmeKamogel o!
”Isai
dshowinghim wit
hmyindexf
ingerand
t
humbt hedi
stance.
Me: “Iam yourbrotherandIcareaboutmy
blood.Icoul
dnotjustleaveyouthere
wonder i
nginthestreet
slikeyoudon'
thavea
family
.Idontevenseear easonwhyy oushoul
d
givemeanat ti
tude.”hekeptquietf
orsome
ti
me.
Hi
m:“CanIgonow?”
Me:
“Wher
e?”
Him: “Ibel
iev
ey oudidn'
tbri
ngmeheretost
ay
out
side.”Imov edoutofthewaythenhe
walkedinsi
dethehouse.Ifol
lowed.
Me:
“Wher
ehav
eyoubeenschool
i
ng?”
Hi
m:“I
nthi
sot
herschool
that
sinChar
lo.”
Me: “Whatdoyouthi
nkofgoingtoGermanyor
LosAngel
es.Ihav
eagentsthere.
..
well
dad
doesbuti
tdoesn'
tmatter
.”
Hi
m: “You'
reki
ddi
ngmer i
ght
?Whatt
hehel
l
makesyouthi
nkIwantt
oleav
ehome?!”
Me:
“Bet
tereducat
ionper
haps.”
Hi
m:“Fi
ne!”
Me:
“Fi
ne?”
Hi
m: “What?Didyouwantmetosayno.”I
si
ghed.Ij
ustcoul
dn'
twi
ththi
sboy
.
Me: “Letmel eav ebeforeIbusty ourfaceopen!
”Igotupst ai
rsandIf oundBr ownbusy
l
otioningherbody .Shewasst andingnakedi n
fr
ontoft hemi r
ror.Icouldn'thelpbutadmi re
herbeaut i
fulstretchmar kst hatwer eonher
behind.Tomet hat'
sthemostbeaut if
ul
mast erpi
ecemyey ehasi nteractedwith.Iwent
tostandbehi ndhert hick,shor tbody.Itookthe
Chanel containerthenIlot i
onedherback.
Sl
owlyandseduct
ivel
yjusttot
urnheronabi
t.
OnceIwasdoneshedr essedi
nmyCal v
in
Kl
ein'
swit
hmyshirt.
Me:“Letmemassageyourfeet
.”Shesaton
t
hebedthenpl
acedherf
eetonmyl ap.Ibegan
t
omassageher.
[
02/
11,
18:
34]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er36
I
t s2am inthemor ningandIam hear ingsome
weirdsoundscomi ngf rom downstair
s.Kar abo
i
si ndeepsleepnextt ome.Ishakehi m af ew
ti
messot hathecoul dgoandseewhowas
downstair
sorwhatt hesoundsar e.“Karabo?
Baba?”Isayshaki nghim.“ Hmm!”i nirri
tation
hegroansl i
kethat.“Ithinkther
eissomeone
downstair
s.”Rightnowadr enal
inerushhas
takenover.Hereachesf orhi
sphonet hatisby
theheadboardt henhecheckssomet hing
beforespeaking“Babyj ustgosleep.”
“Soyou'
renotgoi
ngtocheckformewhois
downst
air
s?”Iam morethanscar
edand
Kar
abodoesn'
tseem t
ocar
e.
“It
snoone.Ipr omiseyou.”Het hengoesback
tosleep.Ican' tsl
eepknowi ngt hatt
herei
sa
possibil
it
yt hatsomeonemi ghtbeinthehouse
andpr obablyt hei
ntrudermi ghthaveamot i
ve
tokil
l.Itosst hecoversasidet henslowl
yand
qui
et l
yIt i
pt oedownt hehallway .
“Ithi
nkthat'
sallofthem.”Afamili
arvoicesays
fr
om thelounge.OnceI'm byt
hestair
sIclearl
y
onanopenv iewseeScarandPhuml ai nthe
l
ounge.Ther oom has7bigblackbagsandon
Scar'
sheadlookslikesomewhatabal acl
ava.
Phumla:“Uhm .
..
Brown.Didwewakeyou?”I
saynot
hingbutj
uststareathi
m.Myquesti
on
waswhatweretheydoinghereat2am i
nthe
morni
ng.
Phumla:“Brown?”Heexpect
sanot
heranswer
butIj
ustconti
nuet
ostar
e.
Scar:“Ithinkyoushoul
dgobackt
osl
eep.”He
doesn'
tthink.Heiscommandi
ngmetoleav
e
si
ghtandgosl
eepbutIf
reeze.
Scar:“Brown.
.”Hedoesn'
tfi
nishup.Heends
atmynameandgi vesmeadeat hpromisi
ng
star
e.Ir
unbacktothebedr
oom andIl ockthe
doorbehi
ndme.
“Kar
abo!”Mychesti
spumpi
ngupdown.
Me:“Kar
abo!”NowIam pi
ssed.Imar
chtohi
s
si
deandsl
aphim af
ewti
mesunt i
lhei
saway.
“Baby
yymar
nie!What
?!”
Me:
“Dontshoutatmel
i
ket
hat
!Fi
rst
ly,
okay
?”
Kar
abo:
“I'
m sor
ry.”
Me:“Secondl
ygetridofyourfr
iends.Theyar
e
cr
eepi
ngmeout .”Igetundert
hecov ersandhe
st
andsupfrom t
hebed.
Kar
abo
Ipl
acedonmysilkgownthenwenttocheck
whatPhumlaandZyderarebusydoi
ng
downst
air
s.Al
readytheywerecount
ingt
he
cashwhenIwalkedi
n.I
nst
eadofZy
derbei
ng
here,
itwasScar
.
Me:“Dudear
en'
tyousupposedt
obeona
f
li
ghtt
oCuba?”
Scar:“Ineedt
osortoutsomet
hingsbef
ore
actual
l
ymov i
ngtoCuba.”
Me:
“Oh!”Icheckt
hebags.
Me:
“Sev
en?That
'sal
ot.”
Phumla:“Eachcont
ains5mi
l
.Imagi
neman!”I
chuckl
e.
Me:
“I'
mimpr
essed.”
Scar: “I
tisagreatdealbutweneedawayt o
getthemoneyt obet r
ansfer
edinouraccounts
withthebanknotknowi ngwherewegotit.Iam
brokesot heywil
lobvi
ouslystar
twonderi
ng
around.”
Phuml
a:“Weneedamul t
imilt
ohelpt
ransf
er
thi
smoney
.”Theybot
hlookedatme.
Me:
“Ican'
tguy
s.”
Scar:“Great!You'
l
lgotot hebankanddeposi
ts
al
lofthi
s.Right?”OnethingaboutScar
?Anoi s
syesanday esi sano.Youjustdon'
t
under
standhi m.
Me: “Fi
nebutt
hisi
sthel
astf
avort
hatIam
doi
ng.”
Scar:
“Cool
!”Hest
oodup.
Scar:
“Tomor
rowr
ight
?”
Me:“YeahbutIwi
ll
needbackup.Ican'
tbe
wonder
ingar
oundwit
h35mill
ion.”
Scar:
“SkaraandZyderwi
l
lhav
eyourback
man.Dontworr
y.”
Me:“Cool
than.Ishoul
dgobackt
obedbef
ore
t
hewif
ecomesslapmeagain.”
Scar:
“Shesl
appedy
ou?”Inodded.
Scar:“Shame!”Ial
sostoodupandwent
upstai
rswher
eIquiet
lygotundert
hecov
ers
notwant
ingt
owakeBr
own.
Br
own
I
nt hemorni
ngIwokeupt hesametimeas
Karabo.HetookashowerandItookabath.He
fi
nisheddr
essingbef
oreme.Iwasstil
ll
oti
oning
mybody .
“Wi
l
lIdr
opy
ouaty
ourgr
andma'
s?”
Me:“Yes.”If
inal
l
yf i
nishedt
henwewent
downst
air
s.If
ir
statebeforewegoti
ntheJeep
Cher
okee.
Kar
abo:“Reawil
lcomehelpyouokay?She
cal
l
edaski
ngaboutyourwher
eabouts.”
Me:
“OkaybutIdi
dn'
tseeKamo.”
Kar
abo:
“Hewassl
eepi
ng.”
Me:
“Ok.DoesReaknowwher
eIst
ay?”
Kar
abo:
“Mom i
staki
ngher
.”
Me:
“Yourmom?”
Kar
abo:
“Yes.”
Me:
“Oh.”
Karabo:“Dontwor
ry.
.”Hehel
dmyhandand
ki
ssedit
.
Karabo:“Shewi l
ldef
ini
tel
ynotgiv
ey outroubl
e.
Idi
scussedthatwithher
.Ifshedi
srespectyou
she'snotcomingtoourweddingnorevenbeing
partofit
.”
Me:
“ButKar
aboshe'
syourmom.”
Karabo:“Godgav emey ouBrown.Hesai
dI
shouldprot
ectyou.Lov
ey ou.Makeyouhappy.I
can'tl
etanyonebeinmywayofmymi ssi
on.”
Isi
ghed.
Me:“Ok.Igeti
tandIrespectwhaty
ou'redoi
ng
Owam butpl
easedon'
tbehushonher .”
Karabo:“Ipromiseyou.”Atmyhomehewent
andsaidhisgreet
ingstoKeabef oreleavi
ng.
Mom hadapast orwiththough.PastorOwenhe
i
ntroducedhi
msel f
.Heisnoor di
nar ypastor
though.Heseeswhatahumaney edoesnot
see.Wewer eint
helounge.Wewerehavi
ng
glassesofcokewhi
l
egr andmahadtea.
Owen:
“Br
own.
..
youneedt
orepent
.”
Me:
“Oh?”Igav
ehi
m al
ookofconf
usi
on.
Owen: “Yousinned.Youneedt orepentbef
ore
Satanusest hatlit
tl
ecracktogettoyouand
tur
ny ouintosomet hingweakagain.Making
youthatgirlthatthouhtshewasnotenough.
Youknowhowy ouwerebefor
er i
ght?”Icl
eared
myt hroat.
Me:
“Yes.”
Owen: “Youneedtorepent
.Youhavea
beauti
ful
powerful
gif
t.Onethat'
srar
e.Donot
l
etSatantakeoneGodhasgi v
ent oy
ou.”Isai
d
nothi
ng.
Owen:“Andyourhusband.Hehasforgot
ten
hi
sbel
i
ef.”Igavehi
m aquesti
oninglook.
Owen:
“Hewentf
rom power
ful
tononr
iot
ous.
”
Me:
“Oh!”
Owen:“Shall
wepleasepr
ay?”Thet
hreeofus
l
ockedhandsthent
hepast
orbegant
opray.
-200comment
sguy
s.
[
02/
11,
18:
34]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er37
Kar
abo
Brownwasal l overmymi nd.I v
ebeenwi tht he
guy saft
ergoi ngt ot hebankt odeposi tthecash
i
nmyaccountandaf terwedeci dedt ogot o
somef usionbarandwej ustsatt heredrinking
beerandhav i
ngami ndblowi ngconv ersation
butIfoundmy selfbei nginmyowncomf ort
zoneandt houghtaboutmywi fe.Herbeaut iful
genuinehy pnot i
zingsmi l
e.Hert inyfaceandher
i
mper fectbutsoper fectteetht hatwi llsurely
needbr acesbutIcar edlessaboutt hat.She's
beautif
ul nevertheless.Andl astlyherbody .God
i
sj ustsoamazi ngt ohav ebl essedmemesuch
anamazi ngsoul .IjustwonderwhatIwoul ddo
i
fitcamet oapoi ntwher ebyoneofuswer et o
l
eave.Ideci
dedupont
obr ushthet
houghtaway.
Idi
dn'twantt
obedepressedatati
melikethi
s.
Zyder:
“Iguesssomeonei
sint
hei
rown
comfor
tzone.
”
Phumla:“He'
sprobabl
ythi
nningofthenew
st
ylehe'
l
lbefucki
ngBrown.”Thefourofthem
l
aughed.
Me:
“Tr
ueman!”Iwor
senedt
hei
rlaught
er.
Scar:
“Ihopey
our
eacht
hegspotmyG!”
Me:“Cany'
al
lj
ustshutupnow?Li
ke.
..
Ican'
t
kal
ona.”
Akani:“Dontworr
ybecause2oclockis
coming.”If
eltahandcar
essthesideofmy
hand.Iwasabouttobi
teoffsomebody'
shead
butIl
earnedthati
twasTshego.
Tshego:“Hel l
ogentl
emen.”Theygreetedher
butScarkepthismouthshut.Scari
sn'
treal
ly
thetypetoli
keanytypi
calwomanorev ena
cert
ainperson.He'
snotjustpi
ckyingi
rl
fri
end'
s
butal
sopeopl
ehesoci
ali
zewi
th.
Tshego:
“Hi
Scar
.”
Scar:
“Hi
.”
Tshego:
“Youst
il
lhat
eme?”
Scar:“Canyouleave?Thi
sherei
sguyswho
areseri
ousaboutli
feandnotr
oamingar
ound
l
osingthei
rpotent
!”
Tshego:
“Kar
abopl
easecomesi
twi
thmet
han.
”
Scar:
“Hecan'
t.”
Tshego:“Iwasn'
ttal
ki
ngt oyou!”Scarst
ood
upandforasecondther
ewet houghthewas
goi
ngtoslapherbuthejustwalkedaway.
Akani:
“Whatwentdownbet
weent
het
woof
kahl
e?”
Tshego:“Haven'
tyounoti
ced?All
thegi
rl
s
KarabohasbeenwithScarhat
es.”
Zy
der:
“Fi
gur
es.”
Me: “ButnotBr
ownt
hough.Heact
ual
l
yli
kes
her
.”
Tshego:
“May
behewant
sher
.”
Me: “Wrong!BecauseImar
ri
ed.”Thatmade
herangr
y.

Tshego:
“What
ever
.I'
m out
.”Shebegant
o
walk.
Me:
“OhcomeonTshego!”Ichuckl
ed.
Phuml
a:“Idon'
tl
ikeher
.”
Skar
a:“Makest
het
woofus.”
Akani
:“Youshoul
dnotgetbackt
oget
herwi
th
herman.”
Me:“Tr
ustme.That
'snev
erhappeni
ng.”It
ook
asi
ponmyHennessey.
Phumla:“Goodbecausei
fyoudoIam
def
ini
tel
ybreaki
ngy'
all
up.”
Me:
“Ipr
omi
sey
oumyG.”Scarf
inal
l
ycame
backandwewentbackt
ohav
inganew
conver
sat
ion.
Br
own
“Godt
hatr
ingi
sbeaut
if
ul.”
Me:
“ThankyouRea.Yourbr
otherknowshow
t
opi
ckhey.”
Rea:“Iunder
est
imat
edhim shame.It
hought
hewasgoingtomarr
ythatskankofhi
s.”
Me:
“Who?”
Rea:“Tshego.Ar
gh!EvenwhenIhearher
nameIgetannoyed.”
Gl
ori
a:“Reast
opi
t!”
Rea:
“Nomama.Tr
uthi
sthet
rut
h!”
Gl
ori
a:“Okaybutwhyt
alkaboutheri
nsucha
manner
?”
Rea:
“Mamaareyousti
ll
stuckupaboutt
hat
womanbei
ngy
ourdaughteri
nlaw?”
Gl
ori
a:“Ofcour
senot
!ButTshegohasal
way
s
showedmer espectsoIdonothav
ear
easont
o
notbackherup.”
Rea:“Okke.”Wewer einthekit
chenand
Glor
iatookthestandtobake.ReaandIwere
j
ustwat chi
ng.Grandmawaswi thsomefri
end
ofhersintheloungehav
ingaconv er
sat
ionand
TimothyhadKea.Hehadnoi ntenti
onsongoing
backhomet hatone.
Gl
ori
a: “Brownmydar
li
ng,
pleasecomehel
p
mehere..
”
Me:
“Ok.”
Glor
ia:
“Andt
akey
ourr
ingof
f.That
'
spl
ati
num
skat
.”
Rea:“It
snotl
i
keKar
abocan'
taf
for
danot
her
one.”
Glor
ia:“Justshutupwena!”Iplacedt
hering
downonasaf eplacebef
orehelpingGl
ori
a.Her
husbandwalkedinandIdi
dn'tthi
nkhe'
dcome
si
ncehesaidhewant ednothi
ngt odowit
ht hi
s
marr
iage.Heevenbroughtsomef
lower
sforI
andawhi t
eteddybearf
orKea.
Eri
c:“IfIknewhersi
zeIwoul
dhav
ewentand
boughthersomeclot
hes.”
Gl
ori
a:“Youshoul
dhav
ecal
l
edme.”
Eri
c:“Iwi
l
ltakehershoppi
ngwi
thmewhen
she'
swhat
?5?Howol disKeaBr
own?
Me:
“She'
sjust2mont
hs.”
Eri
c: “Kit
socan'
tst
optal
ki
ngabouthow
adorableshei
s.”Gl
ori
arol
ledherey
es.
Me:
“Who'
sKi
tso?”
Rea:
“Uncl
eSakhi
l
e'swi
fe.Dad'
sst
epbr
other
.”
Me:
“Oh.”
“Browni
sinthekit
chenwit
hherinl
aws?”My
gr
andmothersai
dinthel
oungeandsometi
me
l
aterI
ngr
idwalkedi
n.
I
ngrid:“Sani
bonani
.”(
Hel
l
o)Theygr
eet
edher
back.
Gl
ori
a:“Whati
sIngr
idJar
visdoi
ngher
e?”
I
ngrid:
“Thi
sismyhomeGl
ori
asowhatdoy
ou
t
hink?”
Gl
ori
a:“Thi
sismydaught
erinl
aw'
shouseso
pl
easewat
chyourt
onguewit
hme.”
Eri
c:“Mylove.”Hepl
eadedwi
thhi
seyes.I
guessEri
cknowshiswi
fehast
hatr
atchetsi
de
ofher.
I
ngrid:
“Good!”Ifir
stwentandwashedmy
handsthenthr
ewtheclothIwaswi
pingmywet
handswithonthecounter
.
Me: “Excuseme.”Iwalkedt
oTi mo'sroom.I
tookKeathenwenttomybedr oom whereI
call
edKarabo.Ij
ustwantedt
ohearhi svoi
ce.
“Owet
hu?”If
eltt
hatf
am.
Me:
“Owam.Imi
ssy
ou.”
Owam :
“Youhavenoi
deahowmuchImi
ss
yout
oomylove.”
Me:
“Comef
etchme.”
Owam :
“Now.”
Me:
“Yes,
now.
”
Owam :
“Iam comi
ng.”
Me: “Thankyou!Bef
orey
ouhangup.Your
f
atherisher
e.”
Owam :
“Doi
ngwhat
?”
Me:“Tocheckonme.Heev
enbr
oughtme
somefl
owers.”
Owam :“You'
reki
ddi
ngme?Ar
eyousur
eit
s
myfat
her?”
Me:
“Yes!Comeseey
our
sel
f.”
Owam :“Iwon'
tev
enmi
sst
hatf
ort
hewor
ld.
I
'm onmywaynow.”
Me:
“Seey
ouOwam.”
Owam :“Ihear
tyouOwethu.”Ibl
ewaki
ss
bef
oreendingt
hecal
l.♡
[
02/
11,
18:
34]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er38
Karaboarriv
edsomet imelaterandGl ori
aandI
wereclosetofini
shi
ngwi t
hourbaki ng.Reaon
theotherhandwasbusydr inki
ngherwi neand
bythelookinherfaceIcouldtellthatshewas
alr
eadytipsyabouttopassout .Glori
adidn'
t
eventakemucht houghttohersi ncehermost
focuswasont hebakingandherhusband.
“Famil
y?”Ismil
edwhenIsawmyhandsome
husbandstandi
ngatthedoorlooki
ngal
lcr
ust
y
andli
keabr ownchocol
atecake.
Glori
a:“Heyson.”Hefi
rstki
ssedmyfor
ehead
beforegoi
ngtohughismotherandal
soki
ssed
Reaonherf or
ehead.
Kar
abo:
“Somebodyl
ooksdr
unk.”
Gl
oria: “Nxn!Youcannev
erunderst
andyour
si
ster.Idon'
tevenknowwhatdisr
especti
sthi
s.
”
Rea:
“HawuuMma!“
Gl
ori
a:“Skangkwat
isaReabet
swe!”(
Don'
t
makemeangryRea)
Shekeptherwordstoherselfbecauseifshe
hadsomethingGlor
iawouldhav emadesur e
theal
coholi
nhersystem fadesaway .
Glori
a:“Whycan'
tyoubel
i
keBr
own?”She
saidnot
hing.
Glori
a:“Imeanthegi
rli
srespect
ful
.Shei
sa
greathel
pandsheismorecommi t
tedtof
ami
ly
thenyou.”
Kar
abo:
“Mom pl
ease!”
Glor
ia:“Iwil
lnotkeepthisinany more.Reais
j
ustli
keRifl
oe!Theyareuseless!Rightnowshe
shoul
dbeei t
hergoingtoschool oreventry
ing
tomakeaf amil
yforherself
.”
Rea: “Iwon'
tst
andhereandlist
entoy
our
tant
rums!”Shegrabbedhercarkey
sfr
om t
he
counterwit
hherphone.
Me:
“Reay
oucan'
tdr
ivei
nsuchast
ate.”
Rea:“Ineedsomeonet
odr
ivemebackt
othe
hot
elthough.”
Me: “Letmegoandcal
lTimothy
.”Iwipedmy
hands,gr
abbedmyri
ngbefor
eIforgeti
tthen
wenttocall
Timfr
om hi
sroom.
Me:“Couldyoudr
iveReaf
ormepl
ease?She'
s
t
oodrunk.”
Tim:“Okay.”Hest oodupfrom hi
sbedand
wenttot
hekitchen.Tookthekeysfrom Rea
thent
heylef
t.
Gl
ori
a:“Shei
sdi
srespect
ful
thatone.”
Kar
abo:“Doyouwantt
oloseherjustasy
ou
l
ostRi
fl
oeandRet
ha?”Shestoppedwhatshe
wasdoi
ng.
Karabo:“Iam nottr
yingtohur
tyoumom butI
wantyoutoopeny oureyesmuchwidert
his
ti
me.Brownwhenwi l
lyoubedone?”
Me:“Iuhh.
.”Il
ookedatGlor
iaandshenodded
meani
ngshe'
sagreei
ngformetoleave.
Me:
“Letmegof
etchKea.”
Kar
abo:“Okay
.”Iwenttot
hebedr
oom,
picked
Keaupt
henwet hanl
eft
.
Reabet
swe
Iwassoangryt hatal
lthewaytot
heapar
tment
Icussedandspokemymi ndoutt
othi
s
handsomestrangernexttome.
Me: “JustbecauseIam theonlyonewhohas
al
way sli
stenedtoher
.Obeyedheror der
s,i
t
doesn'
tmeant hatsheshouldcontr
ol myli
fe
anyfurt
her.Iam ol
dforGod'ssake!”Hesaid
nothi
ng.
Me: “It
hinkIshouldmov ethehel
loutofher
houseorbett
eryet.Ishouldki
ll
my sel
f!”
Tim: “Whoaa!Readon'
tyout
hinkthat
'
sabit
extr
eme?”Ishruggedmyshoulder
sbefor
e
cry
ing.
Me:
“Ihat
emyl
i
feTi
mot
hy.Ir
eal
l
yhat
eit
.”
Ti
m:“I.
.Imean.
.I”Heexhal
ed.
Ti
m:“Cont
inue.”
Me: “For getit
!I'
ll
justdrinksomemor e.”I
reachedf ormyhandbagandt ookoutmybot t
le
ofBelvederesv odkaanddr anki tbyt hebott
le.
Wear ri
v edattheapartment .Attri
but etothe
vodkaIcoul dn'
tev enwal kany mor esoTi mothy
wasf orcedtocar r
ymei ntot hehot el.Wegott o
mysui t
eandhewasn' tstrugglingbecauseIam
av er
ybi ggirl
.Heusedhi sfoott ocl osethe
doorthent omyr oom i twas.Hegent lypl
aced
medownont hebedbutIdi dn' tl
etgo.If i
nna
getlai
d.
Br
own
Al
lthewaytothehouseKar aboplay
edRKel l
y'
s
al
bum andthedri
veledmet osleepi
ngbecause
hewokemewhenwear riv
edatt hehouse.He
pi
ckedKeaup.Heent er
edthehousehol di
ng
Keabyonearm andtheotheroneheldmyhand.
Kar
abofir
stl
yplacedKeaont hebed..
Me:
“Past
orOwenwasatmyhouset
oday
.”
Kar
abo:
“Iknow.”
Me:
“How?”
Kar
abo:
“Ij
ustknow.”
Me:
“Ofcour
se.Yourgi
ft
.“Hechuckl
ed.
Karabo:“Notreal
l
y.Iam actual
lyst
ruggl
i
ng
gaini
ngthepowerofeit
hersensingdemonsor
evenint
eract
ingwit
hGina.Shejust
di
sappeared.
”
Me:
“Whatcoul
dpossi
blybet
hepr
obl
em?”
Karabo: “Ihavebeenl ackingprayerand
servi
ngGodf orquit
esomet ime.Ineedt odo
mydai l
ydoseagai n.Prayandbel ieve.Ihave
neverreall
yexperiencedsomet hingl i
kethi
s
beforeotherthanthedaywhenIdi dnotknowI
evenhadaspi r
it
ual gi
ft
.Ilostmygr andf
ather
whohadt obemyment orandalsomysi st
er.”
Me:
“I'
m sor
ry.”
Karabo:“It
sokay
.Haveyouhadany
connect
ionwit
hyourguar
dianangel
?”
Me:
“Angel
?No.”
Kar
abo:“Bringyourhandst
omine.”Webot
h
l
ockedhands.Heexhaledl
oudl
y.
Kar abo: “Let'
spr ay.”Hebegant opray.Icoul
d
feel someupl if
tingfeelingfr
om myshoulders
andt hiscoolbreezeofunner vi
ngguil
twas
l
iftedupf r
om myhear t.Icoul
dfeelt
hatwe
wer enotal oneint hisr
oom.Ourr oom wasf i
ll
ed
ofcr yinginnocentsoul sthatweret
rappedand
theywer easkingf orourhelp.
“Youneedt otel
lhert
ost oppunishi
ngher
sel
f
Brown.Makeherunder st
and.”Iopenedmy
eyes.Kar
abowasl yi
ngont hefloor
unconsci
ousandanot hervi
sionofReaand
Rif
loeappeared.
Me:
“Ret
habi
l
e?”
Her:
“Youcanseeme?”
Me:
“Yes.”
Her:
“Thatmeansy
ou'
reamedi
um.Br
own
you'
retheonewhohastohel
pmymot herl
i
ft
offal
lthegui
l
tandsust
aini
nherhear
t.”
Me:
“Why
?”
Her: “Becauseshefeelsli
kesheistheone
whoki l
ledmewheni twasonl yanaccident
.
Brownmakeherunder st
and.Tellhert
hatallher
cr
y i
ngandpai nhastrappedmeher e.Because
ofherpainandsorrowIcan' tcr
osstheroad.
Pleasemakeherunder standBrown.”Inodded.
Me:
“Iwi
l
lhel
pyoubuthowwi
l
lshebel
i
eveme?
”
Her:
“Iwi
l
lshowy
ouhow.Okay
?Pl
easeBr
own.
“
Me:
“Ipr
omi
sey
ou.”
Her:“Thanky
ou.“Shet
handi
sappear
ed.I
openedmyeyes.
Me:
“Amen.”
Kar
abo:
“Amen”Wesai
dinuni
son.
Me:
“Thatwassoamazi
ng.If
eel
bet
ter
.”
“Nothi
ngbeatsjeal
ousy
,hatr
edandevi
ll
ikea
prayi
ngcouple.”Gi
nasaidbehi
ndKar
abo.She
sti
ll
freakedmeout.
Gi
na:
“Rel
axBr
own.Iwon'
thur
tyou.”
Kar
abo:
“Wher
ehav
eyoubeen?”
Gina: “Donotwor r
y .Youhavegai
nedy our
sanity.Thatcrackisnowcl osedbutjustsoy ou
know.Youst i
l
l needt oful
l
ybeli
evethatGodwi ll
protectyounomat terwhatthecir
cumst ances
are.”
Kar
abo:
“Thanky
ou.”
Gi
na:
“You'
rewel
come.”Shedi
sappear
ed.
Kar
abo:
“Ar
eyouokay
?”Inodded.
Kar
abo:
“Weshoul
dtakeashower
.”
Me:“Gof r
eshenupwhi
l
eIgoandpr
epar
e
somet
hingforyout
oeat
.”
Kar
abo:
“Thanky
ou.”Iwal
keddownst
air
sand
i
mmediatelypr
epareddi
nner
.OnceIam done
Kar
abogoest oeatandIgobat
h.Onceagain,
bef
oregoingtosl
eep,wesaygr
ace.
Inthemi ddleoft heni ghtIam hav i
ngthis
per pl
exingdr eam.Iam f loatingi ntheairandI
am dr essedi nawhi teromper( j
umpsui t
)that
alsohassomepar t
st hatar ecov eredinpure
Gol d.Myhai risl ongerandmor edarkincolor
(black)andi tisbeaut ifull
yt i
edupi nalong
pony tai
l.Ihav eapur esi lverr i
ngonmyweddi ng
fi
ngerandt hel ongsl eeveoft her omperis
attachedt oitwi t
hgol dgladi atorsonmyf eet.
Myski nisev enmor elighterandbef oremei s
anopposi tebei ngthenIam.Herl aughter
echoesi nt her oom wheni toccur esbutthe
mostconf usingt hingi sthatnof earnorterrori
s
i
nmyhear t.
[
02/
11,
18:
34]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er39
“Br
ownar
ey oudonef
it
ti
ng?”Reawasput
ting
somuchpressur
eonmethatIcoul
dn'
tev
en
focuswhenpl acingontheweddi ngdress.Iwas
alsostressedbecauseitwast ooti
ght.IguessI
gainedtoomuchwei ght
.“I
tdoesn'twantt ofi
t!
”
despairandangermi xedwithinme.Thiscannot
behappeni ngtome.Notwheni t
'sjust13or
evenmor ehoursfr
om myweddi ngday .“Rea
comei nsot hatyoucanhelp.”Iheardherloudl
y
exhali
ngf rom t
heotherendbutshedi dwal ki
n
thecloset.
Me:
“Lookatme!
”If
rowned.
Rea:“Browny ou'
reexagger
ati
ng!Youl
ook
per
fect
lyfi
ne.Letmesee.”Shecameand
pul
ledt
hedr essupeasil
y.
Rea:“See!I
tssobeaut
if
ulBr
ownandso
di
ff
erent
.”
Me: “Myroyal
wedding.”Soourthemei
ssea
bl
ue.Ourweddingisgoi
ngtobeheldatt
he
beach.Kar
abodidtel
lmethatift
hat'
swhatI
wantthenhewill
makeithappen.
Rea:
“It
'ssobeaut
if
ulBr
own!
”
Me:
“Iknow.
”
Rea:“Mamaisdef
ini
tel
ygoi
ngtogocrazy
whensheseesy
ouinsuchabeaut
if
uldress.”
Me: “Iam goingcrazyl
ooki
ngmysel
fint
he
mir
ror.”Iexhaledbefor
eawidesmil
epai
nted
onmyf ace.
Me:
“Bet
ter
!”Il
ookedatRea.
Me: “Aboutyest
erday
.Youandyourmom have
t
hingsthatyouneedtohandl
e.”Shesi
ghed.
Rea:
“Canwenotgot
her
e?”
Me:
“Youdoknowt
alki
nghel
psr
ight?
”
Rea:“Saysthegi
rlt
hathassomuchhi
ddeni
n
herhear
t.”
Me: “Iam t
akingthi
sdaybyday.I
tsnoteasy
expr
essingyourfeel
i
ngsyouknow.”
Rea:
“Iam al
sot
aki
ngi
tdaybyday
.Gi
veme
ti
meBrown.”
Me:
“Iwon'
treal
l
ycompel
youbutj
ustknow
thatst
il
ltodayIwishIhadalov
ingmother
who'ssti
lli
nmyl i
feandsuppor
tingmeint
o
doingwhichevert
hingI'
dlov
etodo.”
Rea:
“You'
resay
ingi
tli
keI
ngr
iddi
ed.”
Me:
“Shedi
d.I
nmyhear
t.”Igav
ehermyback.
Me:
“Zi
pmedownpl
ease.”
Rea: “Okay
.”Shehelpedmet akethedressof
thenIwentandcheckedift
hegl asssl
eeperfi
ts
me.Yep!Iam ful
fi
ll
i
ngmydr eam ofbecoming
Cinderel
l
a.
Kar
abo
BynowIshoul dbef i
tt
inginmyt uxbuttheguys
andIwer ejustbymyol dman'scri
bplaying
cardsandmyar r
ogantdisr
espectf
ulbrother
waswi th.Wewer ebythebalconywherewe
couldfeelthecoolbr
eeze.
K-mor
e: “Youdoknowweshoul
dbef
it
ti
ngour
sui
tsr
ight?”
Me:
“Yeabutwewi
l
ldot
hatl
ater
.”
Scar
s:“That'
swhatyousaid2hoursago.Do
youwantBrownt
oslapy ou?Agai
n?Youdidt
ell
meshefir
esgoodslaps.”
Me: “Guys.Aftertomor r
owIwi l
lbeseeingy'al
l
scarcesodonty outhinkIshouldbeusingthis
ti
met ohangoutwi t
hy ouforhours?The
momentIsayt hemagi cwordsthenIam going
tofinall
ycommi ttomyGodsentwoman.One
thatIwillneverleaveherside.I
'l
lbethereevery
singleti
me.Shewi llpr
acti
call
yhav eal
lmytime.
”
Phuml
a:“Sot
hismeanswewon'
tpl
aygol
f?”
Scar
s:“Shoot
ingr
anges?”
Akani
:“Raci
ng?”
Me:
“Non!”
Zyder:
“Ibel
i
eveBrownwon'tst
ealsomuch
ti
meman.Shelooksl
ikeanunder
standi
ng
woman.”
Phuml
a:“Pl
usIhear
dPr
ett
ysai
dsheneedst
o
t
eachherat
hingort
woofbei
ngal
lfr
eaky
.”
Me:
“Nothappeni
ng!”
Phumla:“It
syourchoiceman.Yout
wohav
ea
bori
ngsexli
feoronethat'
sgoi
ngtobe
unf
orget
tabl
e.”
Scar:
“Mi
ssi
onar
yal
ltheway
!”Il
aughed.
Me:
“Ibel
i
evet
hatwi
l
lbebet
weenus.”
K-
mor e:“Buti
tdepends.Ei
theri
ts50/50orshe
l
aysther
elooki
nglikeadeadpotato.”We
l
aughed.
Phumla:
“Wouldyoul
ookatthat
.A17y
ear
knowsathi
ngort
woaboutsex.”
K-more: “Guys..
.t
hemostfi
nestPEchicks
throwthemselvesatme.Aniggashoul
ddo
whatani ggagott
ado.”Welaughedbefore
resumi
ngourgame.
Br
own
Pr
ett
y:“Br
owndoy
ouev
enwat
chpor
n?”
Par
is:
“Orr
idet
heDbyy
ouy
our
sel
f?”
S'
ne(Hleskow): “Orgivehead.”Itsbeenan
hourofbeingint hekit
chen,dr
inki
ngwi neand
al
sobeingi nt
errogatedbythegirl
s.There
answerswer ejustsohardtoanswer .
Me:
“Guy
s..
..
Ihav
egi
venaguyheadbef
ore.”
S'
ne:
“Di
dhecum?”
Me:
“Yes!”
Par
is:
“Di
dyouenj
oyi
t?”
Me:
“No!I
twasj
ustsowei
rdandgr
oss!”
Prett
y:“Thenyouweredoi
ngitthewr
ongway .
Girl
youneedtoplaywit
hyourmouthali
tt
le.
Sucktheti
p..
.j
ustthewayyousuckal
oll
ipop.”
Me: “Lol
li
popshav
efl
avor
s.Onest
hatt
ast
e
goodactual
ly
.”
Rea:
“Theny
oui
magi
nei
tsal
oll
i
pop.”
Pr
ett
y:“That
'sact
ual
l
yagoodi
dea.”
Me:
“Guy
sal
lthi
ssext
alkmakesmehungr
y.”
Icl
imbeddownt
hebarst
oolandwentona
questt
ofi
ndsomet
hingt
oeat.
Saturdaymor ningcameear li
erthanexpect ed.I
wasboi sterousaboutt hisdaybutagai n
adrenaliner ushedwheni gott otheent r
anceof
ourbeachweddi ng.Paris,Pretty
,ReaandS' ne
whower emybr idemai dshadal readywal kedto
thefronti ntheirwhitedressesl ookingall
fl
awl ess.Iwasscar edandbot hmyhandst hat
werehol dinguntothebouquetwer esweat i
ng
thatIcoul dev enfeelthewet ness.Iblinked
awayt het earsasIt ookev erystept owards
Karabo.GodIwassoscar ed.Pariscameand
pull
edmydr essupandS' net ookthebouquet
offlower s.
Kar
abo:“Icantakei
tfrom here.
.”Hesaidto
Par
isbefor
etaki
ngmyhandsi ntohis.Wefi
rst
set
tl
edinbefor
ethepastorcouldspeak.
Pastor:“Dearbelov
ed, wearegat
her
ed
togetherher
einthesightofGodandi
nthe
presenceofthesewi t
nessestojointogether
thi
sOwet huandthisOwam i nholymat r
imony
whichisanhonour abl
eestateinsti
tutedbyGod
andsignif
yinguntoust hemysticalunionwhich
exit
s..
Pastor:“Ifanyherecanshowj ustcausewhy
theymaynotl awfull
ybej oi
nedtogether,l
et
them speaknoworel sef or
everholdtheir
peace..”West ayedquietandthatwast he
worstmi nuteofmyl i
febecauseIdidnotknow
whattoexpect .Justwhenthepastorwasabout
toall
owust osayourv owelsTshegocamei n
withtwopol i
cemenandGl ori
a'
shelpt hatI
onceat t
ackedwhenIr efusedtohandKeat o
her.
Her:
“Ther
eshei
s!Thegi
rlt
hatat
tackedme!”
Shi
t.
[
02/
11,
18:
34]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er40
Adr
enal
inerushedwhenreal
i
tyhi
t..
.har
d!Iwas
goi
ngtojai
l
.Inevert
houghtI
'dev
erbeso
scaredbuther eIwas. .closet oshi
tti
ngon
my self
.Gloriastoppedt hepol i
cewhent hey
wer eclosetocuf f
ingme.Shewassur pri
sedas
everyonewas.Thi swasn' tjustembar r
assing
buthear tbr
eaking.Myweddi nghasjustbeen
rui
nedandt hereisnothingt hatIcoul
dpossibly
doabouti t.
Gl
ori
a:“Ther
emustbeami
stakeof
fi
ce-
”
Lady:
“MrsThobangyouwer
etherewhenshe
hi
tme.Youev
enor der
edt
hemaidstohel
p
cl
eanmywound.”
Glor
ia:“Sontipl
easej
ustcalm down.Ther
eis
noreasonforyouto;
”Glori
atr
ieddeali
ngwith
thehel
pandont heotherhandthepoli
ce
wantedtoproceedwit
ht hej
ob.
Karabo:“Don'ty
oudaretouchmywife!”Glor
ia
stoppedhol
ly
ingwit
hSonti andnowatt
ended
toKarabosothatweboth,asbri
deandgroom,
don'tgot
ojail
.
Gl
ori
a:“Kar
abobabypl
ease.”
Lady:
“Shemustgot
ojai
lforassaul
t!”
Gl
ori
a:“Sont
ijustshutupdammi
t!”
Pol
i
ceman:
“Ma'
am wehav
etodoourj
ob.”
Gl
ori
a:“Iknowbutsi
r-”
Kar abo: “Isaiddon' ttouchmywi fe!”Hesai d
tot heot herpol i
ceman.Godi twasal lamess.
Kar abot ryi
ngt ofightthepol
icemen, thelady
const antlythrowingt antr
ums,Gloriatry
ingto
calm al lthem down.Thenextper sontoj oi
nthis
cir
cl ewasI ngri
dwhogotanear fulfrom Glori
a
thent heyst artedhav i
nganaltercati
on.I
cov eredmyear sandcr i
edgrabbingKar abo'
s
attention.
Karabo:“Babyit
sal
lgoi
ngt
obeokay
?I
promiseyou.”
Me:
“Ican'
tgot
ojai
lKar
abo!”Isai
dcr
ying.
Me:“Whatwil
lhappent
omydaught
er?Kar
abo
youmustf
indawaytohelpme.
”
Kar
abo:
“I'
l
lfol
l
owt
hepol
i
cev
an.Asal
way
s
Brownbr eath.Pl easebaby .”itsli
kehewas
singinganol d80ssongbecauseev er y
thinghe
saidj ustdi dn'tmakesenset omeatt his
moment .Hesai dIshoul dbr eathbutIdi dn't.I
criedi ntheIpai nful wayandt hatseem t ohur t
him mor e.Iwaspl acedint hebackoft hev an
anddr i
vent othest ati
onwher eawhol elot
happened.Kar aboandhi sfri
endswer ealready
therewai tingforus.Gl or
iawasspeaki ngt oone
oft heSar gentswhi leIwast akentot hecel ls.I
satt heref orhowl ong, Idontknow.Awoman
dressedi nabl acksui twithblondetieduphai r
wal kedin.
Her:
“Takemycl
i
entoutoft
hisj
ail
cel
l
.”
Pol
i
cemanat
tempt
edt
opr
otest
.
Her:“Isai
dt akeheroutory ouwantyour
l
ieut
enanttocomeandper sonal
lymakeyou?
Getheroutthisi
nstant!
”Thepolicemanopened
thecel
landimmedi atel
yIrantoKarabowho
huggedmesot i
ghtl
y.
Kar
abo:
“Ar
eyouokay
?”
Me:
“Iwantt
ogoout
.”
Kar abo: “Sont idroppedt hechar gesagai nst
you.Iam t akingy ouhome.”Ij ustnodded.St il
l
atthismomentIwast err
ifi
ed.Inev erthought
I'
dbef acingsomanychal lengesi nmyl ife.I
event hinkt hatGodi splay i
ngdodgebal l wit
h
mebecauseal lthiswasj ustsomeani ngl ess
andi tbr i
ngshear tachet omyal readybr oken
l
ife.Wedi dn'tstayl ongatt hepol i
cestat ion.
Immedi atelyafterbei ngletfreeKar abot ookme
home.Ourf ri
endswer etherewai ti
ngforus.At
thismomentIj ustwant edt obeal oneandnot
sayasi nglewor dt oany one.Ther e'salott hat'
s
i
nmymi ndandi tcan'twai tformet othi nk
abouti tbutagai nt heguy sdon' tgetitandI
wasn' taboutt oshowt hesepeopl eatt
itude
becauset heyhav ebeennot hingbutni cet ome.
S'
ne:
“Kgant
ewhowast
hatsf
eb?
”
Phuml
a:“Shutupwena!”
S'
ne:“Youwantmeneh?”Doallthesetwo
fi
ght
?Will
ther
ebeanydaywhereHleskowand
Phumlast
opwitht
hei
ral
ter
cat
ions?
Kar
abo:“GuysIthi
nkBrownneedssometi
me
tor
est
.Sheisn'
ther
sel
fatthemoment.”
Pr
ett
y:“Wet
otal
l
ygeti
t.”
Par
is:
“I'
l
lhel
pheroutoft
hedr
ess.”
Me: “Thankyou.”Scaront heotherhandwas
i
ndeept houghts.Ididn'
tmi
ndhimt hough.We
weren'
tfarupthest air
sunt
ilhesaid“isaywe
ki
l
lher!”
Phuml
a:“Who?”
Scar:“Tshego.Imean,imagi
neifshe'
sdead?
Karabowill
bef r
eefrom t
hatsl
ut.
.”Int
he
bedroom Pari
shelpedmeoutofthedressand
al
sowentt okeepmecompanyi nthebathr
oom.
Par
is:“I
tsgoodtotal
k.I
thel
psl
i
ftof
fthe
bur
deninyourhear
t.”
Me:
“Iknowbuti
tal
sohel
psi
fyou'
rer
eady
.”
Pari
s:“Thenwheny ou'r
ereadyyoucant al
kto
meright
?Aboutev erythi
ngorevenwecoul d
expr
essourfeeli
ngst oeachother.Idoneed
someonetotalkto.”Ismi l
edather.
Me:
“Iknow.Iwi
l
lwhenI
'
mready
.”
Pari
s:“Anddon'
twor
ryy
our
sel
f.Al
lthi
swi
l
lbe
overi
nnoti
me.”
Me: “Itsgoingtobehar dtoleav eallt
hisi
nthe
past.Nothinggoodev erhappenst omej ust
whenIwascl osetofindi
nghappi nesssomeone
elsecameal ongandsnat chedi tfr
om me.I
havenev erexperi
encedhappi nesssot hi
swas
actual
lybigtome.Imean, ihav ealovi
ng
husband, abeauti
fuldaughterthatIlove
unconditi
onall
ybuttheonl ythingthatcouldf
il
l
thepuzzleishappiness.”
Paris: “Havepati
encelove.”Igotoutofthe
bathtubandwi pedmy sel
fbeforewrappinga
towel aroundmybody .Backinthebedroom we
foundKar abo.Keawassl eepi
ngonourbedi n
hermer
maiddr
essl
ooki
ngal
lcut
eand
ador
abl
e.
Pari
s: “I
'
llgi
veyouguyssomespace.”She
walkedoutandclosedthedoorbehi
ndher.
KaraboandIsai
dnot hi
ng.Hejustopenedhi
s
armsandIwentt ohim.Hegavemeav er
y
heart
warminghug.
Karabo:“Wewi l
lgothr
ought
hist
ogether
.Just
dontlosehopeorevengi
veuponus.
”
.
.
.
.
Thankyousomuchfort
he300comment s.I
canseethatwecandoi
t.Let
'snotgi
veup.Gi
ve
meanother300.
[
02/
11,
18:
35]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er41
Thet
imewas10h00whenIwokeupt
hir
sty
.I
hadbeensl eepi ngsincetakingabat hand
Karabowasal sosost r
essedthathechoset o
j
usttryandsl eephi sstressandmay bewhenhe
wakesupi t
'l
lbesubsi ded.Igotdownst air
s,
fi
ll
edmygl assofwat erandwhenIwasj usta
halfwayt hroughdr i
nkingav oicesaid“Areyou
readyformenow? ”maki ngmel ettheglass
sli
defrom myhandandbr eakont hefl
oor.The
glasspiecest hatjumpedupmadeechosounds
i
nmyear s.Iturnedt oonlyfindthatangelIonce
cameacr osst owhenIwasbackhome.
Her:
“Fearnot!”Shesaidapproachi
ngmebut
i
nmyf astpacedheartIwi
shedshehadst
ayed
wher
eshewasi nit
ial
l
y .
Her:
“Iam Tammy
.Iam aguar
dianangel
.”
Me: “Who'sguar
dianangel
?”Isai
d,withaver
y
shakyvoi
cewithnodoubtofhowterr
if
iedat
thi
sinst
antmoment .
Her:
“Yourguar
dianangel
.
”
Me:
“Mi
ne?
”Ihear
dher
,it
sjustt
hatal
lthi
s
washar
dtocompr
ehend.
Me:
“Whyme?
”
Her:
“Whynoty
ou?
”
Me: “Idonotknowwhatt
osay
.Idon'
treal
l
y
bel
i
ev einanyangel
s.”
Her:“Butyouar
emar
riedt
osomeonewhoi s
ver
yspir
it
uall
ycommi
tt
ed.Howcanthatbe?
”
Me:“Fat
ecansomet
imesbef
uckedup.”She
cl
ear
edhert
hroat
.
Her:“Idi
dnotmeant oscarey ou.Ijustwant ed
youtoknowthaty
ouandKar aboarepr otected.
Donotgiveuponyourmarriage.Yesy out wo
gotcommitt
edataveryyoungageandy our
marri
agehassomanychal l
engest haty oubot h
needtobeatt
oget
her.Justdontgi veuponhi m.
”
Me:
“I'
m nott
hough.”
Her:“Browny ouar
eyoungandyouarev
ery
f
aintheart
ed.Thisi
satestt
ostr
engt
henthe
bothofy ou.Yourl ove.Youdon' treallyhav ea
strongbel i
ef .Yourf aintl i
tt
lehear twillnotbe
ablet ohandl esuchbr idgesbutt hat'sthewhol e
point.Thi si st ostrengt heny ou,yourhear tand
yourbel ief.”Isai dnot hing.Ididn'treall
yt akein
whatshewassay ing.Af terafewmi nut esof
stayingi nawkwar dsi l
enceshedi sappear edin
thinai r
.Isi ghed.Thatwasscar y.Ipi ckedt he
brokengl assesupanddi sposedt hem bef ore
goingbackt osl eep.I nt hemor ningKar abowas
sti
llsleepi ng.Iwentandcheckedonmy
daught erbef oregoi ngt ot akeaqui ckshower
andgomakeKar abosomebr eakfastbutt he
event sofy esterdaypl ay edinmyhead.Isaton
oneoft hebar stool sandcr i
ed.Thedoor bell
wast heonet hatmademesnapoutofmy
sorrow, wi pemyt earst hanwentt oseewhoi s
atthedoor .
Scar:“Hi.”Hewasbehindthedoorwi
tha
bouquetofredr
osesinhishandandhisot
her
fr
eehandwashol di
ngLuxolo,
hisson.
Me:“Uhm .
.Scar.Hey.”Imovedoutoft
heway
maki
ngspaceforthem t
oenter.
Scar:“You'
vebeencry
ing?”If
ir
stl
ycl
osedt
he
doorbefor
efaci
nghim.
Me:
“Notr
eal
l
y.”
Scar: “Well
...Il
i
keyournewmakeup.”
(sarcasm)Isaidnot
hingtohi
m because
technical
l
yhei smockingme.
Scar:“Iboughty
out
hese.”Hesai
dhandl
i
ng
thefl
owerstome.
Me:
“Thanks.
..”Ismel
tthem bef
oresmi
l
ing.
Me:
“Theysmel
lgood.”
Scar:“Thanks.Youcooki
ng?”i
tcl
i
ckedt
ome
thatIhadl
eftthest
oveon.
Me: “OhGodmyf ood!”Irantot
hekit
chenand
att
endedtomypans.Ifi
nishedwit
htheeggs,
chakal
akaandbacon.
Me:
“Woul
dyoul
i
kesome?”
Scar:
“Whynot
.”
Me: “Anddoesy oursonev
ert
alk?Isel
dom
seehim speaki
ng.”
Scar:
“He'
sant
isoci
al.AsPar
iscal
l
sit
.”
Me:
“Somet
hingwehav
eincommon.”
Scar:
“Ihav
enot
iced.”
Me:“Hav
eyouthoughtaboutt
aki
nghi
mtosee
apsy
chol
ogi
st?”
Scar:“BrownIam black.Al
lmysonneedsi sa
kidsmeal.Ri
ghtson?”Henoddedl ookingso
muchl i
kePari
s.Thatwomani sbeauti
ful.Li
ke
real
ly
.
Me: “Haha!Ofcour
se.“Igavet
hem t
hei
rfood.
Karabowalkedi
nminuteslat
err
ubbi
nghi
sey es
andhewasst i
ll
inhi
spy j
amas.
Kar
abo:“Heyman.“HesaidtoScarbef
ore
comingt
oki
ssmet henpi
ckedLuxol
oup.
Kar
abo:
“Hav
eIbeensl
eepi
ngl
ong?”
Me:
“Yep!Iev
enmadey
oubr
eakf
ast
.”
Karabo:“Thanksl
ove.”Him andScart
ook
thei
rfoodandwenttositi
ntheloungewhi
leI
wentandcheckedonmydaught eragai
n.
Whent heti
mehi t12wewer eall l
ooki ngfresh.
Wewer egoingt oHomeaf fairstosi gnthe
paper s.Itdoesn' tmeaniftheweddi ngwas
i
nt entionall
yruineddoesn' tmeanwecan' tsti
l
l
signt hepaper s.Karabo'sauntwasourqui ckgo
throughbecauseshewor ksatHomeaf fair
s.It
didn'ttakeusl ong.Wesi gnedandwentt o
checkonmygr andmot her.Karabof i
rstl
y
par kedt hecart henwest eppedout .HehadKea
i
nhi sar ms.Iturnedaroundsoqui cklywhenI
hear dsomeonebusycussi nginav erydrunk
voice.Thatper sonbeingHl umel o.Itsbeen
somet i
mesi nceIhav eseenher .Iwashappyt o
seeherbutIdi dnotl i
kewhatIwasseei ng
besi desher.Kar abonot i
cedt histoo.
Kar
abo:
“Br
owngeti
nthecar
.”Idi
dn'
tmov
e.
Insuchpr
edi
camentIf
reez
eli
kei
ceonone
spot.
Hlumi e: “Ya!You'remar r
ied.Youforgetwhere
youcomef rom.You' r
ebusydr i
vi
ngy our
Mer cedesandal l
thel uxuriouscarsi
nt heworld
buty ouf orgetwherey ou'recomi ngf
rom.”She
saidini si
Xhosa.Idi dn'tknowwhatt osay .Thi
s
wasHl umiespeaki nginav eryi
llmannered
tonewi thme.I ,Brown.
Me:
“Hl
umi
e-”
Hlumie:“Thul a!Idontevenwantt ohearal lt
he
l
iescomi ngfrom thatrott
enmout hofy ours.I
swearBrown.Iwi l
ldealwithy ou.Youwi l
lthen
rememberwher eyoucomef rom.”Thet hi
ng
besidesherbegant omar cht owardsmebut
Karabocameandhel dmyhand.Hl umi eont he
otherhanddoesnotseet his.Shei sdr unkand
ofcourseblinded.Shecl i
ckedhert ongueand
walkedin.Leav i
ngwhat everthingt hatwasi n
frontofme.Itstoodst i
ll
.GodIhat edwhatI
wasseei ng.Allthi
sfeltli
keadream.Itwasso
smalll
ikeachi ldanditsappearancewasscary
j
ustasi tspresenceandt henastysmellhur
tmy
nostr
il
sandt hr
oat.Ifeltl
ikevomit
ing.I
ttur
ned
andwal kedoutt heyard.ThenIgainedmy
consci
ous.Iexhal edloudly.
Me:
“Wast
hatat
okol
osi
?!”Iwant
edt
ocr
y.
Karabo:“Idontl
ikewor
kingwi
thsucht
hings.
Theyalwaystocomehomewi t
hme.”
Me:“Nobutwhywoul
dHl
umi
ecomehome
wi
thatokol
osi
?”
Karabo:“Itwassenther
eobvi
ousl
yandshe
wast heonl
ycandi
datetobeusedwit
hsuch
thi
ngs.”
Me:
“Kar
abot
hisi
swi
tchcr
aft
.”
Karabo:“I
ndeed.Rel
ax.”Heki
ssedmy
for
eheadandwewal kedi
nsi
dethehousewher
e
mom andHlumiewer ear
gui
ng.
Mom :
“Justl
eav
emyhousemaar
nHl
umel
o!I
don'tknowwhyy ou'
rel
i
kethi
swheny ouwere
j
ustf i
nemydar l
i
ng.WhathasSatandoneto
yousoy oucanbecomesodisrespect
ful
and
alsojeal
ous.”
Hl
umi
e:“Jeal
ous?
!!
”
Mom :
“Yes!”
Hl
umie:“Ofwho?Br own?Si
esukul
umangi
r
ubbi
sh.”Iser
iousl
yhadenough.
Me:“Hlumiej
uststopi
tdammit!
”Shedi
dn'
t
st
op.Shecont
inuedtot
hrowt
antr
umsatmama.
Me:“Isai
dst
opi
t!
!!”Theybot
hst
oppedat
l
ookedatme.
Me: “Hlumi
ey ouhaveaser iouspr obl
em.Not
wit
hmenormamabutwi t
hy ourGods.You
havebeenpossessedHl umie.Youneedt o
bel
ieveagai
n.Closethecrackf i
lledwithhate
andvil
ebecausethatcrackinvitesinSatanand
hi
sdemons.Ther easony ouar elikeyouare
now.”
Hl
umi
e:“Youar
etal
ki
ngr
ubbi
sh!”
Mom : “TsekSatan!”Shesaidthr
owingtwo
slapsatHlumiewhost umbledbackbecause
alsoshewasi nt
ox i
cat
ed.Shegrabbedherby
theshir
tandKar abotr
iedstoppi
ngmom but
shedidnotlist
ent ohi
m.Shecont i
nuedtodr
ag
Hlumieuntil
outsideandthr
ewherdownont he
ground.
Mom : “ComebackwhenyouknowJesusmy
chil
dbecauseyouneedhi
m.Inmyhousewi l
l
notli
veadevil
.Youareadevi
lyoursel
f.
”The
l
itt
lethi
ngwasstandi
ngatthegate.Wait
ing.
Mom : “Justl
eaveHlumi
e!Youar
eyou
disgr
acemaar nmychil
d.I
tpai
nsmetosee
suchadev i
lli
keyou.”
Hl
umi
e:“Dev
il
?”
Mom : “Yes!
!Youdevil
.Siesy oumakemesi ck.
I
'm evenscaredtosayyou'r
emygr anddaughter
.
All
mydaught ersandgranddaughter
shave
neverfai
ledme.You'r
ethefirstanddef
ini
tel
y
you'l
lbethelast
.”Shecli
ckedhertongue
beforeenter
ingherhouseagai
n.Isighed.
Me:
“Hl
umi
elet
'sgoso-”
Hlumi e: “Don'ttalktomewena!”Shest oodup
andf ixedhershi rtthathadsandbutt hatalone
didn'tbotherher .Shet urnedandwal ked.I
l
ookedatKar abohopi nghedoessomet hingbut
hej ustsai d“I
fshewant st orepentshewi l
l
will
inglycomebutsi nceshewant stochoose
thispat hIwon' tevenbot hermy self
.”Isighed.
Wet urnedandwal kedi nsidethehouse.Iwas
thandepr essed.Ididnotl ikeseeingHlumi e
beingt reatedli
ket hat.Itjustmademesosad
thatIcoul dnotev encont rolmyfeeli
ngs.

(
Pleasedocommentguy
sandIt
ri
edwi
tht
he
i
nsert
. ♡)
[
02/
11,
18:
35]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er42
Kar
abo
“Ineedy
outojustbeli
evet
hatIhadnot
hingt
o
doaboutwhatSontidi
dandIam asangryas
youareKar
abo!”
Me: ”No.Ijustwantyoutoknowt hatIam
keepi
nganey eony oumom.Isweary ouwill
regr
eteverhurti
ngmywi f
einsuchaway .Right
nowy oumayseem genuinebuty ouknowt hatI
knowy oubettert
henanyone.IknowGl or
ia
NdamaseandThabangcombi ned.”
Mom : ”Stopt ry
ingtointi
midat
emeKar abo.I
madey ouandIcanal soeasil
yendy ou.
”She
saidkeepi ngherwor d.Shecli
ckedhertongue
beforewal kingtothekitchenwhereBrownwas.
Isighed.IswearIf el
tli
kesnappi
ngmymom' s
neckatt hati nst
antmomentbecauseshehasa
handont his.Iknow!Iwentandj oi
nedthem i
n
thekitchen.
Mom :
“Br
ownabouty
est
erday
-”Shest
opped
her
.
Br
own:
”Pl
ease.Let
'snott
oucht
hatt
opi
c.”
Mom : ”Ij
ustwantyout oknowthatIam
sorti
ngitout.
.”Shestoppedandlookedatmy
reacti
onbeforecont
inui
ng.
Mom :
”AndIhav
emyguyi
nit
.”
Me: ”Thuso?”Iaskedwit
houtevenlooki
ngat
her
.Thuso,ofcoursebei
ngtheguythatshot
me.
Mom :
”Uhm no.
..”Shebegant
ofeel
uneasy
.
Mom :
”Ihavesomeoneel
se.Br
ownj
ustknowI
wi
ll
gettot
hebott
om oft
his.
Br
owni
e:”Ibel
i
evey
ouMa.”
Mom : ”Thankyoudaughterandtellyour
husbandthatIdidnothaveatouchi nthi
s.I
t
mayseem l i
kethatbuti
tsnottrueBrown.You
havetobeliev
eme.”Idi dnotbeli
evehereven
onebitthoughIshouldbutIknowt hewoman
thatmademe.
Me: ”WhataboutTshego?Isawy
out
wo
speaki
ngatthewedding.”
Mom :“ispoketoherandshedeni
eseven
l
eadingt
hepolicet
owheretheweddingwas
hel
d.”
Me:
“Ishoul
dhav
eat
alkwi
thher
.”
Brownie:”Nono!Yout woshouldjustfocuson
fi
xingyourdi
ff
erencesotherthanallt
his
nonsensecauseev eni
fwef i
ndtheculpri
tther
e
won'tbeanydif
ferencebecausethey
succeededonreachingthei
rgoal:t
oruinour
wedding.”
Mom :”Browndoyouknowhowmucht hat
weddi
ngcostnotonl
yKarabobuthi
sfatherand
I
?Nogy el
witht
hatmoneyi coul
dhavewentto
Dubai
andalsoAbuDhabi.”
Me:
“Mom pl
ease.”
Mom :”Ok.Im sorr
ybutwedoneedt ofindwho
thi
spersoncouldbebecausetheyaresti
ll
goingt
ocontinuewitht
hishoaxofthei
rs.”
BrownlookedatmesoIcoul dsaysomething.I
couldt
ellt
hatshewantedust ost
opwi t
hthis
butwehadt oatleastknowwhothepersonis
andal sostopthem.Iwasabouttosay
somet hingbutPhuml awhorangthebel
l
delayedme.Hewal kedinwi
thSnethembaaka
Hleskowmami andalsoPr
etty
.Thegir
lswent
tohugBr own.
Phuml
a:”Hei
ta!”Weshoul
derbumped.
Phuml
a:“Tgom!”Hemockedmom butthat
di
dn'
tbot
herbuti
tboost
edherov
erbr
uisedego.
Mom :
”TandGThobang.TheeGl
ori
aThobang.
”Wechuckl
ed.
Phumla:“Youaredefi
nit
elyTgom.The
gr
eatestoneMaThobang!”
Mom :”That
'smythugname.”Shemayhat
e
Phumlabutt
hei
rconver
sat
ionsareal
way
sone
hunni
d.
Phumla:“ManIhavesomet
hingt
hatIneedt
o
di
scusswit
hyou.”
Me:
”Myst
udy
.”
Mom : ”Iwi
lll
eavethan.”Shefi
rst
lywentto
sayhergoodbyetoBr ownwit
hahugbef ore
comi ngt
oplantaki
ssonmycheekt henlef
t.I
glancedatPhumla.
Me:
”And?”
Him: “If
oundpict
uresofSont
iandTshego
si
tti
ngcomfort
ablyatTheEatandthatsame
dayshesentheralumpsum of50Kandal soa
ti
cketfr
om Jo'
burgtoPE.”
Me:“Thatbi
-”Ist
oppedmy
sel
ffr
om say
ing
t
hatsi
nful
word.
Me:
“Ihat
ebei
ngme.”
Him: “Look, Karabowe'
refr
iends.I
fyoucannot
evacuatethendudeIcandoi tforyouandScar
hasbeencr av i
ngtoleav
eahugeassScaron
someone'sf ace.”isi
ghed.
Me:
”Idontknow.”
Hi
m:”Youdonthav
eto.Ihav
eyourback.
Al
way
s.”
Me: “Just.
..
justdowhatyouhav etodoman
becauseIam planni
ngonsurpri
singBrownwit
h
atri
ptoHawai i
.Ineedt
olockheri nabubbl
eI
wil
lthenpopwhenherschool open.”
Hi
m:”Andy
oudontwantanydi
stur
bance?”
Me:
”Non.”
Him:“Thenconsideritdoneman.”We
shoul
derbumpedt henhewenttotakePr
ett
y
andSnebefor
eleav i
ng.
Br
own
Iwalkedi
nthebedr
oom whereIfoundKar
abo
onhiskneespr
ayi
ng.Iwait
edti
ll
hewasdown
thenImademyappearance.
Me:“Feel
i
ngbet
ter
?”Het
urnedandgl
ancedat
me.
Kar
abo:“Muchbett
er.”iwentandwrappedmy
ar
msaroundhi
sneckt houghi
twashardwith
metokeepupatt
ri
butetohishei
ghtbuthe
l
eanedmaki
ngitbet
terformetopeckhisli
ps
sev
eral
times.
Kar
abo:
“Ismydaught
ersl
eepi
ng?”
Me:
“Yes.Ij
ustcheckedonher
”
Kar
abo:
"Theni
tssaf
eformet
odot
his
”
Me: “Dowhat ?”Wi thi
nabl inkofaney eiwas
pressedont hebed.Hel i
ftedmydr essupt hen
gavemeasmi rkysmi l
ebef orehisf ace
disappeareddownmydr ess.Wi t
heacht ouch
myhear tpaceescal ated.Mypant ywassl i
dof f
andIcoul df eelashi sfacegotcl oser.Il
aid
therethereant i
ci pat
ion.Lingeringforwhat ever
hehadi nst oref orme.”Kar abo!”Isai dunder
mybr eathwhenIf el
thistonguebegant opl ay
onmyv agina.Noonehaswentdownonme
beforebutGodi tfel
tsogoodandpl easuri
ng.
Myownoceanf ill
edwi t
hnot hingbutpur e
ecstasy.Myhandshel dtightlyont hesheet s
withmylipspr essedtogethernotev enwant i
ng
tobeheard.ByKeaf orthatmat t
erbecauseI
doubttheneighbor scouldhearmebuty ou
shouldneverunder est
imatet hescreamsofa
womanmoani ngf rom purepleasure.Ifeltas
theli
quorwasr el
easedfrom myv agina.Ishut
myey esforsomet imeuntilIfel
tKarabowi pi
ng
medownt here.
Me: ”Thatwasamazing!”OhGod!Idi
dnot
thi
nkI'
dactuall
ysayt
hatoutl
oud.Hecameand
peckedmylips.
Karabo:“Shoul
dIgomakemywi
fesomet
hing
toeat?”
Me:”No.It
hinkt
hatcoul
dwai
t.”It
ookmy
dr
essof
f.
Kar
abo:
“Why
?”
Me: “BecauseIam abouttokeepmyhusband
i
nt her
oom forumut sut
sunyana(f
orsome
ti
me)youdon'tminddoy ou?”Iwentand
ki
ssedhisli
ps.
Kar
abo:
“Notatal
l
.”
Me:
”Good.Si
tdownandj
ustr
elax
.Okay
?”
Karabo:”Lookwho'st
alki
ng.”Ipushedhi
m on
thebedandhiseyeswidened.
Me:
”I'
m nowi
nchar
genow.”
Karabo:
“Who-”Ishuthi
m upwi
thaFr
ench
ki
ss.
[
02/
11,
18:
36]Mai
Kundi
:Chapt
er43
I
nt hemorningiwokeupwi t
hav erypai
nful
bodyandmyv agi
nawasheat i
ngup.Thepain
gotrealwhenIwaspeei ng.Ifel
tli
kedyi
ngthat
i
nstantmomentbecauset hepainwas
unbearabl
easf.OnceIwasdoneIwi pedmy sel
f
thenwashedmyhands.If oundKarabomaking
thebed.Ihuggedhim behind.
Me:“Morni
ng.
”Het
urnedar
oundandhugged
myshor
tbody.
Kar
abo:
“Ar
eyouokay
?Feel
i
nganypai
n?”
Me:
“Justal
i
ttl
ebutIam sur
eIcanmanage.”
Karabo:“I'
l
l gogeticef
ory
ou.Wai there.”He
walkedoutthedoorandIfi
nishedclear
ingthe
room.Whenhecamehemademel iedown
thenhespreadmyl egs.
Kar
abo:
“It
sokayt
oscr
eam.”
Me: “Iwon' t
.”Hepl acedthecol di
ceonmy
vaginat henr ani
tar ound.Myey eswer eshut
andIal sohadbi ttenmybot tom li
p.Finall
yhe
wasdonet henwewentt otakeabat htogether.
Goshwehadt ot
allyf or
gotaboutKeabutl ucki
l
y
nothinghadhappenedt oher.Shewasj ust
hungr y.Ifedherandal soIfedmyhusbandwho
woul dnotst optelli
ngmehowhungr yhewas.I
wasbasi call
ytakingcar eoftwobabi es.Once
thoset wower efulli
twasmyt imet oeat .
Kar
abo:
“Let
'sgi
vePhuml
aav
isi
t.”
Me:“Nobaby
.Ij
ustwantt
orest
.Lastni
ght
wasj
ustt
ooamazi
ngbutnowIam exhaust
ed.”
Kar
abo:
“Ok.I
'
mtaki
ngKeawi
thmet
hough.”
Me: “Ok.Youguy
sshoul
dnottakelongt
hough.
Iwanttospendmyti
mewitht
hef amil
y.”
Kar
abo:“Ipromiseyou.”Het
ookKeaand
pl
acedheri
nt hecarseat
.
Karabo:
“I'
ll
passbythemal
l
.Doy
ouneedme
tobri
ngyouany
thi
ng?”
Me: “Somethi
ngmi nt
yandt
herestyoucan
buysnacksbecausewewil
lbehavi
ngamov ie
ni
ght.”
Karabo:“Ipromi
setocomeont
imet
hen.Il
ove
you.”Hekissedme.
Me: “Il
oveyout oo.”Hepeckedmyl i
ps
sever
alti
mest henleft
.Ist
oodupf r
om the
couchandwentt ograbanappleinthekit
chen
befor
eretur
ningtotheloungeandwatchedTV.
Kar
abo
Justaminut
eawayf
rom Phuml
a'
shouseGi
na
appear
ed.
Gi
na:
“Kar
abogoback!”
Me:
“Gobackwher
e?”
Gina: “Yourhouse.Tshegohassentpeopl eto
ki
dnapBr ownandIpr omi sey outhattheywill
ki
llher .Nowgo!”i tur
nedt hecarar oundand
mur der edthe360.WhenIar rivedmyguar dwas
shotandt hel oungewasmessedup.Icl osed
myey eswhenIhadav ision.Av i
sionwher e
Brownwast iedupi nadar kroom cryingfor
help.Igai nedbackmysi ghtthencal l
edScar.
Hewi ll defi
nitel
yknowwhatt odo.
Zol
ane(Scar)
Iwasatmyhousewat chi
ngLuxoloplayi
ngin
theplayingr
oom.Iwashandl
ingBrown'scase
andr i
ghtnowIwaswaiti
ngforacall
from my
resourcesbuti
nst
eadofgett
ingt
hatcallI
recei
vedKarabo'
s.
Scar:
“Ami
go?”
Kar
abo:
“Br
ownhasbeenki
dnapped.”
Scar:
“What?
!”
Kar
abo:
“It
sTshego.Ther
e'snodoubt
.”
Scar:“Rel
ax.Iwil
lfi
ndTshegoandIwi
l
lgett
he
tr
uthoutofher.”
Kar
abo:
“Ihav
etodosomet
hingman!”
Scar:“Theonlypersonthatcandosomethi
ng
atthi
smomenti sGunner.You'r
enotGunner
.
Justprayandseeifithel
ps.”Okayt
hatcame
outsarcast
ical
l
y
Scar:“Seey ou.”i endedt hecallt
hengr abbed
mykey s.Iinf
ormedLuxol o'snannywhowasi n
thekit
chenbef oreleaving.Iblast
edDr ake'
s
Godpl ansbecauser ightnowGod' spl anwast o
all
owmet okillt
hatbi t
chI'vebeeny ear ni
ngto
destr
oyf oryears.WhenIar ri
vedather
apartmentIdidn'tevenknock.Ient eredand
walkedt othekitchenwher eshewas.
Tshego:
“Scar-”Ifi
redameansl
apathert
hen
hel
dherbyherfakeweave.
Scar:“Rememberthatdaywheny
ousenty
our
fr
iendstoki
dnapPari
s?Whenshewas
pregnantwi
thmyson?”
Tshego:
“Zol
anet
hatwasal
ongt
imeago!”
Scar:“Idon'twantthesamet hi
nghappeni
ng
toBrownandKar abo.”Ipushedherandher
headcoll
idedwiththewall
.Itookoutavery
nicekni
fefrom mypocket.

Tshego:
“Scarpl
easedon'
t!”
Scar:“Iwon'trunafteryouTshego.”She
begantoloudlycry.Igrabbedherbytheneck
andbroughtherclosert ome.
Br
own
WhenIwokeupIdi dnotrecogni
zet he
surroundings.Iwasti
edupandt heonl ythi
ng
thathelpedmewi thli
ghtwast heli
ttl
ecrackon
thewal lt
hatbroughti
nlight.Mythroatwasso
drytherewasnotev enasi ngl
esali
vaf ormeto
swall
ow.Iwasv er
ythi
rsty
.Awholel
otofthi
ngs
wereroamingaroundmyhead.Butmost
lyI
onl
ythoughtaboutdeath.
[
02/
11,
18:
36]Mai
Kundi
:SEASONFI
NALE
Chapt
er44
Kar
abo
Whenthetimehit8atni
ghtIgotacal l
from
Scar
.Ihadn'
tspokentohi
m since.Ianswered.
Me:
Tal
ktome.
Scar
:Ineedyout
ocomet
otheaddr
esst
hatI
j
ustsentyou.
Me:
Ok.Di
dyouf
indBr
own?
Scar:
That'
swhyIneedyoutocomeher
enow.I
can'
treal
l
ysaywhatIhavet
osayovert
he
phone.
Me:
Ok.I
'
m onmyway
.
Scar
:Cool
.
Iendedt
hecal
l
.Phuml
a,Zy
derandAkani
wer
e
alsoonaquest .Keawaswi thme.Iwasn'
t
abouttolethersli
ptoo.Iarr
ivedatt
heplace.
Insi
dewher eScarwas,Tshegowasont hefloor
drenchedinblood.Hereall
ydidanumberon
her.
Me:
Scart
hisi
sbad.
Scar:I
tsnot
hing.Shewon'ttel
luswhereBrown
i
s.Sheisevenwi l
li
ngtoloseherli
fet
hentotel
l
us.Youcanev ental
ktoherbutIpromisey
ou
thatshewon'
tsayany t
hing.
Il
ookedatTshego.Herey
eswer
evol
unt
ari
l
y
cl
osi
ngthemselves.
Me:
Notev
enasi
ngl
ethi
ng?
Scar
:Not
hing.
Isi
ghed.Thi
swasthemosthar
destt
hingIhav
e
hadtodealwit
h.
Me:Thenwewil
lhavet
ofi
ndanotherwayt
o
f
indBrownsi
nceshewon'
ttal
k.
Scar
:Wecancheckt
heguy
sthatsheoncesent
Par
ist
oki
dnapher
.
Me:
Hav
eyoucheckedherphone?
Het
ooki
tfr
om at
abl
eandwentt
hroughi
t.
Scar
:Al
lthenumber
sar
eher
e.
Me:
ThenIguesswehav
etouset
hatpl
an.
Scar
:Let
'sgot
hen.
Me:
Whatabouther
?
Scar
:Shecandi
eforal
lthatIcar
e.
Hewal kedoutfir
st.Isi
ghedbeforepicki
ng
Tshegoup.Ijustcouldnotleavehertheir
.She
wasgoi ngtosuffersomuchandI '
dhav eto
deal wi
ththethoughtofleavi
ngsomeonel ose
theirl
if
ewhenIcoul dhavehelpedthem.I
placedherinthebackofmycarandj ustbefor
e
drivi
ngoffIcall
edagooddoct orfr
iendofmi ne
whoownsasur gery.Idr
oppedTshegot here.
Br
own
Someguywal
kedi
nther
oom asIwasst
il
l
wonderi
ngwhatIwasdoinghere.Theonly
thi
ngIcouldmakeoutaboutt
hisguyisthathe
waswhiteandhehadblueeyesandalsoblack
hai
r.Onhishandhehadatray.
Hi
m:Ar
eyouhungr
y?
Howcanheaskmet hat
?Theonl
ythi
ngI
wantedatt
hismomentwast
obehome.Idon'
t
wantfood!
!
Hi
m:Iaskedy
ouaquest
ion.
St
il
l,
wit
hfeari
nmyhear
t,Isai
dnot
hing.
Hi
m:Iwon'
tasky
ouagai
nmi
ss.
Me:
I'
m nothungr
y.
Hi
m:So,
wast
hathar
dfory
out
out
ter
?
Iagainsaidnothing.Hethrewthetrayinfr
ont
ofmyf eetbeforetaki
ngoutaci gar
etteanda
l
ightert
hensmoked.Twomor eguys,blueeyes
andwhi t
eincompl exion,
walkedin.
Guy
2:Hasshesai
dany
thi
ng?
All
thi
sti
met
heseguy
shav
ebl
ackbal
acl
avas
on.
Guy
1:Hehasn'
tsai
dany
thi
ng.
Guy
s3:
Hav
eyouev
ent
ri
edspeaki
ngt
oher
?
Guy
1:YeahIdi
d.Hehassai
dnot
hingt
ome.
Thesecondonetur
nedandfacedmebefore
comingtost
andinfr
ontofme.Hegrabbedmy
hai
rthenpul
ledmeup.Ifl
i
nchedinpai
n.
Guy2:
Bri
ngt
hecamer
a!
Thet
hir
donebr
oughtt
hecamer
a.
Guy2:Iwil
lmakeat apeofyou.Youwil
ltel
l
Karabothati
norderforhimtogetyouhehasto
pay50mi l
li
onrand.Hisfat
hercanaff
ordit
.Am
Icl
ear?
Inoddedwhi
l
etear
sfl
oweddownmyey
es.
Guy
2:Good.
Hetookthecamer
afr
om t
het
hir
dguyt
henhe
begant
ot apeme.
Kar
abo
Iwait
edtil
lTshegoup.All
thisti
meshehas
beensedatedsoIhadtowai tt
il
lshewasup.
Shegotscaredwhenshesawmest andi
ngby
thewall
withmyar mscrossed.
Me:
Wher
e'smywi
fe?
Myvoi
cewasmor edeept
hist
ypeandIhadno
t
imetopl
ay.Iwat
chedasshebegant
ocry.
Me:ISAI
DWHERE'
SMYWI
FE?
!!
!
Tshego:
Isol
dher
!!
Shesaidthencr
iedl
oudly
.Iam notawoman
beaterbuti
fIwasIswearIwasgoingt
oki
ll
Tshegobyusingbothmyhands.
Me:
Sol
dher
?
Isai
d,muchcal
mert
hist
ime.
Me:
Yousol
dmywi
feTshego?Towho?
Tshego:Someguy snamedtheThi
rds.Tyson,
TyronandTyce.That'
sal
lIknowaboutthem.
Fuckf uckfuck!!!Shesoldmywi fetoMaf i
as.
Thelastt i
meIhadanencount erwit
hthe
mafiasIwasst illj
ustateenagerandtheywere
newi nsout hAf ri
ca.Theyareyoungerthenme
butnev erunder esti
matetheMaf i
as.They
brut
allytortureandmakesur eyoudonotdi ei
n
theprocess.Il eftTshegointhewardand
walkedout sidewher eScarhasbeent hewhole
ti
memaki ngcal ls.
Me:
Youwon'
tbel
i
evet
his!
!
Scar
:Enl
i
ght
enme?
Me:
Brownwast
akenbyt
heThi
rds.You
r
emembert
hem?
Scar
:Whoweret
heyagai
n?3Ti
nsoff
ish?How
canInotr
emembert
hem?
Het
ookhi
sphoneout
.
Scar
:Iam goi
ngt
ogetBr
own.Bel
i
evememan.
Ihadpl
acedmyful
ltr
ustonScarbecausewhen
hesayshewi
ll
dosomet hi
ngheisdefi
nit
ely
goi
ngt
odoi
t.
(
Iwi
l
ltr
yandpostt
omor
row. )
[
02/
11,
18:
36]Mai
Kundi
:SEASONFI
NALE
Chapt
er45
Ihav en'treceiv edanyf eedbackf rom ScarbutI
hadj ustst ayedupt hewhol eni ghtpr ayi
ngand
speaki ngt oGi nawhoonl yspokei nriddles.I
couldbar el yev enunder standat hing.Mymi nd
wasv erypr eoccupi ed.It houghtabouthow
scaredBr owni satt hi
si nstantmoment .Iknow
forsur eshehashadanepi sodeandmay be
thosepeopl emi ghthav ehearther .Themaf ias
donotj oke.Theyhav eal way sbeent hewor stto
deal withbutIal way shadmywaywi ththem.A
waywher ebyt heywoul dnotev enbeabl eto
stomacht het houghtofhowIwasal way sa
stepaheadf rom t hem.Phuml awal kedin
throught hedoor .Thiswhol eti
meIam st ari
ng
atKeawhowassl eepingi nhercott hatImov ed
from herr oom t othel ounge.Phuml adidn't
i
mmediatel
ysayany
thi
ngbutf
oraf
ewmi
nut
es
hest
ayedquiet
.
Phuml
a:Theycr
ossedt
heboar
der
s.
Ibi
tmyl
owerl
i
p.
Phuml
a:Scarwasal
soshot
.
Me:
Wher
eishenow?
Phumla:Youknowhim.Henev erl
ist
ens.
Especi
all
ywhensomeonei stakinghimfora
fool
.HeisinBotswanafol
lowingthem.It
sli
ke
hecanthinkj
ustastheydo.
Me:Hecan'tdot
hisal
one.Ihav
et omeethi
m
hal
fwaytoo.Domypartofthejob.Br
ownismy
wif
eanyway.
Phuml
a:Theonl
ythi
ngy
oucandoi
spr
ay.
Me:
Itsnott
heonl
ythi
ngi
am goodaty
oknow.
Hestayedquietst
ari
ngatmehopi
ngIcoul
dfi
l
l
hi
m butthel
ightbulbonhi
sheadl
i
t.
Phuml
a:Ohhel
lno!
Me:Hell
yes!Si
tt
ingher
edoingabsolut
ely
not
hingdepr
essesmetothemax .Imustdomy
par
t.
Phuml
a:Karabocomeon.Don'
tdothi
sman.
Youal
soknowt haty
oudonotwanttodot
his
whol
ebull
shit
!
Me:Brownismywi fe.Mypr
ior
it
y.Ipr
omi
sedt
o
pr
otectheratal
lcost.
Phumla:Brownknowsthaty
oulov
ehermanso
donottryandproveapoi
ntwhenyoual
ready
haveherheart
.
Istoodupandwalkedtomom anddad'
s
bedroom wi
thhi
mf ol
lowi
ngme.
Me:Justcal
lAkani
andt
ell
himt
hatIneedaf
il
l
i
n.
Phuml
a:Youdon'
tev
enknowwher
eshei
s.
Me:
Notnowbutaf
tert
hatcal
lwi
thAkani
Iwi
l
l.
Ient
eredtheweaponsroom t
henf
ir
stl
yIplaced
onabullet
proofv
est.Tookt
hegunandcl
ipped
i
tonhi
ssack.
Phuml
a:Kar
abomyG-
Me:
Cal
lAkani
Phuml
aandst
opnaggi
ngme!
Hesi
ghed.
Phuml
a:Yessi
r.
Het
ookhi
sphoneoutandmadet
hecal
l
.
“Kar
aboIneedyoutobequi
ck.Ok?Brown
needsyoumorethenshedi
dbefor
e.”
Me:
Doy
out
hinkIwi
l
lsur
viv
ethi
s?
Gi
na:
Chancesar
ethaty
ouwi
l
l.
Me:Whyarey oul
ett
ingmedothi
s?Shoul
dn'
t
youbescol
dingmelikeyoual
waysdo?
Shesai
dnothi
ngbutdisappear
.Phuml
awal
ked
i
nandhandedthephonet ome.
Phuml
a:I
tsAkani
.
Ipr
essedt
hephoneonmyear
.
Me:
Tal
ktome?
Akani
:Igott
hetr
acki
ngdev
icebuty
ouwon'
t
bel
iev
ewhereiti
s.
Me:
Wher
eisi
t?
Akani:
McCar
thysur
ger
y.Tshegowasadmi
tt
ed
ther
eremember
.
Icl
osedmyey
es.
Akani
:Kar
abo?
Isai
dnot
hingf
orsomet
ime.
Akani
:Kar
a-
IgavePhuml ahisphoneandmademyway
downstai
rs.IpickedKeaup.Theonlysafe
pl
aceisifsheiswi t
hmyf at
herbutagainhim
andiaren'
treall
ythebestoffri
endsbutIhadto
tr
y.Thi
sisat imewherebyIplacemypr i
de
asi
de.
Br
own
Twoday
sofbei
ngcapt
ured.
“
Husbandi
staki
nghi
sownt
imeIsee.
”Ij
ust
l
aidont
hebedandj
ustl
ett
het
ear
sfl
ow.
“Whatdoy
ouhavetosayBr
own?”isaidnot
hing.
Hecameandstoodbesi
det
hebed.“isai
dwhat
doyouhavet
osay?”
Me:
Whatcoul
dIpossi
blysay
?
Hechuckl edbef orewal kingoutt hedoor .I
guessIwi llhavetowai tt i
llagaint heyr etur
nto
feedmet hei rdr
ybr eadandt ast elessmango.
From thet hr eetri
plets, theonl yonet hathas
beenki ndt omeandhasshowedt hathedoes
notwantmet obet ortur edisTy son.Ty ron
beingt heirleaderandTy cebei ngt hethird
brother.Ty sonandTy r
onar et winsandi t
showst hatt heotheri st heev i
l brot her
.Theone
rott
eneggt hatspoilst her est.Ty sonasal ways
heent erswi that rayonhi shandt henst ands
awayf rom me.
Ty
son:
Brown?
It
akemyt
imet
otur
nandf
acehi
m.
Ty
son:
Yourf
ood.
Isitupst raightandintr
ospectt
hetray.I
nsi
dei
s
abet termeal Ihad9hoursago.Thereis
somet hi
ngt hatlooksli
keatacoandthere'
s
alsoacor nt hat
'sall
cookedupandlooking
tasty.Ther e'
sat ropi
cajui
ceonasideandaBar
onechocol ate.
Ty
son:
Iboughtt
hem.Eatbef
oret
heyr
etur
n.
Me:
Uhm .
..Thanky
ou.
Ty
son:
CanIasky
out
odomeaf
avor
?
Me:
Yea?
Tyson:Behave.Mybrot
her
sdontr
eall
ytoler
ate
bull
shi
t.I
ftheywouldli
ket
heywoul
dkill
you.
Howi
sthatdoi
nghi
m af
avor
?
Me:
Hav
etheyki
l
ledoneoft
hei
rvi
cti
msbef
ore?
Ty
son:
Youar
ethei
rfi
rst
.
Isaynothi
ngaf
terbutbegi
ntoeatashe
watchesme.OnceIam doneIpushthet
ray
aside.West ayedquietunti
l abangi ngsound
occur s.Thedoorhasbeenki ckeddown.Ty son
standsupat temptingtotakeouthi sgunbut
alreadyt heper sonhasshotathi m.Hewas
down.Iscr eamedi nter
rorwi tnessingsomeone
beingmur deredbygun.Ist andat temptingto
runt hinkingt hatIwil
lbetakenbywhoev er
thesepeopl eareandbet orturedt i
mesmor e
thenTy ronandTy cehavebutIst opwhent he
per sonhol dingtheAk47t aket hei
rbalaclav
aof f
.
Scar
:Ar
eyouokay
?
[
02/
11,
18:
36]Mai
Kundi
:SEASONFI
NALE
Chapt
er46
Me:
Uhm .
..Yeah.I
'
mfi
ne.
Scar
:Let
's-
“Whereisshe?
”Karabowalkedinwit
hthe
balacl
avaonhisheadweari
ngitli
keabinni
e.I
walkedtohimthenforsometi
mewest oodin
eachother
'sembraceandhewasbusyr ubbi
ng
myback.“
It
sgoi
ngtobeokay”t
hat'
swhathe
sai
dashewasbusyrubbi
ngmyback.
Scar:Ther
earesomet hatar
esti
llonthel
oose
soIwi l
lbeinf
rontofyoutoshi
eldthebot
hof
you.Keepaney eoutt
oo.
Kar
abo:
Shocase.
Scarwast hefirstthenaf t
eritwasKar aboandI .
Immedi at elyaftersteppingoutt hedoori twasa
warz one.Scardi dn'tl
ikeusi nghi sgunasI
couldseebecausehepr eferredbeat ingt he
guysbyhandwhi leKarabowasapr owhen
comi ngt oshoot i
ng.Hewasn' tevenmi ssing
anyhi ts.Oncewewer eoutoft hebuildingwe
enteredt hebl ackSUVt hent hedr iv
ebegan.I
wasabi tt r
aumat i
zedsoIwi llnotlie.Thepast
twoday swer ejustt hewor stf orme.Inev er
thoughtaper sonwoul dev erint heirexistence
got hroughwhatIexper ienced.Notev enmedi d
Ithi
nkIwi llbeav i
cti
m ofbei ngki dnapped.I
j
ustnev ersawi tt hatsucht hingscoul dact ual
l
y
happeni nr eali
t y
.Wemost lyseet hem i nstori
es
buthey .Real i
tyhasi t
sday shey .Day swher eby
youcanev enseey ourwhol elifefl
ashbef ore
you.Yourl astt hought sonl ybeingaboutdeat h
becausey oucansomet i
mesf eel
t hatitsnear.
Whenwear rivedbacki nPEwedi dn' tarri
ve
i
mmedi ately.Wef ir
stlysleptatahot elwher eI
changedi ntof reshcl othesaf tert
aki ngal ong
bath.Whenwear rivedatt hehouseGl or i
awas
withherhusbandandEr ichadKeai nhi sarms
whileK-mor ewaspl ayingwi thapl ayst ati
on3.
Hiswhol eat tentionwasgl uedt otheTV.I
greetedmyi nl awsbef oretakingmydaught er
whoIki ssedsomanyt imes.Shewasj ustso
happyt oseemet hatKeawasev enl aughing.
GodImi ssedt hissoul .
Me:How'
smommy '
spununudoi
ng?Hawumy
babyImi
ssedy
ou!(
Babytal
ki
ng)
Glor
ia:
Wewer esoworri
edhear
ingt
haty
ou
havebeenki
dnapped.
Me:
Godi
twast
hewor
st.
Er
ic:Whatmatt
ersi
sthatyou'
rehomesafe.I
am happyt
hatyouar
e.Keasti
llneedsy
ou.
Gl
ori
a:Ev
enKar
abosti
llneedsher.Godmyson
wassoscar
edwhenhecamet oinfor
m ust
hat
Br
ownhadbeenki
dnapped.
Me:
Icoul
dimagi
nehowscar
edhewas.
It
urnedandsmi
l
edathi
m.
Gl
ori
a:Nev
erhav
eIseenhi
minsuchast
ate.
Er
ic:
Hewasev
encr
ying.
Il
aughed.
Me:
YohIdoubtMrThobang.
Hechuckl
ed.
Me:
He'
sst
il
lmybabyt
hough.
Kar
aboj
ustsmi
l
ed.Ok.Hewasn'
ti
nthemood.
Me:
Keadi
dn'
tgi
vey
ouguy
shassl
esr
ight
?
Gl
ori
a:She'
smygr
anddaught
erandy
ou'
remy
daught
eri
nlaw.Iwoul
dn'
tev
encompl
aini
fshe
had.
Eri
c:Sheisaqui
etbabyt
hough.Remi
ndsmeof
Thobil
e.
Me:
Thobi
l
e?
Iaskedcuri
oust oknowwhot hatmi ghtbe.I
chosetochanget hesubj
ectsinceev er
yone
stayedqui
et.Iknewthebabybel ongedto
Rethabi
le'
schil
d.ThedeceasedRet ha.
Me:
Glor
iaIwoul
dli
ket
ospeakt
oyou.
Gl
ori
a:Aboutwhatl
ove?
Me:
Itski
ndofconf
ident
ial
.
Er
ic:
Kar
aboandIwi
l
lgi
vey
ouguy
sspace.
Karabo:
Ihavesomewher
etobe.Ipr
omi
set
o
ret
urnonti
me.
Me:
Oh.Ok.
Kar
abo:
Iwi
l
lbr
ingy
ousomet
hingt
oeat
.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Heturnedandl
eft
.Somethingwasoffi
shwit
h
Kar
abo.Hewasn'thi
msel
f.Icoul
djustseef
rom
amileaway.
Eri
c:Idon'tmindtaki
ngKea.She'
spr
obabl
y
hungry.Sheloveshergr
eens.
Me:
She'
sjust2mont
hthough.
If
rowned.
Er
ic:
Shest
il
ll
ovest
hem.
Ichuckl
edabi
t.
Me:
Iguessy
oucangof
eedher
.
Het ookKeaandGl or
iaandIwenttoKarabo'
s
study.Isawitasagoodplacetospeak.I
ts
mor epri
vateandhasspacethatIcoul
duseto
walkaround.Walki
ngaroundhelpsmewi t
hthe
nerves.Glor
iast
il
li
nti
midatesme.
Kar
abo
Icouldn'
tj
ustsi
tther
eandactl
ikeIdon'
tknow
thatsomeonewantsmywifedead.Iam aver
y
protecti
vepersonandr i
ghtnowIhav etokeep
mypr ior
iti
esunderpr otecti
on.Tshegowil
lbe
theendofme.Notj ustmymar ri
age.Shemust
j
ustbeel iminated.Ifi
rstl
ywenttoScar.Ihad
call
edhimt ell
inghim whatIneed.Het ookthe
plasti
ccontainingtheinject
ionthenhandeditt
o
me.
Scar
:Iwanty
out
obeext
racar
eful
man.
Ipl
acedi
tinmypocket
.
Scar:AndIal
sowantyoutonotmi
ss.I
tst
ime
Tshegogetsel
imi
nated.
Me:Don'
tworr
y...Thati
stakencar
eof
.You
knowIdon'
tmiss.
Scar
:Justdowhaty
ouhav
etodo.
Me:
Cool
.
Iturnedandmademywayi ntoMcKenzie'
s
surgery.HeshowedmeTshego' swardthen
disappeared.Shewassleepingbutthe
footstepsImadealer
tedhert hatshewasn'
t
al
onei
nther
oom.
Tshego:
Gody
ouscar
edme.
Shechuckl
edabi
t.
Tshego:
Kar
abo.
..Youl
ookangr
y?
Me:
Iam.
Tshego:
Kar
aboIapol
ogi
zed.
Me:Soy ouex
pectmet
ojustf
orgi
vey
ouand
f
orgetaboutt
his.
Tshego:I
tshar
dtoforgetwhatIdi
dbutKar
abo
Ineedyoutopl
easeforgi
veme.WhatIdidwas
sostupi
d.
Igr
abbedherbyt
hehai
randpul
l
edhercl
oser
.
Tshego:
OhnoKar
abopl
easedon'
tany
thi
ngt
o
me!
Tshego
Att
hismomentIwassoscaredformyl i
fe.
Kar
aboisv
erydanger
ous.Iknowhim becauseI
waswit
hhimforyear
s.Heusedtobeatmeday
andni ght.IfIdidast upidlit
tlet hingIhadt obe
punishedandhi spuni shment swer ethewor sts.
Icouldnotdi enow.Notont hisl i
feti
me.Idon' t
evenknowwhyIwant edt oelimi nateBr ownf or
him becauseIknewsowel l
t hatIwoul dgo
backt obei nginanabusi verelat i
onshi pagain
butno.Icar r
iedon.It hinkIdi dami stake.I
don'twantKar aboany mor e.Hecangot ohel l
forallicare.Iwasabl et opull f
rom hishur ti
ng
embr acet henIf i
rst
lyt ooktheI Voutbef or
e
runningoutoft hewar d.Hedi dn'tfoll
owme.He
neverf ol
lowsme.Out sideIbumpedi ntosome
guy.
Guy
:Whoawat
chwher
eyou'
regoi
ng!
Idi
dn'
tjustst
andtoapol
ogizebutIcont
inued
tohur
ryoutofthehospi
tal
premises.
Guy
:Ladywt
fisy
ourpr
obl
em?
!You'
renotsu-
Hedi
dn'tfi
nishhissentence.Hejustf
oll
owed
meti
l
l hecaughtme.I twasjustsomekid.He
wasyoung.Probably19.
Me:
Don'
ttouchme!
Guy
:Look,
youbr
okemyi
Pad.
Me:
So?
!
Iwasf
umi
ngwi
thanger
.
Guy
:Youhav
etobuymeanewonechi
ck.
Me:Lookjust.
..Iwi
ll
t r
yandgetyouonebutI
needtogetoutofhere.Pl
easehel
pme.
Guy
:Ok.Youneedt
ogot
oament
ali
nst
it
uti
on?
Me:
Ment-y
ougott
obeki
ddi
ngme!
!
Guy
:What
?Youl
ookcr
azyasfchi
ck.
Me:
Justdon'
ttouchme!
Iy
ankedmyar
m.
Me:Iser
iousl
yneedt
ogetoutofher
e.Pl
ease
hel
p.
Guy
:It
sgonnacosty
ou.
Me:
Howmuch?
Guy
:Wewi
l
ltal
kaboutt
hatl
ater
.Let
'
sgo.
Forsometimemyheaddi dn'
tfunct
ionwel
lbutI
begantowalkbehi
ndhim unt
ilwegottoa
whit
eCitygol
f.Obv
iousl
yheiscolored.
Guy
:Chi
ck,
don'
ttr
yandbesmar
twi
thme.
Iopenedthebackdoort
henenter
ed.Hest
art
ed
thecarbefor
etur
ningar
ound.
Guy:
Thisismyguy'
scar
.Godbewi
thy
oui
fyou
t
ryanyt
hingst
upi
d.
Me:
Justdr
ive!
Iwasannoyed.Hetookhisti
met i
ll
hedrov
eto
wherev
erIwil
l begoi
ng.Ij
ustneededt
ogetthe
hel
loutofhere.
(
Thenexti
nser
twi
l
lbeourl
ast
. )
[
02/
11,
18:
37]Mai
Kundi
:Fi
nal
Chapt
er47
Br
own
Glori
atookaseatandstar
edatmeasIt ri
ed
gatheri
ngthebestwor
dsnottoseem st
upidor
evenlookli
keI'
m somespyoranyt
hingforthat
mat
ter
!
Me:Fort
hepastti
meIhavehad2encount
ers
wi
thyourl
atedaught
erRet
habi
l
e.
Shemockedmyst
atementbychuckl
i
ngabi
t.
Gl
ori
a:Ser
iousl
yBrown?Youcal
l
edal
ltheway
t
otel
lmesuchst upi
dit
y?
Me: Iswearthi
sisnotajoke.Rethabil
ewants
yout oloseal
lthegui
ltt
hatyouhav e.Thegui
lt
ofthinkingt
hatherdeat
hisy ourfaul
t.
Gl
ori
a:You'
rest
art
ingt
oannoyme.
Me:
Iam ser
ious.
Sher
eal
l
yhadaser
iousandi
nti
midat
ingl
ook.
Me:
Iwoul
dnev
erj
okear
oundl
i
ket
hat
.
Gl
ori
a:Idonthav
eti
mef
oramanonsense.
Sheclickedhert onguebef
orest
andingfr
om
thechair.Rethabil
eappear
ed.Herdaught
erwas
sleepi
ngi nherarms.
Ret
ha:
Tel
lhert
hatIam her
e.
Me:
Glor
ia!
Shest
opped.
Gl
ori
a:WhatmahnBr
own?
!Whatt
hehel
ldoy
ou
wantf
rom me?
Me:Ret
habil
eisher
e..
.She.
..Shedoesn'
twant
yout
oleave.
Gl
ori
a:IswearIwil
lendyourl
ifeifyouconti
nue
wi
ththatnonsenseofyour
s!Rethabil
eisdead.
Howthehellcanyouseeher?!
Me:Whatcoul
dIpossi
blydot
omakey
ou
bel
i
eveme?
Gl
ori
a:Gi
vemepr
oof
.
Me:Askmesomet hi
ngthatonlyyouandher
knows.Shewil
lnowtel
lmet heanswerandI
wil
lsenditt
oyou.
Sheexhal
ed.
Glor
ia:
Whatdi dIhi
deunderherpi
l
lowonher
13thbi
rthday
?
Retha:Agoldneckl
acethatwasownedbyher
greatgrandmot
herHari
et.Shesai
dthatonly
herfi
rstdaught
ercoul
dwearit.Bei
ngthatIwas
thefi
rstonetobeborn.
Me:Agol
dneckl
ace.Onet
hatyourgreat
gr
andmot
herHari
etgavet
oyou.Itwasspeci
al.
Gl
ori
a:Whydi
dIgi
vei
ttoher
?
Me:Si
nceshewasyourf
ir
stdaughter
.Theone
t
hatwasbornf
ir
stf
rom t
hetri
plet
s.
Herey
esbegant
ogl
ow.
Gl
ori
a:Idon'
tl
iket
hisgameBr
own.
Me:I
tsnotagame.Icanreal
l
yseeRet
ha.She'
s
st
andi
ngnotfarf
rom you.
.
Shegl
ancedt
oherr
ighthandsi
de.
Me: Shewantstocrossoverbutwi
thyourgui
lt
andsorrowshecan'tseem t
odoso.Allthegui
lt
thathasbui
ltupinyourhearti
smakingawall
that'
sunbr
eakable.
Gl
ori
a:She'
sreal
l
yher
e?
Inodded.
Retha:Mom pl
ease.Thatdayitwasamistake.I
knowy ouwoul
dnev eri
ntent
ional
lydowhatyou
did.Pl
easej
uststopfeel
ingguil
ty.
Me:Shesayswhathappenedwasami stake.
Thatsheknowsyouwouldnev eri
ntent
ionall
y
dowhatyoudid.Shebegsyout ost
opf eel
ing
gui
lt
ybecauseiti
snotyourfault
.
Gl
ori
a:Real
l
y?
Inodded.
Glori
a:Ok.Iam sor
ryRet
ha.Iwi
ll
stopf
eel
i
ng
guil
tybecauseIknowyoulovememybaby.I
l
ov eyoutoo.
Ret
ha:
Ilov
eyout
oomommy
.
Theli
ghtthatf
lashedfrom t
hewindow
capt
uredherattent
ion.Abroadsmil
eoccur
red
onherface.
Ret
ha:
I'
mleav
ing!
Sheat
temptedt
oleav
ebutf
ir
stl
yshesai
da
fewwordst
ome.
Ret
ha:ThankyouBrown.Mybrother'
sGodsent
wif
e.Enj
oythisl
i
febecausey
oursi sfi
ll
edwi
th
not
hingbutendl
esslov
eandblessings.
Ismil
ed.Shetur
nedandwalkedtowar
dsthe
l
ightunt
ilshedi
sappear
ed.Sodi
dtheli
ght
.
Me:
She'
sgone.
Shenodded.
Glor
ia:CanIpleasebeal
one?Ij
ustneedsome
ti
met o.
..
IdontknowwhatbutIneedsometime
al
one.
Me:
Iwi
l
lgi
vey
ousomespace.
Iwal
kedoutthedoorandmademywaybackt
o
thel
ounge.
.
Thatni
ght
,Kar
abo,
Glor
ia,
Eri
candIhaddi
nner
andwej ustspokeaboutl ifeandi t
sbl essi ngs.
Thedi nnerwasanabsol utesuccessbecause
noonesai dany thinghur tfultoany oneand
Karabowasbet tert henhewasbef orehel eft.I
guesshesor t
edwhat everwasbot her inghi mi n
theot hersi de.Thenextmor ningwet ookKea
outshoppi ngandal sof oracheckup.Af tert hat
wemadeourwayt oPhuml a'shousewher eI
spentsomequal ityt i
mewi t
hourf riends.
Luxol oandPar iswer et oget herwithoutScar
beingont heway .Atsomepoi ntwest arted
gettingi nthepool whi l
et heki dswer esl eeping.
Igott oseeAkani 'sgi rl
fri
endwhogoesbyt he
nameSandr a.S'
nehadsomeguyandobv i
ously
whatt heyhadwasn' tsoser i
ous.Ev erythingj ust
wentwel lforust hatday .Adaycamewher e
KaraboandIwentt oHawai i wherewespenta
weekt il
lnewy ears.Justusi nourbubbl e.A
bubbl ef i
ll
edwi thl ov emaki ng.Wer eturnedl ater
ont he1stofJanuar y .Kar abowentbackt o
wor kingathi ssur ger yandIst ayedhomet aking
car eofKeaandal sov isi ti
nggr andmaof ten.I
hav en'thadanycont actwi thHlumi enorI ngr i
d.
Wi thIngriditwasnor mal lybutwi t
hHl umi eit
wasn' t.Nooneknewwher eshewas.Notev en
Mi nnie.Therewasnol iet hatIwasn' twor ried
butIhadt obest rong.Adaywi llcomewhenwe
onceagai nmeet .Itwasaf ewday sbef ore
school sreopeni ng.ThatdayKar abot ookKea
andIt othebestest ate.I twasoneoft hemost
beaut if
ul mansionsandi twasr eall
yhuge.I n
frontst oodasi lverMs. ThobangECMer cedes
Benzc-cl assandhesay sitsmi ne.Iwasov er
themoont hatday .Idi dn' tknowhowt odr i
v e
butIwoul dtakecl asses.Thehousei sour s.
Keahasherbi ggestnur seryandourbedr oom
beingt hemostbeaut i
ful .School sreopenedand
Iwasbackt here.Iam av eryisolatedper sonso
throughoutt hewhol ey eari twasj ustIandmy
booksatschool .I'
dcomebackandt akeKeat o
grandmawhi leIeitherwentt oOwenRev i
val
Bibleschool orbusydoi ngassi gnment s.When
they earendedKar abo, mydaught erandI
visitedReai nSwitzer l
and.Shewaswi t
hEr ic's
mot herandIknewwhyshewant edtost ay
there.Shewasav eryf unwoman.Al way s
l
aughi ngandt el
li
ngj okes.Wespentt i
mewi th
herunt ilJanuaryandsheev ensuggest ed
Kar aboandIt omakeanot herweddi ngsi nce
ourpr ev i
ouswasadi saster .Weddi ngwent
wr ong.Wesawi tasagoodi dea.SinceKar abo
andOwenhadbeenassoci atingadaycame
wher ewewentt oJohannesbur gwher ewe
attendedt heOwenchur ch.Myhusbandwas
nowamembert her et henwhenOwensawt he
needt ogobackt oLondonhel etmyhusband
takeov ersonowhewaspast orThobang
thoughhewasr eallycommi t
tedt ohisdoct or
andhusbanddut i
esbuthewasabl etoj uggl e
thet hr ee.Beingapast orandahusbandand
alsoadoct or.Hesai d, healingot hersismy
calli
ng.Ipassedmymat ri
xwi thanadmi ssi onin
bachel ors.IwenttoAAAwher eIam nowbusy
tr
y i
ngt ogett hatbachelor s.Kar abowasbymy
sidesi ncethebegi nningunt ilt
oday .Iam a
mot herofonedoi ngmyt hirdy earinuniv er
sity.
Imar r
iedat17y earswithav erylovingand
caringman.Hest ri
vedmet odobet t er
.Inspired
meandbecauseofhi m Ididnotgi veup.Idi d
notgi veupi nli
fe.Youshoul dn'ttoo.Todayy ou
mi ghtseem unwor thyandusel essbutj ust
knowt hattomor rowisadaywher ey oucanbe
wor thyandasomebody .Youcanbesomeone
whoi nspir
esot hersbutt hatcoul donl ybewhen
youcani nspir
ey ourself
.Nev ergiveup.
Thankyouforatt
enti
velyreadi
ngmyst or
y.No
onedidnotwanttoli
stentomebef or
ebuty ou
di
dandIam greatful
forthat.Ihopey
ou
enj
oyedBrown'sHeart.Muchlove.