MyKi

ndofMan

#1

Thehot
el(
CBD)

Apul
a'ssmartphonevi
brat
edonthetabl
ejustunder
neat
hthe
l
amp, shesl
idouthermanicur
ednail
soutofthewhit
esheet
sand
swit
chedoffhermorni
ngalarmthenshetur
nedonherback
yawningandsatontheedgeofthebed.

Ifi
twasn' tforthemeet i
ngshehadi n2hour sshe' denj oyherst ay
i
nGabor one..
.Whowoul dn'
tenjoyanal lexpensepai dwor ktr
ip
anyway s.Shegotof fthebedandwr appedher sel fwithawhi t
e
towel t
henshewal kedt othewi ndowandt wistedt hebl i
ndsstick
unti
lshecoul dseet hewhol ecityf rom abov e,Gabor onel ooked
beautif
ul especiallyont hisside...Itfeltl
ikeami ni NewYor kwi th
beautif
ul fl
atsespeci al
lywheni tr ainedlikethis; peoplecrossing
theroadhol dingt heirjacketsov ert heirheads, af ewwi th
umbr el
lasandcart aill
ightsast heyst opped. ..
traffi
csoundsand
sir
ens...
.Whatar oom wi t
hav i
ew!

Shesighedandturnedbacklookingatherbed.
..
Damn,wasshe
ovul
ati
ng?Theur getofli
ckhercli
twashardtoresi
st,
orwasitt
he
weather?shecouldli
ter
all
yfeelher
selft
hrobbi
ngatthet
hought
ofpleasur i
ngher self
.Shegr abbedherphoneandcl ickedont he
pornapp, hopef ull
yhersubscr ipt
ionhadn'texpir
ed..Shehad
specificpreferenceswheni tcomest oadi cksogoggl i
nga
random v ideoorscr ol
li
ngt hr oughlot
sofpor nv i
deost ogether
desiresdidn'tdof orher..
.Thi ssubscript
ionwasheav en..
..shelai
d
acrosst hebedandcl i
ckedonherf avour
itevideo.Shewat chedas
thebl ackdicslidinandoutoft hi
spoorpet i
tewhi t
egi r
l.
..Talk
aboutbl ackmandomi nance. ..
Shegotwetj ustwatchingt henshe
closedherey esandputherhandbet weenherl egs.Shepl aced
herfingeronhercl i
tandgent lymassagedher self.
..

Apul
a:(
sof
tl
y)Mmmh.
..
.Mmmmh.
..
.

Sheincr
easedherspeedwi t
ht hespeedoftheguyonthev i
deo
anddroppedthephoneasherhandsqueezedherbr eastand
twi
stedherni
pplewhilesheclosedherlegswit
hhermi ddl
efinger
bet
weenherfoldspleasuri
ngherself
..
..

Fuck!Mmhh

Shespasmedandshookwhi l
el y
ingonherbackandsighedin
reli
ef,shelaidthereforasecondast heusualembarr
assment
andgui ltofpleasuri
nghersel
ffoll
owed.Sheneededamani nher
l
ife..
.i
thadbeenov er5yearssinceshe'dhadpenet
rati
on.How
embar rassing.Howcomemennev erapproachher
?Couldshebe
t
hepr
obl
em?

OkApul a,
you'
renotabouttoletarel
ationshi
pstat
usmakey ou
doubtyoursel
fworth,hersubconsci
ousr emi
ndedherasshe
walkedinthebat
hroom andtookaqui ckshowerbefor
egett
ing
readyforhermeet
ing.

Herphonerangthenshesmil
edlooki
ngatt
hecal
lerand
answeredwhil
eblendi
nghereyebr
owswit
habrush..
.

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Maru:
(smi
led)Ijustsawpi
ctur
esofyouchecki
ngi
nthehot
el.I
sl
eptl
atel
astnightkant
eyoumeantsuchalavi
shhot
el?

Otl
he:
(babycr
yingi
nthebackgr
ound)I
'
m angr
yatherbecause
shepr
omisedmeshe'dgowithmeonhernextt
ri
pandleftme

Atsi
le:(
laughed)Lett
hepoorgir
lenj
oythebenefi
tsofhavi
nga
goodmohi ri
,besi
deswhenwill
shefindamani fal
lherbi
gsist
ers
arealwaysbehindher.

Apula:Ot l
hetheonlyreasonididn'
tcomewi t
hy ouisbecausethi
s
i
saonedayt ri
panditwouldn'tbeworthit.I
'm att
endinga
meet i
ngi nanhourtogi v
eapr esent
ationtotheexecut i
vesabout
theprojectthenI'
mf l
yingbacktoMaun.Kamosokeat heogel
aso
wewoul dn'
thaveenought i
mef oryout oseeGabor onethewayi
wanty out oseeit
.Thenex ttr
ipibeli
evewi l
lbea3dayt ri
p,t
hat
oneyoneitr
ulywantt
otakeyououtsoy
oucangetabr
eakf
rom
thechi
l
drenandevery
thi
ng.

Otl
he:(si
ghed)Ok,babydaddydidn'
tsleephome,agai
n..
.Ifeel
l
ikeI'
mf ai
li
ngateveryt
hing.I
'v
efail
edatschool
,mybusiness
i
deasfail,
ican'
tgetajobbecausei can'
taf
for
dahelperandi
can'
tevenkeepar el
ati
onship.

Therewassil
enceasal l
thesist
erst
ri
edtot
hinkofany
thi
ngt
hey
haven'
tsai
dbefore.
..Butther
ewasnothi
ngl
eft.
..

Apul
a:Hashecal
l
ed?

Ot
lhe:
No.

Mar u:I'
mj ustgl adI'
m notintomybabydaddy ,
imustbea
dif
ferentki ndofbabymamabecauseI 'm gl
adhei sgone...gett
ing
anSTDi nject ionwast helaststraw.Icannev erholdontoa
rel
ationshipwi t
hsomeonewhodoesn' twantme.I '
m goingt o
reporthimf orchi l
dmai ntenancetoday .
..I
'mjustwait
ingf ormy
bosst obehome.Herhusbandi ssupposedtoknockof fear ly,
whenher el easesmeI '
m goingst r
aighttocourtsomydaught er
canst artatt endingapr eschool.Cany ouimagineagov ernment
empl oyeer ef usingtosuppor tachil
d?Thi sguywant waela. .

At
sil
e:(
whi
sper
ed)Guy
shubbyi
sher
e,I
'
llt
alkt
oyoul
ater
!

Apul
a:Wai
t,Iwantt
obuyy
oua-

Mar
u:Shel
eft
,youknowwhent
hatol
dmanar
ri
vesshest
ands
l
ikeachi
ldwhothi
nksshe'
llbeintroubl
e.(gasped)Ohy es.
..My
boss'
shusbandj
ustpar
kedoutside..
.I'
vedoneev er
ythi
ngsoI '
l
l
askhi
mi fi
t'
sOKformetoleave.I'
m goingstrai
ghttocourt.

Apul
a:Ok,
bye.
..Ot
lhe?

Ot
lhe:
Yes?

Apul
a:Dothoseclot
hessti
l
lfi
ttheki
ds?Iwantt
obuyt
hem mor
e,
si
zeshaven'
tchangedr
ight
?

Otl
he:No,howwi
llt
heygai
nwei
ghtwhent
hei
rfat
heri
snot
suppor
ti
ngthem.

Apula:Sowhatarey oudoi
ngaboutit?Kanagokopai stempor
ary
,
bei
nghel pedbythatoneandthisonewon'tlast.
..Youneedto
fi
ndaj obandsuppor ty
oursel
fandthechil
dren,totopital
lyou
havetoleaveify
ou'renothappy.Thi
ngshavechanged, you
shouldn'
tgiveamansomuchpowerov ery
ou. .
.Pleasefi
ndajob.

Otlhe:Afterf
indingaj obwhatdoi dowi t
hitbecauseyouknowi
don'thaveababy sit
ter?Li
stenify
ou'reti
redofhelpi
ngmej ust
sayit..
.Youcan' tsayallsor
tsofthingsbefor
egivingme..
.What
ki
ndofhel pi
st hat?I'
m notgoingthroughthi
sbecauseI'
m
stupid.
..Don'
tthi nkyou'r
etooclevertobehurtbyaman. .

Apul
a:You'
remisunder
standingme,
stophur
ti
ngy
our
sel
fby
put
ti
ngwordsinmymout h.

Otl
he:You'
real
waysnegati
ve,
rudeandinsensit
ivebutthenwhat
doIexpect,
youdon'
thaveachil
dorarelat
ionshipforyoutohave
thesl
ight
estcl
ueofwhatwearetal
kingabout.Thet i
mey outake
advi
singmeaboutmybabydaddyyoushoul dbeaskingy our
self
whymendon'tapproachyouwhenyou'
rebeaut
if
ulandhav
eyour
ownmoney.Stoptell
ingmewhattodo!

Ot
lhecutthecal
l
,Apul
asl
owlyputdownherphoneandsi
ghed,
gr
eat.
..Nowhermoodwasrui
ned.

Shef i
xedherselfupandputonherbl
azert
henshegrabbedher
ProjectManagert agandpi
nnedi
tonherfr
ontpocketbef
ore
grabbingherlaptopandwalki
ngout
..
.

AtMar
u'swor
k..
.

Meanwhi l
eMaruslidoutapl
ateofbr
eakfastf
rom themicrowave
andpl acedonthediningt
abl
easherboss'shusbandapproached
from behindandrubbedhimsel
fagai
nstherbutt
.Shedroppedthe
forkasshef l
inched.
.

Hi
m:(
sof
tl
y)Sor
ry.
..Idi
dn'
tmeant
odot
hat
.

Shepi
ckedt
heforkandwalkedi
nthekit
chenwher
eshewashed
i
tandcameback.Hepul
ledthechai
randsatdownlooki
ngather
..
Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ry.
.

Maru:Eerr
a..(
handedhi
mt hef
ork)I
tshere.
.I'
dli
ketoknockof
f
ear
lyt
oday.Ineedtogotocour
ttorepor
tmyexf orchi
ld
maint
enance.

Hi
m:Ok.
.

Hetookouthi
swalletandhandedherP1000,herhear
tski
pped
asshefr
ozelooki
ngatthefoldedP200notes.
.

Hi
m:Gety
ourdaught
ersomet
hing.
.

Mar
u:Doesy
ourwi
feknowabouti
t?

Him:Youknowi fsheknewshewouldn'
thaveagr
eed.Youtake
careofmychildr
eneveryday
,I'
m sur
eyourchi
ldl
acksalotify
our
sal
aryisP1500.

Herheartpoundedasshel ookedatthemoney,herdaughter
neededclot
hesespeciall
yshoesnowt hati
twasar ainyseason.
Chri
stmaswasj ustar
oundt hecornerandshehadn'tlay
-byed
anythi
ngforherdaughter
...

Hi
m:Maru?Tsay a..
.It
'snotforyou..
.It
'sf
oryourdaught
er.
..Isti
l
l
f
eell
i
key ou'
rebeingunderpaidbutthenIwasn'tt
herewheny ou
t
woagreed.I
fit'
sokwi thyouI'dli
ketopayforyourdaught
er's
preschool .Youdr opherof fatschoolandcomet owor k.Hal f4
wheny ouknockof fyoupickher .
.Leavi
ngherwi thneighbour sis
notsaf e.Littl
egirl
sareindanger ..
.IknowbecauseI '
m afat herto
gir
ls..Iwoul dn'
tleavemi newithneighboursbuti knowy ou're
forcedbyci rcumst ances.Iknowhowt hecourtoper at
es,trust
me. .
.Mai ntenancewon' tbededuct ednextmont h,itmayt ake
ti
mewhi lethey '
reservi
nghi m andfil
i
ng,it
'saprocess.

Mar
urel
uct
ant
lyl
ookedatt
hemoneyandsi
ghed.
..

Mar
u:Can'
tyouasky
ourwi
fei
fit
'sOK?

Thecarstoppedoutsi
det
henheshov
edt
hemoneybacki
nhi
s
pocketandcarr
iedoneat
ing.

Hi
swi
fewal
kedi
nasMar
upi
ckedherbag.
.

Her
:Hi
..
.

Mar
u:Eemma.
..Iwaswonderi
ngi
fitsOKtoleav
eear
ly.Iwantt
o
got
ocour
ttor
eportmyexformai
ntenance.

Her
:Di
dyoudoev
ery
thi
ng?

Mar
u:Eemma
Her
:I'
m goi
ngt
ocutP100f
rom y
oursal
aryf
orwor
kinghal
fday
.

Mar
u:Eemma.Ineedtogodothisandiknockof
fwhent
hecour
t
i
scl
osed.Ij
ustt
houghti
fidi
devery
thi
ngitwouldbeOK.

Her
:Yesbuti
paywi
thhour
s.

Thehusbanddr
oppedt
hef
orki
nthepl
ateandsi
ghedt
aki
ngout
themoney.

Him:You'
renotcut
ti
nghersal
ary,shedi
dev er
ythi
ng.
.Sheis
aski
ngforafewhours.
..(
toMaru)Takethi
sandgohel pyour
daught
er.

Hi
swi
fepi
ckedt
hemoneyandt
urnedl
ooki
ngather
..

Her
:What
'sgoi
ngon?

Hi
m:Gi
vehert
hemoney

Her
:Ar
eyoudoi
ngt
hist
oourmar
ri
age?

Hi
m:(
scof
fedandwal
kedawayr
emov
inghi
sti
e)"
mar
ri
age"

Hesl
ammedt
hedoort
henshet
urnedandl
ookedatMar
u.
Her
:Don'
tcomet
owor
ktomor
row.I
'
llcal
lyouwheni
needy
ou.

Mar
u:Ar
eyouf
ir
ingme?

Her:
(putt
hemoneyinherpur
se)I
'm not
..Pl
easel
eav
e.Got
o
cour
torwher
every
ousaidyou'
regoi
ng.

Mar u:CanIhav
ethepayfort
he3weeksi worked?If
eell
i
ke
you'refi
ri
ngme.Youal
readyhav
eyourhusband'smoneyi
nyour
purse.

Her
:Waaabatamadiamonnawameaker
e?You'
renotgoi
ngt
o
t
ast
eit
.Go.
..Pl
ease.

Maruturnedaroundandwal kedout,beingamai ddi

dn'treall
yfi
t
i
ntothepersonshet houghtshe'dbeatherage.Thiswomanwas
Apula'
sage..
.Theiryoungestsi
ster.
..Apulawasaproject
manager,ahighlypaidoneforthatmatterbutshesti
lldidn'
ttal
k
toherli
kethat.Nowher eshewasmi st
reatedbyagir
ly ounger
thanherownsi st
er.
..
.

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronAtsi
lewal
kedi
ntheli
vi
ngroom wher
eherhusbandwas
si
tt
ing,
hetookdownhi
shatandlayhi
sknobker
rybesi
desthe
sof
a.Shewashedhi
shandsandhandedhi
m..
Hel
ookedatt
hesal
adandl
ookedather
..
.

Hi
m:Whati
sthi
s?

At
sil
e:I
t'
ssal
ad.
.It
houghti
twoul
dbeni
cewi
thr
ice.

Him:Andi
tol
dyoui
don'
tl
iker
ice.Iwantmabel
e..
.Ri
ceae
kgor
we.

At
sil
e:Yourdaught
erf
oundmeaj
obatherwor
kpl
ace.Shecal
l
ed
meanhourback.

Hi
m:Soy
ouaskedmydaught
ert
ofi
ndy
ouaj
ob?

At
sil
e:Shet
houghti
mightneedi
t.
..

Hi
m:I
sthatwhyy
oudon'
twantt
ocomet
othef
arm wi
thme?

At
sil
e:Idon'
twantt
ost
ayatt
hef
arm.

Him: Ididn'tt
hinkmar ryi
ngyouandbr i
ngingyouintomyf amily
woul dhav eyout urnmydaughtersagainstme.You'resupposed
tobet heirmot hernottrytobef
ri
endthem. .Thenextthingthey
willbefindingy ouboyfri
endsatwork.Ourchildi
stooy oung.
Pleasecookmabel eforme..
.Idon'
tli
ker i
ce,i
tsforchil
dren.Have
youwashedmyj acket
?

At
sil
e:I
t'
sint
hewashi
ngmachi
ne.

Him:You'
renotwashingmycl
otheswithawashi
ngmachine.
..I
don'
tknowwhyy ou'
reusi
ngmychildr
enandwasti
ngt
heirmoney .
Osetshwakga.

At
sil
e:I
twasapr
esent
,idi
dn'
tknowshewasbuy
ingi
tforme.
Hi
m:Youcan'
tuseamachi
neonmycl
othes.

Shewal kedbacki
ntheki tchenandbeguncooki ng.Sheswitched
thestoveonandsighedt houghtf
ully
,wassheev enarolemodel
forherli
ttl
esi
ster
s..
,
Ot l
he, MaruandApula.Thiswasnott hekind
ofmar ri
agesheimagined...Coul
dtheproblem bet heage
dif
ference?Orshesimplyj umpedintot
hisbeforeknowi ngwhat
shewassi gni
ngupfor .
..

AtOt
lhe'
sHouse.
..

Otl
hecli
ckedonherbaby
'sdaddy'
sprofi
leandcli
ckedonhisnew
pi
ctur
e,apict
ureofhi
mselfdr
ivi
ngwithsomegirl
sthighsonhi
s
l
ap.Shehadaspidert
att
ooandasi l
verankl
et.
..

Herhear tpoundedassheclickedonthecomment sandreadthe

gir
l'
scomment" Dadzy!
"sheclickedonherprof
il
eandlookedat
herpicture.
..Herbeaut
if
ulperfecti
onfi
l
ledhereyeswi
thtear
sand
sheclickedonmessengerandt ypedamessage.

Otl
he:(sentapi
ctur
eofthei
rfami
l
ypi
ctur
e)Wear
etoget
her
,ogo
akedi
tse.Weneedtotal
k,her
eismynumber

Her:Hedi
dn'
tl
iet
omesweethear
t,I
'
mj ustget
ti
nghim becausei
deserv
ehi
m morethany
ou.I
'
m bl
ockingyou,y
ou'r
etoodesperat
e.
Otlhedialedhisnumberandhecutt hecal l
,shetypedamessage
tohersist er
sbutcancel l
editonsecondt hought.Whatwoul dt
hey
saythatt heyhadn' tsaidbefore.
..Apulawasr i
ght,sheneededto
channel herener gyintosomet hi
ngel se,butwhichbusinesscould
shestartwi thoutmoney .
..Whichbusi nessescanonest art
withoutmoney .Shesmi l
edlikeshewasn' tjustcry
ingthenshe
rubbedof fhert earandt ypedherbabysi steramessage.

Otlhe:HiLal
a,sorryforsnappingaty ouearl
ier,y
ouknowt hetrut
h
hurts. Any way sI'
mt hinkingofopeningapage, ibuypeopl
ei n
smal l
areasthi
ngsi ntheshopsl i
keinMaun, t
heni del
i
ver.Ba
nthomakebar ekel
a,ifitgrowsil
lgoasf arasf /t
ownorGabske
rekastock.Whatdoy outhink?Nthusegobul apageakerewena
youknowt heset hi
ngs.

Att
heconf
erencer
oom.
..

Hoursl
aterApul
asmi l
edassheshookhandswiththeexecut
ives,
thet
houghtsti
ll
scaredthel
i
vinghel
loutofherbutsheworeher
smil
ewithconfi
denceandengagedi
nconv er
sati
ons.

CEO:I
'mv
erypr
oudofy
ouMsTsat
sing,
you'
rehandl
i
ngt
hisv
ery
wel
l.
Apul
a:Thanky
ousi
r.

Sheturnedaroundt
oy etanot
herhandshakethenshecaughta
manst ar
ingbutassoonasshel ookedathi
m helookedaway.
Shesighedandkepttalki
ngtoherbosses.
.

COO:Goodpresent
ati
on,I'
m gladtheproj
ectisgoingaccor
dingt
o
pl
an.You'
redoi
ngwell,
it'
sactuall
ysurpri
singbecauseyou'
rea
woman..

Ther
ewego,
thatr
emar
kagai
n..
.

COO:
Noof
fence

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Nonet
aken.

Awaitresswal kedoverwithatr
ayofall
kindsofwi nes,
Apula
pi
ckedagl assandsmi ledbefor
etaki
ngasi pt
henshewal ked
backtothet ableandputitdown.Shel
ookedatthemanwhohad
beenstari
ngatherear li
erbuthewasalr
eadysmi l
ingwitha
wait
ress..
.Thiswasserious!Whatwaswr ongwit
hher ?

Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
handwal
kedt
owar
dst
heCEO.
.
Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Myf
li
ghti
sleav
ingi
nanhour

CEO:
Trav
elsaf
elypl
ease

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.

Shewal kedoutandi nt
otheli
ft
,assoonasitclosedshebreat
hed
outandr elaxed.Thewhit
ecoll
arcor
porat
ewor ldwasstil
lanew
l
ifest
yle..
.Youcant akeagir
lfr
om Maun,butnev erMaunoutof
her!

Theli
ftopenedthenshewalkedtowar
dst heparkinglotheadi
ng
totherent
alcarwheresherever
sedanddr ov
eof fputti
ngonher
sungl
asses.Herphonerangthenshelaughedlookingatthe
cal
ler
..

Apula:
(laughed)I'
m soproudofy ou,li
sten.
..I
'
llcreatet
hatpage
andevenshar eitwit
hmyf ri
ends.Ket aahetakaOr ient
alpl
aza,
I'
m buyi
ngy ouchil
dren'
sclothessoy oucanst art
.I'
m buyi
ng
Atsi
lepants,heroldmanwi l
ljustki
ll
me.

Otl
he:
Notpant
s,youknowi
twi
l
lbeaf
ight
.Buyherst
engeora
set
swanadr
ess.

Apul
a:I
'
m notl
i
steni
ngt
oyou.Shapmmakemot
raf
fi
c,by
e!

Ot
lhe:
Bye
Shepr
essedt
hehungbut
tonandj
oinedt
her
oad.
.

AtSi
rSer
etseKhamaI
nter
nat
ional
Air
por
t.
..

Latert
hatafternoonApulajoi nedthequeueandputherheadset s
onasshest oodbehi ndadar kt al
lman.Hehadonsomel ose
j
eanswi thmachesaandabl ackt-shi r
t.
..Shest il
lcouldn'tseehis
faceandbesi desthetat
toosonhi sar mst heguyl ookedf i
ne..
.fi
ne
forpeoplewhof oundthatkindoft hingoki guess...
Shel ooked
downathi sluggage..
.Whatwoul dat att
ooedmanbedoi ngf l
yi
ng
AirBotswana?. .
.hehadabl acksui tcase..Nowofcour seit
wouldn'tbedrugsorsomet hi ngil
legal becauseev eryluggage
wouldgot hr
oughasecur i
tycheckr ight?Ok, stopjudgingApul a.
Leavethepoormanal one.Hewaspr obablyabusi nessman. .
..

Shetookoutherphoneandfor
wardedtothenextsongthenhi
s
phonerang.Hesl
idoutanexpensi
vephoneandanswered.She
pausedhersongli
steni
ng.
..

Wow..
.Whatadeepvoi
ce!Howdeepercoul
ditbe.
..OhLor
d,t
he
mor
ehetalkedt
hedeeperi
tgot
..
.

Hi
m:Iknow,
buti
t'
slat
enowdon'
tyout
hink?Uhwenamonna!
Whycashachequeatthi
sti
me, y
oucoul
dhavedonethi
sinthe
mor
ning.
..
Geti
nandtryitmaybetheywi
l
lhel
pyou.Al
ri
ght,
Shap.

Hehungupandsighedthenhi
sphoner
angagai
n,t
hist
imehe
st
aredi
tforasecbefor
epicki
ng.
.

Him:(l
i
stenedforasecondandsnappedloweri
nghi svoi
ce)No,
l
ist
enhere..
.Imakemyownr eser
vat
ions.AndIalreadyhavet
he
subj
ect,I
'
llt
akeitf
rom her
e.Don'
tcall
me, ical
lyou.

Hehungupandcheckedi
n..
.

Fr
ontdesk:
(hol
dinghi
sdocument
s)I
t'
sDav
idMot
hibi
?

Hi
m:Yespl
ease.
..

Hesoundedli
kehewasabusi nessmanbutt henhesoundedway
toorudeandi
ll
-mannered.Tot
altur
noff.
..
.Sheplay
edhermusi
c
unti
lsheappr
oachedthecounterandcheckedin.

Minut
esl
atersheappr
oachedthepl
anetaki
ngasel
fi
eandsmi
l
ed
t
henshewalkedupthestai
rsandi
ntot
heplane.
Shelookedf
orherseatandther
eitwas.
..Onthewi ndowbesi
des
him!Sheputonaseriousf
aceandstoppedby,helookedather
andfigur
edshewantedtopassbutheputonhisheadphonesand
l
eanedbackclosi
nghiseyesashisl
onglegsblockedthewayto
thewindow.

Apul
a:Cani
pass?(
rephr
ased)Mayi
pass?

Hestoodupandshet
ookaseatt
henhesatdownandl
ookedat
her
.

Hi
m:Mynamei
sMongaTi
ki

Hewasal
i
art
oo,
great
.

Apul
a:(
lookedaway
)Ok,
nicet
omeety
ou.

Hesmi
l
edi
toffandleanedbackt
henhecl
osedhi
sey
esl
i
steni
ng
t
omusi
castheplanetookof
f.

I
nMaun.
..
Anhourandahalfl
atershewalkedoutoft
heai
rpor
tcar
ryi
ngher
bagashewalkedbehindher
..
.

Monga:
Sti
l
lwon'
ttal
ktome?

Apul
a:Wet
alked

Monga:
Howaboutwegof
oradr
ivear
oundMaun.
..

Apul
a:Not
hanky
ou.I
'
m wor
kingt
omor
row.

Monga:
Youmustbemaki
ngal
otofmoneydr
essi
ngl
i
ket
hat
.

Apul
a:Whatdoy
oudo?

Monga: I
'
m chasi
ngpaper
,igowheret
hemoneyblows.Sower
e
youagoodgirlgr
owingup?Ibetneokwal
amainaamodumoko
classi
ng.

Apul
a:By
e.

Shegoti
nataxi
thatj
ustpul
ledi
nfrontofherandclosedthedoor
.
Mongagoti
nthebackseatandbumpedf i
stswit
hthedriv
er..

Taxi
dri
ver
:Monga!

Monga:
Ait
a!

Shesi
ghedast
het
axi
joi
nedt
her
oad,
hel
ookedatherand
smi
l
ed.
..

Monga:
Youcanrel
ax,hewil
ldropmeofffi
rstsoidon'
tsee
wher
eyoust
ay.Notthati
fiwanttof
indoutican'
t.

Shekeptqui
etasthetaxi
drovei
ntot
hehot
elgat
eandpar
ked.
Mongasteppedoutandclosedt
hedoor
.

Monga: Let
'ssitbydeckandwatcht her iv
erlaterthi
sev eni
ng..I
promisethesightisworthit
.Noalcohol .I
'm hereonan
assi
gnment ,i
twillbeforafewdayst henI '
l
lbegone, probablyfor
alonglongtime.Ijustwantafr
iendt ohangoutwi th.Therei
sno
sparkbetweenussowhynot ?I
t'
snotl ikewewi l
lmakea
mistake.
..
Whatdoy outhi
nk?

Li
ke,
tagaf
ri
endandshar
e.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#2

TheHot
el.

Monga:
(laughed)Lookatme.
..

Apulaturnedherheadandl ookedathi
m, shecouldn'
tdescri
be
hi
sv oi
ceev enifshetriedandhi sl
aught
erwassomet hingel
se..
.
Whathappensf oramant ohavesuchav oi
ce..
.Itj
ustshookher
st
rongwomanwal lswithoutevencommandi ng.
..Butthenno,he
wast r
ouble..
.hejustl
iedtoherorhegav efal
seinformat i
onatthe
ai
rport.

Monga:
(si
ghed)Al
ri
ght
,let
'sdot
his.
..

Hesteppedbackandsi
ghedl
ooki
ngathi
swat
ch.
..
Hehadshor
t
nai
l
s,verycl
eanhands!

Monga:I
fyouchangeyourmind,
I'
minr
oom 48.Justgost
rai
ght
t
omyr oom..
.Nicemeeti
ngyou

Apul
a:By
e
Hehandedt
hedr
iverP100andwal
kedaway
..
.

Monga:Skachargerngwanamonnakegoduetse,
andt
akeher
home,toherdoorst
epandcarr
yherbagst
oo.Someofyoudrop
peopl
ebytheroad.

Taxi
dri
ver
:(l
aughed)Notme.
..

Monga:
Cheer
sman.
.

Thetaxi rev
er sedasshewat chedhim walki nt
othehot el
,hehad
acertai
nwal k..
..Youknowl ikehewasamani nanact i
on
mov i
e..
.anddi dhej ustcallher"ngwana"?Shesmi ledblushingas
thewhol estatementechoedi nherhead..."Skachargerngwana
monnakegoduet se"Thi
smanmakesSet swanamor esexier..
.
Shewoul dn'tev enfindawor df i
tenoughtodescr i
bengwanai n
thi
scont ext.
.."Don'tchargeheri al
readypaidy ouman"seei t
soundedbet teri nSetswana...Shewasangwanai nhisey es..
.
Wast hathowhesawherdespi t
etheformal wearshehadon.
Wow. .
.

Shesmil
edlooki
ngoutsidetheThamal
akanebri
dgeassome
Zebr
asdrunkwateri
nsidetheparkf
ence.Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
h
andsi
ghed..
.
Apul
a:Howdoy
ouknowMonga?

Taxidri
ver:
Ial
wayspickhi
m upfrom t
heair
portanddrophi
m at
thehotel
,andhedoesn'
tknowhowmuchat axi
costorhedoesn'
t
careidon'
tknow.Healwayspay
sP100i nst
eadofP25.

Apul
a:Ok,
whatdoeshedo?

TaxiDri
ver
: Idon'
tknow,hedoesn'
ttal
kabouthi
mself
.Mmehela
olebegaaleboshiduoskatsenahelamysist
er,
ihearhi
mtal
ki
ng
tothephoneandhecanbev er
yrude.

Apul
a:Isensedt
hatt
oo.Tur
nthi
ssi
de.
..Fi
rsthouseont
hel
eft

Thetaxidrov
eint
otheBHChousesandstoppedinf
rontofher
s..
.
Shesteppedoutandcl
osedt
hedoorasthedriv
erpi
ckedher
bags.
..

Apul
a:I
t'
sok,
Icanpul
li
t.

Dr
iver
:Anddi
sappoi
ntmyl
oyal
cust
omer
?No.
.

Theyl
aughedasheputherbagont
hedoorst
ep.

Dr
iver
:Thanky
ou

Apul
a:By
e

Dr
iver
:By
e
Sheunl
ockedherhouseandwal
kedi
n..
.

AtMar
u'shouse.
..

Lat
ert
hateveningMar
uspr
ayedherdaught
er'
shairwhi
l
eshesat
bet
weenherlegssi
ngi
ngal
ongwit
hthephonics.
.

Mar
u:Tel
lmei
fit
'spai
nful
..
.

Her
:Ok.
..

Maru:Pauset
hev
ideoandt
ell
met
heal
phabetsoundsony
our
own..

Herdaughtercar
riedonwhileshepartherhairwit
hacomband
begunplai
ti
ngher ,t
her
ewasaknockont hedoort henshegotup
andopenedholdingacomb.Herboss' shusbandst eppedback
hol
dingaplasti
c,herdaughtergotoutandsmi l
edlookingatthe
man.Hegaspedandputt heplast
iconthestoopbef orepi
cki
ng
herup.
..

Hi
m:HeyLi
l
o!Doy
our
ememberme?

Li
l
o:(
smi
l
ed)Youboughtmeadr
ink
Him:Yes!You'
resogrown.
..Ibr
oughty
ousnacksf
orschool
and
boughtyouaschoolbag.

Li
l
o:Idon'
thav
easchool
..

Him:
I'
m goi
ngt
opayfory
ourschool
soy
oucangowi
thPi
nk,
do
your
ememberPi
nk?

Li
l
o:(
smi
l
ed)Yeah!

Hehandedhert
heschool
bagandapl
ast
icwi
thcl
othes.
.

Hi
m:Goseei
ftheyf
it
..
.

Shegotthecl
othesandranbacki
nthehouse,
Marusi
ghedand
cl
osedthedoorthenshefol
dedherar
mslooki
ngathi
m..
.

Hel
ookedatherandl
ookeddownf
oramomentbef
orer
eachi
ng
f
orherhand.
.

Him:IknowI'
m put
ti
ngy oui
nadiffi
cultsi
tuat
ion,
andihatethati
havetodothi
sbutyoubeeninmyhouse. .
.Youknowhowi
l
ive.
..
Gagomonatebutthenweshouldn'tt
akeitoutonyou.I
knowshewon'tpayyousoibroughtthi
s..
Hehanded1.
5thenshegoti
tandl
ookedaway
.

Mar
u:Thanky
ou,
RragwePi
nkkana-

Hi
m:Der
ri
ck,
sayi
t.
..

Mar
u:(
smi
l
ed)Der
ri
ck.
.

Hi
m:(
smi
l
ed)See,
youdi
dn'
tdi
e..
.

Theyl
aughedashel
ookedatherl
i
psandbackt
oherey
es.
..

Der
rick:
I'
ll
picky
out
woupt
omor
rowmor
ningsowecanr
egi
ster
her
.

Mar
u:Whati
fyourwi
fef
indsout
?

Der
ri
ck:
I'
ll
deal
wit
hher
,don'
twor
ryabouti
t.

Mar
u:Ok,
wear
enotdat
ingr
ight
?

Der
ri
ck:
(laughed)No

Mar
u:(
laughed)Whyar
eyoul
aughi
ng?

Derri
ck:Wankgat ha.
..(
smi l
edlooki
ngather)Ket agoposhake
senagodi v
orcerautwa?{ I'
l
lhitonyouaft
erdivorceok?}buti
f
youcheatonmebef orethenI'
m goingt
opuncht hatmanont he
face.(
theylaughed)Iknowy ou'r
esi
nglekeepitthatway..Aut
wa?

Mar
u:Eer
ra.
.
Der
ri
ck:
Hug?

Theyl
eanedov
erandhugged,
theyt
ookadeepbr
eat
hst
il
l
huggi
ngandst
eppedback.

Der
ri
ck:
Goodni
ght

Mar
u:Goodni
ght
..
.

Hewalkedawayaroundanddr oveoff
,sheturnedbackint
othe
houseandsmiledl
ookingatherdaughterst
ruggl
i
ngtoputher
headthr
oughhertop.ShesmiledandhelpedheroutthenLi
lor
an
tothemir
rorandsmiledl
ikeamodel..

AtAt
sil
e'
shouse.
..

Apul
awalkedinasherniecer
anoverandhuggedherl
egs,she
smil
edandpickedherupasAtsi
l
epickedthepl
asti
candtookout
apai
rofjeans.
.

At
sil
e:Wow!

Shequi
ckl
yputi
tonunder
neat
hherst
engeandunwr
apped
her
sel
fasherhi
psandr
oundbut
tfi
l
ledt
hej
eans.
.

At
sil
e:(
tear
ful
l
y)Wow.
..Lal
amma.
..I
'
llhav
etohi
dei
tbec-

Shel
ookedather
sel
fandherhusbandwal
kedi
nthel
i
vingr
oom.

Hi
m:Whyar
eyouwear
ingpant
s?

Apul
a:Iboughtt
hem,
shel
i
kespant
s!

Hi
m:Thi
sismyhouse!Andmywi
fe!

Apul
a:Exact
ly,
yourwi
fenotyoursl
ave!Shel
i
kespant
sandy
ou
metherandli
kedheri
npants!

Hi
m:Andthi
siswhyy
ou'
renotmar
ri
edl
ehet
wakewena.Odi
puo
di
bot
ha.

Apul
a:I
fthi
sismar
ri
aget
henidon'
twantnopar
tofit
,thi
siswhy
weshoul
dn'
tmarr
ypeopl
eol
denoughtobeourfat
hers.

At
sil
e:Lal
athat
'senough.
..Gohome,

I
'
llseey
out
omor
row.
.

Shet
ookof
fherj
eansandhandedt
hem back.
.

At
sil
e:Her
e
Apula:
Ireal
l
yhopet hisol
dmani snothi
tt
ingyoubecauseI'
d
br
eakhisknobkerr
yr i
ghtbetweenhi
seyes..
.Idon'
tevenknow
whatyouseeinhim...Wenamodalakewenaket il
egobatela
Atsi
lemonnahelawal esol
eesengmdala,kebataagohule
l
eotonyanal
elekotsemangl e.
..

Hi
m:Wankel
etsa?

Apul
ast
oppedandl
ookedathi
minshock.
.

Apul
a:(l
aughed)Ar
eyouseri
ous?At
sil
eyou'
renotr
etur
ningt
hese
pant
s.You'
reweari
ngthem

Hi
m: Getoutofmyhouselehet
wa...Getout.
..Thismouthi
sthe
r
easonyou'r
elonel
y,bi
tt
erandjeal
ousofy oursister
.Lemoopao
moopaony wana!

Shegaspedandl
ookedatAt
sil
e..
.

Apul
a:Di
dyouheart
hat
?

Atsi
l
eslowlysatont hecouchast earsfil
ledhereyes,shecouldn'
t
st
opanyoft hem butshejustneededt hiswholethi
ngt ojustgo.
..
Heranxi
etykickedinasshebur stint
ot earscr
ying.
..
At
sil
e:Lal
apl
easel
eav
e..
.

Apul
aturnedandl
ookedathersi
stercr
ying,
tearsfi
l
ledhereyes
assheshookherheadf
orshecouldn'
tevenrecogni
seher.
..

Apul
a: At
sil
ewhyareyoudoingthi
s?I
fy outhi
nkhewon'tsuppor
t
youthenI'
ll
suppor
tyouunti
lyougetajob.Youhavea
qual
i
f i
cat
ionwhyshoul
dyoudot hi
s?Canwepl easej
ustgo..
.

Atearr
andownApul a'
scheekandsherubbedi
tbef
orekneel
i
ng
besi
deshersi
sterandhol
dingherhand.
..

Apul
a: I
'
llr
enty oua2bedandbuygr ocer
ieswit
houtfail
ure
pl
ease..
.Stopmaki ngmesuppor tthi
sman.Het akesthemoneyi
gi
vey ouor ekamedicati
onforgoatsbutyouneverbenefi
t
anyt
hingfrom them.It
'snotfai
r!Youdon'
tlovethi
sman. .
.Lov
eis
notl
ikethi
s. .
.

At
sil
e:(
tear
ful
l
y)Wewi
l
ltal
ktomor
row.Nowi
snotagoodt
ime.
.

Hi
m:I
fyoul
eav
emeI
'
m goi
ngt
oki
l
lyouandki
l
lmy
sel
f.
.

Apul
atur
nedar
oundt
ospi
tpoi
sonbutAt
sil
eputherhandov
er
hi
smouth..
At
sil
e:Go!Pl
ease!Go!

Apulast
oodupandsighedl
ooki
ngatt
hisol
dmanshookherhead
thenshewal
kedout
..
.

Shegotint
hecaranddrov
eoffhol
dinginhert
earsunt
ilshebur
st
i
ntotear
sholdi
ngthest
eeri
ngwheelwit
hbothhands.

Shereachedthestopandwipedherfacewit
hthewetwipes.
GoingtoOtl
heorMar uwoul
dpr obabl
yaddonherstr
ess,shehad
togiv
ethem thei
rclot
hest
omor row.Maybeshecoul
dcheckon
Mongaorwhat everhi
snamei s.
..

Thegr
eenl
i
ghtpoppedt
henshedr
ovet
hrough.
..

Att
hehot
el.
..

Minut
eslatershewal
kedthr
oughther
ecept
ionandheadedtothe
rooms,shecountedr
oomsasshepassedeachdoorandstopped
athi
sdoor.Shetookadeepbreat
handknocked.
..
.

Thedooropenedsl
i
ght
lyt
henhel
ookedout
,hesmi
l
edsur
pri
sed
andopenedt
hedoor
..

Monga:
Hi.
..Comei
n..
.

Shewalkedinandhereyeslandedonanopensui t
casewith
dif
fer
entpasspor
tsofhimself
,shereachedoverandpi
ckedone
i
nnamesI vanKgotathenhegrabbeditfr
om herandclosedthe
case.
..

Monga:
Sor
ry,
idi
dn'
tknowy
ouwer
ecomi
ng.Icoul
dhav
ecl
eaned
up.
..

Heclosedhi
slapt
opandzi
ppedi
tint
oabag,shel
ookedatt
he
tabl
ewherehehaddi
smantl
edagun,seemedhewascl
eani
ngit
upwithsomeclot
handoi
l.
.

Monga:
Ok,
wai
tinher
e..
.

Hegent
lypushedheri
nthebat
hroom andcl
osedt
hedoor
.

Monga:
Giv
emeami
nut
e..
Herheartpoundedasshestoodi
nthebathroom,herkneesgot
weakandshesatont hetoi
l
etseatbur
yingherfacebetweenher
hands.
..

Mostpeopleusi
ngoldversi
onoffbli
tehav
en'
tseenthef
ir
st
i
nser
tbecauseitwaslong.Imadethi
sshortt
oaccommodate
ot
hers.Ki
ndlyusebr
owser .

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#3

Att
hehot
el

Mongaquicklyassembledthegunandputitbackinhi
shol
der
t
henhesliditinthesafe,
cl
osedthedoorandturnedar
ound
i
nspect
ingthewhol eroom f
oram..
.

Hi
sphoner
angt
henhepi
ckedandsatont
hebed.
..

Meanwhilei
nthebathroom Apulaslowlyturnedthelockand
openedthedoor
,shest eppedoutsteadyandl ookedathim ashe
satonthebedwit
hhi sbackagainsthertalkingtothephone..
.

Monga: (
lowv oi
ce)Sohei soutofICU?...*
* .
..Theoxy
genisof
f?
(herubbedhisheadf r
ustr
atedl
y)Canhepl ay?..
.Di
dheaskme?
(si
ghedsadlyandr ubbedhiseyes)TellhimI'll
bether
etomorr
ow
oradayaf t
ertomor r
ow.Ihaveaj obthatineedt odosoicanpay
thosebil
ls.

Apul
aopenedt
hedoorandhej
umpedst
il
ltal
ki
ngt
othephone.
Monga:
I'
ll
cal
lyouback.
..Eemma.

Hehungupandgr
abbedherar
m cl
osi
ngt
hedoor
..
.

Monga:
Hi,
sor
ryaboutt
hat
..
.Itwasmymot
her
..
.Hav
easeat
.

Apul
a:Whydoy
ouhav
esomanypasspor
ts?

Monga:
It'
smyj
ob

Apul
a:What
'sy
ourj
ob?

Monga:
Canwet
akeawal
ksoy
oucanr
elax?

Shesi
ghedt
hought
ful
l
ylooki
ngathi
m..

Apul
a:Whoi
sint
hehospi
tal
?

Monga:
Let
'sgosi
tbyt
hepool
..
.

Hel ockedt
her oom andt
heywalkeddownthepassageheadi
ng
tothepool.Amomentofsi l
encepassedt
henhet ookadeep
breathandsighed.
..
Monga: Ihav ea6y earol dson. ..Hei sbl i
ndandhehasr espirator
y
compl i
cat ions. ..
mymot herisi nandoutoft hehospi tal whi l
ei
hav et ogetmoneyt ot akecar eoft hosebi ll
s.Hewasbor n
premat ure...Hismot hert r
iedt oabor twhenshewas7mont hs
pregnant .Theschool sheappl i
edf orov erseasaccept edherand
shegott hesponsor ship.Shewasherf ami l
y'
sl asthope. ..
..
(forcedasmi le)Youknowwhenaf ami lyissopoorbutt hatone
childf i
nal l
ymakesi t
..Thewhol efami l
yget shappyandpr oudof
her ..
.Theypr aiseherandt ellhershei st hebest ..
.Andt heny ou
somehowgetherpr egnant ..Ithoughti wascar eful.Ididn' tmean
togetherpr egnantl ikeshet hought ...Shedi dn'tev enknowshe
waspr egnantunt i
lshewasabout5mont hsandi thoughtshehad
accept edt hatshewi llbeschool i
ngwi tht hepr egnancy .Shewas
goi ngt oUBj ustOK. ..Idroppedherof fandpi ckedherev eryday
butwhenshef oundoutshewassupposedt ol eavei n3weeks
shecoul dn' timagi nemi ssingsuchanoppor tunity.Ithoughti
talkedheroutofabor t
ionbuti guessi didn't.
..Nowi thi
nkshehas
beent r
y i
ngt oabor tsinceshewas5mont hspr egnantunt ilshe
succeededat7mont hs.TheUKschool probabl ymot ivatedhert o
takel argerdosesorwhat ev er..
.Shedr unkwhat evershedr unk
andgotsi ck. .
.Sosi ckshedel iver
edi nmycar .Itwast raumat i
sing.
Asi fthatwasn' tenoughassoonasshewasokshel eftwhenour
sonwasst il
l i
nt hehospi t
al breathingwi tht ubes.Tol dmei
want ed" it"andi shouldkeepi t,shewasn' tgoi ngt ocompr omi se
herf uturef oramanbl abl
a. .

Apul
a:Wow.
..Doesshet
alkt
oherson?

Monga:No,
thel
astti
mewetal
kedhewasay earol
d.Shehasn't
phy
sical
l
yseenhi
m si
ncehewasbor
n.It
hinkshethoughthe'
d
di
ebecausehewassot inyhel ookedli
keaar at
..IthoughtI
'd
l
osehim.Itwaster
rif
ying...Il
ostmyj obthatv
erysamemont h
anditwashardtosuppor tachildwhohasspecial needs.
..My
motherandfat
hertr
iedthei rbestbutsi
cknessisfinanci
alburden.

Het
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghedouthi
sgui
l
t..
.

Monga: Someoneof f
eredanopportunit
ytosavemyson'slif
eand
icouldneverr
efuse.Igotajob.
.Ican'tt
ell
youwhati dobutit
s
myj ob.Don'
tpanicbecauseofthatgunorthepassport
s.I'
dnever
hurtyou..
.

Apul
a:(
sighed)Whataboutherf
ami
l
y?

Monga:Ithinkthey'r
ef orcedtofoll
owherfootst
epsbecauseshe
i
sthebreadwi nner.It
ot all
yunderst
and,
andi don'
tbl
amet hem.I
j
ustwon'tletmysonf eel r
eject
ed,wewil
lfi
ghtthi
sunti
lwewi n.
..I
thi
nkhismot herismar riedtosomewhitedudeorsomet hi
ngi
don'
tknow.

Apul
a:Sor
ry

Monga:
It'
sok.
..
whatabouty
ou?

Apula:(
smi l
ed)Um...Wher
edoibegi
n?,
8hav
e4sister
s..I'
mthe
youngest.
.It
sAtsil
e,Otl
heandMarut
henmeApul
a..
.Byt heway
mynamei sApula.
.
Theyl
aughedandshookhands.
..

Monga:
Nicet
omeety
ou.
.

Apul
a:Li
kewi
se.
..Ibasi
cal
l
yhav
enol
i
feexceptmyj
ob.
..That
'si
t

Monga:
That
'si
t?

Apul
a:Yeah.
..Il
i
veabor
ingl
i
fe.Job,
job,
job

Hel
ookedatherandsmi
l
ed.
..

Monga:
Doy
oudr
ink?

Apul
a:Somet
imes

Monga:
Great
..
.

Theysatbyt
hepool
,awai
tr
esswal
kedov
erandt
ookt
hei
r
order
s..
..

AtMar
u'sbosses.
.

Derri
ckwalkedbackinthehouseandsighedtaki
ngoffhi
sTshi
rt
..
Hisheartal
moststoppedashiswifesatonthecouchint
he
dark.
..
Her
:Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?

Hestoppedandlookedatherasshewal
kedt
otheswi
tchesand
swi
tchedthel
ightson.

Her
:Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom Der
ri
ck?

Der
ri
ck:
Iwaspl
ayi
ngpool
att
hebar
.

Her
:Iknowwher
eyouwer
e.Isawy
ou.
..

Derr
ickignor
edherandwal
kedtothebedroom,shewalkedinthe
ki
tchenandpickedapanofboi
li
ngcooki
ngoilthenshewalkedin
bedroom whereDer
ri
ckwastaki
ngoffhi
spants..
.

Her
:Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?

Hetur
nedaroundandlookedather
,hi
sheartpoundedashe
l
ookedatt
hepanwi t
hhishandsinsur
render
..
.

Der
ri
ck:Babeyoudon'thavetodothi
s..
.Ij
ustwantapeacef
ul
di
vorce.
..I
'
m nothappy.Youdon'
tl
oveme.
Her
:Il
ovey
ou.
.

Derri
ck:Ifyoul ov
edmey ouwouldn'
thi
tmeev er
ychanceyouget
,
i
t'
snott hati can'
tbeatyou.Ij
ustdon'
twanttohitawoman..
.
Pleaseputt hatdown.I'
l
l l
eavei
fy ouwant
..
.Tell
mewhattodo
andI'l
ldoit...

Her
:Soy
ou'
rel
eav
ingmef
orher
?

Derri
ck:Il
ongwantedadi vorce2y ear
sagowheny ouscr
eamed
atmei nfr
ontofmycowor ker s.Si
ncethenI'
mthegossi
pofthe
off
ice.
..Somanythings.
..Pleaseputthatdown.
.

Hewal kedbackwar
dsassheapproachedt
henhedashedinthe
bathr
oom andslammedthedoorasshesplashedt
hehotoil
over
thedoor.

Heclenchedhi
sJawsandsteppedoutal
mostsl
ippi
ngontheoil
,
hegrabbedherbyt
heneckandsmashedherheadonthewall
overandover
..

Der
ri
ck:
Itol
dyout
ost
ophi
tt
ingme!Di
dyouj
ustt
ryt
obur
nme!
Huh!

Hesmashedheragai
nunti
lshesli
ddownbl eedi
ngt
hrought
he
nose.Hi
shear
tpoundedashesteppedback..
.
Der
ri
ck:
Shi
t!Shi
t!

Hebentov
erandcheckedherpul
set
henhedi
aledMar
u.

Mar
u:Hel
l
o?

Der
ri
ck:
Ithi
nki
kil
l
edher
!Shet
ri
edt
obur
nme!

Mar
u:Wher
ear
etheki
ds?

Der
ri
ck:
Wit
hmymot
her
,it
hink

Hewal
kedt
othechi
l
dren'
sroom andt
heywer
enott
her
e..
.

Mar
u:Whatdoy
ouwantt
odo?

Der
rick:
Ifical
lthepol
iceI
'
m goingtojai
l
.Nobodyi
sgoi
ngt
o
bel
i
ev ewhatev
erthathasbeengoingon.

Mar
u:Ok.
..

Der
ri
ck:Ineedt
otakecareofthi
s..
.Cani
comegety
ou?Wewi
l
l
dr
opoffLil
oatyoursi
ster
s.Kete?

*
PleasemakesureyouLikeforustogetbonusinser
ts.The
sponsor'
swil
lbepostedshort
ly.Let
'smeettar
getsontimesot
he
storycanmovefast
er.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#3

Att
hehot
el

Mongaquicklyassembledthegunandputitbackinhi
shol
der
t
henhesliditinthesafe,
cl
osedthedoorandturnedar
ound
i
nspect
ingthewhol eroom f
oram..
.

Hi
sphoner
angt
henhepi
ckedandsatont
hebed.
..

Meanwhilei
nthebathroom Apulaslowlyturnedthelockand
openedthedoor
,shest eppedoutsteadyandl ookedathim ashe
satonthebedwit
hhi sbackagainsthertalkingtothephone..
.

Monga: (
lowv oi
ce)Sohei soutofICU?...*
* .
..Theoxy
genisof
f?
(herubbedhisheadf r
ustr
atedl
y)Canhepl ay?..
.Di
dheaskme?
(si
ghedsadlyandr ubbedhiseyes)TellhimI'll
bether
etomorr
ow
oradayaf t
ertomor r
ow.Ihaveaj obthatineedt odosoicanpay
thosebil
ls.

Apul
aopenedt
hedoorandhej
umpedst
il
ltal
ki
ngt
othephone.
Monga:
I'
ll
cal
lyouback.
..Eemma.

Hehungupandgr
abbedherar
m cl
osi
ngt
hedoor
..
.

Monga:
Hi,
sor
ryaboutt
hat
..
.Itwasmymot
her
..
.Hav
easeat
.

Apul
a:Whydoy
ouhav
esomanypasspor
ts?

Monga:
It'
smyj
ob

Apul
a:What
'sy
ourj
ob?

Monga:
Canwet
akeawal
ksoy
oucanr
elax?

Shesi
ghedt
hought
ful
l
ylooki
ngathi
m..

Apul
a:Whoi
sint
hehospi
tal
?

Monga:
Let
'sgosi
tbyt
hepool
..
.

Hel ockedt
her oom andt
heywalkeddownthepassageheadi
ng
tothepool.Amomentofsi l
encepassedt
henhet ookadeep
breathandsighed.
..
Monga: Ihav ea6y earol dson. ..Hei sbl i
ndandhehasr espirator
y
compl i
cat ions. ..
mymot herisi nandoutoft hehospi tal whi l
ei
hav et ogetmoneyt ot akecar eoft hosebi ll
s.Hewasbor n
premat ure...Hismot hert r
iedt oabor twhenshewas7mont hs
pregnant .Theschool sheappl i
edf orov erseasaccept edherand
shegott hesponsor ship.Shewasherf ami l
y'
sl asthope. ..
..
(forcedasmi le)Youknowwhenaf ami lyissopoorbutt hatone
childf i
nal l
ymakesi t
..Thewhol efami l
yget shappyandpr oudof
her ..
.Theypr aiseherandt ellhershei st hebest ..
.Andt heny ou
somehowgetherpr egnant ..Ithoughti wascar eful.Ididn' tmean
togetherpr egnantl ikeshet hought ...Shedi dn'tev enknowshe
waspr egnantunt i
lshewasabout5mont hsandi thoughtshehad
accept edt hatshewi llbeschool i
ngwi tht hepr egnancy .Shewas
goi ngt oUBj ustOK. ..Idroppedherof fandpi ckedherev eryday
butwhenshef oundoutshewassupposedt ol eavei n3weeks
shecoul dn' timagi nemi ssingsuchanoppor tunity.Ithoughti
talkedheroutofabor t
ionbuti guessi didn't.
..Nowi thi
nkshehas
beent r
y i
ngt oabor tsinceshewas5mont hspr egnantunt ilshe
succeededat7mont hs.TheUKschool probabl ymot ivatedhert o
takel argerdosesorwhat ev er..
.Shedr unkwhat evershedr unk
andgotsi ck. .
.Sosi ckshedel iver
edi nmycar .Itwast raumat i
sing.
Asi fthatwasn' tenoughassoonasshewasokshel eftwhenour
sonwasst il
l i
nt hehospi t
al breathingwi tht ubes.Tol dmei
want ed" it"andi shouldkeepi t,shewasn' tgoi ngt ocompr omi se
herf uturef oramanbl abl
a. .

Apul
a:Wow.
..Doesshet
alkt
oherson?

Monga:No,
thel
astti
mewetal
kedhewasay earol
d.Shehasn't
phy
sical
l
yseenhi
m si
ncehewasbor
n.It
hinkshethoughthe'
d
di
ebecausehewassot inyhel ookedli
keaar at
..IthoughtI
'd
l
osehim.Itwaster
rif
ying...Il
ostmyj obthatv
erysamemont h
anditwashardtosuppor tachildwhohasspecial needs.
..My
motherandfat
hertr
iedthei rbestbutsi
cknessisfinanci
alburden.

Het
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghedouthi
sgui
l
t..
.

Monga: Someoneof f
eredanopportunit
ytosavemyson'slif
eand
icouldneverr
efuse.Igotajob.
.Ican'tt
ell
youwhati dobutit
s
myj ob.Don'
tpanicbecauseofthatgunorthepassport
s.I'
dnever
hurtyou..
.

Apul
a:(
sighed)Whataboutherf
ami
l
y?

Monga:Ithinkthey'r
ef orcedtofoll
owherfootst
epsbecauseshe
i
sthebreadwi nner.It
ot all
yunderst
and,
andi don'
tbl
amet hem.I
j
ustwon'tletmysonf eel r
eject
ed,wewil
lfi
ghtthi
sunti
lwewi n.
..I
thi
nkhismot herismar riedtosomewhitedudeorsomet hi
ngi
don'
tknow.

Apul
a:Sor
ry

Monga:
It'
sok.
..
whatabouty
ou?

Apula:(
smi l
ed)Um...Wher
edoibegi
n?,
8hav
e4sister
s..I'
mthe
youngest.
.It
sAtsil
e,Otl
heandMarut
henmeApul
a..
.Byt heway
mynamei sApula.
.
Theyl
aughedandshookhands.
..

Monga:
Nicet
omeety
ou.
.

Apul
a:Li
kewi
se.
..Ibasi
cal
l
yhav
enol
i
feexceptmyj
ob.
..That
'si
t

Monga:
That
'si
t?

Apul
a:Yeah.
..Il
i
veabor
ingl
i
fe.Job,
job,
job

Hel
ookedatherandsmi
l
ed.
..

Monga:
Doy
oudr
ink?

Apul
a:Somet
imes

Monga:
Great
..
.

Theysatbyt
hepool
,awai
tr
esswal
kedov
erandt
ookt
hei
r
order
s..
..

AtMar
u'sbosses.
.

Derri
ckwalkedbackinthehouseandsighedtaki
ngoffhi
sTshi
rt
..
Hisheartal
moststoppedashiswifesatonthecouchint
he
dark.
..
Her
:Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?

Hestoppedandlookedatherasshewal
kedt
otheswi
tchesand
swi
tchedthel
ightson.

Her
:Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom Der
ri
ck?

Der
ri
ck:
Iwaspl
ayi
ngpool
att
hebar
.

Her
:Iknowwher
eyouwer
e.Isawy
ou.
..

Derr
ickignor
edherandwal
kedtothebedroom,shewalkedinthe
ki
tchenandpickedapanofboi
li
ngcooki
ngoilthenshewalkedin
bedroom whereDer
ri
ckwastaki
ngoffhi
spants..
.

Her
:Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?

Hetur
nedaroundandlookedather
,hi
sheartpoundedashe
l
ookedatt
hepanwi t
hhishandsinsur
render
..
.

Der
ri
ck:Babeyoudon'thavetodothi
s..
.Ij
ustwantapeacef
ul
di
vorce.
..I
'
m nothappy.Youdon'
tl
oveme.
Her
:Il
ovey
ou.
.

Derri
ck:Ifyoul ov
edmey ouwouldn'
thi
tmeev er
ychanceyouget
,
i
t'
snott hati can'
tbeatyou.Ij
ustdon'
twanttohitawoman..
.
Pleaseputt hatdown.I'
l
l l
eavei
fy ouwant
..
.Tell
mewhattodo
andI'l
ldoit...

Her
:Soy
ou'
rel
eav
ingmef
orher
?

Derri
ck:Il
ongwantedadi vorce2y ear
sagowheny ouscr
eamed
atmei nfr
ontofmycowor ker s.Si
ncethenI'
mthegossi
pofthe
off
ice.
..Somanythings.
..Pleaseputthatdown.
.

Hewal kedbackwar
dsassheapproachedt
henhedashedinthe
bathr
oom andslammedthedoorasshesplashedt
hehotoil
over
thedoor.

Heclenchedhi
sJawsandsteppedoutal
mostsl
ippi
ngontheoil
,
hegrabbedherbyt
heneckandsmashedherheadonthewall
overandover
..

Der
ri
ck:
Itol
dyout
ost
ophi
tt
ingme!Di
dyouj
ustt
ryt
obur
nme!
Huh!

Hesmashedheragai
nunti
lshesli
ddownbl eedi
ngt
hrought
he
nose.Hi
shear
tpoundedashesteppedback..
.
Der
ri
ck:
Shi
t!Shi
t!

Hebentov
erandcheckedherpul
set
henhedi
aledMar
u.

Mar
u:Hel
l
o?

Der
ri
ck:
Ithi
nki
kil
l
edher
!Shet
ri
edt
obur
nme!

Mar
u:Wher
ear
etheki
ds?

Der
ri
ck:
Wit
hmymot
her
,it
hink

Hewal
kedt
othechi
l
dren'
sroom andt
heywer
enott
her
e..
.

Mar
u:Whatdoy
ouwantt
odo?

Der
rick:
Ifical
lthepol
iceI
'
m goingtojai
l
.Nobodyi
sgoi
ngt
o
bel
i
ev ewhatev
erthathasbeengoingon.

Mar
u:Ok.
..

Der
ri
ck:Ineedt
otakecareofthi
s..
.Cani
comegety
ou?Wewi
l
l
dr
opoffLil
oatyoursi
ster
s.Kete?

*
PleasemakesureyouLikeforustogetbonusinser
ts.The
sponsor'
swil
lbepostedshort
ly.Let
'smeettar
getsontimesot
he
storycanmovefast
er.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#4

AtMar
u'sHouse.
..

Mar
umov edthecurtai
nsandlookedoutsi
deasDerr
ickparked
t
hecar
,sheleftherdaught
ersl
eepingonthebedandwalkedout.

Sheopenedthedoorandsatdownl
ooki
ngathi
m ashel
eaned
overt
hesteeri
ngwheel.
.

Mar
u:(
sof
tl
y)Hey
..

Heleanedbackandputhi
shandsov
erhi
sface.I
tst
il
lseemed
l
ikeadream..
.

Der
ri
ck:
Ishoul
dhav
elongl
eft
,iwoul
dn'
tbeher
etoday
..
.

Maru:Maybesheisnotev endead..
.Youradrenali
neispumping
andidon'
ttrustt
hatyoudidn'
tfeelherpul
se..Iwantt ogocheck,
i
fsheisbreathi
ngwet akehertothehospit
al.Everyoneknows
howshetreatsyou.
.
Het
urnedar
oundandl
ookedather
..

Der
ri
ck:
Whatdoy
oumean?

Maru:Peopl
eknow.
..Theyj
ustpr
etendt
heydon'
tseei
tbecause
i
tsdonebyawoman.

Der
ri
ck:Great
,nowpeopl
ethi
nkI'
m st
upi
d.Sopeopl
earelooki
ng
atmeli
keaweakman?Whoar et
hesepeopl
eanyways?How
manypeoplethi
nkI
'
m weak?

Maru:Ididn'
tsaypeopl
et hi
nkyou'
reweak,I'
mjustsay i
ngweal l
knowshei srudeandI'
veheardhersl
apy outwicewheni was
worki
ng.Thet i
meshewast al
ki
ngaboutyouget t
ingacall f
rom
thegi
rlyousaidsheisyourcousi
n?Iknowsheonl ybel
ievedyou
aft
eryourauntcall
edaskingheri
fyourcousincouldsleepthere
andattendherjobi
nter
viewbeforel
eavi
ngMaun.

Der
ri
cksi
ghedandl
ookedaway
..
.

Derr
ick:I
t'
snotl i
kei can'
tfi
ght
, i
justdon'twanttohur
tawoman.I
grewupi nanabusi vehome.Mymot her'
sboy f
ri
endsabusedher
andev er
yti
meIt hinkabouthit
ti
ngherbacki seemymot heri
nher
andthoseabusivei nme.Idon'twantv i
olenceinmyhouseor
nearmychi l
dren.Gakekgonegobuat hata..

Mar
u:Der
ri
ckweneedt
ogot
oyourhouse

Der
ri
ck:
Ifshei
sdeadandy
ougeti
nvol
vedy
ou'
l
lbei
ntr
oubl
e..
.I
di
dn'
tthi
nkaboutt
hispr
oper
ly.

Mar
u:Der
ri
ckpl
ease!Canwego!

Der
ri
ck:
Ok.
.GetLi
l
o.

Shegotherdaught
erandgotbacki
nthecart
henhedr
oveof
f.
..

AtDer
ri
ck'
shouse.
..

LateronDerr
ickandMaruwal
kedi
nthehousequickl
yholdi
ng
hands,assoonastheywal
kedi
nthepassagetheymetthe
horri
fyi
ngbl
oodyfaceofhi
swif
eassheslidonherbut
t.
..

Mar
u:(
jumpedbehi
ndDer
ri
ck)Uhhh!

Hest
oppedandl
ookedatherasshecr
iedr
aisi
ngherhand.
..

Her
:Dee?Pl
easehel
pme.
..I
'
m sor
ry.
..If
eel
weak.It
hinkI
'
llpass
out
..
.

Mar
u:Let
'st
akehert
othehospi
tal
Der
rickhel
pedherst
and,
sheputherar
msonhi
m sohecoul
dli
ft
her
..

Der
ri
ck:
Wat
chy
ourst
eps.
..Thi
sway
..
.

Shest
agger
edal
lthewayt
othecar

Der
ri
ck:
Geti
ntheback.
..

Shesati
nthebackandsl
owlyl
aiddowncl
osi
ngherey
es.Mar
u
j
umpedinthecaranddr
oveoff
..
.

Att
hef
arm.
..

Onthesameni ghtt
heoldmanstoppedthe Hil
uxandst
epped
out,
At si
l
esteppedoutandcl
osedthedoor
.Theoldmanwalked
towardsthehousepaci
ngasAtsi
leti
edhershoes.
.

Him:Eheodir
abokgar
ebe,kegoneony et
seemodinogeng.
{Act
inggi
rl
yisee,
sui
tyour
self
..Thesnakeswi
ll
dealwi
thyour
ass}
Atsi
lepausedandwat chedhi
m unl
ockingthehouse,shecoul
d
j
uststranglehi
m wit
hherbarehands!Shewouldnevergetused
tobeingtreat
edli
kethisorhi
sdeephurtf
ulwords.
..

Shewal kedtowardsthehouseasoneoft heherdboy swalked

overwithatorch.Wasi tThong?Itwas..
.Ithadbeenawhi lesince
she'
dseenhi m...Hestoppedbyandsmi l
edget t
ingherbagwi t
ha
smile.
..Howdoesonemanaget ohav esuchcleanteethst
ay i
ng
onthef arm.
..You'dswearheusedaspeci altoothpast
eor
something..
.Oh..Thatl
ethajwahelikeschewing.Ofcourse!

Thong:
Dumel
ang!

At
sil
e:Dumel
ang.
.

He..
smil
edl ooki
ngatherandqui et
lywalkedbesidesher
,hestil
l
coul
dn'
tunder st
andwhatsuchabeaut ifulyoungwomanwoul d
wantfr
om amanl i
kethi
s..
.Oh, money,ofcourse..
.t
hewayshe
smil
edhesor eshefel
tthesameway .
..Butdidhe?Hewasn't
qui
tesure.
..ButGodknowsi fhegotachancet ofuckt
hisgi
rlhe'
d
enj
oyhersomuchhe' dsleeplikeababy ..
.

Hestoppedatt
hedoorandhandedhert
hebagasshewal
kedi
n..
Theoldmansteppedoutput
ti
ngonhist
igerv
est
..
Hi
m:Thong!

Thong:
Hel
l
o,Isawt
hel
i
ght
sandt
houghtI
'
dsaygoodni
ght
.

Hi
m:Al
ri
ght
,nopr
obl
em.

Thong:
What
'st
hepl
ant
omor
row?

Him:I
'mjustgoi
ngtospendadaywithaf
riendnearthosefar
ms,
buti
fsheasksjustt
ell
heriwentt
olookf
oroneoft hecatt
le.
.

Thong:
(smi
l
edexci
tedl
y)Nopr
obl
em,
youhav
emywor
d.Good
ni
ght

Hi
m:Goodni
ght

Het
urnedaroundandwal
kedawaywhist
li
ng.Theoldmanl
ocked
t
hedoorandlai
dnextt
ohergi
vingherhi
sback..
..

Att
hehot
el.
..

Laterthatni
ghtApul
aemptiedabott
leofbeerandpl
acedi
ton
thetablesmil
ingal
lti
psybi
tti
ngherl
ips.
..

Apul
a:Iwantt
oswi
m..

Monga:
You'
rewayt
oot
ipsyf
oraswi
m..
.
Awai
tr
esswal
kedovert
henshet
urnedar
oundandpoi
ntedt
ryi
ng
t
omakeanot
heror
der.
.

Monga:
Shehashadenough,
thanks.
..

Apul
a:I
'
llpayf
ori
t.
..

Monga:
Isai
dno.

Apul
a:Ipaymyownbi
l
ls!

Monga:AndIsaidno,I'
m notnegotiat
ingwi t
hyou.Andwhat ever
t
hat'
smakingyoudr i
nkli
ket hi
sneedst ogetoutthroughyour
mouthbecauseI'
m notbuyingthi
sper fect
ionyou'
represent
ingto
me.You'
rebasical
l
yselfdestruct
ing.

Apul
a:Ineedtoswim..
.Youcan'ttel
lmewhatt odo.Kampaka
i
tshwi
mel aabekei
kelalapeng,
it'
snotl
ikeyou'
llbeher
enext
week.
..Youpeopl
ealway sl
eavetheminuteyouhearmysalar
y.

Monga: Kar
egaoswi me...Andidon'tknowwhatki ndmeny ou
beenmeet i
ng,i
don'tgiveashitwhatamounty oumakebecausei
canmakei ti
nanhour .You'r
enotrich,you'r
ejustaclevergood
gir
lwhomadegoodchoi cesandgotf avouredbyGod.Nowy ou'
re
abouttorui
nitbecausey ouneversharey ourprobl
ems.Buagor e
ostresi
wakeengbecausekeabonagor eonal estress.
..

Apul
a:(
smil
ed)I
'
m notst
ressed.Ij
ustwantt
ohav
efun.
..
Icame
forf
un.
..

Shest
oodupandpul
l
edouthert
opl
ooki
ngatt
hepool
,hest
ood
upandsli
dhisphonei
nthebackpockett
henhegr
abbedher
bef
oreshecoul
dwalktowar
dsthepool.

Apul
a:Wai
t!Wai
t!

Hepickedherphoneandcar
ri
edherbackt
other
oom asherbut
t
f
il
ledhisar
ms...

Apul
a:Putmedown!I
'
llwal
k!

Heputherdownthenshetr
iedr
unni
ng,hegrabbedherand
huggedherf
rom behi
ndasshel
aughedherdrunkenessoutl
oudl
y.

Monga:(whispered)Ketil
egogoshapawenaaut wa?Wagonna
mosadinyana.{I
'
m goingtohavetofi
xthi
sli
tt
lef
lawain'
ti
t?We
wil
lgetther
eok? }.Let
'sgo,y
ouhaveworkint
hemor ni
ng.
..
Come
on.

Hesquattedandtookof
fhershoesthenhegaveherhisf
li
p-f
lops
andwalkedbesi
desherbar
efootedholdi
nghershoesandher
hand.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#5

Att
hehot
el,

Around5inthemorni
ng,Monga'
salar
mv i
brat
edwhi
lehelaidon
thefl
oor
,heswit
cheditof
fandstoodup.Apul
awassti
l
lasleep
onthebed..
.

Heputt
hepil
lowonthebedandf
oldedt
hebl
anketbefor
eput
ti
ng
onhi
sclot
hesandenter
ingt
hepi
ncodetot
hesafe.
..

Hepulledoutabagandakeythenhequiet
lyst
eppedout.He
caref
ull
yclosedt
hedoorwit
houtwaki
ngherupandknockedon
theopposit
edoorthenhet
ri
edthedoor,
itwasunlockedsohe
walkedin.
.

Hesi
ghedl
ooki
ngatt
woguy
swhower
esl
eepi
ng.
.

Monga:
Getup!Ti
met
ochecky
ourequi
pment
..
.

Theot
hery
oungmansl
owl
ygotupandy
awnedr
ubbi
nghi
sey
es.
..
Mongat
ookouthi
sphoneanddi
aledsomeone.
..

Her
:Hel
l
o?

Monga:
Whyar
eyousl
eepi
ngatt
hist
ime?

Her
:(gasped)I
'
m awake!

Monga:Tsogang!don'
tfor
gett
odoy
ourr
ect
aldouchi
ng.Idon'
t
wantl
eswelamal ast
.

Her
:Eer
ra.

Hecutt
hecal
landdi
aledanot
herper
son.
..

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?

Monga:Heel
athemonna!Kant
eledir
amogotwengeng,
why
shoul
diwakey ouup?{
Thehel
l!Whatar
eyoupeopl
edoi
ng
sl
eepi
ngatthi
st i
me?

Hi
m:I
'
m up!

Hehungupandwal
kedout
..
.

Monga:
I'
ll
beatt
heseti
nanhour
.
Them:
Ok.
.

Heclosedthedoort
henhewalkedpastafewdoorsandl
ooked
behi
ndhimt omakesurenobodycoul
dseehimthenheunl
ocked
anot
herroom andwalkedi
n.

Hedr oppedthebagont hebedt ookoutt helaptopthenhel oaded

hisgunast helapt
opswi t
chedont henheclickedont he
surveil
l
ancev i
deoandwat chedhist argetsl
eepingwiththe
khoisan13y earol
dashisr i
ngshi ned.Mongasatont heedgeof
thebedandcl osedhiseyesholdingt hegunasi fhewaspr aying
thenheputont heglovesandleft...

Theot
herhot
el.
..

Mongaqui et
lywalkedal
ongthepassagelooki
ngatther
oom
numbersandst oppedathi
starget
,hetookadeepbreat
hand
knocked.Therewassil
encethenheknockedagai
n..

Man:
I'
m comi
ng!

Heputonhismaskandtookoutt
hegunt
henhescr
ewedi
nthe
si
l
encerashishear
tpounded.
Thedooropenedandt
heol
dmanst
uckhi
sheadout
,Monga
poi
ntedathi
m wit
hagun.
..

Monga:Stopsl
eepi
ngwitht
heteenager
s.You'
regi
vi
ngt
he
opposi
ti
onpart
iesanoppor
tuni
tyt
oshine.

Hedroppedt
heguntohi
sfootandf
ir
edspl
ashi
ngbl
oodont
he
whi
tedoorastheol
dmandroppedt
othefl
oor
.

Monga:Callt
hesecur
it
ysot
heycanbewi
tnessesofy
ousl
eepi
ng
wi
thunderagegi
rl
s.

Mongaclosedt
hedoorandwalkedbacktaki
ngoffhismask.He
shov
edthegunbehi
ndhisbackandinnocent
lywalkedout
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Der
rick'
swi
fetur
nedherswoll
enheadandgr
ant
edsi
tt
ingup,
she
pi
ckedherphoneanddi
aledhersi
ster
..
.

Her
:Hel
l
o?
Mrs:Hi
,Icoul
dn'
ttal
klastni
ght
..
.Myheadi
sget
ti
ngbi
ggerand
bi
gger.

Her:
Lewenammay ou'
realway
spr
ovoki
ngDer
ri
ck,
mamat
old
youonedayt
hismanwil
lsnap.

Her:
I'
veneverseenhim soangr
y..
.Hewantstodi
vor
ceme.Can
youhelpmegetpict
uresofhim wi
thhersoicanl
eav
ethe
marri
agewi
thsomet hi
ng?

Her
:Sui
ngamai
d?Whatwi
l
lshegi
vey
ou?

Mrs:Shewi
llseehowtodealwi
thit.Sheshoul
dhav
ethought
abouti
tbef
oreenter
tai
ningamarr
iedman.

Her
:Ok,
I'
ll
tal
ktosomeone.

Mr
s:By
e,Ican'
ttal
kforl
ong.Myheadhur
ts

Her
:By
e

Shehungupandsi
ghed.
..

AtMonga'
sroom.
..

Lat
erthatmorni
ngMongawalkedbacki nther
oom andsl
owl
y
cl
osedthedoor.Hepl
acedevery
thingbackint
hesafeandcl
osed
i
tthenhetookashowerandsteppedout..
Hesatonthechai
randleanedoverki
ssingApul
a'
sfor
ehead'
s,
sheopenedherey
esslowlyandhesmiled..

Monga:
Mor
ning.
..

Shegotupyawningandsatupthensheremember
edher
behav
iourl
astni
ghtandsmiledembarr
assed.
.

Apul
a:OhmyGod.
..I
'
m sor
ryaboutl
astni
ght
..

Monga:(
laughed)I
t'
sokMsI
ndependence

Shel
aughedembar
rassedandputherhandsov
erherf
ace.He
l
aughedandst
ooddemonstrat
ingf
orher.
.

Monga:
Wai
tsegor
ekehaodi
raj
ang

Shelaughedembar
rassedandgotof
fthebedt
ost
ophi
mfr
om
doi
ngwhatshewasdoi ng.
.

Apul
a:St
opi
t.
.
Hel
aughedasshewr
appedherar
msar
oundhi
stor
so.
.

Monga:
(laughed)Iwantt
oshowy
ouwhaty
ouwer
edoi
ng

Apul
a:(
laughed)No,
don'
t!

Monga:
Kehar
ewenay
ou'
rear
ich-

Apul
a:(
scr
eami
ngt
odi
stor
thi
m)Nananananananana.
..

Hel
aughedandt
urnedar
oundl
ooki
ngather
..

Apul
a:ButI
'
m ser
ious,
I'
mver
ysor
ry.
..

Monga:
It'
sok.
..Lookatme.
..

Hecuppedherfaceandsmiledtr
yingnott
olaughbuthepull
ed
herov
erforhugandlaughedbehi
ndherwhilehuggi
ngher.

Apul
a:Buty
ou'
rest
il
ll
aughi
ng

Monga:
(laughed)I
'
m notl
aughi
ng.
..

Hesighedandl
eanedbackl
ooki
ngi
nherey
est
henhef
ixedher
hai
r.
Monga:
Butdon'
teverdr
inkmorethan3bottl
es.
..I
fyout
akethe
4t
hbott
lewher
everyou'
rej
ustcal
lmesoi cancomegetyou.

Apula:
Andj
usttobecl
earidon'
tgodr
inki
nclubsorbar
s.Idr
ink
athomeormaybeatafr
iend'
spart
yorsomet
hing.
..

Monga:Par
ti
esar edanger
ous.Don'tdr
inkalot
..
.Promiseme
goreet
areeveryti
mey outakethe4thbott
leyou'
ll
alwaysl
etme
knownomatterhowangrywear eatoneanotherorhowfariam.

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Ipr
omi
se.
..

Monga:
Good.
.(l
ookedathi
swat
ch)I
tst
imet
ogot
owor
k..

Shelookedatt
het
imeandgaspedthensherushedi
nthe
bat
hroom.Hesatont
hebedandsighedtext
ing.

Monga:
Isev
ery
thi
ngr
eady
?

Tux:
Yeah,
wai
ti
ngf
ort
hegi
rl
sbar
ethey
'r
eont
hei
rway
.

Monga:
Sur
e.

Minut
elat
erApul
asteppedoutandputonhercl
otheshestar
ed
ather
,hi
spantst
ight
enedthenheputapil
l
owonhi slapasshe
l
aughed.
.
Monga:
Odi
rakabomoaker
e?

Apul
a:(
laughed)IswearI
'
m not
..
.Sor
ry.
.

Minut
eslat
ertheywal
kedoutandheadedtothepar
kingl
otwhere
heopenedthedoorf
orher
,shegotinthenhecl
osedthedoorand
si
ghed.

Monga:
Thanksf
ordr
oppi
ngby
..

Apul
a:Sur
e..
.

Twoyoungwomensawhi
m andwal
kedov
ert
othem j
ustasshe
pul
l
edtheseat
bel
t.
.

Them:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
..
.

Het
urnedandl
ookedatt
hem.
..

Monga:
Hi.
.

Apul
alookedatt
hem andl
ookedatMongaf
ori
ntr
oduct
ions.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#6

Att
hehot
el,

Mongat
urnedgl
ari
ngatt
hem.
.

Monga:
What
?

Theytur
nedandwalkedawayal
mostt
ri
ppi
ngont
hei
rheel
sthen
hetur
nedandlookedather
.

Monga:
Dri
vesaf
ely

Apul
a:Whoar
ethey
?

Monga:
They
'r
eher
etopi
ckupsomet
hing.

Apul
a:Whydi
dn'
tyoui
ntr
oduceme?

Monga:
(laughed)Aswhat
?

Apul
a:Yourpot
ent
ial
bae,
soont
obegi
rl
fr
iend.
.

Het
urnedar
oundi
nst
ant
lyandsummonedt
hem.
.
Monga:
Hey
!Tangkwano!

Shegaspedandl
aughed.
.

Apula:
Hei
wena!I
'
mjoki
ng!I
t'
sadamnj
oke!Tel
lthem t
ogoback!
Jesus.

Monga:
(backt
othem)I
t'
sok,
Shap!

Theytur
nedbackconf
usedandwal
kedawayt
henhet
urnedback
smil
ing.
..

Apul
a:I
twasaj
oke!

Monga:
Ok.
..ButI
'
m gl
adi
hav
eachance.

Apul
a:Thatwasaj
oket
oo

Monga:
(laughed)Bl
uel
i
es!

Theylaughedoutloudassherever
sedanddrov
eoffthenhe
sighedandwalkedback.Herecei
vedabankdeposi
tnoti
fi
cat
ion
thenherecei
vedacall.
..
Monga:
Yeah.

Voice:Ij
ustmadet hepayment.The"
bigli
on"isimpressed,
we
mightusey outokeeptheseguysinl
i
ne..(chuckl
ed)TheMP
hasn'tev
ent ol
dhiswife,
inst
eadheannouncedt hatametalrod
fel
lonhisfoot.

Monga:
Whataboutt
hechi
l
dhewaswi
th?

Voi
ce:
Shewast
akenbackt
oherpar
ent
s.Thanksman.

Monga:
You'
rewel
come.

Hehungupandwal
kedi
n..
.

AtDer
ri
ck'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi l
eDer ri
ckstaredatthecei
li
nglyingonhi sback,
Maru'
s
wordsaboutev eryoneknowingheget sbeatenbyawoman
shutt
eredhishear t
..
.Nowonderpeopl ehaveal waysbeenni
ceto
hi
m. .
.Theythoughthewasaweakst upidman. .Maruwould
probablyneverreal
lylovehi
m orrespecthim knowingheist
he
typetobebeat enbyawoman. .
.

Hi
sphoner
angt
henhepi
cked.
.
Der
ri
ck:
Hel
l
o?

Eri
c:Heybro,j
ustwantedtocheckony ou.Isawyourmi
ssed
cal
l.
..Isl
eptear
lyl
astnightbecausei
hav eashoot.

Der
ri
ck:
Whatar
eyoushoot
ing?

Er
ic:
Justsomev
ideo

Derri
ck:Wast
haty
ourcarf
orr
eal
ory
ouwer
ejustbl
uff
ingon
facebook?

Er
ic:
It'
smi
nebi
gbr
o,I
'
llcomeshowi
ttoy
ouaf
tert
heshoot

Der
ri
ck:Er
icwher
edi
dyougett
hemoneyt
obuyr
ecentRav
4
model
?

Eri
c:I
'
m worki
nghard.
..Igaveuponmydr eam tobehiredbyBt
v
oranyoft
hesebi
gtelevisi
onproduct
ioncompanies.I
'
m doingi
t
onmyownandI '
m good.Ihir
edaguyf orl
ight
ingandit'
s
awesome.

Derr
ick:ButI'
veneverseenyouposti
nganyofth3videosyou
shoot.Facebookpagesalwayspostmanyaloandparti
esand
whatevertheyshootbutyouneverpostmuch.

Eric:Mycl
ientswantpr
ivacy.Iwor
kforthi
sgoodguy,asl
ongas
yougi v
ehim goodqual
it
yv i
deoswithperf
ectedi
ti
nghepaysy
ou
reall
ygood.

Der
ri
ck:
Soy
ou'
renoty
ourownboss?

Er
ic:
Iam t
hedi
rect
orofEr
icVi
sual
sandi
hav
eacont
ractwi
th
t
hisot
herguy
.Ishoothi
svi
deosandhepay
sme.

Der
ri
ck:
Sol
edi
raengsent
ent
e?Musi
cvi
deos?

Eri
c:Uh,whatcani say.
..Let
'sj
ustsayheisthedir
ectorofa
busi
nessthatproducesv i
deosandpoststhem onl
ine.Hisv
ideos
areboughti
ndol l
arsandpounds,evenpict
uresareboughtforl
ike
1doll
arbut1dollargiv
esy ouli
keP10,weshootal otpi
ctur
esand
vi
deos.

Der
ri
ck:
Gakegout weEr
ic,
ihopey
ou'
renotl
yi
ng.Ihopey
ou
di
dn'
tst
eal
thatcar
.

Er
ic:I
'
llnev
erbesobrokethati
shoplif
tagai
n.Never!Notaslong
asihaveatal
entofcapt
uri
ngspeci
almoment sandedit
ing.
AnywaysIwantedt
ocheckony oucauseimissedyourcal
l.

Derr
ick:
Thi
scrazywomanandi hadaf i
ghtandismashedher
headonthewall
.Sher
efusedt
odi e.I
'
m gladsheisnotdeadbut
..

Er
ic:
Whydon'
tyoudi
vor
ce?Thi
siswhyI
'
m af
rai
dofwomen

Der
ri
ck:
Iam di
vor
cing.
.

Er
ic:
Mybossj
ustwal
kedi
n,I
'
m att
heset
,hav
etogo.

Acal
lfr
om hermot
hercamet
hrough.
..

Der
ri
ck:
Hermot
heri
scal
l
ingt
oo.Cheer
s

Er
ic:
Bye
Der
ri
ck:
Hel
l
o?

Her:Hi.Son..
.Wetalkedtoherandshei sr
emorseful
fort
ryi
ngto
burnyou.Shei sgl
ady oudi
dn'tgetbur
nedbutwedon'twantyou
twotoi nvol
vethepoli
ceorjumpi nt
othediv
orce.Wecantal
k
aboutthis.

Derr
ick:Wit
hal duerespectmother,I
'
vemadeupmymi ndabout
thedivor
ce.Idon'twantherbecauseibeli
evether
earebett
er
womenoutt here.Ideser
vebetterbecauseI'
vebeennot
hingbut
goodtoher.

Her
:But
-

Der
ri
ck:
I'
m atwor
k,mybossj
ustwal
kedi
n.By
e

Her
:I'
l
lcal
ll
ater
.

Hecutt
hecal
landsi
ghedsi
tt
ingont
heedgeoft
hebed.
..
.

Att
hef
arm.
.

Latert
hatmorni
ngAt si
l
egotoutoft
hehouseandyawned
standi
ngatthedoor
.Thôngarriv
edonahorseandsl
iddown
thenhehandedherrawhoneyinasmal
lbucket
..
.

Thông:Igott
hatf
rom Bot
hoandt
houghtmay
bey
ou'
denj
oyi
t
more.
At
sil
e:Thanky
ou.
..Howi
sshe?

Thông:Shei
sfi
ne.Shef
oundaj
obi
nMaunsoshewi
l
lbel
eav
ing
soon.

Atsi
le:
Ok,
thankyouf
ort
hehoney
..
.Ir
eal
l
yappr
eci
atei
t.Hav
eyou
seenmyhusband?

Thong:
Ohhewentt
oseehi
sfr
iend,
hernamei
sMant
ši.

At
sil
e:Fr
iend?

Thong:
Yeah,shesleepsher
ewheny
ou'r
enotaround.Hercl
othes
st
ayinthet
runk,don'
taskmehowiknewthat
.

At
sil
e:Ar
eyouser
iousnewena?

Thong:
Yeah.
..

Shewalkedbacki
nthehousewit
hthebucketofhoneyand
openedthet
runk,
hermouthdr
oppedthensheturnedl
ooki
ngat
hi
m..

AtApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Apul
asli
dsidet
osi
desmi
l
ingal
one,
herphoner
angt
henshe
pi
ckedsmil
i
ng.

Apul
a:Hel
l
o??
Monga:
Mayi
comei
n?

Shest
oodupandopenedt
hedoort
ohi
m smi
l
ingwi
tht
hephone
onhi
sear.

Apul
a:Comei
n..

Shesmil
edlooki
ngathiminfor
malwearandohmyGod,
she
smil
edbl
ushingspeechl
essandcl
osedt
hedoor.

Monga:
Canit
akeyououtf
orbr
eakf
asti
nthedel
ta?Byt
heway
howmuchdoyouwant
?

Apul
a:Forwhat
?

Monga:
Just,i
alway
sthoughtoncei
findsomeoneil
ikeI'
d
al
waysgiv
ethem moneyr
andomlywit
houtanyexpl
anati
on.How
muchdoyouwant?

Apul
a:(
smil
ed.
)Nobodyhasev
ergi
venmemoney
,P200?.
..Gi
ve
meP250.

Monga:
It'
stoosmal
l
,thi
nkbi
g

Apul
a:I
sthi
saj
oke?

Monga:
Howmuchdoy
ouwant
?

Apul
a:Ok,
P500
Monga:
Ok.

Hesenther10K,shef
ir
stl
ookedatthenumbertoconf
ir
mitwas
r
ealandyeah,i
twasamessagefrom FNBthenshesmil
ed.
.

Apula:
OhmyGod, i
tsreal
.Sothi
sishowitfeel
sgobechet
swa?I
haven'
tspenti
tbutital
readyt
ast
esbett
erthanmine.

Theylaughedasshecl osedt helaptopindi sbel

i
ef ,
Mongat ur
ned
heraroundandkissedher .
..Sheslowlyl etgooft helapt
opashe
tur
nedherov erandputheront hetablet henhereachedf orher
j
awandki ssedher.Hisbreath,hishandsonherbodyhadher
panti
eswetbuthest oppedandbabyki ssedhert henhest epped
back.
..

Monga:
Let
'sgo.
..

Shegotdownandfol
l
owedhim wi
thsoaki
ngpanti
esanda
thr
obbi
ngpussyashehel
dherhandl
ikehedi
dn'tj
ustdot
hat
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#7

Att
hef
arm.
..

Atsi
lesatonthebedandrubbedhert
ear
swhil
eThongstoodby
star
ingather
,hesatnextt
oherandhuggedherasshebur
sti
nto
tear
s..
.

Thông:
I'
m sor
ry

Sheleanedbackandr
ubbedhert
ear
sthenshel
eanedov
erand
ki
ssedhim..

Thông:
Wai
t.
..

Shel
eanedbackandl
ookeddownembar
rassed.
..

Thông:Ihavebeenwait
ingf
orthi
skissmywhol elif
ebutiwantto
knowthatitcomesfr
om agoodplace.Idon'twanttogetmy
hopesuponlytofi
ndoutI'
m pi
eceaofr evengeservedcol
dfor
theol
dman.
At
sil
elookedathi
m andsmi
l
edl
ooki
ngaway
..
.

Thong:
(smi
l
ed)Keeng?

Atsi
le:Idi
dn'tt
hinky
ou'
dreactl
i
ket
hat
..
.Andi
appr
eci
atei
tbut
I
'm notrevengi
ng.

Thong:
Gaodi
ri
siwekest
ress?Li
key
ouf
eel
somet
hingf
orme?

At
sil
e:(
laughedembar
rassed)St
opmaki
ngmeadmi
tit
..

Theyl
aughedt
henhegr
abbedherhandandpul
l
edherup.
.

Thong:
Let
'sgo.
..Theol
dman'
sbedwasnotexact
lypar
tofmy
fant
asi
eswheniwasdaydr
eamingaboutki
ssi
ngy
ou.

At
sil
e:Youdr
eamedaboutme?

Thong:Morethanyoucanimagi
ne.
..Canwegot
omypl
oughi
ng
fi
eld?Si
nceyou'r
eall
alone.
..

At
sil
e:Ok.
..Letmef
reshenupf
ir
st.

Thong:
Great
..
.

Hewaitedout
sidepatti
nghishorsewhi
leshetookaqui
ckbath
andputonherdress.Thongtur
nedaroundandsmil
edlooki
ngat
her.
..Hi
seyescurvedashesmi
l
edandpi
ckedheruphel
pingher
getonthehorse.

Shesatonthesaddl
ethenhewal
kedbesi
dest
hehor
sehol
ding
ther
opes.
..

Thong:
So.
..Whatat
tract
edy
out
ohi
m?

At
sil
e:Kenekebeel
edi
tswekel
emonny
e

Hestoppedwal
ki
ngandtur
nedar
oundl
ooki
ngather
,herey
es
dr
oppeddownshameful
l
y.

Atsil
e:Igrewupwi t
hhim calli
ngmehi swi f
eandi didn'
tknow
whatitmeant .Mypar entswoul dalsotel
lmet odishforhim
whenev erhev isit
s.Ididn'
tthinkdeeplyaboutitunti
liwas14and
gotmyf i
rstperiod.Iwasi nthehousef oraweek. .
.It
'sourculture.
Whenagi rlchil
dget sherperiodforthefir
sttimeshei sputint he
housef oraweek.Ony ourdayoutt heycutyourhairandt hereisa
ceremony ..
.Elderssingandpr ai
sebecausey ou'
renowawoman.
Notlongaf terthati wastoldhei smyhusbandi naspeci fic
manner ..
.Itstil
ldidn'
tregist
erbecausei wasasl owchi l
dbut
eventuall
yi understoodashest art
edtouchingmeandt el
lingme
thi
ngs.
Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
esasshel
aughedherpai
nout
..
.

Atsil
e:Canyoubeliev
ewhenhef ir
sttookmei thoughtiwas
goingtobeoneofhi schi l
dren.Hislastbornismyagemat eand
weusedt oplaytogether.Hisfir
stborndaught erwasn'thappy
aboutthisandwhenshewant edtoreportkgosi t
oldherthat
sinceI'
m notunderageandmypar entssignedaconsentf orm
thenthemar r
iagei
sv erymuchl egal.

Thông'sf
acedroppedashestoodther
elookingatherthenhe
car
riedonwalki
ng.Hishandhoover
edoverthelonggrassthenhe
pul
ledonegrassandbiti
tasheledthehorse.

Thong: Mymot herworkedf ort hi

sf arm ev ersincei can
rememberandwhenshedi edmy selfandBot hohadt ocarryon
workingsowewoul dn'
tstarv e.Wedi dn'tfi
ndoutt hatthe
governmentt akescar eofor phansunt ilwewer e18and
consideredadul t
s.Whatbr okemyhear tisthattheol dmanknew
butnev erbotheredtot el
lus...Youknowpeopl einthissmall
vil
l
agear ebackwar ds...SoI'
m notsur pri
sedt hatyou'ret
rappedin
asy st
em t hatyourparentscr eated.Ij ustnevert houghtsuch
thi
ngsst il
lexist
ed..
.Ithoughti tsanol ddeadt r
aditi
onbutthenwe
l
iveinar emot earea.

At
sil
e:ButI
'm gl
aditendedwi
thme,manypeopl
eshunnedi
tand
myparent
sstoppedit.Mysi
ster
swentt
oschool
..Ot
lhe,
Maru
andApul
atheyallgotapr
opereducat
ion.Apul
awentt
othe
Uni
ver
sit
ybutothersdi
dwellt
oo.

Hel
ookedatherandsmi
l
edashewal
kedbesi
dest
hehor
se.
.

Thong:
Buty
ouknowy
ou'
reamazi
ngr
ight
?

At
sil
e:How?

Thong:You'
relovi
ng.
..Andithi
nkyoucansti
l
l sur
vivewi t
houthi
m.
You'
reanadultnowsoy oucandecidef
oryoursel
fify ouwant
hi
m ornot..
.Asformoneyicangiveyouthevegetablesi
pl
oughedandy oucansell
..
.Oryoucanfi
ndagoodj ob.

At
sil
e:Hesayshewillki
l
lmeandkil
lhi
mselfi
fil
eave.Hesaysi
mustpayhi
mf orsupport
ingmewheniwasyoungunti
lnow

Thong:Kukuyat
ura,eneoebony ekaeyamahala,
sal
eait
uet
se
waatshameka.Abusev i
rgi
nit
yreteremoduel
emadiagagwe.

Theylaughed.Mi
nuteslat
ert
heywal
kedi
nhi
sgar
denandl
eftt
he
horsetograzear
ound..

Atsi
lesmi
l
edl
ooki
ngathi
scr
opsast
heywal
kedbet
weent
he
rows..
At
sil
e:You'
reahar
dwor
ker
..

Thong:
Thanks.
..Comet
hissi
de.
.

Theywalkedtohisoneroom attheendofthegar
den,
hehad
that
chedgazebobesidesthehouseandtherewasahanging
woodenbedwi t
hmat tr
ess,sheslowl
ysatdownandsighed.
..

Thong:
Doy
oudr
ink?

Atsi
l
e: Iwoul
dn'
tsayidon'
tdr
inkbuti
can'
tsayi
dri
nki
fthel
ast
ti
mei didwas4yearsago.

Thong:
(laughed)OK.
..I
t'
str
adi
ti
onal
wine

At
sil
e:What
?

Thong:Motšema.
..I
t'
spal
m wi
nebuti
wanty
out
ohav
ebr
eakf
ast
fi
rstt
henyoucanhavehal
fagl
ass.

At
sil
e:Ok.
..

Hewalkedinthehouseandmadeherbreakf
astwhi
leshel
aidon
herbackswingi
ngonthebed.Minut
esl
aterhepl
acedthepl
ate
nextt
oherthentheyatebef
orehavi
ngwine.
.

Atsi
l
e:I
t'
ssweetandmi
l
ky.
..Inev
ert
houghtat
radi
ti
onal
wine
coul
dbethi
sgood..
.
Thong:Buti
tsaddit
ivesoyoushoul
dn'
thav
eiti
nar
owot
her
wise
youtur
nintoanalcohol
ic.

At
sil
e:Thanky
ou.
.

Hetookbackhist
rayandlai
dnexttoherast
heyrelaxedt
henhe
putherheadonhi
sshoulderandki
ssedherf
orehead..
.

Thong:I
tfeel
sli
keadr
eam,
inev
ert
houghtI
'
dev
erhol
dyoul
i
ke
thi
s..

At
sil
e:(l
aughed)Ial
wayski
ndoflikedy
ou.
..Omonteandyou'
re
cl
ean,i
li
kethewayy oual
wayssmi l
eatme..Ial
way
swonderedif
i
twasanor malsmil
eoryoufel
tthewayifelt
.

Het urnedhisheadandlookedatherthenheleanedoverand
kissedher ,
theyki
ssedashegotont opofherandkissedher
further.
..
.

Atsi
le'
spanti
esgotwetasheki ssedherpantingandrubbi
ng
himselfonher
,heunzippedhisjeansandkickedthem out
remainingwi
thboxershort
s..
.Theirpr
ivat
esr ubbedwi
thhispant
s
onandherpantieson..
.

Heknewhecoul
dn'
tdomuchwi
thoutacondom butst
il
lthe
r
ubbi
ngwasenough.
..I
thadbeenawhil
esincehefel
tthi
sway.
..
Hi
sbloodr
ushedt
ohisdickasi
tgothar
derli
keitwoul
dpop.
.

Atsi
lemoanedashegent
lymovedhiswaist
,shecoul
dli
ter
all
y
feel
hisheadr
ubbi
ngagai
nstherwetpussy.
..

Thong:
(gr
unt
ed)Idon'
thav
econdoms.
..
I'
m sor
ry

Tearsfi
l
ledhereyesandr ol
l
eddownatt hecornerofhereyesas
shemoanedhel pl
essl
y, sheneverknewadi ckcouldbet hathar
d
orevenerectwit
houtherhav ingtost r
uggl
eorassist.
.Shecould
onl
yimaginehowaner ectdickfeltandthepainofnothaving
condomsbr okeherheartshebur stintot
ears.
..

At
sil
e:(
cry
ing)Nnakabat
ahel
a..
.

Shecri
edonhisneckashegr unt
edkissi
ngherandrubbing
himsel
fonher,hecouldfeel
herwarmththr
oughhiswetshorts
thenhi
sdickpoppedbetweenthebutt
onsbutherpanti
esblocked.
Shegraspedashekissedherandsl
ippedbetweenhert
highs.
.

At
sil
e:(
cry
ing)Thongpl
ease.
..
Hedidn'thavethemoneytosuppor tababyshouldhemakeone
andhedi dn'
tknowherstatus.Hekissedherandthrustherthi
ghs
unti
lhecamet henhekissedherandsl i
ppedhishandinsideher
panti
es.Hef l
i
ckedheruntilsher
eleased.
.

Thong:
I'
m sor
ry.
..

Att
hedel
ta.
..

Mongahel
dApul
a'
shandast
heywal
kedwi
thherey
es
bl
i
ndfol
ded.
.

Monga:
Keepgoi
ng.
..

Shetookafewcar
eful
stepssmi
l
ingt
ryi
ngt
obal
anceher
sel
fat
thesameti
me..
.

Apul
a:(
laughed)Ibet
ternotf
all
..
.

Monga:Ok,
weareher
e..
.Pl
easedon'
tj
umporscream..
.Thi
sis
t
hewildsoi
fyoust
art
lesomethi
ngi
tendsi
ntear
sf ory
ou.

Monga:
You'
rescar
ingme.
.
Heremovedthebli
ndf
oldandsheopenedherey
es,
herhear
t
ski
ppedandshejumpedbackscreami
ngbuthecover
edher
mouthwhil
estandi
ngbehi
ndher.
...

Monga:
Shhh.
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#8

Att
hedel
ta.
..

Apul
a'
shear
tpoundedast
hel
i
onsni
ff
edt
hei
rhouset
hrought
he
onewaygl
ass.
.

Monga:
(whisper
ed)I
tcan'
tseey
ou,
it'
ssni
ff
ingbecausei
tcan
seei
tsr
efl
ecti
on..

Hel etgoofherasshet ookadeepbr eathandsighedlooki

ngat
thelion,itwashuge...Shealwaysthoughtalionist
hesizeofa
dogbutno. .
.Itwashuge...Justt
heheadwi ththemane.Monga
placedhi shandov ertheheadasshegai nedtheconfi
denceto
alsot ouchtheglass..
.

Apul
a:Sol
i
onscancomeher
e?

Monga:
Yeah,butt
heyshoul
dn'tbesoclosetothecampt
hough
t
heycome.Thi
sistheact
iontouri
stspayfor
..
.

Apul
a:Andbabey
oubr
oughtmeher
e?

Monga:
It'
sourr
oom.
..Thewi
l
dli
fedepar
tmentshoul
dbeher
e
soonanyways.
.That'
snotwhyibroughtyouhere.
.Tur
naround.
..
Youdidn'
tseeyoursur
pri
sebecauseigotdist
ract
edbytheli
on.
..

Shetur
nedar
oundandlookedatt
hebedwi
tht
hemosqui
tonet
st
yli
shl
yti
edtot
hecornersoft
hebed.
..

Apul
a:Ohmygodd.
..

Shewalkedoverandpi
ckedt
hebot
tl
eofwi
nebef
orebi
ti
ngabi
g
dar
kgrape..
.

Hewalkedoverandhandedhercase,sheopenedthesmallcase
andsmil
edlooki
ngatanecklacewithhisnamethenhepickedit
upandsmil
edlookingather
..
.

Monga:
Wil
lyoubemygi
rl
fr
iend?

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Yes.
..Puti
tonme.
.

Monga:
Wai
t.
..Wehav
etot
akev
ows

Apul
a:v
ows?

Hegoti
tfrom herandputi
tont
hebedt
henhehel
dherhands
andsmi
led..
Monga:Iwanttomaket hi
ngsclearf
rom t
hebegi
nni
ngbecausei
don'
twanttosurpri
seyou.I
fyou'r
emygirl
fri
endy
oucan'
tdri
nk
the4t
hbeerwithoutlet
ti
ngmeknow

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Iknow.
.

Monga:Youcan'tbeov erfri
endl
ywithothermen..
.Noteveryman
becauseiknowt herearethosei
nnocentorprof
essional
rel
ati
onshipsbutyoucan'thavesuchthesamewayi can'
thav
ea
femalefr
iendicallbabebecause"wearejustcl
ose",no.

Apul
a:Per
fect
!OK.
.

Monga:Youcan'
taskwhati
dounl
essi
feel
li
key
ou'
rer
eadyt
o
handl
eit
.

Apul
a:Ok,
canIaskt
his,
isi
til
l
egal
?

Monga:
Yeah.

Apul
a:Ok.
..

Monga:
Youcan'
ttel
lyoursi
ster
sanythi
ngaboutme,
buti
fthey
askt
oomanyquesti
onstell
them kel
eDIS.

Apul
a:Ok,
wast
hest
oryabouty
oursont
rue?

Monga:
I'
ll
nev
erl
i
etoy
ouunl
essi
t'
stosav
eyourl
i
fe.I
twast
rue.
.

Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghed.
.
Apul
a:Ok.
..

Monga:
Any
thi
ngy
ouwantmet
oknow?

Apul
a:Idon'
twantt
obebeat
en,
you'
dnev
erbeatmer
ight
?

Monga:
Woul
dther
ebear
easonf
ormet
odot
hat
?

Apula:No,i
mean. .Idon'
tknowwhatitt
akestoupsety
oubut
evenifyou'
reupsetiwouldn'
twanty
out obeatme.

Monga:Letmegiv
eyouanexample.
.Ifi
caughtyouhavingsex
wit
hanothermanwoul
dyouexpectmetosmileandjustwalk
away?

Apul
a:Whatdoy
ouwantt
odoi
nasuchasi
tuat
ionel
egor
e?

Monga:
Ipr
ayi
don'
tmur
derany
onet
hatwoul
dbesadf
orhi
s
f
amil
y.

Apul
a:Whatar
eyousay
ing?

Monga:Iwon'
tbeatyou,butdon'tdotheunt
hinkable.
..Don'
t
cheat
,don'
thi
tmeori nsul
tme. .
.Idon'
tli
keverbalabuse.Let
's
j
ustnotabuseoneanotheragreed?

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Agr
eed.
.

Monga:
Heal
thst
atuses?

Apul
a:I
'
m negat
ive

Monga:
I'
m negat
ivet
oo.
.

Apul
a:Any
oney
oubeenseei
ng?

Monga:
No,
buti
wasbuy
ingsexf
rom acer
tai
nsel
l
er.You?
Apul
a:Ihavesweethands(
theyl
aughed)buty
ou'
l
ldel
eteher
numberri
ght?

Monga:
Eemma.
..Consi
deri
tdone.

Hetookouthisphoneanddelet
edhernumberthenhesighed
l
ookingatherl
ips,
heleanedoverandki
ssedherastheylai
don
t
hebed.Hepausedkissingherandsmil
edlyi
ngontopofher .
..

Monga:Oh,andi ki
ndoflovesex.
..Somet
imeswhenicomeback
fr
om workijustwantsextobeabletothi
nkst
rai
ght
.Don'
tbe
off
endedifiwantmoresex...

Apul
a:(
laughed)Jesus.
..OK

Monga:
ButI
'
llbehav
eandwai
tforourf
ir
stt
ime,
nopr
essur
e..
.

Apul
a:Goodboy
..
.

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedhert
henherphoner
ang.
..

Apul
a:(
pickedsmi
l
ingathi
m)Hel
l
o?

At
sil
e:Hi
,I
'mt
aki
ngt
hebust
oMaun.Wi
l
lyoupi
ckusup?

Apul
a:Ok,
whoar
eyouwi
th?Keut
waor
epi
ckusup

At
sil
e:Ohit
sThong.Hei
scomi
ngt
oMaunt
obuyaf
ewt
hingsf
or
hi
sgarden.
Apul
a:(
shel
ookedatMongaandhegav
eherat
humbsup)Ok,
I'
ll
pi
ckyouup.

At
sil
e:Thanks.Isawy
ourmessage,
okaemat
housand?

Apul
a:(
cover
edhermout
handgotof
ffr
om under
neat
hhi
m
bef
orehecoul
dhear
)Uh?

At
sil
e:(
laughed)Wher
eisMat
housand?

Apul
a:(
lower
edherv
oice)Ot
eng

Otl
he:(
joi
nedi
n)Hel
l
o?Ar
eyoust
il
lwi
thMat
housand?Rebat
ago
seba

Apula:
(laughedandlookedatMongaashei
nnocent
lypour
ed
wineunawar e)Guy
s!

Maru:Hell
o,heiineverthoughtwewouldeverhav
emat housand
i
nourf ami
ly.Whencanweseehi m?Whatdoeshedo?Ibetheis
alawyerordoctor,orhewor ksatthemi
ne.
..Nowait
,hehasa
busi
nessright
?

Apul
a:(l
aughedandlower
edherv
oice)I
'
m hangi
ngup
mathousandoteng.

Si
ster
s:(
laughed)By
e

Shehungupandl
aughedasshewal
kedov
er.
..

Apul
a:Sor
ryaboutt
hat
..
Mat
housand:
It'
sok.
.

Shel
aughedl
ooki
ngathi
m andhef
rownedconf
used.
.

Monga:
What
?

Apul
a:(
laughed)Not
hing.
..

Shesatonhisl
apandputherar
msoverhisshoul
der
sthenshe
l
eanedoverandki
ssedhi
ssweetli
psbef
oresmili
ngagai
n
admir
inghi
m...

Monga:
(smi
ledembar
rassed)Babekeeng?Whydoy
oukeep
smi
li
ngli
ket
hat?

Apula:Because,
ilovey ou.
..Myrelati
onshipsdon'
tusuall
yst
art
l
ikethis,
it'
ssexfi
rstthenmi sunderst
andingsaft
er.Theynev
er
evenlastsoI'
m happy .
..

Hepul
l
edherchi
nov
erandki
ssedher
..
.

AtMar
u'sHouse.
..
Laterthataft
ernoonDerri
ckpul l
edoverandst eppedout
,hi
s
daughtergotoutwithapl ast
icoftoysandr antowardsMar
u's
daughter.Theybothlookedinsideandpickedwhi l
ehegott
he
pl
asticbagsandwal kedtowar dsthehouse...

Aguyi nthenexthouseappearedtohavebeent aki

ngpictures,
Derr
ickpausedandl ookedathimthenhepr et
endedt obetaking
aselfi
e.Knowinghiswifeandherfamily
, t
heypaidthisyoung
mant ospyonhi m andgatherev
idence.
..That
'sOKt oo.She
coul
dgoonwi ththelawsui
t..
.

Hewal
kedi
nt hehouseandputdownt
hepl
ast
icswhi
l
eMar
usat
ont
hebed.
..

Mar
u:Ithi
nkmynext
-doornei
ghbouri
sspy
ingonus.Hel
ooksat
mefunny

Derr
ick:
Iknow, don'
tworryaboutit
.IfshesuesyouI'
m gett
inga
l
oanandpay ingthenthatmoneyisour s.Att
heendofthedaywe
wouldhaveaccumul at
edadebtf orthemoneywear ebothgoing
t
ospend, nnamyshar ewil
lbecomi ngt oyouascompensati
on
fort
heembar rassmentshecaused.Letherdowhatevershe
wants.

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedhercheek.
..
Der
ri
ck:
Rel
ax.
..

Att
hebusr
ank.
..

Latert
hataft
ernoonAtsi
leandThongst
eppedoutoft
hebusand
headedtothewaiti
ngarea.
.

Thong:
SowhatdoesMat
aozendo?

At
sil
e:Idon'
tknow,
buti
tmustbeahi
ghpay
ingj
ob.Why
?

Thong:
Not
hing.
.

Theysatdownandsighedthenanunf
amil
i
arcarpul
l
edov
er,
Atsi
l
erecogni
sedhersist
erandsmil
ed.
.

Thongputev
eryt
hingi
nthebackandopenedthedoorf
orher
,she
goti
nthenhejumpedinandcl
osethedoor.

At
sil
e:Hi
..

Apul
a:Hi..Mongat
hisi
smyol
destsi
sterAt
sil
e,t
her
eisOt
lheand
Maru.That'
sThong
Monga:
Hi

At
sil
e:Hel
l
o

Thong:
Ait
aMat
aozen

Monga:
(fr
ownedconf
used)Sur
e..

Apulat
urnedandfrozestar
ingatthedashboardasherey
es
poppedinshock,
howt hehelldi
dheknowt his.
..

Atsi
lefr
ozeandhel
dherbagonherlap,
shedi
dn'
treal
i
seshe
nevershar
edMonga'
srealname.
..

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Minut
eslaterMongaparkedthecarandsteppedout
.At
sil
eand
Thongtookever
ythi
nginsidethehouse.
..

Mongat
urnedt
oApul
a..

Monga:
Whydoeshecal
lmemat
housand?

Apula:
Um..
.Guyscal
lguyswithcar
sli
ket
hatatourf
arms.
..I
t'
sa
ter
ml i
ke"
morena"or"boss"
Monga:
Ok.
..

At
sil
est
eppedoutandsi
ghed.
..

At
sil
e:Lal
a?

Apul
a:Maa?

At
sil
e:Comegetsomeoft
hehoney
..

Shegotoutoft
hecarandwalkedi
nthehousewher
etheydi
vi
ded
thehoneyi
ntof
ourcont
ainer
s.

Thongwal
kedoutandgott
hel
astbagt
henhewal
kedt
othe
dri
ver
ssi
de..

Thong:Mataosanet
hemonampat
isat
ir
o..
.{Ma-
thousandmy
manpleasehelpmefi
ndaj
ob}

Monga:
Whatki
ndofaj
ob?

Thong:
Any
thi
ng.
.Idon'
thav
eaneducat
ionbutI
'
m ahar
dwor
ker

Monga:Di
gabor
okgwekebonegor
eaokadi
ramadi
..{
Dropy
our
pant
s,l
et'
sseei
fyoucanmakemoney
}

Thong:
Whatdoy
oumean?
Monga:Youcanmake6Kona15mi
nut
esadul
tent
ert
ainment
vi
deo.

Mongat
urnedlooki
ngatthedoorthenThongt
urnedandl
ooked
t
oo,t
hesist
erswerest
il
li
nside.
..

Thong:
Gakej
emat
any
ola{Idon'
tdomen}

Monga:
That
'snotmyt
argetmar
ketei
ther
.

Hepul
leddownhi spantsanddr
oppedhi
sdi
ckt
henhepul
l
edi
t
upandglancedatthedoor.

Monga:
Youhav
eagooddi
ck,
cani
tgetup?

Thong:
Yeah

Monga: Sowhyar eyouwast ingsuchagooddick?Youcouldbuy

your
selfacari n3to6mont hsifr
edi bet
hasente..
.Wegetpaid
i
ndollarsandwhat evertheypayifyouconver
titint
oPul
aitsalot.
Onkgamot shetel
olait
eakait'
snotsupposedtobel i
ket
hat.
..Di
e-
deeeeshapoi tmustmakemoneyf oryouonkgeskgoaboss.
Whatdoy ousay ?

Thong:
WhataboutSTDs?

Monga:Youdon'thavetoworr
yaboutthat.Ther
eisarouti
net
est
andouract
ressesarekepti
nasafeplace.Theyonlyl
eavewhen
i
t'
snotashootingseason.Af t
erthatwekeepthem i
nquar
ant
ine
andtestt
hem beforewecanshoot .Aslongasyoucankeepa
secr
etyou'
regood. .
.It
'si
l
legalandkeagot samai
saify
ou
compromisemyf reedom.

Thong:
Canwest
artt
oday
?Howsoondoi
getpai
daf
ter
?

Likeandleav
eacomment .Anot
herbonuscomi
ngupr
emember
youreachedthet
argetear
li
ert
oday.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#9

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Monga:
Notsosoon.
.

Thong:
Ineedmoneynow.
.

Monga:Itt
akesmorethanagooddicktodothis.Youhavetocut
yourhai
randatakeareal
lygoodbath.
..Nott
hatyoudidn'
tbat
h
butyouneedtoshav
edownt her
e.

Thong:Sowhen?Thoseki
ndoft
hingscant
akel
esst
hanan
hour.
..

Monga:Andyousignanonedisclosureagr
eement.Ify
oushare
anydet
ail
icansuey ouifi
don'tchoosetokil
lyouandimeanit
whenisayiwil
lshootyouespecial
lyi
fApulafi
ndsoutbecause
shei
smywi fe.
.

Thong:Imi
ghtnotbefrom ar
oundher
ebutI'
m notst
upid.Ial
so
don'
twantAtsi
l
et oknowI'
m abusi
ngherdi
ck.
..Sheal
readyloves
i
tbutshehasn'
ttast
edit.

Monga:Ok..
.Sowhatdowesayt othem?Wecanstar
twith
pi
ctur
es.
..Vi
deoneedsplanni
ng.Ineedt
oplant
hesescenesand
comeupwi t
hastory
li
ne.Youdon'tj
ustf
uck.

Thong:
Ok.
..
.Iwassupposedt
obuysomeseedsatt
hemal
l
.How
aboutwet
ell
them y
ouwantt
oshowmecheaperseeds?

Monga:
Soundsgood.
..
(l
ower
edhi
svoi
ce)They
'r
ecomi
ng,
obue.
.

Thesi
ster
sappr
oachedchat
ti
ng.
..

Thong:Mataozensay
sther
earecheaperseedssomewher
e,do
youmindifwegocheckthem out
?

Monga:
Icanpi
cky
ouupl
ater
.

Apul
a:Ohgr
eat
,I'
l
leatmyhoneypeacef
ull
y.
..

Thonggoti
nthefr
ontseatandpull
edtheseatbel
t,Mongadr
ove
offast
hesi
ster
swalkedbackinthehouse.
..

Apul
a:Andt
henwenahowcomeThongknowst
heename?

Atsi
le:Isweariwasn'
ttel
l
inghi
m,heoverhear
dmet al
ki
ngtoyou
guysandt henheaskedmewhoMat aozeni
s.Itol
dhimit
'sy
our
boyf
r i
end..
.Idi
dn'
tthi
nktheywoul
devermeet.

Apul
a:I
'l
lnev
ergetst
housandsofPul
aswhenhef
indsouthi
s
nameisMataozen

Atsi
l
e:(l
aughed)Buti
tsasexyname,i
tfi
tshi
m..
.Whospoi
l
sagi
rl
hehasn'
tsleptwi
th10K.Hemadehist
ory.
.

Apul
a:Iwantt
obuyOt
lhest
ockf
orherbusi
nesssoshecanst
op
cr
yingf
orababydaddy
.

At
sil
e:Sheneedsi
t

Apul
a:Iwanty
out
ost
artsomet
hingt
oo.
..Whatdoy
ouwantt
odo?

Atsil
e:Don'
tworr
yaboutme,I
'
llfi
gureoutwhatIcando.Let'
s
helpOtlhef
ornow..
.I'
mfi
li
ngfordiv
orce.Mysharei
smyf resh
start
..

Apul
a:Ok.
..Letmecal
lthosesot
heycancomegett
hei
rhoney
.

Theygoti
nthehouseandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
.

Att
hesal
on.
..

Theguyswalkedoutoft
hesal
oonasThongr
anhi
shanddown
hi
ssleekhai
rcut
..
.

Thong:
(laughed)Il
ookhot
!

Mongalaughedandtookoutthecarkeys,
heunlockedf
rom a
di
stanceasThongstoppedbytheti
ntedwindowandlookedat
hi
mselfinnewclot
hesandhaircut
..
.
Thong:
Mat
aozent
hemonnat
aobonekehotmonna!

Monga:
(laughed)Justgeti
nthecar
!

Hejumpedinandpull
eddownthemir
rormov
inghi
sheadsi
det
o
si
delooki
ngattheshar
phair
li
ne.
..

Thong:
(laughed)Sowhat
'
smyst
agename?

Monga:
(laughed)Youneedt
oshutt
hef
uckup!

Thong:
Ineedt
owat
chal
otofmov
iessoi
canactr
ight
..

Mongal ookedathi
m smil
i
ngandcar
ri
edondr i
vi
ng,besi
deshis
bigmout htheguywasact
ual
l
ygoodlooki
ng.
..Exact
lywhatt
he
fansneeded.

Het
ookouthi
sphoneanddi
aledhi
scamer
aman.
.

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?

Monga:Er
icbona,wearedoneatthesal
onsowear
ecomi
ng
ov
er.
..Di
dy ousetupev
eryt
hing?

Er
ic:
Yes,t
hemodel
swillbehereinafewmi
nut
es.They
'r
eput
ti
ng
onmakeup.War
eit
'sj
ustpict
uresri
ght?
Monga:
Yeahbutt
heycangoal
lthewayi
fournewguyi
sn'
tshy
..
.

Eri
c:Al
ri
ght.Byt
hewaytheguy
swhosel
lcont
ainer
scal
l
edme,
ourcont
ainer
swil
lar
ri
veonMonday
.

Monga:
Alr
ight
,Shap.

Hehungupandsi
ghedhol
dingt
hest
eer
ingwheel
..
.

Monga: Ineedt obr iefy ou..

.Wheny ou'r
eonsetunder standthat
thegirlinf r
ontofy oui sy ourstohav eandf uckbuty oumust
neverf orgetthatt hecamer amustbeabl et ocapt ureev ery
thing..
.
Thiswhol eentiremont hourt hemei smal edomi nati
on.That
meansy oumusthol dthatgi rll
ikeyouownher ,don'tmi ndhow
scaredshel ooksi t'
showsheshoul dbe.Thi sisaj obnota
rel
ationshi psodon' tevenbef ri
endt heseladies,y ouremot i
ons
mustbeoutoft hi
swhol ething.Infactleav eyouremot ionsoutof
theset .Theyhav er elat
ionshi pstooandt hey'r
ejustwor ki
ngto
makemoneyj ustlikey ou.What everhappensonseti snotr eal..
.
Don'tgetanywr ongi deas.Wear eher etomakemoney .Soaf ter
doingal lthatyoudr essupl i
kepr ofessionalsandgohav ereal sex
withy ourgi r
l.

Thong:
Igett
hat
..
.

Monga:
Alr
ight
,ther
estoft
het
ipsy
ou'
l
lgetatt
heset
.

Thong:
Ok.
..
Hedr
oveof
f.
..

Att
heset
..
.

MinuteslaterThongwal kedint
her oom andlookedatt
he
camer asandlightsurr
oundingthebedwi t
hwhi t
ebeddi
ng.A
youngbeaut i
fulfl
awlessgirl
wit
hr oundbottom satont
hebed
naked...

Mongaputdownthecarkeysandpi
ckedt
heheadphones.
..He
pi
ckedhi
sscri
ptandreadbefor
ewalki
ngt
owardsthegi
rl.
..

Monga:HeyPurpl
e,ibr
oughtanewguy
..Heissl
ight
lybi
ggerbuti
t
rustyoubabygi
rl
.I'
vescr
eenedhi
m,heisgoodheal
thwiseso
r
elax.
..
(t
ohim)Ehmr !

Thongl
ookedatt
hecameraman,thel
i
ghtcont
rol
l
erandt
he2
act
orsappl
yi
ngoi
ltot
hei
rbiceps.
..

Thong:
Wedoi
twhi
l
eev
ery
onei
swat
chi
ng?

Monga:
Banna!EeThong,
timei
smoney
..
.Let
'sgo.
..
thobol
ao
sal
ekaboxerbr
ief
..
.
Oneoftheladieswalkedoverandhelpedhi
mr uboil
onhisbody
thenhetookoffhisclot
hesandwalkedtowardsthebedwit
hhis
handsoverhisdickasever
y onel
ookedathim..
.

Actor
:(l
aughed)Yagotsogatotaoehi
thaj
aana!{
idoubti
twi
l
l
getupthewayy ou'
rehi
dingi
t}

Theyal
ll
aughedashej
oinedi
nlaughi
ng.
..

Thong:
Can'
ti
tjustbet
het
woofus?Nkaej
atot
akana.
.

Monga:(
laughed)Justlayont hebed..BythewayonceI'
m done
wi
thpict
uresIwantfreestyl
e.Youcanpr oceedandfuckt
oo..
.I
wanti
ttocomenat ural
ly.
..I
'
lldir
ectifneedbei
ng.

Thong:
Ok.
..

Hesatonthebedandwhil
eatot
alof7peoplecur
iousl
ywai
tedt
o
seehi
sdickbuthewoul
dn'
tmovehishands.
.

Thong:
Canatl
eastt
hosewhoar
enotdoi
ngany
thi
ngl
eav
e?Hei
dae-
maneshybli
nd
Thetwoguysandtheothergi
rll
aughedandwalkedout
.Monga
cl
osedthedoorwhi
lethecameramanf ocusedonhi
m..

Monga: Alr
ight.
..Thongwear egoingtostartwi
tha
blowjob,
ri
mmi ngt henyou' r
egoi ngtopenetrat
ebutforpict
ur e
purposesmeani ngnot hrust .
..
thenwemov eont omuffi
ng,andif
yout wohavebeenst i
mul atedenoughwecanf reest
ylet
hef uck
soy oucanshowmewhaty ougot .Fr
eestyl
ecanbegoodt oo...O
wanty outoshowmewhaty ou'r
ecapableof.Dowhat ev
eryou
wantt oher.
..And3, 2,
1..
.Action!

Thongslowlymovedhishandsofft
hedic,
thegi
rl
'seyespopped
asshelookedathim..
.Sheswal
lowedandgentl
ypickedi
tupasit
expandedinherhand.
..

Justthetouchofherhandfil
ledhi
m upashegotharderand
harder,
hegrabbedherhairandguidedherdownhi
sthing.
..

Monga:
(whi
sper
ed)Il
i
ket
hisdude.
.

Thegir
lhel
dhisthi
ghtoli
mithi
sdept
hbuthepusheddownher
handandpull
edherheaddownhiswhol
ethi
ng.
.
Thong:
(gr
unt
ed)Ahhh.
..
Lookatme.
..

Thecamerazoomedonherpoppedeyesashermouthstret
ched
aroundhi
sbl
ackweaponl
ookingupathim,hetwi
stedhernippl
e
and#Removed..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#10

Att
hehot
el.
..

Thong:
(gr
unt
ed)Yeaaah.
..
.

Hegr
abbedhisdi
cfr
om herhandandshookofft
hel
astdr
ops
t
henhepul
leddownherchi
nandshoveditbacki
nhermouth.
..

Sheal
mostgaggedandleanedback,
hegotofft
hebedand
pi
ckedhi
spantsfr
om t
hef l
oort
henhewalkedinthebat
hroom.

Thecamer
amov
edbackt
oPur
ple'
susedmeat
.

Monga:
Cut
!

Theystoppedrecor
ding,Purpl
epi
ckedherpantiesandwalkedi
n
thebathr
oom whereThongwasst i
llshower
ing.Sheputher
panti
esasideandsteppedin..
Thong:
Emakehet
se.
.

Purpl
e:Wesomet
imesshowert
oget
heraf
tert
heshootbecause
showere1.

Thong:
Unlessi
t'
sformoneyI
'
m notdoi
ngit.
..
.Gi
veme3mi
nut
es
I
'l
lbedone.Emagonehookehedi
tsegal
e..

Purpl
estoodbywatchi
nghim ashetur
nedaroundwashi
ng,he
hadagoodbodystronglegsandagoodchest.
..Pi
tyhewas
rude.
..
act
ual
lyheappear
edt obehear
tl
ess.
..

Hest
eppedoutandgrabbedat
owelthenhewi
pedhi
msel
fwhi
l
e
shej
umpedinandbegunshoweri
ng.

Pur
ple:
Arey
ougoi
ngt
obewor
kingwi
thus?

Thong:
Yeah

Pur
ple:
Ok.
..
Itwasar
oughshoot
..
.

Thong:
Sor
ry.
.

Pur
ple:
(smi
l
ed)I
t'
sok.
..Mynamei
sAene

Thong:
(wal
kedout
)Ni
cet
omeety
ouAene.
..

Hewalkedinthesetandputonhiscl
otheswhi
l
eMongaandEr
ic
wer
ereviewingthecl
ipsandpi
ctur
es.
Mongat
urnedar
oundandf
istbumped.
.

Monga:Many
ouwer
ebor
nfort
his.
..Ourf
ansar
egoi
ngt
olov
e
t
his.
..

Thong:
Soar
etheygoi
ngt
oseemyf
ace?

Monga: Wedon' tfocusont hef ace, ofcoursesomeonewi llsee

yourheadf r
om thesi deort hingslikethatbutmen' sf
acesar en'
t
asimportantast hegirl
s.Gi rl
smustbeseenespeci al
l
yifthePOV
ofthatvi
deoi sformen.I fwear edoi ngi
tforladieswetendt o
focusony ourbodyanddi ck..
.Iseey ougotagoodbodybutkeep
l
ift
ingandexer ci
sing.Nobi gmuscl esorany t
hing..Wedon'twant
youlookingli
keawr est
lerbuty ourbodymustbedef i
ned.A
normalmanshoul dhav eaf aintsixpac,ifnotsixpackthenno
bell
yatleast.
..Abellyblockst hev iew..
.

Thong:
Alr
ight
..
.I'
l
lexer
cise.

Monga:(si
ghed)Ok,
let
'sl
eavetheseguy
stocompl
etet
heshoot
.
I
'm sur
etheladi
esarewai
ti
ngforus..

Thong:
Alr
ight
..

Hefinisheddressi
ngupwhi
l
eMongaf i
nal
i
sedwithEri
c,mi
nut
es
l
atertheywalkedoutoft
hehot
elandgoti
nthecar.
..
Att
hemal
l
...

Thongwaitedinthecarwhi l
eMatauzencashedt hemoneyand
walkedback.
..Wasi treal
lyt
hateasy?Hesti
llcouldn'
tbel
i
evei
t
wouldgoaspl anned..
.Itwastoogoodtobetrue.

Mat
aoz
en:Hereyougo.
..2Kforthepi
ctures,
wedidn'
tmanaget
o
t
akeal
otbecauseyouwentstr
aightf
ortheacti
on.

Thongcounted2Kindisbel
i
efandsmi
l
edt
henMat
aozenhanded
hi
m anotherrol
lof6K.

Thong:
Ithoughty
ou'
l
lpayt
her
estaf
tert
hey
'vewat
chedt
hev
ideo

Monga:No,ial
way
sgiveact
orsandact
ressesr
ightaf
tert
he
shoot
.Igetpai
daf
tersubmi
ssi
on.

Thong:
Wheni
sournextshoot
?

Monga:
I'
ll
organi
sei
t.
..

Thong:
Iwantt
obuysomet
hingf
orAt
sil
e

Monga:Wait,l
et'
sdi
scusst
his.
..
howar ewegoingtoexpl
ainyour
suddenchange?Youlookl
i
keabl ackAmeri
can.It
ssuspi
cious.
..

Thong:Idon'
tknow,
wewil
lfi
gur
ethatoutl
ater
..
.let
'st
alkabout
thej
ob.Iwanttogotoadr
ivi
ngsoicanbuyacar.HowcanIsav e
money?CanIopenanaccount
?I'
m sav
ing6KthenI'
m spendi
ng
1Kandgiv
ingAtsi
l
e1K.Iwantahouseforar
enttoo,I
'm movi
ng
toMaun.
.

Thong:Dudewait
..
.Slowdown. .
.Listen..
youcantr
ustmehere.
..
Youandi ar
eapackagef r
om nowon.Thatonei sadonedeal.
..
Aft
erthatact
ionwit
houteventraini
ng, wearegoi
ngtomake
money..
.Butwehavet obecareful.

Thong:
Iknow.
..
don'
tworr
yaboutt
hat.I
'l
lhandl
eit
..
.what
every
our
j
obisyoucansayyouf
oundmeaj ob.

Monga:
Isai
dkel
eDI
S..
.Oi
tseDI
S

Thong:
IknowDI
S,kanast
ayingatt
hef
arm doesn'
tmeani
don'
t
l
ist
entother
adi
oorseeFacebook.

Monga:
(laughed)Sor
rylai
teaka,
mmewaabet
sat
hemonna!
Tsay
adil
ot sagago.
..
Tsaya!

Theyl
aughedoutl
oudandbumpedshoul
der
s..
..

Att
hef
arm.
..

Theoldmanwal kedinthehouseandst oppedint

hemi ddl
e
l
ookingattheopentrunk.Hi
shear tst
opped..
.Hepickedhi
s
fr
iend'
scl
othesandputt hem backthenhewalkedaround
shouti
ngforAtsi
le.
Hewal kedashortdistancetoThong'shousebuti tseemedhe
wasn'thomeei t
her.Hewal kedbacktothekraalwher et
herewas
dust.
..Hestoppedbyt hegat eandnoti
cedthecowswer egett
ing
i
nbyt hemselvesjustbecausei twast
ime.Hel ockedupand
walkedbackdiali
ngAt si
lebuttherewasnoanswer .
..Hedi
aled
Thong...

Att
hemal
l
...
.

Thongpi
ckedabodydef
ini
ngshor
tdr
essbyt
hehangerand
l
ookedati
twhil
eMongastoodby.
.

Thong:Iwanttobuyherthi
s..
.At si
l
eisnotasoldasshel ooks
youknow..
.Thismaniscontrol
lingher.Hedoesn'twanther
knowingsheisaverybeaut
ifulwoman. .
.Al
lthesegir
lshave
nothi
ngonher.

Monga:Iknowbra,mosadiwai
that
setswa.Ifyouwanthert
obe
asbeauti
fulast
hosegi
rlsy
ougivehermoney .
..
Mosadiyoo
bechet
swangonnacleanandyoucanf eel
proudtobeseenwit
h
her.

Thong:Soy
oupromisegor
ewewi l
lshootatl
east4v
ideosi
nthe
fol
l
owingweek?Iwantt
hatcary
oushowedme. .

Monga:
Wemakeabout8v
ideosi
naweek.Ouraudi
encei
s
demandi ng.
.Butbecausethoseguysba2i twaspossibl
e..
.you
candot hosevideosifyoucankeepaner ect
ion.Af
terf
uckingfor
solongitbecomeshar dtokeepaner ecti
on.
..Youneedti
met o
restbutwheny ou'
renewi t
'spossi
ble.I
'
llworkonit

Thong:
Alr
ight
..

Theguyswalkedtot
het
il
landpai
dthent
heywal
kedoutas
Thong'
sphonerang.

Thong:
Hel
l
o?

Oldman:
Wherethehel
ldi
dyougowi
thmywi
fe?Thenei
ghbour
s
sawyoutwol
eav
ingwit
hbags.

Thong:
Wat
chy
ourt
onemdal
a..

Oldman:St
upidherdboywhereismywife?Don'
tfor
gett
hati
am
yourmeal
..
.Iam y
ouroxygen.
..Ojannaorobal
anna

Thong:
Gakej
ewena,
nkaj
awenaAt
sil
eal
eteng.

Oldman: Iam comingwi

thmyshotgun.I
'
m goi
ngtoshoott
he
bothofyou.Ikil
ledaher
dboyl
ikeyou10year
sago.
..Noone
daresonme.

Thong:
Ihear
daboutt
hather
dboybutInothi
m.Gor
ogamdal
a..
.

Ol
dman:Keetaot si
l
egony
ela,don'
tfor
gett
hati
fitwasn'
tfor
meyouwoul
dn'tknowamereTV.

Thong:
Come.
..I
'
m wai
ti
ng.
..
Hehungupandturnedbackt
hinki
ngaboutt
hatkni
fehesawi
n
t
hedispl
aygl
ass.
.

Monga:
what
?

Thong:
Ineedakni
fe.Theol
dmani
scomi
ngwi
thagun

Monga:Don'
tal
l
owhi
mtocomeany
wher
enearher
,gohandl
e
hi
m att
hefarm.

Thong: I
fihadacaritwoul
dbepossibl
e..
.ButI
'
dstil
lbea
suspectsoi t
hinkl
etmeactst
upi
df ornow.Getaknif
eandacti
n
defence.

Monga:
Greatpl
an.Cany
ouhandl
esomeonewi
thagun?

Thong:Yes..
.Iactual
lyneedhimtocomewi t
hthatgun.Heused
tobeatherinfr
ontofus. .
.Oneti
mehepunchedheront he
stomachandwheni stoppedhim hepunchedme.Hest i
ll
owes
mef ort
hat.Will
youst i
ckaround?

Monga:
Soabul
l
etcanl
andonApul
a'
shead?No.

Thong:
You'
rer
ight
..
.

Hehur
ri
edbackandboughtakni
fet
henhegoti
nthecarandt
hey
dr
oveoff
..
.
AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Lateront
heladi
escrackedlaughi
ngandchatt
ingsit
ti
ngonthe
chair
soutsi
de,t
hecarstoppedandtheguyssteppedout
..

Ot
lhe:
Whoi
sthat
?

Mar
u:Damn!Whoi
sMat
aozen'
sfr
iend?

Atsil
etur
nedandl ookedatThongashewalkedov
erwit
hanew
cutanddiff
erentclot
hes,cl
othest
hatf
itonhi
sbodyev
enthe
skinnyj
eans..
.

Apul
a:(
laughed)KeThongmogol
owaBot
ho.
..Damn!

Hel
eanedov
erandwhi
sper
edi
nherear
..

Thong:
Ifoundajobandbor
rowedmoneyfr
om Mat
aozen.I
'
llpay
hi
m monthend.
..Ihav
easurpr
isef
oryou

Atsi
l
esmiledandst
oodupasMat
aozenwal
kedov
erandpi
cked
Apulaf
rom t
hechai
r.
..
Monga:
I'
mtaki
ngwhat
'smi
neandl
eav
ing.
..

Hetur
nedandwal
kedawaycar
ryi
ngherast
hesi
ster
slaughed
andst
oodup.
.

Otl
he:At
sil
eseey
out
omor
row,
rekopar
idemogoboRomeoand
Jul
iet

At
sil
e:(
laughed)By
e

Thesist
ersgoti
nthebackwhi
l
eMongaputheri
nthecart
henhe
drov
eoff.

Meanwhi
l
eint
hehouseAt
sil
ecl
osedt
hedoorandsi
ghed.
..

Atsi
le:
Iwast
hinki
ng..
.Weshoul
dgospendanightsomewherei
n
casehecomesover.Het
ri
edcal
li
ngbutii
gnor
edhiscall
s..

Thong:
Ital
kedt
ohi
m,heisnotcoming.It
oldhimyousai
dyou'
re
goi
ngtoseesomel
adyt
oplaity
ourhair
.Don'twor
ry.
..

At
sil
e:Ar
eyousur
ehewon'
tcome?Hehasagun.
.

Thong:
Iknow,
rel
ax.
..(
smi
l
ed)Nowopent
hepl
ast
ic.
..
Hel
ookedatt
hetimecount
ingdownandt
ouchedhi
sbackpocket
,
i
sdef
encewasthere.
.

At
sil
esmi
l
edandchangedi
ntohernewdr
ess.
..

HOURSLATER.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#11

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lateron,si
tt
ingovert
hecount
erwit
habot
tl
eofbeerMonga
staredatApulaassheputt
heveget
abl
esi
ntot
hefry
ingpanand
begunsteeri
ng..
.

Monga:
Ithi
nky
ou'
dknowhowt
ocook.

Apul
a:Why
?

Monga:
Becausey
ouhav
eamai
dandy
oudon'
thav
eki
ds.

Apula:Ihi
redamai
dbecauseiknockoffl
atef
rom wor
kandwhen
igethomeI '
mtoot
ir
edtocleanorcook.

Monga:Whi chi
sreasonable,you'
reahardworkersoyouneed
hel
p..
.It
'snotabadthing.Ijustdi
dn'
tpict
urey
oubei ngt
he
cooki
ngt y
pe.

Apulapausedsti
rr
ingandsighedhol
dingherwai
st,
hesi
ppedt
he
beerandsmiledshruggi
nghisshoul
ders.
.

Apul
a:Doy
ouknowwhati
thi
nk?
Monga:
No

Apul
a:It
hinky
ouhav
eady
sfunct
iondownt
her
e.

Heswal
lowedthebeerandl
aughedoutl
oudhol
dingt
hebot
tl
e
wi
thtwofi
nger
s..
.

Monga:
(laughed)Why
?

Apul
a:Whyaren'
tyouhav
ingsexwit
hme?Whyar
eyouact
ingso
per
fect
?I'
m nota90dayrul
egir
lyouknow.
..
.

Monga:I
'vedeci
dedtowaitf
ormar
ri
age.Idon'
twantt
obeused
bydi
ff
erentwomen..
.I'
m sav
ingmy
selff
ormywi f
e.

Shesmil
edlooki
ngathi
m andtheybot
hsmiledhol
dingi
nthei
r
l
aught
er,hel
aughedandputdownhisbot
tl
e...

Apul
a:Ser
iousl
ywhat
'sy
ourpr
obl
em?

Hesl
i
ddownandputhi
sar
msar
oundherwai
stl
ooki
ngi
nher
ey
es.
..

Monga:Idon'
twantt
ohav esexwit
hy outooear
lybecausei
don'
t
wantyoutofr
eakoutorhavewrongimpressi
onsaboutme.At
l
eastifyouknowwhoiam you'
llconvi
nceyoursel
fotherwi
se.
..I
don'
twantsextorui
nourr
elati
onship.I
'
m walkingoneggshel
ls
becauseiknowmyweaknesseswheni tcomest osex,I
'
m afreak.

Apul
a:Iappreciat
eyoubeingafrai
dtomessupbutj
ustsoy
ou
know.
..I
'm sexual
lyl
iber
ated.
..

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)I
sthatso.
..

Heleanedoverandkissedherthenhepickedherupandputher
onthecounterashisdickfi
ll
edhispantst
ight
eningthem.He
pul
ledherchinoverandkissedherthenhi
sphoner angi
nthe
backpocket.
..

Monga:
It'
smymot
her
..
.

Hewal
kedoutoft
heki
tchenandsatont
hecouchswi
tchi
ngof
f
t
heTV.
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Meanwhil
eApul
aslowl
ytur
nedthestovedownsothef
ryi
ng
soundcoul
dgodownassheli
stenedtohi
mt al
ki
ngtot
hephone.
.
Monga: (lowv oice)Yes. .
.Ihavethemoney ,iwasgoi ngtosendi t
abekel ebala.Ihadal ongday..
..(si
ghed)Iwoul dnev eri
gnoremy
son,youknowt hat.
..Yes,ihadal ongandyouknowev eryt
hingi
doisforhi m.Cani talktohim?..
.IsheOK? .
...Willhegohome?
Cani t
alkt othedoct or?
..
.Hell
oDoc, i
tsme..I'
m notok, what's
goingon?I st hereawayy oucanmakehi sbloodpr essurego
up?..
.Iunder standthatbuty ouhav etodosomet hing?You
rel
easedhi my ester
dayandnowy ou'r
eadmi tt
inghim again.
...OK,
iunderstandt hat..
.Thanky ou.
..Hello?Maa? .
..Ok,eemma.By e

Shegotbusyf
ryi
ngasMongawal
kedi
nandhuggedherf
rom
behi
nd.

Monga:Ihav
etobei nGabor
oneint
hemor ni
ngsoI'
l
lhavet
o
dr
ivenowifI
'm goi
ngtobether
eontime.Mysonisnotwel
l
.

Shet
urnedar
oundandhuggedhi
m..

Monga:
I'
m sor
ry

Apul
a:I
t'
sok,
wer
eyout
alki
ngt
oyourmot
her
?

Monga:
Yeah

Apul
a:Ar
eyousur
eitwasher
?
Hef
rownedl
ooki
ngathert
henshel
aughedi
tof
f.
..

Apul
a:Justsay
ing

Monga:
Don'
tyout
rustme?

Apul
a:Ido,
I'
m sor
ry.
..

Heleanedoverandki
ssedhert
henhehuggedherf
orabouta
minutebef
orelet
ti
nggo.

Monga:
Ihav
etogo.
.I'
l
lseey
ouwheni
getback.
.

Apul
a:Seey
ou.
..

Hetur
nedaroundandwalkedout
,shest
oodbyt
hedoorand
si
ghedasherever
sed.Shefor
cedasmil
eandwavedashewav
ed
anddr
oveoff.
..

Sheclosedthedoorandl ockedthenhepassedbythebat hroom

andgrabbedthet owel
,shelayitacr
ossthebedprotectingher
beddi
ngf rom ahercum thensheputthepil
l
owsagai nsther
headboardandleanedback.Shecl i
ckedonhersubscripti
onand
smil
ed...NEW VIDEOPREMI ERINGAT10PM( int
roducinganew
beast)
.
Thiswebsi t
enev erdi sappoi nts.
..
ithadbeenawhi lesi nceshe
sawt hemanwi tht hebeadsont hedi ck...Shehadov erusedhi s
videosshecoul dn'tcum wi ththem any mor e.Sheneedednew
videosbutsomehowhewasn' tmaki nganyappear ances. .
.The
twor ecentguy swer et oonor mal forher .Shecl ickedont hel i
nk
andi trequiredhert oupgr adehersubscr i
ption.Shesi ghedand
grabbedherbankcar dt henshet appedt henumber sand
upgradedhersubscr i
ption.Shecl ickedont heaboutandi twasa
3mi nut esvideowhi lethef ullvi
deowasf oronl yf ans...Anot her
subscr i
ption?Hel l no,shewentbackt othel astupl oadedv i
deos
ofherf avour i
teriderandcl icked.
..Shecoul dnev ercompr ehend
thefeelingofhav ingt hisbeadeddi ckinsideher ...Shewat chedas
hef i
ll
edt hisgirlupandbegunt hrustingher .Shemoanedsof t
ly
andf li
ckedher selft histimeput ti
ngaf acet ot hisbeadedmanas
Monga. .
.Funnyenought heyhadt hesamebodyst ructureexcept
shenev ersawt heman' sface..

Apul
a:(
moani
ng)uhmmm.
..
.Monga.
..
.Uhf
ucccccccck.
..

Shespasmedashercl
earwat
erwetthetowel,
shelai
dther
efora
whil
ethenshef
inal
l
ygotupandwipedhersel
fbef
oreshameful
l
y
wal
kingint
hebathr
oom!

Ther
eli
eft
hough,
minut
esl
atershewal
kedoutoft
hebat
hroom
hummingandgotherf
oodthenshesatdownandcl
i
ckedona
movi
ewhilesheat
eherfood.
..
.

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

LateronAtsi
l
eandThonglai
donthebedast hefanosci
ll
ated
besidest
hebedbl
owingcoldbr
eezeovert
hem. .At
sil
etur
nedand
ki
ssedherashesli
dacondom undert
hepil
low..

Hekissedherneckandmovedhisli
pstohernippl
e,carl
i
ghts
bri
ghtenedt
hehouseasacarparkedinfr
ontofthehouse.At
sil
e
pushedhim of
fandjumpedput
ti
ngonherclothes.
.

At
sil
e:I
t'
shi
m,i
tol
dyouhemi
ghtcome.

Thong:
(cal
mly
)Getbacki
nbed,
I'
ll
tal
ktohi
m.

At
sil
e:Thongpl
ease

Thong:I
'
llhandl
ehi
m,i
fineedy
out
odosomet
hingI
'
llt
ell
you.I
'
ll
expl
ainmyselft
ohi
m..
.

Heputonhisclot
hest henheslidhishandinthepockettomake
sur
ehisknif
ewasst i
llthere,
itwas.Hemov edt hecur
tai
nsand
l
ookedoutsi
deast heoldmanst eppedoutoft hecarandopened
hi
sbackdoor..
.Probablyreachi
ngforhisgun.
Thongunl ockedt hedoorandr ant
owar
dshi
m holdi
nghiskni
feby
thebladeasi fitwasadar t.Theol
dmantur
nedaroundwit
hthe
gunandl oadedt hebull
et,Thongli
ft
edhi
shandandthrewthe
knif
east heol dmanf i
red.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#12

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Thewholewindowshutt
ereddownasThongbumpedontheol
d
man,theyf
ellont
hegroundandbot
hgrabbedthegunr
oll
i
ng
over
..
.

Meanwhi l
einthehouse, At
sil
e'swhol
ebodyshookasshet ri
edto
putonherherdress..
.Shepul l
edthearm oft
hedressoverher
headandi twoul
dn'tf
itthenshetookitof
fandlookedatitbef
ore
putt
ingitonandsli
ghtlyopeningthedoor.
.Themenwer esti
ll
wrestl
i
ngont heground..

Shesteppedoutandranpastt
hem headingt
ot hegat
ewher
eshe
tur
nedtotheneighbour
swhil
edial
i
ngt hepol
ice..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

MeanwhileApulal
aidthoughtf
ull
yonthebedthi
nki
ngabouther
wholeday,howshewi sheditwaspossi
blet
ojustf
all
asl
eepright
af
tergett
inginbed.
..Butnother,
she'
dremembereveryl
i
ttl
e
detailofhowherdaywent .
..WhatdoesMongar eall
ydof ora
l
ivi
ng?Whati fitwassomet hi
ngt hatcoul dputherlifeoreven
careerindanger .
..Andt hewayhi sv oicegetshumbl ewhen
tal
kingt owhoev eristakingcar eofhi sson. .
.That"Eemma"coul d
bef orthemot herofhi schildorwor sehiswi f
e..
.Afterthedrama
sheal mosthadwi thherlastr el
ationshipshecoul dn'tstomach
anot herembarrassment ..
.thereisnot hingembar rassingli
kebeing
theot herwomanwi t
houtev eny ourknowl edge.Anot herwoman
couldbecr yi
ngher sel
ftosl eepwi thasi ckbabyi nthehospital
whileshei srunningar oundwi t
hherman. ..
ThereisnowayMonga
i
ssi ngle,agoodl ookingmanwi thaf air
lygoodbodyandl otsof
moneyt othr
owar ound?I twaswayt oogoodt obet rue..
.

Shedial
edhisnumberandi twasn'
tavai
lablet
henshetriedtoget
somesleep..
.Butwouldn'
ti
tbewonder f
ulifhewassingle.Forget
howhebr i
ngsmoneyhomet heguywasn'tbadatal
l.
..Af ew
minut
espassedt henshetr
iedhisnumberagain,
thi
st i
mei trang.
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Hey
..
.

Monga:
I'
m Let
lhakanenow.
.

Apul
a:Ohok,
ifor
goty
ourson'
sname.Iwasj
ustt
hinki
ngabout
hi
m

Monga:
Hisnamei
sHope
Apul
a:Ok.
..I
'
m sor
ryhei
snotwel
l
.

Monga:
It'
sok.
.

Apul
a:I
fyouwer
emar
ri
edwoul
dyout
ell
me?

Monga:Ifiwasmar
ri
edi woul
dn'
tembarrassmywifebysleepi
ng
aroundwhi
leshei
staki
ngcareofoursoninthehospi
tal
.What'
s
thi
sabout?

Apul
a:Not
hing,
justt
hinki
ng.
.

Monga:Alr
ight
,I'
m notgoi
nghomeI
'
m headi
ngst
rai
ghtt
othe
hospi
tal
,it
oldyouright
?

Apul
a:Yeah,
letmenotdi
stur
byou.

Monga:You'
renotdi
sturbi
ng.Wecanchatunt
ilt
henet
wor
kcut
s..
.
Soundsl
ikeyoucan'
tsleep

Apul
a:Yeah.
.(At
sil
ecal
l
ed)OhAt
sil
eiscal
l
ing

Monga:
Bye

Shehungupandpi
cked.
..

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

At
sil
e:Thisoldmanj ustt
ri
edtokil
lme,butwhatmakesmeangry
i
sthefactthatThongknewhewascomi ngandj
ustgotpr
epar
ed
wi
thouttel
li
ngme.Nowpeopl earegoingtoseemeasawhor e
wi
fe.
..Hetriedtoshoothi
m andthebull
etwenttot
hewindow.
Apul
a:Eh,
arey
ouOK?

Atsi
le:
Yes,I'
mf i
ne.Ical
ledt
hepol
i
cebutt
henit
oldthem we
solv
editbecauseididn'
twantt
hewhol
eofMaunknowingiwas
caughtwit
hanotherman.

Apul
a:Wher
eismdal
a?

Atsi
le:
Atourhouse,
gonej
aanaI'
m att
helodgewit
hThong.
Kantewhatj
obdidMongaoff
erhim moibi
lengr
erobal
adiguest
house?

Apul
a:Idon'
tknow,
whydon'
tyouaskhi
m?

At
sil
e:WhatdoesMongado?

Apul
a:I
'
m notsur
e,hehasn'
ttol
dme.

At
sil
e:Ihopehei
sn'
tmar
ri
edt
oo.
.

Apul
a:Hei
ssosecr
eti
ve,
nowI
'
m suspi
cious.

At
sil
e:Idoubtagoodlookingmanwouldbesingl
e..
.Onl
ybroke
menaresingebuteventhosest
il
lhavewomenwhot hi
nkifyou
st
ickaroundabrokemanhewi l
lbewithyouwhenhegetsri
ch.
Mataozenabechajaanaobatagonthayaareosi
ngle,l
i
kesingl
e
si
ngle.
..

Apula:
Especi
all
yobechangj
aakaMat
aozen,
ibeent
hinki
ng
abouti
tandidoubti
ttoo.

At
sil
e:Butmay
behei
s,whoknows.

Apul
a:It
hinkhei
smar
ri
ed.Mensayeemmat
othei
rwi
vesr
ight
?

At
sil
e:(
laughed)Ev
engi
rl
fr
iends,
itj
ustdependsont
heamountof
respecthehasforherorhowhewasr aised.Somemenev ensay
eemmat othei
rdaughter
s.(
laughed)I
st hatwhathesai
donthe
phone?

Apul
a:Yeah,
andhi
svoi
ceget
ssohumbl
ewhenhei
stal
ki
ngt
o
whoevert
hati
s.

At
sil
e:Gi
vehi
mti
me,
may
behewi
l
lcomecl
ean.

Apula:
wehav en'
thadsex
..I
fheissi
ngl
ewoul
dn'
thebe
desperat
eforsex?Menwantsexsameday
,whatki
ndi
she?

At
sil
e:Justgi
vei
tti
me.
..

Apul
a:Ok,
seey
oui
nthemor
ning.Pl
easest
aysaf
e

At
sil
e:Yout
oo.
.

Shehungupandsi ghedt hought

full
y.
..Whydon' tshegoconf ir
m
thi
sher self?Sheal readyknewhi sson'sname. ..Shecoul djust
tal
ktot hisladyandconf i
rm whoshewasandnev ertalkt
ohi mi f
heismar r
ied..
.Butt henno, wouldn'
tthatbei nvasionofpr i
v acy?
I
t'sj
ustconf i
rming...Nothingwrongwi t
ht hat.Theguyhada
namelessj obalready ..
.Hehadt wonames, actuallyhehadal otof
i
denti
ties.Shehadt obesur ebeforeinvesti
ngherf eeli
ngs,evenif
i
tcostheraf ulltank.

Shegotupandputonherclot
hesthenshegotherhandbagand
walkedout.I
fshedr
ovepr
operl
yshe'dpr
obabl
ybet her
eaf ew
hoursaft
erhim..
.
Shegotinthecaranddr
ov eof
f,ofcourseshewantedt
otel
lher
si
ster
swher eshewasgoingbutwouldn'ti
tbeali
tt
le
embarrassi
ng?She'
drat
hernot.

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhil
et heol
dmansatont hebedashi
shear
tpounded,
his
daught
erstoodbyhol
dingherwaist
..

Her:
Idon'
tunderst
andwhyyou'r
eangry
,youdon'
tev
enr
espect
her
..
.Youyourdaught
erandeveniknowthat
.

Hi
m:Ar
eyousi
dingwi
thher
?

Her:
Andev eryoneknowsaboutmantši
,idon'
tunder
standwhy
youmarri
edheri nt
hefir
stpl
ace.
..It
oldyouwhenherey esopen
shewil
ll
eav e

Hi
m: Leav
ewi thmyherdboy?Thatboysleepswithmygoats,
that
di
rt
!Andhehadt heaudaci
tytopunchme?Hehadahai r
cutwit
h
mymoney .
..Tandabal
ayamekey oneaikolangkayone!

Her
:Pl
easesl
eep.
..I
ftheycal
lthepolicey
ou'
regoi
ngt
ojai
l
.
Thr
eat
eni
ngtokil
li
saser i
ousoffence.

Hi
m:Shej
ustl
eftl
i
kewehav
en'
tbeent
oget
herf
orsol
ong.
..

Her
:Papapl
easesl
eep.
..I
'
m goi
ngbackt
omyf
ami
l
y.Ican'
t
baby
sity
ou.
.

Shewal
kedoutanddr
oveof
f

Theol
dmanbur
sti
ntot
ear
scr
yingandr
ubbi
nghi
sey
es.
..

I
nGabor
one.
..
.

Thenextmor ni
ngApul
aparkedt
hecarandsighedrel
uct
antl
y,
howwasshegoi ngtoent
erther
oom..
.Ashispreschool
teacher
?
Wai t
,shewasn'
tsur
eifhewentt
oschool.
..Maybehisbr
ail
le
teacher?

Shesteppedoutandpi
ckedherball
oonsthenshewal
kedi
nthe
hospi
talandst
oppedbythenursestat
ion.
..

Apul
a:(
smiled)Hi
..
.I'
m her
eforHopeTi
ki
,thebl
i
ndki
d..
.I
'
m hi
s
br
ail
l
eteacher.

Nur
se:
Hei
sinr
oom 13.Thi
sway
..
.

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Thanky
ou.
..Il
ovey
ourhai
r

Nur
se:
(smi
l
ed)Thanky
ou.
.
Shewalkedtowardstheroomsandcount edasshepassedev er
y
opendoorthenshestoppedatr oom 13,shehidandpeaked
i
nsidewhil
eMongaanday oungladyhugged.Herheartski
pped
asshewatchedthem huggingemot ional
l
y ,
helethergoandsat
downrubbinghi
sey esthenshest oodbehindhimrubbinghi
s
shoul
derasherri
nggl i
tt
ered..
..

Li
keandl
eav
eacomment
.Bonuscomi
ngup.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#13

Athospi
tal
..
.

Apulaleanedbackandstuckherbacktothewallasherheart
pounded,sheturnedagai
nandl ookedwi
ththecornerofhereye,
hi
swi feheldbothofhi
sshouldersandmassagedhim whilehe
hel
dt hei
rson'shandashebreathedthr
oughtheoxy genand
whateverthoseothert
ubeswere...

Her:
Iknowhisbloodpressur
eisv
eryl
ow.
..Butwehav
etobe
posi
ti
ve.Youcan'
tbreakdownnow.

Monga:
Idon'
tknowwhatt
odoany
mor
e..
.If
eel
hel
pless.
.

Sti
ll
standingbehindhi
m sheputherar
msov
erhi
schestand
begunsinging.
..

Her
:(sof
tl
y)

Spi
ri
tleadmewher
emyt
rusti
swi
thoutbor
der
s

Letmewal
kupont
hewat
ers

Wher
everYouwoul
dcal
lme
Takemedeepert
hanmyf
eetcoul
dev
erwander

Andmyf
ait
hwi
l
lbemadest
ronger

I
nthepr
esenceofmySav
ior
..
.

Shecarr
iedonsi
ngi
ngswi
ngi
ngfr
om si
det
osi
deashe
swal
lowedandsi
ghedl
ooki
ngatHope.

Meanwhil
eoutsi
deApulatur
nedandwal
kedout
,shet
ookouther
phoneanddi
aledhersi
ster
..
.

At
sil
e:Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Hol
donI
'
m connect
ingOt
lhe.
.

Sheconnect
edOt
lheandMar
u..

Maru:Higuys,At
sil
ehowareyou?Bythewaygoodgoi
ng.Iso
encour
agethiski
ndofbof
ebe.Thisi
sheal
thy!

Otl
he:Sheshoul
dn'
thav
esl
eptwit
hhi
mi nt
hatol
dman'
shouse.
Youcansti
lldi
vor
cewit
hdi
gni
tyandl
i
ttl
etonodr
ama.

Apul
a:Thi
sissoni
cecomi
ngf
rom t
hedr
amat
iconeher
sel
f.
..

Ot
lhe:
Fot
sek!
Apul
a:Ij
ustwant
edt
otel
lyout
hatI
'
minGabor
one

Al
l
:What
?

At
sil
e:Iwaswi
thy
oul
astni
ght
,howdi
dthathappen?

Apul
a:If
oll
owedMongabecausemyhearttol
dmehewasl y
ing.
.
AndIwasright
.Hesai
dhi
smot heri
staki
ngcareofhi
ssonbut
i
tsact
uall
yhiswif
e.

Otl
he:Di
dy outellherev
ery
thi
ngherhusbandhasbeendoi
ng?
Tel
lherevery
thingsoshecandiv
orcehisass.Menareal
lthe
samewaitse!

Maru:Youshoul
dn'
thav
efol
l
owedhi
m butnowt
haty
ou'
ret
her
e
what'
shi
sdefense?

Apula:Idon'twantaconf ront at
ion.Iwantedthetruthandi gotit
..
.
They'r
epeacef ultoget her,shelookslikeaGodlywomanandher
sonissick,shedoesn' tneedst upidwomanwor ryi
ngher .It
'smy
faul
tforbeli
ev ingaguywhogi vesyou10Kbef oresleepingwith
youexists.I
'venev erev enbeengi v
enP500byaman. .Ishould
haveknowni twast oogoodt obet r
ue.Il
ov edthemy steryinhi
m
andIdidn'tmi ndall hi
sshadyway sbutbeinganotherwomani s
notonmyt odol ist.Ican'tfightforamanorbr eakanot her
woman' shear ttobewi t
haman.

At
sil
e:I
'
m sor
ry

Mar
u:Sohowdi
dyouev
enconcl
udeshei
shi
swi
fe?

Ot
lhe:Wenayouwantt
oinsti
ll
bodesper
atemongwaneng.Why
ar
ey out
ryi
ngtomakeexcusesforhi
m
Apula:
They '
remarri
ed,
theytalkl
ikepeoplewhoar everyclose.
..
Shewasmassagi nghim andtouchinghim,singi
ngforhim and
encouragi
nghim.Thesoni sl
ightskinnedandsowast hewoman,
sheisthemot her
.Awomanal way sknowst hesethi
ngs..

Shet
ear
ful
l
ygoti
nthecarandcl
osedt
hedoorr
ubbi
ngherey
es.
..

Apul
a: Ifeel v
erystupi
d.Thisismyfir
strelat
ionshi
paft
ersucha
l
ongbr eak...Heevensaidhe'dneverdisr
especthiswif
eby
sl
eepingar ound..
.Wehav en'tsl
eptt
ogether.Ifeel
li
kehewas
avoi
dingt ohav esexwithme. .
.

Mar
u:Derr
ickhasn'
tsl
eptwit
hme, andheisnotpl
anningto.
Maybewewillhav
esexnextyear.
..Lehaakannaleerecti
onolwa
l
eyonehel
a..
.Notever
ymani stooqui ckt
ohavesex.

Otl
he:
I'
m happyi
tendedbef
oresex,
ther
eisnot
hingpai
nful
li
ke
bei
ngusedanddumpedmothoay amosadi
ngomongwe.

At
sil
e:Shei
sri
ghtLal
a,ar
eyouf
itt
odr
iveback?

Apul
a:Yeah,
I'
ll
bef
ine.

Maru:
Keepcommunicat
ingwit
hus..
.Ohandladies?I
'
m get
ti
ng
suedf
orhomewrecki
ng.Appar
ent
lyI'
l
lbeser
v edanyt
imefr
om
now.

Al
l
:What
?

Maru:
Yeah,Der
ri
cki
swaiti
ngtohearwhathi
swi
fei
sdemandi
ng
sohecanborr
owaloanandpayher.
Apul
a:Ihopehemeansandwon'
tdi
sappearont
hel
astmi
nut
e

At
sil
e:Thatwoul
dbet
ragi
c..
.

Mar
u:It
rusthi
m..

Apula:Ei
sh,ok..
.Thisiswhati wantt
oav oi
d..
.Eveni
fhepay s
you'
resti
llgoingtoappearont henewspaperasahomewr ecker
.
Youknowhomewr eckingcasesalwaysendinnewspapersand
peoplecomment ingcrazyabouttheotherwoman.Imagine
Monga'swi f
ecomi ngaf t
erme...

Maru:Let
'sbeposit
ive,
ifworr
yingdoesn'
tchangeanyt
hingt
hen
youmustbepr epar
edforanyt
hing.Ican'
tchangewhat
'sgoi
ngto
happensolet
'sbepositi
ve.

Al
l
:Gonewaabua

Apul
a:By
eguy
sl etmedr
iveback.9hour
sont
her
oadei
sh.
.
Thi
ngswedoformen.

Maru:Thedri
vewaspoint
lesst
omei
fyoudi
dn'
tconf
ronthi
m so
hecanapologi
sef
orly
ing.

Ot
lhe:
Orsheshoul
dhavet
oldt
hewif
e,I
'
m al
laboutt
alki
ngt
othe
ot
herwomansoshecanknowherman.

Atsi
l
e: Sheal
readymadeuphermind, enoughofyourpoor
deci
sionsbasedonyourpastr
elat
ionships.
.thankyou!

Theyal
ll
aughed.
.
Apul
a:(
laughed)By
e

Al
l
:(l
aughed)By
e

Shehungupanddr
oveoutoft
hepar
kingl
ot.
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

LateronMongawalkedoutofhi
sson'
swar
dandheadedtohis
mot her
'swar
d,heknockedandwal
kedi
nwhil
ehi
smotherlai
don
thebed...

Shesmil
edathi
m andhesmi l
edbeforepul
li
ngaseat
,hepicked
thegl
ucomet
erandlookedathersugarl
evelt
henhet
urnedback
toher
..
.

Her:Notthelongfaceplease.
..I
'
m sti
l
lcel
ebr
atingyournewjobat
t
hemi ne.Isti
lldon'
tknowwhatamechanicalengineerdoesbut
I
'm gl
adaf t
ergraduati
ngmanyy ear
sagoyoufinall
yfoundajob
t
hathelpsy ousupportyourson.

Hel
ookeddownshamef
ull
yandf
orcedasmi
l
e..
.
Monga:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?

Her:
I'
mfi
ne,
mysugarl
evel
sar
egoi
ngdownt
henI
'
llbeoutof
her
e..

Monga:
Ok.
..

Her
:Howi
sHope?

Monga:
Nochange.
..

Her:
Hewil
lbefine.
..Youneedt
ohavehope.
.That'
swhyy
ou
namedHope.
..Becausehewasyouronl
yhope.
..

Monga:I
'mjustscared.
.Heisnotevental
ki
ng.Kantecan'
tist
ay
wit
hhiminstead?Idon'
twantMeshaleavi
ngthekidstodothi
s,
sheisbr
eastfeedi
ngandiknowthatbabyli
kescry
ing.

Her
:It
'spossi
ble,
you'
l
ltal
ktot
hedoct
orandswapwi
thMesha.

Monga:
Ok.
..Letmet
alkt
othem.I
'
llbeback.
..

Hewal kedoutandheadedtothechil
dren'
sward,ashe
approachedtheroom t
wodoctorsrushedpasthi
m andpushed
thedooropen,heraninsi
deandstoppedbythebedast he
elect
rocardi
ogr
am beepedconti
nuouslywi
thastrai
ghthori
zont
al
l
ine..
.

Monga:
Hope?Whathappened?Hope?
Hegr
abbedHope'
shandast
hedoct
orbl
ockedhi
sway
..

Doct
or:
Giveustimetohel
phi
m, doy
ouwantustohel
p?Then
st
epout.
..Iknowit
shar
dbutst
epout..
.Bot
hofy
ou

Mongatur
nedaroundr
eluct
ant
lyandwal
kedoutasMesha
f
oll
owedhim.
..

Li
keandl
eav
eacomment
.Thenexti
nser
tfol
l
owsat11pm.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#14

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Apul
asteppedoutofthecarandbentherbackwardsand
si
dewaysbefor
eunlockingthedoor.Shedial
edt
hesit
emanager
andsatonthecouchtakingoffhershoes.
..

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Hi
,st
atusupdat
e?

Hi
m:Iemai
l
edi
t.It
ri
edcal
l
ingear
li
erandy
ouwer
en'
tav
ail
abl
e..
.

Apul
a:Iwast
rav
ell
i
ng,
I'
m sor
ry.Letmehav
eal
ook.

Hi
m:By
e

Shehungupandwal kedtot hebedroom bar efootedpressingher

phone.Shesatont hebedandopenedherl aptop.Apictureof
Monga'swifeholdi
nghi m si
ngingforhi m cameback, shesi ghed
andtri
edtotypebutt ear
sf i
l
ledherey es..
.Whydi di
thurtsobad?
Theydidn'
tdateformor ethanweek. .
.Sheshoul dn'
thaver ai
sed
herhopesli
kethat.
..Sheknewal lherr el
ationshipsneverlast.
.
Whydidshet hi
nkthisonewoul dbedi fferent.
..
Anunf
ami
l
iarnumbercal
l
edt
henshepi
cked.
..

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Monga:
(lowv
oice)Il
ostHope.
..

Apul
a:Idon'
tcar
e,pl
easedon'
tcal
lme.Iknowy
oul
i
edt
ome.

Shecutt
hecal
landputdownt
hephone.
..

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhil
eMongafrownedsi
tt
ingonhi
sson'
sswi
ngasaf
ew
adul
tsbegunar
ri
vi
ng..
.

Hedi
aledheragai
n..

Apul
a:What
?

Monga:What'sthi
sabout?Whateveri
tisicanexpl
ainit.
..I
'
ve
donethi
ngsI'
m notproudofbutifyouneedanexplanati
onI'l
l
expl
ainwhatI'
m doingwhatI
'
m doing.Apula:
Idon'tneedan
expl
anati
on.Howlongdidyouthinkyou'
dkeepthissecret?
Monga:It
oldyouI
'dt
ell
youeverythi
ngIdowheni feelweare
r
eady.We'
veknowneachotherfor2days..
.That
'snotenough
t
imeforustoopenupabouteveryt
hing.

Apula:
I'
m nott
alki
ngaboutyourjob.
..Iknowwhoyou'
re.
.Ar
eyou
real
l
ygoingtoackli
keyoudon'tknowwhatI '
mtal
ki
ngabout

Monga:
Cany oupl
easecomeattendmysonsf
uner
al?I
twoul
d
meanalott
omei fyou'
reher
e.

Apul
a:I
'
llnotbet
hatki
ndofawoman.By
e.I
'
m bl
ocki
ngy
ou

Shecutt
hecal
landhedial
edheragai
nbutt
henumberdi
dn'
tgo
thr
ought
henhedial
edThong.
..

Thong:
Mat
aozen?

Monga:Yeahmona,what
'sgoi
ngonkakoo?Apul
aisangr
yandi
t
soundl
i
keI '
m get
ti
ngdumped.What
'sgoi
ngon?

Thong:Idon'
tknowbutAtsil
esaidsomethingli
key ou'
real
iarand
acheat.Iwasn'
tli
steni
ngtothei
rnonsense..
.di
kgangtsabasadi
gankegobuasepeset habosang.Osendenneuel ekeyegobona
ntu

Monga:
Alr
ight
,il
ostHope.
..(
sighed)Iknowheisfi
nall
yrest
ing
andhewasstr
uggl
ingbuti
t'
seasyt oacceptsomet
hingli
kethat
.

Thong:I
'
m sorry
..
.I'
l
lbet
her
efort
hef
uner
al.
..Idon'
tknowhow
butI
'l
lbether
e.
Monga:
Thanks,
cany
ouaskAt
sil
ewhatApul
aisangr
yabout
?

Thong:
Sur
e

Monga:
Shap

Hehungupandsi
ghed.
..

Att
hehot
el.
..

LateronApulapickedthe4thglassofbeerandsi ppedwhi l
e
watchingacoupleintheswimmi ngpool.
..Anot hercouplesatat
thecornerhavi
ngdinnerandchat t
ingt
henanot herpassedby
holdi
nghands..
.Seeingallt
heseshewonder edhowpeopl e'
s
rel
ati
onshipsl
astov er2months..
.Hersnev erreach7day s...

Amanwal
kedov
erandsatdownsmi
l
ing.
.

Hi
m:Hi,beenobser vi
ngyoufrom adi
stance.
..I
'
m notastalker
..
.I
wasj
ustfi
nishingupsomet hi
ngf r
om workandthoughtt
hisplace
wasqui
etenough...Ithi
nkyou'v
ehadenoughandy oucan'tdri
ve
i
nyourcondit
ion.Mynamei sRandallbytheway..

Shesmi
l
edandt
ookasi
p,hegr
abbedt
hebeer
..
.
Randal
l
:Isai
dthat
'senough,
doy
ouwantt
oembar
rassy
oursel
f.

Hewav
edawai
tr
essov
er.
..

Randal
l
:Cany
oubr
ingheragl
assofwat
erpl
ease.

Apul
a:I
'
mf i
ne,
byt hewaymyboy
fri
endi
samar
ri
edman.Idi
dn'
t
knowheismar
ried..

Shesighedandl
eanedbacky
awni
ng,
thewat
erar
ri
vedt
henshe
tookasip

Randal
l
:Soberupbecausei
fyoudon'
tI'
mtaki
ngy
out
omyr
oom
soyoucanrest
.

Everyt
hingcameupt oherthroatt
hensheleaneddownandt hr
ew
uponhi sfoot
.Helookedathisfootasherspitst
ret
chedthenhe
ki
ckedherv omitof
fhisfoot.Hestoodupandpulledherar
m
helpi
ngherstand.

Randal
l
:Let
'sgo,
youneedashowerandt
orest
..
.Let
'sgo.
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#15

Att
hehot
el.
..
.

Thenextmorni
ngApulaopenedhereyesandyawnedsi
tti
ngup
whil
eRandal
lstoodbythewindowtal
kingt
othephone.
..

Randall
:Ididn'
tknowthat.
..Iknewhewassi ckandall butidi
dn'
t
thi
nkitwast hatbad.
..
.*
*..
..
Yeah..
.Whendowel eavefortheburi
al?
Kanagat webanagabahi t
hiwejaakabagolo?.
..*.
..
.Ok,today?
Wait,
Eric?Howmanyar ewe?Al r
ight
,bye.

HehungupasApulawrappedher
sel
fwit
hatowelandwal
kedi
n
t
hebathr
oom,hetur
nedandknockedonthedoor
..
.

Randal
l
:Hi
,mor
ning.
..

Apul
a:(
shower
ing)Mor
ning.
..

Randal
l
:So,
mybosslosthi
schi
l
dandwear
egoi
ngt
her
etoday
.
Doyoumindtaggi
ngal
ong?

Apul
a:Ihavetogotowor
k,i
missedwor
kyest
erdaywi
thouta
l
eaveofabsence.
Randal
l
:Al
ri
ght
,

Heputonhi
scl
othesandpackedhi
sbag.
..

AtThong'
shouse.
..

Latert
hatmorni
ngacarst oppedinfrontofthehouseandt
he
guysoffl
oadedthefurni
tur
ewhi l
eAtsil
estoodby.Thongwal
ked
overtoherandkissedhercheek.
..

Thong:
Canyoucomewi t
hmer ey
egogomotsaMataozen?
Gatwememori
alser
vicei
sthi
seveni
ngandt
heburi
alistomor
row.

At
sil
e:Any
thi
ngt
oav
oidt
hatman

Thong:
Gat
weApul
aiadumpi
nghi
m,kant
ewhathappened?

At
sil
e:Mongaismar
ri
edakere?Heli
edabouthi
ssonbei
ng
l
ookedaf
terbyhi
smotherkant
eit
sthewife.

Thong:Hismotherhasbeentaki
ngcareofhim buthersugaror
somethingli
kethatwentup.
.Iwaswithhim whenthemot hert
old
hi
m hersugarisup..
.Idon'
tknowaboutthewifebutidoubt
Mataozenwouldlietome..
.Hewouldn'
tcallApul
ahiswifeifhe
wasmar ri
ed.Di
dsheaskhi m?

At
sil
e:Ar
esheissur
eandshedoesn'
twantt
hem t
ofight
.She
dr
ovetoGabor
oneandwhenshesawthem t
oget
hersheknew.
Thong:
Butwhynotjustaskhi
m?Howisshesur
e?Was
Mataozenweari
ngari
ng?Didheki
ssher
?Wasshecal
l
edMa-
Mataozenkanaj
ang?

At
sil
e:Idon'
tknow,shesayst
heywer
etouchi
ngeachot
her
maybetheywereki
ssing.

Thong:
Ok.
..Butheseemedwor
ri
edaboutl
osi
ngher
.I'
l
ltal
kto
hi
m

Atsi
l
e:Pleasedon'
ttel
lhi
m whati sai
d,i
don'
twanttobecaught
upinbetween.
..ButI
'l
lbeobserv
ingwhenigett
here.Gopaythe
tr
uck,I
'
m goingtopackafewt hi
ngs..

Hewalkedt
owar
dst
het
ruckandpai
dashi
sphoner
angt
henhe
pi
cked.
..

Thong:
Hel
l
o

Eri
c:KeEr
ic,
i f
oundusaspri
nter
..
.Wearel
eav
ingat11am sowe
canmakeitforthememor
ial
servi
ces.

Thong:
Ohok,
nnai
bil
eiwaspl
anni
ngt
ouset
hebus.Thanks

Er
ic:
Noskawar
a,doy
ouhav
eal
i
cense?

Thong:
Noty
et

Er
ic:
Nopr
obl
em,
Randal
landi
wil
ldr
ive.

Thong:
Randal
li
stheshor
tone?
Er
ic:
(laughed)Thet
alkat
iveone.
.

Thong:
(laughed)Ir
ememberhi
m.Letmegetr
eadyt
hen

Er
ic:
Alr
ightShap.

Hehungupandwal
kedbacki
nthehouse.
..

AtAt
sil
e'
spar
ent
s..
.

Latert
hataft
ernoont
heoldmanfail
edt
oholdhistear
sashe
tal
kedtoAtsi
le'
sauntwhowasl
ayingonthest
retcher
..
.

Ol
dman: Anditbr
eaksmyhear
tbecausei
tsmyher
dboydoi
ng
t
his.
..Someonewhousedt
orapemygoatsandcat
tl
e.

Aunti
e:It'
sapi t
ymyol dersi
steri
sn'theretohandlethi
s,y
ou
knowi neversupportedmynievebeingmar ri
edofftoanoldman.
I'
m sur
prisedshet ooksolongtoleave,okaselesehelawabat
a
mosadimogol onyana?

Ol
dman:
Whataboutt
hemoneyi
pai
dtor
aiseher
?

Aunti
e:wasitaguaranteethatshewillst
aywi t
hyouev enwhen
youcheat
?Listen,mysisterandherhusbandar edead..
.Your
contr
actwasiswiththedeadnow. .
.(shouted)Aene?(coughed)
Bri
ngmymedi cinengwanaka...
Herdaughterwal
kedoutoft
hehouseandhandedhert
he
medicat
ion..
.

Hi
m:(st
ood)Nobodyt
akesmeser
iousl
y,t
hisboyst
abbedmeon
myar
m

Aunti
e:Whydon'ty
our epor
thi
m?Heisnotmynephewsoi can'
t
speakforhi
m.WhatIknowi st
hati
fmyniecedoesn'
twantyou
thenican'
tcont
rolher
.

Aene:
PlusAt
sil
enev
err
eal
l
yhadachancet
odeci
deher
sel
f.

Hi
m:Omangwenawadit
att
oot
samabel
ete?Ot
samai
wake
di
kat
semomel
alemg?

Aene:
Leluckybal
eneet seAt si
le,haneelennankabekegosiet
se
poi
songoreoswe...Ihopet hatherdboywhoev erhei
sbeatsyou
i
fyoutryany
thi
ng.
..Youdi dn'tevenmar r
yherlegal
lyony
etse
set
swanasolegal
lyAtsil
ei snotmar ri
edandshecanmar ryt
he
her
dboy .

Hetur
nedandwalkedawayput
tingonhi
shatt
henhedr
oveof
fas
Aenehel
dherhi
psglar
ingathi
m. .
.

Aene:
Mamamybossl
osthi
ssonsoI
'
m goi
ngt
ohi
sbur
ial
.I'
l
lbe
backt
omor
row
Her
:Ok,
tr
avel
saf
ely

Aene:
Pleaset
ell
thebui
ldersI'
l
lpayt
hem wheni
comeback.I
managedtogetyoumedicalai
d

Her
:Apul
asaidsheaddedmeonhermedicalai
dandI'
dbeabl
e
t
ouseitaf
ter6monthsorwasi
t3months..You'
l
laskher

Aene:
Ok,iwantt
ogoandpackmyt
hings.
.I'
l
lseey
ouwheni
comeback

Her
:By
e

Shegotinhermot
her
'shouseandgotherbagt
henshel
eftf
or
herhouse.
..

AtApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.

MeanwhileApul
asighedandl eanedbackthoughtful
ly,whywould
Mongainvit
ehimtohisson'sbur i
ali
fhewasi ndeedmar ri
ed?
Wouldn'
tthatbei
nsensit
ivetohiswife?Perhapshej ustwanted
togouseherthatni
ghttoreleasestresst
hatnight..
.Menar eall
thesame,onemarri
eswhi l
ewi thyouandtheotherwant syouto
att
endhissonsburi
al.
..

Herphoner
angt
henshesi
ghedandpi
cked.
..
Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Atsi
l
e:Thongsay sthatMonga'
smot herhasbeenlookingaft
er
hi
ssonunt i
lhersugarlev
elswentup,thenwhoeverthatwas
st
eppedin..Ar
ey ousuretheywer
ebei ngtool
oveydov ey?Whati
f
i
tshissi
ster?Washewear ingari
ng?Kanaassumpt ionsarebad.
..

Apula:
Ididn'
tcheckhi
sfi
nger
,lastni
ghtheaskedmet
ocomef
or
theburi
al.

At
sil
e:Canyouj
ustgot
her
ewegoemay
omongwenokeng?What
i
fheisnotmarr
ied?

Apul
a:It
oldhi
midon'
tcar
ewhenhet
oldmeabouthi
sson

Atsi
le:
It'
snevert
oolat
etoapologi
se.
..Yalesongleowego
gomotsaMonga.Ifheismar
riedyou'
l
l hearf
rom hismout
hnot
assumptions.

At
sil
e:Ok.
..Idon'
thav
eenought
ime.Letmego.By
e

Shehungupandst
ood.
..

AtMonga'
shouse.
..(
Gabor
one)

Laterthatev
eningMongawal
kedt
owar
dst
hespr
int
erand
greetedever
yone..
.
Monga:
Higuy
s,t
hanksal
otf
ordr
ivi
ngal
ltheway
..
.

Thewhol
espr
int
erwentsi
l
entast
heyl
ookedathi
slongf
ace.
..

Monga: Idon'
tknowi fit
'sther ightti
met otell
youthisbuti don'
t
wantt okeept hisgoing.Mysonwasmyonl ymot i
vation..
.Iwas
savi
ngmoneyf orhishealt
hbuti tsti
llmadenodi f
ference..
.Ihav
e
noreasont odot hi
sany mor e.I'
m closi
ngmywebsi t
es, i
twas
growingwayt oolargeanyway sitsscarytohave5mi lli
on
subscriberswhomakewei r eddemandsont hescri
pts.I'
m sorry
..
.

Thong:Mataozenhav
ey ouforgottenhowi l
ookedt
hefirstt
ime
yousawme?Yougav emehope, y
oumademeseet hebestinme
andrest
oredmyconfidence.
..Youknowr if
ienekeerwele..
.
You'
renotthrowi
ngmebackt othatherdboysit
uat
ion.
..

Aene:Mymot herissick,
andI '
m heronlysourceofmoney..
..I
'
m
abouttocompl eteherhousesopeopl ecancheckonherina
goodhouse.Sheget sthebestmedi cineandnowshei s
recov
ering.
..Keagokopa, bogol
olet'sdoitunti
lJanuar
y.

Randall
:NotJanuary,t
hat'
snotgoodenoughi have5chil
d
maintenancecases,
i f
ail
edtopaytheot
her3andi fidon'
tpay
them I'
m goi
ngtojai
l.Youknowhowst r
ictcourt
sareabout
f
ail
uret
ocompl
ykachi
l
dmai
ntenance.

Theotherf
emaleactr
essturnedl
ooki
ngatMonga,
tear
sfi
l
ledher
eyesandshebursti
ntot
ears.

Her
:Nnawai
tsemysi
tuat
ion.
..Doy
ouwantmet
olosemi
net
oo?

Mongal ookeddowngui l
tst
ri
ckenthenApul
apul
ledovernextt
o
thespri
nter.Randal
lsmil
edandsteppedout
,Mongaturned
aroundandl ookedather
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#16

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Apul
asteppedoutoft
hecarandpacedpastRandal
lbef
ore
j
umpingint
oMonga'shands.

Mongahuggedherconfused,
Randal
l
'shear
tski
ppedasApul
a
st
eppedbackandlookedathim.
..

Apul
a:Thi
sist
hebossy
ouwer
etal
ki
ngabout
?

Monga:
Youknoweachot
her
?

Apul
a:Isawhim atMorul
aHotel
yest
erdayandhesaidhewas
goi
ngtothefuneral
yangwanawabossy agagwe.Idi
dn'
tknow
hewastalki
ngaboutyou.

Randal
l
:Wai
tsei
waswonder
ingi
fkeagot
shwant
shany
a.

Monga:
SoRandal
lampor
eonkgol
agat
sa?Wer
eyouhi
tt
ingon
her
?

Randal
l:(
laughed)No,youknowi l
ovemygirl
.Wrjuststr
ikeda
conver
sati
on..
.Actual
l
yIwal kedovert
oherbecauseithoughtshe
hadenoughandaskedhert ogohome.That'
showour
conv
ersat
ionbasi
cal
l
yended.
.

Mongat
urnedhisheadandlookedather
,soshewentonand
dr
unkwi
thoutdoingasagr
eed..
.

Apul
a:Iwant
edt
ocal
lyoubuti
didn'
thav
eai
rt
ime.
.

Af
terthat"
idon'
tcar
e"inr
esponsetohi
sson'
sdeathandhernow
dr
inki
ng,hewasn'
tsurewher
ethiswasheadi
ng.
..

Monga:Meetmyemploy
ees.
..
(poi
ntedi
nthespr
int
er)Thi
sis
Shat
i,I
daandPur
ple.

Apul
a:Aeneoi
pit
saPur
ple

Aener
oll
edherey
esandsi
ghed.
..

Aene:
Bat
hongbossy
oucan'
tdat
emycousi
n.

Apula:Doesaunt
ieknowt
haty
oucal
lyour
sel
fPur
pleont
he
st
reets.

Aene:
(laughed)FosekLal
a

Monga:
Thi
sisRandal
lwhowashi
tt
ingony
ouandwhom I
'
m
goi
ngtokil
li
fif
indoutanyt
hingmor
ethant
hishappened.Thi
s
won'
tsaveyouei
therbabe.
..

Thong:
Aje-
jej
eje!Hi
Lal
a..

Apul
a:Aenewhyar
eyousi
tt
ingnextt
oAt
sil
e'
sboy
fri
end?

Aenet
urnedandl
ookedatThong.
..

Aene:
Wai
t,t
hisi
stheher
d-

Thong:
Her
dwhat
?

Aene:Idi
dn'
tknow,peopl
eyoumusttel
lust
heset
hingsbef
ore
werapeyourmen..
.Iwasgoingt
orapeyou.

Col
league:Youcanr
apeme?I
'
mfi
newi
thbei
ngr
aped.Iwon'
tsay
any
thing.
.

Theyl
aughedasMongasmi
l
edandst
eppedback.
..

Monga:Al
ri
ghtguy
s,t
hanksf
orcomi
ng.Theser
vicest
art
sat7pm
andendsat7:
30.

Al
l
:Ok,

Thong:
Wear
rgoi
ngt
obat
h,

Randal
l
:Thatmeansweonl
yhav
efewmi
nut
es,
let
'shur
ry.
Theygotbacki
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.Mongat
urnedbackt
o
Apul
aandsighed.
..

Monga:I
ftherei
sonet hingivaluethemosti shonest
yfrom a
woman..
.Tellmeexactlywhathappenedl astni
ghtwithRandall
.I
wantt
hetruthandnothingbutthet r
uth,
iknowhei sgoingtotel
l
methetr
uthwheni presshimr ele2..
whathappened?

Apula:Iwasdri
nkingt hi
nki
ngy ouli
edtome, idr
oveallt
heway
j
usttoseewhat '
sgoi ngon..
.Iaskedforyoursonatthenurse
stat
ionandwenttohi sroom butbeforeicoul
dgetinisawy ou
huggingyourwi
fe...Youweretouchingandshewassi ngi
ngf or
you.
.

Monga:WatsenwaApul
a?Sowhydidn'
tyougeti
n?Whydr
ivef
or
9hoursonl
ytogobackwit
hassumpti
ons?

Apul
a:Idi
dn'
twantt
omakemat
ter
swor
sef
orher

Monga:
Thatwasmysi
ster
,shei
smar
ri
ed.

Apul
a:Yousai
dyourmot
hert
akescar
eofy
oursonso-

Monga:Mysonst ay
edwi t
hmymot herbutwhenmymot heri
sn'
t
wellmysi
sterst
epsin.Ican'
tbel
i
eveyou'r
ethati
nsecur
e,what'
s
wrongwit
hy ou?

Apul
a:Idi
dn'
tknow

Monga:Howwouldyouknowi
fyoudi
dn'
task?Soy
ougotdr
unk
andsl
eptwi
thRandy
?
Apul
a:Idi
dn'
tsl
eepwi
thhi
m..
.Weonl
ytal
ked.

Monga:I
fy ou'
rely
ingtomeI '
m goi
ngtodi
scipl
i
neyou.Areyou
say
ingnothingatall
happened?Youtal
kedther
eandthatwasit
?

Apul
a:Yes.
..Youcanaskhi
m.

Monga:
I'
ll
askhi
m..
.Gi
vemey
ourphone.
..Unl
ocki
t

Shehandedhimthephonet
henhetappedRandall
'
snumberand
i
twassav ed.Hecl
i
ckedonthemessagesand.
..

Randal
l:
Goodmorni
ngbeauti
ful
,l
eav
ingf
orGabs.Hopi
ngt
osee
youagai
nwhenigetback.

Apul
a:Mor
ning,
seey
ouwheny
oucomeback.

Hehandedherthephoneandt
urnedtot
hehouse.Apul
alooked
athermessagesandsi
ghedst
andingby
,shedi
aledhercousi
n
andsighed.
..

Aene:
Hi,

Apul
a:Wher
ear
eyounow?Iwantt
ocomeov
er

Aene:
Someguestout
,il
lsendy
oudi
rect
ions.
Shegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

Att
heguesthouse.
..

Meanwhi
leRandal
lsati
nthet
oil
etwi
thar
unni
ngst
omachwhi
l
e
Thongst
oodatthedoor
..
.

Thong:
Bul
a..

Randal
l
:Iwashi
tt
ingonher
,Mongai
sgoi
ngt
oki
l
lme.
..

Thong:
Ithoughty
ousai
dyoudi
dn'
t

Randal
l
:Ipani
cked

Thong:
Didy
ouf
uck?

Randal
l
:Icouldn'
tgetitup,
ibeendoingalotofvi
deosl
atel
yandi
wasn'
thar
denough. .
.Butwekissed,wetouchedandimuff
ed
her
..
.Sheistheonewhocamei didn'
t.
..
.

Hef
art
edandspr
ayedhi
sdi
arr
heai
nthet
oil
et.
..

Thong:
Kant
ewachwega?

Randal
l
:WhenIpani
cii
getar
unni
ngst
omach.
..

Thong:
IsMongat
hatbad?It
hinkhewi
l
lunder
standi
fyouex
plai
n
ev
ery
thi
ng.Youdi
dn'
tknow.

Randal
l:Butst
il
l,
hei
sgoi
ngt
ofi
remebecauseI
'
llbet
heguyt
hat
cr
ossedtheli
ne.

Thong:
Hewon't.
..Maybedon'
ttell
himthen.Sayhal
fthetrut
h...
Saywhathecanprove.
..Youwerehit
ti
ngonher..
.Fi
ne..Nowy ou
knowbett
er

Randal
l
:Isentheramessage.Whati
fshehasn'
tdel
eted?

Thong:Andy ougothernumber,y
oudefini
tel
ydidn'tsl
eep
toget
her.
..I
'
df i
reyoutooformypeaceofmi nd.Youdidn'
tput
yourdi
ckinthereri
ght?Becausethat
'sabi
gdeal .

Randal
l
: Idi
dn'
t.
..Youknowifai
l
edt
heot
hercl
i
pbecausei
was
toosof
t.I'
m st
il
lrecov
eri
ng.

Thong:Ok...
butf
rom her el
ewenay oumustknowbet ter
,asa
many oustudyyourtargetfi
rst
..
.Youcoul dhav ebefri
endedher
beforetel
l
ingher
.Thisi sdonetoavoi dst
eppingonot herguys
toesbecauseokgonagoi t
helaojetsentsalao.Ialwaysholdmy
feel
ingsbackandpretendi f
eelnothingunti
l I
'v
ecov eredal
lmy
basisknowingever
ythingtherei
sabouther .Idon'twantconfl
ict
s..

Randal
l
:Di
dn'
tyoul
i
ket
akey
ourboss'
swi
fe?

Thong:Hei,
you'r
enotme...Yourbosscanshootyouright
bet
weent heeyesminewasanol dmanwit
harthr
iti
sandhecoul
d
barel
ysee.Totopithedi
dn'trespectmycr
ushsoev enGodison
myside..
.Wipeyourbut
tthemonnaket swerekemor oto?

Randal
l
:Gokabany
egol
omo
Thong:Ei
sh,
thi
sisn'
tev
enaguesthousei
t'
ssomeone'
shouse
andtheywer
etoohungryf
ormoneytocal
li
taguesthouse.

Thongwal
kedbackt
ohisroom andgr
abbedabot
tl
eofdr
inkt
hen
heaimedi
nsi
deandpeed.
..

Out
sideAenehel
pedApul
acar
ryherbagsi
nsi
de.
.

Apula:Sowhatdoy
oudo?Ial
way
sthoughty
ousel
li
nsur
ance
cousie

Aene:Iam amodel,Mongat
akespict
uresofusandsell
sthem t
o
appstsaboPhotoshopandthi
ngsli
kethat.Eacht
imeour
pi
ctur
esaresol
dheget sashareandgivesus.

Apul
a:Real
l
y?Letmeseeaf
ewofy
ourpi
ctur
es

Aene:
Hehast
hecopy
right
s,wedon'
thav
ethem.

Apul
a:Ihopey
ou'
renott
ranspor
ti
ngdr
ugs.

Aene:
Isn'
tMrTy
ourman?Youcanaskhi
m

Shesi
ghedandputherbagsonAene'
sbed.
.

Meanwhi
l
eout
side,
Mongapar
kedt
hecaranddi
aledRandal
l
...
Randal
l
:Hel
l
o?

Monga:
Takwano,
I'
m out
side.

Hecutthecall
andsighed.Mi
nut
eslat
erRandal
lst
eppedoutand
gotint
hepassengerseat,
Mongast
artedt
hecarandrev
ersedout
ofthepar
king.
..

Randal
l
:Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?

Monga: Iknowy ouli

edtome, withwhatI'
m goi
ngthr
oughri
ght
nowt helastthi
ngineedisaliaronmyt eam.Iwantt
hetrut
hand
nothingbutthetrut
h..
.Idoubtyouknewwhoshewast omeso
don'tputyoursel
fontheothersidebyly
ing..
.Bua.

Randal
ltookadeepbr
eat
hasMongaj
oinedt
her
oad.
..

Randal
l
:Ok,
thi
siswhatr
eal
l
yhappened.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#17

About20minut
esl
aterMongast
oppedi
napar
kingl
otandl
eaned
backl
ooki
ngatRandal
l.
..

Monga:
I'
mli
steni
ng.
.Sal
eor
il
ethi
siswhathappened.
..

Randal
llookedatMonga'
shandsandputhi
shandov
erhi
shead
prot
ect
inghisface.
..

Monga: I
'
m notgoingtohity
ou,
aslongasyou'
renotl
yingt
ome
I
'm notgoingt
odoany thi
ngtoy
ou.Youknowwhati l
i
keandwhat
idon'
tli
kewaaitseaker
e?

Randal
ll
ickedhi
sdryl
i
psandt ookadeepbr
eat
hthoughhe
coul
dn'
treall
ybr
eat
hproper
ly.
..

Monga:
Randy
,whathappened?

Randall
:Tobehonestwit
hI '
m afr
aidt
otel
lyouthetr
uth..
.Not
becauseii
ntendtodoanythi
ngbutbecauseI'
m notsureyou'
l
l
j
ustletmegoi fi
tel
lyouthetrut
h.You'
ret
heonlypersonwhohas
helpedmedeal wi t
hmypr oblemsi nabet terway ...(t
earful
ly)I
woul dhav enev erlookedatherl iket hatifi knew...Whywoul dI
ri
skgoi ngt oj ai
l fornotpay ingchi ldmai ntenancebymessi ngwi t
h
myonl ysour ceofmoney .You'vej ustpr omot edmeandal l
owed
met ostudyonl i
nev ideoedi ti
ngsoi canhel pedi tandear nmor e
money .Allmybabymama' shatemebecauseofwhati putthem
through, nowomanwant stocol lectmoneyf r
om cour tbut
becausei didn'thav eaj obtheydi dn'thav eachoi ce. .
.Besides
those5babymama' st hereisonewhocoul dn'tev enreportme
becauseshet houghtI 'dkil
l mydaught erifshef or cedmet o
suppor ther,I'vest artedsuppor t
ingmydaught erlastmont h.
..I
giveher1, 2Kpermont hwhi chsheappr eciates.Notoncehasshe
deni edmeseei ngher ,
shej ustwon' tletmegetherbecauseshe
sti
lldoesn'tt rustmebutshei st heonl yonewhoal l
owedmet o
seemychi ld.Idon' twantt odi sappoi ntherbecauseshekeeps
tel
lingmenott obr eakherdaught ershear t...Sit
uat i
ony amee
thata.Ican'tbet r
ayy ouintentional l
y...

Monga:Randall
..
.Di
dy ousleepwi t
hmygi rl
fr
iend?Itsver
y
simpl
e..
."Yesidi
d"or"ididn'
t".IneedtoknowbecauseI 'm not
havi
ngyourlef
tover
s..
.ItoldyouI'm notgoi
ngt ohityouorfir
e
youbutifyoul
ieIsweartoGody ou'
llgomissing.

Randall
:Iwasi nthebardoingmyonl i
neassignment sthenIsaw
herorderi
ngbot t
leaf
terbottle,atsomepointshet alkedto
someoneont hephonetal
kingaboutbei ngcheatedandal l
.I
i
gnoredherandkeptmydi stancet henshestart
edl aughingatthe
commer cial
sont heTV,l
aughi ngreall
yloud.
..If
eltlikeshe'd
att
ractbadguy ssoiwalkedov erandt ol
dhershehadenough.
Sheignoredmeandkeptdr inki
ngunt i
liki
ndofputmyf ootdown.
Shef inall
yagr eedandwewal kedt omyr oom wher eweki ndof
chattedunt ilshefellasl
eep.Ididn'tdoany t
hingtoher ,t
henext
mor ningshet ookabat handweexchangednumber s..
.Whenwe
l
ef titextedthatI'dseeherwheni getbackbecausei f
eltl
ikewe
didn'treall
ymeetwhenshewasdr unk.That'
swhyi evenwalked
overt ohert odaybecausei didn'tknowany thing.
..Assoonasshe
huggedy oui panickedabeket senwakemal a.Ij
ustwant edto
getoutoft herebecausei wonder edwhatwoul dhav ehappened
hadi act
uallypushedf ormore...I'
m sorry.

Mongal
eanedbackandsi
ghed.
..

Monga:I'
m goingt
oaskher,ifyourst
oriesdon'
tmatcht
henI
'
ll
havetotakeyoubothoutofmyl i
febecauseidon'
twantt
obe
sur
roundedbypeopleican'
ttrust
.

Randal
l
:Youcant
rustme,

Monga:
Ihopeso.
..

Hest
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveout
..
.

Att
heguesthouse.
..
.

Meanwhi
l
eEr
ic,
Thongandt
heot
her2guy
swat
chedt
hegame
t
houghnomet
hem wasatease.
..

Eri
cglancedathi
swatchandsi
ghedt
hent
hel
i
ghtoper
ator
checkedhist
imetoo.
..

Thong:
What
?

Er
ic:
Theybeengonefort
ool
ong.
..Weshoul
dbel
eav
ingf
ort
he
memori
alser
vicenow.

Li
ghtguy
:Ifhedoesn'
tgetbackwi
thhi
m hewi
l
lnev
erbef
ound.

Thong:
Whatdoy
oumean?

Er
ic:
Justsay
ing,
skankgol
egamr
..

Meanwhi
let
heladiesfi
nishedputti
ngont
hei
rmakeupwhi
l
e
Apul
asatonthebedlookingatthem..
.

Aene:Ihearyoumessedaroundwit
hRandall
,shem...I
fyouonl
y
knewhalfthemanMongai syou'
djustbef
ait
hfulandfocuson
spendi
nghismoneywi t
houtevenaski
nghi
m questions.

Apul
a:Whatdoy
oumean?

I
da:(l
aughedwrappi
ngherhead)Yourmanisbad..
.Heisaf
air
bosswhopaysont i
mebutifyoucrossthel
iney
oupaydear
ly.
Mongakelebur
ul el
ent
shonyana.Rait
seronabankil
era
rael
esega.Ogobusakokgor
ongy
aheav
en.Nowweknow
prof
essional
i
sm.

Apul
a:Whatar
eyoul
adi
est
alki
ngabout
?

Aene:Di
dyoucheatornot
?BecauseRandal
li
spr
obabl
ysay
ing
ever
ythi
ngnow.
..

Apul
a:Idi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ng.
.

Aene:Onet
hingi
knowaboutyoucousi
edicazoskegoreo
maaka.Rememberhowyouusetodenyst
eali
ngotherpeopl
e'
s
food.
..

Apul
asmi
l
edi
ndi
sbel
i
efandr
oll
edherey
es.
..

Aene:
Rememberwheny
oust
olet
hemeatonPapa'
spl
ate?

Apul
a:(
laughed)Aunt
iedi
shedal
otf
orpapa

Aene:(l
aughed)Andal
lofuswerebeat
enf
ort
hest
olenmeat
becausesomebodylov
esfood.

Apul
a:Justl
eav
emeal
one

I
da:
Youhav
ethesamef
ather
?I'
m conf
used,
aren'
tyoucousi
ns?

Aene:
Wecomef
rom asi
ckf
ami
l
y.

I
da:
Youwer
eachi
l
dfr
om bof
ebe?

Apul
a:(l
aughed)Tel
lhery
ouwer
ebor
nint
omar
ri
agent
sal
aka
akannaka.
Theycrackedlaughingoutt
hent
heyheardMongatal
ki
nginthe
l
ivi
ngroom, t
heonl ydeepvoi
cei
nther
e..Apul
a'
shear
tski
pped
andsheswal l
owed...

Aene:
(whi
sper
ed)Let
'sgoguy
s.

Thel
adi
esst
oodupandopenedt
hedoorbutMongawal
kedi
n..
.

Monga:
Wewi
l
lfi
ndy
out
her
e..
.

Every
oneleftwhil
eApulast
oodint
hemi
ddl
eoft
her
oom l
i
kea
l
it
tlegir
lcaughtst
eal
ingsugar
.

Monga:
Let
'sgo,
iwantt
oshowy
ousomet
hing.
..

Hegr
abbedherhandandl
edhert
othecart
henhedr
oveof
f.
..

Att
hecasketmanuf
act
urer
..
.

Mi
nut
esl
aterhepar
kedt
hecarandst
eppedoutl
ooki
ngathi
s
wat
ch.Theywal
kedacr
osst
heempt
ydar
kpar
kingl
ott
owar
ds
t
heentr
ance.
.

Monga:
Hur
ryup,
they
'r
eaboutt
ost
artt
heser
vice.Ican'
tmi
ssi
t.

Apul
a:Ok,
whatar
ewedoi
ngher
e?

Monga:Iwantt
oshowyousomet
hing.
.Afr
iendofmineowns
t
hisandhegavemethekey
ssoicanwalkaroundandchoose
whatil
ike.

Hehel
dherhandandt
heywal
kedi
n..
.

Apul
a:Ar
ewegoi
ngt
otal
kaboutwhathappenedwi
thRandal
l
?

Monga:Yousaidnothi
nghappened,soiassumesomeone
hackedyourphoneandsenthi
mt hosemessages.

Herhear
tpoundedastheywal
kedi
naroom f
ull
ofcasket
s,he
wal
kedtowardsabrownoneandst
oppedopeni
ngi
t..

Monga:
Geti
nsi
de,

Apul
a:What
?

Monga:Geti
nside,
now..
.Youcan'
ttel
lthetr
uthr
ight
?Geti
nsi
de
soyoucantel
lthetr
uthol
emoteng.Iwouldn'
twantt
oputa
burdenonyouraunt
.IfI
'
m goi
ngtoki
l
lyouihav
etobuyy
oua
beauti
ful
caskett
oo.Befasti
hav
etogo..

Apul
aturnedaroundtry
ingt
orun,hetookt
wost epsandgr
abbed
herf
rom behi
ndt henhecar
ri
edherbacktothecasket
.

Monga:Whenareyougoingt
olearnthatgaokakewant
shia.You
can'
trunawayf
rom me.
..Geti
n,idon'twantt
oslapy
ou.
..

Het
ookouthi
sgunandpoi
ntedi
nthecasket
..
.

Monga:
Didy
ouf
orgett
hati
hav
eagun?

Apula'
sheartpoundedasshegoti
nthecasketandl
aidonher
backlooki
ngathim...

Monga:Thetr
uth,
now.
..Ibr
oughtyoumoi ndust
ri
albecauseno
onewil
lheary
ou.Mygunhasasilencert
oo.Bua

Apula:
I'
m sor
ry,
idr
unkali
tt
letoomuchandhetookmet
ohi
s
room.Wedidn'
tdoany
thi
ng.Isthatar
eal
gun?

Monga:
Soomphasummary?You'
renotseri
ous,l
etmegivey
ou
ani
ghti
nher
e.I
'
m puni
shi
ngyoufordr
inki
ng,whatyoudi
daft
er
wasar esul
tofdrinki
ng...Wai
tseotagiwakehal fyagalase.When
orifyougetoutaliv
ey ou'l
lneverdr
ink.You'l
lneverrev
enge,you'
l
l
neverjumpintoconclusions.
..Ri
ghtnowI '
mj umpinginto
conclusi
onsthatyousleptwi t
hmyempl oyee,seethat
conclusi
onsarenotgood?Goodni ght.
.

Shescreamedtry
ingt
oblockashecl
osedthecasketandt
urned
downtheseali
ngkeyl
ockingi
t.Hesi
ghedput
ti
ngthegunbackin
hi
sjacket.
..

Monga: Goodnightbabe,il
oveyou.It hinkyou'
remywi f
e.Wejust
havetomakesur ey oustopdri
nking.Itakethebl ameforyou
bei
ngt oohorny.Thatoneismyf aultandi shal
l cor
rectmysel
f.I
wantyout ospendthewhol eni
ghtint hereaskingyoursel
fif
al
cohol i
sgoodf oryou,al
soiwanty out ofeelclosetodeathand
seethatyou'
retooy oungtobekill
edf orcheati
ng.

Sweat
ingApul
apoundedt
hecasketscr
eami
ng.
.

Apul
a:(t
earf
ull
y)MongaI'
m sorr
y..
.Iwon'tev
erl
ietoyouagain.Le
boj
alwaketogetsekamama, kaikanakapapa.
..Pl
easebabe,let
meout.I'
l
lneverdri
nk,
I'
m done.

Monga:
Goodni
ght
..
.Br
eat
hpr
oper
lybecausey
ou'
l
lrunoutof
oxy
gen.I'
llseeyouat5i nt
hemorningbefor
ethewor ker
sarr
ive.
Sweetdreams..
.Trynottosleept
houghyoumi ghtgetsl
eep
par
alyselyi
ngony ourbacki
nacoffin.Ni
ghtbabe..
.

Hewal
kedoutandl
ockedupt
henhegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#18

I
nsi
det
hecasket
..
.

Apula'scryi
nggotlowerassher ubbedhertears,
shecouldn'
t
evengetherkneesuporseeany thingi
nsi
det hi
scasket.
..
Breathinggotimpossi
blethemor eshethoughtaboutit
,itwasas
i
fshewasbei ngli
ter
all
ysuffocated.

Shetookadeepbr eathandsighedrubbinghersweatyforehead
thenshetouchedaroundhopingtofindsomet hi
ngtoopenwi th
butshecouldn'
tfi
ndany t
hing.
..Shetouchedtheroofofthecoffi
n
andbegunsuf f
ocati
ngalloveragai
n...

Herribsandchestfinall
ygottir
edandr ubbedhertear
swheezing
try
ingtobreath,
shecl earl
ywasn'tgoingtoliv
eunti
lmorni
ng..
.
Wast hi
showshe' ddie?Att hehandsofamanshehar dl
yknew?
Ifhecouldcomeshe' dtellhi
m everyt
hingincl
udi
ngthatmuff
ing
shewaswi ll
ingtotaket othegrave.
..

Apul
a:(
shakyv
oice)Monga!
?(cr
ying)Idon'
twantt
odi
e..
.
Shebeguncryingal
lov
eragainastear
sr ol
leddownt hecorner
s
ofhereyesuntil
shedi
dn'
thaveanythi
ngcomi ngout.Sheclosed
hereyesandtookadeepbreathcal
mlywai t
ingforherdeat
h.At
l
eastshe'dmeethermotherandfat
her.
..Thethoughtalone
wasn'
tbad..
.

Att
hememor
ial
ser
vice.
..

LaterthateveningRandal landThonglookedatMongaashe
walkedintothe3cargar ageandsatdownJoi ningtheser
vice.
Theyt ur
nedt heirheadslookingforApul
abutitseemedhewas
alone.Randall'
shear tbegunpoundingashishandssweat ,
he
rubbedhishandst ogetherandleanedbackbreathi
ngproperl
y.
..

Thong:
(whi
sper
ed)Ar
eyouOK?

Randal
l
:(whi
sper
edback)Shet
oldt
het
rut
h,I
'
m next

Thong:
Idon'
tunder
stand,
Mat
aozenseemssweett
ome.

Randall:Mataozendoesn'thaveahear t
,I'
veknownhi mlonger
andI '
veseenoneper soncrossinghim.Itdidn'
tendwell.Het al
ks
tohighpeople,forwhatidon'tknowbuti fI
'm nextt
hereis
nothinganybodycando.Hei sgoingtokil
lme, I
'mjustgoingt o
disappearorI'
llbeinastagedcaraccidentorev ensui
cide.There
aresomanyway speopl
el i
kehim coul
dgetawaywi t
hmur der
andinBot swanapeoplebelieveanythi
ng.Mydeat hwoul dnotbe
i
nvest
igat
ed.

Thongturnedaroundandl ookedathim,Randallwasactual
ly
sweati
ngandnowhehi msel fwasn'
tatease.Her emembered
Monga'swordsv er
ywell.
..Abouthowhe'dkillhi
mi fanyonefound
outaboutthi
sjob.Sohewasser i
ous?ThankGodt hi
shappened
befor
ehecouldt el
lAt
sil
eabouthi ssidehustl
e..
.Jesus!

Randal
l
:Ineedt
het
oil
et.Mpat
e

Thong:
Justgot
hissi
de

Randal
l
:Pl
ease.
.

Thongsi
ghedandf
oll
owedhi
m out
side.
..

Meanwhi
leAenetur
nedl
ooki
ngar
oundf
orApul
abutshewasn'
t
t
here,
sheleanedov
erI
da.
.

Aene:
Didy
ouseeLal
a?

I
da:
No.

Shel
eanedbackandt
ext
ed.
.
Aene:
Heycousi
e,wher
ear
eyou?

Apul
a'
snumber
:Shei
sfi
ne.Concent
rat
eont
heser
vice.

Aeneputherphonedownandsangal
ong.
..

AtOt
lhe'
sHouse.
..

MeanwhileOtlheli
nedthechil
dren'
sclothesonthebedandt ook
sever
alpict
uresthenshepost edonfacebookwiththepr
icesand
hernumber.Shepackedt hem upandputt hem i
nthewardrobe
befor
ediali
nghersist
erwhi l
eshemadesupper ..
.

At
sil
e:Hi

Ot
lhe:
Ibeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
lMar
ubutshei
snotpi
cki
ng.

At
sil
e:(
laughed)May
beshei
sbusywi
thDer
ri
ckt
hesof
ty.

Otl
he:Ok,
Apul
aisn'
tpi
ckingtoo..
.Peopl
ehav er
elat
ionshi
pst
ota.
.
BythewaywhatdoyouthinkaboutMataozen?

Atsi
le:It
'snotcl
earaker
ewear eassuminghei
smar
ri
edandLal
a
hasn'tupdatedusaboutthei
rconv
ersi
on.

Ot
lhe:
Ok,
justwant
edt
osaygoodni
ght
.
At
sil
e:Goodni
ght
..
.

AtMar
u'snewhouse.
..

Meanwhil
eDerr
icklai
donthemattr
essr
eadi
ngabookf
ort
hei
r
ki
dsastheyl
aidnexttooneanot
her.

Der
ri
ck:
Andt
heyl
i
vedhappi
l
yev
eraf
ter
.Theend.

Hesatupandsi
ghed.
.

Li
l
o:Atl
eastt
hey
'r
ehappy

Pi
nk:
Yeah,
ithoughtt
heywoul
ddi
e.

Der
ri
ck:
Alr
ight
,goodni
ghtguy
s..

Heswi t
chedofftheirl
ightandwalkedinthebedroom wher
eMar u
wassitti
ngont heedgeoft hebedtyingherhai
r.Shel
ookedather
courtpapersandsighed..
..Hecrawledonthebedandsatbehind
herhuggingherthenheki ssedherneck.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Sti
l
lthi
nki
ngabouty
ourcour
tappear
ance?
Maru:
I'
mjustwai
tingfort
henewspaper
s.I
'
m ev
enaf
rai
dtopi
ck
cal
l
sfrom mysi
sters.
.

Derr
ick:
Shouldigettheloanandgiveitt
oy ousoy oucanhave
peace?Causeiwasthinking,
weshewai tfortheguil
tyver
dict
fi
rst
.Thejudgemightdismisshercase.Notev er
yhomewr ecki
ng
caseendsinafi
ne.

Maru:Yeahbutithinkyoushouldgi
vemethemoney
.Ifi
ts
di
smissedI'
llr
eturnit
.Derr
ick:
Alri
ght
.Tomorr
owwewill
go.Cani
getasmilenow?

Sheforcedasmi l
eastheybot
hfacedt
hedressi
ngt
abl
emi
rr
or
thenheturnedherar
oundandhuggedher
.

Der
ri
ck:
I'
m sor
ryIputy
out
hrought
his.

Mar
u:I
t'
sok.
..

Herphoneanditwashi
swi
fe,
sheshowedhi
mthenhecutt
he
cal
landhuggedher.
.

Der
ri
ck:
I'
m sor
ry.
..Buti
promi
seI
'
llpr
otecty
ouf
rom her
.

Theyhuggedandsi
ghed.
..
.
I
nthecof
fi
n..
..

Lateronj
ustbeforemidni
ghtApulasl
owlyclosedhereyesand
dozedoffl
yingonherbackinsi
detheclosedcoffi
n.Anold
womanappear edinf
rontofher,
shewassool dherskinhad
wrinkl
esandhereyeswerereddi
sh,herclot
heswer et
ornli
keshe
hadbeenbur i
edfory
ears.
.ShehissedandsatonApul a'
s
stomach.
..
.

Apula'
sheartpoundedsohar
dshet houghtitwoul
djuststop,she
tri
edtoscr
eam orpushheroffbutshecouldn'
tmov eorspeak,
theoldwomanl eanedov
erandchokedherasshehi ssedwith
onerott
entoothandherspi
tdroppi
ngonApul a'sf
ace..
.

Mor edeadpeopl erosefrom thei

rcof f
insandwal kedov ert
oher,
theystoodbysur roundi
ngheri ntornclothesast heoldlady
chokedher .Theirshar
plament at
ionsgotherski ncrawlingast
he
windalsobl ewinamel odiousway .
..Shecoul dfeelhersoul
l
eav i
ngherbodyast heoldladychoked. .
."Jesushel pme"she
beggedsilentl
yandshegaspedget t
ingup, shehitherheadonthe
roofofthecof f
inandscreamedev enlouderi nhorr
or..
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#19

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erthatmor
ningjustbefor
ef i
veMongast oodbeforet
hemirr
or
put
ti
ngonhisvestthenhisfatherwalkedi
nhissuitandabi
bleon
hi
shand.Hestoppedandlookedatt hetat
toosonhisarmsand
si
ghed..
.

Hi
m:Doy
ouknowt
haty
ourbodyi
sthet
empl
eoft
heLor
d?

Mongaquiet
lypi
ckedhi
sshirtandputi
tont
henhebut
tonedup
andputt
hetiear
oundhisneck..

Hi
m:Doy
ouev
enr
ememberhowt
oputonat
ie?

Monga:
Goodmor
ningpapa.
..

Him:I'l
lneverunderst
andwhathappenedt oy ou,ir
aisedyouwell
andy ougrewupi nchurch,pr
ayingandpraisi
ngtheLor d.When
youledthesingingeveryonefel
tthepresenceoftheLor dand
ever
ychur chelderwantedyoutobet hei
rsoni nl
awwheny ou
grewup.Whyar eyouembar r
assingmel i
kethis?
Monga:Whatam i doi
ngthatisembarrassi
ngyou?You'
ret
he
reasonwhyinevercometof amil
ygatheri
ngsbecausey
oujudge
everysi
ngl
ethi
ngi do.I
'm sorr
yididn'
ttur
nouttobewhatyou
wanted.

Him: Soishouldappreci
atethatyou'r
eacr i
minalnow?Youruncl e
searchedthecompanyy ousaidhiredy ouanditdoesn'
texist
,
you'r
eacr i
minal Monga!andiregretthedayimadey ou.You'l
l
neverfindhappinessunti
lyoudor i
ght,thebi
blesaysrespectyour
parentsandherey ou'
re.

Mongasatonhi
sbedandputonhi
ssockst
henhepul
l
edhi
s
shoeson.
..

Him: Someti
mesGodl et'
scertainthi
ngshappensowecansee
thatwear enot
hingwithouthim.Peopl ewhoknownot hingabout
theBibledon'
tpayfortheirsi
ns, they'
ref
orgiv
enfortheydonot
knowwhatt hey'
redoingbuty ouMonga. ..Someonewhoknows
andmemor i
sedeveryv er
seint hebibl
e..
.You'r
egoingstrai
ghtt
o
hell
.

Monga:
I'
m al
readyt
her
e..
..

Hegr
abbedhi
sjacketandwal
kedoutashi
sfat
herf
oll
owedhi
m.

Hi
m:I
'
m st
il
ltal
ki
ngt
oyou!Don'
tev
erwal
kawayf
rom me.
..
Mongat
urnedar
oundandl
ookedathi
m..

Hi
m:Youneedt
obedel
i
ver
edorel
senot
hingi
nyourl
i
fewi
l
llast
..
.

Monga: I
'm notcomi ngbackt oy ourchurch.Whatar ey ougoing
todowheny our eali
sethatal lt
hosef ell
owpast or sy outrustso
muchar en'
twhoy out hi
nkt hey'r
e?Youpeopl ear epr et
endingto
bechr i
stiansandy etyou'remor ecruelthanpeopl ewhoknow
nothingaboutGod.I 'm notcomi ngt oyourchurch. ..Idon'teven
thi
nky oual lknowt hebi blebecausey ouuset heol dtestament
wheni tsuitsy ouandonl yusenewt estamentwheni tsuitsyou.
Youcan' tli
vebot hoft hem.Youcont radictyourselfandwena
papay ouneedt ost optrustingthosepeopl e.You'ret heonlyone
whot hinksther eisGodi nthatchurch.Ihateall yourpast or
fri
endsbutt hesadpar tist hatnomat terwhati tellyouy ou'l
l
neverbel i
evebecauseI '
mt heprodigalsonandt hey '
reholy
pastors.

Hi
m:Thedev
ili
susi
ngy
out
orej
ectGod.
..

Monga:
Ihav
etogo.
..

Heturnedaroundandwalkedawaythenhet urnedaroundand
l
ookedathisfather
.Pai
nblockedhisthroatashelookedathi
s
f
atherthenhiseyesbur
nedwithtear
s...
Monga: Somet imesiwishi wasn'tt
hepast or'
sson, ithinktalking
toanor mal humanbeingismuchbet terthanhavingt oar guewi th
thebibleal ltheti
me.You'retheonlytrustworthyper soniny our
cir
cle..
.Idon' teventr
ustmyownmot her!Youshoul dn'ttrusty our
wife!Iwi shy ouweren'
tsost ubborntheny ou'
dstartmaki ngal l
thesepeopl epayformakingy oulookstupidbecauset hey '
renot
thechrist i
ansy outhi
nkthey'r
e.Youshoul dnevertrustf ri
ends, or
anyoneespeci all
ywomen...

Hi
m:Sonowt hewholechurchisn'
thol
yenoughf
ory
ou,
atl
east
t
hey'
ret
ryi
ng.They
'r
ebetterthanyou!

Mongal
ookedathi
mforasecondandsi
ghed.
..

Monga: (
point
edbehi
ndwit
hathumb)Ilockedagi
rli
nthecasket
forcheat
ingonme,ihav
etogoletheroutbef
oret
heprogr
am
star
tshere.

Hi
sfather
'smout
hdr
oppedi
nshockashewal
kedoutanddr
ove
of
f.
..

PastorTiki
walkedint
othegar
agewher
eafewpeopleweref
ixi
ng
thechair
sprepari
ngfort
hebodyvi
ewbefor
ethebur
ial
progr
am
canbegin..
.
Hewal
kedov
ert
ohi
swi
feandsatnextt
oher
..
.

Past
orTi
ki
:Yoursonsay
shel
ockedagi
rli
nthecasket
.

Hi
smot
hert
urnedandl
ookedathi
m..
.

Her
:IssheOK?

Hi
m:Idon'
tknow,
ithi
nkhel
ockedherathi
ssi
ster
sbusi
ness.

Her:
LetmecallMesha.Bat
hongSimananaobatagoregol
egane
l
ona..
.andwhyi
shedoinghisnonsenseathi
ssi
ster
'sbusi
ness?I
swearthi
sboyi
scurseinourl
ives.

Shet
ookoutherphoneanddi
aledher
..
.

AtcasketManuf
act
urer
..
.

Mongaunlockedt
hedoorandwal
kedt
owar
dst
hecaskett
henhe
knocked.
..

Monga:
Knockknock

Apul
a:Comei
n,whatdoy
ouwantmet
osay
?
Monga:(puthishandoverhi
schestandsi
ghedirel
i
ef)
ThankGod
you'
real
i
v e,butt
herei
ssomet hi
ngineedt
otel
lyou.

Apul
a:Cany
oupl
easel
etmeoutsoi
canbr
eat
hpr
oper
ly.

Monga:
I'm af
rai
dyou'
regoi
ngt
oleav
eme.
..It
hinki
over
didi
t.
Pl
easefor
giveme..
.

Apul
a:Ok,
open

Monga:
Sowhathappened?

Apula:Nothi
nghappened,
igotdrunkandhet ookmet ohisr
oom
soicansleep.Hedidn'
tdoanyt
hingt ome, i
thi
nkhelikedme..I
n
themor ni
ngweexchangednumber s.Igavehim mynumber
becauseithoughtyouwer
emar r
iedandt echni
call
yihaddumped
you.Iwassingle.

Monga:Butwedi dn'
tdi
vorce,
wetookv owsremember
?Youcan'
t
j
ustleaveme..
.andthat
'swhyI'
dneverputmyhandsonyou
becauseyoudon'twantabuseandI
'm nott
hat.

Shepoundedt
hecasketscr
eami
ngandbur
sti
ntot
ear
scr
ying.
..

Apul
a:Cany
oupl
easel
etmeout
..

Monga:
I'
m scar
edbecauseyou'
regoi
ngtoleav
eme,wi
l
lwe
at
tendt
hefuner
alandthenwedri
vebacktoMaunt
oget
her
?

Meshapushedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
n..
Mesha:(
angr
il
y)Odir
aengner
ra?Ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
ogetmei
n
t
roubl
e?Areyoui
nsane.
.!
!

Sheunpinnedthecasketandopened,Apularosel
i
keUndert
aker
andgaspedf orai
rthenshebursti
ntotear
s,shest
eppedoutand
tr
ippedf
alli
ngasMeshagr abbedherandhelpherstand.

Mesha'seyesfi
ll
edwi t
htear
sasshenot i
cedtheuri
nestai
non
Apul
awhi l
eshesatont hefl
oorcr
ying.Sheknel
tinfr
ontofher
andtookoffherblazert
henshecoveredherup.
..

Mesha:
(tearf
ull
y)I
'
m sor
ry.
..I
t'
smybusi
ness.
..Idi
dn'
tknowhe
wasgoi
ngt odothi
s..
.

Mongasteppedoverandsquat
tedt
ryi
ngt
oholdApula'
shandbut
shemovedherhandandMeshapushedhim away
..

Mesha:
Cany ouj
ustl
eavebef
oreical
lthepol
ice?Ican'
tbel
i
eve
you'
ddothi
sonHope'sbur
ial
day.
..You'
reevi
l
.

Apul
a:Cani
hav
ethephone?I
'
m cal
l
ingt
hepol
i
ce.
Monga:Butisai
dI'
m sorr
y..
.Idi
dn'tmeant
odot
hat
.Iwasunder
t
heinf
luenceofstr
ess.It
hought.

Meshahandedhert
hephone.
..

Mesha:
Cal
lthem.
..Di
dhehi
tyout
oo?

Apul
a:No

Mesha:
Youcansayhesl
appedyouaswellsot
heycanpuni
sh
hi
m har
der
.I'
l
lsayi
sawhim sl
appi
ngyou.

Mongat
urnedar
oundandwal
kedaway
..
.

Monga:
I'
m goi
ngt
oSout
hAf
ri
ca

Meshast
oodupandwal
kedov
ert
ohi
m..

Mesha:Withoutat
tendi
ngyourson'
sburi
al?Hismotherdoesn'
t
car
eandnowhi sf
atherwon'
tpayhimthelastr
espect
?Howwi ll
youli
veknowingyoudidn'
tBuryhi
m?

Monga:Aker
eyou'
reconspi
ri
ngtogetmearrest
ed,
you'
resi
ding
wi
thherandyoudon'
tevenknowher.Tal
kaboutbl
oodi
sthi
cker
t
hanwater
Mesha:Areyouseri
ous?Kant
eSi mananaogogaeng?Youl
ocked
heri
nthecasketthewhol
enight,am i
supposedt
osuppor
tthat
j
ustbecauseyou'
remybigbrother?

Monga:Cany
ouatl
eastbeghert
oletmego?Kebaki
l
emme
kana.

Mesha:Sheiahel
pingyou,I'
m doingthi
stohelpyoubecauseyou
bull
ypeopl
eandtheyneverreportyou.That'
swhyyoudon'tst
op.
..
(t
urnedtoApul
a)Mogir
l l
elet
samapodi sinaarewatshameka?

Apul
a:They
'r
enotpi
cki
ng.
.

Mesha:Keepcall
ing.
.Kebat
arr
eyoal
alekopol
i
ceandy
oumust
getarest
rai
ningorder
.

Monga:I
'
m goi
ngt
obur
ymyson,
tel
lthepol
i
cet
heywi
l
lfi
ndme
athome.

Hewal
kedout
,Meshahel
pedherst
andandt
heywal
kedout
..
.

Mesha:I
'm sorry
..
.Di
lot
sedi dirwangkeMongaekar egaset sa
ngwanayoot swangmolwapengl elesiameng.Ipr
omisewe
don'
tsupporthimibi
l
eodulemol wapengal ekoUniversit
yand
star
tedmissi
ngchurchaccusingev ery
one.Nowwedon' teven
knowwher ehespendshal
foft histi
me.

Apul
a:.OK

Mesha:Let
'sgot
omyhousesoy
oucanbat
h,I
'
llbor
rowy
oumy
cl
othes
Apul
a:Mybagwi
thhi
steam butt
hekey
sar
ewi
tht
hem.
..

Mesha:
Youcan'
tgot
her
elooki
ngl
i
ket
his

Apul
a:Yeah,
let
'sgot
oyourhouse.

Mesha:
Tryt
hepol
i
ceagai
n

Apula:Lesa,I'
ll
justbathandgo.Idon'twanttot
alktohim agai
n.
Gakebat edramabecauseacasewi l
lmeanhim beggi
ngmet o
dropit,peopleaski
ngmewhyi fol
lowedhim andy ouknowhow
peopleare,they'
regoingtobl
ameme.Youknowwheny ousaya
mandi dt hi
speopletakeaman'ssi de.

Mesha:
Mamalepapawil
lnottakehi
ssi
de,
bel
i
eveme.Mongao
st
ubbor
nhewon'
tstopf
oll
owingyou.

Apul a:Hewi l
l,
I'
m notthatkindofawoman.Iunder est
imatedhow
evilhecanbebuti thi
nkheal sodoesn'
tknowwhoi am,iam my
sister'
spr ot
ecti
onandi standupformy sel
f.Iknowr epor
tinghim
nowwon' tdomeanygoodbecauset hechargemaynotev enbea
j
ai l
sent encebutnnaifMongaamphar asaot ai
siwaspatela.I'
ve
wat chedmysi ster
sgetabusedbymenandi won'tbeoneof
them.Gael egorentseatalelabanyanathi
stimeokopany eleo
sele.I'
lldealwit
hhimi fhecontactsmeaf t
erthis.
.

Meshaf
rownedl
ooki
ngather
..
.

Mesha:
Arey
ousur
e?

Apul
a:Yeah.Let
'sgo.
Mesha:
Ok.
.

Shel
ockedupandt
heydr
oveof
f.
..
.

Att
heguesthouse.
..

Lat
erthatmorni
ngMeshapar
kedt
hecar
,Apul
ast
eppedoutand
cl
osedthedoor.

Apul
a:Thankst
hemma,
iappr
eci
atey
ourhel
p.

Mesha:
It'
sok,
youcangetmynumberandcal
lmeany
time.

Theyexchangednumber st
henshedr oveoff.Apul
agotinthei
r
room andcarr
iedherbagstothecar.Sothatwasit.
..Shewas
j
ustlett
inghi
m getawaywithit?Report
inghim wouldn'
twork.
..
Notonaguyt hathasmoney .
..He'
dprobablymakesur epaper
s
getl
ostandev er
ythi
ng.

Shegotint
hecarandsatdownt
hought
ful
l
ythenshedi
aledher
Facebookf
ri
end.
.

Her
:Hi
Apula:
Hi ,
nemmai nhospital
swhatdoyouguysusetomake
pat
ientssleep,
whatcantakeoutabigguy
?Likeaotsel
a
completel
yinawaythatI
'ddoanythi
ngtohim bef
orehecan
wakeup?

Her
:Somet
hingt
hatwor
ksmor
eli
keat
ranqui
l
li
ser
?

Apul
a:Yes

Her
:Ther
earemany,
ther
eisPet
hidi
ne100mg,
Mor
phi
ne15mgor
Dol
otr
am 100mg.

Apul
a:Cany ougetmeone?Akerenur
seshav
eaccess.
..Ir
eall
y
needi
t,I
'
llsendyousomethi
ngforadri
nk,
hai
randnail
smyl ove.

Her
:Ify
ougetcaught
?

Apul
a:Iwon'
tsayy
ourname,
pleaset
hemma.
..

Her
:Ar
eyoui
nGabsel
egor
e?

Apul
a:y
es,
I'
m comi
ngt
ogeti
t.
..I
'
llwai
tatt
hegat
e.

Her
:Ok,
skant
sheny
etsat
ir
omma.

Apul
a:Iwon'
t.
..

Shesmiledandhungupt
henshedr
oveoutcal
l
inghersi
ster
sand
connect
ingthem.
..

At
sil
e:Whatdi
dyousay
?

Apul
a:Hel
ockedmei
nthecof
fi
nthewhol
eni
ght
,idi
dn'
tev
en
sl
eep

Mar
u:Thi
sguyi
sev
il
,iknewhewast
oogoodt
obwt
rue.

Ot
lhe:
Comebackt
oMaun

Apul
a:No, I'
m goingtodosomet hi
ngt oo.Iboughtatranqui
l
li
ser
fr
om anur se.I
'm goingtoinjecthi
m abekemout usathenican
dumphim.I twil
lbe50- 50.I
'
m nottheonl yonewalkingout
tr
aumatised.Yesi don'thaveacoffinbuti knowwhatI'l
ldoto
hi
mt henwecangooursepar at
eway s.

Atsi
l
e:(hear
tski
pped)Lal
anononopl
ease.
..Don'
tdot
hat
,you
can'
tfi
ghtaman.

Mar
u:Whenheget
suphewi
l
lbeaty
ou

Apul
a:Thenirepor
thi
m wi
thev
idenceofhi
sbeati
ngs,
besi
deshe
won'
tgetup.Bytheti
meheget
supI '
dhaveti
edhi
m up.Kebat
a
gobaki
saMonga

Otl
he:Koor
elei
tebatsabotsenwakagaApul
a,eney
oneal wal
e
basi
maneatschool.
..Apul
awee?Thisisnotagame,pl
ease
comebacktoMaun.

Apula:Kait
welahelasente.Hecan'tl
ockmei nsi
deandgetaway
wit
hi t
.Gaelegorewankagakaar eontathi
sabojal
walennake
molathisaabuse.Hewill
nev erdothatt
oawoman. ..

Mar
u:Buthowwi
l
lyoui
njecthi
m?

Apul
a:I
'
llseewhatt
odo,
menar
eact
ual
l
yeasi
ert
olur
eint
oat
rap.

At
sil
e:Bat
hongI
'
m soscar
ed,
Lal
apl
easedon'
t.
Apul
a:By
e,

Shehungupandpar
kedi
nfr
ontoft
hehospi
tal
..
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..
.

Latert
hatmorni
ngApul
atookadeepbreat
handwal
kedi
njustas
themcwast al
ki
ngaboutt
hecarar
rangement
..
.

Ev
ery
onet
urnedandl
ookedather
,shesatdownandsi
ghed.

Mongat
urnedandlookedback,
thei
rey
esmet
..
.Hi
shear
tski
pped
andhel
ookedaroundconf
used..

Mc:Af
tert
hef
ir
stcar,t
hef
amilycarwil
lfol
l
owandt
her
estofus.
..
Bat
sei
bakesi
pleasecomefor
ward..
.

Ateenageboy
swalkedtot
hefrontandcar
ri
edt
hecof
fi
ntot
he
carwhil
eApul
ajoi
nedinsi
ngi
ngslowly.

Mongast
oppedsi
ngi
ngandgl
ancedatherbutshewoul
dn'
tl
ook
athi
minst
eadshesangr
eadi
ngt
hepr
ogr
amme.

Every
onestoodupandgotintheircars,Apulagotinhercarand
j
oinedthecarsheadi
ngtothegraveyard.
..Sherecei
veda
messagefrom Mongathensheclickedoni t
..
.

Monga:
Didy
oucal
lthepol
i
ce?

Apul
a:Nobabe,
iwantust
otal
kaf
tert
hebur
ial
.

Monga:
I'
mreal
l
ysor
ry.Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ou'
dbet
hatt
raumat
ised.

Apul
a:I
t'
sok,wedocr
azythi
ngswhenwear
eangr
y.LennaI
'
ve
hadt
imetothi
nk,
canwetalkaf
tert
his?

Monga:
Eemma.

Apul
a: Good.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#20

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Laterthatmorningcarsdr
ovebackintheyar
dandeveryone
grabbedat akeawayandaglassofdri
nkbefor
etaki
ngtheirseat
s.
Apulapulledachairbesi
deshercousi
nandsatdown..
.

Aene:
Youscar
edt
hehel
loutofme.
.Wher
ewer
eyoul
astni
ght
?

Apul
a:Wehadal
i
ttl
ear
gumentbutwear
egood.

Aene:
Yourey
esl
ookabi
tpuf
fy.Ar
eyousur
e?

Apula:
Yeah,can'
tbel
i
eveiactuall
yfel
tsorr
yforhi
m whenhewas
cr
yingforhi
ssonbutI'
m st
il
lgoingtodisci
pli
nehi
mv er
ywell
.

Aene:
Disci
pli
ne?How?

Apul
a:Nev
ermi
nd.
..

Sheleanedbackandwat chedasMongaslowl
ysatdown.The
bri
efremaini
ngpartoftheprogr
ammewascompl et
edwhilet
hey
wereeati
ng.Watchinghim st
andi
ngi
nfrontasther
emaini
ng
parentwaskindofsad.
..
Mc:I'
dli
ket
oaskt
hepast
ort
ocl
osewi
thapr
ayerbef
oreweal
l
par
t.

Monga'
sfat
hergotupandstoodbefor
ethecr
owdasMongasat
downandsi
ghedlooki
ngathisson'
sprogr
amme.
..

PastorTiki:Mayi takethisopportunit
ytot hanky oufor
support
ingus.Iknowv oteofthankshasbeendoneal r
eadybut
thankyou.Deat hisnev erasadt hing,t
hosewhodi edareat
peace..
.wear etheoneswhohav et odealwiththisworld.When
yougrewupi nthehouseoft heLor dhewi l
lpunishyouf ordoi
ng
wrong,you'lll
oseal lt
hingsdearandsoi sayunt oyou..
.Findyour
waybackt otheLor d.Youshallbewel comedhomel i
kethe
prodi
gal sony ou'
re..
.Yourfatherwi l
lwelcomey ou...

Mongasighedandshookhi
shead,every
onekeptgl
anci
ngback
athi
m..
.Sot heol
dmanchosethi
sv erymomenttosayt
his.

Past
orTi
ki
:Let
'sbowourheadsandpr
ay.

Theybowedt hei
rheadsandpray
edthenthepr
ogr
ammewas
ended.Ever
yonelef
texceptMonga'
steam whi
chwai
tedi
nthe
spri
nter
..
Mongawal
kedi
nthehousewhi
l
ethef
ami
l
yhadameet
ing.
..

Past
orTi
ki
:Hav
easeat

Monga:
Ihav
etogo.

Mot
her
:Weneedt
otal
ktoy
ou.

Monga:Wit
hal
lduerespectireall
ycan'
t,
iknowevery
thingthat
papaisgoi
ngt
osayandi don'tthi
nknowisther
ightti
met otel
l
meI'mthewor
stsonandasi nner.

Uncl
e:I
fyousi
t,y
ourf
atherwon'
t-

Monga: Uncl
eihavetogo,I
'
llcomeandseey oui
npersonsoican
tel
lyouevery
thi
ngandwhyi don'
tli
kestayi
nghome.Ineedtobe
drunktosayall
that
,ifI
'
m soberi
ll
lookstupi
dandcryinfr
ontyou.
Nnakey aMaun.

Hewal kedtohi
sbedroom andgr abbedhisbagthenhewalked
outthegateandthr
ewi tinthebackseatofApul
a'scar
,heclosed
thedoorandgotinthefrontseatthenshedroveoff
..
.

Apul
a:Themeet
ingwassoshor
t

Monga:
Yeah,
wewer
en'
tdi
scussi
ngany
thi
nghuge.Justpr
otocol
.

Apul
a:Ok.
..
Mongat ur
nedhisheadandl
ookedout
sidet
hewindowl
ostin
thought
s.Sadnesscover
edhi
slongf
aceashetookadeepbreat
h
andsighed.
..

Monga:Youshouldstopatt
hef
il
li
ngst
ati
onsoi
canchecki
fthe
cari
sgoodfortheroad.

Apul
a:Theycheckedal
ready
.Ar
eyouOK?

Monga:(f
akedasmi
le)Yeah.
..I
'
mj ustal
it
tl
elonel
ywi
thoutHope.
Iwonderi
fther
ewasanythi
ngicouldhav
edone..

Apul
a:Don'
tbeaty
our
sel
fup.
.

Shedroveoutoftheci
tyandj
ustwhentheroadgotless
concentr
atedwi
thtraf
fi
cshesmil
edlooki
ngoutforanytree.
..She
fi
nall
yfoundoneandpull
edovert
henshesmi l
ed.
..

Apul
a:Iwantt
omakey
ouf
eel
bet
ter
..
.Comet
othebackseat
..
.

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)What
?

Apul
a:Justcome.
..

Hesmil
edandjoinedheri
ntheback,shepul
ledouthert
opand
ki
ssedhim,
heclosedhiseyesandheldherwai
stasshesaton
hi
slap.
.
Apul
a:Cl
osey
ourey
es.
..

Heclosedhi
seyesandshekissedhimthenshet
ookoutt
he
i
nject
ionwhi
lehekepthi
seyesclosed.

Apul
a:Justcl
osey
ourey
es.
.

Sheplacedthei
nject
ionovert
heseatsjustabov
ehisheadthen
sheunzippedhi
spants,shepul
ledoutwhil
ewhilebeadedbeast
andgasped..
.

Apul
a:Fuck!

Monga:
I'
m sor
r-

Sheshuthim wit
hagrat
efulki
ssandpushedherpant
iesasi
de
thensherubbedher
sel
foverhisbeadedski
n..
.

Apula:
Ilov
ei t
,don'
tev
erapol
ogi
sef
ori
t.I
'
veal
way
swant
edt
o
tast
eonelikethi
s..
.
Monga' sgruntedhelplesslyassher ubbedherwarm pussyov er
hisdick,shefinal
lyplacedi tatthewetentranceandtriedtosli
de
downbuti tcouldn't
..
.Shej erkedherselfupandtri
edagai n.
.Hebit
hislowerlippushinghi mselfinsideherandsheinject
edhi m,he
turnedandl ookedatt heinjecti
onandst i
ll
tri
edpenetrati
ng..I
fhe
couldatleastgethisheadi nthere!

Shepul
ledoutandpushedherski
rtdown.Hel
ookedatherand
si
ghed.
..

Monga:
Whatdi
dyoui
njectmewi
th?

Apul
a:I
t'
sat
ranqui
l
li
ser
.

Monga:
Youcouldhaveaskedmetodowhat ev
ery
ouwantandi
woul
dhavedoneit
.Ist
hisaboutt
hecasket
?

Apul
a:Yeah.
.

Hef
ixedhispantsandleanedov
erwi
thhi
sheaddownwai
ti
ngf
or
t
hei
nject
iontotakeover..
.

Monga:
Ilov
eyou.
..

Apul
a:Idon'
tbel
i
evey
ou.
.
Heleanedbackandclosedhi
seyesashesl
owlyfel
ltothesi
de
andalmosthi
thishead.Shegr
abbedi
tandl
aiditni
cely
..

Apul
a:Ok!Let
'sdot
hisbabe.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#21

I
nthecar
..
.

Shel eanedbackandsi ghedlookingathim, forsomer easonhi s

erect i
onwasst i
l
lon..
.Shel ookedathisfaceandhewast otall
y
out .
..Helookedsogoodi nhissedatedstat e,hi
slipswer enicel
y
closedandhehadt hatpatchofbeardunderhi shislowerl i
p...
What '
sitcalledagain?Asoul pat
ch..
.Sher eachedov erand
touchedhi sl ips.
..Theywer esosoftandki ssable.
..Shel eaned
ov erandki ssedhi mt henshesuckedhi slowerl i
pandki ssedhis
noset i
p..

Hereyesdroppedtohisbonerasitli
ftedhi
spants,
justt
hesi
ght
ofhi
ml i
ft
ingthepantsgothercl
itthrobbi
ng.Godit
sbeenyear
s
si
nceshehadadi cdownt her
e!

Shepulleddownhispantsandtouchedhisdickgentl
yf eel
ing
thosetinybeadsi
nhergri
p..
.shesi
ghedthoughtful
ly.
..Youknow..
Ifshewast ogett
hisdi
c..
.Theoret
ical
speaking.
..Hewoul dn'
t
know..
.nobodywouldknowright?I
thadbeenawhi l
esinceshe
hadar ealdi
ckandseei
ngsuchadi ckerectandfull
..
.shecould
hardl
ybr eat
h..
Shel ookedoutsidethecarandtherewasnoone,afastcarwould
whooshbyev eryonceinawhi l
ebutshewassofarfrom theroad
theywoul dn'
tseewhat '
sgoingon..
.Godwhydidsheinjecthi
m so
quick?Sheshoul dhavewaitedunti
ltheywer
edone.
..

Shesighedl
ookingattheupr
ightbl
ackweaponsti
ll
argui
ngwit
h
hert
houghtsthenshegotontopofhim andpul
l
edherpanti
es
asi
de,hismushroom headbl
ockedherasshetr
iedsli
ppi
ngdown
onit
..
.

Apul
a:(
sof
tl
y)Ohhh.
..

Shefli
ckedhersel
fsmear i
nghergelal
loverbef
orehol
dinghi
s
weaponandbi therl
ipsli
ghtl
ygoingdownbutonlyt
heheadgoti
t
anditstoppedatthefi
rstbead.
..

Apul
a:Ohhh.
..
.You'
resogood.
..
.

Shebumpedupanddownontheheadwhol
efl
i
cki
ngher
sel
fand
ki
ssi
nghi
m unt
ilsher
eachedt
hecl
oud.
..

Oncedoneshemov
edbackandwi
pedhi
m,he'
ddef
ini
tel
ytel
lshe
gotit
..
.Shesnif
fedtheheadandgr
abbedthewetwi
pest
henshe
wipedhim gent
lyandputi
tbacki
nthepants.

Shegrabbedherdr
essstr
ingandti
edhi
shandsbehi
ndhi
mthen
shet
ieduphislegsandgotoutoft
hecar
.

Sheputherhandsunderneathhisarmpit
sanddr aggedhisheav
y
bodyunt
ilhefel
ltot
hegr ound.Shegruntedheavil
ydraggi
nghis
bodytothebootandsathim behindthecarbeforetaki
nga
breat
her
...

Apul
a:(
sighed)Heav
yhear
tlessman!You'
regoi
ngi
ntot
heboot
..
.
You'
rel
uckyidon'
thaveacoffi
n..
.

Af ewminut espassedwhi leshestoodt heret akingabreakt hen

shegotint hecarandgr abbedhimf rom behi ndbi ti
ngherlower
l
ip.Sheli
ftedhi m upbuthesl i
ppedandf ellf
acedownwi thabi t
ofsoilonhislips.Shegotoutanddust edhi mr ubbi
nghisli
ps
thensheputhi slegsinfistbefor
elif
tinghi schestandki ckinghim
i
nwi thherkneesandunt i
lhewasf oldedi ntot heboot.

Apul
a:(
heav
ed)Phewwww!Man!
Sheshovedhisheadinsi
dethebootandclosedt
henshegotin
thecaranddr
ov eoff
.Hopeful
l
ythefootandmouthcont
rolgat
e
operat
orswouldn'
tgethert
oopentheboot .

Att
hehospi
tal
phar
macy
..
.

Meanwhi
l
eDer
ri
ckhandedt
hel
astpat
ienthermedi
cat
ion.
.

Derr
ick:Putonepil
liny
ourvagi
nabefor
ebedti
me,pleasemake
sur
ey oukeeplethumbolapi
li
sicl
eanandkeepiti
nasafeplace
toavoidinf
ecti
ons.

Her
:Thanky
ou.

Hepul
l
eddownt
hegl
assandt
urnedar
oundt
aki
ngof
fhi
sgl
oves.
..

Der
ri
ck:
Final
l
y!

Coll
eague:
Hear
dyou'
redi
vor
cing,
I'
m happyy
out
ookt
hat
deci
sion

Der
ri
ck:
(smi
l
ed)why
?

Coll
eague:
You'
rethemostpat
ientmanI'
veeverseen.
..
Sometimesiwi
shedyouweremybr ot
hersoi
couldpunchherf
or
you.
Der
ri
ck:
(laughed)Ihav
etogo.
..By
e

Hi
m:Sur
e..

Hewalkedoutofthehospit
altaki
ngof fhi
scoatt
henhi
sphone
vi
brat
ed.Hetookitoutandsmi l
edlookingatt
hel
oannoti
fi
cat
ion.
HetookascreenshotandsenttoMar u..

Derri
ck: Yourl
oanhasbeenappr
ovedandsent
.Nowy
oucan
rel
ax.

Hesentthewhol
eamounti
ntoheraccountandsenthera
messageagai
n.

Mar
u: Phew!Thanky
ou.

Der
ri
ck: Gi
vemet
hatsmi
l
e

Mar
u:

Der
ri
ck:
Real
smi
l
e

Mar
u:

Derri
ck:
That'
smygir
l.I
'
m onmyway.Il
ovey
ou.
..Oopssor
ry,
cancelt
hat
.I'
l
lsayi
taft
ert
hedi
vor
ce.

Mar
u: I
'
llsayi
lov
eyout
ooassoonast
hedi
vor
cei
sfi
nal
.
Hetookouthiskey
sappr oachi
ngt
hecarandst
oppedl
ooki
ngat
hi
swifel
eaningagainsthi
scar.

Der
ri
ck:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?

Her:Whyar
ey ounotsleepinghome?Ourmarr
iagei
sgoi
ng
t
hroughhel
landyou'r
esl eepi
ngwit
hourmaid?Doyouseewhat
youdidt
omyhead?

Der
ri
ck:
I'
m notdeal
i
ngwi
thy
ou.Mov
eawayf
rom t
hedoor
..
.

Heopenedt
hedoorandgoti
nthensheopenedt
hepassenger
door
.

Der
ri
ck:
Getoutofmycar
!

Her
:Thi
sismycart
oo

Der
ri
ck:
Youhav
eyourcar
,getout

Her
:Iwantt
oseewher
eyou'
regoi
ng!

Hesteppedoutandopenedthedoorthenhegrabbedherl
egs
andpull
edherout.Shefel
lhi
tt
ingherbut
tonthepavementand
stoodupthensheslappedhi
m acr
osstheface.
.
Her
:Wampol
aamonna!Gaobonegor
ewampol
aa

Derr
ickclosedhi
sdoorandshepunchedhi
m ont heback.He
cl
enchedhi sj
awsandwalkedtot
hedriv
er'
ssideblinki
ngsever
al
ti
messohi seyescoul
dstopit
chi
ng.Heunlockedthedoorand
shegrabbedastockbri
ck.
.

Her:
I'm breakingy
ourwindscr
een.
..Youmar
ri
edme,
yout
hink
you'
regoingt oembarr
assme.

Afewpeoplestoppedandtookoutt
hei
rphonesasshef
oldedher
ski
rtpoi
nti
ngathisfor
ehead.
..

Derr
ick:
You'r
enotevenaman!If oundy oual
ldi
rty
, y
oudi dn'
t
knowhowt ocutyourhai
randit
aughty ouevery
thing..Youdidn'
t
haveanunderwearandiaskedy
out obuyunder
wear swithyour
ownmoneybecausey ouwerestupid..
.Imadeyou!

Der
ri
ckgl
ancedatev
ery
oneandl
ookeddownshamef
ull
y.
..

Der
ri
ck:
(lower
edhi
svoi
ce)Pl
easedon'
tdot
hisatmywor
kpl
ace.
..
Afewnur
sewal
kedoutchat
ti
ngandst
oppedl
ooki
ngatt
he
cr
owd.
..

Her
:Iam doingthisaker
ewareyouwantadi
vor
ce,
didy
out
ell
t
hem thaty
ou'releavi
ngyourf
amil
yforamai
d?

Hegrabbedt
hedoorandshesl
appedhi
m acr
osst
heface,he
t
urnedtheot
herwayandshesl
appedhi
mt ot
heot
herothersi
de
t
henhepushedherdown.

Shegotupandsmashedhi swindshi
eldwithabri
ck,shet
ookout
aknif
eandslashedhistyr
esthenshepickedthebri
ckand
cr
ushedever
ylightofthecarbef
oregoingtoeachwindowas
ever
yonet
ookoutt hei
rphonesrecor
ding.

Derri
cksatont heedgeofthepavementandbur i
edhishead
betweenhislegs,shewalkedoverandslappedhi
m overtheear
s.
Asecurit
yguardpul l
edherbackandhest oodupthenhewalked
awayasshef ollowedhim.Thecrowdalsof ol
l
owedasshe
grabbedhisshirtt
eari
ngit.
..

Hepacedupt ot
hegateandstoppedataxi,
noneofthepeople
r
eall
ystoppedherorhel
pedandmostwer eonthei
rphones
f
il
mingwhileheputhiscoatov
erhisf
oreheadhidi
nghimsel
f.He
goti
nthet
axi
andl
ockedup.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Let
'sgo!

Thet
axi
drov
eof
fwhi
l
eshepoi
ntedandcur
sed.
..
.

AtMar
u'sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
l
eMaruputhispl
ateont
het
abl
eandsatont
hebedt
hen
sher
ecei
vedamessage.

Derri
ck: Idon'tt hi
nkI '
m goi ngt osur vi
vethisone.Iam so
embar rassedi can'tfacet hewor ld.I'
veendur edsomuchand
knowi ngt hattherei sy outol ookf orwardtogav emest r
engthbut
idon'tthinkaf t
erseei ngt hisoney ou'l
lsti
llbemysi de.I'
m afrai
d
you'r
eei thergoi ngt oloseal lrespectformeorshei sgoi ngto
scarey ouaway .Ican' tdeal withthis.I'
vereachedabr eaking
pointandi knowt hatI'm goingt obeaj okef orever
.Iknow
amongstt heguy sI'
llbeaj oke.I '
m sor r
yfordr aggi
ngy ouintothi
s.
Payt hef i
neandf orgetme.I '
m gone.I 'veneverbeensosur e
abouthangi ngmy selfthani am now.Il ov
ey ou.Takecar e.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#22

AtEr
ic'
sHouse.
..

Eri
cjumpedoutoft
hespri
nterandhunghi
sbagov
erhi
s
shoul
der
..
.Aenegaspedandgotout.
.

Aene:
Isn'
tthi
syourbr
other
?

Ericgott
hephoneandfrownedwatchi
ngashi
sbi
gbr
other
recei
vedloudsl
apsbackandfour
th.

Er
ic:
Yeses!

Hepushedthephoneonherchestandunl
ockedt
hehouse,
he
t
hrewthebagonthecouchandgrabbedhi
scarkeyst
henhe
j
umpedinthecar.
..

Ev
ery
onei
nthespr
int
erl
eanedov
erandwat
ched.
..
Thong:
Ifi
cat
chaguydoi
ngt
hist
oBot
hogokankgabol
oko.

Meanwhi
l
eEri
cdial
edDerr
ickbuthi
sphonewasof
fthenhe
r
ecei
vedacal
lfr
om Mar
u..

Er
ic:
Hel
l
o?

Maru:
Ijustfor
war
dedy ouamessagef
rom y
ourbrother
,please
hel
pmef indhi
m.Ithi
nkheisgoi
ngtocommitsui
cidepleasehelp
me.

Er
ic:
Whathappened?

Mar
u:Idon'
tknow,
ijustgott
hat
.

Er
ic:
Ok.

Hehungupanddr
oveof
f.
..

AtMar
u'sHouse.
..

Maruhungupandpacedupanddowngoi
ngthr
oughFacebook
post
softhevi
ral
videot
henshecameacr
ossapost
.

"
Peopl
epl
easehel
pmef
indaguyi
justdr
oppedof
fbyt
hebr
idge.
Ipi
ckedhi smanatt hehospit
al,att
hetimei wasn'tawareofhi s
ment alstatebutnowaf t
erseeinghisvideoonf acebookbeing
bul
liedbyawoman.It hi
nkhewasgoi ngt her
etocommi tsuici
de.
Idroppedhi m offi
nf r
ontoftheparkjustbeforetheriver
,hepai d
mewi t
hP200buthedi dn'twantthechange.Nowi knowwhy ,
I'
m
headingt here.Bal
ekgonangpl easecomehel pmef i
ndhim.I
al
socal ledthepoli
cebutt heydidn'
tseem totakemeser i
ous."

Comment
1:I
nat
axi
passi
ngby
,I'
l
lst
opandj
oiny
ou.

Comment 2:I
'
llcallt
hepoli
ceagainandaskthem t
oseethev i
deo,
oncetheyseeittheywi
llunderst
and.Ourpol
icei
sthebestand
they
'r
ehumans.Theycan' tal
waysbeperfect
.

Comment
3:Comi
ngov
erwi
thmybr
other
.Thi
syoungmanhur
t
me.

Mor
ecomment
sloadedt
henshedi
aledEr
ic.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Monga'
sopenedhi
sey essl
owlyandlookedar oundthedarkarea,
i
twassodarkhecouldn'
tseeanyt
hingbuthecoul dtell
hewasi n
t
hebootandhecouldhardl
ybreat
hshov edintosuchat i
nyarea.
Hetr
iedtost
rai
ght
enedhisneckbuthecoul dn't
,norcouldhe
movehiscr
ampedlegsandhecouldfeel hi
sar msgetti
ngnumb
f
rom l
yi
ngont
opoft
hem f
orsol
ong.

Monga:
Lal
a?(
shout
ed)Lal
awee?

Apulast
eppedoutoft
hehouseandl
ockedupt
henshest
oodby
theboot
..
.

Apul
a:Knockknock?

Monga:
I'
m gladyou'r
eheal
ing.
..Letmeout,myl
egshav
ecr
amps
andmybloodcir
culat
ioni
sbeinginter
rupt
ed.

Apula:Iam goi
ngtohelpfi
ndDer r
ick,
bythewayDer r
icki
smy
sist
erscrushandabr ot
hert
oEric.IswearmyMaunpopul at
ion
hastoincreasebecausewow..
.Any waysI
'ml eavi
ngt
hecarso
youcanhav eti
met othi
nkaboutway storespectwomen.
.

Monga:
I'
ll
nev
erdi
srespecty
ou.
..Pl
easel
etmeout
,

Apul
a:No,
you'
respendi
ngani
ghti
ntheboot
.

Monga: Idon'tknowwhatyouinjectedmewi t
hbutist
il
lhavemy
erect
ion.It
'snotsupposedt
obel ikethat.Ishoul
dbeinthr
hospit
algetti
ngchecked.Imightbeal l
ergi
ct owhat
eversedat
ion
yougav emebecausemyski nisi t
ching.Bula.

Apula:YoumustthinkI'
mthest upi
destwomani nthewor l
d.
(si
ghed)Anyways,staysaf
e.Trynottofallasl
eep.Sleepparal
yse
l
ikesitwhenyousleepony ourbackbutthenitrar
elyhappensto
meniguessyou'
relucky
..
.Goodni
ghtt
houghi
tsst
il
ldur
ingt
he
day
.I'
l
lbebackaround9

Monga:
I'
m hungr
y!

Apul
a:You'
ref
ast
ing.Keagof
ast
isa.
..By
e

Shewal
kedaway
..
.

Monga:
Babe?Didyougo?Lal
a?Wi
fey
?Babet
hemmasor
ry,
hel
l
o?Lala!(
angr
il
y)Lal
a?!

Hesighedst
il
ll
yi
nghi
sheaduncomf
ort
abl
yashi
swhol
ebody
l
aidonhisar
ms...

AtDer
ri
ck'
shouse.
..
.

Er
icknockedonthedoor
,hi
ssi
steri
nlawopenedt
hedoort
hen
hewalkedin.
..

Er
ic:
Hi,
canwrt
alk?I
sPi
nkher
e?

Her
:No,
shei
swi
thmymot
her
.Idon'
tknowwhathet
oldy
oubut
-
Eri
cslappedheracrossthefaceandpi ckedthecushi
onthenhe
pl
acedi tI
verherherf
aceasshest ruggledtopushhim of
f.He
tr
appedherar msunderneat
hhislegsandpr essedthepil
l
owov er
herface..
.

Er
ic:
Don'
teverputy
ourhandsonmybi gbr
other
..
.Hemi
ghtbe
af
rai
dtohi
twomenbutI'm notaf
rai
dtobeatabull
y.

Shegaggedandal moststoppedthenhemov edthecushion,she

gaspedforai
rthenhepushedi toverherfaceagain,j
ustasshe
gotweakerhemov editsoshecoul drecoverandjustaf
terone
gaspedhesmot her
edheragain.

Hest
eppedbackanddroppedi
tasshebreat
hedweakl
ythenhe
st
ompedoverherkneeasherj
oint
spopped.
..

Her
:(scr
eami
ng)Haaaaaaaaaaa.
..
..

Er
ic:
Ithi
nky
ou'
rebet
terof
fonawheel
chai
r.
..

Hest
ompedov
erheragai
nandst
eppedback.
.

Er
ic:
Ment
ionmyname.
..Goonandment
ionmyname.You'
l
lsee.
..
Het
urnedar
oundandwal
kedout
..
..

Byt
hepar
k..
.

Lateronmembersoft
hecommuni
tywalkedar
oundasapol
i
ce
carparkedwi
thafewpol
i
ceof
fi
cer
sintheback..
.

Meanwhi
leMar
uandApulawalkedaroundshouti
ngforDerri
ck,
Apul
atur
nedar
oundandnot
icedlegshangi
ngf r
om anothert
ree.
..

Apul
a:Ahhh!Hei
sov
ert
her
e!

Mar
u:(
shout
ed)Der
ri
ck!

Theyrant
owardsthetr
eeasmorepeopl etur
nedaround,another
manranoverandjumpedovert
hebr anchbefor
esteppi
ngov er
thet
runkandcrawl
ingovert
hebranchwithaknife.
..

Morepeopleranoverandstoodbyholdi
ngthelegsashisbody
fel
l
,theyl
aidhim downandr emovedt
heropethathaddeepened
i
ntohisskin.
.Maru'shear
tpoundedasshekneltbesi
deshim and
putherhandoverhischest.
..
MyKi
ndofMan

#23

Derr
ick'
slungsfil
ledwit
hairandhejerkedupcoughi
ngasMaru
l
eanedbackr ubbinghermouth,heopenedhiseyesl
yi
ngonhis
backandev er
yonewassurroundinghim.Heshamefull
yputhi
s
arm overhi
sforehead.
..

Marust
oodupandbursti
ntot
ear
sasshehuggedApul
a.Apol
i
ce
of
fi
cerKnel
tbesi
deshi
m..

Hi
m:Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?

Der
ri
ckpoi
ntedathi
sneck.
..

Him:I'
m surei
t'
sonehel
lofani
njur
y.You'
rel
uckyy
oudi
dn'
tbr
eak
yourneck.
..

Anambulancewail
edoverandstoppedbythentheparamedics
ranoverwi
ththrst
ret
cherandl
aiditbesi
dehim bef
oreprepari
ng
himforali
ft
..
Thet
axi
dri
versmi
l
edemot
ional
andgav
eDer
ri
ckat
humbsup.
..

Pol
i
ce:
(tot
het
axi
dri
ver
)Yousav
edhi
sli
febyal
armi
ngal
lofus.

Mar
u:Thanky
ou.
..

Er
icst
eppedoutoft
hecarandwal
kedt
owar
dsMar
uandApul
a..
.

Maru:
Hej ustl
eftwi
tht
hatambul
ance,
ithi
nkhehasaser
ious
necki
njur
y.

Er
ic:
Ok,
let
'sf
oll
owt
hem

Maru:Okiwantt
oseehi
m bef
oret
hepol
i
cegetme.Ibr
oket
hat
bi
tch'
sknee.
..

Apula:She'
l
lbebravetoevenr eport
,ifshewasdoi
ngthattomine
neketaamot somaunt i
libeather.I'
dpassbyherandstepon
hertoethengetangr
yatherforst eppingonmytoeandjustsl
ap
her,
punchherandgiveherallkindsofkicks.

Maru:Iknowy ou'r
eserious,
youneedtochecky
our
sel
fint
oa
mentalhospi
tal.Viol
encekey aeng.
.

Apula:
Ijustbeli
evethatpeopl
eshouldbetr
eatedt
hewayt hey
tr
eatpeople.Ibel
iev
ein50-50.Idon'
tli
kepeopl
ewholetpeople
abusethem..

Er
ic:
Thendon'
tdat
eMonga.I
'
llendi
tther
e.
Apul
a:I
'venoint
ent
ionofdati
nghim becauseI
'
llki
l
lhi
mf orbei
ng
i
mpulsi
ve.Bythewayihavehisphoneandhewon'tbeableto
cont
actanyofyouunti
ltomor
row.

Er
ic:
Why
?

Apul
a:Hei
sont
imeout
.Iputhi
m onanaught
ycor
ner
.

Er
ic:
Pleasedon'
tj
okel
i
ket
hat
.Wehav
eashoott
oni
ght
.

Apul
a:Doi
twi
thouthi
m aker
eheusnotamodel
.

Er
ic:
Hei
sthedi
rect
or

Apul
a:Youal
readyknowwhatpi
ctur
eshel
i
kesaker
e,hei
son
ti
meout.

Eric:
Sohej ustagr
eedtobecontr
oll
edbyawoman,
justl
i
ket
hat
?
(suspici
ousl
y)Whatdidyoudotohim?

Apula:It
oldhi
m hei
sont
imeout
.It
hinky
ourbr
otheri
satt
he
hospit
albynow.

Er
ict
urnedandhur
ri
edt
ohi
scarast
heyf
oll
owedhi
m..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronApul
ast
eppedoutatt
hegat
eandcl
osedt
hedoor
.
Er
ic:Pleasegiv
ehimt
hephonesoi
cant
alkt
ohi
m andaskhi
m
whatthet hemeis

Apul
a:I
'
llaskhi
m andt
ell
you.

Er
ic:
It'
spr
ivat
e

Apul
a:Gaoser
ious

Er
ic:
Fine,
askhi
m.

Apul
a:By
e

Er
ic:
Bye,
il
lbeatt
hehospi
tal
.Texti
fther
eispoornet
wor
k.

Apul
a:Sur
e

Hedr ov
eoffthenshewalkedtowar
dsthehouseashercar
parkedinf
rontofthehouseundert
heheat
.Shewalkedpastt
he
bootandknocked.
..

Apul
a:Ij
ustr
emember
edt
hatyou'r
eprobabl
yget
ti
ngf r
iedsoi
cametomoveyout
othet
reebecauseI'
m ani
cegir
l.
..

Ther
ewassi
l
encet
henshef
rowned.
..

Apul
a:Monga?
Sheunl
ockedthehouseandgothercarkeyst
henshemov
edt
he
cart
othetreeandst
oodbywithoutopeni
ngtheboot
.

Apul
a:Ther
rawenalehaokai
ti
mat
sapr
etendi
ngt
obedeadi
won'
topent
his.Monga?

Ther
ewassi
l
enceandshest
oodbyconf
used.
..

Apul
a:Mongast
oppl
ayi
ng,
Monga?

Sheleanedoverandl
i
stenedbutt
her
ewassi l
encethenshe
openedthebootandl
ookedathimly
inguncomfort
ablysweat
ing.
..

Apul
a:Monga?
!

Shecheckedhispulseandranbackt
othehousewher
eshe
grabbedtheknif
eandcuttheropeonhi
sfeett
henshepul
l
edhi
m
upandt ouchedhisf
ace.
.

Apul
a:(
shaki
ng)Monga?
Shet ookhim outandlai
dhim ont
hegroundthensheleanedover
l
isteningtohischest
,shemov edt
ohisnoseandmov edhernose
closersoshecoul dt
elli
fhewasbreat
hing,
Mongal i
ft
edhishead
andki ssedher.
..

Monga:
Unt
ieme!

Shej
umpedandst
oodup.
..

Apul
a:You'
renotget
ti
ngoutoft
his.
..I
t'
snoty
ett
ime.
..

Mongasatupwi
thhi
shandsst
il
lti
edbehi
ndhi
sbackandf
aced
hi
m..
.

Monga:
It'
sov
er,
kegot
lhadi
l
eaut
wa?

Apul
alookedathi
m andl
aughedoutl
oud.
..

Apul
a:I
sthatsupposedt
oscar
eme?I
'
m donewi
thy
ou.

Monga:
I'
m donewi
thy
out
oo.
Hest
oodupandwal
kedt
othehouse.
..

Monga:
Comeunzi
pmypant
sket
shwer
ekemor
oto.

Shegotupandf ol
lowedhi
mt othehouse,
Mongawalkedi
nthe
bathr
oom andstoodbythetoi
let
..Apul
aunzi
ppedhi
spant
sand
tookouthi
sdick..

Apula:Whywoul dyouputbeadsonyourdickwheni
t'
salr
eadya
goodsize?Ithoughtbeadsaref
orsmallersi
zemensotheycan
reachhiddenspots.
..Thi
sthi
ngispai
nful.

Monga:
It'
snotpai
nful
..

Apul
a:Kar
eit
'spai
nful
!

Monga:
Whydoi smel
ldi
ff
erent
,di
dyour
apemeandwi
peme
wi
thwetwi
pes?

Apul
a:Don'
tfl
att
ery
our
sel
f.
..You'
renott
hatcut
e.

Monga: I
'm al
ler
gictowhat
evertheyputoncer
tai
nwetwipes
that
'swhyi havethi
sli
tt
ler
ush.Iuseunscent
edwetwipessoyou
defi
nit
elyrapedme

Apul
a:You'
resuchagi
rl
..
.Don'
tyouf
eel
lessofamansay
ingt
hat
?

Monga:
What
ever
,ihopeonegat
ive

Apul
a:Iam negat
ive,
don'
twor
ryabouti
t.
Monga:
You'
rear
api
st!

Apul
a:Ther
ragaomont
emogokal
o..
.Bagohor
il
e..
.

Monga:
Keepqui
et,
ican'
tdr
ainmy
sel
fify
ou'
ret
alki
ng.
.

Hecl
osedhi
seyesandpeedal
lovert
heseatwhi
l
eshest
ruggl
ed
andf
inal
l
ypoi
ntedi
tinsi
det
hetoi
l
et..
.

Apul
a:Mor
otowagagooy
ell
ow

Monga:Otaat
hokajangkesanwametsi
thewhol
eday
.Atl
easti
di
dn'
tpeeonmy sel
fli
kesomeonei
know

Sheangr
il
ypr
essedhi
sdi
ckandhescr
eamedf
li
nchi
ng.
..

Monga:Uhhhhf
uck.
..
.Sor
ry!Sor
ry,
you'
resuchaman!Thef
uck!
I
shhh.
..

Apul
a:Don'
tev
ert
alkt
omel
i
ket
hat
.

Monga:
Themmadi
cebot
hoko.
.

Apul
a:Mxm.
..
.Ibi
l
eket
ogel
ahel
ael
epel
l
ahel
ajaana.

Monga:
Youhav
etoshakei
torel
sei
t'
sgonnasmel
lfunky

Sheshooki
tandmassagedi
tpl
ayf
ull
yasheswal
l
owedand
begunhar
deni
ng.
..

Apul
a:Osul
epel
o..
.

Shelefti
thangi
ngandwal
kedoutt
henhef
oll
owedherasi
t
dangled.
..

Monga:
Putitbacki
nsi
de.
..Youprovedyourpoi
nt.Iknowy
ou'
re
nott
hetypet
obemessedwi th.I
'
m sorr
y.

Apul
a:Ithi
nkyoushoul
dleav
e.You'
l
laskt
henextper
sony
ou
meetforhel
p.

Monga:
Youknowpeopl
eli
keFacebook.Theywi
l
ltakeav
ideoof
meandpostme.

Apul
a:Si
tdown...
(si
ghedandt
ookouthi
sphone)Bef
orei
for
get
..
.
Gi
vemey ourpassword

Hesmi
ledlooki
ngatherashi
sfacecut
ewi
thabi
tofadi
sbel
i
ef
t
henhelaughedoutl
oud.
..

Monga:
You'
regoi
ngt
oof
ar.

Apula:
Eri
csay
syou'
rehav
ingashootandheneedst
oknowt
he
theme.
Monga:Ok,I
'
llwal
koutwi
thmydi
ckhangi
ng.Kampakapost
iwa
moFacebookhel
a.

Apul
a:I
'
vechangedmymi
nd.You'
renotl
eav
ingunt
ilt
omor
row.

Hesmi
l
edl
ooki
ngatherasshel
ockedt
hedoorandsatdown.
.

Apul
a:Passwor
d.

Monga:
Hope101

Sheenteredthepasswordandcli
ckedonhisgal
ler
y.Ther
ewas
not
hingexceptpict
uresofsneaker
s,guns,
prot
ecti
vegearand
ammuni t
ion.
.

Apul
a:Mxm.

Shecli
ckedonhismessagesandlookedforgir
lsnamesbuthe
di
dn'twomennames...Namesst
arti
ngwi t
hMP' scaughther
att
enti
onandshecli
ckedonthei
rconversati
onsbutitwas
nothi
ngbutshor
tmessagesli
kesent,paymentdone.

Apul
a:Ober
ekamapoloti
kieng?Kant
ewenahaekar
egao
ngwanawamorut
ijaana?
Hesi
ghed.
..

Apul
a:Whatdoy
oudof
oral
i
ving?Li
keser
iousl
ywhatdoy
oudo?

Monga:You'r
enotmygir
lf
ri
end,aker
ewar ewant
hal
asowhy
shouldit
ell
youany
thi
ng?Unlessyoutakemeback.
..May
bei
can
tel
lyou.

Apul
a:You'
reabusi
ve

Monga:Atl
eastI
'
m notar
api
standi
don'
tpeeonmy
sel
fwhen
I
'm scar
ed.

Apul
a:(
sighed)I
ja.
..

Shewalkedi
ntheki
tchenandcamebackwi
thakni
fet
henshe
cuthi
srope.
.

Apul
a:Youcango.
..

Monga:
(sof
tl
y)Whati
fidon'
twantt
o?

Shewal
kedinthekit
chenandputi
tint
hesinkthenhest
opped
behi
ndherandhuggedherki
ssi
ngherneck.
..
Monga:Thanky
ouforletti
ngmegoma'
am,
ist
her
eany
wher
ei
canshowmyappreci
ation?

Shesi ghedrel
uctantlyasherskingotgoosebumps, i
twashis
voi
ce, hishandsandt hefeeli
ngofhisbonerbehindher..He
tur
nedherar oundandki ssedherthenhegotonhi skneeand
mov edherpantyasi debeforesucki
ngont hatcl
i
tlikeababy
cow...Hegotupandki ssedherneckwhilehisotherhandpull
ed
herpant yandblockedher .
..
.

Apul
a'
swhol
esensi
ti
vemeatt
hrobbedwhi
l
epar
tofherexpl
oded
i
nguil
t.
..

Apul
a:Ican'
t.
..Ipr
omi
sedmy
sel
fI'
dnev
erst
aywi
thamant
hat
hur
tme...

Hegent
lysl
i
ppedupanddownhercl
i
tbr
eat
hingheav
il
y.
..

Monga:
Tel
lmet
ost
opt
hen.
..

Shesi
ghedhel
plessl
yasheki
ssedherneckandf
li
ckedherwi
th
hi
shead.
..
Monga:
Ify
ousaynoi
wil
ll
eav
eandnev
erbot
hery
ou.Ipr
omi
se.
.

Herey esfi
lledwi thtearsasshehel dhisar
msandhemov edhis
waistbackandf ourth,shecouldjustimagi
net hi
swholething
squeezingint hereandt hosebeadsmassagi ngherinsi
desbut
thenisn'
twhatt hisi
swhatshehadbeenpr eachi
ngtoher
sist
ers..
.whatift hi
swasanabusi verel
ati
onship?Yesitwas,why
wassheev enquest ioning.
..Butt
hismanwasso. .
.Uhfuck!

Apul
a:No!

Sheputherhandsov
erherf
acecr
ying.
.

Apul
a:Youl
ockedmei
nacof
fi
nthewhol
eni
ght
.Pl
easel
eav
e..
.

Heslowl
ylethergoputt
ingherl
egdownthenhepushedherski
rt
downgentl
yandlinedhi
serectpi
ecei
nsi
dehispant
slooki
ngat
her
..
.

Monga: I'
m sor
r y
..
.I'
m ev
ensorrybecauseithinkyoudeservedit
andi don'
tregretdoi
ngit
.Idon'tf
indnothi
ngwr ongwithwhaty ou
di
dt omei nresponseeit
her.
..
.I'
mj ustl
i
kethat,iwishif
elt
di
fferentandmay beishoul
dlieandsayi r
egretitorpr
omisey ou
I'
llbeni cei fyoucheatagai nbutl yi
ngi sn'tmyst yle.
..Ifihavea
girl
fri
endandshecheat si won' trespondwel l,iexpectsuch
punishmentt ooi fi doherwr ongandi mustwor kv eryhar dto
gaint hatt rust.Nott hatI '
dcheat ,ili
kemaki ngmoneyt hani l
ike
chasi ngwomen.Ij ustneedone.Peopl ei nr elat
ionshi psshoul d
notjustcheat .
..Itdoesn' tmat terhownewt herel ati
onshi pis,
actual lyIthinkatt hebegi nningofar el
at i
onshi pi tshoul dbeso
fi
ret hati don' tfeel any onebuty ou...Mygoal shoul dbet obei n
yourhear t.Any thi ngandev ery thingi sforgivablet ome. ..Youcan
steal from me, y oucanov erspendt hebudgetIgav eyou. .
.You
cansayy oudon' tcar eaboutmysonspassi ng,y oucando
any t
hi ngandi canbr ushi toffjustl ikethat ,exceptspr eadingy our
l
egsandl et t
inganot hermanl icky ouwheni nev errefusedt odo
thesame.I t'
sst rai ght f
or wardl ikethat ,wedon' tki ll
womenf or
any t
hi ngexceptt hatwhi chisbet weent heirlegs.I fyout ellmeI '
m
yourboy fri
endy oumeanI 'mt heonl yper sonal l
owedbet ween
yourl egs.Nnai bilei don' tmi ndi font i
makukubekey othe
becausey ou'renotf eelingwel l ory ou'reangr ywi thme.Okae
ntimaasl ongasy oudon' tgivei ttoany oneel se...I'
m sor ryifmy
principlesdon' talignwi thy our s.

Apul
a:Theydon'
t.Not
hingj
ust
if
iesabuse

Monga: AndI '

m surealotofthingsjusti
fycheating.Keep
searchi
ngf oramanwhowi l
lbeOKwi thwhaty oudi d,I'
l
lkeep
searchi
ngf orawomanwhowon' tcheatonme, ket aammat a
evenifit
sacr ippl
eorblindladyI'
dr espectherandgi vemylif
eto
her.Want waelawaitseLala,olatswisaRandallkukuabeobuaka
abuse..
.(
pokedherf orehead)gapeomaakawena, l
ehao
tswalel
wamocof fi
noy akaophaphal et
sewi t
houtbl inki
ng.I'
l
lget
ov
ery
ou.Nxl
a!

Hewalkedoutdust
ingt
hebackofhi
sheadandsl
ammedher
door
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#24

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Aft
ert akingabat hApul awalkedar oundt hehousei nherpy jamas
water i
ngherpl antsthenshegr abbedherl aptopandt hr
ewher self
onthecouchsear chingforMonga.I fhet houghtshe'dmi sshim
orbeghi m hewaswr ong..
.Shedon' tbegmenandheneededt o
getitov eri
t.Itwasj ustalit
tl
emuf fit
'snotlikeRandallsleptwi th
her.
..howcanonebesosensi t
ive.AndthenRandal ltell
i
ngaf ter
begginghernott osayany thingmaki nghergetpuni shedf orlying.

Shef oundhi saccountandwentt hroughitsearchingforwomen

buthehadl otsofHope' spicturesfrom whenhewasi nt he
i
ncubat orwi tht ubes, hewassot i
nyhef i
tinMonga' shand. ..And
Mongawassoski nny ...Wowsoheusedt obesot al
landski nny?
Orwasi tstress?Shecl ickedonadev el
opmentv ideoofHope
from whenhel i
terallylookedl i
ke..
.Shecoul dn'
tev endescr ibehis
l
ooksbuthewast inyunt i
lhewas6y earsoldandl ookingl i
kehi s
father.Shesmi ledt earf ul
lylookingatav ideoofMongat wisting
thelit
tlehai ronHope' smohawkandt ur
nedhi m aroundki ssing
him.Ov erthey earsf rom t hepictureshislif
eimpr oved...Monga
gainedwei ghtandt her ewer ev i
deosofhi m walkingdownst airs
wi t
hhi m, dri
vingt oget herinaconv erti
bleandthem kicki ngt he
bal
lbythebeach.Hope'
ssmi l
ebroughttearstoherey
esasshe
smil
ed,shecl
ickedonthei
rlastv
ideotogetherasMongaand
Hoperodeahor set
alki
ng.
..

Hope:
Am i
goi
ngt
ogetamot
hert
hisChr
ist
mas?Youpr
omi
sed

Monga:(
smiled)Idon'
tknow,i
t'
shardt
ofi
ndgoodwomanbuti
wantsomeonewhoi sgoingt
oloveusbot
h.

Hope:
(smi
l
ed)AndI
'
llcal
lhermama?

Monga:(bl
inkedawayhi
stear
s)Yeah,
shei
sgoi
ngt
olov
eyout
oo
becauseyou'
regoodboy.

Hope:
Iwon'
tgetsi
ckt
oomanyt
imessoi
don'
tannoyher
.

Monga:Shewon'
tmi
ndyouget
ti
ngsickall
theti
mebecause
she'
dlovebei
ngt
her
efory
ouandbr
ingingyouball
oonst
othe
hospi
tal
.

Hope:I
'dli
keball
oons,
isawthatki
dint
hemov
iehef
eltbet
ter
af
tergett
ingl
otsofbal
loons.

Monga:
Shei
sgoi
ngt
obr
ingy
oubal
l
oons.

Sheclosedt hevi
deoandcov eredhermout h,shewasl i
ter
all
yat
hi
sdoor stepwithball
oonsandshedi dn'twal
ki nbecauseofher
assumpt i
ons.Imaginethedi
fferenceitcoul
dhav emadef orhi
m..
.
Atearrandownhercheekassher ubbeditandsighed..
.
Apul
a:Sor
ryHope.Iwast
her
e,i
didn'
tknowy
ouwant
edbal
l
oons
myboy.

Shesighedandr
ubbedherey
est
henshepickedherphoneand
di
aledMongabutther
ewasnoanswert
henshedialedThong.

Thong:
Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Hi
,doesMongahav
eahousei
nMaun?

Thong:
Whoi
sthi
s?

Apul
a:I
t'
sApul
a

Thong:
Mongakemang?

Apul
a:Mat
aozen

Thong:
Ehe.
..Ei
sh.
..

Apul
a:Doeshehav
eahousei
nMaun?

Thong:
(fakedpoorsi
gnal
sounds)Ma-
tho-
mona-
shhhhhh-
hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Iknowf
akepoorsi
gnal
soundsgakengwana.

Thong:
Hel
l
o?Ei
shMascom!

Hecutt
hecal
l
,Apul
adi
aledEr
ic.
..
Er
ic:
Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Hi
,howi
sDer
ri
ck?

Er
ic:Hei
sget
ti
ngt
her
e,y
oursi
steri
sinsi
dewi
thhi
m.Kant
eba
j
ola?

Er
ic:
Idon'
tknowbuti
cant
alkt
omysi
sterf
ory
ourbr
other

Eric:
Pleasedothat
,hekindaneedssomethi
ngtogiv
ehima
reasonbutiknowheisaf r
aidofwomen.Theonl
yreasonhe
mar r
iedthi
soneisbecausesheistheonewhoproposedt
ohim.

Apul
a:Ok,
cany
out
ell
mewher
eMonga'
shousei
s?

Er
ic:
Hehasahousei
nMaun?Weal
way
smeeti
nhot
els.

Apul
a:Heiwenadon'
tl
ietome..
.Icantal
kbadaboutyourbr
other
tomysist
erthenwewil
lseewhowill
helpcuthi
m downthetr
ee
agai
n.

Er
ic:
Mongawi
l
lki
l
lmei
fisayany
thi
ng.

Apula:
Ehe,letmet alkt
omysist
erandopenherey
esaboutthe
dangersofbefr
iendingamar
ri
edmanwhosewi fei
scrazyand
readyt
osue.

Eri
c:Don'tt
ell
MongaItol
dyou.
..
onlyhi
sfami
lyknowsabouthi
s
house.Hedoesn'
twanthi
sworkersknowi
nganythi
ngabouthi
s
personal
lif
e.

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)OK.
..

Shesmi
l
edandl
i
stenedashet
oldher
..
.
Apul
a:Thanks.
..
.You'
regoi
ngtobeagoodbrot
herinlawor
whatev
erourrel
ati
onshi
pwil
lbewhenoursi
bli
ngsstartr
idi
ngone
anot
her.

Eri
c:You'l
lputi
nawordforDerr
ickr
ight
?Hei
sagoodguy
..
.Mar
u
shoul
dn'tl
etthatwomanscar
eheroff.

Apul
a:Igoty
oul
i
ttl
ebr
o.Thanks.

Shecutt
hecal
landwal
kedi
nthebedr
oom.
..

Att
heset
..
..

Thongt
urnedl
ooki
ngatt
hedoorexpect
ingMonga.
..

Thong:
Byt
hewayhowar
eyouguy
s?

Randal
l
:Wear
egoodi
guess

Thong:Seey
ouwerejustbei
ngtooscared.
..Ev
enaf
terf
indi
ng
outyoumuff
edherhedidn'
tsayany
thing

Randal
l
:Wai
t,whatdoy
oumeanf
indi
ngout
?

Thong:
(conf
used)Youdi
dn'
ttel
lhi
m?

Randal
l
:Ofcour
sei
didn'
ttel
lhi
m,whatmakesy
out
hinki
tol
dhi
m
di
dyout
ell
him?

Thongf
rozewi
thhi
smout
hopenconf
used.
..

Thong:Hewasl i
kei knowRandytol
dyouwhathappenedandi
appreci
atey
out r
yingtostayoutofi
tbuti
needloyal
ty.It
hen
expl
ainedwhyididn'
tsayanythi
ngaboutt
hemuf f
ing,
hesaidit
s
OKheunderstands.

Randal
l
'shear
tski
ppedandhest
oodup.
..

Randal
l
: Ideni
edit
!You'
resostupi
d..
.Whyt
hehel
lwoul
dit
ell
my
bossil
ickedhiswoman'
st hi
ngThong??
!

Thong:Heplay
edme..
.Hav ewater!Buti
fhehasn'tsaidanyt
hing
thenheiscool
.Wetal
kedaboutthisanightbefor
et heburi
al,
the
nighthemadeApul
adissappearihearhelockedheratthe
mor t
uary
.

Randall
:ThenI
'
m goi
ngtodi
sappear
,that'
swhyhehasn'
tsai
d
anyt
hingtome.Heispl
anni
ngmydeat h.
.

Thong:
Hesai
dhei
scool

Randal
l
:Osesonaar
e?

Thong:Skant
shetsast
ressmogonnamrgasennakeri
lengo
goregor
ebasadibabat
ho.Youshoul
dhav
ekeptyourt
onguein
y
ourmout
h..

Er
icwal
kedont
hesetr
eadi
ngt
hescr
ipt
..
.

Eri
c:Alr
ight
,soThongyou'll
bef i
l
mi ng.Weneedt hesett
ingofy
ou
walki
ngintoaroom whil
eshei ssleepi
ng,you'r
esteal
i
ngt he
cooki
e..
.Iswearpornaddictshavesickfantasi
es.

Thong:
I'
m notdoi
ngPurpl
e,gi
vemeadiff
erentgi
rl
.Ican'
tsl
eep
wit
hmygirl
fri
end'
scousi
nevenifi
tswor
k.

Er
ic:
Wecan'
tchangeont
hel
astmi
nut
e

Pur
ple:
I'
m al
sonotdoi
nghi
m,hei
spr
act
ical
l
ymybr
other
.

Er
ic:
Guy
sth3bossi
snother
e

Thong:
Cal
lmat
aozen,
hewi
l
lunder
stand.

Eri
c:Mataozendoesn'
tl
ikechangi
ngscript
s,hechosePurpl
efor
herti
nybodyandy ouf
oryourbigt
hing.Thisi
stabootheme.

Thong:
Cal
l
erMat
aozen,
hei
sfl
exi
ble.

Er
icst
eppedasi
deandcal
l
edMongat
henhewal
kedback.
..

Eri
c:Heagreed,
hesay
shewasgoi
ngt
ochangei
taf
terf
indi
ng
outabouty
ouandPurple.
Theysmiledandswit
chedthenThonggr
abbedthecameraand
walkedoutastheyswit
chedofft
heli
ght
softheroom t
ogivei
ta
ni
ghtfeel
ing.
..

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronjustbeforemidnightApulaparkedthecarandst epped
out
,hehadal egend50andasmal lercar.
..Whatthehellwasshe
doi
ng..
.Thi
smanwasbadnews, whowoul downsuchcar s
wit
houtaproperjob..
.Shewasahar dworkingprofessi
onal
womanwhopai dforever
y t
hingsheownedandnowt hi
s..
..

Sheknockedont hedoorandwaited,
thensheknockedharder
andfoldedherar
ms.Hewaspr obabl
ywithhi
sprosti
tut
eor
anotherwoman,shewalkedbackt ot
hecarandopenedherboot
thenshegrabbedascrewdri
verandbegunremovingthescrews.
..

Sheheardhim sneezeashewal kedov erthenshehi dthe

screwdr
iverbehi
ndherandputani nnocentface.Heunl ockedthe
doorandopened,theireyesmetandhi sheartskippedasal lt
he
sl
eephehaddi sappeared.Heturnedaroundandr antothe
bedroom asshefoll
owedhi m.
..
Apul
a:Onal
engwany
ana?
!

Hedashedinandsl
ippeddownthenhegotupandsl
ammedthe
doorshutashehel
dthelockupwhil
eshetr
iedt
opusht
hedoor
..
.

Monga:(
shaky
)Babewhatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?It
houghty
ou
dumpedme

Apul
a:(
angr
il
y)Mongaopent
hisdoor
!

Monga:
(shakyandsweat
y)Fuck!Howdoy
ouknowmyhouse?
(
shakyvoi
ce)Mylegsar
eweak...

Apula:
(bangi
ngt
hedoor
)OPENTHI
SDOOR!Ket
il
egol
ekopany
a
l
othe!

Monga:
Babe?(
whi
sper
ing)Fuck!Fuck!Fuck!

Apul
a:Mongabul
alebat
imonna!

Monga:Butyousai
dyoudumpedmekgant
elekananekesaut
wa
sent
e?Shit
!

Apul
a:Opent
hisdoorket
sil
egol
ekopany
a.

Monga:
You'
reabusi
ngme

Apula:Nxl
a!(
bangingonthedoor)Opent hi
sdoor !I
'
m goingto
fi
ndanaxeorspadear oundhere.Youthi
nkI'm play
ingwithyou.
..
I
'm notevenyourgi
rl
fr
iend.Ij
ustwanttosayhi towhoeverisin
ther
e.Ijuswanttoseeyournewgirl
fr
iend..
.Gapekoor ekeipot
sa
goreommat il
elengkapelabecauseidumpedy ouhoursback.
You'r
esupposedt
obecr
yingformeandaskingmeifI
'
m sureit
's
ok..
.Youl
ockedmeinacoff
inforsomet
hingidi
dhour
safterwe
brokeup.

Monga:I'
m notcheat
ing.Gapei
wasaboutt
ocal
lyousoi
cansay
goodni
ght.
.

Apul
a:Letmegetaspade.
..

Monga:
Ok,
ok!I
'
m openi
ng.
.

Apul
a:Eebul
a!

Heletgoof ft
hedoorandst oodasi deasshewal
kedin,she
angri
lyglar
edathim whil
ehel ookedbackathershaki
ngl i
kea
l
eafthoughhet r
iedtostaycalm, hebreat
hedsoloudshecould
hearhim swal
lowing.Hesatont heedgeofthebedburyinghi
s
facebetweenhisshakinghands...

Apulaknel
tdownchecki ngundert
hebedholdi
ngthescrewdr
iver
,
ther
ewasnot hi
ngt hensheopenedthewar
drobedoorsand
pull
edoutall
hisclothesbythehanger
swhil
ehesatthere
shakingsi
l
ently
..

Apul
a:Themmaket
il
egogobat
aabekegobona!

Monga:
Ther
eisnoone.It
oldy
oui
don'
tcheat
.
Mongar ubbedhi
ssweati
efor
eheadandsighedl
ookingatheras
shesteppedonthechai
randl
ookedattheuppersecti
onofthe
wardr
obe...

Apula:
Heisal
lyoursbabygir
l,i
don'
twanthi
m..
.Ihav
eabet
ter
tast
einmanthanthi
sjoke.Comeout.
..

Mongarubbedhi
smout hanxiousl
ybreat
hingheavi
lywhileApul
a
walkedt
owardsthel
onglaundrybasketwit
hclot
hesinside.She
st
oppedthenshepokedthroughthewashingbasket.
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#25

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Mongawat chedhertaki
ngouthi scl
othesonebyonewi t
ha
screwdriver.
..AwholeeducatedandprofessionalProject
managerwi t
hagoodr eputat
ionandsalary.
..Thef uck!Buthe
shouldhav eknownshewasnotokwhenshedr ov e9hoursjust
topeakt hroughthedooranddr i
veback..
.Nowt hathewascal m
andwat chingheritwasfunny.

Monga:Thereisnoonei
nthere.
..
.Itol
dyouidon'
tcheat
.Theonl
y
t
hingyou'
ll
catchmedoingisbreaki
ngthel
aw.Whatdoy ouwant
?

Shewalkedar
oundl
ooki
ngatt
hecei
l
ingandhecr
acked
l
aughi
ng...

Monga:(l
aughed)Ar
eyouser
ious?Yout
hinkshe'
dgeti
nthe
cei
l
ing?

Shesighedandl
ookedathimt
hensheputherhandonhischest
feel
i
nghispoundi
ngheart
.Hesmil
edembarrassedandpushed
herhandasi
de.
..

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)What
?

Apul
a:Whydi
dyoupani
c?

Monga:
(laughed)Because!

Apul
a:Becausewhat
?

Monga:
(bl
ushi
ng)If
eel
abusedr
ightnow,
I'
mli
keDer
ri
ck

Apul
a:Don'
tpl
aywi
thabuse,
sowhatwer
eyoudoi
ng?

Monga:Iwassl
eepi
ng.
..
ormaybeiwassleepi
ngwithsomeone?
Someonewhodoesn'
tcheatonme.
..Lookatyousweati
ng!
(l
aughed)Youl
oveme!

Hel
aughedpr
oudl
yput
ti
ngaf
istov
erhi
smout
h..

Monga:
Youl
oveme!

Apul
a:I
sthatwhaty
out
hink?

Monga:It
'sal
mostmidni
ghtandinst
eadofsleepi
ngyousneaked
i
nheretocatchme.Youbroughtascrewdr
iversoyoucoul
dhurt
her
..
.(smil
ed)Soyou'
dbreakthel
awf orme?Youlookli
keathug!

Hel
aughedassheputdownt
hescr
ewdr
iverembar
rassed.
..
Monga:Ialmostfeelsorr
yfory ou.
.Iknowhowitfeelst
ol ov
e
someonesomucht hatwhenot herpeopl
earesl
eepingyou're
dri
vi
ngacrosstownhopi ngtoputanendt oi
tall
.Ifyoudidn'
t
wantmey ouwouldn'tcare.
..YouhavemoneyLala,youdon'tneed
anyt
hingfr
om meexceptme, r
ight
?

Shetookadeepbreathandsi
ghedembar
rassed,nowthatshe
wasthinki
ngabouti
tcalml
yshereal
i
sedshejustmadeaf ool
of
her
self
.

Monga: Iunder st
andy ouwer echeatedal otinthepr evi
ous
seri
ousr elat
ionshipyouhadandany thingelsethatcameaf ter
didn'
tlastprobablybecauseoft hishyperreact i
on.Ipersonall
y
don'tmindt hatbecauseI '
llal
waysprov eyouwr ong...Theonly
problem isidon'twanty ouseeingcertainthings.It
smybusi ness
deals.I
twasf unnywat chingyousearchar oundf oranother
womanbutt hemor eIthinkaboutthemor ei real
isehowmuch
damagehasbeendonet oy ourhead.

Ther
ewassi
l
enceasshest
oodbyl
i
steni
ngt
ohi
m..
.

Apul
a:(
lowv
oice)Sowhydi
dn'
tyout
ell
mey
ouhav
eahousei
n
Maun?
Monga:Younevergav
eusachance.
..Howdoy
ouknowmy
house-
Ourhouse?

Apula:
Ididabi
tofr
esear
ch(
suspi
ciousl
y)Ist
il
lgetaf
unny
feel
i
ng..

Shestoodupandwalkedt
otheotherbedroom buti
tseemedi
t
wasn'
tinuse,
ithadafewofHope'
sthings.Sheopenedthe
wardr
obeandpicked3Dmoviegl
asses..

Monga:
(leani
ngagai
nstt
hedoorfr
ame)Hewat chedmov i
eswit
h
3Dgl
assessohecouldseebet
terthoughi
twasn'tqui
tecl
ear
.

Shepi
ckedanearai
d..
.

Monga:Healsohaddi
ff
icul
tyhear
ing.Hebasi
cal
l
yneededai
dfor
ev
eryt
hing.

Sheputi
tdownandsi
ghed.
..

Monga:
Iam notcheat
ingony
ou.
..
.Comeher
e..
.
Hegrabbedherhandsandsi
ghedput
ti
ngt
hem onhi
schest
l
ooki
ngather..
.

Monga: Thanksf
orcomingov
er,
butwear enotgett
ingpastthe
Randalli
ssuebef
oreyoucomeclean.Thefi
rstst
eptorecoveryi
s
admitt
ingwhatyoudid.

Apul
a:SoRandal
lsai
dhesl
eptwi
thme?

Monga: Whatareyousaying?Thi
sistheannoyi
ngt
hingabout
you.
..You'
retr
yingtomat chhi
sstor
y..
.Somethi
ngt
hatmakesme
t
hinkyoutwodi scussedhowtofoolme.

Apul
a:Wedi
dn'
t,
whaty
ousai
dist
het
rut
h.

Monga:
What
'st
het
rut
h?

Apul
a:Whaty
ousai
d.Iadmi
tit
.

Monga: Isai
dalotoft
hings.
..Beser
ious.It
houghtwear
ebei
ng
ser
ious.Youcannotbr
eakintomyhouset oli
etome.

Apul
a:Whydoy
ouwantmet
osayi
tknowi
ngi
tembar
rassesme?

Shel
ookedathi
mtear
ful
l
yandswal
l
owed.
..

Apul
a:I
'
m embar
rassedtosayi
tbutyou'
rer
ight
..
.But!Idi
dn'
t
sl
eepwit
hhi
m.I'
m sorr
y.(sher
ubbedherey
es)Didyoumov eon?
Hel
ookedatherandsi
ghedr
ubbi
nghercheeks.
..

Monga:No,itsimpossi bl
etomov eonqui ckl
ywheny ouhad
nothi
ngonthesi debuty oucan'tj
ustshowupwi thoutl
etti
ngme
know.Idoalotoft hingsthatiwanttoprotecty
ouf r
om...Some
thi
ngsit
'sbestyouj ustdon'
tknowany thi
ngaboutbecausei twi
l
l
changeyourviewaboutmeori tmightjustputyouindanger.

Apul
a:Sowhatwer
eyouhi
ding?

Monga:
Thi
ngst
hati
don'
twanty
ouknowi
ng.
..

Heleanedoverandkissedherashishandslippeddownhert hi
gh
andsqueezedherbutt,hel
i
ftedherski
rtandputhi shandsinsi
de
herbutthol
dingbot
hofherbuttandstaggeredt owardsthe
bedroom wherehel
aidherdownandgotont op.

Apul
agaspedashepull
eddownhispant
s,herpusi
contr
actedat
thet
houghtofhi
swholethi
nggoi
nginwi
ththosebeads,
thelast
ti
meshetri
editi
thur
tbad..
.

Monga:
(whi
sper
ed)Rel
ax,
you'
ret
ense.
..

Heli
ft
edherchi
nandkissedherwhi
ledir
ecti
nghisbeaded
weaponwi
thhiswai
standstoppedathersoftf
lesht
henhe
#Remov
ed.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#25

Monga:
(whi
sper
ed)Rel
ax,
you'
ret
ense.
..

Helift
edherchinandkissedherwhi
ledir
ecti
nghisbeaded
weaponwi t
hhiswaistandstoppedathersoftf
lesht
henhe
sl
owl yl
ethi
smushr oom headsli
debetweenherwetfol
dsand
str
etchedherpussyholeasshegaspedinhisli
pswhil
ehekissed
her.
..

Apul
a:Mmhhh.
..

Seemedi twaswayhardert
hanbefor
enowt hathewaswi de
awake,shecoul
dfeelheropeni
ngupashi smushroom head
poppedin,heki
ssedherandgentl
ypushedfurt
her.
..I
tfel
tli
ke
thesebeadshadexpandedhist
hingandthemoreshet hought
abouti
tthef
urt
herherpussycont
ract
edi
nfear
..
.

Monga:
Icanl
i
ter
all
yfeel
youcl
osi
ngmeout
..
.

Apul
a:If
eel
li
ket
hosebeadsar
egoi
ngt
ohur
tmeorcr
ackme
up.
..

Monga:
Stopt
hinki
ngabouti
t.
..

Heleanedoverandkissedherthenhegent
lypushedi
n,she
f
li
nchedwithherhandsonhi schest
.

Mongagotdownf r
om herandt urnedhertothesi
deast heyboth
l
aidont hesi
defacingoneway .Hemov edcloserfr
om behindand
l
ift
edherbuttonpushinghisdickinbetween,hi
sheadslipped
betweenherwetfoldsandhest oppedthereholdi
ngherhips.He
gentl
ytappedbetweenherf ol
dswi thj
ustheadunti
lsherelaxed
produci
ngmor ej
uices,hepausedandt racedhersl
itandroll
ed
hercli
tbetweenhistwofinger
s...

Sheseemedt oenjoythisposit
ionmor ebuthewant edtoopen
herupandenj oyher
,her ol
l
edont opofherandf orcedherlegs
openwi t
hhisknees.From herrel
uctanceheknewshej ust
wantedhimt ousetheheadony ..
.Nothappening.Wi t
hhisdick
poi
ntingri
ghtonherwetpussyhel oweredhimselfbetweenher
l
egs.Sheexhal edst
ronglyt
henhef eltherhandstrytopushhim
of
f.
..

Monga:I
'
m notput
ti
ngiti
n,ket
seny
ati
phel
a..
.Rel
ax,
touchy
our
br
eastsf
ormebabe..
.

Sheletgoofhim andtouchedherbreast
sthenhekissedherand
thr
ustherwit
hjusttheti
p.Thesoundoft hei
rwetf
leshclamping
andsmackinggothisbreathi
nghigherashegotdownbr eat
hing
downherneck..
.

Hepr essedhispel vi
sintoherhardandf el
thi
sdickheadbr eak
throughherfleshasshegasped, helookeddownbet weenthem
andhi sdickwashal f
way,helookedbackintoherfearf
uleyes
thenhesl owl
yf latt
enedhi msel
finsi
deherenjoyi
ngseeingher
faceasshet ooki tin.Itf
eltsogoodinthereherestedparal
ysed
thenhegent l
yt hrustinandout..
.

Apulacl
osedhereyesandmoanedsof t
lyashisdi
ckf i
therl
ikea
glov
eandnowshecoul dfeel
ever
ysensation,i
tdi
dn'tevenf
eel
l
ikebeads,i
tfel
tli
kehi
sdickwasreachi
ngev er
ypartofher.
..

Hel ookeddowninherey esandpl

ungedfeel
ingt
hei
rsl
ickbodi
es
sl
ideagainsteachother.Shebi
therl
owerli
pandsquealed,
holdinghi
mt i
ghttoher.Heputhishandsonherhi
psandpushed
downonthem asheconti
nuedt
opul
lhi
sdi
cknear
lyal
ltheway
outandt
hensli
deitbacki
n.

Heclosedhiseyesandwi ll
edhimselftoslowdownashedi dnot
wantthi
sfeeli
ngt oend.Hestoppedagainandl i
edsti
llont
opof
her
.Shewhimper edandbegant obuckherhipsuphim.Suddenl
y,
hefel
therpussycont r
acti
ngonhi sdick,
mi l
ki
nghim asshe
movedherwai stdesperat
ely.
..

Helookedintoherey esagai
nandsawherfacefi
l
ledwithpassi
on
andlust,
andheki ssedherasshebuckedandwri
thedonhis
i
mpal i
ngdick.Shegrabbedhimti
ghtl
yandconvul
sed..
.

Apul
a:Mmhhh.
.

Hekeptgoi ng,andr
ammedi ntoherhar
d.Shegaspedagainas
t
hebedf r
amesmackedagai nstt
hewall.Fuck!I
noneswift
motion,heturnedonhissidepull
ingherwithhim anddr
apedher
r
ightlegoverhislef
t,keepi
ngmyhi shalf-
buri
edinher.

Apul
a:(
whi
sper
ed)Fuck!

Hef
uckedherf
rom t
hesi
de,
apar
tofhi
mfi
ght
ingt
het
empt
ati
on
togetof fthebedandr am herst andingorev endoggy..
.Too
muchf ort hef
irstt
ime,pr obably
.Hi shandgr abbedherthroat
from behindashebur i
edhi mselfi
nher ,sheclosedhereyesas
herbreastsshookv i
gor ouslywithev er
yf uck.Ther
ecameanot her
sensationandshehel dhi shandswhi l
ehehel dherwaist
rammi ngherfrom behind...Shespasmedcl ampinghisdickand
ti
ghteningherbodywhi lehei ncreasedhi sspeed,pul
l
ingoutor
not?Uhf uck!

Monga:
(deepv
oice)Uhhhh.
..
.Fuck!

Hepul l
edoutandpl acedt
heheadonherasshol epr
essingitj
ust
abitashespi l
l
edouthi st
hickcum,itli
ddownherbuttandonthe
sheets,hesqueezeditandshookitthenhepushedi
tbackinsi
de
herpussyandsi ghedspooningher
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#26

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Thenextmorni
ngMongawalkedi
ntheki
tchenshi
rt
lessonhi
s
shor
tshol
dingacupofcof
feewhi
leonacall
..
.

Monga: IgetyoubutithoughtItol
dyoudeliv
eryismucheasi erby
roadthananai r
craf
t.I
fI'
m usingtheroadicandeli
vermyself
becausei tseasiert
oconceal i
nacar,wehardlyhaveroadblocks
andify ouf ol
l
owt heroadsignsyoudon'tat
tractt
hepoli
ce..
.butif
I
'mf l
yingt henihavetogetoneoft hegir
lst
ocar r
ythem i
nternall
y
whichisanext r
acostforyou..
..

Hepl
acedt
hecupov
ert
hecount
erandhoppedupl
i
steni
ngt
ohi
s
cl
i
ent
..
.

Him:Ihearyoubutther
oadisgoingt otakel
onger,I
'
m al
ready
havi
ngwithdrawal
sandit'
spai
nful.Icanbarel
yfuncti
onaround.
I
'l
lpaytheextra

Monga:
Senditandmakeitqui
ckbecauseI
'm cl
ear
ingmystock.
Thi
sismylastsal
e,I
'
m donewit
hthi
s.Iwanttoputmyener
gy
i
ntosomet
hingt
hatbr
ingsmor
emoney
.

Hi
m:Can'
tyougetpay
mentwheny
ouar
ri
ve?

Monga: Areyoutry
ingtoplayme?Youknowir
ecei
vepayment
bef
orei candeli
ver.Youknowwhattal
ktomewhenyou'
re
ser
ious.Nxla!

Hecutt
hecal
landdi
aledsomeone.
..

Voi
ce:
Hel
l
o?

Monga:
Iwantmymoney
.

Voi
ce:Busi
nessi
sdown,i
thoughtI
'
llpayy
ouatl
east6Kt
his
monthandpayof
fther
estthi
smonth.

Monga: Idon'tf
uckingwanthal f
!!iwantthewhole12Ktodayor
else!Doyouunder standme?I '
m notrunningachari
ty
organisat
ionhere!Itoldy
ouI '
m closi
ngall mydeal
switht
hisand
venturi
ngintoanotherbusiness.

Voi
ce:
Dav
eli
sten-

Monga:No,youl
ist
en!andli
stentomever
ywell
..
.Youhaveunt
il
4pm t
odaytopaymeorI '
m comingov
erwit
hmyguyandt he
camerasoyoucanwor kandearnme12Kin20minut
es.Doyou
wantadickupyourass?

Voi
ce:
No,
ket
aacashl
oan

Monga:
Good,
Becausei
knowal
otofpeopl
ethatwoul
dli
ket
o
seeamandominat
edbyanotherman.Youhaveunti
l4pm ont
he
dotorel
sey
ou'
redeadorpay
ingitof
fwithyourass.

Hecutt
hecal
lasher
ecei
ved8Kandacal
l
...

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Voi
ce:
Itoppedupwi
tht
heext
racostf
ort
hequi
ckdel
i
ver
y.

Monga:
Igoti
t.I
'
lll
ety
ouknowwher
eist
ashedi
twheni
gett
her
e.

Hecutt
hecal
landlookedatti
methenhemadebr
eakf
astand
wal
kedtot
hebedroom whereApul
awassl
eepi
ng.
..

Monga:(sof
tl
y)Hi
,goodmor
ning.
..I
t'
sal
most
,ti
met
ogoget
r
eadyforwork.
.

Sheturnedherheadandcarri
edonsleepi
ng,hesli
ppedhi
shand
undercoverandgr
abbedherass.
.Heputt hephoneasi
deandslid
i
nbedbehi ndherthenheli
ft
edherbuttandmov edcl
oser
..
..She
j
umpedoutofbedandst oodup.
..

Apul
a:I
'
m up.
..

Monga:
Wai
t,comeher
e..
.(her
eachedherhandpul
l
ingherov
er)
Takwanopel
e..

Apul
a:(
pul
l
ingback)Babeno,
I'
mlat
e..

Hegotof ft
hebedwithabonerandkissedherneckthenhe
tur
nedheraroundassheputherfaceonthewall.
..St
andi
ng
behindherhepul
leddownherpanti
es..
.

Apul
a:Idi
dn'
trestl
astni
ght
..
.I'
velostcountofther
ounds.I
fyou
l
etmegoI '
l
lmakeitbett
ert
onight
...
Ipromise.
.

Monga:
(br
eat
hingheav
il
y)Soi
hav
etocar
ryabonert
hewhol
e
day
?

Apul
a:(
faceont
hewal
l
)Itwi
l
lgodownbabe.
..Youknowi
twi
l
l.
..

Heputhi
sbonerbacki
nhispant
sandpulledupherpant
iest
hen
het
urnedherar
oundandki
ssedhercheek.

Apul
a:Ihav
etogo,
I'
ll
cal
lyouwheni
gett
otheof
fi
ce.

Monga:
Alr
ight
.

Apul
a:Cani
hav
eyourCV?

Monga:
Why
?

Apul
a:Iwanttohel
pyouf
indaj
ob,
youdi
dmechani
cal
engi
neer
ingri
ght?
Monga:Yeah,
i doubtI
'l
lbesat
isf
iedbyt
hepayt
houghpl
usi
don'
t
wantt
owor kforanyone.

Apul
a:Pr
omi
semet
haty
ou'
dgof
ori
nter
viewsi
fikeeppost
ing
fory
ou.

Monga:
ButIdon'
tl
ikemaki
ngpr
omi
sesi
can'
tkeep

Apul
a:Mongay
ouneedapr
operj
ob

You'
l
lbepai
dwel
l
,you'
readegr
eehol
der

Monga:
Uhnnaket waetsegotshwar
amadi
aser
iousnott
he
moneyigetonceaf
ter28days.

Apul
a:Am iaski
ngf
ort
oomuchner
rai
fIwanty
out
otur
nyour
l
if
earound?

Monga:You'
reaski
ngmet obebr
okeandmiser
able,i
can'
t
i
maginewait
ing28daystogetmoney
.Can'
tyoujustl
ovemef
or
whoIam wit
houttr
yingt
ochangeme?

Apul
asi
ghedl
ooki
ngdownt
henhel
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
..

Monga:
Gogetr
eadyf
orwor
k,i
don'
twanty
out
obel
ate.
..

Hesmil
edandpinchedherchi
nli
keshewasbabyt
henshesmi
l
ed
andwal
kedoutsadly.
Mongapi ckedhi sphoneandclickedonhi swebsi
tesubscr
ipt
ions,
hi
smout hdr opped..Thesubscriptionshaddoubledandeach
subscr
ipti
onwas10USD.Hesmi ledindisbeli
efashecli
ckedon
hi
sPay Pal account.
..Thesewerej ustthesubscri
pti
onsnot
counti
ngt headsmoneyhe' dgetf r
om v i
ews..

Monga:Fuck!Theendl
essnumber
stur
nedhi
sey
esbot
hway
sas
heputt
hephonedown. .
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Meanwhi l
eDerr
ick'swifewalkedinhisroom i
ncrut
ches,she
si
lentl
ylai
dthem besidesthebedandl ookedatDerr
ickwhil
ehe
l
aidont hebedasleepwi t
haneckbr acethenshegrabbeda
pi
llowandpressedi toverhi
sface..
.

Her:(
clenchedherjaws)I'
drat
herbeawidowthanadivor
cee!
Aft
erev eryt
hingwebuil
ttoget
heryouwantadi
vorce?
!Iwantmy
l
if
einsur ancemoney.
..

Shepr
essedi
tdownwhi
l
eshest
ruggl
edsedat
ed.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#27

Maruwalkedincarr
yingapl
asti
coff oodandgaspedl
ookingat
her,
shedroppedthepil
lowandlookedbackatherasherhear
t
pounded.
.

Her
:(smi
l
ed)Hi
..
.Iwasj
usthel
pinghi
m getup.

Mar
uwal
kedov
erandl
ookedathi
m ashegaspedandcoughed.
..

Mar
u:HeyDer
ri
ckar
eyouOK?

Der
ri
ck:
Cal
lthedoct
or,
presst
heemer
gencybut
ton.

Hi
swi
fewal
kedt
owar
dst
hedoorbutMar
ugr
abbedherar
m..

Mar
u:Wai
t,wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Her
:Don'
ttouchmey
oumai
d

Maru:I
fyoutakeonemorest
ept hi
smaidisgoingtopunchy
ou
onthefaceandteachy
outorespecty
ourhusband.Oemahela
ha.
..
Thedooropenedandt
henur
sewal
kedi
n..

Mar
u:Shej
ustt
ri
edt
oki
l
lhi
m!

Her
:Hei
smyhusband!

Mar
u:Shej
ustt
ri
edt
oki
l
lhi
m!Pl
easecal
lthepol
i
ce.

Der
ri
ck:
(lowv
oice)Sheputapi
l
lowov
erme.

Her
:Di
di?

Thenursewalkedt
owar
dsDer
ri
ckandf
ixedhi
sneckbr
acebef
ore
wal
kingout.
..
.

Nurse:I
'l
ll
ett
hedoct
orknow,
hisbr
acehadshi
ft
edsomet
hing
happenedtohi
m..
.

I
nApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..

LateronApulawal
kedoutoft
heotherof
fi
ceandint
ohersasher
phonerang.Shepul
ledt
hechai
randsatdownpicki
ng.
.

Apul
a:Hi
..
Her
:HiMsTee..
.Igoty
ouremail
.Thedeadl
i
nef
ort
hepostof
mechani
cal
engi
neerwasyest
erday
.

Apul
a:Iknowbuti
twoul
dmeanal
ott
ome.

Her:Icanhireyoursist
erf
ort
hepostofamessengerorcl
eaner
butengineerswouldneedmetopulli
nafewpeople.Tomor
row
wear egoingthroughappl
i
cat
ions.

Apul
a:I
'
mj ustaski
ngy
out
ohi
rehi
m..
.YouknowI
'
ddoany
thi
ng
fory
outoo.

Her:
Howaboutthet
enderyainter
ior
?Myl
i
ttl
esi
sterhasa
companyt
hatdoesi
nter
iordesi
gn.

Apula:
Consideri
tdone.Wear
ey ettopostthatsoI'
ll
keepher
documentsandwewi l
ladv
ert
isethepostjustfort
hefrontt
heni
puthers.

Her
:ThanksDar
li
ng.

Apul
a:Sal
aryy
atengkebokae?

Her
:St
artke15K,
that
'sj
ustbasi
csal
ary
..
.Ther
ear
eov
ert
imes.

Apula:
Ok,t
hanks.I
'
llmakesur
eigi
vey
ouhi
scvbef
oret
heendof
theday.

Her
:By
e

Shehungupandsomeone' sphonerangatthedoor
,shegotup
andopenedthedoorlookingoutsi
de..
.Ther
ewasnoone.She
thought
ful
l
ystoodthereforami nut
eandgotbacktothetabl
e
wher
eshecar
ri
edonwor
king.
..

Att
hedr
ivi
ngschool
..
.

Thongl
ookedatt
hemir
ror
sanddidt
herever
separ
kingwhi
let
he
i
nstr
uct
orgavehi
m at
humbsup.Hedrov
eoutandparkedt
he
car
..
.

Hi
m:You'
rer
eadyf
ort
het
est

Thong:
Ihopeso.
..Thanks.
..

Hewalkedtowardstheroadashisphonerecei
vedapay
ment
not
if
icat
ion.Hecli
ckedonthe7Kpay mentandsmil
edaddi
nghow
muchhe'dmadei nafewdays..
.

Hestoodtherewai
tingforthet
axi t
henhi
seyesl
andedonthe
aut
oshopacr osst
her oad.Hecrossedt
heroadandwal
kedin
l
ookingatthei
rcar
s...

Sal
es:
Sir
,

Thong:
Cani
seesomet
hingf
or25K

Sal
es:
Alr
ight
,comet
hissi
de.
..
Hefoll
owedhim butaBenzcaughthi
seyeandhestopped
l
ookingati
tspri
ce..
.Waytooexpensi
ve!Buthel
ovedi
t..
.

Thong:
I'
ll
comebackmont
hendandgett
hisone.

Sal
es:
Howmuchdoy
ouhav
enow?

Thong:
25

Sales:
Youcanpaydeposi
tandgeti
tthenpayt
hebal
ancemont
h
end.

Thong:
Ser
iousl
y?

Sal
es:Yeah.
..I
nfacti
fyou'
recomi
ngmont
hendt
her
eisno
i
nter
est.

Thong:Br
ingt
hekeys,al
soIwantev
ery
thi
ngi
nwr
it
ingi
fyouguy
s
tr
yplay
ingmeI'l
lki
l
lyou.

Sal
es:
(laughed)Wedon'
tcheatpeopl
e..

Hehurri
edintheof
ficeandcameoutwitht
hekey
s,Thongsati
n
andstar
tedthecar
..
.Theengineransmoot
hhewhist
ledt
henhe
tookouthi
sphoneandv i
deocall
edMonga.

Monga:
(laughed)Mandi
ngowant
wael
aont
elet
sakav
ideocal
l
gor
eng?
Thong:(
laughed)Reet
saMataozen.
..I
'
minsi
deaMer
cedes-
Benz.
..
Leat
herseats!Lookatt
hest
ereo..
.

Heshowedhi
mthecarandst
eppedout
sideshowi
nghi
mthe
ext
eri
or.
.

Thong:I
'
mt aki
ngt
hiscar
,weshoul
dbeabl
etopayi
tbymont
h
endri
ght?

Monga:
Yeah,
30i
snot
hing.Asl
ongasy
oudon'
tti
rer
ebet
sahel
a.

Thong:
Alr
ight
.Iwant
edt
obesur
e

Monga:
Tel
lthem t
oputev
ery
thi
ngi
nwr
it
ingt
hough.Noi
nter
est

Thong:
Itol
dhi
mI'
l
lki
l
lhi
mift
heypl
ayme

Monga:
Andi
hopey
oumeani
t.

Thong:
(laughed)i
meani
t.

Monga:Therei
ssomeonewhoowesme12k,let
'sgocol
l
ectitka
4pm.Heistooqui
etsoit
hinkheneedsmet
oshakehishead.
Ntagoneel
acutyat
aozen

Thong:Themonnaolekgoamonna.OMat
aozenst
rai
ght
.I'
l
lbeat
tr
ansportr
egi
ster
ingt
hisbaby
.

Monga:
Sur
e.

Hehungupandst
eppedout
..
.
Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Er
icst
oodbyast
hepol
i
cet
alkedt
oDer
ri
ck.
..

Of
fi
cer
:Aomor
ena,
soy
ouwer
ejustl
yi
ngont
hebed?

Er
ic:
Hehasanecki
njur
y,whatdi
dyouexpect
?Ar
eyoumocki
ng
mybrot
her
?

Offi
cer:I
twasn'
tmeantt
osoundli
keamocker
y,i
t'
sagenui
ne
questi
on.Ther
eiswhatwecal
lsel
fdef
ense

Er
ic:
Isshegoi
ngt
obear
rest
ed?

Maru:Isawherdoi
ngi
tandassoonasshesawmeshest
epped
back.

Offi
cer
:Shewi
llbeinvest
igat
ed.
.Thanky
ouf
orl
ett
ingmeus
know.Wewil
lgetintouchwithy
ou.

Theof
fi
cerwal
kedoutast
heyst
oodt
her
e,Er
icsi
ghedandshook
hi
shead.
..

Eri
c:Whenareyougoi
ngtopunchthiswomanont
hef
ace?The
pol
icedon'
tevent
akeyourcaseser
iousl
y

Der
ri
ck:
Mypunchwi
l
lsendmet
ojai
l
.
Eric:Thereisev i
denceofabuse,themagistrat
ewil
lbelieveyou.
Cany oupleasedefendyoursel
fforonce..
.Punchherreall
ygood
ont hemout h.Shewil
lneverst
opabusingy ou.Awomanonl y
beat samanshei ssurewon'tbeatback.
..Thedayy oubreakher
teethorgi veherablueeyeshewi ll
nevertouchyou.Shewi l
ltal
k
toy oulikeaman.St oplet
tingthi
swomangetawaywi t
hsomuch.

Maru:
Ihavetogo,I'
l
ltal
ktoy
oulat
er.
..Idon'
tthi
nki
wantt
ohear
t
hisbr
otherchat
.It
sscari
ngme

Eri
c:I
'm sorr
y,I
'
m notsayi
ngheshouldbeaty
oubutshedeser
ves
i
t.
..Pleasedon'
ttakei
tthewrongway.Hemarri
edabul
lyand
honestlyt
hisdi
vorcet
hingi
stooslowforme.

Mar
u:Iunder
stand.By
eDee,
I'
ll
cal
lyou.

Shewal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoort
henEr
icsi
ghedandl
ooked
athi
m..
.

Eri
c:What'
ssohar daboutpunchingyourwif
e? !Can'
ty ouseet
he
wholecount
ryisl
aughingaty ou?Ever
yonesawherv i
deo
sl
appingyouandinsult
ingyou.Thepoli
cedon' teventakeyou
seri
ousanymore.
..Cany oupromisemey ou'
llgiveheronepunch?
Justone.

Der
ri
ck:
Ok

Er
ic:
You'
rej
ustsay
ing

Der
ri
ck:
Ipr
omi
se.
..Butonl
yifsheat
tacksmeagai
n.
Er
ic:
Thanky
ou.
.

Hesi
ghedandshookhi
shead.
..

I
nApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Latert
hataft
ernoonther
ewasaknockont
hedoorwhi
l
eApul
a
ty
pedont hecomputer.

Apul
a:Comei
n..

Herboss'
ssecr
etar
ywal
kedi
nandsmi
l
ed.
.

Her
:Hi
,MrCl
i
ntonwant
stoseey
ou.

Apul
a:(
bitherpencur
iousl
y)I
sev
ery
thi
ngOK?

Her
:Idon'
tknow,
iguessso.

Apul
a:Byt
heway
..

Shet
ookoutherphoneandcal
l
edt hesecr
etar
y,herphoner
ang
andi
twasn'
ttheri
ngtonef
rom ear
lier
..
Her
:I'
mri
ghther
e,whyar
eyoucal
l
ing?

Apul
a:Sor
ry.Iwant
edt
ocal
lsomeoneel
se.ThanksI
'
llbet
her
e.

Her:
Pleasehur
ryhei
swi
thMrJohnandMrI
sago.They
'r
eint
he
boar
droom.

Apula'
shear
tski
ppedasthesecretar
ywalkedout
,shecl
osedher
documentandfi
xedherhai
rheadingtot
heboardroom.

Onceatt
hedoorshetookadeepbreat
handopenedthedoor
t
henshewalkedi
n,t
herewassil
enceasthegent
lemensatther
e
l
ooki
ngather.

Shesatdownandpul
l
edherhai
rbackl
ooki
ngatt
hem.
.

Apul
a:Goodaf
ter
noon.
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#28

I
ntheboar
droom.
..

Cli
nton:Goodaf ter
noonMsTsat si
ng.
..Weunderst
anditsalr
eady
ti
meupsot hiswon'tbel
ong.Thehighpeopl
ewer eimpressedby
yourpresentat
ioninGaboroneandthewayyou'r
emanagi ngthi
s
wholeproject,
its80%compl et
eandont i
me.Somethingthat
hardl
yhappensf orourproj
ects.

I
sago:
Andt
hisi
sourf
ir
stpr
ojectt
obemanagedbyawoman.
.

Apul
asmi
l
edsur
pri
sed.
..

John:
Str
engt
hofawomant
heysay

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.I
'
m gl
adt
oheart
hat
..

MrClint
onputalet
teronthetabl
eandsl
idov
ert
oher
,Apul
aput
herhandoveri
tandpickedi
tupreadi
ng.
..

Cl
inton:
Theywanty
out
omanaget
henewpr
ojecti
n
Pandamatenga.
Apul
a:Doest
hismeanI
'
llbemov
ingt
her
e?

I
sago:
Isn'
tthatobv
ious?

Apul
a:I
tis,
ijustwant
edt
obesur
e.Whataboutmypr
ojecther
e?

Cli
nton:
Youcoul
dcheckt
hisonceamont
h.Thepr
ojecti
sal
most
completeany
ways.

Apul
a:Pandaisveryf
arf
rom Maun.
.I'
dbesof
arawayf
rom my
fami
l
yandf r
iends.

Cli
nton:Apul
l
athelastti
mei sawmyfamil
ywasdur
ing
thanksgi
vi
ng.Successdoesn'
tcomeeasy
..
.

Ther
ewassilenceassherel
uctant
lyl
ookedatthel
ett
er,
ofcour
se
themoneywasmot i
vat
ingbutshe'
dbesof arawayf
rom Monga
andever
yone..
.

Cli
ntonputhisphoneont hetabl
eandpressedtherecor
dinghe
gotfrom oneoftheemployees.Apul
a'
sheartskippedasshe
l
ist
enedt ohersel
ftal
k..
.

Cli
nton:Nepot
ism i
sgetsyoufir
edwithi
mmediat
eeffect,
you
underst
andthatri
ght?Youreadyourempl
oymentcontr
act
corr
ect?

Apul
a:Yes.
.

I
sago:
It'
sver
ydi
sappoi
nti
ngt
haty
ou'
resohar
dwor
kingand
you'
dletper
sonali
ssuesi
nter
fer
ewi t
hyourj
ob.Any
onewho
wantsajobissupposedt
oapplytheri
ghtway.

John:Themostcr uel thi

ngy oucanev erdoi stomake
unempl oyedy outhbor rowmoneyf r
om f r
iendsandr elati
vesto
applyforaposty ouknowy oualreadygav etoy ourbrotheror
boyfri
end.Appl yingf orajobt akesal otofempl oyedpeopl e.The
ti
met heyt akepr i
ntingandsendi ngthosel etterswithhopesand
thenwai t
ingfort hecal lsforaninterview.Tr avell
i
ngasf aras
ShakaweorGabor onet oMaunf orthei nterview,researchingand
havingasl eeplessni ghttryi
ngt oimpr esy oumeanwhi leyouhired
yourfri
end.That 'sver ycruelandI '
mv erydi sappointediny ou.O
dir
aboset hogo, it'
senought hatyou'r
est ealingsomeone' sri
ghtful
post,whyputpeopl eondebt s?

Apula:Iapologi
seformybehav
iour
.Ihav
enoexcuseandi
wil
l
notdisrespectany
onebydenyi
ngit
.

Cli
nton:Befor
ei gotthisrecor
ding,
thePandathi
ngwasanoffer
thatyoucouldrejectbutnowwi tht
hisi
nsteadoffi
ri
ngyouwe
thi
nkachangeofenv ir
onmenti swhatyouneedtostop
corrupt
ion.

Apula:Iunder
stand.I
'l
ldomybest,mayIaskthatyoudon'tput
thi
swar ni
ngintowrit
ing.Iwi
l
lacceptt
hepandaprojectanddomy
best.

Cli
nton:Consi
deritdone,
andpleasebecar
eful
whatyoudowhen
you'
reinapositi
onofpower.Somanypeoplewantt
obewhere
you'
re..Dothi
ngsbythebook.

Apul
a:Iwi
l
l.I
'
m sor
ry.Pl
easef
orgi
veme,
all
ofy
ou.
I
sago:
It'
sok,
don'
tl
eti
thappenagai
n.

John:
Lett
hepandapr
ojectbeaf
reshst
art
.

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.

Cl
i
nton:
(st
ood)You'
rewel
come.
..Hav
eagoodday

Apul
a:Yout
oo.
..

Shegotupwit
hherlet
terandwalkedout.Wast
heassi
stant
managerbehi
ndt
his?Surel
yifshegotfi
redhewoul
dbeputon
herpost
..
.

Shewalkedpasthisoff
iceandknockedthenshest
uckherhead
i
nsmil
ingwhiledial
inghim wi
thahiddennumber.
.

Apul
a:Hi

Him:Hey.
.(hi
sphoner
ang,anditwast
heexactt
onef
rom ear
li
er)
Sorr
y..
.Mxm,pri
vat
enumber..
.

Apul
a:(
secr
etl
ycuti
t)Machoni
sa!

Hi
m:(
laughed)Wai
inotme.
..So,
howdi
dthemeet
inggo?

Apul
a:Ohigotanewof
fersoI'
l
lbemanagi
ngt
wopr
oject
snow.
Ketaabol
awakemadit
hisfest
ive
Fakedal
aught
er.
.

Hi
m:Congr
atul
ati
ons

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.
.By
e

Hi
m:By
e

Sheturnedaroundandwalkedinheroff
icewhereshesatdown
andsighed.Whatwouldbecomeofhernewr el
ati
onshi
p..
.It
woul
dn'tdefi
nitel
ysur
viv
ethis.
..Andhersi
stersbei
ngsoof ar
away..
.Uh.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Meanwhil
eDer
ri
cksatupwi
thhi
sneckbraceandmov edt
he
phoneashesmil
edl
ooki
ngMaruly
ingcozyonthecouch.
..

Der
ri
ck:
Iwi
shi
wasl
yi
ngt
her
ewi
thy
ou.

Mar
u:Iwi
shy
ouwer
eher
etoo,
itsabi
tchi
l
ly.Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?

Derr
ick:I
'
llbeOK.
..Er
icmanagedt
ogett
hem t
omov
emet
oa
rest
ri
ctedroom.

Maru:
Ericisagoodbrother,
idon'
tknowwhyy
ou'
real
way
s
compl
ainingabouthi
m beingbad.
Derr
ick:(
laughed)Heisabadboy
..
.Iappr
eci
atehav
inghi
m but
sometimesi j
ustfeel
li
kehei
suptonogood.

Mar
u:Hei
sjustbei
ngaki
d.Hewi
l
lgr
owup

Der
ri
ck:
Ihopeso.
.Ohmydoct
orcol
l
eaguei
sher
e.Chatl
ater

Mar
u:(
smi
l
ed)By
e

Der
ri
ck:
(smi
l
edl
ooki
ngather
)By
e

Hehungupandsi
ghedashi
scol
l
eaguesst
eppedov
erand
gr
eet
edhim.
..

Somewher
einMaun.
..
.

Lat
eronMongaandThongst
eppedoutoft
hecarandeach
cl
oseddoor
s..

Monga:
Nny aammei
t'
sgood.
..I
tsanewmachi
ne.Pr
obl
em y
ou'
re
dr
ivi
ngwit
hanID

Thong:
I'
m get
ti
ngal
i
censet
hismont
h..
.

Theguy
sappr
oachedt
hedoorandknocked.
..
Monga:Ifhedoesn'
thav
ethemoneywhat
'snext
?Iwanthi
sass
cl
i
p.Itshoul
dgivemeenoughfort
hedebt
.

Thong:
I'
m notdoi
nganot
herdude,
nev
er.Youdoi
t

Monga:
Idon'
tdot
hat

Thong:
Cal
lRandal
lthen

Monga:
Let
'sshakehi
m upf
ir
standseei
fwecangett
hemoney
..

Thedooropenedandaski
nnymanopenedt
hedoor
,hi
shear
t
ski
ppedwhenhelockedey
eswit
hMonga.

Thong:
Wher
eist
hemoney
?

Hi
m:Idon'
thav
eitonmenow.Butsomeonepr
omi
sedme
t
omorr
ow

Monga:
Wedon'
thav
etomor
row.

Thong:
Letmecal
lRandal
l
...

Hesteppedbackandtal
kedtothephonewhi
leMongasatonthe
couchandputtheot
herlegoverhi
skneemakinghi
msel
fathome.

Hi
m:Iknowi
beengi
vi
ngy
out
her
unar
oundbuti
meani
tthi
s
t
ime.
.
Thongwal
kedbackandputt
hephonei
nhi
spocket
..
.

Thong:
Myman?Madi
..
.Madi
please.
..

Monga:
Wear ewai
ti
ngforourguy
.You'
regoi
ngt
osuckhi
m and
hei
sgoingt
ouckyourS.

Hi
m:I
'
m notgay

Monga:Iknow,
ijustneedt
ohel
pyour
aisemoneytopayme.I
f
yougi
vemeahar dtimeormessupmyvideocl
i
pthat
'swhenI
'
ll
beaty
ou..
.

Ther
ewassi
l
ence,
minut
esl
atert
her
ewasaknock.
..

Thong:
I'
ll
geti
t.

Thongopenedthedoor,Randal
lwalkedinhol
dingal
ubri
cant
.The
skinnymanfear
ful
lyst
oodupbutt heguysdaredhi
m wit
hthe
eyes.Mongatookouthi
sphonewhi leThongl
ockedthedoor
..
.

Hi
shear
tpoundedast
heguy
ssur
roundedhi
m.
Monga:
Doy
ourt
hing

Theskinnymanwentf ort hedoorbutRandal

lquickl
yputhisarm
aroundhisneckandpr essedhim agai
nstt
hedoort henhepushed
downt heguy'
spantswhi leMongaslowlymov edtheiPhoneshot
tothei
rlowerbodywithoutshowingRandall
'sface.Thonghanded
him acondom thenher oll
editov
erhisshaft
,hepulledtheguy'
s
waistoverand#Remov ed.
..

MyKi
ndofMan

#29

Thonghandedhim acondom thenheroll

editov
erhisshaf
t,he
pull
edt heguy
'swai
stoverandcrackedhi
swayi nashescreamed
standingonhist
oes.
..Randal
lpul
ledoutandtur
nedhim ar
ound
hugginghim..
.

Randal
l:Davecutt
hev
ideopel
e..
.Hei
spani
cki
ngandI
'
m goi
ngt
o
hurthi
m...
Randal
ll
ookedattheguyashet
ear
ful
l
ylookedathi
m wi
thhi
s
pant
sonhisknees.

Hi
m:I
'
m goi
ngt
ogett
hemoneyt
omor
row.

Randall
:Li
sten.
..Idon'
twantt
ohurtyou.
.Wearewaypastt
hat
stage.NowIwanty outocl
oseyoureyesandr
elax,
orel
sei
ts
goingtohurt
.

Randal
llookedathisl
it
tl
eli
psandl
eanedov
erkissi
nghi
m whil
e
Mongar ecor
ded.Thongli
ft
edhi
seyebr
owsshockedandl
ooked
awaydisgusted.
..

Randal
lki
ssedhim,t
heguyslowlyki
ssedhi
m back,
Randal
l
tur
nedhim ar
oundashefacedthewall
..
.

Hi
m:Pl
ease

Randal
l
:Shh.
..Rel
axmyboy
..
.

Theski
nnymantookadeepbreat
handrel
axedhi
smuscl
esas
Randal
l
'sdi
ckheadpoppedi
nhisass.
.
Hi
m:Hhaaa

Randy
:Fuck!Ohy
ou'
resogood.
..

Randal
lputhishandaroundhi
m andstr
okedhi
sdickwhi
legent
ly
thr
usti
nghim.Theskinnyguysl
owlybeguner
ect
ingasRandysl
id
i
nandout .
..

Randy
:Yes.
..See.
..

Randyslowlypushedhi
swholedicki
nsi
dehim andl
etofhi
sdick
thenhegrabbedhiswai
standfuckedhi
m astheyst
oodbythe
door.
..

Thongwalkedintheguy'
skitchenandmadehi msel
fcereal
st hen
hetookouthisphoneandvideodial
edAt si
l
esmili
ng..
.Hef i
gured
theguysgrunt
ingwouldgetinandclosedthedoorbefor
e
hoppi
ngont hecount
erandlay i
ngonhisbackwithasmi l
e..
.

Meanwhil
ethedeeperRandall
wentthemorei
tgotunbear
abl
eas
t
heskinnyguyf
rownedtappingthewall
..
.

Hi
m:Pl
easecum.
..Pl
easecum.
..Uhhhh
Randal
lcl
osedhi
sey
esandgr
unt
edt
hrust
ingt
hroughhi
sti
ght
ass.
..
.

Hi
m:(
tear
ful
l
y)I
'
llsucki
t.
..
.Pl
ease.
..Fuck!RandyI
'
llsucki
t.
..

Randallroaredtear
ingthr
oughhi sloseassandpulledoutthenhe
pushedhi m onhisknees,t
heguypul ledoutt
hecondom and
suckedhi m asRandall
grantedfacingthecei
li
ng.Hegrabbed
bothsidesofhisheadandpul ledinandoutthenhepul l
edoutof
hismout handst r
okedhimselfasideashiscum loadslandedon
thefl
oor.

Mongal
ookedathi
m surpr
ised,
heknewhei
sal
way
ssupposed
t
ocum onsomeone'
sface.
.

Randalll
ookedhim andcontinuedoffloadingont hefl
oor
, t
his
l
itt
ledudewasnotbi sexual
,atleastnotnow, sohewasn' tabout
tomakehi mthrowup.Heshookhi sdickandsi ghedthenhe
pull
edhim upandkissedhim beforeturninghi m aroundand
hugginghimfrom behindwhilehestrokedhi sdi ck.
..

Theski
nnyguy'
sstomachti
ght
enedasRandal
lrubbedhisdi
ck,
Mongacutthevi
deoandjoi
nedThongi
ntheki
tchen.Randal
l
ki
ssedhi
sneckandst
rokedhi
sdi
ckst
andi
ngbehi
ndhi
m..
.

Hi
m:(
closedhi
sey
es)uhhhh.
..
.Fast
er!

Randal
lst
rokedhi
mfast
erashegr
unt
edandspr
ayedhol
ding
Randy'
swri
st..

Hi
m:Uhhhhshi
t!

Hesi
ghedandpul
l
eduphi
spant
swhi
l
eRandyzi
ppedhi
s..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#29

I
ntheki
tchen.
..

MeanwhileThongwashedthebowl
inthesinkandpl
acedi
t
pr
operlyonthestandwhi
l
eMongast oodbysendi
ngthecl
i
pto
Er
icforthefi
naledit
..

Thong:
Isi
tgood?

Monga:
Bet
tert
hani
thought
,Randal
lhandl
edi
tbet
ter
.

Thong:
Sonf
anaoj
agot
hegal
e?

Monga:
Yeah,
hef
ucksany
thi
ngwi
thahol
e.

Thong:
Idi
dn'
tknowt
hat
..Let
'sgo,
itol
dAt
sil
eI'
m comi
nghome.

I
nthebat
hroom Randal
lst
oodbywhi
l
etheski
nnyguyshower
ed.
.

Randal
l
:Idi
dn'
tgety
ourname

Hi
m:That
o

Randal
l
:Al
ri
ght
,howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
Helookedathi
sfeetast
heshowerwat
erpassedt
hrought
henhe
t
houghtful
l
ywiggl
edhist
oes.
.

That
o:Idon'
tknow,ican'
tbeli
evet
hisjusthappened.If
eel
lessof
aman..
.Aretheygoi
ngt opostmyfaceonFacebook?

Randal
l
:No,no,
mostoftheti
mewecutoutt heheadsandwhen
weshowthebodyi
t'
sonananglethatdoesn'
tshowtheface.
Don'
tworr
yabouti
t,I
'
llmakesur
eyourfacedoesn'
tcomeout.
Howmuchdoy ouowehim?

Thato:12K.
..ButI
'm ki
ndofgl
adipaiditof
f.Thet
rut
hisidon'
t
havemoney .Il
ostmyjobandI'
m al
readydeali
ngwit
hmy
withdr
awals.Nobodypromi
sedmemoneybecauset heyknowI'
m
aloser.

Randal
l
:You'
renot.
..Youj
ustneedt
heri
ghtcrowd.Moneyi
seasy
tomakebutalotofpeopl
ethi
nkmoral
spay..Ri
chpeopl
edon'
t
car
eaboutsuchthi
ngs.

Ther
ewasaknockont
hedoor
..
.

Monga:
Randynar
aav
aamr

Randal
l
:Sur
e,seey
oul
ater
.

Monga:
Ex-
sehThat
owee?
That
o:(
closedt
het
apandl
i
stened)Yeah?

Monga:
Wear
edone,
thi
swi
l
ltakecar
eofy
ourdebt
.

That
o:Soy
ou'
l
lnev
erbot
herme?

Monga:Yeah,I'
m notabul
l
yI'
mjustabusi
nessman.Yourdebt
hasbeensett
led.

That
o:Ok,
gonemmenekesenamadi
.Thanks

Monga:
Iknow,
Oshapoaker
e?Randygagor
ubel
elemoo?

That
olaughedandshookhi
sheadr
ubbi
ngt
hewat
erof
fhi
sface.
..

That
o:I
'
m good,
wear
ejustt
alki
ng.

Monga:
Alr
ight
,cheer
sguy
s

Bot
h:Sur
e.

Theguysl
eftwhi
leRandall
stoodbythenhet
ookoffhi
scl
othes
andgoti
ntheshower.Theyshower
edandwalkedouti
nshort
s..
.

Randal
l
:So,
doy
ouhav
eagi
rl
fr
iend?

Thato:IguessIdo.
..Butt
hingshav en'
tbeenthesamesincei
lost
myjob.Wehav eadaughterandIt hinksheischeati
ngonme.
Justthatwhenyou'
rebrokey oucan'tspeak.You?
Randal
l:Ihave5kids,5di
ff
erentmot
her
sbutipr
omi
seI'
m nota
pl
ayer.
..Ij
ustcan'
tstandawomanwhot al
kst
oomuch.

That
o:(
laughed)Iunder
stand.
..Ij
ustkeepqui
etmostoft
het
ime
andl
etherinsul
tme.

Randal
l
:(l
aughed)Al
ri
ght
..
.

That
osatonthecouchandfli
nchedsi
tt
ingwi
thonebut
t.Randal
l
l
aughedathi
m andhelaughed.
..

Randal
l
:Let
'sgogetpai
nki
l
ler
s

That
o:Idon'
thav
emoney

Randal
l
:I'
l
lgi
vey
ou2cl
i
paor
eke.Sol
astt
imeoi
sasuppor
tke
l
eng?

That
o:Lasty
ear
,shedoesn'
ttal
ktome.Iexpl
ainedt
hati
lostmy
j
obbutshewon'
tevenletmeseemykids.

Randal
l
:(l
aughed)I
'
llbor
rowyoumycarabeoi
saP500,
oreet
se
abonakol
oi.Wagoneelwakuku

That
o:Nkaej
agore,i
needtoconvincel
etswal
olamegor
epar
tof
medidnotj
ustenj
oywhathappenedearl
ier
.

Randal
l
:Iknowt
hef
eel
i
ng,
agoj
akukul
ait
eaka.
.

Theygotdr
essedandwal
kedout
..
.
Thato:
Youguy
sar
eloaded,
let
say
akaemadi
ronar
echonnene
banna?

Randal
l
:(l
aughed)Wi
l
ltel
lyouoneday
..
.Wheny
ou'
rer
eadyt
o
di
gesti
t

That
o: I
'
m notdumb, ij
ustmade12Kwi t
honevideo..
.(they
l
aughed)Ijustwantyoutoconfi
rmitsoicanst
artwor king.
Appl
icati
ondi dr
opiwakae?BonaokgweetsaRanger..
.Andi t
l
ooksnewcausey ouhaven'
tremov
edtheplast
icsintheback
seat
s.

Randal
l
:Goti
tlastweek.
..Beensav
ingf
orawhi
l
e..

That
o:Appl
i
cat
ionedr
opi
wakae?

Randal
l
:(l
aughed)I
'
llputi
nawor
dfory
ou

That
o:Good.
..

Theygoti nthecaranddroveoff,
That olookedawayandsmi l
ed..
.
Randallwasn'tt
hatbad..
.Probabl
yaf ri
endheal waysneeded.I
t
wasi ntheconcernhehadnotwant i
ngtohur thim andtheguil
tof
notwant i
ngt ol
eavehim al
onewhenhewasn' tsureifhewasok,
andnowgi v
inghim al
it
tl
esomet hingforhisdaught erand
borrowinghim acarsohecouldgetaf r
eekuku.I fthati
sn'
t
fr
iendshiphedidn'
tknownow. .
.
AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi l
eAtsi
lehandedherdaught
ert
heplat
eoffoodand
walkedinthebedr
oom whereherphonewasri
ngi
ngonthe
charger
..
.

At
sil
e:Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:I
'
m bei
ngt
ransf
err
edt
oPanda

At
sil
e:What
?That
'ssof
arawaybutatl
easty
ou'
reseei
ngnew
pl
aces

Apul
a:Ij
ustst
art
edseei
ngMonga,
it'
sthef
ir
str
eal
rel
ati
onshi
p
I
'v
ehadinyears.

At
sil
e:Whatchoi
cedoy
ouhav
e?

Apul
a:I'
m st
ressed,
ifeell
ikemybiological
clocki
sti
cki
ng.Iwant
ki
ds.
..IwantMongat oputhisl
if
eont rackandmakehonest
moneysowecanbeapr operfamil
y.

At
sil
e:I
fit
'smeantt
obethent
hisi
sthechal
l
engey
ouneedt
osee
i
fheisthemanyouwant
.

Apul
a:Tr
ue.
.

Acarstoppedout
sidethenshewal
kedtothewindowandl
ooked
out
sideasThongsteppedoutofaMercedes-
Benz.
.
Atsi
le:
WhatdoesMongaandThongdo?Thongi
shomeandheis
dri
vi
ngaBenz..
.Her
dboyekgweetsaBenzkal
oranel
ona?Thi
s
guyotsil
egonkgol
egawai
tse.

Apula:Mongahasahandgunandy ouknowpeoplear
enot
al
lowedt oownhandgunsinBotswanasoiknowit
snotfort
he
ri
ghtreasonsi
fheisnotanagentwhichi
feelhei
snot.

At
sil
e:I
'
llcal
lyoul
ater
.Thi
sisser
ious.
..

Shehungupandwalkedi
nt hel
i
vingr
oom wher
eThongwas
l
if
ti
ngherdaught
erandgi
vinghetadol
l.
..

At
sil
e:Whosecari
sthat
?

Thong: Oh,i
tbelongst oMataozen.Hebor r
owedittomef ora
whilebecausewewi ll
bewor ki
ngont hef enceofsomef arm,but
hesay shewi l
lgiv
ei ttomeifihelphim wi t
hlabour.I
'm al
so
planni
ngt ogetaf undforasmal lbusiness,I
'mjustsayi
ngsoy ou
don'tpanicwheny ouseemewi thlotsofmoney .I'
m waiti
ngfora
fund..
.Totaibi
leweappl i
edwi t
hMonga.

At
sil
e:(
suspi
ciousl
y)OK.
..

Hesmi
l
edandhuggedherbef
oreki
ssi
ngher
..
.
AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronMongadrovethr
oughthegat
eandfr
ownedlooki
ngat
Apul
a'
scarwhi
leshelai
dasleepi
nsi
dewit
hallt
hedoorsopen.

Heparkedbesideshercarandqui
etl
ywalkedov
ertohert
henhe
l
eanedoverandkissedher,shef
li
nchedandbumpedherheadon
hi
sashel eanedbackrubbi
nghisfor
ehead.
.

Monga:
Ekar
ekebedi
tswekeset
ena.
..

Apul
a:(
laughed)Mxm!I
'
m bei
ngt
ransf
err
edt
oPanda

Monga:
Can'
tyousayno?

Apul
a:Ican'
t.
..Buti
needt
oknowi
fthi
swi
l
lchangeany
thi
ng
bet
weenus.

Monga:Itdoesn'
tchangeany
thi
ng,
I'
ll
bev
isi
ti
ngy
ouev
ery
weekendifI'
m notworki
ng

Apul
a:Ial
sowantt
oknowi
fyouseeaf
utur
eforus.
..Li
ke
marr
iageandki
ds?

Monga: I
t'
stooearl
yformet ogi
veyouananswert obothofy our
questi
ons.I
fitwasbeforet
heRandallthi
ngI'
dsaysomet hing
becauseyoumanagedt ost
ay5y ear
swi t
houtamanbuti don't
evenknowi ft
hat
'str
uesorightnowogi r
lf
ri
endanditendst here.
Alsoidon'
twantyoutomaket hemistakeofthi
nki
ngyoucanf i
x
me,
whaty
ouseei
swhaty
ougetsot
akei
torl
eav
eit
.
MyKi
ndofMan

#30

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..
.

LateronApulal
aidonthebedwi t
hherbackagai
nstt
he
headboardandabowl ofsnacksonherl
apassheatewhil
e
Mongar emovedthenailpol
i
shonhertoeswitht
heti
ssue
remover.

Hisphonerangt
henhepi
ckeditupandputitbet
weenhi
s
shoul
derandearwhi
l
ehecleanedhert
oes..
.

Monga:Man- Dee..
..(
laughed)Yeah( l
ookedatt het i
me)West i
ll
haveti
me..
.Spendt i
mel emosadi monna. .
.(laughed)Hee?Aeno,
idon'
tchi
llwiththestuff.
..Togabant waela.
...(laughed)Randal
l
wagotwaela..
.Hei swithThato?Baat hola..
.howt hewhit
ebaby?
Benzisnotforsmal lboys..
.(l
aughed)Alri
ghtShapo.

Hehungupandsi
ghedkissingherfeetandlay
ingbet
weenher
l
egs,
heputasi
dethebowl andkissedher.
..

Monga:
I'
m goi
ngf
ordr
inkswi
thManD
Apul
a:Whoi
sManD?

Monga:Thong,
itwon'
tbef
orl
ong.
..I
twi
l
lbef
or2hour
sor3
max.
..

Apul
a:Ok,
I'
ll
gobackt
omyhouse

Monga:BecauseI
'
m goingoutf
ordri
nkswithmyboy
?I'
m not
goi
ngtocomebacklategakeit
isel
ebaka.

Apul
a:Soi
justsi
ther
eandwai
tfory
ou?

Monga:
Yes

Apul
a:Oser
iousner
ra?

Monga:
I'
mver
yser
ious

Apul
a:Whycan'
tIcomewi
thy
ou?

Monga:You'r
enotcomingany
wherecloset
odri
nki
ngordri
nki
ng
peopl
e,you'
reonyourr
oadtorecov
ery
.Iwasser
iousgaker
eo
l
esebojalwa.

Apul
a:Sowhyar
eyoudr
inki
ngi
fit
ssobad?

Monga:
Becausedr
inksdon'
tmakemehor
nyt
hat
'swhy
.

Shet
ri
edt
ospeakandheki
ssedher
..
.

Monga:
Cani
justgooutwi
thoutf
eel
i
nggui
l
ty?

Apul
a:If
eel
li
key
ou'
real
way
srude.Cany
oubeal
i
ttl
eni
cer
?
Hel
ookeddownt hought
ful
l
ythenhel
ookedatherandki
ssedt
he
t
opofhernose.
..

Monga:
Sor
ry,
I'
ll
wor
koni
t.
..

Hej umpedof fthebedandpul

ledheroverbythel
egsbefor
e
pickingherupandwal ki
ngint
hebathroom.Sheputonashower
capandt heyst
oodundertheshowerhead..
.Hecuppedbot
hof
herbr eastspl
ayful
l
y..

Monga:Il
ovey
ourbi
gbr
east
s..
.Il
ovei
twhent
heyf
il
lmyhands
l
iket
his.
..

Heleanedoverandsuckedherni
pplebefor
eki
ssi
ngherneckand
l
if
ti
ngherleg,sheputherhandsoverhi
sshoul
der
sashedirect
ed
hi
sbeadedweaponbet weenherfol
dsandgotonefort
heroad.
..
.

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Atsi
lewalkedinthebathroom whi
l
eThongtri
mmedhi sal
ready
tr
immedbear d,shestoodbythedoorst
ari
ngathimthenhe
walkedpastherwhist
lingandgotint
hebedroom wher
ehe
gr
abbedhi
sTshi
rtandputi
ton.
..

Thong:
Babecomeher
e!

Heputonhi
ssneaker
sandst
oodupget
ti
nghi
sphone.
.

Thong:
Howdoi
look?

At
sil
e:You'
rest
il
lgoi
ngout
?

Thong:
Yeah,
why
?

At
sil
e:It
houghty
ousai
dsi
ncei
hav
eaheadachey
ou'
dst
ayup
wi
thme.

Thong:Babeyou'r
esupposedtosl
eepwhenyouhav
ea
headache.
.Igaveyouthepil
l
ssoyouhavetol
aydown.

At
sil
e:Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?

Thong:
3hour
shel
a..
.

At
sil
e:I
t'
sMat
aozenandwho?

Thong:
Eri
c,why
?

Atsi
l
e:I
'm shi
ver
ingandifeel
li
keI'
m cat
chi
ngacold.Ot
lhet
ook
ngwanasoIdon'tt
hinki
t'
ssafetol
eavemealone.

Thong:
You'
rer
ight
,(t
ookouthi
sphone)Letmet
alkt
oMat
aozen.
.

At
sil
e:(
smi
l
ed)OK.
.
Hest
eppedoutanddi
aledhi
m..
.

Hi
m:Yeah.
.

Thong:Cany ouaskApul atocomeov er?Mot hokey ootsenwa

kefevarahelaabonakeapar akeemelela.
..I
'
m notevengoingto
quest
ionit.Myf at
hert aughtmenev ertoarguewithawoman
wheny ou'
reabouttol eav ebecauseshemi ghtj
ustlockthehouse
andthrowoutthekey sorhi deallyourshoesorevengi v
ey ou
somethingforrunningst omachsoy oucancomehomesooner .

Hi
m:(
laughed)Ok,
I'
ll
tel
lher
.

Thong:I
'm goi
ngtocelebr
atetheBenzmonna,
oketammona
phakel
awaat shameka.Iaskedhert
ocomewithmeandshesai
d
shedoesn'
tgooutatnight

Him:whichi
sgood.Apul
acan'tgooutkel
etagwal
elemor
ehab.
I
'm br
ingi
ngherov
ertohergoodsist
er.

Thong:
Sur
e

Hehungupandwal kedbacki
nthehouse,assoonasshesaw
hi
m shecoughedrubbi
ngherarms.Hegrabbedafl
eeceand
wrappedherupt
henhekissedhercheek.
..

Thong:
Ical
l
edMat
aozen,
hei
scomi
ngwi
thLal
a,ot
asal
arona
aber
etswar
othe.

Thesi
cknessonherf
acedi
sappear
edasshel
ookedathi
m..
.

Thong:Pleasekeepwarm.
..Cal
lmeany
time,
il
ltr
ynott
omi
ss
yourcal
lsthoughitwi
l
lbenoisy
.

Heki
ssedherl
i
psandgotof
fthebed.
..

Thong:Letmef
ixy
ouahomer
emedywi
tht
hel
emons.
..Lay
down..
.

Hewalkedint
hekit
chenandmadeheraqui ckremedyt
henhe
wal
kedbackinwit
hthewar m cup.Shegott
hecupandfakeda
smi
lel
ookingathi
ml ooki
nghandsome...

Hepickedabot
tl
eofperf
umeandspr ay
edhi
msel
f,t
her
ewasa
hoot
erthenhegr
abbedhiscarkey
s..

Thong:ThatmustbeMataozenandyoursi
ster
..(
leanedov
er
ki
ssingher)Il
oveyoubabe.
..Keepwar
m..
Hewal
kedoutandpastApul
a..

Apul
a:Hi

Thong:
Hi.
.

HeandMat
aozenbumpedshoul
der
ssmi
l
ing,
hehandedhi
mthe
key
sandt
heygoti
n.

Mongast ar
tedt
hecaranddr oveoutwhil
eThongputthemusic
andreachedtotheback.Heremovedthetowelcover
ingt
he
cool
erboxandpi ckedtwobott
leshol
dingthem wi
thonehand
andaf i
ngerbet
weent hem ashehandedMonga.

Mongapoppedtheli
dandr oll
eddownthewindowt henheli
ft
ed
hi
sbeerandletgoofthesteeri
ngwheelashekickedthel
idwith
hi
sfi
ngerandtookasip..
.

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
l
eApulaf
oldedherar
msl
ooki
ngatAt
sil
easshesi
pped
t
hehomeremedy.
.
Apul
a:Sowhyar
eyouev
endr
inki
ngi
tbecausey
ou'
renotsi
ck?

At
sil
elookedati
tandr
emember
edt
hensheputi
tasi
de.
..

Apul
a:Let
'sgoout
..
.Thur
sdayi
sladi
esni
ght
..

Atsi
l
e:No,
idon'
tdoni
ghtt
hings.Youknowt
hat
..Whati
fimeet
Thongt
her
e?

Apula:Wewon' t
...Wear enotgoi ngwheret hey'
regoing.Idon'tgo
tobarsandcl ubs. .
.Igot ohot elbars..
.They'r
emuchmor e
classi
erandt hereisnocr owd, it
'sjustafewpeopl eandt hereis
l
ivemusic.Pleasecomewi t
hme. .Wedon' thavet owaitherelike
desperat
ehousewi v es.
..Iwantt ogooutandhav efun.Iwor kall
weeksodur ingt heweekendIwantt odosomet hi
ngf orfun
especial
l
ybecauseMongadoesn' tseemarriageinusany t
ime
soon..
.Pleasedon' tsayno. ..Iwantt oseey ouinpant s.
.Thatol d
mani snotpar tofy ourlif
eany mor esoyoucanbey oungagai n..

At
sil
e:Idon'
thav
eni
ghtcl
othes

Apula:
Let'
sgotomyhouse,
I'
ll
bor
rowy
oumycl
othesanddo
yourmakeup.
.

Atsi
l
e:Di
dn'tyousayMat
aozensai
dhebannedyoufrom goi
ng
outordr
inki
ngbecausey
oucan'
tcont
rol
yoursel
faf
terdri
nki
ng?

Apul
a:Whoi
sgoi
ngt
otel
lhi
mi wentout
?Andi
won'
tdr
inkal
ot.
I
fidri
nkt
oomuchwecomeback.
.

At
sil
e:Ok.
..
Theygotupandl
ockedt
hehouset
hent
heydr
oveof
f.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
ert
hatni
ghtAtsi
lest
oodi
nfr
ontofthemir
rorl
ooki
ngat
her
sel
fandsmil
ed,Apul
awal
kedoverandsmil
edinherout
fi
ttoo
ashe'
dphoner
ang..
.

Shepi
ckedt
hev
ideocal
lofMar
ulay
ingunder
cov
ers.

Apul
a:Hey

Mar
u:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?Obat
agoi
pol
aisaMat
aozenaker
e?

Apula:Idon'
tl
ikebei
ngcont
rol
l
ed,il
ikehav
ingfunmoresot hat
I
'm notevengoingoutsomencanbuymedr i
nks.Ij
ustwantto
havefun..
.

At
sil
e:Let
'sgot
oget
her

Maru:AeIwanttobehomesoIcanv i
deocallal
lni
ghtwit
h
Derr
ick.Wechatunt
ilwef
all
asl
eep.Ican'
trel
axbecauseifeel
l
ikei
fi cl
osemyeyeshiswi
fewi
llsnapagai
n.

At
sil
e:Ok.

Mar
u:(
laughed)Gi
rl
s!Lebant
egor
e!Youl
ookl
i
kest
ri
pper
s.
Koor
elet
aar
engi
fyoumeetMat
aozenandThong?

Apul
a:I
'l
lhi
deeveni
ftheeart
hhastocr
ackformetosli
dei
n.
Mataoz
endoesn'
tpl
aybatho,neant
swalet
seint
jecof
fi
n.

Mar
u:Gawabakamme.

Apula:
UhI'
mleavingMaun.Thesearemylastdays.
.Youknow
monatewaMauncan'tbefoundelsewher
e..Ineedali
tt
le
goodbyeMaunfun.

At
sil
e:l
et'
sgommaheel
sar
ebur
ningmeal
ready
..

Mar
u:(
laughed)Banuza!Shap

Bot
h:Shap.
..

Shehungupandt
heywal
kedout
..
.

Apul
a:Letmegetonefort
her
oadkanagobat
aogor
ogaka
pl
akanyanay
aSavanna.

At
sil
e:Youhav
ebeeri
nher
e?

Apul
a:Yes.
..Ihi
ditbehi
ndt
heboxoreggs.Neosai
pot
segor
e
boxyanotwaneebataengmofri
dge.

Shegrabbedthepackandcl
osedt
hef
ri
dget
henshel
ockedt
he
houseandtheygotint
hecar.
At
sil
e:Iwantaj
uice.
..Idon'
twantt
odr
ink.
..

ApulaputSleazy&Mel l
ow"WiiWii"andsnappedherf i
nger
s
noddingherheadsticki
nghertongueoutbeforeleani
ngoverand
remov i
ngthesavannacapwithherteeth.Sheknockedoffthecap
withhermiddlefi
ngerli
keHeyNy enaandt ur
nedupt hevol
ume...

Apula:
(singi
ngal ong)Shi
ki
ti
..
.Shiki
ti
!Shh..Shh.
.Shh.
..Aker
e
wii
..
Wii.
..
wii.
..(
sipped)Yoooooooo!Haibooo

Sheputthebott
lebet
weenherl
egsanddr
oveoutast
heynodded
thei
rheads.At
sil
echangedt
hemusi
c.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#31

Att
hehot
el.
..
.

Lat
erthatni
ghtApul
aandAtsi
leplayedpoolwit
hsomewhi
te
guyswhil
ecountr
ymusicpl
ayedinthebackground.
..

Apulawal
kedbehi
ndhersi
sterandhel
dthepool
sti
ckt
eachi
ng
herhowtopl
aypool.
..

Apula:Youhav
etohi
tabal
lthatwi
l
lgi
vey
ouascor
e..
..Ai
mfor
thatone.
..

Theyai
medtogetherandt
hebal
lfel
li
nsi
de.
.Thet
wowhi
temen
smil
edandnodded..
.

Hi
m:NotbadLal
a..
.i
t'
sLal
ari
ght
?

Apul
a:Yup

Hi
m:You'
regood
Shecur
tsey
edandhehonour
edbef
orepl
ayi
ng.
..

Hi
m:Sowhatdoy
oudo?

Apul
a:I
'
m pr
ojectmanager
..
.

Him:That'
scool,beaut
ywit
hthebr
ains.
..
I'
m hereforawi
ldl
if
e
documentary.Youshoul
dwatchmydocument ar
iesonNati
onal
Geography.
.

Apul
a:I
'
dli
ket
hat
..
.

Hehandedhi
sbrot
hert
hepool
sti
ckt
henhel
eanedov
erand
pl
ayedwit
hAtsi
l
e..
.

Hi
m2:
Hey
..
.You'
reawf
ull
yqui
et

At
sil
e:(
Set
swanaaccent
)Hel
l
o..
.

Hi
m2:
Whatdoy
oudo?

At
sil
e:What
?

Shepausedpl
ayi
ngandlookedathi
sli
pstryi
ngtoatl
east
underst
andf
rom hi
sli
psasEngli
shsoundedli
keasoundfr
om
hyena..
.
Hi
m2:
What
-do-
you-
do?

At
sil
e:Not
hing

Hi
m2:
Oh,
you'
reahomemaker

At
sil
e:I
'
m notgoodwi
thEngl
i
sh

Hi
m3:(smi
l
edadmi
ri
ngl
y)I
'
m notgoodTswana.
..Ionl
yknow
dmel
a

Theyl
aughedl
ooki
ngatoneanot
her
..
.

Hi
m2:
I'
m St
ewar
t,y
ourname?

At
sil
e:At
sil
e

Hi
m2:
Asi
l
le

At
sil
e:(
smi
l
ed)Ah-
ts-
il
e

Him2:A-t
s-i
le.
..Youhav
eaWhi
tneyHoust
onsmi
l
e..
.You'
re
beaut
if
ul.
..

At
sil
e:Thanky
ou.
..

Meanwhi l
eApulaandtheotherwhi
teguysatbyt
hecounter
chatt
ing,shepi
ckedherfor
thbeerandremember
edMonga's
words..Shesi
ppedonelastti
meandputitdownthenshestood
up..
Apul
a:Ihav
etogohomenow.
.

Hi
m:Ohcomeony
ouj
ustgother
e..Let
'shangoutf
oraf
ew
mi
nut
es.

Apul
a:Yeahbuti
want
edt
opl
aypool
..
.Ihav
eacr
azyboy
fri
end

Hi
m:(
laughed)Ohi
see,
itot
all
yunder
stand.I
t'
scool
..
.

Shewalkedtowar
dshersi
sterandgr
abbedherar
m smi
l
ingatt
he
otherman.
.

Apul
a:Hi
fri
end,
igot
tagether

St
ewar
t:Real
l
y?Comeon.
..
cani
hav
eyournumberAt
sil
e?

At
sil
e:74

Apul
a:Shehasacr
azyboy
fri
end.
..By
e

Shegrabbedherandt
heywalkedoutasAtsi
lesmi
l
edandwav
ed
athi
m...Hesmil
edathersadl
yandsighed.
..

Oncei
nthepar
kingl
otAt
sil
emov
edherar
m awayandsi
ghed.
.

At
sil
e:Iwast
alki
ngt
oawhi
teman
Apula:Youhaveaboyf
ri
end..
.Thongseemscrazyl
i
keMonga.I
j
ustwantt ohaveasmuchfunasi canbef
orewegohome.No
cheati
ng..
.

At
sil
e:Buthei
sawhi
temanandi
twoul
dbecool
to-

Apul
a:Heiwena!Thi
siswhathappens..
.Youstaysi
ngl
e..
.No
manwantsy ouandtheminutey
ougetaboy f
ri
endwithagunall
menwantyou.It'
sdeathcal
li
ngyou.
..I
'
m notansweri
ngtodeat
h.
Ij
ustwantfun.
..

Somegi r
lswalkedoutofthehotellooki
ngbeauti
ful
,theygasped
recogni
singApulaandhurri
edov erasthei
rheel
smadehor se
sounds.Theyallhuggedandlaughed..

Her
:Hi
,DJHondai
spl
ayi
ngatt
hecl
ub.Ar
eyougoi
ng?

Apul
a:Idi
dn'
tknowhei
sher
e..
.Hondabat
hong.Letmegosayhi

Her
:Ihar
dlyseey
oupl
ayi
ng,
doy
oust
il
ldo?

Apul
a:Foundabusyj
obandl
aidl
owf
orawhi
l
e..
.Let
'sgo.
.

Theyal
lgoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..
.

COMMERCI
ALBREAK,
INSERTCONTI
NUESAFTERTHI
S
ThePeopl
e’
sFest
ival
Tour~Maun

Per
for
mancesBy:

Makhadzi|Fr
anco&Af roMusi
ca|ChamaGal|
PrinceKay
bee
(RSA)|Team Di
stant|
Eski
mos| LaTimmy|
ShankyBri
z|Sti
ger
Sola|MCMaswe&TheBeaut yQueens|

Dj
’
s:Modr
ic|
Bunz|
KSB|
MrBr
own|
Sly(
RB2)

MCs:
HeyNy
eeena|
T.H.
A.B.
O|LeboMol
ax(
RSA)|
Modi
dima

Dat
e:22December2021

Venue:
MaunSt
adi
um

Ti
me:12Noon

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cket
s:

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rd

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andar
d

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hegat
e

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Cool
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owedbef
ore8(
P50)

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CKETSAVAI
LABLEI
NALLSPARS(
Webt
icket
s)

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lCOVI
Dpr
otocol
stobeobser
ved

Att
heCl
ub.
..
.

Apul
aandhersi
stert
oget
herwi
thherf
ormercl
assmat
eswal
ked
i
nthecl
ub.
..

Apul
aheldhersi
ster
shandandwalkedi
nthenshewal
ked
upst
air
s,t
hebouncersst
oppedher
..

Apul
a:Hi
Tiger

Bouncer
:(smi
l
edr
ecogni
singher
)OhDJBabybuty
ou'
rest
il
lnot
goi
ng..

TheDjplayi
ngmusicturnedandsawhernegot i
ati
ngwit
htheDJ
thenhewavedherover.Shestuckhertongueouttot
hebouncer
andwalkedpasthi
m holdinghersi
ster
..
Apul
a:Heyy
ou

Dj
:Longt
ime.
..

Apulagrabbedahubblybubblyfrom herfor
merclassmateanf
andstoodbypuf f
ing,
Atsil
eturnedaroundandlookedathersi
ster
asshepuf f
edoutsmokei nseveralr
ingsandeventuall
ymade
shapesbeforeshesputital
loutandcar r
iedondancing.

TheDJputdownhi
sheadphonesandgr
abbedherar
m..
.

Dj
:(ont
hemi
c)Doy
our
ememberDj
Baby
!?Comegi
veusal
i
ttl
e
mi
x!

Apul
ahandedAtsi
l
ethebubbl
yandgrabbedtheheadphones,she
bi
therl
owerli
pandtur
nedthebut
tons.
..Thecr
owdinr esponse
andshesmil
ednoddi
ngherhead.
..

Atsil
eslowlyputthebubblyonhermouthandpuff
ed,she
coughedouthor r
iblyandhandedbackt
heguyhisthi
ngy.From
thedjstandsherecognisedMongaandThongwalkinginand
greeti
ngafewguy s.
.

Shet
urnedar
oundandgr
abbedApul
a'
sar
m..
At
sil
e:Monga!
!

Atsi
legotonherkneesandcr awledback,Apul
alookedatthe
guysandputdownt hemi c,
Mongaf rownedlooki
ngatthestands
asApulatur
nedgivi
ngt hem herback..
.shegr
abbedthebubbly
andwalkedtotheotherguy..

At
sil
e:Gonal
ebackdoorkahar
ight
?Cany
out
akemeout
,pl
ease.
.
Now!

Theguywal
kedoutwi
thherasAt
sil
ecr
awl
edf
oll
owi
ngt
hem.
.

Meanwhilei
ntheclubMongaheadedtothetoi
letsandtookout
hisphonedi
ali
ngApulabutther
ewasnoanswer .Thebeerlosti
ts
tast
eandhelefti
tonthesinkashewalkedoutandjoi
nedThong.

Monga:
I'
m comi
ng

Thong:
What
'sup?

Monga:Thechickont
sengaemekwal ookslikeApulafr
om
behi
nd,
i wantt
omakesureit
'snotherbecauseLalakanait
hel
a
nkar
ewant est
a.
Thong:
Buti
nacl
ub?DJ'
i
ng?Idoubt
..Monga:
I'
m comi
ng.
..

Hewal
kedoutoft
hecl
ubandgoti
nthecart
hem hespedout
..
.

AtThong'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
erthatnightMongapar
kednextt
ohiscarandknockedont
he
door
..
.Atsil
eopenedthedoorwi
thaplai
nfaceinherpyj
amas.
.

At
sil
e:(
yawni
ng)Hi
,wher
eisThong?

Mongawal kedinwit
houtsay
inganythi
ngandheadedtothe
bedroom whereAtsi
l
ewassleepi
ngsnor i
ng.Hewalkedt
oher
si
deoft hebedandsquatt
edopeninghermouthashesniff
edher
breath.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#32

Apul
ajumpedandsatupl
ooki
ngathi
m..
.

Apul
a:Di
dyouj
ustsni
ffme?Yousmel
ll
ikebeer
.Ar
eyoudr
unk?

Mongaleanedbacksuspi
ciousl
ylookingather
.Nowt hatshe
menti
onedithewasn'
tsureifhepickeditf
rom herori
twashim.
..

Monga:
Yousmel
lgar
li
c

Apul
a:What
'sgoi
ngon?

Monga:
Ijustwant
edt
owakey
ouupwi
thaki
ss.
..Comeher
e..

Hesatnextt
oher
..

Monga:
Say"
haa"

Apul
a:Why
?

Monga:
Justdoi
t
Apul
a:Arey
ouchecki
ngi
fidrunk?Howwoul
dyouevenknowi
f
you'
resmel
l
ingbeery
our
sel
f.
.Babearey
oudrunk?

Shekindahadapoi
nt,
het
ookadeepbr
eat
handl
ookedar
ound
suspi
ciousl
y.
..

Monga:
I'
m notdr
unk.
..
.Iwant
edt
oki
ssy
ou.
.

Hestoodupandopenedthewardrobescal
mlybutther
ewas
not
hingsuspi
cioust
henhebentdowncheckingundert
hebed.
.

Apul
a:Whatar
eyoul
ooki
ngf
or?

Hest
oodupandl
eanedov
erki
ssi
ngheragai
nasshehel
dher
br
eat
h..
.

Monga:
Ilov
eyou.
..

Apul
a:(
conf
usedf
ace)Il
ovey
out
oo.

Hesatont
hebedandsi
ghed,
Atsi
l
est
oodatt
hedoorf
oldi
ngher
ar
ms..
At
sil
e:I
'
llwai
tint
hesi
tt
ingr
oom,
isThongcomi
ng?

Monga:
Yeah

Shewal
kedout
,Mongasi
ghedgui
l
tst
ri
ckenandr
ubbedhi
shead.
..

Monga:I'
m sor
ryf
orwakingy
ouup, Ij
ust.
..Whatif
eelforyou
scar
esme.Iwanttobeoutwitht
heguy sbutthenican'
thavefun
i
fI'
m notsuret
hatwearesaf
eony oursi
de..

Apula: Youdon' thav etowor ryaboutme, yourworri

esaregenuine
becausey oucaughtmel yi
ngbutI 'mt heverysamewomanwho
stayed5y earswi t
houtapar t
nerorev enhavingsex.Nnababeke
ratamonat e,andi knowt hisisgoingt obehar dtobeli
evebuti
don'tsleepar oundwhenI 'm drunk.I'v
ebeendr unkbefore..
.Idri
nk
l
ikemyf atherbutnev erkerobalalebanna.Idon' tdothat.
..Idon't
gooutsomencanbuymebeer .
..Igooutwi thafullt
ankkei tse
gorewheni feel drunki comehome.Cont r
ar yt
opopularbelief
notev eryladyt hatl i
kespar tyi
ngi sahoe. .
.Nomancanaf f
or dmy
pussy...Ittakesar eal manlikeyou. .
.Thatnighthappened
becausei thoughti wasdonewi thy ouibi
lei di
dn'
tli
keRandal li
j
ustwant edadi ckandy ouwer est al
li
ng.Iunderstandyoudidn't
wantt ogi vemewr ongi mpressionsbuti washor nyandy ou
turnedmeon. .
.

Monga:
Iheary
ou.
..
Hiseyesdroppedonthecarkey
s,thebonnet
!Hegrabbedt hecar
keysandwalkedoutt
henheopenedt hebonnetandtouchedthe
engi
ne,itbur
nedhisf
ingerashefl
i
nchedthenheclosed.

Apul
awal
kedoutf
oldi
ngherar
ms.
..

Apul
a:I
'
m sor
ryf
orl
yi
ng.
..Ipani
cked.
..

Monga'
sthr
oatbl
ockedashet
urnedl
ooki
ngatherwi
thr
eddi
sh
ey
es..
.

Monga:
Youwer
ewi
tht
heDJupt
her
eandoneoft
hem t
ooky
ou
out
.

Apul
a'
sey
esf
il
ledwi
tht
ear
sasshel
ookedathi
m..
.

Apula:IwasaDj backinuni ver

sity.
..Fresher'
sbal l
,MissUB, Mi
ss
Limkokwing,iwast her
e..
.igothiredi ndi
ffer
entuni ver
sit
iesand
otherstudent
shiredmef ortheirper sonalpart
iesandi made
quickcash.Studentall
owancewasenoughf orrentandfoodbuti
l
ikegoingoutandl ooki
nggoodt houghIwasnev ergoodat
dependingonmenf ormoney ..
.Keswabagokopamadi plusIl
i
ke
part
yingsoi can'taskf
ormoneyev er
yweekend.Ihadt
othinkof
wayst omakemyownmoney ..
.ThatDJi
smyf ormercl
assmate.
Wegr aduatedthesamey earsoiwentupther
eandhegav eme
thefl
oorwhi lehewenttopee.Ienj
oyedt
hat60secondsbefore
youwal kedin..
.

Mongal
eanedagainstt
hebonnetdefeat
edandfoldedhisar
ms,
shewal
kedoverandputherar
msov erhisshoul
dershuggi
ng
hi
m..
.

Apul
a:Dr
inki
ngisnotmyprobl
em,
igetdrunkkapel
abutial
way
s
gohome.
.Trustmeonthatmmehelatodaywasaboutf
un.

Monga: (t
ookherarmsoffhi
sshoulder
s)Ah-
ehbabegaodi
re
sente..
.AndI'
mjustworr
iedaboutyoubei
ngsuchagood
l
iar.
..
.howdidyouevendri
vethatqui
ck?

Shef
oldedherar
msandsi
ghedembar
rassed.
..

Apula:Iboughtacarbefor
eihadali
cencesoi knowal
ltheshort
cutsbecausei usedtor
unwhenthepoli
cestoppedme.You
knowtheygety ourcari
fyoudon'
thaveali
cencesoial
way sran.
.

Monga:I
fididn'
tthi
nkofthebonneti
woul
dhav
ethoughti
was
cr
azy.
.Thatengi
neisveryhot
Apul
a:(
gri
nnedembar
rassed)Ihav
ebeent
oldi
dri
vel
i
keaman.
..

Mongal
ookedatherandsi
ghed.
.

Monga: Youcouldhaveranoveradrunkar
doradonkey,
you'
dbe
conf
inedtoachai r
..
.Andthenyouwashy ourf
aceandevencl
ean
upalcohol?Ican'
tevengetri
dofalcoholi
nmybreath

Apul a: Myf atherwasast r

ictman, strictpar entsr aisel i
ars...My
mot herwasgoodbutwhenshedi edourf at
herwashear t-broken
andt hepr essurewasonmeast hel astbor n...Hewant edmet o
makeherpr oud.Hewassost ri
ct..
.Thef ami l
ygav ehi m my
mom' ssi stertocomehel phimr aiseusbecausewewer ej ust
gir
ls.I twasal it
tlebetterbecauseshemanagedt ocont rol him.
Shewasbet terthanmamashecoul dspeakf orusbutev ent heni
sti
llhadt olieaboutev eryt
hingbecausesheal sowant edt hebest
forus.Ist arteddr i
nkingkebal af orm 5andbyt heni knewt hat
youbr ushy ourt eeth,usemout hwash, pepper mi ntthengar lic.It
's
tempor aril
yandi fyouclosef ormout hf ortool ongy ou'll
st i
ll
smel l al
cohol becauseal cohol comesf rom y ourl ungs.Thi st ri
ck
onlywor kswheny ouknowsomeonei saboutt ochecky our
breat h..
.I'm sorryforbei ngal i
ar, I
'
ll wor koni t..
.I '
m act uall
y
wor kingoni tnowbybei nghonest .Iknowt hatI '
m agoodl i
arand
ili
ecal mlybutI 'm sorry.Onet hingy ou' rewr ongabouti smebei ng
vulner ablewhenI 'm drunk.Istay ed5y earswi thoutsexbuti was
sti
llpar tyingev eryoncei nawhi l
e...Beenbusybutf unandsex
don'tmeant hesamet hingtome.
Mongal
ookedatherandsi
ghed.
..

Apul
a:Isatisf
ymy sel
fathomeifiwantsexualpl
easur
e.
Mastur
bationcanbeadditi
veandit
shardtof i
ndagooddick.
..I
avoi
ddisappoint
mentbyjustpl
easuri
ngmy sel
f.

Monga:
Cani
wat
chy
oudoi
t?

Apul
a:(
smi
l
edembar
rassed)OK.
.

Heleanedov
err
eachi
ngf
orherhandandpul
l
edhercl
oserast
hey
hugged.
..

Monga:
Thanksf
ory
ourhonest
y.

Shel
eanedbackandsmi
l
edl
ooki
ngathi
m..
.

Apul
a:Doest
henameAf
ri
canboy
s.Com r
ingabel
l

Hishear
tski
ppedashel ookedather
,shet
ookoutherphoneand
showedhim herf
avour
it
eact or
..
.
Apul a:Wheni fi
rstsubscr i
bedt othiswebsi t
ei twasj ustt hi
sguy ,
washi nghi sdick,mast urbati
ng,itwasj ustbr eat
hi ngtaking
seeingaguymast urbati
ng..Il
ikedthewayhi scum woul dshoot ,
hisgr unti
ngandt hewayhi sstomachmuscl estightened, il
ov e
histat t
oost oo..
.hewasasol oguy, butassubscr iber
si ncreasedi
noticedhewasf uckingsomel adiesandi twasni ceseeinghi m
acti
on.Thenhedi sappear edandbr oughtt woot hernor mal guys
thenmal obatheyi ntroducedanewguy ..
.Ican'tseeev eryone's
facesbutf r
om t heirbacksifyouknowt hem per sonal l
yy ou'd
recogni sethem.( calmly)Doy ouknowt hisguywadi beadsbabe?

Hel
ookedatt
hev
ideoandl
ookedatherashi
shear
tpounded.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#33

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Mongast aredathimselfforoneminut
estr
aightwhil
eApul
a
patient
lywait
edholdingthephone.Heputhi
sf i
ngeri
nhisearand
fl
ickedhisearbeforerubbinghi
shead.
..

Monga:
Ican'
tseei
tpr
oper
ly.
..(
gotherphone)Mmekebonee?

Apul
a:(movedi
tback)No,
don'
ttakei
t.
..Si
ncewhendoy
ouhav
e
eyepr
oblems?Doyouknowhim?

Monga:Butwif
eyy
oupr
omisedmeyou'dnotaskmeaboutmy
si
dehustl
es.Wemadeadeal
,act
ual
l
yitwasinourv
ows

Apul
a:I
'
m conf
used,
wif
eykemang?

Monga:
Don'
tbel
i
ket
hat
..
.Comeher
e.

Apul
a:I
'
llassumey
oudon'
tknowt
hisguy
.Sor
ryf
ort
heconf
usi
on.

Monga:
Wif
eyt
hemmar
eet
sa.
..

Shekeptqui
etandl
i
stenedbuthegott
ongue-
ti
edl
ooki
ngather
..
.
Monga:
I'
m embar
rassed.
..

Apula:
Youdon'thavetobe..
.I
'
veknownt hatdi
ckforyear
sand
wheni sawitonyouiwondered..
.It
houghtitwasimpossi
blebut
theniwentbackandlookedatthetat
toos.

Monga: I
tmakesal otofmoney .
..Ist
art
editt
ryi
ngtoseeifI
'
d
real
lymakemoney .Ididn'
tthi
nkI'dhavemil
li
onsofvi
ewsand
subscr
ibers.
..Idi
dn'texpectthat
.Isthatwhyyouwantedmeto
getaproperjob?

Apula:Yeah,becausei
don'
tthi
nki
tssaf
eheal
thwi
seandy
our
reputat
ion.
.

Apula:Istoppeddoingt
hat.
..Ihi
redact
orsandact
ressesbuti
testthem everytwoweeksforSTDsandall
.They'
reon
contracepti
vestoo.

Apul
a:I'
m gl
adIdidn'
tcomeacrossavi
deoofy ouandAene.
Haveyoueverdoneanythi
ngbehi
ndthescenes?

Monga:
No,
ionl
ydi
dcl
i
pswi
thI
da.

Apul
a:Whyher
?Di
dyoul
i
keher
?

Monga:
Aenear
ri
vedaf
teri
stoppeddoi
ngi
t.

Apul
a:Ther
eisanot
hergi
rlbuty
ouonl
ydi
dcl
i
pswi
thI
da,
why
?

Monga: Because.
..(
sighed)Can'
tbel
i
evewearehavi
ngt
his
conversat
ion.You'
reli
teral
l
ymakingthi
sabi
gdeal,
what
'syour
point
?

Apul
a:Ar
eyouget
ti
nguncomf
ort
abl
e?
Monga: Yes,
thi
siswhyi don'
twantyouaskingmequest i
ons
aboutwhatido..
.Butiknowy ou'
regoingtotr
yandapplythison
youifiaskyousomething.Ir
eall
yhopey ou'
dseethedif
ference
betweenmyj obandyours.Thelessyouknowt hebet
ter

Apul
a:Iknowev
ery
thi
ngbecauseI
'
myourf
an.

Monga:Can'
tyoublockt
hewebsi
te?Youwon'
tneedi
tany
way
s
becauseI
'
m here.
..

Apula:
.Ok,y
ouhaveapoint.
..I
'
m gl
adyou'r
enottaki
ngt
his
rel
ati
onshi
pser
iousl
ybecauseyou'
renotahusbandmat
eri
al
eit
her.

Hel
ookeddownandsi
ghed.
..

Apul
a:Youcangobackandhav
efun,
I'
ll
beher
ewi
thmysi
ster
.

Monga:
Idon'
twantt
ogo.
.Gagobor
a

Apul
a:(
laughed)Why
?

Monga:
Let
'sgohome.
.

Apul
a:Ok,
letmegetmyt
hings.

Shewal
kedbacki
nthehouset
henhedi
aledThong.
..

Thong:
(noi
sybackgr
ound)Yeah
Monga:
Iwasr i
ght
,itwast
hem..
.Wel
lif
orgott
oaskheri
fitwas
At
sil
egett
ingdownbutshewasatt
hecl
ub.

Thong:
What
?

Monga:
Yeah,
whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odoabouty
ou?

Thong:
Don'
twor
ryaboutme,
I'
ll
getacab.I
sshedr
unk?

Monga:Al
mostt i
psy,i
fshewassobershe'
ddenyunt
ilherl
ast
br
eathso.
..(
sighed)Wewill
tal
ktomorrow.

Thong:
Sur
e

Hehungupandsi
ghedwatchi
ngherasshewal
kedov
er.He
st
eppedov
erandhuggedherqui
etl
y.
.

Monga:Ididn'
tmindyougoingfarawaybecauseithoughtyou'
re
astayathomewor kahol
ic.NowI'
m scar
ed..
.ican'
tbel
ieveyou
werehavi
ngf unwit
houtmei bi
l
ethecrowdwascheer i
ngf or
.
Kanawagodi rat
sonetsekoKasane

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Ipr
omi
sei
won'
t.
.

Monga:
You'
renotgoi
ng.

Apul
a:Idon'
thav
eachoi
ce.
.Don'
tbeababy
..

Heopenedt
hedoorf
orhert
henshegotin,hecl
osedherdoor
andgoti
nhi
ssi
debefor
estart
inganddr
ivi
ngoff
..
.
Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Meanwhi
l
eDerricksmi
l
edholdi
ngthev i
deol
ooki
ngatMaru,
l
ayi
ngonhisbackheputhi
sfootoverhi
skneeandsmi
led
bl
ushi
ng.
..

Der
ri
ck:
Aren'
tyouf
eel
i
ngsl
eepy
?

Mar
u:(
smi
l
ed)No,
I'
m guar
dingy
ou.

Derr
ick:
I'
mf eel
i
ngmuchbet
tert
oday.Thedoct
orsay
simi
ghtbe
outtomorr
oworadayaft
ert
omor r
ow.

Mar
u:Can'
twai
ttot
akecar
eofy
ou.
.Imi
ssy
ou.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Imi
ssy
out
oo.
..

Mar
u:Hast
hepol
i
cesai
dany
thi
ngt
oyou?

Derr
ick:No,don'
tthi
nkaboutthem.Atl
easti
gotmov
edandt
his
ti
meI '
mr eadytodef
endmy sel
f.

Mar
u:Ok..
.Ican'
tbel
i
evethefir
stt
imei
mety
oui
thoughty
ou'
re
r
udebecauseyouhardl
ytal
ked.

Der
rick:(
winked)Therei
sal
oty
oudon'
tknowaboutme.
..Wai
t
unt
ilI'
mlegall
yfree.
.

Theyl
aughedgi
ggl
i
ng.
..
AtThat
o'sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
l
etheguy
spl
ayedPl
aySt
ati
onl
aughi
nganddr
inki
ng.
..

Randal
l
:I'
m sl
eepy
..

That
o:Ar
eyer
agor
obal
aee.
.

Hepausedt
hegameandstoodup,
heslappedRandal
latt
heback
ofhi
sheadandhest
oodupsmackinghi
sbutt.

Randal
l
:(l
aughed)War
eabeagoneel
akuku?

That
o:(l
aughed)Justl
ikethat
..
.Shewaslike"
wow,thanks.I
di
dn'
texpectthi
s".Kar
e"noproblem.I
'
llt
rytobeabetterfat
her"
.
Ri
ghtaft
erigetinthecarshecomesinandkissesme...(
they
l
aughed)Wewentbacki nthehouseandsmashed.

Randal
l
:Kacondom aker
e?

That
o:Yeah,
idon'
tknowwher
eshehasbeen.

Theytookof
fthei
rTshi
rtsandgotinbedwithshor
ts.Randal
l
reachedi
nsi
dehisshor
tsandtouchedhisass.
..
Randal
l
:Howy
ouf
eel
i
ng?

That
o:I
'
llbeOK,
iact
ual
l
yfor
gotaboutt
hepai
ngor
ayaeany
elel
a.

Randal
l
:Yeah.
..

Randal
ll
eanedoverandkissedhim,hecl
osedhiseyesandki
ssed
hi
m backbefor
etheytur
nedar oundandf
ellasl
eepspooni
ng.

AtOt
lhe'
sHouse.
.

Meanwhi
l
eOt l
hestar
edatherbaby
'sdaddy'
spict
ureandsi
ghed
t
hensheputherphonedownandclosedherey
essleepi
ng.
..

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhil
eApulalai
dasleeponMonga' sarms,hegentlymoved
hisar
m andti
ptoedtotheotherbedroom wherehesatonthebed
forafewminut
esjusttomakesur eshewouldn'tf
oll
owhimthen
hepushedthemattressandgrabbedthelapt
op.Heturnedi
ton
andreadhi
semai l
s.

Hecl
i
ckedont
heat
tacheddocumentabouthi
snextt
argetand
thi
stimeitwasatotalwi
peout.Hesi
ghedandcl
oseditt
henhe
walkedbacktobedandlai
ddownholdingher
.Heki
ssedherneck
andsighedbefor
efall
i
ngasleep.
..

AMONTHLATER.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#34

Att
hehot
elbar
..
.

Thatowalkedpastthepool
inhi
sapr
onandser
vedt
hecust
omer
s
wit
ht hei
rwines.
..

That
o:Any
thi
ngy
ou'
dli
ke?

Cust
omer
:No,
thanks.

Hewal
kedbackt
othebarcount
erandplacedthet
ray.Helooked
att
het
imeandsi
ghedasthewaitr
essesfort
henextshif
tarri
ved.

Her
emov
edhi
sapr
onandheadedt
othet
il
l.
..

That
o:Heycani
hav
emyt
ipf
rom t
hatot
hercust
omer
?

Cashi
er:
Ohy
eah.
.

Shetookoutt
hemoneyandhandedhi
m, t
heotherwai
tr
ess
l
ookedathim andbl
ushed.Hesmi
l
edbackandwalkedoutdi
ali
ng
Randal
l
...

Randal
l
:Hel
l
o?

Thato:
Ihopeyou'
renotl
ateagai
n,I
'
m dr
oppi
ngof
faf
ewt
hings
formydaught
er.

Randal
l
:(l
aughed)I
'
m att
hegat
e..

That
o:Al
ri
ght
,cheer
sman

Hehungupandspr
int
edouthol
dinghi
sapr
on.

Sit
ti
nginthecarRandallsmi
ledashi
sportabl
ebuddyranoutof
thehotel
,heleanedtothesi
deopeni
ngthedoorforhi
m.Thato
hoppedinandcl osedt
hedoorthent
heybumpedshoulder
sand
droveout.
..

Randal
l
:Hav
eyouboughtdi
l
otsat
eng

That
o:No,
ihav
etobuyt
hem f
ir
st.

Randal
l
:Al
ri
ght
,west
il
lhav
eti
me.Ihav
eashootat6.

That
o:Cool
.So?Di
dyouputi
nawor
dforme?

Randal
l
:Mongasai
dhe'
dgetbackt
ome.

That
o:Ok,
iusedt
obuydr
ugsf
rom hi
m andsel
ltot
hecust
omer
s
iwait
ressedt
obutt
hentheyslowl
ybegungett
ingitoncredi
tand
event
uall
yref
usedt
opayme.Wheni fol
lowedthem upthey
repor
tedmetomyboss,that
'showil
ostmypr evi
ousjoband
endedupowingsomuch.

Randal
l
:Youshoul
dhav
etol
dMongammekana

Thato:Thethingi
shi
spri
cesaredi
ffer
ent,i
fyou'
rearesel
l
erhe
pi
ckst hepri
ceandwhenyousayyou'r
ejustaconsumerheis
understandi
ng.

Randal
l
:Sot
heyst
il
lowey
ou?

That
o:Yeahbutuh.
..Godwi
l
lsol
vet
hem.
.

Randall
:Goddoesn'
ti
nvolv
ehimsel
findr
ugissueswehav
etoget
thosepeopl
etopayyou.Baat
hol
aelegor
e,nnakeagobanyedi
sa

Thato:
Lett hem be,i
ftheyfeel
guil
tytheywi
llpayifnott
henwe
wil
lseeiftheywillgetri
chorpermanentsat
isfact
ionfr
om t
hat
.
Thi
ngsar egoingwel lf
ormesof arsoakebatedrama..

Randall
:ButwhenwearebrokeI'
m goi
ngaf
tert
hem sowecan
usethatmoneytofuel
thecarandbuybeer
.

That
o:Ee,
if.

Randal
l
:Cool

Theypassedbythemall
andboughthi
sdaught
er'
sthi
ngsthen
theydr
ovetothebaby
'smama'shousewher
eRandall
parkedat
thegat
e.
That
opagedherandshewal
kedoutwhi
l
etheguy
ssati
nthecar
..

Randal
l
:Yourgi
rli
ssexy
,youhav
eagoodt
ast
eingi
rl
s.

That
o:(
smi
l
ed)Iknow.
..

Hest
eppedoutandhuggedher
,heki
ssedherandt
urnedar
ound
l
ooki
ngatRandal
l.
.

That
o:Babet
hisi
smyf
ri
endRandal
l
,mant
hisi
sRat
i.

Rat
i:(
smi
l
edbl
ushi
ng)Hi
..Ni
cet
omeety
ou.

Randal
l
:Ni
cet
omeety
out
oo

That
o:Justbr
oughtt
hebaby
'st
hings.

Rat
i:Thanks

Theyhuggedandki
ssedt
henhegotbacki
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.

Randall
:(smil
ed)Iwasali
tt
lej
eal
ouswhensheki ssedyou,
isee
thaty
our eal
l
yloveherwhenyou'
rehol
dingherandkissi
ngher.

That
o:(
laughed)Oser
ious?
Randal
l
:(l
aughed)Ee

That
o:(
laughed)Wal
wal
a

Randal
l:
(laughed)Iwantt
oseey ouf
uckagirl
though.
..I
nfacti
wantustof uckthesamechi
ck.
..Def
ini
tel
ynotourbabymama's
butyouknow

That
o:I
'
m downf
ort
hat
..
.

Randal
lreachedacr ossandtouchedhisdicwhiledr
ivi
ng.
.Thato
j
erkedhimselfupandpul l
eddownhi spantsthenRandallst
roked
hi
m whil
edr i
ving.Thatoadjust
edtheseatandl ai
donhisback
wit
hhishandov erhisf
acewhileRandall
strokedhim wi
thone
hand.
..

Minut eslaterhepar kedinf rontofhishouseandst eppedout ,

That ogotoutoft hecarhol dinghisfal
li
ngpant s, Randallclosed
thedoorandt heykissed,theyeachdr oppedt hei rpantsand
strokedt hemsel ves,thei
rheadst ouchedandr ubbed, That oheld
bothweaponsst rokingthenRandal lsqueezedt helubov erand
tookov er,theybumpedt heirshinymushr oom headst ogetherand
huggedeachoft heirweaponsgotbet weent hel egsofone
anot her,
theyt hrustedandl eanedbackeachhel pingthemsel v
es
ast heyspr ayed,theybumpedt heirheadstoget hersmear ingeach
other sheadwi t
ht hi
ckjuices..
Bot
h:(
grunt
ed)Fucccck!@%"
*#&

Theyeachshookt
hei
rweapons,
Theybothrememberedt
he
gol
denrul
eandeachpickedt
hei
rpant
srunningof
f.
..

That
o:(
runni
ngof
f)Thel
astonet
ocum i
sthecl
eaner
!

Randal
l:(
stagger
edback)Icamef
ir
stmr
,obat
agont
siet
sa!

Theyl
aughedst
andi
ngback.
..

That
o:(
laughed)FosekRandywee?Cl
eant
hatshi
t,y
oucamel
ast

Randal
l
:(l
aughed)Wecameatt
hesame,
let
'sbehonest
.

That
o:Wat
siet
samr

Randal
l
:Ket
aacl
eaneree.
.

Thatothr
ewhim at
issuer
oll
,hecaughti
tandcl
eanedupthenhe
walkedpasthi
mtothebathr
oom.Thatosmackedhisassand
l
aughed..
.

That
o:(
smi
l
edt
easi
ngl
y)War
engl
ait
eaka?

Randal
l
:(l
aughed)Tsekwat
siet
samonna!
That
ograbbedthei
rtakeaway
sandt
heysatbef
oret
heTVpl
ayi
ng
Pl
ayStat
ion.
..

I
nKasane.
..

Apul
adr
oveinwhil
ethemov i
ngtr
uckunl
oadedherf
urni
tur
e,she
par
kedt
hecarandsteppedoutt
alki
ngt
othephone.
..

Monga:I'
l
lbeinBotswanatomorrow,ther
eisnofl
i
ghtt oKasane
tomorr
owsoi havetodri
vebecauseifiwaitf
orafl
ightitwi
ll
take
about2days.Can'
twaitt
hatl
ongt oseeyou..

Apul
a:(
smi
l
edl
Ilov
eyou.

Monga:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
..
Babewee?

Apul
a:Rr
a?

Monga:
(sof
tl
y)Oi
thokomel
eaut
wa?

Apul
a:(
smi
l
edbl
ushi
ng)Eer
ra

Monga:
I'
m ser
ious

Apul
a:Iknowbabe

Monga:
Alr
ight
,set
tl
ein.I
'
llcal
li
nabi
t.

Apul
a:By
e
Thenextdoornei
ghboursteppedoutofhi
shousei
nhi
sshor
ts
andvest
,hesli
dhisfeeti
nt hesl
idesandwal
kedov
er.
.

Apulat
uckedherhairbehi
ndherearandopenedt
heboot
,she
pul
ledoutherheav
ybagandputi tdown.
.

Thenei
ghbourst
eppedov
erandsmi
l
ed.
.

Hi
m:Hi
,mynamei
sRebony
e

Apul
a:Hi
,I
'm Apul
a..
.

Rebony
e:Ni
cet
omeety
ou.
.

Apul
a:Ni
cet
omeety
out
oo

Rebony
e:Letmehel
pyouwi
tht
hat

Hecarri
edhert
wobagswhi
l
eshecar
ri
edherhandbagi
nthe
house.

Tr
uckdr
iver
:Wear
edonemysi
ster

Apul
a:Thanky
ouv
erymuch.

Tr
uckdr
iver
:You'
rewel
come.
Theydrov
eoffthenshewal
kedinthehousewher
eRebony
ewas
pushi
ngthef
ridgeint
oit
sspace.
.

Rebonye:Don'tpl
ugt
hisfri
dgeri
ghtaway
, y
oumi
ghtdamaget
he
compressor.Leti
tsi
tforacoupl
eofhours.

Apul
a:Ok.
.

Rebonye:Whatdoyoudo?Thel
andl
ordnot
if
iedmet
her
ewi
l
lbea
newtenantbuthedi
dn'
tsaymuch.

Apul
a:I
'
m apr
ojectmanager
,whatabouty
ou?

Rebony
e:Account
ant

Apul
a:Sweet
.

Rebony
e:Ki
ds?

Apul
a:Noty
et,
you?

Rebony
e:Noty
et,ij
ustgotemploy
ed4mont hsago.Whenyou'
re
unempl
oyedol
emonnai t'
sbet
tert
ol eav
ethedat
ingtot
heguys
wit
hmoneybecauseladi
esspi
tony ou.

Apul
a:(
laughed)Notev
erywomanbuti
gety
ourpoi
nt.

Rebony
e:Boy
fri
end?

Apul
a:Yeah

Rebony
e:Howol
dist
her
elat
ionshi
p?
Apul
a:2mont
hs

Rebony
e:(
laughed)Good

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Whygood

Rebony
e:(
laughed)I
'
mj usthappyfory
ou..IhopeI
'
llf
ind
someonet
ooandset t
ledownbef or
eigetgrayhai
r.

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Youshoul
d..

Rebony
e:Any
thi
ngi
canhel
pyouwi
th?

Apul
a:l
et'
ssetupt
hehouse

Rebony
e:Let
'sdri
vet
oaf r
iend'
shouseket
sey
edr
il
landputt
his
TVonthewallandworkonthedish.

Apul
a:Sweet
,OK.

Rebony
e:Takey
egoapar
a,nekel
ebel
etsegame.

Sheputdownhert
hingsandf
oll
owedhi
m,shewai
tedbyhi
scar
.

Minut eslaterhesteppedoutput ti
ngonabl ackt-shir
t,herey es
droppedt ohi sbumpyzi pperthenheunl ockedhissi l
verPor sche,
shegoti nt hepassengerseatandhegoti nt henheadj ustedr oof
takingitoffandl et
ti
ngt hecloudycool weatherin.Apulatooka
deepbr eathandl ookedathisar m ashechangedt hegear sf rom
reverseanddr ov
eout .Hehadabl ackwatchandhi shandl ooked
somuchl ikeMonga' shand,thefinehairsbehindt heknuckl es
andv eins..
.Hesmel l
edgoodt ooandt hehaircutwasneat ..
.
Heturnedl ookingatherandsmiledthenshesmi l
edbackand
l
ookedaway .Ther ewassongplayi
ngast hewindblewher
thr
oughherhai r,
she'dnev
erheardofitbefor
ebutitwasdoing
somethingt oher ,
foramomentshef eltl
ikeshewasi na
romanti
cmov ie.Shehummedal ongthissongandal mostgotl
ost
wit
houtr eali
singshewashummi ngoutloud.
.

Rebonyetur
nedandsmi
l
edathert
henhesangal
ongt
hechor
us
teachi
ngher.
.

Rebony
e:(
singi
ng)

Hesai
dOnedayy
ou'
l
lleav
ethi
swor
ldbehi
nd

Sol
i
veal
i
fey
ouwi
l
lremember

Myf
athert
oldmewhenIwasj
ustachi
l
d

Thesear
etheni
ght
sthatnev
erdi
e

Myf
athert
oldme.
..

Hel
aughedandl
ookedatherl
i
psasshet
ri
edt
ofol
l
ow.
.

Rebony
e:Ar
eye.
..
singi
t.
..
ShelaughedandsangalongthenshestoppedasRebony
eslowed
downwi t
habout2carsbehindthem,shewasn'
tsurewhyhe
stoppedandtur
nedlooki
ngathim..

Apul
a:What
?

Rebony
e:Shh.

Hepointedasaherdofel ephantscal
mlycrossedt her
oad,her
hear
tpoundedasshet urnedlookingbehindthem butall
thecar
s
hadjustst
oppedandnobodywaspani ckingalmostasititwas
j
ustdogsorchickenscrossingtheroad.Oncet heyweredone
Rebonyeproceededandal lt
hecarsfoll
owed...

Apul
a:(
sighed)Thehel
l
!

Rebony
e:(
laughed)Wel
comet
oKasane.
..

Theyl
aughedashedr
oveof
f.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#35

AtMonga'
sfat
her
's(
Gabor
one)

Ont hesamemor ningMongaparkedbesi

deshisfather'
scarand
steppedoutlookingatoneofthepastor
'scarpar
kingbyanda
churchsprinter
,ir
ri
tati
onf
il
ledhi
m upashepushedt hedooropen
andwal kedin..
.

Hecoul dhearthecongr egationprayi

ngandt hepastorspr
ayingi
n
tongues, het
urnedtot hekitchenwherehemadehi mselfacupof
tea.Hesatont hediningt ableandsippedhisteawhilegoi
ng
throughApula'spr
ofil
e, butev enshecouldn'
treducetheamount
ofirri
tat
ionthati
ncreasedt hemor ethesepastorsprayed.
.

Theyev ent
uall
ystoppedandsoonheheardf
ootst
epscomingout
ofhisparentsbedroom,churchmember
swalkedoutandoneof
theeldersr
ecognisedhim..

Her
:Monga?Soni
nlawy
amebat
ho

Hest
oodupsmi
l
ingandgr
eet
edwi
thbot
hhands.
..
Monga:
Dumel
ang.
.

Her
:Howar
eyou?

Monga:
I'
mfi
ne

Her:
Whydoy ouhav
etat
toos?Bont
ejobokanaabebosenngwa
kedil
otsal
ehat
sheMonga?

Hesmil
edali
tt
leembarrassed1gaasaf
ewy
ounggi
rl
sst
oodby
smi
li
ngandbl
ushing.
..

Her
:Whenar
eyoucomi
ngt
ochur
ch?

Monga:
Tomor
row

Her:
Youhavebeenrunni
ngaroundyourwi
fei
smarr
iedbutshe
hasasi
ster
,it
oldyouiwanty
out obemysoninl
aw.

Monga:(
laughed)Nnakenal
egi
rl
fr
iendmmagweLesego,
she
cametoHope'sfuner
al.

Her:Girl
sfrom theworldaret
hereasonyout hi
nkyouneed
tat
toos.Youneedagi r
lwhogrewupi nchurch.whenyoufi
nal
ly
fi
ndy ourwaybacky ou'l
lfi
ndherwait
ing,sheistur
ning18soshe
canwai t
..
.justdon'
ttaketool
onglikeyoudidwithLesego.

Hesmi
l
edr
ubbi
nghi
sheadasshel
ookedathi
m..
.
Him:Idon'
tevenknowwhoyoulookli
kebecausey ourf
atheris
nott
hishandsome.Kennet
eamashi gaeit
sale..
.Moker ekeng
nnegotwegaogolabont
ebotaahelammeker aa.

Henev erknewhowtorespondtosuchespeci
all
ymmagwe
Lesego,itwasapi
tyshelovedhi
mt hi
smuch..
.

Her
:Lame?ComesayhitoMonga,
ihopey
our
ememberher
.She
wasqui
teyoungwheny
oulef
t

MongalookedatLameasheshookherl
i
ttl
ehand,shesmi
led
bl
ushi
ngandheswal l
owedapai
nful
lumpthatbl
ockedhi
sthr
oat
..
.

Monga:
Hi

Lame:
Hi

Her
:Ihopeyourmotherfeel
sbet
tersoon.I
'
llbeheretomor
rowt
o
massageher
,iunder
standMeshaisonabusi nesst
ri
p.

Monga:
Eemma

Theywalkedoutt
henhesighedandwalkedt
ot hebedr
oom
wherehestoodbythedoorwatchi
ngashisf
atherhel
dhis
mother
'shandwhi
leshel
aidont
hebed.Thepast
orst
oodbehi
nd
hi
m hol
dingthebi
ble.
.

Past
or:
You'
reheal
edi
nJesusname.
..

Rr
agweMonga:
Doy
ouheart
hatmogat
saka?

Mongal
ookedatt
hepast
orandswal
l
owed.
..

Past
or:
Monga,
howar
eyou?

Hekeptqui
etwit
hastr
aightf
aceandwal
kedt
owar
dst
hebed
t
henheputhishandsi
nthepocket
s..

Rr
agweMonga:
Past
orobual
ewenat
he!

Monga:
Gakebat
egobual
epast
oray
agagopapa.

Rr
agweMonga:
(angri
ly)Whydoy ouhav
etobel
i
ket
hat
?Why
embar
rassmei
nfrontofever
yone?

Monga:
Thi
smani
snotev
ery
one,
hei
snot
hingt
ome.

Hisfat
herstoodupandpunchedhi
m,Mongat
urnedar
oundand
punchedthepast
oronthemouth.
..
Monga:
Stayawayf
rom myf
athery
oul
i
ar!

Rr
agweMonga:
Didy
ouj
ustpuncht
hepast
or?

Monga:
Ishoul
dki
l
lhi
m!

Thepast
orputhi
shandov
erhi
smout
handl
ookedatt
hebl
ood
onhi
shand..
.

Monga'
smotherbursti
ntot
ear
s,thepast
orwalkedoutandjoi
ned
hi
sfamil
yinthecar
..
.Hiswi
feanddaughtert
urnedshockedand
l
ookedathi
m. .
.

MmagweLesego:
Whathappened?

Past
or:
Mongapunchedme

MmagweLesego:Whydoesthisboyhateyou?Somet
hinghast
o
expl
ainhi
sbehav
iourandhej
ustlef
tth3church.

Pastor:(
angr
il
y)Soit
'smyf
aul
thei
sacr
imi
nal
whodoesn'
t
respecthi
sparent
s?

MmagweLesego:
Simananagaakakeagoi
l
ahel
a.

Past
or:
Justshutup!
Lamelookedatherf
atherandkeptqui
etashest
art
edt
hecarand
drov
eoff.
..

Meanwhi
lebackinthehouse,Monga'
sfat
herwal
kedt
owar
dshi
m
ashest
aggeredbackblocki
ng..

Monga:
Ify
oupunchmeI
'
m nev
ercomi
ngher
e

Rr
agweMonga:
Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
hist
ome?

Monga:Ihat
eyourchur
chandi t
speopl
e,especi
all
ythi
sfr
iendof
your
s.Heisnotaloy
alfr
iend!

RragweMonga: Whatdoy ouknowaboutGodandl oyal

ty?You'
ve
decidedtowalkawayandGodknowswher eyougetall
this
moneyf r
om.Youdon' twantt
obepartofthisfami
lyorhelpme
runthefamil
ybusiness.I
t'
sli
keyoudon'
texist
.

Monga:
Comi
ngher
ewasami
stake,
leav
ing.

Het
urnedar
oundandwal
kedoutashi
sfat
herf
oll
owedhi
m..
.

Hi
m:Youdi
dn'
tev
engr
eety
ourmot
her

Monga:Idi
dn'
tcomeher
etoseeher
,iwant
edt
oseey
ouand
checkonyoubuty
oupunchme.
Heopenedt
hedoorandgoti
nthecarashi
sfat
herst
oodby
l
ooki
ngathi
m.

Him:(cal
mly)SimananadoyouknowwhatI '
m goi
ngthr
ough?I
knowy ouhaven'
tmetawomany outr
ulyl
ovebutwhenyoudo
you'
l
lunderstandwhyyourbehav
iouri
smakingthi
ngsworsefor
me.

Mongal
eanedov
ert
hest
eer
ingwheel
ast
ear
sbur
nedhi
sey
es.
..

Monga:
Idon'
tl
ikeev
ery
onear
oundy
ou.

Hi
m:Becauset
heyt
ell
yout
ocomet
ochur
ch?

Monga:
No,
becauset
hey
'r
eal
ll
iar
sandhy
pocr
it
es.

Him:I'
mr eall
ytired, Iwishyouwer ematureenought obehav eand
actli
keagr ownman.Gakeat shwanelagor eatmyageabent se
kelwalewenaasi fy ou'
reateenage.Yourmot herissi
ck,the
samemot herwhot ookcareofy ourson.
..Thepast oryoujust
punchedhashel pedmegett hroughdif
fi
cultti
mes. .
.Heist he
onlyper
sonIt rustandknowhehasmybesti nterestsatheart.
..

Monga'
sey
esburnedwi
thtear
sasbi thi
slowerli
p,at
earr
an
downhi
scheekt
henherubbeditof
fandsniff
led.
..
Monga:
I'
ll
goandapol
ogi
seRr
agweLesego.

Hi
m:Thanky
ou.Comei
nsi
deandseey
ourmot
her
.

Mongast eppedoutandsi
ghedthenhewalkedi
nt hehouse
rubbinghisey esandgoti
nthebedroom.Hepul
ledachai randsat
besideshi smother'
sbed,
helookedbehi
ndhim andhisfather
wasn' tt
here..
.

Her
:Howar
eyou?

Monga:Iknowwhatyoudidwi
thRr
agweLesego,
stopmaki
ngmy
f
atherafool
.Ihat
eyou.
..

Hi
smother'
shear
tal
moststoppedasMongast
oodupand
wal
kedoutt
henhewalkedpasthi
sfat
her
..
.

Monga:
Keat
samay
a.

Hi
m:Ar
eyoucomi
ngback?

Monga:
I'
ll
see.

Hi
m:Dr
ivesaf
ely
,byt
heway
..
.Howi
sthecof
fi
ngi
rl
?

Monga: (
smiledshyly
)Sheisfi
ne,
shemovedtoKasane,shehas
aproj
ectshei sworki
ngoninPandabutmostoft
hethingsarei
n
Kasane.I'
m headi
ngt her
enow.
Hi
m:Doy
oul
oveher
?

Monga: Yes,wehav en'

tbeentogetherforlongbutiloveher.She
j
ustmov edsoi wantt ogomakesur esheset t
lesi
nproperly,
connectherdishes,mov eherfur
nit
ureandbuywhat evershe
mighthav ef
orgotten.Iboughtherafewt hingsbutIdon'tknowif
shewilll
ikethem becausewomenar epicky.

Hi
m: (
smi
l
ed)Waswabagaobuakaenegor
ayagor
ewamor
ata
t
ota

Monga:
(laughed)Papaene

HimbYou'reblushingli
kealit
tleboy,butI'
m happyy ouhave
someone..
.Lov ealwaysputsamanont her i
ghttr
ack.Takecare
ofher,
respectherandcommi ttoherassoonasy ou'r
esure.I
'
m
notsayi
ngthisbecauseofchur ch.
..Iknowweencour age
marri
ageatchur chbutI'
m encouragingyoubecauseIwoul dn'
t
wantyoutoloseher .Dori
ghtbyy oursel
f.

Monga:
Ok,

Him:(t
ouchedhi
snose)Ihopey
ou'
reok,
I'
m sor
ryf
orpunchi
ng
you.
.

Monga:
It'
sok.
..I
'
mfi
ne.
.By
e

Hi
m:Dri
vesaf
ely
,Kasanei
snotGabor
one,
ther
ear
eel
ephant
sal
l
ov
ert
hatar
ea.

Monga:
Iknow.

Hewal
kedoutandgoti
nthecart
henhedr
oveof
f.
.
I
nKasane.
..
.

Laterthateveni
ngRebonyelai
dunderneat
hthesinkwit
hascrew
dri
verandt i
ghtenedi
tthenhegotoutwhil
eApulastoodbyhavi
ng
adr i
nk.Heclosedtheshel
fandwashedhishands..
.

Apul
a:Thanksalot
,myhousei
sinper
fectcondi
ti
on.Il
i
ket
he
hei
ghtwhereyoumount
edtheTV..
.

Rebony
e:Sur
e..
.

Herubbedhi
shandsandtur
nedtohert
henhegothergl
assand
si
ppedwhil
ehelookedi
nhereyes.
..

Rebonye:Youhavebeaut
if
uley
es.
..I
'
m notj
ustsay
ing,
your
eal
l
y
havebeauti
ful
eyes.
.

Apul
a:Thanks.
..

Rebony
e:Canwet
estt
hecouchandt
heTV?

Apul
a:Sur
e

Hewal
kedt
otheTVandsear
chedf
oramov
ie.
..
Rebonye:
Ithas30mi
nut
esbef
orei
tst
art
s.CanIgoshower
?I'
m
sweati
ng.

Apul
a:Goshower
.Youbeenwor
kingher
eforhour
s.

Rebony
e:Sur
e..

Hewal
kedoutthensheheadedtot
hebat
hroom wher
eshet
ooka
bat
handputonhershor
tpyjamas.

Minut
eslat
erRebonyewal kedi
nhisshort
sandav est
,hetookoff
hi
sshoesandsatont hecouchwhi l
eApulajoi
nedinandlaidher
headdown.Rebonyepickedherfeetandputthem onhisl
ap..
.

Rebony
e:Wheni
shev
isi
ti
ng?

Apul
a:Tomor
row

Rebony
e:Whatki
ndofaper
soni
she?

Apula:
Heiscr
azy
,whenhei
sher
edon'
tbet
oof
ri
endl
y.Hei
s
ter
ri
tor
ial
.

Rebony
e:Whatdoeshedo?

Apul
a:Hei
sabusi
nessman

Rebony
e:Ok.
..I
'
llbehav
e.
Apul
a: Andjustt
obecl
earI
'm notseei
ngyou,don'tgetthi
s
twi
sted.Iknowmostguysmisunderst
andfr
iendships.Skampat
a
nkagoi l
a.

Rebony
e:(l
aughedhol
dingherf
eet
)Iwon'
t.
..Iunder
standt
hat
youhavearel
ati
onshi
p.

Themov
iest
art
edandt
heykeptqui
etwat
chi
ng.

Meanwhi
leout
side,
Mongadr
ovet
hrought
hegat
etal
ki
ngt
othe
l
andl
ordovert
hephone.
..

Monga:
(laughed)It
hinkI
'
m her
e..
.Al
ri
ght
,

Voi
ce:
Gagot
imet
se.

Monga:War
ethehouseisinagoodcondi
ti
onaker
e?Idon'
twant
mywifei
nabadhouse..
..

Voi
ce:(
laughed)Iwoul
dn'tdothatt
oy ou.I
t'
sagoodhouse.The
si
nkkeyoneelenggoreitneedsti
ghteni
ngbutaplumberwil
l
cometomorrowmor ni
ng.

Monga: I
'
llt
akecar
eofi
tifi
tst
ight
eni
nghel
a..
.OhIseehercar
out
side.Cheer
sman

Voi
ce:
Sur
eDav
e
Hehungupandpar kedt
hecarthenhest eppedoutofthecar
,he
reachedforamoneybouquetinthebackseatandapaperbag
from Woolwor
thsthenheknockedont hedoorandsteppedback
taki
ngadeepbr eat
h.Apulaopenedthedoorandf r
ozelooki
ngat
him ashesmil
edandhandedhert hebouquet .
..

Monga:
Hey
..
.

Hepi
ckedherupandwalkedinthenhest
oppedl
ooki
ngatt
he
manonthecouchst
il
lcarr
yingher.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#36

I
nKasane.
..

Mongawal kedtowardst heglasstabl

eandputdownthepaper
bagsti
llcarr
yingherthenhelookedatRebonyewhostoodupfor
ahandshake, Mongasl owlyputherdownandputhi
sarm behi
nd
herbackasheshookhandswi thRebony
e..
.

Rebony
e:Goodev
eni
ng

Monga:
Hel
l
o

Apul
a:Thi
sisRebony
e,hest
aysnextdoor
..
.Rebony
ethi
sismy
boyf
ri
endMonga.

Rebony
e:Ni
cet
omeety
ou

Monga:
Likewi
se.
.

Rebony
e:(
sighed)Al
ri
ght
,I'
l
lgi
vey
ouspace

Monga:Don'
tl
eaveonmyaccount
,looksl
i
key
out
wower
e
wat
chingamovie.Pl
easesi
tdown

Rebonye:(smil
ed)Yeahbutiwasonl
ykeepi
nghercompany
,it
's
notnecessarynowthatyou'
reher
e.

Monga:
Soy
ou'
l
lbekeepi
nghercompanywhenI
'
m notar
ound?
Rebony
e:No,
thatcameoutwr
ong.

Monga:
Youcanr
ephr
asei
tandl
eti
toutpr
oper
lyt
hen.
..

Ther
ewassi
l
enceasRebony
elookedi
nMonga'
sser
iousf
ace.
..
.

Rebony
e:Ij
ustwant
edt
owel
comeher
.

Monga:
Sohav
easi
t,wel
comeus.Si
tdown.
..

Hesl owlysatdownandstar
edatt heTV,
Mongat ur
nedar
ound
andf acedherasherhear
tpounded,hepull
edherchi
nupand
Frenchkissedherwhil
esheheldthemoneybouquet.
.

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.

Apul
a:(
caughtherbr
eat
h)Thanky
ou.
..

Hel
ookedatt
heP200not
esr
oll
edi
nthebouquet
..

Monga:Itol
dthem nott
ousef
reshf
lower
sbecauseoft
he12
hourdr
ive.

Apul
a:Iunder
stand,
thanky
ou.
..
Hesatnextt
oRebony
e,Apul
agr
abbedt
heshoppi
ngbagand
wal
kedtothebedr
oom.

Therewassil
enceRebonyestar
edatthemutedTV, Mongatook
offhi
sshoesandsocksthenheputthem asi
debeforetaki
ngof
f
hi
spantsremaini
ngwiththeshort
sasRebonyesatby
uncomfor
tabl
y..
.

Monga:
Ol ebi
l
emov
ieTVel
emogomut
e,kananegosal
ebel
l
wa
movi
egoloha?

Rebony
epi
ckedt
her
emot
eandunmut
ed.
.

Rebony
e:Shemut
edwhenshehear
dtheknock.

Monga:
Ehe.

Hetookoffhi
sTshir
tandremai
nedwit
hthevestt
henheputhi
s
cl
othesasi
deandleanedbackl
ooki
ngRebony
e..

Monga:
(cal
mly
)Shei
sbeaut
if
uli
sn'
tshe?

Rebony
e:Iguessso,
idi
dn'
tthi
nkofherl
i
ket
hat
.

Monga:
Omaakakanaot
say
agor
ekesemat
a?
Rebony
e:Whatdoy
oumean?

Monga:Obatagonthayaoreyouspentthewhol
edaywithmy
gi
rl
fr
iendandyouhaven'
tnoti
cedanythi
ngbeaut
if
ulabouther
?

Rebony
e:Shehasbeaut
if
uley
es,
shei
sbeaut
if
ulgener
all
y.
..

Monga:
Anongneor
eoi
ti
raeng?

Rebonye:Justt
ryi
ngt obepol i
te,cani pl
easego?I '
m not
comfort
able.Ourconversati
oni sobviouslytaki
ngt hewrongt ur
n
andicanunderstandhowal lthiscanbei nappropri
ate.Mebei ng
i
nhereinmyshor tsisdefini
telyawr ongpi ct
ure.
..Oneiwoul dn'
t
wanttocomet oaswel lsoitotall
yunder standyoursit
uation.
That'
swhyi don'
twanttoannoyy ouanyl onger.

Mongalookedathim andsi
ghedashepi
ckedhi
sphoneand
housekeysthenhesli
ppedhisf
eeti
nhi
ssli
desandwal
kedout
.

Thedoorcl
osedandMongal eanedf or
wardbury
inghisface
betweenhi
shandsthought
full
y,partofhi
m wantedt
odr agthi
s
i
diotbacki
nhereandpunchhim. .
.Orevenfol
lowhimtohi s
houseanddrownhiminthetub.PullApul
abyherhairacrosst
he
fl
oorandsl
aphersidetosi
de..
.

Meanwhi
leint
hebedr
oom Apul
apacedupanddownt
alki
ngt
o
t
hephone..
.
Maru:Ij
ustdon'
thavepatienceforpeopl
ewhodon'
thav
e
boundar
iesi
ntheirr
elat
ionships.

Apula:
(whispered)Soican'
ttal
ktonei
ghbours?Hej
ustfor
ced
theguytostayandi knowMonga.It
'snotover,
hei
sgoingtodo
somethingcrazy.

At
sil
e:Guy
sI'
m goi
ngt
oapar
tynextdoor
.I'
l
ltal
ktoy
oul
ater
.

Ot
lhe:
Arey
ougoi
ngwi
thThong?

At
sil
e:No,
hesai
dhehaswor
k.Hedoesn'
tknowI
'
m goi
ngout
.

Maru:Iunderst
andy ou'
redi
scov
eri
ngy
ourselfbutisti
llt
hinki
f
you'
reinarelat
ionshipy
ouoweoneanotherexplanat
ionsof
whereyou'r
eandwi thwhom.

Apul
a:I
t'
snotal
way
sthateasywenaMar
u

At
sil
e:Can'
ttal
k,goodni
ght
!

Maru:Apul
ayouneedtost
opact
ingl
i
keachi
l
d.It
houghty
ou
wantedarel
ati
onshi
p.

Apul
a:YeahbutI
'
mjustwonder
ingi
fican'
tbef
ri
endpeopl
e.

Otl
he:Butyousaidher ubbedyourf
eet,
mendon'
tjustr
ubmyf eet
.
Lesagoiti
dikanyaLala,i
fyoudon'
twantMongal
ethim know.
..
Heisobviouslynotyourkindofman.

Maru:Kehoobecauseweallknowshealwaysdreamtofanof
fi
ce
guywithani
cejob.Rebony
esoundsli
keherkindofmansoshe
shoul
dletMongagoifhedoesn'tdoi
tforher
.

Apul
a:IknowMongai
snotmyki
ndofmanbuti
lov
ehi
m.Ij
ust
wanthimtochangeafewthingsabouthimsel
f,i
fhedoesn'
tthen
maybeicangoforwhatfeel
sr i
ght.Ican'
tbewi
thsomeonewho
doesn'
twantt
oliveanhonestli
fe.

Maru:
Ili
keMonga,gaaper
fectmmekebonaasi amehel
a.
Maybeovert
imehewill
changegaabateomofosagonnaoff
ice
ki
ndofmanbutify
ouleavehimI'
ll
underst
andnnaka.

Apul
a:Thanks.Ihav
etogo,
they
'r
est
il
li
nthesi
tt
ingr
oom.By
e

Shehungupandtookadeepbr
eatht
henshewal
kedouti
ntot
he
l
ivi
ngroom wher
eMongawassit
ti
ng.

Shesl
owl
ywal
kedov
erandsatnextt
ohi
m asi
fshewasr
eadi
ng
hi
smind.

Monga:
Didhemountt
heTVandsett
hedi
sh?

Apul
a:Yeah.Heof
fer
ed

Monga:
Ok.
..

Shewai
tedf
orhi
mtot
alkbuthest
oodupandpul
l
edouthi
svest
..
.

Monga:
Ineedabat
h.

Apul
a:Ok,
cani
prepar
eyousomet
hingt
oeat
?
Monga:
Idon'
twantt
oeatany
thi
ng.

Hewalkedinthebat
hroom andt
ookabat
hthenhewal
kedi
nthe
si
tt
ingroom..

Monga:I'
m goi
ngtosleep,
I'
m exhaust
ed.Ihaven'thadt
imet
o
r
est,iar
ri
vedandwalkedaroundthemallt
ryi
ngt ofindy
ouafew
t
hingsthenidr
ovehere.

Shest
oodupgui
l
tst
ri
ckenandl
ockedt
hedoor
..

Apul
a:I
'
m al
soexhaust
ed.
..

Shefol
lowedhiminthebedroom wherehewassi tt
ingonthe
edgeofthebedreadi
nghisemails,shecrawledacr
ossthebed
andhuggedhimfrom behi
ndkissinghisneck..
.

Apul
a:(
whi
sper
ed)Hey
..
.(
touchedhi
ssof
tdi
c)Imi
ssedy
ou

Monga:
(st
rai
ghtf
ace)I
'
m noti
nthemood.

Apul
a:Rebony
eisj
ustanei
ghbour
.

Monga:
Ok.
Apul
a:Whyar
eyouangr
y?

Monga:
I'
m notangr
y,t
rustme.

Apul
a:Sowhati
sit
?Younev
err
ejectsex,
yourdi
cal
way
sst
ands
atmytouch.

Monga:
Itol
dyouI
'
m noti
nthemood.

Apul
a:Whydi
dyoucomeher
eify
ou'
renoti
nthemood?

Monga:
Leav
emeal
one.

Apul
a:You'
rei
nmyhouseMonga,whydidy
oucomeher
eify
ou
don'
twantt
otalkt
omeorhavesexwit
hme?

Monga:
I'
m nothappy
,idon'
tfeel
wel
comeandi
don'
tthi
nky
ou
needmeinyourl
if
e.

Apula:Whyar eyounothappy?Becausei
hadaneighbourover?I
didn'
tknowy ou'
recomingtodaysowhatcanidotopossibl
y
showy outhatI'
m happytoseeyou?Youcan'
tevengeti
tupt o
seehowhappyIam t oseey ou.

Heclosedtheemai
lsandl
aiddownf
aci
ngt
hewal
l
,Apul
asat
t
herelooki
ngathi
m...

Apul
a:Ongadi
l
e?

Monga:
Cany
ouj
ustkeepqui
etf
or5mi
nut
es.

Apul
a:Soy
ou'
regoi
ngt
ocomet
omyhouseandsul
k?You
shoul
dn'
thav
ecomet
hen.

Mongaswal
l
owedandsi
ghedl
i
cki
nghi
slowerl
i
p..
.

Monga:You'r
ereal
lyhur
tingme.Iwi
shyouj
ustkeepqui
et
becauseyoucan'
tseeyou'vehur
tme.Thel
easty
oucandoist
o
keepquiet
.Ij
ustneedsi
lence

Apula:Idi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngwi
thRebony
e,y
oudon'
thav
etobe
thr
eatenedbyhi
m.

Monga:
I'
m nott
hreat
enedbyhi
m!

Hegotofft
hebedandgr
abbedhi
sphonet
henhewal
kedout
,she
gotupandfol
l
owedhim.

Apul
a:Wakae?

Monga:
Stayawayf
rom me.Youdon'tcar
eaboutme.Can'
t
bel
i
eveidr
ove12hour
sforthi
sshit
.

Apul
a:Soyouthi
nkididsomet
hing?(
laughed)Thi
sisf
unny
.I
can'
thav
eneighbour
sover?

Mongapi
ckedhi
scarkey
sandwal
kedoutasApul
ast
oodatt
he
door,shewat
chedhi
m geti
nthecarandcl
osedthedoort
henshe
tur
nedbackinsi
deandcl
osedthedoorbef
oreswit
chi
ngofft
he
l
ights.

Meanwhi
l
eint
hecarMonga'
sey
esbur
nedwi
tht
ear
sashedi
aled
hi
sfat
her
..
.

Hi
m:(
sleepy
)Hel
l
o?

Monga:
(lookedatt
het
ime,
11pm)Idi
dn'
tnot
icei
twasl
ate.Sor
ry

Hi
m:I
t'
sok,
what
'sgoi
ngon?

Monga:
(tear
ful
l
y)Not
hing,
goodni
ght

Hi
m:Di
dyouf
indherwi
thsomeone?

Hesmi
ledtear
full
yindisbel
i
efandl
aughedasat
earr
andown
t
henhewipeditandsighed.
..

Monga:Thisiswhyi am soscaredoflovi
ngsomeone,
becausei
knowthatithur
tswhent heydon'tactt
hewaythey
'r
esupposed
to.
..MaybeIovert
hinkevery
thi
ng.

Hel
i
ftedhi
sTshi
rtandr
ubbedhi
sey
es.
.
Monga: Mywor stfearisignoringr edflagsliket hi
st henwakeup
year slateronlyt ofindoutmysoni snotmysonandt hewomanI
hav ebeenbr aggingabouthassl eptwi t
hev er yguyar oundmeand
I'
mt helastper sont ofindout .Icameher eexpect i
nghert obe
asleepbutshei swi thaguyshej ustmet ,
they 'r
ebot hi npyj
amas
wat chingamov iejustthetwooft hem.Hel iterall
ydidev ery
thingi
couldpossi bl
ydof orherar oundt hehousesokei potsagorenna
ker engbecausei tseemsshehasherl if
efigur edout .She
coul dn'
tev enanswermycal l
swheni wantedt oconf i
rmt he
l
ocat i
on,ihadt ocal lthelandlordbecausei f oundt hehousef or
her.

Hi
m:Got
ell
herev
ery
thi
ngy
ouj
ustt
oldme

Monga: Thi
sgirlwabuapapa,sheisl
aughingandshedoesn't
underst
and.Ifshekeepspatr
onisi
ngmeI'l
lhurtherbecauseo
ntennemmekahakel ekagoit
shwarakamai t
seobecausegape
gakebategoreant hal
ekesantsekemor ata.

Hi
m:Okae?

Monga:
Int
hecar

Hi
m:Cal
m down,
thengoandsl
eep.

Monga:Shewon'tl
etmesl
eep.Iaskedhert
oletmesl
eepbutshe
keepst
alki
ngovermyear
.

Hi
m:Sl
eepi
nthecar
,you'
l
ltal
ktoheri
nthemor
ning

Monga:
Goodni
ght

Hi
m:Ar
eyougood?
Monga:
Yes,
thanks

Hi
m:Goodni
ght
.

Hehungupandsi
ghedasmosquit
oeswhi nedinhi
sear,he
l
eanedbackandt
ri
edtogetsomesleepbuttheybegunbit
inghi
m.

Hest
eppedoutandt
ri
edt
ogeti
nbuti
twasl
ockedsoheknocked.

Sheopenedt
hewi
ndowandst
oodt
her
elooki
ngathi
m..

Monga:
Letmei
n

Shesi
ghedandopenedthedoorthenhewalkedinthebedr
oom
andl
aiddownfaci
ngaway,shegotinbedandsighedpinni
ngher
el
bowlooki
ngathi
mf r
om behind.

Apula:You'
ret
hemostinsecurepersonI'
veevermet.Ican'
t
bel
ieveyou'
dletthi
srui
nthenightasifyoucaughtmecheating.
Soy oucan'
tevengetanerect
ionbecauseyouthinkicheat
ed?

Monga:I
fyousayonemorewordkegobet
sakampama.{I
fyou
sayonemorewordI'
l
lsl
apyou.
}

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#37

I
nsi
deApul
a'
sHouse.
..

ThenextmorningMongasi ghedstari
ngatthewallonhissi
deof
thebed,heneverknewhewasst il
lthesame...Hecoul
dnev er
sleepwhenheishurti
ng.Aftersomanyy earsofnotl
ett
ing
any onei
nheneverthoughthewasst i
llt
hissensi
ti
ve.

Heknewf orsurethisRebonyeguywantedher,bytheendofthe
mov i
ehewoul dhavekissedherandherall
owinghim overat
nightmeantshef eltsomehowabouthim...Hewasn'tabad
l
ookingguyandt hatPorschemeantheprobablyownedsome
construct
ioncompanyorwor seahotel
orlodgesinceKasaneisa
touri
stdestinat
ion.
..

Hetookadeepbr eat
hstar
ingatthewall
hebeenst ar
ingatfor
hoursandsighed,shearr
ivedyest
erdaymorni
ngandhe' dbeen
wit
hhert hewholedayplayingmanofthehousef
ixingev er
ythi
ng
andnowhewast osleepinahouseanothermanfixed."Wayt o
gobabe,"hesighed.

May
behewast
oosensi
ti
veorexpect
edt
oomuchf
rom peopl
e..
.
Asmuchasitfel
tli
keHope'smotherbetr
ayalal
loveragai
nhe
st
il
lref
usedApul
awoulddot hat
,notaf
ter5yearsofceli
bacy
.
Maybehewasjustover
thi
nking.
..

Het urnedar oundandmov edclosertoherthenheputhi sarm

overher ,halfasl
eepshemov edherbut toverhiserecti
onandhe
ki
ssedherbef or
et ryi
ngtogetsomesl eep.He'dletallthi
sgoand
apologisef orbeinggr umpyandjustenjoythisvisi
tbecausehe
washer eany ways...Hemightaswellmakei tmemor ablefort
he
bothoft hem.Per hapsagamedr iveorboatr i
dewoul ddot he
tr
ick..
.

Hetookadeepbr
eathandsighed,t
hist
imeitf
eltpeacef
ul.Thi
s
wasthesi
l
enceandsel
fint
rospecti
onheneeded..
.Heclosedhis
ey
esforafewminut
esandfinall
ydozedof
f.
.

Aboutanhourl aterApulablinkedinhersleepasMongawal kedin

thebedr oom holdingagunwi thRebonyebet weenherl egs.He
point
edt hegunatRebony eandbl ewhi sbr ai
nsast heysplashed
alloveranddr oppedonherf aceasshescr eamedpushi nghim
offher.Mongapoi ntedthegunonherpussyandshother
betweent helegsbef orepointingi
ttoherf ace,hereluctant
ly
stoodt herepointi
ngherwi t
ht hegunt henhet urnedittohimself
andfired.Shegaspedoutofhersl eepandpi nnedherel bow
putti
ngherhandov erherpoundingheart.
Shebreat
hedinandoutforaboutaminut
etryi
ngtocalm down,
shenoti
cedhisar
m aroundherwaistwhi
l
ehelaidclosebehi
nd
sl
eepi
ng.Shegentl
yrubbedhishandandtookitof
fherwaist
bef
orequiet
lyget
ti
ngoffthebedandputt
ingonhergown.

Shewalkedintheki
tchenanddr unkwaterthenshesighed
l
eaningoverthesi
nkstil
lrecov
eringfr
om thatdream ,i
tseemed
sorealshewasgladshewokeup. .
.

Themor eshet houghtabouti tthemor esher eal

isedwhatbad
pictureshepai ntedf orhim.Hemusthav ebeenr eal
lyhur tforhim
tor ej
ectasexof ferorev enf ailgett
inganer ecti
on..
.Itprobabl y
feltworset hanwhatshef eltwhenshesear chedt hroughhi s
houseandf oundnot hing,hef oundanot hermanwhi chmi ght
hav ehurt.
..Itprobabl yhurt.Shest raightenedupherbackand
l
ookedar oundt hehouset hought full
y.Shehadt oatl eaststartthe
daywi thabr eakfasti nbedandapr operapol ogy.Sheopenedt he
fri
dgeandt ookoutapackofbacon, v i
annasandaf ewot hers
thenshel ookedatt hest ove...Shedidn' thavemat ches.

Shewal
kedpastt
hel
i
vingr
oom andsi
l
ent
lyunl
ockedt
hedoor
.

Meanwhi
l
est
il
li
nhi
ssl
eepMonga'
shandsear
chedf
orherwai
st
sohecoul dpullheroverbuthersidewascol d.Heopenedhis
eyesandshewasn' tt
here.Hegotof fthebedandwal kedi
nt he
l
ivi
ngr oom wherethedoorcl osedjustashesteppedin.He
mov edt ot
hewindowandl ookedout si
deasshewal kedto
Rebony e'
shouse,sheknockedandheopenedt hedoorshir
tl
ess
i
nhisshor tsandsmi l
edthenshewal kedi
n,heclosedthedoor.

Mongasteppedoutandgothi
sbathi
ngsetf
rom t
hecart
henhe
goti
nthebathr
oom andtookbat
h..
.

I
nsi
deRebony
e'shouse.
..

Meanwhi
l
eApulafol
l
owedhimtot
heki
tchenwher
eheopened
dr
awersl
ooki
ngformat
ches.
..

Rebony
e:So,
howdi
ditgo?

Apul
a:(
laughed)I
twasok.Hei
ssl
eepi
ng.

Rebonye:
(laughed)You'
relyi
ng,heseemsl
i
keani
nsecur
eguy
.
Haveyoucheatedonhi m bef
ore?

Apul
a:No,

Rebony
e:Buthedi
dn'
thur
tyour
ight
?

Apul
a:Het
hreat
enedt
oifi
keptt
alki
ngsoi
keptqui
et.
Het
urnedar
oundlooki
ngatherandhandedhert
hemat
ches,
she
smi
l
edlooki
nginhisey
esandgotit.
.

Rebony
e:Whatt
imear
eyougoi
ngt
owor
k?

Apul
a:Ishoul
dbel
eav
ingat7,
iheari
tsa2hourdr
ive

Rebonye:I
t'
sactuall
yanhourbuty oucouldadd30mi nut
esjusti
n
casebecausethereareelephant
sont hewayandy ouwouldn'
t
wanttobespeedingthroughaher dofelephant
s.Soyou'
llbe
dri
vi
ngeverydaytowor k?

Apula:
I'm notaconstr
ucti
onwor kerj
ustthemanager
, i
don'thave
toshowupatt hesiteeveryday.Theproj
ectst
art
sin
Pandamat engabuti
tsgoingtobecompl etedi
nKasane.I'
m going
ther
etoseet heguysatthesitethenI
'l
lbehomeuntilouroffi
ce
spaceissuehasbeenf i
nali
sedhereinKasane.

Rebony e:Alri
ght,gogetready.I
'l
ll
eavebefore7andwai tf
oryou
atthemal l.You'l
lmeetmet hereandI'l
ldr
iveyoutoPanda.Idon'
t
feelconformablel et
ti
ngyoudr i
vealoneonthatroad.
..Atl
east
you'l
ldriv
ey ourselfaft
ergett
ingusedtoit
..

Apul
a:Soundsgood.
..

Rebonye:
War
esant
semt
hakaol
ear
obet
seaker
e,comet
ast
e
thi
s..

Heopenedt
hef
ri
dgeandt
ookoutapl
atet
henhesl
i
dint
he
mi
crowav
eandpr
essedi
t.

Theytookadeepbr eathandsmi l
edwaiti
ngfort
hemicrowav
eto
fi
nishwarmingup.Hel ookedatherandsmil
edthenhebentover
andputhisarm behindherbuttandli
ft
edherupswingi
ngher
around.

Rebony
e:Ij
usthadt
o,y
ourhei
ghtt
empt
smet
oli
fty
ou.

Apul
a:(l
aughed)Wenarragaout
we,
otampol
aisamot
ho.
.
Weren'
tyouscaredl
astnight
?

Rebonye:(
smi
led)Al
it
tl
ebit,guyscanbeunpredi
ctabl
eandican
underst
andwhyhe'
dbeinsecure.You'
rebeaut
if
ul.
..Wheni
she
l
eaving?

Apul
a:I
'
m notsur
e..

Rebony
e:(
sighed)OK.
..

Themicrowavedi
ngedt
henhesl
owl
yputherdownandtookout
thepl
ate,shemov
edoverast
hesmel
loff
ishhadherswal
lowi
ng.

Shet
ri
edt
ogetapi
ecebuti
tbur
ntherf
inger
..

Rebony
e:(
laughed)Wai
t.
..Keagohodi
set
sa.
.
Hepeeledapiecewithoutbonesandbl
ewonitli
kehewas
cool
ingforababythenhef edherl
ooki
ngatherl
ipsasshe
chewed..

Apul
a:(
chewi
ng)Wow.
..

Her
ubbedheroil
ychi
nandpeel
edanot
herpi
ecebef
orebl
owi
ng
oni
tcool
i
ngit.
..

I
nsi
deThong'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhil
eThongsatont
heedgeoft
hebedt
alki
ngt
othe
phone.
..

Maru:
Shejustmenti
onedshewasgoi
ngt
othenei
ghbour
'spar
ty
butwedi
dn'tt
alkaf
tert
hat
.

Thong:Shedi
dn'
tcomehome,icamefrom wor
kyester
daybef
ore
midni
ght.Wehadali
vechatr
oom koti
rongsoIgother
ebefor
e
midni
ghtandshewasn'
thome.Shei
snotpicki
ngeit
her.

Maru:Canical
lherandl
ety
ouknow?I
'
m get
ti
ngwor
ri
ednow.
Thi
sisunli
keher.
Thong:KanammennaIdon'thaveapr oblem wi
thherpartyi
ngas
l
ongasshel et
'smeknowsoIdon'twor r
ygapepar t
yinggaa
boiwa.Youcan'
tspendt
henightoutandsl eept
herewabeo
robet
sekaebecauseshecanalwayscallmet opicherup.Nna
akebategodirwasemat
a.

Maru:Letmetal
ktoher.I
'
m sorr
yonherbehal
f,sheshouldhav
e
comebackespecial
l
ybecausesheknowsshedidn'
ttel
lyou
wheresheisgoi
ng.Sor
ry.

Thong:
Thanks.

Hehungupandsi
ghedt
henhi
sphoner
ang.
..

Thong:
Yeah

Monga:
(si
ghed)War
eng

Thong:Youcall
edatther
ightt
ime,
wai
tseAt
sil
eobat
ago
ntwael
a,olet
senageng

Monga: Atleasty oudi dn'

tseetheguychallengi
ngy ou.Youcan
assumeshesl eptathersi ster
'sandwhateverexcuseshegi ves
youpar tofy ouwi llbeliev
eher.Nnamonnakei t
helaLalal e
mot hokapast11atni ghtandthey'r
ebothinshort
swat chinga
mov ie.Theguyl eftbutwai t
segoreApulakehaal einsensitive.
Thisist hesamewomanwhosear chedmyhouset hinki
ngI 'm
cheat i
ng, i
didn'tex pectaguybecausei knowshewoul dn'twanta
womani nmyhouse.
Thong:
whatdi
dyoudot
otheguy
?

Monga: It
'snotl i
keicaughtthem doingany t
hing,neketaar engi
j
ustlethiml eave.Letsekelwalamonna, it
'sbeenawhi lesince
I
'vefeltmyhear tbreakli
kethisandjustwhenIt hi
nkI'
m overit.
Wat sogaphakel aandgoest othisguyshouse.I t'
sbeen40
minutesnowsi ncesheleftmeinherhouseandwentt ohishouse.
Ekarekeal ora.Imaginedrivi
ng12hour stothis.Themoney
bouqueti broughtherisstil
li
nthebedr oom.Shedi dn'
teven
bothertocountt hemoneyorj usttakeitfr
om t hefl
owersandput
i
tinherpur se.

Thong:ButI
'm pr
oudofyouf
orcontroll
ingy ourtemper,
nnatota
akenanakoyagobetsamosadi
.Youi ntroduceabehav i
ori
nour
rel
ati
onshi
pirecei
veandwedoittogether.Sosi ncei
t'
snotwrong
tospendanightouti
nowknowi canf r
eelydot hesame.

Therewasaknockonthedoor
,hegotupandopenedthedoor
thenAtsi
l
ewalkedi
nbarel
yabl
etomakeaneyecontact.
..

Thong:
Wewi
l
ltal
k,At
sil
eisher
e.

Monga:
Sur
e..

Hehungupandl
ookedather
..
.

Thong:
Oshapo?Whathappened?
At
sil
e:Ispentt
heni
ghtatMar
u'shouse

Helookedatherneckandshehadl
ovebites,
hest
eppedov
erand
t
urnedherheadlooki
ngatherpr
oper
ly.
..

Thong:
Mar
ugav
eyoul
ovebi
tes.

Hesighedandwalkedawayasshef
oll
owedhi
m andst
oodbyt
he
mir
rorlooki
ngatherneck.
.

Thong: Iwasj usttalkingtoMar ubef orey ouwalkedi n.Ifyouwant

tocheatl earnal lthet r
ickslikecoveri
ngy ourtr
acksbef orey ou
usesomeoneasy oural i
bi.Whenmyt ur ncomesf orcheat i
ng
you' l
lsi
tdownandt akenot eslesatanet otawagoi thutagor e
hear tl
esskeeng.Whent heysaymenar edogst heyr efertowhat
I'
l
l dot oy ouwhenmyt urncomes. .
..
isatupal lnightcalli
ngy ou,i
didn'tsleepal lwor r
iedwenaoj esabat hokukuy ame.Don' ttake
mef orgr antedl i
ket hat,wecamet oMaunwi thadr eam andI '
m
doingt hebesti cant ogiveusagoodl ife.Ifyouwantpar t
iesI
don' tmindbecausei li
kef untoobuty oudon' tseemesl eeping
around.Goi wapar t
ygoboel walapeng.Gasegor ehankekeneel a
bany anadi li
ftbuti respecty ou.Keepcheat i
ng,whenmyt urn
comesy ou'l
l postasanony mousonFacebookpagesaski ng
Bat swanaf oradv ice.Haoi seokwal eor e"Postf ormeasanon"
wagoi t
hut akanna, skabat agot shamekakapel oy amekego
r
ata.

At
sil
esatont
heedgeoft
hebedandsi
ghed.
..

At
sil
e:Agir
ldi
dthist
omeatt
hepar
tyl
astni
ght
,wewer
ejust
pl
ayi
ng.Idi
dn'
tcheat
.

Thongputonhi
stshi
rtandwal
kedout
..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Mongal
aidonthecouchwat
chingTV,
thedooropenedt
hen
Apul
awal
kedinsmelli
ngspi
ces.

Apul
a:Iwentt
obor
rowmat
chessoIcanmakey
oubr
eakf
ast
.

Monga:Ok,
butI
'm nothungr
y.Ar
eyougoi
ngt
owor
ktoday
?Iwas
t
hinki
ngweshoul
dgof oragamedri
ve

Apul
a:Ihav
ewor
k.I
'
llseey
ouwhenIgetbackt
henwecanhang
out
.

Sheputt
hemat
chesont
hecount
er,
Sti
l
llay
ingont
hecouch
Mongaobservedherashedrunkwaterthensheputdownt
he
gl
assthought
ful
ly
,shegotlosti
nthoughtsandsmil
edonherway
outassheheadedtothebathr
oom.

Minutesl
aterMongafol
l
owedhert
othebedr
oom wher
eshewas
gett
ingdr
essed.Hesatont
heedgeoft
hebedandwatchedher
gett
ingdr
essed..
.

Monga:
Babedoy
oust
il
ll
oveme?

Shepausedandl
ookedathi
m sur
pri
sed.
.

Apul
a:Ofcour
sei
lov
eyou.Whyar
eyouaski
ngsuchaquest
ion?

Monga:
Ifyoust
oppedl
ovi
ngmewoul
dyout
ell
meory
ou'
dwant
metoguess?

Apul
a:I
'
dtel
lyou,
ist
hisaboutl
astni
ght
?

Shewalkedoverandsatonhi
slapput
ti
ngherar
msov
erhi
s
shoul
dersbef
orekissi
nghi
m.

Apula:I
'
m sorryf
orbeingi
nsensi
ti
velastni
ghtbutnot
hing
happened.Rebonyeandiar
ejustnei
ghbours.Wearefr
iendl
ywi
th
oneanotherbecausether
eareonlytwobachelorpadsintheyard.
Ican'
tbeneighbourslemothoandnott al
ktohim.Ithi
nkaslong
asI'
m notcheati
ngitsnotfai
rtoexpectmetobeenemi eswith
him.It
akehim asaf r
iend

Monga:
Whatdi
disayaboutmal
efr
iends?

Apula:Kanathat'
syourwish,j
ustli
kei hadwishedy oust op
makingshadymoneyandf i
ndaj ob.Thatwasmywi shbutididn'
t
getit
.Relati
onshi
pgasey agagool e1,it
'sourrel
ationshipandas
muchasy ouhavewishesihavemi ne.Minearen'tl
essi mport
ant
j
ustbecauseI '
m awoman.Iam f ri
endlytopeople,notjustwomen
butment oo,it
'swhoiam andi don'tt
hinkyoushoul dtryand
changethat.

Monga:
Ok.

Shegotupandf
ini
sheddr
essi
ngupwhi
l
ehewat
chedher
..
.

Apul
a:I
'
llbebackar
ound2.

Monga:
Letmedr
ivey
ou,
Pandai
sver
yfar
.

Apul
a:Rest
a,i
wantt
oseei
ficandr
ivet
her
ebymy
sel
f.

Helookedatherasshefi
xedherhairandpickedherhandbag,
Rebonye'
scarstar
tedout
side.Mongastoodbyt hewi
ndowand
l
ookedoutsi
deasRebonyedr oveout
..
.
Monga:
SowhatdoesRebony
edo?

Apul
a:Hei
sanaccount
ant
.

Monga:
Whodr
ivesPor
sche?

Apul
a:Hepr
obabl
yknowshowt
ousemoney
,hei
sanaccount
ant
af
teral
l
.

Mongaputhishandi
nthepocket
slooki
ngatherasshewal
ked
ov
erandkissedhim.

Apul
a:I
'
llbeback.Il
ovey
ou

Monga:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
.

Shewalkedoutandgoti
nthecarthenshedr
oveof
f.Hel
etaf
ew
minut
espassandgotinthecarf
ollowi
ngher
..
.

Att
hemal
l
...

MinuteslaterMongaparkedonthesi
deoft
her oadandcrossed
i
ntot hemal l
looki
ngatApulaasshepul
l
edovernexttoRebonye'
s
car.Shelockedupandgotinhiscart
henhedroveoff.
..
Rebony
ehandedheraj
uice,
shesi
ghedandt
ookasi
p..
.

Apul
a:Ishoul
dn'
tdot
his.If
eel
sogui
l
ty.
..

Rebonye:
Youdidn'
tev
endoany
thingwrongforyoutofeelgui
l
ty
about
.Relax,
heknowshei
svi
sit
ingyouwhil
ey ou'
reworki
ng..
.

Heroll
edupthewi
ndowsandt
heydr
ovepasthi
m wi
thoutev
en
seei
nghim.

Monga'sheartpoundedashewat chedhiscardisappear,partof
him wantedtofoll
owher,fl
ushli
ghtsforhi
m andaskhert ogetin
thentakehertowor kbuthenoti
cedhehadherspar ekey
amongst.Hewal kedovertohercarandgotinthenhedr oveit
backhomeandpar kedinfr
ontofthehousebeforecatchingat axi
backtohiscar.

Minut
esl
aterheparkedhi
scarnexttohersandwal
kedbacki
n
t
hehousecarry
ingaplast
icofbeerbot
tl
es.

Heputthem i
nt hef
ri
dgeandgott
wot
henhesati
nfr
ontoft
he
housebythestoopdri
nki
ng.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#38

I
nPandamat
enga.
..

Parkedundert
hetr
ee,thecarshookbackandfourt
ht henther
e
wasahandont hewindow.Lyi
ngunderneathRebonye'schest
tear
sroll
eddownthecorner
sofApula'
sey esasguil
tstruckherat
thesamet i
mewit
hthatorgasm...

Rebony
e:(
grunt
ed)Fuck!

Heleanedbackl
ooki
ngatherasshecr
iedthenhel
eanedov
er
huggi
ngherandputhi
sfor
eheadonhers.
..

Rebonye:(whi
spered)I
t'
sok.
..Thef
ir
stt
imei
sal
way
sthe
hardest
..
.I'
m sor
ry..
.

Rebonyesl
owlypull
edoutandwrappedhi
mselfwi
thati
ssue
wipi
nghimsel
fthenhesteppedoutandstoodonot
hersi
deof
thet
reeandpi
ssing..
.
Meanwhilei
nsi
det hecarApul
apeeledapant
yli
nerandlai
diton
herpanti
esbefor
epulli
ngthenupthenshel
eanedoverandburi
ed
herfaceonherhandscryi
ng.

Rebonyewalkedonhersi
deofthecarandopenedherdoorthen
hepull
edherupandhuggedher.Hehuggedherti
ghtl
yagainst
thecarunt
ilshest
oppedcry
ing.
..

Rebonye:Hewon'
tknowunl
essy
ougobackcr
yingl
i
ket
hist
hen
heisgoingt
owonder..
.

Heki
ssedherneckandhuggedher
..
.

Rebony
e:Let
'sgo.
..

Heopenedthedoorforhert
henshegotin,
hecloseditand
l
eanedinki
ssi
ngher.Hegotinhishi
ssideandleanedover
ki
ssi
ngheragai
nbeforestar
tingt
hecaranddri
vingoff.
..

Att
hef
arm.
..

Thongpar
kedi
nfr
ontoft
hehouseheusedt
oli
vei
nandst
epped
out,
theher
dboyst
eppedoutandsmi
l
edasThongopenedt
he
boot.
..

Thong:Comeof
fl
oadyourthings.Taket
heonesi
nthebootonl
y.
Theonesint
hebackseatareformyparent
s..

Hi
m:Thanky
ou.
..

Thong:I'
m expect
ing4goatswear est
il
lworki
ngonthepaper
s
sofini
shthekraal
beforetheendofthi
sweek.Ihopeyou'
re
taki
ngcareofmygar den.

Hi
m:Ket
shel
akay
one.
..Ihar
vestandgi
vesomet
oyourpar
ent
s.

Hi
m:Al
ri
ght
..

Thongcount
edhi
spayandhandedi
ttohi
m..
.

Thong:
Howi
sthatol
dman?Di
dhef
indaher
dboy
?

Him: (
laughed)No, notyet
.Het r
iedtotalkt
omeandi saidno,
akerehedoesn' tpaypeople.Hetalkstoomuch,hegoesaround
tel
li
ngpeopl ethatyourapedhisgoat sandendedupsteal
inghi
s
wifewhenhel eftherhomewi t
hy ou.

Thong:Wapekay
oo,lethi
m saywhatevermakeshimfeelgood.
Karebany
anabatet
semomor akengabekerobal
adipodi
.

Hi
m:(
laughed)Het
ell
swhoev
erheseest
hat
.
Thong:
Hewi
l
lheal
..
.Mosadi
enekemot
ser
e.

Thonggoti nthecaranddr oveout.Afewmi nuteslat

erhedr ove
alongt hedirtroadandsl oweddownashedr ovepasttwoy oung
l
adiescar ryingbucket sont heirheads.Hehadseent heolder
sisteraroundandt hey oungeronemusthav ebeenatschool
mostoft het i
mebecausehehadn' tseenherbef or
ebuthecoul d
tell
t heywer esisters.Hel ookedattheyoungeronewi thbreasts
poppi ngoutofhert ornolddr ess.I
fyoulookedpastherthick
uncombedaf r
o, darkneckandcr ackedfeetshewasbeaut i
ful.
..
Shewasf i
ttooandshehadshyey esbecausewhenhersi ster
stoppedandl ookedatt hecarshekeptgoi ng..

Thong:
Hi.
..

Ol
dersi
ster
:(smi
l
ed)Hi
..
.UhThong!
?Youcandr
ive?

Thong:
(laughed)Yeah.
..
What
'shername?

Ol
dersi
ster
:Khumo

Thong:Iwi
shicouldyouaridehanelet
shwer
edi
kopubecause
bucket
swouldspil
lwateri
nt hecar
..

Her
:Yeah

Thong:
Khumo?
?

They
oungersi
sterst
oppedandt
urnedar
oundl
ooki
ngatt
hecar
asthesunbli
ndedherf
orci
nghert
ogr
in.
..Yupshewasdef
ini
tel
y
beaut
if
ul.
..

Khumo:
Rra?

Thong:
Doy
ouhav
eaphone?

Khumo:
No,

Thong:
WhatdoIdoi
fIwantt
oseey
ou?

Khumo:
(shy
ly)i
don'
tknow

Thong:
Waj
ola?Onal
eboy
fri
end?

Khumo:
(laughedembar
rassed)Nny
aa

Thong:
Kennaboy
fri
endy
agagoaut
wa?

Khumol
aughedembar
rassed.
.

Ol
dersi
ster
:(smi
l
ed)Mony
anaor
eeet
he

Khumo:
(embar
rassed)Ee

Thong:
(tookoutP200)Wher
edoy
oudoy
ourhai
rar
oundher
e?

Ol
dersi
ster
:webuyeasywav
esatt
het
uckshopanddoathome.

Thong:Ok,doyourhai
rautwa?Andkeepy ourselfcl
eanal
lthe
ti
me.ThenexttimeIseeyoukeithel
eol
ecl ean.Wearyourshoes
soyourfeetdon'
tcr
ack.Theycr
ackbecauseoft hesoil
.
Shelef
tthebucketonherheadbal
anci
ngandrespect
ful
lygott
he
P200withbothhandsfr
om himthenshehel
dherbucketagai
n..
.

Khumo:
Ok.

Thong:
(smi
l
ed)Lookatme.
..You'
renotl
ooki
ngatme.
.

Shefi
nall
ylookedathi
m smi
l
ingembar
rassed,
yupshewoul
dbe
beaut
if
ul.

Thong:I'
l
lseeyoumont
hendwhenicomet
ocheckonmy
parent
s.Youguysst
ayt
hatsi
deri
ght
?

Khumo:
Yes

Thong:
Ok,
Shar
p.

Hecarri
edondr
ivi
ng,
andt
hesi
ster
stur
nedt
ooneanot
hersmi
l
ing
i
ndisbel
ief
..
.

Minut
eslaterThongpar kedinfr
ontofhisgrandmother
'shouse,
hi
scousins'chil
drenranovertohim.Hepickedtheyoungestone
andopenedt hebackseatthenhetookoutapackofl ol
li
popswith
awhist
leforast i
ck,hagaveeachandt heyranbackwhistl
i
ngas
Thongwal
kedov
er.
.

Thong:
(laughed)Ot
il
egor
ethodi
i
sabat
hokadi
phal
a..

Theylaughedasshepickedthecannedfoods,
Thongpi
ckeda
12.
5kgsugarandputitov erhi
sshoul
derastheywal
kedi
nthe
house..
.

Botho:
Whenar
eyougoi
ngback?Ihav
etogobackt
owor
k
tomorr
ow.

Thong:I
'
m notst
ayingforl
ong.Youcanpacksowel
eav
e
toget
her
.Howisitgoingwit
hyouandthatguy?

Bot
ho:
Uh,
ifor
gav
ehi
m.

Thong:That'snothowy oudeal withacheater.Ifyoukeep

for
givi
ngtheywi l
lnotstop,youmustl etthem thinkyou'
ve
for
giventhem andj ustwhent heyt hi
nkalli
sgr eeninparadiseyou
str
ikesotheycanf eelt
heheat .Youdon'tcheatbackwhi ley ou'
re
bothdeal
ingwi t
htheircheati
ng...Youletmont hspassev ena
yearabear elaxerhagor abolawagoi tsegorehagot wemj olowa
nyesagot ewaj ang.

Bot
ho:
(laughed)You'
resocol
dhear
ted.
..

Thong:Okaselet
swekemonkanewagago. .
.Idon'tunder
stand
peopl
ewhocr ybecauset hey
'r
echeat
ed.Gai
seat sholwe
ngwanyanaokantedisang.
Hewalkedbehi
ndthehousewheretheel
der
swer esi
tt
ingonthe
shadowofthehouse,
herespect
ful
l
ybentoverandgr
eetedthem.
..

Atmal
l(Kasane)
..
.

Lat
eronRebony
eparkedt
hecarastheyr
oll
eddownt
hewi
ndow
l
ookingatt
heempt
yparki
ngspace.
.

Apul
a:OhmyGod,
theyst
olemycar

Theybothst
eppedoutandhel
dtheirhi
pslooki
ngar
ound.
Rebonyewal
kedtowardsastr
eetvendorwit
hanumbrel
la.
.

Rebony
e:Letmeaskher

Apul
afol
l
owedhi
m asherhear
tpounded.
.

Rebonye:
Hi,wepar
kedt
hecarher
eint
hemor
ning,
hav
eyouseen
whathappenedt
oit
?

Her
:At
all
mangoti
nanddr
oveof
f.Heusedt
hekey
ssoi
didn'
t
t
hinkhewasst
eal
i
ngi
t.

Apul
a:At
all
man?

Her:
Yes,heparkedt hebiggercarontheothersi
deoft heroad.
I
tsawhitebi
gcar .
..Ithi
nkLegend50orsomet hi
ng.Thenhe
dr
oveoffandlatercamewi t
hwithataxiandgotthebiggerone.

Apul
a'
sheartski
ppedasshel
ookedatRebony
e,heswal
l
owed
andsi
ghed.

Her
:Doy
ouknowhi
m?

Apul
a:Yes,
thanky
ou.

Theywal
kedbackt
othecarbutApul
ast
oppedbyt
hedoor
.

Apul
a:Hei
sgoi
ngt
oki
l
lme.

Rebony
e:Hewon'
t,l
et'
sgo.Youcan'
tst
ayher
efor
ever
.Icant
alk
tohi
mifyoudon'
tmind.

Apul
a:No,
it'
sfi
ne.I
'
llhandl
eit
.Ket
shwer
wegal
e..

Shegoti
nrhecart
henhedr
oveof
fwhi
l
ether
ewassi
l
encei
nthe
car
.
AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Minutesl
aterRebonyeparkedi
nfr
ontofhishouse,Apul
astepped
outandclosedthedoorthenshewal
kedtowardsthehouse.

Shewalkedbetweentheircar
sandknockedt
henshewal
kedi
n
asherheartpounded.
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#39

Apul
a'
sHouse.
..

Mongatur
nedhisheadandlookedatherasshesl
owlywal
kedi
n,
hesi
ppedthel
astofhisbeerandputdownthebot
tl
e.

Apul
a:Hi

Monga:
Hi

Apul
a:I
'
m goi
ngt
ochange,
I'
ll
comeandt
alkt
oyou.

Monga:
Ok.
.

Mongachangedt
hechannelandwat chedboardersecur
it
yand
drugoper
ati
onst
henhefrownedast heshowerraninthe
bathr
oom.HemutedtheTVandl i
stened,shewasindeedbathi
ng
thenhest
oodupandwalkedinthebat hr
oom.

Shej
umpedandclosedthetaprubbi
ngthewateroffherface
l
ooki
ngathi
m.Hewal kedinandleanedagai
nstthewallputt
ing
hi
shandsi
nthepocketslooki
ngather.
..
Apul
a:I
'
llbet
her
einaminut
e.I
twashott
odaysoi
want
edt
o
washoffmymakeup.

Sti
ll
leaningagainstt
hewal lMongabenthi
skneewit
hhi
sfooton
thewallandsighedlookingathert
henhenoti
cedtwopi
l
lsachet
ontopofherphonewi t
honepi l
lmissi
ng.

Shetur
nedaroundandcar r
iedonshower i
ngashepickedthepil
l
andputiti
nhispocket.Hesteppedoverandlookedi
nsidethe
bat
hroom bi
nandt her
eitwas...Asmallboxofmorni
ngaf t
erpil
l
s.

Monga:
Howwasy
ourday
?

Apula:I
twasokiguess.Theytookmetothesite.Theminist
eri
s
goingtodoagroundbreaki
ngnextweek.
..Ihav
et opreparemy
speechbecauset
hemedi awil
lbether
etoosoIhav etolookthe
part.

Monga:
You'r
ever
ysmar
twheni
tcomest
oyourj
ob,
I'
mreal
l
y
pr
oudofyou.
.

Apul
a:(
laughed)Whatdoy
oumeanwheni
tcomest
omyj
ob?

Monga:
(st
rai
ghtf
ace)I
'
llbei
nthebedr
oom.

Mongawalkedinthebedr
oom andst
oodbyt
hewindowlooki
ng
atRebony
e'shouse.Hest
eppedouti
ntot
hever
andaandsaton
hi
sbi
cepexer
cisemachi
net
henhebeganwor
kingoutpl
ayi
ng
l
oudmusi
c..
.

Apulawal kedbacki
nwrappedi
nat owelhol
dingherphone,
from
therelaxedlookonherf
aceshehadn'
tnoti
cedanythi
ngelse
missingy et
.

Mongaf
ixedt
hecur
tai
nsandl
ookedatherasshegotdr
essed.
.

Apula:Ial
mosthadahear tatt
ackwheni not
icedmycarwas
missingfrom wher
eilefti
t.Whenigottothemallibumpedi
nto
Rebony eandheoffer
edmear i
desincehewasheadingtoPanda.
It
houghtI '
dsavethefuelandgetaridef
rom him.

Mongagl
aredatherashi
sangerr
ushedt
hroughhi
sbody
..
.

Monga:Howi
sitpossi
blef
ory
out
ojustl
i
ewi
thoutev
en
st
utt
eri
ng?

Shepausedappl
yi
ngl
oti
onandl
ookedathi
m..
.

Apul
a:Whydoy
out
hinkI
'
mly
ing?
Monga: Becauseifollowedyou.Isawy oul eav i
nginthemorning
tohishouse,youspentov er40mi nutesint hereprobabl
ymaki ng
anappointment.Wheni of
feredtodriveyouy ousaidnobecause
youwant edtogowi thhim.Bothofy ouleftmeher eli
keanidi
ot
andusedonecart ol eavetogether
.Gakebat egol walewenabut
i
fyoukeeppr ovokingmeI 'l
lgiv
ey ouwhaty ou'r
easkingfor
.What
happenedoutwi t
ht hisguy?

Apul
a:Not
hinghappened.

Monga:
Whydoi
keepf
orget
ti
ngwhoy
ou'
re.
..

Het
ookoutherr
emai
ningpi
l
landt
hrewonherf
orehead.
..

Monga:
Whyar
eyout
aki
ngmor
ningaf
terpi
l
ls?

Apul
a'
shear
tal
mostst
oppedasshepi
ckedi
tupandl
ookedati
t.
.

Monga:
Whyar
eyoul
ooki
ngatt
hem?Ar
en'
ttheyy
our
s?

Apuladr
oppedthepi
llandwentf
orthedoor
,Mongagr
abbedher
bythehai
randpushedheronthebed.
..

Monga:
Whyar
eyour
unni
ng?
Sheputherhandsov
erherf
acecr
yingl
ayi
ngont
hebedwhi
l
ehe
st
oodby..
..

Monga: Ther
ei snoneedt opani
c,ipunishedyouwheni hadhope
thatt
hiswouldbesomet hing.Nowt hereisnopointinpuni
shing
youbecausey oucan'tevenseewhaty ou'r
edoing.You'
reinlove
andbli
ndedbyhi spresencethat
'swhyy oucanl eav
emei nthe
housetogospendt imewi thhi
m.

Apul
a:That
'snott
rue.Ist
il
ll
ovey
ou.
..

Mongagothi
sphoneandsl
i
diti
nthebackpocket
..
.

Monga: I'
veal
readypackedmyt hi
ngs.Ijustthoughtmay bethe
tr
uthwoul dsaveusbuty oucan'tdoit.Morningafterpil
lyonej
ust
sealedthedealibi
l
eephat aladi
tseplakanyanaenekeet shwer
e.I
highlydoubtyouspent5y earswithoutamanbuti bel
ieveyou
wheni tcomestoy ourr
elati
onshipsnotpassi ng2mont hs.

Hewal kedoutandgotinthecarwhileApulastoodbythecar
knockingonthewindow.Hereversedanddr oveofft
henRebony
e
steppedoutofthemachineandwal kedover..
Rebony
e:Hi
..
.What
'sgoi
ngon?

Apul
a:(
tear
ful
l
y)I
'
m sost
upi
dhef
oundt
hemor
ningaf
terpi
l
l.

Hest
eppedov
erandhuggedher
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#40

AtRebony
e'sHouse.
..

RebonyepouredFant
aintwoglassesandwal
kedintheli
vi
ng
room wher
eApulawaswat chi
ngTV.Hesatnexttoherand
handedherthenhepl
acedhisonthetabl
ebefor
eleani
ngoverf
or
akiss.
..

Rebony
e:Ar
eyouOK?

Shesi
ppedherdr
inkandputi
tdownt
henshesi
ghed.
..

Apul
a:MaybeI
'm dumpi
nghi
mfory
ouwhi
l
eyouhav
eagi
rl
fr
iend
orcr
azybabymama..

Rebony e:
Idon'thaveagi r
lf
riendorachi l
d...Ihadagi r
lf
ri
endbut
youknowr elati
onshi
psdon' tsurviv
elongdi stance.Shewasin
Gabor oneandI '
m here.
..Ivisit
edheroneweekendandcaughther
withanot herman.Ididn'tfi
ghtt hem becausei wasn'tr
aisedl
i
ke
that.Ijustlef
tanddecidedt olayof fr
elati
onshipspluskwanoi
hardlygoout .Igotowor kandcomebackhome.

Apul
a:Ok
Rebony
e:(
smi
l
ed)Soy
oul
efthi
mforme?

Heleanedoverandki
ssedherneckt
henhel
aidont
opofher
ki
ssingherf
orehead.
..

Apula:
(laughed)Don'tfl
att
eryour
sel
f.
..Hewasokbuthedidn'
t
haveast abl
ejob..Iwantedaseri
ousrel
ati
onshi
pbuthewasn'
t
readyt
ot alkaboutmarri
ageandkids.

Rebonye:
(smiled)Waitsowhyar
eyout
aki
ngamor ni
ngafterpi
ll
then?(
caressi
nghertummy )May
beweshoul
dletourbabyli
ve.
..

Apul
a:(
laughed)Rebony
eidon'
twantafat
her
lessbaby
..
.Ska
nt
hayaoreredir
engwanaabeontatha.

Rebony
e: Iwoul dn't
..
.Ial
sowanttoset
tl
edown.Idon'tknowwhy
woment hinkthey '
retheonl
yoneswhoneedtosett
le.Ihadgi
ven
uponrelationships.
.

Apul
a:Gi
vemey
ourphonei
fyoudon'
thav
eany
onei
nyourl
i
fe

Rebony
e:(
smi
l
ed)What
?

Apul
a:(
openedherhand)Ti
sa

Hesmil
edshy l
yandunl ockedhisphonebef
orehandi
ngitover
..
.
Apul
acli
ckedonhi sWhat sAppmessagesandfoundafew
cont
act
s,bigbro,otherguys,hi
sfat
herandsomegirl
hetri
edto
hi
tonandgotrejected.
Apul
a:(l
aughed)Thi
sgi
rlomakgakgagat
we"
gaost
andar
dsame"
,
whatdoesshedo?

Rebonye:(
laughed)SheisamanagerbutI
'
m gl
adsher
eject
edme.
Iwouldn'
thavemety ou.
..

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
..
.

Rebony
e:WasMongat
heonl
yguy
?

Apul
a:Yes,
whatki
ndofaquest
ioni
sthat
?

Rebony
e:Ij
ustdon'
twantt
obehur
taswel
l
.

Apul
a:Hewast
heonl
yper
son

Rebony
e:Good.
.Wear
enott
aki
ngt
hemor
ningaf
terpi
l
lri
ght
?

Apul
a:I
'
llt
hinkabouti
t.

Rebony
e:Weshoul
dgogett
est
ed.
.Hav
eyout
est
edr
ecent
ly?

Apul
a:Yeah,
Mongawasobsessedwi
tht
est
ing.You?

Rebony
e:It
est
edl
astmont
h,i
twasnegat
ive.

Apul
a:Any
thi
ngel
sei
shoul
dknow?Fl
aws?Idon'
twantsur
pri
ses.
.

Rebony
e:Whatyouseei
swhatyouget.
..
I'
m cur
rent
lypay
ingf
or
thi
scar
,whatabouty
ou?Anydebt
s,f
laws..
.

Apul
a:(
laughed)Nol
oans.Lastt
imei
gotal
oani
waspay
ingf
or
mycarbuti cl
ear
edit.I'
m cur
rentl
ytaki
ngcar
eofmysist
ers,ba3
buttheothert
wolastmont haskedmenottoincl
udet
hem inmy
budgetsanymoresot hatl
eavesjust1.

Rebony
e:Howmucheach?

Apul
a:I
twas1.
5Keachpermont
h

Hel
i
ftedhi
sey
ebr
owsandsmi
l
ed.
..

Rebony
e:Wow.
..Eachone?,
ser
iousbl
ackt
ax,
howol
dar
ethey
?

Apul
a:They'
reol
dert
hanme, I
'mtheyoungestbutI
'mt heone
bl
essedwithagoodj
obsoi havetohol
dthem unti
ltheyfi
nd
somethi
ng.They
'r
esl
owlygetti
ngther
e

Rebony
e:Idoubtt
heywoul
ddosomet
hingser
iousget
ti
ng1.
5for
fr
ee

Apula:Theot heronewasamai d,eventhoughi gavehermoney

shewor kedhar d.Gabannahela..
.Theysel l
thi
ngsbuti don'twant
myni eceslookingshabby.Theyeachhav eachi l
d,theotherhas
two.Theydi dn'
tev enwantt
hatmuchbar ennakey agosal aka
bokaebuti don'tbeli
eveinasi
tuat i
onwher eI'
ml i
vingli
kear i
ch
l
adywhi lemyni eceswalktoschool wit
ht or
nshoes.

Rebonye:Whatarethechi
l
dren'
sfat
her
sdoi
ng?Shoul
dn'
tthatbe
thei
rresponsi
bil
i
ty?

Apul
a:I
t'
scompl
i
cat
ed.
..
Rebonye:Ok.
.Iunderst
and.You'
reagoodsister
..Ij
usthopethey
don'
ttakeadvant
ageofy ouandputal
ltheresponsibi
l
iti
esonyou.
You'
retheyoungestsotheyshoul
dbeal i
tt
lemat ur
e..

Apul
a:(
shr
ugged)Fami
l
ysi
tuat
ions.
..

Rebony
e:Howmuchdoy
oumakepermont
h?

Apul
a:18K

Hesmi
l
edi
ndi
sbel
i
efandl
eanedov
erki
ssi
ngher
..
.

Rebony
e:Yougogi
rl
..
.Powert
othegi
rl
s

Apul
a:(
smi
l
edshy
ly)Thanky
ou.
.

Rebony
e:I
'
veneverdat
edasmar tgi
rl
,it
smyf ir
stt
imedatinga
str
ongwoman.18katyourage?Youmustbeahar dworker.Now
iseewhyt
hecompanymov esyouaround.You'
rest
rong

Apul
a:Am i
str
ong?

Rebonye:You'r
epowerful
..
.AndI'
m goingtowor shi
pthegr ound
youwalkon...Notj
ustbecauseyou'
rebri
ll
iantbutbecausey ou
j
usttookabigr i
skleav
ingsomeoney ouknowf orastrangerli
ke
me.I'
llmakesur ey
oudon'tendupasal aughingstock.
.

Shesmil
edthenhel
eanedov
erandki
ssedherget
ti
ngbet
ween
herl
egs.
..
Att
hemal
l
...

Meanwhil
eMongaparkedt
hecarandl
eanedbackl
ooki
ngathi
s
phone,
shehadn'
tcal
l
edorsentamessage.
..

Hi
sphoner
angt
henhepi
ckedandl
eanedback.
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Thong:Goty
ourmessage,
sodoesthatmeanshehad
unprot
ect
edsexwi
thhim?Areyousuret
heyjustmet
?

Monga:Theyj
ustmetbecauseI
'
mt heonewhofoundthehouse
f
orher,
ihadafriendofmi
negethert
hehouse.Ij
ustdi
dn'
tknowi
washel
pingherdumpmebydoingso.

Thong:Oshapo?

Monga:Uhmonnaketaareng,i
t'
snoteasy.Shehadsexwithhim
t
oday.
..Leav
ingmeinherhousetogodoitli
keIwasdist
urbing
t
hem ormaybetheydi
dinthemorni
ngwhenshel ef
tme.

Thong:
Comebackhome,
tat
akegosi
eladi
bir
ilai
teakaohol
a

Monga:
(laughed)Uhmogasemogohodi
siwakebi
ril
ait
eaka

Thong:
Ntagobat
elakukuee

Monga:
(laughed)ManDf
ucky
ou,
I'
m ser
iouskenal
est
ress.
Thong:I
'
m goi
ngt
ofi
ndy
ouasweetpussy
,doy
oul
i
ket
hem
youngorol
d?

Monga:
(laughed)Ohemi
l
e

Thong:
Youngorol
d?

Monga:
Wheni
gethomei
wantt
osl
eep

Thong:Ok,doyouwantay ounghousehel peroranoldhouse

hel
per?Iwantsomeonet oserveyou.Ial
readyhaveyourspare
keyssoshecancookf oryou.KasaneMauni sa7hour sdri
veso
i
fyouleavenowy ou'
l
lbeher eby10pm andy ourgi
rlwil
lbehere.
..

Monga:
Idon'
twantapr
ost
it
ute

Thong:
Br oil
ovey
ou,whywoul
dibr
ingy
ouasi
ckgi
rl
?Yout
aught
mehealthcomesfi
rst

Monga:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
ogether
?

Thong:Iknowwher etogetundil
utedgi
rl
swhof earmen, i
nthei
r
worldawomandoesn' tcheat,
amani srespect
edandt akencar
e
of.Thei
rgrandmot
her '
srai
sethem tobeaman' sdream.West i
l
l
haveundil
utedcul
turelat
eaka.

Monga:
Heyomaakat
heManD

Thong:
(cr
ackedl
aughi
ngoutl
oud)I
'
m ser
ious

Monga:Howcany
oubel
aughi
ngl
i
ket
hiswhenAt
sil
ecameback
wi
thlov
ebit
es?

Thong:(
laughed)Gai
seat sholwengwanyanayookanti
disang.
Yougrewupi nthesubur
bs, r
ichki
dscryandtheyhav
eemot ions,
whereigrewupaboydoesn' tcry
..
.Iev enforgothowtocr y.Last
ti
mei cr
iediwas6y ear
sold,ifel
lfrom ahor seandtwistedmy
ankl
e.Myf at
herbeatmebecausei couldn'
tstopcryi
ng,het ol
d
meamani snotsupposedtocryyougr unt.I
'm hurtt
hatAtsile
cheat
edwhencheat i
ngwast helastthingonmymi ndbutI'm
comingupwi t
habackupplan.Kej olaleenekei t
segoregase
mosadi.

Monga:
Backup?

Thong:Obv i
ouslythingsarefail
ingwit
hher,sheisdiscover
ing
her
selfandsheisnotr eadytosett
ledown.Iwon'tbeathersoshe
canbehaveli
key ouwantt odowi t
hApula.I
'
llf
indsomet hi
ngthat
worksforme.Iwon' tev enst
opherf r
om cheati
ng,webot hdoas
wewanti nourrelat
ionship.Thereisf
reedom.

Monga:
Uhwenamonnaor
obot
o.

Thong:Ifthereonepersonwhoi sheart
lessisyou,
youronly
probl
em ist haty
ourmot her
'sacti
onshauntyoubutifi
twasme
I
'dsti
llgetitoffmyheadandenj oymylife.Wagoit
helarr
agoa
i
tsebai t
shwar el
any
eel ewenaosai t
senghela.

Monga:
No,
hedoesn'
tknow.Icant
ell
.

Thong: Soyouwantt obreakhisheart?Letthemanenj oyhislast

dayswi thhi
sson.Iftherei
sany thi
ngy oucandof orhimistobea
betterson.(
sighed)Bona,keagogobat elamogo
Setswananyanaogoj ebosigojothe.Phakelayou'l
ldeci
deifyou'r
e
keepingitar
oundf orawhileorlett
ingitgo.I'
l
lmaket hem t
wo, a
ski
nnyoneandat hickone.Ihave2Konme, I
'm goi
ngtocashi t
i
ntoP100andP50not esabekebogakar ubberbandgonna
ngat
ayamadi
.

Monga:
(laughed)You'
recr
azy
,

Mongatookadeepbr
eat
hthought
ful
l
yandsi
ghedt
henhest
art
ed
t
hecaranddrov
eout.
.

Monga:Ihav
ebeenwai
tingi
nthemallt
hinkingApul
awi
l
lsenda
messageorcal
lsowecantal
kbutshei
sj ustqui
et.

Thong:Sheisbusywi
thherboy
fri
endbecausey
ouwer
e
di
stur
bingthem.Aker
ewenaoganadikuku.

Monga:
Don'
tbr
ingany
onet
omyhouse,
ijustwantt
osl
eep.

Thong:
Arey
ousur
e?

Monga:
YesI
'
m sur
e.

Thong: Yourl oss, getreadyt oloseweightandgocr azystar

ingat
Apul aandherboy '
spi ctures.You'r
egoingtobeabi tt
erexwho
stalksahappycoupl e, knowingy ouyou'
llshoottheguytoobut
therewi llalway sbeabet terguywithabet t
erjob.I
fyouneed
anyonet ohel py oucl eant hecrimesceneI '
m aphonecallaway.
I'
m st upidf orhav i
ngaweakf ri
endwhoi sstuckononewoman
dikukudi tetsetetse.

Monga:
(laughed)You'
renotgoi
ngt
oconv
incemet
ospenda
ni
ghtwi
thapr ost
it
ute.

Thong:
Notapr
ost
it
ute.
..
Mongashookhi sheaddri
vi
ng,f
orthosemoment shelaughedand
chattedwithoutthi
nki
ngaboutwhathappenedunti
lthenetwor
k
cuttheirconver
sati
on.Hetookadeepbreathandtookthelong
roadalonewi t
hthemusic.
...

Att
hef
arms.
..
.

Lat
eronThongstoodbyther i
vert
alki
ngtosomegirlswhi
let
hey
fol
dedthei
rski
rt
sgett
ingreadytowalkinther
ivert
ocoll
ect
water
..

Thong:
It'
sjustf
orani
ght
..
.Pl
ease

Theothery
oungwomanl
ookedathi
mrel
uct
ant
lyhol
dingher
bucket
..

Her
:Gar
emapr
ost
ufi
t.

Si
ster
2:Pr
ost
it
uteesengpr
ost
ufi
t

Sist
er3:
Andifpapahearst
hatwewentt
oMaunt
omeetmenwi
th
carshewil
lti
eustoatreeandwhi
pus.

Thong:
Don'
tyouwantt
hemoney
?
Her
:I'
m notapr
ost
it
ute.I
figetmar
ri
edmyhusbandwon'
tfeel
any
thi
ng..
.

Thong:
Doy
ouhav
eaboy
fri
end?

Her:
(wal
kingaway
)NobutI'm goi
ngt
ogetmar
ri
edwheni
grow
up.I
'
m notsel
li
ngmysel
f.
..

Shewalkedint
heri
verandbentov
ercol
l
ect
ingwat
er.
.Herol
der
si
ster
sfoll
owedher
..
.

Si
ster2:Youcanaskt
hegr
ownupst
hatcomet
ofet
chwat
er
maybetheywil
lwanty
ourmoney
.

Thong:You'
reli
ke20and21,22you'
readul
ts.Whyarey
outal
ki
ng
asifyou'
reunderage?Yourpar
ent
sarenotsupposedt
obeatyou
fort
alki
ngtomenaty ourage.

Thegi
rl
scoll
ectedwat
erandwal
kedawaywi
thoutawor
d,Thong
si
ghedanddial
edMonga..
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Thong:Thesev
il
lagegi
rl
sthi
nki
wantt
hem t
obepr
ost
it
utebaa
ganabothe

Monga:Heekantewapekawena!Sant
seompat
elangwany
ana?I
t
oldyouiwanttosl
eepwhenigethome.St
opwi
thyourmadness
Thong:
Youneedsex.
..Ineedt
othi
nkout
sidet
hebox.Shap

Hehungupandgoti
nthecart
henhef
oll
owedt
hegi
rl
s..

Thong:Hi
..
.Sorr
yifI
'm bei
ngper
sist
ent
..
.t
hetr
uthi
smyf
ri
endi
s
shy.
..Heneedsagir
lf
ri
endandili
keyouforhi
m.

Her:
Idon'
twantaboy
fri
end.Andf
ir
sty
ousai
dyouwantsexf
or
hi
m

Thong: It
houghti
fIsaidthatyou'
dagreebecausebackintown
gir
lsdon'tmindhavi
ngsexf ormoney.I'
m sor
ry.Yousai
dyour
fat
herisouttolookforthebull
,hemightnotbebackunti
l
tomorrow.Howabouty oucomet oMaunf oranightonl
y?

Her:
No.Yousoundl
i
kepeoplewhokil
lpeopl
eforri
tual
spl
ease
l
eaveusal
one.Wearenotpr
ost
it
uteswearegoingtobewives
whenwegrowup.

Thongrubbedhi
sheadandlaughedthenhetookouthi
sphone
andrecor
dedsecret
lyasi
fhewasjustholdi
ngthephone.
..

Thong:
whatabouti
fiv
ideohi
m andy
ouseehi
m?

Her
:No.

Thong:
Hel
i
kesy
ou
Shet
urnedaroundwi
thabucketonherheadaswaterdr
ipped
downherfor
eheaddr
oppi
ngonherTshirtandshowi
ngher
ni
ppl
e..
.

Her:
Ifhel
ikesmehehastocomemeetmypar
ent
s,paybogadi
andgetme.Ify
oudon'
tst
opfol
lowi
nguswear
escreami
ng..
.

Thong:
(laughed)Oscr
eameror
eng?

Her
:Ker
emonnay
oobol
aabat
ho.

Thongl
aughedoutl
oudast
hegi
rl
slaughedwal
ki
ngaway
..
..

Her:Gar
emapr
ost
ufi
t.Obat
agor
etshegi
sabat
hogot
wer
a
i
theki
sa.

Thong:
Goshapobomma.Myfri
endi
scomi
ngt
opaymagadi
a
utwawenaokopel
eobal
abal
ang?

Thegi
rl
signoredhi
m andwalkedawaycar
ryi
ngbucket
s.He
si
ghedandturnedar
oundthenhedroveof
fandsentMongathe
gi
rl
'sv
ideo.
..

AtAene'
sHouse.
..
Lat
eronAenecr eatedawhatsappgroupandi
ncludedal
lher
el
dersi
ster
s/cousins.Thenshetypedamessage..
.

Aene:Icr
eatedthisWhat
sAppgroupbecausether
eissomet
hing
eat
ingmeupandwecan' tfindt
heri
ghtti
met omeetsowemi ght
aswelldothisovert
hephone.

Mar
u:Hi
li
tt
leone,
what
'sgoi
ngon?

At
sil
e:Hi

Ot
lhe:
Goengj
aanongbat
hong?

Apul
a:Hel
l
o.

Aene:
Ther
eissomet
hingi
needt
otel
lal
lofy
ou.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#41

Aene: Mamahasnotbeenf eel

i
ngwel lforawhi leandi call
edal l
ofy oukel el ekodisa,noneofy ouhascal ledhert ocheckonher .
AlsoI '
m cur rentl
yt aki
ngcar eofheral oneandsendi ngmy selfto
school att hesamet i
me.Kei potsagor emat hataal onalemama
keengbecauseasf arasi remembershedi dn'tabusey ou.She
tookcar eofy ou,washedy ouruniforms, pr otect edy ouandshe
wasl ikeamot hertoy ou.Ol ebeilemat set siwi thoutcompl aining
yetwhensheneedsy ouy ouallpretendy oudon' thav eamot her.
Ledi ri
sitsemama, yesnooneaskedhert ot akecar eofy oubut
theleasty oucandoi st ocheckonher .WenaAt sil
emamacal l
ed
yout ell
ingy ouRamodal awaher e,shewant edt oupdat ey ougor e
howdi dt heconv ersationbuty oudi dn'tcome.You' r
edi vor
cing
withoutev ent elli
ngher .Apul ayout akeat ransf ert oKasaneand
l
eav ewi thoutev ensay i
nggoodby e.May bei missedsomet hi
ng
becausei wasy oung, didmamadoany t
hingt oy ou?Whydon' t
youl oveher ?I'm strugglingt odot hi
ngsf ormamawai t
seekar e
shedi dn'tr aisedaught er
s.

Ot
lhe: Par
agr
aphekanabat
hong

Maru:You'r
erightAene,I
'
llspeakformy sel
f.Nnaketshabagoy a
kogoauntiebecauseI'
m alwaysbroke.I'
m ashamedtov i
sither
emptyhandedbuti knowshewoul dn'tmindevenifi
don'tbring
anyt
hing.Icanimagineyourfrust
rat
ion.I'
l
lworkonmy self
.

Apul
a: If
eel
sogui
l
ty.Mmakanai
hav
ebeent
hinki
ngabouther
,
iwantedt ogoseeherandt alkt
oherbecauseshei soneper son
whonev erj udgeswhenitcomestor el
ati
onshi
ps.Ntseelegor e
I
'm goingt ocheckonherandev entalktoherabouttheguyi was
dat
ing.I tdoesn' tmat
ternowbecausei l
efthi
m butAuntiewould
havepr ay edf ormebeforeil
eav
e.I'
llcal
lherandwheni arr
ivein
MaunI '
ll comecheckonher .

Atsi
le:Thanksfortal
kingtouswithoutgoingaroundand
gossipi
ngtorelat
ives.Whatil
oveabouty oukegor egankeo
di
kologaope.Ret aabaakanyannaka.Asmuchaswel oveaunti
e
somet i
meswegetcaughtupi nourownpr oblems.Ishoul
dhav e
l
ongt al
kedtoaunt i
etota,
sheshoul dn'
thearaboutmydivorce
fr
om people.I'
l
lfi
xwher eiwentwr ong.

Aene: Thanky ou♥ I '

l
lappreci
atey
ourhel
pbonkgonne.I
'
m
tr
ulyhurtbythedistancebetweenusbutl
onaka4youloveeach
otheryoujustdon'tl
ikeme.

Apula:Iloveyouplease,somet i
mesl i
feget
shecti
c.Iknow
everyt
hingy ou'
redoingtotakecareofauntieandyoushouldn'
t
str
ugglel i
kethat.Nnatotaauntiesentmetoschoolandattended
everyPTAmeet i
ng,evenaf t
erpapa'spassi
ngshealwaysmade
sureshepai dforthi
sandt hat.Gareatshwanel
agor ut
iwake
monnawar onagomot hola.

Aene:
Otl
he?

Otl
he: Ret aabaakanyammaset
senwa.WhenIgeta
par
agraphi
knowdichele.

Aene: Mxm
Ot
lhe:Gat
wewheredoyouwork?You'
regl
owi
ng,nt
shomathe
nt
salakal
ennaer
ebathobabuainafamil
ymeet
ingkent
she
molomokeit
amekaP500.

Aene: Isuf
fert
ogetmymoneycuz.Youdon'
twantt
owor
k
ther
e.

Apul
a:You'
l
lbeal
ri
ghtAene.

Ot
lhe:
Aren'
tyouwor
kingf
orasaf
ari
?Whymakei
tsoundsohar
d?

Aene:
Yeahbuti
t'
snoteasy
.

At
sil
e:Ladi
esihav
etogogetever
ythingreadyforThong.I
wr
ongedhim andI
'mtr
yingt
ogetmy selfbackontrack.

Aene:
Bue

Apul
a:By
e

Rebony
eki
ssedApul
a'
sneckasshepr
essedherphone.
.

Rebony
e:Whoar
eyout
alki
ngt
o?KeMonga?

Apul
a:No,f
amilymeeti
ng.Ourli
tt
lesi
stercal
ledaf
ami
l
yto
complai
naboutusnotchecki
ngonouraunt .

Rebony
e:Letmesee.
..

Shehandedhi
mt hephonethenher
eadt
heirmessagesandgave
hert
hephone.Apul
acli
ckedonherFNBappandenteredherpi
n
l
yi
ngonherst
omach.
..

Rebony
e:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

Apula:Sendi
ngaunt
ieP500forcombo.Thi
swomanrai
sedus
wit
hl ove,
andshenevert
reat
edmycousinbet
ter
.Gashapanea
shapagotheasenasepegoreAenekewagagwe.

Rebonye:Shedidn'
tsayanyt
hingaboutgi
vi
nghermoney
,i
thoughti
t'
sall
aboutcall
ingandchecki
ngonher.

Apul
a:YeahbutAeneistheonl
yonesuppor
ti
ngherandshei
s
goi
ngthroughhel
ltogethermoney

Rebony
e:Whatdoesshedo?

Apul
a:I
t'
scompl
i
cat
ed,
letmef
ini
sht
hist
ransact
ion.

Shesentt
hemoneyanddi
aledheraunt
ie.
.

Apul
a:Nt
eledr
ink

Hewalkedi
ntheki
tchenandopenedt
heempt
yfr
idge.Apul
a
wal
kedinhangi
ngup..
.

Apul
a:Shei
snotpi
cki
ng,
may
beshei
sbat
hing.
Shenoticedt
heempt
yfr
idgeandl
ookedathi
sembar
rassed
face.
..

Rebony
e:Thedr
inki
sfi
nished.I
'
m sor
ry.

Apula:Youdon'thavetobeembar r
assed.
..
youalr
eadytol
dme
you'r
epay i
ngal oanandiunder
standplusi
tsnotmonthend.I
'm
brokemy sel
f.Let'
sgobuyfood.Ineedfoodtoo.Myaccounti
s
l
ow, ihaveli
keP200l ef
t

Rebony
e:Di
dn'
tMongagi
vey
ouamoneybouquety
est
erday
?

Shegaspedsmi
l
ingandwal
kedout
..

Apula:
Ialmostf
orgot
..
.Jesus,
itot
all
yfor
got
.Let
'sgogetaber
e
rekadi
jo.

Helockedt
hedoorandf
oll
owedherout
,hehel
dherhandand
l
ookedinherey
es.
.

Rebonye:
I'
m sorr
yfornotbei
ngagoodhost .Ipr
omi
semonthend
I
'l
lbuyenoughfood.Tot
annai har
dlyeatsoit
hel
akesar
eke
grocer
y.
Apul
a:Iunder
stand.Menhar
dlybuyf
oodwhent
heyst
ayal
one.

Theywal
kedi
nthenshepi
ckedaf
ewP200not
esandhanded
hi
m..

Apul
a:Fuel
up,
yourt
ankwasl
owear
li
er.

Rebony
e:Thanks.

Sheremovedsev
eral
P200not
esf
rom t
hebouquett
hent
hey
walkedout
..
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

LaterthatnightMongasteppedoutofthecarandunlockedt
he
doorlookingathisphone.ManDsentav i
deo,thi
sclownprobabl
y
sentav ideoofawoman' sbutt
,hecl
ickedonthevideoand
watched.

"Her
:Ifhel
i
kesmehehastocomemeetmypar
ents,paybogadi
andgetme.Ify
oudon'
tst
opfol
l
owi
nguswearescreaming.
..

Thong:
(laughed)Oscr
eameror
eng?

Her
:Ker
emonnay
oobol
aabat
ho.
Thongl
aughedoutl
oudast
hegi
rl
slaughedwal
ki
ngaway
..
..

Her:Gar
emapr
ost
ufi
t.Obat
agor
etshegi
sabat
hogot
wer
a
i
theki
sa.

Thong:
Goshapobomma.Myfri
endi
scomi
ngt
opaymagadi
a
utwawenaokopel
eobal
abal
ang?

Thegi
rl
signor
edhi
m andwal
kedawaycar
ryi
ngbucket
s."

Mongasmi ledandlaughedasher ewindedt hev i

deobackt ot his
girl
sf ace.Shehadi nnocenteyes,he'dneverseenbeaut ybey ond
such...Bey ondherMapomdo, themuddywat erdri
ppi
ngont he
sideofherf ace.
.Bey ondhernothav i
ngabr aandbey ondthe
twistedgr eenandr edwool ar
oundherwai st..
.Henev er
under stoodwhatt hiswasallaboutbutheknewi thadtodowi t
h
super sti
ti
ouspr ot
ection..
.Whateveritwas, heknewi twascul t
ure.
Hepausedonherv i
deoandst aredatherbel lybutt
onandsmi led
thenhedi aledThong...

Thong:
Hel
l
o?

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)Heebanasesent
eny
ana,
kamol
atel
akamoso.

Thong:
Iknowy
ourt
ast
ethemonna
Monga:Ei
sh,
golethekany
ana.(
laughed)Ar
egar
emapr
ost
ufi
t,
ngwany
anaolegaautwe.

Thong:
(laughed)Let'
shopeshewon'trunaway ,kwalewhent
hey
seeamani nacart heythi
nkyoukil
lpeoplef
orritual
s.Car
smake
youunt
rustworthyi
nsteadofatt
ract
iveli
keintowns.

Monga:
(laughed)Wewi
l
lwai
tforheratt
her
iveree.
.

Thong:
Sur
e..
.I
'
llshowy
oumi
net
omor
row.

Monga:
(laughed)Cheer
sman.

Hehungupandt ookoffhisshoesthenhewal kedinthebedroom

andcheckedhi
smessages, hestil
lhadnothi
ngf r
om herthenhe
del
etedhernumberandunf r
iendedheronfacebook.Hedr opped
onthebedandlaidther
esmi li
ngthought
ful
ly
,hel i
ft
edhisphone
andwatchedhervideoagai
nashel aughedoutloud..
.

I
nKasane.
..

Meanwhi
l
eApulaandRebonyelai
dont
hecouchwat
chi
ngTV.
..
Hi
sphonerangt
henhepicked.
.

Rebony
e:Hel
l
o?

Voi
ce:
Wat
renda.
.Theypost
edy
oukoFi
ghtcr
ime.
Rebony
e:What
?

Voi
ce:Theladysay
syougotAi
rFor
ceshoesf
rom herandnev
er
pai
dthe2.4K.

Hehungupandcl ickedonfacebook,
Apulaalsocl
ickedon
facebookandsear chedfort
hegroup,theyhadposted2ofhis
pict
ureswithscreenshotsfr
om Rebonyepromisi
ngt opay2
mont hspr
ior.Theposthadov er2Kcomment s.

Rebonye:Jesus.
..Thi
ngsl
i
ket
hismaket
hebossl
oset
rust
,le
di
gnit
yy atsamaya.

Apul
a:Tel
lhert
odelet
etheposty
ou'
l
lpayhermont
hend.Why
di
dyoublockhert
hough?

Rebony
e:Shewasi
nsul
ti
ngme.Iwasgoi
ngt
opayher
..

Apula:
Let'
sgogetmoneyf
rom mybouquetanddeposi
t,i
thi
nkit
wil
lbeenought
ocoverher
.I'
l
lper
sonal
lyt
alktoherandpayher
.

Hel
eanedov
erandhuggedheremot
ional
l
y..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#42

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erthatni
ghtMonga'sphonerangbesi
deshi
mint
err
upt
inghi
s
sl
eep.Hepickedwi
thoutlooki
ngatthescr
een.
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Gi
rlv
oice:
Hi

Monga:
Whoi
sthi
s?

Gi
rlv
oice:
Lame

Monga:
War
eng?Wher
edi
dyougetmynumber
?

Lame:Igoti
tfr
om y
ourMmaTi
ki
'sphonewheni
visi
tedt
oday
.
Whereareyou?

Monga:
I'
minMaun.

Lame:
Ok,
ijustwant
edt
ochat
.

Monga:
Doy
ouhav
eacr
ushonme?

Lame:
(gi
ggl
ed)Um.
..Yeah

Monga:
I'
my ourbrot
her
,it
'si
mpossi
blef
orust
orel
atel
i
ket
hat
..
..
I
'mli
keabrothert
oyou.
Lame:(l
aughed)Ev
erymani
sabr
otheratchur
chbuty
oucan
changethat
.

Monga:Don'ttakeyourmom'sfunnyconv
ersat
ionswi
thme
ser
ious,shedidthatwit
hLesegobutshei
samar ri
edwomannow.
Gofindaboy f
riendgapennakemotonamogowenaket ago
gol
agatsannana.

Lame:
(laughed)Ok,
iunder
stand.

Monga:
Ok,
goodni
ght

Lame:
Goodni
ght
.

Hehungupandl
aidhi
sheaddownt
henhi
sphoner
ang.
.

Monga:
Whatnow?
!

Voi
ce:
Badt
ime?

Thesl
eepyf
eel
i
ngdi
sappear
edandhesatup.
..

Monga:
No,
notatal
l
.What
'sgoi
ngon?

Voi
ce:Isenty
ouanemai l
.Thi
sisanur
gentandsensi
ti
vemat
ter
sopl
easedoy ourbest
.

Monga:
Iwi
l
l.Thanks.
Hehungupandgrabbedhi
slaptopt
henhecl
ickedonhispr
ivat
e
emai
lsandcl
i
ckedont hef
il
e.Thepr
icewasworthever
yact
ion
i
nvol
ved.
..

Hecl
osedt
heemai
l
sandl
aiddownput
ti
nghi
sphoneonsi
l
ent
.

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
l
eAt si
l
edozedof fsi
tt
ingont
hecouch,
thedooropened
t
henshejumpedandlookedasThongwalkedi
n..

At
sil
e:Hi

Thong:
Heybabe

Hel
eanedoverandki
ssedhert
henhewal
kedt
othebedr
oom
t
aki
ngoffhi
ssweater
..

At
sil
efol
lowedhim wi
that
rayf
oodandputi
tont
hebedwhi
l
ehe
wasgett
ingundr
essed.
At
sil
e:Yourf
oodi
sher
e.

Thongsatdownandbeguneat
ingt
henhesmi
l
edandl
eanedov
er
ki
ssingher
..
.

Thong:Thi
sissodel
ici
ous,i
fthi
sisy
ourwayofget
ti
ngi
nmy
hear
tyou'r
eonrheri
ghttr
ack.
.

Heki
ssedherandcar
ri
edoneat
ing.
.

Thong:
You'
reagoodcook

At
sil
e:Thanky
ou.
..

Shebr
oughtawetcl
otht
henhewi
pedhi
shandsanddr
unkj
uice.

Minut
esl
aterhewalkedint
hebat
hroom f
orashowerand
br
ushedhi
steethbefor
ecomingbackt
obedwhereAtsil
ewas
sl
eepi
ngnude.

Helai
dbehi
ndandsi ghedpul
li
nghercloser
..
.shemovedherbut
t
overt
ohi
mr ubbinghersel
fonhim,hecouldnevermi
sssucha
si
gnal
.Heturnedheraroundandgotontopofherparti
ngherl
egs
wi
thhi
skneet
henheki
ssedher
.

Hekissedherwhil
ehi sot
herhandr
eachedf
orthedrawer
.He
openeditandpull
edoutaboxofcondomsthenhetookoutone
andcarri
edonkissingher
..
.

At
sil
e:Noneedt
ouseacondom.Idi
dn'
thav
eunpr
otect
edsex

Thong:
(whi
sper
ed)Iwasn'
tther
e..
.

Hekissedherneckgoi
ngdownherneckt
oherni
ppl
ewhi
l
ehe
r
oll
edont hecondom t
henhe#Removed.
..

AtThat
o'sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
leThat
olaughedst
andi
ngi
ntheki
tchent
alki
ngt
ohi
s
babymama..
.

That
o:I
sshesl
eepi
ng?

Her
:Yeah.
.Shemi
ssedy
ou.

That
o:Tel
lherI
'
llseehert
omor
row.

Her
:Iwast
hinki
ngt
omor
rowi
shoul
dbr
ingheri
nst
eadofy
ou
comi
nghere.If
eell
i
key ou'
reneverf
reet
opl
aywi
thherbecause
myparent
sandeveryoneisar
ound.

That
o:That
'sgr
eat
,I'
l
llety
ouknowwheni
knockof
f.

Her
:Goodni
ght
,il
ovey
ou

That
o:Ni
ght
,il
ovey
out
oo.

Hehungup.
.

Meanwhi
leRandal
ll
aidacr
osst
hebedt
alki
ngt
ohi
syoungest
babymama..
.

Randal
l:(
laughed)Al
ri
ght
,nopr
oblem.
..(
laughed)Babewhatcani
say?Yourwishismycommand..

That
olai
dont
hebednextt
ohi
m andpunchedhi
m ont
he
st
omach..

Randall
:(grunt
edandl
aughed)Ot
aanyel
athemonna..
.Uh?Ke
Thato,golomogantwael
agonnahel
agompetsa..
.(l
aughed)I
l
ovey outooby e

Hehungupandt
ouchedhi
sst
omacht
henhechar
gedatThat
oas
shebl
ockedwi
thapi
l
low.
..

That
o:(
laughed)Randal
li
fyouhi
tmeI
'
m hi
dingy
ourcarkey
s.

Randal
l
:(l
aughed)Youj
ustpunchedme!

That
o:Come,
letmef
ixi
t

Heleanedoverandli
ft
edhisvestthenheki
ssedhim onthe
st
omachbef or
estandingupastheyhuggedstandi
ngthere.
..
Randal
lpul
ledhischi
nupandki ssedhi
m...

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erthatnightApul
aswi
tchedofft
helight
sandpeel
edt
heduv
et
bef
oresli
dinginbedandl
ayingdown..

Wasshet hinki
ngwaydeepert hannecessaryorwasRebony e
defi
nitel
ynotwhatsheexpect ed?From hi
swar drobetheguyhad
tast
ef orexpensiveclotheswhichisn'
tbadbecausehei san
accountantbut .
..Wasitbeyondhispay?Nowt hatshewas
thi
nkingabouti t
, whatkindofanaccountantwashe?Whatwas
hisqualif
icati
on?May behewasal owerrateaccountantwi
tha
smallerscale,butthenhewoul dn'
thaveaffor
dedapor scheinthe
fi
rstplace..
.May behejusthitrockbott
om anddi dn'
thavea
womanwhocoul
dhel
phi
m makebet
terdeci
sionsi
nli
fe.
..

Sher
ecei
vedamessagef
rom hi
m andcl
i
ckedoni
t.

Rebony e:Ican'tsleep.I'
m embar rassedaboutwhathappened
todaybutI '
m glady ousav edmeandpai dthatlady .Thankyouso
much, ihaven'tknowny ouf orlongbuti tfeelsli
keI 'v
eknowny ou
forlongtime.Ihav eacompanyt hatI '
mr unningont hesidebuti
haven'twonanyt enderr ecentlysoi hadt oletgoofmy
empl oyeesbutI '
veappl i
edf ormoneyf rom CEDA.Ihav eaf r
iend
thereandhet oldmemyappl icati
onwi llbesuccessf ul
,hesays
what '
sleftisj
ustf ormal i
ti
es.Assoonasi r
eceivemy300KI 'm
taki
ngy ousomewher e..
.Don'twor rythebudgetwoul dall
ow.The
onlyproblem wi t
hr esponsey aCEDAi st hatthey'
r egoingto
respondwhent hist enderappl i
cationi sclosed.Itwoul dbeniceif
mycompanyi soneoft hetender i
ngcompani esf orthisbecause
i
tsa1mi l
li
ontender .

Rebonye( sentapi ct
ureoft henewspaperpost .
) I fitwas
possibl
eI '
dsaygetal oanformey a150Ksoi cancov erthe
basicshelaandsubmi tmyt enderappl i
cationwhent heCEDA
fundcomesi clearyourloanwi ththeinterestbecausei knowthe
bankget sitbackwi t
hi nt
erest,butitsalott oaskforbecausey ou
probablydon'ttrustme.Dilotsal echonoket olwaket enderkee
l
ebile.{
Beingbr okesucks, I
'mjustgoi ngtol osethi
st ender}.I
'
m
real
lytr
y i
ng,wishi hadsuppor tfrom myf ami lyorfr
iendsbutat
l
eastI'
m sur
eaboutthefund.Anywaysgoodni
ghtmyl
ove.May
Godblessyourgener
ousheart.If
eel
li
keI'
vemetmywife.Ni
ght
babe

Shesmi
l
edemot
ional
l
yandt
ypedar
epl
ybl
ushi
ng.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#43

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Apula:
(text
ed)I'
mr eal
lyproudofy oufort
ryi
ngdif
ferentt
hings
andnotjustdependingony oursal
ary.If
eelsoemotionalr
eading
yourmessage,butI'
m soscar edtogetaloanbecausewehar dly
knoweachot her
.May beinacoupl eofmonthsorso.

Rebonye:Itot
all
yunderstandmyl
oveandimustsayI'
m pr
oudof
youforbeingcaref
ul.Foramomentiwasworr
iedthaty
ou'
ret
oo
giv
ing.

Apul
a:Thanky
oubabe

Rebony
e:Goodni
ght
,don'
tl
ett
hebedbugsbi
te

Apul
a:Ni
ght
..

Sheputherphonedownandl ai
ddownherheadsmi l
ing,sti
l
l.
..
Wast hi
sami stake?Howcomei tdi
dn'
tfeelsogreatthathe
foundi tsoeasyt oborrowmoneyf r
om her?Orwast hisbecause
shej ustlef
tarelati
onshipwithamanwhonev erevenknewhow
muchshemade?Orwast hi
shercomparinganexwi thher
current?Thoughtscr ossedhermindasshelaidthereuntil
shefel
l
asleep...
Att
hef
arm.
..

Thenextmorni
ngMongar
oll
eddownt
hewi
ndowast
heydr
ove
pastf
iel
dsofcr
ops.
..

Monga:
Thi
spl
acei
sbeaut
if
ul.
..Howdi
dyougety
ourf
iel
d?

Thong:Igotminebackint
hedayswheny oujustwalkedint
he
bushandcutapieceyouli
kethenst
artgr
owingcr ops.Ir
ecent
ly
appl
iedforacert
if
icat
eswhenlawsgotseri
ous.

Monga: St
ayi
ngi ntheci
tyi
sadr
awbackwai
tse.
..Nemonnacan'
t
youfindmeapi ece?Iwantt
ogr
owmabeleandseeifi
can
producemabele.

Thong:Thelandclosert
oawat ersourcesisnowt akenbut
buyi
ngispossibleandbecausemostpeopl eselli
ngareeldersor
chi
ldr
enwhoj ustwanttogetri
doft heinher
itancetheysellat
l
owerprices.I
'l
ltel
lafewpeopletohelpusf i
ndy ousomet hi
ng..
.

Monga:
You'
rebr
il
li
antl
ait
eakawai
tse.
..

Thong:
Thanks.
.

Hedrov
etowar
dst
her
iverandpar
kedt
hecart
henhest
epped
out
..
Thong:Let
'sgo,
ther
iveri
snotf
arf
rom her
e.Idon'
twantt
hem t
o
seethecar
.

Monga:
Alr
ight
..

Theguy
swal kedt
hrought
hebushesandapproachedther
iver
,
Mongastoodbyholdi
nghi
swaistl
ooki
ngattheendlessri
ver.
..

Monga:Thisplacei
sundi
lut
ed..
.Assoonasthewhitesdiscover
t
hisareathey
'r
egoingtobuythi
slandandf
encealongther i
vers
makingiti
mpossibl
efort
helocal
stoevencoll
ectwater
..

Thong:They
'vest
art
edont
heot
hersi
de,
lookatt
hosef
lat
s..
.It
's
them..
.

Ther
ewasv oi
cesofgi
rl
schat
ti
ngandlaughi
ngt
owardstheri
ver
andtheguy
sturnedl
ooki
ngatthem.I
twasthet
hreesi
ster
s
agai
n..
.

Thegir
lsst oppedont heirtr
ackshol di
ngt hebucket s,they
suspi
ciouslylookedatoneanot her.Thefirstti
met heydi dn'
ttake
thi
smanser i
ouslybutnowi tseemedl i
kehehadbr oughtmor e
peopl
et okidnapt hem andmay bekill
them f orr
it
ual s.They
tur
nedar oundandr anof fdroppingtheirbuckets.
ThongandMongar anafterthem, t
heyoungestgir
lfoldedher
ski
rtandr anasMongar anpastt heot
hersist
erandf oll
owedher
downasandyr oadwherehegr abbedherfrom behi
nd.Thegirl
screamedki cki
ngandshakingasMongacov er
edhermout h
panting.
.

Monga:
(pant
ing)I
'
m notgoi
ngt
ohur
tyou.
..Ij
ustwantt
otal
k..
.

Stil
lhol
dingherf
rom behi
ndherwithhi
sarm aroundherhecoul
d
feelherhear
tpoundi
ngsof asthet
houghtshe'
dhaveaheart
attack.
..

Monga:I
'
m notgoi
ngt
ohurtyou.Ij
ustwantedt
otal
ktoyou.
..My
nameisMonga.
..Myf
ri
endsentmeav ideoofy
ou.Look.
.

Het
ookouthi
sphoneandshowedher
..
.

Monga:
Ithi
nkyou'
rever
ybeauti
ful
andi t
houghti
twoul
dbeni
ce
t
otal
ktoyoufi
rstbef
oretal
ki
ngtoyourparent
s.

Heputhi
sphonebacki
nhi
spocketwhi
l
est
il
lhol
dingher
..
Monga:
I'
mlet
ti
ngy
ougonow?Pl
easedon'
tscr
eam.
..

Heslowl
ylethergoandshesteppedbackpanti
ng,
henot
iceda
gl
assorsomethingcutherf
ootthenhebentdown.
.

Monga:Youcuty
ourf
oot
..
.Let
'sgowasht
hisof
fbef
orei
tget
san
i
nfect
ion.
.

Mongatur
nedaroundt
oThongashest
oodbyhol
dingakni
fe
poi
nti
ngatthet
wosist
ers.

Monga:
Arey
oucr
azy
?Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

Thong:Theywer
egoi
ngt
orunandt
ell
thei
rfat
herbef
orey
out
alk
toher.

Monga:
Putdownt
hekni
fey
ou'
rescar
ingt
hem.
.

Thongputdownt
hekni
feandf
oldedi
t.

Monga:
(tot
hem)I
'
m sor
ry.
..

Ther
ewassi
l
enceasal
l5oft
hem st
oodt
her
e..
Monga:
Cani
car
ryy
out
other
iver
?

Her
:I'
l
lwal
k..

Mongapi ckedherbucketandfol
l
owedhert
other
iverwherehe
tookoffhisshoesandcollect
edwat
ert
henhewal
kedov erand
pouredov erherf
oot.
..

Hersi
sterwal
kedov
erandhel
pedherwasht
hecut
..

Her
:Lanai
thi
nkweshoul
dgohomeandwr
apt
hiswi
thacl
oth.
.

Monga:
What
'sy
ourname?

Her
:Tsel
ana

Monga:
Ok,
mynamei
sMonga.

Lana:
Ok.
..

Monga:
Cani
hav
eyournumber
?

Lana:
Idon'
thav
eaphone

Monga:Iwantt
oseeyouagai
n,shoul
dibr
ingy
ouaphonet
he
nextt
imeIseeyou?

Lana:
I'
ll
geti
ntr
oubl
eforhav
ingaphone.

Si
ster
:Youcanhi
dei
t.
Monga:Al
ri
ght
,I'
l
lbri
ngyouaphone.Letmecol
l
ecty
ourwat
er
andhel
pyoucarr
yithal
fway
.

Sist
er:
It'
sok,
wewi
l
lmanage.You'
rewear
ingpant
s,t
heywoul
d
getwet.
.

Thesistergotalltheirbucketsandcoll
ect
edwat erwhil
eMonga
helpedherstandandsi ghedlooki
ngather.Thi
swouldbeharder
thanheimagi ned,shedi dn'
tseem toknoworunderstandmuch
aboutrelat
ionships..
.

Monga:Cani
comeseey
out
hisaf
ter
noon?Iwantt
ogobackand
buyi
t.

Lana:
Ok

ThankGodsheagr
eedtot
his,
per
hapswhent
heymeetlat
er
todayj
ustt
hetwooft
hem t
heywoul
dhaveaf
airchancet
otal
k..

Monga:
Cani
bri
ngy
ouany
thi
ng?

Lana:
Bat
hingsoapandr
oll
-on.
..Andawool
.

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)I
'
llbr
ingt
hem.

Mongawal
kedar
oundpi
cki
ngherf
li
p-f
lopsandt
urnedt
hem
aroundsohecoul
dseethesizebutt
heywer esooldthenumber
hadwornout.I
thadapieceofmetalhol
dingitunder
neat
h..He
putdownhershoesandshestagger
edsli
ppingherfeeti
nside.
.

Monga:
Orwal
asi
ze4or5?

Lana:
5.

Monga:
Alr
ight
.

Mongatookadeepbr eat
handsighedputt
inghishandsi nthe
pocket
sast hesi
ster
swalkedaway.Theoldestheldherbucket
ontheothersi
deandheldtoget
herwit
hLanaont heotherside.
.

Thongputhi
sar
m ov
erhi
sshoul
derandpul
l
edhi
m ov
er.
..

Thong:
Let
'sgo.
..
stopst
ari
ngot
ogaoi
thot
ela.
.

Mongal
aughedast
heywal
kedaway
..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
ert
hatmor
ningApul
afr
iedchi
psi
napanwhi
l
etal
ki
ngt
othe
phone.
..

Maru:
I'm happywithwhateveryouwant
,ili
kedMongabut
whoeveryoulikeiwel
come.Mmewheni tcomestothemoney
i
ssueithinkyoushouldholdyourhor
ses.
..Youcannotdi
shout
moneylikethat.

Apula:
The150Kgotmewonder ingifI'
m getti
ngscammedkana
thesethi
ngshappenandwhentheydowel aughatthosewomen
onsocialmedi
athinki
ngt
hey'
restupid.

At
sil
e:Don'
tgetal
oanf
orhi
m.I
t'
stoor
isky
.

Ot
lhe:
Howmuchdoesheev
enear
n?I
joo.

Apula:Enetot
ahehasaj obandseemsst ablebutpr
oblem seems
tobedebts.Iknowalotofwomenwhometamanwhohad
problemsbutwerepati
entanditpaidoff
.Iseealotofpowerful
menpost i
nggorewhent heymettheirwomenpickedthem upor
evenpaidthei
rrent
.Babuaj al
othosemenbal emoniednow.

Otl
he: That
'str
uebuttherearethosemenwhol eavepeopl
ein
debts.Becareful
.Let
'sseeifhewi l
lspendony oubefor
eyou
spendt oomuchonhi m.Inadayhel ayouclearedhi
sdebts?
Nnyaa.Thismanofy ourscan'tfi
l
lMat aozen'
sshoes.
..

Apula:(l
aughed)Mat aozeni sacrimi
nal
,nonormal mancanf i
ll
hisshoes.Every
thingisfineunt i
lhel
eavesmepr egnantandgoes
tojail
forGodknowswhat .Ifeel
li
keRebonyeisOKbuthi m
borrowing150Kf r
om memademesuspi ci
ous,i
fhecant r
ustme
withhismoneyt henmay bebutpr obl
em issofarI'
mt heonlyone
gi
vi
ngoutmoney
.

Thedooropenedandshetur
nedar
oundasRebony
ewal
kedi
n
exci
tedl
yandhuggedher
.

Apul
a:I
'
llcal
lyoubackl
adi
es.

ShehungupasRebony
epi
ckedherupandputheront
hecount
er
bef
oreki
ssi
ngher.
.

Rebony
e:Ij
ustr
ecei
vedmy100Kpackage.

Apul
a:Yourwhat
?

Rebonye: Mypackagefrom mypreviousemployer.I

'
v ebeen
wait
ingforthem togivememymoneyandi t'
sfi
nall
yin.It
s100k
soI'
mt hinki
ngweshoul dopenajointaccountandsav eforour
wedding.Iwaslikedoi dobusi
nessordoi marr
ythiswoman?
Knowinghoweasi lyyoucanwalkawayf rom someonewho
doesn'
ttakey ouseri
ouslyit
houghtletmemar ryher.
..t
hattender
canwait.
..Iwanttoachieveever
ythi
ngwi thyoubymysi de..

Hetookouthi
sphoneandshowedhert hemessagethenhe
t
ransf
err
edthe100Ktoheraccountandhuggedher.
..
Rebonye:You'
reabl
essi
ngi
nmyl
i
fe.
..Youwal
kinandal
lthe
doorsopen..
.

Apul
a'
smout
hdr
oppedasshesmi
l
edsur
pri
sed.
.

Rebonye: Damn.
..Ihaveevenaskedy ouifyou'r
eOKgetti
ng
marri
ed..Amanknowst heminuteheseesawomanheknowsi f
sheistheoneornot .
..I
tdoesn'
thav etotake10y ear
sand4kids
tomarry..Butt
hat'
sjustmyopinion.Idon'tknowwhatitt
akesfor
awomant omarr
ysomeone...

Hesl
owl
ygotononekneeandt
ookoutar
ing.
..

Rebonye:
Assoonasi gott
hisi
rushtotheshopandf
oundthe
bestr
ingicoul
dget
..(
tookadeepbreat
h)Willy
oumarryme?

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#44

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Shesmi
l
edr
eluct
ant
lyandsi
ghedr
ubbi
ngherhandst
oget
her
..
.

Apul
a:It
hinki
t'
stoosoon.
..

Rebony
e:I
t'
snev
ert
oosoon.
.

Apul
a:Idon'
tev
enknowy
oursur
name.
.

Hesi
gheddi
scour
agedandst
oodupst
il
lhol
dinghi
sri
ng.
.

Apula:Iknowi saidsomet hi
ngaboutmar r
iageandchi ldr
enbuti
don'tthi
nkwear er eady.Itookthelastpillbecausei don'
tt hi
nk
youcanaf fordababy ,idon'twanttobet heonl yperson
suppor t
ingthebaby .Ipersonal
lyf
eel l
iketherei smor eineedt o
knowabouty ou.Idi dn'
tev enknowy ouhav eacompanyandi
don'tknowwhati tdoes.Hav i
ngajointaccounti sahuge
responsibil
it
y..
.Iappr eciateyoutr
ustingmewi t
hyourmoneybut
I'
m goingt oret
ur nitassoonasIgeti t.Let'
st akethi
ngssl ow..
.

Rebony
e:Feel
sli
key
oudon'
tev
ent
rustme
Apul
a:It
'snotthat
..
.Idon'
twantt
orush.Iwantust
ogett
oknow
oneanotherf
ir
st..

Rebony
e:Ok.
.

Hesi
ghedandputt
her
ingonhi
spocket
..

Rebony
e:Whatar
eyoumaki
ng?

Apul
a:Scrambl
edeggs.
.Whatt
imear
eyougoi
ngt
owor
k?
Yest
erdayyoudi
dn'
tgo.
..

Rebonye:Oh,
I'
m aboutt
ogo.Thanksf
orr
emi
ndi
ngme,
I'
m goi
ng
tobelate.
.

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedhert
henhewal
kedout
..
.

Rebony
e:Seey
ouwheni
getback.

Apul
a:By
ebabe.
.

Shesmil
edunti
lhewal
kedoutandcl
osedthedoorthenshe
si
ghedandfr
owned.Damn!Thi
sdefi
nit
elydi
dn'
tfeelr
ight
..
.

Shepi
ckedherphoneandwentt
hroughhi
saccountagai
n..
.
Somet hingdi dn'tf
eel r
ightatall
.Shesearchedhisf
ri
endsand
star
edatt heirpict
urest houghtf
ull
ythensheloggedint
oherf ake
account .Shesentar equesttotheguyalway scommentingon
Rebony e'spictures.I
tdi dn'
ttakemorethanami nut
eheaccept ed
herrequest ,thepowerofhav inganacti
vefakeaccountwith
real
ist
icpi ctures..
.

Hi
m:Hi
Vanessa,
towhatdoIowet
hisf
ri
endshi
p?

Apul
a: Youwereonmypeopl
eyoumayknow.Ar
eyout
he
Markwhowentt
oschool
wit
hmybrot
heratUB?

Hi
m:No,
iwentt
oBot
swanaAccount
ancyCol
l
ege.

Apul
a:Ohok,
wel
lni
cet
omeety
ou.Thanksf
ort
hef
ri
endshi
p.

Hi
m:Sur
e,wher
eyouat
?

Apul
a:Bl
ock7,
why
?

Hi
m:Sweet
,I'
minbl
ock5.
..
Weshoul
dgof
ordr
inkssomet
ime.

Apula:
Defi
nit
ely
,butI'
dcomewi
thmysist
erj
ustt
obesafe.
Wouldyoubri
ngy ourf
ri
endf
ormysi
ster
?Theguyyou'
rewi
thon
yourDP.

Him: Hei smar

ri
ed,
butI
'
llf
indsomeoney
oursi
stermi
ght
hangwi
th.

Apul
a:Ohok,
hei
sn'
twear
ingar
ing

Hi
m: Theseguy
sdon'
twearr
ingswhent
hemar
ri
agel
osest
hat
t
hing.
Apul
a: Losest
hatt
hing?I
sn'
tthewi
fecompl
aini
ng?

Hi
m:Hegav
ehert
het
hisr
inghur
tsmeexcuse.

Apul
a: I joo,
kemathata.Doeshehaveki
ds?Wai
tsebannal
e
mathat
a.Ihopeyou'
renotmarri
edtoo?

Hi
m:I
'
m notmar
ri
ed,
ipr
omi
se.Hehas4ki
ds

Apula:
Ijoo.Whyl
edi
raj
alomme?4ki
ds?Woul
dyoudot
hatt
o
yourwif
e?

Him:Hel oveshiski
dstothemoonl eenemosadi helov esher,he
j
ustdecidedtoleaveherwit
hhisparentsandhustlearound.I
thi
nkthedistanceki
ll
edthesparkbutloveeteng.Iborrowedhi m
100kyesterdaysoithi
nktheymighttr
aveltorevi
vetheirmar r
iage.
Sheisn'
taFacebookkindofpersonsouh.Any waysenoughabout
that
..
.TellmeaboutVanessa..

Apul
a: Howaboutwet
alkov
erdr
inkst
omor
row?

Hi
m:Ohdef
ini
tel
y.Whatt
ime?

Apul
a:I
'
lll
ety
ouknow,
I'
m anur
sesoI
'
llcheckwhatt
imeI
'
llbe
fr
ee.

Hi
m:Ohsweet
,tomor
rowey
?

Apul
a: Tomor
row.

Sheloggedoutandsi
ghedroll
inghereyes,
thankGodt hefr
iend
fl
exedwitht
he100k..
.shesentRebonyeafri
endrequestandhe
accept
edher.
.
Rebony
e:Vanessa.
..You'
resobeaut
if
ul

Apul
a:Hi,
thankscousininlawpl
easet
ell
mey
our
ememberme
bef
oreyousaycrazythings

Rebony
e:OhmyGod,
I'
m sor
ry .Whoar
eyou?

Apul
a:I
'
m hercousi
n

Rebony
e:You'
reSadi
'
scousi
n?OK.
..Thanksf
ort
her
equest
.

Apul
a:Wasjustwonder
ingi
fthi
sy earwewoul
dseeherandt
he
ki
ds?Chr
ist
masi sar
oundthecorner.

Rebonye:I
'm worki
ngongettingheracarsosheandtheki
dscan
comeov er
.Don'ttel
lheri
t'
sasur pr
ise I '
m st
il
li
nKasane
wait
ingforacli
enttocomet estt
hecarandseeifhecanbuyi
t.
HeisinNami bi
aandshouldbebackt hi
sweek.

Apula:Ok,nny
aarr
ayou'
reagoodhusband.Cousi
eisi
ngood
hands.Didyousor
toutt
heAirFor
celady
?

Rebony
e:Yeah,
sor
ted.

Apul
a:Youpai
d?Whati
fshepost
syou?

Rebony
e:Af
ri
endhel
pedmeout
.

Apul
a:Ok.I
'
m gl
ady
ou'
regood.

Rebonye:
Alr
ight
..Justwentthr
oughyourpict
ures.You'
renot
famil
i
aratal
l.Ar
ey ouMariah'
sli
tt
lesi
ster
?

Apul
a: sheh,
waal
ebal
atot
abuti
don'
tbl
amey
ou.Iwasso
y
oungwhenhappened.I
'
m MmaKay
'sl
astbor
n

Hi
m:MmaK?Idon'
trememberall
herfamil
ymember
sbuti
see
r
esembl
esy
agaSadi.Lebant
einyourfami
ly.

Apul
a:Ri
ngekae?

Him:Isenti
tback,
itmademyf
ingeri
tchsoi
thi
nki
needasi
l
ver
notgol
d.

Apul
a: Ok,
myphonei
sswi
tchi
ngof
f.Letmechar
ge.

Shel oggedoutandsighedcov eri

nghermout h,wast hi
sconman
planningtohaveherputanot her100kthencashoutt hewhole
200Kandgobuyhi swi f
eacarandt akeouthischil
drenfor
christmas?Shewentbackandt ookscreenshotsthenshesentto
hergr oupwit
hthesisters.
..

Apula:(sentscr
eenshots) Ifeelsostupi
d,bonanggor
eke
thal
etsengMat aozen.Wait
sennakealoiwalona?

Mar
u:

At
sil
e:Gobackt
oMat
aozenbef
orehemov
eson.

Apul
a:Af
terthewayit
reat
edhi
m?Hewon'tagreeandeveni
fhe
doesi
twouldbetohur
tmebecausemendon'tfor
giv
echeat
ing.

At
sil
e:Thongf
orgav
eme

Apul
a:Hedi
dn'
t.
Ot
lhe:
Can'
tyout
ry?

Apul a:No,I
'm notgoingt otrybecausei destroyedour
relati
onshipanddest royedhisselfesteem.Thi ngswouldnever
bet hesame, i
fatallhet alkstomeaf terthisitwouldbehim
beingci v
ilmmehel ahei sdef i
nit
elygoingt omeetsomeonewho
treatshim bett
er.Therear esomanysi nglewomenoutt her
eand
Mat aozenwi l
lnotstruggletofindonebecausegaabechewa
amogedi sa.Nnaket shameki lekaoppor tunit
yy amekadi
standard.Ican'tbel
ievet hi
smanmademespendmybouqueton
him.Iwantt oexposehi m onf acebook.

At
sil
e:Whati
fhedoessomet
hingt
oyou?I
t'
sjustt
het
woofy
ou
i
ntheyar
d.

Ot
lhe:
Hemustbeexposed.

Maru:Don'
texposehi
m.Justendt
hingsandt
aket
imeof
f
rel
ati
onshi
ps.Mmekana5y ear
swasenoughnnammagakei
tse
goreawaloiwakanaj
ang.

Apula:I
'l
lmanageladies,
I'
m usedt
olonel
iness.I'
l
lsol
dieron,I
'm
gladIdidn'
tgett
heloanforhim.Heaskedmet omar r
yhim while
heismar ri
edandverymuchi nl
ovewit
hhiswi f
ethoughhei s
cheati
ngonher .

Sheputdownherphoneandsighedasherhear
tpounded.She
l
aughedindi
sbel
iefandcl
appedonce.
..
Apul
a:Wai
tseee.
..

Shewalkedtothekit
chenandgr abbedabottl
eofbeert
henshe
satonthecouchandwat chedamov ie.Herphoner
epor
tedt
he
100Kthenshesmiledthoughtf
ull
y..
..

Att
hef
arm.
..

LateronMongadr ov
etowardstheri
verandst
oppedunderthe
tr
ee.Hesteppedoutandwalkedtowardsther
iver
bankswhere
Lanawascollect
ingwateral
one.

Shest
eppedoutwi
thabucketandputi
tdownasMongasmi
l
ed
l
ooki
ngather
..

Monga:
Hi.
.

Lana:
Hi.
.

Shecov eredthebucketwithal
idandlookedathimthenhe
str
etchedhishandandhel dher
sast heywalkedtot
hecar.He
openedf orherbutshelookedi
nsi
der el
uctant
ly.
.
Lana:
Idon'
twantt
ogeti
nsi
de.

Monga:
Ok,
let
'sst
andt
hissi
dehamor
it
ing.

Shewal kedtot
heothersi
deandleanedagai
nstt
hecar
,he
reachedinsi
deandhandedheraplast
ic.
.

Monga:
Iboughtsev
eral
otheri
temsy
oumi
ghtneed.

Lana:
Thanky
ou.

Monga:Youknowwehav
etodat
ebef
orei
cant
alkabout
marr
iageri
ght
?

Lana:
Yes.
.

Monga: Thatmeansy
ouhav
etot
ryt
obecomf
ort
abl
ewi
thme,
let
yourshoulder
sdown.
.

Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghedr
elaxi
nghershoul
der
s..

Monga:
Howf
ardi
dyougowi
thschool
?

Lana:
Standar
d4

Monga:
What
?

Lana:
Mypar
ent
sdi
dn'
thav
emoney

Monga:
Moneyf
orwhat
,school
isf
reef
rom pr
imar
ytoUni
ver
sit
y
yougoforf
reeandi
nuni
versi
tythegov ernmentgivesy
oul
i
ke
1.6Kpermont
hfory
ourexpenses.Idon'tunder
stand.

Lana:Idi
dn'
thav
eshoesoruniform.I
twaswi
nteranditwasv
ery
col
d.Iwasconstant
lysi
ckbecauseionl
ywor
eashi r
t.

Monga: Ijustfi
ndithar
dt obeli
eveanychil
dwoul dmi ssschool
becauseev enifyoudon'thaveauniformthegovernmentt akes
careoft heneedyunderOVCpr ogram.Yourparentsort he
teachersjusthadtoinf
ormt hesocialwor
kertheny ou'r
e
regist
ered.

Lana:Idon'
tthi
nkmypar
ent
sknewormay
bet
heydi
dn'
tthi
nk
schoolwasimport
ant
.

Monga:
Cany
our
ead?

Lana:
Icanr
eadSet
swana,
I'
m notgoodi
nEngl
i
sh.

Monga:Wow..
.Atleasti
woul
dn'
tworryaboutyoureadi
ngmy
busi
nessemai
lsbutdamn.Don'
tyouwantschool?

Lana:
Iwi
shIwast
eacherbuti
tst
ool
ate.

Monga:Icanpayforyourschool
butthenidon'
tknowhowy
ou'
d
at
tendbecauseyou'
resoscaredofyourfat
her.

Lana:I
fyoumeanwhaty ou'
resay
ingi
cancomewi thy
ounow.I
knowheisgoi ngt
osaynosowecanjustgo.Iknowhi
snumberi
wil
lcal
lhim ormymother.

Monga:Idon'
twantyouleavi
ngli
kethat
.Iwantyoutotel
lthem
whereyou'
regoi
ngsot heydon'
ti
nvol
vethepol
ice.You'
ll
also
needyourI
D.Doy ouhaveit
?
Lana:
It'
sathome.

Monga:Gotal
ktothem t
onightt
hentomorr
owI
'
llcome.Ibought
youaphonesoI'
l
lcall
inst
eadoftext
ing.

Lana:
No,
iwantt
ogot
oday
.Cany
ouwai
tforme?

Monga:
Ok.
.

Shehandedhimthepl
asti
candt ur
nedbacktothebucket
,she
pi
ckeditupandputi
toverherheadthenshewalkedaway.
.

Athome.
..

Lanaputdownt hebucketwhilehersi
sterwashedt hedishes.Her
fatherandmotherarguedsit
ti
ngunderthetreedrinki
ng
tradi
ti
onalbeerwhi
leev er
yonewentonwi t
ht hei
rbusiness.
..

Lanawalkedi
nthehouseandgr
abbedherI
Dfrom hermother
's
bagthenshehi
diti
nsidet
hepant
iesandi
nnocent
lywalkedout
..
.

Shet
oreapagef
rom t
henewspaperandwal
kedaway
..
.

Lana:
Key
akodi
thar
eng.(
goi
ngt
othet
oil
et)
Herfat
her:(
angr y)Ret
urnthatpage,you'
refi
nishi
ngmy
newspaperi
t'
sf ormysmoke.Keengl esait
hit
etsekant
elehet
sa
di
mpampi r
itsame.{ whydon'tyourubyourbuttonthegr
ound
i
nsteadoffi
nishingmypaper .}

Shewalkedbackandputi
tdownthenshewal
kedint
hebushes.
Oncebehindt
hetreeshel
ookedbehi
ndherj
ustt
omakesureno
onesawherthensheranoff
..
.

Meanwhil
eMongastoodbypressi
nghi
sphone,
Lanashowedup
pant
ingandhandedhi
m herI
D..

Hegoti
tandlookedatherasshecaughtherbreath.Shegrabbed
t
hedoorandstruggl
edtoopen,Mongaunlockeditanditopened
t
henshegoti
nandcl osedthedoor
.

Lana:
Soi
fipassi
canski
pcl
asses?

Monga:Yeah..
.Youknowy
ou'
remygi
rl
fr
iendsoI
'
m goi
ngt
o..
.
Havesexwithyou

Sheswal
l
oweduncomf
ort
abl
yandknockedherhead.
.

Lana:
Ok,
canwegobef
oremyf
atherchangeshi
smi
nd?
Mongastart
edt
hecaranddr
oveoffasLanasmi
l
edl
ooki
ngatt
he
dashboar
dandt
henumbersfl
ashi
ngaround.
.

Lana:
Doy
ouhav
eadaught
erorsi
stermyage?Someonet
ohel
p
me?

Monga:
Adaught
er?Howol
ddoi
lookt
oyou?

Lana:
(gi
ggl
ed)I
'
m sor
ry

Monga:
(laughed)I
'
m hur
t.
.You'
vebr
okenmyhear
t.
.

Theyl
aughedashedr
oveof
f.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#45

AtMonga'
sHouse.
.

LaterthatafternoonMongapar kedt hecarwhi l

eLanal aidher
headasl eepont hewi ndow, helookedatheri nnocentlooki
ng
faceandherdust yfeet,partofhim wantedt obeliev
et hi
swasa
freshstartbutf orsomer easonitwasj ustscarytotryandl ove
thisgir
lwhenhewasn' tsurehowshef el
t.
..Wasi tallabout
getti
nganeducat i
onoreducat i
onwaspar tofwhatshewant ed.I
f
i
twaspossi blehe' dchooset obesi nglebutthenhowwoul d
j
udgi ngherhel p.Het appedherhand. .

Monga:
Hey
..

Sheopenedhereyesandrubbedhermouthlooki
ngaroundthen
shestar
edatthebighouse.Sheal
waysthoughtt
eacher'
shouses
fr
om herschool
werebigbutthiswashuge.
.

Monga:
Wear
eher
e..
.

Hest
eppedoutandcl
osedt
hedoort
henshest
eppedoutt
ooand
quietl
yfoll
owedhim.Shest oodbehi
ndhi mfol
dingherarmsashe
unlockedthedoor.Hewassohandsomeandcl eanitwasscar y
,
actuall
yhewasi nti
midati
ng..
.Hesmel l
edni
ceandhehadadeep
voi
ce. .
.i
twasjusthardtobeli
evehesaidheli
kesher,herofallt
he
gir
ls.Whatift
hismansol dherforri
tual
s?Ri
chpeoplekillpeopl
e
sot heycanberichandwhywoul dn'
thehaveawi fewhenhewas
thi
shandsome?

Monga:
Comei
n..

Shesteppedi
nandl
ookedar
oundt
hehouset
henshel
ookedat
thehugeTVandal
mostsmil
ed.

Monga:
Comeher
e..
.

Shefoll
owedhi
mtot
hebedr
oom wher
ehedr
oppedherpl
ast
icon
thebed.
..

Monga:Thi
sisourr
oom.Ineedy
out
obat
handbev
erycl
ean
becauset
hebeddi
ngiswhi
te

Shel
ookedatherf
eetandsuddenl
yfel
tuncomf
ort
abl
e.
Monga: Thereareotherroomsint hehousebutI'
l
l showy ou
aroundwhenwehav etime.Iwanty outobathbeforey oudo
anythi
ng..
..Don'twashy ourhai
r.I
'
llbri
ngsomeoneov ertodoi
t
butIwanty outobathandscr ubyourheelswit
hthatf eetst
onei
boughtyout henapplythisonyourfeet.

Hepi
ckedt
hecr
ackedheel
lot
ionf
rom herpl
ast
ic.

Monga:Aft
erappl
yingitt
oyourfeetputony
oursocks.Don'tever
walkar
oundbaref
ooted.Youalwaysputonyoursocks.I
'
llbuy
youafewclot
hessoy oucanlookdecent

Lana:
Thanky
ou.

Monga:
Ift
her
eisaknocky
oudon'
topent
hedoor
,youi
gnor
eit
andwat
chTV.

Lana:
Ok

Monga:
Keet
a..
.

Lana:
Eer
ra

Hewalkedi
nthebathroom andf
il
ledt
het
ubt
henhet
hrewi
nhi
s
washi
ngragwalkedbacktoher.
..

Monga:
Comeandbat
h..
Shefol
lowedhi
mt ot
hebathroom wher
eheputhi
shandi
nthe
watert
oconfi
rmthetemperat
ure.

Monga:Youbaththreeti
mesaday .I
nt hemor
ning,atnoonand
befor
eyousleep.Ihaveanewtoothbrushi
nhere.Brushyour
teet
htoo.
..I
'
m goingtogetyoushortsandpyj
amas.

Lana:
Thanky
ou.

Monga:
Ther
eisf
oodi
ntheki
tchen,
eatwhat
every
ouwant
.

Lana:
Thanky
ou,
isi
tokt
owat
chTVwhenI
'
m done?

Monga:
Yeah.I
'
llbeback.
..Comel
ockt
hedoor
.

Mongacl osedt hedoorthenshel ockedupandwentbackt ot he

bathroom wher eshetookabat hscr ubbingher sel
f.Onceshewas
doneshewashedhert ornpant i
esandhungt henshest oodther e
wonder i
ngaboutt hewat erinthet ub, thi
smanseem t oost ri
ct
buyhy gieneshewasn' tgoi ngtol eavei ti
nt here..Shef ounda
bucketcl osebyandcol l
ectedt hewat erthenshewal kedoutand
spl
ashedi toverthelawn, shecol lectedthewat eruntilthetub
wasempt ythenshenot i
cedabl ackt hingwi t
hachai n.Wast his
wheret hewat erwassupposedt ocomeout ?Whati fshepul ledit
andwat erspl ashedonherf ace?Shesl owlyandgent lypull
edi t
outthent hel i
ttl
ewaterleftslidint here..
.Ok, thiswaswher et he
waterissupposedt ospill.
Shewipedthef
loorwi
tht
hewashi
ngragandwasheditbef
ore
hangi
ngitt
henshetookadeepbr
eat
hwalki
ngaroundthe
house.
..
.

Shewal kedintheki tchenandopenedt heshelfs,

she'
dnev erso
muchf oodi nherlife. .
.Hehadsomuchr ice,t
heyhardlyateri
ceat
homeunl essitwaschr ist
masandheraunt i
earri
vedwithfood
fr
om Maun.Shesl owl yopenedt hef r
idgeandlookedatthe
packedf r
idge,didithav etwodoor s?sheopenedt heotherside
andstaredatt hef rozendi ff
erentkindsofmeatev enicecream.
Sheclosedt hef r
eezerandgott heplatethensheputfruit
sanda
dri
nkinsidebef oret akingaseatont hecouch..

Shestar
edattheTVconfused,shehadforgot
tentoaskhimto
swi
tchitonthenshel
ookedatt he4remotecontr
olsonthet
able
bef
orewalki
ngtotheTVandi nspect
ingi
t.
.

Itmustbeli
kearadio,t
heremustbeapowerbutt
on,
shel ooked
onthesideandther
eitwas..
.Thepowerbut
tonsi
gnlooked
exact
lyl
ikeherf
ather'
sradi
opowerbutt
on.

TheTVplay
edasshemovedbackandsatont
hecouchwat
ching
foot
bal
l
,maybewhent
heball
fini
shedt
heywoul
dputsomet
hing
ni
cebutshewat
chedi
tany
way
s..
.

Att
hemal
l
...

Mongawal
kedaroundtheshoppi
cki
ngaf
ewcl
othes,
Thongand
At
sil
ewal
kedinandrecogni
sedhi
m..
.

Thong:
Heyman

Monga:
What
'sup?

Atsi
lenoti
cedgir
lycl
othes,
fli
p-f
lopsandsl
eepershoesi
nthe
basketaswell
asaf ewpanties.
.

ThongandMongawhi
sper
edandl
aughedbef
orebumpi
ng
shoul
der
s..

Monga:
Hi

At
sil
e:Hi
..
.

Thong:
Lat
er

Monga:
Sur
e..
Mongapr
oceededtotheti
l
landpai
dasAt
sil
ewat
chedhi
m and
car
ri
edonpi
ckingafewthi
ngs.

At
sil
e:Mongahasagi
rl
fr
iend?

Thong:Yeah,
myboydoesn'tst
aywhereheisnotappr
eci
ated.
Cheati
ngisnotami
stakeespeci
all
yforwomen.

At
sil
e:What
'st
hatsupposedt
omean?

Thong: Womencheatony ouwit

ht hemant heywantt
oreplace
youwi th,
basical
lyifshecheatsitsbecauseshefeel
sther
ei s
betteroutthereandshei swit
hy oubecauseatthemomenther
dream manhasn' tapproachedher .

At
sil
e:That
'snotal
way
str
ue.
..Sogi
rl
fr
iendy
agagwekemang?

Thong:Somegir
lfr
om t
hefarmsaker
ebonet
hey
'r
eundi
l
utedby
thest
andardsy
oupeoplehav
ehere.

At
sil
e:Shei
sgoi
ngt
obr
eakhi
shear
tassoonassheget
susedt
o
Maun.

Thong: Iwouldn'tdi
sagreewi t
hy ouont hatt
opic, i
t'
syour
speciali
ty,
youknowt hatverywell.Iknownotev eryfarm gi
rli
s
i
nnocentsomear ej
ustbtcheswai tingtounleashitassoonas
theytastethenightli
feandal lthegoodt hi
ngst heystar
tsleepi
ng
aroundbutmay beshei sdif
ferentjustl
ikewest il
lhaveeducated
womenwhodon' tcheatbutthoset hatdidn'
tpassFor m 5and
wentt oatechnicalcoll
egecheat .
At
sil
ekeptqui
etandpi
ckedapai
rofpant
ies.
.

At
sil
e:Il
i
ket
his.
..Doy
oul
i
kei
t?

Thong:
Anyt
hingisfi
ne.
..I
'
llwai
tfory
oui
nthepar
kingl
ot.Takey
e
gobualeMataozen

At
sil
e:Whydoeshecal
lyouManD?

Thong:
Youknowguy
s..Theyj
ustgi
vey
ouanameandi
tst
ickson
you.

Heturnedar
oundandwal
kedoutt
henshepi
ckedt
hephoneand
di
aledhersi
ster
..
.

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Atsil
e:JustmetMonga,hewasbuyi
ngclot
hesf
oragi
rlgat
we
sheisfrom t
hefarmskootengomorobi
l
epelomoel
enggorehe
pickedafarm gi
rl
.

Apula:
Sheisgoingtocheatonhi
m assoonasshest
art
s
bel
ievi
ngsheisbeauti
ful
.

At
sil
e:(
laughed)That
'swhati
sai
d

Apul
a:Washewi
thher
?

At
sil
e:No,
shemustbev
eryugl
yshei
saf
rom af
arm.

Apul
a:(
laughed)May
beshei
sbeaut
if
ulandmay
beshewon'
t
cheatmmal et
'snotj
umpi
ntoconcl
usi
onst
ogaekar
eke
bit
ter
ness.

Atsi
l
e:Nnakebit
ter,
ifeelasi
fhei
sjusttr
yingt
obur
ythepai
n
youcausedhi
m.Pleasetalkt
ohi
m befor
ehecommitstot
hisgi
rl
.

Apula:I
'v
ehur thi
m enough,lethim behappy.Idon'twanttobe
withsomeoneI '
vehurtbecausehewi llendupmar ryi
nganother
womanwhi l
ewi t
hme.Mostmenst aywithyouafteryou'
vehurt
them whil
etheylookforawif ethentheymar r
ywhi l
edati
ngy ou.I
don'twantthat.

At
sil
e:Yout
hinkt
oomuch.
..

Meanwhil
eoutsi
deManDl
eanedi
nthecarandl
ookedataf
ew
shoesi
ntheback..
.

Thong:
Mat
aozengaobechewat
shol
ogal
ait
eaka

Monga:
(laughedandhungup)Want
wael
athemonna

Thong:
Whoar
eyout
alki
ngt
o?

Monga:Somegi
rlf
rom t
hesal
on.Iwanthert
ogobr
aidLanaa
nnesent
e.

Thong:
Ok.
..

Asal
ongi
rlappr
oachedandgr
eet
edt
hem t
henshegoti
nthecar
.
Monga:
Sey
oul
ater

Thong:
Sur
e..
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi l
eLanaputr i
cei
nt hepotandplacedi tov
erthest
ove,
shestoodt hereholdi
ngthemat cheswonder i
ngwhichbutt
onwas
forwhichbur nerbutsheknewwhati twas...I
twasliket
he
paraf
fi
nst ovet heyusedwhenitwasr ai
ning.

Shetur
nedt heknobsandscr at
chedthematchstickbefore
put
ti
ngitovert hebur
nerbuthappened.Shetur
nedt heotherknob
andthethi
rd..
.Forsomer easonther
ewasawei rdsmel lt
henshe
movedthebur ningst
ickaroundandthewasahugef l
ame...

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#46

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Lanafellonthefl
oorshakingl
ookingatt
het hreef
lamesov ert
he
stov
easMongawal kedi
n,shestoodupl
ooki ngaroundforwater
andgr abbedaglassofdri
nkthenshesplasheditover.Monga
si
mpl yturnedof
ftheburnersandLanacoveredhermout hcryi
ng
andshaki ng.

Lana:
Iwas.
..Iwast
ryi
ngt
ocookr
ice,
I'
m sor
ry.

He'dneverseensomeoneshakel i
keher,herhandsandknees
shooksobadi tmadehi m uncomfort
able..
.Hewasn'tev
ensurei
f
shewasshaki ngbecausesheal mostburnedthehouseorshe
wasalsoafrai
dofhowhe' dr eact
..

Lana:(
cry
ing)Pleasedon'
ttakemebackt
othef
arm.I
'
llnev
er
toucht
hestove.I'
lluset
hewood..

Hest
eppedov
erandhuggedhert
henshebur
sti
ntot
ear
s..
Monga:
(car
essedherback)I
'
m nott
aki
ngy
ouback.
..

Lana:
Ithoughty
ouwer
egoi
ngt
obeatme

Monga:You'r
emygirl
fr
iendnotmychil
d,I'
dneverputmyhands
onyou.Evenifwear
etohavekidsiwouldn'
twantmychil
dren
beat
en.

Lana:
Youdon'
tbeatwomen?

Monga: (
shookhi
sheadholdi
ngherchi
n)No.
..Notunl
essyou
cheatonmebutev ent
heniwon'
tbeatyouimightj
ustki
l
lyou.
Onlyify
oucheatonme...
OK?

Shetookadeepbr eat
handsighednoddi nglooki
nginhiseyes.
Hewasbet t
erthanherfat
her.Couldi
tber eall
ypossi
blethathe
act
uall
yli
kedher?Justthethoughttr
iggeredheryounghormones
andshesmiledshyly.
..

Monga:
Cany
out
ryt
obr
eat
hei
nandout
?

Shebreat
hedinandoutthenhehandedheragl
assofwater
.She
drunkandputi
tdown,shesti
l
lcoul
dn'tbel
i
evehewasn'
tangry
.

Heturnedlooki
ngatthest
ove.
..shehadf i
l
ledthepotwi
thr
ice
andtherewouldn'
tev
enbespacef orexpansi
on.Heremembered
howManDexpl ainedwhyheboughthi
sher
dboytwo12.5kgbags
ofr
ice..
.Itwasveryrar
eatthef
armsandever
yonet
houghtofi
t
ashighstandar
dl i
vi
ngfood.

Monga:(turnedbacktoher)You'
renotal
lowedt
ot ouchany t
hing
i
nt heki
tchenunti
lI'
vetaughtyouhowtooperat
eev eryt
hing.
(
kissedher)Unti
lthenI'
l
lbecookingfory
ouandy ou'l
lhelp.

Lana:
Ok.
.

Monga:
Andwheny
oucookr
icej
ustputacupandhal
f.Idon'
teat
al
otofri
ce.

Lana:
Idi
dn'
tthi
nkI
'
dbesat
isf
ied.

Hel
ookedatherandsmi
l
edt
henhel
aughed.
..

Monga:Iknow,tr
ustmeacupandhal
fisenoughf
ory
ouandme.
I
texpandsinthepot.

Lana:
Ok.

Heputacupofr
icei
nthepott
henhet
urnedt
hest
oveonand
pl
acedi
tover
.

Monga:
Thi
sishowy
out
urni
ton.
.Youl
i
ghtupt
hest
ickf
ir
st
becauset
hisst
oveusesgas.

Herhear
tski
ppedandshest
eppedbackashel
i
tthest
ove.
..

Lana:Idon'
tthi
nkI'
ll
evertoucht
hestove.It
houghtt
hewhol
e
housewasbur ni
ng.Myfacealmostwentupinfl
ames.

Monga:(
laughed)I
'
llgetanel
ect
ri
cst
ove,
don'
twor
ry.Byt
heway
whyareyouwatchi
ngf oot
bal
l
?

Lana:
TheTVwaspl
ayi
ngbal
lal
lday
.I'
mti
redofwat
chi
ngbal
l

Monga:
Ohf
uck,
keSuper
spor
ts.
..comeher
e..
.

Hegr abbedherhandandpi
ckedtheremote,shesatdownand
star
edatt heTVashescrol
ledthr
oughthechannels,
she'
d
probablyrel
atemoret
ohighschoolmoviesespeci
all
ysi
nceshe
l
ikedschool..
.

Shesmil
edassoonasshesawabl ackyoungladywalki
ngi
n
cl
ass,
thi
sgir
lwasbeaut
iful
,cl
eanandsmar t
..
.Thisi
swhatshe'
d
wantt
olookl
ike.
..Mygi
rlshewassoclean.

Monganoti
cedhersmil
eandstoppedpressi
ng, shewasjust
st
ari
ngattheTVandhiseyesf
ellbet
weenherl egsunderherski
rt
.
Shewasn'
tweari
ngpanti
esandhisdicktwi
tched...
shehadn'
t
shav
edbutthethoughtoflay
ingbet
weenherl
egsgothispant
s
ti
ght
er.Shel
ookedathim andnoti
cedhewasstar
ingbet
weenher
l
egsthenshecl
osedherlegs..
.

Shenoti
cedabigbumponhi
ssweat
pant
sandqui
ckl
ytur
nedher
headtotheTV.
..

Mongar ubbedhishead,ofcoursehewantedtoputhishandin
thepockett ohidehisbonerbutshehadtogetusedt oit
.Itwas
onlyamat t
eroft i
mebef or
eheadjust
edhertofithi
m andallhi
s
wilddesires.
..
thisri
ghthereknewnothi
ngaboutdignif
iedsexand
"degrading"sexast hewomenwhocomewi thexperi
encecalli
t.
..
What everhe'dteachherwouldbewhatsexisandt hethought
alonegothi m evenharder.
..

Hepi
ckedherpl
ast
icsf
rom t
hecouch.

Monga:
Oht
hisi
swhati
broughtf
ory
ou.Let
'sseei
ftheywoul
d
f
it
..
.

Shesmi
l
edandl
ookedi
nsi
det
hepl
ast
ics

Lana:
All
oft
hem ar
emi
ne?Kanawenev
erhav
enewcl
othes,
aunti
ebri
ngsusherchi
ldren'
sol
dclot
hesforChr
ist
mas.
..I
'
ve
neverhadnewcl
othes.
..Canigoandchange.
.

Monga:
No,
changei
nfr
ontme.
..Doi
tsl
owl
y.

Lana:
Gakeaapar
apant
y

Monga:Iknow.
..You'
remygir
lf
ri
end.I
'
m goi
ngt
oseey
ounaked.
.
Takeof
fthoseclot
hes..
.Sl
owl
y..

Shetookof fhertopandherbr
east
sbouncedashestar
edather
ti
nyblacknippls,
shebentdownpushi
ngherski
rtashecur
iousl
y
wait
edf orherpussythenshest
rai
ght
enedup,t
herewasnothi
ng
bush.
..

Monga:
I'
m comi
ng.
..

Hewalkedi
nthebat
hroom andgr
abbedhi
smachi
nef
rom t
he
shel
fandgotat
owelaswell.

Hespr
eadt
het
owel
ont
hecar
petandpl
uggedt
hemachi
ne.
..

Monga:
Comel
ayov
erher
e..

Shel
aiddowncl
osi
ngherl
egsandhesatbyhersi
de,
assoonas
het
urnedt
hemachi
neshef
li
nchedt
ouchi
nghi
swr
ist
..
.

Monga:
Youwon'
tfeel
any
thi
ng.
..

Hepeeleddownrol
l
sofhai
randpi
ckedt
hem upput
ti
ngt
hem
asi
deleavi
ngherwi
thacl
eanshav
edpubi
carea.
.

Monga:
Nowihav
etoshav
edownt
her
e..
.Cany
ouopeny
ourl
egs
f
ormebabe.
.

Hepushedherl egsapartandtheretheywere,
shehadthick
pussycheeksbutherflapssti
l
l hungoutclampedtoget
her.His
pantsti
ghtenedevenharderashecar eful
l
yshavedherpussy
cheekgoingdownbet weenherbut t
.Shehadsuchat i
nytightass
i
tlookedli
keat i
edballoonmout h.

Hegentl
ydustedthehai
rwipedherwithwetwi pesuntilshewas
cl
ean.
.Heleanedoverput
tinghi
sheadbet weenherl egsand
pl
acedhiswarm mouthoverherpoi
ntycli
tt
..
.helift
edhishead
wi
thbothofherfl
apsonhismout hastheystretchedand
dr
opped.
..

Shewasn'
tsur
ewhathewasdoi
ngbuti
tfel
tsogoodandatt
he
samet i
meembar rassi
ngthatsomeonewasdownt here.She
fl
inchedt ry
ingtomov eherwaistasawhimperescapedherl i
ps
butMongahel dbothofherthi
ghsandcarri
edoneatingput t
ing
herov ertheedgeasshebr eat
hedheavi
lyandhelpl
esslythen
therewasaknockont hedoor..

Shi
t,Lana'
shai
rdr
esser
!Hehadf
orgot
tenheri
nthecar
.

Monga:
Ibr
oughtsomeonet
odoy
ourhai
r.
..If
orgotheri
nthecar
.

Hegr abbedapantyf
rom herplast
icbagsandtor
ethepricetag
thenheputherfeeti
n.Sheli
ftedherbodyupandhepulledthem
up..
.ShestoodupandputonJeanbum shor tsandatop...

Monga:
Taket
hist
othebedr
oom,
I'
ll
cleanup.

Shewal
kedawaythenhecl
eanedupandopenedt
hedoor
cat
chi
nghi
sbreat
h..

Monga:
Hi,
sor
ry.
..It
otal
l
yfor
gotabouty
ou.
..I
'
m sor
ry.

Her
:I'
mlosi
ngmoneyast
imegoeson.Icoul
dbedonebynow.

Monga:
I'
ll
payext
ra,
comei
n..
Shewalkedi
nasLanawal
kedi
nhermaphondo{
wool
bant
u
knot
s}.

Her
:Shehasn'
trel
axedherhai
r?

Monga:
Oh

Thehair
dresserr
emov
edonewool
andgent
lypul
l
edLana'
slong
thi
ckhai
r..
.

Her
:Omohumi
wamor
ir
imma,
mat
hat
ayoudi
dn'
trel
axi
t.I
twi
l
l
hur
t.

Lana:
Icanwashi
tandcomb.

Her
:Wehav
etor
elaxi
t.

Monga:
Whatcani
bri
ng?

Her
:Whycan'
tij
ustt
akehert
othesal
on?

Lana:
(poi
ntedatt
hemov
ie)Iwantt
hatst
yle.
.

Her:
It'
sawigbutyourhairi
saslongast
hatwi
gsoicanstyl
eit
l
ikethatt
henweletyourheadr
estandaf
teraweeki
plai
tandput
t
heWeav e.(
tohi
m)Whatshouldi do?

Monga:
Dowhatshewant
s
Her
:Kemokgangy
asal
oon

Monga:Idon'
twantheroutt
oday.Shejustarr
ivedi
nMaunand
shedoesn'
tknowherwayaround.Iagr
eedt opayextr
abecause
you'
recomingher
esomakei twork.

Her:
Ok,
I'
m aski
ngt
hemanagert
obri
ngmer
elaxerl
edi
shampoo
andadr
yerbuty
ou'
l
lpayf
orthef
uel
..

Monga:Moneyisnotani
ssuemakeherbeaut
if
ulandmakesur
e
i
tsexact
lywhatshewant
s.

Her
:Ok,
todaykedi
raherhai
ronl
y.Shoul
didohernai
l
s?

Lana:
(smi
l
ed)Yes!Iwantmynai
l
sdone.
..

Her
:(smi
l
ed)OK.
.

Monga:
Ok,
I'
m goi
ngt
owor
k.Letmeknowi
fyouneedany
thi
ng.

Thehair
dressersteppedout
sidef
oraphonecal
lthenhehugged
herandwhisperedinherear
..
.

Monga:
Youhav
eabeaut
if
ulpussyandi
can'
tst
opt
hinki
ngabout
i
t.
..

Shegiggl
edembar r
assedt
henhet
urnedar
oundandpi
ggy
backed
hert
ot heki
tchen.
..
Monga: Rememberdon'ttouchthestove.
..Thewatercomesout
here.
..Theblueoneisforcol
dwat erandtheredoneisforhot.Be
caref
ul wi
ththeredone,i
tsboil
i
nghot .
..I
fyouwantt odri
nkyou
dri
nkf r
om thedi
spenser.
..I
cecubespopoutf rom here.
..

Hewal
kedi
nthebat
hroom andst
oodbef
oret
het
oil
et.
.

Monga:
Youpeeanddonumert
woi
nher
e

Lana:
What
'snumbert
wo?

Monga:
(laughed)Poopi
ng

Theyl
aughedt
henhesuppor
tedherwi
thonehandandf
lushed.

Monga:Pusht
hist
ofl
asht
hepoop.Uset
ponl
ynotpaper
sor
any
thi
ng.

Lana:
Wedonumbert woatthebushkomor akengluckyhelane
kesatshwar
egabutIpeedbehi
ndthehouseont hegrassearl
i
er.

Monga:
MrsMongay
oupeedont
hel
awn?Gakeabol
aa

Lana:Iwasgoi
ngtodigbehindthehouseandpoopbecausei
coul
dn'tf
indapi
tlat
ri
netoi
let.

Theyl
aughedwal
ki
ngi
nthel
aundr
yroom.
.
Monga:Thisi
sthelaundryr
oom, youdon'
twashclotheswi t
h
handsyouputthem i
nhereandt heycomeoutdrybuti don'
twant
youinher
e.Thi
ssidei smyoff
ice..Wewil
lgetyouadr essi
ng
tabl
eandastudytable.

Lana:
Ok.
..

Monga:
I'
ll
buyy
out
akeaway
s.Ohand.
..Ial
mostf
orgot
..

Heputheront
hebedasshest
oodont
hebedwi
thhersocks.
.

Monga:
Thisisyourphone,
itonl
yhasmynumbersoy
oupr
ess
her
eandheretocall
.

Lana:
Ok.
..

Monga:
Ther
eisai
rt
imesoy
oucancal
lyourpar
ent
stoo.

Lana:
Ok.
.

Shenot
icedawoman'
sshoesbyt
hewal
l
...

Lana:
Whoseshoesar
ethose?

Monga:
Myexgi
rl
fr
iend.Hernamei
sApul
a.Shewor
ksi
nKasane.

Lana:
Isshegoi
ngt
ocomeher
e?
Apula:Nobabe,i
don'tev
ent hi
nkyou'
l
levermeether.Our
rel
ati
onshi
pisoverandI'
llt
akethi
sshoesoutbecauseit'
syour
spacenow.(pi
nchedherchin)ok?

Lana:
(smi
l
ed)Ok.
.

Hepickedherf
rom thebedandwalkedi
nthel
i
vingr
oom car
ryi
ng
herwhereheputherdownandkissedher
..

Monga:
I'
m comi
ng.
.

Hai
rdr
esser
:Akoot
samaer
raket
har
oll
engwana.

Monga:
(laughed)Keat
samay
aee.
..

Heki
ssedheronelastt
imeandhurr
iedt
othebedr
oom wher
ehe
gr
abbedApul
a'sshoesandl
eft
..
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

LaterthateveningApulathought
ful
lyhel
dherphone,t
henshe
calculatedherAirf
orcemoney ,f
uelandthegr
ocerymoney.She
thensentbackt heremainingbal
ancetoRebonyeandcarr
iedon
wat chingTV..
.
Withi
nfi
vemi nut
esRebonyewalkedi
nwi t
houtknocki
ngwhi l
e
ApulawatchedTV,shet
urnedandlookedathi
m ashel eaned
overandkissedher
..
.

Rebony
e:Hi
babe

Apula: Hi
mylove.Isentyoubackthemoney,butideduct
ed
mine...Pl
easeuseitonsomethingimpor
tantl
ikey
ourwi f
eand4
chi
ldren..

Rebony
e:Mywi
fe?

Apul
a:Yes,
Sadi

Rebonye:
Wear
edi
vor
cing,
that
'swhyi
didn'
ttel
lyou.I
twas
poi
ntl
ess

Apula:
Ar eyoudiv
orci
ngy ourchi
l
drentoo?Imustsayit
's
somethingtodenyyourwifebutyourchi
ldr
en?Notevenatr
ace
ofyourchil
drenonfacebook?

Rebony
e:Soci
almedi
aisnotsaf
eforchi
l
dren

Apula:Numberexcuseforpeopl
ewhoaretooembarrassedt
o
admi tt
heyhav
echildr
enbutwhatdoiknow,I'
m notaparent
.
Pleaseleav
emyhouse.

Rebony
e:Iwantt
hewhol
e100K,
yousent97.2K

Apula:Ir
efundedmy sel
ffort
het hingsIpaidfory
ouwheni
thoughtI
'm payi
ngforasingl
est ruggli
ngmannotamanwhoi sn'
t
evenworkingherebutheretosell acar.Nowonderyoudon'
t
haveasinglepict
ureonthewall.Thel andl
orddoesn'
tev
enknow
y
oubecausei
t'
snoty
ourhouse.

Rebony
e:Oneompechet
sayoucan'
tmakemepayfori
tbecause
you'
ret
heonewhopai
dforme.Idi
dn'
tasky
outohelpme

Apul
a:Doyouknowwhattheycal
lobt
aini
ngunderf
alsepr
etense
i
nlaw?Iwaspayi
ngforasingl
emannotamar r
iedman.Getout
ofmyhouse.

Rebony
e:Kar
esendt
hewhol
eamount
.Don'
tmakemedot
his

Apula:Papinnagakey
oot
shoset
swang,
ket
agoswaswaska
nchansetsa.

Rebony
e:Kar
ebr
ingmymoney
..
.

Helookedatherphone,heal
readyknewhercel
l
phonebaki
ng
password,
Apulagrabbedherphoneandhejumpedonher.
..

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhil
eMongapar kedthecaranddi
aledApul
alooki
ngather
shoesonthepassengerseat
..
.

Apul
a:(
scr
eami
ng)I
'
m goi
ngt
orepor
tyou.
..

Ther
ewasacr
ushi
ngandabangasMongaf
rownedconf
used
t
henApul
abur
sti
ntot
ear
scr
ying.
.

{
{Rebony
e:Ot
aany
ela,
want
wael
aosbono.
}}

Monga:
Rebony
eify
out
ouchher
!?Apul
awee?Lal
a?

Heli
stenedandt
hedoorseemedt
ohav
eshutwhi
l
eApul
acar
ri
ed
oncry
ing..

Monga:
Lal
a?Bual
enna.
..

Apul
a:I
'
llcal
lyouback,
I'
m bl
eedi
ng.

Shecutthecal
l
.Mongaanxi
ousl
ywai
tedandi
mpat
ient
lydi
aled
heragai
n..
.

Apul
a:(
cry
ing)Hel
l
o?

Monga:
What
'sgoi
ngon?Ihopehedi
dn'
tputhi
shandsony
ou.

Apul
a:(
cry
ing)
..
..

Monga:
Lal
a?

Apul
a:Ifoundouthewant
edtoscam meandi
kickedhi
m outbut
hewantedtosendhimsel
fmoneywit
hmyphone.WhenIref
used
wi
thmyphonehest art
edpunchi
ngandkickingmeont heface.I
wanttogotothehospi
tal
becausei
feeldizzy.Icanbar
elysee
wi
ththeotherey
e..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#47

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Mongasteppedoutofthecarwit
hhershoesandcl
osedt
hedoor
asThongandAtsil
esteppedoutoft
hehouse..
.

Monga: Youhav etorepor

thi
mincasehethi
nksaboutcoming
back.Pleasepassbyt hepol
i
cest
ati
onandgetthefor
mf orthe
doctorasevidence..
.

Apul
a:Ok.
..Myheadhur
ts.
.

Monga:
I'
m sor
ry.
.

Apul
a:I
'
mint
hecar
,I'
m dr
ivi
ngout
.

Monga:
Alr
ightbecar
eful

Apul
a:Whydi
dyoucal
l
?

Monga:
I'
m gi
vi
ngAt
sil
eyourshoes.Theywer
einmybedr
oom.

Apul
a:Ok.I
'
lll
ety
ouknowhowev
ery
thi
ngwent
.

Monga:Don'
tcal
l
,justsendamessageorj
ustt
alktoAtsi
leThong
wi
lll
etmeknow.Youdon' thav
etol
etmeknowdirect
ly.

Apul
a:Ok.
HehungupandhandedAt
sil
etheshoes.
.

Monga:ThatwasApul
a,t
hatguykickedheronthef
aceandshe
canbar
elysee,
sheisonherwaytothehospit
al.

Thong:
(laughed)No,
herof
fi
cet
ypeofmanwi
thst
abi
l
ity
?Itcan'
t
be

Monga:
Aet
hemonna

Thong:(l
aughedoutl
oud)It
'sv
eryf
unny
..
.It
'sa2day
sol
d
rel
ati
onshi
p.Shoul
dn'
ttheybehavi
ngmoresex?

At
sil
e:Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou'
rel
aughi
ng

Thong:
Don'
tst
artwi
thme,
Ishoul
dbet
hrowi
ngapar
tyf
ormy
boy.

Monga:Ibroughthershoes.Idon'
twantLanat
obe
uncomf
ortable.

Thong:Andthat'
swhoy oushouldbefocusi
ngon.LetApuladeal
wit
hhersoul mate,
t hatguyishert
ypeandI '
m sureshecan
handl
eit.Youshouldn'tevenbetal
ki
ngt oher.Don'
tlosef
ocus

Monga: Justbecausey oubrokeuporbecausesomeonedi dn't

appreciateyoudoesn' tmeany ouhavetohateeachother.Idon't
hateApul abuti cert
ainl
ywouldn'tt
hrowawaymyl if
etosav eher.
I
'mjustbei ngcivilandyoudon'tautomati
cal
lystopcari
ngjust
becausei t'
sover .I
'
veknownherf oracoupleofmonthsandt hose
mont hsmeantsomet hi
ngtome.Iwouldn'twantsomeonet o
mi
str
eatherandifi
twasn'
tforLanai
wouldgother
eanddeal
wi
thhi
m.(toher)Pl
easecal
lherandtal
ktoher
.

At
sil
e:I
'
llcal
lher

Thong:
(toher
)Youcangonow.
.

At
sil
etur
nedandwalkedawaywi
thhersi
ster
'sshoes,
Thong
wal
kedoverasMongagotbacki
nthecar
..

Thong:
Ican'
tbel
iev
ey ou'
regenui
nel
ywor
ri
edabouther
,thi
s
womanmadey oucry.

Monga:
Fir
stofal
lidon'
tcr
y,andi
cer
tai
nlydon'
tcr
yforwomen.

Thong:(
laughed)Icoul
dfeel
yourt
ear
sthr
ought
hephonet
hat
ni
ght.
.

Monga:
(laughed)Fucky
ouaut
wa?

Thong:
Any
way
showi
sLana?

Heleanedbacksmil
i
ngandputhi
shandsov
erhi
sfacebef
ore
l
ookingathi
m wit
hasmil
e..
.

Monga: Sheisper
fect
..
.Imeanbesi desthefactthatshedoesn'
t
knowany thi
ngaboutt
echnologybutshei sawesome.Shei s
actual
l
yt hesamewayi pi
cturedherthroughthatvideo.
Thong:
Goodf
ory
ou.
..

Monga:
Yeah.
..Ihav
etogo.Ibr
oughtApul
a'
sshoes.
.

Thong:
Alr
ight
,Shap.

Her
ever
sedanddr
oveof
f.
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Laterthatni
ghtApul
awalkedoutoft
hebuil
dingandgotint
hecar
.
Shet ookadeepbreat
handsighedconnect
edhersi
ster
sasshe
droveout..
.

Apul
a:Ij
ustl
eft
..

Ot
lhe:
Cany
ouseepr
oper
ly?

Apul
a:Yes,myothereyehurtsthough.I
'm notwor
riedabout
mysel
fbecauseitookpainki
ll
ers.I'
m st
il
lnotfami
li
arwithKasane
andidon'
tfeel
comf or
tabledri
vingwhenit'
sdark.

At
sil
e:Godi
swi
thy
ou.I
'
m comi
ngt
omor
row

Apul
a:Youdon'
thav
eto,
I'
vebeengi
vena4l
eav
eday
ssoI
'
llj
ust
behome

Mar
u:Whydon'
tyoucomeher
e?
Apul
a:Showupi
nMaunwi
thabl
ueey
e?No,
I'
m notcomi
ng.

Atsi
le:
I'
ll
cometakecar
eofy ouforaf
ewdays.You'
realway
s
taki
ngcareofev
ery
oneletustakecar
eofy
ouf oronce.

Ot
lhe:
Iagr
eewi
thher
,pl
ease

Mar
u:Whyar
eweev
enaski
ngherasi
fshehasachoi
ce?

Apul
a:Ok,
(si
ghed)Youcancome.Letmedr
ive.

Al
l
:By
e

Shehungupandbr ightenedherlights,hermemor ieswithMonga

cameback...Butmostofal lt
heirlastmoment stogether.
..She
coul
dn'tev
enr ememberi fsheev ersai
dt hankyouf orbouquet
,
shedidn'
tcheckoutwhatMongasai dhebr oughtforherinthe
boot
..
.Mostofal l
thepai ninhisv oi
cewhent heylastspoke.How
coul
dshehav edonet hatknowinghowi tfeel
s..
.

Beforesheknewitshewashome, Rebonyewashomebecause
theli
ghtswereonandt her
ewasar efl
ecti
onoftheTVthr
ough
thewindow.Shelockedhercarandwalkedinherhouset
henshe
satdownwi t
hherpill
sandsighed.
..

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Mongawal
kedi
nwhi
l
eLanawat
chedTVeat
ingr
ice,
hel
eaned
overki
ssi
ngherandwal kedi
nthekitchent
henshest
oodupand
fol
lowedhim...Hel
ookedinherpl
ateanditwasj
ustr
icewi
th
tomatosource..

Monga:
Doy
oul
i
kei
t?

Lana:
(smi
l
ed)Yeah.
..If
ini
shedt
hepotbuti
keptsomef
ory
ou.

Hel ookedatt hewhi t

er i
ce,noveggiesorsaladbutatleastshe
hadputadr opofsour ceandmay onnai
se.Hesmi l
edandl eaned
ov erki
ssingher..
.Shel ookedcompl et
elydi
ffer
entwithlong
relaxedhair.
.Her anhishandst hr
oughherscal pandpulledher
closerkissi
ngher ,sheclosedherey esli
ketheydoinmov i
es.
.His
breathandt hetouchofhi shandsonherbut tgaveher
goosebumps. .Hebabyki ssedherandsmi l
ed..
.

Monga:
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
..

Lana:
Thanky
ou.
.

Heopenedthet
akeaway
sbagsandpl
acedev
ery
thi
ngont
he
count
er.
..

Monga:Iwanty
outot
astesomet
hing.
..Thi
sischi
ckenli
ckenand
KFC.
..Thenwehav
eChinesef
oodbutthisi
sforl
atert
onight
..
.Put
downt
her
icebabe.
..

Sheputt
heplat
edownt
henhehandedherdr
umst
ick,
shet
ooka
bi
teandsmi
led.
.

Lana:
Ili
kei
t.
..I
ttast
esbet
tert
hanourchi
ckenatt
hef
arm.
..

Hel
aughedassheatei
tthent
heygott
het
akeaway
sandsaton
t
hecoucheat
ing.
..

Monga:
Whatar
ewewat
chi
ng?

Lana:
Itsai
dthenextmov
iei
sWi
l
dChi
l
d.I
'
m st
art
ingt
oheart
hem
cl
earl
ynow.

Monga:(
laughed)Canwewatchsomet
hingwi
thact
ion?Youcan
wat
chthatwheny ou'
real
one.
.

Lana:
Ok.
.

Hesatdownpull
edherdownonhisl
apbefor
epul
l
ingaf
leece
ov
erthem ast
heylayonthei
rsi
dewat
chi
ng..
.

Lana:
Ili
key
ourhouse,
emonat
e..
.
Monga:
I'
m gl
ady
oul
i
kei
t.
..

Theywat chedamov i
easacouplekissedandf ucked,t
herewas
sil
enceashi sbonerpokedherbehind,heturnedheraroundand
kissedhergetti
ngbetweenherlegsthenhisphoner ang,hetri
ed
toignoreitandkissedherneckbutitkeptri
ngingthenhepicked
thefamili
arnumber .
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Hi
..

HegotoffLanaandsatatherf
eetfi
xi
nghersocksashe
uncomf
ortabl
ytal
kedtothephone.

Lanaobser
vedhim ashechokedonhi
swords,shecoul
dn'
thear
whatwhoevert
hatwaswassay i
ngbutshehear
dthefir
st"
Hi"and
i
twasawoman. ..

Monga:Ok,
I'
m gl
adyou'
ref
ineandit
'ssor
tedout.
..Ok,Bye.Idon'
t
know,i
can'
thel
pyouwit
hthat.Askoneofyoursi
sters.Ok.Bye.

HehungupasLanal
ookedather
..
Lana:
Whowasi
t?

Monga:
Um..
.Idon'
twantt
oli
etoy
ousoI
'
llj
ustt
ell
yout
het
rut
h.
KeApul
a.

Lana'
sey esshrunkinangerthenshegotof
fthecouchandlef
t,
heblockedhernumberagai nandputdownthephonethenhe
fol
lowedhertot hebedr
oom.Hesatont heedgewhileshel
aid
undercover
s..

Monga: Iwasn'tl
yi
ng, i
hadbl ockedherbutiunblockedherand
cal
ledheraboutshoest oday.Unf ort
unat
elyical
ledattheti
me
shewasf ighti
ngwithherboy fr
iendandiadvisedhertogotothe
pol
ice.Shejustcall
edmet otellmeshemanaged.Whi chiswrong
andiapologiseforthat.
..Canyout urnar
ound?

Lana:Don'
ttal
ktome.
..Youwantt
ogi
vemedi
seases.I
'
m not
stupi
d.

Monga:
Iknow,
I'
m sor
ry.Pl
easef
orgi
veme.
.

Shet
urnedar
oundandl
ookedathi
m ast
ear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.
..

Lana:
Ify
oucheatyou'
regoi
ngt
ost ar
tbeati
ngmefornor
eason,
youwon'
tbepat
ientwi
thmesoi canlear
nhowtodoever
ythi
ng
aroundher ebecausey ou'll
compar emet opeopl ewhoar eclever
thanmet heny ouwon' tfulf
il
l y
ourpr omisesandI 'm goi
ngtobe
l
eftall al
oneort hatwomani sgoingt omakef unofmebecausei
can'treadorwr it
e, every
onei sgoi ngtoknowmysecr etandI'm
goingt obeaj oke.You' r
emyonl yhopey oucan'thurtmeormake
peoplet hi
nkI'
m st upid.Ijustwantt obeat eacherandbey our
wife..
.You'regoingt odisappoi ntme, idon'
ttrustyou.

Sherubbedhertearsandsni
ff
led.
..
Mongalookeddown
shameful
lyandsighed.I
twasthefi
rstt
imeheheardthi
sst
rong
voi
ceandt hegui
ltwastoomuchtobear..
.

Monga:
Pleasef
orgi
veme.

Lana:
Provet
hatyouwon'
thur
tmebecausemay
beshedoesn'
t
knowaboutmetoo.

Heinst
antl
ywalkedoutandcamebackwit
hhisphonethenhe
unbl
ockedheranddial
edhernumberonl
oudspeaker
..
.

Apul
a:(
picked)Hi
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#48

Monga:
Hi,
iwanty
out
omeetmygi
rl
fr
iend.

Apul
a:(
hear
tski
pped)Um.
..OK

Monga:
(mov
edt
hephoneov
er)Babesayhi
..

Lana:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
,mynamei
sLana

Apul
a:(
hear
tpoundi
ng)Hi
Lana,
I'
m Apul
a.

Lana:
(smi
l
edshy
lyl
ooki
ngatMonga)Ni
cet
omeety
ou.

Apul
a:Ni
cet
omeety
out
oo.

Mongagott
hephone.
..

Monga: (si
ghed)Iknowt hatwehav en'thadtimet otalkaboutme
andi haven'
tupdatedaboutwhat 'sgoingoni nmyl if
ebuti met
someoneandwear etakingthi
ngsser i
ous..
.Thatincludesnot
tal
kingtoex's.Call
i
ngy ouear l
i
erwasami stake,ishouldhave
j
ustgi v
enAt si
leyourshoesandshewoul dtellyoui broughtt
hem.
Imighthav esentyouwr ongsignalsandi t
aker esponsibil
i
tyfor
thatsonekekopagor efrom nowoncommuni cationbetweenme
andy oueeme.Iwon' tcal l
you,don'tcal
lmeei ther.

Apul
a:I
'
m sor
ryf
orcal
l
ing,
iunder
stand.
Monga:
Bye

Apul
a:By
e

Hehungupandbl
ockedhernumbert
henheshowedher
..
.

Monga:
Ibl
ockedher

Lana:I
tdoesn'tmatterbecausey ouknowhernumberi nyour
headandy oucanstill
callherwhenI 'm gone,buti choosetot rust
youbecausesof aryou'v
eshownmet hel oveididn'tknowex isted.
Ionl
yhearditintheradiodr amaandt houghtit'sjuststori
es.Ilike
youbecausey ou'
renotviolentl
i
kemyf ather,you'resweetand
pati
entandyoudon'tjudgeme.Youal sowantt hebestf orme. .
.
Youspendal otofmoneyonme, itcan'
tbeal lfornothing.

Hesmi
l
edt
hought
ful
l
yandsi
ghedr
eli
eved.
..

Lana:You'r
emyher obecauseyousav edmef rom awor l
di wasn't
surehowI '
descapeandbroughtmei ntothisnicehouse.Ialways
wantedtohav eamanbuti nevert
houghtitwoul dbeani ce
l
ookingmanwi t
hacarandani cehouse.Thanky ouf
orbr i
nging
met oMaun, you'
remyheroandi r
especty ou.Iwasafrai
dt osay
thankyoubecauseididn'
tunderst
andy ouandi wasafr
aidof
you..
.I
'
mj eal
ousbecauseidon'twanttolosey ouandi wantyou
tobemi nealone.
Monga'sheartsunkashelookedinhereyes,hehadnev erf
eltso
bi
g..
.Soappreciat
edandneededitfel
tsogood.Hel eanedover
andkissedhersoftl
ythenhegotbetweenherlegsandpaused
ki
ssi
ngherashepul l
edouthi
sTshirtt
henheki ssedheragain
bef
orepulli
ngouthertopandsuckinghernippl
e...

Herubbedhi
sboneronherastheybothbr
eathedheavi
lyt
henhe
pull
eddownhispantswi
thhi
sbrief
s..
.Hi
sdickdroppedonher
stomachandhepickedi
tsmacki
ngitoneachofherthi
ghs.
..

Afr
aidtoevenhavealookLanal
ookedatt
heceil
ingbutthat
smackfel
tliket
hiswouldbesomet
hingr
eall
yhuge,hegrabbed
herhandandbroughti
tovert
ohisdi
ckbutshemov edherhand
befor
eshecouldtouchit
..
.

Het
urnedherheadandki
ssedher
..

Monga:
Babe?Youhav
etot
ouchi
t.
..

Lana:
Cany
ouswi
tchof
fthel
i
ght
s?

Monga:
Iwantt
oseey
out
odoi
t.
..

Sher
eluct
ant
lykeptherey
esatt
hecei
l
ingt
henheki
ssedherand
gotofft
hebed,hegr
abbedherhandandtookherof
fthebed
makingherkneel
bef
orehi
mt henhetur
nedherhead.
..

Monga:I
fyouwantmetobehappyyouhavetodothi
s,that
's
whatev
erywomandoesforherman.
..
itf
eel
sgood.Iknowy ou'
re
scar
edbutyouhav
etodoit.Ki
ssi
t.
..

Sheturnedherheadandl ookedatitforthefi
rstt
imeassheheld
i
tful
linherhand, thebumpsseemedr at
herweirdi
fthat
'showit
i
swhengr ownup, she'
dbathedherauntie'
sbabysonandhe
di
dn'
tlookl i
kethisbutthenbabygir
lsdon'thavehugefl
apseit
her
ormaybet hat'
sjusthowhei s.
..

Monga:
Kissi
t.
.

Shel
eanedov
erandki
ssedi
t.

Monga:
Licki
tli
keasweet
,don'
tl
etmef
eel
yourt
eet
h..They
woul
dhurtme.
.

Shegent
lyopenedhermouthandbegantotaketheheadofhis
beadedweaponbetweenherl
ips.I
twasheaven!Eventhoughshe
wasnewtoit,j
ustknowi
nghisheadwasthefir
stintheremade
hi
m wantt
obur
st.

Heheldherheadandworkeditoverhi
shead,seei
nghowwi de
hermouthhadtostr
etchtoaccommodat ehi
m hedidn'
twanther
mouthtoti
resohepickedherupandkissedher.
.

Monga:
It'
sti
mef
ormet
otur
nyoui
ntoawoman.
.

Helai
dheronherbackandknel
tbet
weenherl
egst
henhe
#Removed.
..

#48

Heheldherheadandworkeditoverhi
sdi
ckhead,seei
nghow
wi
dehermout hhadtostr
etchtoaccommodatehi
m hedidn'
t
wanthermouthtoti
resohepickedherupandki
ssedher.
.

Monga:
It'
sti
mef
ormet
otur
nyoui
ntoawoman.
.

Helaidheronherbackandkneltbet
weenherlegsthenheplaced
theheadofhisdi
ckont heentr
anceofherfl
esh,sheputher
handsonhischestrel
uctant
lyt
henhekissedherandbegan
st
roki
ngsl
owl
y,wi
thj
ustt
hehead.

Monga:
(sof
tl
y)Lookatme.
..

Shelookedinhiseyesandhelookedr i
ghtbackathersqueezing
hi
mselfinbutitwouldn'
tgoinandherey esgott
eary,hegrabbed
hi
sdickandsl i
ditoverherwetpussybeforepl
aci
ngitbackon
herwetsli
tthenhepushedhiswai stdownandpoppedi nsi
deher..

Monga:
Fuck!

Lana:
(whi
mper
ed)Ahhh.
..

Shecoul
dli
ter
all
yfeel
herski
nst
ret
chi
ngf
it
ti
nghi
mli
keagl
ove.
..

Heslowlybegunfucki
ngherwithjusttheheadbuti
tfel
tsogood
hepushedininchbyinchwit
hev erystr
okeunti
lhal
fofhi
sdick
wasinthereandshecouldbarel
ybr eat
he.
..
.

Asmuchashewant edt
obecar ef
ulhecouldn'tr
esi
stfuckingher
asherbreastsshookandthepleasureofherti
ghtwall
sr ushed
hi
scum, heknewhehadt ost
oporsl owdownbuti twaswayt oo
good.
..I
tfeltwaytoogoodinthere.Hehookedherlegswi thhi
s
armsandst rokedonemoreti
mebef orehefelthi
scum rush
over.
..Hehadever
yint
ent
ionofpull
ingoutbuthecoul
dn'
tdothat
ei
therinst
eadhegrunt
edandfuckedherburyi
nghiswhol
edick
i
nsideherasshewhimperedwhil
ehepumpedi nsi
deher.
..

Monga:
Shi
t!#*
#?!-#

Fuck,di
dhejustcum f
orr
eal
?.Hesl
owl
ysl
i
doutashi
scum
droppedfr
om theti
pofhi
sdi
ck.

*
AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
.

Meanwhi
leApul
abr
ushedhert
eet
hwhi
l
etal
ki
ngt
othephoneand
wal
kedout.
..

Otl
he: (
laughed)Sheissochil
dish,maki
ngy ourpar
tnercal
li
s
uselessbecauset omorr
owtheywi l
lcal
ltocheckontheother
personandt el
lthem t
heyweref or
ced.

Atsi
l
e:Andf
orsur
eMongai
sgoi
ngt
ocal
lhert
omakesur
eshei
s
fi
ne.

Apula:
Butmostmenwoul dn'
tagr
eetocallunl
esshetr
ulycares
aboutherf
eel
ings.Hecoul
dhavejustsai
dnoabengwany anawa
tengabakel
agor eet
saphoneyamonnabuthecalledwhich
meanshecares.

Maru:Exact
ly,
thatshoul
dcommuni catesomethingtoyouplus
wareheaskedy ounottocall,heobvi
ouslycar
eswhatshet hinks.
WeallknowMongacanbest ubborni
fhewant sbutoncea
womancont r
olsamanl ikethatit
'shi
sheartshehas...Monga
doesn'
tseem softl
ikeDerri
ck.Juststayawayfrom hi
m

Apul
a:Yeah,
I'
ll
stayaway
.

Otl
he:Butshedidn'
tstarti
t,hecar
esaboutheri
fhekeepscall
i
ng.
Heshouldrespecthi
sgirlf
ri
endnottheot
herwayaround.Apul
a
doesn'
toweherany t
hing.
Maru:WenaOt
lheokari
alo?Theonewhousedt
ocontactyour
babydaddy
sgi
rlst
ell
i
ngthem youguyshav
eachil
d?Didthey
oweyou?

At
sil
e:Canwel
eav
ethi
stoMonga?Hewi
l
lsor
titoutt
omor
row
wi
thApula.

Mar
u:Hel
i
ter
all
yjustt
oldhert
ost
opt
alki
ngt
oherl
ebat
aar
eng?

At
sil
e:Heisgoingtocall
andexplai
nthatwhatev
erhesai
dhe
wasputunderpressur
e.Weallknowthesethi
ngs.

Otlhe:Let'
sl eaveApul atomakeherdeci sions,Relati
onshipsgo
thr
oughhel l andy esLal amadeami stakebuti tcanbecor rected.
Mongawi llcallherandexpl ai
nassoonashei sfree,t
hatgirlwil
l
l
ear ngorey oucan' tcontrolaman.If eelsor r
yforherbecausei t
soundsl i
keshei smasi mogi rl
soi doubtsheev enunder st
ands
Mongaormakeshi m happy .Shewoul dn'tcookt hemeal shelikes
anddon' tgetmest artedwithfinanci
al burden.Ther easonsome
ofuscan' tfindamani sbecausewear est r
uggli
ngf i
nanciall
y.Bo
masi mogi rlkanaal lt
heywanti stobehousewi vesandMonga
l
ikest y
pet saboApul awhowor kanddon' taskformoney24/ 7.

Atsi
le:Ladi
esihavet
ogot
obedbef
oreThongassumesI
'
m
cheati
ng..Goodni
ght

Al
l
:Goodni
ght
..

Shehungupandl
aiddown.
..
AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Thenextmor ni
ngThongbr ushedhi
shai
rcutandtiedhi
sshoes
beforepi
cki
nghi scarkey
st henhewal
kedoutjustasAtsi
l
e
steppedoutofthekit
chen..

At
sil
e:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Thong:
Home.

At
sil
e:Ihadf
orgott
enmypur
sei
nthecar
,if
oundt
hebootf
ull
of
gr
oceri
esandclot
hesf
orawoman.

Thong:
They'
ref
ormyli
tt
lesist
erBot
ho.Whyar
eyousear
chi
ng
me?Yourpur
sewasn'
ti
nt heboot
.

Atsi
le:
Ijustf
oundfoodonthebackseatandt
houghtI'
dchecki
n
theboot.Whenareyougoi
ngtointr
oducemet oyourf
amil
y?

Thong:
It'
stoosoon,
I'
m notsur
ewhoy
ou'
reany
mor
e.

At
sil
e:I
'
vest
oppedwhati
wasdoi
ng.

Thong: Idon'tknowt hat.

.Youmakemi dnightcall
sandst ep
outsi
dewhi leI'm sl
eeping.Iwon'tbeatyouorar guewithy ou
aboutact i
ngr i
ght..
.Nnagakebet semosadi .Wecamef rom far
andi didn'
texpecty outochange..Thewayt hatoldmanabused
youinev erthoughtwewoul dhaveani ssueofcheating.Igiveyou
every
t hi
ng,ibuyf oodandgi veyouallowance..

At
sil
e:I
'
dbet
alki
ngt
omysi
ster
s,I
'
m notcheat
ing.
..Andt
his
mont
hyouhav
en'
tgi
venmeany
thi
ng.

Thong:
Thi
smont
hidon'
thav
emoney
.

At
sil
e:Buty
ouboughty
ourf
ami
l
ygr
ocer
y,andy
ougot
her
e
al
mostever
yday.

Thong:
Ihav
etogo.
..Mypar
ent
sar
ewai
ti
ng.

Hewalkedout
,Atsi
l
estoodbythedoorandl
ookedathim ashe
goti
nthecaranddrov
eoff.Hi
sphoneandhepickedup.
..

Thong:Hell
o?..
.Eerr
a...Eheiwaslookingf
oracow,acowf or
thagel
a..
..
Kgomoy athagela.I
'
llbether
ein2to3hours,
I'
ll
come
withmyunclesohecant el
lmei fi
t'
sOK.Youknowhowelders
are.Thankyou.
..
.

MyKi
ndofMan

#49

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Ont hesamemor ningMongaputLana' sbr eakf

astonthecount
er
anddishedherlunch,herfavour
it
e..
..Riceandchickenbuthe
addedsaladsandputi tnexttot
hebr eakfastpl
atethenhi
sphone
rang..
.
Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Voi
ce:
Whatt
imear
eyoubr
ingi
ngy
ourdaught
er?

Monga: Oh,sheisnotmydaught er.Shei smygirl

fri
endbutshe
droppedoutkogoSt andar
d4soi wanty ouevaluateherandsee
whathel psheneedstoproceedwi thschool.I
fit'
spossibl
ei want
hertolearnhowt oreadandwrit
et heni canenrolherforf
orm1
i
napr ivateschool
.Shehasapet it
ebodyandshewoul dfi
tin.

Voice:Ok,itt
akesabout3monthstocompl
etel
ylear
ntoread,i
f
sheisaf astl
earnerwewil
lbedoneandshecanstar
tschoolnext
year,butyou'
llhav
etobri
ngherher
e.Wedon'tdohometutori
als.

Monga:
Youguy
saretheonl
yonesi
trust.Ev
ery
onei
s
r
ecommendi
ngyoubutkebat
ahometutors.

Voi
ce:I
fyouwanthertofi
tinwithotherstudent
snexty
earshe
hast
ogooutandreli
vetheclassroom experi
ence.

Monga:Ok,
sendmeal
i
stofal
lthebooksshewi
l
lneed.I
'
lldr
op
herof
f.

Voi
ce:
Nopr
obl
em.Thanky
ou.

Hehungupandr
ecei
vedanot
hercal
l
..

Monga:
Yeah.

Thong:
Imanagedt
ofi
ndt
hecow
Monga:
(laughed)Kant
eoser
iouswena?

Thong:
I'
m ser
ious

Monga: Kant
ey onekey aeng?NotthatIwantt
omar r
y,I
'
m only
goi
ngt omar r
yheraftershegraduatedandwor
kingkebonagore
gapateledi
wekesi t
uation.Ar
en'ty
ousupposedtobri
ngthati
f
yougotherpregnant?

Thong:
It'
sfordat
ingher
,ify
ougotherpr
egnanty
oupayt
sheny
o.

Monga:
(laughed)Ser
iousl
y?SoI
'
m goi
ngt
opayt
hatt
oo?

Thong: Yup,
youpayacowf ormjol
oosany al
a.Justmj
olobef
ore
mar r
yingherandifyougotherpregnantyoupaydamagestoo
beforetheychar
gey oumagadi.Soaftert
hisI'
l
lbepayi
ngmagadi
andthenwecanpr oceed.HowisLana?

Monga:
Shei
sfi
ne,
(rubbedhi
shead)l
etskel
emr2mi
nut
es

Thongl
aughedoutl
oudnonst
opunt
ilMongaj
oinedi
nlaughi
ng
embarr
assed.
..

Thong:
Howdi
dthathappen?Wasi
tyourf
ir
stt
imewi
thav
irgi
n?

Monga: Yeah,I
'v
eneverhadsexwit
hav ir
ginandi
twasjust
di
fferent
..
.(si
ghed)Uhmonna,idi
dn'tev
enseemy sel
fcum.Ke
i
thetsekerotet
sengwanai di
dn'
tevenpullout
.

Thong:(
laughed)You'
readisgr
acetomen,y
ouofallpeopl
e?At
l
eastshehasn'tsl
eptwit
hlotsofmensoshedoesn'
tknowwhat
y
oudi
d,ar
engene?

Monga:Shedoesn'tknowi fuckedup,kootengneaut wamonate

anddoesn'tknowthatthereismorepleasurethanthat
.Shedidn'
t
cum butshewasjusthappyt houghekareobr ui
sed.Shehad
pai
nssoi thi
nkI'
ll
letherrestbefor
eicanhav erealsexwit
hher.

Thong:
(laughedoutl
oud)Mat
aozenMat
aozen!
!

Monga:
(laughed)Ei
shmonna,
tot
anekegobol
elel
aeng

Thong: (
laughed)Noskawar alai
teaka,
ithappens.
.Kukue
monat elehaolepornstaregodirangwanahelaor ot
ahelantseo
i
tibi
l
e.All t
hedelayt
acti
csf l
youtthewindow..Don'
tblame
yoursel
f,it
sthesweetkuku'sfaul
t.Gasephosoy agagogoreabe
alemonat e.Sorr
yboy

Monga:(l
aughed)Wai
tseLanaoletseant
ir
il
emosi
many
ana.I
'
ve
nev
erlostcont
roll
i
kethatbef
ore.

Thongl
aughedev
enl
ouderandbangedonsomet
hing.
..

Monga:
(laughed)Ot
aany
elaManD

Thong:(l
aughedevenlouder
)Inev
ert
houghtofy
ouasmr5
seconds.Lanagaashapo

Monga:
Uhmona,
atl
eastshedoesn'
tknowgor
ekedi
ri
ler
ubbi
sh.

Thong:
Myuncl
eiscal
l
ingme,
I'
ll
cal
lyouback.

Monga:
Don'
tcal
lmemonna,
wewi
l
lnev
ert
alkaboutt
hisev
er
agai
n.

Thong:
(laughed)Shapol
ait
eaka,
skal
elat
hat
aLanagaai
tsenex.

Monga:
(laughed)Shapo

Hehungupandwalkedinthebedr
oom wher
eshewasst
il
l
sl
eepi
ng.Hesquat
tedbythebedandki
ssedher
..
.

Monga:
Mor
ning.
.

Lanaopenedherey
esandlookedathi
m, shesmi
ledbl
ushi
ng..
.
Lastni
ghtwasmemorabl
eandshenev erknewsexwasthat
good..
.

Monga:
Howar
eyou?

Lana:
I'
m good.
.

Shesatupandf
li
nchedsi
tt
ingonhersi
de.
.

Monga:
Arey
ouOK?

Lana:
Yes

Monga:
You'
renot
,you'
renotsi
tt
ingpr
oper
ly.
..Gobot
hoko?
Lana:
Yes.
..

Monga:
Cani
seei
t?

Shelai
donherbackt
henhepar t
edherf
lapsi
nspect
ingherand
not
icedabr
uiseonherper
ineum..
.

Monga:I
t'
sjustal
i
ttl
ebrui
se,
idon'
tthinki
tneedsthehospi
tal
but
youhav
etoputabitofsal
tonthewaterandsitonit
.

Lana:
Ok

Shest
oodupandwr
appedher
sel
fwi
that
owel
..
.

Monga:Ical
l
edyourtutorandtheysentmeal i
stofthethi
ngsy
ou
need.I
fyouwer
eOKwewoul dgot ogethersoyoucanpick
whatev
eryouwant.Shouldit
ellheryou'
llcometomorr
ow?

Lana:
No,
iwantt
ogot
oday
.

Monga:
Buty
ouhav
etocal
lmei
fitget
stoopai
nful
.

Lana:
Ok.

Monga:Gogetready,I
'mjustgoi
ngtor
ushtotheof
fi
ce.I
'
llbe
backaf
teranhour.Yourf
oodi sont
hecount
er

Lana:
Whatdoy
oudo?
Monga:
Idomar
ket
ing.

Lana:
Ok.
.

Shewal
kedi
nthebat
hroom t
henhegr
abbedt
hekey
sandl
eft
..
.

Att
hemal
l
...
.

LateronRandal
lpar
kedthecarwi
thThat
oinf
rontseatandt
hei
r
babymama' satt
heback.
..

Theladi
esst
eppedoutwit
hthei
rkids,
Randal
lpi
ckedhi
sbaby
whil
eThatopi
ckedhi
sandheldhisbabymama'shandast
hey
wal
kedintherest
aur
ant
..
..

Theysatbyt
het
abl
eandhadal
ookatt
hemanus.
..

Randal
l
'sbabymama:
Iwantr
ibsandchi
ckenatt
hesamet
ime

That
o'sbabymama:
Letmeor
derr
ibswenachi
ckent
henwe
shar
e

That
o:Justor
derwhat
every
ouwant

Randal
l
:Or
derwhaty
ouwant
..
.
Awai
tr
esswal
kedov
erandgott
hei
ror
der
s..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse(
Kasane)
..
.

Latert
hataft
ernoonApul
apausedtypi
ngandcheckedherphone
butshedidn'
thaveanycal
lsormessages.Shesi
ghedandrubbed
herheadbeforeget
ti
ngbacktoworkandt y
ping.
..

Herphoneoncet
henshei
nst
ant
lypi
cked.
.

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Mar
u:Hi
,

Apul
a:(
sighed)hi

Mar
u:What
?Youdon'
tsoundhappy

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)I
'
mfi
ne.
.What
'sup?

Maru:Derr
icki
sbr
ingi
ngmet
oKasanesowecancel
ebr
atehi
s
di
vorce.

Apul
a:Ohok.
.I'
m happyf
ory
ou.

Mar
u:HasMongacal
l
edt
oexpl
aint
hathewasf
orcedt
ocal
l
?

Apul
a:Iknowy
ou'
regoi
ngt
osayi
tol
dyouso
Maru:Menar edif
ferentandy ouplayedwithagoodone.Next
ti
met akey ourti
mebef orediscardi
ng.Yout oldmegoreMonga
doesn'tcheatsohewon' tstartwithyou.
..Awomanwhocheat ed
onhim.Nnaneker eeditsehel agotweMongawi l
lcal
lback,
some
menbar eetsadigir
lfri
endtsabonegadi bakgalemel
aandt hey
stopwhat everbehaviouregot wengbaeemi se.

Apul
a:Iknow,
iguessboAt
sil
egav
emef
alsehope.

Maru:It'
snor mal tober egretf
ul,iwanty outomakey our
deci
sions, iknowy ou'renotadesper at
ebitt
erper sonwhowi shes
evi
lforother sbuti fyoukeepl i
steningtoAtsil
eandOt lheyou'l
l
getl
ost .Atsil
eischeat ingonThongandshet hinksj ustbecause
hedoesn' tsayany t
hinghecan' tsee.Ot l
heenet otai can'tsay
much, shecan' tkeepar el
ati
onship.Makey ourdeci sionssoy ou
canmakey ourmi stakeswi thoutblamingany one.St opupdat ing
ever
yoneabouty ourr elati
onship.Doy ouseemeseeki ngy our
appr
ov alonev erythingaboutDer ri
ck?

Apul
a:No

Maru:Makedeci
sionsonyourownother
wiseyou'
llbewhatot
her
peopl
esayyoushouldbe.Nextt
imeunderst
andthatamanhas
fl
awsjustl
i
keyou.

Apul
a:True.
..
nekel
ehopef
ulmmaker
eot
aal
etsabutheyl
i
fe
goeson.Bye

Mar
u:By
e

Shehungupandsi
ghedt
henshesmi
l
edt
hought
ful
l
y.Per
haps
sheneededtogooutandhaveal
it
tl
efun.
..Thenshe
rememberedherbl
ueeyeandsi
ghed.

Att
het
utor
s..
.

Laterthataft
ernoont
hetutorwalkedovert
oLanaandstood
behindherwhi l
esheansweredthequesti
onst
othereadi
ng
compr ehensi
on.Shefol
dedherar msandsmil
edlooki
ngather
answer s.
..

Her:Ithoughty
ousai
dyou'
renotgoodi
nEngl
i
sh.
..Thi
sis
excel
lent.

Tsel
ana:
Ify
ougi
vemedi
ff
icul
tonesI
'
m goi
ngt
ogetzer
o

Her:Youcanact
uall
ywrit
eandr ead,
wej ustneedtobrushyour
Engl
ishmmehelaosi ame.Ithi
nkwecanst artthecont
entnna
kanakaregat
wey oucan'
treadandwr i
te

Lana:
Ionl
yknowchi
l
dren'
sthi
ngs.

Her
:Whichi
sgood,nowwecanstar
tcont
ent.Ican'
tbel
ievei
t
aughtyouf
or2hoursonl
yandy
ou'r
egett
ingthingscor
rect.Keep
wri
ti
ng

Thetut
orwal
kedbackt
oherdeskandsatdownpi
cki
ngher
phone,
shecl
i
ckedonfacebookandf
rownedl
ooki
ngatt
hepol
i
ce
postaboutami ssi
ngchi
ldfr
om Matsaodi
.Shel
ookedather
pi
ctureandlookedatLana.
..
thensheconf
ir
medthenames
Tsel
anaModi se.

Thetutor
'shear
tski
ppedasshelookedatLanaandcont
inued
readi
ng"Anyonewit
hinfor
mati
onthatcanleadtoher
whereabout
skindl
ycall
thenear
estpoli
cestat
ion.
"

Shest
oodupandwal
kedout
sidedi
all
i
ng.
..

MyKi
ndofMan

#50

Att
hebushes.
..

Purpleandanot herfemalewal kedalongatinyroadcarrying

bucketsasi ftheyweregoingt ocoll
ectwaterintheirtr
aditi
onal
wear.Thongj umpedoutofnowher eandr anafterthem, hegot
them bothsignalli
ngthem toshutupt henheundr essedt hem as
Ericstoodov erwithacamer a.Hepoundedbot hoft hem pull
ing
outandi nserti
ngintotheotherwhileMongast oodbehi ndEric
andsignall
edt hegi
rl
stokeepupthefearinthei
rfaces.Hi
sphone
vi
bratedinthepocketandhelookedatthetutor
'scal
l.Hetur
ned
aroundandj oggedawaybefor
epicki
ngupt hecall
..
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Her:
Howol disthi
sgir
l?Ij
ustf
oundoutshei
sami ssi
ngchi
ld.
ShehasbeenpostedonFacebookbythepol
i
ce.Thepoli
cesay
sheis17.I
fthat
'str
ueyou'
regoi
ngtoj
ailf
ordef
il
ement.

Monga: Nosheisnotunder18andi
askedhertot
alktoher
par
ents.Legal
l
yshecanmakeherdecisi
ons,I
'
m sure.IsawherI
D
andithadhername.

Her:Shei
smissi
ng,
pleasesor
tthi
soutbef
orei
geti
ntr
oubl
e
becauseI
'
m wit
hami ssi
ngper
son.

Monga:
Ok,
I'
m comi
ng.Di
dyouaskher
?

Her
:No

Monga:
Don'
taskher
,shewi
l
lpani
candr
unaway
.

Her
:Ok.By
e

Mongahungupandt ur
nedlooki ngattheshoott
henhehurri
edto
thecars.Oncether
ehenot icedRandal landThat
oweren'
tthough
theylef
tthem t
here.Perhapst heywentf orawal
k,hewal
ked
behindhiscarandfrozeast heykissed..
.
Monga:
Thef
uck!

Theypausedandst
eppedawayf
rom oneanot
herasMonga
fr
oze.
..

Monga:
Pleasetel
lmey ou'
renot.
..
.(shocked)Thef
uck!Soy
ou
wer
etal
kingaboutthegaycontent
?

Randal
l
:Wi
l
lthatbeapr
obl
em?

Monga:No,ofcoursenot
..
.DamnI
'
m soshocked.Isawy
ou
ear
li
erwit
hy ourf
amili
es

That
o:Wewoul
dappr
eci
atei
tify
oukepti
ttoy
our
sel
f

Monga:I'
m av eryconfi
denti
alperson,
don'tworr
yaboutit
..
.Wowi
j
ustneverthought.
..(si
ghed)Knowwhati havetogosortout
somethi
ngpl easedon'tdi
sappointonyourcli
p.

Bot
h:Sur
e

Mongaj
umpedi
nthecaranddr
oveof
fst
il
li
nshock.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronther
ewasaknockonthedoorasshecookedl
ist
eni
ngt
o
music,
shemovedt
othewindowandlookedout
..
.Ther
ewasa
tr
avelandtourcarparki
nginfr
ontofRebony
e'shouseandan
unfamil
iarmanonherdoorstep.Sheopenedthedoorandhe
smiledatherastheyshookhands.
..

Him:Hi,
mynamei sLoago.I
'myournei
ghbour,
mynei
ghbour
noti
fi
edmethaty
ou'l
larr
ivebuti
wast r
avel
li
ng.

Apul
a:I
'
m Apul
a..
..

Loago:
Nicet
omeety
ou.
..Whathappenedt
oyourey
e?

Apula:
Wher
eist
hemant
hathasbeenst
ayi
ngi
nyourhouse?
Rebonye

Loago:Helef
tyest
erday
.Sai
dhecoul
dn'
tsel
lthecarhehad
broughtf
oracli
ent
.Doeshehav
eanythi
ngtodowithit
?

Apul
a:Hedi
dit
,ibr
okeupwi
thhi
m andheki
ckedme.

Loago:Buthei
smarried,
you'
rebeaut
if
ulwhygetinv
olv
edwi
tha
marri
edman?NotthatI'
m bl
amingthevi
cti
m butt
heguyisv
ery
muchintohi
sfami
l
y .

Apul
a:Hedi
dn'
ttel
lmeheismarr
ied.Ihadt
ofi
ndoutt
hatby
mysel
fandt
hat'
swhenidumpedhim.

Loago:
Arey
ouput
ti
ngi
ceont
hisey
e?

Apul
a:I
ce?

Loago:
Doy
ouhav
eaf
rozenpack?Ev
env
eggi
es

Apul
a:Yes.
.
Hewal
kedi
n..
.

Loago:
Bri
ngmeat
owel
orcl
oth,
nev
erputi
cedi
rect
lyony
our
ski
n.

Shebroughthi
m acl
otht
henhewr
appedt
hei
ceandputi
tov
er
heri
ce..

Loago:
Holdi
t..
.Thisguyi
str
icky
,thi
sexpl
ainswhyher
emov
ed
mypict
uresf
rom thewall
.

Apul
a:Het
oldmei
t'
shouseandhei
sanaccount
ant

Loago:
(laughed)Real
l
y?

Apul
a:If
eel
stupi
d..
.

Loago:
Don'
tbe.
..

Apul
a:Ihav
ebeeri
nther
eify
ouwant
..

Loago:
I'
mtr
yingt
oqui
t.

Apul
a:Ok

Loago:
Arey
oubusy
?

Apul
a:Why
?

Loago:
Iwant
edt
odr
ivet
owor
kanddr
opt
hecart
hengetmi
ne.
May
bey
oucoul
dgetoutoft
hehouse

Apul
a:Ican'
t,
blueey
e.

Loago:
Thatcanbef
ixed,
justgetr
eadyandcomeov
er

Apul
a:(
laughed)OK.
.

Hewalkedout
,Apulawat
chedhim unl
oadi
nghisthi
ngsfr
om the
workcart
henhelockedt
hehouse.Shefi
xedhersel
fandstepped
over
..
.

Heputt
hesungl
assesov
erherandsmi
l
ed.
.

Apul
a:Whydi
dn'
tit
hinkoft
hiswhenIwant
edt
obuysomet
hing

Loago:
I'
m ageni
us,
onl
ygeni
usest
hinkl
i
ket
hat
..

Hisphonerangthenheopenedthedoorf
orherandstepped
asi
depicki
ng.Shecouldn'
thearwhohewastal
kingt
obutshe
coul
dguess..

Loago:
..
.Becauseiwantedtotal
ktohim...Li
stenIdon' tcare
aboutt
hat,i
fyouscrewthisuphewi l
lnevercomet oy oufor
hol
iday
s.CanItalkt
omyson?Gi vehimthephone. .
.(sighed)
Hell
o?LJhey..
.Howar eyou?.
..
.Isthephoneonl oudspeaker?Ok,
howi sev
eryt
hing..
.Ok,areyouhappy?
...Whodoyoust aywit
h
besidesmama...Doeshet r
eatyouOK?Hemadey oueatporri
dge
wit
houtsugar?Whydi dn'
tyoutelhi
my oudon'
tli
keit.
..He
whippedyou?Arey ousureLJ?Youhaveamar kony ourfoot
?
Givemamat hephone...

Apul
awat
chedhi
m ashepacedupanddown.
.

Loago: Hel l
o?Soy ourboyfri
endhi tmyson?Idon' tcare,i
fyou
didn'tabandonhi my ou'dknowhedoesn' tl
i
kemot ogoatal l.And
whyi st hisguybeatingmyson?Youknowwhat ?I'
m calli
ngmy
brother.Hewi llcomecol l
ecthim andputhimi nthenextf li
ght
tomor row.I'l
lwaitforhim attheairpor
twant waela.Igiveyoua
chancet oredeem yoursel
fy ouletyourboyfri
endhitmyson.I
senthi m withmoneywhyi sheev eneatingsuch?Idon' tcare,my
brotheri scomingov er.

Hehungupandmadeanothercal
lwhil
eshewait
edinthecar
.
Minut
esl
aterhegoti
nthecarandsi
ghedthenhest
art
edthecar
..

Loago:
Sor
ryaboutt
hat

Apul
a:I
t'
sok.
..

Hedr
oveout
..
.
Att
het
utor
s..
..

Lat
erMongaparkedthecar,Lanawalkedovercar
ryi
ngherbag
andanotebooktoherchestsmil
ingexcit
edl
y.Sheopenedt
he
doorandhandedhi
m herpaperswithhighmarksbutMongakept
astr
aightf
ace.
..

Monga:
Didy
ouasky
ourpar
ent
sifi
tsOKt
ocomet
oMaun?

Shest
oppedsmi
l
ingasherhear
tpounded.
..

Monga:Di
dyou?Becauset
heyr
epor
tedy
oumi
ssi
ng,
andi
tsay
s
you'
re17.

Lana:
I'm not17,mypar
ent
sdon'tknowouragest
heypr
obabl
y
gavethem that
..
.TheI
Discor
rect

Monga:Buty
ouli
edtome,ihat
ebeingli
edt
o.Seetheposi
ti
on
you'
veputmeint
o?Sonnakereng?Whatel
seareyoul
yingtome
about
?Whyisitt
hatal
lwomenareli
ars,
whatel
seareyouly
ing
about
?

Lana:I
'
m notlyi
ng,i
knewtheywoul dsaynot hat
'swhyididn'task.
Educat
iondoesn'
tmeananythi
ngt othem becausetheythi
nka
gi
rlwil
lgetmarr
iedandherhusbandshouldbet heonelooking
af
terherwhi
l
eshehaschi
l
dren.

Mongal
eanedbackangr
il
yasshel
ookedathi
m..
.

Monga: Nnagakebat egogogagoganal ebatsadibagagoka

wena.Idon'twantt obei nthatkindofasi tuati
on.I'
mt aki
ngyou
t
ot hepoli
cest ati
on,theywi l
ltakeyoubackt oyourparent
s.If
t
heygivey ouper missionthenI '
mfinewi ththat,y
oucancomet o
myhouseany ti
mebecausennagogor atakeagor atabut
f
ighti
ngpar entsandbei ngreportedisnotok.Idoal otofthi
ngs
t
hatdon'tneedt hepol i
cesniffi
ngar oundme.Ican' ttakeyouby
f
orcefrom y ourparents.Ihavet ot
akey ouback.

Hestart
edt hecarandj oinedtheroadasLanat ear
ful
l
yl ookedat
the20/20mar konhert estpaper
s.At earroll
eddownhercheek
andsher ubbeditsi
lentl
y ,mi
nuteslat
erhepar kedinfrontofthe
poli
cestati
on,theysteppedoutandwal kedin.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#51

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..

Mongat
ookaseatasLanal
eanedov
ert
hecount
er.

Lana:
Hi,mynameisTselana.IwaspostedonFacebookasa
missi
ngunder
agegi
rlbutI'
m notunder
age.Thi
sismyI D.Icame
her
ewi
l
li
ngl
yandI
'
m at
tendi
ngschool
tobet
termyl
i
fe.

ThepolicegotherIDandtur
nedbacktotheot
heroff
icer
.They
gotherIDandgotinanotherof
fi
ceforafewminut
esbefore
steppi
ngoutwithitandhandi
ngitback.
.

Officer
:Hi,cany oupleasegetincont actwi t
hy ourpar
ents?
They '
reobviouslyworri
edabouty ou.Wehav econtact
edthei
r
policestat
ionandexpl ainedthatifyou're18andabov eyou'r
efree
togowher ev eryouwantwi thoutapar entalconsent.Wecannot
forceyoutogobacki fyoudon' twantt obecausey ou'
re
consideredanadul twhoi sfreetogowher everyouwant,butyou
mustcommuni cat
ewi t
hy ourfami l
ytoav oidwastinggover
nment
resources.

Lana:
Thanky
ou.Iwi
l
lcal
lthem andl
ett
hem knowI
'
mfi
ne.Soi
cango?

Off
icer:
Yes,
mayihaveyourcontactdet
ail
sandwher
eyou'
re
st
aying.
.Wri
tet
hem downhere.
..

Lanawrot
edownherdet
ail
sandnewnumbert
henshehandedi
t
back.
..

Off
icer
:Pleasecontacty
ourpar
entsandclari
fythi
s.They
'r
e
obvi
ouslyworri
ed,gawalael
aonyelet
sehela.Nextti
mewhen
somethinggoeswrongtheywon'trepor
tbecauset
heyknow
you'
rethetypet
hatjustdi
sappears.

Lana:
Eer
ra.Thanky
ou.

Shet
urnedar
oundandwal
kedt
owar
dsMonga.
..

Lana:
TheysawmyI
D,t
heysayi
mustt
alkt
omypar
ent
s

Monga:
(st
oodup)Tal
ktot
hem.
..Putt
hem onl
oudspeaker
.

Theywal
kedoutasshedi
all
edhermot
her
'snumber
..
.

Monga:Thesearethethi
ngsyoushoul
dhavedoneassoonas
yougotaphone.Callt
hem andt
ellt
hem y
ou'
refi
ne,nowitl
ooks
l
ikeiki
dnappedyou.

Lana:
Isai
dI'
m sor
ry

Monga: (
stoppedwalki
ng)Don'
ttryt
hatat
ti
tudewi
thme,
skaleka
gorewareomphel el
apeloLana.Youli
edtomeandal
mostgot
thepol
icetomyhouse.

Shestoppedwalki
ng,
hewal
kedpasthert
henshef
oll
owedhi
m
andgotinthecar.
Lana'
smot
her
:Hel
l
o?

Lana:Hell
o?Isawt haty
ourepor
tedmebutI'
mfi
ne.I
'
m goi
ngt
o
schoolhere,
ijustcamefort
hepoli
cest
ati
on.

Her:Whydi
dyouj
ustleave?Yoursi
ster
ssaidther
ewasaman
wit
hacarwhowantedy outobeaprosti
tut
e.Comebackher
e

Lana:
Iam notapr
ost
it
ute.

Her:
Lanacal
l
ed,thi
sgi
rli
sev
entalki
ngback.Shehasal
ready
sl
eptwi
thmen.Iknowwhenayounggir
lhastast
edapenis.

Herfather:Hel
lo?Lana?Youshouldbehomebef ore6pm doyou
understandme?Ihav enodaughterthatsel
l
shersel
finMaun.You
thi
nkwedon' tknowalldi
rtyt
hingsthathappeni
nMaun.

Lana:(t
earf
ull
y)Iam notsel
l
ingmy
sel
f,i
am st
ayi
ngwi
thmy
boyfr
iend.

Herf
ather:You'
vemar
ri
edyour
sel
f?Gaot
habi
wekedi
thonggo
nt
hayaoreokomonneng?

Lana:
Iam notcomi
ng.

Him: Youtel
lthatmant hathewillnevergetaner ecti
oni fhe
sleepswithyouorcont i
nueskeepingy ou.Hewi l
lloseev ery
thi
ng
hehasaccompl ished.Idon'
tplaywithl i
tt
leboy s,yout hi
nkall
thesepeoplethattrav
elhalf
wayacr osst hecount rytoseek
protect
ionandpunishpeopleresponsi bl
ef ortheirlostpropert
y
arepay i
ngfornothi
ng?Gakehet saleeneot abeabapi satsel
a.

LanahungupasMongasatont
hedr
iverseatl
ooki
ngather
..
.
Monga:I'
mt aki
ngyouhome, wheny ou'
vesort
edoutyourissues
withy
ourparentsyoucanwalkinmyhouseany t
imeyouwant .I
promi
seI'
m notleavi
ngy oubecauseiloveyoubutt
hisistoo
compli
catedforme..
.I'
ml i
vi
ngacompl icat
edli
feal
ready.

Lana:
Doy
oubel
i
evei
nwi
tchcr
aft
?

Monga: I
'
m nottaki
ngyoubackbecauseofhisthreat
sonme, I'
m
t
akingyoubackbecauseidon'
twanttotakef r
om yourparentsby
f
orce.EvenifweendeduptogetherI
'
m sti
l
lgoingt oneedthem
wheni marr
yyousobeingdisr
espectf
ult
ot hem won'tbenefi
tme.

Lana:Ev enthoughyoucanseet hey'

remaki ngdecisi
ons
i
nfluencedbyi l
li
ter
acy?Wouldasanepar entdenythei
rdaughter
education?Deny i
ngmeschool fr
om primar yandjuni
or.
..Ishoul
d
bewr i
ti
ngmyf orm 5examsrightnowandy ou'remyonlyhope.
Youknowsendi ngmet oschoolistheri
ghtt hingandoneday
theywillthankyou.Legal
l
ythereisnothingt heycando.

Monga:Idon'
twanttobeknownfornt
shangwanamol
wapeng
Lana,
tryt
ounderst
andmysi t
uat
ion

Lana:
(tear
ful
l
y)You'
renott
ryi
ngt
ounder
standmysi
tuat
ion.

Monga: (si
ghed)I'
mt aki
ngy ouback,lennakanagonal ekahake
godisi
tswengkat eng.Letswalolamegalenagont et
aknowing
ver
ywel lyourparentswanty ouback.Thenextt
hingtheywil
lbr
tel
l
ingpeopl eI
'm prost
it
utingyou.Thepoli
cewil
llookint
oit

Lana:
Andf
indnot
hingoft
hatsor
t
Monga:
Youdon'
tunder
stand.I
'
mtaki
ngy
ouback.
..

Hedroveoutandnoneofthem sai
danythi
ngunt
ilt
heyar
ri
ved
home.Heparkedthecarandremainedi
nthecar
..
.

Monga:
Gogety
ourt
hings.
..

Lanawalkedi
nthehouseandpackedhert
hingsthenshewal
ked
outwitht
hebagandgotinthecar
.Mongareversedanddr
ove
out.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronApulaandLoagoputcampchai
rsundert
het
reeandhad
sof
tdri
nks.
..

Loago:
So.
..Howwasi
tgr
owi
ngupi
nMaun?

Apula:
Itwasn'tbadatal
l
,il
ostmymom wheni
wasy
oungbutmy
auntwasthere.

Loago:Ok,myli
fewashellaft
erlosi
ngmymot her.Myfat
her
remarr
iedandhiswifehat
edmybr otherandi
,sheabusedusand
whenwecompl ainedourf
atherdidnothi
ngaboutit
.Oncemy
brotherwasoldenoughhet ookmewi t
hhi m andpaidformet o
rewrit
emyexams.Iwasi nabet t
erenvir
onmentsoi managedt o
pass.Begr at
efulf
ory ourauntbecauset hewaymyst epmother
hatedusi tmustbehar dnott ol
oveanot herperson'
schil
d.He
hatedust omucht hatshe'dgetirr
it
atedwhenpeopl esaidwe
l
ookl ikeourf
ather,shewant edpeopletosayherchi l
drenlooked
l
ikehim butherslookedmor el i
keherthanhim

Apul
a:(
laughed)Neal
emomat
hat
engacompet
it
ion

Loago: (
laughed)Aest epmothers..
.Buti
tt aughtmet oappr eci
ate
becausei fi
twasn'tformybr otheriwouldbenot hing.Hebel i
eved
i
nme, hekepttell
ingmyf at
hert opayformet orewr i
tebuthe
saidheisamar r
iedmanandcan' tmaket hatdecisionalone.My
bigbrotherismyher o,iam whoi am becauseofhi m, everyday
hereadmebooksaboutbusi ness,bemot ivatedandsuppor ted
everyli
ttl
ethingidid.

Apul
a:Hesoundsawesome

Loago:Heis.
..Iowehim mathat
agaarat
egolebogi
wa.Onet
ime
igaveaspeechatwor ktel
l
ingmyworker
sthatiwoul
dn'
tbewhoi
am becauseofhim hetol
dmet ost
op.
..

Apul
a:(
laughed)Hedoesn'
tl
iket
hespot
li
ght

Loago: Yeah..
.I'
mr eall
yproudofyouforholdi
ngyoursi
sters
whent hey'r
edown.They '
regoi
ngtothanky ouonedaybecausei
wasoncei nthei
rsituati
onandmybr otherhel
pedme.You'r
e
responsibl
e,skaitsapamot sel
eng.

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Iwon'
t.
..
Helookedatherasshesmiledbutwhenshelookedathim he
l
ookedaway ,i
twasapit
ytheguyhegav eaccommodat i
on
messeduphi mtr
yingwoul
dj ustbeanot
herRebonyeandifhe
eventr
iedshe'
dendthi
sneighbourlyf
ri
endshi
p..
.

Att
hef
arm.
..

Hour
slaterMongapar
kedatthegat
eandst
eppedoutt
hent
hey
wal
kedinthrought
hegat
e..
.

Hersist
erssteppedoutofthehouseandlookedather,
fora
momentt heydidn'
trecogni
seherthent
heyrantowardsherand
huggedher..

Si
ster
1:OhmyGod,
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
..Lookaty
ourhai
r.I
t'
sso
l
ong..
.

Si
ster
2:Youl
ook.
..Heeehmony
ana!

Theygr
abbedherbagsandwal
kedt
othehouse.
..

Lana:
Wher
eisMmel
ent
ate?
Sist
er1:
Theywentt
othekgosi
toreporty
ou.Theysai
dyousai
d
you'
renotcomi
ng.Gat
wekgosiegobit
se

Lana:
Ijaa.
..

Mongapul
ledachairandsatdown,minut
esl
aterLanawal
kedout
oft
hehouseandstoodinfrontofhi
m..
.

Lana:They
'r
enothome.Thanky
ouf
orbr
ingi
ngmebackt
othel
i
fe
itol
dyouidon'
twant.

Monga:
Idon'
texpecty
out
ounder
stand

Lana: Iwi
llnev
erfor
giveyoui
fwalkawayandleavemehere.You
hav ethepowertochangemyfutur
ebutyoujustwon'
t.Pl
ease
takemewi thyousoi candosomethi
ngformyfutur
eforour
future.

Monga:
I'
m sor
ry

Lana:
(tear
ful
l
y)Iwi
l
lnev
erf
orgi
vey
ouf
ort
his.

Hetri
edtohugherbutsheangr
il
ysteppedbackt
henheputhi
s
handsint
hepocket
slooki
ngather.

Lana:
Don'
tevert
alktome.Iam goingtofi
ndawayt ogoback
andsendmysel
ftoschool.Iwil
ldoitonmyown,idon'
tknow
howbutiwi
lldoi
tandI'
llnevertal
ktoyouagai
n.Idon'
tcar
eifi
havenot
hingandy
ouhav
eev
ery
thi
ngi
need.I
fyoul
eav
emeher
e
i
t'
sover.
..

Monga:
Becausei
won'
tgoagai
nsty
ourpar
ent
swi
shes?

Lana:Becauseyoudon'twanttosupportmeeventhoughyou
knowthereisnothi
ngtheycandot oyoulegal
l
ybecauseI'
m an
adul
tandi canmakedecisionsformyself
.

Monga:
Ilov
eyou,
tryt
ounder
standmyposi
ti
on

Lana:I
fyouleav
emeher
eI'
l
lnev
ertal
ktoyoubecauseyouhav
e
j
usttakenawaymydr
eamsandtheymeanever
ythi
ngtome.

Monga:
I'
m sor
ry.Ihav
etogo.
.

Shetearf
ullywatchedhi
m ashegotinthecaranddr
oveoffthen
sheburstintot
earscryi
ng.Hersi
ster
shuggedherasshecri
ed
outl
oud...

Meanwhil
eMongatookadeepbreathashej
oinedt
hemainroad
anddr
oveoff
.Hetookouthi
sphoneanddial
edherbutshecut
hi
scal
ls.Het
ri
edagainandherphonewasoff
...
.

ONEYEARLATER.
..
.

*
*

MyKi
ndofMan

#52

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Derri
ckwalkedoutofbui
l
dingheadi
ngtothecarashi
sphone
rang,hel
ookedathisexwif
e'snumberandsi
ghedashepicked.
..

Der
ri
ck:
Hel
l
o?
Her
:Hi
,whenar
eyoucomi
ngt
opi
ckPi
nk?

Der
ri
ck:
Mywi
fewi
l
lpi
ckherup,
I'
m st
il
latwor
k.

Her:
Mywi f
e?Shei snotev
enyourwifeyet
..
.It
houghty
ou'
l
lcome
pi
ckherup,iboughtyouawhit
ecoat.Ther
ewassomeonesell
i
ng
coat
sandithoughtyoumightneedone.

Derri
ck:Idon'
tneedit.Listen..
.Ipreferourcallsbeourdaughter.
Ifi
thasnot hi
ngtodowi thheri don'tthi
nki t
snecessary.I
fy ou
conti
nuetalki
ngtomeaboutany thingelsey ou'
llhav
etotalkto
mywi feaboutwhatevery ouwant .Iwillnotdiscussany
thingwith
you,evenifPinkneedssomet hi
ngy ou'l
lhavet oaskmywi feandi
wil
lletherknowwhyI 'm askinghert odot hatbecauseI'
m kindof
gett
ingtir
edofaskingy out odot hi
ngsr ight
.

Her:
I'
mjustt
ryi
ngtobenice.Doy
outhi
nkIwantyou?Anyway
sI
wanttoi
ncr
easethechi
l
dsupport
..
.Thi
smoneyistooli
tt
le

Der
ri
ck:
That'
sbecauseyou'r
enotsupporti
ngherfinanci
all
y,she
i
snotmydaughteral
one,sheisourdaughter
.Inst
eadofbuy i
ng
meacoatyoucouldhaveboughtherwhateversheneeds.

Her
:I'
m goi
ngt
ocour
ttomor
row.

Derri
ck:Go,I'
m goi
ngtoaskforaful
lcust
ody.Youalreadyhav
e
recor
dy aviol
entbehav
iourandyouwanttochal
lengeme?Go
report
.Isendyou2Kandi payschoolf
eeswhatelsedoy ouwant
from me?Go

Hecutt
hecal
landsi
ghed.
..
AtMongaCarRent
als.
..

Mongat ookadeepbr eathlookingatthepriceofaf ourwheel

dri
ve,thiswouldbeperfectforcrossboardertours.
..Hecould
i
magi neagr oupoftour
istshir
ing5or10ofhi scarstocross
boarders..
.Bytheendoft hei
r30day stourhewoul dhavemade
waymor ethanhecouldimagine...

Ther
ewasaknockonthedoor
,hisper
sonal
assi
stantwal
kedi
n
fi
xi
ngti
eandputaf
il
eonhisdesk..
.

PA: Hav ealookatthoseandsignareleaseform.Thefi

rstones
aref r
om localart
ist
s,theywantt
ohirethetwobusestot r
ansport
theircrewfrom GaboronetoMaun.Theot heroneisachurch
goingf orachurchtri
pinSouthAfri
ca.

Monga:
Dot
heyneedt
hebusesbr
anded?

PA:Thechur chno,t
hearti
stswantthem brandedandi expl
ained
theexpenses.Weexplai
nedt hecont
ractandtheysigned,wear e
l
eftwithyoursignat
uret
ocompl etet
hewhol ethi
ng.Ifyougive
them t
hegoaheadt heywil
lmaket hepayment s.

Monga:
Alr
ight
.Thanks
Hewalkedoutandcl
osedthedoor.Mongacal
cul
atedt
hecostof
5car
sandpickedthetel
ephone.
..
.

Thong:
Hel
l
o?

Monga:I
'
vemadeupmymi
nd,
bri
ngmet
hosecar
siwast
alki
ng
about

Thong:(l
aughed)It
oldyougor
eol
esegongamel
a.(
typedont
he
orderf
orm)war e5aker
e?

Monga:
Yeah.
..

Thong:I'
m aboutt
oleavetheoff
ice.Ihav
etogofocusonthe
weddingsoI'l
lbeoutoftheof
fi
cef oracoupl
eofdayspl
usI'
m
goi
ngf orahoneymoon.

Monga:Iwentf
orfi
tt
ingearl
i
er,mysui
tisexcel
l
ent
..
.Monnat
hat
t
ail
ori
sgood.I'
m col
lect
ingi
tthi
saft
ernoon.

Thong:
Icol
l
ect
edmi
ney
est
erday
.El
der
swant
edev
ery
thi
ngdone.

Monga:
Oyahoney
moonkae?

Thong:Idon'
tknow,
iwantt
oaskKhumo.What
evershepi
cksI
'
m
goodtogo.

Monga:
(laughed)ManDt
hemonnat
ell
Atsi
l
ewhat
'sgoi
ngon

Thong:
Aeno,
emapel
emr
.Idon'
twanthert
ospoi
lmyday
.

Monga:
(laughed)Al
ri
ghtman,
shap.

Thong:
I'
m sendi
ngy
out
hef
orm,
fil
li
tandemai
li
tbackwi
tht
he
deposi
tpay
ment
.

Monga:
Alr
ight
,cheer
sman.

AtTheher
dBoyaut
os.
.

Meanwhil
eThonghungupandcompl etedhisordersbef
ore
swit
chi
ngoffthecomputerandwalki
ngout.Helockedupandput
thekey
sinhispocketashepassedhisworker
s...

Thong:
Cal
lmei
fyouneedany
thi
ng.
.

Assi
stant
:Nopr
obl
em,
congr
atul
ati
onsi
nadv
ance

Thong:
(laughed)Thanky
ou.
..

Hewalkedoutashi
scar
sfi
l
ledt
hewhol
eyar
d,hegoti
nhi
sand
dr
oveoff.
..

Mi
nut
esl
aterhepar
kedi
nfr
ontoft
hehouset
alki
ngt
othephone.
..

Thong:
Ihearyou,j
ustmakesur ethathouseisi
ngoodcondit
ion
bytomorr
owbecausei needthefurni
tureshopt
odeli
verafew
thi
ngsi
nthere.TheweddingisonSat ur
daysomywifewil
lbein
MaunaroundThursday
...Al
ri
ght.Thanksbye
Hehungupandst eppedoutofthecarthenhewal kedint
he
housewhil
eAtsil
ehummedcooki nginthekitchen.Hewalked
overandhuggedherfrom behi
ndthenhekissedher..

Thong:
Hi.
.

Atsi
l
e:Heybabe.
..Hav
eaaseat
..
.Icookedsomet
hingy
oumi
ght
l
ike

Thong:
Ihav
etogo,
myf
atheri
snotwel
l
...

At
sil
e:Pl
ease,
justaf
ewmi
nut
es.
.

Hesatdownandsi
ghedthenshewal
kedov
erwi
that
rayand
smi
ledassheputi
tdown..
.

Atsi
l
e: Ij
ustwantedtosayI '
m sor
ryforhur
tingy ouinthepast.I
knowy ouknowwhati di
dandy ouhatemef oritthoughy ou'
re
al
way ssmili
ng..
.Iheariti
ntonegoreyou'r
enothappy .Ididmy
mist
akesi nthepastbutI'
m dif
fer
entnow.Pl easeforgiv
eme.

Thong:
(smi
l
ed)I
t'
sokbabe.
..If
orgi
vey
ou.
..

Atsi
l
e:Thankyou.
..Mar
ugetti
ngmar ri
edgotmet
hinki
ng.
..We
needtobeser
iousaboutourr
elat
ionshi
p.

Thong:(
checkedhi
swatch)Yeah,babeir
eal
l
yneedtogo.My
fat
heraskedmetohel
phim brandthecowssoi
t'
sgoingtobea
busyweekend.It
ookaf
ewday
sfr
om wor
k.I
'
llv
ideocal
lyou
whenigetther
eOK?

At
sil
e:OK

Hest
oodupandki
ssedhert
henhegothi
sbagandwal
kedout
..
.

Thong:
Ilov
eyou

At
sil
e:Il
ovey
out
oo.
..

Thong:
Don'
tmi
ssmycal
l
s

At
sil
e:(
Blushi
ng)Iwon'
t.
..

Shesmi l
edhopefulandwalkedi
nthebedr
oom wher
eshegot
readyandlef
tforheraunt
ie'
shouse.
..

Att
het
ail
or.
..
.

Latert
hataf
ter
noonApul
ast
eppedoutoft
hecart
alki
ngt
othe
phone.
.

Apul
a:(l
aughed)BathongI
'
m notinKasane,I
'
m att het
ailort
ofi
t
mydressthenI'
m comingover
.Iarr
ivedl
astnightandjust
checkedi
ntoaLodgebecausei
twasal
ongdr
ive.
..Al
ri
ghtby
e

Shehungupandwalkedi
ntotherecept
ionwher
eMongawas
si
tt
ingbythecouchonhi
sphone.Shesatontheot
hersi
deand
si
ghed.
..

Apul
a:Hi

Mongaturnedandlookedather
,thei
rey
esl
ockedandhe
swal
lowedstar
ingather.
..

Monga:
Hi.
.Longt
ime

Apul
a:Yeah.
..

Monga:
Howar
eyoudoi
ng?

Apul
a:I
'
m good,
thanks.

Tai
l
or:
MrTi
ki
?

Hestoodupandwal kedin,
Apulasighedandcarr
iedontypi
ngon
herphone.
..Heobviousl
ycametof i
thisweddi
ngsuitbutwher
e
wast hi
sLana,shehadnotevenseenheronhisFacebookor
heardanyt
hingabouthersi
ncethen.Anywaysshecli
ckedon
f
acebookandbr
owsedt
hrough.
..

Minutesl
aterhewalkedoutt
henshestoodupandwalkedin,he
stoppedtotal
ktoherbutshequi
ckl
ypassed..
.Heiscut
eandall
butnottobeamar r
iedman'ssi
dedish,not
hankyouMrTiki.

Mongasteppedoutwit
hhi
ssui
tandputi
tint
hecart
henhesat
i
nsi
dethoughtf
ull
y.
..

Meanwhil
einsi
deApul
afi
therdr
essandl
ookedather
sel
font
he
mi
rrorsmil
ing.
..

Apul
a:Wow.
..I
t'
sbeaut
if
ul.
.

Tai
l
or:
Iknow.
..

Apul
a:So.
..Thatguy
,isheget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?

Tai
l
or:
Uhno,
it'
sthef
ri
end

Apul
a:Whi
chf
ri
end?

Tai
l
or:
Doy
ouknowhi
m?

Apul
a:Iseehi
m around,
heonlyhasonef
ri
end,
thet
all
dar
kone.
I
shetheonegetti
ngmar r
ied?

Tai
l
or:
Yeah,
theonewi
thwhi
tet
eet
h.
Apul
a:Ar
eyousur
e?

Tai
l
or:
Yeah,
why
?

Apul
a:Justaski
ng.
.Thanks.
..

Apulatookof
fthedressandpaidt
hebal
ance,
thetai
lorputi
tona
hangerandundert
hecov ert
henshewal
kedoutcarr
yingthe
cover.
..

Sheopenedthebackdoorandlai
ddownherdressthenshegoti
n
thedr
iver
'ssi
de,
Mongawal kedoverandl
eanedover.
..

Monga:
Hiagai
n..
.

Apul
a:Whatdoy
ouwant
?

Monga:
Justsay
inghi

Apul
a:I
sThongget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?

Monga:
Real
l
y?When?

Apul
a:Mxm t
het
ail
ort
oldme

Monga:
Any
way
sbackt
ous.
..

Apul
a:Us?Wher
eisLana?

Monga:
Shedumpedmeay earago.
..
cany
oucomebymyhouse?
Imi
ssyou,
justt
ohangoutf
oroldti
mesake.
Apul
a:No,
thanky
ou.(
star
tedt
hecar
)Mov
eaway
,ihav
etogo.

Mongaopenedt
hebackseatandpi
ckedherdr
esst
henhecl
osed
t
hedoorandwal
kedaway..
.

Monga:
Youknowmyhousei
fyouwanty
ourdr
ess.
..

Het
urnedar
oundsmi
l
ingashewal
kedbackwar
ds.
..

Monga:
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ulbyt
heway
..
.

Apul
a:Mongat
her
rawenaI
'
m noti
nthemoodf
orgames,
mpha
mosesewame.

Hetur
nedandgotinhiscart
henhedr
oveof
fasApul
asatt
her
e
wi
thherl
ipspar
ted.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#53

Att
hel
odge.
..

Apulawalkedinandsatonthebedwhil
etheshowerwasr unni
ng.
Shetookoffherhighheel
sthenLoagowalkedoutdr
yinghimsel
f
wit
hat owel.
..
Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
..
.

Loago:
Hey
..
.Wher
eist
hedr
ess?

Apula:
Myf r
iend'
scousi
nsayshecol
l
ect
edi
tformesowewi
l
l
havetopassbyhishouset
ogetit
.

Loago:
Ok,
nopr
obl
em.Letmegetdr
essed.
..

Apula:
Ijustneedtowarnyouaboutmyaunt
,shei
sasweetl
ady
butshealsospeakswit
houtthi
nki
ngsodon'
tmindher

Loagol
aughedashegotdr
essed.
.

Loago:
Wehav esomeonel
ikeherathome,
remembert
hataunt
whokeptcal
l
ingyoungwet
si

Apul
a:(
laughed)Exactl
y,t
hat'
smyauntsodon'
ttakewhat
ever
shei
sgoingtosayt oheart
.

Loago:
Ok.
.

Apul
a:Babecani
asky
ousomet
hing?

Loago:
Sur
e..
.

Apul
a:Let'
ssayif
indoutoneofmysi
ster
sboyfr
iendisget
ti
ng
marr
iedthi
sweekend,whatwoul
dbethebestt
hingtodo?

Loago:
Besurebef
oreyoutell
herbecauseifi
t'
snottr
uethenthe
j
okeisonyouandyoursi
sterwil
lnev
ertrusty
ou..
.That'
sjustme
though.Iknowt
hatwit
hwomenify
out
ell
hert
hathermani
s
cheati
ngshegetsangr
yaty
ou.

Apula:yeah,
iknow.Al
otwomendon'tl
iket
obetoldthey'
re
cheatedbutiknowmysist
er.Shewoul
dn'
tbeof
fended..

Loago:
Thenbesur
e..
.Soi
sitr
eal
l
yhappeni
ngory
ou'
rej
ust
aski
ng?

Apul
a:It
hinkAt
sil
e'
sbfi
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
.

Loago:
Besur
ebabe.
..I
t'
saser
iousaccusat
ion.

Apul
a:Ok.
..

Apul
a'
sphoner
angt
henshest
oodup.
..

Apul
a:I
t'
smysi
ster
..
.Koot
engbar
ekeakaI
'
m noti
nMaun.
..

Shel
aughedast
heywal
kedout
..
..

Ataunt
ie'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronApul
ast
eppedoutoft
hecar
.

Apul
a:Don'
tgetout
,iwantt
oaskmycousi
nsomet
hingt
henwe
gogett
hedr
essbef
orewemeett
heel
der
s.

Loago:
Ok.
.

Sheclosedt
hedoorandwalkedoverasherni
ecesranoverand
gaveheragrouphugasshesmil
edandhandedt hem apl
asti
cof
toy
s.

Shewal
kedpastaf
ewladi
esandst
oppedbyt
hef
ir
ear
eawher
e
someweredoi
ngdi
shes.
..

Apul
a:Hi
..
.

At
sil
e:Hi
,di
dyougety
ourdr
ess?

Apul
a:Um.
..Yeah.
..Wher
eisAene?

At
sil
e:Shei
sov
ert
her
e..
.

Apul
awal
kedov
ert
oherassheputmor
ewoodi
nthef
ir
e..
.

Apul
a:Hi
,canwet
alk?

Aene:
Hi

Theyst
eppedawayf
rom t
hef
ir
easApul
atookadeepbr
eat
h
l
ooki
ngi
nherey
es.
..

Apul
a:I
sThongget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?

Aene:
What
?

Apul
a: Iknowy ouknowthetrut
hbecauseyouworkwit
hhim.I
knowev eryt
hingbutir
espectyourj
obthat'
swhyIhav
en'tsai
d
anyt
hing..
.Ineedyoutotel
lmet hetr
uth.

Aene:
I'
vesi
gnedanon-
discl
osur
eagr
eement

Apul
a:Purple?I
sthatwhatyouwantmet ocall
y ou?Iknowwhat
you'
redoi
ngandl i
keIsai
d..
.Irespectt
hatbutineedyoutot
ell
methetruthher
e.

Aene:Ihear
devery
onet al
ki
ngaboutit
.Hei sget
ti
ngmar r
iedt
his
weekend.Icoul
dn'
ttel
lAtsi
lewi
thoutexposingmysel
f.

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.
.Andi
t'
sni
cet
oknowwher
eyourpr
ior
it
iesar
e.

Shetur
nedar
oundandwal
kedbackt
othecart
hent
heydr
ove
off
..
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
leMongaleanedovert
hecounterpressi
nghisphone
whi
lehol
dingt
hebottl
eontheotherhand.Hedial
ledLanaand
si
ghed.
..

Lana:St
opcall
ingme,
ify
oukeepdoi
ngt
hisi
wil
lrepor
tyou.
You'
redist
urbi
ngmeI'
mreadi
ng.

Monga:
Whyodi
raj
alommegone?

Lana:
I'
m notgoi
ngtochangenumbersagai
n.Ipr
omi
sey
oui
fyou
cal
lmeagainI'
m goi
ngtorepor
tyou.

Monga:
Wher
edoy
oust
ay?

Lana:I
t'
snoneofy
ourbusi
nessaker
eyoudumpedmeatt
he
catt
lepost
.

Monga: It
ri
edcall
ingy out
hesamedayandy oucutmeof f
.The
sameweekendi cameandy ourfat
hertoldmey oulef
thome.I
checkedIthi
nkafterbo5mont hsandt heysaidyounevercame
back.Idon'
tunderstandgorenkabekedi r
il
ejang.Canweplease
meetandt al
k?Ifeelli
keyou'
repunishi
ngmef orsomethi
ngi
didn'
tdo.

Shecutthecal
landther
ewasaknockont hedoor
.Heputdown
thephoneandwalkedoverholdi
ngabott
lethenheopenedt
he
doortoApul
aandanunf amil
iarman.
..

Apula:Hi
..
.babet
hisismycousinMonga,hei
snotreall
ymy
cousinbutwecal
lhim cousi
n.Mongat
hisismyboy
f r
iendLoago.
..
Loagoext
endedhi
shandf
orahandshake,
Mongar
ubbedhi
s
col
dhandonhispant
sandshookhi
shand.
.

Loago:
Nicet
omeety
ouman

Monga:
Nicet
omeety
out
oo.
..

Apul
a:I
'
m her
etogetmydr
ess,
yousai
dyoucol
l
ect
edi
tforme?

Monga:
Uhy
eah,
pleasecomei
n..

Theybot
hwalkedinthenhecl
osedt
hedoorandsi
ghedst
il
l
hol
dingt
hebottl
e..
.

MyKi
ndofMan

#54

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

ApulaandLoagotookaseat,Apul
a'
seyeslandedonsomey oung
gi
rl
'sframedpi
ctur
e,musthavebeenthefamousLana..
.i
twas
amazinghowmuchshecoul dpredi
ctmanbehaviour
.Ofcoursei
f
her eal
l
ywant edherhecouldhavecal
ledherbutno,heonly
remember sherwhenheseesherchance. .
..Andguessi
ngbythe
amountofal coholhewasconsumingthingsweren'
tworki
ngout.
Ty pi
calmasimigir
ls.
..Changi
ngbehav
iourassoonast heyl
ook
cleanandnice..
.

Meanwhi l
eMongawal kedint
hebedr oom andstoodbyherdr ess,
j
ealousyrushedt hroughhisveinsashestoodt herel
ookingatit
hol
dingthebot tl
eofbeer ..
.Apartofhim wantedtopourt hi
s
wholebeerov eritbutthenMar u'
sweddingwoul dberui
nedand
shewassweet .Cousin?Cousinreal
ly?Afterf
uckinghersohar d
sheintr
oduceshi m asacousi nli
ketheydidn'
thappen..
.

Hegr
abbedt
hedr
essandwal
kedout
,Loagost
oodupandgoti
t.
..

Apul
a:Thanksal
ot

Monga:
Sur
e,eyni
cet
omeety
ouman.

Loago:
Nicetomeety
out
oo.
..(
lookedatt
hepi
ctur
es)Dowor
kfor
MongaRental
s?

Monga:
Yeah.
..

Loago:Givemey ourbusinesscard,iworkforLGTravelandt
ours,
I'
vebeenmeani ngtocontactthem andgetquotat
ionsforsome
crosscountr
iescars.Somet r
avel
lersprefert
odri
vethemselves.
Mongapi
ckedabundl
eofhi
scar
dsandhandedhi
m,Loagor
ead
i
tandsmi
led.
.

Loago:
You'
ret
hedi
rect
or?Ver
ymodestbar
eiwor
kfor

Monga:(l
aughed)Nny
aaaker
eyouaskedmei
fIwor
kforMonga
Rent
als

Loago:WaitsothenameMongais.
..Uhmxm..
.Ni
cejob,ionce
hi
redyourbus.Idon'
thav
eabigbussoihir
edyoobusfora
SouthAfr
icantr
ip.

Monga:LGy
aKasane.
..
.Ir
emembery
ounow

Theyl
aughedandshookhandsbef
orewal
ki
ngout
..
.

Loago:
I'
ll
cal
lyouaf
terconf
ir
mingatt
heof
fi
ce.

Monga:
Sur
e.

Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveoff
,Mongaturnedar
oundand
si
ghedwalki
ngbackint
hehouseashereceiv
edacall
..
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Voi
ce:
Ist
il
lcan'
ttr
aceher
Monga:
Didy
out
ryt
racki
nghernewnumber
?

Voi
ce:
Yes,
theoney
ousentandshehasn'
tusedf
orsoci
almedi
a.

Monga:Ei
shok,butI'
vecheckedever
yschool
,theydon'
thav
eher
namesevenpr
ivateschool
sdon'thav
eher.

Voi
ce:
I'
ll
keepchecki
ngi
not
herschool
sar
oundMaun.

Monga:
Ithi
nkmay
beIshoul
dfi
ndsomeoneel
set
odot
his

Voi
ce:
No,
pleasedon'
t.Gi
vemeupt
onextweek.I
'
llf
indher
.

Monga:
Youhav
eunt
ilnex
tweek,
ekar
ewaf
okol
any
ana.

Voi
ce:I'
l
ldefi
nit
elyf
indher
,ipr
omi
se.NextweekI
'
llgi
vey
oua
bet
terupdat
e.

Monga:
Alr
ight
,by
e

Hehungupandsighedt
henhegotdr
essedandpackedhi
sbag
f
ortheweddi
ng.

AtAunt
ie'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
eronApulaandLoagobentov
ergreeti
ngt
heel
der
s.At
sil
e
wal
kedoutthenApul
afoll
owedherout.
..

Loagosatdownawkwar
dly
..
Aunt
:Howar
eyou?

Loago:
I'
mfi
ne.
.

Therewassil
enceashesatther
ewithunfami
l
iarpeopl
e,hesat
forafewminutest
henhesteppedout.
..

Loago:
Keemahal
e

Aunt
:Tanki
ngwanaka.
.

Hest
eppedoutanddi
all
edMongal
ooki
ngathi
sbusi
nesscar
d..
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Loago:I
t'
sLoago,
okaenemonnaket
egohangerl
emaj
i
ta?
Apulaobusy

Monga:
I'
m goi
ngt
oaf
ri
end'
sbachel
orpar
tyr
evaer
othe?

Loago:
Yeah,
wher
ear
eyou?

Monga:
(laughed)Ronar
oogogobi
saser
it
imr

Loago:
(laughed)Nt
seel
ait
eaka,
wher
ear
eyou?

Monga:
I'
mfi
l
li
ngupt
het
ankatt
hemal
l
Loago:
Arewegoi
ngwi
thonecar
?

Monga:
Letmepi
cky
ouup?Okogot
heauntaker
e?

Loago:
Yeah,
comepi
ckmeup.

Monga:
Sur
e..
.

Hehungupandleanedbythecarwat
chi
ngasfamil
ymembers
wal
kedbydoingwhattheywer
edoingpr
epar
ingf
ortheweddi
ng.
Hedi
aledApulabutt
herewasnoanswer
..

Minutesl
aterMongapar
kedatthegate,
Loagowal kedi
nthe
houseandhandedtheaunthi
scarkeysthenhejoggedovert
o
thegateandjumpedi
nthecar.Mongadroveoff
..
.

Meanwhi
l
eApul
a,Ot
lheandAt
sil
est
oodbehi
ndt
hehouse.
..

Apul
a:Ical
l
edy
ouguyst
otel
lyousomet
hingi
mpor
tant
..
.Idon'
t
knowhowtost
art
..

Ot
lhe:
You'
rescar
ingme.
..

Apul
a:Thongi
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
edonFr
iday
..
.

At
sil
e:Whi
chThong?

Apul
a:YourThong..
.If
oundoutatt
het
ail
ory
est
erdayandt
odayi
conf
ir
meditbeforetel
l
ingyou.
*

*
.

MyKi
ndofMan

#55

Att
heaunt
'shouse.
..

Atsi
le:Idon'
tunderstand..
.Maybei
t'
shiscousi
norsomeone.
..I
j
usttalkedtohim andhewasatt hekraal
inanover
all
.Hei
snot
gett
ingmar r
ied.
..Gapei coul
dhaveknown
Apula:
Hei sget
ti
ngmar
ri
edt
omor
row.
..Bahol
osi
tsemai
nakoga
molaodi.

Otl
he:Di
dn'
tyousaynowadayshespendsalotoft
imewi
thhi
s
fami
ly
?May behewasprepar
ingf
orawedding.

At
sil
e:Cany
oudr
ivemet
her
e?

Apula:Ok,
butpromisemeyouwon'
thar
ass.Idon'
tsuppor
t
peoplewhoharasspeopl
e

Ot
lhe:
Didn'
tyout
ryt
oopenMonga'
sHousewi
thascr
ewdr
iver
?

Apula:Itwasj
ustmeandhim,thi
sisinf
rontofever
yone.Thel
ast
thi
ngy ouwanttodoi
stolookstupi
dordesperat
einfr
ontof
everyone.

Atsi
le:
Ijustdon'
tthi
nki
t'
st r
ue.Iwoul
dhaveknown,wherewoul
d
hehavemether ?Wespendal otoft
imetoget
hert
otaibi
l
ehe
spendsalotofti
meatwor k.

Otl
he: Let'
sgoandseet hen.
..Nnammei beli
eveit
'shi
m because
ofthewayhet alkst
oy ou.Hedoesn'tlov
ey ouanymore..
.He
l
ov edy oubeforeyoucheated..
.Hegav eyoumoneyandhe' dleav
e
theguy sjusttobewithy oubutrecent
lyihaven'
tbeenfeel
ing
yourrelati
onship.

Apula:Hedoesn'tlov
eher..
.Ikeeptell
i
ngherv eryfewmen
forgi
vecheati
ng.Ifhetakesyoubackitsbecausehedoesn'thave
achoiceandhedoesn' thaveawomanofhi sdr eams.Assoonas
hef i
ndsherheismar ry
ingherunlessolel
uckyaganwakebasadi .
RightnowMongawant smebadl ybutiknowhedoesn'tloveme..
.
Hisheartwit
hsomeonewhohasn' thurthi
m...Withmeisjustt
o
passtime.Hetookmydresssoi
cangot
ohi
shouseandget
fuckedbutidi
dn'
tgoal
one.

At
sil
e:Canwepl
easego?It
hinky
ou'
rewr
ong.
..Letmev
ideocal
l
hi
mf i
rst
..

Shedi
aledhi
m andst
eppedasi
de,
Thongpickedthecal
lwit
h
MongaandLoagooneachofhi
ssidessi
ngingsomecrazysong
cl
ear
lyt
ipsy.
..

At
sil
e:(
smi
l
ed)Hi
..
.

Thong:
(noi
sybackgr
ound)Hi
wif
ey.
..
.YouknowIl
ovey
out
ori
ght
?

At
sil
e:(l
aughed)Ilov
eyout
oo.
..Someonet
oldmey
ou'
reget
ti
ng
marr
ied,i
sthattr
ue?

Hestoppedsmil
ingandlef
ttheguy
swal
ki
ngt
owar
dst
hepar
king
andgotinsi
deoneofthecars.
..

Thong:
Doy
oubel
i
eveApul
a?

At
sil
e:Howdoy
ouknowi
tsher
?

Thong:BecauseI '
m par
tyi
ngwithherboyfri
endandexboyfr
iend.
..
andtheythinkthey'
recousi
ns.
..Wel l
Mataozenknowswhohei s
butheisjustpl
ay i
ngalong.Hetoldmewhaty ouaskedhi
m andi
j
ustlaugheditoffbecauseidi
dn'tthi
nkotwouldbesomethi
ng
youaskme.Gasegor erel
eserelat
ionshi
pifyoureall
ythi
nkI'm
get t
ingmarri
ed?Apulawil
lmarryyoubecauseshecont r
olsyour
l
ife..
.Itookyououtofherpayr
ollsoyoucanbei ndependentand
thinkforyour
selfbutcl
ear
lyy
oust i
llwanttobeherpuppet.

At
sil
e:Iwasj
ustaski
ng

Thong:LanthaIt
houghtyou'
reki
ddi
ngsooser
iousy
ou'r
easking?
Ican'
tbeli
eveyouactual
l
ythoughti
wasget
ti
ngmarri
ed.
..Ar
ey ou
sti
ll
cheati
ng?

At
sil
e:No,
I'
m not
..

Thong: Thenwhyar ey ouparanoid?Idon'tunderstandwhyo

ntshebal eApula.Iwishforoncey ou'dactli
kesomeoney ourage
andt eachApul atostopcontrol
li
ngy ourli
fe.Justbecauseshe
wentt oschool doesn'tmeanther estofyouhav etobeher
doormat s..
.I'
m cert
ainlynotgoi
ngt ospendt herestofmyl if
e
answer i
ngt oApula.Weshoul dbet alki
ngaboutser i
ousthings
andy ou'r
easkingabouthear say?

At
sil
e:I
'
m sor
ry

Thong:No,youspoiledmyni ghtwai tse.Ithi

nky ou'recheati
ng,it
can'
tbenormal t
obet hisparanoi d.Ican'tdealwithy ourcheati
ng
anymore.
..HowcanApul abet al
kingaboutmewheny oushould
betal
kingtoherabouttell
ingev eryonet hatshehel psallofyou..
.
Loagowasj ustt
ell
ingusthatApul ahelpsallofy ou.I'
m sureeach
rel
ati
vesknowsy ou'r
eallherbur den.(sighed)Youknowwhat .
..I
can'
tdothisnow.I'
llseeyout omor row.
Hecutt
hecall
,Atsi
l
esighedandwal
kedbackt
ohersi
ster
sas
t
heywait
edfol
dingthei
rarms.
..

Atsil
e:Youwer ewr ong...Andy ouneedt ost optell
ingev er yone
thatyou'rehel pinguswi thmoneymaki ngitseem l i
kewear elazy
orcrazywomenwhogi v ebirthtof ather l
esschi l
drensoy oucan
suppor tthem.Youcer t
ai nl
ydon' thav et otellpeoplet haty ou
suppor tus...Nnai bil
ei l
ongaskedy ounott osuppor tmesoi
don'tunder standwhyy ou' dbet elli
ngpeopl ethatyousuppor tme.
You'vechanged. ..Idon' tknowwhot oldy ouThongi sget ting
mar r
ied,from t hatv i
deoi tdidn'tlookl i
kehei sgetti
ngmar ried..
.
Hei sjustchi l
li
ngwi t
hfriends. .
.Andi fy ou'r
enotwor riedabout
MongaandLoagohangi ngtoget hert heni don'tknow. .
.IfLoago
fi
ndsouty ouf ool edhi m hewi l
ldumpy ouandy ou'l
lthinky ou
beenbewi tched.Kekopagor eot swemor elati
onshipi ngy ame. .

Shetur
nedar
oundandwal
kedaway
.Ot
lhet
urnedar
oundand
l
ookedather
..
.

Ot
lhe:
Yout
ell
peopl
ethaty
ousuppor
tourf
ather
lesschi
l
dren?

Apul
a:Whoi
speopl
e?

Otl
he:Doy outel
lpeopl
eyousuppor tus?Ther
eisnothingwr
ong
withi
tjusttel
lmethetrut
h..
.It
'snotli
keyou'
relyi
ng,doyout
ell
peopl
et hatyousuppor
tus?Shouldn'ti
tcomefrom usandnot
you?Doy ouhavetobragaboutit?
Apul
a:Ihavenev
erbraggedabouthel
pingy
ou.Imi
ghthav
etol
da
fewpeopl
epassiv
elyi
napositi
vemanner

Otl
he:Wow. .
.IsThongevenget t
ingmarri
edorjustmadethatup
sotherestofuscanbef ai
luresli
keyou?Youenjoyhavi
ng
ever
ythi
ngandbei ngper
fect.Iwouldn'
tbesurpr
isedi
fyoucome
upwithastorysoDerri
ckandMar u'
sweddingismessedup.O
mowaomaswe. ..

Sheturnedaroundandwalkedaway.Apul
atookoutherphone
anddialedLoagobutther
ewasnoanswer.Shesighedand
walkedtowardsthecooki
ngarea.
..

Att
hef
arm.
..

Meanwhi l
etheguyswat chedatthestageastheloudmusic
play
ed,twoy oungwomenwal kedonthestageinthei
rg-
str
ings
andhighheels..
.Theyturnedaroundsupport
ingthemsel
veswith
thestr
ipperpoleandtwerked.
..

Loagofr
ozeholdi
ngabot
tl
eofbeerwat
chingt
hisgi
rlasshe
shookherassandev
enspunonthepol
e..
.

Loago:
Ohshi
i
it.
..Mongadi
dyouseet
hat
?
Meanwhil
eMongawasbusyt
ext
ingt
hePA,
Loagogr
abbedhi
s
Tshi
rtpul
l
inghi
m..
.

Loago:
You'
remi
ssi
ngout
..Fuck!

Monga:(l
aughed)Thesethingsdon'
tfasci
nat
emeanymor
e.Ke
j
eledi
kukukagohal or
olaganasetsekebatael
e1hel
aley
oneya
shi
a..

Loago:
Oser
ioust
hesegi
rl
sdon'
ttur
nyouon?

Monga:
No.
..

Loago:
Butift
hesearekindofthewil
dpar t
iesyouguy
sthrowI
'
m
notsur
pri
sed.
..
thebannaletshel
asente.
..Letshel
aseLas
Vegas.
..

Monga:Gaobonebachel
orboyisnotev
enpayingat
tent
iont
othe
st
ri
pper
s?Stri
pper
saretoimpressl
onadiguests

Loago:
(laughed)Laakal
ona

Monga:
(laughed)
Kukuer
areel
egor
e?Ar
en'
tyouf
ucki
ngApul
a?

Loago:
Idobuti
t'
sdi
ff
erent

Monga:
How?

Loago:Il
ovehersoi
wouldn'
tdoal
lmydirt
ywil
dthought
sonher
,
youknowwomenhav et
hosethi
ngstheywoul
dn'
twanttodo

Monga:
Likewhat
?Anal
?BDSM?
Loago:
Yeah

Monga: Mostoft hem woul ddoi tbuti fyouaskt heywoul dn't

admi titoutoff eary ajudgement ,I'
vehadanal withwoment hat
woul dsweart ot heirfriendsbonet heywoul dnev er..
.Theki nd
thatget sshockedi npubl icwhenanal sexisment i
oned( they
l
aughed)buti getwhaty oumean.Wheny oul ovesomeoney ou'
re
l
ikelyt operform poor lyinbedt hef i
rstfewt i
mesbecausey ou
carewhatt heythinkandf eel.I'
vehadbet t
ersexwi thastranger
thanawomanI '
m af r
ai dofl osingbecausei car edtoomuchwhat
shet hinksandi tdistractedme, butgivenenought i
mekemo
thal
ogany aleeneai tsegor eI 'm notusingherI '
ddef i
nit
elydo
every t
hingwi t
hher .Sexi samaj orpar tofar elati
onshipbutwhen
you'renewy ou'r
eunderal otofpr essurenott ogi v
ehert hewr ong
i
mpr essionwithwi ldsexbutl et'
sbehonest ,decentsexi smost ly
boring.

Loago:
Qui
tebor
ing.
..Butyoucan'
tjustdowei
rdstuf
fphal
ael
ela.
SoThongi
sreal
l
ygoi ngaheadwit
ht heweddi
ng?

Monga:
Andi
trusty
ou'
l
lbeamanabouti
t,r
ight
?

Loago:
Sur
e,don'
twor
ryabouti
t.
.

Oneoft hestri
ppersheldLoagofr
om behind,het
urnedaround
andsmi l
edlookingather.Mongasli
ppedacondom onhi shand
thenheslippeditint
othebackpocketasthestri
pperdanced
draggedhimt othestageandsathim down,shebentoverand
theybegundanci ngastheguyscheer
ed..
.
Att
hel
odge.
..

Latert
hatni
ghtApulawal
kedbackint
heroom andt
ookof
fher
shoesbefor
egetti
ngint
heshower.Af
terashor
tbat
hshesaton
thebedanddial
edLoago.
..

Monga:
Remot
sel
eng

Apul
a:Cani
tal
ktoLoagopl
ease?

Monga:
Hei
ssl
eepi
ng

Apul
a:Wakehi
m!Kant
elet
say
agor
ekeashenama?

Monga:Heyy
ou'r
enotLanawena,
don'
tgi
vemeinst
ruct
ions.He
i
ssleepi
ngoshwele.Whatdoy
ouwantmetodo?

Apul
a:Kar
ewakehi
m?

Monga:(i
nthebackground)Mrt
soga!Loagowee?(backtothe
phone)Heissleepi
ng,hesai
dsomethi
ngaboutthelodgebefor
e
heslept
,whichoneisit
?

Apul
a:Mar
ula,
room 17

Monga:
Alr
ight
..
.

Shehungupandshookherhead.
.
Mi
nut
esl
aterMongast
oppedt
hecarandopenedLoago'
sdoor
..

Monga:
Let
'sgo.
..

Loagosteppedoutandalmostt
rippedasMongahuggedhim
support
inghim,hecoul
dbarel
ystandasMongaheldhim and
pickedhisphonefr
om t
heseat.
..

Monga:Themonnaakooichekebefor
eyougoi
n.Checki
fyou
hav
elipsorany
thi
ngi
nthepockets.
.

Loago:
(sl
urr
edspeech)Letmesl
eep.
..Si
akoo

Monga:
Emapel
emonna,
I'
m checki
ngy
ourpocket
s..

Sti
llhuggi
ngf
orsupportMongasl
ippedhishandi
nhi
spocketand
tookoutagstri
ngthenhethr
ewitbackinthecar
.

Monga:
Didy
ouuset
hatcondom Igav
eyou?Letmecheck.
..

Mongacheckedhi
spocket
sandf oundnot
hingt
henhenot
iceda
r
edli
pst
ickonhiswhi
teTshir
t.
..
Monga:
Rianamonnathatgir
llef
talipsti
ckonyou,i
thi
nk
mongwekefoundat
ionorsomething..
.Becaref
ulwi
thstr
ipper
s..
.

Mongat ri
edrubbi
ngitwit
hhisfistbutitwoul
dn'tcomeoutsohe
reachedinsi
dethecarandgrabbedabot tl
eofwat er
,hepour
edi
t
overhischestasLoagogaspedst aggeri
ngback..

Loago:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

Monga:
Comeher
e..

Loago:
Aenowenaot
shel
amet
si

Monga:
Youhav
eli
pst
ick

Loago:
Idon'
t.
.

Hest
agger
edbackandalmostf
ellthenMongagr
abbedhi
m as
t
heywal
kedinandpassedev
eryroom...

Loago:
(st
agger
ing)Il
ovey
oubr
o..
.

Monga:
(laughed)Il
ovey
out
ool
ait
eaka.
.

Loago:
Noi meanl i
kereal
lov
ebro,youremi ndmeofmybi g
brot
her
..
.IpromisedhimI'
dstopdr
inkingbecauseican'
tthi
nk
whenI'
m drunk.
..Heisgoi
ngtobedisappointedi
nme.
Monga:
Ther
eisal
way
snextt
ime.
..Youcanst
opt
omor
row.
..

Loago:
Ilov
eApul
a..
.

Monga: Youtol
dmet hatat
housandti
mes,shei
sagoodgir
landi
thi
nkshel ov
esy outoobecausewhenshehadanoppor
tuni
tyt
o
cheatshedidn'
t.Takecareofher

Loago:
Whatdoy
oumean?

Monga: Someguywasgoingt hr
oughshitwi
thhi
sgi r
lf
ri
endand
wantedhertoeasethepain,
youknowhowi tworksbutshe
r
ejectedhim.Theguytol
dmesoy ou'
vegotyour
selfagoodone.

Loago:
(laughedst
agger
ing)Al
ri
ght
..
.

Mongast oppedandknockedstil
lhol
dinghim whi
lebothhadthei
r
arm overeachother
sshoulder
.Thedooropenedandt heywalked
i
nasApul astoodasidewatchi
ngthem, Mongadroppedhim on
thebedandt ookoffhi
sshoesbeforestandi
ngupwhi l
ehelaid
asleep.
..

Monga:
Loago?Keat
samay
aaut
wa?Apul
akey
o

Loagotri
edt
oopenhiseyesbutt
heyseemedmor eheav
ierthan
anyt
hinghe'
deverhadt
olif
tsoheli
ft
edhishand.Mongalaughed
andfi
stbumped..
Monga:
(laughed)Wi
l
ltal
ktomor
row

Heturnedaroundandwal kedpastApulawithoutaword.Apula
cl
osedt hedoorandwalkedtot hebedwhereLoagowasl ayi
ng.
Shefoldedherarmsindisbeli
efandstaredathim ashelaid
asl
eepsnor i
ng.

Sheswi
tchedof
fthel
i
ght
sandl
aiddown.
.

Don'
tfor
gett
oli
keandcomment
.

MyKi
ndofMan

#56

Att
hel
odge.
..

Thenextmor ni
ngLoagosl owl
ygotupandsatont heedgeofthe
bed,hecouldhearApulacryi
ngint
hebat hr
oom whil
etheshower
wasr unni
ng.Hishear
tskippedashepickedhisphoneand
checkedifther
ewasany t
hingonit
..Hepickedhispant
sand
checkedhispocketsthenhelookedathi
sTshi
rt.
..Mongasaid
somethingaboutalipst
ickbutther
ewasnothi
ngsohest oodup
andknockedont hedoor .
.

Loago:
Sweet
hear
t?

Shest
oppedcry
ing,
heopenedthedoorandl
ookedatherasshe
st
oodundert
heshowernaked.
..

Loago:
Arey
ouOK?

Apul
a:y
es.
.

Loago:
You'
renot
..
.

Apul a:Iwassoexci tedaboutcomi ngtotheweddi ngbutnowmy

sist
er sturnedagainstmebecausei tol
dthem aboutThong
gettingmar ri
ed.Hei sagoodl i
arbecausehedeni editsogood
thatnysi stert
hinksI'mjealoussincemyr elat
ionshipsdon'
tlast.
Thongmusthav ealsosaidi bragtopeopleaboutsuppor ti
ng
them becauset heymadei tanissue.Idon'tknowi fishoul
dev en
got here..

Loago:Babebef oreyout ol
dherwedi scussedal
l possibil
it
ies
akere?Weevenment ionedthatalotofwomengetangr ywhen
youtell
them t
hei rmani scheati
ng.Idon'tt
hinkyoushoul dbe
cryi
ngaboutit
...Youwar nedherandt hat'
senough...Thet i
meshe
fi
ndsoutthetruthshewon' tsaynobodyt oldher
.Abouty ou
suppor t
ingt hem i honestl
yfindnothingwr ongwi t
hyouadmi tti
ng
i
t,ifthey'
rey oursisterstheyshouldknowy ou'dneverbrag..
.I
don'tknowMar ubuti fihearanegativ ethi
ngpeoplesayshesai d
I'
llknowt hey '
relyi
ng...Theyknowy ou' ddon'tbr
agbutthey '
re
ashamedt hatt hei
rlit
tlesist
eristaki
ngcar eoft hem.Theyshould
bebr agging, ibragaboutmybr ot
herandhowhesacr i
ficedfor
me. .
.Heev enget sannoy edthatitel
l every
onehepr acti
call
y
rai
sedme. .
.Si bli
ngsar esupposedt osuppor teachotherand
thereisnot hingwr ongwi thi
t.Theymakei taproblem i
fthey'
re
embar rassed.

Apul
a:Ot
lhesai
dIshoul
dst
opgi
vi
nghermoney

Loago: Thenstopit,Otlheisthemostunt hankfulofthem all

.
From thewayl ebuwangkat eng, ial
readyknowshei sthewor st
si
ster.Atsil
eissonai veit'
sev ensadt hatsheist heoldest.Mary
shouldhav ebeentheol destibety outhet i
mey outel
lhersheis
goingtot el
lyouexact l
yasI '
mt ell
ingyou.LetOt lhebeifshe
doesn'twanty ourmoneyandl etpeopl ecomebet weenyou
si
sters.Let'
sgot otheweddi ng...Youcamef orMar u..
.I'
l
lbehere
holdi
ngy ourhandthr oughout.That '
swhyI '
m her e.
..

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)OK.
.

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedhercheek.
..

Apul
a:Youcamehomedr
unk

Loago:
(smi
l
ed)Sor
ry
Apul
a:Di
dany
thi
ngi
nter
est
inghappenoutt
her
e?

Loago:
No,
iwasj
usthangi
ngwi
tht
heguy
s.

Apula:
IknowThongi
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
edt
odaysoi
twashi
s
bachel
orpar
ty.

Loago:(
laughed)Don'
tmakemesel
lhi
m out
,iwasi
nanawkwar
d
posi
ti
onlastnight
..
.

Apul
a:(
smiled)Iknowt
heguy
spr
obabl
ytr
ust
edy
ounott
otel
l
mebutiknow

Loago:
Butdoy
ouknowwhyThongi
sdoi
ngi
t?

Apul
a:May
behef
oundoutshecheat
edwi
tht
hei
rnei
ghbour
.

Loago:
Wai
twhat
?

Apul
a:What
?

Loago: Idon'
tthinkheknowsi tstheneighbourbutheknowsshe
hasbeencheat i
ngf orav erylongt i
meev enaf tercatchingher
withlovebit
essheappar entlykeptt hethinggoi ngandkepton
disappeari
ng.Thongr eadhermessageswher eshewast ell
ing
thisguythatThongwoul dnev erhither,theguywasappar ently
askingherifshewasokandi fThongbeather .Shesai dThongi s
stupidhewoul dn'tbeather...Sheusedt hewor dsemat a.Ithinkit
reall
yhurtThongbecauseher epeatsthatmor et hanany t
hing.As
aguyi cani maginemygi rl
fri
endt ell
ingtheot hert hatkesemat a
andev enififi
ndoutshei scheat ingonmei won' tdoany thi
ng.

Apul
a:Sher
eal
l
ysai
dthat
?

Loago:
Shedi
dandi
thi
nksemat
aiswhathur
tThong,
her
epeat
s
i
tsomuchit'
ssad.
..Hehatesyoursist
erbutf
orsomereasonhe
canst
il
lsmi
lewit
hher.
..Icoul
dneverhidemyf eel
i
ngst
owards
someonewhomademeaf ooll
ikethat
.

Apula:
Idi
dn'
tknowheknowssomuch,
idon'
tthi
nkAt
sil
eknows
Thongknowssomuch

Loago: Yeah,theguyi shurtandi personal l

yunderstandwhy
heni
sdoi ngt hisbutiwouldn'thavesur viveday earwithawoman
whodoest hatkanaar eAtsil
ewast r
eat edforanSTD.Hesawa
contactcardi nherhandbagl uckyenehest ar
tesusingcondoms
themi nutehef oundoutshei scheating.Thatguyi sholdi
nginso
muchpai n,it
ssadt hatheisalway ssmi li
ngandmaki ngever
yone
smil
ebutnev ertalksaboutthet hi
ngst hathur thi
m.

Apula:Iwishicoul
dtel
lAt
sil
ethatThongknowssomuchabout
hercheati
ng.ShetoldmeabouttheSTD,idi
dn'
tknowThong
knows...

Loago:Heknowsandalt
houghheactstoughheishurtand
nobodyevergav
ehim acry
ingshoul
derbecauseunl
i
keMongahe
buri
eshispai
n.Mongawast el
li
ngushowhecr i
edhi
swayf rom
Kasaneaft
ercatchi
nghi
sgirl
fr
iendwi
thaguy .
.

Apul
a'
shear
tski
pped.
..

Apul
a:Nel
ebuadi
l
otsedi
deepkagor
eng?

Loago:
Wewer
ejustt
alki
ngaboutwomenandcheat
inghel
a
mongwel emongwear ej
elastor
y.Mongal ooksli
kehecanbe
vi
olentifhewantsbutarethatni
ghthewasdef eatedngwany ana
amol esamont ungalebusylenewboy f
ri
endunt i
lhedecidedto
l
eave.Koor ehel
amshaneameol ebegaalebati
,heloveshis
gi
rl
fri
endbutshei sangryathimfortaki
ngherbackt othevil
lage.

Apul
a:Whatdi
dyout
ell
him?Inev
erknewguy
sshar
edsuch
st
ori
es

Loago:Ij
usttol
dthem aboutmybabymamaandsheisj
ustl
ike
Monga'sbabymama.Abandonedmysonandnowwant stoact
l
ikethebestmother.
.WagaMongaenedidn'
tev
enshowupathis
son'
sburial
.

Apul
a:Kar
eyouwer
ebondi
ngt
ota.
..

Loago:Yeah.
..
.Any
ways(hepul
ledherup)St
andup,
Mar
uis
gett
ingmarri
edandwehavetobethere.
..

Shest
oodupandt
heyt
ookashowerbef
oreget
ti
ngr
eadyf
ort
he
weddi
ng.
..

AtKhumo'
shome.
..
.

Lat
erthataf
ter
noonthebri
deandgroom ar
ri
vedast
hewhol
e
vi
ll
agesangandulul
atedbehi
ndthem..
.
TheDjplay
edmusi
candt
hebri
desmai
dsdancewi
tht
he
groomsmenfol
l
owedbyt
hebestmanMongaandt
hebestl
ady
..
.

Mongadancedput
ti
nghisar
m onherwai
stast
heydancedt
hei
r
waytot
hetentandtookt
hei
rseat
s..
..

OnceinthetentMongasatbesi
desThongast
heywat
chedt
he
dancer
sdoingthei
rthi
ng.
..

Afewfami
l
yfr
iendswal
kedbyandt
ookpi
ctur
esoft
henewl
y
weds.
..

Monga:
(smiledandleanedovert
ohim)wit
hsomanypeople
t
aki
ngpict
uresAtsi
leisgoingtomakeyoutr
endonFacebook.
..

Thong:(l
aughed)Iknowi
t'
spossi
ble.
..I
'
llcr
osst
hatbr
idgewhenI
getther
e.

Monga:(
laughed)Justi
ncaseyoufor
geti
didsayt
hisi
sa
mi
stakeri
ght?Kegokgalemetseaker
e?

Thong:
(laughed)Yes.
..

Theyl
aughedandleanedbackasMonga'
sphoner
ang.He
st
eppedoutofthetentandpi
ckedt
hecal
l.
..
Monga:
Hel
l
o?

PI
:If
oundher
.

Monga:
Ohgood.
..Wher
eisshe?

PI
:Buti
hav
ebadnews.
..

Monga:
What
?

MyKi
ndofMan

#57

Att
heweddi
ng.
..

PI
:Thegoodnewsi
sthatshei
sinMaunbutshehasaf
ami
l
y.

Monga'
shear
tski
ppedashewal
kedbehi
ndt
het
ent
..
.
Monga:
Whatdoy
oumeanaf
ami
l
y?

PI:ShegoestoBocodolf
orschool,t
her
eisamanthatdropsand
picksherup,
theyhave2kids.
..Boy
saged5andtheotherseems
tobeanewbor n.Kemotsetsi
.

Monga:Areyousur
ethey
'r
edati
ng?May beheisheruncleor
somethi
ng,woul
dshemov eonsofast
?May besheishisnanny

PI:Shebreastfeedst
hey oungestandthe5yearoldissocloset
o
herhecallshermama.Ihav epict
uresandvi
deos,I
'vebeen
fol
lowingthem.I '
mtal
kingtoy oufrom t
hecarandthey'
re
shoppingforthechil
dren.

Monga:
Whatdoest
heguydo?

PI
:Hei
sapol
i
ceof
fi
cer

Monga'
sthr
oatdr
iedasheshookhi
sheadwi
thr
eddi
sh.
..

PI:
Hestaysatt
heBHChousingforpoli
ceof
fi
cer
stopf
loorr
oom
25.
..Ohandshehasl
essonstodayat5.

Monga:Can'
tbeli
evethi
sgirl
repl
acedmesoquick,
ididn'
tev
en
doanyt
hingtoherforhert
oleavemeli
ket
hat.I
'
m goingtoki
llher
wantwaela.

PI
:AhMonga,you'
rebett
erthanthat
..
.Itmightnotseem l
ikea
l
ongti
mebecausey ouhavebeenbusywithotherproj
ectsbuta
y
eari
sal
ongt
imeandshei
snotwr
ongt
omov
eon.

Monga:
You'
renotapsy
chol
ogi
stkanaopsy
chol
ogi
stgape?

PI
:Nny
aa

Monga:
Idi
dn'
tthi
nkso.

Hehungupandsi
ghedholdi
ngthefenceashel
eanedovert
hen
hewal
kedbackt
othetentandsatdownwithast
rai
ghtf
ace.

Thong:
Arey
ouOK?

Monga:
Yeah

Thong:
Iknowy
ou

Monga:I
'
m goi
ngtoki
llLana.Canyoubel
i
eveshei
sli
vi
ngwi
th
anot
hermanevengav
ehi m achi
ld?

Thong:Mov
eon,f
indanothergi
rl
.St
opwi
tht
heviol
entthought
s..
.
Beati
ngawomanwon'tchangehowshef
eel
saboutyou.

Monga:I
twi
llmakemef
eel
awhol
elotbet
ter
..
.Whenar
ewe
f
ini
shi
ngher
e?

Thong:Fr
om hereyou'
l
lbefreetogobecausethet
radi
ti
onal
part
doesn'
tneedthebestman.From her
eKhumowagol ai
waabea
gorosi
walennaabekelai
wabef orebar
egolol
atogoandrest.

Monga:
(lookedatt
het
ime)OK
Mongal
eanedbackandsi
ghed.
..
.

Att
heaunt
'shouse.
..

LaterthatafternoonApul aandaf ewcousi

nsstoodbywatchi
ng
asMar uwasl edoutbyal ongqueueofmarri
edwomenwal ki
ng
slowly
...Therewassi lenceasthequeuewalkedoutsl
owlyunti
l
thelef
toutt hegat e.
..
.

Shef
ini
shedwashi
ngt
hedi
shesandsor
tedt
hem outaccor
dingl
y.

Meanwhi
leLoagoandt
heot
hermal
ecousi
nswashedt
hebi
g
t
hreel
eggedpots.
..

Cousi
n1:Aenesay
sshei
sgetti
ngmar
ri
ed,
imustbeser
ious
hagonyal
waboAenebadi
tsenwa

Cousi
n2:Uhwaiithatonedoesn'tevenhaveaboyf
ri
end.I
fthere
i
sanyonewhoi sgoingtogetmar ri
ednextaf
terMarui
t'
sApula.
Shehasthatr
ichguyMat aozen

Cousin3:Theybrokeup, shecheatedonhim whenshear r

ivedin
Kasane.Sometimesi feelpityfort
heguysgoingformycousins..
.
Hagonamogowet sengdibet ehel
agokanyalega.Apul
aenei bi
l
e
oworsehaokammonaat shwereclubwi
ththepalm ofherhand.
Cousi
n4:
(laughed)DJBaby
..
.Ihonest
lyl
i
keherasaDJ

Loagoquiet
lywashedthepotl
ist
eningtothecousinsasthey
tal
kedwashingotherpot
s.Oneofthecousinsturnedandlooked
athimrecogni
singhimfr
om whentheiraunti
ntroducedhi
m aday
befor
e..
.

Cousi
n1:
Loagoi
smar
ryi
ngApul
a,t
hat
'st
henextweddi
ng.
.Aker
e
swaar
e?

Loago:
(laughed)I
fGodper
mit
s..
.

Theothercousinswentsi
l
entasLoagocarr
iedonwashingt
he
pot
.Hef i
nishedupandwashedhishandsbefor
ewalki
ngtowar
ds
Apul
a..
.

Loago:Hi
sweethear
t.
..I
'
m donedoi
ngmypar
twhendoy
out
hink
you'
ll
bedone?

Apul
a:I
'
llbedonei
nami
nut
e

Loago:
Goi
ngt
osl
eepi
nthecar

Apul
a:Ar
eyouOK?

Loago:
Yeah.
..May
bekehangov
erhel
a.Gotal
i
ttl
eheadache.

Apul
a:Ok.
.
Hegoti
nthecarandadj
ust
edtheseatt
henhelai
ddown
t
hought
ful
l
y.Hepickedt
hephoneanddi
aledMonga.
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Loago:
Arey
oudone?Iwantt
oseey
ou

Monga:I'
minMaunbutI
'
m goi
ngsomewher
e,I
'
llbef
reei
nan
hourorso.

Loago:
Itcan'
twai
t

Monga:
Wher
ear
eyou?

Loago:
Youraunt
'shouse,
wasj
ustwashi
ngt
hepot
s.

Monga:
Alr
ight
,I'
l
lpassbyandgety
ou.

Loago:
Cool

Hehungupandtookouthi
scl
othesf
rom t
hebackbef
oret
aki
ng
of
ftheover
all
s.

I
nMonga'
sCar
..
..

Mi
nutesl
aterMongaparkedatt
hegat
eandsi
gheddi
all
i
ngLana
wi
thapri
vatenumber
..
Lana:
(whi
sper
ed)Kemocl
assi
ngpl
easeSMS

Monga:
Ket
sil
egogobet
sadi
mpamasoy
ou'
recheat
ingonme?

Lana:
Webr
okeup

Monga:
Want
wael
any
any
anakewena.

Shecutt
hecal
lasLoagogoti
nthecarandcl
osedt
hedoor
.

Monga:
Lanawant
wael
awai
tse,
ngwanany
anaot
habol
ogel
a
mogonna.

Loago:
Soy
ouf
oundher
?

Monga:Yeah,sheissl
eepingwit
hsomeguyandforwhat
?He
evensenthertoBocodolhecoul
dn'
tpayf
orhert
utor
sorsendher
toaproperschool
.

Loagowat
chedhi
m ashespokewi
thoutbr
eat
hing.
..

Monga: Cany oubeli

evetheonl
yreasonshewoul
dn'
ttal
ktomeis
becausei askedhertogetherpar
entsbl
essi
ngsoratl
eastmake
them understand.
..
.Butiwaswrongfort
hat.
..

Loago:Whynotjustgetanot
herwoman?youhav
emoneyand
youdon'
tlooksobad, i
t'
snotl
ikeomasweoranyt
hing.
Monga:
NoLanai
snotpl
ayi
ngmeliket
hat.I
'
m st
art
ingtothi
nk
womenthi
nkI
'
m st
upi
d.I
'
m sur
etheycal
lmestupi
dlikeThong.

Loago:It
hinky
oushoul
dstopmjol
o,you'
recl
ear
lynotl
uckywhen
i
tcomest owomen.Oautyeshapobl
i
ndmmehel aobat
ile
banyana.

Hest
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveoutt
henhej
oinedt
her
oad.
..

Monga:
Whatdi
dyouwantt
otal
kabout
?

Loagol
ookedatt
hef
rust
rat
iononhi
sfaceandsi
ghed.
..

Loago:
Justwant
edt
ogetoutoft
her
e..

Monga:
Ok.
..

Minut
esl
aterMongapar
kedaf
ewmet
ersawayf
rom t
hegat
eand
si
ghedwai
ting.
..

Loago:
Whatar
ewewai
ti
ngf
or?

Monga:
(st
rai
ghtf
ace)Lana

Loago:
Mongaakool
esengwanaoamogel
eseemomr
..
.
Hewai tedwi thastr
aightfaceasLoagot alkedtohi
m buthe
ment al
l
ybl ockedwhat everthehellhewassay i
ngunti
lafew
studentswal kedout.Lanawal kedoutofthegateputt
ingher
booksint hebagandzi ppeditthenshewalkedbytheroad
wav i
ngdownt hetaxis.

Mongast ar
tedthecarashi shear
tpoundedalmostchoki
nghi
m,
heapproachedherfrom behindasshewalkedbyapuddleof
watert
henhest eppedont heaccel
erat
orandsplashedherwi
th
themuddywat erasshegaspedr ubbi
ngherface.
..

Hesteppedoutoft
hemov i
ngcarasLoagojumpedov
erand
gr
abbedthewheelfaci
nganoncomingtr
uck..

Loago:
FuckGodpl
ease.
..

Hefi
nal
lymanagedtoswingthecaroutofther
oadandsighed.
Meanwhil
eLanaheldherbagti
ght
lyandran,Mongagr
abbedher
byt
heTshirtandt
urnedherar
ound..

Monga:
Doy
out
hinkI
'
m pl
ayi
ngwi
thy
ou?
Lana'
sheartpoundedsohar
dherkneesgotweakasMonga
twi
stedherarm dr
aggi
ngherbackt
othecar.
..

Lana:
(cr
ying)Mongal
i
stent
ome.
..I
t'
snotwhaty
out
hink.

Hedraggedhert
othecarandopenedthebackdoort
henhe
pushedheri
nsi
deandgotinthebackwit
hher.

Monga:
Dri
ve!

Loagor
oll
edupthewindowsandjoi
nedt
heroadputt
ingonaseat
bel
tasLanaputherhandsov
erherf
acecry
inghandsshaki
ng.
..

Monga:Don'
tcr
y,buamakgakgaaneoabuaovert
hephone.
..
I'
ve
beentr
yingt
ocal
lyouandtal
ktoyouojewakemapodisi
.Wa
ntwael
aaker
eLana?Whatwereyousayi
ngonthephone?

Lana:(cr
ying)Osurekejewakemapodisi
kanaompharasahel
a
becauseonal estr
esslejeal
oust
hatimadeitwi
thouty
ou?

Monga:
Ojewakemapodi
sieeonnakae?

Lana:
Mongagakel
epr
ost
it
ute

Monga:I
sn'
ti
tthesamethingyou'
redoi
ng?You'
rethemost
hear
tl
esswomanI'
veeverseenoeasytosleepwi
th.Ojewake
mapodi
sii
knowt
hat

Lana:Finekejewakemapodi siandtheygotmepr egnant

.Ihave
a3mont hsoldson.Realmenshoothealthysper
mswhatdi dy ou
shootyouweakmanwhocoul dn'
tfi
ndway stokeepme.You' r
e
weakandusel essandI'm gl
adimetabet termanakerewareke
j
eqakemapodi sii
bil
eosur ebanjaeebanj amonatebaerotel
a
ebadirelabana.

Mongatearf
ullyst
aredatherashishear
tpoundedthenhe
sl
appedher,shebitherli
pandsl
appedhim backt
henshesaton
hi
slappunchinghim overandov
er.

Lana:Di
dyouj
usthi
tmeaf
terev
ery
thi
ngyoumademego
thr
ough?Wantwael
anemosi
manekewena?

Hegrabbedbothofherhandsandsheleanedoverbi
ti
nghishand.
Heletgoofherotherhandandshesl
appedhim ashehidhisf
ace
wi
thhisbicep.
..

Loago:
Mysi
stergont
set
hemmawammol
aya.
..

Shepausedst
il
lsi
tt
ingonhi
slapwhi
l
ehel
eanedf
orwar
dhi
ding
hi
sface.
..
Lana:(
angri
l
y)Ibeggedyou!Andthenwarekej
ewakemapodi
si?
Didyouseethepol
icemanfuckme?Skabat agont
wael
a
mosimanekewenaket agobetsagore!

Shelookedathi
m breat
hingheav
il
yandgotangr
yal
lov
eragai
n
asshepunchedhim ontheback.

Lana: I
bil
eskathol
aonthaaorekejewakebannagake
ngwany anawagagoApulaoneagol edi
sakoKasane.Ekar eo
palet
swekegobet saeneagochiti
l
eabeoi thutel
adiclapamogo
nnakesachi t
a?Ketagobetsagor
eot shabegoy apol
ice.
..
{Andlet
thi
sbet helastt
imeyouaccusemeofbei ngfucked,I
'
m noty our
exApul awhocheatedonyou.Youcouldn'
tbeathersodon'ttry
thatshitonmebecauseI'
ll
beatyousohar dyou'l
lbeashamedt o
reportme}

Heremai
nedi
nthesameposi
ti
onwhi
l
eshesatonhi
mlooki
ngat
hi
m..

Lana:
Tsosathogorebuer
esal
we.
..
(t
ookadeepbr
eat
h)Iwon'
t
hi
tyoulookatme..
.

Hest
il
lkepthi
sheaddownasshesatonhi
slapwi
thmuddy
cl
othest
henshet
ri
edt
opul
lhi
sheadup.

Lana:
Mongawee?I
'
m sor
ry.
..

Sheleanedtryi
ngtolookathisfacewhil
ehehidit
,herhear
tsunk
asshetriedtogethimt ol
ookather..
.Didshemakehim cr
y?He
wassohugeshedi dn'
tthi
nkwhatevershewasdoingevenhur
t.
Domenev eneverhurtphysi
cal
l
y ?

Lana:
Therrawantshosawena,
Wal el
aner r
a?Monga?Nt ebake
tagosuna.
..
{St
opscari
ngme,arey
our eal
l
ycr y
ing?Lookatme
andI'
l
lki
ssyou}

Hel
eanedbackdef
eatedandl
ookedatherwit
hreddi
shey
esand
al
ongfacet
hensheleanedov
erandkissedhi
m.

Lana:
(sof
tl
y)Sor
ryaut
wa?

Monga:
Don'
tst
opki
ssi
ngme.
.

Shekissedhim ashecl
osedhi
sey
eshol
dingherwai
stwhi
l
eshe
satonhislap.

*
*

MyKi
ndofMan

#58

I
nthecar
..
..

Monga'
spant
sti
ghtenedashi
sdi
cktookal
lthespacel
if
ti
nghis
zi
pperwhi
l
eLanasatonhisl
apki
ssi
nghim.Heheldhercloser
andrubbedheroverhiserect
ion,
thethoughtofherti
ghtwarm
pussybeingj
ustapantyawayasherski r
trestedbehi
ndhergot
hi
m gushingt
hepr ecum asshekissedhi
m. .
.t
hiswasamoment
heimaginedt
hewhol eyearandnowshewasi nhisarms.
..

Hepulledhercloserandcaughthi sbreat
hhuggingherti
ght
ly,
everypartofhi
smi ndwant edtounz i
phispants,
mov eher
panti
esasideandgof ort
hekil
l butnotinfr
ontofLoago.Whythe
hell
didheev enpickthisguy.
..

Lanaleanedbackandkissedhi
m againmakinghi m sohar
dhe
coul
df eelhimsel
funabl
etohol
dhimselfanylongerespeci
all
y
whenshesl owlymovedherwai
st,shewassof lexi
blehecoul
d
feel
herwai stmaneuver
ingi
nhi
sar mswhilebreathedsoft
lyi
nhi
s
ear.
..
.

Meanwhi l
eLoago' shear tbeatraisedast hei
rbreat hi
nggotlouder
,
headjustedthemi rr
orandgl ancedatt hebackassheki ssed
Monga'sneckwi thhisey esclosedandhernai lsrubbinghis
scal
p..
.Hecoul donl yi
magi neawoman' sneckki ssesandnai l
s
onhisskin..
.Loago'sdi ckgotharderandhescoochedupf i
xing
hispantssohi sbonercoul dl
aycomf ort
abl y
..
.Forsomer eason
nowher eall
ywant edtot akeapissandt heirheav ybreathi
ngand
ki
ssingmadei twor se.
..hestoppedbehi ndanot hercarinthe
tr
affi
conar edl ight.Helookedout sidewonder i
ngi fhecouldstop
andpeebutt her ewer ecarsonbot hsi desoft her oadandhe
wasn'
tsur
ehowl
ongbef
oret
hegr
eenl
i
ghtcameon.
..

MeanwhileLanaslowlyrubbedherpantiesoverhisbonerandt he
memor yofhisbeadedmeatf i
ll
ingherpussyrushedt hroughher
body.
..
hishandstouchingherbody..
.Thebreathi
ngofamant hat
tur
nedherintoawomanandamot her..
..
Daddy!Daddy !Daddyshe
sai
ditsomuchsheal mostsai doutloudasheki ssedherneck...

Mongabr eathedheav
ilymov i
nghiswai stuncontrol
labl
y,Loago
turnedupthemusicvolumeandgr abbedabot tl
eofwat erthenhe
drunktheholethi
ngandheldt hesteeri
ngwheel wit
hbothhands
assweatdr i
ppeddownhi sforehead.Heslappedt hemi r
roraway
sohecoul dfocusontheroadashi sdicktwitchedtrappedinsi
de
hispants.
..

Meanwhi l
eMongagr untedasLanaki ssedhi m,hemov edhis
waistwhi l
epr essingherdownonhi sdi candbr eathingheav i
lyon
herchest .
..Herbeast swer esobi ghe' dnev erseent hem l i
ket hat
,
shemov edonceov erhisbonerandhi sl oadcamer ushi ng..
.
Mont hsofhungerr ushedt hrough..
.thehel l???Washeaboutt o
cum from herj ustsit
t i
ngandr ubbingov erhisboner, notagai n..
..
No,no, no...
.Notwhenshehasbeenpr obabl yri
dingt hispolice
off
icer.
..Nowsheknows2mi nutesforsur e!Thiswoul dbe
embar rassing..
.Whatwashappeni ngt ohi m..
.he'
dnev erhadt o
str
ugglel i
ket hisbefore..
.No, no!Hishear tpoundedandwhen
Lanakissedhi sneckandr ubbedhersel fharderagainsthi sboner
hegranted.
..Thebut tonpoppedandzi ppersomehowdropped
andnowhecoul dfeelherwetpantiesrightoverhi
sbeaded
meantashet ur nedhisey eshel
plessly.UnawareLanakissedhi
m
andrubbedher selfoverhim ashehel dhertight
ly.
..

Monga:
Fff
fuck!

Hefelthiswarmthi
cknesswett
inghisjeansasheheldhert
ight
ly
br
eathinghelpl
essl
yonherchest.Shehuggedhim awar
eand
si
ghed...

Loagodr ovei
ntotheparkinglotf
orthepoli
ceof f
icer
sand
steppedout,hewentforthenearesttr
eeandpeedbef or
e
gl
ancingbackt henhegent l
yplay
edwithitpressi
nghisTshi
rt
underneathhischi
nunti
l hewasr el
i
eved.
..

Meanwhil
ebacki
nthecarMongal
eanedbackandsi
ghedwi
th
Lanast
il
lonhi
slap.
..

Lana:
Arey
ouOK?I
'
m sor
ryf
orhi
tt
ingy
ou.
.

Monga:
It'
sok.
..
.

Lana:(
lookedatt
heti
me)I'
m solat
e,Ishoul
dhav
ebeenhome
earl
i
erbeforet
heschool
busdropsthekids.
Lanasteppedoutofthecarandfi
xedherski
rt
,Monga'
seyes
droppedonthewetstainonhispant
sthenheputhi
shandoveri
t
andgotoutembarrassed.
..

Lana:
Atleasthei
shome,
hegott
heki
dsbuthehast
oleav
efor
hi
sshift
..

Monga:
Won'
thet
roubl
eyouseei
ngme?

Lana:
Idon'
tknowwhathi
sreact
ionwoul
dbe.
.

Monga:Oser
iousotsholet
set
hisguyngwanaj
ustl
i
ket
hat
?I
coul
dn'
tev
enlookatotherwomenbutyou.
..
.

Heswal
l
owedl
ooki
ngatherandcl
enchedhi
steet
h..
.

Monga:I
'
mr eall
yhurt.
..Idi
dn'
texpectt
ofi
ndy
ouwi
thachi
l
d.I
t
houghtyoureal
lyl
ikedschooland..
.

Heturnedaroundandopenedt
hebootthenhepull
edoutapairof
pantsfr
om hisbagandtookof
fhispant
sremai
ningwithboxer
bri
efsbefor
ejumpingi
ntosweatpant
sandcl
osi
ngt heboot
.

Lana:
Cani
hur
ryupandt
alkt
ohi
mreal
l
yqui
ck?Heshoul
dbe
l
eav
ingf
orwor
k..

Mongalookedatherassherantowardsthebuil
ding,
hesti
l
l
wasn'
tsurewhatthismeantf
orthem butherhavi
ngachil
dhurt.
..
I
thurtsomuchi tbl
ockedhi
sthr
oatandwhenheswal l
owedtear
s
f
il
ledhiseyes.

Loagolookedathi
m onthemir
rorashepull
edhisTshi
rtuptohi
s
faceandrubbedhi
seyes,hest
eppedoutofthecarandwalkedt
o
thebacklooki
ngathi
m...

Loago:
Arey
ouOK?

Helookedathi
mtearf
ull
yandshookhi
sheadasat earrandown
hi
scheekthenhet
urnedawayandrubbedi
t,Loagohuggedhim
ashesnif
fl
ed..
.

Monga:Ithoughtt
hePIwaswr ongbutit'
sherbaby.
..
Kemotsetsi
.
Kepalel
wal egopret
endergor
ei don'
tcare.I
'
mt ot
all
yshut
ter
ed
i
bil
ethogoy ameyaopa..
.

Loago:Atleastnowy ouknowt hetrut

h.Peloetaait
hoboga.
(l
ookedatt hebuil
dingastheyapproached)They'
recoming,
geti
t
toget
her.
..
.mt hakayoakaipoka..
.
Mongasteppedbackandtookadeepbr eathashi seyesdriedup,
hewalkedtothedri
ver
'ssi
deandputonhi sshadesast hey
matchedhi
shaircut
,Lanaandthepoli
ceofficerapproachedashe
tookadeepbreathandsi
ghedcalmly
..
.

Lana:
RragweKi
ngt
hisi
sMonga,
Mongat
hisi
sMrLopang.
..

MrLopangtookoutahandf
orashakeandMongasmi
l
ed
shaki
nghi
shand..
.

MyKi
ndofMan

#59

Att
hepol
i
cehouses.
..

Ther
ewasanawkwar
dmomentasMongawai
tedf
orpr
oper
i
ntr
oduct
ionsbutKi
ng'
sfat
hert
urnedbackt
oherandsi
ghed.
..

Lopang:
Ihav
etogo,
I'
mlat
e..
.

Lana:
Ok,
bye

Lopang:
(toMonga)Ni
cet
omeety
ouonceagai
n.

Monga:
Likewi
se.
..

Thepol
iceoffi
cergoti
nhiscaranddroveof
fastheybothl
ooked
athi
mt henMongat ur
nedandlookedather
,atl
eastt
histi
mehe
wasn'
ti
nt r
oducedasacousin.
..

Monga:
Doesheknowme?

Lana:
Heknowsyou'r
emyexboy fr
iend,
theoneihat
edbecause
heabandonedmeatthef
arm andyethehadal
lthepowert
ogive
meaf ut
ure.

Monga:You'v
econv i
ncedyoursel
fthatiabandonedy ouandi
obvi
ousl
ycan'tchangeyourmind.I'
m sorrythatidisappointed
youbutI
'm proudofyouforchasingyourdreams.Looksl i
ke
you'
reontherightt
rackt
ogettingthatquali
ficat
ionandf ami l
y
youwanted.

Lana:Yeah,i
don'
tknowaboutthef
ami
l
yiwant
edbutt
he
quali
fi
cati
onpar
tisgoi
ngwell
..

Monga:
Whatdoy
oumeany
oudon'
tknowkaf
ami
l
y?I
sn'
ti
tyou
hav
ea5yearol
dand3mont
hsol
d?Ost
epmot
herobi
tswa
mama.
.

Lana:Howdoy
ouev
enknowsomuchaboutmesol
i
ttl
eabout
you?

Monga:
Youdi
dn'
tanswerme.
..

Lana:
Nev
ermi
nd.
.

Monga:Idon'
tknowi
fI'
mt hi
nki
ngtoomuchkanajang.
..What
's
yourpl
anwithme?Oplannergont
ir
asi
dedishkanajang?

Lana:No,ikissedy oubecausei missedy ousomuchandbei ngi

n
yourarmsremi ndedmeofal otoft hingsbutIdon'twantt omake
quickdeci
sionswi thoutconsi
deringev eryangle.Thereisso
muchi wantt otel
ly ou..
.Anditwillchangeyourl i
feandmi netoo
butiwanttobesur eI'm maki
ngt her i
ghtdecisionsbeforeimake
them.Ineedt i
me, oratleastunti
l t
omor rowthenI '
ll
tellyou
somethingreall
yimpor tant
..
.It'
sgoi ngtochangey ourlif
e..

Monga:
Dower
eal
l
yhav
etodot
his?Whynotj
ustt
ell
me?

Lana:Becauseidon'
ttrusty
ou,andbecauseidon'
twantt
omess
upmyl i
feplansbecauseofyouthenyouwalkawayfr
om us
agai
n.Ihaveagoodr easonwhyi don'
ttr
usty
ou.

Monga:
Orat
agont
shokodi
sawena.
..

Het
ookof
fhi
sshadesandsi
ghedasshef
oldedherar
ms.
..
Lana:Canihugy
oubefor
eigo?Idon'
twantt
oleav
et hoset
wo
toget
herfort
ool
ong,
Kingli
kespi
cki
ngupthebaby.
..

Shesteppedoverandhuggedhi
m, hepull
edhercl
oserand
heavedahugesighholdi
ngheri
nhi sar
mst henheki
ssedher
neckandjusthel
dherforawhil
e..
.

Monga:I
'm sor
ryforl
eavi
ngyouthere.
..I
fi knewy oumeantever
y
wordyousaidiwouldhav
edonethingsdifferentl
ybecausei
t
wasn'
tworthwhatiwentthr
oughlooki
ngf ory ou.

Lana:
It'
sok.
..Ipr
omi
seI
'
llmakei
tupt
oyou

Monga:
Idon'
twantt
obeasideni
gga.I
fyouwantt
omakei
tup
t
omeskant i
rat
heot
herguy
..
.

Lana:(l
aughed)Youdeserv
ebet t
erthanthat
..
.I'
l
l makeyoumore
thanyou'
re.Justgi
vemeunt i
ltoni
ghttogetmyt hought
stoget
her
thenwecanmeetandt alk.
..

Shesmiledl
ooki
ngathim andbl
ushed,
hereachedforherhand
andrubbedi
tsof
tlybef
orehuggi
ngheragai
nstthecar.
..

Monga:
Youl
ooksobeaut
if
ul.
..

Lana:
Thanky
ou.
..

Monga:
Letmeseesomet
hing.
.
Hepickedherf
ootandl
ookedathersmoot
hsol
e,shel
aughed
andsmackedshaki
ngherhead.
..

Lana:
Youl
i
keembar
rassi
ngmeaker
e?

Monga:
(laughed)I
'
mjustchecki
ng.
..

Shetookadeepbreat
hsmili
ngandhuggedhi
m,hepi
ckedherup
andsighedcar
ryi
ngherbef
oreput
ti
ngherdown.
.

Lana:
Ihav
etogo,
Kingl
i
kespi
cki
ngMJ.Tal
ktoy
oul
ater
.

Monga:
Bye

Sheturnedaroundandranbackinthehousewhil
eMongastood
ther
elookingather
,shereachedupstai
rsandmovedt
hecurtai
ns
wavingather,hesmil
edandwav edthenhegotbacki
nthecar
anddroveout..
..

Afewminutespassedwhi
l
etheguy
squi
etl
ysati
nthecaratt
he
t
raff
icl
i
ghts..
.

Loago:
Soi
twasApul
a?Thewomany
ouwer
etal
ki
ngabout
..
.
Mongal
ookedathi
m andl
ookedbackatt
her
oad.
..

Loago:
Whydi
dyoul
i
etome?

Monga:Ididn'tl
i
etoyou,
didi
int
roducemysel
fashercousi
n?
Shebroughtyoutomyhouset
oli
et oyounott
heotherway
around.

Loago:
Youpl
ayedal
ong

Monga:Trustme,iwouldn'thav
eplayedal
ongf
orthi
slongi
fit
wasn'
tbecauseienjoyedyourcompany..
.mmehel
aiknewyou'
d
f
indoutsoonorlat
er .Haveyouaskedher?

Loago:
Noty
et

Monga:
Ok

Loago:
Yout
ookherdr
essbecausey
ouwant
edt
osl
eepwi
thher

Monga:
Andshecamewit
hyoui
nst
eadbecauseshereadmy
mi
nd.Hadshecomeal
oneowoul
dhavedefi
nit
elysl
eptwi
thher

Loago:
Soy
ouwanther
?

Monga: Notreal
ly,ij
ustwantedt ohavesex,ineededdi str
acti
on
andi don'tli
kehavingsexwi t
hst r
angers.Shewast hecl osest
avai
lableexi couldfi
ndl egonei wasn'
tevenlookingforher
becauseI 'mtoolazytogoaf terwoment hat'
swhykekgonago
nnasingl engwagaot he.Isawherbychanceatt het ail
or
shop...
.Atthatmomenti tdidn'tmeanany t
hingtohav esexwi t
h
her,butaf
terwhatwehavennalewenai wouldn'
tl
ookatherl
i
ke
that.Youcanbesureaboutt
hatone.
..Idon'
tdroolov
ermy
fri
endswomenaskThonghewi llt
ell
y ou.

Loago:Youhavebot
hputmei nadiff
icul
tsi
tuati
onbecausei
got
cl
osetoy ouonl
ytof
indoutt
hev er
ysameni ghtimetyouyou
wantedtofuckmygir
lf
ri
end.

Monga: Didi goaf terhersi

nce?No, il
ostint
erestinhert he
minuteilikedy ou.Kanal ennaiwasputi nasi t
uati
onLoago
becausei wasr eadyt owalkawayf rom ever
y t
hingbuty oukept
cal
li
ng..
.Odi dn' thangoutwi t
hy oubecausey ouwer eforci
ng
yoursel
fonme. ..Igenuinel
yenjoyedyourcompany ,
evenThong
sai
dhel ikedy oubutweal waysknewi twouldn'
tlast.
..

Loago:
Kanaj
aanongi
fIst
ayawaygagonnasomehow

Monga:Itwon't
,don'
tfeel
badforprotect
ingyourheart
.I'
m one
sensi
ti
vepersonandI'
mv eryt
err
it
orialsoI'
ddefi
nit
elyunderst
and.
Idon'
tholdgrudges

Loagosi
ghedandl
ookedout
side.
..

Loago:
Koorekeipot
sagor
ehowdowehangoutkei
tsegor
e
Apulai
syourex

Monga:Mmekanagaadiregahel
asent
e..
.Apulacheat
edonme
wi
thoneofmyemployeesandI'
m cool
withtheguybecausehe
di
dn'
tknowme.
Loagot
urnedandl
ookedathi
m..
.

Loago:
Kant
ehowmanyt
imesdi
dshecheatony
ou?

Monga:Twice..
.Wel
ltechni
cal
lyshedi
dn'tcheatt
hef
ir
stti
me
becauseshetoldmeitwasoverandfuckedmyemployeehour
s
aft
er.
..

Loago:
Gakeabol
aaaker
e?

Monga:(l
aughed)Sherej
ectedme,youhavetogivehercr
edi
tfor
t
hat.
..Shecoul
dhav echeat
ed..
.It
hinkshechanged.

Loago:
Waf
osa,
shedi
dn'
tcheatony
out
wice

Monga:(l
aughedl
Wedi dn'
tevendat
eforlong.
..I
twasli
ke2
months.Shehasn'
tcheatedonyouinoverayearsosheisgood.

Loago:
(si
ghed)I
fyousayso.
..

Monga:
List
en,
youhav
enot
hingt
owor
ryaboutwheni
tcomest
o
me.
.

Loago:I
t'
sherI 'm worri
edabout,i
believ
ey oubutitl
ooksli
keshe
can'
tcontr
ol herself
..
.Ialr
eadytol
dy outhekindofthingij
ust
walkedawayf rom...Idon'
tneedanotherdrama.Ijustwanta
famil
yandv acationswithfamil
yfri
ends.

Monga:Weareontheri
ghtt
rackl
aiteaka.
..Skawara.
..Enj
oyy
our
woman.Youdon'
thaveapoli
ceof
ficertowor r
yabout..
Loagoshookhi
sheadpr
essi
nghi
sphone.
..

Loago:
Shei
swor
ri
edwonder
ingwher
eiam.
.

Monga:
Goeaseherwor
ri
es.
..Agoj
akukumonna.

Loago:
Gakenasephi
ri

Monga:(l
aughed)Atl
easti
knowyou'
regoi
ngt
oeatsomet
hing
sweet
..
.Imaginehaneal
ebosul
a

Loagopunchedhim asshebl
ockedhol
dingt
hest
eer
ingwheel
wit
honehand...

Loago:
(laughed)Mar
eteagagoMonga

Monga:
(laughed)Uhmrkeat
shamekat
her
ra

Loago:
(laughed)Aef
okmonna

Monga:(
laughed)Sor
ryee.
..
gapeophur
il
est
ri
ppersoy
ouhav
eto
l
ett
hissl
ide.

Loago:
Shecal
l
edme.
.

Monga:Blockher,
sheintent
ional
lyputhergstri
nginyourpocket.
Nevert
rustaprosti
tut
e..
.Wagooki sa,
nextthingshewil
l
bl
ackmailyouandthreat
entot el
lApul
a.Nev ertr
ustmoneyslaves.

Loago:
Idi
dn'
tthi
nkofi
tli
ket
hat
..
.
Monga:
Blockher
,hadi
nott
akeni
toutApul
awoul
dhav
efound
i
t.
..

Loago:
Keamobl
ocka.

Minut
eslat
erheparkedi
nt hepar
kingl
otj
ustasApul
apul
l
edov
er.
Loagost
eppedoutandclosedthedoor
..
.

Loago:
Yourcousi
ntookmeonadr
ive

Apulast
eppedoutandl
ookedatMongat
henshel
ookedat
Loago.
..

Monga:
Um Cousi
eweeshapo

Loago:
Sur
ecuz

Theyfistbumpedthenhedroveof
f.Loagopi
ckedherupand
walkedinsidet
hebuil
ding.
..

Loago:
Ilov
eyoudoy
ouknowt
hat
?

Apul
a:Il
ovey
out
oo.

Loago:
Ilov
eyoumost
lybecausey
ounev
erl
i
etome,
fort
hat
r
easonof
eel
li
key
ou'
remywi
fe.
..

Herfacedroppedasheputherdownandkissedher
,heunl
ocked
thedoorandclosedthenheki
ssedheront
hebedgetti
ng
betweenherlegs.
..
.

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

LaterthatnightAtsil
est
eppedoutoft het
axi andpai
dthenshe
walkedt owardsthehousetakingoutherphone,shecli
ckedon
facebookandpost edaf
ewpi ctur
esofMaruandDer ri
ck,she
stoppedbyt hedoorandt y
pedt hepostsmil
ingthensheposted.

Sheunl ockedthedoorandscrol
leddown,amessenger
noti
fi
cat i
ondingedthenshecl
ickedonit.
..
.Thong'swedding
pict
uresloadedf r
om oneofherFacebookfri
ends.Anotherf
ri
end
sentpicturesfr
om theweddi
ng..
.

Herkneesgotcoldweakasshesatdownandscrol
l
edfr
om
pi
ctur
et opi
ctur
e,shest
aredatMongaasthebestmani
n
di
sbeli
ef.
..
.

Shecl
i
ckedonmor
epi
ctur
esandst
oppedatapi
ctur
eofThong,
MongaandLoagodancingatthebachel
orpar
ty.Shecl
ickedon
Khumo'
sbri
dalshowerpict
uresasherhandsshook.
..

MyKi
ndofMan

#60

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Thef
oll
owi
ngmor
ningAt
sil
etossedandt
urnedonat
earwet
pil
l
ow, shereachedforherphoneandcheckedtheti
me..
.Itwasa
fewmi nut
est oseventhenshetr
iedcall
ingThongbutt
herewas
sti
llnoanswerjustli
kethewholenight
..
.

Shegotupandwal
kedtothekit
chenwher
eshemadeacupof
teaandsatont
hecouchdi
ali
ngMaru.
..

Mar
u:(
sleepy
)Hel
l
o?

At
sil
e:(
cry
ing)
..
..

Mar
u:At
sil
e?What
'swr
ong?

At
sil
e:Thongi
smar
ri
ed

Mar
u:ButApul
aal
readyt
oldy
ou.
.

At
sil
e:Hehaddeni
edi
t.
.

Mar
u:Ok.

At
sil
e:Whydoesi
tseem l
i
kewant
athel
l
a?

Mar u:
I'
m not ,
ijustdon'twanttosayanyt
hingsoy oucanturn
aroundandhat emeorgossi paboutmewi t
hOt l
he.Aker
ey ou
couldhav edealtthi
swel l
inti
mebuty ouchosetodoubtApula
andbelieveshei sjeal
ousofy ou.I
'
m sorr
yifidon'
tsound
sympat heti
c.

At
sil
e:I
'
vebeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
lhi
m al
lni
ght

Mar
u:Hecan'
tanswert
hephone,
it'
shi
sfi
rstni
ghtwi
thhi
swi
fe.
Obvi
ousl
yhewoul
dn'
twantt
odi
stur
bhersl
eep.Wai
tunt
ilaf
ter
noon

At
sil
e:I
'
m goingt
hroughal
ot,
lehael
egobobonabor
oko.Bosa
nt
sekelebi
l
e

Maru:You'
l
lbef
ine.Letmegetbackt
osl
eep,
ithoughti
t'
san
emergency
.

Mar
ucutt
hecal
lthenshesi
ghedandt
ri
edcal
l
ingThongbut
t
her
ewassti
l
lnoanswer.

Att
hel
odge.
..

Latert
hatmor
ningApul
azi
ppedherbagwhi
l
eLoagot
iedhi
s
shoes.
..

Loago:Babehowdidyousayy
ourel
atet
oMonga?I
'm sur
prised
hedidn'
tpassbyMaru'
sweddi
nganddeci
dedt
oatt
endaf r
iend'
s
weddinginst
ead.

Apul
a:Hei
saf
ri
end.

Loago:
Whosef
ri
end?Yourf
ri
end?

Apul
a:Idon'
tconsi
derhi
m af
ri
end

Loago:
Sowhosef
ri
endi
sit
?
Apul
a:Af
ami
l
yfr
iend

Loago:
Sowhydi
dn'
thecomet
otheweddi
ng?

Apul
a:Becausehei
ssel
fcent
ered,
whatdoy
ouwantmet
osay

Loago:
Thet
rut
hmay
be?War
eMongakeengsagago?

Apul
a:Heoncewant
edme,
oki
l
eampat
a

Loago:
Soy
ounev
erdat
ed?

Apul
a:No

Loago:
You'
resobeaut
if
ull
iesdon'
tsui
tyou..
.Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou'
d
l
iesoeasi
l
y..
.Lookaty
oulooki
ngsoinnocent

Apula:Mongaisl
yingifhesayshedatedme,may
beiwassleep
walkingorsl
eepdati
nghim becausei
don'tr
ememberdat
inghi
m.

Loago: Yourcousi
nst al
kedabouthim whil
ei waswashingthe
pots,idon'tunder
standwhyi t
'ssohardtoadmi ti
t.
..Babesome
l
iesaresonotnecessar y.Hewant edt
osleepwi thyoubutyou
didn'
tsleepwi t
hhim...I
nsteadyoucamewi thmet osendhima
verycl
earmessage. ..Lyi
ngwaswr ongbutiunderstand..

Apul
aheavedasi
ghofr
eli
efwi
thherhandonherchestand
smil
edsur
pri
sed.
..

Apul
a:You'
renotangr
y?

Loago:
No
Apul
a:Soy
ouwon'
tl
eav
eme?

Loago:
Whywoul
dil
eav
eyou?Youhav
en'
tcheat
edonme.
..

Shesmi
l
edandsatonhi
slapki
ssi
nghi
m..

Loago:But
..
.Cany outr
ytel
l
ingt
het
rut
h?Hei
babey
oul
i
kel
yi
ng
butyou'
renotgood..
.

Shel
aughedembar
rassedandnodded.
..

Loago:
Promi
semey
ou'
l
lwor
koni
t.
.

Apul
a:Ipr
omi
se.
.

Loago:Let
'sseeifyou'
rehonest
..
.Ar
eyouov
erMonga?Doy
ou
haveanyfeel
ingsforhi
m?

Apul
a:No,

Loago:
Arey
ousur
e?

Apul
a:That
'swhyi
broughty
outhatnight
,iknowhewant
edt
o
sl
eepwithmebutidi
dn'
twantt
odot hat.

Loago:
Ibel
i
evey
ou.
..(
sighed)Let
'sgo.
..

Shegotof
fhi
m anddi
all
edMar
uasLoagol
oadedt
hebagsi
nthe
car
.

Mar
u:Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Hey,
I'
m goi
ngbackt
oKasanemmat
omor
rowi
hav
ea
pr
esent
ati
on.

Mar
u:Al
ri
ght
,thanksf
ormaki
ngmyday
.

Apul
a:Any
time.Lov
eyou

Mar
u:Lov
eyoumor
e.

Shehungupandgotint
hecar,Loagopul
l
edt
heseatbel
tforher
andki
ssedherbef
oredr
ivi
ngout..
..

Apulacl
ickedonFacebookandcameacrossapopul
arpostwi
th
overathousandcomments.Shecl
ickedandr
ead.
..

"Pl
easepostf ormeasanon, ihavebeendat i
ngt hi
sguyf orovera
year .Wehadourupsanddownsl ikeanyot hercouple.Totahe
sav edmef rom anabusi vemar ri
ageandev er
ythingwasgood
after.Daysbackmysi stertol
dmet hisguywasget t
ingmar r
ied
buthedeni edandsai dhewasj ustv isi
ti
nghisfami l
y.Lastni
ghti
foundpi ct
uresofhi m getti
ngmar riedbuthei snotanswer i
ngmy
calls.Ihaven'
tsleptandI '
m suici
dal .Helef
tmet hi
sweekend
say i
nghei sgoingtohel phisfatherart hef
ar m andhegot
mar r
ied. Pl
easei needy ouradvi
ce.Ilovet
hisman.We
havebeent hroughal ottogether.Godirwajanghagont sejaana?
Doi waitforhimt oexplainorleave?Ifhesayshestil
ll
ov esme
doi stayastheot herwoman?Thi smani smyev er
ythi
ng...Heis
al
somypr ovider.Idon'
twor kandhebuy severy
thi
nginthehouse.
Pleasehelp.I'
llr
eadt hecomment s."

Apul
afrownedr
eadi
ngt
heangr
ycomment
sabouthowt
rashy
menare..
..

Att
hepol
i
ceman'
shouse.
..
.

Lanawalkeddownt hest
air
swit
hthechil
drenandputthem i
nthe
schoolbusthenshewentbackf
orthei
rbagsbefor
eclosingt
he
door.
..

Ki
ng:
Byemama

Lana:
Byeby
ebabes.
.

Shewav edastheschoolbusdroveof
ft henshesi
ghedandwent
backtothehouse,shest
oodbyt heki
tchencountercl
eani
ngas
theLopangwalkedoutofthebedroom putti
ngonhisTshi
rt
..
.
Lopang:
So.
..Whatdoeshi
m showi
ngupmean?

Lana: Idon'tknow, it
houghtI '
ll
f igureitoutlastnightbutI'm stil
l
skept ical.Idon'ttrusthim. ..ButIal soknowt hatMJdeser vesto
knowhi sfather.Idon'tknowi fMongawi llbehappybutheseems
tor eallylovemeandI '
m notangr ywi thhim any more.Iwantt o
givehi m anot herchance. ..Buti knowt hatthemi nutehefindsout
I'
llhav et oquitsohi ssoncanl i
v ei nabet t
erpl aceandnotasa
themai d'schild.Hei spridef ulandhehasmoney .Idon'
tseehi m
all
owi ngt hi
sar r
angement .Iwon' tbeabl etomakesuchdeci sions
becausei kepthim away ,ifhet akesi ttocour tI'
llbepuni
shed
plusi tmi ghtbeacust odyt hi
ngandhi m want i
ngsomet hing
bet t
erf orhischi l
dwi llbet her i
ghtt hing.Atthesamet imei don't
wantt ol osetheindependenceandpl easureofmaki ngmyown
money ,butknowi ngMongahei sgoi ngt owantmeoutofher ethe
mi nutehef i
ndsout .Heisgoi ngt owanthi ssoni nhishouseas
soonaspossi ble.

Lopang: I'
llbehonestwithyou...I'
m biasedbecausei needy ou..
.
Kingneedsy ou.It
shardtof i
ndal oyal babysitter..
.Ifyouwer e
somebodyel seyouwoul dhavest olemyf ur
nitureandl ef
tmyson
i
nat uborsomet hing..
.Ki
ngsur v i
vedabusef rom amai dthat'
s
whyi val
uey ousomuchbecausei seehi mlov ingy ou.Idon't
wantast epmotherformychi l
d...Idogooutwi thmygi rl
fr
iendbut
idon'ttrusther,i
t'
sanewr elati
onshi p.
..Idumpedmyexbecause
sheaskedmet otakemysonbackt ohi smot hert houghi
explainedthesituati
on.Iknowy oudeser vehappi nessandMJ
hast herighttoknowherr ealfather.
..Asaf atheri dofeelfor
Monga.Iwi shitwaspossiblefory outobehonestwi thhim about
MJsohecanbondwi t
hhim butdon' tleaveus...Pl ease..
.Iwil
l
i
ncreasey oursal
ary.You'
vemademyl ifesoeasi er
..
.Thepast
yearhasbeenwonder f
ulandev ery
oneistell
ingmeI '
m gaini
ng
weight.
..I
fthereisanythi
ngI'm notdoi
ngr i
ghty oujusttel
lme
andi wil
lcorr
ectmy sel
fforustokeept hisarrangement.Kebat i
nna,ial
way smeetwomenwhosweart heycannev ertakecar eof
anotherwoman' schil
d..
.I'
m happywiththisarrangement .
.Please
don'tl
eaveus...
.

MyKi
ndofMan

#61

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Lat
ert
hatmor
ningThongwal
kedbacki
nthehouseandcl
osed
t
hedoorwhi
l
eAt
sil
esatont
hecouch.

Atsi
lel
ookedathi
shandsandhisbrandnewringshi
nedonhis
fi
nger,
sheburi
edherfacebet
weenherhandsandbursti
nto
tear
s..
.Thonghel
pedherupandhuggedher.
..

Thong:
I'
m sor
ry.
..

Shel
etgoofhi
m andsatdownr
ubbi
nghert
ear
s..
.

Atsi
le:Idon'tbl
amey ou...Iknowt hatI'
vehur ty
ou...I
'
v echeated
ony ouwithoutremorse...Ihadj ustdiscoveredmy selfandi was
outofcont r
ol.You'
rejustif
ied..Youdi dwhatwasbestf oryouand
youmar ri
edawomant haty oulove, awomanwhor espectsy ou
andt r
eatsyoubet t
erthani did..
.Iwasf eel
ingsorr
yf ormy self
theniremember edwhati didtoy ou.I'
m sor r
yforhurtingyou...

Thongsl
owlysatdownlooki
ngather,
healwayst
houghtthese
tear
swouldgetr
idoft
hispainbuti
tsti
ll
hurtt
hesame..
.

At
sil
e:Ist
il
ll
ovey
ouandiwantt
obewi
thy
ou.Iwi
l
lrespecty
our
wi
feandstayonmyl
ane.
..
Helookedatherandt
ear
sbur
nedhi
sey
esf
ort
hef
ir
stt
imei
nhi
s
l
if
e..
.

Thong: Thiswasnotmydr eam...Ineverwant edt obet heot her

womanandi thurtst oheary ousayi t
..
.Ithur t
smebecausei nmy
dreamsy ouwer emywi fe,themot herofmychi l
drenandt he
womanwhomademewhoi am. .
.Youmi ghtnotknowt hisbuti
am whoi am becauseofy ou.Ithoughtseei ngy ouhur tand
ashamedwoul dgetr idoft hispainbutitdi dn't.
..Youwer ealli
couldthinkabout ..
.Iwonder edifyou'
reOKandi waswor ried
you'dcommi tsuicide...That '
sthekindofl ov eihav efory ou.I
hateyoubuti l
ov ey ouatt hesamet ime...ButI '
v emademy
decisi
onandi cannothur tanotherpersonj ustbecausey ou
couldn'
tst ophurtingmeori couldn'
ttal
kaboutwhatwashur ti
ng
me.Ihav et obef aithfultomywi f
e..

Atsi
le:Thongpleasedon'
tdothat
..
.Webot hknowand
understandwhyy oudi
dwhatyoudid.
..Ineedyou.
..Atl
eastf
ora
whil
eunt il
I'
veaccept
edthaty
ou'r
enotmi ne.

Thong:Iwon'
tusey ou..
.Iwon'
thurtmywi f
eandi won'thur
tmy
wif
e.Ialr
eadyfeell
i
key ou'
velear
ntalesson..
.Ial
readyregr
et
goi
ngthroughwiththeweddingandI'm wonderi
ngifwecoul d
havefi
xedthi
ngsbutt henmyneighbour!MyneighbourAtsi
le!

Hest
oodupandsi
ghedr
ubbi
nghi
sfacebef
orehol
dinghi
swai
st
l
ooki
ngather
..
.
Thong: Lov eal oneisn' tenough, i
wantr espectandst abil
ityinmy
l
ife..
.Imayl ov eyoubuti fy oucallmest upidwi thothermenwhat
goodi sthis?I tsoverAt si
le...Theonl yt hingI '
mt akingismy
cl
ot hes.
..Legal lyafterdat inganddoi ngcohabi t
ati
onf orov ersi
x
mont hsI '
mf or cedtoshar ehal fofev ery thingwi t
hy ou..
.Ididn't
evenknowt hatbutMat aozenexpl ainedt omet hatlegall
yI '
m
supposedt ogi veyouatl easthal fofev ery t
hingev enthoughwe
arenotmar ried.Anot herper sondoesn' tjustkickoutanot heraft
er
doingcohabi tati
on,al thoughy oudidn'tcont ri
buteany t
hing
fi
nanciallyyout ookcar eoft hehouse, hadpoorcondomi sedsex
withmeandcookedf ormewheny oucoul d.Forthatyoudeser ve
somet hingsoI 'l
lbef airandgi v eyout hat ..Pleaseletmeknow
what '
simpor tanttoy ousowecant r
yt osepar atepeacef ull
y
withoutdr ama.

Atsi
l
eburi
edherfacebetweenherhandsandcri
edstandi
ngup,
Thonghuggedherandshecri
edevenlouderashehuggedher
..
.

Thongcl
enchedhi
sjawsr
ubbi
ngherbackandst
eppedback.
..

At
sil
e:(
smi
l
edt
ear
ful
l
y)Khumoi
sreal
l
ybeaut
if
ul.
..

Thong:
Thanks.
..

At
sil
e:Iwon'
tpostany
thi
ngonFacebookort
ell
peopl
esoy
oucan
enj
oyyourmarr
iage.I
'
llj
ustt
ell
peopl
ewebr
okeupshor
tl
ybef
ore
youmarri
edher
..

Thong:
Ok.
..

Shesmi
l
edt
ear
ful
l
yandt
ouchedhi
swel
lshav
edchi
n..
.

At
sil
e:Youl
ookedsohandsomeony
ourweddi
ngday
.

Thong:
Thanks.
..

At
sil
e:I
sshegoi
ngt
ocont
inuest
ayi
ngt
her
e?

Thong:
Iboughtahousei
nMaun,
a3bedr
oom house.

At
sil
easat
earr
andownt
henshewi
pedi
tandl
aughedt
ear
ful
l
y..
.

Atsi
le:
Shei
sgoi
ngt
obev
eryhappy
,icani
magi
nehowhappyI
'
d
be..
.

Thong:I
'l
ltr
ytobehappytoo,I
'
veneverdr
eamtofafut
urewi
th
anyoneel
seexceptyoubutshi
thappensandl
i
fegoeson.

At
sil
e:(
laughedast
ear
srol
l
ed)Yeaht
rue.
..

Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
handt
urnedar
oundl
ooki
ngatt
hehouse.
..
At
sil
e:(r
ubbi
nghereyes)Um..
.Iwantt
heTV,
thebedandt
he
st
ove.Youcangetev
erythi
ng.
.

Thong:It
hinkyoushoul
dgetev
ery
thi
ng,
I'
ll
buyKhumowhat
ever
sheneedsther
e.

At
sil
e:Thanks.
..Howl
ongdoy
out
hinky
ou'
l
lbeabl
etohel
pme
wi
thrent
?

Thong:Amont
h,Khumoi
sexpect
ingsoi
hav
etopr
epar
efort
he
baby.

At
sil
e:Oh.
..Ok,
amont
hisenough.I
'
llt
ryf
indi
ngaj
ob.

Thong:
Alr
ight
..
.Letmegetmycl
othes.
.

Shesmi ledathi mt ear

ful
lyashewal kedt othebedr oom t henshe
putherhandsov erherfacecr yi
ngsi l
entlyasshesl owl ygoton
herknees.Shel etgoofherf aceandhel dt hefloorcr yingsi l
entl
y
astear sdr oppedt othefloorthenshehear dthebedr oom door
openingandqui cklystoodup.Shet urnedawayandwi pedt heTV
givi
nghi m herbackashepassedbyandl oadedhi scl othes.She
stoodbyt hewi ndowandwat chedhi m putev erythi
ngi ntheboot .
Sher ubbedhert earsandsatdownchangi ngt hechannel st hen
shest oppedatt heHomechannel wher ethehouser enov ation
wasatt hepl umbi ngstage...Shecoul dn'tevenr emembert helast
ti
meshedi dpl umbi ng..
.Actuall
yt heonlyt hi
ngsher emember ed
aboutbackt henwashowherhusbandnev erli
keditbutheraunt
foughtsohar dforhert ocompl etethis..
.Sickasshewasshe
trav
elledal lthewayt othef arm andbr oughthert ocompl et ethe
t
rai
ning.
..

Thongwal
kedt
othef
rontandbentov
eri
nfr
ontofherki
ssi
ngher
.

Thong:
Ihav
etogo.

Atsi
le:Ok,t
hanksf
ort
hef
urni
tur
e.Ir
eal
l
yappr
eci
atey
our
generosi
ty.

Thong:
Sur
e.

Hewalkedoutandcl osedthedoorthenshegrabbedapill
owand
bur
iedherfaceonitcryingbi
ti
ngithardthensheleanedbackand
si
ghedrubbinghertears.

Shestoodupandwalkedint
hebedroom whereshepackedher
bagandlockedt
hehousethenshedial
edApula.Thecal
lrang
onceandshecutthecal
l,
shetookadeepbreathandwalkedout
thegate.
..

Minuteslatershegotataxitothemai
nstopforcarsl
eavi
ng
Maunf orlongjourney
s.Shepickedaboxandborrowedamarker
f
rom thenear estt
uckshopthenshewrot
eKasaneandstoodby
t
her oad.
..
At r
uckofsoldiersstoppedthenshedroppedt heboxandr anov er
,
sheransof asttheyevenlaughedandthenoncesher eachedthe
backofthet r
uck, shecoul
dn'tev
enreachthet op, oneofthe
soldi
ersbentov ergett
ingherbagandthrewitt henhegav ehera
hand.Shegoti nandsatont heedgewiththeot hersoldierbutthe
otherpoi
ntedhert otheBDFbr ownmat t
resses, shesatdownand
si
ghed...

Soldi
er:
Gett
ingari
deisnotsaf
emysi
sterwaitse?Someonecan
dri
veint
othebusheswit
hyouandy
ou'
llneverbefound

At
sil
e:Iknow,
ineedt
oseemysi
ster
.

Thet r
uckdroveoffasshelookedatthei
rbags,f
rom t
heirpacki
ng
theywer egoi
ngforalongtri
pandoncet heyr
eachedacertai
n
pointtheybegunsingi
ngandev ent
aughtherasshejoi
nedin..
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Laterthateveni
ngMongamadeav egetabl
esoupandwal kedout
ofthekitchensippi
ng,hesatonthecouchandchangedt he
channels..
.Forsomereasonhecouldn'
tstopthi
nkingaboutt hi
s3
mont hsbaby..
.Wouldn'thi
sbabybearoundthatageifshegot
pregnantthatti
me?Henev erevenhadachancet obuythe
mor ni
ngaf t
erpil
landhewasn'tsur
eifshewasov ulat
ingornot..
.
ButwouldLanar eal
lyhi
dehischil
d?Andev engivehimt oanother
man?Dowomenl i
kethatr
eall
yexist?Butthenhi
smot her
exi
sted..
.Justthi
nki
ngaboutitrushedhisbloodpressure.
..I
t
wasn'tpossi
ble,wasit
?

Hismother
'scal
lcamet
hrough,
speakoft
hedev
il
.Hecuthercal
l
anddi
all
edLana..
.

Lana:
Hel
l
o?

Monga:
Weneedt
otal
k,i
sther
eachancet
hatboyi
smi
ne?

Lana:
Canwemeetandt
alk?

Monga:Lana?Isthereachancet hat'
smyson?Wehadsext hat
ni
ghtandicouldn'tpul
lout.Thatisthemostmemor ablesexin
myli
feandi knowt hedatebecauseI '
venev
erejacul
atedthat
qui
ckinmyl i
fe.
..Didyougety ourperi
odaft
erthat?

Lana:
That
'swhati
want
edust
otal
kabout
,let
'smeet
..
.

Monga:
Ifyou'
veli
edt
omeandkeptmychil
dawayfrom f
orso
l
ongunti
liaskyoumysel
fI'
l
lnev
erf
orgi
vey
ou.
..I
sther
eachance
t
hathei
smyson?

Lana:
Mongacany
oust
opget
ti
ngangr
yandj
ustmeetmepl
ease

Monga:
Iwantt
oseehi
m

Lana:
I'
m home,
comeseehi
m..
.

Monga:
Obonawena?Youunder
est
imat
eme.
Lana:
Akoot
e,uh!

Shecutt
hecal
landhesi
ghed,
hismot
hercal
l
edandhepi
cked.
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Her:Hi
,it
sbeenmonthssi
nceI'
vehear
dfr
om y
oubuti
heary
our
f
athersayi
ngyoucal
lhi
m al
ltheti
me

Monga:
Youcal
l
edmej
ustt
osayt
hat
?

Her
:Whenar
eyoucomi
nghome?

Monga: Whenyout el
lmyfatherwhatyoudi
dwithRr
agweLesego
andLameorwhenLamest opsfl
ir
ti
ngwithme.Oneoft
hosethen
I'
ll
comehome, whatdoyouwantmet odowhenmyl i
tt
lesi
steri
s
touchi
ngmei nappropr
iat
elyever
ytimeicomehome?

Her
:.
..
.

Monga:It
'ssad,you'r
enotevendenying.Youmusthav ethought
myfatherwasaf oolthr
oughouttheyears.You'
recunni
ng.One
dayI
'm goingtocomehomedr unkandtellmyfatherever
ythi
ng.
..
That
'swheny ou'
llunder
standmebet ter
!

Hehungupanddroppedhisphoneontj
ecouchbef
orer
ubbi
ng
of
fhi
sfacethenhestoodupandwalkedout
..
.
AtLana'
swor
kpl
ace.
..

Lat
eronMongaknockedonthedoor
,Lanaopenedt
hedoor
car
ryi
ngt
hebabyandsteppedasi
dewhil
ehesuckedadummy.
.

Mongawalkedinandl
ookedathim,amemor
yofHopefl
ashedas
hel
ookedatthebaby.
..I
twasseei
ngHopeal
lov
eragai
n..
.

Lana: Rightaf t
ery ouleftmet hepol i
ceof fi
cercalledmeandi j
ust
brokedownt al
kingt ohim.Hecal l
edmel aterfrom hispersonal
phoneandwet alked.Het oldmehecoul dhel pmegetan
educat i
onifihelpedbaby si
thisboyKi ng.Mont hsaf teristarted
feeli
ngsi ckandwheni wenttothehospi taltheytestedmeandi
wast oldI'
m pregnant .Wheni t
oldMrLopanghesai dhedi dn't
mi ndasl ongasi tookcar eofhissonl ikehei smi ne,hepr ovided
mewi thev er
y t
hingandt ookcareofmel ikeI'm hi
sl i
ttl
esister.I
didn'twantt otell youbecausei thoughty ou'l
lmakemeabor tmy
babyt henafterhewasbor nihadalreadyl earnttolivewithout
youandmygoal wast ogetaneducat ion...I'
m sorry.Iwanty out o
bepar tofhisli
febutI 'm notlosi
ngmyj obher easamai d.Iwant
tobeabl etopayf orafewt hingsplusIgetf r
eeaccommodat ion.

Mongal
aughedl
ooki
ngather
..
.
Monga:
You'
reki
ddi
ngr
ight
?

Lana:
I'
m seri
ous,iwanttoconti
nuestayi
ngherebecauseit'
smy
j
obandi needtobepaid.Ican'
ttr
ustyoubecausewhenany thi
ng
comesupy ou'
ll
takemebackt othefarm orki
ckmeout .
..
.

HappyNewyearmybr eadandbutter,
i l
oveyouandI
'
m bl
essed
t
ohaveyoui
nmyl i
fe.Don'
tfor
gettolikeandleav
eacomment.
May2022bringy ounot
hingbutthebest!

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#62

AtLana'
swor
kpl
ace.
..

MongasteppedoverandpickedMJ, het
ookadeepbreat
h
l
ooki
ngathim andputhim onhischestwhi
l
ethebabytouched
hi
sbear
dwi thhi
ssoftti
nyfinger
s..
..

Helookedar
oundthehouseandt
urnedl
ooki
ngatLanaasshe
hel
dKing'
shand.
..

Monga:Am i
supposedtobeOKwi
thmysonbei
ngastayi
n
mai
d'schi
l
d?Onaser i
ousnot
edoyouknowwhoiam?

Lana:
Yoursonwi
llunder
standt
hatdespi
tewhoy
ou'
re,
youhad
sexwit
hanobody
.

Monga: You'r
enotstayingherewithmychild..
.It
'snotevenabout
mypr ideanymore..
.Howdoy ouexplai
ntoy ourchi
ldthatthey
hadt obeamai d'
schildintheboss'shomewhi lehisfat
herhada
threebedroom apart
menthebar el
yev enused?Let'smov ein
togethert
heny oucancomet owor kfrom t
here.

Lana:
Idon'
twantcohabi
tat
ion

Monga:
Wel
lcanwegetmar
ri
ed?
Lana:
Idon'twantamarri
ageofconv
eni
ence.
..I
tfeel
sli
key
ou'
l
l
j
ustbedoingitf
orthebaby.

Monga:
Shoul
dif
indy
ouahouset
orentt
hen?

Lana:
Ican'
taf
for
dtopayr
entwi
thmysal
ary
.

Monga:I'
l
lbepayingchi
l
dsupportsi
nceitseemsyoudon'
twanta
gi
rl
fri
endall
owance.I
twil
lbeenough,i
justwanthi
mtoliv
eina
bet
terhouse.

Lana:
(si
ghed)Idon'
twantt
omov
eout
.Lopangneedsmet
oo.

Mongast
aredatherf
orami
nut
eandsi
ghed.
..

Monga:Sot
hat
'st
hepr
obl
em.
..Isee.
..Wel
l
,yourpr
ior
it
iesar
e
cl
ear
..
.

Lana:
It'
smyjob,weagreedonmebei
ngast
ayi
nmai
d..Cany
ou
tr
ytounder
standthat
?

Monga: Canitr
ytounderst
andthatanothermanwi l
lbespendi
ng
mor eti
mewi t
hmysont hanishoul
ddespi t
ey oudeny i
ngmea
chancefrom t
hegetgo?Igetthatyou'
retryi
ngt hemiss
i
ndependentthingbuti
t'
snotworki
ngifitputsy ourchi
ldonthe
othersi
de..
.You'r
ethi
nki
ngaboutLopangi nsteadofthinki
ng
aboutyourchil
d..
.

Lana:
Wewi
l
lvi
sity
ouonweekends.
..
Thedooropenedt
henLopangwal
kedi
nunbut
toni
nghi
sshi
rt
..
.

Lopang:
(toher
)Hey

Lana:
Hi.
..

Lopang:
Dumel
ang.
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o..
.

Lopangtookof fhisshi
rtheadingt othekit
chenthenLana
fol
lowedhim, Mongastoodt hereholdingthebabyandwat ched
asshewar medhi sfoodandputi ti
nat r
aythenshepour eda
dri
nk,Lopangst oodinf
rontofherandt ookabit
ewi thafork
whilet
heytalked.Mongacoul dn'thearwhattheywer esayi
ngbut
Lopangwal kedpasthimr emov i
nghisbeltasLanaf oll
owedhim
tothebedroom wi t
hthefood...

Hetookadeepbreat
hl ooki
ngathi
ssonandr
ubbedhi
sback,
minut
esl
atershewalkedoutandgott
hebaby
..
.

Lana:
Ipr
omi
sewewi
l
lvi
sity
ou.
..

Monga:
Whenam Igoi
ngt
ogetachancet
obet
reat
edl
i
kehi
m?

Lana:
Don'
tbel
i
ket
hat
..
.Youknowi
tsmyj
ob.
.Iam hi
smai
d.

Monga:
Soi
shoul
dfi
ndamai
dandgetmyson?Becausemy
pr
idewon'tl
etmeall
owmysontobeherewi
thyou.Youcanbea
maidbuthedoesn'
thav
etobeher
e,hecanl
i
vebettert
hanthi
s..
.

Lana:
Youwanta3mont
hsol
dbaby
?

Monga:Irai
sedmysonf rom a6mont hsoldpr
ematur
epart
ial
l
y
bl
i
ndchildwithouthismother
'ssuppor
t.I
'
m sureMJwill
beeasier
wi
thoutspeci
al car
e..
.

Lana:I'
m notpar
ti
ngwithmychil
d.Wewi l
lseeyouonweekends.
Pleaseall
owmedowhati seef
it
..
.I'
m notevenaski
ngy
ou,I
'm
tel
li
ngyouandy oucan'
tchangemymi nd.

Lopangst
eppedoutandl
ookedather
..
.

Lopang:
Mommycani
hav
eanext
rasal
ad?

Lana:
Sur
e

Shewalkedi
nt heki
tchenwiththebabyonherl
eftwaist,Monga
andLopangglaredatoneanotherf
oraminutest
raight.
..Lopang
scof
fedandturnedbacktothebedroom,Mongashookhi shead
andwalkedout.

Herandownst
air
sandoutofthebuil
dingthenhegotinthecar
andsi
ghed,
helookedatLopang'
scarthoughtf
ull
ythenhestar
ted
hi
sanddroveof
f.
..
I
nKasane.
..
.

TheBDFtr
uckstoppedwhil
eAtsi
l
ediall
edApul
afort
he10t
hti
me,
hercal
l
sgotcutandevent
uall
ybl
ocked.

Sol
dier
:Let
'sgo,
thi
sisKasane.
..Wher
eisy
oursi
ster
?

At
sil
e:I
'
m cal
l
ingher
..

Shedi
aledMar
u..
.

Mar
u:Hel
l
o?

At
sil
e:Hi
,cani
hav
eLoago'
snumber
?

Mar
u:Idon'
thav
eit
.Cal
lThong,
I'
m sur
ehehasi
t,t
hey
'r
efr
iends
l
eboMataozen.

Atsi
le:
Idon'twanttocal
l him,hemightbewit
hhiswi
fe.Canyou
call
Mat aozenwena?I'
m st r
andedApulabl
ockedmebutidon'
t
knowKasane.It'
sreal
lylate.

Mar
u:Ok,
letmedot
hatr
eal
l
yqui
ck.At
sil
e:Thanks.

Shehungupt
henshepi
ckedherbagsandwal
kedt
owar
dst
he
tai
lgat
e,oneofthesol
dier
sjumpedoutandhel
pedoutbef
oret
he
othergavehi
m herbag.
..

Hesmi
l
edandhuggedherbef
orej
umpi
ngbackont
het
ruck.
..

Sol
dier
:By
e

At
sil
e:By
e..

Sol
dier
:Oh,
Cani
hav
eyournumberandmakesur
eyouar
ri
ved
saf
ely?

At
sil
e:Sur
e,i
ts.
..

Thedrivert ookouthisphonel i
steningtoher ,t
woot hersoldi
ers
whower epr essi
ngtheirphonesclosedt hei rFacebookappsand
cl
ickedont hephonebookssecr etl
y,Atsilespel l
edouthernumber
asthesol dierand3ot herssecretl
ysav edi tthenwenton
browsingt heirFacebooksli
ketheydi dn'tjustsav ehernumber.
Theyalllookedatherasshewal kedtowar dst heshopst henhe
BDFt r
uckdr oveoff.
..

AtKhumo'
sHouse.
..
.

Khumowalkedinthehouseandsmil
edthenshetur
nedar
ound
andhuggedThongashelaughedcar
ryi
ngher.
..
Thong:
Comeseet
his.
..

Hehel
dherhandast
heywal
kedt
othemast
erbedr
oom.
..

Thong:
Thi
sisourbedr
oom and.
..

Het
ookhert
otheot
herbedr
oom.
.

Thong:
Thebaby
'sr
oom and.
..

Theygoti
nthet
hir
dbedr
oom.
..

Thong:
Herbr
other
'sr
oom.
..

Shesmi
l
edl
ooki
ngathi
m andbl
ushed.
..

Khumo:
Ilov
eit
..
.

Hepi
ckedherupandcar
ri
edhert
otheki
tchenwher
eheputher
onthecounterandst
oodbetweenherlegski
ssi
ngher
.She
touchedhi
schinworr
iedl
yandsighed.
..

Khumo:
Howar
eyour
eal
l
ydoi
ng?

Hel
ookeddownandsi
ghed.
..

Thong:I
'
mjustgl
ady oufor
gaveme...Idi
dn'
twanttost
artour
marri
agewi
thsecr
ets..
.Kedir
isi
tswekethepai
ni wasgoing
thr
ough

Khumo: Youhavealreadyexplai
nedyoursel
fandi underst
and,I
thi
nkthemostimpor tantthi
ngwascomi ngcleantot hebothof
usandy oudi
d,I'
m gladsheal sounder
stands..Butyouknowt hat
hurtpeopl
ehurtothersright
?

Thong:
Iknowbutt
hat
'snotwhoi
am.
..

Khumo: Painchangespeople..
.Iknowi tcan'
tbeeasyt otalkto
yourwif
eaboutwhathappenedwi t
hy ourexbutIthi
nkify outalk
toyourfatherorsomeoneelsesot heycant el
lyouthatyourwi fe
i
sdiffer
ent,sheisanotherchapterthenmay beyou'l
lbeabl eto
tr
ustmeenought oal
lowmet ospendt imewithmysi st
ers.Idon't
mindgivingyoutimetoheal wit
houtr eal
lymakingfri
endsi n
Maun...

Thongt
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghed.
..
Thong:Doy
our
eal
l
yhav
etohav
efr
iends?Shoul
dn'
tibey
our
fr
iend?

Khumo: You'
remyf r
iendbutwehav eneighboursbabe. .
.Ili
ke
greeti
ngpeopl eandtalki
ngt opeopl
eandt hewayy ou'resensi
ti
ve
iknowi twill
notbepossi bl
e.Idon'
tmindgi v
ingyout i
me. .
.Idon'
t
dri
nkorpar tybutI'
mi nMaunandI 'vel
i
vedmywhol el i
feinthe
farm.Iwantt obeablet ogoshoppingandbel i
keot herwi v
eson
facebook.Thisistheli
feI'v
ealwaysdreamtof .
..Don'tclosemein
andholdmeback.

Thong:
Ineedti
me, wedidn'
tdi
scussyouhavi
ngfri
endsand
goi
ngout,
ithoughtthi
ngswoul
dbel i
ketheywer
eatthefar
m.

Khumo:
Theycan'
tbe.
..

Ther
ewasaknockont
hedoor
,hemov
edt
hecur
tai
nssl
owl
yand
si
ghed.
..

Thong:
(lower
edhi
svoi
ce)I
t'
sthecoupl
enextdoor
.

Khumo:
(smi
l
ed)Lett
hem i
n..
.Theypr
obabl
ywantt
owel
comeus.

Thonglookedatthehusbandlawyerinhissmartcasualcl
othes
andgoodbody ,hewasevenbetterthanthepr
eviousnei
ghbour
andthewife?Notsomuch, howdoy oupi
ckawi f
eliket
hatat
yourageeven,he'
dprobabl
ylustforKhumo.
Khumo:
Shoul
dil
ett
hem i
n?

Shewalkedtowardst
hedoorbutThonggr
abbedherar
m bef
ore
shecouldopenandputashushfi
ngeronhi
sli
ps.
.

Thong:
Don'
t,
theywi
l
lleav
e.

Theystoodtheresi
l
ent
lywhi
lethenei
ghbour
sknockedand
event
uall
yleft
.Khumofol
dedherarmsandsighed.
..

Thong: (l
ookedoutside)Theyl
eft.Pleasestayawayfrom
everyone..
.Idon'twantustohav etofightovert
hissi
mple
request.I
'l
lgetthegatemot or
isedsonobodyget sin.

Hewal
kedi
ntheki
tchenwhi
l
eshest
oodt
her
eshocked.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#64

Ont
hepar
kingl
ot.
..

Lana:
It'
sMongaJr

Monga:
Sowhyi
shebei
ngcal
l
edMi
key
?

Lana:
Kingcal
lshi
mthatandwejustst
art
edcal
l
inghimthat
..I
ts
j
ustapetnamethati
don'tev
enknowwherehegot.Hei
sonly5.
Whyisthatabi
gdeal
?

Monga:Keabotsaaker
e,Idon'
tevenknowwheny
ou'
rel
yi
ngor
t
ell
i
ngthetr
uth,
am ionthebirt
hcert
if
icat
e?

Lana:Yes,
ihadnor
easont
okeepyouout
.Iwasangr
ybuti
t
doesn'
tchanget
hef
acthei
syourson.

Hel
ookedatt
hecar
dinherhandandl
ookedi
nherey
es.
..

Monga: Youlovehi
m,andit
'sok.Iunder
stand.
..Youst
ayed
togetherayear
,hehashadtimetowinyourheartandI
'mjusta
strangeryouwon'
tatt
empttogiveachance.

Lana:
Doy
out
hinkI
'
m sl
eepi
ngwi
thhi
m?

Monga:
Noty
et,
buty
ourat
ti
tudehascer
tai
nlychangedev
ersi
nce
youint
roducedus.Histoo..
.Youi
nnocentl
yint
roducedusbut
somethinghappenedafter
.Idon'
twanttobeaspar ewheel
..
.O
nnehonesthelabecauseyouhavenoreasontolietome.Doy ou
havefeeli
ngsforhi
m?

Shef
oldedherar
msr
eluct
ant
lyandsi
ghed.
..

Monga:
Youdon'
thav
etol
i
e..
.

Lana:
Yes,
idohav
efeel
i
ngsf
orhi
m.

Mongaputhi
shandsi
nthepocket
sandl
eanedagai
nstt
hecar
l
ooki
ngather
..
.

Monga:Nnakedi
rej
ang?Ihav
ebeenwai
ti
ngf
ory
out
heent
ir
e
t
ime.
..

Lana:
Mov
aonbuty
ou'
l
lseeMJonweekends.Ipr
omi
se.

Monga:
Ok,
keat
hal
ogany
a.I
tsOK.Comeher
e..
.

Hetookouthi
shandsandhuggedherti
ghtl
y,hel
etgoofherand
f
oldedhi
sarmsleani
ngagai
nstthecarl
ooki
ngather.
..

Monga:
Thanksf
orbei
nghonestaut
wa?
Lana:
Ok

Monga:I
'
m hurtbutI
'
llbef
ine,
letmeknowhowmuchi
shoul
d
sendf
orthebaby.

Lana:Ok.It
hink1Ki
senough,
Michael
takescar
eofev
ery
thi
ngi
n
thehouse.

Monga:
What
everwor
ksf
ory
ou.

Het
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghedt
aki
ngoutt
hekey
s..
.

Monga:
Ihav
etogo,
thanksf
ort
hechat
..

Lana:
I'
m homeal
one,
wecanhangoutbef
orei
star
tst
udy
ing.

Monga:
Noi
tsOK.Idon'
twantt
ogi
vemy
sel
ffal
sehope.

Lana:
Ok

Hegotbacki
nthecaranddr
ov eof
fwit
houtr
oll
i
ngdownt he
wi
ndow.Lanasi
ghedandwalkedbacki
nthehousedi
ali
ng
Monga.
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Lana:
I'
m sorr
yforbr
eaki
ngy
ourhear
t.Icanseey
ou'
re
di
sappoi
nted.
Monga:I
'
dpr ef
erifwedon'
teverdi
scussus.I
thel
psmemov
eon
i
fyoudon'
tfeelsorr
yforme.

Lana:Ist
il
ll
ovey
oui
justf
eel
saf
erwi
thhi
m becausei
knowwho
heis.

Monga:
Don'
texpl
ainy
our
sel
f,kemotona,
keaitsegoremosadi
o
t
hophamonnamogobabangwealebil
eeng.I
'
m dri
ving,
bye

Lana:
Bye

Shehungupandwal
kedi
nthehouse.
..

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

LateronKhumowal kedaroundtheyar
dadmiri
ngthegar
den
spaceandstoppedbyt hesandyareat
hatwoul
dturni
ntothe
chi
ldren'
spl
ayground..
.

Shewalkedt owardst hegateandpushedthegateopenthenshe

walkedalongt heroadsmi l
i
ngenjoyi
ngthev i
ewofthe
nei
ghbour hood..
.Mostneighboursdi
dn'thavescr
eenwallandshe
couldseechildrenplayi
nginthesmallpool.Anei
ghbourwavedat
herwhil
ecar ryi
ngacr yi
nginfant
..

Nei
ghbour
:Hi
..
.
Khumo:
Hinei
ghbour
..
.Howar
eyou?

Nei
ghbour
:I'
m good,
wel
comet
othenei
ghbour
hood.

Khumo:
Eemma

Anot
hernei
ghbourst
oodbyt
hef
encecar
ryi
ngababyaswel
l
...

Nei
ghbour
:Hi
,myhusbandandi
camebyy
est
erday
.Wewant
ed
t
osayhi

Khumo: Icoul
dhavesowni
hear
dsomeoneknocki
ngbuti
thoughtitwastj
eTV.
.Howarey
ou?

Khumo:
I'
m good.
..

Theychatt
edforafewminutest
henshewal
kedbacki
ntheyar
d
andclosedthegat
e.Shedi
aledMongaandwal
kedint
heyar
d..
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Khumo:
Hi,
itsKhumo.Canwet
alk?

Monga:
Sur
e..

Khumo: Thongdoesn'
tall
owmet ohavefri
endsortal
ktothe
nei
ghbours.Ij
usttal
kedtothenei
ghboursandI'
m soscaredhei
s
goingtobeangrywhenhef i
ndsout.
..
can'
tyoutal
ktohim
becausehedoesn'twanttotal
ktoanyoneabouti
tbutI'
m not
happy
.

Monga:
Ok,
I'
ll
tal
ktohi
m.Hehast
rusti
ssues,
it'
snotabouty
ou.

Khumo:
It'
shar
d,i
wasexci
tedaboutMaun.

Monga:
I'
ll
tal
ktohi
m,hewi
l
lfi
xitbecausehel
ovesy
ou.

Khumo:
Ify
ousayso.

Monga:
Iknowso.Gi
vehi
mti
me.

Khumo:
Ok,
bye

Monga:
Bye

Shehungupandwal
kedi
nthehouse.
..
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronMongasatinhi
soffi
cefaci
ngt
helaptopatt
endi
ngan
onl
inemeet
ingasheyawnedrubbi
nghi
sforehead.
..

Themanstandi
ngontheothersi
deoft
hemoni
torputhi
shands
i
nthepocket
sandlookedathi
m.

Hi
m:Am i
bor
ingy
ouMrTi
ki
?
Monga:
No,
ihav
en'
thadenoughsl
eep.

Hi
m: Doyout
hinky
oucandot
his?You'
renotev
eni
nacondi
ti
on
t
otravel

Monga:
Youknowi
can.

Him:Idon'tknowthatanymor
e,y
outakefor
evert
oanswercal
ls
andyourlastassi
gnmentendedi
nICU.Youputa70mil
li
onfund
proj
ectatriskywi
thyoursl
oppyj
ob.
..

Monga:
(shr
ugged)Hedi
eddi
dn'
the?

Him:That'
snotthepoint
.Don' ty
oureali
sehowr i
skythatwas?I
don'
tknowwhatt hehell
iswr ongwithyoubutyoubetterf
ixi
t.
..
Andfixi
tfast
..
.Yourassignmenti si
nGaboronebuttheway
you'
reatt
achedtoMauni doubtyou'
llev
enfocus.

Mongayawnedagai
nandopenedabott
leofwat
eranddr
unkt
hen
hest
oodupbeforeadj
ust
ingt
helapt
opcamera.
.

Hi
m:What
'sgoi
ngonwi
thy
ou?

Monga:
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Arewedone?

Ther
ewasaknockatt
hemai
ndoor
..
.

Monga:
Arewedone?I
'
llgi
vey
ouaposi
ti
vef
eedbacki
nthenext3
weeks.I
'
lll
eavethi
sweekandstudymyt
argetphy
sical
l
ybef
oreI
candoanythi
ng.Arewegood?

Hi
m:Wear
edone.Thanks.

Monga:
Hav
eagoodday
.

Hecutt
heconnecti
onandclosedt
hedoor
,helockedupandput
t
hekeysinthebedr
oom bef
oreput
ti
ngonhisTshir
tandopened
t
hedoor.
..

Thongwal
kedi
nandsi
ghed.
..

Thong:
Whati
sit
?

Monga:
Hav
eabeer
,whyar
eyout
ense?You'
resor
are.
..

Mongawalkedintheki
tchenandcameoutwi
tht
wobot
tl
est
hen
hehandedhim anot
her
..
.

Monga: Soi t
'sfi
nal
lyoverwithLana.Shewant st
hatLopangguy
andpar tofmei sgladshedidn'tdr
agmeandmakemef eel
stupid.I
'm happyaboutthat.
.I'
m donetryi
ngtofi
ndlove.Ij
ust
needawomanwi thnodirecti
oninherli
fe,someonewhowi l
l
foll
owmear oundjusttodri
nkbeerandhav ef
un.Letwhoever
j
udgesdoso, i
don'
tcare.I'
velosti
nter
estincommi t
ted
rel
ati
onshipsandgakesathol
ekeneelangwanawagaopepel
o
yame.Ifsheevengetssympathyfr
om metabeal
elucky
.Women
areungrat
efulandi
fyoulovethem t
heyhur
tyou.

Thong:
Yousaidyouwantt
otal
kaboutKhumo,
whatdi
dshedo?
I
sshecheat
ingorwhat?

Mongapausedsippingandlookedathi
m,par
tofhi
m want
edto
l
aughoutloudbutitwasactual
lysadandhesi
ghedl
ooki
ngat
Thong'
slongcur
iousface.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

MeanwhileApul
awalkedinthehousewhi
leAtsi
l
ecookedi
nthe
ki
tchen,
sheglancedatAtsi
l
eandheadedtothebedr
oom wher
e
shechangedherclot
hesandtookashower.

Atsi
lepl
acedherfoodont hetabl
eandbroughtherdr
inkthenshe
headedtothebedroom whereshebegunsort
ingherl
itt
lesist
ers
shoesandclot
hes...

Apulawalkedbackinf
rom t
hebathroom andsatonthebed
withoutawordchangi
nghercl
otheswhil
eAt si
l
equietl
ysor
ted
thewar dr
obewit
houtaword.
Shetookherphoneandwenttotjedi
ningtabl
ewher
esheateand
l
eftforLoago'
shouse.At
sil
ewalkedoutandstar
edatthepl
ate
onthediningt
abl
ethenshetookitt
othesinkandwashedit
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#65

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Mongapoppedanotherbeert
opleaningagai
nstt
hecarand
droppedi
ttohi
sfootbefor
ekicki
ngitawaywhil
eThongsaton
thecampchair
..
.

Monga:Promi
semey
ouwon'
tbeangr
yatherf
ort
alki
ngt
ome
abouti
t.

Thongsi
ghedt
aki
ngasi
pandr
ubbedhi
sheadl
eani
ngback.
..

Monga:Shelovesy
ou,t
hatvoicei
sthevoi
ceofawomant hat
l
ovesherman.Mostwoment alkt
othei
rfr
iendsandr el
ati
vesbut
shetal
kedtomebecausesheknowswear eclose.Shewant s
changesandshewant
stobehappywi t
hyou...Don'
tscrewitup.

Thong:
Ijustdi
dn'
tthi
nki
twasabi
gdeal
..
.Wej
ustagr
eedoni
t.

Monga:No,shedidn'
thaveachoi
ce.Yougav
eherar ul
eandshe
fol
l
owedit.
..Bei
ngsingl
eisnotni
ce.Gagomonate,
Iwishihada
womanwhowoul ddoherbesttomakesurethi
ngsare
corr
ect
ed.
..I'
dworshipawomanwhocor r
ect
smewhenI '
m
wr onginst eadofcheat i
ng.Pl easetreatherr ight,plusshei s
pregnant .Apr egnantwomani sli
keal i
ttleGod. ..Youwor shipthe
airshebr eat hes...Youmakeherhappybecausei fnotwhat ever
comesouti sy ourf ault.Theycar rythebabi eswemakesur e
they'rehappy .
..Mosadi galepr egnantev eni fal eunr easonable
youj ustgoal ongbecauseoncet hosehor monesgodownandt he
babyi sbor n...Shei sgoi ngt orememberhowst upi danddump
sheact ed, shewi l
l l
aughather selfyesbutshewi lll
ov eand
respecty ouf ort olerati
ngt hatandnotwal kingaway .Don't
i
mpr i
sonher ,letherout ..
.Gooutwi t
hher ,showherMaunand
teachherhowt odr ivesoshecangoshoppi ngf orthebaby '
s
things..
.Iwi shi wast her ef orLana'spregnancy ,unf or
t unat
elyshe
didn'twantmet obepar tofi t.Youhav ei t
, appr eciateitbecause
gol athi
siwangwanaosai t
segor eoi misitsei sv erypai nful
.
Appr eci
at ey ourwi fe..
.At si
lehur tyoubuty ouhav et omov eon...
Ther eisnot hingnewt hatcounsel li
ngisgoi ngt ot el
l you.Khumo
i
snotAt sileendoft hest ory.

Thongputt
hebot
tl
edownandsi
ghed.
..

Thong:
Keagout
wal
ait
eaka.
..

Monga:Thi sisyourfi
rstchi
l
d,iunderst
andwhenguy swhohave
4kidswi t
hot herwomendon'tgetexcit
edaboutapr egnancy
anymore...Thisisy
ourfir
stchi
ld,y
oushoul dn'
tevenwantKhumo
toworr
y .NoManD. ..Youcandobet t
erlai
teaka.

Thong:
IthoughtI
'
m doi
ngev
ery
thi
ngr
ight
,justwant
edt
opr
otect
ourmar
ri
agebuti
seewhaty
oumeannow.
..Iunder
stand.

Monga:
Yeah,
baakany
alai
teaka.
..

Thongsi
ghedl
eanedbackt
aki
nghi
sphoneandt
ext
edhi
swi
fe.
..

Thong:Il
oveyousomuch, i
swearI
'l
ldobet
terthanI'
m doi
ng
now.Expectbi
gchanges.Keautwagakekgalemelwa,ska
mphelel
apeloMmagwepopae.

Khumo: Il
ovey
out
oo

Thong:
Sti
l
lchi
ll
ingwit
hMat
aozenbuti
fyouwantmehomej
ust
l
etmeknowI'l
lbether
e.

Khumo:Takey
ourti
me,I'
m wat
chi
ngt
hesoapy
,it
'ssadi
don'
t
knowhowstor
iesst
art
ed.

Thong:
I'
llf
indyoui
ntr
oduct
orycl
i
pssoy
oucanunder
standt
he
summariesandcat
chup.

Khumo:
Thanks

Thong:
Any
thi
ngi
shoul
dbr
ingy
ou?

Khumo:
Any
thi
ngsal
tyi
sfi
ne.

Thong:
Ok.

Heputt
hephonebackinhi
spocketandl
ookedatMongaashe
dust
edhi
scarmats.
..
Thong:
AboutLana.
..Iknowy
ou'
rehur
tthoughosabuesepe

Hecar
ri
edondust
ing.
..

Thong:
ArebuekaLana.
.

Monga:Thereisnot hi
ngtotal
kabout,i
wai t
edthewholeyearto
fi
ndoutshemov edonwi thhim.Hedidn'tevenmakemov eson
hertheenti
reti
me. .
.Hewaitedunt
ilt
herewasapossi bi
li
tyof
l
osingagoodmai dandthenmademov esonher .
..Theworst
thi
ngisthatshelovedhimtheenti
reti
meandwasj ustwait
ingfor
himtosaythewor d...

Thong:
Sor
ryaut
wa?

Monga:
(laughed)Ok

Thong:
(laughed)I
'
m ser
ious

Monga:
(laughed)Iknow.

Thong:
MJ?

Monga: I
'l
lseehim onweekendsasshesay s.Ireall
ydon'twantto
beadi f
fi
cultbabydaddy..
.Iknowt hat
'st
henextst ep,shesays1K
i
senoughf orthebaby..
.Irai
sedHopebymy sel
fandi knowa
babyneedswaymor ethanthat.
..
thenshesay sMi chaelt
akes
careofeveryt
hing.Fr
om hereI'
llaskformyson' sbirt
hcerti
fi
cate
soi cani
ncludehim onmyt hi
ngs.Iknowr aisi
nghi misgoingto
bediff
icul
tbutiwon'tfi
ghther,i
fshegi vesmeaweekendor
hol
idaysonlyI
'l
lacceptandmakesur emysoni shappyinmy
house.Whenhei s16I'l
lexpl
ainevery
t hingtohi
m andiknowhe
wil
lunderst
and.Kidsknowwhot hebitterordi
ff
icul
tpar
entis
whentheygetolder.
..Bytheti
mehei sanadul tI'
dhavecreated
somuchl egi
twealthhewoul dneverthinkofdoingther
ubbishi
do.

Thongsmi
l
edl
ooki
ngathi
m..
.

Thong:
I'
m pr
oudofy
ou.
..Thoughty
ou'
l
lbr
eakdown.

Monga:I
'm donewi
tht
hat
,I'
m doneexpecti
nganythi
ngser
iouske
bat
amogosenangmowar einwelekemoj aatsamaya,
gake
mmitsaat
akemoj akemommusaj ustl
i
kethat.

Thong:That
'snotbadei
therasl
ongasy
ouusepr
otect
ion
becausemosadihaesewagagokewamongwelemongweand
womenhav eSTDs.

Monga:
Iknow.
..

Thong:(
stood)Letmegohomeandhav eal
it
tl
etal
kwi
thpr
eggy
thenI
'mtakingheroutonadr
iveaboneMaun.
.

Monga:
Sur
eboy

Theyshoul
derbumpedandpar
tedasThonggoti
nhi
scar
..
.
Thong:Bytheway,pl
easetal
kt oRandallandThato,theygett
oo
comfor
tableontheset.Er
ictr
iestoshaket hem upbutbabodipa.
Icamethiscl
osetopunchingThatoont hemout h,t
heycame
drunkt
otheset.

Monga:
Theycamedr
unkt
otheset
?Ar
eyousur
e?

Thong:
Yeah.
.

Monga:
Bagony el
a,t
henextt
hingt
heywi
l
lbebl
ubber
ingand
get
ti
ngall
ofusarr
ested.

Thong:
Solvethem,Randal
lwagoi
tebat
saormay
bei
tsbecause
youhaven'
tbeenshowingupsobait
ebala.

Monga:I
'l
lseethem t
odayortomorr
owmor ni
ngbecauseI'
m
l
eavingf
orGabs.Ihavesomethingt
odothereforaweekortwo
t
here.Gotaar
ekeyebarengtodaykeyegotsayamogoka
mphangkuku2weeks.

Thong:
(laughed)Pi
ckabeaut
if
ulpi
eceofmeat

Monga:
Idon'
tcar
eaboutany
thi
ng,
asl
ongasshehasahol
ei
canf
uckI'
mfi
ne.

Thong:
(laughed)Al
ri
ght
,cheer
sman.
.

Monga:
Sur
e..
.

Hedr
oveof
f,Mongal
ockedt
hehouseanddr
oveof
faswel
l
.
AtMi
chael
'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erthatev
eni
ngMichaelwal
kedi
nthehouseunbut
toni
nghi
s
shi
rt
,hebentov
erandpickedt
hebabywhi
leKingwat
chedTV.
..

Ki
ng:
Daddydon'
twakehi
m..
.Hewascr
ying

Mi
chael
:Imi
ssedhi
m..
.Wher
eismama?

Ki
ng:
Int
heki
tchen.
..

Heputhi
spol
i
cehatoverMJ'
sheadandwal
kedi
ntheki
tchen
wher
eLanawaswashi
ngthedi
shes.
..

Mi
chael
:Hey

Lana:
Hi.
..Weneedt
otal
k..
.

Mi
chael
:Soundsser
ious.
..

Lana:
Iti
s..
.

Sheshowedhim herphoneasher eadMonga'

smessage,"Ineed
MJ' sbi
rt
hcert
if
icat
esoi canaddhim onaf
ewt hi
ngs.Don'
t
forgeti
twhenyoubringhimthi
sweekend"Michaelt
ookadeep
breathandsi
ghed..
.
Mi
chael
:Di
dyouexpl
ainwhathappened?

Lana:
No,idi
dn'
twantt
ohurthim.Hewasalreadyhur
tandican'
t
i
maginehowhewouldhav
ef el
tifi
justt
oldhi
mt hetr
uth.

Michael
:Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lhi
m whent
heweekendget
s
by
?

Lana:Iwantustochangei
twi
thouthi
m knowi
ngwhathappened
i
nt hebeginni
ng.Can'
twegot
oregist
rat
ionof
fi
cet
omorrowand
changeit?

Mi chael:Changi
ngf ather'
si sal
onglegal process, youhav etofi
le
cour tpapersexpl
ainingwhyy ouwantt ochanget hef ather
s.I
f
yousayy ouregi
steredmeknowi ngI'
m nott hef athery oubroke
thelaw, yougavefalsei nformat
ionwhi chisanof fencesobet t
er
youj ustsayyouthoughti wasthefather,whi chthent hecourtwil
l
orderbot hofustot akeaDNAt est.Mongawi l
lcomeoutt he
fatherthenthecourtwi llordert
heofficetor eplacemynamewi th
his.

Lana:
What
?!

Mi
chael
:Andthereisnowayal
lthesewillhappenwit
hout
Monga'
sknowledge,i
tsal
ongprocess.Can'tyouj
usttel
lhi
mit
s
mi
ne?

Lana:No,heaskedmef i
rstmeani
nghe'l
lfi
ghtusbesi desidon'
t
wanttobethatkindofawoman.Igav eyouMichaelbecausei
di
dn'tMongawoul dr
eal
lyli
kehim orme..
.Hedidn'tactli
kehe
l
ovesmeatal landIwasangryidi
dn'twantanyt
hingt odowith
hi
m.Nowi
feel
badandIwantt
odot
her
ightt
hingbymychi
l
dtoo

Michael
:Ourchild.
..MJhasbeenoursal
lalong,
wemighthav
e
notbeendatingbutiwashisf
athersi
ncethedayif
oundout
you'
repregnant.

Lana:
Iknow.
..Sor
ry.
..(
sighed)I
'
m soscar
ed.
..

Michael
:Don'tbe.
..Justt
ell
himyou'
renotsur
eifhei
sthefat
her
t
hent el
lhimifhewant sy
oucangothroughcour
ttoputhi
m on
t
hecer t
if
icat
e.

Lana:(si
ghed)Idon'twanthi
mtoknowyou'
reonthebi
rt
h
cert
if
icat
e,hewillgetmoreangr
ywhenhelooksatt
hecert
if
icat
e.

Michael:Justmakeexcusesunt
ilhedr
opst
hecer
ti
fi
cat
eissueee,
t
hat'stheonlyopti
on.

Lana:
Ok.
.

Michael
:Pleasestopworryi
ng..
.Lookatme...
.(shesi
ghed)We
gotthi
s..
.i
t'
syou,meandt hekids.Wegotthroughbotset
siand
wewi l
lgothroughthi
stogether.It
hinkweshouldgetmarri
ed.

Lana:
Yout
hink?

Mi
chael
:Yeah,
it'
sP60i
thi
nk.
.

Lana:
Whatdoy
oumean?Ther
eismagadi
andot
her
s

Michael:Wedon' tneedy ourparents,t

heydon' tknowwhat '
sgood
foryouandtheywi l
lruinthi
s.Wej ustneed2wi tnessesandP60
tolegal
lygetmar ri
ed...Al
l t
hoseexpensesar efort het
radi
ti
on,
whichisuselessbecausey ourparentsdidn'tevenwantan
educati
onfory ou.Youdon' tneedt hem i
ny ourlife.Wecanjustgo
getmarriedandwecangetacompanyt oor gani
seoursmal l
wedding.Wei nv i
teourfriendsandtakeourv ows,goforpictur
es
andwear edone...Get
tingmar ri
edi
sn'thar d..
.Setswanatradit
ion
i
swhatmakesi tdif
fi
cultwi t
hcows,meet ingsandunnecessar y
expenses.What 'simportantisyoubeingsaf eincaseany t
hing
happenst ome. .
.Imaginei fidi
eandmyf ami l
ykicksyououtwi th
nothi
ngal lbecausewear enotmarri
ed.Ithappensandy ouknow
i
t..

Lana:Iknow.
.Justthatmmei sf
ine,
onlypapaist
roubl
ewhen
drunkbuthemeanswel l
.Lackofeducat
ioncansometi
mesmake
parent
slooki
gnorant.

Michael:Youdon'
tneedthem,iknowyouwi shitwasdiff
erentbut
yourparentsar
en'
tgood..
.They
'renotanydiff
erentfr
om Monga
whot ookyoubacktothefar
mt houghheclaimst ohaveloved
you.

Lana:
(si
ghed)You'
rer
ight
..
.

Michael
:Wear egoi
ngtomakeit.
..Goi
ngbacktoyourfami
l
yor
si
sterswi
llcomebetweenusbecauseiknowtheywil
lsayy
ou
shoul
dgiveMongaachance.Youknowol dpeopl
e..

Lana:
Iknow,andi
tseemshewasgoi
ngther
emonthl
ytochecki
f
Icameandeachti
mehe'dbr
ingt
hem gr
ocer
ies.

Mi
chael
:Exact
ly.
..

Hehuggedherandt
heysi
ghed.
..
Att
hebar
..
..

Lat
erthatni
ghtMongasatbythecount
ersippi
ngwine,hetur
ned
andlookedatt
hetwogir
lssi
tt
ingontheotherchai
rstal
ki
ng..
.

Hecoul
dn'
theart
hei
rconver
sat
ionfr
om thel
oudli
vemusicbut
f
rom t
henumberofbot
tl
esonthetabl
etheyhadhi
ghtol
erance.
..

Hest oodupandwal kedovert

othem t
henhepulledachairand
satnexttothethi
ckone,nowthathewasclosershewasn'teven
thatold.Shewasjustfat
..
.Somethi
ngheneededf orachange.
..

Monga:
Hi.
..

Ski
nny
:Hi

Fat
:Hi
..

Monga:
I'
venev
erseent
hickl
ooksobeaut
if
ul.
..Wai
tshwanel
a.

Fat
:(l
aughed)Thanky
ou.
.

Monga:
Cani
buyy
oul
adi
essomedr
inks?

Skinny
:No,weareheadi
nghome.Shehadenoughf
ort
heni
ght
..
.
(t
oher)Let
'sgo
Her
:Yougo.
..I
'
mfi
ne

Ski
nny
:Don'
tst
artLucy
..
.Idon'
twantt
obaby
sity
ou.

Her
:I'
m st
il
lhav
ingfunwi
ththi
sguy.
..Oj
eal
ouswenakana.For
t
hefir
stti
mesomeonepaidatt
ent
iontomeinst
eadofy
ou
j
aanongwaborega.

Skinny:Ican'
tbeli
evethi
s,weareal
wayssupposedtoleav
e
together.(
whisper
ed)Let'
sgo,nnakeaotsel
a.I'
vebeenbeggi
ng
yougor eiwanttosleep.

Her
:Vaamma,
nnakeshapo.Keset
sel
eSt
eve-
war
eomangkana?

Monga:
Monga

Her
:Mongai
swi
thme.
..Ci
ao!

Theski
nnygi
rlwal
kedaway
,Mongat
urnedandl
ookedather
l
aughi
ng..
.

Monga:
You'
recr
azy

Her
:Ij
ustwantt
ohav
efun

Monga:I
t'sapit
yI'
m goi
ngt
oGabor
onekamosomme, thena
weekaft
erI'
ll
beinSAbutkeaboaaf
teranot
herweek.
..
I'
m goi
ng
t
omi ssyou.
..
.

Shet
ookoutapasspor
tfr
om herpur
seandsmi
l
ed.
..
Her:Icarrymypasspor twithmebecausei knowwhenachance
offunpopsi tneedsagir
ltobeready ..
.Byt hewaymynamei s
Lucy.(si
ppedhercockt ail
)therr
atakemewi t
hy ou,
ijustwant
beautif
ul picturesformyInstagr
am, ifyouwantpussyi canride
youreallygoodbutwi thacondom unl essr etestert
hennkagoe
neelahelay othethewayy ouwant.(grinnedhi di
ngbehindher
cocktail
)Takemewi thyoutoSA, iwantpi cturesonthebeachf or
mysoci al medi a.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#66

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erthatnightMongapar
kedt
hecarwhi
l
eLucysi
ppedher
Savanna.
..

Monga:Aren'
tyougoingtobesi
ckmi
xi
ngJackDani
els,
di
cockt
ail
slediSavanna?

Lucy
:No

Monga:
Whower
eyouwi
th?

Lucy
:Shei
smyol
dersi
ster

Monga:
Thatski
nnygi
rl
?

Lucy
:Yeah.
.

Monga:
Babeel
egor
ehowol
dar
eyou?Letmeseey
ourpasspor
t.

Shehandedhi
mthepasspor
tthenhecheckedherdet
ail
sand
l
aughed.
..

Monga:
Soi
t'
str
ue,
wheny
ouseet
wosi
ster
swal
ki
ngt
het
hick
onei
sthey
oungest
.

Theylaughedgetti
ngoutofthecarandclosedt
hedoors.She
fi
nishedherSavannaandthr
ewt hebott
leonthelawn.Monga
tur
nedandl ookedather
,shepickedi
tupandshrugged..
.

Theywal
kedi
nthenhecl
osedt
hedoor
..

Monga:
Sitdown.
..

Shesatdownandtookof
fhershoest
henshet
ookoutherphone
andsear
chedfort
heWiFi
..

Lucy
:St
evewee?Passwor
dyaWi
Fi.
.

Mongawal
kedov
erwi
tht
hef
ir
stai
dbox.
..

Monga:
Itol
dyoumynamei
sMonga

Lucy
:Kant
ennaSt
evekemot
sakae.
..

Mongaopenedt
hecaseandt
ookoutat
est
ingki
t.
..
Monga:
I'
mtest
ingy
ouf
orHI
V

Lucy
:Ar
eyouadoct
or?

Monga:
No,

Lucy:ButHI
Vtesti
sonl
ydoneat
..
.Wai
t,doy
ouwor
katt
he
test
ingcent
re?

Monga:
I'
m sel
fempl
oyed.
..Gi
vemey
ourf
inger
..
.

Shegav
ehi
m herf
ingerwhi
l
elooki
ngar
oundt
hehouse.
..

Lucy
:Yourgi
rl
fr
iendi
sbeaut
if
ul.
..

Monga:
Babymama

Lucy
:Bety
ourdaught
eri
spr
ett
y

Monga:
Son

Lucy:You'r
ecut etooI'
m sur
ehei scut
e.Ifeelsorr
yforpeople
whof al
linlovebecausewheny ouloseeveryt
hingli
febecomes
point
less.I
'm notj
ealousoranythi
ngjustsayi
ng,themorey ou
l
ovethemor eit
'sgoingtohurt
.

Monga:
Atl
eastweagr
eeononet
hing,
dir
elat
ionshi
pkemaaka
hel
a.

Lucy
:Nnyaatr
uelov
eexists,
butyoucanonl
yfinditonce.I
fyou
l
oseyourfami
lyy
ou'l
lneverbethesame.Af
terthatkemaaka
hel
a..
.(f
li
nched)Ouch!

Hegaveheracott
onwoolandshesighedr
ubbi
ngherf
ingert
hen
shest
ooduppressi
ngherphone.
..

Lucy
:Passwor
dthewena.

Monga:
HopeTi
kii
ncapi
tal
let
ter
s

Sheconnect
edt
oWi
Fit
henshet
ookaf
ewpi
ctur
esofher
sel
f.
.

Lucy
:Yourhouseisbeauti
ful
..
.Ineedagownandagl
assofwi
ne
soicantakegoodpict
ures.
..

Mongat
hrewheragown.
..

Monga:
Got
otheki
tchen.
..

Shewalkedint
hekit
chenandtookpi
ctur
eswhi
l
ehewai
tedfor
herr
esult
s,onl
yoneli
neshowedthenhecol
l
ect
edev
ery
thi
ngand
di
sposedit.
Hewalkedint
heki
tchenandl
eanedbyt
hedoorwat
chi
nghert
ake
pi
ctur
es..
.

Monga:
Nnakeaot
sel
a..
.

Lucy
:Shoul
dicomef
ucky
oubef
orey
ousl
eep?

Monga: (l
aughed)No,ketaajaphakel
a..
..And.
..
.il
i
ket obe
spontaneous,nextt
imejustfuckmedon'taskmeify oushoul
d.I
t
turnsmeof fi
fyoumakei tsoundli
keadut yot
herthanwhatyou
feel.

Lucy
:Ok.
..Goodni
ght
.

Shecarri
edontaki
ngpictures,
Mongast ar
edathersuspi
ciousl
y
andlockedthemaindoorthenhepickedhiswal
letandwalkedin
thebedroom wher
ehehidt hem bef
oregoi
ngtosleep.
.

Lucypostedapictureofhersel
finagownholdi
ngaglassofwine
withacapti
on."If
eel l
i
kecheckingonbanabaRamaphosawai t
se,
ishoul
dmakei thappent hi
sweekornext.Kanakooevery
thi
ng
i
ll
egalhereisl
egal t
here.
..I
yooGodpleasemakeithappen. I
knowI'
mt ooambi ti
ous."

React
ionsfr
om fol
lowersrol
ledi
nasshesmil
edthenshewalked
i
nthebedroom andlai
dbehindMonga.Hetur
nedaroundhalf
asl
eepandputhisarm aroundherwhi
l
eshepressedherphone.
Monga:
(hal
fasl
eep)Baber
obal
agol
ate.
..

Hereachedf
orherphonewi
thhi
sey
esst
il
lcl
osedt
henheputi
t
ov
ertheheadboardandhel
dher
.

AtLopang'
sHouse.
..

Ont hesameni ghtasshel ai dont hebed, Lanasighed

thought ful
ly...Thiswasnotherdr eam weddi ng,weddi ngsbacki n
thev il
lagebr ingsomuchj oy .
..Theal lnightsingingofchoi r
s..
.
Meatf easting...Traditionalbeerdr i
nkinganddesser ts...The
happi nesst hatherpar entswoul dhav e..
.Nottoment iont hepri
de
ofjustmar ryingof fy ourdaught er..
.Themosti mportantpar t;
beingt oldhowt omanagey ourf amilyasawi f
eandbei ngt aken
toy ouri nl
aws. ..I
fshegotmar ri
edwi thouttheparents
i
nv olvementshewoul dnev erweart šaleorat t
endal ltraditi
onal
meet ingsf orweddi ngs. .
..
wher eLopangcamef rom thiswasn' t
probabl ythatst ri
ctbutnoti nherv i
ll
ageori nMaun.Peopl ewho
hav en'tdonet het r
adi t
ional weddi nggetchasedoutoft he
meet ings...Ify oudon' tgot hrought her i
ghtpathy ou'
renot
recogni sed...
.Shesi ghedt ossed. .
.

Meanwhi
l
eMi
chael
sighedt
alki
ngt
ohi
sbr
other
..
.
Him:Youcan' tdothattoourparents..
.You'
llshamet hewhole
famil
yifyouelopeandifi act
uall
ygoaheadbecomey ourwitness
thenidon'
tloveyoubecausei mar ri
edmywi f
epr operly
.Gony ala
gonaleseriti
andt her
earei mportantthi
ngsduringtheprocess..
.
I
fy oul
ovethatgirl
mar ryherproperly
.

Lopang:
Idon'
thav
emoneyf
oraweddi
ng

Hi
m:Thenwai
t,what
'swi
tht
her
ush?

Lopang:
Ifi
don'
tmarr
yherthebabydaddyisgoi
ngtogether
,o
gaket
sekangwanal
ebir
thcert
if
icat
e.Idon'
twantt
oloseher
..
.

Him: Andifyoudon'twantconfl
ictsdon'
ttrytostealt
hatboy ,
he
hasaf at
her.IknowMonga, wewentt ouniv
ersi
tytogetherandhe
i
sagoodguyi fhaachenja.Hegotal ongwitheveryguyandev en
girl
sli
kedhim...Idon'
tbuythatexcusey agorethi
sguy
abandonedheratt hecatt
lepost,hemusthav ehadagood
reason.Haveyouaskedher ?

Lopang:
Ijustwantt
ogetmar
ri
ed,
I'
ll
paymagadi
lat
er.
.

Him: Oneothermist
akehowt odonameanot herman'
schi
ldaf
ter
you?Kanabi rt
hri
ghtisn'
tajoke.
..KingisgoingtohateMJ
becausei fy
ousowant edaJunior.
..Kingshouldhavebeen
Junior.
..HowisKingsupposedtof eelaboutit?

Lopang:
MJi
sli
keason.
..Isuppor
tedhi
mfr
om bi
rt
h

Him:St
il
l,
heshouldhav
ebeenMJunderthecondit
ionsofhi
m
bei
ngfi
rstatl
east
..
.Notsecondbor
nboybei
ngjuni
or..
.Doyou
ev
enknowwhatj
uni
ormeans?I
t'
syourf
ir
stson.
..

Lopang:I
t'
sjustanamef orus,andit'
stool
atenow.
..Legal
ei
don'
tknowwhatshewi lldowhenMongaf i
ndsout
.IfMonga
tr
oublesuswewi l
lchangeMj'ssurname.

Hi
m: Don'
tl
etst
resscontr
oly
ou..
.Iknowyoulov
eherbutso
t
hingsri
ght
..
.Waitwi
ththeweddi
ng.Saveanddori
ght
..
..

Lopang:
Ok.
..Wi
l
ltal
ktoy
out
omor
row

Hi
m:Sur
e

Hehungupandknockedonherdoor
,sher
espondedt
henhe
wal
kedin.
..

Lopang:
Hi.
.

Lana:
Hi

Hel
aidnextt
oherandsi
ghedhol
dingher
..
.

Lana:Iwantthepr
idethatcomeswi
thel
der
sput
ti
ngt
šal
ear
ound
youandgol ai
walekgoroso.

Lopang:
Mybrothert
alkedtomeabouti ttoosoIt hinkifweget
marri
ednowweshouldkeepqui etabouti
tandsav eformagadi.
Youcanbetheoneguardingoursavings.
.Rightnowt hetrut
hisi
don'
thav
emoney
..
.Icanonl
yaf
for
dtosuppor
tthef
ami
l
y.

Lana:Ok,
iunderst
and.
..I
'
m sor
ryf
orput
ti
ngy
ouunderpr
essur
e.
I'
mjustaf
raidtolosey
ou..

Lana:
Youwon'
tl
oseme.
..

Heleanedoverki
ssi
nghert
henhegotont
opandki
ssedher
t
ouchingher
...

Lana:
(whi
sper
ed)St
il
lbr
east
feedi
ng.
..

Lopang:
Youknowi t'
sjustamyt
h..
.Kebei
l
eMJbot
set
siand
nothi
nghappened.
..Heismyson..
.

Heki
ssedherassheki
ssedhi
m backandputherar
msar
ound
hi
m..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Thenextmor ni
ngApulawalkedi
nthehousewhi
leAt
silemade
breakfasti
ntheki
tchen,
shewenttothebedr
oom wi
thoutsay
ing
awor d..
.

Shepausedl
ooki
ngatheri
ronedcl
othesont
hebedt
henshegot
i
nthebathroom andbathedbefor
eputt
ingonherclothes.She
wal
kedinthekitchenandstoodbywait
ingforherplat
e,Atsi
le
di
shedforherselfandputt
hepaninthesinkthenshepoured
water
..
.

Shegrabbedt
heplateandwal
kedpastApul
achewi
ngt
henshe
satdownandcrossedherl
egswat
chingTV.

Apula'
smouthdroppedasshecheckedint
hemi cr
owav
e,ther
e
wasnothingt
henshewalkedtotheli
vi
ngroom andwat
chedher
eat
ing.
..

Apul
a:Tsamedi
kae?{
wher
eismi
ne?P

Atsi
le:Gaoit
setankiaker
e...
{You'
reungr
atef
ul}Gotowork..
.I'
l
l
cookforyouwheny ouafteryou'
vesaidt
hanky ouf
oryester
day's
food.Nkareol
esetshwakgal epit
saabeodiramakgakga.

Apul
a:Tanki

Atsi
l
estoodupandwalkedi
ntheki
tchenthensheopenedthe
shel
fandgotherf
ood,
shewalkedi
nt hel
i
v i
ngroom andhanded
herthepl
ate.
..

At
sil
e:Her
eisy
ourf
ood.
..
Shegott
hepl
ateandsatdownt
hensheat
e,sheputt
hepl
ateon
thet
abl
eandwalkedout
..
.

Apul
a:Ij
ustsai
ditsoi
caneat
.Mxm.
..

Sheclosedthedoorandl
eft
..
.Atsi
l
epickedthecarkeysandsat
down,mi nut
esl
aterApul
awalkedinandsighedl
ookingather
si
ster
...

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#67

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Apul
a:Cani
hav
emykey
s?

At
sil
e:Howl
ongar
ewegoi
ngt
oli
vel
i
ket
his?

Apul
a:Soyou'
reheretol
ivewit
hmebutcoul
dn'
tli
vewithme
whenihadablueeye?Rememberwhenyousai
dy ou'
dcometake
car
eofmeandf ai
ledbecauseyouwer
ebusysl
eepingwit
hyour
nei
ghbour
?

At
sil
e:Soi
twasnev
erov
er?

Apula:
Howcani tbeoverbecausey ounev ersaysorry?Everyone
hastoforgi
veyouwheny ouneverev enaskf orfor
giv
eness...Do
youwantmet oguessthatyou'
resor ryfori
nsinuat
ingthatIwas
j
ealousofyoubysayi
ngThongi sget ti
ngmar ri
ed?Youdon' tjust
gettocookformethenwebecomesi st
ers..
.Iam actuall
yhurt
butyouwon'tnot
icet
hatbecausey ounev erseewheny ou'
re
wrong.

Atsi
l
e:Youdi
dn'
tacknowl
edgemypr
esence,
howwasi
goi
ngt
o
apol
ogi
se?

Apula:
Wasi supposedt
ostopevery
t hi
ngandbentovergreeti
ng
you?You'
vegotsomuchpr i
deandi swearI'
l
lnev
erseey outhe
same.Inevert
houghtanyofmysist
er swoul
dthi
nkI'
mj ealousof
t
hem, youallevenmakemef eelgui
l
tyforacknowledgi
ngthe
t
hingsIdoasi fimockyou.Ichosepeaceanduntilyougi
veme
meapr operapologyi
will
notacknowledge,I
'drat
herli
vemylif
e
l
ikeyoudon'texist
.

Atsil
e: I
'
m sor ryforev erythingIsaid..
.Howdoy ouev enapologi
se
forsomet hingl i
ket his.
..It'
snotami stakeit'
sjustst upidi
ty.
..If
eel
stupidfornotbel ievingy ou...I'
m sorry
, pl
easef orgiveme. .
.It
wasn'tpr i
de...Iwasashamedandembar rassed...Someonet el
l
s
yousomet hingandy oudon' tbeli
evethem cany ouimagi neit
turni
ngoutt obet rueaf terodi ramakgakga?Iam ashamed. .
Pleasef or
giv eme. .
.Ify oudon' tforgi
vemeI '
llbeher ecookingand
cleaningfory ouunt ilyouf orgiveme

Apula:(
smil
ed)Real
l
y?I
nthatcasei
hav
edi
rt
ysneaker
sint
he
wardrobe

At
sil
e:(
smi
l
ed)Eemma,
theywi
l
lbecl
eanwheny
ougetback.

Apul
alaughedandhuggedher
..
.

Apul
a:If
orgi
vey
ou.
..(
sighed)Howar
eyoucopi
ng?

At
sil
e:I
'm st
ressed,
imi
ssThongbuti
thi
nkI
'
veaccept
edt
hathe
wi
llnev
erloveme.

Apula:
Wheny ouhurtsomeonewhoi sfai
thf
ultoyouithurt
safter
notduri
ngthecheati
ng,af
terev
erythi
ngyoulookatthem andsee
whatalossitwas.
..I
'l
lnev
erforgetMonga.Heissti
lli
nhere..
.But
iknowicanneverbethesameinhi
sey
est
hat'
swhyi appreci
ate
Loagobecauseheissomethi
ngcl
oset
oMonga.You'
l
l al
somov e
on..
.

Atsi
le:Iknow, i
haveli
ke3or4sol di
ersi
nmyi nboxbut
somet i
mesi thinkt
hey'reall
play
ingmeandt heywantapieceof
met hendisappear.I
'l
ltell
youallabouti
twheny ougetbackf
rom
work..
.(handedherthekey s)Go,you'
rel
ate

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Ok,
bye

Sher
ushedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Onthesamemor ni
ngMongaslowlyl
i
ftedhi
sheadof
fthepi
ll
ow
andtur
nedaroundy awningasl
oudmusicpl
ayed,
hegotupand
putonhissweatpants.
..

Lana'
smot
hercal
l
ed,
Mongat
urnedandpi
ckedt
hecal
l
...

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Lana'
ssi
ster
:Dumel
angl
ebual
eSedi
.

Monga:
War
engSedi
Sedi:
Papai snotf
eeli
ngwell
,wehavebeenhit
chhiki
ngatthebus
stopsince6am wi
thhim sowecantakehi
mt othecli
nicmaybe
theambulancewil
ltakehimtoMaunbutther
earenocar s.

Monga:
Whataboutt
hebus?

Sedi
:Wedon'thavemoneyforabusandwecoul
dhaveusedt
he
donkeycar
tasusualbutt
hedonkeyshav
ebeenmissi
ngf
ora
whil
e.

Monga:
Hasn'
tLanacont
act
edanyofy
ousi
nceshel
eftl
asty
ear
?

Sedi
:No,
doy
ouknowwher
eshei
s?

Monga:Um..
.Notr
eall
y.I
'm goingtoGabor
onethi
safter
noon..
.I
wi
shicouldcomeoverandhelp.Ift
herewasanybankagents
t
hereI
'dsendmoneybutIdon'tknowhowt ohel
p.

Sedi
:Ok,
iunder
stand.Letmenotf
ini
sht
heai
rt
ime.

Monga:
Bye

Hehungupt henhesighedgui
ltstr
icken,
themassivechangeof
behav
iourf
rom thi
soldmanaf terl
osinghisdaught
erandthe
amountofrespecthehadforMonga. .
.Hesighedanddial
l
ed
Lana.
.

Lana:
Hel
l
o?

Monga:
Yourf
atheri
ssi
ck,
cany
oudr
ivebackhomeandgethi
m?

Lana:
I'
m sur
ehei
snotsi
ck,
abusi
vepeopl
edon'
tgetsi
ck.
Monga: Yourunningawayfrom homebr oughtsomuchchanges,
yourfatherst
oppeddrinki
ngbecausey ourmotherblamedhi
m.
Sedibengisforcedtot
akecareofy ourparent
sbecausethey
'r
e
bothsick..
.Goi
wai smarri
ed,Sediwaimelwaandi thinky
ou
shouldgohelp.

Lana:I
'
llgother
eafterf
ini
shi
ngschool
,they'r
ether
easoniam
whereiam.Totahelaidon'
tthi
nkyoushouldbegett
ingi
nvol
ved
i
nmyf amilymatter
s,i
t'
snoneofyourbusiness.

Monga:Bi
rthcer
ti
fi
cat
eyangwanaekae?It
oldy
oui
wantt
ofi
l
la
f
ewthings

Lana:
Ilosti
t,I
'
llt
ryf
indi
ngi
t.

Monga:Lanayouwoul
dn'
ttrypl
ayingbaber
ight
?Becausei
don't
wantt
ohur tawomanespeci
all
ytheonewhogav emeachil
d.

Lana:
I'
m notl
yi
ng.

Monga: Ok,I
'
llt
alktoafri
endofmine,
hewi
llgetmethe
cert
if
icatef
rom thesyst
em.Iknowafewpeople.
..MJi
susi
ng
yoursurnameormi ne?

Lana:
Um.
..Mi
ne.

Monga:
Ok,
bye

Hehungupt
henhedi
aledThong.
..
.

Thong:
Mat
aozen
Monga: SureManD.
..Li
sten,
ineedafavour
..Lana'
sfat
heri
ssick,
they
'r
eatt hest
op.Canyougopickthem upanddropthem att
he
hospit
al?

Thong:
Sur
e,whyar
eyoust
il
lhel
pingheragodampi
l
e?

Monga:I'
m doi
ngitf
orthem,Sediaskedmeandt
hatgi
rlr
espect
s
me.Idon'
twanttodisappoi
nther
.

Thong:Al
ri
ght
,iunderstandbutatsomey ouhav
et ost
ophel
ping
peopl
ewhoaren'tconnectedtoyou.Peopl
earetaki
ngadv
antage
ofyou.

Monga:(
sighed)Ket aar
engmonna,
kanai
can'
tj
usti
gnor
e
mothoankopat huso.

Thong:
OK,
I'
ll
leav
ejustnow.

Monga:
IfSediandhermot
herneedaccommodati
ondr
opthem
her
e.Maybeherfat
herwi
ll
beadmitt
ed,soundsl
i
kehei
sreal
ly
si
ck

Thong:
alr
ight

Monga:
Iwon'
tbehomet
hough.Thanks

Thong:
Sur
e

Hehungupandsi
ghedt
henhewal
kedouty
awni
ng.
..

Hestoppedattheki
tchendoorandsmil
edlooki
ngatLucyasshe
cooked.
..
dif
fer
entki
ndsofservi
nglayonthecount
erasshe
squeezedhoneyont
het
oast
edbr
ead.
..

Lucy
:(l
i
ckedherf
inger
)Hi
,di
diwakey
ou?

Monga:
(sar
cast
ical
l
y)Wi
tht
hel
oudmusi
c?Nah

Shelaughedandsqueezedthedresserov
erthesalad.Heputhis
handsinthepocketandwatchedherassheputthedirtykni
fe
andchoppingboardinthesi
nkthenshewashedt hem, nowonder
shewassot hi
ck,al
lthatpr
eparat
ionanditwasjustbreakf
ast.
..

Lucy
:Got
akeashower
,iwon'
twai
tfory
ou.
..

Hewalkedbackt
othebathr
oom andt
ookashowert
henhe
wal
kedbackandjoi
nedheront
hedini
ngtabl
e..
.

Shel
ookedathi
m andsmi
l
edt
aki
ngahugebi
tei
ntoabur
ger
..
.

Lucy
:You'
resoqui
et.
..

Hechuckl
edandbeguneat
ing.
..
Lucy
:Kedi
dimal
ekeat
hodi
a?

Helookedatherchewi
nganddr i
nki
nghal
foft
hegl
assf
lushi
ng
downthefoodthenhelaughed.
.

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)No

Lucy
:Doy
oul
i
kesi
l
ence?Whyosabuel
enna?

Monga:
(laughed)Lucygakegoi
tseket
aabuaengl
ewena?

Lucy
:(l
aughed)Ij
ustdi
dn'
tthi
nky
ou'
reshy

Monga: I'
m notshy,ij
ustli
ketoeatmybr eakf
asti
npeace.
..
Especiall
yagoodonel ikethi
s..
.Ihaven'
thadagoodmealina
while,
mymai dsucksinthekit
chen.You'r
eagoodcookwhichis
surpri
sing.
..Disl
ayqueengadi itsesepekana

Lucy:
(laughedoutl
oud)Cl
erere!Idon'
tknowi
fishouldbe
amusedorof f
endedbutI
'l
ltakeitasacompli
ment.
..Sowhenar
e
weleaving?

Monga:
At2pm

Lucy:Jesus,
leavi
ngat2pm f
orGabor
one?Thatmeanswewi
l
l
arr
ivekabomi dni
ght

Monga:
Wear
efl
yi
ng,
itt
akesabout1hour30mi
nut
es

Lucypausedchewi
ngandsmi
l
edst
ari
ngathi
m..
.
Lucy
:YoumeanI
'
mfl
yi
ng?Pl
easet
ell
mwy
ou'
rej
oki
ng!

Monga:
Isi
tyourf
ir
stt
ime?

Lucy:
Yes!

Shestoodupandlookedar
oundhol
dingherwai
stt
henshe
tur
nedbacktohi
m. .
.

Lucy:
OhmyGod, i
can'
tbel
i
eveI'
mflyi
ngtoday
!Iswearmy
enemiesar
egoi
ngtodr
inkwat
erwit
haf or
k.

Shewal
kedov
erandhuggedhi
mfr
om behi
ndki
ssi
nghi
scheek.

Lucy
:Thanky
ou!

Shepushedthetableandsatonhislapwhi l
eheheldthefor
k,she
gotthef
orkfrom hi
shandandl eanedoverkissi
nghim,heputhis
handsoverherwaistasshekissedhisneck..
.Wasthiswhathi
s
l
ifehadbeenreducedto.
..
Fuckingprost
it
utesinhishouse.
..

Butt
henhewasspendi
ngonhersoy
eah,
hemi
ghtaswel
lget
whathi
smoneyi
swor t
h..
.
Shekneltonthefl
oorandpulledthest
ri
ngsofhissweatpant
s
whileherhandcaressedhi
statt
ooedtummy ,hestooduppul
li
ng
thechairbackasshepull
eddownhi spants,
hisbeadedmeat
sprungoutandjer
kedasshehel ditwi
ththegri
pofherhand.
..

Lucy
:Damn.
..Whyar
eyousohuge?

Hewasn'
tsur
ehowt orespondashest
oodt
her
ewat
chi
ngher
l
eanedov
erandsuck.
..

Lucy
:Andy
oumadei
tex
trawi
thbeads.
..I
t'
sgoi
ngt
ohur
t

Monga:
Itwon'
t.
..

Hegrabbeditonthemiddleandgrabbedherchint henhe
smackeditonhercheekbeforeputti
ngiti
nandhol dingherhead
wit
hbothhandsashedr i
ll
edhermout handt ouchedhert hroat
,
shegaggedandhegr unt
edpushinginal i
tt
ledeeper,herstomach
l
ift
edandhepusheditdownhert hroatasshegr abbedhisthighs.
..

Monga:
Keepy
ourhandsbehi
ndy
ourback.
..
Herhear tbegunassheputherhandsbehi ndherback, hepulled
outthest r
ingofhi ssweatpantsthenhetiedherhandsbehi ndher
backthenhegr abbedhi sbeadedmeatsteppi ngback,her eached
downsqueezi ngthefleshofherbreastandt wistedhernipple
beforeturningherheadup.Shet ookadeepbr eathandlookedup
athim ashe#Remov ed..
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#68

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Mongastoodupandpi
ckedhi
ssweat
pant
sthenhet
hrewhert
he
r
obebeforewal
ki
ngint
hebathr
oom.

Shewi pedher selfwit

htherobeandwal kedint hebedroom where
shegr abbedanot herandwalkedinthekitchen,shetookapi ctur
e
ofthef ullf
ri
dgeandpost edonInstagram withacapt i
on..
.
"Hungr yagain.
..Liv
inglegoodli
fe.
..l
if
estyleleskanjaja!Idon'
t
havest resssoI '
m happyandhaveanappet i
te.Nowi feell
ike
j
umpi ngi nt
oAi rBotswana.
"

Sheputdownthephoneandwal kedintheshowerwhereMonga
wassti
ll
showeri
ng,shetookoffever
y t
hingandj
oinedhi
m ashe
st
eppedoutandgrabbedthetowel.
..

Lucy
:Ar
eyoudoneorj
ustav
oidi
ngshower
ingwi
thme?

Monga:
(laughed)I
'
m done,
whywoul
diav
oidy
ou?

Lucy
:Becausey
ou'
renotconnect
ingwi
thme.
Monga:
Whatmakesy
out
hinkt
hat
?

Lucy
:I'
m awomanMonga,andIunderst
andourar
rangement
..
.Is
i
tyourfi
rstt
imesi
ncey
ourbreakup?

Monga:
Iguessy
oucoul
dsayt
hat

Lucy:(
laughed)Icoul
dtell
,you'r
eroughbecauseyoudon'
twant
toconnectwithmeory oudon'twantmet obewi t
hmemmeo
fi
siwakenopa...
whichissti
llok.
..I
'
mf i
newiththat.

Monga:(
laughed)Youreal
l
ydoli
ketal
ki
ng..
.Ihavetogotothe
of
fi
cereall
yquick.Pl
easemakesur
eyou'
rereadyby1pm atl
east
.

Lucy
:(smi
l
ed)Iwasbor
nready
..

Monga:
Alr
ight
..

Heleanedoverandki
ssedhert
henhet
ouchedherbut
tand
squeezedi
t.
..

Monga:
AreweOKdownt
her
e?

Lucy
:Yeah.
..I
fyouwanti
tyoucanusel
ubbecause-

Monga:
Itwasami
stake,
idon'
tdot
hat
.

Lucy
:Ok.
.

Hekissedherandwalkedi
nthebedroom wher
ehechangedhi
s
cl
othesthenhewalkedoutdi
ali
ngsomeone..
.
Voi
ce:
Hel
l
o

Monga:
Hi,
itsMonga.
.

Voi
ce:
Hey

Monga:Ineedyourhel
p.Justfoundoutihaveason2daysago
andthemothersaysI'
m onthebirt
hcert
if
icat
ebutshel
osti
t.I
don'
tknowwhyi don'
tbeli
evehercanyoujustconf
ir
mifi
t'
strue?

Voi
ce:
Ok,
I'
mint
heof
fi
ce.
..What
'st
hechi
l
d'sname?

Monga:
MongaThapel
oorMongaJuni
orThapel
o.

Voice:Nope,nosuchname.
..Letmesearchwithyournames..
.
JustseeingHope'
sbir
thcer
tif
icat
eledeathcer
tif
icat
ehela.
.
What '
sthebabymama'sname?AndI Difyouhaveit,
IDiseasi
er
tosearchwit
h.

Monga:Hernamei
sTsel
anaThapel
o,hadheri
nfoonmypaper
s
athome.

Voice:Foundher
,you'r
enotthefat
her.
..Herchil
d'
snameis
MichaelLopangJr,t
hef at
herl
i
stedisMichaelLopang.

Monga:
Thebabyi
scal
l
edMJorMi
key
,nowi
tmakessense.
.

Voice:Womendot hatsometimes,t
heyeitherdon'tincl
udeaman
onthebirthcerti
fi
catesotheycantel
lseveralment hatthey'
re
fat
hers,ortheyputanotherbutwouldnevershowy outhe
certi
fi
cate,t
hatwayt heygetmoneyfrom allover
.Shewon' tgi
ve
youthecertif
icat
ebecausey ou'
renotthefather.
Monga:Kananegot
wekent she1Kpermonth,i
eventhoughtt
he
babyl
ooksli
keHopebecauseisodesper
atel
ywantedhimtobe
mine.

Voi
ce:
Sor
ryr
ra.

Monga:
Thanks.

Hehungupandsi
gheddr
ivi
ngwi
thonehand.
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Lat
eronThongwal
kedupanddowncal
l
inghi
swi
feonv
ideocal
l
...

Khumo:
Hil
ove

Thong:
Hey
,whydi
dyout
akesol
ongt
oanswer
?

Khumo:
I'
m cooki
ng,
howf
ar?

Thong:I
'mintheparkingl
ot,
wait
ingf
orthem.Turnsouttheol
d
l
adywasn'twell
toobutshewasjustbei
ngstrongbecausethe
husbandwaswor se.HerBPishi
ghsoithi
nktheymightadmit
hertoo.
..

Khumo:
Ok

Thong:
Arey
our
eal
l
yhome?
Shetur
nedthephoneshowi
nghi
mthenhedr
oppedhi
shead
embarr
assed.
.

Thong:
I'
m sor
ry,
idi
dn'
tmeant
odot
hat
.Itwon'
thappenagai
n

Khumo:
Wewi
l
lsee.

Thong:
Ipr
omi
se.

Khumo:
Ok

Thong:
Bye

Hehungupandsi
ghedasSedi
wal
kedov
ercar
ryi
ngabag.
.

Sedi
:Theyhav
ebeenbot
hadmi
tt
ed.

Thong:
Ok,geti
n.Mongasai
di shoul
ddr
opy
ouof
fathi
shouse.
Hewon'tbear
oundfor2weeks..
.

Sedi
:Ok.I
sitf
ar?Cani
wal
kov
erher
etocheckonmypar
ent
s?

Thong:
It'
sfar
,you'
l
lneedat
axi
.

Sedi
:Ok,
I'
ll
dosomepi
ecej
obsf
ort
henei
ghbour
s.

Thong:
It'
snott
hatkindofnei
ghbour
hood,t
heyal
lhave
scr
eenwall
sandbul
ldogs.
..I
'l
lhel
pyououtwit
hcash.I
tswhat
Mongawoulddo.
Sedi
:Thanky
ou.
.

Shegoti
nrhecart
henhedr
oveof
fdi
all
i
ngMonga.
..

Monga:
Yeah

Thong:
Didy
oul
eav
e?I
'
m dr
oppi
ngof
fSedi

Monga:Wai
t,don't
.Gonal engwany
anateng.Letmetel
lhert
o
l
eaveandcl
eanupbef oreshemeetsme.Shewi l
lwai
tfort
he
f
li
ghtatt
hemal lorai
rport
.

Thong:
Ok.Nopr
obl
em

Monga:Byt
hewayMj isnotmysonbutI'm goi
ngtoseeLana
nowtoconf
ir
mi t
.Iwanttoknowifshewrotehi
m becausehe
wasther
eandthebabyismineorheisforr
eal.

Thong:
Alr
ight
,nof
ight
ingr
ight
?

Monga:Idon'
thavetheener
gybutI
'
llhat
eheri
fit
swhatI
'
m
t
hinki
ng.IswearI
'
llhat
eher.

Thong:
Wil
ltal
klat
er.

Monga:
Sur
e

Hehungupandcont
inueddr
ivi
ng.
..
AtLopang'
sHouse.
..

LaterMongaknockedonthedoor
,Lanaopenedt
hedoorhol
ding
arevisi
onpaperi
nhershort
s.Hewalkedi
nandclosedt
hedoor.
..

Monga:Tel
lmethetr
uth.
..I
'
mfucki
ngti
redofi
nvesti
gat
ingyou.
..
Gaketegogoberekamogokal
o..
.I'
veseent
hebirt
hcerti
fi
cat
e,
di
dyougivehi
m myson?

Lanaswal
l
owedandst
eppedback.
..

Lana:
Hei
snoty
our
s..
..I
'
m sor
ry.
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#69

AtLopang'
sHouse.
..

Mongast
aredatherforami
nut
ewi
thoutawor
dandshel
ooked
downembarr
assed.
..

Lana:
I'
m sor
ry.
..

Monga:
Whydi
dyoul
i
e?

Lana:
Idon'
tknow,
iguessIwasbr
okeandwant
edmoney
..
.

Monga:
Howsur
ear
eyout
hathei
snotmi
ne?

Lana:Itookt
hemorni
ngaf
terpi
l
l,Lopangpickedmeupt hesame
aft
ernoonandgavemeapil
l.Mi
chaelisnotyourson,
I'
m sorr
yfor
tr
yingtoscam y
ou.

Mongasatont
hecouchandsi
ghedr
est
inghi
schi
nov
erhi
s
f
ist
s..
.

Monga:
Ifyouwer en'
tbreast
feedi
ngI'
dlocky
ouinacontai
nerfor
aweek.
..Ican'
tbeli
evehowst upi
dyou'v
emademef eel
.Iwai
ted
f
oryouthewholey earandwheny ouseemeyouli
etome.
Lana:
Youneedt
oleav
eLopangmi
ghtbehomeany
time,

Monga:Idon'
tunder
stand,
washei
noni
ttoo?Becausey
ou
i
ntr
oducedus.

Lana:Ihadl i
edt ohimt oo,iwasjusttry
ingtosurvi
vebuti
explai
nedmy sel
ftohi m andheforgavemef orwhatIdid.He
askedmet el
l y
out hetruthandstopallthesebecausehewouldn'
t
helpmei fIgetchar gedforlyi
ng.Pleaseleave.
.

Mongasl
owl
ystoodupandwalkedoutwi
thoutawor
d.She
cl
osedt
hedoorandsi
ghed.
..
.

AtLoago'
sHouse.
..

Loagopar
kedt
hecarandst
eppedoutdi
all
i
ngMonga.
..

Monga:
Yeahmonna

Loago:Longt
ime,
koor
ewenamonnagakesagol
l
etsegao
ntel
etse?

Monga:(
laughed)Skawaral
ait
eaka,
I'
m goi
ngt
hroughshi
t.Aker
e
wai
tsegankeketsamaelwakesepesent
e

Loago:
Whathappened?

Monga:
Didn'
twor
koutwi
thLana
Loago:
Lov
ecomeswheny
oul
eastexpecti
t.
..You'
l
lgeti
toneday
.

Monga:Yeah,
I'
m donewi
thr
elat
ionshi
ps.I
'
mti
redofwomenand
l
yi
ng.I'
mjustti
red.
.

Heopenedt
hedoorandwalkedi
nwhi
l
eApul
alai
dasl
eepont
he
couchi
nherf
ormalwear
..
.

Loago:
Alr
ightShap

Monga:
Sur
e.

Hehungupandki
ssedherasshewokeupandy
awned.
..

Att
heaunt
'shouse.
..
.

Meanwhil
eRamodala'soldestdaught
ersteppedoutofthecar
andpi
ckedherhal
fsisterthenshewalkedtowardsthehouse
wher
eAene'smotherwassi tt
ingeati
ngawat er
melon..
.

Her
:Dumel
ang

Aunt
:Eemma.
..

Her
:Ibr
oughtAt
sil
e'
sdaught
er,
I'
mvi
sit
ingmyhusband'
sfami
l
y
andI'm goi
ngwit
hmychildr
en.
..Papai
sstayi
ngathisgi
rl
fri
end'
s
housesoi hav
enochoicebutt
obr i
ngherher
ebecauseAtsi
le
i
sn'tpicki
ngmycall
s.

Aunt
:Ok,
nopr
o-

Aene: (
walki
ngoutofthehouse)No, no,shecan't
..
.Sorr
y...
.My
mot heri
snotwellandI'
m helpingherrecover.Ishoul
dbeatmy
housebuti movedinheretonur seher.Atsi
leandhersistersdon'
t
careaboutmymot her.
..Theyonl ycheckonherwhenI '
vesai d
somet hi
ngthenawholey earpassesbasal let
semamat oev en
sayhappynewy ear.Pl
easeshej ustdidMar u'
swedding,shei s
recoveri
ng.Cal
lanyofhersistersandt akethi
schildt
here,not
here.Sorr
y.

Her:Ok,iunder
stand.Iwasn'
tfi
ght
ing.I
'
llt
akehert
ooneoft
he
si
sters.

Aene:
Thanky
ou.Tsel
atshweu.
..

Thewomangotherhal
fsi
sterandgotbacki
nthecart
henshe
drov
eof
f.
..
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

LateronMongawal
kedi
nwhi
l
eSedi
satont
hecar
petbyt
he
couchwatchi
ngTV.
..
Monga:
Hi.
..

Sedi
:Hi
..
.

Mongasatdownandsi
ghedt
henher
ubbedhi
sface.
..

Monga:
Yoursi
sterbr
okemyhear
t.
..Fuck!I
'
m st
upi
d!

Sedi
:Youf
oundher
?

Monga:
Yes.
..

Hesear
chedheronFacebookandshowedher
..
.

Monga: That'
sherboy f
ri
end,hissonandt hei
rson.Sheli
edsayi
ng
heismi neuntiliwant
edabirthcerti
fi
cate.
..I
'm di
sappoi
ntedi
n
yoursister
.Ialsotol
dherabouty ourfat
her'
sconditi
onandshe
dismissedit,
askedmet omindmyownbusi ness.

Hetookadeepbreat
handsi
ghed.Sedi
lookedatherpi
ctur
esand
l
ookedathi
m...

Sedi
:I'
m sor
ry

Monga:
It'
sok,
it'
snoty
ourf
aul
t.
..Howi
sev
ery
one?
Sedi
:Theyhav
ebeenadmi
tt
ed.
..

Hisphonerangt
henhel
ookedatLucy
'scal
l
,hecheckedt
het
ime
andsighed.
..

Monga:Ihavetogo,
wewi
l
ltal
kwhwn6i
getback.Eatev
ery
thi
ng
andany
thing.
.

Sedi
:Thanky
ou.Cani
hav
ehernumber
?

Monga:
Sur
e

Hegavehert
henumberandl
eft
,Sedi
dial
edherandsi
ghed
wai
ti
ng..
.

Lana:
Hel
l
o?

Sedi
:Pl
easedon'
tdot
hist
oMonga.I
tsnott
ool
ate

Lana:
Howdi
dyougetmynumber
?

Sedi:DidyouhearmekaMonga?Iobv iousl
ydon'
tknowany t
hing
aboutyourboyfr
iendbutiknowMongaandI 'v
eknownhimf ora
year.Heisexactl
ytheki
ndofmani knowweusedt otalkabout
growingup.Iknowgoodguy sfini
shlastbutwon'
twaitunti
l
you'
v ehad5chil
drenwithothermenandt henexpecthi
mt o
acceptthem..
..
1childi
senoughandhewi ll
under
stand.Don'
t
maket hatmist
akebecauseifhemov esonandf i
ndsagood
womanhe'dneverl
ethergo.Thewayheisdesper
ateforl
oveand
at
tent
ionf
rom awomanhewon' tbegyou.Pl
easeLana.

Lana:Mongai snotgift
edi nbedmot howamodi mo,heisbig
probablythebiggestbecauseLopangi sli
kehalfhi
ssizebutthe
guycumsi n2seconds.Mi chaelmademecum butwi thMonga
monat ewat englasted1second.It estedhim malobagapehe
camegosenapenet rat
ion.Imagineiwasj ustpl
ayi
ngwi t
hhis
thi
ngandhel ostcontrol.Gaitsesex.Gapei j
ustpref
erMichael
overMongabecausei knowhi m,MichaelissweetMongahast hi
s
darkmy steri
oussidei can'tputmyf i
ngeron.Gakemokgor e
sentehela.Abat engwany anayomongwe.

Sedi
:Ok,
I'
minMaun.Ibr
oughtourpar
ent
swhencani
comesee
you?

Lana:
I'
ll
bef
reet
omor
row.

Sedi
:Ok,
bye.Can'
twai
ttoseey
ou

Lana:
Sameher
e

Shehungupandsi
ghed.
..

TWOWEEKSLATER.
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#70

I
nsi
deAi
rBot
swana.
..

Lucy'shandsli
ppeddownhert hi
ghasshesnor edl
eaningon
Monga' sshoul
der,
itwasfunny..
.Agi rl
thatbeautif
ulandmi ss
i
nfluencerfort
hethickgi
rl
ssnoringlikeachi l
d..
.Hetookouthis
phoneandputi ti
nfrontofthem taki
ngav i
deoasshesnor edand
chewedGodknowswhat ..
.Hesmi l
edont hev i
deoandbithisli
ps
l
aughi ngsi
lent
lywatchi
ngheront hescr eenthenhestoppedand
watchedit.

Henoticedherphonesl
ippi
ngoffherl
apandslowl
ygoti
t.
..
thi
s
wastheirl
astdaytoget
herandsheprobabl
yhadot
herpl
answith
di
ff
erentmen..

Heputt hepatter
nhesawherputi nSAandi tunl ocked,heclicked
onherl oadedgall
eryandcl i
ckedonherpi ctures,heclickedon
foldernamedJustMemor i
es,hishear
tsunkashewat chedt he
pictur
esandv i
deosonsi lentmode.Therewast urbul
enceandan
announcementoft heirarri
valthenLucyrubbedhernoseget t
ing
up, Mongaclosedev er
ythingandinnocentlylookedather ..
.
Monga:
Arey
ouOK?

Lucy
:(l
ooki
ngf
orherphonear
ound)Yeah.
.

Monga:
It'
sher
e..
.

Lucy
:Thanks.
..

Shecl
i
ckedonherphoneandl
ookedathersel
fthr
ought
he
camer
afi
xingher
sel
fwhil
eMongalookedathim..
.

Lucy
:What
?

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)Not
hing.
..You'
rebeaut
if
ul.
..

Lucy
:Thanks.
.

Sheturnedandl
ookedoutthewindowast heplanel
anded,t
he
passengerswal
kedoutt
hentheyfoll
owedandwal kedoutasshe
handedhimthephonetotakepi
cturesofher.

Lucy
: Atleastt
odayi
sthelastdayy
ou'
reseei
ngme,
ota
i
khutsetsagonnaphotogr
apher

Monga:
(laughed)It
oldy
oui
don'
tmi
nd

Het
ookpi
ctur
esofherast
heywal
kedoutoft
het
ermi
nal
andout
oft
hebui
l
ding.

Lucy
:Iwonderi
fI'
l
lgetat
axi
from her
e..
.

Monga:
I'
ll
takey
ouhome

Lucy
:No,
I'
m good

Monga:
Iinsi
st

Lucy
:Youdon'
thav
etowast
eyourt
ime,
I'
mfi
ne.

Monga:
Osur
e?

Lucy
:Yeah.
..

Hi
sPAwal
kedov
erandt
hrewhi
mthecarkey
s..
.

PA:Inthepar
kingl
ot,
I'
m wi
thbaaccount
swear
egoi
ngt
othe
bank.

Monga:
Alr
ight
.

Hewal
kedawayasMongal
ookedather
..
.

Monga:
Comeon,
letmet
akey
ouhome.

Lucy
:(si
ghed)OK.
.
Theywalkedtowar
dsthecart
henheopenedt
hebootandput
thei
rbaginsi
debefor
edri
vi
ngoff
..

AtLoago'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
leLoagoandApulawat
chedamov i
elayingont
hecouch
underaf
leece,
theschool
busst
oppedout
side.
..Loagol
ookedat
theti
meandsighed.
..

Loago:
Todayechai
l
ekapel
ajang.
..

Apul
a:Ti
mef
li
eswheny
ou'
rehav
ingf
un

Loago:
Got oyourhouse,
I'l
lcheckonyouwhenLJf
all
sasl
eep.
Heusuall
yfal
l
sasleepaftereati
ngandbat
hing.

Apul
a:I
t'
sawhi
l
ewhenar
eyougoi
ngt
oint
roducemet
oyourson?

Loago:
Idon'
tthi
nkit
st heri
ghttime,ijustdon'
twantLJseei
ng
womenwalkinandoutofmyl i
fe.It
hinkintr
oducti
onsshoul
d
comewhenwear eatleastconsider
ingmar ri
age.

Apul
a:Howmanywomendoy ouhavewal
ki
ngi
nher
eel
e
gor
e?causei
thoughtI
'
mtheonl
yone.

Loago:Andy ouknowy ou'

re,you'
remynei
ghboury
ousee
everyt
hing.
..I
'mjustpr
otecti
ngmyson.Itol
dhismothert
ostop
i
ntroducinghimtoherboyfri
endswhoendedupabusinghi
m.You
knowt hecasewehadwhenwehadjuststar
teddat
ing.Hi
s
mot her
'sboyf
ri
endwasbeat
inghi
m..
.ihav
etopract
isewhati
preach.

Apula:I
yoook..
.Wehar dl
yspendti
metoget
herbecauseever
si
nceschoolsreopenedyou'
rewit
hhim,i
fbothofusspendti
me
wit
hy outher
ewouldn'tbeanyoft
hese.

Loago:Babepl
easetr
ytounderstand,I
'
m asi
ngl
efat
hert
ryi
ngt
o
dorightbymyson.
.I'
m doi
ngthisforhi
sowngood.

Apul
a:If
eel
li
keasi
dechi
ckr
ightnow.
.

LJknockedont
hedoorwhi
l
eLoagowai
tedf
orApul
atogetup.
.

Loago:
Tswakabackdoor

Apul
a:Hewon'tsuspectany
thi
ngseei
ngmewal
kout
,I'
mjusta
nei
ghbouri
sn'
tit

LJpushedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
nasApul
ast
oodup.
..

LJ:
Heydad,
hiaunt
ie

Apul
a:Hi
..

Thel
i
ttl
eboywal
kedpastt
ohi
sroom t
aki
ngof
fhi
sti
easApul
a
walkedout,Loagocl
osedt
hedoorandf
oll
owedhi
mtot
he
bedroom..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Apul
awal
kedi
nwhi
l
eAt
sil
ezi
ppedherbag.
..

Apul
a:Ar
eyoul
eav
ingt
omor
row?

At
sil
e:Yeah.
..

Apul
a:Mar
usay
syourdaught
erwasl
eftatherhouse

Atsi
le:
Otaabaka,it
oldhernottot
akeRamodal
a'
sdaughter
..
.I
hopeshedoesn'
tthi
nkwheni l
eaveher
eI'
l
lbecol
lect
ingher
.That
chil
dshoul
dbewithherfat
hernotme.

Apul
a:Shei
syourdaught
er

Atsi
le:
Idon' tconsi derhermydaught er,sheandallthebabi eswe
buri
edasar esul tofthatoldman'sabuse.Iam protectingherby
stay
ingawayf rom her .Idon'
texpectanyofy outounder stand
howi f
eel andIwon' tattempttoexplainbecauseallI'
llgetis
j
udgementofhowmuchofabadmot herIam.Ididn'tchooseto
motherthatchi ld.Ifourmoneyhungr ypar ent
swer eali
v eI'
dgive
them t
heirchildren.

Apul
a:Mmekanasheisy ourpr
obl
em becauseMarujustgot
marr
iedshecan'
tbebr
ingingachi
l
dfrom therel
ati
vestoaddon
Derri
ck'
sbudget .TheyalreadyhavePinkandLil
oasabl ended
famil
y,theycan'thavear el
ati
veschil
dwhodoesn'teven
contr
ibuteanything.Gapegatwey ourchi
l
dinsul
tsotherkids,
gatwewar oganangwanawagagogapewaut swa..You'
regoing
todestroyMaru'smar ri
age.Takeyourdaught
er..

At
sil
e:Whydi
dshet
akeher
?

Apul
a:Shewasdroppedatherpl
ace.
.Yourdaughterev
enhadan
i
njur
yonthefoot
..
.Shewasbeingli
ft
edli
keababy .Youjustwant
anot
herar
gumentbetweenuskoorewenaobat abeefl
emongwe
l
emongwe.

Atsil
e:Sheshouldtakeherback.
..Thereisnothi
ngicandonna
i
bilelet
antshabisagoyakoMaun.Togakey akampengy amasol
e
konni l
ateng.Skalebal
akenaleboy fr
iendtsamasole.

Shest
oodupandwal
kedoutdi
all
i
ngsomeone.
..
.

AtDer
ri
ck'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhil
eAtsil
e'
sdaughterwalkedinthebedroom whil
eother
s
pl
ayedoutsi
deattheswing,sheli
stenedastheshowerranwhile
Derr
ickt
ookabat ht
henshet i
ptoedtoheruncle'
spantsand
openedhi
swallet
,shetookoutallt
henotes,aboutP200thenshe
puti
tbackwalkedoutputt
ingthemoneyi nherpant
ies.
Meanwhi
leMarudi
shedoutsnacksf
orDer
ri
ckandwal
kedi
nthe
bedr
oom wher
ehewasdryi
nghimself
..
.

Mar
u:Br
oughty
ousomet
hingt
ochewbef
orey
oul
eav
e..

Der
ri
ck:
Ok.
..

Hetookabiteandbegungetti
ngdressedwhil
eshesatonthe
edgeeat
ingwitht
hefork.Derr
ickpi
ckedhispant
sandputthem
onthenhetookouthi
swal l
etandcheckedifhehadhi
sli
cence.
.

Der
ri
ck:Hopeidi
dn'tl
eav
emyl
i
cencei
nyourcar
..(
not
iced
moneymissi
ng)What?

Hecheckedhi
spocket
sandl
ookedather
..
.

Der
ri
ck:
Didy
ougetmoneyi
nmywal
l
et?

Mar
u:(
laughed)Ionl
yst
eal
whenI
'
m doi
ngl
aundr
y

Der
ri
ck:
I'
m ser
iousi
hadP200i
nher
e.I
t'
sforf
uel

Mar
u:Idi
dn'
ttakei
t

Der
ri
ck:
Ify
out
ooki
tit
'sok

Mar
u:Idi
dn'
ttake.
..May
beAt
sil
e'
sdaught
ert
ooki
t
Der
ri
ck:
Shei
sli
ke7,
theyst
eal
P1att
hatage!

Mar
u:whatdoy
ouwantmet
osay
?Idi
dn'
tgett
hemoney
!

Der
ri
ck:Andishoul
dbel
i
eveachi
l
dtookP200?Gakegot
ime
madiMaru,

Mar
u:Bat
hongDee!

Marustoodupandwal kedoutthenshestoodbythedoorcal
li
ng
overthechil
dren.TheyranoverasAtsi
le'
sdaught
erdustedher
dustyhands..
.

Mar
u:Whot
ookdaddy
'smoney
?

Li
l
o:Whatwoul
dwedowi
tht
hemoneymommy
?

Pink:
Youthinkwearemoneyt
hiev
es?Weonl
yst
eal
frui
tsand
ourschool
snacks.

Mar
u:Maoshal
eot
ser
emadi
gape?

Her
:(t
ear
ful
l
y)Uhnnasal
eket
ser
eP2hel
aabekebaka.
..

Tearsf
il
ledherey
esandshebur
sti
ntot
ear
sasDer
ri
ckwal
ked
pastMaru.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Siakoo.
..
Mar
ulookedathi
m ashegoti
ntj
ecar
..

Der
ri
ck:I
t'
snotevenabouttheP200, i
tsthef
actthatineversay
nowhenyouaskandy etihavetowatchmywal l
et.Yester
dayi
P50di
sappear
ed.Ithoughtimiscal
culat
edbutnowi seewhat '
s
goi
ngon.
.

Hegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#71

AtMar
u'sHouse.
..

Maruleanedov
ersear
chi
ngMaoshal
eandev
encheckedher
pant
ies.
.

Mar
u:Wher
edi
dyouputt
hemoney
?

Maoshal
e:Idi
dn'
ttakei
t.

Mar
u:Moneynev
erdi
sappear
sint
hishouse.
.

Li
l
o:Isawherdi
ggi
ngbesi
dest
het
reeatt
heswi
ng.

Maru:
Maoshalecometakeoutt
hemoneybecauseifIdi
gity
ou'
l
l
besor
ry.I
'
m goingt
obeatyousohar
dyou'
l
lneverforget
.

Li
l
oandPinkrantothetr
eeandpoint
edtothefr
eshl
ydugsoi
l,
Marudugoutthesoi
landthemoneypoppedout
.Shetur
ned
ar
oundandlookedather
..
.

Pink:
Maoshaley
oumustapol
ogi
seorel
semommyi
sgoi
ngt
o
putyouonti
meout.
Li
l
o:Shecan'
tunder
standEngl
i
sh.
..Maoshal
eraamamasor
ry

Shejustst
oodt
her
ewi
thhermout
hpout
edasMar
ulookedat
her
..
.

Mar
u:Pl
easegoandbat
h,al
lofy
ou.

Theyal
lrant
othehouset
henshetookoutherphoneanddi
all
ed
Atsi
l
ebutherphonewasof
f.Shedi
aledApul
a..
.

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Mar u: Canipl
easet al
ktoAtsile?Icannotdothisanymore,idon'
t
knowwhatt hischi
ldneeds.Ther eisfoodinthehouseandshe
won' tevenhaveapl acetobuywi ththismoneybutshekeeps
stealing.It
oldhertoeatwhat evershewant soraskifshecraves
somet hi
ngbutstil
lwaut swa.
..NowDer r
ickandiareargui
ng
becausehedoesn' tbelievea7y earoldcanstealP200.She
buriedt hemoneyundert hetr
ee, t
hisgirli
sdangerous.Sheis
goingt oteachmyki dstosteal.

Apula:
Whynotbeattheshi
toutofher?Thatchi
ldi
sat swana
breedyoudon'
tputheront
imeoutl
ikePinkandLil
o.Beatthe
thi
efoutofherabeomorayaakgwaat shel
ela.

Maru:Idon'
twanttoabuseachi
ld,
mamal eaunt
iedi
dn'
tbeatus
gr
owingup.Iwon'tdoitt
oachil
d.Tel
lAt
sil
etocomegether.
Apul a:Shelef t
,shehas3sol di
erboyfr
iendsthesoftonegot
angr ywithherandbl ockedherwhensheacci dental
lyrepli
edhim
thinkinghei stheotherone..
.Gatweguyneer ebay ecounsell
ing
andsher epli
edbysay ingsomethingelsethi
nkingsher epl
yi
ng
anot hersoldier.Hepi
ckedshewast al
kingtoanothersoldi
erand
blockedherar eenegaabat ediSTD.

Maru:WhatshouldIdokangwanabathong?Ot
lher
efusedt
oget
herl
eaunti
etota.I'
m st
uckkangwana.

At
sil
e:Idon'
tknowmma.

Mar
u:Shap.

Shehungupandsi ghedthenshewal
kedint
hehousewhil
ethe
chil
drental
kedinthebathroom.Shewal
kedpastt
hedoorand
thoughtsheheardsomething.
..

Maoshale:Gomonate.
..Di
raoutwe..
.Tseny
amonwana.
..{
it
s
ni
ce.
..Justdoi
t.
..Putyourf
ingeri
nsi
de}

Maru'
sheartski
ppedandshepushedt hedooropen,
shemether
daught
ersshockedstandi
ngont heot
hersi
deofthetubwat
chi
ng
Maoshalewit
haf i
ngerinpanti
es.Maoshaj
umpedandstoodup
shaki
nglooki
ngatheraunt..
.

Mar
u'spani
crandownherj
oint
sasshel
ookedatherdaught
ers
andbackatMaoshal
e.

Mar
u:Whatarey
oudoi
ng?(
angr
il
y)Getout
!Getout
..
.Gosi
ton
t
hecouch.
..

Maoshal
ewal
kedoutt
henshet
urnedbackt
oherdaught
ers.
..

Mar
u:Don'
tyouev
erdot
hatdoy
ouhearme?

Theynodded.
..

Mar u:
Ifyoudot haty
ou'l
l getaninf
ecti
onandyou'l
lhav
eawound
thatwon'theal
.Youwi l
lcryalldaybecausei
twil
lbepainf
uland
doctorswil
linj
ectyouat housandtimesonthebutt
.

Pink:
Wet oldhernobodyi
ssupposedt
otoucht
hatbutshej
ust
putafingeri
nhersel
f.

Mar
u:Takeabat
h..

Mar
ucl
osedt
hedooranddi
aledApul
a..
.
Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Mar u:I'
vehadi tupherekengwanayo,youwillallhatemebutI '
m
taki
ngt hi
sgirlbacktohermother
'shouse.Iwil
llockherinside
andcloset hegascy l
i
ndersoshedoesn'tbur
nher self
.Sheis
teachingmychi ldr
entosexual
l
yabusethemselv es.It
'senough.

At
sil
e:KanaAt
sil
eoi
l
ekampengy
amasol
ewena.

Maru:
EeI'
mt aki
nghert oherhouse,i
fDerri
ckf
indsoutsheeven
di
dthi
sinfr
ontofourdaught er
shewi l
lbeangr
y.Hewon'ttr
ust
mewithhi
sdaughter.
..Canyoubeliev
ethischi
l
doi t
senya
monwana,
whopl aysl
ikethat?

Apula:Areyouserious?At
sil
enegl
ectedherfort
ool ongsheleant
i
tfrom hercousi
nswher eAtsi
lel
efther
.KanaOtlhedoesn'tal
low
hernearherchil
drenbecausesheinsul
tsot
hers.
..Ididn'
tknowit
wast hatbad.

Maru:(t
ear
ful
ly
)Whatifmydaughter
sdothi
s?Whatiftheydo
t
hisatschool
?Orworsegetabusedandenj
oyi
tbecauseshesai
d
i
t'
snice.
.

Apul
a:Themmal
etmegot
ryt
ofi
ndAt
sil
e

Mar
u:No,
I'
mtaki
ngherback.

Apul
a:I
'
llcomegethert
hen

Maru:
I'
mtakinghert
her
ewit
hsnacks,y
ou'l
lfi
ndheri
nthehouse.
KanamaabanekehaaremasepaagaPink,
thi
schi
ldi
srott
en.

Apul
a:I
'
llcomegether
.I'
l
lfi
ndhert
her
e.

Mar
u:I
'
m soangr
yI'
m shaki
ng.
Shehungupanddishedf
orheri
nabigl
unchboxt
hensheput
moresnacksf
orherandwal
kedout
..
.

Mar
u:Let
'sgo.
..

Maoshalegotinthecarandsatinthebackwi t
hhersnacks.Her
auntsteppedouttogogetherdaughtersthenshereachedover
andpickedaboxofbreathmint
s.Shet hr
ewonei nhermouthand
puttheresti
nherpanti
esthenshesatback. .
.

Thechi
l
drengoti
nthecart
henshedr
oveof
f.
..

Pi
nk:
Cani
hav
esomemi
nts?

Maoshal
e:Ngngakenadi
neker
e

Lil
o:Butwecansmel
li
nyourmout
h..
.Mamacanwehav
emi
nts
too?

Marucheckedforhermint
sandfoundnothi
ngthensheturned
backandlookedatMaoshalewholookedi
nnocentbr
eat
hingout
amintybreat
hint
ot hecar
..
.
AtLucy
'sHouse.
..

Mongast
oppedatt
hegat
ethenLucyst
eppedout
.

Lucy
:Thanks.
..

Monga:
Opent
hegat
e..
.

Lucy
:I'
m good.
.

Monga:
Babeopent
hegat
e..
.

Sheopenedt hegateandwat chedasMongadr ovethroughthe

gate.Shecloseditandwalkedtowardsthehouseast heladyi
n
thenextyardstoodinfrontofherhouselooki
ngatLucy.Sheheld
herhipsandwat chedasMongast eppedoutthenshecal l
edout
herchil
drentobringherchair
.Shesatdownnexttot hefenceand
watchedasLucycl osedtheboot..

Monga:
Whoi
sthat
?

Sheshr
uggedhershoul
der
stear
ful
l
yandf
orcedasmi
l
e..
.

Lucy
:(v
oicet
rai
l
edof
f)Justanei
ghbour
..
.
Shecheckedf orkeysinherpurseandopenedthedoort hen
Mongaf ol
lowedheri nsi
de.Shepausedlooki
ngatthebr i
ckinthe
middleofthekitchenandnoticedabrokenwindow..Shewalked
overandpickedanot esell
otapedtothebri
ckwrit
ten,"Moloi
wa
Gumar e"{
Awi tchfrom Gumare}.

Sheshrunkt hepaperandthr
ewitinthebi
nthenshebentover
andsweptt heglassesint
oacontai
nerasMonga'ssneaker
s
car
eful
l
yst eppedi n.
..

Monga:
What
'sgoi
ngon?

Lucy
:Idon'
tl
iket
alki
ngabouti
t

Monga:
Dot
heyt
hinky
ouki
l
ledSt
eve?

Tearsburnedhereyesasshestoodupandthrewtheglassesi
n
thebin.Mongaturnedherar
oundandlookedather.
..

Monga: I
'm sorr
yi wentt
hroughyourphone,IsawSteveandy our
son..
.Isawpi ct
uresofSteveint
hehospital
,iguessyourboy
didn'
tmakei toutoftheburni
ngcarift
hepicturesoft
hatburnt
cararehis.
..

Lucy
:Iwentt
oGumar
etoat
tendmygr
andmot
her
'sbur
ial
.Af
ter
thebur ialiwast ogett hebusbutSt evedeci dedhe' dcomeget
me.Hewaswi thour3y earold,theyhadanacci dentont heway
andt hecarcaughtt hef i
re,ididn'tknowunt ilt
hepol i
cecal l
ed
me. .
.Ibur i
edmysonwhi l
eSt evewasi nt hehospi talinICU.3
day safterburyingoursonheal sodi ed.Wewer en'tmar ri
edsohi s
burialwasnextdoor ...Thatladynextdoori shismot her.Before
thebur ialweall r
ealisedStev ewr otemedownashi sbenef iti
ary
togetherwi thhisson.Isi gnedev ery thi
ngandhandedhi smot her
themoneyasi twas. .Theni foundoutal lhispr opertieswer elef
t
formei nhiswi l
l,hewasaheadaccount antathi sjobsot his
whol ehouse, hiscar sandev erythingwasmi ne...Hisf amily
startedsay i
ngi kill
edhi mforhi spr opertyandsi nceI'mf rom
Gumar e,every
onear oundher eisbul lyi
ngme.Ican' trelaxinhere..
.
Theybr eakmywi ndowsandchi ldrengeti ntomi xri
cewi th
phalechebaseny a.Theybur nedbot hofmycar sandsai dke
mol elowadi phera.It ri
edtor eportbutt hepol icesayt hereisno
evidenceshedi dit.
..Iam onl yhappywhenI 'm out .
..

Monga:
I'
m sor
ry

Lucy: Istar
tedbloggingsoi canbehappywithmyonl inef r
iends,
hissist er
sandbr othershatemeandmostoft heti
mei post
thingsj ustt
oshowt hem I'
m happythoughI'
m notbecausewhat
theydot omehur tsme.Il ostachi
ldandamant hataccept edme
withmybodyf i
gureandl ovedme.Hel ovedmeandshowedme
off..
.Somet imesi got hr
oughhisFacebookaccountandr ead
post swher ehecallsme" Sdudlasam"..
.Hepostedv i
deosand
picturesofme. .
.
Herl
i
pst
rembl
edandshebur
sti
ntot
ear
s..
.

Lucy:Iknowt hatnomanwi lleverlovemel ikethat,butithurt

sme
thathi
sf amilyi
sbully
ingme.Idi dn'tev enknowhehadawi ll
.We
werejustdoingcohabit at
ionandhi sf ami l
ydidn'tli
kemebecause
ofwherei comef rom...Hedidn'tleaveany t
hingf orhismot her
andshebl amesmey eti gaveher300Kf rom hi
si nsurance.Ialso
gavehert hemoneyf r
om hi swor k..
.St eveompol aisi
tsebaga
bonekawi l
landidon'tunderstandwhyhewoul ddot hat.

Monga:
Butyougavet
hem money
,Whatmor
edot
heywant
?You
hav
etosel
lthi
spl
ace

Lucy:
Wheni advert
isei
tandbringsomeoneov ertoseei
ttheyt
ell
peopl
emyhousehasaghostt hatchasespeopleatni
ghtso
peopl
ejustchangethei
rminds.

Monga:
That
'swhatpr
oper
tyagent
sar
ether
efor
..
..

Lucy
:Ok.
..

Sher
ubbedhert
earsandwalkedtothebedroom wheresheput
downhi
sbagandtookoutherclot
hesleavi
nghisinthebag.
..

Mongast
oodbyt
hebedl
ooki
ngatt
hef
ramedpi
ctur
esont
he
wal
l.
..
Monga:
Youhadaper
fectf
ami
l
y,neat
lhany
akawenal
ait
ee.

Lucy
: (
laughedt
earf
ull
y)Nerebi
tswacouplegoal
sonsocial
media.
..Mmekej el
emonate2mi nut
es.I
twasthehappi
estti
me
ofmylife.

Monga:
Dri
nki
ngwon'
thel
pyouf
orget
..

Lucy:Itdoes.
..Andeveryti
mei havesexwithaguywhot hi
nks
l
essofmei seewhyi shouldn'
tevent
rythi
slovethi
ng.I
'v
emet2
guysbeforeyou..
.Iwasjusttry
ingtofor
getwhoi wasand
embracethisnewsingleladyiam.IknowI'
llneverf
indl
oveli
ke
that
..

Monga:That'
sbecauseitt
akesmoret hanjustabeauti
fulface
andasexybodytogetaguyhooked...Atleastme.Idon'tknow
aboutot
herguys.
..You'
rebubbl
ybutforsomer easoni
thought
you'
reaprost
it
uteoraslayqueenorsomet hing..

Lucy:
(laughed)What
?!Wai
t.
..I
sthatwhyy
ouwental
lBDSM on
me?

Monga: (
laughed)No,inSAi wasj ustenjoy
ingyourcompanyand
thetoysweboughtt hat'
sall
..
.Ididn'twanttoli
keyoubecausele
nnamyr elat
ionshi
psnev erwork.It r
iedt
oav oi
dli
kingyou
becauseI'm notmeantforsucht hings.

Shesatdownandt
ookof
fherhi
ghheel
s..
.

Lucy
:If
eel
somuchbet
tergor
eishar
edt
hiswi
thsomeone.
..
Nt
segonj
a

Monga: I'
ll
helpy ouselli
tandbuyanewpl otsoyoucanst ar
tyour
l
ifeagain.Liv
ingf orpeopl
eisn'
tfun,I
'
llknowy ou'
vehealedonce
youst ar
tpostinggenuinethi
ngs..
.Idoubtbeinganinfl
uenceris
allaboutposti
ngf ancythi
ngs.

Lucy
:Ij
ustwant
edmyenemi
est
o--

Bot
h:(
att
hesamet
ime)Dr
inkwat
erwi
thaf
ork.
..

Theyl
aughed.
..

Monga:Let
'sgotomyhouseandseeifwecantal
ktoafew
agent
s.I
'm al
sohungr
ybutidon'
twantt
obuyfood.Howmuch
wouldi
tcosttohavey
oucook?

Lucy
:(smi
l
ed)Fr
eei
guesssi
ncey
ou'
rehel
pingmewi
thanagent
.

Monga:Wher
edoesSt
evecomef
rom?Hel
ooksl
i
kesomeol
d
maniknow

Lucy
:(l
aughed)Wai
ihismot herhadhim wit
hapast or,amarri
ed
past
orfort
hatmatt
er..
.I'
m surpri
sedsheisjudgingmewhent hat
past
orusedtoseeSteveinsecretbecausehedidn'thavesonsat
home.Stev
ewasbrokenbecausehewasasecr etchil
dandhe
l
ovedoursonsobad...

Monga:
Cani
seehi
sfat
her
?

Lucy
:Skankgol
egar
ra,
hei
sabi
gpast
ori
nGabor
oneand
somet
imeshepr eachesonTVandthenat
ionalr
adioi
nthe
morni
ng.
..Youknowt hatf
ir
stpr
eachi
ngaf
terthenati
onal
ant
hem?

Shetookoutherphoneandshowedhimt hepastor
,Monga'
s
hear
tskippedashelookedatLesego'
sfat
her.
..
.

Lucy:(
laughed)Kanat hef
irstt
imeisawy oukehaotshwanale
Stevegore.
..Youstil
ldobutthatni
ght?Iguessitwasthecl
othes
becauseheal sol
ikedtodressli
kethat
..
.

Monga:
What
'sSt
eve'
saccount
?

Shecli
ckedoni
tthenMongasatdownl
ooki
ngathi
spi
ctur
esone
byone..
.

Lucy
:What
?

Monga:
Not
hing.
..Um.
..Let
'sgo.
..

Hepickedt
hebagandputhi
sar
m behi
ndherbackast
heywal
ked
out
..

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..
Mar
uputt
hepl
ast
icont
het
abl
easMaoshal
esatont
hecouch.
.

Mar
u:Aunt
ieApul
aiscomi
ng.
..St
ayt
her
eandwat
chTV.
..

Sheswi
tchedt
heTVonandl
ockedheri
nsi
det
henshegotback
i
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

Thenextsponsorwi
l
lbepost
edshor
tl
y.Besur
etol
i
kef
or
anot
herbonus.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#72

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

LaterthateveningLucypl ayedDJMaphor i
sa'sI
zolowhile
cookingwear i
ngMonga' sTshirt
,thebeastsrandownhert hick
bodyasshedancedhol dingabigspoon. .Shest
uckhert ongue
outandmov edherwai stthenshedi shedoneachpl at
e.She
pi
ckedherf ullglassofwi neandt ookasipf r
om herbefore
walkingoutwithbot hplatessingi
ngal ong..
.

Lucy:
(si
ngi
ng)

I
yon’
i
vel
eyang’
khoboza

I
yon’
i
vel
eyang’
khoboza

I
yon’
i
vel
eyang’
khoboza

Shesetupthedinnerandbroughtt
wowi neglassesandabottl
e
ofwinet
henshewal kedbacktotheki
tchen,shethoughtshe
founddi
nnercandlesweeksbackandtheretheywere..
.

Shet
ookt
hem outandopenedt
hedr
awer
sforal
i
ght
erwhi
l
e
Mongawast
alki
ngt
ooneoft
heagent
sout
side.

Shecar
eful
l
ypl
acedt
hem andl
i
tthem upwhi
l
edanci
ng.

Lucy
:Monga?
!Taoj
e..
.Sal
eont
api
l
eokopagoi
nol
a..

Shewalkedinthelounger
oom t
alki
ngandfrownedlookingatthe
moneyont hetabl
ewi t
hanot
e.Shegrabbedthehomet heater
remot
eandst oppedthemusi
cthenshepickedupthenot e.
..

"Fi
ndmebef oremyfoodgetscol
dandthismoneyisy ours.I
fyou
can'
tfi
ndmey oul
osethemoneyanditgoesbacktomywal l
et.I
don'
twanttoeatcoldfoodmadam chef
.Tip :I'
mi nsidethe
house.Goodluck.
"

Shesmi ledandl aughedasshecount

edt hemoney
,itwasone
thousandpul a.Sheputitdownandwalkedbehi
ndthecouch
checking..
..

Lucy
:(l
aughed)Mongat
her
ra.
..ComeI
'
llsucky
ourdi
c..
.

Shel
aughedknowi
nghewaspr
obabl
ylaughi
ngatt
hepr
oposal
..
.
Lucy
:Youknowy
oul
i
kemyt
hroatpapi
..
.

Shewalkedtot
hebedroom andcheckedunderthebedbef
ore
checki
ngthecl
osetandst
andinginthepassage.
..

Lucy
:Si
manana?
!

Mongaal mostsnortedhidi
ngi nt
hebathroom shel
fbutheheld
hisbreat
h, sothi
sgirl
wasl i
steni
ngwhenhewast al
ki
ngtohis
fatheroverthephone.Helaughedsi
lent
lyandputaf i
stoverhi
s
mout h.

Ther
ewassi
lencet
henLucywal
kedal
ongthepassageagai
n
cal
li
ngf
orhi
m, agl
assbr
okeandshef
ell
down..

Lucy
:Ishhhhhh.
..
.Iy
ooo

Mongasteppedoutandgrabbedar
olloft
issuewalki
ngi
nthe
passagewhereLucywassit
ti
nghol
dingherfoot
..
.

Lucy
:Ishhh
Monga:
Arey
ouok?Ri
anakebone.
..

Shest
oodupandsmi
l
edst
ret
chi
ngher
sel
ftoki
sshi
scheek.
..

Lucy:
Thanky
ouf
ort
hemoney
,pl
easegoandeat
.Yourf
oodi
s
sti
l
lhot.
.

Monga'
smout
hdr
oppedashesmi
l
ed.
..

Monga:
Youcheat
ed,
that
'snotf
air
..
.

Lucy
:Theonlyrul
ewast
ofi
ndy
ou.
..Goeat
.I'
l
lbuyt
hisgl
ass
fr
om mythousand.

Shebentovercl
eani
ngup,
Mongaspankedherassandwal
ked
awaylaughi
ng..
.

Monga:Aftereati
ngyou'
rebet
ti
ngwi ththatthousandandI
'm
bett
ingwit
hanot hert
henwetaket ur
nshiding,wesetati
mer,y
ou
fi
ndmet heni f
indyou.Wi
nnertakesitall
.

Lucy
:(l
aughed)Deal
Shepour
edthegl
assesi
nthebinandwashedherhandst
henshe
j
oinedhi
m ast
heybeguneat
ing.
..
.

Monga:Tel
lmeaboutSt
eve.
..Whatwasheli
ke..
.Isawan
i
nter
esti
ngpostwher
ehewast al
ki
ngaboutnott
rusti
ngf
ri
ends
wi
shinghehadabrot
heri
nst
ead.

Lucy :Hedi dn'thav ef r

iendsbecauseaf ri
endofhi ssl eptwi thhis
exandi mpr egnat edher .Ittookawhi l
eforhi mt ot rustmewhen
west art
eddat ingandi wasokwi thbeingt ranspar entunt ilhe
trustedmef ully.Wewoul dswi t
chphonesat holakay ameke
tholakay agagwe, wehadeachot herspasswor dsandwewer e
bestf ri
ends, l
ennai don'thav eaf ri
end.That '
swhyI '
m sol onel y
,
beingasi steri soky esbuty oudon' twantt oseeherhur ti
ng
becauseshef eelsfory ouorhast onursey ourfeel ings...Steve
andi understoodeachot her .Hehadcol leagues, acquai ntances,
formercl assmat es,etc.Owashi sfri
endandwepar t
iedt ogether.
He' dhangoutwi thhiscol leaguesbuthe' dmi ssmeabeant atel
a
koGumar e.Hisf amilyt houghti bewitchedhi m becausewhenhe
mi ssedmeatni ghthe' dgeti nthecarandgotgetme.My
grandmot herknewt hatwhenSt evemi ssedmehe' dgost raightto
thecr opfieldandspendt i
mewi thmecut t
ingwat ermel onsand
cor n.
.

Monga:Hesoundsgreat
..
.Didhisfatherevert
alkabouthav
ing
anot
hersonothert
hanhisdaughtersinthemarri
age?

Lucy
:Idon'
tthi
nkso,
why
?

Monga:
Justwonder
ing,
guy
sli
ket
hatf
atherchi
l
drenal
lov
er.
..I
'
m
j
ustwonderingwhatyou'
ddoifyoufoundoutyousleptwithhis
brot
her,
woul dt
hatmakeanydiff
erence?Woul
dy ousti
lll
ikethe
guyknowingheisSteve'
sbr
otheroryou'
dfeel
likeyou'
re
betr
ayi
nghim?

Lucy
:(l
aughed)Wai
i
,dot
hingsl
i
ket
hatev
enhappenmmegone?

Monga:Probabl
ynot
..
.Ihopei
tsnotawkwar
dthatI
'
m maki
ngy
ou
t
alkaboutit
.

Lucy
:Act
ual
l
yiappr
eci
atei
t.
..I
tmakesmef
eel
bet
ter
..

Monga:
You'
l
lbeal
ri
ght
..
.

Helookedinherey
esandlookeddowngui
l
tst
ri
cken,
howcome
hi
shappinesswasalway
sshortli
ved.
..

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Justbef
oremidnightApuladrovethrought
hegateandpar
kedi
n
fr
ontofthehouse,shedial
ledAtsil
eagainandt
herewasno
answerthensheleanedbacktyping.
..

Atsi
le:
Justar r
ived.Imanagedtobookafli
ghttomorr
owsoi can
bebackint heoffi
ceontime.Mypr oj
ecti
sabouttobecompleted
soimustf ocus.IwanttotakeMaoshaletothehospi
tal
sothey
checkifshehasbeenmol est
ed.I
fsothenyouneedtohelpme
f
oll
owthis,
I'
m notamotherbuti
knowchi
l
drendon'
tj
ustt
ouch
t
hemselv
es.Pleaser
epl
yme.

Atsil
e:I
fy out
akethatchil
ddon'tevertal
ktomeabouther ,
busangngwanawagaRamodal a.Takeherbacktoherfather,
i
don'texpecty
out ounderst
andwhati t
'sl
iketoli
vewiththe
remainderofyourchi
ldhoodtr
auma.Gakebat egoit
segor e
Ramodal akadit
edutsedi t
shweuki l
earobalalenna.Leaveme
alonekangwanay oo.Mmuset sekogobor ragwe.

Apul
areadhermessageandsi ghedthensheputherphonedown
andgotthesparekeys,sheunl
ockedthedoorandwalkedinwhil
e
Maoshal
ef el
lasl
eephuggingherfood,sheshookhershoul
der
..
.
Maoshal
ejumpedst art
ledandsatup..
.

Apul
a:Hi
,i
tsme.
..

Shesatnextt
oherandsi
ghed.
..

Apula:
Aunti
eMar uisv
erysadt
hatyout
aughtherki
dst
otouch
themselv
es.
..Wheredi
dyouseethat
?

Her
:Nowher
e

Apul
a:Idon'
tl
ikeki
dswholieorsteal
.I'
mtaki
ngy
out omyhouse,
i
twil
lbemeandy ousoifanyt
hinggoesmissi
ngiknowit
syou.
Doyouhearme?
Her
:Yes.
..

Apul
a:Ifyoualwaystel
lthet
rut
hi wil
ll
ikeyouandI'
l
ltakecareof
youbutifyousteal
from meI'
mt aki
ngy oubackt
oyourfather
.

Herf
aci
alexpr
essi
onsqui
ckl
ychangedandsheswal
l
owedsadl
y
l
ooki
ngatheraunt
..
.

Apul
a:Cany
oupr
omi
semet
haty
ouwi
l
ltel
lthet
rut
h?

Her
:Yes

Apul
a:Sodi
dsomeonetouchyout
her
eort
ell
yout
otouch
your
sel
f?Oryousawot
herki
dsdoi
ngit
?

Her:
Someonetouchedmeatni
ghtinthedar
kandtouchedme,i
di
dn'tseet
heper
sonbuthesmel
ledli
kepapa,hesmel
ledli
kehi
s
ci
garett
e.

Apul
a'
sey
esbur
nedwi
tht
ear
sandshesmi
l
edt
ear
ful
l
y..
.

Apul
a:Hashehur
tyou?

Her:No,
hej
ustt
ouchesmeandr ubshi
smotsokoonmet henhe
peesonmypant
ies.Idon'
twantt
ogobackt
ohi shouse

Apula:Ok,iwon'
ttakey
oubackbutifyoustealI
'mtaki
ngyou
back.Let'
sgotothehospi
tal
,thedoct
oriagoingtocheckonyou
andaskyouquest
ions.
.Pl
easedon'tli
e,andthenI'
mt aki
ngy
out
o
thepol
i
ce.Wearegoingtotel
lthem whathappened..

Maoshal
e:(tear
ful
l
y)No,heisgoingt
obeatme.Ket
aashapi
wa
got
weker ogakabathobabatona

Apula:Nobodyosgoingtobeaty
ou,you'
remydaughternow.And
aft
ertalki
ngtothepoli
cewearefl
yi
ngtoKasanefarawayfrom
here.
.

Her
:(smi
l
ed)Kaf
ly?

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Ee

Her
:Fl
yyamasent
esent
ehel
ayamannet
e?

Apul
a:Ee

Shelookedawayandsmi
l
edasherf
rontmi
ssi
ngt
oot
hgapgot
exposed.
..

Apul
a:Agor
wal
adi
thako.
..

Shegotupandrantotheki
tchen,
Apulagrabbedthepl
ast
icof
foodshewashuggi
ngandlookedinsi
de,shehadtakenabit
eout
ofevery
thi
ngandl
eftsomeforthenextday.Maoshal
ecamet hen
shestoodup.
..
Maoshal
e:Letm getmyf
ood.

Apul
a:Ok

Shegotherf
oodandf
oll
owedherauntasshel
ockedt
hedoor
..

Maoshal
e:(
smi
l
ed)Iwantt
ogot
ofl
ymachi
ne

Apul
a:You'
l
llov
eit
..
.

Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Mi
nut
esl
aterApul
apar
kedt
hecarandt
heyst
eppedout
..
.

Apul
a:Sowhydi
dyoust
eal
aunt
ie'
smoney
?

Maoshal
e:Iwantedtogobuypant iesatMaO' sshop.Mypant y
hasahole,papator
eit.
.Ifi
hav eagoodpant yhet akesal ong
ti
meandi cansneezeandhecanst opbutifmypant yhasahol e
hepeesonmeandi getbeatenforgetti
ngblanketsdirt
y.Ididn'
t
wantot
herst ol
aughatmef orhavingat or
npant y,iwantedtobe
l
ikePi
nki
eandLi l
owi t
hGoodbeaut iful
panties.
Apul
a:Iunder
stand,

Maoshal
e:Iwasafr
aidt
otel
launt
iebecausehesai
dhewi
l
lki
l
l
me.Don'
tlethi
m ki
l
lme.Youmusttakemewi t
hyou.

Apul
a:Yes,
wear
egoi
ngt
oget
her
..

Theywalkedi
nthehospi
tal
,thankGoditwasmidni
ghtandt
her
e
wasnoqueue.Sheheldherhandandtheywal
kedinthe
consul
tat
ionr
oom.

Thedoctoraskedherquest
ionsandsheanswer
edwhi
l
eApul
a
satnextt
ohert henshest
oodup.

Doct
or:
Comel
ayont
hebed.
..Takeof
fyourpant
ies.

Maoshal etookoffherpantiesandgotonthebed,Apul
a'
sey es
fellonthepanti
esandindeedi thadaholeonthebri
dge.Apula
pickedherpantiesandfoldedthem t
earf
ull
ywaiti
ngasthedoctor
exami nedher.
..

Apul
a:I
ssheOK?

Doct
or:Thegoodnewsi
sshei
sper
fect
..
.Nopenet
rat
ionandshe
i
ssti
llavi
rgi
n.
Apul
asi
ghedt
ear
ful
l
yandswal
l
owed.
..

Apul
a:Woul
diwi
nacaseagai
nsthim withherwor
dagai
nsthi
sor
woul
dibetr
aumat
isi
ngherwi
thcourtcases?

Doctor
:Iknowagoodsoci
alworker
.I'
l
lgiv
eyouhernumber
,she
mightgi
veyouagoodexpl
anat
ion.I
'mjustadoct
or.
..

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.
..

Apulahel
pedherdr
essupt hentheywal
kedoutasMaoshal
e
hoppedbesi
desherexci
tedly
..
.

Maoshal
e:Whenar
ewegoi
ngt
othef
ly?

Apul
a:(
laughed)Sayapl
ane.
..I
tsoundsni
cer

Maoshal
e:Apl
ane.
..Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
oleav
eyourcar
?

Apul
a:Attheair
port
..Youcanl
eavey
ourcarandt
hecarcompany
candel
iv
eritbutihavetwocar
s.

Maoshal
e:You'
rear
ichaunt
ie

Apul
a:(l
aughed)Am i?Youandmear erich,I
'm goi
ngtogiveyou
amoneyboxwher eyou'l
lputcoi
nsforyourself
..
.Sofaryou
ear
nedP5f ort
ell
ingthetr
uth,whenyoudodi shesyougetcoins.
Youpassyougetcoinsuntily
ourmoneyboxi sfull
ofmoney .But
I
'
m goi
ngt
obuyy
ouev
ery
thi
ngy
ouwant
.

Maoshal
e:Ev
ent
oysl
i
kePi
nkandLi
l
o?

Apula:
More,
I'm ar
ichauntandnowi
hav
ear
ichni
ecewho
doesn'
tst
ealorl
ie!

Theylaughedgett
ingint
hecar,
Apul
ahandedheradr
inkand
grabbedoneherselft
henshedr
oveof
f.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#73

Att
heaunt
'shouse.
..

Thenextmor
ningApul
apar
kedt
hecarwhi
l
eMaoshal
ooked
out
side.
..

Maosha:
Aren'
twegoi
ngt
othef
ly?

Apul
a:Yes,
wear
egoi
ng.Ihav
etoseemyauntf
ir
st.
..Let
'sgo
sayhi

Maosha:
(tear
ful
l
y)Youwantt
ododgeme.
..
.Wenawankur
uka.

Apul
a:(
laughed)Bat
hongOsha.
..Justwai
tint
hecart
hen.

Shesteppedoutandj
oinedherauntasshesati
nfr
ontofher
house.
..

Apul
a:Howar
eyouaunt
ie?

Her
:I'
mfi
ne,
you'
regl
owi
ngmygi
rl
.Thi
sjobi
str
eat
ingy
ouwel
l
.

Apula:
Eemma. .
.Ij
ustwant
edt
olety
ouknowthatOshahasbeen
molestedbyt
hatol
dmanandiwanttof
oll
oweveryst
epsohe
cangot oj
ail
ifpossi
ble.Thedoct
orsayssheisOKbutt her
eis
evi
dence.Ikeptherpant i
esandit
ookthem tothepolicest
ati
on.I
am takingherwithmet ostayi
nKasaneaswel lbecauseAtsi
l
e
doesn'twantherandshewant shert
obet akentothesameman
molestingher.

Her
:Ev
enaf
termol
est
ati
on?

Apula:
wespokethi
smorni
ngandshesti
lldoesn'
twanther
.She
saysOshai
slyi
ngherownfat
hercannev
erdot hat
.

Her:Goandr aiseyourniecemygi r
l,l
oveherandt reatherkind.I
don'tknowifshewi ll
rememberi twhenshei sgrownbutwhat
mattersisdoinggood. .
.Don'texpecthertolovey ouinreturneven
asanadul t
..I
fy oucanhav ey ourowndaught erbecauseni eces
alwayswalkaway .Itwillbepainfulbecauseyouconnect edwi t
h
them andfeelthem asy ourdaughtersbutit'
sther eal
it
yofl i
fe.

Apul
alookeddowngui
l
tst
ri
ckenandsi
ghed.
..

Apula:Idon'tknowaboutother sauntie.
..Buty oulookl
ikemama
andt heolderigett
hemor ei seeheri nyou...Thispai
nsme,aft
er
spendingthedaywi t
hy ouifeel sad.
..Ialsowantt obewithyou
allt
het i
mebutIdon' tknowwhatmamai sthinki
ngaboutall
these..
.

Her:Iknowthi
swil
lbehardtobeli
evecomingfr
om mebutmy
si
steralway
ssaidshehasalotofchi
ldrenandi
fsheeverdi
edi
shouldmarryy
ourfat
her.Bef
oreshediedshecal
ledmeinthe
houseandaskedme.
..

Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
esandsher
ubbedt
hem.
.

Aunt i
e:Ihadaboyfr
iendthatil
ovedsomuch. .
.Welovedeach
otherandmeti nt
hebushest okiss.Ihadtoleavehi
mf oryour
fatherbecausemysistersai
difididn'
tmarryherhusband
someoneel sewouldandshewoul dabuseherdaught er
s.My
boy f
ri
endcommi t
tedsuicideonmyweddi ngdaybecause..

Sheburstint
otear
s,Apul
a'sl
ipstr
embledasshegotofft
hechai
r
andkneltnextt
oheraunthuggi
ngherastheycr
ied.
..

Aunti
e:Ididn'
tbetraymysister..
.Whentheel
dersaskedaft
erher
bur
ialist
illr
efusedbutt
heni seemedli
keanevilauntsoi
dumpedt heloveofmylif
ef ormysi st
erschi
l
dren.

Apula:
Pleasef
orgi
vemef ort
hinki
ngthatl
ovingyouwill
be
betr
ayi
ngmymot her.Idi
dn'tknow..
.Il
oveyou..
.OhmyGod. .I
can'
timaginel
osi
ngamanai l
ovejustt
oraisechil
drenwhodon'
t
showupwhenI '
m si
ck...

Sheknel
tandputherhandst
oget
her
..
.
Apul
a:For
giv
emepl
ease.
..

Heraunt
ier
ubbedhert
ear
sandpul
l
edhercl
oser
.

Aunt
ie:I
t'
sokmygi r
l.
..Idi
dn'
tknowy oufeltli
ket
hatiwouldhav
e
l
ongtoldyou.Letmeshowy oumyboy fr
iend'spi
ctur
e..
.Hewas
sohandsome...Mor
ehandsomet hanyourf at
her
..
.

Theylaughedthenshewal kedoutwi
thanalbum ofbl
ackand
whitepict
uresthenshehandedherapictur
eofamandr essedi
n
ahipster,
anunbuttonshir
tandanafrothatl
ookedli
keMichael
Jacksonwhenhewasbl ack..

Apula:(
laughed)Aunt
iemma,
dihunktsabogol
ogol
onkarebat
ho
badisco..Hewashandsomet
hough.
..Nkar
eThohokgol
owa
bophelokesemphekgo.

Auntie:(
laughed)I
bil
ehewor kedatt
hemi nesinSouthAf
rica.Ha
gorogaabui saset
sotsiketaaswagore..
.(t
heycrackedl
aughing
outloud)Hagot westhandwasam akaka!Akaka!

Apul
alaughedsohar
dherr
ibshur
tasshepi
ctur
ed.
..

Aunt
ie:
Ikepthi
spi
ctur
eandy
ourf
atherknewabouthi
mtoo.
..He
hel
pedmemov
eon.

Apul
asmi
l
edl
ooki
ngatheraunt
ieandshookherhead.
.

Apul
a:Butaunt
iewhydoy
oul
oveus?

Aunti
e:Thesamereasony oudon'
twantOshabackatRamodal
a'
s
housemygirl
.Bl
oodisthickert
hanwaterandsi
ster
hoodist
he
bondnoonecanbreak..
.

Apula:Aunt
iewenammaont ir
aemotionalnkar
enkal
ela.
..
I
magi neyoudon'
that
eusandwhenweshowupy ouj
ustl
oveus
despit
ecosti
ngyouyourhappi
lyev
erafter
..
.

Aunti
e:I'
mj ustproudofyouandMaru.Youtwosendmoneyl eha
l
esate.
..Iwantmor ethanmoneythough.
..Iwantt
oseey ou.
Atsi
l
eisbr oken..
.Don'
thateher
,hel
pherheal.SoisOt
lhe..
.Shei
s
br
okenbyl ove..
.

Apul
a:Ok.
..Ihav
etogo.I
'
m goingt
obuyOshaclothesthenwe
ar
efl
yingt
oKasane.Sheref
usedtoleav
ethecart
hinki
ngI'm
pl
ayi
ngher.

Her:Pleasehealher
,gethercounsell
ingify ouhaveto.
..She
steal
sbecauseshewasst ar
ving.
..A7y earoldcanber ebui
lt
.
May besheisevenbril
l
iantatschool.
..Key onesist
erhoodyone
eongwanaka.Youhav eadaught ernow, actli
keasinglemum
andprotectherf
rom yourboyfri
endst oo.

Apul
a:Eemma
Her
:hav
easaf
efl
i
ght
.Letmebl
essy
ou.
.

Heraunthel
dherhandsandl
eanedov
erasshepr
ayedov
erher
andspokeblessi
ngsov
er.
.

Bot
h:Amen.

Shegotupandherauntwalkedt
othecarwher
eshegr
eet
ed
Oshabefor
etheydr
oveoff.
..

Att
hemal
l
...

Apulawait
edatthedressi
ngroom whi
leOshachangedi
ntonew
cl
othes,
theygottheoldcl
othesandputt
hem i
ntheshopping
bag.
.

Apul
asmi
l
edatt
heshopassi
stantast
heywal
kedout
..
.

Apul
a:Thankst
hemma

Her
:You'
rewel
come.
..Tsenamony
ana!Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul

Osha:
Thanky
ou.
Theywal
kedoutandi
ntoKFC.
..

Apul
a:Choosewhaty
ouwantont
hatdi
spl
ayscr
een.
..

Oshasmiledf
rom eartoearasshepoi
ntedatt
hef
oodanda
kr
usher
,theybot
hwal kedoutandbumpedonMonga.
..

Apul
aandMonga'
sey
esl
ockedast
heysmi
l
edawkwar
dly
..

Helookedgoodonhiscompanyshi
rt
,ithadbeenawhil
esince
she'
dseenhiminfor
mal wearandmandidhelookgood.
..Good
forhi
sgir
lf
ri
end,
iguess!

Mongal ookedatAt sil

e'sdaught er,
hehadhear denoughabout
thi
slitt
legir
l.
..Didshest epupasanaunt i
e,ormay beshewas
j
usttakinghersomewher e.
..DjBabywouldn'thavetimefor
chil
dren..
.Butshel ookedgoodwi thachil
d,kindofli
kear eal
woman. ..Howcomewomenl ookedmoreat t
racti
vewhent hey
werecar i
ng..
.Ohf uckMonga, sheisaheartbreakerandLoago's
gir
lfr
iend..
.Yournewbuddy !Atleastyoudidn'
tundressher..
.Now
thathewast hinkingaboutitt hi
sdressreall
y.
..
Apul
a:Hi

Monga:
Hey
..
.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?

Apul
a:I
'
m her
etocol
l
ectt
hisl
i
ttl
etr
oubl
emaker
,I'
m amom now.
..

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)Youl
i
e,ser
iousl
y?

Apula:Yeah,
I'
m goi
ngt
oseei
ficangi
vehert
heat
tent
ionshei
s
seeking.

Monga:
Orat
ani
ghtl
i
fej
aana?

Apul
a:Ngwanaogodi
sat
hal
ogany
o..

Monga:
You'
reamom i
ndeed,
youhav
ethatmom gl
ow.
.

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.
..Youl
ookgoodi
nfor
mal
wear
..
.

Sher
eachedov
erandf
ixedhi
scol
l
ar.
.

Apul
a:I
'm gladyouhavesomethi
nglegi
t,nowev
eni
fsomeonei
s
spyi
ngony ouyou'
recover
ed.
..Davi
d.

Monga:
(laughed)Gaol
ebal
e..
.

Theyl
aughedl
ooki
ngatoneanot
herandsmi
l
ed.
..

Monga:
Howi
sLoago?
Apul
a:Hei
sOK.
..Howi
sLanaory
eahkanai
tdi
dn'
twor
kout
.

Monga:
Therei
sLucynow..
.Wellshedoesn'
tknowhowi
feel
but
shei
sOK..
.Ij
ustdon'
twantt
orushandf al
l.

Apul
a:Good.
..

Monga:
Ist
her
eany
thi
ngi
shoul
dwor
kon?You'
reanex

Apul
a:Sofarnot
hing,
you'
reperf
ect
.You'
vef
ixedev
ery
thi
ngi
complai
nedaboutsoyou'
reever
ygi
rl'
sdr
eam andi
meanever
y
woman'sdream.

Monga:
Ify
ousayso,
ret
aabonagor
eLucyot
aar
engov
ert
ime.

Apul
a:Al
ri
ght
.By
e

Monga:
Bye

Theyeachtur
nedwalki
ngbackwar
dsandwav
edbef
oret
urni
ng
andwalki
ngaway.
..

Mongawalkedi
ntheshopandor
der
edaf
ewt
hingsf
orLucy
bef
oredr
ivi
ngoff
..

AtKasaneI
nter
nat
ional
air
por
t.
..

Anhourl
aterApul
arecor
dedOsha'
sr eact
ionasshesmiled
anxi
ousl
ywaitedf
orherbagasi
trol
ledont hebaggagecarousel
..
.
Shej
umpedupanddownclappi
ngsmil
ingfr
om eart
oearasher
bagr
oll
edov
erthenshegoti
tandt
urned.
..

Osha:
Igot
..
.Obony
eaunt
ie?

Apul
a:(
laughed)Yesbaby
,isawi
t.
..

Shesmiledandtheywalkedoutoftheairpor
t.Apul
adi
aledLoago
butthephonerangunanswered.Sherecogni
sedataxi
dr i
verand
walkedovert
ohim..

Apul
a:Hi
ther
radr
opusof
f.

Dr
iver
:I'
m her
eoncal
l

Apul
a:Iunder
standbutsomeonewassupposedt opickusup.
Youknowwecan' twal
ktheparki
sjustnear
,I'
m wit
hachildthe
rr
a.

Dr
iver
:Ok,
letmet
alkt
omycl
i
ent
.

Thedr i
vertal
kedt
othel
adyhewaspi
cki
ngandsmi
l
edwav
ing
them over.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
Lat
eronApul
aunl
ockedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
nwi
thOsha.

Apul
a:Ok,
wehaver
ulesi
nthi
shouse.
..Fol
l
owt
hem orel
seI
won'
tbehappy
.

Osha:
Iwon'
tmakey
ouangr
y..
.Il
i
key
ouandi
li
keher
e..
.

Apul
a:I
'm goi
ngtobuyyouabedlat
ertodaytheny
ouchoose
bl
anket
sintheshop,y
ou'l
lhav
eyourspace.

Shesmi
l
edandnoddedherheadsmi
l
ing.
..

Apula:Ther eisaboynextdoor .Don'

tevergot othathouseand
youdon' tplayoutsideunti
lifeelli
keyou'r
ereadyt oplaywith
others.You'renottousei nsults,y
oudon'tstealy
ouj usteat
whatev eryouwantandi fi
t'
sf i
nishedyoutellme.Youaskf or
thi
ngsandi wi
llgi
vey ou.I
'm goingtotestyouwithmoney .
..I
'
m
goingtol eaveitly
ingaroundi fyoudon'tbr
ingittomei knowy ou
tookit.

Osha:
Nnagakesat holekeutswanna,kechenchi
tsekengwana
waskgoa.
.{Idon'
tstealany
mor e,
I'
vechangedI'
m arichki
d}

Apul
alaughedoutl
oudandhel
dherhi
psspeechl
ess.
..
Apul
a:Okbaby
..Got
othebedr
oom andpacky
ournewcl
othes
ni
cel
y

Osha:
Cani
wearot
her
s?Iwantt
otr
ythem al
l
.

Apula:Yes,
I'
m goi
ngt
otakepi
ctur
esofy
ouwi
thy
ournew
hai
rsty
le.

Therewasaknockonthedoorthenshewalkedoverandopened
thedoor
,Loagowal
kedinbutshesteppedout.
..

Apul
a:Let
'sst
epout
side.
..

Loagol
ookedatOshaandwal
kedout
sidet
henshecl
osed.
..

Loago:
Sor
ryf
ort
hedel
ay.
..LJhadmyphone,
hewaspl
ayi
ng
games.

Apul
a:I
t'
sfi
ne,
imanaged.

Loago:
Canwegoi
n?Gomosar
asar
ane

Apul
a:Ihav
emyni ecewit
hme,andidon'
twanttoconf
useher
.
SheknowsI'
m notmarr
iedpl
usshei
sagirlchi
l
d.

Loago:
Isn'
tsheol
denought
ounder
standboy
fri
end?

Apula:No,
act
ual
l
yshei
sLoago'
sage.Sheal
sodoesn'
thav
efr
ont
teet
h..
Loago:
Sor
agokopanaj
ang?

Apula:
Idon'
tknowbutdefi
nit
elynoti
nmyhouse, ihavetobea
rol
emodel t
othi
sli
tt
legi
rl
.I'
m heretorehabi
l
itateherbecause
shewasabandonedsoI'
ml i
keamot hertoher..

Loago:
Howdowedat
eifwecan'
tvi
siteachot
her
shouses?

Apul
a:Idon'
tknowei
therbutwecan'
tusemyhousenei
ther
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#74

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
.

Loago:
WhydoIf
eel
li
key
ou'
reget
ti
ngev
enwi
thme?

Apul
a: Iam notgetti
ngevenwi t
hy ou,
I'
mv erydisappointedthat
youthinkthisi
sabouty ou.It
oldy oumyni eceisgoi ngthrough
somepr oblemsandy oudidn'
tev enbothertocomewi t
hme
knowingI'
llbedri
vingtoMaunf or12hour s..Ihadt ospend
moneyonaf li
ghtandleavemycari nMaun.

Loago:
Idi
dn'
ttakeadayof
f

Apul
a:You'
retheboss,
you'
retalki
ngasify
ouwor
kforsomeone
el
sebuteit
herwayI'
m notget
tingeven.

Loago:Ok,
canweint
roduceeachot
hert
othechi
l
drenandj
ust
taket
hem outf
orpi
zza?

Apul
a:I'
m sti
llr
ehabil
i
tat
ingmyniece,shei
snotreadytomeet
youoryourson.Totahel
ai wanttopayherat
tent
ionandteach
herafewthings,shewasschooli
ngatthefar
m andsheneedsto
adj
ust.

Loago:
You'
ret
alki
ngasi
fyou'
ret
alki
ngaboutamur
der
erf
rom
pri
son.
.

Apul
a:Sheneedst
ime,
I'
ll
lety
ouknowwhenshei
sready
.Le
wenat akeyourtimewi t
hyoursonandslowl ytalktohim about
youhav i
ngar el
ationshi
pbeforeyoucanintroduceme, don'tl
et
thi
srushy ouintodoingsomethingyouwer en'
tplanningondoing.
Let'
sjustrespectourchil
drenandbediscretaboutit.Ican'
tbe
l
ong,i havetogobacki nsi
debeforeshebur nsthewhol ehouse.

Loago:
Alr
ight
..
.Cani
getahug.
..

Shest
eppedov
er,
theyhuggedbr
ief
lyt
henshel
eanedback.
..

Loago: I
'm sorryformissingyourcallandi feelli
keI '
vebeen
i
gnor ingy ourfeeli
ngsbecausei treall
yhurtst hatican'tgeti
n
yourhouseandj ustrelaxwit
hy ou.Ifeelli
key oudon' ttr
ustmeor
seeaf uturebetweenus. .Youpr obablyfel
tthesamewaybuti
woul dn'thav eunderstoodifiwasn'tinthesamesi tuati
on..
.I
reall
yl ovey ouandsomet i
mest ryi
ngt obalancebei ngagood
fatherandagoodpar tnertoapeopl ewhodon' trel
atecanbehard.

Apula:I
'
mj usthappyyoucanbeembarrassedandyou'
renott
oo
pr
idefult
oadmi tcer
tai
nthi
ngs.Iappr
eciat
ethatal
ot.

Loago:
Arebaakany
ewi
fey

Apul
a:Yeahbutminei
snotready,Ipr
omi
seI'
m notbei
ngev
en.
Shei
sreall
ynotr
eadytoevenplaywit
hLJ.

Loago:
Don'
tdumpmet
hemma

Apul
a:(
laughed)Iwon'
t.
..
Theyhuggedandki
ssedt
hent
heypar
ted.
..
.

AtMar
u'sHouse.
..

Derr
ickwal
kedinthehousewit
hapl ast
icoft
oysandputt
hem on
thet
ablewhi
lehisdaught
erswatchedTV.

Dee:
Wher
eisy
ourcousi
n?Idi
dn'
tseehert
hismor
ningt
oo.

Li
lo:Mamatookhert
ohermot her
shousebecauseshewas
putt
ingaf
ingeri
nherpant
ies

Dee:
..
..O-
k..
.

Het
ookof
fhi
sTshi
rtwal
ki
ngt
othebedr
oom.
..

Dee:
HasAt
sil
ear
ri
ved?

Mar
u:Apul
atookher

Dee:
Thischi
ldisgi
vi
ngmesi gnsofachi
l
dgoi
ngt
hroughabuse.
Canyouhaveyoursi
stert
alkt
oher?

Maru:Shedi
d,shewasbei
ngmol
est
edbutshei
sfi
ne.
..Canwe
t
alk?

Dee:
Sur
e,what
'sgoi
ngon?
Maru:I
'
m nothappywi t
hy ouraccusat
ionst
samaabane..
.I.Sl
ept
wi
thabr okenhear
t..
.Aft
erbeingwithyouforsol
ongI'
m
di
sappointedt
hatyoudon'tknowme.

Hemov
edov
ersi
tt
ingi
nfr
ontofherandsi
ghed.
..

Dee:
I'
m sorr
y..
.Iwasjustshocked..
.Itwashar
dtobel
i
eve.I
t
won'
thappenagain.
.Pleasefor
giveme. .
.

Mar
u:Onl
yify
oucookf
orme.
.

Hesmil
edandputhi
sTshi
rtbackont
henhel
eanedov
erki
ssi
ng
her
..
.

Dee:
Yourwi
shi
smycommand.
..

Hewal
kedoutasshesmi
l
ed.
..

AtLucy
'shouse.
..

Lucywashedthedi
shesst
andi
ngi
nthekit
chent
henther
ewasa
knock,
Steve'
smotherwal
kedi
nbef
oreshecoul
danswerand
hel
dherhips.
Her
:Soy
ou'
vest
art
edt
obr
ingmeni
nmyson'
shouse?

Lucy
:Yoursoni
slat
e..
.Andi
t'
smyhouse.

Her
:St
evedi
dn'
tgi
vey
out
hishousesoy
oucanshar
eitwi
thmen.

Lucy:Pl
easel
eavemyhouse.I
'vegiv
enyouenoughti
met omour
n
yoursonnowyou'
regoi
ngtoofar.St
evewasmymi netooandi
l
ovedhim..Hewasnyever
ythi
ng..

Her:Youkill
edhimforevery
thinghehad.
..I
'
m goi
ngt ovi
sitever
y
prophetandtradi
ti
onaldoct
or.You'
ll
neverf
indaproperj
ob...
You'l
lneverbehappy.

Lucy
:Ok,
goanddoi
t,don'
ttel
lme.
.Pl
easel
eav
e.

Mongaknockedont
hedoorandt
her
ewassi
l
enceashewal
ked
i
n..
.

Monga:
Babear
eyouOK?

Lucy
:Yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.

Shetur
nedlooki
ngathim andwal
kedoutwi
thoutsayi
nganythi
ng,
Lucysi
ghedandshookherhead.Mongawal
kedov erandhugged
herassherest
edherheadonhischest
..
.
Monga:I
'
m doingever
ythi
ngt
oassi
styou.You'
l
lbegonewi
thi
na
montheveni
fitmeansswappi
ngorsomethi
ng.

Hi
sphonerangi
nthepockett
henhel
eanedbackandt
ooki
tout
,
i
twasLana'
sfat
her'
s.
..

Monga:
Ineedt
ogett
his.
..

Heki
ssedherandpi
ckedst
il
lhol
dingher
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Sedi
:Hi
,i
t'
sSedi

Monga:
Hey

Sedi
:Ther
eissomet
hingi
needt
otel
lyou.
..

Monga:
Sur
ewhat
'sgoi
ngon?

Sedi
:I.
..Loveyou.
..Ihav
ebeent r
y i
ngt ohelpmy selfbutthepast
twoweekshav ebeendiff
icul
tandi feell
ikeifidon'tsayany t
hing
youmightmov eonandhav esomet hingseriouswithanot her
woman.I '
m sor
ryifi
t'
stooforward..
.(heartpounding)Idream
aboutkissi
ngyourli
psandy ouhuggingme. ..

Monga'
shear
tpoundedashel
etgoofLucyandr
ubbedhi
shead
bewi
l
der
ed.
..

Sedi:Itt
ooksomuchcour ageandnowI '
m scaredbecausei don'
t
knowwhaty outhink.Ijustwantedtosayi wantt obey ourwife
andt hemotherofyourchildr
en.Ipromisei won'tbetrayyou,Iwil
l
respectyouandlovey outhewayy oudeserv e.Iwill
appreciate
yourgoodheartandt hisgenerouspersonal
ityofy ours.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#75

AtLucy
'sHouse.
..
.

Lucy'
shear tpoundedasshel ist
enedtoev er
ywor dfrom whoever
thiswasandobser vedMonga' sreact
ion,herubbedhisheadas
hishandslidfrom hi
sheaddownt hebackofhi sneck,hewalked
backandf ourthst
ill
list
eningandnowt hathewaswal ki
ngaway
from hershecouldn'thearontheotherli
ne.

Shewalkedoverandst
oppedbehi
ndhi
mli
steni
ng,
she'
dnev
er
beensocuri
ousinherl
if
e..
.

Mongaturnedaroundj
ustwhenhewasabouttor
espondand
l
ockedeyeswithherwhil
est
il
lhol
dingt
hephonetohi
sear.

Monga:Youcal
l
edatabadtime,butI
'l
lgi
vey
ouapr
oper
r
esponselat
ert
odayort
hiseveni
ng.

Sedi:
Todaywhatti
me?Idon'
thav
eaphoneandi
fyoucal
lmy
fat
hermightpi
ck.

Monga:I
t'
sok,
I'
ll
sti
llneedtocheckonhi
m.Ihav
en'
tcheckedon
hi
m si
ncehewasdischarged.
Sedi
:Ok,
theywil
lcal
lmeify
oucal
l
.Iwon'
tgot
omyhouse,
I'
ll
j
ustbebythef
ir
eplace.

Monga:
Alr
ight
,by
e

Hehungup,
thecor
nerofLucy
'sey
ecaughtt
hecont
act"
Lana'
s
dad"
.

Mongauncomf
ort
abl
ycl
ear
edhi
sthr
oatandsl
i
dhi
sphonei
nthe
pocket
..
.

Lucy
:Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
otel
lherl
atert
oni
ght
?

Mongalookedatherspeechl
essandbi
thi
sli
pbef
orer
eleasi
ngi
t
andsatdown..
.

Monga:
I'
ll
see.
.

Lucy
:Iknowwehav
eanost
ri
ngsat
tachedt
hinggoi
ngonbut
..
.

Herhear
tpoundedsohar
dshecoul
dhar
dlybr
eat
h..
.

Lucy
:Gi
vemeami
nut
e..
.
Shewalkedi
nthebedr
oom andpull
edthedrawerst
henshef
ound
herast
hmasprayandshooki
tbefor
einhal
ing.
..

Meanwhil
einthesit
ti
ngroom Mongaswall
owedandburi
edhi
s
facebet
weenhishandsasSedi'
swordsi
nhisheadandnow
Lucy'
scuri
osi
ty.
..Whywasshetaki
ngsolongint
here?

Hest oodupandwalkedinthebedr
oom wher
ehestoppedatthe
doorandwatchedherinhal
eonelastt
imebefor
eputt
ingher
spraybackandrubbedherpuff
yeyes.
..
.

Lucy:I
'
m notcr
ying,notbr
eat
hingpr
oper
lysomet
imesbr
ingsout
tear
smmeosal ele.
..

Mongawalkedoverandstoppedathercar
petthenhetookoffhi
s
shoesandwalkedoverwi
thsocksthenhesatnexttoher.
..

Monga:
Canwet
alkabouti
t?

Lucy
:Aboutwhat
?

Monga:
What
'sbot
her
ingy
ou

Lucy
:Ij
ustdi
dn'
texpectawomant
ohi
tony
ouwhi
l
eI'
m wi
th
you..
.Shel i
terall
yagophoshahapel egameand. .
.IfI
'mt obe
honestitscar edmet haty oucouldn'
tjustt ellheroffandblock
herbutthenwear enotdat i
ng.Idon'tknowwhatwear ebutle
nnakeagor ata.
..Iwasn'treadyforar elati
onshipbutf orsome
reasonyoubr okedownmywal l
sandi thoughtwewi llt
ryit
.Don'
t
getmewr ong, I
'm notsayingyougav emesi gnal
s...
.I'
m not
blamingyou.Youdi dn'
tleadmeon. .
.I'
mj ustcuriousgorewa
mmat akanaj ang?Whoi sshe?I '
mj ustaski ngasaf r
iend.

Mongalookedinherey
es,
shewassti
ll
clear
lynotbreat
hing
pr
oper
lyandnowherhandswereshaki
ngasshet r
iedtoactli
kei
t
di
dn'
tbotherher.
..

Monga:
Idon'
twantt
otal
kabouther
,itf
eel
sli
keabi
tofgossi
p.

Lucy:Oganel
aenggobua?Doy
oul
i
keher
?Atl
eastt
ell
met
hat
part
.

Monga: SheissomeoneI '

veknownf
orl
i
keayearbutwedi
dn'tdo
anyt
hing,actual
lyithi
nkitwoul
dbemor
all
ywr
ongforustodate.
That
'sallicantell
you..

Lucy:Ok,
irespectthat.Whataboutwhati j
ustt
oldyouaboutmy
feel
ingst
oy ou,kanathisgi
rli
sforci
ngmet otell
yousomethingi
fel
twastooearlymmegapeIdon' twantyoutomakeami stake
andjustf
oll
owherwi t
houtknowingthatIal
soloveyouandiwant
totr
ysomet hi
ngser i
ouswithyou..
.
Her
eachedov
erandhel
dherhandl
ooki
ngather
..
.

Monga:Howdoi
hel
pyoubr
eat
hpr
oper
ly?You'
renotbr
eat
hing
pr
operl
y.
..

Lucy
:Themedi
cat
ioni
sst
il
lwor
kingoni
t.
..I
'
llbeOKshor
tl
y.

Hel
eanedoverandki
ssedhersof
tl
y,hepushedherdownandgot
ont
opkissi
ngher.

Monga: Ilikey ou..

.Alot .
..Andi feelli
keI'm sti
llgett
ingtoknow
you..
.Idon' twantust orushany t
hingbecauset helastthingI
wanti stohur tyou,herorme.IknowIhar dlytalkaboutmypast
rel
ationshi psbutt heysucked.Iwenti nf ullspeedandgothur t
badly..Youal sohav ebeent hroughal otandi don'twantt ohurt
you..
.So. ..Let'sjusttakei tslowly.
..Don'tletherputy ouunder
pressure.Whatshehaswi thmehasnot hi
ngt odowi t
hy ousotry
nottot hinkaboutSedi andf ocusonus. .
.

Lucy
:Ok.
.

Monga:Totahelagai
seregorogeatapointwher
ei can
conf
ident
lysayiknowyou,youdon'
tknowmeei thersolet
'scar
ry
onandgettoknowoneanot heraspl
anned..
.LennaI'v
ebeen
pl
anningtogiv
ethisachance.

Lucy:You'
reconf
usingme,nt
seobat
iwakengwany
anammegao
bategomoganay etyouwantust
otr
yitout
?
Monga: Yes,youdon' tknowherorhowwer elatesoi t'
ski
ndof
rudetoexpectmet ot el
lheroffandbl ockher .I'
veknownherf or
ay earandbecauseoft hatineedt othi
nkaboutapr oper
response.IfI
'm notsat i
sfyi
ngy ouwithmyr esponseandy ouwant
tostopthisgetti
ngt oknowoneanot herI '
llunderstandandi won'
t
botheryou.Nnaker obil
wepel okebasadi andt hi
st i
mei t
'snot
happening.I'
mt akingmyt imewei ghingmyopt i
ons,ifsomeone
getsimpatientont hewayt heni understand.Iwon' tevenliet
o
youbuti won'tdiscussherwi thyouorv icev ersa.
..

Lucy
:Ok,
iunder
stand.
..I
'
llst
ayonmyl
aneandgi
vey
out
ime.
.

Monga:
Goodgi
rl
..
.(smi
l
edandpul
l
edherchi
n)comeher
e..
.

Sheclosedhereyesandl eanedov erasheFrenchkissedherand

pull
edupherdress, heunzippedhispantsandkissedherashe
droppedhispantsthenhepi ckedhisbeadedmeatandshov edit
i
nsideherpanti
es,notinherj usti
nherpanti
es..
.Heki ssedheras
hegentlyandslowl
ymassagedherwi t
hthemashr oom head..
.

Lucy:(gasped)Soy
ou'
ret
aki
ngi
tri
ghtaf
teraconv
ersat
ionl
i
ke
thi
s..
.

Hebr
eathedheav
il
yonherl
i
psandki
ssedhert
alki
ngi
nsi
deher
mout
h..
.
Monga:
Yeah,
anddon'
ttr
ytost
opme.
..

Lucy
:(gaspedashesuckedherni
ple)Ok,
etsey
eee.
..

Helookedi
nhereyesandburi
edhi
msel
finsi
deherasshe
f
rownedhelpl
essl
ywit
hpleasur
efi
l
li
ngherever
yspace.
..
.

Att
hef
arm.
..
.

LaterthateveningSedi'
sparentsst
oodupfort
henightwhi
l
eshe
satont hechairputt
ingmoref i
reonthewoodboi
l
ingthewater
that'
sbeenboi l
ingforthel
asthour.
.

Mot
her
:Mmer
eisemar
apogobeng.
.

Fat
her
:Youshoul
dgot
obed.

Sedi
:Yes,
I'
mt aki
ngthi
swatertomyhutsoIcanbat
h.Canyou
borr
owmet hephone?Iwanttoli
ght
,mypar
affi
nisf
ini
shed.

Fat
her
:Ok,
skaehet
samol
elot
hekadi
pinat
sal
onat
samakgoa.

Sedi
:(l
aughed)Eer
ra.
.

Mother
:Goi
wasai
dshei
sgoi
ngt
obuyy
ouaphonet
hismont
hre
t
aikhut
sa.

Sedi
:It
oldhernott
obuyi tbecauseI
'
m goi
ngt
oMaunt
osel
l
moret
wa.Itwil
lbeenough.
Mot
her
:Ok.
..Wi
l
lLanagi
vey
ouaccommodat
ion?

Sedi:Shest
il
ldoesn'
twanttobeassoci
atedwi
thme.
..I
'
llt
alkt
oa
fr
iend..
.MaybeMongawillaccommodatemeagai
n.

Father
:Moshimaneyoopelontetot
a..
.I'
mver
ydisappoi
ntedt
hat
Lanalefthi
m.Ihopeherpol
icemanmakesherhappy.

Sedi
:Sheev
enhasachi
l
dwi
tht
hepol
i
ceman.

Mot
her
:Kgangt
saMau.Bor
oko

Sedi
:Bor
oko.
..

Shegotthephoneandpickedt
hebucketofhotwat
ert
henshe
tookoutthef
ir
eandlockedherhut
.

Shet ookabat
hwhileli
steningtother adio,theypl
ayedl
ove
songsatnight
..
.Theonest hatmadeherpi ctureMongaasshe
bathedinametalbathwithabucketi nside,anorangesackand
tor
nwashi ngr
agwithasunl ightbarsoap. .
.

Andt her ewasherf avouri

teaashebentov erdryi
nghernaked
self
..
.Herf avouri
tesong.Onet hatbelongedt oMonga..
.Oneshe
couldpi cturehissmile,hi
sl aughterandhowhi sl
ipsshapedwhen
hesmi led...Howheal waysav oidedlooki
ngi nhereyeseachtime
hebroughtt hegroceriesandhowhe' dactlikehejusthappened
tohav ef oundashor tdressi ntheshopandt houghtofheryethe
alwaysboughtdr essesoft hesamedesi gns.
Shesatont hebedandappl iedl ot
ionwhil
elist
eningtoher
favouri
tesongi nthelightofherpar af
fi
nlamp.Thi ssonggother
emot i
onalandbr oughtt earst ohereyes.
..Everfel
tli
keasong
meantexact lyhowy ouf elt
,likehowt hearti
stknewy oufeltthat
way .
.ItwasAar onNav il
le'sDon' tknowmuch.Seeev enthi
sr adi
o
presenterplayediteverynight ..
.Howcoul dshenotdr eam about
Monga.Shepausedappl y
ingl oti
ononhersmoot hsolesandsang
alongclosingherey es..
.

Sedi
:( )

Idon'
tknowmuchbutIknowIl
ovey
ou

Thatmay
yyy
ybeal
lIneedt
oknowwww

Lookatt
heseey
est
heynev
erseenwhatmat
ter
s

Lookatt
hesedr
eamssobeat
enandsobat
ter
ed

Idon'
tknowmuchbutIknowIl
ovey
ou

Thatmay
yyybeal
lIneedt
oknowwww

Shehummedal
ongemot
ional
l
ytoherf
avour
it
epar
toncemor
e,
t
hissong!

Lookatt
hismansobl
essedwi
thi
nspi
rat
ion

Lookatt
hissoul
sti
l
lsear
chi
ngf
orsal
vat
ion

Idon'
tknowmuchbutIknowIl
ovey
ou

Thatmaybeal
lIneedt
oknow

Hi
scal
li
nter
rupt
edt
hesong,
shecl
ear
edherv
oice.
..

I
nMonga'
scar
..
.

Meanwhi
lesi
ppedwat
erandcl
osedthebott
leashedrov
e
t
hrought
hegreenl
i
ghtwi
ththephoneonthehol
der.
..

Sedi
:Hel
l
o?

Monga:
Ey,
sor
ryIcal
l
edl
ate.
.Ar
eyousl
eepi
ng?

Sedi
:No

Monga:Iassumedy ou'
dgett
hephone,
ithi
nkineedgetyoua
phonei
canv ideocally
ouwit
h.Wi
shIcouldseeyousayi
ngwhat
youwer
esay ingearl
ier
.

Sedi
:(l
aughed)I
'
llnev
er,
kei
pot
saneker
il
eng.
.Kehaker
egr
eta
gor
eker
ekei
tshot
isi
tseMonga.

Monga:Notr
eall
y.
..Butt
herei
ssomeonei
beenspent2weeks
wi
th.Idi
dn'
tknowaboutyou.

Sedi:I
t'
sok,iunderst
and.I
'
llr
especty
ourr
elat
ionshi
p.I
'
llnev
er
botheryouagain.

Monga:No,
li
sten.
..Don'
tthr
owinthetowelsoqui
ck.
..Iwantto
seehowthi
sgoes.I'
veknownherfor2weeks,t
hat'
sallI
'
llt
ell
you
butI
'v
eknowny ouforayearsoi
wantt oseemoreofyou.

Sedi:
Ok,I'
dlovethat
..Aslongasyoudon'
tstr
ingmef orl
ong
becauseidon'
twantt ocr
y.I'
m al
sonotgoi
ngt ohav
esexwith
youunti
lyou'
resurewhaty ouwant.

Monga:
What
?

Sedi
:Yeah,
I'
m savi
ngmysel
fforaseri
ousman.I
'l
lbei
nMaun
tomorr
owtosellaf
ewthi
ngs,wil
lyouaccommodateme?

Monga:
Yes,
def
ini
tel
y.

Sedi
:Ok,
Ont
sewanwa?

Monga:
Justal
i
ttl
ebi
t,or
il
ekeskanwat
hat
aaker
e?

Sedi
:Ok

Monga:Cal
lmet
omor
rowwheny
oul
eav
esoIcanpi
cky
ouupat
t
herank.

Sedi
:Ok

Monga:
(sof
tl
y)Goodni
ght
Sedi
:Goodni
ght

Shehungupandsi
ghedasshegotinbedi
nherpant
iest
hent
he
phonerang.
.Wasi
tforherf
ather
?

Sedi
:Hel
l
o?

Voi
ce:
Hi,
mynamei
sLucy
.Ar
eyouSedi
?

Sedi
:Yes

Lucy:Gotyournumberf
rom Monga'
sphonewhil
ehewasbat hing.
Iwantustot al
kandhaveanunder
standi
ng.I
'
m notfi
ghti
ngbuti
wanttobehonestwithyousoyoucanmakeabetterdeci
sion
aboutyourli
fe.
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#76

I
nSedi
'
shouse.
..

Sedi
:Ok?

Lucy
:I'
vebeendat
ingMongaf
orawhi
l
enow

Sedi:
Buti
t'
s2weeks, beketsepedihel
a,skabuamaaka.The2
weekshedisappear
edfrom Maunitsprobabl
ythet
imeyou'r
e
tal
ki
ngabout.Iwasinhishouseforaweek..

Lucy
: HetookmetoSout
hAf
ri
caandi
canshowy
oupi
ctur
esi
f
youthinkI
'mly
ing.

Sedi
:You'r
enotl
yi
ng.Mongagaagol
obabuty
ou'
renothi
s
gi
rl
fr
iend.Whyar
eyoucall
i
ngme?

Lucy:Thepr
operquest
ioni
sareyouwi
ll
ingt
odegr
adey
our
sel
fby
dati
ngamanwhoi swithanot
herwoman?

Sedi
:Buti
ssingl
e,you'
renothi
sgi
rl
fr
iend.Noneofusi
s..
.I'
m
hangi
ngup.Idon'
twanttofi
ght

Lucy
:Ist
hatanowl
?Wher
ear
eyou?

Sedi
:Idon'
thav
etot
ell
you.

Lucy
:Ledi
cri
cket
sint
hebackgr
ound,
arey
oui
nthev
il
lage?

Sedi
:Ist
ayi
nthef
arm,
I'
m notembar
rassedofwher
eicomef
rom
i
justt
hinky
ou'
reev
adi
ngmypr
ivacy
.Pl
easest
opcal
l
ingme.

Lucy
:I'
m notf
ight
ingy
ou,
I'
m wayt
oocl
assyf
ort
hat
.Gar
elwel
e
monna

Sedi:
I'
mt oorur
al f
orsuchbehaviourtoo,inthecount rysi
dewe
j
ustgiveamant i
met othinkbecauset helastthi
ngy ouwanti st
o
havekidsorbemar ri
edtoamanwhowaspr essuredt obewi th
you.NeelaMongaspaceai kakanyeont ogele.May betomor row
hewillsaysomethi
ngbecauseal lt
hisistoosuddenf orhim as
well
.

Lucy:You'
retal
ki
ngli
keani
gnorantil
l
iter
ateperson,don'
tyou
knowaboutSTDs?Howcany ouspready ourl
egsforaman
sl
eepingwithanot
her
,Mongajustgotoffme..
.Lefthisbody
fl
uidsinsi
demem

Sedi:Wenaomoneel el
angbol ot
o?Oseny aMongabecauseodira
goreaakany egorebol
otobobonwahel ammekanaboa
berekelwa.Thenextt
hinghewi l
lexpectthesamef r
om me,can
youstopcal l
i
ngme?Idon' twanttobeputunderpressur
eby
whaty ou'
retell
i
ngme,i wanttoli
stentohim noty
ou.

Lucy:Soundsli
keyou'
reausual
mansnat
cher
,thewayy
ou'
re
rel
axedyou'r
eaprofessi
onal
.

Sedi:
Ijustdon'
tseetheneedtobeangr
yatyou.I
'
dunder
stand
yourangerifhewasyourboyf
ri
endbuthei
snotsoyoushouldn'
t
becall
ingmeasnat cher
.

Lucy
:I'
venev
erseenawomanhi
tti
ngonaman, thefactt
hathe
di
dn'
tsayanyt
hingt
oyousay
salotabouthi
sfeeli
ngs.
Sedi
:I'
m hangi
ngup.Iwon'
tfi
ghty
ou.

Shecutthecallandsighedasherhear tpounded,wassheev en
readyforget
ti
nginargument swithMaunwomenbutt henMonga
neverhadalotofwomen. ..Evenstay
edf ai
thful
forayear,not
oncehadsheseenanyoddbehav i
oursohewasar esponsibl
e
man.He'dprobablyhandlethi
s..
.

AtLucy
'sHouse.
..

Meanwhil
eLucy'sey
esfi
l
ledwi
tht
ear
sasshesati
nthecol
dnude
hol
dingherast
hmaspray.

Howdidsheevengethere,shehadev
eryt
hingundercont
roland
nowshecal
ledher.
..Sur
elyMongawouldbeangry.
..Shehadto
apol
ogi
seanddelet
ehernumber .

Shedial
edheragainbutthecallwascut,shesi
ghedandputher
phonedown, whatwassheturni
nginto?Exactl
ywhatshehad
beenavoi
ding..Shest
oodupandwal kedi nt
hekit
chenwhereshe
pouredagl
assofwi neandsigheddelet
ingSedi'
snumber.
..

Shecl
i
ckedonSt
eve'
spi
ctur
eswi
tht
hei
rsonandsmi
l
edt
ear
ful
l
y.
Whydiditfeel
li
keabet r
ayalt
oevenbejeal
ousofMonga..She
tookanot
hersipandsighedcalmi
ngdownthenshegotthewhole
bott
leandwalkedinherroom..
.

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

OnthesamenightThongbr
ushedhisteethandwal
kedinthe
bedr
oom wher
eKhumowassi tt
inginfrontoft
hemir
rort
yingher
hai
rasherbumppoppedinhernightgown..
.

Thongleanedoverki
ssingherneckf
rom behi
ndandrubbedher
bump,shetiedherhai
randstoodupthenshepeeledt
heduvet
andgotundercover
s..
.

Thong:
DidIdosomet
hingwr
ong?

Shet
urnedawayandlai
dherheaddownt
henhel
aidbehi
ndher
andt
ouchedherbut
t.
..

Khumo:
Nott
oni
ght
..
.

Thong:
Thathasbeenyourr
esponsef
orawhile,
kedir
il
engne
bat
hongatl
eastkeit
segorewhatam ibei
ngpuni
shedfor
?
Khumo:
I'
mjustdoi
ngwhat
'sbestf
orourbaby

Thong:
Whatdoy
oumean?

Khumo:Youknowwhaty oudoforsi
dehustle,
I'
m notj
udgi
ngyou
butsomeonehastoprot
ectourbabybecauseyourj
obisaheal
th
ri
sk.Let
'sber
eal
ist
ic

Hekeptqui
etf
oraboutami
nut
e..

Thong:
Howdi
dyouf
indout
?

Khumo:
You'
remyhusband,

Thong:
Wegett
est
ed.
..

Khumo: Butthereisst
ill
arisk,i
fsomeonehadsexwi thsomeone
yester
dayandt estsamedayt heresul
tswillbenegat
ive.Thi
nkf
or
yourchil
d,bolot
ogabosi eandy ougetitatworksoyouwon'tdi
e
i
fy ourwif
edoesn'tgiveitt
oy ou.

Thong:Imakel
ovet
oyou,
iconnecty
out
her
estkeabeke
theoget
se.

Khumo:
Want
wael
aThong

Hel
aughedandshesmi
l
ed.
.

Khumo:
Ishoul
djoi
nin.
Thong:
I'
ll
kil
lyoubef
oreanyi
diotputt
hei
rhandsonmywi
fe.
.

Theyl
aughedoutl
oud.
..

Khumo:
(laughed)Fami
l
ybusi
ness

Thong:(
laughed)don'
tpl
ayli
kethat
,I'
dr at
hery
ouhel
pmanage
thecompanynotgoingtothesi
dehustle.

Khumo:
I'
mjoki
ng.
.

Thong: Cani atl

eastwearrubber?Gonemmei understand,y
ou'r
e
ri
ght..
.Ijustwouldn'
tsur
vivethatlongwithoutyouhar ekwaleabe
ketheoget sepel
oeseot hat'
swhyi tdoesn'taf
fectus...Doesit
botheryou?

Khumo: Whenifoundoutipani
ckedbutIt
houghtabouti
tand
understood.Ij
ustdon'
tthi
nkI'
ll
everbecomfort
ablewit
h
unprotected

Thong:Idon'
tmindrubberaslongasever
yoncei nawhileIt
ake
abreakfrom wor
kandwegett est
edt
henit'
son...Buti
wantto
qui
t.Mybossandi wanttoclosedownthebusinessbecause
we'v
eallmadeenoughmoneyf orl
egi
tthi
ngs.

Khumo:
Greatnews.
..Atl
east

Thong:
Yeah.
..

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
..
.
AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Thenextmorni
ngApulai
ronedhercl
othesandOsha'
suni
for
m
whil
esheexcit
edl
yjumpedupanddown. .

Apul
a:Sayi
tagai
n..

Osha:
Mynamei sPear
l,i
am 7y
ear
sol
d.Iam doi
ngst
andar
d2
andil
ivei
nKasane.

Apul
a:Yes!

Osha:
(laughed)Ipr
act
ised.
..

Apulahel
pedhergetdressedandspr
ayedherhai
rthenshe
handedhert
helunchbox.

Apul
a:Thi
sschooli
sdif
fer
ent
,itdoesn'
thaveat
uckshop.You
onl
ybri
ngsnackssoyoudon'
tneedmoney .

Osha:
Ok.
..

Minut
eslatertheywal
kedoutoft
hehouseandl
ockedupas
Loagosatatthestoopl
ooki
ngatthem.
Apul
a:Mor
ning

Loago:
Hi

Osha:
Whoi
sthat
?

Loago:
It'
sournei
ghbourbutr
emembernot
alki
ngt
ost
ranger
s.

Osha:
Ok.
.

Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
fasl
oagodi
all
edher
..
.

Apul
a:Yes

Loago:
Arey
oucomi
ngbackdur
ingl
uncht
ime?

Apul
a:Iwi
l
l.Weneedt
otal
k

Loago:
About
?

Apul
a:You'
l
lfi
ndoutwheni
come.By
e

Loago:
Bye

Hehungupandsi
ghed.
..
..

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..
Onthesamemor ni
ngMongaputonav estandtuckedi
tinsi
de
hi
spantsashewalkedtot
heliv
ingroom wher
ehismaidwas
i
roni
ng,shehandedhi
m ashi
rtthenheputi
tonandbuttonedit
.

Sheunpl
uggedt
hei
ronandwal
kedi
ntheki
tchen.
.

Monga:
It'
sok,
don'
tmakemybr
eakf
ast
.

Her
:Eer
ra.
..

Hewal kedbacktohi
sroom andgr
abbedhislapt
opt
henhe
checkedhishousecamerasandwalkedout
..

Monga:
Shap

Her
:Eer
ra

Hegoti
nthecaranddi
all
edLucy
..
..

Lucy
:(sl
eepy
)Hel
l
o?

Monga:
Mor
ning.
.

Lucy
:(smi
l
ed)Hi

Monga:
Kebat
abr
eakf
astbef
orekey
aof
isi
ng
Lucy
:Ok,
whatt
ime?

Monga:
I'
m onmywaynow

Lucy
:Letmegetup.

Monga:
Thanks.

Hehungupanddi
all
edSedi
ashedr
oveout
..
.

Sedi
:Hi

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)Ey
..
.Mor
ning,
sti
l
linbed?

Sedi
:No,
wasj
ustsweepi
ngandget
ti
ngr
eadyt
omaket
hef
ir
e..

Monga:
Don'
tmi
sst
hebust
hemma

Sedi
:(l
aughed)Iwon'
t.
..
Lucycal
l
edmeLasl
astni
ght

Monga:(f
rowned)Lucy
?Whatdi
dshewant
?Wher
edi
dsheget
yournumber?

Sedi
: I
nyourphone,shesai
damout hful.Ican'
tremembermost
butwekindofargued..
.Nottheyadayadakindofarguing,we
di
dn'ti
nsul
teachotherbutwordswereexchangedandI '
m not
happyshecall
ed.Shecouldhavecall
edwhi lemymot herhadthe
phone.

Monga:
Sedi
weegaker
atesummar
y,whatdi
dshesayt
oyou?

Sedi
:Ican'
trememberal
lofi
t,shebasi
cal
l
ycall
edmeaman
snat
cherfortel
l
ingy
ouil
oveyou,tol
dmey ouhadsexbef
orey
ou
l
eftandthatyoul
eftyourfl
uidsi nher,youtookhert
oSouth
Afr
ica,
etc.I
twasal ot
,wet alkedcalmlybutshotswerebei
ng
thr
own.Istoodupformy selftoo,iansweredback.I
'
m notsay
ing
youshouldfi
ghtf
ormeoromoomany e.Ij
ustwanthert
ostop
cal
li
ng.

Monga:
Ok,
shewi
l
lst
op.Whenl
astdi
dyouhav
eyourper
iod?

Sedi
:Lastweekort
woweeksago?OhI
twast
he17t
h

Monga:
Andy
ourper
iodl
astf
orhowl
ong?

Sedi
:5day
s,why
?

Monga:I'
mjustcur
ious,
sawsomenewpadsandwonder
edi
f
you'
dli
kethem.

Sedi
:Ok,

Monga:
Seey
oul
ater
.

Sedi
:By
e

Hehungupandcl i
ckedont heI
nter
netfort
hecal
cul
ati
onofher
mostincr
easedsexualdesi
re,t
heapprequi
redt
hedateswhi
chhe
ent
eredandgotthedate..
.

Hesetareminderoft
hedaybefor eandonthedayofher
ovul
ati
onthenhecarr
iedondri
ving.Ifhewasgoingtotr
yone
moretimeheneededtodoitattherightt
ime,"
savingmysel
ffora
seri
ousguy"
.Hewasn'taboutt
oj umpi nt
oarelat
ionshi
pbefor
e
hewassur
eaboutev
eryaspect
..
.

AtLucy
'sHouse.
..

Minutesl
aterheknockedandwal
kedi
nwhi
l
eLucywal
kedoutof
ki
tchenwit
hat ray
..
.

Lucy
:It
ri
edt
obef
ast
..

Sheputt
het
rayont
het
abl
e..
.

Monga:
Soy ouwentt
hroughmyphone,
stol
eSedi
'
snumberand
t
hrewashade?

Lucy
:Ij
ustwant
edt
otal
ktoherbuti
didn'
thar
assher

Monga:
You'r
esupposedtost
ayony
oursi
deandl
eav
eheral
one.
Am i
for
cingyout
obewi t
hme?

Lucy
:That
'snotf
airandy
ouknowi
tyou'
renotbei
ngf
air
.

Monga: Ok,l
et '
sstopthi
sthenbecausey ou'
renotgoi
ngt o
pressuremei ntoarel
ati
onshi
pwhenI 'm notsur
ewhat'sgoingon.
Wedi dn'tmeetundernormalci
rcumstances,you'
rewit
hmet o
usemef oryoursoci
almediali
fest
yle.
..AndI'
m notsayi
ngI'm not
usingyoubecauset hesexisgood,kukuemonat eandy our
personalit
ywasf ineuntil
youcal l
edher .
..Wedidn'
tgetint
othi
s
withintenti
onsofl ov
ingorr espect i
ngeachot her
.Idon'
teven
knowi fyoucar eoryouwantmor et r
ipsforyoursoci
almedia,
samewi t
hher .
..Weal l
hav edifferentreasonsforl
ovi
ng
someone. ..Idon'
tknowwhenawomani stel
li
ngthetr
uthand
taki
ngy ourwor dforithaspr ovent obewr ongbecauseitdi
dn'
t
workoutf orme.

Lucy
:YouknowwhatI
'
vebeent
hrough

Monga: Iknowy ou'rehur ti

ngbutyou'r
enotgoi ngtobleedonSedi,
iam goingtohel py ouheal aslongasyourespectmyper sonal
decisi
ons.Ifyouf eel unhappywecanendt hisr i
ghtnowandi
won'thateyou...I'll
st il
lhel
pyouev enaft
erbreakingupt hat'
sif
ther
ei sarelat
ionshi p..
.Totawehav esomethingbuti tdoesn'
t
qualif
yasar elationshi p.You'
rekil
li
ngitwit
hy ourinsecuri
ti
es..
.
ThisisnottheLucyi order
ed..
.

Lucy
:I'
m sor
ryf
orcal
l
ingher
,shoul
diapol
ogi
set
oher
?

Monga:No, don'
twor r
yabouther .
..Therei
ssomethingelse..
.I
t
hinkSteveismyhal fbrother.
..Hi
sfatheri
smybiologicalfat
her
...
I
'm notPastorTi
ki'
sbiologicalsonbuthisf
riendi
s..
.Idon'tknow
i
fthatchangesanything

Lucyl
ookedathi
m andi
tal
lmadesensenow.
..

Lucy
:Changesnot
hing.
..
Hereachedf
orherhandandgent
lysqueezedi
tlooki
ngi
nher
ey
es..
.

Monga:Sediwil
lbeinmyhouseforli
keaweekorso.
..Youcan't
comeov erbutI
'
llbecomi
ngoverheretomakesur
eyou'r
eOK...Is
thatOK?Ormay beweshoul
dcalli
tquit
s?

Hepickedhi
spl
ateandbeguneati
ngasshemadehist
ea.She
gotupandcamebackwit
ht het
oastedbr
eadbef
oresi
tt
ingdown.

Lucy
:Mai
dwagagogaat
heogel
a?

Monga:
Shedi
d,i
pref
ery
ourf
ood.

Shesi
ghedandl
ookeddownasheat
e..
.

Lucy
:Wheni
sshecomi
ng?

Monga: Today..
.Kebat asel
oseelenggoreragosedumal anarese
thal
oganyar ot
he..Gakebategot senyaopeunderpressuregape
gakebategot senngwapr essur
e...
idon'
twantdramaorf ights
betweeny outwo,youst ayonyourlaneandfocusonus.Kanar e
l
eseonce?{ Today .
..Iwantustohav eanunderst
andingandagr ee
onthisbecausei don'twanttoputanyofyouunderpr essureor
beputunderpressur
etomakerusheddecisi
ons.Idon'
twant
dr
amaorf i
ghtsbetweenyout
wo, youst
ayony ourlaneandf
ocus
onus.Ormay beweshoul
djustendforonce?}

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#77

AtLucy
'sHouse.
..

Lucyl
ookedi
nhi
sey
esandswal
l
owed.
..

Lucy :Asmuchasi tpainsmet osayt hisi t

hinky ou'reri
ght,we
shoul dcal li
tqui ts.I'm notcompar ingy out oyourbr otherbuti
guesshehaspr obabl ysett hestandar dv eryhighf ormy
expect ations.Idon' twanttospendt her estofmyl ifewonderingif
youl ovemeort hatgi r
l.Ontheot herhandi under standyourpoi nt
ofv i
ew, i
fi wasofy ourpointI'
dpr obablyhav e2mor eboyfri
ends
toojustt owei ghmyopt i
onsandchooset heri
ghtguy ,butI'
m of
thev iewt hatify oul ovey ourpartner.
..Ifyout r
ul yknowhowy ou
feel.
..Itdoesn' tt akelongt i
met oknow.You' driskbybei ngwi th
oneper son...Youcan' tgiveityourallifyouhav eplanB.Iwoul d
hav elov edtoseeusgof ur
therbuti won' tsharey ouMonga.I '
d
ratherwai tforamanwhowon' tmakemegot hr oughthepai nof
wonder i
ngi fy ou'llchoosemeornot .
.Ocan' tl
ivelikethat..
.

Monga:Soyou'
rel
eav
ingmej
ustbecausei
won'
trej
ectheri
n
f
rontofyou

Lucy:
Nowyourst
atementischangi
ng.
..Yousai
difican'
thandl
e
thi
sweshoul
dcal
litqui
tsandI'
m sayi
ngyesican'
thandl
eit.
Monga:
Youcan'
tqui
tosesur
ehowt
hingsar
egoi
ngt
obe.

Lucy :Mongai won'tshar

ey oubutlewenay ou'
renotreadyt o
makeadeci si
on, i
won'tevenstandforyout ogivemet hefamous
l
ine" Il
ovey ouboth"Stevesetthestandardsohi gh.
.Iwon'tsett
le
forless..
.I'
drathergobackt ohangi
ngar oundwi thf
riends
withoutar el
ati
onshipbecausewheni tcomest oar elati
onshipi
knowhowamanwhol ovesyouacts.Ican'tcounthowmany
ti
mesy ousuggestedwebr eakup..

Monga:
I'
m sor
ry.
..Cani
hav
eupt
oaweekt
hen?

Lucy:Ifyoudon' tknowmebynowy ou'l

lneverknowmeenough
topickme, gosleepwithyourgir
lfri
end.Icanhonestly
understandy ourfrust
rat
ion.
..Havingtopickbetweenasoci al
mediaaddi ctandagi rlf
rom aruralareawhom y ou'
retheonly
thi
ngshef ocuseson.Noshadebuti won'tevenwi nagai
nsther
especiall
ybecauseofhowImety ou.

Shegotthepl
ateandwal
kedi
ntheki
tchenasMongast
oodup
andfi
nishedt
hetea.
..

Monga:
Thanky
ouf
ort
hebr
eakf
ast

Lucy
:Sur
e.

Monga:
Soy
ou'
rer
eal
l
ydumpi
ngme?

Lucy
:Quit
ti
ngbecauseican'
tshar
ey ou.Yousai
difi
qui
tyou
won'
ttr
oubleme.
..Doisenseaggressi
on?
Hesi
ghedl
ooki
ngather
..
.

Monga:
No.
..I
'
m good.
..Butwear
efr
iendsr
ight
?

Lucy:Ican'
tbefri
endaguyi l
ove,you'
dtel
lmeabouty ourgi
rland
I'
dhaveahear tatt
ack.I
'dbejeal
oussoi t
hinkf
rom herelet
'sj
ust
stayawayfrom eachothersoicangetoveryou.

Monga:
(si
ghed)OK.
..

Lucy
:Yat
ir
ongwal
eit
a..
.(smi
l
ed)Thi
sshi
rtl
ooksr
eal
l
ygoodon
you.
..

Monga:Thanks.
..(
leanedov
ersmi
l
ingbi
tt
inghi
sli
p)Cani
hav
ea
ki
ss.
..

Hebabykissedherandittur
nedi
ntoaFrenchki
ssasheputhis
handsonherbuttandsqueezedt
hem pul
li
ngheroverashis
bonerhar
dened.Shesmiledandmovedawayhishands.
..

Lucy
:You'
rel
ate.
..Got
owor
k..
.Beanexampl
efory
ourwor
ker
s..

Hesmil
edandturnedwal
ki
ngout
,shesmi
l
edandwav
edt
henhe
wi
nkedandlef
t.
..
Shecl
osedthedoorandsatonthecouchbr
eaki
ngdownt
henshe
pi
ckedherphoneanddi
all
edhersist
er.
..

Her
:Hel
l
o?

Lucy
:Tol
dyoui
twon'
twor
kout
..
.

Her
:whathappened?

Lucy:
It'
salongstor
y,weshoul
ddiscussitsi
tt
ingsomewher
e
besi
desthepoolhol
dingwi
nesinourbathingsui
tsand
sungl
asses.
..

Her
:(smi
l
ed)Saynomor
e.I
'
m cl
osi
ngt
heshop.
..Let
'sgo

Lucy
:(l
aughed)Letmegetr
eady

Shehungupandst
oodup.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Laterj
ustbef
oreluncht
imeLoagowal
kedint
hehousewhi
l
ethe
decorl
adyputthelastr
osepaddl
esontheway.
..
.

Loago:
Shemi
ghtbeher
eany
time

Her
:I'
m done.
.
Loago:
Thanks.
..

Theyshookhandsthenshedroveof
f,Loagot
ookof
fhi
splai
n
Tshi
rtandputontheonepri
ntedwil
lyoumarr
ymethenheputon
aTshir
toverbef
orechecki
ngonhisri
ngonemoreti
me..
.

Hesighedandsatdownwai
ti
ngt
henhepi
ckedt
hephoneand
di
all
edMonga..
.

Att
hebusr
ank.
..

Meanwhi
l
eMongaputSedi '
sbaginthebootandcl
osedt
henhe
wal
kedoverandhuggedherasshesmil
edshyly
..
.

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)Waswabaj
aanong

Sedi
:(l
aughed)It
hinkt
oomuch.
..

Monga:
(laughed)Don'
t.
..

Heopenedthedoorforhert
henshegoti
n,hegoti
nhi
ssi
deand
dr
oveoffashisphonerang.
..
Monga:
Ait
a?

Loago:Yeah.
..(si
ghed)I
'
m abouttoproposebutI
'
m anxi
ous.
..I
'
ve
setupeveryt
hingandwaiti
ngforher
..

Monga:
Shei
sgoi
ngt
osayno.

Loago:
Whydoy
ousayt
hat
?

Monga:Tr
ustme, shei
sgoingt
osaynobutyoucangoonand
pr
opose.I
'
dratheryouaskhermont
hsfr
om noworayearaf
ter
.

Loago:
Shei
sher
e!

Monga:
Goodl
uck

Hehungupanddr
oveof
f.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhil
eApul
aopenedt
hedoorandherey
esf el
lonther
ose
paddl
esallt
hewayt
oLoagoashewalkedoverandgotonone
knee.
..

Heunbut
tonedhi
sshi
rtandt
ookoutt
her
ingasApul
a'
sli
ps
par
tedi
nshock.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#78

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Apulareadhiswil
lyoumar rymeTshirtandsighedscratchi
ngher
eyebrowthenshereluctant
lyputherhandstogetherandsighed
againsti
ll
standi
nginf r
ontofhim..
.

Hest
oppedsmi
l
ingandst
oodupcl
osi
ngt
her
ingbox.
..

Loago:
Saysomet
hing.
.

Apul
a:Isaidweneedtotal
kandy oupropose?Aft
erevery
thi
ng
wehavebeenthroughthepastcoupl
eofweeksy outhi
nk
marr
iageisal
lthat
'si
nmymi ndoritsgoingtof
ixthi
s?

Loago:
Fixwhat
?What
'sbr
oken?Ot
houghtwet
alked.
.

Apul
a:I
'm notr
eadytogetmarri
ed..
.I'
mverydisappoi
ntedt
hat
youact
uall
ythi
nkI'
m desper
ateformarri
age.
.

Loago:
Am i
wrongt
opr
opose?

Apul
a: Youknowv er
ywellthaty
oudidn'twanttomar ryme
yest
erday..
.Thi
sisjustasuddenthoughtforyou.Ifi
twast hen
youwoul dhavel
ongintr
oducedmet oy oursonsincey ousaid
you'dintr
oduceusonl ywheny ou'
resurewear eabouttoget
mar r
ied.Iknowal otwomenr eall
yli
kemar ri
ageandwouldjump
andsayy estoanyoneproposingbutIactual
lywanttomar r
ya
manwhol ov
esmewi t
houtadoubt .
..Yousti
llhavedoubt
s..
.i
knowy ouproposedbecauseyout houghtI'
m dumpingyoubutI'
m
not.Weneedt otal
kisn'
talwaysaboutabadt hing..

Loago:
Sowhat
'si
tabout
?

Apul
asatdownandt
ookof
fhershoest
henLoagosatbesi
des
her
..
..

Apula:Myprojectiscomingtoanend,I'
vecompl
etedmypartof
theproj
ectsoI '
m beingt
akenbacktoMaun.Thatmeansnext
mont hI
'm goi
ngt oMaun, I
'
vealsobeenpromot
edtoseni
or
proj
ectmanager .

Loagoj
ustst
aredatherandl
ookeddownwi
thal
ongf
ace.
.

Loago:
(lowv
oice)Congr
atul
ati
ons

Apul
a:You'
renothappy

Loago: You'
removing12hoursaway,t
hedi stanceisgoingtoki
ll
us.
..ButI'mtot
all
yhappykapromotionjustthatitbreaksmy
heartthatyouhavetoleav
e.Whichi
smor er easonforust oget
married.Whycan'
twegetmar ri
ed?
Apul
a:Becausei
justgotmyni
eceandi
wantt
omot
herher
.

Loago:
Can'
twesuppor
therwhi
l
ewi
thhermot
her
?

Apula: Butialreadytol
dy ouiwassuppor ting,aker
ei gaveher
moneybutsheobv i
ouslywasn'
ttaki ngi
ttowher emyni ecewas,
besidesshej ustdoesn'twanther .Shehaspr acti
call
yabandoned
herandshel efthome, I
'm hermot herandOshai snotreadytobe
aroundpeopl e.Ihav etomaket hatsacrif
icesoshecanbel i
ke
anyot herchild.

Loago:
wecanst
il
lhav
eabl
endedf
ami
l
y

Apula:Ikeeptel
li
ngyouOshai
snotreadyt
obemixedwi
thot
her
people,ican'
tgoint
odet
ail
sbutj
usttakemywor
dfori
t.

Loago:
Ok.
..

Hesi
gheddi
sappoi
ntedandl
ookeddown.
..

IneedLor
doft
hisy
earandago:
It'
sok.
..I
'
mjustofl
osi
ngy
ou.
.

Apula: Youwon't.
.Ipr
omi se.Ijusthavetoconsi dermydaught er
i
nev ery t
hingIdonow.I'
m asi ngl emothersoev enusget ti
ng
marriedi sgoi
ngtoaffectherandi mustmakesur eitaf
fectsher
posi
tively..
.Iwon'
tseparatewithher ,whereverigoshegoesbutI
needt omakesur ethattheenv ironmentissafef oragir
lchild,
not
meani ngy ou'
dabuseherbutweal l
knowst epfather
scanbe
abusive,andnowt hatshewoul dbesomeoney ouknowi snotmy
daught eridon'
tknowwhatdi fferencethatwoul dmake...Weneed
tot
aket
hingsslow.Askmet
omar
ryy
ouagai
ninay
earandI
'
ll
hav
eabetteranswer.
.

Loago:
Ok.
.

Apul
a:Ibr
oughtusabot
tl
eofwi
net
ocel
ebr
atemypr
omot
ion

Loago:
Ohandcongr
ats.
..IswearI
'
m happyf
ory
oubutI
'
m sad
you'
rel
eav
ing.
.

Hel
eanedov
erandhuggedher
..
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Laterthataf
ter
noonMongawal kedinthehousecarr
yinghi
s
l
aptopbagandpassedbyt hekitchen,
ther
ewasadel ici
ous
aromaswi rl
i
ngfrom t
heki
tchenandhesal i
vatedwal
kingacross
theroom andstoppedatt
hedoor .
..

Monga:
Hi.
.

Sedi t
urnedaroundholdi
ngawoodenspoonandsmi l
ed,Monga's
eyesdr oppedinthepl
ate,anov
alshapedphal
echeandpounded
chicken,withwater
ysoupandstri
ngsofveget
ablesf
loat
ingon
thesoup. .
.
Sedi
:Hi
..
.Ij
ustf
ini
shedcooki
ng.

Mongal
ookedathi
spl
ateandf
orcedasmi
l
e..

Monga:
Thanks.
..Iat
eatwor
k.Idi
dn'
tknowy
ou'
dcookbutt
hey
l
ookdel
ici
ous.

Sedi
:Ok,
I'
ll
cov
ert
hem up.

Heturnedandwalkedi
nthebedroom wherehechangedhi
s
cl
othesandsatonthebeddi
all
ingLucy.
..

Lucy
:Hel
l
o?

Monga:
Themmaket
shwer
eket
ala.
.

Lucy
:(l
ower
edherv
oice)I
'
llcal
lyouback.

Shecutt
hecal
l
,hef
rownedanddi
aledheragai
n..

Lucy
:Bat
hongMonga!Ar
en'
tther
erest
aur
ant
sinMaun?Wher
eis
Sedi
?Yourmai
d?

Monga:
Idon'
tl
iket
hei
rfood
Lucy
:Otaabakaee,
I'
m cooki
ngf
orsomeoneel
segapedel
etemy
number
.

Monga:Wehav
en'
tbr
okenupmogooffici
all
y,t
herehast
obea
t
imeframef
orbot
hpart
iest
oacceptt
hesituat
ion.

Lucy
:(l
aughed)WatsenwanaareMonga?Whywouldimour
nyou
whenyouwerenotmyboyfri
end..
.Neol
esnackhel
a.

Monga:
I'
m comi
ng

Lucy
:Ihav
eSedi
'
snumber
,skabal
ekel
aandi
hav
eaguest
.

Monga:It
oldyouit
'smoral
lywr
ongtobewi
thher
,nnaneke
t
shabagonoganahela.I
'
m coming.
.War
eonalemang?The
mmaskadi r
ajal
oi l
oveyou.

Lucy :Uhmxm,t
swathehaothogo.Aft
ert
urni
ngmeupsi dedown
fuckingmeinever
yhol
eyoutol
dmeweshoul dcalli
tqui
ts.I
'
m
boringmyguestbyst
eppi
ngouttotal
ktothephone.Bye

Shecutt
hecall,Mongahungupandwal
kedoutt
henhest
opped
bytheki
tchen.
.

Monga:
I'
m goi
ngt
oLucy
'shouse,
shei
scheat
ingonme.
..

Sedi
putdownt
hepl
ateandl
ookedathi
m ashewal
kedout
..
.
AtLucy
'sHouse.
..

Minutesl
aterMongapar
kedbehi
ndanunfamil
iarcarand
knocked,
het r
iedt
oopenbutt
hedoorwaslocked..
.

Monga:Lucy
?Opent
hedoor
..
.Obonaont
ir
asent
emmegone?
Bul
a..

Hewai t
edforar
esponsebutther
ewasnone,hesteppedback
andjumpedupkicki
ngthedoor.
.Thedoorcr
ackedopenthenhe
walkedin.
..

Bonussponsor
swi
l
lfol
l
owshor
tl
y.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#79

AtLucy
'sHouse.
..

Mongawalkedinasthel
astscr
ewr ol
ledonthefl
oorandstopped
byLucy'
ssist
er.
..Bot
hsi
ster
sstoodtherel
ooki
ngathim hol
ding
beerbot
tl
es..
.

Monga'
seyesdroppedonthecarkeysbythet
abl
east
hesi
ster
s
r
emainedf
rozenattheendoftheroom..
.

Monga:
(whi
sper
ed)Shi
t!

Heturnedaroundandlookedatthedamageddoort
henhetur
ned
l
ookingatthem,theyst
il
ldidn'
tsayany
thi
ngwhichmadei
teven
moreawkwar d.
..

Monga:
(tot
hesi
ster
)Hi
..

Her:Hi
..(
grabbedthekeys)Ithinkineedt
osav
emycarbef
orei
t
cat
chesfir
eort y
resgetslashed..
Mongashookhi
sheadasshewal
kedoutanddr
oveof
f.
..

Theyremai
nedst
andi
ngi
nthesi
tt
ingr
oom whi
l
eshest
il
lhel
dher
bott
le.
..

Monga:
I'
m sor
ry.
..It
hought
..
.Sor
ry

Lucyputdownt
hebot
tl
eandf
oldedherar
ms.
..

Lucy
:I'
mjustcur
ious.
..Whatwoul
dyouhav
edonei
fitwasaguy
?

Monga:
Oneofuswoul
dwal
koutbl
eedi
ng,
cany
ounotscar
eme
l
iket
hat
?

Lucy:Scareyou?MongaI '
m nottr
yingt oscar eyou.
..Doyouhave
anyideahowf loodi
ngmyDM i s?Ijustnev erreal
lyt
houghtsoci
al
mediarelati
onshipsar
eany t
hingbutI'm defini
tel
ygivi
ngafew
guysachance. .
.I'
m wei
ghingmyopt ions

Monga:
Soy
ou'
resendi
ngnudes?

Lucy :
What'
sthepoi
ntofhavi
ngaf
olderf
ull
ofnudesi
fyou'
renot
goingtosendthem?I
'm awomanidon'
tj
erkof
fwithawoman's
pi
ct ur
e..
.

Monga:
Sowhowankswi
thy
ourpi
ctur
es?

Lucy
:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?Don'
tyouhav
eaguest
?
Monga:Arey
outry
ingt
omakemej
eal
ous?Becausei
don'
tcar
e
whatyoudowit
hyourl
i
fe.

Lucy
:Ohgood,
pleasel
eav
e

Helookedatherphoneonthetabl
e,shelookedathi
m
suspi
ciousl
yandjumpedforherphone.Hegrabbedi
tfi
rstand
tur
nedaroundasshetri
edtogetit.
.

Lucy
:Iwantmyphone!

Monga:
Unl
ocki
t!

Lucy
:No

Hetur
nedar oundandgrabbedher ,t
heyfel
lonthecouchandhe
l
ockedherwhol ebodywithhislegsandbroughtthephonetoher
f
aceforrecogniti
onbutsheopenedhermout hwi deopenand
madefacest r
yingtodi
stortherfaceasheti
ckledher.
.

Lucy
:Mongat
her
rakana-

I
tunlockedandher el
easedherthenhecl
i
ckedonhergalleryand
wentstrai
ghtforherpi
ctur
es,hefoundaf
olderofnudesand
del
eteditthenhecli
ckedonhermessagesandf oundnot
hing..
Monga:
Whyodi
raj
alogonemme?

Lucy
:(si
ghed)I
'
m st
il
lpant
ing,
ont
sent
sel
etsat
si.
..Whatdi
dido?

Monga:
Cheat
..
.Ican'
tpr
ovei
tbuty
ou'
rehappi
ert
oday
..

Lucy
:Becauseiwaswi
thmysi
sterdoi
ngwhati
lov
e
most;
dri
nki
ng.

Hecheckedagai
nandsi
ghed.

Monga:Waitsennakel
apil
ekegostr
esiwakebany
ana.
..
ithought
weunderst
oodeachotherbuti
tsOK.
..I
tsf
ine.

Heputdownherphoneandwalkedi
nthekit
chen,heopenedher
fr
idgeandfoundapl
ateoff
oodthenhemicrowav
edandwal ked
outchewi
ng.

Lucywatchedhi
m eat
ingl
i
keahomel
essdogandev
ensucked
theTbone.

Lucy:
Let aaswaket al
aboMonga!I
'
mr eall
ysur
prisedy
our
vi
ll
agegirlcan'
tcook.I
'
m avil
l
agegi
rlmysel
fbutiknewhowto
cooksincei was9yearsol
d.
Monga:
Cany
oumakemesomemor
e?Kebat
abacon.
.

Lucy:Tabekegoseny
a.I'
mleav
ingsi
nceyouli
key ourbr
other
s
housesomuchandpleasemakesureyoufi
xthatdoorwena
BruceLee.

Shet
urnedandwal
kedout
..
..

Atschool
..
.

Loagopul
ledov
er,
LJranoverwit
hhi
sbagt
henLoagospot
ted
Oshawait
ingwi
thherbagonherl
ap.
.

Loago:
Osha?Let
'sgo.
..

Sherel
uctant
lyremainedseatedbutknowi
nganadultwast
alki
ng
andthatsheshouldn'
trespondbackseemedl
ikesuchawrong
thi
ng.

Loago:
Let
'sgo,
west
ayi
nthesamey
ard.Don'
tyour
ecogni
seme?

Osha:
Ido

Lj
:Hernamei
sPear
l
Loago:
Let
'sgo,
I'
ll
tal
ktoy
ouraunt
ie.
..

Oshapi
ckedherbagandgoti
nthecart
hent
heyhedr
oveof
f.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#80

Atschool
..

Apul
aparkedthecarandwaitedf
orOshabutshewasn'
tonher
spot
.Shegotoutofthecarandwalkedtot
heclassr
oom wher
e
thet
eacherwaspicki
ngupherbooks..
.

Apul
a:Hi
..
.I'
mlooki
ngf
orPear
l,t
henewst
udent

Her:Ohirememberher,shewalkedoutwit
hot
herst
udents.I
evenaskedherifsheknowsherwayhomeorbeingpi
cked.She
saidyouagreedtopi
ckherunderthatt
ree

Apul
a:Shei
snott
her
e,

Her
:Letmecheckt
het
oil
ets.

Theteacherwalkedoutwhi
l
eApul awalkedaroundt
heschool
l
ookingforher,
shegrewanxiousastheteacherwal
kedback
al
one,acoldchillr
andownherspineandshebegunsweatingas
herphonerang..

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?
Loago:
Hi,
Ipi
ckedOsha

Apula:Pi
ckedhi
m upokopi
l
wekemangyourshi
t!Doy ouhav
e
anyideawhatyoumademegothr
oughwal
ki
ngar oundthe
schoolal
mostpeei
ngmysel
f.

Loago:
Didy
ouj
usti
nsul
tme?

Apula:
Loagoler
etenyanal
agagomaan!It
oldy
ounott
ocome
anywhereneart
hatchil
d!

Shehungupast
het
eacherst
oodt
her
eshockedbyt
hespeech.

Apula:
I'
m sor
ryf
ort
het
roubl
e,anei
ghbourpi
ckedherupwi
thout
tel
l
ingme.

Shet
urnedandangr
il
ywal
kedbackt
othecar
..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

LateronApulapar
kedinfr
ontofthehouseandpacedtowar
ds
Loago'shouseasheopenedthedoorandletOshaoutwi
thacan
ofdrink.

Apul
a:(
pant
ing)Oshawhatdi
disay
?Whatdi
disayaboutt
alki
ng
t
ost
ranger
s?!

Osha:
Hesai
dhewi
l
ltakemehome

Apul
a:(angr
il
y)AndIsai
ddon'
ttal
ktohi
m oranyst
ranger
,di
dn'
ti
?
Di
dn'
ti?Oshadon'tmakemeangry.

Osha'
shear
tpoundedasshel
ookedbackatheraunt
ie.
..

Osha:
Sor
ry.
..
.Ar
eyout
aki
ngmebackt
oPapa?

Apul
asi
ghedcal
mly
..

Apul
a:(
sof
tl
y)No,
got
othehouse.Justdon'
tev
erdot
hat
.

Osha:
Eemma

Sher
antothehouseandsatonthest
oopwai
ti
ngf
orher
.Loago
wal
kedoverandt
heymethalfway.
.

Loago:
Ont
hogel
aeng?

Apula:
It'
sthefactt
hatyoudon'
tevenunderstandthepanicofnot
fi
ndi
ngy ourchi
ldandthi
nki
ngallki
ndsofthingsthatannoysme
aboutyou.Idon'
tknowwhatyourprobl
em iswiththi
schild.Do
youwanttorapeher ?Idon'
tunder
stand,
wehav eli
vedt hi
slong
andnotoncehasy ourchil
dbeeninmyhouseorbei nt
roducedto
mebutthemi nut
ey ouseethischi
ldyoujustcan'
tapplythesame
rul
es.Ar
eyouar apist?Areyouapedophil
e?

Loago'
shear
tshut
ter
edashest
aredathert
alki
ng.
..

Loago:Idi
dn'
tgrowupget ti
nginsult
ed,notoneexinsul
tedmeso
I
'mv er
yheartbrokenbutevery
thingyou'
vejustsai
dincl
udingthat
tr
yingt
owi nyourheartandscoreafewpoi nt
smakesy outhink
I'
m apedophil
e.

Apula:Idon'tcar
ei fy
ou'r
eheartbroken.Ifihadthepoweri would
haveslappedy ou.Ispeci
fi
cal
lytoldyout ostayawayfrom you,
you'
rethev erypersonwhowoul dn'ti
ntroduceyoursonf orayear
becausey ouwantt oprot
ecthim.Ngwanawagankgonneene
omony at
sang?It'
showmuchy oudon' trespectmywor d!

Shet
urnedandwal
kedawayt
henshet
urnedback.
.

Apul
a;Andi
won'
tapol
ogi
sef
ort
hei
nsul
ts.Youdeser
vedapunch.

Shewal
kedawayandunl
ockedt
hedoort
hent
heywal
kedi
nand
cl
osedt
hedoor.
AtLucy
'sHouse.
..

Thehandy
manhandedMongat
hekey
sandopenedanewbr
ush.
..

Hi
m:I
'
m al
mostdone.
..

Monga:
Don'
twor
ry,
I'
ll
pai
ntt
hedoor
..

Hi
m:ar
eyousur
e?

Monga:
Yeah.
..I
'
llpai
nti
tov
ert
henextcoupl
eofday
s

Hi
m:I
tdoesn'
ttakeev
enanhour
-ohi
see

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)Yeah.
..

Hepai
dhi
m andputt
hepai
nti
nsi
det
hehouset
henhel
eft
..
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhil
eSedicountedhercoi
nsfr
om sel
l
ingmoretwaandput
i
tbackinherbag.I
twouldbeenoughtobuyafewit
ems.There
wasaknockont hedoorthenshewal
kedoutandopenedthe
maindoorwhil
emusicplayed.
Lanaf
rownedconf
usedhol
dinghersont
ohersi
de.
..

Lana:
Whatarey
oudoingi
nMonga'
shouse?(
lookedatheri
na
towel
)andi
natowel
?!

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#81

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Sedi:Hegav emeaccommodat ion,I

'minMaunt osel
lmoretwa,
I
askedy outoaccommodat emeandy ousai
dyoucouldn'
t
becauseMi chael woul
dn'
tagree.Ihadtowaitforaweektoeven
getthatdisappointi
nganswerandmymor etwawasn'
twaiti
ng,i
wantedt osellsomethi
ngf r
eshsoi askedhi
m andhesaidyes.
Whatar eyoudoi nghere?

Lana:Ineedtotel
lhi
m somethi
ng,
heisnotpi
cki
ngmycalls,
he
mightstil
lbeangr
yaboutwhatidi
dbutidon'
twantt
otel
lhim
thi
sov ert
hephone.

Sedi
:Tel
lhi
m what
?

Lana:ThatImadeami stakeaboutourson' spater

nity,iwantus
tocorrectitt
ogetherbecausei can'
tdoitalonewithouthis
consent.Iwanttof i
l
ethecour tpapersanddor i
ghtbyMJ, iwant
tochanget hemenont hebirt
hdaycerti
fi
cateandal sotakeout
Michael andrepl
aceitwithMongasohecanbeMongaj uni
or.I
don'twanthimt omov eonandgi v
emysonsbi r
thrighttoanother
woman' schil
d.Totaal othappenedrecentl
yinLopang' shouse
thatshowedmet hatI'
m onthewr ongtrack.

Sedi
:Whathappened?
Lana:
It'
sal
ongst
ory
..

Sedi
:Wehav
etime,I
'
m cur
ioust
oknowwhathappened?It
hought
yout
wowereinl
ove.

Lana:
Can'
ttal
kabouti
tnow.

Shewalkedinthehouseandputhersononthecouchthenshe
walkedintheki
tchenandgrabbedadri
nk,
sheuncover
edthefood
andfrownedlooki
ngatthem..

Lana:
Youcooked?

Sedi
:Yeah,
ther
eismor
eint
hepot

Lana:I
'
m good.Mongawon'
teati
t,hecooksbet
tert
hant
his.Has
heevercookedf
oryou?

Sedi
:No

Lana:Ileanedhowt ocookf r
om him, hecooksli
keachefandhe
won'teatthis.Trustme...Idi
dn'tstaylongwit
hhim butassoon
asher eali
sedi didn'
tknowhowt ocookheaskedmet onever
cookandcookedf ormei nst
ead.Ileantmorecooki
ngatLopang's
housef r
om justwat chi
ngTVbuti fiwastocookforhimi
wouldn'tdot hese..
.

Sedi:
Ok.Mongai
sseeingsomeoneelsesoi
don'
tthi
nky
ou
shouldbegoi
ngt
hroughhi
skit
chen.

Lana:
Who?
Sedi:HernameisLucy,they
'r
er eal
lyseri
oussoi don'
tthi
nkyou
standachance.JustkeepthingsgoingwithLopang..
.Mjcanbe
partofhisfat
her
'sl
if
ebutdon' ttr
ygetti
ngbacktogetherwit
h
Monga.

Lana:Mongadoesn' tforgi
vecheati
ng,onceheknowsf orsure
yousleptwithanothermanhemov esnomat terhowhard.Iknow
thatpartofhimi don'
texpecthi
mt oloveme.Ijustwanttodo
ri
ghtbutasf orthekit
chenhewon' tsayanyt
hingtomeabouti t
..
.
Don'tworry,
isthathistoweloryours?

Sedi
:hi
s

Lana:Takei
toff
.Youshoul dn'
tbewearingmybabydaddy '
stowel
.
YoucanpackyourthingstooI'
llaccommodateyouinthesit
ti
ng
room.Idon'
twantyouget t
ingcl
oset oMongaiknowhei seasyto
l
ikebecauseheisgeneroustogaagoneelamadi abeonnaledi
feel
i
ngsbutyoucan'tfeelt
hatwayaboutmybabydaddy ..

Sedi
:Hei
snoty
ourboy
fri
end

Lana:
Heismybabydaddy
,I'
m hi
sbabymama,
hisonl
ysoithi
nki
candeci
dewhaty
oucanandcannotdowi
thmybabydaddy
.

Sediquietl
ytur
nedaroundandwal
kedt
othebedr
oom wher
eshe
tookitoffandchanged.
..

AtMonga'
sof
fi
ce.
..
Thongwal
kedi
nwhi
l
eMongat
alkedt
othephone.
..

Monga:(onthephone)Iknowbuti wantyoutocompl etethe

companyregistr
ati
onsoicanstar
toperati
ngatl eastbytheend
ofJunemay beendoftheyearI
'
llscoresomet enders.
...Alr
ight
..
.
Sendthem,I'
llhaveal
ookandsendt hem back.Cool,thanks.

Thongwalkedaroundt
heof f
icei
nhi
sf or
malwait
ingforMonga
toendhi
scall.Mongastoodupandtheyshoul
derbumped..

Thong:
Justar
ri
ved,
didi
misst
hemeet
ing?

Monga:
No,
let
'sgo.

Theguyswal
kedoutandt
owar
dst heot
herof
fi
cewher
ethe
onl
inesi
dehust
lecr
ewwaswait
ing..
.

Monga:
Goodaf
ter
noonguy
s

Thong:
Hel
l
oguy
s..

Mongast
oodatthef
rontwhi
l
eThongsatont
hedeskf
aci
ngEr
ic
andt
hewhol
ecrew.
Eri
ct ookadeepbr eat handsi ghedlooki ngatThong, hehadj ust
walkedi ntheircr
ewandsuddenl ybecameMonga' srighthand
manpushi nghim asi de...SurelyThongknewwhatt hemeet ing
wasal l aboutwheni tshoul dbehi mi nt hatposi t
ion,hemade
decisionswi t
hMongaandy ethehadsomehowbeenghost edas
thi
sf ri
endshi pblossomed.Er iclookedatMongaashebegun
speaki ng,he'dneverf el
tsomuchhear tbr eakwheni tdidn'tev en
haveany thingtodowi t
hawomanbutt hisr i
ghtherehur t.
..
Havingsomeonewal kint oyourf r
iendshi pandst ealyourfriend
ri
ghtbef oreyourey es. .
..Heal wayst houghthe' dgetov eritbut
seeingMongaaboutt oannouncesomet hi nghehadnoi dea
abouthur tevenmor e.Bef oreThonghewast ol
dev eryt
hingbut
nowt heywer eMat aozenandManDt ooneanot her.
..

Meanwhil
eAene,
Randal
l
,That
oandt
her
estoft
hecr
ewl
i
stened
car
eful
l
yasMongaspoke..
.

Monga: Guyst hi
swon'tbeal ongmeet i
ngbutijustwantedtotel
l
youthatt hissidehustlewasnotaper manentthing,
asy ouknow
pornisi l
legalinBotswana,stri
ppingandeveryt
hingwegetpaid
fori
sillegal t
hat'
swhyi havetotrav
eltoSAtoev enuploadour
contentsoi tcanappeart obecomi ngfrom t
herefor
monet i
sat i
onpur poses.I'
vereachedapointwhereifeelli
keI
'm
gett
ingol dtobet akingpartinthi
sandIwantt oshutdownour
website..
Ther
ewassi
l
enceasev
ery
one'
shear
tski
pped.
..

Monga: Butiwon'tdoi tsosuddenly,I'

llgi
veyou6mont hsbefore
idoit..
.Dur i
ngthis6mont hsyoursalaryisenoughf oryouto
i
nvest .
..I'
mv erydisappointedthatnoneofy ouhasr egi
ster
eda
businessbuti nst
eadsomeofy ouar erenti
ngdri
vingnicecars..
.
Easymoneyi saddi ct
ivebutit'
stimet oworkhard.Youhav esix
mont hst obegivingmegoodqual i
tycontentasthisisour
ret
ir
ementpackage.

Thong:Buypl ots,apl otwithoner oom i

scheapt henbui l
d.As
l
ongasy ou'
renotr ent i
ngy ou'
ll
beabl etoi nvesty ourmoney ..
Let'
sthinkoutsidet hebox .Icamet oMaunwi thoutev enan
underwearunt i
li metmyf ri
endMat aozen, todayy ouwoul dn't
beli
eveit.Mywor kersattheaut oshopt hinkhighl yofme, they
seeabossbuti wasaher dboy ..Howcani comei nvestkeithel
a
l
edi r
amadi ?Guy slet'
swakeup, RandallndThat ostopwi ththe
vacati
onsandVi ctori
af al
l
st ravel
s..
.Inv
est ..
.

Randal
landThat
onoddedi
nagr
eement
..

Thong:Youhavechi l
dsuppor t,gapelesanggot sholathat
a.
Randal
lchi
ldrenareabl essingbuthav ingmor echi
ldrenand
fai
l
ingt
osuppor tt
hem properlyisjustirr
esponsibl
e.Weonl yhav
e
6monthstoi nv
est..Er
icy oucannotber ent
ingahousecost i
ng
7Kpermont h,youdon'tev enuseot herrooms.Howaboutt hat7K
y
our
enta1Khouseandbui
l
d..
.

Er
ic:Pr
obl
em y
ouguy
slongi
nvest
ednowi
hav
e6mont
hst
o
i
nvest?

Monga: No,y
oushouldhavelongdonei t.Iusedtotel
lyouthati
gotdumpedf ornothavi
nganythinglegi
t.Apulahur
tmebutshe
taughtmesomet hi
ng,onl
yaper sonwhol ovesyoucant el
lyou
wheny ou'
rewrong.Youknewi wantedtot ur
nmyl i
fearound.You
couldhavechangedtoobutanyway s6mont hsguys,6mont hs.

Thecrewthrewinoneortwowordsbefor
ethemeet i
nggot
dismi
ssed,MongaandThongbothwalkedoutchatt
ingi
nsuit
s
thenEri
cpacedbehindt
hem i
njeansandsneaker
s..
.

Er
ic:
Monga?Canwet
alk?

Monga:
Sur
e

Thongst
oodbyandhel
ookedathi
m wi
thaser
iousf
ace.
..

Er
ic:
Alone!

Thong:
(laughed)Okuel
aengj
aanong

Eri
c:Idi
dn'
tev
enscr
eam whyi
thel
aoi
ti
ri
leMongany
anamogo
rona
Thong:
(laughed)Doyouhaveaproblem wi
thme?Yourev
ill
ooks
don'
tgounnoticedei
ther
,gakekgothedidr
ainmr!

Eric:(
angri
l
y)Ididn'tcomeher etotal
ktoyouandI'
m notgay,i
don'tthi
nkyou'r
est rai
ghtbychoicenoasscantakebogol
eba
gago.It'
sapityitdoesn'tkeepawoman, i
meanbi gdi
cksaren'
t
thatmuchofabi gdealifbigpeopl
ecrymorethanus.
.

Thongslappedhi
m,Mongajumpedbetweent
hem andpushed
them apar
tasEri
cmassagedhi
scheek..

Thong:
Ot aany
elaEr
ic,
I'
ml aughi
ngwi
thy
ouwenawaaomana.O
nalest
ressnemona?Ot aanyel
akana

Monga:(
pul
l
edhim asi
de)ManDcomeon.
..If
eltt
hatt
oobuta
sl
ap?Comeon.
..Cooli
toff
..

Thong:
Nfanany
anay
ont
wael
a,ket
aat
hot
hor
adi
thaer
etsakol
oi
yamekaene

Monga:
ManDl
ookatme?

ManDl
ookedathi
m..
.

Monga:(calmly)Cooli
t..
.Thi
sboyistooyoungforyourslap.I
t
reathi
m myl i
tt
lebrot
her.Tr
eathi
mt hesame.Ronarebat onaso
weactbetter.Hejustfoundouthei
sgoingtolosebusinessin6
mont
hs.
.

Thong:Hehastowat
chhi
smouth,
hei
snotawomansoi
won'
t
hesi
tat
etobeathi
mifher
unshi
smout
hli
kethat
.

Monga:
Tsenamokol
oingl
ateaka.
.

Mongaopenedt
hedoorforhi
m, Thongl
ookedatEri
cwhogave
hi
mthemiddlef
inger
,Mongalaughedandpushedhi
minthecar
..
.

Monga:
Tsamay
amr
!

Thonggotinhi
scaranddr
oveof
fasMongawat
chedhi
mthenhe
walkedbackt
oEri
c.

Monga:What'
sgoi
ngon?Andwhatdoesthei
sthe'
i
fbi
gdi
cks
can'
tkeepwomenandyou'
recr
yingbl
abl
amean'

Er
ic:Idi
dn'
tmeanitl
i
kethat
..I'
dnev
erthrowashadeaty
ou.I
t
j
ustcameoutwrongli
keii
ncludedyou.

Monga:
Whatdi
dyouwantt
otal
kabout
?

Eri
c:Didi dosomet hi
ngtoyou?Ifeell
ikesaleThongagorogawe
don'
tinteractthesameway .
..Yesidocamer aandedit
ingbutI
al
sohelpedy oumanageeverythi
ngjaanongThongi sl
ikeyou.
Youdon' tevenshowupThongdoesev eryt
hing.
..Nott
hatI'
m
complaining..
.Heisablet
ocont r
olevery
onel eboRandall
buti
f
eel
sidel
i
ned.

Monga:Kanai ki
ndofusedManDbecauseeveryoneisafr
aidof
hi
m, i
t'
smor eabouthi
sbodyst
ructur
eleper
sonalit
y..
.If
eelli
ke
he'
ddot hi
ngsthewayi dot
hem andhedoesexactlyt
hat.

Eri
c:Ar
en'twef
ri
ends?Iknowt hi
smightsoundgaybuti
mi ssyou,
theol
dyouandus..Kanaimisunder
stoodbusi
nessandthought
wearefri
endsr
esefri
ends?

Monga:Ididn'
tknowyoufeltsi
del
ined,
I'
llbeawareofthat
..
.but
tr
ytocontroly
ourfeel
i
ngstowardsThongandbepr ofessi
onal.
..
Underst
andhim asacoll
eague,heli
kestolaughandjokewith
ever
yone..
..

Er
ic:Thongwagoikgagapel
la.
..Heal
wayswantstobewithyou.
I
'm sur
eifyouhadabrotherhewouldhaveki
l
ledhim sohecoul
d
bewithyouall
theti
me.Nnawambor a

Monga:
Heismyf
riendsot
ryt
ocontr
oli
tbecausei
can'
tkeep
comi
ngbet
weeny
out wopl
usThongoseat
a.

Eri
c:Ifeel
li
kehei
sjustcopingy
oubecauseheknowsy
oukeep
thecrewinli
newi
thviol
ence.

Monga:
Ammekev
iol
ent
?

Eri
c:Nott
owar
dsgirl
sbutRandal
landtheguy
sareaf
rai
dofy
ou
becausey
ou'
vepunchedt
hem all
fort
alki
ngback.

Monga:Idi
dn'tknowimakeevery
oneuncomf
ort
abl
e.Got
aa
si
amalait
eaka..
.Letmegetbacktowor
k.

Er
ic:
Ok.
.
Er
icgotint
hecaranddr
oveof
fasMongawal
kedbackt
othe
of
fi
ce..
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erMongadr
ovet
hrought
hegat
etal
ki
ngt
othephone.
..

Monga:
Igety
oubuty
oudor
eal
i
set
haty
ouwer
ewr
ong?

Loago:Idon'
twantt
otal
ktoyouaboutt
hisbecausewebot
h
knowwhaty ou'
l
lsay
.You'
real
waysnegat
ive,
whydidyousayshe
wouldsayno?

Monga:Becauseisawherwi t
hherniecewhoi sy oursonsage.I
askedyouwhyy oudon'tTr
ustApulaonLJandy oustil
lwent
aheadandkeptthem apart
.Di
dy outhi
nky oursonwasspeci al
?
Anynormalpersonwouldseeyourproposalasabai tor
manipul
ati
on.Nnamrgakebat eApula,r
elax

Loago:
shei
scomi
ngbackt
oMaunnextmont
h,i
guessi
t'
sov
er.

Monga: Goapologi
set
hentakethi
ngssl
owly.Don'
tpushi
ssueya
bana.
..IhearOshawasali
ttl
etr
oublemakersogiv
eherti
met o
fi
xherupal i
ttl
ebit
.

Loago:
Mmewabua.
.
Mongast
eppedoutoft
hecarandcl
osedt
hedoor
..

Monga:
Alri
ghtShar
plai
teaka,i
missy
out
hemonna(
laughed)
Kanaotagi
wamonategore..

Loago:(l
aughed)Lant
wael
abanna,
ManDcall
edmeaskingme
whenI'm comingar
ehemissesmekeshwel
ekebi
na.Lantwael
a
thebanna

Monga:(
laughed)monnaweeopenanotherbrunchinMaunand
comehere.
..Yourwi
feiscomi
ngsocomeot herwisebat
sil
egomo
j
amajit
a.KasaneandMaunarebothtouri
stdesti
nati
onssoyou'
l
l
makemoneyher ej
ustasmuch.

Loago:
Whydi
dn'
tit
hinkoft
hat
..
.I'
l
lcomeupwi
thapl
an.Thanks
man

Monga:
Sur
e,t
akwanomonnawemi
ssy
ou

Loago:
Keet
a

Theylaughedandhungupt henheopenedt hedoorandwalkedi

n,
ther
ewasadel iciousaromaont heairbutthist
imehedidn'
t
sali
vat
eknowingwhatwasi nthere.HenoticedLana'
ssononthe
couchasleep,
hecoul dn'tunderstandifbabiesl
ookedthesameor
thi
sboylookedlikeHopewhenhewasababy .

Hewalkedtothekit
chenandstoppedatt
hedoorlooki
ngatt
he
si
ster
sserv
ingthreepl
ates.
..Tohi
ssurpr
iset
hefoodwas
act
uall
ygoodlooki
ng,
notanyt
hingcl
oset
otheI
nst
agr
am
l
unati
c'
sserv
ingbutswal
lowabl
e..
.

Monga:
Hi.
.

Lanaturnedandsmiledthenshewalkedov
erandhuggedhim but
Mongadi dn'
thugherbackashelookedatSediwhosi
lent
ly
shruggedbehindher
.

Lana:Iseeyou'
rest
il
langr
ywhi
chi
sreasonabl
e..
.Ineedt
otel
l
yousomet hi
ng.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#82

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Monga:
What
?

Lana:
Canwet
alki
npr
ivat
e?

Sedi
wal
kedpastt
hem.
..

Sedi
:I'
l
lwai
tout
side.
..

Mongal
ookedatherasshet
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghed.
..

Lana:
Ili
edt
oyouaboutal
otoft
hings

Monga:
Her
ewegoagai
n..
.

Lana:LJisy
oursonandI
'
venev
ersl
eptwi
thLopangunt
ilaf
ter
oursecondbreakup.

Monga: Oursecondbr
eakup?Youneverevengav emeasecond
chance.Therewasnosecondbreakup.Youwer ewill
i
ngtogive
usachancet henheconvi
ncedyou.
..Youprobablyhadacrushon
him whenhewast akingcareofy ou, hedidn'thavetowor khar d
towi nyou.Totahel afrom thebegi nninghenev erstruggl
ed...I
droppedy ouof fsoy oucant alktoy ourparentsbuty oudidn'twait
forthem.Insteady oucal l
edy ourbackupandmov edontoy our
nextrelati
onshipwi t
houtchecki ngony ourfamilybecausey ou
blamedev eryoneev eny oursibli
ngswhower ejustkidsli
key ou.I
don'tbeli
evey ouaboutLJbei ngmyson.I t'
sgoi ngtotakemor e
thany ourwordf ormet obel i
evey ourlies.

Lana:Pl
easedoaDNAt est.
..Butthi
siswher
eineedy
ourhel
p.I
wroteLopangasthefathersoi needyout
ofi
lef
oracour
torder
tobeputinthecert
if
icate.

Monga: Sonowi hav etocleanyourmesswi thLopang?I '

m not
thatstupid.I'm notjumpingt hr
oughhoopsnomor e.
..Notgetti
ng
controll
edbyawomanev enifyou'
regoingtousemyal legedson.
Stil
lwon' twork, i
t'
sy ourmess.Ididn'twal
kawayf r
om myson
youhi dhi m andgav ehim awaysof indawayt ofi
xit.Youcan't
comet omet oclearit.

Lana:
Don'
tyouwantt
obei
nhi
sbi
rt
hcer
ti
fi
cat
e?

Monga: Idon'tcarei fI
'm oni tornot .Therewasapoi ntinmyl i
fe
wheni wassokeent ofindy ouandwheni t
houghthei smysoni
gotexcitedatt hethoughtofhav i
ngaf ami l
ybutnotany more.I
j
ustdon' tcare,idon'thavet hesamehunger .
..I
fheismysonI '
ll
sendy ouchildsuppor t,idon' tevenmi ndnotbeingont hebi
r t
h
cert
if
icateaker eyoucont r olLJwenal eLopang.I'
ll
onl ytakehim
wheni t'
smyt urnandsendy oumoney .Therestyousol vewith
him.m.Gaonat hatthingt otaany mor e.
..Thatthi
ngt hatmademe
cum from justlookingaty oui sgone.IfLJismi netheny eahI'l
l
suppor
thi
m.I
sther
eany
thi
ngel
se?

Lana:
Ineedaplacetostay
,Lopang'
smotherhasbeeninMaun
foraweeknowandshedoesn'tli
kemeorLj,shecal
lsmenames
andtr
eatsLJdi
ffer
entl
y.

Monga:
SoMongahast
oaccommodat
eyouunt
ily
ourmot
heri
n
l
awleav
es?

Lana:
.I'
l
lnev
ergobackt
her
e.

Monga:Ei
therwayican'
thelp.I
fyou'
retr
ulyhomelessyoucan
l
eaveMJwi thmeuntil
you'v
esettl
ed.Sediiswit
hmeI '
m sur
eshe
wil
lhel
pme.Ihav eagir
lf
ri
endsoshewon' tal
lowdi
babymamany anamontung.

Lana:Isee..
.I'
l
l l
eavet
hebabyandgosl
eepatacl
assmat
e'sbut
I
'm br
eastfeeding.

Monga:(
sighed)Youcansl
eephere,I
'
llsl
eepout
.Pl
easef
ind
accommodationtomor
rowandleave.

Lana:
Cany
oubor
rowmeP500soIcanr
entar
oom?

Monga:
I'
m br
oke,
askLopang.Letmegogetmybagandl
eav
e..

Hewal kedi
nthebedroom andchangedhiscl
othesthenhe
walkedpastherandclosedthedoor
.Heapproachedthecar
whereSediwassadlysitt
ingonthegroundl
eaningagai
nstt
he
t
yre..
Monga:
Hey

Sedi
:Lanasay
simustgosl
eepi
nthesi
tt
ingr
oom atLopang'
s
house.

Monga:
You'
rer
emai
ningi
nyourr
oom.Don'
twor
ry.
.

Sedi
:Iguessi
t'
sov
er,
shet
oldmeaboutLj
.

Monga:
Idon'
tbel
i
eveherbutev
eni
fit
str
uesheandi
areov
er.
.

Sedi
:You'
rewi
thLucy
?

Monga:
Itwoul
dbecool t
osl
eepwit
hyoutopuni
shherbutt
hat
woul
dcostyouasi
sterandi
don'
twantt
ohurtyou.

Sedi
:Ial
sowouldn'
tsl
eepwithmynephew'
sfather.It
hought
Lopang'
sthef
ather
.Ei
therwayI
'm gl
adwehaven'tdoneanyt
hing.
.

Monga:
Buti
wantt
otast
eyourl
i
ps.
..Justoncenotsexbutaki
ss.

Shelaughedashepull
edherupt
henhegoti
nthecar
,het
ookout
athousandandhandedher
..
.

Monga:GiveLanaP500asi
fit
'sf
rom y
ou.Tel
lhert
ofi
ndahouse.
Theother5isyour
s.

Sedi
:Wow,
thanky
ou.

Mongagoti
nthecaranddrov
eof f
.Onthewayheopenedthe
l
apt
opandcli
ckedonthetr
ackingsyst
em t
henhecl
ickedon
Lucy
'sphone.Hecl
ickedonthecoor
dinatesandcli
ckedon
Googlemapsthenhepull
edoverandlookedatthehairsal
oon
shewasatanddroveoff.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi leApul afi

nishedreadingOshat hebedt i
mest or
yand
noticedshewasal readyasleep..
.Shesmi l
edandt uckedherin
thensheswi tchedof ftheli
ghtsandgotint hebat hroom where
shebr ushedhert eeth.Hertoothpast
ewasf i
nished, sheopened
thelowershel fandnot i
cedshehadl ike3packsofpads.She
frownedt houghtful
lyandbr usheditofft
henshebr ushedher
teethandwal kedout ..
.

Onherwaybackt othebedr
oom shethoughtful
l
ycounted.
..I
t
di
dn'tmakesensetohaveallt
hatbecausetheyshoul
dhavebeen
fi
nished.
.

Shegoti nbedandlaidonherbackt houghtf

ull
yinthedark,she
defi
nitel
yhadn'thadherperi
odsbutwoul dn'
tshefeelany
t hi
ngif
shewaspr egnant?Ever
yone'scommentabouthergl owinMaun
camet omi ndandyeah,afewofhersl acksweresuddenl
yt oo
ti
ght.
..Couldshehavebeenpr egnant?WithLoago'
sbaby?She
putherhandov erhermouthast ear
sf i
ll
edhereyes.
MyKi
ndofMan

#83

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

OnSatur daymorningApul aandOshaf i

nishedherhomewor k,
Oshazi ppedherbagandr ant othebedroom.Apul asighedand
l
eanedback, thethoughtofhav i
ngababyi nanunst able
rel
ati
onshipcamebackt oher,afterwai
tingforsolongi t
happenedsounexpect edlywithamanshenowdi dn'ttr
ust.Tears
fi
ll
edherey esandr andownhercheekasOshast oppedl ooking
ather,shequickl
yr ubbedi tandfakedasmi le.
..

Osha:
Aunt
ie?What
'swr
ong?

Apul
a:(
fakedasmi
l
e)I
'
mfi
ne,
somet
hinggoti
nmyey
e..

Osha:Yousai
dweshouldn'
tl
iei
nourhouse,
youpr
omi
sedwe
wouldbeaperfectf
ami
l
y .

Apul
alookedatherast
ear
sbur
nedherey
es.
..

Apul
a:I
'
mjustsadbecauseI
'
m pr
egnant
.

Osha:
(smi
l
ed)Wear
ehav
ingababy
?!Cani
nameher
?
Shequi
ckl
yst
oppedj
umpi
ngandl
ookedather
..

Osha:
Whyar
eyousad?

Apula:Becauset hef
atherist
hatmannextdoor,
i t
hinkhei
sa
niceperson.Itookaverylongti
metohavekidsbecauseiwant
ed
tohavet hem wit
hagoodmanwhol ov
esme.Idi dn'
twantaman
thatidoubt.
.

Osha:
Idon'
tl
ikef
ather
s,t
hey'
renotgood.I
'
m happywi t
houta
fat
her
.Youmakemehappyandi wishiwasyourbaby.Youdon'
t
havet
obesadbecauseiwil
lhel
pyoutakecareofthebaby.
..

Apul
a:(
smi
l
edt
ear
ful
l
y)You'
l
lhel
pme?

Osha:(
smiled)Yes,I
'
llcookmotogofory
ou...Iusedtocook
motogoformybi gsi
sterwhenshehadababy .Shemademe
cookmoret hanever
yone.Myporri
dgedoesn'thavebumps.
..

Apul
a:Ican'
twai
t.
.

Osha:I'
l
lhelpyouwi
tht
hebabytoo,
I'
ll
playwit
hhersoyoucando
chor
es.I'
ll
doherhai
rni
cel
y.
..AndIwil
lsingf
orheranddancef
or
herl
ikethi
s..
.

Shedancedandcl
appedasApul alaughedoutl
oud,shet
ookout
herphoneandr
ecordedherdancingandsingi
ngthensheputt
he
phonedownandplayedmusic.
.
Apul
a:Letmet
eachy
ouhowt
odancebabygi
rl

Osha:
Babygi
rli
knowhowt
odance!Look

Theyl
aughedt
aki
ngt
urnsdanci
ngandcl
appi
ng.
..

AtLopang'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronLopangsighedsit
ti
ngdownashi smotherputthesofa
cover
sov erhi
scouch,
thesofacover
shehadn'
tseeni nyear
s..
.
Thetypesheusedwhenhewasgr owinguppri
nted"Welcome
home"..

Lopang:
Wher
eisLana?

Her
:Shel eft
,ihear
dshemadey outakecareofherwhi
leshewas
nur
sing.I
t'satabooinourcult
ureforamant olookaf
tera
womani nherconditi
on.
..Shemighthavefedyouherbaby'
s
umbil
icalcord.

Lopang:
Thosear
eol
dtr
adi
ti
onsandi
don'
tbel
i
evet
hem,
wher
eis
Lanaandmyson?

Her:
Sheleft
,it
oldhert
ogofi
ndhersonsf
atherandst
opmaki
ng
yousuppor
ther.Shei
susi
ngyou
Lopang:You'r
enotevenhel pi
ngmewi thmyson, ihadt ohir
e
maidaftermaidandKi ngwasabusedwhi l
eyou'
rethere.You'r
e
notabouttodestroymyf amil
y,t
hisgir
listheonlygoodt hi
ngi n
mylif
erightnowandi loveher.I
'm goi
ngt omarrysoy oubetter
getusedtoitorelseyou'l
lnotbepresentonmyweddi ng.I
'
llget
myunclet obanyou.Clearl
yyoucan'tstandhersopleasepack
yourbags,I'
l
ltal
ktoMar ktocomegety ou...Ki
nglet'
sgo.

Hewal
kedoutwi
thhi
ssonanddr
oveof
f.
..

Att
her
est
aur
ant
..
.

Lucywal
kedoutasMongaf
oll
owedhercar
ryi
ngherhandbag.
..

Monga:Werey
ouaboutt
ogi
vehi
myournumber
?Lucywa
nt
waelawenawai
tse

Lucy:
Ican'tbel
i
ev eyouj
ustt
hreat
enedmypot ent
ial
,MongaI
'
m
notwait
ingforyou..
.War
eMJwar eng?Legonekemang?

Monga:
Noseriousl
ywereyouaboutt
ocheatonme?Lucyi
wil
l
puni
shyousobadyou'
l
lquesti
onmywholecharact
er.

Lucy
:Wegeti
t,y
ou'
reangr
ybi
gguy
.War
engkaMJ?

Monga:
I'
m nott
ell
i
ngy
ouabouthi
myet
,wer
eyouaboutt
ocheat
?
Heopenedt
hedoorandpushedheri
nsi
de,
shesi
ghedandsat
i
nsi
dethenhegoti
nanddroveoff
..
.

Monga:Youwantmet
oki
l
lyouandki
l
lmy
sel
fisn'
ti
t?I
sthat
whatyouwant
?

Lucy:
Don'
ttal
kli
ket
hat
,itdoesn'
tsui
tyou.War
eogakadi
tsweke
eng?Mjkemang?

Monga:(si
ghed)It
'salongstor
y,pr
omiseyouwon'
tj
udgeme
becausesheisrel
atedtoSedibuti
didn'
tsl
eepwi
thSedi
..

Lucy
:Iwon'
tj
udgey
ou.
..Whatdi
dyoueat
?

Monga:
boughtabur
gerandj
uice

Lucy
:I'
l
lmakey
ousomet
hingt
oeat
,youl
ookhungr
y.Cont
inue.
..

Henarr
atedt
hewhol
est
orywhi
l
eshel
i
stenedandkeptgl
anci
ng
athi
m..
..

Lucy
:Andy
ouf
eel
li
kehel
ooksl
i
keHope?

Monga:
YeahbutI
'
m notsur
ebecausehei
sver
yyoung.
..

Lucy
:Iunder
stand.
..Whatdoy
ouwantt
odo?

Monga:It
hinki
shoul
djustsupportunti
lI'
m sur
ebecausewait
ing
foraDNAandthenfi
ndi
ngoutlateripunishedmyboywould
hurt
..
.
Lucy:Thisgirlreal
l
yknowshowt of uckupy ourpeacebuti agr
ee
withyou.Suppor tthebaby .
..Don'tkickheroutunt i
lshefi
ndsa
houseoratl eastgety ourson.Kanaj aanongshei sgoingto
expectrent,
gr oceri
esandev ery
thingf rom youwhi chisnotfai
r
especial
lybecausey oudi dn'twalkawayf r
om y ourson.You
shouldparentequal l
y,spendt i
met oget herequallyorfai
rl
y.

Monga:Yeah.
..Butidon'
twanttotakehi
m awayfrom her
,iwant
togetcl
osetohim sojedoesn'
tfeell
i
kesepar
ati
onanxiety
.I
don'
twanttobediffi
cul
t.
..

Lucy
:St
artbyaccommodat
ingherandbuy
inghi
m cl
othes,
pamper
s.Etc

Monga:
Ok..
.Let
'sgogethi
m changi
ngcl
othes.Shedi
dn'
tcome
wi
thanappybag

Lucy
:Gr
eat
..
.

HemadeaUt
urn.
..

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
l
eLanaputt
hemoneyi
nherpocket
..
.

Lana:You'
rest
il
lnotsl
eepi
ngi
nhishouse.
..It
hinkyoushoul
dgo
rentahousesi
nceyouhavemoney.I
tswrong,youcan'
tsl
eepin
Rr
agweMJ'
shouse.
.

Therewasaknockonthedoorthenshewalkedov
erandopened
thedoor
,Lopangst
eppedbackandfoldedhi
sarms..
.

Lopang:
Let
'sgohome,t
akemysonwithy
ou...Don'
tfor
gett
hat
's
l
egall
ymyson.Don'
tmakemetaket
hisastepfurt
her.
..

Lana:
Howdi
dyouev
enknowt
hishouse?

Mongaparkedt
hecarandsteppedoutwhi
l
eLucyr
emai
nedi
ntj
e
carwi
tht
hebaby'scl
othes.
.

Monga:
What
'sgoi
ngon?

Lopang:I
'm hereformyson,checkhi
sbirt
hcert
ifi
cat
eifyouhave
i
ssues.Idon'twanttosueanyoneorgetanyofyouintr
ouble.

Monga:
Hei
snotl
eav
ing

Lopang:
You'renotinaposi
ti
ont
otal
ktomeaboutMi
chael
Lopangj
r.Lanalet
'sgo.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#84

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Monga: Ireal
lydon'tknowwhat 'sgoi ngonwi thyoutwoandt his
l
itt
leboy,idon'tknowi fherst oryistruebuti knowshehasno
reasontolietomeandev enper mi tmet odoaDNAt estunl
ess
sheistell
ingthet r
uth.Ififi
ndoutshei sactual
lytel
li
ngt hetr
ut h
I'
m goingtomakey oudi sappear .
..Ipromise..
.Ifyoucareabout
yoursonandy ouknowt hatthisismysoni wantyout oturn
around,getiny ourcaranddr iveawayf rom myhouseandnev er
addressmysonasy ours.

Lopang:Lanageti
nthecarwithourson,
i am apoliceoffi
cerand
iknowthelaw.Ify
oudon'twanttogotojailforki
dnappingor
givi
ngfal
seinf
ormati
onyou'l
lgetint
hecar .Asforyou.
..(poi
nted
atMonga)wenamonna...Wena..
.

Monga'seyesshrunkasheglaredathi
m point
ingathim,he
steppedoverandslappedhi
m acrosst
hefacebeforepushing
him agai
nstthecarandkneei
nghim whi
lehugginghim agai
nst
thecar..
.

LanaandSedi
ranov
erscr
eami
ng.
.
Monga:
Getbacki
nthehouse!

Theygotbacki
nwhileLopangleanedoverwithafrownoverhi
s
faceasthepai
nranthr
oughhisballsandparaly
sedhisl
ower
body.Mongapushedhi
m againstthecarl
ookingathim.
..

Monga:
I'
ll
heady
oui
fyout
ryt
oleanov
eragai
n..
.Nt
eba.
..

Lopangl
ookedathi m wi
thaplainl
ookasmor epai
nr ushed
thr
oughhisj
oints.I
thadbeeny ear
ssi ncehegotakickonthe
bal
lshecoul
dj ustgr
antbutnotinfrontofMonga..
.

Lopang:
Iwasn'
tfi
ght
ing

Monga: Don'
tev
erpoi
ntatmeortalkt
omel i
kethatinfrontofa
woman. .
.Anywoman,wanyel
aifyoutr
ytoearnpointsatmy
expense.

Lopang:Keaut
wa..
.Youmisunder
stoodme,
areskal
wa..Lenna
akebategoembar
rassi
wahapelegamosadisekadi
raj
alo.

Monga:
Ishemi
neory
our
s?

Lopang:
Youjustki
ckedme,
iobv
iousl
ywantt
osaywhat
every
ou
wanttohear
Monga:
Iwantt
hetr
uthandImeantwhatIsai
d,y
ou'
l
lgomi
ssi
ng
i
fyoupl
aygameswit
hmyson.

Lopang: Asf arasIknowhei smi ne.Shegotherper iodafteryou,i

gotherpi l
l
sandwehadsexr ightafterbutwecant est.Sel wethe
rra..
.Ifyougott heimpr essi
onthatI'm aviol
entpersoni apologi
se.
Iunder standhowt hismayseem. .Ididn'
tcomet ofight.(
lookedat
thewi ndowast hesisterswatchedthenhenot icedtherewasa
thickladysi t
ti
ngint hesamecar elookingatthem, helower edhis
voice)don' tembarrassme, sorry
.

Mongaletgoofhi
m andsi
ghedputt
inghi
shandsi
nthepocket
s..
.
Lopanggl
ancedbacki
nthecarandthel
adyl
ookedaway.

Monga:
I'
ll
cal
lher
,ify
ou'
rel
yi
ngt
ome-

Lopang:
Iknow,
cal
lher
.

Mongawalkedbackint
hehouseandcl
osedt
hedoorwhi
l
e
Lopangwai
tedoutsi
de.

Monga:Takey oursonandleave,ir
eall
ydon'twantdrama.Ican't
tel
lwhoistell
i
ngt het
rut
hsoI '
llwai
tfortheDNAt estresult
s.I
can'
tbel
iev
ei havetobattl
eitoutwithanothermankaDNAt est
l
ikeI'
minsomeki ndofasoapormov i
e,ihadwaytoomuchhope
i
nv i
ll
agegi
rls,somuchf oranundil
utedgirl
s.Ther
eisnot hi
ngi
hat
einawomanl
i
kel
yi
ng.
..

Lana:Il
iedanditdoesn' tmat t
erwhatmyr easonswere,theynot
goodenough.I'm gladyou'llgothroughwitht
hetestbecause
thenyou'l
ldotherightthing.Lopangi susi
ngmylieagainstme
andit'
smypr oblem, I
'
lldealwithit.Ij
ustwantyoutobewi thyour
son.Don'tsl
eepwi thmysi sterforhersandmysake..
.Idon'twant
todict
atewhoy oucansl eepwith.

Sheturnedar
oundandpi
ckedhersont
henshel
ookedather
si
ster
..
.

Lana:
I'
dnev
erbet
hiscomfor
tabl
einMarumol
a'
shut.
..Butt
hat'
s
j
ustmeandmyboundari
eswit
hmysist
ersexboyf
ri
ends.Bye

Sheturnedaroundandwal
kedout
,LopanggotMi
chael
andl
ed
them t
ot hecar
.

Mongat
urnedbackt
oSedi
andsi
ghed.
.

Monga:
Shehasapoi
nt.
..Weshoul
dn'
tbedoi
ngt
his,

Sedi
:Yetwear
e..

Monga:Yeah.
.Iknow..
.ButI
'vemadeupmymind.If
eel
li
kewe
shoul
dn'
tover
steptheboundari
es.I
'
dnev
erbewit
hherbutf
or
yal
lsakei shoul
dn'
tdot hat.Banabamothobakgaoganngwake
mothoat shwanalennaandi don'
thav
eitinme.Totanekereke
alekabutgot hat
a..
.Ican'tevenbri
ngmyselft
oki
ssy ouno
matterwhat..
.

Sedisteppedov
erandgrabbedhim bythebel
tassheunhookedi
t,
sheunzippedhi
sjeansandgrabbedthem wit
hbot
hhandstopull
them downbuthegrabbedherwrist
s..

Monga:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

Shedidn'
tsayanyt
hingshejustgotonherkneesandpull
eddown
hispant
s,hi
sdickgothardandbiggerasherhandpul
leditoutof
theboxerbr
ief
..

Monga:
Sedi
Lucyokont
e..
.

Shedi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng,shej
ustl
eanedov
erandcov
eredhi
sdi
ck
headwi
thherwar
m sof
tmouth.

Mongahel
dhispantsatthethi
ghsl
ookingatherthenhe
st
agger
edbackandmov edthecurt
ainslooki
ngatthecar
..
Lucy
wassti
l
lsi
tt
ingi
nside.
Monga:
Sedi
no,
stopi
t.
..(
voi
cet
rai
l
edof
fasshesucked)Keago
kopa

Shel eanedov erblowinghi m andst oodupthenshegr abbedhi m

bytheneckki ssinghi m whi l
ehest il
lheldhi
spant sashisthighs,
he'dnev erbeent hi
sdomi natedanddamn.Theconf usionand
regret.Heleanedbackandpul leduphi spantsbutshelif
tedher
dressanddr oppedherpant ies.Shestoodinf r
ontofhim and
steppedov erhisshoeasshepoi nt
edhi sdi
cktoherpussyaa
theyst oodfacetof ace,thedooropened, Monga'sheartski
pped
andhepushedhersohar dshef ell
ont hegl
asst abl
eand
shuttereditwhilehepul l
eduphi spantspantsupwi thahar ddick.
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#85

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Lucyl
ookedathim ashezi
ppedhi
sjeans,
Sedi
slowl
ygotupwi
th
ashar
pglassstuckonherpal
m..
.

Lucy
:Ar
eyouOK?

Sedi
:(gr
unt
ed)I
'
mfi
ne.

Lucywal
kedi
nthebat
hroom andbr
oughtherat
owel
..

Lucy
:Pl
easer
unwat
erov
eri
t.

Sediwalkedi
nthebat
hroom andopenedt
het
apwhi
l
eLucy
fol
lowedherwit
hatowel.

Mongast
oodatt
hedoorl
ooki
ngatt
het
wooft
hem.
.
Monga:Shet
riedtorapeme.
..Iwasn'
ttr
yingt
osl
eepwi
thher
wi
thyouwait
inginthecar
.

Lucyt
urnedherheadl
ooki
ngathi
mthenshet
urnedbackatSedi
andhandedhertowel
..

Sedi
:Thanks

Lucy
:Ar
eyouSedi
?

Sedi
:Yes.
.

Lucy:I
'm Lucy
,ir
ememberyourv oi
cef
rom thephone.I'
venoi
dea
whyhepushedy ouof
fliket
hatnnesantseomogor agora
becausennakemogot ogel
etse.

Monga: Nnagawantogel
a..
.Sedi
youhavetoleave.
..Every
thi
ngi
tol
dyoubef or
eyoupull
eddownmypantsstil
lstands.Itol
dher
I
'm wit
hy ouandidon'
twanttomakeherandhersisterfi
ght
becauseMJmi ghtact
uall
ybemyson.

Lucy:Eit
herwayi j
ustcaughtyouwit
hy ourpantsdown,y
our
mout hissay
ingsomet hi
ngelseandyourdickissayi
ng
somet hi
ngelse.Keit
hetseosupil
ehelajaanayouwerenotbei
ng
raped.

Monga: Lucyweeifsomeonetell
syoutostop,i
fsomeonesays
noandy oukeepdoingwhateveryou'
redoi
ngbyf or
cethenke
rape.Askherifi
kissedherordi
dsomet hi
nginresponse.

Lucy
:Andy
ety
oumagi
cal
l
ygott
hest
rengt
htopushherwheni
wal
kedi
n?

Monga: Ipani
cked,i
twasjustaresponse.Iwouldn'
thavej
ust
i
ntenti
onall
ypushedawomanont hegl assdespi
teherdoi
ngwhat
shewasdoi ng.Tryt
ounderstand.
..Sediweeakoobuegor ent
se
odiraengmr .

Lucy:Themostannoy
ingt
hingi
sthatyouact
ual
lyhavethe
audacit
ytoev
enlookmeintheeyesandtr
ytodefendyouget
ti
ng
caughtwit
hyourpant
sdown.

Monga:Gosiamekeadi dimal
aee, butkamaitseonotbecause
I
'm admit
ti
nggoreIwantedorwasgoi ngt osl
eepwithher.Idi
dn'
t
wanttodoanythi
ng.It
'spossi
bletogetsexuall
yharassedasa
guythol
aretshwarakebanyanahapel eresabatebutbecause
ther
eisnothi
ngyoucandoy oujustkeepquiet.

Sediwal
kedoutandpassedt
othebat
hroom,
Lucyt r
iedtopass
butMongabl
ockedherwaywithhi
sar
m andlookedinhereyes.
..

Monga: Igotr apedbymymot her'sfr

iendwheni was13andi tol
d
her,shedidn'tbeli
evemeandgotangr yatmef orsay i
ngsuch
aboutadults.Toldmet onev ersaysomet hingli
ket hatagainandi
nevertoldany one..
.Ididn'teventellmyf atherbecausehei sa
goodguyandhel ovesme. .
.Ididn'
twanthi mt hinki
ngany thing
negativeaboutme.Mont hsafterthatigotanSTDf orthefir
st
ti
me, igotburningur i
neandi wenttot heclini
c.Gott heinj
ect i
ons
butwhenmymot herfoundmycar dshegotangr yandsaidI'm
hav i
ngsex.Tol dmehowI 'm notbehav ingli
keapast or'
sson
becauseI '
m busylastingov erel
der s.Whenshedi dthatitwas
almostt hesamet hing..
.Itwasn'tl
ikeagi r
lgetti
ngr apedwher e
theygetov erpowered,shejusttouchedmeandgotmet oapoi
nt
wher eididn'
twantt odoi tbuticoul dn'
treallystopher .
..Gone
mmei twasn'tli
kenow, heret ot
ai couldhav estoppedi fIwas
strongenoughhal eIwasev enafraidofherbecauseshewasan
adult,ir
espectedheranddi dwhatshesai di shoulddo.Mypoi nt
i
sr apey aawomant oamani stotallydif
ferentfrom awoman
getti
ngr aped.

Lucyl
ookedathi
m andsi
ghed.
..

Lucy:
It'
sactuall
ysad,andicanimagi
nehowdiff
icul
titmusthave
beentocrushony ou.Cl
earl
yyouweregr
owingupsowel lbuti
t
sti
l
lwon'texcusethi
s.I'
m notdat
ingamanthatcan'
tsaynoand
meanit.

Monga:
ButIsai
dno

Lucy:Andsti
l
lstoodt
her
ehol
dingy
ourpant
swhi
l
eshesucked
yourdickMonga!

Monga:
(tear
ful
l
y)I
'
m sor
ry.
..

Hehel
dbothherar
msastheystaggeredbacki
nthebat
hroom
t
henhecl
osedthedoorwi
thhi
sf ootandgotonhi
sknees.
.
Monga:Ok,I
'm sorr
y .
..Ishoul
dhavebeenabi tmoref i
rm.
..Pl
ease
don'
twalkawayf r
om me.Ican' tt
akeanymorepain,givemea
chancet
oprovemy self.
.IswearI
'l
ldoevery
thingbythebookjust
don'
tdumpme. ..I
'
m sot i
redofget
tingdumped..
.Please.
..

Tearsbur
nedhisey
esandhel
ookeddownput
ti
nghi
sfi
nger
s
overhi
seyes.

Monga:
Tel
lmewhatt
odosoy
oucanf
orgi
veme.
..

Lucyswal
l
owedl
ooki
ngathi
mthenshepul
l
edhi
shandup.
..

Lucy
:Getup.
..Lar
eleogi
saboMonga

Hest
oodupandl
ookedatherdesper
atel
y.
.

Lucy
:Hel
pmesel
lmypl
ot,
(smi
l
ed)may
beIcanf
orgi
vey
ou.

Hesmil
edandwalkedoutl
eavi
ngherstandi
ngt
henhewal
ked
backi
nandhandedherhi
sothercarkey
s.
Monga:Here,koor
eki
saset
shakei
sei
ethal
we.I
jooampor
e..
.Ke
dul
etshobalamogodu..

Her
ushedoutandshel
aughed.
..

Hewal
kedi
nthebedr
oom andst
oppedatt
hedoorwhi
l
eSedi
sat
ont
hebed.
.

Monga:Pl
easel
eave,
wenagaoreet
seampor
eont
hadi
sa.
Tsamay
a..
Youhave15minut
es.
..

Hewal
kedoutanddr
oveof
f.
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Thenextmor ni
ngApul alai
dont hebedast hegynaecologi
st
squeezedthegel overherabdomen, heplacedtheobjectoverthe
gell
edareaast heybothstaredatt hescreen.Thedoct or'
sfaci
al
droppedashef rownedandshr unkhiseyes, headj
ustedhis
gl
assesandl ookedatt hescreenpr oper
ly..
Apul
a:What
'swr
ong?

Doct
or:
Wehav
eal
i
ttl
epr
obl
em.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#86

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Doct
or:
You'
renotpr
egnant
..

Apulasmi
l
edandpi
nnedherel
bowont
hebedl
ooki
ngatt
he
scan.
..

Apula:
Wel
lthat
'snotaproblem atall
..
.Idi
dn'
twantt
hebaby
..
.I
assumedI
'
m pregnantbecausei missedmyperi
ods.

Doct
or:Wehaveabitofaser
iouscondi
ti
on,
I'
m seei
nga
pol
ycyst
icov
arysy
ndrome.

Apul
ast
oppedsmi
l
ingandl
ookedathi
m..
.

Apul
a:What
'st
hat
?Iknowwhatacy
sti
sbut
..

Doctor
:isacondit
ioninwhichtheovari
esproduceanabnormal
amountofandrogens,malesexhormonesthatareusuall
y
pr
esentinwomeni nsmal l
amounts.Thesympt omsincl
udebo
missedperi
ods,weightgai
nespecial
l
yaroundthebellyandev
en
i
nfer
ti
li
ty.

Apul
a:I
nfer
ti
li
ty?

Doct
or:
Yesbutnotal
way
s..Ar
eyoupl
anni
ngonget
ti
ngpr
egnant
?

Apul
a:Notany
timesoon

Doctor
:Bir
thcontr
olpil
lscanbalanceyourhormones.
..Let
'sgo
thr
oughseveral
way stodealwit
ht hi
s,t
hetreat
mentdependson
yourageandhealt
hissues..

Apul
at ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghedl
ooki
ngathi
m ashe
expl
ained.

AtLopang'
sHouse.
..

Thechil
drenwal
kedi
ntoLopang'
sbedr
oom whi
l
ehel
aidwi
th
Lana.
.

Ki
ng:
I'
m hungr
y..

LopangshookLana'
sshoul
der
..
.

Lopang:
Babe?
Lana:
Ngng.
.

Lopanggotupandwalkedint
hekit
chenwherehemadesnacks
fort
hechil
dren,
Lanawalkedi
nthekit
chenwhil
eLopangf
edMJ...

Lana:
Weneedt
otal
k..

Lopang:
Aboutwhat
?

Lana:I
'm nothappywiththewayy ouj
ustli
edaboutMJ...You
knewy ouwer el
yi
ng..Heknowsy ou'
rel
yingtoobecausei t
old
himthetruth.Mongami ghthav
emeantev eryt
hinghesaidout
ther
e..

Lopang: Youcan'tjustl
eavebecauseofmymot her.Idi
dn'
tdo
any t
hing..AsforMongai underst
andhowhef eel
sbutitsnotmy
faulthewasn' tt
hereforMikey,I
'v
ebondedwithhim andhim
l
eav ingthehouset oMonga'shouseisgoingt
obev er
ydif
fi
cultt
o
deal wit
h.Iunderstandyouwantwhat'sbestf
orMj butdon't
forgetthatthereisme..
.Alliev
erdidwasloveyouandMj ,now
thef at
herisbackandy oujustwanttodi
scardme.

Lana:Idon'
t,
butI '
m notexact
lyt
hebestmom i ntheworldand
youhonestl
yhav en'tbeent
hebestst
epfathereit
herbecausey ou
thi
nkyoucanr eplaceMonga.Yourmotherhasapoi nt
..
.Mj needs
toknowhisfather,wecanseeeachotherwhilehev i
sit
shis
fat
her.

Lopang:
Ify
ousayso.
..Asl
ongasy
ouunder
standt
hati
lov
eyou
thenitsOK.
.I'
l
ltakewhatevery
ou'
reof
fer
ing.Justdon'
tleave
me. .
MongaeneI'l
lfacehi
m whenthet
imecomes.Sor r
yf or
disappoi
nti
ngyou

Lana:
It'
sok.
..

Hel
eanedov
erandhuggedher
..
.

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhil
eKhumost oodbyhol
dingahoseasshewateredher
pl
antcol
lect
ion.
..Thegatesl
idopenandthenei
ghbourwalkedi
n
hol
dingaspanner..

Hi
m:Hi
..
.

Khumo:
Hel
l
o

Hi
m: Wher
eisThong?Ineedt
obor
rowaspar
ewheel
..
.Ineedt
o
gogetanewsetofty
res.

Khumo:
Hei
snothome.
.

Hi
m:Shi
t,ok.
.

Hel
ookedatherandsmi
l
ed.
.
Hi
m:Howcomey
ounev
ert
alkt
ome?

Khumo:
It'
snot
hingper
sonal

Hi
m:Thongost
ri
ct?

Khumo:
(laughed)No

Hi
m:Idon'
tbl
amehi
m,I
'
dbej
eal
oust
oo.
.

Khumo:
Ist
hatal
l
?It
hinky
oushoul
dleav
enow.

Hi
m:(
laughed)Justmaki
ngconv
ersat
ion

Khumo:
Pleasel
eav
e..

Hi
m:Cani
hav
eyournumber
?

Khumo:
Letmecal
lmyhusbandandaskhi
mifi
tsOK.
.

Shetookoutherphone,
themansl
appeditof
fherhandand
cover
edhermouthandnoseashedraggedherbacki
nthehouse
andclosedt
hedoor..
.

Duetofati
gueI'l
lbegi
vi
ngoutshor ti
nsert
sinsteadofski
pping
days,
thi
swi l
lgoonuntil
Thur sday
.Fr
idaywegobackt oour
nor
mal l
engthifI'
ver
ecovered,bar
ewithmeandst op
complai
ningmydears,I
'm onlyhuman.Don'tf
orgettol
ikeand
l
eaveacomment .
MyKi
ndofMan

#87

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Ljknockedonthewi
ndowwhi
l
eOshal
aidont
hecouchhav
ingi
ce
-cr
eam watchi
ngTV.
..

Lj
:Pear
l!

OshamutedtheTVandl
i
stenedt
hensheopenedt
hedoorand
l
ookedathi
m. .
.

Lj
:Canwepl
ay?Mydadi
snothomet
oo,
it'
sjustaunt
ieandshei
s
cl
eani
ng.

Osha:
Ican'
tpl
aywi
thy
ouher
e,

Lj
:ButI
'
m bor
ed,
howcomey
ourmom doesn'
tl
ikeme?

Osha:
Shedoesn'
twantmet
opl
aywi
thany
one

Lj
:Iwon'
ttel
l

Osha:
Wedon'
tl
iei
nourhouse.

Lj
:Youdon'
tl
ikeme?
Osha:
Ili
key
ou.
.Di
dit
ell
you?I
'
m goi
ngt
ohav
eal
i
ttl
esi
ster
,

Lj
:Yourmom i
shav
ingabi
gbel
l
y?

Osha:I
t'
snott
hatbi
gi thi
nkt
hebabyhast
ogr
owabi
tbi
gger
bef
oreshecanspi
titout

Lj
:Shepoopst
hebaby
,isawi
tinamov
ie

Osha:
Real
l
y?

Lj:
Yeah, andshescreamstoo.
..Youknowhowmuchithurt
s
wheny oupoopahar done?Mydadgav emecastoroi
landiwas
screamingsoy ourmom i
sgoingtoscream t
oo.

Osha:May beyou'
rer
ight
,mysist
erwal
kedf
unnywhenshe
broughtthebabyhome.I
'l
laskmymom whensheget
sback,
she
neverli
es

Lj
:Iwi
shi
hadabr
other

Osha:
Asky
ourdadt
ogety
ouabr
other

Lj
:Yeah,
lookatmygun.

Hegavehert
hewatergunt
hrought
hewindowandsheshothi
m,
hel
aughedst
agger
ingandrubbi
nghi
sface.
.

Lj
not
icedhi
sfat
her
'scar
..
.

Lj
:Ihav
etogobef
oreheseesme!
Her
ant
othesi
deoft
hehouseandgoti
nthr
ought
hebackdoor
,

Mai
d:Yourdr
inki
sov
ert
her
e

Hegr
abbedhi
sdr
inkandmethi
sfat
heri
nthesi
tt
ingr
oom.
..

Lj
:Daddyi
wantal
i
ttl
ebr
other
,Oshai
sgoi
ngt
ohav
easi
ster

Loago:
Thel
adynextdoori
spr
egnant
?

Lj
:Yep,
iwantababybr
othert
oo

Loago:
You'
regoi
ngt
oshar
ethebaby
.

Hest
eppedasi
deandt
ookouthi
sphone.
..

Att
heof
fi
ce.
..

MeanwhileApulasati
nfrontofthecomput
erstar
ingatthe
computerreadi
ngaboutpolycyst
icovar
ysy
ndrome,tear
sfil
led
herey
esandsheswal lowed..
.
Herphoner
angt
henshepi
cked.
.

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Loago:
Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
mey
ou'
repr
egnant
?

Apul
a:I
'
m notpr
egnant
..

Loago:
Iknowyou'
repregnant,
don'
tthi
nkaboutabor
ti
ng.Nowi
knowwhyyoukeptitasecret

Apul
a:Pl
easegi
vemespace.
..Ican'
tdeal
wit
hyour
ightnow.

Shehungupandsi
ghedthenshel
eanedov
ert
hedesk.She
l
eanedbackanddi
all
edMaru.
..

Mar
u:Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Hi
..

Maru:Isawy ourmessage,youknowitdoesn'
treall
ymeany ou'
re
i
nfer
ti
leright
?Youcanst i
ll
hav echi
l
drenandcont r
acept
ivescan
st
abil
isethat
.You'l
lbefi
ne..

Apula:Ican'
tbel
ieveI'
m get
ti
ngoldandsicklybef
orei evenfi
nda
goodmant oset
tledownwith.Wai
tseiwantamant hatdoesn't
havechildr
enalr
eadybecauseidon'tt
hinkstepmotheringismy
thi
ng..
.ThewayLoagot r
eat
edmei don'tt
hinkicanhandl ebaby
mamadr ama.
Maru:
Godwil
lbr
ingyoutheri
ghtguybepat
ient
,somebl
essi
ngs
comelat
einl
i
fe.
.Cel
ebratey
ourpromoti
on.

Apul
a:Wai
tsei
feel
li
kei
shoul
dn'
thav
echeat
edonMonga

Mar
u:Leeneosotwakemjol
ohelaj
aakawena,
justt
hathei
sa
manandtheydon'
twor
ryasmuchaswedo.

Apula:Maybeontshwer
ekapel ot
hat'
swhyI'm nothappy,i
fhe
ful
lyfor
giv
esmet henmaybeI'
llmoveon.Iwonderwhichot herex
ihurt
,evenpeopl
eI'
vehurt
..Ij
ustwanttoaskforfor
giveness.

Maru:
That
'sst
resst
alki
ng.Don'
tapol
ogi
set
oany
bodyespeci
all
y
Monga.

Apul
a:Ok,
I'
m hur
ttot
a.

Mar
u:You'
l
lbef
ine.
.

Apul
a:Ok,
bye

Shehungupandsi
ghed.
..

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronThongdr
ovet
hrought
hegat
etal
ki
ngt
othephone.
..

Thong:Atl
eastyoudi
dtheDNAt
est
,nowy
ouwai
tacoupl
eof
daystofi
ndout.
Monga:
Yeah.

Thong:
I'
m home,beentr
yingt
ocal
lKhumoal
ldayandshehasn'
t
beenpi
cki
ngyethercari
shere.

Monga:
Shei
spr
egnantsoshei
sal
l
owedt
ofal
lasl
eepf
orhour
s..

Thong:
(laughed)Tr
ue,
cheer
sman

Hehungupandpushedthedooropenthenhewal
kedi
n,hi
shear
t
al
mostst
oppedashelookedathiswif
elayi
ngi
napoolofbl
ood,
hewal
kedoverandshookhershoul
der.
.

Thong:
Babe?

Hepausedlooki
ngathercar
eful
l
y,shedi
dn'
tmov
enei
therdi
d
shebl
inkashereyesr
emainedopen..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#88

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Thongslowl
ymov edhi
shandt oherneckchecki
ngherpul
seand
shebli
nkedslowl
y.Hepickedherupandcarri
edhert
othecar
thenhedrov
eoutdial
li
ngt hepol
ice.
..

Voi
ce:
Thanky
ouf
orcal
l
ingMaunpol
-

Thong:Mywi
fehasbeenst
abbedwi
thsomethi
ngont
hechest
,it
seemsshehasbeenbl
eedi
ngforal
ongti
me.Shei
sheav
il
y
pregnant
.

Voi
ce:
Don'
ttouchher
,I'
m cal
l
ingemer
gency
-

Thong:
I'
m onmywayt
othehospi
tal
..
.Ket
samay
aha
di
robot
ong.
..
.

Heblewthehor
nashedrovet
hrought
her
edl
i
ghtandbet
weena
qui
cktr
affi
cascar
sski
dded.

Voice:
Whichonesatl
eastoneel
weescor
t,i
tsoundsl
i
key
ou'
l
l
causeanacci
dent.
Thong:
Idon'
tthi
nkshehasl
ong,
ihav
etobef
ast
..

Voice:Li
sten,whereareyou?Ourpat
rol
carwi
l
lbet
her
etocl
ear
thetraf
fi
cf oryou.
..Wher
eareyou?

Thong:Uh..
.(l
ookedoutsi
de)Calt
exfil
li
ngstat
ion.
.ButI'
m
thr
ough,headi
ngtoParkVi ew.Pl
easehurr
y..
.It
sawhi t
e
MercedesBenzplease.
..Youcanchargemef orspeedi
ngaf
ter
.

Hehungupanddi
all
edMonga.
.

Monga:
Yeah?

Thong:Khumohasbeenstabbed,i
tsrushhourandI
'
m st
uckin
tr
affi
c,t
hepol
icear
ecoming..
.I'
m panicki
ng,
sheonl
ybli
nked
once.

Monga:
ManDl
i
sten.
..Wher
ear
eyou?

Thong:
Appr
oachi
ngPar
kVi
ew.
.St
ucki
ntr
aff
ic.

Mongahungupandhedr ovethrought
het r
affi
cast axi
stoppedin
frontofhi m,heblewthehor nwhi l
efl
ashi
ngl i
ghtsbuttaxidri
ver
s
stuckt heirheadsoutinsult
inghim.Apolicecarapproached
wailingflashingl
ight
sandmor ecarsmadewayf orthem,an
offi
cerst eppedoutandcont r
oll
edthetr
affi
casThongf ol
lowed
thepol i
cecaroutoft hetraffi
cjam.Anambul ancesiren
appr oachedasThongpar kedont hesi
deoft heroadbehindthe
policecar .
..
Anambulanceparkedbesi
dest
her
oadandt
hepar
amedi
csr
an
overwi
thastret
cher.

Thongst
eppedoutandhel
dherhand.
.

Thong:
They
'r
ehel
pingusok?They
'r
eher
e..
.

Theyputheronthest
ret
cherandputheri
ntheambul
ancewher
e
theyputanoxy
genmaskov erher
.

MongapulledoverandranacrosstheroadasThongjumpedin
thebackoftheambulance,
het hr
ewhi m hi
scarkeysandthe
paramedi
csclosedthedoorsbeforetheambulancespedoff
..
.

Mongawal
kedt
owar
dst
hepol
i
ceof
fi
cer
..

Monga:
Shoul
dit
aket
hecart
ohi
m att
hehospi
tal
ory
ouneedi
t?

Of
fi
cer
:Wewi
l
lfol
l
owy
ou.Doy
ouhav
esomeonedr
ivi
ngt
hatone?

Monga:
Yes,
(poi
ntedatLucy
)shewi
l
l

Of
fi
cer
:Ok
Mongaj
umpedi
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Meanwhil
eatthehospi
tal
Thongranbehindt
hehospi
tal
bedas
t
henursespushedheri
ntothet
heatr
e..
.

Hest
oppedandl
ookedatt
hedoct
orast
heyi
nject
edher
..

Thong:
Pleasesaveher.
..Gi
veherpri
ori
ty,
wecanal
way
shav
e
anot
herchi
ld.Ican'
thav
eanotherher.
.

Doct
or:
Ok,
pleasekeephi
m out
..
.Letmesav
eyourf
ami
l
y..

Anursehel
pedhi
m outashestagger
edbackr
eluct
ant
lyunt
il
bot
hdoorssli
dcl
oseonhisface.

Hetookadeepbreat
handtur
nedback,
Mongast
oodther
e
wait
ingforhi
m..
.Hewal
kedri
ghti
ntohi
sar
msandtheyhugged
t
ight
ly.
Thong:
Sheonl
ybl
i
nkedonceandi
twassl
ow

Monga:
Shewi
l
lbef
ine.
.Whathappened?

Thong:
Idon'
tknow.

Monga:Youwantedcamer
ast
omakesur
eshewasn'
tcheat
ing,
hav
ey oucheckedt
hem?

Thong:Notyet,
mygoal wast
osaveherfi
rst
..Butiki
ndof
stoppedchecki
ngt
hem whenist
art
edtrusti
ngher.I'
m notsur
eif
theycapt
uredsomethi
ng.

Monga:
Wewi
l
lcheckandgi
vei
ttot
hepol
i
ce.
.

Thong:Thepoli
cewil
ldothei
rowninvest
igati
on,
I'
ll
domine.I
fi
cat
chthatpersoni
willser
vemyrevengesocold.
..I
fhehasawif
e,
motheroradaught
erthenhewil
lneverever.
..

Monga:
You'
rej
ustangr
y..
.St
opt
alki
ngl
i
ket
hat
..

Thongslowlysatdownandbur
iedhi
sfacebet
weenhi
shandsas
hesighed.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronApul
awalkedi
nthehousecarr
yingaplasti
casOsha
wal
kedoutoft
hekit
chenwit
habowl ofcornf
lakes.
.
Osha:
(chewi
ng)Cani
makef
ory
ou?

Apul
a:(
laughed)No,
you'
real
way
seat
ingt
hat
'swhyy
ou'
regai
ning
somuchwei ght

Osha:Pl
easesparemet hel
ect
ure.
.(gasped)OhmyGod, di
dyou
hearmespeaksuchbi gaEngl
i
shphrase?DamnI'm sogood..
.I
sai
dsparemet helect
ure

Apul
a:(
laughed)Bagol
owawena

Theyl
aughedoutl
oudast
heysatont
hecouch.
..

Apul
a:Ihavebadnews,
soI'
m notpr
egnant
..
.It
'sj
ustsome
si
cknessthatwasmaki
ngmybell
ybig.

Osha:
Sonobaby
?Ial
readyt
oldmyf
ri
endI
'
m hav
ingababy

Apul
a:(
laughed)Lj
?

Sher
emember
edt
her
ulesandst
oppedsmi
l
ing.
.

Apul
a:I
t'sok.
..I
fhecomesov eryoucanplayt
oget
herbutdon'
t
gotohishouseandnevereverdoanythi
ngweagreedyou'
dstop.
YouknowwhatI '
mtalki
ngaboutright
?

Osha:(
laughedembarr
assed)Yes,
wenaor at
adi
l
otsa
bogol
ogolokelengwanawakomor akeng.
Apul
ab(
laughed)Sor
ryee

Theylaughed,
ther
ewasaknockonthedoor
.Apul
ast
oodupand
walkedoutasLoagost
oodther
e..

Loago:
I'
m notl
ett
ingt
hisgoandi
fyouabor
tI'
mrepor
ti
ngy
ou.

Apul
aopenedthecardoorandhandedhi
m hercar
d.Her
eadi
t
andl
ookedather.
..

Loago: May bey ouwon' tevenbei nferti

lebutev enifyou'
re, we
alreadyhav et woki ds,asonandadaught er.Ofcourseweneed
tol earnparent inghereandt herebutwear enotbad.I'm will
ingto
l
ear nhowt obeagoodst epf at
hert oagi rlchil
d..
.Ifi
tmeansi
can' tbeshirtlessany moreori hav etoknockeacht imei wal ki
nto
abat hr
oom. ..Iwi l
l
,iwon'tbeoneoft hefatherswhor apet heir
stepki ds.Igr ewupwi t
hgi r
lsandnotal lmenar erapist.
.Most
menar ebady esbutthereisus...Thebor ingoneswhodon' teven
knowhowt okeepawomanexci tedbecausewemakemi stake
aftermi stake...ButI'
m wi l
l
ingtol earn.

Apulalookedathi
m ashespoke,wasthi
sanot herMongashe'
d
regr
et?Itwasalr
eadydif
fi
cul
tli
vi
ngwithoutMongahowmuch
morewor sewoulditbei
fshehadtoregretLoago..
.
Apul
a:Ok,
wecangi
vei
tat
ry.
..Thedi
stancei
slongbut
-

Loago:
I'
ll
takecar
eoft
hat
..

Apul
a:Thanky
ou

Hehuggedher
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

LateronThongandMongawalkedi
nthedoct
or'
sof
fi
ceashe
tookoffhi
sglov
esandsatdown.

Thongt
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghedl
ooki
ngatt
hedoct
or.
..

Thong:
Didshemakei
t?

Thedoctort
ookof
fhi
sgl
assesandputt
hem downl
ooki
ngat
them.
..

THREEMONTHSLATER.
..
MyKi
ndofMan

#89

AtMonga'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Mongal ockedthecarandwal kedt owardsthebuil

ding,assoon
ashest eppedonthecarpetthegl assdoorssli
dopen
automat ical
lyandhetookoffhisshadeswal ki
ngin,thewhole
stuffclappedandsangt hehappybi r
thdaysongashesmi l
ed,f
or
amomenthegotshyst andingt here.
..Whatdoy oudowhen
they'r
esi ngi
ngforyouanyway s...

Monga:
Thanky
ou.
..Buti
twasn'
tnecessar
yguy
scomeon.
.

Monga'
sPAsl
i
dar
ecei
ptf
rom hi
spocketandhandedhi
m ov
er.
.

Him: Asyourempl
oyeeswehav
edecidedt
hattodayyoushoul
d
beof fandgotoabeaut
yspawhichwepai
dforwithourhar
d
earnedmoney .

Mongal
aughedandr
ubbedhi
sfor
ehead.
..
Monga:
Wit
hourmoneyi
sOK,
har
dear
nedmoneykeengj
aanong?

Theyal
lcr
ackedl
aughi
ngashegott
he5Kv
oucher
..

Monga:
Uhguy
s5K

Account
ant
:Weeachcont
ri
but
ed,
itsnotl
i
keweal
lpai
d5K.
.

Cleaner:Kegontshadioutgaor
etanki,
wannyat
sa?Doyou
knowt hati
fitwasn'
tformeyouwouldn'
tbeenj
oyi
ngthi
sni
ce
place?Ony at
samadi ame?

Monga:(
laughed)NoI'm not.
..(si
ghed)Thanky
oual
l
...
.Ij
ust
di
dn'
texpectthi
s..
.Thanky ou..
.

PA:Al
lweneednowisf
ory
out
otur
nar
oundandl
eav
e,wegot
theof
fi
cef
ortoday
.

Mar
keti
ngOf
fi
cer
:Don'
tev
ensayany
thi
ng.
..Justt
urnar
oundand
l
eav
e..

Monga:
Clear
lyI
'
m notwel
comesoI
'
llj
ustl
eav
e..Hav
eagoodday

Al
l
:Yout
oo

Het
urnedar
oundandl
eftt
henev
ery
onegotbackt
owor
k..
.

Mongagoti
nthecaranddr
oveoutdi
all
i
ngLucy
..
.
Lucy:
Ithoughti
sai
dtodaydon'
tcal
lme.Ij
ustwantt
obeal
one.
Todayhela.
..

Monga: Babei knowwhaty

ou'
regoingt
hroughbuti
justwantt
o
cheeryouup...Todayi
smybir
thdayandigotafewgif
ts,
mostof
them ar
ev ouchers.

Lucy
:Voucher
sar
eval
i
dforacer
tai
nper
iodoft
ime.Nott
oday

Monga: I
fyoudon'ttrytomaket hisdayasnor mal aspossi bl
eit
will
neverbe.I'
m notsay i
ngyoumustf orgetSteveandy ourson
butitshoul
dn'tbeasadday .Heav engainedt woangel swho
wouldbehappyt oseey ouhappy ,nowy ou'r
espoi li
ngt heirst
ay
therebecauseasmuchast hey'
rewat chi
ngov eryout heycan'tdo
anythi
ngaboutit.
..
pleaselet
'strytonormal i
set hi
sday .
..Idon'
t
evencareaboutmybi rthday,
ijustwantt obewi t
hy ou..

Lucy
:Nott
oday
.I'
l
lcal
lyout
omor
row.By
e

Shecutt
hecal
landhesi
ghed.
..

Att
hemal
l
...

Lat
eronMongapul
l
edi
ntot
hepar
kingl
otashi
sfat
hercal
l
ed.
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o?
Ti
ki
:Myboy
,howar
eyou?

Monga:
I'
m good.
..

Tiki
:Todayisaspeci
alday
,ont hi
sdayear
lyi
nthemorni
ngi
becameaf athert
oaboychil
d..Inamedhi
m Monga.

Monga:
(laughed)Papaweedon'
tst
artmr

Ti
ki:(
laughed)I
twasj
ustyester
daywheny ouwerecry
ingf
ora
pi
eceofmeatandnowy ou'r
ecryingpussy
,theonl
ythi
ngmyson
cr
iesfor.

Monga:(
laughed)Papamrwenakanaoenj
oyagosot
akanna.
.I
onl
ycri
edforthecoff
ingi
rl
.

Ti
ki
:Thev
irgi
nmadey
oucr
yandnowI
'
m wai
ti
ngf
ort
het
hickone.

Monga:Waiinnyaammekekati
l
e..
.Idohurtandbegbutf
or
somereasonwhenawomanact sli
keshedoesn'
twantmeist
ay
away.Akebategorat
ahakesarat
iwengsent
e.

Tiki
:Iknowt hatwehar dl
ytalkabouty ourmot herandi butit
's
possibl
et oloveafterbet
rayal.Idon'twanty out oleaveawoman
youlovebecauseshemadeami st
ake, yourmot herhur tmebadl y
butiforgaveher..
..sodon'
talway sbet ooqui cktoleav e.Your
mothermessedar oundwi t
hmycousi nandi twaspai nful.
..Guys
real
lyrubitony ourfaceaftertasti
ngwhat '
sy oursbutshenev er
cheatedafterthat.Otwaswaybef orey ouwer ebor n

Monga:
Shenev
erstopped,shecheatedandhadme.
..OK?She
di
dn'
tst
opandidoubtshestopped.

Ti
ki
:What
?
Monga:Ican'
thidethi
sanyl onger.
..Rr
agweboLesedi sl
eptwith
herandhadme. .
.Healsohadanot hersonwi thanotherwoman,
hediedonthisdayacoupleofy earsago.Ifoundoutt hisbya
chance,
hewasdat i
ngt hesamewomanI '
m withnow.I t'
seven
awkwardthatI'
m di
ppinginwher emybr ot
herusedt obuti ti
s
whatiti
s..
.Yourwif
eisnotapast or'swif
e,idon'tl
ikey ourwif
e..

Ti
ki
:War
err
agweLame?Myf
ri
endandf
ell
owpast
or?

Monga:
Yeah,
past
orsar
eli
ars.
..Wor
set
hanpol
i
tici
ans.

Hecutthecal
l
,Mongasighedandl
eanedback.
..
.Ther
eli
efof
f
inal
l
ylett
ingt
hisout
..
.

Hesteppedoutandl ockedthecarthenhewalkedint
oafastfood
rest
aurantandgotfoodf ortwobef
orewalki
ngoutashediall
ed
Thong.Knowinghim hepr obabl
yhadn'
thadanythi
ngtoeat.
..
.

AtLana'
shouse.
..

Lanaopenedt
hedoorwi
thhersononherwai
stast
hepol
i
ce
walkedi
n..

Pol
i
ce:
Hel
l
o

Lana:
Hi.
.
Poli
ce:
It'
sbeenamont
hnowsi
nceLopangwentmi
ssi
ng,
we
real
l
yneedtotal
k.

Lana:Idon'
tknowwher
ehei
s,i
alr
eadyt
oldy
ouandhi
smot
her
thati
don'tknow.

Pol
ice:
Maybeyouknowsomeonewhoknows.
.Let
'sgo,
per
haps
2daysint
hecel
lwil
lshakey
ourbr
ain.
..

Lana:
Am i
underar
rest
?

Pol
ice:
No,you'
rehel
pingusi
nthei
nvest
igat
ionofLopang'
s
di
sappear
ance.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#90

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Thongcar
ri
edKhumot othebathr
oom andpl
acedheri
ntheful
l
tub,
thewateral
mostsweptherdownbuthesatherpr
oper
ly.
.

Thehel
perwal
kedi
nandputonhergl
oves.
.

Thong:
It'
sok,
I'
ll
hel
poutt
oday
..

Mai
d:Ok.
.

Shetookof
fhergl
ov esandclosedthedoort
henhepul
l
edt
he
chai
randsatdownlookingather.

Thong:
Youhav
espeecht
her
apyt
omor
row

Khumo:
Ng.
.

Heleanedoverandwashedheraashesati
nthet
ubsli
dingtothe
si
de.Tearsf
il
ledherey
esasThongwashedbetweenherlegsand
cl
eanedherpussy
..
.

Thong:Babeyouhavetostopcr
ying.
..Youcanst
il
lrecov
erf
rom a
spi
nalcordi
njur
ybutyou'
ll
havetobest rong.

Shesni
ff
edashef ini
shedwashingherandcarr
iedhert
othe
bedr
oom i
nat owel.Heputherdownandkissedherasshe
ki
ssedhi
m backslowly.
.

Hegotbetweenherl
egsandputt
hem asshel
aidonherback
hel
pless.

Thong:
(whisper
ed)Iwanty
ou..
.Iwon'
tgoi
n..
.I'
mjustf
eel
i
ngt
he
temper
atur
e..
.Kekgomahela.
.

Shest ruggl
edtoputherarm overhim ashekissedherunzi
pping
hisjeansandloweredhimselfint
oher,hekissedherandslowly
rubbedov erherwetfl
eshast heybothmoanedbr eat
hing
heav i
l
y...
hegrunt
edfli
ppingbetweenherflapsandev ent
ual
ly
pushedi nsi
deherashiswholebodyf eltt
hatpleasur
e.Hepaused
i
nsideherandl ookedinhereyesforapprovalandcarri
edon.
..

Aboutt
went
ymi
nut
esaf
terKhumo'
sp.
.thr
obbedasThongpul
l
ed
out
,shesmi
l
edandbur
sti
ntot
ear
sashehuggedher
..

Khumo:
I..Il
oyou

Thong:
Ilov
eyout
oobabe.
..

Khumo:
In'
t.
..
.Ember

Thong:
Iknowy
oucan'
trememberwhathappened.
..I
t'
sok.
..

Hehuggedheragai
nandwi
pedherbef
oreput
ti
ngonhi
sTshi
rt
.
Ther
ewasaknock..

Mai
d:Yourf
ri
endi
sher
e..
.

Thong:
Ok.
.

Thongputonhi
spant
sandki
ssedherbef
orewal
ki
ngout
.

Meanwhi
l
eMongaputdownt
hepl
ast
icandsi
ghed.
..

Thong:
Yeahmonna

Monga:
Ibr
oughty
out
his,
jamonna.Iknowy
oudi
dn'
teat
..
.

Thong:
I'
m nothungr
y
Monga:
Openandeati
twhi
l
eI'
m st
andi
ngher
e..

Thongsi
ghedandt
ookabi
gbi
teoutoft
hebur
ger
..
.

Monga:I
'
m headingt
ot hepol
icest
ati
on.
.Appar
ent
lyLanai
s
bei
ngquest
ionedaboutLopang.

Thong:It
'sbeenamonthsincehedisappear
ed,
theyshoul
dgi
ve
up.Iguesstheyneedabodytogiv
eup

Monga:
Iguess,
letmegot
akemyboy

Thong:
Sur
e..

Mongawal
kedawayt
henhegotbacki
nthehouse.
..

Att
heendoft
erm pr
icegi
vi
ngcer
emony
..
.

Onthesamedayt hethreesi
ster
ssatbesi
desoneanother
cl
appinghandsastheschoolheadannouncedOsha'
s
mathemati
cscert
ifi
cate..

MaruandApul agaspedandclappedhands,Otl
helazi
l
yclapped
l
ookingatApulaassheululat
edherwayt othefr
ontandgotthe
cer
ti
ficat
etogetherwit
hthepresent
.ShepickedOshaandkissed
herasev
ery
onecheer
edt
henshegott
hepr
esentandsatdown.
..

Ot
lhe:
Iwantt
olookf
oraj
ob,
doy
oumi
ndget
ti
ngmyki
ds?

Apul
a:Foraweekend?

Ot
lhe:
No,
stay
ingwi
tht
hem l
i
keOsha.

Apula:Iwouldn'taf
for
dit,
Oshaisexpensi
ve.Iev
enpayt
utor
sjust
thatsheisbril
l
iantbutiwon'
thandl
emor eki
ds.Okamar
keta
j
aakagal eakere?

Otl
he:Wamof avouraAtsil
eevenaft
erdisappear
ingformont
hs
andbei
ngseenwi t
hsoldiersy
oustil
lspendthousandsonher
daught
ershecancallyoumama. .
.

Apul
a:Oshacall
smemamabecauseev eryonekeepsr ef
erri
ngto
meashermot herwhereverwegososhej ustsaysy esbecause
shei
stir
edofexplai
ning.Shestartedcall
i
ngmet hatasaj oke
andnowit'
sli
kemyname. .Ihonestl
ycan'taff
ordmor ekids

Maru:Ot
lhejustf
indaj
obwhi
l
est
ayi
ngwi
thy
ourki
ds.Apul
ahas
enoughalr
eady

Otl
helookedatOshapl ay
ingwi t
hsomewhi tekidont hechi
ldr
en's
sect
ion,sheglar
edatherunt i
lOshastoppedandl ookedather
conf
used, Ot
lhecaughthersel
fglar
ingandquicklylookedaway..
.
AtThong'
sHouse.
..

LateronThongsatinthecarwatchi
ngthesurv
eil
lancecameraas
theneighbour
spackedthei
rbags,well
justt
heelders.Thei
r15
yearolddaughterl
aidont
hecouchwat chi
ngTV...

Thongwat
chedast heyhuggedandl
eftt
henhet
ookoutakni
fe
andsi
ghedthought
full
y.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#91

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..

Mongal
eanedov
erandpi
ckedhi
ssonasLanast
oodup.
..

Monga:
Arey
ouOK?

Lana:Yeah,I
'
mj ustscared.
..Lopang'
sfamil
ywon'
tstopaccusi
ng
mey etidi
dn'tgetanyt
hingfrom hi
shouse.Iwoul
dn'
tbenefi
t
anyt
hingfrom him mi
ssing.

Monga: Thepoli
cearejustdoi
ngthei
rjob,whenapersongoes
missi
ngt hei
rpart
neristhenumberonesuspectbutoncethey
fi
ndnothingtheywil
ll
eav eyoual
one.Iknowy oudi
dn'
tdo
anyt
hing.

Lanalookedinhisey esandf orsomer easonsheknewt hatdark

si
desheal waysf earedsurfaced.Shewasn'tsurehowbutnobody
j
ustdisappearsadaybef orethei
ronlychil
d'
sbirthdayespecial
ly
Lopang.Hewoul dn'tstayawayf rom hi
ssonf ormor ethanaday
l
etaloneletKinggobackt oth3v il
l
ageandstaywi thhisrude
grandmother.
..Lopangl ovedhisjob,hewouldn'tdissappearf
ora
mont hwhenhedi dn'
thaveabusi nessoranyotherwayof
survi
vingbesi
deshi ssalary..
Monga:
Whatar
eyout
hinki
ng?

Lana:
Not
hing.
..

Tothi
nksheevental
kedbackathim,disr
espectedamancapabl
e
ofmakinganot
hermandissappearwi
thoutatrace.
..Wasshe
next
?

Lana:
Youcanhav
eyoursoni
fyouwant
,I'
m wi
l
li
ngt
odowhat
youwant
.

Monga:Idon'twanttoseparat
emysonf rom hi
smother
,aslong
ashedoesn'tdist
urbyouandy oudon'
tdenyusachancetobond
asfat
herandsony ou'
resaf
e.

Lana:I
fy ou'
renothappywi
thsomethi
ngjustt
ell
mesoi
can
change,don'
tjustpuni
shmeortakeacti
on.

Monga:
Whywoul
dyousaysomet
hingl
i
ket
hat
?

Lana'
sheartpoundedatthethoughtofaski
ngaboutLopang's
di
sappearancebutshewasn'tevensurewhattheresponsewoul
d
be,maybehe'devenki
llhert
oo.Apol i
ceoff
icerst
eppedout..

Of
fi
cer
:Wear
ewai
ti
ng
Lana:
I'
m done.
..

Shetur
nedaroundandwal
kedi
ntheof
fi
ce,
Mongawal
kedaway
wit
hhisson.
..

I
ntheof
fi
ce.
..

Lanasatdownfaci
ngapoliceof
fi
cer
,sher
ubbedhershakyhands
toget
herandswall
owed.
..

Offi
cer:Thi
si sthesecondt i
mewear easki
ngy outhis,t
histime
wehav eat extmessagef r
om Lopang' sphonebef oreitwentof f
i
nMat apana.Int hi
stexthesaid, "
Ifeelli
keI'
m beingwat ched.I
don'
tknowofI '
m beingparanoidorI '
mr eal
lygoingtogomi ssi
ng"
yourepli
edhi m bysayi
ng" You'
rejustbeingparanoid"heended
theconversati
onbysay ing"i
fy ousayso" .
.Whatwashet al
king
about?Soundsl ikesomeonet hreatenedhim.

Lanalookedatt heof f
icerrel
uctantly,shewasstil
lastudentand
MJneededhi sf atherinhisli
fe..Evensheneededhi mf orhe
provi
dedev erythingtheyneeded.Fr om thelookofthi
ngsit
wouldn'
tev enbr ingherboy fr
iendback. ..Howdoy ouevenget
yourbaby'sfatherf oryourboy f
r i
end'sdisappear
ancewheny ou'
re
notsureithappened.
Lana:
Hesai
dsomeonef r
om wor kthr
eat
enedhi
m buthedidn'
t
sayhi
sname.
.Idi
dn'
ttakeitser
ious,hedi
dn'
tei
therunt
ilt
hatday
.

Off
icer:
Andthenextdayhedi
sappear
ed.
..Pl
easet
hinkhar
d..
.I
bel
ieveyouknow

Lana:
Idon'
tknow,
Lopangdi
dn'
thav
efr
iendssoi
don'
tknow
whattot
ell
you.

Theof
fi
cersi
ghedandl
eanedback.
..
.

Att
hemal
l
...

Meanwhi
l
eMongagrabbedaTshir
tforMj
whi
l
eheat
eamango
dr
ippi
ngi
tal
lov
erhi
slit
tl
echest
.

Hequeuedbyt
hecountert
opayforhissonsTshi
rtand
r
ecogni
sedsomeonefr
om theback.
..

Monga:
Hi.
..

Apul
aturnedaroundwit
hherar
m ov
erOsha,
herf
acel
i
tupand
shesmil
edblushing.
.
Apul
a:Hey
..

Monga' seyesdr oppedtohersoftmoi sturi

sedl i
psandher
cl
eav age,shehadonal ongdressandl eftalotf ori
maginat
ionas
hisheartpounded.I thadbeenawhi lesincehe' dseenandit
seemedshel ookedmuchmor ematureeacht i
mehesawher .Her
niecelookedsomuchbet terthanthef i
rstti
meshesawt hem, she
didn'
thavear ingwor msonthehead, insteaditwasl onghai
rand
i
tshewasnowt hick..Cl
earl
ythismot heri
ngt hingwasinher
blood..
.

Monga:
HiOsha

Osha:
Hel
l
o

Monga:
Youl
ookl
i
kear
ichki
d

Osha:
YesI
'
m ar
ichki
d..
.Ihav
ear
ichmama.

Theyal
ll
aughedasMongal
ookedatApul
a'
ssmi
l
ingl
i
ps.
..

Osha:
MamaCani
hol
dthebaby
?

Apul
a:Sur
e..
Mongahandedhert
hebabyandMjsmi
ledtouchi
ngherhai
r.
Mongatookadeepbreat
handsi
ghedl
ooki
ngApula.
..

Monga:
You'
redoi
nggoodmama

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.Happybi
rt
hday
,doi
ngany
thi
ngspeci
alt
oday
?

Monga:
No, I
'l
lj
ustbehomewithmyboy
.You'
rewel
comet
obr
ing
Oshaoversoshecanplaywi
thMj.

Apul
a:Weshoul
dn'
tbeal
one

Monga:Tr
ue,
it'
spr
obabl
yabadidea.
..Andiwoul
dn'twantLoago
t
othinkot
her
wisewhenheget
sbackf r
om hi
str
ip.

Apul
a:Yeah..
.IheardaboutLucy
'sf
ami
l
ydy
ingont
hisday
.Must
behardforhertocelebr
ate

Monga:Yeah..
.It
'scompl
i
cat
ed,
ifeel
li
keI
'
m nowl
i
vingundermy
br
other
'sshadow.

Apula:
Ithi
nkwomenonl
yfalli
nlov
eonce.
..Theresti
sjustto
tol
erat
eoravoi
dbei
ngsi
ngle.Koor
eorat
anelahelagorenghela.

Monga: Lennaanongsetsekej olel

ahelagor
enkasekgone
blowjob.Gagomonatetobewi thsomeonewhoy ouknowdoesn'
t
l
ov easmuchasy oulovethem.Idon' tbel
i
evegor
erel
ati
onshi
p
thri
verwhenonepersonar apedisa.

Apula:Butithinkmostofusareheadingtothepointofmarrying
forstabi
li
tynotlove.Kooreor
eatleasthedoesn'
tbeatme. .
.
Loagoaskedmet omar ryhi
m andisaidnobecausei wasn'
t
readyandi didn'
tfeelt
herel
ati
onshi
p..
.Wedon'thav ethatt
hing
tobehonestbuti feel
asi fmaybeloveal onei snotev er
ything.He
i
snotabadper sonsoi mightaswel lplusheaccept edmewi t
h
myf l
aws,somet hi
ngi f
ail
edt odoformypr eviousr elati
onship..
Kanawheny ou'
r e20youwantacut erichguy ,25heshoul dhave
asixpack,t
all
,blackandhandsome, 30ev eryonehasset t
ledand
youreconsi
dery ourst
andar ds.
.Butyoust illhav ethei ll
usi
onofa
perf
ectguysoy ouwantanof fi
ceguy...Year sgobyandy ousee
you'
rerunni
ngoutoft ime...Lemalwetsi asi mol ogagaosat hole
ole20anymore...Nothavingachildisnol ongerpr idebuta
concern.
.Kganteleyoujustwanttobel ovedev enifhei sshor t
andbrokeyoust ayoreyouwantl ove.

Monga: Mmekanabannaweal sogot hrought hesamet hi

ng, we
gettiredofexchangingwoment otheext entthatevenifyour
girl
fr
ienddoesn'tmakey ouhappyit'
shar dtocompl ai
n.Youj ust
stay..
.I'
m notcompletel
yhappywi t
hLucybecauseshel ovesmy
brother,obubblyyesbutshesomet i
mescal l
smebyhi snamei n
beddur ingsex.Shesomet i
meswant smet obehavelikehim but
shewon' tadmi
tthatmay beshedoesn'tevenl ov
eme, sheonl y
seesSt ev eonme..
.

Apul
a:(
laughed)shecal
l
syouSt
evei
nbed?

Monga:(l
aughed)Yeah,i
twasfunnyatthebegi
nni
ngbutnowi t
's
j
ustawkward..I
t'
sgett
ingtoomuch.Tri
edtogethercounsel
l
ing
butsheshut
smeout .

Apul
a:Shei
sst
il
lmour
ning,
giv
eitt
ime.

Monga:
Iguessso.
..I
nthemeant
imeI
'
llj
ustst
ayl
i
kei
don'
texi
st.

Apul
a:Keepy
our
sel
fbusywi
thmj
,Oshakeepsmebusywhen
Loagoisononeofhistri
ps.Leenehei
salwaysgoneandI'
m
l
onely
..Iknowthattr
avelandt
ourbusi
nessmeansalway
s
tr
avel
li
ngbutididn'
tknowitwasthi
sbad.

Monga:
Ogodi
rel
amadi

Apula:(laughed)Loagogaabeche. .
.Hedoesn' tgivememoney .
Nnasal ekeut wamadi amonnal abohelokawena. .
.Themoney
bouquetwast helastt i
meamant akehistimet odosomet hi
ng
sweetf orme. .
.Yout rul
yneverknowwhaty ouhav eunt i
lyoulose
i
t.NowI '
mt ryi
ngt ofi
ghtmyhor monesandr aisemyni ecethe
bestwayi can.
..Iwantt obuil
dandmakesur et hatOshaget s
somet hingifidie.
..Ihaveallt
heset houghts.
.Amant reati
ngme
specialwoul dmeanal otbuthethinksjustbecausei makemy
ownmoneyi don'tneedany t
hingfrom him.

Monga:Bualeene.
..Whatel
secany
oudo.
..Enemmewago
r
ata.
..
ithi
nk.

Beforet
heyknewitt
heywerestandi
ngbet
weencar
seachof
them l
eani
ngagai
nstthecarwhil
eOshapl
ayedwi
thMJinsi
de
Apula'
scar
.

Theyeachtookadeepbr eat
handsi ghedrunningoutofdecent
thi
ngstotal
kaboutandt hei
rmindsdr i
ft
ingtheforbi
dden..Monga
l
ookedatherlipsagai
nandshel ookedathischestgoi ngdown
hisbel
t,howcouldamanbet hi
ssmar t
..Shi
rttuckedin,bel
t
sett
li
nginproperl
yandthedickwellpacked.
..Totalf
lattummy..
.
Notthatshewascompar i
ngittoLoago'sr
oundtummy ,
bewasn't
evenfatbuthej
usthadthat,
wasi tf
rom al
cohol?Thi
sri
ghther
e
l
ookedlikeaman'schestandtummy .
..Andhisarmswerefi
ne
too,
wellfol
dedshowinghiswatchbutitwasover.
..

Apul
a:Ihav
etogo.
.

Monga:
Sur
e,ni
cet
alki
ngt
oyou.
..

Apula:Nicetalkingt
oy out
oo,bepati
entwithLucy
.Shewillget
there.
..Idoubtitwouldbeeasytoj
ustmov eon.Maybeit'
sher
fi
rstrelat
ionshipaft
erthei
nci
dent,
it'
sboundtobediff
icul
t.

Monga:Iguessso.
..Tal
ktoLoagoaboutyourexpect
ati
onst oo.
Don'tment
ionthemoneybouquetbutdotel
lhi
my ou'dappreciat
e
i
tifhetookyoutooneofhist
ri
pssoy oucanseethewor l
dtoo.

Apul
a:Iwi
l
l.
..By
e

Monga:
Bye

Hegothi
ssonandsmi
l
edatOsha.
.

Monga:
Bye

Osha:
Byennana.
..(
laughed)Hebi
tmeher
e..
.Hel
eftt
oot
hmar
ks

Monga:
(laughed)Sl
aphi
sbut
twhenhebi
tesy
ou
Theyal
ll
aughedashegotbackinthecaranddrov
eof
f.Apul
a
si
ghedwit
hasmi l
eonherfaceanddroveoff
..

Osha:
Ishey
ourboy
fri
end?

Apul
a:(
laughed)no

Osha:Youweret
alki
ngsoft
lyandyounev
ertal
ktomeli
kethat
..
(smil
ed)Kehaoichei
pakasmileny
anaori
anamolal
a(i
mit
ated
herbl
ushing)

Apul
a:(l
aughed)Omaakat
heOshamxm,
kwewat
eobueeng
wena.

Osha:
Ili
kehi
sbaby
,weshoul
dvi
sitt
hem.Ir
eal
l
ywantababy

Apul
a:Wewi
l
lgetababyoneday

Osha:
Wheny
ougetbet
ter

Apul
a:Yup

Shedr
oveof
fasOshat
urnedt
hemusi
con.
..

Att
henei
ghbour
'shouse.
..

Lat
erthateveni
ngThongputonhisgl
ovesandj
umpedov erthe
scr
eenwallt
henhewalkedtowar
dsthedoorandknocked.
..
Theteenagerl
ookedthr
oughthewi
ndowandr
ecogni
sedhi
m,she
smil
edandopenedt hedoor
..
.

Her
:Dumel
ang

Thong:
Hinana,
papaokae?

Hewal
kedi
nast
hegi
rll
eftt
hedooropenandsi
ghed.
.

Her
:Theylef
tforthei
ranni
ver
sar
y,t
heywi
l
lbebackaf
ter2day
s.I
l
ockedthegatehowdidyougeti
n?

Thong:Theygavemethekeys,i
sawthel
ightswereonand
wantedtoswit
chthem of
f.It
houghty
oualll
eftandf
orgott
o
swit
chofftheli
ght
s.

Her
:Ohok,
I'
mjustwat
chi
ngmov
iesonnet
fl
ix

Thongputhishandi nthepocketandlookedatthepoorgi r
las
shefreel
ywalkedinthekitchenandpouredhim adri
nkasher
motheralwaysdidfortheneighbour
s,hishear
tshutter
edatt he
i
mageofhi sunborndaught erwhogotaknifethr
ought heeye
whil
est i
l
linhermother'swomb.Hegr abbedtheteenbyt he
thr
oatandsnappedhi sknifeoutoft
hepocket..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#92

Att
henei
ghbour
'shouse.
..

Thongwashedt hekni
feinthebathr
oom whil
estil
lkeepi
nghis
gl
ov esonthenhewentthrougheachbedroom andpull
edthe
drawers.
.

Hest oppedatthemast erbedr

oom andstaredatthecouple's
pict
ure,hestar
edstt hemanandhest il
lcouldn'
tunderst
andwhy
rapi
ngherwasn' tenough,whykil
lher
..
.Helookedatt hewife,i
t
wasapi ty.Thi
swoul dbeherlastt
ri
pusingherownl egs.
..All
thankstoherselfi
shhusband...

Heputdownthefr
amedpi ct
ureandpull
edthedr awer
sthenhe
gotthej
ewel
l
eryandcheckedforanysurvei
l
lanceothert
hanhis,
ther
ewasnonebutaf
terthepoli
cewoulddefini
telyt
urnt
hehouse
upsi
dedownsohepull
edouthi spl
antedcamerasandwal kedout
.

Onceout
sidethescr
eenwallhel
oadedev
erythi
ngi
ntot
hehi
red
carwi
thafakenumberplat
eanddroveoff
..
.
AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

LaterthateveningMongal ai
dMJdownandpul l
edasheetov
er
him beforeadjust
ingtheaircont
henhewalkedout
.Hi
sphone
rangont hetableashet hr
ewhimsel
fonthecouchandrel
uct
ant
ly
pickedhismot her'
scall
..
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Her
:Howdi
dyouf
indout
?

Monga:Soyoudidn'
tthinkI
'
dfi
ndout?Iwasyoungbuti
ev
entual
lyput2and2t oget
her
..Youev
enfl
ir
tedinf
rontofme.

Her
:Andy
oudeci
dedt
otel
lyourf
atheri
nst
eadofconf
ront
ingme?

Monga:
Hedeser
vedt
oknow,
youoweusanapol
ogy

Her
:Itmakesnodi
ff
erencebecausey
ourf
atherwant
sadi
vor
ce

Monga:
Lethi
m be,
I'
ll
hel
phi
mfi
ndagi
rl
.

Her
:Likeyouknowanythi
ngaboutwomen,asl
ongasy
oudon'
t
l
oveyourownmot hery
ou'l
lnev
erlov
eanyone.

Monga: I
sthatso,whyshouldibewor ri
edifal
lwomenarel
i
ke
you?Myf at
hernevercheatedony oubuthereyouar
e,y
ou
broughtabastar
dintohishouse..
.Keraaifwomenareli
keyou
thenidodgedabulletandI'
dratherrai
semyboyalone.
Thong'
scal
lcamet
hrough,
hehungupandpi
ckedhi
scal
l
...

Monga:
Yeah

Thong:
Done

Monga:
Didy
oucl
eanaf
tery
our
sel
f?

Thong:Yeah..
.Tookmyequi
pmenttoo,
will
puti
tbackaf
tert
he
funer
alakerehesti
ll
thi
nksi
don'
tknow..

Monga:Thewayhel ooksinnocenty
ouwouldn'
tbel
i
evei
t,he
di
dn'
tevenfeelabitgui
lt
yt oshowupandcheckonKhumoafter
hear
ingabouthermemor ylossandspi
nal
injur
y.

Thong:
Osi
ame,
idoubtt
hecour
twoul
dgi
vemet
hej
ust
icei
want
.

Monga:
Youbur
ntev
ery
thi
ngr
ight
?

Thong:
Yeah.Howdi
dLanago?

Monga:
I'
m pl
anni
ngtoexhumethatshi
tandl
etitbefoundso
t
heycanst
opsearchi
ng.Ihat
eseei
ngLanagetquest
ionedl
ike
t
hat.

Thong:
Wewi
l
ldoi
tnextweek,
I'
m exhaust
ed.
.Sheputupaf
ight
.

Monga:
Poort
hing.

Thong:
Yeah,
cheer
s

Monga:
Sur
e
Hehungupandsighedl
eani
ngbackthenther
ewasaknockon
t
hedoor.Hegotupandopenedthedoor
,Lucyst
oodatt
hedoor
wi
thaplateoff
oodandabottl
eofwine.
..

Lucy
:Icamet
oapol
ogi
sef
orr
uini
ngy
ourbi
rt
hday
.

Hegott
hepl
ateandwi
ne,
putt
hem ont
jet
abl
eandhuggedher
..

Monga:
Yourey
esar
eswol
l
en.
.Ar
eyouOK?

Lucy:Yeah,I'
ll
befine.I
tscompl i
cat
edandican'
texplai
nhowi
feel
butI'm sorryt
hatI'
m amessandi keepbri
ngingupStev
e.I
t'
s
notthatil
ov eyouless,
I'm havi
ngadif
fi
cul
tti
mebecausei f
eel
l
ikeI'
mr epl
acingthem...Imissedmyperi
odtwice..

Shehandedhi
m ast
ickwi
tht
wol
i
nes,
Mongal
ookedati
tand
si
ghed.
.

Monga:
Wecant er
mi nat
eify
ou'
renotready.
..Iwoul
dn'
tmi
nd.I
t
otal
l
yunder
standpluswedidn'
tpl
anforit.

Lucy
:May
bet
hat
'swhati
needt
ofi
nal
l
ymov
eon.

Monga:Babi
esdon'tf
ixanyt
hing,
pleasel
et'
snotbr
ingachi
l
dint
o
t
hisunti
lwearestabl
e..
.Youdon'
tevencall
mebymynamei n
yoursl
eepordur
ingsex.
Lucy
:Ithappenedonce!

Monga:
Oncedur
ingsexandt
wicewheny
ouwer
easl
eep.

Lucy
:Idi
dn'
thearmy
sel
finmysl
eep.

Monga:Lennagake.
ready
,MJi
stooy
oung.Lewenababegao
r
eadytomov eon

Lucy
:I'
l
lthi
nkabouti
t

Monga:Nott
hati
fyoukeepi
tiwon'
tst
epup.I
'
lldef
ini
tel
ybe
t
herebutl
et'
spi
ckther
ightt
ime.

Lucy
:Ok,
I'
ll
thi
nkabouti
t.

Monga:
Hav
easeat
..
.

Hegr
abbedaf
orkandbeguneat
ing.
..

AtOt
lhe'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
l
eOt
lhegoti
nbedandl
aiddowncal
l
ingAt
sil
e..
.

At
sil
e:Hel
l
o?

Otl
he:YouknowApulaisi
nfer
ti
leri
ght?Appar
ent
lyshehasmen
hor
mones.Thisexpl
ainswhyshehastoshavesomuch..
.
AnywaysI'
m cal
l
ingt
oopeny oureyes.
.
Atsi
l
e:Wai
t,Apul
ahasmenhor
mones?Kananowaday
swenev
er
doaconf
erencecal
l

Otlhe:Howcanwedot hatwhenMar ut hinksbei ngawi fei s

everythi
ngandApul athinkssheist hebossofev eryone, anyways
I'
m openi ngyourey esbecausey ou'reblind.Apul ai sslowi ng
steali
ngy ourchi l
dbecauseshecan' thav echi l
drenofherown. .
Shei smaki ngy ourdaught ercallhermama.Mot hoogout swela
ngwanawenaodi il
wekemasol e.ThewayOshai scl ever
nowaday sibetshei sgoi ngtobesuccessf ulinlifeandshewi l
l
hatey oubecauseoft het hi
ngsApul asay sabouty out oher .
Gat weol exubigaonnamobannenghel a..
..Keagosebet sa.
Comegety ourchildmot hoiseamor ekoll
e.Shei snotdoi ngitout
oflove,it'
sast rategytogety ourchildf orever.Comegetheri fi
t'
s
l
ov eshewi llsuppor tOshawhi leshei swi thy ou.Shemustpay
school feesanddoal lthesefancyt hingsbygi vi
ngy out hat
money .
.Shei susingOshabecauseshecan' thav eherown.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#93

AtOt
lhe'
shouse.
..

Atsi
l
e:Nnatot
athemai
nreasoni
can'
tcomet
oMauni
sbecausei
don'
thaveahouse.

Otl
he:Ifeell
ikeweshoul
dtellaunt
iet
oleaveourhouse,
that
housebelongstoourpar
ents.Wecan'tst
ruggl
ewhil
esheis
enj
oyingourhouse.

Atsi
l
e:Idon'
tthinkt
hat
'sagoodidea,
Apul
aandMar
uwon'
tl
etus,
youknowshei snowcl
osetothem.

Otlhe:Idon'tcareandhonestl
yrent
ingishardforme.Thi
sguy
i
sn'tsuppor tthechi
ldr
ent hewayheissupposedtoandApula
stoppedsendi ngme1. 5Kpermonthjustbecausewesaidshe
shouldn'tannounceittotheworl
d.

At
sil
e:Ok,
I'
ll
come

Ot
lhe:When?Wenakanaonnahelakoo.I
tsti
metoactli
keadul
ts,
wearetheol
destandaunt
ieneedst
odothingsf
orher
self
.

At
sil
e:I
'
llaskt
heseguy
stogi
vememoneyt
heni
come,

Ot
lhe:
KopaApul
aaker
ekeenemohumi

Atsi
le:
Idon'
twanttoaskherf
ormoneybecauseshei
salr
eady
taki
ngcareofOshaandsendi
nghert
oexpensiv
eschool
s.
Otlhe:Andassoonaswemov eouty outakey ourchildsoApul a
cansuppor therwhi l
eshei swi thyou.Ihearherschool feesis6K
perterm meaningshepopsl i
ke2Kpermont hplusmopakoand
mont hlygrocer
iessoApul ashouldgivey ouabout3Kormor eper
mont htosuppor tOshai fatallshelovesherandi sn'ttr
yingto
stealherfrom you.Kar eshecal l
shermama, yourchildisallover
herFacebookaccount ..
.Sheposty ourchi l
donsoci almediaso
peoplecanst ealher.Notoncehasshepost edmychi l
dren.
..Ibi
le
baMar uisawhert akingpictureswiththem andpost ingthem.
ThesameMar uwhochasedy ourchil
dlikeadog. ..I
fIwasn'tso
busyt hatdayiwoul dhav etakenOsha.Boakoommar eyego
tsayant uyabopapa.Assoonaswegett hatfi
vebedr oom house
wegi veourkidsourf ormerr oomsandputat enantinthequar t
er
artheback.

At
sil
e:Nnakat
shaba,
cany
ougospeakt
oher
?

Ot
lhe:
.OK,
I'
ll
goandgi
vey
ouf
eedback.

At
sil
e:Wi
l
lyoual
sot
ell
Apul
athati
wantmydaught
er?

Ot
lhe:
Ok,I
'
llgoseeeachoft
hem t
omor
rowmor
ning,
it'
slat
enow.
Di
raotemma.

At
sil
e:Ok

Ot
lhe:
Bye

Shehungupandsi
ghed.
..
AtThong'
sHouse.
..

ThenextmorningThongst ar
edatKhumowhil
eshelai
dasl
eep
onthebed,hi
sey esdroppedtot
hescaronherst
omachandhe
si
ghedtouchi
ngher .
..Khumoopenedherey
esandlookedi
nhi
s
worri
edeyes.
..

She'
dneverseenhiseyessoredbefor
eandsheknewexactl
y
whathewast hi
nki
ng,t
heirbaby
..Shehersel
fwoul
dnev
erforget
thei
mageoft hei
roneeyedbabyinthecoffi
n..
.

Asmuchasshewantedtotellhi
mt heywouldbealr
ightshe
coul
dn'
tev
entry,
shecouldhardl
yhearhersel
fspeakmostofthe
ti
me.Sher
eachedoverandtheyhuggedtearf
ull
y.
..

Heneverknewholdi
ngi ntearsfel
tsopainful,histhroatwashot
anddry
,blockedl
i
ket herewasahugebal li
nt here..
.Ifonl
yhehad
comehomet hefi
rsthourofhernotr espondingi nst
eadof
assumi
ngshewasout si
dewat eri
ngtheplants...Atearrandown
hi
snoseashehuggedher ,herubbeditandsi ghed..
.

Thong:
I'
m sor
ryf
ornotbei
ngt
her
e..
.
Shefr
ownedandbur
sti
ntotear
s,howshewishedshecoul
dst
op
hi
mf r
om bl
aminghi
msel
f,hewasatwork.
..Hehadtomake
money.
..

Heki ssedherandgotbetweenherlegsandthi
stimeshecoul
d
feelhisweightonherthi
gh..Heki
ssedherli
psdownherneckand
pull
eddownhi sboxerbr
ief
sashisanacondadroppedonher
stomach...

Khumogaspedashebl ockedher,shewasn'
tsur
eifi
twas
becausetheonl
inebusinesscametoanendbuthubbywasn'
t
gi
vingherachance,shestil
lwetf
rom hi
scum l
astni
ghtandhe
pushedinfi
ll
i
ngherup..

Khumo:
Mmh.
..

Theyeachbreathedononeanot her
'snecksashegentl
ystart
ed
st
roki
ngherandev entual
l
yf uckedhermerci
lessl
y,hel
i
ftedher
l
egandhititundist
urbed.
..

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
l
eMongapushedLucyt
othebedassheknel
tonher
knees,hegrabbedherhai rfr
om behindandf i
l
ledherupf
rom
behindasshegr antedfacingthecei
lingonherknees.He
spankedherroundbut tandshooki t
...Fuck!Shewassupperfi
ne
fr
om behind..
.Allthatassstucktohisdict henhebegun
poundingher.
..

Lucymoanedassof tly,
theyweretrul
ybr ot
hers..
.Samedicsi
ze
andt ast
einbed...Thisfel
texact
lyli
kethet i
meKywas
conceived..
.Thefeeli
ngofhisbeadeddi ckfeltsomuchlike
Steve..
.Mongagr untedenjoyi
ngherinsideandt hatgr
untcame
outexactlyli
keSteve..
.Tearsfi
ll
edherey esasherpussy
spasmed, sheclampedhi m andgruntedcomi ngallov
erhisbl
ack
bumpymeat ..
.

Lucy
:(sof
tl
y)OhSt
eve.
..Fuc.
.

Hecl enchedhi
sjawsannoy
edbutcar
ri
edonuntil
shewasdone
thenhespedupandpul l
edherupt
ohischestastheyst
ood
besidesthebed.
.

Monga:
(sof
tl
y)FuckLana.
..Shi
t!

Heheldhercl
oseashedroppedthelastonei
nthere,
shepull
ed
outashi
scomedr oppeddownherlegthenshesatonthebed
andl
ookedathi
m..
.

Lucy
:Real
l
y?Say
ingy
ourbabymama.
..

Hegr
abbedt
het
owel
andwi
pedhi
msel
fthenhewal
kedout
..
.

Att
heaunt
'shouse.
..

Ot
lhet
ookaseatast
heauntopenedapl
ast
icoff
rui
ts.
..

Aunt
ie:
Todayy
oucheckedonme.
..I
'
m gl
ady
oucame.
.Howar
e
you?

Otl
he: I
'mf i
ne,wehav eagreedthatwewantourpar entshouse
back..
.Wear ehomel essbecauseast epmot herdeci dedtokeep
ourinherit
ance..
.Mar uandApul amaynotneedi tbecauset hey'
re
ri
chbutAt sil
eandi ast heoldestoft hechildrenwewantour
house.Ourpar entsbui l
tthi
shousewi ththeirhardear nedmoney ..
Weneedy out omov eoutbef oret heendoft hemont hbecausei
haven'tpaidrent.
.Iunder st
andt hatAenewasbui l
dingy ou
anotherhouset herebutt herei
snot hingwecandobecausei t'
sin
ouryard..Youcant akei twit
hy oui fyoucan.Thebot tom l
ineis
thi
swasourot herhomeandwewanti tback.Youcan' ti
nheri
t
papa'shomeal l
byy ourselfandy ourdaught er.
MyKi
ndofMan

#94

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erthatmorni
ngMongawal kedint hebedr
oom carr
yinghisson
andaplateofbr
eakf
astontheot herhandthenbeplaceditontop
oftheheadshel
fwhi
leLucylaidont hebedsulki
ng.
..

Monga:
Ist
her
eanypar
ti
cul
arr
easony
ou'
renotget
ti
ngoutofbed?

Lucy
:No

Monga:
Sooshapoi
didn'
thur
tyou?

Lucy
:No

Monga:
Cool
,gaohet
sagongal
acl
eant
hebedr
oom.

Het ur
nedaroundandwalkedint
hebathroom wherehebathed
hissonandchangedhisclot
hesthenheputhim onthewalker
beforepi
cki
nguphistoyswhileMJwalkedaroundhitt
ingt
hetoys
l
ineduponhi swal
ker.
..

Monga:
MJcome.
..Comeher
eboy
..
.
Mjdraggedhi
swalkerovert
henhehandedhi
m at
oy,
Lucywal
ked
outandsatonthecouch.
.

Lucy
:I'
m sor
ryaboutwhathappenedear
li
ert
hismor
ning.

Monga:I
'
m sorr
ytoo,
iwasn'
tthi
nki
ngaboutLana.
..Justsai
ditt
o
dr
iveapoi
nthome.

Lucy:Thatdoesn'
tmakemef
eel
bet
ter
..
.Doy
ouhav
efeel
i
ngsf
or
her?

Monga:
IdoubtI
'
dwantt
obewi
thher
.

Lucy
:Feel
i
ngs

Monga: Idon' t.
..Ifeellikeaskingsuchaquest ionistryingt ostart
anargument .I'
m wi thy oubecausei lovey ouandi fitwasn' tfor
youmaki ngmequest ionmydeci si
onbycal l
ingmeSt ev eor
comparingmet ohi m wewoul dn'tbeher e..Imi ssyou...TheLucy
imet..
.I'
m awar et hatitwasaf akeper sonai nfl
uencedbyal cohol
butimisst hatbubbl ypar tofy ou.St eveisgoneandi t
'stimet o
mov eon...Ify ou' r
ekeepi ngthisbabyy our eall
yneedt oconsi der
counsel
lingbecausei feel l
i
key ou'llbetryingtor econst r
uctwhat
youlost.
..Il ostmyf i
rstbor n..
.Hi snamewasHopebuty oudon' t
seemet ry i
ngt omakeMongaJuni orami niversionofHope.I 'm
agai
nstushav i
ngachi l
di fyou'renotr eadyt olovemeort his
chi
ldcompl et el
y .It
'soknott ober eadybutdon' ttr
yt ouseachi l
d
tofi
xthis...Br okenpar ent srai
seangr ychildren..It
'seither
counsel
lingorabor t
ion. .
.Yourchoi ce. .
.
Therewasaknockont hedoor,Mongastoodupandopenedt hen
Lanawalkedinherbum shortsandcroptopwi t
hherbunny
backpack.Monga'
sey esdroppedtoherpier
cedbell
ybutt
onand
thi
ghs..
.Mjgaspedrecognisi
ngherandshepi ckedhi
m uptaki
ng
offhercap.
..

Lana:
Heyy
ou.
..Imi
ssedy
ou!

Sheputherbagdownwi
thherphoneandt
urnedl
ooki
ngatLucy
..

Lana:
Hi.
.

Lucy
:Hi

Mongagrabbedherphoneandsatdowngoi
ngt
hroughher
messages.

Lana:
Didy
oucookany
thi
ng?I
'
m hungr
y

Monga:
(pr
essi
ngherphone)Checkt
hemi
crowav
e.

Kanawal
kedint
heki
tchenwi
tht
hebaby
,Lucygr
abbedt
hephone
andputi
tdown.
.
Lucy
:Whyar
eyougoi
ngt
hroughherphone

Monga:
I'
mjustl
ooki
ng,
shehasgoodgameapps

Lucy
:Youwer
eonhermessages

Monga:Amessagepoppedwhil
eiwasgoingt
hrought
hegames,
shedoesn'
tmi
ndmet ouchi
ngherphone.

Lucy
:Doesshet
ouchy
our
s?

Monga:
Shedoesn'
tknowmypi
n,why
?

Lucy
:Nev
ermi
nd.
..(st
ood)l
etmeknowwhenshel
eav
es

Lucysi
ghedandwalkedi
nthebedr
oom asLanawal
kedi
nthe
l
ivi
ngroom chewi
ng.
.

Lana:
somet
imesi
for
gety
ou'
reagoodcook.
.

Mongal
eanedbackandputhi
sfootov
ert
het
abl
elooki
ngather
..

Monga:Soyouwalki
ncl
assl
ooki
ngl
i
ket
hat
?Cr
osst
hewhol
eof
Mauninbum shor
ts?

Lana:I
'
m comfor
tablei
nthi
ngsl
i
ket
hesebecauseI
'
m notexact
ly
thi
ck,
ican'
twearbigdr
esses
Monga:
Sowai
kapol
a?

Lana:I
'
m wearingsomet
hing,
whyar
eyoual
way
scompl
aini
ng
aboutmydressing?

Monga: I
fy ouwantmet okeeppayi
ngfory ourtut
ors,payrent
andbuyy ourt oil
etr
iest
henyoudressproperly
.Idon'tmindy ou
dressi
ngliket hatwithmebecauseI'
m safetobear oundbutother
menmi ghtj usttakeitt
hewrongway..
.Gorianaodr opiwake
mang?

Lana:
Taxi

Monga:
Pleasebehav
eli
keamot
heri
fyoust
il
lneedmyhel
p..

Lanatookadeepbreat
hlookingathi
m andsi
ghedthensheput
hersononherlapandbreast
fedhim.Mongatookoutherbooks
andwentthr
oughthem..

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)You'
regoodi
nmat
h

Lana:
(smi
l
ed)Yeah.
..CheckoutmyEngl
i
shmar
ks.
..I
t'
s60%.

Sheleanedoverandpoi
nted,Monganot
icedacursi
vetatt
oo
al
ongherf i
nger"
MongaJr "het
ouchedherhandandlookedat
her
..

Monga:
Whendi
dyougett
his
Lana:
Day
sback.
..Iwi
shi
twaspossi
blet
ochange

Monga:
Wecan'
tdoi
tnow,
it'
stooear
ly.Gi
vei
tti
me

Lana:
Ok.
.

Lanaf
ini
shedeatingthenMongagotthebaby,
shewashedhi
s
di
shesandcleanedthekit
chenbef
orewalki
ngout
..

Lana:
Wear
egoi
ng.
..Doy
ouwantonemor
eni
ghtwi
thhi
m?

Monga:I'
l
lcomeseehi m,getmycar
..
.Gawaapar
agot
hel
ele.
.
You'
renotdressedatal
l.

Lana:
Sorr
y,nt
aaparasomet
hingl
ongernextt
ime.
.Cani
hav
e
P600?Oratl
east500

Monga:
Mycar
disi
nthecar
,don'
tex
ceed4K.
..

Lana:
Ok.
.(smi
l
edatMJ)sayby
edaddy

Hest
oodupandsmi
l
edget
ti
nghi
mthent
heywal
kedoutchat
ti
ng.

Meanwhil
eLucymov edthecurt
ainsandwat chedasheopened
thedoorf
orherandputhissonont hebabyseat .Hecl
osedand
walkedovert
othedri
ver'
sside.
.Shecouldn'thearwhattheywere
sayi
ngbutheseemedst r
essedout..Shelaughedstar
ti
ngt hecar
andtookoutherhandtr
yingtotouchhischinbuthestaggered
backl
aughi
ng.Sherol
ledupt
hewi
ndowanddr
oveof
fthenhe
si
ghedandwalkedover.
..

Mongacl
osedt
hedoorasLucysatont
jecouch.
.

Lucy
:Youpayherr
ent
?

Monga:Mysonneedsadecentli
vi
ngcondi
ti
on,hi
sbabycot s
werenotgoi
ngtofiti
naoneroom.Andsheisastudent
,it
'sone
ofthedi
sadvant
agesofi
mpregnat
ingast
udent
,you'r
ethesole
provi
der
.

Lucy:Wai
tseif
eell
i
keyou'
ret
oof
ri
endl
ywi
thy
ourexsandy
ou'
re
gi
vingTsel
anatoomuch

Monga:
Iwantmysont
oli
veagoodl
i
fe,

Lucy:Ithi
nkweshoul dgethim andhireamaidsoyoucanstop
sendi
nghersomuchmoney .Maybethenyouwon'
tfeel
theneed
toavoidpayi
ngar entforot
herment osl
eepwit
hherbecausei
thi
nkthat'
spartoftheproblem here.

Monga:
Whatabouther
?

Lucy
:Shei
sagr
ownwomananddef
ini
tel
ynoty
ourpr
obl
em.

Monga:I'
llt
hinkabouti
t,wheny
ougetbackt omeabout
counsel
l
ingoraborti
onthenwecandiscussthi
sbecausei
wor
ka
l
otandi can'
talwaysbehomewithachil
d..

Lucy
:I'
m wi
l
li
ngt
ohel
p,t
hinkabouti
t.I
fthi
sisgoi
ngt
owor
kwe
mustwor
khar
dandmeethal
fway.

Monga:True.
..Nnammei fgetseri
ousaboutusandtreatmewell
l
ennankai t
ekabecausesof art
otaI'
m nothappy
.Youdon'tpay
att
enti
ontomeandi feel
likeasparewheel.Neketel
wakego
i
thobogaaboutuswonder ingaboutmynextmov ebecausetoyou
I'
m St
eveandi t
screepy.

Lucy:Ok,
iguessy
ou'
ret
ryi
ngt
osayy
ouwer
epav
ingawayback
toLana.

Monga:
Idi
dn'
tsayt
hat
..

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedhert
henhewal
kedpasther
..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronApulacheckedOsha'
shomeworkandsi
gnedont
he
par
entsect
iont
hensher anof
ftoherr
oom.

Osha:
I'
mfr
eet
oenj
oymyFr
iday
!

Apul
alaughedasOt
lhesatont
heot
hercouch.
.

Ot
lhe:
Atsi
l
ewant
sherdaught
erback,
sheaskedmet
otel
lyou
becauseshei
saf
rai
dyou'
l
lint
imat
eher
.

Apul
a:Si
ncewhendoesAt
sil
eli
keOshat
hatmuch?

Otl
he:It'
sherchi
ldApula,wedon'
texpectyoutounderst
and
becausegaoi t
sedit
habi.Sheist
alki
ngaboutherchil
d.Ify
ou
wantachi l
dhaveone,Oshaisn'
tyour
s.Ifshei
sy ourni
ecethen
supportherwhil
esheisstayi
ngwithhermother.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#95

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
.

Apula:Noprobl
em, shecancomegetheranyt
imeshewantsbuti
won'tbesuppor
tingherwhil
eshest
ayswithhermother
.Let
Atsi
l
egot ocourtsoRamodalacanpaychil
dmaint
enance.

Ot
lhe:
Whywoul
dn'
tyousuppor
ther
?Kebobi
tt
erj
waeng?

Apula:I
'm notbi
tt
erakereIst
eppedupbecausenobodydi
d,now
thatsheiscomingbacktoherduti
esshewil
ltakeover
.Aunt
ie
call
edmeear li
erandaskedmet ocomeover,Marusay
sshewas
call
edtoo,didshecal
lyoutoo?

Ot
lhe:
No,
ihav
etogo.Goodni
ght
..

Shestoodupandwal
kedoutwhileOshast
oodatherbedr
oom
doorli
steni
ngwi
thal
ongface.Apul
alai
donthecouchanddi
all
ed
Loago..

Loago:
Babe

Apul
a:Hi
,imi
ssy
ou

Loago:
Imi
ssy
out
oo.
.Letmeswi
tcht
hel
i
ght
sonsowev
ideo
cal
l
.

Apul
a:Good,
ihav ef
inal
lygat
her
edt
hest
rengt
htot
ell
youmy
dr
eamsandwi shesaboutus.

Loago:
Ican'
twai
t.
.

Hi
svideocal
lrequestcameon,
shesmi
l
edandcl
i
ckedoni
tas
t
heybothsmil
ed...

AtLana'
sHouse.
..

Lanagent
lypl
ayedwi
thhersonshai
rwhi
l
etal
ki
ngt
ohersi
ster
..
.

Goiwa: It'
soknnaka, ifor givey oubuti sti
llfeel wegrewupi nan
abusi v ehomeandy ouwer en' tsureifwecoul dactuall
ylietopapa
andt ellhim wedon' tknowMongawhenweknow.Nnakea
thalogany abecauseaf terget tingmar r
iedi nev erwenthome
again.Iwassoangr y..Itswei rdbecausey ouonl yr
eali
set he
extentofabuseonl yaf termeet i
ngther i
ghtmanwhot reatsy ou
better .Someboy swer er aisedsowel l
,myhusbanddoesn' tbeat
me. .
.Wheni makehi m angr yhej ustkeepsqui etunti
lifeelbad
andapol ogi
sefort alkingt oomuch.Hedoesn' twantourchi ldren
beat en. .
.Hecar ri
est hingsf orusbutPapausedt oletmamacar ry
every thingwhi l
ehewal kedempt yhanded.Wai tseIwasangr yat
him butI '
velearnttof orgivehi m..
.Evenaf t
erSedi tol
dmehei s
changedidi
dn'tbel
i
eveher
,ionl
ystart
edtal
ki
ngtothem mont
hs
back.Yesaf
teryoulef
thewasbrokenbutist
il
ldi
dn'
tbel
iev
ehim.
.

Lana:Ireall
ywantt oseehowmamai sdoi ng, partofmei sangr y
becauseshenev erlistenedt ousaboutl eav i
ngbutnowi
understandwhyshenev erleft,
shel ov edhi m andshedi dn'twant
topretendwithasocal l
edgoodman. ..Agoodi deawoul dhav e
beent oreporthim sohest opst heabuse.Iwi shi couldhav emy
famil
yback, imadechi ldishdeci sionst hatembar rassmeev ery
day..
.Nowt hatMongakeepscomi ngt oseehi ssonev er ydayand
wespendal otoft i
meI '
v eleantwhatki ndofamanhei sandhe
i
sexact lywhati dreamtof ..Lopangwasj ustmef eeli
nggui lty
becausehewast herewheni waschi l
dishlyangr yatMongaf or
l
eav i
ngmebutl ookingati tnowMongawasv er ymat ur e.Hej ust
wantedmypar entsbl essingandt hewayt heyl ovedhi mI 'm sure
i
fi waspat i
entiwoul dhav eenj oyedourr elati
onshi p..Ist il
lcan't
beli
evei al
mostdeni edmysonhi sgoodf ather .
..Mongaosi ame
gore,hesenthimt oabet terschool andhej ustgi vesmemoney .
..
Atfir
sthewasangr ybuthecan' tstayangr yatmef orl
ong.Iwi sh
ihadn'tdoneallthatIdi dt ohim. .

Goiwa:Idon'tknowwhatt osay ,hei

spr obablydoingitbecause
hesti
lllovesyou..
.Trustmebabydaddi esdon' tpaythei
rbaby
mama' srent,buytheirt
oil
etr
iesandsendt hem toschool thentop
thechil
dsuppor twith2Kfornoexplanat i
on.Talktootherwomen
you'
llseethatitneverhappens..
.Appreciatehim anddon'tbri
ng
menint here.

Lana:Ok,mathatahei
sabitcont
rol
l
ing.
.Hewantsmetowear
shortt
hingsonlywhenI
'm wi
thhi
m,clai
msit
sforsaf
etybut
i
magi
nemei
nal
ongdr
essnkannankar
esengweny
anahel
a.

Goiwa:(l
aughed)Don'tgotohishouseinbum shor
tseebutdon't
stopdr
essingy ourage.You'
resti
ll
youngandyoushouldtasteal
l
thecl
othesy ouli
kebeforeyourski
nstar
tsact
ingup.Ican'
tjust
showmyt highsbecauseageer eno..

Lanalaughed, ofcourseshewant edtotalkaboutLopang' s

disappearancerightafterMongapromisedhe'ddi sappearifhe
playedhiml i
kethat.Ithadbeenascar ythoughtbutt henshe
couldn'
ttakeanychances, whati
fGoiwagotexci t
eddur inga
pil
lowchatandshar edwi t
hherhusbandwhot henwoul dtell
who
knowswho. .
.

Lana:(
sighed)Aboutgoi
nghomekeat
shababutI
'
lldoi
t,kana
SediwasseducingMongawait
senemma?

Goiwa:Yooeneodi r
waket alaandsheprobabl
yfeltl
ikehewas
heronl
ywayout .Mongakanat ookcareofourfamil
ywaitseiwas
sohurtthatyoucoul
dn'tseehowgoodt hi
smani s.ButI'
m gl
ad
wagola...Weallmakemi st
akesmmehel abehaveyoursel
f.
Behavelikemotset
sitabeojelengwana.

Lana:
(laughed)Eemma.
.

Goi
wa:
ByenanaI
'
m gl
adwagol
a..

Lana:
Let '
shopethedamageisn'
tbey
ondrepai
rMongaar
eidon'
t
havethatthi
nganymore,
arenkasedi
regor
eacummerkapela
l
i
kebeforeandibel
i
evehi
m becausehecomesher
eandleav
es
l
atebutnev
erev
engetsaboner.Pel
emmahewast ouchy

Goiwa:It
'scal
l
edselfcontr
olandmay beheissti
ll
angry
,I'm sur
e
thefi
rstsexheisgoi
ngtober oughbecausetabeaipol
elel
agore
olebadbadkai bi
leoiti
ratat
tolemanyenaampa.Wagogo
baki
sagor easenasepeaitsegoreojalebit
ch.

Lana:Nkal
elagor
e,iwonderhowt hi
ngswouldbeifMonga
deci
destoberoughinbed.
.Pleasedon'
tpi
cturewhatisai
d.I
'
m
makingyouthi
nkaboutweir
dthings.

Theylaughedashercontr
acept
ivepi
l
lsal
armedbuzzed,
she
di
smisseditandkeptchatt
ingt
henMonga'sl
ight
sbri
ghtenedt
he
house.Shelookedatt
hetime,i
twasaminuteaft
er9.
.

Lana:
Hei
sher
ekanagaal
etseogor
ogahel
ajaakapul
aMonga.

Goi
wa:
(laughed)By
e

Shehungupandwal kedoutoft hebedroom pr essingherphone,

sheunl ockedthedoorandsatont hecouchgoi ngthroughsome
FacebookpagebyLul u'ski
tchentrai
ning..Shecl i
ckedoni tand
thereseemedt obegoodcooki nglessons,exact l
ywhatshe
neededf orMonga.Het ookcareofallthebill
sandwasagood
father,
theleastshecoulddowast omakesur eheeat sgood
healthymeals.
Sheclickedonmessengerandr ecei
vedthefor
m wit
hever
ythi
ng
neededandt het i
meschedule.Nowsherememberedoneofher
teacherstal
kingaboutcookingl
essonsfr
om someLulul
ady
aroundthebui l
dingdescr
ibedher
e..
.Nowshehadnodoubtinher
mind.Sheclickedont hepaymentopti
onsandpai
dthe1K.

Mongawal
kedi
nandclosedthedoorassheatt
achedherproof
ofpay
mentwi
thherdet
ail
sandsenttothenumberprov
ided.

Monga:
Hi.
..Akonneot
swamof
ouni
nggaket
sil
egol
echeka.

Sheputherphonedownandwal
kedi
ntheki
tchen.
.

Lana:
Iwasn'
tsur
eify
ou'
dcome,
isav
edy
ousomepi
zza.

Shewarmedi
tandpouredhi
m aglassofdri
nkthensheserved
hi
m bef
oresi
tt
ingont
heothercouchinherpant
iesandbra.
.

Monga:
It'
sdel
i
cious,
ili
ket
hisf
lav
our

Lana:
Met
oo.
.

Monga:
Iwantt
ogobackhomeandcheckonmyf
atherbuti
want
togowithMJsohecanmeett
hefami
l
y..Doy
oumi
ndcomi
ng
alongsoyoucanhel
pmet
akecar
eofhim?

Lana:Nopr
obl
em,I'
m al
sopl
anni
ngtogohomeandseeev
eryone.
Canyoucomewit
hmekey egoswabel
amogowena?Atl
east
theyl
i
keyou

Monga:
Sur
ewhen?Iwantust
ogot
oGabsnextweek

Lana:
Wecangot omyfami
l
yanyt
imebef
oret
hatbuti
hav
ea
l
essontomor
row.May
beaft
er?

Monga:Soundsgoodi
nfactekar
eri
ghtaf
terwej
ustshoot
st
rai
ghtforGabs.

Lana:Ok,i
twill
bemyf i
rstt
rav
ell
i
ngany
wher
e..
.I'
m exci
ted.I
'
ve
neverseenthecit
ybef
ore.

Monga:I
t'
sbeautif
ul,
tal l
bui l
dings,beauti
ful
classyr
est
aur
ant
s
andni
ceroadsresabal el
el ehelolelengwelebitswa
Mogodi
tshane.Ipr
omi sey ou'l
l enj
oyit.
.

Shesmiledasheli
stedtheplaces,t
heexci
tementi
nhereyeswas
l
ikeadejav umoment.
..Li
kethev er
yfi
rstt
imehement i
oned
school
.Mj cri
edi
nthebedroom asMonga'sphonerang.
.

Lana:
(st
ood)I
'
llgethi
m..

AtLucy
'sHouse.
..
Meanwhil
eLucylai
donthebedl
ooki
ngt
hescr
eenast
hev
ideo
cal
lcont
inuedr
ingi
ng.
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Fr
om t
hebackgroundshecouldt
ellhewasn'
thomethenLana
wal
kedpastbehi
ndhim car
ryi
ngthebabyandhandedhi
m over
..

Lucy
:Hi
,it
houghty
ou'
reony
ourwayov
er

Monga:Yeah,i
deci
dedt
opassbyandcheckonMJi
ncasehe
wassti
l
l up.

Lucy
:Mongaompui
sat
hat
a,what
'st
hepoi
ntofchecki
ngony
our
sonatni
ght
?

Monga: Youdidn'tt
ellmewhatt imei canandcannotseehi m.I
paidaccommodat i
onsoi canseehi m anytimeiwant .Wenao
ratagocompl ai
na.You'realway scompl aini
ngaboutt hings
rel
atedtoMj .I
'm st
arti
ngtot hinky oudon'tevenl
ikehi m because
notoncehav eyouev erl
ift
edhi m helabuty ouhaver ulesabout
him.Gompi enoanay ou'
reonmyneckaboutget t
ingMj .
..I
'
ve
beenasi ngl
edadbef oreandr aisingachi l
disnochi l
d'splay.I
can'tr
aiseachildmy sel
fwheni haveachoicetoshar e
responsibi
li
tywit
ht hemother .Itwouldn'tevenbefaironLanat o
besepar at
edwi t
hherchildjustbecauseshedoesn' thav emoney
l
i
kei
do.Idon'
twantt
obet
hatki
ndofaf
ather
..

Lucy:Pl
easecomeheresowet alkaboutboundari
esatl
east
becauseyoucan'
tseeyoursonatnight.
..Youcan'
tbor
rowLana
yourcaradi
ri
setaxibecausegaanakoloi.

Monga:
Mysonshoul
dqueuef
ort
axi
swheni
hav
etwocar
s?

Lucy
:It
'sboundar
ies.Cany
oupl
easecomeov
ernow.

Monga:
I'
m wi
thmyson,
keet
a.

Lucy
:Howl
ong?

Monga:
May
beanhour
..Ort
wo.Gaot
sel
a.

Lucy
:Shap

Shehungupandsi ghedlookingatthepill
s,havingachildwi t
ha
mant hatal
readyhasadearchi l
dseemedmuchmor ediff
icul
t
thansheimagined.Shegott hepill
sandpushedf ourinherkuku
thenshegotinbedandwentt hr
oughhermai ls.Therewasanew
paymentfrom anewcust omer ,shesmiledandr egist
eredher .
..
She'dneverheardofthisnamebesi desfrom theeTselanat hen
shesearchedf orheronfacebookandi twasher ..Shesighed
discour
aged..
.everypar
tofherwant edt oret
urnt hemoney ,but
sheneededit..

Aboutanhourl
atershedozedof
fthentherewasaknock,shegot
upandopenedthedoor,Mongawalkedinandcl
osedthedoor.
..
Lucy:
Idon'tt
hinkicanpr
etendI'
m notbot
her
edanymore,i
fyou'
re
notprepar
edtoactli
keothermenthenwhat'
sthepoi
nt?

Monga:
I'
m notothermen,
anddon'
tcompar
emet
oot
hermen.
Whatar
eyoutalki
ngabout
?

Lucy:Youpay i
ngTselana'srent,
buyingherf ood,givi
ngheryour
car,
goingthroughherphone, shari
ngy ourbankcar dswit
hher
whenIdon'tevenknowy ourpinnumber ,goingtoherhouse
anyt
imey ouwant ,
hercomi ngintoyourhousel ikesheownsi t
.
Nowshei spay i
ngforcookinglessonsy etsheisn'tworki
ng.She
wearslabel
sandl i
veslikear i
chpersonal l
becauseshegav ebirt
h
toyourchil
d?Doy ouexpectmet obeli
ev ethat?

Monga: Soifidon'tpayrentwhereisshesupposedt ostaywi

th
myson?I 'v
ebeendownt hatroadwi t
hHopeI '
m notsi ngl
e
parenti
ngwheni haveachoice.Icausedallt
hesepr oblemssoi
mustdeal wit
ht hem...I
fshewasn'tbreast
feedingmysonshe' d
probablybecrushingwithaclassmat eorafriend.
..Iwanta
stablehomeformysonandLanawi l
lcont
ri
but ewhenshe
fi
nishesschool

Lucy
:Shei
sdoi
ngst
andar
d4

Monga: Actuall
yi t'
sform 1,
sheonlydi
dbr eakt
hroughfor3
monthsandt het eacher
ssuggestedshedoesf or
m 1mat eri
al,
so
farsogood..It'
sj ust4yearsthenshegoest ot
erti
ary
.Until
then
I
'll
bepr ov
idingf orherbecausekemoi misit
seandngwanao
busetsakomor ago.
Lucy
:AndI
'
m supposedt
obeokwi
thi
t?

Monga:Am inotpay
ingenoughat
tent
iont
oyouornotgi
vi
ngy
ou
enoughmoney?

Lucysi
ghedandwal
kedt
othebedr
oom ashef
oll
owedher
..
.

Monga:No,let
'st
alkaboutit
..
.What'
syourprobl
em withme
prov
idi
ngformyson?I fy
oursonwasaliveandthefatherchose
togi
vemor emoneythany ouneededwoul
dy ouexpectmet o
complai
n?

Lucy
:Iwoul
dn'
tbewi
thy
oui
fSt
evewasher
e.

Monga:
Alr
ight
,that
'smyqueuet
oleav
e.

Lucy
:I'
m st
il
ltal
ki
ngt
oyou

Monga: Well
I'
m donetalkingtoyou,got oSteve'sgraveandset
upadinnerbecauseI'
vehadenoughofy outell
ingmeabouthi m
all
thetime.Whyareyouwi t
hmei fI
'm sobad?Cl earl
ynoonecan
beatStevesoI'
m donetrying.Cal
lmei fyou'refeeli
ngbetterl
e
nnaI'
vegotmyownpr oblemsLucy ,
i can'tbearguingwithyoual
l
theti
me.

Lucy:Becauseyoudon'
tunder
standwhatyouwant
..
.You'
ret
oo
fr
iendl
ywi t
hyourexanditmakesmeinsecur
e

Monga:Soi shoul
dthr
owheroutt oproveil
oveyou?IfI'
m not
payi
ngherrentsheismovinginwithmebecausemysonneedsa
pl
acetosleepandamot hertotakecareofhi
m becauseican'
tbe
changi
ngdi
aper
s24/
7,i
wor
k!I
sitsohar
dtof
ocusonusand
l
eaveheral
one?

Lucy
:It
hinkweshoul
dendt
his

Monga:Becausei won'
tstophelpingthemot herofmychil
dwho
i
sbythewayi ncapabl
eofdoi nganything?Ifyoucomplai
nabout
megoingtoherhousei t'
sreasonableandi canstopt
hatbecause
i
t'
ssomehowi nsensit
ivebuttostoppay i
ngrent
?Sheisdoing
f
orm 1whatdoy ouexpecthert ocontribute50/
50with?

Lucy
: Sheisawomanshewi
l
lfi
gur
eitout
.It
'sei
thert
hatorwe
endthis.

Monga: Weendi t.I

'l
lal
way schoosemyson' sbesti nterest
s.I
hav en'
tdoneany thi
ngwi t
hLanaexceptbeni cetoher ,iwouldgo
easyonbei ngtoof ri
endlybutt ostopsuppor ti
ngherno, i
twon't
happennotunt ilsheisablet ogetaj oboraboy f
riendt hatwoul d
helpheroutbecausey eahi won'tpayf oranothermant osleepin
therebutasl ongasmysoni swithherandshei sf ocusedonhi m
I'
llhelpbecausei knowshewi l
ltakeov erwhenshef i
nishes
school .Iwon'tbeoneoft hefathersthatt hi
nkmot her sshoul d
payequal supportwhenI '
m nott hereatni ghttoshushababy .
You' r
eawomani expectyout ounder standhowdi fficult
mot heringis.
.I'
vet akencareofa6mont hspremat urebabysoi
knowwhatev erymot hergoest hroughandi won'texpectLanat o
popt hesameamounti pay.

Lucy:Iguessi
t'
sovert
henbecauseican'
thaveaboyf
riendwho
takescareofhi
sbabymama'srentandborr
owsherhiscareven
shar
eshi
sbankcar
dwi
thher
,youshoul
dbedoi
ngt
hatf
orme

Monga: You'
renotmyson. .
.I'
m support
ingmysongetthi
s
throughyourthi
ckjeal
ousskull
.It
'snotaboutheri
t'
sabouthi
m
(si
ghed)Youknowwhat ,
thi
swi l
lneverendsothanksf
orthe
breakup.Goodnight
.

Het
urnedar
oundandwal
kedoutasshest
oodatt
hedoor
..

Lucy:Soit'
soverj
ustl
i
ket hat
?You'r
enotev
engoi
ngt
oar
gue
yourcase.Youwerewait
ingfort
his.

Mongat
urnedar
oundl
ooki
ngatherwal
ki
ngbackwar
ds.
.

Monga: Inolongerbegforloveandi sawthi

scomi ngand
preparedf oritwel
linadvance..
.y
ouwer eeit
hergoingt
ol eaveme
forsuppor ti
ngmysonandbei ngcivi
ltohi
smot herorfornot
doingev eryt
hingthewaySt evedid.Oncebit
ten,
twiceshy .
Goodni ght

Hegoti
nthecarandleanedbackt
hought
ful
l
ythenhegotoutof
t
hecarandwalkedback.

Monga:
Wabonagor
eit
'sov
erbet
weenuswat
chmehel
pyouout
j
ustsoourchi l
dcanl ivebetter.Iguessy ou' l
lunderstandwheni t'
s
yourt ur
n,you'l
lunderstandwheny oucallmeatni ghtbecause
youneedKFC.Nnagakenagoi tsapa, i
ll
wakeupandgogeti t,i
f
youneedy ourcarservicedbecausei tbreaksdownwheny ou
drop-offourbabyi willhelp.
.Ifyouneedmet ocomewi thyouto
thedoct or
sappoi ntmentol epregnantI '
llcoment seresemmogo.
I'
vebeenasi ngl
epar entbeforeandnoneofmychi l
drenwi l
lgo
throughwhatHopewentt hr
ough. .Lehaol walawenaI 'l
lcome
checkony oujustsoourchi ldcanseewhatpar entsshouldbelike.
Wedon' thav etohav edramat oprovewe' r eover.I'
l
l f
aili
n
rel
ationshi
psbutnotf atheri
ngandmeet i
ngt hemot hershalf
way .
Unt i
lyougetaboy f
ri
endi fyouneedhel pj ustcall
..Goodnight.

Lucy
:Iabor
ted.
..

Monga:Cal
lmeify
oufeel
sick.Wedon'
thav
etohat
eeachot
her
t
oproveit
sover
.OK?

Lucy
:(t
ear
ful
l
y)Ok.

Monga:Wewilldel
eteeachot
her
snumber
soncey
ourwombhas
beencl
eaned.

Lucy:Ok.
.Ormaybeyoushoul
dstayani
ghtsoweseewhat
happenswhenthepi
l
l t
akesef
fect
.

Monga:
That
'sagoodi
deat
oo.

Helockedt
hecarandwalkedin.
.Sheputt
hemov
ieonandt
hey
gotcosyonthecouchwat
ching.
..
Lucy:Iwaski
ddi
ngaboutthebr
eakup.
.I'
l
lbemoreunderstandi
ng.
I'
ll
justmindmybusi
nessgongweI'
m par
anoi
d.I
'
llgetcounsell
i
ng
too..
.

Monga: Youmeanti t,l

et'
snotchangei t.You'
reafr
aidtobeal one,
andit
'sok.Iam toobutsomet i
meswehav et
oendar el
ationshi
p
whenit'
snotwor king.Thepast3mont hshavebeenhel lforboth
ofus.
..Arelesehela.Whati canpr omiseyoukwgor enotonce
haveithoughtofcheat i
ngonwi t
hLana.Idon'tt
rustany oneandi
thi
nkI'
velostint
erestinrelat
ionshipsi
ngener al
.Idon'tknow
whatitwill
takeformet of ul
lyloveagain.Iwon'
tgobackt o
someonewhocheat edonmenomat t
erhowmuchi f
eel t
hem.At
l
eastwenawef oughtadi f
ferentoneesengcheat i
ng.I'
m abr oken
manbuti understandwhymebei ngni
cet oherconfusesy ou.

Lucy
:Iguessi
under
stand.

Hehuggedherf
rom behi
ndasshet
ookadeepbr
eat
hand
si
ghed.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
.

Lat
ert
hatni
ghtApul
adi
all
edAt
sil
e..
.

At
sil
e:(
gui
l
tst
ri
cken)Hel
l
o?
Apula:Hi,Otl
het ol
dmet haty ouwanty ourdaughterbackandi
havenopr oblem.Ij ustdidn' twanthergoingbackt oRamodal a
butyou'r
ehermot herandy ouknowbest .Ifyouwanttocome
backandactl ikeamot herI 'm happyforyou.I'
l
lconti
nuet opay
schoolfees..
.I'
ll payitdirectlyatschoolnottoyoubuty ou'
ll
buy
hereveryt
hing, snacks, andpayt heschoolbussinceyoudon't
haveacar .Iwon' tbegi vi
ngy ouanymoney .Letmeknowwhen
you'
llcomesoi canpackhert hi
ngs.

At
sil
e:Eemma

Apul
a:By
e

Shehungupandsighed.Meanwhi
leOshacr
iedstandi
ngatt he
doorandwal
kedtoherroom wher
eshesatforhoursunt
ilshe
dozedoff
.

DAYSLATER.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#96

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Monga'
salarm buzzedandher
eachedoverandsnoozedi
tbef
ore
t
urni
ngaroundandf aci
ngMJashelaidnextt
ohim sl
eepi
ng.
..

Het ur
nedonhisbackst
ari
ngatthecei
li
ngt
houghtf
ull
ythenhis
phonerang,hegott
hephoneandstar
edatt
hescreenrel
uctant
ly
thenhepicked.
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Lucy
:Hi,Iwant
edt
okeepqui
etbuti
can't,
kemot
hoy
oel
enggor
e
whenihavesomet
hingonmymindispeak.

Mongaputthephonebetweenhi
sshoul
derandearashe
checkedt
hebaby'
sdiaper
..

Monga:
Neor
eng?

Lucy:
I'
m nothappywit
hthewayyoutr
eatedmetowar
dstheend
ofourrel
ati
onshi
p.Youmeanaft
erhav
ingafewdaysoft
hinki
ng
y
oust
il
lthi
nky
ouwer
eri
ghtandIwaswr
ong?

Monga:Ithoughtthepointofbreaki
ngupwast oendallthese
backandforth.Whyshoul dIexpl
ainmy sel
ftoyou?St
oppai nt
ing
mebady ouwer en'
texactlyi
nnocent.Iwasn'
tgoodenoughand
weareoverbuty ousti
llcall
meandt el
lmehowbadi am.

Lucy:I'
mtr
yingt
ofi
ndoutifobonaodiri
lesentehela..
.Inyour
minddoeswhatyoudoforhersoundl
ogical
?If eell
i
key ou'
rever
y
stupi
dandican'
twai
tfort
hisgir
ltodi
sappointyoutheny ou'
ll
remembermeandcomebeggi ngmeaboutbei ngtootir
edof
getti
ngdumped.

Monga:
Ok.Any
thi
ngy
ouwantt
ogetof
fyourchest
?

Lucy
:Iaskedy
ouasi
mpl
equest
ion

Monga: Iprobablywasn' tr
ightandmay beI'
m extranicetoherbut
ican'tseeanythingwr ongwi t
hi tbecausemay beherpeaceismy
pri
orityatthemoment .Youdon' tevencareaboutme, our
rel
ationshipwasonesi dedbecausei wasdesperateforyou.
..
Besidesy ousaidi fSt
ev ewasal i
vey ouwouldn'
tbewi thmewhy
shouldi bewit
hy ouwhenmyv ersi
onofStev eisali
ve?

Lucy
:(l
aughed)SoLanai
syourv
ersi
onoft
ruel
ove?
you'
reasad
humanbeing.

Monga: Li
sten,
Itri
edtorespecty ourfeel
i
ngsbutyou'
reforci
ng
met oactli
keadog.Stopcallingmenames, f
indaguybetterthan
thi
sstupidandleavehertohur tmelikeyousayshewil
l.Idon'
t
knowwhatt otell
youanymor e.

Lucy
:You'
ret
hef
ir
stguyi
tri
edl
ovi
ngaf
terl
osi
ngSt
eveandt
his
i
swhati
get
?

Monga:Stophar assi
ngme,itr
iedtoloveyoubeforeiev
enknew
aboutmysonandi tst
il
lwasn'
tenough.Bythetimehecamei
Kindofknewy ou'ddumpmeatsomepoi ntandtherewasnoway
iwasgoingtoabandonmysonf oryou,idon'
tcarewhatyousay
butI'
l
lnotseparateLanaleMJ.Stopcall
ingme.

Lucy
:You'
l
lnev
erf
indhappi
ness.

Monga:
Idoubty
ouwi
l
ltoo.

Lucy
:Wat
chmemov
eon

Monga:Thef i
rstsi
gnofy oumov ingonwoul dbey ounotcal
l
ing
meagaininthenext24hour sbecausethepastfewday shave
beendif
fi
cult
.Setseket shabagoar abaphone.Ithoughtwewill
haveapeacefulbreakupbutIwaswr ong.Howmanyt i
mes
shoul
di t
ell
youI '
m notgoingintoanyrelat
ionshi
p.

Hehungupandbl
ockedhert
henhewal
kedi
nthebat
hroom and
t
ookabath.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Apul
awal
kedoutoft
heki
tchenwi
tht
hef
oodandhandedOsha.
.

Osha:
I'
m nothungr
y
Apul
a:Youhaven'
tbeenfi
nishi
ngy
ourf
oodl
atel
yar
eyouOK?Ar
e
youl
osinganot
hertoot
h?

Osha:
No

Apula'
sphoneranginthebedroom,Osha'shear
tskippedasshe
watchedherauntwalkinthebedr
oom thenshetipt
oedoverand
st
oodatthedoorlist
ening..
.

Apula:Idon'tcarewhatyousaywear
enottaki
ngourAunti
e'
s
house.Sher aisedusandweshoul
dn'
tbefi
ghti
ngherforour
fat
her'
spr operty.

Mar
u:Ot
lheeneor
ebat
adi
puo.
..

Otl
he:Iaskedsomeoneandtheysaidi
nourf
ather
'si
nheri
tance
thewif
eget smor
ebutchil
drenhaveapor
ti
ontoo.Iwantmypar t
oftheyard.

Apula: I
t'
snotourf aultyou'
reverystupidanddidn'
tgofarwit
h
school.Otherpeoplear edoingbusinessesbutyou'
rechasi
ngold
peopleoutoft hei
rhouses. .
.Incasey oudon'
tknowouraunt
marri
edourf atherlegall
y.Aene,my selfandMarutoget
herwit
hyo
barengAt sil
ewedon' twantourf at
her '
shouse.

Oshasighedi
nrel
i
ef,
itwasn'
tanyt
hingabouthergoi
ng.
..I
thad
beendaysnowandshewasn'tsur
eifsheshoul
dbehappyor
she'
dgosoon..
Meanwhi
lebackinthebedr
oom Apul
apacedupanddown
poi
nti
ngasshetalked.

Apul
a:Idon'
tknowwhat 'swrongwithfamil
yfail
uresandal
way s
fi
ght
ingfori
nheri
tance.Iboughtaplotandbuil
tmy sel
fahouse,
Maruhasafamilyandwhatdoy ouhave?

Ot
lhe:
Atl
easti
hav
echi
l
drenofmyown

Apula: Thenkeephav ingfat

herlesschi ldreni ft
hat '
san
achievement ,whenit'
stimeI'l
lhav eachi ldofmyown, onei can
affordandnotf eedmat hareabogomaker ekemor ogo.You
shouldbeashamedofy oursel
fsendi ngy ourchildrentogo
aroundpi ckingcansandbot tl
esf orselling.Youwi tch,youwant ed
Oshat obel ikethem.Iactuall
ytookcar eofmyni eceandnephew
buty ourpridesaidyoudon'tneedt hat1. 5Kknowi ngy ou'r
et oo
l
azyt oev enstartabusiness.Ost jupetemogomaswe.Ol etakal
a
nkaregaomot ona.Whenar eyoudoneswal lowingy ourpridetell
mesoi cansupportthosechil
dr enl i
kei hav ebeen.Or esot i
sa
bathokagosedi sabanamabot ele.

Mar
u:Let
'snotf
ightov
ert
hephone.
..At
sil
ear
eyoust
il
lther
e?

At
sil
e:Ee

Apul
a:WenaAt
sil
eil
ongpackedy
ourdaught
er'
sbags.Whenar
e
youcomi
ng?

At
sil
e:Idon'
twanther
Apula:I
'v
elostint
erestinstayingwithyourdaught er
.Kantewena
didn'
tanyofyourboy fr
iendsleavetohelpwi t
hthewari n
Mozambi que?BDFr eall
yneedst osendanot herarmyofsoldiers
toMozambi quebecauset hoseguysarej usthavingsexallday.I
doubtthey'
reevenpat r
oll
ingourboardersandkeepi ngpoachers
awaybecausewow. ..

Mar
u:Lal
apl
easecomeon

Apul
a:NoI
'm get
ti
ngsi
ckofthese,At
sil
eshoul
dcomebackt
o
Maunanddosomethi
ngwit
hherl i
febefor
esheget
sol
d.

Atsi
l
e:Youcanhav
eOshay oucanadoptherbecausei
don'
tev
en
l
ikehert
otaiwasi
nfl
uencedbyOtl
he

Ot
lhe:
Soi
inf
luencedy
ounow?

Ot
lhehungup.
.

Atsi
l
e:Ican'
ttakeOsha,
sheremindsmeoftheli
feidon'
twantt
o
remember.Idon'
tevenl
ikeMaun.Youcankeepher

Apul
a:Nny
aammacomegety
ourdaught
er

Mar
u:Apul
ayouknowy
oul
oveOsha,
justkeepher

At
sil
e:pl
easef
orgi
veme.Kedi
ri
sit
swekeOt
lhe

Apul
a:Mxm
Shehungupandwal
kedoutt
othel
i
vingr
oom wher
eOshawas
tr
yingt
oeat
.

Apul
a:Iwasst
il
laski
ngy
ouwhyy
oudon'
teatnowaday
s

Osha:Idon'
twantt
ostaywi
thanyone,
iwantt
obey
ourchi
l
d.You
sai
difipassandbehav
eyou'
ll
staywit
hme.

Apul
a:Yourmotherandi
hadanargumentbutshesai
dshewon'
t
gety
ouany mor
e.Shewil
lnev
ergetyou

Osha:
Buty
oudon'
tfi
ghtf
orme,
whati
fshecomesagai
n?

Apula:Noonewi l
levergetyou,
ipromise.I
'
llevenhir
elawy ers
andgety ouback.Il
oveyouandy ou'
remybabygi rl
..
.Ican'teven
sl
eepwi t
houtyou..
.Iwasjustsayi
ngbecausei knowtheydon' t
havethemoneyt otakecareofyou.I
'm sor
ry.
..Canibuyy ouice-
cream asanapology?

Osha:
(smi
l
ed)Yes.
..It
hinkI
'
m hungr
y,cani
eatmyf
oodf
ir
st?

Apul
a:Eat
,it
hinkweshoul
dgoswi
mmi
ng.Letmegetourswi
m
wear

Osha:
(chewi
ng)Yes!Don'
tfor
getmypinksungl
assesandmyhat
wit
habow...
ican'
tgooutl
ookingshabby
.

Apul
alaughedandwal
kedi
nthebedr
oom.
..

AtLana'
sHouse.
..
Laterthatmorni
ngLanaputonherwhi
tecroptopasitexposed
herfullcl
eav
ageandgrabbedherChi
nesehighschoolpl
eated
ski
rtthenshezippedi
tupandputonherblackti
mberl
andladies
boots..

Sheleanedov
erandf i
xedherlonghairandey el
asht
henshe
openedthewardrobeandstaredatherbags..Shewasn'
tsure
whichonetopicksoshepickedherfavouri
tebunnybackpack
andgrabbedt
hecarkey sonherwayout .

Shegoti
nthecaranddi
all
edMongaonherway
..
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Lana:Ihav
ea2hourcooki
ngl
essont
henI
'
llber
eadyf
ort
het
ri
p.
Leready?

Monga:
Yes,
wewi
l
ljustbehomewai
ti
ngf
ory
ou.

Lana:
Ok,
bye.

Shehungup.Mi
nut
eslatershepar
kedthecarandgrabbedher
apr
onthensher
anupstair
sandint
otherecept
ion.
.
Lana:
Hi,
I'
m her
eforl
essons.Igott
het
imet
abl
eyest
erday

Assi
stant
:Thi
sway
..

Lanawalkedinaclassofabout9l
adi
esandLucyatt
hef
ronti
n
herchefuni
form.

Lucy
:Fi
ndaseat
..

Lanapull
edachairandsmil
edatt
heladynextt
ohert
henLucy
walkedoverandhandedherar
eci
pepamphlet.
.

Lucy
:Cany
our
ead?

Lana:
Yes

Lucy
:Hear
dyoudr
oppedoutatst
andar
d4.That
'swhyI
'
m aski
ng.

Ther
ewassi
l
enceasLanal
ookedatherhol
dingt
hepamphl
et.

Lana:Youheardr
ight,idr
oppedof fatstandard4.Idi
dn'thav
ean
easychil
dhoodbutI'
m cur r
entlyatform 1.I'
m st
il
lyoungsoi
knowI '
l
lbeinuni
versit
ysoon.Wi thsuchhi ghnumberof
unemploymentimightactuallyfi
ndmyagemat essti
llj
obhunti
ng.
Besidesli
fei
snotar ace.
..I'
m notcompet ingwithanyone.
Lucy:Youdon'
tneedt
ojust
if
yrunni
ngawayf
rom school
buty
ou
mighthaveapoint
.

Lanachuckledindi
sbeli
efandcarri
edonr eadi
ngthepamphl et
,
thet
heorylessoncarr
iedonunti
lthelasthourofpract
ical
s..

Lucy:
Ok,foryourpract
ical
swewi l
lgothi
sside.
..Makesur
eyou
putonyourapron.Coveryourheadandgothisway.
..

Lanaputonherapr
onandwal
kedi
nwi
thanot
herl
ady
..
.

Her
:Hi
,I
'm Ouna

Lana:
I'
m Lana.
..

Theychosest
ovesnextt
ooneanot
herwi
tht
hei
rreci
pes.
.

Ouna:Idr
oppedoutofschoolbecauseofpr
egnancyatfor
m 1,
canyouhelpmewithhowi cangobacktoschool?Idon'
twantt
o
att
endwithki
ds.I
'
m embarrassed.

Lana:Istar
tedwi thBocodolbecauseit'
sfr
eeandeveryoneisour
agethere,il
ikethefactthattheyuserealt
eacher
sfrom school
s
andlessonsar eintheafter
noonsoy ouhavetimetogetajoband
att
endlater
..
.ButI '
m curr
entl
yregist
eredwithpriv
atetutor
snow
becausemybabydaddyi spay i
ng.Withpri
vatetutor
sit'
sflexi
ble
i
fyoupassal ottheycanhel pyoustudyaheadandal lowyout o
wri
teexamsf orhigherlevel
s..
.LikenowI'
m currentl
ystudyingfor
myjuniorcert
if
icatefinal
exams.I fi
dowel lbyt
heendofsecond
ter
mt heywil
lregistermet osi
tforthefi
nals.SofarI'
m getti
ng
ma60%and70%f ormateri
alwaf or
m 3.Iknowi t
'snothi
ngt o
cel
ebratebutit
'sabi gdealtome.

Ouna:
Ihaveadayj
obsoithi
nkicanaf
for
dpri
vat
etutors.Ir
eal
ly
wantt
odoit,y
ou'
vej
ustmoti
vat
edme..
.Iwasver
ycleverkana
mmanyana.
.

Thet wobeguncookingandchatti
ngwhi
leLucysatonherst
ool
pressingherphone.Shepausedandl
ookedatLanaandanother
gi
rltalki
ng.
..

Lucy:Lanacanyoupleasestopbringingdi
sor
deri
nmyclass?
Howar eyoucooki
ngandt alki
ngatt hesameti
me?You'
re
probabl
yspit
ti
ngall
ov eryourfood.

Lanat
urnedar
oundandl
ookedather
..

Lana:
Ifyoudon'tst
artt
reati
ngmef ai
rl
yI'
llaskf
ormyr efundand
postyouonfacebookforyourunpr
ofessi
onalbehav
iour.I'
llst
art
recordi
nghowy ouspeakt omet oo,don'
tforgetwear elivi
ngin
thecellphonewor l
dandy ouhav eahugef ol
lowingt hatexpects
betterfrom youasani nf
luencer.Don'tactli
keI'm askingf ora
favour,I'
m apay ingcustomerandy oushoul dtalkt omewi th
respectdespi t
emyage.Ther ear esomanychef sinMauni can
got o,ididn'
tevenknowy ouownedt hiswheni paidforitbutthe
l
easty oucandoi st
obepr ofessional.Every
onei stal
ki
ngf reel
yin
herebuty ouonlyseemeandOuna.Takeouty ourf eel
ingswhen
youdeal wit
hmesoy oucanmakemor emoney ...Ther
ei smor e
wher ethat1Kcamef rom andi hav ealottolear n.

Cl
i
ent
:Dr
opst
hemi
c!

Anot
hercl
i
ent
:(si
ngi
ngandpat
ti
nghercov
eredhai
rwhi
l
ehol
ding
aspoon) Idon'
tknowwhatt
odo..
.

Ther
ewasaf
ewchuckl
esasLucyst
oodt
her
elooki
ngather
..

Anothercl
i
ent3:Aobat
hogat
weweshoul
dn'
ttal
ktoday
?Rul
es
havechanged?

Lucy:
I'
ll
comecheckonyouaf
ter20mi
nut
es,
pleasedon'
t
over
cookyourv
eget
abl
es.

Shewal
kedoutandsati
nherof
fi
cet
aki
ngof
fherhat
..
.
AtThong'
sHouse.
..
.

Thongwal
kedoutofthehousecar
ryi
nghi
swifeandputheron
theswi
ngi
ngpal
letchai
rbefor
ewashingt
hecarwhil
eshesat
besi
deshi
m..
.

Thong:
Soiwasthi
nki
ngweshoul
dtrav
el.
..Youshoul
dchoose
bet
weenGabor
one,Moremi
gamereser
ve,ChobeorOkavango.

Khumosmi l
edlooki
ngathi
m ashesquatt
edandwashedthe
wheel
s.Therewasasir
enapproachi
ng,
Thongpausedand
l
ist
ened.
.

Khumo:
..Eng?

Thong:
Idon'
tknow,
letmecheck.
.

Heputdownt hespongeandputhi swifeont hewheel chai

rthen
hepushedheroutoft hegateandal ongt hepavementt owards
theneighbourswheretheystoodbyast hepar amedicscarri
ed
outabodybag, theawfulspellgotthem coveri
ngtheirnoses..
.
Otherneighboursj
oinedinstandingby.
.

Thong:
Whathappened?
Otherneighbour
:Apparent
lyther
ewasabreak-
inandthei
r
daughterwaskil
led.Thi
sneighbour
hoodi
sdangerous.
..

Theparent
sst
oodbytal
kingtot
hepol
i
ceast
hehusbandputhi
s
arm ar
oundhi
scr
yingwi
fe..
.

Pol
ice:
Iknowtheforensi
cdepart
mentwil
lpr
obabl
yassistbut
canyouthi
nkofanyonewhomi ghtwantt
oharmyourdaughter
?

Hi
m:No,

Her:(cr
ying)Shehadn'tevenstart
edboys.
.Shewasj ustachi
ld.
Therewasanot herbreak-
innextdoormaybeit'
sthesamet hi
eves.
Thewomannextdoorl osthermemor yandthey'
resayingshe
mightnev err
ememberwhathappenedbutt heirj
ewellerywas
takenandshewasst abbedont hest
omach..
.Exactl
ythewayour
daughterwasf ound.

Pol
i
ce:
Thanksf
orpoi
nti
ngt
hatout
,I'
l
llooki
ntoi
t.

Her:IswearI'
m goi
ngtohaveamiscar
ri
age,i
can'tbel
ievethisi
s
happening.
.Ifi
knewthiswoul
dhappeniwouldn'
thaveleftour
daughterhomealone.

Het urnedheraroundandhuggedhert henhiseyesmetThongas

hest oodatthegateholdi
nghiswife'
swheelchairwi
thastr
aight
face,acoldchil
lrandownhisspineashel ookedatThong'
sface.
Assoonast hepoli
ceoffi
cerwal
kedawayThongpushedhi swi f
e
ov
er.
..

Thong:Hi
,I'
m sosor
ryabouty
ourdaught
er.
.Ihear
dwhat
happened

Her
:(cr
ying)I
tseemsshewasat
tackedt
hedaywel
eft
..
.

Thong: Yourhusbandandi shoul djoi

nhandsandf i
ndoutwhoi s
behindtheseat t
acks.Ihadinstall
edcamer asi
nmyhouseandi
expectedt hem torecordwhowal kedinmyy ardhol
dinga
spannert alkedtomywi f
eanddr aggedheri nt
hehousewher ehe
rapedherandst agedabr eak-i
n..Unfort
unatel
ythepoli
cedidn'
t
seeany thing.Accordingtotheirknowledgemycamer asdidn'
t
recordany thingbecausetheywer edead...

Thehusband'
shear
tpoundedsohar
dhecoul
dheari
tchoki
ng
hi
m asThongspoke.
.

Thong: Iknowt hepolicethinkit

sjustar andom break-
inbuti
don'tthinkso. .Ever
yt i
mei got obedi seesomeonewal kingin
throught hegat eholdingaspanner ..
.May beit
'sjustdr
eamsbuti
won'trestunt ilmywi feandl at
edaught erhavegot t
entheirj
usti
ce.
(atthehusband)Youandi shouldjoi
nhandsandhel pthepolice
catcht hesepeopl ebef or
ewel osemor epeopl e,
y oust
illhavea
pregnantwi f
et oprotect.
..Whatdoy out hi
nk?
Thenei
ghbourswal
l
owedhar
dashi
shear
tpounded.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#97

Att
henei
ghbour
'shouse.
..

Thenei
ghbourlookedi
nThong'
sey
esandswal
l
owedagai
nashe
for
cedasmile.
.

Hi
m:Yes.
.

Thong:
Good, it
hinkamonsteri
sontheloseandweneedt
obe
onguard.Pl
easelookaf
tery
ourpregnantwi
fe.

Henoddedandt
urnedaway
..

Hi
m:Wehav
etogot
othehospi
tal
.

Thong:
I'
m sor
ryabouty
ourdaught
er

Wi
fe:
Thanky
ou.
.

Theyt
urnedandwalkedi
nthehouseast
hel
astf
orensi
cof
fi
cer
s
l
eftwi
ththei
revi
dencebr
iefcases.
Thewif
erel
uct
ant
lyst
oodatt
hedoorl
ooki
ngatt
hebl
oodont
he
fl
oor
.

Hi
m:Pl
easegot
othehospi
tal
,I
'l
lcl
eanup.

Her
:Ar
eyousur
e?

Hi
m:Yeah.
..

Heturnedandlookedather
,thepani
cinhereyes,knowingwhat
's
comingforherandthebabyfi
ll
edhisey
eswithtears..
.

Him:(shakyv
oice)Il
ovey
ou.
.I'
m sor
ryf
orput
ti
ngourf
ami
l
yin
danger.

Wi
fe:
It'
snoty
ourf
aul
t.

Hi
m:Go.
..Il
ovey
ou.
.

Hehuggedherf ort
helastti
meandkissedherthenshet
urned
aroundandlef
t,hestoodbythewi
ndowwat chi
ngherdri
veout
thenhewalkedinthekit
chenandgr
abbedar ope..
.

AtLucy
'sof
fi
ce.
..
Lat
eronLucysor
tedouthert
abl
eandswit
chedofft
hecomputer
asherphoner
ang.Shepi
ckedupandl
ockedonherwayout
..
.

Lucy
:Hel
l
o?

Voice:Hi,i
t'
soneofy ourf ans.Isawy ourst atussayingy ou'
renot
OKandi don'tknowwhaty oumeanbuti justwant edt otelly
ou
thatilovehowy ouhav emadeat urnar oundwi thyourcont enton
socialmedia.Ifoll
owedy ouf orthenudesandj ustseeingat hick
womanbecomf ort
ableincl othesr eallymademef eel goodasa
man, butthat'
sal l
youwer e,andsi ncey oupost edtripsandwi nes
iassumedy ouwer etheki ndthatsl eptwi thmenf ormoney .No
offence.(t
heychuckl ed)Andt heny ourr ecentpost sabout
cookingschool andseei ngy ouwear ingf ormal wear, ki
tchen
unifor
m andt henewset ti
ngj ustmademeseeanot hersideof
you.Idon'tknowwhat '
sgoi ngonbutwhat everiti
skeepi t
up...
aboveal l
ili
ket hesetupofy ourof fi
ce.

Lucy:(smiled)Thankyou,youjustmademef eelbett
er.Totawhat
botheredmewasseei ngmyex' sgirl
fr
iendli
vi
nggood. .
.notthatI
wishherbadbuty ouknow...Hewast reat
ingherspecialli
kethat
whilewithme. .Hegavemel i
keboP500f ormyhai rbutthebaby
mamahecl aimedhewasn'tseeinggotwaymor eandev en
control
ledhi smoney.
..(
sighed)It'
sembar r
assi
ngbut .
..(si
ghed)
Sorrytojustdumpt hi
sony ou.

Him:Itotal
lyunder
stand,andit'
snormaltokindofbejeal
ous
ri
ghtafterabreakup.Ifanyonetel
lsyoutheyhaveneverbeen
annoyedbyanopposi t
esexwhot ookyourpart
nertheyli
ed.I
t'
s
normaltobehur t,jeal
ousandal i
tt
lebitbitt
erbutthat's
somethingyougetov erifyoufi
llyourheadwi ththerightthings.
Yourpri
orit
yshoul dbemoney ,successandheal ing..
.I
under
standy oulosty ourmanandson, trustmet hat'
sgoi ngto
aff
ectyourrelati
onshi psbecauseatt i
mesy oumi ghtdr i
veaway
peopl
ewi t
hy ourexpect ati
ons..
.Thereareal otofstagestsagr ief
,
obonal eyonedr inki
ngandpar tyi
ngunt i
l l
ateli
key oudo?Kepar t
ofgri
efmysi ster.Ifyou'r
etooquicky ou'
llchaseev er
yguyaway
wit
hwr ongimpr essions

,giv
ey oursel
fti
me.Il ostmywi feinacaraccidentandi ttookme
about3y earstolookatot herwomendi ff
erentl
y,t
hef i
rsttwo
womeni wascompar ing,ifai
ledtoseewhot heywer eandaf ter
counsell
ingandsel fintrospecti
oni deci
dedtotreatindi
v i
dualsas
theyare.Oncei decidedt hatifoundtheone,Idon'tknowi fshe
feel
sthesamewaybutsof arsogood.

Lucy:(
smil
ed)I'
l
ltrytodobet
teri
nmynextr
elat
ionshi
p,and
thankyouf
orfoll
owingme.

Hi
m:You'
rewel
come,
keepy
ourheadup.

Lucy
:Iwi
l
l.
.

Shehungupandwal kedtowardstheparkinglotunti
lshenot i
ced
Monga'scarparki
ngbesi
desherasLanagoti n.Shesighedand
gotinhercart
henshecli
ckedonhermessagesandr eadaf ew
encouragi
ngmessagesfrom herfol
l
ower swhi l
esit
ti
nginthecar.
Therewasaknockont hewindowandshel ookedupatLana, she
rol
leddownthewindowandsi ghed.
..
shedi dn'
tevenknowt his
f
arm gi
rlcoul
dtal
kbackl
i
ket
his.
.

Lana:
Hi,iwasthinki
ngyoushouldgivemear efundsoicango
somewhereelse.Iwasn'
thappywit
ht heremarksyoupassedin
fr
ontofever
yone.Iwasembar r
assedt houghidi
dn'
tshowi t
,i
don'
tknowwhatmakesy outhi
nkiranawayf r
om schoolbecause
youdon'
tknowmyst or
y.

Lucy:Ican'
trefundy ounowbecauseI'
vealreadyusedthemoney
tobuytheingredients,I
'
vejustst
art
edthisschoolsoidon'
thave
anyt
hingonr eserve.Iapol
ogisef
ortheremarks,i
twon'thappen
agai
n.

Lana: Butitseemsl i
keconf l
ictofinter
estbecausei knowy ou'
re
nothappywi thyourboyfri
endhel pi
ngmeandi under standhow
youf eelsobet t
erwest ayoutofeachot hersway sbecausenna
totaasmuchasI '
m noteducat edorf r
om ahi ghclassf ami l
yido
standupf ormyselfsoi mightendupsay i
nghor ri
blet hingstoyou
i
ndef ense.Iwasgoi ngtorespecty ouasmyt eachergot heashis
girl
fr
iend, I
'v
ealway sgreet
edy ouwhenev erisawy oui nhi shouse
thoughwenaonkgogel amowa.

Lucy
:Mongaandi
brokeup.

Lana:
When?

Lucy:I
t'
sbeenday snow, I
'
m sorryaboutear
li
er,
asmuchasi feel
l
ikeyoudidn'trespectmyr el
ati
onshipwit
hMongai shouldn'
t
blameyouf orit.Ican'
tref
undyounowpl easeatt
endlessonsre
nneprofessional.
Lana:
Ok,I'
l
lattend.LennaI
'
llnotmisbehav
einyourcl
asskanake
supaanyatt
it
udet owar
dsyou.Ij
ustwanttolear
nhowtoprepar
e
adecentmodernmeal .

Lucy
:Ok,
thanky
ou.

Lana:
Thanks.

Lanaturnedaroundandwal kedtowardsthecar,
shesmi l
edas
shegotinandst art
edit.
..Sotheyr
eall
ybrokeup...Howcomehe
didn'
ttel
lherbutthenitexpl
ainswhyhewant edtointr
oduceher
tohisfamil
y.Shelookedatt hemir
rorwit
hasmi leandrever
sed
thenshedroveof f
..
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

LateronLanaparkedthecarandsteppedoutbuttherewasno
onehome.Shecheckedhi scarkeysandt her
ewasahousekey
thensheunlockedandwalkedin.Shepickedupt
oy sandcl
eaned
upbeforepackingupthebaby'
sclothes.
..

Lat
erthatev
eningMongawal
kedi
nwi
thhi
ssonwhi
l
eshe
washedthedishes.
.

Monga:
Hey
Lana:
Hi,
ipackedev
ery
thi
ng.
..Ar
ewel
eav
ingt
odayort
omor
row?

Monga:
Tomor
rowmor
ning.
..Imanagedt
oser
vicet
hecar
.

Lana:
Ok.
.

Monga:
Wear
egoi
ngt
obat
h..
.

Lana:
Ok

Shecar r
iedonwashingthedishes,itwasawkwardhowhedi dn'
t
mentiont hebr
eakuporany t
hingaboutthem gi
vi
ngtheirf
amilya
chance..
.Buthestil
lprovi
dedandt hefamil
yint
roduct
ionswere
onsot hat'sagoodsign.
..

Shefi
nishedever
ythi
ngandwalkedi
nthebedr
oom wher
eMonga
wasputti
ngthebabyonadiaperwhi
lehefedont
hebott
ledoz
ing
off
..
.

Lana:
Iwaswonder
ingwhyy
oudi
dn'
tcal
lmet
ofeedhi
m ear
li
er,
doeshel
ikef
ormul
a?

Monga:Yeah,
iwanthi
mtobemor
eindependentandhei
s
r
espondi
ngwell.

Lana:
Didn'
tyout
hinky
oushoul
dconsul
tmef
ir
sti
fyou'
re
weani
ngthebaby?

Monga:
No.
Mj
fel
lasl
eepasMongadr
essedhi
m andpl
acedhi
mint
hecot
.

Lana:
Sot
hat
'si
t?Okgwi
sangwana?

Monga:Yes,i
don'tl
ikeasit
uati
onwher
eI'
m al
way
saski
ngf
or
yourbr
eastmi
lk.I
t'
sexhausti
ng.

Heputal
lthel
oti
onsbacki
nthei
rpl
acewhi
l
eLanasatonedgeof
t
hebed..
.

Monga:Youshouldgetgoi
ng,i
wantt
osl
eepont
imet
odaysoi
cangetupear
lyinthemorni
ng.

Sherel
uctant
lystoodupandnot i
cedhershortski
rtandcroptop
asMongawai tedforhertol
eave.Shetot
all
yforgottochangeint
o
somethi
ngdecentbef or
ecomingov er
.

Monga:
Want
iakebat
agor
obal
a.

Shewalkedoutandhefol
lowedhert
othemai
ndoor
.Shegoti
n
thecarwhi
lehestoodby.
.
Monga:
Seatbel
t.

Lana:
(smil
edshyl
yhol
dingt
hebel
t)Nnakebat
agol
alat
oday{
I
wanttosl
eepov
er}

Monga:
No

Lana:
Whynot
?

Monga:
Justno,
goshapo.

Shestar
tedt
hecaranddr oveof fthenhewalkedbackinthe
houseandcl
osedthedoor .Lanat ookadeepbreathandsighed
asshejoi
nedthemainr
oad, sheremov edtheri
bbononherhair
andpoppedherbr
ainfrontbef oreslowingdownonthetraff
ic.

Theli
ghtwentgreenwhi
leshesi
ghedthought
ful
l
y,car
shonked
thenshedr
ovethroughwit
halongface.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#98

AtLana'
sHouse.
..

Thenextmor ningLanaputacabbageleafov erhersor

etender
fullbr
east
,erectvei
nsranacr
ossthebr eastasshecarefull
y
placedthel
eafbutt heot
herl
eafdroppedandt hemi l
ksplashed
outofhernipple.
..

Sheputonabr
eastpadandabr
athenshedi
all
edhersi
ster
..
.

Goi
wa:
Hel
l
o?

Lana:Ican'
tdothi
s,mybreasthur
t,i
hav
et of
eedhim..
thi
s
cabbageleaft
hingi
sn'
trel
ievi
ngmeatall
.Ist
il
lfeel
pai
n.

Goi
wa:
Aker
eyousai
dhei
sweani
ngMJ.

Lana:
Hedi
dn'
tev
enaskme.
..

Goi
wa:
Hav
eyout
ri
edt
alki
ngt
ohi
m?

Lana:
No,af
terwhathappenedl
astni
ghtI
'm soembar
rassedi
don'
tknowhowI'
m evergoingt
ofacehi
m.

Goi
wa:
Whathappened?
Lana: Appar ent l
yhebr okeupwi t
ht hatwomanday sbackbuthe
hadn'tsai dany thingtome, sinceheaskedmet ocomewi thhim
sohecani ntr
oducemet ohi sf ami lyi t
houghtt hatexpl ainswhy
he'dwantmet omeethi sfami l
yandnother .Kehakel eexci ted
mmany anaker ebabydaddyobui ler egodisangwana, i cleaned
thehousekananei legoi t
isakael engwana. ..Kecamebackaf ter
9...
pluskennaonkasebot sengmot hogor ewhenar ey oucomi ng
homesoi justpassedt i
mepacki ngf orthet r
ip.Mongaget sback
asemomoodi ng..
.Idon' tknowi fhewasn' tjustint hemoodori t
wasmeput t
ingonbum shor t
sagai nbuthej ustt ookabat hwi th
MJ.Seemshewasf eedi nghi mf or mul aal ldaybecausei di
dn' t
pumpmi l
kf orhi m andhedi dn'tcomet omyhousef ormor e
breastmi lk..
.Mj wat engj ustf ellasl eepwi thoutme, hef ellasleep
witht hebot tl
ei nhismout handheputhi mi nthecot .Kehai bilea
ntshadi downt sangwanamobol aongar eket samarobat ago
robala...Ithoughtmay behedoesn' twantt obepushyormay be
hei saf rai
dI 'dsaynosoi tookachanceandt oldhim Iwantt o
sleepov er...Iyoommamoguyj ustsai dno, iaskedwhyandhesai d
j
ustnowi thoutanexpl anation.Iwassoembar rassedi didn't
knowwhaty osay ..
.EvennowI '
m embar rassedi don' tknowhow
I'
m goi ngt of acehi m af t
ert hatr eject ,if
eel li
kesuchadesper ate
hoornkar eket shwer ekenopany anaorsomet hing. .
.Ket habilwe
kedi thong.

Goiwa: Wait
seMongaene, lennaI '
m shockedbecauseheis
acti
ngl i
keamanwhowant shi
sf amilyback.Maybeyoupissed
him offwit
hy ourbum shor
ts,wenal ewenammamonnaoka
tenegakemar okgweantshangdinthatsamar ago.
..I
fyoudon'
t
startbehavi
nghewi ll
losei
nterestevenifhewasplanningon
gett
ingbackwi thyou.Howi shegoingt oint
roducey out ohis
famil
yont shitsemar agol emehuboy amany ena?St artto
behavingli
keawomancapabl eofbui l
dingafami ly..
.I'm not
sayi
ngmar ri
agemat erialaredir
typeopl ebutyouchoosewhent o
bedecent .
..I
fy ou'r
egoi ngtothepool foraswi my esy ouputona
swim wearbutsomepl acesy oudresslikeawomanwhoi sdating
asuccessful businessman.Hi sempl oyeesmustr especthi staste
j
ustlookingaty ou...Youdr essli
ke16y earoldandi tmakeshi m
l
ookl i
keapedophi l
ebecausey ou'r
ealreadyshor tandt i
ny.O
i
mmat uremma.Makesur ey oupackpr operclothest ogomeet
hisf
ami l
y,nobum shor tsbutdon'tdresslikeanol dwoman. .
Remembert heymett hatl adyhelovedsomuchgat wePul a

Lana:
Apula.
..Uhican'
tcompetewi
ththatl
adymothowa
modimo,sheishi
ghlyeducat
edandsheisboss.
..

Goi
wa: I
'
mtalki
ngaboutdr
essi
ngappropr
iat
elyandbehav
ing,
o
t
shethemakgwahobaskareophaphi
l
e.

Lana:
Ok.(
carst
oppedout
side)It
hinkheusher
e..
.By
e

Goi
wa:
Sayhi
tomme

Lana:
Iwi
l
l.

Shehungupandunlockedthedoor
,Mongawal
kedi
nandsaton
thebedwhi
leshegotdressed.
.

Monga:
Mor
ning
Lana:
Mor
ning.
.

Monga:Weshouldgety
ourpar
ent
sfoodespeci
all
yri
ceandt
he
sauces,
theyr
eal
l
ylikei
t.

Lana:
Ok.
..

Monga:
Getyourf
atherapackofci
gar
ett
esorwrappi
ngpaper
,
t
henewspaper
shesmokesmakemeuncomf ort
able.

Lana:Heshoul
djustst
opsmoki
ngbecausehei
snotget
ti
ngany
younger
.

Monga:Bet
tery
oubuyhi
m wr
appi
ngpaperbecausehewon'
tst
op
smoki
ng.

Lana:
Iguessso.
.

Shef
ini
sheddr
essi
ngupandpi
ckedherbagthentheywal
kedout
.
Shel
ookedatt
hebackwher
eMj wasdr
inki
ngmi l
k..

Lana:
Mybr
east
sar
esof
ull
iwantt
ofeedhi
m soi
canber
eli
eved.

Monga:
No,
hei
snotdr
inki
ngbr
east
mil
k.

Hest
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveof
fasshekeptqui
et.
..

AtLucy
'sHouse.
..
Ont hesamemor ni
ngLucywalkedoutoft
hehouseandstoodat
thestooplooki
ngathernewyard.
..Shepr
obabl
yneededan
orchardatthecor
nerofthey
ardtokeepherbusyonherf
ree
ti
me. .

Herphoneranginthehouset
henshepacedi
nandpi
ckedi
t
cat
chingherbr
eath..

Lucy
:Hel
l
o?

Voice:Hi
,ist
hisLucy?Iam Amel
i
afr
om Peaceofmi
nd
counsell
i
ngcenter.

Lucy
:Yes?

Her:I
'dl
i
ket oknowwheny
ou'
dli
ket
ost
arty
oursessi
onswi
thDr
Tshegof
atso.

Lucy
:Ican'
taff
ordherfeesatt
hemoment.Gapeididn'
tsayi
wanttoatt
end,ij
ustaskedf
orpri
cesanddeci
dedican'
taff
ordi
t.

Her:I
thasbeenpaidfor
,al
ltherequi
redsessi
onshavebeenpai
d
andther
eisatravel
voucherrewardf
orcompleti
ngthe
counsel
l
ingsessi
ons.

Lucy
:(smi
l
ed)Ar
eyouser
ious?Whopai
dfori
t?

Her
:(r
eadi
ng)MongaTi
ki
,idon'
tunder
stand.
..Youdi
dn'
tknow
any
thi
ngabouti
t?
Lucy
:Idi
dn'
tknowbut
..
.(smi
l
ed)I
'
llst
artt
odayi
fit
'spossi
ble

Her
:Ok,
thanky
ou.Yourappoi
ntmenti
sat2pm.

Lucy
:(smi
l
ed)Thanky
ou.

Shehungupandsmi l
edthenshecli
ckedonherWhatsAppbut
rememberedshehadbeenblocked,
sheloggedi
ntoherbusi
ness
WhatsAppandtext
edhim..

Lucy :
Heyheartbreaker,
thecounsel
li
ngcentercalledandI '
l
lbe
start
ingmysessionst oday.IknowI
'vebeenreluctanttogetit
throughoutbutipromiseyou'l
lnotr
egretpayi
ngf oritbecauseI'
m
goingtoattendeverysessionandcomeoutf eeli
nggood.

Monga:
That
'smygi
rl
,cheer
s.

Lucy
:Cheer
s.

Sheputdownt hephonet ear

ful
lyandswall
owedthenshe
grabbedaspadeandamet alassheheadedtothecornerofthe
yard..Atleastthi
srel
ationshipmanagedtobri
ngheranewpl ot,
witht hesaleofanoldonesheev enst
art
edaschool andnowshe
gotcounsel l
ing,onethi
ngshepr obabl
yneededmor ethan
anything.Shebentov erandbeguncutti
ngal i
neforherorchard.
..

Atschool
..
.
Lat
erthataf
ter
noonApul
asmil
edasOshar
anov
ersmi
l
ing
car
ryi
ngherbagandherl
unchbag.
.

Osha:
(openedt
hedoor
)Ij
oinedt
het
enni
scl
ub.
.

Sheputeveryt
hingi
nt hebackandgoti
nthef
rontt
henshepul
l
ed
theseatbel
tandsmiled..

Osha:
Guesswhoi
spl
ayi
ngt
enni
s

Apul
a:Mybabyi
spl
ayi
ngt
enni
s?Youbet
terbet
henextSer
ana
Wil
li
ams.

Apul
a:Wear
egoi
ngt
oLJandhi
sfat
heratt
heai
rpor
t.
.

Oshagaspedandsmi
l
ed.
.

Osha:
Great
..
.Il
i
keLJ'
sfat
herbecausehebuy
susl
otsoft
oys.
.

Apul
a:(
laughed)y
es

Osha:
Hesai
dnextt
imewhenLJmov
est
oMaunhewoul
dtake
ushor
ser
idi
ng.
.

Apul
a:Iknow.
.
Sher
ever
sedanddr
oveof
f.
..

AtThong'
sHouse.
.

Thongsteppedoutoft
hegatelooki
ngatthenei
ghbour
sast he
paramedi
cscarri
edoutabodyinabagwiththepol
iceoff
icer
standi
ngbytal
kingtot
heneighbour
'swi
feandherfamil
y.
.

Likeothernei
ghbour
shewalkedoverandstoodbywai
ti
ngforher
tofini
shwiththepol
i
ce.Hewalkedcl
osertotheot
hernei
ghbour
s.

Thong:
Whathappened?

Nei
ghbour
:Appar
ent
lyhecommi
tt
edsui
cide

Thong'
shear
tski
ppedandheswal
l
owed.
.

Thong:
Didhel
eav
easui
cidenot
e?

Nei
ghbour
:Yes,
alongone.
.Appar
ent
lyy
ou'
rei
nitt
oo?

Thong:
What
?Whatdoesi
tsay
?

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#99

Att
henei
ghbour
'shouse.
..

Nei
ghbour
:Idon'
tknowmuchbutt
heydi
dsayhement
ionedy
ou.

Thongwal
kedov
ert
othewi
feasshewal
kedbacki
nthehouse.
..

Thong:
Hi,
someonej
ustsai
dPet
erl
eftal
ett
erandI
'
m oni
t?

Her:Wemadecopiesandgaveitt
ot hepol
ice,pl
easedon'
t
publ
ishi
ttoonsocial
mediaorsharewithanyonebecausewe
havetor
eaditt
othef ami
l
y.

Thong:
Iwon'
t.
.

Shewalkedinsideandhandedhimthelett
erassherubbedher
eyesandsatnexttohermot her
.Thong'
sheartpoundedashe
tur
nedaroundandwal kedoutreadi
ng.
..Fr
om herbeingsocal
mit
wasevidentthati
twasn'ti
ncri
minat
ingorwasit?

"
Dearwi
fe
I
'
m sorr
yf orl
eavi
ngyoui
ny ourcondit
ionbuti
fitwasn'
timpor t
ant
i
wouldn'
tbesacrif
ici
ngmyselfl
ikethi
s.Takecareofyoursel
f.I
l
oveyou,andalways.

DearThong

Inowunder standhowy oumusthav efel

tseei ngyourwifeli
ke
thatandl osingadaught er,thefeel
ingist err
ibl
e.Drugsshouldn'
t
bepar tofsoci etybecausei bel
ievewhoev eratt
ackedyourwife
washi ghondr ugs,butweal lknowt hegui l
tsinksinaft
er
sobering.Ihopey ouandy ourwifefindpeace, aboveallipr
aythat
yourwi f
egai nshermobi lit
yandconcei vesagai n.You'
rea
protecti
vehusbandandf ather,
andi don'tblamey ou.Ihope
whoev erdidt hisissentencedt odeat htogi veyouthejusti
ceyou
deserve.Ihopet hatdeathsent encewoul dbeenought oease
youranger .
Ihopey ouunder st
and.

Dearbi
gbr
other
.

Iknowy ou'
regoingtobeangrywithmefordoingthi
sbutI'
dbe
happyifyoucant akecar
eofmywi feandson.Ify
oucanplease
marryher,I
'
dfeel somuchbetterknowi
ngmysoni swithyoubut
i
fthat'
sawkwar d,whichiknowiti
sbetheuncleyou'
resupposed
tobe.Ipr
ayyoufi
ndagir
lf
ri
endthatwi
l
lunder
standandal
l
owmy
soninyourhomeli
kei
tshers.

Icommi tt
edsui
cidebecauseofthepainofseei
ngmydaught
er
l
yingrott
enonthefloorofaplacethatwasmeanttobeasaf
ety
net.If
ail
edmydaught erandi
tsmyf aul
tbecauseI
'
m an
i
rresponsi
blef
ather
"

Thongfol
dedt
hel
ett
erandsi
ghedt
henhepi
ckedt
hephoneand
di
aledMonga.

Att
hef
arm.
..

Mongasloweddownbehi
ndthecatt
leastheycr
ossedtheroad,
hi
sphonerangthenhepi
ckedasLanachangedthebaby'
s
di
aper
..
.

Monga:
Yeah?

Thong:
Okae?Iwantt
ogooutf
ordr
inks

Monga:
(laughed)KogaboLanat
henheadi
nghome.
..Ol
ebet
se

Thong:
(laughed)Uhy
eahei
sh.I
'
mjustgoi
ngt
obuybeerand
dancef
orKhumo. .
Monga:
(laughed)Wapekamonna.
..

Thong:Oiphi
ledeat
hsentencemoshimanesomywor kisdone.
Don'
teverbel
ieveanyonet
ell
ingyour
evengedoesn'
theal
.Ifeel
somuchbet t
erri
ghtnow,icannowfocusonmywi f
esrecovery
andbusi
ness.

Monga:
(laughed)Wewi
l
ltal
klat
erkenal
ebanamokol
oing
monna.

Thong:
(laughed)sur
e

Hehungupanddrovet
hroughthey
ardthenhedrovet
owardst
he
tr
eewheretheel
der
sweresit
ti
ngwhil
eSedipoundedMai
ze
standi
ngby
..

Lana'smothersmi
ledandst
oodupwalki
nginthehousethenshe
walkedoutwithachai
rasMongaandLanasteppedoutofthecar
.

Hermotherdroppedthechai
randcov er
edhermouthlooki
ngat
Lanahol
dingaMonga' sl
ookal
ike.Sheopenedherar
msand
huggedthem cr
ying.
..

Herfat
herputouthiscigar
ett
eandusedallhisenergytostandas
heemotional
lyl
ookedathisdaughter
,shelookedcompletely
di
ff
erent.
..Ev
ent onedski
nandniceclot
hes,sheevenlooked
muchmor efitt
hant hel
astti
mehesawherashewal kedov er
andhuggedher
..
.

Sedipausedpoundi ngandl ookedatMonga, howcoul damanbe

handsome...Howdoy ouevenfightthesef
eeli
ngs, wasshegoing
tohaveanot hernightfil
ledwi
thwetdr eamsofhi sli
psonhers..
.If
hehadatleastsl eptwi t
hheroncemay bet
hesef eeli
ngswouldn'
t
bethesestrong.Howcansomet hingsowrongf eelsogood.
..If
shehadanoppor tunit
yt obewiththi
smanshe' dwor shi
phim
downt ohislastbreath..

Mongal ookedatSedi hol

dingthepoundingl ogandthei
reyesmet
fort
hatsecondandi twasasi fhecouldreadhermi nd.Seeing
herstandi
ngherepoundi ngmai zebar
efootedknowingtherewas
moreoutt her
eforay oungwomanl i
keherf eltsowr
ong.

Monga:
Hi

Sedi
:Hi
..

Monga: Youshouldreal
l
ygotoMaunandfindajob,shop
assi
stantorevenafuelatt
endant
..
.Somej
obsdon'tneed
educati
on.Youjustneedtoknowhowtocount
.

Sedi
:Idon'
thav
eaccommodat
ioni
nMaun

Mot
her
:Yoursi
steri
sher
e,sheandMongacanaccommodat
eher
.

Monga:Wewil
lhel
pherf
indaroom forP400orP500permonth.
Wewill
payf
orherfor3mont
hs..
.I'
m sureshe'
dfi
ndajobevenas
acl
eaner
.

Father:
Thankyouson..
.Thereisnol i
feforagi
rlchi
ldint
hisfar
m.
Iwantmychi l
drent
oleaveandbebet terpeopl
e..
.LookatLana.
..
Shelooksli
keachildf
rom arichfamily.
.Andnowi havea
grandsonwit
ht hemostwonderfulyoungman.IfidienowI'
lldi
ea
happyoldman.NowI '
mr eadytodie..

Hesmi
l
edhol
dingMj
..

Sedi
:Shoul
dipackmybags?

Mongat
ookouthi
sphoneandsenther2.
5K.
.

Monga:
Isenty
oumoney
.Youcanl
eav
etomor
row.
..

Sedi
:Thanky
ou.
..(
toLana)Comeher
e..
.

Lanafoll
owedhert
ot hehousewi
thast
rai
ghtf
ace,
Mongasi
ghed
andlookedatt
heparents.
..

Monga:PapaI'
mtakingMjtomypar
ent
s,j
ustl
i
key
out
heydi
dn'
t
knowanythi
ngabouthim.

Fat
her
:It
otal
l
yunder
standmyboy
Monga: Si
ncecult
urenevert
ookpl acei wasnevercall
edto
acceptthedamagesandclai
mr esponsi bi
li
ty,
notthatineed
anyonetoremindme...
butmypar entsarecultur
altoosothey
mightneedawor dfr
om youasaf amilysobothfamili
escan
comet oget
herandrai
sehim accor di
ngly.

Father:That'
sver
yt r
ue,i
fthi
ngswer edoneproper
lyy
ouwer e
supposedt obesummonedwi t
hy ourpar
entssoyoucanclai
m
responsibil
i
tyandpaythechargesbutthosethi
ngsarenot
emphasi sedonresponsi
blepeopl
el i
keyoubecauseyoucan
alwayspaywheny ougetmarri
ed.

Mongaswal
l
owedandcl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
..
.

Monga:
Iunder
standsoiguesswil
lgi
veyoumyf at
her
'snumber
soyout
wocantalkaboutt
hechil
d.Nothi
ngaboutmarr
iage.
.

Fat
her
:Ofcour
se.
.

Meanwhil
eint
hehouset
hesi
ster
sst
oodi
nthemi
ddl
eoft
hehut
t
alki
ng.
.

Sedi
:Thankyouforhelpi
ngme,i
knowwehadar
gument
sbef
ore
buti
promiseiwon'tdest
royy
ourfami
l
y.

Lana:
Icanyoureal
l
yloverr
agweMJandi
tannoysme.Please
don'
tbefool
edbyhisgener
osi
ty,
hei
sdoi
ngthi
sbecausehe
l
ovesmeandMJ

Sedi:Orhei sj ustagener ousperson,Mongaoneel amongwel e

mongwehel abecauseot homogapel okapel a.
..Ispentay ear
withhim wheny oudisappeared.
..Hewasl ikeabr othertomeanf
andIpr ayy ougethi slovebackbecausei fhedoesn' tfallbackin
l
ov ewithy out heny ou'
llneverfi
ndamant hatwillwaitthewhol e
yearlookingf ory ouwhileotherwomenwanthi m.Ihopey ousee
howl uckyy ou'reandbehav emature.Iwon'tl
ietoy outotaMonga
nnanekemogor at
etsebutwheny ouhurthimi justwant edt o
pickhim upandl ov
ehi m koorehel
ay ou'
remysi st
erandi tcan
neverhappen.

Lanal
ookeddownandsi
ghed.
..

Lana:Ihav
etogo,hei stakingmetomeethisfami
lysoiguess
thatsumsupever
ything.Iknowi wasn'
tagoodgir
lbutI
'
m grown
nowandI '
l
ldobet
ter.Kel ebogel
ahonestyy
agago..

Sedi:
It'
sok..
.Anddon'
twor
ry,i
won'tseducehi
m gapeMongao
kgonagoitshwar
agaatswetswepelohela.

Lana:
(smi
l
ed)Iknow.

Sedi:
Yourdream i
sjustwi
thi
nreachkennahopef
ulgor
elenna
I
'm goingt
ofindajobandagoodguyinMaun.

Theyl
aughedbl
ushi
ngandhuggedt
henLanahandedhert
he
housekey
s.

Lana:
Crushi
nmyhousef
orday
swhi
l
elooki
ngf
orahouse.

Sedi
:Thanky
ou.

Lana:
Thereisapi
ctur
eofMongaandMJbyt
heTV,
don'
tki
ss
Monga'spi
ctur
e.

Sedi
:(l
aughed)Mxm wapokanewena

Theycr
ackedl
aughi
ngandwal
kedout
..
.

Att
heai
rpor
t.
..

Meanwhi l
eApulaandOshawai tedasallt
hef l
i
ghtpassenger
s
walkedoutthenLoagoandhissonwal kedoutwithanother
person..
.Apul
afrownedconfusedandwat chedassheputher
arm overLJchatt
ingcomfor
tablyasthethreeofthem l
aughed.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#100

Att
heai
rpor
t.
..

Apul
aandOshawal
kedt
owar
dsLoagoandLj
..

Apul
a:Hi

Loago:
Hi.
.

Theladywit
ht hem pushedherhai
rbackandhungherbagov
er
hershoul
derlooki
ngatApulafrom headt
otoe.
.

Loago:
Babethi
sisMissy
,shei
sLJ'
snanny
.Mi
ssyt
hisi
sApul
a
sheismygi
rl
fri
end.
..

OshaandLj wal
kedtowar
dsoneanot
herpl
ayf
ull
yasApul
aand
Missyshookhands.
.

Apul
a:Ni
cet
omeety
ou

Mi
ssy
:Ni
cet
omeety
out
oo.
.
Loagohuggedherandki
ssedherbefor
ewalki
ngoutwi
thhi
sar
m
aroundherbackast
henannyfol
lowedthem.

Apul
a:(
lower
edherv
oice)Youdi
dn'
tment
ionananny

Laogo:
Idi
dn'
tthi
nkshei
sthati
mpor
tant
,shoul
dihav
e?

Apul
a:Yeah,
buti
t'
sok.

Loago:
Sor
ry.

Theygotint
hecar,Loagogotint
hedri
ver
sseatwhi
l
eLanagoti
n
thef
rontasthenannysatwit
hthechi
l
dren.

LJ:
DaddyI
'
m hungr
y

Nanny
:(t
ouchedhi
shead)I
'
llcookf
ory
ouassoonasweget
home.
.

Apul
a:Iwast
hinki
ngwegr
absomet
hingt
oeati
nst
ead

Loago:
Pizza?Imi
sspi
zza

Osha:
Met
oo

Mi
ssy
:(smi
l
ed)Lj
youandi
shoul
dtr
yHawai
i
anpi
zza,
it'
sni
ce.
.

Apul
a:You'
renotgoi
ng.Goy
afami
l
yhel
a..
Therewassil
enceast
henannyl
i
ftedherbr
owsandl
eanedback
fol
dingherar
ms.

Minutesl
aterLoagopar
kedi
nfrontofthehouse,
thenannygot
outwithherbagsandst
oodbehindLoagoasheunlockedthe
door.
.

Loago:
Ljandi ar
egoi
ngout,I
'm notsur
ewhenwewillbeback.
Makeyoursel
fcomfor
tabl
e.Ther
ei saguestr
oom,
it'
syours.
.

Mi
ssy
:Ok.By
e

Hegotbacki
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
.

Apul
a:Shel
i
kesy
ouandi
don'
tl
ikeher

Loago:
(laughed)Shel
i
kesme?Howdoy
ouknowt
hat
?

Apula:I
'm awoman,i
know.Shepr
obabl
ygotexci
tedwhenshe
thoughtyou'
reasi
ngl
efat
her

Loago:
Ok,
whatshoul
dido?

Apul
a:Fi
reher

Loago:
Babewej
ustar
ri
ved.Atl
eastl
etherwor
kforamont
hand
fi
reher

Apul
a:Youhav
eapoi
nt,
amont
hthen
Loago:Whatev
ermakesyouhappy
..Ar
eyouser
iousaboutf
ir
ing
her?Shehasn'
tdoneany
thi
ng

Apul
a:Youcankeepheri
fitmakesy
ouhappybutI
'
m nothappy
.

Loago:Wewilldowhatev
eryouwant
,irespecty
ourfeel
ingsand
theymeaneveryt
hing.Wear
etry
ingt
hisfamilyt
hingandI'
m not
holdi
ngback.

Apul
a:I
'
llf
indy
ouamai
d

Loago:
Ok.
.

Hel
ookedatherdumbf
oundedanddr
oveof
f.
..

AtMonga'
sfat
her
s..
.

Lat
ert
hatnightMongaandLanast
eppedoutoft
hecarasTiki
wal
kedoversmil
ingandhuggedMongapat
ti
nghisshoul
der
..

Ti
ki
:Lookaty
oul
ooki
ngsogr
own

Monga:
(laughed)I
t'
sjustbeenay
ear

Ti
ki
:Andi
nthaty
eary
oumadeababy
.

Hel
aughedandt
urnedpi
cki
ngupMJ.
.
Ti
ki
:Noneedf
orDNA,
hel
ooksl
i
keHope.
..(
shookLana'
shand)
Hel
lo

Lana:
Hel
l
o

Monga:
It'
sMJ'
smot
her
..Lanat
hat
'smyf
ather
.

Ti
ki
:Ni
cet
omeety
ou

Lana:
Nicet
omeety
out
oo.
..

Mongayawnedastheywal
kedi
nt hehousewher
ehi
smot
herwas
war
mingupsomethingi
ntheki
tchen.
.

Shesteppedoutandsmil
edwal
ki
ngi
nasMonga'
sfaci
al
expr
essionschanged.
.

Her
:Wow.
..Hel
ooksl
i
keHope.
..Bat
hong.
..Ngwanake!

Shepi
ckedhi
m upandki
ssedhi
mthenshesmi
l
edatLana.
.

Her
:Howar
eyoumygi
rl
?

Lana:
I'
mfi
ne.
.

Her
:comet
hissi
de.
.Letmeshowy
ouguy
stoy
ourr
oom.I
al
readycl
eanedi
t,i
knewy
ou'
dar
ri
vet
hisl
ate.
.

Lanaf
oll
owedhert
othebedr
oom andputdownherbag.
.

Her
:Thi
sist
her
oom.
.

Mongawal
kedi
nandhandedLanat
hecarkey
s..

Monga:
I'
ll
seey
oui
nthemor
ning.
.Goodni
ghtaker
e?

Lana:
Uh?

Monga:Retaabuaphakel
annakaot
sel
a.{
wewi
l
ltal
kint
he
morni
ng,I
'
m sleepy
}

Mot
her
:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Hej
ustwal
kedawaypr
etendi
nghedi
dn'
thearherandcl
osedt
he
mai
ndoor.
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#100

Att
heai
rpor
t.
..

Apul
aandOshawal
kedt
owar
dsLoagoandLj
..

Apul
a:Hi

Loago:
Hi.
.

Theladywit
ht hem pushedherhai
rbackandhungherbagov
er
hershoul
derlooki
ngatApulafrom headt
otoe.
.

Loago:
Babethi
sisMissy
,shei
sLJ'
snanny
.Mi
ssyt
hisi
sApul
a
sheismygi
rl
fri
end.
..

OshaandLj wal
kedtowar
dsoneanot
herpl
ayf
ull
yasApul
aand
Missyshookhands.
.

Apul
a:Ni
cet
omeety
ou

Mi
ssy
:Ni
cet
omeety
out
oo.
.
Loagohuggedherandki
ssedherbefor
ewalki
ngoutwi
thhi
sar
m
aroundherbackast
henannyfol
lowedthem.

Apul
a:(
lower
edherv
oice)Youdi
dn'
tment
ionananny

Laogo:
Idi
dn'
tthi
nkshei
sthati
mpor
tant
,shoul
dihav
e?

Apul
a:Yeah,
buti
t'
sok.

Loago:
Sor
ry.

Theygotint
hecar,Loagogotint
hedri
ver
sseatwhi
l
eLanagoti
n
thef
rontasthenannysatwit
hthechi
l
dren.

LJ:
DaddyI
'
m hungr
y

Nanny
:(t
ouchedhi
shead)I
'
llcookf
ory
ouassoonasweget
home.
.

Apul
a:Iwast
hinki
ngwegr
absomet
hingt
oeati
nst
ead

Loago:
Pizza?Imi
sspi
zza

Osha:
Met
oo

Mi
ssy
:(smi
l
ed)Lj
youandi
shoul
dtr
yHawai
i
anpi
zza,
it'
sni
ce.
.

Apul
a:You'
renotgoi
ng.Goy
afami
l
yhel
a..
Therewassil
enceast
henannyl
i
ftedherbr
owsandl
eanedback
fol
dingherar
ms.

Minutesl
aterLoagopar
kedi
nfrontofthehouse,
thenannygot
outwithherbagsandst
oodbehindLoagoasheunlockedthe
door.
.

Loago:
Ljandi ar
egoi
ngout,I
'm notsur
ewhenwewillbeback.
Makeyoursel
fcomfor
tabl
e.Ther
ei saguestr
oom,
it'
syours.
.

Mi
ssy
:Ok.By
e

Hegotbacki
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
.

Apul
a:Shel
i
kesy
ouandi
don'
tl
ikeher

Loago:
(laughed)Shel
i
kesme?Howdoy
ouknowt
hat
?

Apula:I
'm awoman,i
know.Shepr
obabl
ygotexci
tedwhenshe
thoughtyou'
reasi
ngl
efat
her

Loago:
Ok,
whatshoul
dido?

Apul
a:Fi
reher

Loago:
Babewej
ustar
ri
ved.Atl
eastl
etherwor
kforamont
hand
fi
reher

Apul
a:Youhav
eapoi
nt,
amont
hthen
Loago:Whatev
ermakesyouhappy
..Ar
eyouser
iousaboutf
ir
ing
her?Shehasn'
tdoneany
thi
ng

Apul
a:Youcankeepheri
fitmakesy
ouhappybutI
'
m nothappy
.

Loago:Wewilldowhatev
eryouwant
,irespecty
ourfeel
ingsand
theymeaneveryt
hing.Wear
etry
ingt
hisfamilyt
hingandI'
m not
holdi
ngback.

Apul
a:I
'
llf
indy
ouamai
d

Loago:
Ok.
.

Hel
ookedatherdumbf
oundedanddr
oveof
f.
..

AtMonga'
sfat
her
s..
.

Lat
ert
hatnightMongaandLanast
eppedoutoft
hecarasTiki
wal
kedoversmil
ingandhuggedMongapat
ti
nghisshoul
der
..

Ti
ki
:Lookaty
oul
ooki
ngsogr
own

Monga:
(laughed)I
t'
sjustbeenay
ear

Ti
ki
:Andi
nthaty
eary
oumadeababy
.

Hel
aughedandt
urnedpi
cki
ngupMJ.
.
Ti
ki
:Noneedf
orDNA,
hel
ooksl
i
keHope.
..(
shookLana'
shand)
Hel
lo

Lana:
Hel
l
o

Monga:
It'
sMJ'
smot
her
..Lanat
hat
'smyf
ather
.

Ti
ki
:Ni
cet
omeety
ou

Lana:
Nicet
omeety
out
oo.
..

Mongayawnedastheywal
kedi
nt hehousewher
ehi
smot
herwas
war
mingupsomethingi
ntheki
tchen.
.

Shesteppedoutandsmil
edwal
ki
ngi
nasMonga'
sfaci
al
expr
essionschanged.
.

Her
:Wow.
..Hel
ooksl
i
keHope.
..Bat
hong.
..Ngwanake!

Shepi
ckedhi
m upandki
ssedhi
mthenshesmi
l
edatLana.
.

Her
:Howar
eyoumygi
rl
?

Lana:
I'
mfi
ne.
.

Her
:comet
hissi
de.
.Letmeshowy
ouguy
stoy
ourr
oom.I
al
readycl
eanedi
t,i
knewy
ou'
dar
ri
vet
hisl
ate.
.

Lanaf
oll
owedhert
othebedr
oom andputdownherbag.
.

Her
:Thi
sist
her
oom.
.

Mongawal
kedi
nandhandedLanat
hecarkey
s..

Monga:
I'
ll
seey
oui
nthemor
ning.
.Goodni
ghtaker
e?

Lana:
Uh?

Monga:Retaabuaphakel
annakaot
sel
a.{
wewi
l
ltal
kint
he
morni
ng,I
'
m sleepy
}

Mot
her
:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Hej
ustwal
kedawaypr
etendi
nghedi
dn'
thearherandcl
osedt
he
mai
ndoor.
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#101

AtMonga'
sfat
her
s..
.

Monga'
smot
hert
urnedandl
ookedatLana.
..

MmaTiki
:I'
m sur
eyouknowi
thasnot
hingt
odowi
thy
out
wo
r
ight
?

Lana:
What
'si
tabout
?

MmaTi
ki
:Hehasn'
ttol
dyouhehasi
ssueswi
thme?

Lana:
Hej
ustsai
dhewant
stobr
ingMj
.

MmaTiki
:I'
m surpr
isedy
ou'r
eacoupleandhehasn'
ttol
dyoubut
t
henhenevertal
ksaboutanyt
hinghei
sthi
nki
ng.

Lana:
Ok.

MmaTiki
:Pl
easecomeeatsomet
hingandt
akebat
hbef
orey
ou
r
est
,wehavechur
chtomorr
ow.

Lana:
Chur
ch?

MmaTi
ki
:Si
manana'
sfat
heri
sapast
or,
don'
tyouknowt
hat
?

Lana:
Um.
..Idon'
tthi
nkhement
ionedi
t

MmaTi
ki
:Whatdoy
ouknowaboutt
hef
atherofy
ourchi
l
d?
Shel
ookeddownashi
smot
herl
ookedatherski
rt
..

MmaTiki
:Doy
ouhav
esomet
hingl
ongert
hant
hatf
orchur
ch
t
omor
row?

Lana:
Thi
sist
heonl
yski
rti
hav
e,t
her
estar
epant
s.

MmaTi ki:Iwi
llt
akeyoutothemalli
nthemorningwagobataa
properdressorski
rt
.Youshouldf
indsever
alt
hingsbecausewe
don'tmissanyoftheser
vices.

Lana:
Eemma.

ShewalkedoutwithMj,Lanasatdownandtookadeepbreat
h
l
ookingaround.Mongaclearl
ydi
dn'twantt
hisf
amil
ybackandher
bei
ngherewasaboutlookingafterhi
ssonashesai
d.Shetook
outherphoneandtext
edhi m.

Lana:
Wher
ear
eyousl
eepi
ng?

Monga:
Focusont
hebaby
.Hav
eyouhadany
thi
ngt
oeat
?

Lana:
I'
m goi
ngt
o.Yourmot
hercooked.

Monga:Goodni
ghtee,
focusonthebabyother
wisewagot
senwa
kest
resshaokannaoakantsegorekekaekedirang.

Lana:
Ok.Sor
ry
Hebluet
ickedherasshewai t
edforhi
sthenhi
slastseen
di
sappeared.Sheputherphonedownandswall
owedt heli
tt
le
bumponhert hroat
.Tearsfi
l
ledherey
esandsheblinkedacoupl
e
oft
imes.

Shetookoffherear
ri
ngsandwalkedout,
PastorTi
kipl
ayedwi
th
MJlayingonthecouchwhil
ehi
smot herwal
kedoutwithapl
ate
off
ood. .

Her
:Hereyougo.
..Youcansi
toverhere,
foodi
snotall
owedin
t
hebedroomsunl
essledir
adil
otsalonatsabr
eakf
astinbedbut
t
heplat
esmustbeoutoftheroom assoonasyou'
redone.

Lana:
Eemma

Shesatdownandbeguneatingashismotherheadedtot
he
bedr
oom tof
ixthebed.Past
orTiki
lookedatherwhil
esti
l
l
hol
dinghi
sgrandson.
..

Ti
ki
:Howi
sSi
mananat
reat
ingy
ou?

Lana:
(si
ghed)Good,
hepay
sther
entandbuy
sfoodont
ime.

Ti
ki
:Whyi
sn'
thesl
eepi
nghome?

Lana:
Idon'
tknow,
hesay
sishoul
dfocusont
hebabybecauseI
'
ll
getst
ressedi
fiaskhi
m wher
ehei
sorwhohei
swi
th.

Ti
ki
:Odi
ngal
oSi
manana?

MmaTi
kiwal
kedi
n..
.

Lana:No,heisj
ustt oohonestandi nsensiti
ve,
healsodoeswhat
hewantswhenhewant sandnev erconsul tme.I'
minpainnow
becausehedoesn'twantmet obr eastfeedMJar ewamokgwisa
buthedidn'
tconsultme.

MmaTi ki
:Ibel
iev
ether
earepi l
lsf
orthat
,Monga'
ssist
er
ment
ionedsomet hi
ngl
ikethatawhil
eback.Shewil
lbeinchur
ch
t
omorrowwi t
hherhusband,I'
l
laskhertotal
ktoy
ou.

Lana:
Ok

Ti
ki
:Howi
sschool
?

Lana:
It'
sfi
ne

MmaTi
ki:
Whatcl
assar
eyoui
nkana?

Shelookeddownal i
tt
leembarrassed,
form 5almostcameoutof
theti
pofhert onguebutthethoughtofly
ingscaredhermor
ethan
theembarrassmentoff or
m 1.

Lana:
For
m 1.
MmaTi ki
:Sometimespar
entsmakemi st
akeswhil
erai
sing
chil
dr enbutthosemist
akesdon'tdef
ineyou,
youshoul
dn'tbe
discouragedont heway,t
senasekoloseoosehet
seandbe
what everyoualwayswantedtobe.

Ti
ki: Shealsohastheadvantageofapet i
tebody,thechur
chis
goingt ogivemeey est
hinki
ngsheisunder ageandweal l
owed
Si
mananat odefi
leanunderagegirl
.Ley oneyagaMJi sj
ust
goingt ocausehavocinchurch,wai
tsethisboyisdoing
everythinghecantogoagainsteveryt
hingi pr
each.Mysermons
wil
l beanembar r
assment .

MmaTi ki
:I'
m sur
epeopleknowthatwearehumans,
wehav eour
ownbattl
es.IfSi
mananadoesn'
twanttocometochurchy
ou
can'
tfor
cehim.

Past
orTi
kismi
l
edl
ooki
ngatMj
..
.

MmaTiki
:Getmehi
sdi
aperbagmygi
rl
,I
'l
lsl
eepwi
thhi
m soy
ou
canr
est
.

Lana:
(st
ood)Eemma.
.

Thepastorandhiswifewal
kedi
nthei
rbedroom,Lanaknocked
andthemot hergott
hebagathedoorwhi
lepastorl
ookedatMj
crawl
ingont hebedandget
ti
nghi
sspecscase..
.
Ti
ki
:Sweet
hear
t?

Hi
swi
fet
urnedar
oundandl
ookedathi
m asshet
iedherhai
r.
.

Tiki
:Thankyouforgivi
ngmechi l
dren.
..I
'
m sorrythatididn'
t
underst
andorthatSimananadoesn'tunder
standbutI'm gladhe
camesowecant alkaboutt
his.(
touchedMJ'stinyfoot)Thisi
sa
wonderful
feel
ing.
..Il
ovemygr andchi
ldr
en.
.

MmaTi
ki
:You'
rewel
come.
.

I
nLana'
sbedr
oom.
..

Meanwhil
eLanadi
all
edhersi
sterandcov
eredher
sel
fwi
tha
bl
anket
..
.

Goi
wa:
Hel
l
o?

Lana:Gopadil
ekarel
ati
onshi
pmma.Mongacouldn'
tev
ensl
eep
i
nt hesameroom wit
hme.Imisunder
stoodhi
m,

Goi
wa:Ei
sh,ok.
..Idon'
tknowwhatt
osaynow.Kant
ewhydi
dhe
wantt
oint
roduceyou

Lana:Hi
swordswer
ehewantstobr
ingMJtohi
sgrandparent
s
andishoul
dcomehelphi
m.Thi
swasbefor
eheevendecidedto
weanMjsoI '
mjusthereuseless.Heleftmewit
hhisparent
s
knowi
ngiknownot hi
ngabouthi sfamil
y.Andcanyoubeli
evehe
i
sapastor
'sson?Gatwegoi waker ekengtomorr
owandi don'
t
knowanyt
hingaboutchurches.

Goi
wa:(l
aughed)Wait
sekanakemathat
ajaanong.You'
l
ljusthum
t
hesongs,I
'm sur
etheysi
ngthecommonsongs.

Lana:
Iwantt
oleav
etomor
row.

Goi
wa:
Nny
aadon'
tl
eav
e,t
heywantt
oseet
hebaby
.

Lana:Leavi
ngthebabybehi
nd.Ithoughtwearegi
vi
ngitatry
, i
misunderst
oodhim andI
'm embarr
assed.Kamosoaft
erchurch
kealaelaI'
m cat
chi
ngthenextbusbacktoMaun.

Goi
wa:
Ok,
butt
ell
himf
ir
st.

Lana:
Yeah,
I'
ll
tel
lhi
m.Goodni
ght

Goi
wa:
Goodni
ght
.

Shehungupandcl
osedherey
es.
..

AtLoago'
sHouse.
..

Onthesameni
ghtApulamoanedr idi
ngLoagoandleanedoveras
heputhi
sarmsaroundherandkissedher,
sheslowlygotof
fhim
andhi
ssemendroppedonhispubichairasshegrabbedatowel.
Hewipedhi
msel
fwi t
htheothercorneroft
hetowel.
..
Loago:
Babecani
asky
ousomet
hing?

Apul
a:Yeah.
.

Loago:Shouldwebetr
yingforababywhenwearenotmarried?
Weal r
eadyhaveOshaandLj,theygetal
ongj
ustf
ine.Whyhave
anotherchi
l
doutsi
dewedlock?

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Youhav
en'
taskedmet
omar
ryy
ou

Loago:
(smi
l
ed)Real
l
y?

Apula:(
laughed)Ok,
fine.
..Iwasembar
rassedt
otel
lyout
hatI
'
m
ready,
itfel
tli
keiwouldbef or
cingy
outo

Loago:ButIaskedandy ousai
dit'
stooearl
ysoiwai
tedf
ory
out
o
tel
lmey ou'
rereadybecauseidon'
twanttoputy
ouunder
pressur
e.

Apul
a:Igety
oubutial
sohav
ethi
ngsI'
m nothappyabout
,ij
ust
wantyoutoi
mproveandber
omanti
c..
.You'
renotromant
ic

Loago:
I'
m notr
omant
ic?

Apula:You' renot..
.Youdon' tspendonme, imakemyownmoney
andi canbuymy sel
fany t
hingbutt hatdoesn'tmeany oucan'tbuy
mechocol ateorbr i
ngmeamoneybouquet ,takemeonv acati
on.
.
Iwishi coul dseethewor ldandi tshouldn'
tbesohar dfory ou
becausey ouownat ravelandtourcompany ,twoact
ually.
..But
younev ert akemewi t
hy ou.Lasty ouwenttoCapeTown,
Mozambi queandZi mbabweandy ounevertookmewi t
hy ou.I
wishy oucoul dlookatmewi t
hlove...Li
ke.
..Idon'
tknowhowt o
expl
ainitbutwheny ou'r
eawomanandamanl ooksatyou..
.You
cantel
lwhatheist hinki
ngthroughhisey
es..Idon'tf
eelthatt
hat
fi
rei
ny oureyes.
..Younev erevenseeanyt
hingwhenI '
m wearing
auniquedress.

Loago:
Iwi
l
lwor
koni
t.
..Idi
dn'
tknowI
'
mli
ket
hat

Apul
a:Ok

Loago:
Cani
asky
ousomet
hing?

Apul
a:Yeah.
.

Loago:
Ofal
lyourexswhowast
hemostr
omant
ic?

Apul
a:I
'
m notanswer
ingt
hat
.

Loago:
Justbehonest

Apul
a:Obat
aker
eMonga?Becauset
hat
'st
heonl
yexy
ouknow

Loago:
Therei
sthepi
l
ot,
Phi
l
ip.
.AndRandal
l
,Sowhowas
romant
ic?

Apul
a:Phi
l
ip

Loago:
Yousai
dhewasst
ingy

Apul
a:Iguessi
t'
sRandal
l

Loago:
(forcedalaught
er)whyar
eyoul
ying?Justbehonest
..
.so
amongstthethr
eeofuswhohast hebi
ggestdi
ck?

Apul
alookedathi
mindi
sbel
i
efandsi
ghed.
..
Apul
a:Youhavet
hebiggest
,andi
don'
tcar
eaboutsi
ze.
..Il
ove
havi
ngsexwit
hyou.

Loago:
(smi
l
ed)OK

Shelookedathi
m ashesi
ghedi
nrel
i
efandl
eanedov
erki
ssi
ng
her
..
.

Loago:Iloveyou,
andI'm notanexpertwhenitcomestor
omance
butI'
l
ltrymybesttotreatyoubetter
..
.Iappr
eciat
eyou
communi cati
ngwithmeaswel l.
.

Apul
a:Ok

Sheputherheadonhi
sshoul
derandt
heydozedof
f.
..

AtMonga'
sfat
her
s..
.

Thenextmorni
ngMongawal
kedi
nthehouseasev
ery
onewas
aboutt
oleav
eforchur
ch.
.

Past
orTi
kil
ookedatMonga'
sTshi
rtandsweat
pant
s..
.
Tiki
:Iaskedyounott omisschur
chtoday,I
'
vebeencal
li
ngyou
thewholemor ningsoyoucanjumpstartmycar
.Ifor
gotto
swit
chof ft
helightsandi
tranlow.

Monga:
I'
m notgoi
ngt
oyourchur
ch.

Ti
ki
:I'
vehadenoughofy
ourdi
srespectdoy
ouunder
standme?

Monga:
I'
m nott
heonebei
ngdi
srespect
ful

MmaTi ki
:(car
ryi
ngthebaby
)Canwepl easeal
lgot
ochurch,
Simananagoputononeofy ourf
ather
'ssui
tssowecango.Lana
getthebaby'
sbag..
.

Lanapi
ckedt
hebag,Mongawal
kedintheki
tchenandgr
abbed
foodi
nthemicr
owav
ethenhesatatthedi
ningtabl
e.

Acarst
oppedout
sideandt
hef
ami
l
ywal
kedoutwi
thLana.
..

Mongacarr
iedoneat
ingwhi
l
ehisfat
herandpastorf
ri
endt
riedt
o
j
umpstartt
hecarasthewomenandchil
drenst
oodbywait
ing.

Mongawashedhisplateandwalkedoutoft
hehouset
akingout
hi
scarkeys,
hiseyeslockedwi
thRragweLesegoasheandTiki
st
oodbythebonnet.
Ti
ki
:Bor
rowmej
umpercabl
es

Mongaopenedthebootandwalkedtowar
dsthem l
ooki
ngat
RragweLesego,
angerchokedhi
m ashehandedhi
mt hejumper
cables.

Monga:
Ithoughti
tol
dyout
ost
ayawayf
rom myf
ather
?

Ti
ki
:Si
manananott
odaypl
ease.
..

MmaLesego:KanteSimananakeengosarateRr
agweLesego
mogokana?Di
di misssomethi
ngnebathong?

Rr
aLesego:Mongaisal
wayshi
ghandimagini
ngthings.Heneeds
apray
erbecausehehat
eshi
mself
,heneedstoaccepthimsel
f.

Mongat ur
nedlooki
ngathim andnoticedhi
shandwasinsidet
he
bonnetashepluggedthecables,Mongamov edt
hesafet
ypin
andclosedthebonnetcr
ushinghishandsashescreamedand
fel
lonhisknees,Ti
kiqui
ckl
ylift
edthebonnetasMongastepped
back.
..
Monga:Youshoul
dtel
lyourwi
fey
ouhavechi
l
drenal
lov
ert
he
count
ry.
..St
artwi
thSt
eveyouf
akepr
ophet
!

Rr
agweLesegostoodupwit
hhi
sreddi
shswol
l
enf
inger
sli
ket
hey
woul
dfal
loffandl
ookedatMmaTiki
..
.

Monga:
You'
real
ll
iar
sandcl
aimi
ngt
obechr
ist
ians,

Monga'
smot
hert
ear
ful
l
ylookedatMongaandshookherhead.
..

RragweLesego:Idi dn'
tsleepwit
hyourmother,sheaskedmef or
somet hi
ngandi handedittoheri
nacontai
ner.Ididthattosav
ea
fr
iend'smarri
age..
.(swal
lowed)AndnowI'm abouttolosemy
mar r
iagebecauseinevertoldasoul
aboutthisrequest.

Ther
ewassi
l
enceasev
ery
onest
oodt
her
elooki
ngatMmaTi
ki
..
.

MmaTi ki:(t
earf
ull
y)Wet r
iedtohav ekidsforyearsbutnothi ng
happened,iwenttothehospi t
albecauseyourfatherthoughti t
wasmewhohasapr obl
em, everyonet
houghtI'mt heproblem...I
wastoldI'm OKsoi knewitwashi m butididn'
twanttobr uisehis
egosoi askedsomeonewhocar esabouthimjustasmuchasI
do,hi
sfriend.Hegav emet hefir
stcontai
neranditgav eyour
fat
herandi agirl
..
.Thesecondcontai
nergaveusaboyandwe
namedhi m Monga.Weal wayswanted4chi l
drenbuti coul dn'
tdo
i
tanymor ebecausey oucameoutlooki
nglikehim..Ili
v edwi th
thi
ssecretforyearsandyessometimesIwant edtotell because
I'
m awomanofGodnowbuti di
dn'
twanttohur tanyone.I twasn'
t
easyandittort
uredme.

Past
orTi
kiwi
pedhi
sfor
eheadwi
thahandker
chi
efandsi
ghed.
..

Tiki
:Yourmothercamecleanassoonasi menti
onedt hedi
vorce.
Iwenttothehospit
alandtheyconf
ir
medI '
minfer
ti
le.
..I'
vebeen
aski
ngy out
ocomeov ersowecantalkabouti
t.

MmaLesego: Wai taminute,(pointedatMmaTi ki

)soyou
decidedtoaskmyhusbandf orthiswithoutconsult
ingme?I
thoughtwe'
refri
ends!(
tohi m)Andy ouagreedtofatherchi
ldren
withoutt
ell
i
ngme?Idon' tev enbelieveyoudidn'
tsleeptogether
!
Andy ouhadSteve?(t
oMonga)Whoi sSteve?

Monga:(
Hisshi
ningeyeswonder
ed)Ohshi
t,i
madet
hatup.
Ther
eiswasneverSteve. Sorry
!

MaLesego:
Lame?Gety
ourni
ecesl
et'
sgo.

Shegat
her
edhersi
ster
s'chi
l
drenandgoti
nthecarast
hepast
or
st
oodbysadl
ywat
chi
ng,
shecl
osedt
hebonnetanddr
oveof
f.

Ev
ery
onet
urnedandl
ookedatMonga.
..

Monga:Fuck,I
'
m sosorr
y.(
point
edatt
hehousewi
that
humb)I
'
ll
gochangerealqui
ckandgotochur
ch.
.

Het
ookoutat
issueandhandedt
hepast
or.
.

Monga: Ithi
nkyou'r
ebl
eedi
ng,butther
ei snothi
ngaprayercan't
fi
x.Andi nawayy oudi
dhaveStevesoy ou'
renotexact
lyinnocent
but.
.I'
m sorry. Thanksfort
hedonat i
ont hough.

Hegent
lyf
istbumpedont
hepast
or'
sinj
uredhand.
.

Tiki
:Si
mananaIthinky
oushouldst
optal
king,
y ouhavedone
enoughdamagethismorni
ng.Andidon'
tl
ikethatl
anguage,
you'
renotathug.

Hezi
ppedhisli
psandsighedthenhepoi
ntedt
othehousef
or
t
hatsui
tashisfat
herangri
lyl
ookedathi
m.
Monga:
Wear
elat
eforchur
ch,
idon'
tl
ikebei
ngl
ate.

Hedashedi
nthehouseandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#102

Atchur
ch.
..

LaterthatmorningMongal i
ftedMj andclosedthedoorasLana
gotoutoft hecar.Shewatchedast hecrowdwal kedinchurch,
youngbeaut i
fulwomendr essedsmar tinheelsandnowshe
regret
tedputti
ngonf l
atshoes...Couplesandeldersusedthe
samemai nentr
ancewhilethepast or
spar kedontheotherside.
..

Monga:
(handedhert
hecarkey
s)Let
'sgo,
oshapo?(
laughed)Ha
nkar
eotshogi
lej
aana

Lana:
(laughed)I
'
venev
erbeent
ochur
chbef
ore

Monga:
(smi
l
edsur
pri
sed)Ser
iousl
y?

Lana:
Yeah,
I'
m goi
ngt
oembar
rassy
ou.

Monga:Butt
her
eisnot
hingspeci
aldoneexceptsi
ngi
ngand
l
ist
eni
ngtothepr
eachi
ng.

Lana:
Ok.
.

Mongaheldherhandandwal
kedi
nthrought
hecr
owdl ooki
ngf
or
f
reeseat
s,thebui
ldi
nghadbeenr
enov
atedandi
tlookedsomuch
mor eadvancedthanthel
astti
mehesawi t.Nowt heyhadtwo
proj
ectorsforthehymlyr
icsonthewall
..Thepul pi
thadbeen
styl
ishl
ydesignedandthewholechur
chj ustlookedclassywi
th
ceil
i
ngf ans.
..

Monga:
Ther
ear
efr
eeseat
sov
ert
her
e..

Heputhisarm onherbackguidi
ngherast heypassedthr
ough
thecrowdandputdownt hei
rthi
ngs.Theyj oinedonthesingi
ng
andMongal ookedatherl
ipstr
yingtofingeroutifsheknewthis
song.Shesmiledsi
ngingandtheylaughed..

TherewasanewsongandMongasangl ooki
ngatherbutf
rom
herl
ipsshedi
dn'tknowthesong.Hetookouthi
sphoneand
googledt
hely
ricsthenhehandedhi
sphone..

Shesangalongreadingonhi
sphonewhil
eheswungsi detoside
carr
yingMj
,thelyr
icsshowedonthepr
oject
orthenshehanded
himthephone,hedirect
edhert
osli
dei
tinhispocketandthey
sang.

Oneyoungmantur
nedaroundandsmil
edsurpr
ised,heand
Mongasmil
edandbumpedshoulder
seachofthem carr
yingt
hei
r
ki
ds.
..Themanl
ookedatLanaandsmil
edwinkingatMonga,
Mongasmi
l
edandl
ookedatt
heman'
swi
fet
henhenodded.
..

Theyleanedbackandcarr
iedonsingi
ng.
..
ever
yonesatdownand
theservi
cestar
tedasafewelder
skeptlooki
ngbackatMonga.

Monga:
(whi
sper
ed)Sal
ekei
l
eibi
l
ekaswaba

Lana:
(laughed)Shemsswabel
amongwaneng

Monga:Atleastmyboyandbaby'smaar
ehot
..
.idi
dn'
tcomeback
emptyhandedorwit
hdiuglyduckli
ng

Lana:
(laughed)Mxm obuaengnewena

Hel
ookedatherandsmi
l
edadmi
ri
ngl
y.
..

Monga:
Lookaty
oul
ooki
nghol
y,i
fonl
ytheyknew

Lanasmil
edt
ryi
ngtoconcent
rateonwhatthepast
orwassayi
ng
butMongawentonandonuntil
shepinchedhi
m onthet
high.

Lana:
Shh.
..

Hekeptqui
etandl
i
stenedast
hePast
oropenedhi
sbi
blel
ooki
ng
atv
ersest
henhepi
ckedanot
hermi
candhandedoneper
son.
.

Past
orTi
ki
:Gi
vet
hismi
ctomyson.
.

Helookedatt
heinst
rumentalt
eam andnoddedast
hemessage
boyranacr
ossthepassageandhandedMongathemicwi
thtwo
hands.
.

Mongastoodupast hewholechur
chtur
nedaroundlookingat
hi
m andclappedhands,
Lanagotthebabyf
rom him andsatdown
asMongast oodupnotsurewhathi
sfat
herwasaboutt odo..
.Hi
s
hear
tpoundedashewai t
ed..
.

OceanscoverbyEnni
andKanaanFranci
skeyboardt
ubeledthe
team onandthedr
umsjoi
nedasthepastorwipedhi
sfor
ehead
andstart
ed.
..

Past
orTi
ki: Spi
ri
tleadmewher
emyt
rusti
swi
thoutbor
der
s

Letmewal
kupont
hewat
ers

Wher
everYouwoul
dcal
lme

Takemedeepert
hanmyf
eetcoul
dev
erwander

Andmyf
ait
hwi
l
lbemadest
ronger
I
nthepr
esenceofmySav
iour

Mongahel
dthemicproperl
yandlethi
sdeepv
oicei
ntot
hemi
c
andi
tspr
eadthr
oughoutthechur
ch.

Monga: Spi
ri
tleadmewher
emyt
rusti
swi
thoutbor
der
s

Letmewal
kupont
hewat
ers

Wher
everYouwoul
dcal
lme

Takemedeepert
hanmyf
eetcoul
dev
erwander

Andmyf
ait
hwi
l
lbemadest
ronger

I
nthepr
esenceofmySav
iour

Thef at
herandsonduosangbackandf or
th,ever
yoneclosed
thei
reyesandsangasLanat urnedherheadandl ookedatMonga
i
ndisbelief
..
.Wasthatthewinedr i
nker
,str
ictandstubborn
Monga. .
.Herskingotgoosebumpsasshel ookedathim, Mjsl
i
d
downt hechairandcrawledovertohim.Mongal i
ftedhim upand
carr
iedonsingingwithhisfat
herashismot her'
sey esf
il
ledwit
h
tear
s.

Thesongendedandt
hepast
orst
eppedbackt
othepul
pitf
orhi
s
handker
chi
ef.
.
Past
orTi
ki:
(caughthi
sbreat
h)That
'smyson,
imi
ssy
ouandI
'
m
st
il
lwai
ti
ngforyou.Haveaseat
..
.

Mongasatdownandt
hepast
orr
eadt
hescr
ipt
ureoft
heday
.

Mongal eanedbackandsi
ghedasLanasti
l
lst
aredathi
m
shocked..Hesmiledandl
i
ter
all
ycl
osedhermouthf
orher.
.

Monga:
Tswahawenakeeng

Lana:
(laughed)Wai
tseMongaot
etsedi
sur
pri
se!

Hesmi
l
edawayandsheshookherheadput
ti
ngt
hedummyon
MJ'
smout
h..
.

Att
hehot
el.
..

Latert
hatSundaymorni
ngApul
aandLoagost
eppedoutoft
he
carandwalkedinheadi
ngt
othebar
..
.

Apul
a:(
laughed)Ser
iousl
ytel
lmewhat
'st
heoccasi
on?
Loago:Not
hingbi
g..
.Justwant
edt
osi
tsomewher
edi
ff
erentand
hearyouout
...

Theysatnotfarf
rom t
hepool
andawai
terwal
kedov
erand
handedthem menu'
s.
.

Loago:Ordersomethi
ngyou'
veneverhadbefore.
..Somet
hing
expensi
ve,somethi
ngyoucan'
tevenpronounce..

Shelaughedandlookedatthemenuthenshepoi
ntedandt
ri
edto
readitbutshecouldn'
t,
thewait
erl
aughedandt
ookthei
ror
ders
befor
eget t
ingt
heirdri
nkstoo.
..

Apul
asi
ppedt
hemar
gar
it
aandsmi
l
edwi
thabi
tofaf
rown.
.

Apul
a:Mani
lov
eit
..
.

Loago:
Tast
emi
ne.
.

Hebroughthi
sgl
assov
erandshesi
ppedsmi
l
ingt
henshegothi
s
gl
ass.
.

Apul
a:Wow.
..
Loago:
Iknewy
ou'
dtakei
t.
.

Theylaughedandchat
ted,awai
terwal
kedoverandsetthei
r
cutl
erythenhebr
oughtthei
ror
ders.
.Apul
a'
ssalivat
edl
ookingat
herfoodandthearomagothertopi
ckevenwithoutaf
orkjustf
or
ataste.
.

Loago:
Gadi
siet
hemma.
.

Theylaughedasshepi ckedthef
orkandkni
fet
henshebegan
eat
ingandl ookedatLoago..
.

Apul
a:OhmyGod.
..Isweart
hisi
sheav
en.
.Il
ovey
ou.

Loago:
(laughed)j
usteaty
ourf
ood!

Theyl
aughedoutl
oudandbeguneat
ing.
..

Apul
a:Isweari
coul
dgetusedt
othi
s..
.

Loago:
Ther
eismor
ecomi
ng.
..

Shesmi
l
edathi
m bl
ushi
ngandcar
ri
edoneat
ingt
henshepi
cked
i
nhisplateandtastedhisfood.Hepausedsmil
ingi
nshockand
shookhishead.
..Shelaughedandshovedinhermouthchewi
ng.
.

Loago:
Ididn'
tknowy ouhavesuchanappet
it
e.I
'
vebeeni
gnor
ant
wait
se.
..Thanksforopeni
ngmyey es.
..

Apula:
Ididn'
tknowy
ou'
reromant
ic,
ketoonnakebuahakesa
rat
asengwe.Gapeoi
paakany
akapelagor
e

Theyl
aughedoutl
oud.
.

Loago:From her
ewearetaki
ngt
heki
dshor
ser
idi
ng.
..Ibookeda
photogr
aphertooist
hatOK?

Apul
a:Yesar
eyouki
ddi
ng.

Theycar
ri
edoneat
ing.
..

AtLucy
'sHouse.
..

Lucyli
stenedt
omusi cassheputonherglov esandpi
ckedher
handforkandbegunculti
vat
ingbef
oregrabbingthehoseand
wateri
ngasshesmiledlooki
ngattheprogressshemadeont he
orchar
d...
Thegateopenedandt
heconst
ruct
ioncompanydr
oveinwi
th
gum pol
esandanetshadef
orherorchar
dasshepoi
ntedt
hem t
o
ther
ightcor
ner.
..

Att
hemal
l
...

Laterthataft
ernoonMongaandLanawal kedintheshop,Lana
pickedaf ewthingsfort
hebabyandheadedt ot heti
l
l.
.Monga
walkedt owar
dst heswimmingsuitsandpickedlimeswim wear
forLanaandasunbl ockcr
eam thenshepaidf ori
tasLana
walkedoutoft heshopandwaitedf orhi
m atthedoor.

Hecaughtupt oherandtheywal
kedoutasLanal ookedaround,
she'dneverseensuchabeaut
if
ulmallbef
ore..
.Nothingli
ke
anythi
ngshesawi nMaunandshejustcouldn'
tst
opl ooki
ng
around.Mongaheldherhandasshewalkedthewr ongway .
.

Monga:
Wepar
kedt
hissi
de.
..

Lana:
Ohok.
..Gabor
oneomont
egor
e

Monga:Mmekanathi
sisnot
hing,
ther
eismor
e.I
'
m goi
ngt
o
showyouev
ery
thi
ng..
.

Lana:
Iwi
shi
coul
dseet
hem al
l
Monga: Mmekanawehav eallt
het i
meespeci all
ytoday
,aft
ert
hat
ci
rcusinthemor
ningI'
m suremyf atheriswait
ingformeka
speechsesehetangsapresi
dent.Kel ect
urerehelet
se.
..

Theyopenedthedoorsandgotint
hecarwit
hthefoodandt
he
cl
othestheybought
.Mongar ol
l
eddownthewindowsandsi
ghed
handi
nghertheswim wear.
..

Monga:Ther
eisaplaceIwantyoutosee.
..I
tsli
keawat erpar
k,
you'
regoi
ngtoseeli
ons,wearegoingt
ogetont hebigwheeland
t
hereisalot
..
.Ever
ythi
ngyou'
veseeninmoviesinther
e..

Lanal
ookedatt
heswi
m wearr
eluct
ant
lyandsi
ghedl
ooki
ngi
n
hi
seyes.
..

Lana:IwanttogobacktoMaunwi
ththenextbus,
MJlovesyour
mom anddadanfi don'
tthi
nkI
'
mthatimport
antsi
nceI
'm not
evenbreast
feedi
ng.

Monga'
ssmil
edisappear
edashel
ookedatherandl
eanedback
r
ubbi
nghiseyebr
ow...

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#103

I
nMonga'
scar
..
.

Lana:
Ifeel
itsf
ort
hebest
.

Hegrabbedt
heswi
mmi
ngcost
umepl
ast
icandt
hrewi
tint
he
back.
.

Monga:Youenj
oywasti
ngmymoney,whydi
dibr
ingy
ouov
eri
f
you'
regoi
ngtol
eavebef
oret
heendofthet
ri
p?

Het
urnedandl
ookedather
..
.

Monga:
Whydi
dyoucomei
nthef
ir
stpl
ace?

Lana:Ididn'tknowI '
l
lbespendingthenightal
oneinyourpar ents
houseMonga, youhaveatendencytobemoody .Onemi nute
you'r
elaughi ngwithmet henextyou'
rej
ustangryandcont r
olli
ng
me.Ididn'twast eanythi
ngbycomi ngbecausewedidn'tpayf ora
seatyouf uelled,t
hesamet hi
ngyouwoul dhavedoneev enifi
didn'
tcome.
Monga: Youjustli
kespoili
ngeverymomentwhi chisveryty
pical
ofyou, alwayswant i
ngtobebeggedandt r
eat
edl i
keaqueen
wheny oudon' tcareaboutanyonebuty oursel
f.Youcan'tbehere
becausei tdoesn'tbenefi
tyou,f
orgetthatMJneedsy ouorthati
wanty out obeher e.
.Can'tij
ustbewi t
hy ouwithoutbei
ng
pressuredt omakedeci si
ons?Can'twej ustbeparentsandenjoy
thi
smomentwi thoutthi
nkingabouttomor r
ow?

Lana:Ican'
tdothatbecausethemoreyoudothi
sthemoreifal
l
i
nlov ewit
hyoubuty ouknowv er
ywelly
ou'
renotafor
giv
ing
person.You'
l
lnevergetoverwhatIdi
dtoyou.

Monga:
Youdon'
tknowwhatI
'
mthi
nki
ng

Lana: Howcani knowMongawheny oudon' ttalkt ome?You' re

themostmoodyper sonI'veev ermet .Wecanbehappynow
maki ngj okesand3hour sfrom nowy ou'llbequi etandwant ing
nothingt odowi thme.Ican' tliveliket hat.Ilookst upidbecausei
don'tev enknowwhatwear edoi ng, y oudon' tallowmet odat e,
youdoev erythingaboy f
riendi ssupposedt odobuty ouwon't
all
owy our selftosl eepinthesamebedwi thme.Mongawomen
arejustl i
kement oo..
.Weal sohav esexual feelingsespeci al
ly
wheny ouar ouset hem wi t
hsweett hingsandmoney .Youcan' tdo
all
theseni cet hingsf ormeandexpectmenott owanty ouont op
ofme.It hinkabouty oubefor ei sleepandy ou'ret hef ir
stthi
ngon
mymi ndwheni getup.I '
mt akingl essonssoi canl earnhowt o
cooksoi canatl eastdooneni cet hingf ory out or eturnthe
favour.Ican' talway sbetheoner ecei ving...
Shetookadeepbr
eathandsi
ghedlooki
ngathi
m buthej
ust
st
aredatt
hedashboar
dthenhestart
edthecar
..

Lana:
Wabona?Ever
yti
meI'
mtr
yingt
omakeaconv
ersat
iony
ou
don'
tcommuni
cat
ewithme.

Monga: Whatdoy ouwantmet osaybecausey oudeci dedy ou'r

e
l
eaving?Atl eastt histi
mey oudi dn'
tr unof fwi thmyson. ..Nxla,
want enaLana. ..Iwaitedfory out hewhol ey earnotsur ewhaty ou
deci
ded. .
.Int hethaty earididn'ttouchanywoman, i hired
someonet ohel pmef i
ndyouol emoMauni bi
leoi tsekogame. ..
Andy oucan' tspendaweekwi ththatsameuncer tainty?Kampa
kagopegawaboel aMaunee.Wheny ougett herepacky our
thi
ngsandl eavemyson' shousebecausey oucan' tspendaf ew
mont hswithoutsex.Whatdoy out hinkmademecum f rom you
j
usttouchingandr ubbingyour selfonme?Ist ay edawhol ey ear
wit
houtsexandf oramant hat '
sadecade.Notal otofmencan
pass3mont hswi thoutsex,ididi tfory outhenextt hi ngi l
ose
controlbecausey ou'r
ekissingmeandt ouchi ngmeenna
weaknesske2mi nutesnoodl es.Youcangot ohell.

Lana:
Soy
ou'
repuni
shi
ngme?

Monga: Ididn'
tpunishyouforwhatyoudi
dsodon'tprov
okeme.
Thereissomuchi coul
ddot oyouformaki
ngmeaf ool
thewhol
e
fucki
ngy earandlyi
ngtomyf ace.Inev
erevensl
appedyoufor
thatyoushouldbegr at
eful
.

Lana:AndI'
m supposedtojustwatchy
ousl
eepl
eboLucyj
ust
becauseyou'
redoingever
ythingf
orme.
Monga:Osekaal ekel
abecausei disr
espectedLucyforyour
benef
it
,ialwaysdi
dev ery
thi
ngf ory
ouev enwheni couldseei
t
wasn'
tfair
,ibr
okealltherel
ati
onshipbasicrulesf
oryour
comfort
..
.Theonlythi
ngi di
dn'tdowast osleepwithyouandyou
can'
tsurvi
veafewmont hswi t
houtdick.Youcangobackt oMaun,
iwon'
tbegy outostayhere.
..

Lana:
Inev
ersai
dyoushoul
dbegmehearmewel
l
.

Monga:Lanawee?You' r
enotgoi ngtoputmeunderpressureto
makeanydecisionsI'
m notreadytomake,ifyou'
renothappy
wit
hmyspeedkegodi ayoucangor i
ghtaheadbutiwantyouout
ofmyson'shouse.Everyt
hinginthathouseishisandit
syoursas
l
ongasy ou'
resingl
eandt aki
ngcareofhim.Iwon'tpayrentso
youcangetfuckedinit
,I'
m payingsoyoucanmot herourchil
d.

Mjbur
sti
ntot
ear
sast
heyar
gued,
shel
eanedbackandunbuckl
ed
hi
m..

Monga:Youcan'
thol
dthebabyint
hefrontseat
,ar
eyouso
desper
atet
oleavesobadyoucan'
tthi
nk

Lana:
Mongaweegakebat
e,I
'
llgetoutoft
hiscarandwal
k.

Monga:Puthi
m backi
nt hecarandwal
k,whocar
es?Ify
outhink
any
timewrargueyou'
l
lthreat
enmewi t
htaki
nghi
my ou'
rewrong.
I
fyoueventhi
nkaboutitI'
l
lki
lly
ou.

Lana:
Iknowy
oumeani
t
Monga:
Imeanev
erypar
tofi
t,l
ekel
a.

Lana:Al
lthesebecausei saidI'
ml eav
ingandnowI'
ml osi
ng
ever
ythi
ng.HowIwi shi hadthepowert ostandmygroundke
i
phasengwe, maybey ou'drespectme.

Monga:Respectisearned,youdon'tgetrespectedjustbecause
you'
rebeaut
iful
,I'
my ettoseewhati havetorespecti nyou
becauseyoudon'tevenrespectyourownbody .Youwalkar ound
nakedandyouexpectmet oclai
my ouasmywoman?Woul dyou
beproudtotell
peopleI'
my ourbabydaddyi fi walkedaroundin
anunderwear?Peoplearebeginningtoquestionmysani ty
thr
oughyou.

Shegoti
nthebackandcl
osedt
hedoort
henhedr
oveout
..

Lana:What
every
ou'r
esayi
ngwon'
tsti
llchanget
hefactthat
you'
reamoodypersonandi
t'
sst
ressf
ul deal
i
ngwit
hy ou.

Monga:
Wat hodi
angwanawalel
a.Canwebot
hjustkeepqui
et!
hei
scryi
ngbecausey
ou'r
escr
eaming

Lana:
Andy
ou'
renot
?

Monga:(punchedtheseat)Shutup!I'
mt aki
ngyout othebus!O
rat
agorapelwammeaket egogor apela.TheonlywomanI '
m
evergoi
ngtobegf rom nowonismydaught eri
figetonetherest
ofyoucangot ohell!
Het ur
nedthemusi conanddr ov
eof fwhil
esheputt hedummyi
n
thebaby'smouth.Mj spatitoutcry
ingreachingoutforhim,
Mongal ookedatthetraff
icandpulledint
ot henextstop.He
steppedoutandopenedt hebackt henhepi ckedhi
m upandput
him onhisshoul
der..

Monga:(
pathi
sback)Mj?I'
m sorr
y..
.I'
m donet
alki
ngmy2
mi
nutesautwa?Sor
rylai
teaka.
..

Thebabyf
inal
l
yst
oppedcr
ying.
..

Monga:
Goanddr
ive

Lana:
Idon'
tknowhowt
odr
ivei
ntheci
ty

Monga:
Soi shoul
ddr
ivehol
dingt
hebabyaker
eopal
elwake
gomodidi
metsa.

Lana:
Kemodi
dimet
saj
angal
l
elawena.

Monga:Wasimol
oladi
komanoaker
e?Okgat
hiwakegol
edi
sa
ngwanakant
e?

Shest eppedoutt
henhegoti
ntheback,shestart
edt
hecarand
carefull
ydrov
eonahighwaycausingmoretr
affi
cascar
stookt
he
otherlaneanddri
ver
sgaveherthemiddl
efi
nger.
Monga:Otsamayaka50mohi
ghway
?Thi
sishi
gh-
speed
t
hroughf
arekana.

Sheincreasedthespeedandappr oachedwherelanesj
usttur
ned
i
nal l
dir
ectionsandthetraf
fi
clightsstoppedherasshesl
owed
down.Mongal ift
edhisheadfrom thebabyandlookedatthe
road.
..

Monga:
Wagodi
raengkoLobat
sej
aanong?Or
eisakae?{
Why
ar
eyoudri
vi
ngt
oLobat
se?}

Lana:
Youdi
dn'
ttel
lmewher
etogoandi
fol
l
owedt
hecari
nfr
ont
ofme.Wher
edoIturn?

Monga: Gagonatur
nanywherenearcan'
tyouseether
oadhas
pavement sont
hesidekant
eodi r
aeng?keepgoingandt
akeyour
fi
rstl
eftturn

Lana:
Ok.

Shedr
oveandt
ookt
het
urn.
..

Monga:
changet
hel
anesandt
aket
hei
nnerl
ane.

Shechangedt
helanesandsloweddownassheindi
cat
ed,as
soonasli
ghtl
etherthr
oughsheledaqueueofcar
sinandnow
sherecogni
sedthis,
theyusedthisr
oadwhencomi ng.Shedrove
qui
etlyandmadeat urn,t
hechurchwasonthesideandshedr ove
pasti
tusingtheroadtheyusedtocometochurchearli
er.Di
ff
icul
t
asitwastoremembert hecit
ylooksher
emember edev er
y
bui
ldi
ng..

Mongawai t
edforhert
omakeami stakeasMJf el
lasl
eeponhi
s
arms,butshet
ookturnaf
terturnanddrov eri
ghtintot
hegat
e.
Shetookoutherhandandpressedtheintercom...

MmaTi
ki
:Keabul
a..
.

Thegat
esli
dopenthenshedr
ovei
nandpar
kedi
nfr
ontoft
he
gar
agebehi
ndthepast
or'
scar
.

Shest
eppedoutandcl
osedt
hedoorashi
spar
ent
sst
eppedout
oft
hehousewit
hbags.

Tiki:
Kesianel
akofamong,i
camewi t
hthegener
atorkeysand
yourmotherlef
tsomeofherthi
ngsout,
weareafr
aidit
'saboutt
o
rain.

MmaTi
ki
:Cani
gowi
thmyboyant
husebodut
uhagoi
wasakeng.

Monga:
Ok.
.
Lanapickedt
hebaby'
sbagandputitinthecarasMongahanded
herthebaby,
Tiki
goti
nthecarandstart
edasMongaandLana
stoodby..

Tiki:Wewil
ltal
kwheni
comeback,
it'
snotov
er.Ij
ustl
i
ket
olet
thingsset
tl
e.

Monga:
Eer
ra.
.

Hedrov
eoffandthegatesl
i
dclosedasMongat
hought
ful
l
y
l
ookedati
tthenhewalkedi
nsi
de.

Lanawalkedinandheadedtothebedroom wher
eshepackedher
thi
ngswhileMongachangedintoavestandshort
sthenhelai
din
thecouchandscannedthr
oughchannels.

Shewal
kedi
nandst
oodi
nfr
ontofhi
m..

Lana:
Arey
ougoi
ngt
odr
opmeof
fatt
hebusr
ank?

Mongai
gnor
edherandj
ustwat
chedTV.
Lana:
Okgal
emel
l
wadi
mmudi
wat
swel
elahel
a.

Shewal kedawaysear chingforacabanddi al

ledthem.Monga
mut edt heTVandl i
stenedt oherappoi nti
ngwi t
hthecaband
agreeingona40mi nut est i
mef ramethenshewal kedinthe
bathroom. .Theshowerst ar
tedrunningthenMongast oodupand
walkedi nthebedr oom, hestayedi nt
hereforaboutfiv
emi nut
es
thenhewal kedbacki nt helivi
ngr oom andstoppedbyt he
securityboxpr essi
ngaf ewthingsbeforetaki
ngaseatand
watchingt hegame. ..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

LateronApulawal kedoutoft
hebedroom andstoppedwat
chi
ng
Loagolayingbetweenthechil
drenr
eadingthem abookast
hey
l
aidont hecarpet.
..

Apul
a'ssmi
l
edi
sappear
edasshet
hought
ful
l
ylookeddownand
si
ghed..
.

Loagomov
edt
hebookandpausedr
eadi
ngl
ooki
ngather
..

Loago:
hey
..
Osha:
Mamacome.
..

Shesmil
edandwalkedoveri
nhersockst
henshel
aidnextt
ohi
m
asheendedt
hestory.
..

Loago:
Alr
ight
,br
ushy
ourt
eet
handgot
obed.
.

Theygiggl
edandr
anoutasheputt
hebookdownandsi
ghed
pi
nninghisel
bowont
hecarpet
..

Loago:
What
'seat
ingy
ouup?

Apul
a:I
'
m onmyper
iodagai
n..

Loago:Itwi
llt
aketime.
..Ther
eisnoneedtohurry
..
.Wecanuse
thi
stimetoplanourwedding.Weshouldsi
tdownandplanev
ery
detai
lbecauseItal
kedtomyuncleal
readyandtheywantmeat
homesowet al
k..

Apula:Mar r
iageishardwheny ou'
rei
nfer
ti
le.
..You'
re
understandi
ngnow, 5y earsdownt hel
ineyou'l
lgetsomeone
pregnantandst ar
tsleepingthere

Loago:
Stopsay
ingt
hat
..

Apul
a:(
tear
ful
l
y)Iknowi
t,peopl
eal
way
schangewhenf
acedwi
th
chal
l
enges.
.
Loago:
Notme.
..Ok?

Heki
ssedherandhuggedherassher
ubbedhert
ear
s..
.

AtMonga'
sfat
her
s..
.

Lanawal
kedi
nthel
i
vingr
oom car
ryi
ngherbag.
.

Lana:
Hav
eyouseenmyphone?

Monga:
No

Lana:
Howcomei
tdi
sappear
edbuti
twasont
hebed,
pleasecal
l
i
t.

Hecal
l
edherandputonl
oudspeaker
..
.

Voi
ce:Thenumberyouhav
edi
aledi
snotav
ail
abl
eatt
hemoment
.
Pl
easetryagai
nlat
er.

Hehungup,
thecabhonkedatt
hegat
eandshesi
ghedl
ooki
ngat
hi
m..
.
Lana:I
'
m goi
ng..Thanksforabeaut
if
ulSundaymor
ning.
..I
enj
oyedthechurchserv
ice.

Hecarri
edonwat chi
ngTVthenshewalkedoutandheadedtothe
gat
e,shegrabbedthegat
etosli
deitbuti
tseemsitwaslocked.

Lana:
I'
m goi
ngt
ounl
ock,
sor
ryf
orkeepi
ngy
ouwai
ti
ng

Cabdr
iver
:Yourphonei
sof
ftoo

Lana:
Ilosti
t.Sor
ry.
.

Shewalkedbackandl
ookedatt
hesecur
it
ybut
tonsnotsur
ewhat
topr
ess..

Lana:
Pleasel
etmeout
..

Mongar el
axedonthecouchwat chi
ngTVwi t
hhisfootoverthe
couchback.Lanapressedwhat evershecouldfi
ndandi tfl
ashed.
.
"Bl
ocked,pl
easeenterresetpi
norcal lthesecur
it
yprovider
"the
cabhonkedagainthenshewal kedt othegateagai
n..

Lana:
Ican'
topen

Cab:
Thenpaymebecausei
cameal
ltheway
.
Shejumpedandt hrewthemoneyovert
hegat
e,t
hecabdriver
threwthechangebackinsi
deasthecoi
nsr
oll
edinal
ldi
recti
ons
thenshepickedthem upandwal
kedbacki
nthehousecarr
ying
thebag.

Lana:
Mongakanaontshi
i
sabusy
aMaun.
.{I
'
mrunni
ngoutof
ti
metheMaunbusi
sleavi
ng}

Monga:
Want
wael
awena.
..

Hegotupandt
ookof
fhi
svestashewal
kedout
..
.

Monga:Hael
egoreohori
lemongweorewagomoneel akukumo
r
eyealal
ekanopaeo..
.{I
fyougotsomebodyexci
tedpr
omisi
ng
t
hem sext
ell
them t
oobad}

Hewal
kedinthebathr
oom andcl
osedt
hedoorwhi
l
eshest
ood
t
her
ecarr
yingthebag.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#104

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

ThenextmorningLoagotouchedherbut
tandtur
nedherar
ound
thenhegotont opasApul
aopenedhereyes.
.Hestr
okedhimsel
f
andsli
ditbet
weenherlegs..
.

Apul
a:(
smi
l
edandwhi
sper
ed)Per
iod,
remember
?

Loago:(
smi
l
ed)Cl
eansemewi
tht
hebl
oodoft
hel
ampy
our
hol
iness

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Loago.
..

Hekissedherneckandpul l
edat oweloverandlaiditunder neath
herbuttbeforegentl
ypulli
ngoutherpant i
es.Shelookedaway
embar r
assedashepul leditoutofherlegsandputbesi dest he
bedthenheki ssedherthighgoingupherst omachandki ssedher
neckandl i
psashehel dhisd>ckov erher.
..Shewasgoi ngt obe
happydespiteeverythi
nggoingoni nherheart,i
twasasmar t
thi
ngtomov eon..
.andthi
sneededonet ouseherheadandnot
herfeel
ings.Whatifanymancanf orgi
veifshownr emor se, she
neverevenapologisedandassumedhewoul dn'
tforgi
veher ...
Nobodyev ersaystheywoul dforgi
vecheatingbutifshown
remorsefor giv
enesscomesnat urally.
..Whatshesawi nhisey es
saidmuchmor ethanhi smout hcoul dev erconfessandwith
Loagokeepi nghim cl oset ouseloy al
tyt osuppressanyof
Monga'st houghts...Okst opitApul a.
.Youcheat edsoy ouhav et o
l
ivewithitandLoagowasagoodman. ..Hewasev enbetterthan
him becausehewasn' tr
ough, he'
dnev erlockyouinacoffinov er
nightandhewasf orgivi
ng..Exactlytheki ndofmansheal way s
wantedandi twasoknott ofeell
ikehav ingsexatt i
nesespecial l
y
onherper iodbutshewasgoi ngtomaket hi
swork..
.Compr omi se.

Heki
ssedherwi
thamorni
ngbr
eat
hassheheldherssoasnott
o
i
nhal
ehisashegr
abbedhi
sdi
ckand#Removed.
..

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhil
eKhumogr ant
edasshegotdownthebedwi
thher
armswhil
eherl
egswer esti
ll
onthebedt
henshesl
idt
hem down
andfel
lonacont
inentalpi
l
low.

Shedressedherselfi
ntoabr aanddraggedherlegst oheryoga
matleani
ngagainstthewal l t
henshedraggedher selftothe
wheelchairandbathroom wher eshebrushedhert eeth,washed
herf
aceandr oll
edoutl ookinggoodbeforespreadinghermaton
thel
ivi
ngroom floorandpr essedherexerci
seapp.
Shest
art
edwit
hupperbodyexer
cisesandmov
edt
othel
ower
bodyt
ryi
ngt
obendherknee.
..

InbedThongt ur
nedar oundhalfasl
eepandputhishandoverhis
wife-
exceptshewasn'tthere.
.Hishandrubbedt
hesheetslooki
ng
forher,
DIDSHEFALL! ?hej umpedoffthebedandlookedonthe
sidebutshewasn'tt
her e!

Hegotof fthebedandputonhi sbox erbri

efthenhewal kedout
packinghisanacondaacr ossandst oppedatt heent r
ance
watchingheri nherpanti
esandbr a.
..Hewal kedbackt ot he
bathroom andpeedbef orefresheningupt henhecamebackand
stoodtherewat chingherassheexer ci
sedlayingonherback, her
pussycheeksl ippedoutthebr i
dgeofherpant iesassheputup
bothofherl egs..
.Hisd>ckjerkedf i
l
linghisbriefsashewal ked
over,hekneltbesidesherandki ssedherl i
ps,hi shandr anov er
hertummyi nt oherpanti
esandhesl idhisfi
nger sbetweenher
l
ipsandf l
ickedherast heykissed...

Heknel
tbet
weenherl
egsandhungthem ov
erhi
sshoul
der
sas
shewhi
mperedandf
li
nchedathermuscl
espul
li
ngt
otheli
mit
..

Khumo:
Ahbabe.
..
Hekissedherandpushedherpanti
esasi
dewit
hthemushroom
head,herwetwarmt
hgothim grant
ingashe#Remov
ed..
.

AtMonga'
sfat
her
's.
..

Onthesamemor ni
ngLanagotupandwal kedinthebathroom
whereshebrushedhert eet
handlookedatherface..She
r
emov edthehaircoverandpushedherlongbraidedhairback
t
henshewal kedbackt othebedr
oom wher eshechangedi nt
oher
l
inger
ieandthrewami ntinhermouth..
.

Shewal kedi nt
helivingroom wher
eMongawassl eepingont he
couch,itwasst i
llabitdarkbutshecouldseehissleepingface.I
s
thereanythingsexierthanMonga'smout handthewayhe
tri
mmedhi sbeard..
.Hel ookedsoinnocentsl
eepi
ngt oo..
.

Sheslowlylift
edtheduv etathislegsandgent
lycr
awledi
nthen
shereachedf orhisdckandl eanedover,
hewasobv i
ousl
yst
il
l
asl
eepbuti trespondedwel landexpandedfi
ll
i
ngherhandand
mouth,aren'tmenj ustamazing..
.

Meanwhi
l
edeepi
nhissl
eepMongacoul
dseehi msel
fonhi
sv er
y
f
ir
stti
mewit
hLana,
thewar
mthofherti
ghtpussyfel
tsor
ealhe
grant edashesqueezedhi mselft hroughhersof tflesh, the
uncomf or tablelookinherey esandhowheki ssedhert oassur e
her .
..Pushi nginf ur
therandhowshef li
nchedpushi nghi m, how
hekeptherdownandpausedf orami nutestil
lhalfwayi nand
kissedassur ingher..
.Itfel
tsor ealhecoul dlit
erall
yf eel her
war mt ht henhehear dsomeonebr eathonhi sneckandki sshi s
l
ipsf orreal ..
..
Heopenedhi seyesst il
lcaughtbet weent hedr eam
andr eali
ty .
..Lanawasont opofhi m anditfeltsogoodi nsi deher
sogoodhepushedt heduv etawayandwat chedherassheput
herhandsonhi schestwi t
heachofherl egsont hesi de, hel i
fted
hisheadandwat chedherasshesl owl ysli
ddownhi swhol e
thing. .
.Didshej ustwakehi m wi t
hkuku. .
.Wast hisreal?Ev ery
man' sdr eam andshej ustmadei thappen. .
.Godpl easet hi stime
l
eti tlastl onger .
..Hehadn'thadsexi nawhi le,hewasf ucked
agai n..
.

Monga:
fvck!

Lana:
Lookatme.
..

Hemov edhisheadfrom t
hei
rorgansandlookedatherthenshe
ki
ssedhim andsli
dami nti
nhismouthashecl osedhi
sey es
gr
atef
ull
y,shekissedhi
scheekandwhisperedinhisear
...

Lana:I
'm sorryf
orbei
ngtooangrywhenyouwantedmypar ent
s
tounderstand,t
her
eisnothi
ngbett
erthanaguywhorespects
yourparent
s,I
'
m sorr
yfornottell
ingyouaboutMJ..I
'm sor
ryf
or
allt
hemoment syoumissedthroughoutt
hepregnancyandhis
fi
rstfewmonths.
.

Shetearf
ull
ydr
oppedherheadonhi
sneckwhi
l
ehehel
dher
waist
..
.

Lana:I
'm sorr
yf orputti
nghim onyourson'scerti
fi
cateandI'm
sorr
yforignoringmyl oveforyouandlett
ingguiltkeepthere
l
ongerwheni shouldhavecomewi thyout hefir
stti
mei sawy ou.
.
I'
m sor
ryformaki ngy oudotheunthi
nkable..Ican'
timaginewhat
musthavebeengoi ngthroughyourmindbuti sti
lll
oveyou..
.
From y
ourwor dslastni
ghtyou'r
esti
llhur
tingandI '
m sorr
y.

Monga:Pl
easemarryme..
.I'
m af
rai
dofaheartbreakagai
nbuti
don'
twantyououtofmyli
fe.Thi
sapol
ogyisgoodenoughf orme,
atl
eastbaboneri
ngbecausecaseyadibum shortskeel
usit
se.
..

Shesmi l
edandki
ssedhisli
psandneckweakeninghim ashe
st
ruggledtobr
eathwit
hhalfofhi
sd>ckinsi
deher,heheldher
waistwit
hbothhandssti
l
llayi
ngunder
neathherand#Remov ed.
.

*
AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Heki
ssedherwi
thamorni
ngbr
eat
hasshehel
dherssoasnotto
i
nhal
ehisashegr
abbedhi
sdi
ckandsl
i
dinthr
oughherbl
ood.
..

Hepi
nnedhi
selbowsandgent
lyt
hrustherassheputherhands
ov
erhi
swaist
.

Shemov edherwai stinresponsebutf

orsomer easonshekept
wor r
yingaboutthebl oodstainsonherbeddi
ng..Helookedather
uncomf ortabl
efaceandgotof ft
hebedthenhepul l
edhertothe
sideandl edhertot heshowerwher et
heystoodinsi
deashe
turnedthewat eron..

Shegaspedandf linchedaswat erfl

ushedov erherbodythenhe
turnedheraroundt ofacethewall.Hel i
ft
edherbut tandsli
dinas
sheclosedhereyesandbi therl
ips,fuckitactual
lyfel
tgood..He
heldherwaistwithbot hhandsandf uckedherast heirbodi
es
clapped.
.

Apul
a:(
sof
tl
y)Uh.
..

Hegr
abbedherhai
randpoundedher
,hi
sbr
eat
hinggotheav
ieras
hespedupandpumpedi nsi
deher.Heheldhercl
oserandgave
thel
astst
rokebefor
elet
ti
nghergo.Sheturnedaroundandt
hey
huggedastheshowerwaterspr
ayedoverthem..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#105

Att
hemal
l
...

Lat
erthatmor ni
ngMongaandLanawal kedar
oundthemal l
hol
dinghandsashecar ri
edhertwoshoppingbags.Hestopped
l
ookingatther i
ngst
hroughtheglass,
Lanasteppedoverand
smil
edlookingattheri
ngs..
.

Monga:
Whi
chengagementr
ingonedoy
oul
i
ke?

Lana:
(smi
l
ed)Thatone.
..

Monga:
Let
'sgogeti
t.
..

Theywalkedi
ntheshopandtheshopassi
stantmeasur
edher
fi
ngerasshesmil
edandtur
nedlooki
ngatMongawi t
hasmile.

Assi
stant
:You'
reasi
ze5,
I
'l
lber
ightback

Shewalkedbackwit
hthebox,
Mongatookouthi
swall
etandpai
d
fori
tthenhegott
helit
tl
epl
asti
candwal
kedoutast
heyheld
hands..
Lana:Ifeel
sospecialwal
kingaroundsuchacl
eanplace.
..If
eel
l
ikeI'
mi namov i
e..
.Peoplearewalki
ngsofast
,ev
ery
onei sso
cleanandever
ythi
ngisjustbeauti
ful
..
.

Monga:Weshoul
dt r
avelaroundthecount
ry,
onceyou'
veseen
ever
ypartoft
hecountr
ywest arttr
avel
l
ingoutsi
det
hecountr
y.I
'
ll
askManDandKhumot ot agalongsoyoucanmeetthem.

Lana:
I'
dli
ket
hatal
ot,
butpeopl
eint
imi
dat
eme.
..

Monga:
Don'
tworr
yabouti
t,ManDi
snotj
udgement
alandhi
s
wi
feist
hesweet
estper
soniknow.

Lana:
Ok,Wai
t.
..Iwantt
obuythatmakeupki
t.
..Iwantt
otr
ydoi
ng
peopl
e'
smakeupforext
racash.

Monga:
Doy
ouwantmor
emoney
?

Lana:Notr
eall
yjustsomet
hingIdot
okeepmy
sel
fbusyandj
ust
getextr
acash.
..

Monga:Ok,wenammeoi tsemakeup..
.Irememberoneti
mey ou
didi
tsowellyoul
ookedl
ikeCar
diBandy ouwereputt
ingonbum
shor
tsontseleAmeri
cakesahuhule!

Theycr
ackedl
aughi
ng.
..

Lana:
That'swhenyoustar
tedpi
cki
ngmef
rom school
,wai
tse
wenaithel
ankareoset
senwa
Monga:
(laughed)Noy
oupr
ovokeme.

Theywalkedi
ntheshopt
hensheboughthermakeuppall
etand
theywal
kedint
oaMugg&Beanwher etheysatbyt
heglass.
.

Minutesaft
erthei
ror
dersar
ri
ved,
Lanaslowl
yst
ir
redhercupof
t
eat hought
ful
l
yandlookedatMonga.
..

Lana:
Thanksf
ort
heshoppi
ng,
itf
eel
sni
cet
obei
nadi
ff
erent
pl
ace.
.

Mongat ookouttheri
ng,shesmi
ledandgavehi
m hermani cur
ed
handthenheslippedtheri
ngonherfi
nger
.Shebroughtherhand
backandsmi l
edlooki
ngatit.
.

Lana:
Ineedapi
ctur
e..
.Agoodone.
.

Hepi
ckedthephoneandtookasever
alpi
ctur
es,
shet
ooksel
fi
es
andt
heytookapict
uret
ogether
..
.

Sheleanedbackandchangedherpr
ofi
l
epi
ctur
eandupdat
edher
st
atus..
.
AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Thongpickedhisphoneandkeysdressedi
nformalashi
swif
e
l
aidexhaustedl
yonthebed,heputhishandoverhi
sti
eand
l
eanedov erki
ssi
nghercheekasshesmi l
ed.
.

Thong:Ihav
etogomakemoneyf
orusbecausei
wantust
o
tr
avel
..

Khumo:
And.
..t
he.
..wheel
chai
r?

Thong:Yourhusbandhasstr
ongarmsyoudon'
tev
enneeda
wheelchai
rbecauseyoucansitonmyl
apandIcancar
ryyou
whereverigo.

Shesmil
edandl
aughedt
henheki
ssedherandwal
kedoutashi
s
phoner
ang.
..

Thong:
Hel
l
o?

Monga:
Yeahmonna

Thong:wasthinki
ngabouty
oulastni
ghtker
ewabeahar
asako
Gabslai
teake.Whatdi
dtheoldmansay?

Monga:
(laughed)Not
hingy
et,
hei
sgoi
ngt
ogr
il
lmet
hough.I
wantt ogocheckont hesper m donorbecauseiwanttogetthe
realtruth.Irememberthem fl
i
rti
ngunlessIwasr eadi
ngtoomuch
i
nt oitbutt henuhmonnai don'
twantt odi
gt oodeepbecause
eldershav eawayoff orgi
vi
ngeachot herbecausetheyl
ookat
mor et hanjustthemi
stakes.

Thong:
Exact
ly.
..Whi
chi
swhyy
oushoul
dgetApul
a

Monga:
(laughed)Wapekanewena?Apul
aofal
lmyexs?Whyher
?

Thong:
Youl
i
kedher

Apul
a:Andshegril
ledmemor ethanany
one.
..Idon'
tev
enknow
howi l
ett
hatKasaneguyli
ve.I
ttookmeawhi l
etogetoverher
,
besi
desil
ikeLoago.Heisagoodguy

Thong:Heisbri
ll
i
anttoo,keepi
nghisenemi escl
oser.
..Il
i
kehi m
butcomeon, whobefr
iendsthei
rgir
l'
sex?Hei sweirdasf uck,but
heiscool
,mmehel aheisfuckedupi nthehead.Nnakanai thela
kebatagosebaApulakennahel aket shwar al
eleme.Youknow
i
tsnatur
altosometi
mest alkaboutexsi fsomethingremindsy ou
anongwithLoagoit
helagosav i
be-
ge

Monga:(laughed)Bonalet'
splanatri
paroundthecount
ry,i
want
toshowLanaev er
ybeautif
ulplacei
nBotswana.NoKasaneor
Okavango,thosearethelastpl
aces.
..Ther
earemoreplaceswe
hardl
yhearaboutbutdi smart.

Thong:Thebestguyt
oaskkeeneLoago,t
ravel
l
ingandtour
ingi
s
hi
sshitandtheguyst
rav
elpi
ctur
esareawesome.I'
l
laskhim

Monga:
Alr
ight
,getbackt
ome.Byt
hewayi
proposedt
oLana
Thong:
Oreadyf
ort
hechal
l
engest
sal
eny
alo?

Monga:
Youknowhowi
feel
aboutLana

Thong:Iknowboybutwebot hknowsheisnotthegirlshewas
wheny oubroughtheri
nMaun.Lanaiscr
azynyanaandshest and
upforhersel
finastupi
dway .Shei
snotyourt
ypical
v i
ll
agegir
l
that
'swhyshewear swhatshewantswhenshewant s.Canyou
handleher?

Monga:
I'
ll
handl
eheri
fneedbei
ng

Thong: Mmekanamar ri
ageisallaboutendinggenerosit
yandnot
beingtoonicetootherwomenespeci al
lyexs.Youcan'thelp
l
adiesthewayy oualway sdo, y
oucan'tgiveoutmoneyl ikethat
nomat tert
hesadst ory,
t henumberonel i
neke" I
'
llaskmywi f
e
andgetbackt oyou"womenj ustgetannoyedandev entuall
ystop
askingmoneyf r
om y oubecauset heyknowt hewif
ewi l
lmost ly
saynoormakesur ethemoneyi sret
urnedakereronagoa
adimiwabuttheynev erretur
n.

Monga:
(laughed)Wan-
lect
urer
?

Thong:(
laughed)Eeogener
ousthata.St
opbei
ngt
oonicei
t
makesyoul ookl
ikey
ouloveal
lthesewomenandyourwi
fewon'
t
l
ikeit
.

Monga:Iknow..Iunderst
and.IhaveanupcomingFtown
assi
gnmentandi tneedsmet ostayt
hereforl
i
keamont h.Idon'
t
wantLanawithmebecauseI 'l
lbecarr
yingmygadgets,
IDsand
ever
ythi
ng.

Thong:
Leav
eherbehi
nd,
I'
m sur
eshewi
l
lbebusywi
tht
hebaby
.
Gapeshewi
llbepr
epar
ingf
oraweddi
ngsoshewon'
tev
enf
eel
t
hedist
ance

Monga:
Yeah,
tal
klat
er

Thong:
Sur
e

Hehungupanddr
oveof
f.
..

AtApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..

LateronApulaendedt
hemeetingwit
htheot
herempl
oyeesand
grabbedherbott
leonherwayout.

Herphonev
ibr
atedasshewal
kedi
nherof
fi
ceandsatdown
pi
cki
ngthecal
l.
..

Apul
a:Heyy
ou

Loago:Hi,i
justtalkedtoManD, hewant edcouplespackages,al
l
ourdri
vershav ebeenscheduledf ortri
psout si
deandI '
mt heone
whowi l
lbehandl i
ngt hepackaget hey'
rerequesti
ngso...Iwas
wonderi
ngify ou'
dl i
ketotagalongj ustforfun.From nowoni
wantyouwi t
hmeal ltheti
mei fyourjoballows..
.

Apul
a:Howmanycoupl
es?Idon'
tl
ikeal
otofpeopl
e,y
ouknow
howl
adi
esar
e

Loago:I
t'
sjustt
hetwoofthem,
ManDl
eMat
aozenl
ebasadi
ba
bone,ohMataozenwanyala

Apul
a:Whoi
shemar
ryi
ng?

Loago:
Hisbabymama

Apul
a:(
rol
l
edherey
es)Wabachenchat
hebany
anaMonga

Loago:May
bei
thel
pedhi
m wei
ghhi
sopt
ionssohecanchoose
thebest
.

Loago:
(si
ghed)Iguessso,
soar
eyoucomi
ng?

Apul
a:Yeah,
sendmet
hedat
essoIcant
akeaf
ewday
sof
f.

Loago:
Alri
ght
,butI
'
m aski
ngbecauseI'
m wonder
ingi
fyou'
l
lbe
comfor
tabl
eorit
sbestigoal
onethoughI'
l
lbeboredal
one.

Apul
a:I
'
llbef
ine,
don'
twor
ryabouti
t.

Loago:
Cool
,getbackt
owor
k.

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)By
e..

Shehungupandcar
ri
edonwor
king.
..
.

AtLucy
'sHouse.
..
.

Lat
ert
hataf
ter
noonLucywal
kedi
nthehousepr
essi
ngherphone
asshesear
chedf
orLana'
snumber
.

Lucy:Hi
,youmissedyourl
essont
oday.Wedon'tref
undmi ssed
l
essonsorgobackanddowhaty oumissed.Icanonlysendyou
noteswhichI
'
m goingtoshar
ewithy
oujustnow.

Sheshar edthenotes, herDpcaughtherat t

enti
onandcl i
ckedon
i
t.Ther i
ngonherf ingerweakenedherkneesasshesl owl ysat
downandcheckedherst atus.Herheartpoundedasshel ooked
atthepicturesoftheirdateatmugandBean, theshoppingbags
fr
om expensi veshopsandt hecl
earclassycouplegoalpictur
es.
Howcoul dshehavet houghtpayingforthecounsell
ingmeantget
bettersowecant r
yitagain.

Sheswall
owedt earf
ull
yandputdownthephone,
shenev
erknew
howpainful
itcouldbetoseeyourexmarr
ysomeonewit
hinafew
daysofendi
ngt hi
ngs..
.

Shedial
edhisnumberbutshehungupbeforeitcoul
dri
ng.She
hadtodealwit
hital
oneorwithDrTshegof
atso..

Sheputherhandov
erhermout
handbur
sti
ntot
ear
scr
ying.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#106

AtTi
ki
'sHouse.
..

Lanastoodbywhil
eMongatr
immedt
het
reest
henshepi
ckedt
he
branchesanddr
aggedt
hem t
owar
dst
het
rashcan.
..

Monga:
Iwast
hinki
ngCKGR

Lana:
Idon'
tknowanypl
acesowhat
every
ouchoosei
sfi
ne.

Monga:
Ok, I
'
lll
etKhumoknow.Byt
hewayhewant
stot
agal
ong
wi
thApula

Lana:
Asi
nyourex?

Monga:
Yeah

Lana:
Thisissupposedtobeourspecial
moment
, can'
thejust
gi
veusadifferentdr
iver
?Imagi
nebeingonv
acat
ionandy ourex
i
stherest
aringatoureverymove.

Monga:Apulaandiar
eov erandhavel
ongbeenov
erbef
orey
ou
andiev
enkneweachot her.I
'vehadpl
ent
yofti
metomakemy
moveandi di
dn'
tforareason.
..

Lana:
Whi
chi
s?

Monga:
Thatshi
plongsai
l
edsodon'
twor
ryaboutdr
amaorme
sleepi
ngwithherbehi
ndyourback.Whenev
erwemeetweonl
y
talkaboutl
i
feingener
al

Lana:
Ok,It
rusty
ou...
butidon'
twantt
oseatcl
osertoany
one.
Youknowhowwei r
dthingsgetwhenyoudon'
tknowoneanot
her

Monga:I
'
llchangefr
om asharedvehi
cletouseachget
ti
nganof
f-
r
oaderwit
ht hecampingequi
pment.It
hinkLoagohasdiGD6

Lana:
Ok.
.Whenar
ewegoi
ng?

Monga:Anyt
imeyouwant
,thi
sisyourtri
p..Wecanevenleav
e
t
omorrowsincet
hoseol
dti
mer ssaytheywill
beatthefarmfora
f
ewday s.

Lana:
Soundsgood.
..

Mongar
eachedf
orhi
sphonei
nthepocketanddi
all
edThong.
..

Thong:
Yeah

Monga:
Wear
eget
ti
ngt
hose4by4'
swi
thcampi
ngequi
pment

Thong:Iwasthi
nki
ngthesamet hi
ngbecauseKhumoneeds
pri
vacy
.Idon'
twanthertobeuncomf ort
abl
eincaseshewant
sto
sl
eep.Theycomewithstr
etcher
sright?

Monga:Yeah.Howi
stomorr
ow?Wehav eafewf
reeday
s,my
par
entsgotMJandtheywi
l
lbether
eforday
s.

Thong:
Sti
ll
coolwit
hme,I
'l
ll
etmymanagertakechar
ge.
..Khumo
wouldl
ovethi
skanaor
atabatho.I
fonl
yshecoul
dspeakand
soci
ali
se.

Monga:Butsheseemstobei
mprov
ingkapaceekogodi
mo,
i
sawyourstat
uswhenshewassi
ngi
nganddanci
ngonthe
wheel
chai
r.

Thong:IswearI'
m goi
ngtoturnint
oachri
sti
anjustsoGodcan
giv
eherwalkingback.Atl
eastspeechi
simprov
ing,themonna
rayat
haemawagagoar apel
elemosadiwame

Monga:Aft
ert
het
ri
pwewi
l
lpassbyandy
oucant
alkt
ohi
m
your
sel
f.

Thong:
Alr
ight
,letmet
alkt
oLoago.

Monga:
Sur
e

Hehungupandcar
ri
edoncut
ti
ng.
..
.

AtLoago'
sHouse.
..

LateronLoagowal
kedint
hebedr
oom whi
l
ethechi
l
drenpl
ayedi
n
theli
vingr
oom wat
chi
ngTV..
.

Loago:
Justt
alkedt
oManD,
theywantust
oleav
etomor
row.

Apul
a:Ineedt
imetof
il
loutaleav
efor
m andt
alkt
oMaruabout
baby
sit
ti
ngforme.Whycan'
twehaveafewdayst
opl
anthi
s
kanathesecoupl
esdon'
thav
eresponsi
bil
i
tiesandt
heyr
unt
hei
r
busi
ness.Ican'
tj
ustupandl
eave

Loago: They'
recustomerstheydeci
dewhent heyleav
eand
Mongal eLanawanttoleavetomorrowbecausethey'
refree,
Thongl eenewant stotakeouthiswif
e..Idon'
tunder
standwhat
thebigdeal i
s,you'
reaboss.Justcall
insick,wecansomeoneto
writ
ey ouasi ckl
eave

Apula:
Ival
uemyjobandidon'
tl
ikej
ustdroppi
ngof
fmywor
k..
.I
haveadaught
erwhom i
wanttoprot
ect.
..

Loago:
Youcanst
aybehi
nd,
wewi
l
lgonextt
ime.
..

Apul
a:NowI
'
m goi
ngt
oseem l
i
keI
'
m spoi
l
ingt
hings

Loago:
Notreal
ly,
theydi
dn'tasky outocomesowhetheryou
comeornotmakesnodifference.I'
m usedt
onott
rav
elli
ngwith
yousoit
'snotabi
gdeal.

Apul
a:Uh,I
'l
ltal
ktoMar
uaboutbaby
sit
ti
ng.
.Idon'
tl
ikedi
l
otsa
l
astminut
e.

Loago:
Babewedon'
thav
etoar
gueabouti
t.Youdon'
thav
etogo.
I

Apul
a:Wear
egoingI
'
mjustnothappyt
hati
t'
ssosudden,
ineed
togotot
hesal
on

Loago:Ok,Mongaisi
nGabsandhewi l
lmeetusonthetur
nto
CKGRt hatmeanssomeonehastodri
vethei
rcar
.Shoul
didri
ve
thei
rsandyoudri
veoursorgetoneoft
heguysatworktodri
vei
t?

Apul
a:I
'
lldr
iveour
sbuty
ouowemef
ootmassagewhenweget
t
oGant
si.

Loago:
Yesy
ourhi
ghness.
.

Shel
aughedandundi
dherhai
r.
..

Att
hemal
l
...

Er
icranoutoft
heshopastherai
ndri
zzled,hepull
edhi
sjacket
overhi
sheadandrant
owardstheparki
nglotthenhebumped
i
ntoaladyspi
ll
i
nghermoretwaal
loverthepavement.
..

Her
:Heeeh!

Shebentoverandt
ri
edpi
cki
ngbutev
eryj
ustr
anov
erst
eppi
ngon
them aai
tdri
zzl
ed.

Eri
cunlockedt
hecarandthrewhi
splast
ici
nsi
det
henheranover
toherasherbackgotwetfr
om bendi
ngasshepi
ckedwhat
ever
shecould.
.

Er
ic:
Hi,
howmuchwasi
t?
Her
:Itwaswor
thP120,
apl
ast
ici
sP10.

Er
ic:
I'
ll
payf
ori
t,gety
ourbowl
.Let
'sgoI
'
llgi
vey
ouar
ide.
.

Heopenedthedoorf
orherthenshegoti
n,hegoti
nthedr
iver
s
seatandt
ookoffhi
sjacket
..

Her
:I'
m wet
..
.Theseati
sgoi
ngt
obewet
.

Er
ic:
It'
sthel
eat
herseat
sdon'
twor
ry.Mynamei
sEr
ic

Her
:Mynamei
sSedi

Heopenedhi
swal
l
etandcheckedbutheonl
yhadP50.

Er
ic:
Ionl
yhav
ethi
sbutI
'
llpayy
oui
promi
se.

Hestar
tedt
hecaranddr
oveoutassheputt
hemoneyi
nher
pur
se.

Er
ic:
Whydoy
ousel
lmor
etwa?You'
resobeaut
if
ul

Sedi
:Beaut
if
ulgi
rl
sneedmoneyt
oo.

Eri
c:Youcanbeamodel
,I
'll
takepict
uresofyouandcompani
es
canpayyoutomar
kett
heirproduct
s..Youcansel
lany
thi
ngand
ev
eryonewi
ll
bel
i
evey ou.
.(l
ookedatheragain)Welly
ouneeda
pr
operbat
handyou'
regoodtogo..
.You'r
ev erybeaut
if
ul.
.

Sedi
:I'
m notapr
ost
it
ute.

Eric:(l
aughed)Amodel .
..I
'l
lbey ourmediamanager ..
.I'
llstart
yourpagef oryouandi needtoshar eitonFacebook...You'll
grow. .
.Youknowwhati don'
tthinkweneedt ochangey ou..
You'rev er
ybeauti
fulnatur
alwithoutwigs...Iwanttotake
picturesofyouholdingyourmor etwa,cookingonthef i
re,picki
ng
upf ir
ewoodorget t
ingmor et
ologa, i
justwantuniquepictures..
.

Sedi
:Idon'
twantt
obenaked

Er
ic:
I'
ll
nev
ergety
ounaked

Sedi
:Ok,pleasedon'
tgetmeintrouble.Eri
c:i
won't.
.I'
ma
phot
ographerandav i
deographer.I
'm adir
ectorofmyown
company..Canigoshowy oumyst udio?

Sedi
:(r
eluct
ant
ly)OK.
.

Minut
esl at
erhepar
kedinfrontoft
hebui
lding,
hegaveherhi
s
j
acketthentheyr
antowardsthedoorwhereheopenedthedoor
.

Theysi
ghedandwalkedin,
shesmiledl
ooki
ngatt
hepi
ctur
eson
thewal
landthecameraequipment
..

Er
ic:
Comeseet
heset
ti
ngs.
..
Theywal
kedi
nar oom wi
thagoodwel
ldecor
atedbackgr
ound
andonef
orchi
ldr
en..

Er
ic:
Standov
ert
her
e..
.

Shetookoffhershoesandwal
kedoveri
nhisjacket,
hepi
cked
hi
scameraandadj ust
edthel
ensthenhefocusedonherround
eyesandcaptur
edherfacewhi
leshehel
dhisjacketcapl
ooking
athi
m shyl
y.

Er
ic:
Comesee

Shewal
kedov
erandsmi
l
ed.
.

Sedi
:Hei
kemont
egor
e..

Eric:You'
rebeauti
ful
..Weshouldscheduleaphot oshootand
startpost
ing,onceyougetfol
lowerspeoplewil
l wanttoadver
ti
se
andy oucanmakemor emoneyt hatP120.Digi
talmarketi
ngisthe
nextbestthing,ev
enkidsmakemoneyonl i
ne.

Sedi
:Ok.
.

Er
ic:
Letmef
indy
ousomet
hingdr
y..
.Ihav
eaf
ewcl
othesi
got
fr
om mypr evi
ousjob.Weusedtoshootvi
deosi
nspeci
fi
c
wardrobesandwhent hebusi
nessst
oppediwasl
eftwi
thahuge
col
lecti
onofclot
hes.

Heopenedt hewardrobeandshesmil
edl
ooki
ngatthedr
esses,
hepickedonesimpleoneforhert
henshesmi
ledandwal
kedin
thedressi
ngroom..
.

Att
hesol
dier
'st
ent
..

Latert
hateveningAt
sil
eleanedoverandt
hrewupbehindthetent
,
thesol
dierwalkedov
erwithatorchandbl
indedherwi
ththeli
ght.
..

Him:Wareoboelal
engkogal
ona?Nnakanamyt r
ipi
scomingto
anend.Ionl
ycameheref
or4monthsrethusabaant
i-
poachi
ng,
ourmissi
onherei
sdoneandwearegoi
ngbacktobase

Shewi
pedhermout
handt
urnedl
ooki
ngathi
m..
.

At
sil
e:Can'
ticomewi
thy
ou?

Hi
m: Heel
angcomewit
hmet owher
e?Nnakeny
etse.
..I
'
ma
marr
iedmanandihav
et woki
ds
At
sil
e:I
'
m pr
egnant

Him:Iwasn'
talonewhyareyoutel
l
ingmealone,
werotat
ed
kampayothe.
..
whataboutther
estoftheguy
s?Gapeiuseda
condom.

At
sil
e:Gat
wekampay
othe,
itwasy
ouandy
ourf
ri
endshel
a.

Hewal
kedbacki
nthet
entandsatont
hest
ret
cherdi
all
i
ng.
..

Hi
m:Skwat
a

Sol
dier
:Skwat
ataotseemothowagagoobuadi
l
okwano.Oneof
youremovedt
hecondom andit
snotme.

Hi
m:I
t'
snotme

Sol
dier
:Yeahwel
lcomegether

Hi
m: Whyareyougiv
inghertomeifshei
spregnant?Gapethe
t
ri
pisoverwhatuseisshetome.Kamosokesav erdisper
m
wai
tsemastsenwaochekaamountyasperm gaketswat i
ri
ping.

Sol
dier
:Ial
sodon'
twantherbecausei
hav etoabst
aint
henext
twodayssoicanper
for
m bett
erwheni gethome.Wherei
sTbos?

Him:Heisonpat
rol,don'
tradi
othem banal
eStuta.Theyshoul
d
bebacksoonandthatgir
lbett
erhidei
nyourt
entbecauseI'
m not
aboutt
ogodisci
pli
naryshit
.

Sol
dier
:Comegether
,shei
sthr
owi
ngup
Hi
m:Aenoi
don'
twantt
oev
ert
alkabouther
.

Thesoundofacarappr
oached.
..

Sol
dier
:They
'r
eher
e,Shap.

Hi
m:Shap.

HehungupasAt
sil
ewal
kedi
nandsatont
hest
ret
cher
.

Him:Youhav etoleave,I
'm notsleepingwithyouokgwal i
kethis.
Plusineedtoabstainthenextfewday sbecauseI '
m goinghome
andmywi f
eisgoingtoexpectmet oarr
ivekanopaeser ious,
nna
totaI
'm notacheaterkoorehelacr eweneeor gani
sit
sesex.Don' t
eventrytocont
actmeaf t
erthisorment ionmynamei bileifmy
wifefi
ndsoutiwillshootyoupoi ntblankwithouthesit
ation.Stay
herekebonegor eadi bosodi i
le..

Heunzi
ppedthetentandsteppedoutastheguy
seachgotin
t
hei
rtent
s,hepickedeachofthem andt
heygotinhi
stent
.

Hi
m: Guysmot
hoar
eoimi
le,t
hisi
swhyi
hat
erot
ati
onsbecause
ev
eryti
mewegosomewhereoneofy
oul
eav
esababybehind.
Sol
dier
1:I
t'
snotme,
condom al
ltheway

Sol
dier
2:I
'
m mar
ri
edwhywoul
dIt
akeoutacondom?

Soldier3:
Kant
eit
hel
alebuaengsoi fy
ou'r
enotmar r
iedyoupul
l
outacondom?Someofusact ual
l
ycareaboutournegat
ive
statusesandwehav
egirl
fr
iends.

Soldier
4:Maybeshefuckedaci v
il
ian,howsurecanwebet hat
whenwegoonpat r
olshest aysonthecamp?Ei t
herwayguysyou
knowt hedr
il
lnnaI'
m out,I
'm goi
ngt oabst
ain.I
'
m exhaust
ed
thotsekehosi
tswekedi poacherkasegai.
..

Het
ookof
fhi
scapandst
eppedoutoft
het
ent
..

Soldi
er3:
I'
m goi
ng,butdon'
tev
encont
actmeandi
don'
twantt
o
hearmynamel ekgabol
a.

Hesteppedout
,theot
her
sgotoutt
ooandt
het
entownerhanded
herbag.

Hi
m: I
'
m cal
l
ingt
hecab,f
rom her
eI'
m get
ti
ngmyguy
swewi
l
l
wal
kyoutothet
axi
.You'
l
lseewheretogo.
..

Hedial
ledataxi
andtalkedt
ot heguyforaboutaminut
ethenhe
gotoutwhi
leshepackedherthingsandgotout.Thr
eesol
dier
s
gott
hei
rtor
chesandescor
tedher
..
.

Att
her
oad.
..

Afteraonehourwalktot
heroadtheyappr
oachedtheroad,ali
on
roaredandshepausedwalki
ngwhil
etheycomfor
tabl
ywal ked.
.

Sol
dier
:It
'ski
l
omet
resawayandi
nthepar
k..
.

At
sile:
Idon'thav
emoneyf ort
hebusyaMaun,
ify
out
houghtI
'
m
aprosti
tut
ecany ouatl
eastpayme?

Soldi
er2:
Wedi dn'
tagr
eeonpay ment
s,l
aabonaaker
eguy
s?We
shoul
dkillherandl
eaveherher
e

Soldi
er3:No,
comeon.Sheknowsbet ter
.Nnammeifshe
mentionsmynameI '
m hunt
ingherdown.Shenev
ersai
dany
thi
ng
aboutpayment.It
houghtwearejusthav
ingf
un

Atsi
le:Neketabekelelebogaenghal
fyakampa?Therewasa
guysweetenought owantarel
ati
onshi
plecounsel
l
ingbut
becauseofyouilosthi
m.Whywoul di-

Soldier:
Youneversai
danythi
ngaboutmoneythough,wewer e
j
usthangi ngout
..
.Youconsent
edtoo.Youwerenotforced,our
tr
ipisov erandwearegoi
ngbacktoourli
ves.Youknewi twasn'
t
anythingpermanent
.
Theot
heronehandedherP100ast
heyappr
oachedt
her
oad.

Sol
dier
:Shap

Shel
ookedatthem astheywal
kedbackhol
dingt
orchest
henshe
goti
nthet
axiandclosedthedoor
.

Taxi
dri
ver
:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

At
sil
e:Idon'
tknow.
..Idon'
tknowany
onei
nKasane.I
sther
ea
ni
ghtbustoMaun?

Taxi
dri
ver
:Your
eal
i
set
hatt
hisi
sKasaner
ight
?

At
sil
e:(
sighed)Idon'
tknowwher
eyoucandr
opme.
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#107

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Thenextmorni
ngApulawokeupt o3mi
ssedcal
lsf
rom At
sil
e,
shewalkedi
nthebat
hroom di
all
i
ngherandpl
acedt
hephoneon
theshel
fasshebr
ushedherteet
h...

At
sil
e:Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Hi
,isawy
ourmi
ssedcal
l
s.Isl
eptear
ly.

At
sil
e:Ohi
tsOK.If
oundhel
p..

Apul
a:Whathel
p?

Atsi
le:Thoseguy ski ckedmeoutl astni
ghtandt hetaxidri
ver
droppedmeof fatt hepolicestat
ion.Appar entl
yifyou'r
estranded
i
nanunf amili
arplacet hegov er
nmentt akest heresponsibi
li
tyof
taki
ngy ouhomesoI 'm wait
ingforthepoliceof fi
certofini
sh
writ
ingmywar rant.Idon'tknowwhatwar rantmeansbutshesai d
sheispr ocessi
ngmywar rantsoi canusei tinthebus.

Apul
a:Youmeany
ourboy
fri
endcoul
dn'
tgiv
eyoumoneyf
orabus?
Andyouhav
etobegi
venatrav
elwar
rant
?

At
sil
e:I
'
mjustgl
adi
foundhel
p.
Apula:WaitseAtsi
l
ei f
eel
li
keyoujustwanttoembarrassme,
that
'swhaty ouwant.Iworkedi
nKasaneandi knowpeopl ether
e,
Loagohasat r
avelcompanyandhewoul dn'
thesi
tat
et ogethis
accountanttosendy oumoneybutyouhav et
ogoembar rassme?

At
sil
e:It
ri
edcal
l
ingy
ouandi
didn'
twantt
owor
ryy
ou.

Apul
acutthecallandsi
ghedasangerranthr
oughherbody
,she
l
ookedathersel
fonthemirr
orandsighedcal
mingdown.

Aft
err
ecol
lect
ingher
sel
fshetookabathandwokeOsha,
thet
wo
hadbr
eakf
astasOshalookedather
..
.

Osha:(
laughed)I
'
m notababy
,andi
won'
tembar
rassy
ouat
aunt
ie'
shouse.Goandbehappy.
.

Apul
asi
ghedwor
ri
edl
y.
..

Apul
a:Babypleasedon'tdoanyt
hingyounev
erdoher
e,y
ou'
reso
per
fectandidon'twantpeopl
ethinki
ngl
owofyou.

Osha:Iwon'
tst
eal
,iwon'
tusebadl
anguageandi
wil
ldomy
chor
es.Iwon'
tbeabadgir
l.

Apul
a:Andi
fyou'
renothappyj
ustaskauntMarut
ocal
lmet
hen
wetal
k.Iwi
l
lcomebackifanyt
hingiswrong.
Osha:
Ok.
.

Apul
a:Let
'sgo.
..

Oshagr
abbedherbagandt
heywal
kedout
.

Att
hemal
l
...

Minutesl
atershestoppedt hecarandrushedint
othephar
macy
l
eavingOshai nt
hecar .Oshaleanedbacksippi
ngadri
nkastwo
chi
ldrenwalkedpastthecarbarefoot
ed.

Theyst
oppedl
ooki
ngatherandsmi
l
edr
ecogni
singher
..
.

Her
:Osha!

Oshasmi
l
edatOt
lhe'
schi
l
drenandr
oll
eddownt
hewi
ndow.
.

Osha:
Hei
!l
areng?

Hi
m:Sepe
Oshalookedatt
hebi
gtr
ashpl
ast
icbagt
heywer
ecar
ryi
ngwi
th
cans.
.

Osha:
Whyar
eyoucl
eani
ngt
hemal
l
?

Her:
Wearepi
cki
ngcans,
ify
oupickal
otofcanst
heywei ght
hen
andpayy
ou.Wedon'
thavef
oodathome.Gi
vemet hatcan

Hi
m:I
sther
eadr
inki
nsi
de?Letmef
ini
shi
t.
..

Meanwhi leApul
awal
kedoutoft hepharmacyholdi
ngher
medi cat
ionandfr
ownedl
ookingatsomest reetki
dsstandi
ngby
thecarasOshahandedoneoft hem herdri
nk.Theyoungestboy
sippedandsharedwit
hhi
ssisterandsoonandf or
thunti
lthecan
wasempt y.

Acarpassedbyandt hedri
veraimedatthebi
nwit
hacan,
the
oldestgir
lrantothebinandpickedi
t,andj
ustt
hendi
dshe
recogniseherniece.
..

Herdryfaceli
tupasshesawApul aandranover,t
helit
tl
eboy
droppedtheplasti
candtheygaveheragrouphugasshet ear
ful
ly
l
ookedatt hem.Asmuchast heyweresmil
ingatherwith
excit
ementprobablyknowinghowt hi
ngsusedtobewhenaunt ie
arri
vedtheyknewt heywer
eabouttoeatforheritwaspainful
,
theywerebarefootedandthei
rli
psweredry.Theoldestwas
cl
ear
lyhi
tt
ingherpuber
tybecausesheonl
yhadonebr
eastandi
t
wasoutt
hroughthetor
nTshirt
..

Apul
a:Hi
,whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nthemal
latt
hist
ime?

Her:
Wewant edtopi
ckthecansbef
oret
hepeopl
ewhocleanthe
malldoit.Todaywearegoi
ngtomakemoremoney.
.l
ookatour
pl
astic!

They oungestboyranbackanddraggedthepl
asti
cproudl
yas
tear
sf i
ll
edApula'
sey es,
somethi
ngblockedhert
hroatandshe
swall
owedapai nfull
umpasherheadbegunaching...

Apul
a:Wher
eisy
ourmot
her
?

Her
:Shei
satherboy
fri
end'
shouse,
nextdoor

Apul
a:Geti
nthecar
..

Her
:Ifwedon'
tpi
ckt
het
insmamai
sgoi
ngt
obeatus.

Apul
a:Iwi
l
ltal
ktoher
,I'
m goi
ngt
ogi
vey
oumoney
.

Apulapi
ckedthepl
ast
icandputi
tint
hebi
nthenshegoti
nthe
caranddrov
eoff.

Shewat
chedi
nthemi
rr
orasOt
lhe'
sdaught
eradmi
redOsha'
s
hai
r.
..

Her
:Choza!Yourhai
risni
ce!Andy
ouhav
eni
cecl
othes.
..

Osha:
Thanks,
icangi
vey
ousomeofmycl
othesi
ftheyf
ity
ou

Her
:Iwantshoesf
orschool
,ev
ery
onel
aughsatmyshoes

Apulanoti
cedtheli
tt
leboypickedaplast
icofdi
bonzi
andsecret
ly
l
ickeditbef
orechewingitasifi
twasgum.Sheheldhert
ears
backasshepulledi
nf r
ontofMar u'
shouse.
..

Apul
a:(
voi
cet
rai
l
ed)Goi
nsi
de!

Thechildrenraninsi
de,Maruturnedshockedlooki
ngatOt l
he'
s
chil
dren..I
thadbeenmont hssinceshesawt hem buttheyweren'
t
thi
sskinny .Nowy oucoul
dli
teral
lyseetheboy'skneebonesand
thegirl
sey eshadsunkinhersockets.
..

Apul
afol
dedherar
msandf
rownedast
ear
srol
l
eddown.
..

Apula:I'
mv er
yself
ish.
..Thi
sisembarrassi
ng,
ican'
tbeli
ving
suchagoodl if
ewhenmyni eceandnephewli
veli
kethi
s..
.Ibet
ever
y oneiswonderi
ngwhat '
swrongwithme.
Mar
u:ButOt
lhesai
dshedoesn'
tneedy
ourmoney
.

Apula:Butli
fehumbledherandishoul
dhavejustt
akenthekids
becausei knowevenbefor
ethissheal
wayshadapr obl
em of
spendingthemoneyonherhairandclot
hesyetisenditf
orthe
chi
ldren.

Mar
u:Idon'
tknowwhatt
odo,
lennaI
'
m embar
rassedt
ota.

Apula:
Cany oufeedt
hem andgi
veherthi
s..
.(GaveherP200)t
ell
hertobuythem somet
hing,
whenigetbackI'
llcomegetthem.Ke
taannalebone

Mar
u:Chi
l
drenar
eexpensi
veApul
a,wi
l
lyouhandl
e3?

Apula:Whatchoi cedoi hav

e?Sheal readysaidi shouldgetthem,
i
fi don'
ttheywi l
lturnintostreetkids.Theol destisaboutt ohit
pubertyot swadikolamol oraandi fshekeepswal kingaroundt he
mal l
pickingcanssomeonewi ll
pickherupandr apeher.I'
mj ust
tr
yingtobr eakthespiritofpoverty,i
ft hesechil
drendon' tgeta
propereducat i
onthent heywi l
lbenot hingbecauseOt l
hedoesn' t
careabouteducat ion.Thesechi l
drenshoul dber eadinganddoi ng
ageappr opriat
ethings.

Mar
u:Ok,
I'
ll
talkt
oherbutI
'
m st
il
langr
yatherf
orwhatshet
ri
ed
t
odotoaunti
e.

Apula:Hungerandlazi
nessdoesthat
..
.I'
vefor
giv
enherandI
'
ll
takethekids.Leeneil
lcal
lherkemmolela.

Mar
u:Ok,
hav
eyout
alkedt
oAt
sil
e?

Apul
a:Yes,
wai
tsennai
don'
tknowany
mor
ekanagor
ayagor
ei
hav
etoaccommodat
eherorgi
vehermoneyf
orr
ent
.

Mar u:
MmekanaAt si
l
ehadsai dshewant stost ar
twor ki
ngand
doingplumbingbutassoonasshet astedthefoodsol dier
s
sharedwithherintheircampshedidn'twanttol eavekanagatwe
bajesiwamasol ekooreneat hol
aai katel
ahela.Wagoboaa
nonne,nnakelapiletobehonestandi tsannoyingtotryandtal
k
topeoplewhot alkbackusingpainf
ul words.

Apul
a:Let
'sbepat
ient
,ret
aar
eng.

Maru:
Butican'
thel
pany
one.I
'
m al
readyabur
densoi
can'
tgi
ve
outmoney
.

Apula:I'
l
ltakecareofthechi
l
dren.Don'
twor
ry.Hei
shi
hav
eto
go.
..(shouted)Osha?

Osha:
Yesmama?

Apul
a:Taont
ael
ekeat
samay
a

Oshar
anoverandhuggedherasApul
ahuggedherandsmi
l
ed
t
hensher
anbackintothehouse.

Apul
a:Pl
easecal
lmei
fany
thi
nghappens

Mar
u:St
opwor
ryi
ng.Oshai
sagoodgi
rl

Apul
a:Ihaven'
tpar
tedwit
hhersincewest
ayedt
oget
herandI
'
m
havi
ngseparat
eanxiet
yal
ready
.

Mar
u:(
laughed)I
t'
snat
ural
wheny
ou'
reamot
her
..
.By
e
Apul
a:By
e

Shegotbacki nthecaranddr oveoff,soi guessshe' dhav et oput

herpl anst oi nvestinpr oper tyonhol df orawhi le..
.Thatpl otshe
want edt obuyandbui l
df ort enant swasagoodpl ant hough.You
can'tt r
ustpr ivatecompani esandsheneededsomet hi
ngt otop
hersal ary...
.buttheni fshehadt hoseki dsandl ett hem got oa
freeschool ,heronl yexpenseswoul dbet heirclothesandt he
foodbutt henwoul ditbef ai ront hekids?Theywoul dfeel l
ike
theywer et r
eat eddi f
ferent l
y .
..Ormay besheshoul dgetOsha
backt othepubl i
cschool , butt henno.Oshal ov
esherschool ,she
j
oi nedt eamsandhersel fest eem issogoodbesi des, that'sher
babygi r
l.
..Shepr omi sedhert hisandthey 'resohappyt oget her.
Butt henwhat '
s1. 5Kper ,
..3Ki nthiscasesi nceitstwoki ds,plus
mopako{ school snacks}...Thatwoul damountt oherspendi nga
mi nimum of5Kpermont hj ustonOt l
he' schildr
eni fshewast o
givet hem asi milartreatment .Ok, may be5Ki snotbad. .
.Itwas
herr esponsi bil
ityaf t
erall.Aphonecal l int
er r
uptedhert hought s
andshepi cked. .
.

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

At
sil
e:I
'
m donewi
tht
hepol
i
ce,
I'
mint
hebusnow.

Apul
a:Ok,

Atsi
l
e:I
'm.
..
.I'
m pr
egnantandt
heseguy
sar
edeny
ingi
t,i
thi
nk
someonepul
ledoutacondom.
Apula:
Elegor
ewenacoul
dn'
tyouf
eeli
twhent hecondom was
outbecauseawr
appeddi
ckandarawdickdon'tf
eelt
hesame,
andsemenalway
scomesout

At
sil
e:Iwasal
waysweti coul
dn'tt
ellthedi
fference..
.butifeell
ike
i
fyouhelpmethi
sonet i
mer i
ghtafterdel
iv
er i
ngI'l
lbest art
ingmy
pl
umbingbusi
ness.I'
mthreemonthsnowsoy oujusthav etohelp
mefor7months.I'
m doneexpecti
nganybet tertr
eatmentf rom
men

Apul
a:Ist
il
ldon'
tgethowanadultcangetpr
egnantwit
hout
pl
anni
ngforit
.Bynotusingpr
eventi
onyouwantedtohaveki
ds
buty
ouknowoskweej anehel
a.

Tear
sfil
ledhereyesasshepunchedt
hest
eer
ingwheel
and
cl
enchedherjaws.

Apul
a:Ol
ebeleteAt
sil
e,i
didn'
tev
enknowy
ouwer
esl
eepi
ngwi
th
somanypeople.

Atsil
e:You'vebeenblessedwi t
heveryt
hingakeresonnakaIhav e
togivemensomet hi
nginor dertor
eceivekelebelet
e?Idi
dn't
wantt ocomebackandbeabur denthat'
swhyi lett
hem useme
becausey ou'r
ealr
eadytakingcareofmychi l
d.Doy outhi
nkili
ke
beinguseless?

Apula:
You'r
eusel
essbecauseyou'
rel
azyandy ouwantamant
o
supporty
ou.Howmanyt i
mesdoi havetot
ellall
ofyout
omake
yourownmoney?(tear
ful
l
y)ipr
eachthisev
erydayandnowI
havetotakecareofev
ery
onewi
thmyhar
dwor
klonal
eber
ekago
tshol
abanahela.

Atsi
l
e: Youdon'
thav
echi
l
drenbecausey
oudon'
thav
eachoi
ce,
don'
tjudgeus.

Shehungupandbur sti
ntotear
scryi
ngassheparkedinfr
ontof
Loago'
shouse.Loagosteppedoutandst
oodbylookingather
.

Loago:
Whathappened?

Apula:Ei
shI'
mt i
red.
..I
'
mt i
redoft
hesefami
l
y..
.I'
mtakinginmy
si
sters2kidsandtheotheronei
stel
li
ngmesheispregnantkana
kempay amej al
o.

Loago:You'retaki
nginyoursi
ster
'ski
dswi t
houtconsult
ingme?
Wear egoi
ngt ogetmar r
iedandishouldbepartofthedecisi
ons.
2extrachi
ldrenistoomuchandt hepregnantonemustf or
get
yourmoney .Letyoursi
sterwatwokidsreportt
hei
rfathersothey
support
.

Apul
a:Ineedabett
ersol
uti
onthanthat
,I'
m doi
ngwhat
'sbestf
or
mynieceandnephew.I
'l
lhi
reamaid.

Loago:Banabamasi kadestr
oyrel
ati
onshi
ps,
wehav eOshaand
Lj
,they
'reourchil
drenandtheyhav
ebonded.You'
realsonot
goi
ngtosuppor tanymorepeopl
e.

Apula:Idon'
texpecty
out
of eel
any
thi
ngf
ort
hosechi
l
dren
becausegasebagamogoloo.
Loago:Dowhatyouwantthen,letevery
onedowhatt
heywant
wit
htheirmoneyi
nourrel
ationship.Let
'sgo.
.

Apula:I
'
mv er
ydi
sappoint
edt
otagor
eyoudon'
tev
enwantt
o
underst
andmysi
tuati
on.

Loago: Isaidit
'sok,takey oursi
sterschil
dren.
..Takethem al l
eventhesi ster
stoo.Obv i
ouslythepregnantonewi l
lbest ay
ing
withyout oo.Youwon' thearawor dfrom mebecausey ouwantto
saveev eryoneandy ouf eelguil
tytoenjoythefrui
tsofy ourl
abour.
Mybr otherhelpedmet oobuthedoesn' tpullmebackt heway
yoursisterspullyouback.Geti nthecarsowecango, everyone
l
eftalready.

Sherubbedhert
earsandst
eppedoutasLoagoopenedt
hedoor
tot
het r
avel
car.
..
.

AtEr
ic'
sHouse.
..
.

Latert
hataf
ter
noonEr
icwal
kedi
ntheli
vi
ngr
oom wi
thabowl of
snacksanddri
nkswhi
l
eSediwaspr
essi
nghi
sot
herphone.
..

Sedi
:Facebooki
sni
ce.
..Peopl
ear
eli
ki
ngmypage.

Eri
c:Yeah,butwedon'thavegoodpictur
es.Wemusttakemor e
tomorrow.Ishar
edindiff
erentgr
oups.You'r
esobeaut
ifulI
'm
sureyou'
regoingtot
rend..
.I'
vedownloadedafewentr
yf or
msfor
di
ff
erentmodel
li
ngcompetit
ions.Youhav
eagoodhei
ghtandi
sweari
fyougetther
ightr
ecogniti
onyou'
regoi
ngt
obeastar
.

Sedi
:Thanky
ou.
.Whydoy ousayy
oudon'
thav
emoneywheny
ou
st
ayinsuchabi
ghouse?

Er
ic:
Idon'
tl
ikel
i
vingl
ow

Sedi:You'r
egoi
ngt obethepoorestmanonearthifyoul
ive
beyondy ourmeans.Youdon'
thav eagi
rlf
ri
endorchil
dabachelor
padisenoughf oryouandyoucandosomet hi
ngwi t
htheother
money .Batant
u,nnaibi
lemantuamat onaantshosagatweebua
bosigo.

Theyl
aughedoutl
oud.
..

Sedi
:Iwouldn'
twantt
obeinher
eal
one,
iwon'
tvi
sity
oui
fyou
don'
tgetsomethi
ngsmal
ler
.

Eri
c:Iguessyouhaveapoi
nt.Let
'sdr
ivear
oundandseei
fwecan
fi
ndabachelorpad.
.

Shepickedt
hebowlandwalkedouteat
ing,
thenherushedback
andgotherthe2l
i
terdr
ink.
..Sheseemedtoli
kefoodmorethan
anyt
hing.

I
nGant
si.
..
.
Hour
slaterLoagocheckedthemir
rorasApuladr
ovebehi
ndhi
m,
hi
sbrot
her'scal
lcamethroughandhepicked.
.

Loago:
Hel
l
o?

Hi
m:Goty
ourmessage.
..War
ear
engApul
a?

Loago:Idon'tknowi fit
'sami stakeorwhatbutApul awant sto
saveeveryoneinherf amilyandal lhersist
ersarenotdoing
anythi
ngtobet t
ertheirli
ves.Gonej aanashegot2mor echildr
en
andwithoutconsultingme, idoubtshei smar ri
agematerial
becausemar ri
ageisdi scussi
ngandagr eeing.I
'
m sopissed
becausekanaourf inanceswi thbemer gedmmemot hoaneela
herfamil
ymadi asi
fshei sri
ch.Shei sbadf ormyfi
nances.

Him:Haveyoutalkedtoher?It
'si
mpor
tanttodiscussi
ssuesl
ike
thi
sbefor
emar r
iage,f
inances,
numberofchil
drentoadopti
fyou
can'
thaveany.

Loago:
I'
mfi
newi
thour2ki
ds.Not2mor
e,esengext
ra.
..

Hi
m:Tal
ktoher

Loago:
Sheal
readymadeuphermi
nd.

Him: Gi
vehertimetothinkbutalsounder
standthatdat
inga
breadwinneri
snoteasy.Youhav etohavethesamehear tt
o
underst
andotherwi
sey ou'l
lnotbeherpeace.

Loago:
Apul
aist
oomuch.
Hi
m:I
'
llcal
lyoul
ater

Loago:
Cheer
s.

Hehungupandindi
cat
edasThongalsoi
ndi
cat
ed,al
lthr
eecar
s
parkedont
hesi
deoftheroadwher
eMongaandLanawer e
standi
ngwi
thbi
gbags..
.

Apularemai nedi
nthecarandwatchedast heguysgreet
edone
another.Lanawalkedovertot
hem inshort
sandgr eet
edthem
thenshewal kedover.Apul
aqui
cklylower
edt hemirr
orchecki
ng
hersel
foutbef or
eLalacoul
darri
ve..
.

Meanwhi
leLal
atuckedherhai
rbehi
ndt
heearandputherhand
i
nsi
deforahandshake.
.

Lana:
Hi,
I'
m Lana

Apul
a:Hi
,Apul
a..
.

Lana:
I'
m goi
ngt
othecarkel
api
l
e,j
ustwant
edt
osayhi

Apul
a:Ok,
Shap

SheturnedandstoppedbyKhumov
scarwher
eshel
eanedi
nsi
de
andgreetedherasshesmil
ed..
Lana:
HiKhumo

Khumo:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
Lana.
..

Lana:
I'
m exhaust
edmmar
etaakopanakopel
e,i
justwantt
osi
t
down

Khumo:
(smi
l
ed)OK.
..O-
o-o.
..(
stut
ter
ing)Nt
shase-
makeupl
i
ke
your
s

Lana:
(smi
l
ed)I
'
lldef
ini
tel
ydot
hat
..

Khumo:
Bye

Shepr
oceededt
othecarLoagowasdr
ivi
ngandgoti
n.

Meanwhi
l
etheguy
schat
tedst
andi
ngbyt
hesi
deoft
her
oad.
..

Monga:
You'
l
ltaket
hel
eadaker
eyou'
vebeent
her
ebef
ore.

Loago:
Yeah.
.

Thong:
I'
ll
bet
het
ail

Monga:
Alr
ight
..
.

LoagopassedbyKhumoandgr
eetedherbefor
eget
ti
ngi
nthei
r
carwhi
leMongachatt
edwit
hherbri
efl
ythenhewal
kedt
o
Loago'
scarandl
ookedatApul
a.

Monga:
Hi.
.

Apul
a:Hi
..
.

MongalookedatherandLoago,bot
hoft hem hadst rai
ghtfaces
andtherewasjustt
hisawkwar
dnesshecoul dn'tputhisfi
ngeron.
Helookedatheragainandf
orsomer easonitfeltl
ikeshe'
dbeen
cry
ing.

Monga:
Leshapo?

Loago:
Yeahwear
egood.

Hest
art
edt
hecarashel
ookedatApul
a..
.

Monga:
Arey
ouOK?

Loago:
Shei
sfi
ne,
cany
ounoti
nter
fer
e?Boundar
ies.

Apul
a:I
'
mfi
ne.I
'
vej
ustbeensl
eepi
ng.

Mongar
eluct
ant
lyt
urnedaroundandwal
kedtowardshiscar
,he
goti
nhi
scarandst
artedastheengi
neasLoagojoinedther
oad,
hefol
l
owedt
henThongj
oinedt
hem asal
lthet
hreecar
stowar
ds
CKGR..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#108

Att
hecampsi
te.
..

Theguy schatt
edloudl
yast heysetupt heirt
ent swhileApul
a
madet hef ir
ewithherheadsetson, Atsil
e'swor dskeptcomi ng
backlikear ecordi
ngonrepeatmode, tearsfill
edherey esbutshe
bli
nkedt hem awayasshepr eparedt hef i
replace.Holdingi
nt hese
tear
st rappedsomuchpai nonhert hr oatitfeltl
iketheonlyway
torel
ieft hi
spainwouldbetoj ustburstandcr yitout,
butnother e.

Shelinedupt hestonesaroundt hef i

repl
acewhileLanasat
oppositeKhumopai nti
nghertoenai l
sast heychat
tedafewfeet
awayf rom her.
..Khumosl owlyturnedthephoneshowingLana
morenai lpi
ctures.Lanaclosedthenai lpol
ishandgotthephone
smil
ingast heychat tedl
aughing..
.

Apul alookedatLanaandalmostsai dsomet hi

ngabouther
helpingout,butthenwithever
yonear oundhereknowingtheir
historyandprobablyexpect
ingbit
ternessfrom heri
twouldseem
l
ikeshewaspi ckingonthepoorgirl
soshewal kedupanddown
gettingthebundleofchoppedwoodandf inall
ymadethefire.
.
Shedr
aggedthemetalt
ableandadj
ust
edi
tbef
oret
aki
ngout
morei
temsforthecamp..
.

Mongafinishedt hetentandof f
loadedthemat tr
ess,
ashet urned
ar
oundhenot icedApulast r
uggli
ngtoscr ewinthebanneront he
bl
uecardecgascy li
nder.Hepausedcar ryingthematt
ress,Thong
l
ookedathi m wi t
hdisapproval,
thenhet urnedandbentdownas
hegoti
nt het entandspr eadthemat t
ress...

Thongdoubledthematt
ressf
orKhumo'scomfortandwentback
forherit
emsinthecar
,hewalkedpastt
heladi
esandhandedhis
wifethedri
nk.
..

Thong:
YouOKbabe?

Khumo:
(smi
l
ed)Yeah.
..Look-
aatmynai
l
sandt
oes.
..

Thong:Bagot
habol
otsei
bil
eosexy
..
.Yourt
oesbannankar
enka
digor
a.

Theyl
aughedasheleanedov
erandki
ssedherwhi
l
eLanaputt
he
l
astcoatonhert
oes.

Thongcar
riedhissaf
etybagi
nthet
entandt
ookoutt
het
orch,
a
kni
fe,
extr
abatteri
es,
andmanymore..
.
Meanwhil
eLoagofi
nishedprepar
ingt
hetentl
astandputthe
matt
ressi
nsi
dethenhel ai
ddownandpressedhisphone.

MongaandThongwal kedt
owar
dstheabl
uti
onblockand
checkedoutifbat
hroomsweresaf
eenoughfort
heladiest
ost
art
thei
rshowers..
.

Thong:
Looksl
i
kei
tsgoi
ngt
obeachi
l
lyni
ght
.Ther
aini
scomi
ng
too.

Mongaputhi
shandsi
nthepocket
slooki
ngatThong.

Monga:Isi
tmeorsomet
hingi
sgoi
ngonbet
weenApul
aand
Loago?

Thong:
Yeah,
buti
t'
snoneofy
ourbusi
ness.St
ayoutofi
t.

Monga:
I'
mjustcur
ious,
aren'
tyoucur
ious?

Thong:Shepr
obabl
ycheat
edorsomet
hing.
..Youknowhowshe
doesit
.

Monga:
No,
it'
sbey
ondt
hat
..
.

Thong:St
ayoutofi
t,wenakanagaout
we.ObataLanaar
e
pekel
eareoyaMaunkadinao.Ar
eyouhappywi
thyour
r
elat
ionshi
p?

Monga:
Yes,
I'
m happy
.Whatdoest
hathav
etodowi
thany
thi
ng?

Thong:I
fyouwantt
ocar
ryonbei
nghappyt
henav
oidApul
awi
th
ever
ythi
ngyougot
.

Monga:
Ok

Thong:No,
ey(t
urnedhim aroundfacinghim)I'
m ser
iousmr..
.
Don'
trui
nthi
sforus.Idon'twantanyimpulsiv
ebehaviour
s.Ever
y
manhashiswomanandt hat'
swhot heyfocuson.

Monga:Kantekephosogobot sa?Causewear
eher ewit
h
someoneandshei snothappylewenawabonashei snothappy
.
Shoul
dn'
tweal l
behappyandcheckononeanot heri
foneofus
showssignsofstr
essa?

Thong:HERMANwil
lhandl
eit
..
.HERMANNOTMONGA.For
oncejustl
i
stent
ome!

Hel
i
ftedhi
shandsandsi
ghedsur
render
ing.
..

Monga:
Ok,
iwon'
ttal
ktohert
heent
ir
etr
ip.Wi
l
lav
oidhert
oo.

Thong:
Thanky
ou.

Theguyswal
kedoutofthebl
ockandtookoutthei
rcamping
chai
rswhi
leApul
apreparedf
oodforev
eryonewhil
eli
steni
ngto
music.
MeanwhileLanasatfi
nisheddoingherownnai l
sandgent
lybl
ew
them sotheycoulddr
ythenshepickedherbigmakeupbagand
putiti
nthetent.Shewalkedoutwit
hherbathingsetandher
towelandwalkedpastApula.
..

Apul
a:Kopaont
husegoapay
a{Cany
ouhel
pmecooksomet
hing}

Lana:Waii
nnagakei
tsegoapay
awenaapay
a.{
Idon'
tknowhow
tocook,
youdoit}

Shewalkedint heblockandbathed,
mi nuteslat
ershewalkedout
andint
othet entandt hewhol
ecampi ngar easmell
edhersweet
per
fumes.Shef i
xedherfaceandputonl ongjeanswit
hboots
andajacketbef or
ewal ki
ngoutandsitt
ingnexttoMongaashe
madethef i
re..
.

Apulast
eppedov erandhandedbothofthem foodonthepl
ates
asMongal ookedinhereyestr
yingtofi
gureoutwhatwasgoing
on.Shecaughthim star
ingandhelookedathispl
ate.
.

Monga:
Thanky
ou

Lana:Thanky
ou.Theyl
ookdel
i
cious.
..Youshoul
dhav
ebeena
chef
Apula:
Cooki
ngi
sjustabasi
cknowl
edgef
orahumanbei
ngt
hat
needsfoodt
osur
vive.

Lana:
Iknow,
I'
mjustmaki
ngaconv
ersat
ion.Noof
fence

Apul
a:Tr
ustme,
nonet
aken.

Aft
ertaki
ngt
heirshowert
oget
her
,Thongwalkedoutofthe
bat
hroomscarr
yinghiswi
fei
natowelandgotint
heirt
ent.
..

Apul
aunzi
ppedt
het
entandgoti
nwi
thapl
ateoff
ood.
..

Apul
a:Her
eisy
ourf
ood.
..

Loago:
Thanks.
..

Hegott hepl
ateandbeguneati
ngasApulal
ookedather,
he
fi
nishedeati
ngandsteppedout
.Afewminutespassedwhil
e
Apulatookoutherbathi
ngsett
henLoagowalkedi
nallwetfr
om
theshower..
.

Apul
a:y
oubat
hedwi
thoutme?

Loago:
Iwassweat
ing

Apul
a:I
joo,
ok.
.
Shewr
appedher
sel
fwit
hatowelandwal
kedout
.Shebumped
i
ntoMongaashewal
kedouti
nshort
shol
dingt
hewashingr
ag.
.

Apul
a:Sor
ry

Monga:
Sur
e

Hegotinthetentandsighedget
ti
ngdr
essedbef
orej
oini
ng
ev
eryoneatthefir
earea..
..

AtLoago'
sHouse.
..

At
sil
eandOtlheknockedonthedoor,
thenannyopenedt
hedoor
whi
leLJsanglayi
ngont hecouch.
.

Mi
ssy
:Yes?

Ot
lhe:Hi
,mynameisOtl
heandshei
sAtsi
l
e.WeareApul
a'
s
si
ster
sandweneedhercarkey
ssowecanuset
hecar.

Mi
ssy
:Idon'
tknowi
fthey
'r
etheonesnextt
oRr
agweLj
'
s

Ot
lhe:
TsaBMW?

Mi
ssy
:Letmecheck.
Mi
ssywal
kedbacki
nsi
deandcamebackwi
thApul
a'
skey
s..
.

Ot
lhe:
Thanks.

ShehandedAt
sil
ethekey
s..
.

Otl
he:Idon'
tknowhowtodri
ve,atl
easty
ouusedtodr
iveBenzya
Thong.Let
'sgogett
hechi
l
drenandstayatApul
a'
shousefora
whil
e.Wewi l
lbel
ooki
ngaf
teriti
naway .
.

At
sil
e:I
t'
sbeenal
ongt
imesi
nceI
'
vedr
iven

Otl
he:You'
ll
befine,
let
'sgogett
hechi
ldr
enandweshouldn'
t
dri
veinMaruomaaka.Wepar kashor
tdist
anceawayandwalki
n
togettheki
ds.Herhousekey
sarepar
tofthosei
bil
e..

Atsi
l
egoti nthedri
ver'
ssideandtheydroveoutasshedr ov e
sl
owlyuntilshej
oinedtheroad.Atr
uckmi ssedherbyani nchas
shecrossedthelaneint
oanoncomi ngtraff
ic,sheswungt hecar
backandhitthepavementbef or
eswingingitbackonther oad.
.

Ot
lhe:
Whathappened?

At
sil
e:I
t'
sbeenawhi
l
esi
ncei
drov
e.Ihopet
hecari
sok,
ihi
ta
pav
ement
..

Sheproceededdr
ivi
ngast
hecardev
elopedaf
unnynoi
se
under
neath..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#109

AtMar
u'shouse.
..

Der
ri
ckopenedt
hedoort
othet
wosi
ster
sandt
heysmi
l
ed.
.

Der
ri
ck:
it'
sver
ylat
e,what
sgoi
ngon?

Ot
lhe:
Wear
eher
etopi
ckt
hechi
l
dren

Der
ri
ck:
They
'r
esl
eepi
ng,
coul
dn'
tyoucomet
omor
row?

Ot
lhe:
Tomor
rowwear
egoi
ngsomewher
e..

Der
ri
cky
awnedhi
swaybackt
othebedr
oom andgoti
nbed.
..

Der
ri
ck:
It'
syoursi
ster
s,t
heywantt
hei
rchi
l
dren.

Mar
uputonherr
obeandwal
kedoutt
yingi
t.
.

Mar
u:What
'sgoi
ngonnebat
hongl
eret
sosamasi
goj
aana?

Ot
lhe:
Wewantt
hechi
l
dren.
.
Mar ulookedatt
heti
me, yeahshewasn'taboutt ogetint
oan
argumentwi t
hgrownwomenaboutt hei
rchi l
dren,defi
nit
elynotat
theexpenseofherpeaceandhusband'speacef ulsl
eep.She
turnedaroundandwalkedinthechi
l
dren'sroom wher esheshook
Otlhe'
schildr
en.
..

Mar
u:nana?Let
'sgo,
yourmot
heri
sher
e..

Thechi
ldr
engotupr
ubbi
ngt
hei
rey
est
henshemov
edt
oOsha
andshookher
..
.

Mar
u:Osha?Wakeup.
..Yourmot
heri
sher
e?

Osha:
(smi
l
ed)Real
l
y?Shewant
sust
ogo?

Mar
u:Yes,
getup.

Mar ugrabbedOsha'sbagandwal kedoutfoll

owi ngthechil
dren.
Meanwhi l
eOshawalkedint hebat
hroom andgr abbedher
toothbrushthenshepacedi nthel
ivi
ngroom smi li
ngandstopped
l
ooki ngatAtsil
eandOtlhe,hersmil
edisappearedasshel ooked
attheki t
chenforApul
a...

At
sil
egaspedsur
pri
sed,
thel
astt
imeshesawhershewasski
nny
andnowshewasf
atandev
enl
i
ght
eri
ncompl
exi
onev
enbr
aided
hai
r.
..

At
sil
e:Oshaomoki
maj
ang?Ngwanakeononnegor
elonaa.

Osharemai
nedther
ehol
dinghert
oot
hbr
ushasMar
uhanded
Atsi
l
eherbag.

Osha:Mamasai
dishoul
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngwedi
dn'
tagr
ee,
she
di
dn'tt
ell
metogowit
hAtsi
le

Mar
u:Shei
syourmot
her
,pl
easegoOsha.I
tsl
ate.Iwantt
osl
eep.

Osha:
I'
m notgoi
ng.

Ot
lhe:
Kanagal
emoi
tsei
bil
emal
atsi
aor
atagoi
pui
sasekgoa.

Osha:
Aunt
iecani
cal
lmama?

Atsi
l
e:Kant
eOshawhyabi
tsaApul
amama?Kant
egoser
ious
Apulaomorei
l
earekemmagwe?

Maru:Cany oupleasel
oweryourvoi
cesmyhusbandissleepi
ng
tomorr
owhei sgoi ngt
owork.I
'l
lgetthephoneOshabutidon'
t
thi
nktherei
snet workatt
hecampsite,someareasmayhave
networkbutothersebad.
.

Shewentbackt
othebedr
oom asAt
sil
ewal
kedt
owar
dsOshabut
shest
eppedback.
..

Osha:
Ify
out
ouchmeI
'
m scr
eami
ngf
oruncl
e

Otl
he:NnaMaoshal
eithel
aant ena,nowadaysshethi
nksshecan
t
alkandshecannevertal
ktoyoui nSetswana.Thi
sgi
rl,
ragomo
t
shwarakomahatshengasele.Ophaphi l
egore

Osha:
I'
m goi
ngt
otel
lmamaev
ery
thi
ngy
ousai
d.

At
sil
e:Oshal
et'
sgo.
.

Mar
uwal
kedbackdi
all
i
ngApul
abutt
henumberwasn'
tonai
r.

Mar
u:Herphonei
snotav
ail
abl
e.

Osha:
I'
m notgoi
ng

At
sil
e:Oshal
et'
sgo,
I'
m notpl
ayi
ngwi
thy
ounow

Shegr abbedOsha'
sarm anddraggedherasshescreamed
sli
dingacrosst
hef l
oor
.Herheartwr enchi
ngv
oiceechoedar
ound
thehouseasDer r
ickgotupandwal kedin.
.

Der
ri
ck:
What
'sgoi
ngon?
Oshagr
abbedt
hel
ockcr
yingl
ooki
ngathi
m..
.

Osha:(
cry
ing)Uncl
ehelpme!Mama!?Call
aunt
ieApula.
..Uncl
e
pl
easecomegetme. .
.iwi
l
lnev
erst
ealyourmoney.
..Pl
easehelp
me!

Shescreamedl oudl
yhooki
ngherfootonthedoorandgr
abbed
thelockdespit
ethecir
cler
ingpri
cki
ngherski
nsheheldti
ght
ly
desperat
elylooki
ngatDerr
ick.

Der
ri
ckwal
kedov
erandgr
abbedherar
mfr
om At
sil
e..

Der
ri
ck:
That
'senough,
shedoesn'
twantt
ogo.
.

Ot
lhe:
Idon'
tthi
nkt
hishasany
thi
ngt
odowi
thy
ou.

Der
ri
ck:Lookar
ound,
thi
sismyhousesoy
oudon'
tgett
otel
lme
whatt
odo.

Oshahi
debehi
ndDer
ri
ckhuggi
nghi
mti
ght
lycr
yingandshaki
ng.
..

Osha:Uncl
etakemetoMamat
oaunt
ieApul
a..
.I'
m soscar
ed.
..I
don'
twanttogowit
hher
..

Der
ri
ck:
(reachedf
orherbehi
ndhi
m)You'
renotl
eav
ing.
.
Ot
lhe:(
laughedandcl
apped)Someonewhowaabeatenbyhi
s
wi
feinpubli
cnowhast hebal
ls?Whatdoy
outakeusfor
?

Mar
uslappedheracr
ossthef
aceandpushedherast
heybot
hfel
l
ont
hei
rbackandgotup..
.

Mar u:
Don'tev ertalktomyhusbandl ikethatdoyouunder stand
me?Takey ourchi l
drenanddon' tevertalktome.You'redeadt o
meandwena?( poi
ntedatAt si
le)You'rethemostungrateful
personI'
veev erseen. .I
nfactleav emyhouse.Apulawi l
lcome
giv
ey ouOshai fshewant s.Iwonderwhoi sgoingt
ohel py ou
withyoursecondchi l
d.Keepdoi ngthisandwewi l
lreporty ouf
or
chil
dnegli
gence.Leav e..
.

Atsi
leturnedandwal
kedoutfol
l
owingOt
lheasshelef
twithher
chil
dren.Aft
erashor
tdi
stancet
heygoti
nthecaranddrov
eof f
..
.

Att
het
raf
fi
cli
ght
s..
.

Latert
hatni
ghtAtsi
l
eappr oachedt
hetraffi
cli
ght
s,thankGod
therewasn'
tmuchoftraf
fi
casi twasverylat
eintheeveni
ng.She
sloweddownattheredli
ghtandOt l
helookedout
...
.
Ot
lhe:
Let'
sgoakeret
her
ear
enocar
s,nkar
eredi
mat
areeme
modirobot
ongrel
e1.

Atsil
eproceeded,meanwhil
eadoubl ecablandcruiserdri
ver
steppedontheaccelerat
orlooki
ngatthegreenlightsohecould
passbeforeitgoesonandhespedupasBMW suddenl ycr
ossed,
hesteppedont hebreaksandskidded.At
sil
eturnedandt heli
ghts
bl
indedherasshel etgoofthesteeri
ngwheelandshi el
dedher
head..

Therewasaloudcrushsoundasglassesshutter
edandspreadall
overastheBMW sl
idacrosstheroadandhitthetraf
fi
cli
ghts,
the
wholeli
ghtf
ell
overassparksjumpedandev eryt
hingwentdar
k.

WhenAt si
leopenedhereyest heai
rbagwasdeflat
ingandshe
rubbedhermouth,Otl
heturnedandl ookedatt
hebackwhereher
chil
drenwerelay
ingunconscious.
.

Ot
lhe:
Nini
??

Thel
it
tl
egir
llif
tedherswol
l
enheadandt
ouchedherbr
otherwho
hadanosebleed.
Atsi
le'
sdooropenedasapol
i
ceof
fi
cerst
oodt
her
elooki
ngat
her.
..

Of
fi
cer
:Dumel
ang,
arey
ouOK?

At
sil
e:Yes

Of
fi
cer
:Mayi
hav
eyourdr
iver
sli
cence?

At
sil
e:Idon'
thav
eal
i
cense

Of
fi
cer
:Wai
tther
e..

Theof fi
cerwalkedbacktot
hecar ,
meanwhi l
ethelandcr
uiser
dri
verleanedagainsthi
scarfol
dinghisarmsinshock,hi
scar
wasingoodshapeexceptf ortheblackbumperthathadbent.
Theot herof
ficerwal
kedovertohim andtookhisstat
ementasan
ambul anceparkedonthesi
deandt ookthesist
erswitht
heir
chi
ldren..
.

Oncethepoli
ceandtheambulanceweredone,t
hetowtruck
pul
ledoverandhookedApul
a'
st or
ncaranddroveoff
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Ot
lheandAt
sil
esatbyt
hebencheswai
ti
ngf
ort
hedoct
or.
.
Otl
he:
Apulaisgoingtoki
l
lyouf
orwr
ecki
nghercar
,doesshe
havet
hatothercar?

At
sil
e:Shesol
ditwhenshemov
edt
oMaun.

Otl
he:Shewon'
tbehappy,
ireal
l
ythoughtyou'
lll
ookbot
hsi
de
bef
oredri
vi
ngthr
ough.Youalmostki
l
ledus..
..

Shel
eanedbackr
ubbi
ngherson'
sswol
l
enhead.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
.

Apoli
cecarparkedi
nfrontoft
hehouse,At
sil
esteppedoutwit
h
herpol
icepaper
sandthehospit
alpaper
sasOtlhefol
lowedher
andtookoutherchi
l
drenout.

Pol
i
ce:
Pleasegeti
nthehousebef
orewel
eav
e.

Theyunl
ockedthehouseandthet
raff
icof
fi
cersdr
oveoff
..
.At
sil
e
satdownlooki
ngatherchar
gesonthepaperandsi
ghed.
..

At
sil
e:Howam i
goi
ngt
opayt
his?
Otl
he:Atleastt
hecruiserwasn'
tdamaged,
hewoul
dhav
emade
youpay.Apulawil
lfi
xit,i
tsnott
hat.

At
sil
e:Ishoul
dn'
thav
edr
ivent
hatcar
..
.

Otl
hewalkedi
nthekit
chenandgr
abbedaf
ewschool
dri
nksf
or
Oshaandhandedherki
ds..

Ot
lhe:
Gosl
eepi
nOsha'
sroom.We'
l
lleav
etomor
row.

Thechildr
enwal
kedtothebedroom wi
thheadachesandlai
d,
Atsi
leandOtl
heheadedtothebedroom andl
aidonApula'
swhit
e
bedding.

Atcampsi
te.
..

Thenextmor ningApul astruggledtowakeupshaki ngherheadas

shewal kedbesi desther oadt i
redandhungrywithherCVi nan
envelope, Otl
hedr ov
epastheri nacarandwav edforher .She
walkedf orsol ongherf eetbegunhur ti
ngthenshenot i
cedablack
cowwi thbi ghornsgr azingbyt heroad.Assoonasi tsawherit
charged, sheturnedtryingtor unandf el
li
ntoadeephol ebutshe
gaspedbef or
eshecoul dhitrhebottom..
Herheartpoundedsohardshecouldf
eel
herchestv
ibr
ati
ngas
Loagolai
dpeaceful
lybesi
desher.

Shecheckedt het i
me, i
twasal mostsevent henshegotdr essed
andst eppedoutoft hetent.Shezippedthet entandnoticed
Mongasquat ti
ngbyt hefi
replaceli
ghti
ngi tup..
.Shelooked
aroundt oseei fanyoneel sewasupandi tseemedhewast he
onlyup, hehadal way sbeenanear lybi
rdbutbei ngoutsi
dewi t
h
j
ustthet wooft hem wouldbesosuspi ciousev eryonewoul dbe
suspicious.Shoul dshegobackt obedbutt hatnightmare...

Meanwhil
eMongat ur
nedaroundandgr abbedmor ewoodthenhe
not
icedApul
atryi
ngtogetbackinthetent.Hepickedapebble
andthr
ewitovert
oherhit
ti
ngher .Sheturnedar
oundlooki
ngat
hi
m...

Mongalookedaroundtomakesur
enoonewasl
ooki
ngt
henhe
poi
ntedbehi
ndtheabluti
onbl
ock.

Apula'shear
tpoi
ntedasshelookedathim,heslowl
yputdown
thewoodandwal kedbehi
ndtheblock.Apul
afrozestandi
ngi
n
frontofthet
entl
ookingathi
m ashewav edherover.
..

Monga:
(mov
edhi
sli
pssi
l
ent
ly)Pl
ease.
..(
openedhi
shand)
come.
..Pl
ease.
..

Hel ookedaroundandtappedhiswatchshowinghertheywer
e
runningoutoftime.
..Hetouchedhi
slipsandsignedhewasn'
t
goingtokissortouchherthenhewav edherover.

Shelookedatallthetentsandfinal
l
ytookthefirststepasher
heartpounded,t
het entopenedbehindherthenshet urnedand
walkedtowardsthef i
repl
ace.Meanwhi l
eMongat urnedt othe
wallunzi
ppinghispant sandpeedont hewalli
nnocently..
..

Loagowal
kedt
owar
dsMongaandj
oinedhi
m ast
heypol
l
utedt
he
area.

Loago:
Yeah

Monga:
Sur
e.

Loago:Canwedriv
etotherecepti
on?Iwantt
omakeacal
l
.Ihear
ther
eisabitofnet
workcov
er agenotsur
eifi
tst
rue.

Monga:
Sur
e,l
et'
sgo.

Apulastoppedbythet
abl
e,Mongahadchoppeddif
ferent
vegetabl
esandtookoutaf
ewcannedfoodforthebreakf
ast
..
.
Loago:
I'
m comi
ngkey
arecept
ionl
eMat
aozen.

Monga:
Goodmor
ning

Apul
a:Goodmor
ning.
.(t
oLoago)OK.
.

Theguysgrabbedt
hekeysanddroveof
f,Apul
awashedher
handsandcomplet
edthebreakf
ast
..
.

Att
her
ecept
ion.
..
.

Loagopar
kedandst
eppedout
..
.

Loago:
Wai
tinher
e,i
won'
tbel
ong.

Monga: Loagoy ouknowyou'r

emyguy ,
weshareal most
ever
y thing.
..I'
m dyi
ngtoknowwhat '
sgoingonbet weenyoutwo..
.
Nodi srespectoranythi
ng.
..I
'm aski
ngasy ourf
ri
end.I'
m sure
you'
daskmei fLanawasn'tOKaseel .I
fyoudon'tt
ellmeyou'r
e
for
cingmet opull
herasi
deandaskherwhi chi
sgoingtolook
bad.

Loago: (
sighed)Sheistaki
ngal lhersisterschi
l
drenandshedidn'
t
consultmebutwear egetti
ngmar r
ied.Ohandi hersi
sterAtsi
l
eis
pregnantagain,shesai
dsomet hingli
ket hatwouldbeher
responsibi
li
tyaswellsoI'm notgoingt oallowsuchnonsense
becausewhenwegetmarri
edherdebt sbecomemydebts.
.I
don'
tknowifshei
scoll
ecti
ngchil
drentocompensat
eforbei
ng
i
nfert
il
ebutiwaswil
l
ingtoacceptthatpar
tofher
.

Monga:
Apul
aisi
nfer
ti
le?

Loago:
Yeah.Wewi
l
ltal
kwheni
getback.I
'
m comi
ng.
..

Hegr abbedagum fr
om t
heboxandchewedwalkingi
nthe
recepti
onashebrushedhi
shairdownwithhi
shandandlookedat
himselftomakesurehel
ookedalri
ght
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#110

Att
her
ecept
ion.
..

Aboutthi
rt
yminutespassedwhil
eMongawait
edinthecarthen
hesteppedoutandwalkedtowar
dst
herecept
ion,
Loagostepped
outandhestopped.
..

Monga:Letmemakeacal ltomymot her

,Lanami
ghtbeworr
ied
abouthi
m butshewon'tbecomf or
tablet
oshowmet hi
nki
ngI'
d
feel
shedoesn'
ttrustmymot her
.

Loago:
Uhwet
ri
edt
her
eisnonet
wor
kthi
ssi
de.
.

Monga:
Itt
ooky
ou30mi
nut
est
oreal
i
set
her
eisnonet
wor
k?

Loago:
Itcomesandgoes.
..Checkt
hebar
sony
ourphone

Monga:
Dudei
knowt
hatbut30mi
nut
es?

Mongasuspi
ciousl
ylookedatt
her
ecept
ion,
Loagol
aughedi
n
di
sbel
i
efandheldhiswaist.
.

Loago:You'
resodir
tyminded,
pleaset
ell
mey
oudon'
tthi
nki
fuckedsomeoneinther
e.
Monga:
Youf
uckedast
ri
perwhosenamey
oudi
dn'
tev
enknowso

Loago:
Iwasdr
unk!Iwast
ryi
ngt
ouset
heWi
-Fi

Monga:
Theyhav
eWi
Fii
nagamer
eser
ve?

Loago:
Thi
sisacampsi
te,
youknowcomei
n..
.Let
'sgo.
..

Hedr
aggedMongai
nbuthest
oppedatt
hedoor
..

Monga:
Noi
t'
sOK.
.

Loago:What'swit
hallthesuspi
cions,
ithoughtwetalkedabout
ever
ythi
ng.Ifiwassleepi
ngwi t
hsomeonewhywoul di comewi
th
youinthefi
rstpl
ace?Youal r
eadyknowmysecr et
swhatwoul d
bethepointofhi
ding?

Monga:Idon'tknowman,maybebecausey
oukeepcut
ti
ngme
offwhenIaskaboutApul
ayetyoucanseeshei
sstr
essedmme
youdon'
tcare.

Theytur
nedandwal
kedt
owardst
hecarasLoagol
ookedathi
s
phonehopi
ngforaf
ewbars.

Loago:I
'm cl
osingaverybigdeal
,myassistantishandl
ingitbut
i
t'ssobi
gI'm anxi
ousbecauseitwil
lchangeal otofthi
ngsforthe
company.That'
smybi ggestworr
yri
ghtnow, mebei ngwithi
n
reachsohecanupdatemeshoul dhegett hegoodnews.
Monga: Igetthatbutyoucan'
tpossibl
yfocusonmakingmoney
wit
hy ourgir
llookingl
i
kesheiscryinginsecr
et.Ir
eal
l
ythought
youloveApula

Theygotbackinthecart
henLoagol
eanedbackt
aki
ngadeep
breat
handsighed..
.

Loago: IloveApul abutrightnowI 'm angrywi thher ,I'

m soangr yi
coul dexpl ode.I'
m aboutt omar ryherandi expectsomeki ndof
respectf rom herbutnother ,ibrushedof fheri nsulti
ngmeand
sizingme. .
.Iassumedshemusthav ebeenangr ybuthermaki ng
bigdeci sionswi thoutmeknowi ngv erywell icall
edmypar ent
s
tell
ingt hem i wanttomar r
yher .Marriageisnotaj oke, atl
east
wher ei comei t
'snotajoke.Idon' tcar ehowbadt hismakeme
buti won' taccept2mor echildren,it
'sunreasonabl eforher
sisterst oexpectt hatbuti bl
ameherf orletti
ngt hem knowi t'
s
possi ble.Mar udoesn'tletthataffecthermar ri
age.Apul adoesn't
thinkf orme. .
.Howar ewegoi ngt oleav ewith4chi l
dren?

Monga: Pr
oblem you'
renottel
lingherakere,whynotsuggestshe
helpsthem whil
ethey'
rewiththei
rmot her
?Ot lheisveryvi
letr
ust
me.Youcan' tst
aywithherchildr
enandbei npeace, shewill
beat
yourhouseev er
ydaydoingGodknowswhat .
..SheabusesApul a.
..
Youcan'tbeagainstApulabecausetheny ou'
reconf usi
ngher.
Talktoherhelasenteandmakeherseey ourpoi nt
..
.Thewayshe
seemsmat urenowaday sidoubtshe'dint
entionall
yhurtyou.

Loago:
Shewon'
tl
etOt
lhet
aker
esponsi
bil
i
ty,
shesai
dshei
staki
ngt
hem

Monga: Youcanchangehermi ndmmekana.I fy oucan' ttheny ou

canj ustmakei thappen, nnat ot ai fi l
oveawomankesabat ea
diraseloi cant ryt onegot iateorpl ayherpsy chologi cal l
yi fnot
thenkedi risaf or ce. .
.Whydon' ty out r
yput tingy ourf ootdown
helawi thast rongv oice?Fi r
stt alkt ohersoshedoesn' tt hink
you'recont roll
ingofwhi chshemi ght ,woment hi
nkamani s
cont rol
lingi fhef ight sforwhathebel ievesi nandi don' tcar e
whatsomeonet hinks.Lanat riedl eav ingmeday sago. .Keganne
becausei knowI 'llbemi ser ablewi thouther ...I
'vet riedl ov i
ngbut
i
t'sjustnott hesamewi thher .
..It hinkaboutheral otev enat
awkwar dt imes.Shehel psmecum i fkepal elwakegocummeron
anot herwoman. ..Hert astei sembeddedi nmyhear tandshei s
themostmemor abl eper son...Fort hatI '
ll
al way st r
ywor king
thingsoutwi thoutl etti
nghur tf orlong.I 'm notper fect ,I'
v e
disappoi ntedLanal ennaskat say agor ekeMrper fect ,butone
thingi wi l
lnotdoi stol etmywomangetembar r
assedi nf rontof
peopl e.Iwi llnev erembar rassLanai publi
c, irebukeheri npr i
vate
andi fI'
m angr yi wi llshowi trele2. ..doingt hishel psy ou.I
rememberday sback.Iwasn' ti nt hemoodt otai wasangr ywith
hert henwewentt ochur chi hadt ochur chmyat ti
tudeandbe
nicet oher ,i putasi deourdi f
fer encesandf unnyenoughi tmade
mef eel bettert oo. ..Idon' tknowwher etheangerwentbecause
byt heendoft heser v i
cei want edt ot akeherout ,gaar eMaunka
j
ampal abohel o. .
.

Loago:
(si
ghed)Iheary
ouman.
..If
eel
li
kei
mightnotbet
heguy
f
orherbecauseshei
sst
ubbor
n

Monga: Let
'scutthestor
yshort
..
.It
'syouandheragainstthe
sit
uati
onhersistersar
eputti
ngherin.Thi
nkofitthatwaythen
youmightev encomeupwi thabett
ersoluti
onbutmakesur eher
moodi sbackintracksoshecanenjoythistookanajaanonglar
e
bori
sagoawkwar datthecamp.

Loago:
Igety
ou

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)"
Wi-
Fi"

Loago:
(laughed)Let'
sgoi
nsi
desoy
oucanseehowsl
owi
tis.
.
Whyarey ourefusi
ng?

Monga:
(laughed)Noi
bel
i
evey
ou.
.

Hest
art
edt
hecart
hent
heydr
oveof
f.
..

Att
hecamp.
..

Meanwhi
l
eLanaopenedherey
esandfr
owned,di
dshedozeof
f?
i
twasweir
dhowlonghetooktomaket
hatbr
eakfast
..
.

Shesatupandy awnedwithhermanicuredhandsov erhermouth

thenshegrabbedthemir
rorandlookedatherfacebef or
elayi
ng
onherbackandput t
ingt
hemi r
rorbetweenherlegs.Shetouched
herswoll
enpussyandsighedbeforeputti
ngawayt hemirror
.
Shegotthetoothbrushandst
eppedout,shezi
ppedt
hetent
bi
tt
inghertoothbrushwhil
eApul
adishedin5plat
esonl
y.
..

Lana:
Goodmor
ning.
.

Apul
at ur
nedlooki
ngatherasshewashedt
hepanandputaway
thet
hingssheusedtocook.

Apul
a:Goodmor
ning.
..

Lana:
Wher
eisMonga?

Apul
a:Recept
ion,
hel
eftwi
thLoago.

Shetur
nedawaywitht
woplatesandknockedonKhumo'
stent
,
Thongunzi
ppedandshesmil
ed..

Apul
a:Hi
,her
eisbr
eakf
ast
..

Thong:
Oht
hanks.

Hegoti
tandzi
ppedthetentt
henshewal kedbackt
othet
abl
e
andt
ooktwoofthei
rpl
atestothei
rtent
s.
Lanaf
inishedbr
ushi
ngherteet
hthenshewal
kedpastt
het
abl
e
asApulahandedherMonga'
splat
e.

Apul
a:Thi
sisMonga'
sbr
eakf
ast
.

Lana:
Youdi
dn'
tdi
shf
orme?

Apul
a:No,
youneedt
ost
arthel
pingmear
oundher
e.

Lana:Doy
ouevenknowwhathappenedf
orMongat
ogetupt
hat
earl
ytomakebr
eakf
ast?

Apula:Ij
ustknowthatyouneedt ostar
twor kingaroundandst op
payingatt
enti
ontoyourfaceandbody .You'reyoungandbeaut if
ul
wegeti t
,whatareyouofferi
ng?Wegobybeaut ywit
hbrains.So
farwe'vegat
heredyou'
renott heshar
pestknifeinthedrawerat
l
eastcompensat ewit
hhar dworklecooperation.Youcan'
tbe
doingyournail
swhil
ei cookforyou.

Sheturnedar
oundandwal
kedawayasLanast
oodt
her
elooki
ng
ather.
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#111

Att
hecamp.
..

MongaandLoagopar
kedandsteppedoutt
henLoagoheadedf
or
t
hebathr
oomsforaquickshower
.

Mongagoti
nthetentandsi
ghedt
aki
ngof
fhi
sTshi
rtt
henhe
not
icedf
oodonthetabl
e.

Monga:Shi
t.
..Youendedupcooki
ng?Sor
ry,
itot
all
yfor
gotabout
i
tassoonasLoagoaskedmet oaccompanyhimtotherecept
ion.

Lana:
Idi
dn'
tcooki
t,Apul
acookedi
t.

Monga:
Ohok.
.

Lana:Any
waysrememberwhenisaidsomethi
ngwasn'
tri
ghtwi
th
them?Turnsoutshewant
stogethersi
ster
stwoki
ds.

Lana:
Theoneswesawatt
hemal
ltheot
herday
?

Monga: Yeah.
.Loagoisnothappyaboutt hat.Hethi
nkssheis
col
lecti
ngkidsbecausesheisinfert
il
ebuti don'
tthi
nkso.It
hink
shejustfeel
sli
keit'
sherresponsibi
l
ity
..
Lanaturnedar
oundandl
aidonhersi
depi
nni
ngherel
bowl
ooki
ng
athi
m. .

Lana:
Shei
sinf
ert
il
e?

Monga:
Yeah,hor
monalimbal
anceorsomet
hingl
i
ket
hat
,shehas
moremalehor
monesthansheshoul
d.

Lana:
That'
sint
eresti
ng.
..Forsomeonewithfl
awsshesureknows
howtothr
owst ones.Di
dy ouknowthatshedi
dn'
tdishf
orme?

Monga:
Whywoul
dshedot
hat
?

Lana: Akerei tol

dy ouinthemor ningwheni want edt omake
breakfastgor ebasadi haobonanneaapei leat supi l
emol omo
j
alogaar atagor eabe"ankapeet se"andt hat'
sexact l
ywhatshe
said.Koor eoapei leahuhut seant hogamopel ong. .Andi don't
mindhercompl aini
ngifshet houghtshewi llcookt heent ir
et r
ip
butt otel
l meaboutmyeducat ional backgroundl egor eI'm beauty
withoutbr ai
nswasn' tnecessar y.Ir eallyhopeshedoesn' tt
hink
I'
m awal kov erbecauset hedayi talkt oherot aai chimai bi
leshe
willalwaysf eell
essofawoman.Okgal emel
eexy agagot hisis
whyIdi dn'twantherbecausewenaf orsomer easony ourexs
nevergetov eryou.Iseet hewayshel ooksaty ou, don'taskme
howi knowbutawomanj ustknowswhenanot herwomanl ikes
herman.

Monga:
Hebanna.
..
Lana:
I'
mver
yser
ious

Monga:
Cani
cal
lhersowecansor
titout
?

Lana:Youdon'
thav eto,idon'twanthertothi
nkicamer unni ngt
o
youbecauseicanhandl eher.Oldassheissheshouldn'tt
hi nkI'
l
l
holdbackwhenithrowahear tl
essshade.Thi
siswhati meant
whenIsaididon'
twantot herwomenbecausei knowigetj udged
forl
ookingaf
termy sel
f.Shedi dn'
tevenwaitf
ormet otellheri
gotuptomakebr eakfastandy outol
dmet ogetsomer est.

Mongal
ookedatherasshet
alkedt
henhel
eanedov
erandki
ssed
her
..

Lana:
(smi
l
edbl
ushi
ng)I
'
m pi
ssedr
ightnowst
opi
nter
rupt
ingme
when-

Heleanedoverandki
ssedheragai
nthi
st i
mehepushedher
downthepill
owandgotontopsmili
ngpinningherhandsabov
e
herhead.
..

Monga:
Ify
oudon'
tst
opshout
ingatmei
won'
tst
opki
ssi
ngy
ou.
.

Lana:
(smi
l
ed)I
'
m notev
enshout
ing.
..

Monga:Cani makeituptoyouandmakey
oubr
eakf
ast
?I'
l
lmake
i
tspeci
al.
..Sweetandtast
y.
Lana:
Int
hatcasey
ou'
ref
orgi
venbuti
sti
l
lwanthert
oleav
e.

Monga:
Isn'
tl
eav
ingabi
ttooext
reme?

Lana:
Waagana?

Monga:No,ifyoudon'
twantheri cantal
ktoLoagoandhecan
fi
ndawayf orhertobeoutofherebuti f
eell
i
kethi
sisn'
tasbi
g
asyouthi
nk.Howabouty ouletmet al
ktoLoagoabouti
tandhe
cantal
ktoherbecausethewayy ou'r
eangrynowyouwouldn'
t
wantmetalkingtoher

Lana:I
fy ousayso.
.Ijustdon'twantdrama.Iknewt hi
swould
happen,kooreshewil
l bejudgingev
er y
thi
ngaboutme.Mxm ke
taabetsamosadimogol owagagoy o.Sheshouldn'tdar
easkme
whatI'
m bringi
ngtothet abl
eI'
m surewhenI'm herageI'
ll
bri
ng
morethanshei sbr
ingingincl
udingkids.

Hel
ookedawayandsmi
l
edl
ooki
ngathert
alki
ng.
..

Monga:
You'
recl
earl
ypissedsoI'
ll
talkt
oLoagosohet
alkst
oher
,
i
fhecomesandtheywanttotal
kpleasebeni
ce.

Lana:
Nicetowho?Theol
dladysayi
ngI'm noti
ntel
l
igent
?Shem.
Warnheri
fshehasahear
tbecauseI'
ll
ripit.

Heki
ssedherandbi
thercheekbef
oreki
ssi
ngi
tandget
ti
ngup.
Monga:
Breakf
astcomi
ng.
..

Mongasteppedoutwit
htheplateandputitonthetabl
ethenhe
wenttot
heircarandt
ookoutaf ewingredi
ent
sandgotst ar
tedas
Thongst
eppedoutofthetentandstret
chedhisback..
.

Thong:
Thebannal
akubuga,
thi
sisav
acat
ion!Pl
easechi
l
l

Monga:
(hi
thi
m wi
thasl
i
cedgr
eenpepper
)Wenakanaot
sogaka
12,
wherei
sKhumo?

Thong:St
il
lsl
eepi
ng,wesl
eptveryl
ate.Wewerewat
chi
nga
ser
ieswedownloadedf
rom Netf
li
x.Lanaokae?

Monga:Resting,heigaakelema. ..Womenwi l
lal
waysbewomen,i
t
hinkbri
ngi
ngApul awasami stake..
.Shecookedanddi
dn'
tdi
sh
f
orLanathinkingshedoesnot hingbutwhenshewantedtogo
makebreakfasti askedhertor estbecausewehadalongni
ght.
I
t'
sallonebigmi sunderst
anding.

Thong:Tr
ustmei knowy
ouhadal
ongni
ght
,wehear
dev
ery
thi
ng.
Onelonglongni
ght..

Monga:(laughed)Whatever
,fuckyou..Soiaskedhert
orestand
start
edbreakfastt
henLoagoasksmet ocomewi thhi
m.Apula
takesoveranddecidesnottodishforher

Thong:(l
aughed)Shemustreall
yhat
eLanaplusl
etsl
ehaver
thatal
elonabanna.Bonebaalwakanamaybeshewaslist
eni
ng
too.Sheonl
ycookedoncesot heangeri
sn'
tj
usti
fi
ed,
ifi
twastwo
daysort hr
eeday si
narowt henI'
dunderstandesenggoapay aga
1andt hismorningnooneaskedhert ocook.Iknowy ouli
keher
buthavingthesepeopl
earoundisspoili
ngev ery
thi
ng.Loago
shouldleavewit
hher,nnatotaakebatedramaespeci al
l
ybecause
they
'r
enotev enhappythemselves.They'
resulki
ngandr ui
ning
ourtr
ip.It'
sbeenbori
ngtobehonest .

Monga:
Wewi
l
ltal
ktohi
mlat
eree

Thong:
Ok

Thonggr
abbedthebucketandwashedthedi
sheswhil
eMonga
madeLana'
sbreakf
ast.Loagowal
kedoverandputdownhis
campchai
r,t
heguyslookedatoneanot
herandhefrowned.
.

Loago:
What
?

Monga:Wehaveasituat
ion,thel
adi
esaref
ighti
ngandwethi
nk
i
t'
sbestyougetApul
aandl eavesowecanenjoyther
estoft
he
t
ri
p.

Loago:
Whathappened?

Thong:Apuladidn'
tdi
shforLanabutshedi shedforMonga
becauseapparentl
yLanadidn'
thelphercookbutf r
om whathe
saysLanawasaboutt ocookbutheof fer
edt ohel
p,yout
ookhim
andyourladyfri
enddeci
dedt opunishLana.

Monga:Lanahat
enegagaanamait
seoandif
eel
li
keApulai
s
goi
ngthroughal
otandshewoul
dn'
thandl
ewhat
evercomesout
ofLana,gongwel eeneshej udgesLanabasedonherl i
tt
lebody
becauselennai didn'
tli
kether emarksshemade.Sheshoul d
havestucktothetopicofbei nghelpedifthat
'shercomplai
nt.
Educati
onshouldn'thavebeeni nvolv
ed...
butheibestweseparat
e
them anddist
anceour sel
vest oo.
..
Totannal efr
iendshi
phela
guyssetsekefil
ahel agoreuhgasey one.Kerayameandy ou
Loago..
.

Loago:
WhatdoeswhatApul
adi
dhav
etodowi
thme?

Monga: Beingfr
iendsmeanswehangoutandsomet i
mesy ouget
yourgirl
andi getminebuti
ftheydon'
tgetal
ongkestr
ess.Bet
ter
relesahela..
.Ourtr
ipi
sabouttoberui
nedandwewantt o
preventthat.

Loago:
(st
oodup)I
'
llt
alkt
oApul
a..

Loagowalkedinthet
entandsatdownasApul
aappl
i
edbody
l
otiononherlegs.
.

Apul
a:What
?Whathappened?

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#112

I
nLoago'
stent
..
.

Loago: Ialway sknewy oul ikeembar rassingmef r

om t hedayy ou
i
nsultedmecal l
ingmenames, butinev ert houghty ou'd
embar rassmei nf rontofev eryoneandt rytomessupmy
businessandev enwor sedosobecausey ou'rej eal
oust hatanex
mov edonwi t
hhi slif
ewi thsomeoney ouf eel i
sl esst hany ou.
MongaandThongj ustbasi callytol
dust ol eav ebecausewear e
spoil
ingt heirtri
p...Allthesei sbecauseofy ou,saleogor ogahela
kanegat iveener gyofy oursi stersi
ssues.Idon' tknowwhyy ou
l
ikeact i
ngl i
keamani nev ery t
hing.
..Igett hati tmi ghtbe
hormonesandpr obablyy oubei ngusedt opr ovidingfory our
sist
er sandj ustleadingev erything,
them wor shipingy ou..
.Iget
thatbeingwi thagr oupofpeopl eandhav ingt or espectot hers
youf eelaren'teducat edenoughormaki ngenoughmoneymaybe
hardbuty oucoul dhav eatl eastr emember edt hesear emycl i
ent
s.
It
'stheirtrip..
.

Apul
a:Soi
shoul
dbet
hechef
?

Loago:Ifyouv olunt
eert
heny es,
whoaskedy out ocook?Thi
sis
camping,peopl ehavesnacksinthei
rtent
s...Theycandecideto
ski
pbreakf astandhavesnacksthencookl ater.
..Whydidn'
tyou
j
ustfoldyourar msandseei fwewi l
lal
lstarvetodeathifyou
don'
tcook?Doesitki
ll
yousobadthatMongahasagi
rl
fri
end?
di
dyouknowt hatshewokeuptocookbutMongat
oldherto
sl
eepsohecancook?

Apula:Iunderstandthatyou'
reangrybutyou'
rebeingi nsensi
ti
ve
ri
ghtnowandy ouneedt oreducey ourvoi
cebecauset hisisatent,
ever
y onecanheary ouespecial
lythoseladi
es.Sent habise
di
thongl i
kethat.BoMongal eThongseem t obepr otectingt
heir
womenwenay ouattackmewi thoutheari
ngmysideoft hestory
al
lbecausey ou'real
readyangrywithme.

Loago: Didn'
tyout al
kabouthereducat i
on?Didn'tyoutalkabout
herbeaut y?Andi knowy ouknowt hosebecausei sharedwithy ou
thatinfo.
.Itoldyout hati
nconfidencenotforyoutousei tagainst
her.You'reboring,i
t'
sonlyfunbeingwi t
hyouwhent he
rel
ationshipisstil
lnewoncet herealyousurfacesitbecomes
boring..
.I'
m surethisiswhyyourr el
ati
onshipsdon'tl
ast.

Apula:Can'tyoujuststickt
oonear gumentandst opusing
everyt
hingi t
oldyouaboutmypastagai nstme..
..Ir
egrett
ell
ing
youmyt hi
ngs.Ididn'tknowyou'
ll
alway susethatagai
nstme
whenev erwear gue.Ineversai
dany t
hingabouthereducati
oni
saidgaabot hal
e, sheisacti
ngimmat ure

Loago:Shei sact i
ngherage, whyoi tekanyaleene?Youneedt o
gooutthereandapol ogiset othesepeopl e,y
ou'veruinedtheirt
ri
p.
Don'tev
ent hinkwagont irel
abodi pajoithel
eobodi ra..
.I'
ve
all
owedy out ocont r
ol every
t hi
ngf orsolongthatyout hi
nky ou'
re
themanoft hi srel
ationship.Legonei sawhowawkwar dyou
actedwheni gotoutoft het entandsawMongapeei ngbyt he
wall,
idon'tknowwhaty ouwer edoi ngsoear l
youtsidesince
Mongawascooki ngforhiswoman.Youbetternotbethi
nking
aboutcheat
ingonme, iknowy oucheat
edandy ouwereacting
wil
dduringyourni
ghtclubtimesbutthi
sti
mei sdif
fer
entandnna
i
fyou'r
egoingtobemywi feyoumustactr
ight.

Apul
acl
osedt
hebodyl
oti
onandsi
ghedl
ooki
ngdown.
..

Apul a:You'retalki
ngasi fmar ry i
ngmei sdoingmeaf avour.
Pleaser educey ourv oice,you'reembar rassingme.I '
m begi nning
tothinky ouhat emej ustbecausei saidi wanttohelpmysi sters,
wher eisal lt
heseangercomi ngf r
om?Youdon' tknowmysi deof
thest ory.Yesi madeami staket hismor ni
ngbuti twasbecause
ofwhathappenedy esterday .
..Youwer edoingt entsandt hose
twol adieswer edoingt heirnai ls..
.Isetupt hefireandmadef ood
thendi dt hedishes.Anymanwhol ov eshiswomanwoul dhav e
noticedmest ruggli
ng. .
.Legasi don'tev enthi
nki twast i
ght
enoughi cookeduncomf ortably ,
Mongamusthav efeltididn't
ti
ght enitenoughbecauseaf t
ereat ingi sawhi m screwt hebur ner
ti
ght l
y.Youwoul dn'
thav enot icedmewor ki
ngy esterdaybecause
youwer esulkingndwentt osl eepear ly
.

Loago:Sti
l
l,y
oucookedonl
yonce.
..Whati
fLanawasgoi
ngt
o
cooklunchorbr
eakf
astasshewasabouttodo.

Apula:Ihadnowayoft hi
nkingthatwaybecauseshehadalready
tol
dmeshecan' tcooksoinmymi ndI'
mt hi
nki
ngitmeansI'
ll
alwaysbethecook.Loagoify oudon'
tlov
emeany morejustlet
meknow, I
'
m begi
nningtothinkI'
m notmeanttobeinl
ove
becauseyouwon'tr
educey
ourvoicet
alki
ngtomebutwearein
tent
s.I'
m sur
eevery
oneout
sidecanhearyouont
shot
ajaana.
..

Shepausedt
alki
ngastearsfi
l
ledhereyes,what
'swor
sethan
bei
ngyell
edi
nf r
ontofever
yone.
..Worseinfr
ontofwomen
whosemenclearl
yadored.

Loago:Youjusthadt
oruinevery
thingkajeal
ousy.
..Whydidn't
youjustleav
eMonga'spots?I
'm gett
ingt
iredofy
oucontroll
ing
ever
ything.

Apula:Thisisexactl
ywhatIwasaf r
aidofwheni di
dn'
tconfront
herthef i
rstti
mebuti fmesayingshei sn'
tthesharpestkni
fewas
wrongt henI'm sor
ry.Akgangehel ebecausei don'
twanttol eav
e
thi
splacel abel
ledbitt
er,
ithadnothingtodowi thMonga.I'
m not
bit
ter

Loago:
You'
renotdoi
nggoodsof
ar.
..

Apul a:WaitseLoagomysoul i
sv eryti
redandI '
m noti nthemood
toar gue,ihavef armuchbi ggerpr oblemst hanbeingbi tt
erabout
anexi cangetbacki fiwant.Ifi r
eall
ywant edt ocheatkaMonga
Iwoul dhav elongdonei t
.I'
m her ebecauseI '
mt ryi
ngt omake
thingswor kwi thy ouandy oudon' thavemybackoutt here.
..
Soundsl ikebot htheseguy scor neredyoupr otecti
ngt hei
rwomen
whi l
ey ourscookedandser v
edt hem all.Notoncesai dhav eyou
stoppedanyoft hem togetmysi deoft hestory.
..I
'mv ery
disappointedt haty ou'
renottheki ndofMant hatprotectshis
womani npubli
c.Youhearsomet
hingandjoi
ninthr
owi ng
stones..
.I
'm onmyownt otaandmaybeishoul
dleave.Ke
i
taledi
tse.

Loagot
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghed.
..

Loago:Ok,maybey ouhav
eapoi
nt.I
'm sorr
ybutyouwerewrong
toevenstar
vesomeonewhenit'
sthei
rtri
pandy oudi
dn'
thaveto
cook.Sodowej ustgohomeandtr
ytof i
xoursel
vesorwhat
?

Apula:Let
'sgoandapologiset
othem, theywil
l deci
dewhat
shouldbedonesincethey'
recust
omer sbutev enascustomer s
bathongyou'r
ethei
rfri
endandthatmeanst heyshoul dconsider
youtoonottojustki
cky ouoff
.Seemsy ou'r
efor ci
ngaf r
iendshi
p.
Nnat ot
aibil
eI'
ll
neverbeinthi
ssituat
ionagain.

Loago:
Ok,
let
'sgo.
.

Meanwhi
leout
sideKhumostoodbyhelpi
nghiswif
estr
etchher
l
egsasMongaandLanawalkedoutofthebathr
oom,Mongain
hi
sshort
sandLanainawhit
et owel
stoppedasLoagoandApula
st
oodby..
.

Loago:Al
ri
ghtguyscanwehaveagroupmeet
ing?I
twon'tbelong
wejustwanttotal
kthi
ngsoutbef
orewemakeanydeci
sions.
Thongstoppedst
il
lholdi
nghiswif
e'sl
egswhileshelai
donher
backi
nhersweatpants.Mongagrabbedachairandsatdown,
Lanal
ookedaroundforherchai
randitwasn'
tout,hetappedhi
s
thi
ghthenshesatonhislapasheputhisarm ar
oundherbum...

Loagopul
l
edacont
ainerandsatdownwhi
l
eApul
ast
oodby
.

Monga:
Gogety
ourchai
r.
.

Apulatur
nedaroundandwalkedi
nthetent
.Shewalkedoutwi
th
thei
rchai
rsandhandedLoagohisbef
oresi
tti
ngdown..

Loago:
Iheardwhathappenedthi
smor
ningandconf
ront
edApul
a
abouti
t,shehassomethi
ngtosay.

Apula:Lanawheni saidyou'r
enott hesharpesttoolintheboxi
wasn'tref
err
ingtoy oureducationbutify
out ookitthatwayi
apol
ogiseforthat.Ialsoshouldn'
thavesaidanythingabout
brai
nsandwhat not..
.Isaidthosethingsundertheinfluenceof
angerandannoy ance.

Lana:Webothknowwhaty oumeant ,iwon'tletyougetawaywi th

fooli
ngmebecausey ouknowy ouwhaty oumeant ..
.weallhave
thi
ngswear enotproudof .I'
m sureifisaidyou'renotthemost
fert
il
ewomani nthi
scampy ouwouldn'tli
keit,you'
llbeoff
ended
andI'ddef
endmy selfsayi
ngi justsaidthatbecausey oudon't
hav
eki
dsy
et.
..Youwer
erudet
omeandy
oudi
dn'
thav
etobe.

Apula:
AndIassumedyouwouldn'
tcookbecausey
oual
readytol
d
mey oudon'
tknowhowt ocookwhenIaskedyout
ohel
pme, soi
assumedyouwon'tbecooki
ng

Monga:
Babey
ousai
dyoudon'
tknowhowt
ocook?

Lana:Isai
dthatbecausei didn'
twantt ocookwi t
hher,
shei
syour
exandsheshouldn'tbeher einthefir
stplacethenshewant
sme
tocookwithher?I'
dr athershecooksal onetodayandidoi
t
tomorrow,wemustgi veeachot herspace.

Monga: Nnyaammeshei sn'tenti

rel
ywr ongeebecausey ougave
hertheimpressionshewillbedoingitalonebecauseshe
obvi
ouslycan'texpectKhumot ocook.Shewouldn'tassumethe
guysknowhowt ocookbecauseobv i
ouslyinotherrel
ati
onshi
ps
cookingisforwomen.Icookf oryouandy oucooktoobutifinher
rel
ati
onshipgoapay aenehel ashewi l
lassumealltheguysdon't
cookandshewi l
lbedoingitalonetheent i
recampingtime.

Loago:
Soi
don'
tcooknow?

Monga:That'
snotthepoi
ntbuti
fyouwanttogoint
oit
,doyou
cook?Shoul
dweexpecty out
otakepar
tincooki
ngbecausei
sureashel
lwouldn'
tmindcooki
ng.

Hekeptqui
etandsi
ghed.
.

Thong:
I'
ll
behel
pingt
oo,
ihav
etobecauseIhav
etomakeupf
or
Khumo'
spar
t.

Monga:ButThongwaapayambozal
eskannasuregaar
ehewill
cook,
orayaabidi
sadioni
on,
hisownwi
fedoesn'
teathi
sfood.

Khumo:
He.
..Heonl
yknowshowt
omakecor
nfl
akes

Theyl
aughed.
..

Thong:Wowbabesoy ou'
rejoi
ningi
nembarr
assi
ngme?Icanf
ry
cannedfoodler
ay aj
ang?Icookedformysel
fwheni
wasaherd
boy.
..Justt
hatigotawifethatspoi
l
edme

Khumo:
Please.
.

Theyal
ll
aughed.
.

Monga: Butonaser i
ousnotenowl adiescanwel etthi
ssli
deand
tr
yagain?Wewi llbeherefor5days.(lookedupather )Babeshe
sayssheissorry
.Shecookedf orusy esterdayanditwasa
del
ici
ousmeal ,
canweal lappreci
atethatandl ett
hissli
de..
.She
misunderst
oody ou.

Lana:
(si
ghed)Ok.

Loago:
ButApul
awasnotsupposedgoti
mamot
hoy
omongwe,
kegodiradr
amahel
aesengnecessar
y.
Thong:
Itwasn'
tnecessar
yatal
l
,shecoul
dhavecompl
ainedl
i
ke
LanaabualeMonga.That'
smatur
it
yesenggodi
rahat
ed.

Monga: Apul adoesn' that eLanabuthi storyi

sgoi ngt omakei t
hardforhert opleadhercaseandi woul dn'
tblameLanaf or
thi
nkingshei shat ed.Bot hoft hem wer ewr ongandi won'tside
withanyoft hem.Whenwear ri
v edever yonewasbusybutshe
wasbusydoi ngnai l
s, shecoul dhav ehel pedwi t
ht hef ir
ewhi lethe
othercooked.Andherr esponsegav eApul athewr ongi mpr ession,
Lalawasnotsupposedt ocookandnotser veherei ther,shecoul d
havecompl ainedt oLaogoi fshef el
tmay bennaI '
llsidewi t
hLana
whichi wouldn'thav e.Noneofy ouisabadper son. .
..Iknowbot h
ofyouv erywell butify oukeepcr ossingeachot hery ou'llfi
ght
becauseagai nnoneofy oui sgoi ngtor espondv erywel ltobei ng
madeaf ool.Trustmei knowbot hofy ousopl easer especteach
other,y
ou'rebot hspeci al i
ny ourownway s.Laaut wabomma?

Bot
h:Yes

Monga: I
t'
ssadt hatladi
escanmakef unofeachot herabout
thingstheycan'tchange,Lanadi dn'
tr unawayf r
om school ,she
didn'thavethepr i
vil
egeofasuppor tingf ami l
ystr
uctureandshe
grewupi nthefar m.Shewasabr i
ll
i
antst udentandherl astreport
wasanAsot othrowashadecl oset othati sveryinsensiti
ve.The
reasony oucan'tsleepatnightisbecausey oucan'tl
etyourni ece
pickcansatt hemal landmi ssschool ,youknowt heimpor tance
ofeducat i
onunf ort
unatel
yLanadi dn'thav esomeonel i
key ouso
shedr oppedout .Theonl yt hingt hatbr oughthert oMauni s
educat i
on,shewasdesper atef ori t
..
.Justbecausey ouhav eit
doesn'tmakei tokt ot easeot her s.Yourl ightwon' tshi nebr i
ght er
i
fy oudeem anot her'
s..
.Iknowy ouwer er eferri
ngt ohereducat i
on
hencey ouevenaskedwhatel seshebr ingst ot hetabl ebesi des
beaut y
.Yououghtt obeashamedbecausei t'snoty out obri
ng
downot her
s...Youcan' tl
ivet hel i
fey ouwantbecausey oucan' t
stomachseei nganot herper sonst r
uggl e.It'
swhoy ou' re,not
everyonegi vest heirsibli
ngsal l
owance, y ou'rethefirstper sonand
theonl ypersoni knowwhodoest hatandi l
ov ethatabouty ou.
Don'tlettempor aryangerchangey ou..You' rebeaut i
f ulinand
outsideandi fy oumeetamanwhowon' thelpy ouhel pot her sina
healthywayt heny ou'rewitht hewr ongper son.I t
'sgoi ngt ofil
l
youwi thangerandy ou'll
takei toutont hewr ongpeopl e.
Somet imessomepeopl ear enotbadatal l
,they'r
ejustnoty our
mat ch..
.wheny ouwantdi ff
er entt hi
ngsi nlif
ei tcanbedi f
fi
cul tto
havepeace. ..

Apul
a'sey
esfi
ll
edwit
htear
sandsherubbedt
hem asMonga
l
ookedather
.Thongputhi
sar
m overApul
a'
sshoul
derr
ubbi
ng
her
..

Khumo:.
..I
twaswrongtodo..
.Ournail
swhenshei
scooki
ng.I
shoul
dhavechoppedveget
ables.I
'
m sorr
yApul
a

Apul
a:(
tear
ful
l
y)I
t'
sok,
iunder
stand.
Monga:Gapeamanwholovesyouwon'
tl
ety
oust
ruggl
etor
ub
yourt
ear
salonei
nfr
ontofpeopl
e..
.

Loagoext
endedhi
shandandhel
dApul
a'
shand.
..

Monga:WenaLanay oucausedall
these..
.Iknowy ouwer en'
t
comfort
ablehavingheraroundandthatmadey oucomewi th
cert
aini
mpr essi
onskaene.Someoneasksy outoassistandy ou
sayyoudon'tknowhowt ocook?You'renotthewor l
d'
sbestchef
butyousurecanmakesomet hi
ngdeli
ciouswithcannedf oodand
basi
csli
kepap.Youknowhowt ocooksoi t
hinkobuileka
el
ementy amakgakganyanaakere?

Shesmi l
edembar r
assedandleanedoverputti
ngherarmsover
hisshoulder
shugginghim andhi
dingherfaceonhisneck.He
calmlyputhisar
m aroundherandpokedher .
..

Monga:
(sof
tl
y)Tsogaont
ebe.
.

Shel
eanedbackandsi
ghedembar
rassed.
..

Monga:
Inf
ert
il
it
yisnotsomet
hingt
obej
okedwi
th,
idon'
tthi
nk
gomonat emogoApul aandi tsprobablydraini
ngher .Idon'
tknow
i
fsheisev eninf
erti
le,
doct orscansaysucht hingsandoneday
youmeetaguywhosegott herightspermst henyou'repregnant
.I
knowyoureducat i
onisy oursensi t
ivepartunderstandthatother
peopl
ehav ethosetoo.Idon' tli
kesomeonewhohur tsothers.
..I
f
youwantthistokeepgoi ngav oidhur t
ingotherpeople.Kekopa
goreoikopemai t
shwar el
omogoApul a..
.

Shetookadeepbreat
htaki
ngof
fherar
mfr
om ar
oundMonga
andsatpr
operl
y.
..

Lana: I'
m sorryf orwhati sai
d.Idor eali
segor et heanswerIgav e
youkat swael eyoneegodi ril
enggor eoakany egoreIwon' tbe
helpingbuti doappr eciateyesterday'sdeli
ciousmeal .Iwon' tever
ment ioninfertil
e,myauntcommi t
tedsuicidebecausenneer e
everyt i
meshesendsust othetuckshopourpar ent
swoul dpass
remar ks.Thedayshedi edshehadaskedmymom f orTsabana,
sher eall
ylikedTsabanashe' dli
teral
lyaskf orTsabanaf rom
mot hersatt hecl i
nicsosheaskedmymom andshesai da
i
tshol el
engwana, hersistersjoi
nedi ntootalkingaboutt hey '
re
ti
redofheraski ngf orTsabana, someev eni nsinuat
edi twas
becauseshedi dabor t
ionst houghshehadal way smai ntainedshe
neverdi dthat.Thatandt hefactthatherhusbandhaddi v orced
herandmar r
iedawomanwhobi rthedchildreni thi
nki tdrov eher
tothatdeci sion...
Thatni ghtshecommi tt
edsui cideandi found
herbecausewhent heydi shedTsabanaf ormei decidedt ogo
giveher ,shewasmyv eryfavourit
eaunt .
..Theonewhowal ked
met oschool becauseshet houghtiwast ooy oungtowalksucha
dist
anceal one.Shewaspr obablytheonewhowoul dhavemade
sureIgotaneducat ion.BesidesherIhadar ichauntwhobought
usriceinDecemberandsheknewi wasn'tgoingtoschoolbut
shedi dn'tdoany t
hingsoI'm happyy ou'
redif
ferentaunt.I
wouldn'twantt odr i
veanotherpersont odepressionkanasuicide.
You'reagoodmot her,motheringhasnothingtodowi thDNA...I'
m
sorr
y ,andpl easedon'tbediscouraged.Helpy ourni
eceotherwise
shewi llbel i
kemedoi ngform 1atmyage. .

Shestoodupandwalkedovert
oherf
orahug,
Apul
ast
oodup
andhuggedhert
ear
full
y..
.

Apul
a:I
'
m sor
ryf
orwhatIsai
d

Lana:
Uhdon'
twor
ry,
omogadi
kane,
raagadi
kana.

Theyl
aughedt
ear
ful
l
yandhuggedagai
nrubbi
ngt
hei
rey
es.
..

FOURDAYSLATER.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#113

Att
hegamedr
ive.
..

Earl
yinthemorni
ngjustaftersi
xt hesafar
icardrov
eint
othe
gamer eser
veasthecouplessatinrows..LoagoandApulai
n
fr
ont,ThongandKhumoi nthemi ddleandfinal
l
yMongaandLana
atthebackseat
..
.

Lanafol
dedherarmsast hecoldbreezewhoopedherskin,
she
gotgoosebumpsandast hecarincr
easedthespeedi
tgotev en
col
der.Mongalookedatherarmsandt ookoffhi
ssweater.
..

Monga:Itol
dyout
ogetaj
acketbecausei
coul
dtel
li
tscol
dbut
your
efused.

Lana:
Idi
dn'
tthi
nki
twoul
dbet
hiscol
d..

Heputitar
oundherthensheputherhandsinandzi pped,
he
gl
ancedatever
yonebusypointi
ngatsomegi r
affesthenhepul
l
ed
herchi
noverandkissedher
,sheclosedhereyeskissi
nghim
backandheheldhercheekFrenchkissi
ngher
...
MeanwhileApulahel
dherphonet akingasel
fi
esmili
ngand
noti
cedMongaki ssi
ngLanai nthebackgr
oundofherpi
ctur
e,her
fi
ngerfr
ozeasshewat ched.
.Mongahadauniquewayofkissing.
..
Shecouldn'
tevenexplainbutshecouldal
mosttast
ehisl
ipsand
breat
hfrom j
ustwatchingthi
s..
.

Behindher ,
ThongandKhumot ur
nedlookingtothesidewhere
Thongf il
medsomeel ephant
sf r
om adistanceastheguidetal
ked
tel
l
ingt hem aboutthem.Khumonot icedwhatApulawas
watchingandl ookedatthebackbeforesecretl
ytappingThong.
Thongl ookedatApul aandsighedputti
nghisarm aroundhi
swife
beforeleaningoverforacheekkiss.

Thong:(
whi
sper
ed)IhopeI
'
llnev
erhav
etoseey
ouki
ssanot
her
man..

Meanwhil
eMongababyki
ssedherl
i
psendingthekissandl
eaned
backput
ti
ngbi
nocul
arsov
erhisf
acelooki
ngforl
ions.
..

Monga:Ihopewewi l
lgett
oseeaprideofl
i
ons..
.Elephant
sare
l
ikegoat
s,they'
real
loveri
bil
eApul
acanpullt
hem bythetai
l
aker
eshest ay
edinKasane

Shel
aughedandl
ookedback.
.
Apul
a:(l
aughed)Don'
tsayt
hat
,onet
imeanel ephantonheat
bl
ockedtheroad.
.Iwasonmywayfrom Panda..
.Alonel
egone.
.

Loago:
Butwhenwel
efty
ouwer
en'
tthatscar
edoft
hem

Apul
a:Yeah,
ihadlear
ntgorewhentheycr
osst heroadyoust
op
andwait
ingf
orthewholefamil
ytopassbecauseifababyisl
eft
behi
ndandyoucrossyou'
regoingt
obestompedon.

Lana:
Idon'
twantt
oseel
i
onsei
sh

Apul
a:Lennammal
i
onsar
enotf
orj
okes.
.

Guide:(
lookedatthet
racks)Li
onsjustpassedher
e..
.Weshoul
d
seethem soon.
..Mini
miseyourvoi
ce

Therewassi l
enceashedr ovealongtheroad,sureenoughan
Impalacr ossedtheroadasal i
onchargedandgr abbeditbyt he
neckr i
ghtnexttothecar.Theguy srai
sedt hei
rvoicei
mpr essed
andfilmedast helionlai
dtheresuff
ocatingtheimpala.Lana's
heartskippedasl i
onesscrossedtheroadinf r
ontofthem
headingt othekil
l,
shesliddownhersi tandhiddownl ett
ingonly
oneey e.
..

Apulaswall
owedasherhear
tpounded,sheal
waysthoughtal
i
on
i
st hesi
zeofadogbutgir
lshewrong..
.Thi
sli
onwassohugejust
l
ookingatit
spawsandbrowneyestraumati
sedherasshehel
d
thecart
ight
ly.
.
Apul
a:(
whisper
ed)Let
'sgopl
ease,
whent
heyf
ini
sheat
ingt
hey
'r
e
comi
ngforus..

Monga:
AeLal
aemapel
e..

Apul
a:Pl
ease.
..

Lana:
Iagr
eewi
thher

Loago:
Emangpel
ebomma,
thi
sist
jegamedr
ivei
signedup.
..

Thong:
Nat
geowi
l
dKi
ndofshi
t.
.

Theywatchedasthewhol
epr
idedev
our
edt
het
inyi
mpal
aandl
eft
wit
hbloodymouths.
..

Monga:
Nowt
hisi
swhatwecal
lagamedr
ive.
.

Thedr
ivercont
inuedast
heguy
srev
iewedt
hei
rcl
i
psi
mpr
essed.
..

Att
hecampsi
te.
..

Laterthatmorni
ngthecoupl
eswalkedbackint
othecamp
chatti
ng,Mongasneezedandrubbedhi
sitchynosewhi
le
everyoneworesweater
s..
.
Thongcar
ri
edhi
swi
feonhi
sbackwhi
l
eLoagohel
dApul
a'
s
hand.
..

Apul
a:I
fany
oneev
erseesmegoi
ngf
oragamedr
ivet
heyshoul
d
bi
tchsl
apme

Loago:
(laughed)Hei
I'
venev
erseeny
ousoscar
ed

Lana:Ican'
tbeli
eveimadesuchapoordecisi
onaboutmyli
fe,
wait
sei l
ookedatthatl
ionandlookedatmysocall
edpr
otecti
on
Monga-nyana.
..I
yooican'tbel
i
eveialmostdi
ed.

Monga:(
laughed)Babemmekanai
wasgoi
ngt
oki
l
lthatl
i
onwi
th
mybarehands..
.

Thong:
(laughed)Nnabathoakebat
egoakaampor
ekeit
hotel
a
mmegapei wasimpressedatt
hesame.
..
Scar
yasi
twasI'
ddoit
agai
n

Theyal
ll
aughed.
..

Loago:I
'm cooki
ngf
orev
ery
onet
oday
..
..Lett
hemast
ershowy
ou
howit'
sdone...

Thong:
Final
l
y!Yes!

Loago:
(laughed)Don'
twenawadi
cor
nfl
akes!
TheylaughedasLanapi
ckedast
ickanddr
ewboxesont
he
ground.
.

Lana:
Hetangr
etegot
shamekadi
beke.
.Thi
scl
oudyweat
heri
s
sogood.

Thong:(l
aughed)Di
l
otsagoj
olal
edi
toddl
ers.
..Mat
aozenago
tshamekalengwanarr
a!

Theyal
ll
aughedasLanaj
umpedt
heboxesandmessedup.

Apul
a:Jeso!That
'snothowy
oupl
ayi
t.
..
Wat
ch.

Apulajumpedal
ltheboxesandr
eachedt
heendasev
ery
one
watched..

Thong:(l
aughed)Mysisterl
ikedthis,sheusedt
ocr yandreport
mef ornotwanti
ngtoplay.Havingsibli
ngsisst
ress..
.Mymot her
wouldforcemet opl
ay..(
theylaughed)TabealelaareThongo
ganagot shamekalennatabemmear eThongtshamekaleBotho!
Beingakid!
Het ookouthisphoneandjumpedtheboxes,
Mongawal kedov
er
tyi
nghissweat pant
sandbegunjumping,t
hel
adiescl
appedfor
theguysasLoagor anoverwit
hthewoodenspoonandjumped
beforequi
cklyputti
ngt
hepotont hestov
eandrunni
ngbackto
play.
..
.

Oncetheywer
edone.Apul
aputt
hem i
nal
i
necat
chi
ngher
br
eath.
..

Apul
a:Wearepl
ayi
ngthisothergame...I
fyoudon'
tknowity
ou'
re
char
gedP5,
that
'sP5foreachperson.
..Thegameiscall
ed
Dumelammemydar l
y.

Thongquickl
yputKhumoont hewheelchai
randstoodi
nfr
ontof
her,
ApulaandLoagofacedoneanotherandfi
nal
lyMongawit
h
Lana..
.

Ladi
es:
(si
ngi
ng)

(
x3)Dumel
ammemydar
ly.

Guy
s:

(
x3)Ot
swakaemmemydar
ly?
Theyalll
aughedsingi
ngalongshaki
nghands,
theladi
esnever
thoughttheguy
swoul drememberandtheguyst
hemselveswere
surpri
sedtheyr
emember edever
ywordastheysangeach
shakinghandsl
iketheyusedtowhentheywer
echildr
en.
..

Ladi
es:
(x3) Ket
swagor
ekast
ove!

Guy
s:(
x3)Sej
amakgol
omakae?

Ladi
es:
(x3)Sej
amakgol
omabedi

Guy
s:(
x3)
Akoomphel
esome

Ladi
es:
(x3)Goai
per
ekel
wa

Al
l
:(t
hrowi
nghandssi
ngi
ng)Di
tsal
adi
akgaogana!

Theyal
lmovedbacksingi
ngandthr
owinghandsbeforej
umping
towar
dsoneanot
herandhookinghandsoneachotherasthey
j
umpedwithonefoot
..

Al
l
:

( )Di
tsal
adi
aboel
ana

Di
tsal
adi
aboel
ana

Di
tsal
adi
aboel
ana( )
Theychangedhandsandj umpedwit
htheot
herl
egssingingunt
il
thesongended.Theylaughedatt
hem t
hemsel
vesfeel
ingsil
l
ybut
forsomereasonitf
eltsodamngoodandeachtri
edtor emember
someofthegamest heyusedtoplay
..
.

Apul
a:(
scr
eami
ng)Ter
enabusmampeke!

Lana:
Yes!Ter
ena!Ret
samay
akadi
tshi
pi.
.

Theyall
laughedandmadeli
necl
appi
nghandsasKhumol
aughed
ti
redandbeguntaki
ngvi
deosoft
hem pl
ayi
ng.

Af ewhourspassedwhi l
etheypl ay
edchil
dhoodgames,fora
thosehourstheydidn'
ttouchtheirphonesorworr
yabout
any t
hingel
se.Loagohurri
edtot heservi
ngtabl
eanddishedf
or
everyone.
..

Loago:
(scr
eamed)Tal
ejeng!

Theyallwalkedov
erandat ewhil
estandi
ngandchatt
ingl
oudl
yas
thecarplayedmusic.Theoldhi
ts.
..
Phempher
ethe,
Francoand
Sti
kasol
a...
Monga:
(chewi
ng)Ok,
youcancook!

Loago:
Ijustdon'
tbr
ag!

Theyall
laughedasThongcol
l
ect
edt
hedi
rt
ypl
ates.Al
fr
edo
Mos'ssongstart
ed.
..

Musi
c:Al
fr
edoMossssssseeeeeehhhh

Monga:
(si
ngi
ng)Basi
manebaset
hopha!

ThongandMongaj umpedi nthecenterl

i
fti
ngthei
rpant
sl i
ke
kwasakwasadancers.
..Ev
eryonecrackedlaughi
ngandclappedat
themadness.
..

KandaBongoMan' sMONI Eplay

ed,Apul
aslowl
ydancedint
othe
cent
ershakingherroundherassli
kearhumbadanceras
ever
yoneclapped.
..

Lana:
(laughedcheer
ingher
)Rr
rrr
..
..
.Rr
rrr
..
.Rr
rrr
..
..
..
.Rr
rrr

Monga:
Hinde.
..Hi
nde.
..
.Moni
eh.
..
.

Thong:
Homba.
..Hombe.
..
.
Apuladancedandtouchedt hegroundasifshewasf all
ingthen
shewalkedouttappingLana...
Lanastuckhertongueoutdancing
i
ntothemi ddl
eastheyallcheered.
..Sheshookhertinybuttas
Khumodancedscr eamingandshaki ngherwheelchair
.She
managedt oputherfeetoffthechairandpl
acedthem ont he
groundasherwholebodyshook. ..

Loagolaughedcheer i
ng,apar tofhim wantedt ogotot he
recepti
onbutMonga' ssuddenat ti
tudetowardshi mrightafter
thatdri
vetothereceptiondidn'tmakeiteasy .
..Hiswordsdur i
ng
thatconver
sati
onst uckwithhim andheknewhehadt omake
changes..
.Somethinghadchangedwi ththeirfri
endshipand
thoughMongahadn' tsaidany thi
ngtohim hesur edidn'tseem
excit
edabouttheirfri
endshi
p...

AtEr
ic'
sst
udi
o..
..

Lat
erthataft
ernoonSedi satonthechai
rasherAf
ri
canski
nglow
shi
nedthroughthelensoft hecamera,
Eri
ctookpi
ctur
esofheras
shechangedpositi
ons..

Er
ic:
Let
'st
akeabr
eak.
..
Shegotdownbaref
oot
edandputonhershoesasheputhi
s
sweat
eroverher
..

Sedi
checkedherphoneandsmi
l
edl
ooki
ngatherl
i
kes.
..

Sedi
:Comeandsee.
..

Hegotherphoneandr
eadhercomment
s..

Er
ic:
Wear
edoi
nggood.
..

Er
ic'
sphoner
angt
henhepi
cked.
..

Er
ic:
Hel
l
o?

Voice:Hi
,tel
lyourf
ri
endgor ether
eareaudi
tionsf orsome
clot
hingshopatGICtomor row,t
hey'
rel
ooki
ngf ormodel sandi
remembery oushari
ngherpage.Isentyouthelink,Ithinkit
'sf
or
MrPr i
ce.Thereisanothergigyasomenetworkpr ovider,t
hey'
re
l
ookingforsomeonet opromotethei
rnewst ar
terpack.Isenty ou
theli
nks

Er
ic:
Thanksman,
iappr
eci
atei
t.

Voi
ce:
Isshesi
ngl
e?Hei
shei
ssobeaut
if
ul
Er
ic:
Shei
stakent
hemonnawabeor
engj
aanong.

Voi
ce:
(laughed)Sor
ryl
ait
eaka.
.

Er
ic:
(laughed)Sur
e

Hehungupandcheckedthel
i
nksoftheaudit
ionsandt
hel
i
nk
wher
esheissupposedt
osubmitherpi
ctur
es..
..

Er
ic:
Bona,
ther
ear
eaudi
ti
onsi
nGabor
onet
omor
rowat8am

Sedi
:wai
i
...
toobadi
t'
stoof
ar

Er
ic:
Wehav
etol
eav
enowi
fwe'
regoi
ngt
omakei
t.

Sedi:Ican'
tcompet
ewithGabor
onegi
rl
s,t
hey
'r
ebeaut
if
uland
theyspeakbett
erEngl
i
sh.

Eri
c:Listent
ome. ..You'r
ebeautif
ulandy ourEngl i
shisfi
ne..
.
You'r
et hemostbeaut i
fulgir
lI'
veeverseen..
.Iknowy ou'
regoing
towinandy ourfacewi l
lbealloverthesim cardsandt heshops.
Let'
sgogetr eady.
..I'
m goingtosellmyrims, iknowt heminutei
postthem someonewi l
lbuythem wear efi
lli
ngt hetankand
hit
ti
ngGabs.

Sedi
:Ok.
..

Theywalkedoutashelockedupandfoll
owedher ,
headmir
edher
bodybutofcoursehewouldn'
tsayany
thing.
..Notsoear
lywhen
shetr
ustshim somuch..
.
Heopenedt
hedoorf
orher
,shegoti
nthenhedr
oveof
f.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Otlhewal
kedoutofOsha'sbedroom wi
thamoneyboxand
grabbedakni
feint
hekitchenth3nshesatont
hecouchopeni
ng
themouthandtookoutthemoney .
..

At
sil
ewal
kedi
nandst
oppedl
ooki
ngather
..
.

At
sil
e:Aet
hemmawenaot
ankgol
egawena.
.

Ot
lhe:
Shewon'
tknowi
tsgone.
..Shei
sachi
l
d

Atsi
l
e:No,oseny
etsangwana.May
beshewassav
ingf
or
somethi
ngimpor
tant
..

Ot
lhe:
Apul
awi
l
lgi
vehermor
emoney
,it
sjustcoi
ns.
.

Therewasaknockont hedoor,
Otl
hestoodupandopenedt he
doorthenherboyf
ri
endwalkedinwi
thhisfr
iend.At
sil
elookedat
theguywiththedi
rt
ydreadl
ocksandtheonewi t
hyell
owtint
ed
hair
..
Ot
lhe:
Hav
easeat
,I'
l
lgetadr
inkbef
orewego.
..

Thelenyor
aguywi
tht
int
edhai
rlookedar
oundashesatont
he
couch.
.

Hi
m:DaedeekeWi
-Fi
rout
er?

At
sil
e:Idon'
tknowar
out
er,
it'
smysi
ster
'shouse.

Boy
fri
end:
Yeah,
ker
utar
a..
.

At
sil
ewal
kedi
ntheki
tchenwher
eOt
lhewasmaki
ngdr
inks.
..

Atsile:Whydidyoubringpeopl einApula'shouse?I'
vetr
iedtobe
patientwit
hy oubutyou'r
egoi ngt oofarnow.Takeyourpeopl e
andl eave,
Apuladoesev erythingforusandwenay oudot his?I
don'teventrustt
hesepeopl e..Ekaremagoduhel akamany ena..
Whati fApulaarr
ivesandf i
ndsmeni nherhouse.Youknowt oday
i
st helastdayandshemi ghtbebackany ti
metomor r
ow.

Meanwhil
etheyoungerbr
othergr
abbedt
her
out
erandwal
kedt
o
t
hebedroom..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#114

Att
hecamp.
..
.

Thenextmorni
ngApulagotheryogamatt
ressandunzippedthe
tent
,shezi
ppeditagai
nandspreadhermatt
ressi
nfrontofthe
tent
..
.

Sheputherpot
sineachearandputherphonedownasshe
fol
l
owedtheApppromptsstret
chi
nginashortti
ght
sandbra.

Meanwhi
leinthetentLoagoreachedf
orhisphoneandgot
dr
essed,
hepickedoneofApul a'
swetwipesandcl
eanedhi
sface
l
ooki
ngatthemi r
rorthenhegrabbedt
hecarkeys.
..

Hest
eppedoutoft
het
entasApul
aremov
edt
hepot
s..

Loago:
Ihav
en'
tcheckedmymai
l
sin4day
s.Ineedt
ogor
eada
few.

Apul
a:Cani
comewi
thy
ouandcal
lOsha?

Loago:
Uhaker
ewear
eleav
ingwhenev
ery
oneget
sup?Justget
r
eadysowecanjustl
eav
ewi
thev
ery
one.Youknowy
out
ake
f
orev
ertof
ixyour
self
.

Apul
a:Al
ri
ght

Loago:
I'
ll
bebackbef
oreev
ery
oneget
sup.

Apul
a:Shap.
.

Hewal
kedawayt
henshecar
ri
edonexer
cisi
ng.
.

I
nMonga'
stent
..
.

Meanwhilemusicpl
ayedontheport
ablespeakerwhi
leMonga
mov edhi
swaistontopofLanaburi
edinsi
deherwithhi
shand
overhermout
hasshewhi mpered,
sheclampedhim andtur
ned
hereyesashegrunt
edandpumpedhi swarmt hi
ckDNAinsi
de
her.
..

HeletgoofLanawi thhismeantinsti
llpul
sat
ingbeatbybeat
i
nsideher
..
Lanasighedbr eat
hinginandoutandl ookedi
nhis
eyes,
hekissedherandmadet helastdropandshecouldsti
l
lfeel
hi
smeatindicati
nginsideherbeforeheslowlypull
edoutand
gr
abbedtheirshortsof
tfucktowel..
.

Acarst
art
edout
side,
Mongasneezedandr
ubbedhi
snoseashe
wipedhi mselfl
ookingatherandsmil
edt hi
nki
ngaboutwhatshe
saidbeforehecov eredhermouth,
shelaughedembar r
assedand
turnedawayt henheputt het
owelbetweenherlegssoitcan
absor bhisbabi
es,hepulledt
heduvetoverherasshetookadeep
breathandshov edherarm undert
hepil
lowandpul l
editover
closinghereyes..
.

Monga: Iwonderwhoi sleaving,IcanbetmylastPulaonLoago

headingtotherecepti
on.(lookedatherclosi
ngherey es)Ar
eye
wagot hapapel
ebef oreyousl eepother
wiseyou'
llwakeup
exhausted.

Lana:
(ey
escl
osed)Ngng.
..Kel
api
l
e,l
etmer
estf
ir
st.

Monga:Youknowweshoul dbeleavi
ngear
lyr
ight
?Otherwi
se
you'
l
lbesayingit
'shotmotsel
eng.Remi
ndmet ogetfl
utabl
ets,
i
t
hinkI'
m cat
chingacold.

Shedozedoffashewasspeaki
ng,heputonhi
ssweat
pant
sand
wal
kedoutshirt
lesswi
thabat
hingtowel
andaanot
herpai
rof
sweat
pants.
.

Assoonashest eppedouthiseyesmetApul a'

sroundbuttasshe
squatt
edfacingaway ,
helookedar oundandtherewasnoone
thenhehungt het oweloverhisshoulderandputhishandsint
he
pocketswatchinghersquat t
ing.Shestoppedandbentov er
roll
i
nghermat tressthenshewal kedinthetowelunawareshe
wasbei
ngwat
ched.

Hewalkedint
hebathroom andhunghistowel
andpant
sthenhe
t
urnedthewateronandtookoffhi
spants,het
hrewi
tovert
he
t
owelrackandgotundertheshower.
..

I
nLoago'
stent
..
.

Meanwhil
eApul
atookoffhercl
othesandwrappedher
sel
fwi
tha
t
owelthengr
abbedherphoneandwalkedout.

ShesearchedmusicandlandedonDemi Lovat
oStoneColdt
hen
sheplayedonthephoneandwalkedintheladi
esbathr
oom.She
putherphoneonthetabl
eandwal kedi
nundertheshower
si
nging.
..

Ont heot herside,separ

atedbythat
chedwaterreedsMonga
cl
osedt heshowerandwi pedhi
sheaddownt ohisfaceasApul
a
sangal ongwi ththesong.Heputonapairofcleanpantsand
gatheredhi sthingswalki
ngout.
..

Meanwhi
leApulawrappedherselfwi
that
owelandwalkedout
wi
thherbat
hingset
,Mongat urnedbackl
ooki
ngather
..
Monga:
Youst
il
lsi
ngi
nthemor
ning.
.

Apula:(
laughed)I
fiknewy
ou'
reont
heot
hersi
dei
woul
dn'
thav
e
sang..
.

Theylaughedwalki
ngtowardst
het ent
sasLoagopar
kedthecar
,
hisheartski
ppedashewatchedthem wal
ktowardst
hetent
s
tal
king.

Meanwhi leThongst
eppedoutoft
het entandpausedlooki
ngat
them, Lanaunzi
ppedthet
entandsteppedout,shepaused
l
ookingatApul ai
natowelandMongawi thatoweloverhis
shoulder.

Mongasi ghedlooki
ngbackatever
yone,
theydi
dn'
tev
enhavet
o
sayanythinghecouldt
ellhehadbeenpr
osecut
edandhewas
defi
nit
elyguil
ty.
.

ApulalookedatLanaasshel
ookedatherf
rom headtotoeand
walkedpastthem,Loagowal
kedpastt
hem andgotinthetentas
Apulafoll
owedhim.

Thong:
Oit
shoki
l
ehel
aabeohel
elaomoj
ele,
kant
ewhyi
thel
ao
l
atol
agor
egaobat
eApul
abecausei
knowy
ou.

Monga:(l
aughedi
ndisbel
i
ef)Areyouser
ious?Pl
easet
ell
mey
ou
don'
tthi
nkwewalkedoutofthesamebathroom.

Thong:
I'
m notLana,
youdon'
thav
etol
i
e

Monga: Iwouldn'tl
i
et oyou,nothi
nghappened.Iwantedt
opeek
thr
ought hereedsbuti woul
dn'twantanyonefi
ghti
ngbecausei
can'
tcont r
olmy sel
f.Didit
hinkabouti
tyeah?Butididn'
tdo
anythi
ng...

Thongl
ookedathi
m andt
ri
edt
otouchhi
sdi
ck.
.

Thong:
Takeut
wegor
eebosof
tbobokaeee

Monga:
(laughedandpushedhi
m)Wany
elael
egor
eobat
ago
nt
shwar
akot ase

Theypart
edashewal
kedi
nthet
entandbegunpacki
ngt
hei
r
thi
ngs.
.

Meanwhi
leinLoago'
stentApul
agr
abbedherdr
essasLoago
l
ookedather.
.

Loago:
Whyar
eyoubat
hingwi
thhi
m?
Apul
a:Ididn'
t,
hewal
kedoutoft
hemen'
sbat
hroom andwemet
out
sideretswa

Loago:
Whyar
eyouhur
ti
ngmel
i
ket
hat
?

Apul
a:I
'
mtel
l
ingy
out
het
rut
h

Loago:Howdoi beli
eveyouwheny ou'
reali
ar?Yousai
d
heweheweI'mthebiggest,
nextthi
ngwhenweshower edmal
oba
aft
erthosegamesi sawthem,ManDi sthebi
ggestf
oll
owedby
him andnowherenearMongay etyoul
ookedmei nt
heeyesand
l
ied.Howdoi knowy ou'
renotl
yingnow?

Apula:I'
m notlyi
ng,isai
dyou'r
ebi ggerbecauseidi
dn'twantto
hur
ty ourfeel
ings.I
'm sor
ry.Ei
therwaynnasi zedoesn'tmakeno
di
fferencetome. .
.

Loago:Di
dyouhav
esexwi
thhi
m?Justt
ell
mebecauseI
'
llf
orgi
ve
youeit
herway
.

Apul
a:Idi
dn'
t.
.

Heleanedoverpushi
ngherpantyasidethenhepushedt
wo
fi
ngersi
nsideherasshefl
inchedfr
owning,hesmell
edhi
sfi
nger
s
andrubbedhisfi
nger
stogetheri
nspecti
nghercum..

Loago:
Itsmel
l
sdi
ff
erentandi
t'
ssl
i
pper
y

Apul
a:May
beI
'
m ov
ulat
ing

Loago:
Youdon'
tov
ulat
ingwebot
hknowt
hat
Apul
a: If
eell
ikeI
'
m ovul
ati
ngbecauseI'
vewant
edsexsince
yest
erday,i
tri
edtot
ouchyouandy ousai
dyou'
reexhaust
ed.

Loago:
Sobecausei
wast
ir
edy
ouaskedhi
m?

Apul
a:Idi
dn'
tsl
eepwi
thhi
m.

Loago:Atl
eastnowi
knowwhyhei
sthr
owi
ngshadeatmeev
ery
chancehegets.

Apul
a:I
'
mtaki
ngt
hingst
othecar
..
.

Loago:
I'
m st
il
ltal
ki
ngt
oyou

Apul
a:I
'
m donet
alki
ngt
oyou.Want
wael
ajaanong.

Shetri
edtost
andandhegr
abbedherar
m shet
urnedar
oundwi
th
aslapandpunchedhi
m.

Apula:Don'
t!Don'tevert
rythatonmeokanyel
agore!I
'm any
thi
ng
butaman' spunchingbag.Tryhit
ti
ngmeandI'
llhi
tyousohardi
f
youoverpowermeI '
l
lcal
lMongaagonyedi
sa.Stupi
dinsecur
e
l
itt
leboywithatinypenis.
..
Nxla!

Shegotupandgr
abbedherbagt
henshewal
kedout
.

Meanwhi
l
eout
sidet
heawkwar
dnesswast
hesame,
Mongaand
Lanawor
kedqui
etl
ywhi
l
eThongwhi
stl
edunbot
her
eel
dashe
di
smantl
edthet
ent
..
.

Lanaputhert
hingsi
nt hecarandsatdownwi
thaser
iousf
aceas
sheputonheadphones..
.

LoagoandApul
agoti
nthecarandt
ookt
hel
ead.
.

Loago:Idon'
tli
kehowyoualwaysinsul
tmewhenev erweare
havi
nganar gument
,gaonamaitseoandit
satotalt
urnoff
.Ididn'
t
growupundersuchanenv i
ronmentandIdon'
tunderst
andwhy
youalwayshavetodothatt
ome.

Apul
a:Yout
ri
edt
ohi
tme

Loago:
Ipul
l
edy
ou,
ijustgr
abbedy
oubecausey
ouwer
eleav
ing

Apula:Youwant edtohitme..NnatotaI'm get

tingt
iredofthese
rel
ati
onships.KanatotaLoagoisnotlikey ou'
recut
e, i
thoughtifi
tri
edsomeoneal i
tt
leuglyi
twillbebetterbutnowy ou'
restart
ing
toactli
keI'mtheuglyone.I'
m notdesper atef
ormar ri
age.

Loago:You'
reungr
ateful
,i
fyouthi
nkyou'
llf
indagoodafter
sl
eepingwit
htheli
kesofMongay ou'
rewrong..
.Atl
eastnowi
knowwhyi neverf
eltany
thi
ng,makgakgaagagommeesagr i
pe.
.

Apul
a:Gogr
ipi
wadi
ckesengmonwana

Loago:
Gawal
aega,
ithel
aobuahel
adi
puot
seesengt
sone.
..
Apul
a:Howcanyouassumei
hadsexwi
thsomeonej
ustbecause
wewalkedt
oget
her.
.

Heshookhi
sheadandcar
ri
edondr
ivi
ng.
..

Meanwhi
l
eKhumol
ookedatThongashedr
ovebehi
ndt
hecar
s..
.

Khumo:
Did.
.somet
hinghappeni
nthemor
ning?

Thong:MongaandApulawal kedoutofthebathr
oom together
..
.I
honestl
ydon'
tknowifanythi
nghappened.Ithoughtsomething
happenedbutwaikganyet
sa,obuaat shegasoi don'
tknowbutif
ajel
esengwehewi l
ltel
lmewhenheget sbackfrom hi
sFtown
tr
ip.

Khumo:
Whydopeopl
echeat
?Woul
dyoucheat
?

Thong:Ili
key ourkuku,butyouneverknowt herealreasonwhy
someonecheat .Youcandoal l
therightt
hingsandsomeonewi l
l
cheatony ou,youleaveandonedayy oubumpi nt
ot hem ba
sotegi
letota.OncemetmyexAt si
l
easot egil
eandIwonder ed
whyshecheat edbecausei tookcareofheranddi dev er
ythi
ng.
Cheatersarecompl i
catedpeoplewhohar dlyusetheirbr
ainsbut
thei
rgentil
es..

Minutesl
atert
heypar
kedatt
herecept
ion.Loagogotoutoft
he
carandwalkedtot
henetwor
kspotwherehesatdownandwent
t
hroughhi
semai
l
s.

Meanwhi
l
eMongasneez
edandcl
ear
edhi
sthr
oatashi
sthr
oat
hur
t.
..

Monga:
Ithi
nkI
'
m cat
chi
ngacol
d..

Lanakeptqui
etandpr
essedherphonepl
ayi
ngagame.

Monga:
Ongadi
l
e?

Shekeptqui
et.
.

Monga:
Nothi
nghappenedi
nthere,
ibat
hedandwal
kedoutthat
's
whenwemetout
sideandwalkedoutt
oget
her.I
'
dneverhur
tyou
l
iket
hat
..

Lana:
Inev
ert
houghty
ou'
dhur
tmel
i
ket
hat
.

Monga:
Wehadsexf
orf
ucksake!

Lana:
Othol
aocummerabeot
swel
elaaker
e?Ev
endi
roundso
di
rabo2to3or4

Monga:
Nnanekekel
econt
entwi
thwhaty
ougav
eme.You
sat
isf
yme.

Lana:
Keephur
ti
ngme,
you'
l
lgetwhat
'scomi
ngf
ory
ou.

Monga:IfyoucheatonmeI'l
lhur
tyoui
nthemostcoldand
embarr
assingway,don'
ttr
ythatonmewithoutev
enevi
dence.I
wil
lhur
ty ou.

Lana:
Soy
ou'
regoi
ngt
ocheatoi
kant
segor
eyou'
l
lki
l
lme?

Monga:I
'm notar
guingwit
hyoukanonsense.Idi
dn'
tcheatsoI
'
m
doneex
plai
ningmy sel
f.

Lana:Idi
dn'taskyouany
thi
ngkewenawhoj
umpedand
expl
ainedyoursel
f.
..

Sheputonherheadphones.Mongal
ookedatLoagopressi
nghi
s
phonethenhest
artedthecaranddr
oveoff
,Thongfol
l
owedhim
andtheydrov
eoff.
..

Loagopausedreadingandl
ookedatt
hei
rcar
sthenhest
oodup
andgoti
nt hecarthenhedr
oveoff
..
..

I
nGant
si.
..

Awhi
l
elat
ert
heypar
kedi
nthef
il
li
ngst
ati
on.
Monga:Iguesst
hisi
sgoodby
e,f
rom hereI
'
llbegoi
ngt
oFt
own,
whenI'
m doneI'
l
lbeget
ti
ngMJtheni comehome.

Lanakeptqui
ett
henhel
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
..
.

Monga:
Driv
esafely.
..Il
oveyoueveni
fyou'
reangr
ywi
thmegape
nnakai
tsegakarobalaope.Comeanddri
ve..
.

Shesteppedoutandwal kedar
oundthecarthenhefor
ceful
l
y
huggedher,shetookadeepbreathandfinal
l
yhuggedhimthen
hekissedheragainstt
hecarandsteppedback.

Monga:
(laughed)Obor
egi
l
egor
e..
.Il
ovey
out
hemma

Lana:
Lov
eyout
oo

Monga:
(handedhi
m hi
scar
d)Wi
l
lthi
sputasmi
l
eony
ourf
ace?

Shesmil
edandsnatchedi
tthenhel
aughedandki
ssedherbef
ore
openi
ngthedoorf
orher.

Monga:
Dri
vesaf
ely

Lana:
Cani
visi
tinFt
own?
Monga:
No,
itsabusi
nesst
ri
p.

Lana:
I'
ll
stayi
nthehot
el

Monga:
Nonegot
iat
ions.By
e

Hekissedherandclosedthedoor
.Mongawav
edatThongand
goti
nhissist
erscarthenhedroveof
f.

Thong:Lanadr
ivei
nthemi
ddl
e,i
wantt
oseey
oui
fany
thi
nggoes
wrong.

Lana:
Ok.

Loagot
ookt
hel
eadt
henLanaandf
inal
l
yThong.
..

HOURSLATER.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#115

AtLoago'
sHouse.
..

Loagoquietl
yparkedthecarandleanedbackwi t
halongface,
Apulagotoutofthecarandclosedt hedoorasLJranoutofthe
house.Loagoleanedoverthest
eeringwheel wi
thaheavyheart
,
LJopenedt hedoorandsmi l
ed.
.

Lj
:Daddy
?

Loago:Heyboy
..
.Gi
vemeami
nut
e,Ihav
eaheadache.
.I'
m
coming.
..

Lj
:Ok.
.I'
l
lgety
ouwat
erandpar
acet
amol
.

Heranbackint
hehouseasLoagol
eanedbackanddi
all
ed
someone.
..

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?

Loago:
Kant
edoesi
nsur
ancecov
ersui
cide?

Hi
m:I
'
m notsur
ewai
tse.
.Whyar
eyouaski
ng?
Loago:
Someonei
knowcommitt
edsuici
desoI'm wonder
ingi
f
hi
ssonwoul
dgetsomet
hingf
rom hi
sinsur
ance.

Hi
m:Ok,
I'
m notsur
ebutI
'
llconf
ir
mfory
ou.

Loago:
Alri
ght,t
hanks.Doy
oumi
ndget
ti
ngbackt
omebef
oret
he
endoftoday?

Hi
m:Sur
e,wi
l
llety
ouknowi
naf
ewmi
nut
es.

Loago:
Ok,
bye

HehungupasApul
awal
kedoutoft
hehouseangr
il
y.
..

Apul
a:Whywoul
dyourmai
dhandov
ermykey
swi
thoutmy
per
missi
on?

Loago:
Shehandedt
hem t
owho?

Apula:Tomysist
ers,
Atsi
l
eandOt
lhe,
noneoft
hem hasadr
iver
's
l
icencekana.

Loago:Butifsheref
usedandy oudidn'tmindy ou'
dbeangrygore
doesshet hi
nkyoursister
swouldsteal f
rom you.Iwouldhave
alsohandedthem overseeingyou'
resol ov
ingandpr ot
ecti
veof
them.Besideswedidn'thaveagoodnet workcov er
agesohow
wasshesupposedt ogety ourpermissi
on?

Apul
a:Whati
ftheywr
eckedmycar
?

Loago:I
'
m suretheydi
dn't
.I'
mreal
lynotinthemoodforgett
ing
i
nsult
s,ij
ustwanttobathandrest
..
.Pleasekeagokopa.Ifyou
keepinsulti
ngmeandbel ittl
i
ngmel ikethisi will
killyouandki ll
my sel
f,gaont i
rel
esent e...Thereisabi gdi f
ferencebet ween
kil
l
ingsomeonef rom insideanddef endingy ourself.Whaty oudi d
tomeov ertherewast otallydisrespectfulandI '
m stillstr
uggli
ng
togetov er.
..I
'm notasst rongasy outhink...Buty ouknowI 'm
weakbecausey oualway stellmehowl ittl
ei am, whaty oudon' t
knowkegor eifyoukeephur tingmel i
ket hi
si willburny ouinside
thehouseandki l
lmy selfbecauseasofnowi don'tthinkI'
ll
ev er
enjoymyl if
e..Totagakebat egogoaket saI'm brokenby
everyt
hingy ousaidaboutme. .

Apul
atookadeepbr
eat
hlooki
ngathi
m andsi
ghed.
..

Apul
a:Idi
dn'
tknowitwoul
dhavesomuchef f
ect
,isai
ditbecause
youhur
tme..
.It
'snotl
i
kelennaI
'm nothur
t.
..

Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
esasshel
ookedathi
m..

Apula:Youembar r
assedmeoutt here.
.From dayoneuntilt
he
l
ast..
.womenwer etreatedlikequeensoutt here,
ManDcar ri
edhi s
wifearoundwithoutacompl ai
nt ,he'
dgomakehersnacks, they
touchedthem andhadst olenki sses,theymadej okesandhad
sex.MongahaLanaangadi lehebegsher ,anddoesev er
ything
amor apelaunti
lasmi l
er.
..Youdon' tdothatforme, youwere
preoccupi
ed.Ithoughtaftertalkingt oyoukabeingr omanti
cy ou'
ll
dobett
er.
..Aboveall
ihatethewayy
outal
ktomeaboutmy
condi
ti
on.Alwaysthr
owinginhor
mones,i
knowy ou'r
enothappy
aboutmemaki ngdeci
sionsonmyownbutther
ear ebet
terways.
.

Loago:
Redi
rej
angshoul
dwegof
orcounsel
l
ing?

Apula:Idon'
tknow,ij
ustknowthatI'
mlosi
ngint
erestinthi
s
rel
ati
onship.Ij
ustwantt
owalkawayandbeonmyown.I '
m so
ti
redofthisbackandfor
th,wearetoxi
cforoneanother.
..

Loago:Canweinvol
veacounsell
i
ngserv
icebef
orewepar
tway
s?
Please,
idon'
twantt
oli
vewiththewhati
fs

Apula:(si
ghed)OK,andforwhatit'
sworthI'
mr eall
ysorry
.Ihavea
tendencytosayv er
yhurt
fult
hingswhenI'm angrybutaftert
hati
real
lyfeelbadbecauseidon'
twantt ohur
totherpeople.Iwouldn'
t
l
ivewithmy sel
fifsomeonecommi tt
edsuici
debecauseofme. .

Loago:I'
m sor r
yforhur t
ingyout oo, I'
m sorrythatIcouldn't
concentr
ateony ouorpayat t
ent ioni thi
nkf i
ndingoutwhati
foundoutint hebathroom reallybr oughtmyspi ritdownpl usthe
wayMongakeptt al
kingtomet otannakesensi t
iveandi thi
nka
l
ot.Ithi
nki shoulddistancemy selffrom MongaandThongsoi
canbemy sel
fagai nbecausemostofmydeci si
onsIdot hem kel
e
underpressure,whenI '
m witht hem i getstressedbecausei
alwaysthi
nkhehadsexwi thy ouandal thoughi t
r ynott
ot hi
nk
aboutit
.Itreall
yhur t
stobef r
iendmot hooi t
segor ebar obetsele
awomany oul ove.

Apul
a:(
sighed)OK,
you'
l
lletmeknowaboutcounsel
l
ing.Wewi
l
l
seehowitgoesandi
fitdoesn'
twor
koutwewi
l
lcal
li
tqui
ts.Can
youdropmeoffatMaru'
shouse?

Loago:
OK.
.

Shegoti
nthecart
henhedr
oveof
f.
..

Loago:
Cani
tel
lyousomet
hing?

Apul
a:Yeah

Loago:Ther
eisonet
hingi appr
eci
ateabouty
ou..
.Youalways
apol
ogisewhenyoureal
iseyourwrong.Asmuchasithurt
sit
al
way smakesmefeelbetter
.

Apul
a:Thanks

Loago:
Butyouknowanapologyonl
ycarri
esweightwheni
t'
srar
e,
i
fyoukeepdoingthesamet
hingoverandoverandsaysor
ryi
ts
j
ustanannoyi
ngthing.

Apul
a:(
laughed)OK,
iunder
stand.
.

Laogo:
Ihopet
hatwast
hel
astt
imey
out
alkaboutmydi
ck

Apula:Mmekanai t
'snotsmallijustsayittoannoyyoubecause
growingupwewer etaughtthequickestandmostcr uelwayto
hurtamani st ot
ellhi
m hehasat i
nydick.Apparent
lyall
men
thi
nkt hei
rdicksar
esmal lbecauset heywatchpornthatfeat
ures
guyswhoar eselectedforhavi
ngbi ggerdicks.I
t'
sli
kewomen
alwaysseeingwomeni nmov i
eswi t
houtst r
etchmarksorsaggy
br
easts,soever
ywomaniskindofashamedofhavi
ngstret
ch
marksbecauseofwhatt
heyseeonTV.Guy st
endthi
nktheyhave
smalldi
cksbecauset
hey'
recompari
ngthemsel
vestopor
nst ar
s.

Loago:Yeah..
.Probabl
y,butThongshoul
ddefi
nit
elybeapor
n
star
.Justthatther
eisnoporninBotswana.

Apulaal
mostsai
dsomet
hingandl
aughedl
ooki
ngoutt
he
window.
.

Att
hehot
el.
..

Mongawalkedinputti
ngonablackcapandsungl
assespull
i
ng
onebigsi
lverl
uggagebag,
hereachedinhi
sbackpocketand
pul
ledouthiswal
let
..
.

Monga:Hi,
itsIvanKgot
la,
ireser
vedar
oom ear
li
erandt
oldy
ou
myfl
ightar
rivesat4.

Recept
ioni
st:
Ohy
eah,
mayi
hav
eyourI
D?

Iv
anpulledouthi
sIDandsl
idi
tovert
henshefi
l
ledi
nt hef
orm
andsigned.
.Shehandedhi
mthekeystot
heexecut
ivesui
teand
smil
ed.
I
van:
Thanks.
.

Hepul l
edhisbagtother oom wher
eheswi pedt hekeycardand
walkedin.Thedoorclosedandautomatical
lylockedashet ook
offhiscapandglass,hecoughedandsatdownf oramoment ,
the
headacheseemedt ohav ebeengetti
ngwor seandnowhe
couldn'
tevenswall
ow, j
ustswall
owingsaliv
awasachal l
engeand
hecouldtellhi
stemperaturewashigh.

Hetookouthi
sval
uabl
esandopenedt
hesafet
henheputthem
i
nandlockedi
tbef
orel
ayi
ngonthebedwit
hhisshoesonbefor
e
dozi
ngoff
..
.

Hisotherphonerangi
nsi
l
encei
nsi
det
hesaf
eunt
ili
tst
oppedas
hesleptsweati
ng..
.

Att
hemal
l
...

Lanawal
kedoutoftheshopwi
thshoppi
ngbagsandgoti
n
Monga'
ssmallcar
,shedial
l
edLucyanddrov
eoff
..
.

Lucy
:Hel
l
o?

Lana:
Hi.
..I
'
mjustconf
ir
mingt
omor
row'
slesson.
Lucy
:It
'st
her
e,2pm.

Lana:
Alr
ight
,thanky
ousomuch.

Lucy
:Congr
atul
ati
onsont
heengagement
,isawt
heDP.

Lana:
Thanky
ousomuch.

Lucy
:Ok,
bye

Lana:
Bye

Shehungupanddi
all
edhermot
her
..
.

Her
:Hel
l
o?

Lana:
Hi,
I'
m comi
ngov
ert
omor
rowaf
ter
noon.

Her
:Ok,
didy
out
alkt
oSedi
?

Lana:
Yes,
sheisinGaborone.Pr
ayforher
,shewentf
oraudi
ti
ons
andshewasgiv
enacallback.Meani
ngsheiscomingagai
n
tomorr
owtocompetewit
ht hesel
ect
edones.

Her
:Ok.Br
ingusf
ood.

Lana:
Iwi
l
l,by
e

Shehungupanddr
oveof
f.
..
.
Ont
her
oad.
..
.

Lat
eronMarudr
ovealongt
heroadpassi
ngbythepol
i
cest
ati
on
asApul
asati
nthebackwit
hOshaonherlap.
..

Mar
u:(
concl
uded)Ker
aammat
hat
'swhathappenedwheny
ou
wer
egone.
..

Apul
a:Ican'
tbel
i
eveAt
sil
eist
hateasy
..
.

Osha:
(huggi
nghert
ight
ly)Don'
tev
erl
eav
eme.
.

Apul
a:Iwon'
tbaby
..
.

Maru:
I'
vecutt
hem outofmyli
feforgoodespeci
all
yOtl
he.Idon'
t
car
ewhatever
yonewil
lsaybutI
'm done.Shei
simmature.

Apul
a:I
'
m st
il
lwonder
ingwhatt
odowi
thherchi
l
drenwai
tse.
..

Apul
alookedoutsi
dethewindowast
hecarpassedandt
hought
sher
ecognisedhercarpar
kedatt
hepol
i
cestati
on..

Apula:I
sthatmycar!?(
tur
nedlooki
ng)I
tsmycar!Gat
wet
hey
tookit
,nowonderthey'
renotpi
cki
ngmycall
s..

Marupull
edoverandtheywalkedtothel
i
neofwr eckedcar
s
par
kingbythepol
icestat
ion,
Apula'
sheartpoundedasshelooked
att
hesideofhercart
otal
l
ywr
ecked,
theengi
neobv
iousl
y
scr
unched.
..

Apul
a:OhmyGod!OhmyGod.
..At
sil
ewr
eckedmycar
..

Oshasadl
ylookedatApul
aast
ear
srol
l
eddownherey
esasshe
t
ouchedherwreckedcar
..

Osha:I
'm sor
ry.
..Ar
ey ougoingt
otakemebacktoher
?(t
earf
ull
y)
I
'm sor
ry,
i di
dn'
tdoit.Iwi
llbuyy
ouacarwhenigrowup.
..

Apula'
sli
pstr
embledasshewalkedaroundt
hecar,Oshafearf
ull
y
walkedbehi
ndherandhel
dherhandwi t
hbothofherli
tt
lehands
astearsr
oll
eddownherli
tt
lecheeks.

Osha:
Wagompusakagor
eAt
sil
eogot
enne?

Apulatur
nedlooki
ngatherbutwordsdi
dn'
tcomeoutsoshejust
shookherheadast earsdr
oppedt
henshepul
ledherov
erand
rubbedOsha'
stears..
.

Mar
u:OhmyGod.
..I
'
m sor
ry.
Apula:Pl
easetakemehomesoicanputdownmybagsandgot o
Otl
he'shousesoshecantel
lmewher
eAtsil
eisbecauseshehas
alotofexpl
aini
ngtodo.

Theygotbacki
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Minuteslat
erMar
uparkedandtheyst
eppedoutofthecarl
ooki
ng
atthehouse,t
hedoorwasopenedanditseemedsomeonewas
home...

Mar
u:Di
dyoul
eav
esomeoneher
e?

Apul
a:No.
..

Atsi
l
esweptt hesoi
loutandst
oppedatt
hestooplooki
ngatthem.
Herheartski
ppedandsheputthebr
oom agai
nstt
hehousethen
shesincer
elywal
kedover.
..

Atsi
l
e:Hi,i
letmy sel
finbecausei
washomel
ess.
..Ther
eis
somethi
ngi needtotell
you..
.
OshaandMaruwalkedi
nthehousel
eavi
ngthem st
andi
ngt
her
e.
Apulat
ear
ful
l
ystar
edatherwit
hastrai
ghtf
acethenOshar
anout
wit
hhermoneybox..

Osha:
Atsi
l
eyout
ookmymoney
?

At
sil
e:I
twasOt
lhe.
.

Apul
a:Oshagi
veusami
nut
e..

At
sil
eopenedhermout
htospeakbutMar
ual
sost
eppedout
side.
..

Mar
u:Whyi
sthehouseempt
y?

Apul
aturnedlookingatherconfusedandrushedi
nthehouse,i
t
wasempt yexceptforthecouchthenshehurri
edt
othebedroom
andcheckedtheot herroomsbeforewal
ki
ngbackoutsi
de..

Apul
a:Wher
ear
emyt
hings?

Atsi
le:
Otl
heaskedmet ogohelpheroutathomeandwheni
camebackeveryt
hingwasgone...I
'm sor
ry.
..Iwant
edtocal
lthe
poli
cebutiwasafr
aidbecauseihaveacaseorr eckl
essdr
ivi
ng.
Yourcari
satthepoli
cestat
ion.
..I'
m sorr
y..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#116

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..

Meanwhil
ethepoli
ceoff
icertr
iedl
i
steni
ngtoApulabutAt
sil
e'
s
cr
yinggotsoannoyi
nghet ur
nedandlookedather
..

Hi
m:Ma'
am I
'
mtr
yingt
ogetast
atement

Shest
oppedandj
ustsni
ff
edov
erandov
er.
..

Apula:Ididn'tgiveherthepermissiontodrivemycarandshe
doesn'thaveadr i
versli
cence.Iknowshedoesn' thav
emoneyto
paymebutpeopl ewhocan' tpaygot ojai
landt hatwoul
dmake
mef eelbetterwhi l
eI'
m walkingandcachingt axis.Myhousewas
brokeninto,i don'
twantt osayitwasabr eakinbecausesheand
myot hersisterheremmeOt l
hehav ekeystomyhouse.They
weretouset hesekey sincaseofanemer gency.

At
sil
e:Otl
heistheonewhobroughtmenandtheyfi
rstst
olet
he
WiFi
thi
ng,lat
erthat'
swhenshetr
ickedmei
ntoleav
ingand
ev
eryt
hingwast aken.

Ot
lhe:
Idi
dn'
ttakeany
thi
ng,
ift
heyt
ooki
tidi
dn'
tknow.
Pol
i
ce:
Don'tworr
yApul a,
thoseguyswi
ll
bequesti
onedandt
hese
l
adi
eswil
ltel
lusbecausetherewasnobreaki
n.

Apul
a:Iwantthem t
obeheldaccount
ablef
orwhatt
heydi
dtome.
I
ftheycan'
tpaymet hent
heymustserveti
me

At
sil
e:I
'
m pr
egnanti
can'
tgot
ojai
l

Poli
ce:Therear
epregnantpri
soner
s,somedeli
ver
edwhilei
n
ther
e..Butit
snotuptome, i
tsal
luptothej
udgeincour
t.May
youallkeepqui
etwhil
eApulaistal
ki
ng?I'
m goi
ngtocometoyou
soyougi vemeyourst
atement..

At
sil
ebeguncr
yingasApul
acar
ri
edont
alki
ngt
othepol
i
ce
of
fi
cer.
..

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Bothoopenedt
hedoorwideasThongwal
kedi
ncar
ryi
ngKhumo
andputheronthecouch.
.

Thong:I
'
mjustgoi
ngtotakeaquickshowerandpassbyt
he
off
icet
oseewhat'
sbeengoingon.

Khumo:
Ithoughty
ou'
l
lgot
omor
row

Thong:
Ibeengomeforal
mostaweek,
ican'
tl
eav
ewor
ker
sin
char
gefort
hatl
ong
Sheturnedl
ooki
ngattheTVangri
lyandchangedthechannel
thenThongsquat
tedbesi
desherhol
dingherhand.
..

Thong:Wespentthewhol
eweektoget
herandyouhadmy
undi
videdat
tent
ion,
whyongalawhenihavetogocheckon
busi
ness?Youknowwehav ebi
ll
stopay.
.Yourmedi
calsand
ther
apy..
.Mmh?Babe?

Bot
host
oodatt
hedoorl
ooki
ngathi
sbi
gbr
otherbeggi
ngher
..

Thong:
Ok,
let
'sgot
oget
hert
hen.
..Howi
sthat
?

Khumo:(
smi
l
ed)Canweal
sopassbyt
hemal
l
?Iwantsomet
hing
sal
ty.

Botho:I'
l
lgetitforyouKhumo. ..LetThongrest,car
ryi
ngyoual
l
theti
mecan' tbeeasy .Heisalway scar
ryi
ngy ouandthe
wheelchairt
hing..Can'ty
oujustlethim gooutaloneaikhut
se?

Helookedatherhopi
ngforaposi
ti
ver
esponsebutKhumo
si
ghedandchangedthechannel
..

Khumo:
Hedi
dn'
tmi
nd.
.
Bot
ho:
Thongwon'
ttel
lyouev
eni
fheneedsspace.

Khumo:
Youshoul
dn'
tgeti
nvol
vedi
nourmar
ri
agel
i
ket
hat

Botho:AndimustsayI
'
mr eal
lyhappyt
hatyou'
rer
ecoveri
ngand
yourspeechhasi
mproved.Mayigobuyyouwhatevery
ouwant?

Shedidn'
tseem happyabout
,Bot
howentbacki
ntheki
tchent
hen
Thongheldherhand..
.

Thong:
Letmegoputt
hewheel
chai
rint
hecar
..

Khumo:
Whyi
syoursi
sterher
e?

Thong: Ical
ledhersoshecoul dhelpmear ound,I'
m getti
ngal i
tt
le
overwhelmedandi haveat r
ipcomingup.Ihavet ogobuynew
carsinSout hAfri
ca,ther
eisshiparri
vi
nginacoupl eofweeks
andI'vemadesomegooddeal s.Mongaalsoor deredtwotrucks
fr
om me, hesignedacont r
actwit
hsomecompanysoheneedst o
buythose.

Khumo:
Whycan'
twegot
oget
her
?Iwantt
oseeSout
hAf
ri
ca

Thong:Babey ou'
reinawheelchairandI
'm notgoi
ngonaf untri
p,
carhunti
ngisnotfun..
.Igofrom autoshoptoautoshop.Ibuy
fr
om dif
ferentdeal
ersandsomecan' tbetrust
ed..
.It
'snotsafe.I
evenhavetoal waysgetafewguy stoaccompanymej usti
n
case.
..

Khumo:
Iyoo.
..
Gosi
mologi
lekaditr
ip.
.You'
veal
way
sor
der
ed
car
swhynowmustyoustartgoi
ngyoursel
f?
Thong:BecauseI
'
vereali
sedthatI
'
m maki
ngal ossi
fIhi
re
someonebecausehewant st
obepaidandtheystar
tedl
yi
ng.I
fa
cari
swor t
hR60,000theytel
lme63Kandont opipayhi
m.Bett
er
Idoitmyself
.

Khumo:
Tsamay
akoof
isi
ng

Thongnot
icedhi
ssi
sterwal
ki
ngi
neav
esdr
oppi
ng.
..

Thong:
Bot
hogi
veussomepr
ivacy

ShewalkedoutthenThongsatnextt
oheront
hecouchand
ki
ssedhercheek..
.

Thong:
Let
'sgo

Khumo:No,I'
l
lstay
.Tsamayamothowamodimo.I
tsl
ikeyou'
re
ti
redofme.
..Iknewitwoul
dendoneday
.Ij
ustdi
dn'
texpecti
tto
bethi
ssoon..
.

Thong:Cany ougi
veme5minutest
odri
vet
her
eandcal
lmeon
theoff
icel
ine?Orwevi
deocal
l.Howist
hat
?

Khumo:
Ok

Thong:
Ilov
eyou.

Khumo:
Ilov
eyoumor
e
Thong:
Iwoul
dn'
thur
tyou,
hav
econf
idencei
nme.
.

Heleanedov
erkissi
ngheranddrovet
ot heof
fi
ce.Thesi
ster
di
all
edhermotherandsatonthebed.
..

Her
:Hel
l
o?

Botho:UhmmeKhumoober eki
saThonggor e.
..
sheiscontrol
li
ng
him andit
sv er
ysad.Hedoeseveryt
hingforher,bat
hher,cook
forher.
.I'
m surehewashesherpant
iestoo.GaabateThot hoaka
tswaasamor wala,
bat
honghalekammonaar apelakhumo. .

Shewal kedtothedoort
omakesureshewasst i
l
lint
hel
i
ving
room andclosedthedoorl
ower
ingherv
oice.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Laterthatev
eni
ngApul
alai
donthemat
tressandpluggedher
chargeronthewal
lbef
orel
yi
ngdownwhileOshasnoredbesi
des
her..

Shet
ext
edMonga.
Apul
a:Hi,therraineedacarandiknowThonghasnicecars.
Waswonder i
ngifi
tspossi
bletogetacheaponethenIpay
monthl
yinstal
lments.Doyouthi
nkhewouldagr
ee?

Shet
ypedanot
herone.
.

Apula:Bythewayi noti
cedy ousneezi
ngacoupleofti
mesatt he
camp.Icoul dn'
tsayanythingbutyoushoul
dgettabl
etsforfev
er
becauseoncei thi
tsyouy ou'l
lbedownforday
s.Itwasreall
ycold
outthereplusthedri
zzl
ing.

Shesentamessagebuti
tseemedhehadbeenof
fl
inef
orhour
s.

AtLana'
shouse.
..

Meanwhil
eLanasatbyherstudytabl
eandwentthrought
he
mater
ial
shemissedthepastcoupleofday
s.Shetookadeep
br
eathandsi
ghedfrust
rat
edthenshebegunreading.
..

Shepausedandgrabbedherphonechecki
ngtheli
stofpeople
whosawherstatuses,
shehadrepli
esfrom f
ri
endsandsmiled
repl
yi
ngthenshesentMongaamessage.
Lana:Hopeyouhadasaf
efli
ght
.Yourv
oicesoundedwei
rdear
li
er
nkareotshwer
ekefl
u.Pl
easekeepwar
m.Iloveyou.

Shepostedmor epicsfr
om thecampi ngandsmiledatthe
comment s,
partofherrememberedt hebooks.Shesighedand
j
ustswit
chedof fherphone.Shethrewi tont
hebedandgot
her
sel
ftogetherbeforedroppi
ngherf acebackt
ot hebooks
wit
houtthedist
racti
onofaphone. .
..

Att
hehot
el.
..
.

Meanwhi l
est
il
linhisshoesMongasweatundertheblanket
s
thoughhewasr eal
lycol
d,hecoul
dfeelthecol
dthroughhis
bonesashelaidthereweak.He'
dneverfel
tthi
skindofheadache
beforeandhecouldbarel
yopenhiseyesashisphonerang..

Monga:
(roughv
oice)Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Hi
,isenty
ouamessageandnot
icedy
ou'
reof
fl
ine

Monga: (
eyescl
osed)Ihaveater
ri
bleheadache.
.Ican'
topenmy
eyes.Keasitwagoremathat
akepalel
wakegot sayakoboe
nngweinthewardrobe.

Apul
a:Wher
eisy
oursi
ster
?

Monga:
I'
minFt
own,
flewher
e..
.Idon'
tknowhowl
ongI
'
vebeen
sl
eepi
ngi
tsdar
kint
her
oom.

Apul
a:Cani
cal
lLana?

Monga:
No,
I'
m doi
ngsomet
hingst
upi
d.

Apul
a:(
fi
gur
edi
tout
)Oh.
..

Monga:
Fuckt
hogoy
amey
aopa,
ithi
nkI
'
m dy
ing.

Apul
a:Di
dyoueat
?

Monga:Idon'
twanttoeat
.Cany
oucal
lmet
omor
row,
I'
mtoo
weak.Iwantt
osleep.

Apul
a:Youneedtoeatsomet
hing,
cal
lforr
oom ser
vice,
whi
ch
hot
elareyouat
?

Monga:
I'
m nothungr
y.

Apula:Mongaker engjaanonghael egorey oudon'

twantt oeat
andy ouhaven'thadany thingsi ncemor ning.Kanathat
'sfever
,
youneedt ogot ot hehospi t
al becausey ou'r
egoingtogetcaught
i
fy outhi
nky ou'l
ldot hosecr azysicklikethat.Whatareyoudoing
thereanyways?-nev ermi nd, don'tsayitoverthephonegat wema
DIStappeopl e'
sphones.( sighed)Shoul di comeov er
?

Monga:
Ont
elesomepi
l
lsorsomet
hing,
Fucki
thi
nkI
'
m dy
ing.

Apul
a:You'
renotdy
ing,
you'
rej
ustbei
ngabi
gbaby
.Whi
chhot
el?

Het
oldherasshegotupandr
educedhercl
othes.
Apula:
I'
ll
bether
earoundmidni
ght
,it
sa5hourdr
ive.Shi
t!Idon'
t
haveacar.Wher
eisyourot
hercar
?

Monga:
Lana,
don'
ttal
ktoher
.GetThong'
scar
,

Apula:OhmyGod, i
can'tbel
i
eveI'
m goi
ngtodeal
wit
hhi
s
l
ectures.By
e,I
'
llbether
ebeforemidni
ght
.

Shemadeacal l
tothemai
dandsheagr
eedt
obebr
oughtov
er
thenshedi
aledThong.

Thong:
Hel
l
o?

Apula:
Ineedyourcart
ogoseey
ourf
ri
end,
hehasaf
everandhe
ref
usestoeat
.

Thongopenedhi
smout
hforal
ect
urebutApul
acont
inuedt
alki
ng.

Apula:Iknowwhaty ou'
regoingt osayandI'
l
l begladtohearit
aft
erfeedingy ourf
ri
endandt aki
nghimt oaclini
cifnecessary
becauseev eryminuteyou'r
egoi ngtowastetelli
ngmehowI '
ma
cheat,
howI '
vehurthim andev ery
thi
ngabouthowmuchhel oves
Lanaenewaswakwa.

Thong:
I'
ll
fil
lthet
ankandbr
ingi
t.

Apula:Thanky
ou.Therei
ssomeoney
oumustbr
ingwi
thy
ou,
my
maid.Shehastolookaft
erOsha.
Thong:
Ok,
sendhernumber
.

Apul
a:By
e

Shehungupandpackedup,
acarst
oppedout
sidethenshe
rushedout
.Shegreet
edt
hemai
dandjumpedinthecarthen
Thongdroveof
f.
..

Ther
ewassi
l
encei
nthecarashedr
ove.
..

Thong:
Ial
soboughtcondomsi
ncaseheneedst
hem.

Apul
a:Condomscur
efev
er!
?

Thong:
Sor
ry

Apula:I
'
m notgoi
ngther
eforwhatyout
hink.I
'
m hel
pinghi
m
becausehedoesn'
twanthi
sgir
lf
ri
endknowinghi
sshadydeal
s.

Thong:
What
every
ousay
.

Minutesl
atershedr
oppedhim of
fatthegatethenshet
ookt
he5
hourdri
vealoneint
hedarkwit
hjustmusic.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#117

Att
hehot
el.
..

Thenextmor ni
ngMongat ur
nedhisheadandf inal
lymanagedt o
openhiseyeswithoutaheadache,hisey eslandedonApul a'
s
facelyi
ngnexttoherasleepexhaustedf r
om dr i
vi
ngalltheway..
.
Sohewasn'tdreamingaboutherar ri
ving,t
akingoffhisshoesand
forci
nghimtoeatandt akepil
lsbeforesleeping.Heturnedhis
headlooki
ngatther oom andyeahhewasi nFt own..

Hesl owl ygotofft hebedandst oodup, hestil

lfel
tcoldandhis
muscl eshur tashewal kedint hebat hroom andpeed, hefl
ashed
thetoiletandst oodbef oret hemi r
rorlookingathim...Guil
tstr
uck
him..
.LanaandMj pr
obabl ydi dn'
tdeser vethis,
he'dalwayssworn
he'dnev erputhi mselfi naposi t
ionlikethisbutherehewaswi t
h
Apula...Andhewasn' tsur eifhe'dbeabl et ocontr
olhimself.
..
Wast hi sit
?Hi m cheat ingont hemot herofhischildwhileshe
wast ryingtobet terher selffortheirfuture?Butthenwhat '
sthe
pointofal waysbei ngf aithfultothesewomenbecausewhenev er
theygetanoppor tuni
t ytheyusedi t..Allofthem.

Hegr
abbedhi
stoot
hbr
ushandbr
ushedhi
steet
hthenhewashed
hisfacefeel
ingweak.Hesuppor tedhimselflookingdown
thoughtf
ull
y.
..Butthenforcheat i
ngt ostopinar elat
ionshi
pone
personhastosacr i
fi
ceandbet hebi ggerper
son...Otherwi
seit
becomesanev erendi
ngcircleof" shealsocheatedwhynot "and
"hecheatedwhynot "unti
lthereisnol ovelef
tbuthat e..
.

Hewalkedoutandsatont
hebed,
Apul
ali
ft
edherheadf
rom t
he
bedandsatup.
..

Apul
a:Goodmor
ning.Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?

Monga: Mor
ning,
sti
l
lfeel
i
ngcol
d,myt
hroathur
tsbutatl
eastt
he
headachest
opped.

Apul
a:Ok.
.

Mongacoughedasshehandedhi
mthemedi
cine.
.

Apul
a:Hav
ethat
,I'
l
lcal
lforr
oom ser
vice.

Monga:
Thanks,
hav
eyout
oldLoagoy
ou'
reher
e?

Apula:No,
idi
dn'
twantt
ocompr omisewhatev
ery
ou'
redoi
ngher
e.
Iaskedmymaidtobabysi
tforext
rafee.
..

Monga:
Ok,
Mongatookhispi
ll
sanddrunkthecoughsyrupt
henhedr
agged
himsel
fupthebed,shepul
l
edtheblanketov
erhi
m andwal
kedi
n
thebat
hroom..
.

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erthatmorni
ngThongspray
edhimselfwi
thperfumeand
pi
ckedhisphoneandcarkey
sthenheleanedoverkissi
ng
Khumo...

Thong:
Seey
oul
ater
..

Shelookedawayandcov
eredher
sel
fwi
thaduv
etav
oidi
nghi
s
st
rongperfume.
..

Khumo:
Doy
ouhav
etogosoear
ly?

Thong:Ther
eist
raf
fi
cbabe.
..Whatshoul
dIbr
ingf
ory
ouonmy
breakt
ime?

Khumo:
Not
hing.

Thong:
I'
ll
seewhatIcanbr
ing.
..Il
ovey
ou.
.

Hewal
kedoutasBot
hocookedi
ntheki
tchen.
..
Thong:
Don'tgiv
ehert
hebr
eakf
ast
..She'
l
lcomegeti
t.Iwanther
tol
eaveherroom.

Bot
ho:
Ok.
.

Hegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
fashi
smot
hercal
l
ed.
..

Thong:
Hel
l
o?

Her
:Howar
eyoumyboy
?

Thong:
I'
mfi
ne,
wher
eisdad?

Her:Heishere.
..Iheardyoursi
stert
ell
i
ngmey ou'
redoing
ever
ythi
ngforyourwi f
e,don'
tyouthi
nky oushouldtakeherhome
tohermotherforawhi l
e?

Hi
m:Takeherbackf
orwhat
?

Thong:
No,
icanhandl
eit
.Shei
sact
ual
l
yrecov
eri
ng

Her:
Recoveri
nghow?Iheary
oubat
hherandevenwashher
pant
ies.
.That
'snotgoodf
oraman,
youshoul
dn'
ttoucha
woman'spanty

Thong:Whynot
?Mmêkanar onaredir
abasadi
dilotsedimaswe,
ekar
ekekgonegogor
akukuabeket shabagotshwarapenti
?
{Mom someofusdotheunt
hinkabl
etowomeni nbed,i
ficanput
mylipsonawoman'
spussyandeatherwhycan'tit
ouchher
pant
y ?
}
Her:Youdowhat
?Thongwhyar
eyout
ell
i
ngmesuchshocki
ng
t
hings.

Him:That'
smyboy ,l
etmewal kawayfrom her
(wal
kedaway)
Don'
tli
stentothi
sone...Toorur
alt
hisone,shewon'
tevenl
etme
ki
ssherwiththetongue.Staywi
thyourwif
eandenjoyher

Thong:
Andoursexl i
fei
sev enbetter,i
gett
oenjoyherwit
houta
str
uggl
ebecauseshedoesn'thavet hepowert
opushme.You
knowhowI '
vealway
sstruggledbecausewomenwoul dn'
tl
etme
i
nwholly,
nowi gett
oenjoymy sel
f

Him:Enjoyy
ourwife.
..Theseonesarebored.Getamai dt
ohelp
youaroundthehouseandenj oyy
ourwifeeverynight
.Bot
hois
nowthemail of
fi
cergetheroutofyourhousebecauseshekeeps
tel
l
ingyourmotherevery
thing.Womenwi l
lal
way sbewomen..

Thong:
(laughed)OK.
..Shei
sgone

Hi
m:Japhonaeongwanaka, bat
hobabatagogopatikel
amosadi
.
Banal
edikukubone?Don'
ttheyknowthatkukui
sli
fe?

Thongcr
ackedl
aughi
ngoutl
oudashedr
ovet
hrought
het
raf
fi
c..
.

Thong: (l
aughed)It
hinksheispregnant
,theonlyti
mesheget sa
l
it
tleparanoidandinsecureisi
fsheispregnant,
that'
swhenshe
cr
iesf orever
ythi
ngandal wayswantstobewi t
hme.I fil
eave
withoutherit
'sli
keI'
vesleptwit
hanotherwoman.She' dbeso
broken..
.
Him: Don'tli
stentoy ourmot herandsist
er,asforBothoshe
needsamansoshecanf ocusont hatandleaveyourwifeal
one.
Don'tletourfami l
ydestroyy ourfamil
y,you'
reyourownman
now..mywi f
eandi ar
enott hatimport
ant..
.Yourwifecomesfir
st.
Youdon' tjustdiscardherbecauseshei sonawheel chai
r.I
n
si
cknessandi nheal t
hmeantt hi
s..
.It
oldyounottolethergo
whenhermot heraskedifshecoul dgetherunti
lsheisbett
er

Thong: Iknow...Idon'
twantustogrowapar t
.IfsheleavesI'
l
l
startt
hinkingaboutgetti
ngsomeonet ohidewithandt heniwil
l
fall
inlovewi t
ht hatper
sonandforgetaboutmywi fe.Idon'
twant
towalkawayf r
om heratherlowest.

Him:Don'tli
stent
oany one,rat
amosadi wagagoibi
lehaomo
rat
aomor ot
elekgapetsakgapetsa.
..Sheneedssomeonetokeep
herbusyathome.Gi veheral i
tt
leThong.Ibi
leyoosenang
dit
okol
olonkannahel amogoenekaser obi
.

Thongcov
eredhi
smouthshamef
ull
ywi
tht
heot
herhandwhi
l
e
dri
vi
ngwit
htheot
her
..
.

Thong:
Ee

Hi
m:Waswaba?Keagoswabi
sa?

Thong:
(laughed)Nny
aa!

Hi
m:Nt
shamasi
kamol
eny
alongi
sebagot
hubel
elel
wapa

Thong:
Shei
sgone
Hi
m:Pol
i
tel
y

Thong:
Pol
i
tel
y,y
es.

Hi
m:(
whi
sper
ed)Yourmot
heri
scomi
ng.Hangup

Hehungupandl
aughedashedr
oveof
f.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

LateronLoagopar
kedt
hecarandgotoutwhi
l
ethemai
drakedi
n
fr
ontofthehouse.
..

Loago:
Hi,
okae?

Her
:MmagweOsha?Shewentf
orat
ri
p

Loago:
Wher
e?

Her
:Idon'
tknow,
shedi
dn'
tsay
.

Loago:
Thanks.
.

Hegotbackinthecaranddrovetoherwor kpl
acewhi
lecal
li
ng
herbutt
herewasnoanswer .Minut
eslaterhepar
kedather
workpl
aceandwalkedintherecept
ion..
Loago:
Hi.
.

Her
:Hi

Loago:
Cani
seeMsApul
aTsat
sing?

Her:MsTsatsi
ngtookanot
herweekof
f.Cani
takeamessageor
getsomeonetoassisty
ou?

Loago:
No,
it'
sok.Thanky
ou.

Hewalkedoutandheadedtot
hecar
,coul
dshehav
elef
twi
th
Monga?Hediall
edThong..

Thong:
Yeah

Loago:
Hi,
cani
hav
eLana'
snumber
?

Thong:
Oisakaenumber
ayamosadi
wagaMonga?

Loago:
Iwantt
oconf
ir
m somet
hing

Thong:
Likewhat
?Whynotcal
lMonga?

Loago:
Heobvi
ousl
ywon'tt
ell
met
het
rut
h.Gol
ohal
ewher
edi
d
Mongasayhei
sgoing?

Thong:Whereareyou?Iwantt
otel
lyousomet
hingandi
needt
o
sayitf
acetoface.

Loago:You'
renotgoingtouseboket
ejwammel eonthisi
ssue.
YoucangivemeLana' snumberorI'
m sear
chingforheron
FacebookandsendinghermessageaskingherwhereMongai s
becausei
wantt
ogogetApul
a.

Thong:OtaanyelakanaLoago,
didyoujustt
hreat
enmekanaka
l
ora?List
en.
..I
fyouknowwhat '
sgoodforyouyou'
llst
ayhome
andwaitunt
ilApulacomeshome.Ifsheiswit
hMongaandy ou
tel
lLanaiwi
llper
sonall
ydealwi
thyou..
.Tr
ustmeont hat
.

Loago:
Sot
hey
'r
etoget
her
?

Thong:Karei
f..
.Don'tcont
actLana,don'
tinv
olveheri
ny our
shenani
ganswithApula.Gapegasemosadi wagagof oryoutobe
monitor
inghermov ements.I
fshedoesn'twantyouknowing
wheresheisthenrespectherpr
ivacy.

Loago:Gonemmekengl edi
rajal
oManD?SoMongat akesmy
gi
rlf
ri
endandwenayou'r
eblocki
ngmef r
om doi
ngany
thingabout
i
t?Ibi
leyoudon'
twantLanaknowing.

Thong:Justr
elax,Apul
awil
lcomeback.Don'tforgetthati
know
whereyoustay,iknowwhereyoursonschools.I
'
lltalkt
oMonga
andaskhim abouther,
ther
eisnoneedtot hr
owat antr
um.I'
l
lcal
l
youback.

Loago:Ray
aMongaamphekebuel
eApul
aee.{
GetMongat
olet
met al
ktoApul
athen}

Thong:I
'm notpr
omisi
ngbecauseI
'
m notsur
eift
hey
'r
etoget
her
butI
'l
lcal
lyouback.

Loago:
Thanks.Bakae?Gabs?

Thong:
I'
ll
cal
lyouback.

Loago:
Thanks.
Hehungupandsi
ghedt
henhel
eanedbackwai
ti
ngf
orhi
scal
l
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#118

Att
hehot
el.
..

Mongast
eppedoutofthebat
hroom dr
yinghi
mselfwi
thatowel
andbl
ewhisnosebef
oreputt
ingonhisshort
sandaformalshi
rt
..
.

Henoti
cedanot eont hetableandreadit"Hi I
van,i
st eppedout
t
ogetmor ei
ngredientsforyourfever
".I
van,reall
yLala?He
l
aughedandcrumpl edthenot ebef
oreaimingtowardst hebin.
.At
l
eastnowhefeltmuchbet t
erwiththeexceptofhisthroat..
.

Heputonat i
eandbr ushedhi shaircut.
..Besideswear i
ngshorts
theupperpartofhisbodyl ookedl i
kehej ustwal kedi nt
oanof f
ice.
Hewal kedtowardsthekitchenar eaandmi xedhotwat erwit
h
l
emoni namugbef orewal ki
ngt owardst heof f
icear eawherehe
placeditdownandl etdownt hebl i
ndfoldsashepr eparedforhis
meet i
ng.Hewentbackt ot hesaf eandt ookouthi slaptopand
phonet henhesetthem ont het ableandpluggedt hem, hepul
led
thechairandsatdownbef or
et akingasi pthenhesenta
message. .
.

Hej
oinedt
hemeet
ingsi
tt
ingont
hechai
rashet
ookasi
pandput
t
hecupdown.Themanont heot
herendofthescreenstoodby
wi
thhi
shandinthepocketr
ubbi
nghisheadanxi
ously.
.

Hi
m:Whathappened?

Monga:
Iapol
ogi
sef
ort
hat
,iwasdownwi
thf
everbutI
'
m good.

Hi
m:So?

Monga:I'
l
l st
artsur
v ei
l
lancet
omor r
owbutI '
l
lneedadown
paymentforallt
heexpenses,iwon'
tstayinonehot
elthewhol
e
monthwithoutrai
singanysuspensi
on.I'
m hopi
ngtobedonein2
weeksor3weeksmax.

Hi
m:50%

Monga: Yes,andi wantiti

nmyof f
shor eaccount.Pl
easemake
surethatyouusei nt
ernati
onalf
undsf orthatdeposi
t,t
ransf
err
ing
fr
om Bot swanaisstil
lverymuchtraceable.Idon'
twantmyname
appeari
ngony ourpayr
oll.

Hi
m:Iunder
stand.

Monga:
Ihav
ear
equestf
ort
hisy
ear
'sf
inanci
aly
ear
..

ThedooropenedandApul
awalkedinwit
htwobi gpl
asti
cbags,
shenot
icedhewasinameetingandqui
etl
yclosedthedoor.He
tur
nedbacktothescr
eenandrubbedhi
shandstogether
..
.

Hi
m:Ar
eyouOK?
Monga:Yeah.
.Li
kei
wassay
ing,
iwantasl
i
cef
rom t
hisy
ear
's
t
enders.

Hi
m: Yourcompanyi
snew,
themedi
aisgoi
ngt
ofr
ymyassf
or
t
hat.

Monga: I
'
m notrelat
edtoanyofyou.Iwantt
hattender
,ifI'
m not
gett
ingyatheconstruct
ionoft
hebri
dge,iwantt
hehospi t
al.I
'
ll
engagesubcontract
ors.
..I
'v
ebeennothi
ngbutgoodtoy ou.Iput
mylifeonthel
ine.

Hi
m:Fi
ne,
wewi
l
lwor
ksomet
hingout
..

Meanwhi l
eApulaputt hingsi nt
hef ri
dget henshet ookof fher
heel
sandsi ghedreliev edasshewal kedint hebathroom and
shower ed.Minutesl atershewal kedoutwr appi
ngher selfwitha
towel andhewasst ill
int hemeet ing..Shehadn'tseenhi m
l
ookingt hatgoodi nawhi l
eandshedi dn'
tunderstandt hehellhe
wast alki
ngaboutbuti tsounded.I tobv i
ouslywasn' tquit
egood
butitwasgood. ..Yougeti t..Het urnedhisheadgl ancingather
andt urnedbackt othel aptopsippi ng,shesmi l
ednaught yand
tookaf ewst epsov ert henshef lashedhi m. .
.

Mongaal mostsmiledbutheturnedbackt othecomputer

blushing,hewantedtolookatheragainbutt henthi
swasa
seriousmeet i
ngandt hi
smanst andinginfrontofhi
m hardl
yhad
ti
mef oranyone.Herubbedhiseyebrowsandl eanedbacklooking
atApul aandshef l
ushedhim againbeforeclosi
ngthetowel.
..His
di
ckhar
denedashet
urnedbackt
othecomput
erandr
ubbedhi
s
mout
h..
.

Hi
m:So?

Monga:
Uh?

Hi
m:Ar
eyoul
i
steni
ng?

Monga:
Yeah,
goon

Hi
m:Any
thi
ngel
se?

Monga:
Nah,
I'
m good.Thanky
ou.

Hi
m:Al
ri
ght
,goodday
.

Hesl
appeddownthel
apt
opandst
oodupwal
ki
ngt
owar
dsApul
a
t
aki
ngoffhi
sti
e.

Monga:
(laughed)What
'sgoi
ngon?

Apula:(
laughed)I
twasapr ank,
ijustwant
edtoseey ourr
eacti
on
i
fifl
ushy ouwhileyou'
reonabusinesscal
l.(
laughed)Obolai
sa
di
tshegokehaoswabaswaba

Monga:
(laughed)Soi
twasj
ustaj
oket
oyou?

Apul
a:(
laughed)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Hewrest
ledheront
hebedandlandedont
opofherast
hey
l
aughedt
henhisphoner
ang.
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o

Thong:Loagoj
ustcal
ledme,hewant
edt
ocont
actLanabecause
hethi
nksApulai
swi t
hyou.

Monga:
Didy
out
akecar
eofi
t?

Thong:YeahbutgetApulatotal
ktohim ot
her
wiseLanawil
lknow
whathappened,y
ouknowhowst upi
dsomepeoplecanbe.Itol
d
hi
mt ostayawayfrom Lana.

Monga:
Alr
ight
,thanks.

HehungupandpushedApul
a'
shai
routofherf
ace.
.

Monga:
Cal
lLoago

Apula:Idon'twanttocal
lhim,it
oldhim aboutwhathappened
andhisresponsewas" I'
m sur
ey ou'
ll
f i
gur
eoutwhattodo" .A
boyf
r i
endrespondingli
kethat
..
.Thesadt hi
ngaboutLoagoi sthat
heisnotev enpoorbuthejustneverseemst odothi
ngsrightand
hedoesn'twantt hi
stoend.Hethreatensmylif
eandi t
hinkhei s
sui
cidal.

Monga:Sti
ll
call
him andtal
kitout
.I'
l
lhel
py ououtwi
thacarbut
youcan'
ttel
lanyoneabouti
tespeci
all
yLana.Wehaveachil
dand
ij
usti
ntr
oducedhert
omyfami
ly,anyt
hinggoeswrongshecan
nowgostrai
ghtt
omypar
entsbecausetheytal
know.

Apul
a:Iunder
stand.Letmecal
lhi
mthen

Monga:Yeah,
lennal
etmecallLanabeforewewat
chsomet
hing
under
cover
s.Thi
smedici
nekeepsknockingmeoff
.

Apul
a:Al
ri
ght

Shegotof
fbedanddi
all
edLoagoasshesatont
hecouch.

AtLana'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
leLanafol
dedherar
msl
eani
ngagai
nstMonga'
scaras
Loagost
oodinfr
ontofher
..
.

Loago:Theythr
eatenedmesoi fy
ouapproachhi
ml i
keit
oldy
ou
thenyou'r
eputt
ingmeatr i
skbutApul
aiswithhi
m gonekoFt
own
sinceyou'
resay
ingheisthere.

Lana:
Thanksf
orl
ett
ingmeknow.It
houghti
twasabusi
nesst
ri
p.

Loago:
Sur
e

Hegotint
hecaranddr
oveoffasApul
acall
edhi
m.Lanawal
ked
backi
nthehouseandf
oundherphoneri
ngi
ng.
.
Lana:
Hi

Monga:
Heybabe

Shet
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghedt
ear
ful
l
y..
.

Lana:
Hi,
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?Any
thi
ngi
nter
est
inghappeni
ngt
hat
si
de?

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#119

AtLana'
sHouse

Monga:
No,not
hingi
nter
est
ing.Howi
scat
chi
ngupwi
thy
our
st
udi
esgoi
ng?

Lana:
It'
sgoinggr
eat
.I'
mtr
yingt
ofocus,
yourmot
herv
ideocal
l
ed
meearli
erandisawMJ

Monga:
Sweet
,I'
l
lcal
lthem t
omor
row.

Lana:
Canwev
ideocal
l
?Iwantt
oseey
ourr
oom.

Monga:
Ok,
giv
emeami
nut
e.

Lana:
Ami
nut
e?

Monga:
Idi
dn'
tmeani
tli
ter
all
y.
..Letmecal
lyou.
.

Hecutthecallandshewaitedf
oralmostaminut
ethenshevi
deo
cal
ledhi
m, hepickedsi
tt
ingonthebedandscrat
chedhi
shead
uncomfor
tably
..

Monga:
Hi

Lana:
Iwasj
ustt
hinki
ngaboutsomet
hing.
.
Monga:
What
..

Lana:
It'
seit
herwear
enotmeantt
obet
oget
herory
ourki
dsar
e
l
it
eral
lyyourr
epel
l
ent

Monga:
Meani
ng?

Lana:Somet hi
ngalwaysgoeswrongonthef
ir
stmonthofmy
pregnancy,waait
seakeregor
etherei
sapossi
bil
i
tyt
hatimightbe
pregnantbecauseyouhaven'
tbeenusi
ngacondom?

Monga:
Iknow.
.

Lana:IhopeI
'm notpregnantbecauseicanfeel
youpul
li
ngaway
fr
om meemot ional
ly.I'
ml ooki
nginyourey
esandifeel
li
keI
'm
goingtobebetray
edi fihaven'
tal
ready.

Monga:
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?

Lana: Iwil
ldestroyev eryt
hingy ouowni fyoucheatonme, i
expecty outobef ai
thfult
omebecauset hat
'swhatyoupr omi sed
me.Thi sisusst arti
ngaf reshwi t
hourson, y
oupromi sedmea
perfectfami l
yandy ouwi llnotleavemehomet ogohav efunwi t
h
anotherwomani nahot el
.Iwasf i
newi t
hyouandy ourshady
dealsandi wasn'tgoingtopusht heissueofcomingov erthere
becausei t
houghti t
'sjustbusinessy oudon'
twantmeknowi ng
about ,i
fthatbusinessi sawomant henwearegoingt ohav eabi g
problem.

Monga:I'
m notwithanyone,i
hopeLoagodidn'
tcometoyouwi
th
hi
sinsecuri
ti
estry
ingtodestr
oymyfamily
.Hecalledear
li
er
becauseapparent
lyheisfi
ghti
ngwit
hApulaandassumedshei
s
wit
hme. .
Lana:I
fyouknowyouwon'
tbefait
hful
tomejustl
etmegonow
befor
eyoucommittome.Idon'
twanttobeamiser
abl
ewif
e.

Monga:
Wherei
sall
t hesecomingfrom?I'
m notcheat
ingony
ou.
Howcanipr
ovetoyout hatI
'
m notdoingany
thi
ng?

Lana:Idon'
twantanypr oof,ijustdon'twanttofeelt
hewayI'
m
feel
i
ngr i
ghtnow..I'
m hurtandi don'tknowwhatt odo.Tost
op
hurt
ing.
..I
'm scar
edbecausei mightbepr egnantandnowofal
l
ti
mesy ouchooset obeconf used.

Monga:I'
m notconf used,I'
m workingandyoushouldbefocusi
ng
onschooltoo.Ican'tbeli
evey ou'
relet
ti
ngotherpeopl
e'
s
pr
oblemsintoourr elat
ionship.

Lana:
ByeMonga.

Monga:
Wangal
ajaanong?

Lana:No,i
wanttoreadbecausei
can'
tev
ent
ell
wheny
ou'
re
tel
l
ingthetr
uthorl
ying.

Monga:
Ok,
bye

Lana:
Bye

Shehungupandsi
ghed.
..
.

Att
hehot
el.
..
.
Meanwhi
l
eApul
asi
ghedsi
tt
ingbyt
hepool
..
.

Loago:
Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Hi

Loago:
What
'sgoi
ngon?

Apula:I
t'
sover.Idon'
twanttobewit
hyouanymor e.Ithinkyou
shouldgofi
ndsomeonewhowi l
ll
oveyoucorrect
ly,iwil
l al
sofi
nd
someonewhowi l
llov
emet hewayIwant.I
fidon'tatleastI
wouldhavetri
ed.

Loago:Oneni
ghtwi
thhi
m andy
ou'
reabandoni
ngoutpl
anst
his
easy?

Apula:
I'
m notleavi
ngy ouforMonga, hehasawomani nhisl
i
fe
andheisaboutt ogetmar r
ied.Ij
ustfeel
bett
erbr
eaki
ngupwi th
youwhileunderhisprotect
ionbecauseyousaidy
ou'l
lki
llmeand
ki
lly
ourself
.

Loago:
Soy
ou'
rewi
thhi
m?

Apul
a:Yes.By
e.

Shehungupandsi ghed..
.Awhit
eguysitt
ingontheothersi
deof
thepoolsmil
edandr ai
sedhisgl
assather,shesmi
ledbackand
walkedawayassher ecei
vedMonga'
smessageaboutbei ngdone
withthephonecal
l
.Shedi al
l
edthemaid.
..
Her
:Hel
l
o?

Osha:
(appear
edwi
thacol
our
ful
tongue)Hi

Apul
a:Heyy
ou!

Osha:
Wet
ookawal
kandboughtsweet
s

Apul
a:Sav
esomef
orme.
..

Osha:
Whenar
eyoucomi
ng?

Apula:I
nafewdays,
ineedt
omakemor
emoneyf
orust
obuyour
fur
nitur
eandcar
,

Osha:
Ok,
aunt
iedi
dmyhai
r.

Apul
a:Iknowy
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul.
..Shei
sgoodwi
thhai
r.

Osha:
Youshoul
dbuyusai
rt
imesowecanwat
chmov
ies

Aunti
e:(
laughed)Mov
iesf
orwhat
?Wear
egoi
ngt
odoy
ourhome
work.

Apul
a:(
laughed)I
'
llsendai
rt
imet
heny
ouwat
chaf
terdoi
ngy
our
homewor k.

Osha:
Ok,
lov
eyou,
bye!

Apul
a:By
e

Aunt
ie:
Bye

Shehungupandwal
kedi
nthehotel
room wher
eMongawas
st
andi
nginfr
ontoft
heTVhol
dingaremote.
Monga:
Hey
..
.

Apul
a:Hey
..

Shethr
ewhersel
fonthebedandchargedherphone,
Mongal
aid
onherbackandputheronheadl
ock.
..

Monga:
War
eneodi
raengwhenIwasonabusi
nessmeet
ing?

Apul
a:(
laughed)Getof
fme.
.

Monga:
Myt
hingi
sli
ter
all
yrest
ingbet
weeny
ourbut
t.
..

Theylaughedasher
oll
edof
fherandt
heyl
aidont
hei
rback
faci
ngup...

Monga:
ArengLoago?

Apul
a:Ibrokeupwit
hhi
m...Don'
tgett
ooexci
tedi
wasn'
tdoi
ngi
t
fory
ou.It
slongbeenov
erdue.

Monga:(l
aughed)Thanksf
orbur
sti
ngmybubble.
.It
hinkhewent
toseeLanabecauseshewasangrybuti
managedtotal
ktoher.
SheisOK.

Apul
a:May
bei
shoul
dleav
etomor
row,
you'
reOKnow.
Monga:I
'
m enj
oyi
ngy
ourcompany
..
.Besi
desi
t'
snotl
i
kewedi
d
any
thi
ng.

Hel
aidont
hesi
depi
nni
nghi
sel
bowandl
ookedather
..
.

Monga:
Wear
ejustr
est
ingandi
hav
en'
tev
enf
ull
yrecov
eredy
et.

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)What
ever
..
.

Hi
sfat
hercal
l
ed.
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Tiki:It
alkedtot hefamil
yandwehadal i
tt
lemeeti
ngasclose
fami l
ymember sandagr eedtogoseeLana'spar
entsnextweek
onTuesday .Icall
edherf at
herandtol
dhim wewouldli
ketobe
theirvi
sitoronthatparti
cularday,
ithi
nkhemanagedt oput2and
2t ogethersowear eon.Justwantedtoupdat
eyou.

Monga:
Ok,
I'
ll
cal
lyout
omor
row.

Ti
ki
:By
e

Hehungupandl
aiddownasApul
asmi
l
edl
ooki
ngathi
m..
.
Apul
a:You'
rer
eal
l
ymar
ryi
ngher
?

Monga:
Yeah.
.

Apul
a:Doy
oul
oveher
?

Monga:
Notasmuchasi
lov
eyou.
..

Apul
a:Sowhyar
eyoumar
ryi
ngher
?

Monga: Il
oveherandatleastI '
m sureshel ov
esmet oo.You
nev erreal
l
ylovedme, idon'tknowwhyy ouhav ebeennicet ome
recentlybutiknowyounev erreall
yr egrettedanythi
ngy ou'v
eever
donet ome.Inev ert
alkabouti talotbuti t'
ssomet hi
ngt hat
affectedalotofmyr el
ationshipsthereafter.

Apula:Ilovey ou..
.Ijustnev ersawt heneedt of ul
lyapol ogi
se
becauseI '
v ealwayst houghtmendon' tforgiv
echeat i
ng.Ididn'
t
havear easont ocheatandI '
llprobablyr egr
etitther estofmyl i
fe
buttherei snoonel i
key ououtt here.Ididn'
twantt ocr yand
apologisehopi ngyou' dforgivemeandt akemeback. .
.Itwasn'
t
pri
de, i
twast hefearofr ej
ect i
onandwhatThongdi dbasicall
y
ki
ll
edal lthehopei had.Ilov ey oumor et hanyou'lleverknowbut
I'
m alsomat ureenought ounder standt hatI
'vehurty ouand
may bey oudeser vebet t
ert hanwhatI '
veof f
eredy ou...

Monga:
Whydi
dn'
tyousayal
lthesewheni
wassi
ngl
e?

Apula:Li
kei said.
..Idi
dn'
tthinkitwouldmakeanydi f
fer
ence,and
i
tshouldn't
...(
smiledandhi thim wit
hapil
low)Lookatyourface
gett
inglonger..
.Idon'twanty oulooki
ngl
ikethat
..Come,let
'sgo
forswimmi ng.Enoughoft hisnonsenset
alk
Shegotof
fthebedandputonaswim sui
tthenshehithim ont
he
facewi
thapairofpant
s.Hel
aughedandputthem onthenhe
l
ockedupandf ol
l
owedherqui
etl
y.

Shet
urnedar
oundandsmi
l
edwal
ki
ngbackwar
dsl
ooki
ngathi
m,

Apul
a:Idon'
tl
ikeseei
ngy
ousad.
.

Monga:
I'
m notsad,
justshockedi
guess.

Apula:
(laughed)Don'
tbe,
youhavealott
obehappyabout.You'
re
abouttobeahusbandandy ou'
regoi
ngtobeagoodone..

Shest
oppedashewalkedbythenshejumpedonhi
sback,
he
hel
dherandwal
kedoutcarr
yingher
..
.

AMONTHLATER.
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#120

Att
heaunt
'shouse.
..
.

At
sil
erakedtheyar
dandcar
ri
edthetr
ashtothecant
henshe
wal
kedinthehousewher
eherauntwascooki
ng.
..

Aunt:
Canyoupleaser
est
,you'
repr
egnantandy
oushoul
dn'
tbe
worki
ngl
iket
his.

At
sil
e:I
twassodi
rt
youtt
her
e..

Aunt
:Si
tdownandeatmot
ogo.
..Obat
agonkgol
egaj
aanong.

Shesatdownasheraunthandedherabowl
ofsof
tpor
ri
dge.She
reachedi
nherbr
aandtookoutP200..

Aunt:Aenegav
emesomemoneyf ort
hemeatandelect
rici
ty.
Pl
easegobuyt hebaby
'scl
othes,
weshouldprepar
eforthebaby
well
intimetoavoi
dembarrassment.

At
sil
e:Thanky
ousomuch.
..
Atsi
leshamef
ull
ygotthemoney ,
sheneversentheraaunta
Thebeevenwhenshewasn'tfeel
ingbutnowhereshewas..
..Gui
l
t
fi
l
ledherupassheslowlyat
e..
.

At
sil
e:Iwonderhowi
tisi
njai
l

Aunt:Youwon' tgotojail
buty
oumustof fersomeki ndofan
apologytoyoursister
.Manuall
aboursinceyoudon' thav
e
money .
..Gocleanhery ar
dandcookforherev er
ydaywi thout
expecti
ngpayment .Thatwayshewon'tneedamai dandshewi l
l
savebecausei hearsheispayi
ngforacarandf urni
tureaswell.

At
sil
e:Cany
out
alkt
oher
?

Aunt
:Iwi
l
ltr
y..
.

Shewal
kedbackt
otheki
tchenwhi
l
eAt
sil
eat
emot
ogo.
..

Att
hephy
siot
her
api
st.
..

Khumoputonhershoesandti
edhershoest
henshesl
owl
yst
ood
upandgr
abbedhercrut
ches.
..

Dr
:I'
l
lseey
ouagai
nonFr
iday
.Wear
emaki
ngaspeedyr
ecov
ery
..
Il
oveit
Khumo:
Thanky
ou.

Dr
:Ohmay
beweshoul
dthankt
hel
i
ttl
eone.

Theylaughedasshesl
owl
ywal
kedout
,shegoti
nthecarand
drov
eof f
..
.

AtThong'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Minutesl
aterKhumowal kedint
herecept
ionar
eawi
thher
cr
utchesastherecept
ionistsmi
ledather
.

Hi
m:Hi
,whatasur
pri
se.Idi
dn'
tknowy
ou'
reof
fthewheel
chai
r

Khumo:
Sur
pri
sesur
pri
se

Theylaughedasshewal
kedt
owar
dsThong'
sof
fi
ceandknocked
befor
ewal ki
ngi
n..

Thongsmi
l
edbutcoul
dn'
tspeakashehel
dthet
elephonet
ohi
s
ear
..
.

Thong:
(ont
hephone)Yeah,
itot
all
yunder
stand.
..
Apul
a:ThankGod,
ithoughty
ou'
l
lgi
vemeal
ect
urekanawena
gaonthat
e.

Thong:(l
aughed)Apulaweereetsa..
.It
'snotli
keIhateyou..
.I
don'
thateyou.Ieventol
dMat aozengor eidon'
thateyou.Ij
ust
tel
li
tli
keitiswhichsometi
mesof fendsal otofpeopl
ebecause
gapeili
kelaughi
ng..
..

Apula:I
'veneverbeencomfor
tablearoundyousi
ncethedayIt
old
mysi st
eryouwer egett
ingmarr
ied.Befor
ethaty
ouli
kedme
ther
eafteryoujusthat
edme.

Thong: (
laughed)Itwasn'
tthat
,justt
hatI
'
mt heonewhosaw
Mongabr eakingdown.Myboywentdownadar krabbithol
eiwas
afr
aidhe'dshoothimselft
odeathandi ki
ndofdidn'
tforgi
veyou
butI'
m overitnow.

Apul a:Ok,i
t'
stotall
yunderstandable..
.(sighed)Justwant edtol et
youknowt hatthi
smont hmybudgeti st i
ght,ihadtogetOt lhe'
s
chil
dr enbecausesher anoffthedayshewassupposedt oshow
upincour t.Nowshei swantedforabandoni ngthechi l
dren.Ihad
togett hefurni
turefrom t
hef ur
nitureshopandt hegroceryis
highlyinsanebecauseI '
veal
soi ncreasedt henanny'ssalarysince
i
tsme, Oshaplust wootherkids.Ipromi senextmont hI'
llpayt he
i
nst all
ment..

Thong:I
t'
sok,
don'
twor
ryabouti
t.Iunder
standhowi
sthecar
though?

Apul
a:Il
oveit
,itdoesn'tgi
vemeanypr
obl
ems.Thanky
ouso
much.You'
realif
esav oir
Thong:
Sur
e.Nopr
obl
em.By
e

Apul
a:By
e

Hehungupandst
oodwal
ki
ngt
owar
dsherandhuggedher
..

Thong:
Didi
tel
lyouhowmuchi
lov
eyou?

Khumo:
(smi
l
ed)Onl
yami
l
li
ont
imes

Theylaughedasheputawaythecushi
ont
henshesatdown,
he
openedthebarfr
idgeandpour
edheradri
nk.

Khumo:
Thanks.
.Wast
hatApul
a?

Thong:
Yeah.
.

Khumo:
Whatdi
dshewant
?

Thong:
Um...Shewascal
l
ingt
otel
lmeshewon'
tbeabl
etopay
thi
smonth.

Khumo:Whatdi
dweagreeonconcer
ningf
ami
l
yandf
ri
ends
want
ingt
ogetthi
ngsoncredi
t?

Thong:Iknowbabe..
.ButMat
aozenpersonall
yaskedmet
ohel
p
herandshepromisedshe'
dpayever
yinstal
lment.

Khumo:
Thev
eryt
hingwet
ryt
opr
eventbynoti
nvol
vi
ngf
ami
l
y
andfri
ends,evenMongabuyscar
scashfr
om you.Hebought
thoset
wot ruckscashandwenayougi
veApul
aacarforfr
eeand
shefai
lsthefir
sti
nstal
lment
.

Thong:
I'
m sur
eit
'sj
ustt
hismont
h,ar
eshehasmoneypr
obl
ems.

Khumo:
Ok.
.

Thong: So.
..Iwasthinki
ng.
..Howabouty oucomewor kinthe
off
ice,idon'twantyoutostayathomeany more.Igetpar
anoid.
You'l
ltakeleaveofabsenceony ourlastt
ri
mester
.Thatwaywr
cancomet oget
herandleavetogether.

Khumo:
(smi
l
ed)OK.
..

Thong:Youcancomeandfocusonmarketi
ng.
..Li
keal
ways
adver
ti
singandmanagi
ngoursoci
almediabyrepl
yi
ngand
answeri
ngcall
s.

Khumo:I'
dli
kethat
..
.Inev
ert
houghtI
'
dev
erwor
k..
.Ican'
tbel
i
eve
yout
hinkicanwork.

Thong:
You'
remor
ebr
il
li
antthany outhinkandyou'
rewi
se.Ev
ery
advi
ceyougav
emegaveoutfrui
ts..Besidesi
t'
safamil
ybusi
ness.

Shehuggedhi
m asher
ubbedherback.
.

Khumo:
Thebabyi
ski
cki
ng.
.

Hepl
acedhi
shandov
erherbump.
.
Khumo:
It'
stoosmal
l
.Idoubty
ou'
dfeel
itbuti
feel
it.

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedhert
ummybef
oreki
ssi
ngherl
i
ps.
..

Thong:
Remi ndmetocal
lEri
csohecanhel
pmeor
gani
se
Mataozen'
sbachel
orpar
ty

Khumo:
Kanawenaneobat
etswedi
febe

Thong:(
crackedl
aughi
ng)st
ri
ppi
ngi
sil
l
egal
babe,
wedon'
thav
e
suchthi
ngshere.

Khumo:
(laughed)Iknowhebr
oughty
oudancer
s.I
'
m notst
upi
d.

Thong:
Thatonl
yhappensi
nmov
ies.I
'
m agoodguy
.

Khumo:
What
ever

Hel
aughedoutl
oud.
..

Att
hebeaut
yspa.
..

Meanwhi
leSedi
pressedherphonewhi
l
ethebeaut
ici
andi
dher
smootht
oesandpedicur
e..
.
Apaymentof6Kfordeposi
tedi
nheraccountwithref
erence
Neil
l
aboti
que.Shesmil
edandtookascreenshotthenshesentt
o
Er
ic.
..

Sedi:Babetheyjustpai
d,iguesstomor r
owwewi l
l hav
etoget
star
ted.Theircl
othesaresobeautif
ul.
..Nextti
mey oushoul
d
negotiat
ethatikeeptheclothesaft
erphotoshoot
ing.

Er
ic: Okbossl
ady
. I
'
m dat
ingamoneymaker

Sedi
: AndI
'
mtaki
ngy
ououtf
orl
unch.

Er
ic:
Yessssss!

Shesmiledandcl
i
ckedonf
acebookcont
act
ingt
hei
raunt
's
daught
ers.

Sedi:Hi,
I'
m organisingLana'
sbri
dalshowerandbabyshower
,it
wil
l al
lbeonthesameday .Doyoumi ndhel
pingmeorgani
seit
?
Don'ttel
lheranythingshedoesn'
tknowandi wanti
ttobea
surpri
se.

Shesenttot
hei
rcousi
nsandgotsever
alposi
ti
veresponsesthen
shecreat
edaWhatsAppgroupandputLanaastheprof
il
epictur
e
bef
orebri
efi
ngever
yone.
Goiwa:Hiev
ery
one,
welcometothegr
oup.Ibel
ieveorgani
ser
sre
enoughandwecanstar
tpl
anni
ngbefor
ewei nv
itepeople.

Organiser
scommentedwit
hsuggestionsasSeditypedwhil
e
getti
ngherpedi
s.Ahai
rdr
esserwalkedoverandgentlypul
l
edher
hairbackbef
oreshest
art
edplat
ingherandinstal
l
ingthe360wig.
.

Sedi
:Don'
tfor
gett
omakebabyhai
rs.
..

Her
:Def
ini
tel
y.
..

Shecarr
iedont
ypi
ngwi
thi
nsi
deoff
inger
sduet
ohernewl
ydone
nai
ls.

Att
hehot
el.
..
.

Meanwhil
eMongadr oppedicecubesint
oaglassandpoured
JackDaniel
sthenhesippedandsighedl
eani
ngov ert
hetable
faci
ngthelapt
opasanothermanst oodi
ntheotherendofthe
call
..
.

Hi
m:Ar
eyouOK?

Monga:
Yeah,
I'
m good.
..Damn,
ithi
nkI
'
m get
ti
ngsof
tand
gr
owi
ngaconsci
ence.

Hi
m:You'
ll
bef
ine.Yourpay
menthasbeenmade.Unt
ilnextt
ime,
t
akecar
e

Monga:
Sur
e.

Heclosedthelapt
opandsippeddrunkthewhol
ethingl
eavi
ngi
ce
cubesthenhepickedonecubeandcrushedi
twithhist
eet
hashe
packedhisbagsandcheckedhist
ime..
.

Hecheckedoutandheadedt
otheai
rpor
t.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronApul
aironedhercl
othesf
orworkthenextdayasOsha
andOtl
he'
sdaughterwal
kedoutoftheki
tchen.
.

Osha:
Thechi
ckeni
sfi
nished

Apula:(
sighed)OK,
wil
lgetsomet
omor
rowonmywayf
rom
work..
.

Apul
a'
sphonerang,shegl
ancedatt
hescreenandi
twasMonga.
Sheputdownt
heironandwalkedout
side.
.
Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Monga:
Hi,
I'
m att
heai
rpor
t,cani
seey
oubef
orei
gohome?

Apul
a:I
'
mlowonf
uel
.

Monga:
Alr
ight
,I'
l
lseey
oudur
ingt
heweekendt
hen.Justwant
ed
t
oseeyou.

Apul
a:Youcanpassbyandwecanchi
l
lint
hecar
.

Monga:
I'
ll
becal
l
ingLanat
opi
ckmeup,
Thongi
sbusy
.

Apul
a:YouknowwhatI'
l
lcomeover
,iwassavi
ngthi
sfuelfor
dr
oppingof
ftheki
dsandgoi
ngtoworkbutI
'l
lseewhattodo.

Monga:
Ok,
bye.

Apul
a:By
e.

Shehungupandwalkedbacki
nthehousethenshechangedher
cl
othesandaskedt
hegir
lstol
ockupbefor
eleavi
ng.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#121

Att
heai
rpor
t.
..

Minut
eslaterApul
apulledint
otheparki
ngl
otlooki
ngatt
hefuel
t
ankflushi
ng,shestoppedsteppedoutt
henshewalkedt
owards
t
hebuildi
ngfixi
ngherhair.
..

Thedoor ssli
dopenasshewal
kedinholdi
ngherphoneandkeys,
shestoppedassoonasshenoti
cedLanawalkingi
nfrontofher
.
Mongat urnedar
oundequal
l
ysurpr
isedandhuggedherkissi
ng
her
..
.

Apul
aqui
ckl
ytur
nedtot
hesideandi
ntr
othecr
owdst
andi
ngby
asMongaandLanawal
kedout.

Shewaitedinsi
deforafewmi nutesandwalkedoutasthecar
di
sappearedint
othetraff
ic.Shewalkedbacktothecarandsat
i
nsidef
oraboutami nute.Shegrabbedthephoneandtexted.
.

Apul
a:Andt
hen?
Monga:Idi
dn'tknowshe'dcomeandgetme.Iwasonl
ygoi
ngt
o
cal
lheri
ficouldn'
tseeyou.

Apul
a:Soi
basi
cal
l
yusedmyl
astf
uel
fornot
hing?

Monga:
Idi
dn'
tknowshei
scomi
ng.

Apul
a:I
'
mver
yangr
ywi
thy
ou.

Sheputdownherphoneandl
eanedbackt
henshepi
ckedi
tup
andty
pedamessage..

Apula:
Cany ouf
uel
mycar
?I'
m af
rai
dtodr
ivebackhome.Imi
ght
notarr
ive.

Shewait
edbeforesendingandfi
nall
ydecidedtodel
etethe
message.Sheneverbeeninasit
uationwhereshehastoaska
manforhelp,
letal
oneMongaf orthatmatter
.Heneverneededa
remi
nderandhealwaysgivenhermoneywhenshenev erasked.

Shet
ypedamessageagai
n..

Apul
a:Cani
hav
eP50f
orf
uel
?

St
il
l,
theshameofaski
ngf
ormoney
..Whati
fhesai
dno,
woul
dn'
t
thatbeembar
rassing.Shedel
etedt
hemessageandst
art
edt
he
carthensher
eversedanddroveoff
..
.

Afewminut
esonther
oadshespot
tedAtsi
l
ewal
ki
ngbytheroad
car
ryi
ngapl
ast
ic,
shepul
l
edoverandrol
l
eddownthewi
ndow.

Apul
a:Let
'sgo,
it'
shot
.

At
sil
ejumpedi
nandpul
l
edt
hebel
t.

At
sil
e:Thanky
ou.

TherewassilenceasApulal
ookedatt hef
ueltanksi
gn,she
coul
dn'tt
hinkofanyonetoborrowmoneyf r
om.Shehad
borr
owedmoneyf r
om hercol
leagueandneighbour
,andthose
weretheonlypeopleshecoul
ddar e.

At
sil
e:Iknowi
t'
snotmuchbuti
t'
srhebesti
cando.

At
sil
ehandedherP50.
.
At
sil
e:Iboughtt
hingsfort
hebaby
,pl
easebuysomet
hing.I
fihad
moneyI'
dhelpyouwithmoney.

Apulagotthemoneyandturnedi
ntot
hef
il
li
ngst
ati
onandbought
fuel
beforedri
vi
ngoffwi
thoutaword.

At
sil
e:Leav
emeov
ert
her
esoIcanwal
khome.

Shestopped,At
sil
esteppedoutwit
hasmallpl
asti
cofbaby
cl
othesthensheclosedthedoor
.Apul
ajoi
nedtheroadanddr
ove
off
..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Apulaknockedont hedoor,
thekidsopenedthenshewalkedinas
thechil
drenplayedonthecarpet
.Shewalkedpastthem and
closedhersel
finthebedr
oom andsatont hebeddial
li
ngMonga.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Canwepl
easet
alk

Monga:
ManD,
what
'sup?

Apul
a:I
'
m nothappywi
tht
hewayy
out
reat
edmeoutt
her
e.You
humi
l
iat
edme

Monga:
Yeahman,
I'
ll
giv
eitt
oyout
omor
row.

Apul
a:Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou'
redoi
ngt
his.

Monga:
Sur
eby
e

Hehungupbeforeshecoul
drepl
ythensheputherphonedown.
Shetookadeepbreat
handopenedherdrawer
staki
ngoutallt
he
pi
ll
sshehadinthehouse.
.

AtLana'
sHouse.
..

LateronMongaandLanawalkedint
hehouseashetookoffhi
s
Tshirt
,shecl
osedt
hedoorandtheyhuggedf
oraminute.
..

Monga:
Imi
ssedy
ou.
..

Lana:
Imi
ssedy
out
oo.
.Hav
easeat
,ihav
esomet
hingf
ory
ou.

Hepul
ledthest
ri
ngsofhisshoesandtookt
hem of
fasshe
wal
kedoverwit
hapregnancysti
ckandhandedhi
m.

Lana:
I'
veconf
ir
medi
t.
Mongal
ookedatt
hetwol
i
nesandsi
ghedt
henhesmi
l
edand
st
ooduphuggi
ngher
..

Lana:
You'
renothappy
..

Monga:
I'
m happy
,justt
hat
..
.Iwashopi
ngf
oranegat
ive.

Lana:
Why
?

Monga:It
'sgoi
ngtobest
ressf
ulbei
ngpregnantandget
ti
ng
marr
iedatthesameti
me.Wouldyouevenenjoytheweddi
ng
whi
lepregnant
?

Lana:
I'
ll
bef
ine.Don'
twor
ryabouti
t.
..I
'
llbr
ingy
ourf
ood.

Shetur
nedintheki
tchenasMongathought
ful
l
ylookedather
thenhepi
ckedhisphoneandcl
i
ckedonApula'
smessage.

Apula: I
'
vebeenbr avef orawhi leandtryi
ngt ohelpev eryonebut
I'
vereachedapoi ntwher eI'
m abletoseet hatIwil
lnev erbe
happy .I
t'
spointl
esst ol oveyounowbecauseI 'l
lneverhav eyou.
I'
vemademymi stakesandi paidforthem butnowmyl ife
sit
uationmakesi timpossi bletohaveaf ami l
yialway sdr eamtoff.
It
'snotev enj
ustmyl ov eli
fe,t
hereissomeonewhohat esmeat
workbecauset heyt hinki gettoomanypr omot i
onsf ort hesethey
reporteverymistakei make.Mysi st
ersaremyenemi es, l
eavi
ng
met obaby si
ttheirchildrenwithouthelpandaf t
ertakingaway
ev
eryt
hingfrom me.I
'm notev
ensad,
I'
m doi
ngt
hisf
orpeace.I
wantt
or est
.I'
m sor
ry.

Hef
rownedt
hought
ful
l
ythenhegr
abbedt
hekey
sandr
ushedout
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#122

AtLana'
sHouse.
..

Thedoorcl
osedasLanawalkedinwit
hfood,
sheputthet
ray
downandopenedthedoort
ot hecarl
i
ghtsdi
sappear
ingt
henshe
cl
osedthedoorandpi
ckedherphonecal
li
nghim.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Lana:
What
'sgoi
ngon?

Monga:Thesecur
ityal
arm wastr
iggeredatwork,t
hesecur
it
y
companyisheadi
ngtherebutial
sowantt ocheckitout
.Doyou
thi
nkyoucanputthatf
oodinthemi cr
owav ef
orme?

Lana:
Yeah,
sur
e.Ihopeev
ery
thi
ngi
sfi
ne.

Monga:Ihopesot
oo.Il
oveyousomuchpl
easegetsomer
est
,
youhav
eal ott
odowhenigetback.
.

Lana:
(smi
l
ed)OK

Monga:
Keagor
ataaut
wa?

Lana:
Ilov
eyout
oo

Monga:Thanksf
ormaki
ngmeaf at
heragai
n,ihopeit
'sal
i
ttl
egi
rl
.
Iwonderhowitf
eel
stobeaf
athert
onagirl
.Ihopeshewon'
t
wantt
ocol
ormynai
l
s

Lana:(l
aughedput
ti
ngthefoodback)Shewil
l
,andshei
sgoi
ngt
o
pract
icemakeuponyou..
.Li
psti
ckony out
oo.

Monga:
(laughed)Aslongasyoudon'
trecor
dav i
deoofme
l
ooki
ngli
keacl ownil
lbehappytobehercli
ent
.

Lana:
(laughed)Pl
easehanganupanddr
ivesaf
ely
.

Monga:
Ilov
eyou

Lana:
Ilov
eyout
oo

Shehungupandwal
kedi
nthebedroom v
ideocal
l
inghermot
her
i
nlaw.Shepi
ckedwi
thMJonherlap..
.

Lana:
MJ?Kantey oenegaat
hwaagal
elemmagwe?Awhol
e
monthwi
thoutseeingmeandhei
sgetti
ngf
at

MmaTiki
:(l
aughed)Hei
swher
etheancest
orswanthi
mtobe.
..
Howi
sschool?

Lana:
I'
m pr
epar
ingf
orJCexams,
ihopeI
'
llpass.

MmaTiki:Aslongasyoudon'
tfocusonMongay ou'
ll
pass.I'
ll
keepMjwithmeuntil
you'
redone.Inoti
cedthatyoutwower e
ki
ndofarguingwhenwepaidmagadi maloba,t
hingsli
kethatwil
l
makeyoufail.

Lana:
Hewasdi
str
act
edandhekeptcheckinghi
sphone.If
eltl
i
ke
hewastal
ki
ngt
osomeoneandhedenieditbuti
underst
and.
MmaTiki
:Exam i
sthefocusnow.Yourmotheri
shappyaboutt
he
pr
ogr
essinyourl
if
e.Don'tdi
sappoi
nther
.

Lana:
Eemma,
bye

Her
:By
e

Shehungupandwal
kedi
n..
..

AtLucy
'sHouse.
..

Lucywal kedinthehouser eply

ingthecomment sonherpicture
andsatdown, shetookoffhershoesandl aughedoutl
oudal one
asshewal kedinthekit
chenandgr abbedaglassofwater.She
pressedt hewaterdispenserwhil
escroll
i
ngdownandbumped
i
ntoav ideoofaschool gi
rlhi
dingacatinthebag,shedrunkt he
waterandspati toutlaughingandcoughed.

Shewarmeduphert akeaway sandsatonthecoucheati

ngand
changedt
hechannel.Shewat chedTVaTy l
erPerr
ymov i
eand
foundher
selfsmil
i
ngatacoupl eastheyenjoy
edeachot her
s
companythenherphoner ang.Shepi
ckedthecallandi
twasn'ta
l
ocalnumber,shewasn'tevensurewheret
hecallwascomi ng
from.
.
Lucy
:Hel
l
o?

Voice:
Hi ,
mynamei sGee,thef
ull
namei
sGanang.I
'
m oneof
yourfr
iendsonFacebook.

Lucy
:Ganang?Ganang?

Wasi
ttheguyi
nHoust
on?Noway
s..

G:
Idoubty
ounot
icedmet
hough,
ihar
dlypost
.I'
minHoust
on.

Lucy
:Ohok,

G:
(laughed)Youdon'
tknowmedon'
tyou?

Lucy:(
laughed)Iknowy
ou.I
'
veseey
ourpi
ctur
esev
eryoncei
na
whil
e.

G:I
'mfr
om Maunbyt
heway,I
'mj
usther
eworking.Iusual
l
ycome
homeonchr
ist
masbutt
hisy
eari
didn'
tmanage.

Lucy
:Ohok.
.

G:
Ical
l
edt
oaskf
oraper
missi
ont
ovi
deocal
l
.

Lucy
:(l
aughed)Goodboywi
thmanner
s,v
ideocal
lyakopi
waabe
godir
waappointment
.

G:(l
aughed)Buty
oucanvideocal
lmeanyt
imeifI'
m notatwor
k.I
knowawomanwoul dprobabl
ywantt
ofixher
selfup.

Lucy
:Eei mustalsomindmybackgroundaker
ewenay
ou'
rei
na
bi
gjacketandit
'ssnowing.Soy
ou'
regood..
G:(laughed)Nnakemor akaboyskahorwakepicturesinTexas,
akeremybr otherwasshockedt hatt
hefi
rstt
hingi wantwheni
arri
veinMauni st weneletswii
,kehaar
eheiwenaot ar
esot i
sa
batho.(theylaughed)Andi wasli
kepl
easeal
lowmet ofini
shmy
grandmot her'
sdi shbeforeyoutel
lmeaboutclassanddecency .

Lucy
:Il
ovecatf
ishaswel
l
...Shem I
'
llsav
eonef
ory
ouwheny
ou
come.

G:
(laughed)Ihopeyou'
reser
iousbecausei
real
l
ylov
eit
.
Ot
herwisehowar ey
ou?

Lucy
:I'
m good.
..

G: Isawy ourpostaboutget
tingcounsell
i
ngandy ourjour
neyto
recovery.I'
mr eal
lypr
oudofy ou,i
t'
salwaysimportanttot
akeyour
ti
meaf terabr eakupandint
rospect.Ar
ey oust
il
ltalki
ngtotheguy
ont hestory,Mongaright
?

Lucy:
Wedon'ttal
k,notthati
hatehim webrokeupsotherei
sno
needtot
alk.Welasttal
kedhelabef
oreigotcounsel
l
ing.

G:
Ok.Doy
ouwantt
ogi
veachance?

Lucy:No,heiki
lekannal
ehope.Youknowhowi ti
swhent he
breakupisfr
eshbutasti
mewentoni gotoverhim and
counsell
i
ngreall
ymademeseet hatitwasf orthebestbecause
ofhowwemet .Hewouldhav
enev errespectedmet ot
ahelaand
hemetmewheni wasbr
okenandadr unk.

G:Gr
eat
,il
i
ket
hat
..
.Goodf
ory
ou.Ar
eyouseei
ngany
oneatt
he
moment
?
Lucy
:No,
I'
m not
.I'
m af
rai
dtot
ryagai
n.

G:(
laughed)Igety
ou.Itcanbescar
y..
.Uhthemmalenna
mpotsegoream iseei
nganyone?(l
aughed)Mpot
se

Shel
aughedoutl
oud.
..

Lucy:You'
reobvi
ousl
yseei
ngsomeone,
probabl
yawhitewoman.
Aslenderonefort
hatmatt
er.
..Oney
oucanpickupandspi
n
aroundthesnow..

G:
(laughed)Lucywee?

Lucy
:Rr
a?

G:
Mpot
se

Lucy
:Ar
eyouseei
ngany
one?

G: Yes,I
'
llt
elly
ouhernamewhenwev ideocal
ll
ater.Imetheron
facebookbutshewi ll
bev i
sit
ingmei n6mont hsi
ft hi
ngsgowel l
.
I
fshedoesn' tvi
sitI
'
llmakesur eivi
sitbutsi
xmont hsdefi
nit
ely
wewi ll
bemeet ingforthef
irstti
me.

Lucy
:(st
oppedsmi
l
ing)Ohok.

G: Yeah,andsheisnotsl
enderli
key out hinkbutI
'l
lst
il
lbeableto
l
iftherbecauseIwasbuiltf
orsuchawoman.Looki ngather
fi
gur ethr
oughherFacebookpict
uresi thinksheiagoingtolook
beaut i
fuli
nskat
ingshoesandI'm goingt otakeherskat
ing.

Lucy:
(si
ghed)Ok.
.Ihav
etogo.
G:
Whencani
videocal
l
?

Lucy
:Bef
ore8pm.CAT

G:
Great
,

Lucy
:Ihav
etogo.I
'
m busy
.

G:
(laughed)By
e

Shehungupandputherphonedownbored.Yetanot
herpi
eceof
shi
tseei
ngnot
hingi
nherbutsecondbest.

Lucy
:Mxm!

Shesi
ppedherdr
inkandwat
chedhermov
ie.
..
.

AtMar
u'shouse.
..

Meanwhil
eMaruf i
nishedchecki
ngherchi
l
dren'
shomewor
ksand
cl
osedthei
rbooks.

Mar
u:Good,
putt
hem backi
nyourbags.
Theyrant
otheirr
oom assheunpl
uggedherphonef
rom t
he
char
gerandfr
ownedreadi
ngApula'
smessage.

Apula:
I'
m sor
ry,
I'
m waytoodeepandi don'
tseeawayout.I
'
m
nothappyandmyhearti
saching.Ihopeyouunder
stand.

Marugaspedandhurri
edi
ntheki
tchenwher
eDer
ri
ckwas
washi
nghisthepl
ates.
.

Mar
u:Look!

Der
ri
ck:
Let
'sgo.
..Tel
ltheki
dst
olockup.
.

Thechi
l
drenl
ockedt
hedoorandt
heyhur
ri
edof
f.
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

LateronMongaknockedonthedoor,
Otlhe'
sdaught
erpeeked
thr
oughthewindowandlookedbackatOsha.

Her
:It
'saman.
Oshawal
kedoverandrecogni
sedMonga,
shesmi
l
edandwav
ed
t
hensheopenedthedoor.
.

Osha:
I'
ll
cal
lmama

Monga:
IssheOK?

Osha:
Yes,
shesai
dshei
ssl
eepi
ng.Di
dyoucomewi
tht
hatbaby
?

Monga:
No,
nextt
ime.
.

Mongaf
oll
owedher
..

Monga:
Lal
a?!

Oshaopenedt
hedoorandwal
kedov
er,
sheshookhershoul
der
..

Osha:
Mama?Yourf
ri
endi
sher
e.

Monganoti
cedtheemptysachet
sandpil
lcont
ainerst
henhe
pi
ckedherupandcar
ri
edheroutsideasOshaf
ollowedhi
m
conf
used.

Osha:
What
'swr
ong?Mama?
Monga:
Guyspleasel
ockthedoor
.Yourauntwi
l
lcheckony
ouI
'
m
t
aki
nghert
otjehospi
tal
.

Heputheri
nthecarandcheckedherpul
se,
itwasf
aintt
henhe
cl
osedthedooranddr
oveoff.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#123

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

LateronMarupant
edacr osst
heemergencyentrance,
shetur
ned
toICUandalmostsl
ippedasshestoppedlooki
ngatMongaon
thechair
.Shewal
kedov erashest
oodupandmetherhal fway.
..

Mar
u:I
ssheOK?

Monga: They'
repumpingher
,I'
m notsur
ehowl ongagoshet ook
them soit
'sdi
ffi
cultt
otel
lhowmuchofi ti
sinherbl oodst
ream.
Theydrewherbl oodsoweshouldhavethereportsoon.

Maru:If
eelsoguil
ty,
I'
veneverstoppedoncet oaskherhowshe
i
sdoing..
.It
oldherI'
m donewithAtsil
eandOt lhewitht
hei
r
chi
ldr
entoobutshesaidshecan'tcutoffthechildr
enandshe
doesn'
twanttohandthem tosocialworker
ssot heycanbeputi
n
ahome.Imeant heywouldbetakencar eofthere.

Monga: Iagr
eewithheront hi
sone, mysi st
erschil
drenwill
never
beinahomeasl ongasI '
m aliv
er egardl
essofhowmuchwehat e
eachother.Whensheget supcany oupleasetel
lhertotakethe
chi
ldrentoapubli
cschool,ther
eisnot hingwrongwi t
hpublic
schoolsandthey
'r
ef r
ee,therei
sfr eefoodtoo..
.mil
kwi t
hbread,
beefandmanymor eunl
ikeinpriv
at eschoolswherey ouhaveto
givey ourchi l
dsnacks.Lett hechi l
drengot ot henear estschool
andwal ktoschool .Thi sisMaun, 90%ofchi l
dr eninpubl i
c
school swal ktoschool ,i
tsnotl i
keitwi l
lbeawei rdthi ng.Thatwi ll
sav eherabout6Kwhi chisenoughf orsurviv
al .Asf ort hecarI '
ll
tal
kt oThongaboutl ettingherof fforabout2mont hs, t hat'sthe
besthecandobecausehi swi feisaboutt ojoinhi mi nt heof fi
ce
andy ouknowwomendon' tpl aywheni tcomest opr otect ing
asset s.Iwishi couldhel pherf i
nanci al
lybecausei canandi t
woul dn'tmakemuchofadi f f
erenceonmybal ancebutI '
m noti n
aposi tiontodeductl ar geamount sofmoneybecauseI '
m
commi ttedtosomeonewhoi knowf orsurewon' tbehappy .I
recent l
ygav eherfull accesst omyaccount sandonceev eryt
hing
i
sl egal shewi l
lhaveherey esonourf i
nancesachekagor emadi
amol wapengay akaeandal lthat.Idon'twantt obr ing
unnecessar yfi
ghtssot heonl yt hingIcanof ferisadv iceandnot
money .Sof arLanaisnothappywi thmyr ecentbehav iour .
..
Appar ent l
yI'
m emot ional l
yunav ail
ableandI '
m di str
act ed.May be
i
t'sbecauseI '
m enjoy i
ngsomeone' scompany

Mar u:Trustmei understandwheni tcomest omoney ,you're

technicall
ymar r
iedandy oucan' tmakesuchhugedeci sions
withoutLanaf i
ndi ngoutbutper hapslewenai fyoucouldj ustbe
honestwi thApulashewoul dst artthi
nkingaboutsomet hingel se.
Wewer eundert heimpr essiony agorey ou'
llleaveLanabutt hen
you'renotsay i
ngany thingthoughy ouandApul aspentsomuch
ti
met ogetheri
nFt own.Shecamebackaf teraweekandwent
thereev er
yweekend.You' regivingherf al
sehope. .
.Iknowmy
sisterhurtyouint hepastandmay bey ou'
llneverful
lyforgiveher
butdon' tmakeherputherl ifeonhol dinhopesofbei ngwi thyou
i
fyouwon'
tbet
her
e.

Monga:
ButI
'
venev
ersai
dI'
l
lleav
eLanaf
orher
.

Mar u:Womeni nt er
pr etthingsdi f
ferentl
y.
..Ifyouspendt i
mewi t
h
herwhileyou' r
est i
l
lpr eparingt ogetmar ri
edshest ar
tshoping
you'dnotshowupony ourweddi ngdayandi nsteadcomel ayin
bedwi t
hher .Pl easebebr utallyhonestwi t
hhernowwhi leshei s
i
nt hehospital andt henl eav esoshecangett henecessaryhelp
foreveryt
hing, don'tev ercal lheragain.I'
l
ltakei tfr
om here.
.(put
herhandst oget her)Pl ease, i
tsall t
hatIaskf or.Ify
oucan'tbe
brutalt
henj ustcutcommuni cat i
onwi t
hher .Wal kawayfrom her
i
fy ouwon'tl eav eLanaf orher .You'r
ether easonshei shere
becauseApul aisst rongbutshel ovesyoudear ly.

Monga: Ican'tbr i
ngmy selftotellhercertai
nt hingsbecausei
knowhowpai nfulthey're.It'
sthingst hatshesai dtomebef ore
andt heyhur t..
.Thet r
ut hisi can'tleaveLanaf orApul a..
.That'sa
ri
skI 'm notwi l
lingtot ake, ican'tfull
ytrustthatwhenanot herman
sweepsherof fherf eetshewon' tleavemei nthehouseandgo
haveunpr otectedsex.Imeanweal lgr
owbutwhati ft hat'
sher
fl
aw?Tr uth?Il oveApul abutnotenought omar ryherorhav e
chil
dr enwi t
hherandt rustherwi thmyf inancesorheal t
hst atus
becauser el
ationshi psomehowgoj ewabol otoandi thast obe
withsomeonewhoatl eastr emember sherheal thst atusfirst
befor eany t
hing.Itsr i
skyt obewi thsomeonewhocanhav e
unpr otectedsexwi thani ghtstandwi t
houtev enknowi ngt heir
status.Shei sgoodandi l
oveal otofqual it
iest sagagwemme
helamay beI '
m notov erwhathappened.I '
m st i
llafraidshe' l
lhurt
me.
Mar
utookadeepbr
eat
handf
oldedherar
ms.
.

Maru:Mysist
ermadeal otofmist
akesandiwon'tdefendher
becausenekekgal emanakoyaboRebony ebutsheisgrownnow.
It
sOKt obeafraidtotakeanot
herri
skwithherbuti
fonlyyou
coul
dshareallthesewithherai
tsethenshewil
lcryandtakeit
l
ikealady.

Monga: Ican'ttel
lherthatespecial
lyi
nhercondit
ion,butdespite
allt
hesei sti
l
l car
eandi tannoy smethatienj
oyhercompany ..
.i
feelli
keI'
m cheating,t
echnicallyI
'v
echeatedbecausei hadfunin
Ftownwhi leLanawasher ethinki
ngaboutmeandourchi l
dren.I
don'tknowwhybutev erystolenmomentI '
vehadwi t
hherwas
beautif
ul.
.

Mar u:Butshei sonlythat..

.Ast olenmomentf rom thetimeofa
womany ou'rewill
i
ngt or i
skitallfor.Ithi
nky oushouldjustcut
communi cati
onwi t
hApul a,you'reamar r
iedman.I fyouloveher
stayawayf r
om herbecauset hecl oseryougett oherthemor e
worthlessshef eel
sseei ngallthel it
tl
ethingsyou'r
edoi ngforyour
family
.Shei sbeatingher sel
ff orcheatingony ouanddumbi ng
youbuti tcan'tbeforever.

Monga:
Iunder
stand.You'r
eri
ghtbecauseiknowshehasbeen
onmymi ndal
otlat
elythat
'swhygotweI'
m dist
ract
ed.

Maru:
Pleasetextherandtell
hery oucan'
tseeherany
mor
e.Ev
en
i
fyoudon'texpl
ainfur
theriwil
ltakeitf
rom her
e.
Monga:Ok,fai
renough.Iguessihavedoneenoughdamage
becauseiknowApulaisstr
ongsot hetimewespentinFt
own
mighthav
egi v
enherthewr ongi
mpr essi
on.Takecar
eofher
.

Mar
u:Iwi
l
l.
..By
e

Hetur
nedandwal
kedoutt
henshewal
kedi
nast
henur
sef
ixed
Apul
a'
sIV.

Shetur
nedherheadandlookedatt
hefi
gurewal
kingin,i
twasn'
t
cl
earfr
om theblurt
ear
scausedbutwhenshefi
nall
ybli
nkedit
wasMar u.Shehel
dherhandandki
ssedit
..
.

Mar
u:I
'
m sor
ryf
orbei
ngi
gnor
ant
..
.

Shecl
osedherey
esandMar
ulookedatt
henur
se.

Nur
se:
It'
sthepi
l
ls,
giv
eitt
ime.
.

Marusi
ghedandr
ubbedherhandast
heypr
epar
edheradmi
ssi
on
i
nthehospi
tal
.

AtLana'
sHouse.
..
Mongasteppedinandcl
osedthedoorthenhequiet
lywal
kedi
n
whil
eLanalai
dasleeponthecouch.Hequiet
lyputt
hekey
sdown
andsatdownstari
ngathergui
ltst
ruck.
.

Sheopenedherey
esandherhear
tal
mostst
oppedasshel
ooked
athi
m..

Lana:
Idi
dn'
theary
oucomei
n..Youscar
edme.

Monga:
Sor
ry

Lana:
Isev
ery
thi
ngOKatwor
k?

Monga:
Yeah,
itwasj
ustaf
alseal
arm.

Lana:
Arey
ouOK?Youl
ook.
..Idon'
tknow.
.

Het
ookadeepbr
eat
h..
.

Monga: I
'vebeendistr
act edlat
ely
,havingcoldfeetaboutget ti
ng
mar r
iedandwonder i
ngi fI'
m makingther i
ghtdecisi
on.Nott hati
don'tlovey oubutmar r
iageisascar ystep.
.Onei don'ttake
l
ightly.
..Idon'twanttobeacheat i
nghusbandandi prayGod
helpsbecausei don'
twantt ohurtyou.I'
vedecidedtol etgoofal l
thewhati fsandchooset obewi t
honewomanandt hat'
sy ou.I'
m
sorryifmybehav i
ourthepastf ewweekshav ebeenuncl ear.I
wantt
his.
..For
giv
emef
orbei
ngunav
ail
abl
eemot
ional
l
y.

Shesmi
l
edt
hought
ful
l
y..
.

Lana:It
'sok...I'vebeenhav ingcoldf eetmy self
.Wonderingi
fI'
d
beabletopassexamswhi l
eI'm pregnant..
..mytutort
oldmenot
tobehopef ul forthi
sy earasI '
vebeengi venwayt oomuchthis
yearandnowt hatI'
m pregnantitmi ghtaffectmyst udi
esbut
evenifidon'tpasst hisy ear,ist
il
lhav enexty earorayearaf
ter.I
am aform 1af teral
l.Asf oryoubei ngunav ail
ableIwasaboutto
suggestthati nsteadofmont hsfrom nowmay bewecanwai t
unti
lyou'r
er eadybuti fyouf eelyou'rereadywecancar r
yon.

Monga:I
'
mr eady
.I'
m moret
hanready.
..Comeher
e,l
etmeshow
yousomethi
ngiboughtf
ory
ouinFtown.

Hegr
abbedherhandasshesmi
l
edf
oll
owi
nghi
m out
side.
..

AtLucy
'sHouse.
..

Lat
erthateveni
ngLucy'
sphoner
angwhi
leshewatchedTV.
.She
gl
ancedatthescreenandi
twasthi
spat
het
icman.Sheleti
tri
ng
andhesentamessage.
G: Ipi ckedyouwereangr
ybutidi
dn'tt
hinki
twast
hatser
ious.
Ourchi
l
dr enbet
terpi
ckmypati
encebecausewow.

Hermouthdroppedandsheputherhandoveritashecall
ed
agai
n.Shepickedthecall
andsi
ghedembarrassed,
helaughed
anddroppedherheadlaughi
ngembarr
assed.

Lucy
:IswearI
'
m notusual
l
ythatsl
ow

Theyl
aughedoutl
oud.
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

ThenextdayApulawokeupandnoticedshewasinthehospi
tal
,
shetur
nedherheadandlookedatherphoneontheshel
fthen
shestr
etchedherhandwi
thapinkcanulaandgr
abbedthephone.
Shecli
ckedonhermessages.

Monga:Hopey oufeelbettersoon,I'
v edecidedtotakeastep
backandnotaddtoy ourexi st
ingproblems.Youronl ywayoutof
debt
sistocutdowny ourexpenses, publi
cschool,pref
erabl
ythe
onenexttoyousot heywal kthenletAtsil
eassistyouwi t
h
l
aundryandcleani
ng.It'
sthel eastshecandot opayoffherdebt
s.
Don'teverr
egretlovingyourniecesandnephew.Younev erknow
whattomor r
owbr ings.I'
m sorr
yfortheconfusi
onI '
vecausedyou
thepastcoupleofweeks, ihopey ouenjoy
editjustasmuchasI
did,
butit'
sti
met of acereali
tynow.Ihopey oufi
ndt her
ightman,
I'
vefoundmyf lawedr i
ghtwomanandseei ngyouisdistr
acti
ng,
I'
vedecidedtonev ercrosspathswithyouagain.Goodluck,
speedyrecovery.

Apula:
I'm happyforyou.Ienjoy
edmy sel
fi evenforgotyoubel
ong
toanotherwoman.MayGodf orgi
vemef orthat.I
'm sor
ryinev
er
val
uedy ouf r
om thebeginni
ng,thenextmani sluckybecauseyou
wereal esson.Congr
atulati
onsIvan

Sheputdownt hephoneasMar uwal

kedin,
tearsfi
l
ledherand
sheputherhandoverherface.Mar
uhurr
iedoverandhuggedher
asshebursti
ntotearscr
ying.
..

TENYEARSLATER(
10)

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#124

Atchur
ch.
..

I
nthecit
ycent
er,amongstt
hetal
lbui
ldi
ngsahugecrosshungi
n
f
rontoft
hechurchbui
ldi
ngascar
sfil
l
edt hepar
kingl
ot.
.

Thecongr
egati
onf
il
ledthechur
chsi
ngi
ngasev
ery
onesati
n
rowsandusher
sst
andingonthesi
de.
..

I
nhi ssuit,
Ericst
oodatthef r
ontcornerwithhiseyet
hroughthe
l
ensoft hecamer a,
hishandadjustedthebuttonsashecaptured
aclearvideooftheceremony,hissil
verri
ngshinedasheleaned
backandpi ckedabottl
eofwat erfr
om thecarpetanddrunk
l
ookingatSedi si
ngingalongcarry
ingthei
rson.Hesmi l
edand
winkedatherasshesmi ledbackandcar ri
edonsingingamongst
thecrowd..

Hecl osedthebottl
eandthefocusofhiscameraslowlymoved
wit
ht herowsandst oppedatMonga'smother.Shesnif
fedtr
ying
tosingalongbutemot i
onsfi
ll
edher,t
earsblurr
edhereyesasshe
l
ookedatherson. .Howheartbreaki
ngthatpastorTi
kiwasn'
t
heretoexperiencethi
smoment .Emoti
onsov er
whelmedheras
shesatdownandr
ubbedhert
ear
s..
.

Ericmov edthelenstowardsThongandKhumoast heyst oodby

singi
ngal ongwiththei
rtwodaughtersthenpassedthescenet o
thefr
ontt abl
ewher eMongasatamongstt hechurchel der
s,the
nowsoont obey oungestpast
orinchurchsi
ppedwat erandput
downt hebot t
leastheoldestpast
orstoodatthepulpitwithamic
andabi ble.
..

OldestPast or:
Todayi sawonderfulday ,howIwi shpast orTiki
washer et owitnesst hepastoral
ordinationofhi sbeloved
son..
.(
smi l
ed)Ili
kedhowhe' dsay"That '
smyboy "attheendof
everysongt heysangt ogether
.Mayhi ssoul restineter
nal
peace...
Let'sopenourbookst o1Ti mot hy3:1-2andi tr
eads...If
anyoneaspi restot heofficeofover
seer ,hedesi r
esanobl etask.
Thereforeanov erseermustbeabov er eproach, t
hehusbandof
onewi fe,sober-minded, sel
f-
contr
oll
ed, respectable,
hospitable,
abletot each.Amen!

Al
l
:Amen!

Past
or:
Tiki
arey
ouwi
thme?

Mongaswal
l
owedandnoddedsi
ncer
elyast
hechur
chl
i
stened.
..

Past
or:
Onemor
ebook.
..2Ti
mot
hy4:
1-2.I
treads.
..
Ichar
gey
oui
n
thepresenceofGodandofChr i
stJesus,whoistojudgetheliv
ing
andthedead, andbyhisappear
ingandhiski
ngdom: preachthe
word;bereadyinseasonandoutofseason;repr
ove,rebuke,
and
exhor
t,withcompletepati
enceandteachi
ng.Amen!

Al
l
:Amen

Pastor:
Ineedallt
hepastorsupher
esowecanblessoursonand
nowf el
lowpastor
.Tiki
pleasecomeov
eraswel
l
...Let
'swel
come
them withasong,Amen.

Mongatookadeepbr eathlooki
ngattheful
lchurchashestood
upandwalkedtot hef
rontwherehestoodandsighed.A
keyboar
dplayedthecoverofOceansbyEnniFrancisandMonga
cl
osedhiseyesremember i
nghisduetwit
hhisfatherthenhe
heardayoungvoicefr
om thecrowdandlookedatMj holdi
nghi
s
mic..
.

Mj
:

Spi
ri
tleadmewher
emyt
rusti
swi
thoutbor
der
s

Letmewal
kupont
hewat
ers

Wher
everYouwoul
dcal
lme

Takemedeepert
hanmyf
eetcoul
dev
erwander

Andmyf
ait
hwi
l
lbemadest
ronger

I
nthepr
esenceofmySav
iour
Mongatookadeepbreat
handemot i
onall
ylookedathisson,
and
hewasstandi
ngri
ghtwherehest
oodov er10y earsbefor
e
car
ryi
nghiminhi
sarmssingi
ngwithhisgrandfather
..
.

MJ'slit
tl
ebrot
hersangf
rom behi
ndwherehewassit
ti
ngbyt
he
keyboardandamicinfr
ontofhim ashesangwi
thhi
sbig
brother
..
.

Br
yce: Spi
ri
tleadmewher
emyt
rusti
swi
thoutbor
der
s

Letmewal
kupont
hewat
ers

Wher
everYouwoul
dcal
lme

Takemedeepert
hanmyf
eetcoul
dev
erwander

Andmyf
ait
hwi
l
lbemadest
ronger

I
nthepr
esenceofmySav
iour

Thetwoboy ssangbackandfor
thwhil
etheli
tt
lebrot
herpl
ayed
thekeyboar
datthesamet i
me.Monga'
seyesfil
ledwit
htear
sas
hissonsvoi
cesechoedthr
oughoutt
hechurchthesamewayhe
sangwithhi
sfather
.Helookeddownandrubbedhiseyesas
every
onejoi
nedinsingi
ng.
Thong'
sskincr
awledastheboyssangandforamomenthe
foundhi
mselfwonder
inghowitfel
thavi
ngaboy .Heputhisar
ms
overhi
sdaughter
sandrubbedthei
rheadsastheysangalong.
Meshaandherhusbandemotional
l
ysangalongandclapped
handsasthesongended.
.

Thepastorsputt
hei
rhandsoverMongaasheknel
tdownand
prayedoverhi
m ast
hechurchjoi
nedi
nandfi
nal
lyt
herewas
si
lence.

Past
or:
Amen

Al
l
:Amen.
..

Pastor:
Todayy ouhavecompletedallt
hespir
itualandlegal
requi
rementsofbecominganor dai
nedpastor.Youhavet he
powerstopreach,conductweddingceremoni
es, dobaptism,do
counsell
ingandmanymor e.MayGodhel pyou...

HehandedMongat
hemi
casev
ery
onecl
appedhands.
..

AtMar
u'sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
l
eMarustoodi
nthekit
chenwatchi
ngatut
ori
alfr
om
Cooki
ngwit
hLucy
.Shechoppedsomeveggi
esandputthem
asi
dethenMaruchoppedhersandputt
hem aside.
..Lucy
's
husbandwal
kedovercar
ryi
ngthei
rbabyandkissedherfrom
behi
ndbefor
ewalki
ngout..

Lucy:Sorr
yaboutthatguy s,
myhusbandlikesmyat tent
ion...5
minutesinthekit
chenandhewant stocomest ar
eatme.New
subscri
berswelcomet othechannel
,don'
tforgettosubscribeand
cl
ickonthenotifi
cati
onbut t
on.Mynamei sLucy ,
I'
m ori
ginally
fr
om Botswanaandcur rentl
yinHoustonworkingasachefand
YouTuber..

Maruwatchedasshespokesor
ti
ngherf
oodwhi
l
etheycooked
t
ogether
..
.

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Atsi
leputherfeetonthetableandpr
essi
ngherphonesending
messagest oasecretfamil
ygroupwit
hMaru,Osha,Ot
lhe'
s
daughterandMar u'
schil
dren.

At
sil
e:Ok,
Oshawhenar
ewemeet
ing?

Osha:Todayi
snotagoodt
ime.Idon'
twantmamat
oaskme
whereI'
m goi
ng.
Maru:Yes,
sheshoul
dn'
tsuspectany
thi
ng.Let'
sjustwai
tfor
Mondaywhenshegoestowor k.We'
veworkedtohardtoget
caughti
nthel
astminut
e.

At
sil
e: Ok.Mondayt
hen.

Otl
he'
sdaught
er:
I'
m gl
adI
'
m donewiththi
ssemester
.I'
m
cat
chi
ngtheni
ghtbus Hei keexci
ted.War
egorerekalowa.

Mar
u:Fi
nal
l
y.

At
sil
e:Tr
avel
saf
ely
..

Sheclosedt
hemessagesandshar
edheradv
ertofpl
umbi
ng
ser
vicestot
hepubl
i
cgroups.

Hersonwalkedi
nwi
thaplateofnoodl
eshol
dingawat
ergunon
t
heothersi
deasheshotajui
ceint
ohismouth.

Hi
m:Imadenoodl
esf
ory
ou.
.

At
sil
e:Why
?

Hi
m: (
laughednaught
y)Becausey
ou'
remymot
herandi
lov
eyou
gi
rl
,whyaretri
ppi
ng?

At
sil
e:I
'
m notgi
vi
ngy
oumoney
!

Hi
m:(
laughed)Idon'
twanty
ourmoney
.
Atsil
etookt
hef i
rstbitewhil
ehesmi ledlookingather.Shelooked
athim,shesti
ll
coul dn'
tbel
ieveshegav ebirt
ht osuchalight
skinnedboy
..
.hewassol i
ghthisl
ipswer epinkish.Hescratched
hisdarkwavyhaircutandsmiledbit
inghislips.

Him:Ok,
finei
justneedonet
hing.Iwantt
obuycamouf
lage
pant
s.

At
sil
e:It
oldy
oui
don'
tl
ikecamouf
lage.I
tsnotev
engoodl
ooki
ng.

Hi
m:Yousai
difigetAy ou'
l
lal
l
owmet
obuyi
t.
..Youcan'
tmake
pr
omi
sesyoucan'tkeep.

At
sil
e:Idon'
tl
ikei
t.

Him:Youcheat edmebecausei fyoudi

dn'tt
ellmeI'dgetiti
fi get
Atheni wouldn'
thaveworkedmybut ttobeatevery
oneincl ass.I
wasv eryhappywithmyusual B.I
tsnoteasybeingint
ell
igent,i
deservemycamouf lageorel
seI '
mtaki
ngmycasef ur
ther.I'
m
goingstrai
ghttoaunti
eLala.

Herphoner
angt
hensheanswer
ed.
..

At
sil
e:Hel
l
o?

Voice:
Hi ,
i gotyournumberonf
acebook.Imysi
nki
sbl
ockedand
thetoi
lettoo..Canyouhel
p?

At
sil
e:Wher
ear
eyou?
Shestoodupandwal kedint
hebedroom wheresheputonher
over
all
swhilehersonfoll
owedher
.Mi nutesl
atert
heywal
kedout
asshelockedupthentheygoti
nthecar .

Hi
m:Mi
ssAt
sil
eTsat
sing?

At
sil
elaughedasshej
oinedt
her
oad.
..

At
sil
e:Jul
i
an?Don'
tev
ercal
lmebymyname.

Jul
ian:I
'
m cal
l
ingOsha.Youknowy
ou'
reabusi
ngmer
ightnow.
You'r
eadangert
omyl i
fe.

At
sil
e:Becausei
won'
tl
ety
ouwearcamouf
lage

Jul
ian:Youdon'tl
etmebuyany
thi
ng,i
wantedtobuyaBBgun
andyour ef
usedandgott
hismethi
sbabywatergun,
whatdoi
do
wit
ht hi
s?

Atsil
e:You'
renotoldenought
oownaBBgunandi t
'sexpensiv
e.
Youcoul di
njur
esomeonewhiletr
yingtoshootbi
rds.Whatifyou
breakpeople'
swindows?Can'
tyoujustwantnormalthi
ngslike
normal chi
l
dren.

Hesighedandl
eanedbackshootingt
hejui
ceinsi
dehismouth.
At
sil
e'sphoner
angthenshepickedasshestoppedatthet
raf
fi
c
l
ightswhi
lehersonputhi
shandoutandshott
hej
uiceoutt
he
window.
.

At
sil
e:Hel
l
o?(
tohi
m)Jul
i
ant
her
ra!

Heputhi
shandbacki
nsi
deandshoti
nhi
smout
hthenher
efi
l
led
t
hejui
ceagai
n.

At
sil
e:Hel
l
o?

Voi
ce:
Hi

At
sil
e:Hel
l
o,mayi
hel
pyou?

Voi
ce:
It'
sTumang.

At
sil
e:Who?

Voice:I
'
m asoldier.
..Ihada4monthstri
pinKasaneabout10
yearsagoand.
...(swall
owed)Idon'
tknowify
ourememberme. .
.
Theguywithli
ghtski n.

At
sil
e'
sey
esshr
unkasangerboi
l
edi
nsi
deher
..
.

At
sil
e:Sowhatdoy
ouwant
?

Tumang:
Idi
dst
upi
dthi
ngsbacki
ntheday
sbutkemot
onaandi
wanttomeetmysonanddor i
ghtbyhim.Oneoft heguyssent
mey ourpictur
elengwanay oo.Nekesaitsegor ekedi
ril
e
ngwana...Ishoul
dhav eknownwhenIr emovedt hecondom buti
thoughtotherguysdiditt
oo.Iknowtheamountofpai ni might
havecausedt hebothofyoubutkeikopamai tshwarel
o.Iknowi
owechi l
dsupportya10y earsI
'm wi
ll
ingtorecti
fymymi stakes.I
j
ustwantt omeetmyson.

Atsil
epul
l
edoverandst
eppedoutoft
hecarandl
ower
edher
voiceast
ear
sfi
ll
edhereyes.

Atsi
l
e:Don'
tevercal
lme,noamountofmoneywi
l
lfi
xthi
s.Do
youhav
eanyideawhatiwentt
hrough?

Tumang: Please,i
justwantmyson.Youwoul dn'
tunderstandthe
pressur
ey agober ekalol
egroup.I'
m notproudofwhati did.
Ntetel
elekeconnect el
engwanakeoonehel aandfrom that
pi
cturethat'
smyson.Myoneandonl yson.Iwon'tl
etyoukeep
meawayIwi llt
akethistocourti
fihaveto.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#125

Att
hecl
i
ent
'shouse.
..

Atsi
lest
eppedoutasJul
i
anpi
ckedhert
ool
bagandl
ookedat
her.
..

Jul
i
an:
Arey
ouOKsweet
hear
t?

At
sil
eturnedl
ookingathi
mlostofwor
dst
henshesi
ghedand
l
ockedthedoor.

Jul
i
an:
(laughed)Keagot
ena,
youwi
shy
oudi
dn'
thav
emer
ight
?

At
sil
e:(
laughed)No,
Iwoul
dn'
ttr
adey
ouf
orany
thi
ng.

Jul
i
an:
Soy
ou'
l
lgetmeaBBgun,
for
gett
hecamouf
lage.

At
sil
e:Ni
cet
ry,
no!

Helaughedastheywalkedint
hehouse,Jul
ianst
oodbyashi
s
motherandtheladyt
alkedandev
entual
lyheadedtot
he
bat
hroom whereAtsi
l
eputonherglovesandbegunworki
ng.
At
sil
e:Hol
dmyphone.

Shehandedhimthephoneandcarr
iedonwor
kingwhi
l
eJulian
unl
ockedthephoneandcli
ckedonagame.Amessagebuzzed
andhecaughtthef
ir
stli
nes.

Number :
Ijustwanttomeetmyson.Please,I'
m sorr
y.Wecan
sortt
hisoutwithourfami
li
es.Igat
her
edt hestrengt
htot
ellmy
fat
herIhaveasoni nMaunandwear ewilli
ngtocomeanddo
ri
ghtbyyouandt r
adit
ion.

Juli
anr eadt
hemessageandal thoughhecoul dn'
tqui
tegr aspt
he
restofthemessaget hefi
rstl
ineswer ev
er yclear
.Hisfather
didn'tdi
einacaraccidentaft
erall.Hecl
ickedont heprofil
e
pictureofasol
dierholdi
ngagunandt ur
nedt hephonet ohis
mot her.
.

Jul
i
an:
Mamawhoi
sthi
s?

Meanwhi
leAtsi
lekneltunderabasi
nscr
ewing,
shepausedand
l
ookedatthephonethenshesnatchedi
t.
.
At
sil
e:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

Jul
ian:
Yousaidmyf
atherdi
edi
nacaracci
dentbuthesay
sI'
m
hi
sson.Iknowhowt
or ead.

At
sil
e:Heist
alki
ngaboutsomethi
ngel
se.I
t'
sadul
tlanguagel
i
ke
whenuncl
eDerri
cksai
dhecouldn'
twai
ttohitt
hepussy.Hedi
dn'
t
meanthecat
.

Jul
ian:
Mom I'mturni
ng10year
sold,i
knowwaymoret
hanyou
thi
nkiknow.IwatchTVandI'
mv er
ygoodi
nEngl
i
sh.Il
i
kethat
guy

Atsil
e:Youdon'tevenknowhi m orwhyhehasn'tbeenpar tofyour
l
ife.WhenitoldhimI'm pregnanthesai dheisnotthefather.He
knewy ouexi
stedallthesey earsandhenev ercame,Itookcar eof
youbymy selfthr
oughouty ourlif
e.Ifyouwanttoabandon
becauseyourfatheri
sasol dierandy ouli
kecamouf l
ageandguns
thenyoucangost aywi t
hhi m.

Jul
i
ansi
ghedwi
thal
ongf
ace.
..

Juli
an:
Butyoudi
dn'tt
ell
me.Yousaidhei
sdead.Howdoi
know
you'
retel
l
ingt
hetr
uthabouthi
m notwant
ingme?

Atsile:Jul
ianI'
m busyworking.Pleasegositinth3car ,
I'
m not
goingt odiscusthismanwithy ouandy oushouldnev eraskme
anythingabouthi m.Ever
,andi meani t
.I'
m doneexchangi ng
wor dswi t
hy ou.You'
reachildandy oushouldrespectme.Go!
Het
urnedar
oundandwal
kedoutwi
thal
ongf
ace.
..

AtGabor
one.
..

Latert
hateveni
ngMongapar kedthecarandsteppedoutashi
s
boysgotout,Br
yceputdownhi shover
boardandsteppedonit
thenherol
ledbehi
ndthem asitfl
usheddif
fer
entcolor
sofli
ght.
..
.

Mj
lookedathi
sfat
herashewal
kedbywi
thal
ongf
ace.

Mj
:Oshapo?

Monga:
Yeah,
I'
m good.

Mj
:Ok.
..Nkar
eyou'
ret
ooqui
etsi
ncemor
ning

Br
yce:
DadcanIhav
eP50f
ort
hegamer
oom?

Monga:
Comebacki
nanhourst
rai
ght
.

Br
yce:
Thanks.

Hegr abbedthemoneyandr ol
ledawaythenhestoppedbythe
escal
at or
,hegrabbedhi
shooverboardandsteppedovert
he
stai
rsast heyt
ookhim upst
air
s.MongaandMJt ur
nedint
othe
rest
aurantandsatdownaswai
tr
esswal
kedov
erandgott
hei
r
order
s.

Mjtookouthi
sphoneandcl i
ckedonYouTubeHer
eachedf
orhis
Ai
rpodinthepocketandputi
tinhi
searthenhecl
i
ckedonthe
vi
deosandwatched.

Mongat
ookouthi
sphonef
orav
ideocal
l
..

*
**

Meanwhi
leoutsi
de,Apul
alookedatherr
efl
ect
ionasshewal
ked
pastt
heshopsfi
xingherhai
rtal
ki
ngtothephone.
..
.

Apul
a:(laughed)I'
m donewiththeworkshop.I
'
m goi
ngbackto
Maunt omorrow.Yeah..
.I'
vearr
ived,
letmegivemydateat
tent
ion
mma...Alri
ght,by
e.

Shehungupandwal kedi
nfixingherhai rashereyessearched
therest
aurant
,shepausedlooki ngatMongaashepr essedhis
phone,herdatewavedathergr abbingherattenti
onandshe
smil
edwal ki
ngover
.Herheel scl i
ck-
clackedacrossthefl
ooras
shewalkedby .
Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Hi

Mongali
ft
edhi
sheadandl
ookedatherf
ort
hef
ir
stt
imei
nov
er
10year
s.

Monga:
Hi

Shepassedandpul
ledachai
rsi
tti
ngdownasherdat
est
oodup
andhuggedherbef
oret
heysat.
..

Apul
a:Hey

Hi
m:Hi
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#126

Att
her
est
aur
ant
..
.

Apul
api
ckedherdr
inkandsi
ppedasherdat
eleanedbackl
ooki
ng
i
nherey
es..
.

Hi
m:Thanksf
orcomi
ng,
ihav
ebeenanxi
oussi
ncey
est
erday
..

Apul
a:(
laughed)Yout
houghti
woul
dn'
tshowup?

Him: Yeah,ihadacasemeet i
ngy esterday
..BythewayI'
ma
l
awy er,icoul
dn'
tconcentr
ate.
..Everytimei r
ememberedyouI'
d
wonderi fyou'
dreal
lyshowupory oujustwantedtogetr
idofme
bygivingmey ournumber,youdidn'tsoundtookeenoverthe
phone.

Apul
a:(l
aughed)Lawrencebathong,I
t'
snott
hatIdi
dn'
twantt
o
come..
.Ij
ustdidn'
tbeli
eveyou'
resingl
e.

Lawr
ence:
I'
m si
ngl
e,myexwi
feandi
recent
lydi
vor
ced.

Apul
a:I
'
m sor
ry

Law:It
'sok,i
twasaterr
ibl
emar ri
ageanditonl
ylasted2years.
Shedidn'
twanttohavechi
ldr
enandf el
tli
kechil
drenarea
drawback.Shewor
ksforSADCandt ravel
l
ingisherthi
ng.She
al
sothinksthet
imesomeonet akesbei
ngpregnantshecouldbe
progressi
ngli
kemenbecauset heynevertaketi
meofft
ogohav
e
chil
dren.Sheonl
yplanstoadoptwhenshei s45.Iwant
edmy
ownchi l
drenandI
'm notget
ti
nganyy ounger.
.

Apulacircledherf i
ngeraroundtheglassli
steningtohi
m and
pickedthegl asslookingatMongawhowasnoweat i
ngwithhi
s
son,anotherboywal kedincarr
yingahooverboar dandsatwit
h
them pull
inghi splateover.Mongapickedagl assofwineand
drunkast heychat tedthoughshecouldn'
theart hem.

Law:(si
ghed)Thedi
vor
cecasewasn'tst
ressf
ulbecausewehad
marr
iedoutofcommunityofpr
oper
ty.

Apul
a:Ihav
ePCOS.
.

Law:
What
'st
hat
?

Law:It
'spol
ycysti
covariansy ndrome.Itbasi call
ymeansihave
excessmalehormonel evels.Becauseoft hesemyov ar
ies
devel
opnumer oussmal lcollecti
onsoff luidandf ai
ltor
egular
ly
rel
easeeggsifatall
theyr eleasesomet hing...
thi
smeansmy
chancesofbeingfer
ti
lear eal i
tt
letonone.

Law:
Hav
eyout
ri
edt
ohav
echi
l
drenbef
ore?

Apula:Yeah, I
'
vehadrelati
onshipsthatlast
edbo2and3y ear
sin
thelast10y earsbuti
talwaysendswi thsomeonegetti
nganother
womanpr egnant,mylastr
elat
ionshipitri
edtoacceptt
hischil
d
from hi
scheat i
ngbutassoonast hebabywasaboutsixmont hs
hestart
edspendingthenightatthebabymama'shousesayi
ng
heisdroppingofft
hebaby '
sthings.AsmuchasIwanta
companioni don'
twanttofeelhorri
bleaboutmy
sel
fduri
ngthat
ti
me.I'
dr at
herbesinglet
hanbewi t
hsomeonewhocan'tbe
honestwithmeorl ov
emewi t
hmyf l
aws.

Law: Iunderstandy ouandI 'm oft hev iewt hatpeopl eshouldbe

honestwi theachot herf rom t hegetgo, ileftmyr elati
onship
becauseIwasn' tgetti
ngwhatIwantandI 'm sti
l
lgoi ngtobe
honestwi thyout hatI'dbel yingi fisai dI '
dbet otall
yOKwi t
hyou
beingunabl etogiv emechi ldren.Ihav eadr eam ofhav ing
childrenandev eryonear oundmehaschi ldrengonket shapel o
tota.Mybabyf everissohi ght hatev er ytimeIwal kinthemal l i
l
ookatguy swi ththeirchildren...(
poi ntedatMonga)Li ket hatguy
forinst ance..
.Hewast hef i
rstt hi
ngi not i
ced, hewal kedi nwit
h
hissonandt heylooksomuchal ike,i guesst hat'
st heot herson.
Can' tseehi mf rom thebackbutt hei rheadsl ookalike..
.Thosear e
thet hingsi t
hinkaboutsot ogeti nar elati
onshipwi thyouhi ding
suchwoul dbet odecei vey ouandr elationshipsshoul dbe
foundedonhonest y.

Apul
a:That
'st
rue

Law:
Arey
oupl
anni
ngt
oadopt
?

Apula:Ialr
eadyhave3childr
en,myniecesandnephew.Igot
them sincetheywer
ey oungnowthey'
remykids.Theoldesti
sat
tert
iar
y,secondbornisabouttosi
tforfor
m 5andthelastbor
nis
doingform 4.

Law:
(smi
l
ed)Atl
easty
ou'
vet
ast
edmot
her
hood.
Apul
a:Yeah,
butimightadopt
.I'
mjustwai
ti
ngt
ohi
tmenopause
bef
oreicantot
all
ygi
veup..

Law:Ok,ihaven'
tgi
venuponhav i
ngchil
drenofmyownbuti
woul
dn'twanttohurtaninnocentwomant hroughoutt
heprocess
soir
eallyhopeyou'
llf
indamanpat i
entenoughoratleast
someonewi t
hchil
drenalready
.Therearealotofmenwi thso
manychildr
entheydon'twantnomor e

Apula:Tr
uebutther
earef ewhonestmen, notev
eryoneisli
keyou.
Peoplecan'
tbehonest.
..Iact
ual
lyrespecthowopeny ou'
reabout
yourfeel
i
ngsandplans.Ihopeyouf i
ndsomeonel i
keyou.

Law:
Thanks.
..

Apula:(
sighedandwavedthewai
ter
)Letmeheadbackt
othe
hotel
,I
'mt r
avel
li
ngbacktoMauntomorr
ow.I
twasnicemeet
ing
youLawrence

Law:
Likewi
se,
trav
elsaf
ely
..
.You'
rebeaut
if
ulbyt
heway

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.
..
..

Shetookthelastsi
pasMongaandt heboyswal
kedout.Fora
momentshewonder edifsheshouldsitf
oraminut
esoMonga
candisappearbutLawrencelookedatherandshesmil
ed
thr
owinghim off
.

Apul
a:By
e

Law:
Bye
Shepickedherhandbagandwalkedout,
theyt
urnedtothe
di
recti
onshehadt otakeandshehadtoslowdownjustsoshe
wouldn'
twalkwit
ht hem.

Theyoungestsonrol
ledbet
weenMongaandMJwi
thhi
shoov
er
asitf
lusheddi
ffer
entcol
ours.
.

Br
yce:
Daddydogi
rl
spoopt
oo?

Mongalaughedashewalkedby,despi
tebei
ngapast
ori
nhis
sweat
pantsandTshi
rthesti
ll
lookedandwalkedl
i
keMonga.
..

Monga:
(laughed)Ev
ery
onepoops.

Mj
:Butgi
rl
sdon'
thav
eapeni
s.

Monga:
Wher
edi
dyouseet
hat
?

Mj:Isawadr awingatschool,gi
rlsdon'
thav epeniswhenour
penisgrowsbi ggertheygrowbr east
sandt heybleedfrom thei
r
l
itt
lehole.Iforgotwhatthatli
ttl
eholeiscal
led.Thet eachersays
theyshouldnev erputanythi
nginsideorevenwashwi ththei
r
fi
ngerbecausei t'
ssensit
iveandt heywil
lgetinfect
ion.That'
swhy
gir
lssi
twhent heypeeandt heymustwi pethemsel vesbecause
theycan'tshakeitli
keus.
Monga'
sski
ncr
awl
edasher
ubbedhi
sheadl
aughi
ng.
..

Br
yce:
Real
l
y?Idon'
ttr
usty
ouatal
l
.

Mj
:You'
l
ldoi
tincl
ass,
it'
scal
l
edpuber
tyandper
sonal
hygi
ene.

Monga:
(laughed)Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou'
rel
ear
ningsucht
hings.
..

Mj:Wewerelaughi
ngwhenthet
eacherwast
ell
i
ngushowt
o
washourbodiesandshav
e.

Monga:
Atl
easty
ou'
rel
ear
ningsomet
hing.
..

JustwhenApul awashopingtheywouldtur
ntheotherwayt hey
wal kedtowardshercarandwentforthecarshehadpar kednext
to.They oungestboydroppedhisst
rawandquickl
yt ur
nedhi s
hoov eraseveryonetur
nedwaiti
ngforhim.Apulapickedthe
strawandhandedi ttohim.

Br
yce:
Thanky
ou.

Apul
a:Ok.

Mongaunl
ockedt
hecarandt
heboy
sgoti
nassheunl
ockedher
s..
Apul
a:Congr
atul
ati
onsony
ournewr
olepast
or.

Hel
aughedshy
lyandl
i
ckedhi
sli
psashenodded.

Monga:
Thanky
ou.

Hedidn'
tev
enlookathert
hatl
ong,
hej
ustgl
ancedatherf
ace
andgoti
nthecar.
..

Apul
a:Ar
en'
tyoucur
ioust
oknowhowi
know?

Hesmil
edandst
art
edt
hecarav
oidi
ngey
econt
actasApul
a
l
ookedathi
m.

Apula:Er
ic'
spagesharedy ourpi
ctur
es,l
adiesweregoi
ngcrazy
overthe"youngpast
or".(
laughed)Theyevensai
dthey'
recoming
tochurchandrepent
ing.

Mongasmi
l
ednotsur
ewhatt
osayashepul
l
edt
heseatbel
t.

Apul
alookedatt
heboy
sast
heyl
ookedatt
hephonet
alki
ng
aboutsomegame.
..

Apul
a:Yourboy
sar
egr
own.

Monga:
Thanks

Apulastoppedsmil
ing,heseemedsouncomf or
tabl
eshe'
dnever
seenhim sotense.
..I
tfeltli
keshewashavi
ngaconv er
sati
onwith
anenti
relydif
fer
entperson...Ormaybehef
eltli
keshewashit
ti
ng
onhim?Hecoul dn'
tevenl ookher.
.

Apul
a:(
laughed)WhathappenedtoMonga?TheeMonga.
..
Ifeel
l
ikewantshabakanagaoconformabl
err
a?Kegodir
ashy?

Helaughedandlookedathisboy
sthroughthemi
rr
orbutt
hey
wer
el aughi
ngandmakingnoiseaboutthegamet
henheturned
l
ookingatherf
orthefir
stti
me.

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)War
engLal
a?

Apul
a:Gakeresepe.(
lookingathisring)Wherei
sy ourwi
fe?She
di
dn'
tappearonthepi
ctures.Ithoughtit
'samustforawif
et obe
pr
esentwhenthepast
orisget t
ingordained.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#127

Att
hemal
l
...

Monga:Shei
sstudy
ingabr
oad,t
her
ewer
esomedel
aysatschool
andshecoul
dn'
tcomeontime.

Shenoddedcur
vingherl
i
ps.
.

Apula:Ok..
.Youlookdi
fferentbytheway ..Youlook..
..Idon't
know...Cal
m...Toocal
m. .
.Toor eser
ved.Itssounl i
key ou.Iknow
peoplegrowandchangebuty ou'r
edif
ferent.I
t'
slikesomet hing
shutyou..
.

Hesmil
edthought
ful
l
yandl
aughedashest
art
edt
hecarwi
thout
l
ooki
ngather.
..

Apul
a:Am i
bor
ingy
ou?

Heswi
tchedof
fthecarandsmi
l
edscr
atchi
nghi
sey
ebr
ow.
..
Monga:Theboysneedt
ogetr
eadyf
orschool
tomor
row.Wecan
t
alksomeotherti
me.

Apul
a:Ok,
giv
emey
ournumber
..
.

Mongal
ookedatt
heboysthr
oughthemirr
orandtheywer
est
il
l
pl
ayi
ngwit
hthephonet
henherel
uctant
lyl
ookedather
.

Monga:
Idon'
twantust
ocr
osst
hel
i
ne.By
e.

Shel
aughedl
ooki
ngathi
m andgoti
nthecar
..

Apula:
Ok,youhaveapoi
nt.Atleasti
knowwher
eyoubeenal
l
theseyear
s.You'
rev
eryr
are.Tsamaya

Monga:
Bye

Hestart
edthecaranddroveawayashegrabbedabott
leofwater
anddrunkl
ookingatheronther
earmir
ror
.Hej oi
nedt
hetraf
fi
c
anddroveoff
..
..

Att
hehot
el.
..
Laterthatev
eningApulawal
kedinherhot
elroom andthr
ewher
handbagont hebedthenshesatandunhookedherheelst
rap
tal
kingtothephone.
..

Apul
a:Youwon'
tbel
i
evewhoi
bumpedi
nto.
.Guess

Mar
u:Who?

Apul
a:Monga.
..Orshoul
disaypast
orMonga.
.

Mar
u:Wowreal
l
y?Ihear
dheistot
all
ydi
ff
erent
..Der
ri
ck'
sbr
other
mar
ri
edMonga'
ssi
steri
nlawaker
e.Mogol
oweLana.

Apul
a:Haoandy
oudi
dn'
ttel
lmet
hegi
rli
sov
erseas?

Maru:
(laughed)Ammenekesagobol
elel
a?I
tmusthav
esl
i
pped
of
fmymi nd.Ar
engMonga?

Apul
a:Heewena, obonologor
e..
.WaitsekanaI'
m sti
l
lshockedat
howar oughguyli
kethatcanj
usttur
ni nt
othat.
..Hewasina
hur
rytoleavebutkai
tir
ankaregakebonegor egacomfort
able.
..I
meanwow. .

Mar
u:Peopl
echange

Apula:
UhwenammaMongankar emonnay oot
shwenngwang
(l
aughed)mmekehagolecutegore.
..Koor
eneankgatha.Have
youeverfel
tli
key
ou'
remakingsomeoneuncomfor
tabl
ebutalso
enj
oyitbecausei
tmakest
hem cute?

Mar
u:Hei
wenadon'
tst
art
,youhav
emadesomuchpr
ogr
ess.
Apula:I'
m notalitt
legir
lanymore.I'm notdreamingofMonga
divor
cingandhav ingchil
drenwithme.Mar ryi
ngmeandl iv
ing
happil
yev eraft
er.Lif
edoesn'twor kl
ikethatplusI'
veaccepted
thatnotallofuswi l
lhavechil
drenorhusbands.Maki ngmoneyi s
mypassi on..
.Iswearmywor stfeari
sbei ngbrokethannot
getti
ngmar ri
ed.

Mar
u:Keepi
tthatway
!

Apul
a:Iwasj
ustt
oyi
ngwi
thhi
m.

Mar
u:Howdi
dthedat
ego?

Apul
a:Theusual,
ital
kaboutmyhor monesandit
sadealbreaker
.
Atl
eastidon'
tgetsadanymoreplusLawrencewassocool.Heis
agoodguy,ihopehefindsagoodwoman.Her eal
lywant
skids

Maru:
Ok..Oshapoaker
emme?Iknowi
tcan'
tbej
ustanot
hing.I
t
musthav
ehurtali
tt
le

Apul
a:Yeahitdi
dbuti
expect
edit,wheny ouhav
esomethi
ngse
sekobangbannagaonnesurpr
ised.It
hinkI'
dbesur
pri
sedif
someonewantedme.

Mar
u:Ok.
.

Apul
a:Letmebat
handgetsomer
est
.Ihav
eamor
ningf
li
ght
tomor
row.

Mar
u:By
e

Shehungupandtookoffherclot
hest
henshehummedasongas
shewalkedi
nthebat
hroom...
AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Mj andBrycepreparedthei
rschoolunif
ormsandsnacksbef or
e
taki
ngtheirbookstot hest
udytabl
e..
.Theirfather'
sphonerang,
MJwal kedov ert
ot hechar
gerandunpl uggeditlooki
ngathis
mot her
'spict
urethenhepickedrhevideocallwalkingtot
he
bedroom..

Mj
:Hi
mom

Lanasmil
edsit
ti
nginthecarweari
ngabi
gjacketandapom pom
beani
ehat.Br
yceranoverandal
sohel
dthephone..

Br
yce:
Himom!

Lana:
Hibaby
..Howar
eyouguy
s?

Mj
:I'
m good,
daddygotor
dai
nedt
oday

Lana:
Iwishi
wast
her
e..
.Di
dyousi
ngt
hesongi
askedy
out
o
si
ngforhi
m?

Mj
:Yeah.
.

Br
yce:
Ipl
ayedt
hekey
boar
dtoo.

Lana:
(smi
l
ed)Andhowdi
ddaddyr
espond?
Mj:Hegott
eary
..
.Itmademecr
ybecauseI
'
venev
erhi
mli
ket
hat
buthewashappy.

Lana:
Cani
tal
ktohi
m?

Mj
:Hei
ssl
eepi
ng,
I'
ll
wakehi
m.

Lana:
IsheOK?

Mj
:Hesay
shemi
ssesy
ou.
.

Lana:
Giv
ehi
mthephone.
.

Theboysshookhim asLanasteppedoutoft
hecarandwal
kedi
n
thehouseasthesnowdropped..

Br
yce:
Ist
hatsnow!MommyIwantt
ocomet
her
e!

Lana:
Tel
ldaddy
..

Meanwhil
eMongatur
nedaroundandf
rownedl
ooki
ngatt
heki
ds
ashesatupandgott
hephone..

Monga:
Thanksguy
s,gof
ini
shhomewor
kbef
orewesl
eep.Cl
ose
t
hedoor.
.

Theywal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoorasMongal
ookedatLana
closi
ngherdoorandt akingoffherhat
.Sheputthephoneonthe
ri
nglightandturnedaroundremov i
ngthelongj
acketasshe
remainedwiththebum shortsandtanktop.Shetur
nedaroundas
herintactf
ull
breastsandnipplespoppedonthetop.
..

Monga:
Didy
ougety
ourbr
east
sdone?

Lana:
Itwassupposedt
obeasur
pri
sebutf
ucki
t.
..

Shel
aughedandpi
ckedtheremot
ethenshepl
ayedKi
di'
sTouch
i
tasshegotonherknees.
..

Monga:
(laughed)Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

Shetookoffherpant
sandputthecl
otharoundherbut
tthenshe
tookofft
hetophidi
ngherbr
eastandtur
nedawayf r
om the
camera..
.

Monga:
(laughed)I
'
m notf
eeli
ngmyhandt
odaypl
ease.
..Ishoul
d
hav
ebeenont opofyouri
ghtnow.
.

Shebegunshaki
ngherbut
tgoi
ngwi
tht
hemusi
cshaki
ngher
bubbl
ebuttand
 Touchi
t,t
ouchi
t,t
ouchi
t,t
ouchi
t,t
ouchi
t,t
ouchi
t

Shutupandbendov
er

Lety
ourbakkadodi
tal
ki
ngov
er

Sobackup,
backupandbendov
er

Lety
ourbakkadodi
tal
ki
ngov
er

Shetwerkedandevenshookherbutti
nslowmotionashesmil
ed,
hi
sshortsgotti
ghtandhemov edthecameraov
ertohisboner
showingher.
..

Monga:
Bona!

Shelaughedandgotuppicki
ngherphonethenshewal
kedi
nthe
ki
tchentoplesswi
thherperf
ectbr
easts.
..

Lana:(l
aughed)Sor
ryautwa,
iwantedtosurpr
iseyouwit
hmy
breasti
mplantswhenicomefort
heordinat
ionbutthent
he
examsandal lst
oppedme.Howwasy ourordi
nati
on?

Monga:Itwoul
dhav
ebeenbet
terwi
thy
ounextt
ome.I
twas
embarr
assing

Lana:
I'
m sor
ry,
buti
promi
sewheni
comebackI
'
llbet
hebest
past
or'
swi
fe.I
'
llev
enputani
nchonmyshor
tski
rt
sanddr
esses.

Monga:
(laughed)Pl
ease

Lana:(
laughed)Whydon'
tyouandt
heki
dscomeov
er?I
twi
l
lbe
fun.

Monga: Apar tofmewant stocomebuti don'twanttotravel

half
wayacr ossthewor ldonlyforyoutol eavemei nthehouse
andgoonwi thyournormal l
if
e,ormay beIcomeandsee
somet hi
ngi mightnotlike.Eit
herinyourphoneort hepeopl eyou
hangwi t
h.Idon'tfeelcomf ort
ablecomi ngoverbecausekei potsa
goreifsomet hi
nghappenst herewhatwi l
lIdo.It
sv er
ypainfulto
tr
avelalongdi st
ancet omeetsomeoneandt heypayat t
entionto
someoneel se.Idon'twantt ogothrought hat.

Lana:Idon'
tunderst
andwhyy
oual way
shav etosaythatever
y
ti
mei bri
ngtheissueofy
ouvi
sit
ingme...Haveievercheat
edon
you?

Monga:
Idon'
tknowt
hat
,younev
eranswert
hephonemostoft
he
t
ime.

Lana:Igav
eyoumyt
imet
abl
e,y
ou'
resupposedt
oknowwhent
o
cal
l.

Monga:Evenwhenicallonyourf
reet
imeyoudon'
tanswer.This
whol
ethingisj
ustst
ressingmeandidon'
tseeussur
viv
ing.I'
m
l
onel
y

Lana:Someti
mesI'
dbebusy.
..Canyoupl
easecomehere.You
haveenoughmoney.
..Themoneyyoudon'
tevenuse.
Monga:
I'
ll
thi
nkabouti
t.Pr
omi
semey
ouwon'
tdi
sappoi
ntmei
fi
comeover
.

Lana:Babepl
ease.
..
.St
opit.
..Youcan'tl
iv
elikethat
..
.Dist
ance
doesn'
tneedthi
ski
ndofinsecuri
ti
es.I'
venevercheatedonyouin
mylif
eandit'
sbeenyear
s.Ideservetobetrusted

Monga:
Ok,
youhav
eapoi
nt.
.Sor
ry.

Lana:
Iwon'
thur
tyou.
..
comet
her
ra.Pl
ease?

Monga:
Ok.

Lana:
(smiled)Ok,I
'm put
tingthephoneov erheret
henI
'
m
cooki
ng.
..Theleft
oversaren'tenough.St
aywi t
hme

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)OK.
.

Sheputt
hephonewher
ehecoul
dseehert
henshet
ookoutaf
ew
veget
abl
es.
..

Att
heai
rpor
t.
..

Thenextmor
ningApulawal
kedoutoft
hebui
ldingwit
habag,
Oshawavedsmil
ingandshesmil
edbackwal
kingover.
.

Osha:
Hey
..
.

Apul
a:Hi
Sheputherbagint
hecar
,Oshagoti
nthepassengerseatt
hen
shedr
oveoff.
..

Osha:
Imi
ssedy
ou

Apul
a:Imi
ssedy
out
oobaby
..

Shet
ookt
hewayt
othef
il
li
ngst
ati
on.
.

Osha:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Apul
a:Ineedt
ocheckt
hebusi
ness.

Osha:
Can'
tyoudoi
ttomor
row?

Apul
a:No,
andi
needt
odr
opy
ouher
e..
.

Shepul
l
edont
hesi
deoft
her
oad.
.

Apul
a:Gety
our
sel
fmi
l
kshakeov
ert
her
e..
.

Osha:
Whycan'ti
comewi
thy
ou?You'
regoi
ngt
otheof
fi
ceort
he
fi
l
li
ngstat
ion?

Apul
a:Bot
h,ineedtochecksomethi
ngatwor
kandpassbythe
fi
l
li
ngstat
iontoseeifev
eryt
hingi
sOK.It
sanewbusi
nesssoi
needt
obecar
eful
.

Osha:
Mamabat
hong

Apul
a:Iwon'
tbel
ong.
.

Oshagotoutthenshejoi
nedt
heroadheadi
ngt
othef
il
li
ngst
ati
on.
Shetookoutherphoneanddi
all
ed.
.

Hi
m:Hi

Apul
a:Hey
,kehat
sel
eng.I
'
llpar
katt
het
reesont
heot
hersi
de.

Hi
m:Ok,
comi
ng

Shehungupanddr
oveof
f.
.

Att
hef
il
li
ngst
ati
on.
..

Meanwhil
ethe19y earf
uelat
tendantfi
ll
edthetankofacl
ientand
cl
eanedthewindshi
eld,
hegotthepay mentbutbef
orehecould
walkawayApula'
scardrov
ebyt heroad.
..
.

Hehurri
edtothet
il
landhandedt
hemoneyi
nthenhewal
kedpast
acol
league.
.
Hi
m:I
'
m comi
ngback.

Hejoggedacr
osstheroadandlookedbehi
ndhimjustt
omake
sur
enobodysawhim asheapproachedthecar
,heopenedt
he
doorandgoti
nthenApuladrov
eof f
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#128

I
nApul
a'
scar
..

They oungmanputhisveinedhandoverhert
highandgent
ly
rubbedherasshedrovethenshelaughedandpushedhi
shand.
..

Apul
a:Not
her
raTumo,
ijustwant
edt
osayhi
..
.I'
minahur
ry

Helookedatherwi
thhisbigeyesandt
hickey
ebr
owsasheput
hi
shandbetweenherthighs.
.

Tumo:Whydidn'
tyoucal
lmebackl
astni
ght
?Ical
l
edandy
ou
di
dn'
tanswer
..

Apul
a:Iwentt
othehot
ell
ateandbat
hedt
henwentt
obed
st
rai
ghtaway.
.

Tumo:
Dri
vet
omyhouse.
..Imi
ssedy
ou.
.

Apula:
Ilef
tmydaught
eratt
hemal
l
.Ican'
tbel
ong.
..Ij
ustwant
ed
tosayhi.
.

Tumo:Soyouwanttopar
kont hest
reet
?Arey
ekol
apeng.
..You
won'
tgeti
nify
ou'r
ebusy.
..I
t'
snotthatf
ar.
Apul
a:Ok

Shekeptondri
ving,Tumounbuttonedherf
lor
albl
ouseand
cuppedherbr
eastsasshegasped.Hepushedherskir
tbackand
sl
idhishandoverherpant
ies.
..

Apul
a'
spussyt
hrobbedasshest
oppedatt
hegat
e.

Apul
a:(
voi
cet
rai
l
edof
f)Opent
hegat
e..

Hel eanedov erandturnedherheadoverf orakiss,sheclosedher

eyesandki ssedhissof tli
ps.Hebabykissedherlipsandj umped
outopeni ngt hegatet henheheadedtot hehouset aki
ngoutt he
housekey s.Apuladr ovethroughl
ooki
ngathi mf r
om behind. .
Tal
l,
darkandski nnywi t
hagr ownman' sdi
ck...
sheparkedandl ooked
around,itwasonl yamat terofti
mebefor enei
ghbour sfi
gur ed
whatwasgoi ngoni nthishouse.

Sheparkedinfr
ontofthebachel
orpadasTumost eppedoutof
thehousetaki
ngoffhisf
il
li
ngstati
onshi
rtandremainedwit
ha
vest,
heopenedherdoorandleanedinki
ssingherwhil
ehishand
sli
dbetweenherlegsashegranted.
.
Apul
a:Tumono.
..I
'
llseey
out
oni
ght
.

Hepull
edherl
egsoutofthecarandst
oodbetweenherl
egswhi
le
sheremai
nedi
nthenheleanedoverki
ssi
ngherhungr
il
y
sweepi
nghermouthastheybothpant
ed.Shehear
dthezi
popen
thenhesl
ammedhisheavymeatonherthigh.
..

Tumo:(i
nhermout
h)Oganagot
senamont
ungaker
e?Keaej
a
gone.
.

Hepushedherpant
iesasi
deandbl
ockedherasApul
alooked
ar
ound,t
herewasanoldpassi
ngbythepassage.

Apul
a:Ok,
let
'sgoi
nsi
de.
..

Hest eppedbackzippi
nghispantsandwalkedinthehouse,Apula
walkedinthenheclosedthedoorandkissedheragainstt
hedoor,
helif
tedherdressandsquattedpul
li
ngdownherpant iest
henhe
pl
acedhi sfi
ngersoverherl
ipsandspreadthenleav
ingherpink
fl
eshexposed...

Hesl
i
dhi
stonguebet
weenherf
leshandst
oodupki
ssi
ngher
..
Tumo:(
pant
ing)War
ewhydi
dn'
tyoucal
lme?I
'
mver
yser
iouska
kgange

Apul
a:I
'
m sor
ry

Tumo:
Skabat
hol
aodi
raj
alo

Heki
ssedherandl
i
ftedherl
egt
henhe.
..

AtApul
a'
sfi
l
li
ngsst
ati
on.
..

Aboutanhourl
aterTumowalkedtowar
dst hef
il
li
ngstati
onand
headedtot
heparkingl
otwherehehadparkedhisVW,het hr
ewin
hi
scapandlockedupbefor
eturni
ngaroundtal
kingt
ot hephone.

Tumo:
Arey
ouOK?

Apul
a:(
laughed)Yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.

Tumo:
You'
l
lgety
ourbi
rt
hdaygi
ftl
atert
oni
ght
.

Apul
a:Can'
twai
t.

Tumo:
Bye

Hehungupasacli
entparkedthecarbythepump,shewai
tedf
or
awhil
eastheot
herfuel
attendant
sstoodbychat
ti
ng..
Tumo:
Bannawee,
koor
ecl
i
enty
aphekal
ebusyl
ejadi
kgang!
?

Theyt
urnedar
oundandnot
icedt
hecar
..

Hi
m:Idi
dn'
tseei
t

Tumo: Becauseyou'
renotpayi
ngatt
enti
on!Thesepeopl
eare
payi
ngandt heyshoul
dn'tbetr
eat
edasifthey'
reher
etoaskfora
fav
our.Theycanalwaysdr i
vet
othenextfi
ll
ingst
ati
on.

Dr
iver
:Thankyouson.Serv
iceyahakemathat
a.Whoev
ert
he
manageri
sneedstoreshuff
le.Ful
ltank

Tumo:
Iapol
ogi
sef
ort
hat
..
.

Hef
il
ledupandgr
abbedt
hepump.
.

Tumo:
Youhav
easl
owpunch.
..

Hesquat
tedandpr
essedt
hepumpl
ooki
ngatt
hegaugebef
ore
st
andi
ngup.

Dr
iver
:Thanky
ou
Tumo:
Wai
t,l
etmewi
pey
ourscr
een.
..

Hegr
abbedt
hef
oamyst
ickandwashedt
hescr
een.
..
.

Att
hemal
l
...

Meanwhi
l
eOshasi
gheddi
all
i
ngAt
sil
eandsi
ppedt
hemi
l
kshake.
..

Atsi
le:Hel
l
o?Uhmmasalereeme.Itdoesn'
ttakeanhourt
oleav
e
theair
port
..
.Ar
eyounoweat
ingandshopping?

Osha:
Atsi
leaker
emamaondr opi
l
emommol
ongar
eshewi
l
l
comeback.I
'mjustwai
ti
ngf
orher

At
sil
e:Wehav
ebeenhi
dingbutwear
enowoutofourhi
ding
pl
aces.

Osha:
I'
ll
lety
ouknowwhenwear
ecl
ose.
..

Shehungupandsi ghed,afewmi nut

esl
aterApulacal
ledandshe
walkedout
side.Hermothersloweddowninfrontofher,
Osha
j
umpedi nandclosedthedoor..
.

Osha:
Howi
sit
?
Apul
a:I
t'
sok.

Osha:
Peopl
earealwayscomplai
ningaboutf
uel
at t
endant
s,
gat
wethey'
rel
azyespeci
all
ywomen.Theydragtheirf
eet

Apul
a:Tumomenti
onedthatbuthedoesn'
twantustof
ir
ethem.
Hethi
nksameet
ingwil
ldo,sotheycanbewarned.

Osha: Tumoi stheonlypersoncust

omer sli
ke,hi
m andtheot
her
chubbyl adywhol i
keslaughi
ng.Yourassist
antmanagerisso
col
d, Tumowoul ddobetterasamanagerort hefatl
ady
.But
Tumonkar eobogale,he'ddoabetterj
obbecauseasmuchashe
i
sy oungert hanevery
onehewor kshard.

Apul
a:Isee.
.

Osha:KanteeneTumowher
edoeshegetaVW whenheisj
usta
fuelat
tendant
?Pel
eneawalkernowaday
swadr
iver
.Whati
fhe
sell
sdrugs?

Apul
a:May
behegoti
toncr
edi
torhei
nher
it
edi
tirsomet
hing.

Osha:
St i
ll
I'
dbeat axidr
ivert
hanafuel
att
endantbecauseI
'
m
sur
eat axidr
ivermakeswaymor et
hanafuelat
tendant.

Apul
a:(
sighed)Idon'
tknow.
..

Minutesl
ater
,Oshast
eppedoutandsl
i
dthegat
eopent
henApul
a
dr
ov ethr
oughthegat
e..
.

Thehandymanwal
kedt
othecarhol
dingt
hecl
eani
ngst
ick.
..
Hi
m:Hi

Apul
a:Hi
Per
sev
erance

Hi
m:Ther
eisaf
aul
twi
tht
hepool
,pl
easecomehav
eal
ook.
.

Apul
a:Per
cybathongf
aulty
aeng?Oshawhatdi
dyouguy
sdo?
Kedipool
part
ytsaever
yweekend.

Osha:
Uhmamabat
hong.
.

Theyfoll
owedthehandymantot hebackandassoonast hey
walkedbehindt
hehouseevery
onescreamedSURPRI SED!Her
heartski
ppedasshedroppedthekeysshaki
ng,t
heyalll
aughed
cl
appinghandsandsangthehappybirt
hdaysong.
..

Shelaughedandsmil
edlooki
ngatev
ery
oneasOshawalkedov
er
wit
ht hehappybi
rt
hdaybandwhi
chsheputov
erherhead.
..

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

LateronMongawalkedoutofthehouseastheboyspl
ayed
basketbal
lbehi
ndthehouse,
hegrabbedtheball
andjumped
makingabasket.
..
Br
yce:
Damn!Oops.
..ImeanGod!

Mongalaughedandpi
ckedt
hebal
lthenhewal
kedar
oundt
hem
bounci
ngit
..
.

Monga:So.
..I
'
vedeci
dedthatsi
ncet
heschool
sarecl
osingthi
s
week.
.Weshouldvi
sitmom.Shehasbeenbeggi
ngustovisi
t.
..

Theboy sgaspedandjumpedov erhi

m ast
heyscr
eamed.
.Mj
screamedsol oudheranaroundli
keamadmanandr ant
othe
pool wher
ehej umpedoveranddroppedi
nthewaterl
i
keabal
las
everyonel
aughedathim..
.

Monga'
sphoner
angt
henhewal
kedbacki
nthehouse.
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Thong:
Soy
ou'
ref
inal
l
yleav
ing?

Monga:
Yeah.
..

Thong:
(laughed)War
engkadi
boobs?Ol
elel
ang?

Monga:(l
aughed)I'
mreall
ystressed,
don'
tl
augh..
.herbreast
sare
sexyasever
..Aemehel ankarele14andI'
m her
ehopi ngigett
o
betheonl
yonet ouchi
ngthat.Thewaysheissexy.
..Uhkeaj el
wa
gonehal
e.

Thong: (
laughed)Notever
ywomani sasl utandacheat,unti
lyou
catchherinal i
eshedidn'
tdoanythi
ng.I'
mj ustgl
ady oufi
nall
y
agreedtomeetherhal f
way,shecan'
talway sbetheonetravel
li
ng
hereandi knowt heboyswantt
oexperienceev er
ythi
ngdown
there.

Monga: Atl
eastsheisabouttof
ini
shschool,
tot
agobuannet
e
I
'mlonelyanddepressedwit
houther.
..Byt
hewayimetApul
a
yest
erdayatthemall.Kehaareobatanumbera.

Thong:
(laughed)And?Don'
tst
art
..
.You'
reapast
or.

Monga:(
sarcasti
call
y)Thanksf
orremindi
ngme,i
tot
all
yfor
got
t
hatiam apastor.Forgett
hati
gotordai
nedont
hesameday .
..

Thong:
(laughed)Sor
ryeesor
ry.
..
howi
sshe?

Monga:
Sheisf
ine,sheisgrowingt
hough.Thelastt
imei
sawher
was10year
sago..Thong:Ial
waysseeheraround,K

Kebony
eleAt
sil
eatt
hemal
l
.

Monga:
(laughed)At
sil
e!Ki
l
eagober
ekangwany
anay
ole

Thong: (
laughed)I'
mjustgladshefi
nall
ygotoverwhathappened.
Iwasf eeli
ngbadgor eifuckedupherl
if
ewiththatr
evenge
becauseshel osthermindaf t
ert
hatbutshei
sactuall
ydoingwell
.
Wedi dn'tt
alkthough.

Monga:
Whydon'
tyout
alk?

Thong:
Nnagakegothadi
l
ekegothadil
e..
.Idon'
tst
andandchat
wit
hexs,i
fitwasmeApul
awoul
dn'thavehadachancetoaskfor
mynumber
.Idumpy
ouwear
edoneandi
focusonmyl
ady
.

Monga:(l
aughed)Ican'
thol
dagr udgelikeyouplusi
fsomeoneis
tal
ki
ngtomei tbecomesdif
fi
culttobrushthem off
.Shej
ustkept
comingandcomi ngwit
hquest
ions.

Thong:Mmeeneosuccessf
ulr
ra.Shehasafi
ll
i
ngstati
onanda
bar.I
'
mr eal
l
ypr
oudofherwhenitcomestoworki
nghel
ajaana.

Monga:Yeah.
..
.(
sighedsmi
l
ing)Mmegonekeexci
tedny
anagoo
bonaLana.
..

Thong:
(laughed)Cani
seet
hebr
eastj
ob?

Monga:
Wany
elawar
eng?

Thong:(l
aughed)Ididn'
tmeani tl
ikethat..
.Ijustwanttoseehow
i
tlooksbecausei t
hinkKhumowi l
lbeinterested.Eversi
ncewe'
ve
hadourchil
drenshedoesn'tli
keherbr eastsbecauset hey'
re
saggy.It
ri
edtot el
lhert
hatshei snotat eenagerandI '
m an
Afri
canman, iknowwhatbear i
ngchildrendoest oawoman' s
bodybutgoapal a,
shewor r
iesaboutherbr easts..
.

Monga:
Sti
l
lno.
..Noty
ouseei
ngmywi
fe'
sbr
east
s.chekaGoogl
e
monna.

Thong:(l
aughed)nowthati
thinkabouti
tit
ski
ndacr
eepyt
hati
asked.
..Doyouthinkshewi
llbeokwithi
t?

Monga: Shewi
ll
thi
nky
oudon'tl
ikeherbr
east
s.Don'
tsay
anythi
ng..
.May
beshewil
lsaysomethi
ngwhensheseesLana'
s
breast
s.

Thong:
Iguessy
ou'
rer
ight
,wat
shel
alai
teaka.
..(
laughed)You'
l
l
bet
ouchi
ngpoi
ntybr
east
s.

Monga:(l
aughed)Shehadper
fectbr
east
sbeforewehadki
ds,
it'
s
nothi
ngnewbutgonegogontenyanamr,sheannoy
smebecause
iknowguysarestar
ing.

Thong:
Justrel
ax,aslongasshei
sfait
hful
gapeshewear
s
modestinchur
ch.That'
sgoodenough.

Monga:
Iguessso.Ij
usthat
eitwhenguy
sdr
ool
..

Theyl
aughedoutashet
ookoutaf
ewcl
othesf
rom t
hewar
drobe.
Lanacal
l
ed..
.

Monga:
Shapomr

Thong:
Shapo.

Hepi
ckedasLanal
aidont
hebedwi
thherhai
rmessedup.
.

Monga:
Hey
..

Lana:Hi,
myl essonstart
sinanhourbutI'
m sodiscouragednerr
a
warewhycan' tyoucome?Thechil
drenareabouttoclosether
e
ri
ght?Ihaveaboutamont hbefor
eicanclosemy self
.Whynot
comeandgetmet henwecomebackt oget
her?
Het
urnedt
hecamer
ashowi
nghert
hebag.
.

Monga:
I'
m comi
ngt
otestdr
ivet
hoseboobs.

Shej
umpedof
fthebedandsmi
l
ed.
..

Lana:
Pleasedon'
tpl
ayme

Monga:
(laughed)I
'
m ser
ious

Shesmil
edandtear
sfil
ledherey
es,
shel
ookeddownandputher
handov
erherey
escr y
ing.
..

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)I
'
m sor
ryf
ormaki
ngy
oubeg

Shel
ookedathi
m wi
thr
eddi
shey
esassher
ubbedherey
es.
..

Lana:Ican'
tbel
iev
ey ou'
revi
sit
ing.Letmetell
Goi
waandSedi
in
casetheywanttogiv
ey ousomet hi
ng.Ihav
eaTshir
tfr
om
Goiwa'sshop.

Shesmi
l
edandf
annedher
sel
fsmi
l
ingemot
ional
l
y..
.
AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

LateronApulasatonthecouchf
it
ti
ngadr
essshegotasa
presentwhi
lehersi
stersst
oodby.
..

Maruopenedaboxofski
ncar
epr
oduct
sandsmi
l
edatanant
i-
agi
ngcream..
.

Mar
u:Thi
scr
eam i
sver
yexpensi
ve.
..Shem war
ati
wa.

Apul
agr
abbedt
hecr
eam andl
ookedati
t.
..

Apul
a:Thi
sismyf
avour
it
egi
ft
..
.

Mar
u'sphoner
angt
henshepi
cked.
..

Mar
u:Hel
l
o?

Sedi
:Hi,t
hemmai needaTshi
rtf
rom Goi
wa.I
t'
sforLana,Monga
i
sleavi
nginafewdaysandhehastoleav
ewit
hit.Canyougetit
fr
om Goiwaandcour
ieri
t?
Mar
u:Noproblem.Iwi
l
lcal
lGoi
watomor
rowandgeti
tfr
om her
wor
kshop.WhenisMongal
eavi
ng?

Sedi
:I'
m notsur
e,butLanawant
shi
mtogett
heTshi
rtt
omor
row.

Mar
u:Ok.Nopr
obl
em.

Sedi
:By
e

Mar
u:By
e

Shehungupandputt
hephonedownt
hensher
eachedf
or
anot
hergi
ft
..
.

At
sil
e:Gat
weMongaor
il
eng?

Maru:Leav
ingt
hecountr
y,LanawantsaTshir
tfr
om hersi
ster
.I
guessit
soneofthel
ocall
abelsorsomet
hing.

Apul
a:Kant
eenewherei
sshestudyi
ng?Katswaai
kut
wakana
bat
hobamor akahal
eover
seasshethi
nksshemadei
tinl
i
fe.

Mar u:MmeLanaoshapohel a.
..Gaamakgakga.Weworked
togetheratSedi'
sbri
dalshowerandthewedding.
.andshewas
actuall
yverynice.Osi
amekoor ehelaor
atamokgaboledil
otse
dishort.

Apula:Soyou'r
eactual
lyverycl
oseyetyouneversayany
thi
ng
abouther.Thewayy ouactedwhenitoldyouimetMonga.Itwas
asifyouwer ehear
ingabouthimforthefi
rstt
imein10years.
..No
wonderyouwer esoquicktosayishouldn'
tdoanythi
ngwit
h
Mongaasi
fI'
dbest
uckonaguyi
sleptwi
th11y
ear
sago.

Maru:Ididn'
tt hi
nkitwasi mport
anttotell
you,idotal
ktoher
onceinawhi le..
.Hersisterismarr
iedtoEricwhoismyhusband'
s
l
it
tlebrother
.Redi ngwet sinnal
eSedi sosomehowi endup
bumpingi nt
oLana.Er i
candMongaar eli
kebrother
sandDerri
ck
doestalktoMongaev erynowandt hen.

At
sil
e:Buty
ounev
ersayany
thi
ngaboutt
hem ker
aa

Mar
u:Whatdoy
ouwantmet
osay
?

Apul
a:Ar
eyouf
ri
endsonFacebook?I
nst
agr
am?

Maru:Webecamecl oseatSedi '

sweddi ng.Shetaggedmeon
somepicturessoiguessso,wear efri
endsonsocialmediabut
noti
nar ealli
fe.
.Youknowv erywel l
webef ri
endpeopleonsoci
al
mediayetwenev ertal
k.Wet al
klikeoncei nabluemoonlegone
i
t'
sjusthi.It
hinksheisafr
aidofmebecauseI 'myoursist
erso
sheavoidsme.

Apul
a:Letmeseeheraccount
..

Maruhandedhert
hephone,Apulacl
ickedont
hepi
ctur
esand
scof
fedscrol
l
ingt
hroughherpi
ctur
es..
.

Apul
a:Lehagot
wengt
hesebreast
sarefake!Shehad2ki
dst
her
e
i
snowayshecanwearatanktopwit
houtabra.
Atsi
l
egott hephoneandchecked,
shescr
oll
edt
hroughpi
ctur
es
andlaughed.

At
sil
e:Thi
soneisfarf
rom bei
ngt
hepastor'
swif
e.Sheshoul
dn'
t
dr
essli
kethi
s..
.Dr
inki
ngwine?Wear
ingshort
s?Makeup?What
ki
ndofachri
sti
anputsonmakeupandfakehair
..
.

Apul
a:Butboobsar
efakeaker
e?

At
sil
e:Idon'
tknow,
may
be,
Ihar
dlygoi
ntoheraccount
.

Apul
a:WafosaMaru,osephi
ri
..
.Doyouthi
nki
twil
lhurtmeor
what
?Idon'
tunder
standwhatthesecr
ecyi
sal
labout.

Maru:Ij
ustdon'
tthi
nky
oushoul
dbecur
iousabouti
t.Idi
dn'
twant
t
hingstobeawkward

Apul
a:You'
renotl
oyal
,howcanyoubef
ri
endsomeonewhoy
ou
knowI'
m noti
ngoodtermswit
h

Maru:Idi
dn'tknowy ou'r
enotingoodterms.Thelastti
meyou
werewithherwasatt hecampandi tsoundedli
key ouwer
eOK.
TheonlythingIknowi sthatMongadeci
dedtocut
communi cati
on.I
'm notfri
endswit
hLana.

Apulacl
ickedonmorepict
uresandl
andedonpict
uresofLana,
Sedi,
Goiwaandseveral
otherwomenatSedi
'
sbabyshower .
..She
pausedatapict
ureofKhumoandLanadancingli
ft
ingboxesof
pampers..
Apul
a:Youev
enat
tendedababyshowert
oget
her
..
.

Mar
u:Am i
supposedt
ohat
ehert
oo?

At
sile:You'
renotsupposedt
obef
ri
endsomeonewhot
ooky
our
si
stersman.

Mar
u:Thi
siswhyi
didn'
tsayany
thi
ng.
.

ShehandedMar
uthephoneandsi
ghed.
..

Apul
a:Gogetyourf
riend'sTshir
tmma.Idon'
tcareaboutMonga
andhi
slov
elif
ebuttoknowt hatmysi
steri
sactual
l
ycloset
oa
womanwhoismar r
iedt omyexi swei
rd.

Maru:
I'
m notLana'
sfr
iend.Wedon'
tev
ent
alk.Sheav
oidsme.
What'
sthebi
gdealnebathong?

Atsi
le:Youcan'
tbefr
iendswi
thLanamme, it
'sunfai
r.You'
re
rui
ningApula'
sbi
rt
hday..
.Tot
aibi
leyour
uinedit.

Mar
usi
ghedl
eani
ngback.
..

Apul
a:Sowhatareyougoi
ngt
odo?Ar
eyougoi
ngt
ogetLana'
s
Tshi
rtebol
elwang?
Maru:Sediaskedmekana, i
t'
snotLanawhoaskedme.I
'mtal
ki
ng
t
oSedi notLana,Sedii
sinGaboronewit
hEri
c,Goi
waisher
ein
Maun.Ijusthavetosendit
.

At
sil
e:Whycan'
tGoi
wawat
engsendi
t?

Maru:Sheisnott
echnol
ogi
cal
l
yadv
ancedandshei
sbusywi
th
herworkshop.

Apula:Kemat hata..
.atl
eastweknowwher eloyalt
ieslie.Wena
tot
akanay ourfami l
ycomesf ir
st.
..Aslongasithasany t
hingto
dowi t
hDer r
icky ou'
l
l doi
t.Youcouldn'
tevenhelpy ournephew
andniecesfory ourownf amil
ypeacesowhoam i ...Ijustdidn'
t
thi
nky ou'
dbef ri
endswi t
hLana.

Atsi
l
e: Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?I
magi
nei
fIwasf
ri
endswi
th
Derr
ick'sexwi
fe.

Apula:Ij
ustneedtoknowi fyou'l
lkeepyourrel
ati
onshipwith
Lanaornotsoi canmindwhatIsayandact uall
yli
mitthewayi
rel
atewithyou.I
fyoutaket hatdecisi
onofgoingther
et oget
Lana'sTshi
rtorotswelel
aonnaherf ri
endonsocialmediaiwon't
stopyoubuti won'
tevertr
usty ou.I'
m notcomfort
abl
ewi thyou
beingherfr
iend,what
'syourdecision?

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#129

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Mar u: Icannotal lowy ourpastt odictat ehowi rel

atewi t
hot her
peopl e.It hinkyou'rejustbei ngabi tterex...Andi t
'sev ensad
becausei tsbeenov er11y ears.Yourr el
ationshipwi thMonga
didn'tev enl astmont hs.Youdi dn'tev engiv etherelationshi pa
chance, thef i
rstdayofy ourdi st
ancer elat
ionshipy oucheat ed
andi wast herethroughoutbei ngy oursi st
er !Youdidn' tl
isten..
Andnowy ouwantt ocont rol howi relatewi thher?Shei sasi ster
tomybr otherinlaw' swife, howt hehel l
doi hateher ?Doy ou
knowt hatsomef ami l
iesar eunited?AtDer r
ick'
sf ami l
yt heywor k
together ..
.I maginether eissomeki ndofacel ebrationatmyi n
l
awsandi havetowor kwithSedi buti musthat eherbecauseher
sist
eri sy ourenemy .

Apul
a'
shear
tshut
ter
edasshel
ookedather
..
.

Apula:
Idon'tknowifyougenui
nelydon'tunder
standmeoryou
choosetobeliev
eI'
m abit
terexgir
lf
ri
end.Howcani bebi
tt
er
wheni don'
thavethehopeofeverbeingwithMonga?Ihadthat
hope10y earsagowheniwenttoFtown. .
.Iam ashamedbutyesi
hadhope, butthedayhel ef tmeatt hehospi t
aligotthemessage
veryclearl
y.Imovedonandy esi mightnotbet heluckiest
womanonear t
hbutI'
mt r
y i
ng.Thishasnot hi
ngtodowi th
Monga. .
.Trytoputyourselfi nmyposi t
ion...Gonejaanai j
ust
foundouty oubeenat t
endi ngpartieswi thherandy ouknowv ery
wellwegossi paboutevery one.Lanai snoexcept i
on, weusedto
gossipaboutEr i
c'
swifeandev er
yot herwomanwhowas
connectedt oanyofthemenwedat ed.I'vebeensay ingshitabout
Lanawhi leyou'
reherfri
end.Gosebagonat ural
..
.Fri
endsgossip
andy ou'r
enotjustmysi ster,you'
remyf riend.

Maru:Idon'
tshar
ewhatwesayabouthert
oany
one.Idon'
tev
en
t
alktoher.

Apul
a:If
eel
bet
ray
edt
ota.
.

Shest
oodupandr
ubbedherf
orehead.
.

Apul
a:Nt
seresebaLanaodi
dimet
se.
..Atl
easti
fyouwer
eopen
fr
om t
hebegi
nning.

Mar u:
Ididn'tt
hinki
twasabigdeal
,ev
ennowi st
il
lfeel
you'
re
beingbit
ter.Atsi
lei
sevenaddr
essi
ngLanaasawomanwhost ol
e
yourman

At
sil
e:Youknowi
didn'
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
..
.

Mar
u:Can'
tyouj
usti
gnor
ethi
s?Thi
sischi
l
dish.
Apula: Ifeelverystupidbecausemymanagerhadhi redDerri
ck'
s
exwi featt hebar ,t
hatwomanhadexper iencewi t
hbarandhe
evenshowedt hem howt ost ocki
nawayt hatonecanbal ance
easil
ybutt hemi nutei f
oundoutshei sDer rick'
swifei j
usttold
himt ol ethergo...Yeaht hathighwifei
snowhumbl eandwor ks
oddj obs.Wewai t
edunt i
l hersonwassi ck..Shemi ssedwor kto
takehimt othehospi talandshegotf ir
ed.Idi dthatbecausei
didn'
tev enwantt oli
keorseegoodi nherf ory oursake.Nowi
feelstupi dbecausei expect edthesamel oy al
tyfr
om y ou.

Maru:Youshoul
dhaveaskedme.Idon'
tcar
ewhoi
nter
act
swi
th
her
.Ihavenoreasont
ohateher
.

Apul
a:Idon'
that
eLana.

Maru:Whoarey
outry
ingt
oconv
ince?Can'
tyouatl
eastpr
etend
youdon'
tcar
eaboutt
hem.

Apula:Ir egr eteveryt

hingitol
dy ouaboutmyi nter
actionwi t
h
Mongabecauseev enmebei ngplayfulsiwr ong.Idon' tcareabout
Monga, i knowI '
llneverhavehim.I'l
lneverhav eanymanbecause
I'
m notwomanenoughandI '
m OKwi thit.Ijustwishedy ouknew
howi tfeltf oryoursistertoevenhav eapi ctureofthewoman
dati
ngy ourex.Youhi dthatpostf r
om mef orar eason.You
postedi tanddeci dedtohideitfrom me...It'
snotaboutMonga. .
.
It
'saboutus.I '
m notbitt
er,I
'm sadthatI'
m aboutt olosemy
si
ster'
sl oy altytothiswoman.

Maru:
You'r
ejustbi
tt
erandchi
ldi
sh.Youneedt
ogr
owup.
.I'
m not
cl
osetoLanaandwedon'tt
alkatal
l.
MeanwhileOshali
stenedtothei
rconversat
ionst
andi
ngi
nthe
passage,pai
nbl
ockedhert hr
oatthenshewalkedint
hebat
hroom
andpreparedabat
hf orher
..

Shewal
kedt
othel
i
vingr
oom andi
nter
rupt
edt
hei
rconv
ersat
ion.
..

Osha:
Mamacomeandbat
h,y
ouhadal
ongday

Apul
a:Wai
t,I
'
m st
il
ltal
ki
ngt
o-

Osha:
Pleasemama.

Apulast
oppedtal
ki
ngandl
ookedathert
henshepi
ckedher
phoneandstoodup.

Osha:
Goandbat
h,i
l
lsor
tthegi
ft
s.

Mar
uandAt
sil
est
oodup.
..

Atsi
l
e:Tomorr
owr
ight
?Therei
ssomethi
ngI
'v
ebeenwant i
ngt
o
shar
ewithy
ouguy
s.Butkamosoi
sfi
negaseemergency

Apul
a:Ok,
thanksf
ort
oday
.

Mar
u:By
e
Theywalkedout,Oshasortedoutt
hel
iv
ingroom andfi
nall
y
walkedi
nt hebedroom whereApul
awassit
ti
ngont hebed.
..

Shewal
kedi
nandcl
osedt
hedoor
..

Osha:Your eall
yneedt ostopt ryingt oexpl ainthingst hatpeople
can'
tunder st
andmama.I faunt i
ewant stobef r
iendswi tha
womanwhoi smar ri
edt oy ourext heni t
sOK.Lether ,don'ttryt
o
makeherunder standhowi tfeels.Justdeal wit
hi talone..
.Wheni
getaboy f
riendandwebr eakup, thenheget sagi rl
i wouldn't
wantNinitobef ri
endswi ththatgi rl.Your aisedust ogetherand
wearelikesisters.Ijustwoul dn'tdof avoursf orthatgi r
lov ermy
ownsister.Butt hat'
sjustme. ..Stopr ui
ningy ourbi rt
hdaywi t
h
peopl
ewhodon' tevencar eabouty ou.

Apul
a'
sey
esf
il
ledwi
tht
ear
sasherey
esbur
ned.
.

Apula:
Shesai dI
'm bi
tt
er.
..I
'
vealwaysbeencomf or
tabl
etotease
Lanabecausei t
houghtI'
m wit
hmysi st
erbutnowsheislooking
atmeinaj udgmentalwaybecausenowshet hi
nkssheknows
Lana.I
'm sorr
yI'
m makingyouthi
nkaboutgrown-upthi
ngs.

Osha:Justputonyourclot
hes..
.Iwantustogoforadri
ve.
..We
shoul
dcheckont hefi
ll
i
ngst at
ionandpassbythebar
.Youbeen
goneforawhi
l
eyoushoul
dcheckt
hebooks.(
smi
l
ed)Whatdo
youthi
nk?

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Il
i
ket
hati
dea.
..

Osha:
I'
m dr
ivi
ngy
ou

Apul
a:Youdon'
thav
eal
i
cence

Osha:
Don'
tsayany
thi
ng.
.

Shel
aughedandgotdr
essed.

AtLana'
sapar
tment
..
.

MeanwhileLanawalkeddownstair
scar r
yingatrashbagand
stoodbythemaindoorlookingoutsideatthesnow.Shecould
barel
yseehercarcoveredinsnowt hensheputitbesidest
he
door.Herphoner
angt henshehurriedoverandpicked..

Lana:
Hi.

Sedi
:Justt
alkedt
oMar
u,shegott
heTshi
rtandsenti
tthr
ough
theni
ghtbus.

Lana:
Thanks.
..

Sedi
:ShesaysApul
awasn'
thappyaboutherhel
pingyou.Please
don'
ttel
lMongaorany
one.Maruaskedmenottot el
lyou.So
apparent
lyApul
adoesn'
twantMarut
alki
ngt
omebecauseI
'
m
yoursist
erandMarui
sn'
tsupposedt
ohelpy
ou.

Lana:
Sheki
ndahasapoi
nt..
.Idon'
tl
ikeyout
alki
ngtoMar u,
see
nowApul
aknowsmybusinesslegoreMongaiscoming.

Sedi
:(l
aughed)Ar
eyouser
ious?

Lana: That'swhyi don'ttel

lyoueverythi
ngbecausei knowy ou'l
l
tel
l Maruandi fshei sclosetohersisterli
key ou'r
ecloset ome
thenshewi llknow.Gonej aanaiknowt hatApul ahasabaranda
fi
ll
ingst ati
onbuti don'tstayinMaunandwedon' tfolloweach
otheronsoci almedi a.Dikgangdiatsamay a..
.Atf i
rstItstressed
meoutt hatshei st hatsuccessfulandI'm sti
llastudentaf terso
l
ong.Woul di evermeasur euptothest andardsheset ?Probably
notbuti don'
twantt othinkaboutitorhert hat'
swhyi avoid
tel
li
ngy ouaboutmymar ri
agesoy oudon'tment ionherabea
feelerbig.It'
sdiscour agingtoseeherget t
ingr i
cherev eryday .
..
I'
m sur eshedoesn' tevenneedamanbecauseshehasi tall
.
Wheny ou'renott hatpower fuly
ouact ual
lyhav etopr etendy ou
l
ov egoi ngtochur ch.

Sedi
:Emapel
e..
.Whatdoy
oumeanpr
etend?

Lana:Idon'tt hinkI'm meantt obeapast or

swi f
e,that
'stoomuch
responsi
bi l
i
ty .Ideletedmypi ctureonf acebookbecausepeopl e
comment edsay ingI'm apastorswi feandi shouldn'
tpostmy self
i
nabody suit.Mongaagr eeswi ththem toogor eIshouldcoverup.
Ilovehim butt heni can'
tmeett hestandardsofabei nghiswife..
.
Buttheni hav et omeethi m halfwaybecausei needhi m,hi
slov e,
hismoneyandt helastthingi wantishi m get
ti
ngahol ywoman
whowill
abusemysons.Pl
easedon'
tgot el
lMarumybusiness.
.If
youcantel
lmewhatshesai
dabouthersist
erthenyoutel
lher
aboutmetoo.Ev
enify
ouaskhernottotell
hersist
ershewil
lsti
l
l
tel
lj
ustl
ikeyout
oldme.

Sedi
:Inev
ert
ell
herany
thi
ngatal
l
.Soy
oudon'
tshar
eev
ery
thi
ng
wit
hme?

Lana:
No, ist
oppedthedayisawy out
wotogetheratyouri
nlaws.
Iwoul
dn'ttel
lyounottobecl
osetoherbecauseit
'sbeyondme
butil
i
mi twhatishar
ewithyou.Retai
l
anaifIfi
ndoutyoutelher
mybusiness.

Sedi
:Ok,
that
'si
nter
est
ing.Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ou'
dal
sohav
eapr
obl
em.

Lana:Nnakamot
hal
ogany
abecausei
alr
eadyknowsomuch
abouther
.

Sedi
:Somet
imesMarudoesn'
ttel
lmedi
rect
ly,
ihearhert
alki
ngt
o
Apul
aonthephone.
..
.

Lana:Gonemoo.Obv iouslyl
eabuanyanamme.Rebasadi r
aaitse
l
elemelarel
ela.Koorennawheni real
isedthateveryti
mey outell
meaboutheri getdepressedespeci
all
yabouthowshei sgett
ing
ri
cherideci
dedI '
l
lal
way schangethetopicorspendlesstime
withyouonthephone.Thi si
swhyi don'thav
efriends.Idon'
t
wantmybusi nessoutthere.
.

Sedi
:Ij
oot
hanksf
ory
ourhonest
y

Lana:Yeah,
I'
m cl
eani
ngupmyapar
tmentbefor
eeveryoneget
s
here.Iwi
shitwassummersowegotothebeachbuthey.
.
Sedi
:Iwi
shIwasy
our
ightnow.
.

Lana:Ther
acism downher
e..
.Ngng.
.Butgonegagobadt
her
e
aregooddaysandbaddays.

Sedi
:Er
ici
scal
l
ing,
bye

Lana:
Bye

Shehungupandcar
ri
edoncl
eani
ng.
..

Att
hef
il
li
ngst
ati
on.
..

Lat
ert
hateveni
ngeveni
ngOshadr
ovet
owar
dst
hef
il
li
ngst
ati
on
andpl
ayedAbochi
'
sMama..

Osha:Ir
eal
l
ylov
ethi
ssong.
..I
tmakesmef
eel
emot
ional
..I
tgoes
l
ike.
..

Fort
het
hingsy
oudedof
orme

Fort
hebl
essi
ngsy
our
ainonme

Somet
imesIl
osemyway

Buty
oust
il
ldepr
ayf
orme

Desacr
if
icef
ormeohy
eahy
eah
MamaGodbl
essy
ouoomama

Ny
amenhy
iraoomama

Godbl
essy
ouoomama

Apul
atur
nedaroundlooki
ngatherasshesangandthebeatwas
awesome,shecoul
dalmostpi
ctur
ehersel
fbacki
nthedaysasDj
Baby.
.

Apul
a:I
t'
sbeaut
if
ul.
..Don'
tmakemeemot
ional
..

Sher
ubbedherey
esandl
ookedout
sidet
hewi
ndow.
.

Osha:
Ubmamat
hissongmakesy
oucr
y?Shems.
..

ShelaughedatApulaasshedr oveinthenApul
aspot
tedTumo
wipi
ngacarwi ndshi
eldbefor
eget t
ingpaidt
henhespri
ntedt
othe
casherwindow.Shesmiledblushi
ng..
.

Apul
a:Tumi
eneonnaal
efasthel
abat
hong.
.Ener
gyekana.
.
Oshaturnedandl
ookedatherassheadmi
redtheyoungman
thenshepull
ednextt
othepump.Tumowalkedoversmil
i
ng
star
ingri
ghti
nApula'
seyes.
.

Apulaleanedbackasherst
omachlif
ted,
forsomereasont
he
smelloffuelwasstr
ongert
haneverandshecouldal
mostsmelli
t
i
nhert hroatasi
fshesi
ppedit
.Herstomachli
ft
edandsheleaned
overtothrowup..

Osha:
Mama?
!Keeng?

Tumoopenedthedoorandhel
pedheroutasshewal
kedbehi
nd
thebui
l
dingandl
eanedovert
hrowi
ngup.

Tumo:
Babe?Ar
eyouOK?

Shet
hrewupagai
nandf
ell
onherknees.
..

Apul
a: Ifeel
dizzy.
..Ithi
nksomeonepoi
sonedmeatt
hepar
ty.
Ever
ythingisspinning..

Shet
ri
edt
ost
andasTumohel
pedherbutherey
escl
osedand
shealmostfel
lashegrabbedherbef
oreshecoul
dhitt
he
pavement.Tumopickedherupandputheri
nth3carasOsha
panicked.
.

Osha:
Mama!

Tumo:
Dri
vet
othehospi
tal
..

Tumosati
nthebackhol
dingherandt
ouchedhercheek.
..

Tumo:
Babe?Babe?Pl
easet
alkt
ome.
.

Osha'smouthal
mostdr
oppedasshel
ookedathi
m ont
hemi
rr
or
butkeptdr
ivi
ng.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#130

Att
hehospi
tal
..

Oshaparkedt
hecarasApul
asl
owl
ygotupandl
ookedar
ound
conf
used..

Tumo:
Let
'sgoi
nsi
de.
..Youcol
l
apsed.

Apul
a:I
'
mfeel
i
ngf
ine.
..

Tumo:
You'
renotf
ine,
don'
tbest
ubbor
naboutt
his.
.

Apulal
ookedatOshaandpushedTumo'shand,her
emembered
OshawasaroundandleanedbackasApul
asteppedoutoft
he
carbyher
self
.

Osha:
Shoul
dicomewi
thy
ouorst
ayi
nthecar
?

Apul
a:St
ay.
.

Tumof
oll
owedheri
nsi
deandshet
urnedar
oundl
ooki
ngathi
m..
Apul
a:Whydi
dyoucome?

Tumo:
Iwant
edt
omakesur
eyou'
reOK.

Apula:
Iwasokwit
hmydaught
er.
.Idon'
twantany
oneknowi
ng
aboutthi
sfl
i
ng.

Tumo:
I'
m notaf
li
ng,
don'
tcal
lmeaf
li
ng.
.SoI
'
mjustaf
li
ng?

Apula:Pl
easetell
mey oudon'
tthi
nky
ou'r
emyboy f
ri
end.
..Idon'
t
havetheenergytoexpl
aint
oyouwhatthi
sisbutwebothknew
i
t'
sjustforfun.

Tumo: Il
oveyou.
.Andi
don'
tseeany
thi
ngwr
ongwi
thour
rel
ati
onship.

Apula:
Yourmot herwasmycl
assmat
e.Doy
out
hinkshewi
l
lbe
happyaboutt
his?

Tumo:Idon'
tcarewhatshethi
nks,
idi
dn'
tchooseamanf
orher
soshewon'tchooseawifef
orme.

Apula:
I'
m notawi
fe,
doi
lookl
i
keamar
ri
agemat
eri
al?Don'
tev
en
answerthat
..

Sheturnedaroundandwalkedt
owardsthecounterwhereshe
regi
ster
edandwashandedhermedi cal
recor
dsf i
lebef
ore
walki
ngt owar
dsthedoct
or'sof
fi
ceasTumof oll
owedher .

Apul
a:Wai
tov
ert
her
e

Tumo:
I'
m notwai
ti
ng,
ther
eisnot
hingi
don'
tknowabouty
ou.
Apul
a:Tumopl
easenotnow,
okkeagokopaee.
..(
sincer
ely
)
Pl
ease.
..

Hesighedandtookaseatthenshewal
kedinandsatdownast
he
doct
orleanedoverl
i
steni
ng..
.Apul
aexpl
ainedbr
ief
ly.

Doctor
:Soitwasthestrongsenseofsmel
landdi
zzi
nesst
hen
thr
owingup,doesyourstomachhurt
?

Apul
a:No,
butIt
hinki
tmustbet
het
hingsI
'
vebeeneat
ing.

Doct
or:
Whenl
astdi
dyouhav
esex?

Apul
a:Um...Today?Yout
hinki
t'
sanSTD?Doct
or:
Whenl
astdi
d
youseeyourperi
od?

Apul
a:They
'r
eirr
egul
ar,someti
mestheygoformont
hsand
someti
mestheyappearsoidon'
tknow.
..Why?

Doct
or:
Youmi
ghtbepr
egnant
?

Apul
a:Ordon'
twor
ryaboutt
hatone,
I'
m notpr
egnant
.

Doct
or:
Pleasel
ayont
hebedsoi
canscanandconf
ir
m.

Apul
a:Ihav
ePCOSsoi
t'
simpossi
ble

Doct
or:
Mywi f
ehasitandwehav
e4chi
l
dren,
inf
ert
il
it
yisnot
al
wayst
hecase..
..

Shel
aidonherbackandpul
l
edupherdr
essast
hedoct
or
squeezedthegel
onherabdomenandsl
i
dtheul
tr
asoundpr
obe
overher.

Doctor:
Therewego...Ican'
ttel
li
fwear
ehav
ingaboyorgi
rlbut
that
'sdefi
nit
elyaf
etus..
.

Apul
atur
nedherheadl
ooki
ngatt
hemoni
tori
nshock.

Doct
or:
Ok,
getdr
essedandsi
tov
erher
e.

Thedoct
orr
eadhermedi
cal
car
dandsi
ghed.
.

Doct or
:Anypr egnancyonawomanov ertheageof40i sar isk...
Asmuchassomewomenar eluckyenought obir
thhealt
hy
babiesmaj orit
yofbabi esbyol derwoment enttofacediff
iculties
suchashear tdefects,genitalabnormali
ti
es, downsy ndromeand
othermal f
ormat i
ons.You' reatahi gherri
skofhav i
ngmi scarriage
orast i
llbornbecausey ourhor mones.That 'sthebaby..
.Nowt he
mot herfaceschal l
engesl ikehighbloodpr essureandy ou'
rel i
kely
tohav eacesar ean.I'
vej ustexcludedectopi cpregnancybecause
thefetusisint herightplace...Nowisthet imef oryoutorestas
muchasy oucan.Whatdoy oudo?

Apula:
Iam amanagerandi
hav
eaf
ewbusi
nessesont
hesi
de
too.
Doctor:
Getsomeonet oassistyou..
.Thi
smightbey ouronly
chancesopleasegivethispregnancyfir
stpr
ior
ity.I
'm goi
ngtodo
mybestf ort
hisbabytoatl eastreach7months..
.Ifwecanr each
thatpoi
ntwehav ewon.I '
ll
domybest ,y
oudoy ourpartand.
..
(si
ghed)Areyouar el
igiousperson?

Apul
ashr
uggedhershoul
der
s..
.

Doctor
:Nowwouldbeagoodt
imetostartpr
ayi
ng..
.(smi
led)I
thi
nkyoufal
l
ingpr
egnanti
samir
acl
e..I
'
m happyforyou.

Apul
asmi
l
edemot
ional
l
y..

Apula:AreyousureI'
mreal
lypr
egnant?Ioncet
houghtI
'
m
pregnantanditt
urnedoutt
obejustfl
uidinmywomb.Cany
ou
checkagain?

Doctor
:(l
aughed)Ihaveat
inybitofexper
iencewi
thpr
egnancyi
thi
nkicanident
if
yaf et
ust
hroughthescan.

Apul
a:Pl
ease.
..

Shegotonrhebedagain,t
hedoct
orpati
entl
yputgelonherand
scannedheragai
n..
.Bepoi
ntedonthescr
eenshowingherthe
head.
Doctor:
Thisi
sthehead.
.Thebody
..
.Thoseareli
mbs..
.Ina
coupleofmonthsy
ou'l
lbeabl
etoseethegender
..
.Canyousee
thehead?

Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
esasshel
ookedatt
hescr
een.
..

Meanwhil
einthewaiti
ngareaTumoupdatedhi
sstatuson
WhatsApp,apict
ureofhi
mselfandApul
asmili
ngatthesel
fi
e
whil
ehavingdi
nner.Hecapti
onedit"
Thebossl
ady,sobeaut
if
ul
andfl
awless.
"

Hewentonpr
essi
nghi
sphoneandgotamessagef
rom hi
s
f
ather
..

Fat
her
:Sot
hat
'st
heboss?Gi
vemehernumber

Tumo: Papakeagobol
elel
amama

Fat
her
: I
'
m ki
ddi
ng. Butdamn.

Tumo:

Fat
her
:

Hecl
i
ckedonot
hermessages.
..
Fr
iend:
Wenaoj
abosswena,
kanaker
eoj
ewakeboss?

Tumo: Maeny
anaagago.

Fri
end: Untily
outell
mewhysheboughtyouacaryou'r
eher
boy.Youst
oppeddat
ingtoososomet
hingi
sup.I
'm watching
you

Tumo: I '
m abst
aini
ng.I'
m notsl
eepingwi
thanyone,
I'm Wait
ing
formar r
iage,i
don'
twantgi r
lstofi
nishmybear
ingsbeforeif
inda
wife.Togakehelamonat e.

Fr
iend: Wai
i

Hecl
i
ckedontheot
hermessagesasApulawalkedouttear
ful
ly
.
Hest
oodupandsli
dhi
sphoneinthepocketl
ookingather.
..

Tumo:
Arey
ouOK?

Apul
a:Yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.Justmyhormones.They
'r
ehi
ghbutt
he
doct
orgavemesomesupplements.

Tumo: Didhecheckpregnancy?Youhavebeencryi
ngabout
ever
ything,
yourbreast
saretenderandnowy ou'
ret
hrowi
ngup.

Apul
a:It
oldy
ouI
'
minf
ert
il
e,her
uledoutpr
egnancy
.

Tumo:
Ok.
..Let
'sgo.
..
Theywal
kedoutasshepr
essedherphonewal
ki
ngawayf
rom
hi
m.

Tumo:
Arey
ouashamedt
obeseenwi
thme?

Apul
a:Tumonotnowplease.
.Andwhyarey
oupost
ingme?You
sai
dyouwoul
dn'tpostt
hesepict
ures.

Tumo: Idi
dn'tevensayanythi
ngwr ongont hatst
atus.St
opbei
ng
pet
ty.Ican'
tbeli
evey ou'
renotpregnantbecauseyou'r
e
complaini
ngaboutev ery
thi
ng..
.Thisishowmysi sterwaswhen
shewaspr egnant.

Shesi
ghedandgoti
nthedr
iver
'ssi
de.
.

Tumo:
You'
renotdr
ivi
ng.
..Notaf
tercol
l
apsi
ng

Apul
a:You'
renotmyboss.
..Mydaught
eri
sher
e..

Osha:
(st
utt
eri
ng)I
..
.ki
nd.
..
of.
.agr
eewi
thhi
m..

Apul
agotinthebackseat
,Tumocl
osedt
hedoorf
orhert
henhe
st
eppedback..

Tumo:
I'
ll
cat
chat
axi
backt
owor
k.(
lookedather
)Gakeai
tumel
a.
Hetur
nedaroundandwal
kedaway
,Oshast
art
edt
hecarand
dr
oveoff
..
.

Apul
a:I
'
m pr
egnant
,don'
ttel
lany
one.

Osha:
Didy
out
ell
Tumo?

Apul
a:Tel
lhi
m what
?

Osha: Thatheisgoingtobeaf at
her.Mamay oucan'thi
de
anythingfr
om me.Iwon' tj
udgeyou.
.Hedi dn'
tsayanythi
ngijust
sawt hewayhepani ckedwheny oucollapsed,hekeptcal
li
ngy ou
babeal ebetsegor
eI '
m nearby
.Andi l
ikehim...Besi
desbeingso
younghei sactual
lyveryni
ce..
.

Apul
asi
ghedandl
eanedback.
..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronOtl
he'
sdaught
eropenedt
hedoorasApul
aandOsha
wal
kedin.
.

Her
:Ar
eyouOK?

Apul
a:I
'm pr
egnant
,butdon'
ttel
lany
one.I
t'
sahi
ghr
isk
pr
egnancy.
.
Shej
umpedandhuggedher
..

Her:I'
m sohappyf oryou..
.I'
m pr
act
ical
lyanursesowhatthat
basical
lymeansi sthatyouneedtorestmore,
eatheal
thyand
reducest r
ess.(
paused)Wai tmamahowdi dyougetpr
egnant?
Youdon' thaveaboy f
ri
end.

Osha:
Tumo,
don'
ttel
lany
oneev
enboaunt
iet
ota

Her
:Whywoul dit
ellt
hem ourbusi
ness(
laughed)Iknewthatboy
wascrushi
ngonmyauntfrom day1.Hewasmyj uni
orwheni
wasdoingfor
m 3,hewasdoingfor
m 1.Atleastheiscut
e

Apul
a:Ican'
tbel
i
evet
his.
.

Shewal
kedinthebedr
oom andl
aiddownast
hegi
rl
sst
oodt
her
e
smil
i
ngather.
..

Apul
a:Getout,
haekar
eledi
popoej
aana.Kel
ant
hal
ebona
moimana.I
ja

Theyl
aughedandwalkedoutt
henshetookadeepbreat
hand
si
ghed.Marucal
l
edthensherol
ledherey
esandpicked.
.
Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Maru:
Ihear
dyoucol
l
apsed,
someonesai
dtheysawy
ouf
all
.Ar
e
youOK?

Apul
a:I
'
mf i
ne.Whydoy
ouactl
i
key
oucar
e?Your
uinedmy
bi
rt
hday.

Mar
u:Ar
ewest
il
lont
hisi
ssuenebat
hong?

Apul
a:Yesunt
ily
ouapol
ogi
sef
orcal
l
ingmebi
tt
er

Mar u:Apul ay ou'rebitterandnowy ou'remani pul

at i
vebecause
youwantust obel i
ev eyou' r
enot .Thef actt hatyousayonl y
negat i
vet hingsaboutLanawhenshenev ersay sany t
hing
negat i
veabouty oumakesy out hebitterone.Youcal lhermor aka
girl
,yout hinkshet hinkshi ghl yofher self,
wheny ouseeher
picturey ouseef akeandev er yt
hingugl y.Ihav ehear dcomment s
from herabouty ou, whet hert hroughhersi sterorherj ustsaying
somet hi ng.Shet hinksy ou' r
er ichandshet hinksy ou'r
ehappy
wi t
hy our self,shet hinksy ou'resopower ful andshedoesn' tthink
shecancompet ewi thy ou.I fany thi
ngy oui nspireherbecause
shet hinksy ou'repower ful.Ther easoni nev ertoldy ouany t
hing
thathast odowi thheri sbecausey ou'resobi tt
erandy ounev er
hav eany t
hinggoodt osayaboutheral l t
het i
me, obat ago
ntshebi sagor eremokgobemmennakebonael emot hoyoo
siameng.You' ret heonesay ingnegat ivethi ngsabouther ,i
fthat'
s
notbi t
ter nessi don' tknowwhati tis.Iwon' tletyouuseme, you
wi l
leit
heracceptt hatwecan' tav oi
dLanaory ou'l
lhat emef or
tell
ingy out hepai nful t
ruth.Hat emei fy ouwantbuty ouneedt o
stopt hissi ckobsessi onwi thMonga.Ley onet hat"play i
ng"of
aski
ngforhisnumberwaswr ongbecausehei samar r
iedman
whoisclearl
ytryi
ngt oavoidtemptat i
on.Stopbeingchil
disho
motonaandourki dslearnfrom us.Wehav eteenager
snow.O
i
thutegoiponadiphosol egoi t
hutamogot sonegaokgal emel wa.
Pri
dewon'tgetyouany wher e.I
fyou'rewaiti
ngf ormyapologyf or
sayi
ngyou'r
ebi t
teryou'l
lnevergetit.I
'l
lalwaysstandbythet ruth
evenift
hetruthisinsensit
ive.I
kgalemelebi t
ter
nessisadi sease.

Shecutthecal
l
,Apul
aputthephonedownandsi
ghedasshe
recei
vedamessagef
rom Tumo.

Tumo:Seeingyoucollapsetodayreall
yscaredme.Ihopey ou
knowhowmuchIl oveyou.Iwi shiwasgoodenoughf ory
ouso
youcanletmel ov
ey ouev eninpubli
cbecausey oucompletemy
l
ifeandI'
m proudtobey ours.Icoul
dn'taskforanyt
hingelsebut
you.Il
oveyou.Feelbettersoon.Goodnight.

Sher
eadt
hemessageandsi
ghed.
..

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Thenextmor
ningAtsi
l
epar
kedattheschoolgat
e,Jul
ianst
epped
outoft
hecarqui
etl
yandcl
osedt
hedoorf or
gett
inghi
sschool
bag.
At
sil
e:Beke!
..

Hetur
nedar
oundandsnappedoutofi
tashewal
kedbackand
goti
t.

At
sil
e:Ar
eyouOKJ?

Jul
i
an:
(smi
l
ed)Yes

Hewal kedawaydraggi
nghisfeetwi
thhi
sheadashewalkedi
n
school
, hisf
ri
endranoverandputhi
sarm ov
erhi
m ast
hey
walkedt ocl
ass.

Atsi
let
hought
full
ydrov
eoff,t
ear
sfi
l
ledherey
esasshescr
oll
ed
thr
oughherphoneanddial
l
edTumang.

Tumang:
Hel
l
o?

Atsi
l
e:Hi,
I'
vehadtimetothi
nkaboutJuli
an.I
tdoesn'
tmatt
er
whatiwentt
hroughhedeservestoknowyou.Heli
kesgunsand
hewantsapairofcamouf
lage..
.

Hermout
htr
embl
edasshecr
iedhol
dingt
hephone.
..
At
sil
e:(
shakyv
oice)Hewear
s11t
o12t
houghhei
s10.
..

Tearsrol
l
eddownassherubbedherey
eswi t
hherout
erhand
befor
eputti
ngt
hephonebackonherear.
..

Tumang:Iwantt
omeety oufir
st,
you'
recryi
ng..
.Ihopeyou'r
enot
dri
vi
ng.Pl
easepul
loverbecauseicanheartr
affi
c.Pul
lovert
hen
I
'mv i
deocal
li
ngbecauseiwanttoseeyou.

At
sil
e:Ok.

Shepull
edonthesideoft
heroad,
Tumangv
ideocal
l
edi
nhi
s
uni
for
m assherubbedherey
es.

Tumangt
ookof
fhi
shatandr
ubbedhi
sfaceemot
ional
l
y..

Tumang: If
eelli
kevideocall i
snotenough.Iwishi couldkneel
beforey ouandapologise.Iwishyoucouldhitmeandsl apme
overandov erandi wouldn'tstopyoubecausei wanty outolet
outthatpain.I'm wi
lli
ngtogetal oanifihavetojustto
compensat wy oubuti knownot hi
ngwill
replacethet i
mesy ou
wereal oneinthehospital
.10y ear
sisalongt i
mebutl i
fehas
humbl edme. .
.Youhav enoi deahowmuchI 'vesufferedandi
thi
nkitwasallbecausepartofmeal wayswonderedwhatifIwas
theonlyper
sonwhopul ledoutthecondom.Cany ouall
owmet o
comeov erthi
sweekend?Iwantt omeety ounotJuli
an,r
ebue
aboutevery
thi
ngt henyou'
lldeci
deifyou'
reready
.

At
sil
e:Ok.
.

Tumang:
Thanky
ouf
orcal
l
ing,
itmeansal
ott
ome.

At
sil
e:It
hinkhewant
stomeety
ou.

Tumang:
Ok,
wewi
l
lseehowi
tgoest
hisweekend.

At
sil
e:Ok,
bye

Tumang: Gotswahakesendatissuethr
oughewall
etsoyoucan
wipethosetear
sandbestrongony ourl
astdayodi
rasingl
e
parent
ing.I
'
llbetaki
ngov
erfrom nowon.

At
sil
elaughedunexpect
edl
yandshookherhead.
.

At
sil
e:Gat
wet
issuet
hroughewal
l
et.

Tumang: (
laughed)Ketaarengmothowamodimo,golat
ha
ngwanagoaswabi sakana.I'
mjustgl
adyoudi
dn'
tpostmeon
Facebook,youcouldhavedestr
oyedmekanai
fyouwantedto.
Jul
ianwasmadei l
legal
l
y.

At
sil
e:(
laughed)Atl
eastweagr
eeononet
hing.

Tumang:I
'm sor
ry.Kesendat
issuehel
ait
'snott
hecompensat
ion
gapegaseagaJulian.
At
sil
e:(
laughed)Ti
sat
issuey
amer
rannakey
egodi
rapl
umbi
ng.

Tumang:(
laughed)Ok,
talklater
.Agorekachocol
ateJul
i
aneneill
bri
nghi
sthingsduri
ngtheweekend.Wehav eachoppercoming
toMaunthisweekendijusthavetot
alktotheguysbampege.

At
sil
e:Ok.

Shehungupt
henhesent3K.
..

Tumang: Oebony
eti
ssue?

Atsi
l
e: Nny aammey
ou'
recl
oset
obei
ngcal
l
edbabydaddy
.Ke
emetsel
oany
ame.

Tumang: I fy
oucal
lmebabydaddykey
akodi
bosongkey
a
gobaray
aker
ekebabydaddy
.

Atsi
le: Hakegobi t
sathefat
herofmychi
l
dgonewagor
eng
tot
aocelebr
atababydaddywammababydaddyhel
a?

Tumang:
✈Hookeut
swachopar
ayaBDFkedi
kol
ogaBot
swana.

Shel
aughedoutl
oudanddr
oveof
f.
..
.

AtMonga'
sof
fi
ce.
..
Onthesamemor ni
ngMongaendedhismeeti
ngwit
hhis
subor
dinat
esandtheywal
kedoutashecl
osedthedoor
.

Heloosenedhist
ieandwalkedbackt
othetabl
ewher ehepl
ayed
musicinthecomputerasheemail
edall
thenecessar
y
i
nformati
ontohisPA..

Heleanedbackthoughtf
ull
yandsmil
edatthethoughtofholding
Lanainhisarmsforthefi
rstt
imei
nawhile.Hi
sphoner angt hen
hegrabbeditandpl
aceditonthest
andashefacedhersl eeping
onthebedy awni
ng..
.

Lana:
Ican'
tsl
eepbutIhav
eal
essoni
nthemor
ning.

Monga:
(laughed)Ri
anakebonekuku.
.

Shemovedthephoneshowinghi
m herkukuandtouchedit
bef
orecuppi
ngherbreast
sandsti
cki
nghertongueoutlaughi
ng.
.

Monga:
Whycan'
tyousl
eep?

Lana:Iwantt
ot el
lyousomet
hingbutI'
m af
rai
ditwi
l
lmakey
ou
changeyourmindaboutcomi
ng,atthesametimeif
eel
li
kei
t'
s
l
ongov er
due.

Monga:
Youcant
ell
meany
thi
ng.
..
Lana:
I'm happythaty
ougotordainedandIwishiwast
herebutI
don'
tthi
nkI '
dmakeagoodpast or'
swifebecauseil
i
kefashi
onso
much.Ker atabokgar
ebet
hata..

Mongal
aughedandr
emov
edhi
sti
e..

Lana: I'
mj ustpret
endingwheni got ochurch.May beit'
sbecause
wegr ewupf rom dif
ferentbackgr ounds.Ididn'tevenknowabout
Godbef or
ei mety ou..
.Likei heardabouti tbutronaner esatsene
kerekesoI '
m notpassionate.Ifeel somuchpr essurenowt hat
you'reapast or,i
fididn'tloveyou, y
ourmoneyandi fididn'twant
ourboy stoenj oythi
sf ami l
ysetupIwoul djustleave.Jaanongi
can'tleavebecausei l
ov eyouandi needy ourlove,thelastthingI
wanti stobeabi t
terexbecausei f
eel someonest olemyl i
feor
somet hing.Idon'tknowwhatpeopl ewhohav eexsgot hrough
butthewaysomepeopl earebi t
teritshowsmegor eleav i
ng
someoney oulovecant urnoutbad.Pl uswenaomonat eandwa
becha. .
.Kobonakaegoneel waMat aozen..
.I'
ml i
teral
ly
shower inginabat hfullofmoney .

Mongal
aughedr
estedhisheadonhi
shandwat
chi
ngherspeak
wi
thsomuchser
iousness.
.

Monga:
(laughed)Thanksf
orbei
nghonest
..
.
Lana:
ButI
'm ser
ious,
ifeel
badforpr
etendi
ngbecausei
know
deepdownI'
m notgoodenoughtobeapastor
'swif
e.

Monga: Letmet ellyousomet hing...Iknowwhati t

'sliket obeput
underpr essur etobesomet hingy ou'renotr eadytobe, once
datedsomeonewhof eltihadt obeanof fi
cekindofguy ...Atthat
momenti enjoyedmywayofl ife,shewant edmet obei naf or
mal
wearandi wasi ntoTshi rtsandcaps.It oldherstr
aightt hatI
don'tl
ikewhatshewasf orcingmet obe. .
.whenIwasr eadyi
changedonmyown.SoIwon' tforcey outodressinacer tainway,
iknowwhati t'
sliketobewi thsomeonewhodoesn' twantt o
accepty ouf orwhoy ou're.You' l
lchangeony ourownandwhen
youdoi llber ighthere. .
.Il
ov edy out hef ir
stti
meIsawy ounot
becauseofhowy oul ookedordr essedsowhywoul dt hatchange
now?Don' ttrytomeetpeopl e'sexpect at
ionsofpast orMonga' s
wife.Dresshowev ery ouwant ,whent hetimecomesy ou'lljust
enjoygoi ngtochur ch.Onedayy ou'llscoldmef orbei ngl atet o
church.

Shel
ookedathi
m emot
ional
l
yandsmi
l
ed.
..

Lana:
Whyar
eyoul
i
ket
hat
?

Monga:
What
?

Lana:Sowi
seand.
..Underst
anding.
..It
houghtyou'
dtel
lmey
ou
can'
tbewit
hmeifi can'
tbehav
el i
keapastor'
swife.

Monga:
Preachi
ngi
smycal
l
ingnoty
our
s,I
'
m apast
orat
church...
whenI '
m wit
hy ouI'
mj ustMongaandimustr espectyour
feel
i
ngs.I 'm ahusbandandaf atherwhenI'
m wit
hy ou.Husbands
don'
tdi ctat
ewhatwi vesshouldwear..
.Iper
sonal
lydon'tcare
whaty ouwearasl ongasy ouwearmodestatchur ch..

Lana:Obvi
ouslyiwouldn'
twearbum short
stochurch.Iknowhow
todressf
ordiffer
entsett
ingsbutpeopl
eexpectmet oalway
sbe
i
nlongdresses.Ievendeletedmybodysuitpi
ctur
e.

Monga: Growat hi
ckskin..
.Nnat otahowy oudressanywhere
elseitsupt oyoubutjustknowt hatI'mjeal
ous..
.It
helakehuhula
totabecausey ou'r
etoosexy .You'regett
ingsexi
er.
..Brycedi
dthe
thingsbecauseeneogol esi
tseolef r
esh.Mecompl aini
ngabout
yourdr essingi
saboutmyego.I fitwasupt omenkabeoapar a
seMusl i
m...

Theyl
aughedoutl
oudasshey
awnedsl
eepy
..
.

Monga:Pl
easegetsomesleep.Wheny ouwakeupyou'
llseeour
pi
ctur
esfr
om theai
rpor
t.Ial
readyt
alkedtot
heschool,
theboys
ar
edonewithexamssowear egood.

Lana:
Ok,
Ilov
eyou

Monga:
Ilov
eyoumor
e.Goodni
ght

Lana:
Hav
eagoodday
.

Hehungupandgotbackt
othecomput
er.
..
AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Otlhe'
sdaughterwal
kedinthebedr
oom whi
l
eApul
awason
facebookpressi
ngherphone.

Her
:Howdoi
look?

Shet
urnedar
oundi
nherbaruni
for
m..
.

Apul
a:(
laughed)Uhu,
wat
heogel
a?

Her:
Yes!WhenI '
m donethereI'
m goingtot
hefi
ll
i
ngstat
ion.Osha
t
oldmet hereisl
azi
nessgoingont heresoI
'
m goi
ngtowatch
t
hem today.I'
l
lbeworki
nglikethem butwat
chi
ngthem.Wena
j
ustlayther
eandnursethef et
us.

Apul
a:(
laughed)Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
.

Her
:By
e..

Shewal
kedoutasApul
a'
sphoner
ang.
..

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:
HiApul
a,i
t'
sRon

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Fr
om Ronel
ect
ri
cal
s?

Ron:Yeah,
ijustgotbackf
rom t
hemi
ne.I
'
vef
inal
l
ycompl
etedmy
pr
oject
.

Apula:
(laughed)Buty
ouguy
sar
ever
yfast
,I'
myett
oinspectour
pr
oject.

Ron:Yeah,atleastIcanf
ocusonot herproj
ects.AndI'l
lbe
pr
omot ingafewhar dworker
s..
.I
'm exci
tedaboutthat.Ihav
ehar
d
workingemployeesandwheni tcomest othi
spr oj
ectI'
m
i
mpr essed.

Apul
a:Yourempl
oyeesbagorat
agore,t
hoseguysatt
hesit
e
wereli
kel
ekgoal
aronahareberekaj
aanakanar
etsenya
over
ti
me.

Ron:(l
aughed)It
oldthem t
ostopcall
ingmelekgoa,istherea
whit
epersonwhospeaksSet swanali
keme?Nnagakel ekgoa,
i
j
usthaveapaleskinandblondhair
,andfor
eignparentsbutnne
keMotswana.

Apula:(l
aughed)Doyourememberthatt
hefi
rstt
imeisawyoui
gossipedaboutyou?Idi
dn'
tthi
nkyouunder
stoodSet
swana.

Ron:
Ihear
dev
erythi
ng,
yousaid"heiLekgoalel
enal
amaboaa
mantsi
momaotongnkareokatshwar
adi puf
f"

Theycr
ackedl
aughi
ng,
shel
aughedsohar
dshegott
ear
y..
Apul
a:Ther
rawenasor
ry.
..

Ron:
(laughed)It
oldy
outheonl
ywayf
ormet
ofor
giv
eyoui
sto
comeonadat ewithme.
..

Shest
oppedsmi
l
ingandsi
ghed.
..

Ron: Iknowy outhinkI

'mjoki
ngbutI'
mr eal
l
yseriousaboutthat
date.It'
sprobablytheonl
ybreakt
hroughtomyhappi ness.
..I
f
you'r
est i
ll
singleiknowyou'r
epleaseletmetakeyouout .
.Howis
6pm t hi
sevening?

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#131

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Apul
asi
ghedr
eluct
ant
lyandscr
atchedherhead.

Apula:
Whatifi
haveaboy
fri
end?Yousoundsosur
ethati
don'
t
haveaboyf
ri
end.

Ron:Youdon't
,buti
fyoudoiwil
lrespectthat
.Ipromi
seiwon'
t
evertr
oubley
ouwi t
hthei
ssuebecausei wouldn'
twantt
orui
nour
fr
iendshi
p.

Shesighedt houghtfully,Ronwast herightageandhewas

fi
nancial
lystable,someonewhowoul daffor dt of i
nallytreather
l
ikealady ,
abov eallhewasr espectedandsheknewhi m sowel l
..
.
Butthenheobv i
ouslywoul dn'tacceptast epchi ld, ablackonef or
thatmatter.Couldsher iskitallandabor tt henst ar toverwithRon?
Butthenwhati fthiswasherv erylastbaby ..
.but.
...Thecr ucif
ixi
on
thatwil
lcomewi t
hhav i
ngTumi '
sbaby .
..He' dobv iouslybea
wonder f
ulfatherandt hebabywoul ddef i
ni telybet hecut estthi
ng
ever.
.Butwoul dar elat i
onshipwi t
ha19y earol dev enlast?As
soonashei sfi
nancial lystablehe'dstartdr ool i
ngov ergirl
shis
age..
.May behe'dnev erev enmar ryhermeanwhi l
eshel et
someoneheragepassby
..
.

Ron:
So.
..Ar
eweont
hisev
eni
ng?

Apul
a:Sur
e.I
tsj
ustadat
e!

Ron:
(laughed)Justadat
e.Seey
oul
ater

Apul
a:By
e

Shehungupandsi ghedl
ayingonthebed.Shetossedandtur
ned
thensheputherhandoverherbabythought
ful
l
y..
.Shedial
l
ed
Atsi
le.
..

Att
hesi
te.
..

I
nanewl ybui l
thouseAtsi
lewalkedinwithworkboot
sandan
overal
lcarryingthepipesanddroppedthem downasherphone
rang.Shet ookoffherworkglovesandanswer edt
hephonewhil
e
herassistantcarri
edonmar ki
ngt hewall
..

At
sil
e:(
wal
kedout
side)Hi
..
.

Apul
a:Hi
..Wai
tsei
hav
eanembar
rassi
ngsi
tuat
ion.
..Don'
tj
udge

At
sil
e:(
wipedhersweat
)Whoam i
toj
udget
ota?
Apul
a:Soi
foundoutI
'
m pr
egnantl
astni
ght
..
.

At
sil
ejumpedandpunchedt
heai
r.
..

At
sil
e:OhmyGod!Pl
easet
ell
mey
ou'
reser
ious.
..

Apul
a:I
'
m ser
ious.
.Sor
emembert
hatboyy
ouaskedmeabout
?

At
sil
e:Theonei
sawy
ouwi
th,
wamat
hony
ana?

Apul
a:Yeah.Hei
sthef
atherandhei
sjust19y
ear
sol
d.

At
sil
e:(l
aughed)Ok,
sowhat'
sthebi
gdeal?Youmusthav
el i
ked
hi
mr i
ght?Besi
desheisagoodguy,
I'
veseenhi
m att
hefi
ll
ing
st
ati
on.

Apula:Youknowpeopl earegoi ngtojudgeme. ..They'

regoingt o
callmenames.Andt hent hereiathisguyRon, thewhiteguyi t
old
youI'm crushingonl astyear..Hef i
nall
yaskedmeoutandi know
heisagoodmanf orsur esoI '
m wonderingifishouldgoont his
dateandseehowi tgoes, i
fitgoeswel liabortandbewi thhi m
thentryanotherchildwi thhim.Thet ruthisthereisnofuturewi th
Tumo.Hei sjustachi ldandbyt het i
mehei s35i llbesoolder
thanhim.Icanexer ciseanduseant i
-agi
ngcr eamsbuti tstopme
from growingasy ear sgoby .Datingsuchal it
tl
eboyi sar i
skf ora
heartattack.

Atsi
le:
Hai
,j
ustgoforwhaty outhinki
sri
ght.I
fIwasy ouI'
d
choosemychi
ldoveranythi
ng..
.Itwasn'
teasytokeepJuli
anwith
thewayhewasconceivedbutnowhei sgrownandi didal
one.
Hisfatherjustrecentl
ycontact
edmeandi wasangr ybutireali
se
Jneedshi m.Wear egoingtotalkthisweekend.Wewi llt
alkabout
thecompensat ion,chil
dsupport,himv i
sit
ingJulianandoncet hey
knoweachot herhecanv i
sithi
m kokampengt henhecani nv olve
theparentstopaydi damages.Thatwayhi sparentscanfeel fr
ee
toborrowJul i
ant ooandbepar tofhislif
e.IjustwantJul i
ant o
haveal otofopt i
onsifidi
e..Heshoul dhav emor epeoplewi l
l
ing
tohelphimi nmyabsenceesengkemoi kganellakamosokea
swangwanaasai tseborragweal l
becausei couldn'tf
orgive.
.

Apula:Wow, that'
sverywi se.
..I
'
m pr oudofyou..Butt
hisis
di
fferent
...I
t'
snotev enababyy etbecauseit
snotmov ing.Idon'
t
wantt omakeami stake.IneverthoughtTumocangetme
pr
egnant .ImaginethejudgementI '
dr ecei
vefordati
ngaboy .

Atsi
l
e: Li
vef
oryouanddoy ou.Peopl
ewil
lal
wayst al
k.I
fyou
l
eaveTumoandsomeonef i
ndsoutabor
teditwi
llbeanissueand
you'
ll
begossipedabout
,samewi t
hwhentheyfi
ndoutabout
Tumo.Thereisnosafeopti
on.

Apula:Ihearyoubutiwantt ogiveRonachancebygoi ngont his

datesoi canmakeabet terdecisi
on.Iwantt owei ghmyopt ions
becauseI '
m notachi
ldany more.Ican'taff
ordtomakeami stake
now.It'snowornever.I
t'
sei t
herichooseRonandhav ekidswi th
him..
.Hei sri
chsowecanputourmoneyt ogetherandf ort
hat
fer
ti
lit
yt r
eatmenti
nSouthAf ri
ca.Ther eisatrustedfer
til
it
yclinic
i
nSA. ..Ij
ustneedtogotellRoni havePCOSandseehi sreaction.
Tumoenet otai
sachildhedoesn' tevenneedachi l
dbecauseI 'm
theonet aki
ngcareofhim.

At
sil
e:Ok.
.What
every
ousayi
sgood.Don'
ttaket
ool
ong
wei ghingyouropti
onsbecausetheni
t'
scheat
ing.You'r
ebett
er
thant hat.Somebadthingsonl
ysuitmenotwena...You'
remy
heronnaka.Bot hal
ejwaphala.
..I
'vel
eantmat
urit
yf r
om yousoi
trustyou.

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)t
hanks.

Atsi
le:
Cany oualsogetMaru'
sopini
onaboutt
heabort
ion?Itr
ust
youandIsupportyoubutidon'
tknowkaabort
ion.MaybeI'
m
afr
aidofabort
ions.

Apul
a:I
'
m noti
nthemoodt
ogetj
udgedbyMar
uri
ghtnow.

Atsil
e:Kekopapermissi
onyagobual eene.Aker
eweneedt obe
sureyou'
remakingtheri
ghtdeci
sion.Pl
easeall
owmet otel
lher
..
.
GapennaI '
m nothappywit
hthewayy outwoaregivi
ngeach
otheracoldshoul
der.Kedi
lotsakae?Wear enotgoi
ngtohave
anotherOtl
hesaga..
.Leenewhenshei sti
redofbei
ngevi
lwewill
acceptherback.

Apul
a:Tel
lhereebutatt
heendoft
hedayi
t'
smydeci
sion.

At
sil
e:Yes.Asal
way
swegiveeachot heradv
iceandt
heownerof
pr
oblem makest
hefi
nal
deci
sion.Thankyou.Bye

At
sil
e:By
e

Shehungupanddi
aledMar
u..
.

I
nshor
obe.
..
.
MeanwhileLana'
sfatherdr
ov ethr
oughthegateandparkedthe
hi
luxunderthetr
ee.Hermot herst
eppedoutandclosedthedoor
l
ookingatthei
rharvesti
nthebackofthev an.
..

Her
:Ican'
tbel
i
evewehar
vest
edt
hisear
ly.

Him:I
'mjustwonder
ingi
fpeopl
ewil
lbuy
.Itwi
l
lbeashamet o
t
ravel
all
thewayt oMaunonlyt
ocomebackemptyhanded.
.

Her:Peopl
einMaundon'
tpl
oughany
mor
e,Mauni
sli
keaci
ty.
..
Peopledon'
twantt
ogetdi
rt
y

Themot her'
sphoner angandshesmi l
edacceptingthevideocall
.
Shesmi ledlookingatLanaasshewal kedoutofschool withalot
ofstudent swalkingbehindher,di
ffer
entcolor
sofpeopl eallbusy
walkingoutasshesmi ledandgoti nthecar.
.Herfatherstood
behindhermot herast heysmi l
edlookingather.Theoldman
adj
ust edhisglassesandsmi led..
.

Lana:
I'
m onmywayhomenow.
..

Fat
her
:Mydaught
eri
sgoi
ngt
odi
e,i
sital
way
sthatcol
d?

Lana:(
laughed)No,
somedaysarebett
er.
..Mont
hsagoi
twasn'
t
l
ikethi
srememberi usedt
ocal
youfrom t
hebeach.
Hermotherwatchedhersi
lent
lywi
thoutawor
dasshechat
ted
wit
hherfatherwhi
ledri
vi
ng..

Lana:(
laughed)Don'tst
optal
kingifi
ignoreyouI'
m concent
rat
ing
ontheroadbuti don'
tstayf
ar.Theonlyreasoni
drivei
sbecausei
don'
twantt owalkaroundal
one.

Fat
her:Ok.
..Everyti
meIseey oui r
ememberhowy ouusedt ocry
whenyousawot herkidsgoi
ngtoschoolandiwasjustdri
nking
andsmoking.Ididn'tknoweducati
onwouldbri
ngussomuch
j
oy..
.Youhav echangedourfuturebyj
ustrunni
ngawayf r
om
home..
.

Hist
hr oatdr
iedashelookedatherr
unningoverthesnowand
i
ntothehouse, anei
ghbourst
oppedandbr i
efl
ytal
kedtoherthen
sheclosedthedoortaki
ngoffherbi
gjacketandthebeani
e..
.

Father
:Pleasef or
givemef ordel
ayingy oureducat
ion,somanyof
yourdecisi
onshav eimprovedourlives.Youwer ejustali
tt
legir
l
butyouhaddr eams..Nowpeopleher erespectmebecauset hey
thi
nkI'
mr i
ch!Hav i
nga2bedr oom houseandhi luxinShorobe
beingri
ch.(laughedandcrossedhisf i
ngers)Setseibil
ekeakanya
goemel adithopho,nxwi!

Lanacr
ackedl
aughi
ngoutl
oud.
.
Lana:Ehbutt
heymi ghtv
oteyoukanayou'
real
waysgi
vi
ngpeople
arideandcar
ryi
ngfoodforor
phansandtheneedywhentheyget
thei
rmonthl
yfoods.Emeladi
thophomdala

Fat
her
:NgngI
'
m scar
ed

Lanalaughedoutloudlayingonherbackandputt
ingherfeetup
ontheair.HermotherjustwatchedLanaandherfat
herlaughi
ng
andteasingoneanother,t
earsfil
l
edhereyesandshejustbroke
downcr y
ing.
..

Fat
her
:Wa-
dar
lyki
i
?

Mot her :(laughedtear f

ull
y)Ist i
llcan'tbel
iev
emyowndaught eris
thatf ar ,
ican'tbeli
ev eMongapai dsomuchbogadi andaskedus
nott ospendi tont heweddi ngbecausebogadi isanappreciation
forpar ents..
.Nowaday sit
'susedf ortheweddi
ngexpensesbut
thi
sboydi dwonder sforus.LewenaLanangwanakadespi t
eus
rai
si ngy oupoor lyyoudi dn'tcareaboutbogadi youjustl
eftitfor
us...It'
snotj ustthehel pbutt her espectyouchil
drenaregivi
ngus
aftert hewaywebehav ed.Al l
ofy ou..Oursoninlawsarejust
perfect .Butwheni tcomest oy oui feell
i
kecryi
ngbecausey ou
foughtt obewher ey ou'
re.
.

Lana:(
smil
ed)Itwasn'
teasythankyou.I
'
mjusthappythaty
ou
twobehavel
ikemodernparentsiy
oohaneel
epeley ouwoul
dn'
t
saysorr
y
Father:
(laughed)I
'm ar
ichman,mydaughtersareall
mar r
ied
daughters,t
heothertwoarebusi
nesswomenandt heotheris
getti
nganeducat i
onshealwayswanted.Imustbehaveli
ke
hi
ghermani am...

Lanacr
ackedl
aughi
ngashermot
herj
oinedi
nlaughi
ng.
.

Lana:
Mmehusbandy
amei
scomi
ng.
.

Fat
her
:Pl
easecookf
ort
hatman,
wenaot
shweny
angwanake.

Lana:
(laughed)Papai
cookf
orMongat
her
rawenaao.

Father
:I'
m goingt
ocallhi
m andaskhi
mifyou'
recooking,
don'
t
for
getthatiknowhowt omakeacall
.Kei
tsigoxunj
ikamalat
sia,
kemokhanselarakana.

Lana:
(laughed)Mrt
heagoemel
adi
thopho

Fat
her
:(l
aughed)Whati
ftheyaskmet
ospeakEngl
i
sh?No

Lana:
Aker
ether
ear
e2off
ici
all
anguages,
you'
ref
luenti
none.
Themmammebual eWa-
darl
y

Her
:Ngngy
out
woar
etooambi
ti
ousnow.Don'
tembar
rassme.

Lanaandherf
atherl
aughedoutl
oud.
..

Att
heai
rpor
t.
..
Mongasmil
edastheboyshuggedthei
rgr
andmot
herandst
epped
backt
henhehuggedherandhuggedMesha.

Her
:Tr
avel
saf
ely

Mesha:
Communi
cat
eont
hewaypl
ease.

Monga:
Iwi
l
l.
..Thanksf
ordr
oppi
ngusof
f.
.

Gr
anny
:By
eguy
s,sayhi
tomama.

Mj
:Wewi
l
l

Gr
anny
:Hav
eyoucal
l
edLana'
spar
ent
s?

Monga:
Yes,bef
orey
oupickeduswewer
eonv i
deocal
l.They
hav
eharvest
edandt
hey
'r
ei nMaunt
osel
lthei
rhar
vest
.

Gr
anny
:Ok.
.By
e!

Br
yce:
Wheni
sthepl
aneget
ti
ngher
e,?

Thegrandmaandauntl
aughedwalki
ngawayasMongajoi
nedt
he
queue.Ayoungwomanwalkedov
erandsmiledatMonga.
.

Her:
Hi,
I'
m Tiny
..
.Ner
rawher
ear
eyouheaded?IassumeOR
Tambo,r
ight
?

Monga:
Whyar
eyouaski
ng?
Her
:Ihav
eabagf ormysi
sterandiwaswonderi
ngify
ou'
dmi
nd
t
aki
ngitwit
hyou.Shewi
ll
bewai t
ingatt
heai
rport
.

Helookedatherinnocentf
aceanditwasweird,hedidn'tknow
peopl
estil
ldidt
his.
..
ThankGodhehadexper i
encewitht hese
ki
ndsofthings.
..I
maginegett
ingcaughtwi
thabagf ullofdrugs.
..

Monga:
Ihav
eki
dswi
thme.Iwoul
dn'
tl
ookaf
tery
ourbagpr
oper
ly.

Her
:Pl
ease,
mysi
sterr
eal
l
ywant
shercl
othes.

Monga:Isaidno!Keeppester
ingmeandy ou'
l
lspendanighti
n
j
ail
expl
ainingthecontent
softhatbag.Wantwael
a?(r
eachedin
hi
spocket)Ibi
l
eI'm cal
li
ngthepoli
ce!

Sheturnedaroundandpacedawaythensheglancedbackand
ranoutwithherbag.Mongatur
nedaroundandshookhishead.

Mj
:(smi
l
edanxi
ousl
y)Wear
enext
.

Theycheckedi
nandboar
dedt
heconnect
ingf
li
ght
..
..

Att
hef
il
li
ngsst
ati
on.
..
.
Lateronjustbeforesi
xTumoknockedont heoffi
ceandwalkedi
n
whileOtl
he'sdaughtersatbythecomputertypi
ngwithOsha
standi
ngbehindt hechairst
ari
ngatthescreen.

Tumo:
Hi

Ni
ni:
Hi

Osha:
Hi

Tumo: I'
m goi
ngforabreak,
pleaseensur
ethatever
ythi
ngisi
n
order.Westil
lhav
en'
thadameet ingwit
hthestuf
fsosantseba
gogadinao.Themanagerleeneosl owmogomaswesokeep
tel
li
ngthem toatt
endcustomers.

Ni
ni:
Ok.

Heclosedt
hedoorandwal
kedout,
heunbut
tonedhi
sfi
l
li
ng
st
ati
onshir
tandgoti
nthecart
henhedr
oveoff.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

MeanwhileApul
asatonthebedal
ldressedupandputonher
hi
ghheelsthenshest
oodupandlookedathersel
fonthemir
ror
,
shecheckedoutherf
latt
ummyandsi ghedt
henherphoner
ang
ontj
ebed.
Sher
oll
edherey
esandpi
cked.
.

Apul
a:Ee?

Mar u:Oi tsegor emaBen10bal et

sampamamogokaet otaApul a?
theybur nt heirsugarmama' shouses, t
heybur ntheircars, t
hey
shoott hem andt henhangt hemselv es.Idon'tknowi fyounev er
readnewsaboutr elationshi psofol derwomenandy oungboy s..
.
Theseboy sar enotlikegr ownmen.I ft
heyfeel l
ikethey '
reabout
tolosey out heywi ll
makesur enooneget sy ou.Asf orabor t
ingi
won' tj
udgey ouI'
mj ustgl adt hatyoucanact uall
ygetpr egnant .
Every t
hingel seisupt oy oummehel aTumoeneosekawamo
tshamekaj alo.I'
v eseent hatboyf rom adi stanceandhei snota
walkov er..
.Al soI'dadv isey out ofollowy ourhear tbecausei fy ou
don'tfollowy ourhear ty ou'l
l behurtt oseehimt r
eatanot her
personbet terifthingsdon' twor koutwher ey out hi
nkt hereis
greenerpast ures.Kegopol aot halaMongakaRebony ekana
gatwekeenemangl egodul ele.Keemekel ekal o.By e

Shehungupandwal
kedoutasRoncal
l
ed.

Apul
a:(
sof
tl
y)Hi
..

Shelockedthehouseandtur
nedar
oundastheVW dr
ovet
hrough
thegate.Tumosteppedoutwit
hapl
ast
icoffr
uit
sandwal
ked
ov
er.
..

Heleanedoverandbabykissedherinstant
lyt
ur ni
ngiti
ntoa
Fr
enchkissasshestaggeredagainstthedoor,heputhisarms
ar
oundherwaistandkissedherashi sbonerpokedher..
.He
ki
ssedhercheekandforeheadbeforesmi l
i
nglookinginherey
es.
.

Tumo: Wher
earewegoingl
ooki
ngt
hisbeaut
if
ul?I
tsagoodt
hing
ichangedi
ntomycl
othes.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#132

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Apul
a:Um.
..Justgoi
ngoutwi
thf
ri
ends.

Tumo:
Sincewhendoy
ouhav
efr
iends?

Hesuspi
ciousl
ylookedather
..
.

Tumo:
Babepl
easet
ell
mey
ou'
renott
ryi
ngt
opl
ayme

Apul
a:Iwasgoi
ngoutwi
thmysi
ster
s.

Tumo:Iknowwhenyou'
rel
yi
ng,y
oucan'
tfool
me.Opent
hedoor
,
cal
lhi
m andtel
lhi
myoucan'
tcome.
.

Sheunl
ockedthedoorandwalkedinashef
oll
owedheri
nsi
de
andputt
heplast
icovert
hetable.
..

Tumo:
Hav
easeat
,let
'st
alk.
Shesatdownandtookof
fhershoes,
Tumot
ookadeepbr
eat
h
andsi
ghedlooki
ngather
..
.

Tumo:Iwantustobehonestwi
thoneanot
her,t
hereisareasoni
don'
twanttodat
ekids.
.Doyouknowwhatthatreasoni
s?

Apul
a:No

Tumo: Litt
legirl
sdon'tknowwhatt heywanty et
..
.Ev eryindivi
dual
hasast rugglebutwi t
hy ounggirl
stheychasei l
l
usionsandmost
ofthem wi l
lunderstandthemselvesar oundbo25.Idon' twantt o
bewi t
hawomani havetobuild,
someonei havetosl apforherto
knowt hatyoucan' tcheat.SomeoneIhav etoaskgor ewhodo
youlovebet weenus. .
.Idon'twanttoasksuchst upidquest i
ons.I
bel
ievewel ov eeachot her.
..I
'
venodoubti nmymi ndt hatyou
l
ovemebuty ou'
reaf r
aidofwhatpeopl ewi l
l say
,whi chisf i
nebut
youhav etocommuni cate.Wehav etot al
kandsol v eouri ssues.
.

Sheopenedhermouthtospeakbutheputhi
sfi
ngerov
erhi
s
mouthlooki
ngather
..

Tumo: Thi
nkaboutwhatisai
d..
.Don'
tl
ist
ent
orespond,
thi
nkand
processbefor
eyourespond.

Shesighedashepul
l
edt
hepl
ast
icandhandedherahome
pregnancyt
est
..
Tumo:
Itoconf
ir
m somet
hingbef
orey
out
alk.
..

Hewal
kedintheki
tchenandcameoutwi
tht
hedi
sposabl
ecup
t
henhesatoncouchandhandedher
..

Tumo:
Her
e,i
needasampl
e.Ol
egonehel
ahoo.
.

Apul
asi
ghedandl
eanedbackdef
eat
ed.
..

Apula:Fine,
I'
m pregnant..
.Idi
dn'
twanttot ellyoubecauseI'
m
embar r
assed.Peoplear egoi
ngtojudgeme, yourf
ami l
yand
peopleonsocialmedi a.I'
l
lbetr
ending.I
'
mr eall
yscaredandI'
m
str
ugglingtofi
ndawayt odealwit
ht hi
s..Nobodyisgoi ngt
o
bl
amey oubecausey ou'r
ejustachi
ld.

Tumo: (
smiled)Achil
d?Nna?Putsomerespectt
omynamethe
mma, ntseojolal
ebathobal
eweakblamingyouwhent
hey
coul
dn'tai
mr ight
..

Shelaughedandshookherhead,
hest
oodupandtookherhand
pul
li
ngherup,hehuggedherandshet
ookadeepbreat
h..
.

Tumo:List
en.
..
Iknowy
ou'r
escared..
..I
t'
syourfi
rstpr
egnancyso
you'
reboundt
obescaredregar
dlessofyourr
easons..
.(
smil
ed)
Wabonagor
eageisjustanumber?Bonagoreot shogi
l
ejang
al
mostasi
fyou'
re15.I
'm sur
eyouevenconsi
deredaborti
on.
..
Babey
oudon'
toweany oneanexpl
anat
ionkana.
.

Apul
a:Youdon'
tunder
stand.
.You'
rej
ustt
aki
ngt
hisl
i
ght
ly

Tumo: I'
m not ,act
uallyI'
m str
essedoutbecausebei ngafather
meanspr ovidingev enifyou'r
edat i
ngawomanwhocanhandl eit
.
I
'm scaredbecausei knowy oual wayswant edababyandI 'mthe
l
uckymant hatmadei thappen...Ihavetomakesur et hi
ngsgo
well
.Don'tjudgemebasedonmyage, I
'v
eseenmyuncl es
abandont heirwivest ogosleepwi thotherwomenandt hattome
doesn'tsoundmat ure.Olderpeoplecanf uckuptoo...
maturi
tyi
sa
decisi
onifnotagene.Judgemewi t
hmyact i
ons.Iknowy ouasa
boldfearl
esswoman, whypani cnow?I sithormones?

Shesmi
l
edl
ooki
ngdownt
henhepul
l
edherchi
nupandki
ssed
her
..
.

Tumo:Wear ehavi
ngami r
aclebaby.
..St
opthi
nki
ngthatther
eis
someonebettert
hanmeoutt her
e,youhadbet
ween18t onowto
fi
ndhim andyoudidn't
..
.Letmeenjoymywomani npeace.You
weresavedforme...You'
remine.

Apul
a:I
fyousayso..
.ButI'
m soscar
ed.Andthedoct
orsay
sit
'
sa
hi
ghri
skpregnancy
.Imighthavecompli
cat
ions

Tumo:
Let
'sbeposi
ti
ve.
.Don'
tthi
nkaboutany
thi
ngel
seok?
Apul
a:Ok.

Tumo:
Howaboutyoustopt
hrowi
ngmyageonmyf
aceev
ery
ti
mewedi
scusssomethi
ng?

Apul
a:Sor
ry

Hel
eanedov
erandhuggedher
..
.

AtAt
sil
e'
shouse.
..

Lat
ert
hateveni
ngJul
i
anf
ini
shedhi
shomeandcl
osedt
hebook
whi
leAtsi
l
esatby.
.

Atsil
e:Ineedt ot ellyousomet hi
ngabouty ourfather.
.Iwasway
tooangr ywhenwet al
kedawhi l
ebackbutI '
mf inenow.Thet r
uth
i
sy ourf at
herwasn' tsurethathemadeababysowenev ertal
ked,
itoldyouhedi edbecausei didn'
twanty outowonderwher ehe
i
s...Ialsodidn'tknowwher ehewas.You' l
lunder st
andsomeof
thethingswheny ou'regrownbutnowy ourfatherandi talked.
.He
apologisedf ornotsear chinghar denoughandI '
v efor
givenhi m.
Hei splanningt ocomet hisweekend...

Jul
i
an:
Isheani
ceguy
?

At
sil
e:(
laughed)Heseemsnice,
idon'tknowhi
mver
ywel
lei
ther
.
Wewill
judgehim whenhecomesright?
Jul
i
an:
Yeah.
.(l
aughed)I
'
m scar
ednow.
.

At
sil
e:(
laughed)Hei
sani
ceguy

Juli
an:(l
aughedanxi
ousl
y)I
'
m happyandscar
edatt
hesame
ti
me...Man!

At
sil
elaughedathi
m asher
ubbedhi
ssweat
yhandst
oget
her
.

Att
hebeansf
arm.
..

Laterthatni
ghtOt
lhebentoverthefi
repl
acetaki
ngoutt
hewood
thenshepouredwateroverthehotcoal,
thewholef
arm got
darkerandshewalkedinthehouseandlockedupastheradi
o
playedwithapoorsi
gnal.
..

Shegotinbedandl ai
ddown, itwasal most11andf orafarm so
farawayfr
om othersitwasver yl
ate.Sheswitchedofftheradio
andlai
ddownt hendogsst ar
tedbar ki
ngoutside.Thebarki
nggot
l
ouderandlouder.Herheartpoundedasshepeakedt hroughthe
doorhol
eandsawt or
chesappr oaching.Shequickl
yunlockedthe
doorandrantowardsat r
eeaf ewf eetaway..
.

Shewatchedasagr
oupoffourmenapproachedthenshe
recogni
sedt
heowneroft
hefarm,
herbossast heyknocked,
whent
her
ewasnor
epl
ytheywal
kedar
oundt
hehouse.
..

Man:It
houghty
ousai
dshei
shomeandal
one.Weneedt
odo
t
hist
onight

Boss:Shemustbear
oundher
e,may
beshesawus.Let
'sl
ookf
or
her
..

Theyspreadouteachl
ighti
ngaroundasshesl
owl
ygotupnaked
andti
ptoedoutbutshesteppedonathorn,
andal
mosttr
ipped.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#133

I
nthev
il
lage.
..

Afterhour
sofwalkingOt l
he'
sfeetachedasshewal
kedbetween
thepassages,
shest eppedonabr okenbot
tl
eandbentov
er
careful
lyt
aki
ngitout..
.

Itmusthav
ebeenbetween5and6becauset
hedar
knesswas
slowlyf
adi
ngaway,shet
urnedt
othef
ir
styar
dandtr
iedt
oopen
butitwasl
ocked.

Shewal
kedtothenexty
ardandassoonassheapproachedthe
gat
eapitbul
lchar
gedandstoppedbyt
hefencebar
kingatheras
shewal
kedaway..
.

Shewalkedalongthepassagelookingar ound,
sheapproached
sever
alunf
encedhomesandsl oweddownwonder ingwhich
housetoknockont henaschool gir
lsteppedoutofthehouse
wit
habucketf ul
lofbathingwater.Shegaspedanddr oppedthe
bucketr
unningbackt othehouse..
Gi
rl
:Mol
oi!
!!Mol
oi!
!

Sher
ani
nthehouseandcameoutwi
thhersi
ster
swhoscr
eamed.

Ot
lhecov
eredher
sel
fwi
thabr
anch.
.

Ot
lhe:
Gakemol
oi!

Theot
herf
ami l
ymembershurr
iedoutasOtlhewal
kedout
,they
fol
l
owedherscreami
ngandthr
owingstonesather
..

Al
l
:Mol
oi!Mosadi
mogol
owamol
oi!

Otl
hepickedacartonofmi l
kandcover
edherbehind,
mor e
peopl
ewal kedoutofthei
rhousesandtookvi
deosofher.Alotof
peopl
esurroundedhersomuchshecoul dn'
tseewhereshewas
goi
ngandst opped,t
heyscreamedandsomet hrewst
ones..

Herweakkneeshur tandshejustwantedtobentoverhol
dingher
kneestorestherbacktoobutshewasst i
l
lnaked.Shejustst
ood
bycoveri
ngherselfasever
yonescreamed..
.
Anur sewalkedbyandstoppedl
ookingatthecrowd,
from t
hei
r
screamingofawitchshegotafeel
ingitwasprobabl
yaconfused
oldlady,andshewasri
ght.Shewal
kedov ertot
hem andstoodby
herside.

Nurse:Peopl
estoprecordi
ngher
,shecoul
dbesi
ck.
..Al
otof
peoplearenotwel
l.I
'm cal
l
ingt
hepoli
ce.

Assoonasshet ookoutherphonepeopl
ewal
kedaway
,she
reachedi
nherhandbagandhandedherascar
f.

Nur
se:
Mmamaar
eyouOK?

Ot
lhe:
I'
mti
red.
..

Shef
inal
l
ysatdownasherbackandkneesached.

Otl
he:Iranawayfr
om af
arm manymanykil
omet
resfr
om here
I
'm notawitch,
mybosshadprobabl
ysol
dmetorit
ualpeopl
e..I
am fr
om Maun.

Nur
se:
Maun?
!You'
ref
arf
rom home.
..

Apol
i
cecarst
oppedasmor
epeopl
ewat
chedf
rom adi
stance.
..
.
AtThongAut
oshop.
.

Khumodr oveintotheparki
nglotandsteppedoutasoneoftheir
empl oyeessquat t
edonthepav ementchangi
nghisty
res,hi
shand
mov edt othespannerandaf l
ashbackofKhumo'slat
eneighbour
approachedcameback, sheremember edhowshefoughtthe
knifeandev entual
lyj
ustsawitsli
dingint
oherstomachbefore
blackingout.

Meanwhi
l
etheempl
oyeest
ooduphol
dingaspanner
..

Hi
m:Boss,
goodmor
ning.

Khumo:
Goodmor
ning.
..

Shet urnedaroundandwalkedtowardsthebui
ldi
ng,nowthatshe
thoughtaboutev er
ythi
ngcamebackt oherasifi
thappened
yesterday.Sheputherbaginheroff
iceandknockedonher
husband' soff
icebef
orewalki
ngin.
..

Khumo:
Irememberwhathappened.
.

Thong:
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Khumo:Iwasatt
ackedbyt
hatnei
ghbour
,Mosi
ma.
..Theonewho
commit
edsuici
de.

Thongt
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghedl
eani
ngback.
.

Thong:Iknow..
.Isawhim ontheccTV,r
ememberthatcamer
a
wehadi nthehouse?(
laughed)Theoneyousai
dyouhated
becauseyouthoughti
putitther
etoguar
dy ou?

Khumo:
Thepol
i
cesai
d-

Thong:Iwantedtosolvethecasemy self.
.Iwantedjusti
ceforour
daughterandmywi fe,
iwasreadytot urnhisli
feupside-
downand
makehi mfeelexact
lywhatifel
tbuthesent encedhimselfto
deathbeforehecouldseeworsethant hemur derofhisdaught
er.
Hekill
edhimselftosavehisf
amilyandhedi dwellandsavedme
theenergy.

Khumoputherhandov
erhermout
hinshock.
..

Khumo:
You'
ret
heonewho-
Babe?

Thong:
Whatchoi
cedi
dihav
e?

Shewalkedovert
ohim andsatonhi
slaphuggi
nghi
m ashe
ki
ssedherheadholdi
ngher.
AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erthatmorning,
Atsi
legoti
nthecarandpressedherphone
whi
leJuli
anlockedthedoorandranovert
ucki
ngin..

Atsil
ef rownedwat chingat r
enchingv ideoasagr oupofpeople
surroundedsomenakedol dladywi thwr i
nkl
ybuttandsaggy
breasts, sowi t
chcraftist hatreal.
..Wow, shewatchedinshock
untilshel ookedatt hef ace,hermout hdroppedasshel ookedat
Otlhe..I
twasev ensur pr i
singhowol dshelookedwhenshe
herselftheol destdidn'tlookt hatold..
.You'dneverbel
ievethey
haday eargapbet weent hem. ..

Shef
orwar
dedt
hev
ideot
ohersi
ster
sasJul
i
anbel
tedup.
.

Jul
i
an:
Let
'sgosweet
ie.
..

At
sil
e:Abeot
hami
l
eaker
e?

Juli
an:(l
aughed)Gir
lI'
m giv
ingyousomel
ove,
I'
mtheonl
ymani
n
yourli
fe.Don'
tdropmeof flat
e.

At
sil
e:Mxm wenakanaoi
l
wakegot
hama.
.Abennekei
khut
sit
se
2daysolef
ather
less.
Jul
ianlaughedoutloudasAt
sil
e'sphonerang,shenot
iceditwas
avideocallf
rom Tumangandpickedbeforehandi
ngov ert
he
phonetoJulian.

At
sil
e:Hel
l
o?I
'
m dr
ivi
ng.

Jul
i
anl ookedathi
sfat
herf
orthef
ir
stt
imeandwentmut
e,t
he
sol
diersmiledl
ooki
ngathi
m..

Tumang:
Exehmonna,
war
eng?

Jul
i
an:
(shy
ly)Sepe

Tumang:
Doy
ouknowwhoy
ou'
ret
alki
ngt
o?

Jul
i
an:
Mom di
dn'
ttel
lmey
ourname.

Tumang:I
'
lltel
ly ouwhoiam wheni comeov
eronFri
day
,when
youcomefrom schoolonFri
dayI'
l
lbehomeandi hav
eaf ewgi
ft
s
fory
ou.Ev
ery t
hingyoual
wayswant ed.

Jul
i
an:
Real
l
y?

Tumang:
Yeah,andI'
vej
ustpai
dforanai
rcr
aftsoy
oucanf l
yov
er
MaunonSatur
day,i
hopeyouwon'tbeaf
rai
dofanair
craf
t.

Jul
i
an:
(laughed)I
'
m notababy

Tumang:(l
aughed)Goodboy
!You'
resol
dier
,sol
dier
sar
enot
afr
aidofanyt
hing.
.
Jul
i
an:
Mamahat
essol
dier
sandcamouf
lage

At
sil
e:Don'
ttal
kaboutme

Tumang:Maybeifyouandibehav
ev er
ywell
shewill
seethat
ther
eianot
hingwrongsol
dier
s,whatdoyouthi
nksol
dier
?

Jul
i
an:
(smi
l
ed)Copyt
hatsol
dier

Atsi
l
er ol
l
edhereyesasshepar
kedi
nschool
..Jul
i
angotout
smil
ingatthephone.
.

Jul
i
an:
I'
m atschool

Tumang:
Arewepassi
ngsol
dier
?

Jul
i
an:
Posi
ti
vesol
dier
!

Tumang:Impr
essi
ve,
that'
sonemor egif
tfort
hei
ntel
l
igentof
fi
cer
.
Agothubamabooksretaabuakgantel
e

Jul
i
an:
Shap.

Hehandedhi smot
hert
hephonewit
hahugesmil
eandrantothe
cal
ls,thi
sti
mehejumpedonhisf
ri
endast
heychat
tedt
heirway
toclass.

Atsi
l
eplacedthephoneont
hecuphol
deranddr
oveoutas
Tumangsmi l
ed.
.
Tumang:
Appar
ent
lyy
ohat
esol
dier
s

Atsi
le:Wheni seeasoldieroraBDFt
ruckil
i
teral
l
ythrowup.On
BDFdayi don'twatchTVbecausesol
dier
swill
beallovert
he
tel
evisi
on.
..IhateBDFy othe!

Hel
aughedoutl
oud.
..

Tumang:ButBDFeshapohel akoor ehel

agroupelenneehemi l
e.
Youwon'tbel
iev
egor ethoseguysaresomat ur
enow.Mostt hem
havet
eenageboy sandthey'
reteachingt
hem goodbehavi
ours..
.
Lennatotaiwouldn'
tevenwantJuliantoknowthat'
showi met
hi
smotherbecausei wanthimtobeabet terman.Akarei
la

At
sil
e:NoIhat
eyou.
.

Tumang:
Ket
aagohodi
samme,
youwon'
that
esol
dier
s

At
sil
e:Eet
ryhar
der
.

Tumang:Ot
aat
samay
alennal
eJul
i
anaker
efort
hef
li
ght
scener
y?

At
sil
e:I
fyoubegmel
ongenoughi
might
.

Tumang:(l
aughed)I
'
llbeg.
..I
'
llnev
erst
opbeggi
ng.Kel
opel
ago
i
tshwar
elwaakere

At
sil
e:(
laughed)Goodboy
..
Tumang:
Letmegoandbat
h,ket
swat
rai
ning.I
'
m sweat
ing.
..
.

At
sil
e:Ok

Tumang:Iwant
edt
oseethatguyt
hewhol
eweekend.Shoul
di
bookaccommodat
ion?

Atsi
le:
You'
ll
sleepi
nhisroom andyou'
ll
paymeP500perni
ght
.
I
t'
scheaperthanahot
el.Kegochipi
sedi
tse.Ther
ear
enomeal
s,
gaonamaidmoMaun..

Tumang:
Eish.
..
.Eemma.

At
sil
e:War
egoi
thomodi
sapel
o..
.Ot
aal
alaf
ree

Tumang:
( l
aughed)Mmekanaiwasgoi
ngtopayi
fyout
hinkI
'
m
goi
ngtoresisty
ourdemandsy
ou'
rei
nforasur
pri
se.

At
sil
e:(
laughed)Eher
ra.
.

Tumang:
Goshapoaut
wa?

At
sil
e:Shapo.
.

Hesmi
l
edst
ari
ngatherandshel
aughedcut
ti
ngt
hecal
l
...

AtMar
u'sHouse.
..
.

Meanwhil
eMarufi
nishedherweightl
ossexerci
sesandgrabbed
heryogamatwal
ki
ngi nthehouseasshepressedherphoneand
watchedt
hewit
chvideoinshockunti
lsherecogni
sedOtl
hethen
sher
epl
i
edt
otheWhat
sAppgr
oup.
.

Mar u:Kemathata.Sheknowswher eMauni s.TotannaI '

ve
disownedOt l
heunt ilsheapologisestomyhusband.Unt i
lthen
shecanst ar
twi t
chcr aftordowhat eversheisdoi ngthere.
Insteadofapologisingt ohersist
ersorf aci
ngthel awshedeci ded
torunawayf or10y ears.Shedoesn'tknowwher eNiniisorthat
herboyisinboar dingschool legoreoj aeng.

Atsil
e:Bat
hongI'
m sohurtandembarrassedforher
.Shelooksso
old.Howcanshebet hatoldwhenI
'm supposedtobeolder?They
call
edhermosadimogolo..
.Bat
hongli
febeginsat40,sheshoul
d
actual
lybeenj
oyi
ng.

Maru:Unti
lmyhusbandgetstheapol
ogyI'
m notget
ti
nginvol
ved.
Der
rickdoesn'
tneedi
tbecauseeneareheforgav
eherbutnotme.

At
sil
e:

AtTumo'
sHouse.
..

Onthesamemor ni
ngTumoputat
rayont
hebedandki
ssedher
asshesl
owlygotup..

Tumo:
Ihav
etogo,
il
lbebackdur
ingbr
eakf
ast

Apul
a:Takeadayof
ftoday
.
Tumo: No,t
odayI
'
mtalki
ngtoever
yonekaperf
ormanceyabone.
Justeatthi
sandr
est
,don'
tcl
eanordoanyt
hing..
.I'
l
lbeback.

Heki ssedherandhur r
iedoutasshepr essedherphoneand
watchedasev eryoneshout edatOt l
he,onest onehi
theratthe
backandshet urnedar oundlooking.Shecov eredhersel
fwit
ha
boxofmi l
kandabr anch..
..Shelookedsool di twasshocki
ng..
.
Theiragedi f
ferencewasn' teventhatmuchbutshel ookedsoold
andwr inkl
y.Tearsf i
ll
edherey esassher eadrhecomment s.
.

Apul
a:Wher
eist
hisl
ady
?

Repl
y:OkoEt
shapol
i
cest
ati
on.

Apul
asearchedforthepoli
cest
ati
onnumberandf
oundi
tthen
shewentbacktotheirgr
oup.

Apul
a:Wehav
etobr
ingherback

Maru:Countmeout
.IwantpeaceandI
'
m notr
eadyt
odeal
wit
h
hernegat
ivi
ty.

Atsi
le:WhateveryouwantdoneI
'
m wit
hy oubutIwi
ll
deal
wit
h
her,
y ou'
repregnantandy
oudon'
tneedthestr
ess.

Apul
a:Gat
weshei
sinEt
sha,
let
'sgoandgether
.

Mar
u:Thoser
oadsar
enotf
orsomeonei
nyourcondi
ti
on.
Apula:Ori
lecountmeoutakere?Thatmeansy oucan'
tgi
vean
opini
on.Wenaobuel amogor engyou'
rest
il
langryandi
underst
and.You'
renotev
ilbutidon'
tneedanapologyfr
om her
,
thatsuf
fer
ingisenoughf
ormet of
orgi
veher.I
'
m goingtot
ake
her.

At
sil
e:You'
l
lpassbymyhouse.I
'
m doneatt
hesi
te

Apul
a:ComegetmeatTumo'
shouse,
ilef
tmycarathome.

At
sil
e:Ok

Shegott
hephoneandgotdr
essed.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#134

Att
hef
il
li
ngst
ati
on.
..

Niniandanot
herfuelat
tendantputt
heconesbesi
desev
erypump
stat
ionandhurr
iedinsi
dewhereTumowasst andi
ngbytal
ki
ngto
thestuf
f.
..

Tumo: Thepr oblem wit

hBat swanai sthatt heyonlywor khard
whent heirbossi saChineseoranI ndian, i
tdoesn'tmat terhow
goody ourbossi s.MmaOshai st r
eatingev eryempl oyeewith
respect ,payi
ngy ouevenwheny oudr agy ourfeet.I
fy ou'rewise
you'l
l changei fnotyou'
lll
osey ourjob...(t
urnedtot hemanager )
Ther eisnowaycust omer scancompl ainaboutpoorser v i
cethen
yousi dewi thanempl oyeewhomadeacust omerwai t20mi nutes
togetf uel..
.Ihav eacarandi fuelatot herstati
onst oo..
.I'
veseen
betterser vi
cet hanwear egivi
ngher e..
..Evenwomencheckoi l
s
forcust omer s..
.Youwasht hewi ndshield,youengagewi th
customer swithloveandmaket hem smi l
e.

Manager
:I'
mt hemanagery
oucan'
tscol
dmei
bil
einf
rontof
ot
heremployees.

Tumo: Thi
sisameeti
ng,wearepoi
nti
ngouter
ror
sandthi
ngs
thatshoul
dbecor
rect
ed.Cor
rectmewhereI'
m wr
ongtoo.
..
Manager:You'
rebeneat
hmemonna, you'
reol
denoughtobemy
son.Idon'
tknowwhatyourprobl
em i
sbecausey
oudon'town
thi
sshop.Olopel
asalaryi
ncr
easeorgett
ingapr
omotion?

Tumot
urnedar
oundandl
ookedathi
m wi
thast
rai
ghtf
ace.
..

Tumo:
You'
ref
ir
ed.

Manager
:(l
aughed)Excusey
ou,
want
wael
aaker
e?

Nini
:Hecanact
ual
l
ydoiti
fhewant
s..
.I'
mjustsay
ing.Youcan
call
mamaandconfi
rm.

Tumo:
(tot
hemanager
)Pl
easel
eav
e.

Manager
:(t
oOsha)Whatdoy
oumeanhecanf
ir
eme?

Tumo:Call
theownerandconf
ir
m mydeci
sion,i
nthemeant
ime
I
'l
lneedyoutogety
ourthi
ngsi
fyouhav
eany thi
ngint
her
e.

Themanagerstoodupdial
li
ngApul
a,Tumot
urnedbackt
othe
otherempl
oyeesandther
ewassil
ence.
..

Tumo: Iknowthatj
obsarehar dt
of i
ndbuti
fyoudon'tval
uey our
j
obort akecareofourcustomersyou'
reofnouse.MsTsatsing
cannotrunthi
scompanywi t
hhergoodheart
,agoodheartwon' t
giv
eherpr of
it
..
.Yourcustomerservi
ceisi
mportant
.Thisi
sthe
3rdti
mewear eget
ti
ngpost edonconsumergroupsbecauseof
ourbadservice,f
r om y
oudr aggi
ngy ourfeet,ladiesgi vi
ng
cust
omer satti
tudeandsomeofy ousmel l
ingl i
keci garett
es.Ital
l
endstoday.Iwillnothavethisconversat
ionwi t
hany oneagain.
Therearegoodpeopl elookingforjobsoutt here...

Hel
ookedatt
het
imeandi
thadbeen5mi
nut
es.
.

Tumo:
Ist
her
eany
thi
ngwemi
ghthav
elef
tbehi
nd?

Ther
ewassi
l
ence.
..

Tumo:Pl
easeremovetheconesandhel
pcust
omer
s.We'
vel
osta
fewcust
omersalr
eady
.Haveagoodday .

Theyhurr
iedoutandremovedtheconesascar
spul
l
edov
er,
one
fuel
att
endantsmiledsi
ncer
ely
..

Hi
m:Dumel
amal
ome!

Hetal
kedt
othecust
omerandf
uel
edt
hecarbef
oreget
ti
ngt
he
money.
.
Hi
m:Letmechecky
ouroi
l
suncl
e

Cust
omer
:Ei
sh,
andi
tsbeenawhi
l
e..

Hechecked.
.

Hi
m:You'
l
lneedcool
antandy
ouroi
li
slow.
.

Cust
omer
:Eheeemot
ogol
o,omot
hoy
oobot
hokwa.Br
ingt
hem.
..

Hegotthemoneyandr ushedover,mi
nuteslat
erhepacedover
andf
il
ledthem bef
oreclosi
ngthebonnetthenhehandedtheol
d
mantheremainder
sandhi schange.

Customer
:Haveadrinkwi
tht
hechangemyboy
.Ial
way
sfor
get
tocheckt
hesethi
ngs.Ol
dage

Hi
m:(
laughed)I
'
llal
way
scheckf
ory
ouwheny
oucome.
..
.

Thecustomersmil
edanddrov
eoffastheot
herf
emal
efuel
at
tendantsmil
edappr
oachi
ngthecar
..
.

Her
:I'
l
lhav
etochecky
ourt
yrepr
essur
eaf
terf
uel
i
ng

Cust
omer
:Wai
tsei
thi
nki
hav
easl
owpunchwena.
.
Theyt
alkedasshef
uel
edandhel
pedwi
tht
hepr
essur
e.

Meanwhi
l
ethemanagerst
oodi
ntheof
fi
cet
alki
ngt
oApul
a..
.

Apul
a:Ei
sht
otawhatcani
say
?Whatdi
dyoudo?

Manager:Hewashar
assingmeinf r
ontofotheremployees.He
useddemeaningwor
dsandjustbeli
tt
ledme, t
hisboyis
di
srespect
ful
whenalli
askedisthatherespectme.That'
swhen
hefi
redme.

Apul
a:Tumokanaonal
athal
ogany
oyagweal
e1.Cany
ougi
ve
hi
mthephone.
.

Hewal
kedoutandhandedTumot
hephone.
.

Tumo:
Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Whathappened?Youf
ir
edt
hemanager
?

Tumo: Yes,hei
stheprobl
em becauseheisnottaki
ng
responsi
bil
i
ty.I
tdoesn'
taf
fecthimthatwearegetti
ngcomplai
nts
overandover.Ver
ysooneveryonewil
lavoi
dthisfi
ll
ingst
ati
on.He
i
sf i
red.

Apul
a:Ok
Hehandedt
hemanagert
hephonet
henhewal
kedaway
..

Manager
:Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Ther
eisnot
hingi
cando.

Manager
:Can'
tiatl
eastgetawar
ning?

Apul
a:Talkt
oTumomot howamodimo.Heknowsbest
,buti
fyou
wanttoconvi
ncehi
m don'
tappr
oachhi
m now.Gohomeyou'
l
ltal
k
tohi
mt omorr
ow.

Manager:Iwon'
tbear
gui
ngI
'
llt
akewhat
everhewassay
ingas
cor
rect
ion.

Apul
a:Youwon'
tconv
incehi
mri
ghtnow.Tal
ktohi
mtomor
row.

Manager
:Eemma.

Hehungupandsighedthenhedr
aggedhisf
eett
owardsthet
axi
st
opandcaughtataxihomeasherecei
vedamessage.

Babymama:
Thebaby
'sdi
aper
sar
efi
nished.

Hesi ghedandleanedback.MeanwhileNiniwalkedtowar
dst
he
shopwat chi
ngat rendingvi
deoofawitchinEtsha.She
recognisedhermot herandrai
sedhereyebr
ows. .
.
Ni
ni:
Uhu!

Shedi
aledApul
a..

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Ni
ni:
Didy
ouseet
het
rendi
ngv
ideo?

Apul
a:Yourauntandi
aregoi
ngt
ogether

Nini
:Andputherwher
e?Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ou'
regoi
ngt
obr
ingher
backher
e.

Apul
a:Ni
niweeOt
lhekengwanawagamme.

Nini
:Theny oudon'tknowheratall.
..Mamay ou'
repregnant,
why
areyoudoingt hi
s?Whenar eyougoi ngt
ounderstandthatsome
peopledon'
tdeser v
esuchsacrif
ices.Otl
heisveryjeal
ousofy ou
yookemmeont shotseandiknowt hethi
ngssheusedt osay
aboutyouiny ourabsence.

Apul
a:You'
reachi
l
dandy
ou'
reangr
ythatsheabandonedy
ou.

Nini:(
laughedindisbelief)Angry?I
'm gladshedidbecausei
wouldn'thavebeenr aisedbyy ou.Otl
heoncesentmet oputrat
poisoniny ourf
ood, shesai dshewill
inherity
ourthingsbecause
you'r
enotmar r
iedandwewoul dberich.Igotscar
edandt hrewit
awayt henshet houghty ou'r
ejustst
rong.Itwasbef oreidi
d
standard1.Ikeept ell
i
ngy outhi
sbuty oudon'tbel
ieveme
Apul
a: Ni
niy
ouweretooy oung.
..Nochi
ldwouldremember
anyt
hingatt
hathappenedwhent heywer
e6y ear
sold.

Nini
:I'
m notlyi
ng..I
t'
ssomet hingshealwaysli
kedt osay.
..Yesya
i
nheritanceshedidn'
tsayitwheni was6shesai ditwhenwe
werepi cki
ngcansatthemall.Shealway ssai
difyoudieweal lget
yourthingsbecauseyou'
renotmar ri
edandy oudon'thave
chil
dren.Plusshewreckedyourcar ,
don'tf
orgetthatsheranoff
andnev ershowedupincour t.Shedidn'
tapol
ogiseforanythi
ng..

Apul
a:You'
reyoung,
you'
l
lunderst
andt
hei
mpor
tanceoff
ami
l
y
andf
orgiv
enesswhenyou'
regrown.

Ni
ni:
MamaweeI '
m goingtotel
lTumothaty
ou'r
epregnantand
i
t'
sahighr
iskpr
egnancyibi
leyou'
ret
aki
ngalongjour
ney.

Apula:
Youwon'
thur
tmel
i
ket
hat
.Youl
ovemewayt
oomucht
o
dothat.

Ni
ni'sey
esfi
ll
edwi
tht
ear
sasshebi
therl
i
pandhungup,
thenshe
di
aledMaru.

Mar
u:Hel
l
o?

Ni
ni:
Didy
ouseet
hev
ideo?

Mar
u:Yes

Nini
:Kanamamai sgoingtogetherbutyouknowOtlhewon't
change.Idon'
tcar
eifi
tsbeen10y ear
siknowmymot herver
y
well
.Sheisjeal
ousofaunt
ieApulahelat
hata.
.Iknowy ouall
don'
t
bel
ievemewhenisaysheoncesentmet
oputr
atpoi
soni
n
Aunti
e'sf
ood.Kai
tsegal
entumel
e..
.

Maru:Ibel
ieveyoubutshei
sfor
giv
ingher
.Thesoonery
oumake
peacewithitt
hebett
er.

Ni
ni:
I'
mtel
l
ingTumo.Hewi
l
lst
opher

Maru:Don'tdestroyherr
elat
ionship.Awor dwithheri
senough.I
t
wi
llbelikey ou'
remeddli
nginadultsissues.Letherdowhatshe
wants,atleastsheiswit
hAtsile.

Ni
ni:
Ok.Mamaeneosi
amet
hat
a..

Mar
u:Don'
tsayany
thi
ngt
oTumo.

Ni
ni:
Iwon'
t,
Bye

Shehungupandt
ookat
axi
..
.

I
nApul
a'
scar
..
.

MeanwhileAt
sil
edr
oveasApul
adi
all
edNi
niandputheronl
oud
speaker
..
.

Ni
ni:
Hel
l
o?

At
sil
e:Hi,pl
easepi
ckJuli
anfrom school
.Iguesswewi
l
lbeback
l
atebecausewewillar
ri
velat
ethere.
Ni
ni:
Ok

Apul
a:By
e

Ni
ni:
I'
m angr
ywi
thy
ou.

Apul
a:Iknow.By
e

Shehungupandsi
ghed.
..

AtTumo'
sHouse.
..
.

Latert
hataf
ter
noonTumoparkedthecarandsteppedout
,he
tri
edtoopenbuti
twasl
ockedthenhepressedhisphoneand
foundamessage.

Apul
a:Key
sundert
hecar
pet
.Wentt
opi
ckmysi
steri
nEt
sha.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#135

Att
heai
rpor
t.
..

Lanaanxi ouslywait
edasl otsofpassenger swal kedout, peopl
e
walkedinf rontofherblocki
ngherwayandshemov edtot heside
desperatelylooki
ngatt heexit
..
.Almostev eryonewal kedoutand
ther
ewasnomov ementassheswal lowedthenBr y
cest epped
outzippinghi sj
acket,babyboyhadgr owntall
er, MJfoll
owed
pull
inghisluggagewi thhishandi nthepocketnowl ookingmor e
andmor el i
kedaddy .
..Hewasdef i
nit
elyhit
tingthepuber tystage
andt hendaddywal kedbehindt hem pull
ingtheirbag...

Shesmil
edemoti
onal
lyandr
antowar
dst
hem,
sheandt
heboy
s
huggedasMongast
oodbysmil
i
ng.

Shetur
nedandlookedatMongathenshejumpedintohisarms
ashepickedherupandswungheraroundhol
dingherdearl
y.

Lana:
Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ouguy
sar
eher
e..

Monga:
Ican'
tbel
ieveyoust
ayt
hisf
ar,
Bry
ceneaset
seakgot
se
pl
aneemmeilepelo.
.
Theyal
ll
aughedasheputherdownandki
ssedherbef
oret
hey
tur
nedaroundwal
ki
ngtoget
her.
..

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..

Apul
aandAt
sil
eshookhandswi
tht
hepol
i
ceof
fi
cer
s..

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.
.

Of
fi
cer
:You'
rewel
come.
..

MeanwhileOtl
hestoodbyi
nanewdr essandshoesashersi
ster
s
tur
nedaroundandwalkedherout
.Thethr
eewalkedoutqui
etl
y
andwalkedtowar
dsApula'
srangerov
er.
..

Otl
hest oodbylookingati
t,t
hel i
ght
sflashedasthedoor
s
unlockedthenshereachedoverandopened.Shesatintheback
uncomf ort
abl
yasAt sil
egoti
nt hedri
ver'
sseat,
Apulaswit
ched
theaircononandt urnedl
ookingather..

Apul
a:Ther
ear edr
inksinthecool
erbyy
ourf
eet
,passmeaj
uice
andgetonetoo.Di
dy oueat?
Ot
lhe:
Yes,
thepol
i
cef
edme.

At
sil
e:Sowhathappened?

Otl
heleanedbackandf
ini
shedt
hedr
inkoncewhi
l
eApul
atook
t
hefir
stsip.

Apul
a:Youcanhav
eanot
herone

At
sil
e:Buat
hegor
egodi
raget
seeng?

Apul
a:Shei
sst
il
ldr
inki
ng.
.

Otl
hefi
nishedtheseconddri
nkandburpedinherfist
,hersi
sters
l
ookedsoy oungandsmelledgood.
..
andnowt hatshewasint hei
r
pr
esenceshecouldsmellherarmpi
tstoo.

At
sil
e:Getacolognei
nmypur
seandr
oll
itony
ourar
mpi
ts.You
musthavebeensweati
ng.

Sherol
ledthesweetf
ragr
anceonherdi
rt
yski
nasshenar
rat
ed
whathappened.

Ot
lhe:
Hewascal
ledbythepol
iceandhesai
dhejustcameto
makesur
eiwasoksincet
heyheardther
eweret
hiev
esthatsi
de
buti
knowhei
sly
ing.Theywant
edt
oki
l
lme.

At
sil
e:Gaoretanki
?Apul
aaskedmet ocomegety
ou.Thi
swas
af
terseei
ngyourvi
deoonFacebook.

Otl
he:Thankyoubothforcomi
ng.Youcandr
opmeany
wher
e.I
don'
twanttogotojail
.

Apul
a:I
t'
sbeen10y
ear
s..
.Ihav
e3car
snow.Idon'
tneedt
hatone.

Ot
lhe:
Thanky
ou.
.I'
mver
ysor
ryf
orwhathappened.

Atsil
e:Beingsor ryisaccept i
ngy ourfateandhopingthatwhoev er
youwr ongedget scl osur ef
rom seeingy ougetpuni
shed.Youl eft
met odeal withev erythingwedidt ogether,
becausei couldsee
thepainApul awasi ni sacr
ifi
cedmy selfandiwasr eadyforjail
too.Iwor kedhardt oear nt
heirf
orgiveness.Remembert he
disr
espectwedi splayedi nDerri
ck'shousewhenhepr otected
Oshat hatnight?Mar uisstil
lver
yangr yaboutthatandshehas
everyright.

Apula: I
'mver ydisappointedthaty outwoi nvolvedDerri
ckand
usedsomet hingsopai nfulandegobr ui
singf oraman.Thatman
i
sv eryhumbl eandlov i
ng, i
respecthi m andt ohearthatyouused
hispastt omockhi mf orprotectingmyOshahur tme.Youcan
i
nsul tmeal lyouwantbutt oinv olv
eanot herpersonissomet hi
ng
else.Wheny ouf i
ndtimegoandapol ogiset othem becauseyou
knowMar uv erywell.Shewon' tev erhel
py ouorbei nvolvedin
yourl i
feunti
l youaskf orforgiveness.Herf orgi
venessisearned
youdon' tgetitjustbecausey oursuf fer
ing.

Ot
lhe:
Iknow,
I'
ll
goandapol
ogi
se.
Atsi
le:NnatotaI'
m st
il
lnotsati
sfi
edwi t
hyourapol
ogy
,koor
et he
wayi suf
feredtohavemysistersback.Wenayagagocamev ery
easyandy ou'
renotmovedtoseeus.

Otl
he:Iam.
.ButI'
m ashamedbecauseofhowyoual
lfoundme,
ever
ythi
ngt
hathappenedandiwonderwhereI
'
m goi
ngbecausei
havenowheretogo.

Atsi
le:
(rel
uct
antl
y)Istayi
nasmal lhouse,
it'
sjustat wobedroom
houseandIstaywit
hmyson, hi
sfatherwi
llbev i
sit
ingthi
s
weekendtoseehim andi wantt
ostayoutoft hei
rwayt hewhole
weekendsotheycanbond.Iwi l
lbeoutmostoft het i
mesleavi
ng
thehousetothebothofthem gorebannefree.

Atsi
le:Thereisabachel
orpadthatNi
niuseswhensheishome
forholi
days,shewil
lmoveoutint
oheroldbedr
oom andgivey
ou
spacethere.Boyboyi
sboardi
ng,hecomeshomeonweekends
only.

Otl
he:(smi
ledshamef
ull
y)Thanky
ouf
ort
aki
ngt
hem i
n..Doy
ou
haveanychil
dren?

Apula:
I'
m pr
egnant
..Ishouldn'tevenbehere.Thef
atheri
sgoi
ng
toscol
dmeendlessly.Heisv erydif
fi
cul
ttodealwi
th..

Atsi
le:Heisnot,you'r
ej ustnotusedtobecont r
olledbyaman. .
.
Notallcontr
oll
i
ngi sbad. .
.Youcan'talwaysdoasy ouwant, when
youhav eapartnertheysomet imestelly
out ostopov erworki
ng
andrest.Tumoj ustwant syoutorestast hedoctororderedibi
leif
hecompl ai
nshumbl ey oursel
ftocuttheconv er
sat i
onshort.
Thereisnothi
ngwr ongwi t
hrespecti
ngamanandl ett
inghim
havethelastwor despeciall
yonewhospeakssense. .
Apula: (
sighed)Iguessyou'
reri
ght.
.(l
aughed)Beingsomeone'
s
gir
lf
riendkemat hat
a..
.Youalwayshavetoexplai
nkananekeile
kesal ael
aandonl yrememberedtotextaft
er.

At
sil
e:(
laughed)I
t'
scal
l
edhav
ingal
i
fepar
tner
.

Apul
a:Enemmekeamor
ataTumo.
..

Ot
lhe:
That
'sy
ourmanf
ri
end?

Apul
a:Yeah.
.

Ot
lhe:
I'
m happyf
ory
ou.
.Doy
ouhav
eany
mor
eki
dsAt
sil
e?

Atsil
e:No, j
ustJuli
an.Osharethal
anyekebitswaaunti
eAtsi
l
e
i
bilelennahankekwgopol agorenki
l
ekannal engwanawa
moset sana.SheisApula'
sdaughteri
bil
esheandi becameclose
onlyafterihadsignedadopti
onpapers.
..That'
swhenOsha
start
edl i
ki
ngmeandwet al
ked.

Ot
lhe:
WhataboutMar
u

Apul
a:I
t'
sPi
nky
,Li
l
oandt
hel
i
ttl
eboy
,hei
sabout5.

Ot
lhe:
Ok.Whohasabusi
ness?Ineedaj
ob

At
sil
e:Idobutican'
thir
ebecauseI
'
mtheonedoi
ngpl
usi
t'
s
pl
umbing.Youneedtrai
ning.

Apul
a:Ihav
eabarandaf
il
li
ngst
ati
onbuti
canl
ety
ouwor
katt
he
bar
.

Ot
lhe:
Thanky
ou.
.Godbl
essy
ou.
Otl
hereachedforabottl
eofwateranddrunkasAt
siledr
ove
thr
oughthedarknight
..Apul
aleanedbackdozi
ngoffwit
hher
seatbel
ton..
..

AtLana'
sHouse.
..

Bryceranupstai
rsandbudgedinthebedroom,wi
ththeduvet
overthem MongafrozeontopofLanaassheturnedherheadto
thesideavoi
dingherson.
..St
il
lrel
axedontopofherMonga
calmlytur
nedhisheadlooki
ngathiminnocent
lywit
houtgi
ving
anythi
ngaway...

Br
yce:
DadMJwon'
tl
etmechanget
hechannel
..

Monga:
Tel
lhi
mtogi
vey
out
her
emot
e.

Bryce:Whyarey
ouguy
sst
il
lpl
ayi
ngi
nbedi
thoughty
ousai
d
you'r
egoing.

Monga:
Yeahwear
egoi
ng.
.Cl
oset
hedoormyboy
..
.AndBr
yce?

Br
yce:
Yeah?

Monga:(
soft
ly)Nextti
meknock,
youdon'
twantt
owal
kinon
mom get
ti
ngdr essed.

Br
yce:
Ok.
.
Hecl
osedt
hedoorandr
andownst
air
stal
ki
ng.
.

Bryce:
Daddysaysyoumustgi
vemet
her
emot
e.Iwantt
otr
y
changi
ngthechannel
.

Mj
:Ar
en'
ttheygoi
ng?

Br
yce:
(changi
ngt
hechannel
s)They
'r
epl
ayi
ngi
nbed.

Mj
:Ij
oo

Hetookoffhi
sshoes,minut
eslat
erMongawalkeddownstai
rs
andputonhisshoes.
.Lanafol
l
owedzippi
ngherjacket
..
.

Lana:
Let
'sgo.
.

Thewhol efami l
ysteppedoutofthehouseandlookedatthe
neighbours.LanaandMongar aisedtothenei
ghbour'
shouseas
theboyswal kedbehindthem,theytur
nedaroundlooki
ngatthe
wholeneighbour hoodcover
edinsnowandmor ef
alli
ngasifi
t
wasascenef rom amov i
e.Bry
cepickedsnowandmadeabal l
beforethr
owi ngitaway..

Lana:
Guy
s!?
Theboyst
urnedandr
ant ot
heneighbour
ssdoor
step.
..
thewhi
te
ol
dladysmil
edandopenedthedoor.
..

Lana:
Itol
dyoumyf
ami
l
yiscomi
ng.
.

Her:
(laughed)You'
veal
way
sbeensay
ingt
hat
,iev
ent
hought
you'
relyi
ng

Lana:(l
aughed)Thi
sismyhusbandMonga.
.Babet
hisi
sMr
s
Harri
son..

Monga:
Nicet
omeety
ou

Her:You'
resohandsomeyouremindmeofamani usedtodat
e
backintheday
s.Itwasn'
teasybei
ngani
nter
raci
alcoupl
e.

Monga:
Thanky
ou.
..

Her
:Wher
ear
etheonesI
'
m baby
sit
ti
ng?

Mj
andBr
ycesmi
l
ed.
.

Mj
:Youbaby
sitBr
yce,
I'
mtoool
dij
ustsi
tandpl
ayonmyphone

Theyal
ll
aughed.
..

Lana:
Pleasecal
lmei
ftheygi
vey
ouanyt
roubl
e.
Her
:They
'r
ebi
gboy
s,don'
twor
ry.Goenj
oyy
our
sel
ves.

Monga:
Youhav
eabeaut
if
ulhouse

Her:
Youcanhav eat
ourwhenyoucomeback.Lanahel
pedme
cl
earitup,
shesaysI
'
m hoar
derbutI
'
m not
.

Lana:
(laughed)t
hispl
acewasf
ull
ofj
unk.Seey
oul
ater
..
.

Monga:
Byeguy
s

Boy
s:By
e

Theywal
kedoutandhel
dhandsast
heyr
ant
owar
dst
hecarand
drov
eoff
..
..

Att
hebal
l
room skat
ing.
..

MongaheldLana'
shandastheycar
eful
l
ygotinandjoi
nedthe
f
loorwher
eothercoupl
esweredanci
ngrol
l
ingontheskat
es..

Mongahel dherhandasshesmi l
edroll
i
ngbehindhimt henhe
tossedherandbroughthercl
oserastheyhuggedrol
li
ngar ound
goingwit
ht hemusicasothercoupl
esroll
edaround.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
Ot
lhewal
kedinandsatonthebedasNini
wal
kedoutwi
tha
st
rai
ghtf
acecar
ryi
ngherthi
ngsout.
..

Apul
a:I
'
m goi
ngt
oTumo'
shouse.

Ot
lhe:
Ok.
.

ShewalkedoutanddroveoffthenOtl
hesteppedoutandheaded
tothemainhousewheregir
lswer ewat
chingTV.Shewalkedin
theki
tchenandpour
edjuicethenshestoodatthedoorl
ookingat
thehugehouse.

Minuteslatershewal kedoutandsatatt hegat el

ooki
ngat
Apula'
sflatindisbeli
ef..
.Sheneverknewabl ackper
soncould
ownahouset hathadupst air
s.Shel ookedatt hetwocarsparking
i
nthegar ageandt hepool overthere..
.Apulahadsomuchmoney
i
tdidn'tmakesenseast owhyshecoul dn'tjustbuyheraplotand
bui
ldherahousei nsteadofmaki nghersl eepinthebackroom so
shecanbeherl i
ttl
eslave..
.

Shesi
ppedt
hej
uiceandputt
hegl
assdown.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#136

AtTumo'
sHouse.
..

Thenextmorni
ngTumoslowlysl
i
doutandgotof
fthebedas
Apul
aclosedherl
egsandl
aidonhersi
del
ooki
ngatTumo..
.

Tumo: Themanagercall
edme, it
hinkhehaslearnthi
slessonand
hewi l
l manageusproperl
y.Hesayshiswifeisnursi
ngandi
understandhissi
tuat
ion,nnakanai di
dn'
twanttofir
ehimi nt
he
fi
rstplace.Ij
ustwantedthefi
ll
i
ngst at
iontoberanproperl
y.We
can'tbepostedonfacebookaboutbadser vi
ceeveryweek.Ithi
nk
heisr eadytoworkagain.

Apul
asmi
l
edl
ooki
ngathi
m..
.

Apul
a:Whydon'
tyoumanagei
nst
ead?

Tumo:(
laughed)No,
sot
hatpeopl
ecansayi
sleptmywayt
othe
top?

Apul
a:It
houghty
oudidn'tcar
ewhatpeopl
ethi
nk.Wabonagor
e
i
t'
snotal
wayseasyt
oi gnorethewhatwi
ll
peopl
esay?
Tumo:
(smi
l
ed)Youhav
eapoi
nt.
..Buti
kindoff
eel
badf
orhi
m.

Apula:
Ithoughtabusi
nesscan'
tber
anwi
thagoodhear
tbaby
daddy

Hesmi
l
edl
ooki
ngatherandl
aughed.
..

Tumo:Ifeel
sogoodwheny
our
emi
ndmet
hati
madeababy
..
.
Fi
ne,I
'
llmanagei
t.

Hel
eanedoverandki
ssedhert
hent
her
ewasahonkout
side.He
mov
edthecurtai
ns.
.

Tumo:
It'
smyf
ather
.

Apul
a'
shear
tski
ppedasshequi
ckl
ygotdr
essed.
.

Tumo:
Rel
ax.
.

Heputonhisshor
tsandwal
kedoutput
ti
ngonhi
sTshi
rt
,hi
s
f
atherst
eppedoutoft
hecar
..
Hi
m:Yourmot
heraskedmet
obr
ingy
ouf
ood.
.

Tumogott
hef
oodashi
sfat
herl
ookedathi
m..

Hi
m:Whosecari
sthat
?

Tumo:
Afr
iend.
.

Him:Fi
rsty
oubuyabr andnewVW y etyoursal
arydoesn'
tcome
cl
osetoevenaHondaFi t
.Nowy ouhaveguy sdr
ivi
ngRanger
Rover
sinyourhouse?Areyoudoingdrugs?

Tumo:
Ok,
thet
rut
hisi
tsmygi
rl
'
scar
..
.Sheboughtmet
hecart
oo.

Her
aisedhi
sey
ebr
owsandl
ookedatbot
hcar
s..

Him:I
sshet
hepresi
dent
'sdaught
er?Noli
tt
legi
rlcanaf
for
dthat
Tumo,st
oppl
ayi
ngwithme.Areyousel
li
ngdrugs?

Tumo:It
hinksheismama'sagebutshelookswaywayyounger
thanmama.I'
m notj
ustsay
ingbecausesheismygi
rl
..
.

Hi
m:What
?

Tumo:
Myboss?That
'sher
.Wai
tther
e,I
'
llcal
lher
.
Thefat
herleanedoverhol
dinghi
skneesast
heygotcold,a
memoryofhi m comi
nghomet oTumoandtheneighbour'
s
daught
erwatchingamov i
ecameback,howhejokedabouthi
m
dati
ngthegir
landhowhebol dl
ysai
dlit
tl
egi
rl
sdon'ttur
nhim on.

Apul
auncomf or
tabl
ysteppedout,t
hefatherl
etgoofhi
sknees
andst
raight
eneduplookingather,
butthenhehadapointshe
ki
ndalookedyoungert
hanhiswife.
.Andshewasr i
chsofuckit
.
Goboy!

Hi
m:(
smi
l
ed)Hi

Apul
a:Dumel
ang.
..

Hi
m:Howar
eyou?

Apul
a:I
'
m good.
.Thanky
ou.

Tumo:
Shei
spr
egnantwi
thmychi
l
d.

Apulat
urnedsur
pri
sedlooki
ngathi
m,t
heydi
dn'
tev
endi
scuss
tel
l
ingpeopl
eaboutthi
s..

Hi
m:Doy
ouhav
eot
herki
ds?

Apul
a:I
t'
smyf
ir
st

Hi
m:Gr
eat
..
.(t
oTumo)Whenar
eyoumar
ryi
ngher
?Kanagal
e
ny
alanel
atshamekahel
a?

Tumo:
I'
m st
il
lpr
epar
ing,
wear
etaki
ngi
tsl
owl
y.
.

Hi
m:Ok.
..

Apul
a:I
twasni
cemeet
ingy
ou.Ihav
etogogetr
eadyf
orwor
k.

Hi
m:Sameher
e..By
e

Shetur
nedaroundandwal
kedbacki
nsi
deasTumo'
sfat
her
l
ookedathi
m.

Hi
m:I
'
m shocked.
.

Tumo: Tr
yt ocontr
ol y
ourwi f
ewhenshef i
ndsoutbecauseiknow
sheisgoingt obeadmi t
tedwithhighblood.Iknowshewillmake
noiseandev enharassApulaletherknowt hatI'
mreadytocuther
offmylif
eandchoosemyf amil
y.Mynucl earfamil
yal
ways
comesf i
rstthenyoupeople.

Him:Ist
il
ldon'
tunder
standhowy
oumanagedgof
erey
amot
hoo
kanawamadi madi
.

Tumo:I'
m al
egend,I'
l
lteachy ouonedaymyboy .
..Ohwaity
ou'r
e
al
readymarr
ied.Toobad..(
laughed)Katshamekathepapa.
..

Hi
m:(
laughed)
Jesus,
you'
regoi
ngt
oki
l
lyourmot
her
..

Tumo:Fi
ndawaytotel
lherinani
ceway..
.Mmegonekeseri
ous
myfamil
ycomesf
ir
steveryoneel
seaf
terApul
aandourbaby
.
Hi
m:(l
aughed)Kareyagot
hapel
akukul
emadi
ayonei
bil
eo
r
eadygor
ecutteroff

Tumo: (
laughed)Nopapay ou'
vej
ustr
econci
l
edwit
hgrandma
becauseshewashar assi
ngmama.Youcutherof
funt
ilshe
star
tedrespecti
ngyourwif
e.

Hi
m: (
laughed)Oi
thaaor
eomotona.Di
raoapl
ael
ekosesol
eng
monnaskadi i
wakemadiamosadi
.

Tumo:
I'
m wai
ti
ngf
ort
hev
acancyt
henI
'
llbeappl
yi
ng.

Hi
m:Good.
.Ihav
etogo.

Tumo:
Bye.
.

Hegotbackint
hecaranddr
oveof
fthenTumowal
kedbacki
n
t
hehouse..
..

Apul
a:Howcoul
dyout
ell
yourf
atherj
ustl
i
ket
hat
?

Tumo:Hei
smydad,
howel
seam i
supposedt
otel
lhi
m?Wear
e
cl
ose.

Apul
a:Youshoul
dhav
ewar
nedme

Tumo:
Thi
sisn'
tabi
gdeal
..

Apul
a:Wenay
out
akeev
ery
thi
ngsi
mpl
e

Tumo: Tryi
ttoo,
ther
eissomuchpeaceinnotwor
ryi
ngabout
ever
ythingt
hatpeopl
earethi
nki
ngaboutyou.
Apul
a:I
'
m goi
ngt
owor
k.

Tumo:Wouldn'titbeni
cei
fwearemarri
edthough?Ist i
l
l can'
t
cometoyourhousebecauseourdaught
ersarethere.
..(
laughed)
List
ent
ome. .Ijustcal
l
edNini
ismydaughterbutsheisol der
thanme.
.

Apul
a:(l
aughed)Wapekawena.
..

Tumo:(
laughed)Iwantt obether
eformybaby
,webothknow
par
ent
swhost ayt
ogetherspendmoreti
mewitht
hechil
dthan
whent
heot herisvi
sit
ing.

Apul
a:Iguessyouhav
eapoi
nt.Sav
eforbogadi
andI
'
llt
akecar
e
ofev
erythi
ng.
.

Tumo:
Cool
..

Apul
a:I
'
mlat
e,by
e..
.

Sheki ssedhim andwal kedoutpr essingherphone.Shegoti nthe

carandl eanedbackwat chingav ideoshar edbyaf r
iend.Av i
deo
ofLanaandMongar oll
ingont heballoonskat i
ngwithmusi cin
thebackgr ound..
.Shewat chedasMongahel dhercloserand
kissedherneckast heyr olledtogether ,shebentov erputti
ngher
buttonhi szipperastheyr olledandlaughed. .Thevideoended
andshecl ickedonheraccountandwentt hroughat imel
ine
wher eshehadpost edapi ctureofher selfandMonga, "
Fir
sttime
outwi thmyman, t
omor rowIwon' tconcent rateinclasske
akant
segor
ekethathet
sekontung#cont
rov
ersi
alpast
orswi
fe
Kamosoreagasnowmanlebashimoney"

Shescr oll
eddownt oapi ctureofMongasl eepi ngcapt ioned,"The
manwhomadeal lmydr eamscomet rue, iwant edaneducat i
on
mor ethanany thi
ngandhet ol
dmei canbemor et hanI '
m
dreami ngoff.Whenanoppor tuni
tyf oreducat i
onabr oad
presenteditsel
fheshar edt hel i
nkwi thmeandsai dbabebona
mmekanay ouqual i
fy.Hehel pedmet hroughout .Tot aifitellyou
wher ethismant ookme.You' llgiv
emeaf unnyni ckname
becausel onalantshot al areker atamokgar ebet hata.Mat aozen
foundmekonokengker wel eemer eket samay akal enao ( le
skampot sagorewhyabi t
swaMat aozen)Soul mat ehael e
soulmat ekesoulmat e,not hingwi llsepar atey ou.Onet imekamo
ngalelangwagaot heai tshalamor agomosi mane.Any way s
tonightisabeaut i
fulnightbecausef orthef irsttimesi ncei
arri
vedher eI'
mi nthear msofamanandnotj ustany ,my
husbandandt hefatherofmyboy s."

Shewant edtoscr
oll
downf ormor ebutt
henshedidn'
twantto
spoilherday
.Herfi
ngeraccident
all
yli
kedherpi
ctureasshe
star
tedthecaranddroveoff.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
Lat
ert
hatonduringluncht
imeApul
asteppedoutoft
hecarand
wal
kedtothebackhousewhereOtl
hewassleepi
ngonthecouch.
..

Apul
a:Hi

Ot
lhe:
Hi

Apul
a:Iwant
edt
opi
cky
ouupsoy
oucancomemeett
hebarst
aff
.

Ot
lhe:
Oh,
ibi
l
eI'
vebat
hed.

Shegotinthehouseandpreparedhersel
fthenshewalkedout
andhurr
iedtothecar.Assheapproachedshenoti
cedApula
si
tti
ngonthepassengerseatandalitt
leboydri
vi
ng,shegotint
he
backandclosedthedoor.

Apul
a:Thi
sisTumo,
Tumot
hat
'smysi
ster
.

Tumo:
Nicet
omeety
ou

Ot
lhe:
Tumoohe?Theoney
ousai
dimpr
egnat
edy
ou?

Apul
a:Yes.
.

Otl
he:Ao..
.Wenat heobati
,keengnneosabat
emonnahela
sent
ey oothwaagetseng?{
you'
resounl
ucky
,whycoul
dn'
tyouj
ust
fi
ndarealman? }

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#137

I
nApul
a'
scar
..
.

Ther
ewassil
enceasTumotur
nedandl
ookedather
,Apul
a
l
ookedathi
m andt
urnedt
oher.
.

Apula:
Obonaobui
l
esent
ehel
a?{
Doeswhaty
ousai
dsoundokay
toyou?}

Ot
lhe:
Sor
ry,
idi
dn'
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
.For
giv
eme.
.

Tumost ar
tedthecaranddr oveof
fquietl
y.Mi
nut
eslaterhe
parkedatthebarandleanedback.ApulaandOtl
hesteppedoutof
thecarandclosedthedoors..

Ot
lhe:
(tohi
m)Gosi
ame{
Bye}

Tumoglancedatheronceandpr
essedhi
sphonet
hent
hey
wal
kedaway .
Otl
he:I'
m sorr
yforsayingthati
nfrontofhi
m butimeanti
t.Why
wouldy oul
etsuchasmal lboygetbetweenyourl
egs?Howdo
youkisshim?Apulathehwabet el
elalewenawabona.Lehaele
yonekhumo?{ you'
rerapi
ngt hi
sboy,andusi
ngmoneyt oy
our
advantage.
}

Apul
a:Myr
elat
ionshi
pwi
thTumohasnot
hingt
odowi
thageor
money.

Ot
lhe:
Howol
dishe?

Apul
a:19

Otl
he:Sohewas9y ear
soldwhenyoustar
teddrool
i
ngov
erhi
m?
Idon'
tunder
stand,
whathappenedwi
thLoago?

Apul
a:Il
ongl
efthi
m 10y
earsago,
idat
edsev
eral
guy
saf
ter
..
.I
st
art
edseei
ngTumobeginni
ngoft
hisy
ear

Otlhe:Yourex'
saregoingtolaughaty ouwhent heyseewhat
you'redati
ng.You'
regoingtobeaj oke..
.whycan'ty
oujustf
inda
grownmanwi thdi
gnit
yifyoucan'tfi
ndonewi thmoney ?Areal
man. ..

Apul
a:I
'
m pr
egnant
..
.Idon'
tneedt
hiski
ndofj
udgementr
ightnow.

Otl
he: Youbr oketherecord.Kegonegoi tshotisabathomo.19ga
seleBen10kengwanal eBen10f oryouis25orabov emay be35.
Doy ouseeaf ut
urewi t
hhim?Li kebeinghiswi fe?Call
i
nghis
mothery ourmot her?Doy ouseehisfamilylovingy ouand
ever
y oner espectingyou?Thewayy ouuset ojudgeusandsay
you'
llhav eachi ldattheri
ghttime?Iexpect edsomet hing
seri
ous...(laughedandcl appedindisbeli
ef)Irememberhowwe
usedtocr ytoyouourbabydaddiesembarrassi
ngus.Youusedt o
besol evelheadedandyougav egoodadvi
cebutnowadays
you'r
ejustachi l
d.Howcany oupossi
blyt
hinkyou'
l
lhaveaf utur
e
witha19y earoldatyourage?Howol dwi
llyoube10y ear
sf r
om
now?Howwi l
lhefeel
abouty ou?

Apul
awal
kedbesi
deshersl
owl
yasOt
lhet
alked.
..

Otlhe:Idon'tunder standwhati swrongwithrichwomen. .

.Almost
allthatIknowar eeithersingl
eortheyhav eboyt oyswhoendup
cheat i
ng.Thenextt hingyou'r
egoingtomar ryhim andwhenhe
divorcesyounexty earhewal ksawaywi thhalfofev erythi
ng.On
thisoneI '
m nott al
kingoutofj eal
ouskoor e-
hei (
clapped)I '
m so
disappointediny ou...Wegr ewupol ethemosti ntell
igentofusall
.
Wheny ougr aduatedwi thoutachil
dy ouweret heexampl efor
ever y
one..Nny aammar econsi
deryourdecision.Inev erthoughta
momentl i
ket hiswi l
lcome, whereiactual
lyseet hingsbet t
erthan
you...

Shest
oppedandl
ookedatApul
a..
.

Otl
he:I'
mjeal
ousofy ou..
.I'
vealwaysbeenjeal
ousofyou
becauseyoupassed,foundaj ob,
gotpromotedandyoudidn'
t
havefat
herl
esschil
dren..
.Ithoughtyou'
ll
haveawonderfulf
amil
y
becauseyou'
renotevenapushov er.Buttoseeyoubei
ng
control
ledbya19y earoldissad...Ishoul
dbecelebrat
ing
becauset hi
sboyisgoingt ogetyourmoney .I
fyouwerepoordo
youthinkhe'dwantyou?Whenhav eyoueverseenyoungboy s
dati
ngpoorol derwomen?I t'
salway sbusi
nesswomenorwomen
whoar ebossesattheirjobs.Oelathil
egompienonnaka,please
gofindapr operman.Ar ealmanwhowon' tembarr
assy ouin
publi
c..
.Gaonagot shelasente.
..

Apul
asi
ghedl
ooki
ngatherandswal
l
owed.
..

Apul
a:Let
'sgo.
.

Otl
he:Howcansomeonebesoi ntel
li
gentandmakepoor
deci
sionsinrel
ati
onshi
ps,
can'ty
ouseet hati
twon'
tworkouti
n
thel
ongr un?Doyouseeyoursel
fgrowingoldwi
tht
hatboy?

Apul
a:Let
'sgo,
please.
.I'
m onmyl
unchbr
eak.

Otlhe:I
'm sosadt hatMar ulety oudot hisbecausei knowshe
knowsi t'
swr ongbutit'
sty picalofherbecauseshewant stobe
theonlyper fectonear oundher e.Ifshedi dn'tt
ellyout hatTumo
i
sgoi ngt ohur tyouthenshei signor antmmei don'tblameher ,
thatonel ongcutt hecor dwi thust hedayshegotmar ried.Atsi
le
enei knowshegoeswher et hewi ndbl ows...Evenifsheknows
deepdownshewi l
lbeaf raidtoopposet herichsisterbutnnai
willt
ellyoubecausei havenot hingt olose.ThewayI 'mj eal
ousi
shouldlety ouembar rassy our selfinpubl i
candt hrowawayy our
ri
chesbuti feelbad.
Apul
a: Ihearyoubutnextti
medon'tsaysucht hi
ngsinfrontof
Tumo.I t
'sdi
srespect
ful
,you'
redoi
ngt hesamet hi
ngy oudidwit
h
Derr
ick.Thewayi lov
eTumoi fyoudisrespecthi
mI '
l
lnevertal
kto
you.

Otl
he:Ok, i
fthat'
showi ti
st henfi
ne.I'
m gladIoffl
oaded
everyt
hing.Iprayyouseet heli
ght.Thatadviceisal
licanoffer
youasat okenofmyappr eciat
ionforbri
ngingmeback. .
.I'
m
tel
li
ngy ouexactlywhateveryoneisgoingtot hi
nkoncethis
comesout .

Apul
a:You'
rest
ressi
ngmeout
..
.

Otl
hel
ookedatherandthepai
ninhervoice,
thel
i
ttl
ehopeand
def
eat
edtoneshutt
eredherwal
ledhear
t.
..

Otl
he:ButmaybeI
'
m wrong.
..May
behei
sgood.
..I
'
m ev
ilsoi
tend
t
othinkever
yonei
sevi
l
.Sorry

Apul
aquietl
ywalkedinasOtl
hewalkedinbehindher,butt
hen
howunluckycanonebe..
.Doallt
herightt
hingsandstil
lbeso
unl
ucky
.Shenev erknewshe'
dfeelt
hissadforher.
..

Apula:Higuys..
.Thisismysist
er,
shewi l
lbehel
pingaroundto
famil
iar
iseherselfwit
hworkbeforeshecanstar
t.Pleaseshow
herhowev er
y t
hingisdone.I
fyou'
redoingsomethingaskherto
hel
p..

Cashi
er:
Eemma.
.

Apul
a:Ihav
etogo.
.

Otl
hewalkedoverandj
oinedal
adywhowassor
ti
ngsomebeer
bot
tlesi
nthefr
idge.

Apul
awal
kedbackt
othecarandgoti
nthenTumodr
oveof
f.
..

Tumo:
Idon'
tl
ikey
oursi
ster
.

Apul
a:Iknow,shei
sjustl
i
ket
hat.Sheisnott
hesweet
estbutshe
i
ssti
llf
amily
.Famil
ymemberscannotall
besweet
..

Tumo:
Thenextt
imeshet
alkst
omel
i
ket
hati
twon'
tendwel
lfor
her
.

Apulasighedandl eanedback, nowt hatshewast hinki

ngabout
Otlhe'
swor dsitwasn'tf ai
rthatshewai tedforsolongav oi
ding
pregnancybecauseshewaswai ti
ngf orri
ghtman, nowithasto
besomeki ndofaf orbiddenkindofl oveoronet hathastoshake
thewholetownwheni tcomesout .Whycoul dn'
tshemeetaman
herage..
.Amanf inanciall
ycapabl eofmeet i
ngherhal f
way...A
manshecanf reelypostandwal karoundwi th,oneshecanat t
end
weddingswi t
hpr oudly.Howunf ai
rcouldlif
ebet hatsomany
peoplearehappyandwi thsomuchmoneyshe' dstill
beinthis
ki
ndofsi t
uation.Shehadl i
ter
allyl
iv
edhalfofherli
feunhappy..
Raisi
ngchildren,helpi
ngf amil
yandev er
yonearoundherand
everyonewashappyexcepther .Shewassupposedt oenj
oythis
pregnancy,shewai tedforitsolongbutasalwaysforherithadto
comewi thsomet hingthatwoul dmakeithardtoev enpr
oudly
walkaroundshowi ngof fherpregnancy.
..Atearrandownher
cheekandsher ubbedit..
.

Apul
a:(
sof
tl
yputherheadonthewindow)Kelapil
ekestresssa
bot
shel
owait
seTumo..{I
'
mt i
redofbeingst
ressedal
lthetime}

Tumopul
l
edov
erandhuggedherasshebur
sti
ntot
ear
scr
ying.
..

Tumo: Iknewwhatshesai dwillgettoy ou..

.Iknewi t.Themost
scari
estt hingi
sthatwhenmyf ami l
yfindsoutwear egoi ngt oget
mor ebashi nganditwil
lgot osocialmedia.We'r egoingt otrend
anditsgoi ngtoaff
ectthebaby ..
.Canwepl easegosomewher e
together..
.Awayfrom everyoneandst ayawayf rom soci almedi a.
Eveni fitmeansbuy i
ngaf arm andgoi ngthere.
..Iwantt opr otect
thi
sbabybuti knowy ou'
regoingtogethur tbyev er
yone.Pl ease..
.
Canwebuyaf arm,andbui l
dsomet hingthereplease. .
..

Apul
arubbedhert
ear
sandl
eanedback.
..
Tumo:
Wewi
l
lcomebackaf
tert
hebabyusbor
n..
.

Apul
a:Af
armi
sexpensi
ve,
whenwi
l
lwef
ini
shbui
l
ding.

Tumo:Wewill
bui
l
dacabi n..
.Itwon'
ttakemor
ethanamont
h..
.I
don'
twanty
ougett
ingconfusedorstr
essedout
.

Apul
a:Cani
thi
nkabouti
t?

Tumo: Don'trunitbyyoursi
ster
s,t
histi
mei wanty outousey
our
ownjudgement .You'veachi
evedalotonyourownwi t
hout
runni
ngitbyany one.Iknowyoudon'tt
rustyoursel
fwhenit
comest orelati
onshipsbutpl
easetr
ustyourinsti
ncts.

Apul
a:I
'
llt
hinkabouti
t.
..

Heki
ssedherandr
ubbedhert
ear
s..
.

I
nLana'
sapar
tment
..
..

Meanwhi l
eLanawal kedinthebathroom pr essingherphoneand
satdownpeei ng.Shecli
ckedonherst atusesandsi ghed
watchingthenshenot i
cedTumoupdat edhisstatus,shecli
cked
onitandfoundf rownedatthepictureofTumoandApul adi
ning,
anotheroneofApul asl
eepingwithacapt i
on"Somewomenar e
j
ustbeautiful
".Shecli
ckedonthepi ctureandr epli
edt ohisi
nbox.
Lana: Hei
wenaot
hogot
elel
e,whoi
sthatwoman?

Tumo: Wi fey,
rayaswaaregor
ekarethi
sDecemberhewil
lbe
busykobogogadi.I
bil
eheshoul
doff
ici
ateourweddi
ngaker
ehe
i
sordai
nednow.

Lana: Tumodoesaunt
ieknow?

Tumo:Idi
dn'ttel
lher.Papawill
tel
lher.Iwantt
opaymagadi
wit
hinacoupleofmont hs.Ir
eall
ylov
eher .Whatdoy
outhi
nkof
her
?Sheisbeautiful
r i
ght?

Lana:Shei
sbeautif
ul andsheisahardworker.Kebasadi
baba
busi
nessminded.Asl ongasyou'
rebothOKwi thoneanot
her's
pastt
henit
'sfi
ne.Wenakanasal eoril
eyou'r
egoingtomar r
y
someonemature.Ijustnevert
houghti
twouldbeher .

Tumo:Emapel
eel
egor
ewamoi
tse?{
Idon'
tgeti
t,doy
ouknow
her
?}

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#138

Lana'
sHouse.
..

Lana: Tumodoesaunt
ieknow?

Tumo:Idi
dn'ttel
lher.Papawill
tel
lher.Iwantt
opaymagadi
wit
hinacoupleofmont hs.Ir
eall
ylov
eher .Whatdoy
outhi
nkof
her
?Sheisbeautiful
r i
ght?

Lana:Shei
sbeautif
ul andsheisahardworker.Kebasadi
baba
busi
nessminded.Asl ongasyou'
rebothOKwi thoneanot
her's
pastt
henit
'sfi
ne.Wenakanasal eoril
eyou'r
egoingtomar r
y
someonemature.Ijustnevert
houghti
twouldbeher .

Tumo:Emapel
eel
egor
ewamoi
tse?{
Idon'
tgeti
t,doy
ouknow
her
?}

Lana:Idon'
tknowhert
hatwell
,I
'vebumpedi
ntoherher
eand
ther
e.Justshowhermypict
ureandaskherwhoiam.Shewi
llt
ell
you.

Tumo:
Elegor
ewhycan'
tyouj
ustt
ell
me?

Lana:
Justgoaskher
.

Tumo:
Ok,
weareexpecti
ng.I
'
m exci
tedbutI
'
m afr
aidev
ery
onei
s
goi
ngt
ost
ressherandwemightl
osethebaby.

Lana:
Wow.
..Shemustbeov
ert
hemoon.Obet
sagout
wal
asel
o
kewena.{
niceshot
}

Tumo: Bagomont hadi

sabarekemonny e.{
peopl
earegoi
ngto
rui
nitsayi
ngI'
mt ooyoung}.Idon'
tknowwhypeoplel
ikeot
her
people'
sbusi
nesses.

Lana:That'
snotevenaproblem, Shei srichsoy ourl
oveand
l
oyalt
ywi l
lalwaysbequest
ionabl
e.Ifsheisn'tst
rongenough
peopl
ewi l
l t
alksomuchshewi l
levenwonderi fyou'
rether
efor
moneyorl ove.

Tumo: Shewon'tthi
nkl ikethataboutme.Ihav enodoubtonthat
partbecauseshecont r
ol shermoneyandi expecthert
omar r
y
meoutofcommuni ty.That 'swhatev er
yri
chpersondoesandi
understandt
hatitwoul dn'tbefairifsheandiweretodivor
ceand
iwalkoutwithacompanyi di
dn'thel
pstart
.Gonejaanawhati
hateishowev er
yonei sj ustusingherevenemployeesrunher
businesstotheground.Peopl ear etaki
ngadvantageofher
generosit
y.

Lana:Enemmeosi amehel agener al

l
y ,
ev er
yonehasf l
awsbuti
haven'tfoundher s.Shet akescareofherf amilyandshewor ks
veryhard.It hi
nkshewoul dhav ebeenagoodwi feandmot her
j
ustthatshepr obablycr af
tedherownhusbandsomuchi t
becamehar dtof i
ndherki ndofman. I 'mjustsurpri
sedy ouof
all
peopl efitherexpect ati
ons.Ithoughtshe' dmar r
yarichman
withsomeki ndofst atusinthesoci ety.
.Bodi memberof
Parli
amentj aanaort heseMaunt y coonswhodobusi nesses..
.
ThelikesofboMrFr iday,TheZambo' s,bannahelababadi rang
madi ahet angagagwegapebat shabi wa.Di wif
etsabonedi ja
holi
day sinDubai .
..Shewoul dact uall
yfitinwiththosewives
becauseeneomont
eandwai
thokomel
a.Gawal
owaApul
atot
a
wena?

Tumo: Mxm wanny at

sawenaosekopo.Apuladoesn'
tcare
aboutmoney
,wel
oveeachot
her
.You'
rebrui
singmyegowi th
j
okes.

Lana:Sor
rykhazozobutonaser
iousnotenowI'
m happyforyou.
You'
reveryl
uckyiheardshei
sverypi
ckysodon'
tdisappoi
nther.

Tumo:
Iwon'
t,
ilov
eheraswel
l
.Ot
her
wise?

Lana:
Reshar
p

Tumo:
Cool

Shecl osedthechatandcl ickedonherFacebook.Shenot iced

Apulal i
kedMonga' spictureonly,
noteventhechil
dren'
spi ct ur
es
oranyofher sj ustMonga'spicture.
..
Wast hi
sanotherroundof
drama?Shecl ickedonherpr of
iletocheckifshemighthav e
accidentall
ybecamef r
iendswithherbuttheyweren'tfr
iendsand
onlyhadabout8mut ualfr
iendsandMongawasn' toneoft hem.It
didn'
tmakesensehowshecoul dhav eseenherpictur
eifshe
wasn'tgoingt hroughherpictur
e.Noneoft heirmutualfr
iendshad
sharedt hepicture.
..Wasshest alki
ngher?

Shet
ookascr
eenshotandsentt
oSedi
..

Lana:
Doy
out
hinkshei
sst
alki
ngme?
Sedi
: May
be.

Lana:
Whywoul
dshel
i
kemypi
ctur
e?Shedoesn'
tev
enl
i
keme.

Sedi
: May beitwasamistake,
I'
vel
ikedsomeone'
spi
ctureby
mistakewhi l
ei wasdi
ggi
ng.Peopl
ewer ear
gui
ngonfacebook
andi keptgoingbackandfort
hkeenjoyadr
amaunti
lili
kedone
pi
cturebymi stake.

Lana:
I'
m uncomf
ort
abl
enow.

Sedi
:Justi
gnor
eherkanay
ouwantt
otel
lMonga?

Lana:No,idon'
twanttogi
vehim aheadachewithwomencat
fi
ghts.Maybeshewasstal
kingmeandacci dent
all
yli
kedbutI
doubtithasanyt
hingt
odowi t
hMonga.

Sher
emember
edTumoandbr
ushedi
tof
f.
..

Lana:SheisTumo'sgi
rl
fr
iendsoithi
nkmay
bei mighthav
e
appearedasherpeopl
eyoumayknowormay beshewasj ust
tr
yingtounder
standhowi r
elat
edwit
hTumo.

Sedi
:Wai
twhat
?Tumo?

Lana:
Yes,don'ttellany
onewenaomaakakanaot ogao
nkgol
ega.Idon'twantittocomef r
om me.Youknowhowaunt
ie
i
s,shewil
lembar rassApulaifshefi
ndsoutt
hewrongway.

Sedi
:I'
l
lkeepqui
et.

Lana:
EvenEr
icshoul
dn'
tknowbecausey
ouknowt
hatonewi
l
l
t
ell
Derr
icktheni
tgoestoMaruwhowil
ltel
lApulathenI'
l
lbei
na
f
ryi
ngpan.Idon'
twantdrama.Il
i
kemyli
fequietl
ikethi
s.

Sedi
:Iwon'
ttel
lasoul
.

Lana:
Itr
usty
ou.By
emmasal
eket
seny
eint
het
oil
et.

Sedi
:By
e

Shewi
pedher
sel
fandst
ooduppul
l
ingupherpant
ies.
..

AtApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Apulastaredatt
hescreent
ear
ful
l
ywi
tht
hephoneonherearas
heraunttalkedt
oher.
..

Aunt
:I'
mver
ysor
ryt
haty
ou'
redi
sappoi
ntedi
nyour
sel
fbutI
'
m not
.

Apul
a:Ot
lhemi
ghthav
eapoi
nt,
whati
f-

Aunt:Shemi ghtbewr ongaswel l

.Ifoldermenar emat ur
et hen
whoi ssleepi
ngwi thteenagers?Whoi sdi vorci
ng?Ol dermenar e
thereasonwhymar ri
agesaresohor r
ible.Thesegr ownmenev en
abandont heirchi
ldren..
.Theycannev ermaket hei
rwi vesfeel
youngt hewayay oungmancan.Ther eisonl yonet hi
ngi know
abouty oungermen, theycan'tcontroltheirtemperswhent hey
l
oset herelat
ionship.OtherthanthatI'venev erheardt hatay oung
mansl appedhi sgir
lfri
endinanar gumentbutt heseol dcowsbeat
womenbl ackandbl ue, t
heycheatandt hey '
rest i
ngyt oo.Judge
anindivi
dual basedont heirperfor mance. ..Ther ear egoodol der
menbutt herearegoody oungst er stoo.I fthatboymakesy ou
happydowhatmakesy ouhappy .Youcan' tpleaseev eryone...
Justmakesur ethatmoneyi sn'tt hespar kofy ourr elationshi p.
Testhim andt ell
himy ou'r
enotmar ryinghi mi ncommuni t
yof
property
.Ifhedoesn' tcar eaboutt haty ouhav ey ourman.Ot lhe
mightber ightbutshemi ghtalsobesay i
ngt hatbecauseshe
doesn'twanty outogetmar ri
edorbecl oset oany one. ..Ifyou're
someone' swomanshewon' thav ey ourmoneyandshei sthereto
spendi t
.Ican'ttr
ustthatdaught erofmi neatal l.Thatonei st oo
cl
ev erandwewi l
lnev erknowwhenshei sbeinggenui neor
cunning.Dowhatmakesy ouhappy .Ifyoudon' tfeel comf ortabl
e
withthatboyy oucanl eavehimt ooandbeasi ngl emot her.
Mar ri
ageisn'tf
orever yoneany way sbuty oungmenar eOK. ..

Apul
a:Ok.
.

Aunti
e: I
fhewantsthef arminhisnamei don'ttr
usthi
m butifhe
wantsitinyournamet henhemi ghtbegenui nelyworr
iedabout
youandt hebaby.Anditwouldn'tbesuchabadi deatohav ea
secondhomewher eyoucanj ustgoandr elax.Ial
sowanty ou
awayfrom allt
hesebecausehi sfamilyi
scomi ngandthe
communi ty
,youcan'taffor
dtocr yevery
day .You'vest
art
ed
str
essingalr
eady.Youneedaqui etpl
ace.Di Facebookletsoneo
dihokotsebagosebeosabonesepe. .

Aunt
ie:
Ok
Ther
ewasaknockont hedoor,Tumowal
kedi
nandsmi
l
edcut
e
asshebl
ushedhol
dingthephone.

Apul
a:Iheary
ouaunt
ie

Hewalkedoverandputherf
oodont
het
abl
ebef
orel
eani
ngov
er
andki
ssingher
..

Apul
a:By
e..Eemma

Shehungupandreachedfort
hefood,shesal
iv
atedl
ooki
ngatt
he
ri
bsthenshel
eanedoverandtookajui
cebit
e..

Apul
a:Sowhosenamedoweputt
hef
arm on?It
houghtabouti
t
andi
tsagoodidea.

Tumo:
Your
s,whyar
eyouaski
ng?

Apul
a:(
sucki
nghert
humbwhi
l
echewi
ng)Justaski
ngi
guess

Tumo: Mymot heri

snotexactlyani ceperson,putt
inganythi
ngin
mynamewi llbear i
skony ourpar t
.Shegotinherit
ancefrom my
grandparentsaloneandleftothersibl
ingswithnothingandIthi
nk
shef or
gedsomeoft hesignatures.Shewast heonlyone
successfuli
nt hefamil
yandshel i
keditthatway.Successful
throughsteali
ngwhatshewassupposedt oshar ewithher
sibl
i
ngs.Shenev erhelpedanyone,thekindthatwoul drat
hergiv
e
youapi eceoff i
shthant eachyouhowt of i
shmor e.Shewoul
d
havenev erdonewhaty oudidforyourniecesandnephew.She
oncesol dmyf ather
'scarwi t
houthissi
gnat ure,how?West i
ll
don'tknowsoi magi neifsheheardthereisf arminmyname.

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Thanksf
ory
ourhonest
y..
.

Tumo: Anyway
si wastalkingtooneofmycousinswhoi
sabroad
andshesaidsheknowsy ou,butshewoul
dn'
ttel
lmehow.She
saidimustaskyou..
.Ihadupdat edmystat
usandshesawour
pict
ures.

Hehandedherhisphoneandshesuckedherf
ingerbef
oregetti
ng
t
hephone,herhear
tskippedasshel
ookedatLana'spi
ctur
e..

Apul
a:(
tear
ful
l
y)Thi
sisy
ourcousi
n?

Tumo:Yeah,
shei
smar
ri
edt
oadudebyt
henameMongaTi
ki
,do
youknowher?

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#139

AtApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Apulaswall
owedt
helastbi
teinhermout
handputdownt
he
phonethenshewi
pedherotherfi
nger
swit
hati
ssue.

Tumo:
Doy
ouknowher
?

Apul
a:Yes,
shemar
ri
edt
omyex.Mongai
smyex,
wedat
edov
er
10year
sago.

Tumo: Ohok,but10y earsi

sal ongtimeandI'm surei
t'
snot
awkwardfory ou.Idon'
tmindespeciall
ybecausey ouhavebot
h
movedon,andi under
standthatyouobv i
ousl
yhadal i
febefor
e
youmetme. .Ifit
sMongai tssti
llOK.Ir
especthim anditr
ust
you.
..Woulditbeawkwar dforyou?

Apula:I'
m overMongabutheissti
l
lmyexandevery
thi
ngthati
s
l
inkedtohimi sawkward.Isowant
edtomoveonwithmylif
e,i
t'
s
notjustaboutMonga,nobodywantst
obeti
edtothei
rex'
s.

Tumo: I
t'
snotli
keyoutwohadchi
ldr
enandfr
om Lana'
stoney
ou
twodidn'
tevenfi
ght.Doy
ouhateher?Di
dshetakeMonga?What
happened?

Apul
a:IdumpedMongawaybef
oreshemethi
m,i
dumpedhi
m
wheni wasst i
l
l di
scov eringmy selfbutev enaf terfindingouthe
wasdat inghersheandi di
dn' treallyfightbecausei hadmov ed
on.Icoul dneverst oopt hatl ow...
Wedi dn'tev enhat eeachot her,i
don'that eheri nfactherl if
echangi ngl i
ket hatmademer eal
ise
ourpr esentdoesn' tdet ermi neourf uture.Wheni methershewas
strai
ghtoutoft hef arm andnowshei seducat edandshei smor e
beautiful thanbefor e.Shewasdet ermi nedt ogett hateducat ion
nomat terwhatandshest artedf rom t hev erybegi nningmay bei fi
washeri wouldhav egivenupkei thobogaandt hat'
s
commendabl egobuannet e. ..
butbecauseshei sawi fetomyex,
I'
ll
notl i
keherl i
kei woul difshewasj usty ourcousi npl usihav e
todeal wi thseeinganexeacht i
met her eisagat hering.Kana
Mongawi llbesentt opayf ormymagadi ,
hei sasoni nlawiny our
familyandsoni nlawsar esentar oundt odot heset hings.
..

Shegoti
mpat
ientt
ryi
ngt
oexpl
ainandsi
ghed.
.

Apula: Thebot t
om lineis.
..
ididn'
tplantohav easerious
rel
ationshipwi t
hy ou,tomei twasj ustaboutsexandi havebeen
goingondat eslookingformyKi ndofMan, someonewhowi l
l
acceptmeasi am andmakemehappy ..
.Unfort
unatelyihad
accept edthatI'
mi nfert
il
eandi didn'tt
hinkI'
deverfallpr
egnant,
ever.Ididn'tseeahusbandi ny ouorev enaboy fr
iend.Justa
youngmanwhosedi ckisthesizeofhi sfat
her'
s.I'
llj
ustbehonest
withy ou.Wai t
seaker egorewewer en'
tdati
ng?

Tumo:
Butwef
ell
inl
ovewi
theachot
herr
ight
?Becausei
lov
eyou.
Apul a:Idon'twantany thingthat'sgoingtobringinal i
tt
ledrama
i
nmyl i
fe.Howdoi evensayt hiswithoutsoundingr ude..
.You
hav ejustturnedmeof fbybei ngsuchacl osef amilymembert o
thesepeopl e.Ket ur
n'egikeof ftoragobuannet e.I
twasenough
thaty ouwer egoingtobr i
ngmecr it
ici
sm from yourf amilyand
any onewhowi l
ll
isten...Butdi ex?Thisisthelaststraw.Inev er
l
ov edy out obegi
nwi th...Ienjoyedhav i
ngsexwi t
hy ou,icouldtel
l
you'rey oungthat'
swhyi keptyouasecr et.

Tumosl
owl
ysatdownl
ooki
ngather
..
..

Tumo:
Whatar
eyousay
ing?

Sheshookherheadandsi
ghedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef.
..

Apula:Iwaswi ll
i
ngtosacr
if
icemydigni
tyforthi
sbabytohav
ea
famil
y ,
tobebor nint
omarri
agebuttheuni
verseisshowi
ngme
otherwise.Ican'
tgoonwit
hy ouany
mor e.
.

Tumo'
shear
tpoundedashelookedather
,tear
sbur
nedhi
sey
es
andhest
oodrubbi
nghi
seyes..
.

Apul
aputherel
bowont
het
abl
eandr
est
edherj
awonherhand
l
ooki
ngatTumo.
..

Apula:You'l
lmeetsomeoney ourage..
.An18y earoldgi
rlwho
stil
lbel
iev
esi nlov
e.I
'vehadmychance, ibl
ewsomeandsome
playedmet oo.Idon'
tbeli
eveinfai
ryt
alesanymore.
..10or20
yearsyou'
llthankme.

Hewal kedbackandsatont hecouchthenheputhi shandsonhi s

facecr yi
ng,henev erknewahear t
breakwast hi
spainful
...His
throatwasbl ockedanddr y,hi
sheartwaslit
eral
lytear
ingl i
ke
someonewasact uall
ycutt
ingitwit
haknifeandt hepaincr ossed
betweenhi sribs.Tearscameoutuncont r
oll
ablyandcr y
ing
sil
entlydidn'
tseem t oeasethepainasheletitout.
.

Tumo:
OhmyGod.

Apul
astoodupandwalkedoverasherhighheel
scl
uckedthen
shesatbesi
deshi
m andputherhandoverhi
sshoul
der.
..

Apul
a:I'
l
lgi
veyou10Ksoyoucangost
artsomet
hing,
may
bea
carwashorsomet
hing.

Tumo:
Idon'
twanty
ourmoney
,iwanty
ou.

Apul
a:Youcan'
thav
eme.
Tumo:
Becauseofmycousi
n?

Apula:No,inev
erwantedyouf
rom t
hebegi
nni
ng.Inev
ersawa
fut
ure,thi
swasnotsupposedt
obewhatiti
sanditwasn'
t
supposedtocomeout.

Tumo:Ok,l
et'
snott
ellanyoneaboutthebaby
.Let
'snotget
marr
iedbutwekeepseeingeachother.

Apul
a:No

Tumo:
Whataboutt
hebaby
?

Apul
a:You'
l
lseey
ourbabyany
timey
ouwant
.

Shel
ookedathert
imeandst
oodup.
.

Apul
a:It
hinkmynextmeet
ingshoul
dst
arti
n5mi
nut
es.

Tumost oodupandlookedatherwi
threddi
sheyesthenhe
walkedout.Shesi
ghedandsatdownthensheopenedthejui
ce
anddrunk..
..

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

LateronAt
sil
esatbyt
hemirr
orl
ookingathersmil
elines,
they
seemedtohavebeenget
ti
ngdef
inedlat
elyandherskinwas
i
ncr easi
ngl
ydr y
.Sheappliedhermoist
uri
singcr
eam andleftiton
thensheclickedonGooglef ormor
et i
psonhowt odealwith
agingskininyourlat
e40's.Shemadeal i
stofsomefaci
al creams
forherskincarerout
ine.

Ther
ewasaknockont hedoorthenshestoodupandopenedthe
door
,assoonasshenoti
ceditwasOtlheshesteppedouti
nst
ead.

At
sil
e:Hi

Ot
lhe:
Hi,
arey
oubusy
?Ineedt
otal
ktoy
ou.

At
sil
e:Ihav
eav
isi
tor
,whatdoy
ouwantt
otal
kabout
?

Ot
lhe:
Whyareyoupeopleal
lowingApul
atoembar
rassher
sel
f
wi
tha19yearol
d?I
'm sureevenpeopl
ewhoare30thi
nk19year
ol
dsareki
ds.

At
sil
e:Letherdowhatmakesherhappy
.

Ot
lhe:
Shei
snothappy
.Shel
ooksdepr
essedt
ome.

Atsil
e:You'
rejustjealoust hatever
yonehasal if
e.Apul a
accommodat edy ou, theleastyoucandoi ssuppor therev enif
youdon'tagreewi t
hher .Iper
sonall
ywoul dn'tdateany one
youngerthanme.Ev eni fyou'
re2year syoungert hanme, may be
that'
swhyI '
m stil
lsi
ngl ebecausetheseboy snowaday sar enot
givi
ngusachance.Theywantusal otbuti wouldn'ttellApulanot
toifshewant s.Iwil
l alwayssupportherdr eamsbecauseshehas
alwaysbeent hereforme.Sher eal
lywant stohav eaf amilyand
I
'mjusthappyasiam...I
'm happythati
canprovideformy sel
f
andJuli
an.I
tsabigachievementforme.Ifiwantsexi hustl
efor
aroundthenI'
m doneandgobackt omynormal l
if
e.Thisboy
gaveherachil
dandthat'senoughformet osupportherful
ly.

Otl
he: Eveni
fyoucanseesheisembar r
assinghersel
f?Herfamil
y
i
sgoi ngtoatt
ackApula.Iwi
ll
supportanymanol denoughforher
evenifheispoororri
chirugl
yorwhatever.Aslongaspeople
won'tlaughather
.Deepdowny ouknowt hatboyisn'
tgood.

Atsi
l
e:Shel
oveshi
m.Ihav
etogetbackt
omyv
isi
tor
.Iwasdoi
ng
somethi
ngwit
hhim.

Ot
lhe:
Ok.
.

At
sil
e:Ok,
bye.

Ot
lhe:
Itsani
cehouse.Ar
eyour
ent
ing?

Atsi
le:
No,iboughtanempt
ypl
otbocheapanddev
elopedi
t.I
havetogo.
.

Shewal kedbacki nsi

de,Otl
helookedatt
hewholehouseandher
car,andJuli
an'sbicycl
ethere.
..Shedi
dn'
tunder
standwhytheyal
l
couldn'
tjustcontri
buteandbuyheraplotandbuil
dforhersi
nce
theywer esorich.Shewalkedoutandcaughtataxi
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.
Otl
hewalkedi
nthephar
macysect
ionandl
eanedov
ert
he
count
er.
.

Ot
lhe:
Hel
l
o,mayi
seeDer
ri
ck?

Tempor
aryphar
maci
st:
Ok.
.

Shewav
edDer
ri
ck,
her
ecogni
sedOt
lheandsmi
l
edsur
pri
sed.

Der
ri
ck:
I'
m comi
ng.
..

Theysteppedoutandst
oodbyt
her
ecept
ion,
Der
ri
cksmi
l
edand
huggedher..
..

Der
ri
ck:
Youl
ookmuchbet
tert
hant
hatv
ideo.Howar
eyoudoi
ng?

Ot
lhe:
I'
m good.
..Icamet
oapol
ogi
sef
orwhatIsai
d..
.

Der
ri
ck:
What
?

Ot
lhe:
Abouty
ourexwi
fe.
.Theni
ghtwear
guedaboutOsha.

Derr
ick:
Uhi
tsOK,
idoubty
ou'
ret
hesameper
sony
ouwer
eyear
s
ago.

Ot
lhe:
Ihear
dMar
uisst
il
langr
y

Der
ri
ck:
Yeahshei
sst
il
langr
yabouti
tbutI
'
llt
ell
hery
ou
apol
ogi
sed.

Ot
lhe:
Ok,doyout
hinkyoucant
alkt
oheraboutdonat
ingme
moneytobuyapl
otwit
hahouse?

Der
ri
ck:
Whydon'
tyouwor
kanddoi
tyour
sel
f?Pl
oty
atur
a.

Ot
lhe:
Theydi
dforAt
sil
e,whynotdoi
tforme?Ideser
vei
ttoo.

Derr
ick:
Atsi
ledidn'
tgetanyt
hing,
hersi
ster
swer
esot
oughonher
shedidever
ythi
ngherself
.

Ot
lhe:
I'
m ol
dwher
ewi
l
ligetaj
ob?

Derr
ick:(
laughed)At si
leisy ourbigsist
erandshewor ks,you'
re
noteven50...
even60y earoldsar einoff
ices.I'
m olderthanyou
wit
hay earandi don'tconsidermy sel
fold.Youjustneedt obath
anddressproperly
, notdoingany thingmakesy ougr owol d
becausewakingupanddoi ngthingsaroundf orcesyout obath
andpayat t
enti
ont oy ourface.

Ot
lhe:
Ok.

Der
ri
ck:
Ihav
etogo,
iwaswor
king.

Ot
lhe:
Bye

Shet
urnedar
oundandwal
kedoutasherphoner
ang.
..
.

Ot
lhe:
Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Hi
..Cany
oucomet
omyof
fi
ce?
Otl
he:Idon'
tknowwhereiti
s.Thef
il
li
ngst
ati
on,
barory
ourj
ob?I
heary
ouhav e3off
ices.

Apul
a:Atmyj
ob.Cal
lwheny
ou'
rei
nOl
dmal
l
.

Ot
lhe:
OK.

Shehungupandcount
edhercoi
ns.Theywer
eal
mostf
ini
shed.

AtApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Lat
erthataft
ernoonAtsil
est
eppedoutofhercari
nherov
eral
l
s
andworkbootswhileMarust
eppedoutinherl
etei
seandt
hey
walkedtowar
dst hebui
ldi
ng.
.

At
sil
e:Whyi
sshecal
l
ingus?

Maru:Idon'
tknow,
(smi
l
ed)byt
hewayOt
lheapol
ogi
sedt
o
Der
rick

At
sil
e:(
laughed)Der
ri
ckwasov
eri
t

Maru:
Iwasn'
tov
eri
t,hedeser
vedanapol
ogyandI
'
m gl
adhegot
i
t.

Atsi
l
e:(l
aughed)Atl
easty
oufeel
bet
ter
..So,
tel
lmehonest
ly.
..Do
youthi
nkit
'sagoodideaf
orhert
obewithTumo?

Mar
u:Ij
ustwanthert
omov
eonev
eni
fit
swi
thabl
i
ndmanor
cri
pple.Ijustwanthertobehappy .Ther
ewasapoi ntwhenshe
mademi stakesbutthelast10yearsshehasbeenagood
gir
lf
ri
endt oal l
thosemenandt heyhurtherbadl
y.Ijustwanther
tobehappyi fi
t'
switha19y earoldsobeit.Atl
eastsheisn'
t
deali
ngwi thpoorerecti
ons..
.

Atsi
l
e:Ok,
ifeel
li
ket
hepr
essur
eisgoi
ngt
obet
oomuchf
ort
he
baby.

Maru:Maybebuthonestl
yiknowal otof40y
earoldswhogave
bi
rthtoheal
thybabi
es,Apul
ahasmoneyshecani nvesti
nthe
bestpl
acestogiveherhi
ghclasscare.

At
sil
e:Youcan'
tcont
rol
str
ess

Maru: Shecandeci detocutoffevery

thi
ngt hatdoesn'
tgi
v eher
peace.Ifanyonehasapr oblem withherpregnancyshecutsthem
offandt hat
'speace.Whyhav epeoplearoundy ouwhost ealy
our
peace?Kgant el
ey oucommi tsuici
debecauseoft heconstant
yappinginyourear s.

Theysmi
ledattherecepti
onistandheadedtoherof
fi
cewhere
Atsi
l
eknockedandwal kedinwhileOtl
hesatonthecouchi
nher
l
ongshabbydressandpumps.

Otl
helookedatAtsil
elookingyoungeri
nheroveral
l
s,shesat
downholdinghercarkeys.Marualsosatdownandputherfoot
overt
heotherwearingthepeep-toewedgehol
dinghercarkey
s
aswell
.Theircol
ognesengul f
edherasshepressedherarmpi
ts
t
ight
lyl
ooki
ngatherdust
ypumpshoes.

Apulatookadeepbreat
hsitt
ingbehindherdeskthenshest
ood
upandwal kedt
othedoorinhershortfor
mal ski
rtandashi
rtwi
th
ablazerandankl
ehighheelgladi
ator
.

Shelookedout
sidet
henshecl
osedt
hedoorandsi
ghedf
oldi
ng
herarms..
.

Mar
u:Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
..

Shel
ookeddownather
sel
fandsmi
l
edt
aki
ngof
fherwat
ch.
.

Apula:Thankyou.
..Ical
l
edyoual
lbecauseineedy
ourhel
pand
understandi
ng.I
'
vedecidedt
hatI
'
m aborti
ngthi
sbaby
..
.

At
sil
eopenedhermout
htospeakbutApul
aputoutherhandt
o
st
opher.
.

Apula:
Ifmyoneandonlychi
ldisf r
om a19y
earol
dwhoi s
Tsel
anaandMonga'scousi
nt henI'
mv er
ymuchhappywithouta
chi
ldatal
l.I
'
verai
sed3chil
dren,theyl
ovemeandrespectme...
I'
vebeenpr omot edcount l
esst i
mesandmybusi nessesaredoi ng
wel l
.Iwi l
lnotletonet hi
nggoi ngwr ongi nmyl i
femakemef orget
howbl essedi am.I'
vedumpedTumoandI 'm abortingthi
sbabyi n
apr ivatecli
nic.Thedoct orexpl ai
nedt omet hathewi llj
ustbe
cleaningmywombbecauset hefetusi sbarelyany thi
ngbeyonda
clot.I'
vebeensl eepingwi thTumonotbecausei seea
relati
onshipbutf orsex...Iletitgrowi ntoar el
ationshipbecausei
thoughti couldhandl eitbutnowi knowt hati r
eallywanta
relati
onshipthatwi l
lgivemepeacenott his.Iwassupposedt obe
excitedwheni gotthenewsbutI 'm not.Ihav ether i
ghttomake
decisionsaboutmybodyandt hisisoneoft hem.

Maru:Thewayi don'
twantany t
hingt
odowi t
hMongaorl anaor
anyofyourex'
swhat soeverI
'
mt emptedt
ounder st
andbutIdon'
t
thi
nkit
sagoodi dea.Thismightbeyourl
astchanceat
motherhood

Atsi
le:Mar
uisri
ght,
iwishi
coul
dagr
eewi
thy
oubutwhati
fyou'
l
l
neverbeamotheragai
n?

Otl
he:If
eel
likeyoudeserv
etobeamot
her
,it
sti
mef
ory
out
obe
happy
.Putyoursel
ffi
rst

Apul
a:Thi
sismeput
ti
ngmy
sel
fbef
oreany
one.I
'
m doi
ngwhat
gi
vesmepeace.

Mar
u: Pl
easet
ryt
ousey
ourhead,
thi
sisy
ourl
astchance.Don'
t
dot
his..
.

Atsi
le:
Sheisri
ght.Thi
sisyouronl
ychanceatmot
herhood.You
candumpTumobuty ouwait
edforsolongt
oexperi
encethejoy
ofcarr
yingachi
ld.Don'
tl
etyouremoti
onscont
rol
you,useyour
head.Wabonai
t'
syourl
astchance.

Apula:Unf ort
unat ely,myheadcannotcont r
olmyhear t,I
'm sorr
y.I
can'tkeepi t
.Ifmyhappi nessisdependentonanunpl anned
pregnancywi that eenageboyt henidon'
twantit.I
'v
et hought
aboutitf orhoursandI t
'sfi
nal.Idon'
twantthechil
drenknowi ng
becausei don'twantt hem thi
nkingabort
ionisOK.Idon'twantt o
i
nfluencet heirfuturedecisi
onsbutI '
vemademi ne.Thedoct or
hasagr eedt owr it
ei tdownasami scar
ri
ageaftercl
eaningmeup.
Ij
ustneedy ouoneofy outoaccompanymesoi cangetcleaned
up.I'
mv eryscar ed.

At
sil
e:I
'
llgo

Mar
u:Met
oo

Ot
lhe:
Met
hree

Theyal
lchuckl
edandst
oodupt
henshel
ockedt
heof
fi
ceandl
ed
theway
.

Att
hecl
i
nic.
..

Thesi
ster
swai
tedi
nther
ecept
ionqui
etl
y.
..

Mar
u:Ar
eyousur
e?

Apul
a:Ver
y,I
'
vehadenoughdr
ama.I
fyoual
lgoandt
ell
peopl
ei
hadanabor
ti
oni
t'
syourchoi
ce.

At
sil
e:I
twi
l
lbeoursecr
et.

Ot
lhe:
You'
vej
usthadami
scar
ri
age.
.

Thedoctorcal
l
edherin,
thesi
ster
ssmi
l
edatherandhel
dhands
asagroupbeforeshest
oodupandwal
kedi
n..
.

Doct
or:
Takeof
fyourcl
othes

Shetookoffhercl
othesandl
aidont
hebed,
thedoct
orpi
ckedan
i
nject
ion.
.

Doctor:Thisisforpai
n,soyoudon'
tfeel
anypainwhileicl
eanyou
up.Iwantt omakesur ether
earen'
tanyl
eft
overti
ssuesthatcan
causeani nfect
ion.Pl
usacleanwombmeansanot herchanceof
pregnancywheny ou'
rer
eady.

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.
.

Heinject
edherandpul
l
edov
ert
het
rayofhi
sequi
pmentt
henhe
st
arted..
.

Att
hef
il
li
ngst
ati
on.
..
Meanwhi
leTumoputabi
gJerr
ycanbythefuel
pumpandf i
ll
edi
t
wi
thfuel
thenhecl
osedi
tandcar
ri
edi
ttothecarqui
etl
y.
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#140

Att
hef
il
li
ngst
ati
on.
..

Ni
niwal
kedt
owar
dst
hecarj
ustasTumowasaboutt
orev
erse.
..

Ni
ni:
Hi,
wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngt
hepet
rol
?

Tumo:
Iboughti
t.

Ni
ni:
Oh,
OK.
..Whati
sitf
or?

Tumo:
Myf
atheri
sgoi
ngt
othef
arm,
itsf
ort
hegener
ator
.

Ni
ni:
Ok,
arey
ouOK?Youseem.
..

Tumo:
I'
mfi
ne,
ist
her
eany
thi
ngel
se?I
'
m busyker
omi
l
we.

Ni
ni:
It'
scompanyt
imebutOK.

Shesteppedbackandwat
chedhi
m dr
iveawayt
henherphone
rang.
.

Ni
ni:
Hel
l
o?

Mar
u:Hi
,yourauntj
usthadami
scar
ri
age.Shej
ustnot
icedher
peri
odandthedoctorconf
ir
medi twasamiscar
ri
age.
..
Shei
sin
thehospi
tal
buttheywil
lbedischar
gingher
.

Ni
ni:
No!

Mar
u:Yeah,
ijustwant
edt
olety
ouknowi
ncasey
oul
ookf
orher
.

Nini
:Thi
sexpl
ainswhyTumoissodown,hewasjusther
ebuy i
ng
petr
olwi
thajer
rycanwait
sehewasn'
thi
mselfandieventhought
somethi
ngwaswr ong.
.

Mar
u:Hedi
dwhat
?

Ni
ni:
Heboughtpet
rol
kaj
err
ycan.Hesai
ditwasf
orhi
sfat
her

Mar
u:Ohok.Letmehel
pyouraunther
e.

Ni
ni:
Bye

Shehungupandwal
kedi
ntheshop.
..
.

Att
hecl
i
nic.
..

Apul
awal
kedout,hersi
ster
sstooduplooki
ngatherexpect
ing
hert
ost
aggerbutshejustwal
kedoveri
nherheel
s..
.

Mar
u:Ar
eyouOK?

Apul
a:Yeah,
I'
m numbdownt
her
e
At
sil
e:Di
dyouseei
t?Ther
emai
ns.
.

Apul
a:No

Mar
u:Buti
fyouwer
ehav
ingmor
ningsi
cknessy
oushoul
dbeabl
e
t
oseeli
kea-

Apul
a:Idi
dn'
twanttoseeanythi
ng.Idon'
twanttotr
aumati
se
mysel
f.St
opmakingitseem l
i
kei ki
l
ledaperson,
itwasbar
elya
per
son.

Ot
lhe:
Let
'sgoaber
ebonwer
eemegoneha.
.

Theywal
kedoutoft
hebui
l
ding.
..
..

Maru:Appar
ent
lyTumoboughtpet
rol
wit
haj
err
ycan.Let
's
i
nvolv
ethepoli
ce.

Apul
a:I
'
llcal
lhi
m.

Ot
lhe:
Yout
akeev
ery
thi
ngf
orgr
ant
ed

Apula:
Tumobuysfuelf
orhisf
ather
'sgener
ator.Ial
readybroke
hi
sheart,
thel
astt
hingIwantt
odoi sembarrasshim wit
hthe
pol
ice.

Mar
u:Wi
l
lyoubeabl
etodr
ive?

Apul
a:Yes.

Theyal
lgoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..
.
AtSedi
'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronSedidi
shedforherhusbandwi
tht
hephonet
rapped
bet
weenhershoul
derandear..

Mar
u:Hel
l
o?

Sedi
:Hei
sis,
howar
eyou?

Mar
u:I
'
m good.
.Howar
eyou?

Sedi:I
'
mf i
ne,j
ustf
oundoutmycousi
nisdat
ingApul
aandt
hey
'r
e
expecti
ng,
I'
m sosurpr
ised.
.

Maru:It
oldyoul
astti
megor ethesekindsofconversati
onsdon't
makeApulacomfort
able.Idon'
tfeel
comf ort
abl
e...Isaythi
ngs
i
nnocentl
yandyouoverhearmyconv ersati
onstheny outel
lyour
si
ster
.

Sedi
:That
'snott
hecase

Maru:Iti
sSedi.
..Howdoy ouknowaboutTumo?Het al
kedto
Lana,andnowy ou'
reconf
irmi
ngandget t
ingmoredetai
lsfr
om
me.Youpeopleneedt ost
oppatronisi
ngmysister
..
.Wegetit
you'
rehappy.
..
.WhywasLanat ell
ingyouabouther?

Sedi
:Apulal
ikedherpict
ureofMongaandshewasjustworr
ied
aboutherst
alki
ngher.It
oldyouLanadoesn'
that
eApula.
.

Mar
u:Apul
aisnotst
alki
ngher
,shedoesn'
thav
etowor
ryabout
that
.Apulahasmov edonandwenaSedi.
..I
'
m nothappyatall
.It
's
theconfi
denceofpicki
ngupaphoneandaskingaboutmysister
expecti
ngmegot harol
ogakadi
kgang,
justbecauseIsai
dshe
i
sn'tcomfort
abl
edoesn'tmeannowyouandmecant al
kabout
her

Sedi
:Wehav
enev
ergossi
pedaboutherbef
ore

Mar u:Wedid.I
tdoesn' tmat t
erifIsai
ditinnocent
lyyouwent
aheadandt ol
dy oursister.Idi
dn'tunder
standwhatApulameant
butnowi understandbecausekehoosomet hingcamefrom Lana,
toyouandnowy ou'reaskingme.Don' teveraskmeany t
hingthat
hast odowithApul a.
..Gankakekasebannakel ewenagorelemo
tshegekoolehamonat e.

Sedi
:Ididn'
tknowthi
swassuchabi
gdeal
..Sor
rymma.Nnat
ota
isawstatussaTumo.

Mar
u:Bot
sant
sal
aoee,
lebat
agont
othany
aleApul
alona.

Sedi
:Ok,
bye

Mar
u:By
e

Shegr
abbedt
hepl
ateandwal
kedout
..
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
ert
hatev
eni
ngNi
niwal
kedi
nthebedr
oom wi
that
rayoff
ood
whil
eApulal
aidont
hebedl
aughi
ngoutl
oudwat
chi
ngaser
iesof
Fr
iends.
.

Ni
ni:
(sadl
y)Yourf
oodi
sher
e..

Apulat
urnedandl
ookedatherst
il
lsmil
ingfrom whatshewas
watchi
ng,Oshaal
sowalkedi
nwithalongfaceandshef r
owned.
.

Apul
a:What
'swr
ong?
.

Osha:
I'
mjustdi
sappoi
nted,
iknowy
ouwant
edt
his.

Ni
ni:
Nnai
bil
eican'
teat
..

Apul
a:Oh,themiscarr
iaget
hing.
..
li
fehast
omov
eon.St
opwi
th
thel
ongfacesyou'l
lmakemecr y.
.

Osha:
Howi
sTumot
aki
ngi
t?

Apula:Ihaven'
ttoldhimy et.Hisphonei snotavail
able.Ithi
nkhe
wenttot hefar
m wi t
hhisf ather.Ibrokeupwithhimthismor ni
ng
too.
..Ij
ustdon'tthi
nkI'
llhandl ethejudgementfrom anyoneandif
I'
m evergoingtohav easer i
ousr elati
onshi
pitwil
lbewi than
adult
.

Nini:Phew!OK,t
hosearegoodnews...Iwasjustrespecti
ngyour
choicebutheit
hatboywasmyj uni
orandi tf
eltawkwar dknowi
ng
thathewaskindofgoingtobemyst epfat
her.

Osha:
(laughed)Butbesi
dest
heagehewasgood.
.Especi
all
ywi
th
t
hef
il
li
ngst
ati
on.

Apul
a:True..
.Ift
hingsdon'
tendbadl
yIwil
ll
ethi
m manage.Guy
s
pl
easeleave,Iwanttowatchmyseri
es.
.

Osha:
Boy
boyi
scomi
ngonFr
idaywhent
heschool
closes

Ni
ni:Iwonderhowhewi
l
lreactseei
nghi
sbi
ologi
cal
mot
her
..
Goodnightmama

Bot
h:Goodni
ght
..

Theysteppedoutandclosedthedoort
henshebeguneat
ingas
shecrackedlaughi
ngoutloud.

Shepickedherphoneandt
ookapict
ureofhercosybedwi
tha
l
aptopandfoodthensheupdat
edherstat
us"Fi
rstt
ohappi
nessi
s
sel
f-
love"

Shegl
ancedatt
hescr
eenandlaughedwat
chi
ngt
hecomedyt
hen
sher
ecei
vedamessagerepl
y.

Ron:Thanksfordi
tchi
ngmet heotherday.Iat
ethef
oodby
myselfandtol
dGodt hati
fitwasatestI'
dpass.

Apul
a:I
'
mver
ysor
ry.Somet
hingcameup.

Ron:
It'
sok,
iunder
stand.Nopr
essur
e.Whencanwet
ryagai
n?
Apul
a:I'
l
llety
ouknowi
n2day
sti
me,
I'
m st
il
lbusy
,meet
ingaf
ter
meeti
ng.

Ron:Alr
ight
,butdon'
tover
worky
our
self.
.Apula:
Iwon't
.Wellt
he
tr
uthismyhor monesar
egivi
ngmeissuesri
ghtnow.
..Didi
menti
oni havepcos?

Ron:
Youdi
dn'
t,
mysi
sterhasi
t.

Apul
a:Yeah.It
hinki
twoul
dbehar
dtof
all
pregnant
.

Ron: Notreall
y,i
twashar dformysi st
erbutassoonasshe
engagedt herightdoctorshemanagedt ohav e3kids.PCOSos
actuall
yeasyt omanage, youjustneedtobal anceyourwei ght
andbl oodsugarlevels,i
fthatdoesn'
twor kyouusef erti
l
itypil
l
s,
wit
hinmont hsyoushouldbepr egnantifthatisn'
tfastenoughf or
youy oucanuseI VF.

Apul
a:Int
erest
ing.Thedoctornev
ergavemesuchopti
ons,
we
onl
ytr
iedbalancingmywei ght
,bl
oodsugarl
evel
sandmy
hor
mones.Wedi dn'tt
ryotheropt
ions.

Ron:
That
'swhyi
t'
sal
way
simpor
tantt
ogetsecondopi
nion.

Apul
a:Ihav
ehopet
hatI
'
llonedaybeamommy

Ron:You'
l
l beamom, don'
twor
ry.Cani
booky
ouanappoi
ntment
wit
hmysi ster
sdoct
or?

Apul
a:Pl
ease.

Ron:
Alri
ght
.I'
l
ltal
ktomysi
sterj
ustnowandseei
ficanbooky
ou
i
nfortomor
row

Apul
a:Thanks.Goodni
ght
Ron:
Goodni
ght
.

Shesmil
edblushi
ngandtypedamessageforhersi
sterbuton
secondt
houghtshedel
etedit
.Nobodywasgoingtoknowabout
thi
s..
.

Sheputherphonedownandsi
ghedeat
ingasshewat
ched
l
aughi
ng.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#141

AtTumo'
sHouse.
..

Tumo'sfat
hersatbesi
deshi
sbedwhilehel
aidont
hebed
tear
ful
l
ylooki
ngatApula'
smessage.

Tumo:(sni
ff
ed)I
t'
sjustwaytoocoi
nci
dent
alf
orhert
ohav
ea
miscar
ri
ageri
ghtaf
tershedumpsme.

Him:May beshecouldn'
thandl
et hecr
iti
cism,iunderst
andifshe
hadachangeofhear t.Amancani mpregnateagi r
l20years
youngerbutawomanwoul dbethetal
koft own.Wemi ghtwant
womenandment obeequal butthetr
uthi sourcommunityis
brut
alonwomen. .Theyweregoingtodrivehertosuici
de.

Tumo:Isuggest
edt
hatwebuyafar
m andst
ayt
her
eunt
ilt
he
babyi
sborn.Iwasr
eadyt
oprot
ecther
.

Him: Iknowy ou'r

ehurtandi tscaresmet hatyouweren'tplanni
ng
ont el
li
ngme.Don' tdowhaty ou'
rethi
nkingaboutdoing...You
havesomuchaheadofy ou.Youcan' tki
llforonewomanwhen
thereareplentyofwomen, eventhechil
dshewi llhavewi l
lone
daybeatt heagewher ey oucanmar r
yherbecausey ou'rethat
young.Irespectthatyoulikeolderwomenbutmay bethereisa
reasonApul aisn'
tmarri
edatherage.Shedoesn' tknowwhatshe
wants.Youshoul dknowwhaty ouwantinli
fe.
..Getupandgot o
work..
.Shegav ey ouajobasamanagersogoandmakemoney .
Shewon' tbepay i
ngthishouseanymore,whatevermoneyshehas
beengi v
ingy ouisgone..
.Begladthaty
ougotacarandahouse
ful
loffurnitur
e.Thereisnotasingl
e19y earol
dwi thsuch.And
thatnonsensey ousaidaboutnotwantingthemoneysheof fer
ed
wasst upid.Gogetthatmoney..

Tumo:No,I
'dr
athergot
owor
kandmakemyownmoney
.Itwas
nev
eraboutmoney.

Him:Thengo.I'
m sur
eyou'
l
lfi
ndagi
rlol
denoughandmat
ure
enough.
..Getup.
..

Hesl
owl
ygotof
fthebedandwal
kedi
nthebat
hroom.
..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Oshat
urnedonherbedl
ooki
ngNi
niasshegotdr
essed.
..

Osha:
Ithi
nkmamaabor
ted,
shei
snothur
tatal
l
.

Nini
:It
houghtabouti
tbutt
heni
fel
tgui
l
tyf
orev
ent
hinki
ngabout
i
t.Youmightberi
ght.
.

Osha:It
hinkshedid.I
'
m ki
ndofgl
adshedi
d.Peopl
ewer
egoi
ng
t
ogr i
l
lherandcall
herarapi
st.
Nini
:MetoobutIl
ikedTumo,hewashelpi
ngherandIt
hinkheis
agoodman.Rememberherexsandhowt heymadehercryfor
notbei
ngablet
ohav eki
ds,
cheat
ingonherandtheot
hergetti
ng
marri
edwhil
edati
ngher.Hewasthebest

Osha:
Truebuti
twaski
ndofawkwar
d..

Ther
ewasaknockont
hedoort
henApul
ast
uckherheadi
n..

Apul
a:Hi
,mor
ning.
..I
'
m goi
ngt
owor
k.

Ni
ni:
Ok,
I'
m goi
ngt
oo

Apul
a:Pl
easepicky
ourbr
otherf
rom school
,remembert
hey
'r
e
cl
osi
ngtoday.
.

Ni
ni:
Eemma

Apul
a:Oshawhat
'sy
ourpl
anf
ort
heday
?

Osha:
Iwantt
orestandwat
chmov
ies

Apul
a:War
erestonaweekday
?Whosedaught
erar
eyou?

Osha:(smil
ed)Di
disayrest
?ImeantI'
l
lgotothebarandchecki
f
ever
ythingi
sOKthenheadtothef
il
li
ngstat
ion.

Apul
a:Ohokbaby

Shesmi
l
edandwal
kedoutasNi
nil
aughed.
..
Ni
ni:
Gety
ourl
azybut
toutofbed.
..

Oshagotupandt
ookabat
h..
..

Att
hef
il
li
ngst
ati
on.
..

Laterthatmor
ningTumosati
ntheof
ficegoingt
hroughsome
papers.Thebr
eakupcamebacktohi
m againandheleanedov
er
thetable.
..

Ni
niwal
kedi
nthenhel
eanedbackandr
ubbedhi
sey
es.
.

Ni
ni:
Arey
ouOK?

Tumo:
Yeah.
..

Ni
ni:
Youdon'
tl
ookOK,
youcant
akeadayof
fandcomeback
t
omorrow.

Tumo:
Ihav
etowor
k..

Ni
ni:
Ok,
.

Tumo: Yourauntbrokemyheart,
inevert
houghtiwoul
dcr
y
becauseithoughtdati
nganolderper
sonissafe.
Ni
ni:
Sor
ry.
..

Tumo:
Doesshehav
eaboy
fri
end?

Ni
ni:
Ican'
ttal
kabouther
..
.

Tumo:
Iunder
stand.
..Sor
ry

Ni
ni:
It'
sok.
..You'
l
lbeOK.Somet
imesi
t'
sfort
hebest
.

Tumo:
Iguessso.
..

Hesighedandl
eanedbackl
ooki
ngather
,shel
ookeddownand
t
urnedbackout
side.
..

AtApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Lat
ert
hataft
ernoonApul
a'
sphoner
angasshel
ockedupand
wal
kedoutsi
de..

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Ron:
Hi,
didy
ouf
orget
?

Apula:
I'
m onmyway .Thanksalotforbookingi
tformet
houghI
don'
treal
lyhaveapart
nerbutitwouldbenicetoknowmyopti
ons
forwhenI'
mr eadyf
orchi
ldren.

Ron:
I'
m wai
ti
ngf
ory
oui
nther
ecept
ion.
Apul
a:Ohsoy
ou'
recomi
ngwi
thme?

Ron:
Justt
houghty
oumi
ghtneedsuppor
tbuti
cangoi
fyou'
re
OK.

Apul
a:No,
wai
tforme.Thanksal
ot.

Ron:
Sur
e..

Shegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

Att
hecl
i
nic.
..
.

ApulawalkedinwhileRonsatonthecouchreadi
nganewspaper
,
heturnedaroundlooki
ngatherandsmi l
edasshetookdownher
handbagandgav ehim ahandshake.
..

Ron:
Hey

Apul
a:Hi
..
.

Hehuggedhergent
lyandsmi
ledl
ooki
ngi
nherey
esbef
ore
pushi
nghi
shairtot
heback.

Theywalkedi
nthedoct
orsof
fi
ceandt
ookaseatashel
eaned
back.
..
Ron:
Thanky
ouf
orseei
ngusonsuchshor
tnot
ice.

Doct
or:You'
rewel
come.
..Howl
onghav
eyoubeent
ryi
ngt
ohav
e
ababy?

Apul
a:Forabout11y
ears.Befor
ethati
didn'
tknowi
can'
thav
e
ki
dsbecauseiwasn'
ttr
yingto.

Doctor:
Ok..I
'
llhav
etor
unafewt
estsbefor
eicanputy
ouon
fer
ti
li
typil
l
s.(t
oRon)Havey
oubeenchecked?

Ron:
OhI
'
m good.

Doct
or:Ok,buti
nst
eadoffer
til
i
typil
lswecanj ustgostr
aightf
or
I
VFifyoucanaffor
dit,
befor
ei goonexplai
ningeveryopti
onhow
manychil
drenareyoupl
anni
ngt ohave?

Apul
a:(
laughed)Ohy
out
hinkwear
ea-

Ron:
(laughed)Wear
enotacoupl
e,buti
woul
dn'
tmi
nd2wi
thher
.

Apul
a:2sper
m donat
ionssoundsgood

Ron:Heel
awena,I
'm notasperm dona,
I'
m apr
esentf
ather
.Ify
ou
hat
emet hatmuchwecanco- par
ent.

Apul
a:(
smi
l
edbl
ushi
ng)Idon'
that
eyou,
act
ual
l
yit
'st
heopposi
te.

Doct
or:
I'
m conf
used,
aren'
tyouacoupl
e?

Theyl
ookedateachot
herandl
ookedathi
m..
Ron:
Wear
eacoupl
e..

Apul
a:Wear
e..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#142

I
nLana'
sapar
tment
..

Mongastoodbythetoil
etseatandl
ift
edthel
egofhisshort
sas
hi
sdickhungontheside,hesuppor
teditwi
ththeot
herfi
ngerand
peedtal
ki
ngtothephone...

Monga:
(laughed)Way
akaMr
..
.Wenamonna!

Thong:
(laughed)I
'
m ser
ious,
iov
erhear
dKhumoandSedi
tal
ki
ng.

Monga:IknowTumobutt
hatboyi
stooyoung,
idoubtwaj
ola.He
i
swellbehaved,
may
beitwasanot
herTumo.

Thong:
Hei
sfucki
ngher

Monga:(
laughed)Omaakakwa,
youal
way
scomeupwi
thf
unny
st
ori
es.

Thong:
I'
m notl
yi
ng,
askLana.

Monga: Idon'tdi
scussex'sakereoneti
meLanawaswat chi
ng
oneoft ut
orial
stsaLucyandi wassur
prisedt
oseeher,kehakere
"heiLucyomont ejang"andi sai
dthati
nt hemosthar
mlessway
possibl
e..
.Iwasn'tdrool
ingoranythi
ng,shewasjustmore
beautif
ulthanI'
dseenherbef orebutwif
eywasmad, shedidn'
t
tal
kt omet hewholeday.Kabakel agobuabuakadiex.Women
haveawayofl i
nki
ngthi
ngsthatdon'
t,nnat otaI'
m alwaysguil
ty
ofgiv
ingoutwrongsi
gnalssomysaf etytri
ckisnott osay
anyt
hingbecausei
fyousaysomet hi
ngt heyinter
pretother
wise.

Thong:
AgoLanamustknowt
hatwear enormal
wechatt
oo,
ke
ray
agoremrApul
aojewakenfanany
anay ol
e

Monga:(l
aughed)Apulaisdat
ingsomedude,i don'tknowhis
namebutwemetatt hemall
.Theyweredini
ngt ogetherwhenI
waswiththeboys.Helooksli
kehe'sgotmoneyt oo..
.Hewas
wear
ingaRolexwat ch.Shewouldn'
tsl
eepwiththatboy

Thong:
Kant
ewhyomogany
elet
sa?

Monga:(l
aughed)Causeisawherboyfr
iendinGabor
one,maybe
shewascheati
ngont heri
chdudewiththeli
tt
leoneeebutnott
o
havehi
schil
d.Apulaiscl
evert
hanthat.

Thong:
Shei
spr
egnant

Monga:Thenit
'sfort
heri
chdude,i knowtasteyaApul
a..
.Kebo
Loago,i
meant heguywasalit
tl
epat heti
cbuthewasloaded.
That'
shert
ype,shegoesforwhit
e-coll
arguys.

Thong:
Gat
wehet
oldLanat
oo

Monga:Iguessyoumightber
ight
..
.(l
aughed)Letherenj
oyher
snack,
bonagoreLanakesnacksame.Theonlygirly
oodiri
l
eng
gorekeit
hotel
emogo2seconds..

Thong:(
laughed)ButI
'
m di
sappoint
edt
hatshedr
oppedt
hebar
thatl
owkananeochi t
elwagothokaof
isi
.

Monga:
Dist
andar
dschangebecausey
ou'
renott
hesameper
son
youwer eay earago,may beshef i
nall
yreali
sedlovehasno
for
mul a.Iusedtogof orofficegi
rlstoo.
..Evendatedabovemy
ager angebecauseilovedt hatchall
enge,iwantedsomeoneto
chall
engemypocket sandwhatbet t
erwayt hantoshowawoman
whot hinkssheisri
cht hatsheain'ti
bil
ey oucandoany t
hingf
or
her.Ilovedthethr
il
lofgobecha.

Thong:Kebori
sit
swegobechakeAt si
l
e,gav
eherev
ery
thi
ngand
shesleptwi
thabrokeguynextdoor
,mxm!

Thong:
(laughed)Sor
ryboy
..
.

Mongaf
lushedt
hetoi
letandl
ookedathi
msel
font
hemi
rr
or
r
unni
ngdownhishandonhishai
rcut
..

Monga:
Peopl
eher
eknowhowt
ocuthai
rthemonna,
Ilookf
ine.
.

Thong:
Sendmeapi
ctur
ekebone

Monga:
Myhai
rissmoot
handshi
ny.

Lanar
ushedi
nwi
thherphone.
..

Lana:
Babel
ook.
..Let
'spl
ayt
hispr
ankobt
heboy
s

Monga:
(tohi
m)Bonamrshapo.
Thong:
Sur
e..

Hehungupandwat chedthev i
deosmi l
i
ngandl aughed, j
usta
prankpar
entsdidont hei
rchil
drentoseewhot hechi l
drenwould
runaft
eri
ftheypanicked.theywatchedseveralparentsand
l
aughedbeforewalkingintheli
vingroom wheretheboy swere
watchi
ngTV...

Monga:
2Mi
nut
escomeher
e

Mj
tur
nedar
oundl
ooki
ngathi
m..

Mj
:Why
?

Br
yce:
Kant
ewhydoy
oucal
lhi
m 2mi
nut
es?

Lanaf
oldedherar
mssmi
l
ingwai
ti
ngf
ort
heexpl
anat
ion.
..

Monga:
(laughed)Becausehewasbor
nwi
thi
n2mi
nut
esofus
ar
ri
vi
ngatt hehospi
tal
.

Mj:
Ithoughtyousai
dyoucal
l
edmet hatbecausei
wasaf
ast
l
earneranddi
devery
thi
ngwit
hing2minutes.

Monga:
Ever
ythi
ngabouty
oui
s2mi
nut
esmyboy
..
.Ital
lst
art
ed
wi
th2mi
nut
es.Comeonguy
s,l
et'
sgoout
side.
..

Thewholefamil
ywalkedoutasLanacar
ri
edherri
ngl
ightand
pl
acedthestandinf
rontoft
hehousewhil
etheyal
lst
oodont he
st
reet
..

Monga:
Wear
etaki
ngapi
ctur
e..
.

Thewholefami l
ystoodt oget
herandpost ed,MongaandLana
gaspedandr anindiff
erentdir
ecti
ons.Mj l
ookedathismot her
andranbehindhisfather,Bry
cetookthef i
rstst
eptowardshi s
motherandchangedhi smi ndrunni
ngaf t
erhisfat
her.Mongaand
Lanastoppedlaughingast heboyslookedbehindconfused..

Mj
:What
?(l
aughed)Whyar
eyoul
aughi
ng?

Monga:
Itwasapr
ank

Lana:(
laughed)Howcany
our
unaf
tery
ourf
ather
?Hedoesn'
t
evenknowt hi
splace

Mj
:Buthecanpr
otect

Br
yce:(l
aughed)That'
swhati
thoughtt
oo,
iwasl
i
kenot
hisone
wi
llgetmekill
edletmerunaf
termydad.
Theylaughedpanti
ngandrev
iewedthevideo.Wat
chi
ngBr
yce
changehismindtheyal
lcr
ackedlaughi
ng..
.

Att
hecl
i
nic.
..

Apul
aandRonst
eppedoutoft
hebui
l
dingandheadedt
othe
par
kingl
ot.
.

Ron:
So,
whatdoy
out
hink?

Apula:
Ist
il
ldon'
tbel
iev
eitcanbet
hateasyt
ohav
eachi
l
d..I
t
tookmesolong.I
tcan'
t7days.

Ron:
(laughed)I
t'
spossi
ble.
..

Apul
a:I
'
llbel
i
evei
twheni
feel
thebabyki
cki
ngi
nsi
de.

Ron:Thenit'
sagoodt hi
ngthatyou'
reonyourper
iod,r
emember
you'
resupposedtotakethefi
rstdoseonyourfor
thdayofthe
peri
od.
..Thatshoul
dmakesur eyouovulat
ein7day saf
tert
he
l
astdose..

Apul
a:Ist
il
ldon'
tthi
nki
twi
l
lhappenbutwewi
l
lsee.
..

Ron:
Wewi
l
lseet
hen.

Apul
a:Yeah.
.

Ron:Andyou'
resti
l
lnotgoingoutwi
thmeev
ent
houghI
'
m wi
l
li
ng
tobethef
atherofyourchi
l
dren?
Apula:
(smil
ed)Youknowwhatdaddy
?It
hinkwecanuset
his7
daystogett
oknowoneanother.
..

Ron:
Ili
ket
hesoundoft
hat
..Howaboutt
hisev
eni
ng?

Apul
a:Nopr
obl
em.Seey
ou.

Theyl
eanedov
erandhuggedbef
oreget
ti
ngbackont
hei
rcar
s
anddr
ivi
ngaway.
.

Att
heai
rpor
t.
..
.

LateronAtsi
lewait
edinthecaront
hepar
kingl
otwhi
l
eJul
i
an
peekedoutthewindow..
..

Jul
i
an:
Thehel
i
copt
erl
ongl
anded,
may
behedi
dn'
tcome

At
sil
e:Let
'sbepat
ient
..

Tumangwal
kedoutoft
hebuil
dingcar
ryi
ngabackpack,
Jul
i
an
l
ookedatAt
sil
eandsmi
led.
.

Jul
i
an:
Ist
hathi
m?

At
sil
e:Yeah?
Jul
i
an:
Hei
stool
i
ght
.

At
sil
e:That
'swher
eyougoty
ourcol
or.
.

Atsi
legotoutofthecarandclosedt
hedoor,Tumangsmi
l
edand
huggedherforabout5mi nut
esnotl
ett
inggo..
.

Tumang:
(whi
sper
edi
nherear
)Thanky
ousomuch.
..Thanky
ou.
..

Thedoorcl
osedandhi
sey
esl
andedonJul
i
an,
atr
uecopyof
hi
mself
.

Tumang:
HiJul
i
an

Jul
i
an:
Hi

Heopenedhisbackpackandhandedhi
mtwopai
rsof
camouf
lagepants,l
ongandshort
s.

Jul
iangaspedashi
smouthdroppedthenhetor
ethepaperand
putthepant
soverhi
msel
finspect
ingthem.

Jul
i
an:
Wow.Thanky
ou.
.Mamabona!
!Mama?
!Bonat
hemma.
..
At
sil
e:(
laughed)Icanseemyboy

Jul
i
an:
Wheni
putt
hem onI
'
llnev
ert
aket
hem of
f

Tumangt
ookoutdogt
agsandputt
hem ar
oundhi
sneck.

Tumang:Ithoughty
oumightl
i
ket
hismi
l
itar
ychai
n..
.Ihadt
hem
wri
teyournameont het
ag.
.

Jul
i
anhuggedhi
m andhepi
ckedhi
m upasAt
sil
ewat
chedt
hem.
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#143

Att
hequadbi
ki
ngf
iel
d..

Latert
hatafter
noonAtsi
l
edrovet
owardst
hef i
eldasthel
oud
soundofbikesmadeithardt
ohearMaruoverthephone.
..

At
sil
e:Hei
mmai
can'
theary
oudi
kut
adi
athodi
a..

Mar
u:Wher
ear
eyou?

Atsil
e: I
'm br
ingi
ngtheseguy sacool
erbox.They'
reat
tending
someev entthat
'sr
aisingmoneyforachil
dwhoneedsa
wheel chai
r,i
twasor gani
sedbysomewhi techar
it
yorganisat
ion.
Youpayt otakepar
tt henyou'
regi
venthequadbiketorai
se
others.

Mar
u:EhDer
ri
ckt
alkedabouti
twai
tse!

Der
ri
ck:
(passi
ngi
nthebackgr
ound)Aboutwhat
?

Mar
u:Thequadbi
keact
ivi
ty.

Der
ri
ck:
Shi
t!I
t'
stoday
!?Haei
t'
stoday
!I'
m goi
ng.Ipai
dal
ready
.

Mar
u:(
laughed)Sor
ryf
ornotr
emi
ndi
ngy
ou.If
orgott
oo.
Der
ri
ck:
Getmyboyr
eady
!

At
sil
e:(
laughed)Ar
eyouguy
scomi
ng?

Mar
u:Iguessso,
ijustwantt
owat
ch.BoDer
ri
ckwantt
orai
se

At
sil
e:Ok,
bri
ngacool
erbox.

Mar
u:Al
ri
ghtby
e

Shehungupandpar kedunderthet r
eebetweenothercars,each
tr
eewasf ul
lofpeopl
ewatchingt herai
seandont heotherside
wasalineofhawkerssel
li
nghot dogsanddrinks.
.

Shetookouthercampchai randsatinfrontoft hecart henshe

putherlegsov erthecoolerboxsippi
ngaj ui
ceasherey es
wonderedsear chingamongl otsofbikes...
SheknewTumangand
Juli
anhadchosenagr eenquadandt here!Shespot tedTumang
emergingfrom ahol eashisbikelandedonahi pofsandand
spl
ashedi t
,Julianhadahel metonsi t
ti
ngi nfrontholdingt i
ght
ly.
Herheartskippedasshest oodupcov eri
nghermout h...Wasthis
mant r
y i
ngtoki l
lherson?Thei rbi
keledt herai
seasi troseupa
sandybumpagai n..
.Juli
anscreamedr aisinghisfist
!

At
sil
e:(
scr
eami
ng)Jul
i
anhol
dwi
th2handsmonna!
Thequadbi kefl
ewont heairasherhear tal moststopped
watchingherbabysi t
tingont hebi ke,i
tlandedont hegr oundand
theguy sal
mosttippedt otheside, t
heytur nedandwentf ort he
otherhipofsandasherar mpitssweat ,
herhear tpumpedandher
Tshirtf
eltsohotshepi nchedi twithherf ingersandreleasedi tso
aircouldgeti
nbutt hatdi dn'
twor k,shefannedher selfwiththe
handandhel dherwai stwat chingast heirbikebrokethef i
nish
l
ineribbongett
ingposi tion1f oll
owedbyanot herbike..

Announcement
:(onspeaker
)Andwehav
eourwi
nnerf
orgr
oup3!
Jul
iananddaddy!
..
.

Ever
yonecl
appedasJul
i
anandhi
sfat
hergotof
fthebi
keand
removedt
hei
rhelmet
s.

Jul
i
an:
(jumped)Wewon!

Hejumpedonhisfatherashej
erkedhim upandswunghim
ar
ound,hesli
dJuli
anonhisbackpiggybackedhi
m asoneoft
he
or
ganiser
sranoverandputsomemedal sonthei
rnecks.
.

Her:Youcantakeabreak.
..Round4isaboutt
ogetin.Whenal
l
thegroupshaverai
sedall
thewinner
swillber
aisi
ngfort
hefi
nal
pri
ze.
Tumang:
Thanky
ou.
..

Theguysr
ant
owar
dsAt
sil
eandt
hecarasev
ery
onecl
appedf
or
them.
.

Atsi
le:
Ner r
awenawhatar
eyoudoi
ng?Hecoul
dhav
esl
i
ppedout
ofthebikeandf
ell
..

Tumangbentbackwar
dsasJul
i
anhoppeddownandt
heyhi
gh
fi
ved.

Tumang:
Getadr
inkl
ait
eaka.
.

At
sil
e:Jul
i
any
oucan'
twav
eandf
istupwhen-

Jul
i
an:
(tohi
sfat
her
)Weshoul
dhav
elef
therathome!

Tumang:
(laughed)Iagr
eewi
thy
ou.

Shesigheddiscour
agedastheguysopenedthecool
erboxand
eachleanedbackdrinki
ngwat
er.Oneofthesecur
it
yguysran
overwithTumang'sphone.
.

Hi
m:Her
e..
.It
ooksomeni
ceshot
s..
TumangandJuli
anleanedoverthephonewatchingthei
rvi
deos
andpi
ctur
esthenTumanggoti nthecarandgrabbedhiswall
et.
Heti
ppedthesecur
it
yandtheyshoulderbumped...

Hi
m:Thanks

Tumang:
Onel
astpi
ctur
ewi
thher
!

Tumangbentov ergr
abbedAtsileli
ft
inghertot hesideasJul i
an
stoodont heside.Heputherdownandputt hemedal aroundher
neckbeforehuggi ngherfrom behindandkissinghercheek, Atsi
l
e
shylyhi
dherf aceonhi sneckasheandJul i
anl aughed,the
securi
tytookashotoft heguyslaugherasAt si
lehidherf ace
embar r
assed.Jul i
ansteppedont hecoolerboxandt heyput
Atsil
eont hemi ddle.
.

Jul
i
an:
Let
'ski
sshert
oget
her
.

Atsil
ecoveredhermout hsmil
i
ng,Tumangt ookherhanddown
andtheboy sleanedov erki
ssi
ngher.Clear
lytheseguyswerenot
goingtogiveherabr eaksoshemi ghtaswel lenj
oyi
t..
.Sheput
herarmsar oundthem andsmi l
edthenshel eanedoverki
ssi
ng
Juli
anont hecheek,shet ur
nedandkissedTumangont hecheek
andgav eJuli
anahi ghf i
ve.
Tumanggott
hephoneandt
heguar
dranof
fjoi
ninghi
steam.

Der
ri
ckandhisfami
lywalkedov
er,
theyeachshookhandsand
i
ntr
oducedoneanot
her.
..

Der
ri
ck:
Heebannakant
eJul
i
anot
shwanal
err
agwe.
..

Tumang:
Mymothercr
iedwheni
sentherpi
ctur
esofJul
i
an.She
l
it
eral
l
ycri
ed.
.

Theyl
aughedandt
ookseatasDer
ri
ck'
snamewascal
l
ed.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Hekanai
hadal
readyboughtat
icket
..
.Wi
shmel
uck!

Tumang:
Goodl
uck!

Her
anov
erandgr
abbedt
hehel
metast
heycl
appedf
orhi
m..
.

AtLucy
'sHouse.
..

Lucypi
ckedherbabyandhel
dherphonewit
htheotherhand
goingl
i
veonfacebookasshewal
kedintheki
tchen.
..
Herfansbeguncomment i
ngassheopenedherempt
yfr
idgeand
checkedheremptyshel
ves.
..

Lucy:(
repl
yi
ngacomment
)Nocookingt
oday
..
.Rememberi
sai
d
I'
m goi
ngbackhomef
orvacat
ion?

Shetur
nedaroundheadingt
otheli
vingr
oom wher
ebagswer
e
l
inedupthenshewalkedupst
air
s..
.

Lucy:Ourfl
ightisi
nacoupleofhour
s,I'
mj ustwait
ingf
ormy
husbandthenwear eheadi
ngtotherestaurantt
oeatbefor
ewe
boardtheplane.Heisoutwit
hourfi
rstborn..

Shewal
kedi
nshowi
ngt
hesor
tedbedr
ooms.
..

Lucy:I
'm exci
tedbecausemydaught
erwi
llbei
nBot
swanafort
he
fi
rstt
ime, gar
etsenashewil
lbegoi
ngtoseemyinl
awsthenoya
sekopel
ongwagobonabont sal
ae.
.

Fan:Yourhousei
sbeaut
if
ul,
howdoy
ouf
eel
li
vi
ngsucha
beauti
ful
li
fe?
Fan2:
What
everpr
ayerLucypr
ayeddearGodi
copyandpast
e,
amen.

Lucy
:(l
aughed)Thanky
ouShat
i.
..Godbl
essy
ouChedu.
.

Fan3:
Yourdaught
eri
sbeaut
if
ulLucy
.

LanaMongaTi
ki
:Haveasafej
ourneyteacher
, Iwasj
ust
cooki
ngameall
ooki
ngatthel
astreci
pe.Thanky
ou.

Lucysmi
l
edr
eadi
ngt
hecomment
s..
.

Lucy
:(l
aughed)Uhhi
Mamof
undi
si.
..Thanky
ou

Lana: Esengmamof
undi
siatl
eastsayi
tinEngl
i
sh.I
tsoundsa
bi
tfancyi
nEngl
i
sh.

Lucy
:(l
aughed)Lanaweeommamor ut
immawee.
..
andwhen
yougett
oMaunwewantr esul
tsi
nchur
ch.
..

Lana: I
'
llt
rymybest
.That
'smot
ivat
ing.

Lucy:Otaat shabel
akaer esponsibi
l
itydaddyaet i
sit
semo
l
wapeng.I '
venowt urnedintoacharit
ableladybecausehubby
donatesasmuchasi can.(
laughedatanot hercomment)Masego
thanksforthecomplimentmyl ov
e.Tumi Godwi ll
hearyour
prayermyl ov e.Byt hewayguy sifyouwantt ostudyabr oaddo
cont actTselanaMongaTi ki,
shehasassi stedalotofBat swana
tost udyabroadev enifit
saj ob.St opdependi ngonpeopl ewhose
namesy oucan' tev enpronounce.Ourbr othersfrom upthere
hav eprovent imeandagai nt hatwhent heyt ri
cky ouint
ogoing
overseasi t
'sforsomet hi
ngel seandnotaj ob.Don'tbeav i
cti
m..
.
I'
llpintheli
nkt oLana' saccount ,Lananthusetsedi fanhooke
tagor utagoapay aseveral cuisines..
.

Shewal
keddownst
air
sasherhusbandandsonwal
kedi
n..
.

Husband:
Hey
..
.

Heleanedoverki
ssi
ngherassheputt
hecamer
adownt
hent
hei
r
sonfrownedandpassed.
.

Hi
m:Eww.
..Idon'
tthi
nkI
'
llev
erwantt
otast
eany
one'
ssal
i
va.
.

Husband:
Jrt
hisi
smywi
fenotj
ustany
one

Lucy
:(l
aughed)Guy
ssshhhI
'
mli
ve

Husband:
(laughed)Shi
t.
..

Shel
aughedandbroughtt
hecamer
abackt
oherf
acesmi
l
ingas
herl
onghai
rfel
lonhershoul
der
s.
Lucy:
(laughed)Ihavetogo.Ican'
twaitt
obebackhome.
..I
t'
s
beenami nutesinceibeengone.
..By
e

Shebl
ewki
ssesandl
oggedout
..
.

Att
hebar
..
..

Lat
erthatev
eningOtl
herol
l
edtheTPsitt
ingont
het
oil
etseatl
i
ke
shewasatthebush,t
hemaindooropenedandt
woworkers
walkedi
nwhisperi
ng.
..

Wor
ker
:Howmanybot
tl
esdi
dyouf
ind?

Wor
ker
2:If
ound2whi
skybot
tl
es,

Theyf
il
ledt
hebot
tl
eswi
thwat
erandwi
pedt
hem.
..

Wor
ker
:Br
ing.
..

Theywalkedout,Ot
lhewipedher
sel
fandst
eppedoutconf
used.
Shewalkedinthebarwhereoneoft
heworker
swascleani
ngthen
t
wowhi
skeybot
tl
esbr
oke.

Wor
ker
2:I
joo!

Shepickedt
hebr
okenbot
tl
esandcl
eanedt
henshewal
kedt
othe
cashi
er..

Wor
ker
2:Twowhi
skey
sar
ebr
oken.
.

Worker
1:Ohok, putt
hebot
tl
esov
ert
her
e.Wewi
l
lshowbossl
ady
whenshearr
ives..

Otl
heobser
vedthem t
houghshest
il
ldidn'
tunder
standwhatwas
goi
ngon.Shesatonthechai
randt
extedApula.

Otl
he:Ithinky ourworker
saresteal
ing,
idon'
tknowhowtheydoit
butthey
'rest eal
ingst
ockinawayy ouprobabl
ywon'
tnot
ice.Don'
t
askthem y etbecauseI'
m notsure.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
leApul
awalkedi
nthegir
lsroom whereOshawaswr
it
ing
i
nherdi
ary,
shequi
cklycl
osedandlookedather.
.
Apul
a:Wher
eisy
oursi
ster
?

Osha:Shei
sst
il
latt
hef
il
li
ngst
ati
on,
shesai
dshe'
l
lbehomel
ate
t
onight.

Apul
a:Ok.
..

SheknockedonBoyboy
'sdoorandwal
kedi
n,hejumpedand
bl
ockedhimsel
fwit
hatoweldroppi
ngt
heshavi
ngrazer
..

Boy
boy
:Mama!
!!

Apul
aqui
ckl
ytur
nedar
oundandcl
osedt
hedoor
..

Apul
a:Sor
ry!(
laughed)Mayi
comei
n?

Heputonhi
spant
sandopenedt
hedoor
..

Boy
boy
:Comei
n..
.Di
dyouseeany
thi
ng?

Apul
a:(
laughed)No,
idi
dn'
tseeany
thi
ng.
Shenot
icedhi
scleanclot
hesonthebedt
henhisphoner
ang.I
t
wassavedasLinda.Hecutt
hecall
andputhi
sphoneonsil
ent
..
.

Boyboy:
Mamat
hemmampheP100kebat
agochekal
ait
ee
nngwana.

Apul
a:Hi
snamei
sLi
nda?

Boyboy:Mamaandi
nvadi
ngmypr
ivacy
.Har
ekegobat
ela
ngwetsi
moMaunmo.

Apul
a:(l
aughed)Boy
boyweey
ou'
l
lgot
opr
isonf
ordef
il
ement
andyou'
llmakeababy.

Apula:
That
'swhyy
oushoul
dgi
vemeP100soi
canbuy
condoms.
..

Apul
a:Whoi
sthi
sLi
nda?

Boyboy:
Don'tworr
ysheisint ert
iary
.Idon'
tdoli
ttl
egirlstheyget
youinpri
son.TomorrowI'
l
l bewor ki
ngatthefi
ll
i
ngst ati
ont o
makeextracash.i
justwantmyal l
owanceinadvance.Nnelacli
pa
hel
a..
.Heiyou'
resobeauti
ful.
..You'r
ethemostbeaut i
fulmother
i
nthewor l
d..
.

Apul
a:Mokemel
eko,
oshei
vel
asex.
.

Shewal
kedoutashef
oll
owedhert
othebedr
oom.
..

Boy
boy
:Deepdowny
ouknowI
'
m ki
ddi
ng.Li
ndai
sat
omboy
.She
i
sli
kemybuddy
..

Shehandedhi
m P100.
.

Apul
a:Behomebef or
e11pm.AndI'
m goi
ngtosmel
lyourbreat
h
whenyouarr
ivebecausey
ou'
renotal
lowedt
osmokeordrink.

Boyboy:Ir
espectmybody,al
coholdamagesthebr
ainandsmoke
l
it
eral
lyburnsyourl
ungs.Canibor
rowyourca-

Apul
a:Nope!Buti
candr
opy
ouof
f.

Boy
boy
:Ket
aapal
amat
axi
mmaaker
ewan'
abusa

Apul
a:11pm.

Boy
boy
:Sur
eboss,
war
ati
waskeem

Apul
a:Gakemonkanewagagokanamot
hokewena

Hel aughedandwal kedout .Apular

olledonherbedandl aidon
herst omacht hensheunpl uggedherphoneandl oggedi n.Lana's
vi
deohadbeenshar edbyanot herf
ri
endwi t
hsomeenv ious
caption,sheclickedont hev i
deoandwat chedli
fti
nghernose.
Herl i
keswer enowat1K. ..
Wasshenowsomeki ndofan
i
nfluencer ?Reall
y..
..Li
v i
ngabroadfor2secondsandev eryoneis
boot l
icki
ng..
.Thepr eviouspost swereOKbutthiswasnowbor i
ng
andget t
ingonherl astnerve.I
talmostasifshewasbr aggi ng.
..
Doesn' tthi
sgirlknowmenwi l
lembarrassyoui
fy oukeep
br
aggi
ngl
i
ket
his.

Sheunf r
iendedallthei
rmut ual
f r
iendsi
ncludi
ngTumo...
Wel lal
l
exceptMar ubutshest i
llsi
ghedinpeaceandsmi ledl
ookingat
Atsi
le'sprof
il
epicture.I
twasapi ctureofJuli
anandhi
sf ather,
theylookedsoident i
cal
ly..
.Soidenti
calt
hatJuli
anhadnosi ngle
feat
uref r
om Atsi
le..

Apula:(
Comment
ed)I
maginecar
ryi
ngsomeone9mont
hsand
theydeci
det
ocomeoutl
ookingl
ikethei
rfat
her
.

At
sil
e: kebor
egi
l
egor
e.Whatki
ndofbet
ray
ali
sthi
snow.

Shelaughedandther
ewasav ideoofthatAt
sil
ewast aggedin,i
t
wasf r
om Tumangashewasr idi
ngthebikewithhisboy
capti
oned."Jul
i
an'smotheral
mosthadahear tatt
ackseeingthi
s
Thebannaketshotsel
esol
enyanagoloha.Ngwanakegaa
boi.
"

Tumang'
sfr
iend: Mycrushhasasonwholooksl
i
kehi
m.
Peopl
ehol
dmeI '
m goi
ngto"commi
tsoci
ety
".

Fr
iend: Bat
hongkant
eTumi
hasachi
l
d.Theboyi
sacl
oneof
hi
sdad.

Fr
iend: (
taggedaf
ri
end)Tsal
abonat
hemmal
esol
ela
Thebephatshwalenalefamil
ykoMaun.Kehemakast rawwena.
Mosi maneyokenekemor at
agorewenakoorehelanneke
tshabagolebegany
amat holeenekemmolela.Andthesoni
sso
cutetoo. Basadi babangwebalokangdi
kukutsabonebare
neele?

Fr
iendr
epl
i
ed: It ol
dyout
oshooty
ourshot
.Obaki
l
e,bago
nt
shabomatabany
ana.

Sol
dier
:Skwat
awee?Checkyouri
nbox.Kant
ehowdoy
ouguy
s
makebabiest
hatl
ookl
ikeyou?

Tumangr epli
ed: Gobat aoejaot swakhonengpl usgat
eraka
ehetsagot shol
olamot habaoel esaeindi
catorntseephekil
emo
tenggoreloadyotheesal emot enggaGar den.Tingti
ngwateng
yooobat aelemot eng,lonabannal ent
shaterekaiseehetsego
tshol
ola Gaodi ri
lejaloolemilepeoy at
hwat hwa. Wenasa
gagokegol etal
eungol agago.

Sol
dier
2: Goboi,
nowthi
siswhatwecal
lgodi
rangwana.Thi
s
i
swherewedon'
tdi
sput
epayi
ngdamageswit
hfatcows No
DNAneeded.

Tumangr
epl
i
ed: St
rai
ght

Sol
dier
3:Isawy
ouget
ti
ngaki
ss y
ouhav
eabonert
oo.

Tumangr
epl
i
ed: Way
aka

Atsi
le'
sfr
iend:
Wowi
didn'
tknowJul
i
anl
ooksl
i
ket
hedadmogo
kana.
At
sil
erepl
i
ed:
Thanky
ou.

Otl
he:Banababalat
hiwangbar
atagot shwanal ebor r
abogore.
Lesol
eleleswabi
lei
bil
elei
pusi
tse.{
Chi l
drenwhoar eabandoned
bythei
rfat
herst
endtocomeoutscopi es.Thi
ssoldiermusthave
fel
tgui
lt
yashellf
orhi
mt ocomerunningbacklikethis.
}

Apul
areact
edwit
hanangryemoj
ipr
epar
edt
oreplywit
hal ong
commentbuti
tseemedt
hecommentwasdel
eted.Sheshookher
headandsi
ghed.

Shegotupandswi tchedof fthel i

ghtsthenshegotundercover
s,
Ronupdatedhispicture.
..I
tseemedhewentt othesameev ent
wit
hwhatseemedl i
kehisson. .Helookedli
kehewasi nhisearl
y
20'
s.Amongsthi sotherpicturesDer r
ickandTumangappear ed
get
tingt
heirgi
fts.I
tseemedpeopl eenjoyedthemsel
ves.
..

Shecl
i
ckedonhi
sinboxandt
ext
ed.
..

Apul
a:I
sthaty
ourson?

Ron:Yup,
myoneandonly.Hi
smotherandi di
vorced10y
ear
s
ago.Hestay
sinGabor
one.Hehasabusinessthere.

Apul
a:Ok,
looksl
i
key
ouhadf
un.

Ron:
Hel
i
ter
all
ydr
aggedmet
her
e.Iev
enwant
edt
ocal
lyou
causehewant
stoseeyoubutit
houghtoft
henoi
seanddustof
thebi
kesandt
houghtmyoff
icegi
rlwoul
dn'
tli
ket
hat
.

Apul
a:Don'
tev
erassume.Iwi
shi
wast
her
e

Ron:
Ok,
I'
ll
makesur
eicar
ryy
ouwi
thmewher
everi
go.

Apul
a:Ok,
ilov
eyou.

Ron:
Ilov
eyout
oo.

Shesi ghedandputherphonedownasshest aredinthedark.She

remember edOtlhehadsentheramessageandr eadit,
workers
steal
ing?ButthenitwasOtlhe.
..Thi
sonewasunpr edi
ctabl
e..She
couldbel yi
ngortel
li
ngthetrut
hbuty ou'
l
ljustneverknow.

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Tumangsl owl
yremov edthedogt ag(mil
it
arychai
n)f r
om hi s
neckandputitasidethenhepulledtheduvetoverhim before
swit
chingofft
helightsandclosi
ngt hedoor.Hesighedwal ki
ngt
o
thel
ivi
ngroom wher eAtsi
lewassi t
ti
ngonthecouchwi t
habowl
ofpopcornswatchingamov i
e...

At
sil
e:Hei
sst
il
lsl
eepi
ng?

Tumang:
Yeah,
hei
spr
obabl
yexhaust
ed.
..
Hesatdownandleanedbackput
ti
ngAt
sil
e'
slegsonhi
slapashe
massagedherf
eet.
..

Tumang:
Thanky
ouf
ort
oday
.

Atsi
l
e:You'
rewelcome.
..If
eel
somet
hingget
ti
nghar
dundermy
foot
,don'
tgett
ooexcit
ed.

Hesmi
l
edandl
ookedatt
heTV.
.

Tumang:
Ithasami
ndofi
tsown

At
sil
e:Mmh.
..Ihadf
un.
..Jul
i
anwassohappy
.Thanky
ou.

Tumang:
Thanky
ouf
orgi
vi
ngmeachance.
..

At si
l
e: Let
'swatchamov i
e,ihat
eitwheny oulookinmyey es
becausey oustartsmil
ingwei r
d.Phumasat anwithyour
tempt ati
on..
.Youwon'tleaveanotherchi
l
di nMaun.Talkabouta
truckmustof fl
oadthewhol esandinthegardenblabla.
..

Hel
aughedoutl
oudasshej
oinedi
nlaughi
ng.

Tumang:
Itwasjustaguytal
k..
.Iwaspl
ayi
ngandbr
aggi
ngf
or
hav
ingacopy.Nekejafankangwanake.
Theyl
aughedoutl
oudchat
ti
ng.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhil
ebor edApulascrol
ledthroughFacebookli
ki
ngand
react
ingt
oal lherf
ri
ends'postsevencomment ingongr
oupsand
newspapers.Herphonerangthenshepi cked.
.

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Ron:Hi,i
can'tsl
eep.
..Iknowitwil
lbewei
rdt
osaycani come
overorsuggestyoucomeov ersocanweatl
eastchat
..
..

Apul
a:(
smiled)OK.
.Letmeswi
tcht
hel
i
ght
sonsoi
canseey
ou
pr
operl
y.
..

Sheswi
tchedt
hel
i
ght
sonandl
aiddownasRonsmi
l
edl
ooki
ngat
her
..
.

Ron:
You'
rebeaut
if
ul.
.

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.

Ron:
Tell
meabouty
our
sel
f.
..Somet
hingi
don'
tal
readyknow.
..
WhoisApul
a?
Apulasmil
edl
ayingherheadonherpi
l
lowl
ooki
ngathi
m and
beguntal
ki
ng.
..

AMONTHLATER.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#144

AtApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Ronwalkedi
nthr
ought
her
ecept
ionhol
dingabunchoff
resh
fl
ower
s..

Ron:
Hi.
.i
sMsTsat
singi
n?

Recept
ioni
st:
Yes,
doy
ouhav
eanappoi
ntment
?

Ron:
Anappoi
ntmentwi
thf
lower
s?

Recept
ioni
st:
(laughed)Sor
ry,
letmecal
lherandl
etherknow
you'
recoming

Ron:
Don'
t.
.Thanks.

Hewal kedpastseveralof
fi
cesandslowl yopenedt hedoor ,
Apula
wassi t
ti
ngbesidesthewindowwat chingasitdrizzledoutsi
deher
offi
ce..
.Shegotlostwatchi
ngtherainshecoul dn'tevenhearhim
walkin.Heputthef l
owersonherdeskandwal kedt othewindow
thenheleanedov erandhuggedher,shejumpedandr el
axed
holdi
nghisarms...
Hekissedherneckandsheclosedhereyesasat
earr
andown
hercheek.Hepull
edherupandtheyhugged..
.

Apula:WhatifI'
m havi
ngadownsy ndromebaby?Ihav esomuch
badlucki woul
dn'tbesurpri
sedifigi
vebir
thtoababywhoi sn'
t
normal.
..Didyouknowt hatwomenwhohav echi
ldrenlat
ear e
l
ikel
ytohav eababywi t
hdownsy ndr
ome?Notonl ythatbutthe
babymi ghtcomewi t
hheartdeformati
esand-

Ron:
Didyoualsoknowt hatferti
li
tydrugshavesi deef
fectsl
ike
moodswings,anxi
etyanddepr ession?Stopstressi
ng.
..Themost
commonsideeffecti
smul t
iplebirt
hs. .
.Imagi
nehowy oumi ght
best
ressi
ngtwoormor epeopl eint here.
..

Herubbedhercheeksandsmiledl
ookinginhereyest
henhe
l
eanedoverandkissedherbef
orehuggingher.
..

Ron:Youhavetobest r
ong.
..Iknowyouhavealotofhormones
ri
ghtnowbutcanweonl yseetheposit
ivepl
ease.
.Ican'
twaitf
or
thebaby
..
.iam exci
ted.

Looki
ngatRon'
sey esshenot
icedhehadahai
rcutandhel
ooked
j
ustli
keTom Cr
uise..
.

Apul
a:Ohy
ouhadahai
rcut
..
.Youl
ookcut
e..
Shetouchedhi
shairasherfi
nger
ssl
i
ppedt
hroughhi
shai
r,she
si
ghedandpinchedhisnose.
..

Ron:
(laughed)Comeon

Apul
a:Iwonderwhatki
ndofki
dswear
egoi
ngt
omake.

Ron:Beaut
if
ulones.
.Iknowbecauset
hemot
heri
sbeaut
if
ul.
..I
havesomethi
ngt9chewy ouup.
.

Hegrabbedthefl
owersandhandedher.Shesmi
ledandgotup
t
hensher epl
acedthem wi
ththepr
evi
ousonesandincr
easedt
he
wat
erinav asewit
hherbottl
edwater
.

Apul
a:Thanky
ouf
ort
hef
lower
s

Ron:
You'
rewel
come.
.

Apul
a:But
..
.

Shesighedandwal
kedov
erf
oldi
ngherar
msasherhi
ghheel
s
echoedsoft
ly.

Apul
a:I
'
m ablackgir
l.
..Fl
owersdon'ti
mpressme.
..Iwanta
moneybouquet
,il
ikefoodtoo.Ihav
en'tt
ravel
l
edaroundthe
worl
d,I
'
veneverbeenout
sidethecont
inentandiwanttosee
someoftheworl
d'smosthist
ori
calpl
acesbefor
eidie.

Hel
aughedandwal
kedov
ert
henhehuggedher
..

Ron:
Ili
keawomanwhospeakshermi
ndbecausei
wantt
olov
e
yout
hewayyouwantt
obeloved.

Apul
a:Soy
ou'
renotof
fended?

Ron:No,i
fany
thi
ngI'
dbedisappoint
edifyoul
etmemakemy
sel
f
anidi
otdoi
ngthi
ngst
hatdon'tevenimpressy
ou.

Apul
a:Iappr
eci
atey
ourr
esponse.
.

Heleanedov erandkissedherasshecl osedhereyeski

ssing
back.Heplacedheront het
ableandkissedherastheytouched
oneanother.Heunzippedhispantsandgotbet weenherlegsas
hepull
edouthi sdi
ck, shest
rokeditandgotonherknees...

Ron:
(moaned)Yes.
..
.

Shel
eanedoverandsuckedhim,
shesuckedhi
sball
sandstood
upastheyki
ssedthenhetur
nedherar
oundandtookit
..
..
Att
hebar
racks.
..(
Gabor
one)

Juli
ankickedtheballt
appingitst
andi
nginfrontofhisfat
her'
s
housethenhecaughtt heball
andwalkedbacki nthehouse.He
headedtot heki
tchenandmadehi mselfasandwichbefore
grabbi
ngagl assofmilk,
heslowlywalkedi
nt hebedroom andsat
onthebed..

Hechangedthechannelandwat
chedamoviewhil
eeati
ng.His
phoner
angthenhegr abbedi
tsmil
i
ngandaccept
edth3video
cal
l.
.

Tumang:
(smi
l
ed)War
engmel
ait
e?

Jul
i
an:
Keshapo.
..

Tumang:
I'
m comi
nghome,
takeabat
handputoncl
eancl
othes
sowecangoeat.

Jul
i
an:
Cool
!

Tumang:
5mi
nut
esI
'
llbehome.
.

Jul
i
an:
Bye

Hehungupthenherant
othebathroom andcl
eanedup,he
sear
chedt
hewardrobef
orhi
sclothesandgotdressed.
.
Minut
esl
aterTumangwal
kedi
nthehousei
nhi
scamouf
lage
uni
for
mtal
kingtoAtsi
l
eonvi
deo.
.

Tumang:
(smi
l
ed)Wear
eaboutt
ogooutandeat
,whatar
eyouup
to?

Atsi
l
e:I
'm onmywayf
rom wor
k.I
'
m exhaust
edandIwi
shi
coul
d
goeatouttoo.

Tumang:
I'
ll
sendy
ousomet
hingf
ordi
nneroj
e.

Atsi
le:
Thisi
smyf i
rstti
mewithoutJul
i
an, I
'
m solonel
y.Kegone
kelemoganggor
ei don'
thav
eal if
ebesidesbei
ngamot her
.

Tumang:I
'm enj
oyingt
hismoment
.Fort
hefi
rstt
imei
nmyl
i
fe
wheniknockoffiknowsomeonei
swait
ingf
orme.

At
sil
e:Iknowt
hatf
eel
i
ng

Tumang:
Atsi
ledoy ouknowthatyou'
remyher
o?Ir
especty
ouf
or
thewayy
ouraisedourson.Heisbri
ll
i
ant.
..

At
sil
e:Thanky
ou.
.

Tumang:
Letmet
aket
hisof
fandputoncl
othes.
.

At
sil
e:Thanksf
orcal
l
ing.

Tumang:
Kekopagor
eoi
thokomel
e,sl
eephomeandont
ime
al
one.

At
sil
e:(
laughed)Wai
isi
akoot
her
ra.I
'
mfi
nal
l
yal
one.Nowi
sthe
t
imef
ormet
oenj
oymy
sel
fandpar
ty.

Tumang:
Utwaj
aakapel
oyameer
any
ega.
.

At
sil
e:(
laughed)By
ether
rawena,
ij
a

Tumang:
(laughed)By
e

Hehungupashi
sfat
hercal
l
ed.
..

Tumang:
Hel
l
o?

Hi
m:Imi
ssedy
ourcal
l
...

Tumang:Iwant
edtoknowi
fyoumanagedt
otal
ktoAt
sil
e'
saunt
aboutt
hatl
it
tl
ethi
ngiwant
edtodo.

Him:Ohy eah,
i cal
l
edherandexplai
nedev er
ythi
ng.Itwasn'
tvery
hardbecauseitwasshort
lyaft
erwev i
sit
edthem tocheckont he
boyandjustmeett hef
amily
.Wetalkedandsheagr eedtohelpus.

Tumang:
Youexpl
ainedt
hatAt
sil
edoesn'
tknowany
thi
ngabout
thi
s?

Him:(
laughed)Yes,
don'
tbenervous.It
ookcar
eofit
..Weshoul
d
beinMaunonWednesday .Shealsoagr
eedtober
eadyon
Wednesday..

Tumang:
Utwaj
aakapel
oet
ola

Hi
m:(
laughed)That
'showi
tshoul
dbe,
it'
snoteasy
.

Tumang:
Ok.Letmet
akeJul
i
anoutt
oeat
.Todaywedon'
twant
t
ocook.

Him: Al
ri
ghtson.I'
mreall
yproudofthemanyou'
vebecome.You
almostgotlosthangi
ngwiththewrongcr
owdbutnowy ou'
re
responsi
bleandI'
m proudofyou.

Tumang:
Thanks

Hi
m:Sur
e..

Hehungupandwal
kedi
nasJul
i
ant
iedhi
sshoes.
..

Att
heai
rpor
t.
..

LateronMongaandthefami
lypul
l
edthei
rluggagesasthey
walkedout
,Meshasmil
edandwaved,
Lanasmi l
edastheyleaned
overandhugged.
.

Mesha:
Hi

Lana:
Hey
..
..
.

Mesha:
Mj

Mj
:Hi
aunt
ie.
.Wher
eisJuni
or?

Mesha:Home,hecoul
dn'
tstopt
alki
ngabouty
ou.
.They
'r
eget
ti
ng
r
eadyforthechur
chser
vice.
Br
yce:
Ther
eisaser
vicet
oday
?Mani
missedchur
chl
i
kecr
azy
.

MongaandMeshabumpedshoul
der
sbef
orehef
ixedherhai
ras
t
heywalkedout
..
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..
.

Lateronthefami
l
ywal
kedi
nthehouseast
heboy
shur
ri
edt
o
thei
rrooms..

Br
yce:
Ican'
twai
ttopl
ayt
hekey
boar
d!

Mj
:Imi
ssedev
ery
one.
.

MongaandLanawalkedinthebedroom,Lanalaidonthebedas
Mongatookoffhi
sTshir
tandwalkedinthebathroom f
oraquick
shower
.Hesteppedoutdry
inghi
msel fasLanalaidonthebed.
.

Monga:
Aren'
tyouget
ti
ngr
eady
?

Lana:
For
?

Monga:
Ther
eisaser
vice

Lana:
Wej
ustspent18hour
sonaf
li
ghtandy
ouwantust
ogo
st
rai
ghtt
ochur
ch?I
'
m ex
haust
ed.
..

Br
yceknockedandwal
kedi
n..

Br
yce:
I'
mfi
nel
i
ket
hisr
ight
?

Monga:
Yeah,
you'
regood.
.

Lana:
Wear
eexhaust
ed,
wecan'
tgot
ochur
cht
oday
.

Br
yce:
Imi
ssedev
ery
one

Monga:
Wear
egoi
ngBee,
closet
hedoor
.

Hewal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
.

Monga:It
'sjusta40minut
esser vi
ce.Youhaven'
tbeent her
efora
whi
le.
..Thelastti
meigotordainedyouweren'tt
here.I
ts
i
mportanttomakeanappear ance.Youpromisedyou'l
lsuppor
t
me.

Lana:BabeI
'm exhaust
ed,
youal
sopromi
sedyouwon'
tbet
oo
pushyandyou'
llgiv
emet i
metoadj
ustonmyown.

Monga:Ok.
..You'
rer
ight
..Rest
..
.Itwasal
ongj
our
ney
..You'
l
lgo
onSunday.
Hetur
nedaroundandputonpr
opercl
othest
henhesatont
he
bedty
inghi
sshoes.

Att
hebar
..
.

Lat
erontheworker
sfini
shedoff
loadi
ngthebeer
,thedr
iver
cl
osedthecarandhandedOtl
hetherecei
pt.
.

Hi
m:Her
e,t
hanks

Ot
lhe:
Thanky
ou

Him:
Iknowyou'
rev
erybusybutIwaswonderingi
fyou'
dmi
nd
comi
ngwit
hmet ot
hehorserace,
it'
snextweek.

Ot
lhe:
Wai
i
,idon'
thav
emoneyf
ort
het
icket
s.

Hi
m:I
'
llbuyy
ouat
icketanddr
inkst
her
e

Ot
lhe:
Okbuti
needsecur
it
ymoney
.

Hi
m:What
'st
hat
?

Otl
he: ThemoneyI'
l
luset ocomebackincasewemeety our
gir
lfr
iendandsheharassesmeory ouj
ustdi
sappearonme.You
onlygetthemoneywheny oudropmehomeaf tert
heevent.Ke
securit
yhelai
ncasegosat samaesent
ekekgonegohalola.

Hi
m:(
laughed)Howmuchi
sit
?

Ot
lhe:
P100i
sfi
ne,
asl
ongasI
'
m abl
etocal
lat
axi
I'
m good.And
whenwegett
her
eihol
dyourcarkey
stoo.

Hi
m:(
laughed)OK.
..

Otl
he:GapeI
'm av
eryt
alkat
iveper
son,
I'
mjustsay
ingi
ncasei
t
urnyouoff

Hi
m:I
t'
sok,
isl
apt
oo.

Shest
oppedt
alki
ng.
.

Hi
m:(
laughed)I
'
m ki
ddi
ng.
..I
t'
saj
oke.Gi
vemey
ournumber
..

Hetookhernumberanddr
oveof
fthenshewal
kedbacki
nthe
bot
tl
esstor
e.

Aunt
ie'
shouse.
..

Laterthatev
eningApulaparkedbesi
desMar
u'scarandwal
ked
towardsthehouse,shesti
ll
wasn'tsur
ewhytheauntwascal
li
ng
herbutitsoundedseri
ous.

Shewal kedint
oaf ul
lhouse,
Aene,Maru,Ot
lhe,
unclesand
aunti
esbutAt si
lewasn'
tther
e..
shegr
eetedeveryoneandsaton
thecarpet.
..
Aunt i
e:Thanky ouf orcomi ngmygir
l.You'rethelastbuty oudi
dn'
t
mi ssmuch. .
.Ihaveaf ewannouncement s.
..Youreldersandi
wer ejustinameet ingdiscussi
ngsomet hingandt hereisapart
thatneedsy ouast hecousi nsandsister
s.Asweal lknow
'
Bot halejwaphala' Thefi
rstpartoft
hemeet i
ngwasr eal
lyabout
Aene. .
.Acertai
nf ami l
ywant stopaymagadi forher,butthenwe
alsohav eAtsil
e'sissue..
.hersi
sadelicatemat t
erandi tneedsto
behandl edwithcar e..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#145

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Aft
ertheserv
iceMongapar
kedt
hecarandt
heboy
sracedi
nsi
de
ashisphonerang.
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Aene:Hi,
itsAene.(
smi
l
edexci
tedl
y)Ij
ustwant
edt
otel
lyout
hat
I
'm get
ti
ngmar ri
ed.

Monga:(smi
l
ed)Purpl
eisgett
ingmar
ri
ed?!(
theyl
aughed
toget
her
)Youhavenoideahowhappyiam f
oryou.DoIknow
him?

Aene:Idon'tknow,heist
hedeacon'
ssonintheMaunbr
anch.He
actual
lyhostedyouguysinDecemberwhenyouvi
sit
edMaun
branch.Idoubtyou'
drememberbecauseyouonl
ycametoMaun
once.

Monga: I
'm sohappyforyou,I
'
lll
etever
yoneknow.I'mincontact
withEri
candt heother
s.(l
aughed)Randal
landThatoarestil
l
fr
iendsfool
ingaround,Randal
lismarri
edactual
ly
.Iatt
endedhis
weddingandThat oshouldmarrysoonbuttheysti
l
lwon'tcometo
church.
Aene: (
laughed)Theywil
lgrow,whatI'
velearnedaboutchur
chis
thatyoucan'tfor
ceitonanyone.IneverthoughtI'
dstay10year
s
withoutsexbutI'
m here.
..Ij
ustwantaf amil
y,cl
eanmoneyandt o
helpotheryounggirl
snotfall
inthesamepat hi wal
kedon.

Monga:
Mmer
egodi
l
etheng

Aene:
(laughed)Tot
a..
any
way
ssayhi
toy
ourwi
fef
orme.

Monga:
Wil
ldo.I
'
lldef
ini
tel
ybeatt
heweddi
ngandbuyabi
ggi
ft
.

Aene:
Iknow.By
e

Monga:
Bye

Hehungupandwal kedinthehousethenheheadedt othe

bedroom whereLanawasst il
ll
ayi
ngont hesameposi t
ionhel
eft
onandshest i
l
lhadhershoeson.Heputev erythingdownand
squattedunhooki
ngt hebel
tofherhi
ghheel sthenheputher
shoesasideandmassagedherf eetbeforepickingherupand
l
ayingheront hemiddleofthebed,
shepar t
ialopenedhereyes
sti
l
l i
ntoxi
catedbysleep.
.

Lana:
(mumbl
i
ng)Ior
der
edr
icewi
thpor
kbel
l
y..
..
.

Hepul
l
edt
heduv
etov
erhershoul
der
sandl
aughedwal
ki
ngout
..
.

AtAunt
ie'
sHouse.
..
Lat
eronApul
awalkedoutoft
hehouseasoneofheruncl
es
wal
kedbehi
ndher
...

Hi
m:Lal
a?I
sthaty
ou?

Shet
urnedar
oundandsmi
l
edshaki
nghi
shand.
.

Apul
a:Yesuncl
e.Dumel
ang.
.

Uncl
e:Whenareyougetti
ngmar r
ied?Iexpectedy
outoget
marri
edf
ir
stbecauseyou'r
eri
chandeducat ed.Onyal
walengha
bat
hobanyal
wabagot ogel
ajaana?

Apul
a:(smi
l
edshamef
ull
y)Idon'
tknowuncl
e..
.WhenGod
per
mits.

AnotherAunt ie:
Ihopeyou'renotj
umpingfrom mantoman.I
knowt haty ouyoungpeoplethi
nky ouhav
er i
ghtsbutmenwi l
l
fi
nishy ouandnobodywi l
l marr
y..
.Youshouldbemar r
iedbynow.
Youcan' ttakesolongwithouthavi
ngchil
drenthenextthi
ngyou'
l
l
begivingbi r
thtomongols..
.I'
veseenwomenchasi ngcareer
s
until
they '
reoldandtheyendupwi thmongols.

Apulalookeddownsmi
l
ingasMar
uwal
kedov
erandputherhand
overhershoul
der.
Maru:
Malomehowcany ouaskLalawhensheisget
ti
ngmar r
ied
asi
fshemarr
iesher
self
?Isn'
titamarr
iagepr
oposal
comesf r
om
aman?Whenmenar en'
tsayi
nganythi
ngwhat'
sshesupposedto
do?

Uncl
e:Sheshouldhavesomethi
ngstabl
eatl
east
..
.Verysoon
you'
l
lreti
refr
om workandyou'
ll
sital
oneiny
ourhouse.Fami
lyi
s
i
mpor t
anttoo.

Mar
u:Apul
aai
nyal
emal
ome?

Hi
m: Shecan'
ttellmeshedoesn'
thav
eanyone..
.Eneot
aanna
ny
atsigoit
hel
al eng?Kal
ayagagogaegonyale?

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Hewi
l
lmar
rymesoon.
.

Uncl
e:Ok.
..Seey
ousoont
hen.

Shet
urnedandwal
kedt
owar
dst
hecar
swi
thMar
u..

Apula:
Ever
yoneisget
ti
ngmarr
ied.I
tscr
azyhowfastwegr
ow.
..I
nevert
houghtAenewoul
dgetmarri
edwit
hherhi
story

Mar
u:Whathi
stor
y?

Apula:Hersi
dehustl
e..
.Andtomar r
yinchur ch?(l
aughed)Inever
thoughtshe'
dmarryespeci
all
yinchurch.Iactual
lythoughtshe
waspr et
endi
ngwheni sawheratchur chtheotherti
me.Shewas
onmycaseaboutmi ssingchurchandall.
Mar
u:War
ehi
stor
yyaeng?

Apula:Shewasapr
ost
it
ute.
.Sheevensleptwi
thMongaand
Thong.Thongwasapr
osti
tut
etoo.Theyusedtodopor
nv i
deos
together
.

Mar
ust
oppedandl
ookedatherasOt
lhewal
kedov
er.
.

Ot
lhe:
What
?

Mar
u:Appar
ent
lyAenei
sapr
ost
it
ute

Otl
he:Ithoughtkesi
stera.
.Iknewthesehoessleeparoundand
whenthey'r
etir
edtheygot ochurchandclai
mt obeinnocentonl
y
togetnaiveChurchboyswhoar eprobabl
yvir
ginsandgrewupi n
chur
ch.

Maru:Ev
eryonedeservesasecondchancei
ftheyseekfor
for
giv
eness,buti
justnevert
houghtshewoul
ddot hat
.Areyou
sur
e?Whyar eyouspeakingnowifyouknewallal
ong?Waf osa
wena

Apul
a:I
'
m notl
yi
ng.

Shesear
chedf
ort
heAf
ri
canboy
swebsi
tebuti
twasn'
tther
e..

Apul
a:Thewebsi
teisdown,t
heyprobabl
yshuti
tdownwhent
hey
deci
dedtobe"matur
e"letmesear
chmay besomeone
downl
oadedherpi
ctur
esandpost
edonanot
herpl
atf
orm.

ShesearchedPurplef
rom Af
ri
canboys.
..BBC,ebonyPurpl
e,
roundbuttPur
plethenonepi
ctur
epoppedwi t
hpurplesi
tti
ngon
thebedwi t
hherlegsspr
eadasshefl
i
ckedherbean.

Apul
a:St
il
ldon'
tbel
i
eveme?

Mar
u'smout
hdr
opped,
Otl
hegr
abbedt
hephoneandl
ooked.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#146

AtAunt
ie'
sHouse.
..

Ot
lhe:
(laughed)I
t'
sher
!

Maru:
Thisexpl
ainswhyshewasabletobui
ldaunt
ieabighouse,
buyaplot
,acarandstar
therbusi
ness.War
eshesleptwi
th
MongaandThong?

Apula: Yes..
.Akeret heywer eal l
por nstars,ihaven'tactuall
yseen
anexactv i
deowi thherandMongaorwi t
hThongbutshef ucked
allt
heot herslikeRandal l.Thereisonev i
deowher eMongai sjust
standingandt hreegi rl
sar esucki nghim...Shewasoneoft hem.I
don'tknowhowt heymademoneybutt heymadeal otthrough
thi
sbecauset hewhol ecr ewnowi ssuccessful.
..Theymi ghthave
start
edbusi nessesbutt heirstartupcapitalwasf rom por n.
MongaandThongwer ebasi call
yt hebosseshencet hey'
reri
cher
everyonei nthecr ew.

MarurememberedthatEri
cownsaf i
lm product
ioncompany,how
heusedtohavehi
ghqual i
tyequipment,camerasandl i
ght
ing
equi
pmentyethedidn'
treal
lyproduceany t
hingtheysawthough
hesti
ll
somehowmademoneyandDer r
ickusedt obeonhiscase
aboutwhyhedroveexpensiv
ecar swhenhenev erseeshiswork.
..
Nowi tmadesensewher ethatmoneywascomingfrom,butof
courseshewouldneverthrowherl
itt
lebr
otheri
nlawunderthe
bus.Defi
nit
elynoti
nfrontofOtl
he.
..

Ot
lhe:
Ican'
tbel
i
evet
hisgi
rli
sapr
ost
it
ute

Mar u:
Technicall
yshei snot,accordi
ngtoApul ashehadsexwit
h
theseguy sf
orthesakeofsel li
ngt hevi
deosandmaki ngmoney
meaningshedi dn'
tstandont hesi deoftheroadorsl
eepwi t
h
random men.Apr osti
tuteisawr ongwor d,maybeapor nst
aror
acti
nggapeAenei sourlit
tl
esistersopleasemakesur ethi
s
doesn'tcomeout ,chr
isti
ansar ethemostjudgementalpeopl
e

Otl
he:Acti
ngisf ormov i
es,Gener
ati
onsisacti
ng,Makgabaneng
i
sacting,moviesthattheworldseesinpubl
ici
sacti
ng,pornis
notacti
ng..
.It
'sprosti
tut
ionbecauseyou'
resel
li
ngyourbody
di
rectl
yorindi
rectly
..Aeneisaprosti
tut
e.

Anot
hercousi
ncaughtt
hel
astpar
tandt
urnedov
ert
othem.
.

Her
:Gat
weAenei
sapr
ost
it
utekanagakaut
wasent
e?

Ot
lhehandedherApul
a'
sphone.
..

Ot
lhe:
That
'sher
..
MarulookedatApuladi
sappoint
edl
yandt ur
nedtohercar
,she
goti
nanddr oveoffwi
thoutaword.Apulasi
ghedgui
ltst
ri
cken
wait
ingforherphoneasOtlheandthecousi
ntal
ked.
..

Apul
a:Ihav
etogo.
.

Otl
he:
Lepastorahelapastor
,nowonderhemovedtoGabor
one
andst
ayedtherefor
ever.
..
.andThongwaThong
aut
omobil
es..
.marri
edmendoi ngt
hese.
..Bomar
ri
edkanabadi
ra
bof
ebemoret hansi
ngleguys.

Cousi
n:(
laughedgi
vi
ngApul
athephone)EhboApul
abai
tsedi
l
o,
howdidyouknow?

Apula:
Iknewforalongti
me,I'
mj ustshockedthatsheactual
l
y
foundahusband.Kanakoor
eI'
v ealwaysthoughtofmarri
ed
womenaspeopl ewhoarewellgroomed,calm andcoll
ect
ed.

Cousin:
Myf at
heri
sal
waysonmycaseaboutget
ti
ngmar
ri
edand
(l
aughed)t
heythi
nkboAenebaper
fect
?

Otl
he:Idi
dn'
tevenknowshehasat attooof3starsandt hecat
paws.Uncl
ekemat hata,healsoaskedmewhenI '
m getti
ng
marri
edbutiaskedhim whenhei sdyingbecausehisagemat es
aredyi
ngtoobutheisher eandnobodysay sanyt
hing.Hejust
keptqui
etabekegogal i
nennamony ana-
a-mosetsanyana.

Apula:
Hewasj
usttalkingt
omeminut
esagowit
hyourmother
tel
l
ingmemenwil
lfinishmeasi
fmarr
iagei
sanachi
evementof
somesor
t.

Cousi
n:That'
swhyI'ver
anawayf r
om homebecausei getasked
whenI'
llbemarr
ied,bat
horeiny
ale?Likesincewhenhas
marri
agecomefrom awoman.Mypr idewon' tl
etmeaskaman
tomarrymeandmostoft hesemarri
edwomenmar ri
ed
themsel
vesbygivi
ngmenmoneyorf or ci
ngment omarryt
hem.

Apul
a:Yourpar
ent
scanr
uinone'
smood.Nowthatwehav
e
weddi
ngscomeupwewillnev
erheart
heendofi
t.

Fr
om adi
stanceAenetur
nedandnot
icedhercousinandsist
ers
st
andi
ngbythecars,
shesmil
edandwav edwalki
ngov er
..
.

Ot
lhe:
(lower
edherv
oice)Shei
scomi
ng.
..

Theyal
linst
antl
yswit
chedont
hei
rsmi
l
ingf
acesasAenehugged
eachoneofthem..
.

Aene:
Otl
hei
lov
eyourhai
r.
..I
t'
sbeaut
if
ulmma.

Ot
lhe:
(smi
l
edwi
de)Thanksnana.

Otl
heobserv
edherneckl
ooki
ngf
ort
het
att
ooandl
i
ftedherTshi
rt
checki
ngherback.
.
Ot
lhe:
Didn'
tyouhav
etat
toosnewena?
.

Aene:
Idi
dlasert
att
oor
emov
al.
..Nneel
edi
l
otsabongwana.

Cousi
n:Gat
wey
ou'
reasi
steri
nchur
ch?

Aene:(
laughed)I
'
ver
epent
edi
fthat
'swhaty
oumean,
Lal
acani
tal
ktoyou?

Apul
a:Sur
e..
.

Theothercousinwal
kedaway,Otlhegoti
nthecarandcl
osedt
he
doorastheystoodasi
de.AenelookedApulai
ntheeyesand
smil
ed.

Aene:
Cany
oubemybestl
ady
?

Apul
a:What
?Why
?

Aene:You'
ret
hesi
steri
comer
ightaf
tersowhynot
?(smi
l
ed)
Pl
ease?

Apul
a:Idon'thaveti
mef orweddi
ngpr
act
ices,
iwor
kandi
run
busi
nesses.I'
m al
way sbusy.
.

Aene'
ssmi
l
edi
ssol
vedasshel
ookedatherwi
thal
ongf
ace.
Aene:Whydon'
tyoul
oveme?I t
'sl
i
keI'
m notyoursi
ster
..
.I'
d
under
standi
fiwasyourcousinbutgal
enthat
e.Didido
somethi
nggrowi
ngupwi t
hy ou?

Apul
alookedi
nherey
esandswal
l
owedsadl
y.
..

Aene: I'
mv erylonely..
.Ihav epeopl eatchur chbutI '
vealway s
beenlonel yfrom t eenagehoodbecausey oual l
woul dn'
thangout
withme.Lol i
nessy adi sibli
ngsebot hoko..
.Kel ekagol eitsenya
mmegagoy eteng.Iseehowy oual wayssuppor tthem butnev er
me.Ther ewasapoi ntwher ei neededpads. .Mer epadsf orP10
butnev ergothel pandi tsalway sal mostasi fI'
mt heoneal way s
reachingout .Ifi st
opcal lingy ouitendst here..
.Whynnaosa
nthateofal lyoursi sters?Ididn'tev enthi
nky ou'dsaynot obeing
mybestl ady...Kekopemangj aanonggawenankgoney okemo
salangmor agooganammekel elastborn?Whoshoul di ask
becausei don'thav ef r
iends...Howbusycanonebenott oset
asideoneSat ur dayforherl it
tlesister?Kekopemangbecause
nnaOt lhekeamot shaba.Wai tseev engrowi ngupsheusedt o
beatmeandpi nchme.

Apula'
seyesfi
ll
edwit
ht ear
sasshewatchedAenetal
ki
ngwi
tha
shakyvoi
cethensheleanedov
erandhuggedher.
..

Apul
a:I
'
m sor
ry.
..Li
sten.
..
Sheleanedbackandr
ubbedAene'
stear
swi
thbot
hofher
thumbs..

Apul
a:You'
reri
ght.
..I
'
lltakealeaveofabsenceandbether
efor
youthr
oughout
.Idon'thateyouI'
mjustpregnantandmaybeby
thet
imeyougetmar r
iedI'l
lbeshowing.
.

Aene:(
smi l
edandhuggedher)Heeiyou'r
epregnant
!?OhmyGod,
congr
atulat
ions.
..I
'
m sohappyforyou.
..Youknowwhatitot
all
y
under
standnow...Theweddi
ngwi l
lbein3mont hs.

Apul
a:I
'
llbe3mont
hssoi
won'
tbeshowi
ng,
I'
ll
bey
ourbestl
ady
.

Aene:
You'
regoi
ngt
obet
hebestmot
herev
er!

Apul
a:Thanks,
don'
ttel
lany
oney
et.
.It
oldaunt
ieonl
y.
Congr
atul
ati
ons.

Aene:
Thanks.I
'
llt
alkt
oyouaboutt
heat
ti
re.
.

Apul
a:By
e

Aenetur
nedandwalkedawaythenApul
agoti
nthecaranddr
ove
offasOt
lher
oll
eddownthewindow..
.

Ot
lhe:
Whatdi
dshesay
?

Apul
a:sheaskedmet
obeherbestl
ady
.
Ot
lhe:
Atl
easty
ou'
l
lscor
eyour
sel
fabr
otheri
nchur
ch.

Apul
a:I
'
m notsear
chi
ng.Mymani
swhi
teandl
ovi
ng.

Ot
lhe:
(scof
fed)Wena?Lekgoa?

Apul
a:Youdon'
tbel
i
eveme?

Otl
he:
No,unl
esskemdal
awal
ekgoal
elwr
usi
tsengkanawa
sgwel
eee.

Apul
a:Thatki
ndofnegat
ivi
tyi
sther
easonwhyy
oudon'
tknow
hi
m.

Ot
lhe:
Soy
ou'
reser
iousy
ouhav
eawhi
teboy
fri
end?
.

Apul
a:I
'
m ki
ddi
ng.

Otl
he:Anywaysthosegir
lsstealli
quorandbr eakbottl
esthenthey
cl
aimitwasdamageddur ingcleaning.It
hinky oushoul
dst ar
t
makingthem payforbr
okenliquorthenyou'l
l seewewon'tmake
alossovercl
oseto500orat housandpermont h.They'
re
st
eali
ng.

Apul
a:Howdoi
trusty
ou?

Otlhe:BecauseI'mtell
i
ngy outhetr
uth.Ial
way
st el
lthetr
uthbut
youallhatemebecausey ouwantmet osaynicethi
ngs.Those
gir
lsarethieves.Watchthesecuri
tyvi
deosandobser v
ebefore
theyrundowny ourbusi
ness..

Apul
a:Ok,
I'
ll
consi
dert
hat
..
..
..

Shepul
l
edov
eranddr
oppedOt
lhebyt
hebarbef
oredr
ivi
ngof
f.
..
.
AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erthatni
ghtApul
awalkedi
nthehousewhi
l
eBoy
boyandOsha
werewatchi
ngwrest
li
ng.
.

Apul
a:Hi
..
.Wher
eisNi
ni?

Osha:
Fil
l
ingst
ati
on

Apul
a:Ohok.
..Goodni
ght

Bot
h:Goodni
ght
..

Shewal kedinherbedroom andtookaquickshowerbefor

e
getti
nginbed.Herhear tski
ppedonceagainashersubconsci
ous
remindedofMar u'
slook...I
twasli
kethatmomentwhenJesus
l
ookedatPet erri
ghtafterhedeni
edJesust hr
eeti
mesandt he
roostercrowd.
.

Otlheandt hi
smout hdiar
rhoeacousinoftheir
sweretheworst
andknowi ngthi
shadt hepotent
ialt
obl owuponev ery
one'
sface
especi all
yMonga...Atl
eastThongdi dn'
treal
lyhav
emuchofa
reput ati
onbutMongawasapast or,hetrendedasthecut
est
past oratsomepoi nt.I
tsoundedli
keAenewasmar ryi
ngi
ntoa
christianfamil
ytoo..
.Whathadshedone.
Shetossedandt urneduntil
mor ningwithoutbarelygett
ingany
sl
eep,shecheckedherphonef oral ongt extmessagef rom Mar u
buttherewasnot hi
ng.Shesatupandsi ghedast earsfi
lledher
eyes.Thefeel
ingofknowi ngsheov ershared.
..Whycoul dn'tshe
stophersel
fbef oresayinganythingthough.Shepi ckedherphone
andtextedMar u.

Apul
a:Iregrettel
l
ingOtlheandthatli
tt
lewit
chaboutAene.I
coul
dn'tsl
eeplastnight
, i
haven'
tslept
.Iknowyouprobabl
yhat
e
merightnow, I
'
m sorry.

Mar
u:K.

Shet
ext
edOt
lhe.
.

Apul
a:Don'
ttel
any
oneaboutAene.

Shet
ext
edthecousi
ntooandl
aidherheaddownt
otr
yget
ti
ng
somesl
eep.

AtAene'
shouse.
..
Lat
erthatmorningAenefixedherbowtieandturnedherhead
l
ookingatherhair
styl
esthenshesteppedbacklookingather
for
mal wear
.Acl i
entcal
l
ed...

Aene:
Thanky
ouforcal
l
ingLetItRai
npr
eschool
mobi
l
ephone.
MynameisAene,
mayi assi
sty
ou?

Voice:
Hi sist
erNene,it
'sceli
afr
om chur
ch.Iwantt
oregi
stermy
daughterforJanuaryi
ntake.What'
sthepr
ocess?Iwant
edto
knowbef oretheschool
sopen.

Aene:
Iwi
l
lsendy
out
hepdfj
ustnow.ThanksCel
i
a.

Her
:By
e

Shepi ckedherfol
i
cacidtabl
etcont ai
neranddrunkbef or
e
chewingacal ci
um tabl
etasherphoner angagain.Shegrabbed
anotherpill
toeasemor ni
ngsicknessasshesmi ledblushi
ngand
picked..
.

Aene:
(sof
tl
y)Hi
lov
e

Hi
m: Goodmorni
ng,myfat
herj
ustt
oldmeev
ery
thi
ngi
sgoi
ng
wel
l.Pat
lowi
l
lstar
tnextweek.

Aene:
I'
m soscar
ed.
.

Him:Howisthemor
ningsi
ckness?Ar
eyout
aki
ngy
our
suppl
ements?
Aene:Yeah,j
usttookt hem andIdrunkthatpi
l
lformor
ning
si
ckness..
.If
inal
l
yf eel nor
mal agai
n.Iwasbeginni
ngt
olook
st
upidthrowi
ngupev erywhere.

Hi
m:I'
m gl
adit
'swor
king.Thi
sboymustbehaveforatleastt
hree
mont
hs,hei
sgoingt
obebor ninwedl
ockgarebatedrama.

Aene:
(laughed)Nny
aammewear
edoi
nggood.

Him:Mmekanai l
ongsai
dweshouldgetmarr
iedwenaot shaba
abeotshabagonej
aanaohel
etseonti
ri
tsedi
phosotsenekesa
dibat
e.

Aene:Ihavel
owsel
festeem.
.Iwantedyoutohavesexwi
thme
bef
orey oumarr
ysoyoucanbesureyouevenlov
ethekukut
oo.

Hi
m:Ilov
eit,
Iwanti
tev
erydaykebatabaempheof
fi
cial
l
ykeej
e
ev
ery
day.Kelal
emogoyonekelat
elelekot
ir
ong

Aene:
(laughed)I
yaa.
.

Therewasaknockont
hedoort
henshewal
kedov
erandopened
thedoor
..

Aene:
Mysi
steri
sher
e

Hi
m:By
e

ShehungupasOt
lhestoodatthestoop,
shest
eppedbackand
l
ookedathert
wobedroom houseandthewhol
eyard.
..I
twas
beauti
ful
,shehadpl
ant
ededibl
efrui
tsandt
hel
andscapewas
perf
ectwithni
cetr
immedtr
ees..
.

Ot
lhe:I
'
veal
waysseeny
oury
ardf
rom t
hegat
e.Idi
dn'
tknowi
t
wasthi
sbeaut
if
ul.

Aene:
Thanky
ou,
comei
n

Shewal
kedi
nandsatdowncr
ossi
ngherl
egs.
..

Otl
he:
Nkapol
elasetshaseaker
eonyal
wakengwanawabahumi?
{
Handmet hi
splotsincey
ou'
reget
ti
ngmar
ri
edint
oari
chfamil
y}

Aene:
(laughed)Youl
i
kej
okes,
howar
eyou?

Otl
he: I
'
m seri
ous.
..BythewayApulatol
dmeabouty ourhust
le.
..
Howy ousleptwit
hMonga, Thongandmanymor e.Doesthe
deacon'ssonknowhei smarry
ingaprost
it
ute?Ist
il
lhaveyour
pi
ctures.Apul
asentthem t
ome.

Aene'
shear
tski
ppedasshesl
owl
ysatdownl
ooki
ngatOt
lhe.
..

Otl
he:Ify
oudon'
tgi
vemethi
splotI
'mtel
l
ingev
ery
onei
ncl
udi
ng
yourchur
chmembersandt
hedeacon'
sson.

Aene:
I'
m pr
egnantOt
lhe,
pleasedon'
tdot
hatt
ome.
..I
'
m nota
prosti
tut
e...Ionlyshotvideosandionl
ydidbecausei couldn't
fi
ndaj ob.
..Mamawassi ckandiwastheonlypr ov
ider.Ikept
askingallofyouf orhelpbutyouwerebusy.Itr
iedtofindaj ob
butlif
ewashar d.I'
m notproudofwhatidi
d...

Otlhe:Idon'tcarewhatyoudidijustwanttheplot,
don'tbesel
fi
sh.
Rightnownobodyknowsandev eryonewhoknowsi swil
li
ngto
keepqui etbutmysilencecomesatapr ice.All
wet ell
peoplei
s
thatyou'regivi
ngmeapl otbecauseI'my oursi
ster
..

Aene'shandsshookasshetearful
lyl
ookedatOtl
he,herhands
shooksobadshedr oppedherphone,shepi
ckeditandputiton
thetabl
ethensherubbedhertears.

Aene:Iwi
llpayyoueverymont
h,i
hav
eapr eschool
andifyou
don'
tsayanythi
ngIwill
makemoneybecausepeoplef
rom chur
ch
sendthei
rchil
drent
omyschool.

Ot
lhe:
Iwantt
hepl
ot.

Aene:Butir
eal
lyl
ikemyplot.Iboughti
tel
esekgwa,
iplant
ed
ever
ytreewayback..
.Ibui
l
tthishousewit
hhardwor
k..
.

Otl
he:Soy
ou'l
lchooseaplotoveryourhusband,
chi
l
dandy
our
busi
nesst
ogetherwit
hyourreput
ation?

Aeneswall
owedl
ooki
ngatherastear
sblurr
edherfacet
henshe
bur
iedherf
acebet
weenherhandsandburstint
otear
scryi
ng.
..
Aene:
I'
m soscar
ed.
..

Sheremovedherbowt i
eandr
ubbedhert
ear
s..Ot
lhet
ookoutt
he
for
msf r
om Landboar
d..
.

Otl
he:Icoll
ectedthef or
msofl andtransf
eralr
eady,if
il
ledmost
oft
hedet ai
lsandleftsomef oryou.From herewegot opoli
cet o
makeabaf fi
davitthenwegosubmi tatLandboard.Emisagolela
osaene,akeitsegor eolel
elaengbecausey ou'
regetti
ngmarried.

Sheputthepapersonthetabl
eandputt
hependown,Aene
pi
ckedthepenandwr otehernamedowntear
sbl
urr
edherface
andsheleanedbackcryi
ng..

Aene:
I'
m beggingyoukapapa.
..Forourfat
her'
ssakeplease.I
pr
omiseI'
l
lgiveyouP2000permont htherestofmyli
fe.

Shet
urnedt
hephonear
oundandshowedAeneherdi
rt
ypi
ctur
es.
..

Otlhe:Iwantthepl
otorthi
swill
trend,Bat
swanawil
lknowthat
therearepornstar
sinBotswanabecausetheydon'
tknowthat
somepeopl earemakingseri
ousv i
deos.Di
dyouthi
nktaki
ng
downthatwebsi
tewil
ler
asey
ourpast?Gi
vemetheplot
,I'
m not
aski
ngformuch.Fi
l
adipampi
rit
saLandboar
dmonyanamrwa
nti
a.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#147

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..

Aeneparkedthecarandrubbedhert
ear
swhi
l
eOt
lhel
ookedat
herhol
dingthepaper
s..
.

Ot
lhe:Kantewhyar
eyoucr
ying?Soy
ouwantt
hepol
i
cet
oaskus
what'
sgoingonorwhat
?

Aenedr
oppedt
hemi
rr
orandwi
pedhert
ear
s..
.

Otl
he:Yourey
esar
eswol
l
enandr
eddi
sh,
youcan'
tdoanaf
fi
dav
it
l
ikethi
s.

Aene:
Giv
emeunt
ilt
omor
row

Ot
lhe:
No,
wehav
etot
ry.You'
l
ltel
lthem y
ouhav
eal
l
ergi
es.

Aene:Doy outhi
nkt
heywill
believethat?Legalear
eyeeebut
whateverhappensi
nther
eI'm notresponsibl
efori
t.

Otl
he:Youcan'
trepor
tme,
maki
ngpor
nisi
l
legal
inBot
swana.
You'
ll
gotojail
too.
Aene: Idi
dn'tsayI'
m goi
ngt oreporty oubutifyouthinkthepoli
ce
willsi
gnanaf fi
davi
tofacr yi
ngclienty ou'
rewrong.Insteadthey
'r
e
goingt okeepmei nther
eandquest ionmepr ivatel
yuntili
tel
l
them thetruthofwhichIcansayRandal lwasmyboy fr
iend.I
ts
notill
egaltosleepwithyourboyfri
endandr ecordyoursexas
l
ongasi t
snotf ort
hepublicofwhi cht hewebsiteisdown.You
havenopr oofthatiwasapor nstar .Youhav emynudesonl y
.

Otlhe:Thepoli
cemi ghtnotarrestyouyesbutwhataboutyour
husband?Thechi ldyou'
recarryi
ngandy ourcust
omers?The
reputati
on?Doy outhinkthedeaconandt hechurchwi
llseeyou
thesamewayaf terseei
ngy oufli
ckyourbean?I'
m goi
ngt o
searchuntil
ifi
ndmor evi
deosofy ou..

Aene:
Buti
didn'
tref
use,
I'
mjustsay
inggi
vemet
ime.

Otlhe:
Youseem cal
m now.You'
llt
ell
them youhaveal
ler
giesi
f
theyaskyouquest
ionsyouanswerproper
lyunl
essyouwantto
besaygoodbyetoyourl
ovelyl
if
e.

Aenesteppedoutoft
hecarandtheywalkedtowardst
hepoli
ce
st
ati
on.Oneoftheoff
icer
sstandi
ngbyt hecount
ersmil
edand
st
ret
chedouthishandtorecei
vethepapers.
.

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?

Ot
lhe:
Hel
l
o,r
etsi
l
egoi
kana.

Hi
m:Thi
ssi
depl
ease.
.
Theywal
kedi
nsi
deandsatdownast
heof
fi
cerr
eadt
hei
rpaper
s..
.

AtMar
u'sHouse.
..

Derr
ickstoppedbr
ushi
nghi
steet
handl
ookedatMar
uasshe
spoke.
..

Der
ri
ck:
Eri
cdi
dwhat
?

Mar
u:Ihear
dfr
om Apul
a,appar
ent
lyt
heywer
eshoot
ingpor
n.

Der
ri
ck:
Ist
her
eanypar
ti
cul
arr
easonApul
aisbr
ingi
ngi
tupnow?

Mar
u:Aenei
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed

Der
ri
ck:
Shekepti
tforsol
ong,
it'
sbeeny
ear
s.Whynow?

Maru:Ir
eall
ydon'
tknow, i
getafeel
ingthatshewashur ttofi
nd
outAeneisget
ti
ngmarriedbasedonherpast .Shewasn'tas
happyasshewouldusuall
ybebutmay beit'
sbecauseuncle
askedherwhenshe'
dgetmar r
ied.

Der
ri
ck:Er
ici
scr
azywai
tse,
whyt
hehel
lwoul
dhet
akepar
tin
por
n..
.

Maru:Buthe'
schanged.
..Al
lthesepeoplehavechanged.Idon't
under
standwhyithastobeabi gdealnowbuti f
eell
ikeApula
needscounsel
li
ng.Shei
sgoingt osel
fdestr
uct.Whenshesai dit
thefir
stti
mei t
houghtshewasj okingbutwhenshepul l
edout
proof.
..Iwasshocked.Ourothercr
azycousinwal kedover..The
poisonousone..
.Shecarri
edont el
l
ingthelady.Iactual
lythought
i
twoul dbebetweenthesister
sonlythoughi don'
ttrustOtlhe.

Derri
ck:Can'
tyoucallthem all
andagr eetokeept hisamongst
yoursel
vesoryoutalktoAeneandt ellherwhatApul at oldyou
thenyouexplai
ntohert heimpor tanceofhonest ybefor esucha
bigstep.Hermarri
agewoul dbef oundedont het ruth.
..Imagineif
Ihidli
edtoyouaboutmypastt henonedayy ouseeav ideoofme
getti
ngassault
edbymyexwi f
e.Agr eeingtokeepi tasecr et
wouldbecowar dl
yandunf airfort hehusband, t
alkingt oAene
aboutcomingcleanisriskybecauseshemi ghtlosehi m butifhe
staysthenshewil
lenjoythelov eofamant hatlovesherf orwho
sheis

Mar
u:I
'
llt
alkt
oherabouti
t.
.

Hecar
ri
edonbr
ushi
nghi
steet
h..
..

AtMonga'
smot
her
s..
.

LateronMonga'
smot
herf
itherdr
esswhi
l
eMeshaandLana
stoodby.
.

Her
:Wow.
..I
'
m wear
ingadr
essf
rom ov
erseas.
..If
eel
sobi
g.A
dr
esst
hatcr
ossedt
heoceans.
.

Thegi
rl
slaughedasLanat
iedMesha'
sdr
essatt
heback.
.

Mesha: ThankyouLana. .
.Il
ov emine.Heyt hemmai ftheboys
haveclothestheydon'tuseletmeknow.Ther ei
sagr oupof
chil
drenthatl
iketogot ochurchbar ef
ooted,oneofthegirl
s
doesn'tevengot oschoolandshei s12y earsol
d.Apparentl
yshe
droppedoutbecauseshedi dn'thaveapr operuni
for
m.I t'
sfunny
thatsomechildrendropoutwhent hegov ernmentenrolschil
dren
formont hl
ysupport.
..I
'l
lneverunderstandwhynobodyhel psthis
chil
dren.

Lana:
(st
oppedt
ying)Wheni
sthenextchur
chser
vice?

Mesha:Today
,it
sjustpr
aisi
ngandworshi
ping.Thebi
gserv
ice
wi
llbeonSunday,i
t'
sTuesday,
Thur
sday,Fr
idayandSunday.
.why
?

Lana:
Doest
hisgi
rlandhersi
bli
ngscomet
ochur
chev
eryser
vice?

Mesha:Yes,it
hinkit'
stheonl
yplacetheygettomeetot
herkids
andplayatt
hepl ay
groundbutthe12y earol
ddoesn'
tpl
ay.She
att
endstheservi
cethoughshesitsattheback.

Lana:
Whatt
imei
stheser
vicet
oday
?

Mesha:
At6

Lana:
Ok.
..
Shel
ookedatt
het
imeandsi
ghed.
..

Lana:
Letmegogetr
eadyf
ort
heser
vice.
.

Mot
her
:Okbaby
,thanky
ouf
ort
hedr
ess.

Lana:Eemma.
.Canwet
akeapi
ctur
e?Nnaker
ataFacebook
bathong.
.

Hermot
heri
nlawlaughedandhuggedherasshet
ookasel
fi
e
wit
hher
,Meshaputupfinger
sandsmil
ed.

Lana:
Ihav
etogogett
heboy
sready
..
.

Her
:By
e

Mesha:
Seey
oul
ater
.

Lana:
Bye

Minuteslat
ershewalkedoutsmili
ngandpostedapict
ureof
hersel
fandhermotherinlawandcaptioned,
"Mar
ryi
ngintoa
goodf amil
ymakesthingsabitbet
ter
.Ilovemymotherinlaw.
"
shepostedanddroveof f
..
.
AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Shel
ockedt
hecarandwal
kedi
nrepl
yi
ngcomment
s.

Lucy
: That
'st
rue.Godbl
essy
ou.

Repl
i
edher
:Thanky
ouchef

Facebookaccount
: Ther
eisnopr
idei
nmar
ryi
ngapor
nst
ar.

Lanacli
ckedontheaccountandcheckedherpi
ctur
es,shel
ooked
famil
i
arforsomereason.
..Andther
eitwas,api
cturewit
hApula.
.
Soitwashercousi
n.

Shewal
kedi
nthehouseandhandedMongat
hephone.
..

Lana:
Whati
sshet
alki
ngabout
?

Mongareadthecomment ,hesmil
edindi
sbel
iefandcli
ckedon
t
hepict
ures,
from herpi
ctureswi
thApul
aitwasn'thar
dtotel
l
whatwasgoingon.

Monga:
Let
'sgosi
tont
hebed,
I'
ll
expl
ainev
ery
thi
ng.
MyKi
ndofMan

#148

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Mongawal
kedi
nandhel
dthedoorwhi
l
eLanagoti
n,shef
olded
herar
msashecl
osedt
hedoor
.

Monga:
Sitdown.
.

Shesatont
hebedandl
ookedatt
het
ime.
.

Lana:
Buakapel
aiwantt
ogot
ochur
ch.

Hegotonhiskneesbet
weenherlegsandputhisarmsar
ound
herbum asheburi
edhi
sfacebet
weenherthighs.

Monga: It
'salongstory.
..Butherewego.Ri ghtaf
tergraduationi
sear
chedf orjobsandi couldn'
tfi
ndany .Ihadtwooptions..
.At
l
eastthat'
swhati thought..
.Icoul
deithergohomeandst aywi t
h
mypar entsandbyt hewayi di
dn'
tl
ovemymot heratthispoint.
Soitwasei t
herthatori f
indanotherwayt omakemoney .Ihadto
takecar eofHopet houghi wasn' templ oy ed.Il iedt omypar ents
andsai di foundaj obinMaunt heni leftmymot herwi thHope.
Thev eryf i
rstcr imei commi t
tedwascl oni ngATM car ds, igot
awaywi thitf oraboutamont ht heni gotcaught .Ispentt imei n
j
ai l
.Whi l
ei nt hereimetaguy ,hewasanunder cov eragentwho
wasspeci ficall
ysentt ogeti nfor mat i
onf rom anot heri nmat e.I
coul dn'tbel ievesucht hingsexi sted. .
.Itwasawor ldi nev erknew
existed.Thi sguysomehowl ikedmeandt oldmehe' dcont actme,
afterser v i
ngmyt i
me. .
.Whi chwas3mont hs.Wheni was
releasedi hadnowher etogo.Iwasgoi ngt obehomel essbutt his
guywaswai ti
ngf ormei nt hecar ,hebasi callyt ookcar eofmef or
mont hst heni wassentout sidet odoa12mont hsassassi nati
on
training.Youl earnev erythingf rom howt ocommi tmur der ,stage
i
tandl eav enot race.Youbasi callylear nev erythi ngt hatt he
det ecti
v esspent5y earsl earning. .Youl ear nal lofi tinj ust12and
i
fy ouf ai lt
her esult
swi l
l bey ouget ti
ngcaughtandgoi ngt oj ai
l.
Af tertrainingi camebackandst artedwor king...Themoneywas
goodbuti twasn' tanev er ydayt asksoi tmeantgoi ngf or6
mont hst oay earwi t
houtanassi gnment .Ihadt ocomeupwi th
anot herwayt osur vi
vebecauseHope' scondi tionwasn' tget ti
ng
anybet ter.Att het i
mei di dn'thav et i
mef orwomensoi l
ikedpor n
al ot,onet i
mei noti
cedhowt her ewer eanony mouspor nst ars.
..
Theseguy sj ustjerkedof fanddosomet hi ngal oneandf orsome
reasonwomenf i
nditappeal ing.Icr eat edapr of i
leundert his
websi t
eandupl oadedmyv i
deos, itmademoneyy esbutt he
websi t
et ook70%whi l
ei got30%soIdeci dedt ocr eatemyown
websi t
eupl oadedadul tcont ent, i
tgr ewbi gandi foundacamer a
manEr i
candonewoman.Hernamei sMer cy,wedi daf ewv i
deos
andev entuallyaddedanot herbythenamePur ple..
.Latercamebo
RandallleboThong.Thebusi nesswasdoinggoodandIwas
happyunt il
y oustartedmessi ngwithapoliceofficerwhowant ed
tofindsomet hi
nghecoul dsendmet ojai
lf orandkeepmysonas
his.Thischangedal ot.
..Iwantedtodor i
ghtbymysonandi
want edalegi tbusi
nesssoshutdownt hebusi nessanddi d
somet hinglegal.I'
venev ershowedmyf aceonl i
neandt heonly
wayt orecogni semewoul dbewi t
hmydi ckbecausei t
suni que.

Lana:
Howdi
dApul
a'
srel
ati
vef
indout
?

Monga:Apul
aistheonl
ypersonwhoknowsbesidesthecr
ewbut
idon'
tbl
ameher.Idon'
twanttobl
ameanyoneforthedeci
sionsi
made.Thi
swasgoingtocomeoutsoonorlat
er.

Lana:
Whydoy oul
i
kedef
endi
ngherev
enwhenshei
sdest
roy
ing
yourr
eput
ati
on?

Monga:Babeidon'
tknowwhatmadehersayi
t,maybei
twasthe
sl
ipofatongueormaybeshedi
dn'
tev
ensayitatal
l
.Eveni
fshe
sai
ditsheowesmenot hi
ng.

Lana:Whateveryousay..
.Keit
segoreeveni
fyouknowit
sher
you'
ll
neverjustadmitbutshei
sgoingtodest
royyou.

Monga: Iexpect
edhert okeepmysecr et
sbuti fshetel
lsI
woul dn'
thateherf ori
t.Car ryi
ngasecretisal otofburdenand
somepeopl ecan'tcarryitforlong.Sheisjusthuman.Ijusthope
thereisn'tanypi
cturesl eftouttheresothesecanj ustberumours.
I'
mj ustwor ri
edaboutwhoev erwi l
lmenti
onThong. ..Hecanbe
twistedandhedoesn' tforgiveatall
.Nnababekesi ameandI'm
waitingforwhatev erGodbr i
ngs..
Lana:Ifyousayso, l
et'
sgetr
eadyforchurch.
..Idon'tcareabout
yourpastijusthopeitwon'
tcomebackhunt ingy ou,ifi
tdoesI'
l
l
holdyourhandt hr
oughoutunt
ily
oustartcheat i
ngev en
emotionall
y..
.That'
swhenwewi l
lhaveapr oblem.

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)Don'
twor
ryaboutt
hat
..
.

Hest
oodupandpul
l
edherast
heyhugged.
..

AtOt
lhe'
shouse.
..

LateronAeneparkedi
nfr
ontoft
her
ent
alhouse,
Otl
hest
epped
outandclosedt
hedoor.

Ot
lhe:
Thanks,
pleaseconsi
dermov
ingoutsoon.By
e.

Aene:
Bye

Shedrov
eoffast
ear
sfil
l
edhereyesthenshedial
ledMongabut
ther
ewasnoanswer
,hewasprobabl
yinchurch.

AtThong'
sHouse.
..
Meanwhil
eThongpackedhi
sdickdownwardsbet
weenhislegs
andfi
xedhisbr
ief
sbefor
eputti
ngonhissweat
pants.Hi
sphone
rangt
henhegrabbedi
tandpickedonhiswayout
..
.

Thong:
Hel
l
o?

Er
ic:
What'swr
ongwit
hApul
anebat
hong?Ihear
dshet
old
ev
eryonewedi
dporn.

Thong:Aslongasshedoesn'tment
ionmynameshei ssaf
e, nna
skaibi
lemothoalekel
amogonnankamony edi
saMongaot aa
mpolaahela.Khumoalr
eadyknowsev er
ythi
ngaboutmebuti sti
ll
won'tal
lowanyonetospreadmybusinessandrui
nmyreputation.

Eri
c:Gatweshehasment i
onedyourname, gat
wey ouevensl
ept
wit
hAene..Itseemsiwasn'tment
ionedthough.I
'
mj ustgi
vi
ng
youtheheadsupgorethereisabi
gdr amacloudcomingandit'
s
abouttogodown.

Thong:Kanawhenir
eal
isedPurpl
ewasAtsil
e'
ssi
steri
tol
d
Mongai won'
tbedoi
ngher,I
'
veneversl
eptwit
hher
.BonaI'
ll
cal
l
youback,l
etmedealwi
thher.

Hehungandwal
kedout
..
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#149

AtApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Thenextmorni
ngThongknockedandwal
kedinasApulat
ooka
deepbreat
handsi
ghedrest
ingherchi
nonherfi
stsl
ooki
ngat
hi
m.

Thong:
Hi

Apul
a:Whatdoy
ouwant
?

Thong:Icametoyourhousel
astnightbutyouweren'
thome.I
wantedtotal
ktoy
ouaboutsomet hing.
..Ihear
dsomethi
ngfrom
someonewhohear dyousaysomething.

Apul
aleanedbackandcr
ossedherl
egsl
ooki
ngathi
m..

Apul
a:And?

Thong:Idon'
tknowwhaty ou'
regoingthroughiny
ourli
febut
someofushav eapastthatwedon' twanttheworl
dtoknow.We
weren'
tallpr
ivi
l
egedtohavedegreesandj obssoweresortedt
o
thi
ngswear enotpr
oudof.Ihadsexoncamer awit
hdiff
erent
womenbecausei wasmot i
vatedbymoney ,icomef r
om av er
y
poorbackgr ound...Iwasaher dboy .
..Iwaspai dP800permont h
andi nt hatmoneyi hadt osuppor tmypar ent sandmysi ster.I
l
ov eBot hot hesamewayy oulovey oursi st ersandi want eda
goodf ut uref orherbecausei fail
edi nschool .Gakeanewa
thuto...Nekesai tewaseat annakodi t
hut ongandi t
riedmybest
towor khar d.Itdidn'twor koutforme, t
her easoni loveMongai s
becausehechangedmyl i
feandwhenwebecamef ri
endshi s
educat ionl evelandmi newasnev erapr obl em.Hehel pedme
makemoneyandhehel pedmegett utorssoi canspeakEngl ish
fl
awl essl ikethis.Iam notpr oudoft hel i
fewel i
ved10y earsago.
I'
vechangedmyl i
feandI 'm adifferentper sonnow.Iwantmy
pastt ost ayi nthepast .Fr om whati gathery ou'retheoneper son
whohast hepowert obr ingbackmypast ...Nnamosadi wame
waai tsegor egakeper fect ..
.Buti hav emanagedt obui lda
reputat ionov erthey ear s.Idon'twantt ohat eyou...Pleasekeep
mynameoutofy ourmout hwheny out alkt opeopl eespeci all
y
aboutt hispar t
icularpast .Iknowt hatit'
snor mal todi scuss
peopl ear oundus, tr
ustmel ennai heart hingsabouty ouandt al
k
toMongabuty ou'
llnev erhearmesaysomet hingt hatwi l
lruin
yourcar eerorr eputati
on.

Apulatookadeepbr
eathandsi
ghedpi
nni
ngherel
bowsont
he
tabl
elooki
ngathim.
..

Apul
a:Idon'
towey
ouanyl
oyal
tyThongwaut
wa?
Thong:
Iknowt
hat
.

Apula:Yessostaythehellawayf
rom mebecauseidi
dn'
tsay
anythi
ngthati
sn'ttr
ue.You'v
eneverl
i
kedmesi ncet
hedayi
exposedyoursecret.

Thong:You'rewr ong...Act
uallyitwasgoodt haty out ol
dAt sil
e
abouttheweddi ngbecauset hatwasmypl anall al
ong.Iwant ed
hertofindoutonmyweddi ngday .Ididn'
tli
key out hedayMonga
droveallthewayf rom Kasanecr yi
nghi swayhomebecausey ou
l
efthimi nthehouseandhadsexwi t
hanot herman, unprotected
sex.Hewai tedforacal lfr
om y ouhopi ngyou'dwantt otalkunt i
l
heleftaboa.That 'swheni stoppedl ikingyousoy oubet t
er
beli
evemewhenIsayt heonlyr easonI '
m notslappi ngyour i
ght
nowi sbecausei respecthim andi knowhewoul dn'
twantmet o
hurtyousoI '
m aski ngyounicelyt ostopspr eadingt hi
sbecausei t
won'tendwel lforhim notme.I 'm notapast orandmywi fe
knowsme. .
.Him ont heotherhandLanadoesn' tknowany thing
andhei sapast or.Hehasmadepeacewi t
hhi spast .LetGod
j
udgehi m don'tputhim ont hespotf orpubl i
cjudgment .

Apula:Ify
ouwantmet oapol ogi
seforsayi
ngt
hetrut
ht heni
won't.Idi
dn'
tevenknowt hiswoul dhurty
ousomuchf oryouto
comei nmyof fi
cethi
sear l
y.Idon'tcar
ekamogatseLanaand
whathedoes, doesheev erthinkaboutme?No,sowhyshouldi
thi
nkabouthim.Idon'tcarewhathappenst oMonga.

Thong:Tel
lwhoeveryoutoldt
okeepwhateveryoutol
dthem to
themsel
ves.Yourl
it
tl
esisteri
spar
toft
hisforchri
stsake.Shei
s
gett
ingmarri
ed...Ourwivesmayunder standandforgi
v eus
becausemostwomenar eunderstandi
ng,doyouthinkAene's
husbandwillunderst
and?Ifhegoesonandsear cheshowi had
sexwithherdoy outhinkhewi l
lgetoverit
?Whydest roythi
s
man'sli
feli
kethat?Yoursisterl
egone?

Apula:St
opt r
y i
ngtomakemet hebadpersonhere.Idi
dn'tt
ell
the
world.Whatthepeopleitolddowithwhatitol
dthem isnotmy
responsi
bil
i
ty..Ican'
tbeblamedforthethi
ngsthatpeoplesay.
..

Thong:
Ifyoukeepdoi
ngthi
siwi
l
lhur
tyou.Ipr
omi
sey
ou.Keep
mypastoutofyourmout
h.

Hest
oodupandsi
ghedl
ooki
ngather
..
.

Thong:Getaman, notl
itt
leboy s...Getamanwhowi l
ll
ovey oufor
you.
..Wheny oudot rypayingat tenti
ontohim andbemor e
femini
ne.Havingaf amil
yhel psonest ayoutofotherpeople's
busi
nessbecausei tkeepsy oubusyandset sy ourpri
ori
ti
esr i
ght.
Youalsowon'tbesoj ealous...Ifeell
ikeyou'r
eangr yatyoursel
f
andthewor l
d.Itsadbuty ou'
renotgoi ngtosuckmedownwi th
you,iwi
llhur
ty ouiftr
yme.Ket sayakereonkut ul
enextt i
meke
buakadiata.
..

Hest
oodupandwal
kedout
..
.
AtMonga'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.

Onthesamemor
ningMongawal
kedi
ntheof
fi
cedi
ali
ngAene'
s
number.
..

Aene:
Hel
l
o?

Monga:Hi,i
missedyourcal
ll
astni
ght.Iwasinchur
chandwhen
Igotouti
thoughti
tmightbeabitl
ateforphonecal
l
s.

Aene: Otlhecamet omyhousey esterdayandt oldmet hatApula

toldthem aboutthepor n.Sheev enshowedmeapi ctur eandsaid
Ishouldbuyhersi l
encewi thmypl otorel seshei sspeaki ng.I
didn'tt
ellmyf i
ancé,wemeti nchur chr i
ghtafteristar tedgoingto
church.(tearf
ull
y)Ilov
ehi m somuch, helovesme.Wehav eplans
forli
feandI '
m pregnant..
.Hisfami l
ylovesme, t
heyl ov emy
mot herandi don'
twantmymot herknowi ngwhati wentt hrough
tobui l
dherthathouse.Shewi lldiefeeli
ngguilty.Igav ehert he
plotbutnowshewant smet omov eoutimmedi ately...Idon't
thinkthiswil
lend,mont hendshewi l
ldemandsomet hingelse.

Monga:Butwhynotjustconfess?Yourcousincomment edon
Lana'
spict
ureandiconfessed.Lanaunderstoodandifel
t
rel
iev
ed.
..Pl
easetel
lhimthet r
uth,hei
sallthatmatt
ers.Weall
knewwewoul ddealwit
ht hi
satonepointinlif
e..

Aene:
(cr
ying)I
'
m sodi
sappoi
ntedt
hatmysi
ster
sar
edoi
ngt
his
tome.
Monga: Gobacktothatof
fi
ceandgetpaperstor
eversethepl
ot
t
ransferbecauseyoucan'
tdoi
talone.Tel
lOtl
heyouchanged
yourmind.

Aene:
Shewon'
tagr
ee.

Monga: ItrustApulat otal

ktoher,askLalat
ohelpandthengo
t
alktoy ourfiancé.Iwoul dbedi
srespect
inghisaut
hor
ityi
fi j
ump
i
ntohel pwi thoutknowingwhathewoul ddot ohel
p.I
tshis
t
erri
tory.Givehi m achanceandifhecan'thel
pthenIpromiseyou
t
hatIwi ll
doev eryt
hingwithi
nmypowert ohelpyouwit
hr egar
ds
t
oOt lhe.Pleaset al
kt oLala

Aene:
Thesameper
sonwhot
oldpeopl
e?

Monga:Shepr obablydi
dn'
tmeant o,i
tcameoutthewrongway
.
She'
dnev erhurtyouint
ent
ional
ly,
shewouldn'
thurtme
i
ntent
ionall
y.YouknowApul aisnotevi
l.

Aene:
Ok,

Monga: Thent
alkt
oyourf
iancé.(
shecr
iedoutl
oud)Emi
sago
l
ela.
..Aene?

Aene:
Thi
sisgoi
ngt
odest
roymydr
eams.

Monga:Onl
yyoucanhandl
ethi
s..
.hehastoheari
tfr
om you.I
t
wi
llbebadi
fhehearsf
rom any
one.You'
rerunni
ngoutofti
me..
.

Aene:Ok,
letmegoseeApul
aandgot
alkt
omyf
iancé.Wi
shme
l
uck..
.

Mongapi
ctur
edhi
sfi
rstt
imeseei
ngAenesel
l
ingai
rt
imeatt
he
mall
,howhecount
lessl
yhadt
oconvi
ncehert
heycoul
dmake
moremoneywit
hsuchabeauti
ful
body.Thef
eari
nheront
hei
r
f
ir
stshoot
..
.

Monga:
Aene?

Aene:
Rra?

Monga:
I'
m sor
ryf
orr
uini
ngy
ourl
i
fe.

Aene: Youdidn'
t.
..Youhel
pedmebet t
ermyl i
fe.Idon'
tregr
et
doingitbecausei hadnochoi
ce,
ijustwishitcouldstayinthe
past.
.Pleasedon'tblameyour
sel
fforall
t hese.Iwasanadul tnot
achild.

Monga:
Letmeknowhowi
twent
.Goodl
uck

Aene:
Thanks

Hehungupandsighedleani
ngback.Hi
sphoner
angt
henhet
ook
adeepbr
eat
hlookingatThong'
scall
..

Monga:
ManD

Thong:Idon'
tl
ikeApula'
satti
tudeandifshekeepsdoingt
hisiwi
l
l
hurther
.Iwenttoheroff
iceandtri
edtotalkt
oherlikeanadul
t
butshetol
dmeshei snotresponsibl
eforwhatpeoplewil
ldo
wit
hwhatshet ol
dthem ibi
leshedidn'
tli
e.

Monga:
Thongcanwer
espondt
othi
smat
urel
y,y
ouhav
eto
thi
nk...I
t'
salreadyl ate.
..I
t'
stoolatetoevensayany thingtoher
becauseenoughpeopl eknowenought oleti
tout.Youj usthav e
tothinkabouthowy ou'
llr
espondt othi
soncei tgoespubl ic.Don't
evertalktoApul a,keepheroutoft hi
s.Ifsheislett
ingitoutl et
herdoi tmaybei tmakesherf eelbet
terbutattheendoft heday
i
t'snotal i
e.Shei snotl yi
ng,shedoesn'towemeany thingand
after10yearsI'm sur eshedoesn'tcarehowt hiswil
laffectme. .
.
Buty ouknowi careabouther ,i
fyouhurtheri wil
lneverfor gi
ve
you.Itwil
lendourf ri
endship.Don'tt
alktoher,ever.

Thong:Ihopey
ouknowshedoesn'
tcareabouty
oubecauseif
shedidshewouldn'
thav
ement
ionedyournameknowi
ngy ou'
rea
past
or.

Monga: Itsti
lldoesn'tchanget hati can'thurther.Don'
tcome
anywherenearher ,
it'
sourmessandshedi dn'
tl i
e.Let
'sjustdeal
withit
,don'ty outhi
nkI 'm scaredt oo?I fthiscomesouti nt
othe
publi
cmy sel
fandAenear egoi ngt opaymor e, mebecauseI '
ma
pastor,
Aenebecausewomenal way spaymor et hanmen.You
hadsexwi t
hherbutt rustmeshei sgoi ngt olosewaymor ethan
you'l
leverlose.Idon'tknowwhatt hesepeopl ehav e,i
pr ayit
'snot
avideobecauseAenewi l
l notrecov erfrom this.Shemi ght
commi tsuicideandi don'twantt hat .Otlheisblackmaili
ngherbut
iwantLal atohelpher

Thong:
Apul
a..
.Akoor
eAPULA.

Monga:Apula,
Apulawil
lhel
pherandshewillt
alkt
oherfiancé,
togagonnaekaregar
etotehusbandy
agaAeneabegomot ena
evenmore.Ronawedeal wi
tht
heconsequencesofouracti
ons.
Thong:
Ok,
iguessy
ou'
rer
ight
.

Monga:I
'mright
,cool
ermr
.You'
resaf
e,wi
feyknows,
what
'st
he
wor
stthatcanhappen.

Thong:
(laughed)Keshapoee

Monga:
(laughed)Shapo

Hehungupandsi
ghedt
henhebegunwor
king.
.

AtApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Meanwhi l
eApulaprint
edsomedocument sandwai
tedf
orthe
pri
ntertorol
lthem outbutitbeeped.Shest
oodupandputmore
paperthenshesatdown. .Thetelephoner
ang.
.

Apul
a:Goodaf
ter
noon.
.

Recept
ion:Goodmorni
ngma'
am,youhaveavisi
torbyt
hename
AeneTsatsi
ng.Shesay
sshei
syoursi
ster
.Shoul
di l
ether
thr
ough?

Apul
asighedandroll
edhereyes,herewegoagainwi t
hanother
por
nstarcomingtolabel
herevil
f orsay
ingsomethingasifi
t
wasn'
ttr
ue.Thisonebett
ernotcomewi ththatat
ti
tudeinher
of
fi
ce.
..Thi
swasget
ti
ngt
oomuch.
..

Apul
a:Yes,
lethert
hrough.
.

Recept
ion:
Thanky
ou.

Shehungupandsi
ghedt
henshepi
ckedherphoneandt
ext
ed
Ron.

Apul
a:Goodmor
ningbabe,
hav
eagoodday
.Justt
hinki
ngabout
you.

Shesentandsi
ghedasAenewal
kedi
n.Apul
atookadeepbr
eat
h
andsi
ghed..

Apul a:What'sgoingonkubugetsej aana?Setsekelapil

ewaitseke
diissuet salona.It
sli
kei i
nventedthisortol
dthatwitchtogo
commentonsoci almedia.Nowev eryoneiscomingformeasi fI
wast her
ewhent hepornwasmade.Nnakanakebusybat hong
ket heogetse,someofushav etomakemoneywi thdignit
yandi t
takeshar dwor kwedon'tjustspreadourlegstogetmoney .

Aenelookedathershamef
ull
yandswal
l
owedt
henshef
orceda
smil
e..
.
Aene:
Iwasj
ustsay
inghi
,I
'l
lgoi
fI'
m di
stur
bingy
ou.

Apula:Youcamet ot al
kaboutthepornt hi
ngAene.Fi r
stofalli
didn'
tasky outosleepwi t
hanyoneandi defini
tel
ydidn'
ttel
lbo
Otlhewiththeint
entionofdest
roy i
ngyou.IjustsaidI'
m shocked
thatpornstarsar
eget ti
ngmarried.I
fKediandOt lhedo
somethingorsaysomet hi
ngaboutitit
'snotmyf ault
..
.I'
vehad
enoughbl ame.

Aene:
Ok,
idi
dn'
tcomet
ofi
ght
.Iwi
l
lleav
e

Apula:
Thanky ou.Pl
easetellyourpeopl
ethatidon'
twantanyof
them t
alki
ngtomeabouty ourpast.I
'
m notthebadper
sonhere.
Leskant i
rat
hebadper son.

Aene:(st
oodup)OK...Andaboutthebestladythi
ng...I
'
llf
ind
someoneelse.Iunderstandt
hatyourschedulei
stightandyou'
re
pregnant
.Youneedt orestasmuchaspossi bl
e.

Apula:Okankobahel aol
ef r
eebecausey out
hinki
t'
smyf
ault
yoursecretcameouty ouevenwentt oThongsohecant
hreat
en
me.Thisf akechr
ist
ianpersonawon'tfoolme.
..

Aene:
Idi
dn'
ttel
lThongany
thi
ng.

Apula:
Omaakat ot
a.Koorenowyouwantt obl
amemef oryour
act
ionsonthomell
aboThong.I
'm expect
ingMonga'
scal
ltooif
youpeopl
ekeepbother
ingmei wi
llr
eportyoual
l.

Aene:
Don'
trepor
t.
..Idon'
twantpeopl
eknowi
ngaboutt
his.
..
Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
esandshechokedl
ooki
ngather
..
.

Aene:
(shakyv
oice)It
houghty
ou'
l
lhel
pmet
hat
'sal
l
.

Sheturnedaroundandrubbedhert
ear
swalki
ngout.Apul
at ooka
deepbreathandsighedthenshest
oodupandlookedout
side.
Shediall
edhercousin.
.

Her
:Hel
l
o?

Apula:Ot aanyel
akanaKedi, ontwaetswakeeng?Wheni t
old
youkaAenedi dIaskyoutobr oadcasti
ttotheworld?Gompi eno
j
aanagakenwemet si
moof isingpeoplearewalki
ngi nandout
thr
eateningme.Nowt hisisgoingt omakepeoplethinkI'm bi
tt
er
whenI '
m not..
.Otaanyelammamol omo, t
hiswhyyourt eet
har e
fal
l
ingout .

Kedi:
Uhuakeregawabuagor ekesephiri
.Icomment edonher
postbecausesheannoy smeandherpost skeeppoppi ngonmy
newsfeedyetI
'm notherfr
iend.Peoplesharehernonsenseandi
t
comest ome.Don'ttal
ktomel ikethatI
'm notyouragemate
moopakewena.

Apula:Atl
eastidon'
tspendhoursatt
her anksel
l
ingrot
ten
vegetabl
eswant wael
askweejanekewena.Whatmakesy ou
thi
nky oucancompareyoursel
ftome?Nnagakel ot
eleka
kgorokgorwanei
bil
egakebey edi
jomotrankengeekareekabay
a
t
hokol
osi
.

Kedi
:(l
aughed)Youcanbesuccessf
ulaker
eyou'
re2in1.You'
rea
manandawomansoy esyouhavetheadvant
ages.Letme
st
ruggl
eonmyown.

Apul
a:Bl
oodypeasant
!

Shecutthecal
landsighedtr
yingt
ocalm downthenherf
ri
end
sentherascr
eenshotofLana'
spost.Shefr
ownedreadi
ngit
..
.

"Il
oveMay aAngeloubecauseatti
mesitsl
i
kesheistal
king
aboutme.Iwishsomepeopl ecoul
dreadmoreofherquotes.
Herear
e3ofmybestpi cks.

1.Bit
ter
nessi
sli
kecancer
.Iteat
supont
hehost
.Butangeri
sli
ke
fi
re.I
tburnsi
tal
lcl
ean.

2.Ihav egreatrespectforthepast .I
fyoudon'
tknowwher e
you'vecomef rom,youdon'tknowwher eyou'
regoing.Ihave
respectforthepast,butI'
m aper sonofthemoment .I'
m here,and
Idomybestt obecompl etelycenteredatt
heplaceI'm at
,thenI
gof orwardtothenextplace.

3.Mymi
ssi
oni
nli
fei
snotmer
elyt
osur
viv
e,butt
othr
ive;
andt
o
dosowi
thsomepassi
on,somecompassi
on,
somehumor
,and
somest
yle.
-May
aAngelou.

I
nshortkaremyenemiescant r
ytheirbesttodestr
oymeandmy
f
amil
ybutt heywon'
tsucceed.Keepleavinghat
efulcomment
son
mypost,you'
reonl
ymakingmest ronger.Nowi seethe
i
mport
anceofapr ayer
."

Apulasi
ghedandrubbedherey
ebr
owt
henshel
oggedon
Facebookandty
ped.

<Donotmi stakenmebei ngout spokenf orbit

terness, iam nota
bitt
erex.I
fi wasbitt
eri wouldhav etoldy outhatwheny ouwer e
i
nMaunr i
ghtaftertheKasanet ripi wasi nFtownt akingcar eof
yoursickhusband.Hecaughtaf everandi wast heref oraweek. .
.
Somuchhappeneddur i
ngt hatt imet hatwheni leftheaskedme
tocomebackagai neveryweekend.Ev eryFridayhepai dformy
fl
ighttobewi t
hhim andi r
eturnedonSunday s.Di dt hepast ortel
l
youhecr i
edont opofmeandt oldmehewi llnevergetov erme?
Didhet el
lyouthathelov esyoubutasnotmuchashel ov esme?
Ididn'
ttel
lyouthatbecausei didn'twantt odest royy ourf ami l
y
andi t
houghthedeser vedbet tert hani couldgivehi m.Iam not
bitt
er,
ifiwasIwoul dhav etoldt hepol i
cet hatLopangy our
boyfri
endwentmi ssingrightaf terMongaf oundouty out wot r
ied
tostealhi
sson.Lopang' scasewentcol dandhewasnev erfound
andwecanonl yspeculate.Didt hepast oralsot ellyouhewasor
i
sst i
ll agov ernmentspy ?Idon' tknowi fhei sagov ernmentspy
orat rainedsecr etagentbuthei sat rainedki ll
er .Awai tsemma
gor emonnawagagoonal eboOmangl edi passpor ttse11?Yup
hehas11I Dsandpasspor ts,heal sohasagun. ..Ahandguny et
accor di ngt omyl i
ttl
eknowl edgehandgunsar ei l
legal i
nBot swana.
Ifiwasbi tteri woul dn'thav ekeptal lthesef orsol ong.Just
becausey ourhusband' sexdoesn' tlicky ourboot sdoesn' tmean
shei sbi tt
er .Idon' thav etobey ourf r
iendt opr ov eI '
m notbi tt
er
andmenotbei ngmar rieddoesn' tdef i
ni t
elymeanI 'm bi t
ter.Ifi
wasbi t
teri woul dhav el ongtoldy ouy ourmanmadet hatfor t
une
throughpor n,thebeadsonhi sdi ckar ewhati ncr easedhi s
viewer sonl ine.Ifi wasbi t
teriwoul dhav ejustt ol dy out hat
Mongasl eptwi thmeev er
yweekendwheni wentt oFt own.Ont he
l
astdayofmyv isi
tther ehebeggedmenott ocal l him becausehe
wasn' tsur ei fhe'dcont i
nuewi thy oui fwekeptt alking.Hel iest o
youandev er yonear oundusbecausehei saf raidt oadmi tther eal
truth.Askhi m whatwewer edoi ngi nFt ownt hewhol emont h.IfI
wasbi t
teri woul dhav el ongsai dal l
thesebuti didn' tbecauseI
wast ryingt opr otecty ourchildrenandt heirfat her .Jaanongke
bonaekar elebat agony elel
amot hogony amel othehel a.Bo
Thonghel awagor obalal edipodi i
snowt hreat eni ngme, Aene
helaPur plecomest omyof fi
ceabat agoi pagol olelamogodu.I
knowMongawi llbecomi ngformewi tht antrumsandanger ..
.But
iguessnotbecausei justpost edt hisandy ouhav eal otto
expl ain.Leav emeal onepeopl e.I 'm pr egnantandi hav ea
relationshi p.>

Shepost
edandsi
ghedput
ti
ngdownherphone.Not
if
icat
ionsof
herpostbei
ngshar
eddi
ngedoneaf
teranot
her
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#150

AtMonga'
sof
fi
ce.
..

LateronMonga' sphonedingedoverandoverasfr
iendst
agged
hi
m onApul a'spubl
icpost
.Her eadthepostf
orthehundr
edth
ti
mebef or
el eani
ngback..
.

Heloosenedhi
stieandsi
ghedasThongcal
l
ed,
her
ubbedhi
s
mouthandpickedthecal
l
...

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Thong:Sowhatdoy ouhav etosaynow?Di dyouseeherpost?

Am isupposedt ojustignorethatshej
usti
nsult
edme?Har ragwe
Apulaanear obaladipodiitdoesn'
tmeaneveryher
dboydoes
thi
s,ineverknewt hi
swoman' seducat
ionmadeherthi
nksoless
aboutotherpeople.

Mongaswal
l
owedandr
ubbedhi
sheadwi
thoutawor
dasThong
wai
ted.
..
Thong:
Nobuasengwemr
,okasedi
dimal
e

Hebi
thi
slowerl
i
pst
ari
ngi
nspace.
..

Thong: I
fyou'
refi
newit
hthewayshejustdidyououttherei
t'
sok
butI'
m notlet
ti
ngthi
sgoatthi
nggobecauseshei snotthef
ir
st
persontosaythi
s.Buagorewareker
eng...Am isupposedt
obe
okwi t
hthat?

Monga:Ihonestl
ydon'tknowwhatt osay..
.maybeit'
sher
hormones,shesayssheispregnant.
..Yourangerisfr
ustr
ati
ng
mebecausey ou'
rejust
ifi
ed,I
'l
ltaket
heblamehel abecauseIal
so
don'
tknowwhatj usthappenedbutI'
mr eal
lyscaredri
ghtnow..
.

Thong: Andy ouhadsexwi thheraf t

erwhatshemadey ougo
through?Leav i
ngy ouinthehouset ofuckanot hermanraw
gosenacondom y oust i
l
lhav ethelivertokissherandhavesex
withher ?Partofmedi dn'twanttobel ieveyou'l
lsl
eepwithherbut
iknewy ouwouldf al
lforherstunts.Sher efusedtogetthe
condomsdoest hatmeanomopal amehel aboloto?Doesn'
t
mat teranywaygaat shole..
.(si
ghedwal ki
ngupanddown)Youl et
herseeal lyoursecret
s, t
hingsthatcanputy ouinjai
l
.Neo
tshepileApulagolekaeneMr ?

Hef
rownedashi
shear
tpounded.
..
Thong:
Mat
aozenweeI
'
mtal
ki
ngt
oyou,
repl
yme

Monga: Apul
aistheleastofmywor ri
esnow, oncet heagency
fi
ndsoutaboutthisthey'r
egoingt oki
llmebecauseI '
m noteven
supposedtoquitinthefir
stplace.Theyall
owedmebasedonmy
rel
igi
ousreasonsandt heydidn'
tfeelthr
eatened...Nowifthe
poli
cetakemei nforquestioni
ngitputsthem atr i
skbecauset hey
mayassumei wil
lspeakaboutal lmyassignment s.They'
regoing
togetridofme.I'
m adeadmanwal ki
ng.Thel eastyoucandoi s
supportmeonmyl astdays.

Thong'
sthr
oatdr
iedashet
ri
edswal
l
owi
ng.
..

Monga:Ihavetocal
lalawyerbefor
ethepol
i
cequesti
onme
becauset
hisLopangissuest
ressesmemorethananyt
hing.

Thong:
Ist
her
eany
thi
ngi
cando?

Mongat
ookadeepbr
eat
htear
ful
l
yandsi
ghed.
..

Monga: Standbymeunt i
lmyl astday.They'r
egoingtomakei t
seem li
kesui ci
debutIwanty out oknowthati wil
lneverki
ll
my sel
f.Ilovemyboy stoomucht omaket hem got hr
oughthat
andi want edtohaveadaught erandseehowshewi l
lbeli
kesoI
wouldn'tdiebeforeiseethathappen.Iwillneverki
llmysel
f.Tel
l
myboy
sthatwhent
hey
'r
egr
own.

Thong:
Shi
t.
.

Monga:
Yeah.
..Letmecal
lmyl
awy
er.

Hehungupanddi
all
edal
awy
er.
..

Lawy
er:Iwasjustaboutt
ocal
lyou.Di
dyouseewhat
'sgoi
ngon
mofacebook?

Monga:
That
'swhyI
'
m cal
l
ing.Whatdoi
do?

Lawyer:
Wecan'tt
alkonthephone,
I'
ll
bet her
eshor
tl
y.Don'
tl
et
anyoneiny
ouroff
icebecausey
oudon'tknowwhatcanbe
pl
antedint
her
e.

Monga:
Ok.By
e

Hehungupandsi
ghed.Thedooropenedt
henLanawal
kedi
n..

Lana:
Soy
ousl
eptwi
thher
?Uh?

Shewalkedaroundhi
stabl
easher
oll
edhi
schai
rar
oundf
aci
ng
herandstoodup..
Lana:Soiwasri
ghtthatni
ght?Youwerewithher..Andyouact
l
ikeyoudon'
tunderst
andwhyt hi
swomant hinkssolessofme.I
askedyouaquesti
on..
.Isshetel
l
ingt
hetruth?

Hej
uststar
edatherwi
thalongf
ace,Lanasl
appedhi
m acr
oss
t
hefaceandhecl
enchedhi
sjawslooki
ngather
..

Lana:
Didy
ousl
eepwi
thher
?

Monga:
(st
utt
eri
ng)No,
idi
dn'
t

Lana:
Soshei slyi
ngaboutbei
ngthere?Youknowandiknowshe
i
snotlyi
ngandt hat'
swhyyoumov edusfrom Maunt
ostayaway
fr
om herbecauseyouknewshe'dtel
lme.

Monga:
Shecametomey
esandwespentt
imet
oget
herbuti
di
dn'
tsl
eepwi
thher
.

Lana:sowhydi
dshegobackov
erandov
er?Neaepaengsese
kanakoFtowni
nyourr
oom?

Monga:
Idi
dn'
tsl
eepwi
thher

Lana:I
t'
sthatki
ndoft
hingt
hatanger
sme, whycan'
tyout
ell
the
tr
uth?Whydenywhenyoucanseethetr
uthisout?

Monga:Obv i
ouslyyou'
llneverbel
ievemebesi
desthi
swas10
year
sago.I'm sorr
y,I
'vebeenfait
hfult
oyoufort
hepast10y
ear
s
doesn'
tthataccountforsomet hi
ng?

Lana:
Soy
ousl
eptwi
thher
?
Monga:
No

Shesl
appedhi
m againandpunchedhim ashest
eppedback
bl
ocki
ngherhands,shet
urnedaroundandsweptev
eryt
hingof
f
hi
stabl
eashislapt
opcrushedonthefl
oor.

Monga:Canwenotdot
hisi
ntheof
fi
cepl
ease,
ever
yonei
sin.
Don'
tembarr
assme.

Lana:Embarr
ass?Di
dyousayy
oul
ovemej
ustnotasmuchas
youloveher
?

Monga:
Idon'tr
emembersay
ingt
hatbuti
fIdi
dIsai
ditbecausei
t
waswhatshewant
edtohear.

Sheopenedthelapt
opandst
ompedoni
tasMongal
eanedont
he
deskl
ookingather.
..

Monga:
Lana?Weneedt
otal
k..
.I'
mint
roubl
e..

Shegr
abbedt
hebl
i
ndf
oldsbyt
hewi
ndowandpul
l
edt
hem down.
.

Lana:
Youwantt
oembarrassmeonf acebookwit
hyourwoman?I
knewther
ewassomet
hinghol
dingherback.You'
real
iar
..
.
Shewalkedoutandgr abbedthebroom bythecleaner
ssection
thenshewalkedinthefir
stoffi
ceandcrushedthecomput eras
theemployeequickl
ysteppedbackandalmostt ri
pped.She
walkedouttotheotheroffi
ce.
..

Lana:Yout
houghti
wasj
oki
ngwheni
sai
dI'
l
ldest
royev
ery
thi
ng
youhaveri
ght
?

Mongawalkedpastt
heoff
iceshewasdest
roy
ingandst
oppedby
t
herecept
ionwit
hashir
tmissi
ngbutt
ons.
..

Monga:
Hi ,
pleaset
ell
every
onetot
akeadayof
f,r
ightnow.Cal
l
ev
eryof
ficeandtel
lever
yonet
ogohome.

Hesl
owlysatonthecouchbyther
ecept
ionwi
thhi
sheaddown
asempl
oyeesall
walkedout.
..

PA:
Shoul
dical
lsecur
it
y?Mr
sTi
kii
sbr
eaki
ngev
erycomput
er.

Monga:
Yes.

Lanawal
kedi
nther
ecept
ionandl
i
ftedt
hebr
oom st
ickcr
ushi
ng
t
heTVont
hewal
lasMongal
ookedather
..

Monga:Lanayou'
redest
royi
ngmychildr
en'
spr
oper
ti
es.Kopao
emi
se,gakebategogotsenyal
etsogo.

Shewalkedov
ert
ohi
m andpi
nneddownt
hebr
oom st
ick
pant
ing.
..

Lana:Don'tev erment i
onmychi l
dreni ny ourmess. ..Youdi dn't
thi
nkaboutMj wheny ouwer esleepingwi t
hApul aandkepti ta
secretall
thist i
me.Howdoi knowy ou'
r enotsl eepingwi thher
nowbecausei don'
tev enstayinBot swana.I 'm divorcingy ouso
youcangobackt oApul a.Let'
sseei fyou' l
lbehappybei ngleft
i
nsidethehousef oranot herman. .
.ohy eahsher eportedy ou.The
womany ou'realwaysdef endingsenty oust r
aighttoj ail
wher e
youbelongbecauset ot hisdateyouhav en'ttoldmewhyLopang
wentmi ssing.I'
m glady ourgirl
fr
iendal sot hi
nksy ouki ll
edhi m
becausepar tofmet houghti wascr azy.

Shewalkedout,Mongasighedandbur i
edhisf
aceonhi shands.
About3minutesaft
erhehear dscr
eamingandthesmel loffi
re,
hestoodupandwal kedoutofthebuil
dingwher
ehi scarwasin
fl
ames.Ever
yonestoodbyt aki
ngvideoswit
htheirphones,t
he
fl
amescaughttheshadeabov ethecarandmov edoverthebars
ontopofthecars.
..
Account
ant
:Mycari
sgoi
ngt
ocat
chf
ir
e!

Hetri
edtogetinbuthi
scol
l
eaguespul
l
edhi
m backast
hey
watchedhotpl
asti
cli
qui
ddroppi
ngont
opoft
hecarsasthe
shadeburned.
.

PR:
Wecal
l
edf
ir
edepar
tment
!

LanagotinhercaranddroveoffasMongast oodbywi t
hhis
handsinthepocket
slookingathi
scargoi ngupi
nf l
ames.The
poli
cesir
enandthefir
edepar t
mentstoppedby,thefi
refi
ghter
s
j
umpedoutanddr aggedtheheavyhoser unni
ngtowardsthecar
whil
ethepoli
cemov edeveryoneback.

Mongawal
kedt
owar
dst
hepol
i
cecarwi
thanot
herof
fi
cer
..
.

Of
fi
cer
:What
'sgoi
ngon?

Mongabreathedheavi
l
ylooki
ngatthesecondcarcatchingthe
fi
rebef
orethefir
efi
ghter
sbegunsplashi
ngtheext
inguisheral
l
overt
hecars..
.
Monga'
sheartpoundedandhi
sbr
eat
hinggotl
i
mit
edashel
eaned
ov
erthepol
icecar.
..

Of
fi
cer
:Ar
eyouOK?

Monga:
Cani
siti
nsi
de?If
eel
dizzy
..

Of
fi
cer
:Sur
e..

Mongasatint
hebackseatwi
thhi
slegsoutandl
eanedr
ubbi
ng
hi
seyes.
..

Of
fi
cer
:Whathappened?

Monga:
It'
smywif
e..
.Sowewil
ldi
scussi
tpr
ivat
ely
.Thecar
swi
l
l
ber
epai
redbyt
hecompany.

Hislawyerwal
kedov
erandgr
abbedhi
m pul
l
inghi
m outoft
he
poli
cecar..
.

Hi
m:Comeher
e..
.(t
otheof
fi
cer
)Sor
rybossI
'
m hi
slawy
er

Of
fi
cer
:Sur
e,nopr
obl
em.
Thenewspapervehi
clest
oppedbyandaj
our
nal
i
stst
eppedout
wit
hhisphonerecor
ding.

Lawy
er:
Geti
nmycarandcl
oset
hedoor
.

Heopenedt
hedoor
,Mongagoti
nandcl
osedt
hedoor
.

Att
hef
iancé'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Aene'
sfi
ancést
areatherasshenar
rat
edherst
ory
..
.

Hi
m:Youshott
hesev
ideosf
orhowl
ong?

Aene:
I'
m notsur
emay
be4or5y
ear
s.

Him:Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay
..
.Sot
hatposti
ncl
udesy
out
oo?
Purpl
e?

Aene:
Yes,
iwentther
et ot
ryandtal
ktoherabouthel
pingmeget
backmypl
otbutshedidn'
tevenl
i
sten.Shei
salsoangrywit
hme..

Him:Whydi dn'
tyoutel
lmeall t
hese?Nowitfeel
sli
key
ou'
re
fake.
..Idi
dn'
tknowI'm marr
yingapornst
ar..
.Andnowthi
s?How
am igoingonexplai
nittomyf amil
y?

Aene:
(tear
ful
l
y)I
'
m sor
ry.
..
Hi
m:Sowhatshoul
dido?

Aene:
Ijustwant
edyoutohearitf
rom me.Idon'
tknowi
fyoust
il
l
wantt
ocar r
yonwit
hthewedding.

Him: Ineedti
me, iwonderwhatelseyou'
rehidi
ng..Youmessed
aroundwi t
hguy swhoar eki
ll
ers.Youandiarefrom 2di
ff
erent
worlds..
.Ineedtime.Givemespaceunt i
lI'
vefi
guredoutwhatt
o
do..
.Don'tcall
meunt il
icall
you.

Aene:
Ok.
.

Hi
m:Ihav
eameet
ing.
.

Aene:
Sor
ryl
etmego.
.

Shewalkedoutoft
heof
ficetear
ful
lyandheadedtothecarwher
e
shesatint
hecarandcr
iedforabout2minutesbef
oredri
ving
off
..
..

AtApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Oshawal
kedi
ntheof
fi
cehol
dingherphoneandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
.

Osha:Mamadel et
et hatpostthisl
adywasn'
ttal
kingt
oy ou.I
rer
eadherpost3t i
messhei st al
ki
ngaboutaunti
eKediakereshe
i
st heonewholeftacommentonherpost ?Totamamaabeodi r
a
sentetr
endi
ngonf acebooklikethi
s?
Apul
a:Shei
st al
ki
ngaboutbit
ter
ness,
iknowshei
stal
ki
ngabout
mebecausetheysayI
'm bi
tt
er.

Osha: Shet hi
nksaunt ieKediisbitter
,sheistalki
ngabout
someonewhocomment edonherpost .Eit
herwaywhyar ey
ou
i
nv ol
vingsomanypeopl ei
nthis,aunti
eAenenev ertroubl
esus.
Andshei sget t
ingmar ri
ed,don'tyouthinkthi
swi lldestr
oyher
mar r
iage?Nowi thi
nky oulowkeyhat eAene, may bebecausey ou
thi
nkshesl eptwi t
hMongabutt hismama?Facebooki snotthe
answer .
.I'
m at eenagerbutI '
dnev erfi
ghtonf acebook.Please
delet
et heset hingsandst ayawayf rom thi
sdr ama.War eo
pregnant..Ifthi
swhi temani srealandnotamadeupst oryt
hen
focusony ourfami l
y.
..

Apul
a:IknowshemeantmebutI '
l
l del
etei
t.Shecanplaywith
Engl
ishhowevershecaniknowshemeantmet houghto
ever
yoneitmeantKedi
.Therewasat i
mei cal
ledheri
ll
i
terat
e
year
sagousingthesayi
ngy asharpestkni
feinthebox.
..Sheis
basi
call
ydoi
ngthesamet hi
ng.Iknowshei s..

Osha:Pl
easedelete,you'r
enowt rendingpeoplearesay i
ngy ou
l
ookolderthanMongahewehewe, ver
ysoononeoft hem wi l
l
bri
ngupTumoi ssueandy ouri nf
erti
li
tyanditwon'tendwel l
.
They'
real
readycall
ingy oujealousbecausey ourlif
eisstagnant .
Notevery
oneisony oursi de,someoft hem j
ustthi
nky ou'
r ethat
exwhocan'tmov eon.Pr ovet hem wronganddel etethi
st hen
focusonyourbusinessandbabyi fatal ly
ou'
repregnant.

Apul
api
ckedherphonet
odel
etebutt
her
ewasaknockont
he
door
.Shepausedl
ooki
ngatt
hedoor
..

Apul
a:Yes?

Twopol
i
ceof
fi
cer
swal
kedi
n..

Of
fi
cer
:Goodaf
ter
noon.
..Maywet
alkt
oyouf
orami
nut
e?

Apul
aandOshal
ookedatoneanot
hert
henshewal
kedout
..

Apul
a:Yes.
.

Off
icer:
It'
saboutsomeoft heinfor
mationyousharedonsoci
al
media.Doy oumindcomingwi thus?You'
renotunderarr
estwe
j
ustneedy ourhel
pintheinvesti
gati
onofami ssi
ngpoli
ceoff
icer
bythenameofMi chaelLopang.

Apul
aswit
chedof
fthecomput
erandgrabbedherhandbagt
hen
shewal
kedoutwi
ththepol
i
ceoff
icer
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..
.
Meanwhi
l
eLanaangr
il
yputhercl
othesi
nthebag,
MJwal
kedi
n
andst
oodatr
hedoor
..

Mj
:Whydowehav
etopackourbags?

Lana:
Wear
eleav
ing.

Mj
:Iwantt
otal
ktodad,
whyi
shenotpi
cki
ng?

Lana:
MJnotnow

Bryce:
What'
sgoingon?Wherearewegoi
ng?Whydoy
ouhav
ea
bandageonyourhand.Di
dyoutwofi
ght
?

Ther
ewasaknockout
sidet
henshewal
kedpastt
hem.
.

Lana:
Packy
ourt
hings.I
'
m notnegot
iat
ingwi
thy
ou.

Sheopenedt
hedoort
otwogent
lemen.
..

Man:
Hi,
I'
m det
ect
iveLor
e,ar
eyouMr
sTsel
anaTi
ki
?

Lana:
Yes.
.

Hi
m: Wear
einvest
igat
ingthecol
dcaseofthemissi
ngpol
ice
of
fi
cerMi
chael
Lopang, doyoumindansweri
ngafewquesti
ons?

Lana:
No
Him:Canwedoi
tdowntown?You'r
enotunderar
restwej
ust
needtoasky
ouafewquest
ions.

Lana:
Ok.
.Letmegetmyphone.

Shewal
kedi
nandgotherphoneast
heboy
slookedather
..

Mj
:Wher
eisdad?

Lana:
I'
ll
bebackshor
tl
y.Wat
chy
ourbr
other
.

Shewal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
..
.

AtMesha'
sHouse.
..

Meshast
oodbyl
ooki
ngatMongaashesatont
hecouch.
..

Mesha:Di
dyoudoi
t?Ij
ustneedt
oknowi
fyoudi
ditbecauseI
'
m
soscar
edfory
ou.
..

Mongaj
ustl
ookeddownl
ooki
ngathi
sswi
tchedof
fphone.
..
Mesha:
Simanana?I
'
mtal
ki
ngt
oyou.
.

Monga: Takecar eofmyboy s.

..Don'
tlosecontactwi t
hthem.I '
ve
blockedmybankaccount ssoLanadoesn' tleavethecount r
ywi t
h
them butshehasherownper sonalaccountsandtheyhav e
enoughmoneyf orhertosur vi
veaslongaspossi ble.Ican'tblock
ourjointaccountbecausei tneedshersot hatmoneyi sav ai
lable
forhertoo.Theboy seachhav eanaccountandI '
vebeen
depositi
ngt hei
rsavingsthere.
..Sheopenedt heaccountsf or
them soshehast hepowerov erthem andnotme.I fshel eaves
trytokeepincont actwit
ht hem sotheydon'tfor
getus.

Mesha:
Hav
eyout
alkedt
oal
awy
er?

Monga: Yesbuti
t'
sgoingt
obeabumpyr oadi
fApulakeeps
tal
king,
Lanaisveryi
mport
anttothei
rcasetoobecausethat
'st
he
personwhoknowswhati t
oldLopang.

Mesha:
Butotdoesn'
tpr
ovey
oudi
dany
thi
ng.

Monga: Hewasapol i
ceof f
icer
, doy oureall
ythi
nkthepol i
cewil
l
j
ustl etthissli
de?Hewasoneoft heser ankshewasn'taspecial
const ablesoApul ajustturnedtheircoldcasehot ,
I'
m sureis
beinggi venf i
rstcl
assrespectandt reatmentsoshecanspeak
mor e..ThewayLanai sangr y,idon'tknowbutt henimightnot
evenl ivelongenought obesentt ojailbecauseiknowt hi
ngsthat
arecl assif
ied.I'
m probablygoingt obef oundhanginginmy
pri
soncel lbutjustknowt hatI'
dnev erkillmysel
fnomat terhow
fr
ust rati
ngt hi
ngsget .
Ther
ewasaknock,
Mesha'
shear
tski
ppedasshet
urned.

Monga:
(whi
sper
ed)Opent
hedoor
..
.It
'sok.
.

Shereluct
ant
lyopenedthedoort
otwodet ect
ives,
Mongaslowl
y
puthisphoneonthetabl
ethenhegrabbedhissweaterand
walkedoutputt
ingi
ton.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#151

AtOt
lhe'
shouse.
..

Aeneknockedonthedoorandst
eppedback,
Otl
heopenedt
he
doorandsteppedout
..

Ot
lhe:
Yes?

Aene:Ineedmypl
otbackbecauseI
'
vealreadyt
oldmyf i
ancé
ever
ythi
ngandKediandApul
aannounceditonFacebook.

Otl
he:Youalr
eadygav eitt
ome.Itsmine,pleaseleav
ebeforet
he
endofthi
smont h.Ideserv
ethi
splotbecausey ourmothert
ook
ever
ythi
ngthatbelongstomyfather
.Ifyouwanty ourpl
otback
youtel
lyourmothertogivememyf ather'
splot.

Aene:
Idon'tknowwhatl awyou'
ret
alkingaboutbutt
heonei
knowproperti
esbelongtother
emainingspouse.Doyouwantt
o
ki
ckmymot heroutofthehomeshebui l
t?

Otl
he:
It'
snother
s..
.Butanywaysit
'sher
s.Thi
sonei
smi ne.I
fyou
t
rytorepor
tmeIwillt
ellt
hem yougavei
ttomebecauseyou
t
houghtyou'
dmarryarichguy
.

Aenet
hought
ful
l
ylookedatherasshespoket
hensheputher
handinherhandbagtost
artr
ecor
ding,
Otl
hequi
ckl
yst
opped
tal
ki
ngandsighed..
.

Ot
lhe:
(cal
mly
)Yougav
emet
hispl
ot,
whyar
eyouchangi
ngy
our
mi
ndnow?

Aene:
Youknowy
ouwer
ebl
ackmai
l
ingme

Otl
he:
Me?Whyar eyout
ryi
ngt
otri
ckmei nt
ogiv
ingyouthepl
ot?
Youal
readygav
eitt
omeandit'
smine.Youcan'
ttakebackagi
ft
.

Aenesi
ghedl
ooki
ngathert
henshet
urnedar
oundandwal
ked
away.

AtAene'
smot
her
s..
.

Aenewalkedt
owar
dsthehouseashermot hersati
nfr
ontofthe
house,
shesatont
heblanketbesi
desherandlai
dherheaddown..

Her
:What
'swr
ong?

Aene'
seyesfil
l
edwitht
ear
sasshelai
dherheadonherl
apt
hen
sheputherhandov
erherf
acecr
yingoutl
oud.
..
Aene:Youshouldn'thavetoldApulathatI'm gett
ingmar r
ied,she
gotsoangryandt oldevery
oneapasti didn'
twantout .Otlheused
i
tagainstmeandnowbei ngt heonlypersonwhocoul dhelpshe
chasedmeaway .I
'm evenafrai
dtoappr oachmyot hersi
st er
s
becauseiknowApul aiseveryone'
sf av
our i
teandshecannev er
donowr ong.Youshouldhav ekeptmyweddi ngasecret.
..Idon't
evenknowifI'
llevergetmar r
ied.

Her
:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?Whathappened?

Shesatupandr
ubbedhertear
sthenshest
art
edf
rom t
he
begi
nni
ngasApula'
sauntl
i
stened.
..

I
nthei
nter
rogat
ionr
oom.
..

Thedet
ect
ivehandedLanaat
issueandsher
ubbedhert
ear
s..
.

Lana:
I'
m soti
redofthismanpretendinghelovesmewhenhe
knowshedoesn'
t.HeleftmeinMaunandspentawhol emont h
wit
hherandiknowhehasbeenpr obablysl
eepingwit
hherwhilei
wasatschool
.Henev erhasany
thingnegati
v etosayabouther
.

Det
ect
ive:
I'
m sor
ryaboutwhaty
ou'
regoi
ngt
hrough

Lana:
Idon'
tevenknowwhyhemarr
iedmebecausehecoul
d
havej
ustl
eftmeandwenttohi
swoman.
Det
ect
ive:
Tel
lmeabouty
ouandLopang.

Lana: SoMongaf oundmeatt hef ar

m andbr oughtmet oMaun,
day slaterIwasr epor tedmi ssi ngandhet ookmebackt omy
father'
shouset ogett heirblessi ngsbeforehecoul dst aywi t
hme.
Itoldhi mi fhel eftmeIwi l
l dumphi m andi didj ustthat .Lopang
calledmemi nut esaf ter .
.Itdi dn' teventakeaday .Hewast he
policemani repor tedt oinMaunsowest r
ikedadeal .Iwashi s
nannyandhe' dpayf ormyt ut or s.Itworkedf oray earandi felli
n
l
ov ewi thhi m becausehewassweet ,i
namedmysonaf terhim
andev engav ehi m hissur namewhi chiswr ong.Iadmi tthatbuti
didn'tknowwhoMongai sort hathecanbeagoodf athert oo.So
afteray earwhenMJwasj ustaf ewmont hsol dMongaf oundme.
Wewant edt opl ayi tlikehewasLopang' ssonbutMongapushed
theDNAi ssueandLopangf oughtbackbecausehewasont he
certif
icat eandhehadt helegal powerov erMJ.Mongat ol dhim
thatifitt urnsoutMJi shi sandLopangwasl yingev ent aki ngMJ
from hi m. .Hesai dhewi llgomi ssingandhewi llneverbef ound.
Att hi
spoi nti br okeupwi thLopangbecausehi smot herwas
cont r
ollingandshet reatedmel ikedirt
.Mont hsaf ter,ther esults
cameoutandMongaaskeduswhywel i
ed.Iapol ogisedbut
Lopangsai di fMongahadbeenamanf rom t hebegi nni nghe
woul dn'tbewhi ningl ikeal i
ttleboynow.If eel li
keMongawas
offendedbecausehedi dn'tknowIwaspr egbuthedi dn' tshow
anyanger ,hej ustl aughedl ooki ngathi m andsai d"whi ningl ikea
l
ittl
eboy ,me?Al lr i
ghtcool "Hej ustsaidthatandl eft,Lopangand
ihungar oundt oget herbecausehewasst illconv inci
ngmet o
takehi m back.It oldhi mI '
llthinkabouti tandgi vehim ar esponse
thenex tday ..Thenextdaywat enghewasmi ssing.Hi scarwas
thereandever
ythi
ngwast her
eexcepthim.
..Dayst
urnedi
nto
mont hs,mont
hsturnedi
ntoyear
sandy ear
sintoadecadest
il
l
nothing.

Det
ect
ive:
That
'sv
erydet
ail
ed.
..Thanky
ou.

Lana:
Cani
gonow?

Detect
ive:
Doy
out
hinky
oucanaskhi
m mor
equest
ionswhi
l
e
recor
ding?

Lana:
No,Idon'
thav
eti
mef
ort
hatI
'
mtooangr
ytoev
enl
ookat
Monga.

Detecti
ve:Youhaven'tr
eal
lygi
venmeany thingtowor
kon.Al
li
gotwasat hreat
..Atl
eastifi
twasthr
eattoki l
lwhi
chonecanbe
chargedforbuthejustsai
dhewill
gomi ssing.

Lana:Thenhepr obabl
ydi
dn'tdoit,
itwasjustacoi
nci
dencethat
hewentmi ssing.Hewasapol i
cemanmay bethi
evesgothi
m
becausehehadcasesi ncourtofcri
minal
shehadcaught.Li
steni
needtogo...Idon'
thavet
imef ort
his.

Det
ecti
ve:Ok,
you'
l
lgo.Letmef
ini
sht
aki
ngdownt
hest
atement
bef
oreyougo..

Hecar
ri
edonwr it
ingandcomplet
edev
ery
thi
ngt
henheopened
t
hedoorforherandshelef
t.
..

I
nthei
nter
rogat
ionr
oom.
..
Meanwhil
eintheot
herroom t
hev oi
cerecor
deront
het
abl
e
r
ecordedwhil
ethedet
ecti
veli
stenedtoApul
a..
.

Det
ect
ive:
Wai
t.
..Gobackhowdi
dtheconv
ersi
onst
art
?

Apula:Hewasonacal lwiththel aptop.Someki ndofameet ing

becausehewaswear i
ngashi rtandat ie.
.Iki ndofgott hefeeling
hewasst il
l usinghisident i
ti
essoIaskedhi mi fhehaski ll
ed
anyonebef ore.Hesai dy es,iaskedhowmanyandher efusedt o
tel
lmet henIaskedi fthereisany onehekilledt hateverhaunts
him orheregr ets.
..Het oldmeher egr
ettedki ll
i
ng
Lopang..
.Appar entlyhehadt r
iedt ostealhisson.Hewasont he
bir
thcerti
fi
cat eandhewoul dn'tl
etMongaspendt imewi thMJso
whent heresul tscamebackandheconf r
ont edt heguyhesai d
somet hi
ngl i
kei fhehadbeenamanf rom thest arthewoul dn'tbe
whiningli
keal i
ttl
eboysot hispissedhi m offandheki l
ledhim.

Det
ect
ive:
Howdi
dhedoi
t?

Apul
a:Mongasai
dhehi
thi
m ont
heheadandt
ookhi
mtot
he
bushwher
eheburi
edhi
m.

Det
ect
ive:
Wher
edi
dhebur
yhi
m?

Apula:
Idon'tknow,
idi
dn'taskbecauset
hest
orywasjustgett
ing
tooscaryf
orme.Ieventhoughthewaslyi
ngatsomepoint.

Detect
ive:Doy outhi
nky
oucanputarecor
deri
nyourpocketand
gethimt oincr
iminat
ehi
msel
fandgiv
ey oumoredet
ail
s?We
needt
oknowwher
ethebodyi
s.

Apul
a:Hei
sasof
tper
sonsoi
tshoul
dn'
tbedi
ff
icul
t.

Detecti
ve:Thanky ou, y
ou'r
ear esponsibleciti
zen...Thepoli
cei s
goingtoprotectyou, hewon'tev enknowy ouhel pedandev eni f
youhedoeshewon' tevergetout .Letmet al
ktomypar t
nerso
wecanor ganisethisandgett hisguy .Heisinthei nter
rogation
room, f
rom herewear erel
easinghi m.Yout wowi llgotogether
andy oucangethimt oopenup. ..You'r
efreetobecomf or
table
andseducehi mify ouhav eto.Heseemsabi tstressedoutsoi f
youcanbeki ndhemi ghtjustcrack

Apul
a:Ok.
..

Thedetect
ivewal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
,Apul
atookadeep
breat
handsighedwai
ti
ng..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#152

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on(
Gabor
one)

Apul
aandanotherdetect
ivewal
kedtowardst
hebuggedcar
wher
etheoff
icerhandedherthecarkey
s..

Det
ect
ive:
Itl
ooksl
i
key
ourcarr
ight
?

Apul
a:Yeah.I
tdoes.
.

Detect
ive:We'
veputanumberpl at
esimil
art
oy our
s.Thecari
s
wir
edwi thl
ist
eni
ngdevicessodon'twor
ryaboutspeaki
ngtoo
l
oud..Wedecidedarecordermightputy
ouindangerincaseyou
twotouched.Howwasy ourfl
ight?

Apul
a:I
twasmyfi
rstt
imef
lyi
ngapol
i
cehel
i
copt
er.Thi
sis
get
ti
ngscar
y..

Detecti
ve:Youhav etorel
ax...
remembery ou'
redoi ngthisforthe
i
nnocentmant hatwaski l
ledunfairly
, heleftali
tt
leboywho
deservesjusti
ce.Henowst ayswi t
ht hegr andmot herwhenhe
couldhavebeenl ivi
ngabet terli
fe.Lopangwasagoodpol iceman,
oneoft hemostr espectedpoliceof f
icers.You'r
ear esponsibl
e
ci
ti
zenandy oushouldn'tf
eel guil
ty.Assoonasy ouhandust he
caryou'l
lbeinMaunwi thi
nanhourandbackt oy ournor mal l
i
fe.
Wer eall
yappreciateyourhelp.
Apul
a:Thanky
ou.
..

Det
ect
ive:
Let
'sgowai
tinsi
de.They
'r
est
il
lquest
ioni
nghi
minsi
de.

Apul
a:ok

Theywal
kedi
nsi
de.
..

I
nthei
nter
rogat
ionr
oom.
..

Mongasighedfaci
ngthedet
ect
ivewhi
l
eanot
hersatatt
hef
ar
cor
nerl
i
st eni
ngtothem.
.

Detect ive:Youwer eangr y,iwouldbeangr ytooi fanyonetri

edt o
dot hatwi thmyownchi ld.I
'vehadal ookaty ourson'srecords..
.
Youhadt oadopthi m becauseoft his...Icani magi nebeing
forcedt oadoptmyownchi ldjustbecauseanot hermancl aimed
him. ..Thet ruthisifhewasy oursonandy ouwer ei
nnocenty ou
coul dhav egonet ocour twi t
htheDNAr esul t
st oputy ourname
onhi scertifi
catebuty oudidn't
.Insteadofcl aiminghim asy ours
biologi cal
l
yy ouhadt oadopthi m asanor phanorabandoned
child...
whichi spai nfulforanylov i
ngf at her...
That '
stotal
lyunfair
foranyf ather,youwentt hroughal otj ustt ohav ey oursonint he
Tiki name. ..Andt hiswassoonaf t
erl osingHope.Mymani looked
atapi ctur
eofHopeandMj ..
.Mj isli
kear eincarnationofHope. .
.
Mongaey
esi
tchedwi
tht
ear
sashel
ookedatt
hedet
ect
ive.
..
.

Det
ecti
ve:Thesepeopl
ebetrayedyou.
..Awholey
earstayi
ngin
Maunri
ghtunderyournosewithyourchi
ld,
achil
dwhocoul d
hav
ehealedyouaftery
ourlosswithHope.Youwereangry
..
Maybeyoudidn'
tmeant ohi
thimthathard.
.Wasitacci
dental
?

Monga:Ididn'
tki
l
lhi
m..
.I
'
vebeenher
eforhour
stel
l
ingy
out
he
samething.

Det
ecti
ve:You'
reapastor.
..Howdoyouthi
nkt
hepublici
sgoing
tor
espondtothis?Yourwifei
sint
henextr
oom t
alki
ng..
.Shetol
d
usever
ythi
ng

Monga:
Idi
dn'
tki
l
lLopang

Detect
ive:
Apulaisdenyingevery
thi
ngshewroteonFacebook
sayi
ngshemadei tallup..Att
heendofthedaywearegoingto
fi
ndLopang'sbody.

Thedet
ect
iveatt
hecor
nert
urnedandl
ookedatMonga.
..

Detecti
ve2:Iknowyou'
reatrai
nedkil
l
er,we'r
egoingf ordeat
hby
hangingbecauseyou'
renotevenremorseful
.Youkil
ledapolice
off
icer,
someonewhoser vedthenati
on..
.Doy outhi
nkwewi lll
et
i
tslide?

Monga:
Idi
dn'
tki
l
lLopang.
Detecti
ve2:Doyouthinkthei
ntel
li
genceoffi
cewi l
lbehappyt o
knowt haty
oumi susedtheski
ll
syouweregi ven?I'
m goi
ngt ofind
Lopang'sbodyandhisbodywillbeexamined.Forensi
cevidence
i
sgoi ngtoli
nkyoutohisdeathandthatwill
bet heendofy ou.

Monga:
Idi
dn'
tki
l
lhi
m..
.

Thedetect
ivessighedandl
eanedback.Her
ecei
vedagoahead
messageandl ookedatMonga.
.

Det
ect
ive:
You'
ref
reet
ogo.
.

Det
ect
ive2:
Thanksf
ory
ourt
ime.

Monga:
Thanky
ou.

Mongastoodupandwal kedout,hereachedinhi
spocketand
not
icedhehadlefthi
sphonewi t
hhissister
.Hespot
teda
pol
i
cemanst andi
ngbyandwal kedover.

Apul
a:Hi
..
!

Het
urnedar
oundandl
ookedbackasApul
awal
kedov
er.
.

Apul
a:I
'
m sor
ryaboutwhati
wrot
eonFacebook.Idi
dn'
tknowi
t
woul
dbet
hisser
ious.
.

Monga:It
'sok.
.Canyouborr
owmey
ourphone?Ineedt
ocal
lmy
si
stersoshecanpickme.

Apul
a:I
'
lldr
opy
ouof
f.
..
ify
oudon'
tmi
nd

Monga:
Lanai
spi
ssed,
ifshef
indsmewi
thy
oui
twi
l
lbeanot
her
st
ory
.

Apula:I
'l
ldropy ouoffattheroad..Pl
ease,i
tstheleasti
cando
aft
ereveryt
hingi di
dt oyou.I
fitmakesanydi ff
erenceididn'
tsay
anythi
ng..
.Ijustdeni
edev ery
thingandtoldthem imadeitallup.

Helookedatherrel
uct
antl
yandfinal
lyfol
lowedherasthey
wal
kedt owardst
hecarthensheunlocked.Theygoti
nthenshe
dr
oveout .
..

Hisminddri
ft
edoffashelookedatthecar
sbehi
ndt
hem t
ryi
ngt
o
f
igur
eoutifanyonewasfol
lowingt
hem.

Apul
a:I
'
m sor
ryf
orwhati
post
ed

Monga: I
'm disappointedbecausei t
rustedy ou..
.Butidon'tblame
youbecausey ouhav enevercaredaboutmet hewayIcar ed
aboutyou.Iwoul dnev erdothattoyour egardlessofthesituati
on
I'
min,t
her eisnothingi nthi
swor l
dthatwoul dmakeme
embarrassy ouunlessIdoi tunint
entional
ly.From thevery
begi
nninghel aApulay ounev erl
ovedme. ..Iknowthatiwasn' t
exactlyyourtypebutatl easthav esy mpat hy
.Youdi dn'twantto
bewi thmeandt henwheni gotosomeonewhoact uall
ywant sto
bewi thmel egonest il
lyou'renothappyf orme.Iwi shy oucould
seeinsidemyhear tandst ophur ti
ngme.Ev enaf t
ersomany
yearswheny ouwal ki
nt omyl i
feyoust i
ll
hur tmeandsomehow
blameme. .Whydi dy ouhav etoincludemei nyourfightson
socialmedia.Am i payingf ornotbei nggoodenoughf ory oukana
j
ang?Idi dn'
tleady ouon, I'
v ealwaysbeenhonestwi thy ou
regardingmyr el
ationshipleLana.I '
mv er
yhur tthatlovi
ngy ou
hurtsthisbadkoor eeveni fi di
stancemy selfyoust i
llhurtme.

Apul
a:I'
m sorr
y,f
orwhati
t'
sworth.
..Ideni
edev
ery
thi
ngsot
hey
don'
thaveprooft
hatyouki
ll
edLopang.

Monga:
Theysai
dsomet
hingl
i
ket
hat
.Ir
eal
l
yappr
eci
atei
t.

Apula:
Lanaseemst
ooangr
ythough,
didy
out
ell
hery
ouki
l
led
Lopang?

Monga:No,ialwaysthoughti
fshegotangryshe'
dreportsoI'
ve
nevert
oldherbutrecent
lywebeengett
ingcloserandialmost
tol
dherbutthenichangedmymi ndbecauseiknowshel oved
him.

Apul
a:Ist
il
ldon'
tunder
standwhatki
ndofangerwoul
dhav
e
madeyoukil
l?Di
dLopangsayanylastwor
ds?

Monga:
Notr
eal
l
y,hej
ustsai
dI'
m sor
ryshor
tl
ybef
orehedi
ed.

Apula:Kanat
hiscaseseemstobet
akinganot
hert
urn,
whati
f
theyfi
ndhisbody?Wheredi
dyouburyhi
m?

Monga:
Lanadoesn'
tknowany
thi
ng,
nobodyknowsany
thi
ngandi
knowf orsur
easl ongastheydon'tknowany thi
ngtherei
snot
hing
theycando.It'
sjustcir
cumstant
ialevidence.
.I'
mreall
ygl
adyou
didn'
tsayanythi
ng...Pl
easekeepitthatway .

Apul
a:Ok.
..Wher
edi
dyoubur
yhi
sbody
?

Monga:
Whyar
eyouaski
ng?

Apul
a:IguessI
'
mjustwor
ri
edt
heymi
ghtf
indt
hebody
.

Monga:
(sl
i
ght
lysuspi
ciousl
y)Isee.
.

Minut
eslat
ershestoppedatt
hetr
aff
icl
i
ghts,Lanapar
kedont
he
ot
hersidewhi
letal
kingtot
heboy
sattheback..
.

Lana:(angr
il
y)Mji
sai
dkeepqui
et!Iwon'
texpl
ainmy
sel
ftoy
ou,
I
'my ourmother
!

Mongatur
nedaroundandsheturnedaroundast
hei
rey
esl
ocked.
Lanal
ookedatApulaandshookherhead..
.

Mongasteppedoutoft
hecarandcl
osedthedoort
henhewal
ked
ov
er.Lanarol
ledupal
lthewi
ndowsandlockedt
hedoor
sas
Mongaknocked..
.

Monga:
Opent
hedoor
..Ij
ustaskedf
orar
ide
Lana:
(angr
il
y)Ar
ide?Fr
om awomany
oucheat
edwi
th?

Mj
:Mamaj
ustopent
hedoort
hel
i
ght
sar
egr
een.
.

Carshor
nedbehindt
hem,MJrol
l
eddownhiswi
ndowandopened
thedoor
,assoonasMongast
eppedonef
ooti
nLanadr
oveoff.
.

Mj
:Mamast
opi
t!

Br
ycebursti
ntot
earsscreamingasMongafinal
l
yputhi
sfoot
i
nsideandcl
osedthedoor.Lanadr
ovetothenextst
opand
st
oppedthecart
henshewal kedar
oundandopenedthedoor
..

Lana:
Getoutofmycar
..
.Iam sodonewi
thy
ou.

Monga:
Don'
tdot
hisi
nfr
ontoft
hechi
l
dren

Lana:
MongaI
'
m notpl
ayi
ngwi
thy
ou.
..Getoutofmycar

Sheleanedov erandpunchedhim,thechil
drengotoutthrough
theotherdoorandstoodov ert
herewatchingasthecarshook.
Shegotof fhi
m andopenedt heboot.Shegrabbedabottleof
j
uiceandbr okeitonthepavementthenshewal kedover.
.

Lana:
Getoutofmycar
,want
wael
aMonga.Yougeti
nhercar
?
Ri
ghtaf
tershet
ell
sev
ery
oney
oubeensl
eepi
ngt
oget
her
..

Br
yce:
(cr
ying)Mamast
op.
.

MJwalkedoverandgr
abbedherhand,
sheputt
hebot
tl
eont
he
ot
herhandandpushedMJback..
.

Lana:
( poi
ntedatMJ)Don'
tev
er,doyouunder
standme?Iwi
l
l
beatyousohardMJdoy ouunderst
andme?

BrycegrabbedMJ'shandastheystoodasi deshaki
ng.Theanger
andt hefi
ghti
ngt
heyhadneverseenbef oremadet hem shakein
horrorasMongagotoutofthewi t
hhi shandsinsurr
ender..Car
s
stoppedbyandpeopletookouttheirphones..
.

Monga:
Ok,
I'
ll
leav
e.

Lanagoti
nthecarasMongar
ubbedMJ'
stear
sandpul
l
edBr
yce
overf
orahug.
..

Monga:
I'
m sor
ry.
..Gohome,
I'
ll
seey
oul
ater
.

Br
yce:
Idon'
twantt
ogo.
.
Lana:
(st
uckherheadout
)MJ?Br
yce?l
et'
sgo.
..NOW!
!

Mongaopenedthebackdoorfortheboysastheygoti
nrubbi
ng
t
hei
reyes,hecl
osedthedoorandt r
iedt
oleanedovert
oassure
t
hem butassoonasthedoorclosedshedroveoff
.

Mongai gnoredever
yonewatchi
ngandborr
owedaphonefrom
theair
ti
mel adythenhewai
tedforhi
ssi
sterundert
hebusstop
shade..
.

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
.

Apulapar
kedt
hecarandst
eppedoutast
hedet
ect
ivegott
hecar
keys.
.

Hi
m: Wegothiml
oudandcl
ear
.You'
ret
hest
ate'
smosti
mpor
tant
wi
tness.Ar
eyour
eadyt
ogoback?

Apul
a:Yes.
.

Hi
m:Thi
sway

Shequi
etl
yfol
l
owedt
heof
fi
cer
,hersubconsci
ousquest
ionedher
agai
n..Itwastheamountoft rusthehad, t
hewayLanar oughly
droveoffdraggi
nghim onther oad,whathadshedone?Cl earl
y
ther
ewasnot ur
ningbackbutwassheaboutt odot hi
s?These
past2day sseemedtohavebeenf ull
ofdr ama.Thevi
ralpost
yest
erday,ThongandAenet ryingtoattackherandLanawi t
hher
shade..Fi
nall
ybeingf
lewov erhereforthisandnowgoi ngback..
Herphoner ang.
.

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Ron:
Hi,
wher
ear
eyou?Imi
ssy
ou

Apul
a:Wentoutf
orpi
zza

Ron:
I'
vecookedsomet
hingy
oumi
ghtl
i
ke

Apul
a:I
'
llbet
her
einanhour

Ron:
Alr
ight
,hur
ry.Ther
eissomet
hingweshoul
dtal
kaboutswel
l
.

Apul
a:Al
ri
ght
.Il
ovey
ou

Ron:
Ilov
eyout
oo.

Shehungupandwal
kedi
ntheof
fi
ce.
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Mongasi
ghedsi
tt
ingbyt
hepool
tal
ki
ngt
othephone.
..
Lawy
er:
That
'sal
lthaty
ousai
d?

Monga:
Yesr
epeat
edl
y.

Lawy er:Ok,alsoav oi
ddiscussi
ngthiscasewit
heveryoneeven
yourwi f
e.Peopl ecan'tbetrust
ed.
..Withsomuchtechnology
taki
ngov ert
hecount ryit
ssoeasyf oryoutosl
ipup.Gothel
ele
don'ttal
kt oanyone, i
fsomeoneasksj ustt
ellt
hem yourl
awyer
saidy oucan'tdiscussthecase.

Monga:
Ok,

Lawy
er:
Bye

Hehungupandsighed,par
tofhim coul
dn'tst
opwonderi
ngwhy
Apul
awasaskingwhereheputthebody.Sheaskedl i
ket
wice.
..
Coul
ditbepossi
ble?Hewasprobablybeingparanoi
d.

Thehousehel
perwal
kedov
erhol
dingaki
tchencl
oth.
..

Her
:Lebat
iwakebor
rebamapodi
si?

Monga:
Agai
n?

Hest
oodupandwal
kedi
nthr
ought
heki
tchendooral
lthewayt
o
t
hemaindoor
.
Monga:
Goodaf
ter
noon.
..

Det
ecti
ve:You'
reunderar
restf
ort
hemur
derofMi
chael
Lopang.
Pl
easetur
naround.
.

Mongat urnedar oundandputhi shandsbehi ndhi sback,the

offi
cercuffedhim andt urnedhim aroundast heywalkedout .His
heartpoundedashewal kedtowardst hepol
icecarbutknowi ng
thattheydidn'
thav eaconf essi
onf rom hi
m oranyev idencety i
ng
himt ohisdisappearancegav ehim comf or
the'dbeoutsoon.
Theircasewasbasedonassumpt ionsandsuspi ci
onsl i
kehis
l
awy ersaid.Hegoti nthecarandsatdownwi thhishandscuf fed
asthecardr oveof f
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#153

I
nthei
nter
rogat
ionr
oom.
..

Hour
slat
ert
hedet
ect
ivel
eanedbackl
ooki
ngatMonga.
..

Detect
ive:
Wehav eyouont apeadmitt
ingt
okill
inghi
m, i
t'
snota
questi
onofwhetheryoudidordidn'
t.
..
wejustneedhisbodysohe
cangetadigni
fi
edburial
.Pleasehavethehear
tt ogi
vehis
parent
ssomeclosure..
.Wheredidyouburyhim?

Monga:
Whatt
ape?

Detect
ive:Youhithi
m onthehead..Hislastwordswere"I
'm
sorr
y"beforehedied.
..Remembert hat?Wehav eevi
denceandi
t'
s
enought oconv
ictyou.Howseverey oursentencei
sgoingtobe
wil
ldependonhowmuchy oucooperatewithus.

Monga:Idi
dn'
tki
l
lhi
m.Isai
dwhati
sai
dtoi
mpr
essApul
a,i
didn'
t
ki
l
lLopang.

Det
ecti
ve:
Youknowy
ou'
rel
yi
ng.
..Pl
easegi
vet
hismanapr
oper
bur
ial
.

Monga:
Ial
readyt
oldy
out
het
rut
h.Ther
eisnot
hingi
cansaynow.
Thedet
ect
ivesi
ghedi
mpat
ient
lyandl
eanedl
eanedback.
..

Det
ect
ive:
Howdoy
out
hinkhi
ssonf
eel
s?

Monga:I'
m sureLopangt houghtabouthim, weal
way st
hink
aboutoursonsdon'twe?Idi dn'
tki
llLopang.Whatifhedecidedt
o
walkawayfrom him becausei t
ookmyson?obv i
ouslymyson
wasmor eimportanttohimthanhisf orhi
mt ofi
ghtmet hatbad
forachi
ldheknowsi snothi s.I
'
venev erl
aidahandont hi
sman.

Detect
ive:
I'
m goi
ngt
oseekt hehi
ghestpossi
blesentencefor
yourar
roganceandr
efusal
togiveusabodyforapr operburi
al.

Hest
oodupandwalkedoutl
eavi
nghi
mintheint
err
ogat
ionroom
f
orhour
s.Mongal
eanedovert
hetabl
eandsi
ghedindi
sbel
ief.
..

AtThong'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Hour slaterThongst eppedoutofthecarandcl osedt hedoor

thenhewal kedt owardstheoffi
cepressinghisphone.Hepaused
atthetr endingheadlineBREAKINGNEWS" Pastorar
restedforthe
mur derofwi f
e'sexboyfr
iend"
.Heclickedont heli
nkandr eadthe
arti
cleashewal kedtotheoff
ice.
..

Hesatdownandcl
i
ckedonanot
hernewspaperwi
thaheadl
i
ne,
"
Past
orappear
sbef
oreMauncour
tformur
derofapol
i
ceman"

Thong'
sheartshutt
eredashecarri
edonr eadi
ng"Theaccused
wasarr
estedshortl
yafterbei
ngrecordedadmit
ti
ngtheinci
dent
toanexgir
lf
riend"
.Tearsburnedhiseyesasherubbedhisnose
andputdownt hephone.

Er
ic'
scal
lcamet
hroughandhepi
ckedt
ear
ful
l
y..

Thong:
Yeah

Er
ic:
Didy
ouhear
?

Thong:Shetookhim down.
..Justl
i
ket hat
..
.10y
earslat
erhef
elt
socomf or
tabl
earoundherevenafterwhatshedidonsoci
al
media.Ihatet
hiswoman.

Er
ic:
I'
m scar
edf
orhi
m..

Thong:I'
mj ustshutter
ed,
heisgoi
ngt oloseeverythi
ngheworked
sohardfor.Allforastupi
dpol
iceoff
icerwhocoul dn'
tchoosehi
s
ownsonov eranot herman'
sson.I
'm sopissed,butI'
m morehurt
thanangry.

Er
ic:
Whatdowedo?

Thong:Retaarengnemr .
..KanaLanaisgoi
ngtogetthekidsand
l
eave.Thewayshei sdest
royingever
ythi
ngI
'm notcount
ingon
herbei
ngthereforhi
m.Gat weheisinMaungor ayagorethey
br
oughthi
m her
esoI
'
llgocheckonhi
m kemoel
atoi
l
etr
ies.

Eri
c:Ok,gorayagoreI'
l
lbei
nMauni nweekssincehewil
lbe
appear
ingincourtaf
ter2weeks.Accor
dingt
otheart
icl
ehewas
deni
edbail

Thong:
It'
stooear
lyf
ort
hem t
ogr
anti
t.

Er
ic:
Alr
ightShap

Thong:
Sur
e.

Hehungupandsi
ghedr
ubbi
nghi
sface.
..

Att
heai
rpor
t.
..

Meanwhil
eSediandLanahuggedwhi
l
etheboy
sst
oodbywi
th
ser
iousf
aces.
..

Sedi:They'
reangry..
.Ican'tbel
ievey
oudidt
hattothei
rfat
heri
n
thei
rpresence.Ithoughtaf t
ert
heamountofvi
olencewegrewup
i
ny ou'dneverexposey ourchil
drent
osuch.

Lana:Iwasangr y.
..Cany oubeli
eveApul atol
donhi m?Iknowshe
hatedseeingmehappyt hroughsocialmediabutt otheextentof
rui
ninghisli
fe?Sheknewshecoul dn'thavehim andshemade
sureiwouldn'thavehim eit
her.
..AndI '
m notevenfeeli
ngsorryfor
him becauseheshoul dn'
thavebeent alki
ngtoheri nthefi
rst
place.I
nev
eryoccasi
onwher
ehet
oldhersomet
hinghewasn'
t
supposedt
obet her
e..

Sedi:Buthei sst i
llyourhusband, hei sgoi ngtoprisonandhi s
businessesar egoi ngtober uined.Wor kersaregoi ngtomi suse
everyt
hi ngandt hesear ey oursonst hings.You'remar ri
edi n
communi tyofproper ty.Attheendoft hedayi fMongaget sal i
fe
sentenceordeat hpenal tyev eryt
hingr emai nswithy ou.Please
nnaka...Iunderstandt haty ouwantt ol eavebutdoy out hi
nki tsa
goodi dea?Whom ar ey ouleavingi ncont rolofyourchildren's
i
nher i
tance?Mar ri
agei snotal way ssmi l
esandgi ggles.Thi sisthe
thi
npar twher ey ouhav et oactsanet houghy ou'
reangr y..
.Apul a
messedev eryt
hingbutshei sgoi ngbackt ohermi serablelifethat
meansy oushoul dpi ckupt hepi ecesofy ourlif
eandl ivefort he
chil
dren.Theseboy sneedt ov isi
tt hei
rf atherandhearhi mt el
l
them hei sfi
ne..Pleasedon' tgeti nthepl ane..
.Ot ogelalapal e
mang?

Lanasi
ghedconf
li
cted.
..

Sedi
:Let
'sgoback.Youneedt
otakecont
rol
oft
hebusi
nesses
baber
ekibaasenya.

Lana:
Ok

Sedi
sighedi
nrel
i
efandhuggedher
..
..
AtAunt
ie'
sHouse.
..

Atsi
leandMarutear
ful
l
ywat
chedt
hei
rauntcr
yingasshet
alked
tothei
runcl
eandaunt.
..

Aunt:I'
m sohear t-
broken...Mydaught erhasbeent hr
oughal ot.
Shewentt hroughhel lforhertojustl oseherpl otl
ikethat...
The
poli
cewi l
l nothelpusr eversethet r
ansferwi thLandboar d
becauset het womadeanaf fi
davitthoughwear etell
ingthem she
wasbl ackmai led.Ifiknewagr eeingt omar r
ythismanwoul dcost
memyhappi nessandmychi l
d'
shappi nessIwoul dn'thav e.Iwas
doingitforthem becauset heywer echildrenbutnowt hi
s...My
daughtersnamei sthenewsofev eryhousehol dandi doubther
mar r
iagewi l
l goon. .
.Thatboyi sgoneandAenei safraidtogot o
churchbecauseshei snotsur ewhatwi llhappenthere...

Uncl
e:Canwecal
lOt
lhenow?

At
sil
e:Wet
ri
edt
ocal
lhersher
efused.

Uncl
e:Gi
vemehernumber
.

Theol
dmandi
aledhernumberandputheronl
oudspeaker
..
.

Ot
lhe:
Hel
l
o?
Uncl
e:Ot
he?You'
ret
alki
ngt
oyouruncl
e.

Otlhe:Ift
hisisaboutmypl ottheoneAenegav emebecauseshe
thoughtshewasget t
ingmar r
iedthenf or
geti
t.St
opcall
ingme,
Aeneandi wentthrougheverylegalprocedur
e.Shecan'
tchange
hermi ndnowj ustbecauseshegotdumped.Iwantheroutofmy
plotbeforetheendoft hemont h.Shecanmov einwithher
mot hersotheyenjoymyi nherit
ance.Thankyoubye.

Shecutt
hecal
l
..

Uncl
e:Wher
eisApul
a?

Aunt:Pleasedon'tbri
ngupthatone..
.Formyownpeacej ustlet
Apulastayfarawayf rom me.Sheisdeadtome, ithoughtsheis
thebestandi tr
ustedherbutshekeptquietforsolongandonl y
broughtupthepastwhenshehear dmydaught erwasgetti
ng
mar r
ied.Sheisevilj
ustasOtlhe,
they'
ret
rulysi
sters.

Maru:
Idon'tthi
nkApul
aknewwhyAenewentt
her
e,may
beshe
t
houghtyou'r
egoingt
oarguewi
thher
.

Aene:Shedi
dn'tgi
vemeachancet
henextt
hingi
sawmyname
onherpostagain.

Atsi
le:
sowhatdowedoaboutt
hepl
ot?Iwi
l
ltal
ktoApul
alat
er
toni
ght.

Aunt
ie:
Ist
il
ldon'
twantt
oseeher,
eveni
fshethoughtAenewas
goi
ngtoar
guesheshoul
dn'
thavesai
dhersi
ster
'sbusi
ness
especial
l
yri
ghtafterheari
ngthatweareexpecti
ngvi
sit
orstoday
.
Kelelephir
imil
e..
.I
'vebeenwaiti
ngforthi
syoungman'sfamil
y
buttheyhaven'
tsaidanythi
ngsot heweddi
ngisover
.Apulaisa
snakeandshecangoandenj oyherri
chesfarawayf
rom me.

Uncle:I
'l
ltaket
histoKgosisohecanhel puswithOtl
hebutifshe
sti
ckstoherstoryidon'
tseey ougetti
ngbackyourpl
otAene,
evenifwegot ocourtbecausey ouhavenoproofandshei
s
sti
ckingtoherstor
yaboutagi ft
.Evenincour
tgift
scan'
tbe
ret
urned.

Aener
ubbedhert
ear
s..
.

AtRon'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
leApulasl
owlywal
kedwhi
l
eRoncoveredhereyes,
they
wal
kedtothebacky
ardwher
ehemov edhi
shandsfr
om hereyes.
.

Shesmiledl
ooki
ngatther
omant i
cpi
cni
cset
upt
henshet
ookof
f
hershoesandsatont
heblanket
..
.

Apul
a:AwwRon?I
t'
ssobeaut
if
ul.
..Il
ovei
t.
..Thanky
ou.

Ron:
You'
rewel
come.
..
Hesatdownandgrabbedthenon-
alcohol
iccel
ebr
ationdr
ink,he
shooki
tandpoppedthecockashelaughedandclappedhands..
.

Shebr oughthergl
asscloserandt
heypour
eddr
inksbef
ore
toast
ingandsi ppi
ng.
..

Ron:So..
.Ther
eissomethi
ngineedtotalkt
oy ouabout
.Iwant
ed
total
kto2daysbackbutidon'
tli
ketal
kingabouti
ssueswhen
they'
rest
il
lnewsoilett
imepassandchosetoday..
.

Apul
a:Ok.
..

Ron: Iam abusi nessmanandmyr eput ati

onmeansal ott ome
andmybusi nessassoci ates.Idon' tl i
kedr ama...Ihopei don't
soundr aci stbutoneoft her easonsi hav ebeenav oidi
ngdat ing
blackwomeni sbecausemostoft heonesi seear oundar epr etty
dramat i
c, loudmout handv erydiff
icul ttoreasonwi thcalml y
.I
usedt ot hinki twast hewayt heywer epor t
rayedinAf r
ican
Amer icanmov ies...Alway sscr eami ng, shoutingandcur singbut
i
nr eal l
i
feagai nI '
v eseent hat.Ihav ebeensi ngl
ef orawhi le.
..
Aftermydi v orcei mett hisl ady .
.Shewasbl ackandshewasj ust
rudet oot herpeopl e..Ididn'tlikethataboutherbecausei don' t
feelwhi t
et houghI '
m whi te..Imadef r
iendsf rom pri
mar ytojuni or
school upt ouni versityandal lmyf riendsar eblack.Somehav e
dramat icbi tterbabymamaspost i
ngt hem onFacebook, i
magi ne
hav i
ngahi ghpay ingj obandsomel adypost snonsenseon
Facebookabouty ouol ebosokot i
r ong.Thosear ethekindsof
thingsi tr
yt oav oid.Yourv ir
al postscar edme, iwon'tl
ie..
.Ifeel
l
ikeitwasat otal
l
ydiff
erentpersonpostingthat
.Throughoutal
l
theyearsI
'veknowny ouI'
veal way
st houghtofyouasthis
digni
fi
edchar i
smati
cprofessionalyoungwoman. .
.Youcaughtmy
eyeandwhenIgott oknowy oupersonall
yandwhaty oudidfor
yourfamil
yi washooked..
.

Apul
aputdownt
hecl
assandl
ookedathi
m at
tent
ivel
y.
..

Ron: I
t'snotjustthaty
ourairedsomeone' sbusi nessonf acebook
i
t'
st hef actthatyougotthatinfor
mationdur i
ngr omant ic
moment s..
.Mennat ur
allydon'ttr
ustwomen.I fheshar es
somet hingasdeepast hati
tmeanshet rustsy ouandy ouli
teral
l
y
j
ustsenthi mt oj
ail
.Howf arshouldiletmyt rustbewi thy ou?Can
idropmyguar ddown,goingtosocialmedi aseemsl ikean
eff
or t
lesst hi
ngforyouandI '
m honestlyscaredf ormy self.Am i
wrongt of earformyownper sonal i
nformationt oo?

Apula:I
t'
sdi
fferent
..
.Ihav
ebeengoi
ngthr
oughal
otbecauseof
thesepeopl
e..Theyhavebeenj
udgi
ngmeandnamecall
ingme.

Ron:Theguy ?Orpeoplear oundhi

m?Ei t
herwayt hepointisyou
gotangryandsharedsomuch.Igotscar edreadingyourpostand
nowknowi ngyouluredhi mintoacarandgothimt oconfess..
.
It
'sj
ustinsane,i
can'tbegintoimaginebeinginthatposit
ion.I
'm
scar
edofy ou.Notthati haveanybi
gsecr et
s,I'
m notakill
eror
anyt
hingbutwhatifI'm nextonli
ne?

Apul
a:Ij
ustgotcaughti
namoment
.I'
m notpr
oudofi
tbutt
he
poli
ceputmei nacornerandi fel
tli
keihadtodoi tforthesakeof
theorphanthatwasl ef
tfather
less.Iwasdoingitforhisfamil
y,he
deservedj
usticeandapr operburial
.Don'ty
outhink?Woul dyou
l
ivewithyourselfknowi
ngsomeoneki l
ledsomeoneandgotaway
withi
t?

Ron:Butbabeyoumanagedtol
ivewit
hitforov
er10y
earsthen
suddenl
yyoucouldn'
tl
ivewi
thi
t?Di
dy oudoitf
orj
ust
iceor
becauseyouwereangry
?Behonest

Apul
a:(
tear
ful
l
y)Iwasangryandicoul
dn'
tcontr
olmysel
f.I
pr
omiseI'
dneverdot
hattoyou.
..Pl
easedon'
tl
eaveme..
.

Ron: I'
m notl eavi
ngy oubutI '
mj ustnotcomf ortablewi thwhat
transpired.Youputy our sel
font hespotli
ghtandgotpeopl et o
ev enbul l
yy ouonsoci almedia.Ofcour sealotofpeopl ewer eon
yoursi debutsomet hinkofy ouasbi tt
er,canyout r
yst ayaway
from soci almediaandr efrai
nf r
om post i
ngsucht hings.Ifwear e
goi ngtot rythi
sfamilythingy ouhavet ounderstandi won'tlet
youputourchi l
drenthroughthat.Ifyouthrowanot hert ant
rum I'
l
l
gett hecust odyofourchi ldandl eav
e.Idon'tli
kedr ama. .
.I'
d
rathery ouappeari nnewspaper sasasuccessf ulMot swana
womannotasar ant
ingwomanwhoexposespeopl e.Hav e
dignity.
.

Apul
a:Ok,
itwon'
thappenagai
n.

Ron:
Ifi
thappensagai
nI'
lll
eav
ebecauseidon'tli
kedr
ama.I
t
woul
dbeasignthatyouandiarenotcompat
ible.

Apul
a:I
twon'
thappenagai
n..
.
Heleanedoverandkissedherthenhehandedhert hebasketof
food,shesmil
edandopened, shefr
ownedl ookingatasmall
contai
nerandopenedit,ar
inggli
tt
eredinsi
deandshel if
tedher
headlooki
ngathim..
.Hewasonhi skneelookingather
..
.

Ron:Onthedayy
ougotdramat
ici
hadpl
annedt
opr
oposebuta
l
othappenedsoiwai
ted.
..

Hegott
her
ingandsmi
l
ed.
..

Ron:Wil
lyoumar
ryme,l
ovemeandpr
otectmysecr
ets,
nur
tur
e
ourchi
l
drenandf
ocusonus?

Shesmi
l
edandgav
ehi
m herhand.
.

Apul
a:Yes.
..Iwi
l
l.
..

Hesl
i
dther
ingonherf
ingerandki
ssedher
..

Apul
a:Ohwai
t.
..Api
ctur
e..
.Takepi
ctur
esofme.
.
Hetookpi
ctur
esofhersi
tt
ingont
hepi
cni
cbl
anketandherr
ing
f
inger
..

Apul
a:I
t'
ssobeaut
if
uli
lov
eit
..

Ron:
Glady
oul
ovei
t.
..

Apul
a:Let
'st
akeapi
ctur
etoget
her
..
.

Shest
ret
chedherhandandt
ookasel
fi
esmi
l
ing.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#154

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erthatev
eni
ngRonpar
kedatt
hegat
e,Apul
ast
eppedoutand
cl
osedthedoor
.

Ron:
Goodni
ght

Apul
a:Goodni
ght

Ron:Ican'
twai
tfort
hedayy
ouandi
spendcount
lessni
ght
s
toget
her.
..

Apul
a:Met
oo

Ron:BythewayI '
l
lgiveyouanupdat etomor
rowaftertal
kingt
o
myfather,hehasfri
endswhoarelikefamil
y.Theyhelpusdothe
tr
adi
tionalthi
ngsandstuff
..
.mybrotherandsi
ster
sweddi ng
cel
ebrati
onswentprettywell
.Magadi adul
eshapshaphela

Apul
a:(
laughed)Isweary
ouki
l
lmewi
thy
ourcl
eanSet
swana.
..

Ron:It
oldyouipl
ayedwi
thBatswanafrom pr
imar
y.Leko
morakengIusedt
ogowithourneighbour
sandspendaweekend
ther
e.

Apul
a:Ok,
I'
ll
alsot
alkt
omyaunt
.I'
l
lhearf
rom y
ou.
.
Ron:
Goodni
ghtsweet
hear
t.
.

Apul
a:Goodni
ght
..
.

Shegotinthroughgateholdi
ngf l
owersandwal kedtowardsthe
housesmili
ngasshescr ol
ledthroughherpicturesandchanged
herprof
il
ewithapictureofhersel
fandRon.Shemadeherr ing
fi
ngeracoverpict
ureandcaptionedi t
,"Isai
dyes.I'm marry
ingin
totheCanadians#Mr sRon,#i
nterraci
alfami
ly,#momt obe"

Shewalkedinthehouseandpassedbyt
hegi
rl
'
sroom whi
l
eNi
ni
packedherbag..

Apul
a:Heyguy
s

Ni
ni:
Himama.
..I
'
m goi
ngbackt
oschool
tomor
row

Apul
a:Ohy
eah.
.I'
l
ltr
ansf
ery
ourmoney
.

Ni
ni:
Thanky
ou

Apul
a:Howi
sTumodoi
ngatt
hef
il
li
ngst
ati
on?

Ni
ni:
Hei
sdoi
ngf
ineact
ual
l
y

Apul
a:Gr
eat

Oshanot
icedar
ingonherf
ingerandgaspedwal
ki
ngov
er.
.
Osha:
Ist
hatar
eal
engagementr
ing?

Apul
a:Isai
dyes.
..

Sheshowedt
hem t
hei
rpi
ctur
es.
.

Osha:
(laughed)Sohei
sreal
?It
houghty
ouwer
ejoki
ng.

Ni
ni:
(laughed)Met
oo.
..(
lookedather
)Doy
oul
ovehi
m?

Apul
a:Yes,
why
?

Nini
:Idon'tknowwhyi fi
nddati
ngacrossyourraceabitodd.Li
ke
idon'
tthi
nkhei scute.
..Nott
hatheisuglybutbecausehejust
l
ooksdifferentf
rom myideaofanormalman.Iwoul dn'
tfeelOK
l
ookinginhi sbl
ueeyesorhavi
nghishandtouchme. .

Osha:(l
aughed)Whichmeansy
ou'l
lhav
eapr
obl
em wi
thanal
bino
becauseit
sbasical
l
ythesamethi
ng.

Nini
:Albi
nosar
eBatswanaIdon'
tknowmaybethethi
ngist
he
l
anguageandcult
ural
dif
fer
encebuthei
sgoingtogiv
eyou
beauti
ful
babi
es.

Apul
a:Ronisactual
l
yaSet
swanaspeaki
ngci
ti
zen.Ther
eisno
l
anguagebarr
ier

Ni
ni:
Ohok,
asl
ongasy
ou'
rehappyI
'
m behi
ndy
ou.

Osha:
Met
oo.
..Wheni
stheweddi
ng?
Apula:Hewantstopaymagadisoon,
hewil
lupdat
emetomorr
ow
sothatmeansi mustal
sogoseeaunti
esosheknowsshehas
anotherweddi
ngcomingup.

Ni
ni:
Ok.
.Ican'
twai
tfort
heweddi
ngy
ou'
l
lbesobeaut
if
ul.
.Mama
t
hemmaodi reabi
gwedding

Apula:I
t'
sgoingtobeagoodbi gweddi ng.I'
m goingtocalla
weddingplanner
..
.Iwantabi gt entt
hatcomeswi thf
loorssowe
canball
room dancewithourdr esses.I'
m goingtoengageagood
studi
otomakeourweddi ngv ideoandposti tonFacebook.I
al
way sseethem post
ingvideosoft heircl
ients.
.Kebatabant i
ra
sl
ow- moti
onwalkingdownt heI sl
e..
.It
'sgoingtobebeaut i
ful
..

Osha:
You'
reget
ti
ngmeexci
ted.
..

Apul
a:Letmegor
est
..

Shewalkedinthebedroom andlai
dont hebedreplyi
ngher
comment s.Shecheckedwholikedherpict
ureandlookedather
pi
ctur
eonemor eti
me...I
twassuchabeaut if
ulpi
cture.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Ont hesameev eni

ngt hechur chel
dersandLana'si
nlawsended
thei
rmeetingwithsinging..
.Tearsf
il
ledhereyesasshestoodby
swingingf
rom sidetosi de.
..Thepastorpr
ayedandevery
onesat
down...
RragweLesego: Ibelievewehav ealltal
kedyoumydaught er
,i
knowt hatyou'
r einpai n,andwe' veheardyouandunder standthat
youwantadi vor ce..Wear enother etoconvi
ncey ouot her wi
se
butwewanty out odoi tri
ght.Notf i
ghti
ngont hest reetandgi v
ing
peopleonsoci almedi asomet hingtotalkabout.Yourhusbandi s
goneandhemi ghtbegonef oralongt i
meifnotf orever..You
havetot akeoverr aisingthechi l
drenandrunningt hebusi nesses
hewasr unningf ory ourchildren'
ssake.

Pastor:
Wear eall
disappoi
ntedandembar rassed,weunderst
and
thatMongahadal i
febefor
ehegav ehislif
et ochr
istbutweare
sti
llhur
tjustl
i
keyou.Takecomf or
tinthefactthatall
these
happenedbeforehechangedint
ot hesoftpersonheisnow.

MmaTi ki
:Ngwanakaseshakgal emooitshenyet
sang,setshube,
otshubadil
ot sabana.I'
m hereify
ouneedsomeonet otalkto.I
wastalki
ngtoy ourparent
searli
erandt
hey '
ret
hereforyoutoo.
Wear ewit
hy ou,you'
renotalone.

Sedi
: Ihavedeactivat
edhersocialmedi
aaccounts,
weagreedshe
won'tbeonsoci almediaforthenext2monthssoshecandeal
wit
ht hiswit
hacl earhead.Thenewsandsocialmediaat
tacks
canber ude.
.

Mesha:Il
i
kethat.
.Nnakaweloveyouandwear eher
eforyou.I
f
Mongabrokethel
awGodwi llbet
hejudge.Ther
estofuscan
onl
yprayhisl
eni
encybecauseweknowhei sachangedman.

Uncl
e:Wehaveal
lsaidwhatwecan,
daught
erl
et'
susgoandgi
ve
youachancewi
thyourboys.
Lana:
Eer
ra.
..

Theyall
stoodupandeachhuggedherbef
orewal
ki
ngoutunt
ilal
l
thatwaslef
twasMmaTi ki
.

MmaTi
ki
:Goodni
ght

Lana:
Goodni
ght
.

Shecl
osedthedoorandsighedwit
hherbackagai
nstt
hedoor
.
Theboyswalkedoutoft
heirroom.
.

Mj
:Iwaseav
esdr
oppi
ng.
.

Lana:
Comehav
easeat
..
.

TheysatdownasLanaunt
iedherhai
randsi
ghed.
.

Lana:Yourfatherhasbeenar restedformurder,hesay shedidn'

t
doitbutthepolicehavear ecordingofhimtell
inganot herwoman
thathediditsowedon' tknowwhatt hecourtwi l
lsay.Iwasangry
withhi
m becausehewasst i
ll
talkingtothi
swomant hat'swhywe
havebeenfighting.I
'
m sorryyouhadt oseeallthat.

Mj
:Butdaddoesn'
tcheat
.West
ayt
oget
herandi
knowhi
m.
Lana:
Babyy
oudon'
tknowt
hat
.

Mj:ButIst
aywi t
hhimi know,helovesyouandy
ouhav
etost
op
beati
nghim becausehecan'tbeatgi
rl
s.

Lana:
Iwi
l
lst
op.I
'
vest
opped.
.

Br
yce:
Wishi
coul
dgost
aywi
thhi
minpr
ison.
..

Lanapul
l
edhi
m cl
oserandki
ssedhi
m ont
hehead.
..

Lana:
Iknowbaby..
.Thi
salsomeanswehavetomovetoMaun
soyouguyscankeepvi
sit
inghimi
npri
son.I
'
m sti
l
langrybuti
knowyoutwowanttoseehim sof
oryou.
.Wearemovingto
Maun.That
'swher
ehiscaseis

Mj
:Yesss!

Br
yce:
I'
vepackedal
ready

Lana:
Iknow

Theyl
aughed.
..

Mj
:Whatdoy
out
hinkhei
sdoi
ngnow?

Lana:
Probabl
ysl
eepi
ngandt
hinki
ngabouty
out
wo.

Br
yce:
Andy
out
oo.
Lana:
May
bewhoknows.
.Comeonl
et'
sgot
obed.
..

Theyst
oodupandwal
kedi
nthei
rbedr
oom.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
.

Apul
ayawnedasAtsi
leandMaruwalkedi
n,shecl
osedt
hedoor
andsmil
edshowi
ngthem herr
ing.
.

Monga:
Ronpr
oposed.
..

Theybot
hjustsatdownandsi
ghedwi
thoutasmi
l
e..

Atsi
le:Otlheblackmai
ledAeneintogiv
inghert hepl
otorelse
she'
dt elherfi
ancéabouttheporn.Aenepanickedandsigned
everyt
hing,thenextdayKedihadsaidsomet hingonLana'
spost
soitwasbr ewingandsheconf essedtoherfiancéwhoitappear
s
hasdumpedher .Shelostherf
ami l
yandplotbutsheispregnant
.

Apul
ast
oppedsmi
l
ingandsatdownl
i
steni
ng.
..
Atsil
e:Aenecamet oy outoaskf oryourhelpinconvincingOtlhe
becauseMongaconv i
ncedhery ou'ddefi
nitelyhel
pher,inst
ead
youchasedheroutl i
keadogandnowaunt i
er egr
etseverrai
sing
usbecausei tturnsoutshebr oughtnothingbutpaininherlife.
Uncleandt heot hereldersarenothappywi t hthewayy ouaired
yoursist
ersl aundryrightaft
erhear i
ngaboutherweddi ngei t
her.
Pleasetell
mehowwear egoingt ofi
xthi
skanay ou'
recutti
ngof f
theeldersfrom y ourli
fe?

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#155

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Apul
a:Soauntiei
sbl
ami
ngmef
ort
ell
i
ngt
het
rut
h?I
t'
snotl
i
kei
l
iedaboutAene.

Maru: Soy ou'r

egoi ngtoactl i
key oudon' tknowwhaty ou'vejust
done?Wai t
segor eApulaonal ebobi tt
er..
.Ifit
snotbit
ternessits
j
ealousy .Ikeept ell
i
ngy outhisandy oudon'twantt ochange...I
feelbadf orev enthinki
ngyouwer ej oki
ngint hefi
rstpl
ace..But
wheny oupulledoutpr oofirealisedhowser i
ousyouwer e.Wear e
socloset oy oubutnotoncehav ey outoldusAene' sbusi
ness. .
.
Thesear ejuicynewsbuty oudi dn'tsharethem withus..
.

Apula: MaruweeI 'mtir

edofy oucall
ingmebi tterwenaMr s
Perfect..
.Nothingtri
ggeredmet othinkaboutAeneal l along...I
didn'
thav etothinkabouthersecr ett hat'
swhyIdi dn'
tsay
anythingtoy ou.Ionl
ysai dI'
m surprisedt hatpeopl el
ikeherar e
getti
ngmar r
ied..
.Youdon' texpectpeopl ewi t
hl owmor alsto
actuallygetmar r
ied.
..Orwor semar ryinchur ch.Iwasquest ioning
thatgor ekantehowdoesGoddi str
ibut ethismar ri
agegi ft
becauseaccor dingtomeshei snotfittobeawi f
e.

At
sil
e:Iguesspeopl
eli
kemewi
l
lnev
ergetmar
ri
edsi
ncei
ts
abouty ourpast.I'vedonewor se,cheatedonal oyal guylike
Thong, sleptwithagr oupofsol diersjustforthef unofi tandnow
ilookbacki seegor eiwasst upidandI '
m grown.That '
swhyI '
m
afraidtogi veTumangachancebecausehewi llprobablynev er
seemeasawi f
e.Hewi llnev erpaymagadi f
orme. ..Butt hat'snot
thepr oblem.Pr oblem i shav i
ngpeopl ewhowi l
lalway sgot oa
newboy fri
endi getandt ell him At si
lesleptwi t
hagr oupof
sol di
ers.I'vedonewor set hanAenebecausennai evenhad
threesomeswi t
ht hosesol di ersandf unnyenoughIenj oyedt hose
moment s.Theywer egoodi nbedTumangwasev enbet t
er...He
event ookmet ohist entthewhol eweekaganakannaandI 'm
notsur pr i
sedohel etseadi rangwanabecausemosi maney ole
nneasamphechance.Nowi magi neallthesedisgust i
ngt hings
bei ngtoldt oanewguybat hongl etourpastr emai ninthepast .
You' r
eper f
ectApul a..
.Youpassed, foundaj obbef orey ouev en
graduat ed.Dur i
nggr aduat ioncer emonywhenot herswer ej ob
hunt i
ngy ouwer eanempl oy ee. .
totay ourli
fewasgood, kegonee
ny obokegang.

Apula:Whyarey outr
yingt omakemef eelbadforthethings
peopledid?Shechoset obeapor nstarandI '
m wrongf ortell
i
ng
you?Becausei onlyt
alkedt oyouandKedi .Al
liwaswonder i
ng
waswhati sAenebr i
ngingt othetableifsheisgetti
ngmar r
ied?A
womani ssupposedt obringsomet hi
ng..
.Comewi t
hdignity,
educati
onandmoneysoy oucanhav epridetooasawoman.
Whatisshebr i
ngingtothet ablebesidesherbody ?Kanawena
Maruy ouwouldf i
ndsomet hingwr ongwi t
hwhatI '
m say i
ng
becauselewenay oubr i
ngnot hingtothet abl
e.You'r
ejusta
housewi
fe.

At
sil
e:Aeneownsapreschool
andi
t'
sact
ual
l
yoneoft
hebest
pr
eschool
sinMaun.

Mar u: Andy ou'r

emi ssi ngt hepoi nt .
.Imi ghtbeahousewi febut
ther ei ssomuchbr ingt othet abl e.Ifil
eav emyhousef oraweek
ev ery one'slifest opst hat '
swhymyhusbandandchi l
drenr espect
me.Whent herei saneedf ormet ogooutt hereandwor ki will
.
Don' tbemi staken, ifmyhusbanddi esi willprovidefornowhei s
finebei ngt hepr ov iderandi thecar egiver.Itwor ksforus.St op
aski ngwhatpeopl ear ebr i
ngi ngt ot hetableandf ocusony ourli
fe.
IfRonwant st omar r yy ouj ustknowt haty ou'l
lneedpeopl eandi t
won' tbef airfory out obeexci tedr ightaf t
erdest royi
ngAene' s
weddi ng.Isuggesty ouapol ogi set oAenef orgossipingabouther
pastbecauset hatactal onecostheramar r
iage.Shei spr egnant
pleasebeunder standi ng...You' vej ustcostheral ot.
..Also
apol ogi set oaunt i
ef ordi sappoi nt i
ngherbecauseshet akesy ou
asherowndaught er .Shest ickswi t
husev enwhenpeopl ear e
agai nstus.Oncewehav edonet hatbecausei knowf orsur eboth
Aeneandaunt iewi ll acceptbecausebonet heylov eyouand
respecty ou..Thenwecandeal wi t
ht hi
sbl acksheepOt lhe.You're
theonl ypersonwhocanst opherbecausey oucant hreatenher
wi tht hatcasef rom 10y ear sago.Shei saf r
aidofgoi ngt ojail
.

Atsi
le:Noonei
sgoingtobetheref
oryouifyoudon'
tcor
recty
our
wrongs.Whaty
oudidwaswr ong.Osebi
lemothoabea
senyegel
wakeleny
alo,
ther
eisnowayar oundit
.

Apul
a:Soaunti
esaidshewon'
thel
pmemar r
ybecauseAene'
s
weddi
ngfai
led?Ift
hisi
sn'
tj
eal
ousytheni
don'
tknowwhattocal
l
i
t.Ever
yonehasbeenonmycaseaboutwhenI'
m gett
ingmarr
ied
andwhenI'
mf i
nal
lyget
ti
ngmarr
iednobodywantstobehappy
wit
hme?

Mar u:
Butaunt
iehasnev erputyouunderpressure,shehasnev
er
putanyofusunderpressure.I
fany t
hingiknowt hatUncl
eandhis
wifearet
heoneswhol i
kemar r
iagethey'
rethereasonwhyKedi
ranawayfrom home.Pleasefixthi
sifyouwantel der
s

Apula:Ifeell
ikeauntiewantstomakemepayf orAene's
mistakes..I
fitsl
ikethatt
henI '
llgetmar
ri
edonmyown.I '
venev
er
real
l
yunder stoodthesigni
ficanceofbogadi
especi
all
ywhen
you'
reanor phan,thepeoplewhodeser v
emymagadi arebot
h
dead.

Atsil
e: Sincewhendoy ouf eel t
hiswaybecausey ou'
v ealways
regardedaunt i
easyourmot her ?Especi
all
ywenabecausey ou
didn'tev enknowmamat hatwel l obul
egel
amat homogoaunt i
e..
.
Andi understoodwhyy oul ov edherbecausey oubondedwi thher
andy ouwer etheyoungest ,allofsuddenyou'reanor phan?
Bogadi joojwaaunti
eandshemustenj oyitj
ustassheenj oyed
Mar u'sbogadi .I
t'
sapityI'm notawi f
emat er
ial.I
fi f
indahusband
bogadi j
wamel emait
umedi sodi jewakemot hoy oneat hatswa
myuni form,makingsur eieat ..
elemmamane. Theonl yperson
whodi dn'twantmet obegi vent oRamodalawhenmyown
mot herdi dn'
tcare.

Apula:
Iwil
ltal
ktoOtl
hebutnott
oapol
ogi
sef
orsay
ingt
het
rut
h.
Lopangdeserv
esjust
ice

Mar
u:Uhu.
..Whatar
eyouonabout
?Wear
etal
ki
ngabouty
our
si
ster.Idi
dn'
tsayanythi
ngaboutMongaandI '
mintent
ional
l
y
avoidi
ngtodiscusst
hatwit
hy oubecausecl
earl
yyou'r
eon
defensemode.

Apula:
I'
ll
talktoOtlhebutidon'toweanyoneanapologybecause
it
oldthetrut
hitsnotmyf aultshewaswalkingi
nhermar r
iage
wit
hsecrets.Iwil
ltal
ktoOtlhebutapologyno.I
'
dr at
hermarry
Ronalonewithpeoplewhoar ehappyforme.Hei swhit
eany way
s
I
'm sur
ehedoesn' tcar
eaboutmagadi .

Mar
u:(
sighed)Iheary
ou.

At
sil
e:Dowhaty
oucant
ohel
pAene.
.

Apul
a:Ok.
.Wehav
ebeent
alki
ngf
oral
ongt
imeandi
t'
slat
e.

Mar
u:Goodni
ght

At
sil
e:Goodni
ght

Thet
wosi
ster
swal
kedoutasApul
acl
osedt
hedoor
.

Atsi
le:
Whathappenedt
oLal
a?Am itheonl
yoneseei
ngchanges
i
nherat t
it
ude?Howcomeshecan'
tseeshewaswrongt
opost
that
?

Maru:Idon' tthinkshei sbitt

eranymore.
..Shewasbitt
erbefor
e..
.
Nowshei sjustfeel
i
ngbi g,
li
keshemadei tinl
if
eforbeing
successf ulandmar riedt oawhiteman.Sheiscontentandshe
feel
slikeshedoesn' tneedany one.Oset
seat shosi
tswekelove
ya2mi nutesot aatshet haannaApulawagal easenagotwaela
goreleenewar ati
wa.Rightnowshecan' tcontainherself
..
.Let
herenjoyhermoment .Shewillgetusedt obeingl oved.Iwon'
ttel
l
aunti
ewhatnonsenseLal asaid,I'
l
ljustsayshei st oo
embar r
assedtocomeapol ogiseandshedoesn' tthinkshewill
be
for
giventhatwayauntiewon'thateherev enmor e.Whenshe
fi
nall
yseesthelightshewil
lgoapol ogise.

Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

I
npr
ison.
..

Thenextmor ni
ngar oundfourMongalaidasl
eepandt ur
ned
aroundfacingt
hewal l,
forsomereasonwhileasleephethought
hef el
tsomeonestandingbyhisbedthenheopenedhi seyesand
turnedaroundl
ookinginthedark.Thel
ightofthemoonpr ovi
ded
abi tofl
i
ghtandhewasabl etoseeafi
gurestandingbythewall
.

Hesatupandlookedatt
heguyf
orabout5mi
nut
eswhi
l
ehe
st
oodinthedark.
.

Monga:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?

Theguyqui
etl
ygoti
nhi
sbedandl
aiddownaf
ewf
eetawayf
rom
hi
m.Mongalaidonhissi
denowfaci
nghisinmates.
..
Wast hi
sit
?
Howcreepyi
sittowakeuptosomeonestandi
ngbyy ourbedin
dar
k..
.

Nowhecoul dn'tgobackt osleep,hewasn'tsurewhatt i

mei twas
butitwasclearl
yinthemor ni
ng.Hest oodupandwal kedint he
toi
letwherehestoodbypeei nginside,hethoughthehear da
noisebehindhim andturnedaroundbutsomeoneputar oll
ed
sheetaroundhisneckandchokedhi m.Het ri
edtoturnbutt he
secondguypushedhi sfaceintot hetoil
etastheycuthisairway.
Hegaggedt ryi
ngt of
ightofftheirweightbutoneofthem puthi s
kneerightonhisbackbonewhi letheytight
enedtheropear ound
hisneck.

Thener
vesonhisf
oreheader
ectedasst
ruggl
edsi
l
ent
ly,
hetr
ied
tomakeasoundbutnothi
ngcameoutandhecoul
dn'
tmove.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#156

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat erthatmor ningheral arm buzzedbutshest retchedherarm

andswi tcheditof fonherphone.Shet ossedar oundandsighed
thought full
y..
.Mar uandAt si
l
e'swor dskeptcomi ngbackt oher
l
ikear epeatedt apeandnowt hethoughtofmar r
yingal
onedidn't
soundsoappeal ing..
.besi deswhati smar r
iageifyoudon'thave
thebl essingsofy ourf av ouri
teaunt..Nowt hatshewasi na
relati
onshi psheneededherauntmor ethanev er,Maruwasn'tso
reli
able..Shewasn' tev ensur ewhati twasaboutherbutdear
sisterwasn' talway sright .
.Atsil
e..
.Wel l,
shewasokbutatt heend
oft hedayy ouneedt hatadul twhohasbeent here,donethatand
knowsmor eaboutl i
fe...
whati fhermar r
iagereachesabr eaki
ng
pointandsheneededel derstositdown. .
.Ronseemedl ikethe
typet hatrespect sculturedespi tehisski n.
..

Shetossedandtur
nedtotheothersi
deagai
n,ther
ewasaknock
onthedoorthenOshawal
kedinherpy j
amas.Shegotinbedand
l
aidbehindhert
hensheputherarm ar
oundherApula.
.

Osha:
Ihear
dyoural
arm.
..
Apul
a:Idon'
tfeel
li
kegoi
ngt
owor
k..

Osha:Iheardy ourconver
sat
ionwithboaunt i
e,iwasn'
teven
eavesdroppi
ngi couldj
usthearyoufrom myr oom.Iknowyou
won'tenjoyyourweddingwithoutaunti
e..
.Iknowyouv er
ywell
..
.

Apul
a:Iwon'
t.
..
.

Osha: Shei stoyouwhaty ou'ret ome. ..You' r

epr egnantr i
ght ?
Howwoul dy ouf eeli
fi betrayedy ourchi ldli
ket hat..
.Itdoesn' t
mat t
eri fthatchilddidsomet hingt het hi ngisy ou'resupposedt o
bey oursi ster'
skeeper ..
.Theirsecr etsshoul dn'
tcomeoutofy our
mout h, r
at heryoushoul dbecur singpeopl ewhoar egossi ping
abouther .NnamamaI 'm goi ngt ol ovet hisbaby ..
.(touchedher
tummy )Iam soexci t
edandi pr ayi t
sagi r
lsoi canf i
nall
yhav ea
sist
er .
..Ifsheev erget sint r
oubl eI '
llscol dheri npr ivateand
anyonewhot alksaboutherwi llhav emet odeal with.Iknowt hat
youhav ebeenunderal otpr essur el atelybuti knowy oufeel bad
forwhaty oudi d.You'reaf r
aidt ol ety ourr emor seshowbecause
yout hi
nkpeopl ewi l
ljudgey ou..istillt
hi nkTumowasr i
ght..You
needaget away .
..You'retakingcar eofev eryoneandi t'
stakingi t
s
toll
ony ou.You' r
esnappi ngatev er yoneandbyt hetimey ouwake
upev eryonewi l
lbehur ting.

Apul
atookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghedt
ear
ful
l
y..
.

Apul
a:Iusedt
othi
nkthatwhenyoudogoodt
hengoodthingswi
l
l
comeyourwaybutt
hatwasn'tt
hecasef
ormefort
helastfew
years.Ijustwanttobeloved.
..I
'veneverbeeninagood
r
elationshipwhereifeell
oved.Iam angrybecausenomat terhow
muchgoodIdoi can'
tseem toreachacertai
nlevelofhappiness
yetpeopl earoundmemakei tsohardf orme.Peoplejudgeme
f
orthemi stakesimadedecadesago.

Osha:Li
key
ou'
rej
udgi
ngAenef
orhermi
stakesf
rom decades
ago.

Apul
a:Iguessso.
.

Osha:Goodthi
ngscomet ot
hosewhowai t
..Ileantt
hatfrom y
ou.
Don'
tbetir
edofdoinggood.
..Iknowit'
spainfultoseepeople
get
ti
ngblessedwhi
leyou'
renotgett
inganythingbutatleasti
t
meansGodi sar
oundheresomewher eri
ght?

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Yeah.
.

Osha: Icanseet hathangingaroundboaunt i

emakesy ou
desper ateforlove,socialmediaalsodoest hesame. .Couples
alwayspost i
ngt hemselvesputsyouunderpr essuresoi t'
stime
forthatv acation.Youhav emoneymamai don'tunderstandwhy
you'
rewai t
ingf oraguyt otakeyouout..
.Justt r
avelandseet he
world..Itwillopeny ourmindtonewi deas.

Shet
urnedar
oundandl
aidont
hesi
del
ooki
ngatOsha.
.

Apul
a:Youhaveapoint
..
.Gonemmehowcomei
nev
ert
rav
el
whenicanaff
ordi
t?
Osha:
Idon'
tknow(
smi
l
ed)butI
'
llbey
ourchaper
oney
oumygi
rl
.

Apul
alaughedandbi
therl
i
pthought
ful
l
y..
.

Apul
a:Butineedt
ofixaf
ewt hi
ngsbefor
ewegosoi
canf
reel
y
enj
oymy sel
f.Wehav
ealotofplanni
ngtodo.

Shegotupandwal
kedi
ntheshower
.

I
npr
ison.
..

Latert
hatmorningThongsi
gnedandturnedar
oundasthe
securi
tyguar
dsearchedhi
m,theysear
chedhim al
lov
erthenhe
fi
nall
ywalkedin.
.

Hewai
tedf
orabout5to10minutesandMongadi dn'
tshowup
t
henhewal
kedtowardst
heguard,butanot
herguardwal
kedover
..

Guar
d:I
'
m sor
ry,
youcan'
tseeMongar
ightnow.
.

Thong:
Whynot
?

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#157

I
npr
ison.
..
.

Thongsteppedoutoft
hesecur
it
ycheckhol
dinghi
sphoneand
carkeysthenheunl
ockedt
hecarandsati
nsi
deashishear
t
pounded.
.

Lana:
Hel
l
o?

Thong:IcametocheckonMongaandtheycoul
dn'
tl
etmesee
hi
m.Iaskedwhyandt heysai
dhi
snextofki
nwouldbecont
act
ed
i
nstead.What
'sgoi
ngon?

Lana:
You'
rescar
ingme.

Thong:
Pleasecont
actt
hem andf
indoutwhat
'sgoi
ngon.

Lana:
Ok.
.

Hehungupandl
eanedback.
..

AtMar
u'shouse.
..
LateronOshawal kedt hrought hegat ewi t
hheadphonesonwhi l
e
Derri
ckwaspr uningt het reesont heot herside..Itwassur pri
sing
howqui ckt heygr ow.I tseemedl i
kei twasj usty ester
daywhen
shewasst ealingandspeaki ngwi t
haf unnyfarm accenthav ing
ri
ngwor msonherhead. .
.Nowshel ookedl i
keachar acterfr
om a
hi
ghschool mov i
eexceptshewassof it
..
.Heal mostseeher
breaststhrought hatt opandshehadbeaut if
ul l
egs...
shet ur
ned
andnot i
cedhi m cut t
ingt hetreest henshewal kedov er.He
cl
earedhi st hroatandkepthi sthought sundercheckasshe
approachedr espect f
ul l
y.
.

Osha:
Dunel
ang.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Howar
eyou?

Osha:
I'
mfi
ne.
.

Derr
ick:
Whenar et
heformfi
veresul
tscomi
ngoutweneedt
o
knowifthatheadi
scar
ryi
ngsomethi
ngoraplay
li
st.

Osha:
(laughed)Ankel
ennakecr
ackmr

Der
ri
ck:
Lil
oandPi
nkev
enl
ostwei
ght
..

Osha:Butidon'
twanttol
ieI
'
m scar
ed.Iknowt
heywi
l
lbeouti
na
fewdays.Aunti
eoteng?

Der
ri
ck:
Yes,
goi
nsi
de

Osha:
Ok
Li
losteppedoutandgaspedathercousi
nast
heysmi
l
edand
hugged..

Nowt hatt
heywerebothst andi
ngtherehecouldn'
teventell
who
wassexier,
hesighedtr
yingnottothinkli
kethatabouthisstep
daughter
..
.Atl
eastOshawasn' tsoclosebutboyLil
olookedso
goodbyallmeans.Pinksteppedoutandjoinedthem thenhe
si
ghedandcarri
edoncut ti
ng..

Meanwhi
l
ethegi
rl
schat
tedbr
ief
ly.
.

Osha:
Isaunt
iei
n?

Li
l
o:Yup,
int
heki
tchen.
..

Osha:
Ok.
.

Shewalkedi
nandputherphoneonthetabl
ebef
oreget
ti
ngi
nthe
ki
tchenwher
eherauntwasdoingdi
shes.

Osha:
Mmel
aa

Mar
u:(
laughed)Bar
emmel
aa,
mmel
amma

Theyl
aughedasOshapul
l
edt
hesl
eev
esofhert
opandhel
ped
washi
ngt
hedi
shes.

Osha:ThereissomethingIwantt otal
ktoy ouabout.
.IknowI'm
notanadultandishouldn'tbeinvol
vedbutIfeell
ikei
fIdon'tsay
anyt
hingyouwon'tstop.Alsomymom t aughtmet ospeakmy
mindevenifitmakesot hersuncomfort
ableaslongasitcomes
outpoli
tel
y.

Mar
ust
oppedhol
dingapl
ateandl
ookedather
.

Osha: Idon'teav esdr opbutsomet i

mesi heary out wot alkandi
don'tl
iket hewayy oul abel mymom.Idon' tl i
kei twheny oucal l
herbitter,
jealousandal lthesebel i
ttl
ingwor dst hatdon' tof ten
soundr udebutar et otall
ydepr essing.Wheni wasgr owi ngup
Atsil
ecal l
edmest upidandugl y,ibelievedt hatbutmymot her
tol
dmeot her
wi se...Shenev ertoleratedany onecal li
ngmest upid
becauseshesai di fy oucal lachildsomet hi ng, theywi l
l believei t
andev entuall
ybecomet hatexactt hing.St opcal l
ingmymom
bit
ter,shemakesmi stakesl i
keev eryone. ..Shehasr egret st oo
butifyoukeepcal linghert hatshewi llbecomewhaty ou'recal li
ng
her.Idon'tunder standhowy oucanbecal lingherbi t
terwheny ou
nevercal l
hersweethear torgi ving..Any thingt hatshei s.You' r
e
depressingherandIdon' tli
keit.Ifyouwanthert ounder stand
youdon' tcallhernamesorshewi llacti
v ateherdef ensemode
andsaycr azythings.Sof arI '
vetoldev ery onei don'twantt ohear
anythi
ngaboutmymot hernotknowi ngt hepai nofdel i
ver i
nga
chil
d..IknowIwasyoungerwheni askedall
ofyout ostop
remindingmymom t hatshecan'
thavekids,
iappreciat
ethatyou
all
li
stenedandstopped.Ineedthesameunderstandingtoo.

Mar
uputt
hepl
atedownandsi
ghed.
..

Mar
u:Ok,
idi
dn'
tthi
nki
twasof
fensi
ve

Osha: Goatenaanditmakesherlooksreal
lylow.Pleasescold
herinarespect
fulmannerandshewi l
lunderstandy
oubet t
er
whenshei snotbei
ngdefensi
ve.Mamaoshapohel apr obl
em ke
halemot enaabealekgwelagal
al ot
hehelalebabai nnocenta
ragel
akwa.

Mar
ulaughedt
henOshal
aughed.
..

Mar
u:Ipr
omi
seI
'
llst
opngwanakaaut
wa?

Osha:
(smi
l
ed)Eemma.
.

Att
hebar
..
.

Lat
eronApul
awalkedi
nthebarwhi
l
eOt
lhedust
edt
heshel
ves
weari
nganapr
on.
.
Apul
a:Canwet
alki
ntheof
fi
ce.

Ot
lhet
urnedar
oundandf
oll
owedheri
nsi
de.
.

Apula:I'
vetolerat
edy ourbehavi
ourforalongti
menowbutnow
you'r
egoi ngtoofar.Iwasgoingt ol
etyournegati
vi
tysli
debut
steal
ingAene' shardearnedplotiswhat'
sgoingtosendyouto
j
ail.
.I'
m goingbackt othepolicekebulacaseandy ou'
l
lbuymy
carandf urni
ture.
..Molatogaobole.

Otl
he:Butshegavei
ttome, whycan'
tsher
etur
nitpr
oper
ly
i
nsteadoftur
ningmysist
ersagai
nstme.

Apula:OntopofthatI'
m goingt
ofi
reyouandcuty ouoffmyl i
fe.
I
'vebeenplanni
ngtomakey out
hemanagerbecausel ehaot ena
j
aanay oumakesur ethi
ngsgetdoneandy oudon'
tstealst
ock.I
actual
l
ymakepr ofi
tjaanongwaasenya.
..You'
redestroy
ingthe
tr
ustbetweenmeandy ou..

Ot
lhe:
I'
ll
giv
eitbacki
wasj
ustt
ryi
ngt
ohust
le.

Apula:
Hustli
ngfr
om y oursi
bling?Doy ouhaveanyi
deahowbi g
Thong'
sdickisandshehadt olett
hewhol et
hingi
nherpoor
hol
esonlyforyoutotakeit.
..Kanteoitsebot
hokojagorobalwa
kemonnawannet uet ona?Busaset shasangwanaoipapaletse.

Otl
he:Naar
eboneboMongagabahi
re?Tel
lMongai
canactasa
cougar
.
Apul
a:(
laughed)Mongakepast
orhehasr
epent
ed.
.

Sher
emember
edhewasi
npr
isonandst
oppedl
aughi
ng.
..

Apula:
Takeadayof
fsowecangopr
ocesst
ransf
erpaper
wor
k.I
al
readycol
l
ect
edthefor
ms.

Otl
he:
Ok..
.Sowheniwasbl
ackmail
inghersheof
fer
edmeP2000
permont
h,cani
tel
lherI
'
veoptedf
orP2000permonth?

Apul
astoppedwal
ki
ngandl
ookedather
,Ot
lhel
aughedand
shr
ugged.
.

Otl
he:Sor
ry.I'
mjustahust
ler
..Eieneamporekemoi taa2f
inger
s.
Ievenpi
cturedmysel
fmoppingthefloor
sinthathouse.

Apul
a:I
'
m notev
engoi
ngt
olaugh.You'
recr
uel
.

Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..
.

Meanwhi
l
eabi
gtr
uckl
oadedt
hef
urni
tur
easLanawal
ked
towar
dsthegatedi
all
i
ngthepri
soncountl
esst
imes.Shesi
ghed
andwalkedbackt
henherphonerang.
..

Lana:
Hel
l
o?

Voi
ce:
Thi
sisEr
nestcal
l
ingf
rom Maunpr
ison.Ma'
am ar
eyoui
n
Maun?

Lana:No,
I'
llbet
her
etoni
ght
,what
'sgoi
ngon?Ihearmyhusband
can'
tbeseen.

Voi
ce:
Yes,
.Wef
oundhi
mint
het
oil
etear
lyt
hismor
ning.

Lana:
Idon'
tunder
stand,
pleasemakemeunder
stand

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#158

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..
.

Meanwhileabi
gtruckloadedt
hef ur
nit
ureasLanawalked
towar
dsthegatedial
l
ingthepri
soncountlesst
imes.Shesi
ghed
andwalkedbackt
henherphoner ang..
.

Lana:
Hel
l
o?

Voi
ce:
Thi
sisEr
nestcal
l
ingf
rom Maunpr
ison.Ma'
am ar
eyoui
n
Maun?

Lana:No,
I'
llbet
her
etoni
ght
,what
'sgoi
ngon?Ihearmyhusband
can'
tbeseen.

Voi
ce:
Yes,
wef
oundhi
mint
het
oil
etear
lyt
hismor
ning.

Lana:
Idon'
tunder
stand,
pleasemakemeunder
stand

Him:Heattemptedt
ocommi tsui
cidebutheiscurr
ent
lyi
n
sol
it
aryconfi
nementsohedoesn'
tharm himsel
finany
way.

Lana:
Mongawoul
dnev
ercommi
tsui
cide

Him:Thati
stheobser
vat
ionher
e,hewon'
tbehav
ingv
isi
tor
sunt
il
heisoutofi
sol
ati
on.

Lana:
Didhegetmedi
cal
assi
stance?
Hi
m:Yeshedi
d.Thanky
ou.

Lana:
Thanky
ou

Shehungupanddi
all
edThong.
..

AtMar
u'sHouse.
..

LateronMarusatonthecouchundoi
ngherhai
rasOshawal
ked
outoftheki
tchenhol
dingafr
uit
..
.

Mar u: Oshayoumustal sot al

ktoLalaaboutthewaysheal way s
makesmef eel worthlessbyi mplyingthatj
ustbecauseI'
ma
housewi feibringnot hingt othetable.Thi
shurtssomucht hough
inev ersayany thing,sheal sohast ostopcall
i
ngmenamesl ike
missper f
ect.Ev eryt
hingIsayt oheri soutl
ovebecausei wanther
toseehowpeopl ewillseeheri fshekeepsdoingcertai
nthi
ngs.
It
'sal mostasi fshewi shesmebadbecauseshef eel
sli
kenot hi
ng
evergoeswr ongi nmyl if
eort hatI'
m hardonher.Ifi
always
agreewi t
hhert oav oidbeingcal l
ednamesi twouldn'
tbelove.

Osha:Iknowthatshecal
lsy
outhatandsheisnotal
one.Aunt
Otlheal
socal
lsyoumissholi
ert
hanthou,i
will
tal
ktoherand
thenshewil
ltal
ktoaunti
eOtl
heyookanaokgonwakemama
hela.

Mar
u:Ok
Osha:Mmennagakeakany egor eyou'r
ebad, youj ustneedt ogo
easyont henamecal li
ng.Iknowmamawat enaatt imesbut
sometimeswheny ou'r
ebrutal
lyhonestitdoesn' tservethe
purposebecausei tcomesoutr ude,iwouldn'twanty out ostop
advisi
ngmamabecauseev eniwi l
lcomet oy ouf oradvice
knowingt haty
ou'l
l behonestwithme.It hinkthereispeacei n
yourli
febecausey oualwayschooset ost ayoutofar gument s.Ha
goomanwaosi el
akogagagogapeospendamostoft hetime
withyourhusbandsodi lodiagot ol
a.Iwantapeacef ulfamilyli
ke
yours.

Mar
u:Thanky
ounana

Osha:
Mmekey
egol
ael
abal
e..

Sheheadedtohercousi
n'
sroom t
henDerr
ickwal
kedinandsat
onthecouchnextt
oMar uwhowassti
ll
undoingherhai
rwhi
le
watchi
ngTV.

Der
ri
ck:
Letmehel
pyou.
.

Mar
u:Ok,
letmegogetmyf
loorcushi
on.

Shegotupandwal
kedi
nthebedr
oom j
ustasOshawal
kedoutof
hercousi
nsr
ooms.
.

Osha:
Aunt
iegoshapo
Mar
u:By
enana.
.

Oshawal kedinthel i
vi
ngr oom andpi ckedherphonef r
om the
tabl
ewhi l
eDer r
icklookedathert hi
ghsgoi nguphert op.Nowt hat
hewascl oserhecoul dlit
eral
lyseeherni ppl
epointi
ngt hr
oughher
top,hecouldonlyimagi nehernude...Shehadt heri
ghtbody ,
so
fi
t..
nott
ooski nnyandnott oofat
..
.Andknowi ngsheknewsex
from ayoungage. .Imeant hegirlf
ingeredhersel
fwhenshewas
7shemustbewi l
di nbednow.

Meanwhil
eOsha'sheadsetsdroppedthenshepickedt hem up.
.
Hereyescaughtsomethingonheruncle,
hiser
ect i
onhadl i
fted
hi
spantsandhecouldn'teventel
lwit
hhiseyesfixatedonher
body,
shelookedinhi
sey esandhesnappedoutofi t.

Maruwalkedi
nandnoticedhi
shugeerect
ionforthefi
rstt
imei
n
ov
eray ear
,heal
sonoticedhi
ser
ecti
onandqui ckl
yputacushi
on
ov
erhislapembarr
assedasOshawalkedout.

Mar uwal
kedoverandsatdownthensher
eachedoverand
touchedhi
serect
ionundert
hecushi
onasDerri
ck'
sheart
pounded.

Mar
u:Canwegoandt
alkabouti
tint
hebedr
oom?
Hestoodupandputhishandsi
nthepocket
st henhefol
lowed
heri
nthebedr
oom wherehesatonthebed,shesatnexttohi
m
andl
ookedinhi
sguil
tyeyes.

Mar
u:Whathappenedi
nther
e?

Der
ri
ck:
Not
hing,
whatdoy
oumean?

Mar u:Wehav ebeenst r

ugglingt okeepy ourerecti
onandi tpops
upwhenmyni eceisint heroom?Andi t'
snott hefir
stt i
mei
noticehowuncomf or
tableyou'rewhenOshacomesov er.Daddy
pleasetel
lmet hetruth.
..Isweari won'tbeangr ywithy ou...You
knowme. ..Iwon'tj
udgey ou...Buti canseey ou'
rethinkingabout
somet hi
ngandi thurt
smet haty oucan' tshareitwithmet hough
weagr eedonbei nghonestev eni fithurtsanotherper son.That'
s
theonlywayourmar r
iagewi llsurvive.
..Areyoul ust
ingf ormy
niece?Behonest ,i
won'tjudgey ou.

Der
ri
ckl
ookeddownandsi
ghed.
..

Derri
ck:Ij
ustli
kehowmat ureshei s.Sheisbeauti
fuland
confi
dent,shegrewupinar i
chhousehol dbutwhenev ershei s
hereshedoest hedi
shes,sheisjust..
.I'
m sor
ry.Maybekel ustif
youwantt oputawordtoit,ormay beitsacrush.I'
m sorry.Ilove
youandi don'
twanttolosemyf ami l
y.ForyouI'l
lnevercrosst he
l
inej
ustt
hatt
hought
sar
ehar
dtocont
rol
buti
twon'
thappen
agai
n.

Mar
u'shear
tshut
ter
edasshel
ookedathi
mtear
ful
l
y..
.

Mar
u:(
swal
l
owed)OK,
hav
eyousai
dany
thi
ngt
oher
?

Derr
ick:
No,shedoesn'
tknowany
thi
ng.Nkasebat
engwanao
kanakaOsha

Maru:Sowhatshouldwedobecauseobv i
ouslygoagolai
fit
star
tedwithl
ustandturnedintoacrushkgantel
etogaoit
haaor
e
youloveherbutsheisyourniece.Doyoueverthi
nkaboutmy
daughterl
i
kethattoo?

Derri
ck: Inoticehowgr ownshei s,butI'
dnev ergetturnedonby
yourdaught er .Sheislikemydaught er..
.Ionlynoti
cet hatshei s
growingf ast.Lewenawabonagor ebot hourdaught ersare
growni bil
ebakat swabaj ol
abecauset hey'
realway sgoingt othe
mallandcomi nghomel ate..
.butthey'
remydaught ersandI'll
nevergot hatf ar
.Trustmeonmyst epdaught erbecausei raised
heryoucanev enaskher .Sheisdi f
ferentfr
om Oshadon' tmake
thesituati
onwor set hanitis.

Mar
u:Whycan'
tthesameappl
ytoOsha?

Derr
ick:Idon'
tknowbutiwon'
thur
tyouorhurtOsha,
it'
sjust
somet hi
ngineedtodeal
withkei
kgal
emelebecauseirespect
yourfeel
ings
Maru:Respectmyfeel
ingshowwheny ouli
ter
all
yjustgotan
er
ecti
onjustlooki
ngatmyniece?Ishoul
dbeleavingyou.

Derr
ick:Andthefactthatisharedt
hatwithy
ouwi l
lhelpmeget
overherbecausenowi knowy ouknowwhatI'
mt hi
nking.Iknowi
waswr ongbutidi
dn'tevennoticeihadaner
ect
ionunt i
li
twas
l
ate.

Mar
u:I
'
m sohur
t.
..

Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
esashehuggedherr
ubbi
ngherback.
.

Derr
ick:It
oldyousoi canputmy selfunderenoughpr
essureto
getoverit
.I'
dneverrapemyniecet hatyoucanbesureoff.Iknow
bett
erthanthat
..
.sometimesthought scanbetr
ayyou.I
'm sor
ry.

Mar u:Pleasest op.

..Ilovemyni ece,andshehasbeent hrougha
l
ot.Shei sdoi ngwel l
..Don'tr
uinherf utur
eormyr el
ationshipwi t
h
her.Ifshef i
ndsouty ouf eelthatwayabouthershewi l
lnev erfeel
comf ort
ablet ocomet omyhouse.Shewon' teventel
lmeshe
knowsshewi ll
justdistanceherselff
r om me..You'
regoingt o
destroyourf ami l
yifyoudon'tstop.

Der
ri
ck:
I'
m ov
eri
t.I
ntshwar
ele.
.

Maru:Ifyoukeepdoingiti
willt
ellApul
aandyouknowLal a
doesn'
trespondwel l
toanyt
hingthattr
iest
oharm herdaught
er.
That'
swheny ou'l
lseehowcruelApulacanbebecauseshewill
sendyoust r
aightt
ojail
wereyoubelong.Shewasn'taf
rai
dto
sendamanshel ovestojai
lformur
dernowhowaboutyouwho
thi
nksaboutherdaught
erli
kethat
?Wabeobat agor
ekamosoore
senyelei
naoreregosenyedit
sebotshel
o.Don'
tdot
hat
.Iwi
ll
test
if
yincourt
.

Derr
ick:Pl
ease,I
'
m sor
ry.It
oldy
oubecausel
ennaIwantt
o
st
op...I
'
m sor
ry.

Maru:Ireal
lyhopeiwon'tsi
tdownwithyouanddiscussthis.I
don'
ttrustyouatall
andI'm goi
ngtotal
ktomydaught erandlet
herknowI '
l
lalwaystr
ustherandchooseheri
fihaveto.

Derr
ick:Ok.
..Buticannevergothatf
arwithourdaught
er.Osha
nnegoledif
ferent.
.Idon'
tknowhowbut .
..Isoundst
upi
dt he
morei t
rytoexplai
nbutI'
m sorr
yforever
y t
hing.

Maru:
I'
m sodisappoi
ntedinyou.Ididn'
texpectt
hisf
rom y
ou
gapei
bil
eyou'
renotsickyou'
rejustnotturnedonbyme.Theway
il
oveidi
dn'
texpectthi
sfrom you.

Shewalkedoutandclosedthedoorthenhel
aidonhi
sback
star
ingatt
heceil
ing.Hedidn'
tevenknowhewascapabl
eof
havi
ngsuchaharder ect
ionaf
terstr
uggli
ngt
ohaveoneforso
l
ong.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronOshawal
kedi
nthehouseandcl
osedt
hedoorwhi
l
ethe
househel
percookedi
ntheki
tchen.Shewal
kedov
ert
oherand
smil
ed.
.

Osha:
Hiaunt
ie

Her
:Hi
mygi
rl

Osha:Idi
dlaundr
yforev
ery
oneandsor
tedthem i
ntot
he
wardr
obes.I'
l
lhel
pyouir
onmama'ssui
tsl
ater.

Her
:Mmakoor ewheny
ougot
oauni
ver
sit
ywhoi
sgoi
ngt
omake
myjobeasi
er.

Osha:
(laughed)I
'
llal
way
sbeher
eonhol
i
day
s

Shewalkedi
nherroom andcl
osedthedoort
hensheopenedher
wardr
obeandpul
ledoutherdi
ary.

Shelai
donthebedandopenedit
,lay
ingonherstomachand
tur
nedthepageofherdi
aryandwrot
ethedate.

{
{DearDi
ary
..

SotodayIwenttomyaunt '
shouset
otal
kt oheraboutsomethi
ng
andnowi knowI'
m notcrazy.OMGmyfavouri
teuncl
eiscrushi
ng
onmebi gti
me..
.I
t'
snotjusti
nhisey
esnow, hi
sbodyis
respondi ngt omypr esencet oo.I '
mt ot allyshocked. .
.Isawhi s
bonerpoi nti
ngrighti nmyf ace.I '
m sadf ormyauntbecauseshe
l
ov esherhusband, shewor shipsthatmani nev erywaypossi ble
andi canunder standwhy .Hei sgent l
e. .
.Hei sagoodl i
stenerand
hei sapr ov i
der.Hei sasof t yandhenev erl i
kedi twhenaunt ie
beatt hechi l
dren.Heal waysgi vesuswhatwewantandhenev er
engagesi nanar gumentwi thaunt ie.I'venev erseent hem f i
ghtor
argueev ersincei wasaki dandi wi l
lnev erf orgethowhe
protect edmef r
om At si
l
ewhenshet riedt ogetme.Henev er
arguesbutt hatdayhest oodhi sgr oundandhehasbeenl i
kea
fathert ome.Hei sal sohandsomeespeci all
ywhenhesmi les..
.I
thinkhei snat ural
lyshybecausehenev erl aughst ooloudandhe
nev erraiseshisv oice.Hei smyi deaofagoodhusband, hei smy
kindofmanandt hat '
sexact lywhati hopet ofindsomeday .Hei s
ahar dwor kerandhel ooksr eall
ygoodi nhi scoat .Hei sthinking
aboutopeni ngaphar macyi nar uralar easohecoul dbr i
ng
dev el
opment sandal sotakeheal t
hser vicest opeopl ewor kingin
thatar ea.Ican'twai ttostudyphar macyandgetpoi ntersfrom
him.} }

Shepausedwr
iti
ngthi
nki
ngabouthi
m andsmi
l
edt
henshe
car
ri
edonwrit
ing.

{Ihopemyuncl egetsoveri
tbecausei wouldn'
twanttohurtmy
auntli
ket hat.Uncl
eDeei sherever
ythingandicanunderstand
why ,
hei ssohandsomebuthedoesn' tevenknowitbecausehe
doesn'tsleeparoundli
kemosthandsomemen.Hi slipsarecute
andhehassl eepyey es,mostimpor t
antlyhehasani cebody .My
unclei
sski nnyandl ookswayy oungerthanauntiethoughhei s
oldert
hanher .HeissexyAF.Idon' tknowwhyhei sgetti
ng
younger.LOLIl ikeguy swhohav eaf l
atassTBH. ..Uncle'
spants
areconstantlyfall
ingandi li
kehowI '
m alwaysabl etotellwhat
boxerbrief
shei sputti
ngonbecauset hewaistbandofhi sboxers
alwaysshowswhenhebent stopicksomet hi
ng.Idonotf ind
muscularmanat t
racti
veatallandifigetamani twouldbe
somethingl i
keuncl eDee, l
ooksandbehav ior
.Iwantashyski nny
dude.ROTFLIst il
lcan'tbel
ieveIsawuncl eDee'sboner.Poorguy
musthav ebeenr avi
shingmei nhisthoughts.SALTSI 'm
tr
aumat i
sedf orday s..
LOL.

TTYLdeardi
ary
}}

Shesl
idthepenont
hebackboneofherdi
aryandshov
editunder
thepi
l
lowbefor
ewalki
ngoutandhel
pingt
hehousehelper
.

AtAunt
ie'
sHouse.
..

Apul
apar
kedt
hecarandst
eppedoutwi
thOt
lhe.
..

Otl
he:Kaswabaj
aanong.
.Can'
twedot
hisi
nsecr
etwi
thout
aunt
ie?
Apula:
Youshouldhavethoughtaboutherbef
oreyoudidt
hat
.
Anditcan'
tbeworsethandestroy
ingawedding.Atl
easty
our
sis
rev
ersi
ble,
ican'
tbri
ngbackAene'sfiancé.
.

Theywal
kedtowardst hehousewhereaunti
ewassewi
ngthe
baby'
sdi
phatsaba{sheets}
.Aenel
aidasleepont
hematt
ress
besi
deshermother
...

Apul
a:Dumel
ang.
.

Ot
lhe:
Dumel
ang

Aeneopenedhereyesandsatuplooki
ngatthem ast
heysaton
thechai
rs.Aunt
iej
ustl
ookedatthem wi
thoutawordandcarr
ied
onsewing..
.

Aene:
Hi

Apula:
Aenei broughtOtl
heoversoshecanapol
ogi
seandr
etur
n
yourpl
ot.Icol
lectthefor
msandi wantt
odri
vethet
woofyouso
youcancompl etethi
stoday
..
.

Aenegaspedandgotup,
shesmi
l
edandhuggedApul
aast
hey
smil
ed.
Aene:
Thanky
ou.
.

Apul
a:Ial
sowant
edt
oapol
ogi
sef
or-

Aene:Don'tworr
yabouti
t,getti
ngmypl otbackisenough.I
t'
sok.
.
I
twasgoi ngtocomeoutany ways.Itshoul
dn'thav
ecomef rom
youbutithappened.Wecan'tchangeit.

Apula:No,l
ist
en..
.I'
vecausedyoualotofpai
nandI'
m sor
ry.I
t'
sa
spir
itiwoul
dn'twantfrom mydaught
ersoranychi
l
dmol wapeng.
Pleasefor
givemef orcost
ingyouafamil
y

Aene:Atl
eastithappenedbeforewegotmar r
ied.I
maginethe
shameofadi v
orce,atleastnownobodyknowsi almostgot
marri
edakerelepatonneesadi r
wa.Ifor
giv
ey ou..
.

Ot
lhe:
I'
m sor
r-

Aene:
Don'
t.

Ot
lhe:
(toApul
a)Kegobol
elet
segor
ebat
il
egont
shwabi
saaker
e?

Aene:
Justcl
osey
ourmout
handactl
i
key
oudon'
texi
st.

Apulal
ookedatherauntasshesewedt heotherphat
e..Tears
musthaveblurr
edherey esbecauseshepausedandwi pedher
tear
swiththecornerofherheadwrap.Apul
akneltbesi
desher
andputherhandst oget
hernotsurewhattodoasaunt i
ecriedout
.

Apul
a:I
'
m sor
ryaunt
ie.
..
Aunt
ier
ubbedhert
ear
sandl
ookedather
.

Auntie: I
t'
sokmydear ,I
'
mj ustinpai nbuti willheal .Modimoogo
i
tshwar eleogor utegoi t
umel el
ababangwekagor edineogadi te
kagot shwana.You' r
ebl essedinmanyway sbutsomet i
mes
alwayshav i
ngev eryt
hingcanmakey out hinky ou' retheonlyone
whodeser vesbet t
erbecausey ou' r
eusedt obei ngbet terat
everything.Thisiswhatcausesj ealousyandwi tchcr aftamongst
familymember s.Learnt obehappyf orot her swi thoutjudging
them.Somet hi
ngscannotbeundone. ..Thi ssecr etwassupposed
tocomef rom someoneel senoty ou, y
ouwer esupposedt ohold
herhandbutt hat'
sjustme.Idon' tknowhowy ourchi l
dandOsha
will
relatebuti hopey ou'llt
eachOshabet terbyt hewayy outr
eat
youry oungersisterfrom nowon.I t
'snev ert ool atet oloveagain.
Ratamonnaohel ajaakaor atabomogol oo.

Apul
a:Eemma.
..

Aunt
ie:
Youcango.
..

Apulastoodupandl ookedatAenewhosmi l
edbackather
excit
edl
y, shewasn' tevengoingtocr ybutthesmileonherli
ttl
e
sist
er'
sfaceaf tereverythi
ng,despit
elosinghermanandf acing
thepossibil
ityofparentingaloneallbecauseofhershesti
llgot
excit
edbyt het houghtofApul al
ovingherlikeasister
.Howcould
shehavemi ssedthisthroughoutthey ear
s.
Aene:
Letmegetmyhandbag.
.

Shegotherhandbagi
nhercarandtheygoti
nApul
a'
scar
.Apul
a
tookadeepbreat
handsi
gheddrivi
ngout.
..

AWEEKLATER.
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#159

I
npr
ison.
..

MongatookaseatandlookedatLanaasshesati
nfr
ontofhi
m
wi
thaseriousf
ace.Fr
om thelookonherf
aceshewassti
ll
f
uri
ousandhewasn'tsurewhattosay.

Monga:
Hi.
.Thanksf
orcomi
ngt
oseeme.

Lana:
Idi
dn'
tcomet
oseey
ou,
icamet
otal
ktoy
ou.

Monga:
Ok.

Lana:
Iwantt
odi
vor
ce.

Mongal
ookeddownandswal
l
owedabi
glumpl
ooki
ngather
..

Monga:
Ther
eisnoneedt
odi
vor
ce,
I'
m goi
ngt
odi
e.

Lana:Ididn'twantt
oaskyouaboutyourat
temptedsui
cidebut
I
'mr eal
l
ydi sappoi
ntedt
hati
nallt
heseyou'
renotthi
nki
ngabout
yoursons.

Monga:
Idi
dn'
ttr
ytoki
l
lmy
sel
f,t
woguy
str
iedt
oki
l
lmeandI
'
ve
hadt
ofi
ghtt
hroughoutt
heweek.

Lana:Webothknowt
haty
ou'reagoodli
arsoit
'shar
dtotel
li
f
you'
rely
ingort
ell
i
ngt
hetr
uth.If
eell
iket
helast10year
sofmy
l
ifewereali
e.

Monga: Iunder st
andwhyy oufeelthewayy oudo.Ialsocan' t
stopy ouf rom divorci
ngbecausei can'
tgiveyouwhaty ouneed.
I'
m sur ey ouhav eneeds.Ifidon'tdieI'
ll
beinhereforli
fesoi
under standt hatyouneedt omov eonwi t
hanotherman.Ir espect
thatandi won' tf
ightyouorstressy oubecauseI'
mi nheref orthe
decisionsIt ook.Theonl yreasonI'm sayi
ngthereisnoneedt o
divorcei sbecauseei t
herwayi won'tbethereandifyou'r
emy
wifey ou'llbeabletodoal otforthechi l
drenonmybehal fatt he
moment .

Lana:Iunder st
andthatbutI'
ll
feelbet
terifI'
m notyourwif
e,r
ight
nowi feelstupidbecauseihavebeenbr aggingaboutyouandyou
di
dn'tfeelthesamewayaboutme.Ij ustwantt ogobacktomy
house.Ilovey ouandourfamilybutit
'snotwor thi
tanymore.
Everyoneisof f
eri
ngsupportbutisti
llfeelbetr
ayed,i
wantpeace
ofmind.

Sher
ubbedhert
ear
sashel
ookeddownsadl
y.
..

Monga:Whateveridi
dwit
hApulawasalmost11yearsago,i
f
orgotal
laboutitandi
tmeansnothi
ngtome.Ican'
ttal
kabout
t
hecaserightnowbutIsweari
didn'
ttal
ktoherwhi
lehavi
nga
romant
icmoment ,
ijustnev
erthoughtApul
awouldeverdothat
tome,I'
m di
sappoi
ntedandI'm hur
tij
ustcan'
texpr
essitby
cry
ingbutI'
m br
oken.

Lana:
Doy
oul
oveher
?

Monga: No,it
'sbeenov er11,
thisisthe12thy earsincesheandi
brokeupcanweputi ttorest?ImarriedyouandI '
venev er
cheat edony ou,I
'v
enev erbrokenmyv ows.Ifthatdoesn' tprov
e
myl ov eforyoutheni don'
tknowwhatwi l
l.Iacceptt haty ouwant
tomov eonbecauseI 'm st
uckher e.
.ItsOK,andy ouknowwhati f
divorcingmemakesy oufeelbett
erthenjustgof orthedamn
thi
ngbecausei wasf ait
hfult
oy ouev enwheni shouldn'
thav e,l
ike
wheny ouignoredmeandmi ssedall myimpor tantmoment s
wher eIneededawi f
ebymysi de.

Lana:
(angr
il
y)Don'
tyoudar
etryt
omaket hi
smyfaul
tbecause
youwerest
upidenought
oblubtoanot
herwoman.

Monga: (
angrily)Bonatsamaawegoj ewaLana. .
.I'vebeggedy ou
enough, Ican'tbegy ouandGodatt hesamet i
me.Gogetf ucked
i
ft hat'swhaty ouwant.Ibety oucan' twai ttospr eady ourlegsf or
anot herman.I t'
salwayseasyf oryout or eplacemeaker e.Gof il
e
fordi vorce,gethalfofmypr opert
yandspendi tony ourmen.Ke
twaet segodi risiwa,womengetmymoneyandgi vei ttoother
menbecauseI '
mt hatstupid.I'
m gladi lovedy ouandi was
fai
t hfultoyoubuti won'tbei nheref i
ght i
ngf ormyl i
feandst ress
abouty ouatt hesamet i
me.I fyoucar edy ou'dexcusemef orthis
shor ttimesoi candigestt hi
sbutnowt hewor ldist hrowing
stonesatmel ewenay ouj oi
ned.Agoj olaI'
llgothr ought hi
sal one.
IfidieI '
lldi
ef i
ght i
ngandi fieverwal koutev enifI'
m 90y earsold
I'
l
lsti
llbeok.Atl eastienjoyedhavi
ngyoufor10y ear
sandI '
m
damnpr oudofmy selfbecausenotoncedi
di cheatonyoul eene
Apulatotairefusedtogi vehermynumberr i
ghtbeforeivi
sited
youbecauset hat'showmuchy oumeanttome.I t
sapi t
yy ou'l
l
neverknowhowmuchi loveyou.Gofi
ndhappiness.Gofind
anotherLopangandgi vehim mysons..

Lana:
Nxl
a!

Shestoodupandwalkedoutasheremainedsi
tti
ngl
ooki
ngather,
tear
sburnedhi
seyesbuthebli
nkedthem awayandwal
kedback
tohiscel
l.
..

AtAene'
sHouse.
..

Aenewalkedinandsatdownlooki
ngatt
heultr
asoundpictur
esof
herbaby
,shesmiledtear
ful
l
yandputherhandoverherstomach
asfai
ntkicksmassagedher
.

Aene:Hi
inther
e...Sodaddyisnotpar
tofusanymore,
itsj
ustyou
andme.Ineedyout obehave.
.MyBPi sver
yhighandi
tsnotgood.
ButI'
l
lpr
ovi
deev eryt
hingyouneed.
.I'
l
lbestr
ong.

Sherubbedherbumpandwalkedinthekit
chenwher
eshestuck
thepi
cture.Shewal
kedi
ntheotherbedr
oom andl
ookedati
t
tr
yingt
oimagi
nehowi
twoul
daf
terdecor
ati
ngi
tforher
daught
er.
..

Att
heconf
erencer
oom.
..
.

Meanwhil
eApul astoodbefor
eagr oupofbusinessassoci
ates
makingherpresent
ationsbef
oresitt
ingdown.Herphonev i
brat
ed
whi
leanotherladypresent
ed,shecli
ckedonhermessageand
smi
led.

Ron:
Wai
ti
ngi
nyourof
fi
ce.

Apul
a:Wi
l
lbedonei
s5.

Ron:
Yourchai
riscosy

Apul
a: Iknow.
..

Afewmi nutesl
atert
hemeeti
ngendedandshewal
kedi
nher
off
icewhereRonwaswaiti
ngwit
hamoneybouquetandabot
tl
e
ofcelebr
ati
ondri
nk.

Shesmil
edandgotthefl
owerl
ooki
ngatt
heP200not
es,
he
l
eanedoverandki
ssedher.
.
Ron:
Ilov
eyou.

Apul
a:Il
ovey
out
oo.
.Thanky
ousomuch.
.Il
ovei
t.Takeapi
ctur
e
ofme.

Hetookherphoneandtookpi
ctur
esofherasshesmi
l
edt
hen
t
heytookaselfi
etoget
her.

Ron:Ital
kedtomyfat
her,
theyhadameetingt
odaysotheywil
lbe
readytonegot
iat
emagadinextweekbutt
heywil
lcommunicat
e
withyourfami
ly.

Apul
a:Ok,
theywi
ll
communicatewit
huncl
e.SoI
'
m pl
anni
nga
l
it
tl
evacat
ionwi
thmydaughter
s..

Heputherf
lower
sasi
deandhuggedherbef
oreki
ssi
ngher
..

Ron:Canwetal
kabouty
ourniecesandnephew.
..What
'st
he
ar
rangementaf
tert
heweddi
ng?

Apul
a:Ar
en'
twemov
ingi
nwi
tht
hem?

Ron:Idon'
tev
enknowt hem,eventhenthey
'r
ey ourfami
ly.
..Iwant
ustobuil
dourfamil
yandIwoul dn'tfeel
comfortabl
ehavi
ng3
ext
ragrownpeoplearound.Eveniftheywer
ey oungitwoul
dst i
ll
beawkward.

Apul
a:Iadopt
edOsha.
.Shei
smydaught
er
Ron:Ol
denoughforuni
versit
y..Theboycanr
emaininboardi
ng.
I
'mjustnotpr
epar
edtohav eextrapeopl
e.Wedon'
tdoextended
fami
li
eswhereicomefrom.

Apul
a:Ok,
iunder
stand.Theywi
l
lremai
ninmyhouset
hen.I
tsOK.

Theyhuggedandki
ssed.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Oshal ai
dont hebedgoingthr
oughalistofcoursestostudy
whil
et al
kingtohersi
steronthephone.Shechattedwhi
lewrit
ing
Derr
ickatt hebackofherdi
aryanddecorat
ingthenamewi th
hi
ghlight
ers..

Ni
ni:
Iunder
standthatyouj
ustwanttobeaphar
macistbutyou'
re
r
equi
redtopi
ck2ndand3r dopt
ioncoursesy
ouwishtostudyif
t
heslot
sinyourdesi
redcour
searefull
..

Osha:Can'
tiwr
itepharmacyi
nev
erysect
ionsot
heycanseei
don'
twantanyt
hingelse?

Nini
:(si
ghed)Mony
anaket
ogakegocl
apat
hrought
hephone,
youcan't
.

Osha:
Idon'
tl
ikeany
thi
ngel
se

Ni
ni:
Askmamat
ohel
pyouwi
thi
deasbuty
ou'
vepassedsoy
ou'
l
l
beaccept
ed.Justt
haty
ouneedt
ofi
l
lthef
orm asr
equest
ed.

Osha:
Eish.
..OK

Ni
ni:
I'm goi
ngt
ohavet
orentabi
ggerhousei
nacoupl
eof
monthswhenyoucomeher
e.Wemustgeta2bedroom house.

Osha:I
'
m notst
ayi
ngwit
hmybi gsi
steri
ntheci
ty,
you'
rel
i
kea
minimama..
.Odeput
yparent
.

Ni
ni:
(laughed)I
'
m notev
ent
hatst
ri
ctbat
hongOsha.

Osha:
Iwon'
tdr
inki
fI'
m wi
thy
oubecausey
ou'
resodi
sci
pli
ned
l
ikemama.

Nini
:(l
aughed)Mamat hemmawaswil
dinuni
ver
sit
y,shewas
call
edDJBaby .
.Skabonaal
est
ri
ctj
aana.

Osha:(
laughed)Isawherpictur
esneel el
ebadbadbutneapasa
gor
e.Nnammei fpart
yingmakesmef ai
lI'
l
lstop.Ifif
ail
mama
wil
lki
ll
me. .
.(l
aughed)Remembert hemockexam wheni gotB.
..
AsakelemaDJBaby ,(t
heycrackedlaughi
ngoutl oud)Kabakel
a
gotsayaB..
.Itseemsmamapar ti
edandst i
ll
cameout1sti nher
cl
ass.

Nini:
Mamaneel ecrackthemma, shewasev enof
fereda
scholar
shi
pt ogodoPhDov erseasbutshechoset
owor k
becauseattheti
meal l
hersist
ersdependedonher.Anyway
sI'
m
goingtocl
ass,fi
l
lthosefor
msandgi vetomamawhenshe
knocksoff
.

Osha:
Ok,
bye
Shehungupthenherphoner
angi
mmedi
atel
y,shesmi
l
edather
cousi
nscal
landpi
cked..

Osha:
Hey

Pi
nk:Heycuzlov
et hemmacomehelpLi
lot
oundomyhai
r?I
sweart
hisi
sthelastti
meI
'
m pl
ait
ingboxbr
aids.

Osha:
Ok,
I'
m comi
ng.I
suncl
ehome?

Pi
nk:
Lil
opapaot
il
e?

Li
l
o:Ee

Pi
nk:
Yeah,
why
?(l
aughed)Youwantt
obr
ingy
ourUSBst
ick?

Li
lo:
( l
aughed)Don'
twor
rymamai
snothomey
ouknowpapal
et'
s
usplayloudmusic.

Osha:
(laughed)Yeah,
I'
m comi
ng.By
e

Shehungupandcl
osedherdi
aryl
eav
ingi
tonthebedwi
tht
he
Uni
versi
tyf
ormst
henshejumpedi
ntheshower.

Minut
esl
atershewal
kedoutoft
hehousel
ooki
ngsexyand
l
ockedupbeforel
eav
ing.

Afewminut
espassedthenApul
apar
kedthecar,shest
eppedout
wi
thhermoneybouquetandwal
kedi
nthehouse.Shenoti
ced
Osha'
sdooropenandhermusi
cboxpl
ayi
ngl
oudmusi
c.

Shewal kedi
nandswi tcheditof
fthenshenoti
cedUni ver
sit
y
for
msandpi ckedthem, shereadforaboutami nut
eandputt hem
downt henshesawt hedi ary
.Shereluct
antl
ypickeditupand
pagedt hr
ough,
shefr ownedandsatdownt hensher ead
ever
ythingasherhear tpounded..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#160

AtMar
u'shouse.
..

Derr
ickwentthr
oughhispaper
ssit
ti
ngi
nthebacky
ardundert
he
tr
ee,thespri
nkl
erst
urnedonspl
ashi
nghi
m wi
thwaterandhe
j
umpedl ooki
ngback..

Hegrabbedhi
spaper
sandwal
kedi
nthehousethr
oughthe
ki
tchenwher
eOshawasdri
nki
ngwat
erst
andingbythecount
er.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Hi

Oshat
urnedaroundandl
ookedathi
m.Thei
rey
esl
ockedf
or
someseconds.
.

Osha:
Hel
l
o

Hiseyesdr
oppedtoherthighsbutthist
imehedidn'
tst
arefor
l
ong,sheputt
heglassdownt henhewal kedov
ertoher
,herhear
t
poundedashegotcloserandclosersomuchsoshecouldfeel
hi
smeatr
ubbingonhert
highashepi
ckedt
hesamecl
assand
dr
unkf
rom t
hesamespotshehadputherl
i
ps.

Hewasst andingsocloseshecoul dsmel lhi

scol ogne, hewast al
l
andhehadbl ockedheri ntoacornerashecal ml ydrunkfrom the
tallgl
assandputi tdownl ookinginhereyes.Itwasn' tempty.
..It
wasl i
keaquar t
erempt ysoshebr avelypi
ckedi tupandsi pped
from theexactspothehadsi ppedandshecoul dsmel lhi
ssweet
breathinsidetheglass.Her eachedfortheglasswhi leshewas
stil
ldri
nkingandslowl yputitdownt henhetilt
edhi sheadand
l
eanedov erforababyki ss..
.

Osha'
shear tpoundedasthei
rli
psmetforthefi
rstt
ime,
shehad
j
usttastedheruncle'
sli
ps.
.Heraunt
'sever
ythi
ng.Shecl
osedher
eyesregret
tabl
yandlookeddown..
.

Derr
ick'
sheartpoundedashecor ner
edheratt hesamet ime
l
ist
eningtomakesur etherewerenofootstepsapproaching.His
daughter
swer echatt
ingloudl
yfr
om theirr
oom, hegent l
ypulled
herchinupandtracedherlipswi
thhisthumbandFr enchkissed
herashispantsti
ghtened.

Osha'swhol
ebodyshiveredasshekissedamanforthefi
rstti
me,
hi
slipsweresosoftandhesmelledsogood,hi
shandgroped
bot
hofherbuttcheeksthenheslidhi
shandunderherski
rt.
..
Derri
ck'
sheartrateincreasedfr
om touchi
ngherpanti
eshecould
tel
ltheywerefull
ofhersof tmeat,howthehellagi
rlheragefi
l
la
pantyli
kethat
..Hesl i
dhi shandinherpant
iesandhi
shear t
almost.
..Whataf atkuku.

Oshacaughtherbreat
hstandingtherewatchi
nghi
shands,ever
y
touchsental
lki
ndsofshiver
sar oundherbodyandgetpant
ies
gotwetasheplayedwithhercli
ttt
..
.

Theirbreathinggotheavierashekissedherandl
oweredhis
pants,shef eltsomethi
nghugesli
pbet weenhert
highsand
gasped.Stillstandi
ngtherehethr
ustbetweenherthi
ghsand
eventuall
ybl ockedher.

Asmuchashewant edtopusht hroughheknewi twoul dhur tifhe

didthisst andingsohej ustslippedov erthewetmeat .Their
breathinggotheav ierastheypant ed.
.Oshacl osedherey estoa
pleasureshenev erfel
tbef or
eashel eanedov erkissi
ngher ,she
grabbedhi sarmsast hefeelinggoti ntense, soi nsanelyi nt
ense
shewant edt ocrythenhermuscl estightenedandt her ushran
throughandoutofhert hroughhert hrobbi ngmeat ,atsomepoi nt
shel etoutawhi mpasifshewasshi vering,thi ssoundonhi sear
hegr antedandl eanedbackhol dingherpant iesasheof fl
oaded
thethickj el
lyli
keDNA, hest rokedhi msel fandshooki tthenhe
pul
ledupherpant
ies,footst
epsapproachedandshejumped
pul
li
ngdownherskirtashef ixedhi
sTshir
tandinnocent
lywal
ked
outpassi
nghi
sdaught eratthedoor.
..

Li
l
o:Ohhi
papa,
arey
oudonewi
thy
ourwor
k?

Der
ri
ck:
Yeah.
..

Oshapour edmorewaterasherhandsandkneesst i
llshook,she
wasn'tevensurei
fitwasthefearofgett
ingcaughtorhavingher
fi
rstli
tt
leorgasm.
..Herkukuwasstil
lthr
obbinganditfel
tweird
havingherkukusi
nkinginhiscomeli
kethat.

Li
l
o:Yourphonewasr
ingi
ng.

Osha:
Oht
hanks.
..

Li
l
o:I
tsmel
l
sal
i
ttl
efunkyi
nher
e..
.

Shefol
dedtheki
tchenwindowandopenedt
hedoorasOsha
pi
ckedhermother'
scal
l.

Osha:
Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Phel
e?Phel
e?
Herhear
tskipped,
shewasnev
erpr
onouncedPhel
eunl
essi
twas
somethi
ngreall
ybad.
..

Osha:
Mma?

Apul
a:Tswel
akwano!Wher
ear
eyou?

Sheswal
l
owedahugel
umpandl
ookedathercousi
n..
.

Osha:
I'
m att
hemal
l
.

Apul
a:Iwanther
ewi
thi
n5mi
nut
esdoy
ouunder
standme?

Osha:
Eemma.
.

Apul
acutt
hecal
l
...

Li
l
o:What
?

Osha:Keabi
tswa.
.Shesoundsangr
y.Gat
wewi
thi
n5mi
nut
es
abekelekol
wapeng.

Li
l
o:I
'
llaskpapat
odr
opy
ou.Di
dyoubr
eaksomet
hingor

Osha:
Idon'
tknow.
..
Li
l
oknockedont
hemast
erbedr
oom.
.

Li
l
o:Papawee?

Der
ri
ck:
Mma?

Li
l
o:Oshawabi
tswa,
arekemokopel
eli
ft
.

Der
ri
ck:
Giv
emeami
nut
e.

Li
l
o:Ok.
.

Der
ri
ckgr
abbedt
hecarkey
sandopenedt
hedoor
..

Osha:
Mamaar
ekei
thaganel
e.

Der
ri
ck:
Let
'sgo.
.

Osha:
Lil
oby
e,sayby
etoPi
nk.
.

Sheturnedar
oundandf ol
l
owedhimt othecar
,heopenedthe
doorforhert
henshegotin,hegl
ancedatthedoorandtouched
hernippl
ebefor
eclosi
ngthedoorthenhestar
tedthecarand
droveoff.
.

Ont
hewayDerr
ickl
ookedathert
highsandputhi
shandov
er
t
hem whi
l
edr
ivi
ngwiththeot
herhand.
..
Der
ri
ck:
Arey
ouOK?

Osha:
Yeah.

Der
ri
ck:
Ihopei
didn'
tscar
eyou.
.

Shesmil
edal i
tt
leandchuckl
edlookingaway,
hesmi
l
edand
tur
nedherheadoverhol
dinghersoftchi
n..

Derr
ick:
Iwishicoul
dspendmor
eti
mewi
thy
ou.
.Somewher
ewe
canbefreeandtal
k.

Osha:
Sometimesmamasl eepsatherboyf
ri
end'
shouse.Boy
boy
i
sinboar
dingschoolandNiniwentbackt
otheci
tysoI'
m home
al
onemostoftheti
me.

Der
ri
ck:
You'
l
ltextmei
fshel
eav
esr
ight
?

Osha:
Whatwi
l
lyout
ell
aunt
ie?

Der
ri
ck:
I'
ll
figur
esomet
hingout
,ani
ghtshi
ftorsomet
hing.

Lovi
ngOnBorrowedTimeplayedontheradioashedrove,
he
l
ookedatherandtheysmil
edatthecoi
ncidenceoft
hesong.
Theyhel
dhandsti
ghtlyl
i
steni
ngtothesongwhi l
ehedrovewi
th
onehand.
 We'
repl
ayi
ngadanger
ousgame

Bur
ningasecr
etf
lame

Meet
ingi
nshadows,
ignor
ingt
hesi
gns

Thatwe'
rel
ovi
ngonabor
rowed

Lov
ingonabor
rowedt
ime,
yeswear
ebaby

Wer
elov
ingonabor
rowedt
ime

Meet
ingi
nshadows,
ignor
ingt
hesi
gns

Thatwe'
rel
ovi
ngonabor
rowedt
ime

Shesmi l
edandblushingsingi
ngal ong,hepul
ledont hesideof
theroadandleanedov erki
ssingherast hemusicplayed,he
pull
edheroverandadj ust
edhi sseattothebackthenshesaton
hisl
apandleanedov erkissi
nghi m,heputhisarmsar oundher
andpull
edhercloser.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Fuck.
..Il
ovey
ou

Heki
ssedherneckasshebr
eat
hedheav
il
ywi
thherar
msar
ound
hi
sshoul
der
s..

Osha:
Ilov
eyout
oo.
..
Theirbreat
hinggotheavi
erashecoachedherwaisthol
dingher
withbothhandsguidingheronhowtogri
ndethenhisphonerang.
Theypausedt henshelai
dherheadonhischestashecaughthis
breathandpicked.
..

Der
ri
ck:
Hel
l
o?

Mar
u:(
cry
ing)
..
.

Der
ri
ck:
Babe?

Maru:(cry
ing)Ican'
tgetoverwhatyoutol
dmethi
smor ning.
..I
'
m
embarrassedtotell
anyoneandit'
sbreaki
ngmyhear
t.Ithought
I'
l
lhandleitbut
..
.(cry
ing)

Der
ri
ck:
Wher
ear
eyou?

Maru:(sni
ff
li
ng)Intheparkingl
otatthehospi
tal
,myBPwashigh
andididn'
twanttowor r
yy ouorthechi
ldr
en.Ij
ustcamet
othe
hospi
taltogethel
p...

Oshat r
acedhischestwi
thherli
tt
lefi
ngerashetalkedt
ot he
phonethenshelift
edherheadfr
om hischestandbabykissed
him whil
ehewasspeaking.Herphonerangtoothenshequi ckl
y
grabbeditandsi
lencedi
t,shest
eppedoutofthecarandcl osed
thedoor..
Osha:
Hel
l
o?

Mar
u:Wher
ear
eyou?

Osha:
(sof
tl
y)Keet
amama.I
'
m onmyway

Mar
u:WHERE?
!

Osha:
I'
minat
axi

Mar
u:I
thaganel
e!

Shehuntupandgotbacki
nthecarasDer
ri
ckhungup.

Osha:Ishoul
dbehomel i
kenow.Shei
sangr
y.It
hinkshef
ound
mydiary.Iwr
oteabouty
ou.

Der
ri
ck:
What
?

Hest
eppedont
heaccel
erat
or.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Whatdi
dyouwr
it
e?

Osha:
Justcr
azyt
hings

Der
ri
ck:
Don'
tev
erkeepadi
ary
.

Mi
nut
esl
aterhest
oppedandt
heyl
eanedov
erki
ssi
ng.
Der
ri
ck:
I'
ll
bookar
oom t
omor
rowsowecant
alk,
Mar
uneedsme.

Osha:
Ok,
bye

Shejumpedoutandcl
osedthedoorthensher
anhome.Der
ri
ck
rev
ersedandspedof
ftothehospi
tal
..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Minut
eslaterOshawalkedinthehouseasApulasatont
hecouch
anxi
ousl
y,shestoodupandwal kedtothedoort
henshelockedi
t
upandgrabbedastickfrom under
neat
hthecouch..
.

Apul
a:Si
tdown!Whati
sthi
s?

Shewhippedherdiar
yandOshajumpedtear
ful
l
y,peer
oll
edon
thef
loorasshelookedatApul
ahol
dingasti
ck.
..

Apul
a:Oshay
ou'
renotaboutt
oki
l
lmysi
sterwi
thahear
tat
tack.
.

Apul
a'
shear
tbr
eaksur
passedt
heangerasl
ookedathert
ear
ful
l
y,
shegotweakanddroppedthest
ickthenshesatdownlooki
ngat
her,
tear
sfi
ll
edhereyesandsherubbedthem wi
thhershaky
hands.
..

Apula:(shakyvoice)I'm notangry..
.Pleasejusttel
lmey outwo
didn'
tdoany thi
ng. .Havey oueverdoneany t
hing?(gasped
shaking)Pleasebehonestwi thme. .
.Wear ehonestr i
ght?I'
m not
goingtohityou.Tel lmesowecanf ixthis,
idon'tknowhowbuti
don'twantMar u'sBPgoi ngup. .
.Ot aatshwaramol atoPearl
.Did
yout wodoany thing?It'
sjustacr ushright?

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#161

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Osha'
sheartpoundedasshelookedatherauntwhi
l
eDer
ri
ck'
s
semenleanedint
otheleat
hercouch.
..

Osha:
Wedi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ng.
.

Apul
a:Doesheknowy
ouhav
eacr
ushonhi
m?

Osha:
No,
I'
m sor
ry.

Apulal
eanedbacktryi
ngt othi
nkorf
igureouthowtodeal
wit
h
thi
swit
houtovereat
ing,knowingmenifhefoundouthewoul
dn'
t
saynobutthenDerr
ickisoneofakind..
.Aperf
ectexampl
eof
whatahusbandshouldbe. .
.

Apula:I
t'
sok...Wheny ou'reyoungeryouusuall
ycrushonthe
wrongpeople.Wedon' tchoosewhowecr ushonbuty ou'r
e
responsi
bleforthedecisionsyoumake.Ibel i
eveyou'
remat ure
enoughtounder st
andt hatDerri
ckisyouruncleandMar uloves
herhusband.Hei sl
ikeaf athertoyou,hepracti
cal
lyr
aisedy ou.
Wenat ot
akei tsegorey ou'r
everymature.
..
Osha:Iknowhei
smyuncl
e..
.Ij
ustwr
otet
hatbecausei
coul
dn'
t
t
ellanyone.

Apul
a:Butwhatdi
dyoumeanbyhisbodyi
srespondi
ngt
oyour
pr
esence?Howdidhegetaboner
?

Osha:Ibumpedint
ohim whenhewaswal ki
ngint
hetoi
let
..Idon'
t
knowifhewantedtopeeorwhatbuthedoesn'
tknowthatihave
acrushonhim.Nobodyknowsthi
s,I
'm notahomewrecker
mama.

Apula:
Pleasedon'tt
ell
him orshowanyt
hing,
hewi
ll
useyouand
gobacktohiswife.Thi
sfamilywil
lbebr
okenandmysi
sterwi
ll
neverl
oveme.

Osha:
Iknow.I
'
m sor
ry.

Apul
a:Pl
easedon'
tscar
emel
i
ket
hisagai
n

Osha:MamaIl oveaunti
eandi knowshel ovesuncl
e,iwentther
e
earl
i
ert otalktoheraboutcal
li
ngy oubit
ter.
..Sheal
soexpressed
tomet hatshegetshurt
swhenev eryouaskwhatshebr i
ngsto
thetableorcallhermissperf
ect.Shefeelsl
ikeyou'
repray
ingfor
somet hingbadtohappeninherlife.

Apul
aheav
edahugesi
ghandscr
atchedherscal
p..
.

Apul
a:Nowaday sI'
m hur
ti
ngalotofpeopl
e,i
don'tgetit
..
..
ireal
l
y
needtothinkbefor
eisayany
thi
ngbecauseididn'
tthi
nkthat
wouldhurther.
Osha:Ithi
nkshei sabi ti
nsecureaboutit
,ial
sof eell
ikebeinga
housewifesomehowmakesawomanagef asterbecausey ou
cookalldayandt akecareofev er
yone.Aunti
enev erwearsheels.
..
I'
veneverseenherakgabi leotherthanweari
nghermat ei
seof
whichifeelarebeautif
ulyesbuteish..
.EvenauntieAtsi
lelooksfl
y
whenshet akesof fheroveral
l
sandr ocksherhighheels.

Apula:I
t'
sbecauseMar unev
erhasanywheretogoexceptt
o
buri
alsandweddings.
..ButI
'
llapol
ogi
setoher.Shecanberude
butofallmysist
erskeenekemot shepangtodotheri
ghtt
hing
wheneverI'
minneed.

Osha: Shesay ssomet i

meswhenshecal l
sy ououtit'sbecause
sheknowst hat'
showpeopl ewil
lvi
ewy ourbehaviour,andi
believ
eherbecausey ouknowthemi nut
ey oupostedal lt
hose
thingspeoplecalledyouabitt
erexwhocan' tgetoveraboy fr
iend
from 10y earsago.Shehasapoint,soIthi
nknextt i
meshe
speaksy oumustl ist
enbecausesomet i
mesi fyou'
resur r
ounded
bypeopl ewhoal lagreewi
thyoubecauset hey'
reafraidtocri
ti
cise
youy oudon'tgrow.

Apulasmil
edproudlylooki
ngatOsha,itf
eltgoodtohearwisdom
comingoutofherli
ttl
emout h.Whatmadehert hi
nkshe'
ddo
somethi
ngstupi
dlikesleepwithheruncl
e..
.?sher
aisedali
ttl
e
counsel
l
orhere.

Osha:
(laughedembar
rassed)What
?
Maru:Iwasgoi ngt obeatyou.
.Ithoughtyouweresleepingwit
h
Derr
ick.I'
m st
il
l disappoi
ntedthatyounoti
celi
tt
lethi
ngsabout
hi
m, pleasest
op.Makemepr oudandgetov ert
his.I
tschil
dish
tr
ustme.Wheny ougettoGabsy ou'l
lwantsomeoney ourage.

Osha:
I'
ll
stop.
.

Mar
u:(
stoodup)Cl
eanupt
hatpee,
oboi
mmeokwal
adi
l
o..
.

Shest
oodupandwal
kedoutt
ogett
hemop.

Apula:
(walki
ngtoherroom)Tomor r
owwe' r
egoingt
omyaunt'
s
house,t
hereist
hatl
it
tlethi
ngItoldyouaboutsoiwanty
out
o
hel
pwi t
htheteaandthingsl
ikethat
.

Osha:
(moppi
ng)OK.
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

LateronDer
ri
ckpar
kedt
hecarwi
thhi
sdaught
ersandsoni
nthe
back..

Der
ri
ck:
Come.
..

Theyst
eppedoutandwal
kedt
owar
dsMar
u'scar
.
Der
ri
ck:
Wai
tout
side.
..

Hegoti
nthecarandhuggedherbef
orer
ubbi
nghert
ear
sand
ki
ssi
ngher
..
.

Derr
ick:Icamewitht
hekidssot
heycandri
veyourcarwhil
eyou
ri
dewithme.Itol
dthem y
ourBPwashighbuty
ou'reOK..

Mar
u:Ok.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Let
'sgo.
.

Theyst
eppedoutast
hegi
rl
slookedatherwor
ri
edl
y.
.

Li
l
o:Mamaar
eyouOK?

Pi
nk:
(rubbedhert
ear
s)Wer
eyoucr
ying

Maru:
(smi
l
edwit
hr eddi
sheyes)Ij
usthav
eaheadachebutt
hey
gav
emepill
ssoineedtolaydown.

Lastbor
n:Mamacani
comewi
thy
ou?

Der
rick:No,
mommyneedst orest
.Geti
n..
.Pi
nkpl
easedr
ive
car
efull
y.Gost
rai
ghthome,
I'
ll
findyout
here.

Pi
nk:
Ok.
.
Theki dsgoti
nthecarandcareful
l
ydroveoffashewatchedt
hem
them thenheopenedthedoorforhiswi
fe,shegoti
nthenhe
closedthedoorandgotinhi
sside..
.Hetookadeepbreath
l
ooki ngather
..

Derri
ck:I'
m sor r
yf orwhatisai
dint
hemor ning.Ithi
nkiwasa
l
itt
leinsensit
ive..IwantyoutoknowthatI'
dnev ergothatfarwi
th
Osha.Shei sli
keadaught ert
ome..
.Ifir
aisedLiloandnever
touchedherwhywoul dIfai
lwit
hOshawhoi sfarawayf r
om me?
I
'm notar api
st.

Mar u:Iknowy ou'

llnevermakeamov eonherandi knowshewill
neverdot hatwithyou,whathur tsmei sthefactt
hatyoucan
actuall
yer ectthathardlookingatherormay beot
herwoment oo
butwi t
hmei t'ssoft.Wheni touchedyouy ouweresohar dij
ust
want edthathar dnessinme. ..Theharderamani ssweetersoif
you'renothar dI'm notsati
sfiedbutyoudon'tseemet ryi
ngtoget
i
tfrom ot hermenbecausei respectyouandmyf amilycomes
fi
rst.Am i doingsomet hingwr ong?

Der ri
ck:No, i
t'
snotyou.Iwasn' teventhinki
ngaboutherl i
ket hat
wheni l
ookedather ..
.(si
ghed)thetruthisiboughtsomepowder
from anol dmanatt hemal l.Idrunkthatandwant edtoseei fit
wi l
lwork..
.Unf or
tunatelyi
twor kedwhenOshawasar ound.I
wal kedi
nt hehousekeut wagor eIwantsomebutt hekidswer e
aroundmaki ngnoiseandy ouwer eundoi ngyourhairsoijustsat
there.Didn'tevennoti
cei hadabonerbuti wantedy ou.
Mar
u:Amme?

Der
ri
ck:Yeah..Iwasembarrassedt
ot el
lyoubutnowi
lookl
i
kea
monst
er.Iknowy oudon'
tl
iket r
adi
ti
onalmedici
ne

Maru:Noidon'
tl
iket
radi
ti
onaldoctor
sbutyoucanbuya
t
radi
ti
onal
remedyifi
tworksforyou.(smi
l
ed)Youmisunder
stood
me..

Der
ri
ck:
Ithoughty
ou'
l
lbeangr
ywi
thmeor
ekeal
owakenwa
mel
emo.

Maru:(
laughed)What ?Ican'
tbel
i
eveyoustressedmeoutwi
th
suchst
upi dnonsense..
.Wait
seDerr
ickbat
hong.Ift
hatmedi
cine
hel
psust henbri
ngiton

Der
ri
ck:
(smi
l
ed)Phew.
..OK

Heleanedoverandkissedherasshekissedhim backand
huggedhimreli
ved.Healmostleanedbackbutshejusthugged
hi
m andsighed,herel
axedrubbingherbackandkissedher
cheek.
..

Maru:
Tomorrowmorni
ngwehav
etobeatmyaunt
'shouse.
Jul
i
an'sgr
andpar
ent
swill
bet
her
e..

Der
ri
ck:
Alr
ight

Hest
art
edt
hecaranddr
oveof
f.
..
AtMar
u'shouse.
..

Latert
hatni
ghtDer
rickandMaruwalkedi
nthebedr
oom t
henhe
walkedint
hebathr
oom andfi
l
ledthetubf
orherbef
orewal
ki
ng
back..

Der
ri
ck:
Got
akeabat
h,I
'
vepr
epar
edt
het
ubf
ory
ou.
.

Mar
u:Thanky
ou.
..

Shetookof
fhercl
othesandwal
kedi
nthebat
hroom t
henhel
aid
onthebedandsmil
edcli
cki
ngonOsha'
snumber.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Heyt
her
e.

I
nOsha'
sroom.
..

MeanwhileOshawatchedamov i
elay
ingonherstomachand
receiv
edamessagefrom uncl
eDee.Herl
ipscur
vedasshe
smiledandcl
ickedonit
..
Osha:

Uncl
eDee: Gawashapi
waaker
e?

Osha: Shewast
hiscl
osebuti
cov
eredi
tup.

Uncl
eDee:I
'mthi
nki
ngweshoul
dbookahot
elout
sideMaunso
wedon'
truni
ntoany
oneweknow.

Osha:
Ok.

UncleDee:Howi
sthatti
nyl
it
tl
epussy
?Hopei
didn'
trubi
ttoo
rough.
.Iknowi
t'
sdel
icat
e.

Osha:
It'
sok.
.Theent
rancei
sal
i
ttl
eir
ri
tat
edbutI
'
m OK.

Uncl
eDee:
Ican'
twai
ttounwr
apt
hatcandy
.

Osha:I
'
m scaredbutusemewhenevery
ouwantuncle. Ican't
hel
pmy sel
f.Idi
dn'
tknowsexcanbethi
sgood.
.Idi
dn'twanty
ou
tost
op.

UncleDee:
Howdoi sl
eepaf
terhear
ingsomet
hingl
i
ket
his.
.Is
yourmom home?Iwantt
ocomeov er.
.

Osha: Shei
shome.

Uncl
eDee:
Ican'
tsl
eepnow.Notaf
terhear
ingt
his.
..

Osha:
Ican'
tsl
eept
oo.Ican'
tbel
i
evei
fel
tyourt
hingonme.

Uncl
eDee:Got
tago.Pl
easedel
etet
his.Del
eter
ightnowbef
ore
youdoany
thi
ng.Il
oveyou

Osha:
Ilov
eyout
oo
Shedel
etedt
hei
rconv
ersat
ionandsi
ghedsmi
l
ing.
..

AtMar
u'shouse.
..

Derri
ckdelet
edhismessagesandputhi
sphonedownasMar u
walkedoutofthebat
hroom,shesmil
edandsatonhi
slapthen
shekissedhim.Hemadeanef f
ortt
ogetitupashet
ouchedher
bodybuttherewasnothi
ng..
.

Hecl osedhiseyesandpicturedOshakissi
nghim si
tt
ingonhis
l
apwi t
hherpussy..
.Hi
sdi ckgotsohardMar umoanedj ust
holdi
ngi tt
hensheslowlyslidonit."
FuckOsha!"hi
smi nd
screamedhernameasshebouncedonhi m..
.Hecouldalmost
hearOsha'slit
tl
emoansi nthekitchenearl
ier
.

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

ThenextdayAt
sil
eyawnedwal
ki
ngi
ntheki
tchent
alki
ngt
oJul
i
an
overt
hephoneviavi
deo.
..

At
sil
e:Whenar
eyoucomi
ng?Imi
ssy
ou.
Jul
ian:Ladyleav
emeal one,ihav
eagirl
fr
iendnextdoor
.Daddy
saysIshouldn'
tkissherthough.Herdadisasoldi
erandhehasa
guntoo.

Atsi
l
e:(
laughed)Jul
i
anbat
hong!Ir
eal
l
yhopey
ou'
repl
ayi
ngmi
nd
games

Jul
ian:Daddysaysicanonlylookatherandi can'
tpl
aywit
hher .
I
fitalktoherhewil
ltel
lherfather.SoiguessI'
m onadi
stance
rel
ati
onshipfort
henextfewy ears.Whenshet ur
ns18I'
mt aki
ng
herout

At
sil
e:Eher
ra.
..(
looki
ngatt
hebackgr
ound)Wher
ear
eyou?I
t
l
ooksli
keahotelroom

Jul
ian:
It'
sahot
elroom,I
'm abi
gdognow.Canyoubeli
eveI
'
mthe
onewhobookedtheroom?Ievenknowhowtoswipe.
.

At
sil
e:Wher
ear
eyou?

Jul
i
an:
Can'
ttel
lyousweet
hear
t,i
tsaguyt
hing.

At
sil
e:wher
eisy
ourf
ather
?

Jul
i
an:
Hei
sov
ert
her
e..

Hetur
nedthecamer
aashi
sfat
herst
oodbyt
hemi
rr
ort
ucki
ngi
n
hi
sshir
t.
.

At
sil
e:Wher
ear
eyouguy
sgoi
ngl
ooki
ngsmar
tli
ket
hat
?

Tumang:
It'
saguyt
hing.Jul
i
ant
imacamer
athemonna.
.
Jul
i
an:
(laughed)By
e..

Hecutt
hecal
landherphoner
ang.
..

At
sil
e:Hel
l
o?

Aunt
ie:
Cany
oupl
easecomeov
erher
e?

At
sil
e:(
hear
tski
pped)What
'sgoi
ngon?

Aunt
ie:Wehavepeopl
eher
ewhowantt
oasky
ousomet
hing.
..
They
'reel
der
ssodresspr
oper
ly.

At
sil
e:Whathappened?

Aunt
ie:
Comey
ou'
l
lunder
stand.

Shecutt
hecall
,At
sil
etookabathanddressedpr
oper
lyt
henshe
goti
nthecaranddr
oveoffconf
used.
..

AtAunt
ie'
sHouse.
..

Oshaandhercousi
nsstoodbythefi
reprepari
ngteawhil
eDerr
ick
andther
estofthefami
l
yt oget
herwi
ththev i
sit
orssatont
he
fr
ontoft
hehouse..
.
Atsi
leparkedthecarandst
eppedout,eldersinditšale?Did
Aene'sbabydaddychangehermind?Hepr obabl
ydi d..
.Wasn'
t
fai
rtojudgeherwithsomethi
ngthathappened10y earsago
anywaysbutthenwhywasshebei ngcalled?Shewasn' tev
en
marri
edandonl ymarri
edpeopleat
tendedt hesethings..

Shesteppedi nwhil
eever
yonesati
nsidelelwapana.Ev ery
one
tur
nedandl ookedather,
nowthatshewascl osershedi dn'tknow
theotherpeoplewhowerether
eandshehadnev erseent hem
befor
e...Theyweresoli
ghti
ncompl exi
onandt herewasagi ant
boersit
t i
ngamongstthem..
.Major
it
yoft hem hadcur l
yhai rand
theothermanl ookedsomuchli
keTumangandJul i
an...

At
sil
e:Ko-
ko

Onl
yaftersayi
ngitdi
dshereal
i
sesheactual
lyknockedatt
he
ent
ranceoflel
wapana..Howst
upi
d..
.sheact
uall
ywantedtosay
Dumelang.

Uncl
e:Hav
easeatov
ert
her
eandf
acet
hosepeopl
e..Oname
maoto.

Shewalkedi
nandsatdownasherhear
tpounded.Theboerand
theot
heryoungmansmil
edatoneanot
herandfistbumped.
..The
l
adiesleanedt
owar
dsoneanot
herandwhi
sper
edsmi
l
ingl
ooki
ng
ather.
..

HerUncl
e:At
sil
e?

At
sil
e:Rr
a?

Uncl
e:Doy
ouknowt
hesepeopl
e?

Shewastooshytolookatt
hem al
l,apartofherfel
ttheywer
e
Tumang'
sparent
sbutitwasn'
tpossi
ble..
.Theywouldhaveto
tr
avel
alongdist
anceandhewouldhav ementionedit
..
.

Uncl
e:Tshol
etsamat
hoobalebemotogol
o,skatshabar
enal
e
wena.Doyouknowanyoft
heseyel
lowpeople?

Everyonechuckled,shelif
tedherf aceandlookedt hem thenshe
noticedTumangwashumbl ysitt
ingbehindthisbigman, probabl
y
hisfather
.Whatwashi sfamilydoinghere?Ohmay bet hey
want edJul
ian?Butwoul dn'tTumanghav ement ioneditbef ore
pull
ingastuntli
ket hi
s?Wast hi
sguyt ryi
ngtosteal herson?I
meanhehadt akenJulianforamont hnow. .
.Wassheget ti
ng
scammed?Whatapi eceofshi t
,thissol
dierhadnotchangedat
al
l..
.Andnowhebr oughthi sparentstotakeherson.Angerf il
l
ed
herchestasshel ookedatt hem, apartofherwant edtoj ust
standupandwal kaway .Nowsher egr
ettedlet
ti
nghersonv i
sit
t
hisgoodf
ornot
hingman.

.
..
MyKi
ndofMan

#162

AtAunt
ie'
sHouse.
..

Knowingherauntwast her
e,theoneshesorespectedandafter
whatApuladi
dt ohurthershecouldn'
tembarr
assherbyt al
ki
ng
backi
nameet ing.Forhershe'danswerandherheartbr
okeas
sheopenedhermout hwithashortanswer.
.

At
sil
e:Ionl
yknowTumang,
theonebehi
ndmonnawal
ebur
u.

Tumang'sf
atherandmotherl
ookedatoneanot
herandl
aughed
asever
yonechuckled.

Uncle:Ok,atleasty
ouknowoneoft hem.Idon'
tknowthem buti
haveaf eel
ingtheyaretheoneswhogaveusay el
lowt
alkat
ive
chi
ldthatcall
smel ait
eaka.

Theuncl
etur
nedandl
ookedatTumang'
sfami
l
y..
.

Uncl
e:Bagaet
shodumel
anggape,
thef
loori
syour
s.Towhatdo
weowet
hisv
isi
t?

Theboerl
eanedbackandsi
ghed.
..
.

Him: Dumel angbet sho, mynamei sSv err

eHubr echt ,t
hisismy
wifeMr sMasegoHubr echt..Mypar ent swer eoriginall
yGer many
andset tl
edinSout hAf r i
ca...
theyev ent uall
ymov edt oBotswana
avoidingther aci
sm war .Thisi swher ei wasbor n.Mysi bl
ingsand
iwereabl etol i
vepeacef ull
ywi ththel ocalsandi wentt opublic
school sbecausemypar ent sdidn'twantust ogr owupt hi
nking
wear ebet t
er( l
aughed)soI '
m notof fendedwhenmydaught er
herecal l
smemonnawal eburu..Iwascal l
edmosi manewa
l
ebur ugrowi ngupandnowt heycal lmemonnamogol owal eburu..
(t
heyl aughed)atleasty oudi dn'tsaymdal awal ebur u.(ever
yone
l
aughed)Thi sismyf i
rstsonandt heset wowomenf oll
owaf ter
him, Tumangi st
hel astbor noft hef ami lyandwear ehere
becauseofhi m.Het oldmet herei saf amilyhewr ongedinMaun.
Webr oughthim ov ersohecanf acet hewhol ef ami ly.
.Tumang?
Bua..Comet hisside..
.Comesi tont hef ront.
..Don' tbri
ngachai r.
..

Tumangstoodupandwalkedbet
weenhissibl
i
ngsthenhesati
n
fr
ontofhi
sfatherl
ooki
ngatAt
sil
eandherfamil
y.

Tumang: Dumelang.
..WhenAt
sil
eandi metweweren'
ti
na
rel
ati
onshipbutwehadasexualencounterandi
endedupmaki
ng
ababy ,4mont hsaftershesai dsheispr egnantbuti di
dn'tbeli
eve
i
twasmi ne,whichwaswr ongbecausei knewi hadanencount er
withher.Iam embar rassedtoadmi tsher ai
sedmysonf or10
yearsstrai
ghtwithoutmyhel pandshedi dn'
tevengot ocour t
.
LastyeararoundNov emberi sawapi ctureofJulianandi knew
thisboywasaHubr echt.Iapologisedandshewasangr ywi t
hme
butsheev entual
lyforgavemeandal lowedJul i
anandi t
obond.
Nowi wantedtoapol ogi
setoherpar entsbecausei knowt hatyou
alsowonder edaboutt hefatherorthebaby .

Hel
ookedataunt
ie.
..

Tumang:Aunti
eiknowthatyousupportedt
hepr egnancywabay a
botset
sij
wangwanaosai t
serragwe.Iknowthatwhenev erAene
gaveyoumotheral
lowanceyouuseditmomot set si
ng.
..Please
for
givemeforwhatimadey ougothroughandallowmet obe
yoursoni
nlaw..
.

At
sil
e'
smout
hdr
oppedasshel
ookedatTumang.

Tumangknel
tbesi
desherauntandopenedt
her
ing.
..

Tumang:
Thi
sist
her
ingIwantt
opr
oposewi
thbuti
needy
our
bl
essi
ng.
Aunt
iel
ookedatt
her
ingandsmi
l
ed.
..

Aunti
e:I
'veneverhear
doft hi
sar r
angementbefor
e..
.Balatha
banamommegababoababuadi odi
sel
ehela.Howcani not
for
giveyouwheny ou'
rekneelingnextt
ome?If or
giveyoumyboy
andiwantasoni nlawli
key ouwhohumbl eshimsel
finfrontof
ever
yone,youhavemybl essing.

Ev
ery
oneul
ulat
ed.
.

Uncl
e:Okabual
emmagwengwanawagagongwana,
wef
orgi
ve
you.
.

Tumangst
oodupandgotononekneehol
dingt
her
ingf
aci
ng
Atsi
l
e.

Tumang:IknowI '
vehurtyoui
nthepastbynotbeingther
eforour
sonbutI'
mr eadytostepup,i
don'twanttoj
ustcopar
entiwanta
womanl i
key ouasmyl i
fepar
tner
..Wil
lyoubemywi f
eandt he
motherofmychi l
dren?

At
sil
elookeddownasherhear
tpounded,
Tumang'
sbr
other
wal
kedov
erandknel
tbehi
ndhi
m..
.

Hi
sfather
:Mmel ennakeemegolohagomaswengwanaket
oga
aganwa.I
'm notgoi
ngbackunt
ili
paymagadi
.

Atsi
l
ecov er
edhermouthlaughingtear
ful
l
yasev
ery
onel
aughed,
shestr
etchedherhandbl
ushing..
.

At
sil
e:Obake.
..

Ul
ulat
ionser
upt
edasTumanghel
pedherst
andandhuggedher
..
.

Tumang'
sf at
her:
Don'tki
ssheri
nfrontofherpar
ent
sbefor
ey ou
paymagadi t
heywil
lchar
geusforgoikabel
amosadingwanaka.
Lesamathekaagagwe..

Tumangst
eppedbackshy
lyandt
ookaseat
.

Uncle:It
'st
oolat
e..
.I'
m goi
ngt
ochar
gehimfort
ouchi
ngher
waist.
..Otshwer
engwanakekamaheoapookesamomoneela.
..
Tumangsmil
edl
ooki
ngdownandr
ubbedhi
sfaceasev
ery
one
l
aughed.
..

Atchur
ch.
..

Towardst
heendoft
hechur
chser
vicet
hepast
ort
ookadeep
breat
hhol
dingt
hemic.
.

Pastor:Maywet akethismomentt oprayf oroneofourpast ors.

Hewasor dai
nedafewmont hsago..Hei scurrent
lyinpri
son
accusedofmur der,
wedon' tknowwhathappened, wewer en't
therebutwewon' tj
udge.Wewi lll
etthelawt akeit
'scourseand
l
etGod' swill
bedone...Wedon'tknowt helif
ePast orMongal ive
beforehegav ehi
slif
et ochri
stbutwepr aythathedoesnotl ose
fai
thinGodandmay behewentt hereforar eason,may behehas
apur posetoservei
nther et
hanouther e.(l
ookedatLanaandt he
boys)Hi swif
eandsonshav emov edt ohereinMaunt obecloser
tohim, weconti
nuetopr ayfort
hem too.Let'sbowourheadsand
pray..

Ev
ery
onebowedthei
rheadsandpr
ayedwhi
l
eLanaputherar
ms
ov
erhersonsast
heypray
ed.
..

Af
tert
heser
viceLanawal
kedt
owar
dst
hewomen'
scommi
tt
ee
l
eaderandshookherhand.
..

Lana:
Hi.

Her
:Hi
,howar
eyou?

Lana:I'
m good.Ineedy ourhel p.
..Idon'tknowifit
'spossibl
e
though..
.Bef
orei cameher eihadj usthelpedsomeki dsenrolfor
assist
anceandt heywer ebackunschool .Iwanttocont i
nuethe
samet hi
ngherebuti don'tknowwher etostar
t..
.Perhapsyou
couldhelpmebyt el
l
ingt hechurchmember st
ocont actmei f
theyknowanychi ldthatisn'tgoi
ngt oschool r
egardl
essoft he
reasons.

Her
:(smi
l
ed)Iknowt
woal
readyandI
'
vebeenwor
ri
edaboutt
hem

Lana:Pleasegetmei ncontactwi t
ht hem.I '
my ettoforma
chari
tyorganisati
ont hatai
msatmaki ngsur et hateverychildis
senttoschool andinast atethatisaccept able.Oneofmygoal s
wil
lbetor egi
sterthem wi t
hsoci alwor kersandi ftheydon' t
quali
fyperhapsi canf i
ndthem sponsor sorawayt obuyt hem all
thenecessarythingsf ort
hem t oattendschool .Evenifutmeans
counsell
ingtheirparentssot heycanpar entbet t
er.I'
l
lbegoi ngto
rur
alareasbecausei knowt hat'
swher et hebi ggestproblem is.

Her
:Godblessy
ou.Iwi
l
ldef
ini
tel
ytal
ktot
hechur
chl
eader
sand
l
etyouknow.

Lana:
Thanky
ou.
..
Sheturnedaroundandwalkedout.Mi
nut
eslat
ershedrov
eout
withMJsitti
nginthefr
ontandBrycei
ntheback.Ther
ewas
si
lenceinthecarasshedrove.
..

Mj
:Doy
out
hinkdadwi
l
lev
ergetout
?

Lana:
Idon'
tknowbaby
.Wej
usthav
etobeposi
ti
ve.

Br
yce:
Whati
fhenev
erget
sout
?

Lana:Thenyouhav
etomakehim pr
oudandpassatschool
sohe
doesn'
tfeel
li
kehefai
l
edyou.

Mj:Ar
eyougoingtogetadi
vor
ceandgetanewboy
fri
endand
hav
eanewf amil
y?

Shel
ookedathi
slongf
aceandshookherhead.
..

Lana:
No, i
t'
saboutti
meyoutwostart
edsmi
l
ing.Atl
easthei
s
sti
l
lal
ive.Thatmeanssomet
hingr
ight?

Mj
:(si
ghed)Iguess.
.

Lana:
Ionlyhaveaf ewweeksbef
oreschool
star
tsandI'm goi
ng
tohavet
ot akeyouboyswit
hmebecausewedon' tknowhow
l
ongdaddyhasint her
e.

MJt
ear
ful
l
ylookedaway
..
Lana:Tomor
rowyou'
regoingt
oseehi
m.Wear
egoi
ngt
obuyhi
m
thi
ngsheneedsi
nthere.

Mj
:(r
ubbedhi
sey
esandsmi
l
ed)Iknowwhathel
i
kes.
..

Br
yce:
Can'
tibuyhi
m aphone?

Lana:
Nophonesal
l
owed.Butt
hegoodt
hingi
swewi
l
lseehi
m as
muchaswecanbefor
eweleav
e.

Theboy
ssmi
l
edandnodded.
..

AtThong'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.

Meanwhi
leopenedthedoor
,anof
fdut
yjai
lguardwal
kedi
nthen
hecl
osedthedoorandshowedhi
mtheseat.
..

Thong:
Hav
easeat
..

Thongsatdownthenhepull
edt
hedr
awerandpl
aceda
smart
phoneonthetabl
e..

Thong:
Ineedt
hist
oreachMat
aozen
Hi
m:I
figetcaughtI
'
lll
osemyj
ob.

Thongputar
oll
ofmoneyont
het
abl
eandpushedi
tov
er.
..

Hi
m:You'
reput
ti
ngmei
nadi
ff
icul
tposi
ti
-

Thongputanotherr
oll
andpushedi
tov
er,
theguar
dpaused
tal
ki
ngandlookedatthemoney.

Thong:Mongahasaf
ami
l
y,hehasawi
feandt
woboy
sheneeds
total
kto.

Him: Buthei sadapt inginprison, hemadef ri

endsandhepl ays
footballwithotherpr isoner
s.Whyputhi scaseatr i
sk?Hedoesn't
breakanypr i
sonl awsi nthereandpeopl erespecthim.I'
m
tempt edtodot hi
sf orthemoneybuti al
soknowt hatther
ei s
someonei nhiscel lwhoi safterhim.Ifthatpersonfi
ndsouthe
willr
epor thim.I'mtel l
ingyout hisbecauseirespectMongaandi
knowhewoul dn'twantt odot his.Atleastwaitunt
ilheisfound
guil
tyandsent enced, aft
erthaty ou'
llbesureyoulosenothingby
givi
nghi m aphone.

Thong:
Iguessy
ouhav
eapoi
nt.

Him:Iknowthesecasest
aket
ool
ongbutbepat
ientbef
orey
ou
hel
py ourf
ri
end.
Thong:
Thanksf
ort
headv
ice.

Hi
m:You'
rewel
come.
.Ist
hatal
l
?

Thong:
Yeah.
..Wel
l
,taket
hisf
ort
het
axi

Hehandedhi
m anot
eforast
heguar
dst
oodup.
.

Thong:
Howi
shedoi
ngt
hough?

Him:Heisfi
ne.Hemadef ri
ends,awholegroupofguyst
hatli
ke
hi
m areal
way swit
hhim.Hiscellmat
ewasmov edaft
erget
ti
ng
beatupbyotherpr
isoner
s.Ithi
nkheisadapti
ng.Don'
tmessitup
wit
hshadydeals.

Thong:
Alr
ight
..

Theguar
dwal
kedout
,Thongcl
osedt
hedoorandsi
ghedsi
tt
ing
down.
..

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..
.

Lat
ert
hatev
eni
ngApul
aandRonpar
kedbesi
desAt
sil
e'
scar
..
.

Ron:
(laughed)Whyam i
get
ti
ngner
vous?
Apul
a:(
laughed)Ther
eisnot
hingt
obener
vousabout

Ron:
Sot
hisguypr
oposedt
hismor
ning?

Apula:Yeah,andt hepar entssetadateforpatotonextweek.I t

waseasi erbecausehepr oposedandbr oughtparentsatthe
samet ime.Isti
llhaven'ttoldmyauntaboutourengagement
though..
.I'
m embar rassedt otel
lherbecausei r
uinedher
daughter'
srelat
ionship...Butidon'
twantt omarrymy sel
fsoI '
d
ratherwewai tali
ttl
el ongertoseeifthi
sguydoesn' tchangehis
mind.

Ron:
Ok.
.

Mar
u:Let
'sgo.

Theysteppedoutofthecarandwalkedi
nthehousewher
eOsha
andtheotherchi
ldr
enwereprepar
ingsnacks.
..

Apul
a:Oshacome.
..Babet
hisi
sOsha.
..Oshat
hisi
sRon.
.

Theyshookhands.
.

Ron:
Nicet
omeety
ou

Osha:
Nicet
omeety
out
oo.Ev
ery
onei
sint
heback.
..

Apul
a:Ok.
..
Theywal
kedoutt
hrought
hekit
chenandst
eppedi
nthebacky
ard
wheret
herewasl
oudmusic.

Theyappr
oachedev
ery
onewhowassi
tt
ingont
hei
rcampchai
rs
havi
ngdri
nks.
.

Atsil
esatonTumang'slapashehel dherwaistwit
honehand
havinghisbeeri
ntheother,
whi l
eAenelai
donhert owelbythe
grasstakingpi
ctur
es,Ot
lheleanedoverandsmiledatthecamera,
Aenet ur
nedandslappedher..

Ot
lhe:Kanayou'
l
lgi
vebi
rt
htoababyt
hatl
ooksl
i
kemei
fyouhat
e
melikethi
s.

Aene:
I'
dthr
owawayt
het
hatchi
l
difshel
ookedl
i
kewi
tchl
i
key
ou.

Ot
lhe:
Igav
eyouapl
otf
orf
reey
oushoul
dbel
ovi
ngme.

Meanwhil
eMarusippedherdr
inksi
tt
ingonthechai
rwhil
eDer r
ick
satont
hecarboothavi
nghisdri
nkaf ewf
eetawayfrom her
..
.

Apul
a:Hiever
yone.
.Thi
sisRon..
.Babet
hisi
sAt
sil
e,shei
sthe
ol
dest
..
.That'
sTumang,herf
iancé.
At
sil
e:Hel
l
o?

TumangandRonf
istbumped.
.

Apul
a:Thent
her
eisOt
lhe.
..Shei
sthesecond.
..

Ot
lhe:
I'
m si
ngl
e,f
indmeanol
dmanl
i
key
ou.
.

Ron:
Am i
old?

Apul
a:Don'
tmi
ndher
,shehasdement
ia.
..Shei
stheoneont
he
vi
deo

Ron:
Thewi
tch?Wow,
shel
ooksy
oungernow.

Ot
lhe:
Youshowedhi
m myv
ideos?Wow.
.

Apul
a: (
ignoredher)Andt
hat
'sMar
u,kemosal
amor
ago.
..That
's
Derr
ick,herhusband.

Mar
u:Hi
..

Derr
icksli
ddownandshoul
derbumpedwi
thRonbef
orel
eani
ng
agai
nstthecar
..

Oshaandhercousi
nwal
kedov
erwi
that
rayofgl
assesf
ull
ofi
ce
bl
ocks,Mar
ulookedatDer
ri
ckandhel
ookedawayf
ini
shi
nghi
s
dr
ink.
.

Oshacoll
ectedglassesasheraunt i
espickedglasseswithice
bl
ocksthenshest oodinfrontofDerri
ck,heputtheempt yglass
i
nthetrayandpickedagl assoficecubesl ooki
nginhereyes
bef
oregrabbingadr i
nkinthebootandf i
ll
inghisglass.

Oshat
urnedandwal
kedawayasMar
uhadherdr
ink.
..

Ron:
Wheni
stheweddi
ng?

Tumang:
Askherpl
ease.
.

At
sil
e:(
laughed)Nextmont
hifi
tsnott
oosudden.
.

Ron:
Nyal
akeny
alemonna.
.BonaDer
ri
ckokgabi
l
emonwana

Ot
lhe:
Hei
yoeneoi
tseSet
swanaj
aa.
..Kanaampor
ekemoseba.

Theyal
llaughedasDer ri
ckcasual
l
ywal kedinthehousel
ikehe
wasgoingtothet oi
let
,hewalkedi
nt hekit
chenwherethegirl
s
werecl
eaning,Oshaglancedathimthenhesecr et
lysi
gnall
edher
overwi
thhisfingerandwalkedoutthroughthemaindoor.

Oshawashedt
hegl
assesst
andi
ngwi
thhercousi
nsandwi
ped
herhandswi
thaki
tchencl
oth.
.

Osha:
Key
atoi
l
etkeet
a

Shewal kedouttheki
tchenandoutthroughthemai
ndoorthen
shewal kedt
owar dst
hecars,shewalkedbetweent
hecarsinthe
darkthenDerri
ckgrabbedherarm andpull
edheroverst
andi
ng
behindthecar.

Shegiggl
edasheheldherwai
stki
ssi
ngher ,
sheclosedhereyes
ashekissedherwit
hcoldl
i
pswhil
eholdingadri
nk,heplacedit
ontopofthecarandsl
idhi
shandunderneat
hhertopgently
twi
sti
nghernippl
e.

Osha'scli
ttwi
tchedatthesoundofhi szi
pgoingdown.He
l
ower edhispantsandhisdicksprungoutastheyki
ssed
breathi
ngheavil
y..
.Heplacedherlit
tl
ehandoverhisdi
ckand
guidedonhowt ostrokethenheletgoandtouchedherpant
ies.
..

Meanwhil
ebehingthehouseMaruf
ini
shedherdr
inkandput
downtheglassbef
orescrat
chi
ngherscal
pthr
oughhertukwi
.

Shel
ookedatt
het
imeonherphone,
ithadbeenexact
lyf
ive
mi
nut
essi
ncehel
eftf
ort
het
oil
eti
fshewasn'
twr
ong.
.

Shelookedatthehousewonder i
ngandatthi
spointshecoul
dn'
t
evenheareveryonechat
ti
ngandwhenshel ookedbackevery
one
waslaughingatTumang'sjoke,
shefakedalaught
erandwalked
towardsthehouse..
.

Shewal
kedi
nthehouseandcheckedthetoi
l
etbutt
her
ewasno
onet
henshewal
kedbacktothekit
chen.

Mar
u:Li
l
oOshaokae?

Li
l
o:(
cleani
ngt
hecount
er)I
nthet
oil
et.
.

Sheturnedaroundandwal kedtowar
dsthemaindoorasherheart
pounded,coulditbepossi
ble?Howwoul dsheev
enhandlethi
sif
i
twast rue.
..Shequiet
lyopenedthedoorandwal
kedtowardsthe
car
s..
.

Meanwhi lebehi
ndthecar sint hepri
v acyofthedark,
Derri
ck
kissedherandturnedherar oundt henhepul l
eddownherpant i
es,
herheartpoundedashel i
ft
edherl egandpl aceditontherear
bumper .
..Shewasn'tsureifheruncl ewouldf i
tint
herebutthen
herpussywast hrobbingwaiting.Hegr abbedhisdickandplaced
theheadonherwetl i
ttl
eholet henhe#Remov ed..
.
MyKi
ndofMan

#162

Meanwhi lebehi
ndthecar sint hepri
v acyofthedar k,
Derri
ck
kissedherandturnedherar oundt henhepul l
eddownherpant ies,
herheartpoundedashel i
ft
edherl egandpl acedi tontherear
bumper .
..Shewasn'tsureifheruncl ewouldf i
tintherebutthen
herpussywast hrobbingwaiting.Hegr abbedhi sdickandplaced
theheadonherwetl i
ttl
eholet henhepushedt hroughherflesh
stret
chi
ngherhy men..

Shef l
inchedj
erkingupandputherfootdowncl osingherl
egs
withthet i
pofhisdickinsi
deher
,sti
l
lstandingbehindherhol
ding
herwai stDer
ri
ckpul l
edbackandsli
din,thisti
mehebr oke
throughherhymenandsl i
dri
ghti
ntohertightpussyasshe
gruntedhelpl
ess.

Hepausedinsi
deherandputbothofhishandsar
oundher
cuppi
ngherbreast
s,heli
ft
edhertopandcuppedherbr
east
s
befor
ehol
dingherwaistandt
hrusti
ngher.

Der
ri
ck:
Fuck.
..I
t'
ssogoodi
nsi
de.
.

Hecaughtashadowwal
ki
ngov
erandpausedput
ti
nghi
shand
overOsha'
smouth,i
twashiswife.St
il
lpluggedinsidehi
sniece
theyst
aggeredar
oundthecarasOsha'spantiesdraggedonher
otherl
egandalmostt
ri
ppedherashest eppedoni t.

Mar uwal
kedaroundthecarandtowardstheotheronewhi l
et hey
stoodontheothersi
delooki
ngatherthrought
hewi ndow,unable
tocontr
olhi
surgeDerri
ckcarri
edonthrusti
ngwhilekeepingan
eyeonhiswif
easshesuspi ci
ousl
ywalkedaroundt hecarsslowly.

Osha' sheartpoundedasshel ookedatheraunt ,shepushed

uncleDeebuthewaspl uggedandnotst opping.Asmuchasshe
want edhi mtol ethergososhecanr unbacki nt hehouseev ery
thrustfeltsogood. ..Ohuncl e.Ifthiswasn' taf atherlylovethen
whati sit.
.Thet hrustofhi sdickandhowutf il
ledher ,shef el
t
stuffedeacht imehepoundedherdeeperandt hef asterhegot
themor ethepleasur e.Herauntr etr
acedherst epsagai nwalking
backbutuncl ewasst i
llenjoyinghimsel fbackt her e,hisbreathing
gotlouderandt heirbodi esclappedl ouderbuthedi dn'tseem to
hav econt r
olnow.Thesoundofhi sbreathmadei thardt ocontrol
herself.
.Thepowerofknowi ngshecoul dmakeuncl efeelthi
s
goodandhi m maki ngherf eel t
hisloved..
.Herl itt
lebr eastsshook
asherski rtslowlycov eredt hemebuthedi dn'tstopandauntwas
gettingcloser,herpussycl ampedhi m andhermuscl est i
ghtened
assher el
easedherf ir
str ealorgasm buti tdidn'tstopt here..
.
Neitherdi duncle,i
tf el
tlikeanot heronewascomi ng. .
.Mor e
power fulthanthisoneandi tcamewi thtearst oo,shet hr
ewher
headonuncl e'schestwhi legebentbackwar dsj ustal i
ttl
ebitand
enought
ofuckherwhi
l
eshest
oodbet
weenhi
slegswi
thher
s
cl
osed.

Osha:
(whi
sper
ed)Shi
tuncl
eDeeaunt
ieweet
a..
.

Hefuckedt helastbreathoutofherl i
keshewasn' tavir
gin
str
etchi
ngherf urtherandl astst
rokebroketappedhersqirtspot
asshereleasedt hismilkyflui
d,t
herunclefuckedherev enharder
asshelookedupatt hemoonandev ery
thi
ngspunasshe
rel
easedmor eandev entuall
ymeltedonhishandspassi ngout.
Heheldhert i
ghtlyashepumpedhi sthi
ckcum insideherli
tt
le
pussy.

Der
ri
ck:
ohf
uck!Uhhh

Hisbr eathtrai
ledof fashehel dherweakbodyi nhishandsatt he
samet imecummi ngi nsi
deher .ThankGodshewassosmal l
he
couldst il
lholdher ,shehadcl ear lypassedoutinhishandsbuthe
didn'
tst oppumpi ngi ntoher.Thesi dehousel i
ghtcameonwhi l
e
hehel dhert hrobbingi nsi
deher .Marut ur
nedherheadlookingat
hissideandhedr aggedherbehi ndthecarasMar uwalked
towardst heot hersi deoft hecar s.Hefinal
lypull
edoutandpul l
ed
uphispant swi t
honehandwhi l
eshesl owlygained
consci ousness.Hezi ppedhi spant sandgotdownpi ckinher
dustypant iesthenhedust edt hem andhel dthem forher,
sheput
eachofherf eett
henhepull
edupherpant
iesandfi
xedherski
rt
beforekissi
ngherandsendi
ngheroffwhi
l
ehet ookadeepbreat
h
standingbehindt
hecar.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#163

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Der
ri
ck:
ohf
uck!Uhhh

Hisbr eathtrai
ledof fashehel dherweakbodyi nhishandsatthe
samet imecumm- -
ginsideher.ThankGodshewassosmal l
he
couldst il
lholdher ,
shehadcl earlypassedoutinhishandsbuthe
didn'
tst oppumpi ngintoher.Thesidehousel i
ghtcameonwhi l
e
hehel dhert hrobbinginsideher.Marut ur
nedherheadlooki
ngat
hissideandhedr aggedherbehi ndthecarasMar uwalked
towardst heot hersideoft hecars.Hefinal
lypull
edoutandpull
ed
uphispant swi t
honehandwhi leshesl owl
ygained
consci ousness.

Hezippedhi spant
sandgotdownpi cki
nherdustypant i
esthen
hedust edandheldthem forher,
sheputeachofherf eetinthen
hepul l
edupherpant i
esandf i
xedherskir
tbefor
ekissingherand
sendingheroffwhil
ehet ookadeepbr eathst
andingbehindt he
car.Het ur
nedaroundandbumpedi ntoMar u.
..

Themai
ndoorcl
osedandshel
ookedatt
hedoorandbackt
ohi
s
ey
esasher
eachedf
orhi
sdr
inkatt
het
opoft
hecar
..

Mar
u:What
'sgoi
ngon?

Der
ri
ck:
(leanedov
erki
ssi
nghercheek)Hey
..

Mar
uleanedbackandf
oldedherar
msl
ooki
ngathi
m..
.

Mar
u:What
'sgoi
ngon?

Der
ri
ck:
Iwentt
otakeal
eak

Mar
u:Wher
e?

Der
ri
ck:
Overt
her
e,whyar
eyouaski
ng?

Sheputherhandoverhischestandhishear twassti
ll
poundi
ng,
shecoul
dsmel l
herperfumealloverhim andsheleanedover
huggi
nghimlayingherheadonhischestj usttobesure,
he
smell
edli
keherandshecl osedhereyesandswal l
owed.Heput
hi
sarmsaroundherandki ssedher.
..

Der
ri
ck:
Arey
ouOK?

Mar
u:Justhol
dme.
Hehel dherwhi letheyst oodinthedar kf orabout2mi nut es,a
tearrandownhercheekandshesecr etlyrubbedi tbeforeputti
ng
herar msaroundhi st orso.Shewasn' tsur ewhatjusthappened
butheknewt herewascont act,hecoul dsmel lheronhi schest
andi thur
t,holdingbackhert ear
sbl ockedhert hroatwi t
ha
painfull
umpshecoul dn'tswall
owandherwhol epur posej ust
vanished.Sti
llshecoul dn'tsayany t
hingbecausemay beitwasal l
i
nherhead. ..May beshewast ooinsecureandi magi ningt hi
ngs
thatdidn'
texist.Her ubbedherandsi ghedt henshest eppedback. .

Der
ri
ck:
Arey
ousur
eyou'
reOK?

Mar
u:Yeah.
..

Meanwhil
einsidethehouseOshawi peduncleDee'ssemen
mixedwit
hherbl oodandthr
ewtissuesinthetoil
etbefore
walki
ngout.Walkinggotabi
tuncomf or
tableasherbruisedf
lesh
r
ubbedagainstoneanotherandshewal kedsli
ghtl
ykeepingher
l
egsapart
..

Shejoinedhercousi
nsandtheycov
eredthelef
toversnacks.
Derr
ickandMar uwalkedpastt
hem andj
oinedeveryoneinthe
back..
.

Mar
usatont
hechai
robser
vedhowTumangsatApul
aonhi
slap
whi
lechat
ti
ng, Apul
awassitt
ingbesidesRonwi thbothofher
l
egsonhislapashechattedplayi
ngwi t
hherfeet .
..
shelookedat
Der
ri
ckhepulledoutanot
herdrinkandsatont opoft heboot
whi
lechat
ti
ngwi tht
heguys.Wasi tchi
ldi
shtof eelsounlovedor
wasiti
nherhead?

Meanwhi
l
eAenef
oldedhert
owel
andst
oodup.
..

Aene:
Let
'smecal
li
tani
ghtbat
hong.
.I'
m exhaust
ed.

Otl
he:Gosleepnnakait
'snoteasytocarr
yhat
ethewhol
eday
,
youneedtorestbef
orecarry
ingitagai
n..

Aene:
Mxm.
.

Aenewal
kedt
owar
dsRonandshookhi
shand.
.

Aene:I
'm Aene,I
'
mthelastbor
n.Icomeaf
terApul
a.Di
ff
erent
mothersamef at
her
..

Ron:
Ohy eah.
..Theonewhowasal
mostscammedkapl
ot.Ni
ce
tomeety
ou.

Apul
a'
ssmi
l
edi
sappear
edasshel
ookedatAene.
..
Apul
a:I
'
m sor
ry.
..It
houghti
int
roducedy
ou.
..

Aene:I
t'
sok,
I'm af
orget
tabl
esi
ster
.Enj
oyy
ourev
eni
ng.
Goodni
ghtever
yone

Al
l
:Goodni
ght
..
.

Der
ri
ck:
Weshoul
dgetgoi
ng,
ihav
ewor
ktomor
row.

Mar
u:Ohok.

Shest
oodupandf
oldedherchai
r.
..

Der
ri
ck:
Guy
sgoodni
ght
..
.Tumzal
eAt
sil
econgr
atul
ati
ons.

Tumang:
Thanks.
.

Apul
a:Goodni
ght
..

Theygoti
nthehousewher
ethegi
rl
swer
est
il
lwat
chi
ngamov
ie.
..

Mar
u:Let
'sgo

Li
lo:CanwegosleepoverkogoOsha?Aunt
iei
sgoi
ngt
oRon'
s
house,Oshawaboiga.

Mar
u:Ok.
.
Der
ri
ckandMar uwalkedoutanddrov
eof fwhi
leMar
usatqui
etl
y
l
osti
nthoughts.Der
ri
ckputhishandoverherl
ongdr
essandsl
id
i
tundercar
essingherthi
gh.
..

Derr
ick:(soft
ly)Hey.
..(
shetur
nedlooki
ngathi
m)Whatar
eyou
thi
nking?(hetouchedherchi
n)what'
sonyourmind?

Shel ookedi nhisinhisey esandaccusi nghim againseemedt o

bethewor stideasoshef orcedasmi l
eandshookherhead
beforerolli
ngdownt hewi ndow.Shel ookedather selfonthe
mirrorandshedi dn'
trecogni sethi
sol dlady.
..Howdi dsheget
heresof ast.Hadsheabandonedher selfwhi
letakingcareof
everyonesomuchi tturnedhi m of
f.Somet hi
nghappenedbehi nd
thosecar s,shecouldf eelit
...

Der
ri
ck:
Tal
ktome.
..

Mar
u:Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay
..
..

Der
ri
ck:
Ilov
eyou.
.

Mar
u:Showmey
oul
ovemeev
eni
npubl
i
c..

Der
ri
ck:
I'
m notl
ovi
ng?

Maru:Ther
eisadi
stancebet
weenusemot
ional
l
y,phy
sical
l
yand
sexual
ly
..
Der
ri
ck:
I'
ll
wor
koni
t.
.

Minuteslat
ertheyarri
vedhome, hetookaquickshowerwhil
eshe
fi
xedthebedandwhenshegoti nt heshowerhegotinbed.
Minuteslat
ershegotoutandsatont hebedlooki
ngathim
sl
eeping.Shereachedforhisphoneandhehadchangedhi s
password,heronlyopti
onwashi sthumbbuthe'ddefi
nit
elywake
up.Sheputitdownandsi ghedthoughtful
lyt
hensheopenedthe
wardrobeandf ol
dedallhermodestclothesuntoshewaslef
twit
h
nothi
ng..

Sheopenedherol
dbagsandtookoutapairofjeansshehadn'
t
worni
nadecadeanditdi
dn'
tevenfi
t.Sheputitbackandgot
backi
nbed.

Shel ai
donhersidestar
ingathim whi
lehewassl eepi
ng,she
couldn'
twaittogodoherhairandgiveherwardrobeanewl ook.
Perhapshemi ssedtheoldher,
theonehefellinl
ovewithandnot
thi
spoor l
ydressedwomanshehadbecome.Per hapsitwasher
faul
tandshewasdr ivi
ngherhusbandaway .Shewasdest r
oying
hermar ri
ageandshehadbr i
ngbackthatspark.

Shet
ossedandt
urnedunt
ilmor
ning.
..
I
npr
ison.
..

ThenextdayMongasmil
edasheapproachedhissonsandthei
r
mothersi
tt
ing,
hesatdownandfor
cedasmi l
e..
.Mjlooked
depr
essedandBrycel
ostabi
tofweight
..

Mj
lookedathi
sfat
hert
ryi
ngnott
ocr
yast
ear
sfi
l
ledherey
es.
..

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)I
'
mfi
ne.

Mj'
sli
pstrembledandheevent
uall
ybursti
ntocry
ingasheputhis
ar
m overhisf
ace.Brycel
ookedatMjtearf
ull
yandbeguncr
ying.
..

Mongast oodupf i
ghti
ngtheurgetojusthugthem astheguar
d
stoodafewf eetaway,Lanatear
ful
l
yt ur
nedthem aroundand
huggedthem rubbingthei
rbacksasshelookedatMonga's
reddi
shey es.
..

Monga:
(whi
sper
ed)I
'
m sor
ry

Lana:
It'
sok.
..(
tot
heboy
s)Hav
easeat
..
.

Theyal
lsatdownandsi
ghedl
ooki
ngatoneanot
her
..
.
Monga: I'
mf i
neinhere,andi knowt hatyoumi ssmebutI '
m going
tobeher eforalongti
meandi t
'sabouttimey oust ar
taccepti
ng
that.Wehav ebeentogethersincemamal ef
tf orschoolbutnow
i
t'sherturntotakeover.Shehast ogobackt oschooland
unfort
unatelyyouhavetogot ogether
..Iexpecty outobe
respect
fulandunderstand,iknowi tsstressfulbutdon'tstr
ess
mamaaker e?

Mj
:Yeah.

Monga:
RightBee?

Br
yce:
Yeah

Mj
:Ar
eyoueat
ing?

Monga:Yeah,I
'
m doinggood.Ihaveaf
ewf r
iendstooandweplay
bal
l.I
t'
snotaaroughasthemov i
esmakeitouttobe..
.I'
mfi
ne
andhavingabi
toffuninheresoyouguysshoulddothesame.
.

Mj
:(smi
l
ed)OK.
.

Monga:
I'
m ast
ri
kerandi
scor
eli
kecr
azy

Br
yce:
(laughed)Buty
ousuckatf
oodbal
l
,I'
m bet
tert
hany
ou

Monga:
That
'sbecausei
alway
slety
out
hinky
ou'
regood.

Mj:Weknowyousuck,
ain'
tnowayy
ou'
rescor
ing.Wewi
l
lsee
whenyougetout
..
.

Lanasmi
l
edwat
chi
ngt
hem chatl
oudl
yandf
inal
l
ylaughed.
Mongat
urnedt
oherandsmi
l
ed.
.

Monga:
Howar
eyouhol
dingup?

Lana:Upanddown,onedayI'
m angr
ythenextI
'
m cal
mt hi
nki
ng
I
'vegoti
tall
undercont
rolt
henI'
m backt
osquareoneagai
n.

Monga:It
'spar
tofit
,sor
ryf
ormaki
ngy
ougot
hrought
hisand
embarr
assingyou.

Lana:I
t'
sok,we'v
eallt
rust
edt hewrongper sonatonepoint.At
l
eastihaveahobby,I
'
m helpingchil
drenwhodr oppedoutget
backtoschool
.Taki
ngabr eakfrom Facebookalsomakesiteasy
becauseidon'
tknowwhatpeopl earesayingorwhoiscelebrat
ing
ourdownfal
l.

Monga:Br
il
li
ant
,wewi
l
lgett
hrought
hisoneday
.Nott
odaybut
someday.

Lana:
Yeah.
.

Att
hesal
oon.
..

Latert
hatmor ni
ngMaruconfi
dentl
ywalkedoutofthesal
oonand
gotinthecar,
sherever
sedthecarwit
hhershoppingbagsint
he
backseatanddrovehome.
..

Mi
nut
esl
atershewal
kedi
nthehouseandcookedhi
sfav
our
it
e
meall
ookingatthet i
me,shetookaquickshowerandputonabit
ofmakeupbeforefixi
ngherf r
ontal
wigandputt
ingonag-st
ri
ng
andanicedressofkneel ev
elthensheputonheel
sandputhis
foodi
naf oodcontainer
.

Shecheckedt
het
imeandgoti
nthecarwi
tht
hef
oodanddr
ove
off
..
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhil
eOshaturnedaroundst
andi
ngi
nfr
ontoft
hemi
rr
or
whi
lehercousi
nssatonthebed..

Li
l
o:Waj
olawena

Osha:
(laughed)I
'
m not
.

Pi
nk:
It'
soki
fyou'
re,
whoi
she?

Osha:I
'm comi
ng,
ifmamaget
sbackt
ell
heri
wentt
ogr
anny
's
house.
.

Shegrabbedthecarkey
sandgoti
nthecart
henshedr
oveout
di
ali
ngDerri
ck..
.
Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Meanwhi
l
eDer
ri
ck'
sphoner
ang.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Hel
l
o?

Mar
u:Hi
,ibr
oughty
oul
unch.I
'
mint
hepar
kingl
ot.
.

Derr
ick:
I'
m ki
ndofbusy
,I'
l
lcomeeatathomewheni
geta
chance.

Maru:
I'
ll
waitaslongaspossi
ble,
don'
twor
ry.Ther
eisashadow
gakemotsatsi
ng.

Der
ri
ck:
(si
ghed)OK.
..

Hehungupandwal
kedt
owar
dst
hedoordi
all
i
ngOsha.
.

Osha:
I'
m att
hegat
e

Derr
ick:Mar
uisi
nthepar
kingl
otbutI
'
llgetr
idofheri
naf
ew
minutes.

Osha:
Didy
out
akeadayof
f?

Derr
ick:
Yeah,y
oucangoandchecki
natthel
odgeandwai
tfor
me.Wewi l
lcomebackar
ound6wareApulaogor
ogakabo6
ri
ght
?
Osha:Yeah,
sheKnocksof
fat5butthenshespendsaboutan
houratthef
il
li
ngst
ati
onandpassbythebarbef
oregoinghome.

Der
ri
ck:
Okby
e

Hehungupandputhi
sphonei
nhi
scoatashegoti
nthecarand
si
ghedl
ooki
ngatthef
oodonherl
ap.

Der
ri
ck:
Thanksf
ort
hef
ood.
..

Shehandedhimt
hefoodt
henheadjust
edhisseatandleaned
backeat
ing,
shet
uckedi
nherhai
randsighedl
ookingathim..

Der
ri
ckat
ehal
fthemeal
andputi
tint
heback.
..

Der
ri
ck:
Ihav
etogo.
.

Mar
u:(
smi
l
ed)Whatdoy
out
hinkofmyhai
r?

Hegl
ancedatherandl
ookedatt
het
ime.
.

Derri
ck:I
tlooksgood.Ihav
etogo.
.Thanksf
orthefood.Gohome,
i
llseeyoulater
..
.I'
l
lbehomelat
e.Ther
eisalotofworkher
e.Go
shapo.

Hegotoutandcl
osedt
hedoort
henst
eppedback.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Rev
esa.
.

Shestar
tedt
hecaranddrov
eof
fthenhewal
kedt
owar
dshi
scar
andgotindi
all
i
ngOsha.
..

Meanwhi l
eMar upar kedont hesideoftheroadandleanedov er
thesteeri
ngwheel crying.Derr
ick'
scardrovepastbywhi l
ehe
spoket othephone, shepausedcr yi
ngandjoinedt
her oad
fol
lowinghim.Shel etonecari nbetweenjustsohedoesn'tsee
her.
..

Herheartpoundedastheydroveoutsi
deMaun, hefi
nall
y
i
ndicatedtowar
dsaLodgeasshepul l
edov
erandpar kedunder
thetr
ee.Shewat chedf
rom adist
anceashedr ovet
hroughthe
gatethenshesteppedoutofthecarandwalkedtowardsthe
gate.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#164

Att
hel
odge.
..

Maruwalkedthr
oughthegat elooki
ngatDerri
ck'scarashe
par
kednexttoApula'
scar,herhusbandsteppedoutofthecar
andshebentdownpretendingtotiehershoesohewoul dn'
tsee
her
.Helockedthecarandwal kedtowardstheroomsunbuttoni
ng
hi
sshir
t.

Herhear tpoundedasshest umbledt owardst heparkinglotinher

highheels,ithadbeeny earssi nceshewor eheel sandhertoehad
poppedt hrought hest r
aps, hertoeshadsl ippedt othef r
ontas
shestumbl edont hepav ementandt ookthem of f
.Shewat ched
him getinther oom andputhershoesbesi deshi dcarbefore
foll
owinghi mtot her oom, oncet hereshest oppedatt hedoor
l
isteni
ngasherhear tli
teral
lypoundedoutofherchest ,
her
armpitssweatandhert hroatdr i
edasshef oldedherf i
sttoknock
thenshedeci dedt ot r
yopeni ngwithoutknocki ng.Thedoor
openedsl owlyandshest eppedi ntot hemusi cplayi
ngt heTV
whiletheywer echat ti
ngi nthebat hroom shower i
ng.

Shesi
l
ent
lycl
osedt
hedoorandl
ookedar
ound,
Der
ri
ck'
sATM
cardwaswithhercarkeysandsomer eceipt
swit
hhershopping
bagsonthebed.Shehadnev erheardthi
ssongbefor
ebutit
soundedsomehow...Theki
ndofr omanceshecouldonl
ydream
of.
.Shesatonthebednotsur ewhattodoasOshasangGl adys
Knight&Bi
llMedley
'sLovi
ngOnBor rowedt i
me.
..
.

Oshaherpar twiththel
adysingerandDer
ri
cktooktheman's
voice,
shenev erevenknewherhusbandwasagoodsi ngerl
et
alonethi
splayful
.Herskingotgoosebumpsastheysangthe
chorustoget
her .
..

Bot
h:

We'
repl
ayi
ngadanger
ousgame

Bur
ningasecr
etf
lame

Meet
ingi
nshadows,
ignor
ingt
hesi
gns

Thatwe'
rel
ovi
ngonabor
rowed

Tearsfil
ledhereyesasshel ookedatthetakeawaysonthetabl
e,
surel
ytheywer egoingtofeast.
..Theshowerstoppedrunni
ngas
theyl
aughedchat ti
ng,sheopenedt hewardrobedoor
sandsat
downt henshepulledthem over.

Meanwhi
l
eint
hebat
hroom Der
ri
ckpi
ckedherupandwal
ked
towar
dsthebedwherehel
aidherdownandki
ssedherast
hey
bothl
aidnakedont
hebed.
..

Der
ri
ck:
Icoul
dn'
tconcent
rat
eatwor
kthi
nki
ngabouty
ou.
..

Osha:Icoul
dn'
tsl
eep.
..(
smi
l
edbl
ushi
ng)Ist
il
lcan'
tbel
i
evei
had
sex.
..

Der
ri
ck:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?

Osha:
Itookpai
nki
l
ler
s..
.

Der
ri
ck:
Gagonaat
earorcr
ack?

Osha:
Idon'
tknow.
.

Hemoveddownbet
weenherl
egsandspr
eadt
hem t
henhe
i
nspect
edher
..

Der
ri
ck:
You'
reOK.
.

Heleanedoversucki
ngandrunni
nghi
stongueov
erhercl
i
tas
sheclosedhereyesandmoaned.

Meanwhil
eMar usli
ght
lyopenedthedoorandthr
oughasli
m
openi
ngshestaredatherhusbandwit
hhisheadburi
edbetween
herni
eceslegswhil
eshemoanedandmaneuv eredherbody
holdi
nghishead.Hemov edupandki ssedherthenhemov edup
andputitinhermout h,
het hrusthermout handgr untedasshe
gagged,shehadn' tseenhimt hishardandi tsti
llf
eltli
kesome
ki
ndofadr eam she'dwakeupf rom.Hespr eadherl egsguided
hi
smeatt oher sandburiedhimselfinsideherasMar uclosedher
eyes,shecov eredhermout handcr i
edsi l
entl
yast heirbodies
cl
apped, t
heirmoani nggotlouderandheswi tchedpositi
onsbut
nowshewast ooscaredt olook.
..

Osha:
(sof
tl
y)Shi
t!

Der
ri
ck:
(pant
ing)Lookatme.
..

Marurubbedhertearsandl ookedoutasDerri
ckputheronhi sl ap
andsnuckhishandunder neathherhol
dinghismeatuprightas
shecareful
l
ysli
donhi m andputherarmsov erhisshoulders.He
gui
dedherasshest art
edof frust
yandev ent
uall
ycaughtt heidea.
Hesqueezedherbreastsandsuckedher .Marusighedlooking
downandf i
nal
lyopenedt hedoorgetti
ngoutjustasDerrickstood
upcarr
y i
ngOshawhi l
estil
lpluggedinher.
..

Derr
ickt
urnedar
oundandlockedeyeswithhisey
escarr
yinghi
s
ni
ecewhosebackwasagainstheraunt.Der
ri
ckslowl
yputher
downashismeatsli
doutwithatrai
lofcum..
Oshalookedathisfaceconf
used,shet
urnedar
oundtoherAunt'
s
faceandjumpedscreaming.
..Herwhol
ebodyshookasshehid
behindDerr
ickshaki
ng.

Marut earful
l
ylookedatbot hofthem andsatdownst i
ll
looki
ngat
bothoft hem speechless.Der
ri
ckreachedforhi
sshor t
sandput
them onwhi leOshajumpedi ntoherpant
iesandsli
ppedher
clot
heson.Shegr abbedherbagsandt hecarkeysthensheran
out.
..

Mar
ust
oodupandwal
kedoutasDer
ri
ckgotdr
essed.

Der
ri
ck:
Wai
t!Youcan'
tdr
ivei
nyourst
ate.
..

Shewal kedt owardstheparkingl

otwhereOshahadr eversedint
o
anotherdriver.Maruwalkedpastthem astheytookouttheir
phones...Derrickpacedbehindherbar
efootedzippi
nghispants.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Icanexpl
ainal
lthese.
..I
'
m sor
ry.
..

Shewal
kedoutt
hegat
eandgoti
nthecarthensher
ever
sed
al
mostr
unni
nghisf
eetov
erashesteppedbackt
henshedr
ove
off
..
.
Meanwhi
l
etheMer
cedes-
Benzdr
iverdi
all
edApul
a..
.

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Her:Hi,mynamei sKell
y,yourdaught erj
ustreversedint
omycar
andcr usheditreal
lybad.Iunderstandsheisunder ageand
shouldn'tbedrivi
ngbuttheni don'
twantt ogety ouint
oany
tr
oublei justwantmycarf i
xed.Ijustthoughtishouldcally
ou
fi
rstbefor ei
nvolvi
ngthepoli
cebecauseshedi dn'twantmet ocal
l
youandshedi dn'
twantmet ocal lthepoli
ceeither.Ar
eshewi l
l
fi
xitkei potsaorayakaeng?

Apul
a:Wher
ear
eyou?

Her
:Mor
ulaLodge

Apul
a:I
'
llbet
her
eshor
tl
y.Thanksf
orcal
l
ingme.
.

Meanwhi
l
eDer
ri
ckhur
ri
edbackandst
oppedbyt
hei
rcar
s..

Der
ri
ck:
What
'sgoi
ngon?

Her
:Shecr
ushedmycar
..Ical
l
edhermot
her
.

Derri
cktur
nedandl
ookedati
tthenhetur
nedl
ooki
ngather
,she
tookherasi
deandl
oweredhi
sv oi
ce.
Der
ri
ck:
Whydi
dn'
tyougiv
ehermynumbersoi
canf
ixi
t?How
ar
eyougoi
ngt
oexplai
nbeingher
e?

Theladyst
aredatthem whi
sper
ingbackandf or
thandnoti
ced
tger
ingonhisfi
nger,asamothertoateenagerherangerr
aised.
..

Her
:Ar
eyousl
eepi
ngwi
thanunder
agegi
rl
?

Der
ri
ck:
No.
.

Hewalkedbacktot
heroom andgr
abbedhisthi
ngsthenhegoti
n
t
hecaranddroveoutasthewomanlookedather.

Her
:Ar
eyousl
eepi
ngwi
thamar r
iedman?Isawt
hatmanf
oll
owa
womanout
,wer
eyouj
ustcaught
?

Osha:
No,
andI
'
m notunder
age

Her:Thengi
vemey ourI
D..
givemey ourOmang.I
fyou'
re18or
abovetheni
t'
snotmybusinessyourmom wil
lfi
xmycarbutyou
i
nit
iall
ysai
dyou'
re17tur
ning18.MphaOmang

Osha:
It'
snotwi
thme.
..Butpl
easej
ustdon'
tsayany
thi
ngabout
hi
m.

Her
:Doi
lookl
i
key
ouragemat
e?Yourmot
hershoul
ddeal
wit
h
y
ounowwhil
eyou'
reyoungerorel
sewagot
shwar
wakgakal
a..
I
'
m goi
ngt
otell
her
..
.

Apula'
scardrovet
hroughthegat
easOsha'
shear
tpounded,t
ear
s
fi
l
ledhereyesandshebeguncryi
ngoutl
oudadApul
astepped
outofthecarandshookhandswitht
hel
ady.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#165

Att
hel
odge.
..
.

Apul
atur
nedl
ooki
ngatOshaasshecr
iedoutl
oud.
..

Apul
a:What
'sgoi
ngon?Whyar
eyoucr
ying?

Woman:Shei
snotcr
yingbecauseshecr
ushedmycart
hat
'sf
or
sur
e.

Apul
a:Whathappened?

Woman: Ijustwal kedoutoft heconf erencer oom andassoonas

iappr oachedt hecarIseet hisyoungl adyjumpi nt hecarand
reverser i
ghti ntomycar .Sheseemedl ikeshewasi nsomeki nd
statesoi askedherf ordr iversli
cencet hat
'swhenshebegged
mut t
er i
ngal lkindsoft hings.Awomanwal ksoutoft hatr
oom
andherhusbandi swal ki
ngbesi deshert al
kingtoher ,hewas
barefootedandshi rtl
ess, theladydr ov eoffandt hemanwal ked
over..
That 'swheni actuall
yconf ir
medhei smar r
iedcauseI '
m
seeingar i
ngonhi sfinger,sohei st alkingtoherbaaseba. ..Iask
himi fhei ssleepi ngwi thachi l
dandhesai dno.Het ookhis
thi
ngsf r
om t her oom anddr oveoff.Hedr i
vesar edCX5i t
hink
thewi feisdr i
v ingawhi teJeep. .
.
Apul
a'shear
tski
ppedast
hewomandescri
bedthecarsand
Derr
ick'
shei
ghtt
henshet
urnedar
oundf
acingOsha.

Apul
a:Sowhatar
eyoucr
yingf
or?

Oshaputherhandstoget
heroverhermout
handhel
dhert
ear
s
backwi
threddishey
es.Apulat
urnedbacktot
hel
ady.
..

Apula:I'
m sor
ryfort
heinconv
eni
ence...Thankyouf
orlet
ti
ngme
know.Letmegety oumymechanic'snumber ,
I'
ll
cal
lhi
m.He
shouldbeabletofi
xthi
sinacoupleofhours.Youcanj
ustgo
str
aightt
hereri
ghtnow.Heisver
yf ast
.

Woman:Thanky
ou.

Apul
atookoutherpurseandexchangedcont
actdetai
l
swi t
hhe
l
adybefor
ewatchingherdri
veoffwit
habrokentai
ll
ight.

Shet urnedar
oundandlookedatOshaindi
sbeli
efbutangerfi
l
led
herupasshel ookedatherski
mpyskir
tandcroptop.Thekindof
dressingsheneverknewOshaworeinherhouse.
..

Apula:
Whathappened?Osut
hedikel
edi
tseokagor
egake
shenamel
ewenaMaoshale.Gety
ourthi
ngsandgotot
hecar
,
gompi enoj
aanat hemechani cisgoingtochar gemej usttopi ck
upthiscarandfindat ai
lli
ghtreplacementf orbothcars..Ekareo
taannasethabimogonnawai tse.I'
veneverregret
tedhav ingy ou
butithinkI
'
m aboutt oregretnotgivingyoubackt oyourf ather
becauseAtsil
edoesn'twantt hi
ski ndofnonsense.Sheknewy ou
hadthisinyourbloodandchosepeace, nnakakeThomaske
dumelakebony ei hadtobr i
ngahomewr eckeri
ntothef ami l
y.

Oshapickedallhershoppi
ngbagsandpurse,
Apulacl
osedthe
doorandlockedthecarbefor
eleadi
nghertoherot
hercar
.

Apulagotinandleanedbackangril
ylookingatherassheput
ever
ythingi
nthebackandgoti nthecar,Apulalookedi
nthe
shoppingbags.
..Bras,
thongsandlinger
ies.
..

Apula:Sowhathappened?Iwantt oknowever
ythi
ng,fr
om the
verybegi
nni
ng..
.Ifyouleaveanythi
ngoutI
'mrel
inqui
shingmy
ri
ghtsasyourmot herandkicki
ngyououtofmyhouse.

Oshar
ubbedhert
ear
sasherhandsshook.
..
.

Osha:Aft
ertal
ki
ngtoyouaboutthediar
yiwentt
ocheckonPink
andLil
o,uncl
efoundmeinthekit
chenandwedrunkwaterf
rom
thesameglass.
..Hegott
heglassfr
om meanddrunkthenit
ook
i
tanddr unk, t
henhekissed,weki ndofhadsexbutt herewasno
penetrat
ion,hedidmyt hi
ghsandy est
erdayatt heget-t
ogetherwe
hadsexbehi ndthecars.Todaywemetagai nandIar r
ivedfi
r st
andbookedar oom becausehet oldmet odoi twithhisATM car d
aft
ershoppi ng.Wetookabat handmay beaunt i
ehidint he
wardrobewhi lewewerebat hing.Wewal kedoutandhadsexon
thebedt henauntjustpoppedupwhi l
ewewer ehav i
ngsex...Igot
scared,ithoughtshewouldbeatmesoIgotmyt hingsand
wantedtor unhomet heni crushedint
othatl ady'
scar.

Apula'sheartpoundedasshel ookedathernarrati
ng,she
clenchedherJawsandsl appedheracr osstheface,Oshaburst
outcryingblockingherf
aceasApul apulledherhandsfrom her
faceandsl appedheragain.Tearsfi
l
ledhereyesasshecl enched
herjawspunchi ngheral
lov erasshescreamed..

Osha:
(cr
ying)Mama!Mamasor
ry!Kebaki
l
e.

Apulapunchedheroverandov erbuti
tjustwasn'
tenoughand
shecouldn'
tfindanyt
hingtobreakonherhead,Oshaopenedthe
doorandfelloutasApulaburstint
ocry
ing.Sheputherhandover
herchestcr
yinghelpl
esslyl
ookingatOsha..

Apul
a:(cr
ying)Why
?Whywoul
dyoudot
hatt
omysi
ster
?Iasked
younottodoit
Apula'
stear
sandmucasr anoutassherol
l
edoutat
issueand
rubbedhereyessobbi
nguncont
rol
labl
y.

Oshastoodbystaringathermot hercryi
ng,she'
dneverhear
dher
cryoutloudbef
oreandi twastraumatisi
ng..
.Nowt hemagnit
ude
ofherdecisi
onsregist
ered.Sheopenedt hedoorbackdoorand
satinsi
deasApulacr i
ed,shewasn'tsurewhattosaysoshejust
satther
e.

Apul
afi
nal
l
ystoppedcry
ingandst
art
edthecart
henshedr
oveof
f
di
all
i
ngMarubutther
ewasnoanswer.

Apula:
You'vej
ustr
uinedmysist
er'
sfamil
y.It
ooky
oui
nasmy
daughterandt
hisi
sthethanksi
getfrom y
ou.

Osha:
Igott
empt
ed,
idi
dn'
tmeant
omaket
hem f
ight
.

Apula:Nkabeodi dimalabecausethemorey ouspeakthe

stupi
deryousound.Ishoul dstopthi
scarandgr abasti
ck,orj
ust
punchy oubecausey ou'
reawomannow.YouandDer ri
ckdonot
deservetobepar tofthi
sfamily.Ledi
ntšamor erobal
angha
thokogakoloiresalemogesepe.Omol oiOsha,okabol
aa
nkgonnegoreomot seelemonnawasehamay ol
e.

Shekeptqui
etasApul
adr
ove.
..
I
nDer
ri
ck'
sCar
..
..

Meanwhi
l
eDerri
ckover
tooktwocar
swit
hhi
sey
essear
chi
ngf
or
Maruwhi
lehedi
all
edheratt
hesameti
me.

Herphoner
angunanswer
edasheov
ert
ookanot
hercar
..
..

Att
hehospi
tal
..
..

Meanwhi l
eMar ustoppedthecarasherheadspun, shecoul
dtel
l
sheneededhermedi cati
on..
.every
thi
ngrepl
ayedinherheadand
herstomachturnedatthethoughtofDerri
cksuckingOsha's
pussy.Shesteppedoutbarefootedthenshesmil
edatt hebi
rd
si
tti
ngont heothercar.
..

Mar
u:Hel
l
o?.
.Come.
..Come.
..

Shestr
etchedherhandandtri
edtogett
hebirdbuti
tfl
ewaway
andsatontheothersi
deofthepavement.Marudr
oppedt
hekeys
andfol
loweditbar
efoot
ed.
..
Mar u:
(lookedbehindher
)Shoul
di br
ingitt
oy ou?Ok..
.(t
urned
around)Nony aneeyapoka.
..
Takwanomona. ..(
snappedher
fi
ngersasshei fcall
i
ngapuppy)nxoh-xoh-
xoh..
.

Shewhistledasthebirdf
lewandl andedont hetr
eejustoutsi
de
thehospit
algate,shewalkedoutandpastt hesecuri
tyguard
whilehewasassistinganenteri
ngv ehi
cle.Marufol
l
owedt hebir
d
totheothertr
eewal ki
ngbarefoot
ed...

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#166

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Thesecurit
yguar dletthecarinandlower edthegat
ebar
ri
er,
whenhet urnedaroundt heladyhehadj usttal
kedtomi
nutes
bef
orewasst andi
ngbyt hetreepoi
nting.Heputdownthebook
andcrossedt heroad..

Guar
d:Hi
,it
houghty
ou'
regoi
ngi
nsi
de?(
lookedup)Whatar
eyou
l
ooki
ngat
?

Mar
u:Iwantt
hatbi
rd.
.

Guar
d:Youcan'
tcat
chbi
rd.
..

Maru:Diditel
lyou?Myni eceissl
eepingwi t
hmyhusband...Isaw
them.
..Hewasl icki
ngherbetweenthel egs.
..Thatmeanshehas
beenkissi
ngmewi t
hherv agi
na..
.Theywer ehavingsomuchf unI
wishiwasthem.Thei rsexwasamazi ng..
.

Guar
d:Let
'sgoi
nsi
desoy
oucanseeadoct
or,
theywi
l
lhel
pyou.
.

Mar
u:Iwanttogothi
swayandstar
tpreachi
ngtot
hewor
ldt
hat
t
heyshoul
dteacht
heirchi
l
drent
orespectel
der
s.

Guar
d:Yes,
let
'sgogety
ourshoesi
nsi
det
heny
oucango.
.
Shef
inall
yagr
eedandfol
l
owedhi
m,t
heguar
dlef
tthegat
eopen
andwalkedMarut
otheER.

Maru:Der r
ickwasmoaning.
..I'
veneverheardhim moanbefore
andhewasmoani ngwit
hher .It
houghtmyni eceisachil
d..
.I
di
dn'tknowshecanaccommodat eamant hesizeofDerr
ickand
walkjustfi
ne.Ineedt
ogetabi bleandpreach,theworl
dis
comingt oanend.

Guar
d:Yes,
let'
sgogety
ourshoesandgetabi
blef
rom t
hedoct
or.
HehasaBibletoo.
.

Theguar
dwalkedinwit
hherasshewal
kedbar
efoot
ed,
anur
se
tur
nedandwalkedov
ertot
hem..

Nur
se:
Hi.

Mar u:Ineedmyshoesandabi bl
e..Myni ecesl
eptwi t
hmy
husband, t
heywer ehavingsexandi thoughthehadpoor
erecti
ons.Hewasmoani ngont opofherandl i
ckinghervagina,
shewassucki nghi
mt ooandt heywer ejusthavingfun.Thi
s
wor l
discomi ngtoanend. ..Ishouldgoar oundandpr eachthe
wor dofGodt osaveev eryone.Thesear et het
hingsthatthebook
ofrevelati
onswast al
kingabout .
.

Nur
se:
Ok,
comesi
tov
erher
e..
.I'
l
lbr
ingy
ourshoesandt
hebi
ble.
(
tot
heguar
d)Thanky
ou.

Guard:
Ibel
i
eveherbel
ongingsareint
heparki
nglot
.Shecame
wit
hacarandseemedfineatfi
rstnowidon'
tknow.I
'l
lgofi
ndher
car
.

Nur
se:
Ok.
.

Mar
unot
icedaf
ewpeopl
esi
tt
ingbyt
hechai
rs.
..

Mar u:Thewor l
di scomi ngt otheend. .
.Repentandgi veyourliv
es
tochrist
,myni ecesl eptwi t
hmyhusband. ..Myhusbandwas
l
ickingherr i
ghtinfrontofmyey esandi sawhi spenisgoinside
her.Myni ece,t
heonet hati bathedandwat chedgrow..
.Shei sthe
sameageasmydaught ers..
.AllthesehappenedbecauseI '
ma
sinner,I
'
m notpr ayful.Repentandcov eryourselfwi
ththebloodof
thelamp..Thebi rdsar ereadytogot oheav en,areyouready?

Thenursegr
abbedherar m andwal
kedintheotherroom wit
hher
whereshesatheronthebedandcalledthedoctorwhil
ethe
secur
it
yguardwalkedaroundthepar
kinglotl
ookingforhercar
.

Hefoundi
tandpi
ckedherkey
sthenhegr
abbedherhandbagand
l
ockedup.
HewalkedintheEmergencyholdi
ngherhandbagashercel
l
phonerang,
shestoppedlooki
ngatthedoctorandnur
sestandi
ng
byherbedwithaninj
ecti
on.

Guar
d:Her
ear
ehert
hings.

Doct
or:
Thanky
ou.

Thenur
segotherbagandt
heguar
dwal
kedout
..
.

Meanwhi
leoneoft
hepeopl
esi
tt
ingbyt
hebenchesst
oodupand
di
all
edLi
l
o..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
.

Meanwhi
l
eLi
l
ohandedherl
i
ttl
ebr
otherapl
ate.
..

Li
l
o:Looksli
keOshaisnotcomingbackbat
hongl
et'
sgohome.
Wecan'
tvisi
tmothoabearetogel
a.

Pink:
Wecan'
tl
eavebecausethenshewil
lgeti
ntroublewi
tht
he
boyshei
swit
h.I
faunti
efindsusitwi
ll
belesssuspici
ous.

Li
l
o:Butshei
snotev
enpi
cki
ng.
.
Li
l
o'sf
ormercl
assmat
ecal
l
edt
henshepi
cked.
..

Li
l
o:Hel
l
o?

Her:Heemmawhydi
dn'tyoutel
lmewhaty
ourfami
l
yiagoi
ng
t
hrough?Ory
out
houghtI'
l
l j
udgeyounemma?

Li
l
o:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?

Her:
Yourmot heri
sint
hehospi
tal
andshelooksli
keshei
slosi
ng
hermind.Fr
om whatshesay
siunder
standwhy..
.Howareyou
copi
ng?

Li
l
o:Whatar
eyout
alki
ngaboutnewena?

Her:
Yourmothersaysherhusbandsleptwi
thherni
ece,shesays
shesawhi
m muf f
inherandhisdindonggoi
ngintoherni
ece,ke
mang?Oshakanajang?

Li
l
o:Mamai
satt
hehospi
tal
now?

Her:
Yes,
shei
sbar
efoot
edandt
alki
ng,
shesay
sbi
rdst
alkedt
o
her
.

Li
l
o:Letmecal
lher
.

Shehungupandt
ri
edt
ocal
lhermot
herbutt
her
ewasnoanswer
..

AtDer
ri
ck'
sHouse.
..
Meanwhi l
eDerrickdr ovethroughthegatehopi ngtoseeMar u'
s
carbutitwasn'tthereandt hehousewasl ocked.Hisphonerang
anditwasf r
om wor k,apartofhim didn'
twantt oanswer.
..What
weretheycall
ingf orbecausehet ookt herestoftheafter
noonoff
butthenhejustpi ckeddrivi
ngout...

Der
ri
ck:
Hel
l
o?

Voi
ce:Goodaf
ternoon,
itsMel
i
ssa.Wehavey
ourwif
ewi
thusand
shei
sdoesn'
tseem tobeinagoodment
alst
ate.

Der
ri
ck:
I'
m onmyway
,whathappened?

Voice:
Idon'
tknowt
hedet
ail
sofhercondi
ti
on,
thedoct
orwant
s
toseeyou.

Der
ri
ck:
Thanky
ou.

Hehungupanddr
oveof
fasApul
acal
l
ed.
..

Der
ri
ck:
Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Wher
eisMar
u?I
'
mtr
yingt
ocal
lherbutshei
snotpi
cki
ng.

Derr
ick:
Thehospi
tal
cal
l
ed,
gat
weshei
snotwel
l
.I'
m goi
ngt
her
e
now.
Apul
acutt
hecal
l
...

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Apul
apar
kedt
hecar
,Oshast
eppedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
..

Apula:
Tsay
adi
odi
sel
etsagagot
sabobel
ete,
odi
lesamokol
oing
yagamang?

Oshaopenedthebackdoorandgothershoppi
ngbagst
henshe
cl
osedthedoo,Apul
arever
sedalmostrunni
nghert
oesoverand
dr
oveoff.

Li
loandPinkst
eppedoutoft
hehouseaboutt
olockt
hedoorand
l
ockedeyeswit
hOsha..
.

Li
l
o:Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?

Osha:
Iwentshoppi
ng.

Pi
nk:
Let
'sgetbacki
nsi
desoshecanexpl
ainbet
ter
..

Li
l
oopenedt
hedoorf
orhert
henPi
nkescor
tedheri
n.
Pi
nk:
(toherl
i
ttl
ebr
other
)Bobosi
tov
erher
ebabyok?

Li
l
o:Ij
ustwanttoknowever
ythi
ngfrom t
hebegi
nni
ng,
ify
oudon'
t
wantmetohurtyouj
ustt
ell
thetr
uth.

Theli
ttl
esatdownwatchi
ngTVasthegi
rl
swal
kedi
nOsha'
s
room wher
etheycl
osedthedoor
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Derri
ckwalkedinasApul
apacedbehindher.
.Thenur
se
recogni
sedDerri
ckandpoi
ntedhi
mt otheroom wher
eMaruwas
sit
ti
ng.Derr
ickpushedt
hedoorandwalkedinwhil
eMaruwas
tal
kingt
oadoct or.
..

Maru:Myf amilyhasbeendestr
oyedbythedevi
l,
anditsmyfault
becauseidon'tprayf
ormyf amil
y.Thedevi
li
susingmyniece,t
he
worldi
scomi ngtoanend...Doct
oryoumustrepentandgi
veyour
l
ifetochr
ist.

Thedoctort
urnedl
ooki
ngDerr
ickandApul
a,Mar
ust
oodupand
tear
ful
l
ylookedatDer
ri
ck.
..
Maru:Babeihav
et opr
ayfory
ou.
..Thedevi
li
susingy
ou.
..Ihav
e
t
opr ayf
orOsha..I
'
m sorr
yidi
dn'
tprot
ecty
ou.Ihavet
opr
ayf or
you.

Tearsr
oll
eddownherey esassheputherhandov erhisheadand
begunpray
ing,Der
ri
ckhuggedhertear
ful
lyandr ubbedhistear
s
whil
esherubbedhisbackpray
ingf
orhimi ntongues.

Apul
a'
sli
pst
rembl
edasshecr
iedl
ooki
ngather
..

Maru:Lalacomeher e.
..Ihavetoprayforyou.
..
.Wehav etopray
fory
ourfamilytoo.Wehav etopr ayf
oryourbabyandhusband,
wehav etoprayforOshaandal lourdaughter
s.Theworldis
comingtoanend.Resur rect
ioniscoming,mamal epapaare
coming..
.

Apul
aputherhandsoverherheadbursti
ntot
ear
scr
yingoutl
oud.
Shewal
kedoutandclosedthedoor.
..

Thedoct
orapproachedherwhi
l
eDer
ri
ckhuggedher
,hewi
ped
herar
m andi
njectedher
..
.

Der
ri
ckhel
dherunt
ilshesl
owl
yst
oppedt
alki
ngt
henhepi
cked
herupandl
aidheront
hebed.
..

Doct
or:
Deewhathappened?

Der
ri
cksatonr
hechai
randhel
dherhandwhi
l
eshel
aidt
her
e..
.

Doct
or:
Der
ri
ck?

Der
ri
ck:
Shecaughtmewi
thherni
ece.
..

Doctor
:Thisi
spsychot
icdepr
essi
on.
..Shei
shav
ing
hal
luci
nat
ionsandsheisdel
usi
onal
.

Der
ri
ck:
Ihav
etot
akeherhome.
..

Doctor:Youknowpat ient
swithpsychot icdepressi
onar e
hospital
isedbecausethey'
readangert ot hemselvesand
every
onear oundthem.Sheneedspr ofessionalhel
p...Ican'
tev
en
helphersheneedsapsy chol
ogical
ev aluationandtreatmentbya
speciali
stbecauseifwedon'ttr
eatitnowi twil
lbehar dmonths
fr
om now.

Apul
aandAt
sil
ewal
kedi
n..
.

Doct
or:
Shehast
obesentt
oapsy
chi
atr
ichospi
tal
..

Der
ri
ck:
No,
shei
snotcr
azy
.Ij
ustneedt
otal
ktoherandkeepher
saf
eathome.Wewi
l
lgett
hrought
his.

Doct
or:
Iknowi
tsembar
rassi
ngbut
-

Apula:
Mysi st
erneedsprof
essi
onalhel
pelegorewareng?What
makesy outhi
nkyou'l
lbewit
hheroutsi
debecauseyou'
regoingt
o
pr
isonfordefi
lement?Fr
om her
eI'
m sendi
ngy outopri
son.

At
sil
e:Der
ri
ckletthem getherhel
p..I
t'
sbeyondourcontr
ol.The
l
astt
hingiwantisMaruwal ki
ngaroundthemallnaked.

Derri
ckheldherhandl
ooki
ngatherunconsci
ousf
aceand
touchedhercheek.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Idi
dn'
tthi
nki
twoul
dcomet
hisf
ar.

Doctor
:I'
m goi
ngtomakeaphonecal
l
,sheneedspr
ofessi
onal
hel
pbyaspeciali
stASAP.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Ok.
.

Thedoct
orwal
kedoutandDer
ri
ckr
emai
nedhol
dingMar
u'shand.

Apul
a:Why
?

At
sil
e:Lal
anotnowpl
ease.
..
.

Apul
a:Thi
smani sarapi
standheisungr
atef
ul.Mysi
stergav
e
youasecondchance,
sherespect
edyouandI'
m sur
eitwasyour
f
ir
stti
megett
ingrespectedandyoudot
his?I
'
m goi
ngt
orepor
t
y
ou,defi
l
ementis20y earsi
npri
son.
.

At
sil
e:Let
'sgoout
..
.

Atsil
etookherout
,Apulawal
kedoutwithatearf
ulfr
ownand
eventual
lybur
sti
ntotear
sonthecorr
idor,
Atsi
lehuggedherand
rubbedherback.
..

Atsi
le:Li
st entome. .
.Youdon' thavetotakemyadv i
cebutithink
weshoul dn'treportt
hedefil
ement .Mar uisgoingf ormonthsif
notyears,IfDerri
ckgoest oprisonwhathappenst oBobo?Lil
o
andPinkcangot ouniv
ersi
ty,Boboi sturning6..
.yousaidRon
doesn'twantchi l
drenandi honestl
ydon' twanttohav erel
ati
v esi
n
myf amily.Irespectyoufortakingyourni ecesandnephewsbuti
won'tdot hat.Iwanttogoenj oymyf ami l
ywi thTumangand
Juli
an.

Apula:
Whataboutwhatthi
smandi
dtoOshaandMar
u?Sohe
walksoutunpuni
shed?

Atsi
le:Mar uwilldeterminethepuni shmentwhenshesnapsoutof
i
tasf orRamodal a'
sdaught erthereisnothingwrongt hatwas
doneonher .Shei sol
denought osayno, ifshewasr apedI '
dfeel
sorr
yf orherbutsheact ual
lyparti
cipated.Oshai smat urethan
Lil
oandPi nkcombi ned.Thisgirli
sgoingt osleepwithRoni fyou
keepshieldingherl i
kethis.Sheisnotachi l
d..
.Sheisgr ownup
andtheonl yv i
cti
mi nthissituati
oni sMaru.Nnat ot
ai don'twant
hernearmyf
ami
l
y,i
didn'
tknowshei
sint
ool
derpeopl
e.

Apul
a:Younev
erl
ovedher
,whyshoul
dil
i
stent
oyou,
gaor
ate
Osha

Atsil
e:Yesi don'
tli
keher,notli
keshedi dany thingt omebuti j
ust
don'tfeelherbecauseshei saresul
tofr apeandabusebutt hat
gir
lisal it
tledevil
.Yougav eherever
y t
hingandsheshoul dbe
l
ov i
ngf ami l
ynotdoingthis.Sheis4mont hsawayf rom turning
18sof astcanherbr ai
ngrow4mont hsf rom now?Doy out hink
onherbi r
thdayshewasgoi ngtoautomat ical
lyfeel li
kesleepi ng
withDer ri
cki swrong?Idon'tsuppor
tnei theroft hem.Bot hof
them ar ewr ongbutOshai sworse,f
ami l
yi sev erything.Shei s
worse,keephercl oseandshewi l
lgi
vebi rthtoacol ouredbaby .
Mar kmywor ds.

Apul
a:Der
ri
ckisgoingtojai
l
,wewi
llseewhereBobowil
lgo
maybeSediwi
l
l gethi
m buthei
snotgett
ingawaywit
hthi
s.

Apul
atur
nedar
oundandwal
kedaway
..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Pinkwal
kedinthesitt
ingroom andtur
nedupthevol
umesoBobo
doesn'
thearanyt
hingthenshewalkedtothebedr
oom andcl
osed
thedoor
.
I
nsi
deLi
l
oti
edherhai
rlooki
ngatOsha.
..

Lil
o:Soyouwer
esl
eepi
ngwi
thmyf
atheront
heni
ghtoft
heget
-
toget
her
?

Pi
nk:
Thi
sgi
rli
snotser
ious.
..

Li
l
o:Andmymot
heri
ssi
ckbecauseofy
ou?

Pink:
Papawat engisnotpi
cki
ngi
bil
e..
.Aunt
iesay
smamahas
beeninj
ect
ed.Kootengkemokent
owadi t
senwaor obat
sang.

Oshast
eppedbackwhil
eLi
l
oappr
oachedher
,Pi
nkt
ookouther
phoner
ecor
dingthem.
..

Pink:
Punchher ,
theny
oucutherhai
rbecausei
t'
sourfat
her
's
moneyt hatdi
dherhai
r.Fr
om her
eweareposti
ngthi
son
Facebook.

Li
lo:I
'
m notaf
rai
dtogot
ojuv
ifor3mont
hsj
ustf
orbeat
ingy
ou
Osha.

Pink:Assaul
tibi
l
ecanbeawar ningorafi
ne.Buti
twon'
tbe
anythi
nglongerthan2monthsor3.Eit
herwaywewil
lbetoget
her
sogagobad. .
.Mony edi
seotseephonelennakemoshimege.

Osha'
sheartpoundedasLi
l
osmackedherface,
shepunchedher
onheronthefaceandOshast
agger
edfal
li
ng,Li
losatontopof
hercutti
ngherhairwi
thapairofsci
ssor
s, Oshafi
nal
l
ymanaged
togetupandt hr
ewherfi
rstpunch.Li
lobitherl
owerli
pand
kickedher,
shepunchedherwiththesci
ssorsandtor
ehert op
l
eav i
ngOsha'sbreast
sexposedthensheputheronheadlock
cutti
ngherhair
.

Pi
nk(kickedherkukuwhi l
erecor
ding)Kukuy asthubamalwapa.
Nyedi
sal ebel
ete.
..Lebel
etel
wabetswa...Santseot oony
elathe
mma...Nexttimewheny ouseemyf atheryouwi l
lthrowup.
.

Oshaturnedaroundandt hrewaweakpunchbutLil
oheadedher
andsheleanedov erspit
ti
ngatoot
hwithblood.Pi
nkkickedher
fr
om behindandputt hephonedownastheybothpinnedher
downandcutherhai r..
.

Oshafinal
l
ystoppedmov i
ngandputherhandsoverherface
cry
ingwhil
ethegirl
scutherhai
randpul
ledhernai
lsleav
ingher
onebleedi
ngfi
nger.
..

Shesatatt
hecor
nercr
yingi
nherpant
iesast
heyr
ecor
ded.
..

Pi
nk:Takeof
fyourpant
ies.
..Wewantpeoplet
oseet hekukut
hat
br
okeaf ami
l
y.Supeget
sabathokukueij
elwaj
elwang..
Oshast
oodupandpul
l
eddownherpant
ies.
.

Li
lo:Pendhor
osakukueowar
etwael
akant
e!{
Opent
hatpussyup
we'r
enotplayi
ngwit
hyou}

Oshareachedbetweenherl
egscr
yingandpul
l
edherpussyl
i
ps
apar
tasPinkrecordedher
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#167

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Li
l
oandPi
nkst
oodt
oget
herhol
dingt
hephone.
.

Pi
nk:Let
'scutthi
scli
pandsenditt
otheboy
fri
endsoheknows
we'
rewaiti
ngforhim athome.

Li
l
o:Cuther
eabonedi
clapa.

Theycutt
hevi
deoandsentt
oDerri
ckwit
hthecapt
ion."
Resul
tof
dri
vi
ngourmothercr
azy
.Onedown,onemoret
ogo" .

Meanwhi
l
eOsharemainednudeont
hef
loorbl
ocki
ngherbr
east
s
ast
hegir
lsl
ookedather
..
.

Osha:Idon'
tmindyouposti
ngmyv i
deoonFacebookbecausemy
l
ifei
sov er
,buti
fyouposti
tyourf
atheri
sgoi
ngtojai
lfor
defi
l
ementandi don'
twanttodot
hattoaunt
.Nnanekei phi
tha
nekesabateuncleDeeannyal
aoranythi
ng.

Li
l
o:Jai
li
sfi
net
ooi
tsnotl
i
kehewi
l
lst
aywi
thmama,
he
obv
iousl
ywant
syoui
fhecandot
his.

Pink:
Tryi
ngtobeclevernywenywewhydidn'tyouthi
nkofjail
befor
espreadingy
ourlegsformyfat
her?You'retr
endingtoni
ght,
sesennangsekanna.Wear egoi
ngtouniversi
tyandwewi ll
stay
withBoboifpapagoestojai
l.Wewil
lsur
viveonourowni fyou
thi
nkwewi l
lbegyourmotherandcomestayher ewit
hy ou.You'
re
socheap..

Li
lo:Thisoneisloose,don'
tyourememberhowsheusedt oputa
fi
ngerinherpussy..
.Imagineatthatagewedidn'
tevenknowwe
hadholeswedi dn'
tknowexact l
ywheretheuri
newascomi ng
fr
om andsheknewt hediff
erenceandthepl
easure.

Osha:
I'
m sor
ry.
..

Oshareachedacr
ossthefl
oorandpickedhert
oothwi
tha
swol
lenli
p.Thegir
lspi
ckedthei
rbagsandwalkedout
..
.

Li
l
o:You'
l
lbet
rendi
ng.Ber
eady
.

Theycl
osedt
hedoorandgottheirl
i
ttl
ebr
othert
hentheyleft
.
Oshast
oodupandpeekedthroughthewi
ndowast heywalked
outt
hegatet
henshegotherphoneanddial
ledheraunt
..
..

AtAene'
sHouse.
..
Meanwhi l
eAenewal kedi
nt hehouseandputhercarkeysonthe
tabl
e,sheputthefoodinthefri
dgeandgrabbedafrui
tbefore
headi
ngt othebedroom whereshesatonthebedandt ookout
ever
ythingfr
om theshoppingbag..
.

Shesmiledl ookingatherbabycl
othesandsmel l
edthem,she
couldj
ustimagi neherbabyinther
e...Whataf eel
ingthatwoul
d
be.
..Tofinallyhavesomeonewhol ov esheruncondit
ional
ly
.Now
i
tseemedl ikemont hsweregoingslow. .
.

May bebeingasi ngl

emot herwasn'tsobadaf teral
l.
..Shefolded
them neatlyandputthem inthebabybagt henshet ookthenew
blanketandputitinthebabycot .
..I
tlookedsobeaut if
ul.
.She
foldeditandputitawaythenshepausedatt hef ai
ntbabykicks,
sheputherhandov erherbumpandsmi ledthenshenot i
cedt he
engagementr ingonherfinger.

Shesl owlytookitoffandwal kedinthet oi

letthenshedr oppedi t
i
nt het oil
etandflushedit
.Shewal kedi nthelivi
ngr oom eating
herfruitandsatdownchecki ngherphone.Shehadami ssedcall
fr
om Osha. .
.Itwasweirdhersi st
ers'chil
drennev erevencal lher
.
Shedi aledherbackandmi ni
mi sedthecall t
abbef orecl
ickingon
hergal l
ery,thephonerangwhi leshewentt hroughherf olders
del
etingal lhertr
ipswithherfiancé.Shedel et
edev erypicturewith
hi
m ont hephoneandsighedasthecal
lendedunanswered.
Therewasaknockont hedoorthenshewalkedtothedoor
chewingandopenedthedoortoherfi
ancé.
.

Hi
m:Hi
..

Aene:
Hi.
..Di
dil
eav
eany
thi
ngoutwheni
senty
ourbel
ongi
ngs?

Hel
ookedatherandswal
l
owednotsur
ewhatt
osay
..

Hi
m:No

Aene:
Ohok.

Hi
m:Canwet
alk?

Aene:
Sur
e..
.

Hi
m:I
nsi
de?

Aene:Idon'
twantvi
sit
ors.
..Cany
ousaywhaty
ouwantt
osay
?I
can'
tstandforl
ong.
.

Henoti
cedshedi
dn'
thav
eherengagementr
ingandl
ookedat
her
..
.

Hi
m:Wher
eisy
ourr
ing?
Aene:
Youwant
edt
otal
kaboutt
her
ing?

Him: No,I'
m sorryfordisappear i
ngwi t
houtanexpl anati
on..
.Ihad
todigesteverythi
ngandr econsidereverythi
ngandnowIseet hat
ther
ei snopoi ntformet owal kawayf rom myf amilyfor
somet hi
ngt hathappenedov er10y ear
sago.Yourhi storydoesn'
t
changewhoy ou'r
enow. .Ilov etheladystandinginfrontofmeas
sheis.Sheownsapr eschool andshei sindependent,sheisa
hardwor kerandshel ovesGod.Whatel secani askfor?

Aene:
Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay
..

Hi
m:I
'
m sor
ryf
orov
err
eact
ing

Aene:Youdi dn'toverreact
,i guessitwaswi t
hiny ourr i
ghts.Just
thatiwasst ar
tingtoenj oythissingleparentingthingandI 'm
afrai
dtot ryar elati
onshipagai n.Thewayi l
ov edy ouandt heway
myhear tbr okewheny oudidn'ttal
ktome. ..Idon'twantt of eel
thatagain.Iam af raidtogivemy sel
flikethatagai n.I'v
ebeen
forci
ngmy selfonpeopl emywhol eli
fetryi
ngt of i
tinandI 've
madeadeci si
ont hatifpeopl eignor
emeIwi l
l l
etmy sel
fbe
i
gnored.Kagoi gnoreega.Kedul ehelamogoi t
seny engmo
bathongr omant i
call
yandl ef amilywise..
.

Hesmi
l
edl
ooki
ngatherandnodded.
..

Hi
m:That'
spr
obablyagoodidea..
.Idon'
twantt
opr
essur
eyou.
.
Howaboutwest
artbycopar
enting?
Hereachedforherbumpandshesmi
l
edshr
uggi
ngher
shoul
ders.
..

Aene:
Ok.
.

Hi
m:Ahugf
rom onepar
entt
oanot
her
?

Shesmil
edandtheyhuggedforaboutaminute,
theybot
htooka
deepbr
eathhol
dingeachandhekissedherhead.

Hi
m:Byt
hewaymyf
atherandi
don'
ttal
k.

Aene:
(fr
owned)Why
?

Him:Weki ndofgoti ntoal i

tt
leargumentabouthim st epping
back,ij
ustwant edhimt oletmemakemyowndeci sionand
choosewhoi wantnothi sideaofaper f
ectholywife.Ithinki
mighthavecr ossedal i
neal i
ttl
ebitbyment i
oningmymot her
's
hi
story
..
.Ahi storyhedidn'tknowi knowsot hatti
ckedhi m off.
.
(l
aughed)Hewi l
lbefinethoughdon' tworr
yaboutit.Ot aahola..

Aene:
(laughed)OK.
..Sor
ry

Hi
m:I
t'
sok.
.

Aene:
Comei
n..
.
Hewal
kedi
nandcl
osedt
hedoort
henherphoner
ang.
..

Aene:
Hel
l
o?

Osha:Hiaunt
ie,canicomesleepatyourhouse?I
'm goi
ng
thr
oughsomet hi
ng.Ihadaf
ightwithLil
oandPinkbutIalsodon'
t
wantMamat of i
ndmeherebecausei haveafeel
i
ngshemi ght
beatmetoo..

Aene:
Whatdi
dyoudo?

Osha:
Ihadsexwi
thDer
ri
ck

Aene:
Der
ri
cky
ouruncl
e?

Osha:
Eemma.

Aene:Ok,youcancomesl
eepont
hecouchunt
ily
ou'
vesor
ted
yourdi
ff
erencewit
hyourmom.

Osha:
Comegetme,
myhai
risamessandi
lostat
oot
h.

Aene:
Ok.By
e..

Shehungupandsi
ghedl
ooki
ngatCar
l.
..

Aene:Mynieceareokopagor
obal
akwano,
theyhav
e
misunder
standi
ngs.

Car
l:Youhav
eani
ece?
Aene:(l
aughed)Yes,
thedaught
ert
othel
adywhoexposedmeon
facebook.

Carl
:You'
reverysweet.
..Idon'tt
hinkI'
m achri
sti
anenough
becauset
herearethi
ngsi justwouldn'
tfor
giv
e..Whatift
hisl
ady
snapsatyouforgett
ingherdaught er
?Shedoesn'tseem t
oli
ke
youverymuch.

Aene:
I'
mjusthel
ping.

Car
l:Let
'sgo,
I'
ll
dri
ve.
..

Hehel
dherhandandt
heywal
kedout
..
.

AtMar
u'shouse.
..

LateronDer
ri
ckcl
i
ckedonhi
sphonewhi
l
ewai
ti
ngf
ort
hegat
eto
sl
ideopen.
..

Li
lo:
(vi
deoofthem beat
ingOsha)Resul
tofdr
ivi
ngourmot
her
cr
azy.Onedown,onemor et
ogo".

Hewat chedthevi
deothenhepressedt
hebut
toncl
osingthegat
e
andreversed.Het
urnedthecarar
oundanddr
oveoffdial
l
inga
col
league..
Hi
m:Yeahman

Derr
ick:Yeaht
hemonnakopagor
obal
aonyourcouchfort
he
ni
ght.Ij
ustwantt
ogetawayfr
om t
hedr
amaathomef ora
minute.

Him:Sur
e.I
'
m atmybabymama'
shouse,
passbyandgetmy
keys.

Der
ri
ck:
Sur
e.

Hehungupanddr
oveof
f.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

LateronAt
sil
epar
kedt
hecarandst
eppedoutt
alki
ngt
othe
phone..
.

Atsil
e:Youcandowhateveryouwantaker
eev
ery
thi
ngi
s
controll
edbyyou.Youdeci
dewhocanbehappyandwhocango
tojai
l.

Apula:
SoDerr
ickshoul
dgetawaywi
thhur
ti
ngMar
uandt
aki
ng
advant
ageofachil
d?

At
sil
e:Mar
uwi
l
ldeal
wit
hhi
m whenshei
sfi
tandmay
bei
t'
s
becauset omeOshashoul dhaveknownbet terbutthenIcan' t
sayany mor e.Youknowt haty ouhat eitwhenpeopl edon' tagree
withyou, Idon' twanttobet hemi ssperfectandgetcr ucif
iedfor
notagreei ngwi thyou.Maket hedeci si
onsbyy ourself
.Iwon' tsay
anythi
ng.Sendhi mtojailandhugOshasi nceshewast aken
advantageof ..
.myonlypr oblem isthatyoudon' tseewr ongin
whatOshadi dsot akeherf orcounsel l
i
ng.I'v
ebeensexual l
y
abused...May benotbyourf atherbutRamodal awasol derthan
ourfather...Ididn'
tgoar oundsl eepingwi t
hmyuncl es...But
may beIdon' tknowany t
hi ng..
.askRont oaccepthersoy oucan
keepaney eonherwhi leshei siny ourhousesi nceshei sso
young.

Apul a:Youjusthateher ,
iknowwhyshei sdoingthis.Sheisjust
l
ooki ngforattent
ion.Ifonlyyouunderst
oodt hatshewas
traumat i
sed.Sheneedsl ovenothate,I'
vealr
eadyscol dedher
nowi t
'sti
mef orustol oveherandbeclosertoher .Wehav eto
forgiveherbutI'l
lneverforgiv
eDerri
ckbecausehei solder.I'
m
takinghert othepoli
cest ati
onkeyagobul acasey adef i
lement.

Atsi
l
e:Ok,whateverdeci
sionyoutakei
sgood.Kengwanawa
gagoanyways.Ihopeyou'ret
aki
ngcareofthatbabyi
nsi
dey
ou
whil
eyou'
relet
tingOsha'
snonsensestressyou.

Apul
a:By
e..

Shehungupandwal kedinthehousethensheheadedt
oher
room,shewasn'
ttherethenshedial
l
edher.
Osha:
Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Wher
ear
eyou?

Osha:
AtAuntieAene,
iwantt
ostayher
ef oraf
ewday s.Li
l
oand
Pi
nkharassedmebutaunt
iet
ookmet othehospi
tal
andI '
mfi
ne.

Apul
a:Comebackher
e,wehav
eacaset
oopen.

Osha: Idon'twanttoopenacaseandt rendonsocialmedi aand

newspaper s.Don'tr
uinmyl i
febecausei wanttostartoverin
univ
ersitywi t
houtbeingfamousf orsleepingwithmyuncl e.I'
m
sayi
ngt hiswi t
hallt
her espectinthi
swor ld.Pl
easedon'truinmy
l
ifewiththis.I'
vepaidenough, boLilobampedi t
seandy ou
i
nsultedmeandr emindedmeI 'm notyourchil
d.It
'senough, I
'
m
sorr
y.Ijustwantt oputal l
thesebehindme.

Shecutthecall
,Apul
atri
edt
ocall
andt
henumberwas
unav
ail
ablethenshedial
l
edAene.

Aene:
Hel
l
o?

Apula:Aeneont waet
swakeeng?Whywoul dy oucomet omy
houseandgetmydaught erwi
thoutmyper mi ssion?Whyar eyou
gett
inginvol
vedintheissuesyouknownot hingabout ?Busa
mothoy oo,br
ingherbackbeforeyousayi hat ey ou.Invi
ti
ngyou
toourgettogetherdi
dn'tmeanthatnowy oucani nt
erfer
e.Idon'
t
wanttosayany morebecauseot sogaorekedi puo...Busa
ngwanay ookebat agomoi sapoli
ce.I
'
m gi v
ingy ouexact l
y15
mi
nut
est
oret
urnher
.Lebat
agont
seny
ast
ressnaar
e.

Apul
acutt
hecal
landl
ookedatt
het
ime.
.

Apul
a:Nxl
a!

Shetookadeepbr
eat
hasaper
iodpai
nli
kest
ruckbel
l
owher
abdomen.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#168

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Oshawat chedasCarlreachedacr
ossandhel
dAene'
shandto
cheerherup,herubbedherbumpandputhishandonhert
high.
..

Car
l:Don'
tl
ett
hisr
uiny
ourev
eni
ng.
..

Aene:(sighed)Ithoughtshe'dbehappysheiswithme.Il
it
eral
ly
sai
dI'l
lstopf or
cingmy selfonpeopl
eandturnedarounddoi
ngthe
opposi
t e,nowshesai dthingsiwon'
tevengetoverforawhi
le.
Hadi j
ustr ef
usedt ogetinvol
vedIwouldbehappyinmyhouse.

Carl
:Youwouldn'tbe,you'
dwonderwhati fyourniecet
hisand
that
..
.Butnowy ouknowy oushouldn'
tbei nv
olved.Gointher
e
andapologi
seforacceptingherdaughterthenwego, i
know
somethi
ngthatwi l
lcheery ouup.
..(smi
led)Itwil
lmakey ousmil
e.

Shesmil
edasheleanedov
erandki
ssedher
,Oshast
eppedout
andcl
osedthedoor
.

Osha:
Gosi
ame
Car
l:By
e

Aenewal
kedwi
thhert
owar
dst
hehouse.
..

Osha:I'
m sor
ry,idi
dn'
tmeantogety oui
ntroubl
e.Iwanted
somewher et
obeunt i
lmamacool sdownbutatthesamet imei
di
dn'twantfr
iendsbecauseiwantthi
stobeasecret.Fr
iends
gossipandiknowaf amil
ycankeepasecret.

Aene:Somef amil
ymemberswon'tkeepy oursecr
ets.Igetyour
pointbutbl
oodisn'
tal
way
sthicker
,ithasn'tal
waysbeent hi
cker
forme.

Osha:
Idi
dn'
twantt
obr
ingar
gument
s.

Aene:
It'
sok.
.

Oshaopenedt
hedoorandwal
kedinasAenefoll
owedher,Osha
headedt
oherroom whi
l
eAenesatonthecouchlooki
ngatApul
a.

Aene: IhopeI '

m ontime..
.I'
m sorryfort akingherin.You'reri
ghti
shouldn'thavebeeni nvol
ved,myonl yr easonf orlett
ingherinis
becausei knowt eenagersaresuicidal.Thi si
ssuesoundedt oo
bigtoignoreandi t
houghtit'
sbestshei swi t
hf amilythanbeing
outtherepr obablygett
ingthewor stadv icefrom fri
endsorpeer
pressure,etc.Thatdoesn'texcusemybehav iour,
i waswr ongto
getinvolvedbecauseasy ousayyoui nv iti
ngmet oy ourget-
togetherwithyoursi
ster
sdidn'
tmeani shoul
dbeinvol
ved,butI
wishy oucouldhaveusedpolit
ewor dstoaddressme,negosa
thokegegor eoomane.Itdoesn'tcostyouathingt
oaddressme
poli
tely.Idon'
tknowwhyy oudon'trespectme.

Apula:Youdonothav et
herightt
ocomet omyhouseandt
ake
mydaught erAene.I
'
mt r
yingtosolv
eser
iousi
ssueswenao
thakat
hakanalenna.

Aene: Andiapologiseforthat.I
'
m nott
ryi
ngtogeti
ntoan
argumentwi thyou.I'
mj ustsayi
ngther
ewasapolit
ewayof
sayingitbecauseyou'vehurtmeonkgomol ahel
ali
keI'
m achi
l
d
evengi v
ingmet ime.

Apul
a:St
opget
ti
nginvol
vedint
hingst
hatdon'tconcerny
ou.
Ekar
eotaant
apakeinvi
tat
ioneoneyagettogether.

Aenet
ookadeepbreat
hlooki
ngatherandsi
ghedt
henshest
ood
upandwal
kedout
.

Apulastoodupandwalkedt
owardsOsha'
sroom whereshe
knockedandwalkedi
n,shef
rownedlooki
ngatherswoll
enl
ipand
brushcut.
.

Apul
a:Whathappenedt
oyou?

Osha:
Not
hing.
..
Shet
ookoutprescr
ibedpil
l
sanddr
unkwi
thabot
tl
eofwat
ert
hen
shel
aiddownasApulastoodby
.

Apul
a:Iwi
l
lnott
oler
atet
hisat
ti
tude,
notaf
terwhaty
oudi
d.

Osha:
MamaIdon'
twanttorepor
tany
one.I
'
mjustl
ooki
ng
for
wardt
ogoi
ngtoschool
.

Apul
a:Whydi
dyoucuty
ourhai
r?

Osha:Itol
dyoui wasfi
ght
ingwi
thLi
loandPi
nk.Theyused
sci
ssorsbutif
ixeditwi
ththemachi
ne.

Apul
a:Ar
ethesegi
rl
str
yingmypat
ience.
..

Osha:
Justgotobed,y
oubeenst
andi
ngal
lday
.Ij
ustwantt
hist
o
endwit
houtanynoi
se.

Apula:Getdressed.I'
m notletti
ngDerri
ckgetawaywi t
ht his.Alot
ofmengetawaywi t
hsleepingwi t
hyoungergirlsknowingt hat
theywon'tbereportedgot wethey'
rebreadwinners.Derr
icki snot
getti
ngawaywi thacr i
me, notaslongasI '
m aliv
e.Yourown
mot herwasdefil
edandt hefamil
ykeptquiet.
..Shegotpr egnant
at14andhadami scarr
iage,shewentthroughhel lwi
thy our
fatherandnobodyst oodupf orher.I
'
m notgoi ngtoletthis
generati
onalcursecarryon.

Osha: I
t'
sreall
ysadt haty
out hi
nkiwasabused.LeeneRamodal a
nowt hatI'
m olderandknowi tcoul
dhavebeenwor seiconsi
der
my sel
flucky.Therearechil
drenwhowerepenetratedandreal
ly
i
njuredbyr ape.
..Iwasabusedbutit'
snotthatdeep.Pl
easeleti
t
rest,I
'm notar apev i
ctimi bi
leilostmyv ir
ginit
ybychoi cewitha
mani l
ikedandconsi derthebestper sontot akeit.Justbecause
youlosty ourvirgini
tyat20doesn' tmeant herestofushav eto
foll
owt hat.Virgini
tyisover r
ated..
.Peoplenev erev enmar ryt
heir
vir
ginit
ybr eakerslewenagaoi tsewagagokoat samay angteng
andhedi dn'
tmar r
yyou.It'
sj ustsexmama. .
.It'
sjustor gans
rubbingeachot herli
keshaki nghands, nothi
ngspeci al.Leaveme
alonewi thcases, youjustwantt oembar rassme.

Apul
a:Soyou'r
etal
kingbackatmenowt
haty
ouhav
etast
edsex?
Thi
sishowy outal
ktomePear l
?

Osha:You'
rerui
ningmylif
enotevery
onecanbehappyt osend
someonetopr i
son.
..Kewenahelawhogetspeacefrom doi
ng
that
.Iwoul
dn'tli
vewithmysel
fknowingIdi
dthattohim ormy
aunt.I
twouldbefairi
fsheist
heonedoingitesengwenamama.

Apula:
IfDerr
icksentyoutochangemymi ndheiswrong.Get
dr
essedifyoustil
lwanttoli
veinthi
shouseorenjoymymonthly
al
lowance.

Osha: I
'
mt i
redmama.Ihaveaheadacheandidon'twantpeopl
e
knowingthatIwentt
othelodget
omeetmyuncl e.Thi
sis
embar r
assi
ngformebecauseIwasn'
trapedandpeoplearegoi
ng
tolabelmegootwekerat
abanna.

Apul
a:Getdr
essed.

Oshagotupandpul
l
edoutherclothesthenshegotdressed,
Apul
awalkedi
nherroom andgotdressed.Shest
il
lhadcramps
belowtheabdomenandshegrabbedaboxofpai nkil
l
ersand
drunkt
hensheheardthemai
ndoorcl ose.Shewalkedoutand
openedasOshawalkedoutt
hegat eandslidi
tcl
osing.

Apul
a:Osha?
!

Shewalkedbackandtr
iedtocal lbutherphonewasoff
,shegot
i
nthecaranddroveoutlookingforheront hesi
deoft
heroad.
Aft
ersearchi
ngforaf
ewmi nutesshedrovet ot
hepol
i
cestati
on.
..

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..

Minut
eslat
ert
hepoliceof
fi
cert
ookaseatandputt
hest
amp
asi
delooki
ngather
..
.

Hi
m:Thankf
orwai
ti
ng.
..Mayi
hel
p?

Apula:
Yes.I'
m her
etorepor
tacaseofdefi
lementbet
weenmy
daughterwhois17andmybr ot
heri
nlaw.

Shecarri
edongi
vi
ngherst
atementast
heof
fi
cerl
i
stened
att
ent
ivel
y..
.
AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronRonparkedi
nf r
ontofthehouseandknockedonthe
doorbutther
ewasnoresponsethenhewalkedbacktot
hecar
di
all
ingher.
.

Apul
a:I
'
m att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.Tal
klat
er

Ron:
I'
vebeent
ryi
ngy
oual
lday
.Whathappened?Ar
eyouOK?

Apul
a:Myni
ecewasdef
il
ed.Wi
l
ltal
klat
er.

Shecutt
hecal
l
,hesi
ghedandgoti
nthecart
henhedr
oveof
f.

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..

Apul
a:Sor
ryaboutt
hat
..
.Soy
ouwi
l
llookf
orherr
ight
?

Of
fi
cer
:Shej
ustwal
kedoutwi
thabag?

Apul
a:Yes.
..Weki
ndofar
guedbutt
henshel
eft
.Itwasn'
tabi
g
ar
gument.

Officer
:Wewi ll
searchforherandaskforpubl
i
cassistancei
f
needbei ng.I
sthereanyonewhocant est
if
y?Thecourtworkswi
th
evidenceandifsheleftshelef
twit
hhisDNAunl esssheis
pregnantthenthatchi
ldcanbeev i
dence.
Apul
a:Mysi
steri
stheonl
yonewhowitnessedt
hesexbutshei
s
i
nthehospi
tal
.Shewoul
dn'
tmindt
otesti
fyassoonasshegets
bet
ter
.

Offi
cer
:Ok,anywaydon'tworry.Wehav eway sofgett
ingt
hetrut
h.
Hernotcooperati
ngwon'tstopt hecasebecauseasofnowshe
can'
tconsenttosex.Wewi l
lbringinDerr
ickforquest
ioni
ng.
Abouthercousinsassaul
ti
ngher -

Apul
a:Leavethatone,i
wanttodealwi
tht
hisbecausehei
san
adul
t.Thosegir
lsicanhandl
eathome.

Of
fi
cer
:Ok.
..
..

Sher
ecei
vedamessagef
rom Ronandr
eadi
t.
.

Ron:
Whendoy ouhav
etimeforus?I
tsal
way
swor
kory
our
fami
ly
.Whataboutmeandthebaby?

Apul
a:Iwaswi
thy
oul
astni
ght
.

Ron:Youf
ell
asl
eep30mi
nut
esaf
terar
ri
vi
ng.Ar
eyounotdone?
Kant
ewareodir
ang?

Apula:
Derr
ickdefi
l
edOshaandsheranawayf
rom home.My
si
steri
sinthehospit
all
osi
nghermi
nd.

Ron:
Youshoul
djustbesingl
eandtakecar
eofy ourf
amil
y
member
s.Youjustcan'
tconcent
rat
eonbuil
dingthi
sfami
ly.

Apul
a:Soi
shoul
dignor
ethi
sandr
unaf
tery
ou?
Ron:Notrunafterme,payalit
tl
eatt
enti
onandspendt i
mewi th
mesowecant rycomingupwi t
hbabynamesorsomet hi
ngtotry
bui
ldi
ngthis.I
t'
salwaysworkandyourfamil
y ,
neveraboutus.
Whenarey ougoingtounderst
andthatyou'
resupposedtocutthe
cor
d?Notabandont hem butyoucan'
tsaveeveryone.

Atsil
e:Myfamilywi
l
l al
way scomefi
rst,excusemeifthat
'stoo
mucht ograsp.Myfamilycomesfi
rst,
Iwoul dn'
twanttoputyou
fi
rstonl
yforyoutobetraymeoneday .

Ron:Sowhatthefuckar
ewedoingmaki ngababyt
oget
heri
fwe
arenotafamil
y?SothebabyandIwill
alway
scomesecondaft
er
yourfami
l
y ?Youknowwhat-
Goodnight.

Apul
a:Ineedy
out
ogi
vemet
imet
odeal
wit
hthi
s.

Her
eadhermessageandgotof
fl
inet
henshesi
ghedandf
aced
t
heoff
icer
..

Of
fi
cer
:Ok,
wear
edone.

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.
..

Laterthatni
ghtj
ustbefor
emi
dni
ghtshewal
kedoutoft
hepol
i
ce
stati
ondiall
i
ngAtsi
le.
..

At
sil
e:(
Sleepy
)Hel
l
o?
Apul
a:Imanagedtor
epor
tDer
ri
ckbutOshar
anaway
.Idon'
t
knowwheresheis

At
sil
e:Ok.

Apul
a:IknowI
'm doi
ngther
ightt
hing.Thi
smant
ookadv
ant
age
ofachi
ldandhedeserv
estobeinjai
l.

At
sil
e:Ok

Apul
a:I
'
m goi
nghome,
mybodyi
sachi
ngandI
'
vebeenwal
ki
ngal
l
day.

At
sil
e:Ok

Shehungupanddi
all
edOt
lheasshedr
oveof
f.
..

Ot
lhe:
Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Imanagedt
orepor
t

Otl
he:Ontsoset
sadiodisel
etsagaMaoshalenewena?Doy ou
knowthatbefor
ei sl
eepithi
nkaboutever
ythi
ngiwishihadthenI
getst
ressedbecauseihavenothi
ngnotevenaboyfri
endtowar m
mybed?Falli
ngasleepishardwenakanaohumilegaonastress.

Shecutt
hecal
landsi
gheddr
ivi
ngof
f.
..

SI
XMONTHSLATER.
..
..
..
MyKi
ndofMan

#169

I
nGabor
oneci
ty.
..

Sedi
sloweddownatt
henewt
woandhal
fhouse.Pi
nkandLi
l
o
st
eppedout.
..

Sedi:
TodayI
'
m goi
ngt
oMaun,
I'
ll
bet
aki
ngBobot
oseey
our
fat
her.

Pi
nk:
Ok.
.

Sedi'
sphoner angassheandthegir
lswalkedint
hehouse,
she
smiledlooki
ngathersist
erasshewalkedbetweent
helong
bui
ldingswit
habusycr owdbehindher.
..

Sedi
:Heyy
ou

Lana:
Hey
..Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

Sedi
:I'
mfi
ndi
ngt
hesegi
rl
sahouse

Lana:(
laughed)Soy
ou'
reser
iousy
ou'
renotst
ayi
ngwi
tht
hem i
n
yourhouse.
.
Sedi:I
'm notgoingtostaylemakgar ebe.
.Batogabar obalale
monnawame. .
.Myr ul
eisthatundernocircumstanceswi l
lmy
husbandandIst aywit
hanot herwoman.Idon'twantrelati
ves
stayi
ngher e.
..Theycanv i
sitovertheweekendbutnotst ayi
ng
here,Er
icat senamot oil
etgaat swagotsenaLil
o?Noway sGake
batebabonadi benetsamonnawame.

Thegi
rl
slaughedather
..
.

Li
l
o:Wedon'
tsl
eepwi
thol
dmen.
..

Pink:(
laughedandmoaned)Uncl
eEr
icuseme.
..Takemyv
irgi
nit
y
uncle.
.

Sedi:
( l
aughed)Pinkythat
'snotf
unny .
.They'r
elaughingatme
whenIsayIdon' tstaywit
hmakgar ebe...
Ver
ysoont heywil
lbe
thi
nkingthey'
recrushingonthei
runcleandy ouknowmen.Seei ng
sexygirl
severydayhemi ghtgettoofriendl
yleboneseducing
them withmoney .Kanaaooneist herootofallev
il
.

Li
l
o:Aunt
ieweei
fagi
rlwant
stosl
eepwi
thy
ourhubbyshewi
l
l.

Sedi
:Itwon'
thappeninmyhouse.Youtwowon'tdoi
tinmy
house.Gapemakgarebeamoody..
.Idon'
twanttobe
di
srespect
ed.

Li
l
o:(
laughed)NnabathokemoodywhenI'
m onmyper
iod.
Mamausedt ogetangryatmear
ekeatsogel
wa.

Lana:
(laughed)Mar
u'schi
l
drenar
ever
ynoi
sybat
hong.
Li
l
oandPi
nkl
eanedov
erl
ooki
ngatt
hebackgr
ound.
..

Pi
nk:
Aunt
ieweeshowmewher
eyou'
re.
.

Lal
atur
nedt
hecamer
ashowi
nghert
heci
tyasshegoti
nthecar
..
.

Li
lo:
Wow, i
t'
ssobeaut
if
ul.Ir
eall
ywantt
otravel
andstudy
somethi
ngthatwi
l
lmakemet ravel
toev
eryconti
nent
.

Lana:Youwon'tbedoingt hati
fyou'r
ebeat
ingupy ourcousi
n
ever
ychancey ouget.Trustmehav i
ngacri
mi nal
recordwill
get
yourej
ected.Stopbull
yi
ngt hatOsha.

Li
l
o:Wedi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngaf
terser
ving30day
sforassaul
tthe
mma.

Lana:Wemi ghtnothav
eproofbutweknowi
t'
syouwhokeeps
posti
ngheronsocialmedi
asay i
ngshei
ssel
l
ingher
sel
f.Shepai
d
forhermi
stake.Focusonschool.

Pink:Eversincet he30dayj ai
lti
mei haven'tdoneany thi
ngtoher.
Igossipandt elleveryonewhatshedi dandi knowt hat'
snot
defamationofchar acterbecauseit'
sthetruth.Everyonethi
nksof
herasav ictim butshedest r
oyedaf amil
yatherage, whyisi
tthat
whena17y earoldkill
ssomeonet hey'r
ehel dresponsibl
ebut
whenshesl eepsar oundsomeonehast opayf orheracti
ons.My
fatherdi
dn'trapeher ,theybothdeservepunishmentbutshe
walkedoutunt
ouchedbecauseshehasar i
chmot
herwhowill
go
thr
ougheveryhooptodest
royotherpeopl
e'
sfami
l
yjustsoshe
canbetheonlyhappyone.

Sedi
:Idon'
twantt
ogeti
ntot
hat
.Bot
tom l
i
ne?Twoandhal
f.
..

Ev
ery
onel
aughedasshepoi
ntedt
othehouse.
..

Lana:Sedi
ihavetogogett
heki
dsfr
om school
.Pl
easecheckon
hubbywhenyoutakeBobot
oseehi
sfat
her.

Sedi
:Iwi
l
l,by
e

Lana:
bye

Shehungupandsmi
l
edatt
hel
andl
ordasshewal
kedov
er.
..

Sedi
:Hi,
ijustcamet
oconf
ir
mift
hehousei
sOKsot
hegi
rl
scan
movein.

Landl
ord:
Eemma.
..
feel
freet
olookar
ound.

Theyinspect
edt
hehouseandpai
dbef
oredr
ivi
ngof
fwi
tht
he
keys.
..
Atschool
..
.

Oshawal kedpastagroupofst
udentssitt
ingbythecafeteri
a
eat
ing,assoonast heysawhertheothercoveredhermout h
whisperi
ngtotheother,t
heyl
eanedov ert
alki
ngandbur stout
l
aughingasshewal kedpastt
hem.

Nowt hatshefel
tlikeev ery
onewasstar
ing,walki
ngwashar dand
shefeltl
ikeatoddlerlearni
nghowtowalk.Twoot hergi
rl
slooked
atherasshewal kedpastt hem.Sheputherheadphonesonand
walkedoutthegatet henshegotinacombi .
..

AtNi
ni'
shouse.
..

Minutesl
atershewalkedt
owardsthehouseandknockedbef
ore
comingin,
Ninipauseddust
ingthecouchandsmil
ed.

Ni
ni:
Hi

Oshasatont
hecouchandsi
ghed.
..

Osha:
Ifeel
li
keev
ery
onei
stal
ki
ngaboutmeatschool
.Hav
ing
someonewhoistooinvol
vedi
nyourli
fel
i
keApul
aisdepr
essi
ng
i
bil
eifshel
eftmealoneli
keAt
sil
eI'
dbebett
erof
f.

Ninist
oodther
elooki
ngathert
hensheputdownt
hecushi
onand
satnextt
oher.
.

Nini:Iknowt haty ou' regoi ngt hroughast agef ullofhor mones

andconf usionbuti ft herei sany onewhol ovesusi smama.That
womansacr i
ficedev erythingshehasf orust obeher e.Shei s
roughbecauset hat'swhati ttakest or aiseagi rlnowaday s.
..I
camef rom t hescant odayandi tsay sI '
m carryingagi rl.Isweari f
any onesl eepswi thherbef oreshet urns18I '
m sendi ngt hem
straighttoj ail
.Itdoesn' tmat terifits9,15or17asl ongasi ts
under18I 'mr epor ti
ngt hem.Ther easont herear esomanyy oung
girl
sf all
ingpr egnanti sbecauseany onewhor epor t
sdef i
lement
becomest hev il
lainoft hatt ragicst ory.Mamadi dwhatanygood
mot herwoul ddo, idon' tcar ei fyouhadacr ushonhi m heshoul d
hav eknownbet ter.Hei st headul tandhei smar r
ied..
.
Tempt ati
onsar ecost lyandy esOshay oualsohav etopayf or
breakingAunt i
e'shome. ..Youhadt her esponsibili
tytor efuse. .
.
It
'sbet tertober apedt hant osneakar oundwi thy ouruncl eibileif
hewasanexI '
dunder standwher ey ourargumenti s.Ihadacr ush
onTumowaybef oremamast artedsleepingwi thhi m, andhehad
acr ushonmet oo.Hedi dn' tmakemov esonmeatt het i
mebut
wewer ef eelingeachot her .Ri ghtaf t
ermamaammat aheki ndof
stoppedandav oidedmet henheact edl i
kewewer en'tcrushing
oneachot her.Itwaspai nf ulbuti hadt orespectt hatmamat ook
him soidon'tunderst
andwhyy oucouldn'
tj
ustadmir
eunclefr
om
adistanceinsteadofgoingall
theway.You'r
eacti
ngli
keabrat
nowcal l
ingmamaAt si
le..
.Wegrewupcalli
nghermamai bi
l
eit
feel
sawkwar dsay i
ngAt si
lewhylel
emelagagolesaswabegore
Atsi
le?

Osha'
sey
esf
il
ledwi
tht
ear
sassher
ubbedt
hem.
.

Osha:
I'
mjustst
ressedbecausei
tsbeenmont
hsandt
hisi
ssuei
s
ongoi
ng.

Nini
:Hewassent encedlastweeksoofcourseitssti
llfr
eshand
peopl
ewi l
ltal
k.ButI'
m happyhehasbeenjail
ed..Whenhecomes
outaft
er10y ear
shewi l
lbeabetteruncl
etoallhisnieces.Byt
he
waydon'tcomeov erthi
sweekend..I
'l
lbehavi
ngav isit
or.

Osha:
Yourbabydaddy
?

Ni
ni:
Yeah

Osha:
Whyar
eyouhi
dinghi
m?Doy
out
hinkI
'
llsl
eepwi
thhi
m?

Ni
ni:
No,
ijustpr
efert
obepr
ivat
e

Osha:
Sowhenar eyougoingtotel
lmamathatyou'
repr
egnant
?
Kanayou'
rel
eftwi
th2mont hstobir
thandy
ou'l
lobvi
ousl
yneed
mamagobay abotset
si.

Ni
ni:
I'
ll
figur
eoutwhatt
odo.Ineedal
i
ttl
ebi
toft
ime.

Osha:
Ok.
..
.
Osha'
sphoner
angt
henshepi
ckedl
ooki
ngatunf
ami
l
iarnumber
..

Osha:
Hel
l
o?

Ron:
Hi,
howar
eyou?

Osha:
I'
mfi
ne

Ron:I'
mj ustchecki
ngony ou.Isti
l
lcan'
tgetoverhowyoucried
duri
ngt hetr
ialandsentenci
ng.Ihopeyou'
redoingfi
ne.
..I
t'
snot
yourfault
.Youwer eunderage.
.

Osha:
I'
mfi
ne,
igetst
aredatschool
butI
'
mfi
ne.

Ron:
Alr
ight
.Itwi
l
lbl
owof
fdon'
tl
eti
taf
fecty
ourschool
.

Osha:
Ok,
cani
tal
ktomama?Ineedext
ramoneyf
ort
ranspor
t.

Ron:
I'
m notwi
thherbutI
'
llsendi
t.Howmuchdoy
ouneed?

Osha:
P200.

Ron:
I'
ll
sendi
tshor
tl
y.That
'smynumbersav
eit
.

Osha:
Ok

Ron:
Bye

ShehungupandputdownthephonewasNi
nibl
ushedt
alki
ngt
o
thephoner
ubbi
ngherbump..
.
AtApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..
.

LateronApulasatonthechai
randsippedherj
uicebef
oreput
ti
ng
herhandov erherbi
gbumpast hebabyki
cked.
..Sheputdown
theglassanddiall
edSedi
..
.

Sedi
:Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Hi,I
'
m goingtocheckonMaruatthehospi
tal
inLobat
se,
canipassbyyouinGaboroneandseeBobo?AndIwanttoget
himt
hesecomi ngholi
days.

Sedi
:Tal
ktoEr
icpl
ease

Apul
a:Buty
ou'
ret
hewi
fe

Sedi:Apul
aweetal
ktoEric,
heistheonewhom Derri
ckgavethe
responsi
bil
i
tyt
otakecareofhisson.Asthewif
eI'
m onl
yhelpi
ng
myhusbandkacaretaki
ngpleasedon'ti
nvol
vemeinyourf
ami l
y
drama.

Apula:YouknowEr i
cdoesn'
ttal
ktome,whatyoupeopl
eneedto
understandusthatBoboismynephewtoo.
..Heisourf
amil
yand
weneedt oseehi
m.Itsbeenmonthssi
nceailekoo.Wear
e
supposedt oatl
eastshar
ehim.

Sedi:
Mosadi wamodimot al
ktotheuncleofthi
schil
dorthe
fat
herift
hemot heri
snotinacondit
iontospeak.Obatakereng
ne?Stopcall
i
ngme.Idon'tyouposti
ngmeonsoci almedia
sayi
ngI'mrefusi
ngwithy
ournephew...Leav
emeal oneandtal
k
t
oEr
ic.Abooi
mphet
hel
ahaobonaor
iana.

Apul
a:Ot
habol
ogamaswemokobakewena

Sedi
:(l
aughed)Haveagooddaysweeti
e,y ou'
renotgoi
ngt
ospoi
l
myday.Iwon'tev
enst oopdownt
oyourlev el
.Lehaobonawena
osamponekasepej aanannakei
tot
agor e.

Sedi cutthecall
,shesighedanddi
all
edEricbuthernumber
couldn'tgothrough.Therewasaknockont hedoorbefor
eTumo
steppedi nandsmi l
edinhisfor
malwear.
..Apulasmil
ed
surprised.
.

Tumo:
Hey
..
.

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)

Hepul
l
edthechai
randsatdownputt
inghisf
ootoverhi
sknees
ashel
ookedar
ound,hepi
ckedherpi
ctur
ewithRonandsmiled.
.

Tumo:
I'
m happyf
ory
ou.
.

Apul
a:Thanks.
.Howar
eyou?

Tumo:
I'
m good,
I'
m gr
eatact
ual
l
y..
.Ibr
oughtt
his.
.

Handedhert
hel
ett
ert
hensheopenedi
tandr
eadt
henot
iceof
r
esi
gnat
ion.
.

Tumo: If
oundsomethi
ngbet
teri
nGabor
one,
I'
ll
bel
eav
ingaf
ter
ser
vingmynotice.

Apul
alookedatherwi
thal
ongf
ace.
..

Apul
a:Wasi
pay
ingt
ool
ow?

Tumo:No,you'
reagreatbossbutineedsomet
hingserious.I
'
m
expect
ingachi
ldsoit
'sti
met omanupandhustleharderandy ou
knowGaboroneist
hecityofoppor
tunit
ies.

Apul
a:Oh.
..Idi
dn'
tknowy
ouhav
eagi
rl
fr
iend

Tumo: I
'
veleantbettert
hantoparademyrelat
ionshi
ponsocial
media.TheonlypersonI'
m goi
ngt oposti
smywi feanditwi
l
l be
ver
ysoon.I'
veinvestedthe10Kyougav emeandI '
m doi
nggood..
.

Apul
a:I
'
m gl
adwehadapeaceful
breakup.I
'
mj ustsadI'
mlosi
ng
agoodmanager
.Ihopet
hef
il
li
ngstati
onwon'tcoll
apse

Tumo:
Findagoodmanagerandy
ou'
l
lbeal
ri
ght
.

Apul
a:Al
ri
ght
.I'
l
lpr
epar
eyourpackaget
hen.

Tumo:
Thanky
ou.Hav
eagoodday
..

Apul
a:Yout
oo.
.
Hest
oodupasthedooropened,
RonlookedatTumoandal
most
i
mmediat
elyher
ecogni
sedhimfrom t
herumours.
.

Tumo:
Hel
l
o

Ron:
Hi

Hewalkedoutandcl
osedt
hedoor
,Ronl
eanedov
erki
ssi
ngher
andsatdown.

Ron:Wast
hinki
ngwecoul
dhav
eluncht
oget
her
..

Apula:(
lookedattheti
me)Uhyoushoul
dhav
ecal
l
ed2hour
sago.
Ischeduledlunchwi
thaninv
est
or.

Ron:
It'
sok.
.Iunder
stand.

Apul
a:Thanksf
orunder
standi
ng.

Ron:
Whataboutt
omor
row?

Apula:TomorrowI'
m goingtoLobat se.Iwantt
ocheckonMar u
thenI'l
lpassbyGaborone.Iwanttoseehowhersoni sdoi
ngand
i
ft hosepeoplear
etreati
nghim OK.I t
sbeenmont hssi
ncethey
tookhim andtheywon'tl
ethimv i
situssoIdon'tknowhis
conditi
on.

Ron:Ok..
.Sur
e..
.Ohi
call
edOshaear
li
erandcheckedonher
.She
askedforP200andigav
eherP500.
Apul
a:Del
etehernumber
.Idon'
twanty
out
alki
ngt
oher
.

Ron:Why?Ithoughtyousai
dIshoul
dputmor
eef
for
tint
o
accept
ingy
ourf amil
ydynamics.

Apul
a:Yeahbuti
didn'
tmeany oushoul
dhavesecret
conv
ersat
ionswi
thherandchatwit
hherevengiv
ehermoney
.

Ron:
Itwasn'
tasecr
etbutok.

Apul
a:Del
etei
tnow.

Het
ookouthi
sphoneanddel
etedhernumberandshowedher
..

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.
..

Ronl
ookedatherandsi
ghedl
eani
ngback.
.

Ron:Woul dyoumi ndusgoi ngf orcounsel

li
ng?If eelli
kemay be
webot hneedt ounder standwhatmar ri
ageisbefor ewej umpi nto
thi
s.May beyouneedunder st andwhatbeingawi femeansandi
needtounder standwhatbei ngahusbandmeans. .
.Ifeel li
keI '
ma
partti
mej obfory ou.Somet hingy ouseeafterdoingal lthe
i
mpor tantthi
ngs.If eelt
hesamewayabouty ouaswel l
...You
needabr eakf r
om t aki
ngcar eofev ery
oneanddoi ngev erything.
You'r
e7mont hspr egnantandi t'samiracl
et hatwe'reher e
thoughy oudidn'tobeythedoct orsor
dersaboutbedr est..Ifeel
l
ikey oushouldatleastputt hebabyfir
stifnotyou.Takethenext
3mont hsandstayhome, I'l
ltakecareofyou.Letmel oveyou..
.I
missbei nglovedt
oo. .
.Youal wayspostponegivingyour
self
attenti
on..Youoncediscussedav acat
ionandi don'
tknowhow
thatendedbutnowy ou'r
eheav i
l
ypregnantandy oushouldn'
tbe
goingupanddownl ikethis.

Apula:I
'
llt
akeal
eav
eofabsencenextmont
hthenwecangof
or
counsel
li
ng.

Ron:
(si
ghed)OK,
ihav
etogo.
.

Apul
a:By
e.

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedhert
henhewal
kedout
..
.

I
npr
ison.
..

Ki
ngsignedandt
urnedar
oundast
hesecur
it
yguar
dssear
ched
hi
m..
.

Guar
d:Goi
n

Ki
ng:
Thanky
ou.
.

Hewal
kedi
nandsatdown.Mi
nut
esl
aterMongawal
kedov
eri
n
hi
sjumpsuitandlockedeyeswit
hKing,
hewasthespit
ti
ng
i
magi neofLopang.
..Theyl
ookedsomuchsimil
ari
twasscary
j
ustlooki
nginhiseyes.Hetookadeepbreat
handsatdown.
..

Ki
ng:
Hi,
mynamei
sKi
ng.Thanksf
orseei
ngme.

Monga:
Howar
eyou?

Ki
ng:
I'
mfi
ne.
..
Howi
sMi
key
?

Monga:
Hei
sfi
nei
guess.
..Hei
swi
thhi
smot
herov
erseas.

King:
Idon'
tthi
nkhewoul
dremembermebutsomet
imesi
thi
nk
abouthi
m.Hewaslikeal
it
tl
ebrot
hert
ome.

Monga:
Iknow

King:
Idon'tknowwhathappenedbet weeny ouandmyf at
her ,
but
Ineedtoatleastseehi sbonessohecanhav eagrave.Pl
ease
givememyf ather'sremainssoicangivehim apr
operburi
al.I
l
ostmygr andmot herlastmonthandknowingwheresheisgav e
meclosure.Idream aboutmyf at
hereveryni
ghtanditbot
hersme.

Hel ookedinKing'sreddi
sheyesandsi ghed..
.Heknewhest i
ll
stoodachancei fhekeptdenyi
ngbutwoul dGodf or
givehimfor
hurti
ngt hi
sli
ttl
eboy ?Woulditvefai
rtowal kfreeafterki
ll
i
nga
manf oracri
menotwor t
hgetti
ngkil
ledf or
?Tel l
ingthetr
uth
woul dsealhisfateandputanendt othisdraggingcase..
.Butif
Godl et'
sithappenthensobei t
..
.
Monga: Idon'
tthi
nkyou'l
levergetyourfather
'sremains.It
hinkhe
waseat enbywilddogs.Iburi
edhim butthenwheni cameback
toexhumehi sbodywhilethepoli
ceweresear chingf
orhimi
coul
dn'tfi
ndhim.Hewasgoneandt her
ewer epawpr int
sall
over
..
.

Ki
ng:
Wher
edi
dyoubur
yhi
m?

Monga:
KoXhakaanar
e,i
t'
snearBor
o.

King:Canyouall
owmet oreportt
histothepol
i
cesot heycan
searchthatar
eaforhisremains?Ican'
tdoital
one.I
fi canat
l
eastgethisskul
l.Justsomethingtobury

Monga:Ok.I
'
llmakeaf
ull
confessi
onofwhathappenedt
hatni
ght
andevengoshowyouwherei
bur i
edhi
m.

Ki
ng:
Thanky
ou.

Hest
oodupandwal
kedawayasMonga'
shear
tpounded.
..

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..

Kingst
eppedoutofthetaxiandpaidthenhetur
nedtothetuck
shopandboughtfatcakesandsoup,hesatonthechai
randate
faci
ngthepol
i
cest at
ion.
..Hetookouthisphoneanddi
all
edhis
cousi
n..
.
Hi
m:Yeah

Ki
ng:Heconfessedandheisreadytoshowuswhereheburi
ed
hi
m.Mybiginsurancepayoutiscomingoutandoutoft
hat
moneyIwanttoputaTombst oneforhi
m.

Him:That'
sagoodidea.Themonnabuymemaof i
tnyanakadi
chenchi
.Kant
ehowl ongwil
lyoubegett
ingthi
smoney?Ifi
was
youIwouldn'
tbegoi
ngt oschool
nxwistr
u..

King:
It'
snotali
fet
imethingmonna,I'l
lcontinuegett
ingmonthl
y
paymentsthenwhenIturn18igetthef i
rstpayout,t
helastone
comesoutwhenI '
m 21.Iwantt
oinv esti
nr ealest
atebusi
ness
whenIturn18.I
nacoupl eofmonths.

Thetuckshopl
adywalkedoverwit
hthechangeandhandedi
t
overt
ohim,shepausedlooki
ngathim andf
rowned.
..

Her
:Doy
ouknowKagi
so?

Ki
ng:
Kagi
so?

Her
:Kagi
soDi
tshi
mol
ogo

Ki
ng:
No

Her
:Ao..
.Whydoyoulooksomuchl i
kehi
m?Ar
eyousur
e?
(
shout
edtoherdaught
er)Shal
eka?

Shal
eka:
Maa?
Shey
oungwomanwal
kedouthol
dingapot
atoandakni
fe.
.

Her
:Doesn'
thel
ookl
i
keRr
agweLol
o?

Shal
ekasmi
l
edsur
pri
sedandl
aughed.
..

Shal
eka:
Hei
..
.Theyl
ookal
i
ke.
.

Ki
ng:
Whoi
she?

Her:Ournextdoorneighbouri
nBoro.Hehasabi gvegetable
garden.Themotherofhischil
drensell
stheirv
eget
ablesatthe
mall,hejustl
i
kestostayatthegarden.Gatweotswaditoropong
gongwewamoi tse.Kebabahabaer engbataMaunabeba
ngaparel
amono.

Ki
ng:
Doy
ouhav
ehi
spi
ctur
e?

Her:
Wedon'thaveEngl
i
shphones.Hi
swomansel
l
sveget
abl
esi
n
f
rontofKFC.
..Lookf
orabl
uegazebo.

Ki
ng:
Bor
oisnearXhaka-
somet
hing

Her
:Ehet
hatsi
de.
..

Ki
ng:
Thanky
ou.

Heputt
hefatcakei
nthesoupandwi
pedhi
sfi
nger
sthenhe
wal
kedaway.
.
Att
hemal
l
...

Minuteslaterhesteppedoutoft hetaxi andl

ookedatal ongli
ne
ofladi
essel l
ingvegetabl
esthenhewal kedtowardstheblue
gazebo.Thel adysell
ingsnoredsitt
ingont hechairhol
dingababy
whohadf al
lenasleepbreast
feeding..

Ki
ng:
Hel
l
o?

Sheopenedhereyesandfr
ownedlooki
ngatKingt
hensheputher
breastbacki
nthebr
abeforel
ayi
ngthebabydown.

Ki
ng:
Cani
hav
eKagi
so'
snumber
?

Shel
ookedathi
m conf
used.
..

Her
:Ar
eyouKi
ng?

Ki
ng:
Youknowme?

Her
:No,
hej
ustment
ionedev
erynowandt
hen.
Shehandedhi
m herphonet
henhedi
all
edt
henumberashi
shear
t
pounded.
..

Lopang:
Hel
l
o?

Ki
ng:
..
.

Lopang:
Hel
l
o?Naar
enet
wor
ker
il
eng.
..Hel
l
o?.
.

Hehungupashi
shear
tpounded.
.

Her:Ifhei
sn'
tanswer
ingheispr
obabl
ywater
ingt
hegar
den.I
thoughthesai
dnobodyknowswherehei
snooneshoul
dknow
becausesomeoneistry
ingt
okil
lhi
m.

Ki
ng:
Iknow.
..
Ist
hishi
sson?Howmanychi
l
drendoy
ouhav
e?

Her
:3,
a9y
earol
d,a7y
earol
dandt
hisone.

Kingpi
ckedthebabyupandlookedathi
m bri
efl
ypl
ayi
ngwithhi
m
thenhegavehim back.
.Heopenedhi
swall
etandhandedher
P200.

Ki
ng:
I'
ll
cal
lhi
mlat
er.
Hewalkedi
nsi
dear
est
aur
antandsatdownt
hought
ful
l
ythenhe
di
all
edhim.

Lopang:
Hel
l
o?

Ki
ng:
Hel
l
o?

Lopang:
Eer
ra,
neobat
amor
ogo?

Ki
ng:
It'
sKi
ng.
..

Ther
ewassi
l
ence.
.

Ki
ng:
Why
?Why
?

Lopang:It'
salongstory.
.Icouldn'
tcomebackbecauseIwas
scar
edt heniwantedyout oli
veabet t
erli
fe.Ify
ouletthi
sout
you'
relosingy
ourinsurancemoney .Imissy ouandIwanttosee
youbuthowwoul di r
eachy ouwi t
houtspookinganyone?

Ki
ng:
Hei
sinj
ail

Lopang:
Iknow,
ifol
l
owt
henewsonr
adi
o..
.That
'swher
ehe
bel
ongs.

King:Hejustconf
essedt
obur
yingy
ou.Hesay
shei
sreadyt
o
confess.

Lopang:Gotothepol
i
ceandl
ett
hem heconf
essedt
omur
der
.
Wewi l
ltal
klat
er.
Kinghungupandsatther
ethought
ful
l
ythenhewal
kedoutand
tookataxi
tothepol
icest
ati
on..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#170

I
npr
ison.
..

Thel
awy
ersi
ghedandl
eanedback.
..

Lawy er:Aslongast hesepeopl edon'thav eabodyorany

evidencetyi
ngy outohi sdisappearanceot herthanawor dfr
om
anexwhosoundedst raightf
orwardbi tt
ertheyhavenot hi
ng.
You'reguil
tyofthreateningsomeone. ..I
t'
snotev enadeat ht
hreat
.
Iknowt helawandt hiscasewi l
lbedismi ssedforlackof
evidence.Theymusthav ebey ondreasonabl edoubt..
.DNAanda
bodyt hatprovesthi
smanhasn' tjustranof ffr
om his
responsibi
li
ties.

Monga:
Buti
knowwhati
did.
.

Lawyer
:Itdoesn'
tmat
terwhaty
oudi
d..Ev
idencei
sal
lthat
matt
ers.

Monga:Iwantt ogetitoffmychest ,and..

.Kingbreaksmyhear t.I
seemychi l
dreninhim.LopangandIhav esett
ledourdif
ferences
maybethenextl i
feisforourchil
dren.Ijustwantedtogetmyson
i
ntomyf amilynamesohecancar r
ymyl egacy.I
'v
edonet hatsoi
canhav
epeacenow.Lett hem hangmei t'
sok.I'
mt i
redofwaiting
bet
weent hesewalls..
.
Lawy
er:
Let
'sgoov
ert
hisagai
n..
.War
ewhathappened?

Monga: Wheni receiv edt heDNAr esul tsiwasj usthappyt obe

rightpl usLanahadal readybr oket hi ngswi thhi m soi knewI
stoodachanceandheknewt heset oo.SoIguesshegot
suspi ciousast owhyIhav emoneybutkesenaapr operj obsohe
didbackgr oundcheck.About2mont hsaf terther esulthecame
tomyhouseandt oldmeheknowsI 'm directingpor nandmaki ng
l
ot sofmoneyoutofi t.Hebasi cal l
yt oldmet ol eavet hingsas
they'reandst ayawayf r
om hi sfami l
y .
..Uhkanar ebuaka
ngwanake.Myonl ysonandhonest lythisguyal way s
under est imat edmesoi toldhimt of uckof f,het ookouthi sphone
anddi alledsuper i
orsoi grabbedaspadeandhi thi
m ont hehead.
Itwasn' tpremedi t
at edorany thing. .Ijustrespondedbyget tinga
spadeIhadbeenusi ngi nthegar den.It houghthewasf aki
ngi t
soIl ethi mlayt her ef orabout20mi nut estheni checkedhi m.He
didn'thav epul se..
.Ipani ckedandputhi mi nt heboott oget her
wi t
ht hemur derweapont henIdr ov etoBor oandwental lt
heway
i
nt her e...Idugashal l
owgr aveandputhi mi nt here..
.everything
aboutt hatar eawascr eepyandi hadseenel ephantt rackssoi
gotoutoft her e.Wheni camebackt oexhumet hebodyi twasn' t
therebutt her ewast heempt ygr av eekat elegileandi tseemed
l
ikeani mal shadbeent here.Ithinkhewaseat enbyani mal s

Lawy
er:
Wher
ewoul
dhi
sskel
etonbe?

Monga:
Idon'
tknow

Lawy
er:
Whati
fhei
snotev
endead?

Monga:
Iam 100%hei
sdead,
andi
fhewasn'
tdeadwheni
bur
ied
hi
m heshoul
dhavediedunder
ground.Whowoul
dsur
viv
ebei
ng
bur
iedal
iv
e?Heisdead.

Lawyer:Throughoutmyy ear
soflawandcr i
mi nalcasesI '
veseen
weir
dshi t
,peoplewakeupi nthemor guedoy ouknowt hat?
Someonewakesupf eeli
ngcoldfrom thoset r
ays.
..Ifthedoct or
doesn'
tdobopost mortem orwhat evershi
ttheydoi tcanhappen.
Ioncerepresentedaclientwhowokeupatt hemor gue...Ialso
repr
esentedacl i
entwhom t hedoct orl
eftsomesci ssorsand
needl
esinsideherdur i
ngsur ger
yandshel i
vedwit hthosef or5
year
s..
.That '
swhyt helawwor kswi thevi
dence.Aal ongaswe
don'
thav ehisbodyorr emainswear enotsureifheisdead.How
deepwast hegrave.

Monga: Idon'tknowclosetomyknees,icoul
dn'
trel
axbecausei
didn'
tpl
ant hi
ssoi justwantedtogetr
idofhi
m andgotgetri
dof
thecarander asemypr i
nts.Iwantt
otell
thet
rut
hsot heycan
searchforhisremains..

Lawy
er :
I'
ll
donasy ouwishthoughIwouldhavewont
hiscase.
NowI'mlosingbecauseyoucan'ti
gnor
ethisboyf
oracoupleof
months.

Monga:
May
bet
het
rut
hwi
l
lsetmef
ree.
..

Thel
awy
ersi
ghedandl
eanedback.
..

Att
hegar
den.
..
Ki
ngandLopang'swomanwal kedi
nthroughthegatewhi
l
ehe
waspicki
ngweeds.Hestoppedandtur
nedlookingatt
hem t
hen
heremovedt
heglovesandwalkedoversmil
ing.
.

Ki
ngkeptast
rai
ghtf
aceashi
sfat
herhuggedhi
m..

King:
Soyouwer
ejusthappywithoutmeal
lthesey
ear
s?And
nowyouwantmetocommi tf
raud?

Lopang: I
t'
snotfraud...Hehi tmeandbur i
edme, iwas
unconsciousforwhoknowshowl ong,
whenigained
consciousnessthef i
rstthingIfeltwassoi
linmyey esandnose, I
wokeupi nthemi ddleofnowher eandmetherbyt her i
ver.
..She
helpedme. .
.Thisisagoodpl an.Yougetyourmoneyandheget s
adeat hsentencefortryi
ngt okillmeandthatwayI '
llbesafe.
Oncehei sdead...Icanpr etendihadnotmymemor yallt
hese
years.Hisownst atementwi l
lconfir
m mystor
y..Didyoutellthem?

King:
Itol
dtheprosecut
or.
..
.st
il
lpapa.
..Youstay
edhereal
lhappy
,
hadkidsandj
ustmov edon.Doy ouknowthatgrandmawas
abusi
veandcontrol
li
ng?

Lopang:
It'
sasi
tuat
ionMongaputmet
hrough

Ki
ng:Becauseyouwer etr
yingtost
ealhissonandevennamed
hi
m aft
eryou,youdidn'
tnamemeMi chaelj
uni
orbutyounamed
hi
m aft
erthat
..
.whatam itoyou?
Lopang:
Iwasi
nlov
eson.
..Youcan'
texpl
ainl
ove.
.

Ki
ngl
ookeddownt
hought
ful
l
yandsi
ghedcal
mingdown.
..

Ki
ng:
Iguessy
ouhav
eapoi
nt.Iknowwhaty
oumean.

Lopang:
comeseet
hegar
den.
..

Ki
ngf
oll
owedhi
m..
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
ert
hateveni
ngApulawalkedi
nthehouseandl
ockedt
hedoor
whi
let
alki
ngtothephone.
..

Apul
a:Shet
hinkshi
ghl
yofher
sel
f

Atsil
e:Shehasapoint
,ifigavey
ouJuli
anIdon'
texpectRonto
giveawaymyson.Youhav et
heri
ght
snotRon.Findawayt otal
k
toEricifnott
henj
ustwaitforMarut
orecov
er.

Apulapausedf
eel
i
ngsomethi
ng..
.Shecarr
iedontalki
ngandthe
feel
i
ngcamebackagai
n,sheobserv
editanditbecamefrequent
.
Apul
a:It
hinkI
'
m hav
ingcont
ract
ions

At
sil
e:Pl
easedon'
tspoi
lmyhoney
moon

Apul
a:(
laughed)I
'
m ser
ious,
it'
sget
ti
ngi
ntense.Ihav
etogo.
..

Shecutt
hecallt
henshegrabbedherbabybagandhermedical
car
dthenshegotint
hecaranddroveoffdi
all
ingRon,
ther
ewas
noanswersoshekeptdr
ivi
ng..
.

Shefeltawarmf eeli
ngandnot i
cedhersel
fgett
ingwetfr
om
waterandeventuall
ybloodthenpai ncameasshef rowned
hol
dingthesteeri
ngwheel .She'dalwaysthoughtl
abourtakes
about8hoursasst atedont heInter
netbutthi
swasgetti
ng
i
ntensewaytooqui ck.Shest oppedbehindalongqueueoft r
aff
ic
asthepaingotmor eexcruciati
ng...

Theur getopushcameandshegr untedspreadi

ngherl egswhile
holdi
ngt hesteeri
ngwheel andhonki
ngbutt hel
ightswerer ed
andshewasi nal ongqueue.Shefel
therpussylit
eral
lytearapart
assheputherf ootovert
heotherseatwit
ht heotheronthe
breaks,shelookeddownandsawhai ratt
heent r
anceoft hebaby,
i
twast hebaby'shead.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#171

Apulaputt
hecaronParkandhi
tthehazar
ds,shemovedtothe
backoftheseatwi
tht
hebaby'
sheadpoppingoutofherv
gina.

Meanwhil
etheli
ghtst
urnedgr
eenandthet
raf
fi
cmov ed.Car
hor
nsblewbacktobackbefor
ethecar
sevent
ual
lypassedhercar
wit
hangrydri
ver
s..
.

Layingi nthebackseatshegr untedpushingasthebaby '

shead
gotst ucknomat terhowhar dshepushed.Thepai nofpushing
andnotmaki nganydi ff
erencewor eherdownassweatdi pped
downherf or
ehead...Shedidn'tknowmuchaboutchi ldbi
rthbut
thebabyhadbeenst uckfortoolongandinthemi ddl
eofsuch
traf
ficnobodywal kedov ertothecar.Shereachedforthephone
anddi alledOtlhebutt hephoner angunanswered,shetri
edAtsi
le
andev entual
lydiall
edAene. .
.

AtAene'
sHouse.
..
.

Meanwhi l
eAenelaidonhersi
deadmi r
ingherbabyasshe
breast
fed,shecl
i
ckedonherWhat sAppandnot i
cedherhusband
hadupdatedhisstatus.
.Api
ctur
eoftheirbaby'
sfeetwi
thboth
thei
rhandsast hei
rringsshined.
..
"Theykeepaskingwhata
womanbr ingstothet abl
e,broawomanl it
eral
lybri
ngsherl
if
eto
thetabl
e.Somedon' tmakei toutofthedeli
ver
yroom, t
hankyou
Jesusforthesetwowonder f
ulwomeni nmyl i
fe"

Shesmiledr
eadinghi
sstatusthenherphoner
ang,i
twasApula.
..
Shefoundhersel
fwonder
ingifshereal
lywant
edtospoi
lherday
wit
hthiswoman.

Aene:
Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:(
grunted)I
'm havi
ngthebabyi
nthecar.
..I
nthet
raf
fi
c
l
ight
satcalt
ex..
.(pushed)pl
easehel
l
ll
ll
l
ll
ll
l
l.
..

Aene:
Whydon'
tyoucal
lyoursi
ster
s?

Apul
a:They
'r
enotanswer
ingpl
easent
husannaka.
..Di
kol
oidi
het
ahelakelekago.
..
.

Aene:Kemonnaoi bi
le?youreall
yknowhowt ousepeopl ewhen
i
t'
ssuitsyouakere?Andi t
houghtyouknowev eryt
hinggapekaha
i
thelaoiphedi
tsewit
hy oursi
stersandni
ecesi t
houghtyou'
d
neverneedanyoneinthisworl
d.Whydon'tyoucallmedrescue?

Apul
a:Sendmet
hei
rnumber
..

Aene:
Mxm.

Shehungupanddi
all
edMedr
escuet
henshedi
all
edt
hepol
i
ce
andcal
l
edherback.
.

Att
het
raf
fi
c..
.

Meanwhi l
eApul
a'
sjoi
ntsgotweakassheheldthephone,
everyt
hingsl
owl
yshutdownandsheblackedoutasAenecal
l
ed
twice.

Aene:(
text
ed)Icall
edthem medrescuei
sfastanditarr
ives
wit
hin5minutes.Don'
tthankme.Haveasafedeli
very.

Anotherdr i
verangr i
l
ysl oweddownl ookinginsideasnoticeda
woman' sknees, hest oppedthecarandgotoutbutt hesirenof
themedi calrescueandt hepol
iceapproachedasheopenedt he
doortoabl oodycar ,carsmov edasideandt heambul ance
stopped.Thedr ivermov edhiscaroutoft hewayast he
paramedi csranov ercarryi
ngast r
etcherandt ookherout.

Thepoli
cecont
rol
l
edt het
raff
icastheparamedicsputawhite
sheetov
erherl
owerbodyandcarriedheri
ntotheambulance.The
doorscl
osedandtheambulancespedoff.
..
..

Att
hebar
..
.
Otl
hewalkedoutofthebarcarr
yingat r
ayofbraaimeatand
ser
vedtwofatfar
mer ssi
tt
ingoutsi
dei nthei
rboerhatsand
j
acket
swhi l
ethei
rlandcr
uiser
spar kedbywithbalesofhay.
.

Ot
lhe:
Ist
her
eany
thi
ngel
se?

Far
mer
1:Br
ingmescot
ch.
.

Ot
lhe:
Ok.

Far
mer
2:What
'sy
ourname?

Ot
lhe:
Otl
he.
.

Far
mer
2:Okant
shwanel
awai
tse.
..

Shelookedathi sf atwall
etonthet able,t
heorigi
nalf
arm boot
andthelandcr uiser.
..Forgett
hewei ghtshealwaysti
ckedasa
dealbreaker.Shewasget ti
ngolderandl onel
y.
..Tohell
wi t
h
chi
ldishstandards, maybehewasact uall
yaniceguy.Washe
seri
oust hough?May behewasj ustjoking.
..
wouldhebet hat
str
aightf
orwar dabouti t
?

Ot
lhe:
(smi
l
ed)Amme?

Farmer
2:Yes..
.Gi
vemey ournumberl
et'
sseeifwecantryt
his.Re
bagol
oidon'tt
hinkweshouldbeatar
oundthebushesr
ight
?
Ot
lhe:
Ibr
ingnot
hingt
othet
abl
e..
.Mysal
aryi
s1.
6Kpermont
h.

Farmer2:I'
m oldschool ..
.I'
m aprovi
der .
..Ineedyoutobri
ng
respect
,fai
thful
ness, cari
ng, companionship,mot
ivati
onandthat
thi
ngbetweeny ourlegs.Ther ei
salotmor etobr
ingthanmoney..
.
I
fi wasbrokeI '
dneedy outobr i
ngmoneyt othet
ablebutGod
tookcareofthat .I
'
m notbr agging.
..
Ijustneedafriendandalover
.

Ot
lhe:
Ok.
..

Hehandedhert
hephonet
henshet
ypedhernumber
..

Otl
he:Myphonei
satt
hechar
gerandI
'
m hav
ingabusydayatt
he
r
estaur
ant
.

Hi
m:I
'
llcal
ll
ater
..Br
ingascot
ch.

Shet
urnedar
oundwi
tht
het
rayandwal
kedi
n..
.

Att
hef
arm.
..

MeanwhileKi
ngwat
chedashisfathert
ookofft
heover
all
s
remaini
ngwit
hhi
sclot
hes,
hisfi
rstborndaught
erwal
kedover
andjumpedonhi
sbackastheyl
aughed...
Her
:IgotBont
het
est

Lopang:
That'
sri
ght,beadoct
orandt
akecar
eofdaddy
.Come
meetyourbi
gbrother.

Ki
ngsmil
edandshookherhand,het
ookadeepbr
eat
hand
si
ghedast
hegir
lwalkedaway.
..

King:
Ihavetogo. .AndI'm notcommitti
ngfraud.Youseem happy
hereandican'tl
ety ourui
nmyl ifeany
mor ethanyoualreadydi
d..
.
ButI'
m happythaty ou'
rehappyhereandy oudon'tmissmeor
yourj
ob.Indeedloveconquer sall
..
.

Lopang:Whyareyouchangi
ngy ourmi
nd?Nobodyi
sgoi
ngf
ind
outaboutt
his,
don'tbeachi
ld.
.

King:Youobv i
ousl
ydon'tknowany t
hingaboutmeorthemanI '
ve
become. .Ihav
eabr i
ghtfutur
eaheadofmewi t
hoewithoutt
his
money .IworkedhardatschoolbecauseithoughtI
'
m alonei
nthis
world.
..Turnsoutiwasright.

Lopang:
King?Li
sten.
..

King:Igetsadwheni seeyouwi t
hy ourchi l
dren..
.Almostt he
samet hingiimaginewhenIwonderwhyy ounamedmi key
Junior.
..
Hisfatherfoughtf
orhi m andher eyou're.
..Happywi t
hout
mej ustl
ikethousandsofirresponsiblefathersouttherewhoj ust
haveotherchildrenandmov eon.I t
'stheamountofsl eepless
nightsimournedy outhathurts.
.I'm goi
ngbackt oGabor one.I'
l
l
t
ellt
hepol
iceyouseem tohaveamemorylosssoy oudon'
tgot
o
j
ail
.Thei
nsurancecompanywillsuey
ouf
orpretendingt
obedead
i
fyoudon'
tdot her
ightt
hing.
..

Het
urnedar
oundandwal
kedaway
..
.

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..

LateronKingknockedonthedoorandwal
kedi
nwhi
l
ethe
prospect
orsatonthetabl
e..

Hi
m:Twiceinaday
?Youreal
l
ywantj
ust
icef
ory
ourf
ather
.He
woul
dbeproudofyou.

Ki
ng:
Hei
sal
i
ve.
.

Hi
m:What
?

King:Theladywhosel l
sfatcakesinf
rontofthepoli
cestat
ion
thoughtil
ookedl ikesomeguynamedKagi so.
..If
oll
oweditup
andfoundmyf ather.Heisgrowingcr
opsbyt heri
ver.Heseems
tohavelosthismemor ybutassoonashesawmehe
remember edaf ewdet ai
ls.
.

Hi
m:Wherei
she?Heshoul
dbet
akent
othehospi
tal
andweneed
t
over
if
ythat
'si
tshi
m.

Ki
ng:
Whathappensi
fit
shi
m?
Him: Ourchar
geschangefr
om mur dert
oat temptedmur der.I
don'tknowifthedoct
orswi
llbeabletoclearyourfatherenough
forhimtocomebackt owork..Onl
ythebossesknow.( st
oodup)
comeher e,l
etmegetrhecar,arey
ousurei twasof f
icerLopang?

Ki
ng:
Iknowmyf
ather
..

AtRon'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Ronpi
ckedt
hebot
tl
eofwat
eranddr
unkashi
sphoner
ang.
..

Ron:
Hel
l
o?

Osha:
Hi,
imi
ssedmama'
scal
lbutnowshei
snotpi
cki
ng.I
sshe
wit
hyou?

Ron:No, may beshewascal l

i
ngy outotell
younott oev erspeak
tome.It ol
dheri gaveyoumoneyandshewasn' thappy .Shetol
d
menott oev ertal
ktoyouandt odeleteyournumber .Idelet
edit
soI'
llneedyout odelet
emi netoo..
.Iwasjusttr
yingt obemor e
accepti
ngofherki ndofli
festyl
ebutiguessi waswr ong.

Osha:
Oh,i
guessshethi
nksI'
l
lsleepwi
thy
out
oo.Nobodyt
rust
s
meorwantsmearoundanymore.

Ron:Iguessso,
I'
ll
havetocal
lyourl
i
ttl
ebr
otherandt
ell
himt
o
del
etemynumbert oo.

Osha:
Het
oldmey
ouboughthi
mtoi
l
etr
iesandst
ati
oner
y.
Ron:
Yeah,
don'
tfor
gett
odel
etemynumberandnev
ercal
lme.

Osha:
Ok.

Hehungupanddi
all
edBoy
boy
..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

HourslaterApul
aopenedherey esandfoundher selfi
nthe
hospit
al,
shet ur
nedherheadlookingforherbabyt henshetr
ied
gett
ingup, t
hepainonherabdomenpul ledherbackt henshe
l
ift
edhergownl ooki
ngatheroper at
ion.
..

Itwashardt oimagi net hataft

erspendi nghal fherli
fehelpi
ng
every
oneatt het imesheneededev eryoneshehadabsol utelyno
one.Shedidn'tev enknowhowshear ri
vedi nthehospi t
alandnow
shehadbeenoper ated.Tearsfil
ledherey esasshesl owlysatup
andpressedt heemer gencybut t
on...
Hopef ull
yherbabyhad
survi
vedthoughshedi dn'
tevenknowwhowoul dtakecareofher
whil
eshewasnur sing,auntiewast akingcar eofherdaught er
whohadj ustgi v
enbi r
thandalthoughshewasni cetoherthings
hadn'
texact l
ybeent hesamesi nceshesmear edherdaughteron
soci
al media..
.sheher selfwouldn'thavethegut stoaskhert o
l
eaveherdaught erforher .Wouldany onest opt hei
rli
vesand
assi
st?Apar tofherputherateasewi thananny .
Anur
sewal
kedi
nasshesl
owl
yst
oodup.
..

Nur
se:
HiApul
a..
.Wel
comeback.
.

Apul
a:Cani
seemybaby
?Pl
ease.
..Di
dshesur
viv
e?

Thenur
sest
oppedsmi
l
ingandsi
ghed.
.

Nur
se:
Thedoct
ori
scomi
ng,
hav
easeat
..
.Inf
actl
aydown.
.

Apul
a:Pl
easej
ustt
ell
thebabysur
viv
ed

Nur
se:
Thedoct
ori
sonhi
sway
..
.

Tearsf
il
ledherey
eslooki
ngatthenur
seast
hedoct
orwal
kedi
n
taki
ngdownhisstet
hoscope.
..

Doct
or:
Hi.
.

Apul
a:Iwantt
oseemybaby
..
.

Doct
or:Ihav
esomebadnewsandsomegoodsnews.
..Pl
easel
ay
down.
..
Shel
aiddownt
ear
ful
l
ylooki
ngatt
hedoct
or.
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#172

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Doctor
:Thegoodnewsist
hatwesafel
ydel
i
ver
edy
ourbabygi
rl
butshehassever
epneumothor
ax-

Apul
a:Whatdoest
hatmean?

Doctor:Thismeansy ourbaby'
sl ungshavecoll
apsedandit's
commoni nprematurebabies.
..Thissimplymeansthebaby '
s
l
ungsl ackthesli
pperysubstancet hathel
psthem st
ayopenso
theti
nyairsacsarenotablet oexpandaseasi l
y.Wehav esucked
theairoutandinsert
edachestt ubeandshei sinav ent
il
ator.

Apul
a:Wi
l
lshebeOK?

Doctor
:Yes,shewi
ll
probabl
ytakelongeri
nthehospi
tal
butwi
th
al
lthenecessar
ycar
eshewillbeok.

Apul
asl
owl
ygotup.
.

Apul
a:Ineedt
oseeher
..
.

Mi
nut
esl
atert
heywal
kedandt
henur
seshowedhert
hebabyi
na
vent
il
atorwit
htubesonhertinychestandmouthasherchest
cont
ractedandexpanded.Shewassot inyandherski
nwaspale.
.

Shetear f
ull
yputherhandi nsideandt ouchedherhandt henshe
burstintotearsofjoy.
.Shewasal iveandi tfeltsogood.Shewas
goingt oli
ve..
.Shewasgoi ngt ol
ive.
..Godwoul ddoi tforher.
..
Shecl osedhereyesandt ookashor tpray er,shehadnev erpr
ayed
before..
.Atleastnotinalongt i
mebutwor dsjustcameoutl i
ke
shewaspr ayerwarri
or,t
earsroll
eddownasshepr ayedf orher
l
itt
legirlandendedherpr ayerwithherey esst i
llcl
osedt henshe
openedherey esandlookedather .
.Shesmi l
edt ouchinghert i
ny
feetandt ookapictureofherinav entil
ator.

Somewher
einAf
ri
ca.
..

MeanwhileTumangandAt
sil
ewalkedbehi
ndJul
ianashe
pressedhi
sphoneandswi
pedthehotel
keycar
d,hepushedt
he
dooropenandgotint
henhethr
ewhimselfont
heothersi
ngl
e
bed..

Atsi
l
elaidonthebedcheckingherphonewhi
l
eTumangsatbyt
he
chai
rorder
ingroom ser
vice.
.

At
sil
efr
ownedandcov
eredhermout
hlooki
ngatApul
a'
sbabyi
na
v
ent
il
ator
..

Apul
a:I
t'
sagi
rl
.Shehascol
l
apsedl
ungsandshei
sinav
ent
il
ator
.

Shedial
edApul
aandsatupasTumangl
aidonherbut
tpr
essi
ng
herdown..
.

Apul
a:Hi
MrsHubr
ett

At
sil
e:(
laughed)I
tsMr
sHubr
echt
.

Apul
a:(
laughed)I
'
llnev
ergett
hatnamecor
rect
..

At
sil
e:Congr
atulat
ions,i
tri
edcal
li
ngyouearl
i
erandyoudidn'
t
pi
ck.It
houghtyou'
rejoki
ng,whatki
ndofbabycomesthatqui
ck?

Apul
a:I'
mjustgl
adwer
eached7monthsandshecanfightf
or
herl
if
e.Giv
enmycondi
ti
onI'
mfeel
ingbl
essedandI
'm happy.I
knowGodisgoingt
odoitf
orme.

At
sil
e:I
'
m sohappyf
ory
ou.Howdoesi
tfeel
tobeamot
her
?

Apul
a:(l
aughed)Idi
dn'tknowI'
dlearntopr
ay.I
'm notapr
ayer
ful
per
sonbutifoundmy selfket
sholel
l
etsamathoameko
moreneng.

Atsi
l
e: Ipr
ayedforJul
i
anwhenheusedt
ogetsi
ck.
Congratul
ati
onsbabysist
er

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.
At
sil
e:I
'
llt
alkt
oyoul
ater
.

Apul
a:By
e,sayhi
tot
heguy
sforme.

At
sil
e:Iwi
l
l.
.

ShehungupasJul
i
anwal
kedov
ert
ohi
sfat
herr
ecor
dingav
ideo.
.

Jul
ian:
Dadr
epeataf
terme,
ify
ougett
hiswr
ongy
ou'
repay
ingme
P50.

Hesatupandsmi
l
edwi
thhi
swi
fe'
sfeetonhi
slapasJul
i
an
smi
led.

Jul
i
an:
Appl
e

Tumang:
Appl
e

Jul
i
an:
Banana

Tumang:
Banana

Jul
i
an:
Didy
oui
ncl
udepi
zzai
ntheor
dery
oumade?

Tumang:
Yeah,
Mexi
can

Jul
i
ancr
ackedl
aughi
ng.
..
Jul
i
an:
Pay
!

Tumangcaughtt
hej
okeandl
aughedshaki
nghi
shead.
..

AtOsha'
sHouse.
..

Oshalai
dont
hebedwatchi
ngamovieonherl
apt
op,
herphone
r
eceiv
edamessagef
rom hermot
her
..
.

Mama:
(pi
ctur
e)I
t'
sagi
rl
.

Oshalookedatthepict
ureandsmiledbutshewasn'
tsur
ehowto
r
espond.Itst
il
lhurtt
hatshethoughtshe'
dsleepwi
thRon.Di
d
t
hisonemi st
akereal
lyleav
esuchahugegap. ..

Osha:(
texted)IwishIwasther
e.I
'
m gladyou'
rewit
hy ourfamil
y.
Sheisgoingtobesol i
ghti
ncomplexi
on.Icanseethehairis
goi
ngtobel ongtoo.

Mama:
I'
mjustpr
ayi
ngshecomesoutOK.Shei
smyev
ery
thi
ng.

Osha:I'
m sohappy.I
'm sorr
yforaccept
ingUncl
eRon'
smoney .I
di
dn'tknowitwil
lupsetyou.Hecall
edmeandt ol
dmet onev
er
cal
lhim butionl
ycal
ledhi
m becausey ouweren'tanswer
ing.I
guessyouwer ei
nlabour
.I'
l
ltrytodist
ancemy selff
rom y
our
famil
ysoy oucanhavepeace.Ipromiseiwon'
tdowhatIdi dwith
Derr
ickeveragai
n.

Mama:Ican'
tbel
i
evehetoldyout
his.Idi
dn'
tmeani
tli
kethat
.I
j
ustdi
dn'
tknowhewastalki
ngtoyoubecausehedi
dn'
ttel
lme
he'
dcal
lyou.

Osha:
It'
sOK.Iunder
stand.I
'
llnev
ert
alkt
ohi
m.

Mama:
Ok.

Sheputherphonedownandsi ghedwat chi

ngamov i
e,she
thoughtt
hel astsi
xmonthsweredif
fi
cultbutnowknowingshe
won'tbeclosertoherl
i
ttl
esist
erasshewoul dhav
eli
kedlefther
withoutwsenseofbelongi
ng.Shereal
lyhadnoonenow. .
.

Herhandsl i
ppedunderthemattressandshereachedforaboxof
cigar
ett
eandal ight
er,
shesatupandputaci garett
einhermouth
thensheliti
tandtookfir
stpuff
,shecoughedandt appedher
chestcatchi
ngherbreaththenshetookaanotherpuff.
..

AtAene'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erthatni
ghtAeneopenedhermessageandcl
i
ckedonApul
a'
s
pi
ctur
es.
Apula:Iknowy ousai di shouldn'tsaythanky oubutI 'm grateful
thatyousav edmydaught er'
sl i
fe.It'
samazi nghowsl owabr ain
canbei ndiffi
cultti
mesanddespi tehowmuchI '
vehur tyoui nt he
pastyoust i
llshowedmel ove.Idonothat epeopl ewhogi v
eme
toughlov e,iembr aceitnow.May beit'
sbecauseI 'm amot herand
I'
veexper iencedaphenomenoncan' tevenexpl ainbutI'l
l al
way s
begrat efultohav ereceivedy ourlovewheny oudi dn'
thav et o.I
knowwehav ealongwayandI '
m gl adicanf inal
lystopt akingt he
hormonesbecauseI 'vebeenmeant oal otofpeopl e.Thanksf or
nothat i
ng.Thanksf orlovingev eninanger ,you'v
et aughtme
somet hingnnaka.

Aenesmi l
edreadi
ngthenshecauti
ouslystopped,i
twasprobabl
y
tooearl
ytobeli
evethi
s.Sheknewbetternow..Dist
ancef
rom
anyonewhodoesn'tappreci
atey
oustil
lstood.

Aene:Thankyou.Congratul
ati
onsonmot her
hood.Youdeserve
i
t.
..Iwonderhowy ou'l
ltr
uckl
ewor k,
businessesandmotherhood.
I
'm hopi
ngtolearnfrom youbecauseiknowi havetogetbackto
worksoonbuti l
ovemybabyt oomuch.

Apul
a:Idon'
tknowhowI
'
lldoi
tbutwewi
l
lsee.

Att
heBar&Rest
aur
ant.
..
Latert
hatnightwor
kersgotinthestuf
fcombiasOtlhesati
nthe
fr
ontseat,
shef i
nal
l
yclickedonherphoneandfoundthefar
mer'
s
missedcal
l,shesaveditandcl
ickedonhermessages.

Apul
a:(
sentapi
ctur
e)I
t'
sagi
rl
.

Otl
he:Otshotselebur
uoserous? sheisgoingtobeso
beaut
if
ulwhensheaf ewmonthsol
d.Nowshelooksl
i
kea
newbornpuppy..
.

Apul
a: Mxm.

Otlhe:
Ifoundmy sel
fablackboer,
lebur
ulelent
shony
ana.Keha
aperedijackettsedisenangmatsogotsadifarmer I'
m
crossi
ngmyf i
ngersforthi
s.Tabekesethabi
le.
..

Apul
a:Pl
easecont
rol
yourmout
handbehav
e.

Otlhe:
Iprayheisn'
tbossy.Ican'tst
andbossymen.Butheiscute
thoughheusf at
.Atleastf
atguy shavet
inydickssoIwon'
trun
awaylikeIranfr
om thatotherguywhowant edtopushoutmy
i
ntesti
nes.

Apul
a: You'
l
lbedoi
ngwomanont
op.

Ot
lhe:Whenamanisnota50/50t
ypeidon'
tmindr
idi
nghim my
wholel
if
e.I
'l
ldoany
thi
ngf
orhiminbed.Ar
eenekeprovi
der
.Itol
d
hi
mi bri
ngnothi
ngt
othet
able.

Apul
a:St
il
l.
.Itdoesn'
tmat
teri
fhepr
ovi
des.
.Justmakesur
eyou
don'tstopworkingandturni
ntoahousewife.Idon'
tknowwhyi
feelit
'snotsafeforawomant odependonamanf i
nanci
all
y.
Whent hehoneymoonstagepassesosatholeoneelwabank
cardsit'sanot
herstor
y.Butidon'
twantt
osoundbi tt
ersoenjoy
yourselfwhentheopportuni
tycomes.

Ot
lhe:
Igety
ou.

Thecombistoppedathergat
ethenshest
eppedout
.Theywai
ted
forhert
ogetinandwavethentheydr
oveoff
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Thenextmorni
ngApulasl
owl
ygotupandcl i
ckedonherphone,
shepausedandreadt
henewspaperar
ti
cle.
.

"
Mur der
ed"manaliv
e,had3chil
drenandalov
er.Meanwhil
e
"
orphan"soncashesoninsur
ancemonthl
yandamani sfaci
ng
murderchar
ges.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#173

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Thenextmorni
ngApulasl
owl
ygotupandcl i
ckedonherphone,
shepausedandreadt
henewspaperar
ti
cle.
.

"
Mur der
ed"manaliv
e,had3chil
drenandalov
er.Meanwhil
e
"
orphan"soncashesoninsur
ancemonthl
yandamani sfaci
ng
murderchar
ges.

Shecont i
nuedr eadi
ngandnot i
cedSedi t
aggingallhersi sters,
shecl i
ckedonLana' saccountt oseei fshehadn'tthrownany
shadet owar dsherabout" sendi ngherhusbandt oprisonf or
nothing"butt herewerenopubl icpost s.Act
uallytheonl yt hi
ng
vi
sibletoherwasacov erpageofhersonsandherpr ofi
lepict ur
e,
shehear dr umour sofadiv orceandi twasn'
tsur pri
singthatshe' d
div
or cehi m assoonassher eali
sedhewasn' tgoingt opr ovi
def or
herany mor e.It
'susuall
ythemostcommonr esponsef orwomen
whobr ingnot hingtothetabl easi tisimportanttof i
ndt henext
guytopr ovi
def orher.
..
.Butt henshewasst illLanaMongaTi ki or
may bet hedi v
orcewast akingt ool ong.Shecl i
ckedonGoi wa's
accountandt hatonewasn' tsoact iv
eonf acebookt henSedi had
shar
edthearti
cleonhertimeli
newithacaption,"
Mybr otherin
l
awiscominghomesoon.Iswearmynephewsar egoingtocr y
whentheyhearthi
s.Ican'
twaittoseethei
rreacti
on."Sheclicked
onThong'
saccounttoseewhathewassay ingbuthehasn' t
post
edanythi
ngaboutt hecase,j
ustfoot
bal
l andhisfamily.

Apulareadthecomment stoseeifany onehadsai danything

aboutherbashingherbutpeoplewer ej ustshockedbyt hetwist
ofthecase.Atleastnobodysaidany t
hi ngaboutherbutknowi ng
Monga, hewasn'tgoingtolett
hisgo...Notaf tersheluredhi m
i
ntoacarandsol dhim outtot
hepol i
ce.Hewasgoi ngtoki l
lher
andifhedidasl oppyjobwithLopanghedef init
elywasn' tgoi
ng
todoitagainwithher..Hewasgoi ngtoki l
lherassoonashe
walkedoutofprisonandshecoul dn'
tsayany thingtoany body
aboutitbecausethey'dthi
nksheisbitterorlooki ngforanother
reasontoruinhisli
fe.

Shesighedasherheartpounded,sel
l
inghim outandpl
otti
ng
againsthim wit
hthepol
icewasn'
tagoodi deaaft
eral
l,
clearl
ythe
pol
icedidn'tcaret
oeveninf
orm hert
hatthepersonshehelped
putinprisonwouldbeoutsoon.

Shecli
ckedonhermessagesandcheckedf ormorerepli
esas
famil
yandfri
endswishedherwell
.Ronstil
lhadn'
topenedherthe
pict
ureshesenthi
mt heni
ghtbeforebuthewasonline.Sheput
herphonedownandwentt ofeedthebaby.
..
AtRon'
sHouse.
..

Onthesamemor ni
ngRonspatinthebasinbrushi
nghi
steethand
l
ookedathimsel
fonthemir
ror,
hewi pedhishandwit
hat owel
andwalkedi
ntheli
vi
ngroom pr
essinghisphonewhil
ehisson
l
aidonthecouchwatchi
ngTV..
.

Hi
m:Ial
mostf
orgotwhenar
eyoumov
ingout
?

Ron:
Mov
ingout
?

Him:Yeah,
leav
ingmei
nthi
shouse.
..You'
renotbr
ingi
ngherher
e
r
ight
?

Ron:Ohy oumeanaf
tertheweddi
ng.
..Yeah,wewil
lfi
ndanew
house.Idon'
tknowi
fI'
m doi
ngtheri
ghtthi
ngthough.
.

Hesatdownashi
ssont
urnedar
oundl
ooki
ngathi
m..

Hi
m:Whatdoy
oumean?

Ron:Lalai
stoomuch.
..Shewantstobeincont
rol
ofever
y
sit
uati
onandshej
ustneverl
etsmebeaman.Shenev erl
ist
ens
tomeandnowi wonderifmarr
yingheri
sagoodidea.
.

Hi
m:Hav
eyout
alkedt
oher
?
Ron:Italktoherev erytimebutshewon' tchange,sheisal ways
worki
ng. .
.Ifeell
ikeshet hinkssheal wayshast omakemoneyt o
berel
ev anttoever yonear oundher .
..Shewoul drat
herdi ethan
takeabr eakandj ustrelax..sheiswor ki
ngev enat7mont hs
knowingv erywellthisisar i
skypregnancy .Aboveall
shei sv er
y
rudeandshei sj
ustt oor i
gid...Youcan'tjokewithher.
..Ithinkt
he
l
astti
mei laughedwi thherwasbef or ewest ar
teddati
ng.

Hi
m:Sowhynotghostherandwai
tfort
hebabyandgetcust
ody
.

Ron:
Iloveherandit
sheronlybaby,
ihavetomakei
twor
k
somehow.Maybeafterhavi
ngthebabyherhor
moneswi
l
lgo
downandwecanr econnect
.

Hi
m:Wasmom t
hesamewaywhenshewaspr
egnantwi
thme?

Ron:No,shedidn'tchangebuti hearsomewomenchange.I'm
j
ustannoy edwit
hherst ubbornnessnow,it
'snotcut
eatal
l.She
tr
iedcall
ingmey ester
dayafternoonbrushi
ngmeof fandI
'
mj ust
notreadytohavemydayr ui
ned.

Hi
m:(
laughed)May
beshei
sapol
ogi
si
ng.Readt
hemessage.
.

Ron:
I'
m pr
otect
ingmyhear
t.

Hesighedandcl
ickedonhermessage,hi
shear
tski
ppedashe
l
ookedatthebabyinthev
enti
lat
orthenshewal
kedoutdi
all
i
ng
her
.

Ron:
Shedel
i
ver
edr
hebaby
Hi
m:Wowr
eal
l
y?

Ron:Shemusthavecal
l
edwhenshewasi
nlabour
.Can'
tbel
i
evei
missedthedel
i
ver
y.

Hewalkedinthebedr
oom andchangedhi
scl
otheswhi
l
ethe
phonerang.
..

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Ron: Ididn'tknowy oudel iv

eredthebaby.Whenyoucal l
ed
yesterdayi thoughty ouwant edtobepettyandididn'
topenthe
pict
ur ethinkingit'
spr obablyoneofthememesy ou'real
ways
sharingwi thme.Idi dn' twanttolaughbecauseiwasstil
langr
y
thaty ouwon' trest.

Apula:(
laughed)I
t'
sok,itwasn'
teasybutimanaged.Shehas
col
lapsedlungsbutihearit
snotpermanent

Ron:
Ok,
I'
ll
bet
her
esoon.Il
ovey
ou

Apul
a:Il
ovey
out
oo.

Hehungupandwal
kedout
..
.

Atschool
..
.
LateronOshagotherbr eakfastandat ealonewhilereadi
ngthe
arti
cle.ShesearchedKingonf acebookandf oundhisaccount,
it
wassur pr
isi
ngthattheyactuallywenttothesameschool .She
senthim ar equestandcarri
edonf acebooking.Ki
ngacceptedher
fr
iendr equestandinboxedher ..

Ki
ng:Damndi
dyour
eal
l
ysendt
her
equestory
ouacci
dent
all
y
pr
essed?

Osha: Acci
dent
all
y.
.

Ki
ng:
Wel
lcani
bey
ourf
ri
end?

Osha:
Buymeagum f
ir
st

Ki
ng:
Arey
oui
nschool
?

Osha:
Yeah.

Ki
ng:
I'
mint
hecaf
eter
ia

Osha:
I'
minsi
det
ooatt
hecor
ner
..

Ki
ng:
Lookbehi
ndy
ou.

Shetur
nedaroundandhewaved,shesmil
edandwav
edback
thenhepi
ckeduphisfoodandsatwit
hher.
..

Ki
ng:
Hi.
.

Osha:
Hi.
.Sodi
dyouknowhewasal
i
veal
lal
ong?
Ki
ng:
Whataquest
ion,
noi
didn'
t.
..Di
dyour
eal
l
yfucky
ouruncl
e?

Osha:
Yeah

King:
(laughed)You'
recr
azy
,looksli
key
ouandi
maket
he
headl
inesal ot
..
.Renewsworthy.
.

Osha:
(laughed)I
'
m embar
rassed

Ki
ng:Youshouldn'tbe,shi
thappens.
..Ihadacr
ushonmyuncl
e'
s
wi
fe.
..Buti
didn'thitonher.
..Igr
ewoutofi t

Osha:
Ok

Ki
ng:
You'
rer
eal
l
ybeaut
if
ul.

Osha:
Thanky
ou,
you'
renotbady
our
sel
f.
.

Ki
ng:
Howdi
dyourboy
fri
endt
akei
t?

Osha:
Idon'
thav
eany

Ki
ng:
Nextt
imesomeoneaskst
hatj
ustsayKi
ngdoesn'
tmi
nd.

Osha:
SoIhav
eaboy
fri
endnow?

Ki
ng:
Basi
cal
l
y.

Theyl
aughedoutl
oud.
..

I
ncour
t.
..
Mongaapproachedthebencheswithhi
shandsandl egsshackled
asj
ournal
istsf
lashedt
heircamerasonhisfacet
akingpict
ures.
Hewalkedinsi
deandhislawyermethim ashewhisperedi
nhi s
ear
..
..

Lawy er
:Changeofpl
ans.
..You'r
enotpleadinggui
l
tyofmur der.
Lopangisali
ve.
..Hehasbeenl i
vingsomewherenearwherey ou
l
efthim andhehasafamilythere.Ki
nginf
ormedthepoli
ceaf ter
fi
ndinghim..
.

Monga:
What
?!

Lawy
er:
Yeah,

Monga:
I'
m shocked.
.

Lawy
er:
Nowwest
andagoodchancef
orbai
l
..

Theywal
kedi
nsi
deasj
our
nal
i
stst
ookv
ideosofhi
m..
.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

MeanwhileRonsatbyApula'sbedhol
dingherhandasthey
chatt
ed.Shesmil
edandt ookapict
ureofthem befor
eposti
ngit
onFacebook."
Pastoraccusedofmurderi
nganal i
vepol
iceoff
icer
grant
edbail
"
Herhear
tski
ppedasshel
ookedatRon.
.

Ron:
What
?

Apul
a:Mongai
sgoi
ngt
oki
l
lme.

Ron:
Theguyy
ouhel
pedsendt
ojai
l
?

Apul
a:Yes

Ron:
Hewon'
t

Apula:Heisat r
ainedki
l
ler,
iknownobodybel i
evesthathei
sa
professi
onalassassi
nbutheis.I'
m notimagi
ningthi
s.Heis
goingtokill
meandnobodywi llsuspectathi
ngbecausehe
stagesallhi
sassignments.

Ron: Wearetal
kingabouttheguywhoal mostgotadeat
h
sentencebecausehet houghtheki
ll
edsomeone.Ift
hat'
san
assassini
twouldn'tbeoneI '
dbescaredof
.Hewon'tdoanyt
hing
toyoubesideshehedoesn' tknowwhereyou'
re.

Apul
a:Cany
oupost
poney
ourt
ri
p?

Ron:Ican'
t,
ial
readyappoi
ntedwit
hthedi
rect
orsofdi
ffer
ent
companiesandihavetobeattheminet
oday.St
opbeing
par
anoid

Apul
a:Ok

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedher
..
.
Ron:
Ihav
etogo.
.I'
l
lseey
ouwheni
getback.Il
ovey
ou.

Apul
a:Il
ovey
out
oo.
.

Hewal kedoutandsheclickedonfacebooklookingatMonga' s
pi
ctureincuffsandthewayhehadast r
aightf
ace, notev ena
si
nglesmi l
e..
.al
lhi
sreput
ationgone,hewasn'tgoingt oletthi
sgo.
Thi
swast hesamemant hatlockedherinsi
deacof finthewhol e
ni
ght.Thedooropenedandshej umpedandf l
inchedhur tingher
st
it
chesast henursewalkedin..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#174

Att
hehot
el.
..

Mongastoodundert
heshowerwashi nghi
sheadandf acegoing
downhi
swholebody, he'
dneverbeensograt
eful
forsomething
assi
mpleasawar m shower.
..

Hewashedf orover30minutesunt i
lhest oppedandplacedhis
handsoverthewallasthewaterjustranov erhishead.Hesl
owly
cl
osedthetapthenhesatdownnude, emot i
onsfi
ll
edhischestas
hesatther
e,heswallowedtearf
ullyandt ookadeepbr eat
h..
.

Meanwhil
ei ntheroom Thongwalkedi
nanddr oppedhisnew
cl
othesandshoesont hebedt henhesatonthebedpr essi
nghis
phone.Afewmi nutespassedandther
ewasjustsilenceinthe
bathr
oom, Thongputdownt hephoneandknockedont hedoor..

Thong:
Mat
aozen?Oshapo?

Heopenedt
hedoorandst
eppedi
nfindi
ngMongasi
tt
ingont
he
f
looroft
heshowerwi
thhi
sheaddown.
Thong:
Arey
ouOK?

Hel
ookedatThongt
ear
ful
l
ythenhel
ookeddownr
ubbi
nghi
s
t
ear
s.

Thongpull
edouthisTshi
rtandpant
sthenhest
eppedi
nthe
showerandsatnextt
ohim.

Monga:Ididn'
tthi
nkI
'
dgetout
.Ihadaccept
edmyf at
e.I
tsnota
goodfeel
ingtoknowthaty
ou'
l
lbeinpri
sonther
estofyourl
if
e.

Thong:I
twasn'
teasyknowingI
'l
lneverbewit
hyouagainbutat
l
eastEri
candiarefr
iendsnow.(
laughed)Hedoesn'
tthi
nkiwant
youall
tomysel
f

Mongal
aughedr
eddi
shey
esandsni
ff
ed.
..

Monga:I
'mjusthappytobeout,I
'm gl
adLopangi
sali
ve..
.I
r
egret
tedki
l
linghim af
tercal
mingdownbecauseifel
titwasn'
t
wor
thit.

Thong:Idon'
tknowwhati
t'
sli
ketoregretki
l
li
ngbutiknowwhat
i
t'
sliketol
oseachil
dandseeyourwifeconfi
nedtoawheelchai
r,
I
'vechangedmywife'
spadandwipedherbuttwhenherhands
couldn'
tdoany t
hingallbecausei di
dn'twanttodegradehert
oa
pointofgett
inginsult
edbyany oneorabonel wakeopekel eteng.
Iguessifyouasamanhav eneverbeent hroughthatt
henyou'
d
regret
..
.I'
mv er
yr evengefulsoi f
indnot hi
ngwr ongwit
hwhaty ou
did.Youdidwhaty ouhadt odof oryourchil
dandy ou'
rel
ucky
becausethestupidguyt urnedoutal i
vesoy ouhav easecond
chanceatliv
ingwi t
houtgui l
t.
.

Monga:
True.
.

Mongaheav
edabigsighofrel
iefandl
eanedbackont
hewal
l
t
henhesmil
edandlaughed.
..

Monga:
Mant
hisf
eel
sli
keadr
eam!Thi
scal
l
sforacel
ebr
ati
on!

Thong:
Saynomor
e!

Thongstoodupinhisboxerbri
efsandsteppedoutthenhe
grabbedMonga'shandandpull
edhim up,Mongacov er
edhis
pri
vateswit
hhishandandsteppedoutbuttnaked.Thongt
hrew
overanewpairofboxerbri
efsthenheputitonandthenew
cl
othes..
.

Thong:Ihav
ethekey
stoy
ourhouse.Lanal
eftt
hem wi
thKhumo
soIgotthem.

Monga:
Ok,
buti
don'
twantt
ogohome.
..Iwantt
odr
ivear
ound
andseeev
ery
thi
ng.

Thong:
Yourphonewasr
ingi
ng

Monga: I
t'
sthepeopl
eatchur ch,I
'l
ltal
ktothem l
ater.Eachoneof
them i
scall
ingandcall
ing.
..(
laughed)RragweLesegoar ekedul
e
becausehewasf ast
ingandhepr ayedforamiracl
e..Mxm!

Thong:
(laughed)That
'sy
ourf
ather
,af
ather
'spr
ayeri
spower
ful
.

Monga:
Want
wael
asper
m donorseo.
..

Theycr
ackedl
aughi
ngoutl
oud.
.

Monga: RragweLesegoomaakamonna!Thi sguyisali

ar.
..
.kana
arehej erkedoffi
ntoacont ai
nerandgavemymot her
,ij
ustcan't
i
magi nehowmymot herputmei nther
e..
.Ev
enhersyri
ngest ory
doesn'tmakesense. .
.Bagolobamaakamonna, mdal
ayoleo
j
etsepapamosadi .
..Way akaRragweLesego

Thong:
(laughed)Bonebaar
ephut
hel
akoor
ehel
abagol
obai
tse
gojabaitshut
ha..
.

TheylaughedandwalkedoutasMonga'
sphoner
ang,
hel
ooked
atLana'scal
landpi
cked..
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?
Shesmi
l
edandt
uckedherhai
rbehi
ndherear
..
.

Lana:
Hey
..
.OhmyGod.
..

AtLana'
sapar
tment
..
.

Meanwhi
leLanablushedl
ooki
ngathi
m withafr
eshhai
rcut,
thi
s
f
eltl
i
kethefi
rstt
imeshesawhiminthatcaratt
hefar
m...

Lana:
Youl
ookgood.
.

Monga:Thanks,j
ustcamef
rom t
hesal
oonandhadt
hel
ongest
showerofmylif
e.

Lana:
Youl
ookawesome.
.

Monga:
Wher
ear
etheboy
s?

Lana:
They
'r
eatschool
.

Monga:
Ok.
.

Lana:
Cany
oucomeher
e?

Monga:I'
m outonbail,
thechargeshavenotbeendr opped.They
j
ustchangedfrom murdertoatt
emptedmur derwhichi don'
t
knowhowmuchi thasaff
ectedmyt r
avel
li
ngpr i
vi
leges.Icanonl
y
tr
avel
whenthecaseisdone.Thelawyerbel
i
evesI'
llnotgetaj
ail
ti
measI'
veserv
edtimealreadybutasformycri
minal r
ecordI
'
ll
havet
oaskthelawyerwhatmychancesoftrav
ell
ingare.

Lana:Iunderstand..Anywaysidon'
twantt
otell
theboysy ou'
re
out.It
hinkishoul djustwai
tforacoupl
eofweeksuntil
theygo
forschoolvacationthenwecomeov erandyousurpr
isethem.

Monga:Thewayimissedthem..
.Isowant
edtotal
ktothem buti
guessafewweekswon'thurt
.Tomorr
owI'
m goi
ngtoyouroffi
ce.
..

Lana:(
laughed)I
t'
snott
hatper
fect
..
.It
'st
oosmal l
.Idi
dn'
twantt
o
spendalotofmoneybecauseihar
dlyuseit
.Theywill
showyou
around

Monga:
I'
mreal
l
ypr
oudofy
ou.
..

Lana:
I'
vealr
eadyhel
ped3chi
l
drengobackt
oschool
,iknowi
t'
s
notabignumber-

Monga: Evenifitwasonei twoul

dmeantheworl
dtothatchi
ld.I
neverthoughtI'
dev ersuchseri
ousl
i
fechangi
ngconv
ersati
ons
wit
hy ou..
.I'
mr eal
lyproudofyou.

Lana:
Thanky
ou.

Monga:
Iwantt
oseeamar
ri
agecounsel
l
or

Lana:
Youwantust
ogof
orcounsel
l
ing?

Monga:
Ineedcounsel
l
ing,
thenI'
lll
ety
ouknowwhenI
'
mready
f
oryoutoj
oinmesowecant alk?

Lana:
Isthi
saboutwhathappenedbefor
ey ouwentt
opr
ison?I
f
i
tsaboutFt
ownandallthatI
'm ov
erit
..
.I'
mf i
ne.
Monga:It
'snott
hat
..
.Itsme...I
'
m goingt
hroughal
oti
nmyhead
andidon'
twanttohurtthepeoplear
oundmesoIwanttodo
thi
ngsri
ght.

Lana:
Tel
lme.
.

Monga:I
'l
ll
etyouknowwhenI
'
mready
,ineedt
otal
ktoa
pr
ofessi
onal
.

Lana:
Arey
ougoi
ngt
ogetonef
rom chur
ch?

Monga: No,ineedtotal
ktosomeonewhowi l
ltal
ktoMongaas
anindiv
idualnotasapastor.Ial
readyknowwhatanyonefr
om
churchwill
sayandt hat
'snottheanswerI'
mlooki
ngfor.

Lana:Okbabe.Getal
lthehel
pyouneedandl
etmeknowwhen
you'
reready
.

Monga:
Ok,
let
'st
alkl
ater
.I'
m buy
ingf
ood.I
'
m hungr
y

Lana:
Ok,
Bye

Shehungupandsi
ghedthoughtf
ull
y,shewasn'
tsur
ewhatt
o
makeofthi
sconv
ersat
ionbutitwasscary
..
.

Att
hemal
l
...

MongaandThongwal
kedoutoft
heshopandbumpedi
ntoOt
lhe.
Herhear
tskippedandshewalkedbywithasti
ffneckli
keshe
di
dn'
tseethem, Mongagrabbedherwr
istandsheturnedher
ar
oundfli
nchingbl
ocki
ng.
..

Otl
he: Itwasn'tme. .
..
itwasApul awhosai dev ery
thi
ng.Iev entold
hernott osellyout othepol icebutshedi dit.
..Youcangot al
kto
heratt hehospi t
al.
..Shei satthehospi t
al i
nthepr i
vaterooms. .
.
Room 4. .
.herdaught eri sinaglassshei sapr ematurebaby ..
.
Don'thurtme. .
..Don'ti nvolv
emei nyourissuespleaseIdidn't
agreeonherpl ayi
ngy oulikethat..
.Ij
ustfoundanewboy f
riend
andI '
m goingt othef armt hisweekendakebat egot samay aka
mat sadiibi
leidon'twantt ogomi ssi
ng.Imaynothav ethe
str
engt htodigmy selfoutofagr ave.
..
.

Mongal
ethergoandf
rowned.
..

Monga:
Idi
dn'
tev
ensayany
thi
ng.
..

Ot
lhe:
Ehe,
nnaneker
egongwewampet
sa.

Thong:
(laughed)Mokemat
hat
a,l
et'
sgomr
..

Monga:
Ijustwant
edt
osayhi

Ot
lhe:
Oh,
hi.
Hetur
nedar
oundindi
sbeli
efandfol
lowedThongtot
hecarwher
e
t
heygoti
nthecarwi
thtakeawaysanddrov
eout.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#175

AtLana'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronThongpar kedi
nfrontoft
hehouseandl
eanedback.
Mongast eppedoutoft
hecarandgrabbedhi
swat
erbott
lethen
heclosedthedoor.
..

Monga:
Shapo

Thongwat chedhim wal ktowardsthedoorandunlockthedoor,

partofhi
m didn'twantt omention"her
"butthenhejustcouldn'
t
help.ImeanthiswasMongaandf orsomer easonOtl
he'swords
seemedlikethebi ggesttemptati
on.Thongroll
eddownt he
windowasher ev ersed.
..

Thong:
Don'
tthi
nkabouti
t.
.

Mongat
urnedar
oundl
ooki
ngathi
m andsmi
l
edwal
ki
ngback.
.

Monga:
Obuakaenganongmr
..
?
Thongl
ookedinhi
seyesandsmi
l
ed,
Monga'
sli
pst
rembl
edwi
tha
smil
eandtheyl
aughed.
..

Monga:
Idon'
tknowwhaty
ou'
ret
alki
ngabout

Thong: Iknowy ouwon'ttellmeifyou'r

et hi
nkingabouti tbuti
knowt hatinfoistempting.Don't
,shealwayshur tsyouandi t'
s
sadt hatyoudon'ttakeany t
hingshedoesser i
ous.Thislaststunt
wast ooser i
ous,shemadeLanadoubty oubecausey oujust
easil
yt ol
dherwhat eversheaskedy ou..
.Ifyoucan'tcont r
ol
yourselfaroundherit'
sbettertostayawayf rom her.Iknowy ou
werepi ssedwithherinpr i
sonbutnowt haty ou'r
eouty ouforgot
thatshenev erevenbotheredt ocheckony ou.

Mongasi
ghedt
hought
ful
l
yandputhi
shandsi
nthepocket
s
l
ist
eni
ngt
ohim.

Thong:Mpromiselai
teakabef
oreketsamaya..
.Notwhaty
ou
promisedLana.Pr
omi semethatyou'
l
lstayawayfory
ourown
good.

Monga:
Themonnaskadi
raj
alo

Thong:
Jang?Soy
ouwantt
ogo?

Monga:
Idon'
twantt
ogo,
I'
mjustdi
sappoi
ntedt
haty
out
hinkI
'
m
st
upi
denoughtogo.
Thong: Thenjustpr omisemet haty ouwon't
.Wenev erbr
eakour
promi sesandwenev erpromi seany thi
ngwecan' tkeepunlessi
t'
s
anewhabi ty
apr ison.Ifeell
ikey ourbraindoesn'tworkwhen
you'rewi t
hher,Isti
llcan'
tbelieveal lt
hethi
ngsy outoldher..
.
Mpr omi semrKhumoi saboutt osl eepIwantsomeandi don't
wantt owakeher .Gakei thel
aar obetsewagot enegakemo
tsosetsasex..
.Buakeat samay a..

Monga:Idon'
twanttogoseeher,Iki
ndofhateherri
ghtnowand
iknowshedoesn'
tloveme.Igott
hatloudandclearwhenshe
play
edmewi t
hthepolice.

Thong:That'
sjustsomethi
ngyou'r
et el
l
ingyoursel
f,i
don'
tbel
iev
e
that
,that'
swhyIwanty outopromiseme...Butonaseri
ousnote
doyout hi
nkApulacaresaboutyou?

Monga:Iknowshedoesn'
t.
..Ther
eisnoneedf
ort
hisawkwar
d
conv
ersati
on.

Thong: Howcomewet alkaboutev eryt

hingandany thi
ngt hen
whenwet alkaboutser iousissuesi knowy ouwoul dn'tdiscuss
withany onewar eit
'sanawkwar dconv ersati
on?Idi dn'tevenask
youf oranythingi j
ustsai dpromi semey ouwon'tcont acther ,
but
don'tmaket hatpr omi seifyouwon' tkeepi tbecausei twillhurtus.
Gaosakgoneandy ouknowdeepi ny ourhear tyouwantt ogo
tal
kt oher,may betellherhowdi sappoi nt
edy ou'
reort ryto
under st
andwhyshedi dwhatshedi dthenjusttellmeIwon' t
j
udgey outhoughi knowshei sgoingt ohurtyou.Ther eisnoneed
forust obet alkinglikethatkanaanongnkar ekei t
iri
ler r
ago..
Mongal
aughedandThongl
aughed.
..

Thong:
Yapal
apr
omi
se?

Monga: Idon'twantt ogothereandIwon'tgothere,

Iwon'
t
contactheri nanywaybecausel ennaI'
m prot
ecti
ngmyhear t,
shemi ghtnotchooseherwor dswisel
ywhil
etalki
ngtomeandi t
willhurt.Ican'ttr
usther,ican'
ttr
ustanywomanandi r
egr
etev en
tr
yingbecausei washappywheni di
dn'
ttr
ustanyone.Soyeah,i
promi se.Iwon' tgothere.

Thong:
Cool
,gaobat
akukuobuekegobat
ele,
Lanawagoboa
l
ate

Monga:(
laughed)Idi
dn'
tbreakmysi l
i
conepussyl
i
keyou.I
t
shoul
dbeinmyhomeof ficeboxes.Lanabr
oughtt
hem..

Thong:(l
aughed)Akereiboughtasmal
lsi
zebecausei
thoughti
t
wouldbesweet er
,kukueleki
leyampel
egaKhumoalemo
wheelchai
r.

Monga:
(laughed)Wenamonnawant
eogi
sa,
mrkanakepast
or

Thong:
(laughed)Godbl
essy
oupast
or

Theyl
aughedashedrov
eof
fthenMongawal
kedi
nthehouse
andcl
osedthedoor
.

Het
ookof
fhi
sshoesandl
aidont
hecoucht
henheswi
tchedon
theTV,hisphoneranganditwasacal
lfr
om oneofelder
sin
church,
heletitr
ingandcarr
iedonwat
chingTV.Hewasn'tready
tostepint
ohisdutyorengagewhenhewasn'tev
eninspir
it
...

Hisphonerangagai
nandt
hist
imei
twast
hemar
ri
age
counsel
lor
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Her
:Hi
,I
'm sor
ryf
orcal
l
ingt
hisl
ate.Iwasst
ucki
ntr
aff
ic.

Monga:I
t'
sok,cani
makeanappoi
ntmentwi
thy
oufort
omorrow
morni
ng?Didy
ouseemymessageonwhatiwantt
otal
kabout?

Her
:Doesi
thav
etobet
omor
rowmor
ning?Ihav
eot
hercl
i
ent
s

Monga:If
eell
ikeIcan'
tsur
viv
eonemor
edaybefor
elett
ingitout
buti
alsodon'
twanttotal
ktoany
oneel
seunl
essyourefermet o
someoneyoutrust
.

Her
:Ok,
I'
ll
seey
ouat10am t
hen.I
sthatgood?

Monga:
Yeah.
.Thanky
ou

Her
:Thanky
ou.

Hehungupandsi ghed,Lana'scal
lcamethroughwhil
ehewas
pressinghi
sphoneandf orsomereasonthedayshepunchedhim
i
nf rontoft
hechi
ldrenandpul l
edhi
m outofthecart
hendroveoff
cameback.Thet errori
nBr yce'
svoi
cescreamingandMJgetting
scr
eamedat.Heputhisphonedownandsighedt
ryi
ngtowatch
TV.Thecal
lendedbutgui
ltpushedhi
shandasheret
urnedher
cal
l.

Shepickedl
ayi
ngont
hebednudeandhet
hought
ful
l
yst
aredat
her
..

Lana:
Hi.
.

Monga:
Hi

Lana:
Arey
ouOK?

Monga:
Yeah.
..I
t'
sni
ghtt
imet
hissi
deandI
'
m exhaust
ed.Ineed
somesl
eep.

Lana:
Somet
hingi
sbot
her
ingy
ou,
tal
ktome

Monga:
Youl
ooksexy
..

Lana:
Iwi
shy
oucoul
dopenupandl
etmei
n.

Monga:Wewi
llt
alkwheny
ou'
rehome,
buti
t'
snot
hingbi
g.Cani
sl
eep?Keaot
sela.

Lana:
Goodni
ght

Hehungupandwat
chedTV.
..
Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Apula'
sfini
shedfeedi
ngherbabyandsl
owl
ywal
kedoutheadi
ng
toherroom asherphonerang.
..

Apul
a:(
lowv
oice)Hel
l
o?

Aunt
ie:
Hel
l
odaught
er,
howi
sthebaby
?

Apul
a:Shei
sfi
ne.

Aunti
e:Wehadv i
sit
ors,Ron'
sparent
swer ehere,
theywantto
st
artmagadinegoti
ati
ons.It
alkedtotheelder
sandweagr eedon
meeti
ngtomorrow.

Apul
a:(
smi
led)OK.
..Hedi
dn'
ttel
lmehi
spar
ent
swoul
dgot
oday
.
Whatawow..
.

Aunt
ie:
Yes.
..Ij
ustwantt
olety
ouknow.Getsomer
est

Apul
a:Eemma,
bye.

Shehungupsmili
ngandcar
eful
l
ylai
dont
hebedasOt
lhesent
heramessage.

Otl
he:ImetMataozenandManDear l
ieratthemall,hetr
iedt
o
beatmesoi t
oldhimyourroom number.Ididn'
tsaymuchi j
ust
sai
dyourroom numberbecauseiwasscared.Iknowt hi
sguyki
ll
s
peopl
e.Sor
ry.

Apul
a:Yougavehi
m myroom number
?Ot
lhehowcoul
dyou?He
i
sgoingtocomehere.

Shedi
all
edRon.
.

Ron:
Hel
l
o?

Apula:Otl
hegavehi
m myroom number
,shesay
shewast
ryi
ngt
o
beather.Canyoupl
easehel
pme.

Ron:(
sighed)Ok,I
'
lltal
ktotheguybef
orewer
epor
thi
mfor
har
assment .Canihavehi
sphonenumber?

Apula:Idon'
thaveitbutiknowsomeonewhohasi
t.Gi
vemea
minute,I
'mli
ter
all
yr unni
ngoutofmybreat
handmysti
tches.

Ron:I'
ll
takecar eofhi
m,hei
sstubborniknowhowtodealwit
h
stubbornpeople.Hewon'
tdoanythi
ngnearmydaught
er.Send
thenumber .
..

Shehungupandt
ext
edsomeone.
..

AtLana'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
l
eMongadozedof
fwhi
l
ewat
chi
ngTV,
forasecondhe
foundhimselfbackinthecellwit
hthesnori
ngcellmat
eswho
fart
edthewhol eni
ght.
.Hisheartshutt
eredashesatuplooki
ngat
hiscel
l.
..I
tseemedl i
kehewasondeat hrowandLopangwas
actual
l
ydead.Ev er
ythi
nghet houghtwasrealseemedl
ikea
dream andhisheartpounded..
.

Thesoundofhi scellphonedrewhim backtoreali

tyashegasped
andsatupsweat ing.Het ookoffhi
sTshir
tandr ubbedhis
foreheadashisphoner ang,forasecondhewasn' tsur
ewhatwas
goingon, hi
shear tpoundedsohar dhethoughtitwouldstop.He
sippedwat ert
ryingtof i
ghtoffthepani
cattackbuthishands
wer esti
l
lshaking.

Hestoodupandwal
kedoutsi
der
ecol
l
ecti
ngever
ythi
ngthat
happenedsi
ncemor
ningt
henhemanagedtocal
m downand
pi
ckedthecal
l.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Ron:You'
retal
ki
ngt
oRon,
Apul
a'
sfi
ancéandt
hef
atherofher
chi
ld.I
sthi
sMonga.

Monga:
Yeah?

Ron: Idon'
tknowwhatthehelly
ou'
retr
yingt
odostal
ki
ngmywi
fe
butifyoucomeanywher enearmyfamil
yIwil
lmakei
tmy
missiontodestr
oyyourli
fe.
MyKi
ndofMan

#176

AtLana'
sHouse.
..

Monga:
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?

Ron: Aren'
tyououtonbail?I
'm sur
eoneofy ourcondit
ionsisthat
youshoul dn'
tint
erf
erewithwit
nesses.
..Thati
ncludesmywi f
e.I
willcontactt
heprosecut
ionandhav et
hecour ti
nformedy ou'
re
harassingmywi fesoyoucanbesentbacki njai
ltowaitforyour
tr
ial
.

Monga:
Idi
dn'
thar
assy
ourwi
fe

Ron:Sot
hat
'st
herouteyouwanttot
ake?Arey
ousay
ingmywi
fe
i
slyi
ngwhenshesaysyou'
rehar
assi
ngher?

Monga:
Ok,
I'
m sor
ry.
..
.Itwon'
thappenagai
n.Apol
ogi
set
oherf
or
me.

Ron:You'r
esuchamonkey ..
.You'
ret
ruenegrothatdeservesto
workinthefarm 24/7soy oucandosomethingproducti
vethan
sali
vateoverpeopl
e'swives.Whatahypocr
it
eofapast or.Idon'
t
respondwelltothr
eats.
..

Mongatookadeepbr
eathandsi
ghed,cl
earl
yhewasn'
ti
na
posi
ti
ontoar
gueorupsetany
oneespeci
all
yApul
a.He'
dnev
er
under
standt
hissuddenhat
redandur
get
otakeawayhi
sfr
eedom.

Monga:
I'
m sor
ry.I
twon'
thappenagai
n.Tel
lApul
aI'
m sor
ry.

Ronhungup,Mongaputt hephonedownt henhetookadeep

breat
handsighedst i
l
lconfused.Heswi t
chedofftheTVandput
hi
sphoneonsi l
entbef or
eleavi
ngi tthereandgoingtobed.He
hadnowdevelopedahabi tofsleepingatt hesametimeeveryday
duetothepr
isonlightsoutti
me.Hel aiddownont hecomfort
able
bedandfel
lasleep..
.

AtLana'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhil
eLana'
sphoner angasshewalkedi
nthehousewi
th
gr
ocer
iesandputthem onthecount
er.
.

Lana:
Hel
l
o?

Sedi
:(y
awni
ng)Di
diwakey
ou?

Lana:
(laughed)Yourni
ghti
smyday
,whenar
eyougoi
ngt
olear
n?

Sedi
:Ohyeah..
.Heimmai can'
tsleep.Ihavebadnewsfory
ou,
Apul
acontact
edmehour sbacklookingforMonga'
snumberso
shecangi
veittoherf
iancégoreakgalemeleMonga.Apparent
ly
Mongaisstal
ki
ngherandharassingeveryonear
oundherareo
bat
aApul
a.Thesi
sterendedupgivi
nghimtheroom numbery
a
Apul
aandnowshewant sherf
iancétost
ophim.

Lanapausedpacki
ngandl
i
stenedt
oherpr
oper
ly.
..

Sedi:IneverthoughtMongawoul
dgobackt
oheraftert
his.I
thoughthe'l
lwalkoutagoodmanbuti
fheisrunni
ngaft
erApula
evenaf t
erwhatshedi d.Uh

Lana:Ihatehimri
ghtnow.
..Imeant hereisdi
srespecti
ngyour
wi f
eandshowinghershei
snot hing.
..Ishoul
dhavewal kedaway
from hi
mt heminut
eIsawhi m witht
hatoldcowofhi s.Mongais
tryi
ngmypat i
encewait
se.
..IwishIwasi nMaunsoi coul
dbeat
theshitoutofhi
m.I'
m soangry

Sedi
:Mmekanai
tsoundsl
i
ket
heywantt
orepor
thi
m agai
nsohe
cangobackt
opr
ison.

Lana:Mongawabor awai t
se.Lethim gobackt opr i
son..
.I'
ll
find
myselfamanher e,
I'mtir
edofdat i
ngst upi dblackmenwhocan' t
befaithf
ul.Ican'tbeli
eveiwasexci tedfornot hing.I'mtakinghalf
ofeverythingincl
udinghismoneyev enint heof fshoreaccount s
nobodyknowsaboutandI 'm mov i
ngher e.I'm goingt oget
ci
ti
zenshi pher ewit
hmyboy s.Hewi ll
star toverwi thhisold
woman.I 'm sickofthisbackandf ourth.IfIwast hereI'
dpunch
hi
m ont hef ace,heforgetswhoi am v eryeasily.Nxla!Letmecal l
hi
m.I '
m sopi ssedi neverthoughtI'
dhav et odeal wi t
hthis
beardedwoman.
Sedi
:Pl
easedon'
tment
ionme

Lana:
Gonal
emot
hoy
ool
omi
wangt
sebeabear
emangmangar
e?

Sedi
:Justsay
ing

Shehungupanddial
l
edMongabutt
her
ewasnoanswer
.Her
angerdoubl
ed.
..

Att
hepol
i
cest
ati
on.
..
.

ThenextmorningRonknockedont
hedoorwhi
l
ethedet
ect
ive'
s
wrot
esomethingonthefil
e..
.

Hi
m:Comei
n

Ronwalkedi
nandpul
l
edachai
rbef
orei
ntr
oduci
nghi
msel
fand
si
tt
ingdown.
.

Ron:Youraccusedisstalki
ngandhar assingmyfiancé,
y ou
peopl
egotheri nt
othismessbymaki nghersellt
hisguyoutand
nowhei souttherel
ookingf orher
.Apulajustdel
i
v er
edababy
andshewon'tbei naposi t
iontodefendhersel
fshouldthisguy
att
ackher.Sheisstuckinthehospitalbecauseourdaughterisi
n
av
ent
il
ator
.

Detecti
ve:OneofMonga'sbailcondi
ti
onsist
hathemustnot
contactApula,
ifhedi
dthatthenheisgoingbackt
ojai
l
.I'
l
lfi
l
eit
tomorrowsohecanber emanded

Ron:Pl
easedon'tfai
lher,y
ouputberinthissit
uati
on,hersaf
ety
shoul
dbey ourpri
ori
ty.Thi
smani sdangerous,heact
uall
ykil
led
andburi
edsomeoneal i
ve.
..Idon'
twantt
ohav etoshoothimin
sel
fdefence.

Detect
ive:
Iunderstandy
ourconcer
nandIwil
ltakecareofit
..
.
I
bil
ei wasjustabouttol
eav
eforthecour
t.Hi
sbailwil
lberevoked.
Don'tworr
y.

Ron:
Thanky
ou

Hest
oodupandwal
kedout
..
..

AtLana'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erthatmorningMongawokeupt oLana'smi
ssedcall
sthenhe
di
all
edherashepeedi nthetoi
let
,therewasnoanswer.Shemust
havefal
lenasl
eep..
.Hebrushedhisteethandsi
ghedl
ookingat
hi
mselfonthemi r
ror.
..

Hewal
kedi
ntheki
tchenandmadebr
eakf
astt
henhesatbyt
he
dini
ngtableandat ei
nthequi ethouse.Hest il
ldidn'tunder st
and
whyApulawoul daccusehim ofst alki
ngher .
..Didshehat ehi m
thatmuch?Per hapsi
twasbestt ojustmov eoutofMaun, buya
bigfar
mf arawayandl i
vet her eawayf rom everyone...Surelythi
s
saggahadaf f
ectedhisreput ation,whowoul dlistentoapast or
withhi
shistory.Hewasn'tfitt ostandbeforeacongr egationnor
washegoodenought oliveamongstanycommuni ty.Hesobadl y
wantedtotalktotheboysbutIguesswai ti
ngaweekort wo
wouldn'
thurtifLanathi
nksi twoul dbeaper f
ectsur priseforthem
attheair
port.

Hef
ini
shedeat
ingandt
ookabat
hbef
orel
eav
ing.
..

Att
hecounsel
l
or.
.

Lat
erthatmor
ningt
hemar
ri
agecounsel
l
orl
eanedbackl
ooki
ngat
Monga..
.

Monga: I'
vebeenthroughal otofthi
ngst hatasamani didn'
t
thi
nkitwasnecessar ytogethel pwi th,i
stil
ldon'
tthi
nkit's
necessarybecauseagonamosol aithappenedandi can'tchange
thatbutformychildren'
ssakei wantt odother i
ghtt
hing.I
specif
ical
lywantedyouamar ri
agecounsel l
orbecausey ouhave
experi
encewiththeset hings..
.Iwantt ofixthi
sandidon' twantt
o
tal
ktoany onewhowi l
ljudgemywi feorgossipabouther .Il
ove
mywi f
eandi fIdi dn'tI'
dj ustl eaveherbecauseshei sv i
olent ..
.
Thef unnypar tist hati don'tev enmi ndherbeat i
ngmeupl iket hat
becausewheni wasgr owi ngupmymot herusedt obeatmyl at e
father.
..Hewasasof thear tedmanandI 'venev erseenhi mr aise
hishandt omymot herbutmymot herwoul dev enbeathi mi n
frontofus. .
.Ir ememberonet imei don' tknowwhatt heywer e
arguingaboutbutmymot hersl appedhi m sohar dhebi this
tongueanddr oppedt hepl ateoff oodhewaseat i
ngf rom, hebent
downt opi ckupt hepieceswhi lemymot herwasst il
lbeatinghi m
oneachsi deoft hecheeks.Henev erev enbl ockedhersl aps, he
pickedt hebr okenpl ateandl eft.Henev ert oldany onet hathewas
getti
ngbeatup, notev enmygr andpar ent sknewso. .
..Thev er y
fi
rsttimeLanabeatmeupi wasn' tsoshockedbecausei know
womenbeaty ouwhent hey'
r eangr y...I'
v ejust i
fiedev erybeat ingi
gotf r
om herandI '
venev ertoldany onet hatasl i
ttl
easshei sshe
beatsme.Act ual l
ynnahel awhent her elationshi pstartsgirlsar e
afrai
dofmebecauseofmyhei ghtandv oicebutov erti
met hey
fi
gur eouti can' tbeatawoman.I t'
snoti nme. ..I'm soaf r
aidt ohi t
agi r
lmoeel enggor ei knowi mustapol ogiset oagi rlwhohas
beatenmet ocal m herdownbecausei nmymi ndwomenbeat
whent heyl ov ey ouandwantt obuildy ou.Iknowt hisisabi tsi ck
buthadshekeptbeat ingmei npr i
vat eI '
dst i
l
l nottellanyone. ..But
shecanact ual l
ybeatmei nf rontofoursonsandi tbreaksmy
heart..

Hepausedandswal
l
owed.
..
.
Monga: Br ycewassot errified,hisv oi cewasshaki ngandt hey
didn'twantt ogowi thherbutshewassoangr y..
.Ifelt
emascul atedasaman, Iam t heirher oandi nev erwant edt hem t o
growupt hinkingitsOKt ol etagi rl beaty oubecauset hi st hingis
serious.Womenbeatamant hatdoesn' tbeatt hem back, myex' s
hav ebeat enmeupi nt hepastgaseLanahel a.Womenar ev ery
violentandf orsomer easont othem t heonl ywr ongv i
ol encei s
theonecomi ngf r
om aman.I tsthewor ldI'mr aisingmysonsi n
i
bi l
et heyseemegot hr ought his..
.Mar r
iagei snoteasyandt o
thinkt hatev erytimesheget sangr yshewi l
l bebeat ingmeupi n
frontofoursonsi feel itdamagesmyboy sandI '
m goingt or ai
se
weakboy slikeI '
m weaknow.I fIslapherbackonce. ..
justonceI '
ll
breakherj awordest r
oyhereardr um andi don' twantt odot hat.I
don' tremembergor ebef or et hi
sLananeampel etsangbutIknew
i
twasmyf aul t
..Mal obal egonei feel itwasmyf aul
t..
.IfIwasn' t
i
nApul a'scarshewoul dn' thav ebeatmeormay beshewasgoi ng
tobeatmef orwhatApul asai daboutushav i
ngsext houghase
sur e.Shedest royedmei nf rontofmywor ker sandpeopl ewho
respectmer ightnowI 'm ashamedt ogobackt oGabor onet hat'
s
whyket aaganel lamoMaunbuther el egoneI '
m notwel come.
Myexdoesn' twantmei nMaun.Any way smymai nconcer ni smy
childrenandwhatI 'mt eachi ngthem becausei knowdeepdown
whyi can' tfightback.Myf athernev erdi dt hatt omymot herand
whenev erwet alkedhebl amedhi msel fandf oramomenti
under st oodwhymamanear ebet samol wapengIt houghti twas
l
ov e.Iwentaheadandmar riedav iol entwoman. ..Andi don' teven
blameher ,shewasr aisedbyv i
olencet oo...Sheexpr essesher self
wi t
hhands.Sheget sv iolentwhenshei sangr y.Ineedt ot each
mysonssomet hingdi fferent ..
.Ineedt obr eakt hegener ational
curse..
.Ineedt or aiseboy swhoknowt hatv iol
encei swr ongand
i
fsomeonel ovesy out heywoul dn' thurtyou.Howdoi dot hatby
stayi
ngwi t
hmyabuser ?Idi dn' twantt oadmi tthisbutmywi feis
vi
olentandshemustl ear nbet ter .Lifeist ooshor tformet ot urn
i
ntomyf ather ,
Iam past orTi ki straight..
.Smi li
ngi npubl i
cand
secretl
yaf rai
dI '
llgetasl apf orev erywr ongi do.I'mlosing
my self
..
.I'ml osingt hatt hingandt hismar riagei swear ingme
down.I t
spai nful thatev er yar gumentshewant sadi vorce. ..I
'm
walkingoneggshel lsbutI '
m doi ngmybest .Ipr ov i
def orherand
dosomuchbutshei sal way sr eadyt odi vorcemeandi thur t
s.
Thepast10y earsI 'venev ercheat ed...Notonce. ..Therear et imes
isuspectedshecheat ed..Hol i
day sshedi dn'tcomet oBot swana
becauseshewasbusywi thherpr ojects.Justt hatwomenar e
goodcheat erssoIcoul dn'tev enaskherbecauset herewas
nothingbutaf eelingofbei ngi gnor ed.Shedi dherbr east sandi
appreciatedt hatbutasanAf ricanmani nev ermadeherf eel
otherwiseaboutbei ngnat ur al.Weal lknowwhi teguy spr ef ertheir
womenwi t
hbet terboobs. ..I'm anAf ri
canmani don'tcar eabout
breasts.Ilovepussymor e...I'm sor r
yf orcur sing...

Her
:It
'sok.
..Leti
tal
lout
..
.

Monga: Tot
aev enifi wanttodivorcetoshowmychi l
dren
vi
olenceiswrong.Kei pot
sagor ewherewillIgo.I
'm notlucky
whenitcomest orel ati
onshi
psI '
m al
way schasingafterwomen
whom Idoev er
y t
hingf orbuttheyalwaysleavemef oraguywho
doesabsolut
elynot hing.Ketshabagoj ol
asoLanai smyonl y
optionev ent houghal ev i
olent.Iwon' tbesi ngl ebecausei wishf or
agoodr elati
onshi p..
.Imi ssbeingl ov edandl ovi
ngsomeone. .My
fri
endhast hebestmar riageev er ,
hi swi f
el ov eshi m andshei s
j
ustper fect.Iwi shi hadt hat .
.Ev eryt i
mei gi veupi seet hem
l
ov i
ngeachot hert henket swapel oandwantt otrythislovet hing
butI'm notlucky .Igetcheat edsobadmmennakesachi t
e...
Wheni l
ov ei lovehar d..
.LeeneLanai onl ycheat edheroncei n
Ftownbutaf t
ert hatIf eltsogui lt
yt hati endedmyf l
i
ngwi thApul a.
Ididn'
tleadApul aonei ther ,
ikeptt ellingheri don'twantt odoi t
butshecor ner edmeandwedi di t
.Wheni endedi tshesai dshe
understoodandi shoul dn'tfeel bad.Ij ustf eltli
kecheat ingisnot
foryouMongabecauset hewhol et i
mei hadt hisbigchi ponme
thatateawaymysmi leandIspent10y ear swhol eheartedly
l
ov i
ngmywi fe.Iwon' tev enl i
eandl ety out hinki nev erdidone
thi
ngwr ongbutnowi feel li
keImustst opt eachingmyboy sthat's
i
t'sokt obebeat enandt omor rowy ou'real lsmi l
es.Asamar riage
counsellori wanty outohel pmef ixthi si fitsf i
xable..Iwantt odo
everythi
ngi cant osav emymar ri
agebef or egi vi
ngupona
womant hatgav emet wochi ldren..
.We' v ehadourgoodt imes,
don'tgetmewr ong.Ij ustwantt odor ightf ormysonsbecausei
don'twantt hem gr owingupt hinkingi tsOKt obebeat en.Ican' t
takeherv i
olenceanddi srespectany mor e, I'
m givingup. .

Sheclosedherbookandopenedt
hefri
dgepour
inghi
m wateri
nto
adisposabl
ecupandhandedhim whi
l
eshegothersandsat
downbef or
egett
ingi
ntoi
t.
..
Hi
sphoner
angt
hehepi
cked.
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Voi
ce:
Thi
sdet
ect
iveMor
ui,
wher
ear
eyou?

Monga:
Masedi
counsel
l
ingcent
er,
what
'sgoi
ngon?
.

Voice:Ineedt
opicky
ouup,y
ouhav
efai
l
edt
ohonoury
ourbai
l
condit
ionsbyhar
assi
ngApul
a.

Monga:Areyoupeoplet
ryi
ngt
obreakmekanaj
ang?Whywould
shesayihar
assedherwhenidi
dn'
t?Cani
comeovert
hereand
tal
ktoyou?Please.
.

Voice:
Pleasecomeoverbecausei
fyoudon'
tcomewi
thi
nthe
nexthourwewill
findy
ou..

Monga:I
'
m comingnow.Ist
hereawayi canj
ustapologi
seto
t
hesepeopleory
oucall
usthenweclearthemisunderst
andi
ngi
f
i
tsonebecauseihav
en'
thar
assedher.

Voi
ce:
YoucannotmeetApul
a,y
oucannotcomecl
oset
oher
.It
wascl
ear
lyst
ated.

Monga:
Ok,
I'
m comi
ng.

Hehungupandlookedatthecounsell
orspeechl
esst
henhe
wal
kedoutasLana'
scallcamethrough..
Monga:
Hey

Lana:You'r
eapieceofshit,soyou'
rest
il
laf
terApula?Af t
er
every
thingwebeent hr
oughy oudothi
s.Doyouknowt hatir
eject
menf oryou?You'
llneverseemeormychi l
drenagain.I'
m done
withyoukootengyoudon'ttakemeseri
ously.

Monga:
Imi
ghtgobackt
ojai
lcani
tal
ktot
heboy
s..

Lana:You'
renott
alki
ngtomychi
l
dren,
got
alkt
oApul
a'
schi
l
d
akerethat
'swhoyouwant.

Monga:Ididn'
tharassApul
a..
.Ididn'ttalktoher.Shei
sly
ingand
sheistr
yingtodestroymyanditswor king..
.Giv
eMJt hephone
becauseidon'tknowhowlongI'
llstayint her
e.

Lana:I'
m donewi t
hy ou.I
fyout hi
nkI'
ll
beli
kedesper
ateApul
a
taki
ngy earstogetoveryouy ou'
rewrongt
omorrowI'
llbewi
th
anothermanandi won'tr
egretitei
ther
.Gakeait
hobogaandI'
m
noteveny ourty
pet obeginwith.

Hecutt hecall
andsati nthecarthenheputhi shandov erhis
face.Goingbacktothosewal ls,
thefood,crowdandnotknowi ng
whenhe' devenget.Everyt
hingwasf al
li
ngapar tandhecouldn't
fi
ndonesi ngl
ereasont oli
veorawayt ofi
xt hi
s.Nowsui ci
de
madesenseandatt hi
sv erymomenti tfel
tliketheonl
ywayt o
stopthi
shugepat chofpai ninhisheart
.

Hest
art
edt
hecart
henheswi
tchedof
fhi
sphoneanddr
oveout
,
onceattheroadhepausedlookingatt
hedir
ect
ionoft
hepol
ice
stati
onthenhetooktheopposi
te,hewasn'
tsur
ewherehewas
goingbuthewasn'tcomingback,ev
er!

.
MyKi
ndofMan

#177

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Apul
a'
sphoner
angt
henshepi
ckedl
ayi
ngont
hebed.
..

Ron:
Hisweet
ie

Apul
a:Hi
,howdi
ditgo?

Ron:Iunderstandthatyoudon'
twanthimtogobackt oj
ail
but
tal
ki
ngt othisthugwiththepol
icewon'
tworkbecausehe
promisedhe'dbeher eanhouragobutheisnot
.Isuggestyoul
et
them takethi
st ocourtsohecanbesentbacktojai
l
.

Apul
a:May
behei
srunni
ngl
ate.

Ron:Thepol
icewentt
hereandhelef
t,appar
entl
yhewasgett
ing
counsell
i
ngther
ewhenthepoli
cecal
led.Heisnotgoi
ngt
ojust
l
ist
ent oawarni
ng.

Apul
a:May
behepani
cked,
thej
ail
car
dwi
l
ldef
ini
tel
ykeephi
m
away.

Ron:
I'
mleav
ingt
hepol
i
cest
ati
onnow.

Apul
a:Ok,
thanksal
otf
orpr
otect
ingme

Ron:
Any
time.Il
ovey
ou
Apul
a:Il
ovey
out
oo.

ShehungupasOt
lheandAt
sil
ewal
kedi
nwi
thpl
ast
icbags.
..

At
sil
e:Atl
easty
ou'
rel
ooki
nggood.
..Hi

Apul
a:Hi
..
.

At
sil
e:Howar
eyou?

At
sil
esor
tedhert
hingswhi
l
eApul
alai
donherback.

Apul
a:(
toOtl
he)Mongai
snowher
et obef
ound,
thepol
i
cecal
l
ed
hi
m andhesai
dhe'
dcomebutnevercame

At
sil
e:Di
dimi
sssomet
hing?Whathappened?

Apul
a:Mongai
slooki
ngf
orme

Otl
he:Heimonyanai
wasl
ying,
whywoul
dyoucal
lthepol
i
ce?Di
d
youcal
lthepol
i
ceonhim?

Apul
a:Yousai
dhet
ri
edt
obeaty
ou

Otlhe:Inev
ersai dthat.
..Imettheguyatthemall
, hewasbuy i
ng
foodwi t
hthatcr uelf
ri
endofhi sandhegreetedme.Thef i
rstt
ime
ithoughthe'dbeatmeandi justtol
dhim wherey
ou'resohecan
l
eav emeal onethenhesai dhewasj ustsayi
nghi.Neant umedisa
nnaabeket shabagobuagor ekebuil
easampot sa.Yooowee
Mat
aoz
eni
sgoi
ngt
oki
l
lmef
orl
yi
ngabouthi
sname

Apul
a:Sohedi
dn'
tev
enaskaboutme?

Otl
he:No, hedi
dn'
tsayanythi
ngaboutyou..
.Hejustsai
dhiand
t
heyleft.Wenaoratadicaselemapodi
si,obal
letsagor
enghela?
I
'm dead..
.Heisgoi
ngtokillmeforl
yi
ng.

Atsi
l
e:Youli
edt
oheraboutsomeoney
ouknowshei
sscar
edof
f.
Iwouldhav
ecal
ledt
hepoli
cetoo.

Apul
a:MmekanaRonsaidMongapani
ckedandapol
ogi
sed
gat
wekeareApul
aaintshwar
ele.

Atsi
l
e:Hepr obabl
yaccept
edthatandapol
ogi
sedsohewouldn'
t
gotojai
l.Ibl
ameOt l
hekalel
eme..
.Totawagohet
salengmaaka
andexaggerati
ngthi
ngsal
ltheti
me?

Otlhe:Idi
dn'
tknowshewi llcal
lthepol
icel
emaSSGgot hel
ema
DIS,whodoest hat?Iknewshe'dbeangryatmefort
ell
i
nghim
herlocati
onsoi hadtogiveavalidr
easonforgi
vi
ngouther
l
ocat i
on.

Apul
a:Nowhepr obablyt
hinksI
'
mtryi
ngtodest
royhi
sli
fe,wai
tse
nnamypr obl
emswillnev
erend.Ev
eryti
meItrytobehappy
somethi
nghappens

At
sil
e:Justcall
thedet
ect
iveandt
ell
himi
twasa
mi
sunderstandi
ng..

Apul
adi
all
edDet
ect
ive.
..
Otl
he:Whocall
sthepoli
cewhenshehear
sthatsomeonewas
aski
ngabouther?Apul
alewenawaphaphamma.

Apul
a:(
glar
edather
)Ifi
wasn'
tnur
singmyst
it
chesI
'
dgetof
fthi
s
bedandbeaty
ou.

Thedet
ect
iveanswer
edt
henshet
alkedt
ohi
m..

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Thongnoticedhiswif
e'smedicalcardont hedressingtabl
ethen
hepickeditupandreadit,shehadtakenanot hercontr
acepti
ve
i
njecti
on.Hedroppeditdownandwal kedinthekitchenwhere
Khumowascut ti
ngsomev egetabl
est henhehuggedherf rom
behindandkissedherneck..
.

Thong:
Ithoughtwear
etr
yingf
oraboy
.

Khumo: Babeican'
thav
eany
mor
echi
l
dren,
whycan'
tyoul
ove
yourdaughter
s?

Thong:Whyi
sitev
eryti
meital
kaboutt
ryi
ngonemor et
imeyou
menti
onmydaughter
sasifi
lovet
hem anylessbywant
ingaboy?

Khumo:
Andi
fit
'sagi
rlagai
n?

Thong:ThenI
'
llacceptt
hati
makeonl
ygi
rl
swhi
chi
ssomet
hing
I
'm notr
eadyt
oacceptnow.
Khumo:Pr
egnancyisanoteasymot
howamodi
mo.Iam enj
oyi
ng
myjobandI'
m happy.
..

Thong:
Soy
ou'
renotwi
l
li
ngt
ocompr
omi
se?

Khumo:No,
I'
m nothavi
ngmor ethan2chil
dren.Ther
eismoreto
l
if
ethanhav
ingchi
ldr
en..
.I'
vebeenpregnant3timesalr
eady
..
.
Pushi
ngababyoutofyourbodyisnoteasy.

Thong:I
'm beggingyou.
..I
'l
ldowhatev
eryouwant..
.Let
'st
ryi
t
maybeI'
llbelucky.Ij
ustwanttoknowwhatit
'sli
kehavi
ngason
that
'sal
l
,am Iwr ongforbei
nghonestwit
hmy sel
fandyou?

Khumo:
I'
m notget
ti
ngpr
egnantagai
n..Bat
asur
rogat
e

Thong:I
'm gl
adyout
hinkt
hisi
sfunny
.Idon'
twanttoimpregnat
e
anyonebutyou.Doi
lookl
ikeaguywhowant
stoplanthi
sseed
thewholetown?

Khumo:(l
aughed)Aker
esurr
ogat
eonlycar
ri
esourbaby
..Myegg
andyoursper
m areputi
nsi
dehersowerentherwombhela

Thong:
Idon'
twantaf
akebaby
..

Shelaughedoutl
oudandt
urnedar
oundki
ssi
nghi
m bef
ore
put
ti
ngapi eceoft
omatoi
nhismouth.
.

Khumo:
Howi
sMonga?I
sitmeorhel
ookski
ndofdepr
essed?

Thong:
(chewing)Hi
sphoneisoff
,Iwonderwhy.
..ButI
'
m gl
adhe
i
sgoingforcounsel
l
ing.
..Wai
tsel
ait
eamegaiseannehappy
sent
ehel
a.Hesai
dhe'
dcal
lmeaf
tercounsel
l
ingbuthehasn'
t.

Hi
sphonerangt
henhepi
ckedasKhumoputasl
i
cedcucumberi
n
hi
smouth.

Thong:
Hel
l
o?

Hi
sy oungestdaught
err
ani
nandhebentov
erpi
cki
ngherand
ki
ssedhercheek..

Apul
a:Hi
,i
tsApul
a.Cani
geti
ncont
actwi
thMonga?

Thong:
Why
?

Apul
a:Otl
hetol
dmeMongawast
ryi
ngt
obeatherandaskedf
or
mywhereabout
s-

Thong:Otlheot si
legony e-(
remember edhewascar ryi
nghis
daughter
)Ot l
heot aai t
shenya..
.Iwast here,Shewalkedpastus
andMongar ecognisedher,heplayfulgrabbedherandshe
star
tedrunni nghermout h,
wewer ebothshockedandMongat old
herhejustwant edtosayhi that'
swhenshesai doh.Whywoul d
Mongawantt ohurty ou?GapeMongaknowswher eyourhouseis,
heknowsy ourof fi
ceandi knowy ourfil
lingstati
onlebar,what
makesy out hinkitwoul dbehardt ogettoy ouifhereall
yreal
ly
wantedtof indy ou?Let waelaMat aozenbany anakelona.
Apula:ManDl i
sten.
..Ipanickedandtoldmyfiancéthis,hecalled
him upandt hi
smor ninghewentt othepoli
cebutwhent hepol i
ce
contactedmeIt ol
dt hem t
oj ustt
alktohi
m helabuthemay be
theywer et
oohar donhi m orhethoughthewasgoi ngtoj ai
l.
Otlhejustt
oldmenowt hatshel i
edbecauseshet houghtI'dbe
angryshetoldhim soshecameupwi t
ha" v
ali
dr eason"Please
apologiset
ohimf orme.Idi dn'tr
uinhi
sday.Hisphonei sof f.

Thong:Mongaisdepr
essedandyou'
readdi
ngontohi
sprobl
ems,
whydoy outhi
nkheevenwantst
ohurtyou?WhenhasMonga
everhur
tyou?

Apula:Gompi
enotot
aever
ythi
ngismyfaul
tandI'
m sorr
y.I
bel
ievedmysist
ermmegapei knowOt
lhei
sdramaticmaybeit
's
becauseI'
mfeel
inggui
l
tyf
orputti
ngMongaint
hesituat
ionhei
s
i
nnow.

Thong:Lempereki
saov
erti
mekaMonga, hanelekait
segor
eo
sensi
ti
venkabelemoneel
aspace.I
fyoucan'tbenicetohi
m
l
eavehim al
oneandbehappywi
thyourfamil
y.

Apul
a:Ij
ustwant
edt
ocl
ari
fyt
hat
,omor
eyegor
ekar
esor
ry.

Hehungupandt
ri
edMonga'
snumberagai
nbuti
twas
unav
ail
abl
e..
.

Khumo:
What
'sgoi
ngon?

Thong:
Ineedt
ogosomewher
etol
ookf
orMonga,
iknowhe
alwayssayshe'
dnev erki
l
lhi
mselfbuti
knowev
enst
rongpeopl
e
reachrockbot
tom andgiveup.

Khumo:
Ok

Thong:
(tohi
sdaught
er)I
'
llseey
ouwheni
getback

Her
:(cr
ying)No,
I'
m goi
ngwi
thy
ou

Thong:Pr
incessdaddyi
sgoingonal
ongdr
ive(
shecr
iedev
en
l
ouder)OK,OK..
.Let'
sgo.
..

1stbor
n:I
'
m goi
ngt
oo!

Thong:
Eish.
..

Hel
eanedoverandki
ssedKhumobef
oreget
ti
ngt
hei
rjacket
sand
wal
ki
ngout.
..

Hour
sawayf
rom Maun.
..

Laterthataf
ter
noonThongpul ledintothegatewhi
lehis
daughterssl
eptint
heirseats.Hest eppedoutandunl
ockedthe
gatethenhedroveinbeforelockingupanddr i
vi
ngthrough.
..

Minut
eslat
erheappr
oachedthecabi
nhousesurroundedbybi
g
mochabaandmowanat r
ee.
..Asthecargotcl
oserhecoul
dhear
t
hemusicplayi
ngandthesoundofadril
li
ngmachine.
Hepar kedbesidesMonga'scarandroll
eddownthewindows
whil
ehi sgi
rl
ssl epti
nthebackthenhesteppedoutl
ookingatt
he
cabin,
henev erknewhowt al
entedBatswanawere.I
twashardto
bel
ieveitwasbui l
tbyalocal
..
.Itl
ookedexactl
yli
ket
hecabin
housesi nt
hemov i
es.

Thong:
(knockedandshout
edatt
hesamet
ime)Mat
aozen!

Meanwhi l
einsi
dethehouseMongascrewedaboar di
nsidet
he
kit
chenshelfandpausedthedr
il
lthenhest
oodupandr emov ed
thegoggles.Hesmil
edandputdownt hedr
il
lthenhetookoffhis
gloves.
..

Thong:
Thi
spl
acest
il
ll
ooksnew.
.

Monga:
Yeah.
..I
tneedsr
enov
ati
oni
nsi
deher
eandt
her
e..

Thong:Iheardwhathappened, Apulacal
ledmeandtoldmeOt l
he
tol
dheryouhar assedlooki
ngf orher
,shesaysshepani
cked
wit
houtthinki
ngandcont actedherfi
ancéwhothentookitf
urt
her.
Sheonlyfoundoutaf t
erthatshewasexaggerati
ngandshe
wantedtoapologisebutyourphonewasof f.

Monga:
Ok.
.Tel
lheri
t'
sok.
Hetur
nedaroundandcleanedthesawdustoncount
erwi
tha
cl
othasThonglookedathim.
..

Thong:
Arey
ouOK?

Monga:
Yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.
.

Hesteppedont
hechai
randchangedt
hebul
bwhi
l
eThongl
ooked
athi
m...

Thong:
Gaonast
ressaker
emr
?

Mongapausedhol
dingabul
bst
il
lst
andi
ngont
hechai
r.
.

Monga:
Whydoy
ouask?

Thong:Justmaki
ngsure,
toomuchhasbeengoi
ngonl
atel
y.I
wouldn'
tbesurpr
ised.
.

Hescr
ewedt
hebul
bonandgotdownt
henhemov
edt
hechai
r
asi
de.
..

Monga:
I'
mfi
ne,
thewor
stt
hingaboutl
osi
ngapar
enti
sthaty
ou
knowexactl
yhowitfeel
stoloseapar entsoev eni
fithi
nkabout
doingsomethi
ngicannevergothroughwi t
hitbecausei know
exactl
yhowthoseboyswil
lfeelonmybur ialdayandthereaft
er.
Lanawill
getanewman, sheprobablyhasonenowbutt heywill
neverhaveanot
herme.

Thong:
Thatmakesmef
eel
alotbet
ter
..

Mongal
aughedwal
ki
ngt
othebat
hroom.
..

Monga:(
laughed)Want
hat
ant
šwakewena,
osur
eyou'
renotmy
r
ealbr
other?

Thong:(l
aughed)Mxm ketagor
oga,
gaoloy
al.Howdoswi
tchof
f
yourphonewithoutt
alki
ngtome?Obat
akeguessgoreokae

Monga: Agg,akerekewenahelaoi tsengkwano...Bytheway

Lanaisdivor
cingme.Iguessnewsr eachedheraboutmewant i
ng
Apularonakanal ar
onalenyal
oledependaonr umours,ibi
l
ear
e
kamosot abeaitshwerekareplacementy ame.I'
veblockedmy
accountssohernewboy f
ri
endcanmai nt
ainher.

Thong:
Issher
etur
ningt
heki
ds?

Monga: No, shewon'tletmetalktothem ei t

herbutI'
m happywi t
h
herstupiddecision.I
'
m surethejudgewi ll
behappyt oheart hat
sherefusedt oletmet al
ktothechil
dr en,idon'
thavethestrength
total
kt oLanaaboutt hechil
dren,I
'l
lletthejudgehandleit
.We
wil
lseei faccordingt
ot hej
udgeitsfinanciall
yreasonabl
efor
them tobeabr oadorher ebecausewhat evertheamountI'
llhav
e
topayf orchil
dsuppor twhenconv ert
edtohercur r
encyit
becomespeanut s.I'
m donebei ngnicebecausenot hi
ngI'
vedone
hasbeenappr eci
atedsof ar ,
soI 'm goi
ngtobehappywi t
hor
withoutawomani nmyl ife.Iwast ryi
ngtosav eourmarri
agekere
whenshecomeswemustat tendcounsel l
i
ngbutshecl earl
yhas
otherplans.Sheisal wayst hinkingaboutdivorceandI'
m goingto
giveitt
oher ,onethingisf orsur eshewon' tgetasmuchasshe
thi
nksshewi l
lgetfrom me.

Thong:(l
aughed)Wai
t..
.I'
m st
il
lst
uckhere.
..
Soshei
sdi
vor
cing
becausesheheardarumourthatyouwantApul
a?

Monga: Yeah, andappar entlyil

ov eApul asomuchbecausei twas
easiertotell
herwhati did.Whichmeansaccor dingt oherhadi
mar ri
edApulaandonl yt oldherthatonesecr eti twoul dmeani
l
ov ehermor et hanApul af ortell
inghert hatsecr etsi ncei t
st he
onlyproofher e.I'
m donet r
y i
ngtopr oveanythingt oany one. .
.You
canbef ait
hful andprov ideev ery
t hingbutonemi stakecancel sal
l
that.Yagompi enodivor cekaeamogel akadi atat sepedi i
bi l
eha
diegaI'l
lfi
l
ei tonherbehal fsinceshei sf ar
.MondayI '
llbet al
king
tomyl awy er
, t
woweekswhenshecomesov erwesepar ate.I'
ve
talkedtomyl awy eralready .Iwon' tstr
essherbyr efusing.

Thong:
Arey
ousur
eit
'swhaty
ouwant
?

Monga: Iwant
edtofi
xt hi
sbecauseiloveherbutshedoesn't
beli
evemeandI '
mtiredofprovi
ngthatidon'
tloveApula.Above
allidon'
twantawif
et hatwi
lll
eavemeev er
yt i
mei geti
nt r
ouble.
..
Shedeservesaperf
ectmanwhodoesn' tgothroughany t
hingthat
requir
esawomant oof f
erhersuppor
t.Lanathi
nksloveis
receiv
inghela.
..Enekanashedoest her eceiv
ing.I'
mti
redof
givi
ngandget t
ingnothing..
.Ican'
tpourf r
om anempt ycup.Shei
s
aspenderandshei svi
olent,t
hese3things...
.1)Jumpi
nginto
conclusi
ons,2)spendi
ngr eckl
essl
yandl etti
ngourchil
dren
witnessviol
ence.Uhno.Keshapoakadi v
orce.Mosadikanagaa
bategor apel
wat oomuch.

Thong:
(laughed)Wena,you'r
esayingthisnowbecauseyou'r
e
pi
ssed,whenshesay ssorr
yy ou'
l
lbetalkingaboutf
orgi
veness.
AnywaysI'
llsuppor
twhateverdeci
sionyoumake. .
.

Monga:
Ijustwanttopeace.
..I
bil
eiknowt
hechurchwon'
taccept
measadivorceesoleboneI'mreadyt
owalkoutandbeonmy
own.

Thong:
Ser
iousl
y?Theydon'
tl
ikedi
vor
ce?

Monga: Wheny oudivor

cey ougetdemot ed.
..Youcannotpr each
asadivorcee.That'
swhymostoft hem ar et
r appedi nunhappy
marri
agesbecauseappar entlyGodhat esdivorce...ButmaybeI'
m
j
udgingthem toosoon.I'
llhearfrom oneoft heel dersonMonday.
Totahelaidon'twanttogot herebecauseofev erythi
ngthat
happened.I'
vesinnedwayt oomuchf ormet ost andbefore
anyoneandt al
kaboutGod.

Thong'
sdaught
erswal
kedi
n..

1stbor
n:Daddy
?
Thelastbor
nwalkedinandgaspedl
ooki
ngMongathensher
an
screaming"
Uncl
e"runningi
ntohi
sar
msashelaughedandpi
cked
herupkissi
nghercheek.

Monga:
Howar
eyou?

Her
:I'
mfi
ne

Monga:Ei
shngwanay
oodi
ragor
ekebat
eadaught
er.
..Theway
shel
ovesme..

Her
:(chewi
nggum)l
ooki
hav
eat
att
oo

Monga:
It'
sbeaut
if
ul.
..

Thong:Nnakebat anfananyana,i
justwantt
oknowwhatitfeel
s
l
ike.Ihopeidon'tgett
empt edtomakeaboyoutsi
debecauseI'm
gett
ingdesperatetot
a.I
'm curi
ousandIfeel
li
keatl
eastI
'
llgive
upont he3rdtrybutKhumoi snotwil
li
ng.

Monga:(l
aughed)Itf
eelsnormal
..Mjboostedmyegobecausehe
i
smyexactcopy ,Bry
cedoeshav emebuthel ooksmoreli
kehis
mother
.Gonegomonat ebutobonadaught eryone?Isweart
o
GodI'
m goingtohaveadaughteroneday.Idon' twantt
obeli
eve
t
hatishootboysonly.

Hewal
kedt
othecool
erboxandhandedheracanofj
uice.
..
Att
hepsy
chi
atr
ichospi
tal
.
..

Maruwipedhertear
swi
that
issueandl
eanedbackast
hedoct
or
l
ookedather.
..

Doct
or:
Whyar
eyouf
orgi
vi
ngt
het
wooft
hem?

Mar u: Becausei fIdon'tI'l

lgocr azy..
.Holdingagr udgewi llonl
y
makemat t
erswor se.I'
v edecidedt ohandev eryt
hingtoGod, i
gavemyl i
fet othismanandourf ami ly
,andi tsti
llwasn'tenough
forhim.I t
snotmyf aultthathewasn' tfait
hful.
..Ichoset obe
fait
hful whenhewasn' thav i
nganer ecti
on,otherwomenwoul dn'
t
havebeenbuti choset o,l
itt
ledidi knowhewasn' tattractedt o
meany mor e.Ididevery t
hinginmypower ,changedmydr essing
forhimi tstil
ldidn'
tchangehi smi ndaboutcheat i
ng..
.ihav eto
pickupt hepi ecesofmyhear tandkeeponmov i
ng.Asf ormy
nieceshewasami norbutshewasn' tt
haty oung...I
'
m gl adshe
wasn' trapedbecauset hatwouldhav ebeent raumat i
cf orher ,
i
don'tknowhowmuchsheunder standst hepai nshecausedme
buti knowonedaywhenshei sagr ownwomanshewi ll
under stand.Iwon' tevert r
ustherbutIwon' tblameher ...Iforgive
her.

Doctor
:Whataboutyoursi
ster?Apul
a..
.Howdoy
ouf
eel
about
hersendi
ngyourhusbandt
oj ail
?

Maru:
Shedidn'
tsendhi
mtojai
l
,Derr
ickr
aisedOshasoheknew
howoldshewaswhenhechosetosl
eepwithher
.NowthatI
'm
thi
nkingabouti tI
'm gratefulApulamadet hatdeci sionbecause
thewayIwasi ntomyf amilyiprobablywoul dhav efelli
ntoat rap
ofpar entstell
ingust osolv ethi
sinpr i
vate.Thet ruthissolvi
ng
theset hingsinprivateonlybenef i
tsaman. ..Der ri
ckhast opayf or
betrayingmeandf orsl eepingwithami nor .Apul adidwhatev ery
parentmustdoandi hopeshehasat hi
ckski ntost andupf or
herselfifanyonet r
iest omakeherf eelother wise.It'
snoteasyt o
mot herat eenager,girl
swi llsur
priseyou.Inev erthoughtmy
daught erswoul dattackany onebutguesswhat .
.Theyat tacked
thei
rcousi nv i
ciously.
..Iknowmysi sterdidn'tsendherdaught er
tosleepwi t
hmyhusband.Andi knowwher ev ershei sshe
probabl ycri
edt oowhenshef oundout .
..Shel ov esmesomuch, i
f
anythingi havebeeni gnor i
ngherbutenehel ajaanashekeeps
everyonecl oseandshewi l
l i
gnoreherselfjustf orfamily.

Doct
or:
Shedel
i
ver
edababygi
rl
,hernamei
sSky
..
.

Mar
u'sey
esf
il
ledwi
tht
ear
sasshesmi
l
edandr
ubbedhert
ear
s..
.

Mar
u:Sky
?

Doct
or:
Yes.
..
Shewassupposedt
ovi
sitbutSkydeci
dedt
ocome.

Mar
u:Whenam i
get
ti
ngout
?

Doctor
:You'
regoodt
ogobutthestat
eddat
eis2weekssoi
n2
weekstimeyou'
l
lbeoutofher
e..

Mar
u:Thanky
ou.
.
Shesmi
l
edandwal
kedout
..
.

TWOWEEKSLATER.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#178

Att
heai
rpor
t.
..

Sedi
wai t
edbythechai
rswi
thheadset
sinherear
sasshechewed
gum chat
tingwi
thKhumo.Herphoner
angthenshepi
cked.
..

Sedi
:Hel
l
o?

Apula:
Hi,mysi
steri
scominghometodayandweneedhert
ofi
nd
hersonathome.Heisal
lshei
stal
ki
ngabout.

Sedi:Weknowshei scomingouttoday,Eri
candIv i
sit
edher
weeksback.Bobowi l
lcomewithLanat oday.SendmeAt si
l
e's
numbersoshecandr ophim of
fatAt si
l
e'shouse.They'
refl
ying,
shewillarr
ivei
nSSKt hismorni
ngt henwehangar ounduntil
t hei
r
fl
ighti
nt heaft
ernoon.

Apul
a:At
sil
eisgone,
shei
swi
l
lbedr
ivi
ngMar
ufr
om Lobat
se.

Sedi
:Sowher
edoesLanadr
opt
hechi
l
d?Yourhouse?

Apul
a:Shei
snotcomi
ngt
omyhouse

Sedi
:Uhu, kentwa?Wellcanyouf i
ndsomeonet opickhi
m atthe
ai
rportthen?Ihavesomethi
ngt oaskyouApula.Wheny oufound
outMongawasn' treal
l
yharassingyouwhydidn'ty
oucomeback
andtell
met hatyouwer ewrong?Didyouper
hapswi shf
ormy
si
stert
oassumey
ou'
rewant
edbyherhusband?

Apul
a:Idi
dn'
tasky
out
otel
lyoursi
sterwhati
sai
d

Sedi:ButyouknewI '
dtellherbecausewhywoul di hi
det hat
Mongai sbreakinghi sbailcondit
ions.Gol omookebol oil
ego
l
ekagot hubal elwapalamot ho.I
'mr eall
ygladMarui scomi ngout
soi don'
thavet odeal withyouany mor e.You'
reverysneakyand
vi
ndicti
ve,appar ent
lyyoucal l
edhighandl owevenaskingt he
fr
iendtomybr otherinlawt otell
himi twasallabig
misunderstandingnowI '
m herewonder i
ngwhyy oudidn'tcall
me
nnawhogav ey ouhisnumbert hi
nkingt hi
sisaseriousmat ter
.

Apula:Ididn'tt
hinky ou'
dt el
l LanabutIseey ourpoi nt.I
fmy
brotherinlawwasdoi ngsomet hingI'dtellmysistert oosoi
guessi nawayi shouldhav ecomebackandcl earedt heair,
butif
LanaandMonga' smar r
iagei slikeothermar ri
agesi assumeshe
askedhi m andhecl ari
fi
edbecauset hey'r
ehusbandandwi fe.Yes
shecanbeangr yatmef ort heaccusat ionswhichi take
responsibil
it
yforbecausei believedmycr azysisterbutit
shouldn'tbesomet hingthathur tsafami l
yunlessLanawagago
beatupMongabecausewehear dshebeathi m upf orgetti
ngin
mycar ..
.butthenshewasn' tinBW sot heyshoul dbeOK.Ast rong
mar ri
agedoesn'tgetdest roy edbyst upidrumour slikethat.Eit
her
wayI '
m sorry

Lanawal
kedf
rom behi
ndandhuggedher
,shesmi
l
edl
ooki
ngup
andst
oodupbef
orehuggi
ngher.
.
Sedi
:Hi
..
.

Lana:
Hey
..
.

Sedi:
(backtothephone)I
'
llgi
veLanay
ournumbersoshecan
dropofftheboy.By
e

Shehungupandsmi
l
edhuggi
nghersi
stert
ryi
ngt
ofi
gur
eout
whatwasgoi
ngonwit
hherf
ace.

Sedi
:Somet
hingl
ooksdi
ff
erentabouty
ou.
.

Lana:
(laughed)Tel
lmewheny
ounot
icei
t.
..Let
'sgo.

Sedi
:I'
m ser
ioussomet
hingi
sdi
ff
erent
..

Sedijumpedov
ert
hechai
rsandgr
abbedherl
uggageast
hey
walkedout.
.

Sedi
:Wher
ear
etheboy
s?

Lana:Il
eftthem,they'
remyonlysurvi
valoutt
here.Monga
bl
ockedmef rom al
lhi
saccounts.
..I
fiknewhe'ddothi
siwoul
dn'
t
havepaidformyr hi
noplast
y

Sedi
:Rhi
no-
what
?
Shetur
nedherheadpointi
ngathernose,Sedipausedwalki
ng
andgasped,
shegrabbedLana'
scheekandsmi l
edturni
ngher
facesi
detosidei
nspecti
ngherenhancednose..
.

Sedi
:Wow.
..
.OhmyGod.
..

Lana:Ifel
tli
kemynost ri
l
swer etoowide.Youknowial
waysgot
teasedforhavingahorsenose.Idi
dn'twanttot
ell
youbef
ore
doingitbecauseyouthoughtiwascrazyfordoi
ngmybreast
s.

Sedi:I
twasallinyourhead, yournosewasf i
ne,y
ou'rethemost
beauti
fulwomanI '
veev erseen..
.youletpeopl
e'
sopinionabout
youbotheryoual ot.
..
everyonegotteasedasachild.Igotteased
forhavi
ngabi ghead,shouldi gocutitoff
?Yourfacewasi n
proport
ionwiththatnose..
.Butstil
lthi
sissobeautif
ul.
..I
tdoesn't
evenlookfake..

Lana: That'
sbecauseit
'snotfake.
..I
tsmynose, theyjustreduced
thenost r
il
sandhav egavemeat i
p.Idi
dn'twantaf l
atnose.It'
s
j
ustlikewhenadoct orrecommendsawomanget sherbreasts
reducedt oeaseherbackpain.Afri
cans,waitunt
ilmor epeople
thenthey '
regoi
ngtothinkmynosei sfake

Sedi:Theywon'
thear,theywillseet
hediff
erencebuty ou'
re
actuall
yver
ybeauti
ful.
..Youlookmor eAmer i
canthanAf r
ican
though..
.Butst
il
lbeautif
ul.
.Wai t
seyou'
reteachi
ngmet hi
ngs..
.
Mmemmai tl
ooksbeaut i
ful
..Howmuchi sar hi
noplasti
c?

Lana:
Rhi
nopl
ast
y,notr
hinopl
ast
ic.
.Pl
ast
ynotpl
ast
ic.
..I
twas
5.
5KUSD

Sedi
:Mmei
tsnotexpensi
ve.
.P5,
500i
snotbad.

Lana:
5.5KUSDt
oPul
ais63.
3K

Sedi
pausedwal
ki
ngandl
ookedather
..
.

Sedi
:63what
?P63,
300orP6,
300?

Lana:Ipai
dforitwhileMongawasi njai
l.Iusedall
themoneyi
hadinmyper sonalaccountandthechil
dren'
saccount
sbecausei
knewwehadmor eandwehav ebeensurvivi
ngwit
hhisaccount
s
becauseicouldjustt
ransfert
hemoneyt omyaccount.Nowi
can'
taccessanyofhi saccounts.

Sedi
:Di
dyoutel
lhi
m hi
schi
l
drenwi
l
lst
arv
etodeat
hifhedoesn'
t
gi
veyoumoney?

Lana:Idon'tknowwhati shappeningt oMonga, hesaysi fi can'

t
aff
ordthechi ldrenhewi l
lpayforthei rfli
ghtticketsonl
ine...he
won'tevengiv emet hemoneyf orthet icketsbutI '
l
ltr
ytot al kto
hi
mi nperson.Mongagaadi ngalohei sjustangr yandrightf ul
l
y
so.
..Whatst ressesmet hemosti sthatApul acausedal lthese.
Thiswomanj ustwon' tl
eavemyf ami l
yal one..Ican'
thelpt hink
shedidthisint ent
ionall
ysoicant hinkhei scheat i
ngagain.Why
wouldsheassumeMongawasl ooki ngf orher ?

Sedi
:Iaskedhert
hesamet hi
ngandsheapol
ogi
sedasi
fitwoul
d
makeadi f
fer
encenow.Idi
dn'
ttel
lhery
ouguysf
oughtt
hough,
akai
tumel
a.

Lana:Nowil
ookli
keani
rr
esponsibl
ewif
emmekanai
hadev
ery
reasont
obeangr
y.Whowoul
dn'tbeangr
y?

Sedi
:Gat
weMongakehaal est
ressedt
hinki
ngheisgoi
ngt
ojai
l
,
Thongdr
ov ear
oundl
ooki
ngforhi
m unt
ilhefoundhi
m
somewhere.

Lana:Mmeshei sly
ingthemma, shewon' tbreakmymar r
iage.
Kanasheisgoodatbr eaki ngfamil
iesakereshewant st
ohav eal
l
thegoodthings.Ibetyousendi nghersist
er'shusbandtojai l
wasn'tj
ustaboutbeingagoodmot her
.Itwasaboutherbei ngthe
onlyonewithgoodt hi
ngs. .
.That'
swhyshewi llpret
endtolove
thatwhi
teman, imeani lookedatt hepi
cturey ousentmef or
thei
rmagadi..
.Apulaislyingshedoesn'tlovet hatman.

Sedi
:(l
aughed)May beshecouldn'
tsmi
legenuinelybecauseshe
hadsti
tches.
..Gatweshehadherbabykaoper ati
onandi twas
tooear
lytobeoutgr eet
ingpeopl
e.Asforl
ovemay beshe
l
oweredherst andar
dsbecausethebi
ologi
calclockisti
cking.
Mjol
oot hatamma. .
.

Lana:Iam pi
ssed,i
ignor
edthi
swomanf oraveryl
ongti
meand
evenhidfr
om heronsocial
mediabutshekeepspoki
ngand
poki
ng.Shewant smetospeak

Sedi:
Nny aammedon' twasteenergyonher ,evenwheny oudrop
offBobodon'tsayanythi
ngaboutt hi
sissue..
.atleastweknow
Mongai snotint
oher..
.Justfocusonget ti
ngyourhusbandback. .
.
Youknowhi sweaknessesuset hatandf i
xyourmar riage.I
'
m glad
heisinnocent
...
(smi
lednaughty)It
'sgoingtobeeasi erto
conv
incehi
m si
ncehehasbeeni
njai
l
.Hewon'
tresi
st.
..

Lana:
Ihopeso.
..Kebaket
segoj
ampai
ntoconcl
usi
onssoqui
ck.
HowisGoiwa?

Sedi
:Shewentt
ocheckonbomama.Herhusbandwant
edt
ogi
ve
papasomeover
all
sforwor
kingatt
hef
iel
d.

Lana:
Ok.
..

Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
fasLanal
ookedatt
het
ime.

Sedi
:Di
dyout
alkt
oMongasohecanpi
cky
ouup?

Lana:
Isenthi
m amessagewhenIwasconnect
ingfl
i
ghts.He
sai
dhe'dbebusybuthe'
ll
meetmeathome.Iaskedthe
nei
ghbour
'sdaught
ertobri
ngt
hecar
.

Sedi
:Ok,
atl
easthei
sexpect
ingy
ou.

Sheopenedabot
tl
eofwat
eranddr
unk.
..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

LateronApul
ast
oodbyt
hecotandchangedt
hedi
aperwhi
l
eher
babybreat
hedwi
tht
henasal
cannul
aoxygen.
..
Ronsteppedoutoft
hebat
hroom wit
hat
owel
aroundhi
swai
st
andsatonthebedappl
yi
ngloti
on.
.

Ron:
Wheni
stheweddi
ng?Youhav
en'
tgi
venmet
hef
inal
dat
e.

Shegavethebabyadummyandt ur
nedaroundfi
xi
nghergown
thenshegent
lysatonhi
slapandki
ssedhim..

Apul
a:Ouch.
..Ihur
tmyst
it
ches

Ron:
(ki
ssedher
)Sor
ry.
.

Apul
a:I
'mthi
nki
ng2monthsfrom now..Skyistoosmall
tobeina
gat
heri
ngandineedmyoper
ationtohealreasonabl
ybefor
eican
wearmygown.

Ron:
Fai
renough.
..

Heki
ssedherandshelai
donthebedthenhegotdr
essedand
st
oppedbythebabycotl
ooki
ngatSky
...

Ron:
Seey
oul
aterl
i
ttl
elady
..
.
HekissedApulaandwalkedout
,Ot
lhewal
kedi
nandputt
he
por
ri
dgeont hetabl
e..
.

Otl
he:Atsi
leneedstohurryupandcomet
akecar
eofy
ou
becauseican'
tdothis.Gakeit
segobaabot
set
si.

Apul
a:You'
rej
ustcooki
ngmot
ogo,
it'
snot
hingcompl
i
cat
ed.

Otl
he:I'
veneverhadchi
l
drenbef
oresoIdon'
tknowany
thi
ng
aboutbotset
si

Apul
a:Younev
erhadchi
l
dren?

Ot
lhepausedf
orami
nut
eandr
emember
ed.
.

Otl
he:Ohyeah.
..Ei
sh.Any
way
si havet
ogo.Besi
desy
ou'
renot
supposedt
obewi t
hRonbycult
ure

Apul
a:Thatcul
tur
eisbul
l
..

Ot
lhe:
Byemma.I
'
mlat
e..
.Af
terwor
kI'
m goi
ngt
othef
arm.By
e

Shewal
kedoutandcl
osedt
hedoorasAt
sil
ecal
l
ed.
.

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

At
sil
e:Hi
,j
ustar
ri
ved.I
'
m wai
ti
ngf
orMar
u..Oht
hey
'r
ecal
l
ingme.
By
e

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)By
e

Shehungupandther
ewasahonkoutside.Shemov
edt
he
cur
tai
nsandl
ookedoutsi
de,
itwasLana.

Shechangedintoamuchbet tergownandlookedatherhai
rthen
sheputapinkhairbonnetandwalkedout
sideasLanastepped
outandpickedBobo..
.

Lana:
You'
regoi
ngt
oseemamat
oday

Bobo:
Uncl
eEr
ichel
pedmebuyheragi
ft
..

Lana:
Yei
,shei
sgoi
ngt
olov
eit
..

Lanaputhi
m downandtookouthi
sbagsasApul
awal
kedov
er
andputherar
m overhi
sshoul
der.

Apul
a:Hi
Bobo

Bobo:
Hel
l
o.

Lanat
urnedar
oundandl
ookedather
,foramot
set
sishedi
dn'
t
l
ookt hatbadatall
.
..Hadhershi
ttoget
herinthefacewi
ththe
eyel
ashesandall.Nosignofbear
dandt hefacewassmooth.Her
nail
swer edoneandshewasn'tsmell
yorwear i
ngastai
nedgown.
.

Apulalookedather ,
shewasn' tsurewhyLanal ookedabi t
dif
ferent.
..Imeanshehasnev erreallyl
ookedathert hatclosefor
yearsbutshelookeddifferent.
..Wayt oobeautifulthanshe
natural
lywas..
.She'dprobablysoundbi tteri
fshet oldany onethis
gir
lprobablydidsomethingt oherf acebutwhatdoessheknow.
Shelookedbeaut i
fulei
therway ..
.she'dgi
v eherthatone.

Apul
a:Hi
..

Lana:
Hi.
.

Apul
a:Thanksf
ordr
oppi
nghi
m

Lana:
Sur
e,cani
putt
hisi
nsi
de?

Apul
ar eachedf
ort
hebiggerbagwit
hBobo'sblanket
s.Shedi
dn'
t
wantthiswomaninherhouse,i
twasenoughthatshe'
dseenher
yar
d..

Lana:Shouldyoubestraini
ngy ourbackandsti
tchesbycarr
ying4
heavybags?Ifyouhadpav ementt heywoul
drolli
nthehousebut
thi
sissoiluptothatpoint,
thisonehasheavyblanket
s..Thi
s..
Shoes,cl
othesandt oy
si nthatone.Otaakgonaolemosadi who
j
ustdel
i
ver
edababy
?Legal
emmamay
bey
ouhav
ethest
rengt
h
ofaman.

Apul
ascof
fedt
houghi
thur
t.
.

Lana:
Idi
dn'
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
..

Apul
a:(
sar
cast
ical
l
y)Ibety
oudi
dn'
t,
putt
hem i
nsi
de.
.

Lanapickedupt hebagandst aggeredtowardsthedoorwher e

shewalkedi ntheli
vi
ngr oom androll
editbythecouches,
someonehadeat enntšhe{sweetr
eed}andleftevery
thi
ngont he
tablet
ogetherwithabur ntpotonthetablewithakit
chencloth
stucktothehandle..
.Therewaswat erjarwi
that oot
hbrushinsi
de
andalipprintoftoothpasteonthejar.

ApulaandBobowal kedin,Apula'
seyesl
andedont hemessand
shepickedthepotheadingt ot
hekit
chen.
.Herhear tshut
teredas
Lanalookedatherpicki
ngt hedir
tyj
arwit
hat oothbrushinsi
de
thenshewalkedinthekitchenasLanabroughtinthelastbag.
Shewasn'tevensurewhatt osayasLanahandedBobot hetoy
car.
.

Lana:
ByeBobo.
.
Apula:Myhel
per
schi
l
disn'
tfeel
i
ngwel l
andmysi st
erOtl
hesl
ept
overtohel
pme.Shemadethatmess.
..I
'm notmessy.

Lana:Probabl
ynot
,theonedayy ourhouseisamessi stheday
youmeetsomeonewhoy oudon'twantthi
nkingli
kethatabout
you.Happenstomeal otwheni gotothemal l
looki
ngsimple.
..
That'
swheni meetpeopleihav
en'tmetinyears

Apul
a:Andtheyenduphavi
ngwrongi
mpr essi
ons,ei
sh.Nnagake
boat
atota.
..
brushbot
swekangkobat
hroom inthefi
rstpl
ace

Lana:Legohupakalehul
okegaengkathepey
askgoawa
beel
etsakal
etsogoohupaoeit
šukul
a..

Theyl
aughedandt
her
ewasanawkwar
dmoment
..

Apula:I
'm sorr
yf ornotgett
ingbackatSediassoonasIfoundout
Otl
helied.Ihopei didn'
tcauseanyprobl
ems.Iwasjustafr
aid
becausei di
dn'tknowwhatMongawast hinki
ng.

Lana:
OK.

Apula:Iknowwe' v ehadouri ssuesbutthi

st imeIwasn'tbei
ng
vi
ndicti
v e.Itwasanhonestmi stake.I
'
m sor r
y.Mongahasn't
contactedmeev ersincehewentt opri
sonev eni
nt hecarbef
ore
heconf essedt ot hemur derthev er
yfir
stthinghewantedwasa
phonet ocal lsomeonet opickhim upbutt hepol
icehadasked
met omakesur egeget si
nt hecarsoi of
feredhim ari
dethough
hewasr eluct
ant.KoFt ownlegonehei st
heonewhoputanend
toit..
.Iwentt heret olookafterhim afterhecaughtaf ev
er.Att he
endofi tallhef eltguil
tyandt oldmehedoesn' twantt obet hat
kindofaman.Hesai ditsnoti nhi
mt ocheatbecauseneasef ree
andhef el
tguilty.Ithoughthewasj oki ngbuther eall
ydidend
thingsand. .
.Dur i
ngt hatti
mei wasgoi ngthr
oughhel l
andt riedto
commi tsuici
debuthel eftmeunconsci ousi
nt hehospi t
al.He
nev ercamebackt oaskifI'
m OKandt hatwast helastti
mehe
andi r
eall
yhadanencount er.Hemar r
iedyouandnev ertalkedt o
me.Idi dn'tseem t omov eonbecauseI '
m wasn'tluckyinlovenot
becausei waswai t
ingforyourmar riagetoend..Yourhusband
l
ov esy ouandy oushoul dhim.

Lana:
Ihearyou.
.Butsendingmyhusbandtopri
sonwassti
llout
ofspi
tewhenIwasn'tevental
ki
ngtoyouonmypost.Itwas
di
rect
edatyourcousinwhohadcomment edonmypost.Gake
i
tsegorewenaneot senahakae.

Apul a:
Ireadthatpostkel eunderal otofemot ions,andwhenyou
readapostt hinkingsomeonei stalkingaboutyouy oubecome
selecti
veandov er l
ooksomet hings.Byt heti
mei r
eali
sedyou
mighthav enotbeent al
kingaboutmet hedamagehadal ready
beendoneandi hadtobedef ensive.IknowI'vehurtyouandyour
boy sandI'm sorryforthattoo.

Lana:Mmegoneomot husi
tsebecausehewoul dhaveliv
edwi t
h
theguil
tofmurderwhenLopangisali
ve.Gatwehel osthi
s
memor ybuti
knowLopangandt hatmani sverymuchsane. .
.
Mmegongwehaneosabuamyhusbandwoul dsti
llbeli
vingwith
theguil
tofmurder,
goingtochur
chandpr ay
ingsohar dwast hat
guil
t.
..
Apul
a:St
il
li
twasn'
tmypl
ace.I
'
m sor
ry.

Lana:
It'
sok.Letmenotkeepy
out
ool
ong.
.By
e

Apul
a:By
e

Shet
urnedar
oundandcar
essedBobo'
sheadbef
orewal
ki
ngout
..
.

Att
heLana'
sHouse.
..
.

Lanawalkedi
nthehouseandi
tdi
dn'
tlookl
i
keMongahadbeen
l
ivi
nginhere,
thef
ri
dgewasemptyandthef
urni
tur
ewasdust
y.

Sheputherbagsdownandsatont
hecouchdi
all
i
nghi
sphone.
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Lana:
Hi,
itsme.It
houghtI
'
llf
indy
ouhomesowecant
alk.

Monga:
I'
m comi
ng.Cani
bri
ngy
ouany
thi
ngt
oeat
?

Monga:
Um.
..Can'
tthi
nkofany
thi
ng,
sur
pri
seme.

Monga:
Cool

Shehungupandsi
ghedt
aki
ngof
fherj
acket
,ther
ewasaknock
ont
hedoort
hensheopenedt
hedoort
oasmar
tl
ydr
essedman.
..

Hi
m:Goodaft
ernoon,
mynameisPeaceMor
agof
rom Zamboand
At
tor
ney
s,ar
ey ouMrsLanaMongaTi
ki
?

Lana:
Yes.
..

Him:I'
m heret
oser veyouwit
hthesepaper
s..
.Pleasesignhere,
signi
ngheredoesn'tmeanyouagreewit
hthedivorceorithas
beenfinal
i
sed,i
tsimplymeansyouacknowledgethatyou
recei
vedthepapers.

Lanasignedandgott hepaper
sthenshewalkedbackint
he
house.Sheslowlysatonthecouchandreadasacoldchi
llr
an
downherspine.Shethoughtshe'
dfel
tpainbutthepai
nof
recei
vi
ngdivorcepapers.
..

Tearsf
il
ledhereyesanddroppedonthepapers,
couldshehave
call
edt
hisdivor
cebymentioningi
tinever
yargument.
..Shedi
dn'
t
evenmeananyofi t
.Shecouldn'
ti
maginelov
inganyonebuthi
m...

Lana:(whi
speredtearf
ull
y)Godpl ease.
..Il
ovemyhusbandandi
will
beabet t
erwife.Iwil
lencouragehimt ogobackt
ochurchand
takepartt
ooast hepastor'
swife..
.
Shepausedwhenshenot i
cedshewasactuall
ytal
ki
ngt ohersel
f
outloud.Sheputthepapersdownandgotinthebathr
oom wher e
shetookaqui ckshowerbefor
echangi
ngintoashortskir
tanda
str
ingtop..
..

Meanwhi
l
eout
sideMongapar
kedt
hecarashi
sphoner
ang.
..

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Lawy
er:
Shehasbeenser
ved.

Monga:
Thanky
ou.By
e

Lawy er
:I'l
ltal
ktoyouassoonasherl awy ercontactsmesowe
cant al
kaboutt hedi
visi
onofpr opert
ies.Thediv or
cewi l
lbe
quickerifyoutwodon'tbickeraboutthepr oper
ties,al
lthejudge
hast odoi stoconsi
deryallrequestandgr antyouadivorce,buti
f
you'r
ef i
ghtingitwi
ll
beal ongcase.

Monga:
Ok,
wewi
l
lseewhatshewant
s.Thanks

Lawy
er:
Thanks

Hehungupandwal kedinpr
essi
ngtherecorderj
usti
ncaseas
Lanasatonthecouch,hecl
osedthedoorandwalkedin,
Lana
stoodupandranint
ohisarmscryi
ng..
.

Hesl
owl
yputdownt
hepl
ast
icandhuggedhercl
oserwi
thhi
s
ar
msar
oundherwai
st.
..
..

Monga:
(sof
tl
y)Hey

Lana:
Pleasedon'
t.
..Il
ovey
ou,
I'
m sor
ry.
..

Monga:
It'
snotwor
kingout
.Youknowy
ouwantt
his

Lana:
Idon'
t.
..Isai
diwantt
odi
vor
cej
ustt
oscar
eyou

Monga:
List
en.
..

Heleanedbackandrubbedhert
ear
sthenheki
ssedherand
huggedheragai
n..
.

Monga:
Let
'ssi
tdownandt
alk.
..

Theysatdownassher
ubbedherey
es.
..

Monga: If
eel l
ikewear ebothnothappy,I
'm notdivorcing
becausei t
hinky ou'
rebad.
..I
'mjustnotgetti
ngthef eelingi
expectedandI '
m sureI'
m notgi
vingyouthef eel
ingy ouexpected.
Forthechil
dren'ssakelet'
smaket hi
sdivorceapeacef ulone.I
wantthetypeswher eweannouncepeacef ull
yt oever y
onet hat
wear ediv
orcing.

Lana:
Buti
don'
twantt
o,t
hosepeopl
ewoul
dbei
nagr
eementbut
I
'
m notagr
eei
ngt
othi
s..
.

Monga: I'
m nothappywi thyou,i hav en'tbeenhappyt hepast
coupl eofmont hs...Totaletmesayev ersincetheLopangt hi
ng
cameout .
.Notthati bl
amey oubuty ourresponsedi dn'tmakei t
easy .Don'tgetmewr ongI '
m notexcusi ngmybehav i
ourdur i
ng
thatt i
menoram i deny i
nghur ti
ngy ou10y earsagobuti wqs
will
ingt owor kt
hrought hi
s..
.Ireallyt ri
edandwentt oseet he
mar riagecounsellorbutwheny ouf oundoutwhat everr umours
youf oundoutaboutmehar assingApul ay ousti
llshowedmet he
samet hingihate.
..Icannotkeepgi vingandgi vi
ngwhi l
eI'm
gettingnot hi
ngfrom y ou.Youdon' tgi v
emeany thing...

Lana:
Nowitakeandnevergi
veany
thi
ng?It
houghty
ousai
dyou
enj
oybei
ngaprovi
derandspoil
i
ngme..

Monga: Thisiswhyweshoul ddiv

orce.Isayonet hingandt oyou
i
tmeansanot her.
..Idon' tneedmoney .
..Ial readyhav emoney .
..I
don'tneedy outopayany t
hingforme. .
.Ther eismor etobr ingin
ar el
ati
onshi pthanj ustmoney .I
fienjoygi v
ingmoneywhyshoul d
igiveittoy oufory oui nsteadofgivingitt ot hehomel ess?You
hav etomakei twor thit..
.Youhav etorespectme, youhav eto
givemet hebenef i
toft hedoubt,giv
emepeacewhenev eryoneis
againstme. ..Ichosey oubecauseIt houghtI 'l
lgetpeaceand
respect.Wheni gotar restedy ouwer ewor r
iedabouty our self
..
."
HowcomeApul aknowssuchdeepsecr etsabouty ouandI '
m
yourwi feiknownot hing"..Iwasfacingadeat hsent encebuty ou
sti
llcouldn'tputyourj ealousyasideandsayt hi
smanwasf ai
thful
tomef or10y ears.Icanputmyangerasi deandsuppor thim. .
.I
wasscar edbuti didn'thav eyoubymysi de...Ihadmyf ami l
yand
fr
iendsnotyou.Ar
eyoustupidtot
hinkt
hatj
ustbecauseI'
ma
provi
deridon'
tneedany
thing?Soiwasanobjectcr
eatedt
o
pl
easey ouwenaosadir
esepe?

Lana:
Soi
hav
en'
tbeendoi
ngany
thi
ngf
ory
ou?

Monga:Whathav eyoudoneformet hepast6mont hs?Whereare

mychil
drenandwhyar eyoupuni
shingmef orsomethi
ngidi
dn'
t
do?Wewer eplanni
ngasurpr
iseforthem thenyouhearrumours
andi
t'
sov erf
orus?

Lana:Tel
lmesomet
hing..
.WhatdidyousaywhenApul
a
apologi
sedf
ort
hatmisunder
standi
n?

Monga:
Isai
dOK.

Lana:
Andy
ety
ou'
renotwi
l
li
ngt
ofor
giv
eme

Monga: IforgaveApulabutI '

m notf ri
endswi t
hhernei t
herhavei
contactedherort al
kedt oher .If orgiv
ey outoobuti don'thaveto
bewi thy ou.Thisdivorceisnotj ustaboutt hatissue...You'r
e
vi
olentLanaandI '
my ettof orgivey ouf orlet
ti
ngmychi l
drensee
youpunchme. .
.You'rev eryviolentandi r
responsibl
e. .
.You
destroyedmyof ficeandt hewhol ebuil
ding,youbur ntmycarand
ihadt of i
xanempl oyeescar .Youembar rassedme. ..You'rea
spender ..
.Ididn'
tmi ndy ouspendi ngasl ongasl ennai was
enjoyingy oubutagonamosol awagor ennakebechemogokana
mmeker ogiwa...Aboveal lyou'reabadmot her,mostmot hers
wil
l neverlettheirchil
drenseef ight sbutnoty ou.

Lana:Canwegof
orcounsel
li
ng?Nowiseewhywant
ed
counsel
li
ng,
wedohavealotofi
ssuest
oworkoni
ncl
udi
nghow
youcan'tadmi tthatyouhav i
ngasoftspotforApul ahasmade
mei nsecure.Iwassosur eshewasj ustabitterexbutaf t
er
hearingabouty ouraffai
rnnyaaIhaveeveryr i
ghttobeangr y.I
overdiditbutihadev eryri
ghtthoughishouldn'thaveharassed
you.Webot hhavet hi
ngsweshoul dworkonanddi vor
cingisnot
theanswer .
..Il
ov eyouandI '
m sureyouloveme. .

Shestoodupandsatonhi slapthenshelai
dherheadonhi
s
chestandsi
ghed,sheleanedbackandkissedhi
m gri
ndi
ngover
hi
sbonerasitgotharderandharder.
.

Monga:
Mov
e..
.Idon'
twantt
odot
his,
itwon'
tchangeany
thi
ng.
.

Lana:
I'
ll
getpregnant
..
.I'
l
lgi
vey
out
hedaught
ery
ouhav
ebeen
beggi
ngfor
..

Hel ookedinherey estempt edandsheleanedoverkissinghim as

hecl osedhiseyes.Sher eachedbetweenherlegsandpushed
downhi spant
s,hisbonerf l
ippedoutfal
l
ingonhisbellybutt
on
thenshehel dituprightandt r
iedt
osli
deoni t
,heheldbot hofher
buttandsai dmov edherasi de.

Hefli
ppedherdownandgotontopthenhereachedinhispocket
andtookoutacondom,heki
ssedherwhil
eunwr appi
ngitabove
thei
rheadst
henheplacedi
tovert
hetopofhismushr oom head
andfor
ceditdownhi
sshaf
t,heki
ssedherandpushedhert
high
asi
debefor
egrabbi
nghi
smeatandblocki
ngher.
..

Shelif
tedherheadandwat chedhim burr
yhi sbeadedmeati nsi
de
herasshedr oppedherheadbackf l
i
nching.Hepul ledoutand
spankedhert hi
ghswit
hitincludi
nghersof tmeat.Shef l
i
nched
putt
ingherhandov eri
tprotecti
ngfr
om hisheav ywhi pbuthe
mov edherhandandwhi ppedherharderlookingrightinherey
es
asshef l
i
nchedshaking,heshov edi
tandr avi
shedher
mercil
essly
..
..

*
**

Twohourslat
erheletgoofherneckandshegaspedforai
rashe
sl
owl
ypulledout
,hestoodupandt i
edthesecondcondom t
hen
hepi
ckedhispant
sont hefl
oorandgotdressed.
..

Lanaplacedherhandov erherabdomenandslowlyl
aidonher
si
dewi t
hherey esclosedasherpussached,i
thur
tevenmore
whenshecl osedherlegssosheputherlegbackdownleav
ing
bothherlegsspreadopen.

Mongapickedbothcondomsandwrappedthem wi
thati
ssue
bef
orebeforebendi
ngovert
ouchi
ngherusedmeat,heputt
hree
fi
ngersi
nsidefeel
ingthewarmthinsi
deherandspr eadherlips
l
ookingi
nsidewhileshelai
dtherehel
pless.Pityheonl
yhadt wo
onhim,hestil
lhadtheenergytodest
royt hi
s..
.Hegrabbedher
cheekswithonehandasherj ui
cessmelledonhi smoisthand
thenhelookedinhereyesasshepantedl ooki
ngathim...

Monga: Thenextt i
mey oui nsultmeorputy ourhandsonmeke
tagobet sagor eonkilegot helebongwanake.Et ar
eol ebaMj l
e
Bryceabeokgwaoi potsagor ewhyot shot sebanal emot howa
got shwanal enna...Ket agobet saTsel anat otheextentof
disl
ocatingy ourjawsandbur sti
ngy ourear drum.Mal obawast he
l
astt i
mey ouembar rassmel i
ket hat.You' l
l neverdisr
espectme
l
ey onedi vorceey ou'r
egoi ngtobehav e,andi wantmysonsback
homebef oretheendoft heweek.Ot herwi seI '
llbeawidow. .
..
You'reactuallyworthmor edeadt hanal ive.Tr ustme, t
hereisside
ofmey oudon' teverwantt osee, I'
vebur iedi tsodon'tbr i
ngit
backt olif
e.

Hepushedherheadawayandst
oodupwi
pinghi
shandwi
thher
ski
rt
.

Monga:Wait3mont hsbefor
ey ouhookupwi ththatguyyousaid
i
sgoingtoreplaceme..
.Skaithaganelelagojesaespecial
lywhen
thi
sist
heonlyt hi
ngyou'
regoingtooff er.Atl
eastomoneel ekuku
erecov
eri
lesinceyouhavenor espectoranyot herqual
ity
besi
desbeautylekuku.
Hegr abbedhiskeysandstoodtherelooki
ngatheropenlegs
thenhedr oppedherski
rtoverherachingover
lyusedpussi
,he
pickedhisusedcondomsandwal kedtowardsthedoor
.

Monga:I
'
llbewai
tingf
oryourl
awyer
'sresponse.Want
waela,
t
alki
ngaboutadaught
erwhenI'
vebeggedy oufory
ear
s.Nxla!

Lana:
You'
l
lneverseey oursonsagai
n,I
'm goi
ngtoki
ll
them and
cl
aimiwasdepressed.I'
m goi
ngtohity
ouwher ei
thurt
sthe
most.

Hestoppedatthedoorandtur
nedaroundthenheangr
il
ywalked
back,
herheartski
ppedasheli
ftedhi
sfootri
ghtov
erherfaceand
shescreamedblocki
ngbigf
oot.

Lana:
(cr
ying)MONGAAAAAA!

Hestoppedbefor
ehecouldstomponherf acet
henhewal kedout
andclosedt
hedoor,t
earsrol
leddownatthecornerofhereyesas
sheputapil
lowbetweenherlegsandt
urnedtohersidecryi
ng
her
selftosl
eeponthefl
oor..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#179

AtLana'
sHouse.
..
.

LyingonherbackLanat ur
nedherheadasMongal if
tedhisboot
andst ompedonherfacesplashi
ngbl oodalloverthefl
oorand
shegaspedget ti
ngup,sheputherhandov erhermout hand
sighedwhensher eal
isedi
twasjustadr eam, sheslowlygotup
andwal kedinthebat
hroom..
.Herthighshurt,herbackachedand
thefleshinsi
deherpussythr
obbedinpain.Wal ki
ngbecamea
taskandnowsheknewshepr obablyhadacutort wo..
.

Sheputsaltinthebat
handpouredwaterthenshesatonthe
waterandsighed.Shepi
ckedherphoneanddial
ledhersi
ster
..
.

Goi
wa:
Hel
l
o?

Lana:
Bri
ngmepai
nki
l
ler
sMongaal
mostki
l
ledme.
.

Goi
wa:
Didy
ouguy
shav
eaf
ight
?

Lana:Idon'
tknowifishoul
dsayafightbecausehedidn'
tbeat
mebutheal moststompedonmyf ace.I
'veneverseenhi
mt r
eat
mel i
kethatbef
ore.Hesexual
l
yabusedme. .

Goi
wa:
I'
m comi
ng.
..
Lana:Healsowantsadivor
ceandaf terwhathejustdi
d.Iwon'
t
fi
ghthim,
I'm gi
vi
nghim hi
ssonst henI'
mf ocusi
ngonschool.I
'
m
abouttof
inishsoIwi
llseethem soon.

Goi
wa:
Fighty
alonanneel
ebadmogokaet
ota?I
'
m comi
ng.

Shehungupandcall
edhernamel
ookingatt
hescr
eenshot,Mj
pressedthel
apt
opasthewhit
eol
dladyst
oodbehi
ndhim holdi
ng
aplate.
.

Her
:Cal
lyourbr
other
.

Theoldl
adyt
urnedwal
ki
ngawayast
heboy
ssmi
l
edandwav
ed
onthecamer
a..
.

Lana:
Hi.
.Howar
eyou?

Mj
:Wear
egood,
Bry
ceandi
wentskat
ingear
li
ert
oday
.

Lana:I
'
m happyt
oheart
hat
..
.Letmet
ryt
oaddsomeone.
..St
ay
onli
ne.
..

Shedi
all
edMonga.
..

AtMonga'
sof
fi
ce.
..
MeanwhileMongawalkedi
nastherenov
ati
onteam sweptt
he
dustoutofhi
soff
ice,
themanagerf
oll
owedhim..
.

Hi
m:Igott
hetransferl
ett
er.
..Youhav
enoi
deahowl
ongIwant
ed
t
oworkinGaborone.

Monga:(l
aughed)Iknow..Butyou'regoi
ngwithyourPAandI
'm
bri
ngi
ngmyboyher e.Idon'tl
ikefemalePAs..
.Ihavebeenwi
th
thaty
oungmanf orover10y ears.Ther
eisnothi
nggedoesn'
t
knowaboutthi
scompany ..

Him:Sometimesbacki
nameet ingHRwantedtoterminatehis
contr
actandsomepeoplewereshockedbyhissal
ary.
.Itold
them t
hisguyi
soneoffi
rstemployeesandheknowsthe
companymor et
hanever
y one.

Monga: Hewasr
eall
ystressed,oneti
mehev isi
tedmei npri
son
andtoldmeheneverknewot herPAsgotpeanuts..
.Apparentl
yhe
gotajobasaPAgal ebasalaryhecouldn'
tev
enr emembert he
l
astti
mehewasget ti
ngpaidt hat
.

Hi
m: NnyaammeI '
l
lsortoutourswappi
ng,
thecouri
ercompany
wi
llmoveourt
hingstomorrow.YourPAwassort
ingout
ev
erythi
ng.

Monga:
Alr
ight
..
.

Monga'
sphoner
ang,
itwasav
ideocal
lfr
om hi
swi
fe.
..Hecl
i
cked
oni
tandwal
kedoutoft
hebui
ldi
ng,hesmil
edsur
pri
sedl
ooki
ng
att
heboy
s,t
heyal
sojumpedandscreami
ng..

Mj
:Dad?Wher
ear
eyou?

Monga:
(laughed)I
'
m home.
..

Br
yce:
Cany
oucomegetme?

Lana:
Daddyi
sgoi
ngt
omakesur
eyoucome

Mj:I
fyoubuyt
icket
si canbaby
sitBr
ycefr
om heretoORTambo,
maybeyoucanwaitforusinORTamboori canshowyouI'
ma
geni
usandbabysi
tallthewayt
oSSK...

Br
yce:
You'
reaki
dyoucan'
tbaby
sit

Mj
:Iknowal
lthef
li
ght
s..
.y
ouknowi
knowmama.

Monga:
(laughed)Imi
ssedy
ouguy
s..
.

Mj:Dadcanyoupayforourt
icket
ssowecancome?Ipr
omi
sei
won'tl
oset
hisone.

Lana:(
laughed)Idon'
twantsi
tuat
ionyaHomeal onewher
eKev
in
endedupelsewherewhil
ethefamilyendedel
sewhere.

Monga:
Anddr
ugt
raf
fi
cker
sar
eal
lov
er.

Mj:Dadi watchboardersecurit
y.IPadlockmybagandi don'
t
hol
dany thi
ngf oranybody.
.Tryme...WaitforusinORTamboi f
youdon'ttr
ustme.I fweboar dtheplaneherewearegoodunt i
li
n
SA.Itgoesdirectl
ythere.
..
Youcancheckt hefli
ghtschedul
e
maybet her
ei sonedirect
lytoMaunf rom ORTambo.Mamat el
l
dadi
hel
pedy
oubookt
hef
li
ght
sthemma.

Monga:No,mi
nor
scannott
rav
elbyt
hemsel
ves.I
'
llf
igur
e
somethi
ngout
.

Mj:Man..
.!I'
m al
mostamannow,
i hav
eli
tt
lehai
ronmyar
mpi
ts
andther
ei ssomethi
nggr
owi
ngovermyli
ps..
.

Ol
dlady
:(scof
fedwal
ki
ngov
erwi
thacof
fee)"
almostaman"

Monga:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
ther
e..

Her
:Hi
,l
ongt
ime.
.

Lana:
Ihopet
heboy
sdon'
ttr
oubl
eyou.

Her
:No,
wear
edoi
nggr
eat
.

Mongagoti
nthecarandsatdownt
alki
ngt
otheboy
s..
.

AtMar
u'shouse.
..

Lat
eronAtsil
ehandedhert
hekeys,sheunl
ockedthedoorand
wal
kedin.
..Ol
dmemor i
esofherfamil
ycamebackasshewal ked
al
lthewaytothebedr
oom wher
eshesatont hebedandsighed.
..

Sheslowl
ytookoffherweddi
ngri
ngandputi
tinthedrawert
hen
sheopenedherbagandchangedi
ntoapai
rofjeansandaTshir
t
thenshewalkedoutt
oAtsil
e..
Mar
u:Let
'sgo.
.

At
sil
e:Ar
eyouOK?

Mar
u:Yeah.
..

Theywal
kedoutanddr
oveof
f.
..

Mar u:
Ineedajob..
.Ihav
en'tworkedforsolongi
evenfor
gothow
tolookforaj
ob..
.Butidon'
twanty outohir
emeorev enApul
a..
.I
needanewenv ir
onment..
.Ineedtomeetnewpeople..

Atsi
l
e:I'
l
lhel
py oul
ookf
orajob.
..Ihavealotofcli
ent
swhoown
busi
nesses,
iknowApul
aknowsal otofpeopletoo.

Mar
u:Ok.
..

Shesi
ghedandl
ookedout
sidet
hewi
ndow.
..

Maru:WhenApul asaidawomanmustal way shaveasourceof

i
ncomei twasasi fshei
sbit
ter.
..Nnakeonteki
lekesautwekele
dandaheadtota.
.Gompienotheonewhobr oughtsal
aryhomeis
i
njail
,nthaorebeforeif
indt
hisjobhowwillibesurv
ivi
ng?

At
sil
e:That
'sonet
hingI
'
vel
ear
ntfrom her
,rememberIwasn'
t
wi
ll
ingtomakemyownmoney..I
'
dr at
hersleepar
oundandget
angrywhenmendon' tgiv
ememoney .Thedayileanthowto
provi
deformyselfi
sthedayIfoundpeace..
..Hubbyfoundme
support
ingourson.
..(l
aughedst
icki
nghertongueout )Di
dyou
hearmesay i
nghubby ?

Maru:(
laughedoutl
oud)Nny
aar
uri
hubby
..
.Igetnauseousj
ust
hear
ingthewordhubby.
..
.

Theylaughedoutl
oudasshedrovethr
oughthet
raf
fi
c.Minut
es
l
atertheywalkedi
nthehouseasOtl
hewipedapl
atewit
hher
ski
rt.
.

Mar
u:Di
dyouj
ustwi
pet
hatpl
atewi
thy
ourski
rt
?

Ot
lhe:
Lowery
ourv
oice,
myski
rti
scl
ean

Apul
a:(
from t
hebedr
oom)Shedi
dwhat
?

Ot
lhe:
Mar
uissuchal
i
ar.
..May
beshewashal
l
uci
nat
ingagai
n..

Apul
awal
kedoutandgaspedl
ooki
ngatMaruandt
heyhugged.
.
Otl
hewal
kedoverchewi
ngapi
eceofmeat
..

Otl
he:You'
ref
reshandgoodl
ooki
ng.
..Gol
okosabr
anal
ejesi
wa
engkeikat
umetse?
Maruturnedlooki
ngatherandopenedherar msforahug,Otl
he
smil
edandhuggedherast heyallhuggedandsighed.Maru'
s
phonerangthenshesteppedasideandpickedloweri
nghervoi
ce
asall
threesist
ershel
dtheirbr
eathli
steni
ng..

Mar
u:(
sof
tl
y)El
l
o?.
..

Voi
ce:Hi
,i
t'
sNi
colas..
.Yougavemey ournumberatt
hef
il
li
ng
st
ati
onyakoMahalapye.
..Theguywhowasdrivi
ngawhi
teD4D.
.

Mar
u:Ohy
eah.
..Ir
emember
..

Voi
ce:Ij
ustarr
ivedi
nMaun...
gothomeandt
ookabat h..
..
Was
wonderi
ngify
ou'ret
ooexhaustedt
ohavedi
nner
,I'
m starvi
ng.
.

Mar
u:Um.
..

Shet urnedaroundandlookedathersi
sters..
Apulasmil
edli
kea
teenagerandgav eherathumbsup, At
sil
enoddedwhi leOtl
heput
herfingerbetweentheothert
wof i
ngersthrusti
ngthem making
sexual noi
ses.Marulaughedsi
lent
lyandshookherheadt urning
away .

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#180

AtLana'
sHouse.
..

Goi
waputt
hef
oodbyt
het
abl
eandsatont
hebedshaki
ngLana.
.

Goi
wa:
Lana?Ihav
etogo.
..Wakeupandeat

Lana:
(ey
escl
osed)I
'
lleatwheni
getup.
.

Goi
wa:
Ok,
tal
ktomewheny
ougetup.

Shest
oodupandwalkedout.Minut
esaft
erMongaparkedt
hecar
andst
eppedoutwi
thaplast
icoffoodandwal
kedin.

Heputthefoodinthefri
dgeandheadedtothebedroom where
shewasdeadasleepont hebed.Hestoodtherel
ooki
ngather
thenhewalkedoverandsatontheedge,hetouchedhershoul
der
shaki
ngitandputhishandoverherf
orehead..

Lana:Shefr
ownedopeni
nghereyesandtr
iedtosi
tbutshe
couldn'
tsoshelai
donhersi
deandbeguneati
ngwhil
ehe
watchedher.
..
Monga:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?

Lana:
I'
m good.
..I
'
llbeOK.
.

Monga:Howseriousar
ey ouaboutbei
ngbr
oke?(
frowned)Your
nosei
sdiff
erent
..
.Didyoudoasurgery?

Herhear tski
ppedasshelookedathim,sheputt
hef r
uitshewas
hol
dingdownt hensheputherarm ov
erherherf
oreheadincase
hereleasedanunexpectedslap.
.

Monga:
(gent
lymov
edherar
m)Ri
ana.
..Letmeseet
his.
.

Hegrabbedhercheektur
ningherf
acesidetosidewhi
leshe
snuckherhandstohi
deherfacewait
ingforhimtosl
apher.He
l
etgoofherandsheputherarm overherface.
..

Monga:
Iwon'
thi
tyou.
..Eaty
ourf
ood.
.

Shereachedoverandbeguneat
ingashegr
abbedherpant
ies
pul
li
ngthem out.

Monga:
Iwantt
oseei
fyou'
reOK.
.
Heopenedherl
egsandgentl
yspr
eadherl
i
psl
ooki
ngherf
lesh
t
henheclosedherl
egsandsi
ghed.
..

Monga:
Itshoul
dbeOKi
nacoupl
eofday
s..Howbr
okear
eyou?

Lana:
Empt
yhandedbr
oke.
.Iused63Konmynose.
.

Monga:
Andt
her
estoft
hemoney
?Youshoul
dst
il
lhav
emor
eon
you.

Lana:Ispenti
tontheboys,
wewenttowaterparksanddidall
ki
ndsoff unacti
vi
ti
esthel
ast6mont
hs.Iwantedthem t
of or
get
aboutyourpri
sonsent
ence.
..

Monga: Youneedaf i
nanci
aladvi
sor,t
heboy sar
egr owingandwe
needinvestandsaveasmuchaswecan.Iknowt hattheli
vi
ng
standar
dsofchildr
enbaadi vor
cedcoupleisusuall
ylower
becauseparentsdon'
twanttodot hei
rpart
sbutwecanst i
lldo
thi
s.Whatelsedowantdoony ourbody?

Lana:
Whatdoy
oumean?

Monga:
Whatsur
ger
ydoy
ouwantt
odonext
?

Lana:IwishIcoul
ddoaBBL.
..Br
azi
l
ianbuttl
i
ft.
.Butthatoneis
tooexpensiv
e.It
s30KUSDsoIwon'
teverdoanyothersurger
y.

Monga: Ireal
lyhopey ouwon'tfor
getwhoyou'
reorwhereyou
comef rom.Yourpar entscan'
twaitt
oseeyousucceedand
addict
iony asurger
yi sdeadl
y..
.Pl
easedon'
tdoanythi
ngelse
aft
erthis.Whateveryou'regoi
ngtogetonourdiv
orceinv
estit
becausei
t'
snotmuch.You'r
enotget
ti
nganyt
hingf
rom my
off
shoreaccount
s.Thosear
enotpar
toft
hismarri
age.

Lana:
Whatam i
get
ti
ng?

Monga: Wedivi
deever
ythi
ngequallyexceptmyoffshor
e
accounts,
thosear
eoffli
mitsthat
'swhyt heydon'
texi
stin
Botswana.Wabonagorewithoutthosewear eanormalaver
age
couple?

Lana:
Yes.
..

Monga: Thatmeansi won'

tbetaki
ngcareofy
oueit
her.You'
l
l
havetofindasmallerapar
tmentorgooncampersbutiwon'
t
expectyoutosupporttheboy
sandi fy
ouneedhel
phereand
ther
eI'l
lhelpyouout.

Lana:
Ok

Monga:
Skadumel
ahel
a..
.Iwon'
tbeaty
ou.Beopenwi
thmeand
t
ell
mewhatyouwantt
oget.

Lana:
Gaonagol
wa?

Monga:
No,
I'
ll
nev
erl
aymyhandony
ouunl
essy
oudot
ryi
ton
me.

Lana:
Ok..
.Gi
vemet
hatbookandpensowecanwr
it
eev
ery
thi
ng
down..
.

Hegrabbedthebookandt
hepent
henhel
aidbesi
desherast
hey
l
ist
edtheirpr
oper
ti
es.
..
Monga:Byt
hewayy oulookbeaut
if
ul.
.Ij
ustdon'
twantto
compl
imentyoubecauseyou'
l
lgogetanothert
hingdone.

Lana:
(laughed)Iwon'
t,
trustme.

Theycar
ri
edondi
vi
dingt
hei
rpr
oper
ti
es.
..

Att
hehot
el.
..

Lat
erthatev
eningMaruandNi
colasat
ethei
rdi
nnerbyt
hecouch
asthebandplayedj
azzl
iv
eonstage.
..

Afewcouplessatonthei
rcomf
ortzonesasNi
colastookof
fhi
s
j
acketandputi
taroundMaruastheysi
ppeddr
inks.
..

Nic:That'
squi
teinter
esti
ng.
..
depr
essi
onisnotaj oke.Acolleague
commi tt
edsui
cide..
.Thatwomanwasbeaut i
ful
,mar r
iedwith
beauti
fulki
ds,
shemademoneyandshest il
lkil
l
edher sel
f.
..I'
m
gl
ady ougothelpthough.Sohowareyourecoveri
ng?Orisi ttoo
earl
ytoask?

Maru:It
hinkI
'm doi
nggoodsof ar
..
.Mysonwasasl eepwheni
l
eftsoican'
twaittoseehi
mt omorrow.
..OhandI'
ml ooki
ngfora
j
obsoi cangetbackonmyf eet
.Whataboutyou?Howdi dyou
sur
viv
eyour
s?

Nic:Itwasn'teasytoaccepti tatfi
rst,it
'snoteverydayt hatyou
fi
ndoutaboyy ouraisedf or5yearsisnoty our
sandnotonl yis
henoty ourshei syourfriend'
schild.
.(laughedindisbelief
)
Tsalaamei don'tthinkyourpaincomescl osetowhati f
elt.
.That'
s
whenIr eal
isedt hatpeoplewhoar einv olv
edinpassi onkill
i
ngs
don'tcontr
ol t
hemsel ves.Ithoughtaboutdoi ngitbutbecauseI '
m
naturall
yanov erthi
nkerIendedr eali
singI'l
lgai
nnot hingbykill
i
ng
them. .

Hehandedherhi
sphone.
..

Ni c:Lookatmypi ct
ureswi
thhi
m, heknowsmeasdaddy .
.Check
outheraccount .Sheisnowpubl
iclydat
ingmyfr
iend.Myboss
transf er
redmetoMaunbecauset heycoul
dseeIwasgoing
thr oughhell
losi
ngmymi nd.
.

Maru:Iguessalotofushav
eseenital
l
.(l
aughed)Bat
hoba
Facebookbarewany esamj
olo,
bar
ekedlevu

Ni
c:(
laughed)Themmakanammedl
evui
sreal
..
.If
elti
tforr
eal

Mar
u:(
laughed)Iknowbecausedl
evugotmet
oo.
..

ThebadplayedJoeMaf el
a'
sShebel
ezaasMarupickedagl
assof
dri
nkandsippedlooki
ngatNic'
shands.Hehadcl
eanhandsanda
goodbody..Hetookabiteoutofar
ibandputi
tdownlooki
ngat
herashewipedhi
sfi
nger
slooki
ngatherst
ruggl
i
ngwi
thaf
ork
andkni
fe.
.

Nic:
(laughed)Bay
af or
okohaepal
aoj
e..
.I
'
m or
der
ingy
ouanot
her
oneifyouneedmor e.

Mar
u:(
laughed)I
yool
etmesei
zet
hemoment
..
.

Sheleanedoverandt
ookaf
ull
bit
eoft
hemostdel
i
ciousr
ibs
she'
dev ert
ast
ed..
.

Mar
u:Ial
way
sthoughtt
hissongsay
sPongomamee

Ni
c:I
tgoesl
i
ke.
.

Congomame,
zai
re

Congo,
Zai
re

Congomama,
Zai
re,
Congo

Hai
shebel
ezanj
alomama

Ekuseni
mama

Nant
ambama

Shesmi
l
edmov
ingherl
i
pst
ryi
ngt
osi
ngal
ong.
..
Ni
c:Si
ngwi
thme.
..Ot
aresut
isabat
ho.
.

Mar
u:(
laughed)Ok,
Congo,
Zai
re.
..

Theyl
aughedeat
ingandcar
ri
edonchat
ti
ng.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Lat
erthatni
ghtRonwalkedi
nandswi
tchedof
fthel
i
ght
sthenhe
goti
nbedandl ai
dbesi
desher.
.

Ron:
Wehaven'
tdiscussedalotoft
hingsbuttheweddi
ngi
sn'
tfar
,
ar
ewemarr
y i
ngincommuni t
yofpropertyorout
?

Apul
a:Whatdoy
ouwant
?

Ron:
Iaskedy
ouf
ir
st

Apul
a:Well
..
.I'
m oft
hevi
ewt
hatmar
ri
agei
sbecomi
ngone,
we
gi
veuptheI'
sforour.

Ron:Ok, ifeelthesameway ..
.Walkinginl
eavi
ngsomet hi
ngsout
makesi tseem l i
key ou'
remar r
yingsomeoneyoudon'ttr
ustbuti
understandsomet i
mesi t'
stoprotectthef
amil
yfrom l
awsuit
s
especiall
yf orpeopleinbusinessesbutsti
l
l.
.Ij
ustneverli
ked
gett
ingmar ri
edlikethat
.
Hereachedov
erandtouchedherhandbef
oreki
ssi
ngherand
l
ayi
nghisheadbesi
deshers.

Ron:
Can'
twai
tfory
out
oheal
..
.Imi
sst
ouchi
ngy
ou.
..

Apul
a:Imi
sst
ouchi
ngy
ouaswel
l
..

Hekissedherandsi
gheddeemi
ngt
hei
rheadl
ampbef
oret
hey
bot
hdozedof f
..
.

THREEMONTHSLATER.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#181

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Br
ycef
ini
shedwashi
nghi
sf at
her'
scarandbegunvacuumi
ng
i
nsi
dewhil
eMJstoodbyrecordi
nghim andl
aughi
ng..
.

Mj
:(l
aughed)Idi
dn'
tev
enknowy
ouknowhowt
ocl
eant
hecar
..
.

Br
yce:
Leav
emeal
one.
..

Mj
:Al
lthesej
ustt
ovi
sitaf
ri
end?

Br
yce:
Youshoul
dtr
yhav
ingaf
ri
end.
..I
twi
l
lmakey
oul
esswei
rd.
.

Mj:Boyyoushoul
dgetaj
obatuncl
eThong'
sshopandcl
eanal
l
hi
scars.

Brycereachedundert
heseatsandtookoutacanandaboxof
somet hingt
hatl
ookedlikei
twasverysweet
..Pr
obabl
ygum
accordingtohi
sobservati
on.
.

Mj
:Ist
hataboxofcondoms?

Br
yce:
Itl
ooksl
i
keaboxofgums,
whatar
econdoms
Mj
:Gi
vemet
hat
..

Mjgott
heboxoff
lav
our
edcondomsandl
ookedi
nsi
debutt
he
boxwasempty
.

Br
yce:
Whatar
econdoms?

Mj
:I'
l
ltel
lyouwheny
ougetol
der

Br
yce:
What
ever
..

Hecarr
iedonv acuumingandf
inall
ypolishedt
het
yresast
hei
r
f
atherwalkedoutputt
ingonhi
sv est.
..

Br
yce:
DadI
'
m done.

Mongai nspect
edthecarandcheckedf oranymistakesohe
coul
dmakeanexcusef orhim nottogooutbutthecarwasso
cl
eanitlookedli
keitwasfrom thecarwash.Brycespray
edthe
dashboardonemor eti
meandwi peditcl
ean.
..

Bry
ce:So,
canivi
sitJul
i
an?Hi
sdadsaidi
mustgetyour
per
missi
on.Hegavemehisnumbert
oosoyoucancall
him.
Brycedi
dn'
twai
tforhisanswer
,herantohi
sroom andcame
backwit
hthenot
ef r
om Juli
an'
sfat
her.
.

Br
yce:
Ther
eyougo.
.

Mongagott
hepi
eceofpaperanddi
all
edJul
i
ansf
ather
..
.

Voi
ce:
Hel
l
o?

Monga:
Yeah,
you'
ret
alki
ngt
oMonga,
Bry
ce'
sfat
her

Hi
m: Ohyeah,Jul
i
an'sfr
iend.
..
Juli
anhasbeenonmycaseabout
vi
sit
ingBr
yceorBrycecomingov er
.If
inal
l
ygavei
nandsaidOK.
Mynamei sTumangbyt heway..Youknowmethoughr
ight
?

Monga:
No,
doy
ouknowme?

Tumang:(l
aughed)Oneti
meyoucamet
opi
ckupBry
ceinschool
,
mywi f
eandiwerepicki
ngJul
i
anandmywi
fet
oldmesheknows
you.HernameisAtsi
le

Monga:
(laughed)Oh.
..Shi
t,OK.(
sighed)Man.
..Thi
sisbad.
..

Tumang:
What
'sbad?

Monga:I
'
mtryi
ngt
ostayawayf
rom t
hisf
ami
l
yandi
tjustkeeps
poppi
ngupi
nmyli
fe.

Tumang:
Aft
ert
hatj
ail
thi
ngi
tot
all
yunder
stand.
.
HelookedatBryceashesmi
l
edwai
ti
ngt
henhet
ookadeep
br
eathandsighed..

Monga:
I'
ll
drophi
m of
finabout30mi
nut
es.Whoi
ssuper
visi
ng
t
hem?

Tumang:Themother
,I'
m goi
ngt
owor
kinanhour
.Hei
snot
al
ler
gict
oanyfoodri
ght?

Monga:
No,
thanks.

Tumang:
Sur
e.I
'
llt
extt
hedi
rect
ions.

HehungupasBrycerantothehouset
ochangehiscl
othes,Mj
handedhi
sfat
hertheboxofcondomsandobser
vedhisreacti
on.

Mj:Br
ycefoundt
hat
..Het
houghti
tsaboxofgumsbuti
know
whati
tis.

Mongat
hrewi
tint
hebi
nasMj
lookedathi
m..
.

Mj
:Ar
eyoucheat
ingonmama?

Monga:
Whatdoy
ouknowaboutcheat
ing

Mj:Iknowyou'
renotsupposedtohavesexwi
thot
herpeopl
eand
iknowther
eisonlyoneuseforcondoms.Mamahasbeenat
school
formont
hsandwecl
eant
hecarr
egul
arl
y.I
twasn'
tther
e
l
astweek

Monga: Nowiknowwhyyouwanttobeadet
ect
ive.
..
I'
m not
cheat
ing,ibor
rowedy
ouruncl
ethecar
.

Mj
:Sohei
scheat
ingonaunt
ieKhumo?

Monga:
Idi
dn'
tsaywhi
chuncl
e

Mj
:Itcan'
tbeUncl
eEr
ic,
hei
sinGabs.Youonl
yhav
eonef
ri
end.

Monga:
May
behewaswi
thaunt
ie

Mj
:Andi
knowy
out
wonev
erexchangecar
s,I
'
m notaki
d.

Monga:
MjI'
myourf at
her
,you'
renotsupposedt
oaskmeabout
t
heseki
ndsoft
hings.

Mj:Soy oucant ellmei t'

soktohavewetdr eamsandt hatit
'sok
toli
kegirlsbuti can'thavesexbecause...Whatdidy ousaywas
thereasonagai n?Thepoi ntisi
knowy ou'r
echeatingonmama
andi don'tl
i
kei t.Youneedt ostop,
ifthisfamilygetsbrokenitwi
ll
beyourf aul
t.I'
m oldenought oknowwhatcondomsar efor
.I
watchmov i
estooi knowwhathappenst oBryceandi wheny ou
twost ar
tsfight
ing.

Monga:
I'
m notcheat
ingony
ourmot
her

Mj:Idon'
twanttoseethetwoofy oufi
ghti
ngbecauseitkeeps
repeat
ingi
nmyheadandi dr
eam aboutitaft
er,
itt
akesti
met o
stopworry
ing.It
houghtyoustoppedcheati
ng

Monga:
ButI
'
venev
ercheat
edony
ourmot
her
Mj:
Yougotcaughtinthecarwi
ththatot
herl
ady
,iwast
her
eand
t
henmamagotal l
crazyhit
ti
ngyou.

Brycewal
kedoutf
ixinghi
sTshir
tandjumpedi
nthecar
,Monga
puthisar
m ov
erMj andtheywal
kedtowar
dsthecar
.

Monga:
I'
ll
stopcheat
ing.
.

Mj
:Thanks.

Theygoti nthecaranddr ov eof

f.Mongat ookadeepbr eath
silentl
yrehearsi
ngtell
ingtheboyst hattheywer egetting
div or
ced..
.Butthenthiswoul dr
uinBr yce'
sday ..
.He'dbeen
want ingtovisi
thisfr
iendforweeksandMj wasunbel i
evabl
y
i
nf ormedwi threl
ati
onshipsnow.Hest il
lcouldn'
tbelievehe'
djust
gotquest i
onedbyhi sson...I
tseemedl i
kejustyesterdaywhenhe
star t
edquestioni
nghisownpar entsandknowi ngwhi chonewas
thewor stparent.
..Washet hewor stinthisscenari
o?I twaseven
frustrat
ingthatinMJ'sheadhewascaughtwi t
hanot her
woman. Meaningbeforehissonhewast hecheater.

Monga: Br
ycehowwouldy
oufeel
ifyourmotherandigot
di
vorced?Likei
fwebr
okeupanddidn'
tshar
eabedr oom
anymore?

Br
yce:
Itwoul
dn'
tmakeanydi
ff
erencet
ome,
you'
real
readynot
st
ayi
ngt
oget
her
.

Mj :Dadget sanewgi rl
friendandmamaget sanewboy fri
end.
Bothoft hosepeoplewon' tlikeusandwewi llneverhaveast able
placetocal lhomebecausewewi llbehoppi ngbet weentwo
homes.Dadget shisgirlfri
endpr egnantandt heyhav etheir
chil
drent henmamaget spr egnantandhav eherki dswiththat
man, youandi won'
tfitinei therofthosef ami l
ies.Remember
Katewhosest epfat
herki ll
edher ?Yeah, somebodywhoi snot
yourfathercaneasi l
ybeaty ouorki llyou.Womenar ethewor st,
theymakey ouwor kextraar oundthehouseandt urnyourfather
againstyoul i
keMar ti
n'sst epmot her.Shewon' tbuyMar t
innew
shoesbutherownsont hati sn'
tevenMar t i
n'sbrotherhasshoes.
WhenMar t
inaskshisdadf orshoeshet ellshimt oaskhi swife.
It
'scommonsense, everyoneknowst his.Ithappenst oev erykidi
know.

Monga:Whataboutgoodst
eppar
ent
s?Ther
ear
egoodst
ep
par
ents.
.

Mj
:Li
kewho?

Monga:
I'
ll
getbackt
oyouont
hatone.

Br
yce:
Butwhati
fibehav
e?Wi
l
ldad'
sgi
rl
fr
iendst
il
lhat
eme?

Monga:Idon'
thav
eagi
rl
fr
iendbutnoBr
yce,
notev
ery
onei
s
hat
eful
.

Br
yce:
Ok,
cool
.

Monga:Mamaandi areget
ti
ngdivorcedbutI
'
m notget
ti
nga
gi
rl
fr
iend,
atl
eastnotnow.I
tsjustyouandme.
Br
yce:
Ok

Mj'seyesfi
ll
edwitht
earsandheblinkedthem awayasheputon
hisheadphones.Mongalookedathim andsi
ghednotsur
ewhat
tosay..

Minuteslat
erhedr ov
et hr
oughthegateandpar
kedbet
weent
he
cars,Jul
i
anr anoutsi
deashisfatherf
oll
owedhi
m,Monga
steppedoutsideandtheyshookhands..

Tumang:
Ait
a..

Monga:
Sur
e..

Theboysr
aninthehouse,Tumangsmi l
edl
ooki
ngatMJwhowas
si
tt
ingi
nthecarwit
hastraightf
ace.
..

Tumang:(l
aughed)Haleoi
tshot
semonna.
..Hel
ooksexact
lyl
i
ke
you.Kat
swaaleboshidumogomaswe..
.Ojampet
seeng?

Monga:
(laughed)Kedi
hor
monehel
a..

Tumang: Peopl
esayJulianlooksli
kemebutthatl
i
ttl
edudei
sjust
you.Iguesstheyoungestlooksl
ikethemot
her

Monga:
Bry
ceonosi
hel
a..
..
Cal
lmewhent
hey
'r
edonepl
ayi
ng.
Tumang:
Alr
ight

Mongagotbacki
nthecaranddr
oveof
fasMJpr
essedhi
sphone.

Monga:
Arey
ouangr
ywi
thme?

Mj
:Idon'
twantt
otal
k.

Monga:
Alr
ight
,ir
espectt
hat
.

Mjdial
l
edhi
smot
her
.Lanapi
ckedt
hecal
landsmi
l
edhol
dinga
pen.
.

Lana:
Hi.
.

Mj
:Iwantt
ocomest
aywi
thy
ou

Mongatur
nedhi
sheadandl
ookedathi
m ashet
alkedt
ohi
s
motherwi
thal
ongface.

Lana:Ican'
taf
for
dtost aywi
thyou.I
'm st
ayi
nginschool
now.I'
ll
seeyouinDecember,ican'
taf
fordtocomeov ert
her
eont he
middl
eoft hey
ear.Whydoy ouwanttostaywithme?Youlook
l
ikeyouwanttocry,what'
sgoi
ngon?
Mj
:By
e

Hehungupandl
ookedawayasMongaqui
etl
ydr
ove.
.

Monga:Yourmotherandi ar
edivor
cingbecausewefightalot
.I
knowyou'r
escaredoftheoutcomebuti promi
se,i
t'
snotthatbad.
Yourmotherandiar
ef r
iendsandwedon' that
eeachother.

Mj
:Yety
ou'
renotgi
vi
nghermoneyt
ovi
situs.

Monga:Takemyphoneandsendhert
hemoneyt
ovi
sitwhenher
semest
erends.

Hesmi
l
edandpi
ckedt
hephone.
.

Mj
:Real
l
y?

Monga:
Yeah.
.

Mj
:Wai
tletmeaskherhowmuchhert
icketi
s..
.Thanks.

Monga:
Sur
e.

Hedi
all
edhi
smot
her
..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
.
Meanwhil
eMaruwal kedinthehouseandpeakedatt
hebaby'
s
cottomakesureshewasn'tupthensheclosedt
hedoorand
j
oinedev
eryonepracti
cingt
heweddingstepsonthever
anda.
..

Oshaandanot herboyf
rom Ron'sfamil
ydancedamongstothers,
herheartski
ppedasMar u'
scarstopped,Pi
nkandLil
ostepped
out.
..Thei
rli
tt
lebrot
herranoverandjoi
nedthedanci
ngchil
dren.

Pi
nkandLi
l
ogi
ggl
edast
heyj
oinedt
hecr
ew.

Danceinst
ructor:
Final
l
y..
.Mor
egi
rl
s..
.Atl
eastt
heguy
snowhav
e
danci
ngpartners.
..

Atsi
leparkedthecarandst
eppedoutasJul
i
anandBr
ycest
epped
outchatt
ing.Shejoi
nedthedance.
.

At
sil
e:Wher
eisRon?

Apul
a:Hehadt
orunt
otheof
fi
ce.Whoi
sthat
?

At
sil
e:Monga'
sson

Apula:Waswonderi
ngwhyhelooksfamil
i
ar,isawhispicson
Facebookwhentheywer
eyounger.
..
heisgrowingt
allandski
nny
..
.
Mongahasmuscl
eli
ket
hef
ir
stbor
n.Idoubtt
hisboyi
sMonga'
s
son.

Otlhe:(l
aughed)Asmot her
swehav ethepowert ochoosewho
thefatherisdespit
ewhosesper mferti
li
sedouregg.Iwasn' tsure
whof atheredmysont oosoi j
ustpickedtheresponsibleoneit
's
unfort
unat etheguystartedthi
nkingBoy boyisnothi
sand
disappeared.Nowi knowwhot hefatheris,i
fhewasr ichI'
dgo
getashar ebuthei sadog. .
.Adogi sevenbet t
erbecauseitbarks.
Thatonei suseless..
.

Maru:(
laughed)Butt
hisboyl
ooksnot
hingl
i
keMonga,
ker
aa.
..He
doesn'
tevenlookli
keLana.

Atsi
le:
Iwasjustlooki
ngathi
m playi
ngwithJuli
anabeker
engng
ther
eisnotraceofMongahere.Icanunderst
andhowhecanbe
fool
edthough,t
hecompleti
onisforLana.

Ot
lhe:
May
beshecheat
ed.
.

At
sil
e:Let
'spract
icekeboel
elwapengkangwanawabat
ho.
..I
al
mostforgottocome..

Theybegunpr
acti
cing.
..Minut
eslat
erApulawal
kedi
ntheki
tchen
anddrunkwat
er,
Mar uwalkedinandsighedpi
cki
ngagl
ass.
.

Mar
u:Byt
hewayar
eyoumar
ryi
ngi
ncommuni
ty?

Apul
a:Yeah.
..

Mar
u:Whynotoptoutt
opr
otecty
ourbusi
nesses?
Apul
a:Notev
erymar
ri
agewi
l
lendi
ndi
vor
ce

Mar
u:IknowI
'
mjustsay
ingy
ounev
erknow.

Apula:That'
swhyi t'
simportantforpeoplewhobr ingsomething
tothetabletomar ryamongstt hemselvessot her
ecanbe
fai
rness.
..Bri
ngingsomet hi
ngt othetablemeansbr ingi
ngyour
partwhil
ehebr i
ngshi sthenyoucomet ogetherandbuil
dan
empire.I
'dunderstandifRonwaspoorbuti twoul dl
ook
suspici
ousifisuggestedthis.
..Whyar eyoubei ngnegati
ve?

Mar
u:I
'
m not
..
.Iwasj
ustsay
ingi
t'
spossi
blet
o-

Apul
a:Don'
tspeakev
ilonmymar
ri
age,
it'
snotf
air

Maru:Apul ay
out ol
dmei shouldbri
ngsomet hi
ngtothetabl
eand
idi
dn'tlist
en,
lookwhereIam. .
.Sti
ll
jobhunt
ing.NowI'm
ret
urningthefavourkar
elookatwhathappenedt omymar ri
age,
wouldi tbeni
cetolosehalfofyourthi
ngs?I
'
m notwishingyou
badI'
m showi ngyouthepossibi
li
ty

Apula:
Irespectyouropinion.
..Ido..
.Butthisismychoice.Iwon'
t
makedecisionsbasedony ourbadexperienceortrauma..
.Iwant
agenuinemar r
iagenotwher ey ougeti
nt hinki
ngyourhusband
mightdothisandthat.IrespectyouropinionbutIalsowantto
geti
nt hi
smar r
iagekesenanegat i
vi
ty.

Mar
u:Ok.
.

Acarst
oppedoutsi
deandtheywal
kedout,t
heyall
tur
nedl
ooki
ng
att
heunfami
li
arcarthenNi
nist
eppedouthol
dingababyi
nher
ar
ms.Apul
aandhersi
ster
sfr
ownedsur
pri
sedasshewal
ked
over
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#182

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Nini
walkedoverandhandedthebabyt
oApula,shemovedthe
bl
anketsasi
deandlookedatthecut
esoftski
nnedbabyasshe
poutedhert
inyl
ipsst
ret
ching.
.

Apula:Pl
easedon'
ttel
lmet
hisi
sther
easony
ouhav
en'
tvi
sit
ed
thepasthol
iday
s.

Thechi
ldr
enranoverandpull
eddownthebabyblanketsot
hey
coul
dsee,Apul
aheldhert
ightl
yandst
eppedback..

Apul
a:Goanddanceguy
s..
.

Shet
urnedandwal
kedi
nthehouseast
hesi
ster
sfol
l
owedher
..
.

Ot
lhe:
Justsowe'
recl
ear
,iam notagr
andmot
her
.

Ni
ni:
Inev
ersai
dyou'
re.
.
Ot
lhe:
Good..
.Ihaveaboyf
ri
endandi
cannotaf
for
dtobecal
l
ed
gr
anny.Apul
aisthegr
andmother
.

Ni
ni:
Ihopey
ou'
l
lnev
ercr
yformymoneyoneday

Otlhe:Ifiwaseati
ngamangoandt hrewawayt hatseedandi t
growst hensomeonepicksitfr
om thebushesandt ransplant
sto
herhomewher eshewatersiti
ficomebacky ear
slaterandsee
thatmongowi t
hsweetfr
uitsIwouldn'tsayI
'
m hiri
ngaJCBt oget
myt ree..
.Ketaatswapeloeemmehakakekar ekesetharesame.
Hakepokenna

Apul
atur
nedar
oundandl
ookedatt
hem.
..

Apul
a:Canyoutwocuti
tpl
ease.
..Noti
nfr
ontofmy
gr
anddaught
er.

Otl
he:
(putherhandov erherchestandsi
ghedinrel
i
ef)Thank
Godshesaidgranddaughter.
..Letmegodance.
..

Otl
hewalkedoutasApulasatdownandpi
ckedt
hebabyt
henshe
putheronherchestandsi
ghedbef
orel
ooki
ngatNi
ni.
.

Apul
a:Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
mey
ou'
repr
egnant
?

Mar
u:Oneoi
pei
l
ebot
set
si?Howdi
dyoumanaget
ocar
efor
y
our
sel
fal
one?

At
sil
e:Whoi
sint
hecar
?Thecardi
dn'
tl
eav
e.

Ni
ni:
Iwantt
otal
ktomamaal
onef
ir
stunl
essy
oudon'
tmi
nd.

Apul
a:I
t'
sok,
goahead.
.

Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
esasshel
ookedatApul
a..
.

Nini
: Iswearidi
dn'tbetr
ayyou,i
tjusthappenedwhenwewer e
workinglateatthefi
ll
ingst
ati
on..
.Oneni ghthewascryi
ng,one
thi
ngl edtoanotheranditwasarelati
onship.Idi
dn'
twantittobe
anythingseri
ousbutmor eti
mepassedandwebecamecl oser.
Tumoi st
hefather.
.

Atsi
l
eandMarul
eanedbackinshockasthei
rmout
hsdr
opped,
Apulasmi
l
edandtouchedhershoul
der
..
.

Apula:Iknow..
.Isuspect edi
twhenyoudidn'tspendti
meathome
l
ikey ouusedto.Igoty ourphoneandcheckedbecauseIdidn'
t
wantt oscareyou..
.Isawhowy ouwerescaredaftert
hefi
rst
nighttel
li
nghimy oucan'tfaceme.Lett
ingyoulivewit
htheguil
t
andwat chingyoustruggletofacemeorcomehomewast he
punishmentenough..

Ni
ni:
So.
..You'
renotdi
sowni
ngme?
Apula:No,Iwouldhavepr eferredy ougetsomeoneel sewhowill
seemeashi smotherinlaw. .
.Thatwayi fyoucamehomeand
foundyourbabydaddyhomechecki ngony ourdaughtery
ou
won'tworry.
.Butnowy ou'll
al way shavethatworrywhenever
Tumocal l
smet ocheckony ourdaught erwhenshei swit
hme.
Butthat'
spunishmentenoughf orpicki
ngyourmot her'
sBen10.
.

At
sil
eandMar
utur
nedf
rom Ni
nit
oApul
aev
enmor
esur
pri
sed.
..

Ni
ni:
Thanky
ou.
..I
'
m sor
ry

Theyl
eanedov
erandhugged.
.

Apula:(t
oMar u)Idon'
tthi
nkoneai peil
ebotset
si,
Tumoqui thi
s
j
obmont hsbackandsaidhewasexpect ingachil
d.Par
tofme
almostsuspecteditwasNinibuti
di dn'
tthi
nkshe'
dhidea
pregnancysoIthoughtmay bei
tdidn'tworkoutwit
hNiniandhe
foundsomeoneel se.

Maru:ThankGodnobodyknewaboutt
his.Peopl
ewer
egoi
ngt
o
gossi
p

Apul
a:(
laughed)Hi
sfat
herknew

Ni
ni:
Heknows.
.

At
sil
e:Ei
kemat
hat
a..
.I'
m shocked.
..
Meanwhil
eoutsi
deOtl
hel
ookedatBryceandJuli
anplayi
ngon
t
heverandawhil
ethei
nst
ruct
orunpl
uggedhisspeaker.
.

Otl
he:
Wait
sewenagaotshwanelerr
ago.
..
waabel
aet
sa.How
comeyoudon'
tl
ookl
ikeyourf
ather
?

Jul
i
anandBr
ycel
ookedatherconf
used.
.

Jul
i
an:
Idon'
tknowbuti
gothi
scol
our

Otl
he:Notyou,
youl
ookli
keyourfat
her
.Imeanhim..
.(
restedher
chi
noverherpalml
ooki
ngathim)Howcomey oudon'tl
ooklike
Monga?

Br
yce:
Idon'
tl
ookl
i
kehi
m?

Ot
lhe:
No,
whoi
syourr
eal
fat
her
?

Br
yce:
Mydadi
sMongaTi
ki

Ot
lhe:
Idon'
tthi
nkhei
syourf
ather

Maruwalkedouttal
ki
ngt
othephonebl
ushi
ngt
henOt
lhel
eaned
backi
nnocentl
y.
..
AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronMongaparkedinf
rontoft
hehouseandt
hel
i
ght
swer
e
off
,hedi
all
edTumang..

Tumang:
Hel
l
o?

Monga:Icametopi
ckupBr
yce,
itsl
ateandt
imef
ort
hem t
o
st
udy.Therei
snoonehome

Tumang: Wher
ecoul
dtheybe?.
..OhIthi
nktheywenttoApul
a's
house.Ther
eisanhourpr
acti
sether
eeverydayfort
hewedding.

Monga: Youcoul
dhavecalledsoicanpickRy,i
gavehim
permissi
ontobeherenotelsewhere.Youknowladi
esmakeabi g
dealoutofever
ythi
ng.Lanawon'tbehappytohearaboutt
his.

Tumang:
Iagr
eewi
thy
ou,
youhav
eav
ali
dpoi
nt.
..CanIgoget
hi
m?

Monga:
NoitsOK,youdon'
thavet
oleaveworkf
orthat
.I'
l
lget
hi
m.Nextt
imetal
ktome, I
'
llal
way
stalktoy
ouifit
akeJuliant
oa
pl
acewedi
dn'tdi
scuss.

Tumang:
Thanksal
otman.I
'
mver
ysor
ryf
ort
his.
..I
'
m deepl
y
sor
ry.

Monga:
It'
sok.
.Shap

Hehungupanddr
oveof
f.
.
AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Minuteslat
erMongadr ovethr
oughthegat
eandpar
kedbesides
ot
hercars,Bryceranovertohi
mt henhehel
dhi
shandasthey
walkedtowardsthehouse..

Otl
henot i
cedMongacomi ngandrememberedtheharassmentli
e,
sheturnedaroundandranbackinthehousepassingbyher
si
sters.
..Shetr
ippedonApula'
sshoeandgotupr unni
ngtothe
bedrooms.

Ot
lhe:
Monga!

Apul
a'
shear
tski
ppedasshehandedNi
nit
hebaby
..

Mar
u:Whywoul
dMongacomeher
e?

At
sil
e:Shi
t,i
for
gott
oret
urnBr
yce.

MongaknockedonthedoorandwalkedinasApulasl
owl
ystood
upandtur
nedlooki
ngathi
m, Ni
niwalkedtoherbedr
oom wi
ththe
babyasMaruwalkedi
nthekit
chen.
..
Monga:
Hel
l
o

At
sil
e:Hi
..

Apul
a:Hi
..

Monga:
Icamet
ogetBr
yce

Atsi
l
e:I
'
m sor
ry.Iwasn'
tgoi
ngt
otakel
ongbuti
for
gotassoonas
isawNini
'
sbaby..

Monga:Iunderst
and,
nex
tti
mel
etmeknowwher
eyou'
ret
aki
ng
hi
m bef
orey oudo.

At
sil
e:I
'
lldot
hat
.

HelookedatApulaandthei
reyesl
ockedsi
ncethelastt
imeshe
l
uredhiminawiredcar.Apul
aswall
owedandlookeddown..

Monga:
Hi.
.

At
sil
etur
nedandwal
kedoutasApul
afr
ozel
ooki
ngathi
m.

Monga:
Congr
atul
ati
onsont
heweddi
ng

Apul
a:Thanky
ou
Tearsbur
nedherey
esasshel
ookedathi
m,hest
il
lwasn'
tangr
y
wit
hherevenaft
ert
his.
.

Apul
a:I
'
m sor
ry.
.

Monga:
It'
sok.

Het
urnedaroundandwal
kedoutwi
thhi
ssonasApul
afol
l
owed
t
hem out
..
.

Apul
a:Um.
.

Heopenedthedoorandhi
ssongoti
n,hepi
ckedhi
sfat
her'
s
phoneandplay
edgamesasMongaclosedt
hedoorandtur
ned
backtoApul
a..

Apul
a:I'
m sor
ryf
orl
ett
ingoutt
hei
nfoaboutbei
nganassassi
n
andever
ythi
ngel
se.

Monga:
It'
sok.
.

Apul
a:I
sitr
eal
l
yOK?

Monga:I'
m notangrywithyouifyou'
reworri
edaboutt
hat,
just
t
ryi
ngtostayoutoft r
ouble.Ial
sodon'twanttobewit
hyoufor
morethan5mi nut
es...I
'
velostevery
thingi
ncl
udingmydi
gnityso
ihav
enot hi
ngtoloseatt
hispointandt
hat
'snotgoodfory
our
marri
age.Stayoutofmysighti
fyoulov
eyourhusbandandst
il
l
wanttobemar ri
ed.

Apul
a:Whatdoy
oumean?

Monga:
You'
reani
ntel
l
igentwoman.I
'
m sur
eyoucanf
igur
eitout
.

Hegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
fasBr
ycepr
essedt
hephone.
.

Br
yce:
Daddywhoi
smyr
eal
dad?

Monga:
Whatdoy
oumean?

Bryce:
Jul
i
an'
sauntsay
sI'
m noty
oursonbecauseIdon'
tl
ookl
i
ke
you.

Monga:
Whi
chaunt
?

Br
yce:
Theonewi
tht
her
oughv
oice.
..
.Idon'
tknowhername.

Monga:Youdon'
thav
etol
ookl
i
kemet
obemyson.Di
dil
ookl
i
ke
gr
andpa?

Br
yce:
No

Monga:
Exact
ly.
..Don'
twor
ryabouti
t.
.

Br
yce:
Ok.
.

Mi
nut
esl
aterhedr
ovei
ntot
hegar
age,
Bry
cer
anoutandcl
osed
t
hedoorashesi
ghedt
hought
ful
l
yanddi
all
edThong.
..

Thong:
Yeah

Monga:
Kant
ewhymongwel
emongwear
eBr
ycedoesn'
tl
ookl
i
ke
me?

Thong:Thi
sagain?Ithoughti
tendedwhenhewas4y ear
s..
.
Kantei
fitbother
syousomuchwhynotj usttestt
hekid?You'r
e
onthebir
thdaycert
if
icat
esoy ouneedLana'spermissi
on.

Monga:
Whati
fhei
snotmyson.

Thong:Wehav
ebeent
hrought
hisbef
ore.
.Noneofmydaught
ers
l
ooklikeme

Monga:Idon'
twantt
othinkl
i
kethi
sbuti
tjustbot
her
smet
ota.
Ev
eryti
meIt r
ytofor
getsomeonesay
sit
..
.

Thong: Nomanmakeshi scopymorethanonce..Stopl

ett
ing
people'sopi
nionr
uiny
ourmoodorj ustdothetest
.Kanao
tshabisi
wakebathobecauseyoukeepthinki
ngwhatif.

Monga:GapeIwanttomeetOt l
hekemonotiset
sebecauseit
s
nott
hefir
stt
imeabuadilonyanakanna.Gompienogat
wear eRy
i
snotmyson...Tel
l
ingachil
dsuchthi
ngs.Otl
hewahetelel
a
j
aanong.I
fgabamokgalemelennaketamokgal emel
a.

Lana'
scal
lcamet
hrough.
.
Monga:
Lanai
scal
l
ing,

Thong:
Shap

Hehungupandpi
cked.
.

Monga:
Hi

Lana:
Hi,
Igott
hemoneyandMj
'
smessage.Tanki
thebat
hong.

Monga:Sure.
..(
sighed)Iwantt
otakeBrycef
oraDNAt
est
wi
thouttel
l
inghim whatwe'ret
est
ingfor
.

Lana'
sst
oppedsmi
l
ingasherey
esshr
unkwi
thanger
..

Monga:NotthatIdoubthei
smi
ne,
justsoi
cant
ell
ever
yone
t
hey'
rewrong.

Lana: Whyar ey outelli

ngmet heninsteadoft estinghim?Iput
youint hecertifi
catewhydoi havet oassurey ou?I'm si
ckofy ou
i
ndirectlyaskingmei fRyisyourson.I ft
hisist hetort
uremyson
i
sgoi ngt ogetgr owingupf eeli
nglikeheisnotenoughordoesn' t
bel
ongj ustbecausehedoesn' tl
ookl i
keyout heni wanthim back
andy oucanhav ethesony ou'
resur eabout.Don'tpissmeof f
Monga. ..Otsilegompet sagaket senakoobecauseI 'll
not
tol
eratey outelli
ngmet hisnonsenseany more.Hei snotyourson
ee,heisnoty oursonandi cheatedony ouaker ey oucan'tspend
3.5Kt ogettheanswer ..
.(t
earfull
y)You' reapi eceofshi t!It
's
painfulenought hatwhenRyget solderI 'l
lhav etoexpl aintohim
aboutgenet i
csbuti can'texplainmy selftoy ouev eryti
me
someonemakesacommentaboutRy .Thishasbeengoi ngonf or
alongt i
meandI 'm sick..
."Hei Ryisski nny"asi fI'
v eeverbeen
fat.
..
"Rydoesn' tlookl ikeaTi ki
"Iam noty ourmot herMonga.Fuck
you!Don'tev ertalkt ome.I '
m comingt otakeRy ,hewi l
lstaywith
mymot heraker egasewagago.Ot at aonkgat amol omohel a
mmeonkut ule..Skar ebat hobagot seny astresskangwanaabe
osent shetsamogonnaMonga.Lett hisbet hel asttimey outal
k
tomeaboutRy .

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#183

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Mongat
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghedhol
dingt
hephonet
ohi
s
ear
..
.

Monga: (
calmly)Lanawee?Oi thut
egocont r
ollermai
kutoa
gago...I'
mj ustshari
ngwi t
hy ouwhatwor r
iesme.You'r
et he
mot hersoy ou'r
esur e..
.Iont heotherhanddon'tknow.
..I
ttooka
DNAt estformet ogetmysonbackt houghy ouknewv er
ywel l
whot hef atheri
s.Youev enallowedmet olosemoneywhi leyou
knewwhot hefatheris,i
fy ouliedt
omet hefirstti
mewhat '
s
stoppingy oufrom doingi tagain?

Lana:ObonawenaMonga?You'r
efor
giv
ingtotheworl
dnot
me...
you'
reapast
orandasweetmantoever
yoneexceptme,you
cannotuseMj'
ssi
tuat
iont
otor
turemenow.Itwas13yearsago.
.

Monga:Got
shwanahel
amosakereyouthrewaf
itov
er
somethi
ngi
did11year
sago?Youexpect
edmetounder
stand

Lana:Itwasn'taboutyousleepingwi t
hyourwomany ear sago,
it
wasy ousti
llgetti
nginthecarwi ththesamewomanaf termaking
vowst ome.Itwasabouty ougi v i
ngherthepowertoi
mpr i
sonmy
husbandandt akeawayev erythingthatiwasproudof.
..Because
ofyout hatwomanputoutaf l
ameofl ovethatwasgoingonin
myl i
fe.Iusedt obragabouty ounowy oudon'tseeawifei
nme
becausei didn'
trespondlikeapastor'
swi f
e..
.It
'ssadt
hatyou'
re
questioni
ngy ourownson.Idon' tgetwhyy ouhavetokeeptel
li
ng
mewhatpeopl esay ,
it'
snotli
key oubeli
eveme.Youhav ehis
bir
thcer t
if
icatewhynott estwit
houttell
i
ngme?Whyar eyou
tel
li
ngme?

Monga: Mmekanai fyout al

ktomegi vi
ngoutpoi ntsli
kethati
underst
andy oucl
earlyandi seewher eI'
m wr ong.Probl
em
comeswheny ouinsul
tmeandi nv ol
vemypar ents.
..Oneofthe
goodday sI'
m goi
ngt oteachy oual esson...Seehowmanyt i
mes
ikeepwar ni
ngyouaboutt al
kingt omewi threspect?Thetimei
beatyouI'l
lbebeati
ngy ouforev eryinsultbecausegaobake. .
.

Ther
ewassi
l
ence.
..

Monga: Iknowi t
sfrustr
atingtobeaccusedofsomet hi
ngy ou
di
dn'tdo.I'
v ebeentherebutthereisnoneedt oi
nv ol
vemy
parent
s.Lett hi
sbet helastti
mey ouinsul
tme.You' r
erightabout
onething.Ifichoosenott oforgi
veican,Icankeepthisuntil
you
arr
iveinMaunabekegobel etsagonthogelabatsadi.

Lana:
Sor
ryr
ra.

Monga:
Sor
ryi
fihur
tyourf
eel
i
ngs

Lana:
Ihav
etogor
ead
Monga:
Wai
t.
..Sor
ryaut
wa?

Lana:Mongaakowagotesterngwanaotswehel amogonna.You
real
l
yknowhowt ospoi
lmymood. ..Iwasexcit
edwhenical
led
youandyoudidn'
tev
engivemeachancet ot al
ktoyou.
..

Monga:
AndnowIfeel
bad.I
twasawr
ongt
imet
oment
iont
he
DNAthi
ng.Ongadi
l
e?

Shecutt
hecal
l
,hesi
ghedandl
eanedback.

AtMar
u'shouse.
..

Lat
ert
hatev
eni
ngMar
utuckedhersoni
n..

Bobo:
Whendaddycomi
nghome?

Mar
u:Wheny
out
urn17y
ear
sol
d

Bobo:
Imi
sshi
m.

Mar
u:Iknow.
.(pul
l
edt
heduv
etov
erhi
m)Goodni
ght
..

Bobo:
Goodni
ght
..

Sheswit
chedoffhi
sli
ght
sandwal
kedinthegi
rl
sroom wher
e
theywer
esleepi
ngint
hesamebedhol
dingphoneschat
ti
ng.
.
Mar
u:Ineedt
otal
ktot
het
woofy
ou.
.

Theysatupont heedgeoft
hebedandl
ookedatherput
ti
ng
downtheirphones.
.

Maru:St
optaunt
ingOsha..I
tsnotfunnyany
moreandI
'
llnot
t
oler
atesuchabehavi
our.Idi
dn'tr
aiseyoul
iket
hat
.

Li
l
o:Sor
ry

Pi
nk:
Won'
thappenagai
n

Mar
u:Thanky
ou.
.

Pi
nk:
Wenammeosi
ameaker
emama?Wear
eol
denought
otal
k.

Maru:
ThefirstdaywashardbutI'
mf inenow...Don'
twor
ryabout
me.Li
loyourfatherdi
dworsethanthisbuti f
oundajobasamaid
andwesurvi
v ed,wewil
lst
il
lsurv
ive.Allofus.
.

Pi
nk:
Ok

Mar
u:Goodni
ght
..

Bot
h:Goodni
ght
..

Sheswi
tchedof
fthei
rli
ght
sandwal
kedi
nherr
oom wher
eher
phonewasr i
nging.Itwasavi
deocall
,shesmiledfixi
ngherhai
r
andpicked.
.Nicolassmil
edsi
tti
ngi
nt hecarandshowedhera
paper
bagoft akeawaysandtwolar
geboxesofpi zza.
.

Ni
c:Let
'sgopar
ksomewher
eandeat
..
.I'
m att
hegat
e.

Mar
u:Ok.
.2seconds.

Shehungupt hensheputonasweat erandgrabbedt hespare

keys,
atthemai ndoorsher emovedthekeysandt hrewthem on
thefl
oorthenshewal kedoutandlockedthedoorbef or
epacing
towardst
hecaratt hegate.Shegotinandclosedt hedoorthen
theymethalfwayhugging.

Nic:
Imissedy
ou..Ican'
tbeli
evei
missedy
ouwhenwehav
en'
t
knownoneanothert
hatlong.

Mar
u:Sameher
e,i
onl
yfel
tbet
teraf
tery
oucal
l
ed

Ni
c:Ready
?

Mar
u:Yeah.

Hedr
oveof
fassher
eachedi
nthebackandbeguneat
ing.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
LaterthatnightApulalaidherbabybesidesherandbreastf
edher
thoughtful
lylookingather,shestil
lcoul
dn'
tfi
gureoutwhat
Mongameantbuthewasr i
ghtaboutonethi
ng..
.Theyneededt o
stayoutofeachot herssi
ghtiftheyweregoi
ngt obehappily
mar r
iedbecauseonemor elookint
ohiseyesshewasn'tsureif
shewasmaki ngtheri
ghtdecision,f
oundhersel
fwonderingift
his
i
sl oveorchoosi ngstabil
it
y..
.

Thedooropenedt
henOshawal
kedi
nandgoti
nbed.
.

Apul
a:I
'
m get
ti
ngmarri
edthatmeansy
oucan'
tal
way
scomet
o
mybedanyt
imeyoucan'
tsleep.

Osha:
Doy
oul
oveuncl
eRon?

Apul
a:Yes,
why
?

Osha:
Justaski
ng.

Shetur
nedSkyar
oundandsmi l
edadmi
ri
ngherasshel
aid
asl
eep.
..
..
Apul
a'
sphonerecei
vedamessage.
..

Unsav
ednumber
:Ist
il
lcar
e.

Apul
a:Whoi
sthi
s?
Unsav
ednumber
:I'
l
lleav
ethatf
ory
ouri
magi
nat
ion.Goodni
ght
.

Shecheckedt
hedet
ail
soft
henumberwi
thdi
ff
erentappcal
l
ers
butnonamecameout.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#184

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
.

Thenextmorni
ngApulaputonherbl
azerandturnedar
ound
l
ooki
ngathersel
fonthemirr
or,
thenannyknockedonthe
bedr
oom doorwhil
eOshalai
donthebedwi t
hthebaby..

Apul
a:Comei
n

Nanny
:Goodmor
ning.
.

Apul
a:Mor
ning.
.

Apulagrabbedherhandbag,
lapt
opbagandt
hecarkey
sasshe
walkedout..
.

Nanny:
Todayyoulookmuchmor ebeaut
if
ul.
..
iwaswonder
ing
whyyouneverwearyoursui
ts.
.

Apul
a:Justdi
dn'
tfeel
li
kei
t.
.hav
eagoodday
..

Shewal
kedoutandgoti
nthecar
,ofcour
sesheknewwher
ethi
s
SMSwascomi ngf
rom.
..I
twasv
eryobv
iousbutatt
hesamet
ime
qui
tescar
y..
.

Shedr ov
eoutl ostinthought sandsmi l
edindi sbeli
ef,nowthat
sheknewhest i
llcarestooi twashar dwalki
ngi ntothismarri
age.
..
Butthenmay bet hi
swasj ustcoldfeetmar r
iedpeopl ekeep
talki
ngabout.Ronhadnodr ama. .
.Maybeal itt
lebitbori
ngbuthe
wasgener al
l
yagoodper sonandmostofal l heunderstoodher
busyschedule.Thiswasj ustthedevilt
ryi
ngt otempther .
..She
pickedherphoneanddel etedt hemessage...

Minut
esl
atersheparkedi
nherr
eserv
edparki
ngandst
eppedout
astwoot
hercoll
eaguesal
sowalkedi
nthebui
ldi
ng.
.

Her:
UhMsTsat
singt
odayy
out
ooky
ourt
imeshem.
.y
ou'
re
gl
owing.
.

Apul
a:Thanky
ou

Hi
m:Hav
en'
tseeny
oui
nasui
tforawhi
l
e..Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
.

Apul
a:(
laughed)Thanky
ou.
.

Theywal
kedinthebui
ldingandst
oppedi
nt her
eceptionwher
ea
hugemoneybouquetsatinavaseofwat
er.Therecepti
oni
st
poi
ntedt
hedeli
verygi
rlatApul
aandshestoodupsmi li
ng.
.
Her
:Hi
,I
'm maki
ngadel
i
ver
yforMsTsat
sing,
cany
ousi
gnher
e?

Shelookedatthehugemoneybouquetandaboxofbi
scui
tsf
ora
car
dbutt her
ewasnothi
ngthenshesigned.

Apul
a:Wher
eisi
tcomi
ngf
rom?

Her
:Thecl
i
entwasanony
mous,
hej
ustgav
eust
hei
nst
ruct
ions.

Apul
a:Di
dhehav
eadeepv
oiceori
twasj
ustanor
mal
voi
ce?

Her:I
'm nott
heonewhotookt
heor
derbutev
enifi
wasifacli
ent
askstoremainanony
mouswedon'
tgi
veoutany
thi
ngexceptt
he
gender.Haveagoodday
..

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.

Apul
acaref
ull
ypi
ckedherf
lower
sandbi
scui
tsashercol
l
eagues
madehershysmi
li
ngather.
.

Her
:Ineedmeawhi
teman!

Him: Youpeopleunder
esti
mateourbl
ackbrot
hers.
..Whit
emen
sendpureflowersandblackmensendmoneybouquetbecause
theyknowus...BoMataozenbot
hekeblackguys.Nevermeta
whiteMataozen
Theyall
crackedl
aughi
ngasherheel
scluckedt
owardsherof
fi
ce
wheresheputthefl
owersdownandsatdownstar
ingatt
he
bouquet
..Amessagebuzzedonherphone..

Number:
Goodmor
ning.
..It
houghty
oumi
ghtneedcooki
esf
or
yourt
ea.

Apul
a:Whatdoy
ouwantner
ra?I
'
m get
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.

Number:Iwantustogi
veour
sel
vesasecondchance.Li
fei
stoo
shor
tforust
ogiveup.
.

Apul
a:Whatabouty
ourf
ami
l
y?

Number:(
sentapi
ctur
eoft
hecour
tpaper
swi
thbl
urr
edout
names)

Apul
a:Ok.
..Whyar
eyouhi
dingy
our
sel
f?

Number :Becausei wanttoseei fyouknowwhoi am. .Iwantto

knowi fyou'
rewill
i
ngt ofol
lowy ourheart
.Iknowthaty ouareat
thestagewher eyoucan'tjustdropeveryt
hingandtel
lingparents
youcan'tdothiswillbeharder.Justcomet ome..
.packy ourbags
andjustcome. .

Apul
a:Andt
hechi
l
dren?

Number
:Doyoudoubtmyabi
l
ityt
ost
epfat
herory
ourabi
l
ityt
o
st
epmot
her?I
twil
lbecool
havi
ngadaught
er.

Apul
a:Iknowy
ou'
rej
ustbl
uff
ing.
Number :I
'
m gl
adifi
nall
ytol
dyouthetr
utht
hough.Ihaven'
thad
theconfi
dencet
ofaceyouandifyougothr
oughwiththewedding
atleasty
ouknowiloveyou.Hav
eagoodday .

Apul
a:Goodday
.Il
ovey
ou

Number
:Il
ovey
out
oo.
.

Sheputherphonedownandsmil
edlooki
ngatt
hefl
owers,
she
pul
ledoutonefl
owerandsmel
ledi
tthenshest
oodupandmade
acupoftea.

Atschool
..
.

Meanwhi
l
eBr
ycehi
ghf
ivedhi
sfat
herandwal
kedout
..

Monga:
RememberBrycelunchti
meI'l
lbeher
etopickyousowe
cangot
esty
ouforal
l
er gi
es..
.Itwon'
tbealongpr
ocess.

Br
yce:
Ihat
eneedl
es

Monga:
Theywi
l
lswaby
ourmout
h

Mj
steppedoutandcl
osedt
hedoorwi
thoutt
heusual
highf
ive.
.
Monga:
Youcanhol
dagr
udgeey
,ar
eyoust
il
langr
y?

Mj
:No.

Monga:
Hughf
ivet
hen

Mj
:Justnotf
eel
i
ngi
t.

Hetur
nedandwalkedbehi
ndotherst
udent
sasBry
ceandJul
i
an
metandheadedt
oclass.Her
eversedanddrov
eof
fdi
all
i
ngLana.
.

Lana:
(sl
eepy
)Hel
l
o?

Monga:
Sor
ryi
wokey
ou

Lana:
Neor
eng?

Monga:I
'm sor
ryfort
heapproachyest
erday,
it'
sembar
rassingt
o
cal
lsomeoneallexci
tedt
hentheysaysomethingt
obri
ngy ou
down.Canwest ar
tovert
heconversat
ion?

Lana:
No.

Monga:
Sor
ryt
hemmaao.
..

Lana:Ij
ustwantedt osaythankyoufort
hemoneyy ousent,
andi
wantedtotel
lyout hatI
'l
lbecomingtoseetheboys.Yousenti
t
attheri
ghtti
mej ustbefor
eket swal
aforashor
tvacati
on.

Monga:
Ok,
Mjconv
incedme.
..It
oldt
hem aboutt
hedi
vor
ce.

Lana:
Ithoughty
ou'
l
lwai
tformet
ocome
Monga:
Ifel
tpr
essur
edbysomet
hing

Lana:
What
?Pl
easet
ell
mey
ou'
l
lnot
if
ymei
fyougetagi
rl
fr
iend.

Monga:(
laughed)Youreal
lyt
hinkhighl
yofmeey ,wher
ewouldi
getagi
rl
fri
endsoquick?I'
m notthatl
uckyi
nlove.You'
regoi
ngt
o
fi
ndaboyfri
endandgetmar r
iedl
eav i
ngmehere..

Lana:
Whoi
sgoi
ngt
omar
rymewi
thmyunci
vi
li
sedmout
h?

Monga:You'r
enotthatbadkeray
agoreasl
ongassomeone
doesn'
tpissy
ouoffyou'
reagoodwomanbutargumentsar
epar
t
ofmarri
agesoonemustbeabletocal
m downandreason.

Lana:Yeahbutr espectisi mportant,ididn'

tmeantoi nsul
tyou
l
ikethat.
.Ij
ustdi dn'texpectyout otalkt omeabouttheDNAt hi
ng
becauseithoughty oudi dnowi feltli
ket hi
sisnowgoi ngto
tor
turemysonbecauseasl ongaspeopl etal
khewi l
loneday
hearanditwill
af fecthisselfesteem.I fhisownfatherdoubtshim
howi shesupposedt ofeel?Youhav eev er
yri
ghttotesthim buti
don'twanttohearabouti tbecausei don'twanttofeelaccused.
Justgodoi tony ourown.

Monga: Ok, i hearyou.Mmekanai wasn'

taccusi
ngy oukana
kooreithelar eomanel adi l
odi
selehel atot
heextentofhav i
nga
bigfi
ght .Somewor dscan'tbetakenback...Imaginei fi
usedy our
backgroundi nev er
yfight.
.Therei ssomuchIcoul duset ocrush
yourselfest eem buti don'tdothatbecausei knowi twillhurt
.
Cany out rydeal i
ngwi thyouranger ?Gethelp.
.Ithinkwear estil
l
goingtof ightev enafterthedivorcebecausewehav echildren.
Thesolut i
oni sf oryout ogethelpbecausewecan' ti
gnor eyour
chil
dhoodbackgr ound,thesethingshav eawayofcomi ngback.
Pr
omi
semey
ou'
l
ldosomet
hingabouti
t.
.

Lana:Ok.Youhaveapoint
.Iwi
shi
coul
dtakebackt
hepar
tabout
yourmom.Pleasefor
giv
eme

Monga: (
laughed)Wabonagor eithurt
syout oo?You'l
lbetheone
feel
ingguilt
yaft
ersayi
ngall
kindsoft hi
ngs.Itryt
oav oi
dfight
ing
becausei knowI'
dneverl
i
vewi thmy sel
fifibeatyou.Anywaysi
havetogot owork.Cal
lmewheny ougetup. .

Lana:
Ok,
bye

Hehungupanddr
oveof
f.
.

Att
hemal
l
...

Lat
erthatmor ni
ngNi
cparkedinf
rontoft
hefur
nit
ureshopand
l
eanedov erhuggi
ngherbef
oreki
ssi
ngheronthecheek.
.

Ni
c:Goodl
uck.
..Iknowy
ou'
l
lbehi
redal
ready
.

Mar
u:I
'
m soscar
ed,
ihav
en'
twor
kedi
nfor
ever
.Doi
lookok?

Ni
c:(
smi
l
ed)Youl
ookwonder
ful
..
.

Helookedi
nhereyesanddownatherli
ps,shel
ookedathisl
ips
andbackathi
seyesthenhel
eanedoverandFrenchki
ssedher
soft
ly.Theybr
ief
lyki
ssedt
henher
eachedf
orhi
swal
l
etand
handedherP200.

Ni
c:Thi
sisf
orl
unch.Updat
emeaf
tert
hei
nter
viewok?

Heki
ssedheragai
nthenshegotoutandcl
osedt
hedoor

Mar
u:Thanky
ou.
..

Ni
c:Sur
e.

Hesmiledadmi
ri
ngherasshewal
kedinthef
urni
tur
eshopthen
hedrovetowor
k.I
nsi
deMarugotdi
rect
edtothemanager
'soff
ice
andsatdown.
.

AtApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Lat
ert
hataft
ernoonjustbef
orel
uncht
imeApul
a'
sphoner
angas
shegr
abbedherblazer
..

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Aunt
ie:
Hi,
whenar
eyoucomi
ngher
e?Theweddi
ngi
snextweek
buty
ouhav
en'
treal
l
ycomeher
esowecant
alk.
.

Apul
a:I
'
llcomet
odayaf
terwor
k.

Therewasaknockont hedoorthenherPAwalkedi ncarr

ying
takeawaysandputt
hem onthetable,
shegrabbedt hebookfrom
thedeli
ver
ygir
landhandedherthenApulaputthephonebet ween
herearandshoul
derasshesignedandhandedi tback.
.

Aunt
ie:
Ineedt oupdat
eyouaboutwhatwehav
ebeendi
scussi
ng
i
nthemeetings.

Apul
a:(
closedt
hedoor
)Eemma.
..By
e

Shehungupandpi
ckedt
hecar
dinsi
det
hensher
eadi
t.
.

"Ican'
tconcent
rat
eintheoff
ice.You'
real
lthatI
'
mthi
nki
ngabout
.
Pleasecomebackt ome."

Thenumbercal
ledt
henshepickedandAdèle'sHel
l
opl
ayed.She
smil
edandsatdowneat
ingandt hecal
lended..
.

Number:
(text
ed)Enj
oyy
ourl
unch.
.

Apul
a:Thanks.
Number:Canibuyust woti
cketst
oanywher
eyouwant?Wecan
goandcomebackaf tert
henoisehasdi
eddown.Lal
alov
eisal
l
aboutt
akingr
isks.
..

I
fshehadneverbeensur
enowsheknewt
hiswasMongaandi
t
wasscar
yjustt
hinki
ngabouti
t.

Apul
a:I
'
llt
hinkabouti
t.

Monga: I
fsi
gnt hosepaper si
twillbehardtogetbacktoget
her,
t
rustmedi vor
cingt akesmonthstoay ear.You'
ll
losesomeof
yourproper
ty.
..Atleastletmeknowi fyoulovemeori fy
oulove
t
hatwhi t
eguysoi canacceptthatI'
mlate.Idon'
twanttofor
ce
youthat'
swhyI '
m usi ngaphonetotalktoyou.

Apul
a:Giv
emeaf ewdaystoprocessthi
s.Wehav
etot
hinkabout
ever
yoneinv
olv
edincl
udi
ngourchil
dren.

Monga:
Iknow,
hav
eagoodday

Apul
a:Yout
oo.
.

Sheputdownherphoneandat
e..
.

DAYSLATER.
..
.
MyKi
ndofMan

#185

Att
hef
urni
tur
eshop.
..

Maruandhercoll
eagueswalkedoutoftheshopasthesecuri
ty
cl
osed,shehungherhandbagoverhershoul
derandsmil
ed
appr
oachingthepar
kingl
ot,Nicsmil
edasshegotinthenthey
ki
ssed.
.

Ni
c:Hey

Mar
u:Hi
..

Nic:Yousoundedworri
edaboutdoi
ngyournai
lsandhairf
ory
our
sist
erswedding.
.Wasthinki
ngIdr
opyouoffatthesal
onandpick
youlater
.I'
l
ltakecar
eofit.
.

Mar
u:OhGod,
thanky
ou.
..Iappr
eci
atei
t.

Ni
c:Yeah.
.(handedhermoney
)AndcutBobo'
shai
r.
..

Mar
u:Nic.
.Youdon'
thav
etospendsomuchonme.
..Skay
ale
mat
hataameokannabroke.

Ni
c:(l
aughed)Justcuty
ourson'
shai
rsohecanl
ookgoodatt
he
weddi
ng.HaircutkeP30..

Mar
u:Thanky
ou.
..
Minutesl
aterheparkedinfr
ontofthesalonandt
heykissed
befor
eshest eppedoutandclosedthedoort
henhedroveoff.
..

AtMaunseni
orsecondar
yschool
..
.

Boyboywal
kedoutofthegat
ewi
tht
hreeot
hergi
rl
sast
hey
chatt
edandl
aughed.
..

Gi
rl
:I'
m comi
ngt
otheweddi
ngt
omor
row.
..Di
shf
ormeaut
wa?

Boyboy
:(sof
tl
y)Ther
ewi l
lbesomanypeopl
eI'
l
lbet
ooshyt
o
evenst
andup.Idon'
tli
kenoise.
.

Gir
l2:
(laughed)Ican'
twai
ttoseey
oudance.
..Ar
etheymaki
ng
youdancewi t
hagi r
l?

Boy
boy
:Yes.
..Isohat
eit
..
.

Gi
rl
3:Icani
magi
neGor
atadanci
ngwi
thagi
rl
..
.

Theylaughedoutloudandhuggedoneanot
herbef
orepart
ing,
Boyboycr ossedt
heroadsucki
ngaredl
oll
ypopandwalked
besi
dest heroadheadi
nghome.

ABMW pul
l
edov
erbesi
deshi
m wi
tht
int
edwi
ndowsandt
he
wi
ndowr
oll
eddownashet
urnedl
ooki
ngatt
hedr
iver
..
.

Dr
iver
:Hi

Boy
boy
:Hi

Dr
iver
:Cani
giv
eyouar
ide?

Boy
boyl
ookedatt
hebabysl
eepi
ngont
hecotatt
hebaby
sit
..

Boy
boy
:Ont
seol
emot
set
sij
aana

Dri
ver:(
laughed)Pl
easegeti
nidon'
twantt
ogeti
ntr
oubl
e.You'
re
i
ny ourunif
orm.

Hegoti
nthecarandputt
heseatbel
ton.
.

Hi
m:Mynamei
sThat
o

Boy
boy
:Mynamei
sGor
atabutkol
apengkebi
tswaBoy
boy
.

Hi
m:Gor
atai
squi
ter
aref
orboy
sbuti
t'
sani
cenameRat
i.

That
o:Youshoul
dcomeandwat
chmov
ieswi
thmyf
ri
endandi

Boyboy:Mymotheri
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
edt
omor
rowbutI
'
m sur
eday
s
af
terthatI
'
llbef
ree.
That
o:Sweet
..Gi
vemey
ournumber
..

Theyexchangednumber
sashel
ookedatThat
o'sr
ing.
..

Boy
boy
:Isy
ourf
ri
endal
somar
ri
ed?

That
o:Yeah,
itwi
l
lbeguy
schi
l
li
ngout
..
.Howol
dar
eyou?

Boy
boy
:18

That
o:Gr
eat
..Doy
oudr
ink?

Boyboy:Occasionall
ywhen,usedtosteal
mymot
her
'sl
i
quorbut
shehasn'tbeendrinki
nginawhilenow.

That
o:Ok.
.

Boy
boy
:Dr
opmeher
e

Thatopul
l
edov
erandl
ookedi
nhi
sey
es,
Boy
boysmi
l
edandgot
out.

Boy
boy
:By
e

That
o:Kekopasweeteo,
comebacki
n..

Hegotbacki
nwit
hthesweeti
nhi
smout
hthenhet
ookoutand
puti
tinhi
smout
h..
That
o:Thanks

Hegotoutoft
hecarandcl
osedthedoor
.Meanwhi
l
eOshat
urned
of
froadwit
hKingonthef
rontseat
..

Ki
ng:Doesyourmom knowI
'
m sl
eepi
ngov
er?Idon'
twantt
oget
i
ntroubl
e.

Osha:(
laughed)Sheknows..St
opworryi
ng.
..(
sawBoy
boy)Oh
t
hat'
smyl it
tl
ebrother
..Whyishet
alki
ngtomenincar
s..

Ki
ng:
Leeneowal
kerseny
anaj
ang.
.

Thatoj
oinedt
heroadanddroveoffasOshasl
oweddownf
or
Boyboy
.Hegotinthenshedroveoff
..

Osha:
Whowast
hat
?

Boy
boy
:Mycl
assmat
evsf
ather
..
.

Osha:
Ohok.
.That
'sKi
ng,
hei
smyboy
fri
end.
.Babet
hat
'sBoy
boy

Ki
ng:
Ait
a..

Boy
boy
:Hi
..
Minuteslat
ershedrov
ethrought
hegateandpar
kedbesi
des
Tumo'scarthentheywal
kedinwhil
eTumowasholdi
nghis
daughtershushi
ngherwhi
leNini
bathed.
..

Att
heai
rpor
t.
..

Meanwhi
leMongaparkedthecarast
heboy
slookedout
sidest
il
l
i
nthei
rschool
uni
for
ms. .

Mj
:Whatar
ewedoi
ngher
e?

Monga:
I'
m her
etopi
ckupaf
ri
end.Let
'sgo.
.

Br
yce:
Ok.
.

Theygotoutofthecarandwalkedinthebuil
ding,
Mongatookout
hi
sphoneandsecr etl
yrecor
dedastheywalkedinandsatdown,
passenger
sfrom theplanet
hatj
ustlandedal
lwalkedoutwhi
le
MjandBr y
cewer ebusyonthei
rphones..
.

Lanawal kedoutofthecrowdpul
li
ngherbagandsmi
led
approachingtheguys,Mongasawherandsmil
edassheputher
fi
ngeronherl i
psforhimtokeepquiet
.
Lanasmi l
edapproachingandsatbesidesthem butt heywere
busyont hephone,sheputherar m ov
erMJ, heturnedaround
andlookedather,theboysgaspedanddr oppedt hephone
j
umpi ngont opofherasshel aughedoutl
oud.Mongal aughed
recor
dingtheirmomentast heystoodupandhuggedonemor e
ti
me, hestoppedrecordi
ngandhuggedherast heboy sstepped
backgivi
ngt hem achance.
..

Monga:
(sof
tl
y)Hey

Lana:
(smi
l
ed)Hi
..

Shesmiledbl
ushi
ngandgl
ancedathishandst
oseei
fhehad
takenof
ftheri
ngbuti
twassti
l
lther
e..

Hegrabbedherbagandf ol
l
owedherasshewal kedoutwit
hher
ar
msar oundtheboys,hegl
ancedatherhandtoseeifshewas
st
il
lweari
ngherringanditwassti
l
lther
e..Cl
eanandshini
ng..
.

Hel
oadedt
hebagi
nthebootwhil
eLanaandthechi
ldr
enchat
ted
t
henhi
sphoner
angwhi
lehestoodbehi
ndthecar
..
.

Monga:
Yeah

Thong:
Themonnacomegetmear
ound8pm,
I'
ll
tel
lKhumowe
ar
egoi ngdr
inki
ng.Iwantt
omeett
hatgi
rl
..Ibeenpr
omi
singher
I
'l
lcheckonher.

Monga: You'
renotdoingthattoKhumo, you'r
edoi
ngsowellI
'm
notlett
ingyoudestroyyourfamil
yoverhavingaboywhenit
makesnodi ff
erence,theconsequencesaresever
ethant
he
sat
isfacti
onofhavingaboy .

Thong:(
laughed)UhMrdidIsayany
thi
ngaboutsl
eepi
ngwi
thher
?
I
'mjustchecki
ngherfor30minut
esabereboa.

Monga: Kar egaoy ekoomr .

..Ifyoubringat hi
rdpartyint oyour
mar r
iageev enifnothi
nghappensv er
ysoonKhumowi lllookl i
kea
crazywi fe.Don' tf
uckthisup..
.Bepat ient
, Khumowi llev entuall
y
under st
and. ..Tryi
ngtogetbackt hespar kwheny ou'
ref antasisi
ng
aboutanot herwomani shar d.
..t
hat'
swhatbr eaksmar riages.Ska
l
etat empt ationegodiri
saphoso. ..
I'
mt ell
ingy ouverysoonKhumo
willr
eactandy ouwon'tli
keit.
..
you'l
lthinky ourwifeiscr azy
becausenowomanwi l
lsmilewhenshet hinksy ou'
recheat ing.
You'l
l onlyseet heproblem withherreactionwenay ouract ions
di
lejustifiable.

Thong:
(si
ghed)Doy
ouhav
etospoi
li
tformeont
shosanemr
?
Kanaanongwambori
sa

Monga: Mmekanai t
'sthetr
uth,iknowt hatnur seisbeauti
fulbut
thefactthatsheknowsy ou'
remar ri
edandkeepsi nvi
ti
ngy oufor
amov ieatthesamet imeai t
segor eyou'r
edesper ateforaboy .
Wagol esaai mathenthatwillbetheendofy ourf amil
ystarti
ng
withbabymamadr ama, wi
felookingcrazyf orfighti
ngorher
goingmadf rom depressi
onev enkil
li
ngher selforsendingy ou
st
rai
ghtt
ojai
lformur
der
..
.(l
aughed)Wai
tebal
abar
ikewena.
.

Thong:
(laughed)Doy
ouhav
etoment
iont
hat
?

Monga:Thi
siswherethe20/
80rul
ecomesin..
.Asoni
sthe
mi
ssing20%butyou'l
ll
ose80%chasi
ng20.Akonne

Thong:
(laughed)Ket
aannaee.
.

Monga:8pm I'
m cal
li
ngKhumocl
aimingy
ourphonei
snotgoi
ng
t
hroughjustsoIcanmakesur
eyou'r
ehome.

Thong:
(laughed)Iwon'
tgo,
youknowIwoul
dn'
tl
iet
oyou.
.

Monga:
Shapo

Hehungupandgoti
nthedr
iver
ssi
det
henhedr
oveof
f.
..

Monga:
Canwegoeatoutory
ouwantt
ogoandr
est
?

Lana:
I'
m al
waystooexhaust
edtogooutaf
teran18hourf
li
ght
..
Wecanbuytakeawaysandeatathome.

Monga:
Ok,
ther
eissomet
hingi
needy
ouguy
stoseef
ir
st.
..

Lana:
Ok.
..

Monga:I
t'
sabi
tofal
ongdr
ive,
buti
t'
swor
thi
t.Mj
andi
wil
lbuy
f
oodfir
st

Lana:
Ok.
.
Hepar
kedt
hecarandt
heyj
umpedout
..

Mj
:(l
aughed)I
'
m goi
ngt
ogety
ouf
ort
hatsur
pri
se

Monga:
(laughed)Youshoul
dseey
ourr
eact
ion,
irecor
dedy
ou.
.

Mj
wat
chedt
hev
ideoandl
aughedast
heymadeor
der
s..

Mj:Mrsutha.
..Del
etei
t,i
lookl
i
keaki
djumpi
ngonmymot
her
l
ikethat
.

Monga:
I'
m goi
ngt
obl
ackmai
lyouwi
thi
twhent
imecomes.

Theygr
abbedt
het
akeaway
sandgotbacki
nthecart
henhe
drov
eoff.

AtAunt
ie'
sHouse.
..

Apulawalkedoutofthebathroom andwalkedinherr
oom whil
e
l
oudmusi cplayedoutsi
de,every
onewasbusyandhercousi ns
werecookingserobewhiletheeldersgat
heredar
oundthei
r
fi
repl
acedrinki
ngtradi
ti
onalbeer..
.
Theyoungstersenjoyedthemusicandt hebeerfrom t
hei
rcooler
boxeswhilethechil
drenplayedblokomampat i
le(hi
deandseek)
onthesandundert hemoon.Theygat heredsoi
lintoahipthen
Boboleanedov ercl
osinghiseyes..

Bobo:
Blockmampat
il
e?

Al
l
:No-
no!

Bobo:
Alei
phi
thi
l
e?

Al
l
:No-
No!

Thechi l
drenranspreadi
ngandhidi
ngashecountedand
eventuall
ystoodup..Hesmiledwal
kingaroundl
ooki
ngforthem
andf oundJuli
anhidingbehi
ndthecar,t
heyrant
owardsthehipof
soilandtapped..
.

Meanwhil
eint
hehouseApul
asatonr
hebedandpi
ckedher
phone,
shehadamessage.

Monga:Idon'
tthi
nkI
'l
lsl
eept
oni
ghtknowi
ngt
hatt
omor
rowy
ou'
l
l
beof
fici
all
ygi
ventoanot
herman.

Apul
a:Whydi
dyouwai
tsol
ong?Kanaj
aanongompaamof
ixi
ng

Monga:Li
fehappenedbutI
'
m gladmymarr
iagedidn'
twor
kout.I
wasn'
thappy,
thehappi
estiev
erbeenwaswithyouandinev
er
tooky ouseri
ousl
y.Ineverdi
dallthethi
ngsamani ssupposedt
o
doy etyoualwaysvoicedoutyourexpect
ati
ons.If
ail
edour
rel
ationshi
pandi wanttobethebestIcanbe.

Apul
a:Iwantt
oheary
ousayt
his,
whydon'
tyoucal
lme?Orpi
ck
mycall
?

Monga:Lal
aplease..
.Foroncef
oll
owy ourhear
t.
..Icancome
overandparkatyourAunti
e'
sgatet
heny ougeti
nandwel eav
e
foracoupl
eofday s.
..
Canicomeover?

Atsi
leandMaruwal
kedi
nfr
om t
hef
ir
epl
acesmel
l
ingl
i
kesmoke
astheyatel
i
ver.
.

Mar
u:Kei
not
sesebet
ekegol
ekedi
semony
adi
?

Atsil
enot
icedshewashi
dingherphoneundert
hepi
ll
owthenshe
grabbedi
tandreadt
hemessageasApul aj
umpedtr
yingt
ogetit
back.

At
sil
e:Youhavebeensecr
eti
veandmy
ster
ioust
hewhol
eweek.
..
Whatareyouhi
ding?

Apul
a:Lel
ethemmabusaf
oney
ame.
.

At
sil
ereadandhandedMar
uwhor
eadandt
heyt
urnedl
ooki
ngat
her.
..Shel
ookeddownembarr
assedandsighed,
tearsf
il
ledher
eyesandsherubbedherey
esastheyl
ookedather..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#186

AtAunt
ie'
sHouse.
..

Mar u:Apul
adoy ouhav eanyideawhatisgoi
ngonoutside?Can
youseet hoseelder
s?They '
reheret
omar r
yyouoffandify ou
thi
nkaboutr unni
ngawayy ou'l
lembarr
assaunti
eandy ou'l
lmake
them fool
sf ordr
oppingeveryt
hingt
ocomegat herher
ef or
nothing.

Atsile: Yourshipwi t
hMongahasl ongsail
ednnaka...Ican't
believ eaf t
er13y earsI'
m sti
llhavingthi
sconversat
ionwi thyou.I
thoughthav i
ngsexwi thhiminFt ownwi l
lgethi
m outofy our
syst em buti tcl
earlydidn'
twor kout.IdoubtMongal ovesy ou.
..
Notaf tersendinghimt ojail
andsay i
ngouthissecrets..
.That
manwi llnevertr
usty ou.Heisjustliv
inginthemoment .
.Ishe
divor ced?

Apula:Yes,hesentmet hefinalorder
.Idon'tknowi fihaven't
forgi
venmy sel
fforcheati
ngonMongaori feell
ikeI'l
lneverfi
nd
truel
ov eagai
n..
.Thereareal otofthi
ngsi knowbuti reall
ydon't
knowmuchaboutRon.If eel l
ikeI'
mrushingintothis,I
'm scared
hemi ghtcheatonmel i
kei cheatedonMonga. ..
.IloveRonbut
I'
m afrai
dtolethi
mi nbecausei r
ememberwhati did.

Mar
u: I
fit
'skar
mayougotyour
s..
.Pl
easest
oppuni
shi
ngyoursel
f
byt
hinki
ngthewor
standtoni
ghtist
heworstt
imet
ogetsecond
thoughts.Yousaidyoudon'twantnegati
vi
ty.
..Whyareyou
bri
ngingitnow?PleasetrustGodtoblessyouwi t
hagoodman. .
.
You'vedonesomuchf orthi
sfamil
y,youdeservehappi
ness.
..I
t'
s
ri
ghtinfrontofyouandMongai sthetemptation.

Atsi
l
e:I
sheevenmarri
ed?Whatifhei
slyi
ng?Mar
uwoul
dhav
e
hear
dsomet
hing.
..(
toMaru)Can'
tyouask?

Maru:
No,wearenotaski
ngany
thi
ngshei
sget
ti
ngmar
ri
edand
f
orget
ti
ngMonga.

Apul
a:Can'
tyouj
ustaskSedi
?She'
dknow.
.

Mar
usi
ghedandt
ookoutherphonet
henshedi
all
edSedi
..
.

At
sil
e:Loudspeaker
.

Shepr
essedast
heyal
ll
ist
ened.

AtEr
ic'
sHouse.
..
.

Eri
cslowlysl
i
doutastheybothpanted,hegrabbedthet
oweland
wipedhismeatt
henhethrewherthet owel
andwal kedi
nthe
bathr
oom asshewipedhersel
fandpickedthecall
..
Sedi
:Hel
l
o?

Mar
u:Heysi
s..

Sedi
:Hi
,howar
eyou?Er
icandi
wer
etal
ki
ngaboutBoboear
li
er

Mar
u:Amme

Sedi
:Yeah.
.Heist
hinki
ngabouti
ncr
easi
ngt
hemoneyhegi
ves
Bobofr
om P500to1K.

Maru:Thatwi
l
l bewonder
ful
.Lennakebony
escr
opony
anaata
f
urni
tur
eshop.
..Naar
eMongaodi vor
ced?

Sedi
:Whyar
eyouaski
ng?

Maru:
Hewast
ext
ingApul
atr
yingt
ogethert
ocancel
the
weddi
ng.
.

Bot
hsist
ersf
rownedandwav
edsi
l
ent
lybutshet
urnedl
ooki
ng
away.

Maru:Iwasgoi
ngtoli
ebuti
needt
het
rut
hthat
'sal
l
.Ishe
di
vorcedl
ikehesay
s?

Sedi
:Di
l
otsal
eng?

Mar
u:Today

Sedi:
Icoul
dn'
ttel
lyouift
hedi vor
cei
sfi
nalornot,whynotask
MongaoraskLanai fy
our eal
l
ywantthetr
uth.Lanahasn'
t
changedherl
ocalnumber.Whenshearri
vesinBotswanashe
usesi
t,cal
lher
.Shear
ri
vedt
oday
.

Mar
u:Ok,
thanks.

Shehungupandsi
ghed.
..

Atsi
le:Di
dyouhavetomenti
onhi
m want
ingLal
a?Lanai
sgoi
ng
tohateherandt
urnbit
ter
.

Maru:I
twast heonlyway.Atl
eastweknowhei stell
i
ngt het
rut
h
aboutthedi
vorce,
Sedijustwon'tt
ell
usifi
t'
sfi
nalornot.What'
s
theuseoffi
ndingout?Atsi
leihopeyou'
renotencouragi
ngher

At
sil
e:I
'
m not,ij
ustwant
edtoconf
ir
mforhersoshedoesn'
t
makeafooloutofher
sel
f.

Maru:
You'
reget
ti
ngmarr
iedmma.
..Youbet
terbei
nther
ight
moodwhenyouwakeup.

Apul
a:(
laughed)Wal
waj
aanong?

Mar
u:(
laughed)Yes

Atsi
le:
Butwhynotgetmar
ri
edandshaghi
m oncei
nawhi
l
eifi
t'
s
aboutdick?

Apul
a:Guy
sI'
mfi
nenow.I
twasj
ustal
i
ttl
econf
usi
on.I
'
mfi
ne.
..
Goandcook

At
sil
e:Ar
eyousur
e?

Apul
a:Yes.
..Def
ini
tel
y.
Theyr
eluct
antl
ywal
kedoutandcl
osedthedoort
henshedi
all
ed
Mongabutther
ewasnoanswerthenshetext
ed.

Apul
a:Shoul
dical
lony
ourot
hernumber
?Iwantt
otal
ktoy
ou.

Shedial
l
edhim onthenumbershehadgivenRonandther
ewas
st
il
lnoanswer,sheputherphonedownandsighedl
ayi
ngonher
si
dethenshetextedThong.

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Thonglai
dont hecouchwithhi
sheadonKhumo'
slapwhil
eshe
watchedhersoapy.Herecei
vedamessagef
rom acont
actsav
ed
as'Devi
l'
sdaughterbr
okemyboy '
shear
t.

Her
:Hi,
canwetal
k?Sorr
yt ocall
youthisl
atebutIwast
alki
ngto
Mongaandnowheisnotrespondingbuti
needtotal
ktohim.

Thong:
Whatwer
eyout
wot
alki
ngabout
?

Shesentascr
eenshotwi
thpar
toft
hei
rconv
ersat
ion.
.
Thong: Mat aozenwapekael
egor
e?Soy
ou'
ret
her
easonhe
wasdivor
cing?

Apul
a:Wher
eishe?

Thong:Att
hecabi
n,i
tsa3t
o4hourdr
iveout
sideMaun.Di
dhe
menti
onthepl
ace?

Apul
a:No,
buthewantedt
opi
ckmeupear
li
ernowhei
snot
pi
cki
ngonbothofhi
snumber
s.

Thong:
Whatar
eyoupl
anni
ngt
odo?

Apula:Iwantt
ogoseehi
m andt
alkt
ohi
minper
son.Sendme
di
recti
ons

Thong: St
il
lshockedbyhi
swor
ds.

Thongsentthedirect
ionsandt hepl
otnumbert henshetookout
twoofherpinkbagsandputhercl othesi
nside,sheputher
snacksinthebackpackandhermakeupandl adythi
ngsinthe
otherbagthensheputt hem asi
deandwaitedforevery
onetofal
l
asleep.
..

Att
hecabi
n..
.

Meanwhil
einsi
dethecabi
nMongaandLanacuddledonthe
couchwhi
letheboyscuddl
edont heot
heronewi
thabl
anketand
abowlofsnacksastheywatchedafamil
ymovi
e.
Lana'
sphoner
angt
henshest
oodupandwal
kedi
ntheki
tchen.
.

Monga:Babebr
ingmyphonewheny
ougetback.
..I
t'
sont
he
char
geri
nthebedroom.

Lana:
Ok

Shest oodintheki t
chent al
ki
ngtothephoneandheadedtot
he
bedroom wher eshet ookhisphoneoutofthechar
gerandhehad
3mi ssedcalls.Sheclickedonthecal
lsbutthescr
eenwas
passwor dprotected.

Shewalkedi
nthel
ivi
ngroom andsatnextt
ohi
m ashegott
he
phoneandki
ssedhercheek.Shet
ookadeepbreat
handsi
ghed.
.

Lana:
Canwegot
alkf
orasec?

Monga:
Can'
ti
twai
taf
tert
hemov
ie?

Hecheckedhisphone,he'
dcal
lThongback.
..Bethewassti
l
lon
t
henursegir
lissue.Hewasn'
tsurewher
etheother2missedcal
l
s
wer
ebuthe'dcalltomorr
owtoo.Heputthephonedownand
wat
ched..
Lana:
Please.
.

Hesi ghedandstoodupannoyedthenhefoll
owedherashekept
glancingbackattheTVasthemostinter
estingpar
tcameon.He
satont hebedandlookedatherassheclosedthedoor
..

Lana:
Whenl
astdi
dyout
alkt
oApul
a?

Monga:
Her
ewego.
.

Lana:
Pleasedon'
tst
art
..
.

Monga:Whatdi
di do?Ithinki
twaslastweek.
..Ryv
isit
edJul
ian
whohappenedtobeAtsile'
ssonandsheendedupt aki
nghi
mt o
Apul
a'
shouse.Iwenttheretopickhi
m andlef
t.

Lana:Didyoutell
hert
ostoptheweddi
ngbecausey
oul
oveher
bl
abla.
.didyoutal
ktohert
oday?

Monga:
No

Lana:
Arey
out
ell
i
ngmet
het
rut
h?

Monga:
Yes,
canwegowat
chamov
ie?

Lana:
Ok.
..

Shesighedandt
urnedar
oundt
henshenot
icedanenv
elopeon
thet
able..
Lana:
What
'st
hatf
or?

Monga:
It'
stheDNAr
esul
ts.Let
'sgo.
..

Shef
oll
owedhi
m andsatont
hecouchast
heycuddl
ed.

Lana:
Whatdi
dther
esul
tssay
?

Monga:
Soy
oudon'
tknow?

Lana:
(sar
cast
ical
l
y)Ver
yfunny
..

Theyt
urnedl
ooki
ngatt
hemov
ie.
..

AtAunt
ie'
sHouse.
..

Lateronjustbeforemidni
ghtApul
aquiet
lywal
kedoutandputt
he
bagsi nhercarthenshecl
osedthedooranddr
oveoffwhil
e
everyoneslept
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#187

Att
hecabi
n..
.

Int
heear
lyhour
soft
hemor ni
ngApulareachedtheplotnumber
andst
oppedatt
hegat
e,shesteppedoutanditwaslocked.

Shegotbacki
nthecarandsatdownt
hought
ful
l
ythenshedi
all
ed
Monga'
snumber..
.

I
nthebedr
oom.
..
.

MeanwhileMongaandLanaspoonedasl eepashi sphonebuz zed

overthetabl
e,Lanatri
edi gnor
ingi
tbuti
trangov erandoverthen
shereachedoverandl ookedatthenumber.
..Shepickedher
phoneandt ookapictureofthecall
i
ngnumbert hensheswitched
offhi
sphoneandl aiddown. .
.

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
l
eThongputhi
sar
m ar
oundKhumoast
heyl
aidasl
eep,
hi
sphonerangandKhumot r
iedtoi
gnorei
tbuti
tkeptr
ingi
ng.
Shet
urnedaroundandshookThong.
..

Khumo:Yourphonei
sri
ngi
ng.
..Ihopeit
sanemer
gencybecausei
don'
tknowanysaneper
sonwho'dcall
amarri
edmanatthi
shour.

Hegrabbedt
hephoneandpi
ckedasKhumost
aredathi
m wi
th
herheadont
hepil
l
ow..
.

Thong:Hell
o?.
..
Whydon'
tyoucal
lhi
m?.
..*
*..
.Hei
spr
obabl
y
sl
eeping.
..
.*

Khumofrownedt
ryi
ngtohearwhatthewomanont heotherend
wassay
ingbutshecoul
dn'
thearherthoughshecoul
dtelli
twas
awoman.

Thong: Idon'tknowwhatt odonowkanai fIwasabl etot al

kto
himl astnightitwoul
dbebet t
er.
..
..Iunderstandt hat
...It
'snotli
ke
I'
mi gnoringy ouhowam i responsibl
efory oursaf et
yory oubei
ng
coldoutt here?Siti
nthecarorsomet hing.
...I
'm notrude. .
.You
l
iterall
yjustwokemeup. .
..(si
ghedgui l
tstri
cken)what ever,
l
isten..
.I'
l
l t
ellyouwherehekeepst hesparekey sbutdon' tput
them backont hespot,gowi t
hthem tot hecabinandgi vethem
tohim.They '
refori
ncasehef orgothiskeysi nMaunt oav oid
hoursdriv
ebackf orkeys.
..
**.
..
.Ontheleft,
passthreesecti
onsof
thefence.
..I
t'
sabi tofawalkthenyou'
llseeabigrock,iknowit'
s
bigbutyouhav etopushthatrockandrakeunderneathwithyour
handsuntily
our eachthekeys.They
'r
enotont hetopsodi ga
l
itt
ledeeper.
..Ok.Bye

Hehungupandputthephonedownwhi
l
eKhumol
ookedathi
m
f
oranexpl
anat
ion.
.

Khumo:
Kemang?

Thong:Don'
ttel
lanyofyourf
ri
endsthi
s,i
knowy ousharealotof
thi
ngsbutnotthi
sone.Mongatrust
smet okeephissecr
ets.

Khumo:
Kemang?

Thong:
Apul
a,

Khumo: Mxm...Whyareyouevenhelpingherortalki
ngtoherole
calm?Isn'
tthi
sthesamewomanwhohumi li
atedy ouonsocial
mediasay i
ngyousleptwi
thgoats?Youshouldn'tevenbetal
king
toherinthefi
rstpl
ace.Hassheeverapologi
sedorshei sthetype
thatthi
nksbecausesheisbosseveryonemustgetov erher
mistakes?

Thong:
Shehasn'
tapol
ogi
sed

Khumo: Thi
swomani sverysicki
ntheheadgot heleeneMonga
forenter
tai
ningsomeonewhoal mostcosthi
m hislif
eandr ui
ned
hisreput
ati
on.Ican'
tbefol
lowinganexforthatlong.
..Iguessmy
hear
tismadedi
ff
erent
.Wasn'
tshesai
dtobemar
ryi
ngawhi
te
man?

Thong: Sheranof
f.
..Iguesst
odayt
abegolebusywi
thstori
es.I
di
dn'tthinkMongawouldaskherovert
hough.I
'
mjusthelpi
ngher
becausehe'dwouldwantmet ohel
pher.

Khumo:
Sowher
eisLana?I
sn'
tshewascomi
ngt
oday
?

Thong:Maybeatherhouse,
hesai
dhewant stofi
xhisf
ami
l
yand
dori
ghtbutt
henwithApulai
nthepi
ctur
e.Idon'
tknow.

Khumo:Kebor
elwangkeApul
a..Legonear
etsosamakukua
kana.
.

Sheturnedar
oundandsl
eptasThongmov
edov
erandputhi
s
arm ov
erher.
..

AtRon'
sHouse.
..
.

Onthesamemor ningRon'
sfathersl
owlywal kedinthebathr
oom
put
ti
ngonhisglasses,henot
icedRon'sroom openandhewasn' t
i
nbedthenhegoti nthebat
hroom fi
rstandreliev
edhimself
bef
orewalki
ngout,hecaughtasightofhim standingonthe
bal
conysmoking.
..

Hewal
kedov
erandsatont
hechai
rlooki
ngatRon.
..
Hi
m:Somet
hingi
sbot
her
ingy
ou.
..

Ronlookedatt
heriv
erashesmokedandputouthi
sci
gar
ett
e
bef
oreleani
ngoverthebar
..

Ron:Idon'
tknowifshelovesme..
.Shedoesn'
tspendti
mewith
me,shedoesn'tdoanyt
hingforme..
.Shehasever
ythi
ngbutshe
br
ingsnothi
ngatall
.

Hi
m:Whyar
eyoumar
ryi
ngher
?

Ron:Becausepar
tofmet hinksmay beshecan'tdoanythingfor
mebecauseshedoesn'tknowi fI'
m ser
iousabouther.Shet akes
careofever
yoneexceptme...I'
m al
wayswai t
ingforhertotake
careofever
yoneandifther
ei salit
tl
eti
mel eftt
hat'
swhenshe
giv
esmet heatt
enti
on..

Him: I
t'
satrickysit
uation.
..Maybesheismar r
y i
ngyouf oryour
propert
y.Whycan' tyouseparateyourproper
ty?Ithoughtyou'd
l
earnsomet hingfrom yourfir
stmarri
age..
.Sheleftyouwith
nothi
ngandy ouhadt owor kext
rahardtoachieveallt
heseand
nowher eyou're.
..

Ron:
Shehasherownpr
oper
ti
es

Hi
m: Sti
ll
,i
tdoesn'
tmake40%ofwhaty
oubr
ingi
ntot
he
marr
iage..
.

Ron:
Iwantt
ogi
vet
hismar
ri
agemyal
l
...I
tfeel
sli
kei
tsmyl
ast
chancetolovebutatt
hesamet imei am v
erysadbecausei feel
l
ikeI'mfor
cingthi
smarri
age..
.Idoubtsheev enlovesour
daughtert
hewayshe'dloveherifshewasf r
om t hi
sotherexof
his.If
indi
tawkwardbecauseidon'tevental
kt omyexwi febut
wewer emar r
iedf
or15years.
..

Hi
m:Hav
eyout
ri
edcounsel
l
ing?Whyam i
hear
ingt
hisnow?

Ron:BecauseI'
m scaredsheisgoingtohurtme...Butpartofme
i
shopef ul
.Asforcounsel
li
ng..
.Idon'
tknowi fshewi l
lagr
ee.I'
m
al
way ssuggest
ingthi
ngsbutshedoesn'tli
sten..
.Ijustpr
ayand
hopemar r
yingherwil
lchangeherperspect
ive..

Ron'
ssonst
eppedoutandsmi
l
ed.
.

Hi
m:I
t'
sti
met
ogetr
eady
..
.

Ron'
sfat
her
:Canwet
akeashor
tpr
ayer
?Comeher
eboy
..
.

Theol
dmanst oodupandhel
dhandswit
hRonandhi
sson,they
bowedthei
rheadsast
heoldmanpray
edoverhi
smar
riage.
..

Att
hecabi
n..
..

Meanwhil
ether
ewasaknockont hedoorwhi
leMongaandLana
l
aiddeadasl
eep,Lanaopenedhereyesandli
stenedcar
eful
l
y,i
t
wasi
ndeedaknock.
..Sheshookhi
m..

Lana:
Someonei
sknocki
ng.

Monga:
(eyescl
osed)Nobodyknowsthi
spl
ace.
..May
bei
t'
sthe
wi
ndknockingt
hedooragainstt
hef
rame.

Lana:
It'
saknock.
..Li
sten.
.

Heopenedhi
sey
esl
i
steni
ng,
ther
ewasanot
herknock.
.

Lana:I
t'
sprobablythesamepersonwhowascal l
ingear
li
er.
Mothogaar obet
sel ewenaolal
aat hodi
iwakephonebosi
go
j
othe.Iswi
tcheditoffgorekekapeboroko.

Monga:
Iguessi
t'
sManD,
hei
stheonl
yper
sonwhoknowst
his
pl
ace

Lana:
Ket
hor
egi
l
ebor
oko.
..
kedi
cal
ltsagago

Monga:
Sor
ry.
..

HeputonhisTshi
rtandshor
tsthenhewal
kedoutassheputon
hergownandwalkedint
hekit
chen.

Mongaopenedt
hemai
ndoorandt
her
ewasnoone.
..
MeanwhileLanadr unkwaterandthrought
hewindowshecoul
d
seepinkluggageatt hecor
nerofthewoodendeck.
.Shemoved
thecurt
ainsandr ecogni
sedApula'
sbackasshestoodonthe
deckfaci
ngt hethicktr
ees.

Lanawalkedbacktot
hebedroom andgr
abbedherphonet
hen
sheopenedthebackdoorandst
eppedoutasApulatur
ned
around.

Lana:
Goodmor
ning.
..

Apul
a'
shear
tski
ppedasshel
ockedey
eswi
thLana.

Apul
a:Goodmor
ning.
.

Lana:
Cani
hel
pyou?

Kanat
ookapi
ctur
eofherl
uggageandf
oldedherar
ms.
..

Lana:
Obat
akegor
eyeker
engkal
apal
ameneApul
a?
Apul
aswal
l
owedt
ryi
ngt
ounder
standwhatcoul
dhav
ehappened.

Mongasteppedoutofthehouseandhisey
eslandedon
unf
amil
i
arluggagethenhelookedatApul
a..

Monga:
What
'sgoi
ngon?Howdi
dyouf
indmeher
e?

Lana:
Ireal
lycan'
twaitt
ohearthi
sbecauseI'
m aboutt
oposta
l
ongpostaskingforhel
ponfacebookthewayyouusuall
ypost
whenyou'r
edishi
ngoutpeopl
e'ssecr
ets.

Monga:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?

Apulahandedhi
m herphonewitht
hemessagesthenhereadt
he
conver
sati
onandhandedLana,shereadandscof
fedhandi
nghi
m
thephone.Hehandeditbackl
ooki
ngathersadl
y.
..
.

Monga:I
t'snotme..
.It
'snotevenmynumber.I'
m notdiv
orced,
ourdi
vor
cewassupposedt obefi
nal
i
sedtodaybutwedi dn'
tgo.
Maybeit
'sLoago,methim acoupl
eofweeksagoandhet ol
dme
hegotdi
vorced.I
'
m sorryyouhadtodri
veal
ltheway .
.

Lana:
(tur
nedt
ohi
m)You'
resor
ry?

Monga:
Let
'sgobacki
nsi
de.(
toApul
a)Youcanl
eav
e.

Lana:
NoIwantt
otal
ktoher
Monga:Gosenaotaalwangmogolonaee,
anddon'
twaket
he
chi
l
dren.
..(
toApul
a)Howdidyougetin?

Apula:Ical
ledThongandpleadedwi
thhimthenhetoldmeabout
yoursparekeys.IshowedhimthemessagesIguessheal
so
thoughtitwasyou..

Monga:
Ok

Shehandedthem backasMongagotthem andputthem i

nhi
s
pockett
henhewal kedbacki
nthehouseandgotinbed.

Lanafol
dedherarmslooki
ngatApulaasshestoodbywi
thher
handsineachofherbackpocket
s..
.Sher
ecei
vedamessage
fr
om theunknownman.

Hi
m:Sor
ryi
dosedof
f.

Sher
eadt
hemessageandputt
hephonebacki
nherpocket
..
.

Apul
a:I
'
mver
ysor
ryf
ordi
stur
bingy
ourf
ami
l
ymoment
.

Lana:No, notthi
stime.
..You'renotgett
ingawaywi t
hthisone.We
aregoingt oenditonsocialmedi awhereall
thesestar
ted.How
canyouf oll
owusher eaftereverythi
ngyoudidtothi
sfami l
y?Do
youthi
nksohi ghl
yofyourselfthatyoubel
ieveever
yoneincludi
ng
Mongawoul dov erlooky ousendinghimt odeat hrowj ust
becausey oucoul dn'thav ehim?I'
vebeenav oidi
ngy ouf oral ong
ti
met hinki
ngy ou'lldisappearbuty oukeepcomi ngandcomi ng.
Notev enmar ri
agecoul dgetr i
dofyou.Wai tunt i
lev er
y oneknows
wherey our anof fleav ingt hem outtherelookinglikefool s.Indeed
karmadoesn' tmi ssanaddr essI'
venev erdoneany thi
ngt oy ou
butmyhappi nessal way sr ubbedyout hewr ongwayandi tdrove
youtosoci al medi a.Wabonagor ei nowhav ethepowert omake
youlookst upidert hany oul ooknow.?Icanembar rassy ouand
rui
ny ourli
ttlereput ationi fiwant..
.Shouldi doit?

Apul
a:No

Lana:Ifi
twasbefor
eI'
dbeli
veyoubutyou'
rel
i
ar.Yousai
dyou
weren'
twait
ingformymarri
agetoendandbefor
eourdiv
orcei
s
fi
nali
sedyou'
reatmyhusband'
sdoorst
ep.

Mongaopenedt
hedoorandst
uckhi
sheadout
..
.

Monga:
Kekopagor
elephat
alal
ehoo.
..Apul
apl
easel
eav
e,Babe
t
senamontung.
.

Apul
a:Il
ockedt
hegat
e..
.

Monga:
Loady
ourbags,
I'
ll
goopenf
ory
ou.

Lanaturnedar
oundandwalkedi
nthehouset
ypi
ngapostwith
herbags.Mongagoti
nhiscarandsati
nsi
dewatchi
ngApul
aas
shel
oadedherbagsbacki
nhercart
henhef
oll
owedhert
othe
gat
e..
.

Minuteslat
ershestoppedatthegate,
Mongast
oppedbehindher
andunlockedforherthenhestoppedont
hedri
ver
'ssi
delooki
ng
atherashef i
xedhiscap..
.

Monga: Youknow. ..Drivingf r

om Kasanewast helongestdr i
ve
everandi t'sstil
lthemostpai nful dayofmyl i
feaf terl
osi ngHope.
Ipray edt hatonedayy ou' dunder standhowi felt
..Iwat chedy ou
mov eonl ikenot hi nghappened. .Nev ercalledt ocheckhowI 'm
doing, iwassui cidal andgoi ngcr azyl uckyenoughi hadaf ri
end
andhehel pedme.Iwat chedy oudat esev er alguy sandy ou' ve
neverr eallybeenhur t.
..Iwast hinkingy ou'reGod' sf avour ite
becausey ougoti tall.
..success, menaf termen, dumpi ngand
datinghowev ery ouwant ed.Nowseei ngy ouher eknowi ngwhat
youl eftbehi ndbr eaksme. .
.Itmusthav etakengut stor unaway
ony ourweddi ngday .Itbr eaksmyhear t.
..
.Notonl ybecauseIwi sh
youhadpackedy ourbagsl i
kethi sandcameaf t
ermer ightaf teri
foundouty ousl eptwi thRebony ebutbecausei wai t
edpr ay i
ngfor
thi
smomentandy ounev ercame.Igav eupony ouandmov edon
theny oucomeaf tersol ongwhenI 'v
el earnttol i
v ewithouty ou,
whenI '
vef alleninl ov ewi thmywi fewi t
hherf laws.Iwi shi could
sayi lovey ouandr unawaywi thy oubuty ou' r
enotwor thl eaving
mywi feandchi ldrenf or.Idon'tl ovey ouIjustdon' twantt osee
youhur tbecausei cannev erhatey ouev eni fi tr
ied.Drivesaf ely
..
Apul
af or
cedasmi
l
etear
ful
l
yanddr
oveof
fthenMongal
ockedup
anddroveoff
..
.

Att
hehouse.
..

Mongawal
kedbacki
nthehousewhil
eLanal
aidont
hebed
r
eadi
ngcommentsonherpostast
heydi
ngedoneaf
teranot
her
..

Monga:
Ihopey
oudi
dn'
tpostany
thi
ngonFacebook.

Lana:
Ipost
ed.Iwasn'
tki
ddi
ng.

Monga:
Sut
ha.
..Ri
ghtnow.
.

Shedelet
editandgavehi
mt hephone,hecheckedandputdown
thephonethenheki
ssedhergett
ingbetweenherlegsbef
ore
pull
i
ngoutashisTshi
rtastheyki
ssed.
..

AtRon'
sHouse.
..
.

Meanwhil
eRonf i
xedt hecol
larofhi
sshi
rtwit
hhissonand
sever
alot
hergroomsmen. .
.Oneofthemenst eppedov
erand
showedhim ascreenshotofLana'
sdel
etedpost.
"Iwokeupt othi
sonourdeck, thiswomanwassupposedt obe
wear i
ngherweddi ngdresswal kingdownt heI slebutshei son
ourdoor st
epbecauseshewant storunawaywi t
hmyhusband.
Don'taskmewher eherpr eemiedaught eris..
.Ifthisi
sn'
tsickness
idon'tknowwhati tis.Thisisthesamewomanwhoal mosta
yearagopost edthatmyhusbandi smurder er
,sheev ensethi m
upandwasr eadytoseehi m gethanged.Todayshewant shimt o
runoffwi t
hher.Wemanagedt ogetr i
dofhert hough.Iguessshe
i
smov ingtothenextexsi nceshehassev eraloft hem.Ifeelsorr
y
forthemanwhoi swai ti
ngf orherexpecti
ngawi fe."

Hepi
ckedhi
sphoneanddi
all
edApul
a..
..

AtAunt
ie'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhilet
hef ourl
adi
es,twoblackandtwowhitewait
edinthe
l
ivi
ngroom wit
ht heweddinggownandamakeupar ti
st.
..I
thad
beenanhoursincetheyweretol
dt owai
tandtheysti
l
ldidn'
t
under
standwhatwasgoi ngonwi t
hthebr
ide.
..

I
nthebedroom theauntandApul
a'
ssist
ersst
oodi
nthemi
ddl
eof
t
heroom whisperi
ngbackandfour
th.
.
I
nApul
a'
scar
..
..

MeanwhileApula'
sphoner angonecallafteranot
herast ears
bl
urredhervisi
on,herphonerangagainandshepi ckedRon's
vi
deocall.Shepul
ledont hesi
deofther oadandl ookedatRonas
hesatdownandr anhisfinger
sthroughhishai rt
ear f
ull
ylooki
ng
ather.
..

Ron:
Isawt
hepostonFacebook.
.

Apul
a:I
'
m sor
ry.
.

Ron:
(tear
ful
l
y)Howf
arar
eyou?

Apul
a:I
'
m 2hour
saway
..

Ron:
I'
ll
wai
t.
..Pl
easedr
ivesaf
ely
..

Apul
a:Youst
il
lwantt
omar
ryme?

Ron:
Yes,
doy
oust
il
lwantt
omar
ryme?

Apul
a:(
tear
ful
l
y)Yes.
..

Ron:ThenI'
l
lwaitforyou,l
et'
sgoonwi ththeweddi
ng,wewill
deal
wi t
htherestaft
er.
..Wewi l
lgetcounsel
li
ngorsomet
hing.

Apul
a:(
cry
ing)I
'
m sor
ry.

Ron: (
holdinghistearbackandsmil
ed)Il
oveyou..
.Don'
tgoon
facebook, t
hereissomuchgoi ngonbutyoushoul
dn'tseei
tnow
becausei twil
lrui
nourday .Hangupanddri
ve
Shehungupandj
oinedt
her
oadr
ubbi
nghert
ear
s..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#188

AtAunt
ie'
sHouse.
..

Mar
uwal
kedi
nthel
i
vingr
oom.
.

Maru:Bagol
oApul
ahadtor
ushtothehospi
tal
,butshei
sonher
wayback.Weapol
ogi
sef
orthedel
ay.

I
nlaws:
Ok,
dear
..
.

Maruwal kedout
sideandwait
edasApuladrov
ethr
oughthegat
e,
shesteppedoutandranint
oherarmscryi
ngasMaruhuggedher
agai
nstthecarandrubbedhertear
s..
.

Maru:
Don' tcr
y..
.Ifyoucryy
oureyeswi
llberedandswol
l
en..
.OK?
Holdi
tin.
..Wewi l
l t
alkt
omorrowandyou'l
lcr
yonmyshoulderal
l
youwant.
..

Apul
a:Iembar
rassedmy
sel
f.
.

Maru:I
'm happyyoudidnnakabecausenexttimewhenyourbi
g
si
ster
stellyousomethi
ngy ou'
l
lli
sten.
..You'
renotal
way
sright
..
.
Wear estil
loldert hany ouandal lofushav ebeent hrough
heart
ache.I'm angr ywi thy ou..
.Youofal lpeopl eshouldknow
bett
erthant oabandony ourownchi ldforaman. ..Yout ooki n
Osha,NiniandBoy boybecauset heirmot herswal kedawayf r
om
them..
.Whodi dy out hinkwasgoi ngt ocaref orSky ?Achi ldwith
speci
alneeds?Thi schi ldneedsat t
ention..
.I'
m disappoi ntedin
youbuti knowt hisi sal esson.Mi stakesar elessons, I
'm sohappy
younowknowt her eisnohopeandy ou'l
lfinallyl
ookatRonand
l
earnwhohei sbecausey ounev ergivehimt ime...Givey our
famil
ytime...Justbecausemyhusbanddi dn'tappreciateme
doesn'
tmeanev ery onewhogi vestheirfami l
yat t
entionwi llend
upli
keme.Let '
sgo. .Wedon' thavet i
me. .
.Sut ha.
..

Shewi
pedherl
i
ttl
esi
ster
sey
esandsmi
l
ed.
..

Mar
u:Smi
l
er.
.

Apulagrinnedf
orceful
l
y,Marul
aughedatherandshelaughedat
hersel
ffeeli
ngstupi
dthenshegrabbedherhandandwalkedi
n
thehouse...
.

Thel
adi
eswal
kedi
nanddr
essedher
..
..
.

Att
hecabi
n..
.
Lat
erthatmorni
ngMongaandt heboyskickedt
heball
outside
onthesandshir
tl
ess.Meanwhi
leLanafi
nishedmaki
ngbreakfast
andopenedth3doorsti
cki
ngherheadout..
.

Lana:
It'
sti
mef
orbr
eakf
ast
..

Theyracedoverasshewalkedinthebat
hroom andshowered,
shesatbythemirr
oranddi dhermakeupwhil
eMongawal kedin
sweati
ngandshower ed.
..

Hewalkedoutwi
thawhitet
owelaroundhiswaistandst
ood
behi
ndLanaassheputonmascara,hesmilednaught
yand
openedthet
owelf
lushi
ngherandjer
kinghi
sdic..

Lana'
seyesdr
oppedonhisdi
casitexpanded,
shesmi
l
edand
event
ual
l
ylaughedcl
osi
nghermascara.
.

Lana:
I'
mtr
yingt
oconcent
rat
e..
.Andaf
terwhatI
'
m af
rai
doft
his
di
ck.

Hewr appedt
het
owel
aroundhi
swai
standl
eanedov
erki
ssi
ng
herneck..
Monga:
(whi
sper
ed)Iwon'
tev
erdot
hatagai
n..
.

Lana:
Ist
il
lfeel
used.
..Li
kei
needt
imet
orecov
er

Monga:
Nowi
feel
bad.
..Comeher
e..
.St
andup.
..

Hegr
abbedherar
m andpul
l
edherupt
henheki
ssedher
..

Monga:Youknowhowy ousayhurt
ful
thi
ngswhenyou'
reangry?
Thatwasme. .
.Ipromisei
won'tev
erberoughonyouli
kethat
agai
n..I
'
llbegentl
e..
.

Hepul
l
edherchi
nupandFr
enchki
ssedher
..

Lana:
Gett
hedoor
,youknowRyal
way
sfor
get
stoknock.
.

Hebabyki ssedherandwalkedtothedoorwherehelockedup
thenhet ur
nedthespeakermusiconandgrabbedtheDNA
env elopeandhandedittoherbefor
eholdi
ngherwaistand
kissingher..

Lana:
Youshoul
dopeni
t.
..Ial
readyknowt
her
esul
ts.
Monga:
Ial
readysawt
hem wheni
col
l
ect
ed

Lana:
Don'
tyouowemeanapol
ogy
?

Monga:
Opent
heenv
elope.
..

Lanaslowlyopenedtheenvelopeandf
rownedl
ookinginsi
de,
she
reachedfort
hefli
ghtrecei
ptsallt
hewaytoMal
dives.Hermouth
droppedasshelookedathim. .
.

Monga:Idon'
twantt
osayI
'
m sor
ryher
e..
.Iwantt
osayi
tin
Mal
dives.
..Wi
lly
oucomewit
hme?

Shecover
edhermouthemot
ional
l
yandj
umpedi
ntohi
sar
msas
hepi
ckedherupsmil
i
ng..
.

Att
henewhouse.
..

Lucyandherhusbandwalkedi
nholdinghandsfol
l
owi
ngt
her
eal
estat
eagentastheyl
ookedaroundthehouse.
..

Agent:
Thi
sisourloungear
ea.
..Youcanhav
eal
ook.
..I
tst
ret
ches
al
lthewayher
e..
Lucysmi ledassheletgoofherhusband'
shandandwalked
around,thewalkedintheki
tchenandputherhandoverher
foreheadimpressedthenshewalkedupst
air
sandlookedinev
ery
room. .
.

Shewal
kedoutandst
oodbyt
her
ail
looki
ngdownatt
hem.
..

Lucy
:Wearet akingit
..Ifeel
li
kether
ichestwomaninMaunr i
ght
now..
.Thei
nteriordesignofthi
shouseismagnif
icent
.It
sfi
nal.
..
Wearetaki
ngi t
...

Hubby:
Aft
ergett
inganinspect
ortover
if
ythatevery
thi
ngi
nthi
s
housei
sOK..
.Ineedthewiri
ngcheckedandtheplumbi
ng.

Agent:
Perf
ect
,ify
oudon'
thav
eany
onei
nmi
ndwewi
l
l
recommendafewcompani
es.

Hubby
:Ihav
eone.Thanksal
ot.
..(
lookedupather
)Comel
ove.
.

Shewalkeddownstai
rsashewait
edforherandgotherhand
bef
oreshemadet helastst
ept
hentheywalkedout
..
.

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Khumoopenedhereyesandyawnedt
henshereachedf
orher
phoneandcheckedt
heti
me,shehadamessage..
Hubby :Goodmor ning,Itypedt hisbecauseI '
m afraidtoseey our
faci
alexpressionwheni expressmy sel
f.I'
veseeni tbeforeandit
hurtsmeal ot.Iunderstandt hatbeingpr egnanttakesal otfr
om
youasamot herbutI'm beggi ngy ouforust otr
yonel astt
ime
beforewegi veup.I'
m notf eelingentitl
edbutasamanwhohas
beenf ai
thf
ul,hardworkinganddedi catedt omyf ami l
yIdeserve
thatonelastchance.Your sfai thf
ull
y;Thongt hetearfuldesperat
e
husband.

Shel
aughedatt
hel
astpar
tandshookherheadasshet
yped.
.

Khumo: Howcoul dIsayno.Shem.Ot

homolapel
o.Iwon'
t
takeanot
hershotf
rom her
esowecanstartt
ryi
ngf
oraboy.

Hubby
:I'
mleav
ingt
heof
fi
ce,
changey
ourcl
othes.Wear
egoi
ng
out

Khumo:
JustbecauseIsai
dyes?I
'
m notev
enpr
egnant
.

Hubby
:Icel
ebrat
eeveryst
eptowardsmyli
tt
leboy
.I'
m comi
ng.I
madeyoubreakf
asti
t'
sinthemicr
owave.

Khumo:
Thanky
ou.

Sheputherphonedownandwal
kedi
nthebat
hroom.
..
I
nchur
ch.
..
.

Thepast
orstoodbehi
ndApul
aandRonast
heyf
acedone
anot
heri
nfrontoft
hecrowd.
..

Pastor
:Dearfri
endsandf amil
y,wearegatheredheretodayto
wit
nessandcel ebrat
et heunionofApul
aTsat si
ngandRonal d
Manhattaninmar ri
age.Intheyear
stheyhav ebeentogether,t
hei
r
l
oveandunder standingofeachotherhasgrownandmat ured,
andnowt heyhav edecidedtoli
vethei
rli
vestogetherashusband
andwife.

Ther
ewasasuddenbuzzfrom t
hecr owdasev ery
onetur
ned
l
ooki
ngattheback,
ApulaandRont urnedaroundl
ooki
ng.
..Ron
fr
ownedasanunfamil
i
armanwal kedov er
..

Apul
a'
sheartski
ppedasshel
ookedatLoagoappr
oachi
ngand
gr
abbedherarm whi
sper
ingi
nherear
.

Loago:
Youdon'
thav
etodot
his.
..Pl
easebabe.
.

Apul
a:Don'
ttouchme

Ron:
Whoar
eyou?

Loago:
I'
m herex,
shei
snothappywi
thy
ou.
.Lal
a?Youdon'
thav
e
t
odot
his.
..

TumangandAene'
shusbandst
oodupandwal
kedov
er.
..

Tumang:
Mor
enat
hisi
sweddi
ngcer
emony
..

Aene'
shusband:
Pleasel
eav
ebef
oreweki
cky
ouout
.

Loago:Noneofyouknowswhat '
sgoingonbet weenApulaandi.
..
(l
ookedather
)Canwet alkinpri
vat
e?I '
vebeenwaiti
ngforyouat
myhousebecausey ousaidyou'
recoming...
Yousaidyoul
oveme,
weloveeachotherandwecandot his.Pleasedon'
tdothi
stous..
.

Ronturnedlooki
ngatApul
aconfusedastheel
der
sandthecr
owd
stoodupbuzzingwhi
leyoungpeoplet
ookoutt
hei
rphones
recor
ding.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#189

I
nchur
ch.
..

Tumangt
urnedar
oundl
ooki
ngatt
hepeopl
erecor
ding.

Tumang:Cany
oupl
easeputy
ourphonedown.
..Del
etet
hat
vi
deo.
..

Hel
eanedov
erwat chi
ngasshedel
etedthevi
deo,
thenhewal
ked
t
owardst
heothergir
lswhowerer
ecordi
ng..

Tumang: Sut
ha,aker
entseosarecor
dediv
ows...Del
eteitorI
'
m
taki
ngyourphone.Thisi
spri
vatecer
emonyifwenaotetsehago
batagossipiwi
llembarr
assyou..

Shedelet
edthev i
deoashewatched,
Oshapoi
ntedtot
heother
womanwhohadr ecor
ded,
assoonasTumanggl ar
edathershe
tookoutherphoneanddel
eted.
..

Meanwhi
l
eont
heal
terAene'
shusbandt
ri
edt
opul
lLoagoasi
de
asRonl
ookedatApul
a..

Ron:
Whoi
she?

Loago:
Youdon'
tneedt
oexpl
ainany
thi
ng,
let
'sj
ustgo.

Apul
a:(
toRon)It
houghti
wast
alki
ngt
oMonga,
iguessi
twas
hi
m.

Past
or:
Dowecont
inue?

Ron:No,weneedti
metot al
kand.
..(si
ghed)Gotal
ktoyourguest
becausehei
snowmaki ngascene.Thisisembarr
assi
ng,my
parent
sandbusi
nessassociat
esarehere.
..

Ront ur
nedar
oundandwalkedoutashissonfol
l
owedhim,
afew
otherwhit
esandhisbl
ackfami
lyfr
iendswal
kedoutf
oll
owi
nghi
m
confusedastheconf
usi
onincr
eased.

Apul
aremovedherv
eilf
rom herhai
randwal
kedt
owar
dsLoago
asheandAene'
shusbandtal
ked..

Apula:Isai
deverythi
ngIsaidbecausei t
houghtyou'r
eMonga,ifi
knewitwasy ouIwoul dhaveblockedyou.Want waelawai
tse
Loagoket agoroga..
.You'
redoingthisi
ntenti
onall
ytorui
nmy
weddingbecausey ouknowI '
l
lneverbewi t
hyou...
Shel
i
ftedherdr
essandwal
kedoutashersi
ster
sfol
l
owedher
..
.

Mar
u:Whatdi
dRonsay
?

Apula:Hesaysweneedtime.
..That'
shi
spoli
tewayofendingthi
s.
(paci
ngwithherheaddown)Thisisembar
rassi
ng.
..I
'
llnotsur
viv
e
thi
sone..
.

Atsi
le:Whereshoul
dwet akey
ou?Tumiiskeepingever
yone
i
nsideithinkhedoesn'
twantt
hem t
otakepict
ures.
..Sowehav
e
ti
met oleave.

Apul
a:Takemet
omyhouseandbr
ingSky
..
.

Maru: No,youneedt ogotalktoaunti

e.Shemi ghtfeel
disr
espectedandembar rassedbecauseshe'dhav etoexplai
n
what '
shappeni ngthoughshedoesn'tknow.Let '
sgohomeand
explai
ntheny ouchangey ourcl
othesandleave..
.Auntiewill
take
careofther est..Andyouneedt oconfi
rmifindeedt hweddingis
overbeforey out el
launt
ie.MaybeRonmeantexact lywhathe
said

Apul
a:Ok.

At
sil
e:Let
'sgeti
nmycar
..
.

Theygoti
nthecarasshedi
all
edRon.
..

Ron:
Hel
l
o?
Apul
a:Ev
ery
onei
saski
ngmei
ftheweddi
ngi
sof
f?

Ron:Yes.Therei
stoomuchgoi ngonandi thi
nky ouneedti
meto
sortoutyourl
i
fe.Maybeall
i neededt odowasj ustbeasperm
donorandstayawayfrom you.I'v
ebeenf orci
ngthisf
orfart
oo
l
ong, nowI'
veembarr
assedmy selfi
nfrontofmyf amil
yand
fr
iends.

Apul
a:Ok.

Shehungupandl
eanedback.
.

AtAunt
ie'
sHouse.
..
.

Lateronsomeauntiesnoticedthecarswit
hballoonscomi
ngand
ulul
atedasAtsi
l
epar ked.
..Theystoppedul
ulati
ngasApula
steppedouthol
dingherdressandhur r
iedi
nt hehouseasother
carsparked.

Att
hepsy
chi
atr
ist
'sof
fi
ce.
..

Thedoct
orl
eanedbackandsi
ghedasLopangsatont
hechai
r.
..

Doct
or:
Iknowwe'
vedonet
hisbef
orebuti
act
ual
l
yhav
etodot
he
l
astassessmentsowewi l
lgothr
oughsomethingonemor eti
me
beforeiasky
ousomethingnew..
.Whenexactl
ydidyou
rememberMongahitt
ingyou?Didyouknowitthr
oughoutthe10
yearsoryouonl
yremembereditwhenyousawy ourson?

Lopang:
Whatwasmyf
ir
stanswer
?

Doct
or:
Don'
twor
ryaboutt
hatone.
..When?

Lopang:
Onl
ywheni
sawKi
ng,
bef
oret
hati
didn'
tknowwhoi
am...
.

Doct
or:
Whydi
dn'
tyougot
othepol
i
ceandt
ell
them y
oudon'
t
knowwhoy
ou'
re?

Lopang:IthoughtI'
l
lrememberbutaf
teraf
ewmont hsihadf
all
en
i
nlovewi t
ht hewomanwhof oundmesowejustst
art
eddati
ng
andeventuallyhadchil
dren.

Doct
or:
Descr
ibet
hef
ir
stmemor
y..Whatwasi
tli
ke.
.

Lopang:IsawKingandjusti
nstantlyrecogni
sedhi
mtheni
remember edev
eryt
hingaboutmy selfandthati
wasapoli
ce
off
icerandever
ythi
ng

Doctor
:Justl
i
kethat?Itdi
dn'
tcomei
nbi
tsandpi
eces?You
rememberedever
ythi
ngatonce

Lopang:Yes.
..
Andnowi r
eall
ywanttogobacktoworkand
supportmychil
dren.Ibel
iev
eI'm ment
all
yfi
ttogobacktowor
k
agai
n.Whatdoy outhink?

Doct
or:
I'
m st
il
lassessi
ngy
ou.
.Tr
ytor
elax.
.
Lopangt
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghed.
.

I
npr
ison.
..
.

Der
ri
ckwal
kedov
erandsatdownsmi
l
ingathi
sli
tt
lebr
other
..

Er
ic:
What
'sup?

Der
ri
ck:
I'
m good.
..Howi
sBobo?

Eri
c:Heisdoi
nggood.
.Mybusinessi
sdoinggoodsoI'
m
suppor
ti
nghim wi
thP1000.
..Marur
eal
lyappr
eciat
esi
t.

Der
ri
ck:
Idon'
tknowhowt
othanky
ou.
.

Er
ic:
Thankmebybei
ngst
rong.
..

Der
ri
ck'
:Howi
sMar
u?

Er
ic:
Shei
sOK.
..Shei
sdat
ingsomedudewhodr
ivesD4D.

Der
ri
ckt
ookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghed.
.

Derr
ick:Iknewthatwouldhappensoonorlat
er.
..Idon'
tbl
ameher.
LetherknowI'm happysheisfi
nal
lyf
eel
ingbett
erandi wi
shher
well
..

Er
ic:
Shehasn'
tvi
sit
ed?
Der
ri
ck:
Shehasnev
erv
isi
tedbuti
tsOK.

Er
ic:
Howar
ethi
ngsi
nsi
de?

Derri
ck:Mongat
oldhi
sfr
iendsI
'
mli
keabr
othert
ohi
m soatl
east
I
'm notbei
ngmist
reat
ed

Er
ic:
Het
oldmenott
owor
ryabouty
ouandi
justknewy
ou'
dbe
OK.

Der
ri
ck:
Yeah.
.

Er
ic:Ican'
tbel
i
eveyou'
rei
njai
lforsomet
hingl
i
ket
his,
wai
tsei
t
st
il
lfeelsl
i
keadream.

Derr
ick:Monnaobolawakeseasej el
eng..
.Kejel
esoIhav
eto
pay,
i don'
tbl
ameany one.
..NotApul
a,notMarunotev
enOsha
andi pr
aysheisst
rongenought ost
andthebull
yi
ng.

Er
ic:Hassheev
erv
isi
ted?

Derr
ick:Shev i
sit
edonceandapol ogised,it
oldhertostop
apol
ogisingbecauseitwasn'therfaultandtherewasnothi
ngshe
coul
ddot oconvinceherauntorthejudge.Ithinkshehasa
boyf
riend.Shetoldmehi snamebuti for
gotit.Sheandiar
ecool

Er
ic:
Ok

Theycar
ri
edont
alki
ng.
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
Lat
erthatafter
noonApulawalkedi
nthehouseholdi
ngherbaby
toherchestandheadedtothebedr
oom whereshesatonthebed
andsighed.Sheputherdownandsmiledhol
dingherti
nyhands.

Hersi
ster
swal
kedi
nandst
oodbyt
hedoorl
ooki
ngathersadl
y.
..

Mar
u:Howar
eyoudoi
ng?

At
sil
e:Don'
thi
dey
ourf
eel
i
ngs.
.

Otl
he: Hi
dewhatfeeli
ngsshenev erl
ovedthatugl
yol
dwhiteman,
shedidn'
tfeel
him atallandneverspentti
mewithhi
m.Leitse
bothokojwagoipatel
etsamot hooregorelewenaobit
swewife.
..
Mot howatengashenamaol ebamar i
nini
aagwenkareoka
kgwa..

Apul
alaughedandl
ookedather
..

Apula:Mmet henekemor atagoskaenyana...Ilovedhi

mj ust
that.
..Idon'
tthinkwhitemendoi tf
orme.Besi des..
.It
hinkI'
l
lbe
singl
ef orawhi l
e.I'
m gl
adGodhasanswer edal lmyprayers.
..
Totahel aI
'v
eachi evedmostoft hethingsi want edi
nli
fe..
.Ineed
togiveSkyat tent
ion.Rel
ationshi
psarenott heonl ysourceof
happinessandi fyouforceityougethur t
..
Maru:St
ayoffsoci
almedi
aunti
lthi
sdi
esdown.Batswanaba
l
ebalakapel
a,aft
er2dayssomethi
ngwil
ltr
endandwewillf
orget
.

At
sil
e:Tr
ue

Apul
a:(l
aughed)Wait
seRr
agweJul
i
anenekel
esol
est
rai
ght
..
.Ke
asut
hisabanyanabal
edivi
deo.

Maru:MonnawagaAeneleeneagaket
sear
eLoagoatsamae,i
t
houghtheisasofti
ehat
agoredon'
tmakemethr
owyououtkare
wai
tseli
tt
lebr
otheri
nlawbat
ho.

Apul
a:(
laughed)I
'
llcal
lthem l
aterkebat
hoboset
sal
eny
alo.
.

Otl
he:Youneedtosacrif
icesomet
hingtot heancest
ors.
..Ae
nnyaammal ennahelayoketol
agantsengbanajaakapodi e
tol
aganyadi
potsanekebonyemjolo.{Eveniwhoabandonedkids
l
ikeagoatfoundlove}

Apul
a:(
laughed)Ineedt
orestbat
hong.

Theyhuggedherandwal
kedoutt
henshel
aiddownandsmil
ed
st
ari
ngatShyasshesuckedherf
ist
sandki
ckedpl
ayi
ng.
..

FI
VEYEARSLATER.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#190

Att
heAf
ri
canbusi
nesswomensemi
nar
..
.

TheTVnewscamer alensezoomedonApul a'

sfaceasshestood
atthefrontcomfort
ablespeaki
ngt
ofell
owbusi nessowner
sand
aspir
ingentrepr
eneursfr
om SADCcountr
ies..
.

Apula:Ifthereisany thi
ngI '
vel
ear ntfrom exper i
encei st hatno
businessist oosmal l..
.Youhav etof aili
nor dertosucceed. ..The
diff
erencebet weent her i
chandt hepoori sthatther i
chdi dnot
giveup...I
nor dertoachi evesomet hingy ou'venev erachi eved
beforey ouhav etodosomet hingy ou'venev erdonebef oreandbe
consistent..
.Thegov ernmentwon' thelpy ou,nobodyi sgoingt o
helpyousogetr idoft hement al
itythatthepol iti
ciansar ef ail
i
ng
you..Dosomet hingabouty ourli
febecauseourAf r i
canl eaders
onlyspeaksensewhent heywantourv otes.Oncet hey '
rethere,
theytaket heirchil
drentoschool ov erseas,theirwiv esshopi n
Dubai andt heydon'tdev el
opAf r
ica..

Shepausedastheyclappedhands,
Atsil
esmil
edandclappedt
oo
asthecameramov edtohercompanylogoonhershi
rtasshe
cl
appedhands.Apulaopenedherbott
leofwat
erandtookasip
beforespeakingascertai
nmanl i
stenedat
tenti
vel
ywithaff
ection.
Shefinal
lyendedherspeechandgr abbedhermacbookand
bottl
eofwat erthenshewalkedoffthest
ageasev er
yoneclapped.
Shesmi l
edandt ookaseatasheclappedhandsandleaned
back..
.

Headmiredhersmil
eassheengagedwi
thhersi
sterandt
he
ot
herbusinessl
adybesi
dest
hem...
.

Meanwhi l
eApul a'
sphoner ecei
vedamessageonWhat sApp,she
cl
ickedont hev i
deoOshasentherandsheputonherai rpod
beforecl
ickingpl ayandwat chi
ngSkytaketherunwayather
schoolcontest .ShesmiledasSkyconfident
lycatwalkedinhigh
heelsandtur nedsmi l
ingbeforewal
kingpastanotherstudent
walkingdownt herunway .

Apul
a:Wow.
..Shei
sbeaut
if
ul.
.

Osha:Al
lthankstobigsi
sterf
ort
aki
ngadayofff
rom wor
kand
fi
xi
ngherup.It ol
dherI
'm goi
ngt
opaymysel
fwit
honeofher
gi
ftsi
fshewi ns.

Apul
a:Abusi
vebi
gsi
ster
!

Osha:
Howi
sitgoi
ng?Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?

Apul
a:Ther
eisanetwor
kingdi
nneri
mustat
tendt
hisev
eni
ngso
I
'l
lbebacktomor
rowmorning.
Osha:
Alr
ight
.

Sheputherphonedownandl
i
stened.
..
.

Att
heuni
ver
sit
yofBot
swana.
..

St
udentswal
kedi
nandtookthei
rseats,
thefrontrowsatdown
whi
lether
estwal
kedupandsatatthehightpit
chedfl
oorseat
s..
.

StandingbythefrontdeskMrsTiki
t ur
nedaroundinherf
ormal
suitandhighheelsholdi
nghermarkerwaiti
ngforall
thestudents
toset t
ledown.Sheopenedhermar kerandtur
nedaroundwr i
ti
ng
"Engineeri
ngeconomicsfor
mulas"

Shecl
osedhermar
kerandt
urnedbackt
othem smi
l
ing.
..

Mr
sTi
ki
:Nowwegeti
ntobusi
ness.
..
.Reasemel
ela.
..

Theyner
vousl
ylaughedmur
mur
ing.
..

Mr
sTi
ki
:Iknowt
haty
ourst
udental
l
owancej
ustr
epor
tedbuti
f
youdon' tl
i
stenoakant sedi hotwi
ngsleSav annayou'
ll
under standwhyFDiscommon.( t
heylaughedasshesmi ledand
sighed)Let '
sgetst
arted...iisforI
nter
estrateperint
erest
period.n=Numberofi nterestperi
ods.
P=Apr esentsum of
money .Givemetherestbef orewegetst art
ed...

Sev
eral
student
srai
sedt
hei
rhandsandt
hel
ect
urerst
art
ed.
..

AtMar
u'shouse.
..

Lat
eronaBotswanaPr i
sonsservi
cesvanstoppedatthegat
e,
Derr
ickj
umpedoutholdi
ngapi eceofpaperandshookhands
wit
hsomejail
guards.

Der
ri
ck:
Thanksf
ort
her
ideguy
s..
.

Guar
ds:
Sur
e..

Theyreversedanddr oveoff
,Derr
icktookadeepbr eat
hlookingat
thenei
ghbour hoodhehadn'tseeninov erfi
v eyear
s,notmuch
hadchangedbutaf ewneighbourshadr enovatedthei
rhouses.
Hepushedt hegat eopenandwal kedin..
.Therewasanunf ami l
i
ar
carbesideshis,atl
eastshehadn'tsol
dt heirhomesorhiscar .
..
Butthewayt hiscarwasbeautif
ul i
tprobablybelongedtoanother
man...
.
Heknockedont hedoorandsteppedbackashisst omach
rumbl
ed,Boboopenedt hedoorandlookedathim conf
used..
.
Almostasi
fhedi dn'
trecogni
sehim..
.Butthenhehadn'tbeen
all
owedtovi
sitandithadbeeny ear
s..

Derr
icksmi ledandrubbedBobo'sheadbuthedi dn'tshowany
faci
al expr
essions.Ali
tt
leboy..
.Roughly3ifnot4y earsol
dran
outfrom thebedroomsholdingagun.Der r
ick'
sskippedashe
l
ookedathi m. .
.Hehadabi tofMaru..

Mar
u:(
wal
kedout
)Ni
gel
pleasecomegetdr
essed.
.

Marustoppedonhertracksandl ockedeyeswit
hDer r
ick,she
knewhewasnat ur
all
yski nnybuthehadlostweightandf r
om hi
s
dryl
ipshewashungryt oo,shenoticedhesti
l
lhadhisr i
ngon..

Der
ri
ck:
Hi

Mar
u:Hi
..
.Bobocomegr
eety
ourf
ather
..
.

Bobowalkedoverandshookhishand,Der
ricksmil
edlooki
ngat
hi
ssonforthefi
rstti
meinfiveyear
sanditwasamazi nghowtal
l
he'
dgrown.Theli
ttl
eboyalsogavehim ahandshake.
..Der
ri
ck
squat
tedt
ohi
shei
ghtandsmi
l
edashi
shear
tshut
ter
ed.
..

Mar
u:Hei
smyson.
.

Der
ri
ck:
(tear
ful
l
y)Hel
l
o..
.What
'sy
ourname?

Hi
m:Ni
gel
..
.What
'sy
ourname?

Der
ri
ck:
I'
m daddy
..

Ni
gel
:Real
l
y?Sowehav
e2daddi
es?

Der
ri
ck:
Iguessso.
.

Hest oodupsti
llhol
dingNigel
'
sl i
tt
leandl ookedather
,he'
dnever
seenherlooksoy oungandbeautiful
..
.shedidn'
thaveherr
ingon
thoughheneverreceiveddi
vorcepaper soranywordabout
divor
cenotthathewascompl aini
ng.

Maru:Bobogety
ourbr
otherandgot
oyourr
oom whi
l
eit
alkt
o
yourf
ather
.

BobopickedNi
gel
andwal
kedoutwhi
l
eDer
ri
cksi
ncer
elyst
ood
ther
e.

Mar
u:Hav
easeat
..
.
Hesatdownandputdownhi
spaper
s.

Mar
u:Idi
dn'
texpecty
ououtsosoon.

Der
ri
ck:
Idi
dn'
tthi
nkI
'
dbeoutsoonerei
ther
..

Mar
uwalkedinthekit
chenandgr
abbedapl
ateoff
oodhe'
dkept
f
orherov
erni
ght"guest"
.

Derr
icksal
ivat
edasMarusatdownmi xi
nghisfoodandhanded
hi
m, shebeguneati
ngandcl
earedtheplat
ewithi
nminut
es.She
handedhim adri
nkandheemptiedthecup.
..

Mar
u:Ar
eyewagot
hapa.
..

Derrickfol
lowedhert othebedroom andsatonthebedside,he
noticedaman' sexpensivewatchbyt hel
ampandswal lowed
quietly
.Hiseyeslandedonapai rofmen'ssuitj
acketandformal
shoesbyt hewall.
..Itwasclear
lyaguywor ki
ngahighpay i
ngjob,
somet hinghe'
dnev erhave.

Mar
u:(
handedhi
m at
owel
)Goandbat
h..
.
Der r
icktookoffhiscl othesandwal kedi
nt hebathr
oom and
cl
osedt hedoor,hi
sey eslandedonhert hongandaman' sboxer
brief
s.Hest eppedint heshowerandt ur
nedt hewateronthenhe
stoodundert hewat ert houghtf
ull
y.Heleanedagainstthewall
andputhi shandsov erhisfacecryingashesl i
ddownandsat
si
lent l
ysobbing.Didhehav etomakeachi l
dwithhiswife.
..Why
man. ..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#191

AtMar
u'shouse.
..
.

Marupi
ckedNic'sshoesandwat cht
ogetherwi
thhi
sjackett
hen
shewal
kedoutandputt hem i
nhercar.
.Shetookoutherphone
andl
eanedagainstthecardi
all
i
ngNic..

Ni
c:Heybabe.
..I
'
m wi t
hthepl
umberfrom y
oursist
erscompany
,
t
hey'
ref
ixi
ngtheleakagest
henI'
m comingover
.

Mar
u:Youcan'
tcomeov
er,
myhusbandj
ustar
ri
ved.
.

Ni
c:What
?

Mar
u:Yeah,
hei
sint
hebat
hroom.

Ni
c:I
nthebat
hroom doi
ngwhat?Thi
siswhyi
sai
dyoushoul
d
moveout
.Canicomegetyou?

Mar
u:No,
I'
ll
handl
ethi
s..
.

AtNi
c'
sHouse.
..

Ni
chol
as'
shear
tpoundedasher
emov
edhi
sti
eandwal
kedout
..
Ni
c:Whatar
ey ousay
ing?Youcannotpossibl
yshareabedwi
th
hi
m..
.Whatarewegoingtodowiththi
ssituat
ion?

Maru:
Isai
diwil
lhandl
eit
,anditwouldn'tbewrongtoshar
eabed
wi
thhim.Hei
ssti
llmyhusband..NotthatI'
dhavesexwit
hhim.

Nic:Babethemmasedi rejal
okeagokopa.Don' thur
tmel i
ke
that.
..Iwi
ll
renty ouahouse, si
nceor ey oudon'twanttoeverget
mar r
iedagainatleastletmebuyy ouahousesowecanst ay
togetherwi
thNi gelandraisehimt ogetherunderahealthy
envir
onment .ThisiswhyI '
vealway ssaidweneedt otalkabout
thi
sissuebutompay ahaleha, ar
ey oupickingupwher eyoutwo
l
eftof f
?

Mar
u:Ihav
en'
tthoughtaboutt
hat

Nic:Kekopangwanakeee,
hei
snotsl
eepi
ngt
her
ewi
thy
our
pedophi
lehusband.

Mar
u:Der
ri
cki
snotl
i
ket
hatandngwanay
ooi
kwal
akaDer
ri
ck

Ni
c:Wai
twhat
?It
houghty
ousai
dyoudi
dn'
twr
it
eany
one

Mar
u:Butwhosesur
namedi
dyout
hinkhewasusi
ng

Ni
c:Tsat
sing,
yousai
dthat

Maru:Wheny ougi
vebi
rthatthehospi
tal
oleamarr
iedwoman
theydon'
taskyouwhosesurnamethechil
dusest
heyjust
assumeunlessyoust
ate.

Nic:
Nnammekebatangwanake,
heismyonlychi
l
dandy ou
knowhowl
ongIwant
edachildpl
uskenosi
.Ify
ou'
regoi
ngto
hurtmehurtmewithsomethi
ngelsenott
otakeawaymywhol
e
famil
y.CanIt
alkt
oDer r
ickwateng?

Maru:
Talktohim aboutwhat?Ni
cI'
m st
il
ll
egal
l
ymar
ri
edandy
ou
hav
etorespecttheboundari
es,

Ni
c:Nowwehaveboundari
es?Babeskadi
raj
alo.
..Idon'
twantto
dosomet
hingI
'
llr
egr
et.I
'
m comingovert
ogetyou,wenaleNigel
.

Maru:NickanaI
'v
enev erpromisedyouthatI
'l
ll
eavemyhusband
fory
ou.Iwantustotakeabr eakunti
lI'
vedeci
dedwhatt
odowi t
h
Derr
ick.Ihav
en'
tdeci
dedi fI
'mleavi
ngorstayi
ng.

Ni
c:You'
renotl
eav
ingme.

Hecutt
hecal
l,
shesi
ghedandwal
kedint
hehousewher
eDer
ri
ck
satont
hebedwit
hatowelov
erhi
spri
vat
es.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Ican'
tfi
ndmycl
othesi
nthewar
drobe.
.

Maruwalkedtothestor
eroom andcamebackwit
hav estandhi
s
shor
ts.Derr
ickqui
etl
yputthem onandl
ookedather
..

Der
ri
ck:
Canwet
alk?

Mar
u:Sur
e..
.
Shesatdownandlookedi
nhisr
eddisheyesandi
twasv
erycl
ear
fr
om hi
spuff
ylasheshe'
dbeencry
ing.
..

Derrick:I'
m sor r
yfort hepainI'
v ecausedyou..
..Istil
l r
emember
thatdayl ikeithappenedy est
erday..
.(t
earf
ull
y)I '
m sorryfornot
tel
li
ngy ouhowbeaut ifulyouwer eandfornotfinishingthatfood
becausei hadsomet hinginmi nd.Theembarrassmentandt he
diff
icultyy ouhadtogot hroughony ourheali
ngj ourney..I
'm sor
ry
thatev ent houghyou'renotacheat i
ngwifeyouhadt of i
ndaway
tosur viveandhav ey ourneedsmetbecausei wasn'tmanenough
torespecty ou.I
'm sor r
ythatthroughthataff
airtherehadt obea
chil
d. .
.Achi ldwhichI '
m sureal otofpeopl
egossi pabout ..ButI'
m
happyy ousur vi
vedandy oudidn'tcommitsuicide..

Mar
u:I
t'
sok.
..Il
ongf
orgav
eyou.
..

Derr
ick:Iknowt hatI
'm nowunempl oy
edandi maynev erfinda
j
obsoi won'
tbeabl etosupportyouorthechil
drenbuti fthat's
OKwi thyouI'dli
ketobet hebesticanbe.I'
l
lwor khardtof inda
waytogetbackonmyf eet.
..Iwon'
tcostyouathing...
I'
lltr
ygor e
keskannabur denevenifihavetobeasecurit
yguar dor
somethingbecausemydegr eeisusel
essnowsi nceI '
m acr iminal
.
Tot
agohedi l
ekacar eerihavetofi
ndawaygodi rakadi ata.Can
wetry?Andi fyoudon'twantmei t'
sok,I
'l
lunderstand.

Mar
u:Idon'
tknowwhatt
osaynow.
..ButImi
ssedy
ou.
.

Hehuggedherandcr
iedoutsi
l
ent
lyhol
dingherasshehel
dhi
m
t
henshel
eanedbackandsi
ghed.

Mar
u:Idon'
tknowi
fiwanty
oubackornot
.

Derr
ick:I
t'
sbettert
hany
ouwanti
ngthedivor
ce.
..I
'
llt
rymybest
nottoletyoudown.WhoisNi
gel
'
sfather
?

Mar
u:Hi
snamei
sNi
chol
as,
hei
sanaccount
ant
.

Der
ri
ck:
Wewillar
rangesohecanspendf
airamountoft
imewi
th
hi
m.Wewil
lcoparentwi
thhi
m..

Mar
u:Yeah.
..
mmekemot
hoy
olebegangal
est
ubbor
n.

Der
ri
ck:
Wewi
l
lwor
kwi
thhi
m peacef
ull
y.
..

Maru:
Ok...I
'
llt
hinkaboutevery
thi
ngandl
ety
ouknow.Ihav
eto
gobuyfoodwecangot oget
her.
..

Der
ri
ck:
Giv
emeal
i
st,
I'
ll
gobuyf
ory
ou.Iwantt
oseet
hemal
l
...
..

Maru:
Ok,t
hatwill
giv
emet i
met odoy
ourl
aundr
y,y
ourcl
othes
hav
ebeenlockedupforawhi
le.

Der
ri
ck:
I'
ll
gowi
tht
heboy
s..

Hest
oodupandwal
kedout
..
..
.

I
nCBD(
Gabor
oneCi
ty)
..
.
Lat
erthataf t
ernoonMongapi ckedtheairconremoteand
adj
ust
edt heof fi
cetemperat
uret henhepickedacupofteaand
si
ppedwhi lefaci
ngThongv i
at helapt
opashesati nhisoff
ice
wit
hhisfootov erthedesk.Mongaputdownt he"Il
ovehubby"
mugwi t
ht heteabagst r
inghangingoutside.

Monga: Iunderst
andtherisksthatcomewi t
hget t
ingint
oat otal
l
y
di
fferentsect
orbutineedt oinvestandexpand.Besidesev
er y
businessmov eisari
sk..

Thong: Iknow,iguessI
'
mjustbei
ngparanoi
dbecausei
lostt
hat
tenderafterwor
kingsohar
doni t
.Makeroom f
or
disappointment
s.

Monga:Ibel i
ev ei
nt hisandi hav
eagoodf eel
ingaboutit
,i know
I
'mriski
ngwi thalotofmoneybutmanuf act
uringseemslikea
goodinvestment .
..Idon'twanttosurvi
vewithtwobusinesses.
Whatiftheot herfail
s..Thisiswhyroot
ingandceramictil
e
manufactureringwillnotfail
.Peopl
earebuil
dingandnowwe
wantbetterhouses.

Thong:
Gonemmei
fyouputi
tthatwayy
ou'
rer
ight
..
.

Monga:
Yeah.
..Ir
ant
hei
deabyLanaandshet
hinksi
t'
sagood
i
dea.
.

Thong:(
pickedanewspaper
)You'vej
ustremindedme. .
.Ther
eis
apostfr
om Mi ni
str
yofFi
nanceandEconomicDev elopment,
They
needsomeonewi thMast
er'
sdegree.
..Idi
dn'
treadthewhole
thi
ng.I
tjustgavemeaheadache
Monga:
Today
'snewspaper
?

Thong:
Ee

Hel
eanedov
erandgr
abbedhi
snewspaper
..
.

Monga:Idi
dn'
treadt
oday
'spaper
..
.(hebr
owsedt
hrough)Ohi
ts
her
e..

Thong:
Waqual
i
fyer
?

Monga:
Yeah.
..(
cal
cul
atedt
heannualsal
ary
)Ngngng.
..Esal
ary
yagont
hubel
alel
wapaesugasugaegoyame..
.

Thong:(
laughed)Fait
hmyman..
.Asl
ongasy
oudel
i
verast
he
husbandyouhav enothi
ngt
oworr
yabout
.

Monga:
I'
ll
letherknow,
ihopeshewi
l
lrej
ecti
tthough.Shel
i
kes
UB

Br
yceandhi
sli
tt
lesi
sterwal
kedi
nthei
rschool
uni
for
m.

Monga:
Goshapomest
abossl
adyi
sher
e.

Khumo:
sur
e.

Hecl
osedt
hel
apt
opandsmi
l
edpi
cki
nguphi
sdaught
erasshe
smi
l
ed.Br
ycesatonhi
sfat
her
'schai
randswungar
ound.
..

Bry
ce:Dovey
'st
eachersay
sshehasbeenchosent
obepar
toft
he
Chri
stmaspl
aythi
sDecember.

Monga:
(toher
)Wow.
..Doy
out
hinky
oucandoi
t?

Dov
ey:
(smi
l
ed)Yeah.
..

Heki
ssedheront
hecheek,
andgr
abbedhi
sjacket
..

Monga:
Let
'sgo,
mommyi
smeet
ingusatt
hemal
l
.

Theywal
kedout
..
..

Att
hemal
l
...
.

Mongapar
kedthecarandsteppedoutpicki
ngDoveyoutoft
he
car
,Br
ycecl
osedthedoorandtheywalkedintot
hemall.
.

Lanasteppedoutofher
sandfol
lowedthem,
shesmi
l
edwat
chi
ng
them wal
kunawareshewasfoll
owingt
hem..
MongastoppedasDov eypoint
edt osomethingi
nsi
dethroughthe
gl
ass,shewalkedbehi
ndhim andputherar m ar
oundhi
swai st
.
Hetur
nedar oundandputhisarm overherneckandpul
ledherher
ov
erforakiss..

Monga:
Hey

Lana:
Hi.
.

Br
yce:
I'
m meet
ingsomeonet
hatsi
de,
ket
alel
l
etsa.

Monga:
Skai
misabanababat
howena

Br
ycet
urnedar
oundandl
aughedwal
ki
ngbackwar
ds.
.

Br
yce:
Uht
haemai
namal
l
?

Monga:
(smi
l
edi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)Koor
eompi
tsat
haemaner
ra?

Bryce:
(smi
l
ed)Gapei
canal
way
spul
lout
.Mypul
loutgamei
s
tops

Mongast
oppedsmi
l
ingt
henBr
ycel
aughedoutl
oud.
..

Br
y ce:
(laughed)I
'
m ki
ddi
ngmrskaemi
saal
l
owancennagake
j
ole!
Lanagrabbedhi
sar
m andl
aughedast
heywal
kedt
owar
dst
he
escal
ator
..

Lana:
(laughed)Her
eal
l
yknowshowt
opr
essy
ourbut
tons.

Monga:That'
snott
heworstpar
t.
..It
houghtnowt
hatMJi
sgone
I
'l
lgetabreaknowRycal
l
smet haema

Lanal
aughedoutl
oud.
..

Lana:
(laughed)May bei
t'
sbecauseI'
vebeenoladysi
nceMJ
tur
ned16, idon'
trememberthelastt
imetheboyscall
edme
mama.Wel comet omywor l
dwenakanant seolepaps

Monga:Iwashavi
ngwit
hdr awalswhentheyst
oppedcal
li
ngme
daddy
,yannapapsnowt haema?Stresssagobit
swathaema.
..I
remembercal
l
ingpapal
iket hat
..

Meanwhi
leafewfeetawayf
rom t
hem Apul
a,At
sil
eandNi
ni
st
eppedontheescal
ator
.

Ni
ni:
Cani
comewi
thy
out
othedi
nnert
oni
ght
?

Apul
a:I
nvi
tat
ionaccept
sone
At
sil
e:Icangi
vey
oumi
ne,
iwantt
ogobackt
oMaun

Ni
ni:
(smi
l
ed)Thanky
ou.

Thebabygi
rli
nfr
ontoft
hem dr
oppedhert
oy.
..

Her
:Daddy
?Mydol
l
!

Apulapickedthedollasbot
hpar
entsturnedar
oundlookingback
astheescalatorrol
l
edupwi t
hal
lofthem.Herhear
tskippedas
sherecognisedMongaandLana,shetookonemorest eptohand
thel
itt
legirlatoy
..

Dov
ey:
Thanky
ou.
.

Apul
a:You'
rewel
come.
.

Bot
hpar
ent
s:Dumel
ang.

Them:
Dumel
ang.
..

Lana:
(toNi
ni)Howar
eyou?Wher
edoy
ouwor
k?

Ni
ni:
Eishma'
am,
I'
mjobhunt
ing.
..

Lana:You'
llf
indi
tngwanakagaonosi t hereareot
hergraduates
goingthr
oughthesamet hi
ng.Atleasty ou'
ll
bewor ki
ngont he
famil
ybusinesswhi
lesearchi
ngforaj ob.Othershavenothi
ng..
Nini
:UhMrsTDegreei
nafil
l
ingorr
est
aur
ant
?I'
m wor
kingasan
account
anti
nter
nkoFNB.

Lana:(l
aughed)Goar engelegore?Gagoresepehel
alesanggo
thophadit
ir
o,idon'tchoosejobsigotwhatwasavai
labl
eforme
butbeinganinter
ni sal
sogoodbecausewhenaspotopensup
theyhi
reyou..(
tothesister
s)Bye

Them:
Bye

Lanajoi
nedherhusbandast
heysatont
heout
doorchai
rst
hena
wait
ressappr
oached.

Meanwhi
l
ethesi
ster
sandNi
nipassedt
otheot
hert
abl
es.
..

Apul
a:Canwepasst
otheanot
herr
est
aur
ant
?

At
sil
e:Why
?Iwantt
hei
rri
bsandst
eak

Ni
ni:
Lennai
li
keFr
enchf
ri
est
sakwano.

At
sil
e:Ij
ustwantust
oav
oiddr
ama

Osha:
Whatdr
ama?

Therewasanawkwar
dmomentastheysatdown,awai
tergot
thei
ror
dersandt
heywai
tedasApul
areadthemenu.
.
Apula:
SoNinial
lofasuddenyouf eell
i
key ou'
retooeducatedto
workatbot
hfil
li
ngstat
ionsortherest
aurant?I
fy oudi
dn'twant
theonesi
nMauni haveafil
l
ingstati
oninGabor onebutyou'r
etoo
goodfort
hat?

Ni
ni:That'
snotwhati
sai
d,i
wantsomet
hingt
hatwi
l
laddv
aluet
o
myreference.

At
sil
e:Wenal
eLanal
eit
sanej
angj
aanong?

Ni
ni:
Shei
sal
ect
ureri
nUB

Apula:
(laughed)Aolect
urer?Ithoughtshewaseducatedseeing
shehasbeenschool i
ngfor50y earsandnobodywantedt ot
ellus
whatshest udi
ed.LeSeditotanneerekebotsaabeat senakaha
atsenakaha..

Apula:Soshewenttodoaccounti
ngoverseas?(l
aughed)If
eel
l
ikemostpeoplehaveselfest
eem i
ssuesbecausetheychooset
o
studycour
sesoverseaswhenthey
'r
eav ai
labl
einBotswana.

Nini
:Shewasn'tmylecturer,
shelecturedmyf r
iendswhodi
d
honoursi
nengineer
ingeconomi cs.Ithinkshehasamaster
s,she
oncewenttotheradio.Shewasmot i
vat i
ngwomennottogiveup
especi
all
ywhenitcomest othei
reducat i
on.

At
sil
e:Aoshestudi
edhomeeconomi
csov
erseas?HEener
ee
di
rakojuni
or?

Apul
a:It
'snott
hesamet hi
ng,I
'm notsur
ewhatsomeonewithan
engi
neeri
ngeconomicscanbecomemmei t
houghtsheisa
doct
ororsomethingfancy.
..Iwonderhowmuchlectur
ersget
..
.
Shegoogl
edhowmuchl
ect
urer
swi
thmast
ersgetpai
dand
l
eanedback.
.

At
sil
e:Howmuchdoessheear
n?

Apula:Aker
eI'
m notsur
eifshehasadegreeormast
ers.
..Buti
t
general
lyst
art
swith18K..
.Howlonghasshebeenworki
nginUB?

Ni
ni:
I'
m notsur
eit
hink4y
ear
sback,
I'
m notsur
e.

Apul
a: Iwantt
odoamast er
si nprojectmanagementkanai
al
wayswant edtogetahighereducat i
onbutihadtoputthaton
hol
dtosuppor tev
eryone.I
'l
lobviouslyear
nmor ewit
hahigher
qual
if
icati
onthanjustadegree.

Atsil
e:ThewayIhat eschoolican'tlookatabookagain.
..
you'
re
earni
ngal otal
readyplusthebusinessgivesyouext
ra.Idon't
understandwhypeoplegof ormast ersandPhD,i
t'
sjustcrazy.

Apul
a:Wit
hadegr eeyoucanonlygosofarwi
thsal
aryi
ncrease.
..
Andyoucan'tbepromotedtocer
tai
nposi
ti
onswit
hamer e
degr
ee.It
hinkit
'saboutti
meIfol
lowmydreams,I
'v
eelevated
ever
yone.

Meanwhi
l
eontheotherdeskMongaandhi
sfamilyat
easthe
wai
tr
esswal
kedoverwit
hakiddi
esgif
tandhandedDovey
..
Dov
ey:
Thanky
ou

Wai
tr
ess:
You'
rewel
comemyl
ove

Monga:Ther
eisapostfr
om Mini
str
yoffi
nanceandeconomic
dev
elopment,
youqual
if
yfori
tandthesal
aryishi
ghert
hanyour
cur
rent
.Thebenef
it
stoo

Lana:Isawit..
.Idon'
twanti
t,t
heonlythi
ngthat
'sgoi
ngtogetme
outofUBist hemineoranyofthepart
neri
ngcompaniesworki
ng
wit
hthemi ne.

Monga:(l
aughed)Oratamadiwena,
whyarey
oualway
st al
ki
ng
aboutt
hemi ne?Atl
eastnowaday
swhenyouappl
yandtheydon'
t
cal
lyouyoudon'tcr
y

Lana:(l
aughed)Babenaarewat eobonesal aryyateng?Il ost
hopebecauseitsapositi
ondomi natedbymenespeci all
ywhite.
..
Mychancesofget ti
ngitbothasawomanandbl ackper sonare
ver
ylow.Mmehel aiwon'tgiveup..
.I'
m curr
entl
ystalkingallt
he
minesinBotswanaandt heircontr
actors.Wheneverapostcomes
outI'
m apply
ing.
.

Monga:
Butt
ryt
hisone.
..I
t'
sagoodoppor
tuni
ty

Lana:
Theywon'
thi
reme.
..Theywant10y
ear
sexper
ience,
idon'
t
havethat
.

Monga:
Ketagoappl
aelanna,i
fyougethi
redt
hef
ir
stsal
aryi
s
mi
ne.Youknowthedealaker
e?

Lana:
(laughed)Ok,
butt
heywon'
trespond.
Doveypi
ckedherpaperandshowedherdadashesmi
ledand
ki
ssedherput
ti
ngonhi sl
apashetookabiteandf
edher.
..

Att
hemal
l
...

Lat
eronDer
ri
ckwalkedoutoftheshophol
dingNi
gel
'
shandwhi
l
e
Bobowal
kedbesi
deshim hol
dingatoy.

Ni
ckpar
kedt
hecart
alki
ngt
othephone.
.

Ni
c:Ar
eyouhome?

Mar
u:Isai
dyoucan'
tcomeov
er,
wewi
l
ltal
ktomor
row.

Ni
c:Iwanttoseeyou.
..I
'
m att
hemal
lket
aahet
ajaanakego
t
sayalengwana.
.

Hesteppedoutandnot
icedNigelandBoboapproachi
ngwi
than
unf
amili
arman,fr
om hi
sf acehecoul
dtell
theresembl
efr
om the
pi
ctur
eshe'dseenonMaru'sphone.

Heclosedthedoorandappr
oachedDer
ri
ckasheopenedt
he
doorfort
hechil
dren.
.
Ni
ck:
Hel
l
o

Der
ri
ck:
Hel
l
o

Ni
ck:
Mynamei
sNi
chol
as,
I'
m Ni
gel
'
sfat
her

Der
ri
ck:
Nicet
omeety
ou.

Ni
ck:
Nigel
gogeti
nthecarmyboy
..

Ni
gelst
eppedoutthenheopenedthedoorf
orhim,
Derr
ickqui
etl
y
wat
chedhim andclosedhi
sdoort
henhewalkedar
oundthecar
t
othedri
versside.
.

Ni
ck:
Emahoo,
sant
sekebual
ewena.
.

Der
ri
ckst
oppedandwai
tedf
orhi
m.Ni
ckcl
osedt
hedoorand
wal
kedover
..

Nick:Idon'tknowwhaty ou'r
et r
yingtodobuti needy outostay
awayf r
om mywoman.Idon' tknowi fyou'
rethreateningheror
whatbuti needt oleavet
hathouseandgost ayelsewhere,skago
l
alaleMar uori twi
llbeyourlastdayonearth..
.Gaket shabego
gohulakat hobol
okanakel etshubelamont ung.{I'
m notafr
aid
toshooty ouorbur nyouinsi
det hehouse}

Der
ri
ck:I
'm notaviolentper
sonandiknowtherei
sachild
i
nvol
ved.I
'm notgoingtostopyoufr
om fat
heri
ngNigel
Nick:
I'
m nott
alki
ngaboutNi
gel
,whatmakesyouthi
nknkakopa
ngwanakemogowena?I '
mtal
ki
ngaboutMaru.
.Kanaotsaya
gorekeagothabanemonna?

Hest
eppedov
erf
aci
nghi
m asDer
ri
ck'
shear
tpounded.

Nick:Doyouthinkyou'
regoi
ngt osl
eeplemosadiwame?I'
m not
pl
ay i
ngwithyouibi
l
ey ou'
regoingtoser
veherwit
hthosedi
vorce
papersorelsewagony el
aifyouthinky
oucanshareawoman
withme.Waut wa?

Der
ri
ckkeptqui
etashi
shear
tpounded.
..

Ni
ck:Doy
ouhearme?Want
idi
mal
l
a

HelookedaroundandslappedDerri
ckacrosstheface,Der
ri
ckbit
hist
ongueandl i
ckedhisl
ipslooki
ngaroundtoseeifanyonehad
seenthatsl
ap.Wast hi
sanotherepi
sodeofhim gett
ingassaul
ted
i
npublic.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Iunder
stand.
..Taket
samae.

Nick:
Karewagomoser
verwi
tht
hosedi
vor
cepaper
sbef
oret
he
endofthi
sweek.
Der
ri
ck:
Yeah,
nteseket
samae.

Der
r i
ckt
urnedar
oundandgoti nt hecarthenherev
ersedasBobo
l
ookedatNickgett
inginhiscar.Hisli
tt
lehear
tpoundedsohard
he'
dneverseenuncleNickli
kethat.Helookedathi
sfatherashe
pul
leddownthemirrorandlookedathisfacebefor
edrivi
ngoff
..
.

Der
ri
ck:
Doy
ouwantadr
ink?

Bobo:
I'
mful
l
..

Der
ri
ckmassagedhi
scheekanddr
oveof
fli
kenot
hinghappened.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#192

AtEr
ic'
sHouse.
..

Derr
ickpar
kedthecarandsteppedoutashisli
tt
lebrot
her
st
eppedout,Deeleanedagai
nstthebonnetandfol
dedhisar
ms.
..

Er
ic:
Whatani
cesur
pri
se.
..What
'sup?

Dee:I
'm good.
..Ihav
easi
tuat
ion.
..Mar
uandi
aret
ryi
ngt
ofi
x
thi
ngs.
.

Eri
c:Di dyouseeakidshehas?Iwasafr
aidtotel
lyoumy
suspici
onsplusshekeptdeny
ingi
t.
.You'
regoingtodieof
depression.
..
Goamogelangwanawabonyatsii
snoteasy.

Dee:I
'
m will
ingto.
..
butthi
sguyisviol
ent
,thefather..
.heslapped
meatthemal l
.Luckyenoughnobodysawt hat.
..I
'l
lnev er
under
standpeoplewhosol v
eevery
thi
ngkav iol
ence, it
sli
ket his
guywalebal
agor eotshotsengwanamol wapengl ameandi can
suehi
m helasente.

Er
ic:
KeenewaD4Daker
e?Wagony
ela.
.

Dee:No,
li
sten.
..Idon'
twantf
ight
s.I
'
mt ry
ingt
ofi
xmyf
ami
l
yand
t
helastt
hingIwantistoputMaruonthespot
.

Er
ic:
Sui
nghi
m woul
dbeput
ti
ngheront
hespotbecausey
esy
ou
andhim wil
lappearonanewspaperbutthewhol
eofMaunwil
l
knowaboutt hati
ssuesobet
terkenyedi
sathi
sguy.Keagomo
nyedi
sa.
..Iknowwher ehest
ays..
.

Ericwal
kedbackinthehouseandcameoutwit
hthecarkey
s
thenhejumpedinthecarasDeestoodbyhi
swindow.
.

Dee:Eri
cpl
easedon'tdothi
s..
.Ifiknewyou'
ddot
hisIwoul
dn'
t
havetol
dyou.You'
rerui
ningevery
thingf
orme

Eric:
Kar ethatguywagony el
a..
.Heknowsy ou,Marut ol
dhim
you'r
etoosof tsohehasconf i
dence,nnawagonyelamogonna.
Hampal el
aManDwi l
lholdhimf ormesoi canki
ckhi sball
s..
.I'
m
notlett
ingt hi
sgo.May beifhepunchedy ouI'
dunderstandbuta
slapisthelowestkindofdi sr
espect.

Dee:
List
ent
ome.
..Idon'
twantf
ight
s..

Hest ar
tedt
hecaranddrov eoff,
Derr
ick'
sheartpounded.
.He
couldonlyi
maginethetr
oublethiswouldbri
ngmay beevena
poli
cecase,hewasonpar oleandmay beMaruwouldn'tl
i
kethi
s
atall
.Hegotbackinthecaranddr ov
eof f
..

Att
hehot
el.
..
.
Latert
hateveni
ngApulastoodbyt
hemirr
orf
ixi
ngherev
eni
ng
dresswhil
eNiniputl
i
psti
ckonherli
ps.
.

Apula:
Iwonderi
fI'
llbeabl
etogetthi
sscholar
shi
pagai
n.Ishoul
d
haveaccept
edit
,I'
dbedonewithschoolbynow.

Nini
:Mamawhydoyouwantschool
now?Isn'
ti
tenoughthaty
ou
haveadegr
eeandy
ou'
reabossatwork.Youmakealotof
moneytoo.

Apula: Niniwheny oucoul dn'

tfi
ndaj obwhatdidi do?Isenty ou
toschool ri
ght ?Ididn'
tletyoust ayhomej obhuntingwi thababy .
..
Youdi dn'tev enwantt ogowor katt hefil
l
ingstat
iont hatyou
couldn'tstayawayf r
om wheny ouwant edTumo.( tappedherown
chest)Ipai df oryourschool andsuppor tedyouev ent houghyou
hadachi l
dwi thamanwhocoul dn'
tdoany t
hingfory ou.Nowt hat
iwantt of urthermyst udi
esaftermaki ngsurethatev eryonehas
everythingy ouwon' tsuppor tme?Somymoneyi sf orspoi l
i
ng
everyoneexceptme?

Nini
:It'
snotthatmama...Ij
ustfeell
ikei
t'
stoosuddent hatyou'
d
wantt ogoformastersnowjustbecauseyouheardMr sThas
masters.Youreject
edaPhDof ferover20yearsago.
..Ormay be
youliedtousthatyouwereofferedschoolandyouchosey our
sist
ers?

Apul
a:Youknow. .
.(si
ghed)WenaNini
I'
vesacr
if
icedsomuchfor
you.
..
youbenefi
tedfrom memorethanevenOshabenef
it
ed.I
don'
texpectt
hisfrom you
Ni
ni:
Youjustwantmetoagreewit
hy out
hatgoi
ngt
oschool
now
i
sOK, whoi
sgoingtof
il
lyourposi
ti
on?

Apula:Whenthecompanysendsyout
oschool
theyhi
rey
ouaf
ter
becausethey
'vei
nvest
edinyou.

Apul
a'
scol
l
eaguecal
l
edt
henshepi
cked.
..

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Her
:Hi
,goty
ourmessage,
howar
eyou?

Apul
a:I
'
m good..
.Nemmagol ohal
elasty
earhowmany
empl
oyeesweresentt
oschool?

Her
:2,
why
?

Apula: Kanai wasoff

eredascholarshipri
ghtaftercompl et
ingmy
probation,itwasaverylongti
meagowheni wasf reshfrom
universit
y..
.Itwasan8y earschol
arship.2yearsformast ersand
6forPhD.IknowDav idendedupt akingitbutnowi wantit
,do
yout hinkififor
wardarequestthecompanywi l
lbei napositi
on
togranti t
?

Her:Mathatakegor ewesendempl oyeesf

orfurt
hereducati
on
l
ookingatthefinancialyearandt hei
rage.School
ershi
psare
off
eredafterev
er y5t o10y ears.Peoplewi
thcert
ifi
cat
eswesend
2fordegrees,t
hosewi t
hdegr eeswesendonl y1employeefor
masters.Ascholarshipforast rai
ghtPhDdependsont he
companysi t
uati
onandy ouwer esol uckyt
ohavebeenof f
ered
thatbecausei
tsaonceinali
feti
meopportuni
ty.Inyourcasei
doubttheywouldsendf
oranotherPhDholderbecauseDav i
d
tookitandhewill
bewit
husunt i
lheret
ir
essoi thinkmaybey ou
standachancewithamaster
s.

Apula:ButDav i
disoperati
nginJwanengandGabor one.These
peoplelit
eral
l
ymov emear oundthecountr
ytoki
ckstartever
y
proj
ect.I'
m practi
call
yheadingthatdepar
tment
,inf
actIwor k
harderthanDav i
d.

Her:Alliknowi sthatafterDav i
dt ookthatPhDof fernobodywas
off
eredoneaf t
er.Assoonashecompl etedhecameandheaded
everyt
hing,buttheny ouhav eagoodr eputati
onandy ouknowthe
bosseslov eyourdedication.Ev entheheadquar t
ersinSouth
Afri
catheyknowy ou, y
ourl astpromotionwassuggest edbyone
ofthedirectorssoi t
hinki fyouwr it
eapr operrequestand
mentionall t
hatyou'vedonef orthecompanyy ou'
llgetit
.

Apula:Ok,I
'l
ldr
aftt
helett
erandshowyousoyoucangi
veme
youropini
onandcorrectmewhereI'
m wr
ong.

Her:Defini
tel
y.I
nfactIthi
nkyoushoul dwrit
et ot
heboardof
dir
ectorssotheycandiscussitatt
hemeet ing.Someti
mesweget
rej
ectedbecausewet al
ktopeoplewhot hi
nkit'
snotpossi
ble
whil
et hebigguysmightnotevenmi nd.Mentionthaty
ourwishi
s
foraPhDbuti fi
tsnotpossibl
eamast er
swi l
ldo.

Apul
a:Thanksal
ott
hemma.

Her
:You'
rewel
come.
..
Shehungupandf
ixedherhai
rasNi
nisatt
her
est
ari
ngather
.

Apul
a:Let
'sgo.
.Wear
elat
e..

Ni
niqui
etl
ystoodupandfol
lowedhert
hent
heywal
kedoutas
At
sil
esentheramessage.
..
.

At
sil
e:Hav
eyout
alkedt
oMar
u?

Apul
a:Hadal
otonmymi
ndt
oday
.Letmecal
lher
.

Atsi
le:Canyoupleaset
alkt
ohersoshecangetr i
dofDer r
ick.
Howcanshewantt obr
ingbacksuchamani nherli
fe?I'
mt ot
all
y
angry.Pl
easeconnectmewheny ou'
ret
alki
ngtoher.Ihopethe
networkwil
lal
lowme.

Apul
a:Ok,
letmedot
hatnow.

Theygoti
nthecart
hem Ni
nidr
oveof
f.
..

AtMar
u'shouse.
..

MeanwhileDerr
icksi
ghedr
ubbi
nghi
shandst
oget
herwhi
l
eMar
u
satbesi
deshim..
Mar
u:Soy
ouwantt
orepor
tthei
ssue?

Derr
ick:No, idon'twantany t
hingthatwillembarrassy ou.I'
dsue
himforhomewr eckingbutthatwoulddr agyoui ntoit,I'
dreport
himforassaul tbutthatwoul dsti
l
l makepeopl ejudgey ou..
.SoI
wantust oinv ol
vetheel der
s.May becallhist
oo. ..Allt
hr ee
famil
iesthenwet alkandagr eeonwhat '
sbestf orNi gel..
.Butthen
Eri
cisoutt heredoingGodknowswhat .Iregrettelli
nghi m,idon't
wanttogobackt ojail
andi thi
nkNicholasknowsi can'tfi
ght
back..
.I'
m notav i
olentpersonbutIcandef endmy selfifihaveto
j
ustthatI'
m noti naposi ti
ont obeinav i
olentsituation.

Maru:
Ithi
nki
nvol
vi
ngtheelder
smi
ghtbeok.
..Lennat
otai
don'
t
wantt
oappeari
nnewspapers.

Der
ri
ck:
Iwon'
tl
eti
tgot
hatf
art
rustme.
.

Maru'
sphoner angthenshesi
ghedandwal
kedoutput
ti
ngheron
l
oudspeakerbefor
esitt
ingont
hestoop.
.

Mar
u:Hel
l
o?

Apula:AoMar ummaelegor
eoi t
hobogi
l
eeng?Isn'
tNi
chol
as
enough?Takingdi
rtl
i
keDerr
ick?Thi
smanisfi
l
thandyoushoul
d
bedivorci
ng.

Maru:
Der
ri
ckpaidforhi
sacti
onsandI
'
vedeci
dedt
of or
giv
ehi
m.
I
t'
smydecisi
onandithasnot
hingt
odowit
hmyselfest
eem.
At
sil
e:Idon'
tl
ikeDer
ri
ck,
ihat
ehi
mtobehonestwi
thy
ou.

Apul
a:Andhei
sgoi
ngtobeabur
dent
oyoubecausehebri
ngs
not
hingt
othet
abl
e..
.Noj
ob,
nomoneynot
hing.Hei
sjusta
bur
den.

Maru:I
'
llsuppor
thi
m unti
lhefi
gur
esoutwhatt
odo.Cany
ou
pl
easerespectmydeci
sion?

Apula:I'
m sor
ry.
..I
fyouchooseDerrickoverNicholasI'm st
oppi
ng
themoneyI '
vebeengivi
ngyoubecausei won'tsuppor taman
thatrapedmydaughter.Er
icwil
lcarryonsuppor t
ingy ouka1K
nnawame2Kendsnowi fyoudon'tkickDerr
ickout .

At
sil
e:NoLal
alet
'snotf
orceherbutMar
uyoucan'
tbr
ingar
api
st
i
ntoourf
amil
y.

Apula:HeisgoingtorapeSkyaker eeneher apesmi neonly.

..
You'r
ethemostsel fi
shpersonI'
veev ermetMar uwai t
s?Iregret
everyt
hingI'
vedoneforyout hepast5y ear
s...Allthetear
sI
wastedony ou..
.t
hismansenty outoament al hospi
talandyou
takehim back?IhopeNicholasbeatshim kai bil
ekesesohel a
j
aanaobet swakemongwel emongwe.

Mar
u'sey
esf
il
ledwi
tht
ear
sandsher
ubbedt
hem.
..

Maru:Der
rickpaidforhi
swrongsandhehaslearnthi
slesson.He
andiknowsnobodywi ll
accepthi
m sohewon'tbegoingtomy
fami
lygatheri
ngs..Hewon'
ttal
ktoyourchi
l
dren.Youknowi don'
t
earnmuchbutit
sOKifyoufeelthatway.
..I
t'
sokifyouwantt
o
stopsuppor
ti
ngmejustbecauseI'
mt aki
nghim back.

Apula:
Der r
icki
snotgoi
ngt
otast
emymoney..
.Gaanagoa
l
atswa..
.Ifyou'
rewi
ll
i
ngtol
etBobost
arv
ebecauseyouchoset
he
fat
her.

Mar u:Ilovemyhusband, hemadeami staket hatifeelhepai dfor.

I
'vef orgiv
enhimj ustl i
kei forgaveOsha. ..Idon'tknowwhyy ou
peopl earehappyt hati forgav eOshai bil
elel ebetselothewhat
Oshadi dtome. ..You' r
eal lfamilyagai nbutI 'm stupidfor
forgivi
ngmyhusband?Der rickmi ghtbeweakbuti fNicholas
attackshi m wewi l
lseekhel p.Ididn'thidet hatI'm mar r
iedandi
didn'tpromiseNi ckthatI '
ddi vorce.Heaskedmet omar ryhim
twicei nthelast5y earsandi toldhimi can' t
..
.Itoldhim hei sfree
tof i
ndagi rl
fri
end.Ni gelwasami stake, hewasn' taplannedchi ld
i
t'sunf ort
unatet hatI'm af r
aidt oabor tsoi camebackt omy
husbandwi thanot herman' schi l
dwhohei swi l
l
ingtoacceptgape
Der r
ickisnotst ubbor n,hei swi ll
ingtol etNi cholasparenthi sson.
I
fNi cholaswant shi ssonwear ewi l
li
ngt ol ethim staywi thhim
butt hereisnoneedf ory out wot owal kawayf r
om me. ..Ineed
yoursuppor t.Notj ustmoney ..
.Youcanst opt hemoneybutdon' t
hatemef orlovi
ngsomeoney oudon' tli
ke.Ineedy ouinmyl if
e.

Apula:Idon'
twantt
oliet
oyou,i
fyouchoosearapistour
rel
ati
onshipwil
lnev
erbethesameagai
n.Iwil
lneveraccept
Derri
ckback.Hismist
akei
sunfor
giv
eable.

Maru:Ok..
.Ist
il
ll
oveDerri
ckandi
waswithni
cktopasst
ime.
.I'
m
sorr
ythatyoucan'
tfor
giv
emyhusband.At
sil
elewenawaa
tsamaya?
Atsi
l
e:I'
l
lsti
l
lbet her
ebutdon'ttalktomeaboutanyt
hingt
hathas
todowithDerr
ick.Evenifhehurtsyouorsomethi
nghappensj
ust
don'
ttel
lme.Hedoesn' texi
stt
ome.

Apula:Ihavetogo,i
haveaneventtoatt
end.Don'tevertal
ktome
unlessyou'
renotwit
hthatman.Ihaveadaughterthatihaveto
protectandanyonewhothi
nksit
'soktohavearapistaroundthe
chil
drenisdeadtome.

Maru:(
tearf
ull
y)Thanksfortaki
ngmethisf
ar,yourmoneymade
al
lthedif
fer
ence.You'vebeenawonderf
ulsi
sterandI
'venev
er
beensoclosetoyoulike-

Shehungupandrubbedhert
ear
s.Meanwhil
eDer r
ickswal
l
owed
st
andi
ngbehi
ndthedoorthenheopenedandlookedather
..

Der
ri
ck:
Comeher
e?

Shestoodupashehel
dherhandandpul
l
edherupt
hent
heysat
onthecouch.
..

Derri
ck:May beweshouldjustdivorce..
.Ihaven'tbeenbackf or
mor ethanadayandI '
verui
nedy ourr el
ati
onshipwi t
hy oursister
s
andt hefat
herofyourchi
ld.Ican'
taf for
dt osupportyoui fall
thesepeoplewalkawayfrom you...Idon'tdeservethatsacr i
fi
ce.
..
I
'llmoveoutandkeepchecki ngonmyson.I 'm notworthi tand
youknowi t.
..May beoursexlif
ewi llnev errecovertoo,howwi ll
youshareabedwi t
hmeorki ssmeaf t
erwhaty ousaw?I t'
s
i
mpossi bl
etogetov erwhatidid.
..I'
llsur v
ive..
.Eri
chasa
businesshe'
ll hi
remet odosomet hing..Butitwon'tbeenoughf or
met osuppor tyoulehankagoneel asal aryyamey otheitwon't
comecl osetowhatApul agi
vesyouandwhatt hisguyi sgi
ving
you.Iknowaccount ant
shavemoneyandhecanobv iousl
yaf f
ord
tosupportyou. .
.

Maru: No,I
'veforgi
venyouandwewi llf
indawayt osur vi
ve..
.I'
m
gi
vingy ouachancebecausei wantyout ot
hinkoutsidethebox
andsuppor tyourfamil
yonceagain.I
'm goi
ngt osupporty outhe
wayy ousuppor t
edmebef oreyoudidwhatyou, I
'
llbuyev eryt
hing
andhol dusbutbutdon'tmaket hemist
akeoft hi
nkingI'v
e
healed..
.You'r
etheonlypersonwhocanmendmybr okenhear t
andr est
orethis.
..
thi
sshouldmot i
vat
eyoutot hi
nknotmakey ou
gi
veup. .

Heleanedov erandhuggedhert henhet ookadeepbr eathand

si
ghedt houghtful
lyholdingher.Cl ear
lynobodywasgoi ngt ohi
re
hi
m becauseofhi srecordbutthatdi dn'tstophi mf r
om opening
hi
sownphar macy ,comet othinkofi t.
..He'dhear dthe
motivati
onalstoryoftheownerofChancephar macy .
..Hecouldn'
t
fi
ndaj obandsomehowgotf inanci alassistanceorwasi tahei
st,
ei
therwayheopenedhi sownphar macysoi fhecouldfind
someonet ofinancehi m he'
dst artsmal l
.Hel eanedbackand
si
ghed...
Derri
ck: Rememberwheni toldy oui wishi couldopenmyown
pharmacy ?Ithinki shouldt r
yt hat ..
.Ineedt of i
ndouti fi don't
deservemysev erancepaybecauseI '
v ewor kedf orthe
governmentf oral ongt imebuti don'tknowi fI'
m st i
l
l entit
ledtoit
evenifIgot opr i
sonev enifitsf orsomet hi
ngnotr el
atedt omy
work.Ial soneedt of i
ndouti fi deser v emygr atui
typackage, my
bankcar dhasexpi redsoi havet ogof indouti fmyaccounti ssti
l
l
acti
velegor edoesi tsti
llhavemoney .Ineedt of i
ndoutal lthese
thi
ngst heni needt owor konr egi st
eringacompany ,Ericwi l
lhel
p
withthat.Ineedt of i
ndoutal lt heset hi ngsandseewher eIstand
fi
nanciallyifI'
velostev er yt
hingmyl astopt ionist osel l
mycar
andbor rowal oanf rom Er i
ctot opitt henor derst ockandst art
operati
ng. .

Mar
u:(
smil
ed)Gasehoowaakany
a,obat
ast
resssegokgoba
mar
apo.
.

Hel
eanedov
erandhuggedherast
heysmi
l
ed.
..

AtGI
CC.
..
.

Acertai
ngent l
emansatwi thhi
sassoci at
eshav i
ngdr i
nksashis
eyessearchedforApula,hesti
ll
couldn'tgetoverhowgor geous
shewasi nthatdressshegaveaspeecht hatmorningatthe
seminarbutitseemedshewasn' there.Hesippedhi swine
fr
ustr
atedlyashisbusinessassoci
atelookedathi m...
Hi
m:Lawr
encear
eyouOK?

Lawr
ence:
Yeahman.
..Doy
our
ememberApul
a?

Man2:
Seni
orPr
ojectmanagerwaCompanyy
aboDav
id?

Lawrence:
Yeah.
..Hav
eyouseenherar
ound?It
houghtshe'
dbe
her
e.

Hi
m:Idi
dn'
tseeher
.

Lawrence:
Nnakeat samay
akeyagol
ebel
l
agame,
ionl
ycame
becauseithoughtshe'
dbeher
e.

Him:Aethemonnathenightisst
il
lyoung.Gawadi
ranet
wor
king
keraayoudi
dn'
tgreetanyone.

Lawrence:(
laughed)Idi
dn'
tcomet
odonet
wor
kingaker
e..
.Shap
malait
eaka.
..

Hest oodupandf i
xedhissuitjacketbeforet
akingthelastsipof
hi
swi nethenheturnedandwal kedtowardstheexitbutApula
walkedi nherlongeveningdresshol di
nghergli
tter
ingpursethen
hest opped,thei
reyeslockedandf rom hereyeshecoul dtel
lshe
couldn'trememberwher eshesawhi m.Hesmi ledandwal ked
overt henheleanedoverhuggingherbr ief
lyandleanedback
smili
ng. .
.

Lawr
ence:
Hi,
I'
m Lawr
ence.
.
Apul
a:(
sti
l
lconf
used)Apul
a..

Lawr
ence:
(laughed)Youdon'
tremembermedoy
ou?

Apul
a:Thef
acei
sfami
l
iarbutI
'
mfor
get
ful
..

Lawr
ence:
Canwegetdr
inks?

Hebenthi
sarmthenshehookedhersonhi
sashewal
ked
t
owardsser
ver
sandgottwoglasses.
.

Lawr
ence:
champagne?

Apul
a:Yespl
ease.
.

Lawr
ence:
(Tot
hewai
tr
ess)maket
hem t
wo.
.

Hegrabbedthem bothandtheysatonat abl

efortwo,hehanded
hert
heotherandtheysettl
eddownast hebi
gscreenshowed
somecompanyr epresent
ati
vespresentonthedi
nner.
..

Shesi
ppedandl
ookedi
nhi
sey
esashel
ookedather
..

Lawr
ence:
Sti
l
ldon'
tremember
?

Apul
a:No.
..

Lawr
ence:
Rememberwheni
sai
diwantchi
l
drenofmyown?
Turnsouti havelowsper m mot i
li
ty.
..whichact ual
lyrequir
esme
togett heassistanceofI VF.Ifoundoutaf t
ersuppor ti
ng2
chil
drenwhot urnedoutnott obemi neaf t
erdoi ngaDNAt est,
gaiseobone. .
.kedivosi
tsekapel ankar eket shwaretswe
thobolo,counsell
ingesaber ekekel wala..
.Iwassui ci
dal.(
laughed)
Ifeell
ikei twasmykar maf ornotunder standingcer t
ainthingson
ourlastconv ersati
on..

Apul
a:(l
aughed)Wai
t..
.It
hinkir
emembery
ounow.
..Ser
vesy
ou
ri
ght
..
.Monatetherr
a..
.Monate.
.

Shel
aughedoutl
oudashesmil
edlooki
ngdownembar
rassed
andl
aughedoutl
oudtaki
ngasi
p..
.

Don'
tfor
gettoli
keandleaveacomment.Forthoset
ell
i
ngmet o
endthebookbecauset
heirfav
our
it
echaract
erishavi
ngithar
d
donotcoachme.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#193

Att
hedi
nner
..
.

Lat
erthatev
eninganot
herbusi
nesswomanwalkedov
erand
smil
edatApulaasshechatt
edwithLawr
ence.
.

Her
:Hi
..
.I'
m Di
na

Apula:
Ohi rememberyoufrom thecookinggascompany..
.I
real
lyl
oveyourbusi
nessidea.That'
sjustsomethi
ngthatone
nevert
hinksoff
.

Her:Yeah.
..Mayihaveyourbusinesscar
d?I'
dli
ket
oopenaf i
ll
i
ng
stat
ioninmyarea..
.It
'sonthemi ddl
eofnowher
ebutt
rucksand
busespasstheresomay beimightwinsomethi
ngt
here.I
'l
ldoa
swotanaly
sisthough.

Apul
ar eachedinherpurseandhandedherandasshesatdown
shenoticedhowal otofbusinessowner
swerechat
tingand
remember edthewholepointofthedi
nnert
hensheturnedt
o
Lawrenceandst oodup..
.

Apul
a:Wewi
l
ltal
kinabi
tri
ght
?
Lawr
ence:
Nopr
obl
em,
don'
tl
eav
ewi
thoutme

Apul
a:Iwon'
t.
..

Meanwhil
eNini
'
sphonerangthenshestoodasideandpickedthe
vi
deocal
l.
..
shesmi
ledatTumositt
ingnexttothei
rdaughterwho
waseati
ngandwatchi
ngTV..

Ni
ni:
Hi

Tumo:
Howi
sitgoi
ng?

Ni
ni:
It'
sgoi
nggr
eat
..
.Shoul
dn'
tshebesl
eepi
ng?

Tumo:
Shewi
l
linaf
ewmi
nut
es.Imi
ssy
ou

Ni
ni:
I'
m comi
ngbabe.
.

Tumo:soi wasthinking..
.Don'tbit
emyheadof f,if
eell
ikeyour
mom woul dbehappierifanyofy ouhel pedherrunthe
busi
nesses.Shehasaweaknessofnotbei ngabletocontr
ol
worker
sandt heysteal f
rom her.Ithi
nkshesuppor tedyouunder
thei
mpr essi
onthatifyouhadabet terunderst
andinginbusiness
she'
dalsobenefi
t.

Ni
ni:
Whyar
eyousay
ingt
his?

Tumo:Becausebabey ou'r
eaninter
nsomewhereelsewhenyou
coul
dbeassist
ingherlikeyouusedto.
..Oshai
salsoworki
ng
el
sewhereandirespectthatbuty
ouhav etogi
vebacksomehow.

Ni
ni:
DidAt
sil
esendy
out
otal
ktome?
Tumo: (
laughed)Nobut .
..Shet hinksy ousaidsomet hing
i
nsensit
iveatt hemal lt
oday.Likey ou'r
ebelitt
li
ngApul a's
busi
ness, thebusinessesthatsenty out oschool.
..Shehadhi gh
hopesiny oubecausey ou'vealway sbeent heonehel ping.There
i
sabsolut elynot
hingwr ongwi thmanagi ngfil
li
ngstations
especi
all
ybecausey oucan'tfindaj ob..
.I'
dtakebeingamanager
overbei
ngani nt
ern.Thatcertifi
cat ecouldbenef i
thert ooforas
l
ongasy ou'rel
ookingforyourdr eam j obs.Ifi
twasn'tf orApula
youwoul dn'thavetheoppor t
uni t
yofappl y
ingindiff
erentf i
elds

Nini
:(si
ghed)Ifeel
li
kemamai scontr
oll
ingev er
yonear oundher
becauseshedoesal otf
oreveryonebutmay beI'
m wrong, i
fyou
don'
tagreewithhershestopsthesuppor tsheisgiv
ingy ouorshe
remindsyouwhatshedid.Shecan'talway sberi
ght,thereisno
wayshewoul dn'
tmakeami stakeelehumanbei ng,wecanal so
corr
ectherthoughwearenotmoni ed.

Tumo:
Yeahbuty
oushoul
dknowherbynow.

Nini:
Sheev ent
hinksyou'
reusel
esstomebecause" youbring
nothingtot
hetable",
thatl
it
tl
ebusinessofyoursinherey esit
's
nothingandyoushouldberi
ch,kooreyoudonot hi
ngf ormejust
becauseIaskedhertosponsormef oracer
tif
icate.

Tumo:Peopl ewit
hmoneymeasur eal otofthingswithmoney.
Andmoneyhasdoneal otforhersoshebel ievesinmoney.I
don'
tblameherf ort
hatbecauseshedoesn' tknowany t
hingbut
money...That'
showsheexpressesherlov etoosomoneyi sa
l
ovelanguaget oher
.Ifamani sri
chthenhei smanenough,her
i
deaofwhatsomeonebr i
ngstothetableismoneyandy oucan'
t
changeherplusnnakeexy agagwesot herewi l
lal
waysbethat
hiddenresentmentforourrelat
ionshipthoughshetr
iestohideit
.
It
'ssomet hi
ngwehav etoacceptaspar tofher.Aslongasy ou
knowwhaty ouwantmakey ourdecisi
onsandletherapplythe
moneyt ableideainherr
elati
onships.Justbecauseheri
dea
aboutrelati
onshipsi
sfuckedupdoesn' tmeansheshouldn'tbe
appreci
atedf ort
hegoodshedi d.

Ni
ni:
Iunder
stand.

Tumo:Any
wayswearesl
eeping,ij
ustcouldn'
thel
pitandi
want
edyoutot
alkt
oherbeforesheleavesforMauntomorr
ow.

Ni
ni:
Okbabe,
ilov
eyou.

Tumo:
Ilov
eyout
oo.

Shehungupandsi ghedturningaroundt
henshewatchedas
Apulachat
tedwit
hot herbusinesspeopl
e.Shegr
abbedaglassof
j
uiceandsatdownwai ti
ngf orher
.

Minuteslat
erApul
awal
kedt
owar
dsLawr
enceandt
heywal
ked
outsi
de..
.

Lawr
ence:
Itakei
tyou'
vehadenoughchat
ti
ngf
ort
heni
ght
.

Apula:(put
ti
ngbusi
nesscar
dsi
nherpur
se)Idi
d..
.Thanksf
or
keepingmecompany .

Lawr
ence:
Cani
hav
eyourbusi
nesscar
d?
Shehandedi
ttohi
m andsmi
l
edast
heyst
oppedbyhercar
.

Lawr
ence:
Youl
ookgor
geoust
oni
ght
..

Apul
a:Thanky
ou,
youdon'
tl
ookbady
our
sel
f.
.

Lawr
ence:
Goodni
ght

Apul
a:Yout
oo.
.

Theyhuggedthenshegotinthecarandleanedbackthoughtf
ull
y.
I
thadbeenov eral
lagoodone..
.ExceptwhatNinisai
dabouther
wanti
ngtostudybecauset
hatwomanst udi
ed.
..Ohandtherewas
MaruwithDerri
ck.
..

Nini
gotint
hecarandcl
osedt
hedoorbef
orel
ooki
ngatheras
shepul
ledt
hebelt
..

Ni
ni:
Arey
ouOK?

Apul
a:y
es.
.

Shestar
tedthecaranddr
oveoutasNi
nit
hought
ful
l
ylookedat
theci
tyl
ight
s.
Nini
:I'
m sorryforthewayi soundedear li
erwhenwemetMr sTat
themall.Nowt hatI'
mt hinkingabouti ti
tsoundedli
keiwas
embarrassedort oopr oudt ohel py ouy etyou'
vemademewhatI
am today.Thereisnor easonwhyIshoul dbeani nt
ernwhen
ther
ear efamilybusinessesandy ou'reconstantl
ycomplai
ning
aboutstocknotbal ancing...Itaket hatwheny ou'
reaparentyou
wishforthatonechi ldthatwi llhelpy ouespecial
lywhenyou'r
ea
ful
lti
meempl oyeelikey ou.

Apula:(
smil
ed)It
'soktodream bi
ggerandwanttowork
el
sewherebutyouhav eapoint
..
.Ialway
sthoughty
ouofal l
peoplewouldbeworkinghandinhandwithmebecausey ou'
ve
al
way sbeentheonemanagingev enwhenyouwerejustagir
l
wit
houtanytrai
ning.

Ni
ni:
Cani
comeback?

Apul
a:Any
time.
..

Theysmil
edasshedr
ove,
minut
esl
atershepar
kedbesi
des
Tumo'scar
..

Apul
a:Doy
oubel
i
evet
hatI
'
m aj
eal
ousper
son?

Nini
:You'
recompet
it
ivebutihopei
tdoesn'
trubonSky .Youput
herundersomuchpressur
etodobett
erthanev er
yoneincl
ass
shemightgrowupwithanxi
etyorl
owselfesteem i
fshedoesn'
t
i
mpressyouineveryt
hing.Oshaisli
kethat
,growingupshenev er
wantedt
odoany t
hingwr ongbecauseshealwaysthoughtyou'
ll
t
akeherbacktoherfathersoshewasal waysunderpressur
e..
.
I
t'
snotbadbecauseshet urnedoutOKbutIthinkyoushould
l
oosenupabit.

Shepaused,
apartofherwant
edt
oletherknowshedi
dn'
tli
keit
whenshetal
ksbadaboutTumobutthenshedi
dn'
twantt
histo
drag.
..

Ni
ni:
Goodni
ght
..
.

Apul
a:Goodni
ght

ShegotoutasTumostoodatthedoorandhuggedher
,Apula
thought
ful
l
ylookedatt
hem andwavedbackasTumowav edthen
shedroveoff
.

AtNi
chol
as'
sHouse.
..

Ont hesamenightEri
cknockedonthedoorandst eppedback,
thedooropenedandNi ckst
eppedoutsi
deshirt
lessholdi
nga
remote.Er
icpunchedhim onthef
ace,hedroppedt heremoteand
tri
edtopushhim backbutEri
chookedhisfootbehindhistr
ippi
ng
him ashefel
lonhisbackthenheputhiskneeov erNick'
sneckas
t
heypant
ed.
..

Eri
c:Ot aanyelaaut wa?Firstyouwal
kintomybr other'
s
matri
moni albed,leaveachildandsl
aphimf ornotleavi
ng?Do
youthinkyou'reGod?Iwi ll
kil
lyoudoyouunderstandme?Don' t
underesti
mat eDer r
ick.
..Hehasawholelotofgangt hatcanbr
eak
yourwholeteet h.

Heslappedhi
m acr
ossthef
aceasNi
ckst
ruggl
edt
okeephi
s
kneeoffhi
swindpi
pe.
..

Er
ic:
Stayawayf
rom mybr
other
'swi
febecausenextt
imei
won'
t
besonice.

Hereachedi
nhi
spocketandt
ookoutakni
fewhi
chheputonhi
s
t
hroat.
..

Eri
c:Thenextt
imei
putt
hisbl
adeony
ourneckI
'
llbecut
ti
ngy
our
thr
oat.

Hest
oodupst
il
lhol
dingt
hekni
feasNi
ckcoughedwi
thhi
shand
ov
erhi
sthr
oat
..
.
Er
ic:
Nxl
a!I
'
llbewai
ti
ngf
ory
ou.

Ni
cksl
owl
yst
oodupanddust
edhi
sbackl
ooki
ngatEr
ic.
.

Nick:SoIwassupposedt
oguessgor
eaf
ter5y
ear
sofdat
ingher
she'ddothi
stome?

Eric:Idon'
tgiveashitwhatyouandheragreedon,that
'sy
our
businessbuttakemtbr ot
heroutofitandt
hat'shi
swi f
eaker
ein
thatfiveyear
sy oucoul
dn'tadv
icehertodi
vorce?

Ni
ck:
Shedi
dn'
twantt
odi
vor
ce

Er
ic:
Exact
lysohowi
sthatDer
ri
ck'
sprobl
em?(
poi
ntedathi
m
wi
thaknif
e)Otaany
elakanawai
tset
ota?

Nick:
I'
m notf
ight
ingl
eeneDerri
cki
snotli
keiwasfi
ghti
ng.
..I
havealott
oli
v ef
oridon'
twantt
obestabbedwi
thkniv
es.

Eri
c:Thenextti
mey ouseemybr ot hergivehimtherespecthe
deserv
esorelseI'l
lputy ou6feetunder .Thisi
amebei ngnice.
..
Nextti
meketakagr oupandwear egoingt oki
ckyour ekopanya
dibl
adderledi
philogot helediur
ethra.Lei l
abathobaba
si
amengkana. .
.YoleDer r
ickagonyelelwemoenekel eteng.Le
gonebeli
tt
li
nghi minf r
ontofhis.
..(walkedback)Ibi
leaporeke
l
ebalagogony edisetsaBobo.

HesteppedoverasNi
ckblockedthenhel
i
ftedhi
sfootandki
cked
hi
m onthestomachwhil
eNickgrabbedhi
sknif
ehandand
st
eppedback.
..

Er
ic:That'
sfortr
aumatisi
ngmynephew,
hanekehemil
ejaaka
wenaI'dcal
lNigeloutsohecanseemestaby
ouwithaknif
e.
Nxla!

Hetur
nedandwalkedawaythenhegotbackint
hecaranddr
ove
of
f.Ni
ckrubbedhi
sbloodynoseandcl
osedthedoor
.

AtOsha'
sHouse.
..

Thenextmor ningtheschool
bushonkedout
side,
OshaandSky
rantothegatewher eshehel
pedhergeti
nandgaveherhi
ghfi
ve
befor
et heydroveoff.

Shewalkedbackt
othehousewher
eKingwaslayi
ngonthebed,
shegr
abbedherSky'
sbagandherhandbagashegotupand
l
ookedather.
.

Ki
ng:
Mor
ning.
.

Osha:Morning..Ihav
etogoear l
ybecauseI
'
m passi
ngbymy
aunt'
shouset odropoffherbag,t
heschool
busisgoingt
odr
op
herofft
herethenmamawi ll
pickher
.
Ki
ng:
Ok,
whatshoul
dIcookt
oday
?

Osha:
Not
hing,
I'
ll
buyl
unchatwor
k..
.Iwon'
tbecomi
nghome.

Shegr
abbedherwhi
tecoat
,Ki
nggotoutofbedandt
ooki
t.
.

Ki
ng:
Letmei
ront
hisf
ory
oui
thaswr
inkl
es.
..

Shefoll
owedhim outwherehespreaditov
ertheir
oningboard
andpluggedt
heiron,shesatonthecouchandsighedlooki
ngat
hi
m.

Osha:
Ithi
nkweshoul
dtakeabr
eak.
..

Ki
ngt
urnedar
oundhol
dingt
hei
ron.
..

Osha: I'
venev erpicturedmyselfi
nt hi
ssetup,i
tri
edtobepat i
ent
butit'
sv erydiff
iculttodat
esomeonewhobr i
ngsnothingtothe
table.Ifeell
ikeI'mt hemanoft hisrel
ati
onshi
pandi don'tev
en
enjoyoursexany mor eandi tol
dy ouI
'm addi
ctedtosex.Buti
needar eal mant ogetsat i
sfacti
on.

Ki
ngputdownt
hei
ronandwal
kedov
ert
henhesatbesi
desher
..
.
Ki
ng:ButI
'
mt ryi
ng,
iapplyev
erypost.
..Idon'
tevenchoosej
obs.
Theyj
ustr
ejectmebecauseI'
m overquali
fi
edforsmall
erj
obs.

Osha: Regar
dless.
..Idon'tbeli
ev ei
ndatingsomeonewhoi sn'
t
bri
ngingatleasthalfofwhatI '
m bringi
ng.Ibelievet
hatamanisa
provi
derandasofnowy oucan' taf
fordme. .
.Itwasokwhenwe
wereschoolingbutnowi buyy oufood,dressy ouandyoudo
nothi
ngexceptcooki ng,cleani
ng, i
don'twantahousehusband.

Ki
ng:Babeicookf oryoubecauseiunderst
andthatyouhada
l
ongdayatwor k,i
cleananddoev ery
thi
ngf ory
ousoy oudon'
tdo
ever
ythi
ng.
..
.Itpai
nsmet obedoi ngthi
sasaman, ittookalot.
.

Osha:Whatifyoudon'tfi
ndaj ob?ThatmeansI'
m stuckwitha
manwhogi vesmenot hingwhileigi
veyoumymoney .What
happensififal
lpr
egnant?Isupportyouandourbabyt oo?I'
ve
beentry
ingtobepatientbutineedsomeoneserious.I'
mv ery
fr
ustr
ated..
.

Ki
ng:
Giv
emeunt
ilt
hisweekt
ofi
ndsomet
hing.Ipr
omi
se.
..

Osha:Ok..
.I'
mlosi
nghopeinthi
srel
ati
onshi
p.I
'm sexual
l
y
fr
ustr
atedbecauseyounothavi
ngajobandnotspoil
ingmet
urns
meoff.

Shest
oodupandgothercoatt
henshewal
kedout
.

Att
hef
urni
tur
eshop.
..
LaterthatmorningNi
cholaswaitedint
hecarasMar uwalked
over,hegrabbedabottl
eofwat eranddrunk.Marugoti
nthecar
andleanedov erki
ssi
nghim butheleanedback..

Ni
chol
as:
Don'
tdot
hat
..
.Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
hist
ome?Why
?

Mar
u:Buti
nev
erpr
omi
sedy
ouI
'
ddi
vor
cehi
m..

Ni
chol
as:It
houghtyou'
rej
ustwai
ti
ngforhi
mt ogetout
,youdi
dn'
t
ev
envi
sithi
mt oshowmeI '
mjustasi
denigga.

Maru:
(smi
led)Ican'tbel
iev
eyou'
resoj
eal
ous.
..I
'
m notsl
eepi
ng
wi
thhim.
.Wedi dn'thavesex.

Ni
chol
as:
Don'
tsmi
l
e,i
t'
snotf
unny
..
..I
'
mreal
l
yhur
t.

Mar
u:Cany
ougi
vemet
hreemont
hst
osor
tmy
sel
fout
?

Nichol
as:3mont hssl
eepingwitht
hebot hofus?Babekanat hi
s
guyisfr
om pri
sonandt herearenocondomst her
e.Hemi ghtnot
admitcer
taint
hingsthathappenedintherebutI
'm notr
eadyto
gamblewithmyheal t
h.Iwon'tbeasideniggakebatadil
otsedi
seri
ousandIwantaf amily.

Maru:I
fy ouwantaf amil
yy ouhavet
obehave..
.Sof aryou'
re
doi
ngbadl ybecauseBobosawwhaty oudi
dandt hatboywasn'ta
babywhenhi sfatherl
eft
.Heknowsandf eel
shisfather
.Idon't
wantt
ol ooklikeabadper sonwhenimarryyou.

Ni
chol
as:Kanadi
vor
cedoesn'
ttake3mont
hs.
..Mostoft
hem
t
akeatl
east6months
Maru:Ok.
..Giv
emet hatti
mesoicandivorce.Don'
tcal
lmeor
t
alktome...Pl
ease.
..Iwantt
odi
vorcepeacefull
ywit
hdigni
ty.

Ni
chol
as:
I'
m notst
upi
d..
.

Sheleanedovert
ryi
ngtoki
sshim asheangri
lytur
nedhishead
butsheturnedi
tbackt
oherfaceandkissedhim,herel
axedand
ki
ssedherbackthenshebabyki
ssedhim andsteppedout.
.

Mar
u:Ipr
omi
se.
..Il
ovey
ou

Ni
chol
as:
Ilov
eyout
oo

Sheclosedt
hedoorandwal
kedawayashesadl
ylookedather
thenhedrov
eoff
..
.

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Latert
hatmorni
ngOshapar
kedthecarandsteppedout,she
knockedandwalkedi
nasTumangwalkedoutofthekit
chen..

Osha:
Mor
ning.
..

Tumang:
Mor
ning.
.
Osha:
Wher
eisAt
sil
e?

Tumang:
Shel
eftwi
thJul
i
an.
..

Osha:Oh..
.Ibr
oughtSky
'sbag.She'
llbedr
oppedher
ebecause
I
'm notsur
ewhattimemamawi llbehome..
.

Tumang:
Ohok.
..

Shel
ookedathi mf ull
ydressedinhi
sBDFuniform andhi
sti
ghtl
y
ti
edmil
it
ar yboots.Tumangl ookedi
nhereyesandnowheknew
hewasn'tcrazy.
..
.Therewassomet hi
ngaboutthewayshelooked
athi
m andy ethisbrothersai
dhewasimaginingit
..

Osha: Youl ookgoodi nuniform. ..Ther ei

sjustsomet hingabout
soldiersy ouknow. ..If eel
likeev erysol di
erhasthatnaught ypart
i
nt hem andt hey'renotaf raidt odomi nat
ewomenandgetwhat '
s
ri
ght f
ullytheirs.
..Di dy ouknowt hatwomenwer ecreatedt o
satisfyaman' scrav ing?Like...Amani ssupposedtouset hat
bodypar ttohissat isfacti
on...That 'swhatsetmenandboy s
apar t
..
.Themosti nteresti
ngi swhenaguyi sabitolder.Ibeli
eve
mat uregoodmar riedmendeser v easecr etsi
dedishf ortheir
cravings...Knowi ngt hatyou'rebur ningasecretfl
amecan
strengtheny ourmar ri
ageandmakey oufeelmoremanl y
..
.

Tumang'
shear
tpoundedashel
ookedathert
henshewal
ked
over
..
.
Osha:Whyareyoualway
sav
oidi
ngmedaddy
?Don'
tyouknow
you'
remystepdad?
.

Tumang:
(cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
)Uh,
fuck.
..Um.
..

Sher eachedforhisbeltandtri
edt ounhookitbuti
twasn'tlike
youror di
narybel
tsosher eachedf orthezi
pper.
.Hetriedtospeak
buthe'dlosthisvoiceandy eahthebigboywasget ti
nghar der
i
nsidehi spantsassher eachedinsideandhelditf
ullgri
p,he
steppedbackandzi ppedhispants..

Tumang:
Ihav
etogo.
..I
'
mlat
e.

Hereachedf
ort
hedoorandr
ant
owar
dst
hecart
henheski
dded
of
f.
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#194

I
nTumang'
scar
..
.

Lat
ert
hatmor
ningTumangdr
ovet
owor
ktal
ki
ngt
ohi
sbr
other
..
.

Hi
m:Ar
eyouser
ious?

Tumang:I'
m ser
ious,
shel
it
eral
l
ytouchedmydi
ck.
..Shecoul
dn'
t
takei
toutofmypantsbutsheaboutt
oandIj
ustr
anof f
.

Him:(
laughed)AndI'
m supposedt
obel
ievey
ouofallpeopl
eran
awayfrom f
reepussy?Waakaobatagojast
epdaught
ersagago.

Tumang:Iwoul
dn'
tsl
eepwi
thf
amilythough,it
houghtyouhada
l
it
tl
efai
thinmeandI'
vegr
ownpastthoseirr
esponsi
bleyear
s.

Him: (laughed)Waitseiwonderwhyi tnev erhappenst omet hata

womancor nersmewant i
ngme, youguy sar eblessed.Youknow
Kil
leroncegotki ssedbyhiswife'
stwi nsistereneibilet heyended
upf uckinghim andbothofthem knew, theydidn'tcar eandhe
wasf reakingoutthefir
stti
me.Theyst oppedshar i
nghi m when
theot hertwingotaboy f
ri
endofwhi chkilleral
way sf elthis
gir
lfri
endwat eamoj ebecausethoset winsdidn'treallymind
sharing.

Tumang:
aet
hemonnaKi
l
ler
'ssi
tuat
ioni
stot
all
ydi
ff
erent
..
.If
eel
vi
olat
edbythi
sgirlbecauseshei
smydaughter
,howwoul
di
handl
etheaff
airnnaibil
ehakedi
rangwanaketswar
waphakel
a
hel
akangwanawat eng.

Hi
m:(
laughed)Tel
lyourwi
fesot
heycant
alkt
oher

Tumang: Butthenwhoi sgoingt obeliev

east epfatherov erthei
r
daughter
.Whati fIsaysomet hingandshet urnsaroundand
pai
nt smebadabegot weI'
m say i
ngitbecausesher ejectedme.
Myr eput
ationwouldber ui
nedandAt sil
ewillneverfull
yl oveme. .
ThesesistershateDerri
ckibi
let heycutoffMar uforgivinghi ma
chance..
.Oshacomesf i
rst
,I'
llbeal i
enatedassoonast heyf ind
out.
.

Hi
m:Possi
bly
..
.

Tumang:PlusI'
m asoldi
er,
whoisevergoi
ngtobel
iev
easoldi
er
rej
ect
edfreesex..
.Youknowreput
ati
onyaronaesentswegal
e.
Nobodywillev
erbeli
eveme.

Him:Tal
ktoher,justl
etherknowy
oudidn'
tl
ikethatandy
outake
herasyourdaughtert
hengivemehernumberkemokgalemele.

Tumang:Whati
fsheret
ali
atesbyt
urni
ngt
hest
oryar
ound?None
oft
hesepeopl
ewil
lbeli
eveme.

Him:Letherdowneasydon'
tgi
vehert
heimpressi
ont
haty
ou'l
l
getheri
ntroubl
e,shewon'
thav
eareasontobeonest
epahead
ofyou.

Tumang:
Ok.
..I
'
m sendi
ngy
ouhernumber
.

Hi
m:Shar
p.
Hehungupanddr
oveof
f.
..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Apul
awalkedinandputherbagsdownasherphoner
ang,
she
gl
ancedatitandt
ookaquickbathbefor
ecomi
ngbackand
di
all
i
ngKingasshegotreadyforwork.
.

Apul
a:Hi
King

Ki
ng:
Goodmor
ning,
Cani
comet
oyourof
fi
ceandt
alkt
oyou?

Apul
a:Sur
e,what
'sgoi
ngon?

Ki
ng:
I'
ll
tel
lyouwheni
come.

Apul
a:I
'
llbet
her
ein15mi
nut
es.

Ki
ng:
Eemma.By
e

Shehungupandgotr
eadyf
orwor
kthenshedr
oveof
f.
..

AtBoy
boy
'sBout
ique&t
ail
orshop.
.
Boy
boyi
ronedal
adi
essui
twhi
l
etal
ki
ngt
othephone.
..

Boyboy:Gir
lI'
m goi
ngt
obebusyt hewholeofthi
smonth..
.I'
m
actual
lythi
nki
ngofmovingt
oGabor onebecausemostofmy
orderscomefrom t
her
eandI'
m dressingafewmodels.
..
..
(l
aughed)Thatamma..
.Ok,bye.

Hehungupandputt
hesui
tonahangerthenhecoveredwit
h
pl
asti
candt
hecompanysui
tcov
er,
hisassist
antwalkedi
nand
smil
ed..

Her
:Thel
astor
der
?

Boy
boy:Nope,
thi
soneisf
ormommydear est
..Ihav
etogo.Cal
l
meift
herei
sanyt
hingt
hatneedsmyat
tenti
on..
.

AtApul
a'
sof
fi
ce.
..

LateronApul
aandKi
ngf
ini
shedt
alki
ngashest
oodupandshook
herhand.
..

Apul
a:Ar
eyousur
eyou'
reOK?

Ki
ng:
Eemma.
.
Apula:Don'
tl
etOshast
ressy
ou,
I'
ll
tal
ktoherandy
ou'
l
lfi
ndaj
ob.
I
'l
lhelpyoufi
ndit
..
.

Ki
ng:
Thanky
ou.Hav
eagoodday
..

Hewal
kedoutt
henApul
adi
all
edOsha.
..

Osha:
Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Whyareyoupushi
ngKingknowinghi
ssituat
ion?Wherei
s
hesupposedt
ogetajobifheappl
iesanddoesn'
tgethir
ed?

Osha:
Arennakeri
leng?i
justsai
dI'
mtir
edofsupporti
nghi
m.I
wantapr
operr
elat
ionshi
pmanawher eamanprovides.

Apula:You'regoingt ogr owupl onelyandbi tt

erifyoukeepup
withthatment ali
ty.Kingmi ghtnotgi v
ey oumoneyr i
ghtnowbut
heisy oursecurit
y .
.Wheny ouknockof flat
ehei stheret opick
you..
.Hecooksf ory ou,her espectsy ouandhel ovesy ou.Money
i
snotev eryt
hingandy oushoul dn'tusei ttobeli
ttl
eot herpeople.
..
Itwon'tendwel lfory ou.Themostpai nfulexper
iencey ou'
l
lever
experi
encei stomeetamanwi thmoneyandst i
llfeelempt y
i
nsideal lbecausewheny ouhadl ov eyout houghtt hereis
somet hi
ngbet ter
.Kinghaspot entialt
obebet t
ery oujusthav eto
bepat i
entwi t
hhim. .
.Hel i
teral
lyjustgr aduateditsnotl i
kehehas
beenunempl oyedfor5y ears.

Osha:Idi
dn'
tmeanitwhenisai
dI'
ml eav
inghi
m..Ij
ustwant
edt
o
moti
vatehimtof
indajobandnotr
elax.
Apula:Unempl oymenti sreal,you'l
ldri
vet hi
sboyt osuicideand
you'l
lneverfindany oneli
kehi m.Goodmenar ehardt ofind..
.
PleaserespectKi ngandhi sef f
orts.Il
ovet hisboybecausehei s
respectf
ul andhel ovesyou.Youhav eaj obOshaandi want ed
youtohav ei tasy oursafetynet ..
.Incaseany t
hinggoeswr ong
nowy ou'reinaposi ti
ontolov e..
.Andhesay syoukeep
emphasi si
nghebr i
ngssomet hingtothet able.
..(si
ghedannoy ed)
Oshay ou'reabul ly.IfKi
ngmov esoutandl eavesy ouy ou'l
llear
n
thatmoneyi snott heonlythingoneshoul dbr i
ngt othetable.Yes
moneyi simpor t
antbutt herear eotherthingst hatareequal l
y
i
mpor tant.
..Don'tmessy ourlov elif
eandbl amemekamosoor eI
saidmoneyi sev erythi
ng.You'reanadul t.

Osha:
I'
ll
tal
ktohi
m.

Apula:Ify
oul ovehim don'thurthim,don'
tputhim under
pressure.
..Justsuppor thi
m andencouragehim unti
lhefindsa
goodj obtheny ou'
llgetevery
thingyouwantinaman.I tdoesn'
t
al
way scomeal latonce.PeoplechangeandGodbr i
ngsblessi
ngs
overti
me. ..Oskamohel el
apelongwanakaot ogaot agotshel
a
kastress.

Osha:
I'
ll
bepat
ient
..

Apul
a:Iknowi
t'
shar
dtobepat
ientbutt
ry

Osha:I
'
lltr
y.Sky
'sbagisatAunt
ie'
sHouse.Iwasn'
tsur
ewhen
you'
darri
vebutI'
m goi
ngtoknockoffv
erylat
e.

Apul
a:Al
ri
ght
,I'
l
lgeti
taf
terwor
k.

Osha:
Ok,
bye
ShehungupasBoy
boywalkedi
nwi
thoutknocki
ngandsmi
l
ed
l
if
ti
ngthesui
tonahanger
..

Boy
boy:Goodmor
ningy
ourhi
ghness.
..Thysui
tisher
eyour
maj
est
y..

Shelaughedandrestedherf
aceonherpal
mthenBoy
boy
removedthecovertaki
ngoutthesui
t.
.

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Doy
ouknowt
hatI
'
m wor
king?

Boy
boy
:St
andupandf
iti
t.
..Chopchopi
hav
ecl
i
ent
s..

Apul
a:Andt
hist
imeI
'
m pay
ing.
.

Boy
boy:No,itol
dyouI
'
llbemaki
ngy
ouasui
tev
erymont
hunt
il
mother
'sday
.

Apul
asmiledput
ti
ngi
tonandt
urnedar
oundl
ooki
ngather
sel
fon
themir
ror
..

Apul
a:Wow.
..I
tlooksl
i
kei
t'
sfr
om ashop.
..

Boy
boy
:I'
m gay
Ther
ewasanawkwar
dmomentasshet
urnedar
oundandl
ooked
athi
m..
.

Boy
boy
:I'
m sor
ry.
..

Apula:
Don'
tapologi
se.
..I
sthereareasonyou'
regay
?Likean
abuseiwasn'
tawareof?Didinegl
ectyousomehow...

Boyboy:(
laughed)No...Iknewiwasgaysincei
was16. .
.Idi
dn't
wantgir
lsandI'veneverhadsexwi thawomanbecauseifeel
not
hing.Iki
ssmygi rl
friendsbuti
tjustf
eel
snor
mal.I'
m sorr
y

Apula:St
opapologisi
ng..
.Itdoesn'
tmakeanydi f
fer
encetome,as
l
ongasy ou'remakingyourownmoneyI '
m goodbecausehav
ing
yourownmoneycangi veyouthestrengt
htoleaveabusi
ve
rel
ati
onships.Doyouhav eaboy f
ri
end?

Boy
boy
:Yes.
..I
'
llbr
inghi
m onSunday
..

Apul
a:Al
ri
ght
.

Boy
boy
:Letmegi
vey
out
imet
owor
k..
.

Hetur
nedar
oundandwal
kedoutasApul
aadmi
redher
sel
font
he
mir
ror
..
.

Att
hef
uner
ali
nsur
ancecompany
..
..
Lat
ert
hataf
ter
noonMar
ust
eppedoutoft
hecart
alki
ngt
oDer
ri
ck.

Mar
u:Okbabe,
I'
ll
behomesoon.

Der
ri
ck:
Didy
ouseemyf
il
e?It
hinki
for
goti
tint
hecar

Mar
u:I
t'
sint
hecar
.

Der
ri
ck:I
'm sogl
adwehavemoney,i
fit
snotenoughI
'm sel
l
ing
mycar.I
'
vemanagedtost
artr
egi
ster
ingthecompany

Mar
u:I
'
mver
ypr
oudofy
ou.

Der
ri
ck:
Bye

Mar
u:By
e

Shehungupandwal kedi
nthebuildi
ngt
henshet
ookaseatand
putherhusband'
sIDonthetabl
e..
.

Agent
:Youmanagedt
ofi
ndt
heI
D?

Mar
u:Yes.
.What
'st
hemaxi
mum cov
eri
canget
?

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#195

AtMar
u'shouse.
..

LateronMar ucl
osedthedoorandwal kedi
nwhi leDer
rickstood
i
nt hekitchencookingwithBobositti
ngonthecounterholdinga
penandabook.Shehadn' tseenBobosmil
elikethati
nal ong
ti
me. .Derri
cktur
nedar oundandlookedatherthenhehuggedher
andsmi li
ngexcitedl
y..
.

Derri
ck:Hi
..
.So..
.Wheni wasinpri
soni t
houghtofallt
hethingsi
wishicoul
dhav edoneforyoubecauseyouwer ealwayscooking
anddoingallki
ndsofthi
ngsformeandt hekids..
.Star
ti
ngfrom
todayyouwon'tbecooki
ng..
.Exceptfort
hefryi
ngmeatpar t
becauseisuckatthat

Mar
u:(
laughed)Iwoul
dn'
tl
ety
ouf
rymeatei
ther

Bobo:
I'
m donewi
thmyhomewor
k.

Der
ri
ckgott
hebookandchecked.
.

Derr
ick:
Perf
ect
,got
akeabat
handsl
eep.Aker
eyoudon'
twant
thef
ood..
Bobo:
Yeah,
I'
mful
l
..

Mar
u:Goodni
ght

Bobo:
Goodni
ght
..

Hewal
kedout
,Der
ri
cksmi
l
edhol
dingherwai
standsmi
l
ed.
.

Derr
ick:Ican'
twai
ttomakeyouproud.
..Ihaveagoodfeel
i
ng
aboutthisphar
macy.If
eel
li
keit
'sourbreaki
ngpoint
.Youshoul
d
bemanager .

Hehuggedherexci tedlyandshelai
dherheadonhi schestwi
th
herarmsar oundhi m, shecl
osedhereyesandforthatmomentlet
hersel
frelax.
..Tearsfill
edhereyesandshebeguncr yi
ngashe
hel
dher .Heki ssedherheadandt appedherbackholdi
ngher.
..

Derri
ck:Iknow..
.I'
m sor ry
..
.Ipromi seI'
lltakeusoutofthi
s..
.The
painwon'tstoptoday .
..You'
llchangey ourmi ndacoupl
eoft i
mes,
sometimesy ou'
l
l hateme, somet imesy ou'l
lwonderwhatyou
werelackingandf ornowy ouwon' tevenFr enchkissme..
.It
'sok.
..
Itt
akestimeandI 'm hereforasl ongasi ttakes.Iwast
he
probl
em inourmar r
iage.I'
m sorry.

Hel
eanedbackandr
ubbedherey
esandki
ssedherf
orehead.
..
Derr
ick:Iloveyou..
.Iwishtherewer ebetterwordstosayt hi
s
becausei loveyousoundscl i
ché.
..Iwishy oucouldseeinsidemy
heartandseeal lt
heplansi haveforus.Yoursisterstoowi l
lone
daycomear ound.
.Theyhav eeveryrighttobehur tandangry..
.
Letthem hateme. .
.Ihatemet ooforgi v
ingint
omyt houghts.
Theywi l
lcomear ound,theyloveyou.

Shenoddedsmil
ingsadl
ythenhekissedherandwal
kedhert
o
thebedr
oom whereshesatonthebed,hesquat
tedi
nfr
ontofher
andtookof
fhershoes.
..

Derr
ick:
I'
m pray
ingt
hisphar
macyt
hingworksoutbecausei
want
youtobeproudofmeandseehowmuchI '
vechanged.

Hegr
abbedhi
sphoneandhandedher
..
.

Derr
ick:That
'showmuchI'
m expect
ing.
..Youcangetsomet
hing
fr
om itandspoily
our
sel
f.I
'
llf
indawaytot opi
t.

Mar
u:(
smi
l
ed)No,
idon'
twantt
orunshor
t.

Der
ri
ck:
Ok.
.Letmebr
ingy
ourf
ood.
.

Shel
aiddownl
ooki
ngathi
m asheexci
tedl
ywal
kedout
.She
t
urnedawayt
hought
ful
l
yandsi
ghedt
hought
ful
l
y..
.

AtOsha'
sHouse.
..

Latert
hatni
ghtOshawal kedoutofthebathroom andputonher
panti
esthensheswitchedthel
ightsoffandjoinedKinginbed.
Shesighedrel
axingl
ookingathim ashereachedov ertouchi
ng
hercheekandkissedher.
..

Ki
ng:
Howwaswor
k?

Osha:I
twasgr
eat
..
.Besi
dest
hati
wasst
andi
ngal
lday
.Howwas
your
s?

King:Itwasf air,vi
sit
edyourmom. .
.Talkedtomyf atherandhis
wife..
.Hewant edmoneyf rom measal ways..
.Isentoutaf ew
emai l
sandsubmi tt
edanappl i
cati
onwi thWool worthsand
Ackermans, i don'tknowiftheywillcall
mebutI '
m hopeful.Ifi
don'tfi
ndaj obbyt heendoft heweekI '
llmoveout .Ipromisei
won'tmaket hingscompl i
cated..
.Gonemmet otaiunderstand..
.
Althoughnnaasamani fyouwer eunempl oyedi wouldn'
tmi ndi
canunder st
andhowdi f
fi
cultitcanbef orawomant odateaman
whocan' tfi
ndaj obwhenot herguyshav ejobsandmoneyt o
spoilyou.It
'sjustawayofl i
feandifi don'
tmakey ouhappy
anotherman.

Osha:
Idon'
twanty
out
omov
eout
.Il
ovey
ou.
.Andi
fiki
cky
ou
outnowthent omorrowy oufindaj ob,getagirlf
riendandmarry
herthenhavechil
drenI'
l
l bejealousbecausei knowhowmuch
she'
dbel uckybecausetheonl ythi
ngy ou'r
elackingisajob.I
havetobepat i
entandbey ourst r
ength..I
'm sorryforbei
ng
i
mpat i
ent..

Hel eanedov erandki

ssedherthenherphoner ang.Hegotthe
phoneandhandedherl ooki
ngathercontactidenti
fyi
ngappasit
displayedBrandonHubrechtasthecal
ler
...Foramomenthe
wonder edwher ehesawt hi
ssurnamethenher emember edas
shepi cked.

Osha:
Hel
l
o?

Hi
m:(
rel
axed)Whyodi
raj
alo?

Osha:
Ker
eng?

Hi
m:(
laughed)Youknow.
..

Osha:
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout

Him:You'
retal
ki
ngtoBr
an,Tumang'
sbr
other
..
.Ist
hisabadt
ime?
Icancal
ltomorrowf
orachat
.

Osha:
Thatwi
l
lbeagoodi
dea.

Hi
m:Al
ri
ght
,cool
.Goodni
ght

Osha:
Bye
ShehungupasKi
nggotont
opofherandki
ssedherneck.
.

Ki
ng:
Whoi
sit
?

Osha:
Uncl
e,hewast
ryi
ngt
ocal
lsomeoneel
se.

Ki
ng:
Youwoul
dn'
tcheatonmer
ight
?

Helookedinhereyesandgent
lyputhishandoverherneckli
ke
hewasabouttochokeherthenhekissedherashisdickpushed
herpanti
esasi
de..
.Shegaspedcl
osinghereyes.
..

Osha:Punishme. .
.Iwasbadtoday.
..Chokemeandfuckme
sensel
esst hencum al
lovermyfaceandleavemetoclean
my sel
f.
..

Hebi
thi
slowerl
i
plooki
ngatherandchokedherwhi
l
epushi
ng
i
nsi
deheratt
hesameti
me..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

MeanwhileApulafi
nishedbr
ushi
ngherteet
handcheckedi non
Sky,shewasasleepthenshepull
edtheduvetoverherandclosed
herdoorbefor
ewalkinginherr
oom andswitchi
ngofftheli
ghts.
Shegoti nhercoldbedandlaiddownal one,howshehat ed
nights..
.Therewassil
enceandshecoul donl yimaginehowi t
wouldbehav i
ngamanbehi ndherholdi
nghercl oseski
nt oski
n,
may bemaki ngloveorj
ustchatt
ingandl aughing..
.wasshegoing
togrowol dwi t
houtacompanion?Shetr i
edtogetsomesl eepbut
thoughtsjustkeptcomingandcomi ng,
shet ossedandt urned
thenshesatupandputherhandst ogetherint hedarkandclosed
herey es.
.

Apul a:Thanky ouf oral lthebl essingsy ou'

v egi venme. ..Thank
youf orthepr omot i
ons. ..Successofmybusi nesses. .
.Myheal thy
beaut i
ful daught er
, apeacef ulbabydaddyandhi slovelywife..
.
Childrenwhol istent omeandsi sterswhosuppor tme.Teachme
tobecont entwi t
hal lthaty ouhav egivenme. ..Teachmet o
acceptt het hingsi can' tcont r
ol.
..Mostofal l...(t
ookamoment )
Givemeamanofmyown. ..Inowacceptt hatmyKi ndofMan
doesn' texi st.
...Sendmet heoney out hi
nki st hebestf ormeandi
willnotquest iony ou.Openmyhear tandsof teni tsoIcanl ov e
andr espectt hatman. ..Idon' tknowwhyI '
m sobossyand
stubbor nbutIsweart hi stimeI '
l
l l
eavemyposi ti
onatt heof fi
ce.I
won' tinti
mi dateori nsul tyourson. .
.Iwil
laccepthi m wi t
hhisf l
aws
too.Iam t iredofseei ngot herpeopl eenjoyr elationships..
.Ifi
ts
nott oomuchbr ingonewi thanav eragesizedi ckpr ef
erablywi t
h
veinsar oundhi sdick...Iknowbi gdicksarer ar esoj ustsendme
onewhosedi ckwi l
lfitacondom t ightl
y..
.Asl ongast hecondom
doesn' tfall offhimI 'l
lappr eciatethat..
.Ineedt obesexedov er
andover.Idon'tneedmoney ..
.Ij
ustwantt obelovedandagood
sexeverynight..
.I
'
v ewatchedallt
hepor nvideosnot hinghelpsme
cum anymor e.Iwillbewait
ingony oufather.Iwon'tev en
masturbateuntilyousendt hatman.Givemeasi gn...InJesus
namei pray.Amen.

Shesighedopeninghereyes,i
tactual
lyf
eltgoodtohavesai
dit
outl
oud. .
.Shegoti
nbedt henherphonerang.Shepickedt
he
phoneandsmi l
ed..
.CouldGodbet hatqui
ckorwasshe
over
thinki
ng?Shepickedthecall
andsmi l
ed..

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#196

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
.

Lawr
ence:
Hi,
ihopei
didn'
twakey
ou.
.

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)No,
iwasj
ustaboutt
ogot
obed.

Lawrence:Al
ri
ght
,I'
dli
ket
ovi
sity
ouf
oraweekendi
fthat
'sOK
wit
hy ou.

Apul
a:That
'sf
ine,
whi
chweekend?

Lawr
ence:
Theendoft
hisweek?

Apul
a:Soundsgood.I
'
llmaket
imef
ory
ou.

Lawrence:Ok..Ot
her
wisehowwasy
ourday
?Sor
ryi
didn'
tcal
l
yest
erday.
..Ihadabusyday.

Apul
a:I
t'
sok,
iwasbusyt
oo.

Lawr
ence:
Letmenotkeepy
ouup.Wi
l
ltal
ktomor
rowaker
e

Apul
a:Yeah,
bye

Lawr
ence:
Goodni
ght

Apul
a:Goodni
ght
..
Shehungupandl aiddownsmi l
ing,sheonl yhadaf ewday st oget
readyf orhi sv i
sit
...She'dgoshoppi ngf orli
nger ietomor r
owand
forfaci alsandnai lstoo...
shecoul dn'tev enr ememberhav inga
mal ev isitor..
.Whatwasshegoi ngt odowi thSkyf ort
heweekend?
Shecoul dn'tjustintroduceheront heirfirstmeet i
ng.Oshawoul d
obviousl ybewor king,Mar uhadt hatr apistwi thherandher
daught erwoul dnev ersetf ootinthathouse.At si
leandTumang
tal
kedaboutgoi ngt ot heirnewf arm anddomor ewor kont heir
kraals...andt henOt l
hehaddeci dedt oliveint hef arm andnot
evencal l.Ifthisiswhatmar ri
agedoest opeopl eshecoul dn'twait
tobemar ri
edandunder standsoshedoesn' tjudgeany one..
.
Peopl ej ustkeepchoosi ngmenov erfami ly.
..Sher emember ed
herpi nkbagsandsi ghed. ..Apartofherunder stoodthough.
Any way sLawr ence'sv i
sitputasmi l
et oherf aceaashet r
iednot
tobet ooexci tedorr aiseherexpect ations...

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Lateronjustbefore2am Mjfi
nishedwatchi
ngmov iesand
brushedhisteeththenhewalkedinthebedroom wherehelai
don
hi
sbedandpi ckedhisphone.Hehadamessagef r
om hisbabe.
.

Babe: Ican' tsl

eep.
..MJI'mreal
lyscared.I
tsmovinginsi
de.My
mot herisgoingtohaveaheartatt
ackshebel i
evesinme.Can
youpl easesendatleastP600soi canbuyaborti
onpil
ls.St
udent
all
owancei sgoingtoreportl
atebutever
yweekt hatpassesthe
t
hingi
sgr
owi
ngandI
'
m goi
ngt
ohav
ecompl
i
cat
ions.

Mj:I
t'
stoolat
eforustoabort
.Idon'
twantyoubl
eedi
ngtodeat
h,
I
'l
lsuppor
tthebaby.You'
rei
ntert
iar
yit
'snotl
i
keyou'
l
ldr
opout.I
'l
l
t
akecareofallt
hebill
s.

Babe:
Mymot
herbel
i
evesi
nme.

Mj:Ij
usthav etofindti
met otal
ktomypar ents.Myfat
heris
goi
ngtof l
ipbuti knowhewoul dn'
tl
ethisgrandchi
ldst
ruggl
e.He
wil
lei
therincreasemyal l
owanceorsendy oumoneymont hlyi
f
hedoesn'ttr
ustmet obri
ngital
ltoyou.

Babe:
You'
remi
ssi
ngt
hepoi
nt,
Whatwi
l
lthechur
chsay
?

Mj:I
t'
snoneoftheirbusiness.Myf atherbei
ngapast orhas
not
hingtodowithme.Lewenay ourgr andf
atherbei
ngapastor
hasnothi
ngtodowi thyou.Rr agweLesegoi sanunderstandi
ng
ol
dmanandhel i
kesmesoi doubttheywoul dhaveanyprobl
ems
wit
husdat i
ng.

Babe:Ther
ramamagat weLesego.
..Yol
eisnoty
ourty
pical
past
or'
sdaught
er.
..Shehassett
hebarveryhi
ghforme.

Mj:Butcanweagr eeonnotevertal
ki
ngaboutaborti
on?Ilov
e
youanditscaresmet oknowthatimadeababybutI '
m nota
coward.Ipr
omi seiwon'
tlety
ougetcruci
fi
edalone.Wear ei
nthi
s
toget
her.
..Whyabortifwesti
lll
oveeachot
her?Unlessyoudon'
t
wanttocarrymychild.
.

Babe:Youknowi l
oveyou.
..Iwantyourbabybutiwantedi
tatthe
ri
ghtt
ime.Ididn'
tthi
nkiwaspregnantithi
nki
t'
sthetimeyou
weredrunkandactedcr
azy..
.Youprobablydi
dn'
tpull
outatthe
r
ightt
ime.

Mj:Ohshi tthatti
me..Thatwasl i
ke4monthsago..
.Gor ayagore
re4mont hs..
. I 'l
lbeadadin5mont hs.Iswearmyf atheri
s
goingtopunchmyi ntesti
nesoutwhenhef i
ndsoutigotsomeone
pregnant.Thewayheal waystal
ksaboutcondomshedoesn' t
knowI '
venev erevenusedonei nmyli
fe.

Babe:
Wat
sheganer
ra?I
'
mreal
l
yscar
ed.

Mj
:Stopwor
ryi
ng.I
'
llsuppor
tmybaby .
..Myfat
heri
sgoingto
makemeworkonweekendst henhewill
giv
emeanallowance.

Babe:Ok.
.I'
l
ltr
ytor
elax.Don'
tdenyt
hebabykanagat
wel
ekgona
goit
atol
abanaonthelastminut
e.

Mj:Il
ov eyoutoomuchtodot hat
,I'
l
leventell
bothourparent
s
that
.Stopt hi
nki
ngaboutki
l
li
ngmybaby .That
'saMongar i
ght
ther
e..Thet woofy
ouaregoingtosurnamewi thMonga.Iwantt
o
usemyf at
her'
snameonmyki ds.

Babe: Mr sShi
neMongaandMrMongaTikiJrt
oget
herwi
th
thei
rsonbl
abl
aMonga.
..OhmyGod.I
tsoundsper
fect
.

Mj: Itdoesey,st
opt hinki
ngaboutki
l
li
ngmyboy.
..Myfather
di
dn'
tki
ll
me, he'
dactuall
ykil
lformesodon'
tcr
ossme.Ifyou
dar
eabortI
'
m comingf oryou..
.

Babe: Sor
ry

Mj:Tomor
rowwe' regoi
ngf
orthescant
henyoutakey
our
suppl
ements.I
'
llseehowtohandl
eourpar
ents.

Babe:
Ok.
Mj
:Goodni
ght

Babe:
Goodni
ght

Heputdownthephoneandt ur
nedt ohissi
det r
yingt
ogetsome
sl
eepbuthecouldhearasoftf
aintmoan.He' dbeenthi
nki
ng
aboutmovi
ngoutbecauseofthesesoundsheusual l
yheardat
2am..
.Andforsomereasonitf
eltli
kehisfatherwasabusi
nghis
mother
.Dudenevergaveherti
met orest.
..

Hegotupandwal
kedt
othei
rdoorwher
eheknockedont
he
door
..
.

Mj
:UhPapamest
a?

Monga:
Otaany
elaMj

Mj
:(l
aughed)You'
reapast
ory
ou'
renotsupposedt
oinsul
tme.

Monga:Odi
reotswemogamewan'dist
urbert
her
eisar
eason
st
udent
sareal
l
owedtost
ayincampus.Tswahoo.

Mj
:(l
aughed)I
'
m mov
ingoutmont
hendee

Monga:
Tsamaa.
..

Hesmil
edwalki
ngawayandopenedBr
yce'
sroom checki
ngon
hi
m ashel
aidasl
eepwit
hhishomewor
kbooksbesideshim.He
puttheBGCSEbooksasi deandpull
edaduvetoverhi
m bef
ore
cl
osinghisdoorthenhecheckedonDoveyshewasdeadasleep.
Hewentbackt ohisroom andlai
ddownli
steni
ng..
.Ther
ewasno
soundthenhesighedandslept.

Meanwhil
einthebedroom bothMongaandLanapantedashe
fi
ll
edherupandkissedher
, hepul
ledoutandl
aidbesi
desheras
shelai
dherheadonhischestwithherpussyt
hrobbi
ng.

Lana:Hehasapoi
nt.
..I
t'
snotli
kekeabekeganai t'
sbecauset
he
chi
ldr
enaregr
ownandanyslightestsoundcanwakethem.

Monga:Nowiknowwhymyfat
hersai
dhehadanaf
fai
rwi
thhi
s
wi
febecauseofus.
..Mj
mmewantwaela

Lana:(l
aughed)Heisjustli
key
ou...PapaTiki
neomodi r
ahela
j
aana..Kanaheusedt opunchyount seol
emot onabecauseyou
actedchil
dish.
..Wenaibi
l
eneoi l
ay ourmom atleastMJdoesn'
t
hateanyone.

Monga: Myfatherwouldbepr
oudofmef orr aisi
ngtheseboys
responsi
blyandeventurni
ngmyli
fearound.Losi ngaparenti
s
notniceevenifyou'
reanadul
t.Weshouldvisityourparent
s..

Lana:
Wewi
l
lseet
hem whenwedel
i
verGoi
wa'
scar

Monga:Heeit
'st
hisweekendkana..
.Herhusbandisverycool.He
i
sgoingtobeemotionalwhenhefi
ndsoutweal lcont
ri
butedand
boughtt
hem avanforthei
rcarwhenitol
dhimt ogetadriver
s
l
i
cencehedi
dn'
thav
ehopet
otaar
eenehewi
l
lnev
erownacar
.

Lana:
Hei
ssweet
..
.

Theychatt
edlayingnakedont hebedwhileMongagent l
yrubbed
her,
atsomepoi nttheywerereminisci
ngaboutthei
rti
meabr oad
andthei
rsil
li
estmoment ,Lanalaughedoutloudandcoveredher
mouth..
.

Monga:MJtogaakokonyaar
ewe'
rel
aughi
ngt
ool
oud.
..
(l
aughed)
Wai
tsentswaeentwaelagor
e.

Theyl
aughedandcarr
iedonchat
ti
ngunt
ill
atei
nthemor
ning
whentheydozedof
f.

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Thenextmorni
ngAt
sil
ewal
kedi
ntheki
tchenwhi
l
eTumangwas
dri
nki
ngwater.
..

At
sil
e:Apul
asaysshehasaguestt
hisweekendsoI'
ll
be
wat
chingSkyonSatur
day
.Oshawil
lgetheronSunday.

Tumang:
Idon'
tknowi
fyou'
l
lbel
i
evemeornotbutOshahas
touchedmet wice..
.Thefir
sttimesher anherhandov ermy
packs..
.Nakoy atengwewer eatApula'shousefordrinksthen
malobawhenshewasdr oppingoffSky '
sbag.I'
m notsay i
ngyou
shouldcall
ameet ingoranythingbuti don'twanttoendupi na
hotsoupabeer ekebuaabegot wewhydi dikeepquiet..
.She
touchedmydi ckandsaidal otofthi
ngs. .
.Ican'
tremember
everyt
hingbecausei wasinapanicmodebutshedi dsayi
deservedherpussyorsomet hingli
ket hat.
.

At
sil
efr
ownedl
ooki
ngathi
m..
.

At
sil
e:Ar
eyouser
ious?

Tumang:Yeah.Iwasgoingtokeepqui etbutidon'tknowwhat
shewil
ldonextsinceshecomesher eov erandover.Th3l
ast
thi
ngIwantistogetcaughtinacompr omi si
ngpositi
onantir
a
sengwethenil
ookequal l
yguil
ty.I
'mthinki
ngy oushouldt
alkto
herorApul
ashould..Don'
tmakei tabigissuethough.

At
sil
e:Ok.
.I'
l
ltal
ktoApul
a.Thanksf
orl
ett
ingmeknow.

Tumang:
Sur
e.

Heki
ssedherandwal
kedoutt
henshedi
all
edApul
a..
.

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?
Atsi
le:Ihaveanissueher e.
..KanaOshahassexual
lyharassed
RragweJul i
antwice.Hesay sshet ouchedhi
minyourhouseand
maabanewhenshedr oppedof fSky'
sbag.Shet
ouchedhim
wantingsexandI '
m pissed,ifiputmyhandsonOshashewi ll
thi
nkot her
wiseaboutme.

Apula:Therearetwosi dest oeverystor

yinfactthereishi
sside,
hersideandther ealtr
ut h.IhavetohearOsha'ssideofthestory
beforeijumpintoconcl usionsbecauseweal lknowhowmen
are.
..Idon'
ttr
usty ourment otatobehonest..
.I'
llhearf
rom Osha
beforeicansayany thi
ng.

Atsi
le:Soyou'
residi
ngwithher.I
t'
snotenoughthatshe
destroyedMaru'
sfamil
ynowy ou'
retal
ki
ngabouthersideoft
he
stor
y...WhatmakesyouthinkTumangislyi
ng?

Apul
a:Becauseidon'
tknowhim,
youknowhi
m buti
knowOsha
soihavetotal
ktoherbefor
ekemopegamol
ato.

At
sil
e:Iam goi
ngt
oteachheral
essonshewi
l
lnev
erf
orget
.

Apula:
At si
leifyouassaultmydaught erwit
houthearinghersi
de
ofthestoryiam t aki
ngyoustrai
ghttothepoli
cestation.You
havegottenawaywi t
hal otsi
ncethisgir
lwasborny ouwon'thurt
her
.Tryit.Violenceisnotalwaystheanswer,weallhavet ot
alk.

At
sil
ecutt
hecal
landwal
kedout
..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#197

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Onthesamemor ni
ngLanawal
kedoutofthebedroom car
ryi
ng
herbagandcarkeysast
hechi
ldr
ensatonthediningt
ableeati
ng
i
ntheiruni
for
m wit
hMJshir
tl
essint
hekit
chenholdingapan.

Shewalkedoverandrubbedt hef
oodonDovey'
schi
navoi
dingan
eyecontactwi
thheroldestsonasheputext
raf
oodinhi
sli
ttl
e
brot
herandsist
er'
splate.
..

MJ:(smiled)Mor
ningMr
sT.
..Doy
ouknowt
hatmycl
assmat
es
hav
ecr ushesonyou?

Lana:
Didy
out
ell
them y
ourf
atheri
scapabl
eofmur
der

Mj:(
laughed)Itol
dthem i
am capabl
eofmur
der
.Howdi
dyou
sl
eeplastnight
?

Lana:
(busyf
ixi
ngDov
ey'
shai
r)Good.
.

Mj
:Gr
eat
..
.Lookatme.
..
..

Shesi
ghedannoy
edandhel
dherhi
psl
ooki
ngathi
mthenhe
smi
l
edandki
ssedhercheek.
..

Mj
:You'
rebeaut
if
ul.
..Hav
eagoodday
..

Monga:
(wal
kedov
erf
ixi
nghi
sti
e)It
oldy
out
ost
opki
ssi
ngmy
wi
fe.

Mj:Mygi rl
fr
iendlooksl
ikey ourwi
fe.
..Ialwayswantedsomet
hing
l
ikethis.
..(
touchedhismot herchi
nturningherfacetohi
sfat
her)
Cherryyagagoent emesta..

Lanalaughedembar
rassedandgr
abbedherdaught
ershandas
theywalkedaway
..

Mj:
Ialwayswantedtogetsomeonelikeher
..
.Mogobothal
ego
r
ataskologapegol
egontenyana.Bonamosadiwagagogoreo
montejang.
..

Br
yce:
Isi
tjustmeorMJtal
kst
oomuchnowaday
s..
.Ekar
emot
ho
al
eket
sesengwehel
apapawhatdoy
outhi
nk?

Mj
:(sl
appedt
hebackofhi
shead)I
'
m ol
dert
hany
ou

Br
yce:
You'
rehur
ti
ngme

Br
ycepushedhi
mthenMJpoi
ntedathi
m..
.
Mj
:Keagobet
sawena

Br
yce:
Youst
art
edi
t.
..

Monga:
Lesangwana.
.

Br
yce:
Mxm Mot
hooi
misi
tsengy
o..

Brycest
oodupandwalkedi
ntheki
tchenwi
thapl
ate,
Monga
tur
nedandglar
edatMJ..
.

Mj
:Hei
sly
ing.
.

Monga:
Ry?
!

Hewal kedoutandstoodatt hedoorlookingathi

sfather,
Mj
wav edhishandsbehindhisfatherbegginghi
m nottosay
anythi
ng...Mongathoughthesawar msmov i
ngandt ur
ned
aroundlookingatMj butMjinnocentl
ylookedathi
m ashishear
t
pounded...Hetur
nedbackl ookingatBryce.
.

Monga:
Whatdi
dyousay
?

Br
yce:
Iwaski
ddi
ng.
..I
twasaj
oke

Monga:Ar
eyoul
yi
ngt
ome?Becausei
fyou'
reI
'
llnev
ert
rusty
ou
agai
n.
Bryceswal l
owedlooki
ngathisfatherandlookedathi
sbig
brother.Ther
ewassi l
enceasMongast eppedbackandlookedat
them...Lanasteppedi
nt hehouse.
.

Lana:
BabeI
'
m goi
ng,
cani
hav
emyki
ss?Br
ycel
et'
sgo.

Shenot
icedt
her
ewasanawkwar
dmomentandf
rowned,

Monga:
I'
m st
il
ltal
ki
ngt
othem.
..

Hewal
kedovertoherandki
ssedhert
henhewav
edatDov
eyand
bl
ewheraki
ss..

Lana:
Isev
ery
thi
ngOK?

Monga:
Yeah.
..Il
ovey
ou.
.

Heki
ssedheragai
nthenshel
eft
,het
urnedbackt
otheboy
s..

Monga:Doyouwantmetofor
cei
toutofyourmout
hs?Mj
whati
s
het
alki
ngabout
?Brycear
eyoual
iarnow?

Br
yce:
Buti
didn'
tdoany
thi
ng.
.
Monga:
Whodi
d?

Therewassi
l
enceasBr
ycet
ookouthi
shandf
rom t
hepocketand
checkedt
heti
me..

Monga:
Mjl
ant
ia.
.

Mj
tookadeepbr
eat
handsi
ghedst
il
lshi
rt
less.
..

Mj
:Idi
dn'
tthi
nki
twast
hateasyt
oimpr
egnat
eagi
rl
.

Monga:
Soy
our
eal
l
ydi
dit
?Howol
disshe?

Mj
:Shei
s18.

Monga:(
wal kedov
er)Whatdoyoumeany oudidn'
tthi
nki
twas
t
hateasy
...Sowhoisgoingtosuppor
tthatbaby?

Mj
'
shear
tpoundedasMongawal
kedov
er.
..

Monga:
I'mtal
ki
ngtoyou.
..Doyouthi
nkst
udental
l
owanceand
t
he1Ki gi
veyoui
senoughforababy?

Mj
steppedbackasMongawal
kedov
erandsl
appedhi
m acr
oss
t
heface,
Mj puthisarmsoverhisheadwi
thhi
sbackagai
nstt
he
wal
lasBrycestoodther
eshaking.
..

Monga:I
'mtalki
ngtoy
ou..
.Howmanytimesdoital
kyouabout
sexandcondoms..
.Whyosadi
ri
secondom MJ?uh

Hesl
appedont
heheadasBr
yceswal
l
owed.
.

Br
yce:
I'
ll
giv
ehi
m mymont
hlyal
l
owance.Hewi
l
lgetmyP250.

Monga:
(poi
ntedathi
m)Shutup.
..

Br
ycegr
abbedhi
sbagandwal
kedout
..

Br
yce:
I'
ll
useat
axi
.

Monga:Takeonemorestepandseewhathappens.
..Nextt
hing
waimisalewenaandI
'm supposedt
otakecar
eofyourmess.

Mj
sli
ddownst
il
lbl
ocki
nghi
shead.
..

Mj
:I'
l
lwor
kpar
tti
met
her
rapapasor
ry.
..

Monga:
Howf
aral
ongi
sshe?
Mj
:Shi
nei
s4mont
hspr
egnant
..

Monga:
Whi
chShi
ne?Ther
eisonl
yoneShi
nei
knowf
rom chur
ch.
.

Mj
:(st
il
lbl
ocki
ng)Eney
oo

Monga:
Lesego'
sdaught
er?

Mj
:Yes

Acoldchil
lrandownhi
sspi
neashesteppedbackandsatdown
bur
yinghisfacebet
weenhi
shands.Mjsl
owlyst
oodupand
si
ghed..
.

Mj
:Ipromiseiwon'
tputtheburdenony
ou.Shinei
salsoinUBso
wearelooki
ngat2studental
l
owancepluswhatIgetathome.
Wewillmanage

Mongat
ookadeepbr
eat
handl
ookedathi
m..
.

Monga: Shineisy ourcousin..

.Lesegoismysister
.Myfather
couldn'
thav ekidsofhisownsohi sfr
iendatt
hetimehelped
them out.It
sal ongstorybutRr agweLesegoismybi ol
ogical
fathermakingLesegomysi st
erandShi nemynephew...Youher
cousin.Youcan' tkeepthatbaby ..
.Icantaket
hetwoofy outo
Sout hAfr
ica..Aborti
onislegal t
hereandwecandoi tinaclini
c
thenwecanputal l
thesebehindus.
MJ:I'
m notki
l
li
ngmychi
l
dbecausey
oupeopl
edeci
dedt
okeep
secr
ets.
..

Monga:
(cal
mly
)Mj
li
stenmyboy
,youneed-

Mj:Nopapa.
.I'
m notdoingthat.I
fyoudon'
thelpi
tsf
ine,
I'
ll
pr
ovidef
ormyf amil
y.
..Forgetaboutmeleavi
nghert
oo.

Hewalkedi
nhisroom andputonhi
scl
othesthengewal
kedout
andcl
osedthedoorwhil
eBrycest
oodt
here.
..

Br
yce:
PapsI
'
mlat
eatschool
..
.

Mongasl
owlyst
oodupandgott
hecarkey
sthenhewal
kedout
asBry
cefol
l
owedhim.

Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Laterthatmorni
ngOshagrabbedacontainerofpi
ll
sandput
somei nsidebef
orepi
cki
nganointmentandwal ki
ngtotheglass
counterwhereanoldl
adywasst andi
ng.
..Shesmiledandleaned
overputti
ngthem i
nherhand.
..

Osha:
(rai
sedherv
oiceal
i
ttl
e)Mmamay
oudr
inkt
heset
hree
ti
mesaday .
..Yout
akeonl
yoneaf
tereat
ing.Youappl
ythi
saf
ter
bathi
ng.
..

Theol
dladycaughtonl
ythel
astpar
tofherst
atement
..

Her
:Af
terbat
hing?

Oshasmiledpat
ient
lyt
henshel
eanedov
ershowi
nghert
he
cont
ainer
..
.

Osha:Thr
eeti
mesaday
..
.Af
tereachmeal
.Thi
soney
ouappl
y
onceaft
erbat
hing.

Her
:Ohi
see,
thanky
ougr
anddaught
er.

Osha:
(smi
l
ed)Eemma.
.

Sheputhermedicat
ioni
nthebagandwal
kedoutt
henAt
sil
e
walkedi
nandstoodbehindt
heglass.
.

At
sil
e:Cani
tal
ktoy
ou?

Oshacal
mlyl
ookedi
nherey
esandl
ookedatt
hequeueas
anot
herpat
ientst
oodbypr
obabl
ythi
nki
ngAt
sil
eisski
ppi
ngt
he
l
ine.
..

Osha:
I'
m busy
..
.Coul
dn'
tyouhav
ecal
l
ed?

At
sil
e:Kar
eket
swemookebat
agobual
ewena

Osha:
Tshi
bogahoommakethusebat
ho.Labarat
abanna.
..I
t
t
ookamanf ory
outoknowwher
eyourchi
ldwor
ks.

At
sil
e:Whosechi
l
d?

Osha:Exactl
y,I
'm notyourchi
ld.
..
sounlessyou'r
eApul adon'
t
comeinher etocommandme.Ther eisonlyonewomani nthi
s
worl
dwhocancont rol
meandy ou'
renother.Leave.
..Ineedto
assi
staclient
..
.(t
oapat ient
)Tsenatsalaame..
.

Thepati
entsl
idthecardunder
neaththegl
assthenOshagrabbed
i
tandreadit
,shecarri
edongetti
ngthemedicati
onandcame
backwhil
eAtsil
estoodther
ebothofthem separ
atedbyaglass.
..

At
sil
estoodther
eforawhil
eandev ent
uall
ywal
kedawayasOsha
i
gnoredherbehi
ndthepr
otect
ionofaglass.

Oshasmi
l
edatt
henextpat
ientandassi
sted.
Duringbreakf
astti
meOshawal kedoutofthebui
ldingandtook
offhercoatasshepr essedherphonewalkingi
nhighheels,she
noti
cedherAt si
l
ewai ti
ngforherbythecarthenshestoppedand
tookoffherheelsthenshepickedthem upandunlockedthecar
from adi
stance..
.

At
sil
e:I
thaganel
e..
.

Osha:Ifyoutouchmei wi
llbeatyousohardyou'
l
lneverabandon
anotherchi
ldagain..
.Youowemef orbri
ngi
ngmei nt
ot hi
swor l
d..
.
Idi
dn'taskyout obir
thmebuty oudi
dandranawayf rom an
abusivemanl eavi
ngmebehi ndsohecanabuseme. ..Youknew
whatwasgoi ngon..Itol
dyout hatheist
ouchi
ngmewheny ou
sawdr ycum onmyt highsbutyoustil
ldi
dnothi
ngaboutit..
.

Sheopenedthebackdoorandt
hrewhert
hingsi
nsi
dethenshe
cl
osedthedoorandtur
nedtoherasAt
sil
eangri
l
ylookedather
.

Atsi
le:
Soyoutryt
oseducemyhusband?You'
reahothat'
swhy
yourownf
atherdi
dthatt
oyou.
..Heknewyouli
kedi
t.
..Lookat
younowspreadi
ngyourl
egsf
orever
yman.

Osha:(t
earf
ull
y)You'
l
lneverunderst
andwhat '
sgoingoni nmy
headbecauseyou'
veneverlovedme. .Iwasjustachil
d.Youcould
haveranawaywithmeanddumpedmewi thmamaatl east
..
.Do
youhaveanyideawhatiwentt hr
ough?Iwasn' tj
ustsexuall
y
abused.
..Imadefi
reear
lyinthemor ningandcookedf or
everyone. .
.Iwasj ust7. .
.i wentt ocol lectf i
rewoodandatt imesI '
d
hearsnakeshi ssi
ngi nt hegr ass.Iwasoncel ostbecausei was
sentt obuysugarandt het uckshopatt hef arm wasv er yfar.
..I
t
wasr ainingandi coul dn'tseeany thing. ..
menonhor sel ookedf or
mecal l
ingmynameswhi lei washi ding. ..Myownsi ster..
.
Ramodal a'
sdaught erov erwor kedmeandspar edherchi l
dren..
.I
tookcar eofherchi ldrenandr akedt hey ard.Herdaught erusedt o
beatmeandi wasn' tallowedt of ightback. ..Hersonal sousedt o
rubhi mselfonme. .Hewas20att het i
meandi was7het oldme.
Itoldherandshet oldmwshewi llchasemwouti fiev ersaid
sucht hingsaboutherson. .
.Doy our ealisehowcl osei wast o
beingpenet rat
edbyev erymany oul ef tmear oundwi thwhi leyou
enjoyedy ourselfinMaundat ingThong. ..What 'ssadist hatone
ti
meThongaskedy out ogetmesoy ousendmet oschool but
your efused..
.Youl iv edl ikear ichwomanandnev erthoughtof
me.Bef oreyoucancr yf ory ourhusbandwhoal mostgot
harassedbyagi r
lol denought obehi sdaught eryouneedt o
apologiset ome. .
.Ify oudon' tapol ogi set omei am goingt omake
surey ourlovelyhusbandgoest ojail.If eel badt hatit
'sAunt ie'
s
Mar u'sfamilythatgotdest royed. ..Itcoul dhav ebeeny ou...
.

Atsi
le:I
fyouevercomenearmyhusbandagai n..
..Ify
ouever.I
knowthatApuladidn'
tbeaty
outhat'
swhyy ou'
rel i
kethi
sbutIwil
l
beatyou..
.Idon'
tcarewhatyouwentthr
oughy ou'r
enot
str
uggli
ngnowandt hat'
sanexcusetobeaho. .
.Ket agonyedi
sa
wankutwa?

Shet
ri
edt
osl
apher
,Oshapushedherbackast
heyeachgr
abbed
oneanot
her
'shai
r.At
sil
efel
ldownandOshasatontopofherand
tr
iedt
opunchherbutshegotweakast
earsf
il
ledherey
es.
.

Osha:
All
thati
everwant
edwasf
ory
out
olov
eme.
..

Sheputherhandsov
erherf
acecr
ying.
.

Osha:(shakyv oice)Whyosant hat

e?I'vepassedatschool
and
gotpr
esent sinev erypr
izegiv
ing,gr
aduatedbutnotoncehave
youevert akenmeoutr eletwoandj ustsai
dy ou'
repr
oudofme.
Whydoy ouhat eme?

Atsi
leslappedherandpushedherasideasOshasatont
he
pavementcr y
ing.
..At
sil
eslappedhersi
detosi
deasshefl
inched
si
det osidewithever
yslapshegot..
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#198

AtAene'
sHouse.
..

AenehandedOshaat
issueandsher
ubbedherknee.
..

Aene:Iwishicouldgetinvol
vedandhel
py oubecauseasmuch
asifeelfory
oui sti
l
lbeli
eveJuli
an'
sfat
her..
.Whichwoul
dn'tbe
mypoi ntoff
ocusany waysbecauseit
hinkyouneedcounsell
ing.
..

Osha:IwantAtsi
l
etoapol
ogisef
orthewayshet
reat
edme.
..I
don'
tgetit
..
.Whodoeskarmaapplyto?Thi
swomanmademylif
e
ali
vi
nghellandnowsheishappy.

Aene: Livingl i
fewhi lewaitingforot herpeopl et obemi serableis
notliving...Youneedcounsel l
ing..Andy oual soneedt o
under standt hatAt sil
ewasabusedt oo...Bef oreourpar entscame
toMaunt heylivedi nthef armt oo.Iwasn' tbor nyetbutt heyli
ved
av eryt r
adi t
ionalli
feandAt sil
ewasf orcedt omar r
yanol dman...
Itwasat raditi
onal weddi ngwher epar entsjustar rangeand
exchangecowst henshedr oppedoutofschool andwentt obe
mol estedat14y earsold...Shehadmi scar r
iagesoneaf terthe
otherunt ilyouwer ebor n.
.EvenOt l
hewast obemar r
iedof fto
anot heroldmanbutshewast alkati
v eandt heol dmanended
droppi ngbecauseOt lhekeptsay i
ngi fshewasgi venawayt oan
oldmanshe' dpoi sonhi m orcuthi sdick...Soonaft
ertheirmot her
diedandourf atherfoundaj obinMaun.Whenmamabecamehi s
wifeshetol
dhi m shewasn' tgoi ngtoallowhi mtodot hatt othe
girl
sandthat'
swhent heymov edtoMaunandst art
edt olive
properl
y.Atsil
ewasl efttherewi ththeol dmanwhi leev ery
one
wasi nMaun...Thongt ookherf rom thef arm andbroughtheri n
Maun, wel
ltheywer ebot hquitev i
ll
agel i
kebuthehust ledand
changedherf rom av i
llagegi r
lintoabeaut i
fulmoderngi r
l.
..

Osha:
Whydi
dn'
tshegetme?Myquest
ioni
swhyl
eav
emet
her
e?

Aene:Shenevertol
dmet hisbutI'm assumi ngit'
sbecauseyou
remindherofwhatshewentt hrough.Eitherwayi fi
twasmy
placeI'
dsaybothofyouneedt otalkopenl y
...(
sighed)youl
i
ke
runni
ngoverherethenigetintroubl
ewi thApul a.Thi
sti
mei don'
t
wantanytroubl
e..
.Apul
adoesn' thavenicewor dsandi don'
twant
tocrossherbyaccommodat ingyou.Gohomenana. .

Osha:
Ok.
.

Shest
oodupandwal
kedout
..
..

AtMar
u'sj
ob.
..

At
sil
ewal
kedintheshopt
henMaruwalkedovertoherast
hey
wal
kedar
oundli
keshewaslooki
ngatt
hef ur
nit
ure.
..
Atsi
le:
Youwon'tbeli
evethi
s..
.Canyoubel
i
eveOshasaysshewi
l
l
sendmyhusbandt ojai
l?Iwentt
heret
oconfr
ontherandshe
tal
kstomeli
keI'm heragemate..

Maru:Idon'
tknowwhattosay.
..Youknowmyposi
ti
on.Tal
kto
Apul
amay beshewil
lrepr
imandher

Atsi
le:Apul
aisnothel
pful
.
..Shesay
sshewil
lhearOsha'
ssi
deof
thestoryaf
terwor
k.Li
keI'
mi naposi
ti
ont
owaitforthe
aft
ernoon..

Maru:Apulaandidon'ttal
k..
.Al
soi can'tt
alktoOshabecauseas
muchasI '
veforgi
venherifI'
m everi napositionwhereshe
misbehavestowardsmeI '
djustbreaksomet hingonherhead.I
thi
nkthebestwayi st
ot al
ktoApul a..ButI'
m happyforyou
becauseTumangr esi
stedthetempt at
ion.Ibeli
evehi
mi bi
leihave
nodoubt.
.Agobual eApula

Atsil
e:I'
mt otall
ypissedandthenshetellsmeasobst oryabout
howshesuf fered.Doesthi
sgirl
knowt hehelliwentthrough..
.I'
ve
nevertoldany onewhathappenedt omei nthatman'shouse.I t
s
painfulbecausewheni r
anbackhomemyownpar ent schased
meawaybackt omyabuseruntili
acceptedmyf ate.
..Seeingher
everydayi stortur
eenough,shedoesn'tknowwhati got hrough
everyti
meIr emembert hatsheisnotApula'
sdaughtershei s
actuall
ymi nef r
om thatman'sfi
l
ththathelefti
nmeev erynight.
..

Tear
sfi
l
ledherey
esasshet
urnedandl
ookedatMar
u..
.
Atsi
le:Am iwrongforwanti
ngtoforgetmyl
if
efrom wheni was
14unt i
liwasonmy30' snebathong?Whydoesthi
sgi r
lwantt o
tor
tureme...Thi
sismyhappiness..
.TumangandJuli
anar emy
everyt
hing,whycan'
tibehappy?Youknowwhatpleasef orgi
ve
Derri
ck..
.Ihaveever
yreasontobeli
evehewascornered.Thisgir
l
i
sev il
.

Maruhuggedheraatheystoodt
her
eforaf
ewmi
nut
est
henshe
l
eanedbackandsighed.
..

AtLesego'
sHouse.
..

Lat
ert
hatafter
noonLesegoappr
oachedt
hecarassheand
Mongaleanedagai
nsthi
scar.
.

Lesego:
Hi,
longti
me.
..Imeanweseeeachot
heri
nchur
chbut
..
.
Younevert
alkt
ome.Howar eyou?

Monga:I'
m good.
..Um...Wehav
easi
tuat
ion.
..Mj
andShi
nehav
e
beenseei
ngeachot her
.

Lesego'
smout
hdr
oppedasshel
ookedathi
m.

Lesego:
Wehav
etot
ell
them bef
oret
heyt
hinkt
hey
'r
einl
ove.
..I
blamey ouforthisbecauseyoudon'
twantt oacknowl
edgeusor
thispar
tofy ou.Havey ouseenmylastbornson?Helooksl
ikeMj
helahaphat eng.Theymustknoweachot herandstopwhat
ever
they'
redoing.

Monga: Sheispregnant.
..4monthspregnant
..
.Mj isst
ubbor
nand
hewon'tconsiderabort
ion.I
'
m afrai
difipushhim abouti
thewil
l
l
eavehomeandt urnint
oagov er
nmentspyorsomeki ndofan
assassi
norwhat ever.
.CanyoutalktoShineandgethertoabort
thenMj i
twasami scar
ri
ageabeamodampa. ..Iknowgir
lsar
e
underst
anding..
.

Lesego:
I'
ll
tryl
egonebaganel
angkampabasai
phesepe

Monga:
Mji
schi
l
dish.Het
hinksababyi
sdol
lgai
ser
esponsi
bil
i
ty
yat
eng.

Lesego:
I'
ll
tal
ktoherbecauseIwanthert
ofi
nishschool
..
.

Monga:Ok,l
ookintoaprivat
eclini
cwecanusehere.
..I
fyout
hink
thatmi
ghtgetusintotr
oubleidon'tmi
ndpayi
ngforatri
pout
side.
Idon'
twantherusingst
reetpil
l
sbecausethey
'r
enotsafe.

Lesego:True.I
'
llt
alkt
oherandl
ety
ouknowhowi
titwent
.What
i
fsher ef
uses?

Monga:
Idon'
tknow.
..Ir
eal
l
ydon'
tknow.
.

Lesego:AkeremmewabonaMonga?Accept i
ngpapami ghtnot
beabadi dea..
.Yousti
ll
hav eBr yce.
.Ihavemor edaught
ers.
Lesedihasdaughterst
ooev enLame. .
.OnedayBr ycewi
lleven
beathiscousinbakopanetsengwany anabecauseourki
dsar e
str
angers.I
'm wil
l
ingtofi
xt his.
..Whataboutyou?
Monga:Soishoul
dbetr
aymyfatherbecausehi
sfri
endcouldn'
t
contr
olhi
mself
?Isti
l
ldon'
tbel
i
evei cameincont
ainer
.Thatstor
y
doesn'
tmakesense.
.

Lesego:I
tdoesn'tmat
ter
,ithappened...I
fwedon'taccepti
tyou
andiwillbefor
cedtoonedaynegot i
at emagadi
orl oseour
chi
ldrenbecauseShi
neisthetypetor unawaywithMJ.Wame
ngwanaakadi r
aleyoneaborti
onket areeeadumet se.

Monga:I'
l
lcrosst
hatbr
idgewheni
gett
her
e.Tal
ktomewhen
you'
redone.

Lesego:
Ok.
.

Monga:and.
..Idon'
tknowt
helastbor
nbutShi
ne'
sol
derbr
other
l
ooksli
keMj too.I
t'
sascar
yreal
it
y

Lesego:
Peopl
ealwaysaskmeifinot
icei
tatchur
ch,
someeven
thi
nkisl
eptwi
thyouandmykidsareyour
sbecauset
heydon'
t
knowgoremdalakeeneamadiabogale.

Monga:
(laughed)Onepast
oronceaskedmei
ndi
rect
ly.Mxm.
..I
hav
etogo

Lesego:
(laughed)By
e..

Hegotbacki
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
Lat
ert
hataft
ernoonAtsil
eandTumanggotoutoft
hecarand
wal
kedtowar
dst hehouse..
.

Tumang:Nowiregrett
ell
i
ngyou.
..It
houghti
madei
tver
ycl
ear
thati
don'
twantdrama.Whybeather?

Atsi
le:Idi
dn'
tbeather
..
.Isl
appedher
.Ther
eisadi
ff
erence.
..
She
deserv
edabeat i
ngwithasti
ck.

Tumang:
Pl easei
fshedoesn'
tbeli
evemejustdr
opi
tbecausei
woul
dn'
tsleepwithhersol
et'
sjustdropi
t.

Theywal
kedintheli
vingr
oom andsatdown,
OshaandandApul
a
satont
heothercouch.

Apula:It
alkedtoOshaandshet oldmehersideofthestory.
WhenIsai di wantedtohearf
rom heridi
dn'
tmeanI'm si
dingheri
j
ustmeantev entheaccusedcri
minal
saregiv
inachancebef or
e
theycanbej udged.I'
l
laskheragai
nsinceyoudon'
tknowhersi de
ofthestory

Osha:Idi
dn'tseduceuncle.
..Heseducedmeandt ri
edt ot
ouch
mebuti di
dn'tsayanyt
hingbecausei wasafr
aidnoonewoul d
bel
iev
emegi venmypast.Ther easonhetol
dyouisbecausei
sai
dI'
m goingt otel
lmamasohewasqui cktoreportknowi
ngno
onewouldbelieveme.

Apul
a:Keeokgang.
..Youdi
dn'
tgett
hisbef
oreat
tacki
ngherat
herwor
kpl
ace.

Tumangstoodupandwalkedoutt
henhesatinthecarand
si
ghed.Meanwhi
lebacki
nthehouseAt
sil
elookedatApula.
..

At
sil
e:Andy
oubel
i
eveal
lthesel
i
es?

Apula:Ibeli
eveher ,
thi
sisthesamemanwhohadgr oupsexwith
you?Hedi dn'tmindsharingyouandnowy ouwantmet obeliev
e
hejustautomat i
call
ybecameaSai nt?Heisasoldierforcry
ing
outloud..Howcany ounotbeli
eveyourowndaught er?Youowe
Oshaanapol ogyf oratt
ackingherandfornotbel
i
ev ingher
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#199

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
.

Atsi
l
e:Oshast
rai
ghtl
ookedmei ntheeyesandtol
dmeshewi l
l
sendmyhusbandtoj
ail
ifidon'
tapologi
seforl
eav
ingherbehi
nd.
Doyouthi
nkI'
dmakeupsomet hi
nglikethat
?

Apul
alookedatOshaasshet
ear
ful
l
ylookedatAt
sil
e..
.

Osha:Whyareyouly
ing?Youattackedmeanddidn'
tevengi
ve
meachancetosayanythi
ng.Icouldhav
ebeaty
out r
ustmebuti
wasn'
trai
sedl
iket
hat.

At
sil
e:Soy
ounev
ersai
dany
thi
ngt
ome?

Osha:
Didy
oubeatme?

At
sil
e:Yesi
beaty
ouwhatdi
dyousay
?

Osha:Thewayy ouatt
ackedmei wouldn'
thavehadthe
confi
dencetosayanythi
ngtoyou.Ial
way sknewthatwithmy
hist
oryi
twi l
lbehar
dtobebeli
eved..
.It
'snotenoughthatyou
can'
tmot hermebutyouhavet
ot akeawayt heonl
ymot heri
hav
e.

Apul
a:Ibel
i
evey
ouOsha.
..
Atsi
le:Idon'
twantt
otal
ktobot
hofyouunt
ilt
hisgi
rlcl
ear
smy
husband'snameandapol
ogi
sestohi
m.

Apul
a:Soy ou'
rechoosi
ngamanov ery
ourf
amil
y?Doy
ouknow
whathappenedtothelastwomanwhodidt
hat
?

Atsil
e:Badt hi
ngshappent opeopl e,itdoesn' tnecessar i
lymeani t
happenedbecauseofy ouori t skarma. .
.Notev erythingisabout
youApul a...Mar u'
sf ami l
ydi dn'tgetdest roy edbecauseshechose
thepeaceherf amilygav eher ...Herhusbandsi mpl ycheat ed
becausehei shuman.I '
m wai t i
ngfory ourper f
ecthusbandsoy ou
canshowushowt opi ckt hem. ..Iwon'tjudgeDer rickf orcheat i
ng
becauseI '
v echeat edonagoodpar tnerbef oremy selfandi tdidn't
meani lov edThonganyl ess...Don'tmaket hemi stakeoft hinking
Derrickdoesn' tloveMar u...Iwasacheat eri knowi thasnot hing
todowi thl ovebutev erythingt odowi t
ht empt ationandsel f
control.Iwasn' tcomf ortabl ewi thDerri
ckbei ngbackbutaf ter
seeingt hisl i
ttl
ebitch'st ruecol orsi 100%f ull
ysuppor tMar uandi
am happyt ocutbot hofy ououtofmyl i
feunt i
l thet r
ut hcomes
out.Youdi dn'thav etot ell heraboutmyhi storyorwhatIdi d..
.I
didn'
ttell any oney oursecr etsandt hey '
repl enty .
..Someofwhi ch
canr ui
ny ourr eputation.

Shest
oodupandwal
kedoutasApul
atookadeepbr
eat
hand
l
ookedatOsha.
..

Apul
a:Idon'
tknowwhotobel
i
eveanymore.
..Youandi
knowver
y
well
thatyouhadacr
ushonDerr
ickwaybef
oreheknewandf
rom
yourex planationofwhathappenedt hatev ening,hady ouwal ked
awayt hatni ghtwi t
houtt akingasi pf rom t
hesamegl assback
andf or thwi t
hDer r
icknot hingwoul dhav ehappened.Asmuchas
ihat ehowweakDer rickwasandquest i
oni fhe'dcont rolhimself
around5y earol dsi bel ievey oupl ay edar ole.Ibel i
evey our
versionoft hest orybecausei tmakesmor esenset hanhi s,gir
ls
nevermakemov esont hei rst epfather sandst epfat hersal ways
turnt hingsar oundsay ingki dsar ei nsult
ingt hem.Iwon' tmake
thatmi stakeofbel iev ingamanov eragi rl
..Buti don'tthinkAt sil
e
woul dl ieabouty ousay ingy ou'lltakeTumi tojai
l..Ihopey ou'
re
notusi ngmebecauseI 'veal readyl ostsomuchbecauseofy our
actions.Thi swhol ef ami l
yhassuf f
er edbecauseofy ou...Ifyou'
re
l
y i
ngt heni willbedi sappoi nt ediny ouandGodbecauseI '
vedone
nothingbutt ogi vey ouagoodl ife...Youshoul dappr eciatethatby
actingr esponsiblysoal lmyhar dwor kdoesn' tgot owast e.

Osha:I'
m notl
ying.
..Butify
oudon'
tbel
iev
emeiwon'
tbel
ieveyou.
Myownmot herdoesn'tbel
i
evemesohowcany
ounotstartto
quest
ionwhybadt hingshappenme.
..

Apul
a:That
'snotf
air
,I'
veal
way
shady
ourbesti
nter
est
sathear
t

Osha:
Justli
kewhenyoutol
dRonnott
otal
ktomebecauseyou
t
houghtI
'
llsl
eepwit
hhim.Howcanyounotbel
i
eveTumang

Apula:I
twasy earsagoandwhaty oudidwi t
hDerri
ckwassti
ll
in
mymi nd.You'
v egrowni
ntoar esponsi
blewomant hat
'swhyi
bel
ieveyou.Don'tmakethi
saboutme. ..Idon'
tknowwhat
happenedbecauseIwasn'tthere,I
'
mj ustinbet
weenbecausei
don'
tknowwhot obel
ieveanymore.Theonlyr
easonIbel
iev
eyou
i
sbecauseiknowAtsil
edoesn'tl
i
key ouandalt
houghyoudon'
t
under
standimysel
fverywell
understands.

Osha:Ihavet
ogohome..Thanky
ouf
orbel
i
evi
ngmet
houghy
ou
obvi
ouslyhav
edoubt
s.

Shewal kedoutandcl osedt hedoor ,Apulasi ghedt hought ful

ly.
..
Justwhent hi
ngswer ebeginni ngtofall
intopl ace..
.Andshewas
backtonothav i
ngababysi t
ter .
..I
fshehi r
edasi t
tershe' dhav eto
takeLawr encetoahot elwhi
chmi ghtbear edf laginhi sey esli
ke
sheishidingsomet hi
ngbutt henwasi trightt obewi t
hLawr ence
i
nt hepresenceofherdaught er ?Sheactuallywant edt of uckthis
guy..
.Itobv i
ouslywouldn'twor koutbecauseshewasn' tthatlucky
sobetterfuckhi m beforehet urnsheroffwi thsomet hing..
.Like
theyalway sdo..Orwast hisGodanswer ingherpr ay ers?Butt hen
i
tcan'tbet hatfast.
.

AtAt
sil
e'
sHouse.
..

Lat
eronTumangt
alkedt
othephonewhi
l
eput
ti
nghi
swi
fe'
sfood
i
nthetr
ay.
..

Tumang:Ok.
..Whencanshestar
t?.
..Yeah,
I'
myettotal
ktoher
butshei
anotadiff
icul
tper
sonsoiknowshewillagr
ee.Ij
ust
wanthert odeal wi t
hherpast .
..Shet ell
smeev erythingshewent
through...Noti ndetailbutshet el
lsmwbi tsandpi eceswhenev er
shecan' tf all
asleep.Iwanthert omakepeacewi thitandalsoget
helpconcer ningadaught ershegav eupf oradopt i
on.The
problem ist hatthischildwasadopt edbyhersi stersoi nawayi t
didn'tgetr idofthememor yandnowt hechildisact ingup.I
fit'
s
possi bl
ei rwheny oureachast agewher eyout hinky oucanalso
callthedaught ersotheyt alkyoucandot hat.
..Ijustwanta
solutionfort hewhol esituation...
.(l
i
st eni
ng)alright..Thankyou.
War emosadi wameot aahol aaker emme?Imeanl ikedi
lotse
tsacounsel li
ngtsedot heyr eallywork? ..
.OK, t
hanky ou.

Hehungupandgrabbedthetr
aythenhewalkedinthebedr
oom
whereAt
sil
ewaslayi
ngonthebed.Heputthetraydownandgot
ontopofherki
ssi
ngherassheturnedar
oundandputherarms
ar
oundhim..
.

Tumang:
Ibookedy
oui
nforcounsel
l
ing.
.Pr
omi
semey
ou'
l
lgo.
.

Atsi
le:(
smil
ed)Idon'
tunder
standhowI
'
mtheonewhoneeds
counsel
li
ng

Tumang: (
kissedher)Trustmei twi l
lhel
py ounotexplodein
angerwheni tcomestoany thingthathast odowi t
hOsha.Isti
ll
feell
ikewhathappenedi sn'
tabi gdeal..
.I'
m agrownmanandI '
m
responsi
bleformyactions...Unlessshedrugsmei wouldn'
tsl
eep
withher.
.Asl ongasyouknowt hetruthlet
'sputitbehi
ndusand
dealwithyourpastsoourf uturecanbef unakerebabe?
At
sil
e:Ok.
..

Tumang:
Getupandeat
..
.

Shegotupandat
e..
..

AtOsha'
sHouse.
..

Oshaapproachedthehouseandtri
edtoopenbutthedoorwas
l
ocked.Ki
nghadpr obabl
ygonejobhunti
ngorwhatever
..
she
unl
ockedwithhersetofkeysandwalkedint
henshetookoffher
shoesandsatonthecouch,herphonerangt
henshepicked.
..

Osha:
Hel
l
o?

Br
andon:
Hey
..
.What
'sup?

Osha:
I'
m good.
.You?

Brandon:
I'
m al
ri
ght
..
.Obat
athupawena.
..(
laughed)Whyar
eyou
sonaughty?

Osha:
(laughed)Whatdi
dido?

Br
andon:Touchi
ngmybrotherl
ikethat?Youwon'tbel
ievei
hada
cr
ushony ouatt
heweddingbuti t
houghtyou'
ret
ooy oung.
..I
'
m
cr
ushedthatmycrushdi
dn'
tnoticemeandnot i
cedmybr ot
her
i
nstead.
Osha:
(laughed)Sor
ry.
..Buti
wasn'
treal
l
yser
iousabouthi
m

Br
andon:
(laughed)Hewasevenl
aughi
ngatmet
ell
i
ngmey
our
cr
ushedj
usttouchedmydick.

Osha:
(laughed)Atl
eastwedi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ngaker
eogannego
r
ayagorewenaoi nt
seele.
.

Br
andon:
I'
m ser
iouskana.
..Shoul
dimakeanexcuseandv
isi
t?

Osha:Yeah.
..Aal
ongasy ou'
regoingtotakemeoutonadate,
shoppi
ngandonef unacti
vi
ty.Idon'
twanttopayf
orany
thi
ng..
.I
j
ustwanttobespoiledandfeell
ikeagir
l.

Br
andon:
Ok,
letmet
alkt
omywi
feandgetbackt
oyou.

Osha:
Bye.
.

Ki
ng:
Hi.
.

Shej
umpedl
ooki
ngbehi
ndherasKi
ngst
oodbyi
nhi
sshor
ts.

King: Iwantedtotakeanapt hat

'swhyi l
ockedt hedoorbecausei
didn'twanttowakeupt oanempt yhouseort hievesholdi
nga
knifet omyneck.I'
m gladyou'r
edoingeverythingy oucantogeta
hookup. .
.I'
m sorr
ythatI'
m notgoodenoughf ory ou.Iwon'
t
bothery ouanylonger.
..I
'm br
oken..
Hetur
nedar
oundandwalkedi
nthebedr
oom wher
ehepacked
hi
sbagasOshawalkedi
n.

Osha:I
'm sor
ry.
..Idi
dn'
tmeani
t.
.Iwasj
ustpl
ayi
ngal
ongwi
th
hi
m...

Ki
ng:
I'm notst
upi
d.Idon'tf
ightsotrustmewhenisayI'
m done
wi
thyou.I'
m noty
ourtype..
.Youdeservebet
tert
hanI
'm gi
vi
ngyou.

Hegr
abbedhi
sbagandwal
kedoutasshest
oodt
her
e..
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

LateronLanaandMongaputt
hei
rbagsi
nthecarast
hemai
d
stoodbycarr
yingDov
ey.

Brycecheckedt
hecaroi
ll
evel
sandot
her
sbef
orecl
osi
ngt
he
boot.

Lana:
Pleasebehav
e.I
'
m onl
ygoi
ngf
or2day
s..
.

Br
yce:
YouknowI
'
m agoodboy
..
.

Dov
ey:
Iwi
l
lbehav
e..
Mjparkedt
hecarandst
eppedoutt
henhewal
kedt
owar
dshi
s
mother.
.

Mj:Pleasetell
papatostoptryi
ngtoabortmyson..
.Iunder
stand
i
fhei snothappywithmebutget t
ingShi
netoabortat4mont hs
i
snotsaf e.Iknowheconv i
ncedhermothert
otalktoher.
.She
wouldn'tnormall
ydothat.

Lana:
I'
m conf
used.
..Whoi
sShi
ne?4mont
hspr
egnant
?Abor
ti
on?

Shel
ookedatMongaandhesi
ghedget
ti
ngi
nthecar
..

Monga:Idi
dn'tt
alkt
oLesegobutifi
tmakesyouhappyI'
l
l
compl
ain.I
'
llcheerf
ory
ouakerethat
'swhaty
ouwant .

Mj
:Ineedy
ourf
orgi
venessandsuppor
t.Behappyf
orme.

Lana:
Whydi
dyouhav
eababysosoon?Andwi
thShi
neofal
l
peopl
e?

Mj
:Itwasami
stakeandi
didn'
tknowwhat
every
out
woknew.

Monga:
Babel
et'
sgo,
I'
ll
expl
ainont
heway
.

Lana:I
'
m gl
ady
ou'
renotdeny
ingi
tthough.That
'sgood,
I'
m pr
oud
ofyou.

Mj
:Thanky
ou.
.
Lana:Wewi
ll
tal
kwheni
getback.
.Don'
twor
ryaboutt
heabor
ti
on,
ther
ewon'
tbeany.

Theygoti
nthecarandwavedatDoveyasshesmi
l
edwav
ing
thent
hemaidwalkedint
hehouse.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
.

Apula'
sphoner
angasshecookedi
ntheki
tchen,
shepausedand
answered.
.

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Lawr
ence:
Hi.
.

Apul
a:Hi
..

Lawr
ence:
Imi
ssedy
ourcal
l
.

Apula:Iwantedtotel
lyouthati
couldn'tfi
ndaplacef ora
sleepoverformydaughtert
omorrowsoI 'veopt
edf orananny
whowi llsl
eepov
erwhilewegoahot el.I'
m avoi
dingtoint
roduce
yout omydaughtertooearl
y.

Lawrence:
It'
sok,i
under
stand.Canigetbackt
owork?I
'
m hav
ing
abusydaytryi
ngtowrapupev er
ythi
ngsoIcanenj
oymy
weekendwithyou.
Apul
a:Al
ri
ghtby
e

Shehungupandr eceivedarecordedaudi
ofr
om Tumang.She
cl
ickedoni tandl
istenedtoBrandonandOsha'swhol
e
conversat
ionfrom t
hebeginningtotheend.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#200

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Apul
afor
war
dedt
heaudi
otoOshaandt
ypedamessagef
or
Tumang.

Apula:
Ifeel
li
keanapol
ogyi
snotenough,
I'
mver
ysor
ryf
ornot
bel
ievi
ngyou.

Tumang: I
t'sok,itdi
sappointi
ngthatyoudidn'tbel
ievemeory our
sist
erbutitwouldhav ebeent r
agichady oubeli
evedmei fi
twas
i
ndeedt r
uewhi chisalwayst hecaseinrapecases.Nobodyev er
beli
evesvicti
mswhent heysaytheywer erapedandel dersbeli
eve
theperpet
rators.I'
mjustdisappoint
edthatrarecasesl i
kethiswil
l
makepeopl edoubtev erygir
lknowingtherearegirl
slikeOsha.

Apula:
Iwil
lcomeandapol
ogiseper
sonal
l
y.Text
ingi
snotenough.
IknowAtsi
leisangr
ysoaphonecal
lwon'
tdo.

Shecheckedandnot
icedOshahadl
i
stenedt
otheaudi
obutshe
hadn'
trepl
iedher
.

AtMar
u'shouse.
..
Lat
ert
hateveni
ngMaruwalkedi
nthel
iv
ingr
oom wher
eDer
ri
ck
wasassi
sti
ngthei
rsonwi
thhomework.
.

Bobo:
I'
m done.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Great
..
.

Der
ri
ck'
sphoner
angt
henhepi
cked.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Hel
l
o?

Er
ic:Yeah.
..Let
'sgof
ordr
inks.Iwantt
otakey
ouout
..I
'
llbewi
th
MataozenandManD

Der
ri
ck:
LetmeaskMar
ufi
rst
.

Er
ic:
Sur
e

HehungupasMar
udust
edt
hecouch.
.

Mar
u:Kebot
swaeng?

Der
rick:Er
ici
sgoi
ngoutf
ordri
nkswitht
heguys..ManDl
e
Mataozensohewant
edmet ojoi
nthem.
..Canigo?

Mar
u:Sur
e.
Der
ri
ck:
Arey ousur
e?Iwoul
dn'
tmi
ndgoi
ngi
fyou'
regoi
ngt
obe
bor
edorchatwit
hsomeone.
.

Maru:(l
aughed)Pl
easegochi
ll
wit
hthebi
gboys.
..It
hinki
t'
sgood
becauseyouhavebeenbehi
ndbar
sforawhi
l
e...

Der
ri
ck:
Thanky
ou.
..Letmegobat
h

Mar
u:I
'
llcomef
indy
ousomet
hingt
owear
.

Der
ri
ck:
Ok.
.

Hewal kedi
nthebat
hroom asMar u'
sphonerecei
vedav oi
ce
recor
dingfr
om Apul
a.Shel
istenedtoitwal
ki
ngt othebedr
oom
andsatonthebed.

Mar
u:I
'
m speechl
ess.

Apul a:
Iam moreembar rassedthanspeechl ess.Rheamountof
stressIhaveri
ghtnowaf tergoingoffonev eryoneidon'
tev
en
knowwhatt osayt oyou.At si
lesai
dsomet hinglikeOshaori
le
Tumangi snextgoingtojail.Ist
il
lbel
ieveDer r
ickwaswrongbuti
feelusedatthesamet i
mebyOsha.If eel
li
kemay bei
overreact
edwiththejai
lthing.

Mar u:Wearenotgoi ngbackthere.Derri

ckwastheadultandi
deservedthatjusti
ceashiswife..
.Doy ouknowthesatisf
action
thatcamewi thknowi ngt
hatDeegotpuni shedhard?Youshoul d
seehim now.Humbl eandveryfocused.Foramomenti t
hought
he'dbeuselesst omeorbetterdeadt hanali
vebutheisthinking
bi
ggerthanbefore.Heustaki
nggiantstepsandherespect
sme.I
haven'
tgiv
enhimt hecakeyetbutheisafrai
dtoaskbuticansee
heishavi
ngtroublecont
rol
li
nghimselfbutiwon'
tgivei
tup
becauseIwanttoseeifhewilll
osecontrol
.

Apula:I
fyouhav eagoodfeeli
ngabouthi mt heny oushoul
dn'tbe
j
udged.Besidesbefor
eOshaDer r
ickwasawi seman.Thet ruthi
s
Oshalonghadacr ushonhim befor eheknewi fshecandot his
sheprobablysenthi
m aninvi
tati
onofwhi chheshoul dhave
decl
inedli
keTumangbuthepai dforitsowehav etomov eon.I'
m
sorr
yforbeingtoobossy.
..Iwaski ndofrude.

Maru:
Itcaughtyouoffguar
d..It
otall
yunder
stand..
.Ial
sodi
dn'
t
t
hinkI
'dfor
givehim.Ikeepsurpr
isi
ngmy sel
feveryday.

Apul
a:IhopeGodwi
l
lkeepy
ourf
ami
l
ytoget
her
.

Mar
u:Ihopeso.

Apul
a:Canwemeetandjustcookt
oget
hertheneat
..
.Justus.
.I
wantt
oinvi
teAeneaswell
.Whatdoyouthi
nk?

Mar
u:Idon'
tmi
nd.
..Deei
sgoi
ngoutwi
thboMonga.

Apul
a:Mongai
sinMaun?

Mar
u:Yeah,
bar
ial
o.Bar
ebagonwa

Apul
a:Ok,
atl
eastDer
ri
ckwi
l
lseet
heout
sidewor
ld.

Mar
u:Yeah.
.Letmef
ixmy
sel
f.

Apul
a:Sur
e
Sheputherphonedownandf
oundDer
ri
ck'
scl
othest
henshe
i
ronedhi
sTshirt
..
.

Att
hehot
el.
..

LanaputonhersneakersasMongachangedTshirtsandputona
watch..
.Itwasamazinghowhelookedyoungeri
njustaTshir
t
andapai rofj
eanscomparedt
othef or
malwearthatmadehim
l
ooklikeaboss...

Lana:Aber et si
lemoMaunaker eMonga?Ther ehasbeenpeace
i
nourhousef ory ears...Idon' tev enremembert helasttimewe
argued..
.Itwast hesamet hing16y earsagot heny ourani nto
someone. .
.Ourt hingst ur nedupsi dedown. .
.Youendedupi n
Prisonandweal mostgotdi vorced...
Youev endoubt edyourown
sonodi radi DNAt est .
.Youal mostwentt oprisonformur derand
servedtimef orat tempt edmur der .
..Wemov edt oGaboroneand
therewef oundpeace. .Wedon' tfightorgivepeopl eanything
negativ
et ot alkabout .I'm doi ngwhati l
oveatwor kandy ou're
expandingbusi ness. ..Theki dsar epassi ngandwear e
happy..
.MJ' sbabyi sabl essingt ome.Iexpecty outoact
responsibl
yt oni ghtsowecangobackt oGabor oneunitedaswe
came.Wear et oool dfordr ama.Wear eexpect i
ngourf i
rst
grandchil
d...Idon' tknowabouty oubutt hatj
ustmademer eali
se
howgr ownIam andi i
nt endt obet hebestgr annyev er
..
.Idon' t
careifit
st ooear ly..
.Cany ougooutt hereandactr esponsi bly
t
oni
ght
?

Mongasmil
edlooki
ngatherasshel
ect
uredhi
mthenhest
epped
ov
erandshutherwi
thakiss.
..

Monga: (
softl
ywithasmi l
e)Yes.
..Iknowwev owedt
ohav eno
dramaanddi scusevery
thi
ng.Nol i
esorsecret
s.I
fmi
stakes
happenswet alkabouti
tbeforei
tgetsoutandembarr
assesthe
otherspouse.(ki
ssedheragai
n)Goti t
..
.Let
'sgo.
.

Shestoodupandwalkedoutashespankedherbut
tandl
ocked
thedoorbef
orewal
ki
ngout..

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Thongspray
edperf
umeonhi mselfandleanedoverthemir
ror
brushi
ngdownhishai
rlookinghi
msel fthenhesteppedj
ustashis
sonwalkedoutoft
hebathroom holdingatoothbr
ush.Hepicked
hi
m upandrubbedthetoothpast
eof fhischi
n..

Thong:
Buddyy
oushoul
dbesl
eepi
ng.
..I
t'
slat
e..
Hewal kedinhisroom andl
aidhim downbef
orepul
l
ingdownthe
astr
onautcartoonedduvetoverhimthenher
ubbedhis
head...
Thi
srightherewashiswife'
sgif
thi
mt ohi
m.Thelong
awaitedhei
r..
.

Thong:
Goodni
ght
..
.

Hi
m:Youdi
dn'
treadmet
hebook.
.

Thong:
I'
mlat
e..
.Howboutt
omor
row.

Hi
m:Tomor
row'
smama'
stur
n

Hegr abbedt hebookf rom hi

sshel fandtookouthi sphonethen
hetextedtheguy stogivehim 5mi nutesthenhel ai
dbesideshim
andbegunr eadi ngforhim.Afterabout3mi nut
eshewassnor i
ng..
Thongputt hebookbackandswi tchedoffhi sl
ightsbefor
e
checkingont hegi r
ls,
theyweresl eepingalr
eadyt henhewalked
pastthebat hroom wher eKhumowasdoi ngherni ghtskin
rout
ine..
.Shel ookedathi mlookingsexywi thhisanaconda
curl
inginfront..

Khumo:Kantegol
omogagonakahaokagohithangkatengkana
i
thel
abanyanabagoleba.
..{
isn'
tther
eawayt
ohidethi
sthing,
gi
rl
sarealwaysst
ari
ngatyourzipper
}

Thongunzi
ppedhi
spant
sandputhi
shandi
nsi
dehi
sboxer
s
shov
ingi
tbet
weenhi
slegst
henhezi
ppedup.
.

Thong:
Gakewalkerl
agotswagonekwammekana{
It
'sst
il
l
goi
ngtosl
ipoutwhenIwalk}

Khumo:
Waf
osay
ouj
ustl
i
kef
lexi
ng.
.

Thong:
(smi
l
ed)You'r
ejustsay
ingt
heset
hingssoy
oudon'
tal
l
ow
metogoout.Imi
ssedmyboy .
..

Khumo:Behaveyoursel
f.
..Myphoneshoul
dn'
tri
ngmorethan
twi
ceibi
lei
fihearsomeonebreathi
ngbehi
ndyouI'
m comingto
getyou.

Thong:
Nopr
obl
em.
..

Heki
ssedherneckassheappl
i
edacr
eam onherf
ace.
..

Khumo:Tel
lthosebitchesi
ftheytr
ymetheywi
llbeont
hei
r
per
iodst
hewhol eyear.Lameler
ombosokelet
hail
e

Theyl
aughedashewalkedout,
shelockedthedoorandcar
ri
ed
onwit
hhernightr
out
inewhil
eli
stentopodcast
s..

AtSedi
'
shouse.
..
Latert
hatnightEr
icwalkedinthekit
chenandhuggedhi
swi
fe
fr
om behindbefor
ekissinghercheek.
..

Hesmelledsogoodshef el
tjealous,
heevenseemedabi
ttoo
exci
ted.
..Hopef
ull
yitwasjusttheguyshangi
ngout.
..

Er
ic:
Ilov
eyou.
..

Sedi
:It
hel
aol
elekauhaot
swal
edi
tsal
a..

Er
ic:
You'
regoi
ngt
oyoursi
ster
'shouseandI
'
m notcompl
aini
ng.

Sedi
:That
'sbecausey
ouknowwewi
l
lbedoi
ng.I
'
m pr
edi
ctabl
e..
.
Wenaopor nst
ar

Er
ic:
(laughed)Babei
wasf
il
ming

Sedi
:HeiI
'
m notst
upid,
iknowther
ewereti
mesy ou'dputdown
thecamer
aandrel
iev
edy our
sel
fwit
honeofthegir
ls.

Er
ic:(
laughed)Icoul
dneverstoopthatl
ow.I
'
m asonofGodand
whatyou'r
etalki
ngabouthappenedmanyyearsago.

Sedi
:What
ever
,useacondom.Wemustal
way
suseacondom
outt
her
e.

Er
ic:Youwer
ecomingupwellunt
ily
ousai
d"we"babewhati
s
we..
?.Whynotsaymealone?

Sedi
:(l
aughed)Uhuaker
etempt
ati
oni
sforbot
hgender
s

Er
ic:
(laughed)You'
resoabusi
ve.
..Il
ovey
ou.
.
Heki
ssedherandwal
kedout
..
.

AtOsha'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi l
eOshasatont hebedcryingwit
hherheadbetweenher
knees,sheputherlegsdownandr ubbedhert
earswi
thhertowel
thenshedial
ledKingbuthisphonewentstrai
ghtt
ovoicemail
..
.

Shegotupandf i
xedhermakeupt hensheputonashor tdress
andgrabbedhercarkey s,shegr abbedpassedbyt heki t
chenand
tookthr
eeshot sbeforeput ti
ngthegl assinthesinkandwal king
out.
..Whoeverwoul dhitonhert hatni ghtwouldhitaj ackpot.She
j
ustneededt hatfeel
ingagai n..
.Thatf eel
ingofbeingusedand
sati
sfyi
ngaman. ..Eveni fi
twasast rangerorstr
anger s.
..
Itwould
evenbebet t
erift
heyt ookt urnsonher .
..
shegotint hecarand
droveoff.
..

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#201

Att
hehot
elbar
..
.

Awai t
resswalkedovertoOshaasshesatalonewi
thadrinki
n
f
rontofherwat chi
ngthebarTV.Shecheer
edandclappedhands
watchi
ngt heweeklyhi
ghli
ght
s..
.

Wai
tr
ess:
Her
eist
hebi
l
l.
.

Osha:
Ineedanot
her
..

Thewait
resswal
kedovertohi
ssuper
visorandt
alkedt
ohi
mfora
secondt
henhewalkedovert
oOsha.

Him:Goodevening.
..Iunder
standyouhaveorderedsev er
aldri
nks
andwebeliev
ey ou'
reapproachingthel
egall
imitso.Isuggestyou
gohome..
.Youhav ecarkeyswi thyousowecannotgi veyou
anymorel
iquor.I
tsourpoli
cy..Nobodywalksoutint
oxicat
ed.

Osha:
Arey
ouser
ious?I
'
m notev
endr
unk.
..Doi
lookdr
unk?

Hi
m:Youdon'
tlookdrunkbutifwegiv
eyoumor ey
ou'
l
lbedrunk.
Weknowthepercent
agesofthedri
nksyou'
vehadsof
ar.Weare
doingthi
soutofl
ov eforourcustomer sandt
hereputati
onofour
hotel
.Wearea4st arhotelandwe'dliketomaintai
nthat.We
needyouali
veandwel ltoreach5starakeretsal
ayame..Ify
ou
hadfri
endswit
hyoul enaledr i
veriwouldn'
tmindbutyou're
al
oneandi t
snotsafetodrinkanddr i
ve.

Osha: Whereisy ourmanager ?You'r

ejustaheadwai t
ress.
.Iwil
l
posty ouonsocial mediaf oryourpoorservice.Doy ouknowme?
Iam adegr eeholderf r
om t heUniversi
tyofBot swana,
mmadi kol
o..
.Ket senyekoUbaskhonnay oo...Ihaveabachelor
s
degreei npharmacy .
..I
'm notast aggeri
ngdr unkardwhodrinks
mber eberekogoMambakat a.Whywoul dyoubel it
tl
emeby
l
imit
t i
ngmydr i
nkingasi fkeakol ota?I'
m pay i
ng..

ShetookoutherATM card,t
hesupervisorcal
ml ysmi
ledl
ooki
ng
ather.
..I
twasamazi ngwi
tnessingal
coholchangeoneofthei
r
bestcustomers.
..Orwasi
tstress?Shewasn'tthatdr
unkbutshe
wasn'therusual
self.
..

Hi
m:Ok.
.Iwi
l
lcal
lthemanager
.

Osha:
Thanky
ou.

Hewal kedaway ,Oshalookedatagroupofmenpl ayi

ngpoolbut
noneoft hem noti
cedherorthenoiseshewasmaki ngasthey
chattedloudlypl
aying.Themanagerwalkedoverwit
hasmi l
eand
respectf
ullyputherhandstoget
herlooki
ngather.
.
Manager
:Goodev
eni
ng.
.

Osha:I
'
m nothappywit
hy ourservi
ce.Ihaveenoughprobl
emsat
hometobetreatedl
i
ket hi
s..
.I'
m buyi
ngI'm notget
ti
ngoncredi
t
buthewon'
tgivemedrinks.

Manager
:Iunder
standthatyou'
renothappybutwehavea
cust
omercarepol
icy.I
t'
soverther
e..
.Wedon'tsel
lal
cohol
to
cust
omerswhohav ehadenough.

Osha:Wow..
.NowonderAfri
caisnotgrowing.
..Ot
herpeopl
e
wouldn'
tl
etacustomerl
eaveunhappy.Butwhatdoiknow..
Swipemmaket samaetoseri
ousplaces.
..

Theyswi
pedherbi
l
lthenshewal
kedoutanddr
oveof
f.
..

AtGoi
wa'
sHouse.
..

MeanwhileLanaandGoiwarelaxedinfrontofthehouseontheir
campchairshavi
ngdri
nksli
steningtomusi cinthecarwhil
e
wait
ingforSedi
.Minut
eslat
erSedi drov
et hroughthegat
ewi t
ha
ToyotaHil
uxvanandparkedinfrontofthehouse..

Goi
wa:Ohwheny ousai
dyouboughtacari
thoughty
oumeanta
cl
osedoneesengvan.
Lana:
Whatdoy
out
hinkofi
t?Comeandseei
t.
.

Goi
waandLanastoodupandwal
kedar
oundt
hecarasSedi
smi
ledf
oldi
ngherarms.
.

Goi
wa:It
'sbeauti
ful
..
.(l
aughed)Pl
ast
icscover
ingt
heseats.
..
GuysI
'
m sopr oudofyou..
.Kooredoyourememberwherewe
comefr
om tota?

Lana:(
smil
ed)Thiscarisyours..
.Sedianditoget
herwi
thMonga
andEri
csavedforitf
or3mont hs.Wethoughtyouguysneeda
cartobeabl
etosellyourvegetableswit
houthavi
ngtohir
eacar
whichcut
sony ourpr
ofit
s.

Goiwastoppedsmil
ingandl
ookedatt
hev
an.Sedi
handedhert
he
regi
str
ati
onpapers.
.

Sedi
:Thi
siswhyweneededy
ourI
Dyest
erday
.

Goi
wal ookedatt
hepapersastear
sfi
ll
edhereyesthenshe
l
ookedathersist
ersandputherar
m overherf
acecryi
ngli
kea
chi
l
d,thesist
erssteppedov
erandhuggedherasshecri
ed.
..

Lana:
Wemadei
toutoft
hef
arm.
..Wedi
dit
..
Goi
wa:But
..
.Hav
ingacar
?It
sanewcar
..
.Notev
ensecondhand.
..
Guy
s..
.

Shewal kedar
ounditandgoti nthenshesatinandheldthe
steer
ingwheel,t
hesistersgotinfr
ontsit
ti
ngbesidesoneanother
andlookedatherlaughingasshegentlytouchedthedashboar
d..
.

Goiwa:Hubbysaved7Kt owardst
hecar
..
.Imagi
nehowlongit
wasgoingtotakeforustobuyacar.Heisgoi
ngtobeexci
ted
whenhecomesf rom thegardent
omorr
ow.Thankyousomuch..
.
Idon'
tknowwhatt osay..

Lana:
You'
rewel
come

Sedi
:Any
timebabes.
.

Goi
walookedathernameontheregist
rati
onpaper
sindi
sbel
i
ef
andl
ookedatthecarashersi
ster
slaughed..
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

OnthesameeveningApul
a,Mar
uandAenest
oodbyt
hebr
aai
st
andturni
ngt
heirmeat.
.
Apul
a:IdoubtAt
sil
ewi
l
lcome.Shebl
uet
ickedme

Mar
u:Shewi
l
lcomebuti
doubtOt
lhewi
l
l.
..

Atsi
lepar
kedthecarandst
eppedoutt
henshebentov
erwashing
herhandsandpickedamar
inat
edTbonefr
om t
hecontai
ner
..

At
sil
e:Hi
..

Theygreetedoneanot herassheplacedhermeatdown.Ot l
he
parkedi
nfr ontofthehousewiththelandcrui
serashersist
ers
stoodbythebr aai
standturni
ngtheirmari
natedmeat ,
she
removedtheseatbel tandrev
vedt heengi
nejustbecause.

Ot
lhe:
(whi
stl
edl
i
keaman)Tur
bodi
esel
4,5-
li
tr
e!Yeses!

Shest
eppedoutofthecari
nherjeansandboot
slooki
ngl
i
kea
cowgi
rlasthecarpl
ayedcount
rymusic.

Otl
he: Newri
chauntint
hebui
l
ding!!Comeonecomealland
welcomeme. .
.(sher
emember
edt heri
chauntar
ri
val
chall
enge)
Wait.
..Wait
..
.
Shechangedandpl ayedtheRi
chauntchal l
engesong, thesi ster
s
l
aughedoutloudandwal kedoverli
kef amil
ypoorkids..
.Ot lhe
dancedtothesongt aki
ngoutcontainersoft hemi
lkproduced
fr
om thefarm andhandedeachoft hem ast heyl
aughedpl ay i
ng
al
ongwi t
hthechall
enge.Sheswitchedof fthecarandcl osedt he
door.
.

Otlhe: Whosai dsuccessisnotsexual l

yt r
ansmitted?Whosai d
that...
?Hewehewebr i
ngsomet hi
ngt othetableblabla..Whoi s
thi
sr ichaunt ?Theycallmemadam att hefar
m. .
.Thef arm
wor kersthinksI'm something.
..(
laughed)Theydon' tknowI 'mj ust
Otlhe..WabonaApul agorebri
ngingsomet hingtot hetable
doesn' tguaranteehappiness?Bonakehappyj wangmmei didn't
comewi thany t
hingexceptmykukul i
cious.
..I
fwedi v
or ceI'
m
gettinghalfofev eryt
hing.
..Kukucanwor kforyouify ou'r
eclever..

Apulalookedathersmil
ingresi
sti
ngtheur
getol
aughand
eventual
lybur
stint
olaughterwi
thevery
one.
..

Apul
a:Ok,
OK.
..Somepeopl
ewi
n..
.Wi
tchesl
i
key
ouwi
n..
.

Maru:
Idi
dn'
tev
ent
hinkhermar
ri
agewoul
dlast6mont
hsl
et
al
one4year
s

Aene:
Idi
dn'
tthi
nkshe'
dev
ergetmar
ri
edatal
l

At
sil
e:(
laughed)Idi
dn'
tev
ent
hinkanymanwoul
dspend5
mi
nut
eswi
thher

Otl
he: (l
aughedoutloud)Baf
ethuthesecr
etneh!Istobehis
peace...I
fihavetobebehavetobear i
chhoneyi wi
llbehav
e..
.
Youdi dn'
tseemel earni
ngevery
thi
ngaboutcatt
le,f
eedingand
milkproducti
on.Heihubbykatswaaipokaareobony emosadi
gaaitsegorei onl
ychangedbecausenekebonagor ekenna
l
ehetwaj aanong..

Theyl
aughedoutl
oud.
..

Apul
a:(
laughed)Ret
aabui
siwasent
enebat
hongf
osekt
hemma

Otl
he:Sorr
ybabesI'
mt heri
chauntnow.
..Wher
eisSky?Ibrought
heraboxoff r
eshmilkev
enJuli
anandLewiswenaAene..
.Apula
i
fyourgranddaught
erwasinMaunI'dgi
vehert
oo..
.

Theytookoutcr
atesofmi
l
kandwal
kedi
nthehousechat
ti
ng
l
oudly
...
.

Apul
a: Butonaseri
ousnot
eladi
esi
feel
li
key
oual
way
s
misi
nterpret
edher
e..
.

Maru:
Trustmennakai nev erdid.
.Allyou'resayi
ngisi
fpossible
tr
ytocont
ribut
ef i
nanci
all
ybecausel i
fei sexpensiv
enowaday s
andmostmenneedassi stanceot her
wi sehewi l
lbedepr
esseda
i
melwa.Howev eri
fyoucan' ty
oushoul dn'tfeel
li
kerel
ati
onships
areforwomenwi t
hmoneyonly.
..Somemenj ustwanta
respectf
ulwomanwhowi ll
givethem morethanjustmoney
...
Whaty oubringtothet
abl
edependsony ourpart
ner's
expectati
ons..
.Youdon'
tbr
ingwhaty out
hinkyoushouldbr
ing..

Apul
a:Exact
ly.
..I
tdepends

Otl
he:Yeahigety
oubutwenaneoremeletsemomadingmotho
wamei bi
lenekei
thobogogi
l
ekany
alokerekeyabar
utegi
le
bahumi.

Aene:Awomanmakingmoneywi
l
lal
way
sbei
mpor
tantsomeof
usarebr
eadwi
nner
s

Ot
lhe:
Osksal
ayoI
'
m ar
ichaunt
..
.

Apul
a:(
laughed)I
bil
ewachoma

Theyl
aughedwal
ki
ngi
ntheki
tchen.
..
.

Att
hehot
elbar
..
.

Meanwhi l
eOsha' shi
ghheelswalkedi nthebarthenshestopped
andlookedaround, t
herewasabout3whi temensitti
nginsi
dethe
barbuttheywer ewithalady,
shet urnedaroundandlookedatthe
outdoorbarareawher esever
altablesscatter
edaroundthelawn
whilepeopl
edr unkwatchingthegameont hebigscreen.
.
Shewal
kedov
erandsatbyt
hecount
er.
.

Osha:
Hi.
..Cani
hav
eashotofwhi
skey

Thebart
endergrabbedtheshotglassandpouredonef orherthen
hepl
aceditonaser vi
ett
eandplaceditinfr
ontofher.Shepicked
i
tandthrewherheadbackswal l
owingitandputtheglassdown
l
ooki
ngatagr oupoffamili
armenwi thDerr
ick.
..

Shewat chedt hem chat tingpl ayi

ngcar dsont heirtable. .
.Shehad
neverr eallyseenMongaandThongcl osely..
.Theywer ecut eon
facebookbutaf t
erseei ngt hem t hatclosesheknewmendi dn't
knowhowt otakepi ctures...Theywer eact uallyv erygoodl ooking
i
nr eal li
fe...Sheal mostsmi ledwat chingMongal aughwi thhi s
buddy ...Howcoul damanbesogoodl ooking...Hi sbicepf i
lled
thear m ofhi sTshirtlike..
.Whywoul dsomeonewast esuchgood
l
ooksonbei ngapast or.Itdi dn'tmakesense. ..Andt henwat chi
ng
Thongwasl ikewat chingsomeki ndofanAf ricanAmer ican
actor...Niggahadat asteandt hatlit
tleneckl acear oundt hecol l
ar
ofhi sTshi r
twhi t
et -shir
tj ust...Hehadt heey esandhi sl ipswer e
j
ust .
..Man. ..FunnyhowEr i
cl ookedbuf fedandbi ggert hanhi s
olderbr other ..
.Thisonel ookednaught y..
.Ther ei snowayhe
didn'ttakepar tinthosepor nv ideos...PoorDer rickst i
llhadn' tfull
y
recov eredwei ghtwi se...Hel ookedOKbuthewasn' tast empt i
ng
ast heset hreemar riedmen. .
.wasi tjustherort herewasj ust
somet hingsexyaboutamanwi t
har i
ngonhi sf i
nger .
..Shecoul d
j
usti magi nest andingbet weent heni ggaswhi l
et heyallgr abbeda
pieceofher ...Oneoft hem t earingherpant ies, theotherherbr a
andsucki nghert itwhiletheot herki ssedherwi thhi
smar ried
l
ips...Thel ipst hatwoul dpr obabl yt ellhiswi fehel ovesherand
kisshi skidst henextdayl i
kehedi dn'tdoany thingwi t
hher ...
Whataspeci al f
eelingitwoul dbet oknowt hatf orthatspl it
secondt hey '
dr isktheirfami liesjustt ot ast
eherandt he
gratifi
cationt hatwoul dcomewi t
hhear ingtheirdeepv oicesas
theycum al l overherwi thoutcar e...Funnymostwi v
esdon' tknow
howwi ldt hei rhusbandsar eoutt here...Doingt hewor stt hings
they'reafr aidt obej udgedf ori ftheydar edont hem...Yest hem
empt yingt hemsel vesonherandpushi ngt heirjuicesbacki nher
mout hwi thr het i
psoft heirmushr oom headbef oredril
li
ngher
mout hf ort hel asttime...Herpant i
esgotwetf rom justwat ching
thesemar riedmenpl aycar dsanddr inkingt heirbeer.Thecher ry
ont opwoul dbewhent heirwi vesf indoutt heycheat ed,itwast he
tears,thement albreakdownsandt hechaos, thepai nthechi ldr
en
woul df eel pay i
ngf ortheirfat her'
smi stakes.Itwoul dn'tcome
closet ot het raumashedeal twithgr owi ngupbecauseofher
parent ssot heywoul dbef ine.Ri chki dswer espoi l
tany way s.

Shet ookadeepbr eat

handwal kedovertothem,foramoment
shewonder edwhosel aptositonfi
rst.
..Mongaseemedki ndof
scary,imeanthisguyactuall
yburi
edamanal i
ve,shecouldn'
t
quietreadDerr
ick'
smi ndbutshedidn'
twantt otr
aumatisehim so
shesatonThong' slapjustasheplacedacardont hetabl
e..
Thongfrownedconfused,forasecondhecoul
dn'tseewhowas
act
uall
ysitt
ingonhislapbecauseherbackandhairwereal
lupon
hi
sfacesohegent l
ypushedherhai rasi
deandsheturnedl
ooki
ng
athi
m stil
lsit
ti
ngonhislap..

Mongacl
earedhisthr
oatandt
ookasi
pfr
om hi
sgl
ass,
Eri
ctoo
t
henDerr
icklookedather
..

Derr
ick:Guysi
hav
etogo.
..Iwasr
eleasedunderspeci
fi
c
condit
ions.

Er
ic:
Sur
e

Thongl
ookedathi
m wal
ki
ngaway
..
.

Thong:
Dee?

Der
ri
ck:
Yeah?

Thong:
(Oshast
il
lsi
tt
ingonhi
slap)I
'
dki
l
lformywi
fe

Der
ri
ck:
Idon'
tdoubtt
hat
..

Er
ic:
(sighed)Al
ri
ght
..
.Iguesswehav
etost
artt
hegame.(
toOsha)
Ar
ey ouplayi
ng?

Osha:
Yeah,
you'
l
lal
lteachme.
Eri
ccoll
ect
edal
lthecar
dsandmi
xedt
hem asOshal
ookedback
atThong.

Osha:
Sor
ryi
didn'
tsayhi
.
.

Thong:
It'
sok.
.

Sher
eachedov
ert
ouchedMonga'
schestbef
oret
ouchi
nghi
sli
ps.
.

Osha:
Kat
swaosunamonat
egor
e..

Mongapi ckedhiscardsandl eanedback,shelookeddownathi s

zi
pperandt oucheditslowlypulli
ngitdownashequi etl
ywatched
her.SheturnedandlookedatEr icacrossthet
able,hewasn't
di
fficul
ttoreadaft
eral l
..
.Poorboywasdesper ateforher
att
ent i
ontoososhel eanedov erthetabl
eandFrenchkissedhim
ashershor tdr
esspulledupr eveali
ngherpant
ies.

Theyal
llookedar
oundt
oseeifpeopl
eontheothertabl
escoul
d
seewhatwasgoingonbutev
eryonewasbusychatt
ingwatchi
ng
thegame..
Thong'shear tpoundedashel ookedatherkukuf il
li
ngt hepant i
es
asshest uckherbut toutstillkissingEric,thatkukuwasr i
ghton
hisfaceandhi sdicktightenedhi spantssobadhet houghthi s
butt
onwoul djustpop.Ev er
ypar tofhisr easoningscr eamedf or
himt oleav e..
.Hehadn' tcheat edi noveradecadeandhewasn' t
sureifhecoul dgetawaywi tht hisone.Shewaswayt ooy oungt o
keepasecr etbutf uckingAt si
le'sdaught eraftereverythingshe
didwoul dn'tbesobad, hewant edt oknowwhowassweet er
betweent hem t oo..
.whathehel lwaahet hinking,nowhewant ed
toputdownhi scar dsandgohomet ohiswi febuthewascur ious
aboutmot heranddaught er.Hel ookedatMongaf oremot ional
supportbuthi sboy '
sey esscr eamedequal helplessness.Osha
satonThong' slapagai nandl eanedt ot hesi depulli
ngMonga
overforaki ss..
.

Monga:
Fuck!No,
I'
m shaki
ng.

Oshasmil
edasifshewastr
yingt
oshowhi mit'
snotthathar
d,
shetur
nedbackandki
ssedThongthenshelookedbackat
Monga.

Osha:
Comeher
e..
.

Sher
ubbedhi
sbonerandpul
l
edhi
schi
nov
er.
.
Mongaclosedhi seyeshelpl
esslyasthisgirlkissedhi sl
ipsand
sheknewhowt okisstoo.
..Hiswife'
slastwor dsf orthenight
echoedinhi
sheadasOshaki ssedhi m hardandev endisturbed
histhi
nki
ngwi t
hasof tmoant hatalmosthadhi m breakhispant s
withaboner.
..Jesuspleasetakethewheel .
..Ofcour sehewant ed
toleav
ebuthisf eetf
ail
edhim asifthatdickwaspul li
nghi m
down..

Shefi
nishedwit
hMongaandbabykissedhi
mthenshetur
nedto
Thongsitt
ingononelapandl
eaneddownki
ssi
nghi
m, f
uckgi
rl
l
it
tl
ekissedbett
erthanhermot
her.
..
.

Er
icst
oodupandwal
kedt
othecount
er.
..

Eric:
Cani havecondoms?3boxes.Oneext
ra-
lar
ge,
lar
geanda
regularsi
ze.

Bar
tender
:Theyhav
esi
zes?

Er
ic:
(poi
nted)Yest
hatbr
andhassi
zes.Checkt
heboxes

Thetendergr
abbedt
hreeboxesandhandedhi
m,Er
ichandedhi
m
P100.
Eric:Keept
hechange.I
sther
eawayy
oucandi
m ourl
i
ght
sat
table34?

Tender
:Ther
eisabutt
onundert
hebul
b,pr
essi
toncei
tdi
ms,
twi
ceisswit
chesof
fcompl
etel
y

Er
ic:
Thanks.
..

Er
icwal
kedbackt
othet
abl
e.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#202

Att
hehot
el.
..

Eri
cputthecondomsont hetable.Mongapi ckedaboxand
noti
ceditwasXLt henhepassedi tt
oManDandpi ckedt heLsize.
Heopenedt heboxundert hetableandleanedbackont hechai
r
l
ookingaroundcarefull
y,ev er
yonewasst il
lbusydrinking
watchi
ngthegamet henheunzi ppedhispant sleav
ingt hebutt
on
onsoonlyhisdickgotoutt hr
ought hezipthenherolledthe
condom downhislargebeadedmeat .
..

Eri
calsoleanedbackpul
li
ngouthisr
egul
armeatt
hroughthe
zi
pperthenher ol
l
editonwhi
letheot
herpeopl
ewatched
cheer
ingforascore.

Thonggr
abbedhisboxonthetabl
eandopeneditwi
thhishands
meeti
ngoverOsha'
ssl
apwhil
eshesatonhim,Oshajer
kedup
fi
xi
ngherl
onghairwhi
lehel
eanedbackandrol
ledhi
sXLon..

Hegrabbedherwaistwithbot
hhandshel
pinghersitbackonhi
s
l
apagain.Herhear
tskippedasshefel
thi
sXLr esti
ngonherback,
notevenherbut
tbutalltheway,
upherback.
..Formomentshe
thoughtmay
beitwashi shandbutbot
hhi
shandswer
ehol
ding
herli
tt
lewai
st.
..
.Jesus.

Mongagr abbedherhandandputov erhislargemeat ,i

tfi
ll
edher
handashepushedherhandupanddown. .
.Shenev erknewi t
waspossibleforthi
sthi
ngtof eelahandandi thassohar dand
bumpy .
.Shelookedatitandhermout hdropped. .
.Lor
d..
.Wer e
theyevengoingtofit
?Eri
cpulledhischairbesidesThongand
grabbedherotherhandthenheputi tonhisregularastheyall
facedthebigscreenwit
hev er
y onel
ikenothi
ngwashappeni ng..
.

Thongsli
ght
lyl
ift
edherupandgrabbedthest
ri
ngofherG-
str
ing
pul
li
ngitasi
dethenheheldhisXLi
nplacesoshecoul
dsli
de
downbutDerri
ckwalkedback.

Mongaqui ckl
yleanedoverthetableandi nnocentl
ytookasipof
hisHennessywhileEri
cleanedov erspreadingthecardsonthe
tabl
easOshapi nnedherelbowsont hetableinnocent
lyhol
ding
herphone.Thonglockedhisfacet othescr eenli
kehewas
watchi
ng..

UnawareDer
ri
ckst
oppedbyt
het
abl
eandsi
ghedl
ooki
ngat
them.
..
Derr
ick:Let'
sgo..
.All
ofyou,youhav
ebeendrinki
ngandihav
en'
t
becausei wasthedri
verandit
smyresponsi
bil
it
ytotakey
ou
home, r
emembert hat?Arey
eng..
.

Er
ic:
Nnaket
aawal
ker
,10ki
l
omet
resgasesepehel
a.

Thong:
Ket
aat
say
acab

Der
ri
ckl
ookedatMonga,
theowneroft
hecar
..
.

Derr
ick:
Lewenawaawal ker?Koor
eleit
shokodiset
saengka
kukuleetogetsekolapeng?Andyou'
redrunk,t
rustmy
j
udgementbecauseI '
m sober.(
col
l
ectedthecardsonthet
abl
e)
Emangmal ai
teakaretsamae...

Mongaputhishandundert
het abl
eremov i
ngthecondom,he
droppedi
tonthelawnandzippedhispantsthenhestoodup
fi
xinghi
sTshi
rtholdi
ngi
toverhisboner.
.

Thong:
Mat
aozenakooemepel
emest
asant
ser
ebual
eDer
ri
ck.

Der
ri
cknoti
cedthecondom boxesont
het
ablewi
tht
hebeer
gl
assesandobser
vedhowMongawasholdinghi
sTshi
rthi
ding
hi
sboner.
Thong:
Mat
aozennnar
eit
isi
tsegol
oha.
.

Mongasatdownandt
ookasi
p..
.

Osha:
Can'
tyouseet
heydon'
twantt
ogo?Ar
eyout
hei
rboss?

Der
ri
ck:
Shutupwena.
..Iwasn'
ttal
ki
ngt
oyou.

Osha:
Thesepeopl
earest
il
lwatchi
ngthegame,aker
etheywere
gi
venper
missi
onstobeherei
tsnotli
kebati
lekabokebekwa.

Thong:
Eri
cbual
emogol
oo

Der
rick:(
tookouthisphone)Ihav
eSedi
'snumberwenaEri
c,I
'
m
sur
eshecanconnectmewi thKhumoandLanakebareyebate
goletsayabecauseleganel
lamomaiti
song.

Er
ic:
Deey
ou'
rer
uini
ngmai
ti
soar
ona.

Osha:
Tomorrowwewon' tevent
alktoeachotheroractli
kewe
knoweachot
her.I
'
m over21soi canmakethisdecisi
on.
Tsamayai
fyoudon'twanttobepartoft
his.
.You'
rerui
ningthe
mood.

Der
ri
ck:
Sowhatwi
l
lbemyexpl
anat
ionf
orcomi
ngbackear
ly?

Thong:Deeyourwif
ei snotf r
iendswithourwi v
es,t
heydon'tt
alk
sogohomeandt ellheryoumi ssedherandy ouwerebored,
si
mple.Andskarekalepel engwel amalatsi
wat hamamoo
buwangkannabecausei fmywi feevensuspectsanyt
hingyou'
ll
l
oseeverymemberofy ourfami l
y.I
'mthatcruel.
Thong:
Guy
scal
m down.
..Deej
ustgohome

Derr
ick:Wit
hyourcar?Rememberyoumademeretur
nmycar
becauseyouguyswantedtodri
nkandexpect
edmetodropoff
ever
yone.Nowy ouchange?Koor
eekar
eLanaapekajaanaabeo
i
tebala?

Monga:
Deeweel
i
sten.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Eri
c?Sedii
sgoi
ngtodi
vor
cey
ou,
don'
tfor
gett
hatma
BDPbammatahighandl
ow.

Eri
c:I'
l
lthi
nktomorr
owmr .
..Tsamay
a..
.(t
oMonga)Ihav
etogo
fi
rstguysyou'
rebi
ggert
hanme. .

Thongpull
eddownOsha' sdr
esspul
ledherbackdownonhis
chestt
henheturnedherheadbackandkissedherput
ti
nghi
s
handbetweenherlegs.
.

Thong:
Gosi
tonhi
slap

Ericgrabbedherhandasshest eppedonhi ssideandsatonhi s

l
ap, Derri
ck'seyesdroppedonThong' sXLashepul l
edaTshi rt
overhimsel f
..
.hi
sheartskippedsohar dital
mostst opped,under
Monga' spant shecouldseehislar
gemeatl yingalonghisthigh
thenhet urnedaroundandwal kedout.Hewasn' tsurewhatwas
mor eweird...
Thefactthattheydi
dn'tmindsharingortheirsi
z es.
Hewal
kedt
othewrongdir
ectiontr
aumatisedandt
urnedbackt
o
t
hegat
ewherehecaughtataxiandlef
t.
..

Backatt hetabl
eOshaslowl
ysatonEricslowlysli
dingdownhi
s
regul
ar,Thongpull
edherneckoverandkissedherwhi l
eEri
c
pounded, MongagotupandstoodbesidesErict
henheputher
l
itt
lehandov erhi
slar
gemeatwiththeTshirtcover
inghim..
.

Eri
cclosedhi sey
esasOshabouncedont op,Thong'sbr eat
hing
gotheav i
er.
.Hecouldonlyi
maginewhatEri
cwasf eel
ingand
knowingMongawoul dgofi
rstdi
dn'
tmakeiteasier..
.Ifhecould
atleastgetthatt
hroati
nthemeanti
me..Orevent hatass..

Thong:
Let
'sgetar
oom,
ther
eist
oomucht
raf
fi
car
oundher
e.

Monga:
Eeei
sh.
..

Monganot
icedaguysi
tt
ingnear
byget
ti
ngsuspici
ousandgl
ared
athi
m,t
heguytur
nedbacktothebi
gscreenasEri
c#Removed

ht
tps:
//www.facebook.
com/
groups/
295491328981105/
per
mal
i
n
k/
483170693546500/

*
Afewmi nut
esafterOshastooduppul l
i
ngdownherdress,
Thong
pul
ledhi
scapov erhisheadandpickedherupasshehuggedhi
s
waistwi
thherl
egst henhecarr
iedhertotheroomsasMonga
pi
ckedthecarkeysandf ol
l
owedf i
xinghisTshi
rt
..

Monga:
Gobookar
oom.
.

Eri
czippedhi
spantsandj
oggedtotherecepti
on.Thonghanded
MongaOshaandt ur
nedtothespi
ralhedgespeei
ngwhileMonga
car
riedherki
ssi
ngher.
.

Thongempt i
edthepi
pegetti
ngreadyforhert
henhest ood
behi
ndher,sheputherot
herarm overhi
sshoulderandkissed
hi
mt oowhileMongacarr
iedherthenshewentbackt oMonga
ki
ssinghi
m asThongcuppedherbr eat
s.

Er
icr
anbackandpoi
ntedt
other
oom wi
thakey
..

Mongawal kedintotheroom carryi

ngherandputherdownas
Thongsquattedpul l
i
ngdownherg- st
ri
ng.Mongagr abbedthe
condom andputi tonwhil
eshewaski ssi
ngwi t
hThongt henhe
stoodbehindherand#Remov ed..
.
https:
//www.facebook.
com/gr oups/295491328981105/permal
i
n
k/483240453539524/
MyKi
ndofMan

#202

Scene1.

Monganot icedaguysi t
tingnear bygettingsuspi ciousandgl ared
athim, t
heguyt urnedbackt ot hebi gscreenasEr icleanedback
andpounded, Oshabi therl ipbounci ngonhi sdi ckget ti
ngev en
wetwhi l
eThonghel dherherhandsof t
lycar essingherpal m
l
ookinginherey es.Hel eanedov erandki ssedher .Theirbr eaths
weredifferentbutal lequal l
ysweetandi ntoxicating...Shecoul d
evendifferentiat
et hem wi thherey esclosed. .Mongagr abbedher
hairandleanedov erkissingherwhi l
eEr i
cdr ill
edher , Monga
sl
ippedhi shandunder neat hhert opandsqueezedherni pple
gently
.Hedi dsowel lshegotar ousedasEr i
cwor kedonherand
begunbr eat hi
ngheav il
ysl appinghi sbodyagai nstherv iolently
.
Herpussybegunt hrobbingasbot hMongaandThonghel deach
ofherhand. .
.

Thong:
(caughthi
sbr
eat
h)Shi
t.
..

Monga:
Het
sat
her
raket
sene.
..

Mongasqueezedherhandonhi
slar
gemeatasEr
icbumpedi
nto
herf
ull
yandgrasped.
.
Er
ic:
Fuck!Uhhh.
.

Herestedont hechairandhuggedherfrom behindasherorgasm

arr
ived,Thongreachedbetweenherlegsandf l
ickedherbeanas
sheconv ul
sed,Eri
cspasmedi nsi
deherpushingoutthelast.
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#202

Scene2.

Mongawal kedint
other
oom carr
yingherandputherdownas
Thongsquattedpull
i
ngdownherg-str
ing.Mongagrabbedthe
condom andputitonwhi
leshewaskissingwit
hThongt henhe
stoodbehi
ndherandspreadherbuttt
henheplacedhis
mushroom headonherentr
anceandpushedin..

Osha:
Uhhh.
..

Shefli
nchedasThonggent l
yhuggedher,Mongaslappedhi
sdick
onherthighandblockedherpussyagai
nthenhepushedinas
shebitherli
pshuggingThongti
ghtl
ytry
ingtotakeitl
i
keabig
gir
l.
..

Thong:
Rel
axbabe.
..Igoty
ou.
..

Mongapushedandpoppedi
nsideashegrunt
edli
keabull
taki
ng
upal
lthespacei
nsi
deherasherpussyf
ithi
sdickl
ikeagl
ove.
..
Monga:
Uht
her
e!(
spankedher
)Sot
ight
..
.

Heheldherwaistanddri
l
ledhergentl
ywhil
eThongheldherthen
heincr
easedhisspeedpushi
nghiswholedicki
nsi
deherasshe
begunwail
ingstandi
ngonhertoes,shel
etgoofThongandt r
ied
topushMongabutThonghel dherhandsbehi
ndherandkissed
herasMongapoundedher .
..

Osha:
Ohf
uck-
fuck-
fuck.
..
wai
t.
..
Wai
t.
..
Uhh

Mongat ur
nedheraroundandki
ssedherasThonggui
dedhis
anacondaupherpussyandpushedinwhil
eMongatri
edtol
if
ther
,
hepushedincracki
ngherasshefl
inchedhangi
ngonMonga'
s
hands.
.

Osha:
Uhf
uck!

MongapushedThongwi thonehandwhi l
ecarry
ingherwi t
hthe
ot
herthenheguidedhisdickupherpussyandheldheront heai
r
wit
hherlegshangingonhisarmsthenhepushedi nsideher
i
ncreasi
ngthatt
earasshewhi mperedhelpl
essl
ylayingherhead
onhischest
..
.
Osha:
Uhuh.
..
.

Mongamov edhiswaistdr
il
li
ngheri
nandoutasThong
desperat
elystoodbyholdi
nghisXL.Hest
eppedoverand
squeezedherbutt.
..

Thong:
Shei
saboutt
obl
ackout
,ti
sawagonnaboket
e..
.

Monga'sphonerang,Er
ictookitandsteppedoutsi
deasMonga
sl
ight
lypull
edupOsha,hisdickdroppedoutofherandherpussy
fl
eshtri
edtoslowl
yclosebutThongbl ockedherentr
anceand
pushedinasshegaspedf l
inchi
ng,hebithisl
owerli
pforci
nghi
s
di
ckinsideherasshescreamedwi thherarmsaroundMonga..

Osha:
Uhhhhht
akei
tout
..
..Uhf
ucki
thur
ts.
..

Thongfi
nall
ypoppedandsl
idi
nputt
inghal
fofhi
sdicki
nsi
deher
thenhebegundri
l
li
nginandoutwhi
l
eMongacarri
edher.
..

Osha:
Shi
t.
..No-
no-
no-
..
.
Sheshookherheadl
i
keamadwomanandt ri
edtobreat
hli
kea
womangivingbi
rt
hasThonghel
dherbut
tti
ghtl
yshovi
nghi
mself
i
nsideher
..
.

Osha:
Iyay
ayay
aya.
..
.ii
i
ii
ii
i
ii
ahhhh

Thongpoundedhermer
cilessl
yforagood5mi nut
esthenhe
st
eppedbackashisdi
ckdr oppeddown,shesighedrel
iev
edbut
Mongaputhisdi
ckbackinsideherandshegraspedagainget
ti
ng
dri
l
led.

Er
icwal
kedbacki
n..

Eri
c:(t
oThong)I t
'sLanashesaysKhumosay sy
oushouldanswer
thephone.(toMonga)Shesoundedsuspi
ciouswonder
ingwhy
youweren'tansweri
ngyourphone.

Thong:
Ok.
..

Mongaputheront hebedandt urnedheraroundasshegoton

herknees, hegui
dedhisdicki
ntoheranddr i
ll
edbackandf
ourt
h..
.
Not hingwasdistr
acti
ngthanthatphonecal l
somuchhecould
feel t
heconsequencescreepi
ngin, hepull
edoutandremovedt
he
condom t henhegrabbedherhandt urni
ngheraroundashe
strokedhimselfoverherf
ace.
.
Thong:
What
'swr
ong,
arey
ouOK?

Monga:Yeah,
ihav
etogohome.Shecanf
eel
what
'sgoi
ngoni
n
her
e..

Hest r
okedhimselfandshovedhisdicki
nhermout hasThong
sl
idinbehindhernowequal l
yworri
ed.Mongaheldherheadin
pl
aceandgr ant
edashi sstomachmusclestwi
tched..
.Hegrant
ed
andshotrighti
nsi
dehermout hasshegaggedtryingtobr
eath,he
sl
ippedoutandshookt helastdr
opsonherfaceashiswifecal
led
again.
.

Oshal ookedinhi
swor r
iedfaceashewi pedhimsel fandstepped
outasThongl ookedathim worri
edly,cl
earlythiswasheadi ngto
thewr ongdir
ecti
on.Heincreasedhisspeedandbi thislowerli
p
thenhegr unt
edandf r
ozeinsideherashef i
ll
edt hecondom
withoutasound...
.Hejusthadtoof f
load..
.hepulledoutandshe
droppedont hebedlookingathim ashequi cklyremov edthe
condom andwi pedhimself.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#203

Att
hehot
el.
..

**hepull
edoutandshedroppedont hebedlookingatThongas
hequickl
yremovedthecondom andwi pedhimself
.Hereached
forhi
sphoneinthebackpocketandl ookedatthescr
eenholdi
ng
ausedcondom. .
.hehad9mi ssedcallsfr
om Khumo.Howhi s
phoneendeduponsi l
entmodehehadnoi dea.Heswallowedand
tookadeepbreathdi
all
inghi
swi f
e..
.

Thong:
Don'
tsayany
thi
ngOshaI
'
m maki
ngacal
l
.

Hewal
kedi
nthebathroom anddroppedhi
scondom t
henfl
ushed
t
hetoi
l
etwi
ththephonetrappedbetweenhi
searandshoul
deras
t
hephoner
angunanswered.

Meanwhi
l
eoutsi
deMongapickedthecal
landsatont
he
pav
ementpl
ayi
ngwit
hhisshoelace.
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?
Lana:
Mongawee?

Monga:
Mma?

Lana:
Okae?

Monga:
Kekogami
ngaker
ewai
tse?

Lana:
Whyar
eyounotpi
cki
ngmycal
l
s?

Monga:
It'
snoi
syher
e

Lana:Ican'
thearanyt
hingi
nthebackgr
ound.You'
rei
naqui
et
pl
ace.Actual
lyit
'sver
ysil
entwher
eyou'
re.

Hest
oodupandpacedt
owar
dst
hebi
gscr
een.
.

Lana:
What
'st
hescor
e?

Monga:
Sa?

Lana:Li
ver
poolandWestHam.
..That
'st
hegamey
ou'
rewat
chi
ng
akere?Mphascore.
.

Hewal kedtowardsthebigscreenandtheyhadswi t
chedt o
anothersportschannelt
henhewal kedt
ot hebarcount erlooki
ng
atthescreenabov ethewal
l.
.Itwqsadifferentchanneltoo..
.He
l
ookedar oundthecounterf
orar emoteast hebartenderlookedat
hi
m conf used.
.
Monga:(
looki
ngatt
hehi
m)Youwantscor
esaLi
ver
pool
and
WestHam?

Notsur
eheunderstoodi
fthequest
ionwasforhi
mthebar
tender
si
gned1-0.Mongagavehi
m athumbsup..

Lana:
Soy
oudon'
tknow?

Monga:
1-0.
..
babewhat
'sgoi
ngon?Ket
erumung?

Lana:
Mongawhatar
eyoudoi
ngt
ous?

Monga:I
'
m comi
ngov
erbecausei
don'
tknowwhaty
ou'
ret
alki
ng
about
.

Lana:
Don't
..
.Don'
tcomebackify
ou'
regoi
ngt
oli
etome.Thel
ast
thi
ngiwantist
ogotobedbored.

Monga:
I'
m comi
ng.Il
ovey
ou.

Hecutthecall
andwalkedbacktothecount
erwher
ehepai
d.
Thongwalkedoverandtookouthi
scard.
.

Monga:
Ipai
d..

Thong:Khumoi snotpi
cki
ng,dimi ssedcall
sdiagolaladi
sa
nthobatsa.
..
.mi
ssedcal
ls.
..Noproofwhat soev
er.
..Justmi
ssed
call
s.Idon'
tevenknowhowi accidental
lyputmyphoneonsi l
ent
ont
hispar
ti
cul
arday
..

Mongat
urnedar
oundqui
etl
yandwal
kedawayabsentmi
nded
andwor
ri
ed.

Thong:
Arey
ouOK?

Monga:
Yeah.
..

Theywal
kedbackt
other
oom wher
eOshawasl
ayi
ngont
hebed.

Monga:
I'
m goi
ng.
.

Osha:
Bye

Eri
csteppedoutoft
hebat
hroom dr
yinghi
msel
fwi
that
owel
and
putonhispant
s..

Thong:
Didy
ouj
ustt
akeashower
?

Er
ic:
Idon'
twantt
osmel
lfunky

Thong:
Soy oushoweredwithhot
elsoap?Wow.
.Imustbemar
ri
ed
toasni
fferdog.Goodluck.
Er
icsmel
ledhimselft
hought
full
y.Theguy
st ur
nedaroundand
wal
kedout,Er
icputonhiscl
othesandfol
lowedthem put
ti
ngon
hi
sTshi
rt
...

AtKhumo'
sHouse.
..

Lateronj
ustbef
oremidni
ghtThongknockedonthedoorbut
therewasnoanswer
,hedial
ledherbutshecutt
hecal
landsenta
text.

Khumo:You'
renotsl
eepingi
nmyhouseot swabony
atsi
ng.I
camether
ewheny oudidn'
tanswermycal
l
sbutyouweren'
tther
e.

Hetri
edtocall
butherphonewasof
f,heknockedont
hei
rwi
ndow
butsheswi
tchedofft
helight
s.

Khumo:
Othodi
abanabar
obet
se.

Thong:
Iwentt
othet
oil
et.
.Cany
ouopent
hedamndoor
?

Khumo:
Oray
ammadamn?Nxl
a!

Thong:
Babe?I
'
m sor
ry.
..Opent
hedoor

Ther
ewasnor
esponse,
hepul
l
edt
hegar
agedoor
,thankGodi
t
openedbutthedoorleadi
ngtothehousewasl ocked.Hesaton
theplast
icchai
randsighednotsurewhattodot henhecl
osed
thegaragedoorandsatdownt r
yingt
otextherbutherphonewas
off.

AtLana'
sRoom.
..

Mongawal kedinandclosedthedoort henhepassedt othe

bathr
oom wherehewashedhi sdickandflushedt
het oi
letl
i
kehe
wasjustpeeingthenhesatont heedgeoft hebedlookingat
Lanawhowasl ayi
ngdownf acingthewall
...

Lana: Don'tsayany
thi
ngify
ou'regoingtoli
e,j
ustgeti
nbedand
sl
eep.I fyou'r
enotgoi
ngtotellmethetrut
hwheni canfeel
somet hingwasgoingonouttherethendon'tmakethi
ngsworse
bylyingont opofwhatyoudid.Justsl
eepandletmedeal wi
th
myt hought s.
.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#204

AtSedi
'
sHouse.
..

Thenextmor ni
ngonSaturdaySedi
gotupandputonherpyj
amas
thenshewalkedoutsi
deandbegunwateri
ngherpl
ant
stryi
ngnot
toletheri
nsecur
it
iesgett
hebestofher
..
.

Shegrabbedt herakeandr akedaroundtheyard,hedef i

nitel
y
smell
edlikethesehot elsoaps.
..Mostofthesehotelsuset he
sameshowergel sbr andedwi t
hthei
rhotelnames...Plustheguy s
pref
erwat chi
ngthegameanddr i
nki
nginhotels.Whati fheleft
theguysandcheat ed.MongaandThongwoul ddef ini
telynever
cheatontheirwives.
..

I
nt hebedroom Erictur
nedandputhi
shandoverherexceptshe
wasn'tthere,heopenedhi
seyesandlookedar
ound.
..shewasn't
real
lytherethenhegotupandputonhissweatpant
sandwal ked
outsi
de.

Hestoodbythest oopwi
thhishandsinthepocket
slooki
ngather
assherakedtheyardwit
hairpodsineachofherears.Gui
lt
st
ruckasheslippedhisf
eetintheshoesandwalkedover.
..
Hehuggedherf
rom behi
ndandki
ssedherasshehel
dther
ake
andf
orcedasmil
e.

Er
ic:
Goodmor
ning.
..

Sedi
:Mor
ning.
..

Er
ic:
Cani
hel
pyou?

Shelookedathi mthoughhewasn'treallymakingey
econtact
wit
hher ,henevergotupsoear l
yduri
ngt heweekend.Hedidn'
t
waitforherresponsehegrabbedthetrashbucketandbegun
pi
ckingtheleavesshehadpi l
edwithar ake.
..

Sedi
:Isthereanypar
ti
cul
arr
easonwhyy
oucamehomesmel
l
ing
l
ikehotelsoap?

Er
ic:
Ismel
l
edl
i
kehot
elsoap?

Sedi
:Yes,
ithi
nkI'
vesl
epti
nenoughhot
elst
oknowwhen
someoneisfr
eshoutoft
heshowerwi
thoneoft
hose.

Eri
c:Idon'
tknowhowthatispossi
blet
hough..
.Ohaft
ereat
ingi
washedmyhands.Therewasat i
nybodylot
ioninMonga'
scar
abekeitshasamodi
ateng.I
twastheloti
on.
Hepausedpi
cki
ngt
rashandst
oodupl
ooki
ngi
nherey
es.
.

Er
ic:
(smi
l
ed)Di
dyout
hinki
cheat
ed?

Hesmi l
edthatcontagi
oussmi
leasshesmi
ledembarr
assedand
carr
iedonraking,hewal
kedov
erandtookt
herakef
rom her
tur
ningheraround..

Eri
c:(l
aughed)No-nowear
enotdroppi
ngt
his.
..
.Lookatme.
..Di
d
youthi
nki cheat
ed?Yout
houghti
wascheati
ngright
?

Sedi
:(point
edathim blushi
ng)Idi
dnot .
..Ijustaskedbecause
wheny ougotinbedismel l
edsomethingdi ff
erentbutidi
dn't
wanttotalkbecauseitwaslat
eandi want edy outogetsomer est
.

Er
ic:
(laughed)Babey
out
houghti
cheat
ed.
..Admi
tit

Shepushedhi
m of
fashegr
abbedherandhuggedherf
rom
behi
ndastheyl
aughed.

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Thegar
agedooropened,Thong'
sfi
rstbor
nst
eppedoutand
fr
ownedlooki
ngatherf
athersl
eepi
ngonanoldcar
petthenshe
wal
kedov
erandshookhi
sshoul
der
..
.

Her
:Papa?

Thongt
urnedaroundgroani
ngandsatupashi
sdaught
erputher
handov
erhisforehead.
..

Thong:
HeyPr
incess.
.

Her
:Ar
eyouOK?Whathappened?

Thong:
Icamehomel
ateanddi
dn'
twantt
owakey
ourmot
her
,I'
m
fi
ne.

Her
:Youcoul
dhav
eknockedonmywi
ndow.
.Nkabekego
bul
etse.

Thong:
I'
m good.
.

Her
:Ok,
nnakey
agor
akerkont
e

Thong:
Ok

Hewalkedinthehouseandint
othei
rbedr
oom whereKhumowas
si
tt
ingi
nfrontofthedressi
ngt
ablef
ixi
nghermakeup.
..

Hesatont
heedgeoft
hebedl
ooki
ngatherasshei
gnor
edhi
m
andputong-
str
ingbef
orepul
l
ingoutashor
tdr
essi
ngandput
ti
ng
i
ton..

Thong:
Soy
oul
ockedmeout
sidebecausei
missedy
ourcal
l
s?

Khumo:Don'
ttr
yme,don'
t.I
'
mletti
ngyoudowhaty
ouwant
,let
ever
yonedowhatt
heywantpeacef
ull
y.

Thong:What
'st
hatsupposedt
omean?Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngi
t'
sa
weekendgar
etheogel
e..

Khumo: I
'
m goingt
ocheckonmyf amil
y,I
'
llbebackonSunday
.
I
'm sur
ey oucanmanagethehouseonmyabsence.

Thong:You'
renotgoi
ng,
whyar
eyouchecki
ngony
ourpar
ent
s
weari
ngag-str
ing?

Shetur
nedar
oundandl
ookedathi
m ashesatont
hebed
st
ari
ng..
.

Khumo:Lect
ureme,
whatdopeopl
ewearwhent
heyv
isi
tthei
r
fami
li
es?

Shenoti
cedsomethingonthecoll
arofhi
sTshi
rtt
henshel
eaned
overcar
eful
l
ylooki
ngatthefoundati
on.
.
Khumo: Nextti
mey ouwanttocheatdon'
twearawhi
tet
-shi
rt
becausefoundati
onyanyatsiy
agagoesal et
se.
..

Hetookoffhi
sTshirtandl
ookedatt
hecar
amelfoundati
ononhi
s
col
l
ar..
.Hisbrai
njammedforasecondashet
ri
edt othi
nkofa
bet
terexpl
anati
on..

Khumo:
Yeahkeepqui
etandj
ustsi
tther
e.

Thong:
Gol
omogasef
oundat
ion

Khumo: Whatisitthen?Iam awomanandi knowwhata

foundationl
ooksl ike.Iknowwher eafoundat i
onusual lyrubsoff
onamanbecausei usedt omessy ourTshirtbeforeistopped
usingcheapf oundat ion.(
rai
sedhervoiceglaringathim)I t'
sthe
audacitytoli
et hatirksme.Gakebat egoomanal ewenaThong.
Andwheny ourgi r
lfr
iendhashadenoughbl eedingtel
l herI'
mt he
onlypersonthatcanhel pher.Li
etome. .
.Keepl ying,
y our
gir
lfr
iendwillcomebeggi ngmet henyou'
llpayf ordoingthatto
me.

Thong:Idon'
tbel
iev
einwi
tchcr
aftorwhat
everpower
sy out
hink
youhave,akedumelemodil
ongtsaset
swanannanotthati
did
anyt
hing

Khumo:Nyatsiy
agagoet antat
elaaker
e,di
ckey amegasey a
gago.Haelegorengwanyanayooobatagophi ki
sanalennaot a
i
tsegorehagotwebannababat hobathai
lwegot ewajang.Gake
shenamelekgarebenna.{
Yoursidechi
ckwill
comel ookingfor
medon'tworr
y.Thatdi
cki
smi nenotyours.I
fthatgi
rli
stryi
ngmy
pat
iencewewill
seehowfarshewillgo.Shewilll
ear
nthrough
youthatsomemarri
edmenareanogoar ea.
}

Shet
urnedbackandcar
ri
edonget
ti
ngr
eady
..
.

Thong:Tsamayaidon'
tcar
e,i
knowi
didn'
tdoany
thi
ng.
..Idon'
t
car
ey oucango.

Khumo:
Good,nobodyshoul
dev
ercar
e.Weshoul
dcomei
nand
goaswepl
ease

Shegotherbagandputhershort
sandTshi
rtt
ogetherwi
thher
makeupbagsasThongwat chedherwi
thal
ongface.She
grabbedaboxofpant
yli
ner
sandputiti
nthebag.
.

Thong:
Whyar
eyout
aki
ngpant
yli
ner
s?

Khumo:Pant
yli
nersar
enotj
ustusedt
oabsor
byourcum,
they
haveot
heruses.

Shezippedherbagandpickedi
tupashi
spounded,
shepicked
herphoneandwalkedpasthimthenhej
umpedandslammedthe
doorblocki
ngherway.
Thong:I
'
vechangedmymi nd.You'
renotgoi
ngkanawear
egoi
ng
toget
her
.Iwanttocheckonyourfat
her.

Khumo:
You'
renotgoi
ngwi
thme.Tshabakooi
wantt
ogo.

Thong:
You'
renotgoi
ng.
..

Herphonerangandhewait
edforhert
opickupthecallbutshe
di
dn't
,hetr
iedtogett
hephonebutsheputherhandbehindher
back.

Thong:
Whyar
eyouhur
ti
ngme?Whoi
scal
l
ing

Khumo:
It'
snoneofy
ourbusi
ness

Thephoner angagai n,heputhisar

msar oundherasthey
struggli
ngbackandf orthbumpingonthedoorwiththei
rbacks
andel bows,hepickedherupanddr oppedheronthebedthenhe
pressedherdownwi thhiskneeandgotthephone,t
hedoor
openedt henhissonwal kedinasKhumobeguncr yi
ng.

Thonggotoffherandpi
ckedhi
sboyt
henhepi
ckedt
hecal
l
walki
ngout.

Thong:
Hel
l
o?
Voi
ce:Hi,i
t'
sMemor ythel
adywhodoesyourdaught
ers'
hair
.I
want
edtor emindthei
rmom todr
opthem of
fontimeihavea
l
ongqueuet odaysoineedt
ostar
tontimebecauset
hereare
ot
hergir
lsinplai
ti
ng.

Thong:
Alr
ight
.Thanks

Hehungupandwal
kedi
ntheki
tchenwher
ehegav
ehi
ssona
f
rui
t.

Khumowal kedoutrubbi
nghertear
sandgotinthecarasThong
walkedoutandstoodatthedoorcarr
yingt
hei
rsonwithher
phoneinhishandlooki
ngather.

Thei
rdaught
erst
oppedr
aki
ngandt
ookof
fherheadset
s..

Her
:Mamawher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Khumo:(t
ookaminut
et omakesur
eherv oi
cedoesn'
tcomeout
di
str
essed)Keagochekabomme...I
'
llseeyouguysonSunday
.

Her
:Wehav
eahai
rappoi
ntmentt
oday

Khumo:
Daddywi
l
ltakey
out
her
e

Her
:Cool
,dr
ivesaf
ely
.

Khumo:
Bye
Shedrov
eof fthenhewalkedbackinthehousechecki
ngthet
ime,
i
twouldtakeherroughl
y3hour s.That
'swhenhe'
dcallhi
sinl
aws
to"
checkont hem".

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..

Ont
hesamemor
ningApul
a'
sphoner
ang,
shey
awnedandpi
cked
t
hecal
l
.

Apul
a:Hel
l
o?

Lawr
ence:Goodmorni
ng,
I'
m att
heai
rpor
t.Ishoul
dbet
her
ein
andhourandhal
f.

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Al
ri
ght
.I'
l
lbookahot
elandcomegety
ou

Lawr
ence:Ok,
letmechecki
n.

Apul
a:By
e

Shehungupsmi lingthenshecli
ckedonherWhat sAppand
checkedOsha'slastseen.Shehadjustupdatedherst
atuswit
h
thr
eeboxesofcondomswi t
hwords" Howol dwereyouwhen
youlearntt
hatcondomsact ual
lyhavesizes? XLandLsi zes
l
ookl i
kesocks.
"
Apul
adi
all
edher
..
.

Osha:
Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:Soy
ou'
renotgoi
ngt
orespondt
othatr
ecor
ding?

Osha:Therei
snothingt
osay .Ican'
tdef
endmy self
,itoldhershe
mustapologi
seforabandoni
ngmesoi canletevery
thinggobut
shechosethehardway.Eit
herwayI '
vemovedon, Atsi
lewill
never
l
ovemeandi wi
llf
indawayt obehappy.

Apul
a:Soy
oust
il
lwi
shAt
sil
ecoul
dtakey
ouback?

Osha:Nott
akemebackbutt
oapol
ogi
se.Sheandi
hav
enev
er
r
eall
ytal
ked.

Apula:
Isee.
..
I'
ll
beheldupt hewholeweekend.Doy outhi
nkyou
canbabysi
tyoursi
steraf
t erwor
k?I'
m notcomfortabl
ewitht
he
nannyatheogel
aduringtheweekendbecauseit'
sthetimeshe
hastobewithherf
ami l
y.

Osha:I'
m nothomebutI '
ll
beleav
ingtheplaceI'
m ati
nanhouror
two.I'
l
lpassbyy ourhouseandpickherup.Ican'
tgotowor
k,I
'm
notfeel
ingwell
.

Apul
a:Ok.By
e

Shehungupandsi
ghed.
..
Att
hehot
el.
..

Lat
erthatmorningApul
adr
ovet
hrought
hegat
ewi
thLawr
ence
onthepassengerseat
..
.

Apul
a:Idi
dn'
tgett
hekey
s.Ibookedar
oom t
hrought
hephone

Lawr
ence:
Ok.
.

Oneofhisemployeescal
ledaboutacer
tai
ncontr
actandhe
t
alkedt
ot hephoneunti
lsheparkedt
hecarandgotout.

Apul
a:(
whi
sper
ed)I
'
m comi
ng

Hegav eherathumbsupandcar r
iedontal
ki
ng.Meanwhi
l
einthe
nearbyroom LanagotupandtookashowerasMongatur
ned
aroundlayi
ngonhisbackthought
ful
ly
..
.

Lanawalkedoutwrappingher
sel
fwi
that
owel
andsatont
hebed
taki
ngouthertoi
l
etrybag..

Monga:
Goodmor
ning.
.
Lana:
(st
rai
ghtf
ace)Mor
ning.
.

Shei
ronedhercl
othesasMongasatont
hebedl
ooki
ngather
.

Monga: I'
mr eallysorr
yt hatidisappoi
ntedyoul
astnight.Idon'
t
understandwhyy oudon' ttr
ustmebecausei haven'
tcheated.You
somet i
mesmi ssmycal l
swhi l
ey ou'
reworki
ngandit'
snev erabig
deal
.Ifwedon' thavetrustinthismarri
agewehav enothing.
.
Don'tl
ety ourthoughtsr uinourweekend

Shel
ookedathi
m asshegotdr
essed.
..

Lana:
Soy
ouswearnot
hinghappenedl
astni
ghtni
ght
?

Monga: Yes,y
oucancheckmyphoneoraskboThong.Kanake
makat swakegoreyoutr
ustyourgutf
eel
i
ngmmei tsbasedon
thefearyagorej
ustbecauseI'
minMauni mi
ghtcheat
..
.You
startt
hinki
ngaboutsomethi
ngsomuchy ouendupthi
nkingi
t'
s
true.

Lana:
Ok,gakenaproofsoi
guessy
ou'reri
ght.
..
agothapawehav e
togoear
lyother
wisemyparent
smightgetbusywit
hot hert
hings

Hewal
kedi
nthebat
hroom.
..
Att
hehot
el.
..

Oshaslowlygotoffthebedcareful
lyasherpussyached,she
stoodupandpickedherg-str
ingthenshesteppedintoi
tand
pull
editupassomet hi
ngwarml eakedout,sherubbedherpussy
andlookedatherbloodyfi
ngert
ips.Shehadbeenonherper i
od
l
astweek,itdi
dn'
tmakesense. .

Blooddr oppedonthefloor,shehurr
iedi
nthebathroom andsat
ont hetoil
etrol
li
ngoutt hetpthenshewipedhersel
f,t
hesexmust
havebeenr eall
yrough...Butt
henthoseguyswer ehuge.She
roll
edthewhol etparoundherhandandputi tbetweenherlegs
beforepulli
ngupherg- stri
ng.

Shewal kedoutandwi t
ht hecuti
nherpussyitwashar dtowalk
onherheels,shet ookthem offandgrabbedherthi
ngst henshe
walkedoutbarefootedwi thabitofal
imp.Wi t
hthisheav y
bl
eedingshecoul dn'tevencheckoutattherecepti
on,shewent
st
raighttothecaranddr oveout.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#205

AtThong'
sHouse.
.

Behindt hehouseont heshadowoft hehouseThong'ssonsaton

theplasticchairwi
that owelaroundhi
sneckwhi l
ehisfatherdi
d
thefinaltouchesonhismohawkt henshetookoutashar p
shavingbl adeanddidhisedges.Maxbegundozi ngofft
henhe
heldhisf oreheadi
nplaceandt wist
edhisafr
o,hefel
lasleepwith
hisforeheadonhi sfather
'shandthenThongpickedhim and
carri
edhi mt othehousediall
i
ngKhumo' sfat
her.
..

Hi
m:Yeahmona,
mot
hoy
owat
shel
a?

Thong:(l
aughed)Eerr
a,i
want
edt
ocheckony
out
hisweekend
buttheoff
iceisver
ybusy.

Him: Diraotekwanomonna, iwantyoutohel

pmebr andthe
catt
le..Thatsalty
ouboughtmei skeepingt
hecattl
eint
hekraal
,
5o'clocky ou'
ll
seethedustofmycat t
lecominghomeby
themsel vesthi
nki
ngaboutthesaltmysonboughtforme.

Thong:(
laughed)I
'
llcomenextweekend,akerewhenitel
lyoui
wasaher dboyyoudon'tbel
iev
eme.Ireall
ylovecat
tl
eandI '
m
thi
nki
ngaboutstart
ingafarm..

Hi
m:Idi
dn'
tbel
i
evey
oubutaf
terseei
ngy
oudoev
ery
thi
ngbet
ter
t
hanmei knowyou'
reseri
ous.
..Star
tafarm myboy
,it
sagood
i
nvestmentandwheny ou'
reti
redofthenoi
sytownyoutakey
our
f
amilyoutofever
ythi
ngandgor econnect
.

Thong:
Exact
ly,
hasKhumoar
ri
ved?

Hi
m:Ar
ri
vedwher
e?

Thong:
Shesai
dshe'
dcomet
her
e,i
sn'
tshet
her
e?

Hi
m:No,shoul
dibewor
ri
ed?May
beshehadanacci
dentandhi
t
acowontheway

Thong:
Idon'
tthi
nkso,
shewasn'
thappywi
thmeandl
efti
hada
feel
i
ngshewasn'
tcomingt
her
e

Hi
m:Whathappened?

Thong:Iwentoutwit
hfri
ends.
..Wi
thherper
missi
onbutwheni
gotther
eitwasnoisysoimissedhercal
l
sandshewasangry.

Hi
m:Ei
women

Thong:
Yeah,
any
way
sI'
l
llety
ouknowi
fsheget
sback.

Hi
m:I
'
lll
ety
oui
fshecomesher
etoo.

Thong:
Ok,
I'
ll
sendy
ouai
rt
ime

Hi
m:Thanksson.By
e

Hehungupandsighedt
hought
ful
l
ythenhedial
l
edKhumo'
s
f
ri
endfr
om work,
shehadn'
tseenherei
ther
..
Att
hehospi
tal
..
.

Lat
eronOshathedoct
orwi
pedthegel
offOsha'
sabdomenas
shegotupandsatont
hebed.
..

Osha:
Cany
oupr
escr
ibemeTr
anexami
caci
d?

Doct
or:
Arey
ouanur
se?

Osha:
Phar
maci
st

Doct
or:
Okbutdon'
ttel
lmewhatt
opr
escr
ibe.
..

Osha:
Sor
ry

Doctor:Thewayy ouhav edescr

ibedthesexl astnightibelieve
thi
sispostcoital,
itwascausedbyt hei nj
ur i
esyouendur eddur i
ng
thatsexualencounter.
..fri
cti
onandabr asionofintercoursecan
easil
ycauset earsandcut sinsensi
tiv
egeni talt
issues.Youhav e
severalt
ears,theseguy swereveryroughandpar tofmebel i
eves
i
t'snothowt heywoul dhav esexwiththeirwivesathome.

Osha:
Idon'
tthi
nki
tst
hat
,theyar
ejustnat
ural
huge

Doctor:
Tr ustmet ear
shavenothingt odowi thsize,t
heyhavehad
thosepenisestheirwholel
ivesandt heyknowt hedamagei tcan
do..
.Theyknowt hei mport
anceoff oreplay,l
ubr
icati
onand
ti
ming..
.Iftheycaredtheywouldn'
thav el ef
tyouwi t
h4t ear
s,t
he
l
asttimeIsawi njuri
esli
kethisiwasat tendingapatientwhohad
beengangr aped.That'
showbady ou'redownt here.
..Awoman's
bodyissensiti
ve..
Osha:
Doi
needst
it
ches?

Doctor:No,butyou'l
lhavetonursethesecut sunt
iltheyhave
healed.Iam goi
ngt ogiveyoupainki
ll
ersandant i
bioti
csbecause
wedon' twantanyinfect
iononthosecut s.Keepthem clean.
..I
bel
ievet hebl
eedingwill
stopinadayort wo.It
snothingseri
ous

Osha:
Ify
ousayso.
..

Thedoct
orgaveheraprescri
pti
ont henshecar
eful
lygotofft
he
bedandgoti
t,shegotSkyintherecepti
onandtheywalkedout.
..

Att
hehot
el.
..

Meanwhi
leawait
resswalkedov
ertoApul
aandLawr
ence'
stabl
e
whi
lehewastal
ki
ngt ot
hephone..

Lawrence:(
onthephone)IunderstandthatMrAndason..
.
Scheduleanappoi
ntmentwithOHLTD.Pr oposeaworkshop,
that
wouldtakecareofalotoft
hings.Alri
ght.Thanks.

Hehungupandsmi
l
edast
hewai
tr
esspl
acedt
hei
rfoodont
he
t
abl
e..
Lawr
ence:
Thanky
ou.
.

Shewal
kedaway
,Apul
api
ckedaf
orkandbeguneat
ingl
ooki
ngat
hi
m.

Lawr
ence:
So.
..Expect
ionsi
nar
elat
ionshi
p?

Hi
sphoner
angagai
n,heputi
tonsi
l
entandputi
tdown.

Lawr
ence:
Sor
ryaboutt
hat
..

Apul
a:It
'sok..Iexpectl
oyalt
y,respectandunderst
andi
ng.Iwant
tobespoil
ttoobutI '
m wil
l
ingtopi ckthechequeorgo50-
50.
Whatsyourtakeonst epchil
dren?

Lawrence:Idon'
tmindthem...Iknowi
t'
seasi
ertobondwi
tha
smallchi
ldthananolderstepchil
dbutI
'm wi
l
li
ngtoputi
nthe
work.Anyplansofanotherchil
difwearet
ouseIVF?

Apula:
I'
mt oooldtobefal
li
ngpregnant
.Ihavedaught
erswhoar
e
sexual
lyacti
ve.I
'
m act
uall
yagrandmother.
.Butiwoul
dn'tmi
nda
surr
ogate.

Lawrence:Ok.Bythewayi expectal
lthebasicsofarelat
ionshi
p,
borespect
, f
ait
hfulness,etcbutthemostimpor t
antthi
ngi needis
underst
anding.
..Iwantsomeonewhoi snotcli
ngybecauseI'ma
ver
ybusyper sonandi thinkyoubeingapr of
essionall
adyyou'd
under
standwhatabusyschedul
elooksl
i
ke.

Apul
a:Iusedtot
hinkl
i
ket
hatbutmypri
ori
ti
eshavechanged,
i
wantt
oputequalener
gyi
ntobondi
ngandl
ovingj
ustasmuchas
I
'v
ewor ked.

Lawrence:
Fai
renough.
..
.I'
m wi
l
li
ngt
obendt
her
e.Any
thi
ngel
se
weleftout
?

Apul
a:Exs,
anycr
azyexsi
shoul
dlookoutf
or?

Lawrence:
Itol
dy ouidi
vor
cedaf
tert
heDNAt estpr
ovedmyex
wif
ewascheating.Ihav
en'
thadt
imeforr
elat
ionshi
pssincet
hen.
You?

Apul
a:Exi
smar
ri
ed.
.Al
lmyexsar
emar
ri
ed.

Lawrence:
Nodr
amat
hen.
.(smi
l
ed)Ar
eyour
eadyt
ost
artanot
her
rel
ati
onshi
p?

Apul
a:(
smi
l
edbl
ushi
ng)Ready
..
.

Theyl
aughedandcont
inuedeat
ing.
..

AtDer
ri
ck'
sHouse.
..

Ni
chol
asparkedout
side,
Bobowal
kedoutoft
hehouseandgot
Ni
gelf
rom t
hecar.
Ni
c:I
syourdadhome?

Bobo:
Yes.
.

Ni
c:Ok,
bye

Hedr ov
eoffast
heboyswal
kedinthehousechat
ti
ng,meanwhi
le
Derr
ickandMarust
oodint
hekit
chencookingt
ogetherast
hey
chat
ted..
.

Maru:Bythewayhowcomeyoucamebacksoear
lyl
astni
ght
?
(
laughed)It
houghty
ou'
l
lbebackat2am.

Derr
ick:
(laughed)Iwasbor
ed.
..Iwant
edt
obewi
thy
ou.
..I
missedyout oomuch.

Mar
u:Ok.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Nigel
..
..Comeher
emyboy

Hest
eppedov
erandpickedNigel
asMar
usmi
l
edbl
ushi
ngonher
ownl
ooki
ngatthem t
alki
ng.
..

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Lat
ert
hateveni
ngThongcheckedonhisdaughtersast
heyeach
sl
epti
nthei
rrooms.Heswit
chedthei
rli
ght
sof fandandwal
ked
i
nt hemasterbedroom wherehissonwassl eepi
ngwit
hhim.He
satontheedgeoft hebedgoingthroughKhumo'sphonetr
yingt
o
seeifheskippedanyoneheshouldcallforherwher
eabout
sbut
hehadcall
edev er
y one.Heputherphonedownandcal l
ed
Monga..
.

Monga:
yeah

Thong:Khumowant
wael
awaitse,
shelefti
nthemorningl
ying
sayi
ngsheisgoi
ngt
oherpar
entsbutsheisnot
.Ical
ledevery
one
gaayo.
.

Monga:Ij
ustdon'
tunderst
andwhatshei
sangr
yaboutbecause
shehasnoproofanyt
hinghappened.

Thong:That
'swhatidon'tget,
shel
ongwant
edtocheat
..
.Ther
eis
nowayshecandot hisforsomethi
ngidi
dn'
tev
endo..
.Shesai
d
Sundaykana.I
'
llbedeadbyt hen

Monga:
(laughed)You'
l
lbef
inewat
chamov
ieorsomet
hing.

Thong:
Eri
car
eeneoshapohel
a..Wena?

Monga: (l
aughed)wearegoodtoo,shealmostsuspected
somethingbutIconvi
ncedher.
..Thotserei
tumetsehela.Mme
helanextti
mecountmeout .Thatshitiwasint
ense.
..Ididnot
real
lygettodowhatiwantedtodo..Ineededli
ke3to5hour s
withher.

Thong:Wedidn'
tdoany
thingmmemothokewena,youpani
cked
aft
erLana'
scall
abeontshosakesi
mol
lakeakany
aKhumo.
Monga:
(laughed)Har
dy.
..

Thong:
I'
m dy
ingkest
ress

Monga:
Shei
sfi
ne,
probabl
ywi
thagi
rl
fr
iendsomewher
e

Thong:(
laughed)Ar
eOshai
sgoi
ngt
obl
eedunt
ilshecomes
beggi
ng

Monga:
(laughed)May
beshei
stel
l
ingt
het
rut
h.Theset
hings
exi
st

Thong:Waiii
t'
sali
e.Shewi l
lbl
eedforaf ewhours,
oraday
maximum...Andonlybecausewewer eroughnotbecauseKhumo
hasmagicalpowers,obatagontshoset
samat shel
oyoo.Wewill
hearfr
om Oshawat engifshebl
eeds,kemaaka

Monga:
(laughed)I
fyousayso,
letmegetbacki
nsi
debef
oreshe
st
art
ssulki
ng.

Thong:
Sur
e.

Hehungupandl
aidbesi
deshi
sson.

Att
hehot
el.
..

Meanwhil
eMongahungupandwal kedbacktowardst
heroom as
acoupl
ewalkedinfr
ontofhi
m hol
dinghands,ashegotcl
oserhe
r
ecogni
sedApula.
.
Thecoupl
etur
nedbackl
ooki
ngathi
m ashepassedby
..

Monga:
Eveni
ng.
.

Lawr
ence:
Goodev
eni
ng

Apul
a:Hi
..
.

Hewal kedbackintheroom whil

etheywal
kedpastafewrooms
befor
eget t
ingi
ntheir
s.Lawrencepull
edouthi
sTshi
rtandlai
don
thebedwhi l
eApulaundressed.
..

Apul
a:Let
'swat
chamov
ie.
..

Hegrabbedtheremoteandsearchedforamov ieasshewal ked

i
nbedandl ai
dbesideshim.Heputhisarm aroundherandsmi l
ed
bef
orekissi
ngherforeheadwhi
l
et heywatchedamov iethatwas
j
ustgett
ingstar
ted.
..

Apul
aputherhandoverhi
schestandnaughti
l
yrubbeditdownt o
hi
spant
s,hesmiledandgrabbedherhandbef
oreshecouldtouch
hi
mthenheputitoverhi
schest.
..
Lawr
ence:
Don'
tst
artwhaty
oucan'
tfi
nish.
..

Apul
a:Ial
way
sfi
nishev
ery
thi
ngi
star
t.
..

Lawr
ence:
Ok.
.

Hepickedherhandandputi tonhi
sboner ,
sheputherhand
i
nsidehispantsandr ubbedhisbonersi
zinghimthenshesaton
topofhim andkissedhim ashekissedherback.Heopenedthe
drawerwhileshewaski ssi
nghim andreachedforacondom t
hen
handeditt
oher .

Shesatonhipslegsteari
ngthepaperandplacedthecondom
overhist
ipt
hensher oll
editdownandkissedher,
shelif
tedher
buttasheguidedher#Remov ed.

*
MyKi
ndofMan

#206

AtThong'
sHouse.
..
.

Laterthatni
ghtThongtossedandt urnedbutofcour seapar tof
him sti
llbel
i
evedshewouldn'tcheat.
..Butheal sojustcheat
ed
outofnowher eandbefor
et hatheknewi tspossibletocheatand
nevergetcaughtsoKhumocoul dbeoutt heregivi
ngoutherbody
andf i
ndagoodexcusei nthemor ni
ng...Withoutproofhe'dl
ive
therestofhisli
fewonderi
ngifanymanhasev ertastedhiswife.
..

Hegothi sphoneandsel ectedaclearpi

ctureofKhumot henhe
typed"Pl
easehel pusf i
ndKhumo, shewasseenl astweari
nga
yell
owdresswi t
hblackdots,shewasdr i
vingtothefar
mt ocheck
onherpar ents.Sheisdri
vingawhiteFortunerwithnumberpl
ate
B604BKC.I fany onehasinformati
onthatwi l
lhel
pusfindher
pleasecallmev iathenumber sbel
ow.Ther eisaP5000reward
foryourhelp.Thanky ou.
"

HepostedonFacebookandcal
l
edthepol
i
ce,heknewthey
wouldn'
tbemuchofhelpsi
nce24hour
shadn'
tpassedbutheyhe
neededtocal
lj
usti
ncase.
Hispostgotshar
edall
overFacebook,
fami
l
yandf
ri
endspr
ayed
andwishedherwell
.

AtMonga'
sroom.
..

Meanwhi l
einthehot el
Mongasl owlypul
ledoutashi
slargemeat
cameoutdr i
pping,Lana'sfl
eshslowlycl
osedandshelai
donher
sideashismanj uicefl
oweddownhernumbusedmeat ,
sheputa
toweloverherfaceandsi ghedinrel
i
efexhaust
ed.Mongawiped
herwithanothertowelandt ur
nedheronherbackgett
ingontop
ofher.
.

Monga:
Arey
ouOKbabe?

Lana:
Yeah.
.

Sheseemedwor r
iedt houghshewast ryi
nghardtohideit
,he
coul
dtell
shesti
llbel
iev edsomethinghappenedbutshecouldn'
t
doanythi
ngaboutit.
..Het ouchedhercheekandkissedher.

Lana:
Ifeel
usedr
ightnow

Monga:
Why
?

Lana:
Sometimesigi
vey ousexasasacri
fi
cethoughI
'
mt ir
ed.
.I
hadalongdayandI'
m exhaust
edbutigaveitt
oyoubecausei
don'twanty out of eelstarvedsinceyou'realwayshungr yforsex,
butthesadt hingist hatev enwheni giveittoyoukel eexhausted
yout akeitwi t
houtmer cy..Tabeomphet olaorevenpr essme
downwi thdeeppenet rati
ons. .
.Thesadpar tisknowingt hat
despiteallthesesacr i
fi
cesy oumi ghtjustcheateasil
yand
embar rassme. .
.Whenamancheat sitsthewi f
ewhoget sbashed
andmockedandl aughedat .
..(t
earf
ull
y)Myenemi eswi l
lrej
oice
andcel ebrate,iwillfeell
ikenot hi
ngwheni walkintopublic
gatheringsbecausei fyoucheati tsli
nkedt omywor t
h.

Atearr
oll
eddownherey
ethenshequi
ckl
yrubbedi
tof
fand
sni
ff
ed.
..

Lana:Mywor stf
earabouty oucheati
ngist
hepubli
c
embarrassmentI'
ll
got hrough,
whetheridi
vor
ceorchoosetost
ay
i
twon'tsparemesuf feri
ngforyourmist
akebutnowi havea
reput
ati
ontomai nt
ain.Ihavestudent
sandcoll
eagues..

Mongatouchedhercheekandl
eanedov
erki
ssi
nghert
henhe
r
ubbedhereye..
.

Monga:Ipr
omiseI'
dnevercheatonyounotinami ll
ionyears.
..I
knowMaunhascausedusal otofpainandsuffer
ing,iwouldn'
t
dothatt
oyou.
..Takemywor dfori
t.
..Il
ovedyouthef i
rstti
mei
sawyouandisti
lll
ovey
out hesameway .I'
m sorr
ythatI'm ali
tt
le
toomuchwi thsexbutthat'
sbecausei l
oveyou...Ican'tr
esi st
you...Ir
espectthatyousacrif
iceformewi thsexbecausei know
womendon' tli
kesexasmuchasmenbutdon' tbedi scouraged
byy ournegativ
ethoughts.Asf orturni
ngyouov eranddeep
penet r
ati
onsthat'
ssext ome...Thereisapointwher ei can't
controlhowi deepigowhenev eri
thappensy oushoul djust
acceptitbecausewheny ou'
renott i
reditmakesy ouhappysot he
problem isn'
tme,it
'sthatyou'
ret i
red.

Lana:
Itwoul
dbeal
lwor
thi
tify
ou'
ref
ait
hful
..
.

Monga:
Iam f
ait
hful
..
.St
opaccusi
ngmeofcheat
ing.
.

Hegotof
fherandsi
ghedangr
il
y.
..

Monga:I
'
m start
ingtof
eelat
tacked..
.Whyareyout
ryi
ngt
omake
mefeel
guil
tyforcheat
ingwheni hav
en'
tcheat
ed?

Hest
oodupandsi
ghedasshel
aidont
hebedl
ooki
ngathi
m..

Monga:Canyouj
uststop?I
t'
sli
key ou'
refi
shingforaconfessi
on,
idi
dn'
tcheat
.Youneedtostop.
..Ican'
tdealwit
ht hi
sanymore..
.

Lana:
Iwasj
ustshar
ingmyf
eel
i
ngswi
thy
ou

Monga:St
opaccusi
ngmeofdoingsomethi
ngi di
dn't
.Tr
ytobe
happy
,youcan'
tsul
kforsomet
hingy
oufeelhappenedwheni
t
di
dn'
thappen.
..

Lana:
Gosi
amear
elese,
I'
m sor
ry.
..
.I'
m sor
ry

Monga:
No,
youneedt
ost
op.

Lana:
I'
m sor
ry,
oganagoi
ntshwar
ela?Cany
ouf
orgi
veme?

Hesi
ghedcal
mingdown.
.

Monga:
It'
sok.
..Don'
twor
ryabouti
t.
.

Er
iccal
l
edthenhepi
ckedhi
sphoneandsatbyt
het
abl
ewhi
l
eshe
wi
pedoffhi
scum..

Monga:
Yeah

Eri
c:Fir
einManD'shouse.Canyoucal
lthi
sidi
otandtel
lhi
mt o
keepittoget
her
.KanteManDwhyat shabastr
essbomatajaana.
Hepost edhi
swifeonFacebook

Monga:
(laughed)Wai
t,hedi
dwhat
?

Er
ic:
Heputupar
ewar
dfor5Kl
ait
eewapekawai
ts.

Monga:
Waiihewon'
tsl
eepunt
ilhef
indsher
.It
houghti
managed
t
oconvi
ncehimtosl
eep.
Mongast
eppedout
sideandcl
osedt
hedoort
henhel
ower
edhi
s
voi
ce.

Monga:(
laughed)GatweKhumoareOshawi
l
lbl
eedt
odeat
h,
wai
tsebasadikadithr
eat
stsabone.

Eri
c:(
laughed)Butit
snotanythi
ngnew,ManDhahol oga
ngwanyanatheybleedfordays,
heusedtodothattothosegi
rl
s
anddelayourshootsespeci
all
yifhei
srough.I
t'
sjustafewdays
hel
a..
.

Monga:
(laughed)Iknowbutei
Khumoi
sav
il
lagegi
rl
.

Eric:(l
aughed)Shei spl ayi
ngManDpsy chological
ly,shewants
himt otellthewomanhesl eptwithwhatshesai dandwhent hat
gir
l hashadenoughwi t
ht hebleedingshe'llconfess.Idon'
t
believeinAf r
icanmagi c.Khumol oveshim wayt oomuchi fshe
hadpowershe' dmakehi ml oseaner ecti
onwi t
hotherwomenso
hedoesn' tcheat.Itdoesn'tmakesenset ochooset hevoodoo
thatwon' tstophimf r
om cheat ing.Wecan' tdenyhowbi gManDi s
andshei shi swifesheknowst hatgi r
lwillbleed..
.Remember
Mar yhatedt oshootwi thThongbecauseshe' dlosemoneyt he
ti
meshehast owaitforthebleedingt ostop.(laughed)ManDo
kopany abanamat eng.

Monga:
(laughed)Youhav
eapoi
ntmmewai
tse

Eri
c:Ift
hebleedi
nggoesbeyond2daysthenwecanbewor r
ied,
gonemmei fshedoescontactusweneedtodir
ecthert
oKhumo
becauseshewon'tknowwhatthepr
oblem i
s.Nnatot
aican'
tbe
dr
aggedi
ntot
hisbecausei
gotawaywi
thi
t.

Monga: I
fthi
sgir
lcontact
sManDabouttal
ki
ngtoKhumohewi l
l
ki
llher
.Shewill
disappearandwear
egoingtopayf
ori
tifany
one
knowsaboutthe4some.Hewon'tri
skKhumoknowing

Er
ic:
Wabeor
engnemr

Monga:I'
m seri
ous,hewasn'tplayi
ngwi thDerrickhaareaska
utwagotweochi t
il
e.I
fOshawat engexper i
encessomet hi
ngshe
shoul
dn'
tthinkabouttel
li
ngany onebutt henOshai sLala's
daught
ersosheknowsnot hi
ngaboutt radit
ionalmedicine.She
grewupmoder nandi bel
ieveshestudiedsomet hi
ngcloset o
medici
ne.Reluckybecauseshewi ll
findhelpmedi call
y.

Er
ic:
Ok.Cal
lyourboy
.Hei
sgoi
ngcr
azypost
inghi
swi
fear
eshe
i
smissi
ng.
.

Monga:
(laughed)OKShap

Hehungupandcheckedoutt
hepost
,hel
aughedoutl
oudand
di
all
edThong.
..

Thong:
Hel
l
o?

Monga:
Otshabast
ressnt
šakewena,
(laughed)Facebook?
Real
l
y?

Thong:
Obat
amot
hoal
alaaj
amosadi
wamebosi
goj
othe.
.

Monga:
Shei
spr
obabl
ywi
thaf
ri
end,
youneedt
ochi
l
l.
Thong:Aenomest awenakanamosadi wagagoongal
etseha
thokogagoandy ou'
resur
esheisnotcheat
ing,
whatwi
l
lIdowith
my sel
fifshecheat
s?Andi di
dn'
tev
encheatonher.

Monga:
(laughed)Bonamr
,robal
a..
.You'
renotgoi
ngt
ogetany
hel
ponfacebook.

Thong:
I'
ll
takemychances.Obuaj
aloosenagophokgakuku

Monga:
(laughed)You'
rethemostweakestmanever
,ican't
bel
i
eveialwaysthoughty
ou'r
etough.I
t'
snoteven24hours.

Thong:Letmecheckmymessagesmay
besomeonesent
something.I
'
m goi
ngt
ofi
ndher,
.

Monga:
Shapo.

Hehungupandwal
kedbackt
other
oom.

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhi
l
eThonglai
dbesi
deshissongoi
ngthr
oughhisphone
r
eadi
ngcommentsandchecki
ngmessagest
henhisphonerang.
.

Thong:
Hel
l
o?

Voi
ce:Hel
l
o,isawyourpostabouty
ourwi
fe,
ifi
tel
lyouwher
ei
sawherwhendoigettheref
und?
Thong:
Assoonasy
out
ell
me.

Voi
ce:I'
mf r
iendswit
hthepersonsheiswit
hbuti j
ustwantthe
money.Idon'twantt
hepersontothi
nkI'
m asnit
ch.Iwantyouto
comewiththemoneyt henyougiv
emeandi poi
ntyoutowhere
shei
s.

Thong:
Ihav
eaguni
fyout
hinkaboutr
obbi
ngme

Voi
ce:No,
I'
m notl
iket
hat
.Don'
tyour
ecogni
semyv
oice?I
t'
sTi
ro,
iwor
kattyr
eservi
ces.

Thong:
OhTi
ro,
wher
eisshe?

Voice:Gocashmymoneyf ir
stsi
r,sorryi
fisoundabit
di
srespectful
.Ijustwantthemoney ,myson'sdiaper
sarefi
nished
soi f
eel l
i
kethisopportunit
ywaspr esent
edbyGod.I'mlooki
ngat
herfort
unerrightnowpar ki
nginfr
ontoft hehouseI'
mtalki
ng
about.Itri
edtov i
sitt
hepersonsowewat chthegameasusual
buthet ol
dmenott oni
ght.

Thong:
Soi
t'
saguy
?Ar
eyouser
iousnemonna?

Voi
ce:
Eer
ra,
iknowy
ourwi
fe'
scar
.

Thong:
I'
m goi
ngt
ocash,
I'
ll
cal
lyouf
ordi
rect
ions.

Hwhungupandgotdr
essedt
henhegr
abbedhi
scarkey
sand
l
eft
..
.

AtOsha'
sHouse.
..
Onthesameni
ghtOshachangedapadt
alki
ngt
ohersi
steront
he
phone.
..

Ni
ni:(
laughed)Whatajui
cyst
ory
..
.Whoar
ethemar
ri
edmeny
ou
sl
eptwith?Doiknowthem?

Osha:
(laughed)I
'
m nott
ell
i
ngy
ou.
..You'
l
ljudgeme

Ni
ni:
Ipr
omi
sei
won'
tj
udgey
ou

Osha:I
t'
sEr
ic,ThongandMonga..
.Er
icisaregularsi
ze,Mongais
ver
yhugeandThongisbiggert
hananythi
ngyoucani magine,
le
enemongwal onehaaletshwer
enkarelamoi mela,okgonago
goshapakalonemoseropengabegonnabot hoko

Ni
ni:
(laughedoutl
oud)Way
aka!

Osha:Wena,I'
veneverseensuchbef or
e..
.Itwastr
aumat ising.
..
Butyouknowwhat '
sfunny,bothofthem weresweet..
.Ipr efer
red
Monga,hiswassweetgapeosi mol
olagentlyandgetroughov er
ti
me.Thongenewi l
lhumbley ou,hi
sisnotjustsweetithur t
stoo.
Youactual
lyhavetobeghimt obegent l
e,golepai
nfulni
ce. .
.

Ni
ni:
(laughed)Nowondermamanear
ataMonga

Osha:Omonatemonnay ol
e,andheisasweetper son.
..Ofal
lthe
guyshei
st heonl
yonewhot ol
dmehei sgoingli
kehedi dn'
tj
ust
l
eave.Hel
ookedatmet al
ki
ngt omeant ael
ali
keI '
m anormal
humanbeing.Heisj
ustsweet.
..Il
i
kehi
sv oi
ce..(
laughed)Keha
mmaDer r
ickamokgalemelayouknowwhathedi d?Heputhis
handsundert hetabl
eandremovedt hecondom readyt ogo,onl
y
thatThongt ol
dhimtostand.Mongai sj
ustsweet .
..IhopeI'l
l
hav ehi
m aloneampheast eamyoner elecalm kananneal e
tensebecausehi swi
fekeptcal
l
ing.Ifel
tsopower fulhaving
thoseguy satthepal
m ofmyhand.Doy out hi
nkI '
m crazyfor
l
ikingolderguys?

Nini
: No,ithappenst opeopl ewhower etraumatisedatay ounger
age.Youf allforolderguy sandl iket hesewei r
dsexf antasi
es.
Kanai wantedt odopsy chology ,that'swhynur singbor edme
becausei wantedpsy chologyandcoul dn'
tmakei t.Account ingne
elegobat amadi hela...Appar entlyithealsy outoexper iencesuch
buti wanty outodoi twithanol derguyofy ourchoi cewhoi sn't
married.Mar ri
edmenar ear isk,y oumi ghtgetsuedory oumi ght
beunl uckyandmeetaguywi thacr azywi fewhowi llmakesur e
youdon' tgivebirth..
.You' l
lbebar renory ounev erf i
ndhappi ness..
.
Event hatperiodmi ghtbebecauseoneoft hei
rwi veswent
somewher eforhel p.Somewi vesdon' tsleep..
.Basadi baba
nyetswengbal owa.Iknowonel adywhot oldasi dechi ckshewi ll
neverhav echi l
drenandt hatwomanwentf rom chur cht ochurch
theytoldhert hewi feist heonl ymanwhocanhel pbecause
whoev erhelpswi lldie.Pastor spr ayedf orher,wai i
.

Osha:You'r
escar i
ngmemma, kanaI'm bl
eedi
nglikeneverbefore.
Thedoctorrefusedtoprescr
ibemet hepil
lsit
rustbutigota
fr
iendofminef rom wor
kt oprescri
beonef orme.Itssti
l
l bl
eeding
l
ikecrazy
.Ev enmyper i
odsarenev erthisheav
y.

Ni
ni:
Somewi vesar
edeep,t
heygetsuper
nat
uralhel
pandyou'
ll
st
ayonyourperi
odfor
ever
..
.Rememberthegi
rlswhosevagi
nas
hadwor msinUB?Don' tyouremembert hatstory?Eventhegirl
whohadpusscomeoutofherv agina..
.Doctorscouldn'
tfi
nd
anythi
ngandwhensheseekedt radit
ional
helpshewast oldit
s
thewife.Don'
tsl
eepwit hmar r
iedmennnaka, batamosi manyana
helayoobetween40mmeal esinglethenroleplayyourfantasi
es,
havehim dowhateveryouwantsoy oucanheal from t
hat.Ifi
t
doesn'thel
preyacounsell
ingjaanong

Osha:Ok.
..Butonaser
iousnot
edoy
out
hinkI
'
vebeenbewi
tched
byoneofthewives?

Ni
ni:
(laughed)Idi
dn'
tsayt
hat
,don'
tpani
c..
.Let
'sseei
fthe
medi
cationwill
hel
p.

Osha:
I'
m pani
cki
ng.

Nini
:Maybeit
'sjustthebl
eedi
ngfr
om theroughsex.Whenibroke
myv i
rgi
nit
yibledforaday.I
twasn'
theavybutitt
ookaday.You'l
l
befi
ne,

Osha:
..OK.Themmat hanky oufornotjudgi
ngme.I'
l
lal
ways
comet oyouforachat
.Ithoughtyou'
llbeangry
.Goodni
ght
.

Ni
ni:
Goodnight
..
.I'
m notper
fectsoican'
tjudgebutmar
ri
edmen
ar
ear i
sk,
imagi
nebeingsued.Findasingl
eguy .

Osha:
True

Ni
ni:
Bye

Shehungupandwal
kedout
..
..
Somewher
einMaun.
..

Meanwhil
eKhumogotof ft
hebedi
nherpant
iesandmov
edt
he
cur
tai
nlooki
ngout
side.
.

Khumo:
Ther
rawenaEmaxi
wantt
opee

Emmanuel
laughedl
ooki
ngather
..

Emax:
(laughed)Bucketkeeo.
..

Khumo:(
laughed)Ial
way
sfar
twheni
pee,
idon'
twanty
out
ohear
mefar
ti
ng

Emax:
(Laughed)Ever
yonefar
ts,
nnaor
otebabe.
..Thet
oil
etsar
e
att
heendoftheblockkana.

Khumo:
Att
heshower
s?

Emax:Yes,
ekarenneol
elaj
aanakgant
elehar
eyagot
hapaor
edi
shower
adikgakal
a.

Khumo:
Ther
raskat
shegawena

The28yearol
dsmiledlooki
ngatherassheslowlypul
l
eddown
herGst
ri
ngandsatdownpeei ng,
theyeachsmil
edwaiti
ngf
ori
t
asshepeedandfar
ted.Helaughedatherasshewipedher
sel
f
andjumpedont opofhi
m,her
oll
edherdownandl
aidont
opof
herkissi
ngher
..

Emax:Imissedyou.
..If
eell
i
key ouonlyseemewhenMrTis
act
ingup..
..butI
'
m notcomplai
ning.Hal
fofbr
eadi
sbet
tert
han
not
hing.

Khumo:
(smi
l
ed)Good.
..Youshoul
dn'
tcompl
ain.

Hegotof fthebedandpickedthebucketthenhestoodbyholdi
ng
i
twhi l
etheotherhandheldhisci
rcumcisedXLashepeedi nthe
bucket.Khumosteppedov ert
othestoveandpickedsweetcorn
i
nt hepotthenshelai
dont hebedandat elooki
ngatthehuge
screenonthewall.
..

Khumo:(l
aughed)I'
veneverseensomeoneinv
estonexpensi
ve
TVandWi Fi
justsotheywatchsocceri
npeace,akoobat
e
bachel
orpadot swemo1r oom.

Emax: I
'm sav
ingt
obuildaplot.Idon'
thaveachil
dorstabl
e
rel
ati
onshipso1room isf
ine..
.Ili
kethati
thasceil
ingandati
le.
.
It
'sperf
ect.Myhouseisatawi ndowlevel
..
.IfMrTincr
easesour
salar
iesthisy
earI
'
llcomplet
emyhouse.

Khumo:
Hesaidsomet
hingl
i
ket
hatweeksago.Hei
sconsi
der
ing
topr
omotey
ou.

Emax:
MrTkel
ekgoat
hebanna.
.
Heputthebucketdownandhoveredoverherki
ssi
ngher,he
gr
abbedthelastcondom i
ntheboxandputitcl
osert
henhe
ki
ssedherandkneltbet
weenherlegsashetonguedher
..
.

I
nThong'
scar
..

Meanwhi l
eThongsl
oweddownasherecognisedTirost
andi
ngby
theroad,hepul
l
edovert
henTi
rowal
kedov ersincer
elyr
ubbi
ng
hishands..

Hi
m:Si
r.
..

Thong:
Wher
eismywi
fe?

Hi
m:Gal
ent
ebogepel
emor
ena.
.Got
hat
akol
wapeng.

Thonghandedhimthe5Kt
henhet
urnedar
oundandpoi
ntedata
multi
-r
esi
denr
ial
plot
..

Hi
m: Sheisi
nt here.
..Passthebachel
orpadsandt
hebighouses
ontheri
ghtgost r
aighttotheonerooms.You'
ll
seehercar
,shei
s
wit
honeofy ourempl oyeesEmmanuel.
Thong:
Oser
iousnemonna?

Hi
m:Yes,pl
easedon'
tment
ionmyname.Ij
ustwantmoneyf
or
myson.

Thongst eppedont heaccel

eratorleavi
nghi minacloudofdust
ashecoughed.Heappr oachedt hegateanddr ovet
hrough
passingotherhousesthenhespot t
edhercari nf
rontofthe
house.Hest eppedoutandt r
iedt oopenthedoorbuti twas
l
ocked, hesteppedbackandj umpedki ckingthedoor.Thedoor
di
dn'topenbutscr ewsgotloose, hesteppedbackandki ckedt
he
dooragain.

Meanwhi
lei
nsi
deEmaxl
ookedout
sidet
hrought
hewi
ndowand
pi
ckedhi
spant
s..
.

Emax:
It'
syourHusband.
.

Hishandsandl
egsshookasheputhi
spant
sonwhi
l
eKhumo
cover
edhermouthcr
yingshaki
ng.

Outsi
de,thedoorwoul
dn'topensoThonggotbacki nthecarand
rev
ersed,hedrovef
rom t
hesideandhi tt
hefort
unerfrom t
heside
pushi
ngitawayfrom t
hef r
ontoft
heoner oom thenhereversed
nowfacingthehousehead-onastenantsgotoutofthei
rhouses
scr
eami
ng.
..

Tenant
:Cal
lthepol
i
ce,
hewant
stodr
ivet
hrought
hehouse!

I
nsi
deKhumopacedar
oundt
hebedl
ooki
ngf
orherdr
ess.
..

Khumo: Heisgoingtodr
ivet
hrought
hehousei
fyoudon'
topen
thedoor
..
.(cr
ying)Bul
a

Emax:
Hegoi
ngt
oki
l
lme,
I'
m notopeni
ngt
hedoor
..

Khumolookedout
sidethroughthewi ndowandwat
chedas
Thong'
sli
ghtsf
acedtheirdoorstr
aight.

Boil
inginangerThongrevv
edt hecarandnot
icedi
twason
oarl
ing,heputthegearondri
veandsteppedontheaccel
erat
or
headingstr
aightfort
hedoor.

*
MyKi
ndOfMan

#207

AtEmmax'
sHouse.
..

Boil
ingi nangerThongr evvedthecarandnoticeditwason
parking,heputt hegearondr i
veandsteppedont heacceler
ator
headingst r
aightf ort
hedoor.Khumoopenedt hedoorandcame
camet ofacewit hthecarastheheadl
ightsbli
ndedher,sheput
herhandsov erherscreaminginaG-str
ing..
.

Thong'shear
tpoundedashedrovetowardsherandst
eppedon
thebreaksaninchawayf
rom herknees.

Khumo'sheartpoundedasherhusbandsteppedoutofthecar
andwalkedover,hegrabbedherbythehai
randdraggedherto
theassheblockedherbreastswit
hbothhands.Heopenedthe
doorandpushedherinsidethenhetookof
fhisTshi
rtandthrew
overherr
emainingwithav est
.

Thong:
Apar
ayourshi
t!

Hesl
ammedt
hedoorandt
urnedar
oundasEmmaxt
ri
edt
ost
ep
andrunbutThongcharged.Het
urnedbacki
nth3houseand
cl
osedthedoor,Thongtur
nedar
oundandpushedthedoorwit
h
hi
sshouldert
hrowingEmmaxov ert
hebedinhi
sshort
s..
.

Emaxstoodontheothersi
deoft
hebedshaki
ngandl
i
ftedhi
s
handssur
render
ing.
..

Emmax:
I'
m notf
ight
ing.
..

Thongj umpedov erthebedandbi thisl

owerlipashepunched
him ont hef
ace.Theyf ellonthefoodbucketsspill
ingtherice,
maizemeal andothers,thesecondpunchl andedEmmanuel on
thefloorastheybroket hebucket,peeflowedallovertheflooras
Emmanuel f
inall
ydecidedhehadt odefendhimself,l
yingonhi s
backwi thThongont opofhi m her el
easedhisfi
rstpunchand
l
andedi nonhi sface.Onf ul
lrageThongpunchedhi m ontheface
countlessti
mes...

I
nthecarKhumo'shandsshookassher
eachedf
ort
hephoneon
t
hedashboardanddial
l
edMonga..

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Khumo: (
breat
hingheav
il
y)Pleasecomehelpme...Thongi
s
fi
ght
ing.Idon'
twanttocal
lthepoli
ce.
..
pleasehur
ry..
Monga:
Wher
ear
eyou?

Khumo:
(st
ammer
ing)Idon'
t.
..
.Idon'
tknowhowt
o..

Shegotoutofthecarandhandedt
hephonet
ooneoft
het
enant
s
fordi
rect
ions.
.

Meanwhil
ebacki
nsideThongpushedEmmaxont hebedandhe
l
aidonthebedweakandhelpl
ess.Thongpant
edstandi
ngbyt
he
bed.
..

Thong:
Howl
onghav
eyoubeensl
eepi
ngwi
thmywi
fe?

Emmax: Wehadsext hreet

imesonl y
..
.Thetimeshesaidy ou
cheatedwithanur se,shewascr yi
ngandneededmeso. .
.And
thenrecentl
ywheny ouguyswer eargui
ngabouty oubei
ngt oo
fri
endlywit
hy ourPA.Wehav en'
tmetsince..
.It
'snota
rel
ati
onship,shecomest omewhenshef eel
slikesheneedsme.
Wedot hi
ngsonhert er
ms.I'
mt ell
i
ngy outhetrut
h,youcanask
her.

Hi
seyeslandedontwoboxesofcondoms,hegr
abbedthem and
t
heywereemptythenhenoti
cedusedcondomsfl
oati
ngonthe
wat
erfl
owingonthefl
oor
..
.2boxes..
.
Thong:
Youusedal
lthesecondomsonmywi
fe?
.

Emax:
Ther
eisonecondom l
eftt
her
e..

Thongjumpedoverandpunchedhim astwomaletenantswal
ked
andtr
iedtopul
lhi
m off,
heturnedaroundandpushedthem..
.

Thong:Don'tt
ouchme.
..(
backt
ohim)aft
ereveryt
hingIdi
dfor
you..It
rust
edyouofal
lmyemploy
ees.
..
.Itr
ustedyou!Andyou
sleepwithmywife.

Emax:
I'
m sor
ry.
..

Emaxputapil
lowov erhi
sbloodyf
ace,Thonggrabbeditand
punchedhi
m asMongabur sti
nandgrabbedhimf r
om behind
draggi
nghi
m out
side..

Monga:
Thong?Li
sten.
.Thong.
..

Thong:
Thr
eeti
meshesleptwi
thmywifeandipai
dhi
mtoo!Let
mego,whydi
dn'
tist
abhim wi
thsomet
hing.
.

Mongapushedhi
m agai
nstt
hecarandpi
nnedhi
mther
east
hey
bot
hpanted.
.
Monga:
List
en.
..Jai
l
!Jai
l
!Youdon'
twantt
ogot
her
e.

Meanwhil
eLanaopenedThong'
sdoor
,Khumosl
owl
ygotoutand
t
heywalkedbackt
oMonga'scaranddrov
eof
f.
.

Mongaopenedthepassengerdoorandhel
pedhim geti
nthenhe
cl
osedthedoorandr
anbacki nthehousewher
eothertenant
s
werehel
pingEmaxsit
..

Monga:Gatwekewenamang,I'
llt
alktoyoutomorrowabouta
newjob.
.That
'si
fyoudon'
tgetthepoli
ceinv
olvedbecause
obvi
ousl
ykwalespanesehedi
l
e.Ifti
rowaebatay ouknowwhat
todo.
..

Hewalkedoutandopenedthedr
iver
'sdoort
henhest
art
edt
he
caranddi
all
edatowv anashedroveout.
.

Hi
m:Hel
l
o?

Monga:Ait
a..
.Ineedy
ourhel
pgett
ingacarfr
om oneyardt
o
anot
her
,ithasaburst
edfr
ontty
re.
..I
'
llsendt
hedir
ect
ions.

Hi
m:OK,
pleasedo.

Monga:
Thanks.
..
..
Hehungupandj oi
nedt heroadasThongshookhishead
thoughtf
ull
ythenhedr oppedhisheaddownpulli
ngthecoll
arof
hisvestoverhi
sey escryi
ng..Heleanedbackandpul
ledthe
wholevestoverhisheadsobbi ng.
..

Thong:
Theyused5condoms!

Mongaputhi shandov erhi

sshoulderconsol
i
nghi
m, Thong
tur
nedov erf
orahugcr yingasMongadr ovei
nzi
gzagwi t
hone
hand.HepulledoverandparkedthecarasThongleanedback
cry
inguncontrol
l
ably.Heopenedthedoorandsteppedout
unzi
ppinghispants.
.

Monga:
Wakae?Hee?ManD!

Thongpeedont
het
yreasMongawal
kedar
oundt
hecar
.

Mongast
oodbytomakesur
ehedoesn'
twalkint
other
oad.He
zi
ppedhi
spant
sandl
eanedovert
hebonnetasMongastoodby
..
.

Monga:
Atl
eastsheusedacondom.
.
Thong:
Whati
fmychi
l
drenar
enotmychi
l
dren?

Monga:
Nowy
ou'
rebei
ngt
oomuch.
..

Thong:Howcanshedot hi
st ome?Itookcareofher ,
lov
edher
andevenfuckedmyhandf ormonthswait
ingforher.Iki
l
ledfor
thi
swomanandI '
vebeenf
aithf
ult
oher..
.Thatnurse,myPAor
Oshadoesn'tev
encountascheati
ng..
.Idi
dn'tcheatonher.I
'
m
goi
ngtokill
her.
..5condoms?Wher ei
sshe?

Monga:Lanatookher
...I
'
m notpr
otecti
ngherI
'm pr
otect
ingy
ou
becauseidon'
twantyoutogotojai
l.Geti
nthecar.
..

Mongapushedhi
mi nthecarashegotinthenhecl
osedthedoor
andgotint
hedri
versseat
.Mongaleanedoverandpul
ledThong'
s
seatbel
tov
erhi
mt henhelockedt
hedoorsanddroveoff.
..

I
nMonga'
sCar
..
.

Meanwhil
eLanadrovethecarandtur
nedlooki
ngatKhumoi
nher
husband'
sTshi
rtasshecri
edleani
ngoverherknees.

Khumo:
(shaki
ng)Hei
sgoi
ngt
oki
l
lme.
.

Lana:
Didhehi
tyou?

Khumo:
(tear
ful
l
y)No
Lana:
Whyar
eyoucheat
ing?

Khumo: Becausehecheat edandi didn' twantt odi vorcehi m. .

.He
getsawaywi thcheat ingbecausehei sagoodl iarandi knowhe
i
nt i
mi dat est hegi rlshesl eepswi thsot heywi l
lnev ertell any one.
Lastni ghthecheat ed. .
.hecamehomewi thaf oundat i
ononhi s
Tshirt.Ical l
edov ert ent i
mesandhedi dn'tpi ck...Iwentt ot hebar
andt heywer en'
tt her e...Him andal lhisf riendsbot hekabo4.I
askedt hewai t
eri fhehadseent hem. ...Iknowi fany onesees
MongaandThongy ouwoul dn'tforgeti tespeci allyifthey 'rewi t
h
Derrick.Idescr i
bedt hem andt hewai tersai dt heyl eftwi thagi r
l.
Hedi dn' twantt ogi vedet ail
ssoIwentt ot hepeopl ewhower e
sitt
ingnextt ot hem andt heguyt ol
dmet hoseguy sleftwi thagi r
l.
Heev ensai di tlookedl i
ket heywant edt ohav esex, thisgi rl was
sitt
ingonhi sl ap...Waut wa?Theseguy scheat edl astni ght ..
.I
can'tpr ov ei tbuti knowt heycheat ed.Thi sguysai dmyhusband. ..
Ofal ltheseguy smyhusband. ..Car ri
edt hisgi rlandadi st ance
from t hebi gscr eengat wet heot hert all guygott hegi rlandi
beli
ev eor ayaMongabecausehekeptsay ingt heonewi tbi gey es
blablaeneMongai bilegat wewhent heguyl ookedatt hem
ngwany anaakot amet heshor tguywhoi bel i
ev eisEr i
cgat we
Mongakegat shubel amonnawat engbi zol o,guyel eabeel eba
gosel e.Gat wet heyt ookngwany anay ooandl eftwi thher ...I'
m so
disappoi ntedt hatatt hetimeIdi dn'tthinkofchecki ngt hecari n
thepar kingl ottoseei fmay bet heybookedt her oom whi chi
beli
ev et heydi d...

Lana:
KanaMongadi dn'
tanswerthephonel
astni
ghtwait
se.
..
WhenhepickedIcouldj
ustpicksomethi
ngwaswrong.Fora
momenthedidn'
tevenknowt hescor
e...
Khumo: Mmei bileitwasn' tt hef i
rstt i
me, ilov ethi
si diotfor
everythinghehasdonef ormeandourchi l
dr en.Hei sagood
husbandandhecancont r
ol himsel fforawhi lemmehel at here
arethoset imeswhenhel osesi tandi gethur t
.Kanaj ustbecause
amani sdoi ngev erythi
ngr i
ghtdoesn' tmeanwheni fhemakesa
mistakey ou'llj
usteasi l
yf or giveandy oucan' teasilyl eav e
eit
her...hecheat edonmewi thanur sey earsback.I tbr okemy
heart.
..Thatgi rlapproachedmeandt oldmeshewassl eeping
withmyhusband, Iaskedhi m buthesai dshei slyingt el
li
ngme
thegirl want edhi m andher ejectedher .It hinkaf t
ert hathe
confront edt hegi rlorbeatherorsomet hingbecauseshecal l
ed
mebackday saf terapologi singandt ellingmeshewasj ustlying.
I'
m notst upid..
.Iwashear t br okensoi deci dedt ocheatt oo..
.I'
m
notinl ov ewi t
hEmmax.I twasj ustsexandhav ingsomeonet o
tal
ktowhoi knowwoul dn'tt ellanyone. ..Hecheat edandi
cheatedback.IkeptEmmax' snumbersot hateacht imeThong
cheatsi cheatback. .
.Hei st heonl ymani cancheatwi thandf eel
goodbecause. ..(sighed)Emmaxcanf itThong' sshoesand
equallysat isfyme.Wehadsext hreet imesonl y.
..

Lana:Ihopethi
sdoesn'tembar rassy
out hough..
.Youknowwhen
amancheat sitdoesn'
tmakenewsbuti fawomandoest he
wholeworldcomesf oryou.Ihopeallthosepeopleweren't
recor
dingyou.Gotrendagobot hokokilekatrendaketshuba
koloi
yagaMongaandi twasn'tgood.
..

Khumo:Ihonestl
ycan'tsayi
regr
etcheati
ngonhi
m becauseidi
d
i
tint
ent
ionall
y.Il
eftt
hehousewiththeint
ent
iont
ohavefunjust
l
ikehedid.
Lana:Wait
seI'
m st
il
lst
uckonMongaal
socar
ryi
ngt
hegi
rl
..
.Why
di
dn'tyoucal
lme?

Khumo:Idi
dn'
tthi
nkMongawoul
dcheat
,hei
swaybet
tert
han
Thong.

Lana:(
laughed)Monga?Justbecauseyounev
ergetcaughtwith
yourpantsdowndoesn'
tmeany ou'r
egood.Hehashismistakes
andmay beitwasalongti
meagommeenel astni
ghtosedi r
il
e.
Wamemonnankasemogany el
etse..
.

Khumo: TotannaIdi dt hiskabomoIwant edtoshowThonggore

cheati
ngi spainful.Iknowhemi ghtbeatmeorki llmebutfr
om
nowonhewi ll
knowt haty oucheaty outeachanotherper
sonto
doit.Kenekemogamol aandi fany onejudgesmet hent
ohell
.I
tol
dhimt hatgirl
wi l
lbleedwai t
segor ei
tdidn'tev
enbotherhi
m..
.
Heist hatgoodofal iar..
.Hedoesn' tgetscaredevenby
wit
chcr aftstor
ies.

Lana:
Wai
tyousai
dwhat
?

Khumo: Iusedt obleedalotwhenwest ar t

eddati
ngsoi knowthe
girl
wil
lbleedbecausehecanber ough.Itoldhi
mi bewitchedhi
s
dickandwhoev ersleepswithhim wi
llbleed.Hedidn'tbeli
eveme
becauseheknowshesl eptwiththenurseandshei sf i
ne.That'
s
theonlyexplanati
onIcanf i
ndforhimt obesureI'
ml yi
ng..

Lana:Mmewar
isker
,cheat
ingbacki
swayt
oor
isky
..
.I'
doptf
ora
di
vorce.

Khumo:Div
or cetakesf
orev
er,whati
fIfor
givehim bef
orethe
di
vorcei
sfinal?Thenhegetsawaywithcheati
ng.Icheatback
i
mmediat
elywhil
eI'
m st
il
langryandunstabl
ement
all
y.Thel
ast
t
hingi
needistobepray
ingforacheati
ngman..

Lana:Ist
il
lcan'
tbeli
eveMongaol
etseatshol
edi
tsemabelet
e,
waitseMongaobat agont
waelai
bil
ekeahuhulakanagagopal
e
gorebadirethr
eesome.

Khumo: MmeThongenekemogamot sethemma.Ihadf unand

didn'
tthinkabouthimthewholeday..
.Cheati
ngbackheal
st ot
a
especi
allywithadickequal
lygood.Kanait
heleatsay
agor eke
enehelamoMaun.Kemmaakant segorelehaakannyedi
samme
eneol eketsest
resssateng.

Lana:
Istil
lcan'tbel
ieveMongawascarryi
ngagirll
astnight.
.
Mongawant waelawaitseKhumo.Koor
eMongaont waetswake
eng?Wai nt
ebat saver
ysoonhewi ll
bet
ell
ingpeopl
eI '
m abusiv
e
andvi
olent,kanakemot hal
ebosmoothhela.Mongawant sto
hanghimself.
..Heisnotserioust
obeplay
ingmeev ennow.

Sheparkedinf
rontoft
hehouset
hent
heygotoutoft
hecarand
walkedint
hehouse.

Att
hehot
el.
..

Mongawalkedi
nwithaboxofhotpizzaandabottl
eofwine
whil
eThongsatonthebed,
Mongaputt heATM car
ddownand
t
urnedar
oundlooki
ngatThong.Atl
easthehadtakenashower
andputont
hecl
otheshebor
rowedhi
m..
.

Thong:I'
m hurti
ngreall
ybad.
..Iwanttobeclosert
oher.If
eel
empty.
..Atleasthakaresorr
yandt el
lmesomet hi
ngidon'
t
under
stand...Anyt
hing.
.Canyoucallherov
er?

Monga:
Andy
ouwon'
thur
ther
?

Thong:
(tear
ful
l
y)No

Hetri
edtokeepastrai
ghtfacebutt
ear
sburnedhiseyes,
hisf
ace
changedashefrownedandcriedr
ubbi
nghi
sey es.Monga
squatt
edinf
rontofhim andl
ookedupi
nhiseyes..
.

Monga: Youcan'tstopcryi
ng.
..Sheisnotsupposedt oseey ou
l
ikethat.Shewil
l neverr
espectyouafterseeingyouliket
his.
You'
llseehertomor rowolebotokanyana.Idon'tt
hinkyouate
anyt
hingsinceshel efti
nthemor ni
ng..
.Pleaseeatsomething.
..
Kopaoj epizza.
..

Heputt
heboxont
hebedandt
ookoutasl
i
cegi
vi
ngi
ttohi
m.

Monga:
Jal
ait
eakaot
seny
eener
gy.
..
Thongtookabi t
eandthepizzawastastelessbuthefor
cedit
downhisthroatandswal
lowedtheneverythingcamebackuphis
thr
oatashest oodupandraninthebathroom wherehethr
ewup.
Mongawal kedinandst
oodbyhisside..
.

Monga:
Oshapo?

Hethrewupagai
nandwipedhismout
hthenheri
nsedhi
mself
overt
hesinkasMongahandedhi
m acl
eantowel
.Hewiped
hi
mself.

Thong:
Cal
lher
.

Monga:
Ifodigela15mi
nut
eswi
thoutcr
yingI
'
llcal
lher
.Let
'sgo
wat
chsomething.

Theywalkedintheroom andsatonthebedasMongachanged
thechannel
,Thongleanedontheheadboardandstar
edatt heTV.
Hegotof ft
hebedandwal kedinthebat
hroom l
ikehewasgoi ng
topeethenheclosedthedoorandsatont hef
loorcr
ying.

Mongawat chedTVforabout5minut
esandst oodupt henhe
walkedtothedoorandstoodt
heresi
lent
lyl
ist
eningtohisboy
cr
ying.Thi
swasapai nhecoul
dn'
tevenhelptakeout,he
swall
owedshutter
edandsatinfr
ontofthedoorwiththeirbacks
separ
atedbyt
hedoor
..
.

Monga:
I'
m her
eify
ouneedany
thi
ng.
.

Thong:
Iknow.
.

Monga: Thatpainwillr
educeasy oucr yt rustme.Itwill
helpyou
becausey ouwon'tkil
lanyoneory ourself.I'
m notgoingto
Gabor onet omorrow.I'
l
lbear oundunt i
l y
ou' r
establebecausethe
l
astt hingIwantt ohearisthatyouki l
ledy ourwifeandkill
ed
yourself.I
'm goi
ngt oguardyousoi t
'supt oyoutotryheali
ng
becausei fnotthenitmeansl ennamyl i
fest opsbecausegake
got shepe.Youdi dn'
tbreakdownl iket hi
swi thAtsi
leibi
lekea
tshoga.

Thong:
Ilov
eKhumo,
Itr
ust
edher
.

Monga:Iknow.
..Heal
lai
teaka.
..I
thappens.Real
menwal
kout
st
ronger
.

Thongopenedthedoorandst eppedoutMongast oodupand

theysatonthebed.Thongchangedt hechannelandwatchedthe
TVwi t
halongface.Hemov edupt hebedandt heywat
chedt he
highl
i
ghtsfr
om thegamet heymisseduntilhedozedoff
.

Mongat ur
nedandnoti
cedhewasasleepthenhelockedt
hedoor
andhidthekeysbef
oreput
ti
ngtheduvetoverhi
mt henhesl
ept
faci
ngtheotherway
.
MyKi
ndOfMan

#208

Att
hehot
el.
..

Thenextmor ningThongwokeupandr ubbedhiseyeslayi

ngon
hisback,heli
ftedhi
sheadandMongawassl eepi
ngont heot
her
side.Hewalkedinthebathroom wherehepeedandwashedhi s
facethenhelookedathimselfont hemirr
orforamomentasi fhe
wast ry
ingtorememberev eryt
hingthoughitwassti
ll
hardto
beli
eve..
.

Hewal kedoutlooki
ngathisbruisedfi
standcheckedthecol
d
pi
zza,he'dneverbeenthathungryinhi
slif
e..Hecutt
hepizzabox
soitcancircul
ateinth3microwavethenhewar meditupandsat
onthet abl
eeating.
..

Mongaturnedaroundandy awnedthenhesatupandl ookedat

hi
m...
.Hel
ookedatThongf easti
ngonapi zzal
i
keahungr yli
on.
.
Thewayhecr i
edthenightbefor
ealsoseemedf unnybutof
cour
sehewoul dn'
tlaughathim now,i
twastoosoonbuthedi d
smil
ethi
nkingaboutit.

Thong:
Gor
il
eng?
Mongalaughed,
Thongl
aughedt
ooandt
hrewhi
m wi
thawi
ne
bot
tl
etop.

Thong:
Waswabaot
shegaeng?

Monga:
(laughed)Oshapoaker
e?

Thong:
(si
ghed)I
'
mjusthungr
y

Mongalaughedandwal kedoverthenhegr
abbedasl
i
ceofpi
zza
andsatontheotherchaireat
ing.
..

Monga:Idi
dn'
twantt
otalkmuchlastni
ghtbecauseyouwerei
na
badspaceandyouwoul
dn'tev
enhearmeev enifIt
ri
edtal
ki
ngto
you.

Thongl
i
ckedhi
sfi
nger
sandsi
ppedt
hewi
ne.

Monga:
Soy
ouendedupf
ucki
ngt
hatnur
se?

Thong:
Notr
eal
l
y

Monga:
Afterev
ery
thi
ngIsai
dyouwentaheadandsl
eptwit
hher,
gawadi
rangwanaaker
e?Kanashewant
edt ohav
eyourchi
ld.
Thong:No,Iusedacondom andi
thappenedonce.
..I
tdoesn'
t
count
..
.Idon'tev
enrememberhernamenow.

Monga:
Andy
ourPA?

Thong: Themostpai nfult

hingaboutt hatisthatitwasabl owjob,
idi
dn'tevensleepwi thherandwhenKhumof eltfunnyabouther
shefiredthegir
landi nevertalkedtoheragai n.Techni cal
ly
speakingKhumocheat edwaymor ethanme. ..Theyused5
condomsi nlessthan24hour sandI '
veusedonl yt wocondoms
withthatgir
landOsha.I t'
sonly5condomsbecausei f oundheri n
ti
me...Whoknowshowmanyr oundshegott hef i
r standt he
secondt i
meshecheat ed.
..
Ididn'tenj
oythenur sebecausei was
cheati
ngf ort
hef i
rsttimeinmyl i
feandi fel
tsobadi ev enbought
Khumoacarandt ookheronav acati
on...Sheact ednor mal af
ter
cheati
ngandi neversuspect edany t
hing.Shei sapr of essional
cheater.

Monga: Womenr ar
elygetcaughtcheating, y
ouonl yfi
ndouti fshe
wantsy outobuteneshewi l
lcatchyout hev er
yfir
stti
me
becausetheyhav eaf i
ft
hsense...Idi
dn'
tbel ievethatuntil
Lana
cal
ledmecount lesstimeswhenwewer ewi ththatgir
l.
..Icamet o
bedandshecoul djustfeeli
tasenapr oof .Ihadt omakeher
doubtherfi
fthsensewhi chidoubtwi l
lholdf orlongbecause
womenhav easharpmemor y.Theydon'tf orgetandtheycan
connectthedots.Forthesakeofpeacel et'
sputal lt
hesebehi nd
uswithoutfi
ghti
ngbecausegonemmewesl eptwithOsha...

Thong:
Soi
t'
sokt
hatshecheat
ed?

Monga:
Idi
dn'
tsay
..
.Techni
cal
l
yther
eisnot
hingy
oucando.
..He
can'
tunf
uckher
..
.Kanaonal
epl
an?

Hesi
ghedandl
eanedback.
..

Thong: Iwantt otakemywhol efamilyt

ochur ch,shehasto
repentbecauseshei sf
ull
ofrevenge.Mar r
iageisforgi
veness.
Shedi dn'thavetohurtmelikethatbecauseitsherwhol osesher
value.Irespectedherbecausei knewshewasbet t
erthanall
thesewomen.

Hesi ghedindisbeli
efandpr essedhi
sphonechangingher
contactfrom BabetoDev ildemon.Heputhi
sphonedownand
rubbedhisheadf rustr
ated.Therewasaknockont hedoor
..

Monga:
Comei
n.

Lanast
uckherheadi
n..

Lana:
I'
ll
beatt
her
est
aur
anteat
ing.
..Di
dyoueatsomet
hing?

Monga:
Weat
epi
zza

Lana:I
'm sur
eyouneedt
omorethanthat
..
.Akerei
thel
ale
tshol
etsamabel
etel
ebaamoganalebukadiroom.
Sheclosedthedoorandwal
kedaway
,ThongandMongal
ooked
atoneanother.
.

Thong:
Doy
out
hinkDer
ri
cksni
tched?

Monga:Hewasn'
tther
ewhenwelift
edher
,it
'sei
thershet
oldor
somethi
ngel
sebecausei
t'
sdef
ini
tel
ynotEri
c.

Thong:
Seey
ou.
.

Hegrabbedhisdir
tyclot
hesandwalkedout,Mongagoti nthe
bathr
oom andshoweredthenhelat
erwalkedintherestaurant
whereLanawaseat i
ngattheendoftheroom.Heappr oachedthe
tabl
eandpulledt
hechairsit
ti
ngdownwhi l
eLanawaseat i
ng,
l
ookingatherhecouldtel
lshewasn'
tangrywhichisunlikeher.
..
Sheobviousl
yknewsomet hi
ng..

Awai
tr
esstookhi
sorderandwal
kedawayashegr
abbedher
wi
neandtookasi
p..

Monga:
Arey
ouOK?

Lana:
Yeah.
.

Monga:
Whydoy
ousayi
li
ft
edagi
rly
est
erday
?
Lana:Ohyoudidn'
t?Thongdi
dn'
tcar
ryherandgi
vehert
oyouon
yourwayout?

Monga:
Whot
oldy
out
hat
?

Lana:Isi
tali
e?Becauset
hel
astt
hingIwantt
odoi
sto"
fi
shf
ora
confessi
on"

Monga:
Idi
dn'
tl
if
tany
one.

Lana:Good(pi
ckedherwi
neandsipped)t
henf
orgeti
sai
dthat
.I
can'
twaitt
ogetbacktomychil
dren.

Monga:
Aboutt
hat
..
.I'
mthinki
ngishoul
dsti
ckaroundf
oradayor
t
wotomakesureThongdoesn'
tdoanyt
hingcr
azy.

Lanalookedathert henshepickedanicecubef r
om herglass
andcr ushediti
nhermout hsti
lll
ookingathim.Yeah.
..Therewas
thatangerslowlybuil
dingup,
hegr abbedbothofherhandsand
kissedthem thenhekeptthem ont hetabl
eholdi
ngher..
.

Monga: I
t'
sjustforaday..
.Heisalwayst
hereformewhennoone
i
s..Alwaysstoodbymysi deihavetomakesurehedoesn'tdo
anythi
ngcrazy.Peopleendupkill
i
ngandcommi tti
ngsui
cide
becausepeoplear oundt
hem assumethey'
restr
ongandhappy.
Thongisnotasst rongashewant st
heworldtothi
nk.Heisthe
ty
pet oki
llhi
swi feandshoothi
mself.

Lana:
Youdon'
tcareaboutaboutmyfeel
ings.
..Youknowthati
knowwhatyoudi
dstil
lnoapologi
esoranythi
ngtoshowremorse.
Youknowwhathappenswhensomeonekeepsi gnoringyour
emot i
onalneeds?Youl earntoli
vewi t
houthim.Youdon' tful
fil
yourpromiseseither..
.Wemakepr omi sesbutthemi nut
eyouset
footinMauny ouf orgetal
laboutit
.You'reapast orinGaborone..
.
Infactyou'
reapast oratchurchonly.Youknownot hingabout
honesty,r
emor seandaskingf orf
orgiveness.

Monga:
I'
mjustscar
ed.
..Imessedup.
..

Lana:Whatdidy
oudo?Letgoofmyhands,it
oldy
ouI'
llnever
di
srespecty
oubyhi
tt
ingyouandimeanti
t.Sowhatdi
dy oudo?

Hel
etgoofherandsi
ghed.
..

Monga:Oshacametoourtabl
ewhi l
eweweredri
nki
ngwatchi
ng
thegame,onet
hingl
edtoanotherandwehadsexinahot
elroom.
Youcall
edandil
eft

Lana:
Wer
eyouwi
tht
heot
herguy
s?

Monga:Idon'
twantt
odragthem i
ntothi
s..
.I'
mjustt
ell
i
ngy
ou
t
hatidi
dhav esexwi
thher
,onlyonce!

Lana:Whatdoy outhinkishoul
ddo?Akereweagr eedt
hatno
morecheatingbutyoucheated.Ontopofthatyoumademe
apologi
seforbeingsuspi
cious.
..Asmyfr
iend,notasmyhusband
whatdoy outhi
nki shoul
ddo?

Monga:
Idon'
tl
oveher
,don'
tev
enknowwher
eshei
s.

Lana:
That
'snott
hepoi
nt,
idon'
tcar
eaboutt
heot
herwoman.
Kar
ewenaasmyf
ri
endadv
iceme.
.

Monga:
Ithi
nkweshoul
dgof
orcounsel
l
ing.

Lana:Not el
lmesomet hingwehaven'
tdone.Wef ought,
we
prayed,
wedi dcounsell
inganddi
dthefreshstar
tthing.I
tst
il
l
di
dn'tstopyoufrom cheati
ng.
.Whatshouldido?

Monga:
Giv
emeonel
astchance.
..Igott
empt
ed.
.

Lana:
Wabonagor
eI'
m notcr
yingorhi
tt
ingy
ou?

Monga:
Yes

Lana:I
t'
sbecauseI'
vecri
edal
lmytears,I'
vebeat
enyou,
I'
ve
i
nsult
edyouev eni
nsul
tedmyin-
laws.Itdi
dn'
tmakeany
dif
fer
encebecausewearebacktosquareone.Haveiev
er
cheat
edony ouMonga?

Monga:
No

Lana:It'
snotbecausemendon' twantme, i
t'
sbecausei don'
t
wanty outoeverdoubtyoursel
fasamangor emay beIcan't
sati
sfymywi fethat
'swhysheisseeki ngitfr
om othermen.Idon't
wanttot al
ktoyouforlongbuti appreci
ateyourhonesty.Itt
ook
l
ongbutatt heendoft hedayyouf acedyourfearsandtoldme.
I'
m sureitwasn'
teasy..
NowIhav easoluti
onf orus.
..

Hisf
oodarri
vedasshepour edmorewineinthegl assandsipped.
Thewait
ressl
eftbuthecouldn'
tst
arteat
ing,helookedatheras
shet
oldhimtheonlysolut
ion.Het
ookadeepbr eathandpinned
hi
selbowonthetablethenherest
edhisforeheadasshespoke.
Lana:(concl
udedt
alki
ngabouttheesolut
ion)I
fyou'r
esor r
yy ou
won'targuewit
hmeont hisone.Wearemat ureandther
ei sno
needforustobeataroundthebushesavoidi
ngtheinevi
table.

Helookeddownandputhi
shandsundert
het
abl
erubbi
ngt
hem
t
ogetherashel
ookedather
.

Lana:Canyoupl
easeeaty
ourf
ood,
itsget
ti
ngcol
d.Onkut
ule
akerebabe?

Heputhi
shandsoverthet
ableandbeguneat
ingsl
owl
ywhi
l
eshe
gr
abbedatoot
hpickandpickedhert
ooth.
.

Lana:
Bual
enna.
..

Monga:
Idon'
tknowwhattosay
.IguessI'
m scared..
.Fort
hef
ir
st
t
imeiwishy
oucouldj
ustsl
apmeorbr eakever
ything.
.

Lana: I
'mt oooldtodothatnow, i haveadaught eri
nlaw...Our
chil
drenhav efri
endsonsocialmedi aandwecan' tdothat
anymor e.It'
ssadthatyoucansl eepwi thagirlwhoisn'
tthatolder
thany ourdaughteri
nlaw..
.Mj isst ubbornwagony alaShine.
..Yet
youst i
llf
inditoktosleepwithagi r
lthatage.Shedoesn'tknow
whatshei sdoingespecial
lyconcer ningmar r
iedmen.Whenshe
i
sol dershewi l
lknowbetter,
itsy ourresponsibi
li
tygoreogane.
Anywaysi.
..(
sighed)Ther
eisnot
hingIcansaythatihaven'
tsai
d
bef
ore.Fi
nishyourfoodsowecangochi l
lbef
oreileave.
.

Monga:
I'
vechangedmymi
nd.I
'
m goi
nghomewi
thy
ou.

Lana:
Eehet
sadi
j
oret
samaet
sal
ayam.

Monga:
I'
mfi
ne.Let
'sgo

Lana:
Youdi
dn'
teat
..

Monga:
I'
vel
ostmyappet
it
e..

Shecal
ledt
hewai t
ressthenshepaidfort
heirmealsandstoodup,
Mongagotupandf oll
owedherout,heopenedthedoorforheras
sheputonhersunglassesandwalkedout.Hesteppedoutand
fol
l
owedherdragginghisfeetbehi
ndher.
..

Meanwhi l
eApul aandLawrencewalkedtowar
dst herest
aurant
chatting,Lawr encenoti
ceday oungwomanwal kingoverwit
h
sunglasses, theylookedgoodonherandherbr eastswere
perfect..
.Didn'tseem li
keshewaswear i
ngabra.Hel ookedaway
holdingApul a'shandast hewomanpassedby .
..

Lana:
Hel
l
o

Bot
h:Hi
..
Apul
at ur
nedaroundandr ecognisedLanat
henMongapassedby
andcaughtuptoher.Theywal kedinandsatdownast
he
wait
resstookt
heirorder
s.

Lawr
encel
ookedi
nherey
esandsmi
l
edasshebl
ushed.
.

Lawr
ence:
Ifeel
li
keIshoul
dvi
sitagai
nnextweekend.

Apul
a:Youshoul
d..

Lawr
ence:
Iwantt
omeety
ourdaught
ernextt
ime.

Apul
a:Idon'
tmi
ndt
hat
.

Lawr
ence:
What
'sy
ourt
hought
saboutmar
ri
age?

Apul
a:Justwai
ti
ngf
ort
her
ightguy

Lawr
ence:
Am i
?

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Sof
arsogood

Theyl
aughed.
..

AtThong'
sHouse.
..

Thongwalkedint
hebedroom wher
eKhumowasput
ti
ngonher
eyel
asheswit
hajuicebyhersi
de.
.
Hesatonthebedandlookedatherasshetur
nedar
oundand
l
ookedathim pr
essi
ngherlashest
oget
her.
..

Thong:
Canwet
alk?

Khumo:
Iwoul
dn'
tmi
ndy
oudoi
ngaDNAt
estonal
lthechi
l
dren
dear

Thong:Whyar
eyoucal
l
ingmedear
?Gapennagai
seker
ekebat
a
DNAt est
..

Khumo:
Ifkedi
vor
cei
don'
tmi
ndei
ther
.It
otal
l
yunder
standdear
.

Shest
oodupandpulleddownhershor
tdressthenshecol
l
ect
ed
hermakeupandsor
teditbef
oresi
ppi
ngthejui
ce.

Khumo:
Whenar
eyougi
vi
ngmemyphone?Iwantt
otakesel
fi
es.

Heshif
tedreachi
nginhispocketandsl
i
di tout
,Khumostepped
overwi
thacleavageandgotit,
Thongpressedhisfi
nger
soverhi
s
ey
escryingastheybothhel
dthephonethenshehuggedhim..

Khumo:
Babe?Heel
awal
elaner
raont
shosa?Thong?
Sheleanedoverl
ookingathi
m ashehi
dhisfaceonherst
omach
whil
eshestoodinfrontofhi
m.Sheputherar
msaroundhisneck
andrubbedhi
sback...

Thong:(
cryi
ng)I
'
m hurt
ing.
..Canwef
ixt
his.
..Don'
tgi
vemeacol
d
shoul
der,
ineedyou.

Khumo:
Whathappenedoutt
her
e?Let
'sst
artt
her
e..
.

Hel
eanedbackandr
ubbedhi
sey
esasshesatonhi
slap.
..

Thong:Oshacamet ousandsatonmyl ap,itwasthefourofus

butDerri
ckleftsay
ingsomethingabouthi
sconditi
ons.Osha
ki
ssedEr i
cthenhet r
iedtoki
ssMonga, hekindofpanickedso
shekissedmet henwentbackt oMonga.Ericboughtthe
condomsatbarcount er,
Oshasatonhi m andhefini
shedwithher
.

Khumo:
Ngwanyanawalonayolemojel
ahagar
egabat
ho?
Koor
eneisat
shabegor
eot aaf
il
imi
wa?

Thong:Itseemedl ikeshewassitti
ngonhislap,nnaleMongawe
didn'
tdohert here,ipi
ckedherupandwewal kedtowardsthe
roomsmot selengabekemoneel aMongannaker ot
a,Eri
ccame
withtheroom key sandMongast art
ed,i
joinedinandwedi dher
atthesamet imet henMonga'sphonerang.Af t
erthatweprett
y
muchwr appedi tupandl ef
tbecausewenal eLanacall
ed.My
phonewasonsi lentiwouldhaveansweredy oulehanekedir
a
di
lony
anaI
'
dneverint
ent
ional
lyi
gnor
eyou.Howwassexwi
th
Emmax?BehonestIwashonest
.

Khumo:I
twasbori
ng,hecumsreall
yquickandhehasadi
ck
small
ert
hanyour
ssoitwasn'
tthesameasy ou.Tot
aiwas
passi
ngti
mebecauseiwasst
ressed..

Thong:
Butheused5condoms

Khumo: BecauseIkeptdry
ingupthenhe'dhav
et ochanget he
condom causewedi dn'
thavealubri
cant
.Uknowi neverdryup
butwithhimi wasdrymaybeitsbecauseiwasforcingmy sel
f.I
di
dn'tevencum becauseiwasthinki
ngaboutyoutheent i
retime.

Hi
sfaci
alexpr
essi
onschangedashel
ookedather
..
.

Thong:
(smi
l
ed)Gaonkaket
seaker
e?Whati
fyou'
rel
yi
ng?

Khumo: (
innocent
ly)I'
m not,
i wasn'tmysel
f.Wemetthreetimes
only.Duri
ngt henursething,
y ourPAissueandnow.Throughout
allt
heset imesididn'
tenjoyitthat
'swhyitwaseasytoforgethi
m
foryears.Wheny ou'r
eawomanwhoi susedtosomet
hingbigger
smal l
ermenar ebor i
ng.

Hehuggedhert
ight
lyandsi
ghed.
..
..

*
MyKi
ndOfMan

#209

Att
hehot
elr
oom.
..

LateronMongaandLanapackedt hei
rbagsreadytocheckout ,
Mongal ookedatLanaasshehummedwi thairpodsi
nherear s...
Shepickedhernecklacefrom t
het abl
eandstoodbyt hemi rr
or
putti
ngitonashertitspoppedthroughthetop,hesowant edt o
suggestamuchmor ecoveri
ngupbuti twouldmakehi m seem
i
nsecureandhispridecouldn'
tlethim dothat
.Hisphoner ang..
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Thong:Yeah.Nnamonnai endedtell
ingKhumoev er
ything.
..
.She
wascryingandbeggingmetot el
lherwhathappened.Icouldn'
t
standt
oseehercr ysoitol
dherthetruth.
..Sor
ryf
orthrowingy ou
guysunderthebus.Ical
l
edErictoo..
.Iwasundert
hepr essure

Mongast
eppedoutoft
her
oom andwal
kedar
oundt
hepav
ement
t
alki
ngt
othephone.

Thong:
(laughed)AmmeKhumoi
sthet
ypet
ocr
yandbeg?

Monga:
(of
fended)El
egor
ewhatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay
?Ij
ust
spi
l
ledt
hebeanskel
opel
aorwhat
?

Monga:
(laughed)Waj
ampaanong?It
oldLanat
oojustt
hati
di
dn'
tmentionyouguy
sbutshehasafeel
i
ngweall
did.Iguess
Khumowillconf
ir
mitforher
.

Thong:
Soshewasn'
tangr
y?

Monga:Uhmonnamymar riagei
st aki
nganothert
urnbutidon't
wantt
obeliev
ethat'
swherethi
ngsar eheadi
ng,maybesheisjust
hur
tandlostt
rusti
nmarri
ages.I'
l
lwat chandsee

Thong:
Whatt
urn?

Hetoldhim ashepacedupanddownt hepav ement,Apul

aand
Lawrencewal kedpastt
hem whil
ehetalkedtothephone.
LawrenceloadedthebagwhileApul
ast oodthere.
..Mongawaved
atherthenshewav edbackwithali
tt
lesmilewhi l
eLawrencewas
sti
ll
leani
ngi nthecarzi
ppi
nghisbag.Theygoti nthecarand
droveoff.
..

Thong:
May
beshei
sbl
uff
ing.

Monga:
Ibel
i
evehert
hough.Butwenaoshapokev
aeaker
e?

Thong:
I'
m goodgoaf
tery
ourwi
femr
..

Monga:SediandEri
caretaki
ngust
otheai
rport
..
.Iwonderhow
hei
sdoing.Idon'
twanttomakephonecal
laf
terphonecal
lI'
l
l
l
ookli
keI'
m uptonogood.
Thong:
Goshapo.

Monga:
Sur
e.

Hehungupandwal
kedi
nther
oom.
..

Att
heai
rpor
t.
..

LateronApul
aandLawrencer
eachedthequeuefort
heGabor
one
fl
ight,
heputdownhi
sbagandhuggedher..
.Theyswungar
ound
foraboutaminut
ehuggi
ngandkissed.
.

Lawrence:
Atl
eastwe'
renotanonl
i
nedat
ingcoupl
e.We
graduat
ed.
.

Apul
a:(l
aughed)Yeah..
.Nextti
mesor toutyourbusi
nesscall
sso
wecandomor etogether.Youwereverybusy..Kekopaatt
enti
on.
..
That
'ssomethi
ngI'v
enev erhad.Iwanttobeimportantt
o
someone.

Lawr
ence:
Ihav
en'
tdat
edi
nawhi
l
esoI
'
mrel
ear
ningaswego
al
ong.

Apul
a:Iunder
stand.
.Thanksf
orv
isi
ti
ng.
.

Lawr
ence:
Alr
ight
,seey
ounextweek.
Theyhuggedagai
nthenshewalkedout,
heturnedaroundand
tookoutabusi
nessbookthenhereadst
andingonthequeue.

Meanwhi
leEri
cdrovei
ntotheair
portpar
kinglot
,ther
ewas
si
l
encebothcoupl
essteppedoutofthecarandclosedt
hedoor
.

Sedi
andLanawal
kedtowar
dst
heent
rancewhi
l
eMongadel
ayed
pi
cki
ngthebagsl
owl
y.
..

Monga:
Hav
eyout
alked?

Eri
c:Kantelonabannawhylel
eweakso?Sheaskedmeandi
deni
edit.I
'dneveradmi
tsuchthi
ngst
omywi f
e,whyl
edi
rajal
o?

Monga:It
oldLanabecausesheal r
eadyknows..
.Ifawomanasks
yousomethingshealr
eadyknowst heanswershejustwantsto
seei
fyoucanbef orgi
venforhavi
ngqualit
yyaremor sel
ehonesty
.
Keepdenyi
ngy ou'
rehurt
ingherbecausesheiagoingtofeell
i
ke
shei
sstupid.

Eri
c: I'
dneverconfesstoboat aj
okebodi ril
engkenol e,noguys
I'
mv er
ydisappointedinyou.Ifi
knewy ou'dsingsoqui cki
woul dn'
thavetakenpar t
.Mywi feobatiwahel akemaj i
taari
ch
bamaBDPi fiadmi tt
othatshewi l
lneverleti
trestandwheni
catchhercheat i
ngIwon' teventakeitt
oputel der
sbecauseshe
wil
l haveammuni t
ionagainstme.

Monga:
Butwhydoesi
thav
etobeacompet
it
ionofwhot
he
elder
sbeli
eves?Theonl ytimeawomankeepsr emindi
ngy ouof
yourmist
akesisofyoudeni edbecauseshewant syout oknow
shehasn'
tbeenf ool
ed.Ify ouadmittoeveryt
hingatleasty oucan
besureyou'
vebeenf orgivenandhav epeace.Thinkabouti t,
wouldn'
tyoubeangryi fsomeonecheat edandy oucouldt ellthey
didyett
heydon'twantt oadmi tsoyoutwocanf i
ndasol ution?
Nkatenegamot hoaitatol
ammekebonagor eway aka.

Eri
c:Aeno,mymar ri
agei
sdiff
erent.I
fyoudenyther
ewillal
ways
bethatnai
vepartofhert
hatbel
ievesmaybey ou'
rei
nnocentabe
aikgomotsa.I
'
m nothappywit
hy ourappr
oach.Nkabele
nkit
shi
tsemot eng.

Monga:Idi
dn'
tincl
udeyouguy
sbutThongsay
shet oldt
het
rut
h
asi
tis.Hecl
aimsgoreKhumowascryi
ngbutithi
nkitwast
he
ot
herwayround.He

Er
ic:
(laughed)Gol
omolegoweakthebanna..
.Ot
shosi
tsweke
nf
ananyanahelawa1room abeabuadiphi
ri
.

Monga:
(laughed)Lai
teameor
atawi
fey
..

Theyl
aughedandbumpedshoul
der
s..
.

Meanwhi
l
einsi
deLanaandSedi
appr
oachedt
hequeue.
..

Sedi
:Sowhatdi
dMongasay
?

Lana:
Hedi
dn'
tment
ionaf
our
some.Hesai
dhehadsexwi
thher
,i
didn'twantt
hedetailsofthenightbecausei don'
twantto
traumatisemysel
f.Ihaveav iol
entdemoni nsidetogaeutwaboi
kissedherandcaressedherabeket ol
elarragwebongwanakeke
mot habisadi
thongmosechabengabekamosol eti
moner e
robalalennakeikothaya.Lookslikecheati
ngishisthi
ng,eveni
f
hest ays5yearshewi l
levent
uallycheat.

Sedi
:Er
ici
sdeny
ingt
aki
ngpar
t.

Lana: Eeaker eyou'

resof t.Ifyoudeal withhim hewi l
ltell
you,
menar est rongerphysicallyemot i
onal l
yhelay oucanpushhi mt o
thelimi t.
..Butjustdon'tov erdoitbecauset heseonescanev en
commi tsui ci
dewi t
houtt alkingtoany one.Theyst ar
twhatt hey
can'tfinishmmeMongaeneIwon' tgoeasyonhi m, ihave
nothingt ol ose.I
fit'
sthewi feti
tl
eI '
dratherloseitandf urt
hermy
educat ionkennaDrLanai fMr sTikidoesn'tgivemepeace.

Sedi
:Eri
cisannoying,ev
ery
oneconfessedeneobodi
pa.I
'
m goi
ng
toaskDerr
ickexactl
ywhathappened.

Lana:
Ifi
tgoestot
hosesi
ster
sit
'sgoi
ngtoteart
hem apar
t,Ther
e
i
ssomethingt
hatbot
her
smeaboutApula.
..

Sedi:
Whatdi
dshedot
hist
ime?I
'
m sot
ir
edoft
hiswoman'
s
drama.

Lana:No,i
t'
snott hat
...Andidon'tlikeherbut.
..Shehast obethe
mostunlucki
estwomanonear t
h.Remembershedat edTumo
andherdaughterendeduphav i
ngachi ldwi
thhim.Doesn' t
matteri
fshehaddumpedhi m byt henasTumi clai
ms...Andthen
Oshamanagest ospr eadherlegsf oramansheknowsApul a
waswi t
handst r
uggledt ogetover...
.kanaApulanear atamonna
wamebat hong.Shemi ghtbeov erMonganowbutst il
l y
oudon't
fal
l f
oryourmot her'
sexknowi ngly.
..Idon'tevenlikeApulabutif
thereisany thi
ngI '
vegatheredthroughoutt heyearsisthatshe
l
ov edherni ecesandgav et hem agoodl ife.Nnatotahelaitwas
herwhoki ndofmademeseesi st
erhoodassomet hi
ngamazi ng
becauseshewassuppor t
inghersisters..
.Howi sitpossibl
etodo
somuchgoodandr eceivenothinggoodi nr et
urn?Thesegi r
ls
oweherl oy alt
yiftheycan'tloveherli
keamot heratleastthey
shouldn'
tembar rassher.Wai t
seifrelati
vesdot hesethenit'
s
reall
ysad...Koor ekesetsekemakadi tswekeOshaar obal
anale
MongaandThong.

Sedi
:It
'sherkar
maf
oral
lthebadshedi
d..

Lana:No, let'
sputasi der el
ati
onshipscandal sbecauseko
bannengweal l getdirt
yandhear tl
ess. .
.Bonehelawhatdi dshe
dot othem?Whatev ildidshedo?I fsheabusedt hem thenI '
d
understandbutshel ovedt hem..Didy ouknowt hatrightaf t
erNini
graduatedf rom nursingshecoul dn'tfi
ndaj obsoApul apaidfor
hertost udyaccount i
ng. .
.Thataccount ingwasApul a'smoney
evenaf t
erhav ingachi ldwi t
hherex.Thesamedaught erkeha
buagor eshewon' twor kinaf i
l
li
ngst ati
onhakemor ay akere
kanaler onawehav equal i
fi
cat
ionst hatcantakeusf ar .Shesent
thesechi l
drent oschool andsomehowi tdi
dn'tbenefither
anythi
ng.

Sedi:(
sighed)Iguessyouhav eapointbuteveni
fshedidn'
trai
se
them t
heyshoul dn'
tgoafterherexs.I
tmustbedepressi
ngbeing
heratleastsheisastrongwomanaker esheisr
ichandmostof
thesewomensayt heydon'tneedaman.
Lana:EebutkanaI'
mt al
ki
ngaboutherfamil
y,thesegi
rl
s
speci
fical
l
y.I
fyourdaughterdat
edLopangbrokeasheisI'
dbe
annoyedgorengwananyanaonkapotse.

Sedi
:May
beshedoesn'
tcar
e.

Lana: I
'llneverunderstandr
elativ
eswhol ustforamanoft hei
r
relati
ves...Icouldneverhavefeeli
ngsforEri
cev enifyoudivorce
him, t
hesegi r
lsshouldbeturnedoffbythefactthattheirmothers
l
ov edthesemenatsomepoi nt.OshakanaThongsl eptwithher
biological motherandMongaherauntwhoi beli
eveshecal l
s
mama.Howdoy ouseducey ourownmot her'sex?Somer elati
ves
deser v
et obecutof ff
orawhi l
esoshecanl ear
nal essonand
comebackl oyal.

Sedirememberedcorner
ingMongaandchuckl
edembar r
assed
notsurehowtorespondbuti
tdidn'
trememberl
ikeLanaeven
rememberedthat
.

Lana:Hersi
tuat
ionisexactl
ytheSet swanasayi
ng"Kathagol
ela
l
eokana,yar
elegolalanthaba".Apulaootil
ebanababa
tshwanet
segomot otakanakeat sogal
anebathong?Imustbe
gett
ingol
dbecausei f
inditdi
sturbing

Sedi
:Let
'scal
lherandtel
lherwhatherniecedi
d,gonemmeene
Oshawhycan'tshebehel
daccountable?

Lana:Idon'
twanttogetinvolvedwi
thheri
ssues,
I
'l
ldeal
withmy
husband.It
sjustunbel
i
evable.Iwoul
dn'
twishhavi
nganiecel
ike
herevenonmywor
stenemy.Oshakemol
oigobuannet
eke
ngwanaeemmewal owa.
.

Sedi
:(l
aughed)Aemmai hav
etogo..
.Seey
ou.I
'
m st
il
ltr
yingt
o
putatenanti
nourGabor
onehouse.

Lana:
Ohok,
I'
ll
keepadv
ert
isi
ngi
ttomyst
udent
s.

Sedi
:Noiwantt
omov et
her
esoEr
iccanhav
efuni
nMaunl
enna
kejemonat
einGabs.

TheyhuggedthenSedi wal
kedout,
Lanawal
kedt owardsthe
queueandstoodbehindamanr eadi
ngabook.Sheputairpodsi
n
eachearandpressedherphoneasthemanturnedaround,he
l
ift
edhiseyebr
owssur pri
sed.
.

Hi
m:Hi
,Isawy
ouy
est
erdayatt
hehot
elr
ight
?

Lana:
Ohy
eah,
hi

Hi
m:Hi
..I
'
m Lawr
ence

Lana:
(wav
edherr
inghandandsmi
l
ed)I
'
m Mr
sMongaTi
ki

Lawrence:
(laughed)OK.
..Ni
cet
omeety
ouMonga,
ithoughti
tsa
malename.

Lana:
(laughed)I
t'
smyhusband'
sname

Lawr
ence:
Sowhat
'sy
ourname?

Lana:
MrsTi
ki
Lawrence:Youal
readysai
dthat
..I
'
m nott
ryi
ngt
ohi
tony
oui
promise.

Lana:
Theny
ouwoul
dn'
tmi
ndcal
l
ingmeMr
sTi
ki

Lawr
ence:
Alr
ightcool
..
.

Hiseyesl
andedonherchest
,shesmi
l
edl
ooki
ngathi
m andput
herar
m acrosshert
it
s..

Lawr
ence:
Aret
heyr
eal
?Whyar
etheysoper
fect
?

Lana:
They
'r
efake.

Lawrence:
Cani feel
them wi
thonehand?Ijustwanttoknowif
ther
eisadiff
erencebetweenther
ealonesandthefakeones.

Lana:(
laughed)KemabeleagaMrTi
kiandhemi
ghtwal
kin
thr
oughthatdoorany
time.

Lawr
ence:
Thet
all
guyy
ouwer
ewi
th?

Lana:Yeah.Doyouknowt
hati
knowApul
a?Shei
sli
keanol
d
fr
iendofmine.

Hi
sfaci
alexpr
essi
onchangedashet
ookadeepbr
eat
hand
l
aughedembarr
assed.
..

Lawr
ence:
Ilov
eherdon'
tmessi
tupf
orme.Iwasj
ustbei
ng
f
ri
endl
y.

Lana:(laughed)Ot shoswakeengaker eyoudi

dn'
tsayanyt
hing
ndi understandyourcuriosi
ty,
someofmymal estudent
shav e
askedmei ftheycantouchit.I
'm usedt
oguyswanti
ngtofeel
them.

Lawrence:Butonaser
iousnoteI
'm sor
ry,pl
easedon'
tsay
anyt
hingtoher.I
'v
ebeensingl
eforawhileandithi
nkwithherke
tannastable.

Lana:(l
aughed)Nnyaammei fy
ouwantt obeseriouswatchyour
wonderingeye.Youcanseeandthi
nkaboutitbecauseyou'
re
onlyhumanbuty oushoul
dn'
thavetheaudaci
tytospeak.

Lawr
ence:
True,
I'
m sor
ry.

Lana:
It'
sok.
..

MeanwhileMongawalkedoverandnoti
cedLanat al
ki
ngto
anotherman,hef
urr
owedhiseyebrowsandjoinedthequeue
putt
inghisar
m behi
ndherbackandkissedherthenheglar
edat
hi
m.

Lawr
encepani
ckedl
ooki
ngathi
m andsmi
l
edgi
vi
nghi
m ahand.
.

Lawrence:I
'm Lawrence,
Apul
a'
sboy
fri
end.Sawy
ouguy
satt
he
hot
el acoupl
eoft i
mes.
Mongadr
oppedhi
sdef
encesr
ecogni
singhi
m andsmi
l
edshaki
ng
hi
shand.

Monga:
Hel
l
o

Lawr
ence:
Sur
e

Het urnedbackandcar riedonr eadi

ng,MongastoodbehindLana
holdingherwaistwithbot hhands.Stil
lasamanhecoul dsmell
thi
si di
otwaspr obablythinkingabouthit
ti
ngonhiswif
e,that
handshakewasat rucegest ureother
wisehewouldhavegreeted
himl i
kethatbackatt hehot el.

AtOsha'
sHouse.
..

MeanwhileApul
awal kedi
nthehousewhil
eSkylai
dasl
eepont
he
couch.Sheputherkeysdownheadingt
othebedroom.
.

Apul
a:Osha?

Osha:
(int
hebat
hroom)Maa?
Apulast
oppedbyt hebat
hroom doorandopenedthedoorwit
hout
knocki
ngasusual.Shewasnevertoooldforher
!Hereyes
poppedasshelookedatherwipingbl
oodonherthighgoi
ngup.
Thisdi
dn'
tlookl
ikeperi
od..
.Shewasev enusi
ngDrwhitepads..
.

Apul
a:Osha?Ar
eyouhav
ingami
scar
ri
ageory
ouabor
ted?

Oshal
ookedathermot
herasherhear
tpounded.

Apul
a:Osha?Gor
il
eng?

Osha:I
t'
snotami scar
riage.
.Isleptwi
th3mar ri
edmenand..
.2
wereabitroughbutNi nithi
nksoneoft hewiv
esdidthi
stome.
Shethi
nksifwef i
ndat r
adit
ionaldoct
orI'
ll
beOK.Ifeeldi
zzy
.I'
m
l
osingalotofblood.

Apul
a:Idon'
tbel
i
evei
nsuch,
let
'sgot
othehospi
tal

Osha:
Ial
readywentandt
heyf
oundnot
hing.

Apula:3marri
edmenngwanaka?Wheredi
digowr
ongwit
hy ou?
Shouldibookyoui
ntoapsy
chiat
ri
chospi
tal
?Whoaret
hethese
thr
eemar r
iedmen?

*
MyKi
ndOfMan

#210

AtOsha'
sHouse.
..

Oshal
ookedatherguil
tst
ri
cken,
shewasn'
tgoi
ngtoshar
ethi
s
wit
hherbutt
hensheneededhelpandhermot
herwastheonl
y
per
sonwhocouldhelpnow.

Osha:
It'
sEr
ic,
ThongandMonga.

Acol
dchil
lrandownherspi
neandweakenedherjoi
ntsasshe
st
oodther
elooki
ngathersi
tt
ingont
hetoil
etseat
.

Apul
a:Howdidyoumanaget
osl
eepwi
thMongaknowi
nghei
s
myexboyf
ri
end?

Osha:
Iwasn'
tthi
nkingofhiminthatl
i
ght..Iwasst
ressedoutand
t
heyweresi
tt
ingtheredr
inki
ng.I
'
m sorry
.

Apulastar
edatherspeechlessandcl
osedthedoort
henshe
walkedbacktothel
ivi
ngroom andsatonthecouchforaboutf
ive
minuteswit
houtaword..Tearsfi
ll
edherey
esandsheswallowed
i
ndi
sbel
i
ef,
shedi
all
edhersi
ster
sandconnect
edt
hem al
l
...

Ot
lhe:
Kef
ami
l
ymeet
ingwaeng?

Apula:Canyouall
pleasecomet
oOsha'
shouseassoonas
possibl
e?It
'sur
gent.

Mar
u:You'
rescar
ingme,
whathappened?

At
sil
e:Wabear
il
eng?{
whati
sitwi
thheragai
n?}

Apul
a:Idon'
thav
ethest
rengt
htot
alkov
ert
hephone.

Shehungupandr est
edherchinoverherhand.Minut
eslat
er
Oshawalkedoutofthebat
hroom andsatdownl ooki
ngather
mother
..

Osha:
Iwasunderal
otofst
resst
hatni
ght
,iwasdr
unkandmy
j
udgementwasi
mpair
ed.

Apul
alookedatherandl
eanedbackwit
houtaword,
mi nut
es
af
terMaruandAtsil
ewal
kedinandsatdownthenOtl
hewalked
i
n..

Apula:(
sighed)Icamei
nhereandfoundherbl
eedi
ngsobad,
i
eventhoughtshewashavi
ngami scar
ri
agebutshetol
dmeshei
s
not
.(t
oher)Pl
easetel
lthem whaty
oudi
dthatni
ght
..
.Ify
ouwant
ustohel
pyoupleasebehonest.
.

Oshalookedatt
hem f
eel
i
ngabi
tdi
zzy
,ev
enbl
i
nki
ngseemedl
i
ke
atask.
..

Apula:
Startf
rom t
hever
ybeginni
ng.
..Fr
om whenyoufoundout
abouttheaudi
o.Ri
ghtaf
terl
yi
ngtome. .
.Inst
eadofapol
ogi
sing
whatdidyoudo?

Osha:Iwasafr
aidyou'dbeangrywithme..
.IwasangrythatAt
sil
e
wouldn'
tj
ustsayI'
m sorr
ytome. .
.Justt
wowor ds.
..Iwentout
andgotdrunkthenigotki
ckedoutofthebar.Wenttothenext
onewhereDerri
ckwaswi t
hEric,ThongandMonga..

Maru'shear
tski
pped,sheputherhandov
erherchestt
ear
ful
l
y
l
ookingatherasshespoke.

Osha:
Iwal
kedov
ert
othem.
.

Maru:(
stoodup)Ihav
etogo. .
.Idon'twantt
obestr
essedbyt
he
det
ail
s.Shecanhavehim now..
.Itr
iedtofor
giv
e.

Apul
a:Wai
t,si
t.
..Hedi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ng.
.Si
t.
.
Shesl
owl
ysatdownandl
ookedather
..

Osha:IsatonThong'sl
apthenDerr
icktol
dthem somethi
ng
abouthisprobati
onandl
eft
.Eri
candi hadsext
herethenThong
andMongat ookmetoaroom wher
ewehadsex.

Ot
lhe:
Sexorr
ape?

Apula:Sexobvi
ously.
.Didn'tyouhearshesatonThong' slap?It
's
thesamet hi
ngshedidwi thTumangandi didn'
tbeliev
et hatman.
Hewasmat ur
eenought osaynoandnobodybel i
evedhi mt hen
shemett heoneswhodi dn'toweheranyfather
lyinsti
ncts..
.Tell
them whathappened..

Osha: I
'
vebeenonmyper i
odsi nce,
iwenttothecli
nicandthe
doctorsai
dit'
snothi
ng.Igotmy sel
fmedicat
ionanditwon'
tstop.
..
Ninithi
nksoneofthewi v
esdi dsomethi
ngt omeandshet hinksa
prophetoratr
adit
ionaldoctorcanhelp.

At
sil
e:Shesl
eptwi
thmyex.
..Kebot
hodi
.Ot
hodi
l
eMaoshal
e.

Otlhe:Ei
shkemat hata..
.Soy oubasicallysleptwi t
hev eryone'
sex
hereexceptme. .butIthinkthat'sablessingforyoubecauseI '
d
mopt hisfloorwi thwithy ourface.IknowApul awillsayt hose
menshoul dhav eknownbet terbutithinkit'
stimey out ook
responsibil
ity
.Yougotawaywi thseducingDer ri
ckandTumang,
nowy ou'regoi ngafterexboy fr
iends?Uhno, sohowdoy ouwant
ust ohelpy ou?At radit
ionaldoct ori
sgoi ngtosaygot ot hewife.
.
I
'veheardoft hesecondi ti
onbef oresoy ou'
regoi ngtof aceall
t
hreewi
ves?

Apula:Shei snotgoi ngt ocont actanyoft hosewi ves. .

.Not
becauseI '
m pr otectingherf rom thei rlawsui t
sbutbecauseI '
m
trul
yex haustedbydr ama...IsawMongaandLana, theylooked
happyandI '
mt iredofcausi ngpeopl epai ndirectl
yori ndirect l
y.
I'
veraisedOsha, shei sanadul tnowandi shouldlethergoi nto
thewor ld.
..Makeherownmi stakesandl ear nthehar dway .I '
ve
shiel
dedandpr otectedhert oomuch.Sheknowst hedi ff
er ence
betweenr ightandwr ong.Sheknewsl eepi ngwi t
hMongawast he
mostdi srespect fulthingshecanev erdot owardsmeknowi ngi
sleptwiththatmancount lesst imes.Al l
thedr amai hadwi thhi m
andhi sfami l
ysheknows, nowshewant sMonga' swi fetot hink
sinceIcoul dn'
tbr eakherf ami lymy sel fisentmydaught er.Iam
embar rassed..
.Iam hur t
.Iregr etget ti
ngOshaf r
om herf at her
becausei tseemsl iket herei smor ei nst oreformef rom her .She
i
sgoi ngt ohurtmebey ond...Shei sgoi ngt ohur tmydaught ert oo.
Ishouldn'thavebot her edmy selfrai
si ngt hisgirl
.Iknowt hat
l
egallyI'm nolongerr esponsi bleforherbecauseshei sov er18
buti washmyhandsof fher.TodaysheshockedmeandI '
m
throwingint het owel .Ididmypar t.
..
.

Oshabur
sti
ntot
ear
scr
ying.
.

Apula:Pl
easestopwithyourcrocodi
l
etears.Iam ti
redoftaki
ng
careofyouev enasanadult
..
.Wheny ouwer eapre-t
eeny ouwer
e
wise.Youactuall
ygavemeadv icest
henyoust ar
tedundressi
ng
Derrick.It alkedtoy out hinkingy ou'llstopbuty oudi dn'tunti
l y
ou
sl
eptwi thhi m.Ist i
llbelievedi nyouandsenthi mt oj ail
.You
misunder stoodt hisandt houghti meanty ou'
realway sr i
ghtand
menar et heonl yoneswhoshoul dsayno.Iam her ebecausei
pamper edy ou..
.Itstopst oday .Ifyouhav eapr oblem y ouknow
wher ethehospi talis,bot hpsy chologi cal
lyorot herwise..
.You
wor kint hemedi calfieldsoy ouknowwhatt odo. .
..
I'
m done
helpingy ouOsha.Youhav eacar ,takey oursel
ft othehospi talbut
onet hingy ou'l
lnotdo. ..You'llnotbr eakt hesemen' sf amili
es
akerey out aggertedt hem?Iwon' tbedr aggedi ntothis.Gawa
l
oiwaoi toi l
e...

Atsil
e:WhenThongi sveryser
iousaboutsl
eepingwit
hy ouyou
bl
eed...Notasbadasy ourssoundsbutyoureall
ydobleedfora
dayort woifhewasrough.Oneagogamol elagorekil
ekamo
utusabothoko.Ibetyouhecompensatedhimselfwi
thy ou.
..

Apul a:Ij
ustcal
l
edall
ofyout otel
lyouthati
won'
tbebother
ing
thiswomanany more,I
'm gi
vi
ngy outheworl
dmychil
d..
.You'l
l
comebackt omewheny ou'
rereadytobeachil
dofmine.Theone
iraised.

SheshookSky'
sshoul
dert
henshegr
abbedherhandandwal
ked
towar
dsthedoor.

Apula:(
tur
nedback)Iraisedy
ouwellandgav eyoueducati
on.
You'r
enowr eadytofacethewor
ldony ourown.I'
m choosingmy
peaceandI'm pr
otect
ingmychil
dfrom youbecausey ou'
re
unpr
edi
ctabl
e.Ishoul
dhav
echosenmypeaceal
ongt
imeago.

Shewal kedoutandclosedthedoor
,Marustoodupandwal
ked
outthenOt l
hefol
lowedher.Atsi
l
etookadeepbreat
handsi
ghed
sti
l
lsitt
ing.
..

Atsi
l
e:Doy oumindatt
endingcounsel
li
ngwit
hme?It
hinkwe
needtodealwi
thourchil
dhoodtraumassowecanst
ophurt
ing
andpushi
ngawayt hepeoplewholovesus.

Oshal
ookedathersur
pri
sed.
..

At
sil
e:I
'
llt
akeyout
othehospit
al.Don'
tworr
yaboutLala,
she
won'
tbeangryf
orl
ong.Lov
ingisherweakness.
.Let
'sgo.

Shest
oodupandl
ockedt
hehouset
hent
heywal
kedout
..
.

THREEMONTHSLATER.
..

*
MyKi
ndOfMan

#211

Att
hel
odge(
Shakawe)
..
.

Apul
al aidont
hepooll
oungeinherswi
msuitwit
hat owelar
ound
herwaistdownwhil
eSkystoodbytaki
ngavideoofherwakingup
andtakingasi
pofthej
uicewit
hasunhatandglasses.
..

Sky
:Yeswenaaa!Yesssss.
..

Apul
asmil
edatthecameraasSkytookpi
ctur
escut
ti
ngherl
egs
andsomet
imescutt
ingherhead.

Apul
a:Br
ingl
etmesee.
..Gokei
chei
pamahal
adi
blur
ry.
.

Skyhandedhert
hephoneandsippedhermother
'sj
uicej
umping
upanddownasherlongFrenchbrai
dbouncedonherback.
..

Sky
:Youl
i
kei
tmommy
?

Apul
a:(
laughed)UhSkymma.
..
.Youcutmyheadof
f.
..Whenmy
headi
siny
oucutmyl
egsbat
hong.
..

Apul
alaughedgoingthr
oughherperf
ectpi
ctur
esthoughsome
di
dn'
thavelegs.
..Okatleastt
heoneswit
houtl
egscouldbeused.

Anotherl
i
ttl
egir
lheragej
umpedi
nthepool
asshesmi
l
edl
ooki
ng
her
,shewav edather
..

Apul
a:Comet
akepi
ctur
es.
..Thi
sti
medon'
tcutmyl
egs.

Sky
:(r
ant
owar
dst
hepool
)Getasel
fi
est
ii
ii
i
ick

Shedroppedinthepoolandtheyscreamedlaughingandplayi
ng
i
nthepool.Thefatheroft
helit
tl
egirll
ayingontheotherl
ounge
wit
hsunglassesonlaughedatApulaandwav edather.Apula
wavedandsatdownst ret
chi
ngherar m asshetookaselfi
e..

Themanstoodupandwalkedoverf
ixi
nghisshor
tst
henhegot
herphonewi
thoutawor
dandsteppedback..
.

Hi
m:I
'
llhel
pyou.
..You'
l
lpaymebybuy
ingmeadr
ink

Apul
a:(
laughed)Icandot
hat
..
.
Shegotupandsmil
edatt
hecameraashet
ookmor eofher
,the
mansmiledadmi
ri
nghert
hrought
hecamer
alense.

Hi
m:(
smi
l
ed)Changey
ourpose.
..

Hetooksev
eralpi
ctur
esofherandhandedhert
hephonet
hen
t
heysatonthechai
rswatchi
ngthechi
ldr
en.
.

Hi
m:Mynamei
sName,
shor
tforNamet
so.

Apul
a:I
'
m Apul
a..

Hi
m:I
sthaty
ourdaught
er?

Apul
a:Yeah.
.

Hi
m:Shei
sbeaut
if
ul.
..

Apul
a: Yourdaught
erisbeaut
if
ultoo,sheisl
oving.Isawher
shar
ingherpizzawithmydaughteryester
day.Howl ongwi
ll
you
behere?

Name:
Aweek.
..

Apul
a:Ok,
busi
nesst
ri
p?

Name:No.
.Mywi feandi
usedtocomehereonherbi
rthday.
.Thi
s
i
swhereweconceivedmydaught
er.Mywif
edied3yearsagobut
si
ncel
astyeari
bringmydaught
erhereonhermot
her'
sbirt
hday
j
ustt
okeepthetradi
ti
ongoi
ng.
Apul
a:I
'
m sor
ryf
ory
ourl
oss.
.

Name:
It'
sok.
.Wher
eisherdad?

Apul
a:Mar
ri
ed,
wear
enott
oget
her
.

Lawrencewal
kedov
erandki
ssedApul
abef
orepul
l
ingachai
rand
si
tt
ingdown..

Lawrence:(
toApul
a)Therecept
ionisttol
dmeifyou'
renoti
nyour
room you'
dbeouther
e.Justarr
ived..
.(tohi
m)Hell
o?

Name:
Hel
l
o,I
'
llgi
vey
out
wosomespace

Lawr
ence:
Don'
tl
eav
eonmyaccount

Name:
It'
sok.
.Mydr
inki
sov
ert
her
eit
scool
i
ng.

Hewalkedawayasthechi
l
drenwavedathi
mjumpi
ngi
nthepool
,
Apul
alookedatLawr
enceandsmil
ed.
.

Apul
a:Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ou'
dmakei
t.

Lawr
ence:Hadt
ofi
nal
i
sesomecont
ract
sbef
orel
eav
ing.Who
wasthat
?

Apul
a:Justsomeguy,wecheckedi
nyest
erdayandf
oundhi
m
andhi
sdaughterher
e..
Lawr
ence:
Didhesayany
thi
ngi
nter
est
ing?

Apul
a:No,
hewasj
ustt
aki
ngpi
ctur
esofme

Lawr
ence:
Ok.
..Imi
ssedy
ou.
.

Heleanedov
erandki
ssedherasshesmi
l
edandki
ssedhi
m
back.
..

AtKi
ng'
sHouse.
..

Oshaknockedont
hedoorandsteppedbackholdi
ngasui
t,Ki
ng
openedt
hedoorshi
rt
lesshol
dingabott
leofbeer.
.

Oshawal
kedi
nashecl
osedt
hedoorl
ooki
ngather
..

Ki
ng:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?

Osha:Youhaveani
nter
viewin3hours.
..Theycal
l
edmebecause
you'
renotpi
cki
ngandtheyhavebeentr
y i
ngtocal
lyousi
nce
yest
erday
.

Ki
ng:
Mychar
geri
sdamaged.
.

Oshaputhi
ssui
tont
hebedt
hensheopenedt
hewar
drobeand
satont
hebedpol
i
shi
nghi
sshoes.
.

Ki
ng:
Sowear
egoi
ngt
opr
etendy
oudi
dn'
tbr
eakmyhear
t?

Osha:Youcancr yaboutitli
key oubeendoi ngformont hsory ou
canbathandgetr eadyfortheinter
view.Wecant alkaboutitaf t
er
thei
ntervi
ew...Ij
ustwantt omakesur eyougett hisjobwhet her
youtakemebackornoti supt oyouandi respecty ourdecision.
I'
vebeenat t
endingcounsel l
ingandI'm adiffer
entper sonnowbut
iwon'texpectany onetotreatmedi f
ferent
..Agot hapa.

Ki
ng:
Isi
tthewhol
esal
e?

Osha:
It'
sDer
ri
ckPhar
macy

Ki
ng:
Wai
twhat
!?Aphar
macy
!?Letmebat
h!

Shelaughedathi
m asherani
nthebathr
oom andshower
ed,
minuteslat
erhewal
kedoutandgotdr
essed.
.

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Meanwhil
eMj openedthedoorthenShinewal
kedinwithabig
bump,heclosedthedoorandheldherhandastheyjoi
nedhis
si
bli
ngsatthedini
ngtabl
e.Doveysmiledandwalkedovert
o
Shi
ne..
.
Dov
ey:
Wheni
sthebabycomi
ng?

Shi
ne:
(smi
l
ed)Ver
ysoon.
..

Br
yce:
Ican'
tbel
i
evey
oupeopl
ear
emat
ing,
thi
sisi
ncest
..

Mj
char
gedathi
m ashel
aughedr
unni
ng.
..

Br
yce:
Papa?
?Mj
wampet
sagape.
.

Hefell
andcur l
edhimsel
fintoabal
lthenMjstoppedj
ustbef
ore
hecouldpunchhim,heslappedhi
m ontheheadthenhewalked
away.Brycejumpedonhisbackashewalkedtothetabl
e
st
ruggl
ing..

Monga:
(wal
kedi
nthel
i
vingr
oom)Hei
wena,
you'
rehur
ti
ngmy
son.

Br
yce:Heshoul
dpr
act
icepi
ggy
backi
ngaker
eot
ogaanna
motset
si

TheylaughedandsatdownasLanaj
oinedt
hem.Mongatooka
deepbreathandsi
ghedabitwor
ri
edasLanasmil
edandputher
handsont het
abl
e..
.
Lana:Yourfat
herandihav
esomethi
ngtot
ell
you.I
t'
sadeci
sion
wetookthreemonthsagobutwedeci
dedt
okeepitbet
weenus
unti
lwearesureabout
..

Ther
ewassi
lenceasev
ery
onelookedather
,Mongasi
ghed
l
ooki
ngdownasLanasmil
ed.
.

Lana:
Yourf
atherandi
hav
edeci
dedt
o..
..

*
MyKi
ndOfMan

#212

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Ther
ewassi
lenceasev
ery
onelookedather
,Mongasi
ghed
l
ooki
ngdownasLanasmil
ed.
.

Lana:Yourfatherandi havedeci
dedtogetadiv
orce,
actuall
ywe
l
ongst ar
tedthepr ocessmonthsagowear ej
ustwait
ingforthe
courtt
of i
nali
seit.Wear eonseparat
ion.I
twasmutual
agreement.
..Wear enotf i
ghti
ngasyoucansee.

Mj
:Whyar
eyoudi
vor
cing?

Monga:
Iwasunf
ait
hful
toy
ourmot
her
..
.

Shi
nepickedthepl
atesandwalkedinthekitchenwhereshe
washedthem togi
vethem t
ime,she'dneverseensuchan
awkwardfamily
.Whereshecamef rom el
dersjustdi
dn'
ttel
lthei
r
chi
ldr
encertai
nthi
ngs..
.

Mj
lookedathi
sfat
herandmot
her
..
.
Mj:
Howbadcoulditbe?Didyoumakeababy?Idon'
tunderst
and
whyyoucan'
tj
ustworkitout
.Aren'
tyout
oool
dtobedivorci
ng?

Monga:
Ihav
etor
especty
ourmot
her
'sdeci
sion.

Lana: Mj t
hisisbetweeny ourfatherandme, wehav edeci
dedthat
i
t'sforthebest .Iwasn'tevendonet alki
ng..
.Whilewearewait
ing
forthedivorcet obefinalwewi l
lbef reetodatebecausedi
vor
ces
somet imest akealongt i
me.Wear eshar i
ngthi
swi thy
ousothat
youdon' tfi
ndi tawkwardorany t
hingwheny ouseemeory our
fatheroutonadat ewithanotherper son.Don'
tthinkweare
cheating.

Mj: Mutualagreementyatengmmekanapapagaacomf ort

able
kay onekoorehelabecausehewascaughtcheat
ingsohehast o
l
istentoy ou.
..You'
rebull
yi
nghim andt
aki
ngadvant
ageofthe
factthathewr ongedyou.You'
rebotht
oooldt
obedivor
cing..
.

Lana:
KanteMj accor
dingt
oyoui
shoul
dbewi
thy
ourf
atherev
en
i
fI'
m nothappy
?

Mj
:Papawagor
atamamaor
ayaj
ang?Onemi
stakehel
a.

Bryce:Butheshouldn'
thav echeatedsoi don'
tthi
nkanyofushas
therightt
omaket hatdecisionexceptthepersonwhowashur t.I
l
ov emydadbutIal solovemymom, andifsheisnothappythen
shehast oleav
e.What'sthepointofbei ngmarri
edifyoucan'
t
respecteachother
?

Lana:
Thanky
ou.
.

Monga: Br
yceisri
ghtMJ,yourmotherhaseveryr
ighttomakea
deci
sionthatmakesherhappy.Il
ostther
ightwheni gott
empt
ed
soi r
espectheddecisi
onandIdon' twantyoutomakeherf eel
badforit
.Cheati
ngisn'tabigdealuntil
you'
retheonebeing
cheatedsothisi
sourf i
naldeci
sion.Wehav edeal
twithi
t
pri
vatel
yforthepastthreemonthsandwear enowtel
li
ngyou,
verysoonwewi l
ltel
lourfri
endsandf amil
y.Yourmotherwill
alwaysbemyf ri
end..
.

Hel
eanedov
erandki
ssedheront
hecheek.
..

Monga:Sheisnotj
ustmyf
ri
endshei
smyadv
isor
.Let
'sr
espect
heraker
ebasimane?

Mj
:Eer
ra

Monga:AndwenaMjyourmot
herisnotShi
ne.
..
Lear
ntouset
he
r
ightt
onekebabymamay amegaseyagago.

Mj
:Ehekeagot
husawant
shol
ola?

Theyl
aughedasShi
newal
kedbacki
nandsatdown.
.

Monga:
(laughed)Idon'
tneedy
ourhel
p,kephoshi
tsemot
hoy
oo
seo.
.

Bry
ce:Icani
magi
nehowbadmamamusthav
ebeenkanagat
we
shewasbaref
oot
edf
arm gi
rl
..

Lana:
(laughed)Mxm l
ant
wael
alona
Monga:(l
aughed)Shewasact ual
lyver
ycute,i t
hinkofhera
roughdi
amond.I tt
ookagoodey e..
.whenshesawmesher an.
..
Shecoul
dn'tevenpronouncethewordprosti
tute.Kehaare"gare
maprost
ufi
ti"shethoughtit
houghtsheisapr osti
tut
e.Arwele
emeremot hogongat shol
ogelwakemetsihaphat eng.

Theyall
crackedlaughi
ngasshetur
nedl
ooki
ngathim wi
tha
smil
e,helaughedandleanedov
erki
ssi
nghercheek.
.

Monga:(
laughed)Butyouwerethemostbeaut
if
ulv
il
lagegi
rlI
'
ve
ev
erseen.Seeingherchangedmyli
fe.

Lana:
(laughed)Justkeepi
nsul
ti
ngmei
nfr
ontofy
ourki
ds.
..

Mj
:(l
aughed)Letmet
akeShi
nehome,
shecan'
tsi
tforl
ong.

Lana:
Byeby
enana.
..

Monga:
Can'
twai
ttobeagr
andpa.
..Cal
lmeGr
andPf
rom nowon

Shi
ne:
(smi
l
ed)By
egr
andp

Theyl
aughedandwal
kedoutasMonga'
sphoner
ang.
.

Monga:
Hel
l
o?

Thong:
Whencanweby
ethi
ngsf
orMJ'
sbabyshower
?

Monga:
I'
ll
askLanaf
oral
i
st.
Thong:
It'
saguyt
hing,
wemustf
igur
eitoutonourown.

Monga:
Ok.
.Wewi
l
ltal
kthen.

Thong:
Sur
e.

Hehungupandwal
kedi
nthebedr
oom wher
eLanawaschangi
ng
hercl
othes.
.

Monga:
wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Lana:
I'
m goi
ngout
,I'
l
lbehomel
ate.Pr
obabl
yar
oundboma8or
9.

Monga'
sfacedr
oppedashel
ookedatherbodyhuggi
ngdr
ess.
..

Lana:
Ifcan'
thandl
ethi
sthenwecanst
aysepar
atel
y.

Monga:
Idi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng

Lana:
Kebonankar
ewasul
agal
elwa.

Monga:
I'
m not
,what
'shi
sname?

Lana:Wearenotgoingt
here,weagreedt
ost ayoutofeach
other
sbusi
nessesandgiveeachotherpr
ivacy.Asknoquesti
ons
andyou'
l
lnevergetnoli
es.
.
Shepi
ckedherpurseandwal
kedoutasher
emai
nedt
her
e
st
andi
ngforaboutaminut
e.

Hewal kedoutj
ustasBr
ycewal
kedoutofhi
sroom wi
tha
backpack..

Br
yce:
Goi
ngf
orasl
eepov
er

Monga:
I'
ll
cal
lMrJohn,
pleasebehav
e

Br
yce:
Sur
eGr
andP.

Hewalkedouttoo,Mongawalkedi
nthel
ivi
ngr
oom whereDovey
waswatchi
ngaDi sneymovi
e..
.whi
l
eplay
ingwi
thherchi
l
dren'
s
makeuppall
et.

Movi
elai
dont heothercouchandpressedhi
sphonewit
hhi
sfoot
ov
ertheother
,Doveypickedherpal
l
etandwalkedovert
ohi
m.

Dov
ey:Mydol
li
stoosmal
l
..Iwantt
odoy
ourmakeup.
..Don'
t
moveok.
.

Monga:
Wai
tformamal
hemyl
ove

Dov
ey:
Buty
ouhav
eaf
acet
oo?

Monga:
(laughed)OK.
..
Hecar
ri
edonpr
essi
nghi
sphonewhi
l
esheputchi
l
dren'
smakeup
onhi
m...

AtKhumo'
sof
fi
ce.
..

Thongknockedonthedoorandsteppedinsmil
i
ngasKhumo
hungherhandbagoverhershoul
dersmil
ing,
heputhi
sarms
aroundherwai
standkissedherbef
oretheywal
kedout.
..

Khumo:
(smi
l
ed)Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?

Thong:
You'
l
lsee.
..Idon'
twanty
out
ocookt
oday
..
.

Khumo:
Ok.
..

Theygoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
..

Thong:SoIwasthi
nking..
.t
ooffi
cial
lyopenthefarmhouse..
.We
shoul
dinvi
tecoupl
esov erformovieni
ght.
..Music,bi
gscreenand
braai
..
.Whatdoyouthink?

Khumo:Soundsper
fect
..
.I'
l
ltal
ktot
hel
adi
esandwecanar
range
moreonit
.

Thong:
Cool
..
.
Shet urnedaroundtouchinghi
spackageasitslowlygotharder.
Hel ookedatherandl aughedasshesmilednaughtythenshe
unzippedhi spantsandleanedover
,hermouthstretchedf
ullyas
sheputt het i
pinhermout hashedrovewit
honehandwi t
ht he
otherov erherhead.
..

Khumo:
(whi
sper
ed)Fuckbabe.
..Whatar
eyoudoi
ng.
..Uh.
.

Shemassagedwhol elengt
hwi t
hherheadwhi
legaggi
ngont
he
toppar
t.Thongreachedthetraf
fi
cli
ghtsandr
oll
edupthewi
ndow
ashegroanedleani
ngback...

AtEr
ic'
sHouse.
..
.

Meanwhi
l
eEr i
cpar
kedthecarandgrabbedther
opehebought
t
henhewalkedint
hehousewhil
ehischil
drenwatchedTV.

Hewal
kedi
nthebedr
oom andsatonbeddi
all
i
ngSedi
..

Sedi
:(sof
tmusi
cint
heback)Hel
l
o?

Er
ic:
Wher
ear
eyou?
Sedi
:Ataf
ri
end'
shouse.I
'
llbehomel
ater
.

Er
ic:
Kant
ewhydoy
oucomehomel
ateol
emmey
oony
etsweng?

Sedi:Xuchi l
enyal
okilelaemi saeng,ifirememberwel litdi
dn'
t
stopyouf rom engaginginthedirt
iestactivi
tyev
er..
.Or obet
sethe
samegi rlwhosenty ourbrothertojai
l..
..
osaswabegor obal
a
ngwany anay oorobetswengkemogol oo...I
'
m withfr
iendsI'
m not
j
oling.

Eri
c:Khumowit
hherf
ami
l
yandLanai
sinGabor
one.
..Whi
ch
fr
iendi
sthat
?

Sedi
:You'
redi
stur
bingme.Myf
oodi
scool
i
ngdown.
.

Shecutthecal
lthenhesi
ghedandlookedatt
her
opeinhishands,
helookedatt
heceili
ngt
hought
ful
lythenhi
ssonwal
kedin.

Hi
m:Dadcomehel
pmewi
thhomewor
k..

Heputt
her
opeundert
hemat
tressandwal
kedout
..
.

Att
hehot
el.
..

Lat
erthatev
eni
ngLawrenceandSkywalkedinthef
amilyr
oom
wit
htwoboxesofpi
zzaasApulasteppedoutofbat
hroom i
na
t
owel
..
.

Apul
a:Wow.
..

Shepi
ckedasli
ceandat
ewhi
l
eSkygotherpi
zzaandsatont
he
bedwatchi
ngmovi
es.
.

Apulasatbythet
abl
eeat
ingandsi
ppedwat
erasLawr
ence
watchedhersmil
i
ng.
.

Apul
a:What
?

Lawr
ence:
Not
hing,
ijustl
ovey
ou.
.

Apul
a:Il
ovey
out
oomrt
oobusy
..

Lawrence:(
smil
ed)Myphonei
sof
f.
..I
'
m easyt
ocor
rect
.I'
ma
fastl
earner
..

Shel
eanedbackdrinkingwat
erandnoti
cedsomethi
ngamongst
thei
cecubes..
.Shelookedi
nsideandi
tlookedl
i
kearing.Sheput
herf
inger
sinsi
deandt ooki
toutashegotononeknee..
.

Lawr
ence:
Wil
lyoumar
ry?
MyKi
ndOfMan

#213

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Latert
hatni
ghtMongawentt
hroughhi
sbusi
nesscont
ract
sand
fr
owned,hetext
edhi
sPA..
.

Monga:
Yousentmi
ssi
ngf
il
es

Hi
m: MrT, I
'
minschoollhemorena.I
'
llgetMr
sNowat
oli
nk
mewi
thy
ournewPAsoi cancoachher.

Monga: ‍♂AsmuchasIwanty outosucceedi

nlif
eIwish
youcoul
dbemyPAf orgood.Idon'
thavenumberyathenewone
butI
'mtr
yingt
opushsomewor khere.

Hi
m: I
'
llhandl
eev
ery
thi
ngwi
thMr
sNowat
henI
'
llt
alkt
oyournew
PA.

Monga:
Alr
ight
,howi
sschool
?

Hi
m:Good,
ican'
twai
ttocomebackeducat
ed.

Monga: Shar
p.

Heputdownthephoneandcl
osedt hel
aptopthenhewalkedi
n
t
hekit
chenandmadeacupoft ea.Helookedathiswr
ist
watch
andi
twasalmost9pm.
..
hecheckedonDov
ey,shewasasl
eep.
HeopenedBry
ce'
sdoorandhewassti
ll
onhislapt
op.
.

Monga:
It'
sti
met
osl
eep,
you'
regoi
ngt
oschool
tomor
row.

Br
yce:
Ok,
goodni
ght

Monga:
Night
.

Heswitchedoffhi
sli
ght sandwalkedi
nthebedroom wherehe
satonthebedwaiti
ngf orher
,mostrest
aurant
swer ecl
osedby
thi
sti
me. .Shewasprobablyatsomeone'
shouse..
.

Hecli
ckedonhisphonetrackerappandl
ookedatherlocat
ion
r
eluct
antl
ythenhegrabbedthekeysatonceandwalkedout..
.

Att
hemul
ti
-r
esi
dent
ial
apar
tment
s..

Minuteslaterhedr ovet
hrought
hesecuri
tygat
eandintothe
parki
nglot,hest eppedoutandwalkedar
oundthenhespott
ed
hercarjust2car sawayfrom hi
sthenhegotbackint
hecarand
satdownwai t
ing..
.

Awhi
l
elat
erLanawal
kedoutwi
thanot
herman,
thet
wochat
ted
smi l
i
nglookingatoneanot herandstoppedbyhercar ,
they
huggedforaboutami nut ewhileshewasburiedint
ohisar ms
thenhekissedher..
.Frenchkissedher,Mongat ur
nedlooking
awayandcl enchedhisjawst henhelookedatthem againashe
openedthedoorf orher,shegotinthenheclosedandl eanedin
kissi
ngherbeforegoing.Shedr ovepasthi
m brushingherhair
.

Hewatchedtheguywalki
ngbacktot
hef
latt
henhest
art
edhi
s
caranddrov
eoutdial
l
ingThong.

Thong:
(sl
eepy
)Hel
l
o?

Monga: Gohedi
l
elait
eaka.
.It
houghtshewasj oki
ngbutt
hisi
s
ser
ious.Shedat
ingsomeguyi t
rackedherphone.

Thong:
(si
ghed)Ei
sh.
.

Monga:
(shookhi
shead)Yeah.

Thong:
Arey
ouOKt
hough?Anypl
ansf
ort
heguy
?

Monga:
No,idon'
twanttoharasshim aker
eLanaobv
iousl
ytol
d
hi
m wearei
ntheprocessofgett
ingadivorce.

Thong:
Fai
renough

Monga:
Yeah,
ijusthav
etot
rymov
ingont
oo.Shap

Thong:
Wil
ltal
ktomor
row.
Hehungupanddr
oveof
f.
..

Minuteslat
erhepar
kedthecarandwalkedinthehouse,hegotin
bedandl ai
ddownwhil
eLanasangi nt
hebat hr
oom showering.
Minuteslat
ershewal
kedoutanddidhernightski
nrouti
nebef or
e
gett
inginbed.Shef
acedthewallandt
ookadeepbr eathclosing
hereyes.

Mongaturnedar
oundandmov
edov
ert
henhehel
dhercl
oseand
ki
ssedherneck.
..

Monga: Iacceptyourdeci
sionwithoutanygr udges,apartofme
hasbeenhopef ulbutnowi acceptthati
t'
sov er.Iguessmay be
i
t'sthepeacethatmakesitsohar dt obel
ieve..
.Iwanttogost ay
atthecabinhousef orawhilesoigetmyt hought stoget
her.I
thi
nky oucominghomel ateatnightistakingitstol
lonme. .

Lana:
(gent
lyr
ubbedhi
shand)OK

Shet
urnedar
oundandki
ssedhi
m ont
hel
i
ps.
..

Lana:
Iunder
stand.
..Doy
ouhav
eagi
rl
fr
iend?

Monga:
No,
you?

Lana:
Yeah,
ihav
esomeone.Doy
ouwantt
omeethi
m?
Monga:
It'
stoosoon,
I'
m st
il
lgr
aspi
ngt
hiswhol
ethi
ng.
..

Lana:
Ilov
eyouok?

Monga:
(swal
l
owedt
ear
ful
l
y)Il
ovey
out
oo

Shelai
dherheadonhischestandsi
ghedsl
eepi
ngwhi
l
ehe
rubbedherar
m st
ari
ngint
othespace.
..

Att
hehot
el.
..

Lat
erthatnightSkyl
aiddeadasleeponhersingl
ebedwhil
eApul
a
smil
edsitt
ingonLawrence'sst
omachasshewentt hrough
weddi
nggowns. ..Hewentthr
ought hesui
ts.
..

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Look.
..Thi
siswhatIwant
..
.

Sheshowedhim andhesmi
l
edimpressed,
shet
ookapi
ctur
eof
herr
ingandsenttoherf
ami
lygr
oup.

Apul
a:Lawr
encepr
oposed.
..

Ot
lhe:
Idon'
tknowwhyi
don'
tl
ikel
awy
ers.

Mar
u: Hehasbusi
nessest
oo
Otl
he: Sti
llhewentt oschooltol
earnhowt ol
ieandgetawaywit
h
whatev erhewant s.Di
dy ouhearthathewonacaseinwhichhi
s
cl
ienthadki l
ledhisgir
lfr
iend.Whenhiscl
ient
saregui
ltyhewi
ns
onat echnicali
ty.

At
sil
e:Hi
sjobhasnothi
ngtodowit
hwhoheis.Lesannakea
nyal
wemma, thi
siswhatsheal
way
swant
ed.Aguywi thagood
st
abler
eputabl
ejob.

Ot
lhe:
Sesesal
angakemokgor
e.

Osha:
Mamacani
payf
ory
ourgownasagi
ft
?

Apul
a:I
t'
sexpensi
ve.

Osha:
Idon'
tmi
nd,
kel
ePnPt
hemma

Apul
a: Ok

Nini
:I'
l
lpayf
ory
ourt
radi
ti
onal
changi
ngat
ti
re.
.Youchoosey
our
patt
ern

Apul
a: Thanky
ou

Ot
lhe:
Igoty
ouwi
thmeat
,justonecow.

Mar
u:Gai
tsol
opanngwagol
oha,
DeeandIwi
l
lseewhatt
obr
ing.

At
sil
e:Met
oo,
wil
lfi
gur
eout

Apul
a:Thanky
ouguy
s

Boyboy
: wai
taweddi
ng..
.Ican'
twaitt
odance.Bat
hong
nnakebat
adi
l
odi pl
enwakanakobecauseI'
m peopl
e'
sperson.
..
Theylaughedeachtypi
ngatthef
amilygr
oup,Lawrenceputher
phonedownandf li
ppedherdownthenhegotontopkissi
ngher
asshesmi l
edputt
ingherarmsoverhi
sshoul
ders.
..

AtEr
ic'
sHouse.
..

Onthesameni ghtEr
icl
aidonthebedinthedar kasSedi walked
i
nandclosedthedoor.Herperf
umef i
ll
edt heroom asshesaton
thebedtaki
ngoffherheel
s,sheremovedhercl ot
hesandgoti n
thebat
hroom wheresheshoweredwhileEricl
aidont hebed..
.He
gotupandunlockedherphonewithherusualpatter
n, hecl
i
cked
onhermessageswi t
hsomeguy .Hisheartpoundedasher ead
hismessage.
.

Hi
m:Isweary
ouhav
ethesweet
estmoanev
er,
dri
vesmecr
azy
.

Sedi
:Iwasgoingtotel
lyouthesame,il
ikehear
ingamangrunt
andmoan..
.It
'sver
yrare,mostmenkeepquietortheybr
eat
hor
evenhi
ss Nobodyt urnsmeonlikeyou.

Hi
m:Di
vor
cey
adi
egamaankebat
amosadi
wame.

Sedi
:I'
l
lbey
our
ssoonbabe.Goodni
ght

Hi
m:Goodni
ght
.Don'
tl
ethi
mtouchmykuku.

Sedi
: nev
er!
Heputdownt hephoneandl ai
ddownasshewal kedoutandsat
ont heedgedry i
ngherselfandtyi
ngherhairt
henshelaiddown.
Eri
ct ur
nedaroundwi t
hapi l
lowandpressedi
tdownherf aceas
shegaspedki cking.Hepressedherlegsdownwithhi
slegsand
pressedherherar msdownwi thhi
skneesashesmot heredher
..
.
Sedi t
ri
edkickingrunningoutofairwit
hherli
mbspresseddown...

Ericbi
thislowerl i
ppr essi
ngdown, i
tactual
lytookl ongerand
neededmor estrengththanmov iesalway sdepict.
..Shejust
wouldn'tstopkickingbuthepr esseddownunt i
l t
herewasno
mov ement ,buteventhenhest il
lpresseditdownj ustt omake
surethenhef el
ttheblanketsgetti
ngwet ,heleftthepi l
l
owonher
faceandl ookedatherwi t
hpeewet tingthebed, het her
ewast he
smellofpoopt oothenhegr abbedt heropeundert hebedand
walkedout .
..

*
MyKi
ndOfMan

#214

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..

Thenextmorni
ngMongaturnedaroundsti
lli
nbedandl
ookedat
Lanaasshesatbyt
hedressingt
ableputt
ingonhermakeup.

Monga:
It'
saweekendwher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Lana:
I'
mvi
sit
ingaf
ri
endofmi
ne.
.

Monga:
Soi
hav
etobaby
sitagai
n?

Lana:
Bry
cei
scapabl
eofbaby
sit
ti
nghi
sli
tt
lesi
ster

Monga:Br
ycei
sgoi
ngf
ort
utor
ial
s.Ihav
etodr
ophi
m of
finaf
ew
mi
nutes.

Lana:
Youdon'
thav
epl
answhydon'
tyouj
ustr
emai
nwi
thher
?

Monga: Whatmakesyouthinkidon'
thaveplans?Ineedt
ogoto
churchandtal
ktotheel
ders.I'
m st
eppingdownandI '
m mov
ing
tothecabi
nhouse.

Lana:
Whenar
eyoumov
ing?Youdi
dn'
ttel
lmey
ou'
remov
ingout
.

Monga:Bet
weent hi
sweekandnextweek,i
can'thandlet
his
set
upanymore.Iknowwemadeagr eement
sbutI '
m notgoi
ngt
o
watchy
ouwalkinandoutatni
ght,goseeothermenandcome
backl
i
kei
t'
snot
hing.

Lana:
Akermmey
ouagr
eedt
othi
s

Monga:
Idi
dn'
tthi
nky
ou'
dact
ual
l
ygot
hroughwi
thi
t.

Lana:
Fine,I
'l
lcal
lthemai
dforanext
racashofbaby
sit
ti
ngdur
ing
theweekend.

Mongawalkedi
nthebathr
oom andtookabat
h,Lanagr
abbedher
handbagandwal
kedoutdi
all
i
ngt henanny
.

Shetal
kedt
otheherget
ti
ngi
nthecaranddr
oveof
fasGoi
wa
cal
led.
..

Lana:
Hel
l
o?

Goiwa:Hi,haveyoutal
kedtoSedi?Shewassupposedtogiveme
therubberbandsformyspinach.Shesaidsheboughtmea
packetofrubberbandsyester
day.Shewassupposedtodr
opit
offt
hismor ni
ngbutsheisnotanswer i
ng,Er
ici
sn'
tanswer
ingt
oo
andthereisnoansweront helandl
ine.

Lana:Maybethey'
resti
l
lsleepi
ng,t
ryagainlat
erar
ound10or
11am,butit
'sunl
ikeSedinottoanswerthephone.Kanaor
ata
phonegoreespecial
l
ynowaday skanait
helaachataasmil
eral
e
one.

Goi
wa:
Iwast
hinki
ngt
hesamet
hing.I
'
llcal
ll
aterl
egal
e
Lana:
I'
ll
keept
ryi
ngt
oo.

Goi
wa:
Bye

Shehungupanddr
oveof
f.
..

BackatthehouseMongaandBry
cemadebreakf
astf
or
themsel
vesandDoveyasthemai
dwal
kedin..
.

Her
:Goodmor
ning.
.

Bot
h:Mor
ning.
.

Monga:
FeedDov
ey.
..Iwon'
tbel
ong.

Her
:Ok.
.

Theguyswal kedoutasMongapr essedhisphoneandnoti

cedhe
hadami ssedcallf
rom Eri
c,butawkwardenoughhecall
ed
around2am.Mongacal ledbackbuttherewasnoresponsethen
hegotinthecaranddrov eoffwit
hBryce.

Monga:I
'
m movi
ngt
oMaunbutnotMaunexact
ly,
I'
m goi
ngt
othe
cabi
nhouse.

Br
yce:
Why
?
Monga:Becauseyourmotherandiarenolongertoget
herbuti
fI
st
aywithherI'
l
lnevermoveonorI'l
lbejeal
ousifsheseesother
men.Idon'
twanttolosemyt emper
.

Br
yce:
Ok,
I'
ll
becomi
ngov
eronhol
i
day
s.

Monga:
Yeah.
..I
'
dli
ket
hat
.I'
l
ltal
ktoMj
thi
sweek.
..

Hej
oinedt
het
raf
fi
canddr
oveof
f.
..

Att
hehot
el.
..

Meanwhi
leApul
aandLawr
encewal
kedi
nther
est
aur
antwhi
l
e
Lawr
encecar
ri
edSky.
..

Skyspot
tedhernewf
ri
endandherf
atherdr
aggi
ngt
hei
rluggages,
shesl
iddownandscr
eamed..

Sky
:Hey
..
.Hey
!

Sheranoutoft
herest
aur
anttowar
dsthepav
ementasNamet
so
smil
edandwaitedwat
chi
ngthegir
lst
alk.
Sky
:Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

Her
:Home.
..I
'
m goi
ngt
omi
ssy
ou.

Apul
asi
ghedandwal
kedt
owar
dst
hedoor
..

Apul
a:Letmegether
..

Lawr
encegr
abbedherar
m..

Lawr
ence:
I'
ll
gether
,gi
vet
hewai
tr
essouror
der
s.

Nametsolookedathert
hroughtherest
aur
antglassandwav
ed,
shewavedbackasLawrencepickedhisst
epdaughter
..
.

Lawr
ence:
Arey
oul
eav
ing?

Namet
so:
Yeah.

Lawr
ence:
Sayby
etoy
ourf
ri
endSky

ShewavedasNamet sograbbedhi
sdaught
ershandandwalked
towar
dsther
ecepti
on,heturnedbackl
ooki
ng,Lawr
encewas
walki
ngi
ntherest
aurantwithhi
sbackagai
nsthimthenhe
spreadhisar
mssigningtoApula,
butthenshecoul
donl
yjust
stareathi
m asLawrencewalkedovercar
ryi
ngSky,
he'
ddefi
nit
ely
seeherifshemadeanysigns.

Nametsocheckedoutandl
ookedatthem f
orthel
astti
mebef
ore
shov
inghi
swal l
etbacki
nthepocketandwalki
ngout
.

Meanwhi l
eApulasighedlooki ngatLawr ence,didshejustalmost
fl
ir
twithanothermani nfrontofherf i
ancé?Shepr omisedhersel
f
she'
dnev ercheatorembar rassher selfagain.Shewascl earl
y
l
uckywi t
hmenandmar r
iagepr oposalsshej usthadtof i
ghtthe
temptati
onsthatcomewheny oufinal
lyhav ear el
ati
onship.

Thei
rfoodcameandt
heybeguneat
ing.
..

AtEr
ic'
shouse.
..

Lat
erthatmorni
ngGoi waparkedthecarandsteppedout
,
sur
pri
singl
ytheywerebot hhome.Hisandhercarwerest
il
l
par
kedinthegarage.
..Itdi
dn'tev
enseem l
ikeanyonel
eft
.

Sheknockedont
hedoorandther
ewasnoresponsewhi
chwas
awkward,t
hechi
l
drenshoul
dhavebeenupwatchi
ngTVorhav
ing
br
eakf
astev
eni
fthepar
ent
shadal
ongni
ght
..

Shetri
edt
helockandrhedooropened,
shewal
kedi
nthequi
et
houseasherhear
tbegunpoundi
ng..
.

Goi
wa:
Sedi
?Juni
or?Fena?

Shewal
kedpastt
hebathr
oom andheadi
ngtot
hel
astbor
n's
bedr
oom wher
eshepushedt
hedooropen..

Goi
wa:
Fef
e?

Herhear
talmoststoppedasshenot i
cedapi
l
lowov
erherni
ece'
s
f
ace,shequiet
lywalkedovershaki
ng..

Goi
wa:
Stoppl
ayi
ngFena.
..Fena?

Shepickedthepil
l
owandcamef acet of
acewi
thherniecestar
ing
ri
ghtbackatherwithoutbli
nki
ngwi t
hhermout
hopen, shefel
lon
herbuttscr
eamingandr anouttothenextr
oom buthealsohada
pi
ll
owonhi sface.
.
Goi
wa:
Sedi
?

Shepushedt hemasterbedroom doorandSedi

wasl ayi
ngonher
back,shetri
edtoshakeherbutherbodywasstiff
,shescreamed
evenlouderandranoutsi
dewhereshegotbacki nthecarand
grabbedherphonecall
ingthepoli
ce..
.

Shepacedupanddownt al
ki
ngt othepol
iceasFena'spuppy
barkedcont
inuousl
ybehi
ndt hehouse.Goiwawalkedbehindt
he
housesti
llt
alki
ngtothepoli
ce..
.

Poli
ce:Wearesendi
ngacrewovertherenow,pleasedon'
tput
yourphonetoif
ari
ncaset
hey'
relostbecauseyourdir
ecti
onsare
notclear
.Ist
hewholef
amil
ydead?

Goiwa:Mybrot
heri
nlawi
snoti
nthehouse,
justmysi
sterand
herchi
l
dren.
.

Assoonasthepuppysawheri tr
anovertoherandbar kedeven
l
ouderrunni
ngtothebackofthehouseandbacktoher ,shehung
upandslowlywal
kedoverasthepuppypantedwiggl
ingi t
stail
runni
ngbehi
ndthehouseandt oher
.Shesteppedbehindt he
houseandgaspedcoveri
nghermouth..
.

*
MyKi
ndOfMan

#215

Somewher
einGabor
one.
..

Lanaturnedar
oundsl eepi
ngcomfort
abl
yont hebed, sheopened
hereyesandsatupy awningnakedt
henshegr abbedhi sbi
g
Tshir
tandputiton,sheopenedthesockdrawerandputonhi s
socksthenshewalkedoutt ot
hesit
ti
ngroom untyingherhair
.

Lyingonthecouchholdi
ngaremotehetur
nedlookingather
,hi
s
l
ipscurvedashesmiledandopenedhi
sarmsf orher,
shelai
don
hischestcuddl
i
ngthenheclosedheri
nandkissedher..
.

Him:(
softl
y)Lookwhoi
sawake.
..(
kissedherhead)Want
somethi
ngtoeat?

Lana:
Ngng.
..

Him:Yourphonewasri
ngi
ngbutudi
dn'
twantt
owakey
ou,
f
igur
edy ou'
l
lcal
lback.

Lana:
OK.
.

Shesatupandr
eachedf
orherphoneont
het
abl
e,hepi
ckedher
f
eetandputt
hem onhi
slapmassagi
ngherasshedi
all
edGoi
wa.
..

Lana:
Hel
l
o,sor
ryi
missedy
ourcal
l
.Iwassl
eepi
ng.

Goi
wa:(
cry
ing)Er
icki
l
ledSedi
andt
hechi
l
drent
henhehung
hi
msel
f.

Lana:
(gasped)What
?

Goiwa:(cr
ying)Ican'
tbeli
evet
hismandi
dn'
tevenwantt
o
apologi
seforwhathedi dnowhekil
l
edmysist
er.

Lana:
Idon'tknowwhatt
osay
..
.(gotup)I
'
llpr
obabl
ybet
her
ein
theeveni
ng.

Goiwa:
Andthej
our
nal
i
stsar
ecal
l
ingme,
idon'
tknowhowt
hey
gotmynumber.

Lana:
Ignor
ethose.I
'
llcal
lyouback.
.

Shehungupandgotdr
essedashest
oodatt
hedoorl
ooki
ngat
her
..

Hi
m:Whathappened?

Lana:Mysi
sterhasbeenmur
der
edbyherhusband,
heki
l
ledt
he
chi
ldr
entoothenhehunghi
msel
f.

Hi
m: Youseewhyikeepsay
ingyoushoul
dmov eout?Wear
enot
wi
redtohandl
epressur
ematurel
y.
..Menarenotst
rong
emotional
ly
.Thiscoul
dbeyouandyouknowver
ywellMongais
capableofdoi
ngitanddoi
ngitwel
l
.Whenyougetbackyouneed
tofi
ndahouse

Lana:Heismovi
ngout
,af
tert
hebur
ial
hewon'
tbecomi
ngback
toGaborone.

Him:Ok,keepcommunicat
ingwithhim aboutever
ythi
ngand
observ
ehisreact
ionst
oeverythi
ng.Al
lowhimt obehonestwit
h
you.
..Anastydi
vorcei
sthelastt
hingyouneed.

Lana:
Ok

Shegotdr
essedt
henhepi
ckedhert
opandhel
pedherdr
ess
bef
oreki
ssi
ngherandwal
ki
ngherout.
.

AtEr
ic'
sHouse.
..
.

Meanwhil
eMar uwalkedbehindthehousewher
eDerr
ickwas
si
tt
ingl
ookingatthetreewherehisl
it
tl
ebrot
her
sli
feended.
.She
st
oodbesidehim andrubbedhisback.
.

Der
rick:
Hecal
l
edmeat2am.
..
may
behadi
pickedt
hecal
liwoul
d
hav
echangedhismi
nd.

Mar
u:Youwer
esl
eepi
ng.
.

Der
ri
ck:
Ishoul
dhav
edr
aggedhi
m outoft
hathot
el.
..Iknew
bet
tert
hant
olethi
m dot
his.

Maru:You'renotbl
ami
ngyoursel
fforthi
s.Hecheatedandshe
ret
ali
ated..Youwar
nedhi
m andgedi dn'
tl
ist
en.
..I
thasnothi
ngto
dowithy ou.

Der
ri
ck:
Hedi
dn'
tev
ent
rustmeenought
oleav
ehi
schi
l
drenwi
th
me

Maru:Ithi
nkhedi
dn'
twantt
oburdenyou..YouknowEr
ict
hinks
aboutyoualot
.Hedi
dn'
twanty
out ostr
uggle.
.

Her
ubbedhi
sey
esandsni
ff
ed.
..

Att
hef
arm.
..

Thongputonhisworkglovesandgrabbedthepl
ier
sthenge
begunt
ighteni
ngthekraalwi
reasKhumosatont hecool
erbox
tal
ki
ngtothephone,shetookoffherhatandst
oodupinshock.
.

Khumo:(
ont
hephone)No,
pleaset
ell
mey
ou'
rej
oki
ng.
..Al
lof
them?

Thong:
(pausedwor
king)What
?Kemang?

Khumo:
(ont
hephone)Inev
ert
houghtEr
iccoul
ddot
hat

Thong:
Dowhat
?Putonl
oudspeaker
..
Khumo:Ok,
bye(
hungup)Er
icki
l
ledhi
swhol
efami
l
yandhung
hi
mself

Thong:
Sedi
neamot
wael
aaker
e..
.Idon'
tbl
amehi
m

Khumo:
Excusey
ou?

Thong:
Shewascomi nghomelate,chat
ti
ngal
lni
ghtwhi
l
eEr
ic
waslay
ingr
ightnextt
oher.Shepushedhimtoof
ar.

Khumo:
Didsheal
sopushhi
mtosl
eepwi
thOsha?

Thong:Doesn'
tevenmatter.
..Shewasget t
ingt
ooconf i
dent.
Somepeoplearenotthatpatient
..
.Betshesawy ouplayi
ngme
andthoughtshecoul
ddot hesamet oEric.Weallhav
eabr eaki
ng
poi
ntevenifyou'
regui
lt
y..
.

Khumo:You'
rethemosti
nsensi
ti
veper
sonI'
veev
ermet
,you
shoul
dnevert
alkli
ket
hataboutt
hedead.

Thong:Ommaakant se,neasetseamot waela.

..Basadi kanaha
bagony antshetsasentetheyleaveyouathomewi t
ht heki dsand
getfuckedbysomeguywhospendsnot hingonher .Youpi ckher
fr
om not hi
ng...Andshet hanksyoubysleepingaround?Er icwas
cheati
ngf orthefir
sttime.Sedineat wael
abl i
nd..
.Omodi ri
l
e
sente.Heshoul dhavecr i
ppledhersoshecanl ivewiththe
consequencesofherdeci si
on.

Khumost
aredathi
m speechl
ess.
..

AtMonga'
sHouse.
..
LateronMongawalkedi
nthehousewhil
eLanatearf
ull
ypacked
herbag..Hest
oppedatt
hedoorandlookedather
..
.

Lana:
(tear
ful
l
y)Er
icki
l
ledSedi
andt
hechi
l
dren!

Monga:
Shewentt
oof
ar.
..Idon'
tbl
amehi
m.

Lana:
(pausedl
ooki
ngathi
m)What
'st
hatsupposedt
omean?Ar
e
youbl
amingher?

Monga: I'
mjustnotbl
amingEri
c.Heusedt
ocallmecryingat
nightbecauseshewasoutther
ehavi
ngsex.
..Theyhadn'thadsex
for3mont hs,whatdi
dsheexpect
?

Lana:
Sheobv
iousl
ydi
dn'
tfeel
li
kesl
eepi
ngwi
thacheat
er.

Monga:Shoul
dhavemovedoutofthecheat
er'
shouseand
st
oppedbenefi
ti
ngfr
om t
hecheatert
hen.

Lana:
Mysi
steri
sdead!

Monga: Myf riendisdeadt ooLana.Sheshoul dn'

thavebeenout
thererevengingandspr eadingherl
egsf oranotherman.She
shouldhav efiledfordi
vorceifshewasn'twi l
l
ingtoforgi
vehi
m
forami stakehemadewhi l
ehewasdr unk.Hedi dn'
tgobackand
sleepwithOshabutshewentoutev erynighthavingsexmult
ipl
e
ti
mes...Sheov erdi
ditandpushedhimt oof ar.

Lana:
Inev
ert
houghty
ou'
dsaysomet
hingl
i
ket
hat
..

Monga:
Goi
ngoutt
ogetf
uckedbyanot
hermanev
erychancey
ou
getwhiley ou'rest
il
lcarr
yinganotherman'snamei swrong.
Doesn'tmat terift
hatmanwr ongedyou,twowrongsdon'tmakea
ri
ght.
..Italway sendsindisasterandguesswhat.
..Theonewith
themuscl eal waysdoeswhathewant s.Hewantedherdeadand
nowshei sdead.

Lana:
Soy
ou'
ref
inewi
thhi
m ki
l
li
nghi
schi
l
dren?

Monga: Weal lknowEr i

cl ovedhischildren, t
heirswasmer cy
ki
lli
ng..
.Sediwasexecut edf orrubbingi tonhi sfaceandt hey
werekill
edoutofmer cy.Hepr obablydi dn'
twantt hem t obe
orphansorlivewi t
hthef actthattheylostt heirparents.Idon't
condonewhathedi dbuti t
otal
lyunder standwher ehei scomi ng
fr
om. .
.I
'vebeendownt hatrabbithole.Ijustdon' tt
hinkt hereis
anywomanwor thdyi
ngf ororgoingt oj ailf
orgapet herear e
pl
entyofwomenoutt here.

Lanal
ookedathi
mforami
nut
ethenshecar
ri
edonpacki
ng.
..

Lana:Idon'tknowwhySedi opt edforcheat i

ngtoo, sheshould
havefil
edforadi vorceandf oundsomet hi
ngbet ter
.Somet imes
whent her
ei sonecl eanguywant ingyouatt hef army outhinkhe
i
st hebestthingafterJesus,unt i
lyououtt herewher eyou'l
lsee
therei
splentyoff i
shes.It
'slikeshopping.Youshoul dn'
talways
spendallyourmoneyont hef ir
stshop...Goar oundandseet her
e
mightbebet ter
..
.Sheshoul dhav efil
edf ordivor
ceandf ounda
mant hatdoesn'tcheat.
Monga: (laughed)Sot hereisamanoutt herewhodoesn' tcheat?
Everymani sgoingt ocheatatsomepoi nt..
.ev enifhecheat s
emot i
onal l
y.I
fy oustaytogetherlongenoughhewi l
ldefinitely
cheat.Youmi ghtfindout,youmi ghtnotbutev er
ymanget s
defeatedbyt empt ati
onatleastoncei nal if
et ime...You'reonl y
l
uckyi fyoumeetamant hathasl earnthislessonmmehel ahe
probablycheat edibthepastorhei sy etto.Unl essy ou'
ret alki
ng
aboutamov i
echar act
ertheny eaht herei spr obablyt hatguywho
willnotbet empt edandrejectwoment hrowi ngt hemsel vesathi m.

Lana:
Notevery
onei
sacheat
erl
i
key
ouMonga,
ther
ear
ebet
ter
menoutther
e

Monga: Fi
rstofalli am agoodman. .
.Youwon' tmakemebel i
eve
otherwise.Onemi stakedoesn'tdefi
nemet hesamewayy our
viol
entpastbehav ioursdon'tdefi
neyou.Iknowt hati am agood
manandi am capabl eoffindi
ngagoodwoman, onewhowi ll
see
thebesti nme. .
.Iftheguyf rom thefl
atstoldyouhewi l
lnever
cheatony outhengof orit
.Youhav emybl essi
ng. .
.I'
m notgoing
tokil
lfory ouorgot ojailf
oryou.You'renotwor t
hi t
.Onlymy
chil
drenar ewor t
hki ll
ingfor,i
fthatboyfr
iendofy oursabusesmy
chil
drenbeassur edI '
l
l comeforhim.

Lana:
Soy
ou'
rest
alki
ngme?

Monga: I
'
m not.
..You'
renotmakinganyefforttohideyour
relati
onshipandI'
m surepeopl
einthatf
latthinkI'
m st
upid.How
abouty outakeofftheri
nggorebabonegor eI'm noti
nthe
picture.

Lana:
Findagi
rl
fr
iendol
esegonnabi
tt
er.
.Youhav
en'
thadsexi
n
3mont hsI'm surethat'
swhyy ou'r
egetti
ngangri
erbytheday .Sex
helpsyour el
easest r
esshor mones. .
.Getsomeonetoassistyou
becausei don'tthi
nkthathandofy ouismakinganydif
ference..
.
Trythereal t
hing,haveast eamysexandsweat ,Ok?I'
mt alki
ng
fr
om exper i
ence.Thissmi l
et hatyouseeonmyf aceisn'
tfake.I'
m
actual
lyhappy .Tryit
..
.r
eleaset hatst
resssowecanhav ea
peacefuldivorceandcopar ent.

Shepickedherbagandwalkedpasthi
m ashest
oodther
e,his
thr
oatdriedupashedroppedhi
sphoneonthebedandwalkedin
thebathr
oom forashower.
.

Att
hehot
el.
..

Apul
apickedherphonefrom t
hechargerandloggedinFacebook
whil
eLawrencelai
dbesidesher.Shepausedatthetr
endi
ngnews
ofatri
plemurderandsuici
dethenshedial
ledMaru.
..

Mar
u:Hel
l
o?

Apul
a:I
sitt
rue?

Mar
u:Yes.
..Thi
sisbad.Der
ri
cki
sbr
eaki
ngdown.

Apul
a:I
'
m comi
ng.

Mar
u:Thanksal
ot.Idon'
tknowwhatt
odo.
.
Apul
a:By
e.

Shehungupandsi
ghed.
..

Apul
a:Wehavetogo,Maruneedsme..
.Herbrot
herinl
aw
commit
tedsui
cideandsheneedssomeonetohelpher
.

Lawrence:Butit
'snotyourfami
ly,
whyshouldwecutourtr
ip
shor
tforherfami l
y?I
sn'ti
tthesamefamil
yyourdaught
er
dest
royed?It'
sgoingtoseem li
keyou'
rer
ubbingi
tonthei
rfaces.

Apul
a:Idon'tr
epresentmydaught
erandididn'
tsendher
.Let'
s
go.
.OrI'
ml eavi
ng..
.Maruokai
laal
enosii
hav etobether
e.She
al
soneedsf amil
ybecausegasemotswadichabeng.

Shepackedherbags.
..

*
MyKi
ndOfMan

#216

AtKi
ng'
sHouse.
..
.

Oshaparkedi
nfr
ontoft
hehouseandst
eppedoutt
henshe
knockedandwal
kedi
natthesameti
me.

Ki
ngturnedunbut
toni
nghi sshi
rtasaseni
orschool
student
si
tt
ingonthebedpanicked..

Osha:Whyar
eyounotpi
cki
ngmycal
l
s?

King:
Getoutofmyhouseandknockt
henwaitf
ormyr
esponse
befor
eyougetinher
e.Thi
sisnoty
ourhouse

Osha:
Whoi
sthi
s?

Ki
ng:
It'
smygi
rl
fr
iend,
didy
out
hinkaf
tery
ouI
'
dnev
erf
indany
one?

Osha:
Ast
udent
?Icanr
epor
tyouf
ordef
il
ement
.

Ki
ng:Whatmakesyouthi
nkshei
sn'
t18?Isai
dgetoutandknock.
Thi
sisnoty
ourhouse

Osha:
Ifoundy
ouaj
ob

Ki
ng:
cor
rect
ion,
youdi
dn'
tfi
ndmeaj
ob.If
oundmy
sel
faj
ob.
..I
appli
edforapostisawont henewspaper,
unfort
unatelyihadn't
changedyournumberfrom myCVsot heycall
edyouwheni di
dn'
t
haveaphone.Iappreci
ateyourhel
pbutitdoesn'
tgi
vey out he
ri
ghttowalkinandoutofmyhousel i
kethat.Mygir
lf
riendcould
havebeenaloneinhereorbathi
ng.
.

Osha:
(poi
ntedatt
hegi
rl
)Li
tt
legi
rly
ouneed-

Kinggr
abbedherbythrcl
othesandopenedt
hedoort
henhe
pull
edherout
side.
.

King:Don'
ttal
ktoher.I
firememberver
ywel
lyoudumpedme
becauseibroughtnot
hingtot
hetabl
e.Acal
lfr
om myj
obdoesn'
t
changeanythi
ng..
.A

Shameony ou...
.Justr ocki
nginher eli
kenot hinghappened.Iam
notgettingl
eftoversfrom thebigboy s..Mauni ssosmal liheard
whatdamaget heycaused, nnammesant sekel engwanake
aparanor malcondoms.Youbul l
iedmef oral ongt i
me
ngwany anakewenakegoapeel akegodi r
elaeverythi
ngbutit
wasn'tenough.Haosenagohet swakebannababany etsengo
batagotakwano. ..Angat wemat hakababany etsenghaba
neetswengkukubarj aekarebael aelasoI '
m notsur pr
isedthat
apparentlyyounur sedy our
sel
fli
keamot setsi
.

Osha:Canwewor
kthi
ngsout
..Iunder
standt
hatumi
str
eat
edy
ou
butI
'm sor
ry.

Ki
ng:
Youcan'
tbesor
rykukuej
elwe.
..Atl
easti
fnneosaj
esaope
eebutnotformet odeal wit
hwhateverdamaget hoseguysdid.I
heardtheywerepor nstarsandtheotheroneiscalledManD
becausehisf
r i
endcalledhi m mandi
ngo.I'
m notcompetingl
ebo
mandingo.Iverymuchv aluemyego..
.Pleaseosekampui wa
that
a..
.Justl
eav e.Wecant al
kashumanbei ngsbutwear enot
gett
ingbacktogether.

Osha:
Ok,iunder
standthatI'
vehurty
ou.I'
m sor
ry,
andi hopet
he
pai
nI'
vecausedyouhasn'tchangedyousoyourgi
rlf
ri
endcan
enj
oyyou.Bye

Shetur
nedaroundandgotbacki
nthecart
henshedr
oveof
fas
Nini
cal
led.
..

Osha:
Hel
l
o?

Ni
ni:
Didy
ouhearwhatEr
icdi
d?

Osha: Yes,Mar uandDerri

cktol
dme...Ifeel
badenoughal r
eady
pleasedon'tmakei tworse.Iwi
shicouldgot her
ebutmamasay s
ishouldn'tt
hinkaboutputti
ngafootinthatyardbecauseSedi
's
sister
saretheircousinswill
bearr
ivi
ngsoonandi ftheyfi
ndme
theretheymi ghtbeatme.

Nini
:I'
mj ustgl
adthatbl
eedi
ngi
sn'
tcancerorany
thi
ngser
ious.
Forami nuteiwasworri
ed.

Osha:MaybetheseguysdamagedmywombandI'
llneverbea
mother
.Itwasmyf i
rstt
imebl
eedingl
i
ket
hatandt
ot hi
sdayI
wonderwhy
.Kanai
li
vewi
thapai
nthatkeepssur
faci
ng

Ni
ni:
Youmustdoapepsmear

Osha:
I'
ll
doi
t.By
e

Ni
ni:
Bye

Shehungupanddr
oveof
f.
..

AtEr
ic'
sHouse.
..

Randall
andThat
oar
ri
vedwit
hthei
rwi
veswhoj
oinedGoi
waand
othercl
osef
amil
ymember
s..
.

MrsRandal
l:
Sediwasver
yclean.
..Whent
hingsar
eli
ket
hiswe
usual
l
yrakethey
ardorcl
ean.

Goi
wa:Yeah,
ourcousi
nswereher
etoot
hinki
ngt
heycoul
d
t
shwar
atshwarabutwai
i.
..

Theycar
ri
edonchat
ti
ngast
heel
der
sfr
om bot
hfami
l
iesar
ri
ved.
.

AtApul
a'
sHouse.
..
.
Lat
erthatev
eni ngApul
aunl
ockedthedoorandwal
kedinas
Lawrencewalkedinbehi
ndhercar
ryi
ngSkywhowassleepi
ngon
hi
sshoulder
..
.

Lawrence:
Beautif
ulhouse.
..I
'
mreal
l
ypr
oudofy
ou.Youdi
dver
y
well
foryoursel
f.
.

Apul
a:Thanky
ou.
.Herr
oom i
sthi
sone.
.

Lawrencewalkedinandlai
dherdownt
henhewal
kedoutand
stoodinthemasterbedr
oom..
.

Lawr
ence:
Doi
needt
ochangemycl
othes?

Apula:
Therei
sn'tal
otofpeopl
e,l
esokegonel
esi
mol
ogangsoI
thi
nkishoul
djustgoal
one..

Lawr
ence:
Pleaset
ell
mey
ouwon'
tbel
ong

Apul
a:(
smi
l
ed)Iwon'
t,
Ipr
omi
se.Makey
our
sel
fathome.
.

Shekissedhim andchangedhercl
othes,
Minut
esl
aterRon'swi
fe
knockedatthedoorandwalkedin,
Apulametheri
ntheli
ving
room..

Her
:Hi
,ibetIwon'
tsl
eept
oni
ghtkest
ori
esf
rom Shakawe
Apul
a:(
laughed)Letmewakeher
..
shei
syourpr
obl
em now.I
can'
twaitt
obreath

Theyl
aughedasApulawalkedi
nherroom andcameoutwit
hher
andherbag.Thewi
feandSkyleftt
henApulawentbackt
othe
bedr
oom andputonhershoes.
.

Apul
a:Youcangoouti
fthi
nky
ou'
l
lbebor
edj
ustwai
ti
ngf
orme.

Lawr
ence:
No,
I'
ll
rest
.I'
m act
ual
l
yexhaust
ed

Apul
a:Ok,
bye

Sheki
ssedhi
m andl
eft
..
..

AtEr
ic'
sHouse.
.

Lat
erthateveni
ngMongapar
kedthecarandst
eppedoutas
Thongwalkedovert
ohim.Hest
eppedoutandtheyshoul
der
bumped..

Thong:
Lanaokae?

Monga:
Sheisdrivi
nghersel
f,aker
eshedecidedt
oleavefi
rstnna
abekemolesa.
..Ihadt
opackmyt hi
ngsforthef
arm any
way sso
Ispentt
imepacki
ng.

Thong:
(laughed)Atl
eastcal
lherandmakesur
eshei
sfi
ne.

Monga:
Shei
sfi
ne,
ift
her
eisapr
obl
em shewi
l
lcal
l
.

Thong:Khumowant
smet
osy
mpat
hisegor
eSedi
diedwai
tse
basadi
bone.

Monga:Butki
l
li
ngherwasaneasywayoutt
obehonest
,deat
his
peacef
ul.

Thong: Myt houghtsexact ly,heshoul dhav ecrippl

edherorwai t
mont hssohedoesn' tgetsuspect ed..
.Thenpourherf acewith
acidanddi sfi
gureherf orlife,seeifshewi llkeepsleepingaround
l
ooki ngli
keabur neddol l.Imustbev erycruelbecausei don'
t
under st
andwhypeopl eal way srevengewhent heiremot i
onsare
high,kanai fyoudon'tplany ougetcaughti mmedi atelybecause
youhav en'tevenplannedf oraftertheeact i
ongor ehowdoy ou
getawaywi ththecri
mey at eng.Heshoul dhav edonesomet hing
thatwoul dmakeSedi unwant edbyanyman. .
.Akereenehe
alreadyloveshersohewoul dhaveaccept edherl i
ket hatabeba
nnapeacef ul.Ibi
l
enomanwoul dev erbotherhim withhiswife.
.

Monga: Orjustgetanothergir
lfri
end,ei
shbanyanababantsi
,i
can'
tbelieveIusedtobesost uckononegi r
lanyel
elathewhol
e
yearkeeme.Iusedt obesost upid.
..Ij
ustdon'
tseethepoi
nt.
.
Nnai won'tgiv
eupi nrelat
ionshipslehagokannabad.

Apul
adr
ovet
hrought
hegat
eandpar
kedt
hecar
..
.
Thong:
Apul
akey
oo

Monga:
Letmel
eav
e,I
'
llcomebackwhenhel
eav
es

Thong:
(laughed)Why
?

Monga:Kejel
engwanawagagweaker
e..Ot
ogaampot
sawhy
nnekedir
ajal
o.

Thong:
(laughed)Shecamet
ous,
comeon

Monga:Yeahbuti shouldn'
thavepart
ici
pat
edthrsamewayi
woul
dn'texpecthertosleepwithMJthoughMJal eol
denought o
hi
tonwhoev erhewant s.I'
m goi
ngtotakeashower,I
'
llbeback
shor
tl
y.

Thong:
Shar
p.

Hegotbacki
nthecaranddr
oveoutasLanadr
ovei
n.

Att
hef
astf
oodr
est
aur
ant
..
.

Lat
eronMongagr abbedhi
stakeawaysandwalkedoutbumping
onOsha,
shelookedinhiseyesandlookeddownembarrassed.
.

Monga:
Hi.
.
Osha:
Hi.
.

Monga:
Der
ri
ckt
oldusy
oubl
edbadl
yaf
tert
hati
nci
dent
,howar
e
you?

Theshopassi
stantcal
l
edoutor
dernumber
sandi
ncl
udedher
s..

Osha:
Letmegetmyor
der
.I'
l
lbeback.

Shewalkedoverandgotheror
der
,Mongahel
dthedoorf
orher
thenshewalkedout
.

Osha:Thanks.Um...Ir
ecover
edafterbl
eedi
ngf
orafewdays.I
gotcheckedforalotofthi
ngsbutnothi
ngcameoutbad.I
'
m
thi
nki
ngofdoi ngapepsmear .

Monga:
Ok.
.

Ther
ewassil
enceastheywal
kedtowar
dstheparki
ngl
ot,
Osha'
s
well
edupt
henshestoppedandt
urnedl
ookingathi
m..

Osha:(
tearf
ully)I'
m sor
ryabouty ourf
ri
end.Ishoul
dn'thaveput
youguysintroubleli
kethat.Iwasgoingthroughalotattheti
me
andiwasaddi ctedtosex.
..Ididn'
twantordinar
ysex.Ihadweird
ki
nksand.
..
.Iwasempt
y,i
wishedbadf
orot
herpeopl
eand.
..

Shebursti
ntot
ear
s,Mongahuggedherandsi
ghedr
ubbi
ngher
back.

*
MyKi
ndOfMan

#217

Att
hemal
l
...

Osha:(cr
ying)I
'
m sorry.
..Ifeell
ikeiki
l
ledal
lthosepeople
becauseiknewi t
sbadt osleepwi t
hamant hathasafamily,i
knewitwouldaffectthechildr
enbutiwashurtl
essjustbecause
myf at
herwasn'tther
ef ormel i
kethat
..
.Iwasjust-

Monga:
Shhh.
..Eyl
i
sten.
..

Theystaggeredagainsthiscarwherehesti
llhuggedherwhil
e
theybothhel
dt hei
rtakeaway s.Heputt
hepaperbagov ert
he
bootandleanedbackhol dingbothofherar
msl ooki
ngather.
..

Monga: I
t'
sok. ..Wearenotkids.Ifanythingweshoul dhav e
protectedy ou.Ishouldhaveprotectedy ouandt ookyouhome. ..
Remembert hef i
rstt
imeIsawy ou?It hi
nky ouwer eli
ke7i fnot8.
I
ft hi
ngsdi dn'tgosout hbet
weeny ourmot herandi..
.iwouldhave
beeny ourfat heraswespeaksoi shouldhav eactedbet t
er.

Osha:(smi
ledtear
ful
l
y)Pr
obablywoul
dhav
eenj
oyedmy
chi
ldhoodwit
hy ouasmydad.

Monga:
(laughed)Andi
promi
seIwoul
dn'
thav
etouchedy
ou
i
nappr
opr
iat
ely
,I'
m notapedophi
l
e..

Osha: Iwouldn'thav etouchedy ouei ther.

..
ofal lt
heguy siregr
et
doingitwi t
hyouandi f eelsickthaty ou'
retheonei enjoyedbut
knowinghowmymom f eelsabouty ouandnowt hatI'm outof
whatev eriwashi ghoni seehowcr azyi acted..
.Ifeel l
ikekediri
le
bothodi andsincet henmyr elat
ionshi pwithmymot herhasn't
beent hesame. ..Funnyt hingshei sfinewi t
hNi ni.
..Igetaf eel
ingi
crossedt heli
newi thyou.Youwer eof f-
li
mits..Shelov esyou.

Hel
ookedathert
alki
ngandl
aughedf
oldi
nghi
sar
ms.
.

Monga: Yourmot herdoesn' tlov eme. ..Ineverunder stoodwhy

shecheat edbecausei usedt ot hinkifsomeonecheat stheydon't
l
ovey ou.Nowt hatI '
vecheat edonsomeonei lovedi knowi thas
nothingt odowi thlove.Soi nawaysheandi werej ustnotmeant
tobet oget her.Whenshewasr eadyt ogiveitatryi wasi na
rel
ati
onshi p,sher eal
lyt r
ied..
.Ican' tblameherbecauseshet ri
ed..
.
Shet ravelledtwicet ogi veitat rybuti wascommi ttedt oanot her
person...nowI '
m gettingdi vorcedbutshei snotav ailable..
.i
t
wouldn' thurttogi veitat rybuty ouandi justbasicallymadei t
i
mpossi bletogetbackt ogether .Itj
ustwoul dn'
twor kouthav ing
herwi thy ouar oundknowi ngi sleptwi thbothofy ou.Idoubtshe' d
beOKwi t
ht hat.

Osha:I
'
mv erysadthatI
'
mt hereasony
oucan'
tbetogethernow,
I
'v
edestroy
edev er
yoneandit
ssadbecauseican'
tundowhatI
di
d..
.
Monga: Youdon'tevenknowi fshewoul dhavewantedmeback
evenifwedi dn'
tdoany t
hing.
..Idon' tevenknowifI
'dreal
lyreal
l
y
wanther,it
'sthesamel adythatmademespendt imeinjailf
or
murder.Isti
lldon'
tknowhowt hatmangotoutoft hatshall
ow
gravebutthatwasGodcomi ngt hr
oughf orme.
..
Alothappened
betweenmeandher ..
.Don'tfeel bad..

Osha:
Ok.
.

Monga:
Ihav
etogo.
.St
aysaf
eok?

Osha:
Ok.
.

Hegrabbedhi
spaperbagandgoti
nthecarasOshasmil
ed
l
ooki
ngathim,shegoti
nhersandrev
ersedt
henshedrov
eoff
..
.

AtEr
ic'
sHouse.
..

Laterthatni
ghtKhumoandLanasatbehi
ndt