[

8/5,
09:
08]Depr
essi
on-
Myt
rut
hMyescape

Allmyl ifeIhav ebeent hi

sclosedof fpersonIkeep
tomy selfev enwhenIdof indfriendsIdon' tshare
muchwi t
ht hem especial
lyaboutper sonalissues,
butIhav emyr easonswhichI '
l
lshar easmyj ourney
continues.I thasn'tbeeneasygr owi ngupi nrural
areasy ouknowwehav ecousins, cousin'
schi l
dren,
mot hers, grandparentsal
lli
vingi noner oofandi t'
s
notapr oblem it'
sactuall
yverycool .

Butthenagainhav i
ngabi gfami lyallvanishedaswe
hadfuneralsyearafteryearinmyf amily
,y ouknow
whenev eryt
imeay earendsy ouasky ourselfifyou
arenextinli
netodi ebecausei tbecamesomet hing
evenourcommuni tytal
kedaboutl i
keoh
kwaLukhelewhoi snexti nli
net odiebecausei t
becamenor mal f
ort hem toattendaf uner alathome
,Ithi
nkt hataff
ectedallofusi naway .Letmewal k
youthroughthejourneyofDepr essionbecausemy
exper
iencewi
thDepressi
onmaybeal
i
ttl
edi
ff
erent
fr
om whatyou'
veseenoutther
e.

Mynamei
sZi
yandaLukhel
eandt
hisi
smyst
ory
I
nser
t1
Zee
Idon'tknowhowIf eelaboutmov i
ngtoaboar di
ng
school partofmeofi shappyt hati'
ml eavi
nghomeI
meani thasn' tf
eltli
kehomeev ersincemygr annies
diedanot herpartofmei sscar edofbei nganewki d
i
nSchool doingGr ade8andal r eadyit
'ssecondterm
soimagi neev eryoneisalreadyusedt obeinginthe
newschool andher eisyourgirl whojustcameinka
secondt erm.Youmustbewonder i
ngwhy, wel
lmy
mot herisat eacherinPM
BkznandathomeIwasstayi
ngwi
thmyauntunt
il
l
shegotanewjobsoIhadt
omovetoanewschool.

ButmyAuntdi
dn'
tgetaspaceformeinboar
ding
housesi
ncei
twasful
lal
readysoIhadtowai
tfor
thefoll
owingyeart
obeaboarder
.Soshegotmea
room torenti
nahouseneart
heSchool,t
her
ewere
otherpupil
sthereandIf
oundafri
endnamedLi
ndi
le
wecl i
ckedinj
ustaminut
eofmeeting.

Leewasdoi ngGrade9shewasal r
eadyfamil
i
arwit
h
theplacesandpeopleintheareasosheshared
somest ori
esabouttheplacesomewer escar
yand
somewer ejustfunnybutthat
'
salltheyweretome
"j
uststori
es"butoneofthem becamemyr eal
itymy
Scaryreal
it
y..

Comment..cr
it
isi
zei
fyouseesomet
hingsoIcant
ry
tochangei
t Zee
[
8/5,
09:
08]Zee

*Soasi'vement i
onedbeforeImighthavef
ounda
fr
iendinLeebutIwasn' tashyperandshar
ingasshe
was..Iwouldjustli
stentohergoonandonal l
day.
.
Thegirlcantal
ky hoo
I
twasMondaywewer
eonourwayt
oSchool
.

LEE: hheeyouknowZi yandat hereisthisguyinthi

s
area,buthedoesn'tact
uallystayherebutheonl y
comesonceort wiceay ear..bathiuyi
sosha( t
hey
sayhei sasoldi
er)andhei sv er
yscar y.Theysayhe
forcesgir
lst
obehi sgir
lfr
iendsi magine.
ME:Idon'
tbel
i
evet
hatImeancan'
thej
ustasky
ou
outnor
mall
y
LEE:
Wel l
Idon'
tknow.Butpeopl
esayhedoesn'tbeg
andi
fyoudon'tagr
eetobehisgi
rlf
ri
endhetakes
youfor
ceful
l
y
ME:
okayLindi
l
enowyouarescar
ingt
hesh#toutof
mel
et'
sjustdr
opt
hesubj
ectokay.
LEE:(l
augh)gwal
a(coward)Sur
ebabei
'l
lseeyouat
breakti
meokay.Iwillf
etchyouiny
ourcl
ass

Wegoourseper
atewayst
henbreakti
meshe
f
etchesmewegotothecaf
eter
iaandbuyf
ood.I
alwayshadmoneybecausemom al way ssent
moneyt oourl andlordformet ocarryatschool.I
thi
nkshewasj ustusingmoneyt omakeupf ornot
beingt here.
.seei'm notusedtomymot her,Idon't
evenr ememberusspendi ngov ert
woweeksev en
duringschool holidaysshewoul dj
ustcomef ora
weekorl essthenshe' sgonetoherf amily
,sheis
mar ri
edt oherson' sfatherwhoi syoungerthan
me. .
soInev ergott imet ospendwi t
hher .

Sobackt omeandLeeourr out

inewasgotoschool
together,
dur
ingbreakt
imeweeattoget
herandafter
school wewaitf
oreachot
hersowebecamev ery
close.
Onedaywewer efrom schooltalkingandl aughing
asseewasbei nghertalkati
vesel f,nextthi
ngLeei s
suddenlymut eshe'snotsay i
ngany thi
ngwhenIl ook
athershehast hi
sshockedi mpr essionIseewher e
sheislookingandIseet hi
sTALLguyst andingthere
l
ookingstraightatusandIl ookov eratLeeagai nI
seeherstretchingherarmt ohol dmyhandI 'm stil
l
confusedonwhyshei sact i
ngliket hisandwhyt he
hel
li
sthi
sguyst
ari
ngatusbecausei
'
venev
erseen
hi
m ar
ound.

IfeelLeelit
erall
ydraggi
ngmehalfrunni
ngst r
aight
towher ewest ay,okaythi
siswei
rdbecausewear e
alwayst hel
astpeopl et
ogethomebecauseoft he
tal
kingandl aughingwedoonourwayf rom school
sowedr agourfeet.AnywaywegethomeLeei sstil
l
mut e,okaythat'
sit
ME: Li
ndi
l
ewhatisgoingonwhyar eyouacti
ng
weir
dandwhoi sthatguythatwasst
ari
ngstrai
ght
atusandInoti
cedhowy ourfacej
ustsuddenl
y
changedwhenyousawhi m..Whoishe
LEE:Uhm doyouremembert
heguyIt
oldy
ouabout
..
.i
sosha(thesol
dier
)
ME:yesIdo.
.Uuhwaitwast
hathim,whywashe
st
ari
ngatusli
kethat(
nowi'
m pani
cki
ng)
LEE:
seet
hati
swhyi
wasact
ingt
hatwayhescar
ed
me.
ME:
sohei
sback
LEE:
l
ooksl
i
kei
t.
ME:ohwell
hebetterst
ayawayf
rom ust
heni
fhe
knowswhat'
sgoodforhim.
.
Weenduplaughi
ngabouti
tthenwet
alkedabout
someot
herthi
ngs
Thefol
l
owingdaywearef
rom school
theguycomes
st
rai
ghtatuswestop
GUY:Wena(y
ou)( hei
spoi
nti
ngatme)Iwi
l
lseey
ou
l
aterat7(
andjustwal
ksaway)
Mytearsjustf
all
sIr ememberthestoryLeetoldme
abouthowhedr agsgi r
lst
ohishouseiftheyresi
st
goi
ngwi t
hhimI '
mt hinki
ngheisgoingtodothatto
menow.
LEE:don'
tcr
ylat
erwewi
l
lgost
aywi
tht
hel
andl
ord
andasktowatchTV
Wellt
hatmademef
eel
ali
tt
lebet
terbutIwasst
il
l
scar
edaf.
.
At7pm wewentt ot
helandl
ordandaskedtowatch
TVsheal l
owedustoby9:30wehadtobackt oour
room becausei
twasbedti
me( whi
chareatherback
yardinar ow, youknowy ourty
picalroomst or
ent).
.
Aswear ewal kingbackwehearf ootstepswerunto
ourroomsaswear eaboutt oreachthedoor
someonej ustgr abmyar mf or
cingmet oturnback
ther
ef acet ofacel ooki
ngata" soldi
er"hesignal
Leetocomet ohi m shedoesexact l
ythat.

GUY:j
aawenayougoandsleepIst
il
lwantt
otal
kto
yourf
ri
endanddon'
tdoany
thingst
upi
dokay
LEE:
(Shequi
ckynodsherheadandgost
rai
ghtt
o
herr
oom)
I
'
m al
readyi
ntear
s
GUY:
Ukhal
elani
(whyar
eyoucr
ying)Di
dn'
tIt
ell
you
wewil
lmeetat7
AllIcandoi
snodmyheadast ear
sandmacus
fl
owsonmyf ace.
..Icoul
dli
ter
all
yhearmyhear
t
beat

TobeCont
inued.
..
.Zee
[
8/5,
09:
08]Zee
Cont
inuat
ion
I
nser
t2

Theguyst ar
tsdraggi
ngmeout si
dethey ardnowwe
ontheroadIcan'tseem t
of i
ndmyv oicetoscream
oranyt
hingi'mtooscaredhestil
lhavehisnail
sdug
onmyski n,sur
ebynowi haver
edmar ksonmyar m.
GUY:
ubani
igama(
what
'
syourname)
ME:
(Cr
ying)Zi
.
..y
anda
GUY:I
fyouwantust
ogetal
ongy
ouwi
l
lwi
pet
hose
t
earsoff
.
Iqui
ckl
ywi
pet
hem butt
heykeepcomi
ng
GUY:(
shouti
ng)whythehel
lar
eyoucry
ing
ngi
yi
slwanengi
dlaabant
u(i
'
m anani
malIeatpeopl
e)
Ishakemyhead
Hest
art
swalkingt
owar
dsthedi
recti
onwhereLee
t
oldmehishousei
sandIt
rytoresi
standhelooks
madver
ymadandIgetshi
versIcanseehim
cl
enchi
nghisjawsbecauseofstr
eetl
ightandno
oneImeannoonei spassi
ngbyt her
oadisjust
emptyIguessthi
sisi
tIdon'tnowwhatthi
sperson
wil
ldotomeandwhyme. .
Sowegetintohishousehelockst hedoorand
si
gnal
smet ositonthebedandIdo. .Helay
sdown
andl
ooksatmeandt el
lsmet olaynexttohim Ido
ashesays,westaysil
entfr
om av erylongti
me.I
fi
ndcour
aget ol
ocatemyv oice.
ME:
ufunani
kmi
na(
whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me.
Hedoesn'
trepl
yforqui
teawhi
l
e
GUY:
arey
oust
il
lav
irgi
n
ME: (i
'
m shockednotthatIdon'
tknowwhatbei nga
vi
rginisbutImeani '
mjustpureandinnocent
haven'tev
enstarteddat
edIstil
lrunawaywhena
boyshowsi nt
erestinme)
SoIst
ayqui
et
GUY:
ngi
yakhul
uma(i
'
mtal
ki
ng)
ME:
Y..
.es
GUY:
Good
NowIf eell
i
kedy ingwhyi si
tso"Good"t hati
'ma
vi
rgi
nwhydoesheseem t ohappyabouti t
.Ithinkan
hourpasseswi t
houthim sayi
nganythingtomeI
guesshedoesn'tt al
kmuch.Nextthinghest andsup
andtakesallofhisclot
hesev enhi
sbr i
efsnowt he
water
fall
sstartagaini'
m cry
inguncontroll
ablenowI
canseewher ethisisgoingandi'
m prettyscared.

Het
ell
smet
okneel
ont
hebed,
Idoso
ME:
I'
m sor
rypl
easeI
'
mreal
l
ysor
ry
GUY:
Don'
twast
emyt
ime.
.Kneel
Idoashesay sandshov eshi
smanhoodi nmy
mout hhedoest hatforacoupl
eofmi nut
esandI
feelhi
sliquidsinmymout hivomitri
ghtther
e,he
cli
ckshistoungueandputonhi sclot
hes
Again..
whilei'm st
il
lgagginghetel
lsmet ogetup
heistakingmebackt omyplace..
partofmei s
happy,i
tcoul dhavebeenwor sebutican'
trej
oiceas
yetImeanIdon' tknowmay betomorrowhe'l
ldo
worse..
GUY:sayany
thingt
oany
onei
'
llki
l
lyou.
.butv
eleno
onecandoshittome
Het
hent
urnsawayandwal
k

Irunasf astasacheet
aht oLee'sr
oom Iam
bangingatherdoorshequi ckl
yopensasifshewas
waiti
ng,shehugsmeIcanseeshe' sbeencryi
ng
..
wesl eeponherbedwi thoutsayi
nganythi
ngto
eachotherf oraf
ewmi nutes
LEE:
Didhehur
tyou
ME:
Yes,
mysoul
LEE:
I'
m sor
ryIcoul
dn'
thel
pyou
ME:
itsokayt
hatguyi
sscar
y
LEE:
Sohedi
dn'
tuhm y
ouknow.
Iknowexact
lywhatshemeans
ME:Noheonl
yshov
edhi
sthi
ngi
nmymout
h
LEE:
I'
m sor
ry
Wegoqui
et
LEE:
Iguessit
struet
hathel
ikesvi
rginsandhekeeps
youpureanddoesn'
tdoany
thingothert
hanwhathe
didt
oyou..
Theysayhedidthatf
oryearstoNtokobuthefor
ced
hertodovir
gini
tyt
est
ingeveryyeart
oseeifsheis
sti
l
lavir
ginbutheconti
nueddoingnast
ythingst
o
her

Wellt
hatgav
emehopethatat
leasthewasn'
tgonna
puthi
sdir
tythi
ngi
nme

Tobecont
inued.
..
docomment Zee
[
8/5,
09:
08]Zee
I
nser
t3

sonowwear ealway st
hefi
rstoutofthegateaf
ter
school,
sotodayisnoexcepti
onwear ewalki
ng
fast
erandnextthingwehearthecarhootbehi
ndus
weturntol
ook,t herei
sataxidr
ivergr
eeti
ngus
smili
ngwegreetbackandattempttoawaybuthe
askifhecoul dhaveawor dwi thme,leel
ooksatme
andItellherweshoul dgot ohim,al
lIcanthink
aboutisthatmay bethistaxiguywil
lbeabl
et o
prot
ectmef r
om soldierman, i nmyheadI'mlikei
f
hewant sust odatethenitsfineasl
ongast hatwil
l
keepthatfil
thymanawayf rom me
Taxi
Guy:HimynameisMisokuhl
ebutyouguyscan
cal
lmeMi so.
.Sowhat
syournamelove(heask
l
ookingatme)
ME:
I'
m Zi
yandaandt
hisi
smyf
ri
endLi
ndi
l
e.
MISO:ni
ce..
doy oumindgett
inginthecari'
m goi
ng
t
ot akemyli
ttl
ebrotherf
rom thecrechenear
bythen
I
'l
ldropyouguysoffatyourplaceonourwayback
LEE:uhm Zeewehav
eanassi
gnmentweneedt
o
fi
nish
Ithi
nkshecannot
icet
hatI
'
m aboutt
oagr
eet
owhat
thi
sguysays
ME:Iknowbutweonl
ysubmi
tt
ingnextweekcome
l
etsgo..
Igr
abherar
m andwegeti
nthet
axi
..
AndIhav
ethe
mostf
akestsmil
eeverbecauseMisokeepsl
ooki
ng
atmesmil
ingfr
om t
her ev
iewmirr
or.Ineedt
hisguy
I
'venev erhadaboy f
ri
endandher eIam aboutt o
haveat axidri
verasmyf ir
stev erandi twon'tev
en
begenui neIguessyoucansayi '
mt hinkingabout
usinghimt ogetmrsoldierof fmybackbutmay be
thi
sMi soisalsotry
ingtotakeadv ant ageofmeI
meanwhatcoul dhepossibl ywantf rom someone
l
ikemeaski nnytal
lschool kidwhilehecanhav eany
l
adywor ki
ngandwi t
hcur vesandwhat ever.SoI
won' tf
eelbadaboutdatinghi m underf al
se
pretences.
MISO:
soZiy
andai
tsmyf
ir
stt
imeseei
ngy
ouar
ound
her
earey
ounew
ME:
YesIst
art
edat
tendi
ngschool
her
ekaSecond
t
erm
MISO:ohIseesohowar eyoufi
ndi
ngt
hispl
ace
i
yaqhel
eka?(
gett
ingusedtoit
)
ME: notr
eal
l
ypeopl
ear
ever
ymeanher
eand
abusivet
oo
MI
SO:
(hel
ooksshocked)
Abusi
ve,
someonei
s
abusi
ngy
ou
Leei
slooki
ngatmeandshaki
ngherhead
ME:
Yest
her
eist
hisguyt
hati
sabusi
ngme
MI
SO:
Doy
ouknowhi
sname
ME:
noIonl
yknowt
hathei
sasol
dier.
MISO:
nxushouSabel
o(y
oumeanSabel
o)sonofa
bi
tch,
whatdi
dhedotoyou
ME:
soy
ouknowhi
m?
ThenIstartt
ell
inghi
m EVERYTHINGhedi dt omeI
canseethisdarkmanclenchi
nghi sj
awsl ooking
veryangr
yandhepunchest hesteri
ngwheel light
ly
andIsmileyesIthi
nkthi
sisit,
thisguywillbemy
escapefrom t
hesocall
edSabeloandl ookslikethey
havehist
oryorheknowshimv erywell

ME:
Doy
ouknowhi
m per
sonal
l
y
MISO:
YesIknowwhathedoestogi
rl
syourageand
i
'v
ebeenwanti
ngt
omeethim soIcangi
vehima
pi
eceofmymind.
ME:
I'
m scar
edofwhathemi
ghtdonext
MISO:Ohdon'
twor
ryhewon'
tdoshi
ttoy
ounowI
pr
omise
ME:Howdoy
ouknowt
hat
,y
ouwon'
tbeal
way
s
ar
ound
MI
SO:
tr
ustmeIwi
l
lbet
her
ewheni
tmat
ter
s.
Heseemsconf i
dentandi
tsrubbi
ngof fonme
becauseIdon'
tfeel
soscaredofthatguyasIwas
befor
eandIhavehopenowt hatheisgonnaleav
e
meal one.
Welnourwaybacktoourhomenowhedr opsusoff
andtel
laskformynumbersIgivehi
m wit
hout
hesi
tat
ionandhegiv
esmehi sandtell
smet ocal
l
hi
m wheneverIseet
hatguyaround.If
eelsaf
e
al
ready.
Wegoinmyr oom andi
tsthenInot
icet
hatLeehav
e
beenawf
ull
yquit
eanditsunli
keher
.
ME:
Hhay
iLeewhat
sgoi
ngonwi
thy
ou
LEE:
iseewhaty
out
ryi
ngt
odo
ME:
andt
hati
s..
LEE:Ar
eyout hi
nkingofdatingMiso,
Zeethatguyi
s
awomani serhewi l
lplayy
ouandy ousti
l
lyoungand
neverhadaboy f
riendsowhaty ougonnadowitha
guywhomay beistwiceyourage
ME: Yout hi
nkIlov
edoi ngthi
s?huh?Idon'
thavea
choi
ceIcan' tsi
tarpundandwai tf
orthatguyt
odo
worset ome,andI'
dr at
herdateMisobychoicethan
bedr aggedonthesestreetbythatsol
dier
.
NowI '
m shoutingIam angr
ybecauseseemsl
ike
Leeisjudgingmenow, shedoesn'
tseem t
ogetwhy
I'
m doi
ngt his.
LEE:
I'
m sorr
yZeedi
dn'
tmeant omakeyouangr
yI'
m
j
ustworri
edthatMi
somighthurty
ou.
ME:Wel
li
tsbet
tert
hanwhatt
hatguymi
ghtdot
o
me.
LEE:
I'
m sor
ryy
ou'r
egoi
ngthr
oughal
loft
hisi
njusta
shor
tperi
odofti
meinher
e
ME:
It
scool
atl
eastIhav
eyou
Shesmil
esandwehugandgot owashourschool
uni
for
mt henf
etchourbookst
owri
teour
assi
gnmenti
nLee'
sroom.
I
talr
eady8pm andwej ustt
alki
ngthenweheara
r
idi
culousl
yloudknockwegoqui t
eimmedi
atel
y.
.I
t
hinkwebot hfeel
whoitis.
.
Theknockconti
nuesandIlookformyphoneand
dialMiso'
sNumberandputitonspeaker..
Igocl
ose
tothedoorandaskwhoisitandMisoalready
pickedup
SOLDI
ER:
Opent
hisdoorwena
ME:
Whyuf
unani
la(
whatdoy
ouwant
)
SOLDI
ER:
Eyopent
hisdoorori
'
llbr
eaki
t
Meanwhi l
eMisoist
ell
i
ngmehei sonhiswayandI
shouldn'
tdropt
hephone.Thi
sguyissti
ll
bangi
ngon
thedoorwehearhimtalki
ngtobab'
Dlamini
the
l
andlord
BAB'DLAMINI
:ehmfanakwenzekani
ufunaukphula
i
zicabhazami
(eyboywhat
sgoingony ouwantto
br
eakmydoor s?)
SOLDIER:
nosi
rI'
mlooki
ngf
ormygi
rl
fr
iendshei
sin
ther
e
BAB'DLAMINI
:butt
her
ear
eki
dst
her
esowhoi
s
yourgi
rl
fr
iend
SOLDI
ER:
Ziy
andai
s
Wehearbab'
Dlami
nil
aughi
ng
BAB'DLAMINI:Ehmfanaungazodlalal
ainganeleyo
phumaf ut
hla(boydon'
tpl
aywi t
ht hati
sachild,j
ust
getoutofhere.
Ihearmyphoneri
ngingIdi
dn'
tev
ennot
icet
hati
t
haddroppedi
tsMiso.i
answer
MISO:Zi
yandaar
eyouokay,
i
'm byt
hegat
eishest
il
l
t
here
ME:
yeshei
sbyt
hedoorar
gui
ngwi
tht
hel
andl
ord
MISO:
Okayst
ayi
nsi
deI
'
m comi
ngi
n.andt
hephone
dr
ops.
Wehearf
oot
stepsandt
henMi
sot
alk.
MISO:Babawhati
sgoi
ngonIwasjustpassi
ngby
AndIheardnoi
sei
sever
ythi
ngokay
?
BAB'
DLAMINI:
thi
sboydoesn'
twanttol
eavemy
compoundhesay
shehasagirlf
ri
endher
eandhei
s
tal
ki
ngaboutal
i
ttl
egi
rlwhocanev
enbehi
s
daught
er
MI
SO:
Many
ouneedt
oleav
enow
SOLDIER:
Thi
shasgotnot
hingtodowit
hy ousowhy
don'
tYOUleaveandgowherev
eryouweregoing
MISO:
I'
m notl
eav
ingunt
il
lyoudo.
.Sol
diercl
i
ckshi
s
t
ongueandwehearfoot
stepswal
ki
ngaway.
BAB'DLAMI
NI:
thankyouman..
thi
sguywi
l
lnev
er
changehest
il
lprey
sonyoungones
MI
SO:
Itsokayhewi
l
lmeethi
smat
chsoon.
Theygotheirseper
atewaysandwesti
ll
standi
ngby
thedoorLeeissmill
ingl
ooki
nghappy
LEE:
NowIgeti
tIt
hinkwear
ereal
l
ysaf
ewi
thMi
so.
ME:
Ithi
nksot
o
ButIst
il
ldon'
tl
ikehi
mlikethatIdon'
tev
enknow
hi
m,myphoner i
ngsi
tshim
MI
SO:
Wozal
a(comeher
e)
Iunl
ockthedoorandIfi
ndhimleani
ngonhi
scar.
he
openshi
sarmsf orahugandoncei'
minhi
sarmshe
i
nhal
esdeepl
yandIf
eel
shi
versdownmyspi
neI
don'
tknowwhat
sgoi
ngonbutij
ustf
eel
moresaf
er
l
iket
his

Li
keandcomment
Zee
[
8/5,
09:
08]Zee
I
nser
t4

Iwakeupnextmorni
ngmyphonei sr
ingi
ngi
ts
fl
ashesAuntont
hescreensoIknowitst
he1
5thsheonl
ycall
swhenshetel
lmetheyhave
deposi
tedt
hemoneytobab'
dlami
ni'
saccountat
l
eastshecal
lsunl
iket
heper
sonIcal
lmother.
LeeandIdeci
detoaccompanybab'
dl
aminit
otown
sowecanbuyaf ewclot
hesLee'
smom sendthe
moneytobab'
dlami
nitoo.
Webuyfoodwiththeol
dmanthenwetakehimt
o
t
hetaxi
rankbecausewear
enotleav
ingyet
.
Wegobackt oMrPr
iceandpickupsomecl
othes,
I
feelahandonmywaistandIt
urntoasmi
li
ngMiso
nexttome.
ME:
Ohcomeonar
eyoust
alki
ngme
MI
SO:
(laughi
ng)of
causenotIsaw
Youwi
thbab'
dl
ami
niatt
her
ankandIf
oll
owedy
ou
OhIforgothei
sat
axi
dri
ver
,I
'
m ont
hepant
ies
sect
ion
MI
SO:
mindi
fipi
ckf
ory
ou
ME:
Eewnoi
'
mfi
ne
MI
SO:
please
OhwellIl
ethi
m butt
hisi
sawkwardheonlypi
cksup
l
acepanti
es..
guesst
hatsfi
nebecauseIl
i
kethose
vel
e
wegot
othecounterhet
ell
sleet
oputhercl
othes
wi
thmi
neandtakesouthi
scard
LEE&I
:Nowe'
l
lpay
MI
SO:
It
sokayIi
nsi
st
Wel ethi
m beandgotot herankwegetinhist
axi
andhet el
lsustogoi
n, It
ell
Leet ogoinf
ir
stIdon'
t
wantt osi
tnextt
ohim soIsitnexttol
eeandwait
forhim.
Nextthingmyassi sont hefloor,Ilookupandi '
m
welcomedbyasl apthenanot heroneIletouta
scream andLeei sstandingnexttomepushi ng
awayt hisabuser..
okaythisonei sstal
kingmeno
doubt.IseeMi sorushingtousandhest artgiv
ing
thesoldierful
lbl
ownpuncheswhi chmakeshi m
bleedrightonthespot.
Ican'tf
eelmyf acei'm sur
ei'm uglyashellri
ghtnow
..Misothenstanduphehasbl oodonhi shandsbut
hisfaceisperf
ectlyfi
ne. .
whatkindofsol di
eristhat
beatenuplikethat.suddenlyIfeeldizzyLeecatches
meandmi sotakesust ohistaxi anddriv
esoffinful
l
speed.
Hetel
l
sleetotakemeinsi
deIdidn'
treal
i
sewear
e
her
ealr
eady
..Hespeedoffagai
n..
TheminutewegetinIgost
rai
ghttobedImayhav
e
dozedoffbecauseIf
eel
Leeshaki
ngmesaying
Misoi
sout
sidecal
li
ngme..It
ellLeetocomeinwi
th
hi
m andmakesurebab'
dl
aminidoesn'
tseehi
m
Theygeti
nandLeeexcuseus.i
tgoesquit
efora
whil
ei'
m sti
l
linbedwi
thablanketovermyhead,
he
sl
owlyuncoverst
hebl
anketandfindmecryi
ng.
MI
SO:
I'
m sor
ryl
ove
Icont
inuesni
ff
ing,
het
akesof
fhi
sshoesandget
sin
nextt
omeandpl acemyheadonhi
schest
.
MI
SO:
Hav
eyout
oldy
ourmom
ME:
shewon'
tcar
esoIwon'
tbot
her
.
MI
SO:
whatdoy
oumean
Istartt
ell
i
nghi mthatmom i smar
r i
edandherfamil
y
i
scompl eteandi '
m notpartofit.
.Iguessi
tseasi
er
tal
kingtostrangersIdon'tremembershari
ngmuch
wit
hev enmyaunt ..butIbecameabur dentohert
oo
iguessthatswhyi '
m hereat ar
gettoasoldier
.
MI
SO:
hewon'
thur
tyouany
mor
e
ME:
youdon'
tknowt
hat
MI
SO:
TrustmeIdo.
.Hehi
tyoui
nfr
ontoft
axi
dri
ver
s
,mycolleguesandt hatwasabadmov e,
verybad
andit
swor sewhent heyheardyouwerewit
h
me,mostt axidr
iver
sar erut
hless.Soi
'
m sur
ey ou
wil
lneverseehim

Af
terhear
inghi
m sayt
hatIcal
m down,
now
Ihavetowaitforafewdayst oseeifIwon'tev
er
seet
hatsoldi
ereverthenIbreakwhateveri
sgoing
onbetweenmeandMi soIdon'twanttostr
inghim
al
onghemi ghthurtmetoo.

Imayhav
edozedoffagai
n..Iwakeuphei
sput
ti
ng
onhi
sshoes,
Isi
tupandlookathim
MISO:
Tomorr
owi'
mt aki
ngy
out
othedoct
ori
fyou
wakeupst
il
lswol
en
Ijustnodmyhead,hecomest
omeandki
ssmy
foreheadt
henl
eave.
Leeget
sinaf
ewmi
nut
esl
ater
.
LEE:
Howi
syourf
aceIgoty
oupai
nki
l
ler
s
ME:Thankyou,
forev
ery
thi
ngLeeIsawy
oubei
ng
j
ackiechanont
hesoldi
er(
laughi
ng)
LEE:
Real
l
y?Ial
mostki
ckedhi
sass
Welaughedaboutit
..Il
oveLeeshehasbeenatr
ue
f
ri
endasisterInev
erhadhecksheismyf ami
l
y.

Zee
[
8/5,
09:
08]Zee
I
nser
t5

It
ssundaywet akechairsandsitoutsi
deinthesunI
havedecidedt hatshouldMi socomet odayi'm
breaki
ngwhat everwehav e.
.Aswesi tt
ingtherewe
seeasol di
erwi thbigassbagandhepassesour
houselikeitsnott here.
.Wel ookateachother
May behei sgoingbackt owher ehecamef r
om,
niggaisli
mpi ng. .
Ifeelasenseofreli
efsoMi sowas
ri
ghtthisisthel astti
meseei nghi
m,may be..
Istar
tbr
aidingLi
ndi
le'
sherhal
fwayt
hroughwesee
Miso'
staxipassi
ngbyslowl
ythenmyphoneri
ngs,
i
ts
him
MISO:comeoutwewi
l
lmeetatkwaMsent
(ashop
near
by)
ME:
okay
Ihopehewon'
thur
tmef
orwhati
'
m aboutt
otel
lhi
m
MI
SO:
hel
l
olov
e
ME:
Hi
MI
SO:
Geti
ni'
l
ldr
ivear
oundal
i
ttl
ethendr
opy
ouof
f
Inod
ME:
Isawt
hatguyl
eav
ing,
i
sitf
orgood?
MI
SO:
yesi
tis
I
'
m happyt
oheart
hat
ME:
Souhm mi
so
MI
SO:
whati
sit
Hest
opst
hecarwear
eataspor
tgr
oundandi
ts
empt
y
ME:
i
'm sor
rybuti
'
m notr
eadyt
ohav
eaboy
fri
endy
et
MISO:
uhm butyouagreedt
obemywomant
heot
her
daywhathaschanged?
ME:
i
'mj
ustnotr
eady
I
tgoesqui
teforawhil
eandIhearhi
m chuckl
e,oh
boynowi'
m scar
edthatchuckl
emmm mm
MISO:ohi geti
t,
Youwereusi
ngmeZi
yanda?
huhsoI
cangetridofSabelofory
ousonowt
hatheisgone
youthinkyoucanjustdumpmeli
ket
hat.
ME:
It
snotl
i
ket
hatI
'
m sor
ry
Hegetsoutofthecarandgoesar oundwher ei'
m
si
tti
ngandopenst hedoor..I
'
m alr
eadyshakingwhat
wil
lhedotome.Ij uststar
ttear
ingup,Ihavemy
handsonmyf aceinattempttoprotectitf
rom
whatev
eriscl
mi ngbeitslapsorpunches.
Ifeel
himtouchmyhandssl
owl
ypul
l
ingt
hem away
fr
om myface.
MISO:
OhGodi '
m sorr
yloveifIscar
edy
ou.
.Iwon'
t
doanyt
hingt
oy ou.Shi
tI'
m sorry
Ihearpani
cinhi
svoi
ceIt
houghhei
sangr
y
MISO:Idi
dn'tmeant
oscareyouIwantedustositin
thosebenchesandtal
k..
sor
ryokayI
'
llneverputmy
handony ou,t
hat
snottheki
ndofmanIam okay .
Inod.hehel
psmeoutoft
hecarandwesi
tont
hose
benches.
MISO: Youseem broken,l
etmeputt hosepieces
toget
herIknowi twon'tbeperfectitwil
lbecov er
ed
i
nscar sbutlet
stry.
.Iwanttobet hereforyouIknow
youarestil
lyoungbutpleaseletmebet heonet o
healyou.
ME:
Ican'
tyougoi
ngt
ohur
tme.
MI
SO:
Iwon'
tpl
easegi
vemeachance.
Heislooki
ngdeepi
nmyey esandholdi
ngmy
hands.
.i
tisonl
ynowInot
icedarkbuthandsomehe
i
s.
MI
SO:
Letmeshowy
ouLov
eZi
yanda.
.l
etmei
n

Hishandisonmycheekhegetsclosert
omyface
andIquickl
yst
andup,
I'
venev
erkissedaguybef
ore
soIdon'tknowwhatifIbi
tehi
m Noo.
ithi
nkhe
not
icethati'
m scar
ed.
MISO:(
hestandsupandbrushesmycheek)don'
tbe
scar
edjustfol
lowmyleadokay.
.
Inod..i'
m curiousIwantthistohappenIwantto
knowhowi tf eel
s..
ourli
pslocksandi'
m stunnedhe
continuesIgetahangofi tandkisshi
m back
foll
owi nghislead..heisnowbreathi
ngheav i
l
y..I
feelsomet hing,Idon'
tknowwhati ti
sbutmybodyi s
ti
ngleandI 'mf eel
inghot..
hebri
ngsmecl osertohim
notbr eaki
ngt hekiss..
okayit
sgetti
ngreal
lyhotsoI
pullaway. .
andl ookdown
MISO:
(Hebr
usheshisli
pssmili
ng)damnthatwas
good.
.y
ousur
ey ou'
veneverki
ssedanyonebefor
e.
Ismile,
suddenl
yi'
m allshy.
.okayIwantt
ogivethi
sa
tr
yheseemsgenui neabouthisfeeli
ngsandI
'm
star
ti
ngtofeelsomethi
ngf orhimtooIdon'
tknowif
i
tslovebutit
ssomething..
Wewalkbacktot
hecaranddri
vebackhomehe
st
epsoutandcomestomyside..
andhejustpi
cks
meupfrom t
hecarandput
smedownIguessi '
m
t
hatl
i
ghtwei
ghthuh.
.
MI
SO:
i
'l
lseey
out
omor
rowheyby
eLov
e
ME:
Bye

Weeksfl
ewbywest i
l
ltoget
herwithMisoandheis
tr
eat
ingmeri
ght,I
'
mi nthebet
terspaceri
ghtnowI
cansayIf
eel
free.
.
NowInev erl
ookf owar dt
oschoolholi
daysbecause
nowi '
m al
way saloneathomeev ersi
ncemyaunt
gotthatJob.
.Istayaloneunti
l
lit
stimetigobackto
school.
.i
'
m usedt oitnow..

I
tsbeenay earnowwithMisoIcansaynowI'
m
i
nlovewi t
hhim andi'
vegrownLeeissti
l
lmybest
fr
iendweont hesameclassnowGrade9shefai
l
ed
l
asty earandshejokedabouthowshedidf
ail
edon
purposetowai tf
orme.
Sointhi
sclassther
eisthi
steacherwhodoesn'
tli
ke
meatall..
shehavebeenli
kethiseversi
ncet
heyear
st
artedIdontknowwhatsgoingonbecauseIdon'
t
ev
enf
ail
hersubj
ect
..
MISS.K:Real
lyZiyandayouaretalki
ngwit
hyour
f
ri
endi nmyclass..i
sitbecauseyouarebei
ng
f
etchedbytaxisnowhuhi sthati
t
ME:
sor
rymi
ss
Duri
ngbr eakI'm beingcall
edi nthestaf
froom l
ooks
l
ikeMissKt oldev eryteacherthati'
m dati
ngataxi
dri
veryhootheyat tackmel eftri
ghtandcentreIgo
outcry
ingIf eelsomeonegr abbi
ngmyar m andits
MissK. .
MI SS,
k:ifyouknowwhat sgoodf oryou..yougonna
stopseeingMi sokuhl
eheismybabydaddy. .
.y
ou
arejustanotherbit
chonthehitli
st..
hewi l
l dump
youoncehei sdonewithyou.
.sodoy ourselfa
favourandleavewhi l
eyourdi
gnit
yisst i
l
l i
ntact
OhwowsoMisohasbeenplay
ingme,i
'mjustgl
ad
i
'v
enev
erdoneany
thi
ngotherthanki
ssi
ng..
Iseehistaxibythegate.
.nor
mallyIwouldjustgo
strai
ghttohim butt
odayIjustpassitbyandlook
strai
ghtaheadIdon'twanthimtoseeme. Luckil
yhe
didn'
tseemeI '
m alr
eadyathomeIseehi scardr i
ng
f
ull
speedcomi
ngt
owar
dsourhouseIt
ell
Leet
osay
I
'
m notar
ound
LEE:
HeyMi
so
MI
SO:
Uphi
uZi
yanda(
wher
eisZi
yanda)
LEE:Idon'
tknowIhav
en'
tseenherl
astsawherat
school
MI
SO:
Okay
Hedr
ivesof
fandIcomeout
..
LEE:
Heseemswor
ri
edf
ri
end
ME:Idon'
tcare..Hi
sbabymommawhohappenst
o
bemyt eachertol
dmet ost
ayaway
..
sot
hisi
sme
st
ayingaway .
Lat
erthateveningLeedoest
hesamet
hingt
ell
i
ng
hi
mi '
m notarround
LEE:
okayt
hist
imehei
sfr
ust
rat
ed
Wehearsomeoneshout
ing.
.ohdamnit
shimthank
godbab'dl
ami
nii
snotar
oundbutheiscausi
nga
scene.
MI
SO:
Ziy
anda.
.Zi
yandacomeoutIknowy
ouar
ein
ther
elovepleasecomeoutZiyandangenzeni(
what
didIdo)pleasejustcomeandtell
mewhati '
vedone
Iwil
lfi
xitpleasebaby.
Somuchdr ama,di
dhereal
l
yt hi
nkIwoul
dn'
tfi
ndout
aboutababyi'
vehear
dnothingabout
.
Thisi
stheti
meIwi shIgott
hespaceatboar
ding
housebutmyauntdidn'
tdoaf ol
l
owupthisyearsoI
endedupgoingbacktoBab'
dlamini
'
shouse.
..
[
8/5,
09:
08]Zee

I
nser
t6

It
sbeen3weekssi nceIbroket hi
ngsof fwithMiso
hekeptcomi ngbackbeggi ngbutIt oldhimt ogobe
withMissKIdon' twantt ofailIcan'
taf for
dtowith
mymot heryou'
llnev erknowmay beonedayshewi l
l
decideshenol ongerwant '
stosendmoneyany more
andwhatwi l
lIdot hen..
ThatiswhyIdon' twant
anythi
ngt hatwilldelaymef rom fi
nishingschool
whileIsti
llgetthatmoney .
.
Wedeci detogot otownMe, Leeandbab' dlamini
's
sonhei sinvarsi
tyandhel ikeshangingoutwi thus
whenhei saroundandheact sli
keabigbr othert
o
ushei scoolthoughItakewhatIcanget
(brot
her,
sist
ercousin)becausebl oodmakesy ou
rel
atedbutloyalt
ymakesy ouf amil
y..t
hatiswhyI
considerLeeandbr ot
herNj abulofamilybecause
theyhavebeenl oyalt
ome.

LEE:
Ohohcoupl
eal
ert
Iwonderwhatshemeansbutt hatthenItur ntolook
whereshei slookingweseeMi sowi thMissKanda
verycuteli
tt
leguyt heyarebothholdinghis
hands.MissKseesusf i
rstthenstopIwantt oturn
awaysobadbuti tl
ooksli
keMi ssiswaiti
ngf orus
Misolooksupandi sshockedtoseeus. .
Ilookback
andNjabulocat chesuswithusandhei nnocent l
y
wrapshisarm ar oundmyneckheal waysdoest hi
s
tomeorl eewhenwear ewal ki
ngIseeMi so'sface
changeinstantl
y .
.HayboisthatangerIsee?Why
wouldhebeangr yheiswithhisfam .
MISS,
K:ohZi
yandaIseeyouhav
eaboyfr
iendandhe
l
ooksli
keyouragemate,
goodmovebystoppi
ngto
dat
eoldguyswithki
ds.
.
Njabuloki
ssesmycheeckIt
hinkheisdoingt
hison
purposeheseeswhatsgoi
ngon.Looksl
ikeMiso
wantst oj
umponhim
ME:
l
etsgoguy
s.
MI
SO:
Ziy
andacanwet
alk
MISS,
K:aboutwhatMisokuhl
esheisj
ustachi
l
d
l
eaveheraloneandbesidesshei
swit
hherboyfr
iend
r
espectthat.
LEE:
Byeguy
shepul
l
susaway
AndLeeandNj
abul
ost
art
slaughi
ng
ME:
Andwhati
ssof
unny
NJABULO:Didy
ouseethatguysfacehewas
breat
hingf
ir
e..
Iwant
edhimt omakeasingl
emov
e
atmeandIwasgonnapunchhi steet
hout
.
Leei
sl aughi
ngIenduplaughingtooImeant he
gest
uresJayismakingareoutoft hiswor
ldand
besi
desIcan'tpi
ctur
ehi
mf ighti
ng, hel
ooksli
keyour
t
ypicalmama'
sboy
,st
rai
ghtbutdef
ini
tel
ynota
f
ighter
.
WegobackhomeandIgot omyr oom andt akeout
myphonef rom t
hebagIhav eamessagef rom miso
i
treads(soy ouhavemov edonsosoondi dy ou
evenlovemeZi yanda)Ir
eply(youguyslookedgood
todaywithmatchingoutf
its)hecal
lsal
most
i
mmedi atel
y)
ME:
Whati
sitMi
sokuhl
e
MISO:
don'
tdot
hatZi
yandacanIseey
out
oday
pl
ease
ME:
Noy
oucan'
tby
ee.
Idr
opt
hecal
l,
Njabul
oget
sinandsi
tnextt
ome
JAY:
uri
ghtsmal
l(ar
eyouokaysmal
l
)
ME:
YesI
'
m good
JAY:Soyoudateoldguysandwhendi
dyoueven
star
tdati
ngIthoughtIwasgonnabey
ourf
ir
st
boyfr
iend
Il
aughandstanduptounpackthegroccerynot
payi
ngatt
ent
ion.
.If
eelhi
m breat
hingbehindmeI
tur
nheist
oocloseforcomfor
tIstepbackbuthe
bri
ngsmecloseandkissesmeIpushhim.
ME:
thef
uckJaywhatar
eyoudoi
ng
JAY:
:
Uuuhsor
ry.
.i
'
m sor
ryIhav
etogo.
I
'
m puzzl
edwhatt
hehel
lIonl
yseehi
m asabr
other
.

Lat
erintheeveni
ngmyphonebeepsi
ndi
cati
nga
messageitsMisoaski
ngmetocomeout
.aargLet
mejustgohearwhathewant
s
Igeti
nthepassengerseat
MI
SO:
Soi
shey
ournewboy
fri
end
ME:Youcal
l
edmeher
etoaskmet
hat,
arey
ou
ki
ddingme.
MISO:
Ohsorr
yjustt
hatI
'
m hur
tthaty
ouhav
emov
ed
onsosoon
ME:mmm andwhatabouty
ouhuhwer
en'
tyouwi
th
yourf
am.
MI
SO:i
tsnotl
iket
hatIwantedt
otakemysonf
or
movi
esandshetaggedal
ong
ME:youdon'
thav
etoexpl
ainwenott
oget
her
any
mor e
MI
SO:
ButIl
ovey
ouZi
yandaandy
ouknowt
hat
ME:
Ithoughty
oudi
d
MI
SO:
Butt
hatguyi
sgonnapl
ayy
ou.
ME:Justli
keyouwantedt
oplayme?.
..
Hei
snotmy
boy
friendthat
sbab'
Dlami
ni'
sson
MI
SO:
Buthewant
syou
ME:
Howdoy
ouknowt
hat
MISO:isawt
hewayhewasl
ooki
ngaty
ouIdi
dn'
t
l
ikethat
ME:
ihav
etogoMi
soby
e.
MI
SO:
il
ovey
ouandy
ouwi
l
lbemi
neagai
n
ME:
keepondr
eami
ng
Iwal
kaway
..
IseeNj
abul
ost
andi
ngt
her
e
JAY:
Sot
hat
showy
oudoi
tri
ghti
nfr
ontofourgat
e
ME:
NoIj
ustwant
edt
otel
lhi
mtol
eav
emeal
one
Hecl
i
ckshi
stongueandwal
kaway
..okay
!
Igeti
nmyr oom thenri
ghtnextt
omybedt her
eisa
deadsnakeit
sheadi ssmashedIrunoutt
oLee's
room andI
'm shaki
ng..
whatthehell
!!
!

Zee
[
8/5,
09:
08]Zee
I
nser
t7
I
'm sti
l
lst
andi
ngbyLee'
sdoorsti
l
lshaki
ngLeeis
l
ookingatmepuzzl
edpr
obablybythewayIpushed
herdoor
LEE:
Ziy
anday
ouar
eshaki
ngwhati
sgoi
ngon
ME:i
..
.Asnake..Thereisdeadsnakenexttomy
..
.mybedLeeIdon' tknowhowi tgott
hereIwentto
Misoforl
essthan10mi nut
escamebackt oasnake
i
tsheadissmashedLee
LEE:
OhmyGod, that
sscaryifi
tsdeadthatcanonl
y
meansomeoneputi tt
her
e,y
oudidn'tl
ockthedoor
whenyouwentout?
ME:
NobecauseIknewi
wasn'
tgonnat
akel
ong.
.
Wegoandseet hi
ssnakeandwef i
nditsti
ll
ther
eit
s
pr
ett
ylongWegoandcal lNj
abulowecomeback
wi
thhim..
heisshockedt
oohef i
ndsastickand
pi
cksthesnakeupwithi
t.
JAY:
didy
oul
eav
ethedooropenZee
ME:Nobutitwasn'tl
ooked..
eit
herwaythedead
snakewasn'tgonnamovet omyr oom .
.someone
musthavelefti
theretoscareme.
JAY:
whothen?maybey ourboy
fri
ends.
.y
oudat
eol
d
menprobabl
yoneofthem.
Ij
ustcryhowcanhesayt hat
,Idat
eMEN?how
manyarether
e..Mytear
sdoesn'tf
azehi
m hej
ust
walksawaysandthr
owawayt hesnake.
LEE:
It
sokaymay
besomeonei
spl
ayi
ngsi
l
lypr
anks
atus
ME:
mel
eet
hatsnakewasi
nmyr
oom okay(
Isnap)
Shekeepsqui
te.
.
ME:
I'
m sor
rydi
dn'
tmeant
oshoutaty
ou.
LEE:
Iunder
standi
tsokay
.
WestayforawhileandIdeci
detogot
alkt
oJayI
don'
tl
ikethi
stensionbet
weenus.
ME:
heyNj
abul
o
JAY:
JaaZi
yanda
ME:
Looki
'
m sor
ry
Idon'
tevenknowwhati'
m sorryforbutifthat
swhat
i
ttakestoendthi
stensi
oni'
l
ljustapologiseIcan'
t
aff
ordtoloosehi
m asabrot
her .
JAY:I
tsokay
..
i'
m sor
ryt
oof
orbei
ngi
nsensi
ti
veback
ther
e..
ME:
cool
guessIdeser
vedi
t.
JAY:NOyoudidn'
t..YouandLeeareli
kesi
ster
sto
meIshouldn'
thavekissedy
ou.ishoul
dhav
ekept
thesef
eel
ingstomy sel
f.
ME:l
ookJayIseetakey
ouasmybr
otherIdon'
t
wannal
osethat.
JAY:
It
sokay.
.sowhati
sthest
orywi
tht
het
axi
guy
.

It
ell
himt
hest
oryf
rom t
hesol
diert
owhenwebr
oke
upwi
thmi
so.
.
JAY:I
'
m sor
ryy
ouwentt
hroughthat.
.sodon'
tyou
thi
nkheist
heonewhoputthesnakether
e.
Okaynowi '
m scaredal
lov
eragai
nwhatifheisback
tofini
shmeof f.
..
ohmyGoditsreal
l
yhim..Njabul
o
hugsmeandt ell
smemay beit
snothim maybeitsa
prank.
..
ifi
tis,
ITSNOTFUNNY..
igobackt omyroom thenItrycall
i
ngMi so
wheneverIfel
tscaredIusedtocallhim becauseI
fel
tsafewithhi
m..Iguessit
sahabi tIhav en'
tbeen
scaredinmonthsnowIam buti tsdif
ferentnowhe
i
snotwi thmeany morebuti'
llcal
lhim any wayhe
sti
ll
want sme..
Hisphoner
ingsandgoest
ovoi
cemai
l
..It
ryagai
n
,Heanswer
s..
MI
SO:
what
sup
Henev
eranswer
sli
ket
hatwhenIcal
l
..
ME:Misoi
'
m scaredsomeoneistr
yingt
oscareme
t
herewasasnakeinmyr oom adeadsnakeMiso.
.I
t
hinksomeoneisaft
erme.
MISO:What
!?Zi
yandaar
eyouokay
?whendi
dthi
s
happen
Ihearpani
cinhi
sv oi
ce..
thenIhearaf
emal
evoi
cein
thebackgr
ound.
i'
m surethatsMissK'
svoi
cet
hat
l
adycanshout
MISS,K:
Reall
yMisoyouar
etalki
ngtoheragaindi
dn'
t
yousayitsover
..
whatdoyouseeinthatchi
l
d
Misokuhl
ehuh
MI
SO:
eyawumeZi
nhl
emaar
n
IguessMi
ssKi
sZi
nhl
e.
ME:
I'
m sor
ryf
orcal
l
ingy
ou
MI
SO:
Nodon'
tbesor
ry.
.I
..
Idropthecal
lwhatwasIt
hinki
ngt
hathewi l
ldr
op
every
thingt
obewithmeli
kebefor
e..Iknowifi
twas
backthenHewouldhavet
oldmehei sonhisway.
Nowi'
m sad.
.Igot
oLeeandsleepnextt
oherand
wat
chseri
esonherlapt
opt
il
lwedoseoff.
AtmidnightIwakeupsweat i
ngLeeisshaki
ngmeI
wasdreami ngaboutasnake.
.Seei
ngthatsnake
real
l
ytraumat i
sedmeI'
m evendreamingabouti
t
comi
ngatme.
.
West ayf orawhi l
eandLeegoesbacktosleepI
can'tsleepi '
m scaredi'
m gonnahav
eanightmar
e
again..I'
mt emptedt ocal
lMisoagai
nbutIcal
l
Njabuloinstead..
.
JAY:
(sl
eepyv
oice)Zi
yandawhati
sitj
oe.
ME:
Uhm I
'
m scar
edIcan'
tsl
eep.
.
JAY:
youi
nyourr
oom
ME:AtLee'
sroom Idon'twanttowakeherupshe
wasupwhenIhadani ghtmareandwentbackto
sl
eep..
JAY:
comeout
..
igooutheisst
andi
nginthemai
nhouseIgot
o
him.
hisonl
yweari
ngboxers.
JAY:
Het
akesmyar
m andl
eadmet
ohi
sroom.
.
Heget
sinbedandIj
ustst
andt
her
e..
okayt
hiswasa
badi
dea.
.
JAY:
arey
ougonnaj
uststandtherecometobedI
won'
tdoany
thi
ngwewill
justsleepZiy
anda.
IgotobeandIgi
vehim mybackhecomescloser
andhol
dsme.I'
m uncomfor
tabl
ebecauseIcanfeel
hi
smemberonmybut t.
JAYB:
Rel
axZeej
ustsl
eep.
.
Iwakeupi t
smor ni
ngalreadyIhavet
ogetreadyfor
schoolwewr i
ti
ngexam at10..Ir
usht
omyr oom I
openthedoorandi '
m welcomedbyabadsmel lI
seebloodonthef l
oorIscream f
orNj
abul
ohe
rushesoutandmov emeawayf r
om t
hedoorand
getin.
..
JAY:
yhoo
That
sal
lhemanaget
osay.
.hei
stooshocked.
.I
vomi
t.
JAY:
Leecomequi
ckl
y.
LEE:
Whyareyoushout
ingmyname(shel
ooksat
me)Zeewhat
sgoingonJaywhati
swrongwit
hher.
..
Heshowshermyr
oom .
.Leest
epbackandnext
t
hingshei
svomi
ti
ngt
oo
Nj
abul
ojustst
andst
her
e..
Ithi
nkhedoesn'
tknow
whatt
odonext..
Igetupfrom vomitingandtakewateranddri
nkand
helpLeedrinktoo..Intwohourswehav etobeat
schoolsowegogetr eadyi
nLee'sroom Jaysai
dhe
i
sgoonacl ean..hetakesmyunifor
mi haven'
twent
i
nside.
.
Wefini
shwr
it
ingandgobackandmyr
oom i
sopen.
.
Jaycomest
ous
JAY:
Iopenedf
orf
reshai
r.
.
ME:
Howbadwasi
t?
JAY:
eyZeet
her
ewasadeadcatt
hist
ime
Lee&I
:what
..
It
hinkIshoul
djustgobackhome,
i
'm donewi
tht
his
pl
aceforreal
..
JAY:
I'
l
l t
alkt
odadaboutt
hisi
'
m sur
ether
e's
somethi
nghecando.
I'
m st
ayi
ngwit
hLeebutIsleepinJay'
sroom.
..i
ts
beenoveraweekandnot
hinghashappenedwe
checkmyroom ev
ery
daynothinghasbeen
happeni
ng.
.
Wej
ustchi
l
li
ngout
sideJay
,LeeandImyphoner
ings
andIgetbor
edi
nst
ant
ly
ME:
Misokuhl
e
Jayl
ooksatmeandshakeshi
shead.
.
ME:
Whatdoy
ouwant
MI
SO:
Iwantt
oseey
ou
Hayboi
sthi
sguyseri
ous..
henevercal
l
edmeback
whenIt
oldhi
m aboutadeadsnakeinmyr
oom.
.and
nowhewantstoseeWho?
ME:
phumaki
mi(
leav
emeal
one)
Idr
opi
t.
.
I
tri
ngsagai
nandIj
ustswi
tchi
tof
f.
.
Bab'dl
aminii
scomi ngbackt odayhewasat t
ending
arelat
ivesf
uneralhe'sbeengonef oraweek, so
todaywewi l
lbetel
linghim aboutt
het hi
ngsthat
havebeenhappeningi nmyr oom .
.i
fhecan'tdo
anythi
ngtheni'
m goingbackhomeshame. .
.

Zee
[
8/5,
09:
09]Zee
I
nser
t8

Wei nthemainhousenarrat
ingev er
ythi
ngthathas
beenhappeningtoBab'Dl
amini andhehasalready
concludedt
hatit
switchcr
aft,oldmanwant stotake
met othewit
chdoctorbutIpol i
tel
ydecl
ine.
.Iam
afr
aidofwit
chdoctorssoNot hankyouBab'dl
ams.
Hegivesmehol l
ywatert ospr
inkl
earoundtheroom
whenIsleep. .
i'
m notsleepi
nginthatroom any
time
soonsoI '
l
ljustspri
nkleandgosl eepwithLeesi
nceI
can'
tsleepwithNjabuloany more.

It
sfri
dayNjabul
owentoutIthi
nktojogor
somethi
ngbecausehehadthegym clotheson.Lee
andIwalktotheshopt
henweseeMi so'staxit
here
arenopassenger
sIguessheisnotwor kingtoday
..Hepar
ksnexttous,
getoutandstandinf r
ontofus.
.
MI
SO:
Sani
bona(
hel
l
o)
LEE&I
:hi
Miso
MI
SO:
Ihav
en'
tseeny
ouguy
sforawhi
l
e
Wejustl
ookathi
m,IseeNjabul
owalki
ngtoushe
st
andsnextt
omebrushingmycheekthenki
ss..
JAY:
Howar
eyoubbe,
Li
ndi
l
ent
wanay
ouokay
LEE:
Leenods
I
'
mjustst
andi
ngt
her
e..
JAY:
Soyoudi
dn'
tmi
sssl
eepi
ngnextt
omet
hepast
fewday
s?
Iseewhathei
str
yingtodo..
makingMisojeal
ous
andit
sworki
ngheisfumingevenhisnoseis
sweaty.
.
MISO:By eZiyanda( hegetbacki
nsi
dehiscar,
he
l
ookshur t,
dissapointedangr
yandIfeel
badhow
coul
dNj abulodot hiswhyisheacti
ngli
kean
i
nsecureboy fri
end. .
Ij
ustwal
kawayl
eav
inghi
m andLeest
andi
ngt
her
e.
Theyfol
lowmei '
mjustqui
te..Jaygoestothemain
housewegot oLee'
sroom ..
wehadpl annedthat
me,JayandLeearegoingt
owat chmoviesonJay'
s
l
aptopandi'
mi nnomoodf orthatguy.
Hecomeswi
thhi
slapt
opi
'
m st
il
lnotsay
ing
any
thi
ngt
othi
sguy.
JAY:
Whatki
ndofmov
iedoy
ouguy
swannawat
ch
LEE:
howaboutcomedy
?
I
'
m notsay
ingasi
ngl
ewor
d..
JAY:
Whatabouty
ouZee
Ij
ustl
ookathi
m andst
andaboutt
ogoout
.
LEE:
HawuZeewher
ear
eyougoi
ng
ME:
myr
oom
JAY:
Younotscar
edofy
ourr
oom any
mor
e
ME:
Zeewewi
l
ltal
klat
erokay
.
Igooutt
omyr oom andchil
l
..Ist
artmi
ssi
ngMi
so,
I
putmyphoneonpri
v at
ethencallhim.
.
MI
SO:
Hel
l
o
ME:
Wher
ear
eyou
MI
SO:
uhm whoi
sthi
s
ME:
It
smeZi
yandaar
eyoubusy
?
MI
SO:
Noi
'
m notbusywhyy
ouhi
dingy
ournumber
.
ME:Iwasafraidt
hatyoumightbewit
hMi
ssKIdi
dnt
wantherseeingthati
tsmecall
ing
MI
SO:
O..
kay
..Ar
eyouokay
?
Ikeepqui
tef
orasecond
ME:
Cany
oucomeseeme.
MI
SO:
I'
m comi
ng
Iwai
tforhi
m andMyphonebeepsIj
ustgot
ohi
m
andgeti
nthecar.
.
MI
SO:
you'
ref
ine?
ME:
cany
ougi
vemeahug
Helooksshockedbuthehugsmeany way.
.west ay
l
ikethatf
orawhilewit
houtsay
ingaword,t
hisisjust
whatIneed.
.ipul
lawayandIki
sshim hei
sst unned
f
oramomentbutki ssmeback. .
Ipul
lawayagain
ME:
Doyoumindifwegotoyourpl
ace.
hedoesn'
t
r
epl
yheisj
ustl
ookingatme..
MI
SO:
arey
ousur
eyou'
reokayZi
yanda
Heisstil
lstunnedbecauseihav
eneveragr
eedt
ogo
tohishousebef or
enotevenoncesothi
sis
shocki
ngt ohim..
ME:
i
tsf
inei
fyoucan'
tI'
l
ljustgobacki
nsi
de
Iatt
emptt oopenhestopsmeandst artstheengi
ne.
Wear equiteal
lthewaytohishouse. .Iseeadog
,ohhellnoIhatedogsI'
m notgett
ingoutoft hi
scar
..i
tsworsewheni t
sstart
sbarki
ng. .
Ithinkheshould
takemeback. .
helooksatmeandl aughs
MI
SO:
youar
eaf
rai
dofadoghuh
ME:
idon'
tl
ikei
twhent
heybar
k
MI
SO:
i
tsokayt
hati
smydogy
ou'
rewi
thme
Ishakemyhead. .hejustwalkoutandwal ktomy
sidehecarri
esmei nsidethehouset hengoout
againIguesstolockthecar..
I'
mj ustlooki
ngaround
thishouseiscl
eanandbeaut if
ulwithhugepainti
ng
ont hewall
sIguesshel ovesart.
Hecomesbackandleadmet oaroom maybei
ts
hi
sIdon'
task.
.Idon'
tevenknowwhyI'
m her
e
ME:
Soy
ounev
ercal
l
edmeaf
terIt
oldy
ouIsawt
he
deadsnakei
nmyr
oom,
youdi
dn'
tcar
e?
MISO:Icar
eaboutyoual
otbutIwasn'
tsur
eify
ou
wantedmet obether
eornoty
oudumpedme
Zi
yanda.
ME:
OkayIunder
stand
MI
SO:i
'
m sor
ryf
ornotbei
ngt
her
ewheny
ouneeded
me.
Wet
alkf
orsomet
ime.
.Thenhegoest
otakeabat
h.

Itakeof
fall
myclothes,
Idon'
tknowwhati'm doi
ng,
I
gostrai
ghtt
owhereheisshoweringIopenthe
showerdoorhepopshiseyesout
MI
SO:
Ziy
andawhatar
eyoudoi
ng.
ME:
Taki
ngashowerwi
thy
ouobv
iousl
y
Thenmyey esgoesdowntohi
sd*ckandIgasp
..
thatt
hingishuge.
.t
hiswasabadIdea.
MI
SO:
Uhm .
.I
..wel
lI
'm done
Hetakest
hetowel andat
temptt
ogooutIgr abhis
ar
m andpull
himt omeweki ss,
hepicksmeup,legs
ar
oundhiswaistandhegoesoutoftheshowerand
pl
acemeont hebedandhecontinuekissi
ngme.
MISO:Zi
yanday
ounotr
eadyf
ort
hisLov
eyoust
il
l
young
ME:
Iam r
eady.
.Iwantt
odot
hiswi
thy
oupl
ease.
.
Het henkissesmeagai nandt akesof fmybr awhich
i
swetIwenti nwi t
hi tandmypant iesintheshower.
Hest ar
tkissingmeboobsandIf eelallt
ingle.Hi
s
handsmov est omypant yandtakesi toff..
all
thi
s
ti
mehi sey eshaven'tleftmine..
hegoesbackt omy
boobsandgi veseachoneoft hem at t
entionhis
l
ickingthensuckingt hem Imoan, heplantsoft
kissesallt
hewaydownt omycooki e..
whenhei s
abouttoputhi sheadt her eIcl
osemyl egs,Nohe
can'tdothat
MI
SO:
rel
axokay
Hesl
owl
ypar
tsmyl
egsandst
artsucki
ngmycl
i
t
Ishake.
.damnt
hisfeel
ingi
sfor
eignIdon'
tknow
whattomakeoutofit
.
Hecont i
nuessuckingandl i
ckingmycl itt
henst art
pushinghistongueinsi
deIf eelititssowar m Igrab
onthesheet sheisrubbi
ngmycl i
twi t
hhisthumb
thefeel
ingisint
ensehe'stonguesi sgoinginand
outfasternowandIf eelsomet hingbuildi
ngupt hen
mywhol ebodyshakeforaf ewmi nutes..
whenI
comebackt omysenseshei slooki ngatmesmi li
ng.
Ij
ustki
sshi
m Iwantmor
e..
WekissthenIfeel
hisd*ckontheent
ranceofmy
cooki
e..
hetel
lsmet orel
ax..
Hestart
srubbi
ngi
tonmycl
i
tal
i
ttl
enowIf
eel
a
needfori
t.
ME:
Miso.
.pl
ease
Hepushesitinali
tt
let
henagain..ImoveasIfeela
bi
tofpain.
.Hegrabsmybut tcheeksandpul
l
sme
cl
ose..
butithur
ts..
hepushesonemor eti
me..Ifeel
morepain
MI
ISO:
I'
m sor
ry.
.Sor
rybaby.
..
i'
m sor
ry
Hestar
tmovi
nghi
swaistsl
owlygoi
nginandoutI'
m
f
eel
ingabi
tofpai
nnowpleasur
eistaki
ngover
.he
star
tmov i
ngfasterst i
l
lgr
abbi
ngmybut tcheeksI
feelsomet
hingbui l
dingupagain.
.Ir
eleaseit..
hei
s
sti
ll
going..
groaningandcussing
MISO:ShitZi
y andababy..
you'r
esohot
..
shit
..
.shit
..
.shitIcan'
tl
astforl
ongbabe.
.Hol
dme
t
ight

Iholdhim. .
Ithi
nki
tscomingagai
n..
Ifeelhisbody
shakingthenhecoll
apsenextt
omest i
llbreat
hing
heavil
y.
.
Okaynowt
hathei
sdonei
tsbur
ningdownt
her
e
ME:
Ithur
ts
MI
SO:
Sor
ry.
.i
twi
l
lbebet
ternextt
ime.
.
Hegetsupandcomesbackwit
hat
owel
andwi
pes
me..
thencomesleepnextt
ome
MI
SO:
Thanky
ouf
orgi
vi
ngmey
ourpr
ide.
.
ME:
Itr
usty
ou
MISO:
youknowIthoughtyouarenol
ongerav
irgi
n
si
ncethatguysai
dhesleptwi
thyou
ME:
Nowedi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngnotev
enaki
ss
MI
SO:
Thanky
ou.
.Il
ovey
ouZi
yanda
ME:
Buty
ouhav
eMi
ssK
MISO:
iwantt
obewi
thy
ou.
.meandZi
nhl
ear
eJust
co-
par
enti
ng
ME:
Ohi
fyousayso.
Heexpl
ainedt
omeal laboutsexandtel
lsmeabout
cummingandall
thosethingsthenhegoesfor
anot
herr
oundthenIfall
asleeponhischest
..
Nextmorningwewakeuptotheloudbangonthe
Doorandthewomanshouti
ngatthetopofhervoi
ce
andIknowt hatv
oicet
oowel
l.
..

Zee
[
8/5,
09:
09]Zee

I
nser
t9
Shekeepsbangi
ngont
hedoorMi
soj
umpsoutof
t
hebedandgetdressedi
'
m si
tt
ingonthebed
l
ooki
ngathi
m,l
ikewhyishepanicki
ngsomuch.
.
ME:whyarey
ouact
ingl
i
key
ou'
vebeencaught
cheat
ing?
MISO:i
tsnott
hat.
.Zi
nhl
eisapsy cho,shewi
llcausea
sceneyoudon'
twantneighbour
st oseeyounaked
now,doyou?
OhIgetupf rom t
hebedandgetdr essedhetel
lsme
tostayintheroom andgoestoopent hemaindoorI
hearfootst
epsgetti
ngcloseIj
ustsitonthebed.
Thedoorswi
ngsopenandshebar
gesi
nchar
gingt
o
meandIgetupsteppi
ngback.
.
MI
SO:
TouchherZi
nhl
e,Idar
eyou!
!
Hei
sdeadser
iousandMi
ssKst
art
stear
ingup.
MISS,
K:soy
ouar
epr
oct
eti
ngherMi
sokuhl
ehuhy
ou
l
oveher.
.
MISO:
matt
eroff
actIdo,
whatar
eyouev
endoi
ng
her
esoearl
y?
MISS,
K:It
houghtyouandIwerefi
net
hatwewer
e
gonnafi
xthi
ngsforMvelo'
ssake.
.
OhMv
elomustbet
hei
rson.
.
MISO:YouthoughtwrongZinhlemeandy oubroke
upal ongti
meagobecauseIcoul dn'
tputupwith
yourcontr
oll
ing,i
nsecur
eandabusivebehavi
orso
ngiy
ekesisi(
leav
emeal onesis)
MISS,
K:I
tsf
ineMiso,domeliket
hatbuty
ougonna
payyouandthi
sli
tt
lebit
ch.
.
MI SO:
Ohi tsget
tingol
dmanwhaty ougonnado
..smashmycar, br
eakev er
ywindowinthis
house,goonanddoi t
..
justtr
ymeZinhlethi
sti
me
youwillregreti
tIpromiseyou.
MI
SS,
K:y
our
eal
l
ylov
eher
,shei
sjustachi
l
d..
MI
SO:
i
tiswhati
tis.
Shewal
ksoutcr
yingnowIf
eel
bad.
ME:
may beyoushoul
dtal
ktoherandf
ixt
hingsdon'
t
wor
ryaboutme.
MI
SO:
EyZi
yandadon'
t.
.l
etsj
ustgo.
All
thewayhomehehasbeenqui
te,heisnotokay
may bei
thur
tshi
m seei
ngt
hemotherofhischi
ld
l
ikethat
..
Igeti
nandst artknocki
ngt
oLee'sroom ,
noone
answers.
.t
hekeyi sther
esoIknowsheisinsi
desoI
keepknocking.Sheaskwhoisit
..
ME:
Real
l
yLeey
ounev
eraskt
hat
(Ist
artl
aughi
ng)
LEE:
OhZi
yandai
'
m comi
ng
Ist
andt
hereformoret
han3minut
esImeanhow
har
dcanitbetoopent
hedoor
.
ME:
Hay
iLi
ndi
l
ear
eyougonnaopenornot
.
Sheopensanddoesn'
tkeepey
econt
act
..
whati
s
goi
ngon.
Imoveheroutoft hewaybecauseshedoesn'
tl
ook
l
ikeshe'sgonnaletmein.
oncei'
minsi
deIseewhy
shedidn'twantt
oopen.
ME:
Ohhel
l
oNj
abul
o
Hesmil
esandnods.
.t
hatmi
schi
vi
oussmi
l
e..
Iknow
what
sgoingon.
.
ME:I
'
m sor
ryIdi
dn'
tmeant
oint
rudeI
'
mjustgonna
go.
.
LE:
nodon'
tgo.
.Nj
abul
oyoushoul
dwakeup.
JAY:
Okaybabecomegi
vemeaki
ss.
.
Leeshakesherheadandl
ooksatme.
ME:
comeongi
vehi
m aki
ss.
.
Njabul
ogetupandheisbuttnaked,
Ichokeonmy
sali
vaandl
ookaway.
.r
eall
ythisguy.
.hegoesout
.
Leei
sjustl
ooki
ngatmebi
ti
nghernai
l
s
ME:
Sowhat
sup?
LEE:
I'
m sor
ryIknowhehadint
eresti
nyoubuthe
sai
dhedoesn'tany
moreandhewantsme.
ME:Sowhatar
eyousor
ryf
or,
Ihav
eMi
so.
.i
'
m not
angry
.
LEE:
oht
hat
sbet
terIdon'
twannal
oosey
ou.
ME:
andy
ouwon'
tsodi
dyoudoi
t,
youknow,
sex?
Shebl
ushesIguesst
hat
sanswer
smyquest
ion
ME:
Howwasi
t,
thatd*
cki
spr
ett
ybi
g..
.
LEE:
Yeshewassogent
lef
ri
end.
.
ME:
Mmmm gent
lehuh
Shel
ooksatandsmi
l
e.
LEE:
youdi
ditt
oo?
Inodsmil
li
ng..It
ell
herwhathappenedthismorni
ng
,shest
art
slaughi
ng..t
hisgi
rll
aughsatevery
thi
ng.

LeeandNj abulohavebeenspendi ngtoomuchtime

toget
herlatelysoi'
m alonemostoft heti
me
becauseIdon' tseeMisoev er
ydayheknocksoffl
ate
sometimes, sohegetst i
red,i
tsnoteasydri
vi
ngthe
wholeday..
Soits7pm I'mf r
om theshopIwantedair
ti
me..Isee
acardr i
vi
ngsl owlybehindmeImov eoutoft
heway
thenitsuddenlystopsandtwoguysjumpoutoft he
carandgr abmeasi '
m aboutt
oscream t
heyput
somet hi
ngov ermynoset henit
sli
ghtout.
.
Islowl
yopenmyey esandt ryt
omov ebutit
shard
thatswheninoti
cei am handcuffedinthebed..I
tsa
singl
ebedwithsteelal
l ar
oundsoi 'mjustspeadon
thebednotonlymyhandsar ecuffedbutev enmy
l
egsar ecuf
fedseperately
..Ist
artshaking,whati
s
goingon,whotookme, whatdot heywantwi thme?
Andchancesofev erbeingfoundarezerotonone
becauseMisohasbeent obusythesedays,Leeand
Njabul
owon'tevennoticethati'
m nott
here,theyar
e
al
way sal
lovereachother.
Thetwoguy
sgeti
n..
I'
m scar
edt
heyar
ewear
ingal
l
bl
ack.
Guy
1:shei
sawakeweshoul
dtel
ltheboss.
.
Guy
2:y
esweshoul
d
Theygooutandthedooropenandmyworse
ni
ghtmar
estandsther
esmi l
i
nglooki
ngst
rai
ghtat
me..
Sol
dier
:Yout
hinkIwoul
dn'
tcomebackf
ory
ouhuh.
.
Well
honeyi'
m back.
.
Tear
sjustf
all
sfr
om t
hecor
nerofmyey
es,
whatdi
dI
dotothi
sguy.
Heget
scl
osert
obedandst
areatme
SOLDI
ER:you'
rebeaut
if
ulandy
ousmel
lsogood.
.I
l
oveyourhair
..
sopret
ty.
.
Hesaysal
loft
hiswhi
let
ouchi
ngmeallovermy
body
.Heisapsychot
hatgr
inonhi
sfacesaysi
tal
l
.
ME:
whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?
HI
M:Iwanty
ou,
al
lofy
ou.
.Ihopey
oust
il
lpur
e,y
ou
ar
eri
ght?
IshakemyheadNo.
.
Thelookhegi
vesmej
ustmakesmywhol
ebody
shi
ver..
hest
art
sshout
ing.
HIM:What
!?Youar
enolongeravi
rgi
n..
ohi
'
m goi
ng
t
okilly
ou..
yougaveawaywhati
smineZiy
anda
,MINE
ME:
please,
don'
thur
tmei
'
m sor
ry.
Hesl
apsmesohar
dIt
ast
ebl
oodi
nmymout
h..
HIM:i
'
m gonnahurty
oual
ri
ght,
Idon'
tl
ikewhor
e's
okayIjustdon'
t
Heget
soutoft
her
oom andbangst
hedoorcl
ose.
Thi
sismyfate,
I
'm goi
ngt
odieforsur
ethi
sper
son
i
sananimalhe'
sgonnaki
llme.
I
tst
imesli
kethesewhereIwishmygranswer
eal
i
ve
,
Iknowtheywouldhavenoti
cedthati
'
m
missi
ng.
.theyusedtonoticewhensomethi
ngwas
t
roubl
ingme, t
heynoticedevery
thi
ngaboutmebut
Goddecidedtotakethem bothinarow.

Thetwoguyscomebackwit
hf ood..
Oneofthem
feedmeIguesst
hei
rbossgavet hem or
der
snotto
uncuf
fme.WhatcanIpossi
bledot otwobuffmen.
Hefini
shfeedingmeandhewi pesmymouth.It
urn
myheadtol ookathim helooksfami
l
iar,
maybehe
haveoneoft hosefamil
iarf
aces.Hel
ooksatmet oo
l
ikeheist
hinking..Theygetupandwalkout
..

I
tsdarknowinthisroom ihav
ebeenalonef
orhours
nownoonei scheckinguponme..of
causei
'm hel
d
host
agetheydon'tcare.

Ihearthedooropeningandheswit
chont heli
ght
s
andcomest ositonthebed..
heuncuff
smyl egs
andtakesoffmypant sandmypanti
es..
i'
m shaki
ng
..
meanwhi l
ehei snotsayi
ngany
thi
ng..
Heput sthecuff
sbackoni'
vebeenkicki
ngand
screamingbutthat
sall
Icandomyhandsar esti
l
l
cuffed.
.hegoestomyhandsanduncuf f
sthentake
offmyv estandmybrasonowi'm naked..
heputs
thecuffsbacakonagai
n..
HI
M:nowi'
m gonnapuni
shy
ouf
orgi
vi
ngaway
what
smine.
Hetakesofhisbeltandstar
tbeat
ingmeupwi t
hit
..
i'
m cryi
ngbegginghimtostopbutheconti
nuesI
mayhav epassedoutbecauseIwakeupfeel
ingcol
d
Iseeredmarksallovermybody..
mytearshasdri
ed
upnow..

Zee
[
8/5,
09:
09]Zee

i
nser
t10
RightnowIfeelmyl
i
feisl
i
kesandi
nthehourgl
ass,
Icandieanyti
menowthepai
ni'
mfeel
i
ngis
excruci
ati
ng.
Heget
sbacki
nwi
thachai
randsi
tsnextt
ome.
HIM:youknowi'veswit
chedony ourphoneandIf
ind
i
tfunnythatnoonehast riedcontacti
ngy ouf
ort
he
past24hours,whereistheboy f
riendthatwas
showingoffatthetaxir
ankbybeat i
ngmeuphuh?
Youar eal
lal
onesweet ylooksli
kenobodycares.
.
hestart
slaughingsohar
d..
hei
sri
ghtnoonecar
es
notevenmyf ri
end..
HI
M:soy
ougav
ethatguywhatbel
ongst
ome?
Iwanttoanswerhi
m sobadbutIfeell
i
keifIcan
openmymout hri
ghtnowallmyteethwil
lj
ustfal
l
off
..
that
showpainful
lmyjawsare.
.withal
lthe
beati
ngIgothour
sagohewasev enpunchingme.
HIM:Soy ouneverevensaidt hanksf orthepr
esentsI
gotyou..youknowIl ovedthatcatsomuchbutIhad
togiveittoyouy etyoudon'tappreciate,
Ihat
e
peoplethatdon'tappreci
ate.Andt hatsnakeisj
ust
somet hi
ngIpickedupandIt houghtofy oupret
ty
f
ace.
Hei
sal
unat
ic.

Hecomescl osert
obedandst artt
ouchi
ngmy
thighsandIf l
i
nch..becauseofpai
nandmostl
y
disgust.Hi
shandt ouchesmycookieandher
oughl
y
i
nser thisf
inger.
HIM:ohsoyousti
l
lti
ght,
thatsmal
lboydi
dn'
tdoi
t
r
ight..
I'
l
lshowyoutheri
ghtwaytof*
ck.
Hetakesoffallhi
sclothesandget sinbet weenmy
l
egs..myfaceiswetwi thtears.Hest art
sinserti
ng
hi
sd#ckandhei spoundingonme, Gr oani
nglikea
wi
ldanimal hegoesonandst opsthenuncuf fmy
l
egsandhandsandst artal
lov eragaini'
mj ustnumb
al
ltheenergyisgone,hef i
nishes..
Ijustlaytherenot
mov i
ng,
Idon'tthi
nkIcanmov e.
Hedr essup.
HI
M:y
ouf
eltt
hathuh?
that
showar
eal
mandoi
t.
hegoesoutandcomebackwi
thawhi
tegownhe
thowsi
tatme.
HI
M:Putt
haton
Ij
ustl
ayt
her
ehowt
hehel
ldoeshet
hinki
'
lldot
hat.
If
eelmywholebodymov
ingtot
hefl
oorwi
thso
muchfor
ce.
.hethr
ewmetothef
loor
HI
M:Isai
dgetdr
essedbi
tch.
.
It
ryt
ogetupandfi
nal
lymanagetoputonthegown
..
mywholebodyi
sachingev
erymovementImake
i
stot
ure.
.

t
hetwoguysgetinagai
n,I
'
m notcuff
edany
moreI'
m
j
ustsi
tt
ingther
ewithmyheadrest
edonmythi
ghs.
Oneguyscomescloser
.
Guy
1:Heyt
aket
his,
youshoul
deat
Ilookupandjustst
areathi
m,hest
arebackatme.
.I
feell
ikeIknowhim.
Guy
1:Eyst
ixgoandchecki
fwel
ockedt
hegat
e
ohsot
hesecondguyi
sst
ix
STIX:Shof
ethuzoshay
aenkawzauyeza?
(sur
ebr
o
,I
'm gonnahaveasmoke,y
oucoming?)
GUY1:
Noi
'
m good
St
ixgo,
Theguysi
tdownandl
ooksatmei
'
m st
il
l
st
ari
ngathi
m.
GUY1:
wher
ear
eyouf
rom?
i
keepst
ari
ngathi
m..
GUY1:
Ifeel
li
keIknowy
ouf
rom somewher
e
i
sti
l
llookathi
m, sowhatifheknowsmef
rom
"
somewhere"hekidnappedme..
GUY1:thet
imeIwasf
eedi
ngy
ou,
Ifel
taconnect
ion
Idon'
tknowman.
ME:
Ziy
andaLukhel
e
Hi
seyespopsoutheget
supf r
om thechai
rand
pl
acebot
hhishandsontopofhishead.
okay
..
.

Zee
[
8/5,
09:
09]Zee
I
nser
t11
I'
mj ustsi
tt
ingtherewatchingthisguymov
ing
aroundtheroom li
kehe'scr azy.
.hei
smaki
ngme
dizzycanhejusttalkal
ready .
GUY1:
Ohf
uckNo.
.whathav
eIdone,
shi
t.
myj
awsaret
oopainf
ulIwon'
tsayawor
d,heneed
t
ocomeoutwit
hit
.
GUY1:
Uhmm I.
..ei
sh.
.Iam Kwanel
eLukhel
e
Kwanel
e?i
'
vehear
dthenamebef
orebutwher
e?
KWANELE: youweresti
llsoyoungweusedt ocal
l
youPinkbackthenbecausewheny ouwer ebornyou
weresopinkwewer eevenafraidtotouchy ou.
.You
l
ookal otl
i
keauntNokulunga..Ican'tbeli
eveIdid
thi
stomyAunt '
schil
dI'
m sorryPinkpl easefor
give
meI '
m sor
ry.
hehast
ear
sinhi
sey
es.
.
KWANELE: Bongani ismyf ather,hefeltasi
f
grandftherlovedthegi r
lsy
ourmot herandaunt
mor ethanhi m becausehewast hesecondwife'
s
son..Idon'tknowwhyhef eltli
ket hatbecausethose
peoplelovedeachot herweal lsawit..sohetookus
f
arawayf
rom home.

ohIrememberwewer eonceav er
ybigfamil
ybut
nowi t
sgone.AnywaySt i
xcomesbackandt el
ls
Kwaneletheyshouldl
eavethebossisback.
Kwanele
l
ooksatmef orawhil
eandmout h"I'
l
lmakethings
ri
ght"nowIhav ehopethatImaygetoutofhere
al
ive.
Thebossget
sin.
.t
hisguymakesmesi
ckt
omy
st
omach.
HI
M:Hav
eyouev
erhear
dofAnal
sexsweet
y?
ohhel
lNohecan'
tdot
hat,
Il
osehopeal
lov
eragai
n
..
HI
M:Wegonnat
ryt
hatandt
rustmey
ougonnaenj
oy
i
t.
.
Hetakesof
fhi
scl
othesandgr
absImov
eawayt
oa
cor
ner,
Hesmir
ks
HI
M:ohyouwannaplay.
.thi
sisexci
ti
ngev
enmy
di
ckl
ikesi
tjustl
ookati
t.
.
Hemov
escl
oserandIr
unt
oanot
hercor
ner.
.He
starsget t
ingangryherushest omeandgr absand
punchesmeandhequi cklygrabhi sbeltont hef
loor
andst arthit
tingmealloverwithit..heturnsme
around,bendmeov erandshov eshi sd#cki nmybut t
forceful
lyIgodownonmykneeshegr absmeagai n
andpushi tinonceagain.
Ifeelli
qiudgoi ngdownmy
l
egs. .
Hel etsgo..I
'
m onmyknees
HI
M:y
ouar
eweak!
Hestar
tbeati
ngmeal loveragain..
Thedoorf
lew
openIhearagunshot
..
Myv i
sionisbl
urr
yIonl
yseea
malefi
gurest
andingonthedoor .
.
STI
X'sv
oice:
yhoowhatdi
dyoudobr
o
KWANELE:
Hedeser
vei
t.
.
Hecomescl
oserIf
eel
him pi
cki
ngmeupand
pl
aci
ngmeonthebedthenhetr
iest
oputonagown
..
STI
X:Whatar
ewegonnadonow.
KWANELE: wejusthav
et odropherof
fwhereshe
l
ives,I
'm sur
ethepeoplewil
lfi
ndherandcal
lfor
help.
i
'mfeel
i
ngcold,
i'
m shi
v er
ingcan'
tfeelmybody .
.he
pi
cksmeupandIhearhi m movi
ng..Myey esare
heav
ycan'
tkeepthem openanymore..Iheart
he
engi
ne.
Thecarstopsandhepicksmeupandt hr
owmeonI
assumeisatarroadIheart
hecarspeedi
ngoff.
..
Whenmybodyl andedonthatr
oadIfeltmybones
cracki
ng.

Isti
ll
feelcol
d..
nowi'
m hear
ingnoi
searoundme
theyaretool
oud,It
rytoopenmyey esbutf
ail
thenI
hearsir
ens.
SOMEONE:
mov
eoutoft
heway
,mov
emov
e..
Ifeel
someonelif
ti
ngmeandput t
ingmeon
somethi
ngthenitmoves..I'
minthecarIcanfeel
i
t,
someoneisbusysniff
ingnotsof arf
rom me.Imay
havepassedoutagai
n.Itryopeni
ngmyey esuntil
lI
cansee.
Leeissi
tt
ingnextt
othebed,
Icanseet
ear
sinher
eyes.
Shenot
icesI
'
m awake.
LEE:
ohmyGodZi yandat
hankGodyou'
re
awake.
.t
oughtIwasgonnal
oseyou.
whatdoesshemeanshet
ought
?Sheal
readyl
ost
me.
LEE:
i'
m sorr
yforwhathappenedt
oyou,
Ishoul
dhav
e
beenther
e,aski
esZee.
ME:
Go
myv oi
ceissolowIdon'tt
hinkshehear
d
me,becauseshekeepsapol
ogisi
ngandIdon'
t
wannahearit.
.
ME:
I.
..Sai
dGO
I'
mfor ci
ngwordstocomeoutbecausemyjawsst
il
l
hurt
s,Ihopeshehear
dmethist
ime,Herv
oicei
s
annoyingreal
l
y.
LEE:
pleasedon'
tpushmeaway,
Iwantt
obet
her
e
fory
ou
I
fonl
yIcanmov
e,Iwasgonnasl
apt
hisgi
rlsohar
d.
Anur
secomesi
nandIt
ryt
otal
ktoher
.
ME:
t..
.e.
ll
hert
..
oleav
e.
Shecanhearmebecausesheaskedhert
oleav
e
andshel
eftsobbi
ng.
I'
mjustlooki
ngupthecei
li
ngt
hinki
ng,
sothesoldi
er
wasrightIhavenoone.
.andI
'
m donewit
h
ever
ythi
ngIdon'tev
enknowwheretof
rom her
e

Ihearthedooropen, It
urnmyheadtothedoor.
.
ngiy
ali
ngwa( Iam bei
ngtest
ed)whati
shedoingher
e
can'
ttheyjustleavemealonel
iket
heydidwhenI
neededthem.
MISO:OhLove..
lookwhatt
heydidtoyou,
i
'm sor
ryI
coul
dn'tpr
otect..
fuckI
'
m sor
rybaby
IwishIcanpukeonhisf
acet
hisone.
Het
akesmy
hand,
IwishIcanpul
li
taway
MI
SO:
doesi
thur
t.
.
thatquest
ionmakesmesnapIt ri
edtomoveandmy
enti
rebodyshooknowt hemachinesar
esoloud.
.my
bodyissti
llshaki
ngv
igorousl
y.
abunchofnur
sesgeti
n..
Ithi
nki
'
m dr
if
ti
ngaway
.
Nur
se:
Siry
ouneedt
oleav
e..shei
shav
ingasei
zur
e..

Zee
[
8/5,
09:
09]Zee

I
nser
t12

I'
m awakenowj ustst
ari
ngintospace.Thedoctor
comesi nandheisfol
lowedbyMi sokuhle,
thi
smanif
onlyheputthi
smuchef for
ttocontactme
may be,
j
ustmaybeIwoul d'
ntbehere.
DOCTOR:
Hii
'
m DrSi
ngo,
yourdoct
or.
.
i
justnod
DOCTOR:Itol
dy ourhusbandherethatyousuffer
ed
abrai
ninj
urywhi chwasmay becausedbyabl owt o
theheadorav i
olentshaki
ngoftheheadandbody
,webeli
evethatswhatcausedasei zur
e.butit
snot
sever
ewiththerightmedicat
ionyouwillbefi
ne.
i
'm notli
steningtoanythi
nghesayi
ngnowmymi nd
i
sst i
l
lon" yourhusband)Ihav
eahusband?si
nce
when? I
sthisbr ai
ninj
urysoseri
ousthati
'
dforget
thati
'm mar r
ied.l
astt
imeIcheckediwassti
lli
n
school.
DOCTOR:
I'
l
lletcheckupony
oul
ater
..
gent
leman
heshakesMi
so'
shandandgoout
.
Misotakesasitandtakesmyhand..
Idon'
thave
energyt
othrowaf i
tatthi
spoi
ntIjustwantt
oget
bett
erandseewhat snexti
nmylif
e.
MI SO:LookbabyIshoul dhav ebeenthereforyou..
I
don'tknowwhathappenedt omeIhadadr inkwit
h
theguy satthisclubandnextt hi
ngIwakeupi nmy
housewi thnophoneandmyhousewasupsi de
down,looksliketherewasr obbery..
Ididn'
tknow
howl ongIwasasl eepthatswhenIdr ovetoyour
placeonlytof i
ndy ouinthatstateIcall
edthe
ambul anceforyoubutev enIwasn'tokayIkepton
feeli
ngdizzyandf aintedbeforeyouwokeupear li
er
whenIcameher eIwasf rom oneofthesewar ds
t
heysai
dIhadadr
ugi
nmysy
stem butt
heyar
est
il
l
r
unni
ngtest
s..

If
eel
hishandsonmyf
acehei
swi
pingmyt
ear
s.
MI
SO:
Whodi
dthi
stoy
oubaby
?
ME:Theguyyousaidwon'thurtmeagai
n,hecame
backMiso..
hetookeveryt
hingawayfr
om me.I
mightaswelldi
ei'
l
lneverfeelnor
malagain.
.het
ook
awatmywor t
h..
tear
sarest
eami
ngdownmyf
ace,
Icanseehei
s
cryi
ng.
.
MISO:I
'
m sosor
rybaby ..
Ishouldhaveki
ll
edhim
..
thi
sisal
lmyfault..youarejustachi
ldIshoul
d
haveputmor
eeffortinprotect
ingyou.
.

I'
m outfr
om thehospi t
alit
sbeenamont hnow..
I'
m
stayi
ngwithMi so..
IthoughtIwasgoi
ngbackto
Bab'Dl
amini'
sbutIwasn' tal
lowedin.
.Hesai
dthat
myAunthasn' tbeenpay i
ngrentandt
hatIhavebad
l
uck.
LeeandNjabuloweretheoneswhoweregi
vingme
mystufft
hroughthegate.
.suchal
ovel
ycouple,
NOT.
Isatther
et i
lli
twasl atebecauseMisotookmef rom
thehospit
al anddroppedmet her
eadhewas
rushi
ngtowor k..
Idi
dn'thaveaphonetocall him so
Ihadtowai tforhim becausehesaidhewillcheck
uponmel ater.
.hecameandf oundmesitt
ingnext
tothegatecol dandcry i
ng.l
if
ehasbeensocr uelto
me.

TodayI'
m goingbackt
oSchool Idi
dn'
twanttoMiso
i
nsist
edi gobackhewil
ltakecareofever
ythi
ng
concer
ningschool.
SoIgot
hereandIseeLeest
andi
ngwi
thabunchof
gi
rl
sandIwal
kawayf r
om t
hem .
Lunchti
mei '
m sit
ti
ngal
oneinclassIfeelatapon
myshoulderIlookupandLeeisstandingnextt
o
me.Il
ookatatherwaiti
ngforhertotal
kbutshe's
j
uststar
ingatme.Ilookdownagain
LEE:
arey
ouokay
?
Ihavemast
eredt
hear
tofnotsayinganyt
hingi
f
someoneasksmesomet
hingthatdoesn'
tconcer
n
them.
Shesi
tsdownandthegi
rl
sshewaswi
thgeti
nand
si
tal
laroundme.
Whati
shappeni
ngwhyar
ethesepeopl
edi
stur
bing
mypeace.
LEE:
Gir
lsya'
llknowZiyandaright
..wel
lamont
hsago
shewaskidnappedandr apedbyherboyf
ri
endwho
i
sasoldier
,i
magi neguys.
Ilookather
,Iam I
'
mj ustwonder
ingwhyisshe
tell
i
ngli
esandwhyt oherfri
ends..
whataret
hey
gonnado.Howismyl if
ethei
rconcern.
.
Theykeepongoi
ngwi
tht
hei
rohshame,
ncooh,
aar
g
man.
Ifeeltheheatinmybodyr i
sing, Ican'
theart
hem
anymor e.
.Ifeelt
hepalmsofmyhandssweat ingI
getup. .
IgrabLee'shai
randt hrowheront hefloorI
punchhercount l
esstimes..thenIgetupandwal k
out..whenIgetinthetoi
letIseebl oodinmyhandsI
scream inpanic.
Whatdi
dIdo?I
'
m conf
usedwhati
shappeni
ng

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
15]Zee

I
nser
t13

I
'
mi ntheheadmast
er'sof
fi
cewear ewai
ti
ngformy
"
uncl
e"whoi sMi
sosincehetookovermyschool
f
eesandismyguardian,heregi
ster
edasmyuncle.
Ther
eisheadmast
erandmyclassteachert
heyar e
l
ooki
ngatmewi t
hconfusi
onnotsayi
ngany t
hing.
Ther
eisaknockonthedoort
heyshout'comei n'
.
Misocomesin,Helooksli
kehehasbeenrunni
nghe
t
akesaseatnexttome, Il
ookathi
m wit
htearsi
n
myeyes,hestr
etcheshi
sarmt ohol
dmyhandt hat
i
sontopofmyt hi
gh.
Hegr
eet
sthet
eacher
s.
MISO:
IcameassoonasIcan,
whati
sgoi
ng?di
d
somet
hinghappent
oher
?
MI SS,
LANGA: Gr
eet
ingssir
..y
essomet hing
happenedZiyandagoti
ntoaf ightorshebeatupa
studentandsheisbadl
yinjured..
sheneedsmedical
attent
ion.
MI
SO:
what
?Zi
yandawhathappened?
Ishakemyheadcr
ying.
MISS,LANGA:Shesaysshedoesn'tknowwhat
happened.
.wear eal
soconfusedbecausethisis
unli
keher.
.sheisagr
eatgirlwi
thgreatmarks..and
thegirl
shebeatupwet houghtt
heywer ef
riends.
MI
SO:
i
twasLi
ndi
l
e?
MISS,
LANG:Yes.
.weheardwhathappenedt
oherdi
d
shegofort
herapy?
thatmusthavebeenavery
tr
aumati
cexperi
enceforher
.
MI
SO:
Yout
hinksheneedst
her
apy
?
HEADMASTER:It
hinkshedoes, weknowherf orher
goodmarksandbehaviornott
hiskindofactsoI'l
l
ref
erhert
oschoolther
apisti
fthat
sokaywi t
hy ousir
.
MI
SO:
Thati
sfi
newi
thme.
Someonebar
gesinshout
inguphi
lonondi
ndwa
ushay
eumntwanami(wherei
sthi
sbitchwhobeat
upmychil
d).
ohi'
mint
roubl
ethati
sSi
sLi
ndi
Lee'
smom and
fol
l
owedbyMiss,
K
SIS,
LINDI:
Whyist
hisgir
lsti
l
lhere,
sheshoul
dbe
suspendedfr
om t
hisschoolandbearr
estedfor
assault
.
SisLindiisthet
ypicalhousewif
elonghair,
eyel
ashes
andnai ls.
.shei
smar ri
edtoar i
chmanLee' s
stepfatherawhiteman. i
tsherthi
rdhusbandLee's
fatherwast hefi
rsthusband.
MissKisl
ooki
ngatmeandMi
soshel
ooksconf
used
andangry
.
MISSLANGA: Thatsabitext
remeMr sShepst
one,she
i
sjustachild..wegonnapunishherasweseeitas
schoolbutarrestNo.
SisLi
ndi
:
I'
m goi
ngt
osuet
hisgodf
orsakenschool
do
youknowwhoIam.
dr
amat
icpl
ast
icqueen.
.
HEADMASTER:Mam pleasecal
m downtheyar
e
ki
dstheymakemi
stakespleasel
etsgi
veheraweek
suspensi
on.
SI
S,LI
NDI
:AWEEK.
.whati
swr
ongwi
thy
oupeopl
e?
whyi
ssheshouti
ng,
theyconti
nueargui
ngSi
sLi
ndi
want
smebehindbars.If
eelsoundsinmyear
sit
s
l
oudIhi
tthegr
ound.
Iwakeupt heyareall
looki
ngdownatme..Ifeel
wet
onmyf aceGuessi passedoutandt
heypour
ed
wateronmyf ace.
Mi
sohel
psmegetupandsi
tont
hechai
r

HEADMASTER: Sowear esuspendi

ngherfora
week.
.soyouSirasherguardianneedst
omakesur
e
sheatt
endstherapyonceaweekwhi chi
son
wednesday.
MI
SS,
K:hei
sherwhat
!!
??
guessshecoul
dn'
tshutupf
ort
ool
ong.
HEADMASTER:
hei
sherguar
diani
sther
eapr
obl
em?
MI
SS,
K:ohnonotatal
l
.
Misohelpsmeupandhol dsmyhandt
othecar
.he
opensat oy
otacor
oll
a.I
'
m conf
usedIt
oughtat
axii
s
ourcal
l
..
hesmi l
es
MISO:i
tsmycarmybr ot
herwasusingital
lthese
yearsbecausehewasbl ackl
i
stedandheneedda
carmoret henIdi
dbutnowdadboughthi m acarin
hisnamebuthei stheonepay i
ngfori
t.t
hatiswhyI
havea2015car .
I
tlooksbr
andnew.
Wegeti
ntohi
shousewesi
tont
hecouchandhe
t
akesmyhand.
MISO:Whatdi
dLeesayt
oyou,
thatmadey
ouso
angr
y?
ME:Shewast el
li
nghernewf riendsthatIwasraped
bymyboy f
ri
endt hati
solderandot hernastyst
uffI
don'
tknowwher eshegotallthosest or
iesshesaid.
.I
j
ustsnapped.
.I
'm sorr
yyouhadt ol
eav ework.
MI
SO:
It
sokay.
.y
ouknowi
'
ddr
opev
ery
thi
ngf
ory
ou.
Thi
sisguyi
smyescapemysaf
epl
ace.
MISO:I
fitgetst
oomuchZi y
anda,knowIam here
anyt
imei'
llal
waysbeher
e..hehugsmev er
ytight
.
wearedist
urbedbysomeonebar
gingi
n..
ohshe'
s
her
ealr
ight
...

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
15]Zee

I
nser
t14

Shecomesst r
aighttowher ewesi t
ti
ngandgrabs
myhair(maybeIshoul dconsidercutt
ingi
t)
asshe
wasabouttoswi ngatme. .Misopull
smebackand
pushhersohardt hatshelandsonherbutt.
MI
SO:
I'
vehadi
twi
thy
ou,
thi
sismyf
uckenhouse
Zi
nhl
e, Iownthisshi
tsodon'tcomeinandoutof
myhouselikeyouownit.Youdon'twannapi
ssme
of
f,t
rustmey oudon'
t.
MISS,K:y
ouputyourhandsonmeMi
sokuhl
e,
al
l
becauseoft
hisl
i
ttl
ebitch?
huh
MI
SO:
cal
lherabi
tchagai
nseewhathappens.
MISS,
K:youar
esuchapat
het
icper
vetMi
soy
ou
di
sgustme
MISO:
buther
eyouareinmyhouse..
Getthefuckout
ofher
eZinhl
eanddoyoursel
faf
avour,
nevercome
backori
twil
lbeyourf
uneral
.
MI
SS,
K:i
'
mthemot
herofy
ourchi
l
dMi
so
MISO:
Thaty
ouar
e,butt
hat
swher
eitends.
.si
syou
don'
townme.
Shest andsupf rom thefl
oorandquickl
ygrabsthe
vaseandt hr
owsi tatMisoheblocksitwit
hhisarms
..i
tshatters..
Iseebloodhehasbeencutbyt he
pieces.Hechar gesatherandgrabsherarm andpull
hertowar dsthedoort henthr
owheroutIstil
lhear
hershout i
ngandcussi ng.
Misoisangry
..
hekeepsmovingal
lar
oundt
hehouse
Ithi
nkheevenfor
gothehasacutonhisar
m..
he
keepscussi
ngIst
andinf
rontofhi
m pl
acemyhands
onhisface
ME:
cal
m down.
.pl
easey
ouar
escar
ingme.
MI
SO:
i
'm sosor
ry.
.
Hekissesmyf or
eheadandIl
aymyheadonhi
s
chest.
.Icoul
dstayl
iket
hisf
orev
er.
.

I
tswednesdayfir
stdayofmyt herapysessi
onAnd
i
'm notl
ooki
ngfowardtoit
.Mi sowokemeupan
houragobutIcan'
tbri
ngmy selft
ogetoutofthi
s
bed.
mi
socomesi
n
MISO:
Reall
yZiyanday oust
il
li
nbed. .
Younotser
ious
..
yougonnabel ate.
.Imadebreakf
asthopi
ngwhenI
comebacky ou'
llbedone..
ohcomeon.
Whyi
sheshout
ing?Ij
ustcr
y..
MI
SO:shi
ti'
m sorr
yloveIjust
..
.EishsorryIdi
dn'
t
meantoupsetyou.
.j
ustthatIdon'twantyoutobe
l
ateont
hist
her
apy
.
ME:
wil
lyoupl
easegowi
thmej
ustt
hisoncepl
ease.
MI
SO:
youwantmet
her
e?ar
eyousur
e?
ME:
yesI'
m sur
e,buti
fyouhav
eimpor
tantt
hingst
o
doi
tsokay.
.
MISO:
I'
ll
gowi t
hy ou.
.nowgoandgetdr
essedi
'
llgo
andgetbreakf
ast.
Icomebackf r
om theshowerhehadpl aced
tracksuit
sonthebed,Eversincemyki dnappor deal
I'
m alway sweari
ngtracksui
tsmai nlybecauseIstil
l
hav eblackmarksfrom thebeltbuttheyaref ai
nt
nowbutIst il
ldon'
tfeelokaywear i
ngany t
hingother
thant r
acksui
ts.
Wegot othispracticei
ntowni t
swr i
tt
enRei
gnsand
associ
ates.Usuall
yMr sReignsgoestoschool
for
hersessi
onswi t
ht hestudentsbutsi
ncei
'm
suspendedIhavetocomeher e.
Wegeti
nhol
dinghandsweseeadoorwr
it
ten
REI
GNSweknockwear et
oldtocomei
n.
MRS,
REI
GNS:
Hel
l
oyoumustbeZi
yandaLukhel
eand
y
ousi
rheruncl
eMi
sokuhl
e
Shepronouncesournamessowel lbutt
heaccent
,i
'
mi mpressed.Sheshakesourhandsandaskusto
si
tdown.
MISO:Idon'
tknowifi
tsokayI
fIsi
tdownont
his
sessi
on,she'
sabitner
vous.
MRS,REIGNS:t
hat
sokayithappens..
youcancome
withherany
timeunl
essIaskforthatoneonone
sessi
on
MI
SO:
okayt
hanky
ou.
MRS,
REIGNS:
okZi
yandat
ell
meabouty
our
sel
f.
.who
i
sZiy
anda.
Ihat
ethi
squest
ioncan'
tshej
ustpasst
hisone.
ME:
I'
mjustZi
yanda.
HER:j
ustZi
yandahuh.
.(shesmil
es)
thi
nkofmeas
yourf
ri
endokayassomeoney oucl
..
Icutherof
f.
ME:
Idon'
thav
efr
iends,
Idon'
twantf
ri
ends.
HER:
mayIaskwhy
..
ME:t
heyar
ebackst
aber
sandt
heyar
enev
ert
her
e
whenyouneedt
hem.
HER:
(shewr
it
essomet
hingdown)Iwantt
obey
our
f
ri
end
ME:
IDON'
TWANTFRI
ENDS
nowi'
m shouti
ng,
Ifeel
Miso'
shandonmi
ne.
mrs
rei
gnsi
sstil
lsmil
i
ng
HER: youknowZi yandanormall
ythet eenagersthat
arebeingbr oughtt
omet heydon'tsayany t
hingon
theirf
irstandsecondsessi
onbutwi t
hy ouits
diff
erent..
whichwil
lmakeiteasierforbothofus.I'm
happyy oucame. .Westil
lgonnabebestf r
iendsyou
andI .
HER:
canIhugy
oupl
ease
ShegetsupandgoesaroundthedeskandIgetup
to.Shehugsme..
herhugissowarmt hatIj
ustsob,
Icrysohardt
henshepull
sawayandwi pesmyt ear
s.
Shegoesbackt
oherseatt
akesoffhergl
assesand
wipesherey
esIsi
tdownMisoiswipi
nghiseyestoo.
HER:
whyar
eyoucr
yingZi
yanda?
ME:
idon'
tknow.
HER:
Ithi
nkyoudoknow.
.sot
ell
mewhyy
oucr
ied
whenIhugy
ou.
Idon'
tsayanyt
hingf
oramomentandIl
ookupt
o
stopt
hetears.
ME:Yougav
emeahugIhav elongedforal
lmyl i
fe
fr
om mymot herbutInevergotit
,If
eltbet
terl
ike
ever
ythi
ngi
sgoi ngtobeokay,thati
'
m notalone
..
thatmommyi sthere.
HER:
CanIhugy
ouagai
n
Thi
stimei'
mtheonewhogoesar
oundt
hedeskf
ir
st
Il
ongedfort
hathugf
ory
ears.
Igobackt
omysi
t
MI
SO:
Excuseme.
Heget
supandexi
t.
HER:
Hecar
esabouty
ou.
ME:
Iknowhei
stheonl
yper
sonIhav
e.
HER:Youwil
lhavemenow.Nowt
ell
mehei
snot
youruncl
eri
ght?
Shesmi
l
es
HER:
Isawt hewayyouwereholdinghandsandt
he
wayhelooksatyou.
.Onethingi'
m goodatinmyli
ne
ofpr
off
essionisr
eadingbodylanguage.
Mi
socomesbackhi
sey
esar
epuf
fy.
MI
SO:
Sor
ryaboutt
hat
.
HER:
It
sfi
ne.
HER:
Ziy
andalet
sst
opher
efort
odaybutIwanty
ou
t
odoat askf
orme.
Shehandsmeadi
aryandi
tspi
nk.
Ismi
l
e.
HER:
what
sthatsmi
l
efor
.
ME:Someoner
emi
ndedmenotlongagot
hatmy
pet
namewhenIwasyoungwasPink.
.
Shel
aughs
Ij
ustwonderi
fi'
l
lev
ermeetKwanel
eagai
n.
HER:
that
sani
cenamei
thi
nki
'
llcal
lyout
hatf
rom
nowon.
HER:sothetaski
syouwill
thinkofev
er yonet
hathas
hurtyouormadeyouangrythatyouremembertry
nottothi
nktoomuchjustri
ghtwhaty ouremember
thatt
imeandonournextsessionyouwi ll
comewith
i
t.
It
hankhert
henwegetup.SheshakesMi
so'
shand.
HER:t
akegoodcareofher
.Zi
yandai
nthatdi
aryon
thef
ir
stpagether
eismynumbercal
lmeany t
ime
okay
..Comegivemeahug.
Icoul
dgetusedt
othesehugs.
Wesayourgoodby
esandgo.
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
15]Zee
I
nser
t15

Misohavebeenawfull
yqui
teeversinceweleftMr s
Reignsof
fi
ce,i
tsunl
ikehi
mt onottalkfort
hislong.I
j
ustst
artbi
ti
ngmynail
snowi'
m ner
vouswhati
fhe
i
sthi
nkingofki
cki
ngmeout
,wherewi
llIgo?
Myt
ear
sjustf
lowsoutofmyey
es.
Ifeel
hishandswi
pingmytear
sIdi
dn'
tev
enr
eal
i
se
thatt
hecarhadst
opped.
MISO:Zi
yandadon'tdot hi
stoyourselfbabyyouare
hurt
ingme,Ihateseeingyouli
kethis.I'
m hel
plessI
don'
tknowwhatt odoany more.Iknowy ouwon't
getbett
eroverni
ghtjustknowiam her e.
ME:
promi
sey
ouwi
l
lal
way
sbet
her
eforme.
MISO:Ipr
omise.
.andIwanty
out
opr
omi
semey
ou
gonnagetbett
er?
ME:
Iwi
l
lformy
sel
fandf
ory
ou.
Wegeti nsi
dethehouse,hewarmst hefoodwe
boughtintown,hefeedsme, heli
kesdoi ngthi
s.
May bebecauseIam youngert
hanhim het r
eatsme
l
ikeababy .
Ashei st
akingashowerItakeMr s
Reigns'
spinkdiar
yandapen.Istartwri
ting.

"
Ihat
emymot
herf
ornotbei
ngt
her
eal
lmyl
i
fewhi
l
e
shei salive.Ihatethemoneyshekeptsendi ngt o
me,i neededherphy sical
ly,Ihatethatmyaunt
stayedwi thmebecauseshedi dn'
thav eanywher e
elset ogonott hatshewant edtostaywi t
hme, Ihate
thatthef i
rstt hi
ngshedi dwhenshehadachance
wast osendmeawaywher eIdidn'thavenoone.I
hatet hattheyabondonedme.Ihat ethispl
acef or
havinghear t
lesspeopl el
iket heguyt hatr
apedme
andbr ut
allyassaultedme, IhatethatIletpeopleli
ke
Njabul oandl indi
leinmyl ifeonlyforthem tolaugh
atmypai ni nmyf ace.Ihat eoldmenl i
ke
Bab'Dlami niwhoonl yseeav ul
nerablegir
lli
kemeas
acur se,IHATEl if
e"
If
eel
hishandbr
ushi
ngmyback
MI
SO:
It
sokay
ME:
noi
tsnot,
i
twi
l
lnev
erbeokay
.
MISO:
onest
epatat
imebabywewi
l
lgett
her
e
ev
entual
l
y.
Ican'
tsl
eepandMi soi
ssnor
ingli
ghtl
yIwakeup
ki
sshischeekthengotot
hebathroom Itakeal
lthe
pil
l
sther
eis,It
akeahandf
ull
andthrowt hem i
nmy
mouthanddr inkwat er,itakeanotherhandf ul
lunti
ll
t
heresnonel eft
.Ifeel t
her oom spinningiholdon
t
hesink,Ifeeldizzyilandont hef l
oorIfeelpainin
mystomachbutt hisiswhatIwant, t
odi ebutit
s
t
aki
ngsol ongal lIfeelispain.Ifai
ntlyhear
f
ootsteps,
thedooropeni ng
MISO:
NononoZiy
andawhathav
eyoudone.
.If
eel
hi
m pi
ckmeup.
MI
SO:
Don'
tdot
hist
omeZi
yanda.
..
please
Whyisi
ttakingsolongandwhycan'
tij
ustfai
ntand
wakeupwhenal l
ofthisi
soverandi
'
mi nheaven
wi
thmygr ans.
VOI
CE:
l
etust
akeher
,wewantt
ohel
pherpl
easel
et
go.

Iwakeupandal lIseei
swhit
e.Wheewfinall
yi'
min
heaven?Abunchofnursesaremovi
ngar ound,
I
guessnotthen.Whatdoesi
ttakesf
orsomeonet o
di
er eal
l
y.
Il
ookar
oundmyey
esl
andsonMi
sokuhl
ewhoi
s
tal
ki
ngtothedoctornotf
arfrom t
hebed.Helooks
bad,r
eall
ybadlooksli
kehehasaged..howl
ongwas
Ioutf
or.Heisshouti
ngatthedoctor
.
MISO:y
ousaidsheshouldhavewokenupbynow
whatstaki
ngsolong.it
sbeentwoweeksoutofa
comabutnowshe' snotwaki
ngup,
areyouevena
doct
ororyoujustplay
ingwit
hmehere.
Igat
herenoughst
rengt
hsoIcancal
lhi
m
ME:
M..
.i
.ssso
Hequi
ckl
ytur
nsar
oundandcomesnextt
obedbut
hel
ooksangr
y.
DOCTOR:welcomebackmissthi
smanwasl
osi
ng
hi
smind.I'
l
lbebacktocheckonyou.
Shel
eaves.Mi
sohasn'
tsai
dany
thi
ngt ome..
heis
j
ustl
ookingatmenotsayi
ngaword.Thedoctor
comesback.
DOCTOR:wemanagedtodrainall
thepil
lsinyour
sy
stem andi
tslooki
nggood.Thepasttwoweeks
wewer er
unni
ngmor et
estmakingsureitsal
l
cl
earedupandyeyyouaregoodtogo.
ME:
Thanky
ou
DOCTOR:Ineedyout
osi
gnsomef
ormsf
ormesi
r
pl
easecomewi t
hme.
Misocomesbackcarryi
ngabagt akesoutmy
tr
acksui
tsandhel
psmeweart hem.Hest i
ll
hasn'
t
sai
danythi
ngtomeandi thurt
s.Itr
ytoaskhimifhe
i
sokayhejustnodshishead.Notawor deveni
nthe
househeissti
l
lnotsayi
nganythi
ng.

Iam i
nthebedr
oom It
hinkheisi
ntheki
tchen
,comesbackwit
htwoplates.
I
tsescal
ati
ngwenevereatonseper
atepl
ateswe
usual
l
yeattoget
herwi
thhimfeedi
ngme.
Hehandsmet heplate,Itakeitandplaceitonthe
bedside.Hestart
seat i
ng. .
he'snotevenlookingat
menotonce. .
hef i
nishesandgooutcomesback
andgetinbed.Thishur tsalot.Idon'
twantt oeatat
al
l.
Igetinnexttohim.Hei sjustl
ooki
ngupt he
cei
li
ng.
ME:
Misokuhl
e
Still
nowor d.
.Igetoutofbedandst ar
ttaki
ngmy
clothesfrom t
hewadr obeifhe'
snottalki
ngtomeI
mi ghtaswellleav ehishouse.Icar
ryonpacking.I
rememberIdon' thaveany whereel
setogoandi ts
l
at eIjustgodownonmykneesandcr yandcr yand
cry.Iwipemyf acethenstandupdr agmysui t
case
andt akemybackpack.WhenI '
m abouttograbthe
doorhandl e.
hef inal
lyspeaks.
HI
M:Idon'
tknowwhattodowi
thy
ouany
mor
e
Zi
yanda,
tel
lmewhattodo.
Heiscry
ing.It
urnandlookathi
sdirecti
onheis
si
tt
ingonthebedhistearsar
ejustf
alli
ng,i
tbr
eaks
myheart.
MISO:
youaresel
fi
shZiy
anda,
whatyoudi
dissel
fi
sh.
Idon'
tknowwhattodoanymore.
ME:Youshoul
dhavel
etmedi
e,
Idon'
twannal
i
vei
don'
twanttobeabur
dent
oyou.
MISO:
DidIsayyou'reabur den?haveyoueverheard
mecompl ai
naboutany t
hingconcer ni
ngyou?you
don'
tunderst
andhowi tfeelsseeingtheper
sony ou
l
ovefal
li
ngapart,
Ifeell
ikeaf ai
lurenotman
enough.
thi
shur
tsmet
ooZi
yanda.
Idr
opmybagandj ustsi
tont
hef
loor
.heget
soutof
bedandkneel
inf
rontofme.
MISO:Letmei nZiyanda,Iam here,youwi llneverbe
aburdent ome. .Wakemeupi nthemi ddleofthe
ni
ghtear l
yinthemor ni
ngwhenev ery ouwannat al
kI
am here.Don'thurtmewi thsomet hingso
tr
aumat i
singascommi ti
ngsuici
de. Fort hepast
weeksIcoul dn'
tsleepIkeptseei
ngy oul ayingther
e
onthatcoldf l
oor.Butyoupromisedt otry.
ME:
I'
m sor
ryIdi
dn'
tmeant
ohur
tyoui
tjustgott
oo
muchforme.
MISO:
thatswhyiam her
eforwheni
tget
stoomuch
i
'
llbeyourshoul
dert
ocryon.
Inodmyhead,heget
supandhel
pmeupwesi
ton
thebedHewipesmytear
sandIwipehi
s.
MI
SO:
Youneedt
oeati
'
m goi
ngt
owar
myourf
ood.

Mi
sowakesmeupi
nthemor
ning
MI
SO:
MrsRei
gnsaskedt
oseey
out
oday
,shehear
d
whathappened.I
sitokay
Iqui
cklynodIneedherhug,
Ithi
nki
'
llf
eel
alot
bett
er.
Wei nheroff
ice,
shegetsi
nandshejustpul
lsmeup
andhugme. .Thetear
sdothei
rwor
k..shehugsme
foralongti
me.
Wet
akeaseat
.
MRS:REI
GNS:
Ihear
dwhathappenedPi
nkwhydi
dn'
t
youcal
lme.
Ishr
uggl
emyshoul
der
s.
HER:Icametoseeyouatt
hehospi
tal
..
Iwashur
t
seei
ngy oul
i
kethat
.
HER:
doy
ouhav
ethedi
aryIgav
eyou.
i
nodandIt
akei
tout
.
Sheopensi
tandr
ead.
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
15]Zee

i
nser
t16

shet
akesof
fherglassesaf
terr
eadi
ngt
hedi
ary
,she
l
ooksatmeforaverylongt
ime.
MRS, REIGNS: Iseey ouwr ot
edi ffer
entr easonswhy
youhat eyouraunt, yourmom andt hosef ri
endsbut
thereisoner easonwhyy ou"hat e"them.Theyal l
dissapoint
edy ou, youwer eexpect i
ngmor ef rom
them butyougotl esstonone. LookPi nkpeopl e
can'tbealway swhatweexpectt hem t obe. .itisj
ust
l
ifeandy oucan' tforcepeoplet oaccepty ou
becauseal ly
ourl if
ey ouwon'tknowy ourwor th.I
wanty outotel lyoursel
fthatifsomeonedoesn' t
wantt obeiny ourl i
feITSTHEI RLOSSandi fthey
wanty outofal lony ourkneesandbegbutYOU
KNOW YOURWORTHwhent heycal lyouacur sebut
youknowy ouar eGOD' SCREATI ONy ouar ea
GODDESS. .
youwi l
l r
iseli
keaPHOENI Xbabyy ou'
re
BEAUTI FUL.
Thewayshesay
sthesewordsi
tsfi
ercesheaskme
towr
it
edownwhatshecall
skeywordsiwri
te
*
ITSTHEI
RLOSS
*
IKNOW MYWORTH
*
IAM GOD'
SCREATI
ON
*
AGODDESS
*
IWI
LLRI
SELI
KEAPHOENI
X
MRS,REI
GNS:
Howdoy
ouf
eel
aft
erwr
it
ingt
hat
down
ME:If
eelli
keanewpersonasIwaswri
ti
ngIkept
say
ingthem att
hebackofmymind.
.
MRS, REIGNS:Thisiswhaty ouhavetot el
lyour sel
f
wheny out hi
nkabouty ourmom ,
itsherlosst hatshe
doesn'twantt ogettoknowsuchast rongand
beautif
ul l
adylikeyou.itsherl
ossthatshewasn' t
ther
eony ourschool speechandPr i
cegivingday s
wheny ouhel dallt
hose7t r
ophi
esofal lsubjects
from Grade8t o10. Iknowmostmot herswer e
enviousofherwheny ougotonthatstagei t
sher
l
osst hatshedi dn'
tseeenv yfr
om otherpar ents
t
owar
dsher
.
AsshetalkIunderst
andandshei sdamnr i
ghtIam
phenominalandit
sherloss.Iam heal
ingnowiam
putt
ingt
hatpartofmylifebehind,sheismypast.
i
'm st
art
ingtoseethi
ngsclear
ernowmay beLee
wasn'
tmuchofabestf ri
endasItoughtshewas
,shewasjustafr
iend.
Mi
so'
sphoneri
ngsheaskt
obeexcused.
.f
ew
mi
nut
esheisback.
MISO:
Uhm Zi
yandawil
lyoubear
ighti
fIgot
hey
needmeatwork.
.isi
tokayi
fIl
eaveyouwil
lcal
lme
whenyoudone.
Iunderst
andhehasn'
tbeengoi
ngt
owor
kev
ersi
nce
Imov edi
nwithhi
m.
MRS,
REI
GN:
Shei
ssaf
ewi
thme.
MI
SO:
Thanky
ou
HelooksatmeandIcanseehewant
stokissmy
cheekbuthe'
sanuncl
emoshedoesn'
tknowthat
Mrsrei
gnsknowsthestor
y
MRS,
REI
GNS:
It
sal
ri
ghty
oucanki
ssherIknow
abouty
out
oo
Iguessshewasri
ghtwhenshesai
dshei
sgoodi
n
readi
ngbodyl
anguages.
Mi
soi
sst
unnedandIl
aughandki
sshi
scheek
Hel
ookspuzzl
ednow.
MI
SO:
Baby
..
youl
aughed.
.y
ougenui
nel
ylaughed
hehel psmeuphugsmeandki ssmyl i
ps.
.Ithi
nkhe
forgotaboutMrsReignsforaminute.
Heletsgo
clearshist
hroatandlookdownIjustsmil
eathim
ME:
youshoul
dgo.
Hego.
MRS,
REIGNS:
okaynowi
tsourt
imel
etsgopai
ntt
he
t
ownred.
Iwonder.
..
issheli
kethi
swithallherpat
ient
sshei
s
myf av
ourit
ether
apist.
.ohshe'
smyoneandonl y
ther
apist
.

Shei
staki
ngmeoutwelookf
orshoessaidImust
pi
ckanyt
hingwowshei
scool
.Ij
usttakeGreyheel
s
theyarenicei
'
m onlypi
cki
ngt hem becauseshe
didn'
tall
owmet otaket
ekkiessaidtheyare
boyish.
.ohwel
l.
Wearewal
kingtoapar
kinglot
.Ist
andandlookat
t
hisf
amil
ylaughi
ngandallt
hatsmymotheralr
ight
.
MRS,
REI
GNS:
Doy
ouknowt
hem?
ME:
mymom andherf
ami
l
y
ithurt
ssayi
ngthatbecausei
tact
ual
l
ysi
nksi
nthatI
am notpar
tofi
t.
MRS,
REI
GNS:
RememberwhatIsai
d
Ismi
l
e
ME:
It
sherl
oss
mr
sRei
gnsl
ookatmewi
thpr
ide.
The"mother"seesmeandIjustwaveatherwi
tha
smil
ethenMr sRi gnst
akesmyhandandwewalkto
hercar.If
eelat aponmyshoulderwet
urn
Mom:
HiPi
nk
Shecal
l
smePi nk?
all
theseyear
sInev
erknewwhi
ch
namedoessheusetocall
me
mom:
youl
ookuhm good,
ski
nnybutgoodwhoi
sshe
shepoint
stomrsreignswit
hherhead,
sor
ude.Mrs
Reignsst
ret
chesoutherhandf
orahandshake"mo"
recei
vesi
t
MRS,
REI
GNS:
I'
m Fel
i
ciaRei
gnsZi
yanda'
smot
her
Iam shockedwhyi
sshesay i
ngt
hatIl
ookat
Nokl
ungashelooksshocked.
MRS,
REI
GNS:
Babyweshoul
dgookayMi
somustbe
wor
ri
ed.
Idi
recthert
oMiso'
shousewhenwegett
her
eMi
so
i
sbyt hegat
e.
MI
SO:
Ithoughty
ounotcomi
ngback
ME:
her
eIam.
Mr
sRei
gnshoot
sthecaranddr
ivesaway
.

MI
SO:
Arey
our
eadyt
ogobackt
oschool
tomor
row.
ME:
YeahIguessIwantt
obeamat
ri
cul
antnexty
ear
.
ME:
Isawmymom t
oday
MI
SO:
Real
l
ydi
dsheseey
ou
ME:
Yesbutshewasr
eal
l
yrudet
owar
dsMr
sRei
gns.

Todayi
tsschool
timeandIgost
rai
ghtt
oclassit
s
st
il
lear
lysoI'
mjustgonnami
ndmybusiness.
TheLeecr
ewisher
ewit
hhertheyarestandi
ng
i
nfr
ontoft
hecl
ass.
nott
odaysatanIref
use..
Theyst
artwhisperi
ngtoeachot
herandtheybur
st
outl
aughi
ng.."cousi
ndemonIbindyou"
Somet al
lgirl
comest ome.Ipraywhateverdemon
tookoverthatdaywit
hLeei sasleepIwouldhat
eto
havetounconciousl
yrear
rangethatpret
tyface.
They
call
herCiCi
CiCi
:Ij
ustcametotel
lyouthatyoust i
l
l gonnapay
forwhatyoudidt
oLeemay benott odaybutwe
gonnastri
kewhenyouleastexpectittoothpi
ck.
.
thenshewalksaway
sonowi
'
mtoot
hpi
ck.
.
whenshegetbacktohergr
ouptheyal
ll
aughonce
t
heyaredone.Ibur
stoutl
aughi
ngdamnthatgi
rli
s
col
dshesai
di'
mt oothpi
ckt
hefuck.t
heyarelooki
ng
atmeconf
used.Cici
musttel
lthem whatshesaid.
.
t
hatwasf
latoutmean!
!!

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
15]Zee

I
nser
t17
Iam sitti
ngaloneitslunchtime.someoneclearshis
thr
oat.Ijustmindmybusi nesswhichismy
phone.
Hecl earshisthroatagain.
.i
tsannoy
ing.Ifeel
ahandt ouchi
ngmychi nforci
ngmet olookup.Itsa
schoolpresi
dent,whyi shebotheri
ngme.
HI
M: Whyar
eyousi
tt
ingbyy
our
sel
f,don'
tyouhav
e
f
ri
ends.
ME:Whyar
ey ouher
easki
ngst
upi
dquest
ions,
don'
t
youhav
efri
ends?
HI
M:suchar
udebi
tch.
.
Igetupf
umi
ng
ME:
whatdi
dyouj
ustcal
lme?
HI
M:Isai
dbi
tchwhaty
ougonnadoabouti
twhor
e.
Ij
ustbreat
hinandoutf oracoupl
eofmi nute,tur
n
andwalkedaway.Icannotaff
ordanothersetback
notwhenexamsar esoclosei'
m behi
ndasi tis.
heshoutsB.
I.
T.C.
H Ihearchuckl
es.Iwal
kbackt
o
cl
ass..
Aft
erschooli
'
m wait
ingforMisobythegat
e.Ifeel
somethi
ngbeingpouredontopofmyhead..
it
s
spoi
ledmil
kIcantel
lbythesmellasitr
unsdown
myface.
Ihearsecur
it
yshout
ingandcomi
ngcl
oser
.
secur
it
y:Thosegir
lhav
enoshame,
comet
hissi
de
andwipey ourf
aceandhai
r.
Itr
ywipi
ngmyhai ri
tsnothel
pingIsmel
lbadmy
hai
rissti
cky.
Ijustbendonthesinkandwashit
.the
Secur
it
ycomesbackwi thatowelandborr
owsmea
beani
e.i
tslat
eIt ookti
medr yi
ngmyhair.
It
akeat
axi
andIgetof
fIcanseebot
hthet
axi
and
t
hecari
sther
ewhi
chmeansMi
soi
sher
e.
MISO:soyouaredat
ingsecurit
iesnowZiyanda,
I
wasbyt hegat
ewhil
ewenay ouarehol
dinghands
wi
ththesecuri
tyandthegirl
snexttomycarwer e
t
alki
ngaboutyouandt hatsecuri
ty.
Wowwhataconclusi
on.
.I
'
mj usttoot
ir
edtoargueI
wal
ktot
hebedroom andtakeoffmyunif
orm hei
s
her
e.
MI
SO:Zi
yandapleasedon'
tl
eav
eme,
whatam Idoi
ng
wr
ongthatyoucheatonme.
ME:
I'
m notcheat
ingMi
so
Isaycal
mly
..
MISO:
Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngwit
hasecur
it
yfort
hat
l
ongyouknowIwai
tedf
ory
ouandgotangr
yandl
eft
.
It
akeof
fthebeani
eandshowshi
m myhai
r
MI
SO:
geezbabywhathappened.
ME:
Lee'
sfr
iendshappened.
Hehel
pswashi
nganddryi
ngmyhai rsincei
coul
dn'
t
washt
hor
oughwit
hjustwateratschool.
ME:
Thanky
ouMi
sowam
Hesmi
l
eswi
del
ywhenIsayt
hat
MI
SO:
Sayi
tagai
nbabe
hecomescl oseandt i
ckl
esmewef al
lonthebed
withhi
m ont opofme.wel ookateachotherthen
getupitsawkwar d.wehaveneverdoneanything
eversi
ncether apesaga.
.wenevertal
kedaboutit
ei
ther.
MI
SO:
Uhm I
..I
'
llgopr
epar
efoodwhi
l
eyoushower
.
Thismustbehardforhim..st
ayi
ngwitharape
vi
ctim whoi
syourgir
lf
riendyou'
vesl
eptwithonl
y
oncewhenyouwerebr eaki
nghervir
gini
ty.
Hedoesn'tev
enknowwhenisther
ightt
imetotal
k
aboutsexorini
ti
ati
ngi
tandt
obehonestIdon'
t
knowtoo.
HecomesbackwhenIj
ustf
ini
shedt
aki
ngashower
t
owelwrappedar
oundmybody.
.
MI
SO:
Getdr
essedsowecoul
deat
.
Hekeepslooki
ngaway,
helooksever
ywherebutme
..
heisaf
raidIcanseei
tinhi
seyes.
Thisal
so
affectedhim alot.Igetdr
essedweseatonthebed
andhest ar
tsfeedingme.Heav oidsey
econtact.I
feeltearsinmyey es,Heisnotokay.wesl
eepinthat
sil
encet hatwast ooloud.

Wear eseeingMr sRei

gnsImi ssedher.thi
ngsar
e
sti
llnotokay.
.weeattogether,
sleeponthesamebed
hetakesmet oandfrom school whenev
erhecanwe
sti
llholdhandsandnowwear ei nthi
sroom
togetherbutit
sjustsour
.
MrsRei
gnsget
singreet
sMi sowi
thahandshake
andmewithahugandpull
smycheek.
Wet
akeseat
s.
Shel
ooksatus.
.andwr
itessomethi
ngdown.butwe
j
ustgother
eandwehaven'tsai
danyt
hingy
et.
HER:youknowMi soIwashappywheny ouwanted
tosi
tinont hesesessi
onsbecauseweshoul
dtalk
abouttherapebecauseitaf
fect
edyoutoo.
Damnshe'
sgood.
HER:
Tel
lushowy
ouf
eel
Misokuhl
e
hecl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
.
MISO:I.
.Ijust
..
IknowIblamemy sel
fforwhat
happenedt oherIknowthatguycamebackf or
revengeforbeati
nghim up..
AndnowIf eell
ikeifi
gettooclosephy si
cal
lywi
thZiyandaitwill
trigger
thattr
aumat cexperi
enceandIdon'twantt hatfor
her.Sobeingclosetoherscaresme.
Iam cr
yingIdi
dn'
tknowt
hisi
showhef
eel
s.
REIGNS:youknowtoover
comefear,
youhav
eto
facei
t,notrunni
ngaway.
Ziy
andadoyouwantt
osay
something.
ME:
Iseepaininhisey esbuthetri
estohi
deitfr
om
me.
.Ionlynoti
cedaf ewday sago.Heisscar
edof
me.
.theotherdayhef el
lontopofmeandhewas
r
eal
l
yaf r
aidthatIcr
ied.
REI
GNS:
Whatabouty
ou.
.wer
en'
tyouaf
rai
d.
ME:NoI'm notafr
aidIknowhei
snothi
ngli
ket
hat
guywhor apedme.Iknowhewillev
erhur
tmeli
ke
that
,Iknowhel ovesme.
REI
GNS:
Misohear
inghersayt
hishowdoy
ouf
eel
.
MISO:
iam happyt
hatshet
rustme.Il
ovey
ou
Zi
yanda
REIGNS:GoodZiyandatheschoolsai
dnextweeki
s
ourlastsessi
onareyouokaywiththat
ME:
Noi
'
m goi
ngt
omi
ssy
ou.
REI
GNS:wewil
lst
il
lseeeachot
hert
oldy
ouIwanna
beyourf
ri
end.
i
smi
l
e
ME:Thanky
ouMom.Il
aughasIr ememberwhatshe
sai
dtoMaNokl
ungatheotherday.
Shesmilesbuti
tdoesn'
treachherey
es,
she
suddenl
ylooksad.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
15]Zee

i
nser
t18
TodayIam al oneinMi so'
shousemay beIshoul
d
startcal
l
ingithomenow.Mi sohadtogot owork
somet hi
ngaboutshool ki
ds'spensdownsot hey
pickedhistaxi f
ortr
avelli
ng.Iam notafanofTVso
I'
m alwaysint hebedroom neverinthedini
ngroom.
SuddenlyIhearkey s,someonei sunlockingt hemai n
doorIqui cklywakeupf r
om thebed. Whocoul dthat
beitsaround7atni ghtIknowMi sosai dhe'l
l
probablybebackatmi dni
ght.Hewant edtogowi t
h
medi dn'twantt oleav emeal l
alonebutIdecl i
ned
saidIwasgonnabef ine.Ilookforthebedr oom key
onthekey holeit
snott here.NowIcanhear
someonemov i
ngar oundt hehousehummi ngi tsa
man'sv oiceIpanic. Igonextt othebedandhi de,I'
m
coveri
ngmymout ht r
y i
ngtobl ocksobsf rom
escapingmymout h,I
'm shaking,scaredal l
i'
m
thi
nkingabouti st hati maybev i
olat
edagai nt oday .

Ihearfoot
stepsneart
hedoorandthesobescapesi
quickl
ycovermymout hagai
n.t
heystopandopen
thebedr
oom sl
owl
yIj
ustgetupandI
'
m cr
ying
hyst
eri
cal
ly
ME:
Pleasedon'
thur
tme,
I
'm sor
rypl
easedon'
thur
t
me.
HecomescloserIcl
osemyeyesshuti
'
m st
il
l
beggi
nghi
m nottohurtme.
HI
M:Si
siIwon'
thur
tyou,
whoar
eyou
myey esaresti
llshutt
earsar
ef al
l
ingdownmyey es
..Ifeelabur
ningsensati
onIthi
nkIjustpeedon
my sel
fori'
mj ustimagi
ningt
hings.
HI
M:Calm downSi
sIwon'
tdoany
thi
ngt
oyouI
pr
omise.
Idon'
tstopcr
yingandbeggi
nghi
m nott
ohur
tmeI
don'
tevenwanttolookathi
m.
HI
M:Damnwhati
sgoi
ngon.
.
Iheardi
ali
ngt
one.
HIM:Mi
sokuhl
eukuphi(
whereareyou)ther
eisalady
herei
nyourhouseshecan'
tstopcryi
ngandbegging
menottohurther
,whati
sgoingonwhoi sshe?
suddenl
yIf eell
iket
her
eisn'
ttoomuchai
rinthi
s
room i
'm stuggli
ngt
obreat
hIsitdownonthefl
oor
gaspi
ngf orair.
HI
M:l
ooksl
i
keshe'
shav
ingapani
cat
tackMi
sokuhl
e
hekeepsqui
teal
i
ttl
e..
HI
M:JaMi
sokuhl
eyou'
reonspeaker
Hecomesclosert
owhereIam Ifeel hi
m nearme
becausemyeyesarest
il
lshut
.Iscream soloud,i
openmyeyesHestepsbackheisal sopanicki
ng
I
'
m st
il
lgaspi
ngf
orai
r.
.IhearMi
sokuhl
e'
svoi
ce
MISO:Zi
yandababyy ou'
reokay,Justbr
eathlov
e
sl
owly..
IloveyouandI '
m onmywayt oyou,br
eat
h
babyhewon'thurtyouokay..
justholdonformei'
m
coming.
Iam calm nowbuti 'm st
il
l cr
yingwithmyey es
closedIdon'twannaseet hismani '
m afr
aidthati
fi
opent hem may bethatguyi sthesameast hat
soldier
.Iam stil
lsi
tt
ingont hef l
oorrocki
ngmy sel
f
backandf orth..i
tsprobablyov eranhourIhear
runningfootstepsandsomeonehugsmeIj umpup
st
eppi
ngback.
MISO:
Heyit
smeI '
m sor
ryf
orscar
ingy
ou,
come
her
eheopenshi
sarms.
Il
ayonhi
schestsobbi
ngnowIknowIam saf
e.
someoneclear
sthei
rthr
oat
.I'
m sti
l
lhol
dingMi
sofor
dearl
if
e.hemovesawayandhelpsmesitdownand
si
tnexttome.
MISO:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmyhouseKuhl
e,what
t
hefuckar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmyhouse?
I..
KUHLE:l
ooki
'
m sor
rymanbuty ouknowwheni
'
min
townIal
wayscomebyyourhouse.
I
'
mlay
ingmyheadonhi
sshoul
der
.
MI
SO:
Yeabuty
oucal
l
.
KUHLE:y
ourphonewasonvoi
cemai
lyoucancheckI
didman.whati
swrongwi
thher,
whywassheli
ke
that
.
MI
SO:
idon'
twannat
alkabouti
t.
KUHLE:cool
,Looki'
m sor
rysi
sforscar
ingy
ou
,wasn'
tmyintent
ion.
Misohel
psmegeti nbedandhel aynextt
ome. He
br
ushesmyhai runt
il
lIdoseof
f.Iwakeuptopeople
ar
guingr
ightoutsi
dethedooranditssi
ghtl
yopened.
KUHLE:Wheny ousayZiy
andayoumeanthesame
Ziy
andathattheywrot
eaboutonOurkasil
ocal
newsfacebookpage.
MI
SO:
Idon'
tknowaboutanyf
acebookpage.
KUHLE:Real
lybroyouleftZi
nhleforabrokengir
l
wit
hissuesnottomentionshewasr aped,whatyou
gonnadowiththatpussyman..ther
..
.
Hedoesn'tgett ofinishMisohadslappedhi m so
hardthatIgasped.t heybothturnl
ookingatme
Misogetsinandt r
iest osmil
ebutmyey esar eon
Kuhlewhoi slookingatmewi t
hdisgust.
.guessI
havetoliv
ewi thit(somepeopl ewil
lbedi sgusted
bymef orwhatIwentt hr
ough)
MISO:HeyyouawakeIwasaboutt
owakey
ou
up.
.younothungr
y?
IshakemyheadNo.
MI
SO:
uhm okayi
'
m sor
ryokayt
hisi
smyt
win
br
otherLet
hokuhl
ewecal
lhi
m Kuhl
e.
i
nodmyheadandl
ookathi
m.
Hejustwal
ksawaycl i
cki
nghstongue.
.Mi
sois
l
ookingdownobviousl
yembarr
assedbyhis
br
other'
sbehav
iour.
Ihel
duphi
schi
nandgi
vehi
m af
aintsmi
l
e.
ME:
It
sokay.
.
MISO:Noit
snotokayIknowyouhear
dwhathesai
d
,ngi
yaxol
i
saZiyanda(
i'
m sor
ry)
ME:Youdon'thav
et oapologi
seforsomeoneelse's
nastybehavi
ourMiso.andYousav edmyli
feforthe
secondtimenow.Ishouldjustcal
lyousav
iournow
yabo(see)
iam t
ryi
ngt
ocheerhi
m up..Iam acti
ngl
ikethe
wordshi
sbrot
hersai
ddoesn'thurtmebutithur
ts.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
15]Zee
I
nser
t19

It
sbeenaweeksi nceKuhl e'sarri
valandImakesur e
wear eneverinthesamer oom, sowhenMi sokuhl e
goest oworkIlockmy selfinsidetheroom Idon'teat
unti
l
l hecomesbackwhi chhedoeswhenev erhe's
fr
ee.Itwouldhav ebeenbet terift
heschool'swer en'
t
cl
osed.Mi sokuhl
ecamebackear lytodayandcalled
met othediningroom weseatont hesamecouch
andKuhlei sontheoneopposi teus.
MI
SO:
Kuhl
ewhenar
eyoul
eav
ingt
hishouse.
KUHLE:
What
?ar
eyouki
cki
ngmeoutbr
o?
MI
SO:
Ijustaskedy
ouasi
mpl
equest
ion.
KUHLE:
Whyshoul
dIl
eav
ei'
m st
il
lenj
oyi
ngt
his
pl
ace.
MISO:
Idon'
twantZi
yandaf
eel
i
nguncomf
ort
abl
ein
t
hishouse.
KUHLE:whyi
ssheuncomf
ort
abl
edi
dIr
apeher
per
haps.
Icr
ingewhenhesayst
hat,
Ifeel
mywhol ebody
get
tingcol
d.Howcanhebesoinsensi
ti
ve.
MISO:Youknowify
ouweren'tmybrot
hery
ouwould
bepicki
ngupyourteet
honthefl
ooronebyoner
ight
now.
KUHLE:
Why? al
lfort
his.
..
(hesi
zesmewi
thhi
sey
es)
thi
swhore?
Misokuhlequickl
ystandsupandchar gest
ohim but
Iquickl
ystandupandpul l
him back.
.Iwon'
thave
brother
sfight
ingbecauseofme, Ir
efusetobea
reasonofthem fi
ghti
ng.
ME:
It
sokayMi
soi
'
m nothur
t
KUHLE:
Yeav
elei
tshoul
dn'
thur
tyou.
.i
tst
het
rut
h.
Misoisoutofmygri
pandinasecondKuhl
eison
t
hefloorandhi
snoseisbl
eedi
ng.
Isl
apMi
sokuhl
e,
Hel
ooksatmeshocked.
ME:Idon'
twantyoutofi
ghtyourbrotherbecauseof
me,it
sokayifhesaysnast
yst uf
ftome, youdon't
havetofi
ghtyourf
amil
yMi sokuhl
e,heisyourfamily
al
ri
ghtsomeofuswoul dgi
v eanythi
ngtohav ethat
DAMN.
.
Iwalkaway,IknowIwaswr ongforslappi
nghim but
hewasn'tli
steni
ngt ome.AndIdi dn'twanthimt o
conti
nuepunchinghi sbrother
.Soasl apwast o
di
scrupthim becauseIsawKuhl ewasaboutt osay
somethingagainandi '
m sureashellhewasst il
l
gonnagetthebeat i
ngofhi sli
fe.
Idon'tunderst
and
whyMi soissodomi nantImeant heyhav ethesame
bodysizeandst r
uctureIjustdon'
tgetit.
Theydol
ookal
i
kebuty
oucaneasi
l
ytel
lthem apar
t.
Mi
soget
sinaf
terawhi
l
e.
Hest
aresatmeforalongti
meIlookathim and
l
ookdown,
Icanseeli
tt
leli
neswhereIsl
appedhim.
ME&MI
SO:
I'
m sor
ry
Wesayi
nuni
son.
MI
SO:
Your
eal
l
ygi
veameansl
apdamngi
rl
.
Wel
augh,
Ithoughthewoul
dbeangr
y.
MISO:i
don'
tli
kewhaty oudi
dbutIunder
stand,when
youtal
kaboutfami
ly,
youareri
ghtweshouldcher i
sh
f
amilybutt
hatdoesn'
tmeani wil
lal
l
owmybr other
toberudet owardsyou.Iknowyoumayactasifi
t
doesn'taf
fectyoubutIcanseer i
ghtthr
oughy
ou..
so
Iwon'thaveKuhletalki
ngshitabouty
ou.
ME:
Thanky
ouf
orl
ooki
ngoutf
orme.
MI
SO:
Any
thi
ngf
ory
oubaby
.
Hehugsme
ME:
Miso
MI
SO:
Mmmm
ME:
Ilov
eyou.
If
eel
hisbodyshakeal
i
ttl
e.
MISO:
WowI '
vebeenwaiti
ngfory
out
osayi tf
orso
l
ongandIknownowt hatyoumeani
t..
thankyouso
much
ME:
thanky
ou.

MisoisatworkandKuhl eisnotaroundthehouseI
hear
dt hemaindoorbeinglockedandhiscardri
v i
ng
awayearli
eri
nthemor ning.Igooutfrom t
heroom
togetaglassofwater
.Ihearacarout si
deandt he
dooropensKuhlecomesi nfol
l
owedbyMi ssKand
Miso'
ssontheyarelaughingsohar
d.Okayi'm ov
er
cal
li
ngherMissKshewon' tbemyteacheranymore
becauseiam goi
ngtoGr ade12sosheisZinhle.
Igreetthem andtheyl
aughevenhar
derIj
ustwal
k
pastthem..unti
lKuhl
etal
ks.
KUHLE: enj
oybeingt
hemadam ofthi
shousewhil
eit
l
ast.
.i
twon'tbelongti
ll
youbackonthest
reetwher
e
youbelong.
ZI
NHLE:AndIther
eal
madam t
hemot
herofhi
schi
l
d
wi
llst
il
lbeher
e.
Ij
ustcl
oset
hedoorandl
ocki
t.
Icanhearl
aught
eral
lthewayf
rom t
hedi
nni
ngr
oom.
IthinknowMi soi sbackbecauseIcanheart hethir
d
voiceandl ooksl i
ket heyareargui
ng.Het ri
es
openingt hedoori tslockedandheknocksIgoopen
forhim. .heiscar ryinghisson..
Theyl ookcute.
Zinhlebar gesi nshehasherphoneonherhandand
suddenl yshei st aki
ngpi ct
uresofMi soandhi sson
,hedi dn'
tl i
kei twhenshest ar
tedsnappingpi ct
ures
het ol
dhert ost opbutnowhei slaughingIthinkhe
i
senj oyi
ngt hi
snow, i'
mj ustathir
dwheel orfor
th
may befif
thwheel Idon'tknowr eal
lybecausethe
evil
twinKuhl eisheretoonowandhej oi
nedthem.
Nowkuhl etookt hephoneandi snowt aki
ng
pict
uresofZi nhl
eMi soandt hei
rson..i
tscuteit
real
lyis..
Ifeelalumpi nmyt hroatthesepeoplear
e
happy .
MI
SO:
Okayoutofmyr
oom nowby
eboy
.
Theyf
istbumpwi
thhi
sboyandhermom t
akeshi
m.
ZINHLE:Wewerehopi
ngwest
ayt
heni
ghtsi
ncei
ts
nowlatetodr
ive.
Heagr
eesandshet
hankhi
m andt
heywal
kout
.
I
'mjustl
ookingathi
m,It
hinkher
eal
i
sesnowt hatal
l
oft
hishappenedinf
rontofmeandIwasn'
tpartofi
t.
MISO:
uhm y
oudon'
thav
eapr
obl
em i
fZi
nhl
esl
eep
her
eri
ght
.
Ishakemyhead
ME:
NoIdon'
tandi
tsnotmyhouseany
way
.
MISO:
Youdi
dn'
thavetosayt
hat
,t
hisi
syourhouse
asmuchasi
tismine.
ME:
mmmm.
MI
SO:Iknowwhathappenedher
edoesn'
tsi
twel
l
wi
thy
oubutiwasdoingitformyson.
Ohher
eitcomes,
what
snexthewi
l
lsl
eepwi
th
Zi
nhl
eforhi
ssont
oo.
ME:
Igeti
t.
.
Idon'
tgeti
t.
Wefal
lasl
eep,
westil
lhaven'
thadsexev
enaf t
erour
t
alkwi
thMrsReignsIguesswearenotrushi
ng.
It
hinki
tsinthemi
ddleoft
heni
ghtt
her
esaknock
onourdoor.
misoget
supannoy
ed
ZINHLE:
Heyourbabycan'
tsl
eepdoyoumi
nd
comingtocheckonwhatswr
ongwit
hhim.
Ir
oll
myey
es"
OURBABY"
.ki
l
lmenow
MISO:
JustgoawayZinhl
e..
ist
hatwhyyouwant
edt
o
sl
eephere,
todi
stur
bmypeace? j
ustgo.
Hecl
oset
hedooronherf
ace.
yesi
nyourf
ace!
!!
Hecomesbackt
obedandcuddl
esme.
TodayIcall
edmr sRei
gnsandaskedifIcanseeher
andsheagr eedi'
m goi
ngtoheroffi
ce.I
'm wear
ing
mysi gni
tur
et r
acksui
tsIknowmrsReignsisgonna
dissmeshesay sil
ooktomboyi
shwhenIwearl ike
this
Asiam l
ockingthebedroom door
,Idon'
tknow
wher
eKuhl ecamef r
om buthespanksmybut tIt
urn
ar
oundIslaphim..helaughs
HI
M:Ohy
ouf
ier
cei
li
ket
hati
nawoman.
.
Hecomescloser.
.Iam notgonnaberapedbythi
s
fuckert
ooi
'
m gonnashowhi m hel
li
nhisbrot
her'
s
house.
Hegrabsmywai standbri
ngmecl osertohi
m Ispi
t
onhisfaceheletsgoandhehasasmugonhi s
face.
.hecomescloserIsl
aphim againandrunto
thedoorandi
tslocked..
helaughsandthrowthe
keysatme.
HI
M:Didyoureal
lythi
nkIwoul dwanttof
uckthat
l
oosepussybit
chi'm notdesper
atel
ikemybrother
..
Ihav
estandards.Iopenthedoorandwalkout.
I
am notsaf
eint
hishouse.
.
Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t20

I
'
m sti
ll
inMr
sReignsof
fi
cefor2hour
snow,she
j
ustt
oldmeshehasameeti
ngin15minut
es.
.
ME:
CanIjustsi
tattherecepti
onunti
l
lyourmeet
ing
i
sover
..
it
sstil
lear
lyIdon'twantt
oleaveyet
.
MRS,REIGNS:y
ouknowy oucantel
lmeanyt
hing
r
ight
,whatisgoingonPi
nk?Icanseesomet
hingi
s
t
roubli
ngyou.
Itel
lheraboutMi
so'
sbrot
herandev
erythi
nghe'
s
beendoingandwhathedi
dthismor
ning.
ME:
soIdon'
tknowi
fIshoul
dtel
lMi
sokuhl
eornot
.
HER:
Ofcausey
oushoul
dtel
lhi
m,t
hisi
sdanger
ous
y
oucan'
ttakei
tli
kel
ypl
ease.
ME:
Iknowt
hatguyhat
esmeIcanseei
tinhi
sey
es.
HER:
Lookit
sokayy oucanwai
tformeatt
he
r
ecept
ionIwil
ltakeyouhome.
I
'vebeenpl
ayi
ngwi
thmyphonet
hebat
ter
yisdead
now.
af
teranhourMr
sReignsisfi
nal
lyIof
fert
ocar
ryher
l
aptopbag..
wegeti
ntothecar.
Mi
so'
scari
sher
e,Iheav
easi
ghofr
eli
ef.
MRS,
REI
GNS:
Cal
lmei
fsomet
hinghappensokay
.
inod,Iopent
hedoorandl
ookatMisowi
thhi
s
phoneonhisearhel
ooksf
rust
rat
ed.
KUHLE:
Itol
dyoushe'
sabi
tchshei
spr
obabl
ywi
tha
manri
ghtnow.
Misoj
ustlookathi
m..het
hrowsthephoneacr
oss
t
heroom andIjump..
hehasn'
tnoti
cedmeyet.
ME:
Miso.
..myv
oicei
slow
Herunstomeandhugsmesot i
ghtthatIcan'
t
br
eath.
heletgoandpl
acebot
hhishandsonmy
faceandgi vesmeal ongpassionatekissthatl
eaves
mebr eathless.
.hel
ooksdeepi nmyey esandgof or
anotherkisswhichtakeslonger.
.i
tsli
kewear einour
ownwor ld.Wear edist
urbedbyKuhl ecli
ckinghi
s
tongueandwal ksaway .
MISO:wher
ehavey
oubeeni
'
vebeengoi
ngcr
azy
worr
iedabouty
ou.
.
ME:
Uhm Iwentt
ovi
sitmr
sRei
gnsi
nherof
fi
ceand
wel
ostt
rackoft
ime.
heholdsmyhandandwewal
ktot
hebedr
oom and
si
tinbed.
MISO:
Ist
her
esomet
hingy
ouwannatell
mebabyt
he
r
easonyouwant
edt
obeoutoft
hishouse.
ME:Uhm no.
..
noIj
ustwant
edt
oseeRei
gnsi
mi
ssedher.
MISO:youarehi
dingsomethingf
rom meZiyanda
andi'
m gonnafi
ndoutonewayort heot
herhe
doesn'
twaitf
ormet otal
k.hesmasheshisl
ipson
minewekiss..
Het
akesof
fmycl
othesonebyonet
il
li
'ml
eftwi
th
mybr
aandpant
ies.
.
MISO:Damny ousexy.
..
doy
ouwannaknowwhi
ch
partofyourbodyIl
ovemost?
i
nod
MI
SO:
Iwanty
out
otal
kLov
e
ME:
Yes
myv
oicesoundsdi
ff
erent
.
Wecontinueki
ssinghelaysmeont hebedand
st
artst
akingoffhiscl
othessl
owlyeyesonmi ne.he
pl
antski
ssesallthewaydownt omybellybut
t on
..
thenheholdsmysmal lboobstohishands
MISO:
Thi
sist
hepartofyourbodythatdr
ivesme
cr
azysosmal
landpoint
ysuchat urnon.
hestart
sli
ckingthem .
.If
eelgoosebumpsonmy
wholebody..
he'sli
cki
ngandsuckingonmybreast
..
it
sdr i
vi
ngmecr azyIdo'tknowwhattodowi
th
myself.
.aloudmoanescapesmymout h.
hegoesdownt
omycooki
eopenmyf
oldswi
thhi
s
fi
nger
s.
MI SO:toopr etty
..
.hest ar
tsl icki
ngandsuckingon
mycl itthenhei nsertshisfingerslowlyIgocr azyhe
startsfinger i
ngmesof astt onguestil
lonmycl it.
..
I
can'thol ditinanymor eIletgoshaki ng..It
hinkIjust
peedonhi sfacei'
m embar assed..hetakeshisT
shirtandwi peshisface..
Ijustbur ymyf aceonmy
handsi wantt olaugh.her emov emyhandsonmy
facesmi l
ing.
MISO:Comeondon'tbeembar
assedi
tsnor
mal
..i
ts
cal
ledsqui
rt
ingokay.
.
Hest
art
ski
ssi
ngmeagai
nandget
sinbet
weenmy
l
egs.
.
MISO:don'
tcl
oseyoureyesdon'
tl
ookawaykeep
youreyesonmineokay.
i
nod
MI
SO:
Wet
alkZi
yanda.
ME:
Igoty
ou.
Hest
art
srubbi
nghi
sshaf
tonmycooki
eandputi
n
t
heti
p.
MI
SO:
rel
axokay
.
ME:
Yes
Heslowlypushitinthenit
salli
nIscream i
npain
andpleasur
e..Ihol
dont ohisshoul
dershestar
t
movi
ngi nandoutsosl owbutdeepIfeelt
earsthi
s
i
sgreatthepleasureistoomuch.
MI
SO:
fuckbaby.
.shi
t
ME:
Misoaaahy
esy
esy
es
het akesonelegandplacei
tonhisshoul
derand
holdsmywai standstart
smovingfast
erandfast
eri
grabont hebedcoversit
scomingagainIf
eelpeehe
cont i
nuesevenfast
er..
MISO:
ShityousofuckenhotIl
ovehowyousqui
rt
f
ormeitsfuckent
urningmeon...
aaah
heturnsmeandbendmeov erIfeel
aspankonboth
mybut tcheekshecaressthem andspr
eathem a
l
it
tl
eIf eelhist
onguegoinginandoutofmycookie
..
Iloseit..Heputsi
talli
n.
ME:
Aaahf
uckMi
sobabypl
ease.
.y
es
hegrabsmyhai
randst
art
sfucki
ngmei
nal
lcor
ner
s
Icum agai
n
hegr
oans
MI
SO:
I'
m cummi
ngbabyf
ucky
eah.
..
ahhh.
aah
wecollapseonthebedhe'
sfacedri
ppi
ngwit
h
sweat.
.heki
ssesmymout handwestayli
ket
hatf
or
afewmi nut
esthenheget
supt aket
hetowel
and
wipesus.
Hel
ooksatme
MI
SO:
Thatwasamazi
ngt
hanky
ou
i
nodIf
eel
sleepy
MISO:Don'
tsleepyoust
il
lneedt
otel
lmewhat
happenedtoday.
ij
ustt
ell
him whatKuhl
edi
dandIt
oldhi
mtocal
m
down.
thefol
lowi
ngdaywegetoutoft hebedroom
becausehewantedmet ositwithhi
m whil
ehe
prepar
esbreakf
ast.Igooutfi
rsthei
sbehindme.
.
Kuhleseesmefirst
..
KUHLE:
Youev
enmoanl
i
keabi
tch
andMi
soi
sri
ghtbehi
ndme.guesshedi
dn'
twai
tto
seehi
m.
MI
SO:
Alr
ightt
hat
sit
..

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t21

Misogoesstrai
ghttoKuhle'
sr oom andst artpicki
ng
uphiscl
othesfrom t
heclosetandst ar
tt hrowingit
onthepassagehegr abshim byhisthroatlookingso
deadl
y.
.Iam evenscaredtosayany thi
ng..
MISO:
Ihavehaditwit
hyouandnowi'
m doneyou
needt
otakeyourtr
ashandgett
hefuckout.
KUHLE:
Youcan'
tdot
hatMi
sokuhl
e.
MI
SO:
ohbutIjustdidbr
oandIdon'
tl
iker
epeat
ing
my
sel
fyouknowt hat
Hel et
sgoofhist
hroatandt
akemyhandwego
backtotheroom,
Iguesswearenoteat
ingbr
eakf
ast
todaythen.
Westayi
nsilenti
nthebedr
oom,
hei
sjustl
ooki
ng
downandi'
ml ooki
ngathi
m.
Wehearacli
cki
ngsoundofheel
sandZi
nhl
ebar
ges
i
nandstar
tsshout
ing.
ZINHLE:Misokuhl
ewhathappenedtoyou,youare
chasingyourbrotherawayf
orali
tt
legir
l,
youneedto
ret
hinkthi
s.
MISO:
Zinhl
epleasest
ayoutofmyfami
l
y'sbusi
ness
t
hishasgotnothi
ngtodowithyou.
ZINHLE:
ithasgotever
ythi
ngt
odowit
hme,whena
fat
herofmychildl
oseshismi
ndIhav
etobeworr
ied.
MI
SO:
Thenbewor
ri
edsi
sbutl
eav
emeal
onegeez
.
Hewal
ksoutoft
her
oom
Zi
nhlest
aresatmewi
thsomuchr
age,
Imi
ghtget
ki
l
led.
ZI
NHLE:Bereadyt
oleav
ethishousesoonsweet
y,
whenIsaysoonImeantoday.
Andwher
ewi
l
lIgo,
Ist
artpani
cki
ng.
Misocomesbackandt
akeoffhi
scl
othesandgot
o
t
hebathr
oom .
hecomesback..
ME:It
hinkIshoul
dgoMiso,
Iwi
llaskmr
srei
gnsifI
coul
dstaywithherf
orawhi
l
ethengobackhome.
Hej
ustl
ooksatme.
ME:Wewillseeeachot
heragai
nbutf
ornowIneed
t
oleav
e..
letmecal l
her
.
Itakethephone,
hesnat
chi
tfr
om myhandsand
throwsitonthebed.
MI
SO:
PleaseZi
yandaj
ustt
rustme.
Inod.i
don'
twantt
ot al
kanyf
urt
herIcanseehei
s
feel
i
ngdownIdon'twannapi
sshim of
f.
Therei
samanatthedoorandheislooki
ngatme
heisol
dwit
habeardandZinhl
e,KuhleandMisoar
e
behi
ndhim.
.Mi
soisbeggi
nghimf orgodknows
what.
MI
SO:
Fat
herpl
easedon'
tdot
his.
ohsot
hismani
shi
sfat
her
..
nowi
'
m scar
ed,
Zinhl
e
andKuhl
ear
esmi
l
ing.
MI
SO'SFATHER:
Lit
tl
egir
lpacky
ourst
uffandl
eav
e
myhouset
hisi
nst
ant.
Ohsoi
tshi
shouse.
.andhi
svoi
cei
stoobol
dthatI
j
ump.
Igot
otheclosetandgr
abwhatIcoul
dandt
hrowi
t
onmysui
tcase.
Misotr
ieswal
ki
ngt
omebuthi
sfat
herqui
ckl
ypul
l
s
hi
m back.
Noonei
ssay
ingawor
dnotev
enMi
sokuhl
enow.
It
akemyst
uffandt
heyar
est
andi
ngonmywaysoI
st
andi
nfr
ontoft
hem.
Mi
so'
Sfat
hert
alks.
HI
M:Goandnev
erlookbackmysonalreadyhasa
wi
fe,t
hemot
herofhischil
dhedoesn'
tneedli
tt
le
gi
rl
sli
key
ouwithdaddyissuesnx.
Misot
ri
estal
ki
ngbuthi
sfat
herrai
seuphi
shand
t
hathegoesqui
tei
mmediat
ely
.
Iopent
hedoorandst
andout
sidei
tssocol
dIcan
feelt
earsinmyey es..
IlookbacktoseeifMi soi
sn'
t
comingoutbuthei sn'
t.
.Isi
tdownj ustmeter
saway
from t
hehouseIhav ehopet hatheiscoming,he
saidIshouldt
rusthim soIwi l
lwai
t.Hourspassno
signofhim.
Itr
ymrsreignsnumberbutitsaysuserbusy.
.it
rya
coupl
eofti
messt i
ll
.
.Igi
veup. .Ist
andupandwal k
downtheroadslowl
yIdon'tknowwher ei'
l
lgo..

Desper
ateti
mescall
sfordesperat
emeasuresIhave
nochoicebutt
otryNj
abul
ohei stheonlypersonI
canthi
nkoffandLeei
shomesi nceschool
'sare
cl
osed.
Iwalkit
sabitf
arandi'
m getti
ngtir
ed.There'
sa
l
ocaltaxicomi
ngandIgetin..
itsdarkbecausei
ts
wint
erbutthet
imeit
sstil
l6:00pm..
Idon'
thav
eNjabul
o'
snumbersoIopttoshout
ing
hi
snamebecausethegat
eisl
ocked.
Hecomesout,
hel
ookssupr
ised.
ME:
uhm hi
Jaycany
oul
etmei
nsowecoul
dtal
kit
s
col
douther
e.
JAY:
NoIcan'tsor
ry.
.wherei
syourboy
fri
end
huh.
.j
ustgoawayZiyanda.
ME:
Njabul
opl
easeman.Pl
easei
'
m beggi
ngy
ou.
JAY:
i
fial
l
owy
oui
nsi
dewhatwi
l
ligeti
nret
urn.
.
Iseewheret
hisi
sgoi
ngandi
'
drat
herdi
eher
ethan
sl
eepwithhi
m.
ME:
youknowwhati
tsf
ine.
.
Myphoneringsanditsmr
srei
gnsi
'
venev
erbeen
happi
erget
tinghercal
l
MRS,
REIGNS:
PinkIseeyourmi
ssedcal
l
sis
ev
ery
thi
ngokay..
iwasinacall
..
Ij
ustcr
y..
MRS,
REI
GNS:
Tal
ktomebabywhati
sgoi
ngon.
.
ME:
Idonthav
eany
wher
eel
set
ogopl
ease.
.
HER:
What
..
Tel
lmewher
eyouar
ei'
l
ldr
ivet
her
enow.
.
It
ellher,
shesaysshestaysabi
tfarf
rom wherei
am butshe'
str
yingtocal
lsomeonecl
osetopickme
upanddri
vemetoherhomebecausei
tscol
dican'
t
wai
tforherf
orl
ong.
.
Iseeacarapproachi
ng.
.i
tst
opsnearmeandt
he
windowrol
lsdownIseeawhitewoman.
.
HER:
Heyar
eyouZi
yandacomegeti
n.
Iqui
ckl
ygetupandgot
othecar
.
HER:
I'
mlay
laMr
srei
gnssentmet
opi
cky
ouup.
.
ME:
Thanky
ou.
Sheisver
ytal
kati
veandshelooksabi tol
dert
han
me..
shehasbeentalki
ngeversinceandmymi ndis
nother
e..
i'
mt hi
nki
ngofMiso..Iguessthi
sisthe
endofusbecausei'
m goi
ngbackhome. .

Zee
I
'm sorr
yguy
sfort
hedel
ay.Nextinser
twi
l
lbe
bef
or e12mi
dni
ghtandi
twi
llconsi
stofMi
so'
spoi
nt
ofview
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee
I
nser
t22

MI
SOKUHLE'
sPOV

Iam angr y..Iam angryatmy selff

ornotkeepi ngmy
promi setoZi yandafortel
li
nghert otrustmeonl yto
breakt hattrustminutesawayf rom sayingit.
.Iam
angryf ordissapoint
ingthewomanIv owedt o
protectwithmyl i
fe..
i'
vebeenar gui
ngwi t
hmyf ather
forhour sthatIforgotthatZi
y andaisoutt her
ei nthe
coldal lal
one.
Fat
her
:Thi
sismyhouseIboughti
tsoy
ouwon'
tbe
l
ivi
ngwit
hgir
lsIdon'
tappr
ove.
.
Me:IfIknewthatmeaccept
ingt
hishousecamewi
th
youchoosingawomanf ormeiwouldn'
thave
acceptedit
..
Kuhl
e:buty
oudi
dsogetov
eri
t
Ijustl
ookathi
mi '
m doneargui
ngi'
m goi
ngout
theret
ofindZi
yanda.
.Iwalktothedoor
.
Father:
Mi sokuhl
eifyouwalkoutt
hatdoorj
ustknow
thatI'
mt akingever
ythi
ngthatwasboughtwi
thmy
money .
Me:YourmoneythatIworkedforbei
ngi
nataxi
busi
nesswasn'tmychoiceyouchoseev
ery
thingf
or
mebutt hi
siswhereidr
awt heli
ne.
Father
:ohwel
lthenguessthi
sisi
tson.
.y
ou
choosi
ngagirloverf
amil
y.
Me:
Guesst
hisi
sit
..
Iwal
koutIsearchmypocketsformyphoneandits
nott
her
e..
Iwalktomyneighbourshouseandbor
row
hi
sphonehehandsitt
ome.
Idi
alZiyanda'
snumberi
tri
ngsf
orsomet
imet
hen
shepicksup.
Zee:
Hel
l
o
Thatsweeti
nnocentv
oice
Me:
Ziy
andaheybabywher
ear
eyou?
arey
ouokay?
Zee:
Misokuhl
e
Myhear
tst
art
sbeat
ingf
astwi
tht
hewayshecal
l
s
myname.
Me:
j
ustt
ell
mewher
eyouar
ei'
l
lbet
her
epl
ease
Zee:NoMisothi
sisi
tforus,
thankyouforevery
thi
ng
youhavedoneformebuti'
ml eavi
ngthi
splacehave
broughtmenothi
ngbutpai
naf t
erpai
n..
im goi
ng
backhome.
Me:
pleasedon'
tl
eav
eZi
yanda.
Ilef
tital
lfory
ou
Zee:don'
ttur
nyourbackonyourf
ami l
ybecauseofa
gir
lwit
hdaddyissuesMisoy
oumi ghtregr
eti
tinthe
fut
ure
Thi
sbr
eaksmyhear
t..
Me:
l
ookZi
yandaweneedt
otal
kpl
easet
el.
..
Zee:
byemi
soi
hopey
ouf
indhappi
nessIl
ovey
ou.
.
Me:
Ziy
andaDON'
TYOUDAREHANGUPTHI S
PHONEYOUHEARME.ZI
YANDA.
..
ziy
anda.
Tit
it
ishehasdroppedthephoneItrycall
ingher
againi
tsendsmest r
aightt
ovoicemailIhandhi
m
backhisphoneandthankhim.
Iwal
kdownt
her
oadIdon'
tev
enknowwher
etooI
haveafeel
i
ngshei
swi
thmr
srei
gnsbutIdon'
tknow
hernumber.
Iseet
hecarstopnextt
omei
tst
heguy
sthatwor
ks
formyfat
her
Oneoft
hem t
alks
Hi
m:geti
t.
Me:
not
hanky
oui
'
m good
Hi
m:pl
easedon'
tmaket
hishar
d
Nextthi
ngtwoguysapushi
ngmei
nsi
det
hecarIt
ry
t
of i
ghtbuti
tsnouse
Theydri
vef
orl
esst
han15mi
nut
es.Myf
atheri
s
here.
Fat
her:
ohboy syouf
oundhi
m puthi
m ont
hischai
r
andti
ehim up.
Me:
what
?dadwhati
sgoi
ngon
Him:
Ohwearegoingt
otieyouinthi
shouseunt
il
lwe
f
igur
eoutwhatt
odowiththatgi
rl
.
Me:
nodadpleasel
eaveheral
onesheal
readyt
old
meit
soverandshe'
sleav
ing
Fat
her
:ohbutIneedt
omakesur
e.
Me:
dadpl
easel
eav
eheral
one
Fat
her:
Iwon'
thaveaweaksonal
lbecauseofagi
rl
youwer
eneverl
iket
hiswi
thZi
nhl
e
Me:
Iguessi
twasn'
ttr
uel
ove
Father
:Iguessso.
.t
hat
swhyIhav
etodosomet
hing
aboutthatgi
rl
.
Me:
dadpl
easePhakat
hway
odon'
tdoany
thi
ngt
oher
Hejustwal
ksout..I
tst
heseconddayher
eandI
hav
et oaskfort
hebathroom i
'
mli
keapri
sioner
Myf
atheri
sher
eandhehast
hissmugonhi
sface
Him:heysonIhavegotapr
esentf
oryou..
Het
akes
outhisphoneandshowsmethescreen
Me:
NooooDadNoo
It
sthev i
deoofZiyandat heyarebeat
ingher.
.her
cri
eswillhauntmef ortherestofmylif
e..
sheis
beggingforherl
if
e..Ifeelherpai
n..
withever
ywhip
theygivehermytear sfal
ls.
Me:
youhav
eki
l
ledmeDadIwi
l
lnev
erf
orgi
vey
ou
f
ort
his.
.
Fat
her
:keepsay
ingt
hatandi
'
lldomor
ethant
his.
.
Me:
j
usthol
donf
ormeZi
yanda.
.Pl
ease
Fat
her
:boyy
ouar
eweaki
tsdi
stur
bing
Ij
ustl
ookdownandletmyt
earsfal
l.
.thi
sist
oo
muchforagi
rlasy
oungasZiy
anda..

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t23

Int
hecarwi thLayl
aonourwaytomrsReignshouse
sheist
alkingbutsuddenl
yshest
opsIknowIwasn't
payi
ngattenti
ontoherbutshedi
dn'
thavetost
op.
Lay
la:
uhm ZeeIt
hinkwear
ebei
ngf
oll
owed
Of
causewear
ebei
ngf
oll
owedt
her
ear
ecar
sont
he
r
oadsoIdon'
tunder
standwhyi
sshet
ell
i
ngmet
his
Me:
ooohokay
Lay
la:
Ziy
andat
hatcari
sfol
l
owingusIst
art
ed
not
ici
ngwhenIsl
oweddownanditdi
dtoo.
.
DonotpanicZeemaybeLayl
aisparanoi
dbutmaybe
shei
snot,sheisdr
ivi
ngapret
tyawesomecarIdon'
t
knowwhatiti
sbutiknowit
sawesome.
Shest
art
spani
cki
ng
Layl
a:maybeIshouldj
ustst
opandl
ett
hem t
aket
he
cari
tsnotworthit
..
Idon'
tknowwhattosayi
tshercari
'
llgowi
th
whatev
ershedeci
des.
Shepar
ksatthesideoftheroadt
hecarst
opst
o..
so
shewasri
ghtIfeelsuf
focat
ed
Lay
la:
Ziy
andabreathitsokayt
heywi
l
ltaket
hecar
i
tsfi
nealr
ightj
ustbreath.
I
'
mt ryi
ngbutit
snotwor ki
ngoutsogr eat.
.Wesee
t
hreemenappr oachi
ngIthi
nkast heygetcloseri
ts
t
hemor eIfeel
suffocat
edwhent heyreachthecar
..
theybangonmysi deofthewindowLay larol
ls
downbothwi
ndowsbecauset
her
eisaguyonher
si
detoo
Lay
la:
youcant
aket
hecari
tsf
iner
eal
l
y.
Guy:
ubani
okhul
umengemoto(
whosai
dany
thi
ng
aboutt
hecar
)wewanther
.
OkayIknowi'
m nott
hatpr
ett
ybutGodshoul
dn'
tbe
t
hisharshtomebadthi
ngsdoesn'
thav
etohappen
t
omeal l
thet
ime
Lay
la:
why
?whatdoy
ouwantwi
thher
Guy:
youareaski
ngt
oomanyquest
ionngaml
a
(whi
tegi
rl
)
Idi
dsayshet
alksal
ot.
.
Sheshakesherhead
Lay
la:
youcan'
ttakeher
Wedon'thaveti
mef orthi
sunlockthi
sbl oodycar
onepull
soutthegunshej umpsandqui cklyunl
ocks
thecar.
.t
heygrabmyhai randpull
meoutoft hecar
andputmei nbetweenthem i
nthecarIcansee
l
aylashout
ingpressi
ngherphonet hecarspeedof f
.
Theygetmeoutkft hecarwegetinsidet hi
shouse
andtheytakeoffmyt-shi
rtandi '
ml ef
twithmybr a.
.
Theymakemekneel andtheyst ar
twhoopi ngme
taki
ngturnsoneofthem i
st akingav i
deo..Theygo
onforli
fe15minutesbutitfeltli
keeterni
ty..
Guy
:Bossshoul
dwesendt
hev
ideonow
Hei
sont
hephone.
.
Guy
:whatshoul
dwedonext
..
Theygetmeupandmakemesi
tont
hechai
rand
t
iemeup.
Guy:
youar
epret
tybutIguessyoumadetheboss
angr
ywhatdi
dyoudo. .Ibety
oust
olef
rom hi
m
IfheknewthatIdon'
tevenknowwhohisbossi
she
wouldevenbeopeninghisst
inkymout
hassumi
ng
shit
.
Thenextdayi
wakeupt
oanot
herwhoopi
ng.
I
'm shockedt
oseeKuhl
eandhi
sfat
heri
nfr
ontof
me.
Kuhl
e:y
ouknowIknewy
ouwer
enotgoodf
ormy
br
other
.
Hi
sFat
her:
Misowasweakmaar
nhi
wcanheki
l
l
hi
msel
fforawoman.
Whyi shet al
kingaboutMisoi
npasttense,
whyi s
hesay i
ng' was"Ir
eali
selat
erwhathesaidl
asthe
kil
l
edhi mselfforawoman. .
Misoisdead..
Iletouta
scream ..
.IknowIsaidheshouldl
eavemebutnot
l
ikethis.
..Icrysohard
Theyar
ejustl
ooki
ngatme.
HisFather
:youseenowl i
ttl
egi
rlt
here'
snot
hingfor
youher eyouneedtoleaveandgobacktowhatever
hellholey
oucomef rom ifIev
erseeyouagaini
twil
l
betoosoon. .
Theyuntietheropesandaskf ormyhomeaddress
andcal
l oneoftheguystell
himt odri
vemetomy
home..howcant heybesocr uelt
heywon'
teven
al
lowmet oatt
endhisfuner
al.
May
bet
hispl
acewasn'
tformeaf
ter
all

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee
I
nser
t24

I'
m st
andingoutsi
del ooki
ngatwhatwasonceav er
y
warm homef ul
lofloveandlaughterbutnowitis
cover
edi nweedsbutt hewall
sarestandingohhowI
wishIwasjustasst r
ong..ButIdon'
tknowhowl ong
wil
lIholdonfor.
.i'
m allal
one,noonetoturntoo.
.
Thereisdusteverywhereandbytheti
mei '
m done
cl
eaningi'
mt ir
edandhungr ysoIj
ustsleepIdon't
haveany t
hingtoeatbecauseiwasjusttransport
ed
heredidn'
tevenhav eti
metobuyany t
hing..Idon'
t
havemoneyany way..
It
sbeenaweekher eathomeal li
doi scryallday
unti
l
lIfall
asleep.
.alwayshavebeenskinnybuty ou
canimaginenowhowski nnyiam nothaving
anyt
hingtoeatforfivedays.
.Icanseedar kcircl
es
i
nmyey esmycheekbonei soutthere.
.Thecoul or
boneeverythi
ngIlooksickbutmay beIam ..
howdo
youdiff
erbeingdepressedandbeingsick?
TwoweeksIdeci
det
oopent
hecur
tai
ni'
vebeen
l
ivinginthedarkhousewi thcurtainscl osed.
.Iwalk
outsidethereisacol dbreezesoIj uststandthere
l
ooki ngaround. .
neighbourswal kpastme
whi speri
ngnotexact lywhisperi
ngbecauseIcoul d
heart hem cl
ear..youknowt hetownshi ppeoplewith
that"wegonn' talk'boutyoui nyourf acewhat'you
gonn' doaboutit".
.jaasoi heardthem t heywere
arguingaboutme
Oneofthem saiditsZiyandatheothersdi
dn't
beli
evethatsayi
ng" t
hispersonlooksli
keshecan
dropdeadanymi nutefrom now"..
Oneofthem came
tomeIf el
tli
kerunninginsidethehouseIreal
lydon'
t
wanttotalknottoday..
Gir
l:
hyar eyounotZiyanda.
.ohi
tsreal
l
yy ou.
.It
old
youguy sit
sher..
shesaysshout
inggoingbackto
t
hem. .
justli
kethat.
.

Asi'
m abouttogobackt
othehouse.
.Someone
shout
smynameohi t
sMamMkhizethenei
ghbour
suchalovel
ysoul
..
MamMkhi
ze:
Ziy
andai
sthaty
oumychi
l
dwowcome
gi
vegogoahug(
granny
)
Thatswhatweusedt
ocal
lher
,Gogobacki
nthe
days.
GOGO:Mychil
dyoul
ooksickwhoar
eyouher
ewi
th
..
isNokl
ungaher
ewithy
ou.
Ij
ustl
ett
het
ear
sfal
l
.
Me:
i
'm al
lal
oneGogonoonewant
sme.
GOGO:Nodon'
tcr
ymychil
d..Comelet
sgot
omy
houseandy
ouwil
ltel
lmeall
abouti
t.
Ist
artbyt
ell
i
ngheraboutNokl
unga
GOGO:you'vebeenthroughalotMntanam (mychi
l
d)
butIneverli
kedNoklungashelef
tyouwheny ou
weresti
llyoungandwet ri
edtal
ki
ngt ohershedi
dn't
l
ist
en..
butitsokayGogoi sher
enow..
Ij
ustl
aymyheadonherl apandcr y.Sheremi
nds
meofmygr anni
estheywer einseperabl
e..
wewere
al
waysmakingteaforthem..WishIhadcameback
ear
li
erbef
oreall
thebadt hi
ngshappenedt ome.
MI
SOKUHLE'
sPOV

It
sbeent woweekssi nceIfoundoutthatZiyandais
deadmyf athertoldmehehadt okill
herbecause
shewasgonnat ellt
hecopsabouthi m. .
.Idi
dn't
beli
ev ehi
m unt i
llheshowedmet hepicturesof
Ziyandawi t
hbr uisesalloverherupperbodylying
l
ifelessonthef l
oor .
.
Ihaven'
tbeeneati
ngforfi
veday s..
Istayi
nmyr oom
mybr ot
hertr
iedt
alki
ngtomeandIbeathi m upso
badthatheneededmedicalattent
ionandIdon't
regr
etitt
heypushedme. .
Theykill
edtheonlywoman
i
'veevertr
uel
yloved.
.Ihatethem somuch..

Istandupandshowerf orthefi
rstt
imeev ersi
nceI
foundoutZiyandadied..
Ineedtoknowwher ethey
buriedher
..
.Ineedtosaymygoodby es.
.Ineedto
mour nherdeath.
.
Ifi
ndmydadwi
thKuhl
eIhav
en'
tbeent
alki
ngt
o
them
Me:
Wher
edi
dyoubur
yher
?
Dad:
Sond.
.
Me:Ij
ustwannaseehergrav
edadi wanttosaymy
goodbye.
..
yourobbedmeoft hatsopleasecanyou
dothi
sonethingforme.
Dad:
Ohwecan'tshowy
ouhergr
avebecausewe
bur
ntherbody
..
WhatIcompletel
yloseitandIst
artt
osmash
every
thi
nginthehouse...
theyt
rytost
opmebut
fai
l.
.i
'
mf umi
ngwi t
hr age..
IgodownonmykneesIdon'
thav
etear
sany
mor
eI
j
ustst
ayli
ket
hat.
..
Me:
youdi
dn'
thav
etohur
tmel
i
ket
hisdad.
.t
hisi
s
t
oomuchforme

Zee

Twoi
nser
tsl
atert
omakeupf
ort
hismor
ning
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t25

I
'vebeenst ay
ingwi
thuGogoforthepastfew
mont hsbutnowtheprobl
em i
swef oundoutIam
pregnantiknowshehasagoodhear tbuti
tsone
thi
ngf eedi
ngmebutthebabyit
st adtoomuchreal
l
y.
WhenIfoundoutIwasscaredIwantedtoabort
ri
ghtt
hereandthenbutIt
houghtt
hisissomethi
ngI
needorsoIthought
.
Gogo:mysonZet
hembeiscomi
ngtodaywit
hhi
s
wif
e,i
twil
lbemyfi
rstt
imemeet
ingt
hiswif
e.
Me:
ohmay
beIshoul
dgobackhomet
hen.
Gogo:youcan'
tbeal
onet
hedoct
orsai
dyouar
edue
anydaynow..
Ne:
IknowGogoandi
'
m scar
ed.
Gogo:
Iwi
l
lbeher
ewi
thy
ou.
I
'
m sl
eepi
ngi
noneoft
her
oomsgogocomesi
n.
Gogo:
comet
heyar
eher
e.
Igetupandf
oll
owher
Me:
sani
bona(
greet
ings)
Zet
h:uuuhmahwhoi
sshe.
.
OhIcansmel
lrej
ecti
onfr
om amil
eawayandright
her
eiknowi'
m gonnabethr
ownouti
n3,2,
..
..
Gogo:
rememberZiyanday
oual
lusedt
ocal
lherPi
nk
whenyouwereyoung
Zet
h:y
eahy
eahwhyi
ssheher
e.
Gogo:
shest
ayswi
thmeshehasnooneand.
..
..
Zeth:ohnomahwedon'
trunanor
phanageher
eI
don'tsendy
oumoneytofeedt
hepoor
.
Gogo:
zet
hembehav
eahear
tshehasnoone.
Zeth:
Zimandaorwhatev
ery
ournamei
sjustt
ake
yourtr
ashandwalk..
Inod.
.t
hishasbeensomethi
ngsonor
mal
tomet
hat
i
tdoesn'tshockme.
.atal
l
It
akemyt
hingandsaymygoodby
est
obot
h
Zet
hembeandhi
swi
fewhenIwal
kpasst
hem i
nthe
di
nningr
oom.
IgethomeandIf al
lasleep.
.Iwakeuptoav er
y
excr
uti
ati
ngpain..
butitgoesawayokaymay beI
wasdreamingohbutitcomesbackagain..
itgoes
onforhoursIdon'
tknowwhatt odo.
Nowi'
vebeenf
eel
i
ngt
heur
get
opushf
orsomet
ime
now.
.
Igrabtheblanketfrom thebedandpl aceitont he
fl
oorthenIsl eepfacingup..theur getopushcomes
backagainIpushbutnot hinghappensj ustpains
whichseem t obeget ti
ngwor se..
okletmegi vei t
onelasttry.
.Ipush..andIhearav erytinycryIraise
myheadandIseeav erypinkbabyboycr yinghis
l
itt
lelungsoutIsmi leandIf eelanotherurgeto
push..Whoawhati sgoingon. .
Ipushandt here
comesanot herpinkbaby. .
.I'
m shocked. .
thisi
s
worseIdidn'tknowhowi 'm gonnar aiseonechi ld
buttwoi t
simpossi bleforsomeonei nmycondi ti
on.
Theyarebot
hcryi
ngIdon'
tknowwhattodonext
..
I
j
uststar
eatthem .
Gogobar
gesinandstopmi
dway
whensheseest
hescenei
nfr
ontofher
.
Gogo:
Ziy
andawhydi
dn'
tyoucall
meforhelp.
..
how
di
dyoudoit.
.mychi
l
dthi
sis.
..AyZi
yanda
Sheopensthedr
awersandshehast
her
asorand
kni
tt
ingwoolIwonder
..
Shest
art
scut
ti
ngbot
hcor
dsandt
iet
hem wi
tht
he
wool
..
ohwoow
Shegoesawayandcomesbackwi thbasinandtel
l
met ogetupandcleanmyselfup..
.Idothatyhoo
thepai
ni l
it
eral
l
yfeltmycookiet
ear..
NowGogoi shol
dingoneboyandcleaninghimI'
m
j
ustsi
tt
inglooki
ngatever
ythi
ngshedoesonceshe
i
sdoneshehandshi mtomeamdst artscleani
ng
anot
herone.
Me:youcameoutf ir
sthuh..Youshi
nethr
ough
darkness.
.youstandoutforever
yonetoseeyou.
.
Youar emystar.
.I
NKANYEZIi puthi
m down..
gogo
handsmet hesecondone.
Me:Thepi
l
lar,
youstandy
ourgr
oundy
oudon'
tshake
..
youaremypil
lar.
.I
NTSI
KA
Gogo:
Nkany
ezi
andNt
sikabeaut
if
ulnames.
Sheget
supandcl
eant
her
oom.
.
Istandupandwal
ktomysui
tcaseIt
akeout
Pink..
.t
hedi
ary
AndIst
artpagi
ngt
hroughi
tandt
her
eiti
s..
.
Me:
GogocanIusey
ourphonet
omakeacal
l
Shehandsi
ttome. .
Idi
alt
henumber
sandpl
acei
t
onmyear.i
tri
ngsandsheanswer
s
Her
:hel
l
o
Me:
hii
tsmeZi
yanda
Her:
noZi
yanda..
Pinkyouareal
ivewesearchedfor
you,
wenttothepoli
cebutnot
hing.
.babywhereare
you.
Me:
Iwentbackhome.
.ihav
etwoboy
s..
Her
:whatdoy
oumeany
ouhav
etwoboy
s.
Me:
mrsr
eignsIhav
etwoki
dsIj
ustgav
ebi
rt
h
Sheexcl
aims
Her
:ohmyGodZi
yandasowhoar
eyouwi
tht
her
e.
Me:withgrannyfr
om nextdoor.
.Iknowtheysai
di
shoul
dn'tcomebackbutIneedyout ohel
pmer ai
se
mykidsIcan'tdoitonmyown.
Her
:i
sn'
tMi
sokuhl
ethef
ather
..
Hear
ingMi
sokuhl
e'
snamebr
ingst
ear
sinmyey
es.
Me:
Hel
eftme.
.Hedi
ed.
Her:
noi
'm sosor
ry..
pleasegiv
emey ourhome
addr
essi
'l
ldri
vether
ewi tht
hebabi
esessenti
als.
I
'm gr
eat
fulf
ort
hiswoman.
.Ihav
ehopenowt
hat
mykidswil
lbef
ine.
.
Me:Idon'
tknowwhattheywil
ldotomeift
heyfind
outi'
m goi
ngbackbutthi
sisformyki
ds..
theycome
fi
rst
.
Mrsrei
gnstol
dmemay beshewil
lbeher
ein3anda
hal
fhoursi
nceshe'
sst
il
li
nstor
es.
Gogoshowsmehowt of
eedt hem f
rom mybr east
andboobi
esaret
oosmallbuti'
ll
manage..
Ifeed
bot
hofthem t
heyar
ecoveredwithbedsheets.
MI
SOKUHLE'
sPOV

Ihav
en'
tbeenworki
ngall
Idoissi
tinmyroom and
goouti
fi'
m maki
ngsomethi
ngtoeat.
.y
esIeatnow
i
twasnouseZiyandawassel
fi
shonceagai
n..
she
l
eftme.
.
ButthesedaysIhav
en'tbeenf
eel
ingsowel
l..
and
todayIwokeupinpainandIwassweati
ng.
.Idi
dn'
t
knowwher epai
nactuall
ycamefr
om.
Ist
andout
sideandIl
ookupt
her
eisashoot
ingst
ar.
SuddenlyIhaveawar mfeel
inginmyhear t..
Ifeel
l
ikeeveryt
hingisgoingtobeokay.
.Idon't
underst
and. .
butther
eisthi
spowerfulfeel
ingthati
ts
gonnabeokay ..
Igoinsi
deandtakemyjacketamdwal
koutandsi
t
ontheverandal
ooki
ngupinthesky
..
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul.
.
Me:Zi
yandawherev
eryouar
eIhopey
ouar
eat
peace.
.Iwi
ll
alwayslov
eyou
Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee
I
nser
t26

MI
SOKUHLE'
sPOV
Lat
elyIhavebeensoobsessedwi
thst
ayi
ngupat
ni
ghtandlooki
ngattheStar
s.
AnywayIhavemov edonIhav eagi r
lfr
iendnowi ts
beenaweekhernamei sLaylasheiswhi t
eand
tot
all
yopposi
tetoZi yanda,Idon'twantany t
hingto
remindmeofhersoi '
vetol
dLay lathatwhenwe
meetsheshouldn'tweargreyoranyt racksuit
s,you
maysayi'
m controlli
ngbutthisismemov ingonsoI
don'
twanttoseet hewomani 'm wit
hwear i
ng
anyt
hingt
hatwillremindmeofher ..
Shei
ssleepi
ngnexttomesnor i
ngandi'
mjust
l
ooki
ngather,It
houghtbynowIwouldhavefal
leni
n
l
ovewit
hherbutitsnothappeni
ngIdon'
tknowwhyi
meansheisreal
lypr
etty
,l
oudbutbeaut
if
ul.
Lay
la:
Heybabe
Sheopenherey
esandsmi
l
eIj
ustsmi
l
eback
Me:
I'
m gonnagosi
tout
sidenow.
Layl
a:Whyar
eyousoobsessedwit
hthest
ars,
you
evenleav
emealonei
nbedjustt
olookati
t.
.
Me:
Iguessitsanewlyf
oundhobbybecauseI
r
ecent
lyfel
tconnect
edwit
htheStar
s
Lay
la:
Thatdoesn'
tmakesense.
.
Me:
Iknow
Wel
li
tconf
usesmet
oo
Lay
la:
CanIgosi
twi
thy
oumay
bei
wil
lgetwhyy
ou
soint
othi
s.
Inodandwegetupandsitoutsi
denotsayi
nga
wordforawhi
l
eunti
llshetal
ksbecauset
hisgi
rlcan
tal
kforday
s
Lay
la:
Misobabywhenam Imeet
ingy
ourf
ami
l
y.
Whaat
?buti
tshardl
yevenbeenaweekandy
ouwant
t
omeetmyf amil
yIthi
nkshe'
scrazy
.
Me:
soon
Sheget
sexcit
edandstartt
ell
ingmewhatshewi l
l
wearwhenshemeetsthem andi'
mj ustl
ookingat
thi
sper
son.
.whathav
eIgottenmy selfi
nto.

ZI
YANDA'
sPOV

Wehav ebeenhereforaweeknowMr sReignstook

somet i
meof fatworkt
ohel pmewi ththebabies
andalsolookforananny,
ItoldherIdidn'
tneedone
butsheinsi
sted.
MrsRei
gns:
PinkIt
hinky
oushoul
dcont
inuewi
th
t
herapyI
'l
lfi
ndonefory
ou.
Me:
Noi
'
mfi
net
hanky
ou.
MrsRei
gns:
butyouar
enot..
i'
veseenhowjumpyyou
getwhensomeoneknocksorwhenIopenthedoor
.
Me:
wel
lthat
snor
mal
.
MrsReigns:
Noi
tsnot
..
Iev
ennoti
cedthatwheny
ou
bat
hy ouopent
heshowerdoorj
ustt
oseethem,
you
haven'
theal
edfrom whathappenedtoyoui
tsti
l
l
stuckonyourmindnowy outhi
nksomeonewillhur
t
yourbabi
esjustl
ikehowy ouhavebeenhur
t.
Me:Ihaveever
yreasontobeonthelookout
,r
ememberIshoul dn'
tbeher
eIhaveputmyboy s
l
if
eindangerjustbycomingbackhere,
theymadeit
cl
earthatt
heywillki
ll
meshouldIcomeback.
MrsRei
gns:Iunderst
andthatbutyouneedt
obesane
t
olookaftertheseli
ttl
eguysify
oukeepbeingj
umpy
youmighthurtthem somehow.
Me:
Iwon'
thur
tthem.
MrsRei
gns:
Pleasej
ustdot
her
apy
,shecanev
en
comehere
Inodthi
swomanopenedherhomeformesoI
shoul
dli
stent
oher
..
sheknowstheset
hingsany
way
..
ThedooropensandIscr
eam closi
ngmyey es
,handsonmyearsIhearalotofnoi
se.
.someone
shakesmeanditsmrsReigns.
Her
:i
tsokayi
twasj
ustmebaby
Ical
m downIhav
en'
thadt
heseepi
sodesf
orawhi
l
e
nowandnowt
heyar
eback
Her:doyouseewhatImeantwhenIsai dyouneed
therapy,
whati ft
hatepisodehappenedwhenyou
wereholdingoneoft hetwins,
Youneedthi
sPink,
we
doingitf
ory ourboysokay..
Inod.
.Iwi
l
ldoi
tformyki
dsandf
orMi
sokuhl
e..

Zee

Thi
sinser
tisshor
tbecausef
rom her
ewef
lowi
ng
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t27

MI
SOKUHLE'
sPOV

Ihav
ebeent
ryi
ngt
oav
oidLay
laf
ort
hepastt
wo
days,Itri
edbutIj ustcan'tloveherandshehasbeen
veryannoy i
ngl ately..showingupatmypl ace
withoutcall
ingort exting.
.butwhathasbeena
shockerist hatIhav enev ergivenherkey st othis
housebutt heot herdayIf oundheral readyinsideI
wasst art
ledbutIt houghtmay beIleftthedoor
unlockedwhenIgooutnowIdoubl echecki fI
l
ockedandt odaywasnoexcept ion.
.Ijustwentf or
anaf t
ernoonj ogwhenIgetcl osertot hehouseIcan
hearav eryloudmusi ccomi ngfrom myhouseI
don'tgetit,
Idon'tr ememberpl ayi
ngmusi cletalone
thatLoudIgetcl oserandopent hedoorsl owlyandI
canseel aylat r
yingt odance. .si
gh. .

Me:It
houghtIt
oldy
ounott
ocomet
omyhouse
uni
nvi
ted.
Her
:butbabet
hiswi
l
lbemyhomet
oosoon
Me:LookLay
layouneedtomov eonItr
iedl
ovi
ng
you,
Ireal
l
ydidbutIcan'
tpl
easeleav
e
Her
:Ohht
ryhar
derbabyi
'
m sur
eyoucandoi
t.
.
Thi
sgi
rli
scr
azy
,whathav
eIputmy
sel
fint
o..
Ijust
walkawayandgeti ntheshowershecomesinbutt
naked,Ij
ustlookatherI'
m nott
urnedonatal
l.
.she
star
tscarr
essingmybody ,
Idon'
twantthi
s..
she
star
tsstr
okingmyd* ckIpushherhandawayand
walkouttheshower.
Lay
la:
Whoi
ssheMi
sokuhl
e?
Me:
whoi
swho?
Layl
a:Thewomanyouarecheat
ingwith,
Youcan'
t
j
ustwakeupanddecideyoudon'twantmeanymore
ther
ehastobesomeoneelse.
Me:ijustl
osti
nter
estLayl
ai'
m sor
rybutI
'
m not
at
tractedtoyouanymore.
Shestart
scry
ingthrowi
ngstuf
fatme,
I'
m ducking
andblocki
ngthem.Shewear
shercl
othesandgr ab
herbagwalki
ngout.Idi
dn'
tmeantohurtherl
ike
that
.

Nextmorni
ngIwal
ktot
hedinni
ngroom I
'
m shocked
t
of i
ndherher
eagai
nwhati
swrongwithher
.
Lay
la:
HeybabeImadey
oubr
eakf
astt
houghty
ou
mi
ghtwakeuphungr
y.
Me:Lay
layoucan'
tkeepdoi
ngthi
sIdon'
twanty
ou
any
mor epl
easeacceptt
hatokay
.
Lay
la:
okaybutcanweatl
eastbef
ri
endspl
ease
Ij
ustnodmyhead,
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osayany
mor
e.
Shegi v
esmebr eakfastwi t
hjui
ce..Ifi
nishit,was
real
lydelici
ous..sheaski fIwantanotherjuiceInod
,ifi
nishthesecondj uicebutIdon'tfeelalr
ightIfeel
alit
tl
edi zzyandev er
ythingbecomesf uzzyIdon't
knowwhat sgoi
ngon.
Lay
la:
arey
ouokaybaby
Shei
ssmi
l
li
ng
Me:
whatdi
dyoudot
ome?
Ican'
tmov
eIf
eel
ver
yti
redt
hati
can'
tmov
e..
Layl
acomescloserandst
art
ski
ssi
ngme..Iwantt
o
pushherawaybutseemsli
kemyhandscan'
tmove.
Shest
art
staki
ngof
fhercl
othes.
Me:
whatdi
dyoudot
ome?
Myspeechi
ssl
urr
ed
Shedoesn'
trepl
ybutkeepssmill
i
ng,shestart
play
ingwit
hherselfandmour
ningloud.
.shest
art
s
taki
ngoffmyclothes.
.
Me:
Don'
tdot
hisl
ayl
a..
don'
t.
.
Shest
artsucki
ngmydi
ckandst
roki
ngi
thar
densI
hat
ethi
s..
Layl
a:Youwantme,stoppr
etendingyoudon'
t
becauseyourbodysaysot
herwise.
Wit
houtwasti
ngti
meshei sont
opofmebounci ng
upanddownandmov ingIcanf
eelt
hati
'm aboutto
cum Iwantt
ostopthi
ssobadbutIcan'
t,
Icum.
Shesmi
l
esandgetup.
Layl
a:Thatwasgr
eatbaby.
.by
enowt
il
lwemeet
agai
n
I
'm shaki
ng.
.nowIknowhowZiyandafelt
,hel
pless.
.I
f
eel numb,
didthi
sreal
l
yhappendidIgetrapedbya
woman.
Myminddart
sbacktowhatmyfat
hersaid,Iam
weak.
.Iwasrapedbyawomanwil
lIeverfeeli
n
contr
olagain.
.Imayhavedozedoff.
.whenIwakeup
I'
m hopingi
twasal l
inmyheadthatitwasj
usta
dream butwhenIlookatmysel
fi'
m sti
ll
onthe
couchnaked...
I
fonl
yZi
yandadidn'
tl
eav
emeIwoul
dn'
thav
ebeen
wi
tht
hatpsycho.
.

ZI
YANDA'
sPOV

Ihavebeengoi
ngf ort her
apyforaweeknowandI
havebeenbett
er..Icansleepwi t
houtt heboy snow
andtheysl
eepont heircots.
.Icanlettheirnanny
l
ookaf t
ert
hem whi l
eI '
m busywithsomet hi
ng
el
se,YesmrsReignsf oundanannysi nceIhav eto
bebackatschool t
hef oll
owingweek,Shepr omi sed
mei wil
lbesaf
e..Idon'tknowwhatshemeantbutI
bel
ieveher
.

Asi'
m appr
oachi
ngtheschoolgat
eIseeshocked
expr
essi
on..t
heyar
ealll
ooki
ngatme, Iwantt
oturn
backsobadbutIr
emembert
hisi
sformyki
ds.
Iwalki
nlookingdownandIgot
otheheadmast
er'
s
off
iceIknockanssheorder
smetocomein.
.
Me:
Goodmor
ning
Headmast
er:
qui
ckt
akeyourbooksandgot
ocl
ass
t
hefir
stl
essoni
saboutt
ostart
.
It
akei
tandwal
kincl
assal
ley
esonme.
MissMckenzy
:HeyZi
yandawel
comebacky
oucan
t
akeasit.
.
Ilookar
oundandIdon'tknowwheret
ositoneof
theguysit
sKyleher
aisehishandupandsignal
sme
tocomesitnextt
ohim..
Me:
Hit
hanksf
orof
fer
ingmeasi
t.
Ky
le:
that
sokay
Isti
l
ldon'
tfeelcomfor
tabl
ebei
ngnexttoguyssoI'
m
grat
eful
forthesechai
rsIwoul
dn'
twanttoshar
ethe
deskwit
hhim.
Thecl
asseswentonwhenit
slunchIgooutt
ocal
l
mybabiesnannySi
sYol
i.
Me:
hel
l
osi
sYol
iar
emybabi
esokayImi
sst
hem .
Si
sYol
i
:theyar
eokayt
heyar
etaki
ngt
hei
rnapnow.
Me:
okayt
hankski
sst
hem f
orme.
Wedropt
hecal
lwhenIt
urnLeei
sst
andi
ngt
her
e
l
ooki
ngatme.
Lee:
Ohsoy
oucamebackhuh.
Iguesst
hati
shel
l
o
Me:
HiLi
ndi
l
e.
AndIwalkaway
..
Idi
dn'
tseeheri
ncl
assIguessshe
fai
l
edGrade11..
I
tsafterschoolandmrsreignstoldmeIhav etowait
f
orsomeonet otakemehomebutIshoul dwaitat
t
hesecur i
tyinsi
detheschool.I'
m wait
inghere.
.I
t
hinkabouthowIwoul dwai tattheschoolgatefor
Misokuhletopickmeu...
ifeelsad.
WhenIgethomeIr ushuptomykidsnur sery..
ican
hearthem cryi
ngall t
hewayfrom t
hegat ewheni
getthereSisYolidoesn'
tknowwhatt odot heyar e
bothcryingthei
rlungsout..
i'
veneverseent hem cry
l
ikethis..i
tryhushi
ngoneoft hem butnothing..we
call
Mr srei
gns..andshetakesustothedoct
or,
but
thedoctortel
l
sust herei
snothingwrongwit
hthem
butgiv
et hem aninj
ecti
ontheyarecal
m now
Aswear ewalkingdownt hepassageIcanseea
veryfamili
arfaceandIqui ckl
ytur
nandf acethe
otherway. .
ihopemi sokuhle'
sfat
herdi
dn'tseemeI
j
ustpr ayhedidn't
.
WhenIgethomeIaskSi sYol
itocutmyhai
rIhave
t
ochangemyappear ancenow.
.Idon'
twantpeople
l
ikeMi
sokuhle'
sfat
herandhisgoonstor
ecognise
me

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t28

MI
SOKUHLE'
sPOV
Ifeel
likethatordealwithLayl
awasmyf aultI
shouldn'
thaveaskedheroutknowi ngverywellthat
myhear tsti
llyear
nsf orZi
yandaImi sshereveryday,
Iwast ry
ingtomov eonbutIfail
ed.Istil
lfeell
i
ke
onedayIwi llwakeupandr eali
sethatthiswasal l
j
ustadr eam andt hati'
l
lfi
ndZiyandasleepingnext
tome.

Isti
l
lstronglyfeelconnectedtoherl i
keshewi llwalk
thr
ought hatdoorwi thherinnocentfaceandsmi l
e
atme.Myf atherandbr ot
hertookawaymy
happinessIhat ethem.Ihaven'tseenmysonf ora
whil
enowbecauseZi nhlewant stocomet ooandI
don'
twantt obei nt hesamer oom withher..
theyall
haveahandi nZiyanda'sdeathandf or
giv
ingt hem
mighttakey ears.

Ideci
detogothemalljustt
ogetmymindof fof
thi
ngsasi'
m walki
ngIseeawomanwi t
hast rol
l
er
pushi
ngtwokidsandsomet hi
ngfal
l
sfrom herbag
butcont
inuewal
kingiguessshedidn'
tseethat
.Igo
downandpickupabluetowelguessit
sherkids..
I
fol
lowherwheni'
m cl
oseItaphershoul
dershe
tur
nsaroundandwidenhereyes
Me:
Uhm hi
youdr
oppedt
his.
Her:
ohohuhm t
hanksIdi
dn'
treal
i
sei
dropped
somethi
ng.
Me:
twi
ns?
Her
:Yeah.
.y
eah
Shel
ooksdi
str
aught
Me:
arey
ouokay
?
Her:I
'mfineIhavetogothei
rmom j
ustwenttot
he
bathroom wewillmeetout
sidet
hepar
kingl
ot
thanksagainfort
his.
Shewav
esthetowel
.
.Inodmyheadandl ookdown
att
heki
ds.
.iwi
denmyey es.
.shel
ooksatme.
Her
:Youar
eseei
ngt
hist
oor
ight
Iknowwhatshe'
stal
ki
ngabout
.
Me:
Yest
heyl
ookl
i
keme.
.andIhav
eat
winbr
other
t
heyl
ookl
i
kehi
mtoo.
.
Her
:Thi
siscr
azyar
eyousur
eyoudi
dn'
tknock
any
oneupandran
Shesayslaughi
ng..buti
'
mtakenaback..
.I
fZiyanda
wasali
vei'dsaythosearemykidsbutsheisn'
tso
i
tsimpossibl
e.
Me:maybemybrotherdi
d..i
'
m nott
het
ypewhor
uns
awayfr
om r
esponsibi
li
ty.
Her
:okayby
eIhav
etogoi
twasni
cemeet
ingy
ou.
Me:
l
ikewi
se.
.
Ilookatthekidsoncemoreandwalkaway.
.I
'
m not
okayIwantt otur
nbackandmeetthemotherof
thosekids.
..
.

ZI
YANDA'
sPOV

SisYol
iandItooktheki
dstothemal l
wewantedt
o
buyafewstuffsf
orthem..
li
kethei
rformul
aand
nappi
esetc.
Ihaveav er
yshorthairnowandi t
spit
chbl ack,that
s
whyIcangot omall
sIdon'tbel
ieveMiso'sfather
canrecognisemenowsoIf eel
free.
Ijustcameout
ofthebathr
oom andgot oSisYoliandtheki ds.
SisYol
i:
HeyPinkyouwon'tbeli
evewhathappenedI
sawamant hatlooksexactl
yli
keboNkany eziwe
evental
ked.
.hesawhowmucht heylookedlikehi
m
tooandhesaidhehasat winbrothert
oo..
OohNOOi st
artpani
cki
ngwhatift
hatwasKuhl
e
whati
fhe'
sfoll
owingusri
ghtnowItel
lSi
syol
ithat
wehavetogetoutofher
easinnow..
Ther
eisavoicebehinduswear
eataparki
ngl
ot
nowIdon'
tturn.
SisYoli
issl
i
ght
lybehi
ndmeseems
l
ikehei
stal
kingtoher.
Voice:
HeyIdidn'
tgety
ourname.
.Iwant
edt
omeet
themotherofthoseki
ds.
Iknowt hatvoicet
oowel
l.
.Am Igoi
ngcr
azyi
sthi
s
real
lyhappeningorwhat
..
Si
sYol
i
:Ther
eshei
s..
I
'
m st
il
lfaci
ngf
orwar
dtheyar
ebot
hbehi
ndme.
Voi
ce:
Hi
Isl
owl
ytur
nHel ooksshocked,
conf
usedandi
'
m
sur
eIl
ookthesame..
Hi
m&I
:Zi
yanda|
Misokuhl
e..
Hi
m:No.
.not
heyt
oldmey
oudi
ed
Me:Noyoudiednothi
sisnothappeni
ngmymi
ndi
s
pl
ayingt
ri
ckswithmeNonono
I
tscoming,I
'
m abouttohaveapanicattackri
ghtin
t
heparki
nglot.
.Ifeelmyenti
rebodyshakingIgasp
.hei
sstil
lst
andingther
e..
Hi
m:I
tsr
eal
l
yyouZi
yanda
Can'
theseet
hati
'
m dy
ing.
Si
syol
i
:youneedt
ohel
phershecan'
tbr
eat
h..
Itt
akeshimt i
met ounder
standwhati
shappeningt
o
me. .
herushestomeandIcanseet ear
sinhiseyes
asi'
m st
illgaspi
ngforai
r...
it
shim..
.
Hi
m:Youneedt
obr
eat
h..
Pleasebr
eat
hbaby
..
Heisst
il
lcryi
ng..
Idothebreat
hingandoncei'
m
cal
m Il
etthetear
sfal
l
..nowwear esi
tt
ingdownon
theparki
nglotpeopl
ear
elooki
ngatusli
kewe
crazy
..
wenotsay i
ngany
thi
ngwearejusthol
ding
eachothercry
ing.
SisYoli
:It
hinkweshoul
dal
lgotoMrsRei
gnshouse
andy oucantal
kther
ei'
l
ldr
ivewenodandgetup.
..

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t29

Wehav ebeenquiteforawhi l
eSi
sYolil
efttheroom
wit
ht heki
ds..
it
sjustusnowandi '
m sti
l
linhisarms
..
Ididn'
tthi
nkIwouldev erseehi
m agai
ni'm so
happy..
thi
smomentr ightheremeansevery
thingto
me..
Miso:
Ican'
tbeli
eveyouareactual
l
yi nmyarmsri
ght
nowthatI'
m hol
dingyou.
.youarereal
lyher
ewi
thme
.
.
Hel
ooksi
ndi
sbel
i
ef
Me:
Iam her
e,It
houghti
'
llnev
erseey
ouagai
n
Icr
yallov
eragainIthi
nkofev
ery
thi
ngIwent
thr
oughwithouthi
m.

Wet
alkf
orhour
sI'
mrest
ingmyheadonhi
slap.
Hi
m:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul,
Il
ovet
heshor
thai
r.
Me:Ihadt
ocuti
t.
.yourf
athert
oldmei
fIev
ercame
backagai
nhewil
lkil
lme.
Hetensesup,
hel
ooksangr
yandsadatt
hesame
t
ime.
Hi
m:Isawevery
thing,howtheybeatyouupand
whenyouwereli
felessonthefl
oorthatwaswhen
myfat
hert
oldmey ouweredead..
Iseepai
ninhi
sey
es.
.
Him:
Iwil
lnev
erfor
giv
ehi
mforwhathedi
dtoy ou
andme,heki
dnappedmehi
sownbloodal
lbecause
Il
oveyou.
.
Me:Misoyourf
atherhat
esme,
Idon'
twanttor
isk
hi
m knowi
ngIcamebackIhavet
othinkofmykids.

Hedoesn'
tsayany
thi
ngf
orawhi
l
e.
Hi
m:Ourki
ds,
canIseet
hem?
please
Igetuptakehi
shandandwal
kint
othenur
ser
y,t
hey
areasl
eep..
Hepicksuponeofthetwi
nsandresthi
minhi
s
chest.
.Iseehi
mlooki
nguptostopthet
ear
sbut
theyj
ustfal
lout
..
Hekeepswi
pingthem ,
i
'm cr
yingt
ooInev
ert
hought
t
hiswoul
deverhappen.
Hi
m:what
shi
m name.
.
Me:
that
sNt
sikahecameoutl
ast.
.mypi
l
lar
Isaysmi
li
ngiam pr
oudtobethemot
heroft
hese
boysGodtr
ust
edmewi t
hthem ev
eni
nthemistof
pain.
.
Hi
m:Gr
eatnameIl
ovei
t.
Heput
shi
m downandt
aket
hesecondt
win
Me:
thati
sNkany
ezi
myst
ar.
..
Hesmi
l
esandl
ooksatme.
.
Hi
m:makessense.
Me:
whati
s?
Him:Latel
yIhavebeenobsessedwithstar
sthat
everyni
ghtIgositout
sideandlookatt
hem Layl
a
thoughtIwascrazy
Hei
shappyIseei
t.
Me:
uhm Lay
la?
Hi
m: uhm I.
..
the.
.shewasmycousi
nshewas
vi
sit
ingme.
Hei
sst
utt
eri
ng.
Me:
Ohokay
.
Him:Iam af
ather
,almostlosty
earsofthei
rli
ves
becauseofmyselfi
shruthl
essfat
her..
Heput
shi
m downandl
ooksatt
hem i
nadmi
rat
ion.
Wegobackt
othel
i
vingr
oom ,
hesai
dhehav
etogo.
Wear
ebyt
hedoori
'
m huggi
nghi
m sot
ightt
his
f
eelssurreal
..bei
ngi
nhi
sar
msagai
n,
Idon'
twantt
o
l
ethim go.
Hi
m:Ihavet
ogobabyIpr
omi
seIwi
l
lseey
ouguy
s
t
omorrow.
Ishakemyhead.
.t
het
ear
s.
I
'm scaredofl
osinghi
m agai
n..
thati
fIl
etgonowI
won'tseehim agai
nandthi
smightbeadream.
Heki
ssesmyf
orehead.
Hi
m:Ihav
etogo.
Hel
etsgoandwal
koutt
hedoor
..
Ijustsi
tbythedoorandcry,
howcanpeoplebeso
cruelmakingmebeliev
ethatMisokuhl
eisdead.
.do
theyreal
isethepai
ntheyputmet hr
ough.
.
If
eel
SisYol
ihandpul
l
ingmeupandshehugsme
Si
sYoli
:
itsokayPink..
Idon'
tknowwhat
sgoi
ngon
butbegrat
efulheisherenow.
InodmyheadIam happy
..
Mr
sRei
gnsgetbackf
rom wor
kwear
eeat
ing.
Me:
Misokuhl
eisal
i
ve
Shei
sshocked.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Pinkdon'
tpl
ayl
i
ket
hathow
,
when,
wher
e
Wowdr
amat
icmuch,
Il
aughatherr
oll
i
ngmyey
es.
Mr
sRei
gns:
whatdon'
tl
ookatmel
i
ket
hatwena
Ilaughoutl oud.
.eversi
nceSisYol
icamehereshe
takesallthosedramaticphr
asesSi
sYoliusesand
i
tshi l
ari
ous.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Tel
lmemor
e
Itel
lherhowMisokuhl
e'
sfat
herl
i
edt
obot
hofus
sayi
ngwear edead.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Hay
ibongempel
a(whatr
eal
l
y)
Il
osei
t,Si
sYol
ii
sint
ear
s..
MrsReigns:
howcanaf at
herput
shi
ssonthr
ough
such..
sowhathappensnowareyouguy
sgoingt
o
mov eout.
Me:not hi
sismyhomenowandy ouareli
kea
mot hertomenowsoIwi l
ldi
scusseveryt
hingwi
th
youf i
rstbefor
etaki
ngadesi
cionyouarethei
r
grandmot her.
Shesmi l
eswithtear
s..Ihav
enev erhear
dhertal
k
aboutherf amil
yexceptforLayl
awhoi sherl
ate
Sister'
sdaughtertheonewhof et
chedmet heday
Mi sokuhl
e'sfat
herhadmeki dnapped..

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t30

SaturdayMisokuhl
ewil
lvi
situs,
MrsReignsagr
eed
thatwecanmeether eathome.Iguesswehavea
l
ott otal
kabout.
I'
m cooki nglunch,I'
m notgoodbutIt r
y.Ihearacar
pullupout si
dehei shere,i
'
m ner vousIdon' tknow
why .HeknocksandIopenf orhim. .Hehugsmeand
Iholdont ohi m hedoessmel lgreat.Wel etgoand
hesi tont hedinningi gotot hekitchenandcome
backwi t
ht wopl at
eswi t
hfoodIpl aceonei nfrontof
him andIputonei nf
rontofme, I
'm sitt
ingnextto
him.itsjustmeandt hetwinsmr sRei gnswentout
withSi sYol i
saidtheywant edt ogiv eusprivacy.

Iseehi m pushingawayhisplat
e, il
ookathim. .He
bri
ngsmypl ateclosetohi
m andpul lt
hechairthat
i
'm usingcloser.Hestart
sfeedingme, I
'm emot i
onal
thi
siswhatheusedt odobackt hen.Wecont i
nue
eati
ngi nsil
ence. t
henIgetuptoputt heplat
esand
gotaket hetwinst osi
tontheloungewi t
hust hey
aresleeping.
Hi
m:Theyar
eper
fect,
Thanky
ou
Me:Theymeanalott
omeev enthoughIwasal
l
al
onewhenIpushedthem out.
Hi
m:whaat
?Noar
eyouser
ious
HelooksshockedIt
ell
him whathappenedwhenI
wentbackhome.
Hi
m: Youhav ebeent
hroughalotIdon'tknowwhat
t
osay .
.I
'm sorr
yyouwentthr
ought hatbyyour
sel
f
..
i'
m sorr
y.
Me:
itsokaymybabi
esar
eal
i
ve,
theyr
emi
ndedme
ofy
ouev er
yday
.
Hi
m:Theydol
ookal
otl
i
keme.
..
andmybr
other.
Hel
ookssad.
Me:
youmi
sshi
m don'
tyou.
Hi
m:I
..
Ido
Me:Igeti
t,
hei
syourbl
oody
oushar
edt
hesame
woumb
Il
ookoveratmyboysIhopetheywi
l
lhav
eeach
ot
hersbacksnomat
terwhata
andbehappyf
oreachot
her
.
If
eel
miso'
shandonmi
neandi
lookathi
m.
Hi
m:Ilovey
ouZi
yanda.Soar
ewegonnahi
det
hem
f
orev
er ?
.
Me:whyyouwannat ellyourfather
?I'
m gonnahide
them f
oraslongasi tt
akest okeepthem aliv
e
Misokuhl
e,I
fyoutellyourfatheroryourstupid
brot
heraboutthem Iwil
l ki
l
lyouMi soandImeani t.
Isnapathi
m.
Hi
m:I
'm sorrybutIdidn'
tsayweshoul
dtell
myf ather
i
twasjustaquest i
onbesidesIhav
en'
tbeental
king
t
omyf atherorbrothereversi
ncey
oulef
tme..
Me:
stopsay
ingIl
efty
oul
i
kei
twasmychoi
ce.
Hi
m:y
ouknowwhatImeantZi
yanda.
Me:
Idon'
tknowshi
t,
yourf
atherputmet
hroughhel
l
.
Hi
m:Zi
yanday
oucan'
ttal
ktomel
i
ket
hat
.
Me:I
'm sor
ryi
tsj
ustthatIdon'
twantany
thi
ngbadt
o
happentomykids.
Him:
Theyareminet
ooZi
yanda,
Iwon'
tl
etany
thi
ng
badhappentot
hem.
Me:
Iknow,
Soy
ouhav
en'
tfoundsomeoney
et.
Hecl
ear
shi
sthr
oatsuddenl
yhei
sner
vous.
Me:
It
sokayIwasdeadany
way.
.soar
eyouwor
king.
Hi
m:Yesbutnotf
ormyf
atherany
mor
ei'
m st
art
ing
myownthing.
Me:
Goodf
ory
ou

MrsReignsandSisYoli
comesback,
Youcan'
tmiss
t
heex ci
tementonMr sRei
gnsf
acewhenshesees
Misokuhle,
Sheevenhugshimfort
hefi
rstt
imeever
.
Mr
sRei
gns:
i
tsgoodt
ohav
eyoubackMi
sokuhl
e.
Miso:
it
sgoodtobebackMrsRei
gns.
.Yol
ithanky
ou
f
orreunit
ingmewi
thmyfamil
y.
Si
sYol
i
:aahi
twasboundt
ohappenbhut
i(
brot
her
)
Iaccompanyhi
mtohiscar
,het
akesmyhandand
kissi
t,
Ij
ustbl
ushl
ooki
ngdown..
hepul
l
smeclose
forahugandhesi
gh..
Me:Misokuhl
ey ouarehi
dingsomethi
ngfr
om me
anditbother
sy ou.
.WhatIcantel
lyouisy
ou'
l
ltel
l
mewheny oureadynopressur
e
Henods,
ki
ssmycheekandgeti
nhi
scardr
ivi
ngof
f.
..
Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t31

IthasbeenfourmonthssinceMisokuhleandI
reunit
edbutIhaven'
tbeentohishouse,heonly
comet oMrsReignshouseandseet hetwinsandgo
tohishouselat
er.
.Idon'
tknowIfeell
ikeweare
drif
ti
ngapart,
Idolovehim buthehasbeenofffor
thepastfewmont hssomethingi
swr ongwit
hhim
buthedoessayhel ovesmeandt hetwins.

Iwil
lbegoi ngtohishouset
odayheaskedmeto
vi
sithim buti'
mleavi
ngthetwi
nsbehi
ndbecause
I'
m worri
edaboutsomeonef i
ndi
ngoutandtel
l
Miso'sdad.SoMi sofet
chedmenowwear eathi
s
house.
Mi
so:
woul
dyoul
i
keany
thi
ngt
odr
ink?
Me:
noi
'
m good
Helooksintomyeyesandcomescl oserf
orakiss
,wearekissi
nganditsget
tingheatedthesuddenl
y
hepushmesohar dthatIalmostfallofft
hecouch,
I
'm puzzl
edandscaredatthesamet i
me..
Hi
m:Ei
shi
'
m sor
ryLov
eit
s..Ei
sh
Me:
Uhm It
hinky
oushoul
djustt
akemehome.
Hi
m:nopl
easest
ayi
'
m sor
ryokay
.
Inodwesi tqui
teforawhi
lehetakesmyhandand
wegot ohisbedroom i
guessheliv
esinadi
ff
erent
nei
ghbourhoodandhegotanewhousesmal lbut
sti
l
lbeaut
iful.
Hestartski
ssi
ngmeagai nbutwhenIst
artf
eel
i
ngi
t
,hestopsokayi'
m donewit
hthi
s.
Me:
Misowhati
sgoi
ngon?
Hi
m:I.
.aahi
tsnot
hing.
Me:YouknowwhatjusttakemebackhomeNow
Misokuhl
eIcan'
tcont
inuewit
hthi
sitscl
eary
ou
don'
twantme.
Itakemybagandl eavehisbedroom ,Iwil
lwaitfor
hi
mi nhiscarsot hatheseesi '
m seri
ousandIwon' t
changemymi nd.WhenIopent hef r
ontdoor
someonei saboutt oknockanditsnoneot herthan
Laylaandshei spregnantthebabybumpi soutt her
e
doesn'thel
pthatshe'swear i
ngav er
yt i
nytanktop.
Me:
Uhm Lay
la?
Lay
la:
Zeewhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e.
Lastti
meIsawLay lawast hedayofthekidnappi
ng
all
alongwe'vebeental
kingont hephonebecause
MrsReignstoldheri
'm okayandIstaywithherso
i
'm shockedseei
ngherpr egnantMrsrei
gnsnever
tol
dmet hat.
Mi
sot
alksbehi
ndme.
Mi
so:
Lay
lawhatt
hef
uckar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmyhouse.
Hi
sey
esgodownt
oherbabybumphegasp.
Lay
la:
OhheyMisoIcamet
otel
lyout
hatwear
e
hav
ingababy
.
Shesay
ssmi
l
ing.
.Ij
ustst
andt
her
elooki
ngatMi
so.
Me:
Ohuhm sur
eIwasj
ustl
eav
ingany
waysoI
guessi
'
llseey
ouar
ound.
Lay
la:
ofcause,
youst
ayi
nmyaunt
'shouseZi
yanda.
Ohr i
ght,Misokuhlei
ssti
lll
ookingallsortofshocked
.Ifeelbetr
ayedanddissapoint
edhedi dn'tt
ellmehe
hadmov edon..
andthismightchangeev eryt
hing,
I
mightloseahomet hi
sisMr sReignsniece,her
familyandi'
mj ustanobody.

Imov eawayf rom thedoorLay

lagetsi
nandIj ust
walkoutIsear chformyphoneinmybagandIcan' t
seem tofinditi'
m shaki
ngandIjustdr
opev er
ythi
ng
downIf eelhi
shandonmybackIt urnaround
l
ookingathi m wit
ht ear
sinmyeyes.
Me:
Iwi
l
lloseev
ery
thi
ngal
lov
eragai
nandi
twi
l
lbe
ony
ouMiso.
Heisl
ooki
ngatmewit
htear
sinhi
sey
esIshakemy
headt
aki
ngmythi
ngsandIwal
kaway
.
Mi
so:
Ziy
anda.
I
'm notl
ooki
ngbackIgr
abat axiandgobackt
oMr
s
Rei
gnshouseIfi
ndthem i
ntheloungeIj
ustgo
str
aighttoMrsRei
gnsar
ms,
nowI
'
m cr
ying
uncontrol
labl
e.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Shhi
tsokaybabyi
tsokay
.
Shebr
ushesmybackunt
ili
'
m cal
m.
Mr
sRei
gns:
whathappenedPi
nki
sMi
sookay
.
Me:
heisfi
neIguessIsawLay
lashei
spegnantwi
th
Mi
sokuhl
e'
schil
d
Mr
sRei
gnsi
sshocked.
Her:
what?whendi
dshecomeback, shesai
dtome
sheisawayonbusinessandnot
hingabouther
bei
ngpregnant
.
Me:
Wil
lIst
il
lhav
eahomeaf
teral
lthi
s.
Il
ookatherwi t
hbeggingeyesi
lookdesper
ateheck
Iam desper
ate.
.Ihav
ekidsnowtheyneedahome.
MrsRei
gns:
Thi
swill
alway
sbey
ourhomewewi
l
lfi
x
t
hisasafamil
yokay.
.
Shewi
pesmyt
ear
sandl
etmesl
eeponherl
ap.
..
Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]
Zee

I
nser
t32

Iam wi thmyki dsinmyr oom theykeepmesane

wheni 'mf alli
ngapar t
,It
hinki
tsbet terifIbreak
thingsof fwithhim beforehedoesImeanhehav ea
childont hewaywi thawomanher eplacedmewi th
i
nj ustashor tspaceoftime..
Iwast her ecryi
ngfor
him every daybuthewasoutt herelivi
nghi sli
fe
get t
ingLay lapregnant.Heli
edt omeIr emember
himt alki
ngaboutLay laandhesai ditsa" cousi
n".
Liesar ethef ir
stsignsofcheatingsowemi ght
aswel lbreakupnow.
Idi
alhi
snumberi
tri
ngsf
orawhi
l
ethenheanswer
s.
Hi
m:Hey
If
eel
alumpi
nmyt
hroat
.
Me:
Ithi
nkweshoul
djustbr
eakupMi
soand.
..
Hi
m:why
?
Hei
ssocal
m andi
tsmaki
ngmeangr
y
Me:Youhaveachil
dont
hewayandLay
lawi
l
lneed
al
lyourat
tent
ion.
Hi
m:Real
l
y?
OkaynowheismakingafooloutofmeandIhat
e
t
hat.
Thesacar
sm i
nhisvoicei
sirr
it
ati
ng.
Me:l
ookIdidf
eelli
keweweref
orci
ngthi
ngsall
al
ong,i
twasn'
tthesameany
moresoit
sbettert
his
way.
Hi
m:Whataboutmyki
ds.
Me:
youwi
l
lst
il
lseet
hem whenev
ery
ouwantt
o.
Hi
m:okaycool
Ij
ustcrywhyi
shenotbeggi
ng,
sot
hisi
swhathe
wanted.
Him:whyar
ey oucryi
ngZi
yanda,whythefuckare
youcryi
ng,
youbreakthi
ngsoffwithmeandy oucry
f
irst
.Youarehurt
ingmeandy oufucki
ngcryfi
rst,
y
oushoul
dbeher
ewi
thmedemandt
heanswer
s
f
ir
st.
Icr
ylouderhei
scur
singhenev
ercur
seatme.
Him:
Ican'
tdothetear
sZi y
andagetyourar
seher
e
andIwil
lexpl
ainev
eryt
hingtoyou.
I'
m st unned,didhej usttalktomel ikethat.Nowi 'm
fumi ngIaskSi sYoliifshecanl ookaf t
erthetwi nsI
runoutoft hehouseIgeti nt hetaxiandgetof frush
i
nhi shouseIdon' tevenknockIj ustbargei nand
scream outhi sname, hecomesoutoft hebedr oom
topless,Igost r
aighttohi m Ithr
owmybagathi m at
startspunchinghi m wi t
hmyf i
stsandIendupcr y
ing
sohar dhejustpullsmecl osertohischest .
Me:
youl
i
edt
ome.
Hi
m: Iknowi
'm sor
ryIdi
dn'
tthi
nkshewil
lcomeback
af
terwhatshedidtome,Iwant
edtofor
get.
Het
akesmyhandandwesi
tdown.
Me:
whatdi
dshedot
oyou.
Hesi
ghsandwi
peshi
sfacewi
thhi
shands.
Hi
m:Wewer
edat
ingIwast
ryi
ngt
omov
eonf
rom
youZiyandaIwaslosingit
.Butafteraweekof
dati
ngIwasn'tf
alli
nginlovewithherItol
dherbut
shekeptoncomi ngandonedayshecamei nt
omy
houseinthemorningshehadmadebr eakfastand
askedifwecouldatleastbefr
iendsIagreedandat e
herbreakf
astwi
thjuice,
shedruggedmean. .
.
Heexhal
esandl
ooksdown.
.
Him:shef
orcedher
sel
fonmeZiyanda,Iam sur
eyou
t
hinki'
m weaknowthat
swhyIcouldn'
tsleepwi
th
you.
Me:
whydidn'
tyoutel
lme,Idon'
tthi
nkyouareweak
Mi
so,Iwentt
hroughrapetooandyouwerether
efor
meandIcanbetherefory
ouifyouletme.
Hi
m:If
eel
gui
l
tyl
i
kei
tsmyf
aul
t.
Me:st
opblamingyoursel
fitsnoty
ourfaul
t..
mal
e
rapehappensmoreoftenthanmostpeopl
ebeli
eve.
Andyouar enotal
one.
Hi
m:i
'
m sor
ryf
ort
alki
ngt
oyoul
i
ket
hat
.
Me:Don'
tdoi
tagai
nIwasr
eadyt
oki
l
lyouwi
thmy
bar
ehands.
Him:buttheyaresoti
nyIdi
dn'
tfeel
athi
ngwhen
yourli
tt
lefist
spunchedme.
Me:
ohr
eal
l
yletmepunchy
ouagai
n.
Wewr est
lef
orawhi l
enextthinghei sontopofme
ki
ssi ngmesopassionateandt hekississoer ot
ici
s
sendsmest ari
ghttocloud9.IbreakthekissandI
holdhishandwegeti ntohi
sr oom Ikisshim heis
holdingmywaistandmyhandsar eonhi sneckwe
mov et ot
hebedaftertaki
ngof fal
lourclothes..
Iam
ont opofhim.
Hei
stense.
.
Me:
i
tsmebabyr
elaxi
'
m Zi
yanda
I
'v
eneverdonethi
sbefor
ebutt
hebondweshar
e
makesever
ythi
ngeasi
er.
Istartrubbingmycl i
tonhisd*ckandIputiti
n,it
sa
bitpainfulbutIwanthim sobadIeasemy sel
fonal l
ofhim andst artmov i
ngataslowpacehei shol
ding
mywai stthepleasurei
stoomuchIst ar
tmov i
ng
fasterwhileplayingwit
hmyt i
tsIfeel
my sel
fbuil
ding
upandi cum releasi
ngaloudscream i
nasecondhe
i
st heoneont opofmepoundi ngonmef ast
erand
har
dheisgr
oani
ngsol
oudt
hati
ttur
nsmeonso
much.
.
Me:
aahmi
sopl
easedon'
tst
op,
yesr
ightt
her
e.
Hekeepsgoi ngfasterIsinkmynail
sonhisbackhe
goesonf orawhilethenhepul l
outandcumsonmy
stomachandIt hi
nki tssexyhowheisholdi
nghi
s
d*ckrel
easinghisjuicesonmel i
kethat
.
Hi
m:wedon'
twannagety
oupr
egnantagai
nyet
Me:
Idon'
twannagetpr
egnantev
eragai
n.
Hegoest
othebat
hroom andcl
eanmeup.
Hi
m:Thanky
ou,
Il
ovey
ou.
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
Il
aymyheadonhi schestbutIhavef
ear
..
fearoft
he
unknown,
fearofwhatisst
il
lcoming.
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t33

Wewakeupandhet akesmehome, Iwal

kinandfi
nd
Laylai
nthel i
vi
ngroom withSisYolistuf
fi
ngher
sel
f
withal
lkindsofJunk,Iam di
sgustedbyherwhathe
didtoMisokuhlei
sjustdisgust
ing,Idon'
tknowifI
canbeint hesameroom wi t
hher.
Me:
Uhm Hi
SisYol
i,
Lay
la.
SisYol
i:
heyPi
nkletmegocheckont
het
winsbef
ore
Islapsomeone.
Me:
whywhathappened.
SisYol
i
:Thi
sgir
ldoesn'
thaver
espect,
shehasbeen
shooti
ngorder
satmel i
keImadeherpregnant
.
Lay
la:
Heyheyheydon'
ttal
kaboutmeasi
fi'
m not
her
e..
Evenheari
nghert
alkmakesmybloodboi
lsoIj
ust
fol
lowSisYol
itot
hekidsroom.
Lay
labur
gesi
n..
.
Layla:heyZeeIwant
edt
omeetthetwi
nsf
orsol
ong
,can'twaittohol
dmybundl
eofJoy
.
Shesaysbrushi
ngherbabybump.Sheatt
emptt
o
takeNkany
ezifr
om butIshakemyhead.
Me:
hei
ssl
eepi
ng,
I
'm aboutt
oputhi
m down.
Lay
la:
ohi
tsf
ine.
ShelooksatNt
sikaf
rom hi
scotandherf
ace
changes.
Layl
a:whydoeshelookli
kemybabydaddy
Misokuhl
e..
cometothinkofi
twhatwer
eyoudoi
ng
i
nhishouset heot
herday.
Me:
That
snoneofy
ourbusi
nessLay
la
Layl
a:ohahomelessgi
rlhasgr
ownsomewingsI
see,
Iwil
laskyouagai
n,whatwerey
oudoi
nginmy
man'shouse.
Me:
Justl
eav
emeal
oneLay
la.
Layl
a:Youdoknowyoucanl
eav
ethi
shousei
na
snapofmyf i
nger
s.
Me:
may
be,
may
benot
.
Il
ight
lypushheroutofmyki
dsr
oom andcl
oset
he
door.
MrsReignsisbackfr
om workandIgeti
ntothe
l
ivi
ngroom Layl
aiscryi
ngonMr sRei
gnslap.Il
ook
atSi
sYoliheshruggl
es.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Ziy
andai
sist
ruet
haty
oupushedLay
la?
.
Me:
pushedherwher
e?.
MrsRei
gns:
Shesai
dyoupushedhersheal
mostf
ell
whenshewantedt
oseethekids.
Lay
la:
Youwant
edt
oki
l
lmybaby
.
I
'
m shockedandmyhear
tisbeat
ingoutofmychest
.
Me:
Inev
erdi
dthatLay
laSi
sYol
iwast
her
e.
SisYoli
:YesIwast
her
eandZi
yandadi
dnosuch
thing.
Lay
la:of
causeyouwi
ll
takehersi
deyoudon'
tl
ike
me,youdidn'
tev
enwanttomakefoodforme.
MrsRei
gns:
OkayokayZi
yanday
oushoul
dapol
ogi
se
t
oLay l
a.
Layl
a:noAunt
ieIwantheroutofher
e,shewant
edt
o
ki
ll
me.
Mr
sRei
gns:
No,
shei
snotgoi
ngany
wher
e
Me:
I'
m sor
ryLay
la.
Iseewher
ethisi
sgoi
ngthati
swhyi '
m apol
ogi
si
ng,
I
don'
twannaseemysel
fhomeless.
Nextmor
ningIf
indLay
lat
alki
ngont
hephone.
Lay
la:
Cany
oudel
i
veri
tassoonaspossi
blepl
ease
Shegetsst
art
ledwhensheseesmeandi j
ustl
ook
ather,
shewalksaway.
.Iwonderwhatt
hedel
iv
ery
i
s..
I
'
m atSchooli
tsl
unch,Ir
ecei
veacal
lfr
om Si
sYol
i
l
ooksl
ikeshehasbeenrunni
ng.
Me:
SisYol
iheywh.
..
Si
sYoli
:y
ouneedt
oleav
eschool
andmeetusatt
he
hospi
tal
.
Me:
hospt
..
.Si
sYol
iwhati
sgoi
ngon.
Shetel
l
smewhichhospit
alandIgotothe
headmast
ert
oaskforper
missionIhadtoexpl
ain
t
hatsomethi
ngisgoi
ngonbutIdon'
thav
edet
ail
s
y
et.Sheoff
ersmeali
ft,
shesai
dshehasameeti
ng
i
ntowntoo.
Igeti
nthehospi
tal
IcanseeSisYoli
andMrsRei
gns
al
lthewaythr
oughthepassageIr
untothem.
Me:Si
sYol
iwhatisgoi
ngon,wher
ear
emyki
ds
,wher
eisNtsi
kaandNkany
ezi.
Si
sYol
il
ooksdi
str
aught
Mr
sRei
gns:
Uhm Zeet
heki
dsar
einsi
det
h..
Me:
whyar
emyki
dsi
nther
e?
Thedoct
orcomeoutIst
andt
oaskwhati
sgoi
ngon.
Doct or
:Yourki
dsarebothhav i
ngaseizur e,
Thereis
adr ugthatwasusedont hem ,westi
l
lr unni
ngsome
testtoseewhatiti
s. .
butIsuspectcrystalmethfor
nowwehav etocontactchil
dwelfar
e.
Thedoct
orwal
ksaway
..
Me:Theyaregoi
ngt
otakemyki
dsaway
..
SisYol
i
whathappened.
Si
sYol
i
:If
oundt
hem hav
ingasei
zur
e.
Me:
Andwher
ewasl
ayl
a.
SisYol
i:
shewasalreadygonewhenIcal
l
edherf
or
helpIdi
dn'tf
indherinthehouse.
Me:
Iknowshedi
dthi
stomyki
ds
Mr
sRei
gns:
Ziy
andadon'
.
..
Me:nooneusesdr
ugsathome,y
ou,
si
sYol
iormeso
wheredi
dthosedr
ugscomefrom.
Wearecal
ledattheDoct
orsoff
iceandhetel
l
susit
wasi
ndeedcrystal
methandtheChil
dwelf
aresoci
al
wor
kersar
eher e.
S.
worker
:Wehear
dthatt
hekidsar
eexpossedt
o
dr
ugs,i
sther
eanyonewhousesdrugs.
Me:
No.
S.worker:
Wemakesuret
hatwepr
ovi
det
heser
vices
tokidsthatar
eatr
isk
me:
theyar
enotatr
iski
'
mthei
rmot
her
.
s.
worker
:Wewi
l
lhavet
oinvest
igat
ewhathappened
butf
ornowwearet
aki
ngthem.
i
justcr
y,howcanLay
ladot
hisIknowi
tsher
zee

sor
ryf
orbei
ngAWOLy
a'l
l
..
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t34

Idon'
tknowwhatIwi l
lbewi t
houtmykids, whatwil
l
becomeofme.I '
m sti
ll
cryingaskingmy selfwhen
wil
lIfindpeaceallmylif
ei tsbeenpainafterpain.I
si
tont hecoldfloori
nthehospi tal
passaget hey
haven'tevenl
etmeseet hem ,If
eelahandonmy
shoulderandIlookupitsMi sokuhleIj
ustcont i
nue
cry
ing.
Me:I'
m afai
lure,
Ifai
l
edmykidsnowtheyar
et aki
ng
them awayfrom me,Iwaswi
ll
i
ngtobeabetter
personfort
hem.
Mi
so:
Youneedt
ogetupy
ouar
egoi
ngt
obesi
ck.
Me:
Iwast
ryi
ngsohar
dtobeabet
termot
her
.
Miso:
Ziyandat heywon'ttakethem awayfor
ev er
..
theywilli
nvestigat
eandf indthatyouar
eagood
motherandt hatMr sReigns'shomeisaperfect
home.
Me:youdon'
tknowthat
..
comingbackher
ewasa
badideaIshoul
dhavel
ist
enedtoyourf
atherand
stay
edaway .
Miso:
don'
tdothi
stoyoursel
f,t
hisi
snoty
ourf
aul
t
youdi
dwhatisbestf
orthem.
Me:IhateLay
laandshei
sgoi
ngt
opayf
orwhatshe
i
sputti
ngmet hr
ough.
Mi
so:
uhm Lay
la?
Me:
sheist
heonewhofedmyki
dsdr
ugs,
shei
sthe
r
easonwhytheyar
eint
her
e.
Mi
so:
NonotLay
la.
Il
ookathi
m.
Me:
whatdi
dyouj
ustsay
?Ar
eyoudef
endi
ngher
?i'
m
t
ell
i
ngy
oushedi
dthi
s
Mi
so:
i
'm notdef
endi
ngheri
'
mjustshocked.
Me:
fucky
ouMi
sokuhl
e,i
tsal
lbecauseofy
ou.
.
Thedoct
orcomesoutIgot
ohi
m
Me:
pleasecanIseemyki
ds.
.pl
easei
'
m beggi
ngy
ou.
Doct
or:
i'
m sor
ryIcan'
tl
ety
oui
nther
ebutt
heyar
e
goi
ngtobeokay.
Me:
Ijustneedt
oseet
hem pl
ease.
HeallowsmeandMi sokuhl
etoseethem f
or5
minutesandtheWelfarepeopl
etakethem andtell
s
ustheywill
star
tinv
est i
gati
onassoonaspossible.
Theywil
lst
artbytest
ingallofuswholi
vesinMrs
Rei
gnshouseandsear chourhomefordrugs,
they
sai
ditmaytakeaweekort wo.I
magi
netwoweeks
wit
houtmykids.
.I
'
m goi ngcrazy
.
Ifi
ndSisYol
iwai
tingf
ormeatt
hepar
kingl
otIj
ust
hugherandcry.
Si
syol
i
:i
tsokayt
heywi
l
lbr
ingt
hem back.
Mi
so:
uhm Zi
yandacanIt
alkt
oyou.
Ij
ustl
ookathim andgetinsideMrsRei
gns'
scar
Si
sYol
iisdri
vi
ng.
Ihat ehi
m, heist
hereasonwhy
l
ayl
adruggedmyki ds.
WegethomeandIgost rai
ghttomyroom burymy
faceinmypi l
lowandleti tal
loutIcr
yunti
lli
fall
asleep.Iwakeupt hefollowi
ngdaylooki
ngli
kea
zombi ei'
m notokay,
ever ymorni
ngIcheckonmy
kidsbutnowt heytookt hem.Ifi
ndMrsReigns,
Sis
YoliandMi sokuhl
eint helounge.
Me:
whati
shedoi
ngher
e?
MrsRei
gns:
Ziy
anday
ouneedt
otal
ktohi
m hei
s
hur
ti
ngtoo.
Me:
Idon'
twanthi
m her
e,heneedst
oleav
e.
Miso:Zi
yandapl
easedon'
tpuni
shmef
orsomeone
el
se'swrongdoi
ng.
Me:
l
eav
eMi
so
Mi
so:
iwantt
obeher
ewi
thy
oupl
easel
etme.
.
Ij
ustwal
kbackt
other
oom.
Thei
nvest
igati
ondidtaket
woweeksandLayl
aisno
wher
etobef oundandwedidn'
thav
eprooft
hatshe
dr
uggedmybabi
es.
Todaywear
efet
chi
ngt
heki
ds
i
'm exci
ted.
Theminut
eIseethem ij
ustbr
eakdownandcr yI
missedt
hem somuchwet akethem homeandI
don'
twanttol
eav
et hei
rsi
ght.
Mr sReigns:
don'tall
owy our
selft
ogobackt othat
stagewher ey oudidn'twantthem outofy oursi
ght
andwant edthem toalway sbenextt oyou,youhave
wor kedsohar dtoov ercomey ourfearoflosi
ng
them justfighti
ttheyneedasanemom nota
depr essedmom.
InodmyheadIgetherpoi
nt.
Misokuhl
eisher
eihav
en'
tseenhi
minaweekI
di
dn'twantt
oseehim.
Mi
so:
Hi
Me:
hi
Mi
so:
Icamet
oseet
heki
ds
Me:
youcan'
tseet
hem
Mi
so:
Theyar
emyki
dst
ooZi
yanda
Me:
j
ustl
eav
eusal
oneMi
sokuhl
e
Miso:
I'
m nother
etoseeyou?
youdon'
twantme
t
hatsfi
nebutIwanttoseemyki
ds.
Ijustwalkawayandhef oll
owsbehindme. Hetakes
them tohisar mstheirfaceslitupandtheystart
maki ngbabynoi se,
hei splayingwit
hthem Ifi
nd
my selfsmil
ing,heputthem downandcomet ome, I
mov ebackbuthekeepcomi ngunti
lmybacki son
thewal lhestandstoocl oseIwannapushhi m.
Miso:
Yousayy
oudon'
twantmebutr
ightnowyour
bodyi
sbetr
ayi
ngy
ou,youwantmeZi
yandayoulov
e
me.
Idowanthi
m andIl
ovehi
m buti
sitwor
thi
t.Imov
e
awayf
rom hi
m.
Me:
youneedt
oleav
enow.
Miso:
IloveyouZiyanda,
don'tfightthis..
weshoul
d
besti
ckingtoget
her..
meandy ou..don'tall
owl
ayl
a
towinthisi
swhatshewant s.come
me:
Ilov
eyou
i
can'
tkeeppuni
shi
nghi
mforwhatLay
ladi
d.
zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t35

It
sbeenmont hsandmyki dsar enowt urni
ngay ear
oldandi 'm gratefulwear ehav i
ngal it
tl
epartyf or
them, i
tsMe, Mi so,MrsRei gnsandSi sYolii
tsjusta
greatmomentIdi dn'tthinkbei ngthishappywas
possiblef orsomeonel ikemewhowasnegl etedby
myownf amilybutl ookatmenow, i'
m abouttowr it
e
myf inalexam Mr sReignsof feredtopaymyv arsit
y
feesbuti '
m ai mingf orabur saryeventhought hats
aimingt oohi ghbutI '
m wor kinghardtoreacht hat
standard.
Wear
einaj
oll
ymoodeat
ingcakeandl
aughi
ng.
Theresaknockont
hedoorSisyol
iSt
anduptoopen
thedoorwesti
ll
makingnoi
seinsi
debutSi
sYol
i
comesbackhol di
ngababy .Welookateachother
andbackatSi sYol
i.Istandupt ol
ookatthebaby
he'
scolouredanditsanobr ai
nert
hatisMisokuhl
e'
s
chi
ldhisfeatur
escan'tbemi ssedthosesmall
squi
ntedey es.
Helooksamont hortwo.
IlookatMisokuhl
ehegetsupandcomestoushe
l
ooksatt hebabyandthenatme,
Idon'
tknowi
fit
s
fearorshockIseeinhi
sface.
Me:
Uhm Si
sYol
icanIhol
dhi
m
Itakethebabyt
henunwraphisbl
anketsI
'
m hopi
ng
tofindmaybeanote,
somethi
nganyt
hingbutt
her
e's
nothing.
MrsRei
gns:
WhathashappenedtomynieceLay
la
wassuchalov
elychi
l
dv er
ytal
kati
vebutnowIdon'
t
know..
Shel
ookshear
tbr
oken.
Me:
It
sokayI
'
m goi
ngtobathhi
m,MrsReignscanwe
t
akehert
oadoct
ortohav
ehim checkedup.
Shej
ustnods,
Misokuhl
eisst
il
lst
andi
ngont
he
samespot.
Me:
Misoar
eyouokay
?
Henods,
SisYoliandIgototheki
dsroom Ibathhi
m
whi
leYol
ilookforcl
othesthatwi
l
lfi
thim onthe
t
winscl
othes,t
hankgodhei saboy.
Wegetbackf
rom t
hedoct
orever
ythi
ngwasfi
ne
wi
thhi
m.Thetwi
nsaresl
eepi
ngandthebaby
.
Me:
Misomay
bey
oushoul
dgi
vehi
m aname.
Hejustst
aresatme,
whati
swrongwit
hhim he
hasn'
tsai
dawor dev
ersi
ncewefoundthebaby
.
Me:
MISOKUHLE
Hel
i
ter
all
yjumpsup.
Igetupandst
andi
nfr
ontofhi
m.
Me:snapoutofi
tMisokuhl
ethati
syoursonf
orget
aboutwhatLayl
adi
dt oyou.
.hei
sherenowandhe
needsyou.
Henodsandt
akeadeepbr
eat
h.
Mi
so:
Langa-
Langel
i
hlet
hebeaut
if
ulsunshi
ne
Me:
That
sabeaut
if
ulname.
Hel
ooksatmeandcomekneel
bef
oreme.
Mi
so:
wewi
l
ldoi
ttoget
herr
ight
?
Hel
ooksner
vousanddesper
ate.
Me:
wewi
l
ldoi
ttoget
her
Iholdhi
shandbutam Ir
eadyt
obeamot
hert
o
thr
eekids.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Andwewi
l
lbeher
etohel
pyout
oo.
Iam grat
efulforthi
sf amilythatGodhasgivenme
Nkanyezi(Thestar)Nt si
ka(Thepil
lar
)andLangel
i
hle
(Thebeautif
ulsunshine)wi t
hMr sReignsandSi
sYol
i
.
SisYol
i
:Uhm Mi
sokuhl
eisLangel
ihl
egonnastaywi
th
usbecauseIwoul
dlovetolookaft
ert
hethr
eeof
them .
Mi
so:
i
fthat
sokaywi
thMr
sRei
gns.
MrsRei
gns:
It
sokayhei
smyni
ece'
schi
l
daf
teral
lmy
gr
andson.
.
Si
sYol
i
:wi
thar
aiseof
cour
se.
Weal
ll
augh.
.Si
sYol
ifi
tsi
nper
fect
lyi
nthi
s
famil
y,
someti
mesIevenf
orgett
hatsheisananny
becauseshegi
vesmoret
hanthat,
shei
slikea
mothertomeli
keMrsRei
gnsIdon'
tmissNoklunga
evenalit
tl
e.

I'
m writ
ti
ngmyf i
nal papert odayandI '
m happyIwi l
l
bespendingmucht imewi t
hmybabi estheyare
growingandcal l
ingev eryoneMama, Langais
growingaswel lthei
rfat herseest hem ev er
yday
afterwork..weareat eam.Iam wal ki
ngoutoft he
exam room IseeLeeohshei sst i
llaliv
e?Ihav en't
seenherf oralongt i
me. Shel ookst hin,iknowi '
m
skinnybutIhaveal way sbeenski nnyal lmylif
ebut
Leewast hosecur vaceousf ull
-f
iguredmommi esso
i
tsashockerseei ngherl i
ket hi
s..shest andsbef ore
me.
Lee:
HeyZee
Shet
ri
est
osmi
l
e
Me:
Lindi
l
eHi
Lee:
Youl
ookgoodIhav
en'
tseeny
oui
nawhi
l
e.
Me:
Ja
Iwal
kawayIdon'
tknowwhatt
osayt
oher
.
Lee:
I'
m sor
ry
Isl
owl
ytur
ntol
ookather
.
Me:
Whatar
eyousor
ryf
or?
Lee:Forever
ythi
ngIdi
dtoy
ouanddest
roy
ingour
fr
iendship.
Me: If
orgaveyouLindil
elongtimeago. .
Iaccepted
thereal
it
yofwhathappenedandf oundawayt olive
i
nast ateofresol
uti
onwi t
hit.IthoughtIhadfounda
sist
erinyouaf amil
yandIwaswr ongsowhat st he
useofholdi
nggr udges,t
rust
ingy ouwasmyf ault
Lee:
I'
m si
ckZeeandi
'
m scar
ed.
Me:
Getwel
lsoon.
IwalkawayIhaveforgiv
enherr eal
lyIdidbuti
t
doesn'
tmeanIhavet oov er
lookeveryt
hingshedi
d
tomeandbecomef r
iendsagainno..Sheissi
ckIfeel
sorr
yforherbutt
hatswher eitends.
AsIgeti
nthecarfr
om School
Ithinkt
hiscari
s
bei
ngfol
lowedbutmaybeit
sallt
hisLeethi
ng
makingmeparanoi
d.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t36

Thatcari
sdefi
nit
elyf
oll
owi ngusandIknowbet ter
thantoi
gnor
ethat.It
ell
thedr i
vertotakemet othe
mall,
andhedoes,wenev ertal
kIjustgreethi
m and
henodsthat
sit.
Me:Uhm whenIgeti
nsi
dedoy ouminddr
ivi
ng
ar
oundI'
llcal
lyouwheni
'm doneher
e.
Henods,
doesheev
ert
alk?
I
'm doi
ngthi
ssothecart
hatwasdri
vi
ngbehi
ndus
get
sconfusedIqui
ckl
ygeti
nsi
dethemal
lgoi
ng
shoptoshoplooki
ngovermyshoul
deri
fnoonei
s
fol
lowi
ngme.Icall
Miso
Mi
so:
Heyl
ove
Me:It
hinksomeonewasf
oll
owi
ngt
hecart
hati
s
dr
ivi
ngmet oschool
.
Mi
so:
what
?wher
ear
eyounow?
Me:It
oldthedri
vert
odropmeatthemal
landdr
ive
ar
oundi'l
lcal
lhi
m wheni'
m done.
Mi
so:
noi
'
m comi
ngt
ofet
chy
ou.
Ical
lthedr
iverlet
ti
nghim knowhecangocan'
tri
sk
anyonefol
l
owi ngthatcarandf
indoutwher
ei'
m
stayi
ng.
IwaitforMi
soandhecal
lst
otel
lmehei
satt he
parki
nglot.
.Ir
ushi
nsi
deandcl
oset
hepassenger
door.
.
Mi
so:
arey
ouokay
?
Me:
yeahi
'
mjustal
i
ttl
escar
edt
hat
sal
l
.
Mi
so:
i
'm her
enowokay
Het
akesmyhandki
ssi
ngi
tandInod.
Hedr
ivesmetoMrsReigns'
shouseandwepl
ay
wi
tht
hekidsandputt
hem tosl
eep.
Si
sYol
iwenttoopent
hedoorbecausesomeone
wasknocki
ng.
Wehearascream fr
om t
heli
vingroom MisoandI
l
ookateachotherandl
eavetheroom butsomethi
ng
t
ell
smet ol
ockthekid'
sdoorandIdo.
Whenwegett her
eSisYol
ii
sonherkneeswit
hher
handsupandsomeguyi spoi
nti
ngagunather.My
enti
rebodyisshaking.Mi
soisst
andi
ngther
e
l
ookingstr
aightandtheguywhoispoi
nti
ngthegun
atYoli
.
Mi
so:
whatdoy
ouwantZi
ta?
Heknowshi
m?
Thi
sZi
taper
sonanswer
s
Zi
ta:
youwi
l
lfi
ndoutsoonenough
justt
henMi so'
sfatherandKuhlecomei nsmil
li
ng.I
havefl
ashbacksofwhathappenedt omet hatday
howhegav eordersforhis"
boys"totor
tureme.
Mi
so'
sFat
her
:Whatagr
andent
rance,
don'
tyout
hink
soson?
Kuhl
e:Al
lweneedi
scamer
asever
ywher
edoesn'
t
hel
pthatQwabemenar
ehot.
Theybot
hlaughatt
hei
rcol
djokes.
.Mi
soi
sangr
y.
Mi
so:
whatt
hef
uckar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
Kuhle:
ohcomeonbr
otherwegav
ey outoomuch
spacealr
eady
,wewant
edtomeetthetwins.Hesay
s
smirki
ng
Theyknowaboutmyki
ds,i
'
m shaki
ngwhathav
eI
done,whydi
dIcomeback?
Mi
so:
daret
ryt
ocomeany wher
enearmykidsandI
wi
l
lki
ll
you,
bot
hofyou,
stayawayf
rom us.
Miso'sFather
:ButsonyouknowIdon'tt
akebetr
ayal
l
ightl
y,shedisobeyedmeIt ol
dhertost
aydead,to
l
eaveandnev ersetf
oothereagai
nbutheresheis,
sti
ll
api eceoftrashrunni
ngaft
erol
dman.
Misokuhl
echar
gestohi
m andpunchhim,Kuhl
e
quickl
ymovetogr
abhim andpunchhi
m,Misost
eps
backheisbl
eedi
ngonthemouth.
Mi
so'
sfat
her
:soy
ouhav
ebal
l
snowhuh
Misokuhl
e?t
heyar
esobi
gthaty
oucanputy
our
handsonme
Zi
ta,
kuhlegr
abhim andmakehi
m kneel
righther
e
,
hepoint
sinf
rontofhi
m.
Justthenoneoft heki
dscryIlookatMisoterr
if
ied.
Anothercryfol
lowsguesstheEyareal
lcryi
ngnow, I
wanttogot othem buti
'm scar
edofwhatthisold
manwi ll
dotot hem.
Mi
so'
sfat
her
:Yougoandt
aket
hoseki
ds.
Hei
stal
ki
ngt
oSi
sYol
i
.
Me:
NO
Mi
so'
sfat
her
:whatdi
dyousay
?
Me:
Isai
dno,Iwon'
thav
eyout
akemyki
dsr
atherki
l
l
meinst
ead.
Kuhl
e:wel
lthatcanbear
ranged.
Nextt
hingMi sokuhl
ejumpsonZi ta,theyfi
ghtovera
gunandi'
m shout i
ngforMisokuhletostopwhathe
i
sdoingnextt hi
ngIhearistwogunshot stheyare
tool
oudIthinki l
ostsenseofhearingforawhile.I
seeMisokuhlegoingdownitsallhappeninginslow
mot
ionIdon'
tknowi
fit
sinmyheadorwhat
.
IlookatMisoheisbleedingIrushtohi
mt hebul
let
holeisonhisl
eftshoulderIkneelandl
ookatall
of
them.
Me:Youaresoheart
lessy ouarewil
li
ngtotakey our
ownson'sli
feal
lbecausehel oveda"poorli
tt
le"gir
l
l
ikeme..l
oveknowsnost atusandyoucan'tstophim
fr
om lovi
ngmenomat terwhaty oudo,f
akemydeat h
hishear
twil
lsti
ll
yearnforme.
Iam shockedatt
hebr
aver
yIhav
enowt
alki
ngl
i
ke
thatwit
hthisman.
Miso'sf
ather:Kuhl
eandZi
tal
etsgetoutofhere,
li
tt
le
gir
lthi
sisn'toveri
'
m comi
ngbacki'
m notdonewith
youuntil
lyouleavemysonal
one,youmadehimt urn
hisbackonhi sfamil
ysoy
ousti
llgonnapay.
Theyl
eav
e..
Me:Si
sYol
ipl
easecal
lforhel
phei sl
osi
ngtoomuch
bl
ood.Mi
soholdonforme,forourki
dsokay.
Mi
so:
I'
m gonnabeokaydon'
tcr
y
Inodmyheadhei
sgoi
ngt
obeokay
,heneedst
obe
okayf
orus.
MrsReignscomesbackf i
rstwit
ht hecopssaying
thenei
ghbourscal
ledherwhent heyheardgunshots.
Theambulancecomest ogetMisoandIgowi t
hhim
aft
ergiv
ingSisYol
ithekeytothekidsroom andtol
d
hernottoopenforanyoneunti
lwecomeback.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t37

Theymanagedtotakeoutthebull
etonMisokuhl
e'
s
shoul
derbutsi
ncehelostalotofbl
oodtheyare
gonnakeephimfortheni
ghtbuthewill
befine.
WhenIgethomeIgost rai
ghttomyki dstheyar
e
awakethetwinsruntomeIli
ftthem upandkiss
them t
henItakeLangai
ntomyar msIl ov
ehim as
myownIcan'
tbar
ethet
houghtofl
osi
nganyof
t
hem,
theyar
emine.

Thefol
lowingdayIstartatMiso'
shousef orhi
s
cl
othesthengetataxitoahospi t
al,
whenIgetthere
hi
sbedi smade,Igocrazythi
nkingmay behedidn'
t
makeitbutIfeelahandholdi
ngmywai stit
shim he
hasabandagei nhi
sar m.
Me:
Ithoughty
oudi
dn'
tmakei
t.
Miso:
What?andl
eavey
ouf
oranot
hermant
omake
yousqui
rtnoways.
Il
ight
lypunchhim,helaughsoutl
oudandf
li
nchI
guessithur
tst
ol augh,
howcanhesaysuchan
i
nappropri
atet
hingatthehospit
al.
Me:
uhm soIaskedMr sRei
gnsifyoucoul
dst
aywi
th
usf
orawhil
eunt i
lyougetbet
ter.
Mi
so:
uhm nol
ovei
wil
lbef
ineonmyown.
Me:y
oumeany
oucanchanget
hatbandageony
our
own?
Hedoesn'
tanswer
.
Me:
didn'
tthi
nksonowl
etsgo.
Wet
akeat
axi
heseemsuncomf
ort
abl
ebuti
tsl
i
fe.
Wegethomethenhest
art
satt
heki
dsr
oom whi
l
eI
makefoodf
orhim.
WhenIcomebackIfi
ndhimtal
ki
ngt
ohi
ski
dsandI
st
andbythedoorl
i
steni
ngtohi
m.
Miso:
Iwill
laymyl i
feforyouguys,Iwi
lldowhatever
i
ttakestokeepy ouandy ourmom safe,ev
enifit
meansselli
ngmysoul t
ot hedevi
lifi
tmeansy ou
guyswon'tbeharmedIj usthopeyourmom wi l
l
underst
and,i
tsforthebest .
Me:
whatdoy
ouhopei
'
llunder
standMi
so.
Mi
so:
weneedt
otal
k.
Me:eatf
ir
stIwi
l
lgopr
epar
eyourr
oom t
henwewi
l
l
t
alk.
Iprepar
ehisroom andwhenheisdoneeat
ingIhel
p
hi
m bathandchangehisbandage,
hepatsaspace
nexttohim.
Mi
so:
comesi
ther
e.
Me:
whati
sitt
haty
ouwannat
alkabout
.
Miso:
uhm souhh..myfat
hervi
sit
edmeatthe
hospi
tall
astni
ghtaft
eryoul
eftandhegav
emethe
ul
ti
mat um.
Me:
whatul
ti
mat
um,
whydoIf
eel
li
kei
won'
tl
iket
his.
Het
akesav
erydeepsi
gh.
Miso:
Hetol
dmethatIhav
etwoweekst
o..t
omar
ry
Zi
nhleands.
..
Me:what?
youhavetodowhat?
don'ttel
lmey
ouar
e
act
uall
yconsi
der
ingthatcr
apMisokuhl
e.
Miso:
Hetol
dmei tsei
thert
hatorwewi
ll
wat
chour
ki
dsdief
rom LangatoNkanyezi
andt
henNt
sika.
Me:Doyour
eal
l
ybel
i
evet
hathewoul
dki
l
lhi
s
gr
andki
ds.
Miso:
wi t
hev ery
thinghedidtomehissonIbelieve
hewill
..apparentlyZi
nhle'
sfat
heri
shisfr
iend,
mor e
l
ikebusinesspar tner
sandIhavetomarryhersinceI
alr
eadyhav eachi ldwit
hher.Hepr
omisedhim Iwill
marryhisdaught erandnowhesaidyoumessedup
hispl
ans.
Me:ohsoy ouar
emar r
yingZi
nhl
ethen,he
t
hreatenedmykidscan'
twetell
thecops?.
Miso:
Reall
yZiy
andadon'tyout
hinkIwoul
d'
ve
t
houghtofcal
l
ingthem mysel
ftheminut
ehe
t
hreat
enyourl
ifeandmykidsli
fe.
Ishr
ug
Me:
hei
syourf
atheraf
teral
l
.
Miso:nowyoustart
ingt
opi
ssmeof
fZi
yandaI
'
m
t
ryingtopr
otectyou
Me:
Yesprotect
ingmephy
sical
l
ybuthur
ti
ngme
emot
ional
l
y.
Mi
so:whatam IsupposedtodoZi
yanda,
tel
lme
maybeyouhaveabet t
eridea.
Me:It
sokayMisokuhl
e,
youcanmarryZi
nhl
e,Idon'
t
knowwhyy ouareher
eanywayyourwif
eshouldbe
taki
ngcareofyou.
Miso:
Ziy
andadon'
tmakethi
shardert
hanital
ready
i
s.Uhm Ithi
nkIwi
l
lbetaki
ngLangatost
aywithme
t
oo.
Il
osei
tli
kecr
azy
,li
ter
all
yIst
artpunchi
nghi
m
ev
ery
wher
eandt
hrowi
ngev
ery
thi
ngnearmeathi
m.
Mi
so:
Ziy
anday
ouar
ehur
ti
ngmyar
m shi
t.
Me:Youself
ishbastard.
.nowyouaref
uckingwithme
Misokuhl
eIdon'tcareifyougoandmarry10wi v
es
butdaret
rytotakeLangaawayf r
om meIwi l
lfuck
youupsobad.
Mi
so:
Why?
hei
snotev
eny
ourchi
l
d..
Thathur
tsmemor
ethani
tmakesmeangr
y.Ij
ust
cr
y
Me:Ican'tbeliev eyousaidthat,
Il
ovedy oursonthe
minuteSi sYol icameinholdinghim,Iacceptedhim
evenbef orey ouevenaskedmei fwewi lldoit
together.
..
Ilov ehim Misokuhleandifyout akehi
mi
will
nev erforgiveyou.
Icont
inuecry
ing,whathesai
dhurt
smedeepl
y.He
i
sholdinghi
sarm anditsbl
eedi
nghel
ooksi
npain
butIdon'
tcare.
Ijustleav
egoingtothekidsroom it
akeLangainmy
armsandj ustlett
hetearsf
all
..Mi
sokuhl
ecan'
tdo
thistome.Ijustcont
inuestar
ingatLangaandsti
l
l
thetearsaremakingthei
rwaydownmycheeks.Igo
backtoMi sokuhl
eanIf i
ndhimtryi
ngt
ocleanuphis
wound. .
.It
akethrcott
onf r
om hi
shandandcleani
t
withoutsayi
ngawor dandIbandageit
.
Hi
shandwi
pesmyt
ear
s.
Miso:
I'
m sorr
yIhur
tyou,
Iwi
shi
coul
dchange
ev
eryt
hing.
Me:Justpleasedon'
ttakeLangaawayf
rom me
pl
easeMi sokuhl
e.
Hejustl
ookdown,
Il
eav
ether
oom agai
nIcan'
ttake
i
t.
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t38
Ihaven'
tbeental
kingt oMisokuhleforaweeknow
,al
lIdoisgotohisr oom inthemor ni
ngcleanuphis
woundandchanget hebandageandi ntheafter
noon
Idothesamet hi
ngt henleavetheroom without
sayi
ngawor dtohim, Hetri
edtalki
ngtomebutI
havenothi
ngtosayt ohim heismar ryi
nganother
woman.Sot odayi'
mi nhisroom doingwhathas
becomemyr outi
ne,cleani
nghiswound.
Misokuhl
e:Todayi'
ml eav
ing,Tomorr
owther
ewi
l
lbe
Lobolanegoti
ati
ons(payi
ngthebri
depri
ce)
Ifeelmyhandsshaking,
IhavealumpinmythroatI
feell
i
kescreami
ng..Icont
inuebandagi
nghi
m butmy
handsareshaky
..
Hehol dsmyhands
Miso:
Thi
shurt
smetoo,
don'
tforasecondt
hinkI
l
ikedoi
ngthi
stoy
ou.
.Iwi
shther
ewasanotherway.
Ijustsi
tonthebedlooki
ngupt
ryi
ngsohar
dtost
op
thetear
sfrom f
all
i
ng.
Miso:
Ihavefoundanannyf
orLangatooIt
ri
ed
t
ell
ingyouthi
sweekbutyouweregiv
ingmesil
ent
t
reatment
.
Myhear
tbr
eaksi
ntomi
l
li
onpi
ecesIhav
edev
eloped
abondwi
tht
hatchi
l
d,t
hisi
sjustcr
uel
.
Ij
ustr unoutoft
her oom andgot omyroom Ibur
y
myf aceonthepill
owandl etital
lout
..
whenI'
m cal
m
Igot otheki
dsroom andSi sYolii
spacki
ngLanga'
s
cl
othesandshel ookssadt oo.
Si
sYoli
:
Iknowthi
sishardforyoumybabybutbe
st
rongsomedayitwi
llal
lgetbett
er.
Me:Idon'
tthi
nkIcandoi
t,
wat
chi
nghi
mleav
eis
gonnabehard.
SisYol
i:
Youhav
etosaygoodby
e,hei
sgoi
ngt
omi
ss
you,youguy
sgotal
ongsowell
.
It
snowt i
meforMisoandLangat
ogoi
'
m hol
ding
LangaIdon'
twanttol
etgo.
Mi
so:
Ziy
andagi
vehi
mtomepl
ease.
Ishakemyheadhol
dinghi
mtomychest
.Justt
hen
Kuhleget
sin.
Kuhl
e:br
otherwehav
ebeenwai
ti
ngf
ory
ouout
side
whati
stakingsol
ong.
Misodoesn'tr
epl
ybutj
ustcont
inuet
obegmet
o
gi
vehim Langa.
Kuhl
e:aar
ghi
'
m soov
ert
his.
Hecomesstraighttomeandf orcefull
ygrab
Langel
i
hlefr
om myar mst henshov emesohar dthat
Il
andonthefloori'
m cr
yinghysteri
call
y.Ilookat
MisoIcanseesadnesswr it
tenalloverhi
sf ace.
Si
sYol
ihugsmebr
ushi
ngmyback.
Si
sYol
i
:I
tsokaysi
si,
ever
ythi
ngwi
l
lbef
ine,
Godwi
l
l
makeaway.
Idon'
tthi
nkhewil
lmyhear
tisshatt
eredi
ntopi
eces
Il
osttwopeopl
eatonceMisokuhl
eandLangel
i
hle.

TodayIhear dthatitsMisokuhleandZi nhl

e's
tr
aditi
onal weddingitsr
eall
yhappeningandwhat
pissedmeof fwaswhenIsawani nv i
tati
oncar d
hereathome, whower etheyinvi
ti
ngreal l
y?Mrs
ReignscalledMisokuhlethemi nut
eshesawt hat
cardandt oldhimt hatt
heycanal lgotohel l
.Al
lIdo
nowi ssiti
nt hekidsroom all
dayandpl aywithmy
ki
ds,theyareexact l
ywhatIneedatat i
mel ikethi
s.
Iwakeupt oMrsRei gnsshouti
ngmynamesol oud
andSisYol
iisalul
ati
ngIwonderwhati sgoi
ngoni n
thi
shouseIcheckt hetimeandits3:
30am ,arethe
peoplecr
azy,whatwillt
heneighbour
ssay.They
bargeinmyroom
MrsRei
gns:
Ziy
anda,
MyPinki
ePi
nkOohi
'
m sopr
oud
ofyoucomegivemeahug.
Ijustl
ookatherwhat shappeni
ng,Shejustthr
ows
herselfonmybedandhugsme, i
'
m stil
lconfused
until
lInoti
ceSisYoli
hasanewspaperonherhand
thenitregi
ster
sthattodaythematri
cresultareout
,ThismeansIpassed. .
Iquicklyjumpoutofbedandgr abthepaperf rom
SisYoliIl
ookatmynameandt hereitisBachelor
passwi th4di st
inti
onsIcannotbeli
vethis.
ijust
kneel downandpr ayIknowIdon'tdothisoftenbutI
feeltheur getolethim knowhowgr at
efulIam for
thisi
shi sdoings.IgetupandMr sReignahugsme.
MrsReigns:
Youamazemeev ery
day,af
terevery
thing
you'
vebeent hr
oughbutyoumanagedt opassy our
matri
cwi t
hflyi
ngcol
oursjustasyoupromised,
Iam
sopr
oud.
Si
sYoli:
Onedayyouwi
llt
ellyourstor
yandev erybody
will
li
sten,
youareani
nspir
ati
ont oever
yy ounggirl
outtherewhomaybegoingthroughhardships.
.Iam
proudofyoutoo.
Idi
dn'tt
hinkt
hiswaspossibl
e,
tearsofj
oyar
ejust
fl
owingIam happyIev
enforgotforamomentthat
Misokuhl
eisnowamar ri
edman. .
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t39

Ain'
tnomount ainhi
ghenought okeepyouf r
om
reachingyourgoal
,t
akeitfr
om meIhav ehadt he
roughestyearsofmylifebutt
hatdidn'
tstopme
from passi
ngmymat r
icandnowI'm abouttostart
myf i
rstyearStudyi
ngmedi cineatNel sonRMandel
a
SchoolofMedi ci
ne-ukznIwant edtobecl oset
o
homewher eIwouldn'tsl
eepwi thoutseei
ngmykids
MrsRei gnshouseisfairl
ycloset ocampusandIam
happyIcanf ocusonbot hschool andmyki ds.

Misokuhlehaven'
tcalledorv isit
edt hetwinsev er
si
ncehegotmar ri
ed,Iguesst heyar ehav
ingt oo
muchf unwiththewi f
et hathef orgotabouthi s
ki
ds,Youcant el
lthattheymi sst heirdad,
theywer e
usedtoseeinghim every day.Butt heywil
l getoveri
t
andforgetabouthimj ustlikehedi d.

Ihav ealreadystart
edat tendi
ngclassesimustsayI
enjoyitandImayhav efounduhm af ri
endifIcoul d
callhimt hat,hi
snamei sTheowei nthesamecl ass
,Iwassor udet ohim whenhewant edtositwithme
duringlunchbutIr emi ndedmy sel
fthatIcan'
tkeep
doingt hattopeoplej ustbecauseofmypr evious
experienceswi thfr
iendsandanexl overMisokuhle.I
foundoutt hatTheo'shomei snotfarfrom mineso
wewal
ktoget
heraf
tercl
asses.

Theo:
Sodoy
ouhav
eaboy
fri
end?
Me:uhm Nopandi
'
m noti
nter
est
edi
nhav
ingone
any
timesoon.
Theo:
what?
buthav
eyouseenhowguy
sfr
om cl
ass
l
ookatyou?
Me:
noandIdon'
tcar
e.
Theo:
uhm okay
Iremovesomethi
ngfrom hi
sfaceandhet
urnsr
ed
seeTheoisl
ightski
nned.
Me:
arey
ouokayl
ookaty
ourf
ace.
Hi
m:Uhm j
aaaahIi
'
m good
Hest
utt
ers,
andaft
erschoolwearewal
king
t
oget
her,
heleav
esmeatt hegat
eevery
time.
Theo:
byei
'
llseey
ouonmonday
,uhm Yandah?
Me:
mmmh.
What
sup?
Theo:
CanIgetahug.
Ij
ustsmil
eathim andhughi
m butheholdonfortoo
l
ong..
ipul
laway.
.hi
sfaceisr
edagainandhecan't
keepeyecont
act.
Me:
arey
oubl
ushi
ngTheo?
Theo:
comeonNo,
blushi
ngi
sforgi
rl
s.
Me:
ohwel
lby
ei'
l
lseey
ouar
ound.
WhenIentert hegat
eIseeMisokuhleholdi
ngababy
andSisyoli
isnexttohim,t
heyarelooki
ngatme.
WhenIseet hatthebabyi
sLangaIjumpt akinghi
m
fr
om hissel
fishday.
.Iki
sshim al
loverhi
sf aceI
missedhim somuchcan'tbel
ieveMisokuhlekept
hi
mf rom me.
Me:Mommymissedy
ousomuch,
l
ookaty
ouso
gr
ownandacharmer
Il
iehelookst
hin,
l
ikehehav
en'
tbeeneat
ingbutst
il
l
handsome.
Mi
so:
wast
haty
ournewboy
fri
end?
Ii
gnor
ehim andcont
inuepl
ayi
ngwithLangel
ihl
e
GodknowshowmuchImi ssedthi
sli
tt
leguy,
Inoti
ce
abagonthefloor
.
Me:
whati
sgoi
ngon?
Si
sYol
i
:Pi
nkbabyl
etsgeti
nsi
de.
Weent
ert
hehouseMi
sokuhl
eishol
dingt
hatbag.
Me:
Misokuhl
ewhyar
eyouher
e.
Miso:
Uhm..I
..
ZiyandaI
..
.It
hinkLangai
sbet
terof
f
l
iv
ingher
ewithyouguys.
Me:
Real
l
y?
Sar
casm i
sati
tsbest
Miso:
Zinhl
edoesn'twanthi
m,Sheevenchased
awaythenannythatwaslooki
ngaf
terhi
m.
Me:It
oldy ouMisokuhlet
hatdon'
ttakehim away
fr
om me, butyouthoughtyouknewbet t
er,
youtake
achil
dfrom alovi
nghomeonl yforZinhl
etoabuse
hi
m, werey ouguysevenfeedi
nghim.
Mi
so:
ofcour
seIf
edhi
m,hei
smysonr
emember
.
Me:pathet
ic,
yourf
atherwasr
ighty
ouar
esodamn
weak,whatdidIev
enseeinyou.
HelookshurtbutIdon'
tcar
eanymor
ehei
sweak,
Langastar
tscryi
ngIhushhim.
Me:i
tsokayy
ouar
esaf
enow.Si
sYol
ipl
easet
ake
hi
sbag.
Wegoint
ot heki
dsr
oom ,
thetwi
nsar
est
il
l
sl
eepi
ng,
Itakeof
fhi
scl
othes.
.
Me:
SisYol
iohmyGodcomeseet
his.
Thebr uisesonhist
inybodysomeareol
dbecause
theyhav ebecomedarkbutsomearever
ynew.I
emmi diatel
yleav
etheroom t
owheremisokuhl
eis
sit
ti
ng.
Me:
whodi
dthatt
ohi
m Mi
sokuhl
e.
Mi
so:
whodi
dwhat
?
Me:don'
tfuckwi
thmeMi
so,
whodi
dthatt
oachi
l
d
youfucker
.
Mi
so:
Ziy
andadon'
tt.
..
Me:
youknowwhaty ou'
llknowmet oday,
i
'm cal
l
ing
t
hecopsyouwil
lexplai
nt othem whyl
angahas
t
hosebr
uisesal
loverhi
sbodyweakass.
I'
mf umingandIgobacktoSi
sYoli t
akingmyphone
Ical
l t
hepoli
ceri
ghtt
hereandthenMi sokuhl
e
doesn'tknowmeatall
.Hegetsintheroom and
seest
hebrui
sesonLangahei
sshockedhet
ri
est
o
comenearhi
m.
Me:
Dar
egetanycl
oset
ohi
m Iwi
l
lki
l
lyou.
Miso:
youthi
nkIdi
dthi
sZi
yanda?
Iwoul
dnev
erdo
t
hisyouknowthat
.
Me:Idon'
tknowy
ouany
mor
eMi
sokuhl
eIt
houghtI
di
d.
Thecopsar eherewef ini
shedbathi
nglangahei s
sti
lli
nmyar msholdingontomefordearli
fe.Istar
t
explai
ningeveryt
hingtothecopsandshowi ngthem
thebruisestheytakea"stat
ement"fr
om Misoand
theyleavetell
i
ngmeabouti nvest
igat
ions.
Me:Theyshouldhavetakeny ouwiththem, y
ou
deserv
ejailt
ogetherwit
hy ourbit
chywi f
e,chil
d
abuse?real
ly?Mr sRei
gnswon' ttakethi
sl i
ghtl
y
bestbeli
evethat
.youcanleavenow.
Mi
so:
canIhol
dhi
m?pl
ease
ILookathi
m andgi
vehi
m.
Miso:
I'
m sor
ryboydadwi
llmaket
hingsr
ightmi
ght
notbenowbutsomeday.
Helookssoemotional
Ial
mostfeelsor
ryf
or
hi
m,almost
.Heaskstoseethet
winsandIlethi
m.
Iwal
khi
m out
.
Miso:
Soyouhavemov
edon?i'
m happyf
oryou,I
hopehetr
eatsy
oubet
ter
,I
'
m sorr
yforever
ythi
ng
Ziy
anda,
Ilov
eyou.
Me:don'
t.
.y
ouhav
eawifey
oucan'
tgoar
oundt
ell
i
ng
peopl
eyoulov
ethem.
Mi
so:
Idi
ditf
ort
hesat
eft
yofourki
dsandy
our
stoo.
Me:
what
everMi
sokuhl
e.
Miso:Pl
easedon'
tfal
li
nlov
ewi
thhi
m don'
thur
tme
l
ikethatZi
yandapl
ease.
Me:That
sself
ishdon'tyout
hink,
yousl
eepnextt
o
yourwif
eever
y daysowhyshouldn'
tIl
ovesomeone
elsewhomaypot ent
ial
l
ybemyf utur
e.
Mi
so:
Ziy
andapl
ease.
.
Me:
Justgoandbewi
thy
ourwi
febuti
wil
lbemov
ing
onf
rom you.
Hecomescl
osert
omeIwantt
ost
epbackbuti
'
m
gl
uedonthespot,
hel
i
ftsmychi
nupandki
ssme,
I
pushhi
m andcry
.
Me:Youcan'tdothi
stomeMi sokuhl
e,
youar
e
marri
ed,
don'tmakeithar
dformet omove
on.
.pl
easeleave.
.
Heisnotokay,hel
ooksbr
okenbuthechoset
his,
he
hav
etoliv
ewi t
hit.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t40

MrsRei gnscomesbackfr
om workandsheis
confusedbuthappyseei
ngLangahere.I
'
m st
il
lnot
okaywi thLangabei
ngbr
uisedandMisobei
ng
married.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Misokuhl
ecamebackt
ohi
ssensesand
br
oughthi
m back?
Me:Nohiswifedoesn'
twanthi
m sohebr oughthi
m
backtopl
easeher.Shewasabusinghim Ical
ledt
he
copsonhim ear
li
erheseemedlikedhedidn'
tknow.
Mr
sRei
gns:
abusi
nghi
m how?
Il
ifthi
sT-shi
rtupandMrsRei
gns'
sfacei
nst
ant
ly
changesandangeriswr
it
tenal
lov
erherf
ace.
MrsReigns:
Ohnonotonmygr
andsonMi
sokuhl
e
andhiswifewi
ll
knowme.
Justthent
her
esaknockont
hedoorandIopeni
'
m
welcomedbyaver
yhotsl
apIst
epback
Zinhl
e:Soyougoar
oundt
ell
i
ngt
hepol
i
ceIabused
thatt
hing.
Il
ookatherbutMrsRei
gnspushmeoutoft
heway
andgostrai
ghtt
oZinhl
eshethr
owameanslap.I
'
m
shockedmrsRei
gnsisasweetsoul
.
Zi
nhl
e:di
dyouj
ust
..
Anothersl
apt
hatshut
sherupsamet
ime,
SisYol
i
get
supandpullMrsReignsaway
.
Zinhl
e:Ya'l
lwi
l
lpayfort
hisIpromi
seandgoi
ngto
thepolicewasabigmist
akeyoudon'
tknowwho
youmessi ngwit
h.
Shecl
ickshertongueandwalkaway .
.i
tst
ensehere
i
nthehousenoonei ssay
inganyt
hingunt
ilSi
sYoli
l
aughedoutloud,Il
ookathersheevenhavetear
s.
Si
sYol
i:
HayiZi
yandadon'
tl
ookatmeli
kethatMrs
Rei
gnsisaver
yghett
owhitewoman,
thoseslaps
j
esu(j
esus)
Il
aughwhatdoesSi
sYoli
knowaboutbei
ng"
ghet
to"
MrsRei
gnsenduplaughi
ngtoo.
Irecei
veamessageonmyphonei
tsTheotel
l
ingme
tomeethim att
hegat
eIgot
ohimitsar
ound7at
night.
Me:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngatt
hist
ime?
Theo:
j
ustcamet
osaygoodni
ght
.
Me:buty
oucoul
d'
vet
oldmet
hati
nat
extorphone
cal
lman.
Theo:
IknowbutIj
ustwant
edt
oseey
ou.
Me:
okayt
hanky
ougoodni
ghtTheo.
Theo:
Cany
oupleaseaccompanymet
otown
tomor
rowi
fyouwon'tbebusy
.
Me:
whatt
ime?
Theo:
may
beby11:
00am
Me:okayi'
l
lhaveti
mewi
thmyki
dsbef
orewel
eav
e
,i
'
llseeyouthen.
Theo:
thanky
ouYandah.
Igobacki
nsi
de.
Nextmor ningIwakeupear l
ymakef oodf orthe
kids,feedandbat hthem andIgobat handgochi ll
witht hem wai t
ingf orTheo'scall.Thi
si swhatIdo
whenI '
m notbusywi thschool wor kitel
lSisYoli
t o
relaxandIt akecar eofmyki ds.HerandMr sReigns
willtakeoutt heki dswithoutmet odaybecausei
alreadyagr eedt ogowi thTheo. hecall
smeandI
meethi m atthegat etakingat axitotownhepay s
andwest artbyeat i
nginoneoft herestaurantsand
heaski fwecoul dgochi llbythebeach.
Me:
whydoIf
eel
li
ket
hisi
sadat
e?
Isayl
aughi
ng.
Theo:
Wil
li
tbeabadt
hingi
fiti
s?
Me:NobutIwoul
dhavedr
essedbet
tert
hanbei
ngi
n
j
eansandahoodie.
Theo:
youal
way
slookgoodi
nmyey
esYandah.
Ohhei
ssweet
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Theo:Yest
erdayIhear
dyoutal
ki
ngaboutki
dsar
e
theyy
ourshowmanyar ether
e.
Me:Theyaremine,
Ther
eare3oft hem
Nkanyezi
,
Ntsi
kaandLangeli
hle.
Theo:Idon'
tbel
i
evey
ouhowol
dar
eyout
obehav
ing
3kids.
Me:
17t
urni
ng18onAugust15
Theo:
samedad?
Me:
Yesandnowenott
oget
herany
mor
e,hei
s
mar
ri
ed.
Theo:
oh.
.
Me:
hewasn'
tmar
ri
edwhenwedat
edTheoIcansee
y
ourj
udgement
alf
ace.
Theo:
Nonoi
'
m sor
ryI
'
m notj
..
Me:i
tsokayi
'
mjustj
oki
ngaboutyourf
acei
tsnot
j
udgemental
atal
l
,yout
oocute.
Hisfacei
sfl
ushedhereal
l
yshoul
dst
opbl
ushi
ngi
t
becomestooobvi
ous.
Theo:
yout
hinki
'
m cut
e..
Me:y
esi'
m sur
eyouknowthattoo,
thosebushy
ey
ebrows,t
hedimpl
eever
ythi
ng.
Hesmi
l
esl
ooki
ngdown,
hei
sjustacut
ieman.
Theo:
Uhm soar
eyoudat
ingany
one.
Me:
tol
dyoui
'
m si
ngl
eandnotl
ooki
ng.
Henodsandsi
gh.
Theo:Iwant
edtoaskyouify
oucoul
dbemy
gir
lf
ri
endandyesthi
sisadateIj
ustdi
dn'
tknowhow
toasky out
ogoonadat ewit
hme.
Me:Ohuhm butIdon'
twanttomessupour
f
ri
endshipandI'
m sti
l
lhur
ti
ngfrom mypr
evi
ous
r
elat
ionshi
p.
Theo:
Iunder
standbutcanwepleasegi
vei
tat
ry
pl
easeIpromisewewillt
aket
hingssl
ow.
Maybethi
siswhatIneed,
dati
ngaguymyage,
butI
don'
twanttomakehim arebound.
Me:
Okay ,
butpromiseyouwon'
tfal
laparti
fitdoesn'
t
wor
kout. .
thatwecanalwaysgobacktobeing
f
ri
ends.I'
m notreadytobei
narelat
inshi
pyetbuti'm
wi
ll
ingtotrywithyou.
Theo:
Uhm ohkIgeti
tandIunder
stand.
Hestandsupandpul
lsmeandhugsmesot i
ght
,he'
sabitt
all
ersoi
'mrest
ingmyheadonhi
schest
..
Me:
yourhear
tisr
aci
ngar
eyouokay
.
Theo:
I'
mjusthappy,Ial
wayswantedtoaskyouout
si
ncethefi
rstdayIsawy oui
nclassbutIwas
scar
edyouwi l
lrej
ectmesothisfeel
ssurr
eal.
Wegobackhomehehugsmeagai
nandpeckmy
l
ips.
Theo:
Iwi
l
lseey
out
omor
rowi
fyougetf
reet
ime.
Me:
Yeat
hanky
ouf
ort
odayIhadagoodt
ime.
Theo:
Thanky
oubabe.
Thatbabedoessomethingtomybody,
am Iinl
ove
orIj
ustlovetheatt
ent
ionhe'
sgi
vingme?Iask
myselfasIgetinsi
det
hehouse.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t41

I
'
m withSi
sYol
iandtheki
dsLangaissi
tti
ngonmy
l
apandthetwi
nsareplay
ingwit
hthei
rtoysont
he
f
loor
,myphoneri
ngsTheoiscal
li
ng.
Me:
HiTheo
Theo:
YandahcanIseey
oul
aterpl
easeImi
ssy
ou.
Me:
Theoy
ousawmey
est
erday
.
Theo:
IknowbutImi
ssy
oust
il
l.
Me:
okayf
ine,
you'
l
lcal
lme.
Hedr
opst
hecal
l
.
Si
sYoli:
Don'
tleadhi
m onify
ourhear
tisst
il
lwi
th
Misokuhle,
someonewil
lgethur
t.
Me:butSi
sYol
imisokuhl
eisahusbandnow,
don'
tI
deserv
etobelov
edt oo?
Si
sYol
i:
youdeser
vei
tbuty
ouhav
etoheal
fir
stt
hen
moveon.
Inodmyheadshei
sri
ghtIhav
etomov
eon,
and
bei
ngwi
thTheoismemov i
ngon.
MeandTheowest andi
ngattheroadnotf
arf
rom
homewejustt
alki
ngandlaughi
ng.
Acarst
andsnextt
ousandMi
sokuhl
eget
soutand
cometous.
Miso:Zi
yandawher
earemyki
dsify
ouar
eher
e
exchangi
ngsali
vawit
hthi
ski
d?
Ij
ustlookatTheohelookscalmf orsomeonewhois
cal
ledakid.Andwewer en'
texchangingsal
i
vaatal
l
wewer ejustt
alki
ng.
Miso:
Iaskedy
ouaquest
ionZi
yandawher
ear
emy
ki
ds?
Me:Justl
eavemeal
onewena,
don'
tyouknowwher
e
yourki
dsstay?
Hecomesnearmeandgr
abmyar
m sor
ough.
Me:
Ouchy
ouhur
ti
ngmeMi
sokuhl
e
Theocalmlygr
abthesamear
m andpul
li
tfr
om
Misokuhl
e'
sgri
p.
Theo:Don'
tdot
hatman,
wedon'
tgr
abwomanl
i
ke
that
.
Mi
so:
arey
ouchal
l
engi
ngmeBOY?
Heemphasi
sesthe'
boy
'wordhe'
str
yingt
o
i
nti
midat
eTheoandmakinghi
mfeelsmal
l,buthe
l
ookssocal
m.
Mi
so:
Stopst
ari
ngatmeory
ouwannaf
ightmehuh?
HeshovesTheoback,
Ican'
thel
pbutcr
ywhathas
got
tenint
oMiso,
hewasn'tl
iket
his?
whati
swrong
wit
hhim?
Mi
soseest
hati
'
m cr
yinghecomescl
oserandhugs
me,
foramomenti
'
mlosti
nhi
sar
ms.
Mi
so:
I'
m sor
ry.
Irememberthatt
herei
sTheoIpushMi
soandl
ook
backatTheo,
heshakeshi
sheadandst
art
swal
ki
ng
away.Ical
laft
erhi
m
Me:
Theowai
t.
.
Irunaf
terhi
mleav
ingMi
sokuhl
ecal
l
ingoutmy
name.
WhenIr
eachTheo,
Igr
abhi
sar
m.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
Theo:
it
sokayi
'mjustgonnagohomewhi l
eyousort
thi
ngsoutwi
ththefat
herofyourki
ds,
Iunder
stand.
Hel
ookssadandt
hati
smaki
ngmesad.
Me:
No,
takemehomewi
thy
ou.
Theo:
don'
trunawayfr
om y
ourpr
obl
emsYandah,
byei'
l
lseeyouar
ound.
Me:
TheoI
'
m sor
ry.
Theo:
i
thur
tsi
admi
tbuty
oudi
dtel
lmey
ounot
readyforarel
ati
onshi
pnowiknowwhy
,youst
il
l
havefeeli
ngsforhi
m,sosor
titout
.
Hewalksawayleav
ingmestandi
ngthere.Ihave
tear
sinmyeyesi'
vehur
thi
m andIdon'tfeelgood
aboutt
hat
.
Mi
sostandsbehi
ndmeandhol
dmyshoul
der
sI
moveawayfr
om him
Miso:Youarecryi
ngforhi
m? y
oulovehim?I'm sorr
y
forgrabbi
ngyouliket
hatIdon'
tknowwhatcame
overme,iguessiwasjeal
ousseei
ngy oulaughing
withhim,somethi
ngIfail
edtodowithyou.
Me:
Letmemov
eOnMi
sokuhl
e
Miso:
It
shar
d,myhear
twi
l
lal
way
syear
nfory
ou
r
emember?
Me:
Buty
oubel
ongt
oZi
nhl
e,
al
lowmet
omov
eon.
Hel
ooksdownandatme,
hehast
ear
sinhi
sey
es.
Miso:
I'
m sorr
yforbei
ngselfi
sh,
youdeser
ve
someonebettert
hanme. .
Iwil
lst
ayoutofyour
rel
ati
onshi
pbutknowt hatIl
oveyoual
ways.
Me:
youmeani
t?
Mi
so:
Imeani
t.
Me:
thanky
ou
Hehugsme,i
tsoverIfeel
hist
ear
sfall
i
ngonmy
f
orehead,
thi
sishardheismyescapeorshoul
dIsay
wasmyescape.
Hewi
peshi
stear
sof
fandsmi
l
es.
Miso:
Youarest
rongi
'm soproudofy
ou,
maybeone
dayyouwil
lbemineagain.
i'
l
lgoseet
heki
dsali
tt
le
thenl
eav
e.
Hewal ksawayandIsitonthepav ementandl eti
tall
out,Il
ovedthatmanandIstil
llovehim butit
sov eri
havetoacceptit
.Icryf
oragood5mi nutes.Mi so
comesoutoft hehousegetinhiscaranddr i
veof f
,I
takemyphonef rom mypocketthencallTheohe
picksup.
I
'
m st
il
lsni
ff
ing.
Me:
Theo.
..
i'
m sor
ry
Theo:
Yandahy
ousoundl
i
key
ouont
her
oadandy
ou
arecr
ying.
Ij
ustcont
inuet
ocr
yhar
dert
hist
ime.
Ihearfoot
stepil
ookupit
sTheoheisrunningImeet
hi
m halfwayandbur
ymyf acetohi
schest.He
brushesmybackunti
ll
i'
m cal
m.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
Theo:
i
tsokay,st
ruggl
i
ngt omoveon,
ithappensto
al
mostevery
oneofus, wheny
ougaveityoural
l.
Hewi
pesmyt
ear
s.
Theo:
it
schil
lyoutherey
oushouldgoi
nsi
de,
I
'l
lsee
youatschoolt
omor r
owy eah?
Inodmyhead,
hehugsmeandwai
tformet
ogeti
n.
Weeati
nglunchtoget
heratschool
andsomegi
rl
comesandsitnextt
otheo.
Gi
rl
:Heygi
rl
,Theomi
ndbei
ngmyst
udypar
tner
.
Theo:
Ial
readyhav
eoner
ighther
e.
Hepoi
ntsatmeandshel
ooki
nmydi
rect
ion.
Gi
rl
:mi
ndf
indi
nganot
herpar
tnersweet
ie.
Thewayshesay
sthatsweet
iemakesmeangr
y.
Me:
whydon'
tYOUf
indanot
herpar
tnerSWEETI
E
?
mmm?
Gi
rl
:mxm ski
nnyassbi
tch.
Ij
ustl
aughather
.I'
vebeencal
l
edwor
se.
Me:
shewant
syou.
Theo:
andt
hatmakey
ouj
eal
oushuhSweet
ie?
Hewi
ggl
ehi
sey
ebr
ows,
il
augh,
hei
ssi
l
ly.
Wegotohishouset ostudyasthe1stsemester
examsareapproachi
ng.Itsmyf i
rstt
imebei
ng
i
nsidei
tsaverybeauti
fulhouse.Wegot ohi
sroom
andwetakeoutourbooks.
Wehavebeenst
udy
ingf
ort
wohour
smaxwi
thno
br
eak.
Theo:
weshoul
dtakeabr
eak
Me:
Yeahi
'
mti
red
Theo:
I'
m goi
ngt
otheki
tchent
ogetusj
uice.
Hecomesbackwit
hbiscui
tsandj
uiceweeatand
putawayt
hedi
shes.
Hesi
tsnextt
omesmi
l
li
ng.
Me:
what
!?
Theo:
i
'mj
ustadmi
ri
ngy
ourbeaut
y.
Ibl
ushlookingdown,hemov escloserandImeet
hi
m halfwaywest ar
tkissi
ngandi t
sgetti
ng
heated,
wecontinuekissi
ngItakeoffhisT-shi
rtand
weundresseachot herandhegetupandputona
condom.
Theo:
arey
ousur
eyour
eadyt
odot
his?
Me:
Yes
Hei skissingmeallovermybodyandI '
mj ust
moani ngouthisname, hedoesthet
hingswithhi
s
tongue, heput
sallhisdicki
nandIscream outhi
s
name, i
tsbeenawhi l
e..Hefil
lsmeupwi t
hout
mov ing.
Me:
PleaseTheo.
.
Theo:
pleasewhatbabe
Me:
j
ustf
uckmeal
ready
.
Andhest
art
spoundi
ngonmesohar
d
Me:
fucky
esT.
.f
uck.
shi
t
Theo:
Babemmm, sowar
m shi
tyoudr
ivi
ngmecr
azy
,shi
tyousohotf
uck
Hegoesonforal
most5mi
nut
esandhef
li
pusand
nowi'
m ont
op.
Ist
artmov i
ngthrowingmyheadback, t
hisfeel
ssoo
good.Heisplayi
ngwi thmytit
sanditstur
ningme
onmor eandmor e,Icum ,
hestar
tsmov i
ngfast
underneat
hmeIf eelhisbodyshake.
Theo:
aaahshi
tfuckf
uck.
westayli
ket
hatf
orawhi
l
ethenIgetof
fhi
m,wear
e
sweati
ng.
.
Theo:
ThatwassooHOT.
Me:
Itwas.
Theo:
wannagof
oranot
herr
ound.
Hewi
nksget
ti
ngont
opofme.
I
'
dli
ket
obel
i
evet
hathei
smynewbegi
nni
ng
Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t42

I'
m homenowTheot ookmehomeaf t
erwehadal ot
ofsex, i
twasamazi ngthewayhehandl edmybody
sti
ll
t urnsmeonwhenIt hi
nkabouti t
.DoIlov
ehim? I
don'tknowy etbutallIknowi sIwantt obewit
hhi m.
Misohewi l
lal
way shav easpeci al
placeinmy
heart,hesavedmef rom my selfandhewasmyf i
rst
buthei smypastandTheoi smypr esent.
MrsReignscall
edmet oherr
oom ,
shewantstot
alk
t
ome, I
tsoundsser i
ousshenev
ercal
lsmetoher
r
oom totalki
'm ner
vousmypalmsaresweati
ng.
Peoplel
ikemear eal
waysexpectingt
hewor st,
it
happenswheny ouhaveexper
iencedrej
ect
ionfora
coupl
eoft i
mes.Iknockandgetin.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Pinkhey,
uhm ar
eyouokay
?
Inodmyhead,
whydoessheseem ner
vous.
Mr sReigns:
Iwant
edtotal
ktoyouaboutsomet
hingi
f
youar enotokaywit
hiti
tsfi
neyoucantel
lmeandI
promiseIwon'tbesadand..
Shei
stal
ki
ngsof
astandIdon'
tunder
standany
thi
ng
shei
ssayi
ng.
Me:
Uhm Mr
sRei
gnssl
owdownandbr
eat
h.
Shesmi
l
esner
vousl
y.
MrsReigns:Uhm I
..Howwouldyoufeel
ifIadopt
ed
you?canIadopty ou?i
tsokayi
fyoudon'
tthi
nkthat
s
agoodi dea.
I
'
m emot
ional
,Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay
.
Mr sRei
gns:
PinkIfel
tconnect
edt oyouthefi
rstday
ofoursessionwhenIaskedforthathug,t
hatswhere
Iknewi wantedtogiveyoumore,Iwantedyouto
feelthemotherl
ylov
et hr
oughme. i
'
vebeenmeani ng
toasky out
hisforsolongbutIthoughtmaybeI
shouldwait
.
Ihav
etear
sinmyey
es,
i
'm happy
.
Me:
Ial
readyf
eell
i
keyouar
emymot her,
Yougav
e
mehopewhenthi
ngswer
efal
l
ingapartandy
ou
gav
emeahome,soyesIwoul
dlov
efory
out
obe
mymot
herandt
hankyousosomuch.
Wehugeachotherforsomet
ime,
shepul
l
saway
andwi
pesmytears.
MrsRei
gns:
youj
ustmademet
hehappi
estwoman
oneart
h.
Me:
Uhm Mr
sRei
gnswh.
..
Mr
sRei
gns:
cal
lmemom
Wesmi
l
eateachot
her
.
Me:
uhm mom thi
smaybesensi
ti
vebutcanIask
whyyoudon'
thaveki
ds?
Shet
akesav
eryl
ongdeepbr
eat
h.
Mr sReigns:IwasdiagnosedwithPolycysti
cOv ary
Syndrome, i
tstart
edwhenIhadi r
regularperiods,
theysomet i
mescamenotof tenenough, ornotatall
soIst artedgett
ingworri
edIwenttoadoct orhe
foundoutIhadmul ti
plecyst
sonbot hov ar
ies,when
Igotpr egnantImiscarr
y,soitwasmiscar r
iageafter
miscar r
iagethenIjustdeci
dedtodoat ubal l
igati
on,
Istronglywantedtohav eababybutitjustcouldn't
happensoIaccept
edi
t.
Me:I'
m sor
rytoheart
haty
ouwoul
dhav
ebeent
he
bestmother.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Icansti
ll
doitwit
hyouImeany
oustil
la
mi
nor
,youare17Icansti
l
ltr
eaty
ouli
keababy
.
Me:
haahbutIhav
eaboy
fri
endnow
Wel
aughandshebecomesser
ious.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Doy
oul
ovehi
mthough?
Me:
Ihav
efeel
i
ngsf
orhi
m,Iwantt
obewi
thhi
m.
Mr sRei
gns:
okaybutdon'tstri
nghim alongPi
nk
becausehemi ghtgethurtandy ouknowpeople
reactdi
ffer
ent
lytoheartbreaks.
Igetwhytheyareconcerned,t
heyknowhowmuchI
l
ovedMisokuhlesotheythinkmovingonis
i
mpossibl
ebutitsnot,Theoisdif
ferentf
rom Miso
andheisyoungthatmakest hi
ngseasier,wecan
al
waystrytofi
gurethi
ngsouttogetherandmakei t
work.
Igotot
heki
dsr
oom andSi
sYolii
sbathingthem I
hel
pherwhi
l
ehummingaveryhappysong,Iam
happy
.
Theocall
s,
heseemsl
i
keav er
ycli
ngyboyfri
endbutI
l
ikei
t,Imeanit
smyfi
rstt
imegett
ingtext
sofhis
undyi
nglovef
ormeoverandover
,it
scute.
Me:
HeyTee
Theo:
babe, Ican'
tst
opthinki
ngabouty
ou, andshi
t
thecrazysexwehadi '
m havi
ngabonerjustthi
nki
ng
aboutit.
Ibi
temyl
owerl
i
p,Iknowwhathemeans
Me:
Iknow,
i
'mf
eel
i
ngi
ttoobaby
.
Theo:
yousur
eyoudon'
twantmetofet
chy
ouand
wecanhaveaqui
ckone,
i'
m dy
ingher
e.
Me:
Iwoul
dlov
ethatbuti
'
m ki
ndabusyr
ightnow.
Theo:
that
sabummerbutIunder
stand,
Ilov
eyou
okay.
Me:
okayby
e.
Hedropst
hecall
,Ican'
tsayi
tyetbutIwantt
o
maybesomedayIwill
.
AtcampusIseehi
m st
andi
ngal
oneatsomecor
ner
scrol
li
nghisphoneIr
unt
ohi
m andt
hrowmy
sel
fat
him hecat
chesme.
Theo:
whoasomeonemi
ssedme,
heybaby
.
Hespi
nsmear
oundki
ssi
ngme
Theo:Youhavesomuchfai
thhowdi dy
ouknowI
wouldbeabletocat
chyouaftert
hrowi
ngyour
sel
f
l
ikethat,
webothalmostf
ell
down.
Me:Iknew y
ouwoul
dcat
chme,
Youwoul
dn'
tl
etme
f
all
.
Hesqueezemesot
ight
,andki
ssmyl
i
ps.
Theo:
YouknowIwoul
dn'
t.
Wegazeint
oeachotherseyes,Thefeel
i
ngsof
passi
onandint
imacyi
sjustthere.
Theo:
Ilov
eyou

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee
I
nser
t43

MrsRei gnsisst i
l
lgoingthr
oughthescreeni
ngthey
sai
di tt
akesaboutsixtoninemonthsbutdepends
ont heindiv
idualcaseinmycaseMybi ologi
cal
mot heraswel lasIshouldgi
veconsent
..SoMrs
Reignscont act
edNokl unga"mom",wearemeeting
hert oday.
Wear eatsomerestaurantwait
ingf
orqueen
Noklungatoar
ri
ve,ourmeet i
ngwassupposedt
obe
at10:00am butnowi t
s10:46sheislat
e.
Iseehercomingourwayshel
ooksgr
eatbutt
he
makeupi st
adtoomuch.
MrsReignsgetsupandst r
etchoutherhandfora
handshakebutshejustl
ookather,i
'mjustgl
uedon
myseatdon'tknowhowt oreactbutthi
sismy
motherIhaven'
tseenherforalongti
me.Shet akes
aseat.
Nokl
unga:
Sowhyam Iher
e.
Nogr
eet
ingsnot
hing.
MrsRei
gns:
iam Fel
i
ciaRei
gnsIdon'
tknowi
fyou
r
ememberme,wehav emetbef
ore.
Nokl
unga:
yeay
eahgett
othepoi
ntal
ready
.
MrsRei
gns:
Weneedy out
ogiveconsentf
ormeto
AdoptZi
yandaseei
ngyouhav
en'tbeenmuchofa
par
enttoheranyway
.
Nokl
unga:
youwantt
oadopther
?
Mr
sRei
gns:
Yes
Nokl
unga:
okaywher
edoIsi
gn?
Wowthatwaseasyandi
thur
tsmethatmyown
mot
herdoesn'
tgi
veadamnaboutme.
MrsRei
gns:
wehavetogotocour
ti'
l
lsendy
out
he
dat
esoncewegetthem.
Nokl
unga:
Okby
e.
Shegetsupfl
i
pherweav
et henwal
kaway
,If
eel
tear
srol
li
ngdownmycheeks.
Mr
sRei
gns:
It
sokayr
ememberwhatIsai
d.
InodmyheadIr
ememberbuti
tdoesn'
thel
pi'
m hur
t.
Me:
It
sherl
oss.
MrsReigns:
Youhavemenow,wear
eaf ami
l
y
,Me,y
ou,Yoli
thet
winsandLangaokay
.
Me:
okay
WhenIgethomeIcal
lTheo
Theo:
Baby
.
Me:
Hey
,ar
eyoubusyi
syourmom athome?
Heli
veswithhismom i'
venevermether,shei
sa
Neur
ologi
st,iguesst
hatswhatinspi
redTheot
o
st
udymedicine.
Theo:
Noshe'
snotar
ound,
arey
ouokayy
ousounda
bi
toff
.
Me:
Cany
oucomeI
'
llmeety
ouhal
fway
Theo:
okaybabe.
Igoouttomeethi
m.Ij
usthughi
mthemi
nut
eIget
tohi
m andcr
y.
Theo:
Hey,
heyl
ookatmei
tsokay
,what
everi
tiswe
wi
l
lgot
hroughi
ttoget
her
.
Hehugsmebr
ushi
ngmybackunt
il
li
'm cal
m
Theo:
wannat
alkabouti
t?
Me:I
'veal
waysknownt hatmymotherdoesn'
tcar
e
aboutmebutitdoesn'
thurtanyl
ess.
Theo:
whywhathappened?
Istar
texpl
aini
ngtohim abouthowNokl
ungahas
alwaysbeenanabsentmot hert
ohowcoldshewas
todayonourmeeti
ng.
Theo:
I'
m sor
rybabybutyoudeserv
ebet t
erandI
bel
iev
eMr sRei
gnwillgi
veyouthat,
itsnotever
yday
youseesomeonereadytoadoptateenagersoshe
i
soneofakind.
Me:
Iknow.
Igobackhomeandchi l
lwi
thmyki
dstheyare
growingsofastandtheyar
eador
abl
e.Irecei
vea
call
from t
heirdad.
Me:
Hel
l
o
Mi
so:
howar
eyou?
Me:
I'
mfi
neandy
ou?
Mi
so:
I'
m okay
Wowsoformal
whowoul dhavethoughtt
hatt
hings
woul
dtur
noutl
iket
hisbetweenus.
Mi
so:
aret
heki
dsokay
?Imi
sst
hem
Me:
Theyar
egoodi
'
m wi
tht
hem r
ightnow.
Iputthephoneonl oudspeakert
heyst
artt
alki
ng
thei
rridi
cul
ouslanguageMisokuhl
eisi
nsti
tcheson
theothersi
de,
i'
ml aughi
ngtoo.
Imov
eawayf
rom t
hem.
Me:
howhav
eyoubeen?
Mi
so:
i
'vebeenbet
ter
,Zi
nhl
eandIar
eexpect
ing.
Me:
Ohi
'
m happyf
ory
oudoy
ouknowt
hegendery
et?
Miso:Nowewantittobeasuprisebuti
'
m secr
etel
y
hopingforagi
rlImeanIal
readyhave4boys.
Me:
Yeahmay
bet
hist
imey
ouwi
l
lhav
eababygi
rl
.
I
tgoesqui
etf
orawhi
l
e.
Mi
so:
Iwi
shi
twasy
ou.
Me:
Misodon'
tst
art
.
Mi
so:
i
'm sor
ry,
thanksf
orl
ett
ingmet
alkt
othem by
e.
Me:
bye.
Isi
ghIam real
lyhappyf orhi
m butt
heresapartof
methatisenvi
ousofZi nhle,
Misowil
lbetherefor
hert
hroughoutthepregnancybutIwasallal
one
mostoftheti
meunt i
l Gogocamealongofcourse.
Igovi
sitTheof
oranhourbef
oreMr
sRei
gnscomes
back.
Me:
baby
.
Heki
ssesmeandpinmeonthebed,
wecont
inue
ki
ssi
ngbutIpushhi
m of
f.
Me:
nott
odaybabe.
Henodsandgetup.
Me:Misokuhl
eandZi
nhl
ear
eexpect
ingababy
,hei
s
hopi
ngitsagirl
.
Thewor
dsj
ustspr
ungoutofmymout
h,whyam I
tal
ki
ngt
oTheoaboutMi
sokuhl
e.
Her
aiseaney
ebr
owl
ooki
ngatme.
Me:
Uhm I.
Theo:
doest
hathur
tyou?
Me:No,whywoul
dithurtme?Iwasj
ustmaki
nga
conver
sat
iont
hat
sall.
Theo:
Right
.
Hegetsupputsonhisshirtandwalkout.It
hought
heiscomingbackbutnothingsoIgolookforhi
m
,heissi
tt
ingonabarstool r
esti
nghisheadona
kit
cheni
sland.
Me:
Theo
Hedoesn'
tsayawor
d.
Me:
babei
'
m sor
ryf
ort
alki
ngabouthi
m.
Heissti
l
lqui
et,
Ij
ustgobacktotheroom t
ogetmy
j
acketandpassbytheki
tchenheissti
l
linthesame
posi
ti
on.
Me:
I'
mleav
ing.
Heget
supandcomescl osertomehisey esar
esoo
r
ed.Hest
andsinf
rontofmet henhepicksmeupmy
l
egsar
ewrappedaroundhiswaisthepinsme
againstthewallandstartski
ssingmeso
passionatel
y,west ar
tundressi
ngeachotherthe
clothesarefl
ying,heentersmycookieandstart
s
thrusti
ngsodeepmybackst il
lagai
nstt
hatwall..
Imoanoutl oud,
heputsmedownandtur
nsme
aroundbal
ancingmyhandsonthewal
lhest
art
s
thrust
ingf
rom behi
nd.
Me:Theoy
esbaby,
thati
ssogoodshi
tyesi
'
m so
cl
osesoclose.
Justasi'
m aboutt
ocum hest
ops,
pul
lout,
picksup
hi
sclothesandwalkaway.
Isl
owlyturnheisnowhereinsight,
i
'mfrustrated
andmadashel lbutIwon'tshowhimthat,Ipickup
myclothesgetdressedandgohome.
I
'
m cussi
ngundermybr
eat
hal
lthewayhome.
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee
I
nser
t44

Ientert
hecampuspremi
sesandIseeTheo
standi
nginhi
sspotandIj
usti
gnor
ehim andpass.
Dur
ingl
unchIgosi
tal
one,
putonmyear
phonesand
pl
aymusic.
Hest
andsi
nfrontofmeIcont
inuei
gnori
nghi
m.He
gr
absmyphoneandswit
chofthemusic.
Theo:ar
ey oui
gnori
ngme?Youknowyouwere
wrongyandah,
inst
eadofi
gnori
ngmeyoushoul
d
acknowl
edgeyourmist
akeandapol
ogi
se.
Hei
sri
ght
.
Me:
I'
m sor
ryTheo.
Theo:
meani
tZi
yanda!
Okayt
hat
saf
ir
sthenev
ercal
l
smebymyf
ull
name.
Me:I
'm sor
ry,
i'
m sorr
yforbri
ngi
ngupMisol
astni
ght
Idi
dn'tmeantohurtyoubabepl
easef
orgi
veme.
Theo:LookIknowi saidIunderstandallofthi
s,but
thatdoesn'tmeanyoushouldbr ingupy ourex'
s
name, Iwon'tdeal
withthat,
ifyoustill
hungupon
himthenweshoul dn'tbedoingthis,It
houghtyou
weremov ingonclearlyIwaswr ong.
Hegiv esmebackmyphonet henleav
e.I'
mleft
thi
nking,Mi
sokuhlei
shappyandabouttohavean
addit
ioninhisfamil
ysoIhavetogoonwithmyl i
fe.
IgetupandsearchforTheoIfi
ndhi
minsome
cornerwi
thbooksinfrontofhi
m.
Iwal
kupt
ohi
m andsi
tinf
rontofhi
m.
Me:pl
easef
orgi
veme,
Iwantt
obewithyou,You
makemehappyandIwon'
tbr
ingupMiso'
sname
agai
n.
Theo:
youmeant
hat
?
Me;
yes
Theo:
Iwaslosi
ngmymi ndt
hinki
ngy
ougonnal
eav
e
mebutIdi
dn'twantt
oshowyou.
Me:Justl
ikeIl
ostmi
newheny
oudeni
edmeor
gasm
yest
erday
.
Hel
aughssohar
dthathi
sfaceev
ent
urnsr
ed.
Me:
i
tsnotf
unny
,andwhat
supBi
opsyr
eal
l
y?
I'
mlooki
ngathi
sbooksthepageheisr
eadi
ngi
s
aboutbi
ospyar
emovalofti
ssuesbl
abl
a
Theo:
What,
I'
mfasci
natedbyev
ery
thi
ngMedi
ci
ne
babyt
hat
swhyi'
m here.
Me:
Yousuchabookwor
m.
Afterschool wear ewalki
ngandt her
esacarcoming
atusf ull
speedTheomanagest opushmeoutof
thewayandwebot hf
allontheground.Myhearti
s
racingIalmostl eftmykids,
hegetsupandhelpme
up.I '
m st
il
linshock.Thecarst opsforawhi
lethen
drivesoffful
l speed.
Theo:
Heyy
ouar
eokay
Ibl
i
nkacoupl
eoft
imes.
Theo:
babyheyl
ookatme
Hesl
apsmycheeksandIbl
i
nkonemor
eti
me
Me:
Ouch
Theo:
sor
ry,
youzonedoutsoIwast
ryi
ngt
obr
ing
y
ouback.Ar
eyouokay?
It
akeast
epandal
mostf
all
.
Me:
Ithi
nkIspr
ainedmyankl
e.
Isi
tdownonthepavementandhetri
esmassagi
ng
myankleandhehel
psmewal kal
lthewayt
ohis
house.
Theo:
itsst
art
ingt
oswel
lupi
'
m goi
ngt
ogeti
ce.
Hestart
sappl
yingi
ceonmyankl
e.heusea
compressi
onbandagear
oundmyankl
e.
Me:
Youchosear
ightpr
ofessi
onDoct
orTee
Hesmi
l
esbuthel
ooksdi
stant
.
Me:
Theowhati
sit
?
Theo:Ther
e'ssomethi
ngstrangeaboutthatcar
Yandahithadtint
edwindowsandi tdi
dn'tst
opto
seeifwe'r
eokay .
.i
twaski
ndal i
kethehitandrun
si
tuati
on.
Me:
Yout
hinkt
hatwasi
ntent
ional
?
Nowi
'm onapanicki
ngmodeIst
andupbutt
hepai
n
onmyanklemakesmesitdowni
mmediat
ely
.
Theo:
heyt
akei
teasy
,Iwasj
ustsay
ing
Me:NoTheowhatifyouarer i
ghtwhati
fsomeonei
s
outtogetme,
i'
vebeenthroughital
lbef
ore,
countl
esst
imesI.
.j
us..
can't
.
Theo:
FuckZi
yandawhati
sgoi
ngon?
I
'
m st
ruggl
ingt
obreat
handi'm shaki
ng,
Icanhear
t
hedooropeni
ngandthesoundoftheheelsr
unni
ng
t
owardsme
Woman' sVoi
ce:Theoshei
shavi
ngapanicatt
ack
move,okayhoneybreat
honthecountof3t
akea
deepbreath1,
2
,
3deepbr
eat
hshegoesonunt
il
li
'm cal
m.
Shest
andsupandl
ookatTheo
Woman: Reall
yTheower
eyougoi
ngtowat
chherdi
e
"DoctorTheo".Whoi
sshebyt
hewayandwhyi
sshe
havinganattacki
nmyhouse.
Theo:
Uhm Mom thi
sisZiy
andawearecl
assmat
es
andIwashel
pingherwit
hherankl
e.
Theo'
sMom: Ya'l
lar
edoctor
shheeZi
yandai'
venev
er
seenthi
s,doctorswhodon'
tknowwhattodowhen
onei
shav
inganatt
ack,Ri
dicul
ousut
ter
lyRi
dicul
ous,
mymoneydownthedrai
n.
Shesay
sdramatical
l
y,i
fthesi
tuat
ionwasdi
ff
erentI
woul
dhavelaughedather.
Theo:
Mom cany
out
onei
tdownal
i
ttl
e.
Hi
sMom:
wher
edoy
oul
i
veZeezee
Theo:
About3housesawayf
rom us.
HisMom:Ar
eyouaspokespersonTheoar
eyou
Zeezeedi
dIgi
veyouthatname.
Ican'
thel
pbutl
aughshei
s

t
oomuch.
Theoi
slooki
ngdownheseemsembar
rassed.
Theo:
Ithi
nkIshoul
dtakeYandahhomenow.
Hi
sMom:Ohletmegochangei'
m comi
ngbackwe
ar
etaki
ngherhomet
ogether
.
Theo:
what
?whatf
or?
mom y
oul
oveembar
rassi
ng
me.
Hi
sMom:embar
rassi
ngi
sthaty
ell
owf
aceofy
our
s
l
ooki
ngl
i
keadamnbanana.
Shesayswalki
ngaway,
i'
mi ntear
sIevenfor
got
aboutmyankleandt
hatthi
sismypotenti
alf
utur
e
motheri
nlaw.
Theo:
youshoul
dst
opl
aughi
ngatmenowbabe.
Hel
ooksatmeamuzed.
Theo:Youshoul
dli
vewit
hmymom fullt
imei'
ve
neverseenyoul
aughthi
shar
dIf
inditsexy
.
Hebecomesser
ious.
Theo:
i'
m sor
ryf
orscar
ingy
ou,
youal
mostdi
edi
n
fr
ontofme.
Me:I
t'
sokay,i
hav
ehadoneoft hoseatt
acksf
ora
coupl
eofti
mebutithasbeenawhileb.
..
Justt
henTheo'
smot
heri
sher
e.
Hi
sMom:
I'
m back,
l
etsgetgoi
ngbut
ter
nut
s
Theocomestomeandi
'm usi
nghi
sshoulderf
or
suppor
tsi
ncei'
mli
mpi
ngwegot othecar
.
Hi
sMom:
I'
m Nol
i
zwi
buty
oucancal
lmeSi
sNol
i
,I
keptt
ell
i
ngTheotocallmeSi
snol
ibecausei
'
mtoo
sexyt
obecall
edMom byagrownassmanwhohas
suchabeat
if
ulgi
rl
fr
iend.
Ishif
tuncomf
ort
abl
eisTheocheat
ingonme
perhaps?
Si
sNol
i
:I
'mt
alki
ngabouty
ouZeezee
Wai
tdi
dIsai
dthatoutl
oud.
Theoshowshi
smot
hermyhomeandshest
ops.
Si
sNoli
:
Ohyoust
ayatMrsReigns'
shouse,
sucha
l
ovel
ywomanwaybett
erthanme.
Theo:
WAYbet
ter
.
Hi
smot
hersl
apst
hebackofhi
shead.
Theyhav
esuchalov
elybondI'
veseenthi
sint
his
shor
tamountoft
imetheyar
etogether
.
Me:
Thanky
ouSi
sNol
ifort
aki
ngmehome.
Si
sNol
i
:Ohhoneywear
etaki
ngy
oui
nsi
de.
.
Theo:
Mom
Si
sNol
i
:AahTheoshei
shur
tandy
ouwer
e
suppor
ti
nghersoshecanbeabl
etowal
k
Theo:
Andy
ou?whyar
eyougoi
ngi
n?
Si
sNol
i
:uhm mor
alsuppor
t??
!!
Shesay
sthatmor
eli
keaquest
iont
hanananswer
Shei
sfunny
..

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t45

Wegeti nsi
dethehouseandwefi
ndMrsReignsand
SisYol
ii
nt hel
ounge,Theohel
psmesi
tonthe
couch.
Mr sRei
gnsrushestome.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Ohmybabywhathappened?
doesi
thur
t?
Inodmyheadandcr
y,Ij
ustf
eel
needyr
ightnow,
shehugsme.
Mr
sRei
gns:
whathappenedt
oher
?
Theo:
Therewasacart hatcameoutofnowher
eand
al
mostknockedusoutbutImanagedt opushher
andfel
lsprai
ningherankl
e.
Si
sNol i
:
Yesandmybr avesontookherhome,whenI
gotthereshewashav ingapanicatt
ackandthe
gooddoctoroverherewasj ustst
ari
ngather,
doing
nothi
ngohi '
m Nol
izwi byt
hewayandt hi
sismyson
Theo.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Thanky
ouf
orbr
ingi
ngherhome.
Si
sNoli
:Ohthati
sfi
ne,
wear
etr
yingt
obegood
ci
ti
zensthat
sall
.
SisYol
ii
ssi
tt
ingther
eamuzedbySisNoli
Idon'
t
knowwhybecauseshei
sdramati
clikehert
oo.
Si
sYol
i
:CanImakey
ouguy
ssomet
ea
Si
sNol
i
&Theo:
Yes|
No
Theysayinuni
sonbutSi
sNol
igi
vesTheoal
ookand
patsaspacenextt
oher.
Nol
i
:her
e,si
tdownson
Theosit
sdownIcanseehedoesn'
tli
kethisbut
Si
sNolii
sn'
tpayi
ngatt
ent
iont
ohim atal
l,sheis
hol
dingaconver
sat
ionwi
thMrsRei
gnsandshei sso
l
oud.
SisYolicomesbackwithteaandcooki
esandthe
twinsar ebehi
ndher
,theycometome, Imakethem
sitnexttome.
Si
sNol
i
:ar
etheyy
our
s?
Me:
Yes,
SisYol
iwher
eisLanga
Si
sYol
i
:hei
ssl
eepi
ng.
Istartpl
ayi
ngwi
thmykidswhenIlookupTheois
stari
ngatmeIsmil
eathim her
eturnst
hesmil
e.
Si
sYol
iget
supt
oat
tendt
hedoor
,
Shecomesbackwit
hMisokuhl
eandhispregnant
wif
e.Hescanst
heroom andhi
sfacechangeswhen
hi
seyesl
andsontheo.
Mi
so:
Aft
ernoonev
ery
one.
Us:
Hel
l
o
Mi
so:
Wecamet
oseet
heki
dsandwebr
oughtt
hem
somet
hings.
MrsReigns:
whoi swe?Youmeanthatchi
ldabuser
youcallawife,
whyareyoubr
ingi
nghertomyhouse
Misokuhle?
Mi
so:
MrsRei
gnsI
..
.
Thetwi
nsruntotheirdad,
Theo'
seyesar
esti
llonme
i
tsli
keheissear
chingforsomethi
ng,ar
eact
ion
per
haps.
Miso:
MrsRei gnswi
thal
lduerespectsheismywi f
e
,whycan'tsheseemykidswhenZiyandaclear
ly
havei
ntroducedmykidstoherboyfr
iend.
Me: I
'
llanswerthatmr srei
gnsbecausei
tssimpl
e
,Yourwi f
et her
eMi sokuhl
eabusedLangaandyou
didabsolutelynot
hingaboutit
,weakassniggai
ts
clearwhowear st
hepant si
nthi
ssham ofa
mar r
iage.
Mi
so:
Don'
ti
nsul
tmeZi
yanda.
Zi
nhl
e:l
i
ttl
egi
rli
'
m gonn.
..
Me:whatyougonnado,
Zinhl
ei'
m ol
dernowy
ou
won'tdoshi
tli
kewhatyoudidtomewhenIwasst
il
l
i
nhighschoolcometothi
nkofi
tyoust
art
edbei
ng
anabuserl
ongtimeago.
Mi
so:
Don'
ttal
ktomywi
fel
i
ket
hat
.
Me:
Wif
e(i
chuckl
e)y
eahr
ight
.
Theo:
Mom It
hinkweshoul
dleav
e.
Si
sNol
i:
l
eav
ef orwhat
?YoumeanIshouldl
eavet
he
l
iv
edramayekaukudl
alaTheo(
qui
tpl
ayi
ngTheo)
Langacr
ieswal
ki
ngi
nandIt
ryget
ti
ngupbutmy
ankl
e.
Me:
comebaby
Hewal
kst
omeheseemsscaredIwoul
dbescared
t
owaki
ngupt
oahousef
ullofpeopl
eshout
ing.
Zi
nhl
e:Langababycomet
omommy
Langalif
tshisheadupandl
ookatZinhl
eandhe
quickl
ylayshisheadonmychestshaki
nghi
shead
cry
ing.
Me:Misokuhl
etakeyourwi
feandleav
ethi
s
house,
sheisascari
ngLangel
ihl
e.
Zi
nhl
e:Yout
urnedaki
dagai
nstmey
oul
i
ttl
ebi
tch.
MrsRei
gns:
cal
lhert
hatonemor
eti
me,
j
ustone
moreti
me.
Il
ookatTheohi sfacehasdoneitagai
n,
Itsredand
heismovinghisfeetli
keheiscounti
ng,Iseehi
s
mom sit
ti
ngnextt ohim pl
aci
ngherhandonhi s
shoul
der,
shewhispersinhisear
.Henodshi shead,
whati
sgoi ngon.
Si
sYol
ital
ksshehasbeenqui
etal
lal
ong.
Si
sYoli:
OkayCUT!!CUTwearedoneher
eyou
Misokuhleandy
ourwifear
eleav
ingRI
GHTNOW.
Idon'
tthi
nkthi
sist
heri
ghtti
metol
aughsoIwi
l
l
j
ustkeepiti
nIwil
ll
aughlat
er.
Zi
nhl
e:Ar
en'
tyouamai
d.
Si
sYol
i
:Sowhati
fIam.
Zi
nhl
e:y
oucan'
ttel
lust
oleav
e.
Si
sYol
i
:butIj
ustdi
d
Zi
nhl
e:Youar
..
.
SisYol
i
:Gi
rldon'tcomeatmel
i
ket
hatIwi
ll
takeof
f
thatweav
ewi thaslapRI
GHTNOW t
ryme.
Mi
sopul
l
sbackhi
swi
fe
Miso:
YouknowZi yandaIusedt
othi
nkhi
ghl
yofy
ou,
youweresoinnocentand..
Zi
nhl
e:i
nnocentwher
e,t
hesamegir
lwhoopenedher
l
egsforaguyandcri
edrapet
henki
ll
edt
hepoorguy.
I
'
m conf
usedi
sshet
alki
ngaboutmewhodi
dIki
l
l?
Zinhl
e:Weknowyousl
eptwithSabel
othesol
dier
andclaimedher
apedyouthenyougothi
m ki
ll
ed.
IlookatMisokuhl
ehopingherepri
mandshi swi
fe
becauseheknowst hetrut
h,heknowswhatIwent
throughbuthedoesn'
tsayawor d.Ij
ustgetupwit
h
Langainmyar msandleavetheroom li
mping.
Ipl
aceLangai
nmybedandsl
eepnextt
ohi
m.
Ihearaknockandt
hebedr
oom dooropensSi
sNol
i
getsi
n.
Si
sNoli
:Uhm Zeezeewel
eav
ingTheowi
l
lseey
ou
l
aterheisnotokaynow.
Me:
whati
swr
ongwi
thhi
m,i
shegoi
ngt
obeokay
?
Si
sNol
i
:Hewi
l
lbef
inebabykeepwel
lokay
Me:t
hankyou,
pleaset
ell
himt
hatIl
ov.
..Uhm Iwi
l
l
seehi
ml at
er.
Shesmi
l
es.
Si
sNol
i
:Iwi
l
ltel
lhi
myousai
dyouLov
ehi
m,by
e
Sheleavest
heroom,
I'
m shockedthatshecant al
k
sl
owlyandatanavar
agev oi
cebecausemeet ingher
acoupleofhour
sagoshehasbeenr eall
yloud.

TodayIhav et ogot ocampusl impingornotwe

writ
tingourexam can' taff
or dtomi ssi t.Andaf ter
writ
ingIseeTheof orthefirsttimesi ncey est erday
theMi sosaga.Iwal kupt ohi m, heopenshi sar ms
andIgetint hem west ayliket hatforawhi lewi thout
sayi
ngany thing,hetakesmehandl eadingmet ohis
mom' scaranddr i
vesof f
.West il
lhav en'tsaida
wordwegeti nhishouseandgot ohisr oom we
undresseachot herourmoansandgr oansf il
lst he
room, Heisnotf uckingmet odaybutmaki ngl oveto
me, i
tsdif
ferentreall
y .
Mylegsareonhisshoul
der
sandheisthr
ust
ingso
sl
owy etdeepandhi
seyesarel
ockedwit
hmine.
.
Wit
hever
ythrustIf
eel
alotofemot
ionsandt
ear
s
sl
owlymakesthei
rwayoutofmyeyes.
Igrabonthesheet
sandIcum,whenheisaboutt
o
cum hepull
soutandspl
ashhiscum onmy
stomach,
hefetcht
hetowelandcl
eanmeupt hen
sl
eepnexttomeandmyheadonhi schest.
Westayi
nsil
entImayhav
edozedofbecauseI
wakeupwhenhecall
smyname.
Theo:
Ihav
etot
akey
ouhome.
Igetupandsi tonhisl
apIhol dhisdickandputital
l
i
nandst artmov i
ngmywai stwhi
lekissinghim.The
emotionalconnecti
on,sexualatt
rat
ionbet weenusi
s
j
ustthere.wepourallouremot i
onst hroughsex.
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t46
TheoandIhav ebeeni nseperabl
ewedoal most
everyt
hingtogether.Todayit
sthecour tdate
Noklungaissigningherparental
rightsovertoMrs
Reignsandi'm notlookingf
orwardt oseeingherbut
happywi t
hMr sreignsbeingmymot her.
Wegett ocourtandwefindNokl
ungaal r
eady
wait
ingimpatient
lyshei
stappi
ngherheelsonthe
f
loor,
guessshecan'twai
ttogetthehelloutofmy
l
if
eev enthoughsheneverwasinitexcept
f
inancial
l
y.
Sheseesusandr
oll
sherey
es.
Nokl
unga:Gr
eatyouar
eher
e,l
etsgeti
tov
erand
donewit
hshallwe.
Wegoi nsi
desi
gntheneccessar
yf or
msandIdeci
de
tokeepmySurnameLukheleandnotchangei
tto
Rei
gnsandMr sRei
gnsdoesn'tmind.
Whenweout
sideshehugsmesot
ight
.
Mr
sRei
gns:
I'
m happyi
tsf
inal
l
yof
fi
ci
ali
'
myourmom
Me:
I'
m happyt
oo.
IseeNokl
ungal
eav
ingandIgot
oher
.
Me:Thanky
ouNoklungafort
odayt
hisi
stheonl
y
bestthi
ngyou'
veev
erdoneforme.
Nokl
unga:
Itsthebestthi
ngi'
veev
erdoneformy sel
f
r
eall
yIwil
lsleepli
keababyknowingyounolonger
mydaughter,youaresomeoneel
se'
sprobl
em.
Me:
WasIev
ery
our
stobegi
nwi
th?
Nokl
unga:
justl
eavemeal
onef
rom t
odayactl
i
ke
we'
venevermet.
Me:
Gladl
y.
Sheget
sinherbi
gcaranddr
ivesof
f.
Mr
sRei
gns'
shandi
sonmyshoul
der
.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Iwi
l
lal
way
sbet
her
efory
ou.
Me:
Ibel
i
evey
ou.
Igovi
sitTheoi
justwanttobeinhi
sar
msIfi
ndhim
washi
nghismom' scarIt
alkt
ohimthr
ought
hegate.
Me:
Yourmom i
shome?
Theo:
Yesbuty
oucancomei
n.
Me:
NoIcan'
t,
Iwi
l
ljustgohome
Heputsdownt
hehor
sepi
peandcl
oset
het
apand
comestome
Theo:
arey
ouokaybabe?
Me:(Ishakemyhead)
Howdoy ougetovert
hepai
n
ofyourbiol
ogi
calmot
herr
ejecti
ngyou?
becauseI
wantthispai
ntogoaway,i
'm happywi
thMrsRei
gns.
Theo:BabeIbeli
evethepai
nwi
llal
waysbether
ebut
youjusthavetolear
ntoli
vewi
thitshei
syour
motherafteral
l
.
Istayinhisar
msf orawhil
etheni l
eave.Ifi
ndthe
kidsplay
ingaroundthehouseandIjustsitwat
ching
them..
TheylookhappyandcarefreeIwishitcoul
d
stayli
kethatf
orever.
Ihearacarpul
l
ingup,Si
sYoli
andIfol
l
oweach
otherandweseethepol
iceof
fi
cer
s.
Pol
ice1:
Wehav eawarr
anttosear
cht
hishousef
or
dr
ugswer ecei
vedati
poff.
Theystar
tsear
chingal
lovert
hehouseseemsl i
ke
theyar
enotgett
inganyt
hing,
butoneofthem come
outoftheki
dsroom withabagandpl ast
ict
hatwere
broughther
ebyMi soandhiswife.Noonebother
ed
toopenthentheyj
ustlefti
thereandItookt
hem to
theroom di
dn'
tevenlookinsi
de.
Pol
i
ce2:
Siry
ouneedt
oseet
his
Oneoft
hem get
scl
oserandl
ookatsomet
hing.
Pol
i
ce2:
Who'
sbagi
sthi
s?
Me:I
twasbroughther
ebythefatherofmyki
dsand
hi
swifeIdon'
tknowwhatsinsi
de.
Poli
ce1:
andyouwantust
obel
i
evet
his,
Off
icer
handcuf
fher
Theot
herpol
i
cecomesandput
shandcuf
fs.
I
'
m conf
usedSi
sYol
ii
sdi
ali
ngonherphone.
Pol
ice1:
MissYouar
eunderar
restf
orpossessi
onof
dr
ugsand...
..
Idon'
thearawor
dhesaysther
eaf
teral
lIknowisi
'
m
arr
est
edforsomethi
ngi
knownothi
ngabout..
WhenIgett
herei'
mint
err
ogat
edbyav
eryr
ude
scar
ydet
ect
ive.
Det
ect
ive:
Lit
tl
egi
rly
ouneedt
ost
artt
alki
ng.
Me:Ir
eall
ydon'tknowhowthosedrugsgotther
e,y
ou
havetobeli
eveme, t
hati
smykids'
sr oom f
or
goodnesssakeIwouldn'
tputdr
ugsany wher
enear
them.
Detect
ive:Icansmellli
esfrom ami
l
eawayandyou
,Iknowy ouarelyi
ngrightnowsoIwil
lasky
ou
againwhoi syoursuppli
er.
I
'm acr
yingmesst
ear
sar
ejustf
lowi
ng
uncont
roll
abl
e.
Hebangt
het abl
esohar
dandIj
umpi
nfearanda
l
oudsobescapesmymouth.
Me:
Youhav
etobel
i
eveme,
Idon'
tknowany
thi
ng.
Det
ect
ive:Iknowgir
lsli
keyou,usedbynotor
ious
dr
ugdealerstosel
ldrugsf
orthem foranext
racash.
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osaytothi
sbigmananymore.A
dooropensandav
erywel
ldressedwomanget
sin.
Woman:
Detect
iveLukhel
ear
eyouquest
ioni
ngmy
cl
i
entwi
thoutalawyer
?
Lukhel
e?whatar
etheoddsbei
ngquest
ionedbyt
he
det
ect
ivewi
tht
hesamesur
nameasmi
ne.
Lawyer
:Soarey ouarr
est
ingherbecauseifnotI
wouldl
ikeforhertogetoutofher
e.Doy oueven
haveaprobablecausetoarr
esther.
Det
ect
ive:
wef
ounddr
ugsi
nherpossessi
onand.
.
Lawyer:
Doessheli
veal
onehowdi
dyouconcl
ude
thatt
hedrugsar
ehers.
Det
ect
ive:
Theywer
efoundi
nherki
dsr
oom.
Lawyer
:Theyhaveanannyandagrandmother
.Soi
'
ll
askagai
ndoy ouhaveprobabl
ecause?I
fnoti
'm
taki
ngherhome.
Thedet
ect
ivedoesn'
tsayawor
d.
Lawyer
:Di
dn'
tthi
nkso,
Ziy
andaLukhel
elet
sgohome
si
si
Det
ect
ive:
Lukhel
e?
Wel eav
ehim st
andi
ngther
e,whenweoutofthe
stat
ionIseeMrsRei
gnsstandi
ngther
ecr
yingIr
un
toherarmsandcryhar
der.
Mr
sRei
gns:
It
sokaybaby,
I
'm sor
ryshhhi
tsokay
..
.
May
beIdohav
ebadl
uckl
i
kebab'
dl
ami
nioncesai
d..

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t47

Iam angry.Noscr
atcht hat.Iam madashel l.How
canMisokuhledothistome, t
hemot herofhiskids.
Iknowtheyputthosedr ugsint hereandcalledthe
poli
cewithhiswif
e,theyareont heirfat
her'
spay rol
l
aft
erall
.It
sonlynowt hatInot icehowangr yIam
andIfIneverseethem again,it'l
lbetoosoon.Iam
goingbackandfourthont her oom Iwanttocal land
cussatthem sobadbutIdon' tknowwhatt hey
mightdonext.

Thephoner
ingsannoy
ingmef
urt
herandIdon'
t
evenlookatt
hescr
eenIj
ustpr
essandputi
tonmy
ear.
Me:
What
!?
Ihearsni
ff
ingandsomeoneshout
smynameandI
recogni
sethevoi
ce.
Me:
hel
l
oSi
sNol
i
.
Si
sNol i
:Youshouldleavemysonal oneifyoul
ov e
hi
m pleasesomepeopl ethreat
enedtokil
lhi
mi fhe
doesn'tbreakupwi t
hy ou,
wear eatt
hehospit
al as
wespeakt heyassaul
tedhim andheis
i
njured,pl
easestayawayf rom myson.
Thephonecut
s..
Idon'
tknowwhatt
odoanymore,
IdialMiso'
s
numberheanswer
sIdon'
tev
enwaitforhimtot
alk.
Me: Don'
tIdeservet
obehappyMisokuhl
e,whyar e
yousocr uelt
ome?whathav eIdonetoyou?
Why ?tel
lmewhatIdidwrongsoIcanapologise
please,t
hisi
st oomuchf
ormeIcan'ttakeit
.
Hedoesn'
trespondi
nst
eadt
hecal
li
sdr
opped.Ical
l
hi
m agai
n.
Me:Tel
lmewhatdoyouwantf
rom me?Ial
lowed
youtomarr
yZinhl
eIdi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngtoheroryou,
whyareyousoadamantt
obri
ngmiser
yint
omyl i
fe?
I
'
m hy
ster
ical
thet
ear
sar
efl
owi
ngdownmycheeks
Mi
so:
Youar
est
art
ingt
obecomeanui
sance.
Hedr
opst
hecal
lagai
n.
Ical
lSi
sNol
i
.
SisNol
i
:HeyZeezeeyouknowIhavenot
hingagai
nst
youbutIpri
ori
ti
zeonmyson'ssaf
etypl
easestay
awayfrom hi
m.
Me: I
tsokaySi sNol
iIunderst
andIwoul dprobabl
ydo
thesamef ormykids,Ipromisei
'm gonnaleavehim
aloneit
sf orthebestIdon'twantt
oputhi sli
fein
dangeragai n.
Si
sNol
i
:I
'm sor
rysi
si.
Me:
i
tsokay
,i
sitbad?
Si
sNol
i
:Hewi
l
lbef
inebaby
.
Idropt
hecal
landIt
akeadeepbr
eat
hLi
fer
eal
l
ycan
giv
eonelemons.
Theohaven'tbeenattendingf
oraweeknowal lIdo
i
smakenot esforhim andgotohi
shouseleavethe
paper
sont hedoor st
epandputastoneont hem.He
hasn'
tcontactedme, Iguesswear
ereal
lyov er
.
It
smondayIgott ocampusear lybecauseIwant ed
tostudyal i
tt
le.Iseehim getoffhismot her'
scar
andlimpingtowar dstheclassesImi ssedhim Iwant
tojumponhi m andst ayinhisembr acebutwear e
nottogetheranymor ei mustrespectthatandkeep
mydi st
anceev ent houghitki
ll
sme.
Lucyagir
lfr
om ourcl
asswal
kupt ohi
m andcar
ry
hi
slapt
opbag.Theyareconv
ersi
ng.
If
eel
apangi
nmyhear
t,t
hatshoul
dhav
ebeenme.
Oureyesl
ockandimmediat
elyl
ookdown.They
passbymegetti
ngincl
ass.
Theo:
HiYandah
Inodmyhead,t
hatwassocoldIf eelalumpinmy
thr
oatIwantt
oscream sobad.InclassIdon'
twant
toseehi
m soI'
mlooki
ngf owarddon'tevenwantt
o
turnmyfaceandwhencl assesendI 'mthefi
rstout
ofthegateInoticehi
smom' scarandIl ookstr
aight
fowardwher ei'
m goi
ng.Theircarpassesmeont he
roadandst opsadist
anceawayf rom me.Theoget s
outandItur nar
oundandgobackt otheopossit
e
dir
ecti
on,hecallsoutmynameIkeepwal ki
ng, I
don'twanttolookbackathi m,Idon'twanthimto
seemecr yany more.
.Iknowwhati '
m doi
nglooksill
y
buti'
mt r
yingtokeephi m awayfrom harm.
I
fhewasn'
tl
impi
ngIknowhewoul
d'
vecaughtup
wi
thmenow.
Theo:
Ziy
andapl
easest
oppl
ease.
Ishakemyheadst
il
lnott
urni
ng,
IhearSi
sNol
i
shouti
nghi
sname.
SisNol
i:
Theoyouar
egoi
ngt
ohur
tyour
sel
fjustget
backinthecar
.
Theo:
Ziy
anda!
!!
Icanfeel
heisabitf
arfr
om menowIsl
owl
ytur
n
l
ookingathi
sdi
recti
on.
Heshout
s.
Theo:Don'
tl
ett
hem wi
n!don'
tl
ett
hem come
betweenus!
Ishoutback
Me:
Ihav
etol
ety
ougoTheof
ory
oursaf
ety
Peopl
eandcarsthatarepassi
ngprobabl
ythi
nkswe
arecr
azy,i
'
m surewelookridi
cul
ouswithal
lthe
shout
ingandthetear
s.
Me:
Ilov
eyou.
Theo:
I'
vebeenwait
ingforyoutosaythosewordsfor
alongti
meandnowy ousaythem whi
lebreaki
ngup
withmeZiyandat
hatsnotfai
rpleasemylove.
Me:
i
'm sor
ryTheo
Ir
unbackt
ocampus.
..

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]
Zee
I
nser
t48

WhenIgett
ocampusIt
akeoutmyphoneandcal
l
Mi
sokuhl
e.
Miso:
"Zi
yandayoudoknowIhaveawif
eright
?you
can'
tj
ustcall
meanyti
mey ouf
eell
ikei
t.
Me:Youwi nguysIam leavingTheoal one,youknow
i
tstruewhent heysay"anappl edoesn'tfal
lfarfr
om
t
het ree"youandy ourcrazybrotherarejustli
ke
yourfather
.It
sclearthatIdidn'tknowyouatal l
.I
t
houghty ouareamanwi thintegrit
ya..
Miso:
Heyheyspar
emet helect
uresi
s,Idon'
tcar
e
whatyouthi
nkofmebutIfIcan'
thav
ey outhenno
onewil
l.
Me:butyouhaveyourwif
e,whathashappenedt
o
youMisokuhl
ey ouwereneverl
i
kethi
s.
Miso:maybeyouwereri
ghtZiyanda,
youdidn'tknow
meatall.Youaremineandmi neal
one,
youbel ongto
meandIcan'tbarethethoughtoft
hatki
df ucking
you,
itdr
ivesmecrazy.
Me:
Youar
elosi
ngi
t.
Idropt
hecal
l
,Neverinmylif
ehav eIthoughtIwoul
d
bescar
edofMisokuhl
easIam rightnow,Iam even
ashamedt
ocallhi
mt hef
atherofmyki ds.

Soev erydayIrunawayf r
om Theoi fIseehi m,Igo
anotherwayIdon' twanthi mtosayawor dtome
andIt hinkhehasgi venuptrying,dur ingl
unchIsee
him sit
tingaloneandLucygot ohi m andcov erhis
eyes,het ouchesherhandonhi sey esandt heybot h
startl
aughi ngandt henshesi tswi thhi m,
theyar ea
bitfarfrom mesoIcan' thearwhatt heyar etalking
aboutbutt heyl ookhappy ,i
fthatwasn' tmyman,
thiswasgonnabeav eryromant icsi ghtt
oseebut
i
'm gettingangr y,Iwalkuptot hem, butnowt hati'm
i
nf r
ontoft hem Idon' tknowwhatt osay ,
whenwe
l
ockey esIfeel goosebumpsal l overmybody ,
he
shift
suncomf ortableIthi
nkhei sf eel i
ngittoot he
'
sexual attr
action'Imov emyey esf rom him.
Me:
Uhm Hi
guy
sI.
.I
AndIj
ustqui
ckl
ywal
kaway
,Lucypr
obabl
ythi
nksi
'
m
alunat
ic,t
hewayIturnedwal
kingawayf
rom t
hem i
t
wassof astt
hatIal
mostfel
l.
Igotot
hebathr
oom andwashmyf acet
aki
nga
deepbr
eath,
Ihavet
oletgo,
Idon'
twanttoputhi
s
l
ifei
ndanger
.

Afterschooli
'
m walki
ngal one,I
'
ml onel
yandIfeel
sad.whenIgethomeIseeapol i
cecaroutsi
de
may beitsbet
teri
fIgetlockedupIhopet heydi
d
fi
nddr ugsandthi
stimei'mr ot
ti
nginjail
forgood.I
walkinandIseether udedetecti
vethatwas
i
nterrogati
ngmethatday .Helooksupsquinti
nghis
eyes.
Me:Yepthisi
smey oucanarr
estmeri
ghtnow,i
ts
bet
terthanbei
ngkeptawayfr
om someoneyoul
ove
whi
leseeinghim ev
ery
day.
Isayshowi
ngbot
hmyhandst
ohi
m wai
ti
ngf
orhi
m
tocuffme.
Si
sYol
i
:Pi
nkar
eyouokay
?
Me:
I'
l
lnev
erbeokay
,i'
m onl
y17Si
sYol
iyeti
'
vebeen
throughalotsoitsbet
terbeinginpri
son,mykids
arebetteroffwit
houtme, whatstheuseofhav
inga
brokenmot her.
I'
m say i
ngal
lthisthetear
saresteami ngdownmy
face..
thedet
ectivegetsupandst andinfr
ontofme,
Istret
choutmyhandst ohimi'm sti
l
lwaiti
ngfor
handcuf f
sbutinsteadhetakesmyhand, pull
i
ngme
closetohim andhehugsme.
Idon'tknowhowIf eel
,il
etital
lout,Icr
y..
every
thi
ng
i
scomi ngbacknow, therej
ecti
onfrom myf amil
y,
the
rapeev eryt
hingIhavebeenthroughcomesback.He
breakst hehugandhesi t
sdownandIsi tt
oo,I'
m
ti
red..
.
Af
teral
ongsi
l
enceIf
inal
l
ybr
eaki
t.
Me:
arey
ouher
etoar
restmesi
r?
Det
ect
ive:
NO
Me:
i
nvest
igat
ion?
Det
ect
ive:
NoI
..
Me:
thenwhyar
eyouher
e.
Si
sYol
i
:Pi
nky
oushoul
dcal
m downsi
si.
Detect
ive:
Iam herebecauseIwantedt
oasky
ou
aboutyourfami
ly,
whereareyoufr
om?
Me:
Thati
sthepastt
hatIdon'
twantt
otal
kabout
.
Det
ecti
ve:
Shecall
edyouPinkandIr
emembert hat
name,Mysist
er'
schi
l
d'snamewasPi nkbutIl
ast
sawherwhenshewasy oung.
Il
ookar
oundandathi
m.
Me:Nott
osoundrudesirbutar
eweshoot
ing
Khumbul
'Ekhay
aepisode.
Hel ooksdownsmil
ingandshakinghishead,
I'
m not
tr
yingtobefunnysoIdon'tunder
standwhatheis
smilli
ngabout
,Iwanttoknow.
Det
ect
ive:
I'
m sor
ry,
doy
ouknowNokl
unga?
Me:
Nokl
ungawho?
Det
ect
ive:
Nokl
ungaLukhel
eI.
..
Me:
No,
nev
erhear
doft
hatnamebef
ore.
Shesaidimustpr
etendli
keInev
erknewher,
thi
sis
exact
lywhati
'
m doingri
ghtnow.
Det
ect
ive:
Lit
tl
egi
rldon'
tpl
aywi
thme.
Ift
herearewor
dsIhatemorei
nmyl i
fethathasto
bethosetwowords"
LITTLEGI
RL"becausethey
havebeenusedtomeasaninsul
tsoverandoverso
Idi
sli
kethem.
Me:Sirwithallduerespectpleasedon'
tusewor
ds
l
ike'l
i
ttlegir
l'whenrefferi
ngtome, Theyhur
tme
moret hananywor dint hebook.
Henodshi
sheadwi
thal
ookofconf
usi
on.
Detecti
ve:i
'
m sor
ry.YouareaLukhel
eri
ghtIhear
d
thelawyert
heotherday.
Me:r
eal
ly?
soyouwer
ebei
ngr
udet
osomeoney
ou
don'
tev
enknow.
Det
ect
ive:
iwasj
ustdoi
ngmyj
ob.
Me:Iam aLukhel
ebybl
oodbutaRei
gnsbyf
ami
l
y
andLoyal
ty.
Thel
ookofconf
usi
oni
nhi
sey
esi
sst
il
lther
e.
Detect
ive:YouarePink,Noklunga'
sdaughter
,you
won'tr
emembermebuti am youronlyuncl
e
Kwanele'sfat
herIdon'tknowifyourememberhim
butyouwer esti
l
lyoung.
Me:
Kwanel
e.
Iknowhi m sohei
sacr
imi
nal
whi
l
ethef
atheri
sa
detect
ive,
sweet
Det
ect
ive:
yes,
doy
our
ememberhi
m.
Iwantt
otell
mehi m heoncekidnappedmebutwhat
i
fheaskKwanele,l
ordknowswhathemi ghtdoto
me,hemighthaveki
lledformebutIdon'tthi
nkhe
wouldl
i
kemet otel
lhi sf
atherabouti
t.
.
Me:
Ihav
emethi
m bef
ore.
Det
ect
ive:
Real
l
ywher
e,When?Ihav
en'
tseenmyson
i
nyear
s.
Me:OhImethi
myear
sbackIwasdoingGr
ade9he
hel
pedmerunawayf
rom myr
apist
.
Itel
lhi
mt hehal
ftr
uthIdon'
tknowhowhewoul d
feeli
fheknewhissonisakidnapperandaki
l
ler
.
Detect
ive:
Youwer et
heki
dthatwesawonOurKasi
Localnews..Zi
yanda?
Me:ohyousawitandwhatdidyoudoaboutit
,Idon'
t
rememberonepoli
cecomingatthehospi
tal
taking
stat
ements.
Hedoesn' tanswerbutl
ooksdown, hel
eavesaft
er
askingmeal otofir
rel
evantquesti
ons,
Because
reall
yifyouaskmeaboutany thing'
Nokl
unga't
hati
s
total
lyir
rel
evant.

Iam wait
ingforataxit
ot owntogi
veMr sRei
gnsthe
i
mpor t
antfi
lesheforgotathome.IseeTheo
walki
ngfasttowardsme.Iattempttogobackinsi
de
buthetakequickstepstowardsme.
Theo:Don'
trunawayZi yandaJustst
opokay .
.I'
m
overthi
s,i
'm overi
t.Tellmeyoudon'tl
ovemeso
thatIcanl
eav eyoualone,Tel
lmetomyf acethat
youdon'twantme.
Me:I.
..
I.
..
you.
.Theoyoushouldn'
tbeher
e,Idon'
t
wanttotal
ktoyoujustgobackhome
Il
ookev
erywherebuthi
m Imakesur
ewedon'
t
makeeyecont
act.
Theo:
Lookmei
ntheey
eandt
ell
mei
tsov
erZi
yanda.
Icanf
eel
thetearsthreat
ningt
ocomeout ,
Ishake
myheadIhav
et otell
himi t
soversohecangoaway
beforet
heyhurthi
m again.It
akeadeepbr
eath
tr
yingtofi
ndcouragetolookathi
mintheeyeand
l
iethatIdon'
twanthim anymore.

Il
ookupathim andIcan'
tsayi
tal
lIwanti
stobei
n
hi
sarmsscreamingouthi
sname.
Me:
Theo.
..
youhav
etol
eav
e.
Heplacesbot
hhandsonmycheeksandl
ook
st
rai
ghtint
omyeyes.
Theo:
Icanf
eel
itZi
yanda,
Iknowyoufeeli
ttoo.
.y
ou
wantmeasmuchasIdo,don'
tfi
ghtt
his.
Me:
Theywi
l
lhur
tyou,
Theopl
ease.
.
Theo:
Thenl
ett
hem hur
tme.
Me:Iknowhowr uthl
essthosepeopl
eare,
Ial
most
l
ostmyl i
febecauseofthem .
.pl
easeunder
stand
t
hat
Theo:
Okaythentell
meit
sov
er,
comeonsayi
ttomy
face,
sayi
trightnow.
Ishakemyheadmov
ingawayf
rom hi
m.
Me:
It
sov
erokay
,i
tsov
er.
.
Isi
gnalforataxit
ostopassoonasitst
opsIgetin.
.I
canfeelpeopl
e'sst
aresast
earsar
egushingoutof
myey es

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t49

(
sexual
expl
i
citcont
ent
)
18+
Iwakeupi nthemiddleofthenightandlookoutthe
windowi tsdarkbutther
ear estr
eetli
ghts.Iputon
myj eansandahoodi eandt i
ptoeoutofthe
house,Runt oTheo'
shome, t
heydon'tl
ockt hegat
e
soitwillbeeasier,
IseethegarageisclosedsoI
don'tknowi fhi
smom i shereornot.Igoar oundt
o
hiswindowandknockacoupl
eoftimeshecomes
tothewindow,
Helooksatmeshocked.
Theo:Zi
yandawhatthehel
l!
?ar
eyoucr
azy?whatar
e
youdoingherei
tsinthemiddl
eoft
henight
.go
aroundthebackdoor,
shi
t.
Heopensf
ormeandIf
oll
owhi
mtohi
sroom.
Theo:Ar
eyouf
uckincr
azy
,whatifsomet
hing
happenedt
oyou,nomanZiyanda.
Me:
Imi
ssedy
ou.
Igetupt
akingoffmyjeansandahoodi
ei'
mleftwi
th
onlymypanty,
Helooksatmeeyeswideopen.
Isl
owlytakeof
fthepant
y,hei
sst
il
lsi
tt
ingdown
l
ookingatme.
Idon' tknowwhati shappeningtomebuti '
m so
turnedonr i
ghtnow, I
'mlookingathim Istartplaying
withmyni pples,Ihearhim cuss.Igrabachai rthat
hekeepsi nhisr oom andIplaceitinfr
ontofhi m and
Isitdownopeni ngmyl egswi deandIcont i
nue
playingwi t
hmyni pplesandmyhandsl owlygoes
thewaydownt omypussyIst ar
tplayi
ngwi thmycl it
,Imoanoutl oudt henIst arttofingermy selfslowly
thenfastermyot herhandi sst i
l
l onmyni pple.I
mov emywai sttother hyt
hm ofmyf ingert hati'
m
thrusti
nginandoutofmycooki e, iam wetsowetI
keepgoi ngt hefeelingbecomei ntenseIsqui rtri
ght
i
nf rontofhim mybodyshakei moanoutl oud,Ilook
athim hei swear ingt heboxershor tsandt heboner
i
sv isi
ble..
hest il
llooksi nshockhest andupandgo
tothebat hroom I'm st i
l
lsit
tingont hechai rhe
comesbackwi that ie.
Theo:
Getupandgi
vemey
ourhands.
Igi
vehim myhandsandhet i
ethem upnextthi
ng
i
'm onmykneesont hebedassupandhei ssucki
ng
mef ordearl
if
e.Hecomestostandinfr
ontofmei '
m
sti
l
lonmyknees.Hest ar
tpl
ayingwithhisdi
cki'
m
tur
nedonal l
overagai
n.
Theo:
hav
eyouev
ersuckedadi
ckbef
ore?
Ishakemyheadno.
Theo:
openy
ourmout
handnot
eet
hokay
.
Inod,Ihav
eseenhowt
heydoi
tinpor
noutof
curi
osit
y.
Heshoveshisdi
ckinmymouthandIst
artsucki
ng
him,hei
sgroani
ngandcussi
ng,
hestar
tsmov i
ngso
fastt
henhestepbackgr
oani
ngoutl
oudandhis
cum spl
ashout.
Helay si nbedf aci
ngupandt ellmet ogetontop, he
unti
esmyhands.Iputhi sdicki nandst artmovingI
am ridingitandi thi
tsal
l therightspotsIam
moani ngouthi sname. .hebendsmeal itt
tl
ewhi l
ei
countinuet obounceonhi sdickl i
kemyl if
edepends
onit.Heput smyni ppl
einhi smout handIgocr azyI
mov ef asteranotherwav eofor gasm hitsmeIshake
hefli
pusandnowhei sont opandhet i
emyhands
agai
n.Idon' tknowwhyhei sdoi ngthisbutIfi
nd
ever
y thinghedoessexyt oday .
Heshoveshisdicki
nandstart
smovingsofastI
wanttoholdhi
m sobadbutmyhandsItied.He
conti
nuetothr
ustsodeepandfastt
henIfeelhi
m
tenseupashecumsi nsi
deofme.Heisbreat
hing
soloudashelaysnexttome.
West
ayi
nsi
l
encef
ormor
ethanf
ivemi
nut
es.
Theo:
Sowhatdoest
hismeanf
orusZi
yanda?
Idon'
tanswerhim,
Idon'
tknowwhatitmeansbutI
knowIdon'twantt
oputhisli
fei
ndanger
.
Igetupwearmypant
yandputonmycl
othes.
Theo:
Ziy
anda,
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
It
urnt
olookathi
m.
Me:
Ihav
etogo.
Theo:
werey
ouusi
ngmef
orsexual
pleasur
e
Zi
yanda?
werey
ou?
Me:
noof
cour
senoty
ouknowIl
ovey
ou.
Theo:
thenwhyar
eyoul
eav
ingr
ightaf
terwej
usthad
sex.
Me:becauseIdon'
twantMi
sokuhl
etof
indoutabout
us.Hewillhur
tyou.
Hechuckl
es
Theo:
Misokuhl
e,Isweari
fIheart
hatnameagai
ni'
m
gonnaexpl
ode.
Hel
ooksangr
y.
Theo:
youst
il
ll
ovehi
m Zi
yanda?
Me:Arey
oufucki
n'ki
ddi
ngme!
i'
m doi
ngt
hist
o
pr
otecty
ou.
Theo:
howi
susi
ngmef
orsexpr
otect
ingmeZi
yanda.
Me:I
'
M NOTUSI
NGYOUTHEO,
God!Whydon'
tyou
geti
tTHEYWI
LLKI
LLYOU.
Theo:
THENWHYAREYOUHEREZi
yanda?
Wear
eshout
ingatt
het
opofourv
oices.
Me:BecauseImissyouTheo,
Ever
yti
meIseey
ouI
wantt
obei nyourar
ms.
Theo:t
henwhycan'
twebet
oget
herwhydi
dyou
breakupwit
hme.
Me:
YouknowwhyTheo.
.
Theo:Aahpr
otect
ingme,don'
ttel
lmeaboutthat
crap.
.youar
eusingme,ShithowcanIbesucha
fool
.
Me:I
'm notusi
ngy
..
.y
ouknowwhatFucky
ouTheo
Fuckyou
Iat
temptt
oopenthedoorhepul
l
smet
ohi
m and
ki
ssmesohardandlet
sgo.
Theo:
It
sfineZiy
andabutknowi
fyouwal
koutthat
doori
tsreal
lyoverbet
weenusf
orgoodt
hist
ime.
Me:
Theo.
.
Theo:
Iwon'tbeusedbyy
ouZiyanda,
Justbecause
youcan'
thavehimyouwantt
ousemey ..
Me:
SHUTTHEFUCKUP
Hel
ooksi
ndi
sbel
i
ef
Theo:
don'
ttal
ktomel
i
ket
hat
.
Me:
whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odoabouti
t?
Hechuckl
esandopent
hedoor
Theo:l
eaveZi
yanda,
Nowi
'
mtel
l
ingy
ouI
TSOVER,
getthat
?nowleave.
Me:
vel
e(y
es)I
TSOVER
Theo:
youar
echi
l
dishasf
uck
Me:
Don'
t.
..
Idon'
tfi
nishweheart
hedooropeni
ngandsi
sNol
i
getsi
nshehasabelti
nherhands.
Si
sNol
i
:l
ist
eni
tsonet
hingt
hatIhadt
oheary
our
moansinmyhouse,butshout
ingatt
het
opofy
our
voi
cesIcan'
thav
eit..
YOUHEARMEYOUTWO.
sheisshout
ingshestar
tshitt
inguswi
tht
hebel
t
fr
om met oTheo,shi
thurt
s,Theomovesmeto
standbehi
ndhim andhol
dt hebel
t.
Theo:
Mom st
opy
ougonnahur
ther,
whatt
hehel
l
.
Hest
il
lcar
es.
.
SisNoli
:
letgoTheoIwannabeatt
heshi
toutofy
ou
two, ki
dswannasendmet oanearl
ygr
ave.
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t50

I
'
m st
il
lbehi
ndTheoi'
m brushi
ngmyar
mt hrough
t
hehoodi
ei'
m wear
ing,shegotmewi
ththatbeltI
canseeTheo'
supperbodyhav
eredmar
ks.
SisNol
i
:soyouwantt
heneighbour
stocal
lthepol
ice
tocomplai
naboutt
henoise,i
nwhosehouse?Hhhee
Theobusyhavi
ngsexinmyhouse?
Theo:
Mom wedi
dn'
thav
esex.
.
SisNol
i
:Asol
dasIam doyouthi
nkIdon'
tknowt
he
soundoftwopeopl
ehavi
ngsex.
Iwi
shIcandi
ssapeart
hisi
sembar
rassi
ng.
Shemanagest opul
lthebeltfrom Theoandshe
st
artsbeat
ingusall
ov eragainbutTheois
prot
ecti
ngmesot hebeltislandingonhisbody
.
Whenshef eel
sli
keshei sdone,Shetakesa
dramati
csigh.
SisNoli
:
Theoandy ouZeezeeIunder st
andy oung
l
ov eIwasoncet hereokay ,
andIknowIsai dyou
shouldleavehi
m Zi yandabutIknowIcan' tst
opyou
fr
om lovingeachot her,soi
tseitheryouwor konitor
j
ustbreakup..Nott hischil
dishactyouj ust
pull
ed..
Shouti
ngf ortheentir
enei ghbourhoodto
hear.
.
Sheopenst
hedoorandgetout,
onceshei
soutshe
shout
s
Si
sNol
i
:Andnosexi
nmyhouse,
hav
esomer
espect
.
I
'
m soembar
rassedmyf
acei
sfl
ushed.
Me:
I'
m goi
nghome.
Theo:
arey
ouokay
,thebel
tdi
dn'
tgety
ou.
Me:onl
ymyar
m hurt
sal i
tt
le,
I
syourbodyi
npai
n?
Youhaver
edmarksall
overyourbody
.
Theo:
Iwi l
lbefi
ne.I'
m sorr
y,YandahlookIknowy ou
aretr
yingtoprotectmeandIgetit,thatguymeant
busi
nesswhenhesai dimuststayawayf rom y
ou,
buthecan'ttel
lmewhatt odoi'm notgonnastay
awayfrom youunlessyoureall
ywantmet o.
Me:
Whati
fheat
tacksy
ouagai
n.
Theo:
Thensobeit
,pl
easebabydon'tdoit
,don'
t
all
owhimtothi
nkhehasasayinyourli
fe,hei
sthe
fat
herofy
ourki
dsbutthat
swhereitends.
Me:Il
ovey
ouTheo,Iwantt
obewi t
hyouandIthi
nkI
knowhowtogett
hosepeopleof
fofourbacks.
Theo:
how?
Me:Therei
sapersonIhavetov
isi
tatt
hepol
i
ce
st
ationear
lyi
nthemorning.
Theo:
Whoi
sthatZi
yanda?
Me:i
'l
lexplai
nev
eryt
hingt
omor
rowwhenIgetback
butnowy ouhavet
otakemehome.
Theo:
Buty
oucameher
eal
oneZi
yanda.
Me:
Theo!
Theo:okayfi
ne,butbabyyouwer esuchafreak
today,v
erysexy,
suchaturnonwheny oupl
ayedwit
h
yourselfl
i
kethat,
giv
ingmeashowDamnt hatj
ust
makesmehar dal
loveragai
n..Idi
dn'tknowyouhad
i
tiny outodothat
.
Me:
Idi
dn'
tknowt
oo,
Iguessy
oubr
ingoutt
hef
reak
i
nme.
Hewalksmehome,
whenIgeti
nmyr
oom Icheck
t
heti
mei t
s03:
57ohwow.

Iwakeupat09:
00am andIgot
otheki
dsr
oom t
hey
areawakeandwithSisNol
iIki
ssthem andIpr
epar
e
my sel
fforgoi
ngtot
hestati
on,
Igetther
eandIspeak
tothepoli
ceonthefr
ontdesk.
Me:
HicanIpl
easet
alkt
oDet
ect
iveLukhel
e.
Pol
i
ce:
mayIaskwhy
?
Me:
It
spr
ivat
e.
Pol
i
ce:
Ohr
eal
l
yther
eisnot
hingpr
ivat
..
Me:
Iam hi
sni
ece,
socanIt
alkt
ohi
m
Pol
i
ce:
yeahr
ightani
..
Hehasaloadofat
ti
tude,
Il
ooki
nsi
demybagandI
f
indmyIDandshowittohi
m.
Pol
i
ce:
ohuh.
.wai
ther
ei'
l
lcal
lhi
mfory
ou.
Thatwasn'
thard,
that
swhatheshoul
dhav
edone
i
nsteadofaski
ngmequesti
ons.
Detect
ive:
Pinkuhm ImeanZi
yandauhy
oucamet
o
seeme?
HelookshappybutIsensehei
sali
tt
lener
vouswas
It
hatbadonourmeet i
ngatMrsRei
gns'
s.
Me:
Uhm y
es,
doy
ouhav
eti
meIneedt
otal
ktoy
ou.
Het
ell
smet
owai
tforhi
m out
sidehei
scomi
ng.
Hecomesbackandaskmet ogeti
nthecarwewil
l
t
alkwhi
l
ehavinglunch,
wegettosomerest
aur
anti
n
t
ownandfi
ndat ableheor
der
sforus.
Det
ect
ive:
Soy
ouwant
edt
oseeme?
Me:Yesuhm Ineedy ourhel
p,Ihav
eapr obl
em
someoneisthreat
ningmyme, mykidsandmy
boyfr
iend.
.
Det
ect
ive:
Doy
ouhav
eanyi
deawhoi
tmi
ghtbe.
Me:Iknowexact
lywhot heyare.
.TheGumede'si'
m
sur
ey ouknowthem theyareinthet
axibusi
ness
,t
heirtaxi
sar
ewr i
tt
en" Phakat
hwayo"i
nboldlet
ter
s.
Iseehi
m shi
ftuncomf
ort
abl
yonhi
sseatand
cl
eari
nghist
hroat.
Me:
Pleasedon'
ttel
lmey
ouar
eont
hei
rpay
rol
ltoo?
Detect
ive:
Noi'm notbutthatisonepowerful
f ami
ly
i
'vebeentryi
ngtonailthem foryear
sbutthepeople
whoar eabovemear etheonesacceptingbri
bes
fr
om them,youar eyounghowdi dyougetmi xedup
wi
tht
hosepeopl
e?
Me:Misokuhl
etheothertwinismykids'sfatherandI
di
dn'tknowabouthim, hewasjustataxidri
v ert
o
meIf oundoutl
ater,onedayhisfat
herordered
peopletotor
tur
emef ordat
inghi
sson2y earsback
andtheymadeav ideo.
Detectiv
e:Wait,
yousaid2y earsback,maybeIcan
fi
ndt hatvideoandfindtherightpeopl
ewhodon't
acceptbr i
besbutfornowIwi l
lhavetofi
gur
eout
somet hi
ngt hatwi
llkeepthem awayf r
om
you,becausethismighttaket i
me.
Me:
Thankyousomuch,
youdon'
tknowhowmuch
t
hatmeanstome.
Detecti
ve:
Imighthavet
urnedmybackonf amil
y
backthenbutIlear
ntmylessonthehar
dwaysoI
appreci
atefamil
y,youaremynieceandi'
m happyi
mety ou.
Me:Uhm Ididn'
ttel
lyouthisbutImetKwanel
ewhen
hekidnappedmef ormyr api
stwhenhefoundout
whoIwasheki ll
edhim andletmego.
Hel
ookssad
Detecti
ve:
Iwonderwher
ehei
s,Imi
ssmyson
everyday,
Ithoughtmay
behedi
edi
nadit
ch
somewher e.
Wegetuphepay sandtel
lmehewil
ldropmeoffat
homeandIthankhim,buti
nst
eadofgett
ingi
nIst
art
atTheo'
shouse.
WhenIseehi
m Ihughi
m soot
ightbuthedoesn'
t
hugmeback.Ist
epback.
Me:
Uhm heybabyIhav
egoodnews,
Themeet
in.
.
Theo:ar
eyoucheat
ingonmewi
thol
dermen
Zi
yanda.
Il
aughathi
m
Me:
What
?Babecomeon.
.
Theo:
ANSWERMEDAMMI
T!!
Ijumpinshock,
Ithoughtt
hiswasajokebutnow
thathei
sshouti
ng,Iseeheisser
ious.
Me:Whywoul
dyouaskmet
hatTheo,
ihav
enev
er
cheat
edi
nmyl i
fe.
Theo:
Thenwhatt
hehel
li
sthi
s?huh"
hav
ingl
unch
wi
thdaddy
"real
l
y.
I
tsmyfacebookaccountandt
her
eisapi
ctur
eofme
wit
hdet
ecti
veLukhelehavi
ngl
unch.
Me:
It
sbeenamont
hnotusi
ngf
acebookTheo,
Id.
.
Theo:
andy
ougoi
ngt
otel
lmet
hisi
snoty
ouZi
yanda?
Me:
thati
sm.
.
Theo:
howcoul
dyou.
Me:Letmeexpl
ainbef
orey
ouj
umpi
ntoconcl
usi
on
Teeokay.
Theo:
okayGoonl
etmel
i
stent
oyourl
i
es.
Me:Thatmanont hepicturei
st hemanIt oldyoui
'm
gonnameet ,hewillhel
pmewi t
ht heGumede's,I
foundoutaweekbef orethatheismybi ologi
cal
mot her'
sbrother
,heisthedetecti
v et
hatwas
i
nterrogati
ngmewhenIwasar rested.
.
Theo:
Bab.
.
Me:
Hav
eIev
erl
i
edt
oyouTheo.
Theo:
I'
m s.
.
Me:
Nodon'tbe,
it
sokayIwantedt
oshar
ethenews
wi
thyoubutyoujust
..
.ahh.
It
urnwal
ki
ngawayl
eav
inghi
m shout
ingmyname

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t51

Thedet ectiv
ecal l
edmey esterdaytell
ingmehehas
putinplacepeopl ewhowi ll
keepaney eonMi so
andhi sfami l
y'
sev erymov e,
Thatmakesmef eel
better
,andIdeci dedt otaketheki dsoutwi thSisYoli
tothemal l.Webat ht hem anddr essthem i nsome
cuteout f
it
sandf orthefi
rsttimei nforev erIfeltl
ike
wear i
ngshor tsbecauseev ersincet her apeIwas
alwaysinjeansort r
ackpants,butnowIf eelli
ke
my sel
fagai n,Iusedt owearshor tsalotbutaf terI
wasr apedIt houghtmay bet hatwast her eason,but
nowIknowi t
snev eraboutt
hethi
ngsyouwearsince
those'animal
s'rapekidsandevengr
andmother
s.So
i
'mt al
kingtoeveryoneoutther
ewhoisavict
im of
rape,I
TI SNEVERYOURFAULT.

Mr sReignsboughtmeal otofclothesandImust
sayshehasagoodt ast eforteenagecl othes, she
boughtshor t
s,cropt opsawhol elotofot herst uff
,
evenheelsIdon' tlikethem butIappr eciateall ofi
ta
l
ot.Wet akeat axi tothemal landgot okidsst ores
andlookar oundt heshop, il
ookupandIseeMi so
andhistwi nbrothert hrought heglass,theyar e
l
ookingaroundl iket heyl ostsomet hi
ngIqui ckly
turnmyheadf acingt heot herwaybutIguessI
wasn'tquickenough, theygeti nandst andi nfontof
us,meandt hetwi nssi ncesisYoliisinanot heri sl
e
withLanga.Thet winsl ookf r
om Mi sot oKuhl eI
thi
nktheyar eabi tconf usedonwhi chonei sthei r
dadandal sobot ht heseguy slookliv
idl i
ket heyar e
readytokill.
Miso:
SoZi
yanda,
youarefr
iendswi
tht
hebi
gdogs
now?Themenintheuni
for
m huh.
Iturni
nattempttowalkawaybutKuhlegr absmy
arm sorough,i
fitwasbackthenIknowapunch
wouldhavelandedonhisfacethesecondheput
thathandonmebutpeopl echange,Misokuhle
changed.
Kuhl
e:Whyar
eyouhav
ingmeet
ingswi
tht
hecops?
Aretheyhav
ingmefoll
owed?nowi
'
m scar
ed,Il
ook
atMisoheissweat
ingonhi
snoseandhelooks
deadly
.
Miso:
Youshoul
dtal
kyoungladyr
ightnow,
whyar
e
youmeeti
ngwit
hthepoli
ce?
Me:
Uhm.
..
Ihewant
ed.
.
Kuhl
e:br
othert
ellt
hisbit
chtot
alkr
ightnowbef
oreI
l
oseitandbeatitoutofher
.
Thetwi
nsaresti
l
llooki
ngatthetwoofthem andI
thi
nkthey
sensethatsomethi
ngiswrongtheytake
myhandsandholdthem,Kuhlel
ooksdownont hem.
Kuhl
e:Tel
lmommyt
otal
korIwi
l
lcuthert
hroat
.
Hesay
swi
thadev
ioussmi
l
e.
Nt
sika:
Pinki
elesgo(
let
sgo)
Theycan'
ttal
kproper
lyandit
sri
dicul
ousforKuhl
e
tothi
nktheycansaysomethi
ngli
kethat
.
Kuhl
epl
aceshi
shandonNt
sika'
sshoul
derandI
fl
i
nchcl
osi
ngmyeyes
Kuhl
e:Li
tt
leguydi
dIt
ell
yout
osayt
hathuh?
DidI
?
Nkanyezi
'
stearsfal
l,
hedoesn'tcryoutloudwhi
l
e
Ntsi
kacanturnthi
senti
rebui
ldingupsidedownwit
h
hi
sscreams.
Si
sYol
icomest
ous.
Si
sYol
i:
Pinkwe'
vebeenwai
ti
ngf
ory
ouatt
het
il
lfor
awhil
enowwhatis.
.
Hereyesl
andsonMi
soandKuhl
e,shedoesn'
tl
ook
pl
eased.
Si
sYol
i
:Ar
eyouhar
assi
ngherMi
sokuhl
e?
Mi
so:
Wej ustwanthert
otel
luswhyhei
shav
ing
meet
ingswit
hthecops.
Si
sYol
i
:Why
?Sheowesy
ouexpl
anat
ionsbecause?
Kuhl
e:Lookher
emi
ssmam orwhat
ever
.
Si
sYol
i
:Cal
lmeYol
i
..
Kuhl
e:Yeahy
eahwenother
efor
..
.
Hedoesn'
tfi
nisht
alki
ngbecauset
wogent
lemen
wear
ingbl
ackcomest owhereweare.
Man1:
Missi
sev
ery
thi
ngokayher
e.
Heaskl
ooki
ngatme,
kuhl
ejumpsi
n
Kuhl
e:Wear
efi
ne,
Justl
eav
e
Nowpeopl
earel
ookingatusIguessthet
woguy
s
wear
ingbl
ackbr
oughtsomeattent
ion
Man2:
Wehav
ebeenaskedt
oescour
tyout
othecar
Mi
ss.
Mymindqui
ckl
yregi
ster
sthattheymustbet
heMen
t
hatUncl
edet
ecti
vewastalki
ngabout.
Inodmyhead
Mi
so:
Escour
thertowher
e? Thati
smywomanand
myki
dswhereareyout
akingher.
Theydon'
tsayawor
dbutj
ustshowust
hewayone
oft
hem i
swalki
ngi
nfr
ontofusandt
heot
heronei
s
att
heback.
Misoi
sst
il
ltal
ki
ngwal
ki
ngbesi
desme,
andhei
s
l
oud.
Miso:
Ihaveal
waysknownyouareabi t
ch,Dothese
menfuckyouhuhZiyanda,
youareopeningyour
ski
nnythi
ghsforev
erymanouthere.
Kuhl
e:Br
otherl
etsgo.
.
Heplacehi
shandonhi
sbr
other
sshoul
derandt
hey
wal
kawayf r
om us.
Wegeti
ntoabl
ackSUV
Me:
Uhm y
ouguy
swor
kwi
thDet
ect
iveLukhel
eri
ght
.
Oneoft
hem smi
l
es.
Man1:
Iam hi ssonMandisi
Lukheleexmili
tar
y
of
fi
cer,
Iheardwearecousinsnicemeeti
ngy ou.I
wasassignedbymyf at
hertol
ookaf t
eryoufora
whi
le,
Idon'tknowhowlongisawhi l
ebutit
sokay.
Her
aisehi
shandsup.
Hel
ooksl
i
keav
eryt
alkat
iveper
sonbutar
rogantt
oo.
Me:Thankyoufort
hat.
.andnicemeeti
ngyoutoo
ev
ent houghi
tsthr
oughcircumst
ances,
youknow.
Mandisi:Ohdon'tworryIli
kecir
cumst ances
,ci
rcumst ancesaregoodv er
ygoodImeanIgott o
meetf amilyIhavebeenawayf rom homesi nceI
was18whenIj oinedtheSAAr my..andy ouarea
beaut!ifyouweren'tmycousinIwoul dsmash, ooops
sorr
yaunt y(toSisYol
i)
,damnIforgottointroduce
mypar tnerLuyolomyni ggaf
rom theEast ernCape
EQonce.
Damnhecantal
kandhei
stal
kingsofasti
ts
amusi
ng,
i
tsl
ikehei
sanewsreport
er.
Mandisi:
SoZi yandawewer etoldt
haty oushouldn'
t
noti
cethatwear efol
lowingy ouandav oidmakingi
t
l
ooklikewear ey ourbody guardsmakingy ou
uncomfortablebutIwasl ikewear ecousinsyou
shoul
dnot icemeIwi llbelookingaft
ery ourass
ever
ydamnt ime.
Luyol
o:Mandi
pleaseyouhav
ebeent
alki
ngfor
ever
j
ustdri
vemani '
m sur
etheki
dsar
eti
redri
ght
Zee(hesaysl
ookingatme)
Hehasthosesmoot
hlowv
oicesnotl
oudl
i
ket
he
cousi
noverher
e.
Ij
ustnod.
Theydr
iveust
oourhouse
Mandi
si:
Ziy
andayouwon'tseeusof
tenbutwewi
l
l
beher
eifyouneedusokay.
Me:
Thoughty
ousai
dyouwant
edmet
onot
icey
ou.
Mandisi:
Youwi
llnot
icemevel
eIknowthosefuckers
wil
ltestmebycomingbackher
ebuti
'm gonnakil
l
someone.
Me:Thanky
ouguy
sfort
odayandagr
eei
ngt
olook
af
terme.
Mandisi:La-Famil
ialookingafteroneanot her(The
famil
y),IjustwishIwasdoi ngt hiswithmybr other
kwanelebutnowI '
m backI'm gonnaf indhim,Dad
tol
dmewhathedi dtoy ouandf oryou.
Me:Ihopey
oufi
ndhim andI
'
m gl
adImetoneoft
he
goodonesinmyfami
ly.
Mandi
si:
Ihear
daboutyourmot
hert
ooifshewasn'
t
myAuntIwasgonnarunherov
erwit
hthatbaby
ov
ert
her
e.
Hepoi
ntsatt
hecar
.Ij
ustl
aughathi
m.

Ideci
dedt ocal
lTheosincehehasbeensendi
ngtext
aft
ertextapol
ogisi
ngforaccusi
ngmeofcheati
ng
,wit
holdermenatt hat
.
Theo:BabyLooki
'm sorr
yforaccusi
ngofsomet
hing
l
ikethat,pl
easef
orgiv
emeI ..
.
Heist
alki
ngsof
astr
epeat
ingsamet
hingov
erand
ov
er.
Me:
Theo
Hesi
ghs
Theo:
Yesbaby
Me:If
orgi
veyoubutaskmef
ir
stnextt
imebef
ore
shout
ingatme.
Theo:Thankyoubabyandi
'
m sor
ryi
twi
l
lnev
er
happenagain,Ipr
omise
Me:
OkayIl
ovey
ouI
'
llseey
out
omor
rowokay
Theo:
Ilov
eyout
oobaby
..

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]
Zee

I
nser
t52

Mr sRei gnsjustcamebackf r
om wor kandwe
chil
lingint heloungewatchingtheStudent s'
s
testimoni esaboutherhelpi
ngt hem gothrough
depr ession,Theycompi l
edav i
deoofst udentsof
diff
er entschools,i
tsabeaut i
fult
hingtowat chand
i
tsagoodt hingtheyacknowledgeherwhi lesheis
sti
llalive, t
hatdoesn'
thappenof ten,youfindpeopl
e
praisingonl ymemor i
alserv
icesandf unerals.

Shei
scr
yingt
ear
sofJoyandwear
ehappyf
orher
.
Me:
I'
m pr
oudofy
ouMom
Isayhuggi
ngher
.
Mr sRei
gns:Iwasn'
texpect
ingt
hismyReceptioni
st
didn'tt
ell
mewhati ti
sandwher ei
sitf
rom,shejust
toldmet owatch,Wow
Shesay
stear
ingup.
Wetaket
heki
dst
othei
rroom ,
theyf
ell
asl
eepon
t
hecouch.

Aswear etalki
ngandl aughi
ngweheart hebigbang
ontheki t
chendoorwel ookateachother,
justthen
theGumedet winsareher ej
ustli
kehowMandi si
predict
edtheywi llbebackandher et
heyare,and
theyarebecomi ngar ealnui
sanceinmyl i
fe.They
getinandst andrightinf
rontofusKuhlehaveagun
i
nhi shand, Misokuhledoesn'
thaveanythi
ng.

Kuhl
e:YouknowIhat epeoplewhot hi
nktheyar
e
cl
ever
, Zi
yandawear esentbyourfather
,r
emember
hi
m?Andwear eher
etodeliveraverycl
ear
messagetoy ou,wehavethepoliceand
commander slooki
ngintoourbusinessbecauseof
you.Imeanhowgoodi syourpussythatyoujust
openy ourlegsandt hebigdogsli
stenstoevery
damnwor dy ousay.CareifIhav
eat ast
e
bafo(brot
her)?
Miso:
Gori
ghtaheadbafosheisdamagedgoods
anywaysl
eepingwit
hever
ymant ohave"pr
otect
ion"
,t
hatswhatyoudidwit
hmer i
ghtZi
yanda..
Ij
ustl
ookdown.
Mi
so:
ANSWERMEDAMMI
T!
SisYol
i
:Whathappenedt
oyouMi
sokuhl
ewet
hought
youareagoodman.
Mi
so:Iwasagoodmanunt
il
lthi
sbit
chher
echanged
me,
shecheat
edonmewithakid.
MrsReigns:
Whendi
dshecheat?Youhaveawifey
ou
l
efthertogetmar
ri
edpl
easeleaveheral
one.
Kuhle:
Okayshutupallofyouthepersonwhohasto
tal
khereist
hiswhorehere,nowtal
kwhatdidyou
saytothepol
iceaboutus.
Me:
WhatcanIsayabouty
out
othepol
i
ceKuhl
e,
thatyouareacrazyl
unati
ctoget
herwithyour
brother,
imagi
neyourfat
herhavedoubl
elunati
cs
andt oaddonthathehimsel
fisaluna.
..
Idon'tev
enf
ini
sht
alki
ngKuhl
ehi
tmewi
tht
heback
ofhishand.
.
Luyol
oandMandisi
areher
eIdidn'
tev
enseewhen
theygother
eIwasbusyt
alki
ng.
Mandi
si:
Ohy
ougot
tashowmehowy
oudi
dthat
.
Hel
ooksatMi
sot
henatKuhl
ethenMi
soagai
n.
Mandisi
:OhCousinsothisiswhaty
oumeantwhen
yousaiddoubl
elunat
icsIgeti
tnow,whi
chonei
s
yourbabydaddy?
Il
ookatMi
soandMandi
sit
urnst
ofacehi
m.
Theyst
areateachot
herf
oral
ongt
ime.
Mandisi:
Tel
lyourbr
othert
ost
oppoi
nti
ngt
hatgunat
mysisterri
ghtnow.
Miso:AndwhywouldIdot hat
?Ziyandayougot
thesepeopl
etoposeasy ourbrot
hers,Iknowy
ou
don'thav
eabrot
her,nobodywantsy ouan..
Mandisi
:matteroff
actshedoeshav
ea
br
other,
guesswhoMEEE.
IseeLuy
ologet
ti
ngcl
osert
oKuhl
e.
Kuhl
e:Getanycl
oserandi
'
llshoother
.
Luyol
o:Youknow,Idon'
thav
eanygunonmyhand
butbestbeli
evet
hatmybull
etcangett
oyouf
ast
er
thanyourscangettoher
.
Mandisi:
Ify
ouval
ueyourli
fe,youwil
ll
eavethi
s
houseandneverl
ookback, andal
sopret
endy ou
neverknewZiy
anda,
thatsjustasuggest
ion.
Kuhleisonthefl
oorgroaninginpai
nandLuy olois
point
ingagunathi mithappenedsofastthatIdidn'
t
seewher ehegotthegun.Kuhle'
sgunisont hefl
oor
ri
ghtinfr
ontofmeIpushi twit
hmyf eetawayf r
om
him.
Luy
olo:
Itol
dyoumybul
l
etcangett
oyouf
ast
er.
Mandisi
:
Ifl
esstalkandmoreact
ionwasaper
son
,i
tsyouLuyol
o,Ican'
tdoi
t.Socrazi
eshav
eyou
deci
dedwhatyougonnado?
Mi
somov
est
ohi
sbr
otherwhoseemedt
obel
osi
ng
alotofbl
oodi
nfrontofmeandhel
phi
m up,
l
uyol
o
shothi
m onhi
sleftt
high.
Miso:youarehear
tl
essZiyandayoulety
our
boyfr
iendsshootmybrot
herliket
his.
Mandisi
:Heisreal
lycr
azy,
Ifyoucomenearher
agai
nIwillki
l
lbothofyouandsendyourbi
gheads
toyourf
ather.
Theygooutwit
hmisosuppor
ti
nghi
sbr
other
,anda
phonei
nhisear.
Luy
olo:
Arey
ouokay
?
Heasklooki
ngatus,wenod.Henodstooandsi
t
down,
Mandisii
ssti
ll
standi
ngheopenshisar
ms.
Mandi
si:
Comeandgi
vey
ourf
avour
it
ecousi
nahug,
I
knowyouwantt
o.
Ismileget
ti
ngupt
ohughi
m.Andhel
ooksatmy
cheek.
Mandi
si:
youhavemar
ksbuti
tsnotbadt
heCr
azy
number
1hitsl
ikeagi
rl
.
Ii
ntr
oducet
hem t
oMr
sRei
gns.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Soy
ouar
eourbody
guar
ds?
SisYol
i:
whosai
dany
thi
ngabouty
out
heyar
eher
e
forZiy
anda
Mr
sRei
gns:
andMet
oor
ightMandi
si.
Mandisi:
Yesyouarer
ightmom wearehereforyou
too,doyouhaveahusband?It
hinkIshoul
djust
hooky ouupwit
hthebigdogmyf at
heryouare
beauti
ful.
Mr
sRei
gnsi
sfl
ushedshesmi
l
esoi
nnocent
ly.
IandSi
sYol
ibur
stoutl
aughi
ngather
.
Mandisi
:
Andthanky ouf
ortaki
nginZiyanda,
You
haveagoodheart,
butar
eyousur eyouaregi
vingher
enoughfoodbecausegi
rli
sskinnyshame.
Hesay
sthatandl
aughsohar
d.
Me:
youar
enotf
unny
.
Mandi
si:
Butmyf
ri
endst
oldmeIcoul
dbet
henext
st
eveharvey
.
Me:
please(
Isayr
oll
i
ngmyey
es)
Si
sYol
i
:Iwi
l
lgodi
shupf
ory
ou.
Mandisi
:
Thanky ouauntieIknowZiyandawasn't
gonnaofferany
thingevenwaterLukhelepeopl
eare
sti
ngywit
hev er
ything.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Leav
emybabyal
oneMandi
okay
.
Il
ookatLuy
olohehasbeenqui
et
Me:
Bhut
iLuy
oloar
eyougood.
Henods.
Mandisi
:y
ouwi
l
lgetusedt
ohi
m,al
way
slooki
ng
st
ressed.
Luy
oloj
ustsmi
l
esshaki
nghi
shead.
Theygoeatint
heki
tchenwhi
leMr
srei
gnsandI
cl
eanKuhle'
sbl
oodonthefl
oor

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t53
Todayaftercl
assesTheoandIgot ohi
shouseandI
haven'
tseenSisNoli
eversi
nceshehituswit
hthat
belt
,Weseeherget t
ingi
nhercar.Sherol
l
sdown
thewindow.
SisNol
i
:HeyZeezeeby
eZeezee,
Theoi'
mrushi
ng
somewhereIwil
lbebackl
ater
..
andrememberno
sexinmyhouse.
Shedr
ivesof
fandIl
augh.
Theo:
Imi
ssedy
ousomuch.
Me:
Nam f
uthi
(met
oo)
Theo:Di
dthatdet
ecti
vetel
lyoui
fthereareguysthey
putformetoobecauseIthi
nkiam beingfol
lowed
soIwanttoknowi ft
hosearemisokuhle'
speopl
eor
not.
Me:
Yest
heydi
dputt
woguy
sfory
ourpr
otect
ion.
Theo:
Oht
hanky
ou.Sowenothav
ingsexhuh?
Il
aughashegetclosert
omewekissandremove
ourclot
heswehaveaquickonewi
thmebendi
ng
overonthebed.
HetakesmehomeonthewayIgetthecal
lthat
Uncl
ewill
becomingt
oseeuslater
.
WhenIgethomeihel
pSisYoliwi
tht
hecooki
ngand
webat
hthekidsandIgobath.Wesi
tint
heli
vi
ng
r
oom wait
ingf
orUncl
edetecti
vet
ocome.
Hecomesar ound4pm andwesitar
oundthe
di
nni
ngtabl
eandeat .I
nthemiddl
eofeati
ng
someoneknocksIgoopenit
sMandisiandLuyol
o.
Mandi
si:Dadyoucameher
etof
ini
shthei
rfood,
so
muchfoodforoneper
son,
l
etmeeatwit
hyou.
Si
sYol
i:
Youcanaskforfoodpol
i
tel
yMandi
si,
sit
downIwil
ldi
shupforyou.
Theysi
tdownandIgowasht
hedi
shesandweal
l
movetothel
ounge.
Detect
ive:SoZiyandawemanagedt ogethol
dofthe
othert
wi n'
sphoneandsupri
singlyhest
il
lhav
ethat
vi
deoy outoldmeaboutIhaven'tseeni
tsoIdon'
t
knowifitwill
hel
p.
Mandi
si:
Whatv
ideoDad?
Det
ect
ive:
It
sher
e.
Detecti
veissit
ti
ngdown,luy
oloandMandi
sist
and
behindhim onthecoucht
ohavealookati
t.
Theyst artplay
ingthevideo,Idon'
twantt olookatit
,Icanhearmyscr eamsandt hebelt
sthatlandedon
mybodyt hatday.Uncle'
shandi sshaking,Mandi si
l
eav esther oom ,andLuyoloIcan'tr
eadhi sface,he
i
sj uststandingtherel
ookingatthesamedi rect
ion,
I
don'tthinkheisblinki
ngatall.
Si
sYoli
takest
hephoneandtheywat
chwi
thMr
s
Rei
gnswit
htear
sinthei
rey
es.
Thesituat
ioncalmsdownbutMandisi
isnotback
yetIgocheckonhim,If
indhi
m si
tt
ingneart
hef r
ont
door,Isi
tnexttohi
m.
Mandi
si:
Howar
eyoust
il
lher
e?
Me:Idon'
tknowt
oo,Iaskmyselft
hatev
ery
timeI
l
ookbacktowhati
'v
ebeenthrough.
Mandi
si:
Iadmi
rey
ourst
rengt
hsi
s.
Me:Iwastakenbackhomet hefoll
owi
ngdayandI
foundthewall
sstandi
ngthereandIdidn'
tgotovi
sit
granni
esgravesIwasangryatthem f
orleav
ingme
whilet
heyknewNokl ungadidn'
twantme, butwhenI
pushedmytwi nsoutallal
oneinthathouseIknewI
wantedabetterli
fef
orthem soIhadt ocomeback
here.
Wegobackinsi
deandfi
ndMrsRei
gnscr
yingand
Det
ect
ivei
scomfort
ingher
.
Me:
whati
sgoi
ngon?
Iwhi
spert
oSi
sYol
i
Si
sYol
i:
sheisst
il
lemoti
onalf
rom wat
chi
ngt
hat
vi
deo,
youhavebeent
hroughalotPi
nk.
Me:
Iknow.
Isaywi
thasmi
l
e.
Mandi
si:
Oldmandoesn'
twast
eti
mehey
.
Hewhi
sper
stomeandIl
aughoutl
oud.
MrsReignsl
ookupshelooksuncomfor
tabl
eal
lofa
suddenshest
andsupandleavether
oom.
Wel
ookatuncl
ehecl
ear
shi
sthr
oatandwal
kaway
t
oo.
Me:
whydot
heyl
ooksosuspi
ci
ous
Isayandwelaughagai
n,t
hisr
ighther
emeans
ever
ythi
ngt
ome.
WhenMr sRei gnsandDetecti
vecomebackthey
keepsteal
ingglancesateachotherit
sabeauti
ful
thi
ngtowat ch.Theytel
lusthei
rplanandIdon'
thear
anythi
ngit
sacompl i
cat
edplanonhowt heygonna
catchmisokuhle'
sfamil
y.

Theystanduptol
eavebutwehearagunshotandit
soundsli
keit
scomingfr
om t
heneighbournextt
o
ourhouse.
Detect
ive:
Ziyandalockthedoor,
keepitl
ockedunti
l
l
wecomeback, Mandisi
andy ouLuyol
oletsgofi
nd
outwhat'sgoingon.
Inodandgolock.I
'
m ner
vousandi'
m sweat
ing
prof
usel
yIdon'
tknowwhatshappeni
ngIcan'tsi
t
down.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Ziy
andaar
eyouokay
.
Me:
I'
m notsur
eij
ustf
eel
hot,
Ithi
nki
'
m gonnago
t
akeashower.
Igotakeaver
yqui
ckshowerandwearpy
jamasI
feel
bett
ernow.
Igobacktothel
ivi
ngroom, Det
ect
iveand
boMandisi
arebackbuttheykeepquiett
hemi
nut
e
theyseeme.
Me:Uncl
ewhatwasgoi
ngon?Whowasshotnext
door?
Isaydial
ingTheo'
snumber, Iwantt
oaskhi
mifhe
alsoheardthegunshot,
itri
ngsacoupl
eoft
imeand
goesstraightt
ovoicemail
.
Ilookatt
hem t
heyar
eal
ll
ooki
ngatmewi
thsad
faces.
Me:
what
,di
dIwearmypy
jamasi
nsi
deout
?
Isayl
aughinglookingatmysel
fbutIcanseet
hatno
i
'm wear
ingthem theri
ghtway.
Me:
uhm guy
sthi
siscr
eepywhyar
eyoul
ooki
ngat
meli
ket
hatwhati
sgoingon.
Noonei
ssay
ingawor
d.
Si
sYol
i
:Jesuwam (
myGod)
Nowi'm ner
vous,
theyar
escar
ingme,
tear
spr
ickmy
eyes.
Me:
Bhut'
Mandisi
,Luy
olo..
Mal
ume(uncl
e)pl
easetal
k
t
omey ouguy
sarescaringmeforr
ealpl
easestopi
t
.
Mandisi
stepscl
osert
omeandhugme,
Ihughi
m
back.
Me:
whati
sgoi
ngonbhut
i.
..
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t54

Mandi
sii
sst
il
lhuggi
ngmeandhei
snotsay
ing
any
thi
ng.
Me:
whati
sreal
l
ygoi
ngon?
MrsRei
gns:
Uhm i
tsnot
hingbaby
,wewer
ejustuhm
uh.
SisYoli
:
weworri
edabouty
ousi
ncey
ousai
dyounot
feeli
nggood.
Me:
youguy
salmostki
l
ledme,t
hatwassocr
eepy
t
hewayyoual
lwerest
ari
ngatme.
Iwi
pemyt
ear
sthathadmanagedt
ocomeout
.
Igositout
sidest
il
l t
ryi
ngtocall
Theo,
hei
snot
picki
ngupi'
m get
tingfrust
rat
ed.
Me:
i
fhei
scheat
ingonmei
'
m gonnaki
l
lhi
m..
I
'
mtal
ki
ngal
one.
Mandi
si:
Uhm wear
est
ayi
ngf
ort
heni
ght
.
Me:Bhut
iar
eyouokayy
ounoty
ourusual
tal
kat
ive
sel
f.
Hef
orcesasmi
l
e.
Mandi
si:
i'
m good,
ithi
nki
'
m st
il
ldi
stur
bedbyt
hat
vi
deo.
Me:okay
,uhm doy
oumi
ndcover
ingupf
ormewhi
l
eI
gocheckonmyuhm af
ri
end?
Mandisi
:
NO!!!
noyounotgoi
ngther
e,l
etsgeti
nand
Zi
yandaify
ousneakoutIwil
lgi
veyouaveryhot
sl
ap.
Me:
okayf
ine,
Iwon'
tsneakout.

Wegeti nsidethehouseandI 'm askedtogopr epar

e
theroomst heywi l
lbeusing.
wegoourseper ate
room.I'
mi nmyr oom st
il
ltry
ingTheo,I'
mr eal
lymad
,heisdefinitel
ycheat
ingonme.Ihearf ootst
eps
nexttomyr oom Iqui
ckl
ygeti nbedandpr etendto
beasleep,i am goi
ngtosneakout .
Mandi
si:
Lit
tl
eSi
sar
eyousl
eepi
ng.
Igoqui
et.Hecomest
obedandsi
tnextt
ome.
Mandisi:
Ialwayswantedt ohavealitt
lesist
er,the
per
sonwhoIwoul dprotectwi
thmyl if
e,thepersonI
wouldtakeabulletf
orandnowIhav efoundy ouand
Iwi
llprotecty
ouwi t
hallmymi ghtbutI'm af
raidI
won'
tknowhowt oprotectyoufrom emot i
onal
pai
n.Goodnightsisi
'
m happyImety ou.
Heki
ssesmyf
oreheadandl
eav
ether
oom.
Thatwassogenuine,If
eell
ovedandthatmakesme
happiert
hanIev
erbeeninmyl i
fesoIdeci
deto
respectt
hebi
gbrotherandnotsneakout
.

Inthemorni
ng,
Ifi
ndal
lofthem eat
ingbreakf
ast,
i
ts
soquiet
.I'
mlat
eforSchooldoi
'mrushingIgreet
them.
Me:mor
ningf
am ,
byei
'
mlat
eforschool
i'
ll
seey
ou
guy
slat
er.
Ijustwantt
oseeTheoiwassadwhenIwokeup
thismorni
ngwit
houtf
indi
nganyt
extorcal
lfr
om
him
MrsRei
gns:
uuhPinkbabyyounotgoi
ngt
oschool
t
oday,wegoingt
othehospit
al.
Me:Whoissi
ck,t
hetwi
nsandl
angaar
efi
neIj
ust
camefr
om thei
rroom.
Mandi
si:
Sisi
tsTheo.
Me:
uhm whatabouthi
m?
Mandi
si:
Hei
satt
hehospi
tal
.
Me:
Isawhi
myest
erdayt
houghandhewasf
ine.
Hel
etoutal
ongsi
ghofdespai
r.
Mandisi:
Hewasshotyest
erday,
thegunshott
hatwe
hear
dy ester
daywas.
..
Me:andy ouguysdi
dn'ttel
lme,Howcouldyouhide
somethingli
kethi
sf r
om me,Uncl
ey oupr
omised
thatTheoisprot
ected?wereyoul
yingtome?
Uncle/
Detect
ive:
Iwasn'
tl
ying,
seemsliket
hey
weren'
ttr
ustwort
hy,t
heGumede' sgottot
hem and
br
ibedthem ,
oneofthem shotTheo.
I
'
m paci
ngbackandf
ort
h.
Me:ITOLDHIM WESHOULDBREAKUPBUTHE
DIDN'TLI
STEN,
Itol
dhi
m,If
uckent
oldhi
m,whatam I
goingtodo?
Ist
oppacingandpl
acebothmyhandsonmyhead,
I
don'
thav
et ear
sbutIwantt
oscr
eam sobad.
Me:
Hei
sfi
ner
ight
?hei
sokayr
ightmom?
Mr
sRei
gnsdoesn'
tsayawor
dbutj
ustl
ookdown.
Uncl
e/Det
ect
ive:
Hewasshoti
nthechest
,wewi
l
l
hav
etogoandf
indoutatt
hehospi
tal
now.
Si
sYol
i
:Iwi
l
lst
aybehi
ndwi
tht
heki
ds.
Idon'
tknowmymi ndhasn'tr
egist
eredanyoft
his,
i
ts
notpossi
bleTheowasalr
ightyest
erday.
Wegettot
hehospi
tal
,IseeSi
sNol
ipaci
ngandshe
hasbl
oodal
lov
erherdress,
Mykneesshake.
Me:
Ican'
tdot
his.
Irunoutoft
hehospi
tal
,mandi
siisr
unni
ngaft
erme
call
i
ngmynamebutIkeeprunning,
hemanageto
gettome.
Mandisi
:
Ziy
andastopokaystop,
i'
m sor
ryforal
lof
t
hisbutweareyourf
amily,
wearehereforyou,
you
won'
thavetodoital
oneanymore,wearehere.
Hehugsme.
Mandisi
:
let
sgobackandhearwhatt
hedoct
orsay
s
okay
Theminut
eSisNoli
seesmeshecomest omeand
sl
apmeIalmostfall
,shet
ri
estodoi
tagai
nbut
Mandi
sist
andsinbetweenus.
Si
sNol
i
:I
tsal
lyourf
aul
t,
Itol
dyout
oleav
ehi
m al
one.
Me:
I'
m sor
rySi
sNol
i
Seei
ngherl
i
ket
hisbr
eaksmyhear
t.
Thedoct
orcomest
owar
dsusSi
sNol
irushest
ohi
m.
Si
sNol
i
:i
shegoi
ngt
obeokay
.
Doct
or:
arey
oual
lfam.
.
Si
sNol
i
:Iam hi
smom j
ustt
alkdammi
t.
Doctor:
Hewasshoti
nthechestandt
hebulletwent
thr
oughoneofhi
slungsandexit
edattheback,
uhm
heisinacomaandheneedstobecaredforinthe
i
ntensi
vecar
eunit
Me:
No,
noTheoNoo!
!
Doctor
:hecan'
tbreat
heonhi
sownandheneedt
he
hel
pofav ent
il
ator
.
Si
sNol
i:
I'
m adoct
orletmeseehi
m may
beIcanhel
p
hi
m,heismyonlyson.
Doctor
:I
'm sor
ryMam wecannotall
owthat,
andal
so
youarenotinther
ightst
ateofmindtot
reata
pat
ient
.
Icanhearthem butveryfar,
Myv i
sionisbecoming
blur
rybyeverywordt hedoct
orsays,Icanfeel
the
painonmyl owerbackIwantt ocalloutf
ormom to
helpmebutIcan'ti'
m outofbreathIfeelmywhole
bodyhit
ti
ngt heground.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t55

Iwakeupfeel
ingpai
nall
overmybodyItr
iedtosi
t
upbutIfel
tcr
ampsonmyabdomen. whenItr
yto
getupIseebl
oodclot
sonthebedandthenurse
comesin.
Nur
se:
Hel
l
ohowar
eyouf
eel
i
ngnow?
Me:
Ifeel
pai
ninmyl
owerbackandmyabdomen.
Nur
se:
youhav
etogetupandgocl
eany
our
sel
fupi
n
t
hebathr
oom ,
Thedoct
orwil
lcomeseey
ouanhour
f
rom nowuset
hesesani
tar
ytowel
s.
Inodandgotothebathroom andcl
eanup,whenI
getbackt
hebedisclean.Ilaydown,
Ist
il
lfeel
pai
n
Myf
ami
l
ycomesi
n.
MrsRei
gns:
Youscar
edmebackt
her
e,howar
eyou
f
eeli
ng?
Me:
i
tspai
nful
Justt
henadoct
orcomesi
nandgr
eet
.
Doct
or:
CanIt
alkt
othepat
ientuhm al
one.
Me:
It
sokaydoct
ort
heyar
eal
lfami
l
y,whati
swr
ong
wi
thme.
Doctor:
uhm youwer ethreeweekspr egnantMiss
andnowy ouarehavingwhatwecal lanincomplete
miscarri
agewheresomebutnotal lpregnancy
ti
ssuehaspassed, Youcanchooset owaitandsee
whatwi l
lhappensoonerorlaterthepregnancy
ti
ssuewi l
lpassnatural
ly
,orMedicineisavail
abl
e
thatcanspeedupt heprocessofpassi ngthe
pregnancyti
ssue.
Ifeel
li
keiam bei
ngst
abbedwi
thav
eryshar
p
daggeri
nmyhear t
.
Me:
Iwaspr
egnant
?
Doct
or:Yesandy
ouwi
l
lhav
etodeci
dewhi
chopt
ion
youchoose.
Me:
Iputhi
sli
fei
ndangerandnowIl
osthi
sbabyt
oo.
Il
etoutav
eryl
oudsob.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Babyi
tsnoty
ourf
aul
t.
Me:Iti
smyf aul
tokay,
it
smyf aul
tTheoislyi
ngon
thatbedf
ighti
ngforhi
sli
fe,
i
tsall
myf aul
t.Iwantt
o
die.
It
ryget
ti
ngof
fbed.
Me:
Iwantt
oseehi
m,Iwantt
oseeTheo.
Doct
or:
Missy
ouneedt
ocal
m down,
youwi
l
lsee
hi
m but
..
Me:Youdon'tunderst
and,
Ineedt
otel
lhi
m how
sorr
yIam ,i
wantt otel
lhi
mtogetbet
ter
,Ican'
tdo
thi
salonepl
easel etmeseehi
m.
Doct
or:
Youar
est
il
lweakmi
ssy
oucan'
tgetof
fbed.
Me:
WHATPARTOFI WANTTOSEEHI
M DON'
TYOU
UNDERSTANDHUH?
Ishoutatt
hetopofmyvoice.
.Someoneopensthe
doorandSisNol
iget
sinhereyesar
eredapuffy
.
Me:
SisNol
ipl
easet
ell
himt
oletmeseeTheo.
SisNol
i
:Icur
sethedaymysonmety ou,myson
doesn'
tdeserv
etobeinthere,nowIwantyouto
l
istent
omeandl i
stentomegood, STAYTHEHELL
AWAYFROM MYSONandt histimeImeanit
.
Herv
oicei
sshakyl
i
keshei
sgoi
ngt
ocr
yanymi
nut
e.
Si
sNol
i
:st
ayaway
.
Shel
eav
est
hewar
d.
Me:
Ireal
l
yam cur
sed.
Mandi
si:
don'
tsayt
hatsi
s
Me:
pleasegoIwantt
obeal
one.
Mr
sRei
gns:
youcan'
tbeal
oneata
t
imel
i
ket
his.
Me:
Please.
Theyal
lgoout,
Ili
einbedandcl
osemyey
est
ear
s
fl
owsfr
om thecor
nerofmyeyes.
Someoneopenst
hedoorbutIkeepmyey
escl
ose.
Me:
IthoughtIt
oldev
ery
onet
oleav
emeal
one
Mandisi
:Iknowthi
sishardfory
ouSi sButi
'm not
goi
ngany whereIwi
llsi
ther
euntil
lyoutel
lmehow
youreal
l
yf eel
.
Me: If
eelli
kekil
li
ngmy sel
fbecausethi
spaini
'm
feeli
ngrightnowisunbearabl
e.Didyouseehow
SisNoliwaslooki
ngatme, t
hatwasangerand
disgustandIdon'tbl
ameheri '
m di
sgustedwi
th
my sel
ftoo.
Mandisi
:
whatisy
ourwi
shr
ightnow,
somet
hingy
ou
wantsobad?
Me:Iwantt
oseeTheo,
Iwantt
otel
lhi
m Il
ovehi
m
andheneedst
owakeup.
Mandi
si:
Iwi
l
lmakei
thappen.
Me:
how,
Youhear
dwhathi
smot
hersai
d.
Mandi
si:
Iwi
l
lfi
ndaway
.
Hewal
ksout
Thedoctorcomesbackandgi
vememedi
ci
net
o
cl
earouttheti
ssuef
rom t
heut
erus.
Lateratni
ghtMandi
sicomesi
nther
oom andt
akes
thewheelchai
r.
Mandi
si:
I'
mtaki
ngy
out
oseeTheo.
.
Iam happybutscar
edoft
hesi
tuat
ioni
mightf
ind
hi
mi n.

Mandi
sil
eavesmenexttoTheo'
sbedandexcuses
hi
msel
fsaidhewi
ll
fetchmeaf t
ert
enminut
es.
Il
ookathim hel
ookspal
eandl
i
fel
essi
ts
hear
tbr
eaki
ngsightt
osee.
Me:Theoit
smeYandah, youknowt hatdaywhen
youdidn'
tpi
ckupy ourphonethef i
rstthi
ngIthought
wasthatyouar echeati
ngonme, butdeepdownI
knewy ouweren'tIguessitwasjustmyi nsecuri
ti
es.
Youhav et
owakeupbabyIneedy ounowmor ethan
ever
,youcan'tleaveyourmom y ouar eal
lshehas,
sheisnotcopingwi t
houtyou,Ihopey oucanhear
me.Youneedt
ofi
ghtandst
ayal
i
vef
orme.Il
ove
you.
It
akehi
shandandki
ssi
t.
It
sbeent hreeweeksandSi sNolist
ill
won' tall
owme
toseeTheoandIhav egi v
enupbutMandi sihave
beengettinginf
or mationabouthisheal thandhei s
sti
ll
inacomaandi 'm devastat
ed.Ihav en'
tbeen
att
endinganycl asses,Ican'tcopewi t
hmel osing
mybabyandTheo' ssituati
onit
shar d.AllIdoi s
wakeupandgost aywi ththekidsandcal lMandi si
everyhouraskinghi m aboutTheo, I
'
m sur ehet ir
ed
ofmenowbutheal way sanswerswhenIcal l.

Iam int
heki
dsr
oom andMandi
sibar
gesinl
ooki
ng
exci
tedandI
'
mlooki
ngathi
m conf
used.
Mandi
si:
Hewokeupsi
s,hei
sfi
nal
l
yawake.
Me:
Bhut
'Mandi
sidon'
tpl
ayl
i
ket
hatpl
easedon'
t.
Mandi
si:
Iam ser
iousTheoi
sawake,
hei
soutoft
he
coma.
Ij
umponMandi
siandhughi
m sot
ight
.
Me:
Thanky
ouBhut
ithanky
ousomuch.
Butmyexci
tementi
sshor
tli
vedwhenIt
hinkabout
Si
sNol
i.
Me:
ButIwon'
tbeabl
etoseehi
m.
Mandi
si:
Itol
dy ouIwil
ldoanyt
hingfory
ou,Iwil
l
makeaplanjustbereadyby6O'cl
ocktoday.
Ihughi
m agai
n.
Me:Iam happyImetyou,youhav
ebeent
hebest
br
othertome, Iam gr
atef
ul.
Mandi
si:
Ilov
eyouki
d,Iwi
l
lseey
oul
ater
.
Igoprepar
eformyv isi
ttothehospit
al,y
oucan'
t
misstheexci
tementonmyf ace,
I'
m picki
ngup
cl
othesandputti
ngthem backIdon'tknowwhatto
wear,Iwanttolookpret
tyforhim.
Mandisi
comesandpickmeupatexact
lysi
xiam
ner
vousbutv
eryexci
ted.
Igeti
ntohi
swardandheisawakeandl
ooki
ngup
l
ikeheisl
osti
nthought
s
Iwantt
orunt
ohi
sar
msbutIr
ememberImi
ghthur
t
hi
m.
Me:TheobabyIam sohappyyoucamebackt
ome
,y
ouf oughtf
orus,
forourl
ove.
Theo:
Whoar
eyou?
(hi
svoi
cei
shoar
se)
Me:
It
smebabyZi
yanda.
Theo:
IwantYandahmygi
rl
fr
iendcany
oucal
lher
forme?
Me:
It
sme,
Iam y
ourgi
rl
fr
iend,
don'
tyour
ecogni
se
me.
Theo:
IknowYandah,
cal
lherf
ormepl
ease.
Me:Theocomeondon'
tpl
ayl
i
ket
hatIam Yandah
yourgi
rl
fr
iend.
Theo:
Youarel
yi
ngIknowYandah, y
ouarenot
Yandah,
Iwantt
oseeher,
pleasecal
lher
.
Hekeepsrepeat
ingt
hesamet
hingandIcanseehe
i
sgett
ingupset.
Iwal
koutoft
her
oom cr
ying.
Mandisi
:
Whati
swr
ong,
whyar
eyoucr
yingi
she
okay
.
Me:Hedoesn'trememberme,hesai
dhewant
s
Yandahhergirl
fri
endandwhenItol
dhi
mitsme,he
sai
di'mly
ing.Hedoesn'tr
emembermebhuti
..

Zee

Sorr
yforthedel
ayl
overs i
tsbeenahect
icdayI
evenfor
gotit
sSunday.
.
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t56

Mandisical
ledmetell
ingmet hedoctorssaysits
normalforTheotonotremembercer tai
nthings,
it
happensifsomeonewasi nacomaf orsomet i
me
andthatgivesmealit
tlehopethathewi l
lremember
mesomedayandev erythi
ngwill
beokay ,butIcan'
t
hel
pbeingwor r
iedabouthim,whatiftheGumede' s
fi
ndouthemadeitthentheyfi
nishhi
m off.Uncl
e
sai
dthepl
antocatchthem iscomingtogether
.I
havet
obepati
entandt r
usthim.
Hi
m andMrsReignshav
ebeenspendingal
otof
t
imetoget
herl
atel
yandtheyar
etr
yingtohi
dei
t.
OnedayIwokeupear l
yandIsawuncle'
scarj ust
nexttot heGat eandMr sRei
gnsgotinthenitdrove
off.Andhercarwasathomet hewholeday,Itold
Bhut'Mandi si
aboutitandhesaidweshouldi nvit
e
everyonef ordinnerandseehowtheywillr
eacton
thetable.
Sotodayisthedayofthedi
nnerandUncletr
iedto
giv
eexcusessayinghecan'
tmakeitbutItol
dhim
'
hewasn'tinmylifef
oryear
sandIwanttogett o
knowhim'anditworked.

Igoat
tendt
hedoorandi
tsLuy
olohei
sal
one.
Me:
Heybhut
'Luy
olowher
eist
het
alkat
iveone.
Luyolo:
Hesai
dheisnotachauff
eurheist
ir
edof
dri
vingmeImustusemycarforonce.
Me:
Hei
scol
d.
Hesmi
l
esandgeti
nandIof
ferhi
mjui
ce.
Luy
olo:
Enkosi
(t
hanky
ou)
Mandi
sibar
gesi
nthef
rontdoor
.
Me:
Youneedt
olear
nhowt
oknock,
i
tspol
i
te.
Mandi
si:
Ziy
anda
Me:
Bhut
i(
brot
her
)
Mandi
si:
shutt
hehel
lup.
Me:
Butbhut
iIwasj
ustsay
ingy
ou.
.
Mandi
si:
Iwon'tsayi
tagain,
Iam sureashel
lyou
di
dn'
tgi
veLuyolothi
slect
ureyoujustgav
ehimjui
ce.
Me|
Luy
olo:
becauseI
|heknocked.
Wesayi
nuni
son
Mandisi
:
Arey
ougangi
nguponme?
Dadt
heyar
e
gangi
nguponme.
Uncl
ecomesandhugsmegi
vi
ngmeaf
oreheadki
ss
Uncl
e/det
ecti
ve:
Stopacti
ngl
ikeababyMandi
siokay
youneedtogetyour
selfawi
fe.
Mandi
si:
Andwhywoul
dIwannadi
stur
bmypeace
l
iket
hat?
Me:
andhowwi
l
lhav
ingawi
fe"
dist
urby
ourpeace"
?
Mandi
si:
Drama,
Noi
seneedIsaymor
e?
Weal
llaughandIgotaket
hekidsfrom Si
sYoli
and
weal
lsitont
hetabl
ebutMrsReignsisn'
ther
e.
Mandi
si:
Uhm wher
eismom?
Si
sYol
i
:Shesai
dshei
scomi
ng.
Wecont
inueconver
singwai
ti
ngforhert
ocomebut
f
ivemi
nutespassandsheisnother
e.
Me:
Letmegocheckonher
.
Igotoherroom andknockoncethengetin,sheis
sit
ti
ngonthedressi
ngtablel
ookingv er
ybeauti
ful
,
butIthi
nksheisover
dressedforjustdi
nneri
nside
thehouse.
Me:
Wowy oulookbeaut
if
ulmom ar
eyounotj
oini
ng
usf
ordi
nner.
MrsRei
gns:
Iam,
doIl
ookgood?don'
tyout
hinki
tsa
bi
ttoomuch.
Wel
li
tist
oomuchbutIwon'
ttel
lhert
hat
.
Me:Youlookgr
eatmom r
eal
l
ylet
sgot
hef
oodi
s
get
tingcol
d.
MrsRei
gns:
Okayletmechangetheshoes,It
hink
t
heseshoeslooksbet
terwi
ththi
sdress.
Me:
Mom i
tsj
ustdi
nner
.
Shehuf
fs.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Okayl
etsgo.
Wet akeoutseat
sandMrsRei
gnsissit
ti
ngnextt
o
uncl
eandy oucancl
ear
lyseetheyar
e
uncomfort
able.
Mandi
si:
Sodaddon'
tyout
hinkmom i
slooki
ng
gor
geous.
Hecl
earshi
sthr
oatol
dmandoesn'
tknowwhatt
o
say,
MrsRei
gnsisl
ooki
ngdownatherpl
ate
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
uhm y
es,
yesshei
s.
Mandi
si:
Youshoul
dtel
lher
.
Si
sYol
i
:Mandi
sij
ustshutupandeat
.
Mandi
si:
HhaaabutAunt
ie.
Si
sYol
i
:Shhhhhh!
!
Thet
winssayshhhhht
oo,
Luy
oloandIl
aughout
l
oud.
Mandi
si:
Wow!
Weconti
nueeat
ingbutMrsRei
gnsgetupandwal
k
away
,af
terawhi
leuncl
egetsuptooandgotothe
samedi
recti
onMrsRei
gnswentto.
Mandi
si:
Iwonder
.(
hesay
soutl
oud)
SisYol
ithrowsateaspoonathi
m andi
thi
tshi
s
shoul
der,Heexcl
aims
Mandi
si:
Ouch!
whatwast
hatf
or!
Si
sYol
i
:Isai
dshhhh!
!
TheTwi
ns:
Shhhhhhh!
!
ThatsSi
sYol
i'
steachi
ngs,whentheymakenoiseshe
saysshhandtheysayshhaft
erherandtheykeep
qui
etsotothem t
hisisagame.
Aft
erawhil
etheol
diescomebackandsi
tdownthey
l
ooktense,
whyaretheysodr
amati
caboutal
lthi
s
,
theyar
eact
ingl
i
ket
eenager
s.
Uncl
e/det
ecti
ve: uhm ki
dswehav etot
ell
y ou
somethi
ng(hesighs)meandy ourmom ar
et oget
her
i
tsbeenawhi l
eandwear eoldandweknowwhat
wewant, sowehav edecidedtogetmarr
iedassoon
aspossi
ble.
Us:
WHAT!
!
Mandi
si:
Okayt
imerweknewthatther
ewas
somet
hinggoi
ngonbetweenyouguyshence,
the
di
nner
,butmarr
iageguy
sreal
l
y?.
Uncle/det
ect
ive:
mandisi
I'
m oldnowanditsrar
efor
someonemyaget ofi
ndlovesowheny oudoyou
grabitwit
hbothhandsandnev erl
etgo.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Pinkuhm babyar
eyouokaywi
tht
his?
Ilookatherandgetuptopickupthedi
shesgoi
ng
tothekit
chen,
Icanhearthem t
alki
ng
MrsReigns:
BonganiIt
oldy
ouweshoul
dwai
t,shei
s
notreadyfort
his,
nowsheisupset
.
Ismile,Thi
smakesmehappyIgobacktot
hem and
standinfr
ontoft
hem t
heybot
hgetup.
Uncl
e/Detect
ive:
Ziy
andal
ist
ennothi
ngwil
lchange
wepromiseyou,shewil
lsti
l
lbeyourmom.
Me:
andy
ouwi
l
lbewhat
,st
epf
atheroruncl
e?
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
Icanbey
ourdad,
what
every
ou
wantmetobe.
Me:
Your
eal
l
ylov
eher
,andy
ouwon'
thur
therr
ight
?
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
Ipr
omi
senev
ert
ohur
therandIdo
l
oveher.
Ismi
lewi
delyandr
unt
omyuncl
eandhughi
m and
hugmrsr
eigns.
Me:
Iam sohappyf
ory
out
oo,
thi
smakesmehappy
.
Mandi
si:
Andwhatwi
l
lbecomeofme?
Luy
olo:
andmet
oo?
Si
syol
i
:whatwi
l
lbecomeofus?
Andt
heyal
lbur
stouti
nlaught
er.
Me:Il
ovethi
sbutt
her
eisoneper
sonmissi
nguncl
e
andthati
sKwanel
eyouguyshav
etof
indhim.
Isayl
ooki
ngf
rom Mandi
si,
Luy
olot
henatuncl
e.
Me:
bri
nghi
m home.
Theyal
lnod.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t57

Theweddi ngist
hreemonthsawayanditwil
lbea
smalli
ntimateweddingsi
ncewedon'thav
eahuge
famil
y.Itwil
lbej
ustusandaf ewf
ri
endsandt hei
r
coll
egues.

It
sbeenov ert
woweekswi thoutseeingTheoin
campus,hehasnevercall
edIlastsawhi m atthe
hospit
alwhenhedidn'
trecognisethati'
m hi
s
gir
lf
ri
end.Hewill
callmewhenhei sreadybutfor
nowi'mfocusi
ngonschool andmyki ds,i'
m keepi
ng
myey
esont
hepr
ice,
andt
hatf
ormei
sSUCCESS.

I
tsSatur
dayint
hemor ni
ngIr
ecei
veacallf
rom an
unknownnumberIl
etitr
ingf
orawhi
lethenanswer
wit
houtsay
inganyt
hing.
Voi
ce:
Hel
l
oZi
yandaar
eyout
her
e?
Me:
SisNol
i
Ianswerner
vousl
yi'
m scaredoft
hiswomanever
si
ncethatsl
apandhertell
i
ngmet ostayawayf
rom
hi
sson.
SisNol
i:
Theowant
stoseey
out
oday
,hei
shomebe
hereat1pm.
Andshedropsthecallj
ustl
i
ket hat.Idon'
tknowifI
shoul
dbehappyorsadi meani don'tknowifhe
remembersmebutwhywoul dhewant stoseemei f
hedoesn'
t?Mymi ndisj
ustall
ov ertheplacsIdon'
t
knowwhattothink.

Theti
mei sgoingsofastandi
ts1pm al
ready,
Itel
l
Si
sYoli
thati'
m gonnacomebacksoon.Iknowon
t
hemai
ndoorandSi
sNol
iopens.
Me:
HiSi
sNol
i
Si
sNol
i
:Zi
yanda
Shesay
sandmov
eawayf
ormet
oent
er.
Si
sNol
i
:I
nhi
sroom
Inod,sheissocol
dtowar
dsmemyhear
tbr
eaks,
I
real
l
ylikedher
.
Iknocki
nhi
sroom het
ell
smet
ocomei
n.
Igeti
nandstandnextt
othedoori
'
mreal
l
yner
vous.
Heissit
ti
ngonthebed.
Me:
Hi
Theo:
Hi,
youcansi
tov
erher
e.
Hepoi
ntsatachairnextt
ohisbed,Igositandf
ace
down,
Ijustcan'
tl
ookathim If
eelguil
ty.
Wearequi
etnoonesay
sanythi
ng,
unti
ll
Ican'
ttake
i
tIcanf
eelhi
seyesonme,Ij
ustwantt
oknowofhe
knowsmeornot
.
Me:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng.
Theo:
I'
m get
ti
ngther
eevent
houghmychesti
sst
il
l
pai
nfulf
rom t
imetoti
me.
Me:
Doy
ouknow,
uhm doy
our
ememberwhoIam?
Theo:Of
causeIdoZiyanda,
I'
m sor
ryf
orwhat
happenedatthehospi
talmusthav
ehurty
ou.
Me:
It
sokayi
'
m happyy
ouarefeel
i
ngbet
ter
,I
t
houghty
ougonnal
eaveme.
Hekeepsqui
etl
i
kehei
sindeept
hought
s.
Me:I'
m sorr
yforalloft
hisIknowi
tsal
lmyf aul
tand
I
'l
lunder
standifyoucall
edmeheretobreakthi
ngs
of
f.
Theo:I
tsnotyourfaul
tZi
yandaIknewwhatIwas
gett
ingmy sel
fint
owhenIdidn'
twantust
obreakup.
Me:ButIdi
dsayyouwereprotect
edandmyuncle
assur
edmebutthishappenedtoyou.I
'
mreal
lysorr
y.
Theo:
Whatdi
dtheysayaboutal
lthi
s?
Me:ThatMiso'sf
amil
ybribedt
hoseguysthatwere
supposedtolookaf
teryouandoneofthem shot
you.ButmyUncledidsaythepl
antonailt
hem is
comingtogether
.
Theo:Mmm t
hatsgood,
whi
chmeanstheywon'
t
bothery
ouagai
n.Sohowwascampusthepast
weeks.
Me:
Goodbutitwasn'
tthesamewi
thouty
ou,
I
mi
ssedyou.
Theo:
Imi
ssedy
out
ooZi
yandabut
..
Icuthi
m of
f.
Me:
Ineedt
otel
lyousomet
hingTheo.
Theo:
Ihav
esomet
hingt
otel
lyout
oobuty
ougof
ir
st.
Me:Uhm wheny ouwereatthehospit
alIwentt
her
e
butIfai
ntedandfoundoutIwasthreeweeks
pregnantbut
..
.
Theo:
Youarepregnant
!!
!Wowt
hischanges
ever
ythi
ngZi
yandawowmom needstohearthi
s.
Helooksexci
ted,
andyoucanhearexci
tementi
nhi
s
voi
ceandi'
m sadforhi
m morethanmyself
.
Me:
Theo!j
ustl
i
stent
omeokay
..
.
Theo:
Wear
ehav
ingababy
.
Me:
THEO!
!!
hel
ooksatmeshocked
Theo:
whati
sit
?youar
enotexci
ted?
Me:YESI
'
M NOTEXCI
TEDBECAUSEILOSTTHE
BABYTHEO.
Ishoutathi
m
Theo:
What?Youarenotmakingsenseyousai
dyou
werethr
eeweekspregnantandnowyoulostt
he
baby.
Hel
ooksr
eal
l
yconf
usedr
ightnow.
Me:Youdidn'tletmef i
nish,
Ilostt
hebabyTheowhen
Iwenttoseey ouatthehospital.
.If
aintedandwhen
Iwokeupt herewer ebloodclotsalloverthebedand
thedoctortoldmeIhadani ncompletemi scar
ri
age
andthedoct orgavemepi l
l
st ospeedupt he
process.
Theo:
Youl
ostt
hebabyZi
yanda?
Me:
YesTheoIl
ostourbaby
.
Theo:waityousai
dy ouhadanincomplet
e
miscarri
ageandyouusedpill
stospeedupthe
process,Soyoukil
l
edmybabyZi yandayouact
ual
l
y
hadahandi
nki
l
li
nghi
m huh?
Me:Howcany ousaythatTheo,y
ouknownot hi
ng
canbedonet osav
ethebabyoncey ouhave
i
ncompletemiscar
ri
agey oucanonl
ywaitandsee
whathappens.
Theo:andyoucoul
dn'
twai
thuhy
ouj
ustspedupt
he
process.
Me:Thati
snotfairTheo,
yousoundli
keyouare
bl
amingmef orthis,
Iwasdevast
atedwhenIhear
d..
Hechuckl
es
Theo:dev
ast
atedr
eal
l
y?Youdi
dn'
twantmybaby
Zi
yanda.
Me:Idi
dn'tev
enknowIwaspr
egnantunt
ilt
he
mi
scarr
iageTheo.
Theo:
Yousur
eyoudi
dn'
tabor
tmybaby
?
Me:Don'
tdot
hatTheo,
Iwantedust
omour
nthe
deat
hofourbabyt
ogether.
Theo:
Wel
lyouwi
l
lmour
nal
oneI
'
m goi
ng.
Me:
Youar
egoi
ng?
goi
ngwher
e?
Theo:I
'
m goi
ngt
oCuba,
I
'm gonnaf
ini
shmyst
udi
es
ther
e.
Me:
Oh.
That
sal
lImanaget
osay
,Iwasn'
texpect
ingt
his.
Si
sYoli
:Yesheisgoi
ngtobesafet
her
efaraway
fr
om you.Andtomorr
owheistaki
ngafl
ightt
o
Johannesbur
g
Idon'
tev
enknowwhenshegother
e.
Me:
I.
.Iunder
stand,
Iguesst
hisi
sitt
hen.
IgetupIf
eel
alumpi
nmyt
hroatandapangi
nmy
heart
.
Theo:
Goodby
eZi
yanda.
Iwanttosaysomet hingbutwordsdon'
tcomeoutI
rushoutoftheroom, whenI'
m outIt
akeadeep
breat
hIwantt hepaininmyhearttogoaway.Ical
l
mandisibuthi
sphonei sonvoicemail
.It
ry
bhut'
Luyol
o.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
anda
Me:
Bhut
'wher
ear
eyou?
Luyol
o:I
'
m her
ewithSi
sYol
iandt
heki
ds,
whenar
e
youcomingback.
Me:
I'
m comi
ngbacknow.
Luy
olo:
Isev
ery
thi
ngokayy
oudon'
tsoundt
oogood.
Ij
ustdropt
hecal
l
,Icont
inuet
otakedeepbr
eat
hs
andrunhome.
WhenIgetther
ebhut'
Luyol
oout
sideont
hephone.
Hedropst
hecallandtur
ntome.
Luy
olo:
Heyki
dar
eyouokay
.
It
sonlynowt
hatIl
ett
het
ear
sfal
lIcoul
dn'
thol
diti
n
anymore.
Hecomescl
oserandhugsme.
Il
eti
tal
lout,
i
thur
ts.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee
I
nser
t58

Luyolotookmei
nsi
deandl
ayedmeont hecouch,
SisYol
icover
edmewit
hablanketandIdozedoff.

WhenIwakeupLuy
oloi
ssi
tt
ingont
heopposi
te
couch.
Luy
olo:
Hey
Me:
Hii
sbhut
'Mandi
siher
e?
Luy
olo:
Hei
sonhi
sway
.
Inodt hengotomyroom tofr
eshenup,Ifeel
drai
ned, IgoshowerandIhaveasessi
onofcr y
ing
ther
et hencomeoutandgetdressed.Igobackto
thedinningr
oom.
Bhut
'Mandi
sii
sher
e.
Mandi
si:
Ihear
dyouwer
easki
ngf
orme,
Bhut
iis
her
enow.
Ismi
l
e,hehav
esuchawar
m per
sonal
i
ty.
Isi
tinbet
weent
hem.
Mandisi
:IknowIsai
dyouareski
nnyZi
yandabutt
hat
doesn'
tmeanwecansi ti
nthi
scouchal
lthr
eeofus.
Me:Whyareyouev
enshar
ingacouchar
eyousur
e
ya'
l
lst
rai
ght.
Mandisi
:
Babyi
'm st
raight,
Ieatpussyforal
i
ving,
I
don'
tknowaboutTa.Loydovert
here.
Il
ookatLuy
olo
Me:
arey
oust
rai
ght
?
Luy
olo:
wantmet
oshowy
ou?
Me:
OhNonono
Imov
etosi
tonanot
hercouch.
Mandi
si:
Howwer
eyougonnashowherLuy
olo?
Luy
olo:
Idon'
tknow.
Heshr
uggl
e
Mandi
si:
Dadsai
dhei
scomi
ngt
odaywi
thsome
goodnews.
Me:
GreatIcoul
ddowi
thsomegoodnewsr
ightnow.
Luy
olo:
Whywer
eyoucr
yingwheny
ougother
e?
Mandisi
:
shewascry
ing?(hegetsup)whomadeyou
cry
?andwhyareyoustil
lsi
tt
ingdownLuyol
o?we
shoul
dbeoutt
herekil
l
ingthefuckerwhomadeher
cry
.
Me:
(l
aughi
ng)bhut
iyou'
resodr
amat
ic.
Mandi
si:
nowt
ell
mewhomadey
oucr
y.
Me:
Justsi
tdownwoul
dyou.
Hesl
owl
ysi
tsdown.
Me:
SoTheoisleav
ingtomorrowforJohannesburg
t
henweekendheisgoingtoCubaheisgonnast udy
t
hatsi
de,soIwasjustsad.
Luy
olo:
hei
sleav
ing?
Inod
Mandi
si:
may
behewant
saf
reshst
art
.
Me:
yeahfreshst
artawayf
rom meandthedr
ama
t
hatkeepspoppi
ngupinmylif
e,ri
ght
.
Mandi
si:
Don'
tdot
hatt
oyour
sel
f,
yougonnabef
ine.
Luy
olo:
Iguesswenotki
l
li
nghi
mthen?
Me:
Real
l
ybhut
'Luy
olo.
Luy
olo:
sor
ry,
Iwasj
ustaski
ng.
Me:enoughabouttheo,
sowhenam Imeet
ingt
he
womeninyourli
ves.
Mandisi
:
YoushouldaskLuhthatquest
ionhe'st
he
oneinaser
iousrel
ati
onshi
p,Iontheotherhand
don'
thavej
ustoneIhavetoomanyoft hem.
Me:Thati
snotcool
bhut
i,soy
oumeany
ouar
ea
pl
ayer.
Mandi
si:
NoI
'
mjustgener
ouswi
thmydi
ckt
hat
sal
l
.
Me:Okayt
hat
siti
'
m outofher
e,cal
lmewhenuncl
e
get
shere.
Igoandplaywit
hmyki dstheylookalotl
iket
hose
twocreepsmisoandkuhle,andLangadoeslookl
ike
them onl
ydi
ff
erencei
shei smi xed-
race.
Uncl
eandMrsRei
gnscomesbackIgohugt
hem
andwesi
tdown.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
Ihav
egoodnewsZi
yandaact
ual
l
y
i
tsgr
eatnews.
Mandi
si:
outwi
thi
tal
readydad.
Me:
buthesai
dZi
yanda.
Mandi
si:
Ngi
zokut
rapaZi
yanda(
Iwi
l
lbeaty
ouup)
Uncl
e/Det
ect
ive:
Leav
ethechi
l
dal
oneMandi
si.
Ist
uckmyt
ongueathi
m.
Uncl
e/detect
ive:If
inal
l
ymanagedt
otakedownt
he
Gumede'sZiyanda.
Me:
Real
l
y?Uncl
edon'
tpl
ayl
i
ket
hat
.
Uncle/
detect
ive:
I'
m notpl
ayi
ngaswespeaktheyar
e
i
nWest vi
l
lePrisonbuti'
m worki
ngont
ransf
eri
ng
them f
araway.
I
'
m exci
tedi
don'
tevenknowwhattodowithmysel
f
i
fonl
yTheowassti
llwit
hmeIwouldhaveshar
ed
t
hegoodnewsbutnevert
hel
essi
am overt
hemoon
Mandi
si:
Goodr
iddance.
Luy
olo:
tobadr
ubbi
sh.
Me:
Ooohl
ookaty
out
wo,
youev
enf
ini
sheach
ot
her
'ssent
ences,
mat
chmadei
nhel
l
..
Mandi
si:
alr
ightt
hat
sitDadi
'
m beat
ingt
hehel
loutof
her
.
Hesay
sstandi
ngupbutIgosi
tnextt
omyuncl
eand
hol
dhi
shand.
Me:ngyabonga(
thank
you)Lukhel
e,
Mdluli
,
Nyoka,
Nzi
mande
Mhlant
iwendl̀enkhul
u,Mav
ovoemv
ula,
(Isaycl
an
names).
Hehasav
erypr
oudsmi
l
eonhi
sface.
Uncl
e/det
ecti
ve:
Whot
aughty
out
hat,
wowi
'
m
i
mpressed.
Me:Weusedtosingcl
annamesev er
yti
metherewas
atr
adi
ti
onalcer
emonyathomet heywouldpr
aise,
or
whenmygranni
eswereproudatanyofus.
Uncl
e/det
ecti
ve:
Iremember
,ir
egretev
erl
eav
ing
home,Idon'
tevenknowwhatcameoverme.
Mandisi
:I
tsokayDady
oucanr
ect
if
yitt
hroughus,
yourki
ds.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
andIwi
l
l,
Ij
usthav
etof
indmyson.
Luy
olo:
Ihav
esomet
hingt
otel
lyou.
Me:
Ihopei
tsgoodnewst
oobhut
'Luy
olodon'
tspoi
l
t
hemood.
Luy
olo:
Ihav
etogobackhomei
ntheEast
ernCape.
Me:
what
?butwhybhut
'Luy
olo?
Luyol
o:I
'
m comingbackki
dmay bejustaweek,
I
havetoseehowmyf amil
yhouseis,t
henei
ghbour
s
cal
l
edsay i
ngitwasonfi
reyest
erday.
Me:
ohno,
noonewashur
tri
ght
?
Luyol
o:noonewashur
tbecausenoonest
ayst
her
e
Ziy
anda.
Hesay
sandwal
kaway,
hel
ooksupset
.
Mandi si
:wear ehisf
amily,myf atherfoundhi m when
wewer e17,hewasselli
ngf r
uitsatthest reet
,his
fami lydiedinthecaraccident,hisdad,mot herand
hisl i
ttl
esi st
erandhewast heonl yonet osur vi
ve.
Andwhenwet urned18wewentt oami li
tary
training, hehasbeenwithusev ersince,hegohome
ev eryoncei nawhi l
etofeelclosertohi sfamilyso
t
hismustbehardfort
hem becauset
hathousehav
e
alotofmemor
ies.
Me:
Oh,
Idi
dn'
tknow.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
Hehasbeent
hroughal
ot.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Didhegof
ort
her
apyBongani
?
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
hedi
dforawhi
l
e.

Igetupandgolookforhi
m hei
sinhiscar.
Iknock
onthepassengerwi
ndowheunlocksandIgeti
n.
Me:BhutiI
'
m sorr
yforeveryt
hingyouwentthr
ough.I
knowthefeel
ingofbeingalonewhil
esurr
oundedby
athousandsofpeopl
e, i
tshard.
Luyol
o:Yeahi
tsbeenhardIthinkaboutt
hem
every
day,myli
tt
lesi
sterwould'v
ebeenyourage
ri
ghtnow.
Me:
Howol
dar
eyouguy
s?
Luy
olo:
Amandoesn'
trev
eal
hisage.
Me:Noway
,youmeanawomandoesn'
trev
eal
her
age.
Hechuckl
es.
Luy
olo:
Yeahwhat
ever
.
Ther
e'ssi
lenceforawhi
le,
nextt
hingIf
eel
hisl
i
pson
minebuthequicklymov
esaway .
Luy
olo:
I'
m sosor
ryki
dIdon'
tknowwhatcameov
er
me.
Me:
Ithi
nkIshoul
dgobacki
nsi
de.
Iopent
hedoorbuthegr
absmyhand.
Luyolo:
pleaseZiyandadon'
tsayany
thi
ngaboutt
his
i
'mr eal
l
ysor ry
..Idon'
twanttol
osethi
sfami
ly
they'
reallIhave.
Me:Iunder
standbhuti
Iwon'
tsayany
thi
ngIknow
t
hiswasami st
ake.
.
Luy
olo:
Shi
t,f
uck.
(hei
spani
cki
ng)
Me:Relaxokaythi
snev
erhappened,
l
etsgoback
befor
eMandi si
comesherewit
hmi l
l
ionwordsi
na
minute.
Wegobackwi
tht
hem l
aughi
ngoutl
oud.
Me:
Iknowsomeonei
sbusyf
eedi
ngy
ouobv
iousl
i
es
t
hat
swhyy
ouguy
sar
elaughi
ng.
Mandi
si:
I'
m secondsawayf
rom beat
ingy
oursmal
l
assZi
yanda.
Me:
Uncl
ehei
sinsul
ti
ngme.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
Mandi
sist
opi
nsul
ti
ngy
oursi
ster
pl
ease.
Mr
sRei
gns:
andst
opgangi
nguponmysony
out
wo.
Mandi
si:
Thanky
ouol
ady
.
Il
ookov
eratLuyol
ohelookst
ressed,t
hismustbe
har
donhim butwewi
l
lbether
ef orhi
m.
Me:I
'm notfi
xingy
ourroom bhut
iMandi
siy
ou'
ve
beenthreat
ningmethewholeday.
Mandi
si:
Mxhm pot
atohead.
Luy
olo:
shot
sfi
red!
Me:
Real
l
ybhut
iLuy
oloy
out
oo
Luy
olo:
iwasj
ustsay
ing.
Uncle/
detect
ive:
Luy
olo,
Mandi
sist
opi
t.
(he
repr
imandsthem)
Whatmor
ecoul
dIaskf
or

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t59

I
ts6:30inthemorningandi 'm awake, Iwearmy
gownandgoout sideitsverycol d.Istandbyt he
gateIcanseeTheoandhi smom t akingluggageto
thecar,
soheisreall
yleavi
ng, Istandt herefreezi
ng
buti'
m hopi
ngheat l
eastsay shi sgoodby e.Isee
them get
ti
nginthecar,andt heywi lldriv
ebymy
housesoIstandtherewai t
ingf orthem t opassby .

Theircarst
opsatourgat
eandTheogetoutand
walkupt ome
Theo:
Yandah.
Me:
Theo.
Theo:
I'
m sor
ryforthethi
ngsIsaidyester
day
,bl
amingyouforthelostofourbabyitwasunf
air
andveryi
nsensi
ti
veofme, for
giv
eme.
Me:
Ifor
giv
eyou.
Theo:Maybesomedaywewi l
lmeetagai
nandas
yousaidift
hisr
elat
ionshi
pdoesn'twor
kwecan
alwaysgobacktobeingfri
ends,
soIguesswear
e
fr
iendsnowhuh.
Me:Wearefr
iendsTheo,
enj
oyCubaDoct
orTee,
anddoskypeokay.
Theo:
Ilov
eyoual
way
sandIhopey
ouwi
l
lfi
ndl
ove.
Me:Il
ovey
out
ooanddobr
ingacar
ri
beanwi
feback
home.
Welaughandwehugf
orawhi
l
ewi
tht
ear
sinour
ey
es.
Theo:
youwi
l
lal
way
sbei
nmyhear
t.
Me:
AndIwi
l
lal
way
sremembery
ou.
Weki
sssopassi
onat
ely
.
Theo:
Goodby
eYandah.
Me:
Goodby
eTheo.
Iwatchasthecardr
ivesoff
,Ismil
eatl
eastwesai
d
ourgoodby
esandwewi l
lal
way sbef
ri
ends.
Igetbackinsi
deandIfi
nduncleshout
ingandther
e
i
sav erybeauti
ful
thi
ckl
adyinbet
weenLuyoloand
Mandisi.
Uncle/det
ecti
ve:
Soar
eyougoi
ngt
otal
korshoul
dI
beatitoutofyou.
Me:
uncl
ewhati
sgoi
ngon?
Uncle/det
ecti
ve:
Oneofthem br
oughtawomani n
thi
shouse, hecoul
dn'
twaitunt
ilhewasi
nhishouse
buttheydon'twantt
otel
lmewhosegi r
lf
ri
endisshe.
Me:cal
m downwhosai dit
sagirl
fr
iend,
sheismy
fr
iendshewasinmyr oom whenIwentouttosay
goodbyetoTheoandItooktime,
Iguessshewanted
someonetoescourtherout.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
Ohi
sthatso.
Me:
YesUncl
eIswearshei
smyf
ri
end.
MyunclenodsIdon'
tknowi
fiwasbel
i
evabl
e
enough.
Me:oneofy
ouowemef
orcov
eri
ngf
ory
ourasses
sopayup.
Mandisi
:
Talktoyourbr
otherandheowesmet
oof
or
nott
hrowinghi
m underthebus.
Il
ookatLuy
oloandhei
slooki
ngatme.
Me:
youar
ebeaut
if
ulSi
s.
Her
:t
hanky
oui
'
m Lesedi
.
Me:
Ziy
anda,
nicemeet
ingy
ou.
Luy
olo:
l
etmet
akey
ouhomesedi
.
Shetakeshi
shandandt
heyl
eav
ether
oom andI
smil
e.
Me:
Ijustl
ovel
ove.
Mandi
si:
Ist
hatpr
operengl
i
sh.
Me:whocar
esifi
tis,
i
tsnotmymot hertongue
any
way,sowhi
choneofy ourmanygir
lf
riendsam I
meet
ingf
ir
st?
Mandi
si:
NONE.
Uncleshout
smynamef
rom t
hei
rbedr
oom Ir
un
ther
eandenter
.
Me:
Dady
oucal
l
edme
Uncl
e/det
ecti
ve:
Uhm Ij
ustgotacallr
ightnowand
i
tsfr
om Misokuhl
e,hei
saskingify
oucangosee
hi
minwest v
il
lepri
sonbef
oretheyaremov edt
o
ot
herpri
sons.
Me:
Idon'
twantt
oseehi
m.
MrsRei
gns:
Iwouldadvi
ceforyoutogo, f
orcl
osur
e
baby,
youwil
lgettoaskhim quest
ionsandmaybe
hewil
lanswert
ruthf
ull
yandwecanal lmoveon.
Me:
Iwi
l
lthi
nkabouti
t.CanIsl
eepwi
thy
ouguy
s.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Buti
tsmor
ningal
ready
.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
Andwhatabouty
ourFRI
END.
me:Ohuhm I.
..
Iaskedbhut
iLuy
olot
otakeherhome
becauseshewasinahurry
.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
soy
ouwer
ecov
eri
ngf
orLuy
olo
huh?
Me:
Nonoshewasr
eal
l
ymyf
ri
end.
Hesaysaverylongmmmmmmm andIknowhe
knowsthet
ruthnowImeanhei
sadet
ecti
veaf
teral
l
.

IwakeupandIaskBhut'
mandi
sitot
akemet
o
pri
sonsoIcanhearwhatMi
sokuhl
ehast
osay.
I
'
m si
tt
ingwai
ti
ngf
orawar
dert
obr
inghi
m.
Hecomesi
nhesi
tsopposi
teme.
Mi
so:
Gody
ou'
rebeaut
if
ul.
Me:
whydi
dyouaskt
oseemeMi
sokuhl
e?
Mi
so:
Imi
ssy
ousomuchst
handwasam.
Me:
okayi
'
mleav
ing.
Iat
temptt
ost
andupbuthet
alks.
Miso:
I'
m sor
ryZiyandaforevery
thingIdidtoyou,but
youaremineZiy
andaIcoul dn'
tletthatboyhave
whatsminebabyy oubelongtome.
Me:
Anapol
ogywi
thabuti
sn'
treal
l
yanapol
ogybut
y
ouj
ust
if
yingy
ouract
ions.
Miso:
Thatboywasf
ucki
ngy
ouZi
yanda,
Ihi
tit
f
ir
st,i
tsmine.
Me:whatam Imi
sokuhl
eapossessi
on?
youar
e
di
sgusti
ng.
Miso:
ButIwi
llcomebackf
ory
ouandourki
dswe
bel
ongtoget
herlov
e.
Me:whathappenedt
oyou?
misowhati
swr
ongwi
th
you?

Mi
so:
Ilov
eyousomuch.
Me:Ithinky
ouar
eobsessedwi
thme,andr
emember
youleftmenott
heot
herwayaround.
Miso:
Pleasewai
tformeZiyandaIwi
ll
getoutof
hereandwecanbet oget
heragai
n.
Me:Youwon'
tgetnearmeMi sokuhl
enotany
more
anddoyouknowwhy ?BecauseIhaveafamil
ynow
peopl
ewhowillpr
otect
smewi ththei
ral
l.
Mi
so:
Iam y
ourf
ami
l
yZi
yanda.
Me:I
'
ml eavi
ngby e,
enj
oypr
isonbecausey
ougonna
behereforalongti
me.
Miso:andsti
llonthattell
them ever
ythingwhenthey
growup,tel
lthem howy ouwerewhor i
ngaroundand
sentmet ojailsoyoucancontinue,becausewhenI
getoutofhereIwi l
ltakethem awayf r
om youand
Langeli
hleenjoyyourtimewithhimf ornowLayla
will
comebackf orhi
m.
Thel astpartmakesmener v
ousIdon'twantanyone
takingLangaawayf rom me,butwhatifLayl
acomes
backf orhim,wi
ll
Ijustlether?Iguessi
'l
lcr
ossthat
bridgewhenIgett here.
Iwalkoutoft
hatpr
isonwi
thMi
sokuhl
ecussi
ngand
shouti
ngatme.

LuyoloandMandi si
arecomingbacktodayfr
om the
EasternCape,Mandisiwentwit
hhimforsuppor
t.I
mustsayImi ssthem somuchi t
sli
kei'
veknown
them all
mylife.
Ihearthei
rcari
nthedri
vewayandI
runout.
BhutMandi
sigetoutf
ir
stIgoandt
hrowmy
sel
fat
hi
m.
Me:
Imi
ssedy
ousomuchBhut
i
Mandi
si:
butwer
ewer
egonef
orj
ustaweekZi
yanda.
Me:
i
tfel
tli
kef
orev
ert
hough.
AndLuyolocomestousheisholdi
nghergir
lf
ri
end'
s
handIt
hinkshesaidshei
sLesediNal
edisomethi
ng
al
ongthoseli
nes.
ImovetohugLuy
olobuthi
sgi
rl
fr
iendpushedme
bef
oreIcoul
d.
Lesedi:
Idon'
tthi
nkIf
eel
comf
ort
abl
ewi
thy
ou
huggingmyman.
Me:
why
?
Il
ookatLuy
oloandhel
ooksdown
Me:
i
'm sor
ryt
henSi
s,
uhm bhut
'
luy
olohowar
eyou.
Luy
olo:
I'
m okay
Hesay
sst
il
ll
ooki
ngdown.Andt
heywal
kinsi
de.
Mandi
si:
Youst
il
l"l
ovel
ove"r
ight?
Me:
OhGot
ohel
lwena,
Isav
edherasst
heot
herday
l
yi
ngtodadsayi
ngshe'
smyf
ri
endnowshepushme
l
i
kethat
.Real
ly
?
I
'm angryImeanImissedbhut
'l
uyol
oIwantedt
oask
howar ethi
ngsbackhomeandev er
ythi
ng.
Mandi
si:
whyar
eyousoangr
yit
snotabi
gdeal
.
Me:
mxhm.
.
Isaywalki
ngbackinIfoundthecouplecozyi
nthe
couchIknowuncleewon'tl
ikethi
satall
.AndIdon'
t
l
ikethi
sLesedianymor
eandIt akemywor dsback
sheain'
tevent
hatpret
ty.Butsheisreal
l
ybeauti
ful
damnher .

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t60
Mandi
siandIar
esit
ti
ngopposi
tet
hecoupl
ewear
e
j
ustl
ooki
ngatthem.
Me:
Uhm bhut
'Luy
olohowbadwasi
t?t
hehouse?
Luyol
o:I
twasj
ustt
heki
tchent
heysawi
tear
lysoi
ts
notbad.
Uncl
eandMr
sRei
gnsgeti
nandsi
twi
thus.
Uncle/det
ect
ive:
whoi
sthatgi
rlsi
tt
ingnextt
oyou
Luyolo.
Luyol
olooksatmeandIl ookaway, hedi
dn't
repr
imandhisgirl
fr
iendwhensheshov edmel i
ke
somedi r
tyst
reetkidaski
ngforR2.So
angiz
ingeni
(i
'
m notgetti
nginvol
ved)notthi
stime.
Luy
olo:
uhm dadt
hisi
smygi
rl
fr
iendLesedi
.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
ohar
eyoupl
anni
ngonmar
ryi
ngher
?
Luy
olo:
NO!
!
Herepl
iessof
astIwantt
olaughandhi
sgi
rl
fr
iend
st
aresathi
m.
Luy
olo:
Imeannotnowbuti
nfut
urey
es.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
Thensheshoul
dn'
tbeher
eift
his
"f
utur
e"isnotanyt
imesoon,
whati
fyoubr
eakupyou
gonnaint
roducesomeoneel
seagai
nhuhluy
olo.
Luy
olo:
Nodad.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
thi
sist
hel
astone.
Luy
olo:
uhm y
e..
yesdad.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
oht
hat
sgr
eatt
henHi
Lesedi
.
Lesedi
:
Hi
Uncl
estandupandt
akemr
sRei
gnshandsandt
hey
gotothei
rbedr
oom.
AndIcatchLesedi
star
ingatmeIst
arebackt
hen
getuptotakemykids.
Mandisi
:
herecomesmyfav
our
it
enephews(
he
st
art
splayi
ngwitht
hem)
Lesedi
:
theyar
eyourki
ds?
Inod
Lesedi
:
all
thr
eeoft
hem?
Me:
yep.
Lesedi
:
aren'
tyout
ooy
oungt
ohav
ethr
eeki
ds?
Me:
arey
ouher
etoi
nter
viewmeaboutmyl
i
fe?
Luy
olo:
Ziy
anda!
!
Hesay
sinawar
ningt
one.
Me:
butbhut
iI.
.
Luy
olo:
shuti
t!
!
Me:whyareyour
epr
imandi
ngmef oraski
ngwhil
e
sheshovedmebutyoudi
dn'
tsayanythi
ngbhut
i.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
andai
'
m notgonnasayi
tagai
n.
Me:Idon'
tknowwhyyouareshout
ingatmebhut
iI
j
ustaskedheraquest
ionand.
.
Hedoesn'tl
etmef i
nishhegr abmyhandpull
ingme
upandhest ar
esatme, Istar
ebackathimi'
m angry
athimforal
lowinghisgirl
fri
endt
ojudgeme
becauseherquesti
onssoundedv er
yjudgemental
.
Luy
olo:
Itol
dyout
oshutupdi
dn'
tI?
Idon'
tanswer
.
Luy
olo:
Didn'
tI?
Ziy
anda
Me:
whyar
eyoushout
ingatme?
(nowi
'
mtear
ingup)
Luyol
o:Youar
erudet
oLesedi
butshe'
sol
dert
han
you.
Me:
shemustactheraget
henbecauseIdon'
tknow
whyIshoul
dn'
tev
enhugyou.
Luy
olo:
Stopt
alki
ngori
'
llmakey
ou.
Uncle/det
ect
ive:
Heyheywhyareyoutwofight
ing
Luyolowhyareyoushouti
ngatachi
ld?andMandisi
whyar eyouj
ustsit
ti
ngther
e?
Mandi
si:
I'
m play
ingwi
thmyki
dsdad,
Idon'
thav
e
t
imeforthesetwo.
Ij
ustwalktomyroom andsl
am thedoorandcr
y,I
don'
tevenknowwhyi'
m soangr
yatLuy ol
oandhis
gi
rl
fr
iendmaybei
tsbecauseImissTheo.
Luy
ologet
sinandsi
tont
hebedi
'
mly
ingdown.
Luy
olo:
I'
m sor
ryki
dforshout
ingaty
ou.
Me:I'
m sorr
ytooIt
hinkImissTheosomucht hatI
tookitoutonyout
wo..pl
easetel
lSi
sLesedi
Isaid
sorr
y.
Luy
olo:
OhkIwi
l
ltel
lher
,dadsai
dyoushoul
dcome
eat
.
Me:
buti
'
m nothungr
ybhut
i.
Luyol
o:hesai
difIdon'
tcomewit
hyouIwon'
teat
,
andknowinghi
m,hewon'tl
etmeeat
.
Ilaugh,
gett
ingupfoll
owinghimtot
heli
vi
ng
room,Lesedii
ssti
l
l her
eblushi
ngandal
l.
Me:Uhm Si
sLesedi
I'
m sorr
yfordisrespect
ing
you,
I'
mjustgoi
ngthroughsomething.
Lesedi
:
itsokaysweet
y.
Iwanttorol
lmyeyessobadbutbhut
iLuy
olomi
ght
getangr
yagain.
Mr
sReigns:
uhm Pi
nkIwantt
oaski
fyou'
dli
ket
obe
mybr
idesmaid.
Me:
wowmom y
esy
esIwoul
dbehonour
ed.
Lesedi:
don'
tyouthi
nkshe'
stoouhm ski
nny
though,
wil
ltheybeabl
etomakethedresst
hatwi
l
l
fi
ther?
Ay
bo!
!!
!!
!
Mandisi:
OkayIhavebeenqui
etwhi
let
alki
ngt
rasht
o
mysisterbutiwon'
ttakei
tanymor
e.
Lesedi
:
butt
her
e'snot
hingwr
ongIsai
dMandi
si.
Mandi
si:
Puty
ourgi
rl
fr
iendi
nherpl
aceLuy
oloorI
wi
ll
.
Lesedi:
younev
erl
i
kedmeany
wayt
hat
swhyy
ou
tal
kingtomeli
ket
hat
.
Mandisi
:
Whywoul
dIl
i
key
ouLesedi
,
wenotf
ri
ends
norf
amily.
Uncl
e/det
ecti
ve:
QUEIT(
heshout
sandmandi
sikeeps
qui
eti
nstant
ly)
can'
tweeati
npeace.
Me:LookLesediIknowi'm ski
nnyandIhavebeenal
l
mylif
eandIlikemy sel
fbettert
hisway
,sostopbody
shamingme.
Isayandgetup.
Me:
Mom,Uncl
ei'
m goi
ngt
obedseey
ouguy
s
t
omorr
ow.
Igeti
nmyr oom andt
hrowmyselfi
nbed.
Idon'
tl
ike
peoplewhomakesmef eel
badaboutmy
appearance.
Ihearaknockont
hedoorMandi
siandLuy
ologet
s
i
n.
Me:whyareyouher
e?wher
eisy
ourcur
vygi
rl
fr
iend
bhut
iLuy
olo?
Luyolo:
uxoloZi
yanda(
i'
m sor
ry)
shewon'tcomeher
e
againifshe'
smakingyousadli
kethi
s.
Me:Noit
scool,
it
stimeIgrowat hi
ckski
nnam can'
t
bealway
soffendedbyl
itt
lethi
ngs.
Mandi
si:
wegeti
tsoi
'
m her
etosi
ngal
ull
abyf
ory
ou.
Me:
i
'm notababy
.
Mandi
si:
buty
ouar
e,nowshhhh.
Pr
ett
yli
tt
lebaby
,war
miny
ourbed
Rest
ingy
ourhead,
onapi
l
low
Pr
ett
yli
tt
lebaby
,thesun'
sget
ti
ngl
ow
Cl
osey
ourey
esandgot
osl
eep.
I
'
mlughi
ngsohar
dbuthesi
ngsr
eal
l
ywel
l
.
Me:
Youwat
chcat
oonshuh?
Mandisi
:matt
eroffactIdowher
edoy
out
hinkIgot
t
hispoli
shedengl
ish.
Me:
It
snott
hatgoodr
eal
l
y.
Mandi
si:
Jeal
ousy
!!
Luy
olo:
Heybr
ocanIt
alkt
oZi
yandaf
oramoment
.
Mandi
si:
okayby
eki
dIhav
etof
etchZamaany
way
.
Me:
Zama?
Mandi
si:
Asknoquest
ionshearnol
i
es.
Andhewal
koutwhi
stl
i
ng
Me:
hei
sanut
case.
Luyol
o:Hei
s..
uhm l
ookI.
..
eishy
ouknowwhatnev
er
mindGoodni
ghtokay.
Me:
Goodni
ghtbhut
i.
Luyol
o:Getupandgi
vemeahugsoIcanseet
hat
youhaveforgi
venme.
Ismil
egetti
nguptohughim,
Heholdsmeforawhi
le
,Il
etgobutheseemstobelosti
nahug.Icl
earmy
thr
oatthat
swhenhemov esawayfr
om meand
qui
cklyput
shishandi
napocket.
Luy
olo:
uhm Goodni
ght
Hedoesn'
twai
tforanyr
esponcehewal
ksout
..
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t61

I'
m comingbackfr
om campusTheocal
l
edme
sayi
nghewant sustosky
pewhenIgethome.When
Igetther
eLuyoloi
shomeandLangaissleepi
ng
nexttohim.
Me:
Hibhut
i
Luy
olo:
Hey
Me:wher
ear
ethet
winsandwhyi
sthi
sonesl
eepi
ng
her
e.
Luy
olo:Thetwi
nswentoutwithSi
sNolitheydidn'
t
wanttostaybehi
ndsoi'
m babysi
tti
ngthischamp
her
e.
Me:
ohokayl
etmet
akehi
mtohi
sbed.
Luy
olo:
noi
'
lldoi
t.
Hegetupandt
akeLangatothei
rroom It
akeoutmy
l
apt
opandopenitandTheoappearsonthescr
een
wi
thasmi
l
eonhi
sface,
Ismi
l
eback
Theo:
babymama,
youl
ookgr
eat
.
Me:
wel
lthanky
oubabydaddy
,howi
sCuba?
Theo:
Ithi
nki
'
m homesi
ckt
hispl
acei
sbor
ing.
Me:
itcan'
tbet
hatbad,
oncey
ougetusedt
oity
ou
wi
ll
bef i
ne.
Theo:
YeahI'
m happyt
oseey
ousmi
l
li
ng,
i
twar
ms
myheart.
Me:
Iwi
l
lsmi
l
emor
eof
tent
hen
Theo:
pleasedo,
Il
ovey
ouokaybegood.
Me:Il
oveyoutoo,nextti
mey
oucal
lshowmea
car
ibbeanbeaut
yokay .
Helaughst
hisguyi
sjustt
oocut
e.(
icanseeLuy
olo
l
ookingatme.
Me:
DamnTheoy
oust
il
lhav
ethatsexappeal
man.
Hechuckl
es.
Theo:
Yout
ooev
ennowi
'
mfeel
i
ngt
hings.
.
Wel
augh
Me:
Ireal
l
ymi
ssy
ou.By
enow
Theo:
ByeYandahcal
lmewhenev
ery
ouwannat
alk
babymomma.
Me:
Iwi
l
l.
Icl
osemylapt
opthengetupt
oleavether
oom but
Luyol
otal
ksst
oppi
ngmeonmyt racks.
Luyol
o:Yout
alkaboutsexappeal
sinf
rontofme
Ziy
anda?Whatam Itoyou.
Me:
whywer
eyoul
i
steni
ngt
omyconv
ersat
ionbhut
i?
Luy
olo:
youar
edi
srespect
ingme.
Me:
I'
m sor
rybhut
i
HelooksdownandItakeaf ewstepbutIf
eelahand
gr
abbingmyarm,It
urnit
sLuy ol
oheistooclose,
I
st
epbackbuthestepscloser.
Luy
olo:
whyar
eyoudi
srespect
ingmeki
d?
Me:
I.
.Isai
di'
m sor
ry
Suddenlyi
'm br
eat
hingheavi
lyheistooclose.He
stepsbackandwalkout.I
'm st
il
lst
uckont hesame
spot.Af
tersometi
meIwal ktomyr oom andItake
of
fmyclot
hest
otakeashower,
Iwrapatowel
ar
oundmybody
,butadooropensandhecomesi
na
l
ocks.
Me:
Whyar
eyoul
ocki
..
.
Idon'
tfi
nish,
hesmasheshi
sli
psonmi
neki
ssi
ng
andbit
ingmylips,
Iki
sshi
m back.
Het akesoffthetowelonmybodybutIhi
demy
breasti'
m sti
l
l wear
ingapant
y.Hetakesmyhands
awayf rom mybreastandhel
ooksatthem bi
ti
nghi
s
l
ips.
Luy
olo:
Damn!
!
Hegr absmywai stpulli
ngmecl oserandkissme
passionatelyImoar ninhismout hthekissi
sso
eroti
chekeepsbi ti
ngmyl i
ps.Hepushmet obed
andgetont opofme, hishandismov i
ngallovermy
body.Heget supandpushupmyl egsthenmov ed
mypant yt
ot heside,I
'm sowetthatIjustwanna
fuckrightnow.If eelhistongueonmypussy, Igrab
onthesheet s.hest artsucki
ngonmycl i
tandI
grabbedhi sheadandpushi tdeepintomypussyI
feelmy sel
fgetti
ngcl oseImoar noutloudandmy
ent
ir
ebodyshakeasIcum gr
abbi
ngont
hesheet
s.
Me:
Fuck.
.
Isayaf
terr
eleasi
ngal
lmyj
uices.
Heget
sup,
Ithoughthei
staki
ngoffhiscl
othesbut
i
nst
eadhef
ixedhisdi
ckandwalkedout.
Ifel
tsodi r
tyandcheap,Ifeell
ikethiswasat estand
Ifai
l
edhowcanIbesost upid, heissupposedt obe
mybr otherIshouldn'
thaveopenedmyl egsforhim,
andIwasr eadyforhi
mt ofuckmybr ai
nsoutifthat
s
notbeingcheapt henIdon'tknowwhati s.
Igot
oshowerwi
tht
hoset
hought
srunni
ngt
hrough
mymind.
Iwearmypy
jamasandgeti
nbed.
Thetwi
nsarej
umpingupanddownont
hebedand
someonei
sencour
agingt
hem.
Me:
Real
lybhut
i?whyar
eyoul
ett
ingt
hem j
umpon
mybed.
Mandisi
:
Wearewaki
ngy
ouupt
hef
unway,
dadi
s
cal
l
ingyou.
Me:
buti
'
m nothungr
y.
Mandisi
:Youcannotaff
ordt
omi ssamealZi
yanda
orLesediwi
llbegiv
ingyouher
balli
fef
orgai
ning
weight
.
It
hrowapi
l
lowathi
m.
Mandi
si:
okaysor
ry,
hesai
dhewant
stot
alkt
oyou.
If
reezewhati
fLuy
olot
oldhi
m?buthewoul
dn'
t,
ri
ght
?
Me:
aboutwhat
.
Mandi
si:
don'
taskme.
Hepicksuptheki
dsandIf
oll
owthem tot
he
l
ounge,Luy
oloi
sherel
ooki
ngunbot
heredhei
s
wat
chingsoccer
.
Me:
Dady
oucal
l
edf
orme.
Luyolost
eal
sagl
anceatmeandIf
eel
li
kecussi
ng
athim.
Uncl
e/det
ecti
ve:Yesyouaretur
ning18nextmont h
soIwantyout otakealear
nersdri
verstest
,Luy
olo
andMandisi
alsodiditwhentheyturned18.
Me:
Youwantt
obuyacarf
ormehuh
Isaywi
nki
ngathi
m andhechuckl
es
Uncl
e/detecti
ve:
Youwish,
Idon'tbuyanyoneacar
onl
ymy selfIonl
yhelpyougetalicencethenwhen
yougetajoby oubuyyoursel
facar.
Me:
buti
'
myear
sawayf
rom f
ini
shi
ngmycour
se.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
notmypr
obl
em y
oungl
ady
.
Me:
that
sjustcol
dDad.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
Iknowr
ight
.
Luy
olochuckl
es.
Me:
what
sfunnybhut
iLuy
olo?
Luy
olo:
can'
tyouseei
'
m wat
chi
ngTVZi
yanda
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
Luy
olowhyar
eyout
alki
ngt
oher
l
iket
hat.
Luy
olo:
sor
ry.
Me:Bhut
i Mandi
sil
etmeknowwhenmom get
sback
Imissher,Iwi
ll
beintheki
dsr
oom,
comel
etsgo
bat
hguy s.
Isaywal
ki
ngawaywi
tht
het
wins.
Luy
ologet
sini
justcont
inuebat
hingt
heki
ds.
Luyol
o:Younotgonnat
ell
mom aboutwhat
happenedri
ght?
Me:
Iwon'
ti
tdi
dn'
tmeanany
thi
ngany
way
.
Luy
olo:
okgood.
Me:whydi
dyoudot
hatbhut
'Luy
olowast
hatsome
sor
tofatest
?
Luy
olo:
Noof
cour
senot
.
Me:
thenwhatwasi
t,t
ell
me.
Luy
olo:
youwon'
tunder
stand.
Me:
tr
yme.
Luyol
o:I
tdoesn'
tmat
teri
twon'
thappenagai
nand
I'
m sor
ry.
Hewal
ksout
.

ThenextdayMrsReignssai
dthedesi
gner
sare
comingandsheaskedtheboystocometoot
hey
aredoi
ngthemeasurements.
Mandi
sicomesfi
rstandIhughim hehasbeen
si
ngi
ngZuluweddingsongsev
ersincehearri
ved.
AndLuy
olodeci
destocomewi t
hLesedi
theyar
e
al
wayshol
dinghands.I
tssweet
.
Ismi
l
eatt
hem
Me:
Hibhut
'Luy
oloandSi
sLesedi
.
Luyol
oj ustnodsIfeelapangi
nmyheart
,Imi
sshim
asabrot her,
Ihavetotal
ktohi
m weneedtof
orget
aboutthissothingscoul
dgobackt
onormal.
Unclewithhistwofri
endsonethem havebeen
steal
ingglancesatmebutheissougl ybuttheway
heiswear i
ngcanmakey oudr
opyourpantyhe
l
ooksy oungbutolderthanboMandi
siandt heot
her
oneisaboutuncle'
sage.
AndMr sReignscomeswi ththr
eewomenoneof
them i
sherr ecepti
oni
stsheisadarkbeaut
yvery
sli
m butnotlikemeandt woofthem ar
ewhitebut
l
ooky oungert hanher
,t
heroom isj
ustf
ull
.

Igot
othebat
hroom bef
oret
hedesi
gner
sar
ri
ve,
I
opent hebat hr
oom doorandLesedi i
sscreaming
Luyolo'sname, Luy
olo'
spantsareonhi skneesand
heissweat ingwhil
elesedi
'sdressisuponherwai st
sheisagai nstthewall
,
Iwanttor unoutbutiseem
stuckinonepl aceandIcan'tmov e.
Luy
olo:
FuckZi
yanda!
Hepi
cksuphi
spantsandpushmeoutand
sl
ammedthedooronmyface.Ist
il
lcan'
tmov
e.
Iseemom'sr
ecepti
oni
stSi
sMbal
icomingmyway
smil
li
ng,
shetakesmyhandwealwaysgotal
ong.
Si
sMbal
i
:Comesweet
yyourMom i
scal
l
ingy
ou.
Inodmyheadf
orci
ngasmi
l
eonmyf
ace.

Zee

Sor
ryf
ort
heer
ror
sIcoul
dn'
tedi
t.
Ist
il
lhav
eley
angxaki
(apr
obl
em)y
evi
si
tor
s.
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t62

I
'm stil
ltr
aumat izedbywhatIsawi nt
hebat hroom,I
meancoul dn'ttheywait?thebathr
oom wasn'teven
l
ockedwhati fDadwast heonewhof oundt hem i
n
t
hatcompr omisingposit
ionoranyoneinthatroom
f
ort hatmat t
erort heywantedtobeadventerous.
Iseethem comingall
thewayfrom t
hepassagei
'm
l
ookingatthem weareall
sit
ti
ngdownsomeont he
couchesother
st ookt
hechai
rsfrom t
hel
ivi
ngroom.

Lesedicomesandstandsnextt
omewhi
l
eherman
wenttotakechai
rs,
theybothsi
tri
ghtnextt
ome,i
tsl
ikeIcansmel
lsex
f
rom them.Shekeepssmil
i
ngl
ookingather
man,mustbenice.
It
sjustl
ovel
ythereisboozeevery
wheretheol
dies
aredri
nki
ngSisYoli
isn'
theresheisv
isi
ti
ngher
homeanditsnotfarfrom wher
ewest aysoshe
wentwitht
hekids,hersi
zeswillbet
akensome
othert
imesheisMr sReignsmaidofhonouraf
teral
l
.
Uncl
e/Det
ect
ive:
Ziy
andawhati
sint
hatcup?
Me:
It
sjui
ceDad.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
Ihopei
tsr
eal
l
yjui
ceorwewi
l
lhav
e
aprobl
em.
Ij
ustsmil
eit
sreal
lynotalcoholi
'mt
oo
tr
oms(t
raumati
sed)t
odr i
nkf ort
hef
ir
stt
imei
nmy
l
ife.

Peopl
egetupfort
hemeasurementsandwhent
hey
st
artmeasur
ingme..
Lesedi
tal
ks.
Lesedi
:
Uhm canIt
alk.
Mandi
si:
Noy
oucannot
.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Mandi
sist
opi
t.Youcant
alkLesedi
.
Lesedi:
Iwasjustt
hinki
ng,whydon'
tItakeZiy
anda'
s
pl
aceasabr i
desmaidsincei
'm abi
tthi
ckerand
older
.
Si
sMbal
i
:Buti
'
m sl
i
mtoo.
Lesedi
:r
ightbuty
ouhav
emeati
nallt
herightpl
aces
butZiy
andahaswhatwecal
laboybody
.
SisMbal
i:
shedoeshavehipsthatf
it
sherbody,it
wouldn'
tmakesenseifsheisthi
ssizebuthav
et hat
hugeassyouhave.Idi
dn'tcat
chyournamesis.
Lesedi
:
Youdidn'
thav
etoSWEERIE( sweety
).so
whatdoyousayaboutmysuggest
ionMr sReigns?
Mandisi
:
LesediIheary
outal
kabout"
suggest
ions"
butcanIaskj
ustonequesti
on,
whatareyoui
nal l
of
thi
s?
Si
sMbal
i
:ATr
ee
Every
oneburstouti
nloudlaught
er,
Il
ookatLuyol
o
helooksl
ikehewanttolaughbutMrsi
sri
ghtther
e
nexttohi
m.
Lesedi
:
Looksl
i
key
ouhav
eapr
obl
em wi
thmeSi
s.
Si
sMbal
i
:Andwhati
fIdo?
MrsReigns:Guyspl
easestopt
hisi
ssupposedtobe
agreatnightandgettoknowoneanot
herbefor
ethe
wedding.
Me:Mom may
beLesedi
isr
ight,
sheshoul
dbet
he
br
idesmai
d
Luy
olo:
NO
Mandisi
:Ayi
keusekhulumi
l
eubaf
o(ri
ght
,mybrot
her
hasspoken)thepart
ymustgoon,
Ziy
andamake
sureyoueatbabysiswewantmoremeati
nthat
body.
Me:
okaySt
eveHar
vey
.

Weconti
nuetopar
tyandI
'
m wi
thSi
sMbal
ishei
s
dr
inki
ngj
uicet
oo.
SisMbal
i:
Youarebeauti
ful
Ziy
andaandyourbodyis
perf
ectdon'
tl
etpeoplemakeyoufeel
other
wise.
Me:
Thanky
ouSi
sMbal
i
.
Shel
aughs
Si
sMbal
i
:youmakemef
eel
sool
dwheny
ousayt
hat
.
Me:Ijustr
espectyou,andIadmireyourconf
idence
,t
hef ir
stdayIsawy ouatyourdeskIwasso
i
mpr essed,t
reat
ingpeoplegoodandmant ai
ningthe
smil
emostpeopl
ethatpr
ovi
desy
ourki
ndofser
vice
ar
eoftenr
udeandimpati
ent
.
SisMbal
i:
Ohwellt
hanky
ousweet
yIguessi
'
m oneof
thegoodones.
Me:
yousur
ear
e.

Iseeaverybeauti
fulcaratthegatesincewehave
mov edt
hepartyoutsidetheyar
ebr aai
ng.Isee
Lesedir
unni
ngt othecarscreamingexcitedl
y.
SisMbal
irol
l
sherey es,Il
aughather.
Me:
youdon'
tl
ikeherdoy
ou?
Si
sMbal
i
:bi
tchj
ustr
ubmet
hewr
ongway
.
Me:
Iheary
ou.
Twogir
lsgetoutofthecart
heyar
ewell
dressedbut
toor
eveal
ing.Theysi
tnextt
ousbutt
heydon'tgr
eet
.
Lesedi
:
Sot
hesear
etwooft
hebr
idesmai
dov
erher
e
Boit
.
Shesaysr
eferi
ngtotheonewi
thabl
ondeweav
ei
guess"
Boi
t"ishername.
Boit:
Real
l
ythi
sisgonnabeabor
ingweddi
ngev
er
then.
Si
sMbal
i
:I
'm sor
ryar
eyout
alki
ngaboutusbooboo?
Lesedi
:
Ofcoursewear
e,whydoy
oul
ookl
i
key
ou
haveaprobl
em wit
hmesis.
Si
sMbal
i
:may
beIdo.
Lesedi
:
Thendosomet
hingabouti
t.
Thetal
lonewi
that
att
oof
rom t
hel
egupt
othet
high
st
andsup.
Tal
l
girl
:
Stopguyswecan'
tbeseenexchangi
ng
wordswit
hpeoplel
i
kethem.
Si
sMbali
:
Peopl
eli
kewhat
?YouknowIcanmakey
ou
l
ookl
ikeamaninaminut
e.
Tal
l
gir
l:
I'
dli
ket
oseey
out
ry.
Si
sMbalistandup,grabherwigandt hrowi tonthe
fl
oor,
Whil
eshe'str
y i
ngt ohi
det hehairthatpopped
upunderthatweave.SisMbalipouredjuiceshewas
dri
nki
ngonherhandandr ubbeditonherf ace.
Si
sMbal
i
:SeewhatImeanbi
tch?
LesediandBoitstart
scomi ngatusi'
m st
il
lsit
ti
ng
downSi sMbal
i i
sbeatingthem upIheart
heglass
breaki
ngandt heglasscutsmyhandandt heblood
oozezfrom t
hatcutIdi dn'
tevenseewhothrewthat
gl
ass.
Nowev
ery
onei
sher
etr
yingt
obr
eakt
hef
ight
.
Mandi
sicomesandpul
lmeup.
Mandisi
:
Shitthecutl
ooksdeep,
Ithi
nky
ougoi
ngt
o
needsti
tches.
Uncle/Detecti
ve:
Whodidthi
st omydaughterand
whoi nvi
tedthesefl
oozi
esinmywi fe'
shouse?
Mandi si
gogetmykey swet akingZiy
andatothe
hospitalr
ightnow.
Hei
sshout
ing,
thecuti
sbur
ningupIwannascr
eam.
Luy
olo:
arey
ouokayKi
d?
Me:
Don'
taskmeast
upi
dquest
ionLuy
olo.
Luy
olo:
Lookki
d..
.
Me:
Justl
eav
emeal
one.DAMN.
.
Lesedi
:
Luy
oloy
ouneedt
otakemehome,
thi
sbi
tch
want
edt
oki
l
lme.
Shesay
spoi
nti
ngatSi
sMbal
i
.
Si
sMbal
i
:Cal
lmeabi
tchagai
nIdar
eyou.
.
Mandi
si:
Oohshei
smyt
ype!
!Goddamn
Iwantt
olaughbutt
hepai
ninmyar
misi
ntense.
Lesedi
:
Bit
c..
.
Shedoesn'
tfi
nishSi
sMbal
ii
sbeat
ingt
hecr
apoutof
her
.
Mandisi
mov esmeawayfrom t
hescenewegetinto
acaranduncledr
ivesmetothehospi
tal
theyst
it
ch
meupandgi vemesomethingf
orthepai
nthenwe
dr
ivehome.

Whenwegett hereev
ery
oneisstil
lher
eeven
Lesedi
'
sfriend..
SisMbal
iiswal
kingbaref
ootnow.I
l
ookatMr sReignsshehastear
sinhereyesIgoand
hugher.
Me:
It
sokayMom
Mr
sRei
gns:
Theyr
uinedmypar
ty,
whati
fthi
s
weddi
ngi
sn'
tsupposedt
ohappen.
Uncle/Det
ecti
ve:Okayt
hatsi
t,ev
ery
bodyout,
my
wif
ei scry
ingbecauseofy
ousooutnowbeforeI
shootsomebody .
Shehel
pshi
swi
feupandwi
pehert
ear
ski
ssi
ngher
.
Me:
eeew
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
Closey
ourey
es.
..
Il
aughgoingtoSisMbal
iandwegot omyroom
she'
sgoingtosleepwi
thme,shecan'
tdr
iveshest
il
l
l
ookr eal
lyangr
y .

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t63

Iwakeupt
osomeonebr
ushi
ngmyhai
r,
Iopenmy
ey
essl
owl
yandi
tsSi
sMbal
i
.Shesmi
l
esatme.
Si
sMbal
i
:heyy
ou'
reawake.
Me:
Hi,y
ounotal
esbi
anr
ight
?whywoul
dyoubr
ush
meli
kethat
?
Shel
aughst
hrowi
ngherheadback.
Si
sMbali
:Noi
'm not,i
tsj
ustthatyoulookli
keababy,
soi
nnocent,
andi fIwasalesbianIwoulddef
ini
tel
y
gofory
ou.
Welaugh,
shewal
kst
othebat
hroom butqui
ckl
y
comesback.
Si
sMbal
i
:Besi
desIhav
emyey
esonsomeone.
.
Me:
Ithi
nkIknowwhoi
tis.
Shestar
tbl
ushing,
Inoti
cedhowshekeptl
ooki
ngat
bhut
'mandi
siyest
erdayandMandi
sidi
dsaysheis
hi
stype.
SisMbali
:
Heisj
ustmytypeofguy,abi
tar
roganthe
actsl
ikehei
saking,
suchaturnon.
Me:
okayokayIgetit
,butBhut
'Mandi
sii
suhm wel
l
hel
ooksl
ikeaplayer
..
SisMbali
:
Don'twor
ryaboutthathoney,hehasn'
t
foundtheri
ghtwomany et,
i wil
lfi
xthat.
.
Shesay ssmi
lingandwalki
ntheshower,
Ismil
e,
sheisbeauti
fulIl
ikedar
kski
nthemelani
nis
dri
pping..
Shecomesbackandshet r
yononeofmy
tr
ackpantswi
that anktopandIwearthesame,
we
walktotheki
chen.Dad, Mom ,l
uyol
oandMandisi
areherewegreetandIgot othekidsr
oom t
heyare
backandmakingal otofnoise.
Me:
Hel
l
oboy
smommymi
ssedy
ousomuch.
Nt
sika:
pinki
e
Hesayr
unni
ngt
ome,
theot
her
sgetupt
oo.
Ipl
aywit
hthem andSi
sYol
iandIf
eedt
hem,
thenwe
goeatbr
eakfast
.
Mandi
si:
howi
syourar
mli
tt
leSi
s.
Me:Thepai
nisst
il
lther
ebuti
tsnotasbadaswhenI
gotit
.
Luy
olocl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
.
Luyolo:I'
m sorr
yeveryoneforbr
ingi
ngLesediher
e
yesterdayandforherbringi
ngherfr
iends.I
'
m sor
ry
Mom f orrui
ningyourparty.
MrsRei
gns:I
tsokayLuh,
y ouarenotr
esponsi
blef
or
t
heiri
ll
-mannar
edbehaviour.
Henods
Mandi
si:
yeyweshoul
dreal
lyacknowl
edgeandclap
f
orMbaligi
rly
oucanf
ight
,wheredidi
tstar
tvel
e.
Me:i
tst
art
edwhenSisMbal
iwi
pedt
hatTal
l
gir
l'
s
makeupwit
hjui
ce.
Ev
ery
onebur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Mandi
si:
shedi
dthat
?Gi
i
ii
ir
lyou'
reonf
ir
e.
Thewayhesay
sthat"Gi
i
irl
"makesmel
aughout
l
oud.Hei
sdramat
ic.
SisMbali
:
Ohi'
mfrom t
hehoodwepr eyonthosewho
thinkt
heyar
ethegr
eatestt
hingsi
ncesli
cedbread.
Mandi
si:Gi
rly
ou'
redefi
nit
elymyty
pe,dadIt
hinkwe
canst
artwi
ththeLobol
anegoti
ati
ons.
Si
sMbal
i
:Iwi
l
lbet
ell
i
mgmyuncl
essol
ong.
Mom anddadarei
nst
it
chesi
'
m happyt
osee
MrsRei
gnsl
augh.
Me:it
sgoodtoseeyoul
aughmom aft
ert
hose
uni
nvi
tedguestt
ri
edtor
uiny
ourpar
ty.
MrsRei
gns:
Talki
ngaboutpart
ieswhatdoy
ouwant
t
odoony ourbir
thdaynextmonths.
Me:
Idon'
tknowMom i
don'
thav
efr
iends.
Si
sMbal
i
:oht
hathur
tsIt
houghtIam y
ourf
ri
end.
Ismi
l
e,shei
ssweet
.
Mandisi
:Mbal
ikeepmaki
nghersmi
l
eli
ket
hatIwi
l
l
marr
yy out
omorrow.
Me:
thanky
ouSi
sMbal
i
.
Luyolo:
uhm guy
sLesedi
want
stocomeand
apologi
se.
MrsReigns:
It
sokayi
fsheacknowl
edgehermi
stake
,shecancome.
Me:
Wel
lIwon'
tbeher
e.
Mandi
si:
Met
oo.
SisMbal
i:ohi
'
m goingbackt
owher
eIl
i
veany
way
,soIguessmethree.
Luy
olo:
pleaseguy
sshei
sreal
l
ysor
ry.
Me:
Shecankeephersor
ry.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
anday
ou.
.
Me:
Don'
ttal
ktomebhut
'Luy
olonotanot
herwor
d.
Luyol
o:Ziy
andadon'
tfor
geti'
m ol
dert
hany
ou,
you
wil
lnottal
ktomeli
kethat.
Me:
butIcan.
Luyol
o:Iwil
lsl
apyousohar
dandy
ouwi
l
lloset
hat
att
it
udeinst
antl
y.
Me;
don'
t.
.
Luy
olo:
Dar
esayanot
herwor
d.
Helooksatmewi
thahar
dfaceandIshi
verl
ooki
ng
down.
Luy
olo:
notsobr
avenowar
ewehuh?
Mr
sRei
gns:
Yout
wor
eal
l
yneedt
ost
opf
ight
ing.
Me:
Hest
art
edi
t,hewant
stobr
ingt
hatgi
rlwho
al
wayshav
esomet
hingr
udet
osayaboutme,
Ithi
nk
heenj
oysi
t.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
Shecancomeandapol
ogiseandwe
wil
lal
lbeher
enoonei sgoi
ngany
where.
Me:
Iwon'
tbeher
edad.
Uncle/
detect
ive:
Ohbutyouwi
ll
bemywor disfi
nal
younglady,i
am notLuy
olo,
Iwil
lj
ustki
l
lyou.
Me:
Mom.
.
MrsRei
gns:Youcan'
tsaysomet
hingl
i
ket
hatt
oa
chi
ldBongani.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
I'
m sor
rysi
sbuty
ouwi
l
lbeher
e.
Me:
Okay
.
Il
ookdown,
Wegosi
tont
hev
erandaMbal
ii
sst
il
l
her
e.
AndLuyologoopent hegateforthecart
hatwas
her
eyesterdaybutanothercari
sbehindi
t.
Theystopandt
hreegirl
Lesedi
,"
Boit
"andtheTallgi
rl
comeoutofthefi
rstcar.
.Behi
ndthem t
woy oung
goodlooki
ngmeninapol i
ceunif
orm.
Man1:
Gooddaysir,wear
elooki
ngf
orMi
ssMbal
i
andZi
yandaLukhel
e.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
andwhoar
eyou?
Man1:
Const
abl
rZul
uandhei
sconst
abl
eBi
l
ose.
Uncle/
detect
ive:
Sowhyar eyouhererooki
eswant
met oteachyouafewpoi nt
ers.Whenyougetto
someoneshousey ougreetandint
roduceyour
self
,youdon'tj
ustaskforpeopl
e.Soagainwhyareyou
here?
Man1:Thesel
adiescl
aimthatMissMbali
and
Ziy
andaassaul
tedthem atapar
tythatwashel
din
thi
shouse.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
Andso?
Man1:
weher
etoar
restt
hem.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
real
l
y?y
'al
lhav
eawar
rantf
orar
rest
?
Mandi
si:
Dady
ouj
ustsai
dY'
al
l.
Hel
ooksshockedandwel
augh.
Man1:
sirpl
easedon'
twasteourt
imegi
rl
sshowus
whoZi
yandaandMbal i
is.
Lesedi
point
satuswi
thasmugonherface.The
poli
ceatt
emptt
ocometome,theyt
ouchmyar m.
Mandi
si:
Ohbi
gmi
stake.
Uncl
eswi
ft
lyget
supf
rom hi
schai
r.
Uncle/
detecti
ve:
Didyouj
ustputy
ourhandsonmy
daughter
?fooldi
dyou?
Hesay
slooki
ngsoangr
y.
Uncle/
detect
ive:
DoyouknowwhoIam?ev erhear
d
ofthebigdogshuh?Det
ecti
veLukhel
e?r
ingabell.
Theyl
ookshockedandner
vous.
Man1:
Youar
edet
ect
iveLukhel
e
Uncle/
detect
ive:
Theoneandonly,
soIwil
lgi
veyou
5secondstotakeyourgi
rl
fr
iendsandl
eavethi
s
house.
Man1:
shi
twear
eint
roubl
emanheyl
etsgo.
Man2:wereal
lysor
rywedidn'
tknowt
hisi
syour
daught
eroryourhouse.
Uncle/det
ecti
ve:
Youbrokethelawandwedon'
tdo
thattoanyonewhetheryouknowwhotheyar
eor
not,poororr
ich.
.Iwi
l
lseey
out
omor
rowandt
he
stat
ion.
Theygot
othei
rcaranddr
iveof
f,l
eav
ingt
hegi
rl
s
angr
y.
Me:
toomuchf
oranapol
ogyhuhbhut
'
Luy
olo
Isayl
ooki
ngathi
m,hel
ooksdown
Uncle/
detecti
ve:
Whatisthi
sLuyolo?
huhYoubr i
ng
thesegir
lstothi
shousetohar
assmydaught erthen
notonlythatyousayt
heyareheretoapol
gise,
but
thi
shappens,whatisthi
s.
Hei
sshout
ingsol
oudi
'
m get
ti
ngscar
ed.
HeslapsLuyoloandhestepsbackbutuncl
egrabs
hi
m byhisthroat
.Mrsrei
gnsisshout
ingforuncl
eto
st
op
Uncl
e/det
ecti
ve:
Youshouldbepr
otect
inghernot
br
ingi
ngpotenti
alhar
m nextt
oher,
Me:Uncl
epl
easest
op,
youar
ehur
ti
nghi
m..
please
Lukhel
e.
Heslowlylethi
m goandLuy
olocoughssohar
d
hol
dinghisneck.
Uncl
e/det
ect
ive:
Leav
e!!
Hesaysl
ooki
ngatt
hegi
rl
sandt
heyr
usht
othecar
dr
ivi
ngaway.
Helooksangr
yandhei
ssweati
ngdoesn'
thel
pthat
hehastoomuchmeati
nhisbody.
Si
sMbal
i
:GooBI
Gdog!
!(
shecheer
s)
Mandi
si:
Toosoonbabyt
oosoon
Il
aughsohar
dthatmyt
ummyhur
ts.
Il
ookatLuy
olohei
sst
il
lhol
dinghi
sneck,
ser
ves
hi
mright
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t64

Todayi
sthebi
gday,
thedaywher
euncl
eand
MrsRei
gnstiestheknot,wearebusywi
thmakeup
andgett
ingdressed.MrsRei
gnsl
ookssobeauti
ful
in
herwhi
teweddi nggownbutyoucantel
lshei
s
nerv
ous.

Me:
youl
ooksoner
vousmom r
elaxokay
.
Shenods
Si
sYol
i:
Okayever
yoneweneedtol
eave,
wedon'
t
wantt
obelatecomelet
spraysowecango.
Sheleadsusi npray
erthenwegeti nthecar
sandgo
tothevenueitsnotthatfar.Westepoutofthecars
andthegentlemenar eheretheylookFii
ii
neokay.I
l
ookupandmyey eslockwi t
hLuy ol
o,Iwanttosmi
le
athim butIr
emembert hi
ngsaren'tthesame
betweenus,Imov emyey esawayf r
om him.Menzi
whoisoneoft hegr
oomsment akemyhandand
kissi
t,
Menzi:
Cany oubemypart
nert
oday,
youl
ook
except
ional
l
ybeauti
ful
.
Me:
ThankYou,
andIwi
l
lbey
ourpar
tnerf
ort
heday
.
Luy
oloi
sst
il
ll
ooki
ngatme.
Weal l
goandst andatt
heent r
anceandnowewon' t
dance,
therei
ssoftmusicplayi
ng.West ar
twal ki
ng
i
nandMenzi i
snexttome,behindmet her
eis
MandisiandMbaliandsoon.Myuncl eisalready
standi
ngnexttothepast
or,west andnexttohim
andhei ssweati
ngli
kecrazy.
Themusicst
opsforawhi
leandasongbyMAJOR-
whyIl
oveyoustar
tspl
ayi
ngandever
yonest
andsup.
MrsRei
gnswalkdowntheisl
ewi
thasmil
eandtear
s
i
nhereyes.

'
Ifoundlovei
ny ouAndI '
velear
nedtolovemet oo
NeverhaveIfel
tthatIcouldbeall
thatyouseeIt'
s
l
ikeourheart
shav eint
ert
winedandtot heper
fect
harmony

Thi
siswhyIlovey
ouOohthi
siswhyIl
oveyou
Becauseyoul
ovemeYoul
ovemeThisiswhyIlov
e
youOohthisi
swhyIl
ovey
ou'
MrsRei
gnsreachwher
ethepast
oranduncl
eisand
hehol
dherhand
Uncl
e:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ulmyl
ove
Mr
sRei
gns:
thanky
ou.
.
Wegotakeourseatsast
hepastorcont
inuewit
hthe
f
ormal
i
tiesandtheysayt
hei
rlongbeaut
ifulv
ows.
Past
or:
Youmayki
sst
hebr
ide.
Uncl
e:Ki
ds,
Ziy
andacl
osey
ourey
es.
Every
onelaughsIl
ookbackatt
hekidstheyhav
e
thei
rti
nyhandscover
ingt
hei
reyesevenLanga,I
l
aughharder.
Menzi
put
shi
shandonmi
ne.
Menzi
:
Thi
swi
l
lbeussomeday
.
Me:
Doubti
t.
Wegochangef
ort
hesecondsessi
on.
Mandi
sii
stheMCandwehav
ebeenl
aughi
ngathi
s
j
okesal
lal
ong.
Mandi
si:
Sotheonl
ypri
ncessi
nthef
ami
l
yhast
o
gi
veaspeechtooZi
yandacome.
Igoandt
aket
heMi
cfr
om hi
m.
Zi
yanda:
whywasn'
tIt
oldaboutt
hist
hough.
Mandi
si:
itscal
l
edanunpr
epar
edspeechl
i
ttl
eSi
s.
Ir
oll
myey
es.
Me:Uhm sowhatcanIsay ,Iwoul
dliket
osay
congratul at
ionsmom anddady oumadei teven
thoughi twasav er
yhecti
cf ewmonthsbeforethis
dayandmom t hankyousomuchf oreverythi
ng,
bothofy ouguy shavegi
venmewhatIhav elonged
forallmyl i
feamom andadad, afamil
y,my
brothers.
Il
ookatMandi
si,
hesmi
l
esandIl
ookatLuy
olohe
l
ooksdown.
Me:Familyst
ickstoget
her,hol
dingeachother
s
handswecommuni catewhenthereisa
misunderst
anding.Il
oveyouguy sbothofyouhol
d
eachothershandandcont i
nuerespecti
ngone
anotherwelookupt oyou.Thankyou
Igobacktomyseat,peopl
esaytheirspeechand
nowit
stimeforthem t
ogo, t
heybookedar esor
tin
Li
mpopof oraweek,honey
moonv ibes.
Weaccompanyt
hem t
othecar
.
Uncle:
Mbaliwil
lbestay i
ngwithy ouandSisYol
i f
or
thi
sweekandt heboy swi l
lbetheretootolookafter
you.Luyol
ogety ouracttogetherman, we
underst
andthatLesedi wasthereforyouwheny ou
hadnoonebutdon' tletherwalkalloveryou,i
tsli
ke
shehasahol dony ou.Don'tl
ethertreatyouli
kea
puppetokaySon.
Luy
olo:
Yesdad.Wewi
l
lkeept
hem saf
e.

Wear ealonewithLuy
olo.Mandisiwentoutwi
th
Mbal i
,
theydothatal
ot.Thekidsar esl
eepi
ngand
SisYolii
staki
nganap.Wear ewatchingTVnooneis
sayingawor dtooneanother
.Igetuptogotomy
room.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
anda.
Me:
bhut
i.
Luy
olo:
I'
m sor
ryf
orev
eryt
hing
Inodandwalkaway,
Ithrowmyselfi
nbed,If
eelso
l
onely.
Iremovemyclothesandgotakeashower
andwhenIgetoutLuyolost
art
lesmeididn'
texpect
hi
mt obehere,
heissi
tti
ngonmybed.
Me:
whyar
eyouher
e?
Luyol
o:Iwantustotal
k,socont
inuewi
thwhat
ever
youwannadot hencomesitnexttome.
Thi
sguywil
lknowme,Ilett
het
owelfal
landstar
t
l
oti
oningmybodysoslowandIbendovert
oloti
on
mylegs.
Luy
olo:
fuck.
Iconti
nuet
henItakemypant
ypul
li
ngi
tup,
taki
ng
myt i
me.AndIt
akemypy j
amasandweart
hem.

Me:
Sowhati
sity
ouwantt
otal
kabout
?
Luy
olo:
uhm whaty
ousawt
heot
herdayw.
.
Me:
whi
chdaybhuti?Wheny ouhadl
esediagai
nst
t
hewal
lfucki
ngherbr
ainsout,
youmeanthatday?
Luyol
o:Yesuhm l
ooky
ouwasn'
tsupposedt
osee
that
.
Me:
butIsawi
t,Isawi
tal
l
.
YesIdi
dseehi
sdickwhenhewaspull
i
nguphis
pant
sandnowthati
'mthi
nki
ngabouti
t,i
tmakesme
wet,
icl
earmyt
hroatcr
ossi
ngmylegs.
Luy
olo:
Arey
ouhor
ny.
Me:
what
?Whatnowhywoul
dyouaskmet
hat
?
Luyolo:Yourbr
eat
hinghaschangedandy
ouare
crossingyourl
egstocreat
epressur
eonyourcl
i
t
andy ouwanttorel
easesobad.
Me:
Idon'
tknowwhaty
out
alki
ngabout
.
Isaymyv
oicei
ssol
owandhoar
se.
Luyol
o:I
fIwer
etotoucht
hatpant
yyouputona
minut
eagowilli
notfi
ndi
twet.
Ishakemyhead.
Hesl
owl
ymov
etomyearandwhi
sper
.
Luy
olo:
Youwantmet
omakey
oucum huh?
Me:
NonoLuy
olopl
easel
eav
emyr
oom r
ightnow.
Isaygett
ingup,
openi
ngt
hedoorf
orhim hest
and
upandswi f
tl
ymovemetobedhegoesonthedoor
andlockit
Me:St
opdoi
ngthatLuy
olo,I
'
m notcheapokay,I
don'
tj
ustsl
eepwit
hanyone,
nowpleaseleav
e.Goto
l
esedi
.
Luy
olo:
zi
yanda
Ishakemyhead.
Hewal
ksout
.
Si
sYol
itel
l
smeshei sgoi
ngoutandt
aki
ngt
heki
ds
wi
thhersoIcanst
udy.

I'
mi nmyroom st
udyingandIfeelhungryIgotothe
kit
chenbutIcanhearunsualsoundscomi ngf
rom
thedinni
ngroom andwhenIgetthere,I
tsLuyol
o,
l
esedi i
ssucki
ngonhisdickheisgroaning.Iwatch
them asshecont
inuesucki
ng.
Me:
I'
m ov
ert
his.
Isaytomy selfIgoaroundthebackyar
dtogeta
bucket,20li
tr
ef ul
lofwater
.Iwalkbacki
nandj
ust
pouritall
ont hem.Theyjumpup.
Luy
olo;
Whatt
hef
uck!
!
Lesedii
sscr
eaming,
Il
ookatLuyol
ohi
sdicki
s
dangli
ng.Hecov
ershi
msel
fwithahanddownther
e.
Lesedi
:
bit
chwhatt
hehel
li
swr
ongwi
thy
ou.
Il
ookatl
uyol
ost
rai
ghti
nhi
sey
es.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
anda.
Me:f
ucky
ou!
!
I'
m nothungryanymor eandi'
mt aki
ngabr eakat
studyi
ngsoIpackawaymybooksandsl eepfaci
ng
up.Itreall
yhasbeenanamaz ingyear,meetingmy
family
, Iwoul
dn'
ttradethatf
orany t
hing.

SisMbal
iandMandi
siar
eher
etheyar
eshout
ingmy
name.
Mandi
si:
Ziy
andawhatt
hehel
lhappenedher
e.
Me:
am It
heonl
yonei
sthi
shouse?
whydon'
tyou
askhi
m.
Isaypoint
ingatLuyol
ohechangedhi
scl
othesnow
,Idon'
tknowwher eLesedi
is.
Luy
olo:
Don'
tfuckwi
thmeZi
yanda.
Me:
ofcour
seIwon'
t
,youf
ucki
ngwi
thLesedi
.
Mandisi
:Zi
yanda!Luy
oloi
sol
dert
hany
ousi
sdon'
t
f
orgetthat
.
Me:
sowhat ?theyshoul
dfucki
nthedinni
ngr
oom
whi
letheyknowi'm her
e?I
sthatwhatbei
ng"
older
"
means?
Mandi
si:
hedi
dwhat
?
SisMbal
i:
thenwhathappenedwhyi
sthecouchand
thefl
oorwet?
Me:
Ipour
edt
hei
rasseswi
thwat
er.
Luy
olo:
youar
epr
oudoft
hat
?
Me:
ver
y.
Hecomescl
oserandt
wistmyar
m,Icr
yout
.
Si
sMbal
i
:Luy
olodon'
tdot
hatdude,
babedo
somet
hing.
Mandi
si:
I'
m notget
ti
ngi
nvol
ved,
l
etsgo.
Theywal
kaway
,Luy
oloi
sst
il
ltwi
sti
ngmyar
m.
Me:
I'
m sor
rypl
easest
opdoi
ngt
hati
thur
ts.
Hel
etgo.
Luy
olo:
Stopt
est
ingmeZi
yanda,
Youwon'
tl
iket
he
out
come.
Me:Luyolowhatiswrong?
talkt
ome, Icansee
somethingiswrongwithyou..
ifyouarenotqui
et
,youareangryoryouwantsext hati
snotnormal,
whyarey ouli
kethi
s?
Luy
olo:
I'
mfi
ne.
HewalksoutandIhearhi
scardri
vi
ngof f
.Mandi
andMbaliar
egoingtomeetsomef r
iendssoi
'
m all
al
one.Ir
ecei
veacallfr
om uncl
e.
Me;
Hel
l
..
.
hecut
smeof
f
Uncle:
Ziy
andagol ockal
lthedoor
sandcl
oseal
lthe
windowsrightnow!
Me:
But
..
Uncl
e:NOW Zi
yanda!
!
Heshouts,hesoundli
kehei spani
cki
ng.Ist
artby
l
ockingthebackdoorandwhenIt ryt
oclosethe
fr
ontdoorsomeoneputst hefooti
nitandpushme
back,hehasaguni nhishand,twomorecomes
aft
erhim.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t65

Nowi'm si
tt
ingonthecouchwi
thagunpoi
ntedat
me,I'
mjustprayi
nginmyhead,hopi
ngt
heywon't
hur
tme.
Man1:
Daddy'
spr
incesshuh?sot
hebigdogthi
nks
hei
sgod,hemakesusloseourj
obandthi
nkwewi l
l
j
ustwal
kaway
?
Man2:Wewi
l
luset
hepr
incesst
ogetev
eryl
astcent
ofhi
smoney.
IlookupandIseethatthosetwoguysarethose
copswhowant edtoarr
estmeandmbal ifor
"assaul
ti
ng"l
esedi
andherf r
iends,
theybr
ought
backup.
Man1:
Doesn'thelpthatt
hepri
ncessi
shotman,l
ook
att
hoseyel
lowt hi
ghs,Iwannagoforoner
ound.
Hesay
stouchi
nghisdickwhi
chi
scl
ear
lyer
ect
,
t
hosepant
saretooti
ght.
Me:
Youar
eal
soaper
vet
?Int
erest
ing
Man1:
whot
hehel
lar
eyoucal
l
ingaper
vethuh?
Hesl
apsmeandI
mmedi
atel
ytast
ebl
oodi
nmy
mout
h.
Man1:
Call
him againman?Heneedst oknowt hat
wehavehi
sdaught erandweareabouttofuckherin
al
lcor
ner
softhishouseunlesshetr
ansfersal
l t
he
agr
eedamountrightnow.
Thesecondguydi
alanumberandputi
tonspeaker
anditst
artr
ingi
ng,
uncl
epicksupitsoundsl
i
ke
ther
eistoomuchwindwhereheis.
Uncl
e:Hel
l
o.
Man1:
Someonewant
stosayhi
todaddy
,lethert
alk
t
ohim man.
Hemov
est
hephonenearme.
Me:
Dad.
Uncl
e:Zi
yanda,babyar
ey ouokay
?theydi
dn'
thurt
your
ight?God.Uhm Zi
yandadadiscomingokay
?
Inod,
hei
stal
ki
ngsof
ast
Man1:Don'
tl
ietoachil
dLukhel
e,Li
mpopoistoof
ar
bytheti
mey ougether
eshewil
lbelongdead,
unl
essyoudowhatIaskedyouto.
Me:
Dadi
'
m scar
edpl
ease.
.
Uncle:I
'm sor
rypr
incesslookcalm downokay, l
ook
manl etmydaughtergoIwi l
ltr
ansferal
lthemoney
toyout omorr
ow,Idon'thavefi
vemi l
li
onjustl
yi
ng
around..
Man1:
Youar
eabi
gdogr
ighty
oumaket
hings
happenjustl
ikey
oumadeusl oseourjobforal
i
ttl
e
mistake,howdoy out
hinkwewil
lfeedourfami
li
es.
Uncl
e:Youcameint
omyhousedisr
especti
ngme
,t
ouchingmydaughterandy
oucal
lthatal
it
tl
e
mist
ake?
Youcansenseangerf
rom hi
svoi
ce.
Man1:wear eaboutt
otouchherrightnowandi fyou
doany t
hingstupi
dli
kesendi
ngy ourfr
iendshere
thenwewi l
lhavenochoicebuttokil
lher,evenri
ght
nowtheguni spoint
edinherheadonemi st
akeIpul
l
thetr
igger.
Uncl
e:shi
t.
.
Hedr
opst
hecal
l
..
Man1:
Sowherewerewepri
ncess?
looksl
i
kedaddy
i
saboutt
ocallof
fhi
sguys,
sowehav eal
lthet
ime
i
ntheworl
d.
Hecomeskneeli
nfr
ontofmeandhest
art
s
car
resi
ngmythi
ghs.
Man1:
Flawl
ess!
Hemov
ehi
shandsonmybodyunder
neat
hmyt
op
andhet
ouchesmyni
ppl
es.
Man1:
sexy
Me:
Pleasest
op.
.
Isaymoving,butIheart
hecol
dmet
alt
ouchi
ngmy
headIst
opi nst
antl
y.
Man1:Behaveorhewill
shootyou,
heisnotavery
pati
entmanl i
keIam.I'
m ev
engivi
ngy ouafor
eplay,
i
fitwassomeoneel seyouwouldbebendi
ngov er
thi
stabl
erightnowwetornot.
Heconti
nuepl
ayingwit
hmyni
ppl
eswhi
l
ehepl
ant
s
ki
ssesonmythighs.
Icl
osemyey
es,
thi
sisdej
avu.
.
Oneoft hei
rbackupguysunzi
pshi
spant
sandstar
t
playi
ngwi t
hhishar
ddickwhil
ewat
chi
nghisf
ri
end
touchi
ngme.
Man3:
Don'
tst
opmanIl
ovet
heshow.
Theyalll
augh,whenhet r
iestounzipmyshor t
sI
j
umpupandgoov erthecouchandr unt
ot hefi
rst
room onthepassageandl ocki
t,Iknowtheywon't
fi
reshotsbecausethatwouldal
er tt
he
neighbours.
.theystartbangingonthedoorfordear
l
ife,t
heystartkicki
ngi t,
Iopenthewindowandj ump
outofitrunningoutt hefrontgat
e,Thefi
rsthouseI
thinkofisTheo' shouseIr unt
hereandbangont he
backdoor .
Si
sNol
i
:whoi
sit
,whowant
stobr
eakmydoor
?
Me:
SisNol
ipl
easeopen,
i
tsZi
yandapl
ease.
..
Sheopenst
hedoorandwhenIgeti
nIqui
ckl
ylocki
t
behi
ndme.
Si
sNol
i
:Youl
ookdi
str
aughtar
eyouokay
.
Me:
I'
m sorr
y,somemencameintomyhouset
hey
t
ri
edtorapemebutImanagedt
or unaway
.
SisNol
i
:YouranawaytomyhouseZi y
anda,youwant
thosementocomehere?isn'
ti
tenoughthatyouput
mysoni ndangernowyouwanttoputMEi ndanger
.
Me:Pl
easeSi
sNol ipl
ease,
Justl
etmecal
lmy
br
othert
henplease.
Si
sNol
i
:I
'm sor
rybuty
ouneedt
oleav
eri
ghtnow.
Me:Theymightbeont
hest
reetsear
chi
ngf
orme
r
ightnow,
pl
easej
ustletmecal
lmybr
other
stheywi
l
lcome
her
eandtakeme.
Si
sNol
i
:NoZi
yandaNo.
Sheshov
esmeoutandl
ockst
hedoor
.
I
'
m get
ti
ngcol
dandi
tsdar
k.
Her ei
nthisnei
ghbourhoodev er yoneiskeepingto
themselvessoIdon'tthi
nkany onecanhel pme,
SisNoliwasmyonl yhope.Ican' tthi
nkIdon'tknow
whati'l
ldo.Ij
ustsitdownonSi sNoli'
sbacky ar
d,i
'
m
freezi
ngcold.I
'
mj ustwaiti
ngf ort henighttobeover
thenseewhatIcando.

NARRATED

Mandi
siandmbalicamebackfrom meet
ingt
hei
r
f
ri
endsandtheygoinsi
dethehouse.
Mandi
si:
Ziy
andaandLuy
olodi
dn'
tl
ockt
hedoor
s.
Mbal
i
:May
bet
heyf
orgot
.
Theysi
tont
hel
ounget
alki
ngaboutt
hef
unt
heyhad
wi
tht
hei
rfr
iends.
Theyhearsomeoneunlocki
ngthef
rontdoor
,they
l
ookateachother.Luy
ologetsi
nandgreett
hem
si
tti
ngdown.
Mandisi
:
whereareyoucomi
ngf
rom?Youl
eft
Zi
yandaalonedude?
Luy
olo:
Iwentoutf
orawhi
l
eman.
.
Mandi
si:
okay,
l
etsgot
obedbaby
.
TheyleaveLuyol
othereandwal
kthr
oughthe
passage,butMandi
sinot
icet
hatt
hekidsdoori
s
broken,heshoutsf
orLuyol
otocome.
Mandi
si:
wast
hisdoorl
i
ket
hiswheny
oul
eft
.
Luy
olo:
Noi
twasn'
t.
.
Theygeti
n.
Mandisi
:
eventhewindowisopenedsomethi
ngis
notr
ight
,Yol
iandZiyandaal
wayskeepthi
swindow
cl
osedbecausetheyareafr
aidt
hekidscancl
imbit
andjumpout.
Luy
oloqui
ckl
ygot
oZi
yanda'
sroom wi
thMbal
iand
Mandi
sibehi
ndhi
m.
Luy
olo:
Shei
snother
e.
Theystartshouti
nghername,sear
chi
ngallt
he
rooms.Luyolotakesouthi
sphonebutnot
iceit
soff
.
Mandisi'
sphonei sof
ftoo,
onl
yMbal i
'
sphoneison.
Mandisi
:
babebor
rowmey
ourphonel
etmet
ry
cal
l
ingher.
HedialZi
yanda'
snumberbuti
tri
ngsbehi
ndt
he
couch,
hepicksitup.
Mandisi
:whathappenedher
eZiyandanev
erl
eav
es
herphoneeverandtofindi
ther
eisodd.
Theyputthei
rphoneint
hechargerandLuyol
o
swit
chitonthemissedcal
l
sfrom thei
rfat
herf
loods
hi
sphone.
Luy
olo:
Dadhasbeenbuzzi
ngmyphoneman.
.
Mandisiopenshi
stoohereadsamessagef
rom hi
s
f
ather"i
fsomethi
nghappenstohery
ou'r
eal
ldead"
Mandi
si:
somethi
ngiswrong,
somet hi
nghappened
her
eZiy
andaisnotsaf
ewhereversheis.
Luy
olo:
don'
tsayt
hatman.
Theycal
lthei
rfat
her
.
Mandi
si,
Pickup,
pickupei
shhei
snotpi
cki
ngup,
try
hi
mluyol
o.
Het
ri
esandheev
ent
ual
l
ypi
ckup.
Uncl
e/dad:
tel
lmey
ouar
ewi
thZi
yandar
ightnow.
Luy
olo:
Sheisnother
edad,wesear chedev
eryr
oom,
doyouhaveanideawhathappened?
Uncl
e/dad:
FindherLuyol
o,MANDI
SIdoyouhearme
FINDHERorIwi l
lki
llbot
hofyouwhenIgett
here
youpi
eceofshit.
Hedr
opst
hecal
l
.
Mbali:
Thisisallmyfaul
t,youguysalwaysmade
sureZiyandaissafebuteversi
nceIcamehereI
tookyouMandi siawayfr
om her,y
ouf or
gotabout
her,i
tsallmyfault
.
Mandisi
:Heybabyitsnotyourfaul
t.I'
mt heonewho
for
gotaboutthemosti mport
antthinginmyl i
fe,
keepi
ngtheprincesssafenowIdon' tknowwhere
sheisandit
sint hemiddleoft
heni ghtshemightbe
scar
ed.
Theyar
eal
lfr
ust
rat
ed.
Meanwhi
let
heirfat
heri
sdriv
ing,hei
scussi
ngand
hi
tt
ingt
hester
ingwheel
,it
sal ongwayf
rom home.
I
tswaypastmidnighti
ts3:
30inthemorni
ngt
hey
hav
en'
tsl
eptawi nktheyar
ethi
nkingwher
eZi
yanda
i
sandwhot ookher.
6:30theyareti
red,
mbalii
ssleepi
nginthecouch
coveredinfl
eecebl
anket.
.theboysar
esitt
ingint
he
chair
s.Luyoloj
umpsupcausi ngMandi
sitojumpto.
Mandi
si:
whati
sitbaf
o(br
other
)
Luy
olo:
Theki
dswi
ndowwasopenedr
ight
.
Mandi
si:
yeahy
ousawi
tbr
o,what
Luyol
o:andthedoorwasbrokenwhi chmeans
Ziy
andamanagedt oruntothekidsroom andlocked
hencetheybroket
hedoor,butthenZiyandahad
al
readyjumpedoutofthewindow..
Theykeepqui
etf
orawhi
l
e.
Luy
olo:
Ithi
nkIknowwher
ewecanf
indherl
etsgo.
Mandi
si:
ButMbal
ii
..
.
Luy
olo:
Real
l
yMandi
si
Mbali
:
GobabeIwil
ll
ockt
hedoor
s,besi
desi
ts
morni
ngal
ready
.

TheyknockonSi
sNol
i
'sdoor
,Luy
olo'
stheor
yled
them her
e.
Si
sNol
iopensf
ort
hem.
Si
sNol
i
:Hel
l
o.
Luyolo:
Hell
omam uhm weareZi
yanda'
sbr
others,
wewant oaski
fZi
yandadi
dn'
tcomehereyest
erday
atnight
?
Si
sNol
itensesup.
Si
sNol
i
:No
Luy
olo:
arey
ousur
epl
easewhenl
astdi
dyouseeher
.
Si
sNol
i
:ImeanIdi
dseehery
est
erdayatni
ght
.
Theboy
shopecamebackandt
heysi
ghed.
Mandi
si:
sowher
eisshe?I
ssheher
ecanweseeher
.
SisNol
i
;Unfor
tunat
elyshe'
snother
e,It
oldhertogo
home, Idi
dn'
twantthosemenshewast al
king
abouttocomehere..
Luyol
o:Whaat?Youknewthatt
her
earepeopleaft
er
herbutyoulett
hechil
dgo,al
oneont
hestreet.
Luy
oloshout
s.
SisNol
i
:Heyshei
snotmyr
esponsi
bil
i
ty,
wher
ewer
e
you.
Thathit
shome,t
heyweren'
tther
eforherandnow
theydon'
tknowwher
etostartl
ooki
ng.
Thi
sisadeadend

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t66
Thesuni sstarti
ngt orise,Ileav eSisNol i'
shouseI
don' twanthert of indmei nherbacky ard, Iwalkon
thepav ement ,ev ery ti
mewhenIhearacarIqui ckly
trytohi de,Ican' tgobackhomey eti don'tknowi f
Luy oloorMandi si andMbal iarebacky etsoIcan' t
ri
ski t.SisYoliissupposedt ocomebackwi ththe
kidst omor row, Imi ssmyki ds, idon'thav eat axif
are
Iwoul dbegoi ngt oSi sYol i
'
shomeev ent houghi
don' tknowt hedi rect i
onssi nceweal way suse
Mr sReignscarnott axist ogot here, Iwasgonnaf ind
mywaybutwhati ft heyf ol
lowmeIwi l
l beputting
mor epeopl ei ndangerl ikeSi sNoli,
Igetwhyshe
didn'tallowmei n, Iwon' tholdi tagainsther .

Iseet
wopeopl
est
andi
ngatabusst
opIwal
kupt
o
them.
Me:
Hel
l
o.
Women:Hi
,it
scol
dwhyar
eyouwear
ingav
estand
shor
ts?
Man:Ibetsheisf
rom herboyfr
iend'shouseandshe
l
efthomeear l
i
eryest
erday,t
hepar entsmustbe
wor
ri
ed.
Ideci
det
oignor
ehi
m
Me:Uhm mam canyoupleasebor
rowmeyourphone
Ineedt
ocall
mybr othert
ocomef et
chme.
Woman:
ofcour
seher
e
Shegiv
esmeherphoneIcal
lMandi
sibuthi
s
numberisbusy
,It
ryLuy
oloi
tri
ngoncethenhe
answers.
Luy
olo:
Hel
l
o
Me:
bhut
i.
.
Luyol
o:Zi
yanda!ohmyGod,ki
dwher
ear
eyou?I
'
m
comingtofetchyour
ightnow..
Me:i'
m att
hemov ersbusst
op,
secondst
reetf
rom
ourhouse,
pleasecome..
Luy
olo:
I'
m onmywayokay
.
Inodandgi
vet
hewomanaphone.
Me:
thanky
ousomuch
Woman:
i
tsokay
,wewi
l
lwai
twi
thy
ouher
eunt
il
lyour
brot
herget
sher
ebusst
opsar
enotsaf
eatt
hist
ime
ofday.
Inod,
i'
mfr
eezi
ngi
tsnotev
enf
unny
.
IseeLuyolo'
scarpull
i
ngupandIseeMandi,Mbal
i
andLuyolorunni
ngtomeassoonast hecarst
ops.
Theyrunupt ometryi
ngtoholdmeatoncebutIhug
si
sMbalifi
rstandcryonhershoul
der
.
Si
sMbal
i
:shei
sshaki
ngbabe,
shei
scol
d.
Luy
olot
akesoffhi
sjacketandgiv
eitt
oMbal
ito
hel
pmewearitIcan'
tevenfeel
myhands.
Me:Iwasal
mostr
apedagai
n,t
hist
imei
nmyown
home.
Luy
olo:
Eish.
.Uhm mam Iassumeyoutheonewho
bor
rowedheryourphone?(
shenods)t
hankyou.
Man:I
'
m sor
ryforassumi
ngy
ouwer
efr
om t
he
boy
fri
endchi
ld,begood.
Inodandwegot
othecardr
ivi
nghome.
Wegeti
nsi
deandIwal
ktomyr
oom ,
Mandi
sical
l
s
out
.
Mandi
si:
Ziy
anda
Ist
oponmyt
racksbutIdon'
ttur
n..
Mandi
si:
I'
m sor
rysi
s.
Inodandgeti
nmyr
oom Si
smbal
ifol
l
owsme,
Si
smbal
i:
goandtakeashowerIwi
ll
takewarm
py
jamasfory
ouandmakey ousomethi
ngt
oeat.
Igot
akeashowerandwearmypy
jamas,
shecomes
i
nwit
hcoff
eeandmuf f
ins.
It
akecoff
eeandst
artdr
inki
ngi
t,If
eel
li
kemybones
ar
ecracki
ng.
Si
smbali
:
I'm sor
rywenegletedyou,
welefty
oual
l
al
oneandweshoul dn'
thavepleasedon'
tbl
ame
Mandi
siforthi
shewast ry
ingtocheermeupIwas
goi
ngthr
oughsomet hi
ng.
InodandIpl
acethecupont hebedsi
deandjust
sl
eeppull
i
nguptheblanketcover
ingmyhead.
Iheart
hedoorcl
osei
guessi
tsMbal
il
eav
ing.

Ihav
ebeensl
eepi
ngt
hewhol
edayandMbal
ikeeps
checkinguponmeandi'
m grat
eful
.Ihav
en'
tseen
mandi si
orluy
olosi
ncet
hismorni
ngandi'
mfine
wit
ht hat.
Mbalisay
ssheissleepingwithmet odaysoImov e
makingspacef
orhert henclosemyey esbutIcan'
t
sl
eep.Thewhol
enighti '
mt ossi
ngandt ur
ningcan'
t
seem tof
indar
ightposi t
iontosl
eep.
Idon'twhenIf
ell
asleepbutIwakeupmbalii
sn'
t
nexttomeandIcanheardad'svoi
ceinthel
oungeI
getoutofbedandrundownthepassageandthr
ow
my sel
finhi
sarmscryi
ng.
Uncl
e/dad:
I'
m her
enowshhhi
'
m sosor
ry,
i
tsokay
,i
'
m here.
Me:
Theywant
edt
o..
.t
orapeme.
.
Uncl
e/dad:
It
sokaypri
ncessnoonewi
l
ltouchy
ou
nowdadishereokay
.
Inod,
hewi
pesmytear
sandwesitont
hecouchmy
headi
sonhi
slaphi
sarmisonme.
Me:
Wher
eismom?
Uncl
e/dad:
Inherr
oom shehasf
luey
ouwi
l
lseeher
l
ater
.
Uncle:Soninanobabili
(youtwo)Iasky out odoone
simplethi
ng,onethingbutyoudidn'tdoi t
.Whydidn'
t
youtellmey oucan'tl
ookafteryoursisterhuh
Mandisi,
Luyolo?Iwouldn'thaveleftherwith
you,
Menzi wasgoi ngtodoabet terjobthanyou.
Luy
olo:
NO
Uncle/
dad:Youaresayi
ngNObutyoufai
led,
where
wereyouhuhwhent hosepeopl
ewereherei
nthi
s
houseforalmostanhourhar
assi
ngmy
daughter
,WHEREWEREYOU?
Luy
olo:
Iwentt
oseeLesedi
.
Uncle/
dad:Nyesediagainwhatdi
dIsayaboutthat
gi
rlLuyol
oyoudon'tli
sten,y
ouneverl
ist
en.Andy ou
Mandisiwher
et hef
uckwer eyou?
Mandi
si:
Iwentoutwi
thmbal
i
...
Uncle/
dad:
Anditcoul
dn'
twai
tuntil
wecameback,
youguyspromi
sedtolookaf
terher,
i'
m di
ssapoi
nted
i
ny ou.
Mandi
si:
we'
resor
rydadi
twon'
thappenagai
n.
Uncl
e/dad:
damnr
ighti
twon'
tbecauseMenzi
wil
ldo
i
t.
Luy
olo:
Nodady
oucan'
ttr
ustMenzi
wit
hZi
yanda.
Uncl
e/dad:
andwhynot
?
Luyol
o:becausehewant
suhm...
nevermind,
butwe
promi
sewewi l
ldoabet
terJobnextti
meLukhel
e.
Uncle/dad:
Iwill
takeyourwordf
oritbutifyoufail
tr
ustmeIwi l
lsl
iceof
fyourheadfr
om y ourbody.My
enemi esknowsaboutmyweaknessnowandt hati
s
mywi feandmydaught er,
atl
eastyoucanpr otect
yourself
.Ihavetofi
ndthosetwobeforetheyfi
nd
all
i
es.
Me:
Dadmay
bebhut
Menzi
canl
ookaf
terme.
Luy
oloj
umpsi
n.
Luyol
o:Zi
yandawearesor
ryokay
,butwecan
prot
ectyounotMenzi
.
Uncle/dad:
Letyourbr
other
sdoi
tIt
hinkt
heyl
ear
ned
thei
rlesson,r
ight
?
Theynod.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ihear
dy oudi
dn'
teat,
Mbal
ii
scooki
ng
,y
ouwantmet ofeedyou?
Il
aughal
i
ttl
eshaki
ngmyhead.
Me:
I'
m ol
d,y
oucanf
eedboNkany
ezi
.
Uncle/
dad:youwill
alwaysbeyounginmyeyes,
my
pr
incessnotthesebigheadsi
nfrontofme.
Ichuckl
e
Uncl
e/dad:
l
etmegocheckonmywi
fe.
Hewal
kaway
.
Luy
olo:
Ihavenoti
cedyouneversaidanyt
hingt
ome
ormandi
sieversi
ncewefoundy ou,ar
eyouangry
?
Ij
ustl
ookathi
m andgot
omyr
oom.

It
sbeenaweek, al
lIdoi sgotoschool,comeback
andspendt i
mewi tht heki
ds.Haven'tbeentalki
ngto
mybr ot
hers,t
heyt r
ieddoingsmalltalkbutIjust
i
gnorethem, I
'm notangryatthem Imeant heyhave
alif
etootheycan'tbegi vi
ngmeal lt
heat t
ention,
whataboutthegi r
lf
riends.
Asi
'm wal
kinghomeIseeacardr
ivi
ngnextt
ome.
I
tsmenziuncl
e'sf
ri
end.
Menzi
:
Ziy
andaHeywowgoodt oseey
ouwantar
ide
i
'
m goi
ngtoseeyouruncl
eany
way.
Ishakemyheadwi
thasmi
l
e.
Me:
nobhut
'Menzi
i'
m goodImeani
tsher
emos.
Ipoi
ntatourhousei
tsr
eal
lycloseIdon'
tknowwhy
woul
dItakesuchashortl
i
ft.
Menzi
:Itoldyout
ost
opcal
l
ingmebhut
iyoumake
mefeelold.
Me:buty
ouareol
dert
hanmybrot
herssoyouar
e
pr
ettyol
dert
hanmesoyouar
eabr ot
her
.
Hesmi
l
esandst
opatourgat
eandIopeni
tforhi
m.
Menzi
:
thanky
ou.
Hesmi l
es,thi
sguyisugl
ybutifyouar
eintofl
ashy
thi
ngsy oucangoforhi
m becauseyoucantell
he
hasmoneybyt hecarheisdriv
ingt
hewayhe
dressesandthesmell,
ever
ythi
ngabouthi
ml ooks
expensive.
Wegeti
nsi
deandt
her
eisev
ery
onehome.
Me:
Hel
l
oev
ery
one
Theygr
eetback.
Luy
olo:
Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom wi
thhi
m Zi
yanda?
Menzi:
Relaxshejustopenedt
hegat
eforme,
stop
act
ingli
keajeal
ousboy f
ri
end.
Il
aughwal
kingtomyroom butLuyol
oisbehi
ndme.
Hepinsmetothedoorandroughl
ykissmyneck,
i
'm
sur
ehelef
tahickeyt
here.
Ipushhi
m andsl
aphi
m.
Me:Youreal
lyneedtost
opt
hatandMom andDad
areher
ewhatdoy outhi
nkt
heywil
lsaywhent
hey
seeyoudoingthat
.
Luyolo:I
'
m goingcrazyZi
yandaI'mtryi
ngtoignor
eit,
Itri
edtomakey ouhatemebyf ucki
ngLesediwhil
e
youar einthenextroom,pl
easetell
mei '
m not
feel
ingthisalone.
Idon'
tknowwhatt osay,
hebreathsonmyneckand
star
tli
cki
ngi
t,Ipushhim agai
n.
Me:
GetoutLuy
olo.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
andapl
ease.
Me:
YoujustwantsexLuyol
o,got
oLesedi
because
me,
i'
m notaboutt
hatl
if
e.
Iopenthedoorhesi
ghsandwalkout
.Idon'
tknow
whatiswrongwit
hhim butweneedt
otal
kaboutit
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t67

I
'
mi nt
hedinningroom andt
hekidsarewi
thSisYol
i
i
nthei
rroom,Ihavebooksscat
teredal
lov
erthe
t
able,
i'
mt r
yingtostudy.
Luyolocomesi
nandwal kawaywi
thoutsayi
ng
anythi
ngnotevenahel
lo.Ifol
l
owhi
mt ohisroom
thatheuseswhenheishere.
Iopent
hedoorandgetin.Hei
ssl
eepi
ngf
aci
ngt
he
cei
li
ng,
hi
seyesarecl
osed
Me:
Bhut
'Luy
olo
Luy
olo:
mmmm
Me:
canweuhm t
alk.
.
Luy
olo:
notnowmay belat
erIhav
eaheadache.Iget
i
nbedandsleepnextt
ohim.
Luy
olo:
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Me:Whati
sgoingon?Youcantal
ktomeabout
any
thi
ng,t
alki
nghel
psalott
rustme.
Luy
olo:
I'
m amanZi
yandaIcant
akecar
eofmy
sel
f.
Me:Ididn'tsayyoucan't,Ijustwishy oucantalk
moreabouty ourfeel
ings,mengot hroughhardshi
ps
tooandy oudon' thavetohi deitbecausethemor e
youdo, i
tdamagesev erythingwithinyouevenyour
behaviour,Icantelly
ouar eangr y,Iwantyoutotell
mewhyar eyousoangr y,don'ttr
yt orepl
aceitby
havi
ngsexev erychancey ougetokayi twon'
tsolv
e
theproblem.
Luyol
o:Youshoul
drepl
acey
ourmom (
mrsRei
gns)
andleavemedici
neki
d.
Wel
augh.Imov
eandgetont
opofhi
m.
Luy
olo:
fuck,
Ziy
andawhatar
eyoudoi
ng,
shi
t.
Icanfeelhisharddi
ck,t
heonl
ythi
ngbetweenusi
s
thefabri
cofmypant yandhi
sshor
ts,
i'
m weari
nga
dress,Ist
artgr
indi
ngonhim.
Luy
olo:
shi
t,
Ziy
anda.
.don'
t.
..
Idon'tknowwhati'
m doingbutwhatIknowi she
makesmehor nydoesn'
thelpthatIhaveseenhis
dicknotoncebuttwice,Itr
iedignor
ingitbutnowI
wantit,
andit
sbeenawhi lesinceIgotlai
d.
Me:Iwanty
ouLuy
olo,
justl
etmehav
eyouf
ort
oday
pl
ease.
I'
m sti
ll
grindi
ngonhi m, heremov esmydr essand
start
ssuckingonmyni ppl
ei mmedi atel
yt heyharden
, Ir
emov ehisT-shir
tandst ar
tr unningmyar msin
hisabshegr oans,Hehelpmer emov emypant yandI
golockthedoor ,
whenIt urnhisdi ckistwitchi
ng,I
feelmyclitdoi
ngt hesame, istandlookingat
i
t,
gl
ori
ous,
.
.
Luy
olo:
arey
ougonnacomet
obed.
Isl
owl
ygetont
opofhi
m
Me:
youhav
econdoms?
Hereachforhi
sdr
awerandt
akeoneopeni
ngi
tand
gi
veittome.
Luy
olo:
Puti
ton.
Me:
Liket
his?
(Isayput
ti
ngi
tonsl
owl
y)
Luy
olo:
Fucky
eah.
Istar
trubbi
ngthetipofhi
sdi
ckonmycl it
,andputi
t
deepinsi
de,al
lofit,
mywholebodyshakeasmy
i
nnermusclesclench,i
bit
emybottom l
iphard.
Me:
Aaaah.
.
Luy
olo:
Didy
ouj
ustcum?
Heasksmi
l
ing,
Ican'
ttal
kmybodyi
sst
il
li
nshock.
Hegrabsmywai standhel
pmemov e,i
putmy
handsonhischestandbounceonhi
m,hear
inghi
m
groandr
ivesmecr azy
.
Hegetupandchangethecondom ,het
akebot
hmy
l
egsandputthem onhi
sshoulder
sandsli
dehis
di
ckin.
Luy
olo:
mmmm Zi
yanda.
.babe.
.aaah.
Myhandgot
omycl
i
tandhepushi
taway
Luy
olo:
Icanmakey
oucum ,
youdon'
tneedt
hat
.
Me:
I'
m notdoubt
ingy
ou.
.
Wit
hthatbei
ngsai
dhestar
tmovingsof
ast,
hi
s
sweati
sdri
pping,
hel
lhei
ssexy
.
Me:
Lu.
.y
olo
Luy
olo:
Yesbaby
,tal
ktome,
youwantt
ocum?
Idon'
tknowi
fIshoul
dshakemyheadornod.
Igr
abont hesheet
sandIsquir
tsobadscreaming
hi
sname, hecover
smymout h.Andsl
am i
ntome
onemor eti
meandhetensesupforawhil
et hen
col
lapsenextt
ome.
Luy
olo:
fuck.
..
Il
ookathi
m,andwi
pet
hesweati
nhi
sfor
ehead.
Luyol
o:Dadwoul
dki
l
lmei
fhehappenst
ofi
ndout
aboutthi
s.
Me:
Iknow.
.t
hat
swhyweshoul
dnev
erdoi
tagai
n?
Hel
ooksatmeey
ebr
owsr
aised.
Luy
olo:
What
?Whatdoy
oumean?
Me:
ImeanLuy
olo,
thi
swasami
stake.
Hechuckl
es
Luyolo:
Don'
tpat
roni
semeZi
yanda,
thef
uck?A
mistake?
Me:
don'
tshout
,thi
swasaonceof
f.
Isayget
ti
ngupbuthepul
l
smeback.
Luyol
o:whatisthi
sZi
yanda,Nonono..
.di
dyouj
ust
.
I'
dli
ketobel
ieveyoudi
dn'tj
ustuseme.
Ichuckl
e.
Me:
don'
tber
idi
cul
ous,
lookIgot
tago.
Luyolo:
Ziy
andadon'
tyoust
artsomet
hingy
oucannot
fi
nish.
Me:
ohbutIj
ustdi
d,i
tsdoneLuy
olo,
i
tsov
er,
get
ov
eri
t,i
tsj
ustsex.
Hi
sey
esbecomegl
assy
.
Luy
olo:
justsexwow,
God!
!
Hewi
peshi
sfacewi
thbot
hhi
shands.
Me:lookIknowyoualway
swant
edtosleepwit
hme,
soIgaveittoy
ou,nowlet
smoveonokay,I
'm
pr
otecti
ngmyheart.
Luyol
o:I
twasn'
taboutsexZi
yanda,
Iwanty
ou,
all
of
you.
Me: r
eal
ly
?Iwat chedyoufuckwithLeseditwi
ce
Luyol
o,whendi dyoustar
twant i
ngmebet weenthat
ti
mey oufuckedherandnow? answerthat
.
Hedoesn'tsayanythi
ng,Iwal
kout,
wheni'
minmy
room Ij
ustcry
, whati
swrongwit
hme.Igobackto
Luyol
o'sroom heisst
il
li
nthesameposi
ti
onIlef
t
himin.
Ipl
acemyhandsar
oundhi
sshoul
der
s.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
Hesni
ff
s,Ipl
acebot
hmyhandsont
hesi
desofhi
s
face,hiseyesar
ered,Iki
sshi
m,hekissmeback
,thekississopassi
onateIl
ett
hetearsf
all
whi
lewe
stil
lki
ssing.
Luy
olo:
Letmel
ovey
ouZi
yandapl
ease.
Me:wecan'ty
ousupposedtobemybr
other
,dadwi
l
l
beangr
yifhefindsout
,pl
easet
ell
meyougeti
t.
Henodsandki
ssmeagai
n.
Me:
you'
remybr
other
.
Luy
olo:
you'
remysi
ster
.
Ismi
l
ethr
oughmyt
ear
sandwal
kout
.

Igofreshenup,dadsai
dhisfr
iendsarecomingover
fordi
nnerandtheywill
bewatchingsoccerl
ater
.Igo
totheli
vingr
oom andgreet,
Menzi i
shereandhe
seem sohappytoseeme.
Menzi
:
Ziy
anda!
Yanda!y
andah!
If
eel t
heurget
oroll
myeyesbutIcan'
tdadi
s
l
ookingatme,Ij
ustsmi
l
e,dadpull
smet ohi
m and
whisper.
Uncl
e/dad:
evenl
angacant
ell
that
,t
hatsmi
l
eisf
ake.
Iburstouti
nlaught
er,
Ilaughf
oragoodmi
nut
e,t
hey
arealll
ooki
ngatmenow.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
.
Mandi
si:
heysi
s.
Me:
Bro.
Mandi
si:
Ilov
eyouokay
..
Hegai
nshi
msel
faf
ewncooohsher
eandt
her
e.
Me:ar
en'
tyousweet,
Il
ovey
out oo,
yout
ooSi
sMbal
i
Icanseeyouwantt
ocomplai
n.
Luy
olol
ooksatme,
Imov
emyey
esf
rom hi
m.
Menzi
:
Whataboutt
hebaddasbr
ouLuy
olo?
youdon'
t
l
ovehi
m.
Luy
olo:
whyar
eyoui
nmybusi
nessman.
Menzi
:
Iwasj
ustaski
ngt
hisgoddessr
ighther
e.
Hesmi
l
es.
Wemov etot
het
ableandLuy
oloi
sopposi
temeso
i
'
m keepi
ngmyeyesdownasmuchasIcan,Menzi
is
nextt
omeandt
henMbal
ionmyot
hersi
de.
Ever
yoneisangagi
nginaconversat
ionandt
her
e's
l
aughter,
peopl
eherearej
usthappy.
Ifeelahandsqueez ingmyt hi
ghsohar dandits
Menzi Ilookathim andheissmili
ngli
kenot hi
ngis
happening,itr
ytomov eitbuthesqueezeiteven
ti
ghter.Ifl
inchandlookathim,hemov eshishand
awayandsmi leatme.
Menzi
:
Arey
ouokayZi
yanday
andah.
Inodabit
.Okaymaybei
twasnothi
ngmay bei
'
m
j
ustpar
anoidhedi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngwr ong.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]Zee

I
nser
t68
Wear est
il
li
nthedinni
ngtabl
eandthi
sti
meMenzi'
s
handwentbetweenmyt hi
ghs,
Ipusht
hechai
rand
standup.
Me:Okayi
'vehadenoughofthis,
Dady ourf
riend
hereismaki
ngmeuncomf ortabl
ehehasbeen
touchi
ngmeev ersi
ncethi
sdinnerst
arted.
Luy
olo:
Hedi
dwhat
?
Uncl
e/dad:
What
?
Mandi
si:
Ohhel
lno
Theyal
lgetupatonce.
Uncl
e/dad:
Menzi
whatdi
dyoudot
omydaught
er.
Menzi
:comeonmanIdidn'
tdoanythi
ngwr ong,
but
whydoyoucar
esheisnotyourbl
ood,I'
m sureyou
t
hreewantt
otapt
hatespeci
all
ythi
sone.
Hepoi
ntsatLuyol
o,Dadgoesar
oundthet
abl
eand
gr
abshi
m byhisshir
tandpul
lhi
m cl
osert
ohi
sface
Uncle/
dad: Thatswhereyouwr ong, sheismybl ood
alukhel
e,thatismysi st
er'
schil
dandy oujustmade
abigmi st
aket ouchi
ngherwithy ourfi
lthyhands.
Dadthr
owsapunchanditsendshi
m st
rai
ghttot
he
fl
oor
,whenhetr
iest
ogetupMandisigi
vehim
anot
herone.
Mandi
si:
Youtouchmysi
sterwhi
l
ewear
eint
hat
t
abl
e,youdon'
tseeusatal
l.
Mr
sRei
gns:
babyar
eyouokay
?
Me:
i
'm okaymom
Mr
sRei
gns:
Ilov
eyou.
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oomom.
TheyjustchasedoutMenzinowt
heyar
ewat
chi
ng
soccer,i
makesnacksforthem.
Uncl
e/dad:I
'
m sor
ryaboutMenzi
hewon'
tbot
her
youagai
n,comesither
e.
MrsReigns:
Thatcouchlookdi
ff
erent
,what
happenedtoit
,i
tsl
ikei
twaspouredwith
water,
mandisi
whathappened?
Il
ookatLuyolo,hedi
dtakeitout
sidet
othesun,
so
i
tsabitdi
ff
erentfr
om ot
hercouchesnow.
Mandi
si:
aahmom whyar
eyouaski
ngme,
Ziy
anda
mi
ghtknow.
Me:
what
!whyme?
Mandisi
:uuuhbecauseugangi
l
ezi
yanda(
youar
e
naughty
)
Me:
Luy
oloknowany
thi
ngaboutt
hecouch?
Iwi
ggl
emyey
ebr
ows.
Luyol
o:Uhhmm uuhyesy es,
mom Iwasgoingt
otel
l
youthatIpour
edwaterbymi st
akewhenuhm..
me
andziyandaweref
ight
ing.
Real
l
ythat
sjustl
ame.
MrsRei
gns:wer
eyougoi
ngt
opourwat
eronmy
daught
erl
u?
Luy
olo:
mom noIwasi
meanwewer
ejustpl
ayi
ng.
Uncl
e/dad:
sowhoi
sbuy
ingi
tthenYoul
uyol
oor
Zi
yanda.
Me:
whataboutl
esedi
(imumbl
e)
Luy
olost
aresatmeIguesshehear
dme.
Me:
Luy
oloy
ouar
ebuy
ingnewcouchesf
ormom ,
t
akeitl
i
keal
ateweddi
ngpr
esent
,ni
ghtf
olksIhav
e
t
ostudy.
Ishoutwalki
ngaway .Ikissmykidsgoodnightthen
gotomyr oom, It
hinki'vebeenstudyi
ngforthree
hoursstr
aight
,Imov emybookst othefl
oorandl i
e
down,it
squietnowIt hinkevery
onewentt ot hei
r
rooms.
Ithi
nki'
mf all
i
ngasleep,Ihearawindowshatterand
somethingfal
lsonthefl
oor,Iscream andrunoutto
Luyol
o'sroom Itr
ytoopenbuti tsl
ockedIbangonit
,Ist
opwhenIhearhi m arguingwithsomeone
i
nside,
heiswi t
hawoman, Ifeel
hurt,Imov
eaway
fr
om hisdoorandcalloutfordadandmandi si
.They
comeout .
Uncl
e/dad:
Ziy
andaarey
ouokay
,whyar
eyou
scr
eamingatthi
sti
me.
Me:
somet
hingbr
okemywi
ndow.
Mandi
si:
Real
l
y?
Me:
yescomesee.
Ishowt
hem t
hewi
ndowandMandi
sigodownand
pi
ckupar
ock
Mandi
si:
*We'
recomi
ngf
ory
ou,
all
ofy
ou*
Mandi
sir
eadswhati
swri
tt
ent
her
eit
sar
ockand
t
herei
sapaperst
uckoni
t.
Uncle/
dad:Dammituhm ei sh..
whereisLuyol
o, we
needtothi
nkofsomet hi
ngr ightnow,Luyol
ofinal
l
y
graceuswithhi
spresent,hei savoi
dingmyeyes.
Uncle/
dad:whattooky
ousol
ongZi
yandawoul
d
havebeenhurtbynow.
Luy
olo:
what
?ar
eyouokay
?
Inod.
Uncle/dad:weneedsecuri
ty,
I'
mt hinki
ngweshould
l
ookf ornewguardsforthepropert
iesweownand
taketheoldonestolookaft
erthishousesi
ncethey
alr
eadyknowt heropesandItrustt
hem.
Mandisi
:Wewillbetaki
ngtur
nswi
thLuy
olof
or
t
ranspor
tingZi
yandatoschool
.
Uncl
e/dad:
comeher
e.
Heopenshi
sar
msandIhughi
m.
Uncl
e/dad:
itsal
lgoi
ngt
obeokay
,youwantt
osl
eep
wit
hmeandmom.
Inod.
Luy
olo:
Kid
Il
ookathi
m
Luy
olo:
uhmm begoodokay
Me:
sho
Idon'
tknowbuthi
m havi
ngawomanov
erdoesn'
t
si
twellwit
hme,I'
mjustnotokay
.
Thefoll
owingdayIwakeupprepar
ingforschool
and
Ipassbythekidsr
oom,theyar
egrowingandIlove
them t
odeath.
Me:
Sowhoi
staki
ngmet
oSchool
todaydad?
Uncl
e/dad:
Luy
olo,
hei
sal
readyout
sidei
nhi
scar
.
Inod.
Iseehiscarf
acingthegat
elikeheisreadytogo.I
gotohim andopenthepassengerdoorbutI'
m
welcomedbyy el
lowthi
ckthi
ghs,i
tsLesedi.
Icloset
hedoorandwal
kinsi
det
hehousel
uyol
o
runsaft
erme.
Me:Dadi'
m notgoi
ngwi
thhi
m,pl
easet
akemet
o
school
.
Uncl
e/dad:
butIhav
eameet
ing.
Me:
Itwon'
ttakeev
en10mi
nut
esdadpl
ease.
Uncl
e/dad:
whycan'
tyougowi
thLuy
oloZi
yanda.
Me:
i
'm sor
ry,
itsf
ineIwi
l
laskbhut
iMandi
si.
Uncl
e/dad:
hei
snother
ehehadanear
lymeet
ing.
Inod.
Me:
guessi
'
m goi
ngwi
thhi
m andLesedi
then.
Uncle/dad:
what?Luy
oloyouhavethatgir
lint
he
car?nowonderyouwokeupsoear l
y,youwantedt
o
sneakherout,
youneverl
earnhuh.yesesman.
Heshout
staki
nghi
scarkey
s.
Uncl
e/dad:
let
sgo.
.
Ir
ushbehindhi
m,heiscussi
ngal
lthewayt
othecar
.
hetakesmetoschool
.
Dur
ingl
unchDavoncomestomei'
m shockedIhav
e
nev
erseenhi
m havi
ngaconver
sat
ionwit
hanyone
her
e.
Dav
on:
hey
.
Me:
uhm hi
Hesmi
l
es.
Davon:youar
ebeaut
if
ul,
i'
veal
way
swant
edt
otel
l
youthi
s,canIsi
t.
Me;
yeahsur
e.
Dav
on:t
hankyou,soTheoneh,
wentt
ocuba,
l
eavi
ngsuchbeaut
ybehind.
Ismi
l
eathi
m
Dav
on:
Thatguyi
shothothot
.
Okayt
her
e'smyconf
ir
mat
ion,
hei
sgay
.
Me:whyarey
oualwaysalone?Ithoughtmay
bey
ou
can'
ttal
koryoudon'
twantfri
ends.
Davon:peopl
earejudgemental
outther
e,oncet
hey
seeyou'r
egaytheydon'twantt
oassociat
e
themselv
eswithyou.
Me:arether
est
il
lpeopl
ewhohav
eapr
obl
em wi
th
gaypeople?
Davon:
wi t
hjustt
hatonequesti
onyou'
re
aski
ng,
you'vewornmyheart
,itmeansyouar
enot
oneofthem.
heisokay,het
alksal
ott
ooi
hav
ebeenl
aughi
ng
ever
since.
Iwal
koutthegat
eaftersayi
nggoodbyet
o"Dai
",I
seeLuy
olo'
scarshi
ningeversobr
ight
.
Igoopeni
tatt
heback.
Me:
Hi.
Luyol
o:Hey,
westar
ti
ngatt
hemal
lSi
syol
igav
emea
l
istoft
hekidsst
uff
.
Inodandlookoutt
hewi
ndow,
wedr
ivei
ncompl
ete
si
lence.
Wegetoutandhest
ret
cheshi
shandt
ohol
dmi
ne
andIj
ustl
ookati
t.
Luy
olo:
you'
remysi
ster
Il
ookdownandt
akehi
shand,
wewal
kinandt
ake
ever
ythi
ngweneed.Asweaboutt
oleavesomeone
shout
smynameIt urni
tsZi
nhle,
shelookst
hin.
Zinhl
e:mustbenice,
youchangi
ngmenl i
ke
underwear
s,whi
lemyhusbandisinj
ail
becauseof
you.
Thathit
shomeIhavebeenchangingmen,
from
MisotoTheothenLuyol
oeventhoughwenot
toget
herli
ket
hatbutsti
l
lIsl
eptwithhi
m.
Zi
nhle:ev
erydoghasit
sdayZi
yandaandy
our
s
mightcomesooner.
Luy
olost
epsi
nfr
ontofher
.
Luy
olo:
ist
hatat
hreat
?
Zi
nhl
e:Noact
ual
l
ytakei
tasj
ustaphr
aseokay
.
Shesay
swal
ki
ngaway
.
JustthenLuy ol
o'
sphoneringsandheanswersI
can'thearthepersonhei
st al
ki
ngto,hel
ooksatme
withey eswideopenaphoneissti
ll
inhisear
,he
remov esitsl
owly..
Me:
whati
sit
?
Hesi
ghsl
ooki
ngdown.
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
16]
Zee

I
nser
t69

Wegethome, Iwashol dingmybr eat hbecause

Luyolowasdr ivi
ngl i
keamani acont her oad,
it
s
crazy,whenwegethomet herearepol icecarsandI
canheart hekidscr y
ingsol oud, i
tscr owdedt he
neighboursareher e,
Ipasst hr
ought hecr owdwhenI
getcloserthepolicepul l
smebacksay ing" i
tsa
cri
mescene"i '
m notal l
owedt ogeti n, Ilookwher e
thekidsv oi
cescomef rom Luy ol
oi shol dingNtsi
ka
,Langai swithMrsRei gnsbutIcan' tseeNkany ezi
,I
l
ookar oundandIseedadcomi ngwi thhi mfrom t
he
ambul ance,Iruntohim.
Me:
Dadwhati
sgoi
ngon?
It
akeNkany
ezi
from hi
m.
Uncl
e/dad:
eishy
ouknow.
..
I.
.
Icanseepol
i
cemov
ingacor
pset
oacar
.
Me:Dadwhoi
sthat,whati
shappeni
ng,
whyi
sour
houseacr
imescene?
Uncl
e/dad:
Yol
ii
s..
.
Me:
Nodad.
Isayshaki
ngmyhead,Idon'
tthi
nkIwant
edt
ohear
whathe'sgoi
ngt
osaynext
Uncl
e/dad:
Ziy
anda!
!
AllIr
ememberi shimt aki
ngNkanyezifrom myar
ms
,Idon'trememberany thi
ngel
se,nowIwakeupi t
s
darkoutside,
Igetoutofbedandwal ktowhere
every
onei s,t
heyal
llookatmeconcer ned.
Me:it
sallmyf aul
t,I'
m cursed,everwhereIgo
somethi
ngbadhappenst opeoplewhoar ecl
oseto
me,Idon'
tknowwhatt odoany mor e,whatwil
l
Bandi
le(
SisYoli
'ssonstudyingatUni v
ersi
tyof
j
ohannesburg)say ,
Itookhi smom awayf rom hi
m
hewassocl osetomaki ngitforhismom ,toprovi
de
forher,Imayhavenotpulledthetr
iggerbutIknow
i
tsallbecauseofme, yourli
veswerefinebefor
eI
cameal ong,Ihavetogo,farawayfrom youguys,
I
don'tknowwher ei'
l
lgobutIcan'tbehere..
Myuncl
eget
supandt
ri
eswal
ki
ngupt
ome,
Ishake
myhead.
Me:Nodad,
I'
m goi
ngt
opackmybagsandt
heki
ds
bag.
Mr sReigns:don'
thur tmel i
ket hatZiyanda,wherewi l
l
yougowi ththekids, wearef amilyremembery our
wor ds?Wehol deachot hershands, noonei s
blami ngyoubaby, ifyougoi '
llbeachi ldlesswoman
l
ikeal lt
hesepasty ears,youmademeamot her,
I
knewhowamot herfeelswhenhol di
ngt heirownt he
fi
rsttimeIhuggedy ou,pleasedon' tdoit,wewi l
l
fi
gur eeveryt
hingoutt ogether.
Iwal kbacktomyr oom andopenthewar dr
obeand
throwev ery
thi
ngdownont hefloor,
Itakethe
suitcaseandplaceitont
opofthebedandt hr
owmy
clothesinsi
de.
Luy
ologet
sinandhol
dmyar
msf
rom behi
nd.
Luy olo:
don'tdoi tZiyanda,please, you'vecomea
l
ongway ,y
ouar ehur t
ingdad, Mandi si ,
and
Mr sReignshel lyouar ehurtingt hoseki dsi fyoutake
them awayf rom theonl yhomet heyhav eev er
known, andweal lknowYol i woul dn'
tblamey ouf or
this,shelovedy oulikeherown, don'tleave, mandi si
alway swant edt ohav easi sterandy oucameal ong,
Ilovey ou, iknowi 'm messedupbutIr eallydo,
Lesedi hasal way sbeeni nmyl i
fesoIdon' tknow
howt otell
herI '
m noti nl
ov ewi thherany mor e,I
l
ov edy outhemomentIsawy ouatt hemal l,
y ou
mademener vous, myhear twasbeat i
ngso
fast..
pleaseZi yandast ayformeIpr omi sei will
be
bet t
erIwi l
lbet ruetomyf eelingsandt ellLesedi i
ts
ov er,Iwanty ou.
Ibreakdownandsob,hehugsme,
wemov
etot
he
fl
oorwithhi
m hol
dingme.
Luyolo:
i
tsokayleti
tal
loutbaby
,leti
tout
,youwi
l
l
heal,
weneedy ou.
Icryuntil
Ihavenotearsl
eft
,hepi
cksmeupandl
ay
mei nbed, hesl
eepnextt
omewi t
hmyheadonhi
s
chest.Icl
osemyey es.
Icanheart
hedooropeni
ngbutIkeepmyey
es
cl
osed.
Mandi
si:
Howi
sshe?
Hewhi
sper
s,Luy
olomov
esmyheadf
rom hi
schest
sl
owl
y.
Luy
olo:sheisnottaki
ngthi
swellman,Idon'
tknow
howtomakeherf eelbet
terandhert
ostopblaming
her
selff
orthis.
Mandisi:
Ifeelusel
ess,sheisj
ustakidandt obe
goi
ngt hr
oughsuchatheragei sdr
ainingher,you
canseeherpainev enbehindt
hesmile,andIfeel
l
ikesheiskeepingeveryt
hingi
nsi
de,itispil
i
ngup
andonedayi t
sallgonnacomedowncr ashi
ng.
Luy
olo:
Idon'
tknowman.
Isi
tupandt
heyl
ookatme.
Me:
Bhut
'Mandi
si
Mandi
si:
Yessi
s.
Me:Pleasetakemykidsandbr
ingt
hem
her
e,please.
(henods)
Hecomesbackhol
dingasleepyLangaandnkany
ezi
i
sholdi
nghi
sbrot
her'
shand.
Nt
sika:
Pinki
e
It
akeLangafrom Mandi
siandt
het
winssi
tonmy
ei
thersi
des.
Me:
Ilov
ey ouguy
s,IwishGodcanpr otectmeand
myfamil
y,hav
emer cyonme, Idon'
tknowwhoI
wr
ongedbutIam deeplysor
ry.
Mandi
si:
`Het
hatdwel
lsi
nthesecr
et place,
Ofthemost
hi
gh,
Shal
labi
deundert
heshadowoftheal
might
y'
hesi
ngssobeaut
if
ull
ythatIf
indmy
sel
fsmi
l
ing.
Me:'
Thelor
dwill
keepyousaf
efrom t
heenemi
eshe
wi
ll
spreadhiswi
ngsov
eryou..
'
Mandi
si:
Idi
dn'
tknowy
oucansi
ng.
Theybot
hlookatmei
nshock.
Me:
Icansi
ngbutIdon'
tsi
ng.
Luyol
o:Ihear
dsingi
nghealsone'
ssoul
,youshoul
d
si
ngmor eandthatv
oicedamn..may
beyouguyscan
doaduet
.
Mandi
si:
nowy
ou'
repushi
ngi
tbr
o.
Ismil
e,l
ooki
ngatmykids,l
angai
sasleepinmy
armsandthetwi
nsaresl
eepi
ngNtsi
kawithhi
s
thumbonthemouth.
Mandisi:
Ithi
nkweshouldtaket
hebunkbedsf
rom
thebackandputiti
nthi
sroom,becausei
'
m
sleepi
nginheret
oday.
Luy
olo:
goodi
deabr
o,y
ouar
enott
hatdumbaf
teral
l
.
Theyst
artfi
ght
ing,
Idon'
tknowwhyt
heysuddenl
y
act
ingl
ikeki
ds.
Theywalkout,
fewminutestheyarebackshout
ingi
f
oneshouldgoinf
ir
storsecond,theyar
ejust
ri
dicul
ous.
Luy
olo:
LookIbr
uisedmyel
bowbecauseofy
ou.
.
Mandi
si:
Itol
dyout
otakeat
urn.
Me:youguy
swer
eser
iousaboutbr
ingi
ngt
hisbed
her
e?
Mandi
sigi
vesmeadeat
hst
are.
Me:
what
!?
Mandisi
:Idon'
tli
kequestionsli
kethat
,y ouaredoing
medi
cineZiyandadon'taskobviousquestionsl
ike
t
hat,Icanacceptiti
fitscomingf r
om youknowwho.
Hepoint
satLuyol
owithhi
sheadandtheyst
art
f
ight
ingagai
n.Il
augh,
dadcomesin.
Uncl
e/dad:
Whatt
hehel
li
swr
ongwi
thy
..
.
Hestopstal
kingandl
ookatmeshocked,
probabl
y
becausei
'
ml aughi
ng.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ilov
eyou
Me:
Iknowdad.
.
Uncle/
dad:younotgoi
nganymorer
ight(
inod)t
hank
youbaby,Ishoul
dgotel
lyourmom shehasbeen
cry
ing.
Hel
ooksatt
hebunkbeds.
Uncl
e/dad:
whati
sgoi
ngon?
Mandisi
:wear
emov
ingi
nher
e.(
Hesay
ssmi
l
ingso
br
ight
)
Uncl
e/dad:
youar
eov
ercr
owdi
ngmydaught
er'
s
space.
Luyolo:ri
ghtnowIfeel
li
key
ou'
ret
heonedoi
ngt
he
overcrowdingdad.
Dadpl
ayf
ull
yhithi
m andhelooksatmeonemor
e
ti
meandsmilewal
kingout
.
Thesetwost
art
sfi
ght
ingaboutwhoi
ssl
eepi
ng
whereandwhy.
Me:Ify
oumakesomuchnoi
se,
youwi
l
lmov
ethi
s
bunkoutr
ightnow.
Theygoqui
eti
mmediatel
y,t
odaytheyswi
pedpl
aces
wit
hNtsi
kaandNkanyezi
forreal
.
Theygeti
nthei
rbedaf
tersay
inggoodni
ght
.
Ithi
nkofSi
sYoli
andev er
ythi
ngshehasdonef orme
andmykids,t
hepaincomesback, iputmyhandin
mymout hst
oppingthesobsfrom escapi
ngmy
mouth.
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee

I
nser
t70

Iwakeupf ir
st,
Ididn'tsl
eepwellbecauseofSi
sYol
i
's
death,
andonet heset wowassnor i
ngsoloud,
Ipul
l
thei
rblanket
sfrom them theywakeup.
Mandi
si:
youdi
dn'
thav
etopul
li
tli
ket
hatZi
yanda,
i
tscol
d.
Ther
e'saknockanduncl
eget
sin.
Uncl
e/dad:
Howdi
dyousl
eepbaby
.
Me:
Icoul
dn'
tsl
eept
heywer
esnor
ing.
Luy
olo|
mandi
si:
Idon'
tsnor
e.
Theysayi
nuni
son
Uncle/dad:y
eahright.Lookwehavetogopayour
respecttoYoli
'
sfamilytodayandseewher
ewecan
help,Ziy
andayourmom wi ll
staybehi
ndwi
ththe
kids,shewil
lgolater
.
Me:can'
twegotogether
,whati
fsomeonecomes
her
eandhurtt
hem and..
Mandi
si:
Yeahwecanal
lgo,
i
tsokay
.
Wegetr eadyandwhenwegettheretheyardisf
ull
,i
gooutandIseeSphokazi,
sheisSisYoli
'
solder
si
ster,(
sheistheonewhostayshere,she'
snot
worki
ngandhast wochi
ldr
entheyare5and22)
Shecomestousy oucanseeherpuf
fyey
es,
nosei
s
redshehasbeencryi
ng.
Sphokazi
:Zi
yandawhatwil
lIbewit
houtmysist
er,
shewast heonewhohelpedmewiththechi
l
dren,
howwi l
lweevenaff
ordtoburyher
.
Sheisholdi
ngmyhandscr y
ingandIcan'
thel
pbut
cry,sheishear
tbrokeny
oucanseepaini
nhereyes
,heariti
nhervoice.
Mydadaskt otal
ktoherandwewal kinsi
demom is
notokay,SisYol
iwasherbestfr
iendsot hi
smustbe
hardonher.Thet winsruntoAphil
ewhoi s
Sphokazi'
sf i
veyearold,t
heypl
aywi t
hhim ev
ery
time
SisYol
icamewi ththem.
Wear
einsi
det
hehousewi
tht
hef
ami
l
ymember
s.
Uncl
e/dad:Ourcondol
encestothefami
ly
,Yol
iwas
par
tofmyf amil
ywet ookherasour,weaski
fyou
wouldal
lowust ohel
pburyher.
Uncl
e1:
Asyoushoul
d,shedi
edi
nyourhouse,
you
ki
ll
edher
.
Uncle2:Brot
herdon'
ttal
kli
kethat,
thesepeopleare
heretohelpusburyournephewwi t
hdignit
y,t
hey
don'toweusbuttheyaredoingitf
rom thegoodness
oftheirhear
ts.
Uncle1:
Isayi
tsbecauseofgui
l
t,t
heyhav
eahandin
herdeath,
maybetheywantedt
odorit
ual
susi
ngher
.
Sphokazi:malume(uncl
e)Iknowthesepeople,
Yoli
coul
dn'tclosehermouthabouthowgoodt heyareto
her,
thatshefeel
slikesheispar
tofthem,theynever
tr
eatedherasahel perbutamotherandasister
,so
uncl
edon' tgoaroundaccusi
ngthem ofsuch
despicabl
eact.
Uncl
e2:
Thanky
ouLukhel
eandy
ourf
ami
l
y,wear
e
gr
atef
ulf
ory
ourof
ferLukhel
e,
Mdl
uli
..
Theeldercont
inuetotal
kIwal
koutt
ryingt
olocate
Bandil
eandIseehim sit
ti
ngal
oneonthebigrock
fewfeetsawayfrom hi
shome,
Iwal
kupt ohim.
Me:
Hey
Bandi
l
e:heypi
nk
Me: Iwon'taskhowy ouaredoingbecauseIhat e
thatquest i
onmy sel
fifsomeoneaski twhent hey
knowi '
m goi ngthroughsomet hing,soIwi l
ljustsay
i
'm sorr
yf ory ourloss,Iknowhowmuchy oulove
herandl osinghersosuddenhur tsy ou.Don'thold
backcryi fyouf eell
ikeit
,scr
eam , cursejustdon't
keepitin.
Iseetearsmakingthei
rwayoutofhi
seyes,
andhe
start
ssobbingsoloud,i
tspai
nful
towat
ch.Ikeep
brushinghi
sbackasIwi pemyown.
If
eel
ahandonmyback.I
tsSphokazi
.
Sphokazi
:Iknowhowmuchshemeantt obot hof
you,i
twil
lall
getbet
terwitht
ime,
andthankyou
Ziy
andaformakinghim seet
heneedt
ocr y
,ithel
ps
al
ot.

Wedriv
ebackhomeandther
eisasecur
it
yatt
he
gat
e,heopensf
orusandwegetoutoft
hecar
Uncl
e/dad:
Ngcoboy
oual
readyher
e,t
hanky
ou
Theyshakehands.
Uncle/
dad:thi
sismyf amil
y,youdoyouroutmost
besttokeepthem safepl
acey ourmeni
npl ace,
they
havetokeepwatching,i
fthr
yspotdangertheymust
shoottokil
l
,okay
Ngcobo:YouknowmeLukhel
eIdon'
tdi
ssapoi
nt,
we
havebeengoodfri
endsf
oral
ongtime.

Wewal kinandIgoshowerandbat ht hekidsweget

i
nbedanddozeof fi'
mt i
redbot
hemot i
onall
yand
physicall
y.IwakeupwhenLangawant stopee
SisYolidi
dagr eatjobteachi
ngthem everyt
hingthey
knownowIwi llmisshersomuchnoonewi l
lever
replaceher.
I'
m sleepingbutIcanfeelsomeoneiswatchi
ngmeI
openmyey esandLuy ol
oisstar
ingatmewi t
ha
seri
ousl ookonhisfacebutit
sli
keheisfarwith
thoughts.Hegetsstartl
edwhenhenoticeme
stari
ngbackathi m.
Me:y
ouarecr
eepy,
whyar
eyoust
ari
ngatmewhi
l
e
i
'
m sl
eepi
ng.
Luyol
o:Ij
ustgotlosti
ny ourbeauty
,wishIcanwake
uptoitev
eryday,
lif
eistooshort,Yoli
'
sdeath
openedmyey esIreal
l
ywantt obewi thyouZi
yanda
i
fyouletme.
Me: Ihavefeel
ingsforyoutoobutuntil
y oufi
xt hi
s
thinggoingonbet weenyouandLesedi Iwon'
tput
mysel fi
nal ov
et ri
angl
e,Idon'
twanttobewi th
someonewhomi ghtst
il
lhavefeel
i
ngsf orsomeone
else,Iwantsomeonewhowi l
lbefull
ycommi ttedto
me.Yougeti tright.
Luyol
o:Igeti
t,t
hat
swhyIcal
l
edhert
obr
eakt
hings
off
.
Inod.
Luy
olo:
CanIki
ssy
ou.
Me:
Justapeck
Ipeckhi
sli
ps.
Hi
sphoner
ings,
hel
ooksatme.
Me:
It
sher
Henods.
Me:
theny
oushoul
dgot
alkt
oher
.
Luy
olo:
Bab'
Ngcobo,
yespl
easel
etheri
n.
Hewal
ksout
,mbal
iget
sinandt
hrowher
sel
finbed.
Me: Ihav
en'
tseenyoui
nawhil
e,i'
m gl
adyouhere
becauseIwanttot
alkt
oyouaboutsomet
hing.
Mbal
i
:Whati
sit
?
Me: uhm i
tsLuyolothi
ngi s, If
eel somet
hingforhi
m
buti'
m notsureifheisreallyoverLesedihesaidhe
i
s, hesaidhewillbr
eakt hingsof fwit
hherri
ghtnow.
Pleasedon'tt
ell
mandi siaboutt hispl
ease.
Mbali
:andwhyar eweherecomel et
sgoseet he
dramaoutthere.Anddon'
tworr
yIwon'ttel
lanyone
aboutt
hisIknewsomet hi
ngwasupwi t
hy outoo
whenyouwer ealwaysfi
ghti
ngaboutever
yli
ttl
e
t
hing.
Me:
wasi
ttooobv
ious?
Mbali
:notreall
y,youf
oughtli
kesibl
i
ngsbuti
'
mtoo
obser
vantsoIsawbey ondthat,
nowupIwantto
seeever
ydet ai
l.
Shepull
smeupandwegositontheverandat
hey
aresi
tti
ngont
hest
epswecanclear
lyhear
ever
ythi
ng.
Mbal
i
:hel
l
oSedi
.
Lesedi
giv
esherabor
edl
ookandsayav
erycol
d'hi
'
Luyol
o:LookLesedii
don'
tknowhowt osaythi
sbut
Idon'
tthi
nkweshouldconti
nuewiththist
hing
betweenusbecausei'
mjustnoti
nlov
ewi thyou
anymore.
Lesedi
:What
?butwhyIthoughtweweredoi
nggood
youevenint
roducedmetoyourfami
l
y.
Luyol
o:Youwer
et heonewhowantedt
obeknown,
thatwasn'
tmyi
ntenti
onatal
landy
ouknowthi
s.
Lesedi
:af
terever
ythi
ngIhavedonef
oryou,istood
byyouwheny ouhadnothi
ng,Iwasy
ourfi
rstlove,
I
alwayscamebackt
oyouwheny ouwantedtogi
ve
uponusandnowy out
hinkIcanjustl
etyougol
ike
that
?
Luyol
o:Thi
sti
meIhavef
oundtr
uel
ove,
don'
ttr
yto
stopmethi
sti
meitwon'
twor
k.
Lesedi
:Youwil
lleav
eherandcomebackt
omel
i
ke
youalwaysdo.
Luy
olo:
trustmet
hist
imeIwon'
t.
Lesedi
:we'
l
lseeaboutt
hat
.
Shetakesherbagandwal
koutt
hegat
egeti
nher
caranddri
veoff.
Luyol
oisst
il
lsi
tt
ingt
her
e,Igetupandgosi
tnextt
o
hi
m.
Luyol
o:youknowIhavetri
edt odothisforyear
s
nowbutwhenIgetintoanotherrel
ati
onshipshe
comesbackandr ui
never
ythingandIwascr azyfor
taki
ngherbackbutthi
sti
meIwon' tlether.
Me:
wher
edi
dyout
womeet
.
Luyolo:Iwasst
il
lsell
ingi
nthestr
eetIhadjust
fi
nishedmymat r
ic,shewassti
ll
inschooldoing
gradeeleven,shewoul dpassbymyt ableev eryday
andwewoul dtalkaboutev er
ythi
ngt henonedayshe
askedmet oaccompanyherhome, whenwegot
therewehadsexaf t
erthatshegav ememoneyandi
neededmoneyt hatti
me, Isomehowf elti
ndebt edto
herforthat,i
tbecamesomet hingwedoev eryday
havesexandshegi vemecashunt ilyouruncl e
foundmeandt ookmewi thhimt henwewentt othe
mi l
i
tar
yt r
aini
ngandwewor kedfory ears,Icame
backandsear chedforher ,al
lIwant edwast opay
hermoneybackbutshesai dshedi dn'twantmoney
butshewant edme, Ifel
tlikeIowedhert hatmuch
didn'
thelpthatshewoul dbr i
ngitupev er
yti
mewe
argueaboutsomet hing.
Me:
wowIdon'
tknowwhatt
osay
.
Luyol
o:Iknowshewill
comeback, l
astt
imeIt r
ied
mov i
ngonshefakedapregnancyandharassedthe
gi
rlIwaswithandthegir
llef
tme.
Me:
andy
oust
il
lwentbackt
oher
.
Luyol
o:Zi
yandaIhadlostmyfami
lyIwasgoi
ng
thr
oughalot.
.whenIwentfort
her
apythat
swhent
he
doctortol
dmei thappenst haty oufeelli
key ouowe
someonewheny ouar edepr essed,youalway sfeel
l
ikegoingbackt othem y ouwantt obear oundthem
nomat t
erhowt oxi
ct heyare, i
tjustl
i
keusi ngdrugs,
youknowt heyarenotgoodf oryouandtheycan
damagey oubuty oukeepusi ngbecauset heymake
youfeelbett
er.Idon' tknowi fi'
m makingsensebut
all
thoseyearsthatshowIf eltaboutLesedi unt
ilI
sawy ou.
Me:
Iheary
ou.
.

Zee(
notedi
ted)

Justcamebackfrom t
hesaddestfuneral,ayoung
man24y ear
shangedhimselfsadthinghedidn'
t
evenleaveanot
eaf amil
yisgoingthroughalot
.
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee
I
nser
t71

Todaywear elayingSisYol
itor estIsti
l
lcannot
beli
evesheisnol ongerwithus, I
'minSisSphokazi
's
room get
ti
ngr eadyfortheservice,ihavebeen
l
ookingatmy selfinthemirrorforalmost15mi nut
es,
ifeell
i
kei'
m cov eredinscarsjustnotv i
si
bletothe
nakedeyes.ThedooropensandLuy ologetsinand
holdmeinmyshoul ders.
Luy
olo:
Theser
vicei
saboutt
ost
artl
etsgo.
Het akesmyarm andwegot othet
ent
,wesi
twit
h
thefamilyi
nthefr
ontrowbecausesomeuncl
es
agreedthatwecanstayther
esomewereagai
nstit
.
I
'
m si
tt
ingi
nbet
weenBandi
l
eandLuy
olo.
Bandil
e'seyesarebl
oodshotandswolen,hei
s
star
ingatthepict
ureofhi
smot hert
hatisi
nabig
fr
amei nfr
ontofus.
Iremembertakingthi
spict
urewewer et
akingthe
twinsoutf
orthev er
yfi
rstt
ime, Iaskedtotake
pictur
esofherandMr sRei
gns,shehadj ustcutt
ed
myhair
.Shewasagai
nstt
aki
ngt
hepi
ctur
ebutshe
agr
eedevent
ual
l
y.

Thepastorstart
st hesevi
cewit
hapray
er,Iseeal
ot
ofMethodistchurchpeopleev
enSi
sSphokazii
s
wear
ingherchur chunifor
m.
Pastor
:ForGodsol ovedthewor l
d,astogi vehis
onl
ybegot t
enSon, t
hatwhosoeverbeliev
et hinhim,
maynotper i
sh,butmayhav eli
feeverl
asting.John3
ver
se16, bel
ovedLethergo, f
orthi
sisourt empor al
home, kunokuphi
langal
ekwet huna(thereislif
e
aft
erdeath).
Hecont
inuet
heser
monandt hefamil
yiscal
l
edto
sayt
hei
rgoodby
eSisSphokazigetsupandsi
ng.
Si
phokazi
:'Yesuwenaungumhl
obo(
jesusy
ouar
ea
fr
iend)
Umhl
obowomphef
uml
o(Asoul
mat
e)
Ndi
zakuweundi
ncede(
Icomet
oyouf
orhel
p)
Ucedel
ent
li
zi
yo(
hel
pthi
shear
t)
Shedoesn'
tfi
nishthehym shebr
eaksdownandlet
outaveryl
oudsobIf eel
myownt ear
sfal
li
ngi
ts
hear
tbr
eaki
ng,Luyol
osqueezemyhand.
Sphokazi
cal
msdownandt
aket
hemi
c.
Sphokazi:Thisisaspeci alsong,weusedt osingit
togetherwithmysi sterespecial
lyaf
terwel ostour
parents,shewasy oungerbutshewaswi serthan
me, Shepromi sedthatshewi llt
akecareofusand
shedi d,Sheli
v ed,shel ov
edandnowGodt ookher
awayf rom us,RestInPeaceMamMbhel e,sleep
nowt il
lwemeetagai n..
Theystar
tsingi
ngNyangelemi
hla(
RockofAges)
,
Bonganist
andsupandt akemyhand,heaskedme
ear
li
ertostandbyhi
ssidewhenhehast osay
goodbye.
Hetakesthemi
candheav
esasi
ghl
ooki
ngatt
he
pi
ctur
eframe.
Bongani:Li
fedoesn'tprepareyoufordeath,onecan
nevergetusedtoit,weal lknowwewon' tli
vefor
ever
butitdoesn'
thurtanylesswheny oulosesomeone
todeath,Thi
swomanl ayingheregaveme
everyt
hing,Ievenaskedmyselfhowdoesshedoi t
shedidn'thaveajobwithafancyti
tl
ebutshemade
i
tpossibleformet obewhereIam , Iwaslooking
fowardtoseeingherhappyfacewhenIf i
nall
y
graduatethisyear
,i
twasallf
orher,Thanky ouso
muchf oreverythi
ng,
RestI
nPeaceMot her.

Wegot ocemetery,Ihav
eneverseenamancryl
i
ke
t
his,i
tissadt
owat ch,whenamant ri
esf
orhi
s
motherknowthatthepainr
unsdeep.
Me:
RestI
npeaceSi
sYol
i
Isaywipi
ngmyt earsashercof f
inlowers.Wego
backtothetentandDadspeakst oBonganiabout
payi
ngforev eryt
hingheneedsbutt hereisthi
suncle
whodemandsmoneyf r
om dadsay i
nghegotal ot
fr
om kil
li
ngSi sYol
i,youcanseet hatdadisangrybut
heiskeepingittogetherbecauseofthesituat
ion.

Laterwetaketheki
dsandgohome, whenwenear
thegateLesedii
sherei
mpati
entl
ytappi
ngherheel
ont her
oad..Nott
odaysat
anisayatthebackofmy
mindandIchuckle,
Luyololooksner
vousdadhoot
s
behi
ndusandt hecarstops.
BabNgcoboopent
hegateandLesedi
ist
heonet
o
ent
erfi
rst
.Wegetoutoft
hecar.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ihadaver
ylongdaypeopl
emusn'
ttest
me,whyissheher
e.
Hepoi
ntsatl
esedi
whi
l
elooki
ngatLuy
olo.
Luyol
o:Idon'
tknowdad,
babNgcobopl
easeescour
t
heroutofthegat
eandneveral
l
owheri
nagain.
Lesedi
:Luy
oloyoucan'
tdot
hatt
ome,youar
e
nothi
ngwit
houtmebabyyoubel
ongt
ome.
Shesaysshout
ingwhi
l
eBabNgcoboi
stel
l
inghert
o
l
eave.
Luy
oloseem t
ense.
Me:I
tsnott
rue,don'
tgivei
nshedoesn'
towny
ou
andy
oudon'toweher.okay
?
Hebl
i
nksaf
ewt
imeandnod.
Wordscanaf
fectaper
sonemot
ional
l
ythati
swhy
youhavet
omindwhatyousayt
osomeoneelse
becauseyoumightbedamagi
ngt
hem andt
heyend
upbeli
evi
ngit
salltr
ue.
nowIunder standwhatLuy ol
owassay i
ng,Justli
ke
someonei nanabusi verelati
onshi pwhokeeps
goingbackt otheabuserhopi ngt heywi l
l
change,t
heyendupmaki ngexcusesf orthem
becausewhenanabuserapol ogiset heysay"butyou
mademedoi t""i
tsy
ourf ault
",youendupbel iev
ing
thati
tisreall
yy ourf
aulttheny oust ay.

Wear eint
hedi nni
ngr oom ,myphonebeeps
i
ndi cati
ngamessageandwhenIopeni t,i
tsa
pictureofallofussit
tinginthi
sdi
nningroom ,
i
tsl
ike
i
ti stakenjustnow,Ilookaroundandthrowaway
thephone.
Ev
ery
oneget
sst
art
led
Mandi
si:
whati
sit
?
Luyol
opicksupthephoneandl
ookati
thef
rowns
andlookaroundt
oo.
Luy
olo:
Dad.
.
Myuncl
eget
supandl
ookati
ttoo
Uncl
e/dad:
Thi
shasgonet
oof
ar.
.
Hehol
dshi
skneeswithbot
hhands,
helook
def
eat
edhel
lIam def
eat
ed.Luy
olol
ooksatme.
Me:
Theywon'
tst
opunt
ili
'
m dead.
.
Mandi
si:
Andt
heyar
ewat
chi
ngourev
erymov
e.
Thephonebeepsagai
nitsst
il
linLuy
olo'
shandhe
pressi
tandhi
seyesfi
ll
swithtear
sIgetuptolook.
I
tsapict
ureofmenakedi
ntheshowermywhol
e
behi
ndisshowi
ng.
Luyol
o:It
sMenzidad,I
'm goi
ngt
oki
l
lthatbast
ard,
I'
m goi
ngtof
uckenkil
lhi
m.
Hetakesoutthegunsofast,
Iscream ,
het
hrowsi
t
onthecouchandplacebothhishandsonmyface
wit
hourforeheadst
ouchi
ng.
Luy
olo:
I'
m sor
ryki
d,i
'
m sor
ry.
Ist
epbackandl ookatdad,
thankgodhei sonthe
phonepacingaroundt
hehouse,Mandisii
sdoingthe
samething,onl
ymom isgiv
ingusanintenselook,I
l
ookatl
uyol
ohecanseei
ttooandhel
ookscar
ed.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee

I
nser
t72

It
sbeenanhourDadi sgoingcrazysear
chi
ngfor
camer asall
overt
hehouse,Mandisii
ssti
ll
onthe
callshout
ingatwhoev
erheistalki
ngtoo.Mom went
tothekids.
Luy
olo:
Ihav
etogof
indMenzi
rightnow!
Heget
supandwal
kout,
Ifol
l
owhi
m
Me:
Besaf
eokay
Isayhugginghi
mtight,hehugsmebackandki ss
myf or
ehead.Hegetsinhiscaranddr
iveoffi
nf ul
l
speed.Iam wor
ri
ed, It
urnbackandwalkin.Iwant
togot othekidsroom butmom i
sthereandi
'
m
tr
yingtoav oi
dbeinginthesameroom wit
hherright
now, i
'm af
rai
dshewi l
laskaboutLuy
oloandI.Isit
ont hecouchbiti
ngmynai l
s.

Theti
meismov ingsofasti
tsbeenanhourbut
Luyol
oisnotbackyetMandisi
sit
sopposi
temehe
hasbeenonthephoneallal
ong.
Me:
Youar
enotwor
ri
edabouthi
m?
Mandi
si:
hewi
l
lbef
inej
ustgi
vehi
m 30mi
nut
esor
so.
Hecomesandsi
tnextt
omeandmov
emyheadt
o
hi
schest
.
Mandi
si:
onedayi
twi
l
lbeov
er,
youar
est
rongsi
s.
Me: maybei
twill
all
endwi t
hmeont hegr
aveand
theywil
lbedanci
ngonit,Ineverdi
danyonewrong
bhuti
,somethi
ngiswrongwithme.
Mandi
si:
No,somet
hingiswrongwit
ht hem,don'
t
youf
orasecondt
hinkyoudeserv
ethis,youdon'
t
..
Wesi ti
nsil
enceandIhearthedooropeningand
Luyologet
sindraggi
ngmenzi onthefl
oor.Mandi
si
mov esmeawayandgetupt otakeachai
randthey
pl
aceMenzi onit
,hehasbruisesall
overhisf
ace,
dadcomest oo.
Uncl
e/dad:
goodjobson,soyougoi
ngtot
ell
us
ever
ythi
ng,whatyou'
vebeenuptoandwi
thwho.
Menzi
:Iai
n'
ttel
l
ingy
oushi
tLukhel
e.
Mandi
si:Ohbutyouwi
l
lbesi
ngi
ngl
i
keabi
rdonce
we'
redonewithy
ou.
Menzi:Makei
tqui
ckt
henbecauset
heywi
l
lbe
comingforme.
Hesay
ssmi
l
li
ngl
ooki
ngatme.
Menzi
:l
ooki
ngaty
oumakesmehar
dbabygi
rl
,the
wayyouwashy
ourbodyev
er.
..
Hedoesn'
tfi
nishLuy
olopunchhi
m sohar
dthatI
f
li
nch.
Hel
aughsl
i
ker
eal
har
d.
Menzi
:youwantheral
ltoyour
sel
fhuh?alotof
peopl
edo,i
tsrar
etofindsuchani
nnocentlooki
ng
gi
rl
,wheny
ouf
indhery
ouj
usthav
etof
uckher
.
Mandi
si:
youar
eaper
vetandi
tsdi
sgust
ing.
Hest
art
sthr
owi
ngpunchesathi
m.
Menzi:
Theywillcomef
orher,
andt
heywi
l
lst
opat
not
hingtogether.
Uncl
e/dad:whatdot
heywant
?Telluswhatdot
hey
wantwithmydaught
er,
tal
kyoubastar
d.
Hei
ssoangr
yvei
nsar
epoppi
ngasheshout
s.
Menzi
:asIsai
dLukhel
eweal
lwantasubmi
ssi
veg.
..
Luy
olot
akesouthi
sgunandpoi
nti
tathi
shead.
Luyol
o:whatdoyouwantwi
thherandwhoi
s
every
onethaty
ouarer
efer
ri
ngto.
Menzi:Gumedeandhi sassociat
es,businessmen,
theytakeinnocentgi
rl
sandkeept hem insome
house, t
heydoev eryt
hingtothem somet imesasa
group.TheTwi nsknewaboutt hi
sandwhen
MisokuhlefoundZiyandaitwasbusi nessbuthe
becameobsessedwi t
hherhecoul dn'tall
owt hem t
o
haveher,soitseit
hershegetskill
edorshegoi nto
thathousetobeasexsl av
eforthosebusi nessmen,
Iwantedtohiti
tfi
rstbeforeItakeherther
e.Andthe
camerastheyareinthekitchen,her
einthedi
nning
room andherroom onlyIputthem att
hatpart
ythe
daybeforeyourwedding.
Myminddartsbackt
owhenMi sokuhl
etoldmehe
wasdrawntomebymyi nnocencethefi
rstdayIsaw
hi
m,ishiv
er,If
eeldi
zzyandi'
m outofbreat
h, Isi
t
downonthecouch.
Me:
HowcanIbesost
upi
d.
Menzi :theywi l
lki
l
l anyonewhodar etrytostopthem
, Ziyandahasal way sbeentheirtar
get
, whenshe
camebackdoi nghermat ri
c,Gumedehadt ol
dherto
nev ercomebackbecausehewant edherfarfr
om
hisson, whowasl osingitwantedtodoev ery
thi
ngto
keepherbuti twast oolatemisowassett omar r
y
themot herofhischildandallthosemenhav etheir
ey esonZi yanda.
Me:
SoIshoul
dn'
thav
ecameback.
Menzi
:youshoul
dn'
thav
e, Theywil
ltakeyouone
wayoranot
her,andt
hatisthroughallofy
ou.
Hesay
slooki
ngf
rom Dadt
oMandi
siandLuy
olo,
I
knowwhatt
hatmeans,
Ishakemyhead.
Me:Ihav
eki
ds,
theyknowthi
s,i
tshi
sgrandchil
dren
howcanhewanttokeepamotherf
rom herchi
ldren.
Menzi:AndyoumustknowLukhel
eprisonwon'
t
stopusGumedeissti
llr
unni
ngtheoperat
ionev
eni
n
thatpr
ison.
Luyol
o:Butyouwon'tgetoutofher
eal
i
vesodon'
t
usewordsli
ke'us'
.
Hesaysgett
inghi
m upanddragginghi
m outsi
de
andthegungoesoff
.I'
mjustst
ari
ngintospaceIam
put
ti
ngeveryonei
ndanger,whatshoul
dIdo.

Earl
yinthemor ningIwakeupmyki dsaresleepi
ng
nexttome, l
angasl eptwi t
hmr sReignsanddad.
Luyol
oandMandi siarenoti nthebunkbeds, Igoout
toshowerinLuy olo'
sr oom, Iknowdadsai dhe
foundthebug/camer abuti'm nottaki
ngany
chances.Il
etwat erfallastearsmaket heirwayout
ofmyey es,whatdi dIev erdotot hem ,t
akingme
awayf r
om myki dsf orsuch.I'vebeenstandingther
e
forawhileandIheart heshowerdoorcl oseandHe
t
urnsmear
ound,
hei
snakedt
oo.
Me:Idon'twanttoloseanyofy ouLuy ol
o,I
..
Idon'
t
wantyout odiebecauseofmel ikewhathappened
t
oSisYoli,herfami
lylostabreadwinnerbecauseof
me,maybeIshoul djusthandmy selfovert
othem ,
youwil
lraisemykidsf orme..
.
Luyol o:No,wewi l
lfiguresomethingoutbaby,you
wil
l raiseyourki
dswi t
hmebyy oursi
de,wewillgo
thr
oughi tt
ogether,don'tyougi
v euppleasej
usthold
onf oral i
tt
lewhil
elongerev ery
thingisgonnabe
alr
ight ,y
ouhearme?
Inodandhepi
cksmeupandgetoutoftheshower,
hehel
psmedryandl
oti
onmybody,Igetdressed
andsl
eeponhi
sbedwhil
ehegoouttospeakt odad.
Hecomesbackhol
dingacr
yingLanga.
Luy
olo:
hei
scr
yingf
ory
ou.
Isi
tupandt
akehi
m hehol
dont
ome.
Luy
olo:
Youar
eagoodmom.
Hesayssmil
ing.
..
IlookatLanga,
Ihav
etomake
sur
etheyar
esafe.
what
everi
ttakes.

Zee
Ani
nser
tlat
ertodayandf
inal
l
ythev
isi
tor
sar
egone
soi
'
m backlov
ers
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee

I
nser
t73

It
s3:30i nt hemor ningLangai ssl
eepinginbetween
meandLuy olo,Iwakeupandki ssLangaandwal k
outoft hebedr oom t omine,Iwearmyt racksuitand
walkout ,IcanseeBab' Ngcobomov ingaroundt he
yard,Ilookathi m ashegot othebackIgot ot he
gateandunl ockit,Itookthekeyfrom Luyolo,him
mandi si,dadandbab' dl
aminihavethegatekey s
sincelockingwasn' tsomethi
ngweusedt odoso
nowBab'
Ngcoboi
sinchar
gei
nthegat
e.

Oncei '
m outIstartrunning,Iknowtheywatchmy
everymov esot heywillfi
ndmei t
sjustamat t
erof
ti
me, nowi'm outofbr eathIseeacarcomi ngIjust
stopinthemi ddleofther oadandwai tf
orit,
ithal
t
ri
ghtinfr
ontofme, andsomeoneget soutshouti
ng.
Voice:
Whatt hef
ucki
swr ongwit
hy ouwhywould
youdot hat
,arey
outr
yingtogetyoursel
fki
l
led.
Me:
Imightaswel
ldi
e,y
out
aki
ngmet
othathouse
i
sworset
handeat
h.
Voi
ce:
taki
ngy
ouwher
e?whathouse?
Isl
owl
ylookup
Me:
Kwanel
e?
Kwanele:
PinkI
..
.I.
.t
houghtIwoul
dnev
erseey
ou
agai
n..
I
'm st
il
lconf
used,
hehugsmesot
ight,
Ihughi
m
back.
Kwanel
e:Whyar
eyour
unni
ngont
her
oadatt
his
t
ime?
Me:
Therear
epeopl
ewhoar
eaf
termeandIwant
ed
t
hem t
ofi
ndme.
Kwanel
e:Thatdoesn'
tmakesense.
Ibr
iefhi
m abitabouttr
yingt
osav
emyf
ami
l
yby
l
ett
ingthosepeopl
efindme.
Me:
Dadwill
besohappytoseey
ou,
Iwi
l
lgi
vey
ou
t
headdr
esstot
hehouse.
Kwanel
e:WhoisDad?andi
'
m notgoi
ngany
wher
e
wi
thoutyou.
Me:
YourdadKwanel
e,y
oushoul
dgoseehi
m.
Hel
ooksoconf
used,
hepr
obabl
ythi
nkIhav
elost
mymind.
Kwanel
e:okayIheary
oubutgeti
nthecar
.
Me:Ican'
ttheywil
lki
l
lyou,
Ihav
etoi
sol
atemy
sel
f
sot
heycanj ustt
akeme.
Kwanel
e:nobodyi
staki
ngy
ouany
wher
e.
Justt
henacarst
opjustnexttousandtwomen
comeoutt
heyhavegunsont hei
rhands.
Man1:
Giv
eust
hegi
rlr
ightnow.
Kwanel
e:why
.
Man1:Don'
taskusst
upi
dquest
ionsj
usthandov
er
t
hegir
l.
AnothercarcomesKwanel eswift
lymovemebehi nd
him andIhearthreegunshotsmyey esarecl
osed,I
feelahandpull
ingme, Hepushmei ntot
hecarand
heclosesthedoor ,
Ilookoveri
tsKwanelehestar
ts
thecaranddriv
eawaysof ast,
heslowsdownwhen
wer eachsomet ownship.
Kwanel
e:sot
hosepeopl
ear
ekeepi
ngt
absony
ou.
Inod.
Kwanel
e:pleaseal
l
owmet otakey
oubackhome
theymustbeworri
edabouty
ou.
Me:
Okay
,I'
m gl
adwemetagai
n.
Wegoback, hei
stakingmehome, whenweget
ther
eevery
oneisoutsideDadi
sshouti
ngwecan
hearhi
m all
thewayfrom ther
oad.
Kwanel
e:Shoul
dIt
akey
oui
nsi
de?
Me:
pleaseIwoul
dli
key
out
omeetsomeone.
It
akehishandandwewalki
nthegat
eisopened,
westopadist
anceawayf
rom t
hem.
Me:
Dad
Theyallt
urntolookatusandr untowherewe
st
anding.Theystopi
nfrontofus,Dadlooksat
Kwanelehiseyesbecomesgl assy
.
Uncl
e/dad:
Kwanel
e,Zi
yandawhat
..
wher
e.
Hedoesn'
tknowwhatt
osayandwhot
osayi
ttoo
bet
weenmeandKwanele.
Mandi
si:
Baf
o(br
other
)
Luy
olo:
bro
Theyallhughimtheylookhappytoseehim,Igi
v e
them spaceandwalkinsi
demom issit
ti
ngont he
couch,whensheseesmeherey esbecomet eary,I
tryt
owal kuptoherbutsheshakesherhead.
Me:
Mom i
'
m s.
..
Shestandsupandgototheki
dsroom,Isi
ghwi
ping
mytearsandjustsi
tont
hecouch.
Ever
yonecomesi
nfr
om out
sideandMom i
sback
too.
Dadl
ooksatme.
.
Uncl
e/dad:whywouldyoudothatZi
yanda?Howcan
youdothistoyourmom,us,y
ourkidsZiyandahow
coul
dyou?
Me: Iwasdoingitforyouokay, Iwant
edeachand
everyoneofy outoli
vey ourli
fetot
heful
lestwi
thout
havingtoworryabouty oursafet
yandZiy
anda,Iwas
doingitf
oryouallofyou.
Mandi
si:
youshouldn'
thavedonet
hat,
wet ol
dyou
wewil
lfi
gur
eitouttoget
her,weknowthi
sishar
d
f
oryoubutwhatyoudidissel
fi
sh.
Me:Howistr
yingt
omakesur
emyf
ami
l
y,myki
ds
st
ayali
vesel
fi
sh?
Mandi
si:
soy
our
atherbeasexsl
avet
ool
dermen.
Me:
yes!What
everi
ttakes.
.
Mandi
si:
wet
ryi
ngsi
s.
Me:Iknowbuti
tsnotenough,theyweresocl
oseto
f
indi
ngmeifitwasn'
tforkwanel
e,sotr
yingwon'
tdo
shit
.sodon'tbl
amemef orthi
sbrotherIwantmy
ki
dst ogrowup, ev
enifi
'm nother
ebuti '
ll
knowyou
areallt
heretaki
ngcar
eofthem lovingthem.
Theyallkeepquiet
,Il
ookatLuy
olo,
hel
ookshur
t
anddissapoint
ed.
Kwanele:Don'
tdoi
tagai
nPink,
Ipr
omisewewil
l
fi
gureevery
thi
ngoutwhi
lewemakesurewear
eall
safe,okay.
Inod.
Me:
Iwon'
tdoi
tagai
n,I
'
m sor
ryMom.
Ikneeli
nfrontofherandlaymyheadonherlap
cryi
ng,shebrushesmyback, Igetupandhugthem
apologi
singevenBab'Ngcoboandtwoothermenbut
whenIgett oLuyolohestepbackandtur
nwalking
out.
Mandi
si:
don'
twor
ryhewi
l
lcomear
ound.
Inod.Andgot
omyki
dsIapl
ogi
zet
othem aswel
l
.

Iwal
koutt
ofi
ndLuyol
o,If
indhi
mleaningonhiscar,
Iwal
kuptohi
m andwr
apmyar msaroundhiswaist
l
ayi
ngmyheadonhi
schest
.
Me:
Ngi
yaxol
i
sa(
I'
m sor
ry)
Luyol
o:Iwasl
osingmymindZiyanda,
Iwokeup
Langawascry
ingandyouweren'
tther
e.
Me:
pleasef
orgi
veme.
Hewr
apshi
sar
msar
oundme.
Luy
olo:
Ilov
eyou,
Idon'
tev
erwantt
olosey
ou.

Wegobacki
nsi
deandwesi
tont
hel
ounge.
Uncl
e/dad:
Thanky
ouf
orbr
ingi
ngmysonhome.
Ismi
l
eandnod.
Kwanel
e:Theonl
yPr
incessi
nthehousehuh?
Me:
Isur
eam.
Kwanel
e:Thankyouforr
euni
ti
ngmewi t
hmyf
ami
l
y.
TaLuuphiuLesedi
(wher
eisLesedi
?)
Luy
olo:
Whoi
sthat
?
Il
aughsohard,you'
dswearhereal
l
ydoesn'tknow
whoLesedi
is,hi
sfaci
alexpr
essi
onisoutofthi
s
wor
ld.
Kwanel
e:Fi
nall
ymanagedtogetherof
fyourback
mmm, ThankgodIdi
dn'
tli
keherassanyway.
Mandi
si:
met
oo,
butshe'
l
lbeback.
Luy
olo:
nott
hist
imear
oundbr
o.
Hesay
slooki
ngatme
Mandi
si:
I'
ll
dri
nkt
othat
.
Hesay
sget
ti
ngupbutdadpul
l
shi
m down.
Uncle/
dad:
Youai
n'
tdr
inki
ngshi
tbr
oThati
smy
booze.
Weal
lbur
stouti
nlaught
er.
Mandi
si:
Daddon'
tdot
hat
..
Heisinsti
tchesMandi
sicanl
aughandhi
slaughi
s
cant
agious.
Kwanel
ehol
dsmyhandi
lookathi
m
Kwanele:
ThankyouIdidn'
treal
i
sehowmuchI
missedthem unt
ilnow.
Me:
Thanky
ouf
orsav
ingmeagai
n.
Kwanel
e:Iwi
l
ldoi
tat
housandt
imesagai
n..

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee

I
nser
t73

Wehav eal i
tt
lefami lygat heri
ngMbaliisheret
oo,
i
'm happyImi ssedhersomuch.Andwear e
wel comingKwanel etot hef amily,
hewassohappy
whenhehear dt hatdadr emar r
iedandhehasa
stepmom, hewasact ingl i
keal it
tl
eboywithanew
toy.Theboy sar ebr aaingout si
deandwear esett
ing
at ablej
ustout side,
Mom' sidea.
Mandi
si:
Heypot
atoheadpassmet
hatsal
t.
Heshout
ssol
oudandev
ery
onest
art
slaughi
ng.
Me:
Youar
enotf
unny
.
Mandisi
:Iwasn'
ttr
yingt
obenowpasst
hatsal
t
pot
atohead.
MrsRei
gns:
Yol
iwoul
dhav
etol
dyout
oshutupr
ight
nowMandi.
Mandisi
:Andi
fIdon'tshewouldhi
tmewithaspoon
,thatwomanwasgangst er(
helaughsal
i
ttl
e)may
hersoulr
esti
npeace.
Wewil
lal
way
sremembert
hegoodt
imeswehad
wi
thher
.
Weseegi
rl
sar
gui
ngwi
thbab'
Ngcobor
ightatt
he
gat
e.
Mbal
i
:Her
ewegoagai
n..
Shesaysroll
i
nghereyes,
itsLesediandher
entour
agethetwogi
rl
sshewaswi t
hatthenightof
thepart
y.
Mbal
i:
Dadpleaset
ell
bab'
Ngcobot
oopenf
ort
hem I
l
ovedrama.
Shewhi
sper
stodadbutwecanal
lhearher
.
Dadlaughsandshout
sforBab'
Ngcobot
oopent
he
gat
e.
Theyst
andi
nfr
ontofuswear
eal
lsi
tt
ingdown.
Uncle/
dad:
Whyar
eyouher
emaki
ngnoi
sei
nmy
house?
Lesedi
:wecametot ell
Luyol
othathecan'
trunaway
fr
om hisr
esponsi
bil
i
ties.
Uncl
e/dad:
mmm goon.
Lesedi
:Wear
epr
egnantokay
!
Mbal
i
:who'
swe?Al
lthr
eeofy
ouar
epr
egnant
?
Lesedi:don'
tst
artwi
thmebi
tch,
MeandLuy
oloar
e
pregnant.
Mandi
si:
buti
sn'
tLuy
oloaman?
Mbal
i
:li
kebabeIdon'
tgeti
t.
Uncle/
dad:
shutupy
out
oo,
sowhatdoy
ouwant
Naledi
?
Lesedi
:It
sLesedi
sir,
IwantLuyol
otogopay
damagesandmar r
ymebecausemyf at
herdoesn'
t
wantmet ohaveababyoutofwedlock.
Uncl
e/dad:
Luy
olo!
Weallt
urnt
olookathi
m andhei
ssocal
m si
tt
ing
backi
nthechai
rpl
ayi
ngwitht
hefor
k.
Luy
olo:
Howmanymont
hsLesedi
?
Heshor
therast
ernl
ook.
Lesedi
:It
suhm 4mont
hsnow.
Luy
olo:
Ohi
sit
?
Lesedi
:Youhavet
omarrymeLusowecanr
aiseour
babytoget
herasafami
l
y.
AsIlookatherst omachshereal
lydoeshaveacute
l
itt
lebabybumpshei swearingav er
yti
ghtdress
withacoat.Ishif
tuncomfor
tableonmychair,so
sheisreal
l
ypr egnant
?
Luyologet
supandgotowher
elesedi
andher
fr
iendsarest
andi
ng.
Luyol
o:I
'
m sor
ryf
olkst
hatIhav
etodot
hisi
nfr
ontof
you.
I
sheproposi
ng?becauseifhedoesi
'
m gonnaki
l
l
bot
hofthem r
ighther
e,r
ightnow.
Hel
ooksatherf
orawhi
l
e,wear
est
ari
ngatt
hem.
Hehol
dherwai
standmovehishandsdownt
oher
hi
psandst
opwherethedr
essends.
Iwantt
ocr
y,whati
shedoi
ng?
Hesl
owl
ypul
l
supherdr
esswhi
l
elooki
ngi
ntoher
ey
es.
Ilookatever
yoneinthet able,
theyarewatchi
ngso
closel
y,soi'
mt heonlyonewhot hinkthi
sisn'
tri
ght,
thatweshouldn'
tbewat chingthi
sli
vepornreal
ly.
Whenherdr essi
nonherwaist
,It
hinkoft
hedayhe
hadheragainstt
hewal
l,If
eelmybodyheati
ngup,
i
'm angr
y..
Lesedi
:Babywhatar
eyoudoi
ngt
her
ear
epeopl
e
watchi
ng,st
op?
Shegiggl
esandt r
ytopul
ldownthedr
essbutLuy
olo
i
sstil
lhol
dingit
.Hepull
situpagai
nandmoveshis
handinherback.
Lesedi
:Luy
olost
opwhatar
eyoudoi
ng.
NowLuyol
oishol
dingasi
l
iconef
alsebabybump.
Hel
ooksreal
l
yangry.
Mbal
ist
art
slaughi
ngsohar
dtear
sar
erunni
ngdown
hercheeksandMandisifol
lowsui
t,Iwantt
olaugh
toobutLuyol
o'sfacedoesn'
tal
l
owmet oo,
Ifeelsad
forhi
m, heisangryandsad.
Luy
olo:
Itsgett
ingoldLesedi,
your
eal
l
yshoul
dst
op
i
tnowithaslostit
sappeal.
Lesedi
:Looki'
m sorr
ybabyIwasjustdesper
ate,I
wantyoubackwebel ongtoget
herpl
easei'
m sor
ry
j
ustthatIwanttohaveyourbabysobad.
Luyol
o:soyoucancontr
olmel
i
key
ou'
vebeendoi
ng
overt
heyears,
Leave.
Lesedi
:butbab.
..
Luyol
o:Isai
dleav
eandi
fIseey
ouagai
nit
'l
lbet
oo
soon.
Boit
:Don'
ttal
kli
ket
hati
tsnotherf
aul
tthaty
ou
shooti
ngbl
anks.
.
Hegiv
esheraglar
eandthr
owst
hesi
l
iconet
o
l
esedi
'
sfaceandwalkaway
.
Mbal
i
:Nowi
tsmyt
imet
oshi
ne.
Shesay
sget
tingupf
rom herchai
randgoi
ngt
o
wher
ethegi
rl
sarest
andi
ng.
Mbal
i
:ar
eya'
l
lgoi
ngt
oleav
eorshoul
dIhel
pyou.
Boi
t:y
ouarest
arti
ngtobeapaini
ntheass,
what
?
youwantt
hem t
oloveyoui
sthati
t?
Mbal i
:buttheyalr
eadyloveme, Idon'
thav etotake
extrememeasur esli
key ourf
ri
endher e,
thatwas
ri
diculous,
fakingapregnancyreall
ythatisjustfl
at
outstupidt r
yingt
okeephi m withpl
asti
cbel l
y.
Tal
l
gir
l:uhi
tscal
l
edsi
l
iconesweet
y.
Mbali
:Whocaresitsfakeanywaysobyenow.
Desperat
iondoesn'
tlookpret
tyonyou,hedoesn'
t
wantyouanymor egetthat
.
Uncl
e/dad:Okayt
heshowi soverweneedt
oeat
Ngcoboescourtt
hem outpl
ease.
Theywal
koutshout
ingandcussi
ng.
Uncl
e/dad:
goandcal
lLuy
oloZi
yanda.
Igetupandl
ookf
orhi
m,hei
sinhi
sroom i
nbed
faci
ngup.
Me:
Hey
Hel
ooksatmeandsmi
l
eal
i
ttl
e.
Me:
Dadi
scal
l
ingy
ou.
Luy
olo:
i'
m comi
ng.
Me:Looki'
m sor
ryforwhatLesedi
didt
oyou,
Ican
seet
hatithur
tsyou.
Luy
olo:
yeahsur
e.
Me:
Luy
olodon'
tdot
hatI
..
Luyol
o:JustgoZi
yandaIj
ustwantt
obeal
onef
or
now.
Inodandgetup,
hecal
l
smynamei i
gnorehi
m and
walkout,
hewant
stobeal
onesoi
'
m givi
nghim
space.
Iwal
kbackt
othet
abl
e.
Me:
hesai
dhei
scomi
ng
Westar
tdi
shi
ngupandIseeehi
m comi
ngt
othe
t
abl
e.Hesi
tsnextt
ome.
Mandi
si:
youokaybr
o.
Luy
olo:
i'
m good.
Wecont
inueeat
ingandIexcusemy
sel
fIwantt
o
checkuponLangahei
ssl
eepi
ngt
het
winsar
e
play
ingout
side.
Ifi
ndLangast
il
lsleepingandIgooutofthei
rroom ,
I
seeLuyol
ocomingi nIatt
empttowalkpasthi
m but
hegrabsmyarm pulli
ngmet ohi
m.
Luy
olo:
I'
m sor
ryf
orbei
ngcol
dtoy
oui
tsj
ustt
hatI
..
Me:
i
tsokayIunder
standy
oudon'
thav
etoexpl
ain.
Ist
epbackbuthepul
l
smeagai
n.
Me:Youshoul
dst
opdadsomeonemi
ghtwal
kinon
us
Heki
ssmeandl
etmego.
Lat
eri
ntheev
eni
ngever
yonedeci
dedt
ohav
ean
ear
yni
ghtwewentt
oourrooms.
ThedooropensandLuy
olocomesi
nandl
ock.
Luy
olo:
Heybaby
.
Heget
sinbednextt
ome.
Me:
Hi.
Luy
olo:
I'
m sor
ryf
orwhathappenedear
li
eri
wasj
ust
angr
yatwhatLesedi
did.
Me:
Itscool
.
Hi
shandgoesundermypyj
amaandhest
artpl
ayi
ng
wi
thmynippl
e,Ishi
ver
..
Luyol
o:howaboutwehav
eourf
ir
stsexasacoupl
e
ri
ghtnow.
Hesayski
ssi
ngme,weremoveourcl
otheshet
akes
outt
hecondomsf
rom hi
spant
s.
Me:
youcamepr
epar
edhuh.
Helaughsandst
artsucki
ngonmyni
ppl
esIscr
eam
hewhisper
.
Luy
olo:
Notsol
oudbaby
..
Inod,
hest
artsucki
ngagai
nandIbi
temyl
owerl
i
p.
Me:
Fuck.
.
Hegoesdownonme,
hi
stonguei
ssowar
m..
Me:
Fuck.
.Yol
o..
I.
.t
hink.
.f
uckbabe.
.
Itr
yt opushhi
sheadawaybuthekeepsgoi
ngI
squitonhisf
acemybodyshake.
Luy
olo:
fuck.
.Zi
yandat
hat
..
Me:
i'
m sor
ry.
.It
ri
edt
ost
opy
oubuty
oud.
.
Luy
olo:
suchaf
uckent
urnondamn.
Hesayswipi
nghisface..hepi
cksmeupandi wrap
mylegsar
oundhiswai stheputhi
sdi
ckinandwe
st
artmovi
nghisdickistouchi
ngther
ightspot
.
Me:
Luy
oloy
es.
.r
ightt
her
ebaby
..
.y
es.
.
Luy
olo:
Youcan'
tcum y
et.
hepull
soutandpinmeonthewal
l
..Heenter
sme
agai
nandstart
spoundi
ngmesohardisi
nkmynai
l
s
onhisshoul
der
s.
Me:
Don'
tst
opbaby
..
yes
Luy
olo:
fuck.
.
Het
akesmebacki
nbedandstar
tmov
ingsof
ast
.I
mov
emywaisttomeethi
sthr
ust
..
Luy
olo:
that
sitbabyy
es.
.y
es
Hethr
usttoodeepandrel
easeagr
oanIcanf
eel
his
di
cktwit
chingdeepi
nsi
demycooki
e.
Luy
olo:
fuckt
hatwasgr
eatbaby
..
Me:
youwer
egr
eat
..
Justt
henwehearsomeonebangi
ngt
hedoorand
Dadshout
ingatournames.
Me:
nononono.
.
Luy
olo:
fuck!
West
artdr
essi
ngupsof
ast
Me:
whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odo.
Uncle/
dad:Opent
hisf
uckendoorori
'
llbr
eaki
t,y
ou
hearme..
Me:
Luy
olo.
.
Heget
supt
oopenbutIst
ophi
m.
Me:
no.
Luy
olo:
wecan'tst
ayint
hisroom foreverZi
yandaso
l
etmeopenforhim wewi
llexpl
ainthistohi
m.
Ilookar
ound,t
hewindowhasburgl
arbar
sdadput
them whenIwasat
tackedi
nthi
shouse.
Luy
oloopenst
hedoorandassoonasheopensdad
sl
aphi m sohar
d,hecomesandst
andi
nfr
ontofme
i
'm shaki
ng.
Me:
i'
m sor
ry.
.
Hesl
apmeandIcov
ermyf
acescr
eami
ng.
.
Het
urnst
oLuy
oloandst
artpunchi
nghi
m..

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee

I
nser
t74

Dadisl
ivi
d,hehasn'
tsaidawor dheisjustbreathi
ng
sol
oudandhei ssweating,everyoneisherenow,
mom ,mbaliandMandisi.Wear esitt
ingonthebed
mycheekisburni
ngup, i
'm sureLuyolo'
sjawi s
pai
nful
withthosehar
dpunchesdadt hr
ew.
Uncl
e/dad:
Luy
olo!
!whatt
hehel
li
shappeni
ng?
what
ar
eyout
wodoi
ng?
Luy
olo:
i'
m sor
ryLukhel
e.
Uncle/dad:Idon'
twanty
oursor
ryexpl
aint
his
rubbish,expl
ain.
.
Hegrabshi
m byhi
sshi
rtandpunchhi
m agai
n,he
gr
oans..
Me:
Dadpl
easest
op.
.
Isayget
ti
ngup.
Uncl
e/dad:
don'tt
estmeZi
yanda,
Iwanty
out
otel
l
mewhendi dt
hisstar
t?
Me:
notsol
ongagodadwe'
resor
ry
Uncl
e/dad:
whywouldy out
wodot hi
s,It
houghty
ou
saweachotherassi
bli
ngs,
Ziy
anda.
Me:I
'm sosorrydadpleasestopi
'mtheonewho
st
art
edt hisI
'
m sorr
yIwasn'tthi
nki
ngstr
aight,
i
pr
omisei twon'
thappenagain.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
anda.
.
Uncl
e/dad:
Gobackt
oyourhouseLuy
olo.
MrsReigns:
Bongani
weneedt
otal
kaboutt
hisy
ou
can'
t.
.
Uncle/
dad:Idon'
twantt
otalkr
ightnowandifhe
doesn'
tgetoutofmyfacer
ightnowIwil
lki
ll
him.
Luyolowalkout.
.dadl
ooksatmeandshakehishead
,hetakeshiswif
e'shandandwal
kout.The
bystander
sbeingmbaliandMandi
siar
esti
llher
e
l
ookingatme.
Mandi
si:
whywoul
dyoudot
hissi
s?
Me:
justgetoutofmyr
oom,
Out
.
Ipusht
hem outandsl
am t
hedoor
.

Dadt ookmyphonet hatday,

itsbeenaweekwi thout
tal
ki
ngorseeingLuy ol
o,i'
mlosingmymi nd,al
lIcan
thi
nkaboutiswhatifhewentbackt oLesedi,i
fdad
i
sar oundIgotomyr oom i'
m scaredoft hatman.I
j
ustcamebackf rom campuswaswr i
ti
ngmyl ast
exam oftheyear
.WhenIgethomeIf i
ndKwanel e,
Mandi si
,Mom,dad,mbaliandLuy olo,i
'
m gladheis
okay,theyar
eallsi
tt
inginthedinningroom.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ziy
andasi
tdownwehav
ebeenwai
ti
ng
fory
ou.
Isi
tandstar
tbit
ingmynai
ls,
Idot
hatal
otwheni
'
m
ner
vous.Luy
olohasn'
tl
ookedmywaynotev
enonce.
Uncle/dad:LuyoloandyouZiy
andawhatyoudidis
unacceptable,y
ouar eall
mykidsanddati
ngone
anotherisdisgr
aceful,
Iwanti
ttostopr
ighther
e
ri
ghtnow.
Me:
I'
m sor
ryDad,
itwon'
thappenagai
n,i
tsal
lov
er.
Uncl
e/dad:
Luy
olowhatar
eyousay
ingaboutt
his.
Luy
olol
ooksatme,
I'
m beggi
ngwi
thmyey
es,
he
l
ooksdown
Luy
olo:
Iti
sov
er.
.
Uncl
e/dad:
Good,i
sthi
sther
easonwhyy
ouf
inal
l
y
l
etgoofLesedi
.
Luy
olo:
yes,
par
tl
y.
Uncle/dad:wellmaybeyoushoul
dgobacktoher
becauset hi
sbetweenyoutwoisnev
erhappeni
ng
ever.I
st hatcl
ear.
Wenod, Igetupandgot omyroom, myhear ti
s
achi
ng,Iunderstandwhendadsai dweshoul dstop
whateverwewer edoingwithLuyolobuttosuggest
hegobackt oLesedi,thewomanwhowasabusi ng
hi
m emot i
onal
ly,becausebeli
eveitornotwhena
womanf akepregnancyonet oomanyt i
mest hatis
manipulati
onandi tisconsi
deredasemot ional
abuse,i
tsano.

IgoshowerandwhenIcomebackMbal
ii
ssi
tt
ing
onmybed.
Si
sMbal
i
:Howdoy
ouf
eel
baby
?
Ishr
ugmyshoul
der
s.
Si
sMbal
i
:Dadi
nvi
tedLesedi
fordi
nneri
magi
net
hat
.
Me:
thenIwon'
tbeeat
ingt
hatdi
nner
.
Iwearmypy
jamasandgeti
nbed,
Mbal
il
eav
est
he
room.
Iheart
hedooropeni
ngagai
n,Icov
ermyhead.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ziy
andacomeandeat
.
Me:
I'
m nothungr
ydadt
hanks.
Uncl
e/dad:
Don'
tmakemedr
agy
ououtoft
hatbed.
Isl
owlygetupandf oll
owhim,whenigett here
Lesediandherf
riend"Boi
t"i
shere.Lesedi i
ssitt
ing
nexttoLuyol
oandt heonl
yavail
ablechairis
opposit
ethem,Isitdown.
Weallst
arteat
ingIkeepsteal
inggl
ancesatLuy
olo
buthi
sheadisdownt heenti
reti
me.
Lesedi
:Uhm l
uyouhav
esomet
hingony
ourmout
h,
l
etmehelpyou.
Shestart
swipi
ngLuyolo'
smout
hwi
thherhands
thathav
elongassnai
ls.
Uncl
e/dad:
SoLesedi
youwant
edLuy
olot
omar
ry
youhuh?
Lesedi
:uhm uhy
essi
rhei
sagoodman.
Mandi
si:
andwhatabouty
ou?
arey
ouagoodwoman?
Lesedi
:act
ual
l
yIam.
Mbal
ichuckl
es.
Si
smbal
i
:say
sthesameper
sonwhoj
ustcamei
n
her
eaweekagowi
thaf
akebabybump.
Boit
:Whyareyoual
way
spoki
ngy
ournosewher
eit
doesn'
tbel
ong.
Si
sMbali
:andwhyar
eyoufol
lowingher
,it
sli
kea
dogandit
stai
l
,youbei
ngatail
.
Lesedi
:youaret
oocomfor
tabl
esissomeonewoul
d
swearyoualr
eadymar
ri
edMandisi
.
Mbali
:Iam comfor
tabl
eandIbel
i
evei
tisbet
tert
hat
bei
ngdesperat
e.
Uncl
e/dad:Okayenough,soLuyol
oyouoncesai
d
youwantedtomarryLesedii
nfutur
e,sohowabout
youdoitnow.
Isigh,Misokuhl
ewassettomar
ryZinhl
e,andnowi
t
l
ooksl i
kedadwantsLuyol
otomarr
yLesedi ,
I'
mthe
problem.
Me:
DadcanIgoandsl
eepIdon'
tfeel
toogood.
Uncl
e/dad:
SitdownZi
yandaandeaty
ourf
ood.
If
eel
li
keat
woy
earol
dri
ghtnow.
Igot
omyr
oom af
terdadt
oldmeIcango.He
comesi
nandhandsmemyphone.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Uncle/dad:LookPr i
ncessi'
m doi ngthisbecauseI
l
ovey ou,ifIdon'
tstopthiswhatwi llhappenifyou
gethurtbyhi m,Iwillbeforcedt ochoosebetween
youtwoandIdon' twantthat,youguy saremyf amil
y
andIdon'twantt oloseanyofy ou.
Me:
Iunder
stand.
.
Real
l
yIdounder
standwhathei
ssay
ing.
Uncl
e/dad:
goodni
ghtokay
.
Inod,
hecomesandki
ssmyf
oreheadt
henwal
kout
.
I
nt hemiddleofthenighti'm wideawakei'
m surei
f
thereweren'
tpeoplewhowant edmehi ghandlowI
wouldbegoi ngtoLuyolo'shouser i
ghtnowImiss
him butIhavetorespectdad.Iwi shIcanj
ustswit
ch
ofthesefeel
ingsIhavef orhim.Myphonebeeps.
Luy
olo:
>>Zi
yandaIl
ovey
ou<<
Me:>>Il
oveyout
oobutweshoul
drespectdadand
st
opt hi
s<<
Luy
olo:
>>Iknow<<
Me:
>>soar
eyouconsi
der
ingmar
ryi
ngLesedi
?<<
Hedoesn' tr
epl
y,
Ifall
asleep,whenIwakeupIcheck
thephonebutthereisnothing,somaybehei
s
consideri
ngmarryi
ngher .
.Ibat
hmykidsandwego
sitoutsi
de,i
tsalovel
ysunnyday .
Iseeablacktint
edcardr i
vi
ngsl
owlyattheroadand
awindowr ol
lsdownaper sonatthepassengerseat
hasagun, allIr
ememberi smecov er
ingmykidsas
toprot
ectthem from bei
ngshot
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee

I
nser
t75

NARRATED
Ngcobohear dgunshot shet akehisgunandst ar
ts
fi
ri
ngt othecart hatispassi ngbywhileZiyanda'
s
fat
herisr unningoutsidehol dinghi
sgun, whenhe
getoutsideheseesZi yandakneel i
ngdownst ari
ng
i
ntospace, thekidsar ecr yi
ngr i
ghti
nfr
ontofher,
Lukhelerunt ohertoseei fsheishurt,
hechecksher
butthereisnobl ood, hei sshakingherbutsheis
notsayingany thi
ngjustl ookingatthesame
dir
ecti
on.Hest art
spani ckingandcallhiswifewho
i
satwor kandshepi cksup.
Uncl
e/dad:Honeyther
ewasani nci
denther
eat
homeandnowZi yandaisj
uststari
ngint
ospaceshe
i
snotsayinganyt
hingnormoving.
Mr
sRei
gns:
what
!?I
'
m comi
nghomer
ightnow.
Hecal
l
salltheboysandMandi
sicomesf
ir
stand
f
indZi
yandasti
ll
thesame.
Mandi
si:
Ziy
andaheycomeonsi
shey
.
Hesay
sshaki
ngherbutshei
sjustbl
i
nki
ng.
KwaneleandLuyol
ocomeandcal l
outf
orherbut
not
hing.Luy
olokneel
inf
rontofher
.
Luyol
o:Heykid,snapoutofi
tokayy
ourki
dsar
e
cry
ing,
theyneedyou,comeon!
Hepicksherupandwalkinsidetheyall
foll
owhi m,
i
tsbeenawhi l
etheyt
ri
edev eryt
hingbutstil
lnothi
ng
MrsReignscomesinrushi
ngt oZiyanda,shetry
t
alki
ngtoher.
MrsRei
gns:
Bongani
soshehasn'
tsai
dany
thi
ng
si
nceyoucall
ed?
Lukhel
enodshel
ooksdev
ast
ated,
theyal
ldo.
Mr
sRei
gnssi
ghs
MrsRei
gns:
weneedt
obookheri
ntoaPsy
chi
atr
ic
Hospi
tal
Theyal
lshoutWHAT!
?
MrsReigns:
Sheneedshelpandapsy chologi
stcan'
t
hel
p,sheneedsaPsy chi
atr
ist
s,t
hismaybea
complexandseri
ousmentalil
l
ness,pleaseLukhele
weneedt ohel
pher.
Sheist
eari
ngupshecan'tbarethethoughtof
Zi
yandabei
nginthementalinst
itut
ionbutther
eisn'
t
muchtheycandoforheri
fsheisl i
kethi
s.
Theyt
akeZi
yandatoherroom andlayherdownand
gobackt
othedinni
ngroom t
ot al
k.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ifai
l
edher
..
MrsRei
gns:Don'
ttal
klikethatweall
needtobe
st
rongforher
,it
ssti
llearl
yIbeli
evetheywi
l
lhel
pher
.
Lukhel
esi
ghsandnod.
Luyol
o:Dadareyouconsi
der
ingt
aki
nghert
othe
mentali
nst
it
uti
on?Butshe'
snotcr
azyy
oucan'
tdo
that
.
MrsRei
gns:
sheneedshel
pLu,can'
tyouseeshehas
becomeashadowofherfor
merself,
ther
e'sonl
yso
muchonecantake,
shecan'
tdoitanymore.
Luyol
ostandsupandgotoherr oom ,
hefindher
sl
eeping,
hestaysforawhil
ethendecidet
owake
herupthi
nkingmaybesheisokaynowshewon' t
havetogoany wher
e.Hel
ightl
yshakeherandshe
openshereyes.
Luyol
o:Pl
easet
ell
mey
ou'
reokayZi
yanda,
say
somethi
ng.
ButZi
yandal
ooksathi
m wi
thoutsay
ingany
thi
ng.
Luyol
o:Comeonbabycry,shoutwhatev
erj
ustdo
somethi
ngplease,y
oucan'
tdothi
s,doyouwantme
tof
etchthekids?
Shedoesn'
trepl
y,Luy
ologooutandcomebackwi
th
theki
ds.
Luyol
o:LookZi
yandat
heyneedy
ouokay,
atl
east
tal
ktothem.
Het
ri
esev
ery
thi
ngi
tspoi
ntl
ess.
MrsReigns:Itsometi
mest akeupt o72hoursf
or
psychiat
riceval
uati
on,itcanbelessweneedtodo
thi
sforhert henadoctorcandecidetowrit
ea
ref
errallett
erforustoapplyforadmissi
onata
mental i
nsti
tuti
on.
Theypackherbagsanddr i
vetot hehospi t
alwhich
i
sappr oximatel
yanhour30mi nutesdr i
ve.
Mr sReignsknowsherwayar oundt hehospitalso
theygot oDoctorPil
layapsychiatri
st.Theydot he
i
ntroduct i
onsandtheytel
lhi
mt heproblem Ziy
anda
hav e.
DoctorPi
ll
aygoestoZi
yandaandtr
ytot
alktoher
butsheisj
ustbl
inki
ngnowordscomeout.
DoctorPil
lay-"l
ackofspeechorabsenceofspeech
canoccurduet obothmedical
andpsy chol
ogi
cal
condit
ions,didshesomehowwentt hr
ougha
tr
aumat i
cev ent
?
Uncl
e/dad:
Yestherewasashoot-
outathome
ear
li
erandwhenIwenttohershewasjustkneel
i
ng
downandstar
ingint
ospace.
DoctorPi
ll
ay-Makessense,
sowewi l
lbeexamini
ng
heri
tusuallyt
akes72hoursthenwewil
lcall
youto
updateyouonhersit
uati
on.
TheygetupbutLuy
olor
emai
nsseat
ed.
Uncl
e/dad:
sonl
etsgo.
Luy
olo:
OkaydadIj
ustneedt
otal
ktoheri
'
m comi
ng.
Henodsandt
heyal
lgetout
.
Doct
orPi
l
lay
:Iwi
l
lgi
vey
ouspace.
Hewal
ksout
.
Luyol
o:Beokayf
orme,
yourki
dsandev
ery
oneat
home.
Il
ovey
ouZi
yanday
ouneedt
ofi
ghtt
hisokay
.
ZI
YANDA
I'
vebeeninherefort
woday swi t
houtmykidsormy
famil
yImi sst
hem somuchi thurts,
Thedoctor
comesi nandaskmequestionslikehowdoIf eel
,
doImi ssmykidsbutIcan'
ttalkIwanttobutIcan'
t
seem tomakeupwor ds.
Doctorpi
ll
ay:
Youhavetotal
ktomesoIcanbeabl e
tohelpyouandyoucangobacktoyourf
ami l
y,Ican
tellt
hisi
stempor
aldamenti
a,y
ouwentthrough
traumabutyouneedtotal
ktome.
Me:
Lu.
.y
o..
lo
DoctorPi
l
lay(
smil
es)thatsast
ar tshoul
dIcallhi
m.I
wanttonodbutIcan'
t.Iseet
hedoct ortal
kingon
thephoneaft
erawhil
esomeoneknocksandLuy ol
o
broughtt
hewholefamil
yherebutMom i sn'
there.
Theyallr
ushtohugmet hengreetthedoctor.
Theyaskmequest
ionsbutIl
ookatt
hem.
Uncl
e/dad:
Didn'
tyousayshecant
alk?
Doct
orPi
l
lay
:Shesai
dlu-
yol
o.Wecan'
trushher,
whydon'
tyouwai
tout
sideandLuyol
owi
l
lbeleft
her
ewithmeandhermaybeshe'
ll
tal
kmoreandI
canseewher
ethepr
oblem i
s.
Theygetout
.
Luy
olo:
Heyki
dyouaskedf
ormey
ouwantt
otal
k?
Tearsj
ustf
all
sdownmycheeksandLuy
olowi
pes
them.
Doctor
Pil
l
ay :That
spr
ogress,she'
scr
yingf
ort
he
fi
rstt
imesinceshegothere.
Hewr
it
essomet
hingdown.
Me:
m..
yk.
.i
..
ds
I
'
mt al
ki
nglikei
'
m count
ingev
erydamnwor
dIsay
i
tsf
rust
rat
ing.
Luyol
o:Theyar
eathomewi
thmom,
youwi
l
lsee
them t
heymissyou.
Me:
T.he.
.yal
.
.most
..go.
tk.
il
.l
ed.
Icanseet heeventwhenIhear
dgunshot
s,Iwent
down, cov
eringthem ,
butIwasaf
rai
dmay beoneof
them gotshot.
DoctorPil
lay:Thi
si sj
usttempor albutpleasebe
pati
entwi thher,shewi l
lhavethoseday swher eshe
wakesupandcan' tgetwor dsout.Pleasebringher
backt omeaf tertwoweekssoIcancheckher
progress.Shehasdepr essionandaf tertwoweeks
wecandoapr operdiagnosewhenshei sableto
tal
k.
Luy
olo:
Thanky
ousomuchdoct
or.
Heshakeshi
shand.
Luy
olo:
Yougonnabef
ineokay
..
Hehugsmeti
ghtandkissmyfor
eheadhel
pingme
getup,
whenwe'
reoutever
yonehugsme.
Uncl
e/dad:
I'
m sor
ry.
.
Hesay
swi
tht
ear
sinhi
sey
esIhughi
mti
ght
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee
I
nser
t76
AsIgetof fthecarfrom thehospitalIcanheart he
noisemyki dsaremaki nginsideIwantt ocallout
theirnamesbutIcan' tsoIjusttakequicksteps
i
nside, oncet heyseeme, theyrunt omeIhugt hem
l
ettingthet earsfal
l,
Ialmostl ostthem ,It
hought
theygotshot .
Me:
I..
l.
ovey
ou.
Iwhi
sperasIhugal
lthr
eeoft
hem,
Igetupand
mom pul
lsmeinherarms.
MrsRei
gns:
ThankGody
ouar
ebackhome,
Iwas
l
osingmymind.
Mbal
iisher
etooshehugsmecr y
ing,
themi
nut
emy
ey
eslandsonLesedi
Igetangr
y.
Me:
I..
donw.
anth.
.he.
.r
e
Uncl
e/dad:
Ziy
andashei
sher
eforLuy
olo.
Inodmyheadandgot omyroom wit
hmyki ds
fol
lowi
ngme.Il ayi
nbedwitht
hem Ntsi
kaislooking
atme, pr
obablywonderi
ngwhyi'
m soquietbecause
i
'm nev
erquietwhentheyar
earoundme.
Nt
sika:
Pinki
e
Me:
mmmm
Nt
sika:
sel
anga(
sayl
anga)
Ismileathim,theydidn'
tknowhowtopronounce
Langasowhenev ert
heycall
edhi
m'l
anda'Iwill
say
no"saylanga"nowhewant smetosaythat.
Me:
l
a..
nga.
.
Hestar
tscl
appinghishands,isoundl
i
ket
hatnow
si
ncewordscan'tcomeoutri
ght.
Dadget
sinandsi
tont
hebed.
Uncl
e/dad:
youneedt
ocomeandeat
.
Iwanttoaskhi
mifLesedii
ssti
llher
ebuttal
ki
ngis
str
aini
ng.Wegoandsiti
naroundthetabl
eandyes
Lesedii
ssti
l
lher
e.
West
arteat
ingandLesedi
clear
shert
hroat
.
Lesedi
:Inoti
cedt
haty
oust
utt
ernowZi
yandawhat
happened?
Mbal
i
:notnowl
esedi
sispl
ease.
Lesedi
:youneedt
ogetov erwhat
everbeefy
ouhav
e
wit
hmebecausei'm her
et ost
ay.
Me:
Lu.
.y
o..
lot
..
ell
h.e.
rtos.
hutup.
Lesedi
:Iwon'
tsh.
.
Shedoesn'tgettofi
nishwhatshewasaboutt osayI
thr
owt heglassatherbutitmissherandi
tshatt
ers
onthewal l
behindher..Theyal
ll
ookatmei nshock,
i
'm shockedmy sel
fIgetupbutIfeeldi
zzyandIsit
downi mmediatel
y.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ziy
andaar
eyouokay
.
Idon'
tknowifi
'
m okayornotIal
mosthi
tLesedi
wit
haglass.
Luyol
o:YoushouldgoLesedi
,youar
emaki
ngher
angry
,sopl
easeleave.
Lesedi:
didy
ouseewhatshedi
dLuy
olo,
thebi
tchi
s
crazy
!!
Kwanel
e:Di
dyouj
ustcal
lherabi
tch?
Lesedi
:damnr
ightshei
s.
Kwanel
est
andsupandgoupt
oher
.
Kwanel
e:l
eav
e.
Lesedi
:Thi
sisnoty
ourhouse.
Me:
s..
hdnee.
.dt
.lea.
.ve.
Kwanelegrabsherhandandpull
heral
lthewayt
o
thedoor,
she'ski
cki
ngandscreaming.
Kwanel
ecomesbackandMandi
sicheer
sgi
vi
nghi
m
hi
sfi
st,
theyf
istbump.
Mandi
si:
DidIt
ell
youy
ou'
ret
hebestbr
otheri
nthe
wor
ld.
Hesayt
hrowi
nghi
shandsi
ntheai
r.
Luy
olo:
butt
hat
swhaty
out
oldmel
astweek.
Mandi
si:
Whatdi
dyoudot
odeser
vesuchanhonour
.
Luy
olo:
Idon'
trememb.
..
Kwanel
e:I
tdoesn'
tmat
terIam t
hebestbr
o.
Theystar
ttoargue,theyareal
lsi
l
lyIreall
ythought
Kwanelewasn'
tlikethem butt
heyarejustthesame,
IwishIcoul
dtalkli
kebeforebutt
hedoct ordidsay
i
tstemporal
.
Thef ol
lowi ngdayIseet hattherearemor e
securit
ieswal ki
ngar oundt hehouseandmom and
dadar enother e,IlookforLuy ol
oandIfindhimin
hisroom hei shal fnakedandsi tt
ingont
hebed, i'
m
wearingmygown.Igeti nandl ockthedoorIremov e
mypant yandpl aceonel egont hebednexttowher e
heissitting,hecangetaf ullv
iewofmycooki e,
he
l
ooksatme, Ismi l
e.Hest andsupandstandinfront
ofme.
Luyol
o:baby.
..
Iwanty
ousobadbuty
ouknowwe
can'
tdothisokay
.
Ishakemyheadandpushhi
mtot
hebedandst
art
runni
ngmyhandonhisabs.
Luy
olo:
shi
t.
.
Ipul
ldownhi
sboxershor
tsandhi
sdi
cki
ssohar
d.
Hegetsupandhol
dmyhands.
Luy
olo:
youknowwecan'
tbabypl
easej
ust
..
.
Me:
y..
oudo.
.nwa.
ntme?
IaskasIpul
lmyhandsf
rom hi
sandgr
abhi
sdi
ck.
Luy
olo:
shi
t.
.
Hest
art
ski
ssi
ngmesor
oughl
y,andst
opme.
Luyol
o:fuck.
.babyl
ooky ouarenoti
nagoodspace
ri
ghtnowandIdon' twanttoseem l
i
kei
'
mt aki
ng
advant
ageofy ou.
Me:
I..
w.
Istoptal
ki
ngandlookathi
mforawhi
l
ethenwal
k
out,hedoesn'
twantmeanymor
esohewants
Lesedi.
Ihearnoisecomingfrom t
hedini
ngroom ,whenI
getther
ei t
sLesedishout
ingsheiswithherf
ri
end
"Boi
t"Ineedtotal
ktoMandi si
aboutthis
Idon'
twantt
hem comi
ngher
eany
mor
eandIneed
anall
y.
Lesedi
:Bi
tchy
ouwannaf
ightmecomeandgeti
t.
Ij
ustst
andt
her
elooki
ngathergoi
ngcr
azyi
nfr
ont
ofme.
Mbali
:YouknowIwanttor
earr
angeyourf
aceso
badbutIdon'
twantpol
i
ceshowingupher
e.
Luy
olocomesi
nandspothi
sgi
rl
fr
iend.
Luy
olo:
whyar
eyoubackher
eLesedi
.
Lesedi
:youneedt
ogobacktoyourhousebaby
thesepeopl
edon'
twantmeher
e.
Mbal
i
:damnr
ightwedon'
t.
Boit
:butl
astt
imeIcheckedy
ouar
enot
hingi
nthi
s
house.
Mandisi
:you'
rewr
ong,
shei
sev
ery
thi
ngi
nthi
s
house.
Luy
olo:
leav
enow
Lesesi
:bab.
.
Luy
olo:
Isai
dnow!
!
Hesaysandwal ksaway.Igocheckonthekidsthey
ar
esleepingandmbalisaysIshoul
dgor estshewil
l
l
ookafterthem.Isi
tinbedandjustst
areintospace
Luyol
ogetsi
nandcomest owherei
'm si
tti
ng,pul
l
meupandst ar
tkissi
ngme, Iki
sshim back,hesi
ts
onthebedandtakemyl egputt
ingi
tont hebed,I
sti
l
lhavenot
hingunderneat
hthegownbecauseIl ef
t
mypantyi
nhi
sroom.Heunti
esthegown.Hest
art
s
sucki
ngmycl
i
tandIbal
ancewit
hhisshoul
der
s.
Luy
olo:
Youwant
edmet
odot
hishuh?
Inod,
hesni
ffmypussy
.
Luy
olo:
yousmel
lasgoodasy
out
ast
ebabe.
Hegobacktosucki
ngandl
icki
ngme,
i'
m hol
dingon
hi
sshoul
der
sfordearl
if
e.
Me:
Lu.
.
Hegetsupandtakeoffhispant
sandmygown,he
movesmet ot
hedressingtabl
etur
ningmear
ound
andbendi
ngmeov er
,hesmackmybut t.
Me:
mm.
.
Her ubsmycl i
twit
hhisdi ckandf i
llmeupsoslow
hest art
smov i
ngwhilehei sstar
ingdeepinmyey es
throught hemirror
,heturnsmear oundandpickme
uppl aci
ngmeont hedr esserandIwr apmylegs
aroundhi swaistwest artmovinginthesame
rhythm ,hissweatisaturnonandhi sdar
kskinis
cherryont op,Iholdont ohim si
nkingmynai li
nto
hisfleshasmybodyshakeandhi sbodyshakeas
wel
l
.andhepul
lout
.
Luy
olo:
Ilov
eyou.
Me:
I..
l.
Luy
olo:
shhhhh
Hepl
acehi
sfi
ngeri
nmymout
h.
Luy
olo:
Iknowy
oudobaby
..
Imovemyheadpoi
nti
ngatt
hedoorsi
gnal
i
nghi
mto
l
eave.
Luyol
o:Iwantt
obewit
hyoubabeandIwi
l
lfi
xal
lof
thi
s,y
oubelongwi
thme.
Ismil
elooki
ngathi
m ashewear
shi
spant
sleav
ing
ther
oom.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee
I
nser
t77
Isti
ll
can'
ttalkproperl
ybuti'
m getti
ngthere,
Ido
zoneoutfr
om timet oti
me.Luy ol
oistakingmet o
seeapsychiatr
ist,
DoctorPil
lay
, I
'
ml ooki
ngoutt he
window,myspeechi ssti
ll
slurr
edbuti '
m get
ting
ther
e.
Weknocki
ntheDoct
or'
soff
iceandhei
nvi
tesusi
n,
wegr
eetandwesitdown.
Dr
Pil
l
ay:
Ziy
andaLukhel
ehowhav
eyoubeen?
Me:
I'
.m ge.
tt
.i
ngbe.
tt
.er
Het
akest
hef
il
eandpaget
houghi
t.
DrPi
ll
ay:Luyol
oIwantt
oask,didyouevernot
ice
anyt
hingdif
fer
entwi
thherbehavi
ourl
atel
y
Luyol
o:Well
Inot
icethatsometi
messheget
s
fr
ustr
atedwhenwordsdon'tcomeout
.
Dr
Pil
l
ay:
under
standabl
e.
Luyol
o:Andwhatworr
iedmeisthatf ewday sback
shealmosthi
tsomeonewit
hagl ass,thatworri
es
mebecausesheisnotavi
olentperson,neverwas.
Dr
Pil
l
ayst
art
swr
it
ingsomet
hingont
hef
il
e.
DrPil
lay:Depr
essiondoescauseonetohav
e
agressiv
ebehaviour,peopl
ewit
hbipol
ar
di
sor der
/schi
zophrenia
oftenhav et hose, butwi t
hy ouZi yandai thasn' t
gottent hatf ar,hav i
ngwor dsnotcomi ngoutcan
makey ouangr y .Andal soy ouhav eSi tuational
depressi onwhi chi sashor t-term, st ress-relatedt ype
ofdepr essi on.Itcandev elopaf t
ery ouexper iencea
tr
aumat icev entorser i
esoft rauma, itisat ypeof
adjustmentdi sor der.Itcanmakei thar df ory out o
adjusttoy ourev erydayli
fef ollowingat raumat i
c
event.Itsbet t
ert hanacl inical depr essi on.Youhav e
tobei ncont roloff eeli
ngl etal lt
het raumat i
cev ents
sinkin,al l
owy our selftofeel them got hrought he
painthatmomentdon' ttryt or unawayf r
om i tokay .
Alsospendt imewi thpeopl ey oul ov e,talkmor e
abouty ourf eel
ings, breathexcer cise.Hav esex.
IhearLuyol
ochuckl
eandIlookathi
m hesmirk
l
ookingaway,Igi
veoutachuckl
eandIlookatt
he
doctorhesmil
esandchuckl
etoo.
Dr
Pill
ay:
RightsoIsuggestyoucomei naf
terf
our
weeksandseeifyouarecopyingbecause
depr
essionhasdi
ff
erentl
evel
ssoi
tcanchange
fr
om ti
met oti
me.
Wenodandwel eavetheoffi
ce,hedr
ivesbyhis
house,it
smyf ir
sttimehereitsasmallbutbeauti
ful
house,butwhenwegeti nthehousei
st r
ashed
al
mostev eryt
hingisbroken.Il
ookatLuyolohe
l
ooksangr ybuthe'str
y i
ngtobecalm,youcant el
lby
hi
sbr eat
hing.
Me:
wh.
yar
e..
Luy
olo:
Iknewshewasgoi
ngt
odot
his.
Il
ovehowhejustget
swhati'
m goi
ngtosaywithout
mefini
shi
ngt
hesentence,
itmakesthi
ngseasi
erfor
me.
Wegot ohi sroom andal mosthal fofhiscl
othesar e
i
npi eces,heget sthebagandt akesomecl othest hat
arest i
l
linonepi ece,thatswhywecameher ehe
want edtot akemor eclothes.Hei sreall
yangryandI
don'tknowwhyi sitt
urningmeon.Ist opwalkinghe
stopandt urntolookatme, Iunbottonmyshi rtand
mypoi ntyt i
tsareoutt oplay,Idon'tli
kewearinga
bramyboobsar esmal lanyway .
Luy
olo:
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Hest i
lll
ooksangr yandt hatdoest hingst ome, I
startpinchingmyni ppleslooki ngst raightathi m.He
throwst hebagdownandr oughl ygrabmywai st,the
kissi ssor oughy etsensual ,
hepushmet ot hewal l
andr i
pofmyshi rtandheunbot tonmyj eanspul li
ng
them downt ogetherwi thmypant i
es, het akesofhi s
clotheshei sst i
ll
lookingatme, angeranddesi rein
hisfacemakesmewanthi m ev enmor e.Hepi cks
meupandpi nmet othewal lhesl am i nt omeso
roughandf ast,
hei sgroani ng,i holdont ohi m ast he
i
nt ensef eelingint hepitofmyst omach
ov er
whel mi ngIshakeasIsqui rthedoesn' tstop,he
mov esusi nt othecoucht hatisnott rashed, hesit
andi cl
imbont opofhi m hehel pmemov emywai st
sof astwhi lehei ssucki ngmyni pples, Iheart he
dooropeni ngbuti '
m notst oppi ngi'
mt oocl ose,Ican
seeLesedi st andingther elookingatusshout i
ng
,luyolocanhearhert oobutwedon' tst opwear ein
ourownwor ld,webot hcum andhecont i
nuet o
mov emesl owl yashei sst il
lreleasinghi scum.
Lesedi
:Howcoul
dyoudot
hist
ome?SowhatI
havebeensuspect
ingi
sreal
l
ytr
ue,
yout
woar
e
fucki
ng?
Luyol
opull
smyheadt
ohi
schestandki
ssmy
for
ehead.
Luy
olo:
Ilov
eyou.
Hegetsupwi t
hmest il
linhisar
msandIholdont o
him,hegoestohisroom andlookforat-
shi
rtand
helpsmeweari ti
tsabitbi
gbutitwill
do,
hewears
someclothesthathecanfindandhegoout,come
backwit
hmyj eanandpant yandhelpsmewear
them.
Wef
indLesedi
weepi
ngont
hef
loor
.
Luy ol
o:whenyouaredonewit
ht hatmakesureyou
cleanmyhouse,bytomorrowIwantt ogether
ewi t
h
ever y
thi
ngini
tspl
aceandmycl othesrepl
acedor
youwi ll
knowhowIam wheni'm notinl
ovewithyou
any more.
Lesedi:
youwi
l
lpayf
ort
hisy
oubast
ardy
ouwi
l
l
fuckenpay
.
Wegot
ohi
scaranddr
ivebackhome.
Wef
reshenupandwegoeatdi
nnerev
ery
onei
sat
t
het
able.
MrsRei
gns:
howdi
dtheappoi
ntmentwi
tht
hedoct
or
go.
Me:
Itwa.
sf.
Luyolo:
Hesaidshehasdepressi
onbutit
snotbad
ther
earecer
tainthi
ngsheneedstodowhenshe
feelsomeway,hesaidal
otofthi
ngs,butshe'
s
gonnabefi
ne.
Uncl
e/dad:
t hat'
sbet
terwhencany
out
alk?
wer
eal
l
y
missyourvoice.
Mandisi
:Idon'
t,
itssosqueekyi
tcanbur
stone'
s
ear
drum real
l
y.
Kwanel
e:i
tsr
eal
l
ynotani
cev
oice.
Ishakemyheadchuckl
i
ng.
Me:o.
neofth.
esed.
aysIw.
il
lb.
es.
ing.
ngatt
het
.op
ofmyvo.
.i
ce.
Mandi
si:
I'
m notl
ooki
ngf
owar
dtot
hatday
.
Uncl
e/dad:
yout
wost
opt
easi
ngy
oursi
ster
.
Luy
oloi
sawfull
yquietIlookathi
m buthel
ooksl
i
ke
hei
sdeepi
nt houghts.
Wehearaknockinthedoor,andLesedicomesin
sheiswit
htal
lgi
rlandboi
tifIdi
dn'tknowwhythey
areher
eIwouldberoll
i
ngmyey es.
Mbal
i
:her
ecomest
hedev
ilandhi
sfol
l
ower
s.
Mandi
si:
themi
nidev
il
s
Theybot
hst
artl
aughi
ng,
coupl
egoal
stheset
wo.
Uncl
e/dad:
whatcanwedof
ory
ouLesedi
?
Lesedi
:MrLukhel
edidyouknowthatt
heset
wohav
e
beenfucki
ngri
ghtundery
ournose?
Il
ookatdadterr
if
ied,
Imov
emyey
est
oLuy
olohei
s
j
ustcal
mlookingdown.
Uncl
e/dad:
what
!
Lesedi:
YesIcaughtt
hem todayathi
shousethey
di
dn'tshowanyremorse,
theyconti
nuedr
ighti
nfr
ont
ofme.
Dadst
andsupandIgetupf
rom t
hechai
r.
Uncl
e/dad:
wher
ear
eyougoi
ngsi
tyourassdown
Zi
yanda.
Ishakemyheadandgost
andi
nthef
arendoft
he
room.
Uncle/dad:Zi
yandacomeher
eri
ghtnow,
Iwon'
t
repeatmy sel
f.
Isl
owl
ywal
kupt
ohi
m.
Uncl
e/dad:
whatdi
dIt
ell
youguy
saboutt
his.
Me:
yo.
us.
Uncl
e/dad:
TALK!
!
Mandisi
:dadt
hati
snotf
airy
ouknowshehasa
pr
oblem o.
.
Uncl
e/dad:
shutupwena,
Ziy
andawhatdi
dIsayt
o
you.
Me:
i'
m so.
.sor
ry.
HeslapmeandIsi
tont
hef
loorwi
thahandi
nmy
cheek,
icr
y.
Uncl
e/dad:
youdi
sobey
edmeZi
yandaLukhel
eyou.
.
Luy
olo:
Iwantt
omar
ryher
,pl
easeal
l
owmet
omar
ry
herLukhel
e.
Lesedi
:WHAT!
?

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee
I
nser
t77

Theroom goesintotot
alsi
lenceaf
terLuy
oloasked
dadtoall
owhi mt omarryme,dadhaveadeadly
l
ookonhi sface,heisl
ooki
ngatluyol
owithragel
ike
heisreal
l
ytoki l
lhim.
Luyolo:
Please,
Itr
iedt
ost
opt
hesef
eel
i
ngsbutI
couldn'
t.
Mbal
i
:ahear
twant
swhati
twant
s.
Dadgi
vehert
hel
ookandsheshutupi
mmedi
atel
y.
Uncl
e/dad:
bot
hofy
ouwi
l
lknowmet
oday
.
Hest
art
sunbuckl
i
nghi
sbel
tonhi
swai
standcome
str
aighttome,hepull
mebymyhandandst art
whoopingmyasssobadmom i sscreami
ngforhi
m
tostop.Luy
ologetholdoft
hebel
tanddadlooksat
him.
Uncl
e/dad:
arey
ouchal
l
engi
ngme,
youwantt
o
fi
ghtmehuh?
HethrowsapunchbutLuyol
oblocki
tbutdadi
s
qui
cktothrowanot
heroneitl
andsonhisj
aw,
kwanelecomesandst
andbetweenthem.
Kwanel
e:comeondadenoughcan'
twesi
tdown
andtal
kli
kegr
ownups.
Uncl
e/dad:Theyar
edisrespect
ingme,It
hought
Zi
yandasaidshewil
lstopthisbutshewasmaki
ng
meaf ool
.
Me:
I..dadI
..
tr
ied.
Uncle/
dad:don'
ttel
lmet
hatshi
t,y
ouar
emar
ryi
ng
Lesedisoon.
Luy
olo:Noi'
m not,
shemustfixmyhouseandl
eav
e
mealone,Idon'
twantherany
more.
Uncl
e/dad:
youar
eal
lmychi
l
dren,
Luy
oloi
'
veseen
yougoi
ngbacktoLesediov
erandoverhowwi l
li
knowthatt
hist
imeyouwon'tgobacktoherhurt
ing
Ziy
andaint
heprocess.
Luyol
o:Igi
veyoumywor
d, i
t'
sover
,whenIsaw
Ziy
andaIknewIwant
edhertobeminepl
easeal
low
me.

Uncl
etakesmyhandspul
l
ingmeupandhehugsme.
Uncl
e/dad:I'
m sor
ryf
orbeat
ingy
ouupl
i
ket
hat,
its
j
ustt
hati don'
twantyout
ogethurt
.
Inodmyheadst
il
lonhi
schest
.
Boi
t:Hel
l
owear
est
il
lher
e.
Mr sRei
gns:Okayyouneedtol
eavemyhouse,y
ou
alwaysbri
ngtroubl
ehere,
goori'
l
lNgcobot
othr
ow
youout.
Theyst
artwal
ki
ngout
.
Weal
lsi
tdownont
het
abl
e.
Uncl
e/dad:(
hesi
ghs)IguessIcan'
tst
opwhat
ever
yout
woar edoi
nghuhZiyanda?
Me:
I'
m..
Mandi
si:
wai
tdon'
ttal
ki'
m comi
ngbacknow.
Herusht
ooneoftheroom wewai
tforhi
m, he
comesbackwit
hapenandapaperandplaceit
i
nfr
ontofme,weal
llookathi
m.
Me:
A..
rey
.out
ry.
.i
ngt
obef
un.
.ny
?
Mandi
si:
uhm nosi
si'
mtr
yingt
ohel
p.
Me:
Id.
.ontw.
anty
o.urhe.
lpokay
..
Thetearsstar
tsmakingt heirwaydownmycheeks
andIstandupwal ki
ngawayt omyroom.Idon'teven
knowwhyi '
m cry
ing, iwalkoutofmyr oom agai
n
aft
erwipingmytears,Igot oMandisiandwrapmy
armsaroundhisshoulders.
Me:
i'
m s.
o.r
ry
It
aket
hatpaperandwr
it
etohi
m.
Me:"i
tsjustt
hatitsf
rustr
atingnotbei
ngablet
otal
k
l
ikeIusedto.I
'm sor
ryfortakingi
toutonyou.
Het
akesi
tandr
eads.
Mandi
si:
Itsokaysi
sIunder
standev
enIcan'
t
i
magi
nemy
sel
fnott
alki
ng,
thewhol
eme.
Mbali
:youwoul
dn'
tsur
viv
ebabyatl
eastZi
iher
e
wasn'
tmuchofatal
ker
.
Mandi
si:
soi
am a"
tal
ker
"?
Mbal
i
:YES.
Theyst
artar
gui
ngaboutt
hatwear
eal
ll
aughi
ng.
Luyolo'
sphonebeepsandhef rownsandshowdad,
ohcomeonnotagai n..
.Igoaroundthet abl
etolook
i
tsfrom lesedianditreads"anenemyofmyenemy
i
smyf r
iend,Ihopey oucanprot ecty
ouregg,
beceausey ouwon'tseemecomi nglov
erboy "
Kwanel
e:Thi
ssoundsl
i
keat
hreat
.
Mbal
i:
"Hel
lhathnof
uryl
i
keawomanscor
ned"
whi
chmeans..
.
Mandisi
:Yeayeaweknowwhatitmeansawoman
r
eject
edinlov
ecanbev er
ydanger
ous.
Mbal
i
:Okaysmar
typant
s.
Kwanele:Canyout
wobeser i
ousforonce,
thisi
s
ser
ious,havey
ouforgott
hatt
herearepeoplewho
aresti
l
l l
ooki
ngforZiy
andaouttherewhatifshe
workswiththem,sheknowstheinsandoutsofthis
house,andtheycaneasi
lygett
oherremembert hey
maybel ayi
nglowfornowbuti'
m suretheysti
ll
fol
loweachandev er
yoneofus.
Uncl
e/dad:
sowhatdoy
ousuggestwedo.
Kwanel
e:Isaywekeepl
esedi
close.
Mandi
si:
OhIdon'
tthi
nkIl
i
kewher
ethi
sisgoi
ng.
Kwanele:NoImeankeepaney eonher, wecanhi r
e
peopletofoll
owhert hatwaywewi llbeki
lli
ngtwo
bi
rdswithonest one,wefindoutthepeopleshe's
meetingwith,weknowwhoourt argetsarebecause
wellweneedt okil
lthem befor
etheygettoZi y
anda
whenwef indthem, r
ightdad?
Uncle/dad:
YeahIheary
ou,
cany
ouor
gani
set
hose
people.
Kwanel
e:wel
lof
causet
hat
smyspeci
alt
y.
Uncl
e/dad:
right
!
Wegoourseper
ater
oomsandLuy
olot
extme.
Luy
olo:
>>weneedt
otal
k<<
Thosewor
dsal
way
smakesmener
vous.
Me:
>>t
omor
row,
i'
m sl
eepi
ngr
ightnow<<
Luy
olo:
>>Il
ovey
ou<<
Ismi
l
eandputmyphoneundert
hepi
l
lowandsl
eep.

Nextmor ningIwakeupandgocheckonmyki ds,I

baththem andmakesomet hingtoeat, Ilov
ei twhen
theschoolsareclosedbecauseIgett obeaf ullt
ime
mom ev enifit
sjustashortper i
odort i
mebutIenj oy
spendingthatli
tt
leti
mewi ththem.Weeatandst ay
i
nside, Idon'
tthi
nkIwilleverbeabl etotakemyki ds
andstaywi tht
hem outsideafterthatshoot-
out .We
sitonthecouchandwat chcartoonsIguessi '
m
earlyi
tstooquietinthi
shouse.

Theki
dsruntoLuy
oloassoonashecomesi
n,he
pl
ayswit
hthem al
it
tl
eandsitdown.
Luy
olo:
mor
ning.
Me:
Heyy
ougood.
Luy
olo:
y eah..
youcant
alknowhuhbutsl
ow,
youar
e
doi
nggreat.
Me:
itpr
obabl
ydad'
ssl
apf
rom y
est
erday.
Wechuckl
e.
Luy
olo:
abouty
est
erdayI
..
Me:
didy
our
eal
l
ymeanwhaty
ousai
dtodad.
Hel
ooksdown.
Luy
olo:
YesImeanti
t,Iev
enhav
ear
ing.
Il
aughathi
m buthel
ooksser
ious.
Me:
uhm y
ouar
ejoki
ngr
ight
?
Luy
olo:noi
'
m not
.
Heshowsmet
her
ingi
tsav
erybeaut
if
ulr
ing.
Me:Thatcan'tbetheri
ngy ouboughtf
orme,j
ust
yest
erdayyousaidyouwant edtomarr
yme,you
boughtthatr
ingforherr
ight?Nowy ouwantt
ogive
i
ttomer eall
y?
Luyolo:notevenoncehaveIt
houghtofbuy
ingari
ng
forLesedi,Iboughtt
hisf
oryouthedaybef
oredad
caughtus,Il
ongwantedyoutomar
rymeZi
yanda
butIguessyoudon'
twantthi
s.
Heget supandwal kaway .Ifeelbadhelooksver
y
dissapoint
edbutdadhav en'tagr
eedy etsoIdon'
t
thinkIcanacceptt
hering.Iseehi m goi
ngoutthe
frontdoorandIhearhi
scardr i
vi
ngaway .Isi
gh.

It
sintheev eni
ngIlookoutthewi ndowwai t
ingfor
Luyol
ot ocomebackbecauseImi sshi
m, Igotohis
room andsearchfortheri
ngandIf i
ndit
,iputiti
n
myf i
ngerit
saper f
ectfit
.JustthenIhearsomet hing
anditsoundslikeagunbutv eryfar,Igotothekids
room andlockfrom t
heoutside.
I
'm aloneinsi
deIl astsawsecur i
ti
eswal ki
ngar ound
thehouseear l
i
ert oday,Ihearthatsoundagai nthe
gunf r
om afarIstandupandpeekt hr
ought he
windowIseeNgcobol ayi
nginapool ofbl
ood, my
heartstart
sbeatingsof astIruntochecki fIreal
ly
l
ockedt hekidsroom andIgopl acethekeyi nthe
dinni
ngr oom t
able.
Thi
sti
meIhav
eaccept
edmyf
ate,
theycant
akeme
butnotmyki
ds.
Twoguy scomesi nt
heyareal
lweari
ngbl
ackoneof
them l
ooklikeMisobuthe'
sol
deranddar
kermaybe
i
tsthebrotherheoncetal
kedabout
,Il
ookatt
hem.
Man1:
whoar
eyouwi
thher
e?
Me:
i'
m al
onepl
ease.
Theystar
tsear
chi
ngeveryr
oom i
nthehouse,I'
m
pray
ingmykidsdon'
twakeupandcryr
ightnow.
Man1:
whyi
sthi
sdoorl
ocked?
Me:
itsmom anddad'
sroom t
heyal
way
slock.
Het
ryopeni
ngi
tforawhi
l
e.
Man2:
heymanl
etsj
ustt
aket
hegi
rlandgo.
Theydr
agmeoutsi
deandpushmet
othecar
.Ihope
theywi
l
lrai
semyki
dswell
.

NARRATED
Kwanel
edri
vest
othehousebutwhenheget
sther
e
hecanseet
hegatei
sopen,hedri
vesi
nandgetof
f
hiscarwhenhewal ksar oundheseet woofthe
securi
ti
eslayi
ngint hepool ofbloodhecallsother
s
i
mmedi atel
yandl ookf orNgcoboandhef i
ndhimin
thesamepositionasot hers.Hisfatherandtheguys
dri
veinli
keaconv oy.Theygetoutoft hecars
rushi
ngtowher eKwanel eisstanding.
Luyol
o: whati
sgoingonbr
o,wher
eisZiy
andaand
thekids,wherei
sNgcobowhyisthegat
eopened
l
ikethat.
Herushinsidewithothersf
oll
owinghi
m, hecan
hearthekidscr
yinginsidet
heroom hetr
iest
oopen
butit
slocked.
Luyol
o:Zi
yandawhyar
etheki
dscr
yingl
i
ket
hat
,
openupit
sme.
Butt
heki
dscont
inuecr
ying.
Kwanel
e:Allt
hesecur
it
iesi
ncl
udi
ngNgcoboar
e
deadout
side.
Luy
olo:
what
!!
Hest
art
sbangi
ngt
hedoorandt
heki
dscr
ylouder
.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
andaar
eyoui
nther
e,daddoy
ouknow
wherethesparekeysare,
callmom andaskher
pl
ease.Nkanyeziheywear egoi
ngtoopenforyou
guysokay,t
ellyourbr
otherst
ostopcryi
ng.
Lukhelewalksawayt al
kingonthephonewithhis
wifewhot el
lshim wherethesparekeysar
e.He
comesbackwi t
hthekey sandtheyopenthedoor.
LuyolorushesinbutZiyandaisnotther
ehekneel
i
nf r
ontofthekidsandhugt hem ,hecanseethat
theyhavebeencr yi
ngforawhi l
e.Hewipesthei
r
tearsandtakethem tothedinni
ngroom where
othersareat.
Mandi
si:
Wef
oundt
hiskeyher
e.
Luy
olol
ooksati
t.
Luy
olo:
Itst
hekeytot
hekidsroom shepr
obabl
y
l
ockedi
tbefor
etheyt
ookher.
Lukhel
eisshaki
ng.
Uncl
e/dad:
whatam Igoi
ngt
otel
lmywi
fe,
jesus.
Hesay
swi
pinghi
sfacet
hati
sst
art
ingt
osweat
.
Luy
olosi
ghsl
ooki
ngatt
heki
ds.
Luy
olo:
weneedt
ofi
ndher
..
.
Zee
Zee

I
nser
t78

Wehav ebeenont heroadforhoursnowmyassi s

i
tchyfrom si
tt
ingi
nt hecarforsolong.Theyhave
bl
indfoldedme.Thereisloudmusi cpl
ayingandthe
guynexttomei spuffi
ngcigaret
teandallthesmoke
i
scomi ngtome.
Thecarst
opsandtheytakeofft
heblindf
oldand
dragmeoutofthecarIl
ookaroundthisi
sagated
communit
ywi t
hhugesecuri
tygatesyoucan'
tsneak
outeveni
fyouwantto.
Theypushmeal lthewayinsi
deasifi'
drunaway,
whenweent erthehousether
eareoldmendressed
i
nf ancysui
tsandtherear
ehalfnakedgir
lswal
ki
ng
aroundwithver
yhighshoes.
Oneoft
heol
ddudesher
espeaks.
Ol
dMan1:Ziy
andaLukhel
eFinal
ly
!!Youdeci
dedto
j
oinus,
we'v
ebeenwaiti
ngforthi
sdayforsolong.
Theyst
artmaki
ngnoi
seit
scr
azy,t
heyareshout
ing
mynameIdidn'
tknowIwast
hispopul
ar.
Oldman1:Gent
lemenI'
mtheonewhomadet
his
possi
blesoIgettof
uckherf
ir
st.
Iam disgust
edIcanf
eelmystomacht
urnasIthi
nk
ofthatoldmansweat
ingont
opofme,Ivomitr
ight
ther
e.
Ol
dman1:
Zimecomecl
eant
hisupnow!
!
Heshoutsandaver
yli
ghtskingir
lcomesrushi
ng
wi
thabucketandamop,shei shal
fnakedtoo,
she
st
art
scleani
ngmyvomitIfeelsorr
yforher
.
Oldman1: Sunshi
ne!!cometakehert
oyourroom
andt el
lherhowthingsworkaroundher
ethedoctor
will
beher etomorrow.
"Sunshi
ne"comesandtakemyhandwegett
othe
room ever
ythi
ngi
spurpl
eandthi
ssunshi
nel
ooks
18/19sheisaboutt
hatage.
Sunshine:wehav ebeenwait
ingfory ourarri
valsi
nce
foreverZiy
anda,Souhm Ihavetot ell
yout hatonce
youar einher
eyoucan'tl
eaveunl essy oudie
ofcause,andyoumustdowhatt hosement ell
you
andtomor rowyouaredoingbloodt ests.
Me:Ohtheyareper
vet
sbutt
heycar
eaboutt
hei
r
heal
tht
oodirt
yoldmen.
Sunshi
neclosemymout
hsof
astwi
thherhands,
I
removethem.
Me:
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
Sunshi
ne:
Ther
ear
eli
steni
ngdev
icesal
lov
ert
his
house.
Me:
Idon'tr
eall
ycare.
.dotheythinkwecanexecut
e
t
heplanofescapi
ngthisplace?
Sunshi
ne:y
oushoul
dcareIhear
dyouhav
eki
dswi
th
oneoftheGumedet
wins.
Me:
whatdoy
ounotknowaboutmyl
i
fe?
Sheshr
ughershoul
der
s.
Sunshi
ne:sowewearl
i
ket
hisev
ery
dayi
ts
compulsor
y.
Shesay
spoi
nti
ngherbi
ki
ni.
Me:
don'
tya'
l
lgetcol
d?
Sunshine:
itr
eal
l
ydoesn'
tmat
teri
tsnotl
i
kewehav
e
achoice.
Isl
eepwit
hSunshi
nemyhearti
sathomewi
th
Luyol
oandmykids,Il
ookatt
heri
ngonmyfi
nger
.
Me: Idon'
tknowhowlongIwil
lbehereforbutIdo
hopeIgetachancetoseeyourfacesagainmy
star
,mypill
arandmybeaut
if
ulsunshine.
Ihol
dont
hepi
l
lowandl
ett
het
ear
sfal
l
.
Thefoll
owingdaySunshi
newakesmeupandt
ell
met ogoshower,whenIcomebackt
her
eisagr
een
bi
kiniont
opofthebed.
Sunshine:
youwil
lweart
his,
i'
mtaki
ngy
out
othe
doctordownst
air
s.
Me:
i'
m notwear
ingt
his.
Sunshi
ne:pl
easedon'
tmakethi
ngshar
dert
hanthey
al
readyar
eZiyandapl
easej
ustweart
hedamnthing.
Iweart
hem Idon'
tfeel
comf
ort
abl
eatal
l
.
Wewal kdownthestair
sandtherearefourmenand
thedoctorwestandbefor
ethem ,Idon'
tknowwhat
Ishoul
dhi demythi
ghsormysmal lboobsovert
he
biki
nit
op.
Ol
dman1:
Sopoi
ntyj
usthowIl
i
ket
hem.
Hei
slooki
ngatmyboobsi'm di
sgust
ed,theyt
ell
us
t
osi
tdownandthedoctorstart
stest
ingf
orHIVfi
rst
.
Doct
or:
she'
scl
eanf
rom t
heHI
V.
Theycheer
..
whati
sthi
s?
Hestar
tstaki
ngbl
oodandfi
l
lthr
eesmal
lgl
asses
andputthem i
nhi
sbags.
Doct
or:
gent
lementy
ou'
l
lhearf
rom mesoon.
Ol
dman1:
makei
ssoonerweneedher
.
Adoct
ornodsandwal
kout
Oldman1:Ncncnct het
hingsIwi
l
ldot
oyouwhen
you'
real
lcleardamn.
Sunshi
netakesmyhandandwegobacktothe
room ,
somegi r
lknocksandl
eav
efoodwi
thout
sayi
nganythi
ng.
Me:
howl
onghav
eyoubeeni
nher
e.
Sunshi
ne:
4year
sIcameher
ewhenIwas15t
hat
ti
me.
Me:
soy
ouar
e19wow.
Il
osehope,Iwon'
teverseemykidsagai
n,Luy
olo
mightaswel
lgobacktoLesedi
.

I
tsbeenfourdaysandSunshinet
oldmethedoct
or
i
scomingintoday.
weweart hedamnbi
ki
nisandI
wal
kbarefoot
.
Sunshine:
youwantt odi
eIsee,zi
yandat
hisi
snot
yourhomest opact
ingli
keapri
ncessandli
vebyt
he
rul
es,geezyouaresuchabrat.
Thisgi
rli
srude, shethrowst
heheelsatmeandI
wearthem Ican'tevenwalkpr
operl
ywiththese
shoesmrsr eignsfai
ledtomakemel i
kethesetype
ofshoes,gi
v emet ekki
esIwil
lev
ensleepwi t
hthem.
Wesi
tdownandf
acet
hedoct
or.
Ol
dman:
sowhatdoy
ouhav
eforus.
Thedoct
orlooksdownandl
ookatmehe'
sal
lredor
pi
nkIdon'
tknow.
Doct
or:
uhm.
.Ishedoeshav
eSTDscal
l
edHPV.
.uhm.
Ol
dman:
whatno,
sowhatdoest
hatmean?
Doctor
:youcanhav
esexwi
thherbutnotwi
thouta
condom.
Ol
dman1:
okayt
hat
sbet
ter
.
Thedoct
orlooksatmeforawhil
eandheshakehi
s
headali
tt
leli
kehewant
st osaysomet
hingbut
deci
desother
wise.
Thenhel
eav
e.
Oldman1:nowwecanstar
tev
ent
houghIwoul
d
havel
ikeditr
awwi
thyou.
HespankmyassandIf
li
nch.
.

NARRATED

Thi
ngshav
en'
tbeengoodwi
thZi
yandagone,
Its
beenaweekwi thhergone, Mr sReignsisn'
tev en
goingtowor kanymor eandshehasaskedLukhel e
tonevercomei nt heirroom ifhecan' tf
indZi y
anda,
sohesl eepsalonei noneoft herooms.Luy olois
alwayswi t
hthekidshef eelscloset oZiyandaby
spendingmucht i
mewi ththem ev enthought woday
werethehar desttheywant edtheirmother,theystil
l
dobutLuy olotrytokeept hem busybypl ayinguntil
theyaretir
edandt heyfallasleep.
Hehasbeengoi
ngcrazyl
ooki
ngforZi
yanda'
sri
ngi
n
hi
sroom hei
sfr
ust
ratedt
hathecan'
tfi
ndit.
Luyol
o:wheret
hehell
didIpl
acet
hisr
ing,
whendi
dI
eventakei
toutf
rom t
hebox.
KwaneleandMandi siar
ecominginthehousewi
th
Mbali
sot hatshecanhelpl
ookingaftert
heki
dsand
Luy
olocanal sofocusonfi
ndi
ngZiyanda.
Theyarr
iveatthehouseandMbal i
gotot
heki
ds
room whi
letheboyslookforLuy
olo.
Kwanel
e:Heymanhowhav
eyoubeen.
Luyol
o:Ican'
tfi
ndZi
yanda'
sri
ngIthi
nksomeone
tooki
t,t
heboxisher
ebutnoring.
Mandi
si:
youboughtherar
ing?
Luyol
ojustl
ookathim,theyal
ll
ookfort
hemissi
ng
ri
ngbecausetheycanseethei
rbrot
heri
slosi
nghi
s
mind.
Luy
olo:
Itsnother
e.
Hesi
tsont
hef
loorandr
eleaseadeepsi
gh.
Kwanele:
Guysdoyout
hinkwecanbr
ingi
ntheex-
mil
i
tarycopsi
nthi
s?
Mandisi
:Itcangetreal
lymessyi
fwedot hat,
wecan
fi
ndwher eZiyandai
sthenwhentheygetther
ethey
shooteveryoneevenher.
Kwanel
e:EishIknow,fuck,
i'
venev
erf
eltl
i
kea
fai
l
urel
ikeIdorightnow.
Luy
oloi
sst
ari
ngi
ntospacet
hinki
ngaboutZi
yanda.
Luyol
o:Iwasangr
yaboutav
erypet
tythi
ng,
thatIl
eft
heral
oneinher
e,howcanIbesostupi
d.
Mandi
si:
Youdi
dn'
tknow.
Luyol
o:Iknewt
hosepeopl
ecanat
tackany
time,
we
al
lknewbutwewerenothere.
Theyal
lsi
tdownont
hef
loorl
ooki
ngdef
eat
ed.
Meanwhi leLukhelehastr
iedcal
li
ngevery
onehe
knowsf orhelpbutoncehement i
onstheGumede' s
theyallhangupt hei
rphones.Hemisshis
niece/
daught erandhemisshiswifewhohasn'tsai
d
awor dtohimf orthepastfi
vedaysbutonlygave
him hi
scl ot
hes.
Lukhel
e:Ihav
etof
indherev
eni
fit
sthel
astt
hingI
do.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee

I
nser
t79

3mont
hsl
ater
Thepastt hreemont hshav ebeennot hingbutt ort
ure
forme, beingasl av etool dermeni srev olt
ing.The
fi
rstweekwast hewor st,everydirtymani nthat
cir
clewant edapi eceofme, t
heyt ookt urnsindoing
what evertheywant edt odowi t hme.And
Misokuhl e'sfathermadeav ideocal lt
hatweek
l
aughi nginmyf acet ell
ingme" t
hisisjusta
beginningoncet heyar edonewi t
hmeher etheyare
goingt oshi pmeof foverseast othehighestbi dder
"
andt othinki '
l
lnev erseemyki dsagainki ll
sme.I
onlytalktosunshi neher eothergi rl
saren' t
i
nterestedi nmaki nganyconv ersati
ons, theyjust
mindt heirbusiness.

Ihaven'tbeenf eeli
ngwel l
f orawhi l
enow, l
astweek
anotheroldmanhad" booked"me, ashewast aki
ng
offhisclothesIv omit
edev ery
t hi
ngIhadeaten,when
IstoodupIf eltdizzyandf aintedsoithasbeen
goingonf oraweeknowt heycal ledthei
rdoct
orto
checkwhati swr ongwi thme.
Iwal
ktosomeoffi
ceandther
eare4ol
dmenanda
doct
orIdon'
tgr
eetIj
ustt
akeaseat
.
Thedoctoraskmeaf ewquesti
onsthenhesayhe
wil
ldoaur i
net est
.Andheaskt hesecreepsifhe
coul
dt al
ktomeal oneandtheydon'twantt
ohearit
butthedoctortell
sthem Imightnotbecomfortabl
e
wit
hpeeingr i
ghtinfrontoft
hem.
Doctor:
uhm Zi
yandaIdon'
thavetodoauri
net
est
becauseIknowwhatiswrongwit
hy ou.
Me:thenwhydidn'
tyousavey
oursel
fthetroubleof
cominginher
e,youcoul
dhavejustt
oldthem li
ke
youdidwhenyousaidIhav
ehpv .
Doctor
:Youdon'thav
eanySTDs,
Iwast
ryi
ngt
o
saveyourbaby
.
Me:whatbaby?mybabi
esar
eathome,
No,
didt
hey
f
indoneofthem?how?
Doctor
:Zi
yandabreat
hok..
.i'
mtal
ki
ngaboutt
he
babyyou'
recar
ryi
ngri
ghtnow.
I
'
m conf
usedwhati
shesay
ing.
Doctor:I
'
m sayi
ngyouar
epr egnant
,hadtheyfound
thatoutthet
imeIwascheckingyouforthefi
rst
ti
met heywouldhav
efor
cedy outoabortbutnowits
toolate,
thatt
imey ouwereal
mostfourweeks,
whichmakesi tfourmont
hsnow,Icanjusttel
lthem
i
tsriskytohaveanaborti
onatthi
sstageandthe
Hpv,Iwantedtomakesureyouaresafewithyour
babysowhent heyhav
esexwithyoutheywould
alwaysuseacondom.
Me:
No.
.
Il
ookatmybell
yt hedarkli
nei
sther
eandit
ssli
ght
ly
bi
ggert
hanbeforebutit
snotnoti
ceabl
eunt
ily
ou
l
ookatitcl
osel
yory ouknowsomethi
ng.
Me:
Whatwi
l
ltheydowi
thmenow.
Doct
or:
Idon'
tknow.
Me:whyar
eyoupartoft
his,
whydon'
tyout
ell
the
pol
i
ceaboutt
hispl
ace.
Doctor:
andlosemyfami
l
y,no,
thosepeopl
ear
e
fr
iendswit
hthepol
i
ceand..
Hedoesn'
tfi
nisht
hesent
encet
heybar
gei
n.
Ol
dman:wehavegiv
eny ouenought
ime,
tel
lus
whati
swrongwi
thher.
.
Doct
or:
uhm uhshei
spr
egnant
.
Ol
dman1:
WHAT!
!abor
tthatt
hingNOW!
!
Doctor
:I'
m af
raidwecan't
,it
stoor
isky
.shei
s
al
readypastherfi
rstt
ri
mester
.
Ol
dman1:
Tri
.
.what
?Whatdoest
hatev
enmean?
Doctor
:itmeanssheispastt
hreemonthsal
ready
,
soifwedoanabor t
ionnowwemi ghtl
oseher.
Heisfrust
rat
edheist
heonewhosai
dhemadei
t
possi
bleformetobeher
e.
Ol
dman:shi
t,
whatnow,wealr
eadypr
omi
sedabuy
er
t
hatshe'
scomingnextmont
h.
Oldman1: l
etsdel
aytheprocesswewi l
lj
usthav
eto
keepherhereforthatfi
vemonthsandwhenshe
givesbir
thwewi l
lsendthebabytoLukhel
eandhis
wife,andshewill
leaveforover
seas.
Ol
dman:
that
sagr
eati
dea.
Igobackt
osunshi
ne'
sroom andgeti
nbed.
Sunshi
ne:
whatdi
dthedoct
orsayZi
i
?
Me:
Thati
'
mfourmont
hspr
egnant
Sunshi
ne:
what
?Howdi
dImi
sst
hat,
getupl
etme
see.
Isl
owl
ygetup.
Sunshine:
ohmygodt hatdarklinei
sclear
lyvi
sibl
e
wow, goodforyouatleasttheywon'tbesl
eeping
withyouanytimesoon..t
hesadpar ti
swhenthey
takeyourbabyawayf rom y
out hedayyougivebirt
h,
thatswhattheydidtoagirlZimewhocameher e
whenshewaspr egnant.

Igobackt
obedandt
hinkaboutt
hebaby
,Luy
olo'
s
baby
..
Me:j
ustanot
herbabyIhav
efai
led,
he/
shewil
lgr
ow
upwi
thoutme,t
hisworl
discr
uelandt
hepeopl
eini
t.

NARRATED

Kwanelehascal
ledinsomef
avour
sfr
om t
heex-
ser
vicemen(
mili
tar
y).
Theyagr
eedt
ogi
vei
tat
rywi
tht
hatev
ent
houghi
ts
tooriskybutt heycan'tthi
nkofanyt
hingsotheyar
e
giv
ingi tashot .Thereisacomputerguyhi
snamei s
carlhei stheonewhoi str
yingt
ogetaholdof
Gumede' sphonet hatheusestocall
hisfr
iendsor
associates.
Luy
olo:
howl
ongwi
l
lthi
stakecar
lman.
Heaskl
ooki
ngatt
hecomput
er.
Carl:I
tcantakemonths,t
hepeoplewhododirt
y
workof t
enusetheburnerphoneandi
tshardtohack
those,Lukhel
eneedstogothereandf
indthephone
heisusing.
Uncle/
dad:Icandothatbuti
twillt
akeafewday s,I
havetogetawarderthatIwil
lpaytosear
chforthe
phonesandthatmaybehar dbecausewarder
st ake
bri
bestoonowsot heymightbeinhispayr
oll
Ijust
havetofi
ndtheri
ghtone.
Luyol
o:Eishtrydadpl
ease,I
tsbeenfourmonths
al
ready,
Idon'tthi
nkZiy
andacanhol donforl
ongif
sheisst
il
l al
i
ve,shehasbeenthroughsomuch.
Uncl
e/dad:
Iknowsoni
'
lldomybest
.
Mandisi:
I'
m havi
ngameeti
ngwi t
htheteam t
oday
becausewhenwef i
ndoutwhereZiy
andais,wewil
l
gothereandshoott
okil
lbutmakesuresheissaf
e,
sowewi llneedt
opl
anthi
sproperl
y.
Car
l:y
eahassoonasIgett
hephoneIcanst
artt
o
wor
k,ri
ghtnowwehavenot
hing.
Luyol
owalksawayfrom them andsi
toutsi
de.He
thi
nksaboutt
hedaywhenhewant edtotel
lZiy
anda
thatt
hecondom hadbrokebutthei
rfat
hercaught
them.
Hechuckl
eswhenhet
hinksaboutt
hebeat
inghe
gott
hatday.
Luy
olo:
yeahnehl
ove.
Mandi
si:
Heybro,Mbali
cal
l
edsai
dNt
sikawant
s
youhehasbeencr
ying.
Luyol
o: whycan'tt
hosetwo,nt
sikaandlangabeli
ke
thei
rbrotherNkanyezi
doesn'
tjustcr
yandev eni
fhe
doesit
sal wayssil
entyouj
ustseebyt hetear
s.
Mandi
si:Heisast
rongboy,hewi
ll
bet
heonewho
keepi
ttoget
herwhentheygr
owup.
Luy
olo:
hopet
hei
rmom wi
l
lbet
her
etoseei
t.
Mandisi
:wecan'tl
osehope, wejusthav
etopl
an
car
efull
y,Ineedmysi
sterback.
Luyol
o:Doyouthi
nkshewil
lsur
viv
ethi
s?Wi
l
lthi
ngs
evergobackt
owhattheywere.
Mandi
si:
Youwil
lbether
etohel
pher,Isawhowy
ou
wer
ewithherwhenshecoul
dn'
ttal
k..
Thei
rfat
hert
alkbehi
ndt
hem
Uncl
e/dad:Isawitt
oo,maybeifIhadagr
eedf
ory
ou
tomarryherthi
swouldn'
thav
ehappened.
Mandidi
:Wecan'tblameousel
vesfort
hisbutt
hose
twi
nsandtheirf
atheruGumede,t
hedayIgetmy
handsonthatol
dmanncncnc.
Hesay
sshaki
nghi
shead.
Uncle/
dad:Ihavetot
akeaf l
ightt
ojohannesbur
g
today,
Ihavetofi
ndthatphone,don'
tfor
gettotel
l
mywi f
ethatIlov
eherandImi ssher.
Mandisi
:Iwi
lltel
lherdadmaybewhenyoucome
backshewil
ltalktoyouandal
lowyoui
nthe
bedr
oom.
Uncl
e/dad:Sheonlywantmet
obr
ingZi
yandaback
home,nothi
ngelse.
.
Mandisi
:Sheistheonewhobr oughtustoget
herso
nowitdoesn'
tfeelr
ightt
hatsheisnothere.
Uncl
e/dad:Iknow.
.andtothi
nkNoklungadidn'
t
appr
eciat
ehav i
ngabeauti
ful
chi
ldl
ikeZiyanda.
..
Kwanel
e:Ial
way
sknewy
oursi
sterhadal
oose
scr
ewdad.
Theychuckl
eandgetl
osti
nthei
rownt
hought
s.

Zee

[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee

I
nser
t80
(
excuseanyer
ror
sIdi
dn'
tedi
t)
Thispr egnancyi sn'
tgivi
ngmeabr eaki havebeen
feel
ingsi ckev eryti
meandt hedoct orisalwaysher
e
tochecki feverythi
ngisgoi ngwellwithme,
appar entl
yt heoldment ookt hemoneyf r
om the
buyersov erseasandsplititbecauseIwassupposed
togot herethismont hwhichi sthef i
ft
hmont hnow,
sotheyar ecomi ngupwi tht hestori
est obuytime
andt heyhav etomakesur eIsur viv
eatal lcost.
Doctor
:Zi
yandayouarel
osi
ngmorewei
ghtar
eyou
eat
ingoft
enli
keIadvi
cedyout
o.
Me:
yesbutIcan'
tkeepany
thi
ngdown.
Doct
or:notgai
ningenoughweightcanputyouat
gr
eaterri
skofpregnancycompli
cati
onsZi
yandaso.
.
Me:
youmakei
tsoundl
i
keIv
omi
tonpur
pose.
Doct
or:
sor
ry,
uhm Igoty
oumor
ewar
m cl
othes.
Yes,
Idon'
twearbi
ki
nisany
mor
esi
ncei
'
m pr
egnant
.
Me:Thankyousomuchyou'
reagoodmanIjust
don'
tgethowyougotmi
xedupwitht
hisgr
oup.
Doct
or:
itsav
eryl
ongst
ory.
Inod.
Doct
or:Ihav
enot
icedy
ouhav
ear
ingar
eyou
marr
ied?
Me:No,youknowheisprobabl
ysear
chi
ngfori
t,I
wasfi
tt
ingitwhent
heytookmebuti'
m gl
adIhaveit
wi
thme.
Wetal
kaboutthethi
ngsIshoul
deatandabunchof
ot
herst
uffr
egardi
ngpregnancy
.
Igobackt
oSunshinesheisal
ldol
l
edupandv
ery
pret
tyi
nherpur
plebi
kini
.
Me:
youar
eobsessedwi
tht
hecol
ourpur
plel
ady
.
Sunshi
ne:
Itgi
vesmecomf
ortandi
tremi
ndsmeof
myhome.
Me:
Igeti
t,t
hisr
inggi
vesmecomf
ortt
oo.
Thebabystart
ski
cki
ngIplacethehandonmybell
y,
Sunshi
nerushest
omeandpl aceherhandt
ooshe
l
ookexcit
edshealwaysdoeswhenthebabyki
cks.
Sunshi
ne:
Heyl
i
ttl
eSunny
,damnt
hisl
adycanki
ck.
Me:
Iwonderwhot
oldy
oui
tsagi
rl
.
Sunshi
ne:
Ioncehear
dthati
fyou'
regl
owi
ngwhen
pregnantt
heni
tsagir
landwheny
ou'
reanugl
y
duckli
ngtheni
tsaboy.
Me:soi'
m gl
owi
ngohwel
lthanksf
ort
he
compl
iment.
Shesi
ghsandgetup
Sunshine:Letmegoanddowhatt
heybr
oughtme
herefor.
Shehasasadl
ookonherf
aceatl
eastnowshei
s
notr
udeasbef
oret
ome.
Igeti
nbedanddozeofthi
nki
ngabouthowmyki
ds
havebeendoi
ngwit
houtme.

NARRATED
8mont hsl
aterandtheyst i
l
lhav en'
tfoundwher e
ZiyandaisbutLukheleiscomi ngbackt odayf our
l
ongmont hsinJohannesbur gwi t
houtgett
ingt he
phone, heaskedthewar dertosear chwit
hapr i
ce
ofcauseandhecamebacksay i
nghedi dn'
tfindany
phone, nowheiswai t
ingtohearf rom thefemal e
war dertotel
lhi
m whatshef ound,heseesawar der
comi
nghest
andsupt
omeetherhal
fway
.
War
der
:YouowemeLukhel
ebi
gti
me.
Uncl
e/dad:
Didy
ouf
indi
t?
Shehandshimt hephoneandLukhel ewhohaslost
afewpoundsov erthemont hstakethephone
j
umpingup, heisex ci
tedt
hatfinal
lyheisastep
cl
osertof
indinghisdaughter.
Uncl
e/dad:
Thankyousomuch,youdon'
tknowhow
muchthismeanst
omet hanky
ou.
Awardersmil
esandwal
kaway,herushoutt
o
cat
chthenextfl
i
ghtt
ogobackhome.
Whenhear ri
veshegot oCarlshousehehad
i
nformedtheboy sthatheiscomingback
today
..
theygreeteachotherandhehandscarl
the
phone.Carl
openst hephoneandsmi l
e.
Car
l:whousesAndr
oidt
odoadir
tywor
kthi
sman
j
ustmademyj obal
oteasi
er.
Luy
olo:
Cany
ouf
indany
thi
ngmanpl
ease.
.
Car
l:
wel
lwel
lwel
lwhatdowehav
eher
e.
Theyall
rusht
ohim andfacet
hecomput
erscreen
whichhaveev
ery
thi
ngthatGumedehasonhis
phone.
Kwanel
e:whati
sit
.
Car
l:Thi
sisavideocall
herecordedonhi
sphone
usi
ngapowersoftscr
eenrecor
der.
Mandi
si:
Car
lcany
ouj
ustpl
ayt
hedamnv
ideo.
Carl
presspl
ayandLuy olof
reezeswhenhesees
Zi
yanda'
sface.Andtheyseetheoldmanlaughi
ngat
Zi
yandaandtell
inghershei
st obeshi
pped
over
seasnextmonth.
Luy
olo:
Pleasesear
cht
hedat
eoft
hatv
ideoman.
Carlsearcht
hedateandt
heycanseei
twas
recordedaboutf
ivemont
hsago.
Luy
oloput
shi
shandsont
opofhi
shead.
Luy
olo:
wear
etool
atef
uck.
.
Ther
ear
etear
sthr
eat
ningt
ocomeout
.
Car
l:wai
tther
eissomet
hinghere,
Ithinkt
hisold
manhadallhi
scall
sandvideor
ecordedinhisphone,
l
etsl
i
stent
othel
astt
wor
ecor
dings.
Recordi
ng*"whyisthatgirl
stil
li
nthathouse
Mbokazi,sheshouldhav elef
tagesagothebuy eri
s
goingcr
azyhewant sagi rlorwegivehim hi
smoney
back,wealreadyspli
tthatmoney, Iwantthatgi
rl
gonebytheendoft hisweek" *
Luy
olo:Sowear enott
oolat
eCar
lgett
hel
ocati
on
Mandisiassembl
etheguy
sweneedtomovefast.
Mandi
sigooutwithhisphoneonhi
sear,
Kwanel
e
doest
hesame, Lukhelesi
tsdownandsi
gh.
Theconv
oyofexmil
it
arycopsar
ri
vet
heyparkt
hei
r
car
sandgetoutt
her
eareaboutt
went
yofthem.
Kwanele:
wehav
et ogoovert
heplanfastwedon'
t
havemuchti
me,r
ight,wemustav
oidshooti
ng
womenokayOurtarget
saret
hosemen, whenyou
seeawomanmakesur eshei
soutofharmsway
okay.
Luyol
o:Andweallknowwewi
l
lbef
ight
ingagai
nst
somepoliceof
fi
cers.
Guy
1:Ohcan'
twai
tIhav
eal
way
swant
edt
ogoone
ononewi
tht
hepopoz.
Mandisi
:Rememberguy
severywomant
her
eisour
si
ster,
theyal
lhav
etobesaf
e.
Theyal lnodinagreementandt heygetgearedupfor
war .Theyarewear i
ngwhiteT-shirt
swithblack
trousersandmi l
it
aryboots.TwoToy ot
aQuantum
busar ri
vetheyloadtheguns,theygetinanddr i
ve
offCar li
sinthefir
stbustoleadt hewaysinceheis
theonewhoknowst headdress.Theydr i
vefor
hour s.
Luy
olo:
real
l
yCar
lwhenar
ewear
ri
vi
ng.
Car
l:wear
eher
e!
Theyl
ookar
ound.
Mandisi
:Butthi
sisagat
edsecuri
tyhowi si
t
possi
blefort
hem todot
hei
rdir
tybusinessher
e.
Car
l:Moneytalksint
hisworl
dbro,andt
hehouses
ar
efarapartbecauseever
yonehasalar
gescal
e
l
andscape.
Theygetoutwit
hthegunsint
hei
rhandsLukhel
eis
al
readysweat
ingandlooki
ngr
eadytoki
ll
.
Theywal
ktothefrontgat
eoft
hehouseCar
lisl
eft
i
nthebusbecauseheisnotr
eall
ygoodwi
thguns
j
ustcomput
ers.
Kwanel
eshootsupthr
eeti
mest oal
ertt
hem i
nsi
de
hopi
ngthatift
hemeninsi
decomeoutthegi
rl
swill
regr
oupthatwayi
twil
lbeeasi
ernott
ohurtt
hem.

MeanwhileZiy
andaiswit
hadoctorandSunshi
ne
theyheargunsoundandZiy
andaholdSunshi
ne'
s
hand.
Sunshi
ne:Rel
axt
heyar
epr
obabl
yki
l
li
ngeachot
her
i
thappens.
Doct
or:
Letmegocheck.
Hegooutf
orawhi
l
ethenhecomebackpani
cki
ng.
Doctor
:Gi
rlsweneedtol
eave,
looksli
kether
ewillbe
abigwarhere.Wehavet
oleaveri
ghtnowwhilethey
ar
eoccupied,Iknowawaywecangetoutofhere.
Ziy
andai
str
yingt
odobr
eathi
ngexcercisebecause
shecanf
eelt
hepani
cat
tackappr
oaching.
Sunshi
nei
sov
erwhel
medshedoesn'
tbel
i
evet
hat
shecoul
dbeoutofher
etoday
.
Doctor
:Gir
lscomeonwedon'thav
emuchtime
ther
ewill
beashoot-
outanyminut
efr
om nowl
ets
go.
TheyruntoSunshi ne'
sroom andshewear sthe
clot
hesthatwasboughtf orZiyandaandt heyrun
downstai
rsgoingont hebackgat e,al
lthegirlsar
e
ther
elookingterr
ifi
edtherei
sonesecur it
ywhohas
agunpoint edatthem.
Zi
yandabr
eat
hesandappr
oacht
hesecur
it
yguar
d.
Secur
it
y:Heyst
andbackorIwi
l
lshooty
ou.
Sunshi
ne:
Ziy
andawhatar
eyoudoi
ng.
Ziyanda: Ohhewon'tshootme,theyneedme,he
knowst hatifheshootmehi sbosseswil
lki
ll
himtoo,
Iam sol dremembertothehighestbi
dder,
so
technicall
y,Ipayy
oursalar
y.
Shedoesn'
tknowwhatsheisdoingbutsheis
deter
minedt
oleav
ethi
splace.Suddenl
ytheyhear
gunshot
sallov
ert
heyardandthesecuri
tyrushes
i
nside.
Doctor:
weneedt
ogoov
ert
hef
enceZi
yandal
etme
hel
py oufi
rst
.
Hetr
ieshel
pingherbutbecauseshe'
spr
egnanti
ts
pr
ovi
ngtobedi f
fi
cul
t.
Sunshine:
Thegunshot
saregett
ingcl
osel
etmego
overfi
rstt
henyouwil
lpushhert
hissi
deandIwi
l
l
helpherontheot
hersi
de.
Sunshi
nejumpsoverandthedoct
orhel
psZiyanda
agai
nbutshefal
lsbefor
eshecanjumpovershe
feel
spaini
nherstomachasshefel
lonhersi
de.
Zi
yanda:
Ouch!
!!
Doct
or:
I'
m sosor
rybuty
ouneedt
odot
hist
heyar
e
get
ti
ngclose.
Theothergi
rl
sstar
tsj
umpi
ngandhel
pincat
chi
ng
Zi
yandawhol ookl
i
keshei
sinsomuchpai
n.
Theyareall
intheothersi
denow, shelooksbackin
thehouseshecanrecogniseherbr
otherKwanele
shooti
ngthesecur
it
iesthatwerebehi
ndt hem.
Zi
yanda:
Kwanel
e!!
Butt
hegunshot
sar
etool
oudKwanel
ecan'
thearher
andhei
sbusyhedoesn'
ttur
ntol
ookatherdi
rect
ion.
Sunshi
ne:
OhmyGodZi
yanday
ouar
ebl
eedi
ng.
Doct
or:
Weneedt
oleav
enow.
Sunshineandt hedoct
orsuppor
tZi
yandawhocan't
walkproperl
ynowbecauseofpain,
theothergi
rl
s
runforthei
rli
fe.
Zi
yanda:
Pleasehel
pme,
sav
emybaby
.
Shesay
shol
dingont
oSunshi
neandt
hedoct
or.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee

I
nser
t81

NARRATED
Theshoot-outhasdi
eddownKwanel egoesback
i
nsidetolookforhi
sbrot
hers,
dadandt heirf
ri
ends
hefindoneofhisguysshotontheshoulderandhe
rushestohim.
Kwanel
e:Youokayman?
Guy1:Don'
tworryI
'l
lbefi
nejustcal
lcar
l t
odri
veone
ofthebushere,
weneedt omov esoonthepol
ice
wil
lbefl
oodingthi
shouse.
Hetalkswhil
ehol
dinghisar
m, kwanelehel
phim up
andtheygooutsi
de,heseetherestoft
heteam
out
sideall
inonepiece.Hesi
ghs.
Luyol
o:Yourpl
aningroupi
ngthegi
rl
swor
ked
brot
her,
Ididn'
tseeanygir
lar
ound.
Kwanele:Isawthem atthebackbutt
heyj
umpedout
Icoul
dn'tl
ocateZiyandawit
hmyey essoweneedt
o
gotothatroadatthebackandf i
ndher
.
Theyrushint
othebusesandoneofthem at
tendt
o
theguythathasbeenshott
heydr
iveoff
.
Meanwhi
leZiy
andahassatdownshecan'
ttaket
he
pai
nanymoreandshei
slosingmor
eblood.
Thedoctorseeacarcomi
ngf
rom t
heopposi
te
di
rect
ionhestopsi
tandhesi
ghsasheseesi
tsa
woman.
Doct
or:
Hi pl
easewehaveanemergencypl
easehelp
shei
spregnantweneedtot
akehertothehospi
tal
.
Woman:
ohmyGodgetheri
nthecar
.
Sheunlockthecarandthedoctorsi
tsontheback
withZi
yandawhilesunshi
nesit
sont hepassenger
seatbutsheisl
ookingatZiy
andawor r
ied.
Suddenl
yZi
yandascr
eamsandmor
ebl
oodcome
out.
Zi
yanda:
I..
Ican'
t..
Shelookst
iredandshescr
eamsagain,
thedoct
or
pul
lherinasleepi
ngposi
ti
onandremov
eherpanty
andcheckthebabyusi
nghisf
unger.
Doct
or:Theheadisalr
eadycl
ose,Ineedyouto
br
eathZiyandaandpushwit
hally
ourmi ght
whenev
ery oufeel
li
kepushi
ng.
Ziyandanodsandshef
eltt
heurget
opush, shedi
d
butbecauseofbei
ngti
redshehasashor
tnessof
breath.
Sunshi
ne:
youcandot
hisZi
icomeondoi
tfor
Sunny.
Ziy
anda:Icandot
his,
eveni
fit
sthel
ast
..t
hingIdo,
i
candothis.
Sherepeat
sthatandt
akeadeepbr
eat
h,shepush
agai
n..
Doct
or:
YesIseet
hehead,
comeonpushonemor
e
ti
me.
Shepushonemoreti
meandt hebabycri
esfi
ll
the
cart
hedoctort
akesof
fhi
sjacketandcovert
he
baby
.
Woman:
Oht
hanky
ouLor
d,Thanky
ouf
ather
.
Doct
or:
Doy
ouhav
eanunusedr
asorher
eint
hiscar
.
Thewomansear
chi
nhergl
oveboxandhandi
tto
thedoct
or.
Hefi
rstcuthi
sshir
tonthepat
ternandcutt
he
ambi
lical
cordty
ingitwi
tht
hepiecehecutf
rom t
he
shi
rt
.
Doct
or:
Ziy
anda!
!
Sunshi
ne:
Zii
!Zi
i
.
Doctor
:Shei
sst
ruggl
i
ngt
obr
eat
h,pl
easedr
ive
fast
er.
.
Thegettothehospital
andtheyrecei
veZiyandaand
putheri
nast r
etcherandt
akethebaby ,
thedoctor,
sunshi
neandthewomanr unaf t
erthenurses.
Theytakeherandthebaby,
whil
ethet
hreeofthem
waitforanupdat
e,al
mostanhourt
hedoctorcomes
out.
Doctor
:uhm y
ouar
etheoneswhoboughtt
he
pat
ienti
nther
ewhogavebi
rt
h.
Theynod
Sunshi
ne:
Howi
ssheandt
hebaby
?
Doct or
:Thebabyisfi
ne,astr
onglit
tl
egirl
,the
mot herisokaytooj
ustneedssomer estshelost
alotofbloodsoweputI nt
ravenousforf
lui
dv ol
ume
replacement,shewi
llwakeup.
Sunshi
ne:
ThankGod.
Doct
or:
Ineedoneofy
out
ofi
l
lupsomef
orms.
Sunshi
ne:
I'
ll
doi
t.
Shef
oll
owst
hedoct
or.
Woman:uhm sirwedi
dn'
tdoanyi
ntr
oduct
ionsi
'
m
Lul
amaSokhulu.
Thedoct
orext
endshi
shandf
orahandshake.
Doct
or:
I'
m Doct
orKei
thPi
l
lay
.
Woman:Idon'
tknowi
fIcandri
vetotownri
ghtnow
andbuyafewthi
ngsf
orherandthebaby
.
Doctor
:i'
m sur
eshewoul dappreci
atethatal
ot,
whenyoucomebackaskf orZi
yandaLukhelethat
's
hername,Iwil
lgowaitforhert
owakeupsoshe
cantel
lushowt ocont
actherfamily.
Thewomanrushesoutandgeti
nhercardr
ivi
ngt
o
anynear
bymallshecanfi
nd.

ONTHEROAD.
..
Theguyshavebeendriv
ingar
oundlooki
ngfor
Ziy
andabuttheycan'
tfi
ndher
.Luyoloi
smiser
abl
e
andsoisLukhel
e.
Mandi
si:
Don'
twor
rywewi
l
lfi
ndher
,wehav
eto.
Kwanel
e:Lookt
her
eisagi
rlr
unni
ngt
hatway,
let
s
goaskher.
Theydr
ivef
ast
erf
oll
owi
ngt
hegi
rl
.
Kwanel
e:Hey
!hey
!Sor
ry.
.
Thegir
lishal
fnakedsher
aisesherhandsupi
n
sur
render.
Gi
rl
:pl
easedon'
ttakemebackpl
ease!
.
Mandi
si:
heyar
eyouf
rom t
hathouse?
Hepoi
ntsatt
hehousewher
eZi
yandawasatand
t
hegir
lnods.
Mandi
si:
Doy
ouknowwhi
chdi
rect
ionZi
yandawent
t
o?
Gir
l:Idon'
tknow,shewashur
twhenwer
anour
seperat
eway s.
Luy
olo:
hur
thow?
Gi
rl
:pl
easeIj
ustwantt
ogohomepl
ease.
Kwanele:i
tsokaywearthi
sandgeti
nthecarwewil
l
hel
py ougethome,wewon'thur
tyouZiy
andaisour
si
sterwearelooki
ngforher.
Hehandsherashi
rtandsheget
sin.
Theysearchunti
lnoonwi thoutf
indi
ngZiyanda,t
he
gi
rlf
ellasl
eep.Theydriv
ebackhomeaf termidni
ght
hopi
ngshewi l
lcontactthem thenextday.
Luyol
otaket
heki
dst
ohi
sroom andwat
cht
hem
sl
eep.

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Ziy
andaisreadyt
obedischar
gedshei
shol
dingher
babygi
rli
nherarms,sheisweari
ngpi
nkcl
othes.
Sunshi
ne,
doct
orPil
layandLul
amageti
nZi
yanda
l
ookupandsmile.
Sunshi
newal
kupt
oZi
yanda.
Sunshi
ne:
CanIpl
easehol
dher,
shel
ookso
ador
abl
e.
Zi
yandagi
vehert
hebaby
.
Ziyanda:Thanky ousomuchSi sLulamafor
everythi
ngtheclothesandforyesterday
,all
owi nga
womant ogivebirt
hinyourcar,t
hatishuget hank
you.DoctorPill
ayy ouhav
ebeenwonder f
ulthank
yousomuchf orsav i
ngmeandmybaby .
Sunshine:
Don'tt
hankmeIknowIwasagreatsi
ster
eventhoughIusedtoshoutaty
oual
ot.
Zi
yanda:
Iwasn'
tgonnat
hanky
ousweet
y.
TheylaughandLul
amaoff
ert
odr
iveZi
yandahome
andtheyall
wanttogo.
I
tsstil
lear
lyt
heydri
veforafewhourst
oZiyanda'
s
houseandthegateisopenedi
tsj
ustaf
terone
o'
clockint
heaft
ernoon.
Ziy
andabr eat
hsshecan'tbel
i
ev eshei
shere,shei
s
gonnaseeherf ami
lyonceagain.Sheget
soutofthe
carandleavethebabyinsi
dewithSunshi
ne,l
ulama
andpil
lay.
Sheknockont
hedoorf
orawhi
l
eandMr
sRei
gns
whoisst
il
li
nhergownopenshei
sshockedt
osee
Zi
yanda.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Pink,
Ziy
andai
sitr
eal
l
yyou.
.
Me:
Itsmemom.
.
Theyhugeachot
hert
ightf
orawhi
l
ecr
ying.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Ziy
andai
sbackshei
sher
e!!
Theyrushoutandseeheratt
hedoor,shelett
he
tear
sfall
whensheseeherbrother
s.Theyt
oohave
tear
sinthei
reyest
heyhugher.
Uncl
e/dad:Ican'
tbel
i
evei'
m hol
dingy
oui
nmyar
ms
ri
ghtnow,welcomebackhome.
Luyoloist
helastonet
ogot
oher,
theyl
ookateach
otherandZiy
andasmil
eswi
tht
earsi
nhereyes.
Zi
yanda:
Hey
..
Luy
oloengul
fsheri
nat
ighthug.
Luyol
o:Youar
ereal
l
yher
e,Il
ovey
ousomuch,
you
areback
Hefinal
l
yletgoandki
sshernotmindi
ngtheparent
s
nexttot
hem,Zi
yandahol
dontohim astheyki
ssand
t
heypull
out
,theyl
ookl
i
ket
heyar
eint
hei
rown
wor
ld.
Zi
yanda:
Iwanty
out
omeetsomeone.
Shesayssmil
li
ngandshel ookbehi
ndherandsignal
Sunshi
netocomeout .Shecomesoutwithababyin
herhandsandstandnexttoZi
yanda.Shetaket
he
babysmill
i
ng.
Zi
yanda:
Heypr
incessmeetdaddy
.
Shesmi
l
esl
ooki
ngatt
heconf
usedLuy
olo.
Zi
yanda:
Thi
sisy
ourpr
incess.
Luy
olotakest
hebabyandl
ookather
,hei
sso
emoti
onal.
Luy
olo:
Youwer
epr
egnant
?
Zi
yanda:
Yes,Igavebi
rt
hyest
erdayaf
terIf
ell
j
umpingofft
hefence.
Luy
oloisst
il
ll
ooki
ngatthebaby
,hecan'
tbel
i
evehe
i
saf at
hert
oababygir
l.
Luy
olo:
Iyana(
ther
ainofbl
essi
ngs)Mzozo(
his
sur
name)
Zi
yanda:
Iyana.
.Il
ovei
t.
Hel
ooksatZi
yanda.
Luyol
o:Thanky
ousomuchbaby
,thi
sist
hegr
eat
est
gi
ftofal
l.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]
Zee

I
nser
t82

I
tssogoodtobebackandseei ngmyboy
sbr
ing
t
earsofj
oy,Ican'
tst
ophuggingandki
ssi
ngt
hem
Nkany
ezii
sev enget
ti
ngi
rri
tated.
Me:Ican'
tbeli
evet
heyar
esogrown, Nkanyezi
is
evencheekywit
hmenowbutatleasttheydi
dn'
t
for
getme.
Wehav
edonet
hei
ntr
oduct
ionsbet
weensi
sLul
ama,
DrPi
ll
ayandSunshi
ne,nowwear
esi
tti
ngdown
havi
ngsconeswit
htea.Luy
oloi
sst
il
lhol
dingI
yana,
hekeepslooki
ngather.
Mandisi:Luy
olocanweholdherplease,youwi
ll
scar
et hepoorchil
dyouhavebeenstari
ngatherf
or
awhil
enowi t
screepy
.
Luy
olo:
Youknowshei
smi
ner
ight
?
Mandi
si:
OhGodki
l
lmenow.
Kwanele:caref
ull
whaty
ouwi
shf
orhemi
ghtj
ustdo
exact
lythat.
Mandi
sif
rownsl
ooki
ngathi
m.
Me:
Luy
oloIhav
eyourr
ing.
Mandi
si:
youhavewhat?
wehavebeenl
ooki
ngf
or
t
hatri
ngfort
hepast8mont
hs,
areyouki
ddi
ngme!
Me:Sowhat!Iwassupposedtot
ell
youguysthatI
hav
ehisri
ngwhilei
'mlockedupi
nthathouse
per
haps!
?
Ir
aisemyv
oiceandbabyI
yanast
art
scr
ying.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
anda.
.
Hesay
scal
mly
.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
.i
'
m sor
rybhut
i.
Mandi
si:
itsokay,it
sjustt
hatsomeonewasgoi
ng
cr
azyf
orlosingthatri
ng.
Hesay
sey
eingl
uyol
o.
Me:thi
ngisthatdayIfeltbadforwhatIsaidt
oyou
aboutbuyi
ngar i
ngforlesediandthengi
vingi
tto
me,soIwenttoy ourr
oom t ofi
titandt
hatswhenI
heardgunshot
s.
Luy
olo:
I'
m sor
ryIl
efty
oual
lal
onet
hatdayZi
yanda.
Me:
itsokay
.
Hest
andsupandgi
veI
yanat
oMandi
si.
Mandi
si:
final
l
y!
Luy
olochuckl
esandwal
kawayhecomesbackaf
ter
aminut
e.
Luy
olo:
Dadpl
easeal
l
owme.
Dadnods,IseeLuyol
ogoingdownononekneehe
hasanot
herringontheopenedbox.
Luy
olo:
ndi
yakut
handa(
Ilov
eyou)
Hesmi
lesl
ooki
ngdown,morel
i
kebl
ushi
ngandi
'
m
doi
ngt
hesamelooki
ngathi
m.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
andaI..
Ibel
ievewe'r
esoul
mates,we'r
e
sui
tedf
oreachother
,let
sjustmakei
tof
fici
al,
mar r
y
memaLukhele.
Sunshi
ne:
Aaawsayy
es!sayy
es!
Ichuckl
e,t
hisonei
sfowar
d.
Me:Youwant i
ngtomakemey ourwi
feevenaft
er
you'
veseenmei nmyworstmakesmebeliev
ethat
weareindeedsoul
mates,
soYESLuyoloIwil
lmary
you.
Hetakesof
ftheol
dri
ngandputt
henewoneonmy
f
inger
.
Me:Pl
easel
etmekeepi
t,i
twasthereasonIwas
abl
etohol
donfort
hatl
ongandIdidn'
tbreak.
Henodsandsl
idther i
ngonmyrighthandsidethe
newoneisontheleftwher
ether
eisa" v
einoflove"
..
ya'
l
lknowitr
ight
? y
es.
Heki
ssme.
Luy
olo:
Thanky
ou.
.
Mandi
sigoescrazyhest
andsupwi
thI
yanast
il
lon
hi
sarmssingi
nganddancing.
Uncl
e/dad:
bri
ngNomv
ulat
omewena.
Mandisi
:it
sIyanadadIyanaImvulayezi
busi
so
zankul
unkulu(rai
ningGod'
sblessi
ngs).
Uncl
e/dad:
Iyana,
imv
ula
Idon'
tcar
e,i
tsNomv
ulat
omenowbr
inghert
ome
bef
oreIsl
apy
ou.
Hegi
vest
hebabyt
odad.
Mandi
si:
FYIdadi
tst he21stcent
urynobodynota
si
ngl
esoulnametheirchil
dNomv ul
a,aninf
ant
Nomvul
aisanono, notinthi
sageandtimebhuti
.
Uncl
e/dad:Ir
eal
l
ydon'tcar
ebhut
ishe'
sst
il
l
Nomvulatome,gett
hat!TOME!
weal
llaughatthewaytheyar
ecal
l
ingeachother
"
bhut
i"(br
other
)it
sfi
ll
edwithsomuchsarcasm i
ts
f
unny
.
Mom i
sint
heki
tchencooki
ngdi
nnerLul
amaof
fer
s
t
ohel
ptheywi
l
lleav
eaf
terdi
nner
.
Me:
soSunshi
newhenar
eyougoi
ngbackhome?
Sunshi
ne:
Tomor
row.
Me:
soy
ouwi
l
lsl
eepher
etodayr
ight
?
Sunshi
ne:Yes..
thanky
ouguy
sy oumadeitpossi
ble
forustoescapewhenwehadlosthopeal
most5f ul
l
yearsi
nthatplace.
Kwanele:
what?Youmeany
ouhav
ebeeni
nther
efor
fourl
ongyear
s?
Sunshi
nenods
Kwanel
e:damn!
Theylookateachotherf
orawhil
eandkwanel
e
cl
earshisthr
oatlooki
ngatI
yana.
Whendinneri
sreadywemovetothetabl
eand
Kwanel
eplacedIyanaont
hecouch.
Whil
eweareeati
ngdadcl
ear
shi
sthr
oatweal
lrai
se
ourheadsl
ooki
ngathi
m.
Uncl
e/dad:Uhm Luy
olosoaboutt
heLobol
a,whatdo
yousuggestwedoaboutit
?
Luyol
o:Idon'
tknowdad,
doy
ouhav
esomet
hingi
n
mind?
Uncle/
dad:Zi
yandahowdoy oufeel
aboutaski
ng
Lungaaboutyourbi
ologi
cal
fat
her.
Me:
Iwantnot
hingt
odowi
tht
hatwomandad.
Uncl
e/dad:
butt
hel
obol
ai.
.
Me:nodad.
.r
atherKwanel
enegot
iat
ewi
thy
ouon
Luy
olo'
sbehal
f.
Uncle/
dad:
that
'scr
azyhowdoInegot
iat
elobol
a
wit
hmysonf ormyniece,
doest
hatsoundnormal
toyou?
Me:
Idon'
tknowbutNokl
unga,
no.
Uncle/
dad:Iwill
tal
ktoherforyouandshewillt
ell
mewhoy ourdadisandhecanjustsiti
nonthe
negoti
ati
onsthencrawlbacktowhateverhol
ehe
comesf r
om.
Me:
Butdad,
amani
'
venev
ermetal
lmyl
i
fe?
Uncl
e/dad:Iknowbuti
tsi
mpor
tantt
odot
hingst
he
ri
ghtway.
Me: i
tissaidthatachil
dbor noutofwedl
ock,
that
chi
ldbelongst oamaternalhomesoy ouaremy
fat
herasf arasi'
m concerned.
Kwanel
e:Sheisr
ight,wecanfi
ndpeopl
ewhowi
l
l
tal
konLuyol
o'
sbehalfinst
ead.
Luyolo:Thatwon'tbeapr oblem,Iwi
ll
gobackto
EasternCapeandsear chf orsomerel
ati
vesev
en
thoughtheycouldn'tcar
elessaboutmewhenIlost
myf amily.
Hesay
sinav
erysadt
one,
Ibr
ushhi
sback.
Me:
Itsokay,
youhav
eaf
ami
l
ynowy
ourbabygi
rl
t
her
e.
Luyol
o:andt
hreesmartboys,i
'
m amannowand
youmadeitpossi
blebaby
,i'
m grat
eful
l
.
Mom start
scoughingli
ket
herei
ssomethi
ng
chocki
ngher ,
dadgetsupandcomebackwit
ha
glassofwatershedr
inksi
t.
Me:
Mom ar
eyouokay
?
Shesmi
l
esf
aint
ly.
Mr
sRei
gns:
I'
m okaybaby
.
Shedoesn'tl
ookokaythough,Inoti
cedshelost
weightandhercheekbonesar
ev isi
bleandshe'
sa
bi
tpalebutmay beshewaswor r
iedaboutme,now
i
'm backsheisgoingt
obeok.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Ilov
eyouPi
nkandi
'
m gl
ady
ou'
rehome.
LulamaandDoctorPi
l
layaregonenowbutt hey
promisedt
ocomebyt ocheckonusf rom t
imeto
ti
meandMom andDadt ol
dthem theycancome
anyti
meandtheyappreci
ateever
ythi
ngtheydidfor
me.
Weallgot
oourroomsI y
anaissleepingwi
thme
si
nceshedoesn'
thaveabedy etandSunshi
neis
sl
eepi
ngonthosebunkbeds,
st i
l
lhereinmyroom.
I'
m sti
l
lgett
ingreadyforbedIhearmom anddad
argui
ngmor eli
keshoutingateachotherandI
'
m
shockedi'
veneverheardthem argue.
Iwalkoutoftheroom ,
MandisiandLuyoloare
standingi
nthepassageli
steni
ngwhent heyseeme
theylookatmewi t
hIdon'
tknow, pi
tyl
ook?ifIcan
saythat.
Me:
Whyar
eyout
wol
ooki
ngatmel
i
ket
hat
,you
knowIhat
ethatl
ook?hav
emom anddadbeen
fi
ght
ingwhenIwasaway.
Theyshaket
hei
rheads,theyl
ooksuspi
ci
ousl
i
ke
theyar
ehidi
ngsomethi
ngfrom me.
Mandi
si:
Goodni
ghtZi
yanda.
Hesay
sandqui
ckl
ygot
ohi
sroom.
Luy
olo:
Comeher
e.
Hesaysopeninghi
sar
ms,Iwal
kuptohi
m andhug
hi
m backl
ayingmyheadonhi
schest
.
Luyol
o:Youar
est
rong,
I'
m soproudofy
ouandI
can'
twaitt
omakeyoumywife.
Me:
Ilov
eyouYol
o.
Luy
olo:
Iloveyout
oobaby
,letmegosaygoodni
ght
tomypri
ncess.
Wewal
kin,
heki
ssI
yanagoodni
ght
.
Luy
olo:
Goodni
ght
.
Me:
nightbabe.
Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee

I
nser
t83

It
sbeenamont hsinceIcamebackandt hi
ngsare
j
usttenseher eathome, I
'
m get ti
ngmarriedbutno
oneseem t obehappyabouti t,ever
yonelooksad
anditsrubbingoffonme, Iwashappybutnowi 'm
j
ustsadasev ery
oneIdon'tev enknowwhyt heyare
l
ikethis.IevenwishIcancall offt
heLobola
negoti
ationsthataresupposedt otakeplacethi
s
comingweekendi t
sThursdayt odayandLuy ol
ois
comingbackf rom theEasternCapewi t
ht woofthe
uncl
est hataresomehowr elatedtohim.

It
akeIyanaandwalkoutt
omakeherfor
mul a,
when
i
'm cl
oseIcanhearMandi
siandMom t
alki
ng.
Mandi
si:
Youshoul
dtel
lherMom t
hesoonert
he
bet
ter
..
Mr
sRei
gns:
Ican'
tshe.
.
Assoonast heyseemet
heykeepqui
et,
mom has
tear
sinhereyes.
Me:
Whatisgoi
ngonwit
hyouguy
s,whati
sitt
hat
mom hast
otel
landt
owho?
Mandisil
ookatmr
sRei
gnsandsheshakesherhead
l
ight
ly.
MrsReigns:
Uhm not
hingbaby
,it
sasupr
isei
'
mI.
.I'
m
pl
anningforyou.
Me:Real
l
yanditsmaki
ngy
oucr
yli
ket
his?Mom
whati
sgoingon?
MrsRei
gns:noi
'mjusthappyy
ou'r
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed
babysoi'
m emot
ionalt
hat'
sal
l.
Il
ookatbhut
'Mandi
siandhel
ooksaway
,Igi
vehi
m
Iy
anaandmakeherbottl
e.

Luy
olocal
lstel
li
ngmeIshoul
dcomeout si
dewith
Mandi
sitotakethegr
ocer
yhebought
,I'
m wear
inga
ver
ylongdresssi
ncetheuncl
esarewi
thhi
mint
he
cart
heyarestayi
ngi
nhishouse.

WegetinhiscarandMandi si
andIgreett
heel
der
s,
t
heydon'tl
ookt ooold,oneofthem i
sgivi
ngmea
ver
yuncomfortablestare.
Uncle1:Youl
ookli
kesomeoneIknowbutIcan'
t
real
l
yr ememberwho.
Me:
Oh.
.
Ihav
enot
hingmor
etosay
.
Luy
olo:
Imi
ssedy
ouhowar
etheki
ds.
Me:
Theyar
e..
.
Idon'
tev
enfini
sht
heycomeoutr
unni
ngandt
hey
hughisl
egs.
Theyst
arttal
kingtohim andherepl
iesback,
i don't
knowhowhedoesi t.
.mykidsar
eslowtheyar
et hree
butt
heystrugglealotwi
thsayi
ngthenamesright,
Ntsi
kai
st hewor st
.
Me:
Youruncl
eisf
reaki
ngmeoutwi
thhi
sst
are.
IwhispertoLuy
olo,
hel
ooksatt
heuncl
eand
chuckle.
Luy
olo:He'
spr obabl
ytakenbyyourbeaut
y,andhe
i
sn'
texactl
ymyuncl ebutwasaclosefamilyfr
iend
whenmypar entsweresti
llal
i
ve.
Uncl
e1:
Nokl
unga!
!
It
urnt
olookathi
m.
Uncl
e1:
Youl
ookl
i
keNokl
ungaLukhel
e.
Idon'
tl
ikethatnamesoIj usttaket
heplast
icbags
andwalkinside.It
akeIyanaandhandhertoher
fat
her
..
heal wayshavethat'pr
oud'l
ookwhenhe
l
ooksather, youcantel
lheadoresher
.
Thenhewal ksouttotaketheuncleshomet
orest
andhehast ocookf ort
hem andcomebacksince
heisobsessedwi t
hhisbabygirl
.Hesayshei
s
comingbackt osay"goodnight
".

Westayinthedi
ningroom t
hebabyboy sare
wat
chingcart
oonsandMandi siandIar
ejusthav
ing
smal
ltal
ks,Ihav
en'tbeenseeingmuchof
Bhut'
Kwaneleheseemsoccupi
edwit
hsomething
butsatur
dayhewil
lbeher
esincei
twil
lbehim,dad
andMandi si
whowill
besi
tti
ngint
henegot
iati
ons.
Mom comesi
nshet
akesaseat
.
Me:Inot
icedy
ouhaven'
tbeengoi
ngtowor
kev
er
si
nceIcamebackandwhereismbal
i
.
MrsRei
gns:
Isoldt
hatbui
l
dingandMbal
ii
swor
king
f
orsomeoneelsenow.
Me:
whatbutwhyar
eyoubuy
inganewbui
l
ding.
Mr
sRei
gns:
NoZi
yandaIcan'
twor
kany
mor
e.
Me:whatdoest
hatevenmean?Mom y oulov
eyour
j
obyoulovehel
pingstudent
s,whati
sgoi
ngon?I
f
eelli
keyouguy
sar ehidi
ngsomethi
ngfr
om me,
whatisi
t.
MrsReigns:I
tsnot
hingZiy
andajustt
akei
tasan
ear
lyreti
rement,i
'
mj ustt
ir
ed.
Me:
mom i
fthi
sisaboutme,
i'
m okay
,i'
mfi
ne.
MrsRei
gns:IknowbutIj
ustwantt
obeher eand
Pi
nkpleasegobacktoschool
nextyearok.
Me:
YesIwi
l
lgoback.
Mandisi:
Youmeany ouwil
laskyourhusbandfi
rst
,
ri
ght?Remembersisyouwon'tbemakingsole
deci
sionsfr
om sat
urdayi
twil
lbeyouandy our
husband.
Me:
Lookaty
ougi
vi
ngmemar
ri
ageadv
ices.
Mandisi
:nowyouareputt
ingpr
essureonme
i
maginealit
tl
esi
sterget
ti
ngmar r
iedbef
oreme,
no.
Il
aughathi
m.
Me:
Mom wher
eisdad.
Sheshr
ughershoul
der
s,shedoesn'
tl
ookok.

I
tssatur
daythedayofthenegot
iat
ionSi
sLul
amai
s
her
e,Sunshi
ne,Mbal
i.
Wear einthekit
chenbusypr
epari
ngfoodand
Luyolo'suncleshavear
ri
vedtheyar
ealreadyt
alki
ng
i
nt hedi nni
ngroom.Wecan'theart
hem bacause
theirvoicesarel
owbutsuddenlyaver
ybol dv
oice
tal
kl oudly.
Man1:"
Thati
sridi
culousthi
sgi
rlal
readyhav
ethr
ee
ki
ds,wecan'
tpaythatki
ndofmoney .
Man2:Yestellt
hem ,
youareaski
ngfortoomuch
weshouldjustgopayfort
hatgi
rlwhocamebyhis
houseyest
erday.
Man1:
Yest
hati
swi
femat
eri
alnott
hatski
nnygi
rl
.
Ibr
eat
hinandout
.
Mbal
i
:Youwantmet
osor
tthem outf
ory
ou?
Sunshi
ne:
Doy
ouev
enhav
etoaskl
etsgo.
Shet
akesMbal
i'
shandandt
heyat
temptt
ogot
othe
di
nni
ngroom.
Me:
Whatt
hehel
lyout
wo,
Stopar
eyoucr
azy
!
Mbal
i
:Theymust
n'tt
ryme.
.
Theycont
inuet
alki
ngwecan'
theart
hem agai
n.
Myuncleshout
sformet
ocomet
othem.Iwal
kin
andsi
tdown.
Uncl
e/dad:
Doy
ouknowt
hesepeopl
eZi
yanda?
Il
ookatt
hem t
heyar
est
ari
ngatmewi
thdi
sgust
.
Ms:
Iknowt
hem.
.t
heyar
eLuy
olo'
suncl
es.
Hetel
lsmetoleav
e,I
'm notokI'
mthinkingaboutt
he
womanthatwasatLuyolo'
shouseyesterday
,I'
m
angr
y.
Weserv
etheUncl
esandt
heyl
eav
e,wegosi
tint
he
di
nni
ngroom.
Kwanel
e:Thosepeopl
ear
esor
udey
eer
.
Mandi
si:
Iknowr
ightIwant
edt
ost
rangl
eoneof
t
hem.
Uncl
e/dad:
Especi
all
ytheonewhoi
sli
ghtski
nned.
Theygoonandonaboutt
heruder
emar
kst
heysai
d
aboutmehavi
ngal
otofki
ds.
Lateri
ntheev
eningIbatht
hekidsandt
heygoto
bed,Igotomyroom wit
hIya.
.l
uyol
oent
ersl
ooki
ng
happy.
Luy
olo:
Mybeaut
if
ulwi
fe.
.
Igi
vehi
m av
erycol
d'hey
'.
Luyol
o:arey
ouokaybaby
?It
houghtmay
bewecoul
d
cel
ebrat
ethi
sday.
Me:whoi sthewomanwhowasi nyourhouse
yest
erdayLuyol
o?youruncl
est
hinkshecanmakea
goodwifethanme.
Luy
olo:
whatwomanZi
yanda?
Me:
Don'
tactst
upi
dYol
o,whoi
sshe?I
sitLesedi
?
Luyol
o:babyIhav
en'
tseenLesedi
forav
eryl
ong
ti
me.
Me:
Thenwhoi
sshe?
Het
akesouthi
sphoneanddi
alonhi
sphone.
Luyolo:Uncl
ether
ewasawomani
nmyhouse
yesterday
?
Uncle:
Yes,wefor
gottot
ellyoushesaidhernamei
s
Lesediandshei
syourgi
rl
fr
iend,whywouldyou
chooseachil
doverawomanl i
kethatLuyol
o?
Hecut
sthecal
landl
ookatme.
Luyoli
:Ify
ougetangrywi
thoutaski
ngmefort
he
fact
sthent hi
smarr
iagei
sdoomedbefor
eiteven
star
ts.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry,
Ithoughtshewaswi
thy
ou,
i'
m sor
ry
babe.
Luyol
o:I
tsokaybutnextt
imej
ustask,
cal
mly
Ziy
andaok.
Inodmyheadandbur
ymyf
acei
nhi
schest
.
Luy
olo:
I'
m happyy
ou'
remi
ne.
Me:
andI
'
m happyy
ou'
remi
ne.

Thefoll
owingdayther
eisav eyloudnoiseoutsi
de,I
walkouttoseewhatishappening.Sunshineand
Mbaliareati
t,t
heyarefi
ghti
ngwi thLesediandher
tal
lfr
iendthi
ngsarehect
icouthere.
Me:Mbal
i
,Sunnyy
ouguy
sneedt
ost
opwhaty
ou'
re
doi
ng,
hey!
Ishoutatt
hem.
Luyol
oandMandi
sicomeoutIdi
dn'
tev
enknowt
hey
areher
e.
Mandi
si:
Whati
sal
lthi
snoi
se?
Mbal
i:
babyI'
mt ry
ingtosortoutt
heset
woher
e,
t
heyhavenorespectatal
l
.
Lesedi
:i'
m goi
ngt
oki
l
lyouZi
yanday
ouar
eapi
ece
ofshit
.
Luy
olo:
don'
ttal
ktomywi
fel
i
ket
hat
.
Lesedi
:Youcal
lthi
sawifeshehaskidsLuy
olo,
thr
eekidsandnoneoft
hem isyour
s.
Luyol
o:t
hat
'swhereyou'
rewrongy ouseeal
lthose
ki
ds?Theyaremineall
fourofthem,Shehasgiven
mesomuchmor e.
Lesedi:
Don'tbeafool
,rai
singanotherman'
ski
ds
real
lyLuyol
othati
sjustpathet
ic.
Luyol
o:wellt
hat
'syouropi
nionandIwon'
tar
guebut
Isuggesty
ouleavemywi f
ealone.
Lesedi
:thi
sisn'
tov
erZi
yanda.
Sunshine:
Andwewi l
lkeepbeat
ingy
ourassi
fyou
don'
tleaveZi
yandaal
one.
Lesedi
:whoar
eyoubyt
heway
?
Sunshi
ne:
awomanwhoki
ckedy
ourass,
nowby
e.
Theypul
lthei
rar
mst owardthegat
eandcl
oseit
,
Mandisi
clapshi
shandslaughi
ngaswegetback
i
nsi
de.Aswegeti
nwef i
ndmom ont
hef
loorwer
un
t
ohertry
ingt
ocal
lhername.
Luyolo:
she'
sunconci
ous,Mandi
sigetyourcarkey
s
weneedt orushhert
othehospi
tal
,HeyZiyanda
don'tcr
yshe'sgoi
ngtobefi
neokay.
Mandisi
andLuyolol
eavewi
thher
.Isi
tdown
wonderi
ngwhatiswrongwi
thher
?

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17Zee

I
nser
t84

It
sbeenhour
sandLuy ol
oandMandisiar
enot
answer
ingt
heirphones,
IsendLuy
oloatext
.
Me:>>Ij
ustwantt
oknowhowmom i
sdoi
ngYol
o,
pi
ckupthephoneplease<<
Iwai
tformaybefi
vesecondsandt
rycal
l
inghi
m
agai
nbutst
il
lsamething.
Ical
ldadbuthet
oodoesn'
tpi
ckup.
Me:
Whati
swr
ongwi
tht
hesepeopl
e!
Ical
lMbal
ihopi
ngsheanswer
s.
Mbal
i
:BabyZee
Me:HeySi s,
Mandi
siandLuy
olotookMom tot
he
hospit
alnowi'mt
ryi
ngtocal
lthem t
heyar
enot
pi
ckingup.
Mbal
i
:What
?Whati
swr
ongwi
thher
?
Me:
wef
oundherunconci
ousont
hef
loor
.
Mbal
i
:OhmyGod!
Shedropsthecal
li
mmedi
atel
y,Isi
ghandgocheck
onthekids.

I
tsl
ateIhearthecarpul
l
ingupandt
heycomei
n
l
ooki
ngtir
ed.Ijumpupgoingt
othem.
Me:
ismom okay
?Whatdi
dthedoct
orsay
?
Luy
olo:
Uhm.
.Uuhshe.
.she'
sgoi
ngt
obef
ine.
Hedoesn'
tsoundt
ooconv
inci
ng.
Mandisi
:Theysai
dit
sjustuhm st
resssheneedst
o
r
est,
shewi l
lbefi
ne.
Me:
ThankGodshe'
sgoi
ngt
obef
ine.
Wegotobed,
Luyol
oandIdon'
tshar
eabedasy
et
si
nceI
yai
ssti
lly
oung.Hesl
eepi
nhisroom.
Nextdayabout11:
ooam dadcomesinhel
ooksl
i
ke
amess,li
kehehaven'
tsl
epti
ndays.
Igoandhughi
m.
Me:
dady
ouar
ecomi
ngf
rom t
hehospi
tal
?
Henodsandsi
tdown.Igototheki
tchent
omake
somet
hingt
oeatandputiti
nfr
ontofhim.
Uncl
e/dad:
Thanks.
Me:Howismom,whenar
etheydi
schar
gingher
,I
needhert
ohel
pmepickmyweddingdress.
Luy
olowant
edust
ogetmar
ri
edsoon.
Uncl
e/dad:
Shewi
l
lbef
ine.
Hest
andsupandwal
kaway
.
Me:
whatabouty
ourf
ood?
Uncl
e/dad:
Iwi
l
leatl
ater
.
Somet hi
ngiswronghere,
Ihav
eabadf
eel
i
ng,
all
of
them areact
ingstr
ange.
ThenextdayIaskSunshi
neifshecanlookaft
ert
he
ki
dsforanhourIneedtovi
sitmom, sheagr
ees.
IseeKwanel
e'
scarandSunshi
necomeoutIr
aise
myeyebrow.
Kwanel
e:NoZi
yanda.
Il
augh.
Me:
Idi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ngt
hough.
Kwanel
e:wear
ebabysi
tt
ingt
odaysot
akey
ourt
ime.
Me:IwishIcanbutIyanaistoochoosyshemight
wantbreastmil
kandIdidn'
tpumpany ,somet
imes
shedoesn'twantt
heformula.
Kwanel
e:I
'm goodwi
thKi
dsIpr
act
ical
l
yrai
sedbi
g
headMandi
si.
Me:
okayi'
m wai
ti
ngf
ort
hatbi
gheadt
otakemet
o
t
hehospi
tal
.
AndMandi
sihoot
satt
hegat
e,Ir
unt
ohi
scar
.
Mandi
si:
Heyl
i
ttl
eSi
s.
Me:
Heybr
o.
Hedr
ivest
othehospi
tal
wegot
omom'
swar
d.
Me:
Hey
,youscar
edmemom.
Shesmil
es,Iseewr
inkl
esandsheisst
il
lpal
e,she
l
ooksli
kesheisagi
ngpret
tyfast
.
Mr
sRei
gns:
I'
m sor
rybabybutIwi
l
lbef
ine.
Me:GoodbecauseIneedy
out
ohel
pmepi
ckmy
dr
ess.
Mr
sRei
gns:
ofcause.
.any
thi
ngf
ory
ou.
Isitdownandtr
ytotakeafi
l
eonherbedsidebut
shequickl
ysnat
chitfr
om myhandIgasp,
i'
m
stunnedbyherr
eacti
on.
MrsRei
gns:Youhav
enobusi
nessl
ooki
ngatmyf
il
e
Pi
nk, y
ou'
renotadoct
or.
Oucht
hathur
ts.
Me:
Oh.
.uhm I
..I
'
m sor
ry.
.
MrsReigns:I
'
m sor
ryt
hatwashar
shIshoul
dn'
thav
e
donethat.
.
Inod.
Me:
Itsokay,
whenar
eyouget
ti
ngoutofher
e.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Tomor
rowy
ourdadwi
l
lfet
chme.
Inod.
Me:
Mandi
sil
etsgohome.
It
urn,
butshehol
dsmyhand.
MrsRei
gns:IcanseewhatIsai
dhur
tyoui
'
mreal
l
y
sor
rybabyIloveyouokay
.
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
WegobackhomeandIt
akeI
yaf
rom Sunshi
ne.
Me:
Sowhat
'
sgoi
ngonbet
weeny
ouguy
s?
Sunshi
ne:
why
?Ar
eyoususpect
ingsomet
hing?
Me:youmakeitt
ooobvi
ous,butbhutKwanel
edon'
t
yout
hinkshe'
sabity
oung.
Kwanel
e:ageisj
ustanumbersis,l
oveknowsno
ageandshe'
smaturedenoughandthati
sall
Ineed
i
nawoman.
Me:yeahri
ghtmat
ured,justy
ester
dayshewas
beat
ingthecr
apoutofLesediandherf
ri
end.
Sushi
ne:
Iwasdoi
ngi
tfort
hesi
steri
nlawbat
hong.
Il
augh.
Me:
yeahr
ight
.
Kwanel e:someci rcumst ancesf orcey out ot oughen
upandgr owup, somepeopl ear eol dbyagebutt hey
actli
ket eenagersandy ougetpeopl elikey ouwho
wentt hroughsit
uat i
onst hatforcedy out omat ur e
andseel i
feforwhati tisandnotwhaty ouwoul dli
ke
i
ttobe. .youhearme, takeLesedi forinstanceshei s
wayol derthanyoubutsheact sy ourageandv ice
versa,doy ouknowwhy ?.circumst ancesZi yanda,
shedoesn' tknowl if
el i
key oudo. .
shecan' twal ka
mileiny ourshoesbecauseev erythingwasgi vent o
her,shet hi
nksshehasi tal landt hatisdanger ous
becausesheendupwant ingal l
goodt hingsf or
herselfifnotshetakedr ast i
cdeci sionst hatmi ght
hur
theroneday
.
I'
m amazedmymout
hiswi
deopenIdi
dn'
tknowhe
cantal
kli
kethi
s.
Kwanel
e:Cl
osey
ourmout
hyouwi
l
leataf
ly.
Me:
Youshoul
dbeamot
ivat
ional
speakerbr
o.
Sunshi
ne:
yout
ookwor
dsoutofmymout
hZi
i
.
Kwanel
e:May
beIshoul
d.
Luyol
ocomesinandt
akeI
yaf
rom meandgi
veher
toSunshi
ne.
Luy
olo:
Getup.
Me:
whatf
or?
Luy
olo:
Ziy
andaj
ustgetup.
Islowlygetup,
het
akesof
fmyj
acketi
'
mlef
twi
tha
tanktop.
Kwanel
e:asmuchasIwat
chpor
nbutIdon'
twantt
o
seemyli
ttl
esi
sdoi
ngit
,Nop.
Luyol
ochuckl
esandlif
tmyv estupandlookatt
he
bi
rt
hmarkjustundermylef
tbreasti
tsnottoobi
gbut
i
tsnot
iceabl
e.
Me:
Uhm t
hisi
sawkwar
d.
Isaychuckl
i
ngner
vousl
yIdon'
tknowwhati
sthi
sal
l
about
.
Luyol
o:Isawt
hisonsomeonet
odaysameshapeon
thesamespot
.
Me:
whocant
hatbe?
Luy
olo:
Theuncl
ewhocamet
opayl
obol
athatday
.
Ipul
ldownmyv
est
.
Me:
oh,
butpeopl
ehav
ebi
rt
hmar
ksYol
o.
Luy
olo:
Iknowbutt
heydon'
tl
ookexact
lyt
hesame.
Kwanel
e:whatar
eyout
ryj
ngt
osaybr
o.
Luyolo:Thatdayshewasstar
ingatZi
yandat
henhe
blur
tedouthermot her
'snamenowthi
s,Ibel
iev
e
theyarerelat
edsomehow.
Me:
No.
.
Luyol
o: babyt
hatmanisli
ghtskinnedli
keyounow
thebi
rthmarkontheexactspotasy our
s.
Me:okayf
inel
etsdr
opi ti
'
m happyl
i
ket
hisIdon'
t
needanymorer
elat
ivesokay
.
Luy
olo:
Uhm.
.Okay
.
Hesayslooki
ngatKwanel
eandhej
ustshr
ughi
s
shoul
der

♥
Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee

I
nser
t85

Wear egatheredinthedinni
ngt ableeating,Mom
camebacky esterdayfrom t
hehospi tal
, everyonei
s
focusi
ngont heirpl
ates.Dadisn'treal
lyeat i
ngbut
j
uststari
nginonedi recti
onnotev enblinking.
I'
m worr
iedabouthim,heisnothimselfl
ooksl
ike
somethi
ngiseati
nghim upbitbybit,
heiseven
l
osingweight
,Ihaven'
tseenhim smil
ingever
sinceI
hear
dthem ar
gui
ng.
Me:
Uhm ar
eyouguy
sget
ti
ngadi
vor
ce?
Theyl
ookatmeandIst
areatdad.
Uncl
e/dad:
whywoul
dyouaskt
hat
?
Me: Icansesthi
ngsaredi
ff
erentbet
weenyoutwo,
youar ehi
dingsomethi
ngf
rom me,all
ofyouandI
don'
tliket
hat,sotel
lmenowar eyouguy
sbreaki
ng
up?dad?
Hel
ooksatmom andMom l
ooksdown.
Uncl
e/dad:
we'
ref
ineZi
yanda.
Me:Dadi'
m notafoolIcanseesomet hingi sgoi
ng
onbetweenyouguysandal l
ofy oui
nthist abl
e
knowswhatiti
sbutyoudon' twanttotellme,a
famil
ydoesn'
tkeepsecret
sfrom eachot her.
Theyal
lst
ayi
nsi
l
ence.
Me:Finet
heni
fyouwantt
hingst
obel
i
ket
his,
its
okay
.
Igetupf
rom t
hechai
r.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Sweet
ypl
easedo.
.
Me: Noitsf
ineyoudon'
thavetotel
lmeanythi
ngif
youdon'twantt
o,Ij
ustthoughtIwasoneofyoubut
clear
lyi
'
m not.
Iwal
kawayandsl
eeponmybedwi
thI
yanextt
ome.
AdooropensandLuy
ologet
sin,
Isi
tupl
ooki
ngat
hi
m.
Me:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Luyol
o:l
ookbabyj
ustgi
vet
hem t
imet
heywi
l
ltel
l
youwhatisgoi
ngon.
Me:Sother
eissomet
hinggoi
ngon?Whati
sitYol
o
j
ustpl
easetel
lme.
Luy
olo:
Itsr
eal
l
ynotmypl
acet
otel
lyouany
thi
ng.
Me:
Cool
.
It
akeof
fmycl
othesandgetundert
hecov
ers.
Luy
olo:
Baby
,pl
easedon'
tbemadatme.
Ii
gnor
ehi
m,Ihearhi
m si
ghandhewal
ksout
.

I
nthemor
ningIbat
hIy
aandmy
sel
fthenIgot
othe
boysr
oom t
heyar
ewithLuyol
o,theyar
eal
ready
cl
ean,
weallgot
oeatbreakf
ast.
I
nthemiddl
eofourbreakf
astIseebloodf
lowing
f
rom Mom'snose,
andIdon'tt
hinkshecanfeeli
t.
Me:
Mom y
ournose.
Shet
ouchitandl
ookatherhand,
shenot
icei
ts
bl
oodshegetsupbutsi
tdownfast,
Dadgotoher
.
Uncl
e/dad:
youar
egoi
ngt
obef
ine.
I
'
mlooki
ngatt
hem t
hewhol
eti
me.
Me:
Doy
ouhav
eCancer
?
Theyal
ll
ookatmewi
tht
hei
rey
espoppedout
.
Me:
Youhav
eCancer
?
Shesl
owl
ynods.
Me:No.
.Mom whywoul
dy ouwantt
okeep
somet
hingl
i
kethi
sfrom me.
MrsReigns:
Ididn'
twantt
oupsetyouZi
yandayou
hadjustcamebackfrom t
hatawf
ulpl
ace,Idi
dn'
t
wanttohurtyou.
Me:
Whenwer
eyoupl
anni
ngont
ell
i
ngmet
hen?
MrsReigns:Afteryourwedding,
youwer
ehappy
Ziy
andaf orthefir
stti
meinal ongti
meIdi
dn'
twant
torui
nt hat
,i'
m sorrybaby.
Me:
Howbadi
sit
?
Mr
sRei
gns:
Wear
est
il
lwai
ti
ngf
ort
her
esul
ts.
Inodandwi
pet
het
ear
sthathasl
eftmyey
es.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Don'
tcr
y,i
'
m goi
ngt
ofi
ghtt
hisokay
.
Me:I
'
m notmeanttobehappyever
yti
meIgeta
gl
i
mpseofhappinesssomet
hingbadcomeup.
Theyalll
ookatmeinpit
y.Igetupandwal
koutof
thehouseandLuy
olofol
lowme.
Luy
olo:Comel et
stakeawal
kar
oundt
his
nei
ghbourhood.
Hesaysstr
etchi
nghi
shandtomeandIholdi
t.We
wal
kinsil
enceandsuddenl
yhest
opsIt
urntohi
m.
Luy
olo:Il
oveyouandIwi
l
lspendt
her
estofmyl
i
fe
makingyouhappy
.
Me:
Butwhati
fIl
oseherLuy
olo,
whati
fshedi
es
howwi
l
lIsur
viv
ethat
.
Luy
olo:
Shewon'
tdi
e,shewi
l
lpul
lthr
oughj
ust
bel
i
eve.
Inodashewi
pesof
fmyt
ear
sandwecar
ryon
walki
ng.
Luyolo:Weneedtorer
egi
stery
outot
heUni
versi
ty
againfornexty
earandfi
ndanannyf
orI
yaandthe
boys.
Me:Ihopewewil
lfi
ndsomeoneasgoodasSi
sYol
i
wastotheki
ds.
Luyolo:
Iwi l
lmakesurewefindtheri
ghtoneorwe
wil
laskMr sRei
gnst ofi
ndoneforusifshecan,
may bethatwil
ltakehermi
ndof fwhatshe'
sgoi
ng
thr
ough.
Me:
Andshewi
l
lhel
pmef
indmyweddi
ngdr
ess.
Luy
olo:Goodbecausebytheendoft
hismont
hI
wantyoutobeMr sMzozo.
Me:
What
!butt
hat
'
sli
ket
hreeweeksawayLuy
olo.
Luyolo:
Iknowsoyouhavet
omov eitbaby,i'
m
readyIcanevenmar
ryyour
ighthere,ri
ghtnow.
Me:
Ilov
eyouYol
o
Luy
olo:
Ilov
eyout
oobabe.
Wegobackhomeandwef
inddadsi
tt
ingwi
thI
yai
n
hi
sar
ms.
Me:
Mkhul
u!(
Grandpa)
.
Hesmi
l
esal
i
ttl
e.
Me:Youknowdadyoudolookl
i
key
oursi
ster
Nokl
ungawhenyousmil
e.
Uncl
e/dad:
youwantt
otel
lmeIl
ookl
i
key
ou?
Me:
am INokl
unga?
Hechuckl
es.
Uncl
e/dad:Weal
ldolookal
ikeev
ent
hatbi
ghead
Mandisibuti
'
m handsome.
Mandi
si:
whyisev
ery
onesay
ingi
'
m bi
ghead,
isi
t
r
eal
lyt
hatbi
g?
Weal
lshoutYESidi
dn'tseet
hem comi
ngi
nit
s
Mbal
i
,SunnyandKwanele.
Mandi
si:
Ya'
l
lar
esor
udemaar
n,Idon'
tl
ikeanyof
y
ouany
way
.
Il
eavethem t
hereandgotomom'sroom andsl
eep
nextt
oher,sheopensherey
esandsmil
es.
Mr
sRei
gns:
Hey
.
Me:
Hi.
MrsRei
gns:Mom i
sgoingtobeokdon'twor
ry
your
sel
f,suchast
rongli
tt
legi
rly
ouare.
Me:
buti
'
m notl
i
ttl
e,i
'
m aboutt
obesomeone'
swi
fe.
MrsRei
gns:AlwaysbehappyZiyanda,don'
thold
gr
udges,letgoandmov eon.
.Iwil
lalwayslov
ey ou.
Me:
whyar
eyout
alki
ngl
i
key
ou'
redy
ing.
Isaychuckl
ingbutshedoesn'
trespondIl
ookather
,
hereyesareclosed.
Me:
Youcan'
tj
ustsl
eepl
i
ket
hatwewer
est
il
ltal
ki
ng.
shedoesn'
tsayany
thi
ngIshakeheral
i
ttl
e..
butst
il
l
not
hing.
Igetupfr
om thebedandpulluphercover
smaking
sureshe'
sfeel
ingwar
mt henl
eavetheroom qui
etl
y
makingsureIdon'
twakeherup.
♥
Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee

I
nser
t86

If
indever
yoneengagi
ngi
naconv
ersat
ion,
Theyar
e
l
aughi
nghereandther
e.
Uncl
e/dad:
Howi
syourMot
her
?
Me:She'
sok,canyoubel
i
eveshej
ustf
ell
asl
eep
whi
l
ewewer esti
ll
tal
ki
ng.
Isaylaughingbutdadswi
ftl
yget
supandgi
veIyat
o
Kwanelewhoi snexttohi
m andr
usht
othei
rroom,
theyallst
areatme.
Me:Idon'
tl
ikebei
ngst
aredat
,itcr
eepsmeouty
ou
knowthi
s.
Weheardadscr
eami
ngf
orMom t
owakeup,
weal
l
l
ookateachotherandi'
mthefi
rsttoj
umpupand
r
untothei
rroom other
saref
oll
owingbehi
ndme.
Dadissitt
inginbedwithmom'sheadonhi slap,
the
tear
sar emakingthei
rwayoutofhi
sey es,i
'
m
confusedIhearMandisisay
ing'
No'behindme.
Me:Dadwhyar ey ouwakingherup,
sheneedsto
r
estItol
dy oushej ustf
ell
asl
eepwhenwewer e
t
alki
ng,sheisti
red.
Uncl
e/dad:
she'
sgone.
Me:Qui
tjokingdad,
she'
srightt
her
einbedwi
thy
ou,
whati
swr ongwithyout
hesedays?
IfeelMandisi
'
shandonmyshoulder,It
urntolook
athim,i
'm welcomedbyf
ourpai
rsofeyesthatare
fi
ll
edwithtears.
Me:
Youguy
sar
ewei
rd.
Mandisi
putshi
sarmsonmyshoul
der
sandl
ook
st
rai
ghtinmyeyes.
Mandi
si:
Mom i
sgonePi
nk.
Me:
Don'
tber
idi
cul
ousshei
sri
ghtt
her
ewi
thdad.
Heshakesmer
oughl
y.
Mandi
si:
Shei
sdeadok,
mom i
sdeadZi
yanda.
Ist
areathi
m.
Me:I
tsonethi
ngthatyouguyswerehi
dingthat
mom i
ssickbuttosaysheisdeadi
snotrightok,
I
won'
tal
lowitatal
l,
stopit
.
Heshakesmeagain,
Ipushhi
m outoft
hewayand
wal
kawayfrom t
hem.
Itakeashowerandsi
tonthebed,Il
ookatmy
handsadmiri
ngther
ingsonthem,Ist
il
lhavetotal
k
tomom weneedt ofi
ndthatweddi
ngdresssoon.
Icanhearacarout
sidet
henpeopl
emov
ingi
nthe
passage.
Iopenthedoorwideandlookatthesepeopl
ethey
haveastret
cherandthereisabodyther
eits
cover
edanddadi sfol
lowingthem.
Me:
Dadwhoi
sthat
?
Hest
opsandl
ookatme
Uncl
e/dad:
yourmom i
sgoneZi
yanda,
shei
snot
comi
ngback,
shei
sdead.
Hesaysthelastpar
tinawhisper,
Idon'
tunder
stand
whytheyl
ieaboutsomethi
nglikethi
s.
Me:
Dady ouneedt
ostopsay
ingt
hat
,it
snotr
ight
,
mom i
sjustsl
eepi
ng.
Hewi peshi
sfaceandwalkaway,
Igotothel
ounge
theyareal
ll
ookingmiser
abl
e,Mbali
isl
ayi
ngher
headonMandi si
'sl
ap.
Isi
tnextt
oLuy
olo.
Me:
IsI
yaandt
heboy
ssl
eepi
ng?
Henodsandl
ookatme.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
anday
ou.
.
Me: I
fyougonnasayMom i sdeadonemoreti
me
Luyol
oi'm cal
l
ingoffthedamnwedding,
whatthe
fuckiswrongwithall
ofyoudamn.
Isayget
ti
ngupheadi
ngt
otheki
tchent
odr
inkwat
er.
Kwanel
ecomesinandtakemyhandl
eadi
ngmet
o
thel
oungeandwesi
tdown.
Kwanel
e:Youneedt
osnapoutofi
tZi
yandaand
acceptt
hatMom i
sgoneokshei
sdead.
Me:
Shei
sdead?
Isayi
nal
owt
one.
Kwanel
e:Shei
sdeadSi
s.
Ishakemyhead.
Me:Nosheisjustr
est
ingok,
Iknowshei
sti
redshe
needst
orest
.
Ifeelaver
yhotslapl
andi
ngonmycheek,
Ibr
ushmy
cheek,i
'
mi nshock.
Me:
Bhut
'Kwanel
e.
Kwanel
e:Stopbeingindeni
ali
twil
lleadyoui
navery
dar
kplace,
y ouhavekidsZi
yandatheyneedyou.
Igetupandwal
ktomom'
sroom butt
hebedi
s
empty.
Me:
Mom.
.
Itaket
hebedcov
erandt
hrowi
tont
hef
loor
.Iwal
k
out.
Me:
Iwantt
oseeher
..
Kwanel
e:Shei
snother
e.
Me:
Iknowt
hatbutIwantt
oseeherbhut
'
Kwanel
e.
Kwanel
e:y
ouwi
l
lseehert
omor
rowokcomeher
e.
Hehugmeandpi
ckmeupgoi
ngt
omyr
oom andl
ay
meonmybed.
Kwanel
e:Sl
eepnowlit
tleSi
sdon'
twor
ryaboutt
he
ki
dswewi l
ll
ookaf
terthem.
Inodcl
osingmyey es,
Iknowmymom i sal
i
vet
hat
s
whyi'
m notcr
ying,
shewillcomeback.
Iwakeupt henextmor
ningIl
ookovermysideI
yai
s
nothere,
Ishowerandwearmytracksui
tsi
ts
dri
zzl
ingoutsi
de.
Igot othel
oungeIfindever
yonethereincl
udi
ng
SisLulamaandSisSphokazi
,
SisYol
i'
ssister
.
I
'
m happyt
oseet
hem.
Me:Mor
ningwow,youcametov
isi
tus,
thanky
ou,
I
mi
ssedyouguyssomuch..
Isayhuggi
ngt
hem.Theyl
ookateachot
her
.
Me:
Uhm i
sMom st
il
li
nherr
oom,
hav
eyouseenher
t
hismor
ning?
Kwanel
e:Zi
y.
.
Me:Nobhut'
Kwanel
eIknowwhaty ouwantt
osay
,
i
tsnottr
ueMom isokshesaidsheisgoi
ngt
obe
f
ine,doyourememberthat
?yeah?
Luy
olobowshisheaddown,
hehasn'
tsai
dawor
dto
mesinceyest
erday
.
Isi
tdownanddadcomesi
nandIcant
ell
hei
sdr
unk.
Kwanel
e,Mandi
siandLuy
olol
ookateachot
her
.
Kwanel
e:No.
.
SisLul
ama: Lukhel
et hati
snotthewaytodothi
ngs,
yourchil
drenneedy ou,youhav
et obethei
rpi
ll
arina
ti
mel i
kethis,i
fyoufallapar
tevery
thi
ngwil
lcol
lapse.
Uncl
e/dad:Shehidthatshewassi
cksowhywoul
dI
dothi
ngstherightwayhuh?
Kwanele:Youdidthi
swi t
hourmot herdad, we
mournedherdeathandweal mostl osty outoo,don'
t
doitagai
nLukhelesiyakcel
ababa(pl easedad) ,
Zi
yandaneedsy ou,y
oucanseeshei si ndenial
she
i
scarryi
ngonlikenothinghappened,shebel iev
es
mom i
sal
i
ve.
Me:whyareyoutal
ki
ngaboutmeasifi
'm nother
e,
Mom i
saliv
eshedidtellmeshewi
l
lfi
ghtthi
sand
shewi
llbeok,y
ouallheardher
.
Si
sMbal
i
:Dad.
.
Shebr
eaksi
ntoasob.
Dadl
ooksatmeandwal
ksaway
.
Si
sLul
amacomesandsi
tnextt
ome.
Lul
ama:
Sisi
doy
ouunder
standwhati
sgoi
ngon?
Inodmyhead.
Me:Theyar
esayi
ngMom isgoneandIdon'
twanna
bel
i
evethat
,shet
oldmeshewill
beok.
Lul
ama:Butshewasinpai
nZee,shecouldn'
tfi
ghti
t
nowsheisrest
ingi
npeaceshedoesn'
tfeelanypai
n
any
more.
Me:
Shepromisedme!Shesai
dwear
egoi
ngt
olook
f
ormyweddinggowntoget
her
.
Lul
ama:Iknow,shewant
edtodoal
lthoset
hings
wit
hyoubutitwashert
ime.
Me:
Soshei
sreal
l
ygoneSi
sLul
ama?
Lul
ama:
Shei
sgonesi
si.
Ifeeltearsbur ningmyey es, t
hereisal umpi nmy
throat,t
hehear tbeatingsof ast,i
tspai nfulIcanf eel
mywhol ebodyheat ingupi '
m sweat ingpr ofusely,I
canl i
terall
yfeel thesweatr unningdownmyback.I
hearv oicesbutt heysoundv eryfar.Iletoutav er
y
l
oudsob, Icry,ithurtssobad. .Iam al ivi
ngcur se
wher everIgosomet hi ngbadhappenst othepeopl e
Ilove..
thisisdej avuithappenedbef ore,Iwasy oung
backt henbutIr ememberbackathomewheni twas
funeralafterfuner al
.
Me:
NO!
Iscr
eam sol
oud.
Iwakeup,
itsmorni
ngal
readyIdon'
tknowwhot
ook
metobedlastni
ght
.
Kwanel
ecomesi
nwi
thI
yanaandt
heysi
tnextt
ome
i
nbed.
Kwanel
e:Shemissesy
ouandshedoesn'
twanta
bot
tl
eanymore.
Inodsi
tt
ingupandtakeher
,shei
mmediat
elysuck
onmysmallboobl
ikeherl
if
edependsoni
t.
Kwanel
e:Wear
egoi
ngt
obef
inesi
s.
Me:
Idon'
tthi
nkso.
Kwanel
e:Bel
i
evemewewi
l
lheal
.
Maybetheywil
lbutIdon'
tseemy sel
fhealing,how
doesonehealf
rom thi
skindofpain,
losingaper son
whogaveyouwhaty ouhavealwayslongedf orall
yourl
i
fe,wher
ewi l
lIfi
ndthej
oyofhav i
ngamot her
now.
Ifeel
Kwanel
e'
shandwipi
ngmytear
s,het
akesI
ya
fr
om meandlayheri
nbednextt
ome.
Kwanel
e:Wear
eher
efory
ou.
.

♥
Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee
I
nser
t87

I
t sthedaybef
orethefuneral,Icanhearpeople
talki
ngandmov i
ngaroundt hehouse.I'
ml ooki
ng
outt hewi
ndowtheweat herisbad,it
sraini
ng.
Wehav eaf uneralservi
celatertoday ,I'
m sti
l
lfi
nding
i
tabi thar
dt obelievethatshei sgone, thepastdays
byf ourO'clockIwoul dfi
ndmy sel
fst andingatthe
verandahopi ngshewi l
ldri
veinf r
om wor kandIwill
runt ocarryherlaptopbagf orher, sheal l
owedmet o
actlikeachi l
dar oundher,shel ovedt hat.

Ihaven'
tseendad,Luyol
oorMandisi
,onlyKwanele,
MbaliandSunnycomesi nmyroom becausethi
sis
whereIspendmostofmyt ime,t
heybringtheki
ds
tomeandf ood,Ij
ustdon'
twanttogetoutofthi
s
room.
Thedooropensandsi
sNol
icomesi
n.
SisNol
i
: Heytheyt
oldmeIwi
l
lfi
ndy
ouher
e,howar
e
youholdingup.
Me:
Idon'
tknow.
Si
sNol
i:Theowil
lbeatt
endi
ngt
hef
uner
al,
het
ooka
fl
i
ghty
esterdaymorni
ng.
Me:
Thanks.
Si
sNol
i
:Best
rongok.
.
Shet
ouchmyshoul
derandwal
kout
.
Icont
inuel
ooki
ngout
side.
Sunshi
ne:HeyZeet
heyar
easki
ngf
ory
oui
nthe
l
ivi
ngroom.
WhenIent
erIheardadgoi
ngbackandf
ort
hwi
tha
whi
teol
dman.
Oldman:Shewassti
ll
ourdaught
eri
n-l
awshewas
sti
ll
usingoursur
namether
efor
ewemustburyher
,
notyou.
Uncl
e/dad:I
'dbedamned,
thatwon'thappenshe
wasmar r
iedtomeandIwil
lburyher,shewasmy
wif
e.
Theygoonaboutwhoshoul
dburymom, butawhit
e
youngmancl
eareshi
sthr
oatthehousewentqui
et.
Man: MyNamei sZackMi l
l
erIam Fel
ici
aReigns
Lukhele'
sLawyer
,Iwil
lreadalet
terfr
om hertocl
ear
theconfusi
on.
Oldman:Ist
hatawi
llsoIcanaskmyfamil
ymember
tobearoundwhenr
eadingitshewasoneofust
he
Reigns.
Man: I
tsnotawillbutar equest,awill
,wil
lberead
aft
erthefuner
al(heopenst helet
terandclearhi
s
thr
oatonceagain).It
sshor tandv er
ysimpleandI
quote"Shoul
dIdie,IwantmyHusband( Bongani
Lukhel
e)andmydaught er(ZiyandaLukhele)t
obe
theonestoburymet hei
rwaybecauseImaybe
whit
ebutImar r
iedaZul ulovi
ngman, somy
husbanddoityourway "
Iseedadchuckl
i
ngwi
thasmi
l
eonhi
sface.
Uncl
e/dad:
That'
smywif
eal
ri
ght,sool
dmancase
cl
osedIwil
lbur
yhert
hewayIseefi
t.
Ol
dman:
Unbel
i
evabl
eut
ter
lyunbel
i
evabl
e.
Kwanel
e:Bet
terbel
i
evei
t.
.
Icont
inuet
osi
tar
ound,
ther
ear
eal
otofunf
ami
l
iar
facesheresomesay stheywer emom' scoll
egues
beforesheopenedherprivatepracti
ce,someare
mut ualf
ri
endsthehousei sbuzzing,
IseeBandile
enteri
ngwithsomegirl,theygreetandcomet osit
nexttomewi ththegi
rlhei swit
h.
Bandi
l
e:Heysi
s.
Me:
Higuy
s.
Bandil
e:I'
m sorryf
oryourloss,
Iknowt
hepainyou
ar
egoi ngthroughit
ssti
llf
reshi
nmyheartbuty
ou
j
ustlearntoliv
ewithit
.
Me:
Thanky
ousomuch.
Sheint r
oducehi sgir
lfr
iendRefi
loe,beaut
if
ulgir
l.I
smileatherthenexcusemy selfgoingbacktomy
room.If i
ndLuy olotherehol
dingI y
a.Wehav en'
t
beent al
kingandIt hinkheistakingthi
shard
becausemay beitremindshim ofhisownf amil
y's
passing,Idon'tknowwedon' ttalk.
Me:
HiLuy
olo.
Luy
olo:
Heybabe.
Hesay
spl
aci
ngI
yadownandat
temptt
oleav
ethe
r
oom.
Me:
Whyar
eyouav
oidi
ngme?
Luyol
o:I'
m not
,i'
m gi
vi
ngy
ouspacesoy
oucan
gri
eve.
Me:
Butwhati
fIwant
edt
odoi
twi
thy
ouar
ound?
Luy
olo:
Its.
.I
..
Me:
Itsf
iney
oucango.
Isayandsl
eepnextt
oIy
a.
Iwakeupwheni tsti
mef ortheserviceIfixmy sel
f
andt akeIyatherearepeopl ecookinginsidethereis
atentjustout si
deinoury ardwheret heser vi
cewill
takeplace,SisSphokazioffertotakeIyaandIgot he
tent,i
tsabeaut i
fulserv
icepeoplear etalkingabout
Mr sReigns.
Aftert
heserv
icepeopl
egobackt othehouse,some
wentbacktothei
rhome, Iwal
koutofthetentIsee
Theostandi
ngatthegateIruntohi
m andcryinhis
armsforagoodfiveminutesorso.
Theo:
Itsok,
i'
m her
enow.
OnceI
'
m cal
m Il
ookupathi
m smi
l
ing.
Me:
Thanky
ouf
orcomi
ng.
Theo:
Any
thi
ngf
ory
ouYandah,
Ist
il
lcar
eabouty
ou.
Ihearsomeonecleari
ngthethroatbehi
ndme, I
mov eawayfr
om Theot hent
urn, IseeLuy
olo
standi
ngther
elookingatusthenhet ur
nsandwalk
backinsi
de.
It
urnt
oTheo.
Me:
arey
oucomi
ngi
nyourMom i
sher
e.
Theo:
NoIjustcamet
oseey
ou,
I'
ll
seey
ouagai
n
tomor
row.
Me:
Thanky
ouagai
nforcomi
ng,
Iapr
eci
atei
t.
Iwal
kbacki
nandgost
rai
ghtt
omyr
oom.
If
indLuy
olosi
tt
ingi
nmybedl
ooki
ngdown.
Luyol
o:I
'm sorryfornotbeingthereforyouwhen
youneedme, seeingyoucr yl
ikethatinanother
man'sshouldermademer eali
zethatIhaven'tgi
ven
youmine,t
hingi sti
mesl i
kethisremindsmeof
whenIburiedmymom, dadandmysi st
eral
l i
nthe
sameday
.
Me:Iunder
standt
hismustbehardfory
outoo,
but
knowIwanttobether
eforyoutoo,
Ilov
eyou.
Wehugeachot
hersot
ight
.
Luyolo:Idon'
twantt
olosey
ouki
dnott
ohi
m pl
ease
don'thurtme.
Me:
Iwon'
tYol
oyouar
etheonl
ymanf
orme.
Isl
eepi
nbedandhecov
ermeupandki
ssmycheek.
Luy
olo:
Ilov
eyou.
Thedayoft
hef
uner
alwegoi
nthet
entf
orherl
ast
ser
vice.
Theyhavealreadyst ar
tedtheserv
iceIwal kinand
si
tont hefr
ont.Wheni tsmyt ur
ntogosaymy
goodbyestoher ,Idon'
tthi
nkIcandoi t,Ifeelgl
ued
onmyseat ,Luyolohelpmest andupandIgost and
i
nfrontofeveryone,mykneesar eshaking.Ican'
t
bel
ievei'
m heretosaygoodby etomymom, the
womanwhot ookmei nwhenIhadnot hingbutmy
ki
ds.
Me:
I..
.
Thel
umpi nmyt
hroatdoesn'
twantt
ogoaway
nomat
terhowmuchItrytoswal
low.
Me:
I..
can'
tbel
i
eveshei
sreal
l
ygone.
.she.
.
Idon'
tfi
nishIf
all
onmykneesandscream sohar
d
thepai
nistoomuchforme.Luy
olokneeli
nfr
ontof
me.
Luy
olo:Youneedt
odot
hisok,
getupandt
alkt
oher
,
i
twil
lhelp,
comeon.
Hehel
psmeup.
Me: Howcany ouleavemel i
ket
hismom?Howcan
youdot hi
st ome, youknowIsti
llneededyou,you
sai
di '
my ourlit
tl
egirl
,whydidyouleavemet hen
becauseev eryli
tt
legir
lneedsamot her
,howcan...
Isobagain,theystar
tasongmaybetohel
pmecalm
downbutt hemor etheysi
ngt
hesesadsongsi
sthe
moreIfeel t
hepaininmyheart
.
Theyst
opsi
ngi
ng.
Me:Heavensjustgai
nedanot
herangel
inyou,
You
l
eftme,Us..
yousaidIshoul
dn'
tholdgr
udges,
thatI
shoul
dbehappybuty oudi
dn'
ttel
lmehowwi t
hout
you.I
'
m angr ythatyoudidn'
ttel
lmey ouweresi
cki
n
t
imemay be,j
ustmay bethepainwouldbelesst
han
whati'
mf eeli
ngr i
ghtnow,RestinpeaceMama
waZiyandaIwillalwayscher
ishtheyearsi
'
veknown
you,t
hanky ouforgivi
ngmel ove.
Il
ookatherpi
ctur
eandt
ear
srol
ldownmycheeks
more.
Dadcouldn'
tt al
khestoodther
eandlookedatthe
beaut
if
ulpictureofhi
swifeandshookhisheadand
wenttositdown.
Att
hecemetery,
wewat
chast
hecof
fi
ngoesdown
onhergr
ave.
Igoonmyknees,
Kwanel
eishol
dingme.
Me:
PleaseGodjustbri
ngherback,pl
easedon'
thur
t
meli
kethi
s,Iwi
l
l doanythi
ng.
.pl
ease.
.
Kwanel
e:Zi
yandapl
easeSi
sst
op.
.
Icanhearsni
ff
ing.
.
Me:
whatdi
dIdowr
ong?
Kwanel
e:I
twi
l
lbeokay
.
Thepeopl
estart
sthr
owingthesoi
li
nthegrav
e,I
feel
li
kei'
m bei
ngbur
iedint
herewit
hher.
Kwanel
epullmeup, Il
ookatdadheisjustsit
ti
ng
ther
eonthegroundstari
ngatthegr
ave,Iruntohi
m
andputmyarmsar oundhim.
Me:
Shel
eftusdad,
howcanshel
eav
eus.
Hewr
apshi
sar
msar
oundmeandsob.
Wegobackhome, peoplear
eeati
ngil
ookformy
ki
dsIfindthet
winscr
yingandI
yanai
swith
Sphokazi
Myeyescan'
tl
ocat
eLanga,
Ilookev
ery
wher
ebutI
can'
tfi
ndhi
m.
Me:
SisLul
amawher
eisLanga?
Lul
ama:
Hewaswi
tht
het
winsi
nthev
eranda.
Me:
Hei
snotwi
tht
hem andt
heyar
ecr
yingout
side.
Ir
unbackt
othem.
Me:
Ntsi
kawher
eisLanga?
Hepoi
ntsatt
hegat
e..
Ir
unt
othegat
ebutIdon'
tseehi
m.
Iscr
eam f
orKwanel
e,t
heyal
lcomet
omer
unni
ng.
Me:Ican'tf
indLangaanywhere,
Lulamasai dhewas
wit
hNtsikaandNkanyezibutwhenIaskt hem t
hey
poi
nthereatthegateandtheyarecry
ing.Heisnot
her
e.
Kwanel
e:Di
dyousear
cht
her
ooms.
Me:Idi
dIsear
chedev
ery
wher
eforhi
m,hei
snot
her
ebhuti
.
Mandi
simakesacal
lwhi
l
erushi
ngt
ohi
scar
.
Me:
Wher
eishe.
.

♥
Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee

I
nser
t88
Iam l
osingmymi nd, Ihavebeenwal kingupand
downthestreethopi ngIwi l
lfindLangabutnot hing,
theguysarenother e, apparentl
yMandi sicall
ed
them t
ocomewher ehei ssincehedr oveoutfirst,
i
'm pr
ayingtheyfindmyboyi nonepiece,Ijust
buri
edmom, Ican'tburymysont oo.
IseeMandisi
'
scarfol
l
owedbytheother
s,Iopent
he
gatef
orthem ,i
'
mimpati
entIwantt
hem totel
lmeif
theyf
oundLangaornot.
Theyallgetoutoftheircars,
Mandi si
goopenatt
he
back.andIseehim car r
yingLangaItakehimf
rom
hi
m kissinghi
m all
ov erhisface,andLayl
acomes
outshelooksli
keaj unkie.
Kwanel
e:Doy
ouknowher
?
Inod.
Me:
Shei
sLanga'
sbi
ologi
cal
mom,
MrsRei
gnsni
ece.
Kwanel
e:Wel
lshewaswi
l
li
ngt
ogi
vedr
ugl
ords
Langaf
orafi
x.
Me:
what
!
Igi
veLangat
oMandi
siIst
andi
nfr
ontofLay
la,
Isl
ap
hersohar
dsheput
sherhandonhercheek,
I
removei
tandsl
apheragai
n.
Me:Inst
eadofbur yi
ngyourAuntyouki
dnapyour
ownsonf ordrugsareyoufuckencr
azy
,youwil
l
knowmeLay l
ay ougotawaywithdr
ugi
ngmyki ds
butt
his.
.
Ist
artbeat
ingherandal
lshedoesi
scov
erherf
ace.
Luy
olopul
l
smeawayf
rom her
Me:LetgoofmeLuy ol
o,letmeki l
lthi
sheart
less
bi
tch,i
'm donebei
ngnice,dar
ecomef ormykids
agai
nIwillki
ll
youLayl
aIwi l
lfuckenkil
lyou.
Luy
olo:
Babycal
m down.
Ichuckl
ewi
tht
ear
sinmyey
es.
Me:Calm downr eal
l
y!Ij
ustburi
edmom Luyol
oand
shedoest hi
s?Howdoy outhinkIf
eltwhenI
coul
dn'tf
indLangahuh?Ithoughtheisdeadt
oo.
.
Shealmostkill
edmykidsonce.
Lay
la:
LookZi
yandaIj
ustneedcashpl
ease.
Me:Forwhat
?Fort
hedr ugsyouf
edmyki
dswhen
t
heywerehardl
yayearold?
Luy
olo:
Shedi
dwhat
?
Me:
Yeahnowy
ouknowwhyIwantt
oki
l
lher
.
Lul
ama:Ziyandadon'
tdothaty
ouar
emour
ningy
ou
shoul
dn'
tshoutli
kethat
.
Me: Sheisprovokingme,sowhat ?Shoul dIshutup
andlethersellLangafordrugs,shelefthim whenhe
wasani nfantIrai
sedhim withthehelpofmom and
SisYoli
,shecan'tj
ustcomeher eandt akehim, wor
se
fordrugs,whoknowswhatt heyweregoi ngtodoto
him.
Lul
ama:
Igeti
tbutpl
easesi
sdon'
tshoutl
i
ket
his.
It
akeLangaagai
nandwal
kaway
.
Lay
la:
Iwil
lsi
gnovermyri
ghtstoyou,Iknowy ou
l
ovehim,hecanbeyour
slegal
l
y ,
pleasejustgi
ve
mecash.
Me:Youarereal
l
ycr
azywena,
youar
ewi
l
li
ngt
osel
l
hi
mf ordr
ugs.
Layl
a:Iam hi
smot
hersoIdeci
dewhatIwantt
odo
wit
hhim.
Me:
Cany
ousayt
hatt
othepol
i
ce,
?Iwantt
osee
somet
hing.
ShelooksdownIwal
kbacki
nsi
deandt
akeal
lmy
otherki
dstomyroom.
Mostpeopl earesti
l
lher
e,mykidshavef
all
enasleep
probablybecauseofal
lthecr
yingt
heydi
dforLanga
thetwinsaresleepi
ngonthebunkbedsandLanga
andIyaareonmybed.
Ihearal
i
ghtknockont
hedoorandi
topens,
its
Theo.
Theo:Heymom showedmeyourr
oom Icamet
osay
goodbyemyfl
i
ghtleavest
omor
roweveni
ng.
Me:
Itsokaythanky
ouf
orcomi
ngi
tmeansal
ott
o
me,
thankyou.
Theo:
CanIgetahug.
Me:
sur
e.
Ismileget
ti
ngupandwehugf oral
ongtimeandhe
bri
ngshisfacecloser,
heki
ssmebutidon'
tki
ss
him backi
'
m stunned.
Iheart
hedooropen,t
hat
swhenIst
epback,
Luy
olo
i
sstandingt
her
elooki
ngatme.
Me:
Lu.
.y
olo
Heshakeshi
sheadandl
eav
ether
oom.
Theo:
Ishey
ourman?
Ii
gnor
ehi
m andpushhi
m outofmyr
oom.
Me:Ir
eal
lyam happyy
oucamebuty
ouhav eto
l
eav
e,youdidn'
thavet
oki
ssmeli
kethat
,I'
m about
t
ogetmarri
ed.
Theo:
What
?
Hi
seyesdar
tsdownt
omyhandshegaspatt
he
si
ghtoft
heri
ngs.
Theo:I
..I
'
m sorr
yIdidn'
tknowsoheisy
oursoont
o
behusband?Ishoul
dgoandapologi
setohi
m.
Me:
Nodon'
t,
I'
ll
tal
ktohi
m,by
e.
Icl
oset
hedoorandsi
gh.
LaterIgotakeashowert
henwal
koutoft
her
oom
thenoisehasdi
eddown.
Isi
tnextt
oMbal
i
,Luy
olost
aresatme.
Me:
Canwet
alk?
Iaskst
ari
ngbackathi
m.
Luy
olo:
Youcant
alkr
ighther
e.
Me:
Luy
o..
Heget
supandwal
ktohi
sroom ,
Ifol
l
owhi
m.
WhenIgeti
nhepushmet
othedoorandst
aredown
atme.
Luy
olo:Youall
owedhi
mtoki
ssy
ouZi
yanda,
youst
il
l
l
ovehim don'
tyou?
Me: NoIl
oveyouIwasshockedwhenheki
ssedme
becauseIt
houghtwewerejustf
ri
ends.
Luy
olo:
Idon'
twantanymanki
ssi
ngy
ou.
Me:
Itwon'
thappenagai
n.
Heki
ssme,
Ihol
dont
ohi
m,Imi
sshi
mit
sbeent
oo
l
ong.
Luy
olo:
itbet
ternotZi
yanda.
Hesay
sandwal
kout
.
Isitinbedandt
akeoutmyphonel
ooki
ngatmom'
s
pictureswewer
ehappy.
Ishouldf
indmybi ologi
calfathermay bethisdark
cl
oudhangingov ermewi llgoaway ,Idon'tt
hinkthi
s
i
snor mal,
pai
naf terpain,
Idon'tthi
nkev enmy
marri
agewithYolowi ll
workout ,I
'm scaredofwhat
maycomeaf terallthi
s.
Ij
ustwishIcanwakeuponedayandal
loft
hisi
s
j
ustonebaddream.
Iheardadshouting,
IgooutandIfi
ndKwaneleand
Mandisihol
dinghim oneachsi
de,
heissodrunkhe
can'
tevenwal k.
Me:Dadwhyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his,
weshoul
dbe
mourni
ngt
oget
herasaf
ami
lyn..
Uncle/dad:Whatfami l
yZiyanda?Thi sfamilyisa
j
oke..Wekeepsecr et
sfrom eachot her.
.yourmom
havebeensi ckforyearssheknewt hi
sbutdi dn'
ttel
l
usany thi
ng..
didn'
tevenwantchemot herapy..
she
wantedt odieandleaveusmi ser
ableandwhenI
foundouti twasalr
eadyt oolate.
.sotel
l mewhat
family
.
Kwanele:
Pleasefor
giv
eherdad,
I'
m sur
eshedi
dn'
t
wanttohurtus.
Uncle/
dad:howcanshehi desomet
hingl
iket
his,I
cursethedayImether
, t
hedayIfel
li
nlov
ewithaliar
l
ikeher,shei
soneself
ishhumanbeingi'
veevermet.
Me:
Dadst
op.
..
Tear
srundownmyf
ace.
Uncl
e/dad:
I'
mleav
ingt
hispl
acef
orgood.
Isi
tdownont
hef
loorsl
owl
y.
Kwanel
e:WhataboutusDad,whataboutZi
yanda,
l
ookatherdadyouarehur
ti
nghermor e.
Uncle/
dad:Shewil
lbef
inewit
houtme,Icoul
dn'
t
saveheronlymom,sowhatgoodwil
lIbetoher
,i'
m
afai
lure.
Hepul
lout
thi
shandsfr
om t
heirgr
ipandbal
ance
wi
thhi
shandsonthewal
lal
lthewaytohi
sroom.
Luyol
o:I
tsok,
come,t
hatwasal
cohol
talki
ng,he
can'
tl
eaveyouhel
ovesyout
oomucht odothat
.
Hehel
pmegetupandIgot
osl
eep.
NextmorningIwakeupandgocheckondadIfi
nd
al
lhiscl
othesinbedandt
hesui
tcasehei
ssit
ti
ngon
t
hebed.
Me:
Soy
ouar
ereal
l
yleav
ingus?
Hedoesn'
tsayany
thi
ngbutgetupandcont
inue
packi
ng.
Ichuckl
ebi
tt
erl
y.
Me:Iseeitnow, y
oudidn'
tlovemeyouwer ej
ust
pret
endi
ngf ormom'ssake,nowthatshe'
sgoneyou
don'
thavepr et
endany
mor e.
Hecomeandstandsbef
oreme,
heputhi
shandson
myshoul
der
s.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ihav
etogo,
ineedt
oheal
.
Me:
Wecandoi
ttoget
herdadpl
ease.
.
Hegoesbackt
opacki
ng.
.
Me:Ify
oudot
hist
henwhat
everhappenswi
l
lbeon
you.
Uncl
e/dad:
whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hat
?
Me:
I'
mjustsay
ing.
.
Hef
ini
shpacki
ngt
henhedr
agshi
ssui
tcaseoutof
t
her
oom ,
Ifol
l
owbehi
ndhi
m al
lthewayt
ohi
scar
.
Uncl
e/dad:
Youwil
lbef
ineIl
ovey
oual
way
s
rememberthat
.
Hetr
iest
ohugmebutIst
epback.Theguy
sar
eher
e
l
ooki
ngatus.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ilov
eyou,
Ihav
etogo.
Inodthent
akeof
fmyr
ingsandgi
vet
hem backt
o
Luyol
o.
Me:
Ther
ewon'
tbeaweddi
ngany
mor
e.
Luy
olo:
Youseewhaty
ouhav
edoneLukhel
e?
Hel
ookatt
hem andgeti
nhi
scar
,hedr
ivesof
f.
Iwal
kbacki
nsi
det
hehouse.
..

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee

I
nser
t89
Dadhavebeengoneforaweeknow, It
rycall
i
nghis
numbereverhouroft
hedaybuthedoesn'tpi
ckup,
i
tdoesri
ngbutgoesstrai
ghtt
ovoicemail
.
Al
awy ercal
ledaski
ngf
orameeti
ngwit
hthefamil
y,
maybeIwill
seedadinthi
smeet
ing,
Imisshi
m andI
mi
ssmom.
Theguy sarestayi
nghereful
l-
ti
mesincedad
decidedtoleave,
SunshineandMbal
i ar
eheretoo,
LuyolosaidIshouldthi
nkaboutmydecisi
onof
cal
li
ngof ftheweddingandwehaven'tt
alkedabout
i
tmuch.
Wear ewait
ingforthelawyer
,ther
eisaknockIgo
openthedoorabunchofwhi tefolkscomesinthe
oldmanpushedmeoutoft hewayIalmostfel
l.
Thereareaboutfi
veoft hem,3menand2women
theyarewit
h2chi l
drenwhoar eabout11year
sof
age.
Theysi
tdownl
ookingar
oundt
hehousetheydon't
evengr
eett
heguysaregi
vi
ngt
hem i
ntenselook.
Anot
herknockcomesi
nandMrMi
l
lercomesi
n,he
shakesmyhandandIgototheli
vi
ngr oom t
ogeta
chai
rsinceal
lthesof
asar
eoccupied.
Mil
lergreet
severy
oneandputonhi sgl
assest
aki
ng
outall
thepapersfr
om hi
sbri
efcase.
Mi
ll
er:
Uhm Ical
l
edMrBongani
Lukhel
ebuthesai
d
wecangoonwithouthi
m.
I
'm di
ssapoi
ntedIwashopi
ngIcoul
dchangehi
s
mindandhe'l
lcomebackhome.
Oldman:
Uhm bef
orewest
art
,whyar
eal
lthese
peopl
ehere?
Mi
l
ler
:BecauseIcal
l
edt
hem her
e.
Theyguy
schuckl
eatt
hesamet
imel
ooki
ngatt
he
ol
dman.
Mil
ler
:Ri
ght
,Iwil
lst
artwi
tht
heRei
gnsf
ami
l
yI
bel
i
evethat
sall
ofyou.
Theol
dmannodsqui
ckl
y.
Mil
ler
:AndIquote"
TheReignscanhav ethei
r
f
armhousebackthatweownedwi thmylate
HusbandGregandIsol
dthefir
mt heycankeept
he
moneybecausewestar
teditwit
htheirson".
Ol
dman:
Howmuchar
ewet
alki
ngabouther
e?
Mill
er:I
twasabout4mill
i
onbutshehad
2shareholder
ssot
heytookthei
rshareof1mi
l
li
on
eachsot hemoneyyourfami
lywil
ltakei
s2mi
ll
ion.
Ol
dman:
What!Thatisrubbi
sh,Oursonusedmor
e
t
han2mi
ll
iont
ostartthatfi
rm.
Mil
l
er:Right
,andFeli
ciausedmorethanthatamount
t
oobutshei sgiv
ingital
ltoyou,
shedidn'
thaveto
r
eall
ysincelegal
lyi
tsherfi
rm.
Ol
dman:
Howdoy
ouknowal
lthi
s?
Mill
er:Ihav ebeenherl awy erwaybef oreshe
mar r
iedt ot heRei gns.Sol etsmov eonshal lwe.(he
cl
ear shist hroat)Iquot e"Zi yandaLukheleismy
daught erlegallyandherf at herBongani Lukhelethey
aretokeept hehouseandmycar ,andwi t
hmy8
mill
ionRandsIur geherf atherandbr others
i
ntroducehert ot hef amil
ybusi ness,Lukhele
Propertiesandi nvestthere, Luyol
o,Mandi siand
Kwanel eIdon' thav emoney .
.(
theguyslaugh)y ou
areoldmennowso1mi ll
ioneachi sokf oryoudon' t
compl ain,someofy ouwi l
l askhowdi dIgett hi
s
moneywel l I
'm ahardwor kingwoman, ImetZi yanda
about6y ear sagoIknewIwant edtoadopthert he
fi
rstdayIsawherandIal readyknewIwassi ckandI
hadlesst hant hat6y earst oli
vesoIwant edt ol eave
herwi t
hev er y
thingIwor keddayandni ghtinv ested
i
nmanybusi nessesf orhert ohav eafutureand
whenmyf ami l
ystart
edgr owi ngIpushedmy self
mor esoIcanl eaveallofy ouwi thsomet hing, Il
ov e
youguy sandI '
m sorryforhi di
ngt hi
sfrom y ouIhad
Acutemy el oidleukemia,Doct orZiyandawi llknowal l
aboutthisonceshef inishherst udies,I
'm sor r
y ,stay
togetherhol deachot hershandsnomat t
erwhat ,
l
ookoutf oreachot her..
Mbal i
andSunnyKwanel e
knowswhatt odof oryouguy sIoncegav ehi ma
hintIhopeher emember s,Iloveyousomuch, baby
Pinkthanky ou..FELI
CIAREI GNSLUKHELE"

I
'mintearssheknewal lt
hoseyearsthatshewas
dyi
ngslowlybecausethatswhatcancerdoesiteat
youupslowlyandshesaidshewor kedhardformeI
wasblessedwiththatwoman.
Theoldmani sgoi
ngcr azyhei
scussi
ngandpaci
ng
aroundtheroom i
tscrazy,t
heguysar
ejustl
ooki
ng
athim wit
hboredlooks.
Oldman:Itwi
llbeacolddayinhel
li
fIl
etyouhav
eal
l
ofthi
s,t
hisbelongst
oust heRei
gnsnott
hese
peopl
e,thisi
smyson'shouse.
Mill
er:
Wrongsheboughtthi
shousewheny ou
chasedheroutoft
hefar
mhouseafterherhusband'
s
death.
Oldman:I
fIwereyouIwoul
dsleepwithoneeye
openedbecausei
'
m comingforyouandever
ythi
ng
thatmysonisowed
Mil
ler
:Thatisathr
eatandtheycouldactual
l
yget
youarr
estedyouunder
standthatr
ight?
Oldman:Idon'
tgiveafuck,youwon'teatmyson's
moneyov ermydeadbody .Getupletsgetoutof
here,y
ouhav en'
thear
dt helastofmebloodyfool
s.
Theyal
lwal
koutcussi
ng.
Mil
l
er:Overt
heyear
sbeingFel
icia'
slawy
erIlear
ned
t
hatthatf
amilyi
snott
obetrustedsostaysafeand
keepZi
yandaandtheki
dssafethatwasher
mother
'sl
astwish,i
'
m gonnatakemyleavenow.
Heshakesev
ery
one'
shands.
Mil
ler
:Ify
ouneedanyt
hingorhav
eanyquest
ions
cal
lmeont hi
snumber
.
Het
akesoutt
wobusinesscar
dsandgi
vet
hem t
o
me,Iwal
khim out
.
Me:
Thanky
ousomuchSi
r.
Mi
ll
er:
MypleasureanywayFel
i
ciawasmyhal
fsi
ster
,
myfat
her
'sdaughter
.
Me:
Wowsoy
ouar
eact
ual
l
ymyuncl
e.
Mill
er:
prett
ymuch,I
fyouneedany
thi
ngdon'
t
hesi
tatetocal
lmeok.
Inod,hegi
vesmeasi
dehugandgeti
nhi
scar
dri
vi
ngoff
.
Iwal
kbacki
nsi
de.
Kwanele:Zi
yandaweneedt obeaheadoft hat
ol
dmanIhav eaf eel
inghewi l
ltakesomedr ast
ic
deci
sionstotakeeveryt
hingyourmot hergaveyou,
Youneedt oopenmay be4di fferentaccountsand
askthelawyertokeepthem f oryou, allofi
tin
writ
ingthenputthemoneyi nal l
t hoseaccounts
thenuseonet hatwi
llhavemoneyf ortheki
dsand
youressenti
als.Wewillt
alkabouti nv est
mentslat
er
Ihaveabadf eeli
ngaboutthis.
Me: Metooandthelawyeri
smom'shalfbr
otherhe
didsaythatf
amil
yisnottobet
rust
ed,heknows
them t
oowell.
Kwanele:
Ithinkweshouldleav
ethishousetodayso
gi
rl
sgohel pZiyandapack,
wewi l
lpackthekids
cl
otheshurry
.
Weal lst
andupandpack, Igotomom' sroom and
takethesuit
caseIt akethephot os,accessori
esand
herfavor
iteclothesandthrowt hem insidethe
suit
caseany t
hingv al
uablethatwill
r emindmeofher.
Weputt
hebagsandsuut
casesinthecar
sandtake
t
heki
ds,wewil
lri
dei
nMandisi
'scarsi
nceit
sbi
gger.
Webuckleupthetwi
nsandLanga,sunshi
nehas
Iy
anainherarmswedriv
eoutfol
lowingKwanel
e'
s
carLuy
oloisdri
vi
ngbehi
ndus.
Me:
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ngbhut
i?
Mandi
si:
Todad'
shousesi
ncei
tsbi
ggert
hanour
s.
InodIhavebeent
her
eoncewit
hmom whenwe
werehel
pingdadt
omoveinourhouse.
Wer
eachourdest
inat
ioni
tsl
i
keanhourdr
ive.
Wegeti
nsi
deandMbal
irushest
oopent
hef
ri
dge
weal
ll
ookather
.
Mbali
:What!Iam hungr
y,real
l
yKwanel
eyoubr
ing
ushereknowingt
hereisnofood,
what?Doyou
wanttokil
luswit
hhunger.
Kwanel
e:ButMbal
iwej
ustat
eathome.
Mbali
:Ayfuckoffmani'm hungr
yoksomebody
bet
terdosomethingaboutit.
Luy
ololaughsbutst
opswhenMbal
ithr
owsan
amptycanofdri
nkathi
m.
Luy
olo:
Whatt
hehel
l
!!
Mbal
i
:Yout
hinki
tsf
unnyt
hati
'
m hungr
y?
Mandi
si:
Babewhati
swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
Mbal
i:
Iwantf
oodt
hat
'
swhat
swr
ongwi
thmeok
Mandi
..
Me:Youneedt
ogetherfoodassoonaspossi
ble
guy
ssheisspit
ti
ngfi
reandIdon'
twannagetburnt
.
Mbal
i
:OhsoZiyanday
ouspi
tbar
snowhuhy
ouar
e
ar
appernow?
Wealll
aughathershei
sonf
ir
eshe'
snol
onger
spi
ti
ngit
.
Shegoescrazyt
hrowi
ngever
ythi
ngshecanputher
handsonatusandthenbur
stint
otear
s.Weallkeep
qui
et.
Mandi
si:
Babyi
'
m sor
rywegonnagety
ouf
ood,
sor
ryMbali
.
Oooh.
.
Sunshi
ne:
Thi
swi
l
lbet
hel
ongestmont
hsofour
l
ivesGOD!
!
Wel
ookather
.
Sunshine:
What
!Thebi
tchi
spr
egnanty
a'l
lar
eso
cl
ueless.
Mandi
si:
Shei
s?
Me:
Shei
s?
Mbal
i:YesIam pr
egnantnowcanany
onegetme
somet
hingt
oeat.
Me:okIhear dt
hatpr
egnantwomencanbecr azy
butIdi
dn'tseei
tli
kethi
s,Iwasnev ert
hiscrazyor
wasitbecauseIwasindiff
icul
tci
rcumstances.
Mbal
i
:Di
dyouj
ustsayi
'
m cr
azy
.
Mandi
si:
Youar
ereal
l
ypr
egnantMbal
i
?
Mbal
i
:YesbabyIam 12weekspr
egnant
.
Mandi
si:
12weeks?
Ir
oll
myey
esathi
m
Me:
its3mont
hsbhut
i.
Mandi
si:
Wow.
Hestar
tsdanci
nghei
shappyy
oucanseeat
winkl
e
i
nhiseyes.
Luy
olo:
atl
astcongr
atul
ati
onsbr
o.
Mandi
si:
Samet
oyou.
Luy
olo:
what
!!
?
Wealll
augh,
Iwoul
dn'
ttr
adet
hismomentf
or
any
thi
ng.
West
artcl
eani
ngupt
hehousei
tsabi
tdust
y.
Thenwesi
tint
heloungeMandisi
isbusybr
ushi
ng
Mbali
'
sbel
l
yeverynowandthen.
Kwanelecomesi ncarryingpl
asti
cbagsandt woKFC
paperbags,ty
picalZulumanLOL, noof f
encebutt el
l
himt obuyyousomet hingtoeati
nt ownfirstt
hing
thatcomestomi ndisKFCt el
lmei fi'
mlyingIwi l
l
apologi
seyong.
Mbaliswi
ft
lygetsupandsnat chthepaperbags
fr
om Kwaneleandtearthem upplacingev
eryt
hing
onthecoff
eetableandstart
sst uf
fi
nghersel
fwith
ever
ythi
ngwear eal
llooki
ngatheri nawe.
Shecontinuetoeatthentakeoutt
hej ui
cefrom t
he
plast
icanddr i
nkhal
fofitinonegothenr el
easea
veryl
oudbur p.Shel
iftherey
esshefindsallofus
l
ookingather .
Mbal
i
:whatar
eyoual
ll
ooki
ngat
?
Me:Wel
osetogai
n,t
hanky
ouf
ort
headdi
ti
ont
o
ourf
ami
l
ysisMbal
i
.
Sunshi
ne:YouareweirdZeeweshouldbet
alki
ng
abouthowdisgust
ingsheisr
ightnownott
hanki
ng
her.
Welaughather,
wehearav
eryper
sist
antknockwe
l
ookateachother.
Mandi
si:
maybethatl
oudmout
hnei
ghboursawus
goopenKwanel
e..
Kwanel
e:Yougo!
Mandi
sigetsupmumbl i
ngandopensthedoordad
comesinheiscoughi
ngandhesmel l
ofsmokeand
hehasblackmarksal
lover
,westandup.
Uncl
e/dad:t
hankGody
ouar
eal
lher
eIt
houghty
ou
wereonthatfi
re.
Kwanel
e:Whatf
ir
edad?
Hel
ooksatmeandl
ookdown.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ourhomebur
ntdownt
oashes.
Weal
lsay'
What
'andl
ookateachot
her
.
Kwanele:
Iknewsomet
hingbadwasgoi
ngt
o
happen.
Dadlooksl
ikehewanttosaysomet
hing,Isi
tdown
andcovermyfacewit
hmyhandsIsighloudl
y.
Mandi
si:
Yeahnehwhenitr
ainsi
tpour
s,t
her
ear
e
ev
ensnowbal
lsfal
l
ingf
rom t
hesky.
Weal
ll
ookathi
m.
Mandi
si:
What
!Isi
ttoosoon?
..
Hesay
sthel
astpar
twhi
sper
ing.
.
Wecan'
thel
pbutl
augh.
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]
Zee

I
nser
t90
Ourt houghtsseem farawayaswearejustsit
ting
thereinsilence,Dadisfail
i
ngtokeepeyecontact
withmeandIam st ari
ngathim,Iam st
il
langryat
himf orleavingmeli
ket hat
.
Me: Didt
heyr
eall
yburndownmom' shouse?Who
knowswhatelsetheywi
lldo,
bhut
'kwanel
ecan'
tyou
arrangeameeti
ngwitht
hem andasktheamount
theywanta.
.
Kwanele:NoZiyandathatmoneyist hegiftyour
mother,t
hewomanwhol ov edyouwi t
hheral l
,left
foryoutoconti
nuestudyingandhav eaf utur
ef or
yourki
dssoNoy ouwon'tbesigningov eranything
notwheni'm st
il
lali
ve.
Uncle/dad:youknow,Iwaswithherwhenshewr ot
e
thatwill
Ithoughtshewasjustj
oking,Ithoughtshe
j
ustdr af
teditforf
unbecauseIsawy ournamest oo,
Itol
dmy sel
ftt
hereisnowaysheisput t
ingmyol d
son'sonawi ll
butthenextdayshesaidshehasa
meet i
ngwi t
hhishalfbr
otherwhohappenst obehis
l
awy erIbecamewor ri
edandsuspici
ous, Ilooked
everywherehopingtofi
ndsomething,Ididn'tev
en
knowwhatIwashopi ngtofi
ndbutjustacl ueon
whyshewasupdat i
ngthatwill
,that'
swhenIfound
thefi
leandpil
ls,
andthatf
il
ewasaboutsomet ype
LeukemiaandIaskedaboutitthatswhenwear gued
andsheblutedoutt
hatshewassi ckandshehad
knownforyears.
Hechuckl
esbi
tt
erl
y.
Uncle/dad:Ispentt
helastofherdaysbeingangryat
herandIwaswor ri
edaboutZiyandashejustcame
from averytraumati
cexpir
ienceshedidn'
tdeserv
e
that
.
Kwanel
e:It
sokdadbutyouneedtoapol
ogiset
ous
toZi
yandaforl
eav
ingwhensheneededyouthe
most.
Heget
supandkneel
inf
rontofme.
Uncl
e/dad:
for
giv
ememaLukhel eforthethi
ngsI
sai
daboutFel
i
ciathatni
ghtandf
orleavingyou.
Me:
Itsokdadasl
ongasy
ouwon'
tl
eav
emeagai
n.
Ihughi
m,Il
ovemyuncl
esomuch,
hei
sindeedmy
fat
her
.
Kwanel
e:Sowhatmom sai
dint
hatl
ett
ert
hat"
she
oncegav emeahi nt"i
st hatther
earesharesshe
boughttogetherwi t
hherl ateexhusbandthatthe
Reignsdon'tknowaboutsoIhav etosel
lthose
sharesthenhelpMbal i
andSunshi netost
artany
businessoftheirchoice.
Mandi
si:
Andwhydi
dshechoosey
ou?Iam t
he
smart
est
.
Kwanel
e:NoIam smar
tandi
'
m ol
der
.
Mandi
si:
bit
chpl
ease.
.
Weal
lbur
sti
ntol
aught
er.
Kwanel
e:SoMbal
iandSunnyy ouguyswi
ll
haveto
fi
ndacommonint
erestbutnotbeati
nguppeopl
eok.
Sunshi
ne:
Butwear
ebot
hgoodati
t.
Kwanel
e:Ri
ght
!
West artar
guingaboutwhoissleepingwherei
ts
chaosandsi ncether
eisnoroom f orki
dst
hetwins
wil
lsleepwithLuyoloandIwil
lsleepwithI
yaand
Langa,thecoupleswil
lshar
ether oom.
Igot
odad'
sroom.
Me: HeydadIknowy ou'
rehurti
ngbutpl
easebe
str
ong, y
oulooksickdon'
tall
owpaintoeatyouup
l
ikethisitwi
ll
kil
lyouandIsti
llneedmydad,Iwant
youtowal kmedownt heisl
e.

Uncl
e/dad:
Sot
heweddi
ngi
sbackon.
Inod.
Me:
Aslongasy
ou'
reher
eIhav
etot
ell
Luy
olot
oask
meagai
n.
Uncle/
dad:Heprobabl
ywi
l
ldoi
tal
lov
eragai
n,he
real
l
ylovesyou.
Me:
Goodni
ghtdad.
Uncl
e/dad:
Goodni
ghtbaby
.
Ismi
leandwalkout
,Icanseethel
i
ghtsaresti
ll
on
i
ntheloungeIgot
hereandfi
ndLuyol
othere.
Me:Heywhyareyousi
tt
ingher
eal
onear
ethet
wins
al
readyasl
eep?
Luy
olo:
Yea,
i'
mjustt
hinki
ng.
.
Me:
stopt
hinki
ngandaskmeagai
n.
Luy
olo:
Asky
ouwhat
?
Me:
Tomar
ryy
ou.
Hesit
supandlookatme, Igi
vehi
m awi desmi
l
e,
hesearchhi
spocketandf
indther
ings.
Me:
Youwer
ekeepi
ngt
hem i
nyourpocket
s?
Luyolo:
Ievensl
eepwi t
hthem undermypi
ll
ow,
PleasemarrymeZiyandathisti
medon'
tcal
lof
fthe
weddingorIwil
lj
ustkil
lmy sel
f.
Me:
Iwon'
tcal
li
tof
fev
eragai
n.
Hesl
i
dbot
hri
ngonmyf
inger
s.
Luyol
o:arey
ougoi
ngt
oweart
hreer
ingsoncewe
aremarri
ed.
Il
aughathi
m hel
ookconcer
ned.
Me:Noof
causenotIst
il
lhav
etodeci
dewhi
chone
hast
ogo.
Wesayourgoodni
ght
safterkissi
nghim,Ir
eal
ly
misshavi
ngsexwi
thhim buthedoesn'
tseem t
obe
i
nter
estedi
nevent
ryi
ngtoinit
iatei
t.
Wewakeupt
henextmor
ningwi
thMbal
icussi
ngI
wal
koutt
her
oom ev
ery
onei
slooki
ngather
.
Uncl
e/dad:
Isshegoi
ngcr
azy
?
Hewhi
sper
s.
Me:
Yourgr
andchi
l
dismaki
ngheractt
hisway
.
Heshout
s..
Uncl
e/dad:
What
!She'
spr
egnantwhydi
dn'
tyout
ell
me?
Mbal
i
:GoonZi
yandat
ell
thewhol
ewor
ld.
Me:Ididn'
tsayany
thingSi
sMbal
i,andwhyar
eyou
shout
ingsoearl
yinthemorni
ng.
Shesi
ghsdr
amat
ical
l
y.
Mbali
:Kwaneleforgottobuymilkyest
erdayIhave
beensearchi
ngalloverthi
skit
chen,whointhei
r
ri
ghtmindforgett
obuymi lk.
Kwanel
est
rat
chhi
sheadl
ooki
ngdown.
Mandisi
:Let
sgobuyitbaby,
Kwaneleyoushoul
dbe
ashamedofyour
sel
fhowcany ouf
orgett
obuymi l
k.
Heear
nsasmi
l
efr
om Mbal
iandl
ooksl
i
keev
ery
one
i
shol
dingi
nal
augh.
Themi
nut
etheyar
eoutofsi
ghtwel
augh.
Kwanel
e:Looksl
i
ket
hatbabydoesn'
tl
ikemeatal
l
.
Luyolo:WhataboutmeIduckedanempt
ycan
yesterday
.
Me:
Shehasbeent
hrowi
ngj
absatme.
Sunny
:Iguessl
i
ttl
epeanutdoesn'
tl
ikeany
one.
Me:Tel
lmewhent
heycomeback,
wehav
eav
ery
br
iefmeet
ing.
Igobaththenwemakebr
eakf
astMbal
iandMandi
si
areback.
Wesi
tdownandeatbr
eakf
ast
.
Me:Souhm guysIdon'
tknowi fy
ou'
llagreet
ot hi
s
uhm so.
.howaboutwel
ookf oraver
ylargepieceof
l
andandbuyitthenwebuil
dournewhomef rom
scr
atch.
.
Theyl
ookatme.
Mandi
si:Butyouar
egetti
ngmar
ri
edZi
yandadon'
t
youwantyourownspace?
Me: HonestlyIdon'twantt oli
v eawayf r
om y ouguys,
wewer eborninaf ullhouse,alotofkidsbutwhenI
grewupi twasj ustmey ouwer eallnott hereandit
wassad, Idon'twantt hatanymor e, Iwantust obe
togetherevenifitmeansbui ldingdifferenthouses
butinthesamey ardt hatcanst i
l
lbef inewi t
hmeas
l
ongaswear enotf arapartfrom eachot her
..I
fmy
husbandi sokaywi tht hat
.
Il
ookatLuy
olohesmi
l
esshy
lyandl
ooksdown.
Uncl
e/dad:
Luy
olowhatdoy
out
hinkaboutt
his?
Luyolo:
Ifeelt
hesamewayr eall
y,Iwantt
obe
aroundfamil
yallt
het i
meandwhatshesuggestedis
agoodi deabui
lddif
ferenthousesonthesameyar
d.
Mandisi
:ThatwayIcanhav
esexwher
ever
,
wheneverw..
Mbal
inudgehi
m wi
thanel
bow,
heshut
sup.
Me:
Kwanel
e,dady
ouokaywi
tht
his.
Kwanel
e:Of
causeweshoul
dal
way
sbet
oget
her
.
Uncl
e/dad:
that
'
sfi
newi
thme,
Kwanel
egetonwi
thi
t.
Mandi
si:
Whynotme?
Uncl
e/dad:
Justf
ocusonMbal
iri
ghtnow.
Mandi
si:
Butshei
sjustpr
egnantnotsi
ck.
Mbali
:j
ustpregnant
!?Real
l
yMandisi
ist
hatwhat
yougonnasaywhenIneedy ou.
.
Uncl
e/dad:
SeewhatImean.
.
Hesay
sinal
owv
oice

AtANUNKNOWNLOCATI
ON
'
'
Person1:Wehav etogetev erylastcentofthe
moneyshel eftitwi l
lbeeasierbecausey oualready
knowt hem , y
oucanal waysgetcl osetot hecop, he
j
ustlosthiswi fei fyouplayy ourcardsri
ghthe
mightjustfallfory ou,heisv ul
nerableri
ght.
Woman: Ohdon'
tworryIwi
ll
havehim eati
nginthe
palm ofmyhand,f
ir
stIwanttodest
roytheirl
i
ttl
e
famil
ythenl
eavet
hem downandout.
Per
son1:
Howcanshel
eav
eev
ery
thi
ngt
opeopl
e
shehardl
yknow,t
hatZiy
andagi
rlhastosuf
fershe
can'
thaveal
ltheweal
thwhil
emyson'stwochil
dren
suff
er.
Woman:l
eavethatt
ome, Ial
readyhav
eapl
anIj
ust
hav
etoputi
tinmotiont
heni'
mi n.
Per
son1:
Ican'
twai
t.
Woman:
Pat
ience,
wewi
l
lber
ichsoon.
Theygot
hei
rseper
ateway
s.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee
'
'
I
nser
t91

Todaydadoffer
edtotakeusal
loutf
orthef
ir
stt
ime
ever
,Iam happyhei
stryi
ngtogoonli
vi
ng.
Sunshinebar
gesinmyroom ,
shefi
ndsmei
njusta
towelIdon'
tknowwhattowear.
Sunshine:Goody ou'
resti
l
lnotdressed,I'
l
lhelpyou
ont hatdepar
tmentandweneedt ostr
aightenthat
hairgir
l,Il
oveyourcurl
yhairIr
eall
ydobuti tst
ime
forchange.
Ij
ustst
areather,
sher ushesoutandcomeback
agai
nwithahair
dryerandahairstrai
ght
ner
.
Shesi
tmedowni
nfr
ontofami
rr
or.
Sunshi
ne:Gi
rlIal
way
swant
edt
oputmyhandson
thi
shai
r.
Shedoesmagi ci
nmyhead, Inev
erreal
isedt
hatmy
hairwast
hatlongIdidn'
tevencare,shebrai
dtwo
l
inesandIlookpret
tyifIsaysomy sel
f.
Shethengoest oaclosetandchoosear
idi
cul
ously
shortdress,
greeni
ncolourithasl
it
tl
est
rapsonthe
shouldersMom boughtthi
sdressmaybeIhav
e
wornitonce.
Me:
Sunnyt
hati
stooshor
t.
Sunshi
ne:
Zeey
ouar
enotmar
ri
edy
et,
doy
out
hink
Luy
olowil
lal
l
owy
out
oweart
hisoncey
ouar
e
marri
ed?
Me:
Okf
ine.
Iweart
hedr
ess.
Sunshi
ne:
Youl
ookl
i
kea15y
earol
dri
ghtnow.
Me:
wit
hfourki
dsy
eahIdo.
Dadshoutout
side.
Uncl
e/dad:
youneedtocomeoutorwear
eleav
ing
youbehi
ndsunny,
Ziy
anda.
Wewalkouttheyar
eall
standi
ngout
sidewait
ing
i
mpat
ient
ly,
IlookatLuy
olo,hel
ookf
lushed.
.
Sunshi
ne:
Hel
ooksl
i
kehewantt
ori
pitof
fri
ghther
e,
ri
ghtnow.
Ichuckl
e..
Me:
Iwoul
dn'
tmi
ndatal
l
..
Uncl
e/dad:
Wowy
oul
ooksobeaut
if
ulandsoy
oung.
Me:
Thanky
oudad.
.
Luy
olocl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
.
Luy
olo:
Uhm.
.I
..y
ouwannar
idewi
thme?
Sunshi
ne:
Goaheady
out
wo,
theki
dswi
l
lbewi
thus.
Igositonthepassagerseathecomesi
nandst
art
thecaranddri
vesoutfir
st.
Luy
olo:
Youl
ookhotbaby
.
Ibl
ushl
ooki
ngaway
.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
.
Ifeel
hishandonmythi
ghandIshiverf
eel
inggoose
bumpsallovermybody
,Isqueezemythi
ghs
toget
hersoti
ght.
Helooksatmeali
tt
let
henbackatt
her
oad,
his
handsti
ll
onmythi
gh.
Wegettothemal landwet akeseat
satMbal i
'
s
f
avouri
ter
estaurantdadallowedhertochoose
wher
ewe'regoingt oeatandshewasdeghlit
ed.
Uncl
e'
sphoner
inghepi
cksi
tupandt
alkal
i
ttl
e.
Uncl
e/dad:Sphokazi
andLulamawil
lbej
oini
ngus
soontheycal
ledsayi
ngtheyareont
hei
rway.
Wenodourheadswehav
en'
tseent
hem f
orwhi
l
e.
Weor derf
orli
tt
leguys,whil
ewewaitforSphokazi
andLulama..I
yanaissleepi
ngi
nLuyolo'
sarmshe
sti
ll
looksatherli
ketheonlypr
ett
ythi
nghehasev er
seenandIlovethat.
WeseeLul amaandSphokazirushi
ngi
ntheyt
ake
thei
rseat
s, Lulamasi
tsnextt
odadandSphokazi
is
nexttoSunshine.
Theyapol
ogi
sef
orkeepi
nguswai
ti
ngt
henweor
der
.
Inthemiddl
eoft
hedi
nnerLul
amabr
ushesdad'
s
cheeck.
Lul
ama:
youhav
esomet
hingt
her
e,Letmehel
pyou.
Dadlooksuncomfort
abl
e,IlookatKwanel
ehei
s
seei
ngwhati'
ml ooki
ngat.
Kwanel
e:Howdi
dyouendupt
oget
herSi
sSphokazi
?
Sphokazi
:Lulamacametofet
chmesowecanvisi
t
you,shecal
ledyouonourway,soher
ewear
e.
Kwanel
e:mmm!
Weeatwhi l
etal
kingaboutgeneral
stuf
f,every
time
Lulamalaughssheplaceherheadondad'sshoulder
,
theoldmanisuncomf or
tabl
eandIdon'
tli
kewhat
shei
sdoing,she'
sact
ual
lyt
hrowi
ngher
sel
fatdad,
i
tsdi
sgusti
ngtowatch.
.
Il
ookaroundthetabl
eourey
esareondadsi
ncewe
aresi
tt
ingopposi
tehi
m andLul
ama.Heisl
ooki
ng
down..
Me:Uhm daddoy
oumi
ndt
aki
ngt
het
winst
othe
t
oil
etspl
ease.
Hequi
ckl
yget
sup.
Uncl
e/dad:
Sur
e,heychampsl
etsgo.
Hewal
kawaywi
tht
hem.
Il
ookatLulamaandshei
sst
ari
ngatme,
Ist
are
ri
ghtbackather
.
Kwanel
e:Uhm Lul
amawhydi
dn'
tyoust
artatour
houset
olookforus.
Lul
ama:Isn'
ti
tyourhousebur
ntdown?Iwasabout
toaskwheredoyouli
venow?
Kwanel
e:Whendi
dyouseet
hatourhousewasbur
nt?
Lul
ama:whenI.
.uhm.
.wel
lI.
.wasi
nyour
nei
ghbour
hoodandIsawit.
Kwanel
e:mmm andy
oudi
dn'
tcal
lanyofust
oaski
f
weareok
Lul
ama:
uhm excusemeIneedabat
hroom.
Sheget
supandwal
kaway
.
Il
ookatKwanel
e,heshr
ugshi
sshoul
der
s.
DadcomesbackandIexchangeseatswith
dad.
.Lul
amacomesandshel ooksaroundthetabl
e
l
ooki
ngr at
herdi
ssapoi
ntedpr
obablybecauseshe
won'
tbesitti
ngnextt
odadanymore.
Lulama:
uhm Lukhel
e,al
lofy
ouuhm soIhavea
probl
em i
'mrenovat
ingmyhousecanIst
aywit
hyou
forawhil
e,i
twill
takemaybetwoweeks,pl
ease.
Sphokazi
:uhm whydon'
tyoucomest
aywi
thme?
Lul
ama:Iwouldbuti
tsf
arf
rom t
ownIst
il
lhav
eto
gotoworkyouknow.
Il
ookatdad,hesi
ghsandl
ookatKwanel
ebuthe
l
ooksaway.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ohky
oucanst
aywi
thus.
Lul
ama:
Thanky
ousomuch.
'
'
Wedri
vebackhome,wear
ewitht
het
winsnow,
t
heyar
esleepi
ngatt
heback.
Me:Babydi
dyouseewhatSi
sLul
amawasdoi
ngt
o
dad?
Luy
olol
aughsoutl
oud,
Ilookathi
m.
Me:Youfi
ndthatf
unny
?Dadwassouncomf
ort
abl
e
If
eltbadf
orhim.
Luyol
o:Hewasact
ingf
unnythoughhewascr
ingi
ng
thewhol
eti
meLulamatouchedhi
m.
Me:Whywashet ouchi
nghimint
hefir
stpl
acet
he
manjustl
osthi
swifeforheav
en'
ssake.
Luyol
o:Let
snottal
kaboutthat,
Youaresobeaut
if
ul
Icoul
dn'
tkeepmyey esoffy
ouatthatrest
aur
ant
,I
hadabonerthewholeti
meev enri
ghtnow.
Imovemyhandt
otouchhi
sdi
cky ephehasaboner
al
ri
ght
,Imovemyhandawayl
aughing.
Luy
olo:
Imi
ssy
ousobad,
Iwi
shIcoul
dbur
ymy
sel
f
i
nyour
ightnow.
Me:
Imi
ssy
out
oo,
Ithoughty
oudi
dn'
twanti
t.
Luyolo:what
!Hav eyouseenhowhoty ouar
e
ofcauseIwantit,Ij
ustthoughtyouhaven'
theal
edI
thoughtImighthurtyouitsbeenthr
eemont hssi
nce
youpushedt hatbigheadedIyanaout.
Il
aughathi
m.
Me:Mybabydoesn'
thav
eabi
ghead,
andy
eahi
'
m
f
ine.
Luy
olo:mmm ifonl
ythet
winsweren'
ther
eyou
wouldbebeggi
ngfori
tri
ghtnow.
Me:
Stop.
.
Isayblushing,hel
aughsatme, wegethomeandwe
carryt
het winsandhellt
heyareheavyIal
mostf
ell
withNtsikainmyarms, pecksofbei
ngamom ata
youngage, theywi
llgr
owbi ggert
hanme.
Iexhalel
oudl
yaft
erplaci
nghi
minbednextt
owher
e
Luyolopl
acedNkanyezi
.Wegotoot
her
s.
Kwanele:
SoIhav
efoundt
helandweshoul
dgo
ther
etomorr
owandhavel
ookatit
.
Me:wowsosoon, dadshoul
dhav
enamedy
ou
NomaConnect
ions.
Kwanel
e:Don'
tst
artwi
thmeki
d.
'
'
WehearaknockandIgoopen,
itsLulamalooki
ngat
meshehasasuit
caseandabag,Ithoughtshesai
d
t
woweeks.
Imov
eawayf
rom t
hedoort
omakewayf
orher
.
Shetakesonl
yherhandbagandgeti
n,If
oll
owher
maybeherbagscanwalk.
Lul
ama:
Thoughty
ouar
etaki
ngmybagsi
nZi
yanda.
Luy
olo:
Whywoul
dshedot
hat
?
Lul
ama:Shei
sachi
l
d,hav
ingmanybabi
esdoesn'
t
makeherol
der
.
Uncl
e/dad:I
fyouareheret
oinsul
tmydaught
ert
hen
youmightaswell
getthosebagsandgett
hehel
lout
.
Lul
ama: I
'
m sosorr
yLukheleIguesst
hatcameout
wrong,
Ididn'
tmeantoinsul
theratal
l
.
Ther
eshegoesagainbei
ngal
loverdad,
sheis
hol
dinghi
shandsbutdadmovesawayfrom her
.
Thiswillbethelongestt woweeksofmyl i
febut
thenthisisthewomanwhosav edmylif
eby
all
owingmet ogivebir
tht obabyIyanainhercar
,she
wastoosweett obuycl othesformeandI yasoI
mustgi veherthebenef i
tofthedoubtmay beshe's
notal
l overdadshei sjustbeingniceIsuppose.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee
'
'
I
nser
t92

Li
vingwit
hSisLul
amafeelsli
kehel
lonearth,
she
actsli
keawomanofthehouse,Icaughtheroneday
sneaki
ngindad'
sroom butdadchasedherout.I
tol
dKwaneleandhesai
dweshoul dwaitf
ort hi
stwo
weekstoendsoshecanleave.Ican'
twai
t,sheeven
shoutatmykidsf
ornoreason.
'
Wewentt oseet hesit
eandi tsperfect,Kwanel esaid
thebuil
derswillst
artver
ysoon, theywi l
lstartwith
themainhousesowecanmov eint here,thenwe
canstartbuil
dingourownhousewi thLuy olo.Our
weddingistwoweeksaway ,MbaliandSunnyhav e
beenhelpingmewi ththedressandpl anning,itwil
l
beverysmal lj
ustaformalceremonywi thapast or
andmyf ami l
y.
Dadtol
dLuyol
otostar
tteachingmetodr
ive,
and
Luy
olowanttodoi
ttoday,r
ightnow.
Hej
ustent
eredmyr
oom.
Luy
olo:
Weart
hatdr
ess.
Hepoi ntatashortblackdress.Iwearitandwego
t
oagr oundnexttodad'shouse..hestartshowing
met heinteri
orsandexplainwhatisforwhat ,
heis
t
alkingsof ast
,hestartsdri
vingwhil
ehei stell
i
ngme
t
of ocusonwhathei sdoing,hedriv
esar oundtwo
t
imest
henst
op.
Luy
olo:
Getout
!
Igetout,
hedoesthesameandthr
owt
hekey
satme
Icatcht
hekeysandlookathi
m.
Luy
olo:
Geti
nthedr
iver
sseatZi
yanda.
Me:
Whatf
or?
Luy
olo:
Yougonnadr
iver
ightnow.
Me:
Id.
.
Luy
olo:
NowZi
yanda.
.
Igeti
nthedr
iver
sseat
,hegeti
nnextt
ome.
Luy
olo:
star
tthecarZi
yanda.
Me:
But
..
Luy
olo:
Isai
dst
artt
hecar
..
Me:Whyar
eyoushout
ing,
youcan'
texpectmet
o
l
ear
ntodri
vei
nonedayLuyol
o.
Luy
olo:
ButIdoexpecty
out
odr
iver
ightnow.
Me:
Iwon'
t.
..
Idon'
tfi
nisht
alki
nghesl
apmyt
highs,
Igasp.
.
Me:
whatt
hehel
l
.
Hesl
apmyt
highsagai
n..
Luy
olo:
star
tthecarZi
yanda.
Ij
ustcr
yandgetoutoft
hecarandr
unhomel
eav
ing
hi
m cal
li
ngoutmyname.
If
indev
ery
onesi
tt
ingi
nthel
oungeIr
unt
odad.
Uncle/dad:whyar
ey oucry
ingZiy
anda,
wher
eis
Luyolo?di
dsomethinghappen?
Me:Hewasshout
ingatmeandhit
ti
ngmyt
highsI
don'
twanthi
mtoteachmetodr
iveany
mor
e.
Mandi
si,
Kwaneleanddadhi
msel
fjustbur
stouti
n
l
aught
er,Icr
ylouder
.
Mandisi:Si
st hat'
showweal l
learnedtodr i
ve,Dad
wouldwakeusupear l
yint
hemor ninginwinterand
tel
lustowearourv est
sandshorts,hewoul dslap
usany where,thathel
pedustolearnfasterbecause
noonewant stowakeupi nwint
erandt obebeat en
every
day .
Luy
ologet
sinl
aughi
ng,
Ireal
l
yhat
ehi
mri
ghtnow.
Me:
Ihat
eyouwena.
Luyolo:
Ilov
eyout
oonowl
etsgof
ini
shwhatwe
star
ted.
Me:
ohhel
lnoi
'
m notgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thy
ou.
Lul
ama:
Stopact
ingl
i
keachi
l
dan.
.
Mbal
i
:Wheni
sshel
eav
ingagai
n?
Kwanel
e:your
eal
l
yshouldleav
emysi st
eral
oneif
youst
il
lwantt
ostayanot
hernighti
nthi
shouse.
Sherol
lshereyesandsi
tcomfor
tabl
eonthecouch,
Thati
'm notgoi
nganywher
ecomfort
abl
e'yest
hat
one.
Thefoll
owingdayLuy
olowakesmeupear
lyi
nthe
morningIcheckt
heti
meits5:30am.
Me:
Arey
ouki
ddi
ngme?
Luyolo:
I'
m gi
vi
ngy ouexactl
ythreemi
nutestogo
thatbat
hroom andwashy ourf
ace,moveit
.
Het
akesof
fthecov
ersandacol
dbr
eezehi
tsme.
Me:Youar
eacti
ngl
ikeyouwil
lgi
vemeal
i
cencet
he
mi
nuteIl
earnt
odri
vethatcar
.
Luy
olo:
Oky
ouhav
e2mi
nut
esnow.
Idr
agmyf
eettothebat
hroom,
hecomesi
nand
hol
dmywai
stkissi
ngmyneckImoan.
Luy
olo:
Let
sgo.
.
Hesay
swal
ki
ngaway
,Icussundermybr
eat
h..
.
Hest art
sthecarandIobser veclosely
,probably
becausei '
m stil
langryathim,Idon'twanttodot his
again..
hegi v
esmet hekeysandIdon' twaitforhi
m
totellt
ost artt
hecarIjustdoexact lywhathedi d
withmyhear tbeati
ngsof astagainstmychest ,
I'
m
scaredbutIwon' tshowhi m.
Theminut
ethecarstartmovinghecheersandIgai
n
someconfi
dence,Ist
artdri
vi
ngaroundthegrounda
fewt
imesthenIstop,getoutandwalkbackhome
l
eavi
nghimthere.
Ifi
ndevery
oneeat
ingbr
eakf
ast,
Igotakeaqui
ck
showerandgobacktot
hetabl
eandLuyol
oisher
e
too.
Uncl
e/dad:
You'
renotcr
yingt
odayhuh?
Luy
olo:yourpr
incessi
sagenius,
bei
ngangr
y
worked,
shemanagedt odr
ive.
Thecheer
sint
het
abl
e,Iendupsmi
l
ing.
Sunshi
ne:
Iknewy
oucandoi
t.
Kwanel
e:Inev
erdoubt
edy
ouf
orasecond.
Me:
yeahr
ight
.
West
artt
alki
ngaboutf
indi
nganannyf
ort
heki
ds.
Lul
ama:
Ihav
eaper
soni
nmi
nd.
Me:
Not
hanks.
.
Lul
ama:
butshei
sgood,
sheoncewor
kedf
orme.
Mandi
si:
Maket
hatadoubl
enot
hanks.
Shest
art
stear
ingup.
.
Lulama:Lukhel
edoy ouseey
ourki
dsdon'tl
i
keme,
theyar
esor udetowardsmei'
mjustt
ryi
ngtohel
p.
Me:Ohi
'
m sor
rysi
sLul
amai
tsj
ustt
hatIal
ready
hav
esomeonei
nmind.
Il
i
eIhav
enot
hingbutIdon'
twantany
thi
ngt
odo
wit
hherIal
readyhavehadenoughofhert
omor
row
i
tstheendofhertwoweeks.
'
Todayi'minagoodmood, iwakeupandt akeabath,
Iyanafol
lowsthenIgot aket
heboy sfr
om Luy ol
o'
s
room t
heyareal r
eadyawake,IkissLuyoloonthe
cheekandwal koutwi t
hboNtsika,
Ibaththem.We
hadplannedthepr ev
iousdaythatwear egoingto
checktheprogressatthesit
e.
Imakebr
eakf
astf
orev
ery
one.
Mandi
si:
Ohsomeonei
sinagoodmood.
Me:i
'm get
ti
ngmarr
iedsoonIshoul
dbehappyI
don'
twanttohav
ewr i
nkl
es.
Wesi
tdownandeat
.
Mbal
i
:Soyouwon'
tbeher
ewhenwegetbackf
rom
t
hesi
ter
ight
?
Sheaskl
ooki
ngatLul
ama.
Lulama:YesIwantedtotahnkyousohowaboutyou
allgoandZiyandaandIstaybehi
ndtopr
epar
elunch
foryou,i
fthat'
sokwit
hy ou.
Uncl
e/dad:Sur
ewewil
ltaket
heboys,
Iyanawi
l
lst
ay
behi
ndwithyou,wewi
l
lbequick.
Lul
amasmi
l
es.
Theyalldr
iveoffandIgot
akeIyaf
rom t
heroom and
placeheronthecouchandstar
tcl
eani
ng,nextst
il
lI
feelsomethi
ngonmyhead, Lul
amaispointi
nga
gunatme.
Lulama:Ineedal
lthatmoneythatFel
ici
aleftf
ory
ou,
ori'
ll
shootyouorbettery
etshootthepreci
ous
Iy
ana.
Shesay
smov
ingt
hegunf
rom met
oIy
a.It
akea
st
ep.
Lul
ama:
Ify
oumov
eIwi
l
lshoother
.
Me:Iknewyouar
euptosomet
hingbutIj
ust
t
houghtyouwant
eddad.
Lul
ama:Nojustmoney .Sowhatyouwil
ldoiswe
goi
ngtoyourroom andy ouwil
lgi
vemeyourbank
car
dsandthepinsanddar etr
ytoactsmar
tIwil
lki
ll
her
.
Iwal
ktomyr
oom wi
thherf
oll
owi
ngme.
It
akemycar
dandhandi
ttoher
.
Lul
ama:
Pin!
Me:
2179
Lul
ama:
Givemeyourphone,
andI
fyouar
epl
ayi
ng
wit
hmeI'
m goi
ngtoki
lly
ou.
Shedi
alssomet
hingsof
astandshoutYes!
Wemov et
othel
ounge,
shet
hrowsmyphoneback
atme.
Lul
ama:Ify
out r
yanythi
ngf
unnyi'
m gonnacome
backandki
lly
ou,herandev
eryoneyoulov
e.
Inodsher
ushtot
her
oom andcomebackwi
thher
bagsandwal
kout
.
It
akemyphoneandcal
lkwanel
e.
Kwanel
e:Hel
l
o.
Me:
Shet
ookmybankcar
dand.
.
Kwanel
e:Wear
ecomi
ngbackr
ightnow.
ItakeI
yaandlockthedoor
,Kwanel
eshout
sforme
toopenthedoor,
theyal
lcomeinaski
ngwhat
happened.
Me:Shehadaguni
nmyheadandsheev
enpoi
nted
i
tatIy
ana.
Luy
olo:
Shewhat
!?
Kwanel
e:Iknewsomet
hingwasupwi
thher
.
Me:Shewi
l
lcomeback,
thatcar
ddoesn'
thav
e
money.
Kwanel
e:Lethert
ry,
Iwi
l
lbewai
ti
ngf
orher
..

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee
'
'
I
nser
t93
'
Todayi
smybigday,I
'
m get
ti
ngmarri
edtomy
soul
mate,
Thefat
herofmybabygi
rl
.It
s5:00am i
n
themorni
ng,Ifeel
tear
srunni
ngdownmyeyes?Iam
happybutIwishmom washereonthi
sday
,Imiss
hersomuch.
'
Ihearadooropeni
ngandMbal
iandSunshi
neget
s
i
nandsitinbed.
Mbal
i
:It
sabeaut
if
uldaywhyar
eyoucr
yingsweet
y.
Isobl
ouder
.ShehugsmeandIcr
yonhershoul
der
.
Me:Imi
ssherSi
sMbali
,Iwi
shshewashereont
his
mosti
mport
antdayofmyli
fe,
itssounf
air
..
Mbal
i:I
'm sosor
rybaby.
.l
etmecal
lLuy
olosoy
ou
cant
alktohim,i
sthatok?
Inod.Shetakesherphoneandputi
tonspeakeras
Luyol
o'sphoneri
ngs.
Luy
olo:
*Mbal
iwhat
'
sup.
.*
Mbal
i
:Tal
ktoZi
yandashei
scr
ying.
Luy
olo:
*heybabyar
eyouok,
what
'swr
ongt
alkt
o
me*
Me:
Imi
ssMom Luy
oloshewasn'
tsupposedt
odi
e
bef
oremyweddi
ngsh.
.
Icont
inuet
ocr
y.
Luyolo:*
Ziyandali
stenokMom i sproudofyou,she
washappyt hatyou'r
egett
ingmar r
ied,sobehappy
thatshediedaproudmom becauseofy ouok,now
getupandl ookprett
yforyourhusbandtobe,Iwill
meety ouatthealter
,Il
oveyouok*
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
Iwi
pemyt
ear
sandsmi
l
e.
Sunshi
ne:
Wear
eher
efory
ouok,
don'
tev
erf
eel
al
one.
Me:
Thanky
ouguy
s.
Mbali
:wemadeahealt
hybr
eakfastf
oryousoy
ou
don'
tfai
ntwhi
l
ewal
kingdowntheisl
e.
Sunshinegooutandcomebackwi thbreakfast,
we
eattogetherthenIgotot
hebathroom andt akemy
ti
met here,Igobacktomyroom at8:00am Sunny
star
tsdoingmymakeupandmyhai r,
sheof fer
ed
andshei sreall
ygoodwit
hthesethings.Iwearmy
weddinggown, Il
ookatmysel
finthemi rr
orandI
l
ookpr
ett
y.
Mbal
i:Don'tcr
ynowplease,you'
rebeaut
if
ul,
feels
l
ikey
esterdayyouwer
edoi ngGrade9andsoy oung.
Shestartscryi
ngtoor ui
ninghermakeup, theyare
bothmybr idesmaid,Luyoloandtheguy sspentthe
ni
ghtathi shouseherether ei
sSphokazi,Mom' s
fr
iendstheywer eherbri
desmai dsinher
wedding,SunnyandMbal i,i
'm gr
atef
ulforevery
one
whocame.
Mbali
:weneedtoleav
ei'
m sur
eLuyol
othi
nky
our
an
awaythewayheisbuzzi
ngmyphone.
Wel aughandgotothecar
s,dadhi
redt
hedr
iversto
takeustochurchi
nTotiwheret
heweddi
ngwill
take
place.
Wegetthere,
theguyscarsar
ealreadyher
e.Isee
dadgett
ingof
fhi
scarandcomi ngtous,hei
s
walki
ngmedownt hei
sle.
Uncl
e/dad:
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
Hepl
ant
saki
ssi
nmyf
orehead.
Me:
Youl
ookgr
eatt
oo,
itsl
i
key
ouar
ethegr
oom.
Hel
aughs.
Uncle/dad:Waitunt
ilyouseeyourmani nther
e,he
didn'
tev enwantustoseehissuityest
erdayweonly
sawi tthismor
ningforthefi
rstt
ime.
Il
aughoutl
oud.
Uncl
e/dad:Areyoureadyt
odot
his,
Icanal
way
s
hel
pyour unaway.
Me:
Dad!I
'
mready
.
Ismil
eathi
m, westandontheentr
anceandther
e
aresomanypeopl
ehere,Idi
dn'
texpectt
his.
Me:
Dadwhoar
eal
lthesepeopl
e.
Uncl
e/dad:
Justcl
osef
ri
endsev
enDoct
orPi
l
layi
s
her
e.
Me:
wowok.
EdSher
aanduetf
tBey
once-
Per
fectst
art
spl
ayi
ng.
.
Ii
nter
winemyarm ar
oundmydad'
sar
m andIl
ook
upathim smi
l
ing
Uncl
e/dad:
Let
'sdot
his.
'
"
Ifoundt
hel
ovef
orme
Dar
li
ngj
ustdi
ver
ighti
n,f
oll
owmyl
ead,
If
oundt
hegi
rlbeaut
if
ulandsweet
,
Inev
erknewy
ou'
ret
hatsomeonewai
ti
ngf
orme"
'
Wewal ksl
owl ydowntheislemyey esarelocked
withLuy ol
o'seyesheissmilingatme, If
eel
butterf
li
esinmyt ummy .Hel ookper f
ectandmy
brothersarestandi
ngonhi seithersidesmili
ng.We
reachtheal t
erdadkissmyf oreheadandhandmy
overtoLuy olo,Heholdmyhandandwet urntol
ook
atthePast or.
Pastor
:Bel
ovedwear
egather
edherefort
heunion
ofLuyol
oMzozoandZiy
andaLukhel
eakaPink.
Thepast
orshakeshi
sheadwel
aughl
i
kewhowr
ote
that
.
Past
or:Il
ovemarri
agessoIwon'
taskt
hatquest
ion
mostpastor
susual
lyaskbef
oret
heybl
essthe
marr
iage,
NoIwon'taskit
.
Welaughagai
n,Idon'
twantt
hatquest
ionei
ther
..
no
onei
sall
owedtostopmyweddingsorry.
Pastor:
Godi nhiswordsay
samanneedsahel pera
l
ifet
imepartnerbyhissi
de,Ourbeaut
if
uly
oung
coupleher
ehav ethei
rownv owestosayi
nhonour
ofGod'sword.
Hegivest
hemi ct
oLuyol
o,hecl
ear
shi
sthr
oatand
welookateachot
her
.
Luyolo:Fi
nall
ywear eheremyl ove,IknewIwant ed
tomar ryyout hefir
stdayIsawy ou,Iwant edtobui l
d
ahomewi thy ouandbeamot herofmyki ds,Ivow
tostandbyy out hroughthedarkesthoursandnev er
neglectyou,Iv owtoloveandpr ot
ecty out i
l
ltheend
ofti
me.Maki ngy ouhappywil
l bemypr i
orit
yIlove
yousomuch.
*
**
Me: Thankyousomuchf ortr
usti
ngmet obey our
l
ifet
imepartner,
yourwi f
e..
Ivowt orespectyouand
honouryou.Ivowt obebyy oursidethroughgood
ti
mesandbadt i
mes, becausetherearesunnydays
andalsorai
nyday s,Ivowtostandbyy out hr
oughit
al
l
.Yougi
vemecour
aget
olov
e.
*
**
Past
or:
Lov
eisbeaut
if
ult
hing,
canwehav
ether
ings.
**l
angacomesinhol
dingthem,helooksoangryy
et
cute,
ther
e'snoev
enaslightestsmil
e,Iwantt
o
l
aughathim.
**Pastor:Thankyouy oungman,(
hegiveseachofus
thering)nowr epeatafterme"
wit
hthisri
ng,thati
s
whereourf oreverl
iesitisasi
gnthatourheartsar
e
bindedbyl oveinf
rontofGodhimself,
Til
ldeathdo
uspar t"
Wesayaswesl
i
dther
ingsoneachot
her
'sf
inger
s.
Past
or:Ournewlyweddedcoupl
eMrandMrsMzozo
,Inowpronounceyouhusbandandwi
fe,
youmay
ki
ssthebri
de.
Luy
olostepsclosert
omeandcar
resmycheeks
l
ookingdeepinmyey es.
Luy
olo:
Ilov
eyou.
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo
Hekissmesopassi
onate,It
ryt
opulloutbuthe
hol
dmyf acei
noneplaceandcont
inuewiththeki
ss.
Peoplest
artcheer
ing,
hest
ops,
i'
m outofbr
eat
h
becauseofthatki
ss.
Luy
olo:
Thanky
ouwi
fey
..
Ismi
l
eathi
m,hei
smyhusband.
*
*

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee
*
I
nser
t94

Aftert
hewedding,wegreetthepeoplewhocameto
ourweddimgaswemov etochangetheneat,
we
didsayitwasjustgonnabeachur chcer
emonyonl
y,
thenwewi l
lbeleavi
ngforonlyt
hreedayssi
nceI
havebabieswej ustbookedaresortatUmhlangait
s
notthatf
arfrom home, t
heycanalway scal
lusif
ther
e'saproblem, t
hati
sbeingparentshuh.
.
*
*
Wet hankev
eryoneforcoming,t
henwesay
goodbyetothekidsandthefami
ly.
Sunshi
ne:
Don'
twor
ryt
heyar
eingoodhands,
enj
oy
ok.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Mbal
i
:Fi
rstsexasamar
ri
edwomanmustbe
magi
cal
.
Shewhi
sper
s,Il
aughather
.
Wegetint
hecarandmyhusbandisdri
vi
ng,
its
wei
rdr
ight
?Call
i
nghim myhusbandbuthei
sandI
l
ovehi
m.
Hehol
dmyhand,
Il
ookathi
m smi
l
li
ng.
Luy
olo:
Whati
sony
ourmi
ndMr
sMe?
Me:
You,
thi
sissur
real
,wear
emar
ri
ed,
i'
venev
er
i
magi
nedmy sel
fasamarri
edwomanbuther
eIam
wi
thmyhandsomehusband.
Hegl
anceatmesmi
l
ingwi
de.
Luy
olo:
Yout
hinki
'
m handsome?
Me:you'
rehot,especi
all
ytheti
meIwaswal king
downtheisl
e, youwerereal
lyhot
,Ialmosttr
ipped
andf
ellbecauseIwassot akenbutyourbeauty.
Helaughsr
eal
l
yhar
d,Ipl
aywi
thhi
sri
ngonhi
slef
t
f
inger.
Luy
olo:
Can'
tbeli
evey
ou'
remi
neZi
yanda,
thanky
ou
somuchbaby.
Me:
Thanky
ouYol
o.
*
*
Wer eachtheresor
tandhet akeourbagsandwe
checkin.WhenIopent hedoori'
m welcomedbyt he
redrosesfrom t
hedoorallt
hewayt othebedand
ther
ei saheartwit
htwobottlesofwineandglasses
i
nside.Il
ookatLuy ol
ohehasasmi leplast
eredon
hisface.
Me:
Youdi
dthi
s?
Luyolo:
Icall
edinafavour
,soguessy
oucansayI
di
di t
,al
lforyoubabe.
Iputmyar
msar oundhi
sneckandpeckhisli
psbut
hepull
smeclosermaki
ngmef eel
hisboner
,Imoan
i
nhismouth,
hepullsmybott
om li
pwithhi
steet
h.
Luy
olo:
Let
sgot
akeabat
hfi
rstok.
Hesaysalr
eadypull
ingmetot hebathroom,weget
t
hereandther
earecandlesli
tupi neverycor
nerof
t
heroom andtherosesareeverywhere,i
tsbeaut
if
ul.
Luy
olo:
Letmehel
pyout
akeof
fthi
sdr
ess.
Hestart
sunzippingmybeaut if
ul r
eddresshe
boughtf
orme, hesaidi
tsaweddi nggif
t.I
tslowl
y
fal
ldownont hef l
oor,I
'
ml eftwithmyredlacepant
y,
Ihavenobraon, i
'
m sti
llbr
eastfeedi
ngbuttheyar
e
sti
l
lnotthatbig.
Luy
olo:
aladyi
nred,
beaut
if
ul.
Hest
art
smov
inghi
shandsal
lov
ermybody
,Ishi
ver
.
Hest
artsplayi
ngwit
hmynippl
eswhi
l
esucki
ngon
myneck,Islowl
ytur
nar
oundandl
ookathi
m.
Me:
Ineedy
ou.
.
Istarttounbutt
onhisshir
twhilelookingathim,I
remov eitandunbuckl
ehisbelt,imov ethepants
andhi sbri
efsallt
hewaydownt ohiskneeswhile
goingdownwi thit,Ir
emov eeveryt
hingthenkneel
i
nfrontofhim.Istartmovi
ngmyhandt ohisbal
l
s
whilewithmyot herImassagehisdick.
Luy
olo:
Fuck.
.
Iputiti
nmymouthandstartsucki
ngslowl
y,he
grabsmyhai
rpul
l
ingmecl oser,
nowitsmovingfast
i
nandoutofmymout h.
Luy
olo:
aahf
uck.
..
shi
t.
Hecum deepi nmythroatshaki
ng,Iswallow, hehelp
meupandki ssmesopassionatel
yandhemov es
met othewal l
andgodownonmewi t
hmyl egon
hi
sshoulderandIbalancewithabasin,hest art
sucki
ngmycl i
tandl
i
ckingit
,thenheput shist ongue
onmycooki e.
Me:
Shi
tbab.
.baby
..
aahy
es.
Hecont
inueandIt
ryt
opushhi
sheadasIf
eel
i'
m
aboutt
ocum butheresi
standhekeepsongoi
ng,
I
cum wi
thmybodytrembli
ng.
Me:
Fuck.
.y
es.
.
Hegetupandpi ckmeup, heputmei nthebathtub
thengeti
nbehindme, hestartcar
resi
ngmybody
withabathspounge,ifeel
hishandgoingdownon
mycookie,heinsertonefi
ngermyi nnermuscl
e
clenchi
mmediately
.
Luyolo:Babythatwasfast
,Il
ovehowyourbody
reacttomyt ouch,
itsf
uckentur
ningmeon.
.
Webathanddr
yourbodi
es,
hepicksmeuponce
agai
nandpl
acemeinbedandpullmykneesup.
Luy
olo:
Ilov
ewhatIsee.
Heopenhisbagandcomebackwi
thsomet
hing
whi
te.Il
ookathi
m conf
used.
Me:
Whati
sthat
?
Luyolo:
Itsavibr
ator
,Iwantt
owatchyoumaking
yoursel
fcum usi
ngitbef
oreImakelov
etoyou.
Het
akesmyhandandgivemeav ibr
atorandmoves
myhandandi
mmediat
elyitt
ouchesmycl i
t,Imoan
outl
oud.
Hemovesandst
andwat
chi
ngme,
whi
l
epl
ayi
ngwi
th
hi
sdi
ck.
Igr
abt
hesheet
sasIf
eel
mysel
fbui
l
dingup.
Luy
olo:
Yesbaby
..
ImoanlouderasIsquitall
overthebed,heswi
ftl
y
movestobedandt akesthevibr
atorf
rom myhand
andputi
nhisdickandst ar
tmov i
ng.
Luy
olo:You'
resobreat
if
ul.
.f
uck.
.Il
oveseei
ngy
ou
cum baby,
sohot.
Heispoundi
ngonmel
i
kehi
sli
fedependsoni
t,hei
s
sweat
ing.
Me:
Baby
..
yespl
easedon'
t.
.don'
tst
opy
es.
Luy
olo:
Youwannacum?
Me:
Yes.
.y
espl
ease.
.
Luy
olo:
nonoty
et.
Hepul
loutandpickmeup, Il
ockmylegsonhis
wai
standhebalancemeont hewall
andstar
ts
movi
ngalloveragai
n,Idi
gmynailsonhis
shoul
der
sasIcum agai
n,myinnermuscl
ecl
ench
oncemore,
Ifeel
him shake.
Luy
olo:
FuckZi
yanda,
babywhywoul
dyoudot
hat
?
Me:
Dowhat
?
Luyolo:
yourwal
lswer
eclenchingonmydickandI
couldn'
thel
pbutcum.
.f
uck..
thatthi
ngi
shot.
Ichuckl
e.
Me:
Itj
usthappenedYol
o..
Hemov
esust
othebedandcl
eanusup.
Luy
olo:
Ilov
eyousomuch.
.
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oobabesomuch.
Luy
olo:
Let
scheckupont
hef
am andt
heki
ds.
HegetupIspankhi
sbutt,
hisf
ace,pri
cel
esshel
ook
f
lushed,
mor
elikebl
ushi
ngthanshocked
Luy
olo:
Whatt
hehel
l
!!
Il
aughathi
m,Iev
enhav
etear
sinmyey
es.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
anda!
Il
ookathi
m andcont
inuet
olaugh,
hesmi
l
es.
Luy
olo:
Ilov
eseei
ngy
ouhappybaby
,youdeser
vei
t.
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t95

Ithasbeenwonder
fulbei
ngher
ewi t
hLuyol
o
spendi
ngsomequalit
ytimeal
onebutnowitsour
l
astday,wehavetopackupandleave.
Luy
olo:
Heybabe,
readyt
ogo?
Me:
uhm yeah,canwestartatt
heDr
'sof
fi
ce,
want
t
oaskaboutcontr
acept
ives.
Luy
olo:
cont
racept
ives?
Me:
YesLuy
olo,
pregnancypr
event
ion.
Luy
olo:
Butwhy
?
Me:HayiLuy ol
o,whatdoyoumeanwhy ,
Ihav
ealot
ofki
dsalreadyandIhav etogobackt
oschooland
I
yaistooy oung.
.needIsaymore?
Luy
olo:
Ohuhm no.
Me:
Luy
olo!
Luy
olo:
mmmh!
Me:
comesi
ther
e.
Hesi
tsnextt
omeandbr
ushhi
sface.
Me:Ioncehear
dthatcommunicat
ionisthekeytoa
heal
thymarri
age,t
alktomeaboutyourfears,
worri
esanddesir
es,tel
lmewhati
sbot heri
ngyou.
Luy
olo:Ij
ustwantt
oknow,uhm doy
ouwantmor
e
chi
l
dren,maybeinf
utur
e?
Me:Honestl
yIdon'
t
,It
hinki
'
mfi
newi
tht
heonesI
al
readyhav
e.
Luy
olo:
Ohokuhm,
webet
tergetgoi
ng.
Hesay
sget
ti
ngupbutIpul
lhi
m downgent
ly.
Me:
Doy
ouwantmor
eki
ds?
Luyol
o:Itdoesn'
tmatter,
youalr
eadyt
alki
ngabout
contr
acepti
vesbefor
et al
kingt
omef i
rst
.
Me:Idon'
twannaf i
ghtYolo,i
tssti
llearl
y,l
ookI
di
dn'
tsayi'
m goingtoti
emyt ubest hatshoul
dmean
somethi
ng,contr
acept
ivesaretempor al
ly,
youcan
al
waysstopifyouwantt ogetpregnant.
Luyol
o:Butyousaidy
oudon'
twantmor
echi
l
dren,
butIdoZiyanda.
Me:Thatswherecommuni
cat
ioncomesinbabe,we
canal
way smakeacompromi
se,youknowIl
ovey ou,
andIwil
ldoanythi
ngt
omakey ouhappysot
ellme
whatyouwant.
Luyol
o:Iwantabi
gfami
l
ybabe,
mor
eki
dswi
thy
ou,
pl
ease.
Me:OkhowaboutIfini
shmystudi
esf
ir
stt
henIcan
gi
veyouasoccerteam huh.
Hesmi
l
esal
i
ttl
e.
Luyol
o:Icanworkwi
ththat
,uhm t
hankyoubabyfor
every
thi
ng,youar
egett
inggoodwit
hthi
smarriage
thi
ng.
Webot
hlaughandki
ss,weenduphav
ingaqui
cky
wi
thmebendi
ngoveronthebed.
Wehitt
heroadst
art
ingatt
hemal
lbuy
ingaf
ew
t
hingsf
ort
hekidsandforme.
Aswearewalkinghol
dinghands,IseeThesquad
comingatus,
Boit,
Lesediandsomeothergi
rl
,it
smy
fi
rstt
imeseei
ngher.
Todayi
tsdi
ffer
entiam conf
ident
,Luy
oloi
smyman
now,myhusband.
.
Theyseeusandstar
tpoi
nti
ngatus,
Thenwal
kupt
o
us,westandi
nfr
ontoft
hem.
Luyol
orol
lshi
seyesl
ooki
ngatme,Il
aughathi
m,
whendidhebecomesodramat
ict
hisi
smandisi
'
s
depar
tment.
Boi
t:Her
ecomest
hemansnat
cher
.
Lesedi
:It
sapityt
hatt
hiswon'
tl
ast
,heknowswher
e
homeis, andt
hat
smebaby .
Ichuckl
eandtouchmyf or
eheadwithmylef
thand,
I
heargasps.
.I'
m sur
etheysawahugebeauti
fulr
ock
onmyf i
ngeranddamnr i
ghtiam showi
ngoff
.
Me:Stopcl
aimi
ngpeopl
e'
shusbandsLesedi
,i
ts
di
sgusti
ngoksweet
y.
IhearLuy
olochuckl
enextt
ome.
Lesedi
:Luy
olowhati
sgoi
ngon?
Me:sisheistaken,
amar r
iedmanwithabeaut
if
ul
babygirl
atthat
,heismyhusband,st
ayawayfr
om
hi
mi fyouknowwhat '
sgoodforyou.
Igr
abmyhusband'
shandandwewal
kaway
.
Luy
olost
opsIt
urnt
olookathi
m,hei
ssmi
l
ing.
Luy ol
o:Wow!Inevert
houghty
ouhaditi
nyoutodo
that,I
'm pr
oudofyouok,y
ouaret
urni
ngint
oav er
y
strongbeauti
ful
woman,Mom wouldbesoproudof
you.
Ibl
ushandwegoonanddoourshoppi
ngt
henhead
home.
Wefindever
ythingupsidedown, l
ooksli
kesomeone
i
scleani
ngthehouse, westandbyt hedoor,Wesee
Mandisi
comingt hr
ought hepassagehel ookso
t
ir
ed,Kwaneletoo.Wel ookatthem confused.
Theyt
hrowt
hemsel
vesont
hecouch,
ever
yone
comesandsitdown,wegr
eetandt
hekidsr
untous
aswesitdown,It
akeIy
anawhoiswit
hMbali
.
Me:
whyi
sourhousel
i
ket
his?Spr
ingcl
eani
ng?
Mandisi
:Sortoff
,Sunshi
nefoundabugont he
cof
feetabl
esowewer etur
ningthehouseupsi
de
downsearchingift
herei
smor e.
Kwanele:Andweallknowwhoputt hem t
here,
itsa
goodthingwedidn'
ttal
kmuchaboutmoneyand
anyt
hingelsebesi
destheweddingprepar
ati
onsthe
pastweeks,whensheleftt
hishouse.
Me:
Soi
tsLul
ama.
Mbali
:Yeahenoughaboutt
hat
,howwasy
our
honey
moon, howwasthesex.
.
Weal
lshout"
Mbal
i
!!"
.
Mbal
i
:What
!?I
'
mjustcur
ioust
hat
'sal
l
.
Uncle/
dad: Ir
eal
l
ydon'twanttohearaboutmy
daughterandSon'ssexl
if
e..
Wel
augh.
Me:
Uhm bhut
'Kwanel
ehowf
arar
etheywi
tht
he
house.
Kwanele:
Theyareputt
ingthewindowsandfl
oor
ti
les
now,sobytheendofthismonthwewi l
lbemovi
ng
i
n,thi
shouseisn'
tsaf
ef orusanymore.
Me:
Okdidyoucheckmye-
mai
l
sregar
dingmyr
e-
r
egi
str
ati
on?
Kwanele:Ofcause,wewi l
lj
ustneedtogetyour
hospi
talrecordsfort
hewhol eofthi
syearsowewill
haveproofofnotcontinui
ngwithschooli
fyousti
l
l
wantyourbusar y
.
Me: I
fit
spossibl
et henpleasebhut
igett
hose
recor
dsforme, Iwor kedmyassoffgett
ingt
hat
busaryI'
m notl
osingit.
Kwanel
e:Iwi
l
lgetr
ightoni
t.
Sunshi
ne:
you'
regl
owi
ngsi
smar
ri
agel
i
fesui
tsy
ou.
Me:
Iknowr
ight
.
Isayblushi
ng,
Iam genui
nel
yhappyf
ort
hef
ir
stt
ime
i
nf or
ever.
*
IhearabeepsoundandLuy
olosear
cheshi
spr
ocket
hecomesbackwi t
hmyphoneandhanditt
ome.
It
samessageandi tr
eads:"Iheardyouaremarri
ed,
pit
yitwon'tbelongbabygir
lbecausei'
m comingout
soon,youwill
comebackt omeZi yanda,Iwantmy
ki
dst ogrowupi nahappyhomewi thmom anddad,
Youar et
heloveofmyl i
fe
Lov
eMi
sokuhl
e"
Me:
Ohhei
sst
il
lbr
eat
hing?
Luy
olol
ooksatmyphoneIseehi
m cl
enchi
nghi
s
j
aw.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ineedtofi
ndoutwhati
sgoi
ngon,t
hey
can'
tbecomingoutsoon,
maybeheist
ryi
ngt
o
scar
eyou.
Me:Ohmydaysofbei
ngscaredoftheGumede'sar
e
over
,Ihav
emyprot
ect
orsri
ghthere,Myhusband
andmywholef
amil
y.
Kwanel
e:Mysi
steri
sgr
owi
ngup.
Mandi
si:
Iam sopr
oud.
Hesay
sfaki
ngt
het
ear
s,webur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
Uncle/
dad:Uhm Luyol
odi
dyouruncl
escall
you?
theysai
dtheyneedtomeetwi
thusbuttheydi
dn'
t
tel
lustheagenda.
Luy
olo:
No,
Idon'
tknowaboutanymeet
ingdad.
Uncl
e/dad:
wewi
l
lmeett
hiscomi
ngweekend.
Mandi
si:
Ift
heyaregonnaberudetoust
heymi
ght
aswel
lnotst
epfootinthi
shouse.
Kwanel
e:theybet
ternotbr
ingt
hei
rst
inki
ngat
ti
tude
her
eorelse.
Me:Iwonderwhati
tsall
about,
may bet
heywantt
o
t
akeLesediasl
uyol
o'ssecondwif
e.
Il
augh,
luy
ologi
vesmeadeat
hst
are.
Luy
olo:
You'
renotf
unnyMr
sMe.
Me:
Youl
ovemeany
way
.
Luy
olo:
Ido.
Mbal
itear
sup.
Sunshi
ner
oll
sherey
es.
Sunshi
ne:
Mbal
iyouar
ereal
l
yannoy
ing.
Mbal
i
:butt
heyar
esocut
eguy
s
Sunshi
ne:
andt
hatmakesy
oucr
ybecause?
Mbal
i
: Youshoul
dleav
emeal oneSunnypl
easel
et
mecryinpeaceSi
sthesear
emyt earsok.
Wel augh,Mylif
eiscl
osetoperfecti
onifonl
yther
e
weren'tanyenemiesofpr
ogresslikeboMisoand
Lul
ama.

Zee
Zee
*
*
I
nser
t96
It
sthedayofthemeeti
ngwithLuyol
o'
suncl
es,we
areprepar
ingbr
eakf
ast
,IputLuyol
o'
sfoodonhis
plat
eandtakeitt
ohim,hesmil
esatme.
Luy
olo:
Thanky
ou.
Mandi
si:
whataboutussi
s?
Me:Iwasser
vingmyhusbandf
ir
stbhut
i,popt
he
quest
iony
ouwi l
lgett
hesamet
reat
mentf r
om Mbal
i
.
Mandisi
:
Iwil
lsoonbutIknowMbaliwon'
tdot
hisf
or
me,sheissoghet
tobutIlov
eherass
Me:
You'
dbesupr
ised.
.
Iseedadcomi
ngoutofhi
sroom.
Igotothekit
chenandweserveall
oft hem,
Ilov
emy
husbandtodeathbutI
fdadwasherehewas
defi
nit
elygoi
ngtobeservedf
ir
stal
right.
Weeatov
eral
i
ghtconv
ersat
ion.
Ibat
htheki
dswithSunshi
newhosai
dshei
sgoi
ng
backhometoday
.
Me:
Butwhy
,ar
eyounothappywi
thus.
Sunshi
ne:IhaveahomeZeeandbesi desthingsar
e
notworki
ngoutwithmeandy ourbr
other,Idon'
t
knowhei sj
ustcol
dsometimes,Iev
enwonderi fhe
real
l
ylovesmeorisitj
ustsexhewant s.
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay
..
Kwanel
e:I
'
m sor
ry.
.
Wegetst
art
ledwedi
dn'
thearhi
m
comei
n.
Kwanel e:sorr
yf orbeingcold,maki
ngy oudoubtmy
feeli
ngf oryou,Iwasj ustbusySunnyyou'v
eseen
howt hingsarewi ththebugs, Lul
amat hr
eatni
ng
Ziyandaandev eryt
hing,pl
easedon'tl
eaveIwil
lput
i
nmor eef f
ort.
Sunshi
ne:
OkbutIst
il
lneedt
ogoseemyf
ami
l
y,I
can'
tst
ayher
efor
ever.
Kwanel
e:Howabouty
ougowhenwehav
emov
edt
o
ournewhome.
Sunshi
ne:
Ok.
Wef i
nishwit
hthekidsthenwesitont helounge,
ther
eisanockont hedoor,Mandi
si openthedoor
andcomebackhei sstari
ngatme, Luyolo'
suncles
arebehindhi
m,fol
lowedbyMy" mot her"Noklunga.
Me:
Whatt
hef
uck!
Uncle/dad:
Ziy
anda!
Ther
ear eki
dsinherewhoare
sti
l
llearni
ngtotal
ksogir
l,don'
tusethatl
anguagei
n
thi
shouse.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
IlookatNoklunga,sheisst
il
lbeaut
if
ulwit
ht hatl
ong
hairandbeauti
fulwhit
edresssheisweari
ng, you
knowwhenIwasy oungIalwaysadmiredherbeauty,
beforeIknewthekindofpersonshewas, Ial
ways
thoughtshewasawaybecauseshehast owor knot
knowingshejustdidn'
twantme.
Me:Whatarey
oudoi
ngher
e,whyar
eyouher
e
Nokl
unga?
Shel
ooksatdadandhermout
hhungopen.
Nokl
unga:
Bhut
i!
(br
other
)
Shel
ookshockedanddadj
ustgi
veshert
hel
ook.
Nokl
unga:
Bongani
wowIcan'
tbel
i
evey
ou'
reher
e.
Mandi
si:
whatdoy
oumean?t
hisi
shi
shouse.
Nokl
unga:
What
?I'
m conf
usedhowdi
dZi
yandaend
upher
e?
Me:Don'
tsaymynameNokl
unga,
don'tokasf
arasI
know,
meandy ou,
wear
estr
angers.
Uncl
e/dad:
Sitdownandt
ell
uswhyy
ouar
eher
e.
Theyt
akeseat
sandMzozo,
Luy
olo'
suncl
ecl
ear
shi
s
thr
oat
.
Mzozo:UuhLukhel
ewear eher
ebecauseofwhat
wehavediscov
eredregar
dingy
ourdaught
erher
e
Zi
yanda.
Nokl
unga:
Hisdaught
er?
Notonl
yherweav
eisbl
ondeIsee,
evenhermi
nd.
Uncle/dad:
Yeahthat'
swhathesai
d,Mydaught
er
Ziyandanowcanwegetonwi thi
t,wedon'
thav
eall
thetimeintheworl
dwearebusyhere.
Nokl
unga:Withal
lduerespectbrot
her
,Zi
yandais
mydaughterIgav
ebirt
ht oher,
Youonlyhaveboys
st
opsayingmydaughterisyours.
Uncle/
dad:Ionlyhadboy
sthen,
nowIhavea
daughterZi
yanda,nowwhyareyouher
e?
I
'm angry
,I'
m shaki
ngwhyi
sshecal
l
ingmeher
daughter
.
Nokl
unga:
Ziy
andahei
syourf
ather
.
Hesay
spoi
nti
ngatt
hel
i
ghtUncl
ejustl
i
ket
hat
.
Luy
olo:
What
?Nt
abeni
isZi
yanda'
sfat
her
?
Ntabeni
:YeswhenIsawt her esemblancebetween
yourwif
eandNokl ungaIhadt ofi
ndherandaskher
aboutZiy
anda,Noklunga'
spar ent
stookheroutof
Schoolbecauseshewaspr egnantandshewent
backandat t
endedschool
sbackhomeandIdi dn'
t
knowwher eherhomewas, wel ostcontact
,Sheis
mydaught er
.
Noklunga:
Andwear eher etodemandtheLobol
a
thatwaspaidforher
,itbelongst
otheparent
sMe
andherfatherher
e.
Me:
What
!
Isayi
nal
owtone,Ican'
tbel
i
evet
his,
Ifeel
Luy
olo'
s
handi
nmyshoul
der.
Me:
Soy
oucameher
eformoney
?
Noklunga:Zi
yandaIprovi
dedforyouf
inancial
l
yfr
om
bir
thti
llhi
ghschoolIdeserv
ethatmoneyitsmine
foral
lthoseyearsgi
vi
ngy oumymoney .
Me:
Youwantt
hel
obol
amoneyt
oo?
Il
ookatt
hisNt
abeni
.Hel
ooksbackatme.
Ntabeni
:Yes,Youar
emydaughterandaccordi
ngto
cult
urealobol
amoneyi
srecei
vedbythefatherof
thebri
de.
Me:
Whati
fthatf
atheri
sdeadordoesn'
texi
statal
l
.
Ntabeni:Onl
yJesuswasconcei v
edbyahol l
yspir
it
,
youneedamant ofall
pregnantyoushoul
dknow
t
haty ouhavealotofki
dsy ouhavebeenspreadi
ng
yourlegsf.
.
Hedoesn'tf
inishDadgr
abshi
m byhi
sshir
tand
punchhim Mzozoseper
atet
hem.Dadissweat
ing
andshaki
ngi nanger
.
Uncle/
dad:Youcamei ntomyhousef ornonsense
huhNoklungayoubr ingyourbr ainl
essboyfri
endsi
n
myhousef orshit
?Youhav en'tbeenamot herto
yourdaughterf
oryear sandy oucomeher e
demandingmoney ,Don'ttestmeNokl ungaIwil
l
for
getyou'r
emysi sterandki l
l y
ou.
I
yanast
art
swai
l
ingsol
oud,
Ibr
inghercl
osert
omy
chest
,If
eel
tear
sbur
ningmyey
es.
Me: Daditsokay,
givehert
hemoney,soshecan
stayoutofmyl i
feli
keshehasbeendoi
ngovert
he
years,gi
veherthemoneydad.
Kwanele:Sheisnotgett
ingacentfr
om us,i
ncl
udi
ng
youNtabeni,
youarecrazy,y
oufindoutyouhav
ea
daught
erandt hefi
rstt
hingyoudoisdemandmoney
fr
om her.
Ntabeni
:Itbel
ongst
ome,
thosear
emysper
msIam
herfat
her..
Luy
olost
andsupandwal
kaway
.
Me:
I..
Ijustwantt
hesepeopl
etol
eav
e..
Luy
olo:
okt
hat
'si
t,i
tst
imef
ory
out
ogor
ightnow.
IhearNokl
ungascr
eam andt
womenst
andupso
fast
.
Il
ooknextt
omeLuy
olohasaguni
nhi
shand.
Mzoz
o:Sondon'
tdot
hat
,wear
efam.
.
Luy
olo:
Out
.
Her
aiseshi
sgunup.
Theyr
ushout
.Oncetheyareoutheput
shisgunon
hi
sbackandt
akethecryi
ngIyafr
om me.
Luyol
o:Shhi
tsokdaddyi
sher
e,cal
m downbabygi
rl
shhh.
.
Hemovesaroundwit
hher
,onceshe'scal
m hewal
ks
awaywi
thherandcomeback,si
tt
ingnextt
ome.
Luy
olo:
You'
reok.
Me:
I'
mjust
,Idon'
tknow,
angr
yIguess.
Uncl
eisst
il
lpr
ett
ymuchangry
,themani
sal
way
s
sweat
ingwhenheisangr
y.
Uncle/dad:Thosepeopl edon'tknowme, youknow
Noklungahasal waysbeenlikethi
s, shebeli
evedshe
deservedev erygoodthing,shewasal way
s
demandi ng,thatiswhyIlefthome, shewant edal
l
theattenti
oni twasannoy i
ng, wethoughtshewoul d
changeaswegr ewupbutshebecamewor se.
.
Mbal
i
:Whatawast
eofbeaut
y.
Uncl
e/dad:
Comet
oyourdadpr
incess.
Igetupsmi
l
ingandt
hrowmy
sel
finhi
sar
ms.
Uncl
e/dad:
Youaremydaught
erok,nomat
ter
what
,youwil
lal
waysbemypri
ncess.
Sunshi
ne:
Nott
odayMbal
ipl
easenott
oday
.
Mbal
i
:whatdi
dIdo?
Sunshi
ne:OhIt
houghtyou'
recr
yingov
ert
his
beauti
ful
momenthere.
Mbal
i
:mcm got
ohel
lwena.

It
smonthendandwear emov i
ngoutgoingtoour
newhome,i
'm exci
ted.Ipacktheki
dsclotheswe
don'
thav
emanycl othessincewetookwhatwe
coul
dwhenwecameher eandourhousebur ned
down.
Iki
ssasl
eepi
ngLuy
olo,
hesmi
l
esopeni
nghi
sey
es.
Luy
olo:
You'
reawakeal
ready
.
Me:
YesIcan'
twai
ttoseei
t.
Kwanel
edidn'
tal
lowust
ogotothehousey
ethe
sai
dhewillt
akecar
eoft
hei
nter
iordesi
gnt
osupri
se
us,
Itr
usthim.
Me:
Uhm soshoul
dIpackf
ory
ou.
Luyol
o:Yespleasebutwewil
lhav
etogotomy
housetopackupt her
eIt
hinkweshoul
dsel
lthat
house.
Me:
Okwewi
l
ltal
kaboutt
hatl
ater
.
Luy
olo:
Ilov
eyouZi
yanda.
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oobabe.
Iwal
koutt
opackhi
scl
othes.
Wehittheroad,whenwegetther
e,t
her
eisa
concr
etefencealreadyv
eryhi
ghandahugegat
ewe
getoutofthecars.
Me:
Kwanel
ethi
sist
adt
oomuch.
Kwanel
e:Wear
ekeepi
ngourf
ami
l
ysaf
eZi
yanda.
Me:
Igeti
tbr
o.
Wegetinsi
det
hehouseanditf
eel
sli
keIj
ust
st
eppedint
oheav
en,t
hehouseisgr
eyandwhit
e.
Kwanel
e:Al
lfory
ou,
yourf
avour
it
ecol
our
s.
Me:
Bhut
'Kwanel
e
Il
etoutt
ear
sofJoysmi
l
ingandhuggi
nghi
m so
ti
ght
.
Kwanel e:Mom alway scomplainedabouty our
favourit
ecolours, shewouldsay"Ziyandaloves
ri
diculouscolours,agir
llov
espi nknotGr eyand
white"andwewi l
l l
aughremindinghery ouarenot
soy oungany mor eandshewoul dsay" butGrey
reall
y"
Il
aughwi t
ht earsinmyey eshei
simit
ati
ngmom
shereal
l
ydi dn'tunder
standwhygreyoutofal
lthe
col
oursinthewor ld.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
17]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t97
Wehavebeentouri
ngaroundthehousef orawhi l
e
i
tsreal
l
ybeauti
ful
,myroom inwhichIwi l
lsharewith
myhusbandisgreyandwhiteofcause,butother
roomshavedi
ffer
entcol
oursofcause,dad'sroom i
s
atthef
arendofthepassage.
Uncl
e/dad:
Andwhyi
smyr
oom sof
ar.
Mbal
i;
Uhm becausewe.
..
uhm we.
.youknowmos,
we.
.
Uncl
e/dad:
Aydon'
tsayi
t.
Themenoft hehousegooutt obuysomemeatand
fewthi
ngsforthebraai
,whent heycomebackwesi
t
attheback,
therei
sav erybeautif
ulgar
dent
her
ebut
i
tlooksundone.
Thisi
sabeauti
ful
momentwearelaughi
ngand
teasi
ngeachot
her,i
tsr
eal
l
yaper
fectmoment.
Me:Uhm daddon'tyout
hinkweshoul
dvisi
tmom'
s
grav
etomorrowforthef
irstt
imeandbuyfr
esh
fl
owersf
orhergrave.
Hel
ooksl
i
kehei
sthi
nki
ngt
hennod.
Uncl
e/dad:
Wewi
l
lgo,
i
fyouwantt
ogo.
Me:
Arey
oust
il
langr
yather
?
Hesi
ghsl
ooki
ngupandl
ooksatmewi
tht
ear
yey
es.
Me:I
'm sor
rydadf
orbr
ingingt
hisup,
ify
ou'
renot
r
eadyIwill
askLuy
olot
ot akemether
e.
Uncl
e/dad:
Nowewi
l
lgo.
Weeatt hengoourseper
aterooms, I
yanai
s
sl
eepingwithusi
ntheroom butinhersmallcot
becauseshesti
ll
wakesupatni ghtandIhaveto
breast
feedorgi
veherabottl
e.
ThetwinsandLangel i
hleareshar
ingtheroom,Ido
checkuponthem ev eryt
imeIyanawakesmeup, but
theyar
egrowing, t
hereisasmal lbuckett
heyuseto
peeonatnight.
.iam apr oudmom.
*
Wewakeupandeatbr eakfastothersdecidetogo
forgroceryshoppingwi t
htheki ds,dadandIwear e
goingtomom' sgrave.West artattheGardenGat e
fl
orist
sf ormom'sf owers,Ibuycar nat
ionflower
sin
twodi f
ferentcol
oursanddadbuy sochir
df l
owers.
Wedr
ivet
othegr
avei
ncompl
etesi
l
ence.
Wewalkt
oMom'sgr
aveit
sst
il
lcl
ean,
ther
ear
e
wor
ker
swhocl
eangrav
esher
e.
Ikneel
nextt
oit
.
Me: Mom Imi ssyouev eryday, Ilongf ory ourhugs,I
missev erythi
ngabouty ou,somet i
mesIst ayawake
atnightthinkingabouty ou,Ihadabeaut ifulwedding
theonlyper sonIwasmi ssingisy ou, Imi ssyouso
much.Ibr oughty ouflowersPi nkcar nat i
onsf or
Grati
tude, Iam grat
eful f
orev erythi
ngy ouhav edone
forme, nowor dscandescr ibet hewayIappr eci
ate
you,andt herearewhi tecarnationst oof or
Remembr ance, i
wil
lnev erforgety ou, andi will
alwayskeept hememor i
esIhadwi t
hy oucloset o
myhear t,IloveyouFel i
ciaLukhel e.
Ist
andupandst
epbackDadkneel
sdown,
hekeep
qui
etf
orsometi
me.
Uncle/dad: I
tsti
meIletgooftheangerIhave
towardsy ou,Il
oveyousomuch, ithurt
s,y
our obbed
meofachancet osaygoodbye,
youl ef
tmeFel i
cia,
asoldasIam Iwaswi ll
i
ngtogivey oumyall
,butI
can'
tignor ethehappydaysyougav ememyl ove,I
broughtyouf
lower
stoo,or
chi
ds,
del
icat
ebeauty,
veryfr
agil
eandgent
le,
Ifor
giv
eyou,
Restinpeace
myl ove.
Igodownandhughi
m ashesob.
Me:Shei si
nabet terplace,l
ooki
ngdownonuswi th
asmileonherf ace,t
hanky ouforforgi
vingher,now
for
giveyoursel
fdad, Iknowy oubl
amey oursel
ffor
notbeingabletosaveher ,i
tsnotyourfaultLukhel
e,
i
twasboundt ohappen.
Hecalmsdownandwegetupdust i
ngour
sel
fand
gobacktot
hecarshol
dinghands.
Il
ookupathi
m.
Me:
Ilov
eyoudad,
somuch.
Uncle/
dad:Il
oveyoutooZiyandaandthanky
ouf or
suggesti
ngwecomeher e,
Iam atpeacenow,it
slike
somethingi
sli
ft
edoffmyshoul der
.
Wegeti
nthecarandwegobackhome.Wef
ind
ev
ery
onebackwestar
teat
ing.
Sunshi
ne:I
'
m goi
nghomet
omor
row,
may
bei
'
llsee
younextmont
h.
Me:
Doy
our
eal
l
yhav
eto?Iwi
l
lmi
ssy
ou.
Sunshi
ne:
Iwill
comebackZee, Ijustwanttocheck
uponthem,Ihaven'
tbeenaroundthem foral
ong
ti
meandnowt hati'
m backIhavetobethereas
muchasIcan.
Me:
OkIheary
ou.
*
Kwanel
eist
akingSunshi
nehomeIaskifIcant
ag
al
ong,wegoanddropSunshi
nehomeitsabitf
ar,
onourwaybackIgetacal
lfr
om Mbal
i.
Me:
Sis
Mbal
i
:Youneedt
ocomehomer
ightnow!
I
tlooksl
i
keshei
spani
cki
ng.
Me:
SisMbal
i
,ist
her
esomet
hingwr
ong?
Mbal
i
:comehomer
ightnowZi
i
.
Shedr
opsthecal
l
,It
rycal
l
ingLuy
olobuthei
snot
pi
cki
ngup.
Me:bhut
'Kwanel
epl
easedr
ivef
ast
erIdon'
tknow
what
supwi t
hMbali
.
Hest
epsonitandwegethome,Irushi
n,Mbali
isi
n
t
ear
s,Luy
oloishol
dingNkany
ezii
nhisarms.
Me:
Whati
shappeni
ng?
Luyol
o:Nkany
ezi
washav
ingasei
zur
ebuthei
s
cal
m now.
Ir
usht
ohi
m,hei
ssl
eepi
ng.
Mandi
si:
Hasi
tev
erhappenedbef
ore.
Me:uhm onl
ywhenLay
ladruggedt
hem,weneedt
o
t
akehimt ot
hedoct
ormaybesomethi
ngiswr
ong.
Luyol
opickshim upandwegot oKwanele'
scarbut
wehearMbal i
scream agai
n,Ir
unbackinsi
deIfi
nd
Ntsi
kaont hefl
oorshaki
ngandhiseyesareal
lwhit
e,
Ikneeli
nfr
ontofhim.
Me:
Godwhati
shappeni
ngwi
thmyki
ds.
Mandi
si:
Letmepi ckhi
m up,
wear
etaki
ngbot
hof
t
hem t
ot hedoct
or.
Weal
lgot
othecar
s.
Thedoctort
akesbothoft
hem i
nandwear et
oldt
o
wai
t.Ipacearoundt
hehospi
tal
passage.
Luy
olo:
Babe,
heyt
heyar
egoi
ngt
obeok.
Wewaitforcl
osetot
wohour
sthent
hedoct
orcome
outIr
ushtohim.
Me:
whati
swr
ongwi
tht
hem doct
or?
Doctor:
Wer anafewtestupf
rontbutwecan'tf
ind
anyt
hingthatmi
ghthavecausedthesei
zures.
Kwanel
e:Whatdoy
oumean?
Doctor:
Wewi l
lrunmor etestify
ouwoul dlike,but
wedidn'tf
indany t
hingintheirbl
ood,noallergi
esor
si
cknesses,theyareperfectl
yhealthy
,theyar e
sl
eepingbutIwon' tkeepthem here.
Me:Idon'
tgeti
t,t
heywer
ehav
ingsei
zur
est
hatcan'
t
benothi
ng.
Thedoct
orshr
ughi
sshoul
derandwal
ksaway
.Hei
s
rude!
Isi
tdowndef
eat
ed,
whatt
hehel
li
nhappeni
ng.
Kwanel
e:Whati
sthemeani
ngofal
lthi
s?
Mandi
si:
Ireal
l
ydon'
tknow.
Lat
erwet
aket
heki
dsbackhome,
andt
heyl
ook
per
fect
lyf
inet
heyar
eev
enpl
ayi
ng.
Wef i
ndMbalisl
eepingonthecouchwithIyanaon
herchestandLangaissl
eepi
ngont heothercouch.
Itr
ytot
akeI
yaf
rom herbutshehol
dher
,Iwakeher
up.
Mbal
i
:Ohheyy
ouguy
sar
eback.
Shesi
tsupandIt
akeI
yaf
rom her
.
Mbal
i
:Whatdi
dthedoct
orsay
,ar
etheyok?
Me:Hesaidtheyar
efine,
theyr
ansomet
estand
t
heydi
dn'tfi
ndanyt
hing.
Mbali
:Thatcan'
tberi
ght
,theywer
ehav
ingsei
zur
es
r
ightbef
oremyey es.
Me:
Iknow,
i'
m soconf
used.
Shekeepsqui
etl
i
keshe'
sthi
nki
ng.
Me:
Whatar
eyout
hinki
ng?
Mbali
:Uhm uh,whatift
heyneedacer
tai
nceremony
fr
om thei
rfat
her'
ssideoft
hefamil
y?pl
easedon'
tbe
upseti
'mjustt
ryi
ngtomakesenseofwhatis
happeni
ng.
Me:NO,thedoct
orswi
l
lrunmor
etest
,theywi
l
lfi
nd
somet
hing.
Mbal
i
:whati
ft.
.
Me:
Stopok,
justst
op.
Igetupwi
thI
yanai
nmyar
msandwal
ktomyr
oom.

Zee

[
8/5,
10:
18]Zee
*
I
nser
t98
Inthemi ddl
eoftheni
ghtIjustf
ini
shed
breastf
eedingIy
a,Iwearmygownandwalkt
othe
kidsroom tocheckuponthem.
WhatIseetherewil
lpr
obablytr
aumati
zemef
orthe
r
estofmylife.If
indNt
sikaconvul
si
ngwit
hwhi
te
f
oam comingoutofhismout h.
Me:
Luy
olo!
Ir
usht
oNt
sika,
Idon'
tev
enknowwhatt
odo.
Me:
Luy
olo!
Ishouthi
snameonceagain,
wipi
ngt
hefoam on
Ntsi
ka'smout
hitkeepscomi
ngasheisst
il
lshaki
ng.
Dadcomesi
nrunni
ng.
.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ziy
andawhati
shappeni
ngwhat
..
Herusht
owherei'
m si
tt
ingwi
thNt
sikaandt
akehim,
helay
shi
m onhissi
deandputapi
ll
owsupport
ing
hi
shead.
Luy
olocomesi
n.
Luy
olo:
Ishehav
ingasei
zur
eagai
n?
Inodwit
htearsi
nmyeyes,
IlookatLangaand
Nkany
ezitheyar
esl
eepi
ngsopeaceful
ly.
Nt
sikahasst
oppedshaki
ngnow,
Ikneel
nextt
ohi
m.
Nt
sika:
Pinki
e.
Me:
Heybaby
,you'
reokbaby
..
Ipul
lhi
m upandhol
dhi
minmyar
ms.
Me:
Dadwhati
shappeni
ngwi
thmyki
ds.
Uncl
e/dad:
Wewillgot
othedoct
oragai
ntomor
row
morni
ng,maybet
heywil
lfi
ndsomet
hingok.
Inodwhil
eIrockNtsi
kabackandf
ort
h,Ihearhi
m
snor
e.Luyol
otakeshi
mf r
om meandplacehim on
hi
sbed.
Uncle/
dad:
Youcangor
est,
Iwi
l
lsl
eepher
eont
he
couch.
Me:
NodadIwi
l
lst
ay.
.
Uncl
e/dad:
i
tsokIwi
l
lkeepaney
eont
hem.
Inodandwewal
koutwi
thLuy
olo.
Igeti
nbed.
Luy
olo:
Baby
.
Me:
mmm
Ir
epl
ysnif
fi
ng,
heget
sinbedandpl
acemyheadon
hi
schest
.
Me:
I'
m scar
ed,
Iwi
l
llosemyki
dsYol
o.
Luy
olo:
Youwon'
t,t
heywi
l
lbef
inewej
usthav
eto
t
aket
hem t
oadoct
oragai
ntomor
row.
Inodandhol
dont
ohi
m.
Ididn'
tsl
eepatall
Ichecktheti
mei t
s5:10am ,Igo
tothebathr
oom andshower,getoutweari
ngmy
gownandIgocheckupont hekids,
Ifi
nddad
sleepi
ngonthecouchwithablanketcover
inghim.I
shakehim abi
thewakesup
Me:Youcangosl
eepinyourbedi
tsmorningalr
eady
,
Iwi
l
l wakey
ouuparound8:00am,
thankyou..
Hegetsupandwalkout
,Il
ookatmykidsandsi
gh,
I
l
ovethem somuchandIdon'
twannal
oseanyof
t
hem.
Iwal
ktotheki
tchent
oprepar
ebreakfastf
ormyki
ds
andever
yone,
half
waythr
ough,Mbali
comesin.
Mbal
i
:HeyZeey
oual
readyup.
Me:Idi
dn'
treal
l
ysleep,Ntsi
kahadanot
hersei
zur
e
i
nthemiddl
eofthenight.
Mbal
i
:No,
thi
sisscar
y.
Me:
Iknow,wear
etaki
ngt hem t
oadoct
oragai
nthi
s
mor
ningmaybet
heymissedsomethi
ng.
Mbal
i
:mmm ,
uhm l
etmesetupt
het
abl
e.
It
akedad'
splatesandt
eaputt
ingi
tinatr
eyand
walkt
ohisroom,Iwakehi
m upgiv
inghi
m hi
sfood.
Uncl
e/dad:
Thanky
ou.
Icall
Luy
olo,KwaneleandMandi andIwakethekids
uptheyl
ookfineevenNtsikabutheisfr
equent
ly
rubbi
nghiseyesandsquinti
ng,Iam r
eal
lyworr
ied.
Kwanel
e:Heychampar
eyouok?
HeaskNtsi
kawhoissi
tt
ingnextt
ohi
m,Iam al
ready
onmyfeetgoi
ngt
ohim.
Kwanel
e:Hi
sey
esar
eredpi
nk.
Il
ookathi
sey
est
heyar
eindeedr
edandt
ear
y.
Me:
Ntsi
kaar
eyouok?
Henods,
thi
sist
het
imeIwi
sht
heycant
alkcl
ear
.
Me:
Weneedt
ogetr
eadyt
ogot
othedoct
or.
*
Wegetther
e,t
hesamedoct
orcal
l
sust
otheof
fi
ce
andopensomeenvel
op.
Doctor
:Thesearetheresul
tIhavefr
om yester
day'
s
secondtesti
ngresul
t,west
il
lcoul
dn'tf
indthecause
oftheseizur
etheboysareperf
ectl
yhealt
hy.
Ihuf
f.
Me:
Cany
oucheckhi
sey
est
oo.
Het el
lsNtsi
katocometohi
m,hegoesaroundthe
tableandhealmostf
all
butt
hedoct
orisquickt
o
catchhim.
Doct
or:
Heyy
oungmanwhat
syourname?
Nt
sika:
Nti
ka,
Nkany
ezi
,
Langa.
Ichuckle.
Theyal
ldothi
syouaskhi
sname,
theyst
art
bysayingthei
rnamesandther
efol
l
owsthe
brot
hers'snames.
Doct
or:
Smar
tboy
.
Hest
art
slooki
ngathi
sey
escl
osel
y
Doct
or:Looksliket
heboyherehasav i
si
onprobl
em,
hi
seyemuscl esareweak,Hemayneedglasses
goi
ngforward,butIneedt
odoat estf
ir
st.
Me:
Didmay
bet
hosesei
zur
escausei
t.
Doctor
:It
'spossi
blemay
behef
ell
andbumpedhi
s
head.
Wewalkout
,heislef
twi
thNtsi
kaandNkany
ezi
,the
doct
ori
sexamini
ngthei
rey
es
Wear
ecal
l
edbacki
n.
Doctor:
Her eall
ydoeshav eeyesightprobl
em ,Iwil
l
recommendy ougot ospec- saversandgot hr
ough
thetestoncemor esot heywillt
ellyouwhich
glassesaremor esuitableforhim,butasforseizur
es
wecan' tf
indany t
hing,sorr
ymi ss.
*
Wedrivetospecsaver
sandtheydothei
rtestforl
ike
anhourandrecommendt hej
itt
erbugbug023( ki
ds
gl
asses)Ipi
ckabl uef
rameforhim,t
hedoctorgav e
hi
m eyedrops,t
ousei nt
hemor ni
ngandatnight.
IhelpNtsi
kawearhi
sgl
assesaf
tert
hedoct
orput
eyedrops.
Nt
sika:
Pinki
eyi
nle?
(whati
sthi
s)
Me:
Yourgl
asses,
soy
oucanseepr
oper
lyok.
Nkany
ezi
wantt
hem t
oo,
Ihadt
oexpl
aint
ohi
mthat
hi
sbrot
herhasapr
obl
em,
Iknowhedi
dn'
tgeti
tbut
he'
scal
m now.
Wegobackhome, weeatdinnerandanot
her
convul
sionhitsNtsi
ka,Ohmypoorbaby ,Kwanel
e
caughthim befor
ehehittheground.
Me:
Thi
sisget
ti
ngt
oomuch.
.
Dadl
ayshi
m onhi
ssi
det
oo,
hest
opsshaki
ng,
dad
si
ghsl
ooki
ngatme.
Uncl
e/dad:I
tlooksl
i
kewehav
enochoi
cebutt
o
cont
acttheGumede's.
Me:
Nodadwe.
.
Uncle/dad:Thedoctor
scan'
tfi
ndany t
hingwrong
wit
ht hem, weneedtodosomethingtosavethem
Ziy
anda, andthoseGumede'
smi ghtbeouronly
sol
utiontot hi
s.
Il
ookatLuy
olowi
thdesper
ateey
es.
Luy
olo:
Wewi
l
ldoany
thi
ngt
osav
ethem babyok.
Inodmyhead,
Idon'
twantthoseGumedepeopl
e
nearmyki
dsbutl
ooksl
ikeIhavenoanyot
her
choi
ce.
*
*

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
18]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t99
Dadhasbeenmov i
ngar oundthehouse, witha
phoneonhisear ,heseemsi mpatient,Idon'tknow
whoi shetr
yingtocal l
thatisnotpicki
ngupt heir
phonebutwear et r
yingtogetholdoft hejailbi
rds
,Gumedeorhi ssons.I'm notokwiththis,those
peoplewerereadytosel lmeov er
seast heyal r
eady
spl
itthebuyersmoney ,whatifhesti
llwantt osell
me,theywon'thesit
atetoshipmeof f
.
*
Uncle/
dad:f
inal
l
y,Hel
lohowareyou.
.Youare
speaki
ngtoLukhel
e..
yesDet
ect
iveLukhel
e..
pleaseI
knowwhatIaskedf r
om youlastt
imewastoomuch
butcanyoupleasetryt
of i
ndthesameGumede's
numbers.
..
pleaseIj
ustneedthenumbers.
..
whatdo
youmeantheyar eout?
..
.Damn!.
.
Hedr
opst
hecal
landhuf
fs.
Uncle/
dad:Gumedei snotinprisonanymor
e,hewas
rel
easedlastweek,thesepeopledon'
tknowme,
howcant heylethi
m outjustl
ikethat
?
Kwanel
e:Calm downdad,t
hatmeansevenhi
ssons
ar
eouttoo,doy ouknowwher
etheyusedtost
ay.
Me:
Irememberwher
eMi
so'
shousei
slocat
ed.
Kwanel
e:Wewi
l
ldr
ivet
her
eandseei
fwewi
l
lfi
nd
them.
Igotomyroom t
ochanget
henwegot
oget
herwi
th
Kwanel
eandMandisi
.
Luy
olo,
DadandMbal
iar
est
ayi
ngbehi
nd.
*
Wegetther
e, andweknockforagoodf i
veminut
es,
av
erysl
imy ounggirlopenst
hedoor,sheisweari
ng
av
eryshortredlacegown,Il
ookaroundmay bewe
ar
eatt
hewr
onghouse.
Me:
Uhm Hey
,isn'
tthi
sMi
sokuhl
e'
shouse.
Gi
rl
:whowant
'
stoknow?
Shesay
swi
thanat
ti
tudesi
zi
ngmewi
thherey
es.
Kwanel
e:Li
tt
legir
lyoubett
erl
oset
hatat
ti
tuder
ight
noworwewi l
lhaveaprobl
em.
Justt
henwehearav
oice,
that
'sdef
ini
tel
yMi
so'
s
voi
ce.
Miso:Babewhoi
satt
hedoor
,ismybr
otherher
e
al
ready?
Hecomestothedoor
,hi
smouthhangopenatt
he
si
ghtofusst
andi
nginhi
sdoor
.
Mi
so:
Ziy
anda?
Hehasaconf
usedl
ookonhi
sface.
Gi
rl
:Babey
ouknowt
hesepeopl
e?
Heignoresherandst
areatme,
Ifeel
real
l
y
uncomfort
able.
Mandi
si:
Heymanweneedt
otal
ktoy
ouab.
.
Miso:I
sn'
tityouandy
ourfr
iendwhoshotmy
br
otherhuh,nowyouwannatal
k?
Mandisi
:wedi
dn'
thaveachoi
ceyouguyswere
har
assingmysi
ster
,Iwoul
ddoitagai
nifIhav
eto.
Helooksatme,
thenKwanel
eandMandi
sit
henback
atmeagain.
Mi
so:
youl
ookal
i
ke.
.
Mandi
si:
Wedidn'tcomeherefort
hat,
canwegeti
n,
t
hesunishotouthere,
ourski
nisbecomi
ngpal
e
man.
Heopensthedoorandwegeti n,
beinginthishouse
i
sfreaki
ngmeout,becauseIknowwhatt hese
peopl
edidtomebutI'
m withmybr other
'sIshoul
d
rel
ax,Ir
emindmysel
fthat.
Mi
so:
SowhatcanIdof
ory
ou?
Kwanel
e:we.
.
ThedooropensandKuhl
ecomesi
n,hest
aresatme.
Kuhl
e:Whati
sshedoi
ngher
e?andwhoar
eyou?
Mi
so:
Theywer
eaboutt
otel
lmeal
lthat
.
Kwanele:
Weneedt
oasky
ouaboutsomet
hingv
ery
i
mportant.
Mi
so:
Yeah?
Kuhl
eisst
ari
ngatme,
Ifeel
souncomf
ort
abl
eIshi
ft
onmyseat
Kwanel
e:Sothetwi
nsar
esick,t
heyhavebeen
hav
ingsezui
ressowewanttoknowify
ouknow
any
thi
ngaboutthat
.
Kuhl
estar
tslaughi
nghy
ster
ical
l
y,Il
ookathi
m,t
his
guydi
sgustme.
Kuhl
e:SoZi
yanday
ouneedushuh?
Mandi
si:
Canyoutal
kman,
becausey
ourbr
other
her
eiscl
oset
opissi
ngmeoff
.
Hesay
slooki
ngatMi
so.
Miso:YeahTheyneedtobeacknowledgedby
Qwabeancestorsbydoi
ngaceremonyf ort
hem
backathomebutwecan'tdothat.
Kwanel
e:Whynot
?
Mi
so:
Iwantsomet
hingf
rom y
ou.
Kwanel
e:Whi
chi
s?
Mi
so:
Ziy
anda.
Mandisi
:Youmustbecr
azy ,
whatdoy ouwantwit
h
her
?Huhy ouwantt
osellhersincey
ourpl
andidn'
t
workbefor
ehuh,
ist
hatwhaty ouwant.
Miso:
No,
Iwanthert
omarryme,butshewi
llbel
ong
t
omeandMybr ot
her
,soshewil
lbeourwif
e.
Hesay
ssocal
mly
.
Me:
What
!?
Mandisi
:What
!?Whatyouaresmokingi
sreal
l
y
st
rongit
smessingwi
thyourhead.
Kwanel
e:wedi
dn'
tcomeheref
oryoursi
ckjokesok,
wi
lly
oudoaceremonyf
ortheki
dsornot.
Kuhl
e:Not
,unt
il
lZi
yandaagr
eest
omybr
other
's
pr
oposal
.
Me:
I'
m mar
ri
ed!
!
Miso:
Idon'
tcar
e,di
vor
cehi
m,y
oubel
ongher
ewi
th
us.
Me:
Kwanel
e,l
etsgowewast
edourt
imebycomi
ng
her
e,t
hesepeopl
ear
esi
ck.
Kwanel
eget
supandwal
kupt
oMi
soandst
areat
hi
m.
Kwanele:
Youhav enoi
deawhoyouar
emessing
wi
th,herhusbandwoul
dkil
lyoui
nabl
inkofaneye.
Miso:Thenshewil
lwatchherki
dsdie,
oneaft
ert
he
other
,fr
om Nkany
ezitoNtsi
kathenLangai
nabli
nk
ofaneye.
Hesay
swi
thasmi
rkonhi
sface.
Me:
Theyar
eyourki
dst
ooMi
sokuhl
e.
Miso:Iknowt
hatbutst
il
lIwanty
ou,
itsei
thery
ou
becomemywi f
eor..
Heshrughi
sshoul
der
s,hedoesn'
tcar
eaboutmy
ki
dsIcanseei
tinhi
seyes.
Igr
abKwanele'
sar
m andwewal
koutt
hedoorwi
th
Mandi
sibehi
ndus.
Mi
soshout
saswegeti
nthecar
.
Mi
so:
Youwi
l
lcomebackbaby
,youneedme.
Wegeti
nthebackwi
thMandi
siandIpl
acemyhead
onhi
slapandj
ustcr
y.
Mandi
si:
Shhhsi
s,wewi
l
lfi
gur
esomt
hingout
.
*
WegethomeandIt
hrowmy
sel
finmyhusband'
s
ar
msandweep.
Uncle/
dad:
Didy
ouf
indhi
m?Whyi
smydaught
er
cr
ying?
Kwanel
e:Thosefucker
sey,theysaidtheywi
ll
doa
cer
emonyforthekidsonl
yifZiyandabecomeshi
s
wif
eandshareherwithhi
stwin.
Luy
oloMov
esmeawayf
rom hi
m andgetup.
Luyol
o:What!
Butsheisal
readymar
ri
edtome,
what
doesshar
ingherwit
hhistwinev
enmean?
Mandisi
:Hesaidsheshoulddiv
orceyou,
those
br
othersar
ecrazybrotheyarereal
l
ylosi
ngit.
Uncl
e/dad:
Iwi
l
lhav
etopayt
hem av
isi
t.
Mandisi
:Theydi
dsayifwetrysomethi
ngorhur
ti
ng
anyofthem wewil
lwatcht
hetwinsandLangadi
e.
Luy
olowal
ksout
,hel
ookr
eal
l
yangr
y.
Me:
Iknewtheywer
enotgoi
ngt
ohel
pmewi
thout
t
heter
ms.
Isaygett
ingupandwalkt
omyki ds'
sroom,If
ind
them sl
eepi
ng,t
heysl
eepalott
hesedays.
.t
heyare
ti
red.
Me: Iwil
ldoanythi
ngt
oprot
ecty
ouguys,
Iloveyou
somuchi thurt
smeseeingyoui
nanypai
n,Ican'
t
takeit
.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
anda.
.
Hesay
ssof
tl
ybehi
ndme,
Ist
andupandhughi
m.
Me:Whatam Igoi
ngtodoYol o,
theyar
emybabi
es,
I
can'
twatcht
hem die,
Ican'
t..
.
Luyol
o:I
t'
sokbabe,wewi
l
lgett
hrought
his,
Iwi
l
l
thi
nkofsomet
hing.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
18]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t100
Ihavebeensear chingandscr ol
li
ngonmyphonef or
thenumbert hatMi sokuhl
eonceusedt osendmea
message, Idon'
tknowi fi
tst hetear
st hati
sbli
ndi
ng
me, Ican'tfi
ndit,Iwanttocal lhim andbeghimto
savemyki ds,IfoundNkany eziunconcious
today,
withsweatal loverhisbody
If
inal
l
yfi
ndt
henumberandcal
li
mmedi
atel
y.He
pi
cksup.
Mi
so:
Babe,
Iwaswai
ti
ngf
ory
ourcal
l
.
Me:Misokuhl
e,pl
ease,
i
'm beggi
ngy
ou,
myki
dsar
e
dy
ingplease.
Miso:Thencomebackt
omeZi
yanda,
wewi
l
lbea
f
ami l
y.
Me:I'
m al
readymarr
ied,
Ihav
eadaught
erwi
thmy
husbandandIlov
ehim.
Miso:
ThenIcan'
thel
pyouZi
yanda,
youwi
l
lcal
lme
i
fyouchangeyourmi
ndok.
Me:
Sot
heydon'
tmeanany
thi
ngt
oyou.
.
Miso:TheydobutIwanty oumoreZiyanda,
r
ememberwhenIbr okey ourvi
rgi
nit
ybaby ,
thatwas
magical
,youweresoinnocentandbrave,I
..
Me:Stopok,
Ihateyou,
andifany
thinghappenst
o
mykidsgodfor
bid,
Iwil
lki
l
lyouMi sokuhl
e.
Mi
so:
Ilov
eyou.
Idropthecallandthrowthephoneagainstthewalli
t
shatt
ers,Iscream i
nfrust
rat
ion,
angerbutmost l
y
hopelessness,IgodownonmykneesI 'm exhausted
andIhav enot ear
sleftt
ocry.
Mandi
sicomesi
nfol
l
owedbyLuy
olo.
Mandi
si:
Siscomeonwewi
l
lfi
ndaway
.
Ij
ustl
ookdown,
star
ingatmyweddi
ngr
ing.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
anda!
Mandi
si:
Doy
out
hinkshecan'
ttal
kagai
nman.
Me:
Icant
alk.
Isayget
ti
ngupandsi
tt
ingonmybed.
Luy
olo:
HeyMandi
canIt
alkt
omywi
feal
i
ttl
e.
Mandi
si:
Sur
e.
Hewal
ksout
.
Luy
olocomesandsi
tnextt
omeandl
ooksdown.
Luy
olo:
Arey
ouconsi
der
ingdi
vor
cingmeZi
yanda?
Idon'
tsayany
thi
ng.
Luyolo:
Isawy oustar
ingatyourri
ng,ar
eyouaski
ng
yoursel
fifi
t'
sworthit
,thatAM Iwort
hlosi
ngyour
ki
ds?Pleaseanswermehonest ly.
Me:Il
ovey
ouIreall
ydobutnot
hingi
swor
thme
l
osi
ngmykidsLuyol
o.
Luyol
o:Iunder
stand,
Ifeel
thesamewayabout
Iy
anatoo.
Me:
Ihav
etogobegMi
sokuhl
eonemor
eti
me.
Luy
olo:
Wantmet
ocomewi
thy
ou?
Me:
NoIwi
l
ltakeat
axi
ther
e.
Luy
olonods.
Igotomyroom andwearmytr
acksui
tsandgot
o
Miso'
shouseIknockont
hedoorheopenandmake
wayf
ormet
oent
er
Mi
so:
Brot
herl
ookwhoi
sher
e.
Kuhl
ecomesi
nfr
om oneoft
her
oomswi
thasmi
l
e.
Kuhl
e:wehav
ebeenwai
ti
ngf
ory
ou.
Me:Looki
'
m sorryi
fIeverdidyouwrongplease
f
orgi
ve,Mi
sopleasetheyareyourownbloodhelp
t
hem.
Mi
so:Howaboutwespendt
heni
ghtwi
thy
out
hen,
me,
mybrotherandy
ou.
Me:Mi
sokuhl
engi
yakucel
a(pl
ease)don'
tdot
hisi
'
m
onmyknees.
Igodownonmykneesbeggi
nghi
m.
Iheart
hekeytur
n,Il
ookbehi
ndmei
tsKuhl
elocki
ng
thedoor
,Iqui
ckl
ygetup.
Kuhl
e:Wealwaystal
kedabouthav
inga3somewi
th
onegi
rl
,rememberbro?
Hecomesclosert
omeIstepbackbutMi
sogr
abs
meandthr
owmeont hecouch.
Kuhl
ecomest
omeandt
ryt
otouchmeIki
ckhi
m
screamingforMi
sot
ohel
pmebuthest
art
staki
ng
offhisshi
rt
.
Me:Youcan'
tdothi
stoapersony
oucl ai
mtol
ove
Mi
so,pl
easestopIwil
lmar
ryyouplease.
Mi
so:
Youwi
l
l?
Kuhl
e:Don'
tl
ist
ent
ohershe'
spl
ayi
ngy
ou.
Iscr
eam sol
oud.
.
Me:
Hel
p,somebodyhel
p!
Kuhlemanagestopulldownmytr
ackpantt
omy
kneesi
'm st
il
lki
ckingandscr
eami
ng,Misohol
dmy
armsbehindthecouch.
If
eel
li
kei
'
mlosi
ngmybr
eat
h.
Me:Mi
soplease,don'
tl
ethi
m hur
tme,
pleaset
ell
hi
mtostop.
.p.
.l
ease.
Iheargunshot
sont hedoor,
theybot
hquickl
yletgo
ofmeandr ushtosomer ooms,myvisi
onis
becomingblur
ry,
Iam str
uggli
ngtobreat
hIcan'tget
upfrom t
hecouch,Ican'
tmov e,
mypantssti
llonmy
knees.
Thedoorfl
ewopen,andt
hegunshotsaretooloud
butst
il
lIf
indmovi
ngimpossi
ble,
Iam inpainbutI
don'
tknowwherei
tscomingf
rom, Icl
osemyey es.
Someonepul
lupmypant
sandpi
cksmeup.
Mandi
si:
Justhol
donwegonnagethel
pokSi
s,
Luy
oloquickmanopent
hedamncar.
If
eelt
hecarmov
einhi
ghspeed,
thepai
nist
oo
much.
*
Iopenmyey esandquicklyclosethem t
oadjustto
thel
ightshinni
nginthi
sr oom, Iopenthem once
agai
nandl ookaround, I
'mi nthehospit
al,
Ilooki
n
mybedsidesomeonei ssl eeping,
Imov emy
hand.Hequicklywakesup.
Hi
m:Heybabyt
hankGody
ou'
reawake,
Ithoughti
'
m
l
osi
ngyou.
Me:
Whoar
eyou?
Hi
m:Ar
eyouokbaby
?
Me:
Isai
dwhoar
eyou,
whyar
eyoui
nmyr
oom.
Him:Zi
yandai
'
my ourhusband,
thi
sist
hehospital
noty
ourroom,youdon'
trememberwhathappened?
Me:
Idon'
tknowy
ou,
getout
.
Hi
m:Zi
y.
.
Me:
Out
!
Icanseepai
ninhi
sey
es,
hel
ooksad,
Heget
sup
andwalkout
.
Il
ookatmy sel
fIcanseet
hebandagear
oundmyleft
ar
m.Ipressthebuzzer
,anur
secomesinrushi
ng.
Nur
se;
Heyy
ou'
reawake,
yourhusbandj
ustwal
ked
out
.
Me:Idon'
tknowthatman,uhm cany
oupl
ease
bor
rowmey ourphone,
Ineedtomakeacal
l.
Nurse:Aft
ermyshi f
tIwi
llcomeher
eIdon'thav
ei t
wit
hmer i
ghtnow,waity
ousaidyoudon'
tknowt he
mant hatj
ustwalkedout
.
Me:
Idon'
tknowhi
m..
Nurse:
str
ange,hei
stheonewhobr
oughtyouher
e
andhewasfil
li
ngyourf
orms,y
ouar
eZiyanda
Lukhel
eMzozor
ight
?
Me:
Iam butIdon'
tknowt
hatmanok.
Nur
se:
uhm oksur
eIwi
l
lbr
ingt
hephonel
atert
hen.
Inodandcl
osemyey
es.
*
Lat
ert
heNursehandmethephoneandwalkoutshe
sai
dshewi
ll
comebackin15mi nut
esorso.
Idi
alSunshi
ne'
snumber
,itr
ingsandshepi
cksup.
Sunshi
ne:
Hel
l
o.
Me:
Heydon'
tshoutmyname,
arey
oual
one,
please
moveawayf
rom any
onewhomaybecl
oset
oy ou.
Sunshi
ne:
Ohuhm.
..
Shecl
ear
shert
hroatandIhearmov
ement
s.
Sunshi
ne:Ziy
andahowareyoucal
l
ingmeri
ghtnow
whenLuyoloiscr
yingov
erher
esayi
ngyoudon'
t
rememberhim.
Me:
Sunshi
ne,Ineedthem tobel
i
ev ethatIdon'
t
r
ememberanyofy ousotheywon'ttr
ytostopme,I
hav
eapl
anandIneedy
ou.
Sunshine:
ZeeIdon'
tl
iket
his,
thepoorguyi
sfal
l
ing
apartok.
Me:Pl
easetrustme,t
histi
meIwil
lhavet
osavemy
ki
dsmy sel
fandnotexpectmydadormybrot
her
sto
savet
hem ORmeok, Ineedtodothi
s.
Sunshine:
EishZi
yanda,
Idon'
tknowaboutt
his,
what
i
sitthatyouneed?
Me: Don'tt
ell
anyoneaboutthi
s,Ineedyoutosear
ch
Luyolo'
sphoneforMisokuhle'
snumberIknowhe
hasit,hi
spasswordis'
iyanam'andsaveitonyour
phone, t
omorrowmorningyouwillhav
etov i
si
tme
wit
hanewphoneok.
Sunshi
ne:
yhooZeet
hati
scr
azy
.
Me:
Thi
sist
heonl
ywayIcansav
emyki
dspl
ease.
.
Sheexhal
es.
Sunshi
ne:
OkZeeIwi
l
ltr
y.
*
Ihav
etodot
hisev
eni
fithur
tsme,
Iknowi
am
booksmar
tbutr
ightnowt hatwon'
tworkf
orme,I
havet
obestr
eetsmart.Icandothi
s,f
ormykids.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
19]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t101

Sunshinecomest ov i
sitmeassoonasthev
isit
ing
hoursstart
,Isitupslowlymaki
ngsur
eIdon'
thur t
myshoul der
,apparentl
yIhadafl
eshwoundthere
fr
om thegun.
Sunshi
nesi
tsdownandl
ookatme.
Me:
Soy
ounotgoi
ngt
ogr
eetme?
Sunshi
ne:Ihatet
obepartofthi
s,whydon'
tyoul
et
yourdad,
brother
sandyourhusbandhel
pyouwit
h
t
his?
Me:YoumeanbeggingMi sokuhletohelpmykids?I
t
won'
tworkSunnytheytri
edandI '
mr unni
ngoutof
t
ime,Idon'
twanttoburymyki dsIhavehadenough
f
uneral
sforoneyear.
Sunshi
ne:
Arey
ousur
eaboutt
his.
Me:
Itswor
that
ry,
Sunnypl
easel
ookaf
terI
yanaf
or
me.
Sunshi
ne:
Sheneedsy
ouZeedon'
tdot
his.
Me:Idon'
twantthi
sbutIdon'
thav
eachoiceal
l
t
hreeofthem ar
egoingt
ogetworsei
ftheywon'
tdo
aceremonysoon.
Shesi
ghs.
Sunshi
ne:Ihopeyouknowwhaty ou'
redoi
ngand
youwil
lbaretheconsequences.
Shegetsupandleave.IcallMi
sokuhl
e'
snumber
thati
salr
eadysavedont hoseR100cell
phones,
It
ri
ngsforawhil
ethenhepi cksup.
Mi
so:
What
'
sup.
Me:HeyMi sobabyi
tsmeZiy
andai'
m att
hehospit
al
Idon'
tknowhowIgotherepl
easecomeandfetch
mer i
ghtnow.
Mi
so:
Youmeany
oudon'
trememberany
thi
ng.
Me:
All
Irememberi
syouandourki
dsbabe,
please.
Miso:
Oki
'
m comi
ngt
her
enowdon'
ttal
ktoany
one
ok.
Me:
Ok
Al
lal
ongi
'
m pr
etendi
ngl
i
kei
'
m cr
ying.
Idon'
tknowift
hisisgoi
ngt
owor kbuti
tsf
ormy
ki
dsIneedtoremindmysel
fthat
.
*
Aft
eranhourMi
sokuhl
ebar
gesi
nmywar
dandr
ush
tome.
Me:
ThankGody
ou'
reher
e,wher
ear
etheki
ds?
Miso:
Uhm theyar
esomewheresafe,
wewi
l
lfet
ch
t
hem assoonasyougetoutofher
e.
Inod,
Iwalktothebat
hroom andchangeandIsi
gn
thedi
schar
geforms.
Aswewalkout
,IseeLuy
oloandMandi
sicomingour
way
.Ibreat
handactasi
fIhavenev
ermetthem i
n
myli
fe.
Luy
olo:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngwi
thmywi
fe?
Hesay
sshov
ingMi
sokuhl
e,hechuckl
es.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
andal
et'
sgohomebaby
.
Heat
tempttohol
dmyhandbutImoveawayhur
ti
ng
myshoul
deri
nthepr
ocessIf
li
nch.
Luy
olo:
I'
m sosor
ry.
Il
ookathi
m,Iwantt
ost
ayi
nhi
sar
msbutIcan'
t,
not
now.
Me:
Whoar
eyou?
Luyol
o:Comeon,nott
hisagai
nZi
yandat
heki
ds
needyoulet
sgohome.
Me:
No,
Idon'
tknowy
ou,
Misol
etsgo.
Mandi
sogr
absmyar
m abi
ttoot
ight
.
Mandisi
:St
opthi
smadnessandlet
sgohomeok, or
Iwil
lsl
apyousobadyouwil
lrememberev
ery
thi
ng
fr
om whenyouwerebor
n.
Thet
earsfl
owsdownmyey es,
hel
etsgo,
Irushout
l
eavi
ngall
threeoft
hem i
nsi
de.
Mi
socomest
omef
ir
st.
Me:
Let
'sj
ustgohome.
Miso:
Weneedtoseewher
etheyar
egoi
ngsowe
canfet
chourki
ds.
Inodwestayi
nhiscar
,hel
ooksatLuyol
oand
Mandi
sigeti
nthei
rcar
sandstar
tsfol
l
owingt
hem.
Wef
oll
owt
hem al
lthewayhome.
Thenwet
urnback.
Mi
so:
wewi
l
lfet
cht
hem t
omor
row.
Whenwegettohi
shouse,
Kuhlei
ssit
ti
ngont
he
l
ounge,
Ijumpandscr
eam sol
oud.
Mi
so:
Ziy
andaheyl
ookatmehey
..
Kuhl
e:whati
sgoi
ngon?Whyi
ssheher
e?
Ashei
stal
ki
ngIscr
eam hi
dingbehi
ndMi
so.
Me:
Whoi
she,
Idon'
twanthi
m her
e,hehast
ogo.
Kuhl
e:what
?Br
owhat
supwi
thher
.
Mi
so:
Sheonl
yremember
smeandourki
ds.
Kuhl
e:Real
l
y?
Mi
so:Yeahuhm shedoesn'
tev
enr
ememberbei
ng
mar
ri
ed.
Hesay
shal
fwhi
sper
ing.
Miso:Youneedt
ogobr
o,y
ouar
emaki
ngher
uncomfort
abl
e.
Kuhl
e:Yeahsur
e,I
'
llseey
ou.
HegoesoutandMi
sohel
psmesi
tdown.
Mi
so:
Youwantsomet
hingt
oeat
?
Me:
NoIj
ustwantt
olaydownal
i
ttl
e.
HetakesmetowhatIassumei
shi
sroom andhego
outt
obuyfoodf
orus.
It
akeoutt
hephoneandcal
lsunny
.
Sunshi
ne:
Ziy
anda,
whatcanIdof
ory
ou.
Me:Iwantyoutof i
ndtwoguy sthatwashelpi
ng
Bhut'
kwanel
eont heshoot-outt
hathappenedinthat
housewewer ekeptin,
findoutthenamesandi f
possi
blet
henumber
s.
Sunshi
ne:Howwi
l
lIdot
hat
,Zi
yandat
hisi
s
danger
ous.
Me:Idon'
tcareasl
ongasmyki
dsgett
oli
ve,
please
dot
hisforthem.
Sunshi
ne:
OkbutIdon'
tknowhowIwi
l
lgoabout
thi
s.
Me:
figur
eitout
.
Idropthecal
landsigh,
Imissmyki
ds,doesn'thel
p
thatmybreastarel
eaki
ngnowsi
nceIhaven'tbeen
breast
feedi
ngIya.
Misocomesbackwi thfood,Ipr
etendtobe
"r
omantic"andfeedhi
mf ir
sttomakesurether
eisn'
t
anyt
hinginthi
sfoodli
kedrugscan'ttr
ustt
hisl
unati
c.
Mi
so:
I'
m gl
ady
oucamei
ntoy
oursenses.
Me:
whatdoy
oumean?
Mi
so:
Uhm.
.I.
.nev
ermi
ndi
'
mjustgl
ady
ou'
reher
e.
Me:
mmm.
Lat
ert
hatev
eni
ngIgot
akeabat
handwearhi
st-
shi
rtandgeti
nbed.
Hecomesi
nandat
temptt
ogeti
nbed.
Me:Uhm doyoumindusi
nganot
herr
oom ,
Idon'
t
wantt
ogethurtonmyshoul
der.
Miso:wewi
l
ljustsl
eep,
Iwi
l
lbecar
eful
nott
ohur
t
you.
Me:
PleaseIj
ustwantt
obeal
one,
i'
mreal
l
yti
red.
Mi
so:
ok.
Hewalksout,
Idon'tknowhowl
ongwi
l
lIkeept
his
upbutWhateveri
ttakes.
*
Todaywear egoingtotakethekidsf
rom myhouse,
Misodri
vesthere,thegatei
slockedIgetoutand
buzzatthegate.Ican'
tpunchthecode,si
nceitwil
l
rai
sesuspici
ons.
Iguesssomeonebuzzedmeinbecauset
hegat
e
sl
idesopenandwedrivei
n.
Iknockont
hedoorandMi
soi
sbehi
ndme.
Mbal
iopensandhugsme,
Idon'
thugherback,
we
fi
ndever
yonei
nhere,
Luyol
oishol
dingI
yai
nhi
s
arms,
Helooksatmeandshakeshi
shead.
Me:HiIhear
dthatmyki
dsar
eher
e,we'
reher
eto
t
akethem.
Uncl
e/dad:
Taket
hem wher
eZi
yanda?
Me:
Tot
hei
rfat
her
'shouse.
Miso:
Lookbi
gdogwejustcamet
otaket
heki
ds
andwewil
ll
eavei
npeace.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ziy
andahav
eyoul
osty
ourmi
nd.
Hesaysget
ti
ngupwal
ki
ngupt
ome,
i'
m scar
edas
f
uck.
Uncl
e/dad:
hav
eyou?
Me:
NoIj
ustwantmyki
ds.
Hepul
l
smeupandsl
apmeIsi
tbackont
hecouch.
Luy
olo:
Lethert
akethem dad,butIyanaisnotgoi
ng
any
wherewit
hherandthi
s, t
hisfuckerhere.
Ical
lNkany
ezi
andNt
sika.
Mi
so:
Wher
eisLanga?
Sunshi
newal
ksawayandcomebackwit
hLanga
andhandhi
mtome,heisbur
ningup.
Me:
Hist
emper
atur
eissohi
gh.
Mi
so:
YeahIwi
l
lfi
xthatnowwehav
etol
eav
e.
IgetupandMisohol
dNkanyezi
andNtsi
ka'shands.
Whenwear ehal
fwayt
othedoorLuy
olospeaks.
Luyolo:
Ineedmyri
ngback,
sincey
ou'
reaboutt
o
breakourvows.
Ilookatmyl
efthandandsl
owl
ytur
ntof
aceal
lof
them.
Ibi
tmylowerl
i
pfi
ght
ingt
het
ear
sthatar
ebur
ning
myeyes.
Me:
It'
syourr
ing?
Imanaget
ospeakt
hroughmyshakyv
oice.
Luy
olo:
Takei
tof
fZi
yanda.
Isl
owl
ytakei
tof
f,hehandsI
yat
oKwanel
eandwal
k
uptome.
Heroughl
ytaket
her
ingf
rom myhandandIal
most
dr
opLanga.
Luy
olo:
Ihat
eyou.
Hesay
slooki
ngatmewi
thr
ageandwal
ksaway
.
Il
ookatallofthem wi
thal
umpi
nmyt
hroat
,sunny
shakesherhead.
Iwal
kout
.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
19]
Zee
*
*
I
nser
t102
Misokuhl
eisdri
vi
ngt oKZNSout
hcoasttodoa
ceremonyfort
hekids,Hesawhowworri
edIwas
aboutLangawhowasbur ni
ngupev
ersincewetook
himfrom home.
*
Wegett
ohi
shomest
ead,
IseeZi
nhl
ewal
ki
ngupt
o
usaswegetoutoft
hecar
.
Zi
nhl
e:Real
l
yMisoy
ouar egoi
ngtohurtmeagai
n
wi
thher,
doesy
ourf
atherknowyouareher
ewithher
.
Mi
so:Ij
ustneedGrandf
athertodoacer
emonyf
or
myki
dsthat'
sall
andwewi lll
eave.
Zi
nhl
e:I
'
m comi
ngwi
thy
oui
'
mti
redoft
hispl
ace.
Wegot osomerondavel
andtherei
sanol
dman
wit
hav er
ylongwhit
ebeardsi
tt
ingont
hewooden
bench.
Mi
so:
Mkhul
u(Gr
andf
ather
)
Mkhul
u:Zi
misokuhl
eunj
anmf
anawami
(howar
eyou
myboy)
Miso:Asiphi
li
nezemkhuluimbewuy akoQwabe
i
dingaukwaziwasamukelweekhay a(Wearenot
okay,t
heseedsoftheQwabecl anneedstobe
acknowledgedandaccept
edher eathome).
Mkhul
u:ubuhlal
eleni
kuzekuci
shekuf
aabazukul
u
(whydi
dn'tyoucomesooner,t
hegrandchi
l
dren
al
mostdied)
Mi
so:
ngi
yaxol
i
saMkhul
u(I
'
m sor
ry)
Theoldmancal l
theboy stocomet ohi
m, andask
them thei
rnames, f
ourey esspeaks(Nt
sika)hei
s
getti
ngbetteratthi
st alki
ngbusinessNkanyezi
hardl
yev ersaysanything.
Nt
sika:
Ntsi
kami
na(i
'
m Nt
sika),
Nkany
ezi
,Langa.
Hesay
spoi
nti
ngathi
sbr
other
s.
Mkhul
u:Wat
hol
aamawel
enawe(y
ougott
het
wins
t
oo.)
Mi
so:
YeboMkhul
u(y
es)
Mkhul
u:Ubani
igami
ntokazi
(whati
syournamel
ady
)
Me:
Ziy
andaLukhel
eM.
.
Ishutupimmediatel
ywhenIreali
sedialmostsai
d
myhusband'ssurnamewhobyt hewayt ookhisr
ing
yest
erdayitbr
eaksmyheartt
hinkingaboutit
.
Mkhul
u:maNzi
mande(
mycl
anname)
Mkhul
u:Si
zobenzel
aksasai
mbelekoeksen(wewil
l
doi
mbelekofort
hem t
omorrowearl
yinthemorni
ng)
I
mbel
eko-i
ntr
oduci
ngmyki
dst
othef
ami
l
y.
Wegot
ooneoft
her
ooms,
Iwi
l
lsl
eepwi
thmyki
ds,
I
don'tknowwhereMisowillsl
eep,quietf
rankl
yIdon'
t
carehopehesleepwithZi
nhleandhi spenisget
stuckinhercooki
e.Nopi'
m notjokingIwishthat
canr eal
l
yhappen.
*
Sunshi
nesentthetwoguy snamesitsMl
uandChina
andtheyar
ebrother'
s,shesentonenumberwhi
ch
bel
ongstoChina.
Igol
ockthedooranddi
alt
henumber
s,t
heyr
ingf
or
awhi
lethenpi
ckup.
Chi
na:
Whot
hehel
lcal
l
saper
sonatt
hist
ime.
Me:
Uhm I
'
m sor
rymynamei
sZi
yandaL.
.
Chi
na:
Ziy
andawho?Tal
kIwantt
ogetbackt
osl
eep
gi
rl
.
Me:Chi
na,I
tsZi
yanda,
Kwanele'
ssi
stert
heoney
ou
wer
etry
ingtosavemonthsago.
Chi
na:OhoknowIrememberbutwe'
venev
ermet
,
whatcanIdof
ory
ou.
Me:Ineedyouandyourbrot
hertomorr
owni
ght
pl
easeIwil
lwal
ky out
hroughtheplan.
Itel
l hi
m myplan,wetal
kforal
most30minut
es
goingthroughthepl
an,i
'
m crossi
ngmyf
inger
sit
wor ks.
China:
I'm game,
smar
tki
d,nowIcan'
twai
tfor
tomorrow.
Me:Thankyousomuch,pl
easeexpl
aint
oyour
br
otherev
eryt
hingok.
China:
Trustme,wewill
dothi
s,besaf
eokandy eah
Iknownot el
l
ingKwanel
eunti
l
lit
sdone.Goti
t.
Idropt
hephoneandsi
gh,
Ihopetomorr
owbythi
s
ti
meIwill
besleepi
ngi
nmyhusband'
schest
.
*
Misoknocksar
ound5:00am andwegot
othat
r
ondavelwewereatyest
erday.
Theol
dmanbur
nthei
ncenseandsayt
hecl
an
names.
Mkhulu:
(Gumede,Qwabe,Phakat
hway o,Yeyeye
oMngunu)Sebesekhay
akeabazukulubakoQwabe,
bamukeleni
keninamadlozial
ayi
khaya,nibavi
kel
e
nj
engabenu(TheQwabeGr andki
dshav earri
ved,
acceptt
hem ourancest
orsandpr
otectt
hem asy
our
own)
Mkhul
u:Bi
zaabanyeni
l
ethei
zi
mbuzi
la(
Cal
lot
her
s
andbr
ingt
hegoatsher
e)
Theymi
nut
esmyki
dsseet hegoat
,theyr
unbehi
nd
meandhol
dmeti
ghtcr
ying.
Mkhul
u:Amadodaanj
aniasabai
mbuzi
(whatki
ndof
menareaf
rai
dofagoat)
MisokuhletakesNtsikaandmakeshi mtouchthe
goat,helookster
ri
fiedatfi
rstbutsoonheisfi
neand
fasci
natedhisbrot
her sj
oinhim.
Theyslaught
ert
hegoatsandputthegoatski
n
aroundeachoft
hekid'
swristabangl
e.
Theki
dsl
ookv
eryhappyandi
'
m happyt
oo.
Miso:
Mkhulubengi
funaukumenzauNkosi
kazi
umaLukhel
elo(
IwantedtomakemaLukhel
eawi f
e)
Mkhulu:
Phindi
selaumunt
ulaef
anel
ekhona,akusi
ye
owakho(Ret
urnherwher
eshebel
ongs,
sheisnot
your
s)
Mi
so:
Owami
Mkhul
u(shei
smi
ne)
Mkhul
u:Ungabat
hukut
heli
siasebemkhombi
l
e(Don'
t
makethosewhohaveclai
medherangry)
Mi
so:
Owami
(shei
smi
ne)
TheGr
andf
atherchuckl
es,
shaki
nghi
shead.
Mkhulu:abantwanabakahlemanjeakusekho
okuzobehlel
aamadloziazobavi
kel
a(Thekidsareok
now,nothi
ngwi l
lhappentothem t
heancestorswil
l
prot
ectthem)
Me:
Siy
abongakakhul
uQwabe(
Thanky
ousomuch)
WegetupandIgobat
htheki
dsandwehi
tther
oad.
*
Wegetther
eit
sst
il
lear
lyMi
sodi
dn'
tal
l
owZi
nhl
eto
comeback.
Hei
sint
heki
tchenpr
epar
ingf
oodf
orl
ater
.
Iputmykidstobed,Isearchforhi
sgunandIfindi
t
i
nhisunderweardrawer,heissopredi
ctabl
e.
Iputiti
nmycl ot
hes,Igosear
chifther
eisanyi
n
Kuhle'
sroom butIdon'
tfi
ndanyt
hing.
Igobackandsl
eepf
aci
ngup,
Myki
dsar
efi
ne,
no
mor
esei
zur
es,
misssi
ononeaccompl
i
shed.

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
19]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t103
Wealleatdi
nnerthenItel
lMi sowearegoingt
o
haveanearl
ynight,
wegot ot heroom,Ihel
pmyki
ds
wearwarm pyj
amast hatweboughtonourwayback
fr
om KZN,Iwearmi netoothensleepnextt
omy
ki
ds.
*
Heknocksandget
sin.
Miso:
Uhm Zi
yandawhenar
ewegoi
ngt
oshar
ea
r
oom Imi
ssyou.
Me:
Assoonasy
oumaket
heki
ds'
sroom babei
mi
ssy
out
oo.
Hesmi
l
es.
Miso:f
ir
stthi
ngtomorr
owmor ni
ngwear
egoi
ng
shoppi
ngfortheki
ds'
sroom t
hen.
Me:
Ican'
twai
t.
If
akeawi
desmi
l
e.
Mi
so:
met
oogoodni
ght
.
Hekissmyf oreheadandwalkoutIwannapuke.
OnceIhearthedoorinhisroom closes,
Iti
ptoeout
oftheroom andgounlockthefrontdooropeningi
t
ali
ttl
e.ThenIgobackt otheroom andcall
china.
Chi
na:
Saynomor
e,we'
real
readyi
n.
Iheart
hei
rfoot
stepsast
heypassmyr
oom.
Mi
so:
whatdoy
ouwantguy
s,Icangi
vey
oumoney
.
That'
swhenIcomeoutoft
heroom,theybl
i
nd
fol
dedhi
m andti
edhi
shandsonhisback.
Chi
na:
wewer
eor
der
edt
oki
l
lyourgi
rl
fr
iendandki
ds.
Mi
so:
Nopl
easemandon'
tdot
hat
,Whogav
eyou
t
heor
der
.
Chi
na:
Aper
sony
out
rustwi
thy
ourl
i
fe.
Miso:
whoi
sthat
?li
stenIwi
l
ldoubl
etheamounthe
pai
d.
Chi
na:nothankyouwe'r
egood,y
ouwantt
osayy
our
l
astgoodbyestoyourl
i
ttl
efami
l
y.
Mi
so:
Nopl
ease.
Iwalkbackintheroom andt
akeLangaMlutake
Ntsikaweputthem int
hebackseathef
etch
Nkany ezi
andputhimtheret
oothenwelockthecar
goingbackinsi
de.
It
aket
hekni
fei
ntheki
tchenandwal
ktomyr
oom.
Il
ookatchi
nahenods.
Istandnextt
othebedandcutmyar m cl
osi
ngmy
eyes,t
hebloodoozesfrom t
hecut,i
squeezeitont
op
ofthebedinfourdi
ff
erentareasofthebed.
Chi
na:sayyourl
astgoodbyesmanbecausewewi
l
l
ki
ll
them andgoburnthei
rbodi
es.
Mi
so:
Ziy
anda!
!wakeup!
run!
Iwal
koutandgeti
nthecar
,Ihearf
ourgunshot
s.
ChinaandMlucomeoutofthehouseandqui
ckl
y
getint
hecardri
vi
ngawayinful
lspeed.
Chi
na:
Kwanel
e'
sri
ght
?
Me:Yep,
Missi
ont
woaccompl
i
shed,
thanky
ou
f
ather
.
Ml
u:Sol
i
ttl
eyetsosmar
t,kwanel
ewi
l
lbepr
oud.
Me:
Nohewon'
thewi
l
lbeangr
yatme.
Ml
u:Angr
ybutpr
oudt
rustme.
Theydri
vehome,Ipunchthecodeandgobackt
o
thecarwedri
vei
nast hegateopens.
*
Wewalkinhol
dingthekidsandev
ery
onei
nsi
de
st
andsup,wel
lexceptLuyol
o.
Kwanel
e:Chi
na,
Mluwhati
sgoi
ngon?Zi
yanda?
Chi
na:
Webr
oughty
oursi
sterbackhome.
Mandi
si:
Buthow?
Sunshi
ne:
Youdi
dit
,Youpul
l
edi
tof
f.
Shesayswit
htear
sinherey
es,
Ipl
aceLangadown
andhughersoti
ght.
Me:
Idi
dit
!
Kwanel
e:CANSOMEONEEXPLAI
NTOMEWHAT
THEHELLISGOINGON,
ZIYANDA!
!
Hei
sshout
ing
Chi
na:
Youdon'
thav
etoshoutwewi
l
lexpl
ain.
Hest art
sexplaini
nghowIcont act
edthem, t
ell
i
ng
them howIpl annedtocreateafeudbetweenmi so
andhi sfamil
ybyf aki
ngmydeat handthekids,
ofcausewhenChi nasai
dsomeonehet rustwit
hhis
l
ifehewi ll
lookathisbrotherorhi
sdad.
Kwanel
e:Zi
yanda!
Mandisi:Am Inott
hepr oudestbrot
herinthewhole
world,
Ididn'
tknowy ouwer esleekl
ikethi
s, l
ike
si
sterli
kebrothermntakababa.(myfather
'schil
d)
Kwanel
e:Andy
ouknewaboutt
his!
Sunshi
ne:
Shewant
edt
osav
eherki
dsIhadt
ohel
p
her.
Kwanel
e:Youshoul
d'
vet
oldmeSunnynotpage
thr
oughmyphone.
Me:I'
m sor
ryever
yone,
mypri
ori
tywassavi
ngmy
ki
ds,andIdid,
wewenttoKZNandtheyper
fomeda
cer
emonyf ort
hem.
Mbal
i
:ThankGodshi
twasscar
yasf
uck.
Uncle/dad:Iam angryf
ormakingusbel
iev
ey oul
ost
i
t,butbabyi '
m proudofyou,
youact
edony our
i
nstictli
kemostofuswoul difwewereonyour
shoes,Ilov
ey oumaLukheleok.
Hehugsmesot
ight
.
Mandi
si:
Ooohbr
ingi
tin.
Ihughi
mtoo.Kwanel
esmi
l
es.
Kwanel
e:Youar
eageni
us,
yout
ooki
tfr
om me,
comehere.
Ihughi
m weepi
ngonhi
sshoul
der
Kwanel
e:I
t'
sok,
youdi
dit
,itwasal
lwor
thi
tok.
Inodst
il
li
nhi
sar
ms.
Mbal
ii
swetwi
tht
ear
s,Ihughert
hensunnyt
oo.
IlookatLuy
olo,
helooksatmethengetup,It
hought
hewascomi ngtomebuthepassmewal ki
ngout
thedoor.
If
eelapanginmyheart
.Ibecomedi
zzyand
Mandi
sihel
psmesitdown.
Mandi
si:
Woahwhat
'swr
ongsi
s?
Chi
na:Shelostsomebl
oodt
her
e,somay
bet
hat
's
whysheisdizzy.
Mandi
si:
Makessense.
Wehearacardr
ivi
ngout
,Iknowi
tsLuy
olo,
hewant
s
t
obeawayfrom me.
Mandisi
:Hej
ustneedst
imedon'
twor
ryhewi
l
lcome
back.
Inod.
*
I
nthemiddl
eoft heni
ghtIam i
nt hel
oungewai
ti
ng
f
orLuy
olo.Ihearthegat
eopening.
Hegetinandthemi
nut
ehi
seyesl
andonmehe
chuckl
esandatt
emptt
owal
kaway.
Me:
Luy
oloI
'
m sor
ry.
Hel
ooksatmeandwal
kawaytotheot
herr
oom.So
hei
snotsl
eepi
ngi
nourr
oom any
more.
Igeti
nbutheget
sinbehi
ndmeandt
akeI
yanaf
rom
thebed.
Me:
Lethersl
eepwi
thmeImi
ssedher
.
Hedoesn'
tsayany
thi
ngbutj
ustwal
koutwi
thheri
n
hi
sarms.
Isi
ghgoi
ngt
obed.
*
It
'smorni
ngIwakeupandt
akeabat
h,bandagemy
arm andwal
kout.
It
rytoopent hebedroom Luyol
oissl
eepi
nginbut
i
tslocked.Iknocksever
alti
meshedoesn'topen.
Igototheki
ds'
sroom andIfi
ndNtsikaawake,
Ibat
h
hi
m andputeyedr
opsinhiseyesandhelphi
m wear
hi
sglasses.
Me:
Youl
ookhandsome.
Ismi
l
eathi
m ashecl
apshi
shands.
Ibat
htheot
herbr
other
sandmakef
oodf
ort
hem.
Igosi
tont
heback,
t
hegar
denher
eisdonenowandsobeaut
if
ul.
Ihearsomeonecl
eart
het
hroatbehi
ndmeIt
urni
ts
sunshi
ne.
Sunshi
ne:
Heyhowar
eyouhol
dingup.
Me:
Myki
dsar
efi
net
hat
'
sal
lthatmat
ter
stome.
Sunshine:y
ouguyswi
l
lbef
ineok,
hei
sjustangr
y
anddissapoint
ed.
Me:
IknowbutIdon'
tthi
nkhest
il
lwant
sme.
Sunshine:Thatguyl
ovesy
ouZi
yanday
ouwi
l
lget
pastthisok.
.
(si
l
ence)yousurear
esmart
,cometothi
nkofityou
would'
veexecut
edashar
pplantogetusoutoft
hat
hel
lhouse.
Ichuckl
e.
Me:Yougi
vemetoomuchcr
edi
tsunny
,thanky
ou
somuchfory
ourhel
p.
Sunshi
ne:You'
remyfri
endIwi
l
ldoany
thi
ngf
ory
ou.
Let
'sgoeatbreakf
ast
.
*
Wesitar
oundt
hetabl
eandt
hef
olksandkni
vesar
e
maki
ngallt
henoi
se.
Uncl
e/dad:SoLuy
olowhenar
eyougi
vi
ngZi
yanda
backherri
ng?
Luy
olo:
Iwon'
t.
Mbal
i
:Whynot
?
Luy
olo:
We'
redi
vor
cing.
.
Hedr
opst
hef
orkandgetup,
wal
ki
ngaway
.
If
eelmybodygett
ingcol
dli
kei
'
m bei
ngpour
edwi
th
i
cedwat
eri
nwinter.
*
*

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
19]
Zee
*
*
I
nser
t104
Ifeelst
uckont hechair
,every
one'
seyesareonme,
I
haveahugel umpi nmyt hr
oataf
terwhatLuy
olo
said.I
'm bl
i
nkingthetearsaway.
Ifi
nal
l
ygatherenoughstrengt
htogot
ohi
sroom,
I
fi
ndhim si
tt
ingonhisbed.
Luy
olo:
Whatdoy
ouwantZi
yandaLukhel
e?
Sonomor
eMzozohuh.
.
Me:I
'm sor
ryf
ornottel
l
ingyoumypl
anLuyol
o,I
wasafr
aidyouweregoi
ngtotal
kmeoutofit
,Al
lI
want
edwast osav
emyki ds.
Luy
olo:
Don'
texpl
ainIgeti
t.
Me:
CanIhol
dher
?
Isayl
ooki
ngatI
yawhoi
sawakenextt
ohi
m.
Luy
olo:
No.
Me:
Shei
smydaught
ert
ooLuy
oloy
oucan'
tkeep
meawayf
rom her
.
Luyol
o:Youdidthatwheny ouranaftert
hetwins'
s
dad,youlef
therhereknowingverywellshe
sometimesdoesn'twantbott
ledmilk,
shecri
edthe
wholenight
,Idi
dn'tknowwhatt odo.
Myhear
tbr
eaks.
Me:
I'
m sor
ryLuy
olo,
Iwast
ryi
ngt
ohel
pmyki
ds.
Luy
olo:
Whi
l
enegl
eti
ngmydaught
eri
nthepr
ocess.
Me: Idi
dn'tnegl
ecther,y
ousawt hestatetheboys
wereinIhadt oactfast
,andit
'snotfai
rthatyousay
thattome, yousai
dy ouwoulddowhat everi
ttakes
tosaveIyanaandt hati
swhatIwasdoi ngformy
kidswhower ei
npainalmostevery
day.
Luyolo:
Youshoul
dhav
etol
dme,
wear
emar
ri
edf
or
God'ssake.
Me:
I'
m sor
ry.
Luy
olo:
Iwi
l
lfi
ndal
awy
ert
odr
aftt
hepaper
s.
Me:
Youcan'
tdot
hatt
omeLuy
olo,
youcan'
t!
Ishoutcausi
ngI
yanat
ocr
y.
Luy
olo:
Gett
hef
uckoutZi
yanda.
Me:
Justl
etmet
akemydaught
erpl
ease.
Luy
olo:
Getout
!
Iwal
koutt
her
oom l
eav
inghi
m hushi
ngI
yana.
*
Il
ookf
orDadandweepi
nhi
sar
m.
Me:Pl
easetal
ktohi
m dad,
hedoesn'
tev
enwantme
cl
oset
oIyana.
Uncl
e/dad:
Hewi
l
lcomear
oundj
ustgi
vehi
mti
me.
Ishakemyhead.
Me:
Hewon'
t,
itsov
erdad,
andI
'
mtobl
ame.
Uncl
e/dad:
Shhhi
tsok,
Iwi
l
ltal
ktohi
m.
*
Weareabouttoeatl
unch,
buti
'
m nothungr
y.I
'
m
j
ustdepr
essed.
Luy
olocomesi
nandsi
tsopposi
teme.
Luy
olo:
I'
m mov
ingout
.
Me:
Dad.
..
Uncle/
dad:Noson,wecansitdownandt
alkabout
thi
sok,don'
ttakedr
ast
icdecisi
ons.
Luyol
o:Idon'
twannatal
kDad.Ican'
tbemar
ri
edt
o
someonewhodoesn'ttr
ustme.
Iwi
pemyt
ear
swi
tht
heshi
rti
'
m wear
ing.
Me:
Youar
enotl
eav
ingwi
thI
yana.
Isaywi
thashakyv
oice,
hechuckl
es.
Luy
olo:
ohbutIam.
Me:Noyounot,
Ialmostdi
edgi
vi
ngbi
rt
htoher
,you
wer
enotther
eI.
..
Luyol
o:Spar
emeok, y
ouweren'
ther
etoowhenshe
cri
edthewholeni
ght,
twoni
ghtsinarow,
Iam
taki
ngherwit
hme.
Me:
you'
renot
.
Luy
olo:
wewi
l
lseeaboutt
hat
.
It
hrowapl
ateathi
m hebl
ocksi
twi
thhi
shandand
l
ookatme
Mbal
i
:Zi
yanda!
!
Luy
olo:
Dot
hatagai
nIwi
l
lfucky
ouupsobad!
It
hrowanot
herone,
heducks.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ziy
andast
opwhaty
ou'
redoi
ng!
Ipi
ckagl ass,heswift
lyget
supfrom hi
schai
rand
walkaroundthetable,hepul
lsmyhandandgrabmy
neck.Igaspforair
.
Me:
Lu.
.y
o..
lo
Kwanel
epul
l
shi
m awayf
rom me.
Icoughsohar
d.
Me:y
oucanki
l
lmeLuy
olobuty
ou'
renotl
eav
ing
wi
thher
.
Luy
olo:
Wat
chme!
Kwanel
e:Luy
olocomeonman,
don'
tdot
his.
Uncl
e/dad:
Luy
olocal
m downl
etssi
tdownandt
alk
ok.
Luyolo:
Idon'twanttotal
kdad,ThoseLunat
icswer
e
readytorapeherjustt
heotherdaybutshewent
backt
her
ewi
l
li
ngl
y.
Me:Younev
erlov
edmeLuyol
o,becausei
fyoudi
dit
woul
dn'
tbethi
seasyf
ory
outoleaveme.
Hewalkt
ohi
sroom andcomebackwi
thI
yaandher
bag.
Ev
ery
onet
ri
est
ost
ophi
m buthej
ustwal
kout
.
Iwipemytear
sandgetupfr
om thefl
oor.Il
ayinbed
andcovermyhead,
Ihaveaheadachefr
om all
the
cry
ing.
Iwakeupit
sdar
kout
side,
Ilookf
orSunny
,If
indher
cooki
ng.
Me:Heypl
easebor
rowmey
ourphone,
Ineedt
o
makeacal
l.
Sunshi
ne:OhmyGodZi
yanday
ou'
rebl
eedi
ngf
rom
yournose.
It
ouchmynose.
Me:
Itspr
obabl
ybecauseoft
heheadache.
Sunshi
ne:
Letmegogetpi
l
lsf
ory
ou.
Shel
eav
esaf
terhandi
ngmet
hephone.
Isitdownandpl
aywi
thaphone,
i'
m af
rai
dtocal
l
him.
Iwi
pemynoseagain,
thi
sremindsmeofmymot her
,
whenshebledwhi
l
ewewer eeati
ngandshedi
ed
daysl
ater
.
Ial
wayshadaproblem gr
owi
ngupIwi l
lbl
eedonmy
nosewhenit
stoohotorhaveaheadache,
Iguess
i
tscomingbacknow.
Isigh,
dial
i
nghi
snumber
,itr
ingsf
orawhi
l
ethenhe
picksup.
Luy
olo:
Hel
l
o.(
nodon'
tdi
shupf
orme,
i'
mfi
ne.
)
I
'
m conf
used,
whoshoul
dn'
tdi
shupf
orhi
m.
Me:
Hel
l
o..
baby
Luy
olo:
Ziy
andawhatdoy
ouwant
?
(
Gir
lsv
oice:
Iwi
l
ldi
shupf
ory
ouany
way
).
Me:
Arey
ouwi
thawomanLuy
olo,
alr
eady
?
Luy
olo:
I'
m noty
ouZi
yanda.
.
Me:Don'
thurtmel
i
ket
hatYol
opl
ease,
Isai
di'
m
sor
ryfor
giv
eme.
(
Gir
lsvoi
ce:I
'm donecomeandeatbaby
,Luy
olo
f
oodisready
.)
If
eel
ashar
ppai
ninmyhear
t.
Me:
Luy
olo.
.
Luy
olo:
ByeZi
yanda
Hedr
opst
hecal
l
.I'
m hur
t.
Sunshi
ne:
Igott
hepi
l
lsher
e.
Me:
Imi
ssmymom,
Iwi
shshewasher
e.
Sunshi
ne:Ohsweet
y,i
t'
sgoi
ngt
obeok,
ever
ythi
ng
wil
lbefi
ne.
Me:
Itsnot
..
Igotomyr oom andweart
ekki
es,Ilookf
orMiso'
s
gunthatIhi
donmycl ot
hes,It
akeitandputi
tonmy
back.
Iwal
kout,
Iwai
tforataxi
,thankgodt
het
axi
sst
op
movi
nglat
eatni
ght.
Iseeonecomi
ngIst
opi
tandgeti
n.
Zee

.
[
8/5,
10:
19]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t105

IgettoLuyolo'
shouse, Icanhearl aughterasi
'
m
standi
ngatt hefr
ontdoor ,Itakeoutthegunand
pusht hedoorgett
ingin.Theguni si nmyhand
pointi
ngdownasI 'm defeatedbyseei ngLuyol
o
l
aughingwi t
hawomanatt het abl
e.
Luy
olo:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e.
Me:
Isshet
her
easony
oul
eftme?
Luyol
o:No,Il
efty
oubecauseyoufakedamnesi
a
andwentbacktothatcr
azyex,
youputyourl
if
eand
t
heboysl
i
vesi
ndanger
,youdi
dn'
ttr
ustmeenough
t
otel
lmewhati
sgoi
ngon.
Me:
Whoi
sshe?
Ipoi
ntwi
thagun,
that
'
swhenher
eal
i
seIhav
eagun
i
nmyhand.
Luyol
o:Putt
hatgundownbef
orey
oudosomet
hing
you'
ll
regr
etZiy
anda.
Me:
Ubani
loLuy
olo?
(whoi
sthi
s?)
Luyol
o:Idon'
thav
etoexpl
ainany
thi
ngt
oyouWear
e
di
vorci
ngremember.
Girl
:SisLuyol
oisourf
ri
endwear estayi
nginhi
s
housewi thmyfi
ancebecauseourhouseisbei
ng
renovated.
Luy
olo:
Youdon'
thav
etoexpl
ainany
thi
ngt
oher
Kat
li
.
Me:
CanIseemydaught
er?
Luy
olo:
No.
Me:
oksur
e.
It
urnandwal
kout
,Iputt
heguni
nmybackagai
n.
Iwaitforanothert
axithatwi
l
l passbyt
hecemet
ery
.
Igetin,andIshoutforitt
odropmeatthecemet
ery.
It
sdarkIgost
rai
ghtt
omom'
sgr
ave,
Igetonmy
knees.
Me: Pl
easecomebackMom, Itr
iedfixi
ngthingsbut
Iendedupbreakingsomethi
ngelse.Idon'tknow
whattodoany more,Ij
ustwanttodie.Justcome
backtomepl ease.
Il
etoutt
het
ear
s..
*
*
NARRATED
*
Kwanelehasbeent
ryingtocal
lLuyol
obutheisnot
pi
ckingup,t
heynot
icedthatZi
yandaisnowher
eto
befound.
Het
ri
esonemor
eti
mehef
inal
l
ypi
cksup.
Luy
olo:
Sur
e.
Kwanel
e:I
sZi
yandawi
thy
out
her
e,wecan'
tfi
ndher
.
Luyol
o:Shewasheretwohour
sago,
youmeanshe
hasn'
tarr
ivedhomethi
sti
me.
Kwanel
e:Youl
ethergoal
oneLuy
olot
hisl
ate?
Luyolo:
Itwasal
readyl
atewhenshegother
e,y
et
youlethercomehere.
Kwanel
e:Wedi
dn'
twat
chhergounl
i
key
ou.
Luy
olo:
Wher
eisshe.
.
Heaskashesi
ghsanddr
opt
hephone.
Kat
li
:i
sev
ery
thi
ngok?
Luy
olo:No,mywi
fedi
dn'
tgethomef
rom her
e,I
hav
et ogo.
HetakesI
yaandhiscarkeysandr
ushout
,heput
heri
nherseatanddr
iveofft
othei
rhome.
Hegett
her
e,ev
ery
onei
sont
hei
rfeet
.
Sunshi
ne:
Shedoesn'
tev
enhav
eaphonewewoul
d
becall
i
nghernow.
Uncl
e/dad:
Luy
olot
hisi
syourf
aul
t,
fi
ndmydaught
er!
Luy
olo:
Andshehadagun.
.
Hesay
ssol
ow
Kwanel
e:What
Mandi
si:
Yout
hinkmay
beshe.
.No.
Luyolo:
Shewasheart
brokenwhenshel
eftman,
I
didn'
twanthert
oseeourdaught
er,
howcanIdothi
s
toher.
Hewi
peshi
sface,
sit
ti
ngdown.
Luy
olo:
Yhoondi
moshi
l
e(Imessedup)
*
Ato1:
00am t
hei
rfat
hercomesoutofhi
sroom.
Uncl
e/dad:It
hinkIknowwhereshei
sletsgo,
Mandisiy
oustaywiththeki
dsandever
yone,Luy
olo
andKwanelearecomingwit
hme.
Theyr
ushtot
hecarandLukhel
edri
vet
othe
cemet
ery
,hei
sprayi
ngthatt
heyfi
ndZi
yandat
her
e.
Theygetoutoft
hecarandwal
ktowar
dsFel
i
cia'
s
grav
e.
Theycanseehercurl
edupnextt
ohermom'sgr
ave
wit
haguni nherhandsi
ncet
heyhavef
lashl
i
ght
son.
Luy
olokneel
nextt
oherandshakeher
.
Luy
olo:
Baby
..
wakeup.
Shemov
esandsi
tupr
ubbi
ngherey
es.
Shel
ooksatherdadwhoisst
andi
ngandgetup,
l
eavi
ngLuyol
okneeli
ngdown.
Me:
Dad.
.
Uncle/
dad:Pri
ncessyouscar
edme,
don'
tev
erdo
thi
sagain,youhearme?
Me:It
'sal
ltoomuchformeIcan'
ttakei
tany
mor
e,I
wannadieandbewit
hmymom.
Uncl
e/dad:
Andwhataboutme?whatwoul
dhappen
tomeifyoudi
eZi
yanda?
Hesayssoundi
ngsad.Zi
yandahugshi
mti
ghtand
sodoeshe.
Theygobacktothecar,
Kwanel
edrives.Zi
yandai
s
si
tti
nginbet
weenherdadandLuyol
o,herheadison
herdad'
sshoul
der.
Theyall
getinsi
deandMandi
sii
shappyhi
ssi
steri
s
ok,hehugsherti
ght
.
Mandi
si:
Iwassowor
ri
ed,
ThankGody
ou'
resaf
e.
ShenodsandlookatI
yanaf
oral
ongt
ime,
thenshe
sobandrunt
oherroom.
Kwanel
e:Doy
ouseewhaty
ouhav
edoneLuy
olo?
Luyolosi
ghsandt akeI
yanaandwalktoZiyanda'
s
room butthedoorisl
ocked,Heknockshecanhear
Ziyandasobbi
ngloudhisheartbr
eaks.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
andapl
easeopent
hedoor
.
Me:
Go.
.away
..
Luyolo:
I'
m sor
ryforever
ythi
ng,f
ornotall
owingyou
toseeourdaughtert
hatwasunfairofme,i'
m sor
ry
babyIwasjustangry,
ndicel
auxolo(
i'
m sor
ry).
Pleaseopensowecangeti n.
Zi
yandawi
pesherf
aceandgetupt
ounl
ockt
he
door
.
Luy
olo:
Thanky
ou,
heyl
ookatme.
Ziy
andal
ooksathi
m wi
thherpuf
fyey
esandr
ed
nose.
Luy
olo:
Ihat
eseei
ngy
oul
i
ket
his,
andt
othi
nki
'
m
t
her
easonf
ori
tjusthur
tsme.I
'
m sor
ry.
Herunshi
shandonherf
aceandZi
yandacl
oseher
ey
es.
Luy
olo:
Youwantt
ohol
dher
?
Ziy
andanodsquickl
yandtakeI
yaf
rom Luy
oloand
holdhercl
osert
oherchest.
Ziy
anda:
Imissedy
ousomuch, i
'
m sor
ryf
orl
eav
ing
youbaby
,mommyi ssor
ryok.
Luy
olowi
peshert
ear
sof
f.
Luy
olo:
Ilov
eyousomuch.
Zi
yandal
ooksathi
m.
Luyol
o:Imeanit
,Iwasjustangryandsel
fi
sh.You
aremywifeti
l
ldeathdouspar t
,nodiv
orce.
Ziyanda:
I'
m sor
ryf
orsi
deli
ningyou,Ishoul
dhav
e
toldyou,
Ishoul
dhavet
rustedyoutocomeupwitha
plan.
Luy
olohugst
hem.
Luy
olo:webel
ongt
oget
herandI
'
m pr
oudt
ocal
lyou
mywife.
Zee
Zee
*
*
I
nser
t106
Isl
eptpeacefull
yonmyhusband'schestl
astnight
,
hewasholdingmesot i
ghtandhet ol
dmesev eral
ti
mesthathel ovesmeandIbel
ievehim.
Il
ookathim asheissti
ll
indeepsleepIki
sshi
s
chestandr
unmyhandsonhi sabs,t
heyaremy
weakness,
Hegr oansandtouchmyhand.
Luy
olo:
Ilov
ewaki
ngupnextt
oyou.
Me:
Met
oo.
Heopenshi
sey
esandl
ookatme,
Ilookdown.
Luy
olo:Zi
yandai
t'
ssti
ll
meyourhusband,
Iwi
l
ldo
any
thingt
omakey oucomf
ort
ablewit
hmeagainI
canseey
ouf
eel
awkwar
dandshy
.
Inod.
Hecl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
.
Luy
olo:
Uhm di
dyouuhm di
dyousl
eepwi
thhi
m.
Me:No.
.Iwasn'
tgoingt
olett
hathappen.
.myhear
t,
soul
andbodybelongstoonl
yyou.
Luy
olo:
Thanky
ousomuchbaby
.
Hisphoneri
ngs.Heanswer
sput
ti
ngi
tonspeaker
andplacei
tonhispi
ll
ow.
Luy
olo:
Sur
eKat
li
.
Katli
:Uhm Luwehav eaprobl
em,yoursinkisleaki
ng
andMzi haven'
tcamebackf r
om work,
i'm af
raid
yourhousewi l
lbedamaged,canyoupleasecome
help.
Luyol
o:Checkthenumberofapl
umberont
hef
ri
dge
ther
e,Ican'
tfi
xpipes.
Shegi
ggl
es.
Kat
li
:Of
cause,
youhandl
eguns,
bigguns.
Shegi
ggl
esagai
n.
Kat
li
:By
ethen.
Luy
olodr
opst
hecal
l
.
Luyolo:
HerandMzi camet
ostayinmyhouset he
daywet ookyout
othehospi
tal
,theyneededaplace
tocrashforawhi
le.
Me:
Ok.
Luyol
o:Ibrokeyourhear
t,Icanseei
tiny
ourey
es,
youdon'tt
rustmeany more.
Me:
NoIdot
rusty
ou.
.
Heget
supandl
ookatt
hedr
awer
sandcomesback
t
obed.
Het
akesmyhandandsl
i
dther
ingbacki
nmyf
inger
.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Hebri
ngshisf
acecl
osert
omi
neandki
ssme,
Iki
ss
hi
m back.
Luy
olo:
Ilov
eyou.
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo
Luy
olo:
Isy
ourar
m st
il
lpai
nful
?
Me:al
i
ttl
eitwasasmall
sacr
if
icef
ormybabi
est
o
l
iv
eandbehappyagai
n.
Luyolo:Iadmir
ey ouZiyanda, y
ouputy ourli
fein
dangertosavey ourkidsifthat'
snotgenuinelove,I
don'tknowwhati s.Iam proudt ocal
lyouthe
motherofmyki ds, myheartdidn'tmakeami stake
bychoosi ngy
ou.
Tear
srol
l
sdownmyey
es.
Luy
olo:
Don'
tcr
y,Iam her
e,i
'
m nev
erl
ett
ingy
ougo.
Istayinhisarmsandguesswefell
asleep,Iwakeup
toacr yi
ngIyanaIt
akehert
othebathroom andbath
her,andputonclot
hesit
shotoutsi
de.Iplaceher
nexttoherdad,hewakesup.
Luyol
o:Heypr
incess,
Mommyl
ookbeaut
if
uli
nher
grey.
Hegl
ancesatmesmi
l
ing.
Luy
olo:
Butr
eal
l
yBabywhygr
ey.
Me:
Idon'
tknow,
Ijustl
ovei
t.
Hegetsoffthebed,
kissmycheekandgotothe
bat
hroom andweallgotoeatbr
eakf
ast,
ever
yonei
s
att
hetabl
e.
Mandi
si:
Iwasaboutt
ogocal
lyouguy
s.
Kwanele:don'
tli
earen'tyout
heonewhowasbusy
sayi
ng" I
'
m eati
ngtheirfoodi
ftheydon'
tcomeoutof
thei
rroom"huh?
Mandi
si:
Youdon'thavet
oembar
assmel
i
ket
hat
i
nfr
ontofthewhol
ef ami
l
y.
Me:Morni
ngguys,youcanhavemi
nebhut
'
Mandi
si
i
'
m nothungr
yI'
l
l j
ustmaketea.
Uncl
e/dad:Morni
ng,
sitdownandeatZiy
anda
br
eakfasti
sthemostimport
antmealoftheday
.
Ir
oll
myey
essi
tt
ingdown.
Uncle/
dad:ungi
pheqel
aamehl
oyi
ni?
(ar
eyour
oll
i
ng
youreyesatme?)
Ichuckl
e.
Me:
Iwoul
dn'
tdot
hatt
omydadnev
er.
I
'
mjustpl
ayi
ngwi
thmyf
ood,
Ireal
l
yam nothungr
y.
Luy
olo:
Arey
ouok?
Me: Yeahi
'mjustthinki
ngaboutschool ,
mom
wantedmet ofi
nishmyst udiesbuthowcanI ,when
Ifakedbei
ngdead, howwi llIgoouttherewit
hout
beingworri
edaboutt hosepeoplefindingout
,the
schoolopeninthr
eeweeks, Idon'
tev enhave
someonei tr
usttolookaftermyki ds.
Luyol
o:Wewil
lfi
gur
esomet
hingout
,al
lofus,
we
areher
efory
ou.
Uncl
e/dad:Andi'
m goi
ngbackt
owor
knextweekas
anewSt at
ionCommander.
Mandi
si:
Wowt hebi
gdog, aboutt
imetheygiveyou
t
hatpr
omot i
ony oudeser
veditmorethanthatguy
wi
thaweirdface.
Me:
Congr
atul
ati
onsdad.
Uncl
e/dad:
Thanky
oupr
incess.
Mbal
i
:Iguessnowy
ou'
rebi
gdogbi
gdog.
Sunshi
ne:
What
?Mbal
iyou.
.
Mbal
i
:Sunnydon'
tyoust
artwi
thme,
nott
oday
.
Wegositatthebacktheki
dsar
epl
ayi
ngt
her
e.
Luy
olo'
sphonerings.
Luy
olo:
ShoKat
lego.
..
what
?Andwher
eisMzi
?.
.ayok.
Hedr
opst
hephone
Luyolo:
Youknowt
hosepeopl
ear
etur
ningmyhouse
upsidedown.
Mandi
si:
Theyar
efi
ght
ingagai
n?
Luyol
o:YeahIhav
etogot
her
e,y
ouwannacome
wit
hmebaby .
Inod,
Imi
ssbei
ngar
oundhi
m al
lthet
ime.
Hedrivest
hereandwhenwegeti nthi
sKatl
igir
lis
weari
ngav er
ybeauti
full
i
nger
ieandallherti
ghsand
boobsareoutther
e,shehasaglassofwineinher
handandlooknothi
ngli
keapersonwhowas
fi
ghti
ngwithherman.
Icl
earmyt
hroat
.
Shetur
nsandlookatusshocked,
shequi
ckl
ytakes
hergownonthecouchandwearit,
ver
yshor
tgown.
Luy
olo:
Wher
eisMzi
,di
dn'
tyousayy
ouguy
swer
e
f
ight
ing.
Kat
li
:Uhm.
..
I.
.y
eshej
ustwentout
..
uhm I
..
Me:
Whydi
dyoucal
lmyhusbandTat
li
?
Kat
li
:It
'sKat
li
,wewerefi
ghti
ngwit
hmyf
ianceI
want
edhimt otal
ktohi
mf orme.
Me:
Andwher
eisy
ourf
iancenow?
Katl
i
:Hewentoutafterourf
ight
,whydoIf
eel
li
ke
you'
rei
nter
rogat
ingme?
Me:Iam,whywoul
dyoucal
lmyhusbandt
ocome
her
ewhil
eweari
ngli
ket
hat?
Kat
li
:i'
m sorr
yIwasj
ustscar
edandi
twasan
emergency.
Me:
Right
,you'
reoknow?
Kat
li
:Yes.
Me:
Good,
babel
et'
sgo.
Itur
nandwal
kout
,pul
l
ingLuy
olo'
shand.Wegeti
n
thecar
.
Me:
Bit
ch!
Luy
olol
ooksatmeshocked.
Me:
let
'sgo.
.
*

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
19]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t107
Todaywehav eabr aaiathome,wei
nv i
ted
Si
sSphokaziandherson, Kwanel
ewillf
etcht
hem
si
ncewedon' twantalotofpeopl
etoknowournew
home.Katl
iandMzi ar
ecomi ngt
oo,chi
naandhis
brot
herMluarealreadyhere.
*
Wehav esett het
ableatthegardenandwe' r
ebusy
makingsaladswithMbal iandSunny.Isee
SisSphokazicominginwithherson,Irunt
ot hem
huggingSisSphokazit
ight,sher
emindsmeof
Si
sYol
isomuch.
Si
sSphokazi
:Wowsomeonemi
ssedme.
Me:
Imi
ssedy
ousomuch.Heyboy
.
Isayhuggi
nghi
m andher
unst
opl
aywi
tht
heboy
s.
Luyol
ocomest oowi
thI
yaonherseat
er,
heki
ssmy
cheekandspankmyass.
Me:
Luy
olo!Ther
ear
epeopl
eher
e.
Luy
olo:
you'
remywi
feandImi
ssy
ou.
Me:
Imi
ssy
out
oo.
Luyolo:
Imissmaki nglov
etoyouZiyanda,youhave
beensleepi
ngearlyandwakingupfi
rstIfeell
ikeyou
don'twantushavingsexany
mor e,
areyoupuni shi
ng
mef orhurt
ingyou?
Me:It
'snott
hat,Ihavebeent
ir
edemot
ional
l
ythe
pastf
ewday sbuti'
m oknow.
Isaymovi
ngmyhandonhisdickpr
int
,hej
umpsa
l
itt
le,
someonecl
ear
sthet
hroat.
Imoveawayfr
om Luyol
o.I
tsKatl
ishei
swith
someonewhoIassumeisherf
ianceMzi.
Kat
li
:Hi
Lu!
Shewav
esatLuy
olo.
Mzi:
Ohfinal
l
yImeetthemadaam heybabygi
rl
you'
resohotdamn!
Luy
olo:
Heydon'
tsayt
hataboutmywi
fe,
shei
smi
ne.
Mzi
:I'
mjustcompl
i
ment
ingher
,Ihav
emyownher
e
r
emember?
Hesay
ski
ssi
ngKat
li
'
scheek.
Me:
Higuy
syoucangot
othet
abl
e.
Mzi
:Nowewil
lj
ustj
oint
heguy
sther
ebabey
oucan
got
othel
adi
esok.
Kat
linods,
Igobackt
othet
abl
e.
Me:GuysmeetKat
li
, Kat
lit
hisi
sMbal
iandSunnymy
bestf
ri
endsandsi
sters.
Kat
li
:ni
cet
omeety
ou.
Mbal
i
:mmmm!
Shesaysst
uff
ingherf
acewit
hchipsshei
sreal
l
ybi
g
now,
herbabybumpishugebutcut
e.
Kat
li
:CanIhel
p?
Sunshi
ne:
Sur
eyoucanmakeGr
eensal
ad.
Westartt
alki
ngabouttheguy
saboutt
heamountof
noi
setheyaremaking.
Katl
i
:Luyol
oisv
erycal
m hedoesn'
tshoutsucha
gent
leman.
Mbal
il
ooksather
.
Me:
Iknow,
hei
smyhusband.
Kat
li
:Uhm y
eahIknow.
Me:
Whenar
eyouandMzi
get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
Kat
li
:Uhm Idon'
tknow.
*
Theguyscomewit
hmeatwesitar
oundt
het
abl
e
andconver
sewhi
l
edishi
ngup.
Idi
shupf orLuy
olowhenI'
m aboutt
ogi
vehi
mfood,
Kat
liput
sf oodi
nfr
ontofhi
m.
Luyol
o:ThankyouKatl
ibutmywifeservesme, you
cangivet
histoMziIdon'
tseeanyplat
ei nf
rontof
hi
m.
Kat
li
:Ohsur
e.
Shel
ooksdi
ssapoi
ntedbutt
akest
hepl
atet
oher
man.
Ipl
acet
hepl
atei
nfr
ontofLuy
oloandki
sshi
scheek.
Luy
olo:
Thanky
oumamakaI
ya.
Iwi
nkathi
m,hel
ookdownsmi
l
ing.
Sunshine:YoumakemenlikeboLuy
olotobl
ush
GIRL,heissoinl
ovecan'
tevenhi
deit.
Kat
lisi
tsnextt
oLuy
olowher
ei'
m supposet
osi
t.
Me:
I'
m gonnaf
uckt
hatgi
rlup.
Sunshi
ne:
sheisr
eal
l
yannoy
ingdi
dn'
tshesayshe
hasafi
ance.
Me:Shedoes,t
her
eisMziandanempt
yseatnextt
o
hi
m butt
hereshei
snextt
omyman.
Igot
oherandt
apheront
heshoul
der
.
Me:
Mov
e.
Shel
ooksar
oundt
henbackatme.
Kat
li
:Butt
her
ear
esomanyempt
yseat
sher
e.
Me:ohreal
lyIdi
dn'
tnot
ice,
mov
e,Iwantt
hisseat
her
enexttomyman.
Kat
li
:Ar
eyoui
nsecur
e?
Ipul
lthechai
rsohar
dshef
all
sonherass.
Thegasps,
Mandi
sist
art
slaughi
ngsohar
d.
Katl
iswi
ftl
ygetsupandstandinf
rontofmefumingI
canfeel
herbreathonmyface.Sheattempt
stoslap
mebutSunnyst andsi
nbet
weenus.
Sunshi
ne:
Notonmywat
chsweet
ytr
ynextdoor
.
Mzi
:Whati
sgoi
ngon?
babyar
eyouok.
Kat
li
:I'
mfi
ne!
Shesay
sdust
ingher
sel
fandpul
lthesamechai
rand
si
tdown.
Ichuckl
e.
Dadshakeshi
sheadandsi
gnal
met
ocomet
ohi
m
wit
hhishand.
Ist
andnextt
ohi
m.
Uncl
e/dad:
Isawwhaty
oudi
dther
eZi
yanda,
sitnext
tome.
Me:
butt
hat
'smychai
r.
.
Uncl
e/dad:
Sitdown!
IsitdownandlookupthisKatlii
sstari
ngatmewi th
adeadlylook,
I'
m notshakenonebit,Ihaveseen
ruthl
esspeopl
eandIout smartedoneofthem few
weeksagosoherdeadl ylooksmeansnothingtome
reall
y.
Aft
ereat
ingwegochi
l
linsi
de,
Luy
olot
akesI
yanat
o
bed.
Kat
list
andsandwal
kawayt
oo,
Ifol
l
owher
.
Icanheart
hem t
alk.
.
Luy
olo:
mov
eawayf
rom t
hedoororIwi
l
ltel
lMzi
.
Kat
li
:Idon'
tcar
eIal
way
swant
edy
ouLu.
Luy
olo:
Toobad,
Idon'
twanty
ou,
Ihav
eawi
fe.
Kat
li
:Shei
sjustachi
l
dyouneedar
eal
womanl
i
ke
m..
Igr
abherbyherweav
eandt
hrowi
tonherf
ace.
Me:Don'
ttestme,Ihavel
i
ttl
epat
iencef
orpeopl
e
whothi
nktheyarebett
ert
hanme, j
ustt
rymebit
ch.
Luy
olo:
Babycal
m down.
.
Me:
Mzi
!!
Ishoutandt
hebi
tchi
sst
ari
ngatme.
Me:
Takey
ourhoeandgetoutofher
e.
Mzi
:Luy
olowhyi
syourwi
fecal
l
ingmywomanahoe.
Me:
Becauseshei
s..
Mzi
:Li
tt
legi
rldon.
.
Luy
olo:
Don'
ttal
ktomywi
feMzi
,don'
t.
.
Mzi:Shei
sdisr
espect
ingmywomanandy
ouar
e
say
ingnothi
ngabouti
t.
Me:
Your"
woman"washi
tt
ingonmyman.
.
Mzi:
Katl
egowoul
dneverdothatwe'
vebeenfri
ends
f
oryear
swithLuandshehasneverdoneany
thing
l
iket
hat
.
Me:Putheronal
eashorIwi
l
lre-
arr
angeherpr
ett
y
f
acesob..
Mzi
:It
houghty
ouar
esweetbuty
ouar
ejustabi
tch
w.
.
Luyol
odoesn'
twaitf
orhi
mtosayany
thi
ngmor
e,he
punchhi
m andIcuss.
Me:
Fuck.
.
Luy
olo:
Arey
oucal
l
ingmywi
feabi
tch?
Kat
li
:Shei
s,shehasbast
ardsal
lov
ert
hishouse.
Me:
Arey
oucal
l
ingmyki
dsbast
ards?
Kat
li
:Yesan.
..
It
urnhert
of acemethensl
apher,
sheret
urnst
he
sl
apbutLuyolopul
l
sherbackandIsl
apherone
moreti
me.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ziy
anda!
!Fuckof
fyouhearme,
fot
seknot
i
nmyhouse!
Me:
Butdadshe.
.
Uncl
e/dad:
Arey
out
alki
ngbacky
oungl
ady
?
Me:
She.
.
Uncl
e/dad:
Comeher
e.
Me:
No.
Uncl
e/dad:
Ziy
anda!
Iwon'
trepeati
t.
Igot
ohi
m andhegr
abmyhandpul
lmet
ohi
sroom.
Uncl
e/dad:
Iwanty
out
otal
ktomeok.
Inod.
Uncle/
dad:Thi
sisnotyouZi
yanda,Inoti
cedever
si
ncey oucamebackyouarenotyoursel
fyouare
di
stantornowviol
ent
,Didhedosomet hi
ngtoyou?
Me:
No.
Uncl
e/dad:
Thenwhati
sgoi
ngon?
Me:Iwon'
tl
etpeopl
ewal
kal
lov
ermedadnot
any
more.
Uncl
e/dad:
Iunder
standbutdon'
tl
osey
our
sel
fok.
Me:
Iwon'
t.
.
Uncl
e/dad:
Dadl
ovesy
ou.
Me:
Ilov
edad.
Wesmi
l
eandhugeachot
her
.
*
Zee
[
8/5,
10:
19]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t108
DadandIgobackt othedi
nningroom afterourt
alk,
heisreal
lyworri
edthatsomethinghappenedt ome
thati
swhyi'm acti
ngthiswaybuti'
mj ustti
redof
peopl
et r
eat
ingmel ikeshi
t.
*
Wef
indev
ery
onei
nther
eandt
heyar
etal
ki
ng.
Mzi:We'vebeenfr
iendsforyear
sbutyoulety
our
wifebreakourf
ri
endshipli
kethathuhLu,
wherei
s
yourloyal
ty.
Luyol
o:Itl
ieswit
hmywi f
eman,youandKat
libet
ter
stayawayfrom meunt
ilyout
eachherhowt
o
behavearoundamarri
edman.
Mzi
:Thi
sgi
rlhast
urnedy
ousof
tLu.
Luy
olo:
Iti
swhati
tisman.
Katl
i
:Ihopeyou'
rehappyf
ormakingusf
ightwi
th
ourfr
iendwe'
veknownforyear
s.
Il
ookatherandchuckl
e.
Me:Areyoureall
ygoingtostandther
eandpr etend
youdi
dn'tdoanythi
ngwr ong?Youtri
edt oseduce
myhusbandi nourveryownbedroom, howlowcan
yoube,ser
iousl
y.
Mzi
:Shewoul
dnev
erdot
hat
.
Me:
Guessy
oudon'
tknowherl
i
key
out
hinky
oudo.
Mandi
si:
Let'scalli
tani
ghtguy
ssomeofusar
e
pr
egnant
,goodnight.
Hesay
shel
pingMbal
iupandt
heywal
kaway
.
Kwanel
eget
supandpickSi
sSphokazi
'
ssonandgo
wit
hhimtot
heguest
room ,
theyar
egoingt
osleep
her
e.
Luy
oloanddadwal
kawayt
oo.
Me:
Byey
out
wo,
out
.
Mzi
:Iwi
l
lki
l
lyou.
Me:Manyhav
etr
iedbutf
ail
edsweet
hear
t,t
ryy
our
bestshot
.
Hechuckl
esandl
ookatme.
Mzi
:Youdon'
tknowme.
Me:Idon'
tneedt
obecausefrom wher
ei'
m st
andi
ng
you'
reafool
andIdon'
tassociat
esmysel
fwit
hfool
s.
Hetakesouthi
sgunandpoi
ntatme,
andIst
areat
hi
m.
Mzi
:Repeatwhaty
ouj
ustsai
d!
Luy
olo:
Andi
fshedoesn'
t?Whaty
ougonnado?
Het
alksbehi
ndme.
Luy
olo:
Wepoi
ntgunsatwomennowhuh?
Heput
sitbackt
ohi
swai
standl
ookatLuy
olo.
Mzi
:we'
rel
eav
ing.
Me:
Bye.
Luy
olobuzzt
hem outandwegot
oourr
oom.
Heki
ssmeassoonaswegoti n,
Wekissand
r
emoveourcl
othesst
il
lst
andi
ngbyt
hedoor.
Hemov
esmet
obedandgetont
opofme.
Luy
olo:
Ilov
eyousomuch.
Myhear tbeatsfastasIlookathislustf
ulleyes,we
connectthroughoursoulsashepenet ratesinmeso
slowyetdeep, handsi
nterwinedwit
hhi sandpi nned
abovemyhead, Moansandgr oansf i
l
lsther oom.I
feelt
earsrunningdownt hecornerofmyey es.
Me:
Ilov
eyouYol
o.
If
eel
dropsonmyf
ace,
hist
ear
sashegoesdeeper
.
Luy
olo:
I'
m sor
ry.
.Il
ovey
ou.
Hecont
inuepenet
rati
ng,hecumsandsleepnextt
o
mepull
i
ngmecl oserwipi
ngmytears.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
anda.
.Il
ovey
ouok.
Me:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
*
Wehav ebeenturni
ngourroom upsidedown
becausei'
m cr
ying,
myringismissing,Iguessi
t
cameof fwhenwewerehav i
ngsex.
Luy
olo:
You'
rer
eal
l
ycr
ying?
Hesay
slaughi
ngatme.
.
Me:IwantmyringLuyol
o,Idon'
tknowwhymyt
ear
s
makeyoulaughli
kethi
s,i
'm acl
ownLuyol
o.
Luyol
o:I
fIdidn'
tknowbet
teri
'
dsayy
ou'
repr
egnant
youacti
ngl
ikeMbali.
Mbal
ipeepsonourr
oom.
Mbal
i
:Ihear
dthatLuy
olo,
you'
remaki
ngf
unofme.
Me:
hei
sjustbei
ngr
idi
cul
ous,
findmyr
ing.
Hel
aughsl
ooki
ngundert
hebedandgetup.
Luy
olo:
ther
e'sy
ourr
ingst
handwasam(
myl
ove)
Me:
Thanky
oubabe.
It
akemyr
ingandweari
t.
*
Weeatbr
eakf
astandSphokazi
clear
shert
hroat
.
Sphokazi:
uhm Lukhel
eI..Uhm..
IseethatZiyanda
doesn'
thavesomeonet ohelpherwit
ht hekidsuh
soIwashopingIhelpheroutifyoucangiveme
whateveramountyoucanmyol dersonwi l
lneedthe
moneyforschoolbutIdon'
thav eanycentexcept
f
orGrantforj
ustmyy oungerson, Si
zweistryi
ngto
f
indajobtoconti
nuehisstudies..pl
ease.
Uncl e/dad:Mmm Ihearyou,wemadeami stakeby
thi
nki ngonlyBandil
dneedshelpwhi
leYoli
was
takingcar eofal
lofyou,we'
respr
ryaboutthat
,
Ziyandawhatdoy ousay.
Me:Bhut'
Kwanel
ewil
lyouhel
pSi
zwewi
tht
he
moneyforvar
sit
y?
Kwanel
e:Yeahsur
enowor
ri
es.
Me:AndIwouldlovetohavesomeoneIt r
usttolook
aft
ermykids,sothankyouSisSphokazi
yousav ed
mef r
om t
roubleoffi
ndi
ngaper sonwhowi l
ltake
careofmykids.
Si
sSphokazi
:Thanky
ousomuch,
thanky
ou.
Shei
sint
ear
s,sheget
supt
ohugme.
Me:
It
'sokay
.
Si
sSphokazi
:Iwi
l
ltakeZi
phot
ohi
sfat
her
'shome.
Uncl
e/dad:
Youdon'
thav
etobeseperatedfrom y
our
son,
hecanstayher
eyouwi
ll
findschoolforhi
m, we
ar
efami
l
yok.
Si
sSphokazi
:Thanky
ouLukhel
e.
Ismil
eatdadhesmilesbackatme,i
'm sur
emom is
proudshelov
edhel
pingpeopleandt
hatiswhati
'
ll
dowiththemoneyshelef
tforme.
*
Kwanelet
akesSisSphokazihometopackhert hi
ngs
andherson'
sthi
ngst ocomeandst aywithus.The
boyi
ssohappyaboutst ayi
ngherewiththet wins
andLanga,t
heyhavebeenpl ay
inghedidn'teven
wanttogowithhismom.
*
LuyoloandIgot oourr oom,we'vebeenkissi
ngfora
whileandwear enakednowbuthecan' tgeti
tup,I
havebeent ouchinghisdickbutnothi
ngis
happening,i
'm gett
ingfrust
rat
ed,Iwalktothe
bathroom andsitthere,hecomesin.
Luy
olo:
I'
m sorr
yIdon'tknowwhat
'swr
ongwi
thme
maybei'
mjustti
red.
Me:
Yeahsur
e.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
andaI
'
m..
Me:
It'
scool
babe,
don'
twor
ryabouti
t.
Isayhugginghi
m,not
hingi
sokmay
behei
slosi
ng
i
nteresti
nme.
*

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
19]Zee
*
EDI
TED
*
I
nser
t109
Luyolohav ebeenavoidi
ngmef oraweeknow, he
goesto" checkonthings"attheirof
fi
cesatLukhel
e
propert
iesandhecomesbackl ateatni
ght,
wehav e
stoppedt r
yingtohavesex,it
'
spoi ntl
essanyway.
*
Myclassesarest
art
ingt
oday
,andmyhusband
of
fer
edt otakemeandhewil
lpi
ckmeup.
Wegetinthecar
,noonesay
sawor
d,wear
eli
ke
st
ranger
sandit'
ski
ll
i
ngme.
Hestopst
hecarandIgetoutoft
hecar
,wheni
'
m
aboutt
owalkawayherol
lsdownthewi
ndows.
Luy
olo:
Baby
.
It
urnt
olookathi
m.
Me:
mmm
Luy
olo:
Goodl
uck.
Inodandwalkaway
,thi
ngsar
ejustawkwar
d
betweenus.
*
AsIent
ert
hepr
emi
sesIl
ookar
oundandhuf
f.
Me:Letmegi
vet
hismybestshott
omakemama
pr
oud.
Isayt
omy self
,Icont
inuetowalktocl
assesand
someoneshoutsmyname, It
urnit
sDavon
rememberhim?mygaycl assmate.
Davon:I
'
m sohappyt
oseey
ou,
Ithoughti
'
dnev
er
seeyouagai
nwow.
Hehugsmesot
ight
,Ihughi
m back.
Me:
I'
m backbaby
.
Dav
on:
Andy
oul
ookhotokay
.aaaaah!
Hescr
eamssol
oudIl
ookar
oundandal
ley
esar
eon
us.
Me:Shhwhyar
eyoushout
ing?peopl
ear
elooki
ngat
usl
i
kewecrazy.
Het
akesmyhandandadmi
remyr
ing.
Davon:Dudemustbel
oadedl
ookatt
hatdi
amond,
it
spar
kles.
Ismil
ewecatchupandpar
twaysheisdoinghi
s
thi
rdyearwhi
l
eI'
m st
il
lont
hesecondyear
.
Thecl
assescommenceti
l
litwasl
unchDai
comes
tome,weeattoget
her
.
Af
terschool
Iseemyhusband'
scar
,Igeti
n.
Me:
Hey
.
Luy
olo:
Hi.
Si
l
enceagai
nal
lthewayhome.
Wegetinthehousewefindmybrother
'sandthei
r
gi
rl
fri
endsher
ebutther
eisKat
liandMzi ,
Ilookat
Luyol
ohelookdown.
Iwal
kawaytogr
eetmyki dsandkisst
hem,t
hen
wal
kbacki
ntheloungeIsitnextt
oSunny
.
IlookatLuy oloandhei sstari
ngatKatl
i
, Icl
earmy
throathelookatmeandst andupwalki
ngaway,
afterawhileIgol ookforhim,Ifi
ndhim sit
ti
ngon
thebedj er
kingoff,hi
sdi ckissohar
d,henot i
ceme
standingbyt hedoor,hecumsi mmediately.
Idon'
tknowwhatt osay
,i'
mjustdefeatedImeanwe
havebeent r
yingandnowhest aresatKatl
iand
suddenlyheisbusymasturbat
ing.Helookdown
embarrased.
Ist
epbackandslam t
hedoorgoi
ngbacki
nthe
l
ounge.Myhear
tfeel
sheavy.
Isi
tdown,mymindi
sfaraway
,myhusbandi
s
i
nter
estedi
nKat
li
.
Hehasn'
tcomebackfrom t
hebedroom may
behei
s
get
ti
nganotherr
oundwit
hhishand.
Kat
li
:Excuseme,
Ineedabat
hroom.
Shewal
ksaway
,Iwai
tal
i
ttl
ethenf
oll
owher
.
Sheisi
nmybedr oom,Iopenthedoor
,Luy
oloi
s
si
tt
ingonthebedstar
ingatKatl
iwhoisst
andi
ng
i
nfr
ontofhim.
Me:
Gett
hef
uckoutofmyr
oom bi
tch.
Kat
li
:Idon'
ttakeor
der
sfr
om y
ou.
Me:
Ohy
eah?
Kat
li
:Yes.
Inod,Igototheki
tchenandtakeoutevery
thi
ng,
I'
m
l
ookingforthekni
fe,I
'
m ki
ll
i
ngt hebi
tchtoday
.
Mandi
si:
Heywhati
shappeni
ngt
her
e?
Heshout
,Iignor
ehi
m andgobackt
omybedr
oom
wi
thaknif
e.
Igetther
eLuy
oloi
spushi
ngawayKat
liwhoi
sal
l
overhim.
Iswingakni
feandi
tgoesont
hebackofher
shoulder
.
Kat
li
:Aaah!
Shescr
eams,
bloodcomesoutandev
ery
oneget
sin.
Iam angr
y,IlookatLuyol
oIswingathi
mit
scr
atcheshisfaceali
tt
lebecausehemovedback.
Kwanel
e:Zi
yanda!
!!
Me:
DoIl
ookl
i
keaf
ool
toy
ou?Huhanswerme?
Mzi
comescl
osert
omeandIpushhi
m back.
Me:Comecl
osert
omeagai
nIwi
l
lfucky
ouupr
ight
now.
Luyol
ohasbl
oodonhi
sface,
heget
supandcome
cl
osetome.
Me:
Luy
olodon'
t.
.
Luy
olo:
I'
m s.
.
Me:Fucky
oursor
ri
esok,
fucky
ouLuy
olo,
howcoul
d
you?
Kwanel
e:Zeewhathappened?
Ii
gnorehim andtakemyphoneandgolookf
or
Sphokazi
andt hekidsatt
heback,
whi
leIcal
lthe
cab.
Sphokazi
:Ist
hatbl
ood?
Me:Yes,pl
easehel
pmewi
tht
heki
ds,
Ineedt
o
l
eav
et hi
shouse.
Shedoesn'
taskany
thi
ngwewal
kont
hef
rontwi
th
theki
ds.
Thecabdr
ivercal
l
s,Iwal
ktot
hegat
eandIhel
p
Langa,
NkaandNt si
kat
ogeti
nandIputI
yaonmy
l
ap.
Thecabdri
verdr
ivesaway
,Ibooki
nsomel
odgeand
gotother
oom.
*
*
LUYOLO'
sPOV
*
I
t'
sbeenaweekort
wosinceIhavebeentry
ingt
o
hav
esexwit
hmywifebutmydickwon'tbar
ge.
I
'
m embar
assed,
Ican'
tev
enl
ookatmywi
fe.
Buttodayit
'sstrangethemi
nuteIsawKat
li
,If
elti
t
twi
tchalit
tl
et henIwashard,t
hat'
swhenIwentto
myr oom t
oj er
kof f
,butmywif
ecaughtme.
WhenKatl
igoti
nmybedroom Igothar
dagai
n,and
shewasal
lovermeIhadtopushheroffme.
NowIhaveascaronmycheekbecauseZi
yanda
wentcr
azy.
Weal
lgotol
ookf
orherbutwef
indSphokazi
comi
ngi
n.
Me:
Siswher
eisZi
yanda.
Sphokazi
:Shecal
l
edt
hecabandshewentwi
tht
he
ki
ds.
Il
ookatKatli
shei
sint
earsandshehasbloodal
l
overherdr
essMzii
shel
pinghergeti
nthecar
.
Mzi
:Tel
lyourcr
azywi
fet
hati
'
m comi
ngf
orher
.
Kwanel
e:WhathappenedLu.
Ican'
ttel
lthem aboutmypr
obl
em ofnotget
ti
ngi
t
upNo.
Me:
Kat
liwasseduci
ngmeandZi
yandal
osti
t.
Kwanele:Whywerey
ouinther
oom int
hefi
rstpl
ace
Luyol
o?Ar ey
outwoti
mingmysist
erwit
habitch
l
ikeKatli
?
Luyol
o:Noof
causenotshej
ustf
oll
owedme,
heywe
needtofi
ndmywife.
Idi
alZi
yanda'
snumberbuti
tri
ngsunanswer
ed.
It
rysev
eral
timesbutst
il
lnot
hing.
Me:Cananyofy
out
ryt
ocal
lherpl
easeshei
snot
pi
cki
ngup.
Mandi
sical
l
sandputi
tonl
oudspeaker
.
Zi
yanda:
Bhut
i.
Shesni
ff
s.
Mandi
si:
Ziy
andapleasecomehome,
what
everi
tis
wewil
lfi
gur
eitout
.
Zi
yanda:
No.
Me:
Babypl
easej
u..
Zi
yanda:
Got
ohel
lyoupi
eceofshi
t,got
ohel
l
.
Mandi
si:
Yhoshei
sreal
l
yangr
y.
Kwanel
e: Comebackwit
ht heki
dsZiyanda,
theywi
l
l
st
artcr
yingyouhavenot
hingony ou.
Zi
yanda:IhavemyphoneIwi
ll
docar
dless
wi
thdrawalandgett
hemoneyorIwi
l
lgotothe
l
awyer,i
'mleavi
ng.
Me:
towher
eZi
yanda?
Zi
yanda:
I'
mleav
ingt
hecount
ry.
Kwanel
e:Whatthef
uck,
that
'
sbul
l
shi
tyouar
enot
goi
nganywher
e.
If
eel
li
kei
'
m hear
ingt
hings.
Me:
whatdi
dyousayZi
yanda?
Ziy
anda:Isai
di'
mleavingthef
uckencount
ry,
soy
ou
canjustf
uckKatl
ial
ready.
Me:
AndIwi
l
lki
l
lyoui
fyoul
eav
ewi
thmydaught
er.
Shechuckl
es.
Ziy
anda:LikeIshoul
dhavekil
ledyouwhenIsaw
yourdi
ckget t
inghar
datthesightofKat
liy
etyou
haven'
tbeenabletodoitwit
hme.
Theguy
slookatmeandIl
ookdown,
thi
sis
embar
assi
ng.
Kwanel
e:HeySi
sjustt
ell
mewher
eyouar
eokIwi
l
l
cometoyounow.
Shesayst
henameoft
hel
odgenotf
ar,
wedr
ive
ther
e.
Mandi
si:
Youshoul
dwi
pet
hebl
oodony
ourcheek.
Iwipei
tthenwegetin,
wegouptoherr
oom and
knock,
shedoesn'
tanswer
,wegeti
nanyway
.
Wefi
ndthekidssl
eepingont
hebedandZi
yandai
s
l
ooki
ngoutsi
dethewindow.
Mandi
si:
Sis.
.
Sheturnsandwipehertear
swi
tht
hebackofher
hand,myheartbreaks.
Kwanel
e:Wozal
a.(
comeher
e)
Sher
unst
ohi
m andsobonhi
schest
.
Kwanel
e:I
t'
sokay
.
Zi
yanda:
I'
m donebhut
i.
.Iwantnot
hingt
odowi
th
hi
m.
Me:
I'
m notl
osi
ngy
ouZi
yanda,
I'
m not
..
*

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
19]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t110
Iwentbackhomewhendadf orcedmet ogo.He
l
it
eral
lydraggedmeoutofthelodgeandMbaliand
Sunnyhadt ocomewi
thhim sotheycantakethe
ki
ds,IwassomadIstil
lam.
Idi
dsayIam donewi t
hLuy ol
o,Mandisiistakingme
tocampusandpi ckmeuporKwanel ewhenmandi
i
sbusy,Idon'twanttoseeLuy ol
o'sface.Isleepin
oneoftheguestrooms, Idon'
teatatthetable
anymore,WhenI'm atcampusImakesur eIeat
enoughtolastmet hewhol eday.
*
I'
m wait
ingf
orMandisit
opickmeupfr
om school
butinst
eadIseeLuy
olo'
scarbyt
hegate.Ij
ustl
ook
atit
,hecomesoutandcomestome.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
anda.
Me:
Sur
e.
Luy
olo:
Pleasef
orgi
veme.
Me:
ok.
Hi
sey
esbecomegl
assyandIl
ookaway
.
Luy
olo:
Youdon'
tweary
ourr
ingany
mor
e.
Hi
svoi
cei
sshaky
.
Luyol
o:ZiyandaIdon'
tknowwhati
swr
ongwi
thme,
pl
ease..
.don'
tleav
emebaby .
Ileavehi
m st
andi
ngt
her
eandgeti
nhi
scar
,he
foll
owsme.
WegethomeandIwalkst
rai
ghtt
omyr
oom ,
he
comesi
nandsiti
nbed.
Luyol
o:I'
m hel
plessIdon'
tknowwhatt
odo, i
'
ve
beentaki
ngsomepi l
lsbutnothi
ngi
shappeni
ng.
Me:Butsomet
hingdi
dhappenwheny
ousawKat
li
r
ight
?
Luyolo:
Ireal
lydon'
tknowhowithappenedbutI
don'twantherbabyIswearwi
thmylif
e.
Me:
Thi
smar
ri
agei
sbul
l
shi
t,Idon'
twanti
tany
mor
e.
Luy
olo:
Youcan'
tbr
eakupwi
thme.
Me:
ButIam r
ightnow.
Nextt
hinghepoi
ntsagunonhi
sheadandIscr
eam.
Me:Luy
oloputt
hatgunawaypl
ease.
.st
op.
.don'
tdo
t
his.
Luyol
o:Wesai
dti
l
ldeat
hdouspar
tri
ght
?Iguess
thi
sisit
.
HecockitandIshutmyey
eswi
thmyhear
tbeat
ing
sof
ast.
ButIhearsomet hi
ngheav yfal
li
ng,Iopenoneeye
fi
rstandanother,it
sLuy ol
oont hefl
oor,Ir
ushto
him andshakehim butheisnotwaki ngup,Ir
unto
thebathr
oom andspl ashhim withwaterhewakes
upgaspingforair.
Ihughi
mti
ght
,i'
m shaki
ng.
Me:
What
'swr
ong?
Luyol
o:Idon'
tfeeltoogood,
eversi
nceItookt
hose
pi
ll
sIhavebeenf eeli
ngdi
zzyornuseous.
Me:
Arey
ouov
erdosi
ngt
hosepi
l
lsLuy
olo?
Luyol
o:Iwanttomakey
ouhappyZi
yanda,
whatki
nd
ofhusbandcan'
tmakel
ovet
ohiswi
featmyage.
Me:
It'
sok.
Luyol
o:I
t'
snotf
airony
ouZi
yanda,
Ican'
tsat
isf
y
you.
WehearaknockonthedoorandIgetupandhel
p
myhusbandupandsitont
hebed.
Uncl
e/dad:
yout
wocomet
othel
i
vingr
oom.
Wewal
ktot
hel
i
vingr
oom,
i'
m suppor
ti
nghi
m hei
s
r
eal
l
yweak.
Whenwegettherewefi
ndawomanwear i
ngal
lred
wi
thbeadssheisonherkneesont
hef
loor.
Uncl
e/dad:
shei
saheal
er/
seer
.
Justwhenwet
akeasi
tsheshout
ssol
oudIget
star
tl
ed.
Heal
er:
Hlal
ani
phambi
kwami
(Si
ther
einf
rontofme)
Ilookathershei
sjustl
ooki
ngdown,
isshet
alki
ng
tous?
Uncl
e/dad:
SitdownZi
yandaandy
ouLuy
olo.
Wesitf
aci
ngher,
i'
m scar
edi
'
venev
erhadaoneon
onewit
haheal
er.
Heal
er:Kunzi
ma(It
'shard)i
mpiloyakho
i
sebungozi
ni(
yourl
ifeisindanger
)
Shesaysl
ooki
ngatmeandshei
stal
ki
ngsol
oudi
'
m
soscar
ed.
Healer:I
gazilakholikufunauf
il
e(yourbloodwants
youdead) wenanomy eniwakho(y
ouandy our
husband)usebenzisananabany eabantu(theyar
e
workingwi t
hot herpeople)
Healer:kul
ulaukufi
kakuwenangobaawuzazi
owakabani(i
t'seasytogett
oyou,youdon'
tknow
youridenti
ty)
I
'
m conf
usedwhoi
smybl
oodt
hatwant
smedead
andwhy
.
Healer:
Ndodanabafunaungaphi
ndeuthol
eabany
e
abantwananomfazi
wakho( Sont
heywanttost
op
youfrom hav
ingmorechil
drenwi
thyourwif
e)
Shei
slooki
ngatLuy
olo.
Healer
:Izi
thazini
ngi
(youhav
emanyenemi
es)
bazokuthol
a(t
heywil
lgettoy
ou)
Uncl
e/dad:
Can'
tyoudosomet
hing?
Healer:Engi
ngakwenzakuncane( whatIcandois
veryli
tt
le)okunyekul
elekuni(t
her esti
suptoallof
you)ni
hlanganiswei
gazi(
y ouarebindedbyblood)
sebenzisanil
okhoLukhele(usethatLukhel
e)
Shemi
xsomet
hingandgi
veLuy
olot
odr
ink.
Heal
er:
Dlul
i
sakumf
azi
wakho(
passi
ttoy
ourwi
fe)
Idr
ink,
it'
sbi
tt
erIwantt
ospi
titout
.
Nextt
hingLuy
olost
art
svomi
ti
ngsomet
hingr
edi
ts
notbl
ood.
Healer
:(shestart
schant
ingsomet
hingcl
appi
ng
handstogether)
Luy
oloi
sst
il
lvomi
ti
ng,
andi
t'
spai
nful
towat
ch.
Me:
baby
.
Heal
er:
udl
aukudl
aokuphakel
wai
zi
kheber
eshe(
you
eatf
ooddi
shedupbybi
tches)
Ichokeonmysal
i
vapr
obabl
ythather
bIwas
dri
nking.
Heal
er:
Unenkosi
kazi
(youhav
eawi
fe)
.
Luy
olohasst
oppedv
omi
ti
nghel
ooksweak.
Healer:LungisaizintoLukhelekuy onakala
ubhekil
e( fi
xthi
ngLukhel e,thingsar egetti
ngmessy
andy ou'rewatching)makabenal oidlozi
eli
zomv ikelaumtwanawakho(y ourchildmusthav e
ancenstor stoprotecther)kul
elekuwe(i tal
ll
iesin
you)umsebenzi wami uphelil
e(mywor kher
ei s
done)
Shegat herherthingsandgetup,shet akeofft
he
brai
dswi t
hbeadsshehadon, andi'
m stunnedbyher
beauty, Ididn'
tseeherfaceatallbecauseshewas
fr
eakingmeoutwhenshedi dthechant i
ngand
speakingl oud.
Shel
ooksatust
hennodswal
ki
ngout
.
Ihel
pLuyol
oupandt
akehi
mtoourr
oom andhel
p
hi
m geti
nbed.
Luy
olo:
Pleasesl
eepnextt
ome.
Igeti
nbedandsl
eepnextt
ohi
m.
Luy
olo:
Ilov
eyou.
Icl
osemyeyes,
i'
mthi
nki
ngaboutt
heper
sont
hat
wantsmedead.
*
IwakeupandLuy oloisnoti
nbed,Icantel
lheis
taki
ngashower,Itakeoffmycl
othesandgetinthe
shower
,helooksatme.
Ipl
acemyhandonhi
schest
,hi
shear
tisr
aci
ng.
Luy
olo:
Bab.
.
Ikisshim,heki
ssmebackholdi
ngmywai standhe
picksmeupandIwrapmyl egsaroundhi
m, wepour
allouremoti
onsont
hekiss,myarmsarearoundhis
neck.
Hewal
koutoft
heshowerwhi
l
ei'
m st
il
li
nhi
sar
ms.
Hel
aymei
nbedandgetont
opofme.
Ifeel
him get
ti
ngitin,Ihol
dont ohi
m, hestar
ts
mov i
nghiswaistandImeetev er
ythrust
,wearein
ourownwor l
d,hefli
pusov erandi'
m ontopofhi
m,
hehelpsmemov emywai stmyhandsar eonhis
chest,
heislooki
ngintomyey es.
Isi
nkmynai l
sonhi schestasIcum ,
hestart
s
movingunderneat
hmef ast
erandhegroanspul
l
ing
metohischestholdingmet i
ght.
Luy
olo:
Youbel
ongwi
thme.
West
ayl
i
ket
hatf
orawhi
l
e.
Me:
Whendi
dyour
eal
i
set
hati
t'
swor
kingagai
n?
Luyolo:
WhenIwokeupnexttoyouandIwentto
showerbecauseIt
houghti
twasgonnabetr
ayme
againbutwhenyougoti
nIbecamehardagai
nthat
's
whenIknewIwasok.
Me:Pr
obabl
ybecausey
ouv
omi
tedwhat
everdi
rty
ou
hadonyou.
Igetoffhi
m andgotothebat
hroom andclean
my sel
fup.Igobackt
ohim wi
thatowel,Iwipehi
s
di
ckt
hati
shar
dagai
n.
Luy
olo:
Imi
ssedy
ousomuch.
Me:
Icanseet
hat
.
Hechucklesandgetup,
hegetmeonmykneesand
comefrom behi
ndandstar
tpenetr
ati
ngsohar
d,
aft
erourorgasm wel
ayinbedfaci
ngup.
Me:It
'st
hatfoodKat
lidi
shedupf
ory
ouaty
our
houseri
ght
.
Luyol
o:Yes,
shei
nsi
stedev
ent
houghIt
oldherI
'
m
ful
l
.
Me:Andshewantedtodi
shupforyouagai
natthe
br
aai,
probabl
yMzican'
tgeti
tupri
ghtnowhuh.
Luy
olo:
May
be,
ormay
bei
twasst
ri
ctl
ydi
rect
edt
o
me.
SomeoneopensthedoorandIqui
ckl
ygr
abt
he
sheetandcov
erus.
Mandi
sil
aughssohar
d.
Me:whatthehel
li
swr
ongwi
thy
ou,
youcan'
tj
ust
bar
geinhere.
Mandisi
:HowwasIsupposedtoknowit
'swor
king
agai
n,It
houghty
ouarejustsl
eepi
ng.
Hel
aughsagai
n,It
hrowt
hepi
l
lowathi
m.
Me:
Gett
hehel
loutofmyr
oom.
Mandi
si:
Wer eyouthatsexstar
vedt
hatevennow
youar
estil
lsexual
l
yfrustr
ated,
youar
eviolentsi
s.
Me:
I'
m goi
ngtokil
lyouifyoudon'
tgetoutofmy
r
oom i
nthenext5seconds.
Mandi
si:
Oki
'
m out
.
HerushesoutandIl
ookatLuy
olohei
shol
dingi
na
l
augh.
Me:
What
'sf
unny
?
Luy
olo:
Buti
'
m notl
aughi
ng.
Me:
Yeahr
ight
.
Igotakecl
eancl
othesf
orhi
m andIwearmi
newe
gotoother
s.
Me:Dadteachyoursonmanner
sorIwill
hecan'
t
j
ustbar
geinotherpeopl
e'
sroom l
i
kethat.
Ev
ery
onest
aresatus.
Me:
What
.
Mbali
:Soyouguy
sar
edoi
ngi
tagai
n,y
ouknowbyI
T
imean..
.
Me:
Iknowwhaty
oumean,
stayoutofourbusi
ness.
Mbal
i
:you'
rer
ude.
Me:
Iknow.
Mbal
i
:I'
m notKat
liIwi
l
lfucky
ouupnow.
Ishutupi
mmedi at
ely
.Iknowshecanr
eal
l
yfuckme
upaspregnantassheis.
Iwalkbacktomyr oom,Idon'
tknowwhyt heythi
nk
thi
sisfunnybecausetomeit'
snot,Ial
mostlostmy
husbandbecausehewasov er
dosingpil
lstopl
ease
me.
Luy
olo:
Babe,
arey
ouok?
I
'
m not
Zee
[
8/5,
10:
19]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t111
Wear
esit
ti
ngint
hel
ounge,
Luy
olot
oldmet
hatdad
i
scal
l
ingme.
Uncl
e/dad:
Pri
ncess.
Me:
Baba(
dad)
Uncle/dad:
Whaty oudi
diswrong,youdon'tgo
aroundstabbingpeopl
e,Kat
legopressedcharges
againstyoutoday,doy
ouwantt ogot oj
ailandleav
e
yourkids.
Me:
Nodad.
Uncle/
dad:Thenstopbei
ngsoangrysweet
hear
tok,
youknowIjustbecameastati
oncommanderbut
alr
eadyi'
m br
eakingthel
awforyou.
Me:I'
m sorrybutt
hatgi
rlwasbewi
tchi
ngmy
husband,Ihat
eher.
Uncle/
dad:YouareyoungZiyanda,
youhaveyour
wholeli
feaheadofy
ou, don'
trui
nthatbybei
ng
dr
ivenbyhateandanger.
Me:
Ok,
I'
mreal
l
ysor
ry.
Uncle/
dad: Sotomor r
owsi nceit
sfri
daywear e
goi
ngbackhome, todoacer emonyforZiy
andaand
aft
erthatyouwi l
lneedt odoat r
adit
ional
wedding
soyoucanber ecognisedbyhisancestor
s.The
soonerthebetter,soyouguy shavetopack,wewil
l
l
eaveear l
yinthemor ning.
Weal l
getupt
ogopack, Mbali
isnotl
eav
ing
becausei
t'
salongdi
stance.
*
Wetravel
home,I'
m sl
eepi
ngi
nthecar
,Kwanel
e
hi
redtheQuant
um bussowecantr
aveli
nonecar
.
Wegettoourhomet ownanddadbuyt
wogoat
sand
webuygrocer
iesandwegohome.
Whenwegett here,
peopl
ear
elooki
ngatt
hecarand
gossi
ping,
yettheyhav
en'
tev
enseenus.
*
Thecarthathast
hegoatsisbehi
ndus,Mandi
sit
ies
thegoat
,whileweunl
oadthegrocer
y.
Weallgeti
nandIgot
other
oom wher
eIhadt
he
t
wins.
Luy
olocomesbehi
ndmeandhol
dmywai
st.
Luy
olo:
Youhavebeenst
andi
ngher
eforawhi
l
e
whatar
eyouthi
nki
ng.
Me:Thi
siswher
eIgavebirt
htot
hetwins,
Iwasal
l
al
onebutGogonext
doorcameminut
eslater
.
Luy
olo:
Youar
ebr
aveandst
rong.
Heki
ssmycheek.
Luyol
o:Sowear
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
edagai
nhuhXhosa
sty
le.
Il
aughathi
m.
Me:
Wantt
obuyanot
herr
ingf
orme?
Luy
olo:
Hell
No, I
'
m notl
ordofther
ingsZiyandaI
hav
eboughttoomanyri
ngsforoneperson.
Me:
Youar
ecompl
aingMr
?
Luy
olo:
Nobutt
hisonef
it
syoubet
terbabe.
Hesay
staki
ngi
toutofhi
spocket
s,myweddi
ngr
ing.
Luy
olo:
Pleasedon'
ttakei
tof
fev
eragai
nZi
yanda.
Me:
Okbabe,
Iwon'
t.
Wehearanul
ulati
onsout
side,
wegetthereandIsee
Gogo,
I'
m sohappytoseeher,
sheshakesmyhand.
Gogo:Ziy
andaSiy
abongangokubuy
isauBongani
ekhay
a(Thankyouforbr
ingi
ngBongani
home)aaawuu.
Sheexcl
aimsmor
epeopl
est
opt
olookatusand
somegreet.
Kwanelegobackt otowntobuybooze, youknowit
happensthatyoudoasmal l
ceremonybutthewhole
communityfil
ltheenti
reyardsonowt hatt
hey'
ve
seengoatsweshoul dreal
lybuyenoughfoodand
booze.
*
Iseedadgoi
ngt
othegr
aves,
Ifol
l
owhi
m.
Hekneel
sinbet
weenGr
andf
ather
sgr
aveandOl
der
Gr
andma'
sgr
avehi
smot
her
.
Me:YouknowwhenIcamebackher eIdidn'
tbot
her
vi
sit
ingthem,Iwassoangr
ybecauseIhadnooneI
wasallaloneandIbl
amedthem.
Uncl
e/dad:Yeahmusthavebeenhar
dfory
ou,Iwant
toapol
ogisetothem f
ort
hewayIlef
thome.
Me:Wi
thasi
sterl
i
keNokl
ungaIwasgoi
ngt
orun
awayt
oo.
Webothchuckl
eandwest
artr
emov
ingweeds
ar
oundthem.
Thenwegobacki n,
webat
hthekidswi
ththehelpof
SisSphokazi
shecamet
ohelpusandSunnyishere
too.
*
Earl
yinthemor ni
ngdadgotothegrav
eswit
honeof
thegoattoapologi
setot
heparent
sandtel
lthem he
i
sbackhomet henhecomebackandtheboysfr
om
thenei
ghborhoodhelpsl
aught
erit
.
Hetakesmi
neandburnincenseatt
heki
tchenand
hecall
smetokneel
nexttohim.
Uncle/dad: BoLukhel e,
Nzi mande, Mdl uli
,Mhl anti
wendl̀enkhul u,Mav ovoemv ula(chantingcl annames)
madl oziakithi(
ourancest ors)ngi let
heumzukul u
wenul a,inganekaNokul ungai gcinol aMbheki seni
,(I
broughty ourgr andchil
d, Noklunga' schild
Mbheki seni'
sl astborn),wazal waunokl unga
engashadi l
esoowenumamukel eni ni
mv i
kel e
uyindodakazi y
ami koLukhel e(Shewasbor noutof
wedlocksoshei soneofus, pr otecthershei smy
daught erhereathome) .Ningaml ahli(
don' tturnyour
backsonher )owethukodwauseshadi le,
si
sazowenzaumshadowesi ntu(shei sour sbut
mar ri
ed,wear estil
lgoingtodoat r
aditional
weddi ng)syabonga( thanky ou)Lukhel e,Mdl uli
.
Theysl
aught
eranothergoatandputaski
nar
ound
mywr i
stl
i
kehowt heydidinMiso'
shomewit
hthe
twi
nsandLanga.
*
Li
keIsai
dtheyar
disf
ullf
rom t
heki
dst
ouncl
esand
aunt
softhecommuni
ty.
AsIser
vepeopl
eint
hey
ard,
IseeNokl
unga
cat
walki
ngintheyard,
Ifeel
li
kekill
i
ngmy sel
fthi
s
womanrevolt
sme.Someonear oundher
emusthav e
tol
dheraboutthi
s.
Shedoesn'
tgr
eetany
onebutgost
rai
ghti
nsi
de,
I
fol
l
owherin.
Noklunga:Whyar
eyoudoingacer
emonyher
e
Bongani,t
hisi
snoty
ourhomeanymore,
youl
eft
,
remember ?
Uncl
e/dad:
Icamet
odoacer
emonyf
orZi
yandashe.
.
Noklunga:
Idon'
tgi
veadamnaboutwhoorwhat
,I
askedwhyareyoudoi
ngacer
emonyinmyhome?
Me:
Didweaskf
ory
ourmoneyt
odot
hisNokl
unga?
Nokl
unga:Ohjustbecausey
ouaremarr
iedyout
hink
youcantal
ktomeany howhuh,
youli
tt
lehoe.
Ifeel
myst omachturn,
Kwaneleget
supandpul
lme
towardst
hechairnexttohi
m andIsi
tdown.
Uncl
e/dad:
Arey
oucal
l
ingmydaught
erahoe?
Noklunga:Sheisnotyourdaughter
,goi
ngaround
cl
aiminganotherman'schil
d,acceptt
haty
ourhoe
di
dn'tgiv
ey ouanyfemalechil
d.
Kwanel
egetsupf
rom t
hechai
randgetcl
osert
o
Nokl
unga.
Kwanel
e:Ar
eyoucal
l
ingmymot
herahoeNokl
unga?
Nokl
unga:
Mat
teroff
actIam.
Iqui
ckl
ygetupandpul
lKwaneleawayf
rom
Nokl
unga,
Icantel
lhei
sreal
lyangry
.
Me:OnegooddayNokl
unga,
Onegooddayy
ouwi
l
l
cur
sethedayy
ouwereborn.
Nokl
unga:I
'
m surei
twon'
tbeasbadasIcur
set
he
dayyouwerebor
n.
Ichuckl
e.
Me: Crazyassbit
ch..beautif
ulbutbr ai
nless,pray
thatyourbeaut
yt hatyouuset ol uremendon' tfade
becausey ouwil
lbel eftwithnothing,Ican'timagine
my sel
fhav i
ngabr ai
nlessteacherl i
keyou, yousure
youdidn'tbuyyourcertif
icate
Nokl
unga:
Mxm Tel
lal
lthosepeopl
etogetoutof
her
e.
Me:
Theyar
enotgoi
ngany
wher
e.
Nokl
unga:
youar
eapi
eceofshi
t.
Me:areyousureyouar
enotthebl
oodthatt
heseer
wastalki
ngabout
.Areyout
ryi
ngtoki
ll
meNoklunga.
Nokl
unga:
Whatblood,
all
Iwanti
sal
lofy
oupeopl
e
t
ogetoutofher
e.
Me:wearenotgoi
ngany
wher
e,qui
ttal
ki
ngnow
woul
dyou..
*
I
t'
slatebutwearegoingbackhome,wel
eav
e
"
Noklunga'
shouse"sheissti
l
lther
ewai
ti
ngforust
o
l
eave.
Wegetint hecarandLuyol
odriv
est hist
ime,when
wegethomet her
eisMbaliandSisSphokazi
'
sson
Sizwe,
hewi l
lbestayi
ngwithusunt i
lhegoesback
toresaft
erkwanelesort
soutthepay ment.
Wegreetandtakeourbagstother
oomsthengo
backtothel
oungetofi
llMbal
ii
nonNoklunga'
s
drama.
Ifeel
ey esonmeIlookar
oundandSizweisst
ari
ng
atme, Isqui
ntmyeyeshequi
ckl
ylooksaway,
I
conti
nuetal
ki
ng,ThenIgosetupt
het
abl
efordi
nner
Sizweoff
erstohel
pme.
Weeati
nsi
l
enceandSi
zwecl
ear
shi
sthr
oat
.
Wel
ookathi
m.
Sizwe: Uhm When..whenIwasathomesomeone
camet her
eandof feredtopaymeR1mi l
l
ionifI
managet osleepwithZiyandaandshebreakupwit
h
bhut'Luyol
o.Theysai ditwouldbeeasybecausewe
areaf ewy earsapartIshouldfi
ndthecommon
i
nt er
estanduset hat.
Wear
eal
lst
unned.
Si
zwe:
Ihadt
otel
lyoubecauseyouhav
edoneso
muchf
ormyfami
lyovert
hey ear
s.
Uncl
e/dad:
Wasi
tamanorawoman.
Si
zwe:I
twasawomanshel
ookedal
otl
i
keherbuta
bi
tol
der.
It
akemyphoneandgotofacebookl
ooki
ngfor
Nokl
unga'
spi
ctur
eIf
indi
tandshowittohim.
Me:
Ist
hist
hewomany
ouar
etal
ki
ngabout
?
Si
zwe:
Shel
ooksl
i
ket
hisbuty
ounger
.
Weall
lookateachot
herconf
usedwhocoul
dthat
be.
*

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
19]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t112
Thepastt
wodayswehavebeencracki
ngourheads
tr
yingt
ofi
ndoutwhowasSizwetal
kingabout
,and
howdidsheknowhi
m orYol
i'
shouse.
Kwanele:
Whatisgoi
ngon,t
her
eisaZi
yanda'
slook
al
ikeoutther
e,Dady
ouhadonl
ytwosi
ster
sri
ght?
Uncl
e/dad:
Yes.
Kwanele:
andNokl ungahasZi
yandaandy
ourot
her
si
sterneverhadanychil
d.
Uncl
e/dad:
Weshoul dcal
l Noklunga,
maybeshe
knowssomet hi
ngshewascl osetoourpar
ent
sthan
meandNozi pho(myaunt
ie)
Dadcal
l
sNokl ungaandKwanelegofet
chhersi
nce
wecan'
tjustgi
veoutouraddr
essli
kethat
.
Nokl
ungacomesi
nfol
l
owedbyKwanel
e.
Nokl
unga:
BonganiyoudoknowIhav
emyowncar
r
ight
?andwhyam Iher
e?
Uncl
e/dad:
Cany oupleaseforgoodnesssakej
ust
actl
i
keaper sonwhohav eaheartweknowy ou
don'
thavei
tbutjustpret
endy oudo.
Nokl
unga:
justgett
othepoi
ntwoul
dyou.
Uncl
e/dad:
Sowewantt oaski
fther
eisanyoney
ou
canthi
nkofthatmayl
ookli
keyou,maybei
fmaybe
dadhadanychil
doutt
here.
Nokl
unga:
No,
nott
hatIcant
hinkof
.
Uncle/
dad:
Thi
nkNokl
ungaormay
beNozi
phohada
chi
ld.
Nokl
unga:Whatarey
ouaskingmeexactl
y?Thatdi
d
dadcheatonourmother
s,t
hati
sjustr
idi
cul
ousand
y
ouknowi
t.
Me:
Iknewwewoul
dn'
tgetananswerf
rom her
.
Noklunga:
Ziy
andaIdon'
tl
ikey
oul
i
ttl
egi
rlsodon'
t
st
artwithme.
Mandi
si:
Whatdidsheeverdot
oyouNokl
unga?Why
doyouhatey
ourdaught
ersomuch?
Nokl
unga:
Ijustdon'
tl
ikeher
.Heyy
out
akemeback
t
owhereyoutookmef rom.
Shesay
slooki
ngatKwanel
eandshewal
ksout
.
Me:SoIguesswewon'tknowwhot hi
sper
soni
s
andwhatdoesshewantfrom me.
Wesi
tinsi
l
ence.
Me:MaybethatKat
ligi
rlknowssomethi
ngmay
be
shei
stheonewhosenthert obreakusup.
Uncle/dad:
Butshewon'
ttel
lus,
itsclearthatt
his
personisdanger
ousandKatl
iwon'tsell
heroutli
ke
that.
*
Luy
oloi
sdr
ivi
ngmet
oschool
andwear
ejustt
alki
ng
andlaughi
ng,
hest
opsatt
hegat
eIki
sshi
m andget
out
.
Me:
Ilov
eyoudaddy
.
Luy
olo:
Howabouty
oushowmeaft
ery
ourcl
asses
howmuchyoul
ovedaddyhuh.
Hewi
nksatme,
Ilaughget
ti
ngoutoft
hecar
.
Me:
Iwi
l
lshowy
oubabe.
*
AftermyclassesLuyol
opicksmeupandwegoto
townandwegobackhomebuthedr opsmeoff
sincetheyarebusywit
hthebui
ldi
ngofnewf
lat
s
andstuff.
Igeti
nsi
de,
IseeSisSphokazisi
tt
ingnextt
o
someonewhoisholdi
ngIyana.
Me:Whoi sthi
s,Si
sSphokaziwedon'
tal
low
st
ranger
st ogeti
nsideourhome,l
etal
onehol
dmy
ki
ds.
Si
sSphokazi
:It
houghtshewasyouwhenshe
buzzedonthegat
e,ngi
yaxol
i
sa(
i'
m sor
ry)
.
Me:
HowwhenI
..
Shel
ooksupatmesmi l
li
ng,myey
espopout
,I'
m
st
unnedbyt
hesightofher
.
Shel
ooksexact
lyl
i
keme,
li
keNokl
unga.
Me:
What
!who.
.ar
eyou.
Her
:Iam I
ziphobuty
oucancal
lmeZi
yanda.
Me:
What
?
Iat
temptt
otakemyphonebutshest
opsme.
I
zipho:
Iwoul
dn'
tdot
hati
fIwer
eyouboo.
Shei
shol
dingaguncl
osert
oIy
ana.
Me:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
I
zipho:
Myl
i
fe.
I
'
m conf
usedwhatdoest
hatmean.
Izi
pho:Youar
eli
vi
ngmyli
fe,
youhav
ewhati
s
supposedtobemine.
Me:
Whoar
eyou,
whydoy
oul
ookl
i
keme?
I
zipho:
Itol
dyout
ocallmeZiy
andaandIl
ookl
i
ke
y
oubecauseyoustol
emyli
fe.
Al
lal
ongshei
stal
ki
ngsocal
m.
Me:
Cany
ougi
vememydaught
erpl
ease.
I
zipho:
Shei
smi
ne.
Me:Idon'tknowwhati
sgoingonr
ightnowbut
pl
easejustgivememychi
ld.
I
zipho:
Comeanycl
oserIwi
l
lshooty
ourassok.
Shegetsupwi
thI
yanai
nherar
m andgot
owar
ds
thedoor
.
Izi
pho:ThankyouforthecodeSphokazi
,andI
'
m
comingbackforthetwinsandmyhusband.
Me:Pleaselet
sjustt
alkaboutt
his,
giv
ememy
daughter
,Idon'
tknowwhatisgoingon.
Shepoint
sagunatmeandst epbackal
lthewayout
thedoor,
Irunaf
terherbutshetur
nandshootnext
tome,Istoponmyt r
acks.
Izi
pho:
Iwil
lshootyoui
fyoutryme,t
hegateopens
asshegeti
ntheblackcarandshedr
ivesaway.
I'
mt r
yingt
odial
Luy ol
o'
snumberbutmyhandsar
e
shaki
ng.Heisgoingtoki
ll
me.
Me:Si
sSphokazi
pleasecal
ldadpl
easeorKwanel
e,
cal
lwhoever
.
Isi
tdownont
hev
erandaandl
ethet
ear
sfal
l
.
SisSphokazi
:YourfatherandKwaneleareontheir
way ,
I'
m sorrySi
siIreall
ythoughtshewasyou,she
saidsheforgott
hepi nandcan'tgeti
n.
Ican'
ttal
kIwantt
osaysomet
hing
*
Iseet
hei
rcar
smaki
ngt
hei
rwayi
n.
Theycomeoutandr
usht
ome.
Kwanel
e:Whati
sgoi
ngonSi
s.
Me:
Shet
ookI
yana.
Uncl
e/dad:
howdi
dshegeti
n?
Luy
olo'
scarcomesi
nandIj
ustsobl
ouder
.
Her
ushest
ousandkneel
inf
rontofme.
Luyol
o:Babywhati
sgoi
ngon?Whyar
eyoucr
ying
l
ikethi
s?
Me:
She.
.she.
..
Shet
ookI
yana.
Luy
olo:
Who?
Hel
ookconf
used.
Ican'
ttal
ki'
m wai
l
ing.
Si
sSphokazi
expl
ainsandLuy
olol
osei
t.
Luy
olo:
Wher
eismydaught
erZi
yanda?
Me:
Idon'
tknowLuy
olo.
.I.
Hepul
l
smyhandandhel
aysmyheadt
ohi
schest
.
Luy
olo:
I'
m..
i'
m sor
ry,
wewi
l
lfi
ndherIpr
omi
se.
Icanf
eel
hisent
ir
ebodyi
sshaki
ng.
Me:
Shewant
sev
ery
thi
ngi
ncl
udi
ngy
ou,
shewi
l
lki
l
l
me.
Luy
olo:
Shhhi
t'
sokbabe.
*
Wedon'
tevenknowwherewewil
lstartl
ooki
ng,
It'
s
mi
dni
ghtandweareal
llooki
ngmiserabl
e.
Me:May
beshei
scr
ying,
sheneedsme,
shei
sjusta
baby
.
Kwanel
e:whoi
sthi
sgi
rl
,dad.
..
Uncl
e/dad:No,I
'v
eneverhadanaf
fai
rwi
thany
one
Kwaneleyouknowthat
..
Kwanel
e:I
'
mjustt
ryi
ngt
omakesenseoft
hisdad.
*
I
tsbeentwoday swithoutIyanaandIfeelsick,I
don'
tknowwhatt odo, Luyol
oisnotok,Icant ellhe
feel
shel
pless,hedoesn'tknowwhattodo.Dadhav e
hist
eam searchi
ngbutt heydon'
tevenhav eal ead.
*
*

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
19]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t113
LUYOLO'
sPOV
Ij
ustcamebackfrom t
hesear
chthattookover
night
fr
om yest
erdayt
heti
meIheadthatIy
anaistakenby
t
hegi
rlwhol
ookexact
lyl
i
kemywi
fe.
Wesearchedthewholenightbuti
twasall
invai
n
becausewedon'tev
enhav ealead,wewerej
ust
dri
vi
ngaroundtheneighbor
hood.
*
Themi nuteIstepinsi
detheroom IseeIyanabut
thatisnotZiyandaholdi
ngherIcantell
byt hebody
struct
urethatit
'snother.
Luy
olo:
Iyana.
.
Ihaltbackwhenthisgi
rlt
urn,Iknowtheysaidshe
l
ooksl i
keZiyandabutIdi
dn'
texpectsuch
resemblance,I
t'
sli
kei'
mlooki
ngatmywi fejustabi
t
thi
ckerthanher.
*
Shesmi
l
esatme,
Ijustl
ookather
.
I
zipho:
Heybaby
.
Me:
Giv
ememydaught
er.
Shecomescl
oserandhandI
yanatomebr
ushing
myarmsagai
nsthers,
Igi
veheradeat
hst
are.
Me:
Wher
eismywi
fe?
I
zipho:
Wher
eshebel
ongs,
thi
sismyhome.
Me:whatdoy
oumeanwher
eshebel
ongs,
arey
ou
cr
azy?
Izi
pho:
Getusedtohav
ingmeasy
ourwi
febecauseI
am her
etostay
.
It
akeoutmyphoneandcal
ldad,
itr
ings.
I
zipho:
Tel
lthem t
obr
inghawks
Shel
aughsr
eal
l
yhar
d.
I
zipho:
Buti
fyougetmear
rest
edknowt
hatshewi
l
l
di
eassoonasIstepf
ooti
nacell
ok.
Idr
opthecal
landpl
aceIyanadown,
Igoupt oher
andgr
abherbytheneck,
shegaspsforai
r.
Me:
Whatdi
dyoudot
omywi
fe?
Izi
pho:I
..
wo.
.ul
dn.
tdot
hisi
fI.
.wer
eyou.
.Theywi
l
l
kil
lher
.
Idropheronthefl
oor,sheget
supwi
thasmugon
herfacerubbi
ngherneck.
I
zipho:
Sheisont
heplaner
ightnow,shewentt
her
e
wi
lli
ngl
y,l
etmebethemotherofyourki
ds,y
ourwi
fe.
Me:
over
seasf
orwhat
?
I
zipho:shewentt
her
ewi t
hthel
oveofherl
i
fe,
Misokuhleandhi
sbr
otherKuhl
e.
Me:
NO.
I
zipho:
Yesbaby
,lookatt
his.
Sheshowsmet hepi
ctur
eofZi
yandai
napl
anenext
toMisokuhl
e.
Me:Thatisnotmywi
fe,
shewoul
dnev
erl
eav
eher
ki
dsbehind.
Izi
pho:Theyar
emykidsnother
sok,
soifyout
ry
anythi
ngIcanmakeacall
andshewil
ldi
eina
second.
Me:
Howcany
oudot
his?
I
zipho:
Shest
olemyl
i
fe!
SheshoutsandI
yanawai
l
s,sher
ushest
oherand
hushher.
I
zipho:
Mommyi
ssor
ryokIdi
dn'
tmeant
oshoutat
daddy
.
Dadandtheguyscomesi
ntheyseeI
ziphohushi
ng
I
yanatheyst
areather
.
Kwanele:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?Wher
eismy
si
ster
?
Ij
ustsi
tdowndef
eat
ed,
Ifai
l
edmywi
feonceagai
n.
Izi
pho:Youshouldstopwiththequest i
onsnow,al
l
youneedt oknowisthatZiyanda'sli
fei
sinmy
hands,I
fIdieshedies,i
fIgot ojail
shedies,y
ou
chasemeoutofher eshedies, bott
om li
neisshe
wil
ldieifanyt
hinghappenstome. *

It
akeI
yanaandgot
omyr
oom.
Me:
I'
m sosorr
ybaby,
I'
m sor
ry,
Iwon'trestunti
l
mom comeshometoyouguysok,
that'
sapr omise.
*
ZI
YANDA'
sPOV
Iam i
naf l
ightt
oJohannesbur
g,i
'm si
tt
ingnextt
o
Misokuhl
eandKuhle,Ihear
dthem t
alki
ngabout
Mexi
co,Imi
ssmyki
dssobad,
Thi
sti
meIknowI
won'
tev
erseet
hem agai
n.
WhenIsawI zi
phoget ti
nginwi t
hIyanawithawi r
e
aroundherneck,andt oldmei fIdon'
tgetout ,she
willt
urnI
yaintoasheswi t
hj ustoneclick,
Ireal i
sed
thatthewir
ewasact uall
yabombonmybabygi r
lI
hadt ogoandout si
det herewasKuhl eandMi so
l
ookingatme, theyjustopenedt hecarandt oldme
togetin,t
heylookedr eall
yangr y,t
heyhav en'tsaida
wordsincewegoti nt hi
spl ane.
Kuhle:
Soy out
houghtyouwer
ecl
everhuh?f
aki
ng
yourdeat
handframingus.
Il
ookatMi
sowi
tht
ear
yey
es.
Me:havey
ouev
erl
ovedmeMi
soory
ouwer
ejust
act
ing.
Mi
so:
Idi
dbuty
oust
art
edf
ucki
ngar
ound.
Kuhle:Don'twor
ryy
oursist
erwil
ltakegoodcar
eof
yourhusband,shei
safreakinbed,Ir
eall
yhopeyou
arejustl
ikeher.
If
eel
alumpi
nmyt
hroat,
thet
houghtofmy
husbandsl
eepi
ngwi
thanot
herwomanhur
tsme.
Me:
Shei
smysi
sterhow?
Kuhl
e:Yourmot
her
'schi
l
d.
Idon'
tgetitandIdon'tthi
nkIwannaknowr i
ghtnow,
I'
m worr
iedaboutmyki ds,Igavebir
thtothosekids
i
twashar dbringingt
hem tothisworl
dthen
someonejustt akeoverj
ustli
kethat.
*
Whenwegett oJohannesburg,
Iheart
hem t
alki
ng
aboutpr
ivat
ejett
oMexi co.
Wegeti
nthi
spri
vatejet
s,andthebrot
hersorder
f
oodandal
coholi
'
mj ustsi
tti
ngther
elookingat
t
hem.
Mi
so:
Orderany
thi
ngy
ouwantbabyi
t'
sont
hehouse.
Ij
ustlookdown,
Ihat
ehi
m andt
hisdi
sgust
ing
br
othernextt
ome.
Kuhle:Youshoul
dr eal
l
yeat18-20hoursinafli
ght
,
youwi l
lneedal
ltheenergyIwantj
ustoneround
beforeItakeanap.
Mi
so:
Met
oobr
o,met
oo.
Theycheerandstar
teati
nganddr
inki
ng,
Icansee
theyar
ereall
yhappy,t
heydon'
tgi
veadamnabout
me.
*
Anhourlat
erKuhl
est
artadj
usti
ngseatsint
o
comfor
tabl
ebedsandhecall
sthefl
ightatt
endant
.
Her
:Yessi
r.
Kuhl
e:Pleasegi
veussomepr
ivacyweneedt
oget
busyr
ightnow.
Her
:Of
causey
ouwi
l
lcal
li
fyouneedany
thi
ng.
Hecomestomeandgr
abmyhandsandpul
lme
t
owardswher
ehewassi
tt
ing.
Kuhl
e:Wearefi
nishi
ngwhatwestar
tedt
heot
herday
buty
ourhusbanddistur
bedus.
Ist
artscr
eami
ngf
orhel
p.
Kuhl
e:Youcanscream butnoonewi
ll
heary
ou
sweet
y,nobodycareswepaythem.
Hest
artr
ippi
ngof
fmycl
othesandIcr
ylooki
ngat
Mi
sobuthei
sjustsi
ppi
nghi
sdr
inkl
ooki
ngbackat
me.
Me: Misoplease,
I'
mthemot
herofyourki
dspl
ease
stopthis,
youoncelov
edmepleasedon'
tl
ethi
m do
thi
s.
Iseehi
m get
ti
ngupandcomi
ngt
owar
dsus.
Iam nowl
efti
njeansmyt
opi
sont
hef
loor
.
Ist
areatMi
sowi
tht
ear
sinmyey
es.
Miso:Youmi ghtaswell
mov eonsweethear
t
becauseIzi
wi l
lbegi
vingitt
oyourhusbandfr
om
todayonwards.
Me: ok.
.okjust.
.i
'
drat
hersl
eepwi
thy
out
hen.
..
not
yourbrother.
Ican'
tbel
i
evei
'
m say
ingt
hisbutIdon'
tknowwhat
el
setosay.
Mi
so:
okt
hencome,
brosor
rybutshe'
smi
ne.
Kuhl
e:butweagr
eedon.
.
Mi
so:
notnowKuhl
e,wewi
l
ltal
klat
er.
Hepul
l
smyhandandwegoatt
hebackt
hencl
ose
t
hecur
tai
ns.
Mi
so:
Takeof
fyourj
eans.
Me:Misomykidsneedme,myli
tt
legi
rli
sst
il
l
br
east
feedi
ngpleasej
ustt
akemebackhome.
Mi
so:
Yoursi
steri
sther
eshewi
l
ltakecar
eoft
hem.
Me:
Idon'
tev
enknowt
hatper
sonMi
so.
Miso:Youmarri
edanot
hermani nst
eadofme
Zi
yanda,Il
ovedyousomuchbuty oucoul
dn'
twai
t
j
ustalit
tl
eformetosortt
hingsout?
Me: Whatthi
ngsMiso?Yougotmarr
iedtoZi
nhl
e
howl ongwasIsupposedt
owaitf
or,Zi
nhlei
sst
il
l
yourwife.
Hecomescl
osert
omeandt
akeof
fmyj
eans.
Me:
Pleaset
akemebackhome,
Iwi
l
ldoany
thi
ng.
Mi
so:
Youwi
l
lleav
ehi
m?
Me:
Yes.
Mi
so:
Youwon'
tdoy
oursneakypl
ansany
mor
e?
Me:
Iwon'
t.
Mi
so:
Thanky
ou.
Hestar
tkissi
ngme,Ican'
tbr
ingmy sel
ftoki
sshi
m
backheisnothi
m,heisnotLuyol
o.
*

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
19]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t114
Misokuhl
eall
owedust ogoback,Ihavebeenl
iv
ing
wit
hhimf ort
hepastsixmonths,i
'm notal
l
owedout
ofthehouseandhelocksmei n.
I
'm sevenmonthspregnantandi'venev
erbeento
thedoctori
'
m worri
edaboutmybabyandMi soisso
happyaboutmebei ngpregnant,
Iguessyoucansay
i
'mt hebabymakingmachi neri
ght.
Whenwecamebackaf t
eraweekbeingi
nmexico,
heboughtanewhousewit
hti
ghtsecur
it
y,andi
'
ve
nev
erseent
hesunev
ersi
nce.
Heboughtapr egnancytestwhenhenot i
cedthatI
haven'
tbeenusingthesanitar
ytowelsheboughtfor
meandIf oundouti'm act
uall
ypregnantandhesaid
thatwaswhathewashopi ngfor
.
Sohedoesn'
tcar
eabouthisot
herki
dsjustthisone
becausehei
ssur
ei'
m neverl
eavi
nghim again.
*
Ihearthedoorunlockhecomesinwit
hal
otof
plast
ics,
heissingingandl
aughi
ng.
Miso:Heybaby
,hopey
ouguy
sar
ehungr
yIbought
youfood.
Hegoest
otheki
tchenandcomebackwi
thpl
ates
anddi
shup.
Me:
I'
m nothungr
y.
Ipusht
hepl
ateaway
.
Miso:
Don'tst
artwi
thmeZi
yanda,
I'
mtr
yingt
obe
ni
cehere.
Me:
Iwantt
ogobackt
omyki
dsMi
sokuhl
e.
Miso:
Izi
phoi
staki
ngcareofthem andIsawhershe
l
ookshappywi
thyourexhusband.
Me:Inev
erdi
vor
cedhi
m sohei
sst
il
lmyhusband
Mi
so.
Hest
andsupandgr
abmyhai
rIscr
eam.
Miso:
whatwi
l
litt
akef
ory
out
ofor
getaboutt
hat
f
ool.
Me:
Youar
ehur
ti
ngmeMi
so,
Misokuhl
est
op.
Hesl
apsmesev
eral
timesandgr
abmyl
efthand.
Miso:Idon'
tev
enknowwhyy
ou'
rest
il
lwear
ingt
his
r
ing.
Hepul
lst
her
ingoutofmyf
ingerandt
hrowi
tacr
oss
t
heroom.
Me:
Misokuhl
ei'
m sor
ryIwi
l
lfor
getabouthi
m.
Heslapmeonemor et
imeandpushmeIl
andont
he
f
loorthenhewal
ksawayt
ooneofther
ooms.
Ibreat
hinandoutasIfeelpai
ninmystomach,I
havetokeepthi
sbabyali
ve,It
rytogetupand
searchformyri
ng.
Ipr
omisedLuyolonevert
otakeitoffandI'
m putt
ing
i
tbackinmyfingerIdon'
tcar
ewhathewi l
ldotome,
hehavebeenbeati
ngmef orthepastfourmonths
her
e.
Af
terIgott
heri
ngIsitont
hecouchandcont
inue
br
eathi
ngwhil
ebrushi
ngmytummy .
Me:I
'm sor
rybaby,j
usthol
donformommyokay
,
j
usthol
donal i
ttl
ewhilel
onger
.
Mi
sost
andsi
nfr
ontofme.
Miso:Youar
eforci
ngmyhandZiyanda,
youl
i
ke
pushi
ngme,Itol
dyoutof
orgetabouthi
m.
Icl
osemyey
esandcont
inuebr
ushi
ngmyt
ummy
.
Mi
so:
Issheok,
DidIhur
tyouguy
s?
Me:
Noy
oudi
dn'
ti
'mf
ine.
Mi
so:
Wantmet
omakey
ouf
eel
bet
ter
?
Hesay scomingtomeandopenmyl egsandputmy
pantytothesi
deandst ar
tfinger
ingme,If
eel
nothi
ngbutdisgustnomatterhowmuchhet r
iest
o
bepassionat
eIdon'tfeel
itatall
.
Miso:
Ihear
dthatpregnantwomanwantsexal
lthe
t
ime,l
etmegiveitt
oy oubaby.
Hetakesofhiscl
othesandIknowbet
tert
hant
o
ar
guewithhim.
Helaysmeont hecouchandst
art
spenet
rat
ing,
I'm
hol
dingmybreathal
lIwantisf
orhi
mtogetitover
anddonewi
th.
Hegr
oansandpul
lout
.
Mi
so:
Fuck,
you'
rej
ustasgoodast
hef
ir
stt
ime.
Igetupandgot otheroom Iuseandt hrowmy sel
fin
bed,I'
m wonder
ingifLuyol
omi ssesmeasImi ss
hi
m, I'
m wonderi
ngifmykidscant el
lthatIzi
phois
notthei
rmom, andhowi sshewi t
hthem, i
fsheisn'
t
abusingthem.
*
Kuhle'
sgi
rl
fri
endcomesinfr
om ti
metoti
met o
checkuponmeandt hebabyandIdon'
tl
ikeher,
she
knowsIdon'twantt
obeherebutshei
snotdoing
anythi
ngabouti
t.
Shecomesi
nandsi
tnextt
omeont
hebed.
Kai
te:
HeyZee.
Ij
ustl
ookt
heot
herway
.
Kai
te:
Icanseehebeaty
ouupagai
ntoday
,I'
m sor
ry.
Me:
It'
sfi
ne.
Kait
e:Yousti
l
lwanttohaveababywithhimt hough?
Itol
dyoucanabortwheni
twasst i
l
learl
yandnow
youaresuf
feri
ngmorebecauseyou'
repregnant.
Me:Iwi
llneverabortt
hischi
l
dandIwi
l
lpr
otect
hi
m/herwithmyl i
fe.
Kai
te:Di
dyoupr
otectt
hoset
haty
oul
eftbackhome
Zi
yanda?
Me:Ididandt
hati
swhyIam her
eit
'scal
l
ed
sacr
if
ice.
Kait
e:Forhowlongar
eyougoi
ngt
okeepupwi
th
yoursacr
if
ices?
Me:Nomat
terhowl
ongi
ttakesasl
ongast
heyget
t
oli
ve.
Kait
e:Livewithoutt
hei
rmom Zi
yanda,
Youcanst
il
l
abortIcanrecommendagooddoctor.
Me:
Isai
di'
m notar
bot
ing!
Kai
te:
Iguessyoul
ikebei
ngtiedt
oMi
sot hen,y
ou
act
ual
lydolov
ehimy ouhav
ebeenpr
etendingall
al
ong.
Me:Iguessy
ouareafool
li
ket
her
estoft
hem t
hen,
i
tsr
ubbingoffofy
ou.
Kai
te:
Isee.Ineedabat
hroom.
Sheput
sherhandbagcl
osert
omeandwalkoutI
sear
chherbagandcomebackwi
thaphone.
*
*
LUYOLO'
sPOV
*
It'
sbeensixmonthsofmi ser
yf orthewholefami l
y
withthatgi
rlar
oundandnowt hereisNoklungatoo,
apparentl
ytheyhav
eknowneachot heral
ltheirl
i
ves,
sheisherdaughter
,todaytheycalledameet ingto
tell
uswhathappenedandwhydi dt heysel
lZiyanda
offli
kethat.
IbathmybabygirlandSphokazi
helpmewitht
he
boys,i
t'
sbeenli
kethatI
ziphodoesn'
tdoany
thi
ng
exceptt
ryi
ngtosleepwit
hmeofwhi chshehas
fai
ledmiser
abl
etoachieve.
Igototheloungewi
thmybabygir
l,If
indever
yone
ther
e,dadlooksi
ckeversi
ncet
heytookZiy
anda
awayfrom us.
Uncle/
dad: Pl
easetell
uswhatyoudidwi
thmy
daughterNoklunga,wher
eisZi
yandaandwhydi
d
youdot hattoher.
Noklunga: BecauseIlovemyf irstbor nmor ebrother,
whendadf oundoutIwaspr egnantt hefirstti
me, he
mademesel lmydaught ertot heGumede' ssome
ri
chf amilybecausethemanhadonl yson' sandhi s
wifewant edadaught ersot heyt ookI zi
phobutdad
di
dn'tknowIwaskeepi ngi ntouchwi t hthem about
mybabyandIf el
linl
ovewi thherIkeptv isiti
ngand
everythi
ngbutwhent hewi fediedshewas9wel ost
contactbyt henIwasal r
eadypr egnantwi t
hZi y
anda
andIdi dn'
twantherbutdadwassuddenl ynowokay
withmebei ngpregnanthewant edmet okeep
Ziyandabutal lIwantedwasmyI zi
phonother .
Me:
Soy
ounegl
ect
edher
.
Nokl
unga:YesIhat
edthegir
lshetookIzi
pho'
splace,
shel
ivedt
helif
ethatwassupposedtobehers.
Uncl
e/dad:
Youanddadkeptsuchsecr
eteshow.
Nokl
unga:
Yousai
dity
our
sel
fwewer
ecl
osewi
th
dad.
Me:
Sohowwast
hisZi
yanda'
sfaul
t.
Noklunga:TogetIzi
phooutoftheGumedehouse, I
hadtogivethem Ziy
andasomybabycanbef ree
thati
swhyshewast hei
rtar
getwhenshest ar
ted
highschoolt
hatiswhywebr oughtherher
e.
Me:
Youar
esi
ck.
I
zipho:
Butnotassi
ckasy
ouwi
l
lbewheny
ousee
t
his.
Shesayspagingthroughherphoneandsheshows
meapi ct
ureofZiyandapregnant
,If
eelmyblood
stopfl
owingfrom t
hearteri
es,myhear
tstopped
beati
ngforasecond.
I
zipho:
Youseeshemov
edonsowhycan'
tyou.
Uncle/
dad:Youshouldhav
easkedf
orhelpt
otake
yourdaught
erfr
om theGumede'
snotswapherwi
th
Ziy
andathatwascruel.
Noklunga:Well
itiswhatiti
s,Ihadt
odosomet hi
ng
togetmydaught erbackeveni
fitmeantget
ti
ngri
d
ofthebitch.
I
zipho:
Ideser
vet
hisl
i
fe.
Me:Youdon'tknowwhatZiyandawentthr
oughto
getall
thatshehave,y
ouwouldn'
twalkami l
einher
shoes,youarepat
heti
casyourmotherhereandI
wil
lfi
ndmywi f
eevenifi
tmeansgoi
ngt hr
oughyou.
I
zipho:
giveupLuyol
osheispregnantf
orMisokuhl
e
t
heyarehappy,sheal
wayslov
edhi mthati
swhyshe
wentbacktohi
m once.
It
akeoutmygunandpoi
ntatt
hem,
theyst
art
l
aughi
nghyst
eri
cal
l
y,i
'
mfuming.
I
zipho:
trut
hhur
ts.
Me:I'
m giv
ingy
ou20secondst
otel
lmewher
e
Zi
yandais.
I
zipho:
Youknowev
eryhourIt
alkt
oKuhl
eont
he
phone,
ifIdon'
tcont
acthi
m hepani
ckst
hinki
ngi
'
m
notok.
Me:
sowhat
?
I
zipho:ifIdi
eZi
yandadiesr
emember?Soi
fthey
don'thearfr
om metheywil
lki
l
lher
.
Kwanel
e;Shei
syourdaught
ert
ooNokl
unga.
Nokl
unga:Shei
snothi
ngtomeIsi
gnedherov
ert
o
t
hatwhit
ewoman,thisi
smydaught
er.
Mandisi
:Ihav
eneverseenahear
tl
esswomanl
i
ke
you,
youarerevol
ti
ng.
I
zipho:
atl
eastshei
shappyandPREGNANTwi
th
Miso'
schi
ld.
Me:Iwil
lfi
ndmywif
eandIwi
l
lki
l
leachand
ev
eryonewhotr
iest
ost
opme.
I
zipho:Whycan'tyouj
ustl
oveme,
whatdoesshe
havethatIdon'
t.
Me:
Myl
ove,
andt
hat
'
sonet
hingy
ouwi
l
lnev
erhav
e.
I
zipho:
Theymi
ghtaswel
lki
l
lher
.
Me:
andt
heny
ouandy
ourmot
herwi
l
lfol
l
owsui
ttr
y
meIhav
ebeent
ooni
ce,
i'
m doneok,
i'
m done.
Justthenmyphoneri
ngsi
tst
henumberIdon'
t
recogni
seIanswer
.
Me:
Hel
l
o.
Her
:Luy
olo!
Shesay
swi
thhersweetv
oicebutIcant
ell
shei
s
sad.
I
'
m shockedIcan'
tgett
hewor
dsoutofmymout
h.
Ziy
anda:Imissyousomuch, Pl
easedon'
tl
etI
zipho
knowthatIcal
ledMisokuhl
ewil
lkil
lme.
Luy
olo:
I..
I.
.
Zi
yanda:
Iwi
l
lal
way
slov
eyouby
e.
Shedr
opsthephone,
Ilookar
oundandmyey
es
l
andsondad.
Me:
Kwanel
eweneedcar
l.
Izi
pho:whower
eyout
alki
ngt
oony
ourphone
Luyol
o?
Me:
fuckof
f.
.
I
zipho:
Youwi
l
llov
emeonewayort
heot
her
.
Mandisi
:Byt
heotheryoumeanbewi
tchi
nghi
mli
ke
yousentKat
lit
odoit.
I
zipho:
What
everi
ttakes.
I
'mt akenbackbythatstat
ement,Zi
yandaalways
useditwhenthingsgottoughandherkid'
sli
fewere
thr
eatenednowi '
m usi
ngthem,whateveri
ttakesto
getmywi feback!
*

Zee
Zee
*
*
I
nser
t115
Ifeel
soemot i
onalaf
tert
alki
ngtoLuyol
o,Imiss
them somuch,Iknowhedidn'
tsayanyt
hingbutI
knowhestil
ll
ov esmeandhewi l
ldoanyt
hingtofi
nd
me.
*
Kai
tecomebackf r
om t
hebathroom andf
indme
cr
ying,
sherushestome,Ihav
eputbackthephone
i
nsideherbag.
Kai
te:
Sweet
yisi
tthebaby
?
Me:No.
.Imisshome,
Imi
ssmydad,
myki
dsandI
mi
ssLuy ol
o.
Kai
te:
Youknowy
oucan'
tsayt
hatoutl
oudMi
sowi
l
l
ki
ll
youZee.
Me:
Idon'
tcar
eany
mor
e.
*
SheleavesandIt akeanap, I
'
m wokenupbyal i
ght
paini
nmyabdomen,Igot othebathroom t
opee
whenItakeof fmypant yInoti
cebl
oodIpani cand
rushouttofi
ndMi sobutheisnothere,Il
ookaround
butIknowIwon' tfindanyphonearoundhere,I'
ve
donethisbefore,
lookingforwhat
everIcanuset o
communi cat
ewi t
hmyf amil
ybutIfoundnothing.
Isi
tont
hecouchbutIcanf
eel
mor
ebl
oodcomi
ng
out
.
Me:
Nononot
hiscan'
tbehappeni
ngno.
.
Ihearadooropeni
ng,
Misol
ooksatmeandsee
blood.
Mi
so:
Ziy
andawhati
sgoi
ngon?
Me:Takemetothehospit
alMi
so,
thebabywon'
t
sur
viv
eI'
m notev
eneightmont
hsyet
,Ican'
t.
.
Mi
so:
It'
sok,
wecan'
tl
oset
hisbabycomeon.
Hepicksmeupandgot
othecardr
ivi
ngt
othe
hospi
tal
.
Theyputmei
nast
ret
cher
.
Doctor
:Takehert
otheat
re,
weneedt
oper
for
m ac-
sect
ionri
ghtnow.
Thedoct
ori
njectmeandIseeever
ythi
ngbuti
'mjust
numbIcan'
tfeelany
thi
ng,
Iseeadoctort
aki
ngout
mybaby.
Doct
or:
Prepar
etheneonat
ali
ntensi
vecar
euni
t.
Hesay
stot
henur
senextt
ohi
m andsher
ushesout
,
Doctor:
Yourbabyboyisheal
thybutheneedstobe
keptinNICUbecauseheispr
ematurebutther
eare
nocompl
i
cat
ions.
Hepl
acemybabyi
nmychestandIf
eeltear
s
comi
ngout
,hei
shi
sfat
her
'ssonasli
tt
leashei
s.
Theyt
akehi
m andputhi
minani
ncubat
or.
Me:Pleasedon'
tal
l
owanyonet
oseehi
mjustmeok,
notev
ent hemanwhobr
oughtmeher
e.
Doct
or:
isev
ery
thi
ngok,
hesai
dhei
sthef
ather
.
Me:
Pleasedon'
tal
lowhi
min,
tel
lhi
m hei
snotr
eady
t
obeseenyetpl
ease.
Theyt
akemet otheward,
Iaskthenur
setobor
row
methephonesincet
heytol
dmeMi sowenthometo
getmyessent
ial
sandthebaby'
s.
Shegi
vemet
hephone,
Idi
alLuy
olo'
snumber
.
Luy
olo:
Hel
l
o..
.Zi
yandai
sthaty
ou.
Me:
It'
smebaby
.
Luy
olo:
Wear
emaki
ngapl
ant
ogety
ououtoft
her
e
ok.
Me:
Pleasehur
rymybabymi
ghtbei
ndanger
.
Luy
olo:
Who.
.Zi
yanda.
..
Idr
opt hecal
landhi
det
hephoneasMi
socomesi
n
hol
dingabag.
Mi
so:
Heyar
eyouok.
Inod.
Miso:
Thedoct
ort
oldmet
hebabyi
sinani
ncubat
or,
i
shegoingt
obeok?
Me:
Idon'
tknowt
hedoct
orsai
dwecan'
tseehi
myet
.
Miso:Ican'
twaitt
oseehi
m,SoIguessIwon'
tev
er
haveanygirl
s.
Ihopesobecausehei
srut
hless,aper
sonl
ikehim
shoul
dn'
thaveanygi
rl
sorki
dsf ort
hatmat
ter.
Mi
so:
Iboughty
ouf
oodandcl
othesok.
Me:
Thanks.
Iseet
henur
set
hatgav
emet
hephonecomi
ngi
n.
Nur
se:
CanIhav
e..
Me:Uhm Misocany
oul eav
ether
oom t
henur
sei
s
her
etocheckmysti
tchesok.
Mi
so:
uhm y
eahsur
e.
Hewal
kout
,Isi
gh.
Nur
se:
Iam checki
ngy
ourst
it
ches?
Me:
Hewi
l
lki
l
lmei
fhef
indsouti
'
m usi
ngaphone.
Nur
se:I
sheabusi
ngyou?i
sthatwhyy
ougav
ebi
rt
h
t
oaprematur
ebaby?
Inodwi
tht
ear
s.
Nur
se:
What
?I'
m goi
ngt
ocal
lthepol
..
Me: Nopleasedon'
t,
theydon'
tst
ayinjai
lforlong,
theywil
lcomebackandki l
lmepleasedon'
tsay
anythi
ngmyf at
herwil
ldosomethingaboutthis.
Nur
se:
Ok,tel
lmeify
ouneedany t
hing,
youcanask
f
ormyphoneanyt
imeIwi
llsneakitinf
oryou.
Mi
socomesbacki
n.
Mi
so:
Ihopey
ou'
redone.
Inod.
Nurse:Sheneedst
orest
,cany
oul
eav
eandcome
backtomorrowok.
Mi
so:
wil
lyoubeok?
Inodagai
n.
Hecomescl
oserandki
ssmycheek.
Miso:
Dar
etryany
thingst
upi
dIwi
llki
lly
ou,
r
ememberIhaveeyesandear
sev
er y
where.
Hewhi
sper
sinmyearIqui
ckl
ynod.
Mi
so:
Ilov
eyou.
Me:
ok.
Allt
histi
met
heNurseislookingathi
mindi
sgust
,I
shakemyheadathershequicklyput
sonasmil
ein
herface.
Mi
so:seey
out
omor
row,
IhopeIwi
l
lbeabl
etosee
myboy.
Me:
Ihopesot
oo.
If
akeasmi
l
e.
Hewal
ksout
.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Nur
se:
Comeonl
etuspr
ay.
Shetakesmyhandandst ar
tprayi
ng,
Ifeeltear
srun
downmyey esassheprays,Ibel
i
eveallt
hiswil
lbe
overonedayandIwi
lll
i
v ehappil
y.
Shesaysamenandhugme,
Icr
ylouderasImi
ssmy
mother
'shugs.
Nur
se:
It'
soksi
si,
it'
sok
Ical
lLuyol
oonemor
eti
mebutsomeoneanswer
s
thephone.
Her
:Hubby
'sphonehel
l
o.
Idon'
tsayany
thi
ng.
I
zipho:
Hel
l
o!!
Me:hell
oyouar
espeaki
ngt
otheAssupol
insur
ance
agentdoy.
.
I
zipho:
Wedon'
tneedanyi
nsur
ancet
hanky
ouby
e.
Shedr
opst
hephone,
itwor
ksl
i
keachar
m.
*
*
LUYOLO'
sPOV
Wear ewait
ingforCarltobookapl anet
oSouth
Afr
icaheisworkingoverseasforsomemafiasthat
l
ootmoneyf rom thebankssohei stheI
Tguythere.
I
'
mjustgl
adthatZiyandamanagedtocallmeagai
n.
I
'
minabetterspaceIcannowthinkaboutmyplan
Me:
Shecal
l
edagai
nguy
s,t
her
eishopeaf
ter
all
.
Mandisi
:Imisshersomuch,
thi
ngsar
enott
hesame
wi
thouther.
Uncl
e/dad:
Sheneedst
ocomebackhome.
Hest
art
scoughi
ng.
Kwanele:
Sheneedstofindyougooddad,notl
i
ke
thi
s,y
ouar esi
ckyouneedtoseethedoct
or.
Uncl
e/dad:
Iwi
l
lgoonceIknowshe'
ssaf
eandback
home.
Me:Shewil
lbedev
astat
edifshecomesbackt
oyou
andyouar
enotok,j
ustl
etustakeyout
othedoct
or.
Uncl
e/dad:
Okyt
hat
'
sfi
nebuti
'
mreal
l
yok.
Wetakehi
mtothedoct
orandwe'r
et ol
dhi
sblood
pr
essur
eisabi
thi
gh,heneedst
orelaxandnot
st
resstoomuchandal
sohehasf
lu,
theygav
ehi
ma
pr
escri
pti
on.
WegobackhomeandIf i
ndI
ziphobusywi
thmy
phoneIf
orgoti
ther
eathome.
Myheartbeatali
tt
le,whati
fZiyandacal
l
edagai
n
andsheansweredit,
thosepeoplewil
lki
l
lher
.
Me:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngwi
thmyphoneI
zipho?
I
zipho:
Itwasr
ingi
ng,
itwasj
usti
nsur
ancepeopl
e..
.
Igr
abi
tfrom herhandandInot
iceshewasl
ooki
ng
atmyweddingpict
ures.
I
zipho:Youl
ookedgoodonyourweddi
ngbutyou
wi
lllookbet
terwi
thmenextt
oy ou,
I'
m pr
ett
ier
.
Ichuckl
e.
Me:You'
renotev
encl
oset
obei
ngpr
ett
yasmywi
fe
i
s.
I
zipho:
Youneedt
ogetov
eri
t,she'
sgoneIam her
e.
Me:
Idon'
trecogni
sey
ou.
Isearchf
ort
henumberthatcal
ledandIseethatit
's
thesamenumberZi
yandacall
edmewi thear
lier
.
Ichuckl
e,shei
sst
il
lcl
ever
,insur
ancepeopl
e,r
eal
l
y?
I
zipho:
Whati
ssof
unnyt
her
e,ar
eyoucheat
ing?
Me:
Onwho?
I
zipho:
ME!LUYOLO!
Iwal
kawayf
rom her
.
Me:Yourmotherneedtogetyoucheckedouty
ou
ar
elosi
ngyourmindslowlybutsur
ely.
Shet
hrowsever
ythi
ngshecangetherhandsonat
me,Ij
ustl
aughwalkingt
omycar.
Ical
lthenumber
.
Zi
yanda:
Baby ,
hurr
yLuyol
oIam att
hehospi
tal
,he
wi
llseet
hatthebabyi
snothi
sandhewillki
l
lme
pl
easehurr
yandgetmeoutofhere.
Shedropst
hecal
l,
Igol ookforKwanel
einhi
sroom,
Ibar
geinandf
indhim ontopofSunshi
neIl
ookaway
andtal
k.
Me:Sorr
yguys,butIgotthecal
lfrom Zi
yandawe
needtofet
chher,sheisatthehospi
talshetal
ked
aboutt
hebaby..
Kwanel
equi
ckl
yget
supandputonhi
scl
othes.
Kwanel
e:Gi
vemey
ourphonel
etmecal
lher
.
Het
akest
hephoneandcal
l
.
Zi
yanda:
Luy
olo.
Kwanel
e:Heysi
sit
smeKwanel
e.
Zi
yanda:
Bhut
i.
..
Icant
ell
shei
scr
yingbyhershakyv
oice.
Kwanel
e:Wear
ecomi
ngt
ofet
chy
ou.
Zi
yanda:
mybabyisi
nanincubat
orbhut
iwecan'
t
movehim hei
spr
ematur
e.
Kwanel
e:Youdon'
tknowhowl
onghewi
l
lbet
her
e?
Ziy
anda:probablytwoweeksorl
essIdon'
tknow,
butthedoctorsaidhei
shealt
hy.
Kwanel
e:Uhm I
..
eishuhm y
ouwi
ll
havetost
ay
anot
herdayt
hereunti
lwecanmovehi
m.
Zi
yanda:It
oldthedoct
ortonotletMi
soseehim but
i
fhetalkst
oanotherdoctororbr
ibet
heotheronehe
wi
lll
ethim seehi
m andifhedoeshewon'
thesitat
e
t
oki
l
lhi
m.
Kwanel
e:Butwhy
?
Zi
yanda:
Hei
snot.
.
Weheart
hemov
ement
sandZi
yandascr
eams.
Me:
Ziy
anda!
!
Zi
yanda:
Misokuhl
eyouar
ehur
ti
ngme,
I'
m sor
ryokI
wantedt
otal
ktomykids.
Me:
Hewi
l
lki
l
lmywi
feKwanel
e!
Someonet
alks,
thel
i
nei
sst
il
lon.
Per
son:
Cal
lsecur
it
y,hei
ski
l
li
ngher
.
I
'
m shaki
ng,
tear
sar
ebur
ningmyey
es.
*

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
19]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t116
Iwakeupwit
hanot
hernur
sel
ooki
ngatme,
Ibl
i
nka
coupl
eoft
imes.
Nurse:Howar eyoufeel
i
ng?Iboughtyousomet
hing
forthepai
n,yourscarwasbl
eedingearl
i
erwehadto
sti
tchyouonceagain.
Me:
Wher
eishe?
Nurse:
Don'tworr
yhewon'tbeall
owedbacki
naf
ter
whathedidtoyou,wecal
l
edt hepol
i
ceandhewas
t
akenin.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Iaskt
ouseherphoneandcal
lmyhusband.
Luy
olo:
Hi.
Hesay
sinal
owv
oice.
Me:
It'
sme.
Luyol
o:Zi
yandaThankGody ou'r
eokay ,
Iwasso
worri
edaboutyou,It
ri
edcall
ingthatnumberbuti
t
tookmestrai
ghttovoicemai
l
.
Me:
Misokuhl
ebr
oket
hatphone,
Youguy
swi
l
lneed
t
obuyanewonewheny
ougetmeoutofher
e.
Luy
olo:
I'
m happyy
ou'
reokIt
houghtheki
l
ledy
ou.
Me:
I'
m adi
ehar
dbaby
.
Wechuckl
e.
Luy
olo:
Ilov
eyou.
Me: YouknowIthoughtIwasdy i
ngwhenhe
punchedmei nmyst omach,
Ijusthadac-sect
ion
Yolohedidn'
tcare,
he..
hechockedme..Icoul
dn't
breath.
.
Ihearhi
m br
eat
houtl
oud.
Luy
olo:
Itwi
l
lbeoversoonIwi
l
lki
l
lthem onebyone.
Wherei
shenow?
Icanhearhemeanev
erywor
d.
Me: Anurset
oldmetheycal
ledt
hecopsbutwe
bothknowitwon'
tbelonghewil
lcomebackandhe
will
wanttoseemysonandifhedoesitwi
llbeov
er
forhim.
Luyolo:Youhav
ebeensay
ingt
hisZi
yanda,
whoi
s
thefather
?
Me:
It'
s..
Wehearnoi
seout
sideandanur
sepeepsout
.
Nurse:Thatmanisbackandheisf
ight
ingwi
tht
he
securi
ti
es,whati
swrongwithhi
m?
Me:Pleaset
ellhi
mthebabydi
edorsomet
hingj
ust
don'
tl
ethim seemybaby.
Nur
se:
Iwi
l
ltr
y..
letmer
usht
otheNI
CUr
ightnow.
Sher
ushesout
.
Luy
olo:
Ishet
her
eal
ready
?
Me:
Hei
sher
eLuy
olo.
Luyol
o:Ok,t
ell
met henameoft
hehospi
tal
i'
m
comingther
er i
ghtnow.
It
ell
him andIhearhi
m shoutf
orKwanel
e.
Thereisst
il
lnoi
seoutsi
de,
Islowlygotothe
bathr
oom it
spainf
ultowal
k,Ichangeint
oadr ess
andagownt hatMisobr
oughtearl
ierandlayi
nbed.
*
Thenur
secomesbackaf
teranhour
.
Nurse:
Itol
dhimthebabydidn'
tmakei
tbuthe
doesn'
tbel
iev
emebutatleastt
heymanagedt
otake
hi
m outsi
denow.
Me:
Thanky
ouf
ort
ryi
ng.
*
ThedooropensandLuy
oloandKwanel
ecomesin,
I
am sohappytoseet
hem,Iwantt
ojumpint
hei
r
armsbutIcan'
t.
Theybothr
usht omyei
thersi
deandhugme,
Ifl
i
nch
theyqui
ckl
yletgo.
Luy
olo:Ican'
tbeli
evei
'm seei
ngy
our
ightnow,
I'
m
sor
rybabyI'm sososor
ry.
Me:
Youcamef
orme.
Luy
olo:
Iwi
l
lal
way
sdo.
Me:
Youcamet
ofet
chme?Whataboutmybaby
?
Luyol
o:Don'tworryy
oucanbot
hst
ayher
enow,
I
shotMisokuhl
e,hepushedmet
oof
ar.
HesayssocoldandIputmyhandonhi
scheek
st
ari
ngint
ohiseyes,
theybecomet
ear
y.
Me:
Ilov
eyou.
Hel
ooksatme.
Me:
Uhm canweseemybaby
?
Isayl
ookingatt
henur
se,
shenodssmi
l
ingandgr
ab
awheelchai
r.
Luy
olo:
Wedon'
tneedt
hat
,justshowust
heway
.
Hecar
eful
l
ypickmeupandt heyfoll
owthenur
se,I
hol
dontohist-
shi
rti
nhai
l
inghisscentt
hatImi
ssed
somuch.
Wegettot
heNICU,
LuyoloputsmedownandIhold
ont
ohisar
m si
ncei'
m bendi
ngIcan'
tst
andst
rai
ght
asy
et.
Iseemybabyboyinanincubat
orandIl
ookat
Luyol
o,Kwanel
eli
ght
lypunchhim.
Kwanel
e:You'
ret
heman!
Luyolostar
esatt
hebabywi
thaconf
usedl
ookon
hi
sf ace.
Me:
Arey
ouok?
Henodsandwal
koutandIal
mostf
all
.
Kwanel
e:Heisov
erhwel
med,
hewi
l
lbeback,
letme
gocal
ldad.
InodandLookatmybaby
.
Me:Youareastrongli
ttl
eboy
,youstayedwit
h
mommyt hroughital
landwebothsurv
ived.
Luy
olot
alkbehi
ndme.
Luy
olo:
Hei
smi
ne?
Inodsmi
l
ingathi
m
Luyol
o:Yougavebir
thwit
houtmenexttoy ouagai
n,
youknowIpromisedmyselft
hatwhathappened
wit
hIyanawon'
thappenagainbuti
thappenedI
wasn'
tther
etoholdyourhand,i
'
m sor
ry.
Me:
Youar
eher
enow,
that
'
sal
lthatmat
ter
s.
Luy
olo:
Thanky
ouf
ort
hisgi
ft
,youar
est
rongi
ndeed
bot
hofyou.
Me:
Youwantt
onamehi
m?
Hesmi
l
esatmebr
ight
ly.
Luy
olo:
Iwoul
dlov
eto.
Heki
ssmyheadandl
ookathi
sbabyboy
Luyol
o:Ourloveknowsnomeasur
esandno
boundar
ieshisnameisQhay
iyai
tmeansourpr
ide.
Me:
That
'sabeaut
if
ulname.
Webot
hsmi
l
elooki
ngatourbaby
.
If
li
nchal
i
ttl
e.
Luy
olo:
Letmegety
oubackt
obed,
youneedt
orest
.
Hel
i
ter
all
ysweepmeof
fmyf
eetandIgi
ggl
e.
Heki
ssmycheek.
Luy
olo:
Youar
emyhear
t.
Ipl
acemyhandonhi
schest,
Ilookathi
m smi
l
ing.
Hel
aysmei
nbedandsi
tnextt
ome.
Luy
olo:
SleepbabyIwi
l
lber
ighther
ewheny
ouwake
up.
Heki
ssmyf
oreheadandIsl
eepwi
thasmi
l
eonmy
f
ace.
*
LUYOLO'
sPOV
I
'm ahappyman, themomentIl ai
dmyey esont hat
babyboy,If el
tit
,Ifel
tconnectedtohim,Iknewhe
wasmi ne,Ilovemywi fesomucht hesacri
fi
cesshe
hasmadef orourkidsarehuge,It
'sti
meIpr otecther
wit
hmyal l now,withmyl i
fe.
I
'
m wat chi
nghersleep,
sheissoinnocentandcalm
t
hat'st
hedi f
fer
encebetweenherandthatcrazy
I
ziphogirl
.
It
akeherhandandki
ssi
t,Ical
lMandi
si.
Mandi
si:
shobaf
o(sur
ebr
other
)
Me:
Arey
oukeepi
ngt
hem wher
eIt
oldy
out
o?
Mandi
si:
Yes,
howi
sshe?
Me:
Shej
ustgav
emeanot
hergi
ft
,shewaspr
egnant
wi
thmychi
ldman,
myboy.
Mandisi
:Wowsowear efat
her
stotheboyshuh,
I'
m
happyfory
oubr
other
,Ziy
andalov
esyou,shewould
di
ef ory
ou.
YesMbal
igav
ebi
rt
hmont
hsagot
oababyboy
.
Me:Iknow,thati
swhyIwon'
tletany
onehur
ther
ev
eragain,
shei smyl
if
e,Imeansheist
hewoman
ofmydr
eams.
Mandi
si:
Icant
ell
youar
ever
yhappy
.
Me:Iam,
lookIhavet
ogoIt
hinkshei
shav
ingabad
dr
eam,wewill
tal
kok.
Mandi
si:Sur
eki
ssherf
orme,
Iwi
l
lseeher
t
omorrow.
Idr
opt
hecal
l
.
Zi
yanda:
No,
pleasest
op,
I'
m sor
ryy
ouar
ehur
ti
ng
me.
Shei
sshaki
ngv
igor
ousl
y.
Me:
Baby
,HeybabyI
'
m her
e,i
t'
smeLuy
olowakeup.
Zi
yanda:
NO!
Icanseebl
oodonhergown.
Ipr
esst
hebut
tont
oal
ertt
henur
se.
Luy
olo:
Ziy
andaopeny
ourey
esbaby
.
Sheconti
nueshaki
ng,nur
sescomeinandseeher
oneofthem r
unouttocal
lthedoct
or.
Doct
or:
Pleasewai
tout
sideal
i
ttl
e,shewi
l
lbef
ine
ok.
Iwal
koutandIbumpi
ntoKwanel
e.
Kwanel
e:I
sZi
yandasl
eepi
ng.
Me: Hewashur
ti
ngherman,Iknowsheheldonfor
thebabyshewascar
ryi
ngbutnowit
sallcoming
back.
Isi
ghandsi
tdown.
.
*

Zee

[
8/5,
10:
19]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t117
LUYOLO'
sPOV
TodayI '
mf etchingmywi feandBabyQatt he
hospital
.Fort woweeksIhav ebeenv i
siti
ngher
beforeshewakesupi nthemor ningandgoi nt he
after
noonwhenshehasf al
lenasl eep,
shest il
lhav e
baddr eamswher eshewoul dscr eam forMi sot o
stophur t
ingherandmyhear tbreaksev eryti
met hat
happens, Idon'tknowhowmanyt imestheyhadt o
sti
tchherupbecauseshewoul dshakeev eryt
ime
shehast heni ghtmareandt hest i
tchesbr eak,But
sheisoknow, sheisheali
ng.
*
If
indherinbedholdi
ngmyboyi
nherar
msIst
and
bythedoorlooki
ngatthem.
Ziy
anda:Whykumeleuf
anenobabawenayi
ndaba
ungafani
nami(Whydoyouhav
etolookl
i
keyour
dad,whydon'
tyoul
ookl
ikeme)
Ichuckl
eshel
ooksupatmeandsmi
lemyhear
t
warmsupatthesi
ghtoft
hatsmi
l
e.
Me:
Youar
ejeal
ous?
Ziyanda:
It'
snotf
airev
enI
yanal
ookmor
eli
key
ou
thanme.
Me:I
'
m amanbabyIhavetol
eav
eamar
ksoot
her
manwon'
tcl
aim what
'smi
ne.
Shel
aughsoutl
oud.
Zi
yanda:
Igeti
tal
ri
ght
..
Il
oveseei
ngherl
aughi
ng.
Me:
Didy
ouhav
eanybaddr
eam t
oday
?
Zi
yanda:
Idi
d.
Shesay sgivi
ngmet hebabyandshewal kst
othe
bathroom wit
hthebagprobablyt
ofreshenupand
avoidingt
histopi
ctoo.
Shecomesbackl
ooki
ngcut
einhershor
tgr
eydr
ess.
Zi
yanda:Luyolowhydi
dyoubri
ngsuchashor
tdr
ess
I
'm someone'swif
eremember
?
Il
aughoutloud,
thewor
ri
edl
ookshehasonherf
ace
i
spricel
ess.
Me:
Baby
..
youl
ookgoodi
nthatdr
ess.
Zi
yanda:Ial
waysl
ookgoodingreybabyi
'
mjust
worr
iedaboutmyfi
gur
ebathong.
Ilookather,
isthi
sreal
lyZi
yandashei
sfunnyand
thefacessheismakingmakeshercut
e.
Me:Guessy
ouwi
l
lbej
oini
ngy
ourhusbandi
ngy
m
r
ight
.
Zi
yanda:Whooaandhav
ethoseabsi
'
m def
ini
tel
y
j
oini
ngyou.
Il
ookathersmi
l
ingf
rom eart
oear
.
Zi
yanda:
Thatsmi
l
eisr
idi
cul
ouswi
pei
tof
fLuy
olo.
Me:
I'
mjusthappyy
ou'
remi
ne.
Thedoctorgi
vehersomepi
l
lswesi
gnt
hef
orm and
gotothecar.
Zi
yandasi
tatt
hebackwi
tht
hebaby
.
Me:
Sot
heni
ght
mar
esar
..
Ziy
anda:Luyol
oplease,
rightnowIchooset
obe
happyIwil
lbeseeingmyki dsaf
teral
ongti
me.
Inod,
sher
eal
l
ydoesn'
twantt
otal
kaboutt
his.
Ziyanda:
Iwi
l
lgofort
herapybutr
ightnowIneedt
o
focusonmykidsYol
ookay.
Me:
Iunder
standbabe.
WegethomeIt akethebabyf
rom herar
msandpul
l
herhandhel
pinghercomeoutofthecar.
Zi
yanda:
Thanky
ou.
.
Sheissmili
ngandwegeti
never
yoneshout
ssupr
ise,
shesmileswit
htear
sshel
ooksatdadwhohas
tear
stoo.
Hecomestowheresheisst
andi
ngandhugher
,
Zi
yandasobi
nhischest
.
Ziy
anda:Imissedy
ousomuchdad,
Ithoughti
wil
l
neverseeyouagai
n.
Dadhaven'
tseenZiy
andaatthehospit
albecausehe
wasnothundredper
centok,sowedidn'
tthi
nkhe
shoul
dgobutnowhel ookfi
ne.
Uncl
e/dad:Wefai
l
edy
ouonet
oomanyt
imesi
'
m
sor
rypri
ncess.
Zi
yanda:
Ilov
eyou.
Theypul
lawayf
rom t
hehuganddadwi
peshert
ear
s.
Uncl
e/dad:
I'
m bl
essedt
ohav
esuchast
ronggi
rlas
mydaught
er.
Sunshinecomest oherholdi
ngIya,
sheisalr
eadyin
tears,
Ilov
et hebondthesetwosharetheyar
elike
bloodsist
ers,whenZiyandawasnotaroundshewas
alwaysthreatni
ngtobeatIzi
phoupandonceshedi d
andwewat chedhermopt hefl
oorwit
hher.
Ziyandat
akesI
yawhoj
ustpl
aceherhandonher
faceandwipemommy'
stear
s.
Zi
yanda:
Canshest
il
lseet
hati
'
m hermom?
Uncl
e/dad:Bl
oodandthetr
uelovefr
om thehear
t
youhaveforher
,shef
eelsi
tinherhear
ttoo.
Shepul
l
shercl
osert
oherchestandki
ssher
.
Sunshi
netakeQhay
iyaf
rom meandIt
akeI
yana
fr
om Zi
yanda.
Shelooksattheboys,
Langast
epsclosert
oherf
ir
st
,NtsikadoesthesamethenNkany
ezi.
Nt
sika:
Youar
ePi
nki
e.
Ziyanda:
Iknewhewasgoi ngtosaysomethi
ng
fi
rst,
(weall
laugh)Iam Pi
nki
eNtsi
kayam.Theycan
tal
know?
Sheaskshocked.Wel
aughather
.
Luyol
o:Theyst
artedgoi
ngtocrecheandnowthey
cantal
kIguesstheyneededt
obear oundmor
ekids.
Zi
yanda:
ButIhav eawhol
esquadi
nher
e,Icanopen
myowncr eche.
Weal
ll
aughather
,shei
sst
rongasar
ock.
Ziy
anda: WhenIwasawayIal
waysthoughtabout
myshiningstar
,mypil
lar
,mybeaut
iful
sunsi
neand
myr ai
nofblessi
ngs,
thati
swhatkeptmegoing,i
t
keptmeal i
ve.
Shehugsal
loft
hem.
Nt
sika:
Wher ewer
eyoupi
nki
e,si
khumbul
ithi
na(
we
mi
ssedy ou)
Zi
yanda:
Iwasv
isi
ti
ngaf
ri
endf
ourey
es.
Nt
sika:
fourey
esmi
na?
(I'
mfourey
es?
)
Me:
Ntsi
kawi
thami
l
li
onquest
ions.
Zi
yandamov est
otakeMbal
i
'sboyi
nherar
mshe
st
artcr
ying.
Zi
yanda:
I'
m sor
ryheyi
t'
saunt
ieZi
yandaher
edon'
t
cr
yokshhh.
Shestart
shushi
nghi
m andhecal
msdown,
shei
sa
nat
ural.
Mandi
si:
hisnamei
sLwandl
e.
Ziy
anda:
Whoaskedy ou?YouthinkIdon'
tknowhis
nameoryouar
ejustbeingyourusualf
orwardsel
f.
Mandi
si:
Wow!
Weal
ll
aughathowspeechl
esshei
s.
Kwanel
e:Ther
eisnocomebackf
rom t
hatbr
o.
Shegoont osi
dehugsphokazi
becausesheisst
il
l
holdi
ngLwandl
einherar
msandt henshehugs
sphokazi
'
sboy.
Mbal
i
:I'
m happyy
ouar
ebackhomesaf
e.
Me:
tel
lhery
oudon'
tcr
yal
otany
mor
e.
Mbal
i
:ShutupLuy
olo.
Il
ookaroundandsmil
etomy
sel
f,myf
ami
l
yis
compl
eteonceagai
n.
Uncl
e/dad:
Bri
ngt
hatboyt
ome,
Luy
oloy
oushoul
d
st
opmaki
ngmydaught
erpr
egnant
.
Me:Shei
samarr
iedwomandadandshewi
l
lst
il
l
gi
vememoreki
ds.
Zi
yanda:
Yesbabyf
ivemor
etogo!
Me:
Ndi
yakut
handamf
azi
wam(Il
ovey
oumywi
fe)
Zi
yanda:
Thengi
vemeat
radi
ti
onal
weddi
ngbaby
.
Me:
Any
thi
ngf
ory
ou,
Justnamet
hedat
eandmont
h.
Zi
yanda:Oncei
'
m al
lheal
ed,ngi
funaukusi
nami
na(I
wanttodoaZulut
radi
ti
onal
dance)
Uncl
e/dad:
Cany
ouev
endoi
tZi
yanda?
Zi
yanda:Bengi
hlal
anoGogobababesi
hlezi
sisi
na
si
khul
a(Iwaslivi
ngwit
hgrannywewerealways
doi
ngit)
Ichuckl
e,Ican'
ti
magi
nemywi
fedoi
nganydanceat
all
.
Mandi
si:
Wear
ehav
ingaweddi
ng,
Yes!
Iam happyt
hatmywi f
eissmi l
i
ngbutIcanst i
l
lsee
agli
mpseoffearinhereyes,andsheisdreadi
ng
aski
ngaboutIzi
pho,hereyesamov i
ngaroundt he
housel
i
keshei
sexpect
ingsomeonet
ogeti
n.
ButIwil
lassur
ehert
hatt
hosepeopl
ear
eoutofour
l
ivesf
orGood.
*
ZI
YANDA'
sPOV
Thismomentri
ghtherewit
hmyf ami
l
ymeans
every
thi
ngtome, Ismi
lel
ookingatal
loft
hem,t
hey
aremylif
eandIloveal
lofthem somuch.
ButIcan'
thel
pbutworr
yaboutthatI
zipho,
wher
eis
she?Whatifshecomesbackagai
n.
Mbal
i
:Okl
et'
seatf
am.
Wesitar
oundthetabl
eandSi
sSphokaziof
fert
osay
gr
ace,weholdhandsandbowourheads.
Sphokazi:
Nkul
unkul
uwemi
mangal
i
so(
Godof
mirr
acles)
Sizakuwenamhlanj
eukubonga(
wecomet
oyout
o
saythanky
ou.)
Forbr
ingi
ngZiy
andabackhomesafe,
andanew
addi
ti
ontothefami
l
y,I
Qhayiy
athepri
deoft
his
f
amil
y.Thankyouforkeepi
ngusst
ronginthedar
k
t
imeswhentheenemieswerecomingatus.
Wethankyoufat
herf
orbr
ingi
ngt
hef
ami
l
ytoget
her
onceagai
n,Amen.
WesayAmenandIsqueezemyhusband'
shand.
Wel
ookateachot
hersmi
l
ing.
Wefini
sheat
ingandev
eryonegoest ot
hel
ounge
andLuyol
ocovermewit
habl anket
.
Luy
olo:
Youneedt
ost
aywar
m socoul
dheal
fast
er.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Mandisi
comesinwi
thI
ziphoandNokl
ungathey
don'
tl
ooktoogoodt
hei
rhandsaret
iedatt
heback.
Thei
rey
esl
andonmeandt
heyl
ookshocked.
I
zipho:
Howi
ssheher
e?howdi
dsheescape?
Luyol
o:Ohyourfr
iendsareheret
ooj
ustgi
vemea
minut
eIwil
lfet
cht hem now.
Il
ookatNoklungashest
aresatmeIseehat einher
ey
es,shereal
lydoeshat
emeandIdon' treal
l
ycare,
MyMot herdi
edlovi
ngmewholehear
tedlysoIdon't
needherl
oveatal
l
.
Luyol
oandKwanelecomesbackpushi
ngal
i
mpi
ng
Misoandbr
uisedKuhl
e.
Ifeel
mybodyshakeatt
hesi
ghtoft
heset
wo,
Ihat
e
them wi
thev
ery
thi
nginme.
Mi
so:
Ziy
anda.
Luyol
opunchhim,thatGodtheki
dsarenother
e
theyar
ewithSphokazishei
sputt
ingt
hem tobed.
Luy
olo:
Don'
tcal
lmywi
fe'
snameev
er.
Mi
sochuckl
esspi
tt
ingoutbl
ood.
Miso:Yourwi
fey
ousay
,shej
ustgav
ebi
rt
htomy
babyboy.
Luy
olol
aughsr
eal
l
yhar
d.
Luy
olo:
Youar
ereal
l
yaf
ool
youcan'
tev
encount
.
Misofr
ownslookingathi
m,hel
ookli
kehei
s
t
hinki
ngthenhelooksatmeangr
y.
Mi
so:
Youbi
tch!
Iseesunshi
nest
andi
ngupandhesl
aphi
m sohar
dI
bl
inkacoupl
eoft
imesl
i
keI
'
mtheonewhogott
hat
hotsl
ap.
Sunshine:Youdon'tknowwhatyouputthi
sfami
ly
through,howthosekidsfel
twhenyoutookaway
theirmother
..
youdon..
Shebr
eaksdownandcr
yKwanel
ehugsher,shei
s
soemoti
onalIf
eel
li
ket
her
eismoret
oitthanthi
s.
Luyol
o:Soyouguyswi
ll
tel
lZi
yandawhyy
oudi
dthi
s
toherandapol
ogi
se.
Izi
pho:Iwon'
tapol
ogi
sef
orshi
t,sheneedst
o
apologi
setome!!
Ichuckl
e.
Zi
yanda:
Andwhyshoul
dIapol
ogi
set
oyou?
I
zipho:
Youst
olemyl
i
fef
rom me!
Zi
yanda:
Whoar
eyou?
Noklunga:
Sheismydaught
ertheoneyout
ri
edto
r
eplace,myfat
hersol
dmychil
dbutlov
edyou.
Zi
yanda:Sohowi
sthatmyf
aul
t?Di
dIgety
ou
pr
egnant?
Nokl
unga:Youwer
eamist
ake,
onet
hatIwi
l
lregr
et
f
ortherestofmyl
i
fe.
Inodmyheadl
ooki
ngather
.
Noklunga:Theywant edhertogoov er
seastosell
drugsandbeapr ost
itut
eshewasr eadytogobut
wehadj uststar
tedtobondasmot heranddaughter
soIhadt osendy outothathighschoolandl
iethat
youdidn'
tgetspaceatt heboardi
nghousesot hey
cangettoy oufaster
.
Il
ookatMi
so.
Me:
Soi
twasal
lpar
toft
hepl
anhuh.
I
zipho:Yesunt
ilhebecameobsessedwi
thy
ou,
I
don'tknowwhattheyseei
nyou.
Me:
Theyseeexact
lywhaty
ousee,
Youwantt
obe
mesobadbutyoucan'
t.
I
zipho:
Ishoul
dhav
eki
l
ledy
ou.
Luyol
o:Oksoyourli
vesi
arei
nZi
yanda'
shandsshe
wil
ldeci
deyourf
ate.
HelooksatmeandIl
ookdown,I
fIdon'
tlethi
m ki
l
l
t
hesepeoplet
heywi
ll
conti
nuecomingbackandallI
wantr
ightnowi
stor
aisemyki
dsi
npeace.
Il
ookbackatLuy
oloandhest
aresr
ightbackatme.
Luy
olo:
Tel
lmeany
thi
ngI
'
lldoi
t
*

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
19]Zee
*
(notedi
ted)
*
I
nser
t118
If
eell
i
kei'm ajudgeandpeopl
earewait
ingtohear
myverdi
ct.Il
ookatawomant hatgav
ebirt
htome.
Me:Nokl
ungasoyoumeanyouf
eel
not
hingf
orme,
notev
enatinybi
tofl
ove.
I
zipho:
Shel
ovesme, Iam Zi
yandaI
ziphoy
ouev
en
t
ookmyname, Ihat
ey ou.
Me:
Whonamedme?
Iaskl
ooki
ngatNokl
unga.
Nokl
unga:
Myfatherdidwhil
eheknewver
ywel
lthat
Inamedmybabygirl
ZiyandaIzi
pho.
Uncl
e/dad:Look,whatfatherdi
dtoyouwasn'
tri
ght
butZi
yandaisinnocentinallt
his,
whaty
oudidtoher
i
sdespicabl
e.
Nokl
unga:
Idon'
tcar
e,shedeser
vedi
t.
Il
ookatLuy
olo.
Me:
Kil
lthem dowhat
every
ouwantwi
tht
hem.
I
zipho:
Theyar
eal
lweak,
theywon'
tdoshi
ttous.
Kwanel
e:Wannabetont
hat
?
Miso:Zi
yandaIlov eyouthati
swhyIwant edyou
nexttome, Iwasy ourf
ir
stinevery
thi
ngremember ?
Youaremi neZiyandaandy ouknowit,
didyoutel
l
yourhusbandhowmuchy ouenjoy
edoursexatmy
househuh?
Me: Thatisnott
rue,
ever
yti
meItr
iedtostopyou,
youwoul dbeatmeup,Iwaspr
egnantforgoodness
sake.
Mi
so:
Ishoul
dhav
eki
l
ledt
hatbast
ard.
Me:
Iwantt
obet
her
ewheny
ouki
l
lthem.
Luyol
o:No,
youj
ustgav
ebi
rt
h,Youdon'
tneedt
osee
thi
s.
Me:Iwantt
obet
her
eLuy
olo,
especi
all
ywheny
ou
ki
l
ltheset
wo.
Miso:Whatwil
lyout
ell
mykidswhentheygrowup
Zi
yanda,don'
tdosomethi
ngyouwi
ll
regret
.
Me:Iwon'tr
egretshi
tMi sokuhl
e, Iwil
lspi
tonyour
cor
psetoproveapoi nt,t
heywillknowwhaty oudi
d
tomeMi so,
Iwillt
ell
t hem ever
ydi r
tythi
ngyoudid
tot
heirmom.
Mi
so:
Youl
ovemeZi
yanday
ouwon'
tdot
hatt
ome.
Me:Il
ovehi
m notyou,andhewi
lldoabet
terj
ob
bei
ngafat
hertoyourkidst
hany
oueverdi
d.
Isaypoi
nti
ngatthel
oveofmyl
i
fe,
thef
atherofmy
ki
ds,myhusband.
Kwanel
e:Chi
nai
swai
ti
ngf
orusout
sidel
et'
sgo.
Iwalktomyroom andwearLuyol
o'
sjacketandmy
tr
ackpantsIt
akepainki
l
ler
swit
hwaterandwalk
backtotheli
vi
ngroom.
Me:
Wher
eismyweddi
ngr
ing?
Mi
so:
Ithr
ewi
taway
.
Chinageti
nandhecomest
omewi
thasmi
l
eonhi
s
face.
Chi
na:
HeyMi
nime.
Luy
olo:
Hay
ikumf
azi
wam Chi
na(notonmywi
fe)
Chi
na:
Shei
scl
everj
ustl
i
keme,
soshei
sami
ni
Chi
na.
Wel
aughashehugsme.
*
TheypushNokl
ungaandI
ziphooutandKwanel
e
pushthet
wobrother
s.
Igeti
nthecarwi
thLuy
olo.
Luy
olo:
Becar
eful
babydon'
thur
tyour
sel
fok.
Me:
I'
mfi
ne,
Idr
ankt
hepi
l
lst
onumbt
hepai
nabi
t.
Luyol
o:Ist
il
lthi
nki
t'
snotagoodi
deaf
ory
out
ogo
ther
e.
Me:
Thi
sist
heonl
ywayIcanseet
hatt
heywon'
t
ev
erhur
tmeagai
nLuy
olo,
Ineedt
his.
Henodsl
i
ght
lyandwedr i
vei
nsomehouse,
ther
e
ar
esomanycarsout
side.
Luy
olo:
Theyar
eourf
ri
endsdon'
twor
ry.
Heholdmyhandandwegeti n,Iseealotofguns
i
nfrontoft
hebuffguysi
nsi
dethisroom ther
eare
about15ofthem i
fnotmor
e.
Theycheeraswest
epi
n.
Guy
1:Ta-
Loy
dist
hatt
heMr
s.
Luy
olo:
Yept
hisi
smywi
feZi
yanda.
Hecomest
owher
ewear
est
andi
ngandt
akemy
hand.
Guy1:I
'm Sboni
sobutl
adi
escal
lmeSboyouar
e
beaut
if
ulmami whatdi
dyouseeinhi
m?
Ichuckl
eandl
ookatLuy
olo.
Luy
olo:
Leav
emywi
feal
one,
Guy
slet
'sgett
owor
k.
Hesaysshouti
ngt henwegettothi
sotherr
oom
f
il
ledwi
thdiff
erentkindofweaponsandIshi
veras
myeyeslandont heshini
ngsword.
Luy
olo:
Youst
il
lwantt
obeher
ebaby
?
InodmyheadasIf
indi
thar
dtosayany
thi
ng.
Theguy sst
andbehi ndusasIlookatmymot herand
si
sterkneel
inginf
rontofme, Mandi
siandKwanele
comesi nwithKuhleandMiso,Theymakethem
kneelnextt
oNokl ungaandIzi
pho.
Luy
oloi
sst
il
lhol
dingmyhandandhel
ooksatme.
Luy
olo:Theseguysar
eruthl
essdoyouwantthem t
o
j
ustdiefastory
ouwantittobesl
owandenjoyever
y
momentofi t
?
Myey
eslandonKuhl
eandIfeelangerr
isi
ngf
rom
t
hepi
tofmystomachst
rai
ghttomyhear t
.
Me: St
artwi
thhi
m,Iwantt
ohearhim scr
eam asI
didwhenhetri
edtor
apenotoncenottwicebut
threet
imes.
Ipoi
ntatKuhleandoneguygethim upandunt
iehis
hands,
hetriest
ofightbutt
heguyquickl
yki
ckhim
onhiscrot
chhegroansloud.
Sbo:
Arey
out
aki
ngt
hisoneTa-
Loy
d?
Luy
olo:
No,
Iwantt
hatone.
Hesay
sst
ari
ngatMi
sokuhl
ewi
thdeadl
yey
es.
Sbo:
Cany
ouf
ight
?
HeasklookingatKuhl
e,butKuhl
edoesn'
tanswerhe
i
ssti
ll
holdinghiscr
otch.
SbopunchKuhleandhetr
iest
ofi
ghtbackbutsboi
s
qui
cktoblockhi
spunchandhest
artbeat
inghi
m up
soqui
ck.
Kuhl
eendsuponhi
skneesagai
ncoughi
ngbl
ood.
Kuhl
e:I
'
m sor
ryZi
yanda.
.I
'
m sor
ry.
Me: Areyour eal
l
y ?That'
sexact l
ywhatIsaidwhen
youwer etakingoffmyj eansbyf or
ce,whenyoutor
e
myt opont hatplane,t
hosear etheexactwordsI
saidtoyouKuhl e"I'
m sorry"butyouwerereadyt
o
rapeme.
Mi
so:Zi
yandast
opt
hisnonsenseok,
Stopt
hishei
s
mybr
other.
Mandi
si:
Andshei
soursi
ster
,what
'sy
ourpoi
nt?
Kuhl
e:I
'
m sor
ryt
hisi
sal
lmyf
ather
'sf
aul
t.
Me:
Ohpl
ease,
Sboni
soi
'
vehear
denoughofhi
m,
j
ustki
l
lhi
m al
ready
.
Hetakesouthisgunandpoint
sathishead,
Luy
olo
pul
lsmet ohischest
,Icl
osemyeyesandIhear
gunshot
s,Itr
ytostepbackbutLuy
oloholdmein
oneposit
ion.
Luy
olo:
Mov
ehi
m awayf
rom her
e.
Hef
inal
l
ylet
sgo,
IseeKuhl
e'
sbl
oodont
hef
loor
.
Kwanel
e:Whoi
snex
tSi
s?
Il
ookf
rom Mi
sot
oNokl
ungat
henI
zipho.
Nokl
unga:
Ziyandapl
easest
opwhatyou'
redoi
ng,
t
hisi
snotyou,youar
easweeti
nnocentl
it
tl
egir
l.
Me: maybei'
m notsoinnocentanymoreandi t
'sall
becauseofyou,IwasrapedNokl ungainthathel l
youthrewmei nIwasbeat enupbyabel t
, Icouldn'
t
mov e,di
dyouknowt hatguythatrapedme
Noklunga,t
heonewhowasasol di
er?
Nokl
unga:
I..
I.
.
Me:
DIDYOU!
sheget
sst
art
led.
Nokl
unga:
Yes!y
es!It
oldhi
m abouty
ouIpai
dhi
m..
Me:
WHY!Whatdi
dIev
erdot
oyou?
Noklunga:Youtookmypl aceinmyfather'
shouse,
yourgrandfat
hergav eyoualltheat
tenti
onwheny ou
werebornandhepr etendedli
keeveryt
hingisfine
butheknewIwant edmydaught erbackIwant ed
himtoat l
eastgi
vemet hatatt
enti
onandnot iceI
wasdy i
ngt ogetI
ziphoback.
Me:
Butgr
andf
atherdi
edy
ear
sagoNokl
unga.
Nokl
unga:
Ist
il
lwant
edy
out
osuf
ferasIdi
d.
Iqui
ckl
ymovetoSboandtakehi
sgun,Ishootat
Nokl
ungasev
eralt
imes,
Ifeel
handst
akingawaythe
gunfr
om myhands.
Luyolo:I
t'
sokbaby
,it
'
sok,
shewon'
thur
tyouev
er
again.
Hewi
pesmyt
ear
sandl
aymyheadonhi
schest
.
Kwanelecomeswit
hthechai
randLuyolohel
pme
si
tdownandstandbehi
ndmehi shandsonmy
shoul
ders.
I
'
m cal
m now.
Me:Izi
phoIdon'tevenknowyourassandyouhad
t
heaudacitytoclai
m mylif
eandmykids,wel
lyou
f
ail
edmi ser
abletoclai
m myhusband,Dowhat
ever
youwantwithher.
Sbo:
Ihav eseensibl
i
ngsl
ooki
ngal
i
kebuty
ouguy
s
l
ookfreaki
shlyal
i
ke.
Me:Butshei
sthesi
bli
ngt
hatneedst
ogoopent
he
gat
esinhel
l.
Isayst
ari
ngatI
ziphoshest
aresr
ightbackatme.
Me:Iwi
l
lpi
ssony
ourgr
avebi
gsi
s,I
Fyouwi
l
lhav
e
one.
I
zipho:
Got
ohel
l
!
Me:
That
'swher
eyou'
regoi
ngsweet
y.
Someguycomesi
nwi
thav
eryshar
pkni
feandpul
l
I
ziphoup.
Izi
pho:
I'
m sorr
yZiyandadon'
tl
ethi
m hurtme,you
aremymot her
'schi
ldI'
myouronl
ysist
erpl
ease.
Me: Ionl
yhav ebr
other
s,Iam t
heonl
yPr
incesska
LukheleSis.
I
zipho:Mother
'shusbandwi
l
lki
l
lyou,
hewi
l
lcome
l
ookingforher
.
Me:
Theymi
ghtj
ustki
l
lhi
mtoo.
Theguyputsinaknif
einI
zipho'
shear
tandsl
owly
pushitinasshescr
eamsmyname, Hetwi
sti
tthen
shefall
sonthefl
oor.
I
zipho:
I'
m so.
.r
r.
y.
Shebreat
hsonelastti
me,Ist
andupandsl
owl
y
kneel
infr
ontofher
,Icl
osehereyes.
Ibr
eathoutl
oud,fi
ghti
ngthet
earsback,wewoul
d
hav
ebeenbeauti
fulsi
ster
sandactl
iketwinsi
fwe
weregi
venachance.
IgetupandIf
li
nchast
hepai
nhi
tsi
nmyscar
.
Luy
olo:
Youshoul
dhav
est
ayedhomebaby
.
Me:
I'
mfi
ne.
Isi
tdownandwat chLuy
olor
oll
uphi
ssl
eev
eand
unt
ieMiso'
shands.
Luy
olo:soyouwer
ebeati
ngupmywi
fe,
howabout
wefightmantomanhuh?
Theystartfi
ghti
ngandLuyol
oisdoingthi
sso
eff
ort
lessly
,Misokuhl
eissweat
ingandhuf f
ingl
i
ke
cr
azy,Luyologiveshi
m onel
astpunchonhi s
st
omachhegr oaninpai
nandtouchhisstomach.
Mi
so:
Ziy
anda.
.pl
easet
ell
himt
ost
op.
.
IhaveflashbacksonhowIbeggedhi mtostopwhen
hegrabbedmyhai randslappedmeacoupleof
ti
mest hencamebackf orsexandl
edmet oa
prematurelabour.
Luy
olost
andi
nfr
ontofhi
m.
Mi
so:
I'
m sor
ryman.
.I
..
lov
ed.
.l
oveher.
.t
oomuch.
.
Luy
olo:
Yety
oui
nfl
i
ctedsomuchpai
ninherl
i
fe.
Mi
so:
Ilov
eyouZi
yanda.
Me:
Idon'
twannaheari
t,f
ini
shhi
m of
f.
Ihol
dont oMandi
siandhetakesmeoutoft
he
room andwegowaitneart
hecar.
Ihughi
mti
ghtandhebr
ushmyback.
Luy
olocomesoutwi
tht
hewhol
esquadbehi
ndhi
m.
Theyst
opandMandi
simov
esawayf
rom me,
They
al
ldoasal
utesi
gnashowsol
dier
sdoi
t,andLuy
olo
fi
stbumpwi
ththem.
Hecomest
omeandki
ssmepassi
onat
ely
.
Luy
olo:
Youwer
emadef
orme,
Ilov
eyou.
*

Zee
[
8/5,
10:
19]Zee
*
*
I
nser
t119
Wejustcamebackf
rom t
hathouseandLuy
oloi
s
cl
eani
ngupmyscar.
Me:
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odowi
tht
hei
rbodi
es?
Luy
olo:
Wehav en'
ttal
kedaboutt
hat
,buti
'
m sur
ethe
guy
swillt
akecareofi
t.
Inod.
Luy
olo:
Youar
eagoodper
sonZi
yandadon'
tev
er
doubtthat,
itwasei
thertheydi
eorwespendthe
restofourli
veswor
riedaboutwhatt
hei
rnextmove
willbe.
Me:IknowandIdon'
tregr
etwhatIdi
dtheyhadt
o
di
eformetohavepeacewithmyfamil
y.
Hel
ooksatmyl
efthand.
Luyolo:
Idon'
tli
kei
twhenyourfi
ngeri
snakedli
ke
thi
s,Ipref
ery
ouwearyourangagementr
ing,
the
secondone.
Me:Idon'
tl
ikei
ttoowheni
t'
sempt
yli
ket
his,
you
cangogetit
.
Hegoest
othedr
awer
sandcomebackwi
thi
t,
heput
i
tinmyfi
nger
.
Me:
Thanky
oubabe.
Wegetundert
hecover
sandsleep,
wedecidedto
gi
veQhayi
yabott
ledmi
lksi
nceI'
m sti
l
linpai
n,
Luyol
owantmetobeablet
orestsoIcanheal
qui
ckly
.
*
Iwakeupsweat
ingal
lov
ermybodyandLuy
oloi
s
notnextt
ome,
adooropenanddadgeti
n.
Uncle/dad:Ar
ey ouokpr
incessyouar
esweating,
Luyolotoldusaboutt
hebaddr eamsyouhav
e, di
d
youhav eonenow?
Me:Idon'
tknow,
Iwasinacoffi
nathomebutitwas
l
ikeIam l
ooki
ngatmysel
fini
t.
.Idon'
tgeti
t.
Hel
ookl
i
kehei
sthi
nki
ng.
Uncl
e/dad:
Izi
pho.
.may
bey
ouwer
edr
eami
ngabout
her
.
Me:Oh..
itmakessensewhyi
twoul
dfeel
li
kei
t'
smy
f
uneral
.
Uncle/
dad:
I'
m proudofyoupri
ncess,
youal
way
sput
yourki
dsandyourfamil
yfi
rst
.
Luy
olocomesi
nandsi
tnextt
ome.
Luyol
o:Youar
esweati
ng,
youhadanot
her
ni
ghtmareZi
yanda?
Inod.
Luy
olo:It
oldy
ounott
ocomewi
thusbuty
ou
i
nsi
sted.
Me:
Luy
oloIhadni
ght
mar
esbef
oret
hiswhol
ethi
ng.
Luy
olo:
Butwhati
fthi
swi
l
lenhancet
hem.
Il
ookatdad.
Uncl
e/dad:
Shej
ustwant
edt
obesur
etheywon'
t
comeback.
Luyol
o:Soshedi
dn'
ttr
ustt
hatIwasgoi
ngt
oki
l
l
them.
Me:
I..
Luyol
o:Youaregoi
ngtoseeatherapi
stst
art
ing
fr
om tomorr
owZiyandaandt
hatisnotupfor
di
scussi
on,ourki
dsneedsahappyandwellr
ested
mom okbaby.
Me:
Okbabe.
Mbal
icomesinwi
thI
yanaansshebeamswhenshe
seemeIsmil
eandmakehersi
tnextt
ome.
Me:
Heypr
incess,
youmi
ssmommyhuh.
Shest
art
smaki
ngsomuchnoi
seandt
hatwar
ms
myheart
.
Luy
olo:
Ihav
etocal
lthatt
her
api
st,
seei
fhecando
ahomev
isi
t.
Me:
He?Uhm babecani
tbeawomanpl
ease.
Luyol
o:Oht
hat
'
sok.I
yanacomebabyl
etmommy
rest
.
I
yanashakesherheadandshest
art
scr
ying.
Luy
olo:
uli
l
elani
kengoku(
whyar
eyoucr
ying?
)
Me:Leav
eherwi
thmebabe,
shewi
l
lfal
lasl
eep
ev
entual
l
y.
Hegetupandki
ssmet
henI
yanaandl
eav
ethe
r
oom.
Andl
i
ttl
emi
ssyf
all
sasl
eepsoqui
ck,
Isl
eept
oo.
IwakeupwhenLuyolot
akesI
yanaandputheron
herbedt
henhegetinbed.
Luy
olo:
Gobackt
osl
eepbaby
,Il
ovey
ou.
Icl
osemyey
esadr
if
tbackt
osl
eep.
Igetthesamedream agai
ni'mlooki
ngatmysel
f
i
nsidethecoff
inbutt
histi
memyey esar
efi
ll
edwit
h
bloodandtheyarest
ari
ngrightbackatme.
Iwakeupscr
eami
ng.
Luyol
o:Ziy
anda!!
heyi
t'
sjustabaddr
eam
baby.
.br
eath.
.ok.
.
Me:
Wher
eisI
zipho'
sbody
?
Luy
olo:
Theguy
sar
ewor
kingonbur
yingt
hem.
Me:Cal
lthem andt
ell
them t
hatI
ziphowi
l
lbebur
ied
athome.
Luyolo:
What?Zi
yandathatwil
lrai
sesuspi
ci
ons
rememberGumedeknowsI zi
phoandwhereyour
homei s,hewil
lfi
ndoutaboutIzi
phoandhewil
lfi
nd
outtherest.
Me:Luy ol
ot hegir
lishaunt
ingmeinmysleep,
Ikeep
seei
ngmy selfi
nacof f
inwit
hbloodcomi
ngoutof
myey es,I
t'sher.
.
Luyol
o: Sleepwewi
l
ltal
ktodadi
nthemor
ning
aboutthis.
Ist
ayawakethewhol
eni
ghtt
hef
oll
owi
ngmor
ningI
gobat
hIyana.
Luyol
o:BabyyouknowIcanbat
htheki
dst
ooy
ou
needtohealf
ir
st.
Me:
It'
sjustascarLuy
oloI
'
m notsi
ckok.
Luy
olo:
Idon'
tl
ikey
ourt
oneZi
yanda.
Me:I
'm sor
ry,
itsj
ustt
hatIdi
dn'
tsl
eepatal
laf
ter
t
hatdream.
Henodsanddr
essI
yanaupwhi
l
eIt
akebabyQand
bat
hhim.
Luy
oloi
stooqui
et.
Me:
Arey
ouangr
yatme?
Luy
olo:
No,I
'
mjustwor
ri
edabouty
ou.
Me:
Iwi
l
lbef
ine,
andt
hanky
ouf
orcar
ing.
Luy
olo:
You'
remywi
feandIl
ovey
ou.
Wef
indev
ery
onei
nthel
ounge,
Isi
tdown.
Luy
olo:uhZiy
andat
hinkwehav
etobur
yIzi
phoback
atyourhome.
Kwanel
e:What
?Butt
hatwi
l
lrai
sesuspi
ci
onst
o
Gumede.
Me:ButIkeepseei
ngheri
nmydr
eamsandi
t'
s
scar
yIwantitt
ogoaway .
Luy
olo:
Youar
est
art
ingt
her
apymay
bei
twi
l
lhel
p.
Me:
Ok.
Mbali:Maybeweshouldstar
tprepar
ingforyour
tr
adit
ionalweddi
ngthatwil
lhel
pkeepy ourmind
occupiedwit
hsomethingexci
ti
ng.
Me:
You'
rer
ightmay
bet
hatwoul
dhel
p.
Uncl
e/dad:Nowear egoi
ngbackhome,wewi
l
lbur
y
mysisterandherdaught
erbackhome.
Kwanel
e:DadNokl
ungawasmar
ri
ed.
Uncl
e/dad:
Wewi l
lcont
actherhusbandifhewil
l
wanttobur
yherthenhecantakeherbutIzi
phowil
l
beburi
edathomeandwewi llneedtodoa
cer
emonyforherli
kewedidforZiyanda.
Luy
olo:
Thi
swi
l
lbehar
d.
Uncle/
dad:
Itwon'
t,
Ziyandawil
lstandi
nf orher
si
ster,
weneedtodothingsr
ightf
orZiyandatohav
e
peaceandIzi
phowi
llr
estinpeaceaswell .
Me:
Thanksdad.
Luy
olo:
Letmecal
ltheguy
s,sot
heycanmov
ethem
toamor t
uar
y,hopef
ull
ytheywi
l
lbel
i
evewhat
ever
stor
ytheywi
llcomeupwi t
h.
*
Wet r
avelhomeanddaddot heceremonyforIzi
pho
andwebur ybothNokl
ungaandIzipho,
apparentl
y
shehadbrokenupwi t
hherhusbandandhadchased
heroutofthei
rhome,sohedidn'
tcarewheresheis
buri
ed,Iwonderwhattheyf
oughtaboutbuti
t'snot
mybusiness.
*
Weareaboutt
ol eavefort
heEast
ernCapeLuy
olo'
s
homeforourt
raditi
onalweddi
ng,
Hewenthomea
weekago.
Dadhadj ustfini
shedbur
ningincenseinfor
mingt
he
ancestor
st hatIam nowleavi
nghomet obea
Mzoz owifeandheaskedf orthem toguideuson
ourway .
*
Wesleptatt
hecl
osebyl
odgesi
nceourhomesar
e
f
arapart
.
Weareall
wearingZul
utr
adi
ti
onal
att
ir
esandIl
ook
beaut
if
uli
fIcansaysomysel
f.
Wedr i
vet
oLuyolo'
shomeandwhenwegetther
eit
's
packedwi
thpeoplewhoar
eatt
endi
ngourweddi
ng.
Mbal
iandSunshinestandi
nfr
ontofmeandI'
m at
t
hebackwewal kinandthesongstar
tspl
ayi
ng.
Ther
ear
eHugespeaker
ssor
roundi
ngt
hey
ard.
ThesongbyMl i
ndotheVocal
i
stf
tShasha-
ngi
thandawenastar
tspl
ayi
ngaswewalkin.
.
I'
m sti
l
lwalki
ngbehi
ndMbaliamdSunny,
Ilookup
andIseeLuyolowear
ingaXhosaAtt
ir
eblackand
whitei
ncolourhel
ooksohandsome,welockeyes
andsmi l
eateachot
her.
Theset
upher
eisamazi
ng.
Igiv
et hem abi
tofashow,IdoaZuludancei
nfr
ont
ofmyhusband, hel
ooksoshocked,
peoplear
e
ul
lulat
ingandsomearecheeri
ng.
Isi
tnextt
ohi
m,hesmi
l
esatme.
Luy
olo:Youwereamazi
ngbaby,Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ou
wouldact
ual
lydoit
,damnyou'
regood.
Me:Thi
sdayonl
ycomeonce,
Ihav
etoenj
oyi
t.Iam
happyf
inal
l
y.
Theweddinggoon, andhisuncl
e'
swif
etakeme
i
nsidethehouseandhelpmewearaXhosa
Tradi
ti
onalat
ti
retooblackandwhit
ematchi
ngmy
hasband'
s.
Igobackt
osi
tnextt
ohi
m,hi
ssmi
l
egi
vemegoose
bumps.
Luyol
o:Youar
enowmywi
fef
ull
y,Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul
baby.
Ismi
l
eathi
m.
Me:
Thanky
ou.
Hehel
pmeupandst
andi
nfr
ontofme.
Luyol
o:Isawhowsady ouwerewhenyou'l
ost
'your
weddingri
ngsoIboughtyouasi
milarr
ing.
Hetakesi
toutofhi
spocketandthedi
amondshines
i
nmyey es,Ismi
l
ebright
lyathi
m andgi
vehim my
l
efthandheputi
tonandkissmesopassionat
ely
peopl
est
art
smaki
ngsoundssomear
esi
ngi
ng.
Me:
Youreall
yaret
hel
ordoft
her
ingsYol
ofourr
ings
f
oroneperson.
Luy
olo:
Youdeser
vei
tal
lbaby
.
Me:
Ilov
eyou.
.
Luyolo:
Ndi
yakut
handanam mf
azi
wam(
Ilov
eyou
too,mywif
e)
*
*
THEEND

Zee